Page 68 of Taming Lady Temperance

“By exercising her First Amendment rights.”

Taggert had no response to that, and Noreen’s pulse slowed just a tad.

“I also have it on good authority that she wrote you a letter of apology. Did you receive such a letter?”

“Well, yes, but I’m sure it was . . . some sort of . . . ploy.”

“Miss O’Sullivan has shown remorse for her actions and taken steps to atone. She has no prior arrests, and according to these character references . . .” He held up a stack of papers. “She is a model employee, a regular church attendee, and someone who wishes to better her community.”

People had written character references for her? She peeked at James from the corner of her eye. Had he arranged that?

Judge Lynch motioned to her. “Miss O’Sullivan, please rise.”

She stood.

“Miss Noreen O’Sullivan. You are hereby released on your own recognizance. You are sentenced to make restitution to Mr. Milton Taggert in the amount of one hundred fifty-two dollars and seventy-five cents. The amount may be paid in a lump sum or in payments of ten dollars a month over the course of the next fifteen months. The first payment is due on June 1, 1894. Should you fall delinquent, you will be found in contempt of court and will face jail time.”

Before she could ask any questions, he banged his gavel and exited the courtroom.

Ten dollars a month? She barely made fifteen dollars a month at the hotel. How would she live?

A bigger question filled her mind as she heard Milton Taggert behind her, complaining about the ruling. How would she live with the knowledge that two-thirds of her salary would be going to purchase the very thing she’d dedicated her life to eradicating?

Chapter

32

After Judge Lynch’s ruling, Noreen’s mind whirled with conflicting thoughts and emotions, leaving her unsteady on her feet. James appeared at her side in an instant, his hand going to her elbow as if he could sense the turmoil inside of her.

“Guess this means I can have my mattress back.” He grinned as he made the quip, and her internal spinning slowed.

“I don’t know.” Her lips turned up at the corners. “I might need to take up residence there. It’s cheaper than the boardinghouse, and it seems I’ll be running short on funds for a while.”

His gaze ran over her face, and his thumb caressed the inside of her elbow. “Don’t worry about the money, Noreen. It’ll work out. You’ll see.”

She wished she shared his optimism. She believed in God’s provision—the fact that an ally like James stood with her in this moment was evidence aplenty of that blessing—yet the wrong she’d committed deserved the punishment she’d received, and she didn’t see how a just God could ignore her responsibility. Still, she offered James a smile and a nod, not wanting to dim his confidence.

“Noreen!”

She turned to find Martha and Jane waving to her over the top of the short railing that separated the gallery from the official section of the courtroom. Stepping away from James, she hurried to her friends and gladly opened her arms to accept their dual embrace.

“Praise the Lord you’ll not have to serve any more jail time,” Jane murmured in a soft yet fervent voice.

Noreen nodded. “Yes, a blessing, indeed.” She’d not miss the bars nor the boredom, but she would miss having James so near. Now that she bore the label of convicted vandal, he’d need to distance himself from her to protect his upright reputation. A task he seemed disinclined to accept, which meant she’d have to help him.

Martha patted Noreen’s shoulder, her expression one of unswerving confidence. “We will dedicate our next Tuesday Tea to making a financial plan for the restitution. I have a nest egg we can dip into at any time, if you need a loan. All you have to do is ask.”

“I’m not touching your nest egg, Martha. Though it is sweet of you to offer.”

She knew how Martha scrimped to set aside money to provide for herself when the time to retire arrived. Spinsters without family members to lean on had no one to depend upon but themselves for financial security in their later years. She’d not risk depleting Martha’s funds. If something happened and Noreen lost her job or became injured or half a dozen other undesirable outcomes, Martha would be left paying the price for Noreen’s foolishness. She’d not take that chance.

Martha looked like she wanted to argue, but Hortense Lockwood approached with two other spinsters in tow. Personal discussions would need to wait.

“Miss O’Sullivan, I was impressed with the forthright way you conducted yourself in court today. I respect those who take responsibility for their actions and learn from their mistakes. I believe you have done both.”

Noreen dipped her head. “Thank you, ma’am.”

“I had some rather fruitful visits yesterday.” Her eyes glowed with depth of meaning. “I look forward to seeing you at our Thursday gathering.” Miss Lockwood dipped her chin, and Noreen caught her breath.