Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-12-25
FOR ANOTHER.

DAYS Imprisonment. l was notified to
receive her in prison.
The lady did not interest me, because
was not personally acquainted with her.
| was also ignorant as to the cause of this
Judgment, but still l could not place the
order out of my sight without repeated
perusals, feeling a foreboding that some
thing unusual and gloomy would surely
transpire in connection with it.
There was really nothing remarkable
about the seven days. imprisonment and
yet it might be that a longer sentence was
obviated by the social position of the lady,
had not the document ordered close con-
fnement and no amelioration of the rules
of the place for her.
But other business pressed, and one
week and then another went by, and the
circumstance had almost been forgotten
when the last day of the third week again
recalled it.
1t was getting late; the prisoners had
received their supper, and had retired to
my room to attend to some writing that
my duties during the day had left me
little time for. was so deeply absorbed
that had not heard the door open, and
was consequently more than startled when
I heard not far from me, a trembling voice
utter soft "Good evening"" Looking up
saw an elegantly sttired young girl, hes
itating at nearer approach, and seemingly
waiting to be addressed.
had time to make observations. Her
style of dress first attracted my attention.
1t was not such as l had been accustomed
to see around me on my visitors to this
establishment. Her face was young, fresh,
and round the regularity offeatures alone
pf 20
beauty, the downcast eyes closed their
mirror from view, but the whole express
sion of face and person indicated sense
of horror, shame, and fear.
Such conduct is rare in prison, yet the
girl had evidently come to stay, judging
BY the bundle of wearing apparel she
carried.
My sympathy was awakened, and in a
kinder tone than should have used un.
der ordinary circumstances for this i'll.
timed disturbance, requested her to
approach me.
She did not move; her head remained
bowed, the eyes dropping.
"What is your manner"
received no reply. The girl seemed
TO struggle for compOsure, her lips quiv'
cred, her mouth vainly trying to form
words.
"But, dear child" asked rather impa
IDENTITY after pause, "you must tell me
what you desire; why are you here"
| am here under arrest"
She said it almost whispering, the
words scarcely passing her lips. l looked
at her in establishment.
For how long?"
.'Oh, Godi" Zach, GottO
Nothing but this escaped her mouth
She breathed heavily, her bosom palpi
tating with distressing rapidity. She
tried to conquer herself, but the strength
Of her feelings seemed to master her en-
deavors.
"Tell me, child, how long must yor
remain heres"
"Seven days"
This expression seemed to bring unut
terable relief The trembling limbs be
came quiet, respiration regular, only the
eyes remained downcast still.
And your name"
81 am called Adeline Won r."
"Ahw
The exclamation escaped me before
was aware of it, The girl was startled
and directly raised her head and gazed mt
full in the face, with an unspoken inquiry
saw two eyes, large and wondrous beau
tiful, an irresistible power of fascination
within their depths speaking of childlik'
innocence, fearful sorrow and fright, ye
expressive of resignation; they were hu
mid with suppressed tears that told of tn
will to be strong and endure.
What should / do with Adelne Won r.
how should / treat herr Her station il
life demanded proper respect. did no
want her to see that felt this to be sc
and yet did not wish to repulse her.
was yet undecided how to act when sh
said:
Mr. Inspector, you know now why
am here; cannot ask you to set asid
your duty in my behalf; but oh, l be-
you will not make my position harder Z
bear than is called for. May be alone
left to myselfy'
IF you desire It,"
"And no one will see me?"
None but the prisoners employed o.
the premises"
THAT is good Il would like to hide my
self from all humanity, and from the dea
God too. Under arrestl Oh, the disgrace
will cling to me forever. Oh tits hol
rible, and TO bear it through life--terr1
In her excitement Adeline Won r. strucl
ner hands together alternately GOVERN
her face with them, as if to shut out pic
lure conjured by the Imagination Of
fearful future.
You 60 too far" said /, trying to CON
iort her; "the disgrace does not consis
IA the arrest, but in the causes, the dee
mat requires such penance.o