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

L
tide and be lost in the stream? All that
is left them is endurance and oblivion to
hide where none know from whence you
| came or where you CO."
81 think" | interrupted her, "that the
| judgment of the people is less to be feared
than the reproaches of ones own con-
| science"
'Oh, hush! hushl sir. Do you be-
lieve that / underrate this inner judg-
ments | struggled long before | became
| reconciled to come here. | was even in
duced-not to. Oh, God! l dare not
think of it; and you do not know-you
cannot understand. But do not wish it
otherwise. / must not brighten myself
with reproaches Others will do that"
AS she said this her whole manner
changed she seemed to cast aside all
fear; her head was proudly erected; her
eyes frightened with determination that
changed the child to an earnest woman.
She picked up the bundle that had fallen
from her arm during her siege for CON-
posure, and, coming close to me, she
said:
"Mr. Inspector, l am to remain here
seven days. | was told you had received
the order for my reception. Here is the
document that holds me prisoners this
sufficient? If not, please tell me what
else is required of me?"
Her manner had required such quiet
dignity that my intercourse could not go
beyond business questions; although my
interest and curiosity would like to have
known more about her family and self,
and particularly the crime that brought
her under my supervision.
She still retained her calmness when
locked in her CELL Without exhibiting
any particular emotion she entered the
little, dark room. / directed her to the
bed, gave her few particulars in regard
TO the rules of the place and left her alone.
This was the beginning of distressing
drama
The following morning l went to the
examining bureau to find particulars in
regard to Adeline Won r., but could dis
cover little. The case had been heard at
some place quite distant, where the priso-
ner was formerly resident, and in the
requisition it was particularly remarked
that she desired to "serve her time"
under me, but the act that called for seven
days Imprisonment was not stated !;
whether by design or mistake we were to
be left in ignorance, l could not say.
There is nothing more passing than
time. Adeline Won r., had done penance
six days. Only l had seen her during
this time; even the director, being indis-
posed, had not made his customary revis-
ion. did what was in my power to make
her punishment light, and she showed
her appreciation by giving me no cause to
complain.
| was no wiser in regard to her circum-
stances. Every attempt to question her
Il t,Yr / ri n
understand that my right did not extend
into her private affairs.
The morning of the seventh day she
greeted me with hearty cheerfulness,
telling me how she would count the bours,
and discovered that some one was look
| ing for her release as anxiously as she
herself desired it, but could not tell was
| it father, mother, brother, or sister, or
| friend. Another time and place enlight-
| ened me.
| Some hours later received an order
for the appearance of A. Won r. before
the examining judge. The person that
| brought it limited at something peculiar
in regard to the prisoner as the judge and
| the city officials with him, were enjoying
| some Joke in connection with her arrest.
| did not send her the order, but went
myself, to acquaint her that she must
again appear before the court. Joyfully
she met me.
"Oh, Mr.. Inspector" she cried, "only
| six hours and half and then | shall be
free. ! can again inhale the air of free
dom. Sweet thought! Freedom! how
shall love thee now; but what is it, you
look so stern, so dark, as if"
"You are to appear before the Judge
| follow me-"
"He wishes to speak to me? My God
| do not know this man; what can he
want of me?"
81 cannot inform you; he will no doubt
enlighten you. Hasten, they are waiting
lone moment, will be ready"
She appeared innocent, certainly she
was astonished, but more impatient than
frightened. But her lovely eyes no longer
laughed; she searched for something
and they espied cloth hanging on the
back of chair. With charming move
ment she threw it over her head and
placed herself a. my side. -.
"Mr. Inspector, my toilet is finished
The Judge has probably some news to
communicate, for, of course, can abide
here no longer" 49,
She again laughed in childish glee. AL
the way her spirits were joyous, she was
unconscious OF wrong, ana, nopeu, Iree
from future punishment. With the Judge
were other officials belonging to the city
and stranger unknown to me, large
stout man, evidently a detective in civil
ians dress. Feeling that he would figure
in what followed l particularly noticed
him.
AS we entered / noticed him cast
quick, sharp glance at my prisoner, anc
his features relaxed into meaning smile
read in it that my prisoner was guilty
person and he detective. AT the time
that did not annoy me as much as thu
mans smile. How could he laugh!
The profession is not trifiing one. IL
hunt up guilty parties requires charactel
that is conscious Of the duties 1t under
takes, and to characterize it with frivo
lous carelessness seemed out OF place
then. The mind must have body with
out heart in it, and been entirely withou
! feeling.
"Well ?" asked the judge.
at is as / said," replied the man.
"Mr. Inspector" said the judge, turn
ing to me, ''you gave notice that Adelin'
Won r. was under arrest with you sever
, days"
ayes"