The Morning herald., 1877-08-11

-Vhe ether falsely accused or not, it is
certain that within three months of this
time, she stood charged with an attempt
to commit theft, and she was sentenced to
six xmonths' imprisonment. The experience
did not improve her. How Langley, once
more at Portland. under sentence Of twen-
Nv years penal servitude, as convict who
had broken from prison, ever came to hear |
Of her imprisonment, is quite an absurd
question. But it is certain that he not
only heard of it, but very accurately as |
certained the date at which she was to be
liberated. ." -|'7 ''t.-
\ u pom that particular morning, when she
stood on the outside of the Jail, acab was
in waiting not twenty PAGES off; upon the
box, disguised as cabman, there was the
faithful Langley. His Sunf1ower being in
Jail, be found no inducement to break
prison; but the moment she was free, he
determined to be with her. So he took
things quietly until two or three days pre-
yious to the determination of her period
of imprisonment, and then he quilted Port
land-how, it is not known; but it is sup
posed that he must have swum some miles,
/ for the prison clothes he had been wearing
were found wet with salt water in cot
tage into which he had broken, and where
he had dressed himself as laborer with
clothes he found in the place. 2 ~, ~, r.
4 She was now reduced to the utmost
mercilessness. Again he claimed her and
again he showed her money; but she had
determined to get rid of him; and within
six months of his return, she sold him
to the police, as the reader has already
seen. .% Nf"T r'' ~
She herself was in prison. as the reader
knows; not upon any real charge, but SIM
pIy that she might be safe from his revenge
until he was again fixed at Portland. She
had laid by fifty pounds Of the money he
!, brought with him, doubtless the result OF
a burglary; and which he had recklessly
flung into her lap. With this money she
intended to emigrate to America, where
she had quite made up her mind to marry
again. and forgot that such wretch as
Langley lived. :,
such was Adela Coulton's life up to that
> morning when Webber was about to visit
this unhappy woman. :,
, As Webber entered the police-cell in
! which Sunflower was temporarily placed
she was lying on her mattress, erhoWlne
hair living over her chest, she playing witt
the long locks after the manner OF chlid
A chance line of sunlight fell upon TN
face and this luxuriant hair; making hel
appear at first sight inexpressibly beautl
full.
Any other man than Webber must hav
admired this dazzling woman; but ne, II
the terrible bitternessof his heart, despise'
her.
He closed the door behind him as sh
started up. r.,
$50 Young woman" Webber began, wltf
ont any preamble whatever, "here you ar
in prison againW :
"Yes: here again," ;" replied Sunhower, !
loud, hard voice. "Prison IS paradiS
to me, and liberty is torment"
$50" he said, "then it does not suffice 10
the happiness of pretty woman that sh
can boast of having the tallest man L
London for her husbands"
She drew herself up, and said, You kno'
him, do you?"
"Happily for me. not so well as you do'
renlied the policeman; "but l do knoN
; him." -,
"As for me" she said. Il hate him"
"Well, my girl" replied Webber, "yo
=. may try and be happy; for, thanks to tn
. information you gave us, Langley has pee
arrested" ,.
, "rakenw she cried. drawing herse
back; "is he really taken "
i ".As true as there you are"
+ "Ia! this is botter than l thought 10
: Taken already"
8 Her face became brighter, and alread
/ she appeared to breathe more at her eas
Y Did he not show tight?" she asked, sti
n unable to believe in her good fortune
+ "Not much,' replied Webbcr.
"Who dared to take him." she aske
s almost below her breath. q,
= 81 did.
She looked at the officer up and down:
o At last she said slowly, $50 you real
o did arrest him, did you sir"
VI 81 did; and alone"
81 Suddenly she leaped forward, caught II
q off ,cr's hand, and kissed it.
II "yery Kind and civil on your part,
o do1psay.n said the officer. quite lnsenslD
to this cares; "but I am at a loss to unde
d stand your meaning. Langley IS arresVe
10 and is 10 prison, and he will be sent pa,
o TO Portland. So far, so good. Bnt as
l. has escaped twice from that spot =; c' q
n see no reason to be sure that he WILL II
% escape again, and then your small mary "
dom will recmmence. my poor creaI"lI X