Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-06-28

OeIU&-uOuSe Wuofc ne was arrested IOur years
ago when charged with forgery and the woman
who was sentenced as his accomplice aud VINO
Is still undergoing sentence OF five years
penal servttude at Working"
1t was hot summer afternoon. and the court
was densely crowded The blinds had been
pulled down to shut out the hot sun, and there
was but dim light, which made the red robes
OF the Judge and the scarlet uniform OF the
Sheriff stand out In bright relief The atmos-
phere was sitting.
The first witness who appeared-the land.
lady-had not much to say. She coulo not
identity the prisoner because of his scars, and
would like, said she, to hear ms VOICE. HenIy
Bennion objected, and the Judge agreed WIN
him that the prisoner ought not 10 % maze W
Sp well said the Crown counsel, excttedly,
ssthis witness has broken down, put donI
think the next will. The prisoner was her
husband or her paramOur; at all events she
was convicted under his name. Call Maria
Burt" .,,u,,,.,, tho
court for woman In blue check dress ana an
ugly poke-bOnnet OF brown straw, who was at
tended by wardress from Working The con-
Wet was ushered into the witness box, and tne
Clerk OF ArrafgnS was about to administer the
oath to her when Henry Bennion, who mad
caught sight OF her features, started up with a
torrent OF blood sufrusing his face and leaned
right across the solicitors table to get clos
view of her. "Great Heavens he was hea d
to falter. ''Who Is that woman? Mabel"
may have been that her lips twitched for mo-
ment, and that In the glance which she bent
for an instant on the counsel for the defense
there was q f1ash-IuSt flash and no more.
Then she rfghted herself and took the OATH
'My name is Maria Burt" she said, calmly.
.sNow, tell me whether you know that man.
said the prosecuting counsel, pointing to the
II have never seen him BEFORE" she an
Swered, after minutes Sieldy gaze az the &C.
cupant Of the dock.
four years ago of uttering forged notes?'
q He Is an entire stranger to me-" repeated
the convict, quietly.
NWhy, heavens, it is her voice There is no
mistake ab ut it." exclaimed Bennion, who
had sunk back In his seat to hear the prisoner
speak, but now rose again, palIid and trem-
bling. mabel, look. at me! How is you are
"What Is the natter" asked the Judge,
leaning forward in his astonishment and beck
oning Bennion to speak TO him.
My lord. It's my wife, gaSped the barrlSter,
and struggling forward to leave his place, he
uttered an awful wall and fell across the So
ucitorS table SenSeleSS.
The trial was adjourned amid a scene of in
describe confusion.
In the cell numbered Al IL, at the Female
Penitentiary, at Working, Maria Burt sat, some
hours later, with her head buried In her hands
and her elbows resting on her little deal table
1t was dismal place that cell, with its WHITE
washed walls, red floor and odor OF Oakurn, and
graceful nor pretty. Perhaps she had been
comely once, but four years Of penal servitude
had lent her gray, sickly complexion. Her
hands were coarse and wrinkled from occupa-
tion In the laundry, and the locks OF ches tnut
hair which prOtruded under her white cap
were short as boys. A blue check gown,
formed her costume. which was covered with a
number OF broad arrowheadS and had nothing
in the way OF ornament but red badge on one
OF the sleeves. - good conduct badge. Maria
tude, for She was to be discharged In few
days with ticket of leave
Apparently the recollection OF this occurred
to her, for, starting from the table, she walked
10 corner OF the cell In which hung card
bearing the record OF her conviction with the
date OF her coming release, and she took long
but she pressed hand to her brow and sigh
escaped her like moan OF pain.
Suddenly wardresS. who had been watch
Ing her through the peephole in the door,
''Tell us the truth, Twelve" she said,
brusguey. "Was that gentleman your hus-
1--WE told you no." answered 'Twelve," In
s'wen, he and another gentleman and two
ladies' nave come 70 the prison about you. They
asked to see the clothes you had On when you
were brought here"
"And have they seen them?" asked the pris-
oLer, whose cheeks became overspread with
.'No, for conyiets' clothes are sold; you will
have new suit when you go out"
"What sort OF suit?"
"Ah! that interests YOU" laughed the ward
ress, who was bouncing sort OF servant-girl
.'Oh, the clothes won't be anything very grand
but they'll do to find situation with. No
body Will suspect where they come from. Blu.
bark! there's the Governors bell l expect
you're going to be sent for.''
The surmise was correct. In another mtn-
ute the matron appeared jangitng large bunch
OF keys and ordered Twelve" 70 follow her.
The pair proceeded down the broad wing OF the
prison, so unSightly spectacle with its black
TILL they came to private part OF the building
where the Governors Office stood The 10 4,
iron Knocked, and In a moment the prisoner
was ushered into an apartment divided from
roof TO floor by railing Of bars. Behind these
rails Maria Burt and the matron stood alone; In
the other part OF the room was grouped the
Governor, Mr.. and Mrs. Kurthew, Julia and
Jectedly with an elbow on the mantelshelf, bat
when the prisoner entered he would have ad-
vanced towards her had not Mr.. Kurthew
first" said the solicitor, coldly. Julia, come
with me-"
There was moment of deep and solemn a.
lence. The father, with his daughter beside
him, gazed through the bars, endeavortnp to
detect the Hneaments OF his other child In the
shame stricken figure before him. Maria Burt
put up her hands before her face and quailed.
.'Take down your hands, Twelve" said the M !.
iron CURLY, and glancing at Mr. KurtheW. she
plainly saw that beads OF perspiration had
pearied On his forehead. Yet, after moments
ucsitdtlou, tuc SOiicltOI SdlQ QOarSolY, so that
he had to clear his throat In the midst OF his
sentence: 81 do not know-this-this person
do you, Julian"
"No-o," faltered Julia, with her handker.
chief TO her mouth.
"And you," Mrs. KurtheW?n said the Cover
ner, addressing that lady.
" do not know her, repeated Mrs. Kurthew
almost 1naudibly. She had not left her place
and had only cast one fearful glance towards
the ratings, then turned her face away and
burst out crying; under any circumstances har
tears seemed natural.
Henry Bennion now stepped forward, and
the gaze which ne bent On the prisoner made
her cover. His eyes CLEANED as In fever, and
there was no uncertainty In their expression
yet his voice was beseechingly low and pa
thetlc-almost whisper, as he murmured
Don't you know me, Mabel? Whatever bor-
rible mystery may have brought you here.
don't be afraid to confess it. You remember
how loved you"
& don't understand you SIR" murmured the
prisoner, whose features weSe convulSed by
spasms.
"Look at me again; give me your hand"
pleaded Henry BenniOn. '.See how mine
SMOKES Do you think could mistake my own
Wife?'
AZ am not your wife, SIR" muttered Maria
Burt. Then suddenly trying to retreat from
him, she placed hand over her eyes, whilst
her features worked In a CONFUSION that ended
In hysteric laugh. 'sNo, I'm not your WIFE,
say-but Ii you like TO adopt me when / come
out OF working, don't mind. No, no, If you're
inclined to It. dare say you could give me a