The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1879-09-05

pct where tney come from. But bark
there's the governors bell. / expect you
are going to be sent for"
The surmise was correct. In another
minute the matron- appeared, janglIng a
large bunch of keys, and ordered
Twelve" to follow her. The pair pro.
eeeded down the broad wing of the pris-
on, so unsightly a spectacle, with its
black iron galleries, and scores of nail
studded doors, till they came to pri-
,vate part of the building, where the gov
ernor's office stood. The matron knocked,
and in moment the prisoner was usher
ed into an apartment divided from roof
to floor by a 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 Henry Benn-
ion. The latter was leaning deiectedly
with an elbow on the mantles helf, but
when the prisoner entered he would have
advanced toward her had not Mr.. Kur-
thew checked him.
Let me try to identify her first" said
the solicitor, coldly. Julia, come with
me-"
There was moment of deep and SOL
emn silence. The father, with his daugh-
ter beside him, gazed through the bars,
his other child in the shame-stricken fig.
ure before him. Maria Burt put up her
hands before her face and quailed. Take
down your hands, Twelve" said the ma
iron, CURLY, and glancing at Mr.. Kur-
thew, she plainly saw that beads oc per-
splration had pearled on his forehead
Yet, after moments hesitation, the So
llcltor said hoarsly, so that he had to
clear his throat in the midst of his SEN
tence, 81 do not know-this-this-p
son-do you, Juliag''
MO-" faltered Julia, with her
handkerchief to her mouth.
And you, Mrs. Kurthew 81 SAID the
governor, addressing that lady.
Il do not know her." repeated Mrs
Kurthew, almost inaudibly She had
not left her place, and had only cast one
fearful glance toward the ratings, then
turned her face away and burst out cry
ing; under any circumstances her tears
seemed natural.
Henry BenniOn now stepped forward,
and the gaze which he bent on the pris-
Oner made her cover. His eyes cleaned
as in fever, and there was no uncertainty
in their expression, yet his voice was be-
seemingly low and pathetic-almost a
whisper, as he murmured, Don't you
know Inc, Mabel? Whatever horrible
mystery may have brought you here,
don't be afraid to confess it. You re-
member how loved you"
Il don't understand you, sir" muir
INJURED the prisoner, whose features were
convulsed by spasms.
Lock at me; give me your hand"
pleaded Henry Bennion. "See how
mine shakes. Do you think I could
mistake my own wife:''
Il am not your wife, SIR muttered
Maria Burt. Then suddenly trying to
retreat from him, she placed her hand
over her eyes, whilst her features work
ed in a CONFUSION that ended in a hys-
teric laugh. mo, I'm not your wife, l
say-but if you'd 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 good home"
No, that's not my wife" sighed Ben
Mon, dropping the prisoners hand.
"a Mabel wouldn't have spoken like that"
No, Mabel wouldn't speak like that, ;"
Mr.. Kurthew, drawing his SON
in-law away by the arm. Now come
along; this scene is too trying for my
wife; she is ready to faint"
Mrs. Kurthew had already tainted.
She dropped on the floor in a swoon as
the prisoner vanished from behind the
rail without giving her a look.
1t went forth to the world that Henry
had been deluded by case of
mistaken identity. Nevertheless few |
after this a strange scene |
might have been seen enacted within |
stones throw of the gates of Working
Prison. Maria Burt had just been re-
leased. Dressed in plain clothes, like |
those of servant girl, she left the peni- |
Fanfiarv and walked hurried1v down tho !
road till she came to a corner where a |
cab stood. She halted a moment as i'll
uncertain which way to turn, when her |
progress was barred by Mr.. Kurthew ap-
pearing before her, holding the cab door
Open "Get in, Mabel" he said with a |
mournful composure. 81 did not choose !
10 recognize you at the prison the other
lay because of the scandal it would have |
caused, but"
~ assure you you are mistaken, SIR"
the discharged convict, re-
treating.
Come, you need not be afraid of me"
said the old man, wistfully; you can't
leny that you are my daughter"
"Yes, yes; you are quite wrong please |
cave me-" faltered Maria Burt, and |
larting from him she crossed the road, ]
urned down a corner and was lost to
REV.
"Can it be possible ?" murmured Ma
Del Bennion's father, and he stood still, |
gazing in the direction where the wo-
nan had gone, as if he had seen an ap-
partition that was not of this earth.
w.
Five years passed. During that time
Mr. and Mrs Kurthew both died, and at
ength Julia's health, which had always