The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-18
SAVANNAH, GA, SUNDAY, MAY IS, 1890

give myself up. 1--WE never had a mo-
ment's peace since it happened. Maybe I'd
DO easier in prison. / don't want to conceal
it. Suppose somebody else was taken up
for i'll Oughtn't to prevent thatp
Perhaps So" said Alice, doubtfully;
shut think of Meenie-"
Wouldn't they let me have Meenie in
prison with mep said Jess, in a wistful
tone. 81 thought they let women have
their babies with themH
But Meenie isn't quite baby now, my
dear"
mo, she's not Then I'd better take her
and go right away-somewhere-w no
body knows us and"
"What good would that dor said Alice,
drawing the slight figure close to her. The
tears were running slowly down her cheeks.
but she spoke as il she were unconscious of
them. The candle had flickered for little
while in its socket and then gone out, but
the clear white moonlight streamed
through the uucurtained easements and fell
full on the kneeling figures of the two
women, clasped in each others arms Alice
paused for few minutes before she spoke
again.
"You must give Meenie to me, Jess" she
said, quietly, at last. II can look after her.
and care for her il anything-happens-
you l would love her as if she were my
own"
sAlthough one-one-of her parents
killed Stephen Eyrem said jess in a whis-
per.
"All the more" Alice answered, whisper
ing too. because / should be so sorry for
her. The poor lamb has done no harm;
why should we visit its parents sins ON its
head, poor thing9 Meenle did not ask to
come into the world; it was you brought
hax cba No rlana of hat.
no home, no father and mother to take her
part, then let somebody else who is as
lonely as she is take and make a nest for
her in their heart. That's what I'll do for
her if you'll let me-so help me Godn
jess chung to her passionately.
"You are good, you are goodp she
sobbed. "And l am wicked girl. Make
Meenie like you; keep her here and make
her good and I'll bless you all my lifel"
The two women kissed each other. There
was little more to be SAID; they had almost
exhausted themselves with emotion, and
could bear no more. They sat on the floor,
as il not daring to move; and presently
jess fell asleep, with her head on Alice's
lap Alice did not sleep; she sat mo-
tionless, and it seemed to her as if her soul
were, as she expressed it, wonderfully lift
ed up to heavenly things"
With morning light other considerations
came into view. Alice had to hear the
whole story, as far at least as Jess chose to
give it; and to advise her what to do. The
task was heavy one for Alice. She would
have liked to take poor, broken-hearted
jess into her arms aud say: "The crime, if
it was a crime, is over and done with;
forgive you as God forgives. Let us live
together and care for your child; you will
no longer live a careless and goddess life.
You shall make amends But Alice was a
very conscientious woman, and she was not
sure that it would be right to hold Jess back
from making more public confession of
the truth. Jess told her of DIR. Prices
opinion, but she only shook her head disap-
provingly when she heard it,
"He's perfect heathen,n she said, in q
solemn tone, land its no use to go by what
he tells you. If your conscience has
brought you to confession you'd better fol
low its leading"
jess kept silence, because she knew that il
was not her conscience exactly that hao
caused her to speak. it was the fear OF
danger to George Eastwood. She was both
sensitive and imaginative, and it had oc-
CURED to her of late that she might die
young and leave him to bear, some day, al
the blame. How could she prevent the
chance of that9 Then came hint, o
word, in one of the papers she had beer
reading:
"Mr. George Eastwood's connection with
woman who was mixed up in the Mil
Street Mystery is SAID to be undoubted
What are the detectives about? Mr.. East
wood may be in Armenia, as it is reported
or 10 Timbuctoo, but that is no reason why
he should not be asked to explain what ht
knows concerning the character of thai
very disreputable crew in Mill street."
jess read, only half understanding, but
scenting danger from afar-and trembled
as she read.
So one day she said to Alice, very
quietly:
81 am going up to London this morn
ing.
Alice started.
"What for?'
Cant you guess? You'll take care Of
Meenie.n
80, Jess, Jess. you mustn't gol 1 can't
bear to think of 1t. 1t won't do poor dear
Stephen any good. you know"
II know it won't. 1t may do me some
good, though"
sit may-it may. But it breaks my
heart"
"You might do one thing for me,n said
jess, with very wistful look. "Don't let
Meenie know-about her mother, mean.
Tell her Pm dead. Maybe l shall be dead
by the time she's old enough to under.
stand"
They won't do that to you, JESS" said
Alice, in a low, awe-stricken voice.
She knew what Jess thought
IF they do,n said Jess, family, ST don't
want Meenie to know-that's alI.n
"But the man-the man that was with
you2 Not Eastwood, you saya What will
he do? Won't he try to save youY'
HE could't He knows-as well as !
do.
''But he'll be arrested, too"
IF they can find himl" said Jess, with a
flash of the eyes, which Alice had not ex.
pected.
The two women regarded each other
| painfully.
Then Alice spoke
Where are you going, Jessp
"Pm going first of all to Mr.. Helmont.
He'll tell me what to do. rll be guided by
him."
Hes church clergyman" said Alice,
in tone of objection, adding, however,
| Immediately, "but a good man, believe"
HE was always very good to granny
and me. / shall tell him and hear what he
says"
LET me go with you, JESSE"
I'D rather go alone"
"What shall l say TO our friends here?n
wait little while. Say I've gone to
see some one in London. / may come back
maybe. But no, / don't think l shall.
They'll see it all in the papers It's time
for me to go now, Alice. Say good-by,
won't youl"
"Good-by, Jess, and God bless your,