Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-10-18

CHAPTER VII.
NEW LIFE.
Taras read In the summary of a morning
newspaper:
IAN extraordinary case of attempted sui
eide came before the poor mans friend
yesterday and is reported in our columns.
The prisoner, a respectfully dressed young
woman not embarrassing in appearance
seemingly, was seen to walk deliberately
into the river of Greenwich marshes and
was rescued only Just in time for life to be
restored. She has Persistently refused to
open her lips in reply toquestions, and the
only clew by which she may possibly be
identified is mysterious ring which was
found worn ON piece of ribbon about her
neck. It's a mans ring made of wrought
iron with the devise in Russian characters
running around it, My life is thine"
He found the report under the head of
Police Intelligence"
THAMES Police CoCRT.-A young woman,
whose name, age, etc, were marked "un-
known" on the charge sheet, was brought up
for having attempted TO commit suicide. In
spector LewSoa explained that he had been
unable to fill in the charge sheet, as prisoner
had obstinately refused to answer questions,
and indeed had not spoken one word since she
had been i'll custody. lie could not say wheth-
er her silence was the result of peryersity or
inability 10 speak or to understand. The only
Indication OF her nationality was mans ring
made of wrought iron, which had been found
on q strip of braid tied round her neck, and
which had an inscription running round it in
foreign characters which he believed were
Greek. On the ring being handed up to the
magistrate he said the device was in Russian
and meant My life is thine" Addressing the
prisoner in this language the magistrate put
several questions without effect, prisoner
maintaining perfect silence, though showing
this utmost anxiety to recover the ring, and
Selling it with savage delight when the magis-
trate had il passed over to her.
Inspector Lewson said that the prisoner was
seen from the Warspite police hulk stationed
off Greenwich marshes 10 walk deliberately
into the river. y rescue crew was sent OF at
once, but prisoner was unconscious when
picked up. He had been unable to gather any
particulars respecting her, excepting that she
had been seen in High street, Greenwich, carly
that morning, with no covering but a light
wrap, and completely drenched with exposure
to the heavy rain.
with his customary kindness and sympathy,
but failing to obtain the slightest response re-
maHded her, ut the same time expressing a
hope that the reporters would give publicity to
the case in order that the prisoners friends
if she had any-might come to her assistance.
The following is description of the young
woman: Height, . feet ) inches; probable age,
81; hair dark chestnut, eyebrows and lashes of
a deeper shade; eyes dark brown, features
long. irregular, delicate, but pinched and hard
cned by privation; fingers long; dressed in gray
stuff dress. plain but well made. but obviously
too large for her slight figure; high heeled but
ton boots, also too large; ears unpierccd, and
no ornament whatever except the above men
toned ring.
Taras came to me-with what dispatch l
can imagine, knowing his unhalting swift
ness to relieve distress. l was brooding in
the police cell, seated on my bed with my
chin resting in my hands, when l heard
the grating in the door moved. l had been
visited already, questioned and lectured
enough, anil sat there motionless under
this last inspection in sullen determination
to let nothing move me. But at the words,
That is she,' l started to my feet. in an
instant recognizing the voice of Tar~S, and
waited while the door was being opened
for him to enter with such trembling fear
as had not felt before the magistrate who
might send me to Il prison or a madhouse.
Did he, too, regard it as n crime to try to
end ones misery? Had he come to reproach
me with my sins? l hung my head, fearing
to read my condemnation in his face.
My little friend he said.
The true ring of sympathy in his voice,
the look of tender compassion l found in
his eyes as l lifted mine, told me that he
forgave me, and with an involuntary cry of
Joy caught the two hands that he held
out to me.
He spoke to the warder, who after a lit
tie hesitation withdrew, leaving us alone
Then l whispered to Taras:
You've heered all about it
'As much rs l want to know he replied.
And you don't miud:"
Il mind so much as this-that if can
make life endurable to you will"
Il won't do it again if you tell me not to.
I'll bear anything-lve made my mind up
to it. Will you come and see me again.
See you again! Why, you don't think
l mean to leave you here?"
II didn't know Do you think you can
get ME off?"
There's very little difficulty about that"
He's lef' the door ajar, and if l oncet
gets in the street. l stopped, for Il smile
on his face told me that he did not intend
to get me of in this way.
There's no need 10 run the gauntlet, ="
said he. The magistrate is a good and
reasonable man. l will tell him all l know
about YOU Then he stopped, seeing my
dismay at this proposal.
Don't you want me to tell him?" he
asked.
Il don't Elind-not much. Do what you
like. won't complain. Only he won't let
me Off-he can't. Preaps as you're a for
eigner you don't know that in this country
what I've done is a hangin job"
"What!' he exclaimed, with another
smile, hang girl for trying to kill her
self?"
saw that we were playing at cross pur-
poses, and after n minutes silence l said:
Il thought you knew all, but you don't.
thought it 'ud "a been in all the ncwspa-
pers and every one E-talkin about it.
was a-goin to tell You ut first, but turned
it off when l see you look at me so terrible
But Ill tell You now, cause can't bear tt
think l amt actin square with you-you TT
so kiudlike to me. Only you won't be toe
angry with me, will you? And you'll come
and see me again one of these days fore its
all up wi me, hey"
Tell me what you mean, little friend
for heavens sakev' he said earnestly.
Il done for 'eIn, not like l made out, but
real done for 'em. smashed the foreigner
with a stone and shet 'em both down il
the hole and set the cellar all afire-tru,
as heving did" And then narrated il
detail what took place after had let hin
! down by the chain and before l rejoinet
him on the stairs.
/ He listened in mute amazement, with Sc
features, but Oith such gentleness melting
in his eyes that, having finished my story
/ found courage to touch his arm and say
You amt a-goin to shrink from me 70
dom what l didn't know you wouldn't like
are your"
"God forbid he said, pressing my hand
IF you did this thing, 1 am responsible
not you-and if punishment is to follow
will take my full share"
Holding my hand, as if to assure me c
the bond of fellowship, he stood for som
moments silent in thought. Then, afte
putting few rapid questions to me, hi
face frightened and he said:
Il am hopeful, little friend. That Nor
golian head is too hard to be smashed by tn
slight fall of that stone. The lamp upst
on the earthen floor of brick cellar woul
not hold sufficient benzine to set fire to til
floor above. If the house had been burne