The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-10-14
CHAPTER VII.
A NEW LIFE.
Tarasr read in the summary of a mornin


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 to questions, and the
only clew by which she may possibly be
identified is a mysterious ring which was
found worn on a piece of ribbon about her
neck. It's a mans ring made of wrought
iron with the devise in Russian characters
cumming around it. My life is thine"
He found the report under the head Of
ssPolice Intelligence"
THAMES POLICE CouRr.-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 Lewson explained that he had been
unable TO ill in the charge sheet, as prisoner
had obetinately refused to answer questions,
and indeed had not spoken one word since she
had been in custody. He could not say wheth-
or her silence was the result OF perversity or
inability to speak or 10 understand. The only
AA&4 " 80 $50
made of wrought iron, which had been found
on a strip OF braid tied round her neck, and
which had an inscription running round IL 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 NJ life is thine" Addressing the
prisoner in this language the magistrate put
several questions without effect, prisoner
maintaining perfect silence, though showing
tbs utmost anxiety to recover the ring. and
seizing II with savage delight when the magis-
itrate had IL passed over TO her.
Inspector Lewson said that the prisoner was
seen from the Warspite police hulk stationed
on Greenwich marshes TO walk deliberately
into the river. A 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, early
that morning. with no covering but a light
wrap. and completely drenched with exposure
20 the h~ceyyraip-
The ma9istratA again addressed the prisoner
with his customary kindness and sympathy,
but failing to obtain the slightest response re-
manded her. at the same time expressing a
hope that the reporters would give publicity to
the case In order that the prisoners friends
~ abe had anf-might come TO her assistance.
I The following is o description Of the young
woman: Height. 5 feet 8 inches; probable age,
n: hair dark chestnut, eyebrows and lashes Of
~ 00eutT t04Qts eyes QhIk BTOWn, IcdtuTtS
long, irregular, delicate, but pinched and hard
oned by pfivAtion; fingers long; dressed In gray
stun dress, plain but well made. but obviously
TOO largo for her slight figure; high heeled but
ton boots, also too large; ears unpierced, and
no ornament whatever except the above men,
toned ring.
Taras came to me-with what dispatch !
can imagine, knowing his unhalting swift
ness TO relieve distress. i was brooding in
the police cell, seated on my bed with my
chin resting in my hands, when i heard
the grating In the door moved. ! had been
visited already, questioned and lectured
enough, and I sat there motionless under
this last inspection In sullen determination
TO let nothing move me. But at thew words,
ssThat is She" l started to my feet. in an
Instant recognizing the voice of Tarcs, and
waited while the door was being opened
for him to enter with such trembling fear
rs / had not felt before the magistrate who
might send me to a prison or a madhouse.
Did he, too, regard it as a crime to try to
end ones Misery Had he come to reproach
me with my sins? / 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 ] found in
his eyes as / lifted mine, told me that he
forgave me, and with an involuntary cry OF
Joy i caught the two hands that he held
put to me.
He spoke to the warder, who after a lit
Gle hesitation withdrew, leaving us alone.
Then ! whispered to Taras:
you've beered all about it,"
"As much as / rant to know" he replied
"And you don't mind?"
II mind so much as this-that IL i can
make life endurable to you / will"
II won't do 1t again il you tell me not to.
Ill bear an~ything-Tve made my mind ur
to IL. Will you come and see me again."
"See you againl Why, you don't think
j mean to leave you hores"
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 il l oncet
gets in the street. l stopped, for a smile
on his face told me that he did not intend
70 get noe OF in this way.
"There's no need TO run the gantlet,"
raid he. THE magistrate is a good and
reasonable man. | will tell him all | know
about you" Then he stopped, seeing my
dismay at this proposal.
'Dont you want me TO tell himi" he
asked.
II don't mind-not much. 10 WHAT you
like. won't complain. Only he won't lei
me oiT-hc 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 a girl for trying to kill her
sclfy''
! saw that we were playing nj cross pur
poses. and after a minutes silence j said;
II thought you knew all, but you don't.
! thought IL 'ud "a been in all the newspa,
pers and every one a-talkin about IL. j
was a-goin TO tell you at first, but j turned
It OF when I see you look at me SO terrible.
But I'll tell you now. cause | can't bear &c
think i amt actin square with y~ou-you're
20 kindlike 10 me. Only you won't be too
angry with me. will your And you'll come
and see me again one Of these days fore it's
al up wi me. heyf'
TELL me what you mean, little friend,
for heavens sakef' be said earnestly.
Il done for EN-, not like I made out, but
real lone for 'em. Tsmashed the foreigner
-.1.L - IL 49,. ~ H.. 4.