Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-02-27
CHATTER xv-oCon.inued,

and now l will take you to you cell,
where at least you may lie down and
take the rest that you seem to need so
much. ! will make you as cGmfurta-
bic as circumstances will admit: and
as you are not here for punishment,
but only to await your trial, you may
be allowed many privileges that are
denied TO those who are confined Tor
offenses.'
II thank you," again sighed the poor
girl. whose tortured brain could shape
no other form of reply, and whose
aching heart could take no interest I'm
the minor comforts or discomforts of
her situation, while the appalling cal
amity of her approaching trial and
probable fate stared her in the face.
But she quietly arose and followed
the gaoler, who led her b1ck
into the hall, up a flight OF steep stone
stairs, and along a narrow corridor
Ranked each side by grated doors.
About midway down the length of
this corridor, he paused and unlocked
a door on the right hand. and led his
prisoner into n stone cell, very small
but very clean, having a grated win
dow at the back, and furnished with
a cot-bed. and a wooden stand and
chair.
II place You here" said Mr.. An
derson, because the window looks
down upon the prison garden and out
over the heath, so that your yes may
travel though your feet may not. And
now sit down. If you please, while L
take off those handouts"
Eudora sank into the only chair.
and held mp her hands while the ga
oler relieved her of those CALLING fet-
tiers, which. long after they had @
removed. left livid circles around those
delicate wrists to show where they
had pressed.
And now / will go and send one
of the female turkeys to bring you
what o need. And IL there is any
thing that Will cannot say add to
Your comfort, ~but-detract from your
discomfort, send word by her to me.
If possible. you shall b. accommodated
with what you want said Anderson.
leaving the cell and locking the door.
Eudora took off her bonnet and
shawl, cast herself upon the narrow
bed, closed her eyes. threw her arms
up over her head-it was almost with
\ sense of pleasure that she felt them
free ~again-and abandoned herself to
the natural attitude of the prostra-
tion of grief.
She had scarcely lain thus for five
minutes when the door was again I'M
locked. and a woman, coarse in per-
son, but civil in demeanOr. entered the
cell. bringing a basin, pitcher Of water.
and a towel. all of which she placed
upon the stand.
Hearing this woman moving about
the cell, Eudora, without changing her
attitude, l~istlessly opened her eyes.
The woman then pointed to the con
venience she had brought. and said:
Mr.. Anderson wishes to know If
there Is anything else you would like
Eudora shook her head in silence,
and the oma reiterated. and once
more locked the prisoner in.
Two or three hours passed. in which
Eudora. lying still upon her narrow
prison bed in the dull anguish of dis
pair. felt as if her heart was slowly
and painfully dying. but without the
hope of ultimate death.
Everyone who has suffered the *
trcinity of suspense. grief, or dis
pair, knows the dread sensation of
this dying life. or death. 1t is that
which even in youth, in health, and i'll
- few hours, has power 10 wrinkle
the brow, whiten the hair, and dis
organize the heart.
1t was quite dark, when the female
turnkey. whose name WAS Barton. eD-
tered the cell. bringing Eudora's sup
per on a tray, AMI saying:
(, This was sent you from Mr.. An
delson's own table, miss; do try and
cat a bit"
Eudora shook her head in silence;
hut the woman was kindly persistent,
and the poor girl. by nature very do
cile. lifted herself up and ate a small
hit Of mutton-chop. and drank a little
port wine.
And now. miss. II you've brought
your night clothes along with you,
would like to help you undress. and
see you comfortably in bed before
leave You. for you do not look SO very
over strong
In this instance also Eudora meekly
Welded TO the guidance of Mrs. Bar
ton, took a night-gown from the travel
ling-bag. and permitted the good wo-
man to help her to mdreSs and get
into bed.
And then Mrs. Barton hung up Eu-
dora's dress, and bidding her be OF
coed cheer. and wishing her good
night. left the cell, and locked her
in.
And as SCOT as the pOOr girl found
herself again alone, she closed her
eyes. clasped her hands. and raised
her heart in prayer TO God for strength
comfort. and deliverance.