The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-07-21
Another Act in the May.
brick Drama.
AWAY NOW TO FRANCE
Discarding the Black Robes of the
Sisterhood, a Slender Figure Ap-
pareIed in Gray Leaves the Con.
vent, Boards Train for
the Continent.
(By the Associated Press }

(By the Associated Press.)
Truro Sornwall. England, July 20.
Mrs. Florence Maybrick is free. She
left here at 11:45 a. m. today on her
way to France.
Mrs Maybrick's imprisonment was
not terminated with the clang of
doors, the last sound which remains
in the ears of so many of her fellow
prisoners who had preceded her to
liberty from Aylesbury prison, where
she spent more than fourteen years
OF her life. 1t closed before the
arched doorway of the white convent
of the Sisterhood of the Epiphany in
this little town with the black robed
sisters softly uttering their blessings
and good wishes for her future. With
two companions Mrs. Maybrick en-
tered the carriage of Miss Dalrymple
secretary of the Sisterhood, and was
driven rapidly to Staustell, small
station fourteen miles away, where.
after exchanging good byes, with her
companions, she boarded a train and
started on her journey to France. She
will not go to America until her pres
ence there is considered imperatively
necessary.
The greatest secrecy was thrown
about Mrs. Maybrick's departure.
Mother Superior Julian. of the con-
vent, said to reporter of the Asso-
ciated Press that under her inStruc-
tions she must refer all inquirers TO
the Home Office. Others at the con-
vent were equally uncommunicative
AT the railroad station orders were
issued forbidding the employees to
discuss Mrs. Maybrick or even tol adj
NIT that she was at the convent.
"a
terest in this international figure.
Crowds early stood at the iron gates
of the grounds, waiting for Mrs. May
brick to appear but they were rarely
rewarded, she going out only when
the road was reported clear.
The Life at Truro.
When Mrs. Maybrick first arrived
here she was kept under strict sur
veillance, never leaving the convent
walls-even for q walk in the grounds
she would have to be under the es-
cort of one of the sisters. Subsequent
ly she was allowed to walk in the
uuiet streets of this picturesque place
and in the shady country lanes. in the
vicinity. Those who have seen the
published portraits of Mrs Maybrick
soon got to recognize the black-robed
woman, with black bonnet, and flow
ing strings and gave her kindly greet
lnSS, WHICH frequently pdSSeu
ticed Mrs. Maybrick seeking so far
as possible 10 avoid the attention of
the curious. Her time at the convent
was taken up by sewing, reading and
chatting with the sisters, endearinS
herself to them by many acts, show
ing that even the many years of servi-
tude at Aylesbury prison had been
unable to stamp out her innate kindly
disposition.
4o11r Nit NJ
Maybricl< say in the main that the
five months spent at Truro were hap
py ones. She was compelled to OBJ
serve the rules of the sisterhoo6
strictly. as the sisters were required
TO carry out the regime of the priS-
ON, but the rules were not enforced
by warders hardened by contact with
criminals, but by friendly sisters who
have been companions as we'll as guar
dians, and Mrs. Maybrick expressed
her gratitude to them on her depar-
ture Her past life was not referred
TO ut the convent unless Mrs May
brick spoke Of it.
The Departure.
When Mrs. Maybrick left her peace
full retreat this morning she was
dressed in grey, she wore white boa
around her neck and she had a grey
hat with flowers upon her whltened
head. These garments were SeIlt
hy her mother, the Baroness De
Roques. and were the colors worn by
Mrs. Maybrick since her imprlson-
ment fifteen years back.
The fact that people at Trutro knew
her by sight and that newspaper cor
respondents had established them
selves near the convent, caused Mrs
Maybrick to determine not to leave
Truro by train on departing from the
town., but to go to Stausteil, where
a fast express stopped. After her de-
parture il was said by sister at the
convent that Mrs. Maybrick had given
no trouble whatever and that her con-
duct had been most exemplary, she
observing without question all the
regulations. She had not asked FOR
and had not been given unusual fa
vors. Nevertheless the Mother Supe-
responsibility.
ditionally. She is out on ticket-ot-
leave, but to all intents she is as fret
as any other person. can go where
she Will and will not nave to make Il
report to the British authority as once
Mrs. Maybrick is abroad she will be
outside British jurisdiction.
The Baroness De RoqueS has made
preparations at Rouen for Mrs. May
bricks arrival at her quiet home
there, where she will begin a new
life.
Her Trial and Conviction.
Mrs. Maybrick, who was Miss Flor