The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-21
By j. Hartley Manners


BY night she was in a fever
One day in November Angela receiv-
ed the following letter:
Dublin, Ireland. Nov. I6 1S-.
Dear Lady of Mercy-l have served my
sentence | am free. Al first the horrible
of my treatment of my sur
roundings. OF t1le depths ] had TO sink to.
burned into me. Then the thought of you
sustained me-. Your gentle voice. your
beauty. YOUR pity. YOUR unbounded faith
in me. strengthened my soul. All the
degradation fell from ME. 'rhey were but
ignoble means to noble end | was tor
tured that others might never know sor-
row. was imprisoned that my country
men might know liberty. And so the load
was lighter.
The memory of, those three wonderful
days was so marvellous. so ovid. that 1t
sbone like a star through the blackness
of those terrible DAYS
You seem TO have taken hold of my
heart and my soul and my life,
Forgive me for writing this 10 you, but
II scents that YOU are the only one I've
ever known who understands the main
springs OF my nature, of my hopes and
my ambitions = indeed, Of my very
Thoughts,
Today | met the leader of my party. He
greeted me warmly. At last | have prov
ed myself a worthy follower They think
It hest | should leave Ireland for awhile.
IL take active part at once 1 shall be
arrested again and sent for a longer SEN
tence
They have offered me the position of
one Of the speakers. in Il campaign in
America 10 raise funds for the cause
| must first see the chief in London. He
sent a message. writing in the highest
terms of my work and expressing a wish
10 meet me wonder If il would be
possible to see you in London?
II ! am sent to America it would speed
my going tq speak to you again If you
feel that / ask too much do not anFVer
this. and will understand.
Out Of the tullness of my heart, from
the depths Of my soul and with the whole
fervor Of my being, / ask you To accept
all the gratitude of heart filled to over
flowing
God bless and keep YOU. Yours in hom.
age and gratitude,
FRANK OWEN o'CoNNELL.
Her answer:
London. Nov 10. ls-
Ny Dear. MIR. O'Connell-l am glad in
deed TO have your letter AMI TO know yol
are free again | nave often thought ot
your misery during all these months anc
longed to do something 10 assuage It, #
is only when friend is in need and al
avenues of help are closed to him that 6
woman realizes how helpless she Is.
That they have not crushed your spiri
does not surprise me. | was AS sure O
that as ! am that the sun is shining to
day. That YOU do not work actively II
ireland at once Is. am sure. wise. Fool
hardness ~ lot courage
In little while the English government
may realize how hopeless II is to try t.
conquer people who have liberty in thel
hearts. Then they Will abale the rigo
OF their unjust laws
When that day comes you must retur;
and take UP the mission with renewed
strength ard hope and stimulated by tn
added experience of bitter suffering
1 should most certainly like To see yol
in London. | arn staying with dstan
connection OF the family. We go to III
south OF France in Il few weeks. / hav
been very il-anotner reproach TO III
weakness of woman. ! am almost recov
cred now, but far from strong. nav
TO lie still all day. My only compa
are my books and my thoughts
Let me KNOW when YOU expect to arriv
in London. Come straight here
have So much - tell YOU. but tn
words hal; ..S they come u my pen
Lool;ins forward 10 seeing you. in a
sincerity. ANGELA NGSNORTH.