Jezebel's Daughter

opened the cell doo

him to the wall. It was not only fastened round his waist, it also fettered his legs between the knee and the ankle. At the same time, it was long enough to allow him a range of crippled movement, within a circle of five or six feet, as well as I could calculate at the time. Above his head, ready for use if required, hung a small chain evidently intended to confine his hands at the wrists. Unless I was deceived by his crouching attitude, he was small in stature. His ragged dress barely covered his emaciated form. In other and happier days, he must have been a well-made little man; his feet and

he was looking, and altered her position so as to conceal from him the hateful figure with the whip, and to concentrate his attention on herself. With startling abruptness, the poor creature's expression changed once more.

gn from the superintendent he stopped, and sighed bitterly. "I wouldn't hurt the la

s accent-and there was perhaps a foreign formality in his addressing my

mpt of danger when her compassion is strongly moved, stepped forward to him. The superintendent c

uence, of restraining himself. He seized the chain that held him to the wall in both hands, and wrung it with such convulsive energy that I almost expected to see the bones of his fingers start through the skin. His head dropped on his breast, his wasted figure quivered. It was only for a

or Jack!" she said simpl

he answered like a timid child. "Yes,

door was opened. "This is very nicely done, Jack," she went on. "Te

accession of confidence; her int

them quiet. An angel said, "Let them work at your straw." All day long I plaited my straw. I would have gone on all night too, if they would only have given me a light. My nights ar

into a scream, when he took a tighter turn of his chain and instantly silenced

; and I am sure he will keep his word. Have you never had parents or fri

spoke, there was a flash of intelligence in the bright gratitude of his eyes.

were once poisoned by accide

es

e was

the doctor's big room. In the t

s the d

o remember too much. Let me finish my hat first. I want to give you my hat when it's

therto remained passive, this worthy gentleman seemed to think it was due to his own importance to take a prominent part in the proceedings. "My professional

wyer (keeping well out of reach of the range of the chain) raise

eyes. A man with a modest opinion of himself would have tak

e talk. 'Jack Straw' can't be you

ike," said Jack

do. You must have ha

at I kn

were yo

he gu

e you br

ith a cuff o

other

kick. Do be quiet, an

ribe as a last resource. He held

I see nothin

t the superintendent, and said, "A hopeless case, sir." The super

ve it to my aunt. "Do you lik

nd one of these days I shall trim it wi

uperintendent, holdin

ricate plaiting. Poor Jack is sane enough to fix his attention to thi

estion with his hand. "Purely mechan

to whisper," he said. She be

pinion of the principal officer of Bethlehem Hospital in these words: "Don't you listen to him, M

not done with

ve something more to say before I go, and I wish to

She turned to Jack to say good-bye. The sudden discovery that she was abo

tch, seizing her by both hands. "O

erference to protect her. Without starting back, without e

ave kept your promise, Jack-you have been quiet a

hook his head, a

im. "I want to tell you something. You are no longer a fri

their effect on him; he l

me go, as

hrew himself back in his c

n," he moaned to himself. "

e me to-morro

an abrupt change to distrust. "She doesn't mean it," he mutte

morrow," my aunt reit

of his chain, and lay down at her feet like a dog. She consid

ething to keep for me

h breathless interest. She gave him a little ornamental handbag, in which s

Jack: you shall give it back

nciled him to her departure-they

to-morrow," the superintendent whispered

t replied; "I believe I

the door closed on him, he was huggin