SHADOW LIFTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 209, 3 September 1932, Page 3 (Supplement)

SHADOW LIFTS.

WOMAN'S LIFE IN GAOL MURDER OF BABY BOY. "STILL CAN BE HAPPY." The tall green gates of Aylesbury prison opened and out stepped a mother with a baby in each arm. Mrs. Olive Kathleen Wise was free. Seventeen months before she had been sentenced to death at the Old Bailey, for the murder of her nine-months-old baby, Reggie. Then she had yielded to despair. But now the sun shone brightly, flowers bloomed, and the wind whispering in the trees seemed to speak of hope. She stood for a moment drinking in the fragrance of it all. Then with a cry of "Daddy! Madeline, she rushed into the arms of her father and sister. Proudly she held up her twin babies, which had been born to her in prison, for their grandfather to see. But the mother whose comfort and support she needed so much was not there. She had died while Mrs. Wise was in prison. It was a changed woman that had returned to the bosom of her family. She had entered the prison weak and ill, and her face was a deadly pallor. She left it fit and strong in mind and body, determined to fight her own battles and stand on her oWn feet. A man friend she had known for several years had offered her marriage, saying that he wanted to help her forget, and look after the twins. Together they would go away and start life afresh. But she wrote back saying that she could not think of marriage at this time. In her father's house at Walthamstow this round-faced, plump little woman told of her plans for the future. Yes, her home and independence were gone. She had to rely on her father and sister for a roof over her head. Her three boys were in an institution. She

had twins to support. It would be hard to get back her old job in a shirt factory. It might be even harder to get another job as a domestic servant. But day and night she would not rest until she' had a home for her family again. She would work her fingers to the bone if need be. "I am starting life all over again," she added. "I have only one aim now, and that is to see that my children have every chance. They must not suffer as I have done. The boys are being taken good care of in the home, but I know they will never be happy without their mother." Many people have' offered to adopt the twins, but Mrs. Wise would never let . them go. "I would sooner spend ten years in prison," Mrs. Wise said, "than go through again what I suffered in the three years that ended v.Mi the tragedy. It was bad enough to be in gaol, especially at first, but when the babies came they showed me that there could still be happiness for me. And gradually I learned to be happy." . Merciful Numbness. Her voice was husky when she recalled those first despairing days in prison when she was awaiting the death sentence. She confessed that she did not care whether she lived or died. A merciful numbness took control of her. But at times she felt herself hoping she would be freed for the sake of her children at home and the unborn babes. It was then she prayed to be allowed to live and start life anew. She felt happy for the first time after she received her reprieve. In caring for her twins she found a new interest in life. Mrs. Wise rejoices that she is free to pee her friends again and go where she Jikes. At first she could not bring herself to face the stares of the curious. But she took her courage in both hands when she left the house, carrying shrubs and flowers to plant on her mother's grave.