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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 3:x 1 2 3 4 5 6 fr §4f National Library Bibliotheque nationale ■ "T of Canada du Canada ~ J LI 'Jy c. /L^-tCA/Lv ^^-tfUA ■'^ }■ \h^^^'j^^' V :t-d ^A'-'^t-*^ 7 ,^: 7 ; //>' I.' -^ ^ ^'^< .^L^ -"h^^^k^ / / S-^/ -^ 4 A1 It liei in tl AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS A NOVEL BY AUGUSTA EVANS WILSON Author of '•Deulahr "St. Elmo." " In/eh'ce." etc. *' If you believe in Faie to your ham., helicve it, at least, for your good. It » the best use of Fate to teach a fatal courage. Go face whaUver danget net in the way of duty, knowing you are guarded by the cherubim cf Destiny." — Embrson. Toronto . , ROSE PUBLISHING COMPANY. PS353:^ AT- Entered according to Act cf the Parliament of Canada, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven, by the Rose PuBLrsHfNG Company, at the Department of Agriculture. Printed and Bound BY HUNTER. ROSE & CO., TOKONTO. IN" MEMORY OF WHO HAS ENTERED INTO REST. <(' At the Mercy of Tiberius CHAPTER I. - • <i«f a aau,,ter-s hands, ^^^ ^T^t t ^ ^^ " Compose yourself, mother, or you will be so ill that I cannot leave you Dr ara«f u« • ***^^ 1.U o j^uu. i^r. urantlin impressed unon nn the necessity of koAnir^o. , ^ " "P°" "^i Take your medicine now, and try to sleep'^unW I^<^m^ back from Stephen & Endicotfg," * 10 AT THE MERCY OP TTBERIUS. "Do not go to-day." * " I must. Those porcelain types were promised f^*. • mr "'''' '""' '""" ''"'""' '^ P-l^e" iH me or the afternoon express, going to Boston. " ; Beryl." "Well, mother?" "Come nearer to me. Give me your hand Mr heart .s so oppressed by dread, that I want you to Burden. Life is very uncertain, and if I should die what would become of my Bertie ? Oh, my boy ! my da.-l.ng, my first born ! He is so impulsive^ so he"d^ strong ; and no one but his mother could e^er excuse or forgive his waywardness. Although younger v„u are in some respects, the strongest; Ind I want 'your promise that you will always be pltient aid tender «.th hira and that you will shield him from evi ai T have tried to do. His conscience of course t tot sensitive like yours-because you know, a boy% mora "'fc H^'i'^f "''"™™ ^ ^"-''^ ' -d like m's of his sex, Bertie has no religious instincts bending him a ways in the right direction. Women genTrallf have to supply conscientious scruples for men and ' you can take care of your brother, if you wTu You are unusually brave and strong. Beryl, and whJn I rac^ S"^«Lr r Stf -a r%:- passionate tenderness, and uking her mother's landT Strs'or'"^ ""''''''''''' ^^-P'"- "-S "I think I have never lacked love for Bertie, though I may not always have given expression tomy fefu ms. If at times I have deplored his reckC wlj. \\ AT THE MERCY OF TlBERmS. 11 wardness, and expostulated with him, genuine affection prompted me ; but I promise you now, that I will do all a sister possibly can for a brother. Trust me mother ; and rest in the assurance that his welfare shall bo more to me than my own ; that should the necessity arise, I will stand between him and trouble Banish all depressing forebodings. When you are strong and well, and when I paint my great picture, we will buy a pretty cottage among the lilacs and roses, where birds sing all day long, where cattle pasture m clover nooks ; and then Bertie, your dar- ling, shall never leave you again." " I do trust you, for your promise means more than oath and vows from other people, and if occasion de- mand, I know you will guard my Bertie, my high- strung, passionate, beautiful boy ! Your pretty cot- tage ? Ah child ! when shall we dwell in Spain ?" " Some day, some day ; only be hopeful, and let me find you better when I return. Sleep, and dream of our pretty cottage. I must hurry away with my pictures, for this is pay day." Tying the strings of her hat under one ear, and covering her face with a blue veil. Beryl took a paste- board box from a table, on which lay brushes and paints, and leaving the doora-jar, went down the nar- row stairs. At the window of a small hall on the next floor, a woman sat before her sewing-machme, bending so close to her work that she did not see the tall form, which paused before her, untU a hand was laid on the steel plate. " Mrs. Emmet, will you please be so good as to go up after a while, and see if mother needs anything ?'* ** Certainly, Miss, if I am here, but I have some sew- iii^' to carry home this afternoon." IS AT THE MERCV OF TIBERltJS. and »other?el,s°i'5'::Cvf ;'::l rtTwl-f"' ' . her, and allow your dau-htp/ivr ! * "P»" pallet by her bed^. whit'^r;o„";Tcan°nott:^ °" ' how grateful I shoii k^ i- -^ cannot tell you, showier,?„dlt;l' y utouTd'sena'trr;" ?*^ to her room is i.p ic cl " ^^^ ^^^^^ often ■ merry w;"' am '^e L;""""' ="■" ™"""'^' -<> "« noZTihiJ^vlrld'f ' T"- 'I*^ P"°^ '"'"« "'"' have sympathy :r;it^retrrr-rn;^^^^^^^^ mothered bvthl if T ^''^ "*^' ^^^ "^^ds. I was since sheV^ every silk^Zr ?°' ^^^^ "'^''«' -«> claim on my hean " """'"' ^ ^"^ ""^^ <" =»' <" the womenshooU hrnt;:r3e:^'„raXt"^ diJ:, IThtriTd :: r •"'"^'"^' -SfBery: entrance of at?'; a"'/' t" ^"ff"' trough the rear lishment, she wf^ sLprisedT fl .'''Jw^'-^P'' ^^"- past two o'clock "'^P™*'* '» «■"» that It was half- :8hrreceTedtef w'f *" <'«?-*'"-*. 'rom whom ^rather^'^sC t^dTr ;drn7aTprflr-^^\»' and f :l' the™ ^.Zt.'T '^^^ ""• '->^''-«<">' They are birthday™ a/d bthT"^ ^""^ ^'^*- wa,^ habit o,ar.^C;:i"4rtf:^^.'^^^^ *'"'- U, unrolled the tissue paper, and with a ma^nif^-me AT THE MERCY OF TIBER103. 18 glass, carefull}' examined the pictures; then took from an envelope in the box, two short pieces of hair, which ho compared with the painted heads before him. "Beautifully done. The lace on that child's dress would bear even a stronger lense than my glass. Here Patterson, take this box, and letter to Mr. Endicott, and if satisfactory, carry them to the packing counter. Shipping address is in the letter. Hurry up, my lad. Sit down. Miss Brentano." " Thank you, I am not tired. Mr. Mansfield, have you any good news for me ?" " You mean those etchings ; or the designs for the Christmas cards ? Have not heard a word, pro or con. Guess no news is good news; for I notice * rejected ' work generally tiavels fast, to roost at home." " I thought the awards were made last week, and that to-day you could tell me the result." " The awards have been made, I presume, but who owns the lucky cards is the secret that has not yet transpired. You young people have no respect for red tape, and methodical business i-outine. You want to clap spurs on fate, and make her lower her own last record ? * Bide awee. Bide awee'." " Winning this prize means so much to me, that I confess I find it very hard to be patient. Success would save me from a painful and expensive journey, upon which I must start to-night; and therefore I hoped so earnestly that I might receive good tidings to-day. I am obliged to go South on an errand, which will necessitate an absence of several days, and if you should have any news for me, keep it until I call again. If unfavorable it v \ld depress my mother, and therefore I prefer you should not ,.iite, as of course she will open any letters addressed to me. 14 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. Please save all the work vo.i ^nn e^ orderea them shipped " ""' "°'"' "'•^'-rate;' and photo/^hsTeadT.'n'^ efdZ GoT;" J"; '^ '"' °' "Thank you. Good byo'slr " ^"o" ^'""-""on." dropping the remainder fnto her pluet Teft r,; T/ r^^etrtirTd''^"'™"^^^^^^^^ unlocalized-she moved flovlV 2n;t '^^ ^".' Sidewalk— unconspinnc «f +v. .^^on^ tae crovvded toward her sunpr h r ^^ '"''°"" ^^^"^^^ directed from some saeredPantthenaSe Frieze' '""'' """" offfl^rStl^^S^tr^rla^^rr'^-r^^ Climatic ^^:!^z^^^;:^:2:t "r ■ r <■ season. The violet a„„=, ^ P«"«ction, m, and out of smiled andTuiv rfd afsUt of't^ "' ""^'"" •" ^^""^ and flamin!. V^^^yc^loXTZZl'T^ indiffnantamJeme t at L°nr r"' "^^ ^'^'•«'' '» snowy reffal ^m^Z: ? ^ Premature presumption of .J,, i-.. v,;" <=^™<:ll'as, audaciously advancing- to cr"wn AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 15 necromancy furnishes with equal facility the dewy wreaths of orange flowers that perfume the filmy veils of December brides— and the blue bells of spicy hyacinths which ring "Rest" over the lily pillows, set as tribute on the graves of babies, who wilt under August suns. From early childhood, an ardent love of beauty had characterized this girl, whose covetous gaze wandered from a gorgeous scarlet and gold orchid nodding in dreams of its habitat, in some vanilla scented Brazilian jungle, to a bed of vivid green moss, where skilful hands had grouped great drooping sprays of waxen begonias, coral, faint pink, and ivory, all powdered with gold dust like that, which gilds the heart of water-lilies. Such treasures were reserved for the family of Dives ; and counting her pennies. Beryl entered the store, where instantaneously the blended breath of heliotrope, tube-rose and mignonette wafted her across the ocean, to a white-walled fishing village on the Cornice^ whose gn.y rocks were kissed by the blue lips of the Mediterranean. " What is the price of that cluster of Niphetos buds ?" ''One dollar." **And that Auratum— with a few ro&e geranium leaves added ?" • "Seventy-five cents. You see it is wonderfully large, and the gold bands are so very deep." She put one hand in her pocket and fingered, a silver coin, but poverty is a grim, tyrannous step- mother to tender aestheticism, and prudential con- siderations prevailed. "Give me twentv-live cents wnrth nf fimca r»oio blue double violets, with a sprig of lemon verbena, and a fringe of geranium leaves." H AT THE MififiOV OF TIBERIUS. She a^est*. his ZishrAouC, ""^ ""» '^ """'''• ** Ten cents, Miss " you bo ^oS 'sT„' ";;:,";:' t'rr- ^ " r ■" ^ " ^"' for a sick lady " ' "^"^'^ " '"'P' fresli, orroKc.trur:;;rs;,«'^ «'r- =-" of the comfortless atfir ,/„,•' °'^"^^ ''*'" ^"or she had strug^M b ave ^to' J Tf Z" """"^ "'°'""« tbe wolf, thit more than ""'' """''>'''' "-o"" threshold. •"' '""* '"""■'«'i across (he Mrs. Brentano wa^ *jif(i«™ ,• olbows on her kners her ■ n A ",' f '"■" •="'"'■' "'"' ^cr in her lap lay paner tnV ' '",'""-"" '" ^"^ P'^'"'; and had falle^n on^h^/r^d bS: r "it r "" 'T ".JTOCth tessrof h/\'r '^''^'' ''^'"'«' "ress^ hersloulder^ sr^re/entef a'"'?"^^""^ ^""^^ mental and physical ITT^ .^"''"'''' "^ '"^J"' «s exertTonVld' J"'' "f' ' '==''"« ^»-« •' The "-!'™, =f ^r . P ^'"'''y^ fatigues you." that; 'Sly" trie' W^ Z ""-"'stable in "I .■ -^ V*"*- What detained you '" tos^A::.':';;^!'?""^''--^^ I am unwi,li„g hehasp,;sc::4eds„™! ""^ ^"'"'^ his advice; an! flnainSisbotuf Th T """^'""^ ^'''<='' you will ihis bottle. The directions are marked on ti,„ AT THE MiiRCl OF TIBEUiUS. 17 label. Now I will put things in order, and try m.y hands on that refractory bed." " What ti;a the Doctor say about me ?" " Nothing' new ; but he is confident that you can be cured in time, if we will only be patient and obedient. He promised to sec you in the morning." She stripped the bed of its covering, shook bolster and pillows; turned over the mattress, and beat It vigorously; then put on fresh sheets, and adjusted the whole comfortably. " Now mother, turn your head, and let me comb and brush and braid all this glossy black satin, to keep it from tangling while I am away. What a pity you did no 6 dower your daughter with part of it, instead of this tawny mane of mine, which is a constant affront to my fastidious artistic instincts. Please keep still a moment." She unwrapped the tissue paper that covered her flowers, and holding her hands behind her, stepped in front of the invalid. " Dear mother, shut your eyes. There—! of what does that remind you? The pergola— with great amber grape clusters— and white stars of jasmine shiniiig through the leaves? All the fragrance of Italy sleeps in the thurible of this Grand-Duke." " How delicious ! Ah, my extravagant child ! we cannot afford such luxuries now. The perfume recalls so vividly the time when Bertie—" A sob cut short the sentence. Beryl pinned the flowers at her mother's throat, kissed her cheek, and kneeling before her, crossed her arms on the invalid's lap, resting there the noble head, with its -nished crown of reddish bronze braids. " Mother dear, humor my childish whim. In defi- ance of my wishes and judgment, and solely in obedi- 18 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. ence to your command lam i^o, ■ time, on a bitterly painfur.^?"^ ^^" ^^^ *^« first To-ni^^ht, let me be " vou. 1^"^"'^^^ ^^^««^«^- My heart brings me t^' ~t^^^^^^^^^^ prayers as of yore, and nolZmTi'l ."^^ ^^ dear pretty hands on my head Tf ^if "^^ ^^^ -^^"^ parting: benediction : a verit^ht Vr "^i" ^^^^ ^"^^ a "fl , a veritable iVwnc c?meY^2^.»' inir CHAPTER II. town .s there a straight road ?" '^''*'" '"^^"'S- the 'X! ^nd t;Xv"' ?r ^"" -^-^ P--" There is a little Br^J^h™** '"" '"^^ '«''• and just across if yo^Viirs'eTtf '"ll""' "' ""' '^'U the big gate with X„e 1. ' . o'r!'*" P^""^^' ''"I brass dogs on top shotint tf- f *''° *'-emendous spring. There's ItSdnltT*?*'' ^"^ '■«'^<'^t<' the only one left in th^ . ^ '''^ '^^'^' because it is oidtim^sbe,!!' rwr":nTth:v"t^"'"'''«^»°^ have spared it, had it not'h! *''^J'*"'^«es would not proof headquarters ,„°'.^°''i*<=°'"f<''''^We bomb- Place now, and General nf' "f'""'- "'« »»r show "-'4^''^^^^^^^^^^^ it up in bet- Thank you. I will find it." of the baggage ro^X^^IZZ^'^^"""'''''^'"" after her. ' looKea with curious scrntinv "Ishouldliketoknowwhosheis. Noordln^r,' AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 19 I for the first ^ing" mission. '1 once more. to say my ly, lay your seem like a mittis," ce is only a ter leaving- I've passed > the lef:. of the hill, ling's, and ^emendous i ready to :ause it is 3 the g-ood v^ould not i)le bomb- our show jp in bet- , and the the door scrnf-.inv >rdiuary I person, that is clear. Such a g-rand figure and walk, and such a steady look in her big solemn eyes, as if she saw straight through a person, clothes, flesh and all. Wonder what her business can be with the I old General?" From early childhood Beryl had listened so intently ' to her mother's glowing descriptions of the beauty and I elegance of her old home ** Elm Bluff," that she soon I began to identify the land-marks along the road, after passing the cemetery, where so many generations of Darringtons slept in one corner, enclosed by a lofty iron railing ; exclusive in death as in life ; jealously guarded and locked from contact with the surrounding dwellers in *' God's Acre." The October day had begun quite cool and crisp, with a hint of frost in its dewy sparkle, but as though vanquished Summer had suddenly faced about, and charged furiously to cover her retreat, the South wind came heavily laden wit] hot vapor from equatorial oceanic caldrons ; and i_,vv the afternoon sun, glowing in a cloudless sky, shed a yellowish glare that burned and tingled like the breath of a furnace ; while along the horizon, a 4im dull haze seemed blotting out the boundary of earth and sky. A portion of the primeval pine forest having been preserved, the trees had attained gigantic height, thrusting their plumy heads heavenward, as their lower limbs died; and year after year the mellow brown carpet of reddish straw deepened, forming a soft safe nidus for the seeds, that sprang up and now gratefully embroidered it with masses of golden rod, starry white asters, and tall feathery spikes of some velvety purple bluom, which looked royal by the side of a cluster of belated evening primroses. Pausing on the small but pretty rustic bridge, Beryl 20 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. leaned agrainst the info>.io • stream, where the clear wlter^ ",' '"« ^'""linJ flecked with eliDtingfoam h,,hM '"''°'' *'"''••■ huJ Srurgled, eddied a J Z^ """'"'''' ''^ " lapped an ' gravel UnacquainL "wV^^L"' '^^ "'^^""-^ es, she was charmed by he rT""""^"' '"•a-ch. wavelets that frothed aga^^sttL";'' ^°"'<»' "row,, "f curled caressingly f^ufi^tP'"^" <" ^e bridg-e Of luxuriant ferns, whthhunr" ""^''^'l ^onl^' their own graceful quiverL,^^ Narcissus-like over brooded in the warm hltv » T^"^' Profound q:,iot ofo..; but once a Pine S'f'ror*''."'*'^ "^'--^ mshed down through dead twt i"'^ """y mast petals of a primrose f and fvetS' ''™'''''^ ">« «atin of that Shy, deep throateTheTmrt of""" "''' ""oe notes set, speckled-breasted lark^l n ravmes-the rus- to the great heart of natrnt f . "''*^^°^ «*> close throbbing, and banished th? Jo' "''y '''' ^^-ce her own ; and she walked on ff """^ forebodings of where the bronze mastiff?' f '^"^^^ *^« ^^o^ Le heir granite Pedest^t^Ltf th'/^^^^^^^ S>m park, which stretched awLTn ! ^^""^^ "ndulatin^ tive pines. There was no siL'^r' '^' ^^^^ «^ P^^n^i^ smooth carriage road curved ift, ^''""'' ^"* ^ ^road on both margins Of the grl, eHei" ""^ ^ ^^^^ trees stood at regular ,nff "^^^ ^"^ient elm boughs across, to ^^"e L S? ^ ''^^^^^^ ^hl" arches. Whose fine trace y of ^f ' ""^"^^ ^^^^ned ,;tr" ^^""^^^^ b/cll:l!~ f es was here li.hen massos-and ornamented \Trhw'r'."' ^^^^ ^'-'^ ooissesof velvet id the: •umpet pearl On ei ,tive g id cros llowy lumina id blac iep ocl 'imson, |al hicl lich tl learns o [otous Ci mossy polish( Half a Irass, ai Inkled r atched i 'ches. jatriarch grouped 'osa Bon n acres elcome i its vel-v As the Outlines o louthern Ipcncd h( Inch nla iou— obst wa. bougrhs twistedi at the winding! 5d amb©r hues, ' it lapped and bed of yellow ivoods' branch- grolden brown s of the bridg-e, emerald fronds! issus-]ike over Profound quiet with balsamic h nutty mast sing- the satin the oboe notes ines— the rus- througrh the ast, cool, col- soothed the i^ST so close d the fierce rebodingrs of 3 iron gate, nng-Iy from undulating | le of primi- I but a broad | iil side, and ncient elm ^ingr their fb g-roined ' was here -and grray J of velvet AT THE MERCY OF TlBERItTS. 21 loss; while the venerable columnar trunks were now d then wreathed with poison-oak vines, where red ■umpet flowers insolently blared defiance to the wax- i pearls of encroaching- mistletoe. On either side, the grounds were studded with ,tive growth, as though protective forestry statutes id crossed the ocean with the colonists, and on this illowy sea of varied foliage Autumn had s t her ummated autograph, in the vivid scarlet of sumach Id black gum, the delicate lemon of wild cherry— the lep ochre nil sprinkled and splasLed with intense "imson, of the giant oaks-the orange glow of ances- fal hickory-and the golden glory of maples, on ich the hectic fever of the dying year kindled earns of fiery red ;-over all, a gorgeous blazonry of otous color, toned down by the silver gray shadows mossy tree-trunks, and the rich, dark, restful green polished magnolias. Half a dozen fine Cotswold ewes browsed on the -ass, and the small bell worn by a staid dowager mkled musically, as she threw up her head and -atched suspiciously the figure moving under the elm rches. Beneath the far reaching branches of a [atriarchal cedar, a small herd of Jersey calves had Grouped themselves, as if posing for Landseer or osa Bonheur ; and one pretty fawn-colored weanling in across the sward to meet the stranger, bleating a ■elcome and looking up, with unmistakable curiosity ' Its velvety, long lashed -eyes. As the avenue gradually climbed the ascent, the •utiines of the house became visible ; a stately typical louthern mansion, like hundreds, which formerly 'pencd hospitably their broad mahogany doors, and a. .lb. „xc uCK^yjuiiug tradiiional to this genera- |iou-obsolcte as the bravo, chivalric, warm-hearteO, 32 AT THE MEBCY OP TIBERIPS. opea-handed, noble-souled, rertned q„„M,. men who built and owned th»„ at t'?*™ ^^''^^• here, no pseudo " Queln Anne '"h f° "^"^^^d roof ing-, top-heavy profectrn.riZ ^r""^^' ^"'' "»«"»•- feeble sickly imitation Seth.^ , ?"''' ■""■ Tudor towers ; none of ' . J^''^*'"'''^»n fasades, and impertinences of archie ur^lT','°"P°^"«' '^«="^'«>> do duty as the a^^o^' ''^ '^ ^^'''^ ""^""-'^''y vedettes "„aUin„. st^Vr^^tt "'"'^"'= cohorts of Culture. ' *^® coming- The house at **Elm Rinfr " , ., cast With stucco pa "ted in imrtion' f "' '"*' ''^^^- and m foundation was only tm ITl ^'^'"^■ upon a broad terrace of brick-worl- tt ^ ??' ''^^^'"^ ed by a graceful wooden bTlusrade ^.H '."" ''""°''- vases, on either side nf "^'"f ™"«' with pedestals for down' from Z t" to't^^" '*""" "'^^^ ^"'^'"''^ central halls in both Ttories d videdTJ!? ' '''"'• ^''^ into four rooms on .n^r, "^ ^P'"'^ equally front, ran a lofty" ,?, '^ ' ""' '^'""^ *"« "'de White smooth rouL'^Xr^^°','"° '""^ ^o'' -'*" square windows'cedfr ft amM ^^'^^ "^^ "^P^^ ''^^d looked down on the floo' „?^? deeply embrasured, generations o? D^^^^i^lfl^T' ""^^^ «° ■""«; childhood-and pr^mS: aslo ™sTtheT '" moonlig-ht, listening to the rino. Z? ^ ^"""^ thom, from the coTumbarv of tht ? '""'"^ '"'°^« This spacious colonnade exLiJ '*""'" ^''P"*'^- and eastern side of the house but'^f *' ""■■'''*™ had forracrlv been encLed »!'. ^^ "'^'*«™ ^d having been abolished va,fin.T''''**°''^-"'^''='' comparatively mode™ [ron verS ,^tT?' ^ '^ mg down to the terrar-P T Jf » I '"^ ^*^P» '<'ad- tween th„ „i^" ,.; ™°*' - J° ''■»°' of the building, be. - »v.nue ana the flower-bordered terrace, AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 23 em gentle- ansard roof with lower- Jbrows over ssance, nor jades, and te, freakish now-a-day le aesthetic ;he coming- rick, over- y granite, h, resting ter bound- destals for >s leading ^ive. The !e equally the wide roof, with 3er broad brasured, ' so many hoops in le silvery ig above Capitals, northern tern end i^— which ed by a jps lead- Jing, be- terrace, stood a row of very old poplar trees, tall as their forefathers in Lombardy, and to an iron staple driven into one of these, a handsome black horse was now fastened. Standing with one foot on the terrace step, close to the marble vases where heliotropes swung their dainty lilac chalices against her shoulder, and scarlet geran- iums stared unabashed. Beryl's gaze wandered from the lovely park and ancient trees, to the unbroken fagade of the gray old house ; and as, in painful con- trast she recalled the bare bleak garret room, where a beloved invalid held want and death at bay, a sudden mist clouded her vision, and almost audibly she murmured : " My poor mother ! Now, I can realize the bitterness of your suffering; now I understand the intensity of your yearning to come back ; the terrible home-sickness, which only heaven can cure.'* What is presentiment ? The swaying of the veil of futurity, under the straining hands of our guardian angels ? Is it the faint shadow, the solemn rustle of their hovering wings, as like mother birds they spread protecting plumes between blind fledglings, and de- scending ruin? Will theosophy ever explain and augment prescience ? " It may be — The thoughts that visit ug, we know not, whence, Sudden as inspiration, are the whispers Of disembodied spirits, speaking to us As friends, who wait outside a prison wall. Through ti^e barred windows speak to those within." With difficulty Beryl resisted an inexplicable im- pulse to turn and flee ; but the drawn word of duty pointed ahead. StrilriTlp- ht^f Vinnrlo frwnrablo scar in ler heart, the ids with him, ) early years, music on the nd from the fear of being isclosing her ^ancc of the precincts of vy similar to 1, before the kept silent; ntemplation )eforc her. land an ex- and of the ge north of whence she )und south- ; where at bath house er feet the iant carpet, man would sea-g-reen, ! steeple of * 27 a church, with its gilt vane burning in the sunshine, and the red brick dome of the ante helium Court^ bouse. "uxir Time seemed to have fallen asleep, on that hot, still lafternoon, and Beryl was aroused from her reverie ^by the sound of hearty laughter in the apartment' opposite the drawing-room-followed by the tones of |a man s voice : " Thank you, General. That is my destination this [afternoon and I shall certainly expect you to dance K>x my wedding." f^l'''^^ ^^"^ ^*^P^ ''^''^ ""^ *^^ oil-cloth-covered floor dLr ^""^ ^""^'^ """"^ """"^ ^""""^^ *°^^^d the thrill^ "" ''iPM'' '"''" ^^°^' ^^^^ *'^°^ riding-whip in the other, the attorney stepped out on the colonnade T ^5""?°! ^"^°l""t^r"y' at siglit of the stranger! hey looked at each other. A man, perhaps more certainly not less than thirty years old, of powerful ^nd impressive p%s«5Me; very tail, athletic, sinewy, ithout an ounce of superfluous flesh to encumber his iovements, in the professional palaestra; with a large ^ nely modeled head, whose crisp black hair closely cut was (contrary to the prevaihng fashion) parted neithe; straight back from a square forehead, thereby en- hancing the massiveness of its appearance. Something in this swart, beardless face, with its bnlhant inquisitorial dark blue eyes, handsime secret tive mouth veiled by no mustache-and boldly asslr- tive chm deeply cleft in the centre-alTected B^Wery iinpleasantly, as a perplexing disagreeable memory IJ^of^- ^!!f^'^^^^^^^h«-«-i^g just beyond the .eD"ution '""7^^?^^^«"- ^ feeling of unaccountable epulsion made her shiver, and she breathed more ! Hi 1 H i : S8 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. freely, wlicn ho bowed slightly, and walked on toward his horse. Upon the attorney her extraordinary appearance produced a profound impression, and iu his brief scrutiny, no detail of her face, figure or apparel escaped his keen probing- gaze. Glancing back as he untied his bridle rem, his unspoken comment was: "Superb woman; I v/onder what brings her here? Evidently a stranger- -with a purpose." He sprang into the saddle, stooped his head to avoid the yellow poplar branches, and disappeared under the elm arches. " Gin'l Darrington's compliments; and if your biz- ness is pressin' you will have to s-o him in his bed charmber, as he feels poorly to-day, and the Doctor won t let him out. Follow me. You see, ole Marster remembers the war by the game lag he got at Sharps- burg, and sometimes it lays hi in up." The old servant lead Beryl through a Ion- room fitted up as library and armory, and pausing before an open door, waved her into the adjoining apartment. One swift glance showed her the. heavy canopied bed- stead in one corner, the arch-shaped glass door leading out upon the iron veranda; and at an oblon- table in the middle of the floor, the figure of a man'' who rose, taller and taller, until he seemed a giant drawn to his full height, and resting for support on the hand that was pressed upon the table. Intensity or emotion arrested her breath, as she gazed at the silvered head, piercing black eyes, and spare wasted frame of the handsome man, who had always reigned as a brutal ogre in her imagination. The fire in his somewhat sunken eyes, seemed to bid defiance to the whiteness of the abundant hair, and of the lieavy musta,che which drooped ovtn- his lips; and every d walked on extraordinary Bssion, and iii ce, flg-ure or die rn>u, his an; I v/onder ranger — with his head to disappeared 1 if your biz- cn in his bed i the Doctor , ole Marster ^t at Sharps- long- room, using- before ? apartment, mopiod bed- g-Iass door t an oblong- •e of a man, ned a g-iant, pport on the [ntensitj' or azcd at the pare wasted ays reig^ned e fire in his ance to the the heavy and every | AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. %^ •eature in his patrician face revealed not only a lon^ .ne of blue-blooded ancestors, but the proud haughty less V7hich had been considered always L distinctfveh. haracteristic of the Darrin^tons, as their finely cu^ lips thin nostrils, small feet and unusua' height Lnprepared for the apparition that coiuronted him ^Mce Darrington bowed low, surveyed her intently- ben pomted to a chair opposite his own. ^' • Walk m, Madam; or perhaps it may be Miss ? Will ou take a seat, and excuse the feebleness that forces ie to receive visits in my bed-room ?" As he reseated himself. Beryl advanced and stood to utter the words, rehearsed so frequently during her lif cow ^''^ """ 1 ^f ^'''^^^ ^'*^°^ ^"°^^°^' '"'' '' ""' '"'" '^'"^ a caressing l^ch, as though It were sentient, held it against her daughter is dying; and this is her last " I have no daughter. Twenty-three years a-o m,. tXTrlcZ'lV''"'^'' '" '-pefess disg^rtce :?d7o tw T " "° resurrection here. If she dreams fortl'Th'" "f '"'*"^''' ^O-^-y relent, she strangeT;* w^ftlf , !"' "' ^^^ "'o'"' '^^ «^^fit to cross •Tnd T:,lt "''" " °°* y«' ^«"i'e and imbecile ' and that the years have only hardened bis hearT Teli I looked '"' "'°"' '"'"''' '0 ""•^''* -'- ^owlh"! sojrdrr:ytrtige^:L,t^^^^^^ Twice Beryl walked the IPTjo-fb ^f thp -^. k * each time the recoUectiou ofS;;: tZX^uk^^:, " Your appeal." AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 81 is is her last! suffering countenance, and the extremity of her need drove her back to the arm-chair. * "If you knew that your daughter's life hung by a thread, would you deliberately take a pair of shears and cut it?" He glared at her in silence, and leaning forward on ihc table, pushed roughly aside a salver, on which «tood a decanter and two wine glasses. *'I am hereto t-U you a solemn truth; then my' responsibility ends. Your daughter's life rests literally , ni your hands ; for unless you consent to furnish the money to pay for a surgical operation, which mav restore her hes^lth, she will certainly die. I ai tndulgmg m no exaggeration to extort alms. In this letter is the certiA.^ate of a distinguished physicia- corroborating my statement. If you, the author of her bemg, prefer to hasten her death, then your choice of an awful revenge must be settled between your hard- ened conscience and your God." 'I You are bold indeed, to beard me in my own house, and tell me to my face what no man would dare to utter. His voice was an angry pant, and he struck his chnched hand on the table, with a force that made the glasses jingle, and the sherry dance in the decanter. " Yes, you scarcely realize how much bravery this pamful errand demands; but the tender love in a woman s heart nerves her to bear fiery ordeals, that vanquish a man's courage." "Then you find that age has not drawn the fangs claws r '"'"'^^^''^ Darrington lion, nor clipped his The sneer curved his white mustache, until she saw tne outline of the narrow, bloodless under lip. Id AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. rs. j»- "-^--" vtu^' trj^; • ' *' Who arp vnn ? i.^°"^®3'^ed aversion. ■ upon me ?"* ' "" ' ?^ "^^* "ght dare you intrude striLrwZt! th^sTT'"'; '^■^io"^. poverty. ""Other's sufferings and wh ,"'""" "^^r her dured tl^e humiliation of thi, "";"* ""'"' '^='-« en- deliver a letter in the hoi. „f 'f*«'-^iew, except to life." ° ""^ "^"Pe of prolonging- my mother's "iZ^ZT "•"*" *'^''* y»" are-my_» 'ron^yTur-^XVaSfr/ ""' ^^^^ •'-or of a letter burst from him! ^h rha^f''! ^^'^'•«' *<">-»« echopeopled the roomrwLre thnt '■' "^ """^"''"^ "« form^ly reigned quee^^fllttr"""''''"^^ He star!" a1the'"i:.'''T- ""'""^'^ "-■»«•" face looking so p^o^df/f"' '"■'' ^' '""^ '""it'esa inaccessible heilt fid ""7^^"" '''"'' "= f"" an « I at7h„ ''"^''' '^<''- """d was a boy ?" " It i?i yuugest of two chUdren " inw^r.ciflXrfr™*''^ <'--«- <" that ;• Hush , The C arf i:::?;.!"^^'^'"''' '''^°-" "" - - P^'e face, deemed Vhi;ererb;::prsiS AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 88 n, and looked I. » you intrude gust, that made her eyes g-leam like steel under an electric flash. "lam the daughter of Ignace Brentano, and I love, and honor his memory, and his name. No drop of your Darrinffton blood runs in my veins; I love my dear mother-but I am my father's daughter-and I want no nobler heritage than his name. Upon vou I have no shadow of claim, but I am here from dire necessity, at your mercy-a helpless, defenceless pleader m my mother's behalf-and as such, I appeal to the boasted Southern chivalry, upon which you pride yourself, for immunity from insult while I am under your roof. Since I stood no taller than your knee, my mother has striven to inculcate a belief in the nobility, refinement, and chivalric deference to womanhood, inherent in Southern gentlemen; and if It be not all a myth, I invoke its protection against abuse of my father. A stranger, but a lady, every inch, I demand the respect due from a gentleman " For a moment they eyed each other, as gladiators awaiting the signal, then Gen'l Darrington sprang to his feet, and with a bow, stately and profound as if made to a duchess, replied : "And in the name of Southern chivalry, I swear you shall receive it." ^' ^ ^ "Read your daughter's letter; give me your answer, and let us cut short an interview-which if di^greeable to you, is almost unendurable to me "' Turning away, she began to walk slowly up and down the floor ; and smothering an oath under his heavy mustache, the old man sank back in his chair and opened the letter. ' ii U AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. CHAPTER III. tearing into shreL^™ w:Lin 7/ f."' T ^'""'^ with passionate prayers for nZ i**"' ^''^'ShteA Eolling the strips into Vh^ifu "''''''' f""" ="«»■•• waste-^aper baslfet under thf^,: -trrn i"'" "'« with shen-y, drank it, anddropped wfif ." '^ ^"''^ on his hand. Five i„orf„" .^P*^ "'^ head wearily a ion,. r-eaVy^^Jh^il^rttol^rSen^^^^^ ton's gaunt frame. Seizing the decanTer hf ^"""^ the contents into two glasse, ^L„,'- ^^ ^'^^ his^l^s .eldtheothertr'atvllr^^'' one to ^t JZ TTarLTs^JZJyr ^---^ ■• 'et mo in- answer a few questions » T?f ;, '^*''^" ^^^^' ^^^ own. questions. He drew a chair near his 1 She shook her head : ' In"tur°ll'" *^™"' "*' ^ P™f» t» stand." rolled Justlyond hL ;eaeh "r^t'^rr'^" '''''''' to pick it up and ^ZT ^°='""=t'vely she stooped his LeaJn^g sudden.v w'"^;'^ '""' ''"^^'^ '»"<=hed -ere she wa^awa™ Jf l^LTri'^^^P^'' '^^^^™'« front of him. intention, and drew her in " ^'"^"" "« ' ""t I ^ant a good look at you." AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 35 His keen merciless eyes searched every feature, and fie deliberately lifted and examined the exquisitely shaped strong, white hands, the dainty nails, and delicately rounded wrists with their violet tracery of veins. It cost her an effort, to abstain from wrenching herself free; but her mother's caution; " So much depends on the impression you make upon father," girded her to submit to his critical inspec- tion. A grim smile crossed his face, as he watched her. " Blood, often doubles, like a fox ; sometimes * crops back,' but never lies. You can't play out your role of pauper; and you don't look a probable outcome of destitution and hard work. Your hands would fit much better in a metope of the Elgin Marbles, than in a wash-tub, or a bake-oven,' Drawing away quickly, she put them behind her, and felt her palms tingle. " It is expected I should believe that for some time past, you have provided for your own, and. your mother's wants. In what way ?" " By coloring photographs ; by furnishing designs for Christmas and Easter cards, and occasionally (not often), by selling drawings used for decorating china, and wall-paper. At one time, I had regular pay for singing in a choir, but diphtheria injured my throat, and when I partly recovered my voice, the situation had been given to another person." " I am informed also that before long, you intend to astonish the world with a wonderful picture, which shall distance such laggards as Troyon, Dore, and Ary Schefler ?" She was lookine-. not n,t him hnf. mif fi,,.rt»«v fu- glass door, at the glowing western sky, where distant pine trees printed their Rilhnnf.ft^s. Now her gaze ' 86 K! - i ■) «i I AT THE MERCY OF TIBERItjg. wolfish cares and ,™"s h^t f ''"° distance the Bince she became a widow ^'iV ". '"""*^'' '>«'•' "ver that can contribute oTor ctmf„"f ''" ''""^^^ "^"^O"- and svvcet to me." cmfort, will be welcome The'Xri:::. :' 'r S,""-'' "^ --■' -<> comp,ex- i|{ 1 -rtainl/entHh:; VnTum i?4i ''T"""-' <='^"l '«' •'■ the strain will tell and vl '" ' ''»"' some dav mother with in^rautude/bhciri' TT'^'''" y°"' showed me." ' ""•'= ^^ that which she i'Siete'::C''an r:t''"^ '"^-'^ ™« •"• ti^ table, with the angers"?, r °"I ;"'■"' ''™">-"«l on " Who educated you '!? "' '''^" '"'■«'• " My dear father " JZrTr «-■•« -e two of you. Where is your I thfntrthf far w"!'"""^ -'^-=% -here he is, but ably in Canada." ' P^^^'Wyin Montana-prob- flddlS;.''°" "> -™ >^- bread P By <„„,,„^^ ^^. ^^e ha " nTt S /romlw^' ""' '^ '"^ »«' affair. "I thought sol K? ,,"".'"■ ^ome months." hond strain of-" ' ' "'''*''"^ t''" "'orthless vaga- nam^e-Koberti. Crintl:?. ^''"^'^"-'•: hence hL ' notsur" "a"t1''"'^, '"" "'^"''some child t j „„ 1. vuat he IS the favorite." AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 37 "Bertie certainly is her darling, and he is very handsome j not in the very least degree like me " For the first time, their eyes met in a friendly glance, and a covert smile stirred the General's lips • but as he put out his hand toward her, she moved a step beyond his reach. t rlnt'?-' ^"""^ consider me a dreadful, cruel old She made no reply. "Answer me." "You are my mother's father; and that word- father, means so much to me, that it shall shield even you, from the shadow of disrespect." "Oh! very dutiful indeed, but 'dead as the days ^hen daughters obeyed, and honored their fathers » Beggarly foreign professors wiped all that out of the mmds of wealthy giWs at boarding schools-just as they changed their backwoods pronunciation of French and Italian. Don't evade my question." 1 did not ccme here, sir, to bandy words : and I ended my mission by delivering the letter intrusted to " You regard me as a vindictive old bear ^" "I had heard much of the Darringtons' : I ima-- med a great deal more ; but now, like the Queen of Sheba, I must testify-* Behold, the hai : was not told He threw back his lion-like head, and- laughed. That will do. Shako hands, child " "No, thank you." " And you will not sit down ?" ''^ Frankly, I prefer not. I long to get away." ^ You shall certainly be gratified, but there arfi a icw things which i intend you shall hear. Of oourso you know that your mother was my only child, and 88 AT THE MEBCy OP TIBEWps. last session, she was en^a "ed in '"^ """"" '»■• »e of my best Meud-a mant « " "'^''' *»«'««»'> and thorouffhiy acceptable o ^e ";' "■"^^'^ ""^'^ble, , ..fo^y mother told me." who '» «veig-ied by a low adventurer andlX^TnrpHSr^^r-''-'''"'"0b,e, h'm respectfully, name h m no^af i?" '^'^ ">''' '» presence." ™ "°* *' all, in his child's She suddenly towered over him in "f fat«, and her uplifteTa™ t '.?™ *'"-«^*«»- •ntensity of her indig-nation '"'""'' '™°> t^e l"g-her compliment » ^""^ ^^"^^ Pay me no rich fool, who would livthZl^ P'-eferred to mar^r a letter, which was adSedtf°["""- ^ '*"^^«™0 her quite ill at home-a»iTt„ld hr'""""'"''^^-*'"' "iffht expect, it she ^4t^d jn T/'""'""^ '"'"'' ^'«' soon as my wife convaSl i T^"^ '»"y- As departure advisable I stl^i f "^^""^ *" '"'""l^'- »y home; but she ran awty f t '"."^ "^ "''"^I'ter arrival, and while, hoDi^!.^L ""' ^"""^ ^^foro my Pxrauit of the pr;don '"'""" ^'"'=«' ^ was in died-th- Vic*- f P*"'' ™y "■ife re1»n«-d -- ° MC.U, of excitement brought on by C J8. AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 89 biy of the fact school for the lis'e to the son >ect desirable. ^erit. While fc her promise ^er birth, her ^ adventurer 3r, but noble, ^ can refer to n his child's ne threaten- d from the pay me no r affections * who paid usicin the Jo marry a 3wered her iher— then ' what she folly. As ender my daugrhter eforo my I was in Work^ » — -1 If^^U. illiU 1 by her bhild's disgrace. I came back here to a desolate, 3ilent house ; —bereft of wife and daughter; and in the g^rave of her mother, I buried every atom of love and tenderness I ever entertained for EUice. When the sun is suddenly blotted out at noon, and the world turns black— black, we grope to and fro aimlessly; but after awhile, we accommodate ourselves to the darkness ; — and so, I became a different man — very hard, and I dare say very bitter. The world soon learned that I would tolerate no allusion to my dis- grace, and people respected my family cancer, and prudently refrained from offering me nostrums to cure it. My wife had a handsome estate in her own right, and every cent of her fortune I collected, . and sent with her jewelry to Ellice. Did you know this?" "■ I have heard only of the jewels." " As I supposed, the money was squandered before you could recollect." " I know that we we^ e reduced to poverty, by the failure of some banking house in Paris. I was old enough when it occurred, to remember ever afterward, the dismay and distress it caused. My father no doubt placed my mother's money there for safety." " I wrote oiie long, final letter when I sent the checks for the money, and I told Ellice I wished never to see, • never to hear from her again. I told her also, I had only one wish concerning her, and that was, that I might be able to forget her so completely, that if we should meet in the Last Judgment, I could not possibly know her. I assured her she need expect nothing at my death ; as I had taken good care that my estate should not fall into the clutches of— her— * exiled scion of a noblo house.' Now do you consider that she has any claim on me?" 40 li fl AT THE MERCY OP TIBEBICS. paZw""* ""' ^^'^ -« 'o Sit in J„,^„„,„, „„^^ do so again? Ha"; she an/S toV™ ^^P'"'' ™ *« Having defied your uX^r > ^*'"='"'' " ?" orfaited a daughS S IT" '''' ''" "^^ ''-« sufferer, you cannot deny he^;„"' f "^ I'oart-brolcen »f Praj-ing- for your heln on ?,""''"''='""•>' P"vileffe The proud clear ,^- . ''^'" "eath-bed." ^ J^er face witt be^^^^/ '™™''^'"'' ^"0 ^oryl covered Wtrtr,::lf7-;tr^^^^ ties „, b,„od,and elude, for it is sickeninrand Z J"^ ^ ^' "" "=»»- »y age, toseehislonLsilen?, ''™"'' *»» man of -nd ffive up «ncall d-the,> sh'l^'^';''' ^-«^ 3-awn years the money sent, was a a^^! ''"'• ^°'- «»me peace. I was lonely JIZLT T' """ ^ ^^'^^ '«« in cause I could never' ,t^:."^::^ ^f ^ *<> forget, be- the gray ruin, the morf natm^ """^ '^^^"^'^'^ c ose With vines and flowers so ,r™' '° '=°^<"- " red a gentle, pure liearfed woman wf " *"""' ^ '"'''•. of what was left of me wITn , " """*« "'« best had one son of a former m^e w, "'""™' ''"* ^^e trustworthy boy -mrf k , ^ ' "^'"^ P^ved a noble heart, and rakecf tot^the/thf ''T '"' '"^'^^ '«'» my fections, and Idndledafeebit «?'''?."' '"^ "^^^daf"^ sh'vering old age. When ] ± "" *^''' ^^''™<' "y not thawing another serpent tn .'''""■'"' *"^' I "'as I adopted Thornton R^'ce "'d'^.r '"'•"^ P'^''-^. Legislative enactment, chaled\ '" '''^ ="" «' a Darrington. Only a feiv ^!? '^ "*""« *« Prince mother. Of whom^I wXTflnVd'T' """'" ^^ ^ tiion; and my bov in, it ^^-^ ^^^J' died of consumn. I mad« m.. cL^!*^ ^"'^ .^ comforted each oth.,. T^ will, and took nen every possi- n juclg-ment on my business facts. I ^ you expect me to demand it ?'* lies, she may have is a heart-broken lancholy privileg-e ^h-bed." nd Beryl covered ^es of blood, and ty ? Let me con- >me to a man of >ld g-raves j'awn, lead. For some ind I was left in I'k to forgret, be- 5 more desolate Lrns to cover it • a time, I mar- made the best liildren, but she proved a noble crept into my >f my dead af- ^t warmed my id that I was '^or my pains, the aid of a me to Prince Jd, before his of consump- othe]'. Then : every possi- AT THE MEROY OF TIBERItJg. 41 lie precaution to secure my estate of every description ^0 him. He is my sole heir, and I intend that at my death he shall receive every cent I possess. Did you know this?" ''I did, because your last endorsement on a letter . Of my mother's returned unopened to her, informed her of the fact." .•J " Why ? Because in violation of my wishes she had |)ersisted in writing, and soon began to importune me for money. Then I made her understand that even at |ny death, she would receive no aid; and since that en- dorsement, I have returned or destroyed her letters .-unread. My Will is so strong— has been drawn so \mrefully— that no contest can touch it; and it will stand forever between your mother and my property." ,. As he uttered these words, he elevated his voice, >which had a ring of savage triumph in its harsh excit- ed tones. Just then, a muffled sound attracted his at- tention, and seizing his gold-headed cane, he limped with evident pain to the threshold of the adjoining room. *'Bedney." Receiving no reply, he closed the door with a vio- lence that jarred the whole room ; \nd came slowly back to the table, where he stood leaning heavily en ills stick. " At least we will have no eavesdropping at this resurrection of my dead. That Ellice is now a miser- • able woman, I have no doubt; for truly ; * Quien se casa por amoves, ha de vivir con dolores.' Of course you understand Spanish?" " No, sir ; but no matter ; I take it for granted that you mtend some thrust at my mother, and I have --^ai.a quiU3 enough. *' Don't know Spanish ? Why I fancied your— your 49 AT THE MERCY OF TIPSIUUS. ' e-^'led scion of a noble houso ' < ^ . ff«ag-es under tho sun- . r "'«^^^ ""^^ "^e Ian- «erpent in beg-iuUn^. Evv ! WcTn''^'^^ ""'"^' '^^^ "^'^ means; /;• /^'''',^'^^' ^^'^o old adage Ellice made her cho ce •.( ^r\ ^T' ""'^^^ '^^^ow: •laiifflitei'— u,fii 1 „,;;.'" '■''»'■« thf Punkliment. If < fathers J/z/^'T'""""' '"»'■« thi' chilch-en's teeth «„,v^ t^,^^'^' , f «°"r empes, the claims on my pa,.e„tal l^I^"^'- ^ '■"P'^'iate all f ven to my son Prh.ce T f '"''" '""^ "'' I "ave bankrupt; but merely as a I ,7''^ "''"'"' "'•^f' I an, . the last time, respomUo the""!^ C""; ^ '^"' ""'^ '«»• whoso child is so ioyal as to ,"''"■' "■°"^''' fl.ce has asked for'one hundrT,,™^ compassion.' have It. ButQrst,telImewh 'i, i'f'- "^'°" ^^all S^e Zr^-- - -"-r '^hict fhei^: nevrm^rd-t':: r ■'^^ *^-' -<- ^ wi,, pown so alarmiiiffly, tliat T hJ aneurism has having no one to aid us I .^^f^ "^^Pcrate, and mother's requirement that T i^f""^ ""^y"" ">y could not suimon my bmLr h "'"^ '°'^' "ere. I ^here a letter wouW reael'L T ^ ''^^^ "» '"ea -but the God of the fr end S T ""'t "" '™'"' There is one thing I ouo-ht t„ f n """ '"'f»'-e you. forebodings of the resuft of th/ """" ' ^ ''^^'^ '^"^W'' the Doctor encouragTs her to h„r™*'™' f™"" '^W«h not be able to teke anesthetics Pt.'*; ""'=''• ^^e will 'o™ because she has a ^k' r^art r/I ""' '='"°^»- -I es— a very weak hearf f Tf enough to hold her to her duty "" ''''' "'""' ^""ong iT you couid see her now I thim tive hatred would he sum "Zn-J"^) ■':''''' y''"''' vindic- -broken ..-and with su^;'— ;:rcrat-ted. nws. iffhfc all the Ian- liiit used by the ^vise old adage ■s with sorrow.' abide by it; anil -^vill ihare the •ui- grapes, the I repudiate alj such as I have filler draft I am I ^"viW now for a sick woman, »y compassion, rs. You shall i not g-o to the t'hich she says 5re, and I will aneurism has esperate, and y obeyed my ome here. I have no idea ith no friend before you. have terrible , from which 'h. She will not chloro- AT THR MPmCY OP TIBERIUS. 48 >) ever strong- yonr vindic- So wasted, aving- for a "^ ind word from you. One night last week pain made icr restless, and I heard her sob. When I tried to ilieve the suffering, she cried bitterly : 'It is not my loor body alone— it is the gnawing hunger to see ather once more. He loved me so fondly once, and if I could crawl to his feet, and clasp his knees in my jlrras, I could at least die in peace. I am starving for |iist ono sight of him— one touch.' My poor darling mother ! My beautiful, bruised, broken flower." Through the glittering mist of unshed tears, her ^-es shone, like silver lamps ; and for a moment Gen'l Harrington covered his face with one hand. "If you could realize how bitterly galling to my •wn pride and self respect is this appeal to a man who hates and spurns all whom I love, I think, sir, that even you would pity me so heartily, that your har- d(Mied heart would melt into one last farewell message of forgiveness to your unfortunate daughter. I would rather carry her one word of love than all j^our for- tune." 'No— I come of a flinty race. We nev*r forgive nsults; never condone wrongs; and expecting loyalty in our own blood, we cannot live long enough to par- ion Its treachbry. Once, I made an idol pf my beauti- ful, graceful, high-bred girl ; but she stabbed my |»ride, dragged my name through the gutters, broke fher dotmg mother's heart; and now, I tell you, she is las dead to me as if she had lain twenty-three years in her grave. I have only one message. Tell her she is ^reapmg the tares her own hand sowed. I know her ■no more as child of mine; and my son fills her place 'SO completely, I do not even miss her. That is the " '' "-"3^. ^-"uuouuu X am hard, but at least I honest ; and I will not feign what I cannot feel." Le limped across the floor, to a recess on one sid« u AT THE MERCY OP TIBERItjg. ^L t ^^'"'"«>^' ^^here a square vault with an iron door had been h^it into the wall. Leaning on hi cane he took from his pocket a bunch of keys fitted one mto the lock, and pushing the bolt, the door s,^ . back into a grroove, instead of opening- on hinges He lifted a black tin box from the doptts of thr;au?t carried it to the table, sat down, and opened it! S ied tL^^Zr^'T P^P^^'^^i^^ i"t« packages with red tape and two lari,^e envelopes carefully sealed find l;n..^'^"^''• ^" ^'^"^^^^"^ ^^« ^^^^^es, find something: beneath them, these envelopes were laid on the table; and as one was either acdden I y or intentionally turned. Beryl saw the endorsemei^ t/l n • f ""^^ ^'^^ «^^^^ Testament of Robert Luke Darrington- Untying a small chaiois bal the owner counted out five twenty-dollar gold pieces' closed the bag, and replaced it iu the box **Hold out your hand. Your mother asked for one hundred dollars. Here is the exact amount Hence forth, leave me in peace. I am an old man, and I advise you to * let sleeping- dogs lie.' " . If he had laid a red-hot iron on her palm, it would scarcdy have been more scorching than th; touch of his gold, and only the vision of a wan and woful face m that far off cheerless attic-room, restrained her im- pulse to throw it at his feet. ^ An almost intolerable humiliation dyed her pale cheeks a deep purplish crimson, and she proudly drew herself to her utmost height. Jl^.T^'^l ^ '''''''^f ""^'"^ *^'^P «^^«^1^' I accept the money-not as a gift, but as a loan for my mother's benefit , and so help me God ! I will not owe ^to you i._ . -.,.^^^, monger buan oy iiard labor I can earn and return it. Good bye, Gen'l Darrington." 3«- rug. t with an iron Leaning- on his I of keys, fitted >, the door slid on hinges. He > of the vault, lened it. Near packages witii arefully sealed he bundles, to envelopes were er accidentally e endorsement ly underscored ent of Robert chamois bag, !• gold pieces, X. asked for one ount. Hence- i man, and I aim, it would the touch of id woful face ained her im- yed her pale proudly drew I accept the my mother's owe it to 3'^ou I can earn .on. AT THE 5IERCY OP TIBERIUS. 45 '> She turned toward the closed door leading to the » library, but raising his cane, he held it out, to inter- cept her. * ^' " Wait a moment. There is odc thing- more." ;■ He took from the tin box an oblong- package, wrap- |)ea in letter paper, yellowed by age, and carefully seal- ed with red wax. As he held it up, she read thereon : ^' My last folly:* He tore off the paper, lifted an old ashioned morocco case, and attempted to open it, but ihe catch was obstinate, or rusty, and several ineffect- al efforts were made, ere he succeeded in moving the pring. The once white velvet cushion, had darkened jjand turned very yellow, but time had robbed in no de- >Jgree, the lustre of the magnilicent sapphires coiled there ; and the blue fires leaned out, as if rejoicing in ^t\\Q privilege of displayii .leir splendor. C "This set of stones was intended as a gift to your i mother, when she was graduated at boarding-school. The time fixed for the close of the session was only tyone month later than the day on which she eloped with ;«that foreign fraud, who should never have been allow- '^ ed in the sch' ol. My wife had promised that if your ^ mother won the honor of valedictorian, she should ' have the handsomest present ever worn at a com- mencement. These costly sapphires were my poor wife's choice. Poor Helena! how often she admired them !" His voice faltered, and he bit his under rip f to still its quiver. Was there some necromancy in the azure flames, that suddenly revealed the beloved face of the wife of his youth, and the lovely vision of their only child ? I His eag^le^eyes were dim with tears, and his hand SiiOok ; but, as if ashamed of the weakness, ho closed the jewel case with a snap, and held it out. ** Here— take them. I had intended to give ttjeai aa 46 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. disposal seem, hard on mrde;rHeirf''°V''"'» ^ never k^:: ortir e^sLrThr"'' "^" *'''""' ble, and the amount Cwi brin'Ts^T """" present necessities. Toll El L h?. f 'f""^" "" disturbs me. like a thorn in t flesh fo Id'tr" away, to rid myself of an annovTnc. %L ."" tha... me; they come from Z'-^ZJ^rT ""' nitely T™ ^If: Ct '"""-^ "»"'" ^'^ "- -fi- brin Jcomtrt'^'"! t"xrrf' "' ""'-^ ^"'^ ■=-"• twenty times the va^rorthe^TcteS""*""^ ""'''' ^»" wharbt^omes'ofT.'cm tV^ ^'"' '""• " '"='"-« °»' minders o7the S P.^.?"™''- '" '"*"" ^"•■«- Whnt? 'Ti ? ■'^"' •''"*'» in your nockpt What? Tliecasoistoolar-e? Wi,o,.„ f P»<=Ket. -your msfc'ag-e ?" ® '^ y»'"' t™nk Shi"!,?? "w,"' '"'"""P' ""y ''*«'^«' and shawl '• bi.cuit.'' ^ ' "" """" y"" "^ S'a^^ of wine, and a Shake haLdr- "■ ""^' ''«=''"• O^^-byo. 3urr Seftyr; lt "Vf ^'- - mother.'* 'Spying kind word to comfort He set his teftth and cu^^-,.-,,, G^od.bye,Oen'lDarri„gto„. When you lie down AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 47 to die, I hope God will be more merciful f« ,t«„ He bowed profoundly +1.^ J ** jw X pieier tnat you should not mppt the servants, who pry and tattle.- When she stood on the veranda, and turned to close the wide arched glass door, whence the inside red sHk rurtalffl'"" ^-r '^^^^' l^er last IVof tht gaunt, tall fig-ure within, showed him leinino. nr, l s .ek,with the tin box held in his lefttnd an"°!e dy^« sunhght shming on his silver hair and f Jrrowed f/^^ Along the serpentine path which was borde^d wi h masses of brilliant chrysanthemums Bervt walked rapidly, feeling almost stined by the pressure nr °' ^"'""^^ ^^■■e her mother's favoiite flowers and garnet color, hoping that a lingering breath J perfume from the home of her girlhood, might afford at least a melancholy pleasure to the distent invaUd • callmg, and lookmg back, saw the old negro man her S^r. '"'"'"« ^'P™" ^"^ running towart the sndi ? .'"°'°'°* ''''* ^^^ """■« arrested by paused tl^^d "'"' '■?"' ""^'"^ <" "^ "«»• He paused, listened, wavered ; then threw up his hando and hurried back to the house, wh^n^ i-.L" - " ' patient summons. . - — "- i-=ue„ ™u .m- The sun had gone down in the green sea of far-olT 48 « THE MEHCy OF TBERniS. pine tops, but the wesfprn , cooled thPiV fl r*. ^* sprang- into fh^ ""^"/ed the Under thp i^ '^ ^" ^^'^ P^Ie blue of n ^"""'^^'^ ^"^ «"'try atmosphere !,.o,?„ ™""' "' ^^'^f On tl bv tho K .„. ^P^^t until 7H ci, ^^ ^^ome, ''""nffto return Sufh' ?*** «'»« locked^:" f" t-^eencrolr' ^^ ^-"^ ^-ef ^^ ^^ tlJ: Some time w3;«j i^c* • "•« at ,.st srstlr Z^Ty^^. «arH„,t„„ ,„, - - .ail iron railing. Uiat AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. M bristled with lance-like points, between the dust of her ancestors and herself. In one corner rose a beautfful monument, bearing- on its front, in gilt letters tho inscr|pt.on " Helena Tracy, wife of R. f . Darr^^'„*^° Thrusting her hand through a space in the raiUng Beryl dropped her mother's withered Arkja tribute o^ the marb e slab. Her dress was caught by a sharn point of iron, and while endeavoring to disengage i? she heard the shrill whistle of theE. R. engine Tear ing the skirt away, she ran to the wall, cLbed o^r, after some del,-, and finding herself once more in the open road d.-.W on as fast as possible through he dusk heed e». of appearances, fearful only of miss! mg the tram. How the houses multiplied, and what ed the brick wareliouse and office of the station ' The lamps at the street corners beckoned her on and when panting for breath she rushed around the sWe of the tall building that fronted the railway, thte was no train in sight. Two or three coal cars stood on a sidine near -. do toched engine, where one man was lighufg tt lamp 'f °™ ;'" ""'^r*? "' *'^« ^^^^O-'sht. '^^d another tho mt^ T T:™'^' '''""'^^'^ ''"' "^^^'^ ='■'<' copper plat "mattl"''^''f',.^"'' """""^ Wmself wfth his hal What time is it ?" cried Beryl. " Seven— fort3^-flve." I' Oh! do not tell me 1 have missed the train " sh. J''\r''*^'f^^ ^^'^^' ^ *°^^ y«" it left at 7.15 sharp. It was ten minutes behind time on account of ho boxes, but rolled out just twenty minutes a^o ^!Ztl^^' 'ElmBlur/and m-Ty^; ^'No. I had no difficulty i„ finding the place, but so ^T THE MERCV 0^ ^„^^^ added . «■•' ''"<• after a moment the agent thissectin." "' ^''■•""^ton's nick-name all over ■ "^trnrist^r.*."^'-'--^-." . ■ Seryl sat down on fh^ ^ pondered the situation ' Z 1 " '*^^*^» *™ck, and :f° had carefully «t,"diecf the raL""* ""'' '"<'*"'•! with feverish anxiety eYDe?«„ !"''•>' schedule, was tram, now many mili T^^^^^^^ her return bv th„ unexplained d^^^ "^^ -^ she feared"tha^ any e-itoalla^lt:™^^^^^^^^^^ a telegram. ^""'' "^ the costly sedative of -e ^p^^^x:^,^::^^:^'^^ ^™m that of askea for a blank form nnf^^'^P^^^t^r, Beryl '":7'^^''-----"owtrmet:,r'^ ^^ ^--^Tt^-!^^^^.y. All.„i hesat. When she had naid fi.. ■^' "^'^ her purse, exclusf^of ';:'::!d'°''' ^'"^^^ """--O '» afternoon, only thirtv ei!;i! "^ ""'''^ received that -' Ttiet rh~- - =0:^"" '"^"^- -t U"""' '-'n ttt" '^^ "»*« 'X^. Where you can 1 prefer tn rerr"?- ' ., AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 51 "Wo generally lock up this office about half-past eight, and re-open at half-past two, which gives pass- engere ample accommodation for the 3:05 train '» - Would you violate regulations by leaving the waiting-room open to-night?" "Not exactly; as of course we are obliged to keen open for delayed trains; but it will be lonesome waiting for no one stays here, except the Night Train Despatcher, and the switch watchman. Still if it will .t^rr"; "^^'u ^ '"^" ""* ^''^' "P' ^^^^^ y^^ can ^oze away the time by spreading your shawl on two chairs I am going to supper now, and shall turn down the lights. One burner will be sufflrient " "In the cooler in the ladies' dressing-room. It is most^unaccountably hot to-night, and I never -new anything like it in October. There must be a cycC brewing somewhere not far off " ^y^^oae .r^l^Tf ^f ^?';^' ""' ^" P'^^^^*^ ^^^^' and disappeared ; and the tired girl seated herself near a window and stirred the dense impure air by fanning hersdrw^th about the Station wandered away; the enr-^ineer strntril''^^'"^'^^^ '' ^ Piercl'g Whistle bX suddenly on the silence settling down over the whilom busy precincts, and as the rhythmic measure 011^ eaped h.gh, and the mighty mechanism fled down the track, hunting its own echoes. The man in charlo of the Express Office came out, looked up and down fe street; yawned, lighted hispipe,and Jer lockirthe office, wended his way homeward. ^ cUddll^ o^'f hlJrr'"'^ 'r "" '^^" *^^^ ^^^«^ monotonous cUckm^ of the telegrraph wires, as messages passed to M ^T THE MERCY OP TIBEWC3. 'ther staOdns, and onlv fho •. v.siblc.sittm^;„ J »°]^' the switch watchman was trom " Mascotte ■' and " O^t "^"'' '"^^'"^ """t^hes Heat seemed radiatin;"™«'J '"to the toward the suburbs qh. , ^' ^^ conducted her climbed above the horizo„ ^7 '^^^ " '"" -""O" ^d '-ed her on, with vS TcT""^''^" ''°'^-- "'ith silver mosaics, and balmv !? .r" ^''"'^^ P"^*" Where through vast forest IT^? '"'"**'' "^ "alsam ; monody chanted by the reS ^T *■"= """""ous ' branch." I„ the eastern 'kt ^h " r^*'"*^ »' the 'unter's moon lool.ed down f^ ^ "°"^ ''''=« of a >f den cloud. Which striped thiT *' "'^«' "»« of a Of niffht, like a bar stXr an n,""'"'^''°"«'' ^^ield •>««• rays was dimmed toa'iurM h f '"'"' '"^'™ »' pi-esag-eful. ^ ^""d dulness solemn id enfe^ef ^eXred trSrr "'^ '*^"-' -" ess oppressive, but a dun 1^1 1 ^T' *''« "'^ '^"s to curtain the horizon, and ^hVT'" °° ^''^'^' ^We and tired in the breathl^ 'S'/*^ ^"'"'''^ "^^'•<«i driving two cows toward toZ/^'"'' ■■"• ^ "^n wagon drawn by frrV° '*'*'"*'* ^t herj then a »^ homc^rd a gt picntlT"^'' ^'°"^' "-'•- Who made the woods rfnrwithtf "'/"""^ P«»PJc. the Fort." T?i« «.„ ^ * "" *^6 echoes of "Pv.i^ •-rious dim„e^s:SrM:""T°^ "'"-'""e S resinous odor thatstSkeL ''^"''''"'' *"« Pcc"l^r jankincense and on/Jha th ^^.^^ ^^^^^ of myrrh, »f " deserted hoary «anctua^ i^Hr''"^ .'"""«''' ^•*' "" these phases of AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 58 primeval Southern forests combined to weave a spell that the stranger could not resist. After a while, fearful of strayingr too far, the weary woman threw her shawl on the brown straw, and sat down quite near the road. She leaned her bare head agamstthe trunk of a pi/e, listened to the katydids gossipmg m a distant oak that shaded the "branch " to the quavering strident song of a locust; and she in- tended, after resting for a few moments, to return to the Station-house; but unexpected drowsiness overpow- ered her. Suddenly aroused from a sound sleep, she heard the clatter of galloping hoofs, and as she spranr up, the horse, startled by her movement, shied and reared within a few feet of the spot where she stood. The moon shone full on the glossy black animal, and upon his powerful rider, and Beryl recognized the massive head, swarthy face and keen eyes of the attorney, Lennox Dunbar. He leaned forward and said, as he patted the erect ears of his horse : "Madam, you seem a stranger. Have you lost your way?" ^ "No, sir." * ir'iTpf °«''.TA^''* ^^^'''^ '^'" y^" *^i« afternoon at road " '* ^""^^'^^^ ^'''' ^^^ ""^^^^^ *^« Standing so straight and tall, with the sheen of the moon on her faultless features, he thought she looked of Urdr"^ ^^ ^"""^ prescient Norn, fit for the well She made no reply j and he touched his hat, and rode rapidly away in the direction of the town, carrying tW^tnes '°'^''^^''^'' ""^ the mysterious picture under 1 '^"L ""^l ^^^ <^^anged ; the fa<;e of the moon had ueared, but tatters and scuds of smoke-colore^ SI ^T THE MERCY OP TBERIC. <^^o"d fled northward a« •, rZf ^ ^ ^""^^^^ the shreds n?? .^"^ ^^^^"> and be- soon the moonshine fadedl ^^^^'^^^^s^ and verv vr late It was, and how Inn«. u ^^^®^ wondered a'^tf S ;-■- -/re^- ^^''-J- absent own i^ ,,,e deserted waitin^llr^" .'^« ^oor, iting'-i 'oom,griadofthe c. ^y a stormjr ^nation of the its vapbrou3 jung-les of the ^isen, and be- w like avant ' g'lare of in. tie moon for '§■ ^he south- "S* growl of atteries had for several pressed so *o the sta- ^* and more f g'rotesque y road. eamed only 5ick suffer- luIJabys to ^ and then 'rries from >) and very fully, and pv^ept over dozed on f into the operator, lie silent clock in wondered absent, le door, d of the AT THE MERCY OP TIBBRnjS. 6S lompanionship of a tortoise-shell cat which was curled up on a chair next her own. Gradually the storm approached, and she thought Ihat an hour had elapsed, when the dust-tainted smell bf ram came with the rush of cold air. There was no ^teady gale, but the tempest broke in frantic spasmodic ^usts, as thoug-h it had lost its reckoning, and simul- aneously assaulted all the points of the compass- jhile the lightning- glared almost continuously, and the t-oar of the thunder was uninterrupted. Now and then I vivid zig-zag flash gored the intense darkness with Its baleful blue death-light, followed by a crash, ap- balling as if the battlements of heaven had been shat- Itered Once the whole air seemed ablaze, and the simultaneous shock of the detonation was so violent, that Beryl involuntarily sank on her knees, and hid LddeTrsor ''^''n ^^' '^"^ '''' ^^ torrents, that added a solemn sullen swell to the diapason of the jciept into the cisterns of the night rires burned low m the far west, a gentle shower fcroned on thereof, and lulled by its cadence BerylTu fc'thl h'"''""/™ tie floor, with her head res" |iii» on the chair where the cat lay coiled I In dreams, she wandered with her father and broth t aT vi^elTnTR^'r ^ ''''''' -'"^ purple^ruS Cai„rh!.l * r' <=™«l^i"g=^ luscious clus- her WW. f ,?""^ ^ ''P'' "^"^ ^<""« "»*«« st^'rtled fenei. ' "" 'I'™"«^ *"> ''"• '««'' *«d list- ■* When is that due ?'' "Pretty soon; it's mi^Thty nigh time now, but it 06 AT THE MERCY OF T1BER1U8. don't stop here ; it goes on to the water t. ni. . blows for the raUroad bridge." ' '''^'''^' '^ " How far is the bridge ?'* t JSS" ''"' '•"" ""''' *"« t-^"^. aft^r you p,„ that peculiar voicratd was so'a" '?"^'^- "'^*^'"' that she ran out under thlnt "'''"' "^ ''^ '''™«ty. down the platforr^ ^ront ?'.?'''''' ''■»'^«'' "P «" Then^in had ceased/ ^u^dr^^s ^WM ^tf^^^^'Win,,. tin roof, and a few stars oeenL '^ "" ^'''"'' ^^' veiled edge of slowly drift^'?! T' 2"" ^^^^^ «" a gas lamp, she saw'an^d ne ' „" t „ ^ "?« ''^'>' «' who held a stick over his sL^lf '""P'^^ away, a bundle wrapped n a ,t,° hf^dl? w* ^^'^ ^'""^ she stood watching he ™Lh?> "■"''' ='"<' «■''«« With her basket in her hand , .'\'°"' '"' ''" »'■■ arm, she sped down the track T^^"" '"'^"'^ "» l"^'' left. "^ *' ^"^^ '»»k"i& to right and "Bertie! Bertie I" ofS7ea;i^"t'Ltof^rr '^^o- «^'"^ ahead water, but When sh"cXdt!i '■'"'"' '" ^^"'d the , Of her own vriice br:ke the silencT""''' ""'^ *'"<' ^-"^ -be^^.t'^ranVeiilLn^^rr founded the tones oil T ^ *"""'^' ''ad she con- familiar? SheTuld'n:* sSf S T^'" *''°^'' ^» ">"»" Bertie had really spoken ™il , ^^ conviction that and While she stoodfrresoIut'^n^/T ^'^''''^ ^on. her, lem, the through frS l^i^?^ "'''"•*« Prob- tionandleftat^lSTa * !" ^'''''' ''^ t''^ ^^ it she sprang on a nile of. .^ ''""''^'■«- ^0 avoid »_^ -1.*^ "suua pueof cross ties ho=iH„ *.., , , """ — t-'o «-y serpent wound out "of ;;g;t:sW nva. ter tank, whar it , after you pass and looked out, 3arcely mistake d of its identitj', Hooked up and Ltion buildino-s. ^tered from the the rag-gfedra- By the light of limping- away, [lich was sJung ief; and ivhile | me ctcl de sac. shawl on her to rig]),t and %ing ahead to avoid the nJy the sound ivid droani of liad she con- lose so long- iviction that Is from her, er the prob- ^y the sta- To avoid the track, S"lit, she re- AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 67 walked about outside. What a Inctantly retraced her steps. How long the ni-ht seemed ! Would day never dawn again ? She heard le telegraph operator whistling at his work, and as le re-entered the waiting-room, she saw the ticket Igent standing in his oflQce. " What time is it .?" ''Half.past two o'clock. l" might as well have ^)d.ed up as usual, for after all, you did not stay "Yes I did." He eyed her suspiciously. Ifll^r'^f"^'/'"'''" '"PP''' ^^"^ ^^^"^l^t a P'^tcher oc W '^'"'^^.",^7«" "^isrbt relish it, but you were " It was so hot, rightful storm." .o'Zof'it ?'■'""'' ^"""' ^''^ y"" "-"^PO^^-* t» *« "No, I was here." He shook his head, smiled, and went into the next oom, IcBowing that when he returned ?o unlock his ErhfrT' °"' '" ''"' '"'"^"'°' --^ that h" had fprep^ra ,on'-n Z *'" "''""'^^ '^='*- '^'^« bustle leied up to the platform, porters called to one [nother; passengers collected in the waitiuff-room ■ne lon^ tram of north bound cars sweot in Wif h tncher:r^"cU!f !i '-- '^-''' a^rlhrodoI'S ruiicues Of chrysanthemums clasped in the nfhA». Jeryl stepped upon the platform. S Lnd a sea; ft an open window. nnH -o^. k,„ ,, " . ^ .^^^^ ilarino. >,«« J' ^ ' ="""c iiurauli comiortable : pwels that constituted her sole earthly fortune. The AT THE MKRCY OF TIBEBIC8. strange.. ;us;4Tsetror^**'''"^ ""'•' -'«» ^ :, mission to" Elm auffCni'? ' '^"''' ^'>''' ^'^' . ■ forever ended. '*^ '"'" "^''^Uation, were ft CHAPTER IV. ''Jr^^^,^--i-jo-lover.san,p,,e„. amount of shrewdne™ all th.f '■'"™'" ^^ '^ ""^^ success and eminence in hi< nf " ""^"''"' *° «^'="« seems as much a matter of a^,!''T°" ' ''"* *''-'"^y> " certainly was six month, Lf"'""" *» '"'''-''s it Of yonr^ngagement-tatyfu' Leo'a "f ^"" *"'" "^ fancy just such a man as CS^X^"; »""• -- vor in'^yoTeyer 'atn tl" ^ '''^' '^ «""« - '- fact that he isCt in your J h "' *' ^'^^'^ »' «'« loolc so vaguely uncomfortLf.^™™"- "^o" "oth other'. prfsenceTbuTtr t; ra.? *'™"" ""» '^-" like Lennox." '^ ^*''® ^O" """st try to ■ ™S"eS:?hrolsh:rse\'^1 °^^^ ^ «<»-- <" Pansies, and the SateZh k'''""^''"^^'^''' »' ened to a vivid carnatfon '"' ''"'" "'"' '^'=«' "^P" ~mpSn"Jh'^LThaTn-' "'^"^'- "' '"'><'-^'-. - orphan, I feeTa sort of . '^^"'*''- ^"''"'^ yo" "re a„ I am not ext tt;ea1;L?r::';"*^'; ^ ^<""««-- jihin T ~„... -. , ,•' °^®r the account of mv st^™-^ - - mu,. .enaerto my poor dead Marcia.'f he m^^ AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 59 e)ee of your lover, the more I dread your marriage. ^ man who makes no profession of religious belief Is an u -,fe guardian of any woman's peace of mind! ^ou who have been reared almost -r. the shadow of the altar, accustomed to hearing ^raec at your meals to family prayers, to strict obs< rvance v" our ritual' ^ill feel isol: ted indeed, when ttunspj-nted to the lomeof a godless man, who rarely jarkens the door )f the sanctuary. * Be ye not unequally yoked to- jether with unbelievers.' " Miss Patty Dent took off her spectacles, wiped them nth the string of her white muslin cap, and adjusting them firmly on her nose, plucked nervously at the ^uted lace ruffles around her wrists. " Auntie, you are scarcely warranted in using such strong language. Because a man refrains from the public avowal of faith, incident to church membership, le is not necessarily godless ; nor inevitably devoid 3f true religious feeling. Mr. Dunbar has a strong reticent nature, habituated to repression of all e i- lences of emotion, but of the depth and earnestness of lis real feeling, I entertain no doubt." '* I fear your line and plummet will never sound his lepth. You often speak of his strength ; but, Leo Jiardness is not always strength ; and he is hard, hard' I never saw a man with a chin like his, who was not tv- Nnnical, and idolatrous of his own will. My dear such ^len are as uncomfortable to live in the same house with IS a smoky chimney, or a woman with shattered nerves' »r creaking doors, or draughty windows. They are a ^ sort of everiasting east wind that never veers, blow- ing always to the one point, attainment of their own •ends, mildewing all else. Ugh !" M^ Fatty shivered, and her companion smiled. What a grewsome picture, Auntie dear I Fortu- 60 AT THB MERCY OF TIBEKTOS. -ately human taste is as diverse and catholic as the variety of human countenances. For example • Clara Morse ra^ves over Mr. Dunbar's 'clear-cut features so .mmensely classical'; and she pronounces his offend" ins chm simply perfect! fit for a Greek God '' " A very thin and gauzy partition divides Clara Moire's brains from idiocy. In my day, all suck fe b^ »atery minds as hevs were regarded as semi-imbe! cue pitied as intellectual cripples, and wisely keptVn the background of society; but, bless ine I in this gen" . eration they skip and prance to the very edge of ^e rront, pose m indecent garments without starch or crinoline or even the protection of pleats and gattos and msult good, sound, wholesome common sense witt the sickening affectations they are pleased to call ^^. thet cs.' Don't waste your time, and dilute your own mmd by quoting the silly twaddle of a poor gir[ who was turned loose too early on society, who fallf onler knees in ecstasies before a hideous broken-nose tea not from some filthy hovel in Japan; and who would n^J dare to aclmire the lovliest bit of oton potte, ^ or precmusold Chelsea elaret-colored china in Kensin" ton Museum, until she had turned it upsMe down an^' hunted the potter's mark with a micro .cope, f say five y ".^''LtTfr'T'^^'''' ty--eaf Chin, Z nve years hence, if you do not agree with mo it win be^because -Ephraim is Joined to'his idot-ly Zl I 2Y" '"""''' *'"= ^""« injunction to • let him alone • I sec I^nnox through neither Clara's rosy leases nor your jaundiced feiasses ; and those circular dLcussiZ are as fruitless as thev are unpleasant Lt us sl^ e'ter "wVJ^rT '""'^ ' ^-™ you Letehton's Vfn.: ,^'^'" <''"nk y«>' 01 his scheme ?•> Iha. It IS admirable, worthy of the brain that coih AT THE MERCV OP TlBEJunS " Aimtie, dear, do you e.xpect me to stultify all vour traming, both your example and precept-forlo these mvXhtr?'^ """^ ""^' '^" "-•'to ^o4abo: myrjght? I am very sure. " , *' Well, Andrew, wliat is it ?*' "A boy from Mr. Dunbar's office has just ^ralloned up and says I am to t^U you, he can' r de^t ?he Falls to-day, as he expected, because of some preLim! busmess ; and he wants to know if the Judge wm come into town right away ? Mr. Dunbar will efplain when he comes late this evening " JJ"7 ""f' ^^"" ^^'"^^^ ^ «^^" ^«t ™t ' Rebel ' saddled; and say to the messenger that my Uncle is not at home Aunt Patty, doyou know where he has gl"'' Hes^Hh r/"" ^^f "®''' ^^^^^ else should he be? He said he had a pile of tiresome ««««.. t-^ . vJ. to-day." ~' r-i'. • W c^n-uiiiie *iU.^ orks, and send AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. $3 Miss Gordon folded up her work, laid it away fa a dainty basket lined with blue satin and flounced with lace; and after pausing. a moment t< pet her Aunt's white Maltese cat which lay dozing in the sunshine, walked away toward a small hot-house, built quite near the dming-room, and connected with it by an ar- cade, covered in summer by vines, in winter by glass. Twenty.four years before that day, when a proud • fond young mother puffed and tucked the marvel of lace and Imen cambric, which was intended as a christ- ening robe for her baby, and laid it away with spicery of rose leaves and sachet of lavender and deer tongue to wait until a « furlough - allowed the child's faL; be present at the baptism, she had supposed that ts delicate folds would one day adorn a dhnpled rosy- aced mfant, for whom the name Aurelia Gordon had long been selected. Fate cruelly vetoed all the detail, of the programme, carefully arranged by maternal affection ; and the 1 urid sun that set in clouds of smoke on one of the most desperate battles of the Con- federacy, saw Colonel Gordon's brave, patriotic soul relea^sedonthatJong " furlough" which glory granted her heroes; saw his devoted wife a wailin^^widow The red burial of battle had precluded the solemnization of baptismal rites at the sacred marble font ; and when four days after Colonel Gordon's death, his frail young wife welcomed the summons te an everlasting re-union! .he laid her cold hands on her baby's gofden head itnd died, as she whispered ; *. " Name her Leo, for her father.'* ^So it came to pass, that the clergyman who read he burial service beside the mother^cofflt Hf ted the cooing infant in the midstof a weeping fnnJnlfLl*^' 64 AT i'HE MERCY OP TDBERItTS- rps«f.,i i« ft -c^econstruction," and em nently sue- political econoSs it „::.«?; ^r'^^n'"" °' Communism which tie Pandor. 0?°^ l ^"'' '•"="^' let loose throughout the conque^t^L :;:"t"^'^^^^ accomplished all that the viLrs tuM h" «" esfr ed ' Abandoned by the laborers God had 111^^1 1? , to.1 under climatic conditions peculiars f ""''" silent fields of weeds st-,r»,i ki ^ ^ ^'"'' '■''^' man found himseHt .!l' . 'r'^''*'' ''"'' the richer a lesslywash rntelerbytaeT 'T' '"r°'' '"'^■ mostt, no:S^^^^^ m loa,d,saain the cla.ms of widows and orphi;"; and AT THE MERCV OF TIBEBTOS. (M the light of minors was as dead as that of secession In the general maelstrom. Colonel Gordon'sTar^e estate went to pieces; but after a time, Judge Dent S lessons from his new political master^ m the scfence o weckmg and by degrees, as fragments and shred, stranded, he .ollected and secreted them Certain mi! .ngmterests were protected, and sor^SaWo o?'"" tokens in distant sugar belts, were secured As |uar" d.an of his s,ster's daughter, he changed, ortenewed mvestmentsin stocks which rapidly increased in Xe unt. an unusually large fortune had accumulated Ind verifymg figures justified his boast, that his nfec; and wai-d was the wealthiest heiress in ihe State St: Whirr:'""- '-""'^'^ ^-^^ ^-" -" - "- Kgrnjb f on™ couZ" A,« ""'t ^"^"^ "^^ indulged sho 1,^^ : /? ^- A'tl">«Sh petted and ^A tjc:t sXr ;t:- ™— ages whiph ,>\? """ ^°'' e'luc'itional advant- coCrrrou 'd „„?"''^"f ' *"* """' »™ ^''"^ of the went ILnn^ , P"'^' ^""^ subsequently the two oTEufopean ft^^'X""""''^^" '" '"^ ^-^' '^"-'^^ turn „ JTn i^! '''°''„''"«'' "^ ^e'-y toief illness ; and re loSoft-^Car'^--'^'^'' ■■ -^ '^-self the iJuSLlt!;™,''' ^'=--P'-J>ed, graceful and J , sue commanded umversal admiration ; yet her , dd At THE MEftCY OP TlBEftrCJS. manner was marked by a quiet, tfrave dig-nity, and a peculiar reticence, at variance wiih the prevailing" type of youn^ ladyhood, now alas I too dorninni:L- whose premature emancipation from home rule, and okl-fish. loned carons of decorum renders " Americai. .-irlb md" synonymouy with flippant pertness. Moulded b v two women w.,o were imbued with the spirit of Kichter's admonitK)n . '^ GMs like the priestesses of old, should be educated oray in sacred places, and never hear, much less ,-e.e what is rude, immoral or violent »; the pdte tenure of Leo's character showed unmistakably the potter's marks. ^ She shrewdly surmised that the knowledge of her unusual wealth contributed to swell the number of her suitors, and she was twc :ty-four years old when Len- nox Dunbar, for whom sue had longsecretly cherished a partiality, succeeded in placing- his ring on her fair the deep and tender love that filled her heart, f^und which had carefully calculated all the advantages de- rivable from this alliance. e, => "« fair-haired Jiancee, considered her the person! Qcation mlZir" ^f ^^"^^^* ^^^ delicacy; and congratulated himself warmly on his great good fortune fn winning her aflfection; but tender emotions found lit scope for exercise m his intensely practical, busy } ..hich wasdevotedtotl.>.,ttainmentofemineii.;^ usp'o- ^ai ^f *^% -^dy---c.appar.;, . vvhicl^M duty as h^ heart, had never been disturl ,/ by any ^ sufficiently deep to quicken his c.i. .^eady There were times, when Leo wnndpvo^ -h. Pr nil accepted lovers were as undemonstrativ; as her own. AT THE MERCX Of TlBEHIPs. (J7 and she would have been happier had he occasionally Krgotten professional aspirations, in the charm ofhe^ of his affection was unshaken, even bv the di,m»i predictions of Miss Patty, who found it mpoLble "^ rcconcUe herself to the faUure of her darling schle that Leo should marry her second cousin, lighten Douglass DD., and devote her fortune o tt! ad" vancement of his church. To-day, as she sought pleasant work in an-angins the ferns and carnations of her conservatoiy, h"? thoughts reverted to the previous evening, which MV Dunbar had spent with her; and she coSd not avofd bf^ h1 w":"''"'' their engagement for horse- back ridmg, but her reverie was speetlily interrupted by the excited tones of her aunt's voice. '*""P'*^ ■'Uo! Leo! Where do you hide yourself?" Jiere, Auntie, in the conservatory " Mt^^yr^^' """" '^"^'"'" "^^^ ' Such a fright. Pale and panting, Miss Patty ran down the arcade nox r "** " *"' """***•■ ^ ^' " "^y Uncle, or-or Len- ^ Uo sprang to her feet, and caught her aunt's ^ "Horrible! horrible! General Darrington was robbed, and then most brutally murdered l^n°ghlr whom^ «-" be possible .» MurderJ-by ,Cf r "^^^ ^..'"'"^'' '^'> ^'""« to'^n « wild and I ,i,,i> * f :f' ■ *^ *' ^'^ ^'"ff' with the body, and I shall take the carriage and drive over there i ^ 68 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. i f 1 at once. Duar me ; I am so nervous I can't stand still, and my teeth cliattcr like a pair of castanets." ** Perhaps there may be some mistake. How did 3^ou hear it ?'• " Your Uncle Mitchell sent a boy to tell me why he was detained. There has been a coroner's inquest, and of course, as an old and intimate friend of General Darrington's, Mitchell feels he must do all he can. Poor old g-entleman ! So proud and aristocratic ! To be murdered in his own house, like any common pau- per I Positively it makes me sick. May the Lord have mercy on his soul." " Amen !" murmured Leo. " Will you go with me to Elm Bluflf ?" ,"Oh,no! Not for worlds. Why should I? Women will only be in the way; and who could desire to con- template so horrible a spectacle ? It will merely h^r- row your feeling-s, Aunt Patty, and you can do no good." "It is my Christian duty as a neighbor ; and I was always very fond of the first Mrs. Darrington, Helena Tracey. What is this wicked world coming to ? Rob- bery and murder stalking bare-faced through the land It will be a dreadful blow to Mitchell, because he and Luke Darrington have been intimate all their lives. I see the carriage coming round, so I must get my bonnet and wrap." **I presume Mr. Dunbar is engaged in the same melancholy details which occupy my uncle." Doubtless he is, because his father was General Darrmgton's attorney until his health failed; and Lennox is now his lawyer and business agent. It is a thousand pities that Prince is away in Europe." Two hours aftfir fho osirripo-o irifi rJ'— >->^-o — j --- ^i road leading to Elm Bluff, Leo crossed the grassy AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 09 lawn, and sat down near the gate, on a rustic bench ^ti^iir ''--' ^^^^^^-- ^^^^^ -- A keen north wind whistlin- through noisrhborin^. walnut tree tops, drove the dying leaves 1 te ,ri"h^ oned flocks before it, and ever and anon the r pened «uts pattered down, hiding themselves under "he d„ t of yellow foliage, that had sheltered t m In coo greenery during summer heats. Overhead a red squnrel barked and frisked, and across th ^at^b ^e sky leathered nomads, teal or mallard, moved switt^v e«.ofe/™ their quivering pinions flashing ml sTel as they fled southward. On a distant hiSside catUe trowsed, and sheep wandered; and the drowsy tTnkt t::'Sr::^^o::t:s::^d^^-'~-" sectlnng whirlpool of conflicting passions, of hatred and bloodthirsty vengeance, had human crime plunged an entire community. We plume ourselves S nineteenth centary civilization, upon ethical advance- ment, upon Christian progress ; we adorn our lathe drals, build temples tor art treasures, and museums or science, and listen to preludes of th^ " muSe of the uture;" and we shudder at the mention of v'ce as at the remembrance. of the tortures of BeguTu; h"t "-.l the Cain type ev.. become extinct, Ite tl ^dodo ortheichthyosauru.,.^ When will tl,; laws of W d ty, and theby-lavvsof agnation result in an altruism where human bloodshed is an unknown horror p' The apostles of Kvolution tell us, that in the gene- malt t^r 7 ''^^'"' °' vertebrate v i mam. mal to the genus of catarrhine apes, he has gradually TO AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. thrown off bestial instincts, dV r the tiger taint will ultimately be totally eliminated; thai ** original sin is neither more nor less than the brute inheritance which every man carries with him, and that Evolution is an c :: vanco toward true salvation . ' ' Meanwhile what becomes of the ** Survival of the Fittest ", which is only a euphemism for the strangling of the feeble by the strong ? We can understand how perfection, or permanence of type, individual and national, demands carnage, and entails all the dire catalogue of human woes, but wherein is Altrirsm evolved? How mar - aeons shall Ave wait, to behold the leopard and the lamb pasturing together in peace ? Pondering this problem, as he rode along the public road outside the boundary of Judge Dent's lawn, Mr. Dunbar caught •. glimpse of his betrothed, sitting behind the hedgj of lilacs, and he lifted his hat, hoping that she would mee him at the entrance ; but although she -owed in recu^mition, he was forced to open the gate and admit himself. Throwing the bridle rein over one cf the iron spikes of tho fence, and taking off his gloves; he approached the bench, '*Dare I flatter myself, that mv queer deigns Us meet me half way ?" He took her outstretched nd and kissed it softly, while his glance noted evr d dl of her handsome fawn-colored dress, with its jabot of creamy lac**, and tiie cluster of crimson carnations in her belt. The touch of hii; lips on her fingers, deepened the flush in her cheeks, and, making room for him beside her, she replied : " Sit down, and tell me if this dreadful news about General Darrington be indeed true? I have hoped tnftrft mip'ht! ^'^ cnn'" m'^+'^i'-Q n»^,«« ^— .- j.;.. „ §» "Some horrors exceed the possibility of verbal e tiger taint lat "original 3 inheritance lat Evolution inwhile what t ", which is the feeble bv >erfection, or lal, demands le of human How mar ' i^rd and the ! along the ndge Dent's is betrothed, he lifted his le entrance ; 3 was forced lirowing the i<» fence, and inch. V deigns t«.; ;ed it softly, r handsome ay lar*», and belt. The id the flush beside her, news about lave hoped ration," AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. -ff exaggeration, and last night's tragedy is one of that derod." I^^rrington was most brutally mur- "Poor old gentleman I How incredible it seems that such awful crimes can be cor^-nitted in our qu^? neighborhood ? Who could have uoen so guUty -Td what^ motive could have prompted such^a ife^dish -Zed Tf'^lu^'T^f '^" P^'^^"^^ <>^ ^^"kind -greed of gold; lust of filthy lucre Ha wn« first robbed, then murdered by the^hief, t'o afjd de de^rt' "the r '^'T*- ''^"^^ '^ unmkakableevl but L n,; .\ "'"''^ ""^^ chloroformed while asleep ; robber T IT" T'^'"'' ^" '''"« '^ ^^^^ ' the whnr\ "" ^'^ struggled desperately, and by whom he was .uck down. The coroner's inquest developed some ;., xrtling facts." mquest "Has any clue been discovered which would indi- cate the murderer ?" "A handful of clues." " Then you have a theory concerning the nerson who perpetrated this awful crime ?" ' m\lf/J'^\^^''' """^ ^ *^^'^"^' ^^* a conviction; I mght almost say an absolute knowledge." Would it b. pardonable for me to ask whom vou J Certainly, my dearest, you en n ask me anything. (SkU o'n^r/rf ""^°*^ aadsheputheihan^' 1 J,2t^' "° °°* **" "* '"«'■•' suspicions ; they miffht SsZtr" 'T'-*P<='«<'n; andI.;ughtnofto nave asked the question." I a 1 was me aly wondering whether you, my sweet 72 AT THE MERfJY OP TIBERIUS. 91 I "Oh Mr Dunbar, impossible ! A woman guilty of takms that old man's life? The supposition is as hornblo as the crime itself." ^ Paiising his hand lijjhtiy over her crimped fair hair and looking down into her eyes, as brown as the back of a thrush, her lover replied : is "thfil "'"'I""' "",''''-■'■ '""' "'"''''• "^ '™™»°'« heart nossfbili t nf "■""' """ ""'^'""^^ "f ^•''=<' '^"l the possibility of crime among her own sex. You doubt- less consider the Erinvilliers, Fredegonds, Pulviasand Faustinas, quite as fabulous as Centa„.4, Sirens and l^lfnTh ' ^""^ '""' ''' ™l»<=t^nt to shako your fair faith in womanhood, as to dash the dew frorn I rose-bud, or rudely brush the bloom from a cluste^o^ tempting grapes; bat the g,.im truth must be t^w woma"" ' '™°' ™' ™'"^^'' '"'^ '"-'•-«'' by a at;fhrd*;o'h- r-^^"*^^ ''''' ="' ^''«'"^<' ^-o'«<"^ "No by his grand-daughter, a young and very beautiful woman; Beryl Brentano, the cUld of Gen- eral Damngton's daughter Ellice, whom he had dr- owned on account of her WTctched marriage with a foreigner, who taught her music and the l^nguagls Of course you have heard from your aunt and uncle all the details of that family episode. Yesterday ths girl Beryl suddenly presented herself at Elm Bluff and demanded money from her g,andtath..r ; alleging that her mother's life was in danger for want of if f learn there was a stormy interview, part of the con- yersation haying been overheard by two n, rsons ■ and the General, Who was as vindictive a« JwlZl'^Tl Cossack, drove her from fs room, out through hp tnmitted the AT THE MEROY OP TIBERIUS. f J| door leading down to the roserv Ti.,o « afternoon, immediately IZl^JmmX^J'^l" '\' went to obtain his si/naturo to f h„ ?* ' ""'*™ ' recently sold in Texas^"1rw':,,: ^rf ^;"r„i''"'' front steps, and when she rose and looked at Z I zif/„?x™;rsir.or^^^^^ Zh^re^^relrptadrn^ltTmr '''^•?^^^^ suring her that his ^ll.af ea°^ prepar'^^^^^^^ "' '^■ debar her mother and herself from ^™ -7 -^ '""''*'' his death; as he had bZTJuT^^ inheritance at his adopted son Prince ^Tnf!^. h's entire estate to whet^ ?he wm was kent n! H °''*"^' "''« '«»™«1 nerson., in tiT. ? '^ ' '^^ ''"™^ *■•>« interview sat on the ground half screened by a iree'butmv =r?frcrsrh\h3T^^^ rsrart'trh? v"--^^^^^^^^ t^e station, and'flX%'o:k r^t" 4^4?"-! i rrLtf * '"" "*" ''='<' "^^^^'^ Permiss^o^n to Stay |W the wa.tmg.room. but that at 2:30 a.m.. when h6 74 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. went back to open the ticket-office, she was nowhere to be found; and that later, he saw her coming- down the railroad track. She must have gone back to Elm ^ Bluff after I passed her on the road, and effected an entrance through the window on the front piazza as It was found open ; and the awful work of robbery and murder was accomplished during the storm, whicli you know was so frightful that it drowned all minor sounds. This morning when the General did not rin- for his hot water at the usual time, it was supposed that he was sleeping late, but finally old Bedney knocked. Unable to arouse his master, he opened the door, and found our old friend lying on the floor, near the fire-place. He had been dead for hours, and close to his head was a heavy brass andiron, which evident- ly had been snatched from the hearth by the mur- deress, who must have dealt the fatal blow with It, as there was a dark spot on his temple, and also on the left side near the heart. The room was in disorder, and two glass vases on the mantel were shivered, as though some missile had struck them —probably a heavy ledger which was found on the floor." "How horrible! But no woman could have over- powered a man like General Darrington." ''Physically, his granddaughter was more than a match for him, especially since his last illness ; and I assure you she looks like some daughter of the Vik- ings. She certainly is a woman of grand proportions, and wonderfully symmetrical." " What is her age ?" "About eighteen, I should think; though her size and a certain majestic bearing might convey the im- pression that she wis older." "How can you connect so dreadful a crime with a I crime with a At THE MKRCY OP TlBERim 75 ter /:';r.f "' "»"-' «' --^o" you know abso. " My theory is, that she intended merelv fn ^.f «« Ussion of the will, the contents of XhhfdhT hade known to her— nnd nf fi.. ^^ ^®^" . surmised was kept °„ 111^'^^^'^^°^" ■f the chloroform wore off anlt. %:t "" *'"' ^^' :M ..r at the .auCa '^r:^Xrj::S;lTT^^ ,:^.inTrTo:Vo'rfXs:^^^^^^^ '"f <"•-- «'tebt circumstance nTlse *?tht mt we who make a study of such sad m. tf. , ' ;.>e Significance of the dfsappeartnee of tt wi^^I lestruction of which ronlrt L.,«n^ , ' *"® -d herself. The faunas" ^f^ iome valuable jewelry andTh.' n ^^'^' '^'^''^^^ Tom the tin-box iTfhP nfi! ""'^^ ^''' ^^««^^^ iwotwenty-dollargold pie^e, c', T""' "'"'"' i^-vidence, andit coSes?;-:---^ ^ "We? Do you mean that vou arp >i,ir.+i^ ^ woman ?" *^ ® hunting- down .d client to useTvei-v nt M "^ ""'^ *° "^ "«>«« ? and brin^n/ t„^ '^ ,'"'' '"""'*^'<"'' '° discover- ^*^'^^'^" ^iim — belt ma,n. wnTr.o« ^_ _,_„ , 'bed javenrof L^ ^ f no a.gis against the javelms of justice, and the District Solicitor il tr:- e~-.A. . ---.. ^^u i.v» iiCi. itivu. iiiis iuaiiurcs were goarse and heavy, b-?t his eyes were keen as a ferret's; AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 77 jand without answering his question, she turned away land looked across the water which teemed with craft of every description, laden with freight animate and linanimate, passing to and from the vast city whose Ispu-es, domes and forest of masts rose like a ^rav cloud against the sky, etching there their leaden out- -You are a stranger, and your questions are |offensive and impertinent." As she turned and confronted him haughtily he stepped closer to her, threw back his blue overcoat and pomted to the metal badge on his breast - I am an officer of the law, and have a wai-rant for rour arrest. You are Beryl Brentano » "I am Beryl Brentano, yes; but there is some blunder, some mistake. How dare you annoy m?' lArrestme? Me!" """yme. ;' Do not make a scene. My instructions are to deal ^vith you as gently as possible. Better come qiuetly linto 1 he station near, and I will read you thie warrnnf Otherwise I shall be obliged to use foi^e You "ee I lave two assistants yonder." * * Arrested for what ? By whom ^" -I am ordered to arrest you for the murder of General Darrington." "iuiuer oi "Murder! General Darrington is alive and well have just left him. Stand back ! Do not touch 1 p will call on the police to protect me " t Laymg his lingers firmly on her arm, he beckoned " You see resistance is wnrs<> t}>"« m=^1ac^ ^^ • fm. is no escape, comequietty,""'" ' """^ '""• 78 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. y 'k I "Genprni nn • ,^ ^ ^<^o^^ lil^e a criminal ?" every respect with the descrintion Tf /'^'^'^'^^'^P^^^s '^ pected Of having. commi^ZZ:^.^' ^^"^^ ^"^^" Hitherto she had attributed th insult of tho ,• . sr-rdTrS^r ,r "'-=^- '^-^! ^-^af^: the street, she stassorldfomthc^nH'' "''' '^'""^ sessed her, and heHyTs sta", '," m T' ""^^P"^" a somnambulist. When she Id h''' "1' *"■'<= °' a room where sevemi „.i ^"^ "^'''''•«<' '1*0 smokin. the in oto'ble'senrn? T" '°™^'"»" ''»'' tion shook off her apatJ^. '"'' "' ''^='"« ^"d '"'"Soa- ha;^«rcr,rr;3:rnurf' -t ""'^ Hlr„Tmrrs\o^"{-""~^^^^^ arouse'some re" ine^Tome ' "'^^'^ -"o-ory can in your brutal souls"" ' ''P'"' 'or womanhood raetmiSt'Xrre:^SerMl"--:rr steel. " ' """' ""■' ^'"'-^^ rang like the clash of the warrant, and you w ^ui;^: s UM "thaf- tf <» imperative." «"<-i^rbLana that our duty Ag-ain and agaiii s]m rpad the nnnr. - -au LQc paper, m which the 'igrlitful mis- linal ?" d and mur- est and hold •responds in person sus- f the inter- , but as she 'he was the I sickenini? i-nching- her ^er along" is that pos- ^e those of hered into tig'ing- and d indig-na- > and only iprotected ves men? imory can )manhood e marble leaped up e officer's ' clash of ^ are only 5. Read our duty hkU the AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 79 of robbery and murder committed ' 80 !sf ' t mm AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. passage across the ferry, and turned the pocket of her dress inside out. nr.t^ ^^l ^? ""^ ^ liand-bell, a tall, angular woman opened the door of an adjoining room. "Mrs. Foster, you will very carefully examine the * dprin^^Trr^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^'^ indignity !" cried the shud- "Come with me, madam. We have no choice » wn ll^r "'' .'^?' '^"'"^ ^'^^^ ^^^' ^^^ constable \\alked up and down the floor. ''How deceitful appearances are! That woman hevea her protestations; but here in the basket, sure sTro«;^'' '^ ''^ ^^^^^^' ^^^ «^- -^ ^-e de. "Thief or not, she is a grand beauty; and if her heart was not in that prayer she put up just novv she IS a grand actress also. This is a beastly trad ; of ours, hunting down and trapping the unwary Son^etimes I feel no better than a slefth-hound! and that girl's eyes went through and through me a vhSe ago like a two-edged dirk." & "^c » wnue As he vented his views of his profession, one of th^ pohcemen lighted his pipe and puffed vigorous y ' Ifind absolutely nothingsecreted on the prisoner " No papers of any description ?- i^'^soner. ** None, sir." « Madam, your basket contains the missing- iewelrv and money, at least a portion of it, and I X, 11 pS it m the hands of the sheriff " ^ " "^ *'"'^' j^»cio iiiu not mme. They belong ar woman AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. gj to my mother, to whom they were given by her fa her ; and she needs the money at this moment-- Let me advise you to say as little as possible for your own sake; because your words will be weighed agamst y ou . " *= " I speak only the truth, and it will, it' must, vindi- cate me. What papers are you searching for ?" _ "General Darrington's Will. It was stolen with the money Here is yesterday's paper, with an ac count of the whole affair, telegraphed from X If you need to learn anything, you will understand when you read it." The sight of the capital letter, in the Telegraphic Despatches, coupling her name with a heinous and revoltmg crime, seemed to stab her eyes with red-hot thrusts; and shivering from head to foot, she slowly Tnl'' 'fM ':if ^^^^"« significance of the disappear- ance of the will, which was the sole obstacle that de- barred her from her grandfather's wealth. Althouffh sustained by an unfaltering trust in the omnipotence of innocence, she was tormented by a dread spectre that would not -down" at her bidding; how could r,he prove that the money and jewels had been given toher? Would the shock of the tidings of her arrest kill her mother .P Was there any possible way by graced ^' ^'^* '"^ ifinorance of this foul dis- bn?t7^ ^^ ^''' ^^'^ ^" ^^^ ^^°^«' ^^^ t^i^d to think, but the whole umverse appeared spinning into chaos She had opposed the trip South so steadily and vehemently; had so sorrowfully and reluctantly yielded at last to maternal solicitation, and had been oppressed w th such dire forebodings of some resultant evil. So e-nnHfafi^^ --x -^on....,.^- to tliu appiicatiou to her giandfather, that she had set out on her journey 83 AT THE MERCY OF TIBEBICS. lipi' feeling as though it were a challenge to fate • and this was the answer? The vassue, Ai^i^Zl !? subtle sombre presentiment, tie hafn ing shado'w of an .nexplicablc iU, had all n.eant thi ftWs rody mire of the slums of crime. Had some merciful an"-el leaned from the parapets of heaven and waned he°r • Lth esTlov "■^''""'' '" ■"^"''''™- -mmiLion „; deathless love and prescient guardianship, stir her he dlessTr "' """"'^'"^ ^^'"•""«-' Sceptical and heedless larquins are we all, whom our patient Sibyl- srghtr:r''^^''^"''"" '° ^'^^--vhich^ih^; In the maddening rush and whirl of Beryl's reflec tions her mother's image was the one centre around Which all things circled; and at length, "allying her energies, she turned to her captor. ™"y"=ff ber " You intend to take me to prison f" .ffl'l^ """. "1"^^'' *" "*'*^'" '^nl deliver you to the officer Who has come from X— with the warrant and who will carry you back there for trial. He knew from the detentions along the route, that he couW easily overhaul you here,so ho wentstra ight to Trenton with a requisition from the Governor of his State ud^^ Governor MansQeld, for your surrender IttbuH short run to the Capital, and he expects to get herein time to catch the train going Soutl. to-day We Ld a telegram a while ago, saying the papers were aU right, and that he would meet us at tlie train Is th.^ will be only a few moments to spare '' thl'XTnd expt-:!.'^^' "^''^'^^- ' '"-*^«'>- chTi^eVfToT""'" ''''''"'=' "' '"^ °«'^"- -'- '*"- , " Have you no mercy ? My mother is ill, destitute ; AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 88 and sho will die unless I can go to her. Oh 1 I be of you, for the sake of common humanity, carry^me home, if only for five minutes I Just let me see mother let me speak to her !" ' In the intensity of her dread, she fell upon her knees, and lifted her hands iraploring-ly; and the ang-uish in her white quivering face v/as so piteous that the man turned his head awav. "I would oblige you if I could, but it is impossible The law is cruel, as you say, but it is intended as a terror to evil-doers. Things look awfully' black for you, but all the same I am sorry for you, if your mother is to suffer for your deeds. If you wish to write to her, I will see that she receives your note; but 3-0U have very little time left." " God ! how hard ! What a foul, horrible wrong inflicted upon the innocent !" She cowered on the floor, unconscious that she still knelt ; seeing only the suffering woman in that dreary attic across the river, where sunken feverish eyes v/atched for her return. Accidentally Beryl's gaze fell on the bunch of faded chrysanthemums which had dropped unnoticed on the floor, and snatching them she buried her face in their petals. Their perfume was the potent spell that now melted her to tears, and the tension of her overtaxed nerves gave way in a passionate burst of sobs. When she rose a few moments latei^ the storm had passed; the face regained its stony rigidity, and henceforth she fronted fate with an unnatural calmness. " Will you give me some paper and a pen ?" *' You can write here at the desk." — , .wo-TTi di-pjuacucu her, an4 saiu uesltat* 84 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. Ill " Would it comfort you at all, for mc ^o go and see your mother and explain why you could not return to her I* I am very sorry for you, poor thing- " "Thank you, but-you could not explain, and the sight of a stranger would startle her. In one way Fodc ?- ^^^^ '""^ ' "^"^ ^'''' ^'°'''^ ^'** ^^^"^1^^ of New " Only by reputation; but I can find him." "Will you deliver into his hand the note I am mitmg ?' " I certainly will." "Plow soon?" " Before nine o'clock to-night." " Thank you— a thousand times." w^ds^ ^ "^^""^ ''''' ^''^'^''^ "" ^^^^* containing these "Dear Dr. Gkavilin: J\^']^\^'^^^^'''^'^'%<'^^y^'^^tYess, I appeal to you as a Christian gentleman, as a true physician a healer of the suflering, and under God, the gSian g™'dfS r Ho''- ^'" ^r^ ''"^y I wenT?o^m? giandtather. He gave me the money, one hundred dollars and some valuable jewels. When in Xht of home, I have been arrested on the charge of Tavini murdered my grandfather, and stolen Sfwm. Nee! I tell you that I am as innocent as you are ? The thought of my mother is the bitterest drop in my cup of shame and sorrow. You can judge best how murh It may be Expedient to tell her aifd you can le lily in the fingers of a monumental emgy, Mrs. i^'oster felt the tears dimming her own vision J and said earnestly : IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) h A V. fA & ^ IX) LL 1.25 2.5 122 2.0 m U IIIIII.6 6" ^ 'm /} Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 m iV %^ >^ ^■^^^ ^j^ ;\ ^ ^1-' hi 86 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERltJS. *' ieep as silent as possible. The less you say, the saier you wHl be j and run no risk of contradicting your own statements." " I appreciate your motive , but I have nothing to conceal." Beryl laid her hand on her shawl, then drew back. " Am I allowed the use of my shawl ?" '* Oh, certainly, madam." The officer would have opened and put it around her, but with an indescribable movement of proud re- pulsion, she shook it out, then wrapped it closely about her, and sat down, keeping her eyes fixed on the face of the clock ticking over the fire-place. After a long and profound silence, the man who had arrested her, said gravely and gently : " Time is up. I must deliver you to Officer Gibson at the train. Come with me." She rose, gave her hand to Mrs. Foster, and stoop- ing suddenly touched with her lips the withered flowers, then followed silently. In subsequent years, when she attempted to recall consecutively the incidents of the ensuing forty-eight hours, they eluded her, like the flitting phantasmago- ria that throng delirium ; yet subtle links fastened the details upon her brain, and sometimes most unex- pectedly, that psychic necromancer — association of ideas — selected some episode from the sombre kaleid- oscope of this dismal journey, and set it in lurid light before her, as startling and unwelcome as the face of an enemy long dead. Life and personality partook in some degree of duality; all that she had been before she saw Elm Bluff, seemed a hopelessly distinct existence, yet irrevocably chained to the mutilated and blackened Afterward, like the grim and loathsome Uiiioos enforced >^ ihe Noyades of Nantes. Qcer Gibson AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. $t The sun did not forg-et to shine, nor the moon to keep her appointment with the throbbing stars that sig- nailed all along her circuit. Men whistled, children laughed; the train thundered through tunnels, anS flew across golden stubble fields, where grain shocks and hay stacks crowded like tents of the God of plenty, in the Autumnal bivouac; and throughout the long days and dreary lagging nights. Beryl was fully conscious of a ceaseless surveillance, of an ever-pre sent shadow, which was tall and gaunt, wore a drab r^ir' ?"''^' '^*' ^"' ^^^^ -^^^-* «5;Uato AS Silent as two mummies in the crypts of Karmr hey sat side by side; and twice when the officer touched her arm and asked if she would take some ened the folds of her veil; shrinking closer to the window against which she leaned. Not unti thev approached X—, and she recognized some features of the landscape, were her lips unsealed : - Ch^%^TTS'.^- "^^P^^^i'^l^ for my arrest ?- DunW ?H ? ^'''''*""' ^'' CHurchill, and Mr. which the warrant was issued. I am only a deputy acting under orders from the sheriff." ^ ^' " You are taking me to prison ?" "Perhaps not; it depends on the result of the nre- • TraToTr^^'r ^"' ^'^^ "^^ ^^ allowed bl'' A ray of hope silvered the shrouding gloom • there " Wl^;' n !^ '' "^^^"^' ^^^ ^*^- '' incre^att • ^^ When will the examination take place ?" '^omttZl "^^"/^-f y- You will have time to eat What a crowd to welcome us I Don't stir We wil just wait a, whiio n,,^ T -_.-M . "" i- s>i>ir. We will as^,,. ., " \""^ ^ wihget you into a carriage as quietly as possible. ' ' ^ S8 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. He whispered some directions to the conductor of the train, and standing- in the aisle with his arm across the seat, screened her from the gaze of a motley crew of men and boys who rushed in to stare at the pris- oner, whose arrival had been impatiently expected. On the railway platform and about the station house surged a sea of human heads, straining now in the direction of the first passenger coach ; and when in answer to some question, the conductor pointed to the sleeping car which was at the rear of the tram, the mass swayed down the track. " Quick ! Now is our time !" The deputy sheriff hurried her out, almost lifted her from the steps, and pushing her forward, turned a corner of the street, and handed her into a carriage which awaited them. CHAPTER VI. nrO Beryl many hours seemed to have crept away, since she had been left alone in a small dusty apartment, adjoining the office where the chief magis- trate of X daily held court. Too restless to sit -still, she paced up and down the floor, trying to collect her thoughts ; and at last knelt by the side of a table, and laid her weight of dread and peril before the Throne of the God she trusted. The Father of the fatherless and Friend of the friendless, would surely protect her in this hour of intolerable degradation. **0, Thou that hearest prayer; unto Thee shall all flesh come." Thp. door nnflTiAfl nnrl o ^rorjprnhl^ «*»••'•" >"»i~'»'1 — -~ approached the table, where her head was bent upon AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. g^ her crossed arms. When shp Hff«^ u with the violet circles undPr her . "" ^'"*^ '^^«' them appear PreternaturanXe and^um? "'^^"^ the beautiful mouth contracted S ^"°"«ous, and P-. a aeep ... „, eo.ss p^^rs^ -::::;« upon my knee. Because nfr* ^° ^^^ »"«'• ^^t grandfather, I have aSVL^^^^f r^""" 'or your few moments. If vou pn» .,1 .f ° ^"^ y»" 'or a to befriend you, and offer vn?^'^ ="="""«"• ^ "^^'re you assert your innocetZf ..'""" '^'''''^' ^ «» ^Id you are suspected I w ^''*' '="'"« of which your own sake I 1dvL?„u T "^" P™^* '*' "•" 'o' and await the action of the ^1.^/ *° ^^^^'-ation, bad no opportunity Of conl^iT./"'^' ^' ^""^ ""^o your defence." . oonsaltmg counsel, or preparing no olhTr'TrZf^ttaTto cMd^?„r *"•"'" '^^«'"^« innocent of everv oSfJrZ T ! ^ '■* 0"minal. I am except that Zli^Zr^^X^Tt ^^"'"^'o". nnJu^Me arres? is 1^]^ t^'^^^l - w'^e^rr^rXSih! '^; '""-^^'^Hand as his manhood did homaSh^ ^'""'^^"on upon her, he took Off his hat ^ "" ^''="=<' '^^'^ <"^°ity. and tablished." ^rgunt be fully proved and es- " Of the sigrnificance of law term« t i and of the usages of co„rtsTat™l',,'!°r ."»*''-?/ ■ ! I escape toSo«r"'"' »n examination, Should or f ^! I 90 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. V • "No." " Then I must be tried at once ; because I want to hurry back to my mother who is ill, and needs me." " But you have no counsel as yet, and delay is your best policy." "Delay might cost my mother's life. I have no money to pay a lawyer to stand up and mystify matters, and my best policy is to defend myself, by telling the simple truth." Again Judge Dent sighed. Could guilt be masked by this fair semblance of childlike guilelessness ? " Can you summon any witnesses to prove that you were not at Elm Bluff on the night of the storm ?" "Yes, the ticket agent knows I was in the waiting- room during that storm." He shook his gray head. " He will be one of the strongest witnesses against you." • "Then I have no wicnesses except — God, and my conscience." The door opened, and with his watch in his hand the deputy sheriff entered. " Sorry to shorten your^ interview, Judge, but you know we have a martinet in yonder, a regular Turk, and he splits seconds into fractions." As Judge Dent withdrew. Beryl realized that her hour of woe had arrived, and she began to pin her veil tightly over her face. " Come along. You can't keep your veil on. Try to be as non-committal as possible when they ask you crooked questions. Of course I want justice done, and I hope I am a faithful servant of the law ; but if you are as innocent as a flock of ring-doves, the lawyers will try to confuse you." He attempted to lead her, but she drew back. AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 91 ** I will follow you ; but please do not hold my arm ; do not touch me." A moment later, a door opened and closed, a g-lare of light showed her a crowded room ; a monotonous hum Uke the swell of the sea fell on her ear; then stifled ejaculations, to which succeeded a sudden, deathlike hus^. The officer placed a chair for her in front of the platform where the magistrate sat, and retired to the rear of the room. With some difliculty Judge Dent made his way through the throng of spectators, and seated himself beside Mr. Dunbar. "Well, sir, how did the prisoner impress you?" asked the latter, as he folded up a paper. " Dunbar, you have made a mistake. I have spent I the best of my life in the study of criminals ; and if that woman yonder is not innocent, I am in my dotage." " Pardon me. Judge, if I dispute both propositions. I made no mistake ; and you are merely, in the good- ness of your heart, and the fervor of your chivalry, dazzled momentarily by the glamour of extraordinary beauty and touching youth." When Beryl recovered in some degree from the shock of finding herself actually on trial, she en- deavored to collect her faculties; but the violent palpitation of her heart was almost suffocating, and in her ears the surging as of an ocean tide, drowned the accents of the magistrate. At first the words were as meaningless as some Sanskrit formula, but gradually her ajitention grasped and comprehended. In a strident incisive voice he read from a paper on the desk before him : At an inquisition held at X- -, T county, on the twenty-seyenth day of October, before me, 92 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. Jeremiah Bateman, Coroner of said county, on the body of Robert Luke Darrington, there lying dead, hy the jurors whose names are hereto subscribed; the said jurors upon their oath do say that Robert Luke Darrington came to his death on the night of Thurs- day, October twenty-sixth, by a murderous assault committed upon him by means of a heavy brass andiron. And from all the evidence brought before them, the • jury believe that the fatal blow was feloniously given ' by the hand of his granddaughter, Beryl Brentano. *' In testimony whereof, the said jurors have here- unto set their hanTls, this twenty-seventh day of October, A.D., 18 — . Signed **Attest, " Jeremiah Bateman, Coroner." " In consequence oi this verdict, and by virtue of a warrant issued at the request of the District Solicitor, Governor Glenbeigh made a prompt requisition for the arrest and detention of the said Beryl Brentano, who has been indentified and returned to this city, to answer the charges brought against her. The prison- er will unveil and stand up. " Beryl Brentano, you are charged with the murder of Robert Luke Darrington, by striking him .with a brass andiit)n. Are you guilty, or not guilty ?" " Not guilty." Her voice was unsteady, but the ^ woVds were distinct. i Mr. Dunbar, Mr. Burk, and a middle-aged woman • lean as Cassius, came nearer to the platform, and after a leisurely survey of the girl's face and figure, pro- nounced Ler the person whom they had severally accused of the crime of causing the death of General Darrington. The canons that govern psychical phenomena are as occult as the abstraction of the " fourth division of space "; and they defy the realism of common-place AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. ^^ n,,„r, , y' ^'«> fli^t met the keen scrutiny of Mr Which he appracho°a rpo^atsrsh: forgot that she was on trial for her 11?^^ ^1 porarily oblivious of her disma, t ou^V/ an/sS' uL uL her? "° ''" '=°"' '='^«' ">''' '0- <=»- crueltv Tn h '^"""y" "' ''■<'°d«> l^eauty and cruelty In her ears rang again the words her father had read aloud at her side, while she sketched "But like w"°' '"'^""^ '°'"""'"^''' "y *"« «>"«« that would rises fromX ^^''T- ^''''' ''""'^ ■="' ""'"'rliP tha^ rises from the strongly marked hollow over the chin ought to sharpen with a dash of contempt the con- coWffLeof^hJ " " '*™°^ '=°"*'-'^' ^ith the not but w^tho,!. '■^' "P'° "y^ ■' ^ ^^'^^ that hesitates Ti,« /a. ^ ^ every one to condemnation " the rth "^ ''™^'"' '=-""-t-room appeared to swim m «ie rich aroma distilled from the creamy hearte o^ Roman hyacmths; and the velvet lips of purple R^an wolets suddenly babbled out the secret of trmysto" ious repulsion which had puzzled her, from the wTn which She nrst looked into Mr. Dunbar's face hS stoange resemblance to the Chiaramonti Sriur Which She had studied and copied so carefunv In ' daysgoneby the subtile repose,?he marvenous beauJy Of that marble face, where as yet the demon of d^ struction had cast no stain, possessed a singular fasd- nation for her ; and now the hauntin^r liken" l^L staS^'l'^r/^''"" ^'"«' "«"=*»« associated';; separably with old Bedney's description of Mr. Dun- H AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. bar's merciless treatment of witnesses, and Beryl real- ized with alarming- clearness that in her grandfath- er's lawyer she had met the incarnation of her cruel fate. Standing quite near her, he gravely related, with emphatic distinctness and careful detail, his first meet- ing with the prisoner on the piazza at Elm Bluff, and the vivid impression she left on his mind ; his return to Elm Bluff about half-past nine the same evening, in order to get a deed which he had forgotten to put into his pocket at the first visit. Learning that General Darrington had not yet retired for the night, he sent in to ask for the deed, and was summoned " to come and get it himself." On entering the bed-room, he found his client wrapped in crcashmere dressing-gown, and sitting in an easy chair by the window, which opened on the north or front piazza. He appeared much perturbed and harassed, and in reply to in- quiries touching his health, answered that he was ** completely shaken up, and unnerved, by a very stormy and disagreeable interview held that afternoon with the child of his wayward daughter EUice." When witness asked: " Did not the great beauty of the embassadress accomplish the pardon and restoration of the erring mother ?" General Darrington had struck his cane violently on the floor, and exclaimed: ** Don't talk such infernal nonsense ! Did you ever hear of my pardoning a wrong against my family name and honor ? Does any man live, idiotic enough to consider me so soft-hearted ? No, no. On the con- trary, I was harsh to the girl j so harsh that she turn- ed upon me, savage as a strong cub defending a crip- pled helpless dam. They know now that the last card has been played, and the game ended ; for I gave her distinctly to understand that at my death, Prince AT THE MKRCY OP TIBERIUS! 95 would inherit every iota of my estate, and that my will had cut them off without a cent. I meant it then, I mean it now. I swear that low-born fiddler's brood shall never darken these doors ; but somehow, I am un- able to get rid of the strange, disagreeable sensation the girl left behind her, as a farewell legacy. She stood there at that glass door, and raised her hand like a prophetess. * General Darrington, when you lie down to die, may God have more mercy on your poor soul than you have shown to your suffering child.' " Witness advised him to go to bed, and sleep off the unpleasant recollections of the day, but he said it was so oppressively hot, he wanted to sit at the window, which was wide open. Witness having secured the* deed, which was on the table in the room, bade his client good-night, and left the house. He was riding toward town, and thought it was about ten o'clock, when he saw the prisoner sitting under a pine tree near the road, and not more than a half a mile from the bridge over the " Branch" that runs at the foot of Elm Bluff. Hif^ . rrse had shied and plunged at sight of her, and the moonlight being bright as day, witness easily recognized her as the same person he had seen earlier in the afternoon. Thinking her appearance there at that hour was rather mysterious, he askv3d her if she had lost her way ; to which she re- plied "No, sir." On the following morning, when the mournful news of the murder of General Darring- ton had convulsed the entire community with grief and horror, witness had smothered his reluctance to pro- ceed against a woman, and a solemn sense of duty forced him to bring these suspicious circumstances to the knowledge of the District Solicitor. While he gave his testimony, Mr. Dunbar watched her closely for some trace of emotion, but she met his 96 AT THE MERCY Of TIBERIUS. gaze without the movement of a muscle, and ho detect- ed not oven a quiver of the jet lashes that darkened her proud grey eyes. ' "litenea Antony Burk next testified that he had g-iven the accused mstructions about the road to Elm BlufT, when . • she arrived at X_; and that after buying her re i ^el^^^K^?' ''^' ^*" '' ""^ necessar/sl^ sl^^l ■ i^ Th I *''''°' ^°^ *^^^ '^' ^«"^d ^« «"re to catch Then she had sent a telegram (a copy of which was in -the possession of the Solicitor), and requested him to allow her to remain in the ladies' waiting-room "ntu the next tram at 3.05. He had directed her to a hotel close by, but she declined going there. Thint-iL "he was fatigued and might relish it, he had, aftersunner Z?,^ t"'*"^'' "' '""' ""^ *" *"« -aitCroom bui though he remained there until nine o'clock shevvL nowierevisible. Hewenthomeand went to sleep, b^ the vjolence of the storm aroused him; a. 1 when he took his lantern and went back to unlock the" office, he searched the whole place, and the prisoner was not in tte building. This was at half!pS two ^M ,and the piteherof tea remained untouchedwhere he had placed it It wasnotraining when heretuTned! and a few minutes after he had hunted for the prisoner he was standmg in the door of his office and he^w her coming down the railway track, from the dirLTon Ifd^ "^*',' ^!f """^ ''"' ''"^^'- She was br aTto" that her clothes were damp, and that some drom of rtn ' 'ofT" ff "' '""■ •"*• ^ la^Mo'S in front of the station, and he saw her plainly; AT THE MERCY Of TIBEHIITS. 97 Ta^ tft:;:„t/LV;'" r;'^^ '"."^o ™-. which ^e there. Witaess toTd h»f r?"""*'" '"o *«"» ^""airxed not there iH no 'nX^ at TalT"*' V i'''' ^''^ ''- The accused did not oLeZ in!, i f"" ^"° »'<='»*• no explanation, but tonhornll '° *^"'' '^'"'eave nes. considei^eS her sStnf ""^ *'"' '•"' ''''in- Wit- related all helnew to Mr n !"=?'«'»"«' "^^t be had ed him before the ^ai^"''^^?^' Who ha,:l summon- loath to think evil o^^ w„ ^^ (witness was very tiful and nobt loo dn^ andTh^ 'J*^'"'!,^ ""« '^^ '^^■ God would forgive him bTf^™^"^ '''"■• '>«'"'P«'' the truth. • ""* ''^ °«™'- dodged telling An^thnf d" ''^"'"^ ^»-' ^"d save her name as an7m:„r/:rc''Bfurbr"''^'' *<'*''--wi„g whenever he^r sertL's we™ reoufred^^oT *''''^^' noon previous to General Darr^S d^a°th ^b ^""^ sittmg at her needlework in the Ln n?!S ""^ '^^^ story of his house Ao th» rf! ' ^^ '"='=''nd had opened the d;or1eaIVt.tTo ^^ '"*' ^•"' cony, which ■proiectedT<,t ™ iron bal- door down-stairirand since th?' *''' '^""' '>^" from the roof tn tZ. \ * P'^^^a was open andseenrp1isrnetwhL":h;:r:ivra''d?!f "^''' ed herwhile she saton thU a™^ed, and had watch- After the ac:':edi:d tSidrtt b^ '° "^ '"'"""^''• she (witness) recollected fwt^ ."""'"'""'' ^™<'' one of the lace curtota,'t tb r?" "^^ '""" =* ^"^^ '" thought thl would b»" '^^'""^y down-stairs, and The library wLoolslfeT 1 "'"' *"°<' *» "arn it. joined GSeraTrrr;:^;ti;^; ---fad- was open a«d witness heard wh™ "V- '^-^^f »as a quarrel, as General Darri.gto^n^s vTce Z'Zl 98 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. and violent ; and she distinctly heard him say : ' My will is so strong, no contest can touch it ! and it will stand forever between your mother and my property.' Soon after, General Darrington had slammed the door, and though she heard loud tones for some time, she could not make out the words. The impression left on witness's mind was that the prisoner was very impudent to the old gentleman ; and not long afterward she saw accused standing in the rose garden, pretending to gather some flowers, but really looking up and down at the front windows. Witness knew the prisoner saw the vault where the General kept his papers, because she heard it opened while she was in the bed-room. The door of the vault or safe did not open on hinges, but was iron, and slid on a metal rod, which made a very peculiar squeaking sound. When she heard the noise she thought that General Darring- ton was so enraged that he got the will to show pris- oner it was all fixed forever, against her and her mother." When Miss Dobbs sat down, a lame man, disfigured by a scar on his cheek, leaned upon a stick and tes- tified : "My name is Belshazzar Tatem. Was an orderly sergeant attached to General Darrington's staff during the war ; br+. since that time have been a florist and gardener, and am employed to trim hedges and vines, and transplant flowers at Elm Bluff." On the after- noon of the prisoner's visit there, he was resetting violet roots on a border under the western veranda, upon which opened the glass door leading out from the General's bed-room. He had heard an angry alterca- tion carried on between General Darrington and some one, and supposed he was scolding one of the servants. Se went to a shed in the barn yard to get a spade he AT, THE MKBCV OF TIBEBIU3. 99 needed and when he came back he saw the prisoner walk down the steps, and thought it singu ar a steanger should leave the house thft way. Wondered whom she could be, and wondered also that the Gen eral had quarrelled with such a splendid looking lady. Next mornmg when he went back to his work he noticed the glass door was shut, but the rercurtain eight o clock, when he hean loud cry in the bed- room, and very soon after, somebody screamed He "side" anV'T' '^ ''"' ^'^^^<'°«^ ^^^ ">*"d »- ^^ mside, and when he went around and got into the room, the first thing he saw was General DarrinSon's body lymg on the floor, with his feet towaTtte hearth and his head almost on a line with theiro^ vault bu.lt m the wall. The servants were screamTn^ hto ir.f "g *''«"-,'^»''«' '^"O he called them to help h m hft the General, thinking that he had dropped in a nt; but he found him stone cold and stiff. There was no.s,gn of blood anywhere, but a heavy, dd-fasWoned brass andiron was lying close to the G;nerarrS and he saw a black spot like a bruise on his right tm pie. General Darrington wore his night clottes and the bed showed he had been asleep thVre Some broken vases were on the floor and hearth, knd the vault was wide open. The tin bo., was upside down on ^edZur"' ""^ '''^'^ '" «"-'»P- —at" •'Witness had picked up a leather bag carefully tied at the top with red Upe, drawn into hard knots^ but ir/n? '; irt " ■^"'^ "•^'^'^ ^^^ "-» -"with a kmfe,and at the bottom of the bag was a twenty! ^"rHf„'l?.;!r:_ Tr -- -'- Of the same vate tnr^'lZT ,. '"^ °"'"' "'»«° General Darring- ton s body was lifted; and on the bolster of the bed la^ ioo AT THE M1-:RCY OF TIBESltJS. «, S! senfoff fn? "^.'.^"""^"'^- ^^*^^«'^ immediately also notifipr?.' '' ^'"''"^ Darringtorr's friends, aj also notified the coroner ; and he did not leave the room agrain until the inquest was held. The window on the front pKizza was open, and witness had searched the piazza and the grounds for tracks, but discovered eslneTLo '^^ '"^^"^^^ ^"' "^"^^--' ^"^ Z^ffr. T ^^' '^'" ""^«'^^> otherwise the tracks would have been found. Witness was positive that the prisoner was the same person whom he had seen commg out of the bed-room, and with whom Genera Darrmgton had quarrelled." ^t^neiai The slieriff here handed to the magistrate, the g-old pieces found on the floor at Elm Bluff, by the last witness , then the little wicker basket which had be^n taken from the prisoner when she was arrested. The corns discovered therein were taken out, and careful comparison showed that they corresponded exactly with those picked up after the murder. The case of f w ^/t." "^""^ ''^''' '^^""^'^ ^"^ ^"- ^""^^r rose to say, that The prosecution would prove by the attorney who drew up General Darrington's will, that these exceedingly valuable stones had been bequeathed by a clause m that will to Prince Darrington, as a brida! present for whomsoever he might marry " nnlH'ff "fr"" ''''^''^' ^^"^^^ '^^^"^ *^'« magistrate pulled at the corner of his tawny mustache, and earnestly regarded the prisoner. She stood, with her beautiful white hands clasped before her, the slender fingers interlaced, the head thrown proudly ^w '^ /,''"'? P^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^"" P^^^« t« a vivid flush that dyed her cheeks, and crimsoned her delicate lirfs- and her eyes looking straight into space, glowed with an unnatural and indescribable lustre. Tadmor's queen x.^tn ^abbai could not have appeared more regal AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. IQl " I am Beryl Brentano." -' bM^ r -f "''^'"* ^^ ^^^^^ accusation." " ^^ By what witnesses will you prove it p" ■By a statement of the whole tmf h ir, ^ + -i -. x may be allowed to make it '' ' ^ ^^^^'^' '^ ^ human sympathy ; and before proceedino^ Lv f .^ to every noble instinct omrnhofd and '/jl? "^^'^ My friend, Mr. Ha.el on Zo i I" ' ' T"'*'^ ™''- his desire to defend the prisoner Imw^^^^T "'"''"^ Mr. Hazelton rose and bowed, in tacit approval Beryl advanced a few steps anrl w . voice thrilled every heart inTe^^dorron" ""^ ceal noThLH T^ '" ''" "" '™^"' -"< I ™""to con- "et! f *'?'\'«^- T™« '« ine..pressibly valuable t„ Z st!,k»"' ^ ""man arc more Hecious than my own isat stake ; and if I am detained here, my mother middle 102 AT THE MERCY OF TIBEBIBS. ^Z^ """"' ^'. '""=«'*'"' explain the circumstances which you consider so mysterious as to justify the shameful indignity put upon me ?" " Since you assume the responsibility of your own nluZ':J? may proceed with your statement. Relate what occurred from the hour you reached Elm Bluff, until you left X next morning " ' ' I came here to deliver in person a letter written by my mother to her father, General Darrington, because unre J t7 ^''"' *^™"^h *!>« '"='". had been 'returned unread. It contained a request for one hundred dol ars to pay the expense of a surgical operation which we hoped would restore her health. When f reached Elm Bluff, I waited on the steps, until Gen- cll ^tT*" "^^ ''"°™^^ "■"^'•^ his business and can* out ; then I was led by an old colored man to the bed-room where General Darrington sat. I gave no name, fearing he might refuse to admit me, and he was very courteous in his manner until I laid the letter before him. He immediately recognized the ^o h,T" "^K ^'"' '^'"^ " •"" ^"^^ fl"""-, dedaring that no human being had the right to address hhn as father, except his son Prince. I picked up the lette, and insisted he should at least read the petition of a suffering, and perhaps dying woman. He was verv Z™°, H ^T"""^^^'"" "' -"y Parents, and hi"s voice was loud and angiy. So painful was the whole interview, that it was a bitter trial to me to remlin i^ ^TZr' Jr' '"r'"^ ^"^ ''''^'"«*«'y ■'«<=««3ary it was that mother should obtain the money, I forced myself to beg him to read the letter. Fnally he consented, read it, and seemed somewhat softened; but he tore it mto strips and threw it from him He drank severa,l glasses of wine from a decanter o. Z taoie, and offered me some, expressing the opinionthat AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. ' I03 much excited, renewing his hlr?h T * "^""^ ''^'^ my parents. It wis ft thi, tf '"7'="™« against- that he uttered 17 ,^Jr,^^ "' ^^^ interview witness: 'My Wm fs so i """'" '>""'^'' "^ *"« touch it and it „in '\ «» »t™nff. no contest can mothVL^tw'"' °"^" ''^*""° ^»- " **« "'^U ' »'^^^;;r^:rri:^„-^„rsteLT:^ ) m AT THE MERCY OP TJBERIca mat as soon as I could e^m it 1 would return the amount to him. I was .„ anxious to gelTZy I started toward the library door, but he caTeTme the sapnh^r H "" r"""" '''' '''^"^'^ ""^^^^ the sapphires. He said my mother's mother had bought them as a gift for her daughter, to be worn when she was graduated at school ; but as she marned and left school without bis knowledge the ewels had never been seen by her. He to d me he hadmtendedto give them to his son Prince f™ hi! bnde, but that now he would send them to m" who could sell them for a handsome sum" because they were valuable. He showed so much sorrow at this time, that I begged him to give me some mesroge of pardon and affection, which she would prizeTnflnl ly more thaif money or jewels; but he aga n becam^ angry and bitter, and so I left him. I came away bv directed me to do so, saying that he did not wish me whriciose'dt™";''' T r"'" ^^ -O'^"" When I closed the glass door I saw him standing in MdTbf tf f «'\™»'".l<^=^ning on his cane, ai^^,^^ had the black tin bo.x in his hand. The sun was set ting then, and now—" ®^"^ She ceased speaking for some seconds, then rai.sed her hands toward heaven, and with uplifted eyes S seemed m their strained gaze to pierce beTond the veil, she added with solemn emphasis : " I call God to witness, that was the last and onlv Sronlv"" ■^r"'' ""™^'»"- ThatTas the last and only visit I over made to Elm Bluff " tors, and audible excitement, which was Dromntlv queued by the magistrate. prompUy AT THE MERCY OF TlBERIUa 105 cZ^:T ""'™ '" '""''- »' I «"»" order the room take'L^ 7.lf L^!;^,,^"^ « «"-«'. Why ma you not Obey my m':th:r':'iXS " "^ "=« ^ <•--<» ^ She gave me a smal bu„ch "? fl?'™"^ ^^ Po^^'"'- to be sure to lay them fnr i, T^^' ^'^ ''^^'^ me When I reachi he cemete^"" h"L"""''«^'« «'»ve. sight of the road from Elm bZ^ ?."" ^o" ^'"'^ '« "> and it required soCttrnT fl ' J?" ^'''* ^*« '"^ed, the waOl and And the mo»t t'« ""> *° ^U""" "ve; and when I arrived attCtTtL r?'^"^'"^*"''' had just gone." station, I learned the train edZo^-f ' ^°" "»* ^0 *<> a hotel, as you were advis- I •^^ - ml^ylXt *r ^'^^-- *o -y mother, " It waa verv hot » J ^"l" "P""* ^l^^ "^ht. " there was a iS^h't m^on ,S ' T ""f ™'""' -<» « some fresh air Th7r„. i ^' ^ '^^''«<' ""t to get andp.easantUaSrta^frr-'-P-^ ward them, and did not r«v l *°' °" and on to- ilet people Using a?ot arroL"" - ""^ "^™- ^ lonely. Thesmell of the nfll ' ^^ " ^'^ °°t «««"> «Joy it, I sat down on theft ""^ "T *^ "«' and to must have fallen Jeep afon*T / ""^ «-"«''«'>'' mg till some noise started Lea^'/" ^ T"""^^ '"'"'■ man on horaeback in tte ro^n' ?k T ^ ^'^ ""o same Bluffi He asked me if it'd ^f "i "=«' "«=' at Elm - -t wa. late, and as ita^XC'lt-rdi^S;^ m :ll 106 AT THE MEHCy OP TIBERIUS. Mlf alone m the woods, I almost ran back to the railway station Where I saw no one, except a telegraph S ■ whi; Ttoe T"* *?' '^'^^P '" '^'^ ''^''- I cannot^; . what tme it was, because I could not see the clock tHWel^l^r^'" *°,"'™''-' '^'"' ''U through S terrible storm I was alone in the waiting-room fin great was my relief when the wind and lightning ceased that I went to sleep, and dreamed of a happy Hme to me Just then I awoke with a start, and heard 1 vo.ce talkmg outside, which seemed ve^ fam^far There were two persons; one, a negro, sawf '""""• througM^Sht!' "° '"'" '*"' '•^•^"«'"* --P'-^ tl'e ne^faVsweTedT"'^'^'' "^'^'^ '^ " '^^'' ^he " ' Pretty soon, but it don't stop here: it goes to thn water tank where it blows f<^ the raUrofd brWge ' mv n,?nH fl T* ^^''^ "''" -"'y l'^" awake, a^d with my naind fixed on my dream, I ran out in front of the Station house An old negro man limpVg down ;irxT<.;^e7miTJCf hrter *"■■ because it is inexplicable o myself save bv tf°^"'' position that I was still dreaZg '^7tJf r^'lT negro man distinctly. There^ w!^ Tt f "^ ^im, and he had a bLdiro^^s^rul r&S: 3.05 tj-ain came, I went aboard and left X_- '> teeth rflttered ;;1 X. ""'^ ^^t^«' ^^d his handsome wem glittered a^ he whispered to Judge Dent j AT THE MErOY of TlBEWnS. 107 dillfrthir." ,"'"™'™"« compassion can scarcely n fht a! 7^- '°"'*'<'" "' ^'^ "-ovements that Zsmuitt^' '^ ""'™''*"'»' " 0»«^ "Me credit to her Ji^"'' statement impresses me differently. She is either entirely innocent, or she had an accomplke MS"strat*™' '°"""°^ ™^« =^"'' '"'-'» ^ the ask tYi'L^"" ^t""'"'" P«™'ssion, I should like to in;tSd"st"i."^^'^''^-'^*° »«•""' "■'o '^ -' ''What is the name Of that person ?" Her hps moved to pronounce his name, but some swi t mtuitive warning restrained the utterance SuT tXlT.fT'V/''''''^ possibility, thrust itseU for the first time before her, and she felt as though some hand of ice clutched her heart ^ ebMromThp\''^*'^'v ""'''' -^^sely, saw the blood succeeded a.1 ^"'"^ '^^ ^^^^ pallor that hands sU. ' "'T^' ^"°P^"^ «^«tion of her hands. She staggered toward the platform and when the Magistrate caught her arib, sL eH ^^^^^ him hke some tottering marble image', ent Jy u^ncon^ 'uti?e f hi " T"^ ^^^th.lil,e was the swoon, and so .uWe the usual methods of restoration, that the prisoner was carried into the small ante-room, and iaid upon a woodpn bench- ^ - • • T Chanced to be m the audiexice, was summoned t^ F 1 108 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. o^hfst-cot?'"*'^ "^'"-'-- '-^-'-'. l.e took "This is no ordinary faintinff flt. " stel^'" ■""' *"" "^■"l' D^Dbar, so as to keep it inlTX'Tl ^L""'""- "''"''^ «>« PVsician laid forward and watched Kzen 1°! Wh '^ .i^" '^''* 'ly lashed lids quivered and MfH T^^^^^^^bea.y. cantly at the ^17^ '^''' *'"' ^""^ ><«>ked va- ing over her^^™ain «lT'™'''''/°""*™^™«« '^^n- flnge.^, dre; he^attlnt ?„ H "^ "' *'! ''°"' "P"" ■>"■• lawyer's blue eyes as ,f w^ ^ " ^''"' ^^ °° *''* The veil thatThrdudld i ■^"'"^"^'^^'='"^«»"- . fully raised and fr i <=™^<='»"sness was rent, not appe'aredo search Wsir' '"''^?.''"' «<"emn'eyes along his nerves ani hi f"^^ shivering thrill shot long the dS;be.lnr"'!'' "^'^ '■<'°''"^*^ ""^rtso wiuT bound^ strained h.' ''"'™'' ^=^'" "^ "is held it in thSil ^"' **" ^^^ '^^ <='"'Ie that "You feel better now?" t^hoA +!,»,. • . w^ stanching the flowT/blo*'" ' P"^'""^"' '^'^'' St.ll her ^aee seemed to penetrate the inmost .-e. - AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 109 A shadowy smile curved her pale lips. Tiboriu. ■'"' "''"^ "' ''"'^'■"^- ^' *« «>e«=y of on hat brandy. Sh, is^s wo:., a's't'bf "" """^ ^''■""' she attempted to raise Ixerself a1 th?dTrl Lto^tv ^ t=;-iiirr=------^^^^ your kmfe,just lend a hand. Hold t^ ar^unH T secure the bandage." "°''' -^ To And herself surrounded by men, helolesa in fh» grasp of strangers, with no womanly toSS^r 1^1 to sustom her, served to intensify her misery Z S^'^tt'^T" '""' ^"^ ^'™^»""='' inroTsit«ng posture, then staffffered to her fp^f ti.« i ^'^''^^S^ hah- loosened whef they bo^ W fL^eturt^o "' now released itself from "^trainirpins and f^r?' stirauwT'* V l" ^■'""' "^ ^'^''' *° «^»"'"' some stimulaoit, of which you are sadly i» need. Vou ^ AT THE miRCY OF TIBERICTS. ^ » MHQuiro all your strenglh, and, as a physician I insist upon your taking my prescription." •>''"'^"' ^ ^^'^t Somo T^^'^ ^'""^^ '"""'^ '^•''*^''- J"«* ^ ^ittlo water." Some one brought a brown sto.io piteher, and she thTfLe^Ttho ''"f •' ' ''^" ^^^'^^ '- ^ --" tnc faces of those who crowded about her What will be done now ?" Every eye fell to the Iloor, and after a painful silence Judge Dent said very gently : "For the present, the Magistrate will retain you in custody until the action of the Grand Jury. Shou d Laid" ' "'"' ^^"' *'^" ^'^^ -"^ ^^^ --" on^LT ^''r ^^ P''*'°'' • ^ ^"^ t« ^^ thrust among convicts, vilcnminals ! I- ? My father's B^ryl? rghteousGodI Wh.re is Thy justice? O, Chds i Is Thy mercy a mockery ^" She stood, with her chin resting on her clinched hands * to ?oor ' ''"^: "'^"^' ^'"^'^^ ^^«^^ hertom bead •Fhl^ri'^'^VT'''^'' imprisonment will be only temporarv rhe Grand Jury will be in session next week. Meln-' time dihgent search may discover the per!^. whose conversation you overboard at the stBt;. 41 law, wh,ch now seems so stern, will prove your strong- est protector and vindicator." isT^rong- t.. t ""^ '""''"^''' ^"^ «^^ th^t she caught her ' ' V^"" f '" ™°^t^l agony. Pier face writhed, h,v;: "'' ' »^.^her eyes, enable to contemplate some h.dc« far more to you than Ufe, 8"sp",riht 'ZrofSe'a'^^r^"""''^^^^*-' you yet; for sin -.Innl Jt ' ? *^™ '^ "» *aint on b^tvL^d clear tu^ifr'l'f " ^°" ""' ""'^ "» grand triumph?™ l/.^T y°" '=='°' "^at a seal your doL V / ^°" **""" yourself you harm~:he Grund J^^ ''TT'^ ™" "" >■»" ™-e utterly upsets y^^r trveTa"d mi.*'' '""^""'' '"^ " like a top For th™„ 7 ' '*'""' ^°'"' ''™n whirl tasted f?od now iuTt f ''^ ""* '"°'''' y»" '>=^^-« "»' s« much trouble <=?d "l"''" ■"'' "'"''^ ^ "^"-^ ^^ken Have broult V ° ""'" "-^ ■""' ^"l "^'t ^hat I you don't wtt it rr ''""r"'" '"*'"^'- »»'= i '»°w otter dose^vhf I ' f' ""^ ""''■■ <=''"''' *ake it lil« Mrs. Singleton took herTand » ?"" ^"'"^ *° "O'" "I am going to trusr nn^ ^ . ^""^^'^ '* ^™"y- -m let me ; aSd ^olT'p""! fZ'^ T' "^°" in a room adjoining miJlT' ^'"' 'o '^^^P yo" Of wicked neighbo.1" ' ' ^°"' '"'" ''''^« "o '^ar for'thttrugh't! "'"""' '"^'''^- "^y G»1 Wess y„„ bo^dreV^Hhtarcd^; "f *'^™"°'' ""» '='>-do:. beasts whom the bLt5 ? """"^ ''^ *"" '^'''^ »' ^M women waXed and „„t '"T"^ resembled, the two a hoarse huma; crv brol't,'"' !"""'^ <" ^'«"°« ^'><' clutched her^ompaln'sar^ln'r' '''"""'• ^^^' with horror.- P"''"°° ' ''™' ^^^ her teeth chattered cai; w:'havrte wavLtrj TT" '^ "^« -"0-' to death, and potS'i 'mL^ ='''^^ ^k T" ' really msano, and as she is dangoroufat t^ ! !' necessary to keep her chained ,,nt^ ^'^' " '^ be made to remove ZvTfh^', "^n^oments can " T riA„>* ^ ■ " ™^ msane asj'lum." t^at blesses them'^Titrf^^^^rner"^^^ '^ '^ "^^ natural and omtrsVmL^r ^""*'"' "'"^ ''■' - > t'l 122 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. The Warden's wife paused before a large door with solid iron panels, and rang a bell. Some one on the the other side asked ; ** What is the order ? Who rang ?'^ ■} " Mrs. Singleton ; I want to get into the chapel. I^i me out, Jasper." ! The door swung slowly bade, and the guard touched his hat respectfully. Through an open arcade, where the sunlight stn^ani- ed, Mrs. Singleton led her companion ; then up a short flight of stone steps, and they found themselves in a long room, with an altar railing and pulpit at one end, and rows of wooden benches crossing the floor from wall to wall. Even here, the narrow windows were iron barred, but sunshine and the swe»^t pure breath of the outside world entered freely. Within the altar railmg, and at the right of the reading desk where a Bible lay, stood a cabinet organ. Leaving the prisoner to walk up and down the aisle, Mrs. Singleton opened the organ, drew out the stops, and after waiting a few moments, began to play. At first, only a solemn prelude rolled its waves of harmony through the peaceful sunny room, but soon the stramsof the beautiful Motet "Cast thy burden on the Lord," swelled like the voice of some divine con- soler. Watching the stately figure of the prisoner who wandered to and fro, the warden's wife noticed that like a magnet the music drew her nearer and nearer .each time she approached the chancel, and at last she stood with one hand on the railing. The beau- tiful face, sharpened and drawn by mental agony, was piteously wan save where two scarlet spots burned on her cheeks, and the rigid lips were gray as some granite statue s, but the eyes glowed with a strange splendor vhau almost tiaasflgured her countenance, AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. « bravura rf sout ounhl ^ rf ; """^ °™'- *•"« ^''■"P^t that snut^out the world, drifted the refmin of a p^an to T„*i, "T'. '^^'^asripe?- "iiot quite!" to tbe y^t epic of m Cosmos, evoked wl,e» the nil 124 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. \ " Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters"— an epic printed in stars on blue ab3'sses of illimitable space; in illuminated type of rose leaf , primrose petal, scarlet berry on the great greenery of field and for- est ; in the rainbows that glow on tropical humming birds, on Himala3'an pheasants, on dying dolphins in purple seas ; and in all the riotous carnival of color on ;. Nature's palette, from shifting glory of summer clouds, to the steady fires of red autumn skies— we find no blot, no break, no blurred abortive passages, until man stepped into creation's story. In the material, physical Universe, the divine rhythm flows on, ma- jestic, serene as when the "morning stars sang to- gether" in the choral of praise to Him, unto whom "all seemed good"; but in the moral and spiritual realm evolved by humanity, what hideous pandemonium of discords drowns the heavenly harmony ? What grim havoc marks the swath, when the dripping scythe of human sin and crime swings madly, where the lilies of eternal " Peace on earth, good will to man," should lift their silver chalices to meet the smile of God ? A vague conception of this vexing problem, which like a huge carnivorous spectre, flaps its dusky wings along the sky of sociology, now saddened Mrs. Single- ton's meditations, as she watched the lengthening shadow cast by the tower upon the court-yard ; but she was not addicted to abstract speculation, and the words of her favorite hymn epitomized her thoughts : ** Though every prospect pleases, and only man is vile." The brazen clang of the deep-throated bell rang out on the quiet air, and a moment later, the piercing treble of a child's cry made her spring to her feet. She peeped into the chapel, all was still. On tiptoe she passed swiftly down the aisle to the chancel, and saw the figure crouched at the ajtar, with AT THE MERcy OP TIBERIM. 126 ono arm twiaed tl.rough the railing. For many davs slant of repose ; nervous dread liad scourged her to the verge of fren.y, but -.vhen the flow o^ bn^!' nt tears partly extinguished the fire in her briinf over taxed Nature elain.ed restitution, and the prisoner ^.e de<. to overwhelming prostration. Death mi", be hovermg near, but her twin sister sleep int«rv™ ed and^eompassionately laid her poppies on the sno^^ Stooping elose, Mrs. Singleton saw that tears vet ^„r , ) J""^''" ''P^ '™>-<' at rest, and the deen regularly drawn breath told her that at last the weary soul reposed m the peaceful domain of dreams Deff ll and softly as thistle-down falls, she spread her ow,; htri d°W,*'; T°T' ^'''"""'-- tben note e Sly Kej, ran acioss the grass, into the arcade and im i^ the great iron barrier, which the guard ot'neSa'Je approached. With flying feet s!e near^d her otn ,mn[. n'^'A'"""'' '^^"o" "^^ """Snant wau" f her .mp acable baby girl. As she opened the door her husband held the disconsolate child toward her Ifou are in time for your share of the fun; I have cri'dta dfv in" d" ^''"; ^°"^'»" ^'-^ «- ^■'''"o i! ral dm day m, day out, passes my comprehension You had not been gone fifteen minutes ^vl en Mssv tuned up. I patt«l and, ' she-e-d ' her, but s"her head above cover, squinted around 1*; room, aid no wUdeTt'°Thf "" 't ^^"^" "^^'^ '^°""» i^avo'sc^L wildcat. The more I patted, the worse she screamed and her feet and hands flew around like a S-m'n' ' tuoK ner up, and trotted her on my knee hiVi bless you 1 she squirmed like an eel, and her mUeVaW 126 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. II head bobbed up and down faster than a di-dapper. Then I walked her, but I would as soon try to swing to a greased snake. She wriggled and bucked, and tied herself up into a bow knot, and yelled . Oh I a Comanche pappoose is a dummy to her. As if I had not hands full, arms full^ and ears full, Dick must needs wake up and pitch head foremost out of the cradle, and ,. turn a double summerset before he landed upside down on the floor, whereupon he lifted up his voice, and the concert grew lively. I took him under one arm, so, and laid Missy over my shoulder, and it struck me I would join the chorus in self defence, so I opened with all ray might on ' Hold the Fort'; but great Tecum- seh I I only insulted them both, and finding my fifth fiddle was nowhere in the fray, I feared Jarvis would hear the howling and ring the alarm bell, so I just sat down. I spread out Dick in a soft place, where he could not bump his brains out, and laying my lady across my lap, I held her down by main force, while she screamed till she was black in the face. If j-ou had not come just when you did, I should have turned gray and cross-eyed. Hello, Missy ! If she is not cooing and laughing! Little vixen ! Oh! but— 'lambsM —I believe they are ! Hereafter tend your own flock ; and in preference I will herd young panthers." He wiped his forehead where the perspiration stood in drops, and watched with amazement the sudden lull in the tempest. Clasped in her mother's arms, the baby smiled and gurgled, and Dick, drying his eyes on the maternal boaom, showed the exact spot where she must kiss his bruised head. **Ned, what have you done? This baby's hair is drinninfl' wpf nr>H en io fi-.r« ^^^^i- ^* i j §• " Serves her right too. I sprinkled her, that's all.' >i AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIFS. 127 tt\ ' Sprinkled her ! Have you lost your senses ?" " Shouldn't wonder if I had ; people in bedlam are apt to be crazy. Yes, I sprinkled Missy, because she turned so black in the face, I thought she was strang- ling ; and my step-mother always sprinkled me when I had a fit of tantrums. But let me tell you. Missy , will never be a zealous Baptist, she doesn't take to water kindly." **When I want my children step-mothered I will let you know. Give me that towel, and baby's woollen cap hanging on the knob of the bureau. Bless her precious heart ! if she does not keep you up all night, with the croup, you may thank your stars.'' " Susie, just tell me how you tame them, so that next time—" " Next time, sir, I shall not trust you. 1 just love them, and they know it ; that is what tames the whole world." Edward Singleton stooped over his wife, and kissed her rosy cheek. " Little woman, what luck bad you in No. 19 ?" " The best I could wish. I have saved that poor girl from brain-fever, I hope." " How did you manage it ?" " Just simply because I am a flesh and blood woman, and not a blundering, cast-iron man." " How does she seem now ?" ' " She has had a good, hearty spell of wholesome cry- ing; no hysterics, mind you, but floods of tears; and now she is sound asleep with her head on the altar railing, in the chapel. I locked her up there, and here is the key. When she wakes, I want her brought up hero, put in that room yonder, and left entirely to me, until her trial is over. 1 never do things half way, Ned, and you need not pucker your eyebrows, for I "will be 128 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERms. =HS--— s--"s,-rs i CHAPTER VIII. an old negro woman sat smoking a pipe. ' forty ;Z rrese't?; '^' °"'="P"'<' '^ -^ *-> leupient. iiie floor was covered bv a fnHori ^5 ^ once the pride of the ^rP^f^? • ^ ^^^P^^' velvet DilP iL ^ ^ drawing-room, but the veiveii pile iiad disappeared benpnfh fi.« „ i, I thatoriginau'; g^el on^ti^Tb^Ul Irruff ^T were no longer distinguishable. ^ ^"""'^' The square bedstead was a mn^„el in -i i massiveness, and the heavy maho-gany postHe^iy At TflE miRCY 0^ TIBERIUS. 129 were required to ascend it and !'» ■"■"' '^^^ between the maho-anv and th^ a 'P''"' '"""^ '«" valance of white d Wv I ?'"""' '^''^ ■''""^n "y a fringe. Ov^r this snaL- 'T"'''' ^""^ ^'"^ ^"o" work quilt Of the "rS",:.P!f : ? -?-«' ^ P^^^"^- rather than the face of Phceb " ^^'"^^'"^ '"'^P^^, «^d s;: (::n:it™ ;n r^- -- the counters of Sy pher '"'devotee ; and graced Cxrin'reX^o? r''^-^«^^^^ -''^^ - snuffers of the samo S , / P!"^°'=">ff Srifflns, and Hude Of some stlT^."'t • '*"""='' ^f*^-- «>« ^""il- and a Dresden etoa.h.TT""^ ''^''"'='«^"rian: crook had long sSce disann'?'"!"'"' ^^""^^ ^'^''ttered through the efgr^ed crvS of ' Tr" ^"O^'tishly the bloated features of n™= f *"*" candle shade at a Clicked spout-that somTnf'''"' ^ ^ **^-P»' ^"* ga4.flv Of travel, had brought tT^f?' ''™^ "^ *» Nanking. A rich w,,. i ''*' homestead from hack Of a brfnz tatwht^Lrr: t'""" "" *'"' part Of its bill in the cmnbnfw,. * ' ""^ "''"^^ ^°d rainbow splendors Of itsTatlVp '""' ^'""^"^ =*' «>« captivity That dro-raded ft ' >, ^^"''*""'^=^"<=d the receptac'Ie for cuUobacco ""'•"'"■'™« "^P^"^^ '"to a The walls, ceiled with curled nina ^,„_,., ^. erea with a mnfir^^ro^ » "" ^' ""^ r^a^us, were cov- 130 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. prehensiveness of designs, from Bible scenei. tattiom magazines, to '* riots " in illustrated papers ; and even the garish glory of circus and theatre posters. In one corner stood an oak spinning-wheel, more than centenarian in age, fallen into hopeless desuetude, but gay with the strings of scarlet pepper pods hung up to dry, and twined among its silent spokes. On a trivet provided with lizard feet that threatened to crawl away, rested a copper kettle bereft of its top, once the idol of three generations of Darringtons, to whom it had liberally dispensed " hot water tea, " m the blessed dead and embalmed era of nursery rule and parental power ; now eschewed with its despised use, and packed to the brim with medicinal "yarbs," bone- set, horse mint, life everlasting, and snake-root. In front of the Are which roared and crackled in the cavernous chimney, **Mam'Dyce" rocked slowly, en- joying her clay pipe, and meditatively gazing up at an engraved portrait of " Our First President," sus- pended on the wall. It was appropriately framed in black, and where the cord that held it was twined around a hook, a bow and streamers of very brown and rusty -rape fluttered, when a draught entered the apartment. Obese in form, and glossy black in complexion, ** Mam' Dyce " retained in old age the scrupulous neat- ness which had characterized her youth, when pro- moted to the post of seamstress and ladies' maid, she had ruled the servants' realm at " Elm Bluff " with a sway as autocratic as that of Catherine over the Mus- covites. Her black calico dress, donned a ; mourning for her master, was relieved by a white apron tied about the ample waist; a snowy handkerchief was crossed over the vast bosom, and a checked white and black turban skilfully wound in intricate folds around AT IHE MEBcy OP TIBEMCS. 131 whicf 1^*2"' .*f'°r**'J '» '^ peculiar knot, waicli was the pride of her toilet. A beautif,, spotted pointer dog with ears like brown sato was lying asleep near the fire, but suddenly™ ffted' h.s head, rose, stretched himself and went to the door hZ^ ht w^ ' '^°"' " ' P"* >"'« ^"eJ^ i" onecorner flSe ""' '^ ^'^"" ^^' ""' approached the ;| Well, ole man; you know I tole you so." pound "akTTunnr"'" ™"'" '*y *''^'' «'^'' «*t pound-cake. Supposm' you did tell me, what's the "That gimlet-eyed weasel is snuffing round toi, and me; but we won't turn out to be sprS>g chtekens ready picked." =i""io cnicKens, moZv"''DL*?/i^"y that Miss Angerline smells a " She is hankering after that hankchifl. ' ^.ears to me. If she only went on four le-s 'sted of t'w! v would sell high for a bloodhound^' ' ""' "wtf^""""'*^'"'"'''' "»^^"» «"« And out?" h„„f ? ■ ""^ ' '''' """ '^''"''''^ ^iiat she has m ca- hoot. I always tole you, she had t , eyes of acmW and she has sarched it out. Says sheTaw you Zn you found it; which aint true. Eaves-dJappirg Is k^-hole like a bung plugs a barrel. She has eaves* than that, Bedney, she sot tUr this evening and hluCkd™' '"^^ ' ^"^ '^"""^ somet^taTels^t that I picked up something- on fhp a „„f ,.... ..* Well, Miss Angerline, you had better sarch me and be 132 AT THE MEROY OF TIBERIUS. done with it, if 3'ou are the judge, and the jury, arid the crowner, and the law, and have got the job to run this case.' Sez she, a-squintin'^ them venomous eyes of her'n, till they looked like knitting needles red hot : * I leave the sarching- to be done by the cunstable— when you are 'rested and handcuffed for ' betting oi murder.' Then my dander riz. Sez I, * Crack your whip and go ahead ! You know how, seeing you is the offspring of a Yankee overseer, what my marster, Gin'l Darrington, had 'rested for beating one of our wimen, onour ^y^rTr« *^f AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 133 barks/' and some " ground peas " over the floor. 'Then stooping-, she slipped off one shoe, turned it upside down, and hung it thus on a horseshoe fastened to the mantel board. ''Just lem'me know when you have appinted to hold your sarching, and I will make it convenient to have bizness consarning- that bunch of horgs and cattle 1 am raising- on shares in the * Bend' plantation; and you can have your sarching frolic." Said Bedney too angry to heed the superstitious rites. ' Dyce made a warning gesture, and listened in- tently. " I am a-thinking you will be chief cook and bottle- washer at. that sarching, for the appintment isathand. Don t you hear Pilot baying the cunstable ?" She sank into her rocking-chair, picked up a gray yarn sock, and began to knit unconcernedly; but in a significant tone, she added, nodding her head • "Hold your own hand, Bedney; don't be pestered about mine. I'll hoe my row ; you 'tend to yourn " Then she leaned back, plying her knitting needles and began to chant : - Who will be the leader when the Bridegroom comes ?" Hearing the knock on the door, her voice swelled louder, and Bedney, the picture of perplexity, stood nilmg his p.pe, when the bolt was turned, and a gentle- man holding a whip ^nd wearing a long overcoat en- fcered the room. " Good evening, Bedney. Are you and Dyce hold- mg a camp meeting all by yourselves ? I hallooed at the gate till your dog threatened to devour me, and I had to scare him off with my buggy whip." ** Why, how'dy. Mars Alfred ? I am mighty glad to see you ! Seems like old times, to shake hands with you m my cabin. Lem'me take off your overcoat, sir 134 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. und gim'me your hat, and make yourself comfortable, here by the jam of the chimbly." "No, Bedney, I can't spare the time, and I only want a little business matter settled before I get back to town to my office. Thank you, Dyce, this is an old- time rocker sure enough. It is a regular ' Sleepy Hol- low.' " Mr. Churchill pushed back his hat, and held his gloved hand toward the fire. *' Bedney, I want to see that handkerchief you found in your master's room, the day after he was mur- dered." * * What hankchuf , Marse Alfred ? I done tele cverj'- thing I know, to the Crowner's inquess." "I dare say you did; but something was found afterward. I want to see it." " Who has been villifying of me ? You have knowed me ever since you was knee-high to a duck, and I — ." " Nobody has vilified you, but Miss Dobbs saw j'^ou examining something, which she says you pushed up your coat sleeve. She thinks it was a handkerchief, but it may have been valuables. Now it is my duty, as District Solicitor, to discover and prosecute the person who killed your master, and you ought to render me every possible assistance. Any unwilling- ness to give your testimony, or surrender the articles found, will cast suspicion on you, and I should be sorry to have j'-ou arrested." " Fore Gord, Marse Alfred, I—" " Own up, husband. You did find a hankchef . You see, Marse Alfred, we helped to raise that poor young gal's mother ; and Bedney and me was 'votedly attached to our young Mistiss, Miss EUie, and we thought ole Marster was too hard on her, when she run off with the furriu fiddler j so when this awful I AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 135 'fliciion foil upon us and everybody was 'cusing Miss Ellio's child of killingr her own grandpa, we couldn't believe no such onlikely yarn, and Bedney and me has done swore our vow, we will stand by that poor young creetur, for her ma's sake ; for our young mistiss was good to us, and our heart strings was 'rapped round her. We does not intend, if we can help it, to lend a hand m jailing Miss Ellie'a child, and so, after the Crowner had 'liceted all the facts as he said, and the verdict was made up, Bedney and me didn't feel no crampings in our conscience, about holding our tongues. Another reason why we wanted to lay low m this hiere bizness, was that we didn't hanker after sitting on the anxious seats of witnesses in the court- house ; and being called ongodly thieves, and perjured liars, and turned wrong side out by the lie-yers, and told our livers was white, and our hearts blacker than our skins. Marse Alfred, Bedney and me are scared of that court ; what you call the law, cuts curous con- tarabims sometimes, and when the broad axe c^f jestice hits, there is no telling whar the chips will fly • i^'s-wuss than hull-gull, or pitching heads and tails! You are a lie-yer, Marse Alfred, and you know how it is yourself; and I beg your pa. don, sir, for slighting the perfession ; but when I was a little gal, I got my scare of lie-yers, and it has stuck to me like a kuckle- - burrow. One Christmas eve jest before ole Marster got married, he had a egg-nog party; and a lot of gentlemen was standing 'round the table in the dining- room. One of 'em was ole Mr. Dunbar, Marse Len- nox' father, and he axed ole Marster if he had saved that game rooster for him, as he promised. Marster told him he was very sorrv. but some mo-up h^A Ar^r^^ gone and burnt some sulphur the week before in his ben-nftus, and bagged that 'dentical rooster. Pres- 1S6 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. i;M : ently Mr. Dunbar axed if Marstcr would let him have one of the blue hen's roosters, if ho would catch the rogue for him before iniUnight. Of course Marster said he would. Mr. Dunbar (Marse Lennox' pa), he was practicing law then, had a pot full of smut on the bottom, turned upside down on the dining-room flo', and he and Mars1;cr went out to the hen-'ouse anu got a dominicker rooster and Khovcd him under the pot. Then they rung the bell, and called every darkey on ^ the place mto the dining-room, and made us stand in a line. I was a little gal then, only so high, but I followed my daddy in the house, and I never shall rtisremember that night, 'cause it broke up our home preachment. Mr. Dunbar made a speech, and the upshot of it was, that every darlccy was to walk past the pot and rub his finger in the smut ; and he swore a solemn oath, that when the pusson that stole that fine game rooster, touched the pot, the dominicker rooster would crow. As Marster called our names, we every one marched out and rubbed the pot, and when all of us had tried, the rooster hadn't crowed. Mr. Dunbar said there was some mistake somewhere, and he made us step up and show hands, and make prints on his hankcher ; and lo, and behold ! one darkey had not touched the pot ; his foreflnger was clean ; so Mr. Dunbar says, 'Luke, here is your thief?' and shore 'nuff, it was our preacher, and he owned up. I never forgot that trick, and from that day 'till now, I have been more scared of a lie-yer, than I am of a mad dog. They is the only perfession that the Bible is agin, for 3^ou know they jawed our Lord hisself, and he said, * Woe I woe ! to you He-yers.' Now, Marse Alfred, if you have made up your mind you are gwine to have tliat hankcher, it will be bound to come ; for if it v/as tied to a millstone and drapped in the sea, you Ue-yersi AT THE MERCY 01* TlBERItJS. 187 rrofJi'^^ ''J'^^*' ^•^'' ' ^ ^"^ ^^^^ y^"^ opinion of my CoLTT, " '"''f •^^'" *^^"^^^ ^ sensible conclusion Come, Bednpy, no balking now " " ri^^"^"^^^5-f^ll«d Vive slipping from his fingers; and he stared at his wife for a few seconds, ho;ing that some cue would be furnished. " Bedney, there's no use in being cantankerous. If you won't perduce it, I will." Plunging her hand into the blue glass bowl, she push^ ed aside .he tobacco, and extracted a key ; then cross- ed the room, lifted the valance of the patriarchal bed and dragged out a small, old-fashioned hair trunk ornamented with stars and diamonds of brass tack heads • Drawing it across the floor, she sat down near Mr. Churchill, and bending over, unlocked and opened It. After removing many articles of clothing, and sunary heirlooms, she lifted from the bottom a bundle which she laid on her lap, and edging her chair closer to the Solicitor, proceeded to unfold the contents. The outside covering was a richly embroidcx ed Canton crape shawl, origmally white, now yellow as old ivory • but when this was unwrapped, there appeared only an ordmary sized brown gourd, with a long and singular- ly curved handle, as crooked as a ram's horn. Bend- irg one of her knitting needles into a hook, Dyce deft- ly mserted it in the neck, where it joined the bowl, and after manoeuvring a few seconds, laid down the needle, and with the aid of her thumb and forefinger slowly drew out a long roll, tightly wrapped with thread. Unwinding it, she shook the roll, and a small, gray object, about two inches long, dropped mto her lap. Mr. ChurchUl sat leaning a little 138 AT THE MERCY OB' TIBERIUS. ill f!i» IP I forward, as if intent on Dyce's movements, but his elbow rested on the arm of the rocking chair, and holding his hand up to screen his face from the -i" blaze of the Are, he was closely watching Bedncy. ; When Dyce shook out and held up a f^ded, dingy blue silk handkerchief, the lawyer noted a sudden twinkle in the old man's eyes, but no other feature moved, and he stooped to take a coal of fire from the hearth. " There is the hankchuf that Bedney found. But mebbe you don't know what this is, that I wrapped up in it, to bring us good lu^k ?" She spread the handkerchief over his knee, and held up the small gray furry object, which had fallen from its folds. " Rabbit's foot ? Let me see ; yes, that is the genuine left hind foot. I know all about it, because when my regiment was ordered to the front, my old colored Mammy— Ma'm Judy— who nursed me, sewed one , just like that, inside the liiiing of my coat skirt. But, Dyce, that rabbit's foot was not wortli a button ; for the very first battle I was in, a cannon ball killed ray horse under me, aiid carried away my coat tail— rabbit's foot and all. Don't pin your faith to left hind feet, tliey are fatal frauds. You are positive, this is the hand- kerchief Bedney found ? It smells of asafoetida and camphor, and looks like it had recently been tied around somebody's sore throat." " Marse Alfred, I will swear on a stack of Bibles higl? as the 'Piscopal church steeple, that Bedney Darring- ton gim'me that same blue hankcher, and he said he found it. I wasn't with him when he found it, but I hardly think he would a' stole a' old rag like thit. I have perduced it ; now if you want to sarch behind it. you mu; t tackle Bedney." AT lUE MERCY OS- TlBEBros. 139 loss vou produce tL 1 ? T,^ ^-Bpicious. that un- parties, instead of Qeneri n'-''^''l''"',"'«S;"'"y daughter? This soiL^n- "*™nfft™ s grand- nor upon he court andf" """""' "«i«>er upon me, into my possesln'th. ^ ' ^"^ "™ "•'""*»« *» P"* ^hall knoC~n I 3e:lT"'"*' '?=''«"^»<'hiet I red spots on the border '' ' '""'" " '" ""''«• ^'«> svZfurTf"r"Ard"''^,'=''r'''"-'^''«-y-' hounds of the T ™ '^''"*^ '° ^''* t''« red-eyed his horn " ^" "" '"' """"=''°' 'o"'"'. let him btow her^'husband" ir,"°r'^' ^'"' '"*«" ^^Posedly at "Only five minutes, Bedney ' op^" •"'"■"*"' *»'"^ -' '^^ -ateh, and held it " You see, Marse Alfred, I— " 140 AT THE MEBCY OP TIBERIUS. > out of these comfortable quarters, and let you try how soft the beds are, at the 'State boarding-house.' You will sleep cold on iron bunks, and miss your feathers and your crazy quilts. Time's up." V He closed his watch, with a snap, and rose as he returned it to his pocket. "Hold on, Marse Alfred! My head ain't hard enough to run it plum into a wolf's jaws. I ^ ain't 'sponsible for nobody's acts but my own, and if Dyce have committed a plus fraud, in this here hank'cher bizness, to screen Miss Ellie's child, why, you see your- self, I had no hand in it. I did find that blue ' rag,' as you seen fit to call it, but it was nigh on to twenty years ago, when I pulled it out of the breast pocket of a dead Yankee officer, we found lying across a cannon, what my old Marster's regiment captured at the battle of Manassas. I gin it to my wife as a screw-veneer o' the war and she have treasured it ac- cordin'. You are a married man yourself, Marse Alfred, and you are obleedged to know that wedlock is such a tight partnership, that it is an awfully resky thing for a man to so much as bat his eyes, or sqi^nt 'em, toward the west, when the wife of his bosom has set her'n to the east. I have always 'lowed Dyce her head, 'pecially in jokes like that one she was playing on you just now, 'cause St. John the Baptist said a man must forsake father and mother and cleave unto his wife; but con jugular harness is one thing, and the law is another, and I don't hanker after forsak- ing my pine-knot fire, and feather bed, to cleave ilito jail bars, and handcuffs. I see you are tired of Dyce's jokes, and you mean bizzness; and I don't intend to consume no more of your valuable Solicit- ous vime. jLj-yce, fetch me ^hat plank bottoni cher to stand on." mi I AT THE MBnCy OP HBEEIUS. 14] "Fetch it yourself. Paddling your own canoe means lieadin' for tlie mill dam " "^ "^ °™ •=*■>"«• Bedney hastened to procure the designated chair Which he mounted in front of the mantel pSe and thence reaching up to the portrait of Presfdent' Lh. coin, took it carefully down from the hook Wih the blade of h.s pocket-knife, he loosened some tacte wh cu secured the thin pine slats at the back of the pictare and removed them. He took everything from the frame and blank dismay seized him, when the d^si^d object was nowhere visible. aesired " Marse Alfred, I swear I tacked that hank'cher in ^atXT'' '"'" P"*"'*' '"^'-- the Tas^bl^ nfairsernTS.'"' '"'' ^""'"'^^ ''"^ ''»™ «»"»' Grasping his wife's shoulder, he shook her, untU her Sa"nd°rTr \t'^"* °^'"- '"'^ the Tower 0? «sa, and Mr. Churchill saw that in his unfeiffned t^el"^' "' P^-^P"-*-" "^ke out on his Sled "Have you turned idjut, that you want us both to be devoured by the roarm' lion of the Law ? My mam! oughter, for Gord knows, you have kept me in a flerv funnace ever since I tuck you for betL for wuS^ better beheve-I want it quick. I found it, and I'm ffwme to give it up; and you have got no right to jeppardy my life, if you are fool enough to reskv-^u^ Zed our'r «™:-">athank'ch^erI FTnto^si played out. I would ruther play leap frog over a buz.^aw than-than-pester and rile LvsHZl and have thft Piincfohir. -,]„„-: „ ., ^nicu, ^ "^-^"^^^ic cUTv-ixig- my collar/' wJr^"tha°t™th''""''H "'''^^^^'' '"^^"^^y «^««turl v\ oar s that oath you done swore, to help 'fend Miss 142 AT THE MEBCY OF TIBERIUS. II EUie's child ? And you a deacon, high in the church f If I had found that hank'cher, I would hide it, tij Gabriel's horn blows ; and I would go to jail or to Jericho ; and before I would give testimony agin my dear young Mistiss's poor friendless gal, I would chaw my tongue into sassage meat. That's the diffunce be- tween a palavering man full of 'screshun, and a 'oman who means what she says ; and will stand by her word, if it rains fire and brimstone. Betrayin' and denying the innercent, has been men's work, ever since the time of Judas and Peter. Now, Marse Alfred, Bedney did tack the hank'cher inside the por- trait of President Linkum, 'cause we thought that was the saftest place, but I knowed the house would be sarched, so I jest hid it in a better place. Since he ain't showed no more backbone than a saucer of blue- mange, I shall have to give it up; but if I had found it, you would never set your two eyes on it, while my head is warm." She stooped, lifted the wide hem of her black calico skirt, and proceeded to pick out the stitches which held it securely. When she had ripped the thread about a quarter of a 3-ard, she raised the edge of the unusually deep hem, and drew out a white handkerchief with a colored border. Bedney snatched it from her, and handed it to the Solicitor, who leaned close to the fire, and carefully examined it. As he held it up by the corners, his face became very grave and stern, and he sighed. "This is evidently a lady's handkerchief, and is so important in the case, that 1 shall kee>> it until the trial is over. Bedney, come to my office by nine o'clock to-morrow, a^ the Grand Jury may ask you some questions. Gdbd bye, Dyce, shake hands; for I Imwv your loyalty to j^our poor young mistress, PTjd AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. I43 vain trtedt'h^i J " ^^ demanded admittance; in Within, She aei,;ta Vrw^^^"r^,,tr Readings his vehement expostulations, or his flert Z' J '""""^''^ vengeance. The remaSder o( tha _ Tht was spent by Pilot and his irate master in m ^^ hay bm of the " Elm Bluff " stables When asAchnir.' "'"* '»»™i"e.-Bedney rushed wrathfu" as Achilles, to resent his wrong's Ti,o /i ■*""'';" house stood open; a fire g.oZd "on the t U t''t hSviZed c "^'^^r- -I =^ ">- of and a vigorous iro^^circe-d-'SrshTh'^ left home on some pressing errand. thrZ^n™" ''""■' ^^'^^ ^"'^^«"'" "Ponod the door of which she hadTn^'t^"."""^ ""'' o"" bedchamber, to Bervl stood ,r "P"" """^'"^ «>« P"«oner iieryl stood leanmg against the barred window and did not even turn her head wmaow, and tcw'm« Th? """T' '"^^'"^ **> »'«' y°» for a Of gZ^ rrinX's." '"" °" '''■'"^-"-* Standing with her back toward the door, the oris oner put out one hand with a repellent gestire ^ 1 iiave surely suffered enough from General Dar YQQ }f ^ -7 - iiiv-.t 5ia,j wccn tt uurae to *' Just as you please ; but old Auntie here, says she tlf.? "Vi 144 AT. THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. nurse 1 your mother, and on that account wants to see you." Without waiting for permission, Dyce darted past the warden's wife, into the room, and almost before Beryl was aware of her presence, stood beside her. * * Are you Miss Ellie's daughter ?" Listler-ily the girl turned and looked at her, and Dyce threw her arms around her slender waist, and falling on her knees hid her face in Beryl's dress, sob- bing passionately. In the violence of her emotion, she rocked back and forth, swaying like a reed in some fierce blast the tall form, to whom she clung. '* Oh, my lovely ! my lovely I To think you should be shut up here ! To see Miss Ellie's baby jailed, among the offscourings of the earth ! Oh, you beau- tiful white deer I tracked and tore to pieces by wolves and hounds, and jackalls ! Oh, honey! Just look straight at me, like you was facing your accusers be- fore the bar of God, and tell me you didn't kill your grandpa. Tell me you never dipped your pretty hands in ole Marster's blood." Tears were streaming down Dyce's cheeks, and she shook from head to foot. " If you knew my mother, how can you think it possible her child could commit an awful crime ?" " Oh, God knows— I don't know what to think ! 'Peers to nje the world is turned upside down. You see, honey, you are half and half; and while I am perfectly shore of Miss Ellie's half of you, 'cause I can always swear to our side, the Darrington in you, I can't testify about your pa's side ; he was a— a—" " He was as much a gentleman, as my mother was a lady; and I would rather be^his daughter, than call a king ray father." "J believe you! There ain't no drop of scrub AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIU3. 145 blood m you, as I can see, and if you ain't thorough- bred, *pearances are deceitfr]. I loved your ma- I loved the very ground her little feet trod on. I fed her out of my own plate many a time, 'cause she thought her Mammy's vittils was sweeter than what Mistiss 'lowed her to have; and she have slept in my bosom, and these arms have carried her, and hugged her, and— and— oh. Lord, God A'mighty ! it most kills me to see you, her own little baby here I In this awful, cussed den of thieves and villi-yans! Oh, honey 1 for God's sake, just gin me some 'surance you are as pure as you look; just tell me your soul is rf lily, like your face." Beryl stooped, put her hand on the turbaned head, and bending it back, so as to look down into the swimming eyes, answered : " If I had died when I was a month old, my baby soul would not have faced God any more innocent of crime then, than I am to-day. I had uo more to do with taking General Darrington's money and his l-fe, than the archangels in Heaven." " Bless God ! Now I am satisfied. Now I see my way Clare. But it sets my blood afire to see you here ; it's a burning shame to put my dear young Mistiss' child in this beasts' cage. 1 can't help thinking of that poor beautiful white deer, wha^. Marster found crippled, down at our ' Bend ' Plantation, that some vagabond had shot. Marster fotch it up home, and of all the pitifulist sights !" Dyce had risen, and covering her face with her white apron, she wept for some minutes. " Are you not the wife of Bedney, who Ifebved my mother's life, when the barn burned ?" " Yes, honey, I am Mam' Dyce, and if I am spared, I will try to save your'n. That is what has brung me 146 AT THE MERCIJ OF TIBERIUS. hero. You are *cused of the robb'rv and fi,« *,. j and you have denied it in t^ecZn'^l^^^^^^ lie.yers are aworking day and ni^hf fn. .^ u ^ *^® and little is made of mitfh^ ^ "^ *^ ^^°^ y«"' spun out of S, on t'eS.' Thr."''' '"' ""^^ ^"^ than foxes, and i^ooa^^JZ^nZ^.^^Z' no more g-it tired than the spiders thTZ ^ ^^ . a web as fast as you break it Th ?"" ^°^ ^'^^^ down on my knees and T-, J ?' "'^^*" ^^^' ^ ^^^ slipper what your M^ In .^ "" i'*'^' ^^^^ ^«^««<^« herlrststopfrormvLr^^^ ''^ ^'^^" «^"^ *««^ •and I swore'a so^roat^ *? r.^n "^T"'' ^^"^^«' Ellie's child, I wouMVot' LwTlifl'n''^" one thine-i Did tt^,, i . , ^^^ to ask you to our hf^se andhadX ^r'".! "'"* ''^^ y«" «°™ " Are ™f =^ "^ ^'^'^ ^O happiness." thing-; but that Oortflf '"'* low, and h.u tlie Miss ingel L i?e„; "a^'^'^'' ^-^^ Predestinated sinner, set the liCrs on'^the seen? fn tr^-^-^PPh^^. and Bedney on peril of iailfn! . ' . '""^ ''^^^ '^"'''h.e'i it got into theTr df ws "h t?v,' *° ^'^'"^ '*• When yourn?'* """' "''^' hank'cher ain" wia'mTwS, Tkft ^'' ""'^ ^''^^ ha„dke«=hiefs gere is nne ^r 1 ''»""''''■"» I have them stil. . ne, the other t«o lie yonder. But that AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 147 handkerchief is worth everythini? i because it must belongr to the vile wretch who committed the crime, « t ^ ^^P ^"^ ^''"'"''^ ^y innocence. Where is it ?" ine U-rand Jury is setting- on it." Here Dyce looked cautiously around, and tip-toed to the door ; findin,^ it ajar, closed it, then stole back. Cutting her lips close to Beryl's ear, she whispered : Via you lose a .sleeve button ?" '*No. I did. not wear any.'' *' Thank God! I feel like all the bricks in tho court-house was lifted off my heart, and flung- away I was m fear and trimbling about that button, 'cause I picked It up, just under the aidgo of the rug, where olo Marster fell, when he got his death blow ; and as sure as the coming of the Judgment Day, it was drapped by the pusson who killed him. I was so afeared it might belonk to you, thot I have been on the anxious seat ever smce I found it; and I concluded the safest kZ r". 1. ^"?^ ^' ^''" *^ y^"- I ^°^ scared to keep it at home, cause them yelping wolves as wears the sheepskms of Justice, are on my tracks. I would never give it up, if I was chopped to mince meat; but Jiedney am t got no more than enuff backbone for half ot a man and the lie-yers discomfrizzle him so, I could not trust- him, when it comes to the scratch. Now that button IS worth a heap, and I am precious care- ful of it. Look here." She took from her pocket two large pods of red pepper, which looked exactly alike, but the end of one had been cut out around the stem, then neatly fitted back, and held in place by some colorless cement. Beckomng Beryl to follow, Dyce went closer to the window, and with the aid of her teeth drew out the stem. Into her palm rolled a circular button of lome opaque reddish-brown ^.^bstance, resembling 148 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. from her. Sfee sn^S'^f' J^'f^S sound broke Gorgon head slipped ti™^"^^^ "• Then the mo to a cross/' ^^^'^er-Mother I You are nailing CHAPTER IX. KT OWHERE in the vast vista of m.^ * . ■^ "* an episode more cxouiXit l"?'^**"™ '^ there serene picture of the Grove Ltrl"^^'"" *="> "^'^ "Semnai Theai;" Xre ol i '/'^''''''^ '" *'^« floral loveliness, the Srv 7^ ^eshncss, the Witchery of nature pay^'e to" the A ""^ ""''''""^ desses. "^ "louie to the Avenging God- Twenty-two centuiies have <;ift«,i *v, • . the immortal figures seatertn *^*'"' « "^^s ^^aWt^^'XtllTtr' -•'f '^-^^ the bridge nnrt «!f ^ *® ^^^ ^'^ne arches of if wea"y^rorthf ™Tnr' ""° ^'^^^^ '^'^^•«'^' -« led^e in mid^t^am whe'n ce fheT[. ^ f'T' ''^'^^ ^.::^ra"d*''^"'^'''^~"^-^^^ ^on ^.XT^^.^Zt'Z T'^ flngors pointed Im f„ !^^ V <=»nimon, nsarble above "gS*s Acre", t,',"'^^'" "' "'"« "^=^*''«"t 150 AT THE MEROY OP TIBERIUS. Rbiff » \!^Z iM ^°^°"^^^« ^"d chimneys of -Elm Bluff blotted the southern sky. like a threatening phantom. " To-day forest, stream, earth and sky, appeared branded with one fatal word, as if the w;rldr^de page held only -Ricordo! Ricordo I" Beryl shut her eyes and groaned ; but the scene merely shifted to a doll under the shadow of Car- rara hills, where olives set "Ricordo" among their silver leaves; and lemons painted "Ricordo" in their pale gold; and scarlet pomegranates and nod- ding violets, burning anemones and tender green of trailing maiden-hair ferns all blazoned «Ri- cordo." The fierce tide of wrath, that indignation and her keen sense of outraged innocence had poured like molten lead through her throbbing arteries, was oozing Sluggishly, congealing under the awful spell of that one word "Ricordo." Hitherto, the shame of the suspicion, the degradation of the imprisonment had caught and empaled her thoughts ; but by degrees ' these became dwarfed by the growing shadow of a possibly ignominious death, which spread its sable pmions along the rosy dawn of her womanhood, and devoured the glorious sun of her high hopes. The freezing gloom was creeping nearer, and to-day she could expect no succor, save by one avenue. Islam believes that only the cimeter edge of 41 Sirat divides Paradise from perdition. Beryl real- ized that m her peril, she trod an equally narrow snare, over yawning ruin, holding by a single thread of hope that handkerchief. Weak natures shiver and procrastinate, shunning confirmation of their dread but to this woman had come a frantic lons-ina- to ^.pJ to grasp, to embrace the worst. She was'in'^a death i of ''Elm AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 151 so rfany days and nights. To sit stni '"'"'''' '""■ yet in her wandering up and down i ""P''^^''"^. She reeled, and somftim'erstgXd 4"^* tte™" n ' a..^y fro. weakness, to whth stTout noVr : MotTtrrrhrr.rs;:.^rd^%*^^ her God, the brave soul wrestled Iv.T, l°"f """" against the window ZTt^J'ZXT^T'^ rTr™and T' ""r ^ '^^'- '"-^-^ * le "coldT" un2rtot%hTt;t'br:iir?^ t^ ""-"^-^ » - Dunbar a;proachtdr:l:r;"i^:eSrB^- ganced over her shoulder, and a ^^e^c^p^acS '' I believe you know me. Dunbar is my name " oth/rCel and'l^'"'' .Y '"""^ '-'-d ro'eaeb & eyes, and measured lancp«? P«,ii«^ +i,- pallid woman, be the same person who ", tb^^ 7"[- ~L.egiSodwa; drrat'd''^^^ ties, and years seemeri fn^.,, ^^^anetho s dynas- head sinee he savv^ttHur^'f'' "■'='" *'^'*"'-™ ' highest type of cM,ir„' T ^'^'^ ^"^ Nature's defper thfnDutch rofdlnT.^I^r'b'"?"'^'' ""^^ ..eedle that traces Csthnes: '""'' '' '^« '"'"' He^rtlii'f" " ^""^ ""'y *"" "«"• You are Tiberius " Her lummous deep eyes held his at bay, and d^plU 152 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. his habitual, haughty equipoise, her crisp tone of measureless aversion stung him. " Sarcasm h^ an ill-selected arbiter between you and mo; and your fate for all time, your future weal or woe is rather a costly shuttlecock to be tossed to Jtnd fro in a game of words. I do not come to bandy phrases, and in view of your imminent peril, I cannot quite understand your irony.*' ** Understand me? You never will. Did tho blood- thirsty soul of Tiberius comprehend the stainless inno- cence of the victims he crushed for pastime on the rocks below Villa Jovis ? There is but one arbiter for your hatred, the hangman, to whom you would so gladly hurry me. Hunting a woman to the gallows is fit sport for men of your type." Unable to withdraw his gaze from the magnetism of hers, he frowned and bit his lip. Was she feigning madness, or under the terrible nervous strain, did her mind wander? " Your language is so enigmatical, that I am forced to conclude you resort to this method of defence. The exigencies of professional duty compel me to as- sume toward you an attitude, as painfully embarrassing to me as it is threatening to you. Because the stern and bitter law of justice sometimes entails keen sor- row upon those who are forced to execute her decrees, is it any less obligatory upon the appointed officers to obey the solemn behests ?" " Justice I Into what a frightful mockery have such as you degraded her worship! No wonder justice fled to the stars. You are the appointed officer of a harpy screaming for the blood of the innocent. How dare you commit your crimes, raise your red hands, in the sacred name of justice ? Call yourself the priftst Of a frantic vengeance, for whom some victim 'must > tx)ne of I you and weal or id to a,nd )0 bandy I cannot he blood- ess inno- B on the 'biter for vould so •allows is ictism of feigning , did her n forced defence, e to as- rrassing le stern Ben sor- decrees, Beers to I've such justice cer of a I. How ands, in ■"' X " n must AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS 153 be provided; and libel no more the attribute of Jeho- shefeemedtodeVXT ^" ^'"'^^^"^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^"^Z^^^^^^ P~l and my manhood, r „• vo r X ^^ P^'ession ■ wn, I should liUto - ,/v thiserron? ' *"''" "^ from your mind Tr [ „ ' , , ^^'"'"o"'^^ impression Sho'threw up her hand wi h "">'y """^^tand-" of disd.-.iu. ^' '""^ "" "opcrious gesture WhyZ,tfi:?y";oZtw' ?^^™ --t«lumns, into a square vestibule ; which led directly to a large, octagonal atrium, surrounded by lofty fluted pillars with foliated capitals that supported the arched and In the centre, a circular impluvium frescoed ceiling. AT THE MERCY OP TIB|3RIU8. 166 (vas sunk in the marble paved floor, where in summer a let of spray sprang from the water on whose surface lily pads floated ; and in winter, shelves were inserted, which held blooming pot plants, that were arranged in the form of a pyramid. The dome overarchhig thi j, was divided into three sections ; the lower frescoed, the one above it filled with Etruscan designs in stained glass; the upper, formed of white ground glass sprinkled with gilt stars representing constellations, was so constructed, that it could be opened outward in panels, and thus admit the fresh air. On the east side of this atrium, Leo's bed-room con- nected with that occupied by Miss Patty in the old house ; and opposite, on the west, was a large square Pompeian library, with dark red dado, daintily fres- coed panels, and richly tinted glowing frieze. At the 6) 1 of this apartment, and concealed b^ purple velvet u.^ains lined with rose silk, an arch opened into a small mi-circular chapel or oratory, lighted by stained ,,lass windows, wh<>se brilliant hues fell on a marble altar upheld by two kneeling figures , and here lay the family Bible of Leo's great-grandfather, Dun- can Gordon, with tall bronze candelabra on each side lioldmg wax candles. At the right of tw. marhJe steps that led to the altar, was spread a rug, an<; upon this stood an ebony reading-desk where a prayer-book rested. Filling a uiche in the wall on the left side, the glided pipes of an organ rose to meet a marble console that supported a Greek cross. In order to secure an unobstruct'^d vista from the front door, that portion of the building which corre- sponded to the ancient t.tblinum, was used merely as an aviary, where h nd.some brass cages of various shapes showed through their burnished wires snowy cockatoos, gaudy paroquets, green a,nd gold canaries ■w^' .i \ 4 166 AT THK MERCY OF TIBERIUS. rm «■■■«_-_._ Vi W , 'I • I I ' iiiii I , flaming red ,,iid vivid bluo birds, and one hugo white owl, whose favorite perch when allowed his freedom, was a bronze Pallas on a projecting bracket. Conspicuous among these, was a peculiar cage made of tortoise shell, ivory and silver wire, which Leo had assigned to a scarlet-crested, crimson-throated Aus- tralian cockatoo. Beyond this undraped rear vesti- bule stretched the peristyle, a parallelogram, sur- rounded by a lofty colonnade. The centre of this space was adorned by a rockery whence a fountain rose ; flower beds of brilliant annuals and coleus en- circled it like a mosaic, and the ground was studded with orange and lemon trees, banajia and pineapple plants ; while at the farther side delicate exotic grape vines were trained from column to column. In summer this beautiful court was entirely open to the sky, but at the approach of winter a movable framework of iron pillars was erected, which supported a glass roof, that sloped southward, and garnered heat and sunshine. Neither chimneys nor fire-places were visible, but a hidden furnace thoroughly warmed the entire house, and in each apartment the registers represented braziers of classic design. Except for the external entrances, doors had been abolished; portieres of plush, satin, and Oriental silk closed all openings in winter; and during long sultry Southern summers were replaced by draperies of lace, and wicker-work screens where growing ivy and smilax trained their cool green leaves, and graceful tendrils. Wooden floors had accompanied the doors to Coventry ; and everywhere squares of marble, and lemon and blue tiles showed shimmering surfaces between the costly rugs, and fur obes scattered lav- ishly about the rooms. Surrounded by a gilded wreath of olive leaves, and incised on an architrave fronting AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 167 the vestibule the golden ^' Salve- greeted visitors: just beneath it, on an antiquo shaped table of topaz! veined onyx, stood a Vulci black bowl or vase, deco- rated m vermilion with Bacchanal figures; and this Leo filled in summer with creamy roses, in winter with camellias. Where the shrines and Ures sZdTn ancient houses, a square, burnished copper pedestal fashioned like an altar had been placed, and uponi T^:zx%ti^r' ''''-' ^'''' ^^ -^^^^ --^^^ ^/•u"l ^^V'"''"* P''''*^''''' ^"^ ^o^l'l look through the vestibule, the atrium, the aviary, and on into the peri! style, where among vine branches and lemon boughs, the vista was closed by a flio-ht of stone sfeps with carved cedar balustrade, leading up to the fiat roof where it sometimes pleased the mistress to take her tea, or watch the sunset. In selecting and order- ing designs for the furniture, a strict adherence to archaic types had been observed ; hence the couches, divans, chairs, and tables, the pottery and bric-a-brac the mirrors and draperies, were severely classic An expensive whim certainly, far exceeding the original estimate of its cost; and Miss Patty be- wailed the "wicked extravagance of squandering money tha would have built a handsome clurchran! supported for life two missionaries in mid-China" ; but Judge Dent encouraged and approved, reviving hi.i classical studies to faeUitaie the successful accomplish- ment of the scheme. When the structure was'l^om- pleted and Leo declared herself perfectly satisfied with the result, it was her uncle who had proposed to cele rate her twenty-fourth birthday b/ a Lsk-balT in ujaich every costume should he cl-°^ir flJ-^-Hi- .^ Koman or Greek ; and where the rnulsum dispensed to the guf ,ts should be mixed in a genuine Cratera \ 168 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. li I: Wi To this brilliant fete, one cloudless June night,friends from distant States were invited ; and fragrant with tho breath of its glowing roses, the occasion became memorable, embalmed forever in Leo's happy heart, because then and there, beside the fountain in the peristy}3, she had pledged her hand and faith to Mr. Dunbar. Sitting to-day in front of the library window, whence she had looped back the crimson curtains, to admit the November sunshine, Leo was absorbed in reading the description of the private Amhar-valia celebrated by Marius at ** White Nights". Under the spell of the Apostle of Culture, whose golden precept : " Be per- fect in regard to what is here and now,'' had appealed powerfully to her earnest exalted nature, she failed to observe the signals of her pet ring-doves cooing on the ledge outside. Finally their importunate tapping on the glass arrested her attention, and she raised the sash and scattered a handful of rice and millet seed • whereupon a cloud of dainty wings swept down, and into the library, hovering around her sunny head, and pecking the food from her open palms. One dove seemed particularly attracted by the glitter of the diamond in her engagement ring, and perched on her wrist, made repeated attempts to dislodge the jewel from its crown setting. Playfully she shook it off several times, and amused by its pertinacity, finally closed her hands over it, and rubbed her soft cheek against the delicate silvery plumage. " No, no, you saucy scamp ! I can't afford to feed you on diamonds from my sacred ring ! Did you get your greedy nature from eome sable Dodonean ances- tress?^ If we had lived three thousand yea.rs ago, I n:- ght be superstitious, and construe your freak into an oracular protest against my engagemciit. Beathere^ AT THE MERCY OF TlfiERlttS. idd Clear out! you here- >ping on ised the Bt seed; wn, and 3ad, and ne dove • of the i on her le jewel k it off , finally 't cheek to feed ^ou get I ances- ■ ago, I ak into athere^ augurs survive their shrines, tic!" As she tossed it into the garden and closed the window, the portiere of the library was drawn aside, and her maid approached, followed by a female figure draped in a shawl, and wearing a lofty turban. " Miss Leo, Aunt Dyce wants to see you on some particular business." " Howdy do, Aunt Dyce ? It is a long time since you paid us a visit. Justine, push up a chair for her, and then open the cages and let the birds out for au hour What is the matter. Aunt Dyce, you look troubied ? Sit down, and tell me your tribulations." **Yes, Miss Leo, lam in deep waters: up to my chin in trouble, and my heart is dragging me down • for Its heavier 'an a bushel of lead. You don't re* member your own ma, do you ? " " I wish I did ; but I was only five months old when I lost her." " Well, if she was living to-day, she would stretch her two hands and pull me out of muddy waves; and that's why I have come to you. You see. Miss Marcia and my young Mistiss, Miss Ellice, was bosom friends, playmates, and like sisters. They named their dolls after one another, and many a time your ma brought her wax doll to our house, for me to dress it just like Miss Ellice's, 'cause I was the seamstus in our family, and I always humored the childun about their doll clothes. They had their candy pullins, and their birthday frolics, and their shetlan' ponies no bigger 'an dogs, and, oh Lord I what blessed happy times them was ! Nov^, your ma's in glory, and you is the richest HaIIp in fho Sf.qfo. n^A ..,^, • .. IS m the worst puggatory, the one thi.t comes before death ; and her child, her daughter that oughter ha ■'■t 1 ' I ill J70 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. liyiiigr in style at ' Elm Bluff ', like you are here, where is she? Where is she? Flung down amon^ vilyans and mallyfactors, and the very oflf-scourings of creation, in the penitenchery ! 'Pears to me like If old mistiss is as high-headed and proud as she , was in this world, her speerit would tear down the walls and set her grandchild free. When I «aw that beautiful young thing beating her white hands agin the iron bars, it went to my heart like a carv- ing kniffe, and— " Dyce burst into tears, and covered her face with her apron Leo patted her shoulder softly, and essayed to comfort her. - "Don't cry so bitterly; try to be hopeful. It is very, very sad, but if she is mnocent, her stay in prison will be short." " There ain't no ' ifs '-when it comes to 'cusing my mistiss' child of stealing and murdering. Suppose the sheriff was to light down here this minute, and grab ' you up and tell folks 'spectable witnesses swore you broke open your Uncle Mitchell's safe, and brained him with a handi'on ? Would you think it friendly for people to say, if she didn't they will soon turn her aloose ? Would that be any warm poultice to your hurt feelin's ? It's the stinging shame and the awful disgrace of being 'spicioned, that you never would for- give." " Yes, it is very dreadful, and I pity the poor girl ; but it seems that appearances are all against her, and I fear she will find it difficult to explain some circum- stances." " If your ma was here to-day, she wouldn't say that. When she was a friend, she was stone deaf and mole Diina 10 every evil report agin them she loved. Miss Marcia would go straight to that jail, and put her arms AT THE MERCY OP TlBERItJS. 171 round Miss Ellice's child, and stand by her till her last breath ; and the more she was pussecuted, the closer she would stick. Miss Leo, you must take your ma s place, you must heir her friendship just like you do her other property. I have come to you, 'cause I am going away to New York, and can't feel easy 'till you promise me you will do what you can. Miss Elhce is laying at the pmt of death, and her poor child IS so deestracted about her needing comforts that I tolc her I'de g-o on an' nuss her ma for her' till she was sot free and could hurry back. I dreampt last nigrht that ole mistiss called me and Bedney, and said * Take g-ood care of Ellice ' ; and I got right out of bed and packed my trunk. I'm just from the peni- tenchery, and that poor tormented child don't know me, don't know nothing. Trouble have run her plum crazy, and what with brain fever and them lie-yers' God only knows what's to become of her. Handi'ons ain't the only godforsaken things folks are murdered with. Miss Leo, promise me you will go to see her while I am gone, and 'tend to it that she has good nussing." " I will do what is possible for her comfort ; and as it will be an expensive journey to you, I will also help you to pay your passage to New York. How much money — " "I don't want your money, Miss Leo. Bedney and me never is beholdin' to nobody for money. We was too sharp to drap our savings in the ' Freedman's Bank , cause we 'spicioned the bottom was not sod- dered tight, and Marster's britches' pocket was a good enough bank for us. We don't need to be- borrow, nor steal. As I tolfi vmi. T w..= fb^ o«o.fv,„^„ J!' and just before Miss Ellice run away from the school ole mistiss had a fine lot oJf bran-new clothes mad« > I I f" f It: 172 AT THE MERCY QP TIBERIUS. ready for her when she come home to be a young" lady jist tuck them new clothes I had made, and packed 'em m a wooden chist, and kept 'em hid away 'caused • C 'ZZ'^'T''''' ^^^^ EllicetLMvl em I ve hid em twenty-three years, and now I've had em done up, and one-half I tuck to that jail, fir that poor youngr thing:, and the rest of 'em I'm Li^e to Pdde to'Jr ?^^"^^^"^ "^^ ^-« ^ot too much famly pride to let outsiders do for our own folks ; but Miss Leo you can do what nobody else in this wide world can I am t a grwine to walk the devil 'round the stump, and you musn't take no 'fence when I jumps plum I the P nt. ]\.ars Lennox is huntin' down Miss Ellice's child like a hungry hound runs a rabbit, and I want you to call him off. If he thinks half as much of you as'^^e oughter, you can stop him. Oh, Miss Leo, for God's sake— call him off— muzzle him !" Leo rose haughtily, and a quick flush fired her cheek • but as she looked at the old woman's quivering mouth and streaming eyes, compassion arrested her Lpleas- Jl t"""* fyce there are some things with which ladies should not meddle; and I cannot interfere with any gentleman's business affairs." ^ s. V ?bnM ""q^ • '^ ^'f ^^''"^^ ^^" ^^^^"^' «^« ^o^ldn't say that ! She would just put her arm round Miss mI^^^'V^I' ""'" ^""^"^ '^^^- ^^^P to hang my friend s child, youshan't marry my daughter !' four ma had pluck enuff to stop him. Mark what I say • tnat poor child is innercent, and the Lord will clear up hwf f?f 'T."^^"^'' ^°^ *^^"" ^^« ^^" require the blood of them that condemned the innpr.pnf, s-^ 3'- appearances are agin her? Wasn't appearanaraU AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. I73 a-in Joseph's bruthren when the-money and the silver cup was found in their bags, and them afleein home ? And If the Gyptian lie-yers could have got their claws on that case, don't you know they would have proved them innerftcnt boys guilty, and a hung em ? Oh I am afeerd of MarsLennox, for he favors his pa miffhtilv hehas got the keenest scent of all the pack; and he >vent up yonder, and 'cused, and 'bused, and browbeat and ag-grervated and tormented that poor, helpless young creetur, 'till she fell down in a dead faint on the jail floor ; and sence then, the Doctor says her mind is done clean gone. Don't get mad with me, Miss Leo- 1 am bound to clare my conscience, and now I have done all I could, I am gwine to leave my poor youn- mistiss' child in God's hands, and in youn.. Mi; I Leo ; and when I come back, you must gim'me an account of your stewudship. You are enuff like Miss Marcia, not to shiri. your duty ; and as you do, by that pusse- cuted child, I pray the Lord to do by you." She seized Leo's hand, kissed it, and left the room For some moments Leo sat, with one finger between the creamy leaves of her favorite book, but the charm vvas broken; her thoughts wandered far from the stories of Apuleius, and the oration of Aurelius, and after mature deliberation, she put aside the volume and rang the library bell. " Justine, is Mrs. Graham here ?" *^' She is coming now ; I see the carriage at the gate. " Do not invite her into Aunt Patty's room, until I have seen her. Tell Andrew to harness Gypsy, and br^g my phaeton to the door; and Justine, carry my felt hat, driving gloves and fur jacket to Aunt Patty's room. '^ Confined to her bed by a severe attack of her chronic foe, inflammatory rheumatism, Mjss Dent had sent for ill 174 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. work, Mrs. Graham, who came to spend a day and night, and discuss the affairs ot the parish ^ I am Zl ^"''' ^""' ^'^^^"^ ^^ ^^ ^^^ P^'rl^r, and as mvlcTetv r'.r^ '^^ '°'^ ^^^^^^^"^ cftsi>ense with Dvcpnf ^- r ^u P'"'""*' ^ ^^ ^«i"^ i"to town. Dyce Darrmgton has been here, and I have promised to go and see that unfortunate girl who is in pr™ Leo Gordon, you don't mean to tell me that vou are gomg mto the penitentiary !" "Why not?" *'It is highly improper for a young lady to visit such places, and I am astonished that you sho^ M any mclmation to see the countenances of the depraved wretches herded there. I totally disapprove of suet an mcomprehensible freak." TT " ?^^? ^ '""'^^ ^""^"^ ^^® «^^^«ie in abeyance, until I ask Uncle Mitchell's advice. I shall call L h s of^ce and request him to go with me." ' - Don't you know that the Grand Jury brought in a true bill against that young woman ? She is indicted or murder, robbery and the destruction of her grand father's will. Mitchell tells me the evidence isCet' whelmmg against her, and you know he was disposed todefendher at nrst." u^^^posea i/Tf' ^""^-^''I am aware that everything looks > ack or the unfortunate girl ; but I learn she is very '11, and as it cannot possibly injure me to endeavor to contribute to her physical comfort, I shall go and spp visit to the prison." -^ fb!!^?'/^^'"' '"^^l^ ^^ ^'''' ^"PP«^^ ^''- I^'^nbar ^vill " It Zt.'^'' ''''''''' ''' ^-- ^^ ^^- extraordinary *' Mr. Dunbar is neither the custodian of my con- AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 175 to visit >uld feel epraved of such til I ask ce, and ?lit in a ndicted grand- s over- isposed looks is very -vor to nd see to my Lr will linary y con. science, nor the guardian and dictator of my actions. Good-bye, Aunty dear. Justine, show Mrs. Graham* in." " Mr. Dunbar will never forgive such a step ; be- cause, like all other men, no matter how much license he allows himself, he is very exacting and fastidious about the demeanor of his ladjMove." *' I shall not ask absolution of Mr. Dunbar, and I hope my womanly intuitions are a safer and more re- fined guide, than any man's fastidiousness. Remem- ber, Aunt Patty, religion's holiest work consists in ministering to souls steeped in sin. Are we too pure to follow where Christ led the way ?'* CHAPTER XI. " M"^"^"^^* ^ ordered the prisoner's head shaved Did you understand my instructions ?" "Yes, sir." " Why were my orders not obeyed ?" " Because I don't intend you shall make a convict of her, before she has been tried and sentenced. She has the most glorious suit of hair I ever looked at and I shall save it tiU the last moment. Doctor Moffat' you need not swear and fume, for I don't allow even my husband to talk ugly tome. You directed a blister put on the back of the neck, as close as possible to the skull ; It is there, and it is drawing fast enough to satisfy any reasonable person. I divided the hair into four braids and nlai+ivi fiiorv. o^/j „^„ t r ' -l.^.-.ia, Uiivi juu UitU SUU i have hung up the ends here just loose enough to save any puUmg, and yet the hair is out of the way, so that 176 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUSL myself to nurse thi^tse and 1°'/ ' v "' ^ ' '^^*^"«<»' render al, n.y eoZT 'en^e and'a uT"' *" '"'■ judgment, and maternal exDPri»n ^ womanly the Doctor in agood humorT^U ha" mt" *° ^^ Shaved before hers shall be touded " ^ "^ ^''"' en":sSs^iir;z7ojthta\'^^^ *'^^-"'- ■ too faXirr *:s;f rtr- -r-°-- chances are, that it wUi u «! °. f ' ^"*'' ''"• tie difference; she ^o^s ;lto"rap L^^T^ "'"« aga.n before bed-time, and meanS mLn T" '° m the medicine." ^**"wniie make no change The warden's wife replenished the ice in . i. , whence a tube sunniipH +>.« ^^ ^ bowl, thesufferer,and ta^ inl^ *^e ^ead oj basket on the floor fesVmed ^P^'" ''"^ while, the door open^dToSss^^^^ fnd't ^'^^ ^ she saw Mr. Dunbar. ^®^®^^^^' ^^^ irlancing up, '.* May I come in ?" "Yes. You need repentance- and fi,,« • place to begin." f^^^ace, and this is a good " Is there any change ?" ia^y^^dX^lS^t':---^^ tiptoe; ^ sound sh9 will ^r^^i..^ ^.:...^.,^^- ^ ^^'^^ the first -- -—.w, r. *,, ue ipv harps of the angels/' M:^ -AT * J MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 177 0" ^'' I trust the case is not so hopel o«ttheheip„,v^:i,«rarthtfLU^irVei«- cheats even tho la wvo»« x- "^**^^ cap ;* DeatJi snatching: at your p^r- Cdr'/h "l" '^'"^ *» '"' g-etdown here constantly on mv kr^lZ.^ ' "* ^ as^p^Sy ::r;ou"a° 7"'? ^"-"""eas much consciousness." ^ °*''^'" ''«<=''™'' l^er The unmistakable sinceritv nf i,i„ * the little woman, and sZni!Lh ^°^ surprised hat in hand, at mto7tfZ'.^T^XL't'"'f'°°''- toward him. ' ''^^rt relented ''You stUl consider her guilty'" atnoZcZor Whetrrrh'"' ' ''^^o ''"'^^^ is known only by h^td be' Go,' '7,1?,! "^ ^""*^' mente in such cases aie but tos af th.7'";.''"'f she entirely Snconscious, or !^ she nL!, ' l™""; ^" "Mr niinho.. '"' "as She lucid mtervals ?" answer' me Ir^ touT' "T' ""' ^ ^^''"^■"an, death-be"? WoV you h.' . °f '"'^""^ °" ^ a^mstheranyX^es^ deir.1"" ^ *° - bluTflame thIttansT ''"""f "^ "^^^ "' *"« P-^'ar <=oal ; anTst hiXtplv'bl'::'^^ T of anthr^ite " Am T a K»4- 1 ^^ before his hps moved so int"J„t t"'::''.^'-' "^"Jam ? Your insinuations .« member my mterrogator is ., lady ; doubly diffl. 178 AT THE MERCY OP TDSKHiCa cult for me to show you the courtesy vour sex d«. mands Sooner than betray t, osecrets of asickroom or v,ola e the sanctity of the conndence wtoh "hat poor_^,rrs condition enjoins. I would cut oJmyM^t "I intend no discourtesy, sir; but my feelinss w so deeply enlisted, that I cannot stop to chSand , P^ck phrases, in talking to the person wl,o caused that vt^dlctKe^and"!"" '"'" ^""^ ""■>■<« ^o-re the mt vmaictive and dangerous enemy she has; and I hid no reason to contradict her. Don't be oCded! m'' He deigned no answer, but the dilation of his thin nostrils, and the stem contraction of his handsome lin, attested his wrath. Mrs. Singleton roseand aW he; finger; ,.., his coat sleeve. "hi ieit sure I could trust you—" teU vm"'i w^"""" ''"f ""o^- Madam, if I could only teU JO ^ that your vile suspicions are too contemptible ^rtte'i'^x^.^^'"" ''-' ---' ' ^''-<' '» -- ''Then havingr said it, I will let you off without nn * apology -and wipe the slate, and start freh^Yo^ are sensitive about your honor, and 1 am d'termhied to find out just how much it is worth. Trust inrvou as an honorable gentleman, I am goin^ to ask fnn f " pa^nTtT^r' "'^^^ -^^ '« ^'^^^^^^ my fnTonl[^^^'''\^^^^^ ' ^^^« '^-li-ited faith .f ?.ru . r ^^^d out who 'Ricordo' is." of whi f J T "^""f * ^^oroughly understand the import sacred to be communicated to me, you must select l"kt"S' \'t- "^' -^-^^^ourrUn ur;/.""^. '..*'"* ^ "^^«* l^now all, or nothing." lie day she was taken so Hi, I was undressing AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 179 • her and she looked at me very strangely, and said she believed she was losi.^ her mind. Then she ra^d her hands and prayed : ^ ^^-^ Lord, bo merciful I Lord, seal my Ups I Seal my "Since then she has not knov ,e, but, several' timessb. cned out ' Ricordo '! La.t nightThe sat up and said- Oh, no ! ,t cannot bo possible'. Then she c utched a some invisible object, and a look of horror came mto her eyes. 8he struck her palms together and I never heard such an agonizing cry, 'iSere is no help : must believe it-oh Eicordo^lR cord„^ Ricordo'. She fell back anH shivered .is if she had rhr dream^'sh Tl' '"''■ '""' '"'O ^^^^^ ^^ a oaa dream, bhe kept saying: ' Oh horrible-it was, ,t was Ricordo !' Once, early this morn ng she pulled me down to her and whispered : 'Don?t tell mo^^' "st 'r' ■?" '""* *° know^it wa Kicordo ! She has not spoken distinctly^ since though she mutters to herself. Now, Mr Dunbar if I did not feel as sure of her innocence as I am of my own, I should never tell you this ; but I want lur Z edittmb ?*?''?'' '^'""■'''''- because I am sa'i^ Txca jt will help to clear her." ^ " Was it not ' Ricardo ' ^'' -In^ "; wa^'^S^ fl" '^'"^ -"" - -»' an a .n^^s simply a remeltan:, rsoutnTr, Zlt^l tZT3,f\ I -."l^'-d, however, to haU the eZ -.~ ^ >vm ao au i can to discover what connection' IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) to A /- lA -^ 1.0 I.I ■-IIM |50 ™"^= 2.5 [2.2 1.8 L25 i 1.4 1.6 V Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 iV L1>' ^\ '%^^. <>A^'^\ U % ^ ■•si; Il: 1 I: '» if 180 4 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. said: 'Hushfht't': rrr^sr "-^^^^ know I died, because /";"®^.^®/^^- She must not everything She ?.ri ^ ""^'"^ ^""^ ^ ^^^^^ bear J' uxiig-. bhe made me promise.'" Ai this momert the keen wnii ^.f « moned the warden's wif.fn T ^ ^^'^''^ ^^^^^' ^um- Mr. Dunbar sat down ^^^^^^^ apartment, and iron cot. " *^® ^«ckmg.chair beside the cho;:>r::rt^^'strr;^ ravages of cerebral a'ZT T ^* ''^'y "''^e the moral „at„re™otbra;Th' *?' """'«»"^ <" *"« molecular attracttonrtw '"°°'''= '''""'"««' the the day dawninf ^ ' ,1' T'™ <"'y«t^l»^ation ? Is will be ana whnd f^rJ^",''?''."'''"''"'' <" hypnotism symbols of chem'strv ^"/, "^ ''^ ''"""■'ately as the itsX:ramrm?tE.'^thVr''d ^^^^^--^ - suddenly, fastened uportt WwL^ranTr "''"''' exphcabe influenoa i>nn„n„^ '^.wyers, and some m- hand to him ^^ ""^ *» ^'"tch out her ' ;; Tiberius, you have come for me." Her bu7n!„T V" ''"' 'f ^"" "'« ""^t^^ to-day." fev" flarTent aSet?f .^^^^^^^ over hisf and the seemed to ^1::^^^^^^^ ZT' ""'"'' *''^' gently lifted a shininTtort ^''^y^^^ her, he temple, and still <^sp"?/her hLd'""" h™'" ^ "''"« " Bprvi ,i« ^^P"io ner nand, «aid ma lowvoirp- "Wa?ttin T n /'fr' '™- ^™ yo" better^ AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. igj Up and down, her rigrht hand moved throu-h fh« iT^irslartm V'"'^'^^ asoncanttb^ut h never left Ws Th! ^ f """ ^^^"^^"^ fascination, = bTth^Vid^n „^^^^^^^^ -vai: black • and as Mr n , °^^^^ ^^^^°^ almost ness Stored some unknown sea of tenderness i^tht man s hard, practical, realistic nature " score ifri!l\J"'"' f'"^ ^""'«»'""' ^"O wholly secretive he had accustomed himself to regard ,-n mantle ideal ty, and suscentihiiit,, t„ ^ regard ro- a snecies of mtliT„ * ^7'"'P*"""ty *» sentimentality as a species of intellectual anamia; holdiuff himself ni ways thoroughly in hand, when subiectori^nth!^ 1 ing influences that now a^d then f™ "of'^iLl"; existence and melted the conventional selfehcrus ZLX:T:I T "f'T^- '^ "- warm hpsTi d oagge^d s„rsr:^th~L'tsr^*''^ life that Which is ordinarily denl^l^inat^d' Move"T^^ financial, and professional succL. Beauty Ld^t allured,, nor grace enthralled his fancy aTdhfs h' trothal was a mere incident in the quieT tenor of bu,*' To-day, whUe those hot slender finc-ers clun^ fn hi. of strange sensations, and its devouring vvavesthrpr ance that insurod creit wp^^hh ^iT . '' f>^""ant alli- usurc a great wealth, that promised a securq < ( i! « ia> 182 ^T 'rnE MERCY OF TffiERitTS. stepping-stone to political nr„r asnbstantialbulvvarkaga nJuhr'^n'.'"''" ^PP^^^ot'i unaccountable whim • ° t ^f^'"' "^ WUowsof a* yearnine- tenderness vhfch Iml^n '^r''''"''™«'«"t« else in one determined eS/tT" " *" '»'-^«* «" We he had been the chief a4nt ,„ ^""^ "'""'^ "^^ eyed, keen witted, he d d wM '"?'=""'»?• Clear t'mself; and he knew that Jl *"■ '"'*^"* ""^eive m'sfortune, nor yet JcMvLT "' ""'^P'^^ion for consigned a helpless woml't"' T"""' '°' having IZ- emotion -tXatn^d't?:- S^! felicitous solution of tL d^? ^"^ ^^^^^ ^^^ most unexpectedly crossed I^L smlT^ ^^^^^^' -^^ch so meant the vehement protJ ofh^- ^f*^' *^^« ^^at the passionate lon^ing^tosnatl h ^^^^^^^^S" heart, disgrace, and keep he? safrfn ^' ^^°°^ disease, and of his arms ? ^ "^ '^^' ^^^^^^^ in the close cordon The door was caufio- ^ -oiselessly as a phantom LeoTo". ^'"' '='''«^<'' »" the room. One swift survey ennS.H? '*"°'^ ^'""h the details. The small, eomLues ','"" ^ ^""^^P ^« the barred narrow window ..f' '^'^"'"^ apartment cot in one corner, wrtift^;' "'?i?^? "<'"' '^^ 'ow iron >ng attitude of theman w^^t ' ""?■ "'"^^tch- her heart. Resting on; Tib„w ^^^ ^"^ Possessed leaned on his left hand hi .1 "" '"'^ '^"ee, his ch'n handsome face, and she'st^rtef "^'* ,'"" '"" »" ^5 press.on of the brillian? eyef 11 ' T""'"""" ^* ">« ex- eyes suffused and eloquent wit^ff T" "'" ^"Terer; «>^t intense yearXglo'-oV';: It C^' ^'^ »' -"^".r ©Uitraed, if. AT THE MEECY OJ? TIBEWC3. 183 responsiv. countenance. A painfully humiliatinfi sense of her own personal incompetence to arouse h! feelms.so legibly priuted on her lover's features, jar, cU upon Leo's heart like a twanging dissonance break ,!- the harmonious flow of minor chords ; but a noble nitt strangled th,s jealous thrill, and she softly approached The rustle of her dress attracted his attention, Snd glancmg uj-, he saw his betrothed at his side. One might have counted ten, whUe they silently regarded each other; and as if conscious of havin- unmask,; some disloyalty, scarcely yet acknowledged to hT,^t i haughty defiance hardened and darkened his face I ! voluntanly his hold on Beryl's fingers tightened i-nson wards are not proper fields for the culti- chSr I b?'"^ :\ ^'^^ '^"^"""'^ ™-t«- kid glove Tfi- Jt^' ""■ ''=''^'' '* '^s '>' species of e.xagffer. ated high-flown sentimentality, rather than mere in„ to the delicacy and refinement with which my im- agination in ^^ested you." ■^ " My motives I shall not submit to the crucible of your criticism; and a little reflection will probably sug- gest to you, that perhaps you are unduly enlarSte imiU,, and prematurely exercising the righte o? an tieipated censorship. There are bfunders that trench zeal has betrayed you mto the commission of a gre- ■ Zr Victim T 'T™* "°'"^"' " '^ '^ -"«" ""^"to . to aUevin rV i,''""^ P""''^^<' ^^ y"""- betrothed, «Dal th» ''«';«"f''"''Sasmuch as possible, and to men hifm.r/r^ ?' '''"'" ^°" '''' responsible. Critical f»tr ''"" '•^P'^'^tion are at stake, hyper- cntica fastidiousness is less pardonable than the dl Plorable mistake that endangers both " fl \ i ! 1 'li 1 ■ i'l iH i ;ll| :i;i ■ ii! 11 *• :'• ■I ... '> * "^^ 1" , 1 ■ il 1 ■i ' u ii ' i IM AT THK MEHCY OP TIBERlpg. " Then 1,,^'"'* ""' "lundcml ; and she be ffuiltv >" toascriberm to Au^"' "=™'«"'P«'"'-'. that I blush pioijage." "'"""»^«»nd and pardon my jealoua es- flicted an i^ZX ^ZT'T^ Z f? 'T" '"" feel offended bfir-„,=„ To' ^^ ^"^^ s''»"'d "ot tions upon your hoZnr ""T"' '^ '"S^^^^ 'eAoc- ness as a lawyer/" ^^ ''««''"«™' '"«i yourastute- Her fair face had flushed ; his grew nile ;; If"' "« 'Ws to bo ourflrkquanT?^ • Heput«^uThT"e"t'tnf '"r"'^ "' protagonist." rightLcbsely c,tp?:^l!'!;' 7''- ''''-' while his coverlid. <^"spuig one that lay upon the chintz pe^STos!i:ed2;™V' ?'»»'■"*''' --utable edupattLsSetnin^r ''.'r*^"' "^ ''<"»»''- hair garments wrth'pf ? "' "'^ '" ""^^^y <=a>nel's. her delicate thr'orttifhfr" T"' ''""^^"^ ="«"" flickering shlt:s\: l^^ T,feef fl""°" ?',""" '=^^«°^ attractive embodimen o^p^ LTan b°^ iV^"? "^^ ment of riches -inrt oii t.,^ ?, '*'" and environ- then down at tL human enio*' 7"" "^'"^^ "o^*^ presented by a brore^^n' rhel'^ir ""1 "^■ magnetic eyes, crimsoned rwi J "^ smgularly whose glowing fever "n!f' =""' a perfect mouth, shadowy smUeas.h/T.'* *" ^'^ '"""^ "" a dents, c'onne ;d" T wfo;""'""^""^ "' '°- adventuress? WasfrienrfL J! « "^ i>overty-stricken by arranging anTaccent I' '=^'^«'y'»S "a-ger signals o lo and accentuaung this vivid contrast, in fi'M AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 135 CSe /"^ ^='^™"* -"^' *» ---t his waver. eontrALr„rur'4i,t ;STr f r ^' ^^ '•« mvohmtarily, his fin"er^dronn«?T ' '"'"''" """^ d,d some tr.ysterio„s communion of spirS TuS D.d so„,e subUo mesmeric current telegraph her soul .hat her foul wrongs were at last avenged? Wha' «>^:"^fu:^r:nd:go^h:^^:\ Ut as Ju^^'*^ ""'' '"''"^ •>-•>"'«. howistheC';;" tuIly1S''%''!.f';''' '' '=^" '"•'"°'- T'^" P"l«e is fright. Mrs Smgleton tells me she is entirely unconscious —recognizes no one." ui«-onscious "At times, I think she has partly lucid rfimnso, • or mstanee, a httle while ago sKecil me'^erius'' l^s o'V^'r''"" "aintail's' heTa;.::;- ""°°^'''-' Miss Gordon's hand stole into his, nrcssinir it c-enf W r:L^:tlrlf: ---"- -- "~^ R^'^^f "."■'I'T ""^"''f"'- Wh,,t a noble, pure face- ■; ! I r'V 180 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. He merely inclined his head in assent. "It seems a profanation to connect the idea of crime with so lovely and refined a woman. Lennox ?" He turned, and looked into her brown eyes, which were misty with tears. ,\ " Well, my dear Leo, what is burdening your Gener- ous heart ?" •* Do you, can you, believe her guilty ? Her whole appearance is a powerful protest." " Appearances are sometimes fatally false. I think you told me, that the purest and loveliest face, guile- less as an angel's, that you saw in Europe, was a portrait of Vittoria Accoramboni ; yet she was verit- ably the * White Devil', * beautiful as the leprosy, daz- zhng as the lightning'. Do I believe her guilty ^ From any other lips than yours, I shouW evade the question ; but I proudly acknowledge your right to an expression of my opinion, when—" " I withdraw the question, because I arrogate no ^ rights'. I merely desire the privilege of sympathizing if possible, with your views ; of sharing your anxiety m a matter involving such vital consequences. Privi- lege is the gift of affection ; right, the stern allotment of law. Tell me nothing now ; I shall value mucli more the privilege of receiving your confidence unsolic- ited." He took both her hands, drew her close to him, and looked steadily down into her frank tender eyes. " Thank you, my dear Leo. Only your own noble self could so delicately seek to relieve me from a pain- ful embarrassment ; but our relations invest you with both rights and privileges, which for my sake at least, I prefer you should exercise. You must allow me to conclude my sentence ; you are entitled to fny opinion— when matured. As far as I ain capable of judging AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 187 the evidence against her is— overwhelmingly condem- natory. I thought so before her arrest ; believed it when her preliminary examination ended, and subse- quent incidents strengthen and confirm that opinion ; yet a theory has dawned upon me, that may possibly lighten her culpability. I need not tell you, that I feel acutely the responsibility of having brought her hero for trial, and especially of her present pitiable condi- tion, which causes mo sleepless nights. If she should live, 1 shall make some investigation in a distant quarter, which may to some extent exculpate her, by proving her an accessory instead of principal. My— generous Leo, you shall be the first to whom I con- fide my solution— when attained. I am sorely puzzled, and harrassed by conflicting conjectures; and yoii must be patient with me, if I appear negligent or in- dilferent to the privileges of that lovely shrine where my homage is due." " If you felt less keenly the distressing circumstances surrounding you, I should deeply re. r^ my misplaced confidence in your character ; and cei tainly you must acquit me of the selfishness that could desire to en- gross your attention at this juncture." Desirous of relieving him of all apprehension rela- tive to a possible misconstruction of his motives and conduct, she left one hand in his, and laid the other with a caressing touch on his arm ; an unprecedented demonstration, which at any other time would have surprised and charmed him. " Ah, what a melancholy sight ! So much delicate refined beauty, in this horrible lair of human beasts ! Lennox, let us hope that the mercy of God will call her speedUy to His own bar of justice, before she suffers the torture and degradation of trial, by earthly tribu- nals." Il 188 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. She felt the slight shudder that crept over him, the sudden start with which he dropped her hand, and bent once more over the cot. *' God forbid she should die now, leaving the burden of her murder on my soul I" His countenance was averted, but the fervor of his adjuration filled her with a vague sense of painful fore- boding". ** Is it friendly to desire the preservation of a life whose probable goal seems the gallows, or perpetual nnprisonment? Poor girl I In the choice of awful alternatives, death would come here as an an^-el of mercy." '^ Leo took Beryl's hand in hers, and tears filled her eyes as she noted the symmetry of the snowy fingers the delicate arch of the black brows, the exceeding beauty of the waving outline where the rich mahoganj*- hued hair touched the forehead and temples, that gleamed like polished marble. *■ " Is it friendly to wish an innocent girl to go down in- to her grave, leaving a name stained for all 1 ime by sus- picion, if not absolute conviction of a horrible crime ?" Mr. Dunbar spoke through set teeth, p.nd Leo's astonishment at the expression of his countenance, delayed an answer, which was prevented by the . entrance of Mrs. Singleton. *' Miss Gordon, your uncle wishes to know whether you are ready to go home ; as he has an engagement that calls him away?" Did Leo imagine the look of relief that seemed to brjghten JVIr. Dunbar's face, as he said promptly : ** With your permission, I will see you safely down stairs, and commit you to Judge Dent's care.*' Standing beside the cot, she watched Mrs. Singleton measure the medicine from a vial into a small glass. ± ing the burden now whether enffaerement AT THE MERCV OF TIBERIUS. 189 When the warden's wife knelt down, and putting one arm under the pillow elevated it slightly, whii: she h2^^^^:S"'''''^'^ ''^'' make you Sleep, The beautiful eyes regarded her wistfully, then td ''"'''' '''' '^"^^^ ^"^ '''''^' -VeU- '* Here, swallow this. It is not bad to take." Mrs. Singleton patted her cheek and again essayed to administer the draught, but without sirccess. Let me try." Mr. Dunbar took the glass, but as he bent down, the r began to shiver as though smitten with a mortal |;hill. bhe writhed away, put out her shuddering hoC^clout ""^^"■"'^"^ '--»■• and loathing, as " Ricordo ! Oh, mother-it is Ricordo ! I see it ' ather-it wns my Pegli handkerchief !-witli the bchsias j^u ,v.w ! Father-ask Christ to pity me ■" Bmnin?. ■, f ',?'"'"""^ ^""^ '^'■^'^ pitiable to con- mpla e ; but after a few moments her hands sought jch other, and her trembling lips moved evidently i„ rayer, though the petition was inaudible. Mrs Sin- eton sponged her forehead with iced water, and by B„iees the convulsive shivering became less violent he wise nurse began in a subdued tone to sing slowly! Nearer my God to Thee," and after a littTe whik te tre'n'cr". '"".' '"^ "^^'^^^ ""« ""«-^ »»» » ^ice, then c osed, and the laboring brain seized on Z « "f r '" *" "<"•"' "f '«^«f«^o,qj^;^« *..-._. .. , , M put it aside. " ^"-^i-wc .rum tne attorney, It») |! ' t Sf^ % 100 AT THE MKRCY OF TIBERIUS Sleep IS hor best physic. When these nervous shivers come on, I find a hymn chanted, soothes her as It does one of my babies. Poor cliild! she makes my heart ache so sometimes, that I want to scream the pamavvay. How people with any human nature left inthem,canlookat her and listen to her pitiful cries to her dead father, and her dyin^ mother, and her far- ■ rnnS / ""h kI^''""? ^''^'''^' "'^^ ^''' ^^^^ ^^^"^if ul hands could shed blood, passes my comprehension; and all such ought to 80 on four feet, and browse like other brutes. I am poor, but I vow before the Lord, that the gold m the Government vaults, and all the diamonds in Brazil." Tears were dripping on the costly furs about Leo's neck, as she moved closer to the attorney, and linked her arm m his: Mr.^^' ^"f ^''''^ "^^ "^'^^ ^^^""^ "^y "«^1« no longer. Mrs Singleton has told me, that one of her children IS 1 1, had a spasm last night; and since maternal duties are most imperative, it is impossible for her to give undivided attention to this poor sufferer. If vou will kindly take me down stairs, I will call at the ' Shel- tering Arms , and secure the services of one of the ' Sis- ters who IS an experienced nurse. This will relieve Mrs. S ngleton, and we shall all feel assured that our poor L .t'."^"'^"^ ^"^ *'"^'^ ^^^^^"^- ^nd every com- rort that anxious sympathy can provide. ■ ■ >> 1; i JS AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 101 these nervous !(1, soothes her Hd! she makes b to scream the lan nature left er pitiful cries !r, and her far- 'eautiful hands nsion; and all wse like other :he Lord, that 'unbar, for all and all the 's about Leo's sy, and linked lie no long-er. ' her children nee maternal ible for her to erer. If you i at the * Shei- leof the'Sis- 11 relieve Mrs. bhat our poor d every com- CHAPTER XII. TT was midnight in November, keenly cold, but wind- less ; and in the purplish sky, the wintry crown of stars burped with silvery lustre, unlike the golden glow of constellations throbbing in sultry summer, and their white fires sparkled, flared as if blow i by in- terstellar storms. The large family of Lazarus hud- dled over dying embers on darkening hearths, and shivered under scanty shreds of covering ; but tho house of Dives was alight with the soft radiance o« wax candles, fragrant with the warm aroma of multi- tudinous exotics, and brimming with waves of riotous music, on which raorry-hearted favorites of fashioL swam m measured mazes. The " reception" given by Judge Parkman to the Governor and his staff, on the occasion of a review of State troops at X , was at Its height ; and several counties had been skimmed for the cr^me de la crdme of most desirable representatives of wit, wealth and beauty. Miss Gordon had arrived unusually lat«, and as she entered the room, leaning on her uncle's arm, she no- ticed that Mr. Dunbar was the centre of a distinguish- ed group standing under the chandelier. He was gently fanning his hostess, who stood beside the Gov- ernor, and evidently he was narrating some spicy in- cident, or uttering some pungent witticism, whereat all laughed heartily. The light feU full on his fine figure, which rose above all surrounding personages, and was faultlessly apparelled in evening dress ; and Leo's heart filled with tender pride, at the consciousness that he was all her own. The exigencies of etiquette prevent- 192 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. m tUt wheTlS^SunbT.r,'"""",''"^ "^^"•'^^ approach, but wnen m. Dunbar had rendered "Cwsar's tUincs" to soml fesar, and paid tribute of bows, smilesT ctLl " ments and persiflage into thecofferof custom, he Se ' ' w ^^y,"t™"»'^ tlie throng, to the spot ;here Ws ■ ■ w^'; m'""^ '■"''"°^ ^"^'- '^«'- tWrd dance. • ;. Will Miss Gordon grant me a promenade in lieu of , he dance, which misfortunes conspired to prevent m. from securmg earlier in the evenino- '" Ixe drew her hand under his arm, and his eves ran wrth proprietorial freedom over the deta Is'^^f Ter Mown 'uCcTr::' '' ''"'' '°"'^"^' °' "^'^'^^ ^" Since their betrothal, he had claimed the privilege thronS? tt /"T^"'^ "■'P'^'^^^^'^ '>"■• appreciation through the damty l,ps of a boutonnUre arranged Xs resZl "^?''" ''""""'"^ '>" recognized fS roses resting on her corsage, her eyes dwelt on her sr It""' ""''' ""'^'^' ""^'""^ '-^ «•« ^"«->'»^ abouTThr™ ''"'^;'''"' *"•'"= "• I 'o'te^d in ambush about the precmcts of the dressing-room, hoping for bttrdrh:' '=°"?"'=«''"- ^oin-staik, bTtnt best laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft aslee' and I became the luckless prey of^simi,!' tafH^' the head^hT r''"'i '^'^- ^'''''^- -'"^0 «»" at the head of her column of daughters, espied me lurk- ing behind the portiire, and proc aiming ht' e,nbarras de richesse, 'paid me the complimfnt ' o? consigning one fair campaigner. Miss Eloise Hermle ert my quit« unexpected good fortune"" He spoko with a nervous rapidity, at variance with AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 193 his usual imperturbable deliborateness of maimer ol™ '^^^ """sually lale, owing to tlae fact tbat the Governor and staff dined with Uncle Mitchell, and they deCd in "f;™^.""""- -=-- -na wine, t'hatl wa^ delayed m the drawing-room, waiting for them; con- squently was very late in changing my dress We were sorry yon were prevented from Jdn ng ns certamly Go nor Glenboigh was in his happiest mood, and particularly agreeable." "Given his hostess, and entourage, could he possi- bly have been less ? Rumor's hundred tongues waL with the announcement, that his Excellency is no lon-er mconsolable for his wife's death ; and desfres to testify tLrr r Tfr' ''<="™"«ly-"btilecompliment to the deceased. It I may be pardoned the enormity of tlie heresy, I think Shakspeare blundered suoremeh When he«ave lago's soul to a man. Kabolicrcnm: n. g shrewd malevolence pure and simple, armed with a Z?b/ ''.'"f '~' '^yP"'"'™"-- incisions that poison mZ«^„ ',"?""* "" appropriately costumed in a moos-green velvet robe, should wear frizzled ban-s as CZ tT ^"""'^ """"'"" "' ^'^^rechal Neils, so surges! tive of the warnmg flag flying over pest-houses ! ° It IS very evident you are not equally generous in depravity of lago, to the arsenal of feminine weapons U^J^^pZ "F ■""""^ °f '»'^™'»t<'°t has fallen IZ Mrs Parkman's velvet dress, and rusted the bright olade of your chivalry ?" inl' mv "h?' ^"'i^ "' ^'*"'' ""'"^ '"y «"« ^"1 "r- "iff my heart with the architectural detaUs of her 194 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. coveted 'castle in Spain.* Glenbeigh is her cousin. The ladder of his preferment is set up before my eyes, and his Excellency springs up the rounds, from Gov- ernor to Senatorship, thence to a place in the Cabinet, certainly to an important foreign embassy ; where, in the eternal fitness of things, somebody, somebody with tender brown eyes like a thrush's, and the voice of a siren, and the red lips of Hebe— will be invited to reign as Vamhassadrice ! If I am not as mad with jealous despair as Othello, attribute my escpe either to a sublime faith in your adorable constancy and incor- ruptibility, or to my own colossal vanity, fatuous be- yond absolution." He pressed her arm closer to his side, and covered with one hand the gloved fingers resting on his sleeve • then added : ' " You must permit me to congratulate you upon your beautiful toilette to-night. The harmony of the dress, and the grace of the wearer leave nothing to be desired. Although debarred the pleasure of dining with you, I had hoped to enter, at least, with the coffee, but the freight train upon which I returned, was delayed ; and I had no choice but to await your arrival here." He indulged so rarely in verbal compliments, that she flushed with profound gratification at the fervor of his tone. "I am glad you like my dress, to which your roses lend the loveliest garniture. I was not aware that A could furnish at this season such superb La France buds. Where did you find them ?" " They travelled several hundred miles, for thepriv- Jege of nestling against my Leo's heart." '- Spartan thieves are not the only heroic sufferers AT THE MERCY OF TlBERItTS. 195 who smile and make rio moan, clasping close the hidden fangs ravening on their vitals. * As you mentioned in your note that very Import- ant business had called you unexpectedly away, I hopo your mission proved both pleasant and successful." A shadow drifted over his countenance, like that cast by some summer cloud long becalmed, which sets sail before a sudden gust. " Only a modicum of success to counterbalance the disagreeable features of a journey in a freight train caboose." " Why do you hazard that dangerous schedule, in- stead of waiting for the passenger express ?" " Business exigencies narrow the limits of choice ; moreover, had I waited for the express, I should have missed the coveted pleasure of this meeting with you. The rosy glamour of happy anticipation conquers even the discomfort of a freight caboose." Did she suspect that some sullen undercurrent of intense feeling drove these eddying foam bells of flattery in tothe stream of conversation ; or was her reply merely a chance ricochet shot, more accurately effective than direct fire ? "This afternoon I had a note from Sister Serena, asking for a few articles conducive to the comfort of a sick room ; and I really cannot determine whether we should feel regret, or relief at the tidings that that unfortunate girl— can scarcely—" " Spare me the Egyptian mummy at my feast I The memento mori when I would fain forget. Let me inhale the perfume of your roses, without hearing that possibly a worm battens on their petals. Will you ride with me to-morrow afternoon ?" "' I am sorry that an engagement to dine will pre- vent, as the afternoons are so short." 196 i M ■ I AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. t€ ' Are you going" to the Percy's ?" " Yes. Will you not be there ?" /'Too bad! I have just declined attending- that dinner because I had planned the horseback ride Formerly fate seemed to smile upon me; now sh^ shows herself a scowling, capricious beldam. I have lost this evening-, waiting to see you, and now, I must Sh'T 7""T'^ ' '^'"'^^^ ''-^^ important matter ^^la^ch admits of no delay. Have you promised to dance with Mayfield? Here he comes. Goornight' my dear Leo, expect to see me at ' The Lilacs ' at the earliest possible moment." Unobserved he made his escape, and hurried away. At a livery stable he stopped to order his horse saddled and brought to his door, and a few moments la^r stood before the grate in his law office, where the red glow of the coals had paled under ashy veUs. From the letter-rack over the mantel, he took a note con- taining only a line ; " She has reached the crisis. We have no hope. "Singleton." Jj'rJ^'' liot embers, it smoked, shrivelled, disap- peared ; and the attorney crossed his arms over his escape. The ong overcoat buttoned from throat to knee, enhanqed his height, and upon his stern hand- some features had settled an expression of sorrowful perplexity; while his keen eyes showed the feverish rest- lessness that, despite his efforts, betrayed heartache. Above the heads of the gay throng he had just left, h, had seen all that evening a slender whx.e hand beck- r^^Vfl^J"" "^^t""'"'''' ^ ^""^^«^> ^^^ domi- nating the music of the ball room, the laughter of its dancers, had risen the desperate, accusing cry : AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 197 " You have ruined my life !" Was it true, that his hand had dashed a foul blot of shame upon the fair pure page of a girl's existence, and written there the fat^l finis ? If she died, could he escape the moral responsibility of having- been her murderer ? Amid the ebb and flow of conflicting emo- tions, one grim fact stared at him with sardonic si-nifi- cance. If he had ruined her life, retribution promptly exacted a costly forfeit ; and his happiness was des- tined to share her grave. He neither analyzed nor understood the nature of the strange fascination which he had ineffectually striven to resist ; and he ground his teeth, and clinched his hands with impotent rage, under the stinging and humfliatmg consciousness that his unfortunate victim had grappled his heart to hers, and would hold it for- ever m bondage. No other woman had ever stirred the latent and unsuspe(;ted depths of his tenderness ; but at the touch of her hand, the flood burst forth sweeping aside every barrier of selfish interest, defy- ing the ramparts of worldly i)ride. Guilty or inno- cent, he loved her; and the wretchedness he had inflicted, was recoiling swiftly upon himself. Unbuttoning his overcoat, he took from an inside pocket, the torn half of a large envelope, and unlock- ing the drawer of his desk, hunted for a similar fra- ment. Spreading them out before him, he fitted the zigzag edges with great nicety, and there lay the wen-known superscription : - Last Will and Testament of Robert Luke Darrington." One corner of the last found bit was brown and mud-stained, but the hand- writing was in perfect preservation. As he stooped to put it all back in a secret drawer, soraothmp- fell on the floor. He picked up the dainty boutonniere of pale sweet violets, and looked at it, while a frown dark- 198 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 'I IR ened his countenance, as though he recognized some plenipotentiary pleading for fealty to a sacred compact. " Poor Leo I how little she suspects aisloyalty. How infinite is her trust, and what a besotted ingrate lam!" Ho tossed the accusing flowers into the grate, took his riding- whip and went down to the door, where his horse was champing the bit, and pawing with impatience. Along the deserted streets, out of the sleeping town, he rode toward the long stone bridge that spanned the winding river. When he had reached the centre, his horse darted aside, because of the sudden leap of a black cat from the coping of the nearest pier, whence she sped on, keeping just ahead of him. The spectral sickle of a waning moon hung on the edge of the sky, and up and down the banks of the stream floated phantoms of silvery mist, here covering the water with impalpable wreaths, and there drifting away to enable Andromeda to print her starry image on the glassy surface. Behind stretched the city, marked by lines of gas lamps ; in front rose the hill clothed wJ.h forests ; and frowning down upon the rider, the huge shadow of the dismal dungeon crouched like a stealthy beast ready to spring upon him. Dark as the deeds of its inmates, the mass of stone blotted the sky, save in one corner, where a solitary light shone through iron lattice work. Was it a beacon of hope, or did the rays fall on features cold under the kiss of death ? Spurring his horse up the rocky hill, Mr. Dunbai was greeted by the baying of two bloodhounds within the enclosure ; and soon after, Mr. Singleton conduct- ed him up the steps leading to the room where Ben'^! had been placed. AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. •ecognized a sacred lisloyalty. id ingrate rate, took where his ing with ut of the no bridg-e he had >ecause of ng of the I ahead of hung- on banks of list, here iths, and print her s of gas sts; and ow of the ready to inmates, i corner, ce work, fall on Dunbai Is within conduct- re Beryl 199 " She is alive ; that is all. The doctor said she could not last till midnight, but it is now half-past one ; and my wife has never lost hope. She has sent the nurse off to get some sleep, and you will find Susie in charge." The hazel eyes of the gaoler's wife were humid with tears, as she glanced up at the attorney, and motioned him to the low chair she vacated. " I knew you would come, and when I heard you gallop across the bridge, I &ont Sister Serena off to bed. There is nothing to be done now, but watch and pray. If she ever wakes in this world she will be rational, and she will get well. The nurse thinks she will pass away in this stupor ; but I have faith that she will not die, until she clears her name." Nature makes some wemen experts in the fine art of interpreting countenance and character, and by a mysterious and unerring divination, Mrs. Singleton knew that her visitor desired no companion in his vigils ; hence, after flitting about the room for a few moments, she added : "If you will sit here awhile, I can look after my tables. Should any change occur, tap at my door ; I ihall not be long away." What a melancholy change in the sleeper, during the few days of his absence; how much thinner the hollow cheek, how sunken the closed eyes; how indescribably sharpened the outlines of each feature. The face which had formerly suggested some marble statue, had now the finer tracery as of an exquisite cameo; and oblivion of all earthly Uls had set there the seal of a perfect peace. She lay so motionless, with ner hands on her breast, that Mr. Durfbar bent his head close to hers, to listen to her respiration; but no sound was audible, and when his ear touched her lips. <00 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. their coldness sent a shiver of horror through his stalwart frame. Pure as the satin folds of an annun- ciation lily pearled with dew, was the smooth g-irlisk brow, where exhaustion hung- heavy drops ; and about her temples the damp hair clung in glossy rings framing the pallid, deathlike face. ' At her wrist, the fluttering thread eluded his grasp, and kneeling beside the cot, he laid his head down on her breast, dreading to find no pulsation; but slow and faint, he felt the tirod heart beat feebly against his cheek ; and tears of joy, that reason could neither explain nor justify, welled up and filled his eyes. Leaning his head on her pillow, he took one hand between both his, and watched the profound sleep that seemed indeed twin sister of death. Softened by distance came the deep mellow sound of the city clock striking two. Down among the willows fringing the river bank, some lonely water-fowl utter- ed its plainti^^e cry, whereat the bloodhounds bayed hoarsely ; then velvet-sandalled silence laid her sooth- ing touch upon the world, and softly took all nature into her restful arms. In the searching communion which he held with his own heart, during that solemn watch, Mr. Dunbar thrust aside all quibbles and disguises, and accepted as unalterable, two conclusions. She was innocent of crime, and he loved her ; but she knew who had committed the murder, and would suffer rather than betray the criminal. The con- jecture that she was shielding a lover, was accom- panied by so keen a pang of jealous pain, that it allowed him no room to doubt the nature or intensity of the feeling which she had inspired. In her wan loveliness, she seemed as stainless as a frozen snow- drop, and while his covetous gaze dwelt upon her, he ^le AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 201 felt that he could lay her in her coffin now, with less suffering, than see her live to grive her brave heart to any other man. To lift her spotless and untrampled from the mire of foul suspicion, where his hand had hurled her, was the supreme task to which ho proposed to devote his energies; but selfishness was the sharpest spur; she must be his, only his otherwise he would prefer to see her in the arms of death. So the night waned; and twice, when the war. den s wife stole to the door, he lifted his head and waved her back. When the clock in the tower struck four, he felt a slight quiver in the fingers lying within his palm, and Beryl's face turned on the pillow, bring- ing her head against his shoulder. Was it the magnet of his touch drawing her unconsciously toward him or merely the renewal of strength, attested already by the quickened throb of the pulse that beat under his clasp? By degrees her breathing became audible to his strained' ear, and once a sigh, such as escapes a tired child, told that nature was rallying her physical forces, and that the tide was turning. Treacherous to his plighted troth, and to the trusting woman whom he had assiduously wooed and won, he yielded to the hungry yearning that possessed him, and suddenly pressed his lips to Beryl's beautiful mouth. Under that fervent touch, consciousness came back, and the hds lifted, the dull eyes looked into his with drowsy wonder. Stepping swiftly to the door which stood ajar, he met Mrs. Singleton, and put his hand on her shoulder. " She is awake, and will soon be fully conscious, but perfect tjuiet is the only safeguard against relapse. V\ hen she ren-Tabers, leave her as much alone as pos- sible, and ans. .^ no questiok: " a 202 AT THE MERCY OF TllJiJiauS. Singleton rcmtadVe'^^''"'P'^° '■'''' ''"^ <=="• ^«« """""^f he ooK-ed back at the cot, and saw the solemn eyes flX'Od upon l>„n. Ho extinsnished tho light, and passed ...to the room whcro Susio Sinslcton stood waiting twoiwin' """'T', Slsto,. Se,-e„a, and for a day or tHO I W.1I keep out ot sight wh^n she is awake. Mr von ,"■ w"" '"'^ "?"" "'^ P"'- »°- «--■« tl^at you do yours Have you found out who ' Eicordo ' is ''• tertamly, it is a thin- ; not a person. As yet the word has given no aid." ^^yectne absencr?" "" ""'" "''<^°^«''«<' "<"'""» n«=«' durmg your which contained Gene-al Darrington's will ; but ask Zrk LSf ° s 1 ^"""'- """^ "^'^ -•^«- I --' L Z/: V' ''''''' <^o"diMon, and the opinion of the doctor. Has nothing been heard from Byce ?•' as tar as I know, not a syllable." 1 hey shook hands, and once more Mr. Dunbar snrano mto ins saddle. Overhead the constellattons glowed like crown jewels on black velvet, but along the ^81- hld.^rr'/'''^™ '"« "-orning-star burned t^eskv .less th^t ','" ""'""■™^ '""' "''"' theadditiona"^ iciness that always precedes tho dawn. Earth was niond.s when the sun smote its flower crystals and the iieart of the city, and slackeaed his pace only when AT THE MERCY OP TnjEMOS 203 he found himself opposite the cemetery, on the road leadms to "Elm Bluff." As the iron g^to closed T^ hmd him he walked his horse up the long avenue and When he fastened him to the metal ring Tn the andent poplar, which stood sentinel before the°leserted 1 ^se the deep orange glow that paves the way for com"n- suns, had dyed all the sky, blotting out the starsTa"? the new day smiled upon a sleeping world The nea cock perched upon the balustrade of the terrace" ' greeted h,m vociferously, and after some momenL hfs r peated knock was answered by the cautious opening "Lord M V""* V"'^'' «™y '>«^'' Peereclout! 'Pear, to ^"^ ^"""-^ • ^^ " y"" ? What next ? s— i?tL ?' ' "°!''"° '"" *° "^^PP"" ' ""t how. somever, ,f ther's more to come, tell us what's to pay "Bednoy, I want you to help me in a little matter where your services may be very valuable ; a™das[t concerns your old master's family. I am su e you wi gladly enter into my plan—" " Bless your soul. Mars Lennox, you are too good a !7f *** T'^"™ of anything, but the undertaker and the tax collector. I am so old and broke down to spernte, that you will s'cuse me from undertalZg o° ouf'en th/'''™ if^Wb" obleeged to pull one foot out en the grave before I could start. I ain't ekal to hard work now, and like the rest of wore-out stock 1 am only worth my grass in old fields." ' bmfflng danger, Bedney warily resolved to decline ah overtures by taking refuge in his decrepitude fbut the attorney's steady prolonged gaze disconcerted hto. wr.t„r u '"' "''^'•est, then, in discovering the ^etch^^ho murdered your master? That is r°ather "What ain't 'spicious to you, Mars Lennox? U 804 il: |:i ( ^^i 1 1 AT THK MRRCY OF TJBERIUS. comes as r » tchal to you to 'spicion folks, as to eat or sleep, and it's your trade. You believe I know somc- thin;? that I haven't tole ; but I swear I done give up everything to Mars Alfred ; and if my heart was ; turned mside out, and scraped with a fine-tooth couib. It wouldn't be no cleaner than what it is. I know if I was lying: you would ketch me, and I sbo.ii.i own up quick ; 'cause your match doesn't g-o about in hu- man flesh ; but all the lancets and all the doctors can't git no blood out'en a turnup." "You are quite willing, then, to see General Dar- rington's granddaughter sulTer for the crime ?" " 'Fore Gord ! Mars Lennox, you don't tote fair ! t'ears to me you are riding two horses. Which side te you on ?" " Alwayr, on the side of justice and truth, and it is to help your poor young mistress that I came to see you ; but it seems you are too superannuated to stretch out your hand and save her." " Ain't you aiming to prove she killed old marster ? That s what you sot out to do ; and tarrapin's claws r.re slippery, compared to your grip, when you take nolt. The old negro stood with his white head thrown back, and unfeigned perplexity prir ipcl on VAs wrinl led feat, ures, while he scanned the s-.-. . t fcoe, where - heavv _ frown gathered. ■ * * I set out this morning to find a faithful, old family servant, whose devotion has never before been ques- tioned ; but evidently I have wasted my confidence as well as my time. Where is Dyce ? She is worth £» iiundred superannuated cowards." '• D- 't call no names. Mars Lennox. If there's one mean thing I nachally despises as a stunnin' insult, Itebem^named white-livered; aad my Cornfc-dcratf AT THK MERCY OP TIBEmus. 205 record is jest as good as if I wore three g-ilfc stars on my coat collar You might say I was . liar and a th cf and maybe I would take it as a joke ; but don't call Bednoy Darrington no coward ! It bruises mv eeims mor'n Flo stand. Lem'mo tell you the Gord's truth ; argufymg with lie-yers is wuss thanshootin' at di-clappcrs, and that is sport I don't hanker after. 1 am t Kpry enufT to keep up with the devil, when you are wh.ppmg him around the stump ; and I ain't such a forsaken idjut as to jump in the cark. Tell me flffllrnn ''^''"* Jr^'^ ^ '"'^^^'^ °^ *^<^ '^"°dred and fifty dollars, and I thought I would allowyou privately the opportunity of securing the money, before I made It public. Where is Dyce ?" " You might as well ax the man in the moon. The only satisfaction she gin me when she left 1 ome was -she was gwine to New York to hunt for I\liss Ellie I tole her she was heading for a wild goose c hase, and behir'^'Tf T'^'^ '^'^ ^"^ ^^^^^"^ ^1^ ^^ '^ ^ fowls behind. If she was here, she'd be only a ^cl.an chip in your homny pot '; for she wouldn't never toi ii your job with a forty-foot pole, and what's mor. she'd tie my hands. I ain't afeard of my ole 'omai but I respects uer too high to cross her ; and if ever ou git married, you will find its a mighty good rule to Met sleeping dogs lay \ Who do you expect me to ketch for two hundred and fifty dollars ?" "A lame negro man, about medium size, who was seen carrying a bundle on the end of a stick, and n"i^hfTp "^'';"T^^^^"* ^^^ "*^^^«^^ «*^t'«" on the mght of General DarringtL death. He probably lives on some olantation Rn. .h r.f +^„.„ „„ t,^ . travelling m that direction, aftor the severe storm that iSOQ AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. i|- il' i ;{ 'i : night. I want him, not because he had any connection with your master's murder, but to obtain from him a description of a strange white man, whom he directed to the railroad water-tank. If you can discover that lame negro, and bring him to my office, I will pay you suLf^Hnl'i ^t '^''T ^«"^^«'^"d ^ive him a new suit of clothes. The only hope for General Darrington's granddaughter is in putting that man on the witness wh,.!' ^ ^^""^j^^^^^^ ''^ statement of a conversation u^^X"^ T'^' ™«i« Wednesday. Iwillgiveyou T i n ^ " ^? '"^^'^ *° ^'P°"*- ^^ ^^^ d« °«t succeed 1 shall then advertise. If you wish to save Miss Bren- tano, help me to fmd that man." ile swung himself into the saddle, and rode away, leaving Bedney staring after him, in pitiable dubiety as to his own line of duty. ^ n hl^'r??" ''''^ ''" ^^""^ *^ ^'""^ peaceable with as a hatful of hornets, but the'r brains works spryer even than the r tongues ; and they do think as much faster an a man, as a express train beats 3r eight ox-team Dyceisthesafetest sign-post! If she was only h^e now I couldn't botch things, for she sees clare through a mill-stonc, and slie'd shove me the right way If i. go a huntin', I may flounder into a steel trap; if I stand still, wuss may happen. Mars Lennox is too much for me. 1 wouldn't trust him no further 'n I would a out nr: n T '''^'' '' '"' '''y *^"^"^- He sot out to hang that poor young gal, and now he is willing to pay two hundred and fifty dollars to show the court dowrTon^^o'"' T' ^^^''^"^^^^^•' I ^in't gwine to set down on no sucli spring gun as that ! Dyce ought to be here When Mars Lennox turns sumersets fn the court, before the judge, I don't want to 1 .long to his circus-but, oh Lord ! If J could only find out whi^H sjdi) he mily js on ?" ' ^ v„_ I AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 207 CHAPTER XIII. rjURING the early stages of her convalescence, Beryl, though perfectly rational, asked no ques- tions, made no reference to her gloomy surroundings and mamtained a calm, but mournful taciturnity very puzzling to Mrs. Singleton, who ascribed it at first to mental prostration, which rendered her comparatively obtuse ; but ere long, a different solution presented Itself, and she marvelled at the silence with which a desperate battle was fought. With returning conscious- ness the prisoner had grasped the grievous burden of her fate, unflinchingly lilted and bound it upon her shoulders ; and though she reeled and bent under it made no moan, indulged no regret, uttered no invective' One cold dismal day, when not a rift was visible in the leaden sky, and a slanting gray veil of sleety rain dp kened the air and pelted the dumb, shivering earth ^eryl sat on the side of her cot, with her feet restin- on the round of a chair, and her hands clasped at the back of her head. Her eyes remarkably large from the bluish circles illness had worn beneath them, were fixed m a strained, unwinking, far-away gaze upon the window, where black railing showed the outside world as through some grim St. Lawrence's gridiron. From time to time the warden's wife glanced from her sewing toward the motionless figure, reluctant to obtrude upon her revery, yet equally loath to leave her a prey to melancholy musing. After a while, she saw the black laslies quiver, and fall upon the waxen checks, then, as she watched, great tears glittered, rolled slowly, dripped softly, but there was no sigh, no 208 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIU3. f :!il i; «■ if Zt^ltle. """"^^ '^""' ^'^ ^^^^ ^^^' -- ---^ "What is it, dearie? Tell me." There was no immediate reply ; when Beiyl spoke hr voice was calm, low and measured, as in^e wht^ abl^trXer °' """''' '"'"'' ^""^ """^^^ -"-P- "Every Gethsemane has its strengthening Angels thank God, mme did not fail me. If th^y had not come, I think I could never have borne Itn'ast misery ' Wilv r '"""' """" ■""• ^^ -"th-ts d^ad^ W». w.^ r^" ^'""■"'" ™"i s^l forebodings > Sor tin^s? ^""/f r"^-'. -^"t you must try to nope for the best; and I daresay in a few davo L„ wm have good news from your mother " ^ ' ^ I shook hands with Hope, and in her place sits th» only companion who wUl abide with me durin' the darkness that is coming on-Patience, pale-TrLed mvh^*"' "^.-''"^^ ^='«''°^«- "I can only kee^ my hold upon her skirts, till the end. To me no S news can ever come. As long as mother "vtd /had an mcentive to struff^lp • nr.™ t „ . whothir«itfr,..l,,K7 J ^"^ ^''"'«' and they Who tliu-:,t for my blood are welcome to take it speed- .ly I know my mother is dead ; I have seen her " Wake up, child. Your brain is weak yet and full of queer delirious visions, and when you do'e realities and dreams are all jumbled together. Yo^ have a Ueal too much sense to harbor any crazy snWtual saTu^To- , ^''* 'T ^"''^' ="><• >- dow^Yo™ .. w"^ T "^' '^"^ *'™'l yourself. " JNo. I have wanted to tell you for several dav« because you have been so good, and I have heard vl' Pravm. here at night that God would be ,Suf:: had strength to be calm. I praying Uje ; but I waited uutil I ' arm across AT THE MEROY OP TIBERIUS. 209 iave lain here day after day, and hi^ht after night face to face with desolation and despair, and now I have grown accustomed to the horror. I know that in this world there is no escape, no help, no hope ; so-the worst IS over. When you consent to fate, and stretch out your arms to meet death, there is no more terror only wamng, weary waiting. I am not superstitious' and unfortunately I am not one of the victims of de' mentia, whose spectral woes are born of disordered brains. I am sadly sane ; and what I am about to tell you IS no figment of feverish fancy. I do not know how long I have been sick, but one night great peace and case came suddenly upon me. f swung in some soft tender arms, close to the gates of Release, and the ron bars melted away, and my soul was born; toward the wonderful light; but suddenly a shock, a stran'e thru ran through me, and the bars rose again and the ight faded. Then all at once my fathe? and m- mother stood beside me, bent over me. Father said"- Courage, my daughter, courage ! Bear your cross a 11 te longer > My mother wept, and saidf ' M^'^ood ittlegirl. So faithful, so true. I died in peace t?ust- hf LTp'^^Th^JV f; "^^ ^^^^^ ^^" you end^re^^n the end ? They faded away; and sorrow sat down once more, clutching my heart ; and death, the An^ who keeps the key of the Gate of Release, turnfdf is back upon me. I had almost escaped ; I ;as close to the other world, and I was conscious. I saw mv mother's spirit; it was no delirious fancy. TZZ that she is dead. Even in the world of the released she gneves over the awful consequences tf my obedience to her wishes. Mortal agony of body and It r "!^^_"^, - -- '- ^'- ^orderfand^; that weVave arv bnrL?" '' """ ^''''^' ^'^° ^^^'««« tJ^« bound, ary line arrd conapassiouate us, So my Getusemane 210 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUa. ^ : :J called d6wn the one strengrthening Angel of all the heavenly hosts, who had most power to comfort my ?.'r.' '"'l^^,''^ ""' ^'' ^^ ^^*"' ^y ^^*^^^' °^y noble father. God, m pity, sent him to exhort me to bear my cross bravely ."" The low solemn voice ceased, and in the silence that fol owed, only the dull patter of the rain, and the per- sistent purring of a kitten curled up on the cot were audible. Mrs. Singleton finished the buttonhole in iJick s apron, and threaded her needle. • 'IIV* comforts you at all to believe that, I have no right to say anything." hanu'c^Vtllin r^ ''^' ' ^" ^'^ ^^^^"^ '' -- - Not even that. I think you had a very vivid dream and being exhausted, you mistook a feverish vision for a real apparition. I can't believe your mother is dead, because if such were the case, Dyco would have return- ed at once, and told us." " Dyce has a kind heart, and shrinks from brin^in- me the sad news; for she knows my cup was alread^ vr! 'fJ ^T^ ^ ""* "^^ "^^^^"^ ^' ^^^^^- Time will show rsaw\t-"d'' ' "" ""''"'• "^'^ ^"^ ^'' ''''''' -^ "May be so; may be not. I am stubborn in mv opmions,and I never could think it possible for flesh to commune with spirits. Don't let us talk about any- thing that disturbs you, until you regain your strength. Why will you not try a little of this port wine ? Miss Gordon brought it yesterday, and insisted I should give It to you three times a day. It is very old and mellow. Look at things practically. God kept yo« alive for some wise purpose, and since you are oblige.^ to face trouble, is it not better to arm yourself with ai: lau physical vigor possible ? Drink tjiis, an« lie down '' I me to bear im of some AT THE MEBCT OF TBEBIUS. 211 As Be^l mechanically drained the glass and handed It baclt, Mrs. Singleton added • ""uanaea sZ^^H Vh!.' ''""' ^'^^ *^°^''»" '^ ^- Dunbar's sweetheart. Their engagement is no secret, and he is a lucky man , for she is as good as she is pktty and as sweet a« she is rich. She has shown such a tender interest m you, and manifests so much sympaffi, thai I am sure she will influence him m your favor and I teel so encouraged about your future " A shadowy smile crossed the girl's wan face. Invest no hope in my future ; for escape is as im possible for me, as for that innocent vicLforeot darned to entangle his horns in the thicket on Mouni Moriah. He could have fled from the sacriQciaire and from Abraham's uplifted knife, back to dewv green pastures poppy-starred, back ti some cool diu where Syrian oleanders flushed the shade as easilv n, LrLtrdtr'^^"^''--" -« -- ^^'^ hmgs wm look very different, and you are too pTue^y' to surrender your life without a brave flght. A great haage has come over Mr. Dunbar, and therl fs no elhng what he cannot do, when he sets to work If shL' sTand M'^''"n"r"^"=^™'' "^ ~e. IS nis. He and Miss Gordon together can n„ii „' out of the bog, and I believe they win '' ^ ^°" "Mr. Dunbar's professional reputation is more pre- !.ous m his sightthan a poor girl's life ; moreov"!evet f he desired to undo his work, he could not I am heyond human succor. Fate nails me to a cross bu^ atonds God— and my father." Wearily she leaned back on her pillows, and turned 212 \T THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. t- I her face to the wall. Mrs. Singleton drew the blank ets over her folded her own shawl about the shoulden and smoothing away the hair, kissed her on the s:.; rp"""'" '"" ''" ^^"'■"'"^ -- -"- ^° chfmtev It "r *"* 'f P'^'' '^"O '=™<=""='' i° the wide held Ziil"." /, r"^ fT'T'^'"'' *» '^^' ""^^ '"rbaned ueau against the mantelpiece, while she snrenrt h„ hands toward the hia.e, stood L much ZS^Z Mrs. Singleton had left the door aiar arri fh« ^i^ Trr ^umr ^°""^'' *" "' J^s^inTi^Cr uer lips but the warning came too late. I ^ '!V.^''"°'''™""«=i-tok>iowIamhere Yo„r mnd'bu t„'"*''"!r ^''"■■^ "P.and in he; righ "sh I could run away, and never see her a"uin for When go ,„ there, I feel lil=e I was carryLgt Ui^f ba'lvtft mr'^-'T"' '^■'='^™' -"'" the'hounds hfd to ten \2-'. '"■ ^ '=='"•' ""^^ *•>" tb'-Sht of having sohf^ T.^^^ ■""■ ^""^ ^"'•^ ■^o'' shawl, to stifle her :s:pe::d';'""' '^^^"^ ^™"«' ^'^-'^- m-- sin.re^: "Tell mo quick. What is it." ».>; wrhSd!^."^^"- ^ ^»' '•'- *■-« o''^^ a«- weepinrret"'- T"' 'T^ """'^ *''"■■ '^■"l drew the n ceping negro into one beside her. Do you know exactly what time she died?" She dtedon T,i' ""P^T' '''*""' '" black and white, two aL the T '"^f f "• J""* "^ ^^0 <='«" struck Hiss'susann J """""''"'' says-Lord, amercy, tdZkyV' ''^ ^'"" ^""S to faint ? You have tm 4T THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 213 As Mrs. Singleton's thoughts recurred to the fact that It was at that hour that Beryl lay in the stupor of the crisis from which she awoke perfectly conscious and recalled the dream that the sick girl held as a vision' she felt a vague but bewildering dread seize her facul' ties, in defiance of cool reason, and scoffing scepticism. Goon, Dyce. I felt a little sick. Tell me-" bhe paused and listened to an unusual and inexplic- able noise issuing from the next room ; the harsh sound of something scraping the bare floor. "You must pick your time to break this misery to that poor young thing. I can't do it. I would run a mile sooner than face her ^vith the news, that her ma IS dead ; and I have grieved and cried, till I feel like my brams had been put in a pot and biled. The Lord knows His bizness, of course ; yes, of course He knows the best to do ; but 'pears to me. His mercy hid itXe behmd His wrath, when He saw fit to let that poor in' uas laid in the grave. It will be a harder heart than mmo what can stand by, and tell her she is mother^ ;; There is no need to tell her. She knows it. " wrot^?" °^^«^«&«t the letter the Doctor said he " No. She thinks her mother—-" The noise explained itself. Too feeble to walk alone he door and now stood grasping it, swaying to and tro as she endeavored to steady herself. One hand foldsti n '^^"'* ''^ '^^^^ ^^^^1' -^-« loosened !f .\ i I'l'^ ^ mourning mantel to her feet, the other tZloH. ''''' ''"^ *'^ '''' of which'she leaned " Pyce, 1 have known for some days that I have no 214 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. m: '. i mother in this world. I have seen her. Your kind heart dreads giving me pain, but nothing can hurt me ^rL.VT'" '"""■ '""^ "•"■"' •'"•''''"^o I ^'^ braised and beaten to numbness. I want to see you alone • I want to know everything." u aione, i ...i*hf ?l!' ?'„"■' ^'"' "'l'™™^" darted forward and ar^, T ?. ','™''"''*°"^""^''^™ in her strong arms L.ftmg her as though she had been a child she bore her back to her small bleak room, laid her X sL.t? ' *'" ''"'" ''°™' '""' ^""^t intoantotpas^ sionate crymg. ^ As if to shut out some torturing vision, Bervl clasped her hands over her eyes, and when she spoke her voice was very unsteady : " Did you see mother alive .'" l.tl?''' ""T^' ^ '™' '"" '^'''•' I '"''^ tli^e days too late to sec her at all. When 1 got to New York •, nH found the Doctor's house, he was not ^ home had just gone to Boston a half hour before I rung the bell aays. When I give him your note, he looked dreadful cut up, and tole me Miss Ellie had all the care and tention in the world, but nothin' couldn't save her He said she didn't suffer much, but was 'lirious all the time until the day before she died, when aU of a sud! dent her mind cleared. Then she a.xed for you, honey -trod bless you, my poor Iamb ! I hate to harrifv your heart. The Doctor comforted her all he cou d Snfi °" M •■ ""T"'' "' i-^P^^t-^ce had done kept you South. Miss Ellie axed how long she could live he maidenly a few hour.. She begged him to prop 'her up, so she could write a few words. He says he held the paper for her, and she wrote a little, and rested and then she wrote a little more and fell'back l^ll 'Cos. He put the piece of paper in a invellop and AT TIIE MERCY OF TIBERHIS. 215 'ooUoa at hi^nan'ocL rirrlaT' 'V'^" four o'clock in theevcnin- of T^^ ■ ^'"^'"'''^ ="">"* «ort of spasm, and wont to^leenTtT ^.^'' '^'^ "^ woke up in Heaven. He sa.d hn Vnif- ''™ ° ''■~''' ^''f -dear Iamb ! He wouldn^ If tl l" '°"'^' ^°' J'"" most was burricd II r,TnH . "" ""'•■•>' '"'r where herlaidaway nhisown n?;"' *" ''"'P'*^'' «« i^^"! his childun was hurried ',i, ,'"■"" r"'''^'"-''' ^^hcro He tele me, she was "enjor v'" Tf '"•■" f™"" y°"- was done a's yo; ,^0.^ t ' "4"::^' T atd r '"? off some o( the beautiful hair-and_" ' '"' "="* JJyce smothered lier sobs in ti,„ k . , . lay like a stone image bedclothes, but Beryl you Si t.h3 •' " ^"' ^P"*^ ->' '^-^t in two, to tell "Goon, Dyce." piti't^ittcLt retr^^L^r " ^'"^ ''- gotall her clothes and nnT /f' »» •''■Ilio was m, and I 'em homo. Si e tiw me pttt m '"," '?■' "°'' ''™"="'>* liad said, only she w .^sbm ^ "''"■' **"> <'<":tor she died and^ catl d n le 'T "" ^"f " J"-'^* """''<' -.d She was beautitr ra^anir::] hSb"' '"^ wonder to all Who saw hP,« ^ng-ei and her hair was a Shotolomethodo";t; r^ carnations and tubo^os ^ ^^'^^ ^^f \7\;^ -^^te lier m the coffin, and she lookPd iT ' ^'' *^^^ P^* doctor wrote you a l^L'? ^'f "^ ^"^^"- The -nt ,t to the Tost^ ^ ;e.f "h. '""^i""^'' ^'^^ , grieved and 'stonished wl .n T ; , . ^'"""^ dreadfull Stir- r.^'f r "4 y^^^^^^^ trii- 216 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERlUa. nn * Tut— tut ; bill indeed ! That poor unfortunate girl need never v-orry over any bill of mine. I did all I could for her mother, but the best of us fail sometimes. Tell that poor child to come and see me, as soon as she gets out of the clutches of those fire-eating devils down South.' Honey, I couldn't be satisfied without seeing for myself, where they hid laid my dear young , mistiss. I got 'rections from the doctor, and I spent good part of a day huntin' the cemetery, and at last a man in a uniform showed me Doctor Grantlin's lot. Oh, my lamb ! That was the first and only comfort I had,' wlien I stood in front of that grand lovely marble po- tico— with great angels kneeling on the four corners, and knew my dear young mistiss was resting in such a beautiful plate. I felt so pioud that ole mis- tiss' chile was among the best people, sleeping with flowers in her hands, in that white marble Louse ! I wanted to be shore there warn't no mistake, and the keeper of the graveyard tole me a lady had been put nemperary' in the vault, foui« days before. I had bought a bunch of violets from a flower shop, but I could not get nearer than th6 door, where some brass rods was stretched like a kind of a net ; so I laid my little bunch down on the marble steps, close as I could push it agin the rod ; and though I couldn't see my dear young mistiss, maybe— up in heaven— she will know her poor ole mammy did not forgit her, and—" : The old woman cried bitterly, and one thiu hand, white as a snowflake, fell upon her bowed head, and softly stroked her black wrinkled face. After some mmutes, when the paroxysm of weeping had spent it- self, Dyce took the hand, kissed it reverently, and pressed iuvO it a package. " The doctor tole me to put that into your hands. He said he knew it wyuld be very precious to you, AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 317 nIX^^^^^^^^^^ b.n. , safe, you n3a4 your ma's fa^t words W^^'^^^'^^ ^^en yonder by the flre fill IZ ^f' ^^^^ ^^ ^»'' set in and swells fit to ruUiri:^^^ f"' '^^^^ '"^^^^^ jest now, sech as t Ts.» ™ * '*^^ "° °^°^« «iiseiy For some moments, Bervl hv m^f.- 1 .ntolerable a^ony clutched her tCaTw^;, '"'" '^^ ingr sense of suffocation and Ta ? '^^ ^" ^^h- less hands lyin^ on the' nn.1. '''* "P' ^^<^^ "e^ve- prepared for^ efpeTt^^: of^^^^^st^^^^^^^^^ ''^^ added keener stinffa tn «„» . "^""^f ' ">"' the deta 3 "er. At last, wut a shudd'"'' ''' "'"' """"""""J the seal, and tooUtromtm''^f- "^''' '"^ ""'*'« thW: tress of the beautll WaeVLt"" sfT""' " '""^ of Its satin coil, she held it „n tif Shaking: it out 'y over her h;nd! and laid ^J ° '^.'^PP^d it smooth- cheek. '"'"'"<''* '=»'-essmgly against her ^^Z.lZ:ZZ:i7 ;*l «*-^ ^^^n 'n the ed those raven locks T^^' ^f '"'"''>'^' """^ ""-aid- loved invalid a^d /hi ^"^ *''« "'*" '■«=« "t the be- Pinned at her 'throat "^"""^ '''' ^■^'"'^ ^^<^ had bitl's'^irltthoiriel ''^^""''' '^'^■'-^P'*'' -»- got povV in of^ritt^sT 'r-T'^-O '»■•- seemed, since she kissS the h? , J"' '°°^ ''S" '* kneltforhermother's Ireweli r ^f"^ ^heek, and the same world? Was^Th" """^Or'""- Was it eternal and nnchangL Go, """* n*""^'' ^"^ «"> She had shatter^^aSf r^^edTH"" *"' ^' "' ^'^^^ sobletof her younff nf. ff *^^ sparkling crystal Solden wine TbLytT^ry '» »"« "ust^he comfort, that lov^^Tuffef. ' , ' """•"° ^«"'' ""'<» hospital cot, had died ^mo;. 1? languishing on a uiea among strangers; had been I rV U li llf-' III i fkl' 1 'j-^ 218 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. shrouded by hirelings. That any other hand than hers had touched her sacred dead, seemed a profanation ; and at the thought of the last rites rendered, the loyal child shivered as though some polluting grasp had been laid upon herself. Out of the envelope rolled a broad hoop of reddish gold, her mother's wedding ring ; and ! in zigzag lines across a sheet of paper was written the last message : ** Mj' dear, good little girl, so faithful, so true, my legacy of love is your mother's blessing. You must be comforted to know I am dying in peace, because I trust in your last promise — '* Then a blot, some unintelligible marks, and a space. Lower still, scarcely legible characters were scrawled : ** Tell my darlinj — to wear my ring as a holy — " In death as in life, the last word, and the deepest feeling were not for her ; the sacred souvenir was left for the hand that had so often stabbed the idolatrous heart, now stilled forever. In all ages the ninety and nine that go not astray, never feel the caressing touch which the yearning Shep. herd lays on the obstinate wanderer, who would not pasture in peace ; and from the immemorial dawn of inchoate civilization, prodigals have possessed the open sesame to parental hearts that seemed barred against the more dutiful. By what perverted organon of ethics has it come to pass in sociology, that the badge of favoritism is rarely the guerdon of merit ? To the orphaned, forsaken, disgraced captive, sit- ting amid the sombre ruins of her life, drinking the bitter lees of the fatal cup a mother's hand had forced to her reluctant lips, there seemed nothing strange in the injustice meted out ; for had not the second place in maternal love always been hers ? As the great gray eyes darkening behind their tears, like deep lakes under CJ AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. written the rinkiner the S19 cominff rain, road and re-read thn 1,1. , ,. frozen mouth trembled .?rn,'"""''^ lines, the folded it awry in thet" P "'''"^ *"" "'"••' her heart. sL^^:^^^^^^ S ''^:^ until thr lend ?t';^tS:,t',''"°" ^T" "^^^ "' amulet. The si-ht nVif,, 1. , ? ' "^ •'' st^iffthenin;? mt^irtha?^ "^^.^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^o^r^ia:^ my life, that you mi-ht die in peace If (n n , . hour, you had known all my pernan f hnl ' '""^^ entails, would you have rofpn i f * '"^^ P^^°^'«« have died conten't knowint fw '- ^^'"'' ^"^ and safe, behind the coVd fblM ?"' ^^'^ '''^' ^^^'^^^^ luted body V ThP ll. , ^ °^ ^'^"" littlegirl's pol- I slept on your ha 1 wa^T^ i" ""'""^ '^^" ^'^"'^ ' fed at you'r IZI' ^^'l ^M^th^r^;^^^^^ ^'^^ known all, could you have seen tlf 11 ^'^'^ ^'^^ shame and woe laid on vnn ^°^^ ""^ S""'^^ and the life of your flrftZr^ hJT''"*'^"'' ^"^ ^^"^^t ffoat? Dearmothpr ' ' ^ ^u^ "^'"^^^^ ^^^ ^cope- him, and l^a^^'o^'ba^b^ tTditT^ ^^"^^ ^^ «^^^'- Th?K:s^of r: ^:LS"n' ^'^ ^^^^^^ ^^ *-e- knees beside the cot daslT^ 'f f^'^'^ «- ^^r bowed head. ' claspm- her hands abdvo her " ^lone in my desolation ! Oh father f t. , to my soul, and nnv fh.f t V' ^ ' ^^^P close my burden, ev!rZl"''lT''t'V'''''^'''''^^^^ •^^stainmeiow Helnn... K ^^' ^"^ ' ^^ ^^^ ! sucriflce is fl^^hed n ^ -^ P^*^^^** ^^^ ^hen the .rantthalTth^stl'^frytrlS^ ^^'^' -^ because I die for his sin?,- ^""^ ^® ransomed, I I I! 220 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. I i ! ! 1 I i I* r- ' < CHAPTER XIV. ' * * Wl -^^L' ^^^^ child, what is the trouble ? Into what • * quagmire have your little feet slipped ? When you invite me so solemnly to a private conference in this distractingly pretty room, the inference is inevit- able that some disaster threatens. Have you over- drawn your bank account ?" Judge Dent leaned back, making himself thoroughly comfortable in a deep easy chair in Leo's luxurious library ; and taking his niece's hand, looked up into her grave, sweet face. ' ' I want you to honor my draft for a large amount. I am about to draw upon your sympathy ; can I ever overdraw my account with that royal bank ?" "Upon my sympathy, never; but mark you, this does not commit me to compliance with all your Uto- pian schemes. If you were raving mad, I should sym- pathize, but nevertheless I should see that the strait- jacket was brought into requisition. When your gen- erosity train dashes recklessly beyond regulation schedules of safety, I must discharge engineer sym- pathy, and whistle down the bj^akes. What new hobby do you intend that I shall ride ?'* " I have no intention of sharing that privilege even with 3'ou ; I merely desire you to inspect the accoutre- ments, to examine reins, and girth, and stirrup. I lend my hobby to no one, and it is far too mettlesome to * carry double '. Uncle Mitchell, I feel so unhappy about that poor girl, that I must do something to com- fort her, and onl^'^ one avenue presents itself. I want you to have her brought into court on a writ of Habeas AT THB MEtidV OF TIBERIUS. 221 bond he mav rpnnir-o u ■? ^^^® *^^® amount of the conndence orhe/o", t. " r^""'' strengthens and soothes T^rZ' "°*"'° ^» pathy and trust of women " " "' *''" "y™" fe2n:S'of*';i:ri f P^-^-^ely from a pro- iudge would scaLTb;:"r;:2d*° *"">•-.">-* *"« Were I still unonthoh»Lw,. '" ^'"'t'ng bail, release her, in thetl nT"' ^ f "'f "ot conscientiously dence againsTht ll o^u^^r Srd"""^"^ *'^''' passion. . Conceding, howlsver for f hT P^^* """" Parlcman consents t rpeffli™ f? .r*"™'* "'='* at liberty, are vou nr„^7 ^ ! ""'' ^'^^ S'''' '« set she, reahd^g trfSuToVd?'^ '''V'"'^'' '"'''''■ " should take permanent hln^F'"'* ^"^ '^<^'l"ittal, trial? Abst?:™sympaX fnd '"°'''"° "^""^^ «'« are one phase of twrrJ?/ S^^crous sentiments t^en or\ went^oTa"; Lr"r'j ^^'""^ ^ «'" other. Weigh itCu "Xtis'L^''^ =^"- prisoner: but we know nT.Li / , ^ "^ '^ unfortunate to count;rba,arc ' r t* e IC'^^" ''-'-or, cumstances fate has nii^rti I ' accusing cir- guilty, can she resL h» ^ "'"'■ " ^'«' "e flight ; and iftdeedl be inZeS''^ *" "'''^ "^ difficult to await all thlt fs rofvcd i'l,T"', ™"' abide the issue? Because Jht L ^™'' ''"^ renned and noble air ^^^ '^ beautiful, has a grand snow imaged' not hif ?' ""'""'<"' ''^ ^°»« that for aughUve can nr^i f/""'^"" *» ">« '=«=», have a heaft arbSC Tul as'^hZ'^^'.^ « ""'^ " ''°" ""'""^ *'"^' ''^ "">« a- I do. I have pon. ;; I H '\h 11 i 1 i 1 ii h 1' '! t I 1 1 1 1 if- \ ] 'f ■St j ,i,,. • ^222 AT TliE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. -V. dercd the matter in all its aspects, and I take the risk." " You can afford to pay for her flight?" " I will pay for her flight, no matter what it may cost." "^ Judge Dent took her hand between both his. " Let us be frank. ' The things we do — Wc do ; we'll wear no mask, as if we blushed I' Are you so assured of the woman's fldelity ; or do you deliberately leave the door ajar, foreseeing the re- sult, deeming this the most expedient method of cut- ting the Gordian knot ?" For a moment she hesitated, then lior soft brown eyes looked down bravely into his. "I believe she is innocent, and that she will be loyal if released on bail ; but if I mistake her character, and she should flee for her life from the lifted sword of jus- tice, then I shall gladly pay the expense of playing Alexander's role ; and shall feel rejoiced that she lives to repent her crime ; and that the man to whom I have promised my hand, has been relieved of the awful re- sponsibility of hunting her to death." ** Have you made him acquainted with this scheme ?" " Certainly not. I owed it to you to secure your ap- probation and co-operation, before mentioning the mat- ter to him." " Have you considered the opposition which, without inconsistency, he cannot fail to offer ? As prosecuting attorney for the Darringtons he would be recreant t^ his client, if he consented to release on bail." " His sympathy is deeply enlisted in her behalf, and I do not anticipate opposition j nevertheless, it would not deter me from the attempt to free her, at least soft brown AT THE »IERCY OP TIBERIUS. 223 iTh^^w'^fr^'^'^"- ^^y^^l^aveno connection hl^-P f' '^" '"" ^^ impropriety in your telling Judge Parkman, that the girl's health demands a change of air and scene, and that it is my desire to fur- nish any bond he may deem suitable, and then bring ' he' Vr^TV^'' "^y ^^^ ^«^^' "^ ^^^ day fixed for i hex trial. If you are unwilling to speak to him. will ■ you permit me to mention the subject to him ?" [ thP It^J^r*^"''^'"" ^' hurrying you into a proposal, the possibly grave consequences of which you do not realize. You would run a great risk in bringing hero ' that unfortunate woman, over whose head has gathered so black a cloud of suspicion. In becoming her gaoler you assume a fearful responsibility." - I fully comprehend all the hazard, and with your permission, I shall not shrink. I have a conviction, for which I can oflFer no adequate grounds, that this girl IS as innocent as I am ; and if all the world hissed and jeered, I should stretch out my hand to her. Do you I?ant? Tf '?'''^. ^^'" ^""'^''^ ^^" i^t- Alva's hands ? The keys of the dungeons. I would rather swing wide the barred doors of yonder human cage across the river, and lead that woman out under God's free sky, than wear all of Alva's jewels, own his gold. Uncle, will you speak, or shall I ?" " I must first talk with Churchill and Dunbar. Your ' effort might result only in injury to the prisoner; be-' cause If she were brought into Court on writ of Habeas Corpus and refused bail, as I fear would be the case! the failure would operate very unfavorably for her cause, on public opinion, of which after all, in nineteen cases out of twenty, the jury verdict is a reflection, borne new evidence has been presented sinp« i],e p>.o. iimmary examination, and its character will determine the question of bail. If I can see any chance of your f !| i m \i4k l! "4 i 'I »• I I I ri !• :: I l» ill! 224 AT THE MEKCY Of TIBERnJa chSn'hnr"' '^"'"' *° ^''*"=''' ■ '»>•, indeed, my dca, less I C i."" '"°""''' ""'' ^'^''^'' yo""- hope; bu umess 1 And more encouragement than I exoect I wHl not complicate matters by a futUe attPmS \- .T would certainly recoil disasLusTy." """P'' ^'''* I J'::' ^y htt'of ri'- ^'r" "^^^ p'-p«y- to walk about in the sSle f The „nf Ph !'"'" ffift I rovpf ■ ar.A T 1 ^""^"^"6, IS tUc onc Christmas . You^hZ ;,:,^ ourzri:"in''r^"p"^^""«- present." ^^ '" '"''"^'^ '» secure my ■'When do you expect to see Dunbar ?" »refer''nTr.^'°"''''"*"™*'>'« 'Afternoon; but I J^WestedM^lTl' !''!' '"''J«'='' '^ ^^ ^^ e™y requested me 'to abstain from any referencp t„ tw share our canter to-day Havin,, t„M f ™"i'« *<> he Ieave« „m„„ * ■ .^""^'"S told me that when affS h s f ,k '■'"* "'' ''" '»'='^« "^'^ professionaJ irooTt^tet,tes^:p^:r?Jtt^ r^^*^-" *''^* thematterc,av:idiSoS'aXw."' "' '^"* '" ousiy"°::fe:-rtt~^s^-°^-r^^^^^^ XTo lot^^i^'riirorr ^ "^ rested and prosecutes for a vile crimp ,-= «i, and housed by one whom hT t ' championed mnddau~h"-- --^-^ I- """^ O^neral Darrington's f-itiuwuc^a^jnuci uuuur this roof.'* AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. iler delicate flower.iiifp foo« « , flffure became proudly e^ect'"''""' '"« ^"s" tiJnoVS^no'dfctL'tX'r'"."'' *"* P^^^-'^P- opencd. ltboLnoZnitZtZ'1- *'°^^^''^" '« spect for my motives no t^? ^'^'"'^"'"'' °» >-e- sooner our engagement is awuLd tfe 1?^', *'''° *'' us. When I have takpn ^™""«" ™e better for both of fastly keep them but L ^'^'"''; ^ ^"P" ^ ^^^1 st^ad- Th« • i'"*'"!, out meantime I am ofin o /-t ^ The irrevocable nbi tu Cams Vnn^ u ^'''■^^"• been uttered, and while it would f ""' ^^' ^°* ^«* to wound his feelin J IciZ H^'''"^" ^" ^^^^ ^"ch . Judgment. I am nt 'nZTer^tlT'^'V' "^ °^« contrary, I ardently desire TfLi ' '' °^ *^^ my self-respect, to defer to thpm t f "^^^^^^^^^ ^ith J^o, listen to me Thoro ,■„ \ but the nearest approach to it f^ ^^^''^° »'' •'^'-tb, yond, is th;seairotcourteh?r^°l'''"'""<'«'«- tbe magical days of s Lthe'S^ "^ ^""^ betrothal. In ins glamour wraps thTtTr^tir"""^ f'""'^' chasms with glitterin.> mi J t., •'''^^"'^ "aclc its Shimmering folds anTl;??' ™^^''' P'^"'^ ^"b rose leaves, tfe 4\Tt' f^^t M^ "tIT"^ "^ " gbt shines only once full up"n us buMhf '"""''""'"' It streams all alon- the ^nnZj? ' '"^^ memory of "s up the arid h"ei*ht, Ti? "^. •"""'""y ' f°"<"^s Slowonthedarkenin°™'/^™^^ ''^ ""^Uow after- slippery hill Of Ufe ft c„m;f r f ^''""y <''"^« the prophecy, this sp^rk^ prTo4: aL "'"^^'^ ^^^^ s pi uiota ue, and we never dream W'i' 1:^ li ■; i 1- '1 |j ^i P 1 . ■ 226 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. that it is the sweetest and best of the drama that fol- lows ; but let me tell you, enjoy it while you may. Beautiful, hallowing sweetheart days, keep them un- clouded, guard them from strife ; hold them for the precious enchantment they bring, and take an old man's advice, do not quarrel with your sweetheart." Pic kissed her cheek, and when the door closed behind him, she sat down and covered her face with her hands. Was that witching li-ht already fading in her sky ? Was the storm even now muttering, that would rudely toss aside the rose leaves that garlanded the feet of her beloved ? In the midst of her eloquent pro- logue would darkness smite suddenly, and end the drama ? Life had poured its richest Avine into the cup she held to her lips ; should she risk spilling the price- less draught? She could turn a deaf ear to teazing whispers of suspicion, she could shut her eyes to the spectre that threw up warning hands, and so drift on ; but the dream would be broken perhaps too late, and all time could not repair the possible shipwreck. Into the chill shadow of this problem plunged Miss Patty, bringing through the room the penetrating spicery of an apron full of pinks, which she was sorting and tying in star-shaped clusters. " An extraordinary and most unexpected thmg has happened, and I know you will be surprised." " What is it, aunt Patty ? Something very pleasant, I hope." "I have actually changed my opinion; and you know how tenacious I usually am of my well-matured views, because they are always founded on such sound reasons. Quite surprised, arn't you, dear ?" " That is far too mild and inadequate a term to ex- press my sensations. Your views and opinions bear the same royal, inviolable seal as those of the Medes AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. rom some infallible Cn uH filir "l ^ ?"""' be much more astonished to hear tW r *°""' '"" erown giddy, had swung down nnf T'""" ^'^ arms of Sirius." ^ ''"'' waltzed in the tags of far-fetched lefrnL "T, nl '?"" '""^ ™^« ="«> Object as if she had tu™cr;ut a f,", T T"^«™ »" tache. I am very sure x-1 T , ^'""'<' """ ni^s- than once, that TvcX beii-e'v'^''''"'"''''^'-''""'''' scare all the men intf mon J! '"-f '""'<'" ^""^ stockings. Too much 1 : Sng fatjalf ^ ^™'-<' "'"« .s as utterly unpardonable as a wastl of^,„ "''"^«''^''«on meg m a chicken-pie • or a snnJfll "''''"on and nut- 0^ ^ fa cr^««; just^l^rfthe tvofr '" ^"'- ^o«pfo,Us all that is admissible in either' T "'"'* to tell you, that I Invo nvr^^ • , ^irnor. I came m feeling With refleice ^o il™"'' ''""' ^ '='^'"'^« °f Mr. Dunbar with such '^„^'.P~7»™S 'ady, whom threw.intogaol I am T ''='""' ^"•^^'o" and --•ong has been cemmTtted:; ^"''^'°^^'' *-* a great sib^^^rntctvrrn rr ."^^ "^^'^ »' ^- then she frankly met th^ ?" *'',V'"'™'™S''it'^'"-f'=et; sodecXtretuSo/senr""^' -cumstance is " Yc" 1 now! hf sontiment attributable ?" sagaI:y,t7d„rri^:tsr'r5=''rSisterSerena's frequently with me o^ th» "^l 'f '"'ffbt she has talked She undeftoo^TnTrs. Th-to "^^^^^^ When ered her guilty of the r^ff ^T ''.'''"' ^'^^ '"o consid- ^.ebega^to^d^'irt-Vrd^r^^-X \h 1 : ' f LlL ^ 228 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. says she went to the penitentiary, and found the prisoner reading a Bible which she had borrowed from the gaoler's wife. She asked her if she would like her to offer up a prayer, in her behalf, and they knelt down side by side. Sister Serena prayed that God would melt her heart if shewas guilty, and help her to repent. While they were still on their knees, Sister Serena put one arm around her and said : '"God knows whether you are the criminal : and if so let me beg of you to make a full confession; it will unload your conscience, and may be the means of arousing more sympathy in the public heart. ' She says that the poor girl looked at her a moment go reproach- fu ly, and answered : * When we meet in heaven, you will understand how cruelly your words hurt me. I know that appearances are hopelessly against me, and I expect to die ; but I am so innocent, I keep my soul close to God for He who knows the truth,will help me to bear man's injustice.' Then she prayed aloud for nerself that she might endure patiently and meekly an awful punishment, which she did not deserve; and while she prayed, her countenance was so pure so angelic, and there was such unmistakable fervor and smcerity in her petition, that Sister Serena says she could not help bursting into tears, and she actually begged the girl's pardon for having doubted her inno- cence. She has fallen completely in love ivith the poor young creature, and tells me she finds her wonderfully talented and cultivated. This morning she showed me some of thQ most beautiful designs for decorating our altar on Christmas, which the prisoner sketched for her She cut ail the models for her, and gave her such lovely suggestions, and when Sister Serena thank- ed her, she says the most touching smile she ever saw came mto that child's face, as she -inswered: bought AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 229 Next year. I shall ,nZiT ,.- ^P™*" »" «arth. twcen her and Sister Serem «f <- ? f^'"'' P''^^^'* be- until I tad seen to^'^::!"!' ^nd^as'a t°? '" ""'^ going over to carry some letter, tfi, ^*'"""' "'^'^ ed, I went with herThave " en ^ '''"'"''' ^'"' ^"l" her, and I pity the haixl hH J *""' """^ *="''«' """ dictive heart of the mw ^^'', ""^«S™»ate and vin- •nurder. Idonot bSeTw P'^^'^'^ii^S her for • Dunbar ean tod tlelt LVn fdi^ !"«>.«. -»rW. Mr. to eonvict that beautiful orphan X? ,;f'"J"' ^"""^^ wm do as little credit to hSlWt' ^ '"' "'""'•'' to his moral nature " ''*' "^ ™'='=««s '^ould oJdlcitK thrnr-Jte^r ^r'"'.''^ -='-« 'rom absent, to assure ™u tLrh!^ ™ J"'*'"'' ^ *e even less than youTl ':^a':i. XSlt h^ '="°'' to avert t. I feel more i„t.J t '"^ Po^er you can possibly real^ranfff '" ^^'' ""'^"'"- '*''■' will befriend he^ to the ?. V ''!""«^ '""• ">"~'=nt, I Serena succeedTnOttinJ^theLTr'^- ^'^ ^'^^^ " The poor chi 1 inr?^ ""'' '^'■^^^ I ^ent ?" not awaryou sent It V^ '^°'"^ "''''' ""* I was almost to have broSVhth^.T-p'^''^ T"'' "^'^^ ton ! Petted and fostred Sa hnM""" ^'"f ^"*^- then to die a pauper in a htprtal'w?'. ''"'■' =""* retribution for her disobedienee t^ V ''' ''" '^'^f"' is the bell." "'soBedience to her parents ? There " Yes, Auntie, and I must n„i. Son,eofmySunday.scho„rca^„rf " '° *'^'="^<' »«• tJieir carols, and conclude a Uttle.r?'"''^^'''P™<=«^e and I hear them now on th^ » '!, '/."""^^ Preparation. ■'mMitchellshowyou-Le,^^;„-,,,„^,„,,. I 1 230 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. i ■ t ' : I- 1- I ii n I i "He told mo the ffood news, that at the last mo- ment Lcyhton had llUed his pulpit for the h^ida™ and would preach for us on Chrfstmas. How d^ 1 anej our hanging up our stockings once more at the cot of Uncle Mitchell's bed! Your lettris have been eloquent, indeed, to entice h-m from the ' £«:- an!.'", """'"•"'"^' '" ^''<' ^-"'^ '"^ ^' - " "^»t vou for ;,r" ■'; ™"""^ " '^ '"""'" •>' gratitude to J ou, for all your lovmg care of him. I know vou are fo°„ f'rr.f f " ?""^"' "' "^^ «*« Holy Commun! crat Z, P? r" "' """' '""^'' ""y* ''"'* " «"■ conse- crate this Chnstmas above all others; and I congrat- ulate you heartily, dear Aunt Patty " ^ It was late in the afternoon of Saturday, Christmas Eve when Leo knocked at the door of Mrs'i'singJcS room A dispirited expression characterized the countenance usually serene and happv, and between her brows a perpendicular line marked the advenrof anxious oreboding. Her hopeful scheme had Zoh ed vanished Uke a puff of steam on icy air, iZL Dent s conference with the District Solicitor, had con- vinced him of the futUity of any attempt to secure baS- moreover, a message from the prisoner earnestly ex etlf Is' sh!° ''"'?."'" ^" ^'''""^^y O^^'^- '" ^er behalf, as she would not accept release on bail and preferred to await her trial ■■ '^« »» «au, and herl^.'^wTT'^'™'' ^°'''*"°- " yo» want to see her Ked will show you the way to the chapel, where I left her a while ago. Since her jiother's death th^ only comfort she gets, is from theorgan; so we le'ther to nnvsh a black shawl I am crocheting for her " The warden escorted his visitor through the chil] AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. listen. On L smaS fo:4f;^;i',r ? T'"''^ playing a grand and solemn aria "^v ^'f "' '''^"'l "'as once before in the cool drths ' / Z f ^° "^" '>«="■" It had impressed her then mlf '' "^ ^^"'^''"'■ despairing invocation of so™e dl ^"TZ'"^^^- ''^ "^e It thrilled her with Imennir. ^ "'"'''' T'l'^"; to-dav the warden baclc she s"f nf '"'"'^''''We pain. Wa,^„| the door, and sat do^"'"^ '"'""^ ''"^ «'>''Pe>, closed %hrSrf/,7-„^<.-^ the after„„o„ sun- ?^'C^fX-^-San~^^^^ dish-brown hair coiled ooLlfo^^. ""^ "^^'^ '■^d- head. Her black dress enw^/w.^"'" ""'''y P°'sed of delicate features, SoutS '"^^^t'^'^e Pallor background, bore a strongTesli^^'"^' thatgolden portrait of Titian's wife S [«^«nblaneo to the lovely the keys, across whilfher fln-r""!- ^°'"'°«"' »' gazing Off into space, as if seekfnf '*''^^'=''' ^"e was and to the same sombre, passS'"? "°f ' '™'"''y "'^OJ she sang : ' P^^^^'onate, plaintive melody The ehunde^ rJ^iZ.7s'''^-,t'' l°f . Like one bewilderpd f v^tu x T' ^^ ^^^^ The day dedines t^XZ ff^.'.^"^ ^^^ ^^"<^ » Sees ghostly visions F^n.fr,"'^^'^ "'^^^ Encompass me TFalerf." ^ '^"^'''^ '"^^ And from the niJht f a ' ^""^^ ""^ ^^^nd, ThecrosTifhe:^^y:tht'r?^"^^ Ch^'^J ' It long, and stiU^o b^ar ft T "'^ ^™^ Orc-nalQ«» o" • I cannot stand And re;c];;;^j:^^t^^-y hand. s °^°''ead to the crown Thy Child !•» 232 ! ( '■ AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. wil f h?''! ""^^ ^onderfuUy sweet and rich, vibra W vntb the intense pathos of minor chords in a meUol tte wetTo '' '"'."''^^ '^^" P^^«^^^^ weakness, oT the weight of woe, it quivered at last into a thrill cry Tears were dripping over Leo's cheeks as s^f ouTh^r^L? T'f ^^"^"^' ^"^ leanin/atrs ;S out ner hand. Beryl rose and came fonvard am ^o , w, h only the pine balustrade between, the Wo stood palm in palm. No moisture dimmed the prLner's Se^fztrt~^-rersri':£; to' thanTvTf"* ir '"™'* 'o^^oyo". Miss Gordon, yout effort to he,"' ^'*'. ''""'™^^ t''^* P™"PM your effort to help me ; and yet, I have no hone nf expressmg adequately the comfort I derived ?romth?! mamfestation of your confidence. TheknowleS tt cnmmal-mto the holy shelter of your own home nh t you can never realize, unless you^toodTn myplat bright s^tirfb^r' ''^" "'"" always 'mlTa oright spot m the blackness of my situation. The full sympathy of a noble woman is the best tonic for a feeble sufferer, who knows the world has turned it^ ba«k upon her. If I were unworthy, your Zdnes^ would be the keenest lash that could s;'urge mT b« forlorn though I seem, your friendship brinS me mea^ urelessbalm, and whUe I could never ha^^cS" y°f Sf"*™"* " "Do you refer to the trini n ? " ™''y distant." , " No, to that Which vawnl Tu- "°""' ^ " tow gash out there Judnio!!'"' *'' '™'' * «tal. 0' the penitentiary ben tollfr/''' """ « *e sound •*«.■"■ .od victims .' "«"'«■»« '<"• the souls of *' Hush ! hush I V the possibility Of such horS TZ'" ""' ''"''Sinins ■■oundings, coupled with n,! ""^- ^^""'^y sur! ■^nder you morbidly dlsL^r. ^'^' bereavement of cheering y„u, that mrde me " ' ''"' " ^'^ ">« hoj^' away. If I could onlv t»L '"""'"''' to get you week! " ""'^ take you home, even for one ~ good, howTobH^ow tendt? "^^P'-e^sibly. How because I am so gratefu", Tet'^^e T ' "'^^ ^o-^"". 5^ou cannot help me in f,,? ™'^ ^a^' one thmg »e to think tha? Tm as an"' ''r? " ''»"" ^'"-o tween your heart and the sun^ "^'"^^ ^''adow, be- ^he night Of my wrTtehedn- '''''' ^""^^ "• In way to me, and'^in XT.Z'^r" ■'''''"' ^■""P"' ^our are so cruelly leao-ued to ^f }" eircumstances that eonfldencehk^e a Cm'^mtlf't^^:' f " *'^~w Z^,* ■ "" "^" ---us,; laid~ u";^, tS^- 284 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. hands in mine— oh, God bless you ! God reward you I Do you think I could bear to know that I had caused even a hand's breadth of cloud to drift over the heav- enly blue of your happy sky ? The boAv of promise that spans your life is no secret. Let no thought of me jar the harmony that reigned before I came here. Leave me to my doom, which human hands cannot avert now ; and be happy without questioning*. Inexorable fate stands behind men ; makes them, sometimes, irre- sponsible puppets." A deep flush had risen to Leo's temples, and with' drawing- her hand, she shaded her face for a moment. The great bell below the tower clock rang- sullenly. *' Good-bye, Miss Gordon. I had permission to stay here only till the bell sounded. Pray for me, but do not come again. Visits to me could bring you nothing but sorrow in return for your compassion, and that would add to my misery. I wish you a pleasant Christmas, a happy New Year, and as cloudless a life as your great goodness deserves." Once more their hands met, in a long close clasp, then Leo laid on the chancel railing a large square envelope. " It is only a Christmas card, but so lovely, I know your artistic taste cannot fail to admire it ; and it may brighten your cheerless room . It is the three-hundred- dollar-prize-card, and particularly beautiful." ** Thank you, dear Miss Gordon. It may help to deaden the merciless stings of memory, which all day long has tortured me by unrolling the past, where my Christmas days stand out like illuminated capitals on black-letter pages." Deaden the stings of memory ? What spell sud- denly evoked the image of her invalid mother, all the details of the attic room, the litter of pencils on the AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIOS. 235 of the blo^^f p X^CXr^^^'^'' ^"''P^^ terior of the Criche wW^h =h ^ J '"'"*'''^ ^ '■'>« in- to sketch the he^, „ri^l ■^'"' u^ Penetrated in order cherubs p'^'^^'P""^ *"""««. « a study for ind';::Sbt"rou™ti;'''"°^''^''«"^p---'e, "Too latf--t:"ltrrC "whS"^- • mockery I" * ^"" ^ what a cruel wttS'oTtheltf ""''''" '""'"^ »' t-^e altar, gUded cart sL hew rnr'"-" '^"'"^ ^"'*''* "■> *''» vulsed face. Where tea^jrr ''*'"'' »" ""r white con- t™cj„.herWpri2::,S'}XH„r'""'"'- ^''• ab.v^V;^>;hredtSir ••"-• '^overCvfrl faintly. What cl y^t 1? Xt--^"" r'^'"^^"* «od to paralyze my tonle, n/ T' ""* P'^^ *° fo.^ I lose my lasTcluteh „„' feitt^rt "" '''"*'^' "«" ator, and drift dovn ti^ZT ^f'*'"' ^^ curse my Ore- awr;^h:e:trarrrurL;^.''^ ■•-r ^-^^ «-" unrestrainedly Seri^th ,^." ' °^* *"•» «»«>bed form, as the woud h. Jf n ' 'f"" ■^eWlei'shi.ering a time, Ber/lMted f flo" ""vf ''""''^''' ''"'» ='"«' my, drenchef bXrca":!;''''' "^ ^ ^ -«»" thauta"f^rvif Sset'''"''*'^'' ^" ''<'- ^'^^' -<> -p.:;/ft..r4^--:rryj^iS T i ■ m 1 1 i 236 AT THE SIERCY OP TIBERIUS. That Christmas card is the solitary dove I sent out to hunt a resting-place for mother and for me, when the flood engulfed us. It was my design sent to Boston, to compete for the prizes offered. How I dreamed, how I toiled I Haunting the flower shops for a glimpse of heartsease, and passion flowers, and stars of Beth- lehem ; begging a butcher at the abattoir to spare a lamb, until I could sketch it ; kneeling by cradles in the public * Crdche ' to get the full red curve of a baby's sucking lips, as they forsook the bottle, the dimple in the tiny hands, the tendrils of hair on the satin brow I Over that card I sang, and I wept ; I worked, hoped, prayed, believed ! So much depended upon it I Could the Christ to whom I dedicated it, fail to answer my prayer for success ? Three hundred dol- lars ! What a mint I It would pay the doctor, and make mother comfortable, and get her a warm new suit for coming winter. Oh! it is so easy to believe in God, untU He denies us ; and to trust Christ, tni He hurls our prayers back, and the stones crush us. Only three hundred dollars between life and death ; between a happy, proud girl with a noble future, and a dis- gft*aced, broken-hearted wreck trampled into a convict's grave I It would have saved all ; all the awful conse- quences of the journey here, which only dire extremity of need forced upon me. On the fatal day I started , South, I went at the last moment, hoping that some tidings from my card would come on angel wings. The decision had been made, but the awards were not yet published, and so my doom was sealed. To-morrow, happy women, no more innocent than I am, will smile at my Christmas card,, and give it with warm kisses and loving words to their dear ones ; and to-day, my white dove of hope, flies back in my face, with the talons of a harpy, to devour me with raaddeningf re- i out to hen the Boston, led, how npse of ►f Beth- spare a adles in ve of a tie, the on the cvept; I epended d it, fail [red dol- or, and rm new jlieve in , till He s. Only between i a dis- onvict's I conse- tremity started it some gs. The not yet norrow, II smile 1 kisses ay, my ith the iin|f re- AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 237 minders of ' what might have been '. Mv coveted fhr.« hundred dollars I Three hundred taun^i^ds r^^^ jeer and orment me. The Christmas sun tiU shtne on SlLZfr* 'I ' ^'^^^^^ ^ospital^on^r gracea, msulted, forsaken conviot. Take awav this last mockery, it is more than I can bear. TheTe on the tf ri et ':T~^^^^ ^-^-Three Hutred Dot and Th. i ""T" ^^'^ ^"" "^y ^«ther's coffin, TooTate^ ?al. r'^^ f""'^ to lash my heart out 100 late ! Take it away ! too late ! oh, too late ' This IS worse than the pai.g^ of death." ' ^ CHAPTER XV. -pHE Christmas Sabbath dawned cold and dim, and cloud w^.' T':^ '''^^'^y "^^^^^^^ ^-~ cloud with dun, stratified bases, built themselves into the likeness of vast teocallis to Tonatiuh, ovr whose n^if. ^.f '"^^^^"^ ""^^« ^^11 r^d and presa^efuT Dulled by thestained glass windows, thelighttS^^^^ the semi-circular chapel at " The Lilacs", was chill and ombre, until the fair sacristan held a t^per over the all wax candles on each side of the altar, whence a mel- tZ^TrZr'' ''''^'^'^ ^^^^ ^"' flashin'^'Zg. ppes of the little organ. On the marble steps in front eiiias, and great spikes of pink and blue hvacinfhs ncense The family Bible of the Gordons lav on^n „„ Maltese elf ^f' '"' "T '*^ ^^""^ pases reVa a Maltese «obs of snowy Roman hyacinths. Looping 238 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. back the purple velvet portiere over the arch leading into the library, Leo sat down on the organ bench to await the coming of the family, leisurely arranged the stops, and marked in her prayer-book the Collect for Christmas. In her morning robe of crimson cashmere, with its cascade of soft rich lace foaming from throat to feet, and wearing a dainty cluster of double white violets fastened just below one ear, where the wax light kissed her sunny hair, she- appeared a St. Cecilia, very fair and sweet, to the eyes of the man who stood a mo- ment unperceived beneath the arch. A figure of medium height, clad in priestly garments, with a white sur- plice sweeping to the marble floor ; a finely modelled head lihickly fleeced with light brown hair, a serene pleasant face, with regular features, deep set black ej'^es magnified by spectacles, and an expression of habitual placidity, that bespoke a soul consecrated by noble aims, and at perfect peace with his God. Hearing his step as he crossed the floor, Leo looked over her shoulder, smiled, and began to play softly, while he ascended the steps and knelt before the altar. After some moments Miss Patty rustled in, sank on her knees and finally settled herself comfortably on one of the crescent-shaped, cushioned sofas ; then Judge Dent entered, followed by Justine and the aged negro butler, Joel, the two servants finding seats just behind their master. Doctor Leighton Douglass selected his hymns, and the leaves of five prayer-books fluttered, as Collects were found, but Leo continued to play. Twice she turned and looked around the chapel, seek- ing some one, delaying the commencement of the ser- vice. Finally accepting defeat, her pretty fingers fell from the keys, and with them dropped two tears, forced from her by the keen disappointment that robbed this occasion of aU its anticipated pleasure, Singularly fre-e AT THE MERCY Of TIBERIUS. 239 from fashionable elocutionary alfectations, and certain Ureea and the Lord's Prayer becomes a competitive read the mormng service, in a well-modulated xoice each heart The responses were fervent, and the then^Z!"/"^'"" """"" '^^^^ ""'"'^ ^""^^"^ earnestness ; then priestly arms rose like the wings of a great mu'S^om ' r '?'?■ '''''' ^''''''^ ''^' '''' '^^ -?"o- music of the benediction : -The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be ^' h us all evermore. Amen." Even while he pronounced the words, a whirring- .ustle filled the beautiful oratory, and two of Leo's pef ring-doves, fluttering round and round .tlie frescoed ceilmg, descended swiftly. One perched upon her head, coomg softly, and its mate needed down with outspread pmions, pecking at the white muslin folds on Doctor Douglass' shoulder. " Paracletes, dun plumed ! Leo, let us acceot them as happy auguries, prophetic of divine blessing on our future work in the Master's vineyard. My cousin, I wish you a very happy Christmas." He had approached the c^rgan where she sat, and held out nis hand. "Happy Christinas, Leighton, and many thanks to you for this consecrating service in my place of prayer. After to-day, it will always seem a more hallowed shrme and before you leave us, we will gather here as a lamily, and join in the celebration of the Holy Com- munion." "^ They stood a moment hand in hand, looking into each other se^es; and watchi/.g them, Miss Patty's heart 240 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. swelled with pardonable pride in the two, whom her loving arms had so tenderly cradled. Pinching her brother's hand, as she walked with him under the vel- vet draperies, she whispered : " What a noble match for both I And he's only her second cousin." Leo's eyes were wet with tears, which Doctor Doug- lass ascribed to devotional fervor; and withdrawing her hand, she opened one of the windows, and called the doves to the stone ledge, putting them very gently out upon the ivy wreaths that clambered up the wall, and peeped into the chapel. " I believe you are sacristan here ?" he said, pointing to the candles that flared, as the wind rushed in. " Yes, here I sweep, dust, decorate daily, allowing no other touch ; and here I bring my daintiest, rarest flowers, as tribute to Him who tapestried the earth with blossoms, and sprinkled it with perfumes— when ? Not until just before the advent of humanity, whose material kingdom was perfected, and furnished in an- ticipation of his arrival." Extinguishing the candles, she closec' the old Bible, covered it with a square of velvet, and hung the cross of hyacinths upon the folded hands of one of the marbre angels that upheld the altar. " Pure-handed women are natural priestesses, meet for temple ministration ; and I have no doubt your ex- oteric labors here, merely typify the secret daily sweep- ing out of evil thoughts, the dusting away of motes of selfishness, the decorating with noble beautiful aims, and holy deeds, whereby you sanctify that mner shrine, your own soul." " Praise from you means so much, thtr.t you need not stoop to flatter me. The very vestments of you Levites should exhale infectious humility j and I especi- ;■« lom her ling her the vel* only her )r Doug- drawing' d called Y gently he wall, pointing ill owing t, rarest e earth -when ? ■, whose i in an- l Bible, le cross of the s, meet Towc ex- sweep- lotes of L aims, shrine, u need of you especj' AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 241 I built this chapel, not because I am good, but in order to grow better. Every dwelling hasfts r^om in whth the inmates gather to eat, to study, to work, to sTeep why not to pray, the most important privilege of man; that divide humanity from brutes? After all the pagan, were wiser than we, and the heads of amUits were household priests, setting examples of piety at every rising of the sun." ^ "^ drin^n^lifh* ^"""^ ^°^ ^"^^^ ^^*^^^« ^^^ ^ cake dripping with wine, a wreath of violets, a heart of honey-comb, a brace of doves on the home altar and immediately thereafter, set the example of voMn^ every clause in the Decalogue. Mark you, plganism drew hne Imes in morals, long anterior to the eraTf monotheism and of Moses, and f umished immortaU^el of al the virtues ; yet the excess of its religious c^! momal, robbed it of vital fructifying enemies The r^quency and publicity of sacerdoL'ser^icf, usurped the place of daily mdividual piety. The tende^y of all outward symbolical observances, unduly mu^ti^ phed IS to substitute mere formalism for fervor ^ Leighton, humanity craves the concrete. All the universe IS God's temple, yet the chUl breath o the abstract freezes our hearts ; and we pray best m some pil ared niche consecrated and set apart. I recall a dTy n Umbria, when the wonderful light of sunset fell on Ilex and olive, on mountain snows, on valleys billowino between vme-mantled. hills, on creamy marble waUs" on columned campaniles; and standing there, I seemed verily to absorb, to become saturated as it;ere!^th the reigning essence of beauty. I walked on, k few steps, lifted a worn, frayed leather curtain, and looked into a small gray, dingy church, where a mist of incense blurred the lights on the ancient altar, and the muiSed ^S 242 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. I ; M Si. ! i • ■T.'i V:^ roll of an organ broke into sor-ous waves, like rever- berations of far-away thunder ; and whv was it, tell me that the universal glory thrilled me only as a sensuous chord of color, but in the dark corner consecrated to the worship of our God, my soul expanded, as if a holy nnger touched it, and I fell on my Imees, and prayed ? Each of us comes .nto this world dowered with the be- hest to make desperate war against that indissoluble Iriple Alliance, the World, the Flesh and the Devil ' and needing all the auxiliaries possible, I resort to con- scription wherever I can recruit. Sine© I am two thousand years too young to set up a statue of Hestia yonder m my imitation prostas, I have built instead this small sacred nook for prayer, which helps me spiritu- ally, much as the Ulah aids Islam." " Your oratory is lovely, and I wish its counterpart adorned every homestead in our land; but are you quite sure that in your individual experience you are not mistaking effect for cause ? Your holy heart de- mands fit shrme for—" *' I am quite sure I will not allow j^ou to stand a mo- ment longer on this cold floor ; and I do not intend that you shall pay me undeserved compliments. It is derogatory to your dignity, and dangerous to my mo- dicum of humility. As soon as you are ready for breakfast, come to the dming-room, where Santa Klaus left his remembrances last night. O, Leighton ! I had half a mind to hang up two stockings at uncle's bed, for the sake of dear old lang syne. If we couk. only shut our eyes, and drift back to the magical time of aprons, short clothes, and roundabouts, when a sugar rooster with green wings and pink head, and a doll that could open and shut her eyes, were considered more precious than Tiffany's jewels, or Collamore's ^rown Derby I Can Delmonico ofTer you a repast half ' I AT THE MERCfY OF TIBERIUS 343 as appetizing as the hominy, the tea cakes, the honey and the sweet milk which you and I used to en ov at our supper just at sunset, at our own little table set under the red mulberry trees in the back td -' ''' .ni 1 I ^"^"^ ""^ "^^"^^"^ ^^^^««« present is so rose- , ' colored, whose future so blissful, turn to rake amTd the ashes of the past ?" ^""^^ ''Because, like Lot's wife, we are all prone to stare backward. Who lives in the presentTDo you ? When we are young we pant for the future that pitches painted tents before us. When we are older, we ive in the past, that wraps itself in alacred gilding glamour, and is vocal with the happy echoes which alone survive. Far-off fields before and behind us anrs'ton'"^^ ZT^'' ^^^^" ' ^"^ ^^^ presentlsgray and stony, and barren of charm, and we turn fret^ L f i^'.i '" ?!'^ ""^ ^^' ^"^^ ^-^^^^^.^ «f Time that it istideless; that the stream bears remorselessly on and on never back to the dear old spots ; always on' to lose Itself in the eternal and unknown. So, to^dav^ Christmas lacks the zest of its predecessors '' ^ Leo loosened the gilded chain that looped the cur- tains, and as the purple folds fell behind her, hidin<^ the arch, Doctor Douglass said gently ■ '^ J7l^'^^ ^ f ^^""'^ ^"""^^ ^^^ '""'^^ admonition in one of Rabbi Tyra's dicta : ' Thy yesterday is thy pas^ thy to-day is thy future ; thy to-morrow is a secret' '' .in. ' '^ ^ package and a note which arrived during service, and as Mr. Dunbar's servant said there was no answer expectx3d, he did not wait." As Miss Patty delivered the parcel to her niece thn mmister walked away to lay aside his vestm' n s,' but them ' *.^^«f ^^- ^-rdening of his cousin's kce thefiu^aoi displeasure, the haughty curl of her lips.' ma on his (Jars fell hi^ aunt's voice : 244 AT THE MERCY OP TJBERIUS. u\' '■ ; praylrT"""''"'"' '""' ^""•"' ""• ''™ -' morning so!'-^ '"'"""* '"™ '» J"'" o^' " he felt disposed to do ge*„'cr''.''h™'f'"! '^'"'"^" he offer for such negli- smTc'e?" "" '"'"^ "^"^' ^'^Won ^ould readSe An unwontod sparl;le leaped into Leo'.; m»A >,, , Sortrtti— -------^^^^^^^^ Will be LnpatieS ,T„d f wanT to 'r /""' ' "'"='' when he sees his Saata Klaus " '""""^ '"''P^'^'' Du^nba^rfX^f f ^''PP''"''"'' "^^P'^ Affronted by Mr. i^uxioar s lailure to present himcoif ^« „ . which she had especfallHeS s L °"''"'"' ''^ sense of h^i^mat^^'w^'r^tiu » '1 f .t'^*"" her precious kin-dom ' Tn f P'"'^*'"""' »■• total loss, of thi. Christmas ^sth^ era th n Ket™ ^^^'^'^ from Judah •" h„f r.,,+4.- sceptre departed >n. t/e tn 'of Mtre^hTi:? tt?:r' r ^^'''- holiday greetings, and proudly w'eVer™™?^^'' throughout the day, holding sternTv „ff f?^ ^^ Which grimly bided ^sthne^?heto« tUSL":' MJand"l's%'''T7°""'* ^-"^ compassiLlte^r^":; fi AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 345 Cbristmas carols iii innocent youth, and to the mother's knees where prayers were lisped. Illness had secured to Beryl immunity from contact with her comrades in misery, and except to visit the little chapel, she never left the sheltering walls of her small, comfortless room, grateful for the unexpected boon of silent seclusion, ^er Christmas greeting had been little Dick's sweet lips kissing her cheek, as he deposited upon her narrow bed the black and white shawl his mother had knitted, and a box left by Miss Gordon on the previous day, which contained half a dozen pretty handkerchiefs with mourning borders some delicate perfume and soaps, toilet brushes and a sachet. An hour later, when Mrs. Singleton and her babies had gone to spend the day with relatives in the city Beryl went to the window, pushed the sash up, and lis- tened to the ringing of the Sabbath-school bells as every church beyond the river called its nursery to' the altar, to celebrate the day. The metallic clangor was mellowed by distance, rising and falling like rhythmic waves, and the faint ecl.o, filtered through dense pine forests behind the penitentiary, had the ghostly iter- ation Qf the Folge Fond. A gaunt yeUow kitten, with a faded red ribbon knot- ted about its neck, and vicious, amber-colored eyes that were a perpetual challenge, had flpd from the ten- der mercies of Dick to the city of refuge under Beryl's cot; and community of suffering id kindled an at- tachment that now prompted the lesser waif to spring into the girl's folded arms, and rub its head against her shoulder. Mechanically Beryl's hand stroked the creature's ear, v/hile it purred softly under the caress : but suddnnlv it« har»k piiv^tpH i"^-«^ ..^ r^r-s ^' • •? — ^. ii~ — M. t^„. rtju uxxsxj ^u area, wie tail broadened, the purr becani(; a growl. Had association 246 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. • M ' ii i The warden had opened the door and quickly dosed .t after ushering in a tall figure, who wore an t.?r coat which was buttoned from throat to knees At sight of Mr. Dunbar, the cat plunged to the S at s^d^away to the darkest corner under theT^on'bed- " Good morning. I da., not utter here the greet- u.gs Of the day, because you would construe it ,^ 1 heartless mockery." He came forward hesitatingly, and she turned swiftly SgTrbfck^'^^^'^''''^^^^**''^''-""''-'"''-'. "Why will you persist in regarding as an enemy ^f^^ToTr' " ^" *'^ """'' -"^^ '^ -- ^-^- 'o him away"'""' ""'^ "'-epellent gesture waging " Will you allow me, this Christmas mornmg to comfort myself in some degree, by leaving herea few flowers to brighten your desolate surrounding™ " He held out a bouquet of rare and brilliant hot- house blossoms, whose delicious fragrance had alreadv pervaded the room. They stood side by sidf virshe ™™rLfr' '"'" '"•'" "^' -e^eO swt^g Sttlthe'^^erfar '' '™" '"^ ""^ ^^ me»^Soh?ir°i?f°f *""■*" ''^'^ ** "O"- ^P-^k ^ me. So be It. At least you must listen to me You may not care to hear that I have been absent, but p °r" haps It will interest you to know that I went L search rf the man for whose crime you are paying irpen" If he expeot-ed her to wh.ce under the probe, her ' human an« ckly closed 'e an over- knees At rfoor, and i iron bed- the greet- B it into a led swiftly le window, m enemy, inxious to J warning: >rningr, to Te a few rs ?" iant hot- d already , yet she shiverin the sash S speak to le. You but per- il search bhe pen- )be, her AT Tin: MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 247 nerves were taut, and she defied the steel ' bnf f h. r she now turned fullv to bim „• '"^s^eei , but the face :.r =;;,"«"■" -"-^^^^^^^ " Prisoners, victims of justice havp if e of Justice, unducl^TVenCreTclav:;"' '""^ persistency with^wMchC hrust v„, .*'' ''™'"' brings you here to watch and analyze my tZtrUT, a b^ogist looks through Ic.sesat aninZt helSe^ 01 Pasteur scrutinies the mortil fhrnnc ^e 4^ *^rapaies, th.i^!u ''°" ^^nsider for a moment the possibilitv me to come here ,n the hope of making reparat onT ofrep^'uo, "m!"'""'"' ineonceivable as the idea :„^ : "" 5— .a. ia&ui, ana wantonly turns a* there to dread? AUholh f birdT' '""'' '''" « when it has received its denth L ^ """^' '"" ^'eH to flutter, drag- itself as far L™""' '""«'«=' drives it of the sportefnan, and 'asD „r?""™" *« ^=^e lonely place." ^"*P o"* 'ts agony in some wings, and ho!'e™*atoost;Tn,vrf'''''^'' ^''^P^ '(« I know beyond all pera dve„V,7 ll"*' """""« <=*Pture, "«*«. tbatsomethi^rshlhohK . ''^ " '^ °"1^' >°^o'« life, is thereby screened sav'f v"""" "^^" ''"• »^ great crime ag^i,>st „ ' 1"" «" ^""t.y of a tacitly, consenting to an uvfnr!; ^ •'"■'' submitting and protect the rSj murdZr .^~'"' " "'"'""^ <» ^P^™ chan^etU'^h^ieieytl^tn"^^'^ '^ -- rested her lips a mom;nt^:'ir"'='' '"'='=«'' '^^"ds, drinktag some needed tonic w l""""'"'^ ™^' =«« * low, quiet tone : ' "^ "^"^ered in tlie same "Then, prime minister of iustir» = * punish the guilty. wJ""''"^' ""f me free, and Darrmgton?" . "" ""rdered General to.^eI;:u?;e;':Stt"cl?r^r.'"^' '''«» I '"tend secured. You would die T .? '"■^'■"* ''''s ^een proud, brave, noble nafur^, ^Z/^ '''''■ y^' star:rt-\rfr m rrr w .1 'i 1 Ij i 1 ii I Hi 250 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. woman s heart. To die for his crimes, were a happier fate than to suUy your fair soul by alUance with one so degrraded ; and, by the help of God, I mtend to snatch you from both !" . ; He had put his hands for an instant upon her should- ;^ ers and hw handsome face flushed, eloquent with the . feeling that he no lon-er cared to dlsg-uise, was so close to hers, that she felt his breath on her cheek. Swiftly, unerringly she comprehended everythm- • and the suddenness of the discovery dazded, awed her' as one might feel under the blue flash of a dag-er when thrust into one's clasp for novice fingers to feel the edge. Was the weapon valued merely because of the possibmty of fleshing it in the heart of him who had darkened her life ? Did he understand as fully the marvelous change in the beautiful face, that had ^red him from his chapel tryst with his betrothed^ He was on the alert for signals of distress, of em- barrassment, of teiv^or ; but what meant the glad light that leaped up in her eyes, the quick flush staining her wan cheek, the triumphant smile curving lips that a moment before might have belonged to Guercmo's Mater Dolorosa, the relaxation of figure and features, the unmistakable expression of intense relief that stole into the countenance ? .Z^^^ ^?u ^/ so good as to tell me my lover's name, and where the fox terriers of the law unearthed him "' I will tell you something which you do not already know ; that I have found a clue, that I shall hunt him out, hide, crouch where he may ; that here, where he smned, he shall expiate his crime, and that when your lover IS hung, your name, your honor, shall be vm- dicated. So much, Lennox Dunbar promises you, on his honor as a gentleman." "WofdB, vapid words! Kmpty, worthless as last B a happier le with one I intend to ler should - it with the ^as so close • verything" ; , awed her, a dag-g-er ers to feel because of f him who s fully the that had betrothed ? B£s, of em- glad lig-ht ti staining rUps that juercino's I features, that stole Br'sname, ed him ?" )t already hunt him where he t^hen your U be vin- s you, on >s as last AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 251 year's nests My lover," she laughed scornfully Ms qmte safe even from your malevolence. If indeed * one touch of nature makes the vuiole world kin 'one might expect some pity from the guild of love swain" and It augu sadly for Miss Gordon's futurlth^t ?he spell is so utterly broken." ® His dark face reddened, lowered. r ^l .r"" P^'^^^^' '''^ '^^^1 ^^^^P Miss Gordon's namp out of the conversation, and hereafter when-" hearf thf fLM'^' ^"'^ ^"^ ""^-^^ '^ -^ ^-teful heart, the few tedious months I have to live • and tharthT^^^'"'"^ ' '''' '' ^'^'^^ J-^^- in^ - ^act derest friend of the hapless girl whom vou are prosecut. mg for murder.'- ' ^ osecut- " Beryl—" " I forbid such msolent presumption ! You shall not utter the name my father gave me. It is holy as mv l^ptism ; it must b« kept unsullied for my loverl ^s to fondle This is your last visit here, for if you dare war^n itin?' '"'^ '^^^^^ P-^-^- '-- tl warden. 1 will bear no more." As he looked at her, the witchery of her vouthfnl Z7X'ld7T'' ''. ^^^ ^"^-^ « ^ ^ deep eyes, by the yivid carnation of her curling lips master ed him; and .when he thought of the brown hntl" tTrotir'^" '^"^^ p^^^^^^' ^^ s"t:rhtht to smother an execration. He moved toward th^ door, paused, and came back. ^^^ " Will it comfort you to know that I suffer evpn Z"..''^r ^'' *^"* I '^ P^-«^-ed intoTflercer purgatory than that to which I have condemned you ' I am devoured by regret; but I wUl atop«. t ^ma aere as your friend ; I can never be less "and i'n ^d«T ance of your hatred, 1 shall prove rnX'tt; X" > j I I . i f I II' 252 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. cause I benioan my rash haste, will you say good-bye kxiidly ? Some day, perhaps, you will understand." He held out his hand, and his blue eyes lost their suoely glitter, filled with a prayer for pardon She picked up the bouquet which had fallen from the window siU to the floor, and without hesitation put It mto his fing-ers : ' ** I think I understand all that words could ever ex- plain. My short stream of life is very near the great ocean of rest. I have ceased to struggle, ceased to hope ; and smce .;ic end is so close, I wish no active warfare even with those who wronged me most foully. If you will spare me the sight of you, I will try to for- get the added misery of the visits you have forced up- on me, and perhaps some of the bitterness may die out. lake the lowers to Miss Gordon ; leave no trace uo remmd me of your persecution. We bear chastisement because we must, but the sight of the rod renews the sting ; so, henceforth, I hope to see yoH no more When we meet before our God, I may have t^e"- utXn-?' ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^'^^ ^^^^^ ^"^ -^^ He caiight her fingers, crushed his lips against f Z;r 7""^^'^ ^"""^ *^" "°^°^' ^'^^^S the bouquet a shattered mass of perfume in the middle of the floor CHAPTER XVI. gTANDING before Leon Gerome's tragic picture and listening to the sepulchral echo that floats down the arcade of centuries,- ^z;e, Imperator, mori^ AT THE JIERCY OF TIBERIUS. 953 turi te salutant," ninetepnth .„» frowns, and deplores Z hrf.t ^/^'^^ womanhood explains the pre e^cc of thL .'f™"*^ "'"«" ^'<»"' whose snowy ar^ are /hn,^ "'!'"=-^'^"«^ ™«ta' "and, of the bloo4' ar^a votT'?'^"^' °^'' *-^' P^^apet civilization show un'blusLt' 2"°'^^ "' *'^« '^^'* i^eavinff mass of the < w^t !nw "''^^^^^^ """"^ ""^ court-rooms-and listen ta T"^,''''^'"' "^o crowd our pu^ant to genuine molrtTf ^*^''' "°^« '^ mains in the Colosseum Th ^^""J'^" mangled re- vestals were poS iX,?' ff ^ *humbs of Roman possibly vvere tt "niv to, ''= ^f^™'^' «'y' "nd having no voice. Tverite 'to'" w"'"'''''^' ""* motive may be ascribprth ' '*^' conservative ■ iiial trials ? Are the !vn "'"''"""='' "' ^n^''" at crim- of "all the at^' reX r "' ''^""'"' ^-^^i-ressTs Old dames of ^he e^.", ^~ ™«-<' "'^ ^l*^ P™„d tor^c^omSror to rX^'"^' *«^"-' » ^'^O- Joro., a. grossly ;emotli'h°t fhTLTb '"^'"^" "« tUB of heinous crimes „„„„?,, '"^thsome mmu- and which Argus renoT 'f," ''^' <»-=^*<"-« dilate; every eye, t^uT ^'0^ ™fe"^'"^ '^-^^^ '^^ serve as wings for tranL^!* n«wspapers, that hearthstones:ndt.:Surerr^Ltp"r'f •" a distinction, without a Hiff« , ^°^ ^ ^^ there -ttes and th; j^Sistifp^^^r ' ""'-^ P°»- ^a- beXToXt-r it'i^Ti''"'"'''' -'^- when we shall welcome ,h'„p^- ^^^ ''^'^ ^"^t*"* dom Which two ttouZV ^'="'"^^='°<*ofthatwi.c tribunal in the%^ Z tu'T^f rht'^'t "!, ^"^"^'^ law being n.-, ;„„,erSn .f™ f "^" '"'<' <='-™"'»l conservation of national and individual iiiS'W*'; AT THE MERCY OF TiBERirS. purity, to What shall wo attribute the purad. .5; present- ed m Its administration, wher.-by its temple become lairs of libel, their moriil atmosphere defiled by tl e monstrous vivis, ciion of parental character by chil dren, theslaughior of family reputation, lli.- exhaustive analysis of every species of sin forbidden by the Deca- logue, and Hoods of vulgar dtuperatioa dreadful as the A pocalyptic vials ? Can tiiis g-en<:ration " —in the foremost files of time— " aflord to believe that a grim significance lurks in the desiwjtude of typical judicial ermine ? Traditions of ante bellum custom proclaimed that " good society" in the town (vf X , formerly consid- ered th^recincts of courts as unfit for ladies as the fetid air of morgues, or the surgical instruments on dissect- ing tables ; but the vanguard of cosmopolitan freedom and pre-,. -ess had pitched tents in the old-fashioned place, ana recruited rapidly from the ranks of the in- vaded ; hence it came to pass, that on the second day of the murder trial, when the preliminaries of jury empanelling had been completed, and all were ready to launch the case, X announced its social emancipa- tion from ancient canons of decorum, by the unwonted spectacle of benches crowded with ''ladies", whose silken garments were crushed against the coarser fabrics of proletariat. Despite the piercing cold of a mornmg late in February, the mass of human furnaces had .aised the temperature to a degree that encouragec' the fluttering of fans, and nee. .^ated the order that no additional spectators shou 1 ■ jc admitted. iewed through the l,g..ic-, aze of fearful anticipa- tj-r .. the horror of the imL-.-ndUig trial had seemed un- endurable to the proud ani ensitive girl, whom th« bherifl' placed on a seat i,i,ic..m^ the sea of curious AT THE MERCY OF TIBERICS. S66 faces the battery of scrutinizing eyes turned on h*r from he jury-box. Four months o? S had un nerved her, yet now when the cruel actuality set d uZ eviUbTeTeS:?' *'"* ■'"''"'* ^'^«°««' -"<='» ""in- evitable lends to conscious innocence, so steeled anrt fortified her that she felt lifted to some lone y hei^A ■ where numbness eased her aching wound= " ' Pal Id and motionless, she sat like a statue save for' the slow strokes of her right hand upon the red goW of her mother's ring; and the sound of a man^s v^t. Dyce and Sister Serena. The former Tntrtl rear Of the prisoner, the latter stoT/ or a f^^ecor Tt^It'o? T'*' ""r^ '"'' "P» *>•« girl's shoud! At sight of the sweet, placid countenance below the floating white muslin veil, Beryl's lips quivered too a sad smi e, and as they shook hands^she'whS^rer I believe even the gallows wUl not frighten vou two from my side." "'Kuien you Sister Serena seated herself as close as possible d.'ew from her pocket a gray woollen stocking, and Wn to stdden r r*""' ^^'^'■^ 'y^' closed!'to Shu to th^ rsu^rri:jiiifrr„'r^'^^ '^■"-^■^-^-^^''-^ Tffl.frr*.'"!'''*""'^""''' Gentlemen of the Jurv- If fidelity to duty involved no sacrifice of pers^naifS" ng, should we make it the touchstone of huZnchar acter, value it as the most precious jewel in The c't^ „ij v. . , jt'-v-v^iuuo jewel III "y^ZZlT"^' I were less than a man. mimea^ urably less than a gentleman, were I capable of ad. 256 1(1 IF I I d- AT THE MEROV OF TIBEBIOT. ! if ' dressing you to-day, in obedience to tl,o behests of ,•„<. t^e and in fulfliment oftheste™ requi^lSof my offlcal position, wilUout emotions of profound regret that implacable Duty, to whom I have sworn atle^: >ance, forces me to hush the pleading whisZTof t; Prtying heart, to smotherthe tender ii?stincteo7hum"n • sympathy, and to listen only to the solemn mardatTof ovmenrof' ^f'^f/^'"- -» -<=-e to our rac t'en joyment of life, liberty and property. An extended proessional career has hitherto fur^'ished me nomr^ sTor^ion Iwr 'f P^^iWUty scourges me with scorpion lash to a most unwelcome task. When mnn .■"r hr'' "'"^ '"="• °° '"' -«-' i-at Pri" he man h?b ™' 'fl'""" ™«>"^iasm, but alas, for the man ! be he worthy the name, who draws his ~1i::™ f "w"™ --^ ^°""^' helplessf relutiM woman disarmed. Were it not a bailable offence hi th- courtof honor, if his arm fell palsied ? Each of you who hasamother, awife, a lilybrowed daughter, put your- self m ray place, lend me your sympathy • and atCI^ app aud the loyalty that strangles ajltal-iduality a„d renders me bound thrall of official duty. Counseftor the defence has been repeatedly offered, nay, pressed unon he' 'almr'n'"*,'^""'^" P»-tenW rMThl^e pr:actr;th'em'^f^'"^ "^"^'^"^^'^ ^''^ ^^-^ ' "P" retame'd I'T^" "^""'^ "^ *''" '""'°*y' "^^ "« '^'^t sitting, returned to this court a bill of indictment, charmn j n emcZr;' *"^''"^ ™* «'" ^^'"f"'' deliberate^ "f premeditated murder of Robert Luke Darrine-ton hi stnkmg him with a brass andiron. To tht taffctment STdandtr'"' 'Not Guilty,- and stands befrX J .) , J ou ! ej,i e„c,.t th,=, commonwealth, jealous of the AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. • 257 Inviolability of its laws, and by virtue of your oaths you are solemnly pledged to dLla upon her L'^^^^^^^ innocence in strict accordance with tlfe evS that may be laid before you. In fulfill in o- Zr ^J' vr.11 will T p 1 ^""^iinigr this sacred dutv you will, I feel assured, be governed exclusivelv bv a stem regard to the demands of public justfce While It taxes our reluctant credulity to believe tM; . !, TanTr .nuT "-" --'^'^ ra"v:s: nana, could have been perpetrated without nrnvn n^tXlelf t.:: '""f^" "' ""^ peaceful colrii;; it!w f ' '" <'^"lence we shall adduce must Inev t Prist:; Tu '" /'^ . '"'''"'^'""y -•"=>-'» tha luepii&oner at the bar k mnifTr ^e ^.u rr. murder. enaiffes Beryl Brentano with the " In outlining: the evidence which will be nresented m support of this indictment, I earnesay desfre ?h!^ you will g:,ve me your dispassionate and undfv ded at ten tion; and I call God to witness, thatdisclaSgper-' sonal ammosity and undue zeal for ven-eanTe T n,^ sonwfully indicating as an offlcer of thelaw k path ! t'^ .t"^™""' •^''^-''«'' swings her dM,fce scale? and bids Nemesis unsheathe her sword ' thrl^o'clocf TT "' October th. twenty-sixth, about mreeo Clock, a stranger arrived in X nnrt in !^„.™.^'"" ' *>»« ''"me of General Darrington • as ounf trLTntT" "'"™ '" ^'"^ *<> ** ^^-o-" return Z 'f' ' "''*'°' ''""'■"'«« necessitated her tan ?v,'. """'I"''!"? an interview with Gen'l Barring^ s*:i"f'i^ ".r^S^S """r;^' ^r •'™'='='""'='' '^- oi^f.wadu^nter, suiib hither by a sick mother to procure a certain sum of money required fors^S %.' i* ir! :)C3 AT Till; MERCY OF TIBKRI08. fiv^-l Ued purposes. That the interview was stormy • was cha^ctemed by «erce invective on her part aid by bitter denunciation and recrimination on his is Z weU establish... ^dmit of question; and they parJ^d w rnt i- "''' ?j' "'"^'"^ "^ the factthathe'^r^: her from his room through a rear and unf requent<.d door opening into a flower garden, whence she wandered over the grounds until she found the gate TheTiM jmportofthis interview lies in the grSt kress G^S drawT^n 'n n ." ^"^ "'^'"beritwl his daughter, aad stTps°on PrincT" ''"*''"*'"^ ^'^ entire estate ti his * ' Miss Bre^ itano did not leave X n f-ri k . i she had ample time todo so, a^ftL^'qaitting 'e ^W past eight, then disappeared. At 10 i- a she wL led to fhafilirt'S''r^ "'''"'' " '""' '-"'''' *"" ™«d «>- ed to thai ill-fated house, and when questioned re-ard- mg her presence there, gave unsatisfactory answers At half-past .vo o'clock she was next seen htstZ^ toward the station office, along the line of The ratro^f from the direction of the water tank, which is Tun td neaiiy a mUe r,.-,rth of to™. Mean;^: a„ unCaHy severe storm had be™ followol by a drencWng ra i and the strangP. ■ , g..,rments were wet, when ffter a confused a..' contradictory account of he. mo^mente she board. « 05 train boi nd north. ' Uurm,. hai. ght,certauilyaft<.r ten o'clock Gen'l Damngton was murdered. Uis vault was iS^ed ormy,' was rt, and by his, is too hey parted at he drove entcd door, wandered The vital ress Qen'l Jrated and g"hter, aad ate to his 15, ti'ough llmB pfT'. arly i. ,lf. she was et her i road til at d reg-ard- answers. lastening" railroad, situated musually ing rain, , after a i'ements, % Gen'l > lorced f all, the c h ads V much could a J i AT THE MEHCY OF TlBJiKlUS. 259 more powerfuUmolive be imaffinod thau that which goaded the prisoner to dip her Tair hands in her p^id- father's blood, ,n order to possess and destroy thSTvm which stood as an everlasting barrier between her ad the estate she coveted ? " Crimes are referrible to two potent passions of the hnman soul; malice, engendering thirst tor revenJi and the .at.able lust of money. If t„at old man h°,d died a natural death, leaving the will he had M.^ic'd his property would have belonged to the adopted" on, to Whom he bequeathed it, and Mrs. Brentano and S daughter would have remamed paupers. Cut otr by assassination, and with no record of his last wishes in existence, the beloved son is bereft of his lega y and Bery Brentano and her mother mherit the blood- bought riches they covet. When an-ested, go d corns and jewels identified as those formerly de^sfted in Gen'l Darrington's vault, were found in possessbn of the prisoner; and as if every emissary of fate were armed with warrants for her detection, a handterchte? which she had administered to her victim, was taken from the pillow, where his hnno,.d gray head res ed when he slept his lust sleep on arth. Furthe; analysis would msult your intcUigence, and havui^ very briefly laid before you the intended line ortestf- mony I believe I have assigned a motive for this gercroTtbT"' ""'^' """* P^^^'P't^'t^ '^^ vet eltZtf TimT' '°'^^'=^'^'«'=<""«'ensurate with its enormity. Time, opportunity, motive, when in full uneS'^rT' *"'^! ""''' t™"' '^"'1 the suspicious and unexpla^aahle conduct of the prisoner in various re- Ttt r'l"™'^^.'^' f '^""nection with other circumstance., ^,m" ^f ' '""■ '^'™"S'ist presumptive evidence of her guilt. These circumstances, far beyond the realm of f Hi w ,1 1 ■-■Mi , M ^60 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. ful as is the duty and -iwf nU , ^"'"y- ^o"™" 'eaves the t^o o .^rit^^r'^.r-**' necessity that ract StiT;ei:;r^ri'er:,r '■"^°™''^ name; when a shudder waTpereentble''.'"""'"'"'" whore dentist's steel pierces a spn«t?' ' "" ""^ derto avoid tho ImnVrSs „( :;:fthat"Sh ',","" like merciless probes, her own l,.,i 7 """' ''^'" fl^ed upon a portion o the coraice ,n th'" '"''"' '''"' a family of spiden. held busy c'mn w T" '''"'"' long resisted, finally ,1rZf, ^ ' ^"' "" '^scination near the bar, 'a„3 on^ltr'o^Jh: 1""^ '° " ^'"^* ful regard of Mr. Dunbar **^^' ^°"'°^- Two months had elapsed since thp Ph-k-t ms on which she had reiected hi! n T i""*' ™''™- J^^: b"t buslied in those filcamtal m!^ ^''^ '"='' ""''^ =""- Toextinguishhis eSivl'''"' "''"'"'''' '*''<'"■ i rival, might rob lilm ^fT,.^ removing the (Igmcnt of pe,.ist;nt;uJsutomo e uesrt.V''' ''"''"""' '"^ would simultaneously dcmnlfth '','^<' <''"'<=<>''lo"'=^*"'° ^ sentation of tho prosecution "T ^"™'''"' ^''^ ?■•»■ sional defence, youTow have th^T!^ "'"'''* P™'««- the Court." "^ " """ '^''^^ tbe option of addressing "Let the prosecution proceed." distSitTouTdTwat"to V""''' '' <=°"^' --' -1 apartment ; yet therlfif lur,^ .' '^"?'""^ "' t"^" '"<•» ■amed l-r seL andTer eyes sl,ru„fi?:r; "" ■■"- (nnges veUed their denthf V^ '"' '™= ''''"•''■ bad found a seat beW^dher ST ' """"f ^'''" be whispered : ' 'oanmg fonvard " Will vou permit me to speak for you '" Ihank you— no." ■' ' solZeLT "" *" '''' "^"^ '" ^"^ y»» «o forsaken, Sri.'^.JilP!!: • ««-," -<" 'orsake me." • Vard,thephysi;rn^;i;-r— --0..!^^. I :1 ( i'l II, Hi 11 llljrv \m II: If iy^.:^i- 262 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. m Gcnei^l Darrmgton ; and who testified that when sum- moned to examme the body of deceased, on the movnZ of he mquest, he had found it so rigid that at least ei^hl hoursmusthaveelapsed since life became extmct. Had tTZ .T^'"'"' stains, and only two contusions, one on the right temple, where a circular black spot wa heart He had visited deceased on the morning of pro- vious day and he then appeared much better, anS almost relieved of rheumatism and pains attributable to" tTed bv r^i?'' '""• "^"^ ^'"^^ ^^^ not been ".ac tured by the blow on the temple, but witness believed fied aftl"' ""T ' ""' '^^ ^^^^-"' Which he id nf- fied as the one found on the floor close to the de- result ^""^ '""''^ ^* ^"^^^ P^^^"^^^ f^tal Mr. Churchill .- " Did you at that examination detecf any traces of chloroform ?" minaLion detect « There was an odor of chloroform very percentiblP when we lifted the hair to examine the skuH 'nd on seardiing the room, we found a vial which haacr tamed chloroform, and was beside the pUlow, whe^a portion had evidently leaked out." "Could death have occurred in conseauencp nf in haling that chloroform ?" consequence of m- "If so, the deceased could never have risen and r draTn tr/r^^ ^'^^ bed; moreover,Xli^t u ere drawn up, and bent mto a position totally incon- s: . td thTbod"^^ ^'.'^^^^ p^^^-^^ ^'--' tneiics , and the body was rigid as iron." Ihe foregoing testimony was confirmed by that of Doctor Cranmar, a resident physician, who had been l^'J'f ^? *^^ ^--^'^ to assist Doctor Led v.." l ir examination, reported formally at the inquest."" "" :iation detect uence of in- AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 263 " Here, gentlemen of the iurv is fhA fnfoi able old man, an honored citizen, whose „ra,-hnt« should have shielded him from the murdero!>s 'a, a2 of a mercenary adventuress. Can she behold vvrout a^shudder, th,s tell-tale instrumen, of her mo™trou, fashioned andiron, and involuntarily Beryl fl-lanoed o t the auamt brass figure, cast in the ton of lunTcorf with a heavy ball surmountmg the horn. ^ Abednego Darrmgton '" of fw?; '='"*'^*'''"<=° a""! woe-begone was the demeanor of the old negro, ivho had been brought « ctZZTZ a constoble from the seclusion ofac^rnerot he '"fiend Plantation", where he had secreted himself to av„M !hnd W."' 'T™^ ^^^'^''-y againstTif mLS child When placed on the witness stand, ho crossed M^s 'sToes ' '" ''"' "" "^^ '^^"'^^ ^*™S. t'liat SohcS;.:rdf "''"'''°' preliminaries, the District JtoTe'ZP """ '"•^' ^^-^ *« P-»°-. --^o now sits mII"' ""'*°""'"'"^'''*'"' -»'n^ before ole ^ •"anrve^?'*^"" ""■ *" y"""" ^»^*«^'« presence?" her inT * "° '""'^ "'"'^'•'''^^' ^^ *»!« ™ to iet "You carried her to his room ?" 'Yes, sir." ♦* Don't know." 2G4 If AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. w ' ^f!'^,^^^^i°Srton always dined at three o'clock Was It before or after dinner ?" "After." ''Do'liVknow '' *^^ P'^'^""^^° ^^« General's room?' side ditr ?'''''''''*''' l^ouseby the front door, or the II ?t"'V?^* ^''^""'^ ^^"^ ^'^^ ^'^^n she come out." About how long- was she in the house ?" " I totes no watch, and I never had no luck ^uess- mgr. Fmshore to land wrong-." ^^ ^uess- " Was it one hour or two ?" "Mebbe more, mebbe less." " Where were j^ou during that visit ?" ;; Feedin' my game pullets in the backyard . " i)id you hear any part of the conversation between the prisoner and Gen'l Darrington ?" ^ J^No, sir ! I'm above the meanness of eavesdrap- tJ:x:^::z!P" ^^^ "^^ ''- '-''''''''''''■ "Miss Ang-erline, the white 'oman what mends and sews, come to the back piazer, and beckoned me to run there She said ther must be a ^ high ole fracas' then was her words, agoin' on in Marster'sroom, for he wa in "Z r """^'^' ^"' ""'' granddaughter was jaw- ingr back very Vicious. Sez I, * Who '.? Sez she 'His granddaughter ; that is Ellice's chile'. Sez I '' Ho n do you know so much '? Sez she, < I was darning them tTmefl ; 11 i' ^""^ ^''^'^^ ^ oncommon handy time to tackle them curtains; they must be mighty good to cure the ear-itch'. She axed me if I didn'fs e ':^^T^J!:Z!I\^^^^^^^^^^^^ -d I tolo her "-, 0.11 X vvuuid 5CC ior myseii. Sez she, to me, * No AT THfi MERCY OF HBERIUS. 265 you won't, for the Gen'l is m a f«o • done drove her oTITi^^^TZ'T '"' ^^'« doors. She's gone. '» ^ slammed the " Then you did not see her ?" run back to him. " ^^ «a"'age, I had to dauSL?" ''" ^"^ *'''' """^'^0' was his gx^d- " No, sir." "Did you mention the fact to him ?•• ness !"""""• ' '" ''^"^ '» -'^'"e with his fambly biz- '•He S'Tf ''"^ ^^''^y ^-l "'"'ited ?" "I didn't notice it.'" ;; Where did you sleep that nig-ht ?" step^f, ^ P^"^^ - the middle passage, nigh the star II ^as that your usual custom ?" houselh.';; oier^LXtliL^lr ^"'^''""' *" '"« niffhtr "^ "''"' ""^ "°"^"^' ""i- during the co:r„^oX!ri^LirdeX^^^^ r - One clap was so tremenious itvl 7 ^ar-spliiting. HK;i 266 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. and remelnber you are on your oath, to speak the truth, and all the truth." * ;* He was a early riser, and always wanted his shav- m water promp'. When his bell didn't ring, I thought . the storm had kep' him awake, and he was havin" a mornm nap, to make up for lost time. The clock had struck eight, and the cook said as how the steak and chops was as dry as a bone from waitin', and so I Roi the wate and went to Marster's dooi . It was shet tight, and I knocked easy. He never answered ; so I knocked louder ; j^nd thinkin' somethin' was shcrelv wrong, I opened the door—" " Go on. What did you find ?" - Mars Alfred, sir it's very harryfyin to my feelins." Go on You are required to state all you saw, all you know." Bedney drew back his right foot, advanced his len look out his handkerchief, wiped his face and refolded his arms. *' My Marster was layin' on the rug before the fire- place, and his knees was all drawed up. His right arm was stretched out, so-and his left hand was all doibled up. 1 Imow'd he was dead, before I tetched him, for his lace was set; and pinched and blue. I reckon I hoi- lered, but I can't say, for the next thing I knowed, the horsier and the cook, and Miss Angerline, and Dycc, my ole Oman, and Gord knows who all, was strcamin' in and out and screamin'." '* What was the condition of the room ?" "The front window was up, and the blinds was flunff mde open, and a cheer was upside down close to it ihe red vases what stood on the fire-place mantle was smashed on the carpet, and the handi'on was close to Marster s nght hand. The vault was open, and papers ea i;icii I a ui iouria on the iloor under it. Thea w.as stro >ak the truth, ed hisshav- ig", I thougrht as having- a he clock had le steak and Lnd so I go,* It was shet vvered ; so I was shorely my feel ins." you saw% all led his left nd refolded re the fire- s right arm all doibled !d him, for 3ckon I hol- nowed, the i Dycc, my reamin' in 3 was flung !lose to it. lantle was 'S close to md papers 'It. Thea AT THE MEftCV OP TlBfiftltJS. i^4 , 267 the neighburs and the Doctor nr.H fi,« n ■ the inquess." ^ *" »"* ^nd hilt ' ' The" ?aZ' '"'^»"^'=* ^-y othei' cin:umstance ?■' it out, after thlD^rje"^" """ ^"^-""« "^ : " Who found the chloroform vial ?" "Don't know." murS" ''""■ '"^ "^""■"-tioned ^ that of the wiii wSmtSr'"?,*^ Cr^wner, that ef the had stoleTt They t™ wirh"*''"''^ granddaughter sarched the vault LrtM- a ""°" "*''«'■ Sf«n«eman. You testified before the Coroner '" Yes, sir." founr^""^'''^'" "^* ^^' ^^"^ ?e handkerchief you *a didn't have it thep." " When and where uxt vou cpf if ? p« now." '^yoMgetit? Be very careful J"p,L': "wtreXfel^fneTX"'^. "'^ ^"-^ hesitated. He took ^^mn f ^ ^® pnsoner, and he stowed itaw^Lierirs're;:'^™^^^^^^ cd his arms. cneeK, and recross- under the bolstr wh„ ,^ '""^' ''"'' P"* "? "='■«* vva,.h 1! ^t7'-^ ■^' ***'■"*"'■ ^'""y^ ken' his listof. ZZ ■ ?'"'°'' ™" ™*«'» 'raa ther' hut no o«tol, ^d lust sorter stuffed under the piUowct^ 268 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. iitin ic UUl' m'i ' was a iiank'cher. I tuk the watch straight to the farct?r '"l!:'"" !^?™'-^«°^' ^nd they come ba ck and sarched for the pistol, and we foim' it layin' in its case , m the t^ble draw'. Of all the nights in his life, ole Marster had forgot to lay his pistol handy.» fh. >. ^T "^^^ ""^^^^ ^^^ P^'*^^- What became of the handkerchief?" JiT^? ^ f'""^^^ '^ ""^^ ^^ injun-rubber stopper rolled out, and as ther' wan't no value in a hank'cher I saw no harm in keepin' it-~for a 'mento of ole Marster's death." II Z^^ ^^^^ ^* ^^^ ^ ^^^^'^ handkerchief." T HnS'i^''' ■ I ^^""l^. ^""^^ '^ ^^^" ' ^^d ^l^at's more, 1 don't Imow it now." II Is not this the identical handkerchief you found ? " on n.fh * if; !^f ^^^^1 i« ^ ticklish trap for a pusson on oath. It do look like it, to be shore ; but two seed XL %^^u 'l^'^^^^^y ^like, and one is one, and t other IS t'other." bvn> ?rl^*-?' J"" ^^'^ ^^^^ ""^ ^^'"^ knowledge and be- befit IS the Identical handkerchief you found on Gen'l Darrmgton's pillow ? " 1 Y^a* I found had red specks sewed in the border and this seems jest like it; but I don't sware to no dentical- cause I means to be kereful ; and I wOl stand to the aidge of my oath ; but-Mars Alfred- don t shove me over it." ^ " Can't you read ? " • -No, sir; I never hankered after book-lamm' tom- foolery, and other freedom frauds." *' You know your A B C's ? " "No more 'na blind mule." As the solicitor took from the table in front of the jury box tbe embroidered square of cambric, and held * " """'^> - -^v c^u ill tne court-rooj^ fast- AT THE MERCY OF TIBEEIC3. 269 ened upon it ; and a deadly faintness seized the prison- er, whitening Ups that hitherto had kept their scarlet outlines. ^ ^"^ stll^w""™ "'f ' ^'"^' " t'^en'^deredman could stand before you, for one mstant only, his frozen flnffer would pomt to the fatal letters which destiny seems to have left as a bloody brand. Here in indehbrc°iors are wrought ' B. B.' --Beryl Brentano. Do j^u won! der. gentlemen, that when this overwhelming evidence b alf^;' '""' '"'" ""^ P°^^''«='»°' compassion for a beautiful woman was strangled by supreme horror n the contemplation of the depravity of a female Zl ster If these crimson letters were gaping wounds could their bloody lips more solemnly accuse yonde'' blanched, shuddering, conscience-stricken woman rfthe sickening crime of murdering her aged, infirm g^and! father, from whose veins she drew the red tid??^t now curdles at her heart?" '"o rea tide that CHAPTER XVn. A^ crowd if thtL°' .*'''' *"l' ""^^ "-*^' '!■« '»<'■'«« the sensation oJ^K™""" ^"^""^ acquainted with ine sensation of having been unjustly defrauded of thp customary public perquisite; because the mo^toLous due kI^'J^'"'' '°"™'y '"'™"' "' *« spirited vX crsm;ofnn~""" ^^^ -^P""*"^' *•>« biting sar- casms of opposing counsel, the browbeating of wit- p" nt' :'^t*Tj:- --^«""" over invisfble^'C^ »tim«l»f^"fr ^. -^ varyaua spice the routine and stimulate the interest of curious spectators. When » 270 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. Mlil m: cheated, and deem it no chase ' ""^ ^^^^ ness, andvvaivprtiiitt,„„ • , "- '^■^'^""""ty of no wit- Now and mZtheluT '^f- °f «™«^-e^ami„ation. "undue lautude" aiiowTbrth^^^^^ ""'^P-^^^ '^^ and the prosecution receiv^ri nn f ''"' ""formal, rebuff. received no senous or important coiiLs^'roTtrS rr;- "^ -^'•^'^•-'' "^ dramatic outbu Jt Tr Wn" cal^'t^nV^T '\^ "^ sensitive nature, the ordeal of ^nuTT^ ^. ^ ^° ^^^ be stared at by', cur^ou" al prefu&Td'^^b,'''^ '° more torturins- tin,, .i,„ P'cjuciced pubhc, was wondered whethlr a co. rf"^ <>' Marsyas; and she was shorn of h s evolir »T°"! ^'""'^'' <='^P«™ ^'h» sun Of AfHea^rurr^" "C^^t^r^ ess, apparently inipassive'ls Tstone l^k i"" '''°- features pitiless storms beat in v»^ i™ v ' "''"^^ wincing the agony of Tor laummS ^ "*"""'* still, she sat hour by hourwthl Verywhiteand folded handv and tLl v downcast eyes, and could detect;;,;le eha ,::o? Tsf^'' "-* -^'"-'y she raised her clasnwl i ?? "^ ""' "ow and then moment on ^L'S "ge^ "17^ ""'^ ""'^ ^ wearily on her lap. "°Sevs, then dropped them Of ^aXet:?shSrd 1'^' ''" r™-^"" -'"-tion. avoided meJu^rtXes ?nT« »M^f*"r''a«o«, and (.be.v belon.-«. f. C..,-M iv JUiy-box, as though "■" ■■ "•'''''»«. was It only three day? AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIU3. 271 and keep her rcro„V° "" "'^ '■"""•« ^"^^y- sympathy on'the ff "s°«ho„lder and'T^'T"' "'" indignation vented itself rn^riu^taud^^' ''."™"'*^ her strong white teeth "''^®1'"'"*'l"<'ible grating or Wednesday in tleexa^t r^'' ^'""'''''- '^'"''"^y' capitulated ;„ tl^at hud b en hcit" d ItT^^'"'' '"'■ investigation: and each nn^ifl f ''I"''"™'"''''^ tion in the m nd of A n i „ " "'''"'y °' ''«'=»"<'<=- of Belshazze" xltel he^l''"*';'''« station^gent ; acrid Miss Angel^'tt i f """■' "' ^•'^" ^^"^ by the lurid ligh " 'Mr ^mT' r. "'"""""'^ tion Thu^fat ti, ^liuichill's adroit interroga- th Toisltt So I'c trTtWhr '"' """ -""-'''"y Mn Wolverton whl' occasional assistance of l,»d L,^ ?' ^°' "■' <=™J™ction with Mr. Dunbar had appeared as representative of the Dirrimw-^^.' estate, and its legal heir Prince • Za I ^^'nS'O" ^teriir led his prisoner toward tbe rear entranc T^ **Tp11 hJy ^^ ^^^ ^^^' ^ moment?" wish't'see'nor?™-^^"' for her Kind motives, but I niZ" """ °"^ "■■'^' <=»''^"'- — -'^ •' here is my 272 4 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. whom your townsmen h„fd uTas a fem.,' ''™"«^' hopeless ca«i%~~;T~r "'"■ '"^ then I want no shadowy reflex II* ^ °'''""' ^'«' blue Sky of your future itave in ^°" *'"" """"'§ save tEe burden of a lifo-that t ^^ ^ "f "°''" *» ">^«' down; but you-- Be cnrlfln /^^" ""^ ^^'"^ *» 'ay beautiful dream of happ^^ "'' "" "'" J^Pardke your thrsfwCoKrt'^tir/^n'r'" ''•^ --tures 0, you? Ibes-o yorc'Ien,?'^''''."<="=^^^f«''y "efend counsel, even to?n°"lit°" ^^"^ *"" confer with onemoreIinkcanbeadd«)iv.« T ' because only aboutmy neck, and thtifnlUstheS" ""'''' '=°"">8 whose name youexnect t„ kI ' ,!?'™""y''"beman stooped closed, LTwWred ;, ^f '^"'■'*'«' "-^"^ braid your lov;r; be te^^ 21°!^'^ """ "°* "P" me the consolation of Lowint lat th? ' T "'''"■'' woman you befriended and 7.„=( f " ™f»rtunate fleeting shadow bet:^ ^ourhtr't Zl T "T '^ ^, that I may be patiL a^dTro^^ to, ^? hJ^S^'^^itrtra^f"" *" «^^ »«-' -"<- he opened the™o, ffie 1 "'^'l''''^ •^'^'*"*- As loosely folded sheet of pajet.'^""' "' '''^•^'"' ^^'^ » 36 Of my deep said Leo, tak- id pressing: it ir compassion, 1 a stranger tale monster'. 3d you are, I irself with my be over, and 1 the smiling more to lose, fflad to lay »pardize your overtures of fully defend i confer with not, till the ecause only It is coiling y of the man rdon "—she Do not up- and afford mfortunate not oven a Ins. Pray God hiepa. fleer, who >tant. As ded her ^ AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 373 ^^ J^I^promised to deliver your answer as soon as pos- skyfshfrel*f'"'^^°^'^"--^^ow in the western Will ll roTnT ""* '^""-^^^^ ^^ -rbal. Say tha^t I relllt iTt::^:^- ?: ^^^- ^^^ ^ed for even the loving sdicTtudo "^ Af ''""^ ^^^« ^ ^°^ "ot mittedtopenefrateTc^"tl4^^^^^^ "^« P^" vifiril. Another sleenless nt, / T ^^^''^ ^"'' ^^^^^y Incurs to meet theSnlSfft^'^^^^" ''' '^^^'^^ olate soul, who silentir^aS^ *« the des- womanly instinct shuddSaf fhlf^ ^f'' ""^^^^ ^^'^^3^ tion forced upon her Fa/p 1 loathsome degrada- row cot, she Recalled theterir'"'^ "^ ^^^ ^^^^^' "^r- brious epithets, and t L^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^he oppro- ate protest Shook her frZ'lZlZT'^ tbese nights ZeLy'^r^^^ Moras!; andTrtifiTdt'^'^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^- ^^ ni front of the jury-box ^^^^^^ flagellation every available inch of space """^ '°^«' P^'^ed in WoH-erton ..ere oonve^irint. ^tl^^^ X^^; IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // ^^ /l-^

^ 'C^^^ />\ Wk\ '^ ^1.^ r' III »i ' 1 1) 874 AT THE MEKCr OP TIBEBIU8. Clad in mourning garments, and with a long crane ve.I put back from her face, the prisoner was ScS effort foZrTM"''"^' ^""^ ""^^ "y ^ ^Preme effort for the critical hour, which she felt assured was at hand, her pale set features gleamed lilte those 71 marble statue shrouded in black. Called to the stand, Simon Frisby testified that "he ■ XatTnT "^'T'r.'-^ "'^''^ '^'"^ -^^^P-tcher for railway m X . On October the twentv-sixth h»H just gone on duty at 8 p.m. at the statio" when pri;o„t? came m, and sent a telegram to New York A copy 8olMtor""TOfn '1 ^«^"— -i^red totheDisS ooucitor. Witness had remained all night in his office a^tv'T' *' '^<^'««' ™iting-™om! and htatte^: tas \7tl^""''f^^'^ "y '""^ '""^"=^> f=^«t that it was left open and lighted, he had twice cone to th. door and looked in, but saw no one. Thought the ifst ^pection was about two o'clock, immediately Mter he had sent a message to the conductor on Train No rSaw prisoner when she came in, a half hour later, a^dh^^d Si Tr, !,*'^, ^^''^ P"^"^'- ™"'1 °»t have st?m." "" waiting-room during the severe to. Ignace Brentono : " Complete success required day^ B. B." ^^'^f^^^- Expect me Satur- thfmesre' t^r "" T"^""^ Phraseology, sent hiL c"IL ^ ""^ '"'■ "^'P^^Won. and resumed " Lennox Dunbar." ^Sister Serena's knitting fell from her fingers • Dvc groaned audibly, and Judge Dent, sitting^uft; "a^ uttered a heavy sigh. The statue tbrobtd So Se! AT THE MERCY OF TIBEHIUS Bct me Satur- the Witness, a„f?orttTrsuS "^"^ '^''^'^ "P "' a challenge. For fuUy a m„ ™ . "™^ *" t™' bore looked into soul, v^^hol^Zf^ 7'. ■""* '^'' «"" prisoner from witness ; and ^ the °' T"" "'^""ff dark, resolute, sf^mly chiseilert f ^''^ ^<^'"'«' »e some as some faultless bmnl!. f ' '='"^' ^^^ ^aud- unbent her frozen £ and T,5"^' t^'^^SnU.^ smile Serena wondered whaUhe 1 ,^^ ^'"' ^■«' Sister meant : ^"^ ^^^ ^^'"^^y audible ejaculation "At the mercy of Tiberius !" ■Wo famtest reflection of tho «» could have been discerned oTt,h» ! P*"" ^* "* J^^^rt tenauce; a«d as heTu" ed to a. •°°""''^"^'*^1 <=<>"''■ ""I 'c^r ? "=™^"' ^a^^s^?."^ ^'^^-' '^^- ^te^oon^'prviot ^^^e^^ .f" ^"^'' ^ *"« When I came out of the hoZ sZ^"^^"'' ''«^*- headed on tie front st^ns f^L \ ^ ^''""^ ^are- and whUe I was unt^^rnvhT^ \"^'" '"'h ^^^r ^at, mt« the library. xCfS ' '"^ ^"^'"'^^ BcW pa^ the window, w^^tfl r"^" ""^ ^ ^^ her room." ' "^^^"S m the direction of the bed- Mr. CJhUrchill : "Atth^t,.- .mportant errand. " "^'^''^ stranger, upon some " Noffit'i*^"/''" "'"P'«'°'« '^t once ^" riosi^^^aiistrrve'^ir^T''-- «^cu- at 'Elm Blutr- on .»i, S^"*""" later I was again Warrington much di^tarb^ T^'' """^ '"""^ ««"'' "™woed w consequence of an in- 376 iffll: AT THE MBROV OF TBEEnrS. toe child of h« daughter, whom he had many y^rs previous disowned and disinherited. In referri^rto this mterview, his wds were: 'I was hai^h™ the ■ girl, so ha^h that she turned upon me, s^L as a stongcubdefendingacrippled, helpless dam Motoer It^'Tl know now that the last card haT^:u thatat'mvdLTp ^ ^^ ^"^ distinctly to understand, that at my death Prince would inherit every iota of mv estote and that my mU m been carefuUy written i^ order to cut them off withou'. a cent.' " *' You were led to infer that Gen'l Darrmeton had refused her appUcation for money ?' "™^° "^^ JJJ'r^,'"'^^'' '"^°"™ "' ^° appUcation for money, hence 1 mferred nothing." -""iicjr, ^ 'IP"^!" f tJiatconversation, the lastwhich Gen'l Dar- niigton held on earth, did he not tcU yon he was o^ pressed by a« awful presentiment connected ^?h Z granddaughter .'" „f "t^^r""^ T™ '■ ' ^"'^'^^0^ I am unable to get rid bel^df ''°^''' "'f ^^^^ble pi^ntiment thatgfrl kft tht^,, J"^ '' 'r'''"" ^'^y- She stood thereat the glass door, and raised her hand : ■ Gen'l Dan^g- ion. When you lie down to die, may God have^fe yru™h^r ^""'' ''-^ '- -T «>•- ^ thlnH,f » "^ "^T ^ f '"P °^ ^^^ disagreeable tram of too^ght, and as I bade him good night, his last words What do you know concerning the contents of your client's will ?" i-oncents of Isr^buriSrl""' T "^""^ "P by my father in L re-wr^ "'as hT:.-iSS - "'"iT'^l '"'"''"^ "° »w. II. a^ iie rrioiiccl tu uicrease iUe amount of rrmgton had contents of AT THE MEftCY OF TffiERltfS. 277 a bequest to a certain charitable institution. The nro visions of the will were, that with the exception of vt sTnTl^ho'uM'b^^""' '^^ ^^^^^^ '''^"^^ iS pi sonal, should be given to his step-son Prince • and if "n! :r her^irs;' "^^'' '^ ^""^^' ^^ ^"^ ^-• '' Do you recollect any aUusion to jewelry ?" stones" wth"'.^.!'^''' ."'" ''* "^^'^ ^ ^^«« -^ ^-PPhire stones, with the direction that whenever Prince Dar rmgton married, they shoulS be worn by the lady as a bndal present from him." ^ "Would you nob deem it hiffhlv mcomnafihio «ri^K all vou know of the Gen'l's JenlZT^^: That aidsapphu^sand money should have been ^^en to the Prisoner ? ' " fe*vcii lu "My surmises would be irrelevant and valueless to ll,mT'' '^""r*"- to<«sputetble facts, are aUtt^ should be required of witnesses " "When and where did you next see the prisoner '" 1«S Ir^tC '^' f •=«°*"'^*«>' Ws words fell like lead upon the ears of all present, whose svmna. thies were enlisted for the desolate woman X KrtKh^'"'"'' ™* "'"' ••''»'' thrr;ithin ^ „. "^^^) liib Clear cut face so suffe-estivp nt metalhc medallions, gave no more hmt cffte smo -1 demg- flame at his heart than the glittering ice crown not farther than half a mile from the cedar Mtee spannmg the ' branch', ,t the foot of the bUI where the iron gaw stands." ™*. il! I i: 1 I w 1 i:^, W---' p,::. 278 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERItJS. (( 61 ff?'^"*^^^ *^en going in the direction of /Elm " She was sitting: on the ground, with her head lean- mg against a pine tree, but she rose as I an- proached." "As it was at night, is there a possibility of your Having mistaken some one else for the prisoner ?"' "None whatever. She wore no hat, and the moon shone full on her face.*' " Did you not question her about her presence there, at such an hour ?" "I asked: * Madam, you seem a stranger; have you lost your way?' She answered, 'No, sir.' I added: 'Pardon me, but having seen you at " Elm Bluff " this afternoon, I thought it possible you had m.ssed the road. She^ade no reply, and I rode on to town." bhe betrayed so much trepidation and embarrass, ment, that your suspicion was at once aroused ?» " She evinced neither trepidation nor embarrassment. Her manner was haughty and repellent, as though do- signed to rebuke impertinence. Next morning, when informed of the peculiar circumstances attendmg Gen 1 Darrington's death, I felt it incumbent upon me to communicate to the magistrate the facts which I have just narrated." " An overwhehning conviction of the prisoner's guilt mipelled you to demand her arrest ?" "Overwhehning conviction rarely results from merely circumstantial evidence, but a combination of accusmg cu-cumstances certainly pointed to the pris- oner j and following their guidance, I am responsible for her arrest and detention for trial. To the scrutmy of the Court I have submitted every fact that influ- enced my action, and the estimate oi their value de» Clued by the iurvinnn must eitbor ^'^^*\ — ^^-. ^ bion of 'Elm AT THE MERCY OP TIBEBItrs. 279 Of my reasoning, or condemn my rash faUibilitv. Hav- .ng under oath conscientiously given aU the evidence m my possession, that the prosecution would accept or desire I now respectfully request, that unless the pr^ oner chooses to exercise her right of cPoss-examrnlto my colleagues of the prosecution, and his H™or \^' grant me a final discharge as witness " Turning toward Beryl, Judge Parkman said : exam nZn ^T^.^^^ *° ''^-^d you, that tJie cross- exa,mmation of witnesses is one of the most unoortant methods of defence; as thereby inaccm-^lsTsuTe- ment regarding time, place, etc., are often detecLTta crimmal prosecutions, which otherwise might renmto undiscovered. To this invaluable privilege of eve.? defendant, I call your attention once more! WiU vZ cross-question the witness on the stand »" ^voluntarily her eyes sought those of the witness an mtunation that vaguely disquieted her She knew that the battl« with him must yet be fought "I waive therig-ht." "Then with the consent of the prosecuting counsel vitness IS discharged, subject to recall shoi^Hhe necessities of rebuttal demand it." /'By agreement with my collei'^es, I ask for final discharge, subject to your Honor's approval.'' • granted."''"'"'^'''' ""'''" '""'^ "^''^'^^ '^^ ^^^"««t « ' The clock on the turret struck one, the hour of m rosr^" "^""^ ^""^ ""^""^^^ ^""^ declared, Mr. Church- tinnS'^X^ '"''''' P'^'^"'^ ^y trustworthy and unques- tioned witnesses, a dark array of facts which no amount of additional testimony could either stren^hen II uiu -1,1 11 h-- 980 AT THE MERCY Off TIBERIUS. or controvert, the prosecution here rest their case be. fore the jury for mspection; and feeling assured that only one conclusion can result, wiU call no other wit- ness, unless required m rebuttal." Desiring to be^lone. Beryl had shut out even Sister berena, and as the officer locked her into a dark ante- chamber, adjoining the court-room, she began to pace the floor. One tall, narrow window, dim with inside dust, showed her through filmy cobwebs the gray veil of ram falling ceaselessly outside, darkening the day that seemed a fit type of her sombre-hued life, drawing swift- ly to Its close, with no hope of rift in the clouds, no possi- bility of sunset glow even to stain its grave. Oh ! to be hidden safely in mother earth—away from the gapmg crowd that thirsted for her blood !— at rest in dark- ness and in sUence ; with the maddening stings of out- raged innocence and womanly delicacy stilled forever. Oh I the coveted peace of lying under the sod, with only nodding daisies, whispering gi-asses, crystal chimes of vernal rain^ solemn fugue of wintry winds between her tired, aching eyes and the fair, eternal heavens I Harrowing days and sleepless, horror-haunted nights, invincible sappers and miners, had robbed her of strength; and the uncontrollable shivering that now and then seized her, warned her that her nerves were in revolt against the unnatural strain. The end was not far distant, she must endure a little longer ; but that last battle with Mr. Dunbar ? On what ground, with what weapons would he force her to fight? Kneeling in front of a wooden bench that Imed one side of the room, she laid her head on the seat, cov- ered her face with her hands, and prayed for guidance, for divine help m her hour of supreme desolation. " God of the helpless, succor me in my need. For- 1, ,..«tu„^„ tr-vaiojAvao tne aacmice Buould De m- their case be- assured that no other wit- ut even Sister a dark ante- egan to pace 1 with inside legrayvetlof ' the day that rawing" swif t- uds, no possi- e. Oh ! to be n the gaping •est in dark- 3tings of out- illed forever, tie sod, with lystal chimes ids between al heavens ! mted nights, )bed her of ig that now nerves were he end was longer; but hat ground, ? to fight? lat lined one e seat, cov- or guidance, tlation. need. For- aould be iu- AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 281 complete. Lead, sustain, fortify me with patience AfterT W 'T '\'°"^ ' '^^'^ P---^ to -;;; Alter a time, when she resumed her vv.ii- ^ .+ expedient presented itself. uZ^lllft^^f: exaeted an oath of secreey, and conilded the trutl^to • '^"^ ."f^f"- ™"l''* °"^tbe „f l""^ ?''?'''^ ^^'' ''"° "»o courtroom, Judffe Dent uyce and Sister Serena awaited her return f,,-., ^f "■ '"'"''• '"' ''""'•ageous now ; and remember that you have some friends here, who arepr^Xood to help and deliver you." ' "pi^iymgLtoa dll^> ?' "liTTT^'" ""^ ^^ f™™ the pangs of death ? Pray that I may be patient to endure." One swift glance showed her that Mr. Dunbar for ~t:t vr" ^'"" '"""' '''^ <»-trict a''t::™t " as sitting veiy near, just in front of her The invt I'udge wh:'S'r'° "^t ^'=^"^'»-'' seats^t:^"^: judge, who had been resting his head on his hanrt ' straightened hhnself, and nut aslH» , w- -^ ,' was an ominous hush pervading the dense crowd, and I i: f :-! (- liif ilHr'i S82 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. in that moment of silent expectancy, Beryl shut her eyes and commmied with her God. Some mystical exaltation of soul removed her from the realm of nerv- ous dread ; and a peace, that this world neither c-ives nor takes away, settled upon her. Sister Serena .; untied and took off the crape veil and bonnet, and as ,... she resumed her seat, Judge Parkman turned to the prisoner. "In assuming the responsibihty of your own defence . you have adopted a hne of policy which, however satis- factory to yourself, must, in the opinion of the public have a tendency to invest your cause with peculiar . peril; therefore I impress uponyou the fact, that while the law holds y?u mnocent, until twelve men agree that the evidence proves you guUty, the tune has ar- rlfnfwif "" ^r"" ''^''"^ ^^P""^" "P«^ y«"r power to refute the charges, and disprove the alleged facts ar- rayed against you. The discovery and elucidation of iruth IS the supreme aim of a court of justice, and to Its faithful ministers the defence of innocence ^s even more imperative than the conviction of guilt. The law IS a Gibraltar, fortified and armed by theconsum- rit "^f ''°' f successive civilizations, as an impreg- w' """kT ^?'' ^"«^«°««J a^d here, within its pro- tecting bulwarks, as m the house of a friend, you are called on to plead your defence. You have heard the f!!;^®^^ the prosecution J Ustened to the testhnony of thewitoesses; and having taken your cause mto your own hands, you must now stand up and defend it." She rose and walked a few steps closer to the lurv st Jr. wS^T* '^' ^"^^ '^' ''^^'> ^««ked at S ^oL/i ' ?*^ \''* "^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^S auburn hair oS^ -r^-'^''^'^"P''^ ^^^^>^"*^ wavmginsoft out.xnc» ax-oaiid ner oroad full brow. Unnaturally calm. AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 283 and wouderfuUy beautiful in that sublime surrender, which hke a halo illumines the myth of Antigone, i was not strange that every heart thrilled, whin upon the strained ears of the multitude feU the clear, sweet, mdescribably mournful voice. - When a magnolia blossom or a white camellia just fully open, is snatched by violent hands, bruised, crush ed, blackened, scarred by rents, is it worth keepin- ? No power can undo the ruin, and since all that ma°de It lovely-its stainless purity-is irrevocably destroyed why preserve it? Such a pitiable wreck you have made of tbe young life I am bidden to stand up and defend. Have you left -me anything to live for?> Dragged by constables before prejudiced strangers* accused of awful crimes, denounced as a female mon' ster, herded with convicts, can you imagine any reason why I should struggle to prolong a disgraced, hopelessly rumed existence ? My shrivelled, mutilated life is in your hands, and if you decide to crush it quickly you wiU save me much suffering ; as when having, perhaps anint -itionally, mangled some harmless insect, you mercr».aly turn back, grmd it under your heel, and end its torture. My life is too wretched now to induce me to defend it, but there is something I hold far dear- cr, my reputation as an honorable Christian woman • soniethmg I deem most sacred of all-the unsullied purity of the name my father and mother bore Be- cause I am innocent of every charge made against me. 1 owe It to my dead, to lift their honored name out of the mire. I have pondered the testimony; and the aT\^ul mass of circumstances that have combined to accuse me, seems indeed so overwhelmhig, that r.s each witness came forward, I have asked myself, am I the Jictiui of some baleful destiny, placed in the grooves of aestroymg fate-foreordained from the fpvmdavions of - '' 284 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. ' i ii ■ '■ ; H ■ ! i ■ i liiltfel ■f r the world to bear the burden of another's guilt ? You have been told that I killed Gen'l Darrin^ton, and stole his money and jewels, and destroyed his will, in order to possess his estate. Trustworthy witnesses have sworn to facts, which I cannot deny, and you be- here these facts ; and yet, while the snare tightens . around my feet, and I believe you intend to condemn me, I stand here, and look you in the face— as one day we thirteen will surely stand at the final judg- mentr-and in the name of the God I love, and fear, and trust, I call you each to witness, that I am inno- cent of every charge in the indictment. My hands are as unstained, my soul is as unsullied by theft or blood- shed, as your sinless babes cooing in their cradles. " If you can clear your minds of the foul tenants thrust into them, try for a little while to forget aU the monstrous crimes you have heard ascribed to me, and as you love your mothers, wives, daughters, go back with me, leaving prejudice behind, and listen dis- passionately to my most melancholy story. The river of death rolls so close to my weary feet, that I speak as one on the brink of eternity ; and as I hope to meet my God in peace, I shall teU you the truth. Sometimes It almost shakes our faith in God's justice, when wo suffer terrible consequences, solely because we did our duty ; and it seems to me bitterly hard, inscrutable, that aU my misfortunes should have come upon me thick and fast, simply because I obeyed my mother. You, fathers, say to your children,* Do this for my sake,' and lovmgly they spring to accomplish your wishes • and when they are devoured by agony, and smothered by disgrace, can you sufficiently pity them, blind artificers of their own ruin ? ''Four months ago I was a very poor girl, but proud and happy, because by my own work I could \ AT THE MERCY OB* TlBERlUfl. 2d5 support my mother and myself. Her health failed rapidly, and life hungr upon an operation and certain careful subsequent treatment, which it required one hundred dollars to secure. I was competing for a prize that would lift us above want, but time pressed; the doctor urged prompt action, and my mother de- sired me to come South, see her father, deliver a let- ter and beg for assistance. As long as possible, I re- sisted her entreaties, because I shrai... from the deg- radation of coming as a beggar to the man who, I knew, had disinherited and disowned his daughter. " Finally, strangling my rebellious reluctance, I ac- cepted the bitter task. My mother kissed me good-bye, laid her hands on my head and blessed me for acced' ing to her wishes ; and so— following the finger of Duty— I came here to be trampled, mangled, destroyed. When I afrived, I found I could catch a train going north at 7.15, and I bought a return ticket, and told the agent I intended to take that train. I walked to * Elm Bluff,' and after waiting a few moments* was ad- mitted to Gen'l Darrington's presence. The letter which I delivered was an appeal for one hundred dollars, and it was received with an outburst of wrath, a flood of fierce and bitter denunciation of my parents. The interview was indescribably painful, bui; toward its ' close, Gen'l Darrington relented. He opened his safe or vault, and took out a square tin box. Placing it on the table, he removed some papers, and counted down into my hand, five gold coins— twenty dollars each. When I turned to leave him, he called me back, gave me the morocco case, and stated that the sapphires were very costly, and could be sold for a large amount. He added, with great bitterness, that he gave them, Simnlv bera.USA fVlOfr xxrar'n ■nn;„f,-,} „~,,, : -« _ . i- . c ,...^.j " •(. i T^ j^tixai ui aOuvuiiins oi a past, which he was trymg to forget ; and that he had intended ill ! in III I pi ?'>i!r;j ? i 11- 2^6 AT THE JteRCY OF TIBERttJS. ^em as a bridal gift to his son Prince's wife; but as they had been bought by my mother's mother as a present for her only chUd, he would send them to their original destmation, for tiie sake of his first wife, Helena. h.J ^ T"^ ^y *^^ ''^^^^^^ ^««^' because he bade me do so, to avoid ^hat he termed ' the prvinff of servants.' I broke some clusters of chrysanthemums aidZfn '"""T ^^'""T' '' '^'^y '^ my mother IT^^Z ^i"^"f ,^^^3^- If the wages of disobedience be death, «ien fate reversed the mandate, and obedi- ence exacts my life as a forfeit. Think of it: I had ample time to reach the station before seven o'clock, and if I had gone straight on, all would have been well I should have taken the 7.15 train, and left forever this horrible place. If I had not loitered, I should havo seen once more my mother's face, have escaped shame^ beenT' '"''"'""''^ ^ ^^ blessedness of what 'might have "Listen, my twelve judges, and pity the child who obeyed »t all hazards. Poor though I was, I bough a small bouquet for my sick mother the day that I left her and the last thmg she did was to arrange- the flowers,' tie them with a wisp of faded blue ribbon, and putting them m my hand, she desired me to be sure to stop at the cemetery, find her mother's grave in the Dardng- ton lot and lay the bunch of blossoms for her upon her mother's monument. Mother's last words were : vL o grave. .3*";:^'^ ^''''^?\^'' ^*^^^^^^*^^^^' ^"»^e^ed, ceased; ITJ . TV- ^^'^'' ^^°^P"^ *« ^'^« the tears that gathered; but it was only for a few seconds, and she resumed m the same cold, distinct tone J 'So I went on, and fate tied the last millstone ai uuiid my neck. After some search I found the pla<;e AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 287 and left the bunch of flowers with a few of the chrysanthemums ; then I hastened toward town, and reached the station too late; the 7.15 train had gone. Too late !— only a half hour lost, but it carried dowii everything that this world held for me. I used to wonder and puzzle over that passage in the Bible, * The stars in their courses fought against Sisera !' I have solved that mystery, for the * stars in their courses' have fought against me ; heaven, earth, man. time, c. .umstances, comcidences, all spun the web that snared my innocent feet. When I paid for the telegram to relieve my mother's suspense, I had not sufficient money (without using the gold) to enable me to incur hotel bills ; and I asked permission to remain in the waiting-room until the next tram, which was due at 3.05. The room was so close and war;n I walked out, and the fresh air tempted me to remain. The moon was up, full and bright, and knowing no other street, I unconsciously followed the one I had taken in the afternoon. Very soon I reached the pomt near the old church where the road crosses, and I turned mto it, thinking that I would enjoy one more breath of the pine forest, which was so new to me. It was so op- pressively hot I sat down on the pine straw, and fanned myself with my hat. How long I remained there, I know not, for I fell asleep ; and when I awoke, Mr. Dunbar rode up and asked if I had lost my way. I answered that I had not, and as soon as he galloped on, I walked back as rapidly as possible, somewhat frightened at the loneliness of my position. Already clouds were gathet-ing, and I had been in the waiting- room, I think about an hour, when the storm b^oke in its fury. I had seen the telegraph operator sittmg in his ofiace, but he seemed asleep, with his head resting on the table ; and during the storm I sat on the floor, iHfi 1 ?.l 1 ' i ' 1 i ill \i iir i 1 i:i 288 > I m ■ '■■■:\ ill li lis AT THE MERCY OP TiBERIUSw - sleep. Duri„tthatskerT^''''"P''*''"'''^'''I'^«''"<' lui.. 0, so j:?ttTi'„r:xi'^^^^^ i- ^rapps with one T r^Por.lJ 1 1 ^^^-tner— ot g-athering •■. nois'e made r^ZLttZyTeTft'T'^'y »- ■ , tag, and in my feverkh ^„ . ''"'"■'' ""'"^^ talk- -' resemblance"^one I Lew "?f ,.''', '^''^ '"''^^ » out on the pavemTnt Xthe'^rtdreameTri^' iT I cannot tell • but fha ,>«« V *^^^^^efi the whole, distinct; a^d'l'tf.eTS'Jr'^l ^'™"^^'^ real, or imaginary: ^ the words, be they the 'th^u^htrdgrt^" ™ ''"^'"^''^' ''=''P*'"»" 't "e but itSstop^ere r;'- '' ' "'^"^'y "'"'^ «me now. Where it bwKrehrid^rf"" '° *^ "^'^^ *-'^' How far is the bridg-e ?' thl'tenk.^ ' '''"'^ P"^" """^ «^« t'-ck. after you pass flgurToran^Td'tl^I^?*?* ' ' ^'^^ "» "-o ""' ">« ingaway He limno;, n ^ ''• "'^''' '"^o "'as walk- and impressed bv tli„ f. shoulder. I was so startled familia^o me aatlwX', '"T^ »' '^ ^o'^" <>«» could see noonoLorth .?'"•''""" *''«*^«k. b"* «tood aside unM% passed tb/T''*'<^'"« ="»"=; I and found the ageSud'^;" T^t^. %rt' facl I have' jus re anluC.T " *^ ^^^^-I. stated the that r intontiinallt SdlhPt J"".f^' "'"' '"X" at in «-. V ■• ™'ssea the tram; that whon «„„„ ■" ..-. .n »e pme woods. I was stealing "back' ii' AT THE JttJRCY OF TIBERIUS.' 289 my mother's old home • thot T o>,^ ^ the bedroom where hei f.?h/ f '''^^ ^* ^^^^^^^^t with chloroform Col font T '^'P^' ^^^P^A^^ him awoke and attempted to rescnp hi= Darrmston ately killed him. You are ash.ri?,T"^^' ^ '"'"'"'^- ' tlie incarnate fiend ' whLf ^ '"""'''* *''^' ^ am horrible crime and ah,? ""'f ^""^ committed that seems like a ^^oZ^Ttll::'^^''^ tTT'T" was found, tainted with chlorolo™' ]/ •'"""kerchief kerchief; but how it came tC« r, * ""^ ""^ ''^•'<'- bed, only God witness^ T t ' "" °'° ' Darrington's from the tin box Sd on «Te tabT/*'?''"'''^'"*^'^''" marked in red ink-, ' Last Wilfa'd tIV '''■^' ""''"'"P* Luke Dantogton • bu I „ Ir sa^^^Trf "' ^"''^'' was never in that r>^^ v.. ^^ ^* afterward. T time li; r tv ™ enerM 0^ ^^^ ''"^ »<• o"-' passed out of the -la«!i! ""Tf^^'"" ^as when I the middle of the ?oom lZ'Z^J''l ""^ ^^'"'"-ffin " I can call no wTtn?4es fo^ • *"■ ^^ '° ""'' ^'■'"^■ fatalities of my situSfhn ft . '^ ""^ "' '"'^ *«" """^ coincidences dra- me dm^ = ,®';''^°^«> inexplicable '-utthe throttw ZLZ'^r "" """'•=" "' °«=°' victim of some dial,;!!?.. , ';""'^"'««*ances. I am the blood will areLfbun,'>^T"*'^ """^ '"""^""t crimes I did not 'mil t1" ^"^ ^'""^Wered for whom 1 trust even in thiJ t •" '^'"' '''^"'al God, Alone in th^Zrld ^trr' "' •=-^*"'«'°''^t peril aU time, witLut a a^'-o I'rt'R?"^,'?' """"'^^ '"^ cveo- accusation bro.^'l t .^^f'^'' ^''™'='''<''''™y arraignment; andlcalmvl? ! '"" " *'"=* ""«' uoa afH>.re us, to heir ,,^^r\.^^ '^' ■•^"""^^ the ng-nieous >nnoce..t of his cr mo "^^^^""/^^^^^^e^ation : I am cnmo, and when you judiciaUy I iii I ill 290 AT tflE MERCY OF TlBEWtJS. murder me in the name of Justice, your hands will be dyed in blood that an avenging God will one day re- quire of you. Appearances, circumstances, coinciden- ces of tune and place, each, all, conspire to hunt me into a convict's grave ; but remember, my twelve judges, remember that a hopeless, forsaken, broken- hearted woman, expecting to die at your hands, stood before you, and pleaded first and last— Not Guilty ! Not Guilty !— " A moment she paused, then raised her arms toward heaven and added, with a sudden exultant ring in her thrilling voice, and a strange rapt splendor in her uplifted eyes : *' Innocent I Innocent I Thou God knowest I Inno- cent of this sin, as the angels that see Thy face." CHAPTER XVm. A S a glassy summer sea suddenly quiyers, heaves, -^ billows under the strong steady pressure of a rising gale, so that human mass surged and broke in waves of audible emotion, when Beryl's voice ceased ; for the grace and beauty of a sorrowing woman hold a 3pell more potent than volumes of forensic eloquence, of juridic casuistry, of rhetorical pyrotechnics, and at its touch, the latent floods of pity gushed; people sprang to their feet, and somewhere in the wide audi- tory a woman sobbed. HahUves of a celebrated Salon des Etrangers recall the tradition of a Hungarian nobleman who, apparently calm, nonchalant, defconair, gambled desperately; "while his riffl\t hand, resting easily inside the breast of H^ -cat, clutched and lacer^ Pil't« At fm: MERCY OF TTfiERitTS. _ 291 already outstretched lI.!? ''=""' »' "•'ath was ful voice which aI„fe"hadp:r/to° J- '=''""' ■"»•"- pulses, he could not endure 7h» • '"" =""* ">"" hi« exquisite face that h™ ^' Pf" »' ^"^t^l™? the when he computed the cwi? t? '""' '"^''*! """l maddening perception 0, tor dani ''"' T'""'^"' ^ reel. '^ °' """^ danger made his brain far, no farther " of relentle^o nh , ^ ^'■' *^« " *'i"s ical and ethical statutrX'^^ST"'' P'^'=''°"'^- moves,hasitsbeinff_our,l^=^ . humanity lives, the meshes of thi nantlT^-^"""'"'"''''"^ through only to "Natur^lC" ?„d" ""'"""^ ^^'^ '»««'« Him, who made Law poiiw^ ^w ^."^ suppliants to of happiness and prosperity " ^^ *u^^ "'"' ^'^'"^ wander far, far awavT«^' ?" '""'" " '''^ts we sophicalspecuIaSand revefiftt": """" °' P"^""" responsibiUty of A^TtiHl ^^? ^™«''°"' ''"d Ir- sity smites, and bantouptv"'^'''*'"' ^'''*" ''O^^- husksofthe.r''«+- or»<^ liP/^ >> Jlemembermg the important evidence which he had lich he bad AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 295 furnished to the Drosemf in« *«»,i whenonthewit4rsra"t;;opti:oWar''"^'»"^' quest oninfflv . donhHnr, VV? ^^'^^^ ^^ one another 'encel He ju4°;„'ta„\lrnm 'a7i''? *^''--" Stay whar he lit '" ''"^""^^ 1 am af : ered he won't cos?a7™"f ,Teal^„t r^"""" -station had fe^iona. tact ank'Tu.; a"s wSlTSr " ^"•■■'"•<'- acumen, Beryl be"-an t^\.I^y !i " individual of the love that prCt^dr»^l'''P* '""' '«"»■• to Which he wouIdTuC ier ^'T''"''' "'""'' self the smartinff stinJ^ity. i ^"^'"^"S "Pon him- lation. could sKoWhL ^' ^r""!'. P^^^'ble humU- aim he would sparXr? jT^e^tw'T"*/' "'« now upon his mercv won h ^ * '^''"' '""^''" e™n he had denied hSselfT ' ^'^'" '"^^'^ «>»' ^lich sh^rt^e"!^! d': hTZtT"' -enamomenfsdelay. looked up at the Judge ^"""^ """ "'""''''■ '^ ^h« »id?.. ^ '"* "S''' to a<=<=ept or reject proffered that'^^ht" ^'^'"' '""' *^^' P«^«S«; secum you "Then I declme the servirPQ .^f + offers to plead m m/defen^ T ^' '^"°""^ ^^^ raised mn >ehalf and - ^ ^^«^ °o l^^man voice la my own defence ipnmrv,iV "''^"'' ""-^ statement my God." ' ^^"^"^'^ "^y ^^"se to the hands of 296 AT THE MERCY OP TIBBRIUS. iijjp For a moment her eyes dwelt upon the lawyer's, and as she resumed her seat, she saw the spark in their blue depths leap into a flame. Advancing- a few steps, his handsome face aglow, his voice ran^ like a bugle call: '• May it please your Honor : Anomalous conditions sanction, necessitate most anomalous procedure, where the goal sought is simple truth and justice ; and since the prisoner prefers to rest h^r cause, I come to this bar as Amicus Curiae, and appeal for permission to plead in behalf of my clients, trutli and justice, who hold me in perpetual retainment. In prosecution of the real criminal, in order to unravel the curiously l.nitted web, and bring the culprit to summary punisliiruuit, I ask you, gentlemen of the jur^ , to ponder dispassionately the theory I have now the honor to submit to your scrutiny. " The prisoner, whom I regard as the victim of my culpable haste and deplorably distorted vision, is as innocent of Gen'l Darrington's murder as you or I ; but I charge, that while having no complicity in that awful deed, she is nevertheless perfectly aware of the name of the person who committed it. l^ot particeps crim- inis, neither consenting to, aiding, abetting nor even acquainted with the fact of the crime, until accused of its perpetration ; yet at this moment in possession of the only clue which will enable justice to seize the murderer. Conscious of her innocence, she braves peril that would chill the blood of men, and extort almost any secret ; and shall I tell you the reason ? Shall I give you the key to an enigma which she knows means death ? " Gentlemen of the jury, is there any sacrifice so tremendous, any anguish so keen, any shame so dread- ful, any fat« so overwhelmingly terrible as to transcend AT THE HERO? OF TIBKRItlSL 997 the endurance or crush the power of a woman's love ? Under this invincible inspiration, when dancer threat, ens her idol she knows no self; disgrace, def 'h affiTgt her not; she extends her arms to aiTest every ap- proach offers her own breast as a shield ISin^ darts, bullets sword thrusts, and counts it a prMlege to lay down life in defence of that idol. O! loyaUv supreme, sublime, immortal I thy name is woS have'^t™i?^^!^'''"*/'V"'""'^"'*y- ^'■«™ ««°'"rie3 nave trailed their dust, traditions gleam like monu. ments to attest the victory of this immemorial potency, female fidelity ; and when we of then"eS century seek the noblest, grandest type of meZ human self-abnegation, that laid down a purTInd happy life, to prolong that of a beloved object we loo who, when the parents of the man she loved refusS t^^'JIf^'^'''""''™*'^^'^ son, summoned doarh to accept her as a willing victun ; and deeming it ^ privilege went down triumphantly into T^^-e can'tnTm;r"*H'' "^ *''" """' P""*^-*"' passion that can, animate and possess a human soul, the prisoner stands a pure, voluntary, self-devoted victim; defying he terrors of the law, consenting to condenlnatir- surrendering to an ignominious death, m order to save the life of the man she loves. ml!.^?'!l''"'^ beautiful as is the spectacle of her calm mournful heroism, I ask you, as men capable of appr^ catmg her noble self-immolation, can you permrt the consummation of this sacrifice ? Will you, dare you, selected, appomted, dedicated by solemn oaths to ad^ r,'r»iH ^Tri p™™ *" "'=''«*°* *° y""- ^"^y fust fni^fK^ ' W -:;•'— "^^^=^""u» to, and responsible for the murder of the prisoner, by accepting a stainless flf» AT THE MEKCY OF TIliERlUS. t';: Ji Victim to appease that violated law which only the blood of the guilty can ever satisfy ? ^ our State judiciary, in order to protect inn-ccoc from being slaughtered, and supremely in uidcr totrackand bring to summary punishment the criumal who rob- bed and murdered Gen'l Darrington, I now desire and request, that your Honor will perm t me toToss ex ammet^e prisoner on the statement she ha': 0^:1^ fhl.^. ""^^'"^ .^^^* '''^"*''^*^' ^°^"«^1 ^'^st be aware that It IS one of the statutory provisions of safety to the accused, whom the law holds innocent untH proved guilty, that no coercion can be employed o extort answers. It is, however, the desire of the court, and certamly must a^jcrue to the benefit of the prisoner, that she should take the witness stand m her own defense." , owiuw - wnTr""^* *^''' '""^^ ^'^^^"" ««^°d ^or motion. Will the prisoner answer such questions as m the opinion of the court are designed solely to establish her innocence ? If so, she will take the stand." With a sudden p^. innate movement at variance with ^er demeanor thro(;;r:,v.t the tr.'l she threw up her clasped hands, ,-, .1 ai .hem, then pressed them ring downward as a seal upon her lips ; and after an instant, answered slowly : -Now and henceforth, I decline to answer any and b X r'- / ^"^ ^^""'^^'^ """"'''^'y innocent. The burden of proof rests upon my accusers " As Mr. Dunbar matched her, noted the scarlet spots bnmmg on her cheeks, the strange expression of her enod 't f ^"^^^ ''^''^ ^"^^^tural lustre, a scowl dark- ened his face ; a cruel smile curved his hns. and muae ms teeiu gleam. Was it worth whilo"to sav« AT THR HffiROY OP TIBERIUS. gr)^ her against her will ; to preserve the heart he coveted. Sven ft? wT''""' '" ^"^"^ «^^ ^-^ irrevocabr; head, like the impatient toss of a horso intolerant o curb, he stepped back close to the girl, and slooa wi^ his hand on the back of her chair oZ^L^r ""^ *^'' P^^P^^^' ^"^^^^^'^^ ^'^ i"«tice through obstinate non responswn, will t please the Court to overrule the prisoner's objection =" debatmg the consequences of dishc aoring precedent that fetich of the Bench. ^ precedent- " The Court cannot so rule. Tho prisoner has de- sibi^tv 7t T'^f"" P^^«i«*«^tly ass, -mes that respon- sibUity , the Court must sustain her d =cision. ' ' nvf^fr^''T''''° ""^ ^""^^^^^ ^"^ "»^«°^^^ relief that stole over the girl's countenance, was notec by both juto one iZi ^' "''" '"^^ ^^'^ ^^^^^^ ^ ^«^' ^l^air life one lifted from some rack of torture. Resting thus her shoulder pressed against the haL 1 that lay on he^top of the chair, but he did not n ove a finger his. He felt the tremor that crept over her, under- stood the mute appeal, the prayer for forbearance that made her mournful gray eyes so eloquent, and a sinister smile distorted his handsome mout 1 "The spirit and intent of the law, th • usages of cnmmal practice, above all, hoary preceuent, before ruw''! h'^?"' ^^ "" «^°^*^«^ y^^^ Honor's ruling and yet despu everything, the end I sought .s already attained. Is not the refusal of the pSer ;...„„., „, ^uuiixmauon su-oiig as proofs of Holy Wnt' of the truth of my theoo'? With jealo^^ r „.,.,, il !| ' 1 •; j 1 1 i 1 ( M f' "r 1 [Ijiili 4 ii M 'if: lip ifi ite. 800 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERltTS. w\ dread she seeks to lock the clue in her faithful heart, courfcmg even the coffin, that would keep it safe through aU the storms of time. Impregnable in her , citadel of silence, with the cohorts of Codes to protect • her from escalade and assault, will the guardians of justice have obeyed her solemn commands when they permit the prison r to light the funeral pyre where she elects to throw herself-a vicarious sacrifice for another's sins ? For a nature so exalted, the Provi- dence who endowed it has decreed a nobler fate ; and by His help, and that of your twelve consciences, I pur- pose to save her from a species of suicide, and to con- sign to the hangman the real criminal. The evidence now submitted, will be furnished by the testimony of witnesses who, at my request, have been kept without the hearing of the Court." He left Beryl's chair, and once more approached the jury. "Isam Hornbuckle." A negro man, apparently sixty years old, limped into the witness stand, and having been sworn, stood leaning on his stick, staring uneasHy about him. ' * What is your name ?" " Isam Clay Hornbuckle. ' ' ** Where do you live ?" "Nigh the forks of the road, close to 'Possum - Ridge." ^ " How far from town ?" "By short cuts I make it about ten miles; but the gang what works the road, calls it twelve." " Have you a farm there .?" "Yes'ir. A pretty tolerble farm; a cornfield and potato patch and gyarden, and parsture for my horgs and oxin. and a slino nf •mnnAa f^*. ._,, ^j_- i ^ .. ** yvhat is your business ?" AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 80] it cached the Tryin' to make a livin', and it keeps me bizzy, foi lans is poor, and seasons is most ginerally agin crops." " How long have you been farming ?" " Only sence I got mashed up more 'an a year ago on the railroad." "In what capacity did you serve, when worktag on the raUroad ?" " I was fireman under ingeneer Wallcer on the loky- motive ' Gin'l Borygyard,' what most ginerally hauled Freight No. 2. The ingmes goes now by numbers, but we ole hands called our'n always ' Bory- gyard'. " "You were crippled in a collision between two freight trains ?" " Yes'ir ; but t'other train was the cause of the—" " Never mind the cause of the accident. You moved out to 'Possum Ridge; can you remember exactly when you were last in town ?" " To be shore ! I know ezactly, 'cause it was the day my ole 'oman's step-father's granny's funeral sarmont was preached ; and that was on a Thursday, twenty-sixth of October, an' I come up to 'tend it.'* " Is it not customary to preach the funeral sermons on Sunday ?" "Most gineraUy, Boss, it are; but you see Ure'r Green, what was to preach the ole 'oman's sarmont, had a big baptizin' for two Sundays han' runnin', and he was gwine ^o Boston for a speU, on the next comiu' Saddy, so bein' as our time belonks to us now, we was free to 'pint a week day." " You are positive it was the twenty-sixth ?" " Oh, yes'ir ; plum postiv. ' The day was norated from aU the baptiss churches, so as the kihfolks CQiUd getber from fur and nigh." ii ii l: ! 302 AT THE MERCV OF TIBERIUS. " At What hour on Thursday was the funeral ser- mon preached ?'* ""cxai sgt* " Four o'clock sharp." ** Where did you stay while in town ?'* on MTi*'sS." ''"'''^°" "'"'' '^'"P^ " ''^^"--''"P S " When did you return homo '" '* At what hour, do you think ?" '' The town clock was a strikin' two, jes as I passed the express office, at the station." ^ whlf r* ^'^°;' *'" *^' ^""^ ^^0°^ y«" saw, and what happened ; and be very careful in all you say, re- membermgr you are on your oath." if 1 mT atoting' a bundle so-slung on to a stick, and It galded my shoulder, 'cause amongst a whole pask of what had slewed 'round oft the balance, and I sot fi?.T'f?T.^^^''"'P"P^'* ""'^^ *^« station, to shift the heft of the shot bag. WhUst I were a squatting, tying up my bundle, I heered all of a suddent-somf: body runmn', brip-brap-! and up kern a man from round the corner of the station-house, a runnin' full tilt,- and he would a run over me, but I grabbed my bundle and riz up. SezI: 'Hello! what's to pay?' He was most out of breath, but sez he : ' Is the train ;n yet?' Sez I: 'There ain't no train till daylight ceptmg lb be the through freight.' Then he axed me • When is that due ?' and I tole him: ' Pretty soon I reckon but it don't stop here ; it only slows up at the water tank, whar it blows for the Bridge.' Sez he : How fur IS that bridge ?' Sez I : ' Only a short piece ciown the track, nff pv xrrwn ir%r,c„ *i.« x_._i i -,-.- . *^ . I V, ji ■ ./— ' F'ioa Liic LiiiiK. lie tuck a long breath, and kinder whistled, aod witU that he turn- AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 303 soon as the ed and heeled it down the middle of the track I thought it mighty Gurus, and my mind misgive mo thar was somethin' crooked ; but I always pintedly dodges ; « lie-lows to ketch meddlers,' and I went on my way. When I got nigh the next comer whar I had to turn to cross the river, I looked back and I seen a Oman standin' on the track, in front of the station- house; but I parsed on, and soon kemto the bridge (not the raUroad bridge), Boss. I had got on the top of the hiU to the left of the Pentenchry, when I hearn ole * Bory' blow. You see I knowed the runnin' of the kyars, 'cause that through freight was my ole stormpin-ground, and I love the sound of that mgme's whistle more 'an I do my gran'chUdun's hymn chunes. She blowed long and vicious like, and I seen her sparks fly, as she lit out through town: and then I footed it home." * * You think the train was on time ?" " Bound to be ; she never was cotched behind time not while I stuffed her with coal and lightwood knots. She was plum punctchul." "Was the lamp lighted where you tied your bundle?" *' Yes'ir, bumin' bright." "TeU the Court the appearance of the man whom you talked with." Mr. Dunbar was watching the beautiful face so dear to him, and saw the prisoner lean forward, her lips parted, all her soul in the wide, glowing eyes fastened on the countenance of the witness. *'He was very tall and wiry, and 'peared like a young man what had parstured 'mongst wild oats. He seemed cut out for a gintleman, but run to seed too Huick and turned out nigh kin to a dead beat. One- 804 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. half of him was hanssum, 'minded me mightly of that stone head with kurly hair what sets over the sody fountm m the drug store, on Main Street. Oh, yes'ir, one side was too pretty for a man; hut t'other! Fo' Gawd 1 t'other made your teeth ache, and sot you cross-eyed to look at it. He toted a awful hrand to he shore." "What do you mean hy one side? Explam your- self carefully now." " I dun'no as I can 'splain, 'cause I ain't never seed notlmig hke it afore. One 'zact half of him, from his hair to his shirt collar was white and pretty like, I tell you, but t'other side of his face was black as tar, and • his kurly hair was gone, and the whiskers on that side —and his eye was drapped down kinder so, and that side of his mouth sorter hung, like it was unpinned, this way. Mebbee he was born so, mebbee not ; but he looked like he had jes broke loose from the cunjur, and caryd his mark." For one fleeting moment, the gates of heaven seem- ed thrown wide, and the glnry of the Kingdom of Peace streamed down upon the achmg heart of the desolate woman. She could recognize no dreaded resemblance in the photograph drawn by the witness ; and judge, jurjr and counsel who scrutinized her during the re- cital of the testimony, were puzzled by the smile of joy that suddenly flashed over her features, like the radiance of a lamp hfted close to some marble face dun with shadows. ' "Doyouthmkhis face indicated that he had been engaged in a difflculty, in a fight ? Was there any sign of blood, or anything that looked as if he had been bruised and wounded by some heavy blow ?" "Naw. sir. Didn't sAPm HL-o ao«^ v.v.„;^-^ .-,- AT THE MEHOY OF TIBERIUS. 805 Of flglitin' 'Feared to me he was somehow branded like, and the inark be toted was onnatral " "If he had Wished to disguise himself by blackening one side of his face, would he not have presented a similar appearance ?" '' Naw, sir, not by no manner of means. Ko min- strel tricks fotch hun to the pass he was at. The hand of the Lord must have laid too heavy on him • no mortal wounds leave sech terrifyin' prints." ' * How was he dressed ?'* face^?h°s\.'^^ ^^^^ ''^^^'' ^""^^^^^ ^'^^"^ *^^* ^"^^ " Was he bareheaded ?" " Bar headed as when he come into the world " - He talked like a man m desperate haste, who was running to escape pursuit ?" > wctc '* He shorely did." here to^Xv^» '''^''''' ^"^ any person what you have told "Itolemyole 'oman, and she said she reckoned it was a buth mark what the man carryd; but when I seen him I thunk he was cunjured."' "When you heard that Gen'l Darrington had been murdered, did you think of this man and his sin-ular behavior that night ?" ° "I never hearn of the murder till Christmas, 'cause I j.-ent down to Elbert County arter a yoke oi steers what a man owed me, and thar I tuck sick and kep my bed for weeks. When I got home, and hcarn the talk about the murder, I didn't know it was the same night what I seen the branded man." *^' Tell the Court how your testimony was secured." It was norated in all our churches thn,f, a ^var^ was offered for a lame cullud pusson of my Wipti^n; md Deacon Nathan he cum down and axed me what m H ^ ^ k ,1 . . . ! I w li 1 t 1 i; 'l t 300 AT THE MEKCY OF TIBERIUS. mischief I'de been a doin^ that I was wanted to an- swer fur. He read me the Vertisement, and pus- suaded me to go with him to your office, and you tuck me to Mr. ChurchUl." ^ Mr. Dunbar bowed to the District Solicitor, who rose and cross-examined. " Can j^ou read ?'* . "ISTaw, sir." " Where is your son Deucalion ?" **Two days after I left town he went with a 'Love and Charity scurschion up north, and he Uked it so weU m Baltymore, he staid thar.'* "When Deacon Nathan brought you up to town, did you know for what purpose Mr. Dunbar wanted "NaWjSir." . • ' " Was it not rather strange that none of your the a^ ^^^^P^«d t^e description of you, published in "Seems some of 'em did, but felt kind of job'rus bout pmting me out, for human natur is prone to iz^mc.rnr'"' ''^^ ""'''' '^^^^ ' ^-^--^ " Who told you the prisoner had heard your con- versation with the man you met that ni-ht ?" tell me^'^' ^'^'" '* ' ^^'"^ ^""^ ^'^ ^^^ ^^"^ P"«^^^ *^ ,. " ^""^IZ^ "^^^ '^' ^^*'^ y^" «^^ th« "lan, before you heard the whistle of the freight train ?" not ^uite' "^ ^^ ^ ^'"^ rickolect about a half a hour, but "Was it raining at aU when you saw the woman standing on the track ?" „.., „i ^^. cxcus was anppmg steady, but the moon was shinmg." • ft AT THE MERCr OP TIBERIUS. 307 hv l^r.^"?" knoyv anything about the statement made by the prisoner ?" "■"«o "Naw, sir." "Fritz Helmetag." ^h"^!, ^ft withdrew, a middle-aged man took tho stand, and m answer to Mr. Dunbar's questions de- posed : .. That he was ■ bridge tender' onVe Xfd and lived in a cottage not far from the water tanlc On the mght of the twenty-sixth of October, he w^ sitting up with a sick wife, and remembered that being feverish, she aslced tor some fresh water. He Zf out to draw some from tlio well, and saw a man stand- ing not far from the bridge. The moon was behtad a row of trees, but he noticed the man was barehSd and when he called to know what he wanted, he walked back toward the tank. Five minutes later the freight train blew, and af^er it had crossed the bridge, he went the ,1^"°"T- ^'^«°'="' "=^^ standing' closTto the safety signal, a white light fastened to an iron stanchion at south end of the bridge, and seemed to be reading something. Next day, when he (witness) went as usual to examine the piers and under portions of the bridge, he had found the pipe, now in Mr Dunbar^ possession Tramps .so often rested on the bridge aid on the Shelving bank of the river beneath it that Te confitnt th "".P<'^-*^"'=« *" '"« circumstance ; but felt confident the pipe was left by the man whom he had r/n:,n/ ^^' ""* "'"'' ^^'' P'-«™"« afternoon; and he put It in a pigeon-hole of his desk, thinking the had left X to carry his wife to her mother, who wl!l'" ^"1"=^'^=""^. ani was absent for several weeks. Had never associated the nin» ^,it,, *^. r'^Ti^f ,f T '^"''■'ff with Mr. Dunba'r, who had ?ound the half of an envelope near the south end of I ll'lH' !'i !1 •Ah 1. K'l ' III I i ',1 308. AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. the bridge ho had surrendered it to him. Did not see the man s face distinctly. He looked tall and thm." Here Mr. Dunbar held up a fragment of a long on which in large letters was written " Last Will"- and underscored with red ink. Then he lifted a pipe, for the inspection of the witness, who identified it'^as the one he had found. As he turned it slowly, the Court and the multitude saw only a meerschaum with a large bowl represent mg a death's head, to which wa/ attacLd Tshor^ mouth-piece of twisted amber. The golden gates of hope clashed suddenly and over them flashed a drawn sword, as Berriooked at strained to grasp. How well she knew the ghastly Tr^nl 1 rf^'\' ''"'^'" 'y''''' sockets-ff that day when asleep m her father's arms, a spark from hat grmmng skull had fallen on her cheek, and sh^ awoke to nnd that fond father bending in remorseful tenderness over her ? Yp'ircj nn-n cr,« i ,**^™°^s®i"^ mpi^pri fi,. «• asro,.shc had reverently packed the pipe away, with other articles belongin- to the dead and ignorant that her mother had givfn ?t to Now, like the face of Medusa it glared at her and thnt e7mtJ?ut:fan'r ?^' ^^^^^^^^^^ be^Im:^;^^^^^^^^^^ fn^^^n ff retributive curse upon his devoted child. ^^^lf>^folus ex machina, the evil genius of each hu man hfe decrees that the most cruel cureless nan^s are nllicted by the instruments we love best Watching for some sign of recognition, Mr. Dunbar's heart was fired with Jealous ra|e. as he mk^ked th swift change of the prison Ar'e nr^.^y,^^^^ , . . .„„ ^- , , ~ , ^ — ' " -^'-"itonaiii;u : Lue vanisii- V^S of the gleam of hope, t'.e gloomy desperation that AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 309 succeeded. The beautiful black brows met in a spasm of pain over eyes that stared at an abyss of ruin ; her lips whitened, she wrung her hands unconsciously ; and then, as if numb with horror, she leaned back in her chair, and her chin sank until it touched the black rib- bon at her throat. "When after a while she rallied, and forced herself to listen, a pleasant-faced young man was on the witness stand. " My name is Edgar Jennings, and I live at T , in Pennsylvania. I am ticket agent at that point, of — railway. One day, about the last of October (I think it was on Monday), I was sitting in my office wLen a man came in, and asked if I could sell him a ticket to St. Paul. I told him I only had tickets as far as Chicago, via Cincinnati. He bought one to Cincin- nati and asked how soon he could go on. I told him the train from the east was due in a few minutes. When he paid for his ticket he gave me a twenty- dollar gold piece, and his hand shoolc so, he dropped another piece of the same value on the floor. His appearance was so remarkable I noticed him particular- ly. He was a man about my age, very tall and finely made, but one half of his face was black, or rather very dark blue, and he wore a handkerchief bandage-fashion across it. His left eye was drawn down, this way, and his mouth was one-sided. His right eye was black, and his hair was very light brown. He wore a close- fitting wool hat, that flapped down, and his clothes were seal-brown in color, but much worn, and evi- dently old. I asked him where he lived, and he said he was a stranger going West, on a pioneering tour. Then I asked what ailed his face, and he pulled the handkerchief over his left eye, and said he was partly paralyzed from an accident. Just then, the eastern train blew for T . He said he wanted some cigars 310 AT Tfifi MERCY OF TIBERIITS. It' lit or a pipe, as he had lost his own on the way, and won- dered if he would have time to go out and buy some. I told him no ; but that he could have a couple of cigars from my box. He thanked me, and took two, laying down a silver dime on top of the box. He put his hand in the inside pocket of his coat, and pulled out an empty envelope, twist^a it, lit it by the coal Are m the grate, and lighted his cigar. The train rolled into the station; he passed out, and I saw him jump aboard the front passenger coach. He had thrown the paper, as he thought, into the fire, but it slipped off the grate, fell just inside the fender, and the flame went out. There was something eo very peculiar in his looks and manner, that I thought there was some mystery about his movements. I picked up the paper, saw the writing on it, and locked it up m my cash drawer. He had evidently been a very handsome man, before his * accident', but he had a jaded, worried, wretched look. When a detective from Baltimore interviewed me, I told him all I knew, and gave him the paper." Again Mr. Dunbar drew closer to the jury, held up the former fragment of envelope, and then took from his pocket a second piece. Jagged edges fitted into each other, and he lifted for the inspection of hundreds of eyes, the long envelope marked and underscored :— ''Last Will and Testament of Rober'" Luke Darrington." The lower edge of the paper was at one corner brown, scorched, somewhat burned. "Lucullus Grantlin." An elderly man of noble presence advanced, and Mr Dunbar met and shook hands with him, accompanying^ him almost to the stand. At sight of his white head', and flowiner silverv hparrJ TiPT-TrTa i>«n«4. .,1^^-^ , Its pulsation. If, during her last illness her mother AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 811 had acquainted him with their family hlstorv, then in- deed all was lost. It was as impossible to roach him and implore his silence, as though the ocean rocked between them; and how would he interpret the plead- ing gaze she fixed upon his face? The imminence of the danger, v:, iquishod every scruple, strangled her pride. She cau^^ht Mr. Dunbar's eye, beckoned him to approach. When he stood before her, she put out her hand, seized one of his, and drew him down until his black head almost touched hers. She placed her lips close to his ear, and whispered : *' For God's sake spare the secrets of a death-bed. Be merciful to me now ; oh ! I entreat you-do not drag my mother from her gravel Do not question Dr. Grantlin." She locked her icy hands around his, pressing it con- vulsively. Turning, he laid his lips close to the silky fold of hair that had fallen across her ear : " If I dismiss this witness, will you tell me the truth ? Will you give me the name of the man whom I am hunting ? Will you confess all to me ?" *' I have no sins to confess. I have made my last statement. If you laid my coffln at my feet, I should only say I am innocent; I would tell you nothing more." " Then his life is so precious, you are resolved to die rather than trust me ?" She dropped his hand, and leaned back in her chair closing her eyes. When she opened them, Doctor Grantlin was speaking : *' I am on my way to Havana, with an invalid daughter, and stopped here last night, at the request of Mr. Dunbar." " Please state ail that you know of the prisoner, and of the circumstances which induced her to visit X- )} 812 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 11 iBIil! I ell f I **I first saw the prisoner in August last, when she sun.moned me to see her mother, who was suf- fering from an attack of fever. I discovered that she was in a dangerous condition in consequence of an aneurism located in the carotid artery, and when she had been relieved of malarial fever, I told both mother and daughter that an operation was ne- cessary, to remove the aneurism. Soon after, I left the city for a month, and on my return the daughter again called me in. I advised that without delay the patient should be removed to the hospital, where a surgeon— a specialist— could perform the operation. To this the young lady objected, on the ground that she could not assist in nursing, if her mother entered the hospital ; and she would xiot consent to the separation. She ^ asked what amount would be required to secure at home the services of the surgeon, a trained nurse, and the sub- sequent treatment ; and I told her I thought a hun- dred dollars would cover all incidentals, and secure one of the most skilful surgeons in the city. I continued from time to time to see the mother, and administered such medicines as I deemed necessary to invigorate and tone up the patient's system for the operation. One day in October, the young lady came to pay me for some prescriptions, and asked if a few weeks' delay would enhance the danger of the operation. I assured her It was important to lose no time, and urged her to arrange matters so as to remove the patient to the hospital as soon as possible, offering to procure her ad- mission. She showed great distress, and informed me that she hoped to receive very soon a considerable sum of money, from some artistic designs that she felt sure would secure the prize. A week later she came again, and I cave her a nresrrinimn to nlH" i-ip" ~,_4i ._ ner\'ou8ness. Then, with much agitation, she told me u J , AT THE MERCY OP TIBERTITS. 813 that she was going South by the nfght express, to seek assistance from her mother's father, who was a man of wealth, but had disowned Mrs. Lrentano on ac- count of her marriage. She aslved for a written state- ment of the patient's condition, and the absolute neces- sity of the operation. I wrote it, and as she stood • looking at the paper, she said : " ' Doctor do you believe in an Ahnung ? ' I said, * A what ?' She answered slowly and solemnly : ' An Ahnung—a. presentiraont ? I have a crushing pre- sentiment that trouble will come to me, if I leave moth- er; and yet she entreats, commands mo to go South. It is my duty to obey her, but the errand is so humili- ating I shrink, I dread it. I shall not be long away, and meanwhile do please bo so kind as to see her, and cheer her up. If her father refuses to give me the one hundred dollars, I will take her to the hospital when I return.' I walked to the door with her, and her last words were: 'Doctor, I trust my mother to you; don't let her suffer.' I have never seen her again] until I entered this room. I visited Mrs. Brentano several times, but she grew worse very rapidly. One night the ensuing week, my bell was rung at twelve o'clock, and a woman gave me this note, which was written by the prisoner immediately after her arrest, and which enclosed a second, addressed to her mother.'' As ho read aloud the concluding lines invokmg the mother's prayers, the doctor's voice trembled. He took off his spectacles, wiped them, and resumed : *' I was shocked and distressed beyond expression, for I could no more connect the idea of crime with that beautiful, noble souled girl, than with my own sinless daughter; and I reproached myself then, and doubly condemn myself novr, that I did not lend her the money. All that was possible to alleviate the suffer- ir su 11 r Hi! I I if' ll til J 1 j if • \'-i ,' t |i| '1 1 1 1 1 .1 1 < ll'^^ 1 I j 1 ' 1 1 1 i SI r 1 1 t uu J^a 1 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. ing of that mother, I did most faithfully. Under my personal supermtendence she was made comfortable in the hospital ; and I stood by her side when Doctor operated on the aneurism ; but her impaired constitu- .; tion could not bear the strain, and she sank rapidly. ;j She was delirious, and never knew why her daughter , , was detained ; because I withheld the note. Just be- .. fore the end came, her mind cleared, and she wrote a few lines which I sent to the prisoner. From all that I know of Miss Brentano, I feel constrained to say, she unpressed me as one of the purest, noblest and most admirable characters I have ever met. She supported her mother and herself by her pencil, and a more re- fined, sensitive woman, a more tenderly devoted daughter I have yet to meet." "Does your acquaintance with the family suggest any third party, who would be interested in Gen'l Darring- ton s will, or become a beneficiary by its destruction ?" 1^0. They seemed very isolated people ; those two women lived without any acquaintances, as far as I know, and appeared proudly indilTerent to the outside world I do not thinly they, had any relatives, and the only name I heard Mrs. Brentano utter in her last Illness was, < Ignace,-Ignace.' She often spoke of her darling,' and her * good little girl'." " Did you see a gentleman who visited the prisoner ? JJid you ever hear she had a lover ?" "I neither saw any gentleman, nor heard she had a lover. In January, I received a letter from the pris- oner enclosmg an order on S & E photo- graphers of New York, for the amount due her; on a certam design for a Christmas card, which had re- ceived the Boston first prize of three hundred doUars. •i. mJ~~ i— "-'^'^-"" VI tnu Luuri, 1 snouia like to read It. 1 here is no objection ? ' ' AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 815 " Penitextiaky Cell, January 8th. " In the name of my dead, whom I shall soon join— 1 desire to thank yon, dear Doctor Grantlin, for yonr kind care of my darling ; and especially for your deli- cate and tender regard for all that remains on earth of my precious mother. The knowledge that she was treated with the rcVcrence due to a lady, that she was hurled— not as a pauper, but sleeps her last sleep under the same marble roof that shelters your dear departed ones, is the one ray of comfort that can ever pierce the awful gloom that has settled like a pall over me. I am to be tried soon for the black and horrible crhne I never committed ; and the evidence is so strong aguinst me, the circumstances I cannot explain, are so accusing, the belief of my guilt is so general in this commu- nity, that I have no hope of acquittal ; therefore I make my preparations for death. Please collect the money for which I enclose an order, and out of it, take the amount you spent when mother died. It will com- fort me to know, that v/e do not owe a stranger for the casket that shuts her away from all grief, into the blessed Land of Peace. Keep tie remainder, and when you hear that I am dead, unjustly offered up an inno- cent victim to appease justice, that must have some- body's blood in expiation, then take my body and mother's and have us laid side by side in the Potter's field. The law will crush my body, but it is pure and free' from every crime, and it will be worthy still to touch my mother's in a common grave. Oh, Doctor ! Does It not seem that some terrible curse has pursued me ; and that the three hundred dollars I toiled and prayed for, was kept back ten days too late to save mo ? My Christmas card will at least bury us decently— away from the world that trampled me down. Do not doubt my innocence, and it will comfort me to feel that he who closed my mother's eyes, believes that her un- fortunate child is guiltless and unstained. In life, and in death, ever " Most gratefully your debtor, "Beryl Beentano. A few moments of profound silence ensued ; then 316 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. Doctor Grantlin handed some article to Mr. Dunbar and stepping down from the stand, walked toward the prisoner. She had covered her face with her hands, while he jave his testimony; striving to hide the anguish that his presence revived. He placed- his hand on her shoulder, and whispered brokenly ; V " My child, I know you are innocent. Would to God I could help you to prove it to these people !" The terrible strain gave way suddenly, her proud head was laid agamst his arm, and suppressed emotion shook her, as a December storm smites and bows some shivermg weed. :]■ •{ CHAPTER XIX. pRIDAY, the fifth and last day of the trial, was ushered m by a tempest of wind and rain, that drove the blinding sheets of sleet against the court- house windows with the insistence of an icy flail • while now and then with spasmodic bursts of fury the g;ale heightened, rattled the sash, moaned hystencallv like invisible fiends tearing at the obstacles' that barred entrance. So dense was the gloom pervading the court-room, that every gas jet was burning at ten o c ock, when Mr. Dunbar rose and took a position close to the jury-box. The gray pallor of his sternly set face mcreased his resemblance to a statue of the Julian type, and he looked rigid as granite, as he turned his brilliant eyes full of blue fire upon the grave, upturned countenances of the twelve umph-es • v. .^^f"^j"^""^ ^^e Jury: The sanctity of human life is the foundation on which society rests, and its AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 317 presentation is the supreme aim of all human legislation. Rights of property, of liberty, are merely conditional, subordinated to the superlative, divine right of life. Labor creates property, law securea liberty, but God alone gives life ; and woe to that tribunal, to those consecrated priests of divine justice, who, sworn to lay aside passion and prejudice, and to array themselves in the immaculate robes of a juror's impartiality, yet profane the loftiest prerogative with which civilized society can invest mankind, and sacrilegiously extinguish, in the name of justice, that sacred spark which only Jehovah's fiat kindles. To the same astute and unchanging race, whose relentless code of jurisprudence demanded ' an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life,' we owe the instruc- tive picture of cautious inquiry, of tender solicitude for the inviolability of human life, that glows in immortal lustre on the pages of the ' Mechilta ' of the Talmud In the trial of a Hebrew criminal, there were 'Lactees,' consisting of two men, one of whom stood at the door of the court, with a red flag in his hand, and the other sat on a white horse at some distance on the road that led to execution. Each of these men cried aloud continually, the name of the suspected criminal, of the witnesses, and his crime ; and vehemently called upon any person who knew anything in his favor to come forward and testify. Have we, supercilious braggarts of this age of progress, attained the prudential wisdom of Sanhedrim ? " The State pays an officer to sift, probe, collect and array the evidences of crime, with which the criminal is stoned to death ; does it likewise commission and v^pcixcaLc iiu uquiiiiy pamstaKmg, iynx-eyed official whose sole duty is to hunt and preclaim proofs of the innocence of the accused? The great body of the 318 AT tHE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. commonwealth is committed in revengeful zeal to prosecution ; upon whom devolves the doubly sacred and imperative duty of defence 2 Are you not here to give judgment in a cause based on an indictment by a secret tribunal, where ex parte testimony was alone received, and the voice of defence could not be heard ? The law infers that the keen instinct of self-preserva- .. tion will force the accused to secure the strongest possible legal defenders; and failing in this, the law perfunctorily assigns counsel to present testimony in defence. Do the scales balance ? " lumgine a race for heavy stakes ; tlie judges tap the bell ; three or four superb tlioroughbreds carefully trained on that track, laboriously groomed, waiting for the signal, spring forward ; and when the first quarter is reached, a belated fifth, handicapped with the knowledge that he has made a desperately bad start bounds after them. If by dint of some superhuman grace vouchsafed, some latent strain, some most unexpected speed, he nears, overtakes, runs neck and neck, slowly gains, passes all four and dashes breath- less and quivering under the string, a whole length ahead, the world of spectators shouts, the judges- smile, and number five wins the stakes. But was the race fair? " Is not justice, the beloved goddess of our idolatry, sometimes so blinded by clouds of argument, and con- fused by clamor that she fails indeed to see the dip of the beam ? If the accused be guilty and escape con- viction, he still lives ; and while it is provided that no one can be twice put in jeopardy of his life for the same offence, vicious tendencies impel to renewal or crime, and Nemesis, the retriever of justice, may yet hunt him down. If the accused be innocent as the archangels, but suffer conviction and execution, what AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 3id expiation can justice offer for judicially slaughtering him ? Are the chances even ? " All along the dim vista of the annals of criminal jurisprudence, stand grim memorials that mark the substitution of innocent victims for guilty criminals ; - and they are solemn sign-posts of warning, mJan- choly as the whitening bones of perished caravans in desert sands. History relates, and tradition embalms, a sad incident of the era of the Council of Ten, when an innocent boy was seized, tried and executed for the murder of a nobleman, whose real assassin confessed the crime many years subsequent. In commemoration of the public horror manifested,when the truth was pub- lished, Venice decreed that hencefoHh a crier should proclaim in the Tribunal just before a death sentence was pronounced, ' Ricordatevi del povero Marco- linif remember the poor Marcolini;' beware of merely circumstantial evidence. "To another instance I mvite your attention. A devoted Scotch father finding that his only child had contracted an unfortunate attachment to a man of notoriously bad character, interdicted all communica- tion, and locked his daughter into a tenement room ; the adjoining apartment (with only a thin partition wall betweei being occupied by a neighbor, who overheard the angry altercation that ensued. He re- - cognized the voices of father and daughter, and the words * barbarity,' 'cruelty,' * death,' were repeatedly, heard. The father at last left the room, locking his child in as a prisoner. After a time, strange noises were heard by the tenant of the adjoining chamber; suspicion was aroused, a bailiff was summoned, the door forced open, and there lay the dying girl welter- ing in blood, with the fatal knife lying near. She was asked if her father had caused her sad condition, 326 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. i 1 'i I • I and she made an afflrmative gesture and expired At that moment the father returned, and stood stupefied oTinra'u'd'this'' J" '"'"''""^'' ^' ^ ^n-'oTne:' oi gnm and this was corroborated by the fart fh^f * ^Lfted trr" ^''™'''^'' ""'^ bloo'd!''ln vain'he He wTs hunt ?„'"!•''" <'"°"'=' '"■» »' the murder. ^romTe Set" Tt^rt'enilL^, "^fo ''\ ^"'"^^"« wr th?.rid™^ ^— - - -="" "•> ""» giri, declarine- her ]nfPTifi.->n +^ suicide, and closing withVe CdT ?Mv inhTmTn y nlTestureT T "^ "^^^'^ ' ' '"^^ -pilint":" thVf^ifra^Leuuerrtt,-;/ "^t--^ "^ tion.^°ec;eeTbvNusLr'"f '"'*^^«^f'''='»y -Para- of the Taw Vhe s\ri?.n T^". ""' "^ «'« "'^cer^ lowered frim the Jbh^ ' <"*°"»'-^'' "ody was decent buriT and tlS^!'!""° '" ^'' ''""^"^^ f"' ordered a f^i wav d o^'T' "'^" ^''"'^"^^'^ '''"'' for all his wrongs ® '"' ''^ """P'^nsation " Gentlemen of the inrv +« c^ .ni._si„n„,,^ronge:in"';^;rl?::^°"4r^^r'"- "' -fo- you Clearly the fac^ eliei'ted f^ ::;^ AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 321 Which the honorable and able counsel for the prosecu- tion dechnedto cross-examine. An able expounder of the law of evidence has warned us that: 'The force of circumstantial evidence being exclusive in its nature, and the mere coincidence of the hypothesis with the circumstances being-, in the abstract, insufficient, un- ess they exclude every other supposition, it is essen- wtt nf^^^^T"' T^ *^' "^"^^ scrupulous attention, what other hypotheses there may he, agreeing- wholly or partially with the facts in evidence. ' ,1^ ??u ""^ '^.f ^ '''^'■^^^ appearance was seen running toward the railroad, on the night of the twenty-sixth, evidently goaded by some unusual necessity to leave the neighborhood of X before the arrival of the passenger express. It is proved that he passed the station exactly at the time the prisoner deposed she heard the voice, and the half of the envelope that en- closed the missing will, was found at the spot where the same person was seen, only a few moments later. Four days afterward, this man entered a small station n Pennsylvania, paid for a railroad ticket, with a coin dentical m value and appearance with those stolen from the tin box, and as if foreordained to publish the h m th.'r^' '*'iy'"^ *° "^^'^^ accidentally left behind him the trumpet-tongued fragment of envelope, that exactly fitted into the torn strip dropped atthe bridge. The most exliaustive and diligent search shows that stranger was seen by no one else in X : that he came as a thief in the night, provided with chloroform to drug his intended victim, and having been detected n t^e act of burglariously abstracting the contents of the tm box, fought with, and killed the venerable old man, whom he had robbed ^^^^T\ "'T'' ""^ "^^''"^ ^^^ ^^^^"«s« ^« escaped with his plunder, to some point north of X where 322 AT THE MEBCY OF TtBKMCS. doubtless he boarded (unperceived) the freight train country and made his way to Pennsylvania Whv were valuable bonds untouched ? BecauseXy mlh' he in th» rj"^ ^™ '^'"'' coneeivable inte/est Sad he m the destruction of Gen'l Darrington's wiU? It contend Tt;*?'* *"? "^"P "^' b^mrand th Ini f h? c ':^"'^' "' *"" provisions of the will ; and the superscription it was impossible to misr3 S'oTtbl'f "^" "^^"^"""^ p«-°» -- f°"™- zant of the family secrets of the Darrinstons ? Sunoose . that he knew thatMr«. Brentano and her daughter taS "if'J '-^fortune, if Gen'l Darrin^on di^d mtestete ? If he had wooed and won the heart of the Heed to promote the aggrandizement of an alien the adopted stcp-son Prmce, had not such a matthe ac! cepted lover of the daughter, a personal interestin the and h'rchnd%""i"'"' '"""'^"•"^'' ^^- ^^•^-^-^. and her child ? Have you not now, motive, means and opportunity, and links of evidence that pit To this man as the real agent, the guilty author ^ the awful crime we are all leagued in solemn, legal coe! nant to pumsh? Suppose that fully aware of the prisoner's mission to X—, he had secretly foUoved her and supplemented her afternoon visil, by the atal interview of the night? Doubtless he had in! tended escorting her home, but when the frightful tragedy was completed, the curse of Cain drove him m terror, to instant flight ; and he sought safety i^ Tothe'd tlf' ir'"^ W^ innocent anf haj^e^f bS tiothed to bear the penalty of his crime. Tlie hand- Kerchief used to administer chl""n'— r- ■-- ■ • itials J was doubtless a souvenir given in days gone AT THE MERCY OF TIBERHTS. 32d by to that unworthy miscreant, as a token of affec tion, by the trusting woman he deserted in the hour Of peril. In this solution of an awful enigma, is there an undue strain upon credulity ; is chore any antagon- ism of facts, which the torn envelope, the pipe, the twenty-dollar gold pieces seen in Pennsylvania, do not reconcile? > «« " A justly celebrated writer on the law of evidence has wisely said : * In criminal cases, the statement made by the accused is of essential importance in some points of view. Such is the complexity of human affairs, and so infinite the combinations of circum- stances, that the true hypothesis which is capable of explaming and reuniting all the apparently conflicting circumstonces of the case, may escape the acutest penetration : but the prisoner, so far as he alone is concerned, can always afford a clue to them ; and though he may be unable to support his statement by evidence, his account of the transaction is, for this purpose, always most material and important. The effect may be to suggest a view, which consists with the innocence of the accused, and might otherwise have esc \ped observation.* " During the preliminary examination of this pris- oner in October, she inadvertently furnished this clue, when, in explaining her absence from the station house, she stated that suddenly awakened from sleep, she heard the voice of one she knew and loved, and ran out to seek the speaker'. Twice she has repeated the conversation she heard, and every word is cor- roborated by the witness who saw and talked with tho owner of that 'beloved voice'. When asked to give the name of that man, whom she expected to find in ^ue sireet, she falters, refuses ; love seals her lips, and the fact that she will die sooner than yield that ii'^l I HUI 324 AT THE MERCY Of HBERIDS. Which must bring him to summary justice is al.«. "^SVi "■" ''^^""' "P°" ''>° real cuS.'' •""" •Bresumntiv//!! '° '""""'" J"™P™dence, that X 2«il tr. ''™' ""«" ""^<='- '» b« relied on. wnen direct testimony is wilfully withheld' Sh« ft t"o him '* "^" f ^"^^ handk.r.-chie'^ ; did she not Jve ^t to him, m some happy hour as a tender Bicordo^ Md'un t' fr"'''''^ '■'^ '°^' " '>'« precipitatfflT/ht is held up to the jury, she recognizes it instantly as her iHi dSf '' ^"''^'''-rswith horrorat the danger Of his detection and apprehension. Does n-^t this arrav accismg circumstances demand as careful cSe/ pire'c^u ^p ''rt^iar-tr -^^^ Hn. mi sm, .c^h^ :r;orth: dXe":^^ ^s found rr"'"'^ ""■^^*^<> «"" searched, toe^ money whch^';P°''''''°" ""'y *« exact amount of money, which it is m evidence, that she came Soul I, in t°o^e^.; p' :>}!* ^he has solemnly affirmed was 't„ days previous, fi:' h^rndrM d lar^gold^'^Vr twenty-dollar gold coins were discovered fn theea^^t thlT'°/^'™"'*' -"at became of the reSe three hundred and twenty dollars ? With the exceZ? of one hundred dollars (omid in the basket of the pnsoner, she had only f*ve copper penniesTher pu.^e vvhen so unexpectedly arrested, that it was imnosS she could have secreted anything. Thrle huZed Ind ZTITT •^'^^Pr'^O ^ --Pa.y wfththe wm! and Ito the torn envelope, two of those gold coins lifted fZZlV'''''' Pennsylvania, where the "gf u.ve from righteous retribution paid for the wings t^t would transport him beynnH ^<,ir of J-t^-x, ^ ** Both theories presented for your careful analy AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS, 825 8is, are based entirely upon circumstantial evidence: and IS not the solution I offer less repug-nant to the canons of credibility, and infinitely less revolting to ZZr ^^^ ?^ honorable manhood, than the horrible hypothesis that a refined, cultivated, noble Christian woman, a devoted daughter, irreproachable in antece- ^nM ' .?i!^''"^ *^' ^'^^ ^^^^^1 «f the past four months .vith a noble heroism that commands the invol- untary admiration of all who have watched her-that such a perfect type of beautiful womanhood as the pris- oner presents, could deliberately plan and execute the Vile scheme of theft and murder? Gentlemen, she is gmlty of but one sin against the peace and order of this community: the sin of withholding the name of one for whose bloody crime she is not responsible. Does not her invincible loyalty, her unwavering devotion to the craven for whom she suflFers, invest her with the halo of a martyrdom, that appeals mtJIt powerfuUy to the noblest impulses of your nature, that enUsts the warm- est, holiest sympathies lying deep in your manly hearts? Analyze her statement; every utterance bears the stamp of innocence ; and where she cannot ex- gam truthfully, she declines to make any explanation. Hers is the sm of silence, the grievous evasion of ius- tice by non-responsion, whereby the danger she will not avert by confession recoils upon her innocent head i^ravely she took on her reluctant shoulders the gall- ing burden of parental command, and stifling her proud repugnance, obediently came-a fair youn- " stranger to * Elm Bluff'. Receiving as a loan the money she came to beg for, she hurries away to fulfil another solemnly imposed injunction. A *' ^^*^®j^®^' is there any spot out yonder in God's -^cre, -.rhcie vzolets, blue as the eyes that once smiled upon you, now shed their fragrance above the sacred !| ! 1 — ill M i ll lili 326 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. dust of your dead darlings ; and the thought of whicli melts your hearts and dims your vision ? Look at thia mournful, touching witness, which comes from that holy cemetery to whisper to your souls, that the hands of the prisqper are as pure as those of your idols, fold- ed under the sod. Only a little bunch of withered brown flowers, tied with a faded blue ribbon, that a poor girl bought with her hard earned pennies, and car- ried to a sick mother, to brighten a dreary attic; only a dead nosogay, which that mother requested should boliid as a penitential tribute on the tomb of the mother whom she had disobeyed ; and this faithful young heart made the pilgrimage, and left the offer- ing—and in consequence thereof, missed the train that would have carried her safely back to her mother— and to peace. On the mornmg after the preliminary examination I went to the cemetery, and found the fatal flowers just w#re she had placed them, on the great marble cross that covers the tomb of * Helena Tracey— wife of Luke Darrington.' " You husbands and fathers who trust your names, your honor, th( peace of your hearts— almost the sal- vation of your souls— to the women you love ; staking the dearest interest of humanity, the sanctity of that heaven on earth— your stainless homes— upon the fidel- ity of womanhood, can you doubt for one instant, that the prisoner will accept deal h rather than betray the man she loves ? No human plummet has sounded the depths of a woman's devotion ; no surveyor's chain will ever mark the limits of a woman's faithful, patient endurance ; and only the wings of an archangel can transcend that pinnacle to which the sublime prin- ciple of self-sacrifice exalts a woman's soul. " In a quaint old citv on the banks nf fhA Px>o.«,+., History records an instance of feminine self-abnegation, AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 827 r^eTl^co^.?"" ■monuments of brass. The law had orXns „„,f;" P™^'''"" '"' the raaintenanco of orpnans, and two women m dire dist,req« «»^in„ „1 P",-«-« o'telp, accused thets L^I "e^^f a capital crime, and were executed , thereby securini a support for the chUdren they orphaned ^ ^ crimfnar thf r "l" '"! "™' P^^^^^tor of the real cnminal, the Cam-branded man now wanderinir fn some western wild, I charge the prisoner w?th 01X^0^6 sm suicidal silence ; and I commend her to your most tender compassion, believing that in every Retell a^fd mnocent of the charge in the indictment as vou or I guTtu'inthis"''", """'' "-"^ p— ptivV;.;:, to guide ou m this solemn delibera • on, and in the ab- >- -e o. direct proof, do not be deluded by a glitterhia. ^stat^rr^*'"" I""* "'■eessarily arises from^i": StcWwH """^ "'t" """^ convincing and more satisfactory than any other kind of evidence • it i« „„f ZT. t™i "T '"^ """'''''^ »' hu.^I'^Xiti It nected t^rt, '="-?'"«t=""=es, which shall be so con- out »ff^f "■ ^^ ^" "'""'"'* *" * Pfoof of guilt, with- out affordmg opportunities of contradicting a CTeat pa^^^i not all, of these circumstances.' ^ ^ iieheve it not ; circumstantial evidence has cau' <=^«« ^'''"^ ^^l prisoner, and that facts cannot lie. Abstractly and beheve i?„ I r .^ inferences deduced from what we 'rl;T_^.''«^e^d» not sometimes eclipse Anania^ mza norror at the tidings of the Ashtabula raUway 823 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. catastrophe, in which a train of cars plunged through a bridge, took fire, and a number of passengers were consumed, charred beyond recognition. Soon after- ward, a poor woman, mother of two children, com- menced suit against the railway company, alleging that her husband had perished in that disaster. The evidence adduced was only of a circumstantial nature, as the body which had been destroyed by flames, could not be found. Searchmg in the debris at the fatal spot, she had found a bunch of keys, that she positive- ly recognized as belonging to her husband, and in his possession when he died. One key fitted the clock in her house, and a m6clianic was ready to swear that he had made such a key for the deceased. Another key fitted a chest she owned, and still another fitted the door of her house ; while strongest of all proof, she found a piece of cloth which she identified as part of her husband's coat. A physician who knew her husband, testified that he rode as far as Buffalo on the same train with the deceased, on the fatal day of the disas- ter ; and another witness deposed that he saw the de- ceased take the train at Buffalo, that went down to ruin at Ashtabula. Certainly the chain of circumstantial evidence, from veracious facts, seemed complete ; but lo ! during the investigation it was ascertained beyond doubt, to the great joy of the wife, that the husband had never been near Ashtabula, and was safe and well at a Pension Home in a Western State. ** The fate of a very noble and innocent woman is now committed to your hands, and only presumptive proof is laid before you. * The circumstance is always a fact J the presumption is the inference drawn from that fact. It is hence called presumptive proof, be- cause it proceeds merely in opinion.' Suffer no brilliant sophistry to dazzle your judgment, no remnant of pre- AT TflE MfiRCY OP TlBERItTS. S2^ judice to swerve you from the path of fidelity to your oath. To your cahn reasoning, your generous manly hearts, your Christian consciences, I resign the desolate prisoner ; and as you deal with her, so may the God above us, the just and holy God who has numbered the,hairs of her innocent head, deal here and hereafter with you and yours." That magnetic influence, wherehy the emotions of an audience are swayed, as the tides that foUowthe moon was m large measure the heritage of the handsome man who held the eyes of the jurymen in an almost unwmkmg gaze; and when his uplifted arm slowly fell to his side. Judge Dent grasped it in mute con- gratulation, and Mr. CliurchiU took his hand, and shook it warmly. Mr. Wolverton came forward to sum up the evidence for the prosecution, and laboriously recapitulated and dwelt upon the mass of facts, which he claimed was susceptible of but one interpretation, and must compel the jury to convict, in accordance with the indictment. Upon the ears of the prisoner, his words fell as a harsh, meaningless murmur; and above the insistent mutter, rose and fell the waves of a rich, resonant voice that surrounded, penetrated, electrified her bram- thrilled her whole being with a strange and inexplic- able sensation of happiness. For months she had fought against the singular fascination that dwelt in those briUiant blue eyes, and lurked in every line of the swart, stern face; holding at bay the magnetic attraction which he exerted from the hour of the pre- liminary examination. Of all men, she had feared him most, had shrunk from every opportunity of contact, had execrated him as the malign personifica- tion, the veritable incarnation of the evil destiny that had hounded her from the day she first saw X . 380 AT THE MEROY OP TIBERIUS. Listening to his appeal for her dehverance, each word throbbing with the fen^ent beat of a heart that she knew was all her own, an exquisite sense of rest gradually stole over her ; as a long-suffering child spent with pain, sinks, soothed at last in the enfolding arms of protective love. That dark, eloquent face drew, held her gaze with the spell of a loadstone, and even in the imminence of her jeopardy, she recalled the strange resemblance he bore to the militant angel she had once seen in a painting, where he wrestled with Satan for possession of the body of Moses. 1):. grace, peril, the gaunt spectre of death suddenly til j- solved, vanished in the glorious burst of rosy light that streamed into all the chill chambers of her heart ; and she bowed her head in her hands, to hide the crun- son that painted her cheeks. How long Mr. Wolverton talked, she never knew: but the lull that succeeded was broken by the tones of Judge Parkman. "Beryl Brentano, it is my duty to remmd you that this is the last opportunity the law allows you, tb speak in your own vindication. The testimony has all been presented to those appointed to decide upon its value. If there be any final statement that you may desire to offer in self-defence, you must make it now." Could the hundreds who watched and waited ever forget the sight of that superb, erect figure, that ex- quisite face, proud as Hypatia's, patient as Perpetua's ; ^r the sound of that pathetic, unwavering voice? Mournfully, yet steadily, she raised her great gray eyes, darkened by the violet shadows suffering had cast, and looked at her judges. " I am guiltless of any and all crime. I have neither robbed, nor murdered ; and I am neither prin- cipal, nor accomplice in the horrible sin imputed to me, AT tHE inERCY Of WBEMtrs. jgj I know nothing of the chloroform; I never fnn-.h„H ^e andiron ; I never saw Gen'l Barring bu?ot^ Be gave me the gold and the sapphires and T ,m ,= m.oce„t Of his death, and of th?de"trctfon f^s flrilwlf ?'?'''«""' "™'«" ^"o prattle at your firesides and nestle to sleep in your arms. My We has been disgraced and ruined by no act of minf C T rfr^r "^ ^""'.l' "^ ''^^^' ""^ -"'■ as pureed m%nL . f P'^'^ P'^'^y 0' suspicion, and the guiltless victim of the law. 0, my judges I I do not crave your mercy-that is the deipaiSpiuyer The rushmgsound as of a comingflood filled her ^re and her words echoed vaguely from some immS rJf -^ t'**"* '^''^"- T^<' ^^^'S^*^ seemed ~n^ m a Walpurgis maze, as she sat down and once S veiled her face in her hands. . When she recovered sufllciently to listen M, eTu™ '"' '■"^° '°" *" '^"^"^ « «' ^"' Pr- "Gentlemen of the Jury; I were a Wnf „« .^oble profession, a disgice to' hirraMe mth?od° Md a monster m my own estimation, if I S approach the fatal Finis of this melancholy tS without painful emotions of profound ~ S the solemn responsibihty of my official posXn mak™ me the reluctant bearer of the last stern m^a^ ' uttered by retributive justice. How infinrteN^tf! nviable the duty of the Amicus CnnCmy l^ 2"d and quondam coUeague, who in v'oJ^t^ry dl ence has so ingeniously, eloquently and nobly kd a forlorn hope, that !», i.n°<"n-— ...:,- j-, """Y '^u a in=fi> n„r ' "" 7","'" ^"^ ""''""*■ "Tetrievablv or ih-f^T wi '""'"*' ""'^' '>« <>«'"" that cau4 for which he batOes so valiantly, when dire extreujj 832 AT THE MERCY OF TtBERlUS. goads him to lift a rebellious and unfllial voice against the provisions of his foster-mother, Criminal Juris- prudence, in whoso service he won the brilliant distinc- tion and crown of laurel that excite the admiration and envy of a largo family of his less fortunate foster- brothers. I honor his heroism, applaud his chivalrous zeal, and wish that I stood in his place ; but not mine the privilege of mounting the white horse, and wav- ing the red flag of the 'Lactces.' Dedicated to the mournful rites of justice, I have laid an iron hand on the quivering lips of pity, that cried to me like the voice of one of my own little ones ; and very sorrow- fully, at the command of conscience, reason and my official duty, I obey the mandate to ring down the black curtain on a terrible tragedy, feeling like Dante, when he confronted the doomed — " 'And to a part I come, where no light slunes.' So clearly and ably has my distinguished associate, Mr. Wolvertpn, presented all the legal points bearing upon the nature and value of the proof, submitted for your examination, that any attempt to buttrsss his powerful argument, were an unpardonable reflection upon your intelligence, and his skill ; and I shall con- fine my last effort in behalf of justice, to a brief analy- sis and comparison of the hypothesis of the defence, with the verified result of the prosecution. • " Beautiful and sparkling as the frail glass of Murano, and equally as thin, as treacherously brittle, is the theory so skilfully manufactured in behalf of the ac- cused; and so adroitly exhibited that the ingenious facets catci: overy possible gleam, and for a moment almost dazzle the eyes of the beholder. In attempt- ing to cast a lance against the 6hieid of circumstantial evidence, his weapon rebounded, recoiled upon hia AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIU8. 888 fine spuii ciystal and shivered it. What were the materials wherewith he worked? Circumstances, strained, well nigh dislocated by the effort to force them to fit into his Procrustean measure. A man was seen on t,Ii(i night of the twcnty-sixlh, who appeared unduly anxious to quit X before daylight; and again the mysterious stranger was seen in a distant town in Pennsylvania, whore he showed some gold coins of a certain denomination, and dropped on the floor onc-haif of an envelope, that once contained a will. In view of these circumstances (the prosecution calls tliem facts), the counsel for the cMcnce presumes that said stranger committed the murder, stole the will ; and ofl'ers this opinion as presumptive proof that the prisoner is innocent. The argument runs thus : this man was an accepted lover of the accused, and there- fore he must have -lestroyed the will that beggared his betrothed ; but it is nowhere in evidence, that any lover existed, outside of the counsel's imagination ; yet Asmodeus like he must appear when called for and so we are expected to infer, assume, presume that because he stole the will he must be her lover. Does ^ it not malvc your head swim to spin round in this circle of reasoning? Ir. assailing the validity of circum- stantial evidence, has he not cut his bridges, burned his ships behind him ? " Gentlemen, fain would I seize this theory were it credible, and setting thereon, as in an ark, this most unfortunate^ prii,oner, float her safely through the deluge of ruin, anchor her in peaceful securtty upon some far-off Ararat ; but it has gone to pieces in the hands of i ts arch itect. Instead of rescuing the drown- ing, the wreck serves only to beat her down. If w« accept the hypothesis of a lover at all, it wUl furnish the one missing link m the terrible chain that cluukg 334 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. around the luckless prisoner. The disappearance of the three hundred and twenty dollars has sorely per- plexed the prosecution, and unexpectedly the defence offers us the one circumstance wo lacked ; the lover was lurking in the neighborhood, to learn the result of the visit, to escort her home ; and to him the pris- oner gave the missing gold, to him intrusted the de- struction o: the will. If that man came to * Elm Bluff ' prepared to rob and murder, by whom was he incited and instigated -, and who was the accessory, and there- ioTQparticeps criminis ? The prisoner's handkerchief ^as the medium of chloroforming that venerable old man, and can there be a reasonable doubt thit she aided in administering it ? " The prosecution could not explain why she came from the direction of the railroad bridge, which was far out of her way from ' Elm Bluff '; but the de- fence gives the most satisfactory solution : she was there, dividing her blood-stained spoils with the equal- ly guilty accomplice— her lover. The prosecution brings to the bar of retributioii only one criminal; the defence not only fastens the guilt upon this unhappy woman, by supplying the missing links, but proves premeditation, by the person of an accomplice. Four months have boen ^ent in hunting some fact that would tend to exculpate the accused, but each circum- stance dragged to light serves only to swell the dismal chorus, ' Woo to the guilty'. To-day she sits in the ashos of desolation, condemned by the unanimous evi- dence of' every known fact connected with this awful tragedy. To oppose this black and frightful host of proofs, what does she offer us ? Simply her bare, sol- emnly reiterated denial of guilt. We hold our breath, — t --o "taftm^i, xxo^,rs x:u.Av ouu Will givo 5ome explana- tion, some solution, that our pitying hearts are wait- AT THE MERCY OF TIBEBIua 335 Ingso eagerly to hear: but dumb as the Sphinv she awaits her doom. You will weigh that bare d niiun flutv re :,r f.!'" ''^'""""'- ""<• '» *'« momentoi" furn rf r* "^" ^='"*'°"^ admonition that has been ■onsof inn" ^'^" ''""; 'Conceding that assevera- on bv ZT ^'™y" ^'"■''^''''S of considera- tion by the executive, what is there to invest them with a conclusive efficacy, in opposition to a chain rf presumptive evidence, the force and weight of which falls short only of mathematical demonstration ?' The astute and eloquent counsel for defence, has cited some well-kno,™ cases, to shalce your faith n the valuHf merely presumptive proof. tallibiml'of'™ T", -consideration, an instance of the tall bility of merely bare, unsupported denial of guilt, on the part of the accused. A priest at Lautefbach was suspected, arrested and Iriecf for the murder of a woman under very aggravated circumst" He was subjected to eighty examinations ; and each time solemnly denied the crime. Even when confronted^t midnight with the skuil of the victim murdered citht years before, he vehemently protested Ms tnoeenl called on the skull to declare him not the assassin ani tinally he confessed his crime; testified that while uttmgtho throat of his victim, he had exhorted her to repentance, had given her absolution, and S h^v- mg concealed the corpse, he had said masses for her at'this'ifr^"""" '"1 '"'P'"'' ™"'*'"o» of the prisoner at this bar, appeals patheticaUy to that compassion which we are taught to believe coexists with justice ven in the omnipotent God we worship; yet in the face of incnnfrn^'frtibi- fo--^- '• •+ - r nft^^AQ ---^-"- ■■^^eitib.c fa^,^ ciicitea from reliable wit- nesses, of coincidences which no theory of accident 836 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. can explain, can we stifle convictions, solely because she pleads 'not gfullty'? Pertinent, indeed, was the ringing cry of that ancient prosecutor : * Most illus- trious Caesar I if denial of guilt be sufficient defence, who would ever be convicted ? ' You have been assured that inferences drawn from probable facts eclipse the stupendous falsehood of Ananias and Sapphira I Then the same family strain inevitably crops out, in the loosely-woven web of defensive presumptive' evidence— whose pedigree wo trace to tho same parentage. God forbid that I should commit the sacrilege of arrogating His divine attribute— infallibilitj^— for any human au- thority, however exalted ; or claim it for any amount of proof, presumptive or positive. * It is because human- ity even when most cautious and discriminating is so mournfully fallible and prone to error, that in judging its own frailty, wo require tho aid and reverently in- A'oke the guidance of Jehovah. ' In your solemn delib- erations bear in mind this epitome of an opinion, en- titled to more than a passing consideration : * Perhaps strong circumstantial evidence m cases of crime, com- mitted for the most part in secret, is the most satisfac- tory fit any from whence to draw the conclusion of guilt ; for men may be seduced to perjury, by ma,ny base motives; but it can scarcely happen that many circumstances, especially if they be such over which the accuser could have no control, forming altogether the Imks of a transaction, should all unfortunately con- cur to fix the presumption of guilt on an mdividual, and yet such a conclusion be erroneous/ " Gentlemen of the jury: the prosecution believes that the overwhelming mass of evidence laid before you proves, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the T 1 "tn' — i-^--i^v.^"u«i,cax3 muiuer ana rob Kobcrt i^ul?e Pamngton } and in the name of justice, wo dq. AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 887 mand that you vindicate the majesty of outraged law by r6nderinff a verdict of ' guilty '. All the evi- dence m this case points the finger of doom at the prisoner, as to the time, the place, the opportunity the means, the conduct and the motive. Suffer not bSv to " if '"'"'"^ womanhood and wonderful Deauty, to make you recreant to the obligations of >|our oath, to decide this issue of life or death s^Htly in accordance with the proofs presented; and bitterly pa infu as IS your impending duty, do not allow the wail of pity to drown the demands of justice or the voice of that blood that cries to heaven for ven! geance upon the murderess. May the righteous God who rules the destinies of thJ universf guide you^ and enable you to perform faithfully your awful .rFj^'f^^^^ ^""^^""^ ^^^ ^""^ profound silence that per- h^rnpV "°"t^«°™' ^"^ t^« eyes of the multitude Tndl M^'^n^ *' '^" ^""^^ countenance of the Judge. Mr. Dunbar had seated himself at a small watching from beneath his contracted black brows the earnest, expectant faces of the jurymen ; and his keen glowing eyes indexed little of the fierce, wolfish pangs that gnawed ceaselessly at his heart, as the intoler- able suspense drew near its end. Judge Parkman leaned forward. "Gentlemen of the jury : before entering that box, ^ the appointed ministers of justice, to arbitrate upon the most momentous issue that can engage human attention— the life- or death of a fellow creature-you called your Maker to witness fhaf tron wo-'-J -?-•-,— your minds of every shadow of prejudice, would calm- ly, carefully, dispasaionately consider, analyze and 338 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. weigh the evidence submitted for your investigation ; and irrespective of consequences, render a verdict in strict accordance with the proofs presented. You have list(med to the testimony of the witnesses, to the the- ory of the prosecution, to the theory of the counsel for the defence ; you have heard the statement of the accused, her repeated denial of the crime with which . she stands charged ; and finally you have heard the arguments of counsel, the summing up of all the evi- dence. The peculiar character of some of the facts presented as proof, requires on your part the keenest and most exhaustive analysis of the inferences to be drawn from them, and 30U * have need of patience, wis- dom and courage'. While it is impossible that you can contemplate the distressing condition of the accused without emotions of profound compassioUj your duty * is prescribed by the law, which allows you no liberty to indulge any sentiment, inconsistent with its strict performance'. You should begin with the legal pre- sumption that the prisoner is innocent, and that pre- sumption must continue, until her guilt is satisfactor- ily-proved. This is the legal right of the prisoner ; contingent on no peculiar circumstances of any par- ticular case, but is the common right of every person accused of a crime. The law surrounds the prisoner with a coat of mail, that only irrefragable proofs of guilt can pierce, and the law declares her innocent, unless the proof you have heard on her trial satisfies you, beyond a reasonable doubt, that she is guilty. What constitutes reasonable doubt, it becomes your duty to earnestly and carefully consider. It is charged that the defendant, on the night of tJie twenty-sixth of October, did wilfully, deliberately and premeditatedly murder Robert Luke Darriiigton, by striking him with a brass andiron. The legal definition of mur- ill!. AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 839 f?J ll *^\"^^^^f"l killingr of another, with malice aforethought ; and is divided into two de^ees. Any murder committed knowingly, intentionally and wan- tonly and without just cause or excuse, is murder in the first degree ; and this is the offence charged agamst the prisoner at the bar. If you believe from the evidence, that the defendant. Beryl BrenUno, did at the time and place named, wilfully and premedi- tatedly kill Robert Luke Darrington, then it wuT be- come your duty to find the defendant guilty of murder- If you do not so believe, then it will be your duty to acquit her. A copy of the legal definition of homidde ' embracing murder in the first and second degrees, and of manslaughter in the first and second decrees wfil be furnished for your instruction ; and it is ^oTr Hgh and privilege after a careful examination of all the evidence, to convict of a lesser crime than that charged m the indictment, provided all the evidence in this case, should so convince your minds to the exclu- sion of a reasonable doubt. ''In your deliberations you will constantly bear in memory, the following long established rules provided for the guidance of jurors : f " '^'~:'^}^ ^''''^^'' ""^ P^°°^ ''««ts upon the prosecu- tion,and does not shift or change to the defendant^ ' any phase or stage of the case. " 'IJ-— before the jury can convict the accused'thev must be satisfied from the evi- nee that she s guU y of the offence charged in the indictment, beyond a reasonable doubt. It is not sufficient that hefshouM believe her guilt only probable. No degree of proba bUity merely, will authorize a convictiof ; but the evi- dence must be of such character and tendencv L'l produce a moral certainty of the prisoner's guilt, to the e«cl^slo^ of reasonable doubt, ^ ' 840 AT THE ATERCY OF TIBERIUS. . " 'III'—Each fact which is necessary in the chain ©! circumstances to estabhsh the guilt of the accused, must be distinctly proved by competent legal evidence, and If the jury have reasonable doubt ar to any ma- terial fact, necessary to be proved in ord.. to support the hypothesis of the prisoner's guilt, to the exclusion of every other reasonable hypothesis, they must find her not guilty. JLW'~ ^^ ^^^ ^"""^ ^^^ satisfied from the evidence, that the accused is guilty of the otfence charged, beyond . reasonable doubt, and no rational hypothesis or ^.x- Rlanation can be framed or given (upon the whole evi- dence in the cause) consistent with the innocence of the accused, and at the same time consistent with the facts proved, they ought to find her guilty. The jury are the exclusive judges of the evidence, of its weight, and of the credibility of the witnesses. It is their iuty to accept and be governed by the law, as given by the Court in Its instructions.' Jl ^he evidence in this case is not direct and positive, but presumptive ; and your attention has been called to some well known cases of persons convicted of, and executed for capital crimes, whose entire innocenc^ was subsequently made apparent. These arguments and cases only prove that, ' all human evidence, whether it be positive or presumptive m its character, like every- thing else that partakes of mortality, is fallible The reason may be as completely convinced by circumstan- tial-as by positive evidence, and yet may possibly not arrive at the truth by either.' - tinn^«^ t;:"; question, therefore, for your considera- t^on IS not the kind of evidence in this case, but it is, what IS the result of it in your minds ? If it has failed to satisfy you of the guilt of the accused, and your ,,.- „vvvvx4viw;uu, vaciuaie m doubt, then you AT THE MERCY OP TIBEBIDa 341 'tis imperatively your dutv f„ ^*'^S:uilty, then chamcto- of the e^dence be w."".!' '"''' "^"^ " "^« 8uch:^tnei w. ""'"^ be wholly circumstantial.' f^tyc. '^sider TMh *° ""^ ?»'»*. wWrh I suggest solely to rob tZt2f lTC!lT\ '"f""""" ''''« the chloroform con^iJtJiV t. .? "*=' "' administering and PremeditTted^^rpTex; J'™''^"' "'""'^'^ ■nted by counsel, take the suSCfu? ''"='^'"''- with you, and if the facts and drlZif Presented, agamst her, can be accoimt^Tf *^"^*""°«*ances proved tended, deliberate r„tb~J°''?'' '''"« ""^"O' of In- ins premeditated rnurl? it it !"' "«««.''s.arily i„volv. that merciful constructn VAZ'""'"'' *^ P"' andSc":Le^Toir•^^i~' f'^ monrnfu. you to be governed in your S„ f- ""'""^^ ''^J"™ aenceasyou understand it bv h„?"""' "^ "'« «^^ these instructions »Trt t ? ** '"'" ''^ '"raished in reason comp^ir^^yrr^rtt^d", '""'"'^ "^^o- a^-1 .> our consc enco uZes^^tr? J'"'^"^'" ""mands, "0- ^^.ooudi^trSyrsr-- CHAPTER XX. ^^™?. ?i"^f .?!.«'--> 0' testimony that --. pubii^had";;;; sTa^rrdisL-nSfv:^- 342 AT T«HE MEftOY OP TtfififiltS. arrived at the conclusion, that the verdict was nar- rowed to the limits of only two possibilities. It was confidently expected that the jury would either acquit unconditionally, or fail to agree; thus prolong- ing suspense, by a mistrial. It was six o'clock when the jurors, bearing the andiron, handkerchief, pipe, and a diagram of the bedroori at " Elm Bluff ", were led away to their final deliberation; yet so well as- sured was- the mass of spectators, that they would promptly return to render a favorable verdict, that despite the inclemency of the weather, there was no perceptible diminution of the anxious crowd of men and women. The night had settled prematurely down, black and stormy ; and though the fury of the gale seemed at one time to have spent itself, the wind veered to the implacable east, and instead of fitful gusts, a steady roaring blast freighted with rain smote the darkness. The officer conducted his prisoner across the dim cor- ridor, and opened the door of the small anteroom, which frequent occupancy had rendered gloomily familiar. " I wish I could make you more comfortable, and it is a shame to shut you up in such an ice-box. I will throw my c vercoat on the floor, and you can wrap your feet up m it. Yes, you must take it. I shall keep warm at the stove in the Sheriff's room. The Judge will not wait later than ten o'clock, then I'll take you back to Mrs. Singleton. It seems you prefer to remain here alone." " Yes, entirely alone." " You are positive, you won't try a little hot punch, or a glass of wine ?" "' Thank you, but I wish only to be alone." ** Don't be too down-hearted. You will never be AT THE ItERcv OP TffiERItJ3. ill never be 343 iurvllfrT"" '"''*"''*<='"<""» *' '«*^ "Ot by this jury, for I have a suspicion that thero ,= «■!! a«.o„. them, who will stand out untt, tte'^tart m and I W.I1 tell you why. I happened o be lookfni it i>unbar. The moment he saw it, he started stret/h ed out his hand, and as he looked at it, I saw him Chttl's'thafm "'???-- ^ «>-• MTjTr v/uiibimas, tiiat man lost his onlv PhiM « • i z. the heartstrings of the jury, and I don't beUeve that man would hft his hand against your life any Tooner than he would strike the face of his dead chuT" He locked the door, and Beryl found heS at ..,f alone, in the dreary little den where a wt ntr ^T^S *" ^"^"^ ''' -rtndiVSet! aCgt^etirtr:^.r^rtaLrS m^S wi^^rriyTruTdyl.^^^^^^^ now "'"?*'"' P'''^™'"=<>P<=eia contains nothing so ' ■ potent as despair to steady quivering nerves and steel to superhuman endurance For Beryl the n?n oyung or liope had snnnno^ . ov.^1 ^u- __ , , "hirirh --^-- - -e tr^rxfbi:";: comq, had left her mimb, impervious to dread. As ZH AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. one by one the discovered facts spelled unmistakably the name of her brother, allowing no margin to doubt his guilt, the necessity of atonement absorbed every other consideration ; and the desire to avert his pun- ishment extinguished the last remnant of selfish anxiety. If by suffering in his stead, she could secure to him life — the opportunities of repentance, of expia- tion, of making his peace with God, of saving his immortal soul— how insignificant seemed all else. The innate love of life, the natural yearning for happiness, the once fervent aspirations for fame— the indescrib- able' longing for the fruition of youth's high hopes, which like a Siren sang somewhere in the golden mists of futurity — all these were now crushed beyond recog- nition in the whirlwind that had wrecked her. Her father slept under silvery olives in a Tuscan dell, her mother within hearing of the waves that broke on the Atlantic bhore ; and if the wanderer could be pur- ified by penitential tears, what mattered the shattering of the family circle on earth, when in the eternal Beyond, it would be indissolubly reformed ? Over the black gulf that yawned in her young, pure life, the wings of her Christian faith bore her steadilj'-, unwaver- ingly to the heavenly rest, that she knew remained for the people of God ; and so, she seemed to have shaken hands with the things of time and earth, and to stand on the border land, girded for departure. To meet her beloved dead, with the blessed announcement that Bertie must join them after a while, because she had ransomed his precious soul ; and that the family would be complete under the heavenly roof, was recom- pense so rich, that the fangs of disgrace, of physical and mental torture were effectually extracted. By day onH V\ 1115 I.-IST-T l*jrlll!«-F ?1» Bllj-1^??— ! 1119 ^—t 1 !T^— l" T^lllll lllIIB ^^ onri Htt •> iirwh*- 4-hn lo/l/l/^v. ^f ^-^^..-m-^-. Me4-nA U„^ „>».,! :_4._ that sezene realm, where the fountains of balm are A AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 345 ram, she realized how utterlv istf^tlT , P**^^"" and kneeling on the CXov~l7, .'"" ""'''""'■ table, bowed her head ,ml i ^ ^" '"™^ °" *'»« pa«enceandstre;<,?h TSerhadf ""r" "" the end was at hafd, an Jrel^set '^'bX"''^' ""* to destroy herrLf„tlXKrhS''r cold unHl th„ 7 r '• '"''' ""* ''"own that she was cow, until the delicious sensation of warmth crnnt lit! a caressiug- touch over her chilled limbs Sh!T! . stir, and neither Spoke • h„t nfC ® ^"^ "">* toward the door ;1uL: shelo^e ' "'""'"* '" ^^^^^ .a^t^p^^r^^n^raltL^ t:!Sj:;:- ^^^t^- IngratefuU;4mt^,rofanthatr"f"^ '""F' ''"''■ essayed to accompl h in ^y b:, ,^ "f ^J/» ^-'hful^ rmrrnr "^, «^' 'or;ero^:;i : Who sacrificed i^'^'^f'^y "^^"d 'oyou, as the one friend -srr to'j^ir ^-tr rs ^- very sincerely, Mr. Dunbnr " ^ '""'' ^°'' eyes, jieid it to my lips; then a half d46 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 11;! smothered groan escaped him, and afraid to trust him- self, he went quickly out. Believing that she stood on the confines of another world, she had possessed her soul in patience, waiting for the consummation of the sacrifice ; yet at the crisis of her fate, that singular, incomprehensible influence, long resisted, drew her thoughts to him, whom sho regarded as the chosen puppet of destiny to hurry her into an UT1tTr'^ely grave. She had fought the battle with him, under fearful odds ; conscious of sedition in the heart that defied hina, warily clutching with one haiid the throat of rebellion in her citadel, while with the other, she parried assault. Keeping lonely vigil, amid the strewn wreck of life and hope, she had wo.ved away one^ersistent thought, that lit up the blackness with a sudden glory, that came with the face of an angel of light, and babbled with the silvery tongue of sorcery. As far as her fu- ture was concerned, this world had practically come to a premature end ; but above the roar of ruin, and out of the yawning graves of slaughtered possibilities, rose and rang the challenge : If she had never come South, if she could have been allov/ed the chance of happiness that seemed every woman's birthright, if she had met and known Mr. Dunbar, before he was pledged to another; what then? If she were once more the Beryl of old, and he were free ? If ? What necromancy so wonderful, as the potentiality of if ? Weighed in that popular balance — appearances — how stood the poor friendless prisoner, loaded with sus- picion, tarnished with obloquy, on the verge of an ignominious death; in comparison with the fair, proud heiress, dowered with blue blood, powerful in patrician iuuuencc, rich in all that made her the envy of her so° cial world? o trust him- AT TH» MERCY OP TIBEBI08. 347 precious possession theo *? ,''*r'^^'' ''^'•""'«' gladly h,-.veffivenTn^i=!f •" ™' '^'^''^'^ ^I^o '^"ould it from her grasp aM .m fT ^^ ='°'' y"'- '^^ 'ore into the whife hand of tt w! *'"', '"'''' "^^ *'>™«t '' fiendish crime!'T,X2^ZtLZV'V''' '^ realms, " Between laws there ffnn T' ^"^ '° "" Continuity"; then m the unh el of et^'T' "^^'"' '^ who shall trace the iii,„,,f v, ' *'*'"'^'i' sociology. Of CompensS' ™""'"' ramifications of the W she mechanically counted^feh stroke a' '""V ^'^'•*' men, the landmarks of n i^!?- ^* '° drowning pr^ss upon the^Stag eyes 1'""^ "?' '^""<^"'' '''■»»^° Beryl's past, sefmeT^rlcted in t P''^''^'"^'^"™ of upon the pall of the pre3 inl «?°^' l"minousness cast on a black eurter P™*""' '" ^"^^--y A^^e w^l'^SgV^rherml*^ ^^''^'^'^^ Oden- vetches, she^sS:,^™^ L» '=^"-P«' «f Purple Bstoja; clmging to BeS :S 1%?^™/^^'' across dimpling sands to dip her feet Sth!,?'''!''™ terranean waves tint i„.«i„ ■ . ° ™® "^'"e Medi- of foam, where dV^^t* 1^1^ ^"f' «■•' '^"^S teeth Through sunnytrcldra hTS '^" *'^ •'^''^''• Slowing with orange, siivereTwifK, ' '«^"ate, came the tinklin- mus e nf !! ^ T* '^"- '' "osson s, • Of lads, the twi'terSgo harpytfrdi T'.^^f ""' '"^^ Of an Angelus ; all the subTharmony 'thef' ' ""' ^ "olody that flickers throu^ aTV^n ^^T"*- Chopm or Schubert. She saw "he .; " ,1""^™'"'*" <" former -'^If, the nrnnrf i,„ «« "lu^ulacrum or her fromth.^oro /tte-'MeS'^f ,^"' ""' '^^^ ^essiau , m the organ loft of I it ■^ ! 343 AT THE MERCY C? HBEIUIUf? a marble church ; she heard the rich tenor v^oice of her haEdsome brother, as ho trilled a barcarole one night, crossiii,?? the Atlantic ; she smellcd the tuberoses at Mentone, the faint breath of lilies her fr.tiier had loved so well, and then, blottJug: .ill else, there rose clear as some line of Morphea's, that attic ^'oom ; the invalid's bed, the low chair be-ncle it, ti^e wasted li<^ure, the suf- fering, fever-flushed face of tiie beloved mother, as she saw her last, with the Grand Duke jasmine fastened at her throat. The door was thrown open, and the officer beckoned her to follow him. Back into the crowded court-room, where people pressed even into the window sills for standing room, where Judge and counsel sat gravely- expectant ; where the stillness of death had suddenly- fallen. The officer conducted her to the bar, then drew bac . and Mr. Dunbar came and stood at her side ; resting his hand on the back of her chair. In that solemn hush, the measured tramp of the jury advancing, and filing into their box, had the mournful, measured beat as of pall bearers, keeping step to a dismal dirge ; and when the foreman laid upon the table the fatal brass unicorn, the muffled sound seemed ominous as the grating of a coffin lowered upon the cross bars of a gaping grave. As the roll was called, each man rose, and answered in a low but distinct tone. Then the clerk of the court asked : * ' Gentlemen of the ju^ j , have you agreed, upon your verdicj;?" )fc foreman. ty, or not guilty ?" Beryl had risen, u the gaslight shining full upon her pale, Phidian fac • showed no trace of trepidation. • of a sublime surrender was vos. The eyes preternaturally " We have," renliec' " What say you Unly the pathetic paLit visible on her frozen f^; , AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 340 large and luminous were raised far above the sea of heads, and their stramed gaze mi^hi almost have been fixed upon tho unveiled face of the God she trusted. Her hands were folded over her mother's ring, her noble head thrown proudlj^ back. " We the jury, in the case of tlie State agamst Ber>i Brentano find defendant not guilty as charged in che indictment; but guilty of manslaughter in the first degree; and we do earnestly commend her to the mercy of the Court." hJw^ ^'J\f^ff' ""^^ ^^'^^^^y* ^^ '^ ^«c«ili«i? from a blow and Mr. Dunbar caught her arm, steadied her. The long pent tide of popular feeling broke its bar- riers, and the gates of Pandemonium seemed to swing open Women sobbed ; men groaned. In vain the Judg^ thundered "Silence", -Order!" and not until an officer advanced to obey the command, to clear the court-room, was there any perceptible lull, in tho storm of indignation. Turning to the Judge, Mr. Dunbar said : ^1 "; fi,^^^^^ ""^ *^^ prisoner, I most respectfully Beg that the Court will end her suspense; and render her Srntenc^^^^ unnecessary by promptly pronounc Sl^ 'i ^^® "TS ""^ *^'® prisoner, that sentence should not be delayed ?" *' Phe wishes to Imow her fate.'' She had uttered no sound, but the lashes trembled, fell over the tired, aching, strained eyes; and lifting her locked hands she bowed her chin upon them sir.\rT''*'.'^^P''^' ^'"^^"^ J'^^^« P^^kman spoke ; then his voice was low and solemn. 11. ' -^f yl^rentano, you have been indicted for the do- p^l*"f ^"f P^^editated murder of your grandfather, Robert Luke Darrington. Twelve men, selected for 360 AT THE liERCV OF TIBfiRltTS. their intelliffencG and impartiality, have patiently and attentively listened to tbe evidence in this case, and have under oath endeavored to discover the truth of this charge. You have had the benefit of a fair trial by unbiased judges, and finally, the jury in the con' scientious discharge of their duty, have convicted you of manslaughter in the first degree, and commended you to the mercy of the Court. In consideration of your youth, of the peculiar circumstances surrounding you, and especially, in deference to the wishes and re- commendation of the jury-whose verdict, the Court approves, I therefore pronounce upon you the lightest penalty which the law affixes -to the crime of man- slaughter, of which you stand convicted ; which sen- tence is-that you be taken hence to the State Peniten- tiary, and there be kept securely, for the term of five years." With a swift movement, Mr. Dunbar drew the crape veil over her face, put her arm through his, and led her mto the corridor. Hurriedly he exchanged some words in an undertone with the two officers, who accompanied him to the rear entrance of the court-house : and then, m answer to a shriU whistle, a close carriage drawn by two horses drew up to the door, followed by the dismal equipage set apart for the transportation of prisoners. The deputy sheriff stepped forward, try- ing to shield the girl from the driving ram, and as- sistec her mto the carriage. Mr. Dunbar sprang m and seated himself opposite. The officer closed the door, ordered the coachman to drive on, and uen -n- tering the gloomy black box, followed closely, keeping always in sight of the vehicle in advance. The clock striking ten, sounded through the muffling storm a kne ds mournful as some tolling bell, while ito that wild, moamng Friday night, went the desolate AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 351 woman, wearmghenceforth the brand of Caifl-remand- ed to the convict's home. remana- She had thrown back her veil to ease the stiflmn. sensation m her throat, and Mr. Dunbar could see now and then, as they dashed past a street lamp that sh^ sat upright, still as stone. ^' ^^"^ Of r "iiStij;^ *^^^ ^^^"^^^^^^ -^-« '^^ ^^^* ' " What did it mean-that verdi-t ?" ' " That you went back to ' Elm Bluff ' with no inten- tion of attacking Gen'l Darrington." **That I went there deliberatelv to steal a«H f^nr» to avoid detection, IdUed him? Th J «f !l ^°" of the jury ?» ^^** ^^ ^^e verdict She waited a moment. "Answer me. That was the meanmg ? : ;.twa5.fh« Only the hissmg sound of the ram upon the ^lass pane of the carriage, made reply ^ la J4%tar^t?J^^^^^^ '^' ^"'^^' ^^^^ ^ J^y«t«rical S wfth ^f ' ""^"^ ""^^ ^"^^^^^ ^^^^^ 0^ the front seat, with his arms crossed tightly over a heartthrob- bing with almost unendurable pain. "Tosteal, to rob, to plunder. Brar.'inf^foralltimfla. thief, a rogue, a murderess, t^- I- ^°^^"*"^ea A passionate wail told the strain was broken • '' I my father's darling, my father's Beryl I Hurled into a livmg tomb, herded with convicts, with the vS est outcasts that disgrace the earth-thiL ^woie^^^^^^ crusW tle^^^^^^^^ '' "^^^^? ^^^^« ^^^ - -^ tS sinwtn . fu-^^^*^ mangled; but to doom me to the noTeeal^rr H^'^^^^^^ no release I To die is so easy, so blessed; buttolive-a convicted felon I O in" '^-'' ? ^\.^^-- * indeed forsaken me"?'' ' ^'^' ""^ """"' ""^^ '^'^^" 4P«% .?;"*■«- i.>i; AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. -■■ ■ fl In the appalling realization of her fate, she rocked to and fro for a moment only, liercely shaken by the horror of a future never before contemplated. Then the proiv' ^tifled its shuddering sigh, lifted its burden of shame, silently struggled up its awful Via ' C7'ucis. Mute and still, she leaned back in the corner of the carriage. i " I could have saved you, but you would not accept deliverance. You thwarted every efTort, tied tho hands that might have set you free ; and by your o^vn premeditated course throughout the trial, deliberately dragged this doom down upon your head. You counted the cost, and you elected, chose of you' own free will to offer yourself as a sacrifice, * ^ the law, for ^he crime of another. You are your own merciless fate decree- mg self-immolation. You were willing to die, , order to save that man's life ; and you can cei tainly sum , ion fortitude to endure five years' deprivation of h . . > ciety : sustained by the liope thai having thereby pur> chfsed his security, you may yet reap the reward your heart dem .nds, reunion with its worthless, degraded idr\ Ih: tMvatcLed,^veighed,studiod you; searched every stray record of your fair young life, found the clear pages all pure ; and I have doubted, marvelled tnat you, lily-hearteU, lily-souled, lily-handed, could cast thejjearl of your love a own ^ a the mire, to be tram- pled by swL.Ji f.-et." The "kn^.,s of the City of Dis that seemed to brood under wi s of the stormy night, veiled Beryl's face ; and hGi .silence goaded him beyond the limits of pra- dence, which he had v/arily surveyed for himself. " Day and night, I hear the maddening echo of y ur accusmg cry, ' You have ruined my life !' God knows you have as effectually ruined mine. You have your revenge— if it comfort you to ioiow it; but I am mcupa- AT THE MERCY OP TIBERTUS. 353 ble Of your sublime renunciation. I am no n.f.- * Between vou and «,««,„•?», . ''" "*■""" ^liake- nothing b'ut yoTd"ath o. m ?^ ""'^ ''^^"°' ^-l have ^^nrrZtT^f°lL'^ '"" '""^ '*' ^o* he burrow ^12.01/ irsta ," """^ '""''• '""""Sh Alaska, I wm4rm;rfw'" ^°""' '*"*"«'*« "f and wh;n Ihe Uw recSt"; 'ulrn''^ "'^^^^^"'' be freed from susDkinn fV V? -^ '"'^*™' y»" ^tall Up the rocky hiU toiled the horses arrhfnc, f», • barred the way surroundmg gloom^ Berv' leaned forward. haZ: ?™t'*^!:;tTwrttrr ' ^^''^'^'™' «hn...« j.. .„,.-. ^f...."^^ ^ ^a°* that pipe, that was .M I M if 'i h i ?f i I Mi 354 AT THR MERCY OP TIBERirS. A half strangled, scarcely audible oath was his only reply. She put out her hiind, laid it on his " You have caused me so much suffering, surely you will not deny me this only recompense I shall ever ask." His hand closed over hers. ** If I bring it to you, will you confess who smoked it last?" "After to-night, sir, I think it best I should never see your face again." The officer opened the carriage door, the warden ap- preached, carrying a lantern in one hand and an um- brella in the other. Mr. Dunbar stepped from the car- riage and turning, stretched out his arms, suddenly snatched the girl for an instant close to his heart, and lifted her to the ground. The warden opened the gate,, swinging his lantern high to light the way, and by its flickering rays Lennox Dunbar saw the beautiful white face, the wonderful, sad eyes, the wan lips contracted by a spasm of pain! She turned and followed the warden ; the lights wavered ; the great iron gate swung back in its groove, the bolt fell with a sullen clang; the massive key rattled, a chain clanked, and all was darkness as she was locked irrevocably into her living tomb. CHAPTER XXI. T^HE annual resurrection had begun; the pulse of Nature qu kened, rose, throbbed under the vernal summons; pale, tender grass-blades peeped above the mould, houstonias lifted their blue disks to AT THE MEftCY OF TIBEHIUS. 855 the March sun, and while the world of hirA. hazewlfiw^?,'""' ^.''y.^^'-e wrapped in thatsilve,^^ Fate ThA i"*^ Sprmfftime halt veils her radiaSi face. The vivid verdure of wheat and oat fields 7h« cooler aqua marina of long stretches of r?e, served as mere groundwork for displaying in bold relief thp nowy tufts of plum, the creamy dusters of pear and hmst^rid't •" "^f' """^^^"^ '^' ''S he niiisides and brimmed ihe valleys with fra"r-,nt prophecies of fruitful plenty. 'rasrant Dimmed by distance to flno linpq of „l^^ _ the flocks of wild ceesp flvin„ f f ' '"^^red fni^„i-,i ■ """ff'^ose flying from steammg havous to icy lalces in the far North, and now and then as Z ranks dipped, a white flash lit the vignettes ?L^d agamst the misty, pearl-gray sky ^'^""^^"^ ^'^'^ Spring sunshme had kissed the lips of death »«-i universal life sprang palpitating to ^begih anlt tte appomted yearly cycle; yet amid the fluf^and liir o^ mother earth, there lay hopelessly still and cold some everevX:^'"'""" "'^^"^ "^»""'' forth ''wZd Into the face of Leo Gordon had creot that «tr»^„o and mdescrihable change, which isXosoLTZ peculiar aspect of the clear heavens when dark .u.S lust faintly rim the horizon, belorwh^h th VS .he.so.hre, sullen masses, projecting utfrT^l^? ^ Apparently the sun of prosperity burned in th» S Z, ?"" °^ ""='■ 'consciousness the brightness l^^\T/°^"f- ^^^^'^'^'^Srim mena<:e-crossedr [Ike the dark hnes of Fraunhofer. To he .h..!"' uZ'oTT''^ """ *"''"''^^'y ""• ''»seIt,"ir«speS tiTe of all extraneous appurtenances and advau- 35G AT THE MERCY OP TlBERitTS. tages, is tho supreme hope innate in every woman ; and the dread that her wealth might invest her with charms not intrinsic, had made Leo unusually dis- t rustf ul of the motives of her numerous suitors. That Leighton Douglass loved the woman, not, the heiress, she knew beyond the possibility of cavil or doubt, and when, after mature deliberation, she promised her hand to Mr. Dunbar, she had felt equally sure that no mercenary consideration biased his choice or inspired his professions of attachment. For a nature so proudly poised, so averse to all im- pulsive manifestations of emotion, her affections were suiprising-ly warm and clinging, and she loved him with all the depth and fervor of her tender, generous heart ; hence the slow torture of her humiliation in the hour of disenchantment. To women who love is given a sixth sense, a subtile instinct whereby, as in an occult alembic, they discern the poison that steals into their wine of joy ; so Leo was not long in i-norance that her coveted kingdom belonged bj/ right of con- quest to another, and that she reigned only i^minally and by courtesy. The evil we most abhor generally espies us afar off, chases tirelessly, crouches at our feet, grimacing tri- umphantly at our impotence to escape its loathsome clutches ; and Leo's pride bled sorely in the realiza- tion-that she had sold her hand and heart for base counterfeit equivalents. Li a crisis of keen disappeint- ment, only very noble natures can remain strictly just, yet in arraigning her lover for disloyalty, this sorrow- ing woman abstained from casting aU the blame upon him. HehaJnot intentionally deceived her, had not deliberately betrayed her trust ; he was the unwilling "ictim of an inexplicable fascination against which she felt assured he had struggled sullenly and persistently ; 2ry woman ; st her with usually dis- tors. That bhe heh'ess, doubt, and )mised her ire that no or inspired ■e to all im- ctions were loved him ', generous ailiation in vho love is >y, as in an steals into i,rjnorance rht of con- nominally IS afar off, lacing" tri- loalhsome iG realiza- j for base isappeint- •ictly just, is sorrow- ame upon , had not unwilling fvhich she sistently ; AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 357 and Which, in destroying the beautiful edifice of their Z^^:^""' '^'"' ^^" "^'^^"^ ^"^ humiliation! Standing to-day beside the pyramid of scarlet fjera- niums, and velvety, gold-powdered begonias in tT; centre of the octagonal room, where the warm Spri! sito^thtlthr^'''^ ^"^' '''' rose-colored cockatoo smoothing their plumes on the top of the glittering brass cages-Leo contrasted the luxurious and elegant dS of lier lovely home with the grim and bleak'cell where m shame and ignominy, dwelt the young stranger who had . olen her throne. A beggar by tSe roadside had filched from the queen in her palace, hor cro^vn and sceptre, and the pomp and splendor of ^oyal suZund^ mgs only mocked and emphasized an empty sham Merely a trifle paler than usual, and somewhat hca^.' t:yed from acquaintance with midnight vigils she proudly bore her new burden of grief with he? wonted easy grace; but the pretty mouth was compressed into harder, narrower lines, and the delicate nose dilat- ed m a haughtier curvo. Sooner or later we all learn the wisdom of the unwelcome admonition : « Fortune sells what wo believe she gives " been distinctly strained, and while both carefully avoided any verbal attempt at explanation, her manned hacl groTm more distant, his more scrupulously .our! f"'' . f^-^'^med, guarded and cold. Knowing b St mo^iT. T T "'^''^^'> ^^^ slowly revolved the best method of release, which promised the least sacri. unpleasantness on the part of her botrotlied. f^'"'^!^ "^""^ ''^ *^^ ^''^^^' "^^« ^^d seen him but twice, and immediately after he had been suiimioned 3S8 AT THE MEECr OF TIBEBTOS. to attend some suit in Npw n..i«„ ' ', riediy bidden her adieu in ti^' ''"'' '""' I""- With punctiliousroXi;'; ?«' ^"f'^" "' »*'^''^- ce morsels they slowly IridenedtL ^i^' '"'^ ^""^ between the two. '^'"ened the glacier creepmg he^bltdir^^rf I'rf r„""'^ '""^ ''™-^ P"<»e. science; an! 0^0'^^'^ tocorruptibkcon. made nimoL allowed "T"'""' ^^'^ '^^ "» *«=>«. that Spring'^:":;"': ZT^!^JZP^y- ^^-^ on «heaf crilFTanrSdtuchlTetrab^ f ""'"»' accompanied bv a h,.i»f „„» Brabant roses, return^nd requesttot r !r°°"°'"° ^"^ ^^^^--^ Of her reply ZT^Z^*:::^^: '^^.Z' ^t"*""^ congratulations upon his hirth^, f ""'' "'^^'''"8 acceptance of a sour«> m^„ 1 ?,' ''''' '"=SSed his own hands, a datoty '.trnf ^, T'''''°° "^^ ^^^^ flattered herself,™ wou^dvlT^^'fr "'^* «•>= donor." "''"o tor the sake of the Who doubts that'VioiiK j te7e«e,onthatdayofhuS,HH„ f '°°'' "'^''"^'^te discrowned she traUed Lr rova^!;,''^? ^'''=^"''''' '^'"' across the marble courS^ l^s, ™^' '"'" ^"^^ ''^"™'= malce room for Queen E^ie^^'Sdiff^- '°? '» at her throat, and int^ thT- 17 ''" 'oops of lace Leo had fastened thTCXo?' ''f " °' ''«'• "»»• hai-mony of her c^uZT l^"' ""'"^ *"« Perfect thesapphiroXttbrwh^h'^r "T''""' *''<' '""^ "f bar particularly admtd The loft ^^^ *'"* ^'- D"- aslow with rich corfromoWenS'i ''"*''"' ""''"•^ ^''^ the marble iJoor, fromm^^.f ^? ™ffs strewn about camellias instandstes^!!ft''^r'''*''^''"'' crimson cai bu-ds flitting to a^dt' 2T^l """"^ "^^"'"""t '^Pi" vfeta otthe avifr^. a«,^l',!f„''..5™"8htho gilt wire " " ■ "'" '" ''"^ peristyle beyond US. and had liur. nee of others. studiedly pol. tters, and like lacier creeping bruised pride, rruptiblc con- 5hed no tears, Ity. Early on ed a glowing rabant roses, Mr. Dunbar's on. The tone after offering J begged his casion by her y which she sake of the 'St elaborate iscardcd and the last time '^S forth to loops of lace of her belt, r the perfect the folds of It Mr. Dun- ul room was irewn about md crimson llianttropi- gilt wire ^yie beyond AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 353 The large white ow^w" th wide f ^"^ ^'"' '^''''^i^^- rose suddenly Jd „r.i„ '"^ ^""™''''«'yl»neeyes, round, %ing g^dua^Iv J T^ ''"''''' ^"""d ^«i then swooped Sta^-,!" *'^«/<'"™ff of the dome. tound,ahuffe dur, l,!l ^T"^' '""^ «>« Siberian the y^lvetrus^ntll^Tr- "f*^" ^is head from dress. ° '^^^^ " against his mistress" the^'est„rrhi:o?c^i?r .^» ''^"' -"»- » walked quickly forw^d and n^^\" ' *"*'« ""' '^^ neath the "^Wt,e'' TtheserSf ^r ^''^'" ^"'^ "«" her hands across the onyx ^1?^'.^""^''"^ black bowl of violets tZ= f 7'^^ '*'^ "^ and him a moment. '"'" "* ^™ « ^'"'Stb, she held " I am very glad to seJ you • and T „.• ,, happy birthday, honino- ^^ ^ ^'^^ yo" a bright, as the sm ^Zm ""l ^^ ^^ be as ^anc^^theselovelyritw^l-iroaTi^LrS and ::XTe',S: ^^^^ ^ ^- face, ''orthy of ber homage. ™ '™S'Iy, more "Thank you, dear Leo. Thp ii„i,*. „ j my future can be bIoft„^ -^ho light and sweetness of You must be tL fulfilment of "' ""'^ "^ '°™^ y""- ' Ho raised her left hl^H^ ^."^ ""^ 1™" wishes." withdrew her flngLandV^f'''i?°''*'^> ^"O ^^ «ho an ottoman abla^zr^^ TZ"^"^^' '^^' ^ f™* <" Berlin woo, he satr^\:,t"S """ "' •"•«"-* ottoma^'boTo^dTr'rraclfar,*'""' >"= P™''^'^ *»« her hand, tLk the LTd^'^'L^if, f,^*"?"^'^ e-^ching "ropped it irtn hij, feslpo'cket. ''^'' "°^^ *"" 360 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. knitwf T^V*'?, "' "^'""o-ork, crochet a«d Nnw^!n T ^''"'" ''^'^' yo'"' undivided attention Now tel me how many of my rivals, how many auda , cious suitors you hare held at bay, by tL^Ti l^ lope webs woven in my absence ?" ^ S^y Pene- _ " Has Ulysses the right to bo curious ? Should not oTperpfp^^'^^^" '"^""^ '''■" '» • "--^ "t^: =..1' P'** *! r"'' '"'' ""' '°«*='°* (ieem the silken cord, she hugged to her loyal, tender heart^fettersrSu^et patient mcarnation of unciuestioning fiddity sh' ~stt:r™t^"'?'=^'^ " ^^-.''Caudtf'V/om lovely than to-day " •™" '"'''' °«"'e manner of a student inii i= t <• , '^' ''''''^'™™ worm." ''™°'=°'^' ana is, I fear, a hopeless book- w«lT^P^''°"''' '"^ "'''™y *^«'« disauict you ? He a carpenter ^^^ "" """" ^PP™""'"' '"mself to ^r^^T^"' ---^ -aginable 'Sitv fSZ so„...,.„ „, v.visecuon, and for the investigation of cer- AT THE MERCY Oi? TffiERltJS. 361 tain biological problems was afforded him hn u^^ ".ITS '"^'^•''^'"'«^' -^ ^'-^ ^"'c«r " Th*. 1^ • s . discourage or dissuade him " hrPTH q;^ ^ X, j-iiiic can Dest make hi?? ent, .ecessit, directs bis attention J^Z'l^:^:^ Um^andafnl^"'''™''"''^'^''^^'^"'' •''«"««">«<• upon mm and ample provision made for bis future ?'• tion of t^r '"^'''" ''"' •"• P^P«'' ; but tHe destruc tion of the record mvalidated tbe gift " adoptdfo^jr'* '^-- «^-' ^'« has the rights of an pr^tcettwm ^'■'"'"f "J"^"^ '^"'t'^''* f'»"'"eto proauce the will, Prince has lost his lesacv nnrf m.,.< enhst ,n tho army of ' bread-winners '" ' ^""^ estate?" '"''■* '"^''""' "' 'Elm Bluff' and its too nature, to the nearest blood relation " bu^lwe!l!!!r_r.^'''™?f >>- *™at and cheeta. — • ' •- •■i"*^-'' amu-ce or net' iiazei eves hia ho,«/« »ome face always en garU. showed notn W^^mg ffw 862 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. consciousness. Fearful of silence, she said in a perplex- ed, inconsequent tone : " How manifestly unjust. Poor Kittie ! ' ' y **Why poor Kittie? Her beaming face is eloquent ; repudiation of your pity, and she verily believes her blond-headed, scholarly Prince a bountiful equivalent for all Croesus' belongin-s. Rich little Kittie ! After all, where genuine love reigns, worldly environment matters comparatively little ; love makes happiness, and happiness is the reconciler." A throb of pain shook the woman's heart as she realized the bitter truth that he spoke from an expe- rience born out of season; that he was athirst for that which her fortune, her love, her own fair, graceful self could never give him. She looked at him, with an arch smile lighting hei face, but he saw the trembling of her lips, noted the metallic ring in her voice. " * Et in Arcadia Ego f Recent associations have rendered you idyllic. I can recall a period when * love m a cottage ' was \\i^ target that challenged the keenest arrows of your satire. Rich little Kittie has my warmest congratulations. Will Prince remain in 2L ? " How can he ? The demand here for amateur scien- tists IS not sufficiently encouraging; and I rather think he gravitates toward a college professorship, which might at least supply him abundantly with rabbits turtles, frogs and guinea-pigs for biological manipula' tion and experiment. One of the gay balloons floating through his mind, is a series of lectures to be deliverea m the large cities. Heredity is his pet hobby, and he proposes to canter it under the saddle of Weismann'a theory (whatever that may be), expounding it to scion- fcmc ..mericans. As yet no plans have crystallized. AT THE MEKCY OP TIBEEICS. 363 Med'hta^Tf '""" ^^■"i-annuaUy, but of course it Sdf h^ t '^'""^'^' ^"^ "" alternative presents Like a moth, Leo flitted closer to the flame. Will he make no attempt to secure his rights ?- ' endef^o" ^" ""^ "^ "^^^ "^ «- - so frftl's an prZr o7hi:tS^ *° ^"''""' *^-^'^ ^ '^^ 0- "He has not consulted me, but Wolverton whn ,a Z:^:^"-'' ^^-- ^^« rut^T^Tn^^^^^^^^ stind tL^?''^^ Harrington's granddaughter under- stand that Prince's career will be ruined for want o^ the money to which he is entitled ?" " I am not acquainted with the view^ apn 'i no • JI went once, butwas denied admission. E™;ter SQrena sees her no longer. You doubtless know hat she IS recovermgslowly from asevere attack of illless^' vi.. H ! ^'^'^ °^*^^^^ ^i°^« tl^« night she w^ con victed and sentenced. To-dav I fnnrS 1 my office from Qj« 1 -^o aay i found a message at earliest Ltr ^"'^^f ^^' ^^^^^"^ me to call at my on S buZsrT w P^^^^^^^i-^^ on a matter "i legai Dusmess. To what it. refers, I know not a^ T came immediately here.'' ' There was a brief silence, in which his s&ze merri looked up'smUingr" "" ""^^ '"""""^ °° '''«' ^4 864 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. " I believe I was growing very impatient jover your prolonged absence in New Orleans. Time dragged dismally, and I was never more rejoiced than when I received your last letter, and knew that I should see you ] to-day. Lennox, I have set my heart on something, which only your consent and acquiescence will secure to me. I am about to ask for a mammoth sugar-plum that has dangled temptingly before my eyes for nearly a year, and I shall enjoy it the more if you bestow it graciously. Can you be generous and indulge mv self- ish whim?" He felt a quiver in the cold fingers over which his warm hand closed, saw the throbbing of the artery in her white throat, the ebbing of the scarlet in lips that bravely held their coaxing, smiling curves, and he knew that the crisis he had long foreseen was drawing near. Leaning closer, he looked down into her brown eyes. The end must come ; but he would not precipitate it! Like Francis at Pavia, he acknowledged to himself that all was lost, save honor. " Whenever my Leo convinces mo she can be selfish, I promise all that she can possibly ask ; but the self- ishness must first be incontrovertibly established." He had never been dearer to her than at that mo- ment, when his brilliant eyes seemed to search her soul and magnetize her ; yet she did not falter ana the aching of her heart was a goad to her will. • " You merely shower lesser sugar-plums, intending they shall surfeit. Lennox, you know how often I have longed to make the journey to Greece, Asia Minor and Egypt ; you remember I have repeatedly expressed the wish ? You—" " Pardon me, sweetheart, but this is the first time I ever heard it." '* You forget. At last the consummalion unfolda AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 365 Iteelf as smoothi^ s the fiurth act of a melodrama My fnend and schoolmate, Alma Cutting, of C York, mvites a small party of ladies and gentlemen to accompany her in a cruise through the Jvant!" father's new and elegant steam yacht ' Cleopa W I have prcssmg letters from Alma and Mr Cuttino- kmdly urgmg me to join them in New York by the first of May, at which time they expect to start on a prehmmary cruise through the North and Baltic seas ZTJclT^T '' ^^ '' ^^^^^^ ^'^'y -^ ^"itHs soon as cool weather permits. Do you wonder that «,n charming and picturesque a tour tLpts me sorely .' Unconsciously she had hurried her enunciation but imperturbable as the bronze he resembled, Mr. Dunbar listened; merely passing his left arm around her draw' mg her resisting form closer to him, holding her firmly I am waitmg for the selfish aspect of this scheme else I should answer at once, the coveted sugar-plum ir^'Z' T^ ^' '^''' °^^^^" ^^^ *«"^ whenfver you like, with the mmor difference of mere details : wc will go m our own yacht." She caught her breath, and for an instant the world swam m a burst of dazzling light. Beyond the reach of the usurper's witchery, was it not possible that she might regain the alienated heart? Love chanted, it is worth the trial ; take him away, wm him back. Pride sternly set foot upon this spark of hope, with cruel in- sistence answermg : his love has never been yours: de- frauded of thediamond, will you accept and patiently wear paste ? The quick revulsion was tantalizing i^ would have been the vanishing of the ram from Abra- ham s gladdened sight; the swift withdrawal of Diana's ■Jtag^mto the -liraculous cloud at Aulis. "Thatwc iu be too severe a tax upon your good nature and i^uulgence, and imolves a sacriflce of your 866 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. I t .■i * professional plans, which I certainly am not so in- tensely and monstrously selfish as to permit you to make. I am so well aware of the reasons that neces- sitate your remaining- in America, in order to secure the appointment you arc laboring- to obtain, that I re- fuse the sugar plum if bought with your disappomt- ment." " Selfishness not established ; you must plead on some better ground. Suppose that the happiness ol the woman \vho has done me the honor to promise me her hand, is just now my supreme aim, paramount to every other ambitious scheme ; and that to insure it, I hazard all else ? Remember the privilege of choice is mine." It was the instinct not c^ affeclxon, but of honor straining hard to hold him to his allegiance, and her proud spirit thrilled under the consciousness of his motive in striving to spare her. A crimson spot burned on each cheek, a spark kindled in the soft, ten- der ej^es. She struggled to free herself, but his clasp tightened. " Conceding the generosity that would impel you to immolate your feelings, in order to gratify my wishes, I decline tlie sacrifice. You must indulge my desire to receive my sugar plum in the bonbonnidre of the ' Cleopatra'." He pressed her sunny head against his shoulder, and rested his cheek on hers. " Is it my Leo's wish to leave me, to go alone ?" " Yes, to accompany Alma." " For an absence of indefinite duration ?" " Certainly for a year ; possibly longer ; but you must be gracious in yielding. If you really desire to promote my happmess, let mo go foeling that you sent(recly," '-UW AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 867 He comprehended fully all that he was surrendering the noble, pure, devoted heart ; the refining, elevatin- companionship, the control of a liberal fortune, the proud distmction of callingr her his wife ; and yet abovo rPilf'/rf .''^'^'" '"^^^'^^ ""^"*^' ^« f^lfc ^" infinite relief that ho haa oceu spared the responsibility of the estrangement. *^ " Whatever your happiness demands, I cannot re- fuse to concede, but you can scarcely require me to receive 'graciously ' the only construction I can pos- sibly place upon your request ; that I am no longer an essential clement in you r happiness . " Knowing that ho owed her every possible reparation he was resolved to shield her womanly pride from any additional wounds. He withdrew his encircling arm released her hand, walked to the end of the aviary, and stood watching the shimmer of the fountain, where two of the ring-doves hbld their wings aslant to catch thespray After some moments she joined him, and laid her slender fingers on his arm. " Dear Lennox, I propose at least a temporary change in our relations, and even at the risk of incurring your displeasure, I prefer to be perfectly frank. When you ^^?..T^*'' ^^'^^"^ ^''^"'' wife, neither of us contem- plated the long separation involved in this cruise abroad, which I ardently desire for many reasons to make • and I am unwilling to fetter cither you or myself by an engagement during my absence. I want to be entirely free, bound by no promise ; and could I ask n-lea^e unless you accepted yours ? " ' He put his pahn under her chin, and lifted the sweet, pure face, forcing her to return his gaze. II Have I forfeited your confidence ?" hono^r^' ^"""''* "^ '^^""^ ^" iiuiestructiblo faith in your ^. *> ^. ^w. .0^. %t IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) * // /. z ^ 1.0 I.I 1.25 |50 ""^"^ f li£ 111^ 11.8 !i4 11.6 Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4303 L1>' ,-\ "«s. "^"^!^^<^ r \? 868 AT THE SIERCY OF TIBERIUS. him^nVif^*?*^^"^ ^^'' assured him She acquitted hun of all intention to violate in any jot or tittle the forms of his allegiance. " You deem me incapable of intentionally betraying your noble trust ?" ^^^^^fiug "I do— indeed I do." " My peerless Leo, have you ceased to love me ?" bhe shut her eyes an instant, and the delicate, flower face blanched ; the treacherous lips quivered : " Who has supplanted me m your heart, for once I know It was all my own ?" 1 Jj^T!'/*"? ''''^ ^*'" ""^^^ ^° ^® t^an all the world beside; buti ask time, I must be free atpresent. ^t t'^rpfrh^f"''''^'^'^'"'^''""^^^^^y«"^«^lfa« unfet- tered, as before our engagement, and when the year expires, if you deem me absolutely necessary to your happmess, you can readily ask offer you my exculpation, desirino- amS f i ' ^ wrec. to retain at'least Vouru^^dirn ,^^^^^^ ^~ Will you read my confession ?" cs-wem. "No; that would entail the neccssitv r,f -i,> i ^• and I might not bo able to command tho -'"."• amiability, should occasion dem« xvT*" shaken hands with the nast nnrt , " ^""^ now but pardon for any pal ? may hZ "° "°""''°" and occasional kind thouS whTn^fif ^'™° ^'"''' us. I promiseyoumyurwav?ri:^:steem-re''x b"'" grant me your cordial friendship " ' " ^"""^""^^ «Si! '?l f°^'''^ strangely white, her breath stSstil^ '''' ""^ '^-' *» «- -- '^^ yo;im;y:;;:emL;:r^tTurthat ^""■"'"'o" <» your pledged faith, I hold ~ If/lr''"'*^^ tentional forfeiture,' as on thf dly'^'riirm?? "" promise." ^ ^ grave me your roses""*""'" "^^ ' '"="""''"' I «''l>"«''°d wear your S..f ^.^ntro'-nCrrel^r- ^ -- mti^^tyrnaC t^.o^: J^.^^-a '™^-" ^^ ..as left an indelible imprtL^lrl^ra' ^jr"!^ a turn tho tide 3d add to her womanly pride 'f her soul ? 's nature, thr :e, I prefer to I the g-enera> shed esteem. ■ ( f absolution, the requisite Wo have 3 me nothing- 3 given you, cean divides in exchange her breath jscue with a bmission to urrenderingr rom any in- ve me your I wear your the flowei's I out both and kissed known so as yours upon my AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 371 life. Which must henceforth be very lonely. Good- cllZ tt'tictyTuUTL^^^ r^^^^' P^^^« form pa.s out from ke bel^ui Lt^l '^' '""''^ ^^« hoped tosharewithl^-m T , ^""^ she had fondly l^er lips to stiSeThe el t^^! t?f ^"^ ^^^^^« -^-«« bought the sembW^ftl*r^;V"" ^^^^^^^^^^ tour, we UiouSStit b«|.°f^"""S-,Ii« consent to my TeU Aunt PaUy, and spare mr.^n' ""'""S^S'^'^eJ. not been hasty/avd i ^S °,T ?" Ifstions. I have bave deemed .^'bes^t'o f^^^'hi?n'fniS?e?;&'?.'='"'- ' brin^my XtoZT'^'f '"""^' '"''' '^" ^^^rew to "fe "jy pnaeton to the door at four oVlni^i, tt„» . then see that no one disturbs me." ^'"" culta fXTnd fnlm 'J'"f,""' ''"' ''"^^P"' ti^- the the to.UimrsZZT'''^^'^''^- "^^^^ ''™t over the bltte«:S'.r,trdS^l^!;?° '"'^^' ^^^"'■'"^ CHAPTER XXII. " C'^lYI^iJ',^™-' T -''-rand yourmotives alike totu^'S^^d"."^-':^^'"'!'.';'^'* '^-'^''^"■^ co,adedKit«eW^^t;S:;shiran^^^^^^^^^ 372 AT THE aiEUCi' OP HBEPJUS. •our IdiL f "\"" ^"'°^ '"'"'^'"^ ^"t'' y"". "nW CLndf if if ^T ^"■"Pl^tel- She has a fow t m.sands, it is true, but her slim fortune would not sufllcoto accomplish your scientific object, and even « ttonks . Kittle must be patient^ and you must be Arm Z'^Zr-T'""''':! ^"""^ ""'"■»"'' *» afford towa^a n^ » ^J""^ ■""" '"'^'^ ' She longed to aid you and this was the only method that presented itself I we can secure the commission I mentioned last "^ek your marriage need only be deferred until Kittiet name and became a Darrington, for sake of this fair hcntage, you only accomplished early in life tiat into a birtlmght for a mess of pottage ; the clutching at the »hadowy present, thereby losing the substantial future •• rinii" -I"" ^ ''"'"'°^ "^ ™ff™ts- General Dar- nngton was the only father I ever knew, and since it was his wish, I shall gladly wear the name with which he endowed me. in grateful recognition of the affecU™ That the rich legacy he designed for me has been diverted into the channel of aU others most repugnant tohmi, ,s my misfortune^. not his fault; for he took ejery possible precaution to secure m^ inhorL^cc motandrb"'""'^ r " ^»°' '- ™"W "0* J^^vo do^e more, and I have a son's right to mourn sincerely over his crueland untimely end." The two men sat on the front steps at " Ehn Bluff " anda^PVince'scyes wandered overtheenceedingbeaut; of the "gi-cat greenery "of velvet lawn, the statelv mask of tender young foliage, the outlying fields flank- ing the park, the sunnv nz-ro, no™ — ,— ^..- AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 878 CTlnkUng mantles of gram, he sighed very heavilv at at.r"'*""' °' '" '"^^ ^''^•~'*'ne^ai scathed Blond as Baldur of the Voluspa, with a wealth of eoldcn brown beard veiling his ips and chin, he an peared far more than six years the junior of the clear as vividi?.:?;'^'' '/°^ ''"''' count^nancescontrasted SsT ^fh L PO'^'^'t^re of bland phlegmatic Norse ^ir, with some bronze image of Mercury, as keenly alert as his sacred symbolic cocks . ^ fl«u^°l'i''?K'"f'"^'y *''™"S"' *« flo'^eiy decoying fields, that beckon all around the outskh-ts of the vast lonely wilderness of positive Science, the dewy f r^h- ness of the youthful amateur still clung to Prin^e^ garments ; even as souvenirs gathered by flittinir Sum- mer tourists prattle of glimpses of wild, towering f^ nesses, where strewn bones of martyr pioneers whiten as monuments of failure. In the guise of a green-kirtled enchantress, with wild poppies aSdprimrofeswrcrthed above her starry eyes, Science was Juring him 4™ the borderland of her kingdom, toward tf at darSl centnti realm where, transformed as a gnome, she •r^Vr"°<.'f™'' Pl™S* '"tothe primeval abyss -the matrix of time-and sets them the E"TDti'>n ta^b of weighing, analyzingtheTitanic " potentf^' ener^ the inflmtesimal atomic engines, the "kinetic" force the chemical motors, the subtle intangible magnetic currents, whereby in the thundering, hiding, wlfrlW afw T • ?^ P^P''^*'^ '^°''»1 foMS of crystals become, after dismtegration, instinct with organic ve-etable genns,-and the Sphinx Life-blur-oyod-dc^ bltod sets forth on her slow evolutionary journey through the "««.-so, ieons; mounting finally into that throne of ^ m 374 !' n )Ul AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS, W) f°^-^^?ai°^d ^^ough sroms ages, crowned Newt ^^ Shalcspeare, sceptred with the brain of LUre a child with some Chinese puzzle far beyond the grasp of his smooth, uncreased baby brain. Prince played m unfeigned delight with his problem :~"'Sven ^e Universe; to explain the origin and permanence of i^w, without any assistance from the exploded hy- pothesis of a law maker. Equippedwithhammer,chisel microscope, spectroscope and crucibles, he essayed the solution, undismayed, by memories of his classLs o? IZl^^r 'n ?"*"'"^ ^ ^^^^^ ^^y t^« nodding j;o;. ^ w-?! ^f^^ primroses of his dancing goddess WiU he discover ere long, that a lesser riddle would have been to stand in the manufactory of the Faubourg St Marcel, and abohshing the pattern of the designers the directmg touch of Lebrun, the restraint of the heddle demand that the blind, insensate automatic warp and woof should originate, design and trace as well as t'^resS "''"'''*" *^' '"'^'^^^ ^^ *^" marvellous n.l-f''^"^' \ ^T"" ^'''"' ^^^^ *^^* yo" visited the penitentiary last week." JiJ^^' . ^ '^''"^^ ''''* '"^''^* *^« curiosity to see the author of my recent misfortunes; but I regret the a^ght I am haunted by the painful recurrence of that blanched, hopeless, beautiful face, which reminds me of a pathetic picture I saw abroad-Charlotte Corday peermg through the bars of her dungeon window." With a difference surely ! Marat's murderess gloried m her crime ; an innocent prisoner languishes yonder, m that stone cage beyond the river " Mr. Dunbar pointed over the biUowmg sea of green iinL^^r^ *'''^^''^ ^"^ irregular dark shadow tiiat blurred the northern sky Uno; and his ea^l« av.« oaritened aa they discerned the prison outlin^"" " "' AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. ?es , crowned 1 the brain of r bej'^onrl tho rain, Prince m :— " Given ?rmanence of exploded hy- caraer,cliisel, essayed the ■ classics, of odding" pop- 3ddess. riddle would le Faubourg- e designers, ftheheddle, c warp and as well as marvellous visited the to see the regret the ince of that eminds me 'tte Corday udow." murderess languishes I of green idow that - — J5 — -^ — , I 376 ••No." ecution, for had 1 been her^r'' "'""="" ""hopros- tave piraLed tkonL.?^' '""P"^'"" would almost while my lo^ss Is 1 1" .1: TT '"''"''■ '""' "»-■ ment fo/fathe.-'s ,vi" 1' 't u T™' ^'^'^■ old place, which ho?ntenri./T H^ about this dear call all that wo had nKr,r,»? . ^""'^ P°'^'«' ''■><' re- I And myself so nt.'^rf' " "'""^ ''^'■<' ^^^^ that a few d"ys Ihen I Shi 1 f^'Tl" ""' ^"*^«- After next five ™a^ tL i^.^'/'T. • ^ ""PP"'" *"''' '»■• the denofbatird:pM:s""orzrdrrrti^°°^'^'^<' to Charlestou to visit mv unclo n. f f.. "'P''™"'^ ■' Why specifically for five yeai's ?" |ra.ddau,h.er"wTttr;Te^prs.^riTh"'^ dearly-bought domain " possession of her ^^Aderisivc smile unbentthetishtlmesof fie lawyer's- thrfa"™/.'""' She would sooner spru,s into a^t^SSSr '^■•^<'"°"'^'«^-0P<'-^wlde, m sb2ktm X'^*; th T '^"'^^''' -by Should she bo guilty whTchTT^^' ''"""^ homestead? If she guuiy which I(havmgseenhor)cannotPr»dit th-r- - no prooabUity that remorseful simples wouW mZ m AT THE MEUCV OP TiBfiRltJS. enco her. No conceivable contingency can ever again make it my home, and on Thursday I go away for- >» ever. " That which a man claims and expects, generally deserts and betrays him ; it is the unforeseen,, the unex- pected that comes m the form of benediction. Time is the master magician, and * Tout vient a qui salt at- tendre\ Kittie may yet trail her velvet robe as chate- laine through these noble old halls and galleries. Come to my oflSce at ten o'clock to-morrow j I may have an answer to my letter to Doctor Balfour." Six months before, Mr. Dunbar had walked down these steps, mounted his horse and hurried away to keep tryst with the fair, noble woman, whose promised hand was the guerdon of ambitious schemes, and years of patient, persistent wooing. To-day he rode slowly to a parting mterview, which would sever the last Imlc that had so long held their lives in tender association. Whatever of regret mmgled with the contemplation of his ruined matrimonial castle, lay hidden so deep in the debris, that no faintest reflection was visible in his in- scrutable face. "When he reached the railway station where a special car contaming a small party, awaited the arrival of the north bound train that would attach it to its sinu- ous length, a number of friends had assembled to say good-bye to the departing favorite. The announce- ment of Miss Gordon's extended yachting trip, had excited much comment in social circles, and while people wondered at the prolongation of the engage- ment, none but her immediate family suspected that the betrothal had been cancelled. Lqo*s wonted gracious composure betrayed no hint of the truth, and she greeted Mr. Dunbar with out- 1 ever again fo away for- :s, generally en,, the unex- 3n. Time is qui salt at- )bo as cJiate- id galleries, row; I may four." talked down ied away to )se promised !S, and years )de slowly to he last linlc association, jmplation of ► deep in the le in his in- ere a special e arrival of to its sinu- hled to say } announce- j trip, had and while he engage- pected that red no hint r with cut" AT THE MERCV OP TIBERim. s„ " 1 am indebted to your l-m,i „ _* tho most auspicious omen t the '?T ^■'™'""=- ''^ journey; andlsli^ill n„7o.. ° °'^*'"'^ "f my lone roses are exquisite, and fra Jantl ' ,l'"""^"'- Your brmgmo." "Jerantas the message they O'-ctiy oyer the si* 1'^ Xicd"^ "' "" ^"™" -'- sage?'- ''"" ^'^' '"°^°"'- interpretation of their mes- beste*"""" '*^"' -'^ -«c„>e. and sat down v: wi?hra"rSr ir ^"^'^ ">-'- p^*^- forms Of .good luc^'jaTr',?"'"^' "" ^oneeiyable and shouted after mc?*Sr,f°°? "" ''P"'"" auffurj-, I accept it. Lilco uTlU^' ^ ^ "^^PPy offcredupfor^adat ysacrinco?''"''°'' '■"" '^'^^^ duca-the goddess whoS^ t.. '"P^P'"''^ Domi- home." ^™nt^ travellers a safe return "Meanwhile I hnno . thorns have all been stii,' n!? T^ '"' "^^"^y- that the >ny path ?■' ° '^"''P'"' off "^nl sot thickly along '.^I^"^t'^^iC' "'' '*'"''"^' ''"'' *« "raye the assurance that m Jll ZT"'" to welcome pricked mto rememb^nceTf , """"'^o^ "e sharply At this moment wfhl y°"r absent friend ?" -heels the t.^n Wlp'f "?'"= "^"^ ""d thundering «t greetings with num»'. ^° ™^^ '" ''^chango ."? Miss pftty^omZrifrf.ra-'^';^^^^"' '"" -- t^e car had been coupL^aMh; ^ te 878 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. long line, and all was In readiness, Mr. Dunbar took his companion's hand. " When wc parted last, I was angry and hasty. Now I desire to make one farewell request. You ask a release from our engagement. I grant it. I hold you perfectly free ; but I will consider myself bound, pledged to you until the expiration of one year. Nothing you can say shall alter my determination; but twelve months hence, if you can trust your happmesS to my hands, send mo this message : * I wear your ring.' Once more I oHer you my letter of confession. Will you receive it now ; will you look into the heart which I have bared for your scrutiny ?" "No. I voluntarily forfeited that right, when I asked my freedom. If your letter contains aught that would change my high regard, my confidence, my af- fectionate interest in your happiness, I am doubly anxious to avoid acquaintance with its contents. You have long held thp first place in my esteem, why seek to impair my valuation of your character ? Let us bo friends, now and forever." ♦' Remember you broke your fetters ; I hug mme— a year longer. Forget mo if you will ; but Leo, when your heart refuses to be strangled, suffer its cry to reach me. Whatever the future may decree, you shall always be my noble ideal of exalted womanhood, my own proud, sensitive, unselfish Leo; and from the depth of my heart 1 wish you a pleasant tour, and a safe and speedy return." A premonitory thrill shook the car, and dropping the fingers that lay cold as marble in his, Mr. Dunbar swung himself to the station platform. The train moved off, but he knew that it would return in switch- ing, and so he stood hat in hand. As it slowly ghdcd back, he stepped close to the open )unbar took 36 to the open AT THE mnCY OP TIBERHTS. 379 bis superb fo™, ,,, ooIdlyTocC fa" " k''"'"^ °" hazel eyes dim in their mkt T I ' ^^ ^''^ ^er sweet,bIanchcd°ipsS.°' ""!«'' *"'^''^' "'"' «>« her heart. She rcano^.i5 .'''' ^P'''*'" «">' he'd shoulder. "'='' ''°"^' ''^'d her band on his hoM^ni^"""a^j„^'- ^r '^'"■'' --'•■%! there- Leo smiled and drew taciur f "'*° ''''^'■' ■• ">en car. Shivered, lurXd m:;.4T:rL''r'l: '""' "^ "'^ his hat and unclosed his fl",4rs'^-""'''^'''' P"' on his regard fcr Leo's Cmant" 'T "" ''""P'^'*' "•'"* desire to clinff as dosT^ ^ """i ^'""^'' honorable loyal for^s of a wtnc?b., '''''''''''' '" ='* '^^^t ^''o upon himself ^"^S^'*™"' '^^'d Prompted him to impose ^it'^;1:^nSy?4^rJIrt^1^^^^ while he remained strand^l f? ^l "* ^"""«'" ^^f^- rate, a target for e;-ni^ri"„ett;bo.: ""'" °' ^''^■«'-^"' theeondolenceofsUSl'f.tn?;'-- "» -««"• of taken the t^ i:tte thaf^o'o'T"'^ "■"* ^"'"^ blurred his escutcW« , *. I ^^''' ^^ »' disloyalty spared the Cn , fa ° "' oT^?°'' f !!' ''"''''' "^"^^^ to resist the stange fos'nSio^nn''^.'^^ '"""""y from his auegiance, as l^t:^Z.'^X^^^f^ .^ 'i^apole. aedidnotattempttound'e^ltthr^':: ^ 380 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. • * Of his loss, nor to condone tho folly wliicli he designated as *♦ infernal idiocy"; yet conscience acquitted him of intentionally betraying tho trust a noblewoman had re- posed ; and his vanity was appeased by the conviction that though Leo had cast him out of her life, she went abroad because she loved him supremely. Putting the ring in his pocket, he turned away as from a grave that had closed for^,ver over that which once held all the promise of life. ... , .- Three hours later, that cavefuUy written letter acknowledging to his fiancee that his heart had rebelliously swung from its moorings, under the mag- netic strain of another woman, and asking her tender forbearance to aid him in conquering a weakness for which he blushed, had been reduced to a drab shadow on his office hearth ; and the lawyer was engrossed by the preparation of a testamentary document, which embraced several pages of legal cap. Again and again he read it over, pausing now and then as if striving to recall some invisible scroll, and at last as if satisfied with the result, placed it in an envelope, thrust it into his pocket, and once more mounted his horse. The ceaseless and intense yearning to see again tho young stranger, who seemed destined to play the rdle of Ate in so many lives, would no longer be denied ; and at a swift t,allop he took the road leading to the peniten- tiary. . Four or five carriages were drawn up in front of the iron gate, and when, in answer to the bell, Jarvis, the under-warden, came forward to admit Mr. Dunbar, he informed him that the State Inspectors were making a tour of investigation through the buUding. " I want to see Singleton . " a j.-qfi now he is er.^'a^'ed showing the inspectors around, and they generally turn everything upside \ designated itted him of nan had re* Q conviction fe, she went Putting the a grave that held aU the itten letter ; heart had er the raag- j her tender veakness for rab shadow sngrossed by ment, which in and again if striving to 5 if satisfied ihrust it into horse. The n the young 3 rdle of Ate ed ; and at a the pcniten- a front of the bell, Jarvis, iMr. Dunbar, were making Qg. he inspectors thing upside AT THE AiERcv OP mEnwa. 381 ,;^here,sMrs.Si„fflet„„?.. '""• onh?:ot?n?^:t"nrr--'-o*oom. One Will find hor." ^<»no this way and I uT- ^'""^ ^"" »n - - innrmary list » Jarvis opened the door of a lnn3 ,, ,. narrow room, in the centrfn? '°°Sf' '""""I'Shtcd but tending to the lower end "1 ^ " *^'"'"'^- women busily cnJlL^'Zt"" ""^^ «We of it sat and flnishin/off ^Sl Lt L S'lt'^™'''"^ «hoes, were ticlceting a pile of rod fl! , """S^' '^Mctwo sWrts. Fou? sewfn;m:euin:rsl:;r ""^ '"^""^^ where grated windows adm?tf, ^^""^ "''^■' «>e wall hymntoLaborwastZontrundtwf^T' '""' '''"'" ins silence. The room wof ^°"""' *''^''' ^^oke the brood- blue-striped homeZr ^ regulation uniform of but sordfd suZTpuSr''' <=°'"P'"-atively neat; chatoyant eyes showed the batful 1 ?"''? ^""y ess. Windiu"- a hnhhi„ i , ""^ "' '^ leop.ird. wiU. the indoi^nthr^Vgraror'^u '" '"- '^'^-' she held the bobbm i,n n I? wu ' * ^""*'"'' ™1 when lier «i.„.,™.,° " . "f ^^''"'st the light for an instant r K if it T I : ,1 ■ 383 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. •* Who is that woman windmg thread ?" " Her name is Iva Le Bougeois, but wo call her the ' Bloody Duchess '. She was sent up hero two years ago, from one of the lower counties, for wholesale butchery. Seems her husband got a divorce, and was on the eve of marrying again. She posted herself about the second wedding, and managed to make her way into the parlor, where she hid behind the window curtains. Just as the couple stood up to be married, she cut her little boy's throat with a razor, dragged the body in front of the bride, and before any one could move, drew a roKolver, blew the top of her husband's head off, and then shot herself. The ball passed thi'ough her shoulder and broke her arm, but as you sci , she was spared, as many another wildcat has been. Her friends and counsel tried to prove insanity, but the plea was too thin ; so she landed here for a term of twenty years, and it will take every day of it to cut her claws. She is as hard as flint, and her heart is as black as a wolf's mouth." ^^ " Medea's wrongs generally end in Medea's crimes, answered the visitor ; watching the defiant poise of the small shapely head, covered with crisp, raven locks. Having less acquaintance with the classics than with the details of prison discipline, the under-warden stared. After a moment he pointed to a diminutive figure standing at the end of the long table, and engaged in folding some whi/^e garn. onts. " See that pretty little thing, with the yellow head? Shouldn't you say she looks like an angel, and ought to be put on the altar to hear the prayers of sinners? Would you believe she is a mother? Arson is her hobby. She is a regular ' lire bug '. She was adopted by a German couple, and one night, when tlie old farmer had come home with the money paid him AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 383 for his sheep and hogs, she stole the last cent he had Places. lo,..a t.o .oorttrllZ^^^ 1 ^Z place oa flro, managed to break through the madowl and save the old folUs from being roas^ al^e When the caso came to trial it was proved that she had ^t had e,.r ","'''■ """""S^- ""' "° '"='»""* of her youtt ffi™,r r P"^'^™"^''- They eould not hangTer though she deserved tho gallows, and her child wis born three months after she came here Lis inT S sin C- 'r." ''?"""' '''*«'• f^eoriginal mother ever - mvht ? 'l®'','^"^ ""^ ™P' '»'«l ^™ <=l^in ter ever3 night, for she boasts that when things ctow tir^ some to her she always burns her way ^tlth^^t tti? fo:rs:e' r r '^™' '=-^^^^"^' ~ -"t for life ? ' Z, "J"'' "o^^-^vho was sent up There iLSrsTgl'eTon'!"''^''^' ^"^^ -'^^ ^^''^ <»-- The %va,rd.en's wife came forward with a vial in one Ned?''"'''^'"''^""-"""''^^- You are waiting to see .B'Z:^y:'^y;r "P «*--• J-"-, -nd Ned up wer?r.S:;r<:,^i^-r7'>fr'^«*-c^^^^^^ between thom,dra^^ bUild block houses, " vithout mio one corner, and bade them a riot 884 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIITS. "I have uevcr received oven a verbal reply to the note which I requested your husband to place in Miss Brentano's hands." " Probably you never will. She took cold by being dragged back and forth to court during that freezing weather, and two days after her conviction she was ■taken ill with pneumonia. First one lung, then the j other, and the case took a typhoid form. For six weeks she could not lift her head, and now though she goes about my rooms, and into the yard a little, she is awfully shattered, and has a bad cough. Once when we had; scarcely any hope, she asked the doctor to give her no more medicine ; said that it would be a mercy to let her die. Poor thing ! her proud spirit is as broken as her body, and the thought of bcmg seen seems to torture her. Dyce is the only person whom she allows to come near her." " Where is she ?" '« We were obliged to move her, after she was sen- tenced, but the doctor said one of those cells down stands would be certain and quick death for her, with her lungs in such a condition ; so v/e put her in the small- est room on this floor ; the last one at the end of the corridor. It is only a closet it is true, but it is right in the angle, and has two narrow slits of windows, one opening south, the other west, and the sunshine gets in. The day after her trial ended, she sent for the sheriff, who happened to be here, and asked him if solitary confinement was not considered a more severe penalty than any other form here ? When he told her it was, she said : Then it could not be construed into clemency or favoritism if you ordered me into solitary confinement ? Certainly not, he told her. Whereupon the others, as she would sooner sit in the dark and see •eply to the lace in Miss S Id by bein aat freezing on she was g, tlien the I. For six though she little, she is Once when ctor to give be a mercy spirit is as being seen erson whom le was sen- down stairs ir, with her 11 the small- e end of the it is right in indows, one mshine gets sent for the Lsked him if more severe I he told her nstrued into into solidary Whereupon y away from lark and see AT THE MERCY OF TlBERItJS. 335 latitude ana discretto^ allowed S l^f"^ '"'^' »' on our side, but even at bpT ti, ' " *""= ''°'^*^'' '« take, her ^e^l^'IZ:! ^'[^ZTZ" ''T '"" meets the other convicts-LTit ^ F "''^''" "^^ one I - is the chnn»i . 7 ' '^ ^'''""« *» <==•" her because Ned ::sg,'^t Cchir^'^tr'^ "• ^^''='^^*'«'- body under sontf nee i obi 4f to wLVT?- ,''™''^- not go down into the eenor^ltXsrJ^;^''''^'' "'^ mtendent of that rionnr^frv, ^ "^'"^^ ^^om. 1 he super- amountotsewn^andw^ ■^P'"'"""''^ ^^ ^^rt=.in She really is noT twe ^ rU^b^tVe'. '^f ^,'° '^^'• should give her some emplo^^ent^' ^^'^ "'''' ^™ "She consented to see Mr Pnino^ -n celaSU-Ljtit^^^^^^^^ Cay that I ?ooU her out » t^Sn^ '""'' *''« for a little fresh air in the sun^hS fr,. '"' ^''•''^"'' and Ned on the walk O X n '„ ? "^^ "'" '^''" tul to see her face when tf„ "'""■' ^''^^ P"'" hat, and said: ' ° *''" ^''^^ ■"^'' took off his ;• 'I am General Darrington's adopted son ' bho was so weak she had he»n i™ • Ae threw up her head anri °f " '<^'^S-«nme, but Steel. 'You imagine that f.^T/^''^ '^'^^^d into you of Gen'I DarXton's fill ' T'"' ^''^° ™'"'«' I did not commit and nmfh ^ ^"a'^r for crimes to atone tor your i^ries m.'w °"'"* ^''"°' «''''^'=ted than you,^. You Terdy lo^t'^^ri'"^' '""' """^ '=™'-'» LT,x*---.-^o-nr^^^^ -alked;— =="-3^^^^ 386 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. i' h''\\ i(," I ijl'itl I into the hall, and drawn tho inside door between them. He was standing bareheaded, gazing up at her, and she was looking down at him tlirough tho open iron lattice, as if he were the real culprit. That night she had a nervous chill that lasted several hours, andlve promised that no one should be allowed to see her. Of course the inspectors go everywhere, and when Ned opened her door, I was with her, giving her the tonic the Doctor ordered three times a day. I had prepared her for their visit, but when the gentlemen crowded in, she put her hands over her face and hid it on the table. There was not a syllable uttered, and they walked out quickly." " Will you do me the kindness to persuade her to see me?" ^ . " I am sure, sir, she will refuse; because she desires most especially to be shielded from your visits." " Nevertheless, I intend to see her. Please say that I am here, and have brought the papers Mr. Singleton desired me to prepare for her." Ten minutes elapsed before the warden's wife re- turned, shaking her head : " She prefers not seeing you, but thanks you for the paper which she wishes left with Mr. SingJoton. When she has read it, Mr. Singleton will probably bring you some message. She hopes you will believe that she is very grateful for your attention to her request." «' Go back and tell her that unless she admits me, she shall never see the paper, for I distinctly decline to put it in any hand but hers ; and, moreover, tell her sh» asked me to obtain for her a certain article which, for reasons best kno\\Ti to herself, she holds v*»ry dear. This is her only opportunity to receive •*^, which must be directly from mc. Say that this is the last time I will insist upon intruding, and after iween them, her, and she L iron lattice, ht she had a \vG promised )f course the 1 opened her ; the Doctor her for their she put her There was t quickly." do her to see ie she desires isits." ISO say that I Ir. Singleton en's wife re- anks you for r. SingJoton. vill probably L will believe sntion to her 3 admits me, inctly decline loreover, tell ertain article elf, she holds ity to receive 7 that this i^ AT THE MERCY OF TlBEBltJS. -^.S7 andIa™deterr«,t'ore!;:rn::'''.'.^' " '•'' '''^"- her usually MerrvevP,w„ '"'"'"^''' Perplexed; and ln.nt„eJuprf.erceTL^^^^^^^^^ paH^Vrat-^fLVX^^Sdr st "" you ' only on condition that thS is to^e the nn", '"'' noyance'. Mr. Dunbar, you were born .o , """ It seems to me you ha;* mererto ^1 " ^'k"""'- order to accomplish it '■ ^^'"S, m he:"lelrre™:'ur'rnS'^ ^"■"'"^^ ' -"'" =^"- smeared criminTl,?" ' '^'"''^ «"=« °' ''"'o.d- hat";rflnishhi:"e™rd'r''r ''"-''' - '"» - oell, and closed LZT^Z'uT" '"* "^'''^''''*«'* CHAPTER XXIII. side of the soufh::s?c„™er'^nl'''''^'r'' "° *'"""• feet wide allowed the n«I ' '^'"dow only two the bare floor the 1-^" '°>'""''"°'' *° P"°' "P"" fastened In^o Z tne sin 'Tnf "'' T" "'"^ merely a low black cot of tt , ™"' bedstead, stood against the^st^rn s de tt""^ '™" ^*''='P=' shelf, also of iron ran Ll/v'* "PP"""^' =• ^road oi iron, ran alonir] o +;« ^Bd Jter I n^aytlZ:"' '" '"" '''"'"' "" ^ P"« "^clothtag 388 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. Across the angle niche between the windows a wood- en bench had been drawn ; in front of it stood a chaii and oval table, on which lay somo'sheets of paper, pen and ink, and a great bunch of yellow jasmine, and wild pink azaleas that lavishly sprinkled the air with their delicate spicery. Pencils, crayons, charcoal and several large squares of cardboard and drawing-paper were lieaped at one end of the bench, and beside these sat the occupant of the cell, leaning with folded arms on the table in front of her ; and holding in her lap the vicious, ocelot-eyed yellow cat. Against the shimmering glory of Spring sunshine streaming down upon her, head and throat were out- lined like those of haloed martyrs that Mantegna and Sodoma left as imperishable types of patient suffering. When the visitor came forward to the table that barred nearer approach, she made no attempt to rise, and for a moment both were mute. He saw the noble head shorn of its splendid coronal of braids, and covered thickly with short, waving, bronzed tendrils of silky hair, that held in its glistening mesh the reddish lustre of old gold, and the deep shadows of time-mel- lowed mahogany. That most skilful of all sculptors, hopeless sorrow, had narrowed to a perfect oval thr wan face, waxen in its cold purity ; and traced about the exquisite mouth those sad, patient curves that at- test suffering which sublimates, that belong alone to the beauty of holiness. Eyes unusually large and shadowy now, beneath their black fringes, were in- describably eloquent with the pathos of a complete, uncomplaining surrender to woes that earth could never cure ; and the slender wasted fingers, in their bloodless semi-transparency, might have belonged to some chiselled ima^'e of death. Every jot and tittle of the degrading exiernal badges of felony had been AT THE MEBCY OF TIBERIUS. 339 meted out, and instpid .-f f^^ Which he had been impote^lt^'tvert ""' ""'^""'^ from brands of felony " ^^ '"' ^'"''"P' Wnd.y ten meXtmne^td'ar ,„r?"-*'"'- ^"^^ cost me the lo.s of my hair and .«n' "T"""'^' I object to the conZWomrT^^^- ' ''^^ "'°""' more." co'jare .'' Nothmg matters any " Why not admit at once thit n^ • ,., froeiy o.e.d up your ^e::^\^Z:;^^ himX'^^sSt^^^rnrvnT^"^^--^ held no hint ot denZ nT\^ u^^ '^"""''"^ "^^^ the table, and aU the' .f^^^T' "' '""''' ""»«« proof "hXoutrS:: ^ T '''""' ^"^'»"-- - tardly outrage " ^ """" '" ""« <=™«'. da«- beTs^ :rA"V!^«.» ;-''='''' '■^"''^ '' ■"-' arenotyetr^ady to^r •=°'"P'^'='' ""^"^'^ '<>" 890 AT THE MERCY OP TEBERiTIS. , I 1 I I She straightened herself, and her hands were re- moved from the table ; fell to stroking the cat lying on her knee. ' What conditions would you impose upon mo?" 'Sit down, Mr. Dunbar, and let us transact the necessary business which alone made this interview possible." With an imperious gesture, befitting some sovereign who reluctantly accords audience, she motioned him to the chair, and as he seated himself his eyes^^leamed ominously. "It pleases you to ignore our past relations ?'' ** Even so. To-day we meet merely as attorney and client to arrange the final quid pro quo. You have brought the paper ?" " I inferred from your message that you desired as exact a copy as memory permitted. Hero it is." He took from his pocket a long legal envelope. " I believe you stated that your father originally drew up this paper, and that recently you altered and re-wrote it ?" " Those are the facts relative to it." ** Can you recall the date of the revision ?*' " Nearly a year ago. Last May it was rigned 11 the presence of Doctor Ledyard and Colonel Powell, who also signed as witnesses, though ignorant of its contents." ** You offer me this as a correct expression of Gen'l Darrington's wishes regarding the distribution of his estate, real and personal ?" " At your request I furnish from memory a copy oi Gen'l Dairington's will, which I have faithfully en- deavored to recall, and I conscientiously believe this to L/C A severe and prolonged fit of coughing delayed her AT THE MERCY OF TrBERIUS. 391 'eply i and when she held out ^Pr. 1^0 «^ # ±r. of studying thrffcr th 't Tn { '?" "'"'^^'"^ """-^ wreck othfsrtrtoo;affortlrM 'r"°="'^ ^'P" escaped him; the CSel TnH . ^"'^Shte.t detail the forehead smooth as . 1?"'"'"°'''"^ ''■•'>""<' incised dimpH tLremaSfh "l'^ 7'"' "^ "^^P'^" Uespairi„^^;n;adTs:ardt ~"''''"'' and the tapelg fl„°e^!"i ,,f Tf "'' """'^"^ '^"^ ' naUs would have sutod ^t T'Y ■=""«"• P°"«lied royalrobes than th~h h^.' '^'' f" ^"'^^^ «' back from the white wrisf ''"^"■^P"" ^'««™^ folded bre^d'womtVe'lscredT^ Tf ! ^--' "te''- nobmtyand^CnSonn^ »™'^'^ '^'' ^''*^'"' *"'' by the surrounding Blamou/nff^^""'^ *'^*"<=«'' ' touch the flood ^Jlfr. ^''"'^^''^'P' fa"«« to hand had sXnlTunlooLd tt-"^ *'"'* '"'"P"-'^ torrent through the fTr !! ■ T "^ ''^ * destroying Vict whAn ou« ^- , ^p«ii exerted by the youn^ con- earned down all the posiibilities of hia fir I; 393 AT THE JMEROY OF TIBERIUS. future peace ? Personal ambition, calculating merce- nary^ selfishness bad melted away in the volcanic mad- ness that seized him, and to his own soul he acknowl- edged that his dominant and supreme wish was to gather in his arms and hold forever the condemned woman, who wore with such sublime serenity the livery of felony. After all, have we misread our classics ? Had not Homer a prevision of the faith that Aphrodites'" altar belonged in the Temple of the Fates ? Beryl refolded the paper and looked up. In the face so close to hers, she saw all the yearning tenderness, the overmastering love that had convulsed his nature, and before the pleading magnetic eyes that essayed to probe her soul, hers fell. As out of a cloud, some burst of sunlight striking through the ruby vestments of apostles in a cathedral window falls aslant and suddenly crimsons the marble features of a sculptured angel guarding the high altar, so unexpectedly a vivid blush dyed the girl's cheeks. Her lips trembled ; she swept her hand across her eyes as though blotting out sgme fascination upon which it was not her privilege to dwell ; then the glow faded, she moved back on the bench, ;. nd leaned her head against the waU. " "Where are the bonds and otli^r Bcribed in this paper ?" " In a compartment of the safety deposit vault of the Bank, of which Gen'l Darrington was a large hold?.r and director. His box was opened last iv. presence of his adopted son, and we hoped to perhaps .' duplicate of the lost will; but there was not even a memorandum to indicate his last wishes idealities de- >> ' «-'• session of all his estate sL . ^ ""*''^'' *'"' Po^- into possession of h^rlrtototr^",' '"*'' ^<'^'' Am I, her child, the lawf u tdr of (S."fn '""^'"'■"• fortune? j^reticrpanvi. , .°' ^®" ' Darnngton's my rights ?'. ^ ^"^^ «""'"''« that could affect "I am aware of none. The eit-ifo !=„„»-, and the law win sustain Z'cttas"'"''""^^'"''^' PossSr L'nf L^'tir/'!!^- .^i- - far a, . May I tell you why ? Because in order to etTcute II Uff^n 394 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS its provisions, it was essential that you should know them accurately." The assurance that he interpreted so correctly her motive, brought a quick throb to her tired heart, and a faint flush of pleasure to her thin cheeks. "Had you read as accurately my intentions, six months ago, when you woke me f : m my sleep under the pine trees, how different the current of many lives ! Mr. Dunbar, my ignorance of legal forms constrains me to accept your assistance in a matter which I am unwilling to delay—" She hesitated, and he smiled bitterly. "You need be at no trouble to emphasize your re- luctance. I quite understand your ineradicable repug nance. Nevertheless good luck ordains that onl^'' I can serve you at present, so be pleased to command me." " Thank you. I wish you to help me make my will." "Why?" " How long do you suppose I can endure this * death in life ?' I am patient because I hope and believe my release is not far distant. Galloping consumption is a short avenue to freedom." He caught his breath, and the blood ebbed from his lips, but he hurled aside the suggestion as though it were a coiled viper. " Life has for you one charm which will successfully hold death at bay. Love has sustained you thus far ; it will lend wings to the years that must ultimately bring the recompense for v/hich you long, the sight of him whose crime 3"ou expiate." Ho could not understand the peculiar smile tT'at parted her lips, nor the far-away, preoccupied expres- sion that crept into her sad eyes. "Nevertheless 1 have decided to make my will. I desire that in every detail it shall duplicate the provisions of should know AT THE JtERCY OP TiBERItTS. 395 Whom it was intlu^ rM %H„t ?,' *'^ ^°" '" give and bequeath, mt,vkyo7.ol"n ^^™"^<»' I I Wish ;»: totow tTJof *° T."'" '""'^ ^""--o". sitionof yourestale Tshnf.n'if '"''^"''"''''•y -^i^P* be his wife, and th,.i^m.. ™^ """y S'^ter to his flnancTal aWlitvTo mZi^f ™"'"^^"* ""^'y »» is a<^-.rPoi w^ ^ maintain her comfortablv Mini> IS scarcely the proper hand to pour the ri^h ll^ . your possessions into his empty coffe^" ^''"" °' and'CCriS"' ""^ *'' *'''* "'"'^^ ^--^'^r ,'.' ^T ""^ y^^"^ ^''"^ you known it ?" stream or "sr^HrSlf'^"''^ ^"^""^ *° *"™ *« riers. Exactly when *bx'. "°''' ^'"'''ShM bar- your famiirsfcrlttnottTitTr ''"r^ "'* consideration " germane to the subject under ad;teftrla°smy\'"f «»'' "-"^-n's l-e paid me the^^^SrorbelS^'t^.f Z^^^^^^^ pecuniary motives incited my zea Tn J.!n ' prosecu'ion, for the lo« of « ! ^ ^«'=""ns your Vour heart Wne:ftiXu.ttn::r^ ' ""^^'^"^ troiXrariSvrhfsiyt '::^ "^^-r - crowded with dead'hnnr ^^\ ^'^f'^ '"* ^ sepulchre too their slayerbut ton w ^'l^ resentment against iayer, but you have a right to something mor«, 896 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. I pay you the just tribute of grateful admiration for the unselfish heroism that prompted you to plead so eloquently in defence of a forsaken woman who, living or dead, defrauded your sister of a brilliant for- tune. You fought courageously to save me, and I am quite v-'illing you should know that it is partly due to my recognition of your bravery in leading that forlorn hope, that I am anxious by immediate reparation to restore matters to their original status. Life is so un- certain I can leave nothing to chance ; and when my will is signed and sealed, and in your possession, I shall know that even if I should be suddenly set free, Mr. Darrington and your sister will enjoy their heritage. When you will have drawn up the paper send it to Mr. Singleton. I will sign it in his presence and that of the doctor, which will suffice for witnesses." " In view of the peculiar provisions of the will, I prefer you should employ some other instrument for its preparation. Judge Dent, Churchill or Wolverton, will gladly serve you, and I will send to you whomsoever you select. I decline to become the medium of transfer- ring the accursed money that cost you so dearly, to the man whom my sister expects to marry." " As you will ; only let there be no delay. Ask Judge Dent to prove his friendship for Gen'l Darrington by enabling me to execute his wishes." .-. " Judge Dent went this morning to New York ; but by the latter part of the week you may expect the paper for signature . " ** That relieves one anxiety, for while I was so ill I was tortured by the thought that I could not make just restitution to innocent sufferers. Mr. Dunbar, a 7et graver apprehension now oppresses me. If I should live, how can I put the rightful owners in iraraediato possession? What process does the law prescribe niration for to plead so Oman who, brilliant for- le, and I am artly due to that forlorn 3paration to Life is so un- id when my 3sion, I shall et free, Mr. 3ir heritage, ir send it to 3 and that of )> f the will, I itrument for ' Wolverton, whomsoever I of transfer- learly, to the . Ask Judge arrington by AT York ; but y expect the i was so ill I Id not make !r. Dunbar, a 3. If I should in iraraediatu i\v prescribe AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 397 for conveying the property directly to Mr. Barring. " Ordinarily the execution of a deed of Hff r you t. hnn, would accomplish that ol^fct ' ^^'' ''°°^ Pape^^n fVo^?^^^^^^^^ ^^* ^^^ P-P- fonn on the " I certainly will not." "May I know why?" "For two reasons. Persomn^r +1,^ ^ ^ as that whieh yo;ctte:^::i.f """ "^ *^="'='"=«°'' ^'; Such is the law." ^^^'^ ^"^^ ^'^^^s?" " Then the justice that fled from criminni 7a„, ^ equally clear of the civil code v Wh.^ . ^^'^' "^""^^ ioxes, what subtleties c^JnessTtr^l TT ""T' tncshes of iurisnrndPnno / •'*'*^*^ V *^ ^^^'^^ ^ne vvarv o-ui / ,'?,,' °^^'"°"'^^ ^P^ead to succor wary guut, to tangle and trip thtf nrplp«c= f« * * cence ! All the world knows LatThtnl! T '"^^■ warmed General DnrH. T , u ^^® ^^^rest wish that andrepuSe'^id/uS^^^ '" '"'"'"^' .-oods to his adoptS son and vi'f '"'" ^^^ ^^^^^^^ paper expressin/ilTa^i^.V^ 'l^-^^ ^ -^^-^ «^ court, the wUl of the dead'is^defled 7ndll.lTT'' ^° thrust into the hnfoH i. ^"^"f"' ^^^ the fortune is Should net touSandftLTi^Vw """" ^"»™ *i>. ucinas tjiat the Uw savs murdered 8d8 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERITTS. ti I ; !. in order to steal. "When the child of the disowned and repudiated, holding- sacred the unfortunate man's wishes, refuses to accept the blood-bought heritage, and attempts to replace the fatal legacy in the posses, sion of those for whom it was notoriously intended — this Tartufe of justice strides forward and forbids righteous restitution ; postpones the rendering of 'Caesar's things to Caesar' for two years, in order to save the condemned the additional pang of regretting the generosity of her minority ! Human wills, intentions and aims, no matter how laudable and well known, are blandly strangled by judicial red tape, and laid away with pompous ceremonial in the dusty catacombs of legal form. Grimly grotesque, this masquerade of equity ! Something must be done for Mr. Darrington, to enable him to finish his studies and embark on the career his father designed." " He is a man, and can learn to carve his way un- aided." She sighed wearily, and a troubled look crossed her fa^e r while the visitor followed with longing eyes the slow motion of bcr delicate hand, beautiful as Horses', that softly stroked the cat purring against her shoulder. " Surely there is an outlet to this snare. You could help me if you would." *' T ' Oo you imagine that after all the injuries I w-iT-j '^flicted on you, I can consent to help you beggar jo'irself?" *'You know that I would sooner handle red-hot plough-shares, than touch a dollar, a cent, of that for- tune. It would greatly relieve my mind and comfort me, if 3'ou would indicate some method by which I can convey to Mr. Darrington that which really bolongs to him. Unless he oan enjoy it, it might as well bo in the ijravo now with its former owner. Do help me." his way un- : crossed her AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 399 The pathetic plcadinc- of f^rp onri • i nerved him, but he sa^tnenf ^°""' '""■''=* "°- during my mi^" a Il"™^'°^''^^'^ ^•-'•. that sum?" ^'^ ^^ ^ Please with yol tterl i.^o'n:?ered':f ""'*• ,' ""'^^ ^^ -» '«" by applying toThXiLtrtoTI" ^'»- =''■"' declaring j ou of a-e A* '» 'esai'™ your acts by hands of Mr Wo?v°erto,f 17"''?,* "i? ''*=^''^ '^ » "^^ appointed admta Lt^at "r'- a^ ^'r,^™'^''*«. <=<>-' has eighteen months from tl'dat" of Vln', n""'"*'"" "' death, the control of the ,^l°4u^l'^'''-™^-'»"'« extent upon you. Meanwh !„ fi, . ™ *" ^""^ a^iowyou af auy!r::n:Si:t.:rtr'^*- '■^" While abroad r" "'"' '™ ^'•- °^"™St» "quired perann:m!''HLtoll7y~r,'°" *'^""^^"<^ ""»-« Whims too costfy for^mn/'^ =^''''"'''**'°'<''y^'-e must reduce hi^'Lb^;?"-? ^'"''-ts. Prince tue„„b.op''ortL^?atr^^^^^^^^^^^ valid, andteat^,S;t 'annua,t!r„' ''" "" "''"' r.-hSrtrrf ?-^^^^^^^ Dn..j»„.^^ _._,,, ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^e respected, and Prinr-n — "-'"gi^Ou auuii have hin own if .0 ^ • .l K— ' r' [mm ■ 1 ■' l-i t il !|; , 1 ? j iii^. 400 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. enters * Elm Bluff ' as its mistress, the balance-sheet will be complete." As if some dreaded task had been finally accom- plished, she drew a deep sigh of weariness that was cut short by a spell of coughing. ** There is a Scriptural injunction concerning' kind- ness to enemies, which amounts to heaping coals of fire on their heads ; and to my unregencrate nature, it savors more of subtile inquisitorial cruelty, than of Christian charity." ■** Your sister is not my enemy, I hope, and need I so rank your sister's brother ? There is one thing more, which even your sarcasm shall not prevent." She drew from beneath the cardboard a paper box, placed it on the table and removed the lid. * ' I presume the Sheriff meant kindly when he sent me this as my property, which having testified to suit the prosecution, was returned to the burglar in whose possession it was found. The sight of it was as humil- iating as a blow on the cheek. Some gifts are fatal ; nevertheless, you must ascribe no sinister motive to me, when I fulfil that injunction of Gen'l Darrington s last Will and Testament, which set apart these sapphires for his son's bride. They are just as I re ceived them from his hands. My mother, for whom they were intended, never saw them; I thank God that she wears the eternal jewels that He provides for the faithful and the pure in heart. I wish you to de- liver this case, and the gold pieces, one hundred dollars, to Mr. Darrington ; and it will be a mercy to rid me of torturing reminders.'* She looked at the azure flame leaping from the superb stones, and pushed the box away with a gest- ure of loathing, ** Beautifully blue as those weird nebuls^v in the far, >alance"Sheet AT THE MEBOY OP TIBEKIU3. 401 far South; that brood over the ocean wastes where eye ones are bom ; but to me and to mine, the bS medmm of an inherited curse. Having a complfshed my doom may they bring only benison to yourTter » around her neclt sooner than those—" Mr Darrrnl'f" ^^^ ""' "' "^ ^'^^^ ' Si™ them to P«^ished^aS \ 7 r '"=^'"'™'''S reminders of a perished past. Now, to the last iota, I have made all possible restitution, and the account is squarer trt CX:: ''^* '''"• .-'^'* I -^^ 'ondemLd a^ .sTomp*:^!"' "'' °"" " *''^ '"*"• ^"^ -P-«on She seemed to have forgotten his presence as her gaze rested on the ring she wore, anda hap^/smUe momentarily glorided the pale faee, "^^ "Beryl!—" She started, winced, shivered ; and threw ur> her Tou must no?dLT' '""°"^ '^ ""'"' '==^"«'' "« -' her°OTed"?et''''!f '" '""^ "^ **^' '«^»'"i 'o™rd etks';shet;emCv™fly '"^^''^' '"«' "-«>''« "^ tu'^bo^yrd^Sl.^:-^^^^^"'^^^' «™^->= '^ow "You dismiss me? Recollect I was warnwi ti,.*, this would be the last interview accTrderme an" 1 beg your mdulgenee. If you knew all, it yoi eonM imagine one-half the sorrow you have caused me vou would consider our accounts as satisfactorily baLces' :L\"„~it"-* -i'' '""^ »--Stons."wS eyTit if'" y '""' *"' '"'« destined to purify and exalt It, remains to be determined. To see you i vo„ are. is almost beyond my powers otendura„ee"aSr 403 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. I I my own sake— mark you — to ease my own heart, 1 shall redouble my efforts to have you liberated. There is one speedy process, the discovery of the man whom, thus far, you have shielded so effectually ; and next week I begin the hunt in earnest by going- West." He saw her fingers clutch each other, and the artery in her throat throb quickly. . *'Hovv many victims are required to appease the manes of Gen'l Darrington ? Bo satisfied with having sacriflced me, and waste no more time in search that can bring neither recompense to you, nor consolation to me. If I can bear my fate, you, sir, have no right to interfere." " Then, like the selfish man I am, I usurp the right. What* damnable infatuation can bind you to that mis- erable poltroon, who skulks in safety, knowing that the penalty of his evil deeds falls on you ? One ex- plt^nation has suggested itself : it haunts me like a fiend, and only you can exorcise it. Are you mar- ried to that brute, and is it loyalty that nerves you ? For God's sake do not trifle, tell me the truth." He leaned across the table, caught her hands. She shook off his touch, and her eyes were ablaze. " Are you insane ? How dare you cherish such a suspicion ? The bare conjecture is an insult, and you must know it is false. Married ? I ?" " Forgive me if I wound you, but indeed I could conceive of no other solution of the mystery of your self-sacrifice ; for it is utterly incredible that unless some indissoluble tie bound you, that cowardly knave could command your allegiance. It maddens me to think that you, so far beyond all other women, can tolerate the thought of that — " ** Hush ! hush I You conjure phantoms with which to taunt and torture. You pity me so keenly, that HI I :.| AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. and the artery 408 your judgment becomes distorted n„^ chimeras. Banish imaffinarv h?,' k ^ ^'"' "^""^ journeys, even the thoS of^.^"'"? ""'' ^««ter° try henceforth to forget that T^^ """ "iS" '^'"""' ''"^ " What does this mean n '"'^ ^ •" when I Iield it so lonrthat dl?' ■'"'* "" ^'"'' "^'i me, and quiet my pa™" ^~'" "^ <"™- Tell « 4: a" r^:°d r;^ ™f r i^ - --h too ■■ " What does it mea„°' It.? f "*™''<'- that when my broken-hTarteL^^ °' '™''- ^"^ ""^^^ strangers, in a hStaTshf .f '''''' ''^''°- =''°«»S and sent itwith Lrtve^nd .tt"' "!"' "^""'"ff ""0° idolized. It means--' She tld ,^,*° '"' *'"'-^'^« and into her voice stol^ il '^ '""" '^''='«" ''and, " ShaJl I ten you'S itm a TrTirii'ttl *"?;?" ' inscribed inside 'IB to w A . '"" ^"''i boon world has left for'r^„ '■ ^""'"'^^ ''" 'bat this sunny Childhood in TrL^lTT »'/''«'-' ""other happy, happy beauti?urh:S' ^Tonf^, T"''""''' the girl Bervl whom „i. 1 """^^ belonged to hercruel wheel. W^lefir^ -calamity has broken on tomb, the only 1 ght thit shin J'"^/'"^'^ '" ^^ ^""^'^^'^ flickers throu^hlhL m, e trct^ ■^-^. through the long, Ion? niXr^ . ' f^^P'^S it close brood like vampTres if ^t» '" ''°™'"« images the dear hand St^^eefso'?''' "'" "^^ *»"*<" dr^ms Of the fair, sweeS - " "'"^' '""' """^^ ■»« Was it the mist in his eves that »h„ ., ^ ffloriaed by the level ravs of ti!„ » ^"^ ''^' ^'""st tired child She lean dTer tofll "^f"' ''' '"^^ "^ pale image of resignation? ^^'"'* *"" '^^»' " thathi?sirt™:;SS"ard r"="" ""'^ P^'"' ««der ite weight Of teudofelCty. ''"°'' ''"''^'^ 404 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. I ■ " What is it that sustains you in your frightful martyrdom ? Why do you endure these horrors which miffht be abolished ? You hurl me back upon the loathsome thought that love, love for a depraved, brutal wretch is the secret that baffles me. I might ^bo able to see you die, to lay you, stainless snowdrop that you are, in the coffin that would keep you iL,^cred forever; but please God! I will never endure the pain of seeing you leave these sheltering waUs to walk into that man's arms. I swear to you by all I hold most precious, that if he be yet alive, I will hand him over to retribution." He had pushed aside the table, and stood before her, with the one wholly absorbing love c f his life glowing in his face. She dared not meet the gaze that thrilled her with an exquisite happiness, and involuntarily rose. Had she not strangled the impulse, her flutter- ing heart would have prompted her to lean forward, rest her head against his arm, and tell him all ; but close as they stood, and realizing that she reigned supreme in his affection, one seemed to rise reproach- fully between them ; that generous, gentle woman to whom his faith was pledged. No matter at what cost, she must guard Lqo's peace of mind ; and to dispel his jealous illusion now, would speedily overwhelm the tottering fabric of his allegiance. Folding her arms tightly across her breast, she answered proudly : " So be it then. Do your worst." " You admit it !" " I admit nothing." " You defy mc ?" "Defy? It seems I am always at tho mercy of Tiberius." ^ -• Can you look at me, ana deny that you are screett- ing your lover?" AT THE MERCY OF TIBERI0S. 405 b.y ana ^o nevorr^oire^'^ t^rtU^^ =" ri^hJ ? ^^<.*''J' ™'"« «""<">'« «cepted lover has an v inviolable by wanton iuriosity " '"" "^ '™'*'*^ sunnyTl^ofGrere" an?,;^.?' T""'" '^'""'^ '^" pose nnding my nonenthf i^ f" " '"'''°' ^ P""- will do m^r^t" " ''''™ "''""' "'^•^"l I hang th^LZal^r' '"^ T^ '"^'* '» '=='*<='' ='■"3 handl Jrdiief nl ,7^ ^ ?="" """' ''<'™'% "^ed your th<»n the table, a.aint'^feare" ''^*"^^'' awful murdrsSt'' '""• '!f "^'^**'^ <" *>>-< too^^"'%f:^''^f'^t«d, he approach...d the table and *o„ .„, ,,hinK from his vest-pocket. I hold my honor flawless, and with the sanction of 406 AT THE MERCY OF TIBEMtTS. / !i my conscience I prefer to answer to you— you alone— because he is your lover, I Tvill have his life." She smiled, and her eyea drooped ; but there was strange emphasis in her words as she clasped her hands : " God keep my lover now and forever. Mr. Dunbar, when you discover him, I have no fear that you will harm one hair in his dear head." ** If you knew all you have cost me, you might un- derstand why 1 will never forego my compensation. I bide my time ; but I shall win. You asked me, as a special favor, to preserve and secure for you something which you held very valuable. Because no wish of yours can ever be forgotten, I have complied with your request and brought you th.3 * precious souvenir' of a tender past." He tore away the paper wrapping, and held toward her the meerschaum pipe, then dropped it on the table as though it burned his fingers. At sight of it, a sudden faintness made the girl reel, and she put her hand to her throat, as if to loosen a throttling touch. Her eyes filled, and in a whirling mist she seemed to see the beloved face of the father long dead, of the gay, beautiful young brother who had wrought her ruin. Weakness overpowered her, and sinking on her knees, she drew the pipe closer, laid it against her cheek, folded her arms over it on the table and bowed her head. "What a host of mocking phantoms leaped through the portals of the Bygone— babbling of the glorious golden dawn that was whitening into a radiant morn- ing, vv'hcn the day-star fell back below the horizon, and night devoured the new-born day. Memory fragrant chaplets, singing us the perfect harmonies of AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUg. i souvenir' 407 shifting /lamo of wlnin" ^^ ''r'^^' ''■'"' '^ ^='s' and the glo,v from thoWesn™ , rT"'"= ^^"'«*. gatlieri„g in „,„ ,„ ° b^'* ^''" "•^"cd tl^o shadows Ounbar feared si-, hid falS, f '" '*'"' ^'^''' M-". Ho stepped to hnl in °'" «-^1austion. bronzed le^ad, smooth?^."' '""' '!''"' "'^ '"'"" »n the the short, silly ,"■;''''"-, ^^''^^''Sly yet reverently With Which heCn ovfr to^:2 ''"™"'''<''™<'''™»^« tbe intolerable pain of the T ^ Tr'"' •"> «™>- 'oved; might Jose her He heard fh!°^' f'^' »"«■• ''H ho brolccfromherovmaxednl I ''■'"° ""^ ««^' his .jealous rage l.omtZ,^''^^^' ''"' "-P"" her aee tears hung on heXhet '™ ^'"= ^'''^ ^-..slLJXaSn^t' ^f'r ,-/ "-. what th,s preeious relic represent "i<='»"? t«U3'ou 'T;;,f°^;<'"^d^pitymeiS;.^ ' " ^°" betray yrr'ronMence^nn™ ".'I ''""""^ ^ ^""'d "over It was a powerful tlf ?^ """ '"'''* '' «»st me." and her hearrXpeSfat W ''"'"^'' '""^ t™*' secured by removin^In t^t"^""' ^^'^y """W be ■ -it; but She remembi:^7,,~-« *o bis p^ woman who had dared her IV'"'"' ''^^'^*' l'«™io ' unbar those pviJ^^T^^s- .^Hf", 7'='* '" "''''"^ *« ' catoly thrown over the c 'n^^t., "" ^''^Mnlly and deli- 408 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. in I to her side, lifted her into the heavenly peace of dewy palms, and held to parched lips the sparkling draught a glimpse of which electrified her. Would starvation entitle her to drink ? Over the head of pleading love stretched the arm of stony-eyed duty, striking into the dust the crystal drops, withering the palms ; and fol- lowing her stern beckon, the thirsty pilgrim re-trod the sands of surrender, more intolerable than before, because the oasis was still in sight. Duty ! Rugged incorruptible Spartan dame, whose inflexible mandate is ever : " With your shield, or on it." Beryl put up her hand, drew his from her head to her lips, kissed it softly. " Good bye, Mr. Dunbar, I promise you one thing. If I find I cannot live, I will send for you. Upon the border of the grave I will open my heart. You shall see all ; and then you will understand, and deliver a message which I must leave in your hands. Give my grateful remembrance to Miss Gordon. Make her happy ; atid ask her to pray for me, that I may be patient. Now leave me, for I can bear no more." She put aside his hand, and hid her face once more. He stooped, laid his lips on the shining hair, and walked away. At the door he paused. The long corridor was very dim and gloomy, and the deep- toned bell in the tower was ringing slowly. Looking back into the cell, he saw that Beryl had risen, and against the sullen red glow on the western window, her face and figure outlined a silhouette of hopeless desolation; « THE MERCY OF TIBEEICa 409 a her head to DO more. CHAPTER XXIV. ^ ^"'aptabilitytoisenviZ ^ **° '"''«™»t energy ^^ich properly dSr'"'' V"" ''" '""ate c..er flies always^i^^^^'.^^^^^ ^r',f« '-eless reco/ of endurance, stealthily admini!; ^"'"^^"''•S the fibre ^f'^f'^'^b'e anaesthetic wherbv-«rf l^"^* ^''P^^'ne of human woe are surely stilM ^ '"'""ng throes «tofe; n,ental and ' moral ™^;"^"">=« 'evolves ^^or with Which it is waL^°^^.°P""* upon the Nature provides the wefnonf '°™"'^ cowardice, The evUs that afflict humanTtv »'"""' *° ^'<^^^y marv„„„„,iy accurate referent t? .^'*'"* °"' ^^'^ * of character; andnowetSf ""' ''"'>«y"era.ies by heroic effort be susltaed CT'" """''^ <^'^"''»' 'f all misfortunes wore laid in „ t '""^*''= belief that man and woman must draw ''"''P' "hence every "-ould select the bZen tt ""^ '«"^' P<»^ion, each 'valkawaycomforted ;"« 3™"^ '='"' •J"-" and ^^suhlhner truth. .4s^7^:--rter^^^^^^ calXtt^Xltttt t ^"'^ *''"^ P^«ence he stained and mutiated wrec? S'rf " '''^^^'^ "fM on her lonely wav flnrt,-; vl "*' and stag-frered th^deathof hj;:!' '^"""^ tJ-at repose which ^nS^S ^oor\rto^„\,tLtrnaTn":^'^ ^"^""^^ '^j*- the - - ™u. .0 zoiio,; then moc.unWl,a™rer4: 410 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. m •i m .!ii ; uMl III in 1 .1.1 and left her to renew the hattle. From that double window in the second story of the prison, she watched the silver of full moons shining on the spectral white colunms that crowned " Elm Bluff", the fire of setting suns that blazed ruby-red as Gubbio wine, along the ' line of casements that pierced the front fagade, a ; bristling perpetual reminder of the tragedy that cried to heaven for vengeance. She learned exactly where to expect the first glimpse of the slender opal crescent in the primrose west ; followed its waxing brilliance as it sailed out of the green bights of the pine forest, its waning pallor, amid the sparkUng splendor of plan- ets that lit the far east. As the constellations trod the mazes of their stately minuet across the distant field of blue, their outlines grew familiar as human countenances ; and from the darkness of her cell she turned to the great golden stars throbbing in midnight skies, peering in through the iron bars like pitying eyes of heavenly guardians. Locked away from human companionship, and grateful for the isolation of her narrow cell, the lonely woman found tender compensation in the kindly embrace of Nature's arms, drawn closely about her. The procession of the seasons became to her the ad- vent of so many angels, who leaned in at her window and taught her the secret of floral runes ; the myste- rious gamut of bird melodies, the shrill and weird dithyrambics of the insect world ; the recitative and andante and scherzo of wind and rain, of hail aad sleet, in storm symphonies. The Angel of Spring, with the snow of dogwood, and the faint pink of apple blossoms on her dimpling cheeks ; with violet censers swinging incense before her crocus-sandalled feet, and the bleating of young lambs that nestled in her warm arms. The Angel of Summer f„ii h, flaunting amid the s^Zn ^SZ^ ^ '•"« 'ed roses '^''* e-^«;^»ded her sunn'y brow f • "?""■ ""'' t^-^els on the glittering- aoex nf.!f ' ^"'^'^ languorously f tning ftioK-er^r:^/^;^^^^' ^'"""^ at wTosS through drowsy haU shut hds l^"T'''-'^'''<'hiDg partndges scurrying wiH, , *'' *'P<><=k>ed broods of -Id poppies Of 4:°„C^ n'^M^s't^'rf ""-"^t the shy doves ambushed imJ ' """^ •""""'n covevnf ^'rtnsing in the dcnse^rf ^T"^" """'"ff Tories -ing as in a dream™trtho it:, to™1""' '°™^ ^t! tingscyaesintheblLsterLg"? '""f ^^^P""^- ^het- yet hearmg all the while H,o^ »f meadow slopes s lender stream that tricklerf th ' ""'"'* "'"^We of tS the hillside, and added f^,*"?'', f ™ '""'s, down Slorythatreconciledtotheirannro T"' '^'^ "eetS the chestnuts that burstthri T^'""S-fall, smiled on .Pered to. the squirref tha ?K"T*»^™«t''er,wh^° kissed into starry btoml'^\'"""i'">' wa^^ady. ier knees, and left them f."'"' """"^^"3 about' dom of berries ordained to fl^w.''"''*^'"' the IdnT wolfish Winds howled When it """ 'r^" ^'^"'«. ^S robes Of sfow/s^etcW ^IIlTw '* ""''^^' '^'«' «« her '*ing birds huddled oatZ^,!^"^ *» shelter per- 'mmb world,-crowned ,^tb ?" .P'"' *''''* covered a sUverlocks, shed,,f„°tl":".V '"'"'^ ''"" <"asned h^ ^ieei.s, standin^rt;ru;;^ '•»="• of the »f Winds quiverinff'Cth "'''''''''•' "nti-strophe cry of birds dozin/i,eeZ 1^5'"° '°'^' '"« «'? Of crickets, the monotonous re r ™ '' ^ ^'"■"' ''™'>»1 *e peculiar, querulous cMotlTT"" "' '^='*^-''M«: rels housed in the cleft of an 1? "^ °' "-""S- squir lan chant of froffs crart 1^1 « "''S'"""''' «'e GreJr «^e river lappedC^^^i eT-cteoand 'ems, w'C . Humanity had turned it, f, . sinless world of creation! th atl hT, "" ' ""' *« of beautiful color, and ho soot hi ^ """"^ chords solemn voices of the nio-ht ^°°""°S- witchery of the eye and ear. She had hi' """>''ered abundantly to denied her petit on 1 ?. "■"" ^"'^'"^ *<> die ; Go^ f eath, two'to comfort tTtirf'^'',"' «'^ ^"=-'0' ;-was needed fo^uturr,rteS:r^-S?' ri£X"^«;4''r^^tf b^ ^-s Of piacui., -nff, that seemed an affroftT.h^ r"^'"»"= "'P^- buman destinies? She conlV ?" '"'^'"' arbiter of ™d bitterness of heart mi"ht "n ""T"^ ""' <=™4 ^---^ The deepesltntSl---tr™:: 414 AT THJS3 MEKCt" OF TIfiERltTS. I " Behind fate, stands God"; hidden for a season, deaf and blind and mute, it seemed, but always surely there ; waiting- His own appointed season of rescue, and of recompense. So strong was hor faith in His overruling- wisdom and mercy, that her soul found rest, thl-ouffh perpetual prayer for patience ; and as weeks shpped into months, and season followed sea- son, she realized that though no roses of happiness could ever bloom along her arid path, the lilies of peace kissed her tired feet. Somewhere in the wicked world, BcHie was astray ; and perhaps God had kept her alive, intending she should fulfil her mission years hence, by bringing him out of the snares of temptation, back into the fold of Christ's redeemed. Five years of penal servitude to ransom his soul ; was the price exorbitant ? One dull, wintry afternoon as she pressed close to the window, to catch the fading light on the page of her Bible, it chanced to be the chapter in St. Luke, which contained the parable of the pharisee and the Publican ; and while she read, a great compunction smote her ; a remorseful sense of having scorned as utterly unclean and debased, her suffering fellow prisoners. Was there no work to be done for the dear Master, in that moral lazaretto— the long rows of cells down stairs, where some had been consigned for * ninety-nine years' ? Hitherto, she had shrunk from contact, as from leprous contagion ; meeting the Penitentiary in- mates only in the chapel where, since her restoration to health, she went regularly to sing and play on the organ, when the chaplain held service. The world had cruelly misjudged her ; was she any more lenient to those who might be equally innocent ? Next day she went hum.bly, yet shyly, down to the ^T THE MEBCy OF TIBKRIUS. common work-room o i ^ Pubiica.s, hoping ttot the sr„' Of 1^'^'=* ^"""-^ «>« be won to repentance w!" /°™ °"tcaf t might sympathy reacned her from ^"^ *"° -messages »? form of Qowers hi J " ""^ ""'^ide world ^ ,1, erous contzlbutions of Snt "V^""? *""« "> time g-eu! promoted her comfort wM.l?. *^' mater^/ child had clung- to her Chritt '^ *'""' ^bose dead =.^Xnt^E-^^^^^^ xriet:tf "-• ' ^^ " '-^ toat St^te ; and fafi^frC V:,^" 1 '»-' '» ^ dis- faJl from the mule which ll ""P«'«ssly crippled by a nently consigned to f ho «.-^ ""^S^eon, had been nermo cabin hearth'-at " Elm S " ^^"^ ^'-'•' ''-Me^e" It was a bleak nieht i„ t„ ' wben M,^. Singleton ,tr"^7,'^'-f ^"^ "tensely cold and ran along thedarSlr f r' ^bout her head, was walking up and dov^tote!^, *""""' ^^"'^ Bery the moonlight UluminedTas tjf» """' '"'"»■ Only ,^-aMngabroadba^dr^a-o-beba^ I forgot to tell voii th,t bappened at the aflacs' Mat '°'"?"'"^^-«''y dreadful that were not trouble enough ?■'"'' "'s:ht. As if e^t the house took flroTn tt^ 'T ""^ * ^^^^ at and burned to the grorad 1^""='' ^"d yesterday Dent without a ro^t" ' ' rt'"" ^^ ^'^^ ^^tty tbe oenietery to carry flowers^T; ^^' ^^^ ^one t^ aod When she retuz/ed.°r?.-^v"^, ^'■"*''''"'" 8™^«. --• -s aordon. new-,^rci:rtts::drs 416 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. H, dollars and was furnished like a palace, so I am told; but the flames destroyed every vestige of the beautiful house, and the pictures and statues. It seems that it was heavily insured, but money can't buy the old por- traits and family silver, the mahogany and glass, and the yellow damask— that have been kept in the Dent •. family since George Washington was a teething baby; i and Miss Patty wails loudest over the loss of an old, old timey communion service, tha.t the Dents boasted Queen Anne gave to one of them, who was an Episcopal minister. The poor old soul is almost crazy, I hear, and Mr, Dunbar carries her to New York to-morrow, where she has a nephew living; and next month she will go to Europe to join Miss Gordon. It is reported in town, thiit when Judge Dent died so suddenly. Miss Patty sent a cable telegram to her niece to come home; but early yesterday, just before the fire, an answer came by cable, asking Miss Potty to come to Europe. Some people think Mr. Dunbar intends escorting her, and that when he meets Miss Gordon, the marriage wiU take place over there ; but I never will believe that till it happens." She peered curiouslj.into the face of her listener, but the light ,-7as too dim to enable her to read its expres- sion. Why not ? Under the circumstances, such a course seems eminently natural and proper." "Do you really think he intends marrying ?" "I am the confidant of neither the gentleman nor the lady ; but you told me long ago, that a marriage engagement existed between them; and since both have shown me much kindness and sympathy, I sincerely hope their united lives may be very happy. If Mr. Dunbar searched the universe, he could scarcc- Iv find Mise rj-nTTjrkn'o a^-,-,^1 (-„:_]__ „ .x i -^. „„ ,^...uviitr vvjuai, vcrCiiiiuy uot ner supe- 3S, such a course ^T THE MERCY OP TIBEIUUS. 417 '^or ; and ho cannot f Hi f.o ^^ winning, her. " '''' ^^ ^PPreciate his good fortune in are about as uncertain caSf"""" "' ■°™- They pujea esss, or Ihosprout „j„r' ''"*^'' hatching cJ « theirs can't bo worth ^''1^''™'''^ ^^ed. What somebody else, isTn^L^.T'"' ""' '^'^^^ "elon^ '■aWotosuadentamrufflsoAhi ' r'^^^^'"' "^ey aS on I'ke whooping-couT orl'""- ''^^*""*<^3', that hang Did you never see a mure' taLt^P'^"' *" »"«'« Jointo the corn crib and the foddS .^ f' '"*^ "" W« way to «ven for his own beneQt^ s„™*' =""> '''""«« to buLe Ifrso Mr. Dunbar stJ^^ '""' '"" J"«' «^-t Per-' h'm at present, than a sw^thfarf ""' ""'''' """^^ to* Ocean; which reminds me o, liff"^ the Atlantic Hoasl,edNed to-day iilltl ^^^ '"'""ffht me here f'^y When he came here ?Tn,T ^"^ °^™«ffton yesS he gave him this naner ^."".'f "■■"ff that you did Zl What the Lc.gisiata^rr^^l^^f'^c said would explain' you Of age. Ned told h m ,o ,'"•'""''' ^''»"* -J^^'^Uff Mr. Wolverton brought here r-r^", ""^'^ "^o^^^en? all the property to Mr Damn!, '"'*' '^'"* secured been informed of the trinsact ta 'f"^ '"' '^'^ "e had ton would soon go back t„'n' """^ ^^"^ ^r. Barring- S";ffleton,presfnt my rltS^r^.;. ^'^^^ <>« -"del: t«>l her, lamhappy to savfw ^ ^'^^ Brentano and mor was not eS" 3,, ^* "^' *"P ^ost last sum z r'\^^-y vatibrcTur'i '',^^ ^"™''^"d" Oh, dear ! how bitterly cold it i, In """ ^^erstand.' the .f n*"""'""^'^'-'- thawed wid T '" ""^ ™o™. the children are asleep." ' ^"^ '^ "own stairs, and ^0, thank vou • T oi,„ .^ ""^ I came back '' '''''"^'' ""'^ ^^l the cold more. 418 AT THE MERCY OF TIBEKITJ'^ "Then take my shnwl and cover j^our ears and throat. There, you must. Good night." She closed the door, and fled down the long- black passage, to the bright cozy room, where her babes slumbered. Slowly Beryl resumed her walk from winr^ow to door, from bar to bar, but of the stinging coia she grew oblivious ; and the blood burned in her cheeks and throbbed with almost suffocating violence at her heart. She comprehended fully the significance of the message, and dared not comfort herself with the sup- position that it was prompted by a spirit of bravado. To what quarter of the globe was he tracking the desperate culprit, who had fled sorely wounded from his murderous assault? Ignorant of his mother's death, and of his sister's expiatory incarceration, might not Bertie venture back to the great city, where she had last seen him; and be trapped by those wily ** Qucestores Paricidii " of the nineteenth century- special detectives ? Fettered, muzzled by the stone walls of her dungeon, she could send him no warning, could only pray and endure, while she and her recldess, wayward brother drifted helplessly down the dark, swift river of doom. At every revival of fears for his safety, up started the mighty temptation that never slumbered, to confess all to Mr. Dunbar ; but as persistently she took it by the throat, and crushed it back, resolved at all hazards to secure, if possible, the happiness of the woman who had trusted her. In the midst of the wreck of her life, out of the depths of the dust of humiliation, had sprung the beau- tiful blossom of love, shedding its intoxicating fragrance over ruin ; yet, because the asp of treachery lurked in n ,'^our ears and if :he long black »ere her babes om win "low to nging coia she . in her cheeks dolence at her icance of the with the sup- rit of bravado. le tracking the wounded from f his mother's •ceration, might city, where she by those wily ;enth century — 3f her dungeon, only pray and lyward brother river of doom. , up started the id, to confess all 5 took it by the t all hazards to woman who had life, out of the ;prung the beau- eating fragrance Lchery lurked in AT THE MERCY OP TIBERrtJS. 410 the exquisite, folded petals, she shut her eyes to the bo t^r^o" tf t7f """i' ^"' ^^^^"^ ^^-- Xr'it up bP fibrous thVpLTT'! '' ""' ' ^^^^°*«^ ^^^'^«by, that'^he She had forbidden his visits, interdicted letters- h„f he^rmtr''^^'*'*'^^'""*''^''-^^^-"^^ fl^t^hTJ """f"™^'' tl^o spell of a voice that had "» bS ■"" P"^^ "'» P'-"-"' -tl> the jury in Sometimes she wondered whether she had been created as a mere sentient plummet to sound every ITf^? human woe, then humbly recanted the impiousCin ms, and tjianked God that, at least, she had been spared thatdeepestotall abysses, the Hldcsotremor eartLlv fT"' ""^ '^°'' ""■"''» '^^ the supreme earthly joy-the consciousness of possessing the heart of the man they love, fell upon Beryl like the lash o flascllatmn ; rendering doubly nerce the baMe of re nanciation, which she fought, knowim? that seditil" tr r:;::rs:.'"'^^ ^"^'"°" "^^ -"<^- - -:,:"S During the eight months that had elansed ^inn^ T .^ irr.ST«' ^^" ''" ->-^^ - -Tw^h" air Jjunbar, but twice a sudden, tumultuous leaDinn- n t: drofThe'f "'^'^* ^''"'•* "' ■"-"'^nSnf in tno aoor of the chapel; watching her as shp =nt withm the altar ruil, playing the littl^or^n wWle The convict congregation stood up to sin- A if h^f f directed the various American and forei-n art mntn Zlu^^"" h""^"' ^^^^^ argosy of be^yto S n ^^^° ^^'^ ^^^'^'^^ meditations. Un Christmas morning?- tho coe«>,^ nf T.n • Within penitentiary wa.5:th; ^^r^^; messtngrhS' mmrnm*^- 420 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIU3. fi I i ■n !i brought to the door of hor cell, two packages; one a glowing heart of crimson and purple passion flowers, the other an exquisite engraving of Sir Frederick Leighton's " Hercules Wrestling with Death" ; and below the printed title, she recognized the bold charac- ters traced in red ink : '* The Alccstis you emulate.*^ To-night, a ray of moonlight crept across the wall, and shivei'ed its silver over the rigid face of the dead wife in the picture ; and the prisoner, gazing mourn- fully at it, comprehended that her own fate was sadder than that of the immortal Greek devotee. To die for Admetus after he had sworn on the altar of his gods, that he would spend alone the remainder of his daya , solaced by no fair successor, dedicating his fidelity to appease her ijaanes, was comparatively easy; but to turn away, voluntarily resign the man she loved, and assist in forging the links which she must live to see chaining him to a happy rival, were an ordeal more appalling to Alcestis than premature descent into th«j dusky realm of Persephone. To secure to her brother immunity from pursuit, and to Miss Gordon the allegiance of the husbaiid of her choice, was the problem that banished sleep an ji kept Beryl pacing the floor, until welcome day hung her orange mantle over the quivering splendor of the morning star. One final effort was all that seemed possible now ; and kneeling before the table she wrote and sealed a note, to be delivered before the express train bore the lawyer away on his journey : "Your message was received, and it has so dis- quieted and alarmed me that I am forced to treat for peace. If you will cancel your police contracts, cease your search, go to Europe with Miss Dent, and pledge meyo r honor to ma,rry Miss Qordc-ii before you re- turn, 1 will solemnly promise, bind myself in the sight before yc-u rc- iU in the sight AT THE MERCY CF TIBERIUS. ^gj I look affain on tlin f. L^? , i"^ ^"" permission, will hunting l^°death^'^%t as u'ancrof Y'°"^ /'^ ^^« atono lor all you have made mo "Skr wlli'"^"^^' ^^" to bear whatever the futuro mn.r h m ^^^r "^^'^'^ "^^ ag-ino you understand ^'l^^^'^.F'^y .^^^^^- You will im- can e.4 realize Saturfo/thc^^"^^ "^^^ ?'-^ volves for mc : neverthoW ie ^ ^'"^^ proposal in- the compact, I believ" kio^VCt'^'^i^ ''''^ shall never forfeit the pLdged ?vord of ' ^" ''''^'' ^ "Beryl Brentano " answer: ^*'"^' ^""^ received an wTtlfmygamrm'sf'k'Tr^H'' ,">" "^^o' truce. For your^sohcitudc°ro4-dn^^^^ the chase ray thanks; and th.,atsi?M?e7h- ^r^-"' ^ *"'«""• draw, not all the Hianns of nn;.„ , ° "»°n''t can Atlantic, until I ha ™ •irpn™%>N > , ^"^ """ across the tardiness of your nroDo«,7f' l» debar the grim ^arnUure of Chans a^S°h.lv''',?' H"^ '"*•> consign Miss Dent to her reMii'?''''^""^ ^^"^ ^ to a miners' camo h DnhM-, IJ-, '^.^'^w York, I go mg the marlcsTon» wt Vd from'i^ ^ ""^■' ,"?"- ^.s p>pe, on the nigLt he JXr^G^^^^^^ "DUXBAR." wu.-ue, somewhat muffled by dist.„ce,'t15 CHAPTER XXV. T^HE winter Was marked by an unusual severity oi ■*• cold, which prolonged the rig-or of mid-season until late in February, and despite the elTorts of pen- itentiary officials who made unprecedented requisitions upon the board of inspectors, for additional clothing", the pent human herd suffered i^eenly. Alarmed by the rapidly increasing fate of siclaiess within the " walls," Mr. Singleton demanded a sanitary commission, which, after apparently thorough inves- tigation, reported no visible local cause for the mortal- ity among the convicts ; -but the germs of disease grew swiftly as other evil weeds, and the first week in March saw a hideous harvest of diphtheria of the most malignant type. At the earliest intimation of the character of the pestilence, the warden's wife fled with her little chil- dren to her mother's home in a neighboring county ; maternal solicitude having extinguished her womanly reluctance to desert her husband, at a juncture when her presence and assistance would so materially have cheered, and lightened his labors. An attempt was made to isolate the first case in the hospital, but the cots in that spacious apartment filled beyond the limits of accommodation; and soon, a large pro- portion of the cells on the ground floor held each its victim of the fatal disease, that as the scythe of death cut a wide swath through convict ranks. Consulting physicians walked through the infected ward, altered prescriptions, advised disinfectants which were liberally ^T THE MERCY OP TfflERroS, .,, used, until the buiMin™ Wholesome, but u„ XTo^-*" ^^^^'"^ P""^-*. abatement in the viruleTce^^^K' ^f ^^^'"> ^as no twenty-third case was enCri i 1 ^^"^^ '"""'n tto trustees and inspectors dotrminnH." ''°'P''=^' "«*' the showed no symptom of the c^ "'^ *" '■"'"<'^« all who abao-doned cotton factory ^ve^S *?. ='" '"^' ior>S- the vacant houses of fonnor „ '^^"'^'^''t; where temporary shelter; and to ^.—"^"^ ^™"ld afford carrying jnfec <,„; ,™ *°.f™"»«" &e chances of -^ed by atte-nd^^pPS"" TA,"'^^"^'^ «- ^-^^e'nXj::;;?'"^ """'" concealed f^om C inmatef '""'" ""'"' «» '«"^r be them fron, the nefeh~od"f r"™ ''°"'»- -•'ove frightened sheep they huddled n ''"™'' '''«» «ke moved as far as possihw '° """*« comers, re and loath to miXt'e" e "e'd*^:/"^ ''''' P-ci^cS. Two men, and as manv wn ' ^^'' ^"Terers. ' as nurses in their rSneetr.' f '""''<'='"" actailod and while Doctor MSt„d T'^' T"'^ ^^"""cdi cussmg- the feasibility of „m. Smgrleton were dis- ae door of the dLeC;"'^T °"''"'<' ''^^'^tonce, opened, and Beryl waE7, f J""""*? «i« hospital ■ernes were weigLT/m, ^d ' *"'"'■ ^''«" ^«l^ ^^^Putmetoworlcamongth;sic.. I want to help "You I What could vou rin ? t , a magnolia blossom to sc^b I '"'"''' "^ ^o"" take flthykiteheu,.. answerod?h„I ^*^ '""^ Pans of a h.s spectacles f^mZ pi tder'^f •' '»»''*■>»" "P over glass mortar. ' '"^' "« "as grinding in a "I can follow vom- rii,„ *■ and physician, rff, J! „."'"'.':'"'°«i I can obev „w.»~. «ose«i lips, open rc:y;;r„^;-f« «- m nu-..^: "" """ds arc supposed to ^26 AT THE MERCY OP TlBERITJS. brains. Try takL oiitwcigli any amount of unlicensed me." "No. I am not v;illingr. Go back up-stairs, and ■ stay tnere," said the warden. " Why may I not assist in nursing ?" " In the first place you are not fit to mix with those poor creatures, in yonder; their oaths would curdle . your blood ; and in the second, you ore not strong-, ■ and would bo sure to take the disease at once '» *a am perfectly well ; my lungrs are now as healthy as yours, and I am not afraid of diphtheria. You detailed nurses; who refused to serve; I volunteer- nave you any right to reject me?" , ' " ^f' ^the right to protect and save your life, which IS worth twenty of those already in danger," Replied Ml bmgleton, pausmg in his task of filling capsules withqmnme. ^ "Who made you a judge of the value of souls ? Mv life b^ongs first to God, who gave it, next to myself; and If I choose to jeopardize it, in work among my suffering comrades in disgrace, you must not usui^ the authority to prevent me." " Has it become so intolerable that you desire to commit suicide, under the specious plea of philan- thropic martyrdom ?» said Doctor Moffat, whose keen black eyes scanned her closely, from beneath shaggy gray brows. ^^''^ "I think I may safely say, no such selfish motive underlies my resolution. My heart is full of pitv, and of dread i:or som3 women here, who admit their" guilt, yet have sought no pardon from the Maker their sins insult. Sick souls cry out to me louder than dying wll' V ^""^ .T^' t"" ^'^^^ ^" ^^^ P^^^'^1^^^ «f "^^i^^ tering to both ? The parable of the sparrows is no table to me : and if whila +r"i"- ^" ' ' , y ,, vj^iug tu uuiuiort my mi* ^T TfflC MEHCV „, ^3^^^ ur life, which ?er," replied e-r:rK ^'^^^^^^ re^r r ^- wilt Th? T^ ^^^® ^n peace w! ^® ^" 5 and I sunny fle]d« ,-„^ , ®-^^s* and turn awn^r ^® Its crown of mom ^® ^alm, colorle<5« fo " ^*^ eyes driff-PH fV ^® Prisoner: befom u ^ ^^'^ ^^ "vniie the nerpQcif,. content me." "^'''^ ^"tinuos, nothing , ess wiU own Cs"""' ^°" -'-taW'y tauey„„r«, u. v "I assume thn « *■ '•J^Wyour ''^^th;,ab"::^„y?:,,God speed; for the narvest « "ly, doctor! I von„j !>» o«t of reach, t" "'"!?. »» ^ou to heln „« Wn *^^ery possibly 428 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. i " ' care of her favorite. Look here, only an hour ago I received a letter and this paclcag-o marked, * One for Ned ; the other for Miss Beryl.' Two little red flannel safety bags, cure-alls, to be tied around our necks, ' close to our noses, as if we could not smell them a half mile off ? Assafoetida, garlic, camphor, ' jimson weed,' valerian powder— phew ! What not? Mixed as a voudoo chowder, and a scei^t twice as loud !" "Be thankful your wife is not ht-e to enforce the wearing of the sanitary saohet," said the doctor, al- lowing himself a grimace of contemptuous disgust. " So I am; but being a bachelor, answerable only to yourself, you cannot understand how absence does not exonerate me from the promise made when she started away. I would sooner face an 'army with banners,' than that little brown-eyed woman of mine when she takes the lapel of my coat in one hand, raises the fore- finger of the other, turns her head sideways like a thrush watching a wriggling worm, and says, in a voice that rises as fast as the sound a mouse makes racing up the treble of the piano keys : * Ump! whew! Didn't I tell you so ? The minute my back was turned, of course you made ducks and drukes of all your promises. Show me a " Flying Jenney," that the tip end of any idiot's little finger can spin around, and I'll christen it Edward McTwaddle Singleton !' Seems funny to : you, doctor ? Just wait till you are married, and your ' Susan shuts the door and interviews you, picking a whole flock of crows, till you wonder if it isn't raining black feathers. When I am taken to taw about this nursing business, I shall lose no time in laying tha blame on you." " I will assure Mrs. Singleton that you endeavored to dissuade me; and that you faithfully kept your promise to shield me from danger." AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 429 if you hvc ?oZllto mnft "P "0«fl"'tely. Besides, ty; but sup^oTZ do n:?;*''4!!,""'''''"°°«-»«'- tte jaws Of an awful daietandT^""' '■"™'"^ *""> l-'t^ri!'tTt^;~:- «'-d^^ he ^awed After a moment aw ;. '^"' '° "^ '»»■? sigh, sentence: ' ^'''''" ^"'"^ completed tte tor I have eS i„t my r^t'- """ ""* •^^'" *° cro^:"trC1' tdr'.r-^f ""* ^■^''PVsicia^ stock of drug^ HvCtrf^''''\^T ""^ """"^'«^ «>« Pe^he spou; wlthtl^^rerpS.^*^ ^""'^ "^ *"« dangJ^^ns^di^elsTttttT,"""""'" ^^'P*' »' =" '''^^ys constant expos™ to tt w,>r A?' ''""»^'»™' ' ''"'' use of tonic LTd.sn\C,t''r'"'''^'^'^'«"* taotamomit to walkm^^llf '"T'"'*'™^' «'»""'' be where l^ople \^re Zn° T"'''."'' "'° '^ P^st-house, have no^e^i^e to frigl^n^ but ftT™' '"''"-P"-^- ^ warn you; and insist u^o^ tt dut^r ^'^^^ ^'•""''' own health as closelv as th» . f watehmg your you are desirous oln^i^w IT'"'"^'" ^he victims imen I shall presclrfr^^u,.^;' /"" '""""^ ^">« -^- Implicitly." loredaTh'^'^^a^r'' '"""^ *'"•' -P^"!-' -« a.a and dare the pestUence but tiT. f ^°"' """'^ ^»™' as well sav whaf? w,;„''^ ,? °'! ''«" y»" ^^«. I might For your sake I keV silent •"1'"' ^^^"^ last night. Kcpi silent ; now smce you persist, L I l<. . I I) " : i t' ■II -I I », 430 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. wash my hands of all responsibility for the consequences. You have heard the history of the woman Iva I Boii^eois, better known in the ' walls ' as the ' Bloody Duchess'. Two days ago the scourge struck her down; she is very ill, the worst symptoms have appeared, ani she is almost frantic with terror. Last night, a,t IfS o'clock, I was going the rounds of the sick wards, and found her wringmg her hands, and running up and down the cell like a maniac. I tried to quiet and en- courage her, but she paid no more attention than if stone deaf; and when I started to leave her, she seized my arm, and begged me to ask you to come and stay with her. She thinks if you would sing for her, she could listen, and forget the horrible things that haunt her. It is positively sickening to see her terror at the thought of death. Poor, desperate creature." " Yet you withheld her message when I might have comforted her ?" " It was a crazy whim. In hardened cases like hers, death-bed remorse counts for very little. Her con- science is lashing her; could jou quiet that? Could you bleach out the blood that spots her soul ?" *' Yes, by leading her to One who can." ** Remember, you asked me as a special favor tn keep 5'ou as far apart as possible from all of her class." "At that time, overwhelmed by the misery of my own fate, I was pitiless to the sufferings of others. The rod that smote me was very cruel then ; but by de- grees it seems to bud like Aaron's with precious promise, that may expand into the immortal flowers of youls redeemed. I dweiD too long in the seat of the PhLrisees; I shall live closer to God, walking humbly among the publicans. Will you show me the way to the woman who wishes to see me ?" << Not yet. There are some instructions that must H. ' '; AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. I might have s thiit must ■"pair their vividnessTank of L k " ""^ ""P^^erto scenes witnessed by the new nuSl ''"''' "°™ <" the feet beating, f Utt o ^ ^t ^'^ ^or bare delioaS hor thin nostrils dilated in 1^^"^?"''* ^""'^ ^°^ Le Bougeois moaned in abfort f "^ •"■"^''i. I^a ■ unbleached " domestic ^ „iX '*"''""- The coarse. ankles was streal^ed across the ifnT "^' '"'' '» "e^ brown fluid; and similar 1. ??'""'«»"'« d^rk where her reklesshe^ had T'! ^t^"^ '^« P'"<>w parched red lips seemed to hav., ' ■ ^"^ ^"^ "y^ ^nd Wood from her olivTchelks tn '^l""* *" "^« '^'^ed the lower lids, omUuT'^^ra :otH"'' J'"^'"™"^'" pamt.^ and glazed by. the dTseTse nngs had been ^T^'^^>X:x^:;X"r' '"' '-'' -p ^^^ where even at five o'clocUi^f f ''''^" '"t" «"> «1I, day darkness roiled the ^ V"'™"'''' "' "^ rain; elo«n^ eyes chaCtt ^^o'u tt' """ ^""^ "'" >o. Jo°LTnr;.r •^^"-"■<' -«• to-day, and I locks,'' ^TZ^rtna^t:r^:'a T""'^ ^'-"-^ aromid the low brow was th?„ ' ""' P"^<* "^^^W ■ ■novementofsomesrarHedf? "° "P ""'^ t^" ^wift the throes of de^ ^ *""^ """"^L alert even in 432 M'ln aw AT THE MEROY OF TIBERIUS. 1 M' "Is all hope over? Did they tell you there is no crhance for nie ?" The voice was hoarse and thick, the articulation m- distinct and smothered. "No. They think you very ill, but still hope the remedies will save you. The doctor says your fin*) constitution ought to conquer the disease." "1 am beyond the remedy-bccause I can't swaJlow any longer. Since the doctor left mo, I have tried and tried. See—" From a bench within reach, she lifted a small yellow bowl, which contained a dark mixture, put it to her lips, and chafing her swollen glands, attempted several times to swallow the liquid. A gurgling sound be- trayed the futility of the effort, the medicine gushed from her nose, the eyes seemed starting from their sockets, and even the husky cry of the sufferer was strangled, as she cowered down. "Compose yourself; nervousness increases the diffl- culty. Once I had diphtheria, and could not swallow for two days, yet I recovered. Be quiet, and let me try to help you." Kneeling in front of her. Beryl turned up the wick 1 1 the lantern, and with a small brush attached to a silver wire, finally succeeded in cauterizing and removing a portion of the poisonous growth that was rapidly narrowing the avenue of breath. The spasm of cough- ng that ensued was Nature's auxiliary effort, and temporarily relieved the tightening clutch ...tTle n ^^"^ ^.«^«^*«' ^ dose of the medicine was successfully admmistered ; and then the slender, shape- ly brown hand of the woman grasped the nurse's blue homespun dress. KtZ^«^^^'''^^ "'^•. ^^""^ ^^- ^^'' do^i't let me strangle here alone^in the dark; don't let me die I AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. articulation in- d remo\'incra ^^''"^l^^'itzc:: ' ^'''" '"■ !''« "ot the vyarden, all of us will Z 'ZttT^' . ^'"' """'"^ Iho the help you need most can! "'""! '" '="™ y»" ; but P'ty Is greater and ZkZZl T^ "''"" """^ ^^^°"« God. Lift up «rcr «>an ours your merciful i^^-yoursi„s,ands';--ruttd'anoS my htrThif b^itKr"::^* ^"^^ ^^"^ ^^^^^ self up to hate and cursta- v^ ' "T ^ ^^« "ly- you are uot one of us. yJu ZZ "^ ^ ""-^^^tondi here, as one „f the angel ZZ T"^ ""' "' P'^'ee flames oX torment till th7 ""'' ''"''' over the first time we saw you nttVr^'/"^''''- ^^-^ the eversince, we fouml out you Z 'l"1'"".'''^'°''»<'™ We been so wickod-so^vicLd l"°' """""^ '^'^™- I fe pauseci, panting, then hurried on suited him. One Saturdat «' '' '° '"" ^"^O' ^-d in! " and dust the chapel a.dwh^^^'^r T .^ "" «^««P « "t on one of the benches to res Y *""' ^ '^i" down not knowing I was there and ,?" '"'""" '"P^'etise, I'stened, something seemed ,T ♦ ^^° *° ™&- As I W, and somehow r^t/stoT ""'" "^ *" -"y There was one hymn soTii ^ ">« out of myself end of every verse w^'-otr' f" "A""'"^' ^°d the -and you sang it ^th I'JtT "' '^'"' ' ^ ^"^ !' Running to meet some one ftl""^' "^ '' ^°» ^ere 1 don't know how long-„%.4lr "o'wept-for oh! " *- --" -me variation. o'Vtu.^!?^ ffi n 434 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. r it til : !l. ^I-I mu, 111.1 By-and-By '—and the tears started, and I seemed but a leaf in a wild storm. That was the son^ my little boy us* . to sing ! There was a Sunday-school in the basement of a church next to our house, and ho would stand a1 the window, and listen till ho caught the tune and learned the words. Oh, that hymn ! Every note stung mo like a whip lash when I heard it again. My i chad's face as I saw him the last time I put him to bed; when he opened his drowsy eyes, and raised up to kiss me good-night, came back to me, and seemr 1 to smg, * In the sweet by-and-by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.' No— never— never ! Oh, my boy! My beautiful angel Max— there is no room for me, on that heavenly shore! On! my darling-there is' no * Sweet b3^-and-by ' for mother now." She had started up, with arms clasped around her knees, and her convulsed face lifted toward, the low ceUing of the cell, writhed, as she drew her breath in hissing gasps. " You loved your little boy ?" " You are not a mother, or you wouldn't ask me that. If ever you had felt your baby's sweet warm lips on yours, you would know that it is mother-love that makes tigers of women. Because I idolized my little one, I could not bear the cruel wrong of having him torn from me, taught to despise me; and so 1 loved him best when I slew him, and I was so mad with the delirium of pain and rage and despair, that I forgot I was putting the gulf of perdition between us. Rather than submit to separation in this world, than have him raised by them, to turn away from his mother as a thing too vile to wear his father's name, I lost him for ever and ever ! My son, my star-eved darling." "^ *' Listen to me. You loved him so tenderly that no tius. nd I seernod but 10 song- my littlo lay-school in tho se, and ho would caug-ht tho tune, in I Every note d it again. My I put him to I, and raised up tnc, and seemed lall meet on that Oh, my boy ! oom for me, on ig-— there is no ped around her toward, the low ' her breath in )uldn't ask me ''s sweet warm is mother-love I idolized my rong of having me; and so I I was so mad, despair, that I )n between us. lis world, than way from his father's name, my star-eyed nderlv that no -'T THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. you forgave MmoVyTsT"' ""^ "«" ^-^0 bec« »" your bosom, you fdfr' ^"^ ^"""^ ''o ^obbS huffffedhtaelos;rto".ofrbeLTr^""'''^ dear, a„1 deeper ,3 God's lovo for us n ^''™ «t™nffe«- and more pitift ^„,„ ^^ "«• Dare you call yourself who crave von i h„ ^° yout" Faf'^r in i,„, five J ou the capac tv to Im,„ , "• "caven, Ho so compassionately loves hL? T"' '^'■■- because fi-o far astray, we th^kmer^l ,,"'.''" ' ^ "«"'' ^e door shut against as; but wZ f^ '''-''■ "d tho SO back, and taeel, and p^ivlT'?-'- ^"•'P"'" '^■'d Hmseif unbars the door anT i! ," '"■'S-'^en, Christ Father, loving those IZmL ^^ "' " ' ^d our and only requires thatT™ sTn^n """"""' ^^"^"'^ all ; follow us ; we must humbiv L ^ T''"' ^"^ does not bavo put between us "y '1^° ''''.'=^"«'° distance v^ heavens wUI fall before He faUs .^f ■'^''r ^ J but the forgive, when wo do gfn^l '"""P ^'« Pi'omise to doing." erenumeiy repent of our wrong" " It is easy for the ffoort t« u .- mnocent of any crime nn^ """' "'^'t- You arn people's sins, not ""Vour ^/^^P^-^bed forothS stand how I dread the ttougM n a Tu "='"'' »"der- tbo bl k„,33 „, heart When to ^ /"""^^ ^ '""'^ Isold my soul to Satan. Oh- «,„ f '"■' '^^<»>Se, col , r ? ' ""O" the bargain h''?™'- "^ "><^i^S cornel I had the vengeanc^^ ' ^^' P»y-day has bands, and for a ^MofTll r'"'"" »"* <" God^s a^u price I My little^ one jnT " ' ""*"»* ^e -r- --owing that i.>sm:hrris^:Tva^trn'il^ -9r^?fsfet.r-,^^^^ ^ l^on t you remember thn. .k ^..^'°•. •--^ m.t on earth, was the onrofX.r"^ ^^^^^ one Of all others that He 486 AT THE aiERCY OP TIBERIUS. first revealed Himself to, when He came out of the grrave ? ^Because she was so nearly lost, and He had for-'-en so much, in order to save her, her purinod heart was doubly dear, and he honored her more than the disciples, who had escaped the depth of her wick- edness. Try to find comfort in the belief, that if sin- cere remorse and contrition redeemed the soul of Mary Magdalen, the same Savior who pitied and pardoned her will not deny your prayer." " God believed her, because she proved her repent- ance by leading a new, purer life. But I have no chance left to prove mine. If she had been cut off in the midst of her sins, as I am, she would have been obliged to pay in her ruined soul to the Satan she had served so long. When I am called to the settlement, it seems an insult and a mockery to ask God, whom I have defied, to save me. If I could only have a little time to show my penitence." " Perhaps you may be spared ; but if not, God sees your contrition just as fully now as if you lived fifty years to show it in good works. He sees you are sin- cerely remorseful, and would be a true Christian, if He allowed you an opportunity. That is the blessed- ness of our religion, that when Christ gives us a new heart, purified by repentance and faith in Him, Ho says it makes clean hands, in His . ight, no matter how black they might have been. One of the thieves was already on the cross, in the agonies of death, with his sins fresh on his soul, and no possible chance of aton- mg for his past, by future dedication of his life to good ; but Christ sa,v his heart was genuinely repent- ant, and though the man did not escape crucifixion by humanity, his pard(L ed soul met Jesus that same day in Paradise. It is not acceptance of our good deeds, though they arc required, it is forgiveness of our sins, AT THE MERCY OF TlBERltTS. 437 that makes Christ so precio,., p , bottom of yourheart, toS and tl'tL '^'f ""= ^^"^ promise to the truly penS . I{ **'''' ''<"'' "" *l>e I-or a moment tL crouehi'nrfl ™''~'™=*Him." the sufferer mentau/^""f75, "^"^ ™« still, as if then she fell back on W^tm 'l'"" ''"■'^'' <" hope; . -Do you know all I have don^ ? " ^'^^^"^^• IS any mercy for— » ^''"oner' Do you think there Compose yoSf."'"'"'^ ^""^^ ^^"'" ^^"^^S: streng-th. If I shuTm; eyt/Kle S^m t\"^ *^" ^^^ upon me ; dreadful shnno= i„ , *" ^^ Pouncing and I see-ohl pi ^t ' J "f ' ^""^ ''^*°° *» 4 « She spran.'' from fi,^ \: P^^^^S* scene !" sionate^ecitrJSi gVh:';,";",:;;';'^- ''•'"" ^^^ p- tand, While the other.fore attJ ,?' '"^" «'»der tortured throat. *^'' ^'"""cn cords of her ' ' I srall---^' ' ^"" P-' Xu "'' ^"^ ^'°" <"-<>• ««Ie,belore^;;^™ Sintor''- '^', »« -alk a Slie stag'-ered Uvin^ ^® §-rave." ">entotterel,and ifLTo^.^ '^"^"^ »' '"« cell Piration the thin nostrUs n. '" ~'- ^' "very res- below the eyes los"Tts fultn h "l"" ""' ff'-^ed'^ring shadows. ^""«° red tinge, took on bluf "I did not know than r ! . but before long, an the sebem: '" ""' "^ «biid also ,• ' »ued for a divorce. He wa, "d T f^^"'"'^'"'- ^"«n ~u o;t^---;^..^verz 440 AT THE MERCY OF TlBER^JS. and men make the laws to suit themselves, and they help each other to break c' ains that gall, so Allen was set free. I shut myself up in two rooms, with my hoy, and saw no one. Even then, though my heart was breaking, and I wept away the lonely days— long- ing for the sight of mj; husband's face, starving for the sound of his voice— I bore up ; because I knew I ; was innocent, and unjustly censured, and I had my child to comfort me. He slept in my arms and kept me human ; and we were all the world to each other. " Then the last blow fell. There came a note whose every word bit my heart like an adder. Bilen de- manded the boy, whom the law gave to his guardian- ship ; and I was \, arned I must make no attempt to see him after he was taken away, because he would be taught to forget me. I refused. I dared the officer to lay hands on my little one, and I was so fran- tic with grief, the man had compassion, and left me. Two nights aftei-vvard, I rocked him to sleep and put him in bed. His arms fell from my neck ; half aroused, he nestled his face to mine— kissed me. I went into the next room to finish a shirt I was making for him, and I shut the door, fearing the noise of the machine would wake him. I sewed half an hour, and —when I went back, the bed was empty, my child was gone. " I think I went utterly mad then. I can yemember putting my lips to the dent on the little ruffled pillow, where his head had lain, and swearing that I would have my revenge. " That night turned me to stone ; every tender feel- ing seemed to petrify. When I learned that Allen was soon to marry the woman for whom he had cast mo off, and that my boy was to have a new mother to teach him to hato me, it did not grieve me j I had AT THE «RCY OP TIBERlrS. lost aU power of «„ff • ^ ^^ "mo. Happy women i„ h' ^"''*' ''°* of Allen ,vb„ »y depravity and only Jovo, eiviniTmTlu V^^"^ '^y 'i'^t and S and of the baby, who had ^\ *'"' "y^elf to be «o d«ir beeause he had Ws f T °° "^ ''^^^'' =^nd ^as' -r's brown curls, ffrowioi „f^^ " "^^^ »»d Ws fatt! .nnoeent but dis^aH'^" ot'her ^ "'"' '=-'"''»™'> ^t -s all this;„r:oX:rre "r ^ ='"' --^« "y had ruined me ; so fZ^,' ^^ husband's fam- seeond time. ' ^° ^ ^'""W spoil their mateh a ■I be wedding was tn >,„ a servant and Lt L!, « T^ P'''^'^*"- but I bribed tte damask eurt^t 1, '','"'"^«' «"d stood behtad ">, leading my boy-' a^dt, """'"'•'^'"'sfetercame fo-ld see the Ion" silkv ,7 ''"''" ^^ ^'o^e to mTl f;by's brow, as hfe ^^'^ 'btw' '''^'"^'" -gainst ^y "ffly at a horseshoe Of roses ?r 7"^ '°*'='' '^ndS^ '"•^'"^r. Then my hush-,?/ dan^hng- from the chan my darling's father, Si T^ ''''"^'"^'' '^"^and!." arm and j^^ ministermct « ' '"'^"'^ "ride c„ hi, '"^^•J-- ' I ceased o be . , ' '''^'"^ •' ' ©early bt a «-ild beast-and two mi„„r'^'" '"<"'' I was a fwy rrr r ™' »f" C tot it ■■ ""^ "'"•'<"« S my foet. Then the ba II T **"■ ^^man-dead at «'«sed its destination Tfif™'" ^* "y <"-n b^ast seeing in a Ki-rf V -^ f"" on mvsiau^-hte v,= • > 442 AT THE MEROY OP TroiRIUS. ff the only heaven I ghall ever know. I meant to die with them, 'out I failed ; no they sent me here. That was years ago ; but I was a stone until that day in the chapel, when you sang my Max's song, * By-aad- By\" There was a brief silence, and Beryl's voice wavered as she said very genily : ** Youi' trials were fiery ; and though the crime was frightfully black, God judges' us according to the na- tures we are born > ith, and the temptations that be- tray us ; and He forgives all, if wo are true penitents and throw ourselves "ruilingly on His mercy. Nov take this powder; it will make you sleep." " Will you stay with me ? I shall not trouble any body much longer. Say a prayer for my sinful soul, that is going down into the eternal night." "Let us pray together, that your pardoned soul may find blessed and eternal peace." Coming softly to the door, tuc doctor looked in through the iron lattice, saw the figure of the nurse kneeling on the sanded floor, with her bronzed head close to the pillow where the moaning victim's lay ; and involuntarily he took off his cloth cap, and bowed his gray head to listen to the brief but solemn petition that went up from the dungeon to the supreme and unerring Judge. When he returned to the same spot an hour later, Beryl sat on the side of the cot, with one hand clasp- ing the brown wrist thrown across her lap, the other pressed gently over the sufferer's hot, aching eyes and wonderfully sweet was the rich voice that chantf low: •• Just as I am. wltLtjut one plea. But that Thy blood was shed for me, rus. I meant to die me here. That mtil that day in song, * By-aad- l's voice wavered ^•h the crime wa s )rding' to the na- 1 cations that be- '0 true penitents [is mercy. Nov/ 3ep." not trouble anj^ r my sinful soui, ?ht." r pardoned soul ioctor looked in ure of the nurse er bronzed head ing victim's lay ; 1 cap, and bowed t solemn petition jhe supreme and 3t an hour later, one hand clasp- icr lap, the other lot, aching eyes oice that chantf me, I I n> ^T THE MBcr OP TBEWoa <« •And that Tliou bidd'sf »«« O Lamb of God lIctTl"""'" '^ ^^^^ Just as I am „J, '^*'°'°el hang-mg from the ctc™ ff ""^^ <" rain droDs tyted red bird archfdWs~.f""'°"^' '^''« « a ■vhen four men lifted a cot nmn ^''°''* '° ""adrigal- «°% d.yins burden tra 1^.?°™ '' '^'tb itea^ar- "Sit feu in a golden flood " """" '^"^'^l^ '*« warm JJetween tlie Destrnv.v ' a ^tepped two, anointed^t^'lf '';•'<' '"^ffaspingprey, hood Of Cure; and undisCedwtr? "' ''" ^'««'- t^, flittering ^teel bfad t^S^^'; "' ^«^*''' -«" the and throug-h its silver cam.l?? ""'"^'y fashions • tie vanishing snirit twn ., ' *'"acheotomy recalled of life. ^ 'P'"'' triumphantly renewed the teS -^t sunset on thp * -o^t. The doct f dW :,?Vb'" "'^ '^^"""^O ">e the Oint till just before the end J, ' ''"' ^''"' '^as like heard her child crvin^T ' '^''^° ^i® raised ud anrt iad been put tositn^''Tr' '^*?^ '^»*room,whCi? ■""ffht liiceapanthei- tr^er'^''=''''"°'yi'"1her74e gushed from her nose anf tlr'."' '"^- '"' *• b ood " Plamlv.shA noi-'- " , though shecm.id -o* - • Tu _i" ' i'^iwuju, and we ivio^„ , -I — ^ "On opeaK --oetor would .tco-n-trwlth^---^ • ii^N IP 111 I I m Ilk i ■ - ^ i 1 1 1 d ir^ ^ jj ,- 444 AT THE MERCY OP TIBEBIU3. the child to the risk, but I could not hold out against that poor creature's pleading" wild eyes, so I just brought the little one. What a strangling cry she gave, when I put it in her arms, and how the tears poured! She was almost gone, and we saw that she wanted to tell us something about the child, but we could not understand. The doctor put a pencil in her hand, and ,( held a sheet of paper before her, and she tried to scrawl her wishes, but all we can read is : * Her father won't ever own her. Baptize — her Dovie — Eve Werneth's baby. Don't ever tell her she was born in jail. Raise her a good — good — .' She had a sort of spasm then, and squeezed the child so tight, it screamed. In five minutes, she was dead. Only nineteen years old, and the little one just two years ; and not yet weaned ! I don't know what to do ; so I brought you. If I touch the child, it seems frightened almost to death, but may«- be you can coax it away. Poor little thing ! What a mercy if it could die !" " Will you let me have the care of it ? Take it, and keep it up in my cell ?" "^I shall be only too thankful, if you will lift the load from my shoulders." " Tell the steward to bring me a cup of warm, sweet- ened milk and a cracker. The poor little lamb must ^ be almost famished." r' Through an open window streamed the radiance of a •' daffodil sky, flecked with curling plumes of drifting fire, and the glory fell like a benediction on the iron cot, where lay the body of the early dead; a small, slight, blond girl wearing prematurely the crown of maternity, whose thorns had torn and stained the smooth brow of mere childhood. The half-opened eyes, fixed in their filmy blue glaze, seemed a prayer for the pretty infant, whose head, a glistening tangle of yeiiow ^T THE MEBCt OP TttERICs. ? Take it, and rill lift tho load " **«*«! us. AAK ^0 lte^br"°''«^««tbeWuse„Sd"« ^'^''"P. look ^" lais blossom of thA o7„ "" surrounciino.o hood, seemed suDrpZi "^® '" ">« calyx of >,!? :'t '-""^ sr LTotTe1':?^ ^^^^^^^^^^^ tv-toe pressing toward C*^!/'"'" '"sy feet on Pmk velvet of tie round^h! ■ "'^'■'' 'eara on «,« beneath the bfe blue e"L t?^ "" '"^^ SoWen lashts thonnst "^ *'"'" ^^'^ PU-Dlish behSd ' /ne Macedonia of .>>,«• • witWn a stone's throw r'd"f.''r^'"*y «e« always q;-Peea. response In- -;'--,^XS towhSsterSeSbef'"" '"« "«>'«»e'^ff Anns " from the hospiSInX ^°°^''''=^°''aSiste"f,ChTr 'v tenderly in the cro^de^^;;:; "-« T'^y '^^^^Z yellow m, wS hl'il^^'^'' '""o'^ed closely hv t- beside the bib shA^""* *«-• shadow En^^,*"' J^nc., pattedlerf4're:U^"^ ^--^ 0- oTSf woDdnWniitr. '""•'? ^iia lifted. th„ S' - ^"^ "'"«' fh« : =v urac at Bei-yi', fo„„'i. ~~,.""® ''yes stared ir'% ¥ r • * I I '[i ■< ' !: h ; 446 AT THE MERCr OF T1C7^!?IUS. arm to dracv her farther und luitlicr, while her rose-red mouth parted in a smiio, that showed six little teeth, and with one hand fastened in the cat's fur, she was finally lifted and borne avay; Beryl's soft cheek nestled against hers, the bronzed heo I ibciii u wn to the yellow ringlets ; one arm holding the baby and the cat, while the other white hand closed warmly over the child's bare, cold, dimpled feet. CHAPTER XXVI. r7AIR and flowery as in the idyllic dawn when -'■ Theocritus sang its pastoral charms, was that sunny Sicilian land where, one May morning, Leo Gordon wandered with a gay party in quest of historic sites, which the slow silting of the stream of time had not obliterated. Viewed from the heights of Achradina, whence all the vestiges of magnincenco and luxury have vanished . and orly the h icous monu- ment of " man's inhuman. to man " remains, ^v'hat a vast panorama stretched far as the horizon on every side. To the north, girding the fire-furrowed plain of Ca- tania where olive, lemon, oleander and orar "o spring- ing out of black lava, mingled hues like paints on an ebony palette — rose vast, lonely, pui i- at ^ ise, snowy at summit, brooding Etna; dozing thi oft, sweel; springtime, with red, wrathful eyes veiled by a silvery haze. An unlimited expanse of crinkling blue sea, shot like Persian silk with gleams of gold, and laced here and there with foam scallops, bounded the east ; smiling treacherously above the ghastly wreck sepul- AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 447 Closed over slauffhtored hosts '"""^ ""^"^ ^l'^' lau^li: ™ ti;,f :■:; :r'"r°" ^=''-' ^'""O"'' with flocks, ^iu^p^JZuToXZ^TZ' ""'"^ ^'^'^ browsed; and bevonrt ti!» "="^"''s where red oxen groves- ^ " *''*' P^'° P">1' fl"«h-of almond-, "A smoke of blue oUves, a vision ot tower,." Leo, gaz4 into theT. T''*'" ^'""edffe, stood house that s~dV T° f P""" »' *''<' '^'^^rnel men, who once ^rc h„ddicSu?h'''.°' "'"'' "^''"==»<' As if Pityin,. nature taVst^eftf ''°'"'°'''"=''=''- manr, of the unburied dead a nln „ , '^'^'^'^ ^^' and glossy acanthus covered the Wf •^",™°* '"^ the quarry, one hundTd f!»f . , ""^ ^"'' ^'"^^ »' -Just of centuries stared fhff ^•■''"''' ''"' »"' «' tl^^ the gaunt desSritrtls"?^::^^^;^';^-' -<> invocation, anon in rinprecat?ortn,T ^ ^''' """^ '" where blistering suns mo'l ! ^^i 'l "^f^ching slcy, terin,. naoons and sn-e?:^; paused in tt'^' "^"^ ^"*- mareh throufe!, de>n- ni-hts ?o Ten t^ r™"'"'^"'" 'ales of how musical! V ^^' " *'^'"" tantalizing the marbles rSsto'wTft "^'^*' "S^"^' sang hx the n]a„"^i4Var7- ' '"SWingales White glory 'or thep'.t'tf ^™™^ "'' '""^''' ^'"' tho S-iory the Parthenon smiled down on violet- hVi f !.• m 448 AT THE MERCY OF TlBERIUg. crowned Athens, where their wives and children thronged the temples, in saci aicial rites to insure their safety. « In crevices of the perpendicular walls lush creepers , , tapestried the gray stone, and far down, out of the .■^" mould of the subterranean dungeon, sprang slim •:" lemon trees snowed over with fragrant bloom, clumps i of oleander"waving banners of vivid rose, and golden- green pomegranate bushes, where scarlet flakes glowed like the wings of tropical birds. " Well, is the game worth the candle ? After voyag- ing thousands of miles, do you feel repaid ; or down there, in the heart of the desolation, do you see only the grinning mask of jeering disappointment, which generally follows American realists into the dusty' haunts of Old World idealism ?" As she spoke. Alma Cutting stepped back under the cool canopy of a spreading fig-tree, and fanned her- self with a tuft of papyrus leaves. She was a tall, hand- some woman, pronouncedly brunette in type, with large black eyes whose customary indolent indifTcrence of expression did not entirely veil the fires " banked" under the velvet iris ; and a square, firm mouth, around whose full crimson lip^ lurked a certain haughtiness, that despite the curb of good breeding, bordered at times closely upon insolence. Thirty years had tripped over this dark head, where the hair, inno- cent of crimp or curl, hung in a straight jet fringe low on her wide forehead ; and though no lines marred the smooth, health-tinted skin, she was perceptibly '* sun burnt by the glare of life," and the dew of youth had vanished before the vampire lips of ennui. "Disappointed? " Certainly not ; ,and I were exact- ing and unreasonable indeed, if I did not feel abund nt- iy repu a. Alma, since the days when I pored over 4T THE MEROT OF HBERnTS. 449 yea:, is to- ..ay cc.plotcly' Sfle^ ?• ' '""^^ <" what is tho l^cinTtL7itt:Sr """^ ' ^^^ picturesque as tho Colosseum ?w° '"'"*• """• «° hear the roar of tho beSrspHngtar;:?. "'T' '° prey; the ring of steel on J..i f *'^'"'" ''"™a'» have bowed like danl"™ !' ''^'"' *'''' ff'adiators bald-headed 2lotZ%Z^Z^ '"!, """"^-^ «><» that you smell tho fouutaLflf 'J^** ^"" """=y their spray from tier to tfer and iHr' *'''"^ *»^ the silk awniug flappin^Tv^rhetd Bot!^ ™ f °" »' you imamne vou cVn ^ J„ir fu ''"®'' than all, of the Faustinas and F^ . ™^"'''''^ '<«''«««* • flirt with the^nn^ "^ '''"' Messalinas who ;-ensely dts^t^^-T^lf *■--> beau, so" thunder-browed husbands T^l .' ^ '■"^^'^ 'heir hind, it is so easy to ^ P'l'^^'y «tep in he- change of theme TLt "'""f'^'"™ the sudden the messaenu;t wri.T» ^"""^ ^^"'^ "'"^ »» ^ver and straightway falT"., °° '''""" '^"^ ^''Wets, all the CorneUaf and r-,, "^ ^^^ characters oj ^uUaBomna«,:rtLXSl^:L^^^^^^^ would teach even an idinfn ! ''°'^"'' ^'^*^ ^aris 'best society' can i^^t;rsorser^ "'^^"^^ ' ^Hhe golden Roman era thnfnn , "" naughtiness a very little on tipToe ^ te at'onS '" ''• ^'^^^" Jeunesse choree of dead alf t? """^ \^^«^ ^^th the in a, hnc,. ...._ r,^^^ ^^^s- Here-what do vnn fi^^ AbouTas%nrc^.:ra If' ''.' '"^^^^ ^^ *^^^'-^'? "cmg as a plun^^e into a dry cistern, sud- 450 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. '.^ ' denly unroofed? If spectres we must hunt, do let them be festive, like those Faust danced with on the Brocken !" . • " You should be ashamed, Alma I Miss Gordon is the very soul of courteous toleration, or she would re- sent the teasing goad of your Philistinism," cried the brother, Rivers Cutting, who in his new style yachting suit of blue cloth appeared veritably the jaunty genius of fashionable modernity, confronting the ghost of an- tiquity. "You forget. Rivers, some of the sage dicta you brought back from the * Summer School of Philosophy', when you followed your last Boston flame to Concord, where she went poaching on the sacred preserves of the 'lUuminati', hunting a new sensation. ' We must be as courteous to human beings as we are to a picture, which we are willing to give the advantage of a good light.' Now being Leo's very sincere friend, and know- ing that the supreme moment of her facial triumph is when, like a startled fawn, she opens her eyes wide in horrified amazement at some inconceivable heresy, do you suppose I am so recreant to loyalty as to fail in providing her occasionally with the necessary Gorgon, ethical or archaeological, as surroundings warrant ? " Historv was never the fetich of my girlhood, and that quartette of dry-as-dust worthies whom Leo carries around in leash, as other women carry pugs and poodles, came near giving nie meningitis in my tender years. My first governess, a Puritan spinster, full of zeal, and conscientiously bent on earning her wages, by exercising my brams to their utmost capacity, undertook to introduce me to all the highly immoral personages and practices that made the Punic Wars famous. By way of making Imilco a lifelong ac- quaintance, she i iustrated the iege of Agrigentum : AgrigentuiM AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 451 With head loJ:la,Tn l^^Z aT •*' r ^ ™^ persStv ThT. .?' ^^^'^ined with maddening Ls^^ j„rrn;:ardrr ^'' ^-^'^ ing^e Xirs then f.?r P^.'-'y-ttey were 'ascend- thf echoes c?'Sviatav",?v'''°"' '""^ "">' '^^ only a conflagr^^'tu , .» fhfr"- '^'""^'"^ "P the hall sash and "houC %,e ,' a°n,f T '""T sounded the ain-m ^^^ ii and the police Invest! Jti„nt"oV,redt P""".''"'?"'""' "roke loose, to the foot of my bod hn . ™'f ^ " ■""' ^^ <^»^™ shrieking. Prmus^Buiu'T ""'*'''•*''<' "'^"kets, and Bull.; ieinrnr.f;'L rdltr S '^o^T Teirsrirs^dtr^^^^^^^^^^^^ Winter), ano i.el2^y Mi^Z.^.'''"^ ^'^^• plaster half a yard lo^rmyttae "l""^'"^,^ remember Imilco -mri tL . ■ ■* P°^- * "vidly blackboard-Tut ;f the thl T' ''iF P=^'"'"» "'o there tabooed I reclu oniv fh""'? ^''''' ^^''^ ^■"' Agriffentum rt, u ^ *'"' ''''''^^ monster at to-monow, you will und r.tnd'^^^,^°£:°"; ,*T' Sdc^t new bookT *'' '""""'"^ "^ ^^^^ ''«-' ^ J'l'I^^^' *"''.^''"'^o.tbatyouhadstaidther„to-.^,v 452 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERItTS. -M !J One should suppose that in this idyllic region, some ray of poetic warmth must melt your frigid, scoffing soul. Daudet suits my sister far better than Theocri- tus," answered her brother, fastening a sprig of oi-ange blossom ui his button hole. Pushing back her sailor hat. Alma looked obliquely at him from beneath her drooping lids. " Try me. Perhaps mfection haunts the air. Spare us the Greek, come down from your Yale and Harvard heights to the level of my ignorance, and warble for me in English some of your Sicilian lark's melodies. At least I have heard of Amaryllis and Simaetha." Mr. Cutting shook his head. ** What— ? Ashamed of your bucolic hobby I No wonder— since after all it's only a goat. I dare you, brother mine, to produce me a Theocritan fragment." " Take the consequences of your rash levity ; though I have a dawning suspicion some * Imp of the Per- verse' has coached you for the occasion." He stroked his mustache, pondered a moment, then struck an attitude, and declaimed : '*I go a serenading to Amaryllis; what tune my flocks browse on the mountains, and Tityrus drives them. Tityrus beloved of me in the highest degree, feed my flocks and lead them to the fountain, etc." Mimicking his tone exactly. Alma finished the Ime : "And mind, Tityrus, that tawny Libyan he-goat lest he butt thee!' Come, Rivers; free translation is allowable, considering surroundings, but not garbling; and every time you Imow you substituted flocks for goats. Proceed, and do not insult your pet author with emendations." With his hat on the back of his head, and his thumbs in the armholes of his vest, Mr. Cuttmg resumed : 's melodies. loment, then AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 469 ^ot-v/as I, unhappy, born I" A^ain the mockingr voice responded: "But seel yon calves devour The ohve branches. Pelt them off I pray. "Confound the calves f Qf , thief-away!' Thanlr<, rl' ^^ ' ^'°'' ^^lite-skin iess it sounds IZLI'"oZ"^T'''''' ^«"^^ could not possibiriSrstand^'^ •?''""^^ *^^°> I andtherhythmic'^anceo^^^^^^^^^^ *^^ ^-^<^dy "ig" groats. Here come t hi f^ ^^""^^^ ^^^ ^^per- plunder. Oh, pL i L '*"^^^^^^« ^^den 4h acacia clusters." ^^^® "^® *^°^® exquisite shocking taste to addTuslToT'""""''^' ^'^''' aU our wealth of canlrtT * •'"'■^ "^ spreading wb^e sit the losts „f « '"' "" *'^« ^'^''y «tonef bu»ger and th^trEmineX D?, ^''■"''^*' '™- sacrilege appalls Leo ZTf^,?''^^'"'- •»" tbe oyster supper, or acL-blTn the r^r^'' "''"'•' ^" bowing to a younsr 3*^1^1: Catacombs, or-" Abbey. Mydeare^rl „n!i T""'" "' Westminster «.oside :rd:L:er.^-.^:^;»-^nceo,h,own »use 0, the invaded, yet l>e«; in^tT twot I I 1 >i ■IIS" yii>< t 454 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 'nflictcd upon the captives, one almost leans to Athens. .rt seems to me the most enduring monument o\ %racusan glory survives in the eloquent protest oJ Nicolaus against her cruelty; especially when we recol- lect thauit came from one who, of all others, had most to forgive. Old, decrepit, unable to walk, the venerable sorrow-laden man whose only children, two sons, had died fighting to save Syracuse— was carried on a litter into the midst of the shouting thousands, who were drunk with the wine of victory. ' Behold an unhappy father, who has mosif cause to detest the Athenians, the authors of this war, the murderers of my children I But I am less sensible of my private afflictions than of the honor of my country, when I see it ready to expose itself to eternal infamy by violating the law of nations, and dishonoring our victory by barbarous cruelty. What ! Will you tarnish your glory, and have all the world say that a nation who first dedicated a temple in their city, to Clemency, found none in yours? Triumphs and victories do not give immortal glory to a city ; but the use of moderation in the greatest prosperity, the exercise of mercy toward a vanquish- ed enemy, the fear of offending the gods by a haughty and insolent pride.' What a theme for Dore or Munkacsy ?" " Thank you ever so much. Miss Gordon, for brush- ing away the library dust from that historic cameo. I had so utterly forgotten it lay in the musty tomes, that it has all the charm of a curio.'' Mr. Cutting took off his hat, and bowed. " Acknowledgments are due rather to my cousin, Dr. Douglass, who called my attention to the pass- age. The best of all things good abide with him ; and out of his overflowing store, he shares with the needy. i'^^^inded me of an illustration of r« «as clearing away rubllsh a„d bl'S'" T !,'' '^»°'"- »' the grave to his own countryman •' """ *" "'>»* of some T-moT.^"°Z^°'^T:^' ^'^^ '^'"^ "^ ^'^P cles, replied : ^ ' '"''' *="="'Sr oil his specta- "Leo unduly exalts my memorv nt ti,„ her own; and we have oil i- 7?, ''^ *'^'' expense of topographical Iccura^y " "' ''""""^ <"• ''^^'""'l <" phUoLUtT'sZaiT:,rau""\^",:;'' '^--'^ -<> into an intellectuauSder/'y Cri^''^^^"'=-'« than to fVc^ Doctor WiasrtoM?°".r"''''''"^*«' of listening to the serZ„t„ ''^^^othat instead you either°slept igLSouslythCfhfu;'^ 'T/^^ or else allowed vnnr nr,», "^ ^^^^"S'iiout its delivery, on those dev^tTLuc ~t ■ '^X^ '° ''"^" 'corners, ' • spots' and 'future'.^ Of ' ^P'^^'^ds,' berthathe believes in e4l«tioni Th!.'''^'°"''""'"- in my extremely reeen^rv T^ T "^^ ^ '™«' ^^n frightful to the Orthodox th;r^? ""f ^°'''' ^^^""'r^ was to the elect,? ;n,erabomin?r "' '=''™-Slycerine; 6o«ire and the ca« cat B,t "thetr" ^^""^''^ are widened with the process of ,t 1^^^' "^ '°^'' is-J i it 8111:'' i 456 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUg. I' fi numbered among the, spiritual 'flttcot', but dcffcner- ate into parasites, dodders, backsliders. So, drawing nutriment from the Doctor's historic brains, and from Leo's, I fall back into worse than a dodder, a torpid violator of the Law of Work, a hopeless Sacculma ! Doctor Douglass, it was the bravest hour of your life when you stood up in church pulpit, and told us the scientists whom we were wont to regard as more dreadful than the cannibals and Calmucks, are only a devoted sect of truth seekers, preaching from older texts, and drawing nearer and nearer to the kingdom of Heaven. To throw that ethical bomb, required more courage than Balaklava." " Mine was merely a feeble attempt to follow out the analogical reasoning of one of the most original and scientific thinl^ers of our day in Great Britain ; but the fact that you recall so correctly the Ime of argument in a sermon delivered more than a year ago, is certainly complimentary assurance of at least approximate suc- cess in my effort." " After all, I am sorry I humored Leo's whim, and persuaded papa to bring us here." " Why, my dear ? We are enjoying it immensely,'' said her father. " Because Syracuse has proved my ' crumpled rose leaf, by destroying the prestige of the ' Cleopatra'. Hitherto, I deemed our yacht quite the most complete and gorgeous floating palace since the days of its highly improper namesake's marauding sails on the Cydnus." ** And so she is ; there is nothing afloat comparable to her in speed, appointments, comfort and beauty," interrupted Mr, Cutting. ' 'Poor papa I How he bristles at the bare suggestion of rivalry. Be comforted, sir, in the knowledge that at least vve shall not be run down by a phantom WiHl but dcg'cner- So, drawing US, and from Ider, a torpid IS Sacculina 1 ' of your life and told us ard as more 3, are only a r from older Llie kingdom lb, required 3II0W out the original and ain ; but the of argument •, is certainly oximate sue- J whim, and mmcnsely/' umpled rose ' Cleopatra', •st complete of its highly tieCydnus." comparable id beauty," 3 suggestion fN'ledge that a phantom t AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. 457 cabin With staterooms coZ^gU^^J^tTr^" one hundred and twenty ffuestsafrtVT^n T^^ '"'■ with agates and „fK„°^.'^°"""''flooraaU covered a discussion on connubiL "57 «^^«d *» emphasize rour ri^ht, Andrrache Id h: S • iftne- ' b'T "" Objected to a harmless flirtation lo'ontTe W^^^ memnonandBriseisi- inri t^^..-^].^ '®"> -^Sa^ is, as pretty dr'-howte^f''^'''""'^'''' 'P™"y with the tip of Tour snH„ 7 convenient to indicate of Helen sta-^inl „„ tte wf «,^T' ""! """""^ «^ tween Menelaus ^nd ParisT^kt^fh"'' *'''"^' "«• person of my indolenr4^.;„r 7 ""* consolation a .^ave deriv/d iromte'uTm^rflrrr "i^"* oppressed with Imowled/re in advL^ , \. ^^^^''■"'™, generation I There was^the^Ta^L^ forVT '""' and for the bellns hn«„ j,, *"'™°'^'"™ 'or the beaux; arbors covered^'thiw.^ndfl^"'™''^"'' ^''"^ ^"^ -tedin^relLreZ etmir^Th^X'?:^''"'^ the boudoir and bathrooms navpd w,>l!!^' ^^S^e encysted With carvedrr/arsSue^.""^ ^*™-' books CoJt'"?,''- ^.'^* "^^™'° '« not in the^uide -|asX?;rLSif^^^^^^^^^^^ JXZ:::^^^, A,ma brm/me some ane- When ;ou com^bad?' 'IL'^C "" '"""^' ^'^""•■''• Doctor Douglass drew closer, knd asked : -u ^ ou lov ^e stay also, and enjoy with you the 1'- l1 s 458 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. wonderful charm of this opalescent air, this beautiful cincturing sea?" ** I would rather be alone. Solitude is a luxury rare- ly allowed on a yacht cruise ; and I want a few quiet moments. By day, poor Aunt Patty has so much to tell me ; at night, Alma is a chattering owl." There are houi^s when the ghost of a happy past, from which we have persistently fled, constrains us to give audie];ice; and Leo surrendered herself to memories that brought a very mournful shadow into her brave brown eyes. Thirteen months had passed since her departure from X and despite changing scenes and novel incidents, she could not escape the haunting face that met her on mountains, was 'mirrored in every sea ; the brilliant mesmeric face set in its frame of crisp black locks, with dark blue eyes whose intense lustre had the cold, hard gleam of jewels. Sleeping or waking, always that dear, power- ful face daring her to forget. When Doctor Douglass and Miss Patty joined the yacht party at Palermo, the former had brought abet- ter and a package, which sorely tested Leo's strength of will. Leaning to-day against the twisted body of an old ohve tree, she opened and read once more, the final message. ' "When Leighton places this sheet in your hands, the year of release which I could not refuse you, will have expired. Once your noble heart was wholly mine ; and the proudest moment of my Hfe was, and will be, that in which you promised to be my wife. All that you ever were, you shall always remain to me; and if you can conlide your happiness to my keeping, I will never betray the sacred trust. Life haa grown sombre to me, during the past eighteen mo'iths ; and the only companionship that I can hope to cheer it, you alone cuu bring rue. I have not ,i' f this beautiful AT THE MERCY OP TlBERllTa L your hands, 'use you, will was wholly life was, and Will- ^"' *^^ pledg-es that at vour rp«.?^ /°^ »iust renew Thf i^a f of our past,^I w'?."?f * ^ surrendered Tn be hallowed forever' by the tou.h^^.? "^^ ^^^^^^ the rin ' acceptance will typffy A ^Zf^ ^^ ^our hand ; and ifs ment at least tL pe^petuitv T^"^^^ of our 'enS Je! Awaitmgr yourflnaffifs^n^l^^^^^.^^ Wend^lfp. ''Lennox." All that she had evor hnn« well-bred heiress whom hT,', "° "'i'™- "f^^ ^^ful. his profoundest rerpecT whomT"T''7''» '<"°»anded boyhood, and who of a u ^theS ^' had known from his preside over his hometLd wear hit' ''1"" «"»"■<» woman who reigned in h^T f^'"^' "ut not the %hted the ^lo4s tende^ess tlir'"'! *°™'' '^'^<' his countenance, as she sa^T^tf h ?t ^ t™sflgured a sick convict in a penSLry""* ""'' "'""""^ «-«' He offered her fnrmoi i, • phantom of affection ™ou„ded!r"'' ^'"' *''^* P^'e to the ardent love thaf ^1™! J '•«™'-ence, which is change for her own,!^! "^^ ^^^h"*^ *» ex- «otwhTh rd^Ta^iZrr ^"=«- <" ^^ '-'-^ " mapped campaign o?i^ tw ^^'^"^^ "'^ <=^™'"l'y heel onhisown1ns„r»nt W .T" ''^^^ =«' "'« mamm 460 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. lover, Leo fully understood that Lennox, even we^e lie mad enough to sacrifice his pride, could indulge no expectation of ever winning the love of the prisoner ; and despite her efforts to regard their rupture as final, she had faintly hoped that he would cross the ocean, and in person urge a renewal of the betrothal. The test of absence had proved as effectual as she intended it should be, and his letter proclaimed the humiliating fact, that while honor inspired him to hold out his wrists for conjugal manacles, honor equally con- strained him to spare her the wrong and insult of in- sincere professions of tenderness. Had she found it possible to condemn him as un- worthy, it would have dirr^mished the pain of surren- dering the brightest hoi »; vi her life ; for contempt is the balm a lofty soul<:ii-ri a bruised heart, but she was just, even in her angci ■ii ; and that which barbed the arrow, was the mortify iug consciousness that com- passion for her was the strongest motive which dictated the carefully phrased letter. She was' far too proud to parley with the temptation to accept the shadow in lieu of the substance; and twenty-four hours after the arrival of the final appeal, her answer was speedmg with wings of steam across the ocean. '* Dear Lennox : , , „ x, * "My heart overflows with gratitude for all the af- " fectionate interest, the kind solicitude, the innumerable thoughtful attentions you have so indefatigably shown to Aunt Patty, in the sad complication of misfortunes • that so suddenly overwhelmed her ; and I feel the in- adequacy of any attempt to express my thanks. Your letter can only rivet more indissolubly the lin^ss of an affectionate friendship that must always bmd you and me ; but the future can hold no renewal of pledges which I feel assured would conduce neither to your happiness, nor to mine. Let us embalm the past and AT ™e mercy of tiberito. 461 J>ury it tenderlr- r-,ie,„» Monee^LStJStt^ve?*?^' ''"'^ ""^halcen con wiil always be dear St'-j^''/^^" happi„ess,°w2?^l; Your sincerely attached friend, ' " Leo " buf thSt^, ^nSiera 'S <='- »' ~. cutivation of all that pfomlts ow"''''"""''''^'^«>« nature was deeper, more int^n? '""'^«»'; but Leo's no audible moan, anrshed n„ ? ' '"" '"""o ^be ma^e fact that earthly'existence had nTl "^' ^'^''''P'*'' 'be and that her aching heart wn^l f '^ """"^^ <^''o^, tiful hope that eoufd tof^^'l' "'"^ dark grave of a beau- asked her^if: " WhS sLu [1"™*=''°"- To-daysho Upon the warm air, sweet wi^h T> \"^ '""'" flowers, floated the pecmSr To! " ''™^"' "' """on •nusical laughter, whS t"d tT»?'7f' '"'^"«<' =""1 straightatsomelucklessnuart i^'""' ^'"^ A""'" ^ Cluster of crimson anemnnTs" ,^„^/ '^''""" »n« hand penwmkle, and walkma. Z 11' T l""^^" ^^rs of •"on, whose yacht, tte " AZ?r^° ^"^"^'' ^^''c- closeto the " Cleopatra" inthoTf' '^^ ""'^bored approached Leo, saying • '"''■'""' ''«'«'^. ^lowjy abouw?th t: inKS • tr"'"^ »■>« bedg.^ sMer that thy marbtes ^e but tf ^''"^''"'^^ ' ' ^on- thy gold and silver ite fa^T, ?f *''''"''" callosities, worm'- h-/iv ^^^ jciecesi thy siitor, ~^u^ , . ' Tw • ^^^^^ii«'; and thy nurnlA .Tt"^®^"^ ^'' That IS one sugar-coated mtS^jZ "''"^'^^ ^^^'^ , Piu that I administer to my m ^ /a 7: ^3 0/m &>. /A IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 ■iillM 1125 I.I ^ 1^ III 2-0 L25 ill 1.4 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation k WJ.. /. fV v.. .Cf \\ <6\^ ^\ WrS m"^ -..iv'-o ^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (736) 872-4503 ^ Sf ^^.% M/j, "^ % 3 ^ 462 AT THE MERCY OF TIBEmUS. ! 1 ~ I si pi ail m I humility now and the to keep it healthy. Hear him aguin; — 'sitting on \.ie marble bench of one of tba exliedrcB on the edge of the Appian Way, close to the fragrant borders of a rose farm': * So it is, with the philosophers ; all alike are in search of happiness, what kind of thing it is. It is pleasure, it is virtue ; what not ? All philosophers, so to speak, are but fighting about the ass*, shadow. I saw one who poured water into a mortar, and ground, it v/ith all his might with a pestle of iron, fancying he did a thing useful ; but it remained water only, none the less.' Stoicism, hedon- ism, the gospel of * Swee^iness and Light'; what is it, may I ask, that your aesthetic priests furnish, to feed immiortal British souls ? Knee breeches, sun flowers, niello, cretonne, Nanking bowls, lily dados ? To us it savors sorrowfully of that which one of your prophets foreshadowed, * Despair, baying, as the poet heard her, in the ruins of old Rome'." ** Beg pardon, Miss Cutting; but you quite surprise me. The tone of many American papers and maga^ zincs led us to suppose, really, that the rosy dawn of Culture was beginning to flush the night of Philistinism . brooding over your Western world." " Believe it not. Primeval gloom, raw realism so weigh upon our apathetic souls, that we rub our eyes and stare at sight of your aesthetic catechism : * Har- mony, but no system ; instinct, but no logic ; eternal growth and no maturity ; everlasting movement, and nothing attained ; inflnite possibilities of everything ; the becoming all things, the being nothing.' We have too much Philistine honesty to pretend that we under- stand that, but like other ambitious parrots we can commit to memory. One of your seers tells us that : * Renaissance art will make our lives like what seems one of the loveliest things in nature, the iridescent film T. Hear him )f one of tbfl , close to the i is, with the ppines^, what virtue ; what but fighting poured water might with a iseful ; but it )icism, hedon- '; what is it, irnish, to feed , sun flowers, los ? To us it '^our prophets e poet heard quite surprise rs and maga- rosy dawn of )f Philistinism . iw realism so rub our eyes chism : * Har- logic; eternal lovement, and t everything; g.' We have hat we under- brrots we can \ tells us that : iQ what seems iridescent film AT THE MKRCTT OF TBERms. symphonies of ditch slime Vn #^'',"'".'^''' *'«' subtile sionating my America n^t^nidL "^""^ ''■'«'"' ^"'Pas- m the cult of ' culture' IT^^' "^^"^ *" »i«ate me from the latter-day g;spel T," °' '^ '"''' '» ^^ly! as I did the multi^lfar • Jb le^^ " ^"^^ " «»«: and pomts out the fiTossnp«= „, . ^"""re steps in, ^t^lls us the fceauty^f''Srlr''"P''^'* •"="«'• I tcsqueness of unma.merr~ T™*"^' *« ^»- tave tossed each other in a swlf '' *™*'' ^""^ ^^"^ becomes that, and thaUs somet v'^'T 'P'^^'-* ' *bis monious, the suave, the will h^^ "^^ "^^ bar- I^rticular being into a pecmf"^^f ^aft the bright of paradise, where blooSonL?, '■''""^^'' P'"^^^ ;^'n, the simpUcity „rDelr ^".^""^"'Panthe. Catholicism; where he can^fn^' ^^ ""« Pa^os of ties from flowerets of eve 'fatfr^ ""•> ^P'"'"ali. ■gnorance, when I assurl vou /h / V ""^ "^ <=''a=« over that verbal syllatoh Tv^ " ""'"ally laughed famous bit Of satire" ' *"«''"'&" intended Is a i^^^'C^:t^l^ZX -erence for the . of the "Albatross " mrtv wh ^T"" ' " asked one balf open, was surreptM^uX" ^1 "'' ^^'^'^ '«<"' siomst'. view Of l^o's profile ts^eT T "'"P^^^" Alma's persiflage, and meckariSn °°'' "''™"'» '» lilM acanthus blossoms, ""'''ap.cally arranging her mmaty that in ^hrnpn.f f '''"^' *'"' '^ere is a search the maps forOr^To IndT.' TP^'P'^ "ay -5 I I 464 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. of * Nencia da Barberino', picking salad in her garden ; and I am almost sure a Vassar girl once spoke to me of Delia Quercia's Ilaria; but with all my national pride, candor compels me to admit that it is a * far cry ' to the day when we can devoutly fall on our knees before the bronze Devil of Giovanni da Bologna. .^- thetic paupers, we sit on the lowest bench at the foot of the class, in your Dame's Art School, to learn the alphabet of the wonderful Renaissance; and in our chastened and reverent mood, it almost takes our breath away when your high-priestess unrolls the last pronimciamento, and tells us her startling story of 'EuphorionM Why? Ah !— don't you know ? The Puritan leaven of pruderj*^, and the stern, stolid, phlegmatic decorum of Knickerbockerdom mingle in that consummate flower of the nineteenth century Occident, the * American Girl', who pales and flushes at sight of the carnival of the undraped — in English art and literature. Here, Leo, take your anemones ; red, are they not, as the blood once chilled down yonder, in that huge stone kennel? Dr. Douglass has the ivy root ; and he and I have concluded, that after all, Syracuse was not more cruel here in the La- tomia, than some States in America, where convicts are leased to mining companies, and kept quarrying coal, without even the sweet consolation of staring up at this magical blue sky. "We leave hideous moral and physical leprosy at home, and come here to shed dilettante tears over classic tatters twenty-flve centu- ries old ! immortal and ubiquitous Tartufe !" As Leo walked with her cousin toward the spot, where the " Cleopatra " rose and fell on the crest of waves racing before Libeccio, she suddenly laid her hand on his arm. " Leighton, I have decided ^o leave the yacht at in her garden ; :e spoke to me I my national at it is a * far II on our knees Bologna. JRs- ch at the foot 1, to learn the I ; and in our ost takes our mrolls the last bling story of 1 know? The stern, stolid, dom mingle in eenth century es and flushes sd — in English ur anemones; chilled down Dr. Douglass oncludsd, that ere in the La- irhere convicts ept quarrying of staring up hideous moral e here to shed nty-flve centu- irtufe!" ^ard the spot, in the crest of denly laid her the yacht at M •*' '^ •na'cnr op Tmimins, 4^5 Venice, and take Aunt PaH,rt« TT.- - quiet. When summrif ow T ,?'n° /°"^* ^-l make arrangement f J t^^' ^^^ "« "^7 to ^ypt,^niyZmlZ.^, J<»^»«y to Syria'and England in time to^mn^ ** ^"^ "^'^"^ -"ission to " T« *i,i„ ^°.y° accompany us to Jerusalem " " sL hl^"? ,!""'"^''y' <»• A>^* Patty's!" abletmeT'''^'-''«-'"P»""^ «- --<» globe pendent on themr^SonL""" T""'"" "^'^ bovLgh: and the largest S„,r^^ mostmaccesslble always glows deflfnt 4 Su'n '"?''* !»'"«'' "^-S* the tree, hedged away from^turtt'* '° *'"' """^ <>' penetrable chevaux XXw k ^v ^^P "^^ '*^ '■" wonderful water lUywec"vetLf^^ ""•'•"'■ ^^^ cushion of leaves [usi be™nVth?^ "^ *'° "^ ^««° death lurks; the rhodod™,? - ^''^*'" "''^' "J"'™ brightestamds»ro^dfnr/r,^/'°' *""* ""rned springs from the~^ ?, t ^''' "■"> '""O ««• waving a challenge ovTfatllT' "^f""^ P'««'P'» sion; and with fretful dtofl^? *'"'' "^^ Po^=««- the colors of the 31^^ '""' ""^ '"^P™' because are so dull, so f^^^ t^^'^^P''^^^ ^ »"«• ffUt cages flashing Wings Of scarfetT^T." ^'^^ ^l^^'r brothers, Wghinthesfnli/htTf'!^:',, tr-t3 of vivid bluJ „ The gold and silver dust th-^n-r-^' , , aies, tarnish at a touch sHi^Tif "n "^ ™'''®' •»"*«•• ™"ei>- stom the nngers that clutch . 466 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. them ; and the dewy bloom on purple and amber grapo clusters, never survives the handling of the vintager. Leaning back in the revolving chair in front of his office desk, Mr. Dunbar slowly tore into strips a num- ber of notes and letters, and suffered the fragments to fall into a waste basket somewhat faded, yet much too elegant to harmonize with its surroundings. When Leo quilted the lining of ruby silk and knotted the ribbons that tied it to the wicker lace work, love pelted her cheek with roses, and happy hope sang so loud in her ear, that she could not have divined the cruel fact that she was preparing the dainty coffin, destined to receive the niutilated remains of a betrothal, that typified supreme earthly happiness to her. One by one dropped the shreds of Leo's last message from Palermo, like torn crumpled petals of a once beloved and sacred flower ; and the faint, delicate perfume that clung to the fragments, was one which Mr. Dunbar recognized as characteristic of the library at the " Lilacs". The contents of the farewell note had in no degree surprised him ; for though fully persuaded that her heart was irrevocably pledged to the past, he was equally sure that only the ardor he scorned to feign, would avail to melt the wall of ice her outraged pride had built between them. There were times when he deplored bitterly the loss of her companionship ; at others he exulted in the consciousness of perfect free- dom to indulge an overmastering love, amenable to no chastisement by violated loyalty. He had scrupulously endeavored, by careful employment of forms of defer- ^ence, to spare his betrothed as far as possible, the istinging humiliation and anguish which every woman sufifers, when the man whom she loves shows her that she fills only a subordinate and insignificant place in his affection; and yet, while her noble nature com- AT THE MBBOT OP TBERIOS. ,(,7 ^"^rtrTS' ^iTA^i-f "-=y Of the alliance -d yearned w'Lt 'n "e^rwe ?:; '^^ '^^"^ ^^"""^ hence his ama/ementwhr.re'^, »' sentin,en Jty ; love of his life burned nl;ttw f ^ "'"' engrossing citadel of his afrect'on.r p *''^* ^^'fl^^Dess which was cost him so much S' T ^^ '■*'t«a«on had pHde, and .ZmonTCll W^f '"'" '" ^''"''^' sessed him; and herein rim?. ^^ ''"" "^"^^^ Pos- men and wimen the „t "*' "'^""^ »' "»« 1»™ of happiness oftteico™dth:othT"^r "^" '»■• «>« ""g to appease jealou'p;;^ t tiew 0,7"-^"^ "='■- can neither inspire nor sharV liappmess it yo^s'ltd"™"?'^"'"""' «»--• Glad to see ' "Ust"niS«?r^«**-'^.I->-oxP" "Well, What luck?" , pounding the law of evident intoLa'"""'* *f ""^^ ^ I emphasized the moral weSh?!.f« ^"J^'^ov'a brains. his attention to tTe si^Itoe^ of i?'*:^''"^ ''^ ^^'"'"e ecuting comisel and eSalTv nf p •""*^''' ■""'y' P"^' ably has most to for^'r^ tL ""t"' '^^'> P"'^™" ors, warden and phyScL w "™"™' <>' "^^ "^P^c*- od a eulogy ■uZaeh^,7'*PP^''v8a M ahbi, hav- on the night of the mu dTr ? *! ~-*^ ^ '-"ouse I will not be balked of my ^Z 1 1?,,' "n "'' ''"* ZZ.'r-' day, and ™4 \Zr^ ^ mr^r^Zit' t'mrj i^ri t; "-"' *'>''' ment and chapiter, especTall^ l"""" '!''P°^*- . i'^"«nceshoseen«tobeStoi*hr„ ^ """"''""^ readings she holds amonrth' femT^'' ""?'"' ^""« morepainfuUyamlorrefsedLthT "°"""*'' ""« we all committed a sart hS "■**'»« conviction that hanging an ilSocent tt^ ""■' ""' '""■™"'^ ''^P^ ..^^^pgTL Jon^Sr .f»«^ '-he than^;; ::Sii^yrc'f -^-^^^^^^^^^^ for the w^an Whom he^r^° '""*"* ^<"' ^^"P''"""'^ the virtues and ^a "s that I h ""'' f ^^'^«^''" »' ="1 the sound Of tbe^rimJ^"' ,*° "''^' ""^ "' my Wife stn^ightrthcTace "^^'t::; V:: „"!? ^ """^ AcconJingT Itld'eU'she t^Lt-t t'^'T'- i^es'^f^r^— :V"r '^^^^^ you on .o„? toofg-^j-rr' ^tTrrr'fi accounts of your new fortuno." « oudertul 470 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIU8. * i^ m ^? ™" '"*» ">« "What is the matter? PoXe t' '^'"''• a grayish white. What ,v fiff 'I' ^°" a™ t"™insr Police after you ' ZvlZ th of'' "' *"" bleachin/? "Mar^ AlLd this ain't n^m^""" """" ''"" ?" on'Gawdly jol^e; Tor T . "'"' *™'' »» ''^k your started i„vjstLrt:::"'';"'":'r "'^ ' more afeered to look LhilT 7^^^ ^°' ""^ ''"'' from^^' IS the trouble? What are 'you running "^^^^^^:^^rZ ' «^' ^- 3« '>»"»» enjined us to have that room ^»f,' *"" "" ?'"'"% order. We had all p^Jted^ Z K"^"""""^ ""^ P"' in kep' ourselves on t'oClMeS";, \''''"' "ertb, and suchplacesisharryfyin!, '^tttl ''•'"''''' ''=='"«« ^" I would open theoutsidf blind .^ ™°™'°- ^ bought and look in through the '1 T """"'""'' ^''"''"y. Prince had stirred roun" cotTder^n'"-- ^ '"°*'<' "^ before he left, but I diSn'tT-^^ ? V" ^^'"'''' ^^'= day curting what ,^s looped bacittr,.''", ^^ ""PP^d the So I went up the st^ps ?nd l^^ f ""' ^ '^''^ '"^'d^- ^b^t was hanging low I f" ''"'"•^ a rose vine • thepiazzar, and amts "sL"!" r, *'^ ''"" P"'^- »' "P. I did, and looked in Cd^p"' ".T' ''"'" ^ "'^'k^d red curting was down on the ^nti^ " ^^^^^^ ' The ■t. I swar to Gawd I did s p 1 Ti ' T^ ^ """" ""-""ffh ■nto that room, and thor !f !,T''""^P="'fftbrou|b dothes, jest soland ttar i °"f 5''"-^"=^ ^ Ws aigit yan close to him^holZg the tin. ^' ""'■•'^™^ -^''■ wth the bandi'on .lest daring I . ''°~*"* '^'^''^ter * ' I am glad to'ktw ™/m1'^ " '^ ""-^'"d-and ast, died game I ■ Never s^o^w ^ 'J-''^ ^""^ '» *« ' har was breath in Ws bod/ M /"'^"^^'•'^'•"« "rapped on my knees »„h/; ^""^ ^'"'°='' I jest Chattered, and'i f^t tL hair »tT-'''' ^"O ""^ '^eeth was afeer'd to stay ami T „ , "^ ^^'^'SU up. I !,^tt myeyesan^e;:Xr;.ir-'"T^^ ""* ' ^^« ^^Ps, and then run .ii^tx:^ fZZ 474 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. I i\ I i Dyce td see, too, but the poor cretur is so crippled she can't walk, and as she weighs two hundred and twentj? pounds, I coftldn't tote her; so I tole her what I seen, and she sent me straight to iind Mars Alfred fust, ; and you next. I run to Mars Alfred's office, and he r was out, so I kep' on here. I know'd you lie'yers was ^ barking up the wrong tree, and wrongfully pussecutin' '■ that poor young gal ; and now the very sperrits have riz up to testify fur her. If you two can face ole Mars- ter's ghost, and tell him you know better than he did who killed him, you've got better pluck and backbone than I give you credit fur." "What did you eat last night, Bedney? Baked possum, and fried chitterlings ? Evidently you have had a heavy nightmare." Mr. Churchill drew a match across the heel of his boot, and lighted a cigar ; looking quizzically at the old man, who was wiping j:he perspiration from his face. " There's the carridg, I hear the wheels. Mars Len- nox and Mars Alfred, there is one thing I insists on havin'. The law is all lop-sided from fust to last in this here case, and I want it squoze into shape, till t'other side swells out a little. I want the Crowner to go up yonder now, and hold another inquess. He's done sot all wrong on the body, and now let him set on the sperrit if he Idn. I'm in plum earnest. The Crowner swore that poor young gal knocked Marster in the head with the handi'on ; and yonder stands Marster, ready to brain that man — with that handi'on hilt tight in his own right hand. Now what I wants to know is, whar is the * delectible corpus ' what you lieyers argufied over ?" ** You doting old humbug 1 If you decoy us on a wild goose chase I shall feel like cutting one of your SaTS oS V* AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. tore up, root and brtnT and ^f T n '"""• ^ '«" "^ to death, I should be stretehed o, f v '°""' "^ "^"^ '^est piazzar. I had mT doubts nf "?"""" ""^^^ mnits, and I lost my relw*'' ''bout ghosts and preacher brandin' one o^ „ ' ?n„ i""°° ^ ""'* »" hefers with his i'on L? P^^"^"^ "V™*"P'«-b»™ed changed pusson. Come on ift'f "^ »arrinffton is a dar to laugh up yonS!" ^ ""*''='' "^ '" «" id;o;t™i:aVPt,iTri:.'chrctf rv^^'^^ •>' companion take his hat and prepare ti' T,," '''"' '^'^ ffro, who had left tlie room """'^ '"o "O" probabty1h™o'urer^STt'some'l™ 'Tr*'"""" '*'« '^ possibly be valuable l^f 0^03 of .i "' ''"=' ''"'' "^'y dence, you and I ^nn^» tw circumstantial evi- rully inio the m rt rrmeVTomr^f "'°'^"'" <=^'- spare an hour." ^"""^ '^'"» ^e; you can -i^d:^;x"rhirtr,r™^-'tHede- terraee and walked arounl' ^ " ^"°™''y« "ossed the preceded by Bedney Z '" *? ^^^''T' -oranda, waved them to ascend ''^ *"« ^^ps, and wanuV^t.'"' ''' '-yourselves. I am nigh as I vin^^L^trep^nin'^elk? "**" '"^°*- <" "o- as they had fallen r^mtSold'' "^^ ."""" """"' J"^' had passed several dt^es be W.f ■"""•■ "^^^ ="» ■ the shadows of the twX iron" , " '°'"^''"'' ^"^ eastward; but the ffla^ontrfh"""' '^'"'^ ^^'^^t door, which w„= f ;!. , ,"'^'''^'"'"«o° theplate-fflass traded withinlo;Hnohi"'nTr "'""'' "* '»P' ^"^ ex-" lour inches of the surface of the floor / f ) 476 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. where it fitted into the wooden frame. It was one wide sheet, unbroken into panes, and on the outside dust had collected, and a. family of spiders had colonized in the lower corner, spinning their gray lace quite across the base. It was evident that the Venetian blinds had long been closed, and recently opened, as a line of dust and dried drift leaves attested ; and behind the glass hung the dull red, plush curtain, almost to the floor. Both gentlemen pressed forward, and looked in ; but saw nothing. "Hang your head kinder sideways, down so, and look up. Mars Lennox." • Mr. Dunbar changed his position, and after an in- stant, started back. " Do you see it, Churchill ? No hallucination ; it is as plain as print, just like the negative of a photo- graph." *' Bless my soul! It beats the Chinese jugglers! What a curious thing !" " Stand back a little ; you obstruct the light. Now, how clearly it comes out." Print*ed apparently on the plush background, like the images in a camera, were the distinctly outlined and almost life-size figures of two men. Clad in a long gown, with loose sleeves, Gen'l Darrington stood •v near the hearth, brc^ndishing the brass unicorn in one i' hand, the other thrown out and clinched ; the face ] rather more than profile, scarcely three-quaiters, was wonderfully distinct, and the hair much dishevelled. In front was the second portrait, that of a tall, slender young man who appeared to have suddenly wheeled around from the open vault, turning his countenance fully to view ; while he threw up a dark, square object to ward off the impending blow. A soft wool hat pushed back, showed the curling hair about his 1 :■ AT THE MERCY Of TtBUBma: , down so, and ad after an in- «^e'?^Ctf Ur^rr-''"'^ »' "= hand, store coat wasW"?; re^^"'-^ »'^*'«"" «, his ■-utfcraTcors:,;?-, r ^'"'"' *'^«.- go around and onen fh„ ,iK "^ '* *==""« ''<»•«• Bedney "No, sir. Mars llnn^ ^•"■^^o^ont'- per with ole Marst^r's gU ! „ot f """"^f" ' "='' <^'°- he bank. G„ yourselfri do^n.fjl.f t'^^ "'"ney i„ ^r^tX"nr:rl.^^ '"« "- open. ^^,^in andholdyotr^t'tr- '""'•'""'^ ;:&3^^r?rar''---"' .rtt.t^-^-''^a^v:r""^,^^^^^ — ^«^«^«iu, cell me the effopf »» ^ ^""^ «- „o.ent, iater. the :Xds shooic, swa.ed 478 ^T THE MERCrS OF TIBERIUS. aside, the curtain was pushed out of sight on its brass rod. The interior of the apartment came into view ; the articles of furniture, the face and figure of Mr. Dunbar. ** Is it still there ; do you see it ?" shouted the latter. **No. It vanished with the curtain. Drop it back. There ! I see it. Now loop it. Gone again. Must be on the curtain, ' ' shouted the Solicitor, peering through the glass at his colleague. Mr. Dunbar turned a key on the inside, pushed back a bolt, and threw open the door, which swung out- ward on the veranda. Then he carefully let fall the plush curtain once more. ** Do you see it ?" " No. A blanl? show. I can't see into the trick. Dunbar, change places with me and satisfy yourself." The solicitor went inside, and Mr. Dunbar watched from the veranda a repetition of the experiment. " That will do, Churchill. It is all plain enough now, but ynu cease to wonder at Bedney's superstitious so- lution. You understand it perfectly, don't you ?" " No, I'll be hanged if I do ! It is the queerest thing I ever saw." " Do you recollect that there was a violent thunder- storm the night of the muider ?" " Since you mention it, I certainly recall it. Go on." ** All the witnesses testified that next morning this door was closed as usual, but the outside blinds were open, and the red curtain was looped back." " Yes, I remember all that." "The images are printed on the glass, and were photographed by a flash of lightning." " I never heard of such a freak. Don't believe it." •* Nevertheless it is the onlv nossihle solution; and I know that several similar instances have been record* iolent thunder- lass, and were AT THE MEBCV OP ^BEBITO. 479 the figures are invisible at. r^r*T ' , ^° y°" "<>«<» evident the stoma came „p d^rinl^^'f/ « « ve,y "■srlit, and electricity prtotedt^f v .^'^"°'' **='' door; stamping tliecountl, '!'""'' "'=«''« »° ^is' help the instruments 0? jS m,,*':. '\"<'«'^'-' *" ' closed, and the curtain wafw ?^^ *'"' ""'"^s were wonderful witness c^uirnittlf'""' "' ""^ ^is down the folds just befo "hf^''^' ""' P^™" 'et ' moment Bedney opeL ttt, . ^fP*'^'"'^. and the ful record of the Sul cri^""?^ ''"f™ '''^ *"« t™*^. rater An overwhelmiigwto^ssT^ he!?', '""""^ °' eighteen months too late to «n™ ^ ''*'"=<'> ""-Y from degradation and r^in W.n""™' ^^^o®"! life 'Where is your corp«/Sc<.T' aT^ ^'"^'"'y ^k. -«^you,oyofthevfrdt^rw:rl.^X?Ct^'J o'^^-SI'^n'^IJl-^^t^r puced the length tangled mass of the neglfZ ,0 ^"-""^ ''''™'' '"^ M cognizance of the gariands ^f IT ^'"'^'"'' ^^^S Where only that nthe^S'4'„^i-™'-eing every! of the man who reigned master of Be?v,fr?° "^ The Solicitor leaned on» <.!,„ ,!,''^^ ''^'■'• facing, and with his hands tahhiTP'"^' «"' "oor '» the trial; yet I canS' reDlfr^" """ "" ^ did tvAr.b-^-1 . ,. **"""*' reproach mvcoif i - elusive against the 2l t1« *"■*""=« "'^ <=»"- 480 AT THE BIERCY OF TIBERIUS. dences were strong enough to have hung her. We all make mistakes, and no doubt I am responsible for my share ; but thank God ! reparation can be made ! I will take the night train and see the Governor before ". noon to-morrow. The pardon must come now." ' \ " Pardon ! He cannot pardon a crime of which she .V now stands acquitted. The only pardon possible, she i may extend to those who sacrificed her. His Excel- lency need exercise no prerogative of mercy ; his aid is superfluous. Churchill, go in as soon as you can, and send out the Sheriff, with as -many of the jurors as you can get together'; and ask Judge Parkman to drive out this afternoon, and bring Stafford, the photographer, with him. Tell Doctor Graham I want to see him here, as he is an accomplished electrician. I will stay here and guard this door till all X has seen it." Winged rumor flew through the length and breadth of the town, and before sunset a human stream poured along the road leading to " Elm Bluff", overflowed the green lawn under the ancient poplars, surged across the terrace, and beat against the railing of the piazza. Men, women, children, lawyers, doctors, newspaper reporters, all pressing forward for a glimpse of the mysterious and weird witness, that, in the fulness of time, had arisen to reprove the world for a grievous and cruel wrong. The hinges had been removed ; the door was set up at a certain angle, carefully balanced against the hanging curtain; and there the curious croj;ivd be- held, in a veritable vision of hhe dead, torn as it were from the darkness and silence of the grave, the secret of that stormy night, when unseen powers had solemnly covenanted in defence of trusting innocence. 3. J her. We all jnsible for my be made! I vernor before le now." 5 of which she 1 possible, she '. His Excel- lercy ; his aid I as you can, of the jurors I Parkman to Stafford, the raham I want 3d electrician, all X has ti and breadth itream poured )verflowed the mrged across of the piazza. s, newspaper limpse of the ihe fulness of )r a grievous )r was set up . against the is crq^wd he- rn as it were J grave, the 1 powers had [g innocence. AT Tin! MEBOr orTIBEBirs. ^ CHAPTER XXVIII. Quota, and at two o^oek th."' ""''' "elow the daily announced that tL busfconvicS!,°' "^^*°"«'' "«" trial rooms were allows ^!,°' ^""^ various indus- of the afternoon, tTi'pteTtol™^ the remainder ers and serubbers, who flooded IV „" '^"^ "' "^^P" the benches. ^ *^^ ^"""^ and scoured crystal dew, thesun tt; 2' "tr ''"■' '*"' '<=«•» ^'^^ dows of tJ,; little Chanel h ^"f^"^^ ^^' "^^ ^i"" painted pine sea s the t. "f ^"""^^^ '"' «'« »»- pulpit, the tarSod ^It p^rofT"^;'^^'' »' *"« within the chancel i-ailfng ^ ^^ •^'"°'* "'•«="> wiS'aTair-ytuthttr- ^1^1 ^ Bou.eois, of the seat, and her hand, ?S ^T^"^^^" "" *« ='™ cring slowly f rom tL n/.^ /"'"''"'"' ^erlap. Reco v- theria,she4d?oTlowed'^^I"^w''^''?,"'''"^ f™-" diph- ened to the hymns the T,tf^ v^*'""''"''?"'' '^"'ilist- The glossy blaSa^'';i:t"ttn,,^'T.' ^""^ ^™^- upon her breast anrt Z, ? ° '^^''"''' despondency olive Cheeks but no ^o^nd ?^^°™-- '^' «»ooth mouth, once so red and IIT "''^^'^ ^^^ tromblinff of passionate sorrow ^tS""^ ""r ° *"*« ^"''^ erly flickered in her suUen l!t ^'"'^ ^'"^"^ *'»''* '-»•»- 482 AT THE MERCY OE* TIBERIUS. was a loathsome death in life, the future a nameless torturing horror. Helpless victim of her own out- raged conscience, she seemed at times sinking into mental apathy more pitiable than that which had seized her physically; and the only solace possible, she found in the encouraging words uttered by the voice that had prayed for her during that long night of mortal agony, in the gentle pressure of the soft hand that often guided her tottering footsteps. The organ stops had been pushed back, the mu- sical echoes vibrated nO; longer ; and the bare room, filled with garish sunshine, was so still that the drowsy droning of a bee high up on the dusty sash of the barred window, became monotonously audible. Within the chancel and to the right of the pulpit, a large reversible blackboard had recently been placed, and on a chair in front of it stood Beryl, engrossed in putting the fmishing touches to a' sketch which filled the entire board ; and oblivious for the moment of Eve Werneth's baby, who, having emptied her bottle of milk, had pulled herself up by the chair, and with the thumb of her right hand in her mouth, was staring up at the picture. The lesson selected for the Sunday afternoon Bible class, which Beryl had so successfully organized among a few of the female convicts, was the fif- teenth chapter of Luke ; and at the top of the black- board was written in large letters : " Rejoice with Me, for I have found My sheep which was lost." She had drawn in the foreground the flock couched in security, rounded up by the collie guard in a grassy meadow ; in the distance, overhanging a gorge, was a bald, precipitous crag, bcliind which a wolf crouched, watching the Shepherd who tenderly lore in his arms the lost wanderer. On the opposite side of the black- 3 a nameless ler own out- sinking into t which had ace possible, btered by the bt long night 5 of the soft iteps. ick, the mu- ) bare room, Lt the drowsy sash of the dible. »f the pulpit, been placed, engrossed in L which filled jment of Eve b.er bottle of and with the is staring up ernoon Bible y organized was the flf- >f the black- Rejoice with ■ lost." lock couched i in a grassy g^orge, was a olf crouched, I in his arms of the black* AT THE JIERCY OP TlBERI0g. ^ha4 been carerully copied the Gospe, Hy„.nbe. -^CeXTp^rthtrSe^ '^-"*. --^ it not ' tent upon a certain tS TL Z" " ""-^-^io^^'y m- ning: current of a^oS^" J?""«^''*> «»me secret cun- eotten iniages I ap Ch X"'""'^'.^"'' '°°^'»- vividness. ' ^''"'^'"'S m their pristine instXlolCeVl^f rr-'r i-^. the artist ^len the sl^etch was completed '? """Sinaiy, yet ly confronted her as a St. ' ««<"»*'« sudden- distant scene, that had^ f.^ , "P^duction of a very the blessed bm^^l^^^'^'f J^^rchUdish heart ta of travel, in a sunnV cT"t ^ThiT,*" ''^''*«° '"^^ she saw the white fle;cesLl.H Z*""*" Apennines, he flash Of copper SftepCrd'LT'''^^*""'^' women into a gurglinn. fonnt.^^^ri: ^ '™ P^'^sant Bertie bowed oVtl°e%ude Se^h! .""""'^ ^"^^ «' coaxed the bearers to let him dri^l f °' "' ^" ^^^'y ■ burnished copper; the rockvw '™'n the beautiful ' cUffs above, Xre darLr^fhl f'^"* ^ thebeetlmg sky With fragrant baSe™'^;^ tf ^""ir '""''^ '"^ vagrant ewe tongled amo ' the pathetic face of a 484 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERItJ8. gmg of herbage ; the singular rhythmic cadence of the trescone, danced m a neighboring vineyard ; the deep, mellow, lingermg tones of a monastery bell, rung by her- mit hands in a gray tower on a mountain eyry, that looked westward upon the sparkling blue mirror of the Mediterranean. Then she was twelve years old, dreaming glorious mid-summer day-dreams, as she wandered with parents and brother on one of her father's sketching tours through unfrequented nooks ; now—? A petulant cry, emphasized by the baby hand tug- at the hem of her dress sldrt, recalled Beryl's at- tention ; and as she looked down at the waif, whom the chaplam had christened " Dovie" on the day of her mother's burial, the little one held up her arms. " So tired, Dulce ? You can't be hungry; you must want your nap. There don't fret, baby girl. I will take you directly." She stepped down, turned the side of the blackboard that contained the sketch to the wall ; lowered the sash which she had raised to admit fresh air, and lifted the child from the floor. Approaching the figure who sat motionless as a statue of woe, she laid a hand on the drooping shoulder. " Shall I help you down the steps ?" ** No, I'll stay here a while. This is the only place where I can get courage enough to pray. Couldn't you leave her— the child— with me ? It has been years since I could bear the sight of one. I hated children, because my heart was so black— so bitter ; but now, I yearn toward this little thing. I am so starved for the kiss of— of— ," she swept her hand across her throat, where a sob stifled her. " Certamly, if she will stay contentedly. See whether she will come to you." AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. iee whether — 485 P-ttp her lower lip in ominn **" ^''^'^ -^Wn, and describablymournf'i "Zure!^'"''- '^'"^ ="> "•• less mother sank back f^tt.^I''™"'''''"' *o child- " 1 don't wonder she I ,, ?"" "' **» ''«Mh. body, everything kn'vvs I kin'n' ""' ''""'-^-every. -tT."" ^'ept ?or nea^l/r;:^ XTej£' s.^po;:tlTeL"rra:?.^ Shda f od.humored, I will mi her w?,"""""' """^ """^'^ down to you. Trv nnf t.! ♦ "'"' *"'' bring her uponadistressta^prs';ScTv'^""^'="''y<>-««tog by prayer anchor yCrso^jtV™ <=*™ot undo; bu? black—" ' '''*'^Peci tothehpsm crime— black ■N^o. One said • * Tho. u but they that are sickj wtun' "1 "^ P'^^^'^''^" '• claim the pledged ewe v ?? ^'* "°*» death : h-mu for to-m^orrowTlessIn W,' ^"' ^"P'^" '^^ ~tlttomemo..;andrSheS^Sht^r; tbc^Sc:':^rh*^,%:^p;' •'oor. ^"^ - that and With elbows supp„X „Th„ f ^'^^ ™ ''^■•''""ds, back and forth in a sto™^ nf '"^'''' ^^^s swaying " ' my beauti?ufbX P''"'""^'^ ^»'''- mother now. Maz-lC!;.."^ ^"S"' Ma=c, pray for By '-for mother-" ""^^^^"^ ^ rit 'Sweet By and Hurrying from the wi'l -,f , ^-cy ccnld light., ^ilrcTSr^- - ^-n 486 4T TKE MKRCY OF TIBERIU*. a ' IB' the yard, and up the stairs leading^ to the corridor, whence she was allowed egress at will. She noticed casually, signs of suppressed excitement among some of the convicts, who were lounging in groups, enjoying the half holiday, and three or four men stood around the undcr-warden who was gesticulating vivaciously ; but at her approach ho lowered his voice, and she lived so far aloof from the jars and gossip of the lower human strata, that the suspicious indications failed to arouse any curiosity. The southwest angle of the building was exposed fur to the force of the afternoon sun, and the narrow cell was so hot that Beryl opened the door leading into the corridor, in order to create a draught through the opposite window. The tired child was fretfully drowsy, but with the innate perversity of toddling babyhood, resented and resisted every effort to soothe her to sleep. Refusing to lie across the nurse's lap, the small tyrant clambered up, m^apped her arms about her neck, and finally Beryl rose and walked up and down, humming softly Chopin's dreau.y " Berceuse "; while the baby added a croonmg accompaniment that grew fainter and inter- mittent until the blue eyes closed, one arm fell, and the thumb was plunged between the soft full lips. Warily the nurse laid her down in a cradle, which consisted of an oval basket mounted on roughly fashioned woodei'. -r.ckers, and drawing it close to the table. Beryl stra^itj. oncd the white cross-barred muslin slip that was too i;!];;, % cov- the rosy dimpled feet; and smoothed tb- j^r . f., tendrDs of yellow hair crumpled around the lovely face. The Sister of Charity, who, in the darkest hours of the pestilence had shrou?4ed the poor young mother, did not forfTAt the Imrnnri woif or.f».«,. ,•-, a-Vi- -, ij. ..»■• r the corridor, She noticed among' some oups, enjoyingr stood around ■ vivaciously; , and she lived of tho lower Aons failed to was exposed id tho narrow ir leading" into i through the but with the resented and sp. Refusing mt clambered :, and finally uming softly haby added a er and inter- arm fell, and full lips, radle, which on roughly close to the )arred muslin iimpled feet; yellow hair jest hours of ung mother, t the world; « THE MEROV OP TIBBBIca 487 f but having SOCU/'Or/ n », bZI' ■'"'' ^PP^aied to ho ^^""''^•'^"te'I criminal Beryl's nature, and she stonrl/"-"'^ tenderness in •^t'on Of the rounded curies andT?'- ""' '" '^'^^ Poor little blossom wu, ^""'^ coloring adrift on a dead S "f sta "w" ' """^^ ' ^ '"v bud ;^h.ld-but you Will alway 3 be .^^''''rEve Werneth's ohngj^^Dmce,„,yverXy .Tcrer,^"'"' "^ P™«:^ Tummg:away,shobnth„Tl "''""O'lcl-" eanedforawhikagatosttt^'^^" """ '"-nds, and mg to tho e«ltant?Zof ^tfr'.'^':'? '^'""ow; listen- brooding: brown mate LI ^ """^ hovering near hi» totant falls, bo™et;n the' '°°"""^ '»u™1^rof tt breeze that had mZZZT^rj T ""^^'^'^ ^-e of honeysuckle. The eul„t „? ^"^'"' "' ">« ^roma door baolf, leaving cjv^ , "' ,*"" ^^ swung, the ^Paco, and while sh^e s^ to K. "'■'=='«•' «' opi On rr'^ the sound of f^otstL f i '''' """^ ^"'ee On the Whitewashed waU 0^?? '" *« <=°rridor. drawuigr paper had been C? the cell, a sheet of MS. Beryl re umed to t^ ' ''°'' *^'™S- her crav ^°° Of the Child's ,eft*tnri''','='^''"S'S the pS almost completed sketch o^f'., approaching the »Wlme of the sl^epi^f fl!^^'^^ ^'^ '"''"''^^ the paused m her work to lon,^ ^"^ and then sh« ^-eepmgthe sl^^CnnVaT.V'"' ^"'"o- '"shes he mystery of the wairftf '"'''' "'"' Pendermg ™h contralto voice Z 1^""' "~ "'''"''<"» ^ ^ ->-unoas "Bedemption."" -Weproafihes" of iss AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. " Oh, my vineyard, come tell me why thy grapes are bitter? What have I done, my People ? Wherein hast thou been wronged ?" For weeks the elaboration of this sketch had em- ployed every moment which was not demanded for the execution of her allotted daily task in the convict workroom ; and knowing* that on Monday she would he bereft of her pretty model, she had redoubled her exertions to complete it. Beside a bier knelt a winged figure, in act of stealing" the rigid form, and to the awful yet strangely beautiful face of the messenger of gloom, she had given the streaming hair, the sunken, cavernous but wonderfully radiant eyes of Moritz Retzsch's weird image of Death. A white butterfly fluttered upward, and in mid-air — neither descending nor drifting, but waiting — poised on outspread pinions, hovered the Angel of the Resurrection holding out his hands. Be- hind and beneath the Destroyer, rolled dense, shadows, and all the light in this picture rayed out from the plumes above, and fell Hke a glory on the baby's face. Cut off from all congenial companionship, thrown upon her own menial resources, the prisoner had learned to live in an ideal world; and her artistic tastes proved an indestructible heritage of comfort, while memory ministered lavishly with images from the crowded realm of aesthetics. Victorious over the stony limitations of dungeon walls and dungeon disci- pline, fetterless imagination soared into the kingdom of beauty, and fed her lonely soul, as Syrian ravens fed God's prophet. Fourteen months had passed since Mr. Dunbar walk- ed away from this cell, after the interview relative to Qen'l Darrine^on's will : and thouirh his lon^'up.'^ to soe the prisoner had driven him twice to the entrance of pe3 are bitter? 10 cnti'ance of AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. ^gD vofcf :Kr:tl''1'^.X^^^^^^ sweet word was exchanged ""^ *^® °^^^°' "o his^h;tl'i.1i^^^^^^^^^^ ^oltof the door, and through the openS stulod th?'"^* *^^ '"^^"- ^^^ that held the one Trl^^Tl^^ fTT""^ "^ ^^° ««" The ravages o^ST tin k, ^l^ ^^^ ^"^^^ ^^i^^- sufferhag hfd ^'^:!%f:^:::'^^^^^^ plexion, the full white IhrnTf !t ^ '^ °^ ^^^ ^o^" the graceful form w , ' *^® ''^""^e^ contour of tlie vSrces^^^^^^^ ^to-tion of an parably beautiflil ^^^ appeared so incom- Oppressed by the hpnf c>,« i, ^ hair from her temples and thn"f ^''^ '"^'^ ^^^ reigned over thrZfnlH "^'^ '""P^'^^s sadness expression other eyes to?dST^ "^ ''«^'«^*»'^. the had borne her beyS ^ItuX^.^" "' '"* '"^'^' Where the button of herblue hf 1 . fervor, Mr. Dunbrr never w^"'''"^*°^P^^'»''ate tion of the facewtoed 1 ?! ""* '^ ""'''^» >^<=<'Uec- as fabled Hylas-of th„ 1 f^' *"" '='■=«' ""'dutiful setting his teeth hard ho r.l f ^'^"'"^ hite;.and ajar; .aen threw rtop;n ^'^ "''°'' *''"<''""• ''^'O 4d0 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. ' As he stepped toward her, she leaned ag-ainst the wall, and swiftly drew the baby's cradle between them He understood, and for a moment >ocoiled. " You barricade yourself as thgpgh I were some loathsome monster ! Are you afraid of me ?" " What is there left to fear ? Have you spared any exertion to accomplish that which you believe would overwhelm me with sorrow ?" ** You cannot forgive my rejection of the overtures for a compromise wrung* from** you by extremity of dread, when I started to Dakota ?" " That rejection freed me from a self-imposed, gall- ing' promise ; and hence I forgive all, because of the failure of your journey." " Suppose I have not failed ?" She caught her breath, and the color in her cheeks flickered. " Had you succeeded, I should not have been allow- ed so long" the comparative mercy of suspense." " Am I so wantonly cruel, think you, that I gloat over your sufferings as a Modoc at sijjht of the string of scalps dangling at his pony's neck ?" ''When the spirit of revenge is unleashed, Tiberius becomes a law unto himself." He leaned forward, and his voice was freighted with tenderness that he made no attempt to disguise. " Once after that long swoon in the court-room, when I held your hand, you looked at me without shrinking, and called me Tiberius. Again, when for hours I sat beside your cot, watching the crisis of your first terri- ble illness, you opened your eyes and held out your hand, saying : ' Have you come for me, Tiberius ?' AVhy have you told me you were at the mercy of Tiberius ?" Hitherto she had avoided looking at him, and kept her gaze upon the sleeping child,l)ut warned by th« r in her cheeks ashed, Tiberius AT TSE MERCY OF TBERIUS. „, tone that made her hfs>,* tt, .. * eyes. ''"^ ^"^"^ *™b, she bravely lifted her ** When next you wHf^ +« to so to the Museo Ch^^^J^T .".f ^'^^^i. ask her standing before the cro^^ T h7 '' *" ^°'°«' '^'^ her future husband weSesJrv'' '"''"'" ''""'y no better portrait of you t^ln f; T '^'^^ '''" "^ed Into his eyes leanortVL ''"?•>' <" that head." ' ' likened nto^^^^t^ tut the h""""" .^'°" ""^t <=-° be ^ over a b<«l of burahS- an,*- 1 '■""'* ''■'•"<' ^^■"""ff ' an exultant ring ^ anthracite coal, and into his voice ^ " As it appears I am i„Led n!"" "^ """™'' "ere ?" for I bringyou good new" Wufr ?'*''' "^''P*'™. mmo just once, while I tell you'" ^ ^^ ^°"^ '"'°'» *" and Zt^^'^ "P^" P^"°' but She shoot her hea4 ^ "^o^rc^rrSyT^T™*"-" been made to induce thl n ^ ^^''''^^* ^^^^ts have T^atIhaveJustX\',%r^^^^^^^^^ T'- ^ou? " I was not aware of it • burr n *"" ^'^ * " effort in my behalf " ' ^"^ grateful for your s4\rn,tSr™wnSLr "" "^ -' ^-^^O- to your rescue. The Sh h^ ^"''""'^"'"'''ascome ,^'aimed,. and Icamehere tW-« '"^'=''^«™<'. P~- for your release. For Z ^' ^"'™'"'" ^"^ an orter stand fmo„ tr. '""^yo" the prison doors a-"' ^-* -„ ^».whena.tyo„«..„\'rd^^^-;-that„ 492 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS.' r ^ I ^ For a moment she looked at him "bewildered; then a great dread drove the blood from her lips, and her voice shook. " What truth has been discovered ?'•' V " The truth that you are innocent has been estab- lished to the entire satisfaction of judge and jury, pros- ecution and Governor, sheriff, warden, and you are free. Not pardoned for that which all the world Imows now you never committed ; but acquitted without man's help, by the discovery of a fact which removes every shadow of suspicion from your name. You are at liberty, owing no thanks to human mercy ; vindicated by a witness subpoenaed by the God of justice, in whom you trusted — even to the end." ' ' Witness ? What witness ? You do not mean tnat you have hunted down — " She paused, and her white face was piteous with ter- ror, as pushing away the cradle she came close to him. " I have seen the face of the man who killed Gen'l Darrington." She threw up her arms, crossing them over her head. *' O, my God! Have I suffered in vain ? Shall I be denied the recompense? After all my martyrdom, must T. lose the one hope that sustained me ?" Despite the rage which the sight of her suffering woke within his heart, he could not endure to witness it. : *' Can you find no comfort in release ? No joy in the consciousness of your triumphant vindication?" " None ! If you have robbed me of that which is all I care for on earth, what solace can I fmd in release ? Vindication ? What is the opinion of the world to me ? Oh ! how have I ever wronged you, that you persecute me so vindictively, that you stab the only comfort life can ever hold for me ?" *• And you love him so insanely, that to secure his ^T TOE «ECV OF IfflEEros. o not mean taat i to secure bis •afety, existence here in ti,- comparison with freedoi unsL-"."^'/*^ '^ '""^ to That belief sUrs the vv^rst « w 7''"'" ^ ^^enl not thnast your degraduis mnrf ^°"'" °"" «''ke, do have labored to Iterate "^.T "P"" "y """ce ? »^er ahns to this, t^loT 1^^' ^^^^^'^-tea al _'I am waiting: to hear you" wou,£.ep::;:fr;4~^^ ,,,, It failed to reach me » •^* ^irJSr ^ -^ -rin^to. to hands a. her ™ tlptCsS!!^- »-• « ^- wia promise ardly villain ? 1^0^"!:^ T'^*'"""^ «"-* cow- - much too late." ^"""""A^ence, which comes "I""^"""* know that-" sh„„ !!'._""!'«' all I want to !,„„^ .. '" ever teii me onH t ^ ,. " '^' * xxiure man vnn you , that would only drive 494 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. i 11 r : J . i ) He I '.'■ 1! me to harsh denunciation of your foul idcl. Moreover, I will not extort by torture what you have withheld so jealously. Do not wring your hands so desperately. You are goaded to confession now, because you believe that I have secured your lover? Take courage, he has not yet been arrested j he is still a wanderer hiding from retribution," She sprang up, trembling, " But you said you had seen his face ?' " Yes, and I have come to take you where you can identify that face ?" " Then, he is dead." She covered her face with her hands. " No, I wish to God he was dead ! Sit down. I will not see you suffer such agony. He is safe for the present. If you will try to think of yourself for a mo- ment, and pay mo the compliment of listening, I will explain. Do you recollect that during the storm on the night of the murder the lightning was remark- ably vivid and severe ?" " Yes ; can I ever forget any details of that night ? Go on." " Do you recall the position of the glass door on the west veranda; and also that the crimson drapery or curtain was drawn aside ?" "I recall it distinctly because, while Gen'l Darring- ton was reading my mother's letter, I looked out through the glass at the chrysanthemums blooming in the garden." "That door was almost opposite the chimney, and the safe or vault in the wall was very near the fireplace. It appears that when the chioroform failed to stupefy Gen'l Darrington, he got up and s^zed (me of the and- irons on the hearth, and attacked the thief who was stealing his money. While tj?.ey were struggling in AT THE 3IERCY OF TIBERIUS. where you can r face with her of that night? ^^. J/J- front of the vanif . i guardian angei, it ,J;^torb'rn''^ ''^'«' ''^ ^■»"'- tographed both men ami tV . ■^ ^°'""«'^I'-pho. the Wide glass paneUf tha 1 '"*'t'' "' ''"' '"^^ o^ ures, even the patte™ „, the IV, ^''™^' ^^•='=^' f^^t- Plamly there, for the whole world to T1' ""' P""*«'' dorer and the victim in mortal .1 f ""•^- ^^"^ '"«'•- Accident-shall I say Pr" idl ' o n "'''"' '^^ *'" "ox. tbis Witness to light ThfcuZln T'^'^^y^''°"Sht was recently lowered, and when °"^ '""P'^l ''ack, ^ide blinds were opened thorl^;'™ "^^^ "go, the out-' d-cation. Crowds have seen it Ji/""" ""'"P'''"' """ an 'extra', and so generalT,^ » ""'^^P^Per issued I'C demonstratfon wbuW J™ t" '"•'"'='"=' "^^'t ^ pub- saol, had not Church Ind r b ?. "^"^ ''<'^'' ^' «'e and assured them it would onlv '^•'™°^"<'» Smgleton to tell you, o all' »'" ^°"- ^ '"''bado reach you ; for I cla „,ed » "^' P''«'"ature hmt to tke glad tidings LasS . f """'"''^'^ "' bringin- •El» Bluff', °gu„dr„:SS";P''°t "' that room at oh^redbythepicture'hop' drew'tr? *'° ^•'="" ^™« to-day you .would greet me li. n ' '"''"" ^ ^^^'me dear hands in mine!and tell m""!''/'""" '^^ J'our tude would always 1 oep a nh.!^f '"' '*' ''=*^*' S-rat"- nobleheait. I have my recomn ^ '"' ""™ '" ^'°" oy of scorn. It were weTf '^ '^ "" *« "^ ourren- n>o.your hatred less ph^l 1°^/°" "'^d shown hesitation in following the eiue;i ^ ?t" '"""'^^e 'ess "ysrasp. I ,,arn ^u that ,/ ^""'""^ '^^^^ h. ■i'tes his arrest; for y„u ea„ IT ™'<'^^« ""'y e.vpe. you can never pass beyond my 1 1 496 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. f , ;, ! \ r i J - ^ 1 1 il> 1 L y - surveillance ; and the day you hasten to him, seals his fate. Long imprisoned doves, when set free, fly straight to their distant mates; so — take care — lest the hawk overtake both." * Looking up at him, Ustening almost breathlessly to the tale of a deliverance that involved new peril for Bertie, the color came slowly back to her blanched face, and her parted lips quivered, "If the picture means anything, it proves that Gen'l Darrington made the assault with the brass and- iron, and in the struggle that followed, the man you saw might have killed him in self defence." "When he is brought to trial in X he shall never be allowed the benefit of your affectionate sup- position. I promise you, that I ^ill annihilate your tenderly devised theory." He ground his teeth in view of the transparent fact, that she wc.s t-^o intently considering the bearing of the revelation upon the safety of another, to heed the thought of her own escape from bondage. The little cluster of flowers fastened at her throat had become loosened, and fell unnoticed into her lap. He stooped, picked them up, and straightened them on his palm. When his eyes returned to Beryl, she had bowed her face in her shielding hands. How little he dreamed that she was silently praying for strength to deny the cry of her o^vn beating heart, and to keep him from making shipwreck of the honor which she supposed was still pledged to Leo I Security for her brother, and imswerving loyalty to the absent woman who had befriended her in the darkest hours of the accusation, were objects difficult to accom- plish simultaneously; yet at every hazard she would struggle on. Because she had learned to love so w^U this man, who was the promised husband oi [US. ill to him, seals when set free, 30 — take care — i breathlessly to d new peril for her blanched it proves that h the brass and- i, the man you 99 ^ ice. X he shall ffecticnate sup- mnihilate your he transparent ing the bearing nother, to heed Dondage. 1 at her throat ed into her lap. htened them on Beryl, she had jilently praying I beating heart, ck of the honor Leo ! Security iy to the absent darkest hours suit to accom- jard she would led to love so ed husband oi ' ^'^ ^°« MERCY OP TIBERIUS — 497 'n fenZX:^'' »"• «"« '-->' - s-ali package sealed ^o;;e^rif ^r^SHarr ° '-'^ -^^^ ■"--^^'^ maintamed yourself teT„Vr^^^"'^''*« ''^ «''>'* you been requested XyZl T T' ^''"*'^' ^ h^ve Which contoins sufflc ent mor^.^""" "' ''"^ P"=e. Penses until y„u ™ "or^ar^^lar""^ ^r°"' -' oller^gfrom your twelve juro^.^f* '"'"''«• I* ^^ an that I arnot rdteti:rr^?„"-J'="t''«-forn.e they could for me, in vlw of th" M""^ ^''^ "^"-"o^t l~- ~ -' thei'rXttTS. Xtlt sl;.' --* -- -rUtr'artthe^ 'l« ed;?CoS.rcTrr''t''r-?'^°'""-»-'- the amount, and sent melL "''?' ""'^ " Po-^'o" gleton keeps it for melZt ,y™amder. Mr. Sin- . "Thepu^^econtS^;loVr"'*^""^^<^°<>w." .t has been supposed ttatyo^::^^!,*- N«- York, as there at once." ^ "^""'^ <'«S"« to return to owfx— ^^l;'""" "^y earnest thanks. I prefer ness Which sol'few hri?"'"- »' the^reatS: Jfvebeen uniformljconlwerar "h" ^'^^ °ffl«»^s here Mr. and Mrs g.^-.-. ., '^**'' "nd courteous to nic • "umberles^ ferd^'l'T,'"' very dear t.meX' *^' and Sister Serena was a staff 498 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. H 1 ' ' I of strengrth during that frightful black week of the trial." She paused, and her voice betrayed something of the tumult at her heart, as while a sudden wave of scarlet overflowed her cheeks, she rose and held out both hands. "Mr. Dunbar, if I have seemed unappreciativo of your great exertions in my behalf, it is merely because there arc some mat/tcrs which I can never explain in this world. One thing I ask you to believe when I am gone. I will never, so long as I live, cease to remem- ber the debt I owe you. I am and shall bo inexpres- sibly grateful to you, and whenever I think of my ter- rible sojourn here, be sure I shall recall tcnderlj'— oh ! how tenderly! the two friends who trusted and believed in my innocence, when all the world denounced me; the two who generously clung to me when public opinion branded me as an outcast— you two— my best friends, you and Miss Gordon. It makes me proud and happy to know in this hour of my vindica- tion, that m her, and in your good opinion, I needed none. Out of your united lives, let me pass as a fleet- ing gray shadow." » ''Out of my life you can never pass. Into it you have brought disappointment, humiliation, and a keen- ness of suffering such as I never imagined I was cap- able of endurmg ; and some recompense I will have. You hope to plunge into the vortex of a great city, where you can elude observation and ol literate all traces. Do not cherish the ghost of such a delusion. Go where you may, but I give you fair warning, you cannot escape me; and the day you meet that guilty vagabond, you betray him to the scouts of justice." He held her hands m a close, warm clasp, and a flush crossed his brow, as he looked down into her quivering k week of the )mething' of the wave of scarlet held out both ippreciativo of ncrely because 3vcr explain in eve when I am ase to remem- 11 ho incxpres- liuk oi" my ter- tcndei'l}^ — oh ! 3d and believed ?ld denounced to me when ,st — you two — It makes me Df my vindica- nion, I needed pass as a fleet- Into it you in, and a keen- led I was cap- 3 1 will have, a great city, ol literate all [ch a delusion, warning", you }t that guilty )f justice." 3p, and a flush her quivering AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. 499 ^'omai., wKs at ,?i« . > '^^P^'"'' unfortunate complete.,, to'tlca in ^ea"'" °"'^ *" "" '»="' ''''' no need of your chnmnin^.V f ^^ Gordon has dressing. l^lr7.^:ZT2i:t:T'' T''' *" ^^• itself. You are stmZftt^T 'he necessity presents I have a close carrhttl^,," ''^'"' ^"'"^ '«">'!«' so be it. ance douWy sure I lav , ^"^ '""' '" """^« ''^«'"- Elnfl'; toshow vou the ' '/" *="-'" '''"' *^ 'Elm do^-n from that gallery affteU Ve that JZ""" '°'"' known to you that th. ^„„ iT * "'^ '*<=» "^ un- of stealing"; stl^ttnottr^'''' " '""^ '^<=* well that you bore xv^Z'il } ^ "'^°- y" ^""o ^ punishment then I :uT*tTurh *° '"™ ""^ '™"° n^ay fl. u t^hed t^tfe;^^^^^^ ^^- j.and you -X^SSdire';'.^- "•''^'^''-"-ted nameP''^'° *» ^'^^ ''-ay a^sper^ion from his beloved i OU will rl/^f ^n f- -,-. -1 l;firi 600 I l|il il. r :l ' ".' ' i \' i it, . -Ir- ; f I li' U : , 1 T J 11 fV i !*H I AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. only to look onco into your, eyes, after you have seen the Gorgon. Beryl, my white rose I Are you asham- ed to show me your idol's face ?" ** I will never go to * Elm Bluff '.'* " It is no longer necessary. You know already the features printed there, and your avoidance stamps them vvith mfamy. How can your lofty soul, your pure heart, tolerate a creature so craven, so vilo ?'* '* We love not always whom we would, or should were choice pennitted us; and to whom I have given my heart, my whole deep heart, you shall never learn " Tao mournful smile that lent such wistful loveliness to her flushed face, seemed to him merely a reLowed defiance. " I bide my time, knowing it will surely come. You arc free but be careful. Once when you lay upon the brink of the grave, unconscious, I knelt at your side an4 took you in my arms ; laid your head on my heart, felt your cheek touch mine. Then and there I made a covenant with my soul ; and no other man's arms shall ever enfold you. Ah, my Eosa Alba/ I could dig your grave with my own hands, sooner than see that thief claim you. I am a proud man, and you have dragged me through the slough of humiliation, but to- day, as I bid you good-bye, I realize how one felt, who looking at the bust of him she loved supremely, said with her last breath : ' Vom man univers, man es- poir et mes dieux /' How soon we meet again depends solely on your future course. You know the condi- tions; and I promise you I wiU not swerve one iota." He took her hand, drew it across his cheek, laid it on fZ^^V ^""^ ^ ^"^oment later walked away, with the faded flowers f oWed cjoso i» his palm. [US. ' you have seen Are you asham- AT THE mnCY OP TIBERIUS. 501 ow already the ace stamps them ioul, your pure ) vile ?'» ukl, or should, n I have given ill never learn." istful loveliness 'ely a reLowed 5ly come. You •u lay upon the it at your side id on my heart, there I made )r man's arms 1/60/ I could )oner than see 1, and you have iliation, but to- V one felt, who ipremely, said vers, mon es- again depends ow the condi- ve one iota." heek, laid it on vay, with the CHAPTER XXIX one of those fe-reatTand f '4' wa" "'""' *^ ^''<"'<' <" ■ne girdles the primeval 1 "'"'''' "■''°'''''''^« Laurentian rocks.-stand, in t^™^" "P''°''^al, the enclosed by a stone copT„l ',) , •"" '" "' ^ ^'""'™' 'y pile of briek ana gS lot , 'T ™"'"^' '^ '>^^ by Wings that enelSho r^r :sf:™= '"°"'^' "="*«<» facade was ori"-imii„ 1 , spacious court. The and still reSdt^^;t^"!V"thetrabeated style! grooved liutel over fte do„r™rh"'^"'^''' ''''^ ^'^'Sht round columns ; but subsem,-/*,."?^ '"^"""'^ "^ four fluctuations of popular aSl?''''!''''''" '•<"l«'=te1 the arched windows! re b^oTd rS wia i^f' ™ ?" ''"^^ and m the new eastern win- thTf ^ 'te carved corbel, a Tudor tower with bulbTu^cupo^ ''^:^JT''^ '^^ vet sward between the street Indt'h ,. ^'"P °' ™'- was eabossed with brim w ? *" '""'=® entrance, anchors; and a rlLboSrurn"^.'"*''^ '"^ <" under the windows of tie b^seTnf "°"™ ^'"^^ eeraniums of various huet ''^'"^'"^^- ™« "blaze with .^-o\^rwr:~- ^^^^^^^^ a lar,. m projecting letters : "=^t™n, ■ Proval and ratilleation lytLZ. ^ears-subject to ap- ' were recognized wherever th!^'*'"'''^™stees,thev • the White aprons;rndr„„w7mT' "^ *'^« ^^ ^arb, institution. "^^ """^ eaps peculiar to the ,^ Fashionable women patronized „„^ ,.^-1 • - -Pa«perthei;pu^tnf:CrSri?S 504 AT THE MERCY 01' TIBER1D9. y - 1 f -•) tees consisted of men of wealth and prominence, their wives, as ma^ates in le beau monde, set the seal of " style" upon articles manufactured there, by ordering quilted satin afghans witji anchors of pansies embroi- dered in the centre, for their baby carriages ; painted tea gowns ; favors for a " German ", or fans and honbonnidres for birthday parties. If children of the Brahmin caste of millionairdom were seized by the Pariah ills of measles, or chicken- pox, or mumps, it was deemed quite as imperatively the duty of doting parents to provide an ^' Anchor- age " nurse, as to secure an emment physician, and the most costly brand of condensed milk. In the name of sweet charity, gay gauzy-winged butterflies of fashion harnessed themselves in ropes of roses, and dragged the car of benevolence ; as painted pap- illons drew chariots of goddesses on ancient classic walls ; so iu the realm of social economy the ubiquitous law of correlation of industrial force— of conservation of energy— transmuted the arrested labor of the rich and idle into the fostering heat that stimulated the working poor. Scarcely a month previous to her unexpected re- lease from prison. Beryl had received a letter from Doctor Grantlin, enclosing one addressed to " Sister Ruth, Matron of Anchorage". He wrote that his daughter's hoalth demanded some German baths; and on the eve of sailing, he desired to secure for the prisoner a temporary refuge, should the efforts which he had heard were made to obtain her pardon, prove successful. As a nephew of the founder, and a cousin of the young lady for whom the ** Anchorage " was in- tended as a lasting memorial, he had always been ac- corded certain privileges by tho trustees \ and the letter, if presented to the matron, would insure at (, 79. ominence, their set the seal of re, by ordermg )ansies embroi- iages; painted ', or fans and millionairdom 3s, or chicken- s imperatively an " Anchor- physician, and milk. In the g'ed butterflies •opes of roses, > painted pap- ancient classic the ubiquitous )f conservation or of the rich stimulated the mexpected re- a letter from ied to " Sister vTotQ that his 3rman baths; secure for the efforts which pardon, prove , and a cousin (rage " was in- fvays been ac- tees - and ths 9uld insure at AT THE JffiEcV OP TIBEEIUS. '<««t an entrance into f,h„ , """ ** P^onercouM mature some nri" ,"' ™''' "»«' ^^e . Spurred away from X "" ^""^ '"'"'•e. •nterview with tlie man who™ *'','' """"''^ "^ ='n<>ther hurnied, and of being JeJireTt'' •'''" ^'^^Wuously and scrutinize tlaoaccu^^nlT? ""'* "^Im Bluff'' >f-olf in her hea^y mSnr' ''T ''^'' *™ "^^d ^^eneof her suffering on the 5 T^ '^"^ '™'" *"« momng; ten hours atterreceivlLf-"- "''''" Sunday discharg-e. Shrinldn - from '7"^ ^^^ •'"■•tiflcate of her Mr. Singleton perm ssionl "''''"'"' ^^^ Wused station house, and S hi '*™°»Pany her to the distant; promising to tv^" ^^^^^ three squares ;v'fe, and assured by l"im"' T? *" '"' ^*"' ^"sent tecfonate gratitude sCuIdbVn''""" '''"^^ »' af- Dyce. i^rtunately a strnl Pf'^Pt'y delivered to f^'i her a ticket f Ld^nf he ''"°' "''''<' »ffl<=« ■"'"d twenty months before she > „M u """ '=»™«'-> where she waited once moi^ for t f "' * "^""ff ""e storm welcome to her the st r?L °™'" <" *« tram. How through the dewy stoee ofl '^f<>^^ that tore its w^ and shehurried out stalh, f""-"* ^"■"mer nighT her impatience to depa,r=" """"^' °° *« raUsft' i«ed itself t°o a'st^S^i,^"-'* rolled -''% - afd crape veil a well Imown fl^u'e ,?. *""° "^™"^'' her post that held an eleet„c°)al '^"e^ ''^"'"^' =>" '^on f eps leading to the pMorm' ®"° '1"''^"= "P the ^•acantseat, Which wast ™n?;fr *°°'' *'^« O"^' The sUvery radiance from tL ?,"P'" ^''"''°«'- streamed in, and her Zult S'*" J"^t opposite l" tall form moved fo^tdTnft", "^" "^^'^^ - Stood at tho s,vv --^ - " takinsr off ]ii« h.^ *hen the "bras " b^'l, "aLl' ^"'"^or-spokeT" B^l ' '•'^'^ >ts signal and the train >M J ' i It 506 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. li if trembled into motion, a hand was thrust in, and dropped upon her lap a cluster of exquisite white roses, with one scarlet passion flower glowing in the centre. /p During the three days spent in New York, Beryl's t^ wounds bled afresh, and she felt even more desolate .^ than while sheltered behind prison walls. The six- ; storied tenement house where she had last seen her mother's face, and kissed her in final farewell, had been demolLsbdd to make room for a new furniture ware- house. Strange nurses in the hospital could tell her nothing- concerning the last hours of the beloved dead ; and the i>nly spot in the wide western world that seemed to belong to her, was a narrow strip of ground ill a, remote comer of the great cemetery, where a green moitnd held its square granite slab, bearing the words '" Ellice Darrington Brentano." ' With her face bowed upon that stone, the lonely wo- man had wept away the long hours of an afternoon that decided her plan for the future. Dr. Grantlin had gone abroad for an indefinite pe- riod, and no one knew the contents of his last letter. In New York her movements would be subject to the surveillance she most desired to escape ; but in that distant city where the " Anchorage " was situated, she might disappear, leavmg no more trace than that of a stone dropped in some stormy, surging sea. To find Bertie and reclaim him, was the only goal of hope life held for her, and to accomplish this, the first requisite was to effectually lose herself. Anxious and protracted deliberation finally resulted in an advertisement, which she carried next morning to the "Herald" office, to be inserted for six months in the personal column, unless answered. ** xjertie, if you wmt tk^ lost Mton we bought al uus. thrust in, and exquisite white glowing in the w York, Beryl's n more desolate vails. The six- bd last seen her irewell, had been furniture ware- bl could tell her le beloved dead ; :em world that ' strip of ground y, where a green ;aring the words e, the lonely wo- n afternoon that an indefinite pe- f his last letter, e subject to the ^pe; but in that ras situated, she e than that of a : sea. the only goal of sh this, the first « finally resulted next morning to lix months in the m we bought a| AT THE MERCY OF TIBERrUS. 507 newspaper, and paid in adva„ '' ,1 ^^^ °®<=® <" ">« tion Later in thosardarc Lt 1?' "' "' "'"'"<=- monts, she went down to tho nt ?n '"»"™tog gar- bought a railway ticUetVand he :2f^' ^^P"' »" ber away on her lon^ jou'mey ,vmS' "^^^^^^ ""^ It was on the four! h « Doctor Grantlin's letter a 1^ """junction with prin-ed at S whirv, . . ^^ "' *''« newspaper tive of thediscov;ry of thr.S'"'' "n article descri^ and expressive of the protunf ™ °° *" ^^^'^ door ; H-rthepr.onerso';'^:--Crj^^t Whose yellowish, dfmetes,^!"''/' ^P"- ^^ver, and behind their spectocte Tr""'^ "Naturally lar-re was nobly redeemed by ;,J'^\='"'^ ^"'kl«^n/» ^^vcivu me. ft Give it to ^oux- wiiiixigness to me, >» « l i •i.i ' 1-; ■(3 rl i il I ' t .! \ U-f w i I 510 AT THE MERCY OP TiBERltf3. She crossed the room and pressed the knob of a bell on the opposite wall. Almost simultaneously a door opened, and to a stout, middle-aged woman who ap- peared on the threshold, the matron gave instructions in an under tone. Returning to the stranger, she resumed : " I infer from the Doctor's letter, that you are a gifted person. In what lines do your talents run ?" " Perhaps I should not lay claim to talent, but I. am, by grace of study, a good musician ; and I draw and paint, at least with facility. At one time I supported my mother and myself by singing in a choir, but diph- theria closed that avenue of work. With the restora- tion of health, I think I have recovered my voice. I am an expert needle woman, and can embroider well, especially on fine linen." " Do you feel competent to teach a class in * water color', in our Art School? Our aquarelle Sister is threatened with amaurosis, and the oculist prohibits all work at present." ** You can form an opinion of my qualifications by examining some sketches which are in my trunk. I have furnished several designs for the 'Society of Decorative Art', and have sold a number of painted articles at the Woman's Exchange." *' Then I think you have only to step into a vacant niche, and supply a need which was beginning to per- plex us. During the latter part of September, an In- ternational Scientific Congress will be held in this city, and one of our patrons, Mr. Brompton, who expects to entertain the distinguished foreign delegates, has given us an order for dinner cards for eight courses, and each set for twenty-four covers. As nearly as we can com- w«^/t1><^nr1 +Vin /1oqio-n hia inf ontiriTl i« f,f> rf»nrf>Sf»Tlf. tllfi H order of creation in fish, game, fruits and flowers ; and f9. knob of a bell icously a door Oman who ap- ve instructions cd: hat you are a blcntsrun?" ilent, but I am, id I draw and 10 I supported :hoir, butdiph- th the restora- 1 my voice. I mbroider well, class in * water arelle Sister is culist prohibits ualiflcations by I my trunk. I jhe * Society of iber of painted > into a vacant ginning to per- itcmber, an In- leld in this city, who expects to ^ates, has given )urses, and each as we can com- reT>resent' the nd flowers; and AT THT! MERCY OP TIBERIUS. - "Sol -t z£--r-'^^. t?- sented ^th a velvet smoCg' Tp ^1^ "« "- attached a card represent^? < '^'^ '".r'"'=h must be pricked by the last^Sf' ,w»°*'"m ^"^P-^-bbles 'Anchorage's' cultured J^L''^- ^<"^ ^^»o the hfehasany.East wTsL^fdst^tr """"^ *»'""» order, had not two of Z 'ror,^^™"*"" ^ A" ^is promised to man out th./^ ^"^ " ""^ University, 'nthe way oreCv^rth'/cr' '^"^'^ =»■"« "^^ Plishmentofthetork^id^f'' '^' "^^ **« '^<">'<^- ous of pleasing our pateon Ll ^"^ P^rt'o^'^ly desir- expects a bequest. "^If y °^ tS. i""" '^^ '^nchon^ge' undertake f., portion of thi= / " ""'' «"«cessfully Brompton, we'^sS make Jou d^S ^'"*" "^ "^ ^r"^ " I think I miv LTT ^ ^""'''•S' 'welcome." the line you dSate"??f^^^^^^ ''ork to ru;/orthep,.„erofi^*;^^^^^^^^^^ form." ^"'"'' *° '^^ar its regulation uni- -IsripStl'^^r i '7*"^"-^ p- I wore ; the blue homesnun „, ! ""''^ '^' """orm " You must try teZ7Zu\F'TZ''''^ convicts." gates Shut fast on theTrm" • " ^""^ '^"""ora^e ' dwell in a busy presentT„ ""? "" '"^ ' ''ore we future. Come wi?h me Jo tr? ?• ''"''' ^ W^^^"" measured for your "annri w """^ ''"'""• ™nms pastry room wos tilel^.r."^"- ^« ad. with countere covered with ^.r^ ^^°^' f"raished frteerator^ built tn^ZTZl IT.'''"'' "'"^ ^<- capped, white-aproned Drir.t» ' """ ^"''^ '•»« white- pestles moved quieUyto and fm"' °' P"*^' P''"' and upon Which depended in gTea/;; ^^'''T'''^ *"« ""»"•, Thorfoc? " "''''' d^pfrentr " ''"' "^^'"'"- "' of the buildinrXcMvaT,l??7'' *"™"« "' the rear -ith pansies and oToylaZt 'T *"'''=""' '^"'^ ;v»dow sUk sat boxeiand vlsS °\*^'' ^"<'«' ^t^"" forns and oxalis. with h^L\ "'' '"''"naidon-hair '''ts. Three Imos 7^,0 ,.T ''"" """"'^ ^''"e C ™om, and m the eente C!", °"" *'^^ ""^bt pretty ;oncd seat, whore when " (5^-w. T? ''^''^ 'o a cush^ he Reader for the d. y madeT^Ie^r ^"^ P''°W"°oed, umes of prose or poetrv . ""'' ^oni such vol^ Matron elevating and n t ^'""' ''«<"°"d by the '»'• tbo soul, stimZt rri; '" '"«"^'^^« ^ t»Se """art. """^ ""^ tue bram, balm for tie Close to the rear iviii „ , fr«;"affeof ffrapc Zf ardotT'""" *« '^■"' ran a P of garden, belatTd p^eTnCto"'; r^" ^"^^ ^°>™ "ana, as Playthings for^Lfttlt"^ theirbrUliant >vina that swept over the { I 11 iil!-:;! hi'' " m i ir ' I i m m ""1 J If- 514 AT THE MERCY Of TIBKWtTS. blue waves, breaking into a fringe of foam beyond th« stone enclosure. . *i,„ Except at meals, and during the last half hour in the dormitory, night and morning, no restriction of silence was imposed, and one hour was set apart at noon for merely social intercourse, or any individual scheme ol labor. Busy, tranquil, cheerful, often merry, they en- deavored to eschew evil thoughts ; and cultivated that tare charity which makes each tolc.'ant of the failings of the other, which broadens a sympathy that can excuse individual differences of opinion, and that conse- crates the harmony of true home life. The room assigned to Beryl was at the extremity of the second story, just beneath the studio ; and as the north end of the wings was built at each corner mto projections that were crowned with bell towers, this apartment had a circular oriel window, swung hke a basket from the wall, and guarded by an iron balcony. Cool, quiet, restful as an oratory seemed the nest; with its floor co .Ted by matting diapered in blue, its low, wide bedstead of curled maple, with snowy Marseilles quilt, and crisply fluted pUlow cases ; its book shelves hanging on the wall, surmounted by a copy in oil of Angelico's Elizabeth of Hungary, with rapt face upraised as she lifted her rose-laden skirt. Ine lambrequins of blue canton flannel were border- ed with trailing convolvulus in pink cretonne, and the diaphanous folds of white muslin curtains held iu the centre an embroidered anchor which dragged in- ward, as the breeze rushed in through open windows. An arched recess in the wall, whence a door commun- icated with the uljoining chamber, was concealed by a portidre of blue that matched the lambrequins, and the alcove servea as mmiui-aii; uicoB:iio-iuvi^--> r. ■ ■ -j the brass faucet cmpi ed into a marble basin. [IIUS. foam beyond th« st half hour in the striction of silence apart at noon for Lividual scheme ol m merry, they en- .nd cultivated that ant of the failings '^mpathy that can )n, and that conse- e. it the extremity of studio ; and as the t each corner into li bell towers, this indow, swung Uke arded by an iron bn oratory seemed T matting diapered :urlcd maple, with fluted pillow cases ; 11, surmounted by a of Hungary, with rose-laden skirt, aannel were bordcr- i cretonne, and the I curtains held in which dragged in- mgh open windows, ice a door commun- , was concealed by a ,e lambrequins, and arble basin. -»f THE MEROy OP TIBEBIPS. never cast encroachinffsh^lf" """"'^y olives had ness of tender rose and blue 2?"" "'" ""'"'^ ''^S^ ■^flection of the great s«n ./ ""' •»"«' down the siivCv the sunshine like^sote ~T" '""* "^^^d ""der TraveI.,vor„ and very weat "r ^ ?'"■<"■• window and looked out overTlUfT' '''* "»""" "y fhe eye could roach, lifted itf <,n .f"' *•■'"'*'• as the cloudless dim blie TU^ ^ParW.nff bosom to the dotted With saiifii^' t::\:^ti ""> ^^ horeand there ,vithspeetmf,h?. """emies, etched flown by ^ay gulls b^^nbhed m^'^ *"' '"^^'«' ^^'er- Ph.cls' pinions, aa their wfn^H V ■'"^""^'o' Zo- Driven by storms of " "^^.^wfHy dipped. -orld Of her oaZ 3^ hTavfn ""T '"™ "•« ""^^ "'^hmd. She had drift Jon "he nb^^^™'='' "' hopes "f this UmiltaSisterhood thi h« ''' """'" <" f'te -hore, provided with worl 'th i' "f "^'^ I>eguinage- -oad. She could hide h , ro ' 7"'.' ""■"'^'^ ''''^"^y «' shame. Doctor Granfl n '^ '^"''out a sense request, would keep thfe^^? ^'-VM.nc. with t surely hero she might oscan. ?! '°'" ™"'«at ; and the dangerous m^gn^^T^tu^'^'' "''' ^'^^^^'^y and teevably marred hfrSrr°'d^' '"='" '^ho had i^! To-day, twenty-one ;;» M'""' ^■''"''>- prematurely scorched andicarilT' '° ^"""anhood, ■ ordeals, she saw the pale ghoTif, "" ^^^^ ^^ Aorce "vay amid the ruins of th' 'j'"' «^''""ood flitting ™stead„f„akmgth™v:y4t,Tf '■ T '^'^ *<-' giMed with the li"ht ^„,i » • "" "Bder silken siil« jnd happiness, sfe Ld befT"" ""^ ''"' ''''''^^ ot "here, iashed to the deck with T, »" "°"^P«cted port,- --<.-llymoorea?st:^ted,r-S-ope^^ 516 AT THE MERCY OP TIBERIUS. hi, i fil! the " Anchorage ", whence with swelling canvas and Rying pennons no ships ever went forth. A rush of grateful tears filled her tired eyes, and soothed by the consciousness of an mviolable security, her trembling lips moved in a prayer of thanlcfulness to God, upon whom she had stayed her tortured soul, grapplmg it to the blessed promise: " Lo, I am with you always. I will never leave you nor forsake you." CHAPTER XXX. " W^^ ^^^^ ^*' ^^ ^ ^^* "^ ^* ^®^®* ^® frankly realistic, and ' call a spade a spade ' when we set ourselves to dig ditches, draining the stagnant pools of life. Each human being has a special goal toward which he or she strains, with nineteen chances out ol twenty against reaching it in time ; and if it be won, is it worth the race ? With some of us it is love, ambi- tion, mundane prosperity; with others, intellectual su- premacy, moral perfection, exalted spirituality, sub- hmated altruism; but after all, in the final analysis, it is only hedonism I Each struggles with teeth and claws for that which gives the largest promise of pleasure to body, mind, or soul, as the individual hap- pens to incline. To Sybarites the race is too short to be fatiguing, and the goal is only an ambuscade for satiety and ennui ; to ascetics, the race course stretches to the borders of futurity, but even for them one form of pleasure, spiritual pleasure, lights up eternity. The thing we want, we want ; not because of its orthodoxy, or its excellency or beauty per sei we want it because it gratifies some idiosyncratic craving of our three-fold AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. of our three-fold the bonbonniire for a cerfom ' * "^^ ™mmage in be not there, all thec^s i„"^'"''°" ^''^^' ^'^^ *' i" ■" Greece, aUtho raSurm Tu^T''"*''^'^'•''-• pease us." " '" Turkey wUl not ap. With her arms thrown bacif p„.i , satm cushion crushed agaS^t T""^ ''™"°<' 'be Miss Cutting lay on a rfd pteh divr"- ''"^ ^''^W^^. Picture gallery at home an^;,, ° '" ^"'^ fa<*er's t^paz-hued surah gown embJd T^^^ing folds «fa Pies balf concealed thrfeertritT^'"^ ^'=='rtet pop. polished oak floor. ^* ''^='' " ^ttoo on the " Then you have mi» by some stealthy whTteh\nd 1 "'"■' *"• "'"^i^^" «a;ger lips that smUe derisive?^ T^"''''^ "^ ^»"« nibble ?" uensively at you while they From beneath drooping- Iid« "oted the result of hefsdnin if ''^ """'l'"' S'^nce " Alma, too inte,nnJr;fI . ™*""' t^^^^s. bas ruined your uiS„rasr™'r^''' <"'«' "'-•'e'^ ^yspeptie. A surfei Of ;uLTr''^""''"«*Wcal ■nentation, and you lu™ reaTh.d ♦^'''^ "^<'" «' f^^- acidulation." '^'''"=''*''' 'be stage of moral PhaXthevt^arr"" ' ^-^--an-o„ .I*". I am not so seSy pTouT """■ ^'""P''^ """"^b. r-'^ honest, and T 1°" 5..f?"/ *« y°". but a trifl„ """ting its deliciou; fl'a;;rT h™:: when f*""' "^^"^ > xicxice, wiaen I am ordered ": n S18 AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. back to boiled milk and oatmeal, I make no feint to disguise my wry faces." Alma's low, teasing laugh stung like some persistent buzzing insect, and a slight flush tinged her com- panion's cheek as she replied : *' Why plunge to the opposite extreme ? You will starve on that porridge you are desperately preparing for yourself." " What else remains ? This world is a huge bazaar, a big church fair, jliid like other eager-eyed children I promptly set my heart on the great * bisc ' doll with its head turning coquettishly from side to side, singing snatches from ' La Grande Duchesse ', and clad like Sheba's queen ! I stake all my pennies on a chance in the raflQe, which has a ' consolation prize ' hidden away from vulgar gaze. By and by the dice rattle, and over my head, quite out of my reach, is borne the coveted beahty (owned now by a girl I know), bowing and singing to the new owner, who exultantly exhibits her as she departs; and into my outstretched arms tails something hideous enough to play Medusa in a tableau, a rag baby with grinning Senegambian lips, rayless owlish eyes, and a concave nose whose nostrils suggest the Catacombs ! Bitter rage and murderous fury possess me, but I am much too wise to show my tempers at the fair ; so I hug my * consolation prize ', and get away as fast as possible with my treasure, and once safe from observation, box, deride, trample upon it, and toss it into the garret as suitable prey for dust, cobwebs and mildew ! After a time; the keenness of the disappointment dulls, like all other human aches that do not kill, and by degrees I think less vindictively of the despised substitute. Finally comes a day, when all else failing to amuse me. I creep sheepishly into the ^\Ug m