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fluted young wife, the sound of ap- proaching footsteps was heard; the cell door was unlocked. and the warden presented himself. saying in a low tone: “Mr. \\'orih has just arrived, and wishes to see you downstairs in my omcel sir.” Before the warden had finished his sentence, Lyon Berner; had started up and spruany past him. He hurried down the stairs, threw pen the door of the warden's oflico and ontronted Ishmael Worth, who, pale, Weary. travel-stained. and troubled, étood before him. l“For Heaven‘s sake!" cried Sybil's bluishand. breathlessly “spank! what news? Is it to be deathâ€"or life?" SCIOUS 01 danger as usual. in her harm- less halucinalion, playing wilh her little dog, which was coiled up on her lap. Beatrix Pendlelon, wim lmd scarcely left, Sybil for an hour since her impri- sonment, sat gravely and quietly near, engaged as usqu upon some lillle trille of needlework. Lyon Ber-ners was morning visit to his She was sitting scious of danger as 1 less halucinalion, pla dog, which was coile And Lyon Berners sat purposely with his back to the light to shade his face, and hide the uncontrollable agitation of his countenance, as he gazed upon his (loomed wife, and shuddereql to thinli of the awful issues at stake in the suc- cess or failure of Ishmael Worth‘s mis- won. ‘ Should this second petition be more f rtunate than the first one. and should r. Worth succeed in obtaining for her full pardon, Sybil might. go forth his very day a free woniam and her ushaud might. take her far away from hese scenes of suffering to some fair “foreign land, where she might recover her reason and her peace of mind. Should .\lr. \\'0rth fail in ohtaining a full pardon. but succeed in gaining a respite, Sybil would be permitted to live. if she could long enough to bring forth her child, and then her own for felted life must be yielded up. ' r And fondly a prayed that 1 might die in 11' lessâ€"unless the the governor, report of the her a full pan-(h Four days. of the lcecnOSL anxiety crept slowly by. There was no possible means of hoar- ing how Ishmael \Vm-lh prospered in his mission to the gmernor. There were but two mails a week from Richmond to Bluckvillc. IShmuel’ \Vorlh would go and come with all possible speed. for he must be his own messenger. It was on the mornin day. since the young Im; on his humane errand. “Life on death ‘2” cried Lyon Berners, pallid with intense anxiety. “It is a respite." answered lslimzwl Worth, gravely and kindly. taking Hm aml of the agitated man and gonlly leading him toward a chair. “Only that l” groanod Lyon Bernm's. as he di'ohbed heavily into the offered But should her advocale fail als'o to obtain the respite, Sybil had just one week to liVe; for on the seventh day frOm this, she was ordered for death ! And she, shielded by ciful insanity, was 5 conscious of impondin But io-day he knew that the best or the worst in: her; for to-day the Ric would arrive, and wt) zealous advocate, Ish'nne Anii even while he sa with his grief-dimmed fluted young wife, the preaching foolsieps was 1 “Only that as he drohbz‘ seal. spir him to ( “ButJhat is Ishmael \Vorth an earnest 0fâ€" “lluw 10m.y '2” interrupting his c: “During the plcz No new day he lior~~death l” adxlc in :1 low voice, an [or he could not l awful word of do “Go on!” said violenlly shaken l Ishmael \Vorlh into which he hm and he laid his h: of the suffering 11 “I‘m to Calm ll] an WWWOWW¢w and co )man will." Men. I CHAPTER XVI.â€"(C0ntinued) Ml CHAPTER XVII. the Jl‘don as he loved, h‘c earnestly bolh molhvi‘ and child the impending travail un- ie new petition sent up lo ‘ and grounded upon the 1e physicians, should gel pleasure V has b< added It 3, and at much hun mm the ded by a mild and mer- was so peacefully un- pcnding doom! knew that he must hear worst that could befall the Richmond coach and WOuld bring her as usual moaned Jmpzlnion ch." sonlhmgly very much. [0 un. Sybi 11' llI his em rose [1 muking his usual wife in her cell. as placidly uncon- lh 1ft OR, SYBIL BERNER’S VINDICATION 1101 Worth. sat thus gazin 1 eyes upon hi wing of the fifth lawyer departed )Mtler Ill husband, still ,lppoin mug ‘ shox'l MI us. 111 : Lawyer, ‘x'l pallsm the other 0\‘€l'llO[‘ Jon his of up- the cell warden h-m Olll harm- in in 111 m ut “Yes, I know," said Ishmael Worth. with a grave smile; “but hear me out." “i am listening." “I had several interviews with the governor. and though he was very re- served in communicating his smli- menls, I perceived that he i‘oaily wished to pardon his petitioner." ""l‘hen why. did he not do ners, starting Ishmael Worth, g down into the chain Again Lyon Berners dropped into it with a deep groan. “If it were not that trouble has so dis- turbed the clearness of your mind, you would yourself see that men in author» ity cannot do these things so suddenly. I repeat that l perceived that the gov- ernor would gladly have granted the pardon immediately upon the presenta- tion of the petition, founded as it was upon such strong grounds, and he was only deferred from doing so by the tact that at the present point of time such a pardon would be a very unpopular measure." ’ “That a lady‘s innocent life should tall a sacrifice to a politician's love of popu- larityl” bitterly commented Lyon Ber- ners. Ishmael Worth was silent for a mo- ment. because he felt the injustice of Lyon Berners’ remarks, yet did not wish to rebuke them, and then he said. “Listen yet longer. As no new day has been set. for her death. so I think no further action will be taken in the mat- ter until after- the birth of her childâ€"- and some considerable time after that event. And then. I think, a full pardon will be granted her.” release, that I should cou begin at once your prepared the country. so as to be 4 on your voyage with her after the pardon arrives.” “Thanks for your words Thanks for your counsel leave your presence, Mr. ' new life !" warmly exclaime now lifc ners, C wish to rebuke them, and then he said. deprecatingly : “I do not think the governor's course here was directed by any selfish policy. He feels that he must be guided in a great degree by the will of the people. who are now most unjustly, certainly. but most violently set against Mrs. Ber- ners. So he sends down the respite. to which, under the peculiar circum- stances, no one‘ can object, and sends it. as a prelude to the pardon which I believe will certainly follow when the popular excitement has had time to subside.” pray Heaven able to retum Lyon Berners Ishmael W ners, cordially grasping an the hands .that held his own Then Ishmael Worth took went away. _ Lyon Berners returned in his wife. He was aduv’lied 1) key in allcndailce. He found Sybil fast nsln oulsids hope for the best; 5 only 10 hope. but to “Heaven grant it may be sc ly prayed Lyon Berners. “And now," said lshmm drawing from his breast sealed parcel directed to the the county, “I must. take this to Mr. Fortescue at onwj.‘ “I will not detain yuu, thousand thanks for your kir pray Heaven that some day able to return it,” fervently held face‘ th£ pew: lain ans“ KI at lI‘t‘ “\\‘| X11 "'l'hun lide lll h 'Tm just guil lhmg rm Heaven that some day 1 may be to return it," fervently exclaimed 1 Berners. rising from his chair. imael Worth took his hand and it. while he looked earnestly in his ‘ and said: , on have every good reason now 10 1111 new: exclaimed in half-suppressed eagc we is a respite Im- an , that .\lr._ Wlo lhinl: prelude to a fulux'e red Mr. Bowers. seam his wife's bedside. 71 why. in the name of Heaven not do so?" demanded Mr. Ber darting up from his seat. calm and I will tell you." snk 31 Worth, gently drawing 11in \\'( that Bex‘ners delay. people 1 than f at sh'ummin Il‘ as an 1L adV me n 3f Mi \V ( rlh )U .II‘. Bowlers. sealing himself wife's bedside. Heaven I" fervently ex- Hrix. “Bul. why not lhe full once ‘2" \vh he Dre that the nt adv 1V6 it may be so,” fervent- Berners. said Ishmael 7\\'0rth, his breast pqcket a explained th< libel iel'ners law 1 fast nslegp. r. Beatrix was ; 10w. soft n01 accompaniment ;he was singin axcluimcd the 1H good reason now 10 so much reason not began Mr , Mr. “'0th xclaimed Lyo leton, eage begin to g‘ DOW “'6 81 Ins, so E untry imr 'aiion,” ac n m was In Sh! SUI me assured of ‘ounsel 3'01 But uch 1HODS to leave able to slam. r immediately -en )u, then liindnes llin 3d Lyon Ber- and shaking an indefinile ofc .110 only re Then he in IOTDQSS lh add slierifi cf document the 1 make as to then e co]! the turn pardon.” : himself rue still Berne/‘rs on m sitting. mfort ! always . with youn 0 you 11 that l any- 850113 said him and and 1er Mr. 1nd ldy (11'â€" all l0 ope; dc such a innocen chatter 1101‘ cat, chatter of it to her visitors, and so do her cause harm. He stayed with her until the prison regulations for closing the doors at six o'clock in the aflernoon obliged him to take leave and depart. ' Since the arrival of her respite for so long and indefinite a period. it had been deemed proper by the warden to ac- cord to his charge many valuable privi- leges that she had not enjoyed. nor. in- deed. in her unconsciousness of her real situation and indifference to all exter- nal circumstances, had not missed in her imprisonment. She was now permitted to walk in the shaded grounds and blooming gardens within the .walled inclosure around the‘ prison. v Here, through the influence of fresh air and gentle exercise, her physical health improved very much, though her mental malady remained unmodified. Here, also, some members of her household from Black Hall were admit- ted to see her. Here, also. some members of her household from Black Hall were admit- ted to see her. Hitherto Miss Tabby, Raphael. and even little (lromartie had been carefully excluded from her presence, lest the violent emotion of the woman and the youth, or the innocent prattle of the child‘ should suddenly strike “The electric chord wherewith we are darkly bound." and shock her into a full consciousness of the awful position which her friends were now more than ever anxious to conceal from her knowledge. For they argued, if only the mist of insanity could be kept around her for a little while longer, until the hoped-for pardon should come. then she need never to know that she had been the inmate of a prison or stood within the shadow of the scaffold. quired, “How did my dear wife happen to [all asleep at this hour ‘1” “She laid down to rest. Then I too]: the guitar and sang to her, and she fell asleep like an infant.” At that moment Sybil awoke with a smile, and greeted her husband plea- sanlly. He stooped and kissed her; but said nothing of the respite, because she was still happily unconscious of any neces- sity for such a thing. Neither did to speak of -the possible voyage to Eur- ope; deeming it premature to mention such a hope yet, lest she should, in her innocent, ignorance of her real position. chatter of it to her visitors, and so do her cause harm. Then frame many ' The away. Sincc It was the Opinion of her physician, and the fear of 1101' friends, that her reason would return with the birth {‘1 her child; and they prayed that. it might not do so until she should be free from the prison. “Lyon, depr, I want to see Tabby and Joe. The next, lime you come to see me‘ I wish you wculd bring them with you." “I will do so. dear Sybil. Is there any one else you would like to see ?” ihquired her husband, who deemed now lliul. will) proper precaulibns, her friends from lilzickville might be per- mitted to see her. “Why‘ yes, Lyon dear; I am sure 1 do not. care to See anybody else especially. \\‘hyl who is there, indeed, that I should care for at Black Hall, except my own faithful servants?" she asked, a little impatiently. .5110 had never once, since her imprisonment, mentioned the name of Raphael or Littlp Cromurtie. She had apparently forgotten them, as well as all other persons and circumstances immediately connected with the tragedy at Black Hall and the trial at Btackville. And Mr. Berners would not venture to remind her of their existence. ing his heart at HIaCK H morning when little Cx'o his high-chair besides friends Mr. BU put par answered. “Age you sure “\\h_v, yes, L) W acant place at t]: lble. he would “If ‘Sybihuaml 3-dav?” And eV is wife, 'abby that rison to 54 But. if Sybil, in the chaos of 1d lost all memory of her yes. thev had not for a 1m s, the) 3n her aphae] to drive them. in the afternoon obliged him to uvo and depart. ' l he went home in a more hopeful of mind than he had enjoyed for weeks. summer \V ( II.\I’TER XVIII her. one else particularly )olhingly ll should was I will bring lO-IIIOI‘I‘UW," slipping switlly as of her mind her two pm a momént for your said shc 9n When Miss Tabby was composed enough to listen to him, Mr. Berners very impressively said to her: “You must remember Mrs. Berners‘ mental derangement, that renders her utterly unconscious of her imprison- ment, and unconcerned about her fu- ture, and you must be very cautious neither to betray any emotion at the sight of her, nor to make any allusion to the murder or the trial, or to any person or event. connected with either; [or she has forgotten all about it." “That is a wonderful blessing. in- deed. and I would bite my tongue oft sooner than say anything to disturb her," said miss Tabby. with a few sub‘ siding sobs. The same admonition which he had administered to Miss Tabby was also emphatically impressed upon the mind of Joe. And the old man was even more ready and able to understand and act upon it than the old maid had been. Wth Raphael and little Cro‘ found out that Mr. Bernors was going to take Miss Tubby to see Mrs. Berners. they both pleaded to go with him also. BL” this could not in either case Le permitted. 'l‘é Raphael. Mr. Bernm‘s explained the case of his wife, and sent the boy away more sorrowful, if possible. than Miss Tabby, at the prospect of meet.- ing Sybil. vhom she had not seen for some months. burst into a {it of loud hysterical sobbing and crying. and could not be comforted. Mr. Be and let in: ing that it that wouk lure away more sorrowful, it pOSSlDle, than before. To lillle Cro' he gave his gold pencil and his new blank note-hook from his pocket, that the child might amuse him- self will) drawing “pictures,” and he. promised to take him to see “Sybil- mnmma" at some future day. . It was yet, early in the forenoon when the carriage from Blow Hall rolled through the prison gates. and drew up before the great door of the building. Miss Tabby groaned and sighed heavily as she followed Mr. Berners into the gloomy hall. ‘ They were met by one of the turn- keys, who informed Mr. Berners that Mrs. Berners and Miss Pendlelon were faking the air in the walled garden be- hind lhe building. Preceded by the turnkey and followed by Miss Tabby. Lyon Berners went through the hall out at the grated back door. and through the walled back- yard. and through another heavy gale into the strongly inclosed and well- shaded garden, where he found his wife and her friend sitting under the trees. This was so much better than any- thing Miss Tabby had expected to see, that her depressed spirits rose at once as she hurried after Mr. Berners to meet Sybil. who. with Beatrix, had arisen to receive him. “I know I’m an old [001," whimpered Miss Tabby, as she wiped her eyes and leaned up against the bole of the tree. “To be sure you or?! Everybody knows lhut! But you are a door. good old Tabby, for all; and I am delighted lo see you. And now aren‘t you going to speak to Miss Pcndlcton ?" “Oh, yes; how do you do, Miss Boa- Ii-ix 7" inquired the old woman, as she vourlesiod and offered her hand to Miss Pendlelon. “I am well and glad to see you, Miss Tubby," answered the young lady. cor- dially. “And. oh. Miss Bean-ix. I do pray the Lord to bless you every night and mom- “Why, you foolish old Tabby, whal. are you howling for now? Haven‘t you got over your habit of crying for every- thing yet. you overgrown old infant?" asked Sybil. laughing. as she extricale herself from the clinging embrace, and sat down. rh. my lamb! â€"my baby! my ! And is it here I [ind you. my ! my baby! my lamb !" etc., II] The Minister (suspiciously)â€"Jolm, have you In I Johnâ€"Not yet, somâ€"Lfie. m Miss orm )uld :st prepar her Indy. 5 Tabby il understand and act I maid had been. nd little Cro‘ found palien 9 its 0 )VV Ul )U with her, se. know- )y a calm )0!‘ CT rested her 5 then modified “In this her bl‘iOUS watei‘in a knowing uc which happily Sybil had about Black 1 “How “Oh. answen can be, I go again 1" 5110 e: breaking off in alarm “All are well, you inquired Sybil. “Oh. yes, honey, vaan and calllc, am “Oh. yes, honey, sill well. the ser- vaan and collie. and lhe pets and all the other animyles, and Raphael and little Cromarlieâ€" Oh, my goodnessl There Iago again. worse than ever." “Who? Raphâ€"(Zro‘T' began Sybil. passing her hand in perplexit‘r to and fro across her brow. “Who 3 e they? Did I dream of them. or read of them somewhere? Raphâ€"Cro'. Oh. dear me. my head is so queerl Did I read or dream ‘2" “No, my dear," exclaimed Miss Tabby. hastening to retrieve her error. “You did not read, nor likewise dream of any sich. 'l‘hey's peacocks‘ honey; nothing but peacocks. as we bought, to orna- ment the lawn. you know." “Oh. yes, honey vaan and cattle, an the other animyles, little Cx‘omarlicâ€" There [go again. w “Who? Raph-(ZI Sybil in L11 An adn Tabby's slu “Oh. yes. I know, peacocks!" said Sybil. with a smile readily adopting the explanation that. had been made to her. “But I dreamt a strange dream about those peacocks. I dreamtâ€"oh, I can't. remember what I dreamt!” she con- tinued. contracting her brows with an expression of pain and perplexity. “Never mind, my darling. what it was. Dreams are profilless subjects to employ the ind upon," said Beatrix l’endlelon, taking Sybil’s hand. and lifting it up. “Now. come with me. I have something pleasanter to talk about," she added. 854 she drew Sybil down one of the shaded garden walks. There was one subject among others upon which Sybil was quite sane:\her own approaching maternity. Beatrix knew this, as she led her to a distant garden seat. and made her sit down upon it, while she said: “Now.. darling, that Miss JTabby is here. had we not better commission her to buy some flannels and lawns and laces tor the wardrobe ot the coming child? She can bring them when she comes next time. A (1 you and I can amuse ourselves wit making them up.“ ‘ . r-ru.-| __.:II I“. W. “Oh. yes, yes. indeed! That will b6 delightful. How strange I never thought of that before! Why. I do believe I would have let the little stranger arrive without an arlicle to put on it. if you hadn't reminded meâ€"and I a married woman. who ought to know belter. and you only a. girl, who ought ‘lo know noâ€" thing! Well, 1 do declare I" exclaimed Sybil, turning and staring at her com- panion. ‘ '- u -_ -..u.. km l ......... “Never mind. darling; it is only be- cause you have been ill. and l have ben well. that you have forgotten this necessary provision. while I have re- membered it,” said Beatrix. soothingly. “Well, I won't forget it again!" ex- claimed Sybil, slarling up and running towards her husband, and followed _,by Miss Pendlolon. “Lyon 2" she said, breathlessly. “How much money have you got about you 7" “I don't know. clear. You can haVe it all. it you wish, be it little or much; for it is an your own Sybil." replied Lyon Borners, putting his purse in her hands. ' “Oh. no, I don't want that; but you must give Tabby as much money as she may require, [3 make some purchases [or me.” ' The man who can't 'be humbugg: misses lots of fun in life.- It is foolish to run yourself down when your neighbors are only toorglad to do is (or-you. ‘ at my lif‘ : blessin I‘I‘ question are all )11 are sho hend is so queer! Did I read i?" y dear," exclaimed Miss Tabby. ; to retrieve her error. “You ~ead, nor likewise dream of any hey's peacocks, honey; nothing cocks. as we bought, to orna- the 01d )nsiderin (To be continued) mi: 111 at h we wel by Mr man y 5 well, my dear cluld:' )ld woman. “as well as zl'ing yourâ€" Oh. there she exclaimed, suddenly I‘C com place For surely you do tie for staying, with Miss on a spree )war lped 1t 811 well i the pet and Hal Oh, my )rse than say, Miss Tabby Sybil‘s not ueslions h [S inmates st she aslic sh 1‘ l' )US Mr [‘5' boot an instant and nnd sillu- lded. with : to ask 1'05, and 15km the Bel‘nel‘s notice. Tabby child Miss