our wife will need no
better portrait of you than a copy of that head."

Into his eyes leaped the peculiar glow that can be likened unto nothing
but the clear violet flame dancing over a bed of burning anthracite
coal, and into his voice an exultant ring:

"Meantime, like my inexorable prototype, 'I hold a wolf by the ears'.
Shall I tell you my mission here?"

"As it appears I am indeed always at the mercy of Tiberius, your
courtesy savors of sarcasm."

"Oh, my stately white rose! My Rosa Alba, I will see to it, that no
polluting hand lays a grasp on you. My errand should entitle me to a
more cordial reception, for I bring you good news. Will you lay your
hand in mine just once, while I tell you?"

He extended his open palm, but she shook her head and smiled sadly.

"In this world no good news can ever come to me."

"Do you know that recently earnest efforts have been made to induce the
Governor to pardon you? That I have just returned from a visit to him?"

"I was not aware of it; but I am grateful for your effort in my behalf."

"I was disappointed. The pardon was not granted. Since then, fate, who
frowned so long upon you, has come to your rescue. The truth has been
discovered, proclaimed; and I came here this afternoon with an order
for your release. For you the prison doors and gates stand open. You
are as free as you were that cursed day when first you saw me and
robbed my life of peace."

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?"

"The truth that you are innocent has been established to the entire
satisfaction of judge and jury, prosecution and Governor, sheriff,
warden, and you are free. Not pardoned for that which all the world
knows 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 that you have hunted down--"

She paused, and her white face was piteous with terror, 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 a