d as she
sank wearily into it, he seated himself on the edge of the cot at her
side.

"McBride's murderer will be found one of these days, and then all the
world will know that what you believe is the truth," said North at
length.

"Yes, dear," replied Elizabeth simply.

Some whispered word of General Herbert's or the deputy's reached them in
the interval of silence that ensued. Then presently in that silence they
had both feared to break, the court-house bell rang again. It was
twelve o'clock. Elizabeth rose.

"I am going now--John--" she said, in a voice so low that he scarcely
heard her. "I am going home. You wish it--and you must sleep--" She
caught his hands and pressed them to her heart.

"Oh, my darling--good night--"

She came closer in his arms, and held up her lips for him to kiss. The
passion of life had given place to the chill of death. It was to-day
that he was to die! No longer could they think of it as a thing of
to-morrow, for at last the day had come.

"Yes, you must go," he said, in the same low voice in which she had
spoken.

"I love you, John--"

"As I do you, beloved--" he answered gently.

"Oh, I can not leave you! My place is here with you to the very last--do
not send me away!"

"I could not bear it," he said steadily. "You must leave Mount Hope
to-morrow--to-day--"

He felt her arms tighten about his neck.

"To-day?" she faltered miserably. "To-day--"

Her arms relaxed. He pressed his lips to her pale cold lips and to her
eyes, from which the light of consciousness had fled.

"General Herbert!" he called.

Instantly the general appeared in the doorway.

"She has fainted!" said North.

Her father turned as if with some vague notion of asking assistance, but
North checked him.

"For God's sake take her away while she is still unconscious!" and he
placed her in her father's arms. For a moment his hand lingered on the
general's shoulder. "Thank you--good-by!" and he turned away abruptly.

"Good-by--God bless you, John!" said the general in a strained voice.

He seemed to hesitate for a moment as if he wished to say more; then as
North kept his back turned on him, he gathered the unconscious girl
closer in his arms, and walked from the room.

North remained by the window, his hands clutching the bars with
convulsive strength, then the wind which blew fresh and strong in his
face brought him the sound of wheels; but this quickly died out in the
distance.

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