hing of it."

"Well, please not to say nothin' 'bout it, massa; 'twouldn't do no good,
an' I don't want it talked of. Ole Massa's plantation's a good way up de
river, an' he sends all his bad niggers dar. Mebbe I won't see you 'gin,
Massa Gulian, so good bye."

Gulian gave him his hand, and the negro took it in both of his, and
bending over it, burst into a loud fit of weeping.

"Oh, Massa Guly, if I'se ever hurt your feelin', or done anyting berry
wrong, I hopes you will forgive me. De Lord bress you, Massa Guly;
you'se been de light ob mine eyes, an' de joy ob my soul, eber sin' you
fuss cum here. De Lord bress you, foreber an' eber."

With a despairing, broken-hearted gesture, Jeff dropped the hand, and
hurried from the room; and, at that moment Wilkins, who still retained
his place as head clerk, called Guly a moment to his side.

"Guly," said he, laying his hands upon his shoulders, "do you remember
the time you promised me, if ever I needed a friend, you would be that
one?"

"Yes, Wilkins; and will fulfill my promise any moment!"

"Will you be at the Old Cathedral, with Blanche, at midnight?"

"Blanche! midnight! the Old Cathedral? I don't understand your meaning."

"I want you to meet me at that hour, with Blanche, at the Cathedral."

"Would she go?"

"Oh, yes; I have it all arranged with her; Old Elise will stay with her
grandfather till she returns. You will be there?"

"Since you wish it--yes, without fail. You will explain matters when we
meet there?"

"They will explain themselves. Don't forget."

The day wore on, and everything went on in its usual manner, until just
before Mr. Delancey's dinner hour, when, to the surprise of all, the
loud report of a pistol was heard, coming from the little court, just at
the back part of the store. As its echo died away, all those clerks not
at the moment engaged, rushed to the long windows, and sprang through
into the court, to learn what the matter was. Guly was the first on the
spot, and to his horror and amazement, found Jeff lying on the ground,
weltering in his blood, but still showing signs of life.

"Jeff!" he exclaimed, bending over him, "what have you done!"

"Oh--Massa--Guly"--gasped the negro, turning his dimming eyes to the
boy's face, "you'se come with your blue eyes to light me to Heaven.
Couldn't lib longer, and hab de master dat I lubbed tink me a robber.
I'se tried allus to be a good nigger, an' hope's I'll go to de good
place."

"Go