gs of earth, contemplated with
melancholy pleasure the death of the young Clary, which he considered
had placed his sweet young friend beyond the reach of human suffering.

"She is with the Eternal Present," he said. "No dark mysterious future
can ever more cloud her soul with its heavy shadow. To-morrow--and the
veil will be rent in twain, and our ransomed spirits will behold each
other face to face. What is Death? The eclipse for a moment of the sun
of human life. The shadow of earth passes from before it, and it again
shines forth with renewed splendor."

His reverie was interrupted by the entrance of the jailor followed by
another person muffled up in a large riding cloak. "A stranger," he
said, "wished to exchange a few words in private with the prisoner."

Anthony rose from his humble bed, and asked in subdued tones, "to whom
he had the honor of speaking?"

"To a sincere friend, Anthony Hurdlestone--one who cannot believe you
guilty of the dreadful crime of murder."

The sound of that voice, though months had passed away since its musical
tones had vibrated on his ear, thrilled to the soul of the prisoner.

"Miss Whitmore!" he cried, in an extasy of joy; and sinking at her feet,
he seized her hands, and pressing them to his lips and heart burst into
an agony of tears.

"Anthony!" said Juliet, placing her hand upon his shoulder, as he sat at
her feet with his face upturned and his eyes suffused in tears, gazing
tenderly upon her; "I came here to-night to ask you one simple question.
With many tears I gained my father's consent to this unusual step. Not
without many severe mental struggles I overcame the feelings of maiden
shame, and placed myself in this painful situation in order to receive
from your own lips an answer which might satisfy the intense anxiety
that presses upon my mind. As you value your own and my eternal peace, I
charge you, Anthony, to answer me truly--as truly as if you stood before
the bar of God, and the eye of the Great Searcher of hearts was upon
you; Did you murder your unhappy father?"

"As I hope for salvation, I am as ignorant of the real perpetrators of
the deed as you are."

"Both directly and indirectly?"

"The whole affair is involved in mystery. I have, of course, my doubts
and surmises. These I must not name, lest I might accuse persons who
like myself are innocent of the offence. Hear me, Juliet Whitmore! while
I raise this fettered right hand to heaven, and swear by th