his wounds with the quiet sorrowful Clara.

'Be silent, simpleton!' angrily replied the old man with his remaining
strength. 'My senses have indeed deserted me; but only with the lying
spirit of the wicked wretches whom in my madness I held for God's
prophets. With my gushing blood departs the delusion which perhaps has
cost me my salvation, and I perceive with horror that my poor native
city, led astray by crafty imposters, is on the way to ruin for time
and eternity.'

'Gracious heavens! he already repeats his offences,' sobbed the gentle
maiden. 'We are not alone, uncle,' Clara reminded him in a voice of
gentle entreaty.

Trutlinger, raising his weary eyes toward the youth, remained fixedly
considering him for a long time; and, as if he finally recollected him,
a smile dawned upon his face, which his sufferings chased away. 'If I
see rightly,' said he faintly, 'that is a good old acquaintance, before
whom no precaution or constraint is necessary. Do I mistake, comrade?
Are you not my former faithful apprentice, Alf Kippenbrock?'

'I am the same, my worthy master,' said Alf, approaching and taking his
hand, while his tears flowed more mildly.

'This is the finger of God!' exclaimed Trutlinger, and a feeble light
relumed his eyes. 'These girls are orphans--their last protector goes
to the grave in me. The thought that I must leave their inexperienced
youth behind me without protection in this den of murderers, renders my
death most afflicting. You were always a good and capable man,
Kippenbrock. Promise, then, to your dying master, with the hand and
word of a man, that you will shelter and protect these poor children
according to the best of your ability.'

Alf cast a friendly glance upon the proteges confided to him. The
dark-haired young maiden gleamed upon him with a burning glance, while
Clara timidly cast her blue eyes upon the ground. The heart of the
youth swelled. He quickly pressed Trutlinger's cold hand and cried, 'I
promise it.'

'God reward thee!' faintly uttered the hoary man, his head sank hack
and his lacerated breast labored with the death-struggle. Yet once more
he suddenly opened his eyes. All radiant were they raised toward
heaven. 'Yes,' cried he aloud and joyfully,--'yes, thou hast forgiven
the son of earth his errors! I see thy brightness!'--and he was no
more.

'Lord, deal not with him in judgment!' prayed the enthusiastic young
woman, with pious zeal.

'My second father!' cried Clar