the reason why I tried to save you
by every other means but the only sure one--confession. But now, when a
confession will redeem your life without ruining mine--mine--which is
over--I have made it, under oath, signed it, and placed it in the hands
of your solicitor, lawyer Closeby."

He ceased to speak, and he breathed very hard.

She continued to hold his hand, which grew colder and colder in her
clasp.

"Lie down," she whispered gently. "You are too weak to sit up. Lie
down."

"No, not yet," he panted hard. "Tell me: do you forgive me?"

"As I hope to be forgiven, I forgive you with all my heart and soul; and
I pray to the Lord to pardon you, for the Saviour's sake," said Sybil,
earnestly.

"Amen and amen!" faintly aspirated the expiring man. And his frozen hand
slipped from Sybil's clasp, and he fell back upon his pillow--DEAD.

Sybil's sudden cry brought the three old women to the bedside.

"It is all over, my dear child. The poor man has gone to his account.
Come away," said the experienced dame, when she had looked at the
corpse.

"I am very glad as you happened to come in time, and as you was good to
him and forgave him, whether he deserved it or not," wept the
tender-hearted Miss Tabby.

"Every one who is penitent enough to ask for forgiveness deserves to
have it, Miss Tabby," said Sybil, solemnly.

"But, oh! the signs and omens as ushered in this awful ewent!" whispered
Miss Libby.

"Hush! hush!" said the dame. "To more vain talk. We are in the presence
of death. Mr. Lyon, my dear sir, take your wife and daughter into the
parlor. It is not damp, or close. It was aired yesterday. The whole
house has been opened and aired faithful, once a month, ever since you
have been away. And Joe went and made a fire in the parlor about a
quarter of an hour ago. Take them in there, Mr. Lyon, and leave me and
my daughters to do our last duties to this dead man," she added, turning
to Mr. Berners.

He followed her advice, and took his wife and daughter from the room of
death.

As they entered the old familiar parlor, now well aired and warmed and
lighted, Joe, who was still busy improving the fire, and Mopsy, who was
dusting the furniture, came forward in a hurry to greet their beloved
mistress. They loudly welcomed her, wept over her, blessed her, kissed
her hands, and would not let her go until the door opened, and Dr. Hart
and lawyer Closeby entered the room.

"Go now," said Sybil gently to her faithfu