dy justice to
Sybil Berners. His violent death had been the direct result of his
lawless life. A brutal ex-confederate in crime had long successfully
black-mailed him, and at length waylaid, robbed, and murdered him. The
criminal subsequently fled the neighborhood, but no doubt somewhere,
sooner or later, met his deserts.

The confession was ended. At the same time Miss Tabby knocked at the
door and announced supper.

And after this refreshment the friends separated, and retired to rest.

There is but little more to tell.

The next day news of the tragedy was taken to the Dubarry Springs.

Raphael Riordon and his step-mother, Mrs. Blondelle, came over to view
the corpse and see to its removal.

Gentiliska, now a very handsome matron, gazed at the dead body with a
strangely mingled expression of pity, dislike, sorrow, and relief. She
had not been happy with the outlaw, whom, in her ignorance and
friendlessness, she had been induced to marry; and she was not now
unhappy in his death.

Raphael, now a grave and handsome man, met Mrs. Berners with a sad
composure. He worshipped her as constantly and as purely as ever. He had
known no second faith.

Mr. Blondelle was buried at Dubarry.

His confession was duly laid before the Governor of Virginia, who, in
granting Sybil a pardon for the crime she had never committed, also
wrote her a vindicatory letter, in which he expressed his respect for
her many virtues, and his sorrow that the blundering of the law should
have caused her so much of suffering.

The criminal's confession and the Governor's letter were both published
through the length and breadth of the land. And Sybil Berners became as
much loved and lionized as ever she had been hated and persecuted.

In the spring other exiles returned to the neighborhood: Captain
Pendleton and his wife, once Miss Minnie Sheridan; and Mr. Sheridan,
with his wife, once Miss Beatrix Pendleton.

Both these couples had long been married, and had been blessed with
large families of sons and daughters.

The widow Blondelle sold out her interest in the Dubarry White Sulphur
Springs, and with her step-son Raphael Riordon, returned to England.
Under another name, those springs are now among the most popular in
America.

Mr. and Mrs. Berners have but one child--Gem! But she is the darling of
their hearts and eyes; and she is betrothed to Cromartie Douglass, whom
they love as a son.

* * * *