an to be
aware of the terrible truth; I have tested the powers of the unseen
world to bear witness to his guilt; I have had this bandage examined by
one of the ablest physicians in America, and it is _poison--insidious,
deadly poison_. Egbert Crawford is not only a liar, but a _murderer_!"

"Help me! help me! oh, my God, what shall I do?" cried the poor girl,
staggering as if about to fall, and only prevented by the quick arm of
Josephine. "Do you know what you have been saying to me? My father is
sinking fast--his will is made--Egbert Crawford, whom you call a
murderer, is at this moment at my home--I am to marry him this very
day!"

"You _are_ to marry him, after this warning?" said Josephine Harris,
looking at her with surprise not unmingled with horror. "Then you do not
believe me, or you would marry a villain! You are not glad to know that
the man you once loved, and who yet loves you so dearly, is true and
loyal? I have indeed meddled where I was not wanted, and Richard
Crawford--indeed--indeed she was not worthy of you!"

"Oh no, no! do not say so!" cried the young girl, changing so suddenly
from the icy misery in which she had before stood, that Josephine
Harris was literally bewildered. "I do love Richard Crawford. I have
never known one happy day since I believed him unworthy to be my
husband. I do believe you, dear, good girl, and I do thank you from my
soul for all you have done to serve me! But oh, I am so miserable and so
helpless! What shall I do? what shall I do?" Before she had ceased
speaking, she had literally flung herself on her knees, embracing the
bottom of Josephine's garment, clinging to her as if there was no
dependence in the world beyond, and sobbing as if her heart would break.

Josephine Harris was melted in a moment, and nearly heart-broken
herself, at the sight of the young girl's misery; but oh, what a gleam
of joy underlay the sorrow! She was _not_ misunderstood!--she had _not_
been laboring in vain! Happy Joe--even in the midst of her pain and
anxiety!

She raised the poor alarmed and sorrowing girl from her position of
pleading and humiliation, took the chair that had just been vacated, and
drew her down upon her own lap as if she had been a mother or an elder
sister.

"What shall I do?" still repeated the troubled lips, through choking
sobs. "I cannot escape now. It is too late. Poor Richard!--poor wronged
Richard! I have deserved my fate, for being so untrue to him. What shal