me that you have known such a person; that woman recently died
in this city, and on her death-bed she made the following confession.'

The rector here produced and read a paper which he had drawn up
embodying the statement and confession which the woman Welch had made to
him, just before her death. As the reader is acquainted with the
particulars of that confession it is unnecessary for us to repeat them.

Having finished the perusal of this document, the rector proceeded to
relate an account of his visit to the tomb of Mr. Franklin, and
concluded his fearfully interesting narrative by producing the lump of
lead which had been taken from the skull of the murdered man.

It is impossible to describe the horror and dismay of the two wretched
and guilty women, when they saw that their crime was discovered. Falling
on their knees before the rector, they implored him to have mercy on
them and not hand them over to justice.--They expressed their sincere
repentance of the deed, and declared that sooner than suffer the
ignominy of an arrest, they would die by their own hands. Josephine in
particular did not fail to remind Dr. Sinclair of the many favors she
had granted him and hinted that her exposure would result in his own
ruin, as his former connection with her would be disclosed, if herself
and mother were arrested and brought to trial.

'Were I inclined to bring you to justice, the dread of my own exposure
would not prevent me; for no personal consideration should ever restrain
me from doing an act of justice, provided the public good would be
prompted thereby. But I do not see the necessity of bringing you to the
horrors of a trial and execution; much rather would I see you allowed a
chance of repentance. Therefore, you need apprehend no danger from me;
the secret of your crime shall not be revealed by me. But I warn you
that the secret is known to another, who will probably use his knowledge
to his own advantage; the matter lies between you and him. I shall now
leave this house, never again to cross its threshold; but ere I depart,
let me urge you both before God to repent of your sins. Josephine, I
have been very guilty in yielding to your temptations; but the Lord is
merciful, and will not refuse forgiveness to the chief of sinners.
Farewell--we shall meet no more: for I design shortly to retire from a
ministerial life, of which I have proved myself unworthy; and shall take
up my abode in some other place, and lead a