mself as he was a few short hours before, wending his
way to church at his brother's side, happy in the consciousness of duty
well performed, and proud in the love and esteem which he felt were but
his due. He contrasted the morning with the night; and saw himself the
inmate of a guard-house, herding with men whose very breath seemed crime
and profanation, and whose every word was blackened with oaths or
curses. He felt that the stain of guilt was on his hitherto pure brow,
traced there by the finger of a justly angry God, whose laws he had
violated, whose commands he had broken, and whose day he had abused.

He thought of the coming morning, with the public trial, when he would
be turned forth with the stamp of a thief or drunkard upon him, and the
finger of scorn pointing derisively at him. He thought of his blue-eyed,
pure-minded brother, mourning his absence, and weeping over his shame.
He remembered his mother--and the hot tears, so long pent up, gushed
like raindrops through his trembling fingers, and bathed the hands which
held that stricken head.

A sense of weight and oppression came over him--it seemed as if he could
not breathe--and gasping, he sprang from his recumbent position. A glow
of relief crossed his features as he saw that all the men around him
were asleep, and glancing through the barred window he saw the streaks
of light in the east, announcing the approach of day. At this moment he
heard the key turned in the lock, and thinking that other prisoners were
about being admitted, and not caring either to see or be seen by them,
he again threw himself full length upon the bench. An instant more and a
gush of cool air swept, over him, and a hand fell cautiously on his
shoulder.

He raised his head, and met the twinkling eyes of Mr. Clinton fixed upon
him.

"Hush!" whispered Clinton, laying his finger on his lips, as he saw
Arthur about to speak. "Not a word; pick yourself up as noiselessly as
you can, and get out of this hole. You are free."

Arthur glanced towards the door, and saw there the watchman who had
arrested them, standing with a dogged expression of countenance in the
gray light, and shaking nervously in his hand a gold coin.

He comprehended in a moment, as it were instinctively, that Clinton had
procured his release by a bribe; and though he felt to rejoice in his
freedom, he shrunk at feeling that he must be under obligations to such
a man for it.

He drew his hat over his eyes, an