single spark of
tenderness for you is left; not even the shadow of the love which I once
bore to you. You are a stranger to me; or worse than that, you are _she_,
whose wanton conduct has placed me here, and to-morrow will lead me to the
gallows.'

The girl rose up hastily, and said in a quick husky voice:

'Farewell, father; I will not stay until you curse me, for I fear it may
come to that. May GOD forgive both you and me! I have done wrong, and most
bitterly have I suffered for it.'

She caught his hand, pressed it to her lips, which were hot as fire, and
left the cell.

That was the last time that the father and daughter ever met.

The gaoler soon afterward brought in a light, and asked Rust if he wanted
any thing; and on being answered in the negative, went out.

The night wore on heavily. Rust heard the clock, as its iron tongue struck
the successive hours from his life. At last the hour of midnight sounded.
He took out his watch, wound it up, and set it.

'Your life will last longer than mine,' said he, as he held it to the
light, and examined the face. He then placed it on the table, and leaning
his head on his hand, contemplated it for a long time. Time was hurrying
on; for while he was sitting thus, the clock struck--one. He looked about
the room; went to the door, and listened; then resumed his seat, and
thrusting his hand in his bosom, drew out a small vial, containing a dark
liquid. He held it to the light; shook it; smiled; and applying it to his
lips, swallowed its contents.

'I'll disappoint the sight-seers,' said he. He raised the light; took a
long and earnest survey of the room; undressed himself; sat on the edge of
his bed, for a moment, apparently in deep thought; then got into bed and
drew the cover closely about him.

'Now, then,' said he, 'the dream of life is past. I'll soon know whether
there is any waking from it.'

These were his last words; for when the cell was opened in the morning, he
was dead in his bed. As in life, so in death, his own evil acts clashed
with his interests; for at an early hour in the morning a messenger
arrived with a pardon. In consideration of the heinous nature of the
provocation, which had led to the commission of Rust's crime, and of the
inadequate punishment inflicted by the laws for such offences, the
governor had remitted his sentence.

NIAGARA.

Behold! again I view thee, in thy majesty and might,
Thy broad sheet flashing in the blaze