, would
discover where his wife was; which discovery I desire to avoid as long
as possible. The best thing that you can do is to leave the boy here
for twenty-four hours longer, by which time bail can be procured for
his mother, and I shall endeavor to silence the charge, so that there
may be no necessity for a trial."

"May not Mr. Wentworth see the child and recognise him before we have
accomplished his mother's release," enquired the Doctor.

"I do not think it likely," he replied, "Alfred will not visit so
remote a vicinity, and the child need not be carried into the business
portion of the city."

"I shall leave him here, then, as you think it advisable," remarked
the Doctor; "it cannot injure him to remain in this cabin for a day
longer, while it might lead to unpleasant discoveries should he be
removed."

Harry and the old gentleman remained silent for some time, when Elsy
entered the room. No sooner did the girl see the boy than she
recognized her master's child, and taking him in her arms caressed him
with all the exhibitions of affection the negro is capable of.

"Dis am Mas Alfred own chile" she exclaimed to Harry and the old
gentleman, "and who would thought dat him would be libin' here."

"I supposed it was your master's child, my good girl," observed the
Doctor, and then added, as he rose from his seat, "you can stay here
with him until dark, when you had better return home; meanwhile, I do
not wish you to let Mr. Wentworth know that his wife and child are in
this city, nor do I wish you to take him out of this cabin. Come
Harry," he continued, "let us go now and see the mother; she will be
able to give us full details of her unfortunate life and to inform us
of the cause for which she is in prison."

Leaving the cabin, the two gentlemen re-entered the buggy and drove to
the Mayor's office. Finding him absent, they proceeded to his
residence, and, after briefly narrating the tale of Mrs. Wentworth and
her family, requested permission to visit her.

"Certainly, my dear sirs," replied Mr. Manship, such being the name of
the Mayor, "take a seat while I write you an order of admittance."

In a few minutes the order to admit Dr. Humphries and his companion in
the female's ward of the prison was written. Returning thanks to the
Mayor, the two gentlemen started for the prison, and on showing the
permit, were ushered into the cell occupied by Mrs. Wentworth.

"Good God!" exclaimed Harry, as he looked u