to be clasped
once again in her HUSBAND'S arms. This was the sole thought,
the only desire. All "fond records," all recollection of past years,
all hope for future happiness, were obliterated, and nothing remained
before her mind's eye but the soldier who had parted from her in New
Orleans. Even the memory of her dead and of her living child had
vanished, and if they were for a while brought to her mind, it was
only in connection with the single desire which kept the chains of
sanity united. The lineaments of every soldier in the crowd were
closely and eagerly scanned, but there were none there who bore the
slightest resemblance to him for whom she yearned. But still she
peered into the assemblage, regardless of the efforts being made in
her behalf, and it was not until the interruption narrated in the last
chapter took place, that she manifested any interest in the
proceedings of the court, and then it was merely by a gesture of
surprise at the uproar. When Harry concluded and sat down, she again
evinced astonishment, but not a syllable escaped from her lips.

After a few minutes the shouts of the crowd subsided, and at the
request of the judge, silence was restored. His honor then addressed
the jury.

"Gentlemen of the jury," he began, "the case before your notice has
become, from one of apparent insignificance, one of intense interest
and importance. A merchant of this city, well known to you all, both
by his wealth and his long residence in your midst, appears before
this court and accuses a woman of theft. She is arrested and every
evidence of her guilt is found on her person; she does not deny the
act, and is accordingly brought before you to be tried and sentenced,
or acquitted, as you may, in your good judgment think best."

"Overwhelming evidence is brought against her to-day, and no doubt of
her having committed the theft exists. There appears little more for
you to do than to find her guilty, and for me to pass the sentence.
But before doing these, it is necessary that the accused shall have a
defense. She is questioned, but informs the court she has nothing to
say. At this stage of the proceedings, a gentleman well known to you
as a rising lawyer of this place before the war commenced, and better
known since then as a gallant and meritorious officer, appears as her
defendant. You have heard his defense. The act of taking the money is
not denied, but in his defense he claims that it was committed through