d that document to her, be merciful and read it _now_,
when her mind is dulled to its meaning."

The sheriff nodded, and then said:

"Mrs. Berners, I have something to read to you. Can you listen?"

"Yes. Is it interesting?" inquired Sybil, rousing herself.

Without answering that last question, the sheriff prepared to read the
awful instrument of doom. Lyon Berners sat down on the side of the bed,
and drew his wife's head upon his bosom.

Miss Pendleton sat pale and still as a statue.

The old warden stood with his eyes bent upon the floor.

Sybil roused herself to listen, and she heard the first few lines of
preamble addressed to the sheriff, but after that her attention wandered
beyond control; and at the conclusion, she slightly smiled, and turning
to her husband, said:

"Lyon, be sure to come early to-morrow. I want to go home in the cool of
the morning."

"Yes, dear, I shall be here very early," answered Mr. Berners as
steadily as he could speak, with his heart breaking.

Then laying her gently back on her pillow, he touched the sheriff on the
shoulder and beckoned him to follow to the window.

"You see," said Mr. Berners, as they stood side by side, looking out.

"I see. I am very much shocked. This should be looked into. A medical
examination should be made. Another appeal should be sent to the
governor. Has Mr. Worth returned to Washington?"

"No; he has been waiting the issue of the petition to the governor."

"Then I advise you to see and consult him without loss of time. Do it
now; this morning," urged the sheriff, as he took up his hat and gloves
to leave the cell.

He went to Sybil's bedside to take leave of her.

"Good-morning, Mrs. Berners," he said, holding out his hand.

"Good-morning, Mr. Fortescue. Thanks for your call. When you come
again--" she began smilingly, but lost the connection of her ideas, and
with a look of distress and perplexity she sent her fingers straying
over the counterpane, as if in search of something.

With a deep sigh the sheriff left the cell.

And at the same time Lyon Berners quietly kissed his wife, and withdrew.

Mr. Berners went at once to the hotel where Ishmael Worth lodged.

On inquiry at the office, he found that Mr. Worth was in his room.
Without waiting to send up his name first, he desired to be immediately
shown up to Mr. Worth's presence.

He found the young lawyer sitting at a table, deeply immersed in
documents. He was about to apologi