n's arm, and like one
who would forget her own troubles in her anxiety to relieve another,
supports him on his way back to prison.

It is high noon. She stands before the prison gate, now glancing at the
serene sky, then at the cold, frowning walls, and again at the old pile,
as if contemplating the wearying hours he must pass within it. "Don't
repine--nerve yourself with resolution, and all will be well!" Having
said this with an air of confidence in herself, she throws her arms
about the old man's neck, presses him to her bosom, kisses and kisses
his wrinkled cheek, then grasps his hand warmly in her own. "Forget
those who persecute you, for it is good. Look above, father--to Him who
tempers the winds, who watches over the weak, and gives the victory to
the right!" She pauses, as the old man holds her hand in silence. "This
life is but a transient sojourn at best; full of hopes and fears, that,
like a soldier's dream, pass away when the battle is ended." Again she
fondly shakes his hand, lisps a sorrowing "good-bye," watches him, in
silence, out of sight, then turns away in tears, and seeks her home.
There is something so pure, so earnest in her solicitude for the old
man, that it seems more of heaven than earth.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

A STORY WITHOUT WHICH THIS HISTORY WOULD BE FOUND WANTING.

On taking leave of her father, Maria, her heart overburdened with grief,
and her mind abstracted, turned towards the Battery, and continued,
slowly and sadly, until she found herself seated beneath a tree, looking
out upon the calm bay. Here, scarce conscious of those who were
observing her in their sallies, she mused until dusky evening, when the
air seemed hushed, and the busy hum of day was dying away in the
distance. The dark woodland on the opposite bank gave a bold border to
the soft picture; the ships rode sluggishly upon the polished waters;
the negro's touching song echoed and re-echoed along the shore; and the
boatman's chorus broke upon the stilly air in strains so dulcet. And as
the mellow shadows of night stole over the scene--as the heavens looked
down in all their sereneness, and the stars shone out, and twinkled, and
laughed, and danced upon the blue waters, and coquetted with the
moonbeams--for the moon was up, and shedding a halo of mystic light over
the scene--making night merry, nature seemed speaking to Maria in words
of condolence. Her heart was touched, her spirits gained strength, her
soul seemed