r you?" asked Charles, kindly.

"I--I am poisoned," groaned the Quadroon, holding up her lacerated hand
which she had carelessly wounded with one of the barbs intended to have
killed him.

The barb she had wounded and killed Robert with, was blown through a
long, hollow reed, a weapon much used in Africa, and the barb had been
dipped in poison so subtle, rapid and sure in its effect, that the wound
the girl had received accidentally in her hand, was fast proving fatal
to her. In Robert Bramble's case, it had reached a vital part at once,
and had been almost instantly fatal in its effect. But Maud was dying!

"Poor, poor girl, what shall we say to your father?" asked Charles, for
he knew full well the fatal poisons in which the negroes dip their tiny
barbs; and he realized that the Quadroon, who was a victim to her own
scheme of destruction, could not live but a few moments.

She seemed too far gone to speak now, and turned and writhed in an agony
of pain upon the ground, while Helen strove to raise her head and to
comfort her. The poison seemed to act upon her by spasms, and she would
have a moment now and then, when she was comparatively at ease. The
lowering darkness of her face was gone now, a serenity seemed to be
gathering there, and leaning forward between the paroxysms, she held
forth the hand which was not wounded towards Charles Bramble who stood
tenderly over her, and said in a low, gentle voice:

"Forgive--forgive me! will you--will you not forgive me?"

"With all my heart, poor girl, I do sincerely forgive you," said
Charles, earnestly.

All was not black in that human heart, the half effaced image of its
Maker was there still; and Maud looked tenderly and penitently upon
Helen and Charles. The former knelt by her side, and drawing the poor
girl's hands together across her breast as she lay upon the ground,
lifted her own hands heavenward, moving her lips in prayer as she bent
over the sufferer. What little Maud knew of religious instruction, had
been taught her in the form of the Episcopal church, and she now
listened to the formal prayer from the litany appropriate to her
situation. A sweet smile gathered over her face as Helen proceeded, and
prayed for forgiveness for all sins committed; and as she paused at the
close, three voices repeated the word Amen.

Charles and Helen rose to their feet, but the spirit of the Quadroon had
fled!

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE DENOUEMENT.

THE events of th