which I had so soon to meet. I wanted to fly to my poor brother, but I could not start until another day, and then who would go with me? I had several offers of protection. Selwyn Downs visited me that night, and offered to take me to Dexter. George Milbank volunteered his services as Walter's attorney, and assured me that he would defend him with his best efforts, and see that no more than justice was done.

I now remembered that my dear Hannah Parvin resided at Dexter, and I thought of her father, and resolved to go out of my way to Salem, and ask him to take me to Walter's prison. I had every needed assistance. The factory girls gave me generous aid, while the Wardens, Olneys, and others, followed their example. Money for expenses, clothing for Walter, and means to buy a bed, and every comfort he might need in his prison, were piled before me, and more of it came from my bank deposits than my kind friends were willing I should draw.

The next day I went over to Salem. Friend Buxton had gone into the country with two vicious boys for whom he obtained situations, and he was not expected to return before night. That day seemed a year, and that night an age. But he returned, and said he would go with me; and the day was spent in such tender and encouraging conversation, it passed away at last, and I had a little sleep at night to refresh my strength and prepare for my journey.

I fancied before that I knew the sweet and tender goodness of aunt Lydia, and had taken heavenly blessings from her lips and hands; but this time she excelled her

self. I thought she needed not wings to make her an angel, for she was already an angel of love and comfort on earth. She was thinner and paler than in former years. The long, silky brown hair, which her cap could. not hide, had grown quite gray, and her voice was more tremulous. But there was more spiritual ardor kindling her pure cheeks, and tears glistened more frequently in her eyes. She seemed to feel that much conversation would wound my feelings more than it would comfort, and her words were brief and few; but they went right down to the aching place in my heart, and eased it as no other words had done; and in her presence, and in each little act of kindness she did for me, there was a virtue that I received and kept for the trial I had before

me.

"Dear Walter! I hope Hannah has heard of his troubles and visited him," she said, once or twice to herself. "Dear boy! I remember how his mother loved him, and how pitiful he looked when she lay in her cold winding-sheet in Becket Court!-He was a comely boy, and I feared his beauty might cause him to fall. Such a tender, white neck for the gallows!-oh! it cannot be !-my heart is at rest there—the motherless lamb will not be slain!” Then she roused from her abstraction, started about to put up something more for me to carry to Walter, and repeated the assurance that Hannah would befriend us both till the end of our troubles.

The day

Morning arrived, and we set out for Dexter. was fair and happy, but it seemed to me as the light that shines on the windows of a prison. My outward

sight was shut, and my inward eyes were fastened upon my brother in his cell. Friend Buxton endeavored to animate me with firmness and resolution. He entreated me to hope for Walter's life, and never forget that death on the scaffold, terrible indeed as it was, could not give him so much suffering as a year's imprisonment, with the shame and agony of unrepented crime. He was glad that Hannah would be there to help me with her sympathy and aid. He hoped that my christian faith would do something for me now, for now it was that I needed it most, and it was given to sustain me amidst the darkest troubles.

An angel from heaven could not have outshone Nathan Buxton in my grateful eyes, nor could he have spoken words more refreshing or consoling. The woman rose in me with new energy and courage, and I felt that I could bear Walter's sufferings in addition to my own, and be resigned to as many more as the good Lord might lay upon me. In this resolute spirit we arrived in Dexter, and were welcomed by my dear friend, who had just returned from a visit to Walter, in which she gave him changes of linen, and expressed her regret that she could not have been before Mr. Snowden with a comfortable bed. As soon as I could hurry them away, my friends directed me to his cell.

XXXVII.

MR. SNOWDEN met us in the street and went with us to the prison. Mr. Parvin introduced me to the keeper, and said, in an entreating tone, which led me to suspect the character of my new acquaintance, that I would esteem it an especial favor if I could meet my brother alone. But if the tone of my petitioner had not led me to fear a brief or negative answer, the keeper's appearance and manner would.

He was a tall, stout person, with a hard face and impudent eyes. As Mr. Parvin presented my request, he gave me a cold and unfeeling look, and said, "that's not allowed here, mum.” Mr. Parvin replied that he would vouch for me and for the safety of the prisoner, and concluded, "thee knows me well enough, Thomas, to take my word."

"Yes, I know you wal enough, but 'tain't my orders to connive in this way. Sheriff Keezle's cursed pertic'lar 'bout his orders, and he'll blow me sky high if he hears that I've took or give any lib'ty."

"Sheriff Keezle!" cried I, as the name shot like a barbed arrow through my heart; and then, in silence, inquired, "is it possible that my brother is in his power?"

And though I knew Sheriff Keezle, and had been to his house, as that of a friend, I now felt less hope for Walter.

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'But this will be no connivance. The young woman feels that her grief is too sacred for our eyes, and it is proper that she should meet her brother the first time alone."

"I can't disobey orders, no how.

There ain't no use in it, as I see. She'll feel jest as bad alone with him as if I was lookin' on. There needn't any of you go in, but I go if she goes. It never hes, and it never shell be said that ever a saw or razor went into Dexter Jail while I was keeper, aither in a dish of soup or under a woman's apron. There you hev it, Parvin, and you know what I mean-he! he he!"

"But I must see my brother, if you will permit me,” interrupted I. "I cannot wait any longer, and I beg you to lead me in."

Yes, come on, you can go in with me. I guess Walt'll kinder like to see you, though he was up and down with a colic all last night, and I left him asleep a little while ago. Come this way, Miss Wintrop, he is not on the sunny side."

So he led me through a dark alley, past twenty or thirty cells, and in the darkest corner he paused, unlocked an iron door, and ushered me in.

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Here's where your brother rooms now," said he; "and yender he lays asleep on that low bed. Wake him, and have your say as soon as possible, for I've other things to do in the jail."

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Thank you, sir," said I, and hastened to the place where