Agnes was at first too much agitated to speak; but the Governor kindly re-assured her, by asking her some questions about her brother’s case, and soon she thought of nothing but him; her courage all revived; and with an eloquence the more effective from being all unstudied, she told her brother’s story to the Governor.  “He is so young,” said she, “only eighteen years old; and yet he must die.  But, oh! sir, if you would but save him from being dragged in his weakness to a death of shame, or from lingering out his few remaining days in that close, dark cell; oh! if he might only die free!”

“Ruth tells me,” said the Governor, quietly, “that your uncle, Mr. Wharton, is with you.  Is it William Wharton, of C——­ County?”

Agnes answered in the affirmative.

“Once a very good friend of mine,” said he; “but it is many years since we have met.  Where is he?”

“He came to the door with me,” answered Agnes, “and will return for me soon.  He hoped to have the pleasure of seeing you, sir.”

“I will see him when he comes,” said the Governor.  “Go you back to Ruth, my dear young lady.  I will think of all you have said.”

When Mr. Wharton called, he was admitted to the Governor; and the two former friends, after a cordial greeting, were closeted together for a long time.  He confirmed all that Agnes said of her brother, and assured the Governor that it was the opinion of physicians that he could not recover, and might not last a month.  He spoke long and feelingly of the devotion of Agnes to her brother, in attendance upon whom, in his loneliness and imprisonment, she had worn out health and strength.

The eyes of the Governor now glistened with emotion as he said, “Well, well, I hope I shall not be doing wrong.  At what time do you leave in the morning, Mr. Wharton?”

“In the very first train.  Agnes cannot be longer from her brother’s bedside.”

“Can you bring her here for one moment before you leave?”

“Certainly.”

“Well, then, tell her to lie down to-night, and sleep in peace; and may Heaven bless a sister so devoted, and a friend so true.”

The Governor was not so well when Mr. Wharton and Agnes called the next morning; but Ruth. appeared, her face radiant with joy, and, throwing her arms around Agnes’ neck, she put into her hand a sealed paper.

XX.

Twice Free.

   “Oh liberty!

   Thou choicest gift of Heaven, and wanting which
   Life is as nothing.”—­KNOWLES.

Oh! the sunshine, and the glad earth, and the singing of the birds of early spring, to the prisoner, sick, and worn, and weary!  How the feeble pulse already begins to throb with pleasure, and life which had seemed so valueless before, looks lovely and much to be desired now.

The official announcement of the pardon reached Hillsdale almost as soon as Agnes herself, and the friends of the young prisoner lost no time in removing him as gently and as comfortably as possible, to his uncle’s kind home at Brook Farm.  Here nothing was left undone by his devoted friends to soothe his declining days; and with a heart overflowing with gratitude and love, Lewie sank quietly towards the grave.