mistress. In a moment she returned, dragging Mrs. Oakley by the hand.

"Tell 'em, oh, tell 'em, Miss Leslie, dat you don't believe it. Don't
let 'em 'rest Berry."

"Why, Fannie, I can't do anything. It all seems perfectly plain, and Mr.
Oakley knows better than any of us, you know."

Fannie, her last hope gone, flung herself on the floor, crying, "O Gawd!
O Gawd! he 's gone fu' sho'!"

Her husband bent over her, the tears dropping from his eyes. "Nevah
min', Fannie," he said, "nevah min'. Hit 's boun' to come out all
right."

She raised her head, and seizing his manacled hands pressed them to her
breast, wailing in a low monotone, "Gone! gone!"

They disengaged her hands, and led Berry away.

"Take her out," said Oakley sternly to the servants; and they lifted her
up and carried her away in a sort of dumb stupor that was half a swoon.

They took her to her little cottage, and laid her down until she could
come to herself and the full horror of her situation burst upon her.




V