“Guilty!”

The deep, sonorous voice of the foreman of the jurysounded out upon the solemn stillness of the crowded court-roomlike the knell of doom.

And doom it was, and to one who never consciously committeda mean act in all his life.

The effect which that one word produced was marked.

There was a rustle of excitement and disapproval amongthe crowd, while deep-drawn sighs and expressions ofsorrow showed that sympathy was strong for the prisonerat the bar, who for the last hour, while the jury was absentto decide upon the verdict, had sat with bent head andlistless attitude, as if wearied out with the bitter trial towhich he had been subjected.

Now, however, as he had been commanded “to look uponthe jury,” his head was proudly lifted, revealing an exceedinglyintelligent and handsome face, and a pair of fine darkeyes met those of the foreman unflinchingly while the leastsmile of scorn and bitterness disturbed the firm, strongmouth, showing that he had believed he had not much tohope for from him.

As the word was spoken which sealed his fate, a graypallor settled over his face, and he dropped into his formerattitude; otherwise he betrayed no sign of emotion.

Then something occurred which very seldom occurs ina crowded court-room.

A low cry of pain not far from the prisoner made everyeye turn that way, and made him shiver as with a suddenchill.

A tender, sorrowful gleam crept into his dark eyes, theproud lips unbent and trembled slightly, and a heavy sighheaved his broad chest.

The next moment a slender, girlish form started up from4her seat, and a fair, flushed face was turned with eloquentplead

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