'The good mother listened attentively, and weighed every circumstance.
The frankness of his unreserved confession convinced her of its truth.
When all the sad tale was told, she took him in her pitying arms, and
told him that, though all the world should believe him guilty, she felt
that he was innocent from her very soul.
'"God bless you, dearest, best mother," sobbed the poor boy, covering
her hand with kisses. "I knew you would not condemn me. I never have,
nor ever will give you cause to be ashamed of me. But my father--it
seems unnatural, monstrous that he should believe me guilty at once. I
shall never get over it. It crushes my heart; it presses out my life.
If I could only convince him of my innocence I could die in peace."
'"Don't talk of dying, George. Leave your cause to God. He can bring to
light the hidden things of darkness, and make the black cloud that now
envelopes you as clear as the noonday. Let me go to your father,
George; I think I can convince him of your innocence, and that he has
acted too hastily."
'Exhausted as he was, George grasped his mother's hand, and held her
fast. "I could not see him again while this conflict is going on in my
mind--not while he looks upon me as a felon, a disgrace to his name and
family. The brand must be removed from my brow before I meet him face
to face. I want to love him as I once loved him. I feel as if I never
could love him again."
'Again the voice became choked and hoarse and the lad gave way to a
fresh agony of tears.
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