A low sob fell on the ears of all.
The eyes of the group turned to Rose. She rested on the breast of August
and was weeping bitterly.
She, too, was broken up.
When the wicked cause of all the trouble was led away to prison, and none
remained in the little garden but the old mother, August, and Rose, the
latter disengaged himself from his hands and said, with a quiver in her
voice and a moisture in her eye:
"I feel like going away by myself and never looking you in the face
again, August." "Why so, darling?"
"Because I have been such a fool."
He drew her to him, however, and kissed her tears away, while he
whispered:
"The clouds have drifted away, darling, and we are destined to be happy
yet."
She clung to him closely, and the widow understood and helped them. It
was indeed sunshine after the storm.
* * * * *
Andrew Barkswell confessed his guilt in open court, and was sentenced to
prison for life. Two years later he died. Thus ended an eventful and
wicked career. Of course the reward was paid over in due time, and Silas
Keene was the lion of the hour, since he had cornered a double murderer,
and cleared up the mystery of Victoria Vane's sad death, who had fallen
by the hand of a jealous woman.
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