“‘Harry, do you believe that any man could be killed with good news?’ “‘No, of course not; but why do you ask me such a question?’ “‘Because it is in my power to impart to you some of the best news that ever was poured into the ears of mortal man!’ “‘Edward,’ he groaned, ‘you must not try to console me with false hopes; you had better leave me to endure my just punishment; it is the will of God that I should suffer, and I do not complain. You could not tell me anything in the shape of news that would relieve me, except it was to let me know that my darling sister lived, and the guilt of murder was not on my wicked soul.’ “‘That is the very thing I am prepared to assert.’ “‘What in Heaven’s name do you mean?’ “‘Be perfectly quiet and I will explain. Could you calmly listen to the news of Lottie being alive?’ “‘Certainly I could, because it would not be true; and I must request you not to torture me in this manner.’ “‘Did you ever hear of a person being in a trance, when the friends thought it was death?’ “‘Yes, very often; Doctor Plaxico told me that such things frequently occurred; he mentioned two cases that had come under his observation.’ “‘Then why might we not hope that such was Lottie’s condition when Doctor Dodson telegraphed us that she was dead?’ “‘Edward, pray tell me what you mean!’ “‘Exactly what I say. Now stop, Harry; don’t lose control of yourself.’ “‘Edward, you must not trifle with my feelings.’ “‘I do not mean to trifle with your feelings, but I must request you to control them. Do you think you can do it?’ “‘Yes! yes! pray go on.’ “‘Well, in the first place, Lottie is not dead; and in the second place, she is much better; and in the third place, she is going to recover. Now, come, you promised to be calm; remember I hold you to your promise. I will read you the telegram if you will sit down and be perfectly quiet; if you do not, I shall not let you see or hear it.’ “‘What are you talking about? Am I not calm? You don’t expect me not to tremble, do you?’ “‘There, now, just sit perfectly still and hear the good news.’ “He at last fell back on the seat and listened to the reading of the telegram, while his eyes were closed and his hands tightly clasped across his breast. When I had finished reading, I knelt down by his seat and whispered: “‘Kneel down, Harry; now is the very time to offer thanks.’ “He fell on his knees in an instant, and remained there a long time; and when he got up there was a look of inexpressible joy on his countenance. I was satisfied that he was safe, and then I was happy, too. “‘Eddie,’ he said, after remaining silent for a few minutes, apparently soliloquizing, ‘if God spares Lottie’s life, I will love and worship Him as long as I live.’ “‘Indeed, we should feel very grateful to Him for such a great blessing,’ I replied. “‘What is the time?’ he inquired, as he saw me looking at the watch.