“My poor brother,” she said, laying her hand lightly upon his shoulder.
“You pity me, then, Ruth?” he asked, in a quivering voice.
“From the very depths of my heart and soul I pity you, brother. That is why I came at your call, came when I received your letter, to say what words of cheer I could to you.”
“You came to do more, Ruth?”
“You mean to save you?”
“Yes,” he said eagerly.
“I have come to save you, brother, for with you I feel that you are not fit to die, that you should have time for repentance, should do all in your power to atone for the past.”
“God bless you, Ruth, and I know that he will. I felt that you would not desert me in my last hour.”
“No, I have long tried to save you, have worked so hard to help you, to take you from your evil life, and it seemed all in vain, for you seemed wedded irrevocably to sin, and every pledge you made me was broken.
“But I am not here to upbraid you, but to have a long talk with you. Sit down and let me tell you just what I have done and why I am here.” She gently forced the prisoner into his chair while she began to pace slowly up and down the cabin.