CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE VERDICT.
During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.

To one who has been condemned to death there comes a resignation that is deeper than a philosophy.

Despair has killed the nerve that fear exposed, and nothing is left for terror to feed on.

But Brooks had not this deadened resignation, for he had a hope that he might escape the gallows, and so long as there is a hope there is an anxiety.

He had refused to see his wife, for he felt that in her heart she had condemned him and executed the sentence; but he was anxious to see Witherspoon.