第1章

ThesteamerSilveropoliswassharplyandsteadilycleavingthebroad，placidshallowsoftheSacramentoRiver。Alargewavelikeaneagre，divergingfromitsbow，wasextendingtoeitherbank，swampingthetulesandthreateningtosubmergethelowerlevees。

Thegreatboatitself——avastbutdelicatestructureofairystories，hanginggalleries，fragilecolonnades，gildedcornices，andresplendentfrescoes——wasthrobbingthroughoutitswholeperilouslengthwiththepulseofhighpressureandthestrongmonotonousbeatofapowerfulpiston。Floodsoffoampouringfromthehighpaddle-boxesoneithersideandreunitinginthewakeoftheboatleftbehindatrackofdazzlingwhiteness，overwhichtrailedtwodenseblackbannersflungfromitsloftysmokestacks。

Mr。JackHamlinhadquietlyemergedfromhisstateroomondeckandwaslookingovertheguards。Hishandswererestinglightlyonhishipsoverthedelicatecurvesofhiswhitewaistcoat，andhewaswhistlingsoftly，possiblysomeairtowhichhehadmadecertaincard-playingpassengersdancethenightbefore。Hewasincomfortablecase，andhissoftbrowneyesundertheirlonglasheswereveiledwithgentletoleranceofallthings。Heglancedlazilyalongtheemptyhurricanedeckforward；heglancedlazilydowntothesaloondeckbelowhim。Faroutagainsttheguardsbelowhimleanedayounggirl。Mr。Hamlinknittedhisbrowsslightly。

Herememberedheratonce。ShehadcomeonboardthatmorningwithoneNedStratton，abrothergambler，butneitherafavoritenorintimateofJack\'s。Fromcertainindicationsinthepair，Jackhadinferredthatshewassomefoolishorrecklesscreaturewhom"Ed"

had"gotonastring，"andwasspiritingawayfromherfriendsandfamily。WiththeabstractmoralityofthissituationJackwasnotintheleastconcerned。Forhimselfhedidnotindulgeinthatsortofgame；theinexperienceandvacillationsofinnocencewereapttobebothersome，andbesides，acertainmodestdoubtofhisowncompetencytomakeanoriginalselectionhadalwaysmadehimprefertoconfinehisgallantriestothewivesofmenofgreaterjudgmentthanhimselfwhohad。ButitsuddenlyoccurredtohimthathehadseenStrattonquicklyslipofftheboatatthelastlandingstage。Ah!thatwasit；hehadcastawayanddesertedher。

Itwasanoldstory。Jacksmiled。ButhewasnotgreatlyamusedwithStratton。

Shewasverypale，andseemedtobeclingingtothenetworkrailing，asiftosupportherself，althoughshewasgazingfixedlyattheyellowglancingcurrentbelow，whichseemedtobesuckeddownandswallowedinthepaddle-boxastheboatswepton。Itcertainlywasafascinatingsight——thisslopingrapid，hurryingontoburyitselfunderthecrushingwheels。ForabriefmomentJacksawhowtheywouldseizeanythingfloatingonthatghastlyincline，whirlitroundinoneawfulrevolutionofthebeatingpaddles，andthenburyit，brokenandshatteredoutofallrecognition，deepinthemuddyundercurrentofthestreambehindthem。

Shemovedawaypresentlywithanodd，stiffstep，chafingherglovedhandstogetherasiftheyhadbecomestiffenedtooinherrigidgraspoftherailing。Jackleisurelywatchedherasshemovedalongthenarrowstripofdeck。Shewasnotatalltohistaste，——aratherplumpgirlwitharusticmannerandagreatdealofbrownhairunderherstrawhat。Shemighthavelookedbetterhadshenotbeensohaggard。Whenshereachedthedoorofthesaloonshepaused，andthen，turningsuddenly，begantowalkquicklybackagain。Asshenearedthespotwhereshehadbeenstandingherpaceslackened，andwhenshereachedtherailingsheseemedtorelapseagainstitinherformerhelplessfashion。Jackbecamelazilyinterested。Suddenlysheliftedherheadandcastaquickglancearoundandaboveher。InthatmomentaryliftingofherfaceJacksawherexpression。Whateveritwas，hisownchangedinstantly；thenextmomenttherewasacrashonthelowerdeck。ItwasJackwhohadswunghimselfovertherailanddroppedtenfeet，toherside。Butnotbeforeshehadplacedonefootinthemeshesofthenettingandhadgrippedtherailingforaspring。

ThenoiseofJack\'sfallmighthaveseemedtoherbewilderedfancyasapartofherfranticact，forshefellforwardvacantlyontherailing。ButbythistimeJackhadgraspedherarmasiftohelphimselftohisfeet。

"Imighthavekilledmyselfbythatfoolin\'，mightn\'tI？"hesaidcheerfully。

Thesoundofavoicesonearherseemedtorecalltoherdazedsensetheuncompletedactionhisfallhadarrested。Shemadeaconvulsiveboundtowardstherailing，butJackheldherfast。

"Don\'t，"hesaidinalowvoice，"don\'t，itwon\'tpay。It\'sthesickestgamethateverwasplayedbymanorwoman。Comehere!"

Hedrewhertowardsanemptystateroomwhosedoorwasswingingonitshingesafewfeetfromthem。Shewastremblingviolently；hehalfled，halfpushedherintotheroom，closedthedoorandstoodwithhisbackagainstitasshedroppedintoachair。Shelookedathimvacantly；theagitationshewasundergoinginwardlyhadlefthernosenseofoutwardperception。

"YouknowStrattonwouldbeawfullyriled，"continuedJackeasily。

"He\'sjuststeppedouttoseeafriendandgotleftbythefoolboat。He\'llbealongbythenextsteamer，andyou\'reboundtomeethiminSacramento。”

Herstaringeyesseemedsuddenlytograsphismeaning。Buttohissurprisesheburstoutwithacertainhystericaldesperation，"No!

no!Never!NEVERagain!Letmepass!Imustgo，"andstruggledtoregainthedoor。Jack，albeitsingularlyrelievedtoknowthatshesharedhisprivatesentimentsregardingStratton，neverthelessresistedher。Whereatshesuddenlyturnedwhite，reeledback，andsankinadeadfaintinthechair。

Thegamblerturned，drewthekeyfromtheinsideofthedoor，passedout，lockingitbehindhim，andwalkedleisurelyintothemainsaloon。"Mrs。Johnson，"hesaidgravely，addressingthestewardess，atallmulatto，withhisusualwinsomesupremacyoverdependentsandchildren，"you\'llobligemeifyou\'llcorralafewsmellingsalts，vinaigrettes，hairpins，andvioletpowder，andunloadthemindeckstateroomNo。257。There\'salady"——

"Alady，MarseHamlin？"interruptedthemulatto，withanarchlysignificantflashofherwhiteteeth。

"Alady，"continuedJackwithunabashedgravity，"inasortofconniptionfit。Arelativeofmine；infactaniece，myonlysister\'schild。Hadn\'tseeneachotherfortenyears，anditwastoomuchforher。”

Thewomanglancedathimwithaminglingofincredulousbelief，butdelightedobedience，hurriedlygatheredafewarticlesfromhercabin，andfollowedhimtoNo。257。Theyounggirlwasstillunconscious。Thestewardessappliedafewrestorativeswiththeskilloflongexperience，andtheyounggirlopenedhereyes。TheyturnedvacantlyfromthestewardesstoJackwithalookofhalfrecognitionandhalffrightenedinquiry。"Yes，"saidJack，addressingtheeyes，althoughostentatiouslyspeakingtoMrs。

Johnson，"she\'donlyjustcomebysteamerto\'Friscoandwasn\'texpectingtoseeme，andwedroppedrightintoeachotherhereontheboat。AndIhaven\'tseenhersinceshewassohigh。SisterMaryoughttohavewarnedmebyletter；butshewasalwaysaslouchatletterwriting。There，that\'lldo，Mrs。Johnson。She\'scominground；IreckonIcanmanagetherest。ButyougonowandtellthepurserIwantoneofthoseinsidestateroomsformyniece，——MY

NIECE，youhear，——sothatyoucanbenearherandlookafterher。”

Asthestewardessturnedobedientlyawaytheyounggirlattemptedtorise，butJackcheckedher。"No，"hesaid，almostbrusquely；

"youandIhavesometalkingtodobeforeshegetsback，andwe\'venotimeforfoolin\'。YouheardwhatItoldherjustnow!Well，it\'sgottobeasIsaid，yousabe。Aslongasyou\'reonthisboatyou\'remyniece，andmysisterMary\'schild。AsIhaven\'tgotanysisterMary，youdon\'trunanyriskoffallingfoulofher，andyouain\'ttakinganyone\'splace。Thatsettlesthat。Now，doyouordoyounotwanttoseethatmanagain？Sayyes，andifhe\'sanywhereabovegroundI\'llyankhimovertoyouassoonaswetouchshore。”Hehadnoideaofinterferingwithhiscolleague\'samours，buthehaddeterminedtomakeStrattonpayforthebothertheirslovenlysequencehadcausedhim。Yethewasrelievedandastonishedbyherfranticgestureofindignationandabhorrence。

"No？"herepeatedgrimly。"Well，thatsettlesthat。Now，lookhere；quick，beforeshecomes——doyouwanttogobackhometoyourfriends？"

Buthereoccurredwhathehaddreadedmostandprobablythoughthehadescaped。Shehadstaredathim，atthestewardess，atthewalls，withabstracted，vacant，andbewildered，butalwaysundimmedandunmoistenedeyes。Asuddenconvulsionshookherwholeframe，herblankexpressionbrokelikeashatteredmirror，shethrewherhandsoverhereyesandfellforwardwithherfacetothebackofherchairinanoutburstoftears。

AlasforJack!withthebreakingupofthosesealedfountainscameherspeechalso，atfirstdisconnectedandincoherent，andthendespairingandpassionate。No!shehadnolongerfriendsorhome!

Shehadlostanddisgracedthem!ShehaddisgracedHERSELF!Therewasnohomeforherbutthegrave。WhyhadJacksnatchedherfromit？Then，bitbybit，sheyieldedupherstory，——astorydecidedlycommonplacetoJack，uninteresting，andevenirritatingtohisfastidiousness。Shewasaschoolgirl(notevenaconventgirl，buttheinmateofaPresbyterianfemaleacademyatNapa。Jackshudderedasherememberedtohaveonceseencertainofthepupilswalkingwithateacher)，andshelivedwithhermarriedsister。

ShehadseenStrattonwhilegoingtoandfroontheSanFranciscoboat；shehadexchangednoteswithhim，hadmethimsecretly，andfinallyconsentedtoelopewithhimtoSacramento，onlytodiscoverwhentheboathadleftthewharftherealnatureofhisintentions。

Jacklistenedwithinfinitewearinessandinwardchafing。Hehadreadallthisbeforeincheapnovelettes，inthepolicereports，intheSundaypapers；hehadheardastreetpreacherdeclaimagainstit，andwarnyoungwomenoftheserpent-likewilesoftemptersoftheStrattonvariety。ButevennowJackfailedtorecognizeStrattonasaserpent，orindeedanythingbutablunderingcheatandclown，whohadlefthisdirty\'prenticeworkonhis(Jack\'s)

hands。Butthegirlwashelplessand，itseemed，homeless，allthroughacertaindesperationoffeelingwhich，inspiteofhertears，hecouldnotbutrespect。Thatmomentaryshadowofdeathhadexaltedher。Hestrokedhismustache，pulleddownhiswhitewaistcoatandhercry，withoutsayinganything。Hedidnotknowthatthismostobjectionablephaseofhermiserywashersalvationandhisown。

Butthestewardesswouldreturninamoment。"You\'dbettertellmewhattocallyou，"hesaidquietly。"Ioughttoknowmyniece\'sfirstname。”

Thegirlcaughtherbreath，and，betweentwosobs，said，"Sophonisba。”

Jackwinced。Itseemedonlytoneedthislastsentimentaltouchtocompletetheidioticsituation。"I\'llcallyouSophy，"hesaidhurriedlyandwithaneffort。

"Andnowlookhere!YouaregoinginthatcabinwithMrs。Johnsonwhereshecanlookafteryou，butIcan\'t。SoI\'llhavetotakeyourword，forI\'mnotgoingtogiveyouawaybeforeMrs。Johnson，thatyouwon\'ttrythatfoolishness——youknowwhatImean——beforeI

seeyouagain。CanItrustyou？"

Withherheadstillbowedoverthechairback，shemurmuredslowlysomewherefromunderherdisheveledhair:——

"Yes。”

"HonestInjin？"adjuredJackgravely。

"Yes。”

Theshufflingstepofthestewardesswasheardslowlyapproaching。

"Yes，"continuedJackabruptly，lightlyliftinghisvoiceasMrs。

Johnsonopenedthedoor，——"yes，ifyou\'donlyhadsomeofthosespearmintdropsofyourauntRachel\'sthatshealwaysgaveyouwhenthesefitscameonyou\'dhavebeenallrightinsideoffiveminutes。Auntywasnoslouchofadoctor，wasshe？Dearme，itonlyseemsyesterdaysinceIsawher。Youwerejustplayingroundherkneelikeakittenonthebackporch。Howtimedoesfly!Buthere\'sMrs。Johnsoncomingtotakeyouin。Nowrouseup，Sophy，andjusthookyourselfontoMrs。Johnsononthatside，andwe\'lltoddlealong。”

Theyounggirlputbackherheavyhair，andwithherfacestillavertedsubmittedtobehelpedtoherfeetbythekindlystewardess。

Perhapssomethinghomelysympatheticandnurse-likeinthetouchofthemulattogaveherassuranceandconfidence，forherheadlapsedquitenaturallyagainstthewoman\'sshoulder，andherfacewaspartlyhiddenasshemovedslowlyalongthedeck。Jackaccompaniedthemtothesaloonandtheinnerstateroomdoor。Afewpassengersgatheredcuriouslynear，asmuchattractedbytheunusualpresenceofJackHamlininsuchaprocessionasbythegirlherself。"You\'lllookafterherspecially，Mrs。Johnson，"saidJack，inunusuallydeliberateterms。"She\'sbeenagooddealpettedathome，andmysisterperhapshasratherspoilther。She\'sprettymuchofachildstill，andyou\'llhavetohumorher。Sophy，"hecontinued，withostentatiousplayfulness，directinghisvoiceintothedimrecessesofthestateroom，"you\'lljustthinkMrs。Johnson\'syouroldnurse，won\'tyou？Thinkit\'soldKaty，hey？"

Tohisgreatconsternationthegirlapproachedtremblinglyfromtheinnershadow。Thefaintestandsaddestofsmilesforamomentplayedaroundthecornersofherdrawnmouthandtear-dimmedeyesassheheldoutherhandandsaid:——

"Godblessyouforbeingsokind。”

Jackshudderedandglancedquicklyround。Butluckilynooneheardthiscrushingsentimentalism，andthenextmomentthedoorcloseduponherandMrs。Johnson。

Itwaspastmidnight，andthemoonwasridinghighoverthenarrowingyellowriver，whenJackagainsteppedoutondeck。Hehadjustleftthecaptain\'scabin，andasmallsocialgamewiththeofficers，whichhadservedtosomeextenttovaguelyrelievehisirritationandtheirpockets。Hehadpresumablyquiteforgottentheincidentoftheafternoon，ashelookedabouthim，andcomplacentlytookinthequietbeautyofthenight。

Thelowbanksoneithersideofferednobreaktotheuninterruptedlevelofthelandscape，throughwhichtheriverseemedtowindonlyasaracetrackfortherushingboat。Everyfibreofhervastbutfragilebulkquiveredunderthegoadofherpowerfulengines。

Therewasnoothermovementbuthers，noothersoundbutthismonstrousbeatandpanting；thewholetranquillandscapeseemedtobreatheandpulsatewithher；dwellersinthetules，milesaway，heardandfeltherasshepassed，anditseemedtoJack，leaningovertherailing，asifthewholeriversweptlikeasluicethroughherpaddle-boxes。

Jackhadquiteunconsciouslyloungedbeforethatpartoftherailingwheretheyounggirlhadleanedafewhoursago。Ashelookeddownuponthestreamingyellowmill-racebelowhim，henoticed——whatneitherhenorthegirlhadprobablynoticedbefore——

thataspaceofthetopbaroftherailingwashinged，andcouldbeliftedbywithdrawingasmallbolt，thusgivingeasyaccesstotheguards。Hewasstilllookingatit，whistlingsoftly，whenfootstepsapproached。

"Jack，"saidalazyvoice，"how\'ssisterMary？"

"It\'salongtimesinceyou\'veseenheronlychild，Jack，ain\'tit？"saidasecondvoice；"andyetitsorto\'seemstomesomehowthatI\'veseenherbefore。”

Jackrecognizedthevoiceoftwoofhislatecompanionsatthecard-table。Hiswhistlingceased；soalsodroppedeverytraceofcolorandexpressionfromhishandsomeface。Buthedidnotturn，andremainedquietlygazingatthewater。

"AuntRachel，too，mustbegettingoninyears，Jack，"continuedthefirstspeaker，haltingbehindJack。

"AndMrs。JohnsondoesnotlooksomuchlikeSophy\'soldnurseassheusedto，"remarkedthesecond，followinghisexample。StillJackremainedunmoved。

"Youdon\'tseemtobeinterested，Jack，"continuedthefirstspeaker。"Whatareyoulookingat？"

Withoutturninghisheadthegamblerreplied，"Lookingattheboat；

she\'sboomingalong，justchawingupandspittingouttheriver，ain\'tshe？Lookatthatsweepofwatergoingunderherpaddle-

wheels，"hecontinued，unboltingtherailandliftingittoallowthetwomentopeercuriouslyovertheguardsashepointedtothemurderousinclinebeneaththem；"amanwouldn\'tstandmuchshowwhogotdroppedintoit。Howthesepaddleswouldjustsnatchhimbald-

headed，pickhimupandsloshhimroundandround，andthenslinghimoutdownthereinsuchashapethathisownfatherwouldn\'tknowhim。”

"Yes，"saidthefirstspeaker，withanostentatiouslittlelaugh，"butallthatain\'ttellingushowsisterMaryis。”

"No，"saidthegamblerslippingintotheopeningwithawhiteandrigidfaceinwhichnothingseemedlivingbuttheeyes，"no，butit\'stellingyouhowtwod——dfoolswhodidn\'tknowwhentoshuttheirmouthsmightgetthemshutonceandforever。It\'stellingyouwhatmighthappentotwomenwhotriedto\'play\'amanwhodidn\'tcaretobe\'played，\'——amanwhodidn\'tcaremuchwhathedid，whenhedidit，orhowhedidit，butwoulddowhathe\'dsetouttodo——evenifindoingithewenttohellwiththemenhesentthere。”

Hehadsteppedoutontheguards，besidethetwomen，closingtherailbehindhim。Hehadplacedhishandsontheirshoulders；theyhadbothgrippedhisarms；yet，viewedfromthedeckabove，theyseemedatthatmomentanamicable，evenfraternalgroup，albeitthefacesofthethreeweredeadwhiteinthemoonlight。

"Idon\'tthinkI\'msoverymuchinterestedinsisterMary，"saidthefirstspeakerquietly，afterapause。

"AndIdon\'tseemtothinksomuchofauntRachelasIdid，"saidhiscompanion。

"Ithoughtyouwouldn\'t，"saidJack，coollyreopeningtherailandsteppingbackagain。"Italldependsuponthewayyoulookatthosethings。Good-night。”

"Good-night。”

Thethreemenpaused，shookeachother\'shandssilently，andseparated，Jacksaunteringslowlybacktohisstateroom。

II。

TheeducationalestablishmentofMrs。MixandMadameBance，situatedinthebestquarterofSacramentoandpatronizedbythehigheststateofficialsandmembersoftheclergy，wasaprettyifnotanimposingedifice。Althoughsurroundedbyahighwhitepicketfenceandenteredthroughaheavilyboardedgate，itsbalconiesfestoonedwithjasmineandroses，anditsspotlesslydrapedwindowsasoftengracedwithfresh，flower-likefaces，werestillplainlyandprovokinglyvisibleabovetheostentatiousspikesofthepickets。Nevertheless，Mr。JackHamlin，whohadsixmonthsbeforeplacedhisniece，MissSophonisbaBrown，underitsprotectingcare，feltadegreeofuneasiness，evenborderingontimidity，whichwasnewtothatusuallyself-confidentman。

Rememberinghowhisfirstappearancehadflutteredthisdovecoteandawakenedaseveresuspicioninthemindsofthetwoprincipals，hehaddiscardedhisusualfashionableattireandelegantlyfittinggarmentsforarough，homespunsuit，supposedtorepresentahomelyagriculturist，butwhichhadtheeffectoftransforminghimintoanadorableStrephon，infinitelymoredangerousinhisrusticshepherd-likesimplicity。Hehadalsoshavedoffhissilkenmustacheforthesameprudentialreasons，buthadonlysucceededinuncoveringthedelicatelinesofhishandsomemouth，andsoabsurdlyreducinghisapparentyearsthathisavuncularpretensionsseemedmorepreposterousthanever；andwhenhehadrungthebellandwasadmittedbyasevereIrishwaiting-maid，hismomentaryhesitationandhalfhumorousdiffidencehadsuchanunexpectedeffectuponher，thatitseemeddoubtfulifhewouldbeallowedtopassbeyondthevestibule。"Shure，miss，"shesaidinawhispertoanunderteacher，"there\'swanatthedhurewhocallshimself，\'Mister\'Hamlin，butavitisnotayoungladymaskeradin\'inherbrother\'sclothesOimverymuchmistaken；andavit\'saboy，oneofthepupil\'sbrothers，shureyemightputadhressonhimwhenyoutaketheothersoutforawalk，andhe\'dpassforthebeautyofthewholeschool。”

Meantime，theunconscioussubjectofthiscriticismwaspacingsomewhatuneasilyupanddowntheformalreceptionroomintowhichhehadbeenfinallyushered。Itsfartherendwasfilledbyanenormousparlororgan，anumberofmusicbooks，andacheerfullyvariegatedglobe。AlargepresentationBible，anequallymassiveillustratedvolumeontheHolyLand，afewlandscapesincold，bluishmilkandwatercolors，andrigidheadsincrayons——theworkofpupils——werepresumablyornamental。Animposingmahoganysofaandwhatseemedtobeadisproportionateexcessofchairssomewhatcoldlyfurnishedtheroom。Jackhadreluctantlymadeuphismindthat，ifSophywasaccompaniedbyanyone，hewouldbeobligedtokisshertokeepuphisassumedrelationship。AssheenteredtheroomwithMissMix，Jackadvancedandsoberlysalutedheronthecheek。Butsopositiveandapparentwasthegallantryofhispresence，andperhapssosuggestiveofsomepastoralflirtation，thatMissMix，toJack\'ssurprise，wincedperceptiblyandbecamestony。Buthewasstillmoresurprisedthattheyoungladyherselfshrankhalfuneasilyfromhislips，andutteredaslightexclamation。ItwasanewexperiencetoMr。Hamlin。

ButthissomewhatmollifiedMissMix，andsheslightlyrelaxedherausterity。ShewasgladtobeabletogivethebestaccountsofMissBrown，notonlyasregardedherstudies，butastoherconductanddeportment。Really，withthepresentfreedomofmannersandlaxityofhomedisciplineinCalifornia，itwasgratifyingtomeetayoungladywhoseemedtovaluetheimportanceofaproperdecorumandbehavior，especiallytowardstheoppositesex。Mr。Hamlin，althoughherguardian，wasperhapstooyoungtounderstandandappreciatethis。Tothisinexperienceshemustalsoattributetheindiscretionofhiscallingduringschoolhoursandwithoutpreliminarywarning。Shetrusted，however，thatthisinformalitycouldbeoverlookedafterconsultationwithMadameBance，butinthemeantime，perhapsforhalfanhour，shemustwithdrawMissBrownandreturnwithhertotheclass。Mr。Hamlincouldwaitinthispublicroom，reservedespeciallyforvisitors，untiltheyreturned。Or，ifhecaredtoaccompanyoneoftheteachersinaformalinspectionoftheschool，sheadded，doubtfully，withaglanceatJack\'sdistractingattractions，shewouldsubmitthisalsotoMadameBance。

"Thankyou，thankyou，"returnedJackhurriedly，asadepressingvisionofthefiftyorsixtyscholarsrosebeforehiseyes，"butI\'drathernot。Imean，youknow，I\'djustasliefstayhereALONE。Iwouldn\'thavecalledanyway，don\'tyousee，onlyIhadadayoff，——and——and——Iwantedtotalkwithmynieceonfamilymatters。”Hedidnotsaythathehadreceivedasomewhatdistressfulletterfromheraskinghimtocome；anewinstinctmadehimcautious。

ConsiderablyrelievedbyJack\'sunexpectedabstention，whichseemedtospareherpupilsthedistractionofhisgraces，MissMixsmiledmoreamicablyandretiredwithhercharge。InthesingleglancehehadexchangedwithSophyhesawthat，althoughresignedandapparentlyself-controlled，shestillappearedthoughtfulandmelancholy。Shehadimprovedinappearanceandseemedmorerefinedandlessrusticinherschooldress，buthewasconsciousofthesamedistinctseparationofherpersonality(whichwasuninterestingtohim)fromthesentimentthathadimpelledhimtovisither。ShewaspossiblystillhankeringafterthatfellowStratton，inspiteofherprotestationstothecontrary；perhapsshewantedtogobacktohersister，althoughshehaddeclaredshewoulddiefirst，andhadalwaysrefusedtodiscloseherrealnameorgiveanycluebywhichhecouldhavetracedherrelations。Shewouldcry，ofcourse；healmosthopedthatshewouldnotreturnalone；hehalfregrettedhehadcome。Shestillheldhimonlybyasinglequalityofhernature，——thedesperationshehadshownontheboat；thatwassomethingheunderstoodandrespected。

Hewalkeddiscontentedlytothewindowandlookedout；hewalkeddiscontentedlytotheendoftheroomandstoppedbeforetheorgan。

Itwasafineinstrument；hecouldseethatwithanadmiringandexperiencedeye。Hewasaloneintheroom；infact，quitealoneinthatpartofthehousewhichwasseparatedfromtheclass-rooms。

Hewoulddisturbnoonebytryingit。Andifhedid，whatthen？

Hesmiledalittlerecklessly，slowlypulledoffhisgloves，andsatdownbeforeit。

Heplayedcautiouslyatfirst，withthesoftpedaldown。Theinstrumenthadneverknownastrongmasculinehandbefore，havingbeenfumbledandfriveledoverbysoftlyincompetent，femininefingers。Butpresentlyitbegantothrillunderthepassionatehandofitslover，andcarriedawaybyhisoneinnocentweakness，Jackwaslauncheduponaseaofmusicalreminiscences。Scrapsofchurchmusic，Puritanpsalmsofhisboyhood；dyingstrainsfromsad，forgottenoperas，fragmentsoforatoriosandsymphonies，butchieflyphasesfromoldmassesheardatthemissionsofSanPedroandSantaIsabel，swelledupfromhislovingandmasterfulfingers。

HehadfinishedanAgnusDei；theformalroomwaspulsatingwithdivineaspiration；therascal\'shandswererestinglistlesslyonthekeys，hisbrownlasheslifted，inaneffortofmemory，tenderlytowardstheceiling。

Suddenly，asubduedmurmurofapplauseandaslightrustlebehindhimrecalledhimtohimselfagain。Hewheeledhischairquicklyround。Thetwoprincipalsoftheschoolandhalfadozenteacherswerestandinggravelybehindhim，andattheopendooradozencurledandfrizzledyouthfulheadspeeredineagerly，buthalfrestrainedbytheirteachers。TherelaxedfeaturesandapologeticattitudeofMadameBanceandMissMixshowedthatMr。Hamlinhadunconsciouslyachievedatriumph。

Hemightnothavebeenaspleasedtoknowthathisextraordinaryperformancehadsolvedadifficulty，effacedhisothergraces，andenabledthemtoplacehimonthemoralpedestalofameremusician，towhomtheseeccentricitieswereallowableandprivileged。Hesharedtheadmirationextendedbytheyoungladiestotheirmusicteacher，whichwasalwaysunderstoodtobeasexlessenthusiasmandacontagiousjuveniledisorder。Itwasalsoafineadvertisementfortheorgan。MadameBancesmiledblandly，improvedtheoccasionbythankingMr。Hamlinforhavinggiventhescholarsagratuitouslessononthecapabilitiesoftheinstrument，andwasgladtobeabletogiveMissBrownahalf-holidaytospendwithheraccomplishedrelative。MissBrownwasevennowupstairs，puttingonherhatandmantle。Jackwasrelieved。Sophywouldnotattempttocryonthestreet。

Nevertheless，whentheyreacheditandthegateclosedbehindthem，heagainbecameuneasy。Thegirl\'scloudedfaceandmelancholymannerwerenotpromising。Italsooccurredtohimthathemightmeetsomeonewhoknewhimandthuscompromiseher。Thiswastobeavoidedatallhazards。Hebeganwithforcedgayety:——

"Well，now，whereshallwego？"

Sheslightlyraisedhertear-dimmedeyes。"Whereyouplease——

Idon\'tcare。”

"Thereisn\'tanyshowgoingonhere，isthere？"Hehadavagueideaofacircusormenagerie——himselfbehindherintheshadowofthebox。

"Idon\'tknowofany。”

"Oranyrestaurant——orcakeshop？"

"There\'saplacewherethegirlsgotogetcandyonMainStreet。

Someofthemaretherenow。”

Jackshuddered；thiswasnottobethoughtof。"Butwheredoyouwalk？"

"UpanddownMainStreet。”

"Whereeverybodycanseeyou？"saidJack，scandalized。

Thegirlnodded。

Theywalkedoninsilenceforafewmoments。ThenabrightideastruckMr。Hamlin。Hesuddenlyrememberedthatinoneofhismanyfitsofimpulsivegenerosityandlargessehehadgiventoanoldnegroretainer——whosewifehadnursedhimthroughadangerousillness——ahouseandlotontheriverbank。Hehadbeentoldthattheyhadopenedasmalllaundryorwash-house。Itoccurredtohimthatastrollthereandacallupon"UncleHannibalandAuntChloe"

combinedtheproprietyandrespectabilityduetotheyoungpersonhewaswith，andtherequisitesecrecyandabsenceofpublicityduetohimself。Heatoncesuggestedit。

"Youseeshewasamightygoodwomanandyououghttoknowher，forshewasmyoldnurse"——

Thegirlglancedathimwithasuddenimpatience。

"HonestInjin，"saidJacksolemnly；"shedidnursemethroughmylastcough。Iain\'tplayingoldfamilygagsonyounow。”

"Oh，dear，"burstoutthegirlimpulsively，"Idowishyouwouldn\'teverplaythemagain。Iwishyouwouldn\'tpretendtobemyuncle；

Iwishyouwouldn\'tmakemepassforyourniece。Itisn\'tright。

It\'sallwrong。Oh，don\'tyouknowit\'sallwrong，andcan\'tcomerightanyway？It\'sjustkillingme。Ican\'tstandit。I\'dratheryou\'dsaywhatIamandhowIcametoyouandhowyoupitiedme。”

Theyhadluckilyenteredanarrowsidestreet，andthesobswhichshooktheyounggirl\'sframewereunnoticed。ForafewmomentsJackfeltahorribleconvictionstealingoverhim，thatinhispresentattitudetowardsherhewasnotunlikethathoundStratton，andthat，howeverinnocenthisownintent，therewasasickeningresemblancetothesituationontheboatinthebaseadvantagehehadtakenofherfriendlessness。HehadnevertoldherthathewasagamblerlikeStratton，andthathispeculiarlyinfelixreputationamongwomenmadeitimpossibleforhimtoassisther，exceptbyastealthorthedeceptionhehadpracticed，withoutcompromisingher。Hewhohadforyearsfacedthesneersandhalf-frightenedoppositionoftheworlddarednottellthetruthtothisgirl，fromwhomheexpectednothingandwhodidnotinteresthim。Hefelthewasalmostslinkingatherside。Atlasthesaiddesperately:——

"ButIsnatchedthembald-headedattheorgan，Sophy，didn\'tI？"

"Ohyes，"saidthegirl，"youplayedbeautifullyandgrandly。Itwassogoodofyou，too。ForIthink，somehow，MadameBancehadbeenalittlesuspiciousofyou，butthatsettledit。Everybodythoughtitwasfine，andsomethoughtitwasyourprofession。

Perhaps，"sheaddedtimidly，"itis？"

"Iplayagooddeal，Ireckon，"saidJack，withagrimhumorwhichdidnot，however，amusehim。

"IwishIcould，andmakemoneybyit，"saidthegirleagerly。

Jackwinced，butshedidnotnoticeitasshewentonhurriedly:

"That\'swhatIwantedtotalktoyouabout。Iwanttoleavetheschoolandmakemyownliving。Anywherewherepeoplewon\'tknowmeandwhereIcanbealoneandwork。Ishalldiehereamongthesegirls——withalltheirtalkoftheirfriendsandtheir——sisters，——

andtheirquestionsaboutyou。”

"Tell\'emtodryup，"saidJackindignantly。"Take\'emtothecakeshopandload\'emupwithcandyandicecream。That\'llstoptheirmouths。You\'vegotmoney，yougotmylastremittance，didn\'tyou？"

herepeatedquickly。"Ifyoudidn\'t，here\'s"——hishandwasalreadyinhispocketwhenshestoppedhimwithadespairinggesture。

"Yes，yes，Igotitall。Ihaven\'ttouchedit。Idon\'twantit。

ForIcan\'tliveonyou。Don\'tyouunderstand，——Iwanttowork。

Listen，——Icandrawandpaint。MadameBancesaysIdoitwell；mydrawing-mastersaysImightintimetakeportraitsandgetpaidforit。AndevennowIcanretouchphotographsandmakecoloredminiaturesfromthem。And，"shestoppedandglancedatJackhalf-

timidly，"I\'ve——donesomealready。”

Aglowofsurprisedreliefsuffusedthegambler。Notsomuchatthisastonishingrevelationasatthechangeitseemedtoeffectinher。Herpaleblueeyes，madepalerbytears，clearedandbrightenedundertheirswollenlidslikewipedsteel；thelinesofherdepressedmouthstraightenedandbecamefirm。Hervoicehadlostitshopelessmonotone。

"There\'sashopinthenextstreet，——aphotographer\'s，——wheretheyhaveoneofmineintheirwindows，"shewenton，reassuredbyJack\'sunaffectedinterest。"It\'sonlyroundthecorner，ifyoucaretosee。”

Jackassented；afewpacesfartherbroughtthemtothecornerofanarrowstreet，wheretheypresentlyturnedintoabroaderthoroughfareandstoppedbeforethewindowofaphotographer。

Sophypointedtoanovalframe，containingaportraitpaintedonporcelain。Mr。Hamlinwasstartled。Inexperiencedashewas，acertainartisticinclinationtoldhimitwasgood，althoughitistobefearedhewouldhavebeenastonishedevenifithadbeenworse。Themerefactthatthisheadstrongcountrygirl，whohadrunawaywithacurlikeStratton，shouldbeabletodoanythingelsetookhimbysurprise。

"Igottendollarsforthat，"shesaidhesitatingly，"andIcouldhavegotmoreforalargerone，butIhadtodothatinmyroom，duringrecreationhours。IfIhadmoretimeandaplacewhereI

couldwork"——shestoppedtimidlyandlookedtentativelyatJack。

ButhewasalreadyindulginginacharacteristicallyrecklessideaofcomingbackafterhehadleftSophy，buyingtheminiatureatanextravagantprice，andorderinghalfadozenmoreatextraordinaryfigures。Here，however，twopassers-by，stoppingostensiblytolookinthewindow，butreallyattractedbythepicturesquespectacleofthehandsomeyoungrusticandhisschoolgirlcompanion，gaveJacksuchafrightthathehurriedSophyawayagainintothesidestreet。"There\'snothingmeanaboutthatpicturebusiness，"hesaidcheerfully；"itlookslikeasquarekindofgame，"andrelapsedintothoughtfulsilence。

Atwhich，Sophy，theiceofrestraintbroken，againburstintopassionateappeal。Ifshecouldonlygoawaysomewhere——whereshesawnoonebutthepeoplewhowouldbuyherwork，whoknewnothingofherpastnorcaredtoknowwhowereherrelations!Shewouldworkhard；sheknewshecouldsupportherselfintime。Shewouldkeepthenamehehadgivenher，——itwasnotdistinctiveenoughtochallengeanyinquiry，——butnothingmore。Sheneednotassumetobehisniece；hewouldalwaysbeherkindfriend，towhomsheowedeverything，evenhermiserablelife。Shetrustedstilltohishonornevertoseektoknowherrealname，norevertospeaktoherofthatmanifheevermethim。Itwoulddonogoodtoherortothem；itmightdriveher，forshewasnotyetquitesureofherself，todothatwhichshehadpromisedhimnevertodoagain。

Therewasnothreat，impatience，oractinginhervoice，butherecognizedthesamedulldesperationhehadonceheardinit，andhereyes，whichamomentbeforewerequickandmobile，hadbecomefixedandset。Hehadnoideaoftryingtopenetratethefoolishsecretofhernameandrelations；hehadneverhadtheslightestcuriosity，butitstruckhimnowthatStrattonmightatanytimeforceituponhim。Theonlywaythathecouldpreventitwastoletitbeknownthat，forunexpressedreasons，hewouldshootStratton"onsight。”Thiswouldnaturallyrestrictanyverbalcommunicationbetweenthem。Jack\'sideasofmoralitywerevague，buthisconvictionsonpointsofhonorweresingularlydirectandpositive。

III。

MeantimeHamlinandSophywerepassingtheoutskirtsofthetown；

theopenlotsandclearedspacesweregivingwaytograssystretches，willowcopses，andgroupsofcottonwoodandsycamore；