第2章

andbeyondthelevelofyellowingtulesappearedthefringedandraisedbanksoftheriver。Halftropicallookingcottageswithdeepverandas——thehomesofearlySouthernpioneers——tooktheplaceofincompleteblocksofmodernhouses，monotonouslyalike。InthesesylvansurroundingsMr。Hamlin\'spicturesquerusticitylookedlessincongruousandmoreArcadian；theyounggirlhadlostsomeofherrestraintwithherconfidences，andloungingtogethersidebyside，withouttheleastconsciousnessofanysentimentintheirwordsoractions，theyneverthelesscontrivedtoimpressthespectatorwiththeideathattheywereacharmingpairofpastorallovers。Sostrongwasthisimpressionthat，astheyapproachedAuntChloe\'slaundry，aprettyrose-coveredcottagewithanenormouswhitewashedbarn-likeextensionintherear，theblackproprietressherself，standingatthedoor，calledherhusbandtocomeandlookatthem，andflashedherwhiteteethinsuchunqualifiedcommendationandpatronagethatMr。Hamlin，withdrawinghimselffromSophy\'sside，instantlychargeddownuponthem。

"Ifyoudon\'tslidethelidbackoverthatgrinningboxofdominoesofyoursandtakeitinside，I\'lljustcarryHannibaloffwithme，"

hesaidinaquickwhisper，withahalf-wicked，half-mischievousglitterinhisbrowneyes。"Thatyounglady\'s——ALADY——doyouunderstand？Noriffrafffriendofmine，butaregularNUN——asaint——doyouhear？Soyoujuststandbackandlethertakeagoodlookround，andrestherself，untilshewantsyou。”"Twoblackidiots，MissBrown，"hecontinuedcheerfullyinahighervoiceofexplanation，asSophyapproached，"whothinkbecauseoneof\'emusedtoshavemeandtheothersavedmylifethey\'vegotarighttostandattheirhumblecottagedoorandfrightenhorses!"

SogreatwasMr。Hamlin\'sascendencyoverhisformerservantsthateventhisingeniouspleasantrywasreceivedwitheverysignofaffectionandappreciationofthehumorist，andoftheprofoundrespectforhiscompanion。AuntChloeshowedthemeffusivelyintoherparlor，asmallbutscrupulouslyneatandsweet-smellingapartment，inordinatelyfurnishedwithahugemahoganycentre-tableandchairs，andthemostfragileandmeretriciouschinaandglassornamentsonthemantel。Butthethreejasmine-edgedlatticewindowsopeneduponahomelygardenofold-fashionedherbsandflowers，andtheirfragrancefilledtheroom。Thecleanestandstarchiestofcurtains，themostdazzlingandwhitestoftidiesandchair-covers，bespoketheadjacentlaundry；indeed，thewholecottageseemedtoexhaletheodorsoflavendersoapandfreshlyironedlinen。Yetthecottagewaslargeforthecoupleandtheirassistants。"Darwastwofrontroomsondenextflo\'datdeyneverused，"explainedAuntChloe；"friendsalloweddatdeycouldlet\'emtowhitefolks，butdeyhadalwaysbeendonekep\'forMarseHamlin，efheeverwantedtobewidhisoldniggersagain。”Jacklookedupquicklywithabrightenedface，madeasigntoHannibal，andthetwolefttheroomtogether。

Whenhecamethroughthepassageafewmomentslater，therewasasoundoflaughterintheparlor。Herecognizedthefull，roundlazychuckleofAuntChloe，buttherewasahighergirlishripplethathedidnotknow。HehadneverheardSophylaughbefore。Nor，whenheentered，hadheeverseenhersoanimated。ShewashelpingChloesetthetable，tothatlady\'sintensedelightat"Missy\'s"

girlishhousewifery。Shewaspickingtheberriesfreshfromthegarden，butteringtheSallyLunn，makingthetea，andarrangingthedetailsoftherepastwithapparentlynotraceofherformerdiscontentandunhappinessineitherfaceormanner。Hedroppedquietlyintoachairbythewindow，and，withthehomelyscentsofthegardenmixingwiththehonestodorsofAuntChloe\'scookery，watchedherwithanamusementthatwasaspleasantandgratefulasitwasstrangeandunprecedented。

"Nowden，"saidAuntChloetoherhusband，assheputthefinishingtouchtotherepastinaplateofdoughnutsasexquisitelybrownandshiningasJack\'seyeswereatthatmoment，"Hannibal，youjustcomeaway，andletdemtwowhitequalitychillenshavedeytea。

Dey\'sdonestarved，shuah。”AndwithanapprovingnodtoJack，shebundledherhusbandfromtheroom。

Thedoorclosed；theyounggirlbegantopouroutthetea，butJackremainedinhisseatbythewindow。Itwasasingularsensationwhichhedidnotcaretodisturb。ItwasnonewthingforMr。

Hamlintofindhimselfatatete-a-teterepastwiththeadmiringandcomplaisantfair；therewasa\'cabinetparticulier\'inacertainSanFranciscorestaurantwhichhadlistenedtotheirvariousvanitiesandprofessionsofundyingfaith；hemighthaverecalledcertainfestalrendezvouswithawidowwhosepietyandimpeccablereputationmadeitamoraldutyforhertocometohimonlyindisguise；itwasbutafewdaysagothathehadbeenletprivatelyintothepalatialmansionofahighofficialforamidnightsupperwithafoolishwife。Itwasnotstrange，therefore，thatheshouldbealonehere，secretly，withamemberofthatindiscreet，lovingsex。Butthatheshouldbesittingthereinacheapnegrolaundrywithabsolutelynosentimentofanykindtowardstheheavy-haired，freckle-facedcountryschoolgirloppositehim，fromwhomhesoughtandexpectednothing，andENJOYINGitwithoutscornofhimselforhiscompanion，tousehisownexpression，"gothim。”Presentlyheroseandsaunteredtothetablewithshiningeyes。

"Well，whatdoyouthinkofAuntChloe\'sshebang？"heaskedsmilingly。

"Oh，it\'ssosweetandcleanandhomelike，"saidthegirlquickly。

Atanyothertimehewouldhavewincedatthelastadjective。Itstruckhimnowasexactlytheword。

"Wouldyouliketolivehere，ifyoucould？"

Herfacebrightened。SheputtheteapotdownandgazedfixedlyatJack。

"Becauseyoucan。Lookhere。IspoketoHannibalaboutit。Youcanhavethetwofrontroomsifyouwantto。Oneof\'emisbigenoughandlightenoughforastudiotodoyourworkin。Youtellthatniggerwhatyouwanttoputin\'em，andhe\'sgotmyorderstodoit。Itoldhimaboutyourpainting；saidyouwerethedaughterofanoldfriend，youknow。Holdon，Sophy；d——nitall，I\'vegottodoalittlegilt-edgedlying；butIletyououtoftheniecebusinessthistime。Yes，fromthismomentI\'mnolongeryouruncle。Irenouncetherelationship。It\'shard，"continuedtherascal，"afteralltheseyearsandconsideringsisterMary\'sfeelings；but，asyouseemtowishit，itmustbedone。”

Sophy\'ssteel-blueeyessoftened。SheslidherlongbrownhandacrossthetableandgraspedJack\'s。Hereturnedthepressurequicklyandfraternally，eventothathalf-shamed，half-hurriedevasionofemotionpeculiartoallbrothers。Thiswasalsoanewsensation；buthelikedit。

"Youaretoo——toogood，Mr。Hamlin，"shesaidquietly。

"Yes，"saidJackcheerfully，"that\'swhat\'sthematterwithme。Itisn\'tnatural，andifIkeepituptoolongitbringsonmycough。”

Nevertheless，theywerehappyinaboyandgirlfashion，eatingheartily，and，Ifear，notalwaysdecorously；scramblingsomewhatforthestrawberries，andsmackingtheirlipsovertheSallyLunn。

Meantime，itwasarrangedthatMr。HamlinshouldinformMissMixthatSophywouldleaveschoolattheendoftheterm，onlyafewdayshence，andthentransferherselftolodgingswithsomeoldfamilyservants，whereshecouldmoreeasilypursueherstudiesinherownprofession。Sheneednotmakeherplaceofabodeasecret，neitherneedshecourtpublicity。ShewouldwritetoJackregularly，informinghimofherprogress，andhewouldvisitherwheneverhecould。Jackassentedgravelytothefurtherpropositionthathewastokeepastrictaccountofallthemoneysheadvancedher，andthatshewastorepayhimoutoftheproceedsofherfirstpictures。Hehadpromisedalso，withaslightmentalreservation，nottobuythemallhimself，buttotrusttohersuccesswiththepublic。Theywerenevertotalkofwhathadhappenedbefore；shewastobeginlifeanew。Ofsuchweretheirconfidences，spokenoftentogetheratthesamemoment，andwiththeirmouthsfull。OnlyonethingtroubledJack；hehadnotyettoldherfranklywhohewasandwhatwashisreputation；hehadhithertocarelesslysupposedshewouldlearnit，andintruthhadcaredlittleifshedid；butitwasevidentfromherconversationthatdaythatbysomemiracleshewasstillinignorance。Unablenowtotellherhimself，hehadchargedHannibaltobreakittohercasuallyafterhewasgone。"Youcanletmedowneasyifyoulike，butyou\'dbettermakeasquaredealofitwhileyou\'reaboutit。

And，"Jackhadaddedcheerfully，"ifshethinksafterthatshe\'dbetterdropmeentirely，youjustsaythatifshewishestoSTAY，you\'llseethatIdon\'tevercomehereagain。Andyoukeepyourwordaboutittoo，youblacknigger，orI\'llbethefirsttothrashyou。”

Nevertheless，whenHannibalandAuntChloereturnedtoclearawaytherepast，theywereaharmoniousparty；albeit，Mr。Hamlinseemedmorecontenttowatchthemsilentlyfromhischairbythewindow，acigarbetweenhislips，andthepleasantdistractionofthehomelyscentsandsoundsofthegardeninhissenses。Allusionhavingbeenmadeagaintothemorningperformanceoftheorgan，hewasimploredbyHannibaltodiversifyhistalentbyexercisingitonanoldguitarwhichhadpassedintothatretainer\'spossessionwithcertainclothesofhismaster\'swhentheyseparated。Mr。Hamlinaccepteditdubiously；ithadtwangedunderhisvolatilefingersinmorepretentiousbutlessinnocenthalls。Butpresentlyheraisedhistenorvoiceandsoftbrownlashestothehumbleceilingandsang。

"WaydownupontheSwaneeRiver，"

DiscoursedJackplaintively，——

"Far，faraway，Thar\'swharmyheartisturningever，Thar\'swhartheoldfolksstay。”

Thetwoduskyscionsofanemotionalrace，thathadbeenwonttosweetenitstoilandcondoneitswrongswithmusic，satwraptandsilent，swayingwithJack\'svoiceuntiltheycouldburstinuponthechorus。Thejasminevinestrilledsoftlywiththeafternoonbreeze；aslenderyellow-hammer，perhapsemulousofJack，swunghimselffromanoutersprayandpeeredcuriouslyintotheroom；andafewneighbors，gatheringattheirdoorsandwindows，remarkedthat"afterall，whenitcametorealsinging，noonecouldbeatthosed——dniggers。”

ThesunwasslowlysinkingintherollinggoldoftheriverwhenJackandSophystartedleisurelybackthroughthebrokenshaftsoflight，andacrossthefar-stretchingshadowsofthecottonwoods。

Inthemidstofalazysilencetheywerepresentlyconsciousofadistantmonotonousthrob，theboomingoftheupboatontheriver。

Thesoundcamenearer——passedthem，theboatitselfhiddenbythetrees；butatrailingcloudofsmokeabovecastamomentaryshadowupontheirpath。ThegirllookedupatJackwithatroubledface。

Mr。Hamlinsmiledreassuringly；butinthatinstanthehadmadeuphismindthatitwashismoraldutytokillMr。EdwardStratton。

IV。

ForthenexttwomonthsMr。HamlinwasprofessionallyengagedinSanFranciscoandMarysville，andthetransferofSophyfromtheschooltohernewhomewaseffectedwithouthissupervision。Fromlettersreceivedbyhimduringthatinterval，itseemedthattheyounggirlhadenteredenergeticallyuponhernewcareer，andthatherartisticeffortswerecrownedwithsuccess。TherewereafewIndian-inksketches，studiesmadeatschoolandexpandedinherown"studio，"whichwereeagerlyboughtassoonasexhibitedinthephotographer\'swindow，——notablybyafloridandinartisticbookkeeper，anoldnegrowoman，aslangystableboy，agorgeouslydressedandpaintedfemale，andthebeardedsecondofficerofariversteamboat，withouthesitationandwithoutcomment。This，asMr。HamlinintelligentlypointedoutinalettertoSophy，showedageneralanddiversifiedappreciationonthepartofthepublic。

Indeed，itemboldenedher，intheretouchingofphotographs，tooffersittingstothesubjects，andtoundertakeevenlargecrayoncopies，whichhadresultedinhergettingsomanyordersthatshewasnolongerobligedtosellherdrawings，butrestrictedherselfsolelytoprofitableportraiture。Thestudiobecameknown；evenitsquaintsurroundingsaddedtothepopularinterest，andtheoriginalityandindependenceoftheyoungpainterhelpedhertoagenuinesuccess。AllthisshewrotetoJack。MeantimeHannibalhadassuredhimthathehadcarriedouthisinstructionsbyinforming"Missy"ofhisoldmaster\'srealoccupationandreputation，butthattheyoungladyhadn\'t"tooknonotice。”

Certainlytherewasnoallusiontoitinherletters，noranyindicationinhermanner。Mr。Hamlinwasgreatly，anditseemedtohimproperly，relieved。AndhelookedforwardwithconsiderablesatisfactiontoanearlyvisittooldHannibal\'slaundry。

Itmustbeconfessed，also，thatanothermatter，asimpleaffairofgallantry，wasgivinghimanequallyunusual，unexpected，andabsurdannoyance，whichhehadneverbeforepermittedtosuchtrivialities。Inarecentvisittoafashionablewatering-place，hehadattractedtheattentionofwhatappearedtobearespectable，matteroffactwoman，thewifeofarecentlyelectedruralSenator。Shewas，however，singularlybeautiful，andassingularlycold。Itwasperhapsthisquality，andherevidentannoyanceatsomeunreasoningprepossessionwhichJack\'sfascinationsexerciseduponher，thatheightenedthatrecklessdesireforriskandexcitementwhichreallymadeupthegreaterpartofhisgallantry。Nevertheless，aswashishabit，hehadtreatedheralwayswithacharmingunconsciousnessofhisownattentions，andafranknessthatseemedinconsistentwithanyinsidiousapproach。Infact，Mr。Hamlinseldommadelovetoanybody，butpermittedittobemadetohimwithgood-humoreddeprecationandcheerfulskepticism。Hehadonce，quiteaccidentally，whileriding，comeuponherwhenshehadstrayedfromherownridingparty，andhadbehavedwithsuchunexpectedcircumspectionandpropriety，nottomentionacertainthoughtfulabstraction，——itwasthedayhehadreceivedSophy\'sletter，——thatshewasconstrainedtomakethefirstadvances。Thisledtoalaterinnocentrendezvous，inwhichMrs。CamperlywasimpelledtoconfidetoMr。Hamlinthefactthatherhusbandhadreallyneverunderstoodher。Jacklistenedwithanunderstandingandsympathyquickenedbylongexperienceofsuchconfessions。Ifanythinghadeverkepthimfrommarriageitwasthisevidentincompatibilityoftheconjugalrelationswithajustconceptionofthefemininesoulanditsaspirations。

AndsoeventuallythisyearningforsympathydraggedMrs。

Camperly\'scleanskirtsandrusticpurityafterJack\'sheelsintovariousplacesandvarioussituationsnotsoclean，rural，orinnocent；madehermiserablyunhappyinhisabsence，andstillmoremiserablyhappyinhispresence；impelledhertolie，cheat，andbearfalsewitness；forcedhertolistenwithmingledshameandadmirationtonarrowcriticismofhisfaults，fromnaturessopalpablyinferiortohisownthathermoralsensewasconfusedandshaken；gavehertwodistinctlives，butsounrealandfeverishthat，witharecklessnessequaltohisown，shewasatlastreadytomergethembothintohis。ForthefirsttimeinhislifeMr。

Hamlinfoundhimselfboredatthebeginningofanaffair，actuallyhesitated，andsuddenlydisappearedfromSanFrancisco。

HeturnedupafewdayslateratAuntChloe\'sdoor，withvariouspackagesofpresentsandquitetheairofareturningfatherofafamily，totheintensedelightofthatladyandtoSophy\'sproudgratification。Forhewaslostinaprofuse，boyishadmirationofherprettystudio，andinwholesomereverenceforherartandherastoundingprogress。Theywerealsoamusedathisaweandevidentalarmattheportraitsoftwoladies，herlatestsitters，thatwerestillontheeasels，and，inconsiderationofhishalf-assumed，half-realbashfulness，theyturnedtheirfacestothewall。Thenhisquick，observanteyedetectedaphotographofhimselfonthemantel。

"What\'sthat？"heaskedsuddenly。

SophyandAuntChloeexchangedmeaningglances。Sophyhad，asasurprisetoJack，justcompletedahandsomecrayonportraitofhimselffromanoldphotographfurnishedbyHannibal，andthepicturewasatthatmomentinthewindowofherformerpatron，——

thephotographer。

"Oh，dat!MissSophyjus\'putitdarfo\'deladysitterstolookattogib\'emapleasant\'spresshion，"saidAuntChloe，chuckling。

Mr。Hamlindidnotlaugh，butquietlyslippedthephotographintohispocket。Yet，perhaps，ithadnotbeenrecognized。

ThenSophyproposedtohaveluncheoninthestudio；itwasquite"Bohemian"andfashionable，andmanyartistsdidit。ButtohergreatsurpriseJackgravelyobjected，preferringthelittleparlorofAuntChloe，thevine-fringedwindows，andtheheavyrespectablefurniture。Hethoughtitwasprofaningthestudio，andthen——

anybodymightcomein。Thisunusualcircumspectionamusedthem，andwasbelievedtobepartoftheboyishawewithwhichJackregardedthemodels，thedraperies，andthestudiesonthewalls。

Certainitwasthathewasmuchmoreathiseaseintheparlor，andwhenheandSophywereoncemorealoneattheirmeal，althoughheatenothing，hehadregainedallhisoldnaivete。Presentlyheleanedforwardandplacedhishandfraternallyonherarm。Sophylookedupwithanequallyfranksmile。

"YouknowIpromisedtoletbygonesbebygones，eh？Well，I

intendedit，andmore，——Iintendedtomake\'emso。ItoldyouI\'dneverspeaktoyouagainofthatmanwhotriedtorunyouoff，andIintendedthatnooneelseshould。Well，ashewastheonlyonewhocouldtalk——thatmeanthim。Butthecardsareoutofmyhands；

thegame\'sbeenplayedwithoutme。Forhe\'sdead!"

Thegirlstarted。Mr。Hamlin\'shandpassedcaressinglytwiceorthricealonghersleevewithapeculiargentlenessthatseemedtomagnetizeher。

"Dead，"herepeatedslowly。"ShotinSanDiegobyanotherman，butnotbyme。Ihadhimtrackedasfarasthat，andhadmyeyesonhim，butitwasn\'tmydeal。Butthere，"headded，givinghermagnetizedarmagentleandfinaltapasiftoawakenit，"he\'sdead，andsoisthewholestory。Andnowwe\'lldropitforever。”

Thegirl\'sdowncasteyeswerefixedonthetable。"Butthere\'smysister，"shemurmured。

"Didsheknowyouwentwithhim？"askedJack。

"No；butsheknowsIranaway。”

"Well，youranawayfromhometostudyhowtobeanartist，don\'tyousee？Somedayshe\'llfindoutyouAREONE；thatsettlesthewholething。”

TheywerebothquitecheerfulagainwhenAuntChloereturnedtoclearthetable，especiallyJack，whowasinthebestspirits，withpreternaturallybrighteyesandasomewhatrarecoloronhischeeks。AuntChloe，whohadnoticedthathisbreathingwashurriedattimes，watchedhimnarrowly，andwhenlaterheslippedfromtheroom，followedhimintothepassage。Hewasleaningagainstthewall。Inaninstantthenegresswasathisside。

"DeLawdyGawd，MarseJack，notAGIN？"

Hetookhishandkerchief，slightlystreakedwithblood，fromhislipsandsaidfaintly，"Yes，itcameon——ontheboat；butIthoughtthed——dthingwasover。Getmeoutofthis，quick，tosomehotel，beforesheknowsit。YoucantellherIwascalledaway。

Saythat"——buthisbreathfailedhim，andwhenAuntChloecaughthimlikeachildinherstrongarmshecouldmakenoresistance。

Inanotherhourhewasunconscious，withtwodoctorsathisbedside，inthelittleroomthathadbeenoccupiedbySophy。Itwasasharpattack，butpromptattendanceandskillfulnursingavailed；heralliedthenextday，butitwouldbeweeks，thedoctorssaid，beforehecouldberemovedinsafety。Sophywastransferredtotheparlor，butspentmostofhertimeatJack\'sbedsidewithAuntChloe，orinthestudiowiththedooropenbetweenitandthebedroom。Inspiteofhisenforcedidlenessandweakness，itwasagainasingularlypleasantexperiencetoJack；itamusedhimtosometimesseeSophyatherworkthroughtheopendoor，andwhensitterscame，——forhehadinsistedonhercontinuingherdutiesasbefore，keepinghisinvalidpresenceinthehouseasecret，——hehadallthesatisfactionofamischievousboyinrehearsingtoSophysuchoftheconversationascouldbeoverheardthroughthecloseddoor，andspeculatingonthepossiblewonderandchagrinofthesittershadtheydiscoveredhim。Evenwhenhewasconvalescentandstrongenoughtobehelpedintotheparlorandgarden，hepreferredtoremainproppedupinSophy\'slittlebedroom。Itwasevident，however，thatthispredilectionwasconnectedwithnosuggestionnorreminiscenceofSophyherself。Itwastruethathehadonceaskedherifitdidn\'tmakeher"feellikehome。”ThedecidednegativefromSophyseemedtomildlysurprisehim。"That\'sodd，"hesaid；"nowallthesefixingsandthings，"pointingtotheflowersinavase，thelittlehangingshelfofbooks，theknickknacksonthemantel-shelf，andthefewfeminineornamentsthatstillremained，"lookratherlikehometome。”

Sothedaysslippedby，andalthoughMr。Hamlinwassoonabletowalkshortdistances，leaningonSophy\'sarm，intheeveningtwilight，alongtheriverbank，hewasstillmissedfromthehauntsofdissipatedmen。Agoodmanypeoplewondered，andothers，chieflyofthemoreirrepressiblesex，weresingularlyconcerned。

Apparentlyoneofthese，onesultryafternoon，stoppedbeforetheshadowedwindowofaphotographer\'s；shewasahandsome，well-

dressedwoman，yetbearingacertaincountrylikesimplicitythatwasunliketherestlesssmartnessofthemoreurbanpromenaderswhopassedher。NeverthelessshehadhaltedbeforeMr。Hamlin\'spicture，whichSophyhadnotyetdaredtobringhomeandpresenttohim，andwasgazingatitwithraptandbreathlessattention。

Suddenlysheshookdownherveilandenteredtheshop。Couldtheproprietorkindlytellherifthatportraitwastheworkofalocalartist？

TheproprietorwasbothproudandpleasedtosaythatITWAS!ItwastheworkofaMissBrown，ayounggirlstudent；infact，amereschoolgirlonemightsay。Hecouldshowherothersofherpictures。

Thanks。Butcouldhetellherifthisportraitwasfromlife？

Nodoubt；theyoungladyhadastudio，andhehimselfhadsenthersitters。

Andperhapsthiswastheportraitofonethathehadsenther？

No；butshewasverypopularandbecomingquitethefashion。Veryprobablythisgentleman，who，heunderstood，wasquiteapubliccharacter，hadheardofher，andselectedheronthataccount。

Thelady\'sfaceflushedslightly。Thephotographercontinued。Thepicturewasnotforsale；itwasonlythereonexhibition；infactitwastobereturnedto-morrow。

Tothesitter？

Hecouldn\'tsay。Itwastogobacktothestudio。Perhapsthesitterwouldbethere。

Andthisstudio？Couldshehaveitsaddress？

Themanwroteafewlinesonhiscard。Perhapstheladywouldbekindenoughtosaythathehadsenther。Thelady，thankinghim，partlyliftedherveiltoshowacharmingsmile，andgracefullywithdrew。Thephotographerwaspleased。MissBrownhadevidentlygotanothersitter，and，fromthatmomentaryglimpseofherface，itwouldbeapictureasbeautifulandattractiveastheman\'s。

Butwhatwastheoddideathatstruckhim？Shecertainlyremindedhimofsomeone!Therewasthesameheavyhair，onlythislady\'swasgolden，andshewasolderandmoremature。Andheremainedforamomentwithknittedbrowsmusingoverhiscounter。

Meantimethefairstrangerwasmakingherwaytowardstheriversuburb。WhenshereachedAuntChloe\'scottage，shepaused，withtheunfamiliarcuriosityofanewcomer，overitsquaintandincongruousexterior。ShehesitatedamomentalsowhenAuntChloeappearedinthedoorway，and，withapuzzledsurveyofherfeatures，wentupstairstoannounceavisitor。Therewasthesoundofhurriedshuttingofdoors，ofthemovingoffurniture，quickfootstepsacrossthefloor，andthenagirlishlaughthatstartledher。SheascendedthestairsbreathlesslytoAuntChloe\'ssummons，foundthenegressonthelanding，andknockedatadoorwhichboreacardmarked"Studio。”Thedooropened；sheentered；thereweretwosuddenoutcriesthatmighthavecomefromonevoice。

"Sophonisba!"

"Marianne!"

"Hush。”

ThewomanhadseizedSophybythewristanddraggedhertothewindow。TherewasahaggardlookofdesperationinherfaceakintothatwhichHamlinhadonceseeninhersister\'seyesontheboat，asshesaidhuskily:"IdidnotknowYOUwerehere。IcametoseethewomanwhohadpaintedMr。Hamlin\'sportrait。IdidnotknowitwasYOU。Listen!Quick!answermeonequestion。Tellme——

Iimploreyou——forthesakeofthemotherwhoboreusboth!——tellme——isthisthemanforwhomyoulefthome？"

"No!No!Ahundredtimesno!"

Thentherewasasilence。Mr。Hamlinfromthebedroomheardnomore。

Anhourlater，whenthetwowomenopenedthestudiodoor，palebutcomposed，theyweremetbytheanxiousandtearfulfaceofAuntChloe。

"LawdyGawd，Missy，——butdeydonegone!——bofeof\'em!"

"Whoisgone？"demandedSophy，asthewomanbesidehertrembledandgrewpalerstill。

"MarseJackanddatfoolnigger，Hannibal。”

"Mr。Hamlingone？"repeatedSophyincredulously。"When？Where？"

"Jessnow——ondedownboat。Suddenbusiness。Didn\'tliketodisturbyo\'andyo\'friend。Saidhe\'dwrite。”

"Buthewasill——almosthelpless，"gaspedSophy。

"Dat\'swhyhetookdatoldnigger。Lawdy，Missy，bressyo\'heart。

Deybothknowsaichudder，shuah!It\'sallright。Darnow，dardeyare；listen。”

Sheheldupherhand。Aslowpulsation，thatmighthavebeenthedull，laboredbeatingoftheirownhearts，wasmakingitselffeltthroughoutthelittlecottage。Itcamenearer，——adeepregularinspirationthatseemedslowlytofillandpossessthewholetranquilsummertwilight。Itwasnearerstill——wasabreastofthehouse——passed——grewfainterandatlastdiedawaylikeadeep-drawnsigh。Itwasthedownboat，thatwasnowseparatingMr。Hamlinandhisprotegee，evenasithadoncebroughtthemtogether。

ANINGENUEOFTHESIERRAS。

I。

Weallheldourbreathasthecoachrushedthroughthesemi-

darknessofGalloper\'sRidge。Thevehicleitselfwasonlyahugelumberingshadow；itsside-lightswerecarefullyextinguished，andYubaBillhadjustpolitelyremovedfromthelipsofanoutsidepassengereventhecigarwithwhichhehadbeenostentatiouslyexhibitinghiscoolness。ForithadbeenrumoredthattheRamonMartinezgangof"roadagents"were"laying"forusonthesecondgrade，andwouldtimethepassageofourlightsacrossGalloper\'sinordertointerceptusinthe"brush"beyond。Ifwecouldcrosstheridgewithoutbeingseen，andsogetthroughthebrushbeforetheyreachedit，weweresafe。Iftheyfollowed，itwouldonlybeasternchasewiththeoddsinourfavor。

Thehugevehicleswayedfromsidetoside，rolled，dipped，andplunged，butBillkeptthetrack，asif，inthewhisperedwordsoftheExpressman，hecould"feelandsmell"theroadhecouldnolongersee。Weknewthatattimeswehungperilouslyovertheedgeofslopesthateventuallydroppedathousandfeetsheertothetopsofthesugar-pinesbelow，butweknewthatBillknewitalso。Thehalfvisibleheadsofthehorses，drawnwedge-wisetogetherbythetightenedreins，appearedtocleavethedarknesslikeaploughshare，heldbetweenhisrigidhands。Eventhehoof-beatsofthesixhorseshadfallenintoavague，monotonous，distantroll。Thentheridgewascrossed，andweplungedintothestillblackerobscurityofthebrush。Ratherwenolongerseemedtomove——itwasonlythephantomnightthatrushedbyus。ThehorsesmighthavebeensubmergedinsomeswiftLetheanstream；nothingbutthetopofthecoachandtherigidbulkofYubaBillaroseabovethem。Yeteveninthatawfulmomentourspeedwasunslackened；itwasasifBillcarednolongertoGUIDEbutonlytodrive，orasifthedirectionofhishugemachinewasdeterminedbyotherhandsthanhis。Anincautiouswhispererhazardedtheparalyzingsuggestionofour"meetinganotherteam。”ToourgreatastonishmentBilloverheardit；toourgreaterastonishmenthereplied。"It\'udbeonlyaneckandneckracewhichwouldgettoh-llfirst，"hesaidquietly。Butwewererelieved——

forhehadSPOKEN!Almostsimultaneouslythewiderturnpikebegantoglimmerfaintlyasavisibletrackbeforeus；thewaysidetreesfelloutofline，openedup，anddroppedoffoneafteranother；wewereonthebroadertable-land，outofdanger，andapparentlyunperceivedandunpursued。

Neverthelessintheconversationthatbrokeoutagainwiththerelightingofthelamps，andthecomments，congratulations，andreminiscencesthatwerefreelyexchanged，YubaBillpreservedadissatisfiedandevenresentfulsilence。Themostgenerouspraiseofhisskillandcourageawokenoresponse。"Ireckontheoldmanwazjustspilin\'forafight，andisfeelin\'disappointed，"saidapassenger。ButthosewhoknewthatBillhadthetruefighter\'sscornforanypurelypurposelessconflictweremoreorlessconcernedandwatchfulofhim。Hewoulddrivesteadilyforfourorfiveminuteswiththoughtfullyknittedbrows，buteyesstillkeenlyobservantunderhisslouchedhat，andthen，relaxinghisstrainedattitude，wouldgivewaytoamovementofimpatience。"Youain\'tuneasyaboutanything，Bill，areyou？"askedtheExpressmanconfidentially。Billliftedhiseyeswithaslightlycontemptuoussurprise。"NotaboutanythingterCOME。It\'swhatHEZhappenedthatIdon\'texacklysabe。Idon\'tseenosignsofRamon\'sgangeverhavin\'beenoutatall，andeftheywereoutIdon\'tseewhytheydidn\'tgoforus。”

"Thesimplefactisthatourrusewassuccessful，"saidanoutsidepassenger。"Theywaitedtoseeourlightsontheridge，and，notseeingthem，missedusuntilwehadpassed。That\'smyopinion。”

"Youain\'tputtin\'anypriceonthatopinion，airye？"inquiredBillpolitely。

"No。”

"\'Costhar\'sacomicpaperin\'Friscopaysforthemthings，andI\'veseenworsethingsinit。”

"Comeoff，Bill，"retortedthepassenger，slightlynettledbythetitteringofhiscompanions。"Thenwhatdidyouputoutthelightsfor？"

"Well，"returnedBillgrimly，"itmouthavebeenbecauseIdidn\'tkeertohevyouchapsblazin\'awayatthefirstbushyouTHOUGHT

yousawmoveinyourskeer，andbringin\'downtheirfireonus。”

Theexplanation，thoughunsatisfactory，wasbynomeansanimprobableone，andwethoughtitbettertoacceptitwithalaugh。

Bill，however，resumedhisabstractedmanner。

"WhogotinattheSummit？"heatlastaskedabruptlyoftheExpressman。

"DerrickandSimpsonofColdSpring，andoneofthe\'Excelsior\'

boys，"respondedtheExpressman。

"AndthatPikeCountygirlfromDow\'sFlat，withherbundles。

Don\'tforgether，"addedtheoutsidepassengerironically。

"Doesanybodyhereknowher？"continuedBill，ignoringtheirony。

"You\'dbetteraskJudgeThompson；hewasmightyattentivetoher；

gettin\'heraseatbytheoffwindow，andlookin\'afterherbundlesandthings。”

"Gettin\'heraseatbytheWINDOW？"repeatedBill。

"Yes，shewantedtoseeeverything，andwasn\'tafraidoftheshooting。”

"Yes，"brokeinathirdpassenger，"andhewassod——dcivilthatwhenshedroppedherringinthestraw，hestruckamatchaginallyourrules，youknow，andhelditforhertofindit。Anditwasjustaswewerecrossin\'throughthebrush，too。Isawthehullthingthroughthewindow，forIwashangingoverthewheelswithmygunreadyforaction。Anditwasn\'tnofaultofJudgeThompson\'sifhisd——dfoolishnesshadn\'tshownusup，andgotusashotfromthegang。”

Billgaveashortgrunt，butdrovesteadilyonwithoutfurthercommentoreventurninghiseyestothespeaker。

Wewerenownotmorethanamilefromthestationatthecrossroadswhereweweretochangehorses。Thelightsalreadyglimmeredinthedistance，andtherewasafaintsuggestionofthecomingdawnonthesummitsoftheridgetothewest。Wehadplungedintoabeltoftimber，whensuddenlyahorsemanemergedatasharpcanterfromatrailthatseemedtobeparallelwithourown。Wewereallslightlystartled；YubaBillalonepreservinghismoodycalm。

"Hullo!"hesaid。

ThestrangerwheeledtooursideasBillslackenedhisspeed。Heseemedtobea"packer"orfreightmuleteer。

"Yedidn\'tget\'heldup\'ontheDivide？"continuedBillcheerfully。

"No，"returnedthepacker，withalaugh；"Idon\'tcarrytreasure。

ButIseeyou\'reallright，too。Isawyoucrossin\'overGalloper\'s。”

"SAWus？"saidBillsharply。"Wehadourlightsout。”

"Yes，buttherewassuthin\'white——ahandkerchieforwoman\'sveil，Ireckon——hangin\'fromthewindow。Itwasonlyamovin\'spotaginthehillside，butezIwaslookin\'outforyeIknewitwasyoubythat。Good-night!"

Hecanteredaway。Wetriedtolookateachother\'sfaces，andatBill\'sexpressioninthedarkness，butheneitherspokenorstirreduntilhethrewdownthereinswhenwestoppedbeforethestation。

Thepassengersquicklydescendedfromtheroof；theExpressmanwasabouttofollow，butBillpluckedhissleeve。

"I\'mgoin\'totakealookoverthisyerstageandtheseyerpassengerswithye，aforewestart。”

"Why，what\'sup？"

"Well，"saidBill，slowlydisengaginghimselffromoneofhisenormousgloves，"whenwewaltzeddownintothebrushupthereI

sawaman，ezplainezIseeyou，riseupfromit。Ithoughtourtimehadcomeandthebandwasgoin\'toplay，whenhesorterdrewback，madeasign，andwejustscootedpasthim。”

"Well？"

"Well，"saidBill，"itmeansthatthisyercoachwasPASSEDTHROUGH

FREEto-night。”

"Youdon\'tobjecttoTHAT——surely？Ithinkweweredeucedlylucky。”

Billslowlydrewoffhisotherglove。"I\'vebeenriskin\'myeverlastin\'lifeonthisd——dlinethreetimesaweek，"hesaidwithmockhumility，"andI\'mallusthankfulforsmallmercies。

BUT，"headdedgrimly，"whenitcomesdowntobeingpassedfreebysomepalofahossthief，andthetcalledaspeshalProvidence，I

AIN\'TINIT!No，sir，Iain\'tinit!"

II。

Itwaswithmixedemotionsthatthepassengersheardthatadelayoffifteenminutestotightencertainscrew-boltshadbeenorderedbytheautocraticBill。SomewereanxioustogettheirbreakfastatSugarPine，butotherswerenotaversetolingerforthedaylightthatpromisedgreatersafetyontheroad。TheExpressman，knowingtherealcauseofBill\'sdelay，wasneverthelessatalosstounderstandtheobjectofit。Thepassengerswereallwellknown；anyideaofcomplicitywiththeroadagentswaswildandimpossible，and，eveniftherewasaconfederateofthegangamongthem，hewouldhavebeenmorelikelytoprecipitatearobberythantocheckit。Again，thediscoveryofsuchaconfederate——towhomtheyclearlyowedtheirsafety——andhisarrestwouldhavebeenquiteagainsttheCaliforniansenseofjustice，ifnotactuallyillegal。ItseemedevidentthatBill\'squixoticsenseofhonorwasleadinghimastray。

Thestationconsistedofastable，awagonshed，andabuildingcontainingthreerooms。Thefirstwasfittedupwith"bunks"orsleepingberthsfortheemployees；thesecondwasthekitchen；andthethirdandlargerapartmentwasdining-roomorsitting-room，andwasusedasgeneralwaiting-roomforthepassengers。Itwasnotarefreshmentstation，andtherewasno"bar。”ButamysteriouscommandfromtheomnipotentBillproducedademijohnofwhiskey，withwhichhehospitablytreatedthecompany。TheseductiveinfluenceoftheliquorloosenedthetongueofthegallantJudge

Thompson。HeadmittedtohavingstruckamatchtoenablethefairPikeCountiantofindherring，which，however，provedtohavefalleninherlap。Shewas"afine，healthyyoungwoman——atypeoftheFarWest，sir；infact，quiteaprairieblossom!yetsimpleandguilelessasachild。”ShewasonherwaytoMarysville，hebelieved，"althoughsheexpectedtomeetfriends——afriend，infact——lateron。”Itwasherfirstvisittoalargetown——infact，anycivilizedcentre——sinceshecrossedtheplainsthreeyearsago。

Hergirlishcuriositywasquitetouching，andherinnocenceirresistible。Infact，inacountrywhosetendencywastoproduce"frivolityandforwardnessinyounggirls，hefoundheramostinterestingyoungperson。”Shewaseventhenoutinthestable-

yardwatchingthehorsesbeingharnessed，"preferringtoindulgeapardonablehealthyyoungcuriositythantolistentotheemptycomplimentsoftheyoungerpassengers。”

ThefigurewhichBillsawthusengaged，withoutbeingotherwisedistinguished，certainlyseemedtojustifytheJudge\'sopinion。

Sheappearedtobeawell-maturedcountrygirl，whosefrankgrayeyesandlargelaughingmouthexpressedawholesomeandabidinggratificationinherlifeandsurroundings。Shewaswatchingthereplacingofluggageintheboot。Alittlefemininestart，asoneofherownparcelswasthrownsomewhatroughlyontheroof，gaveBillhisopportunity。"Nowthere，"hegrowledtothehelper，"yeain\'tcartingstone!Lookout，willyer!Someofyourthings，miss？"headded，withgruffcourtesy，turningtoher。"Theseyertrunks，forinstance？"

Shesmiledapleasantassent，andBill，pushingasidethehelper，seizedalargesquaretrunkinhisarms。Butfromexcessofzeal，orsomeothermischance，hisfootslipped，andhecamedownheavily，strikingthecornerofthetrunkonthegroundandlooseningitshingesandfastenings。Itwasacheap，common-

lookingaffair，buttheaccidentdiscoveredinitsyawninglidaquantityofwhite，lace-edgedfeminineapparelofanapparentlysuperiorquality。Theyoungladyutteredanothercryandcamequicklyforward，butBillwasprofuseinhisapologies，himselfgirdedthebrokenboxwithastrap，anddeclaredhisintentionofhavingthecompany"makeitgood"toherwithanewone。Thenhecasuallyaccompaniedhertothedoorofthewaiting-room，entered，madeaplaceforherbeforethefirebysimplyliftingthenearestandmostyouthfulpassengerbythecoatcollarfromthestoolthathewasoccupying，and，havinginstalledtheladyinit，displacedanothermanwhowasstandingbeforethechimney，and，drawinghimselfuptohisfullsixfeetofheightinfrontofher，glanceddownuponhisfairpassengerashetookhiswaybillfromhispocket。

"YournameisdownhereasMissMullins？"hesaid。