下载辰思小说免费APP
Gentlemen:Ireceivedyourletterto-daybypost，inregardtotheransomyouaskforthereturnofmyson。
Ithinkyouarealittlehighinyourdemands，andIherebymakeyouacounter-proposition，whichIaminclinedtobelieveyouwillaccept。YoubringJohnnyhomeandpaymetwohundredandfiftydollarsincash，andIagreetotakehimoffyourhands。Youhadbettercomeatnight，fortheneighboursbelieveheislost，andIcouldn\'tberesponsibleforwhattheywoulddotoanybodytheysawbringinghimback。Veryrespectfully，EBENEZERDORSET。
"GreatpiratesofPenzance!"saysI；"ofalltheimpudent——"
ButIglancedatBill，andhesitated。HehadthemostappealinglookinhiseyesIeversawonthefaceofadumboratalkingbrute。
"Sam，"sayshe，"what\'stwohundredandfiftydollars，afterall？We\'vegotthemoney。OnemorenightofthiskidwillsendmetoabedinBedlam。Besidesbeingathoroughgentleman，IthinkMr。Dorsetisaspend-
thriftformakingussuchaliberaloffer。Youain\'tgoingtoletthechancego，areyou？"
"Tellyouthetruth，Bill，"saysI，"thislittleheewelambhassomewhatgotonmynervestoo。We\'lltakehimhome，paytheransomandmakeourget-away。"
Wetookhimhomethatnight。Wegothimtogobytellinghimthathisfatherhadboughtasilver-mountedrifleandapairofmoccasinsforhim，andweweregoingtohuntbearsthenextday。
Itwasjusttwelveo\'clockwhenweknockedatEbene-
zer\'sfrontdoor。JustatthemomentwhenIshouldhavebeenabstractingthefifteenhundreddollarsfromtheboxunderthetree，accordingtotheoriginalproposition，BillwascountingouttwohundredandfiftydollarsintoDorset\'shand。
WhenthekidfoundoutweweregoingtoleavehimathomehestartedupahowllikeacalliopeandfastenedhimselfastightasaleechtoBill\'sleg。Hisfatherpeeledhimawaygradually，likeaporousplaster。
"Howlongcanyouholdhim？"asksBill。
"I\'mnotasstrongasIusedtobe，"saysoldDorset，"butIthinkIcanpromiseyoutenminutes。"
"Enough，"saysBill。"IntenminutesIshallcrosstheCentral，SouthernandMiddleWesternStates，andbeleggingittrippinglyfortheCanadianborder。"
And，asdarkasitwas，andasfatasBillwas，andasgoodarunnerasIam，hewasagoodmileandahalfoutofSummitbeforeIcouldcatchupwithhim。
THEMARRYMONTHOFMAY
PRITHEE，smitethepoetintheeyewhenhewouldsingtoyoupraisesofthemonthofMay。Itisamonthpresidedoverbythespiritsofmischiefandmadness。
Pixiesandflibbertigibbetshauntthebuddingwoods:
Puckandhistrainofmidgetsarebusyintownandcountry。
InMaynatureholdsupatusachidingfinger，biddingusrememberthatwearenotgods，butoverconceitedmembersofherowngreatfamily。Sheremindsusthatwearebrotherstothechowder-doomedclamandthedonkey；linealscionsofthepansyandthechimpanzee，andbutcousins-germantothecooingdoves，thequackingducksandthehousemaidsandpolicemenintheparks。
InMayCupidshootsblindfolded——millionairesmarrystenographers；wiseprofessorswoowhite-apronedgum-
chewersbehindquick-lunchcounters；schoolma\'amsmakebigbadboysremainafterschool；ladswithladderssteallightlyoverlawnswhereJulietwaitsinhertrellissedwindowwithhertelescopepacked；youngcouplesoutforawalkcomehomemarried；oldchapsputonwhitespatsandpromenadeneartheNormalSchool；evenmarriedmen，grownunwontedlytenderandsentimental，whacktheirspousesonthebackandgrowl:"Howgoesit，oldgirl:"
ThisMay，whoisnogoddess，butCirce，masqueradingatthedancegiveninhonourofthefaird閎utante，Sum-
mer，putsthekiboshonusall。
OldMr。Coulsongroanedalittle，andthensatupstraightinhisinvalid\'schair。Hehadthegoutverybadinonefoot，ahousenearGramercyPark，halfamilliondollarsandadaughter。Andhehadahouse-
keeper，Mrs。Widdup。Thefactandthenamedeserveasentenceeach。Theyhaveit。
WhenMaypokedMr。Coulsonhebecameelderbrothertotheturtle-dove。Inthewindownearwhichhesatwereboxesofjonquils，ofhyacinths，geraniumsandpansies。Thebreezebroughttheirodourintotheroom。
Immediatelytherewasawell-contestedroundbetweenthebreathoftheflowersandtheableandactiveeffluviumfromgoutliniment。Thelinimentwoneasily；butnotbeforetheflowersgotanuppercuttooldMr。Coulson\'snose。Thedeadlyworkoftheimplacable，falseenchant-
ressMaywasdone。
AcrosstheparktotheolfactoriesofMr。Coulsoncameotherunmistakable，characteristic，copyrightedsmellsofspringthatbelongtothe-big-city-above-the-Subway，alone。Thesmellsofhotasphalt，undergroundcaverns，gasoline，patchouli，orangepeel，sewergas，Albanygrabs，Egyptiancigarettes，mortarandtheundriedinkonnews-
papers。Theinblowingairwassweetandmild。Sparrowswrangledhappilyeverywhereoutdoors。NevertrustMay。
Mr。Coulsontwistedtheendsofhiswhitemustache，cursedhisfoot，andpoundedabellonthetablebyhisside。
IncameMrs。Widdup。Shewascomelytotheeye，fair，flustered，fortyandfoxy。
"Higginsisout，sir，"shesaid，withasmilesuggestiveofvibratorymassage。"Hewenttopostaletter。CanIdoanythingforyou，sir？"
"It\'stimeformyaconite，"saidoldMr。Coulson。
"Dropitforme。Thebottle\'sthere。Threedrops。
Inwater。D——thatis，confoundHiggins!There\'snobodyinthishousecaresifIdiehereinthischairforwantofattention。"
Mrs。Widdupsigheddeeply。
"Don\'tbesayingthat，sir，"shesaid。"There\'sthemthatwouldcaremorethananyoneknows。Thirteendrops，yousaid，sir？"
"Three，"saidoldmanCoulson。
HetookhisdoseandthenMrs。Widdup\'shand。Sheblushed。Oh，yes，itcanbedone。Justholdyourbreathandcompressthediaphragm。
"Mrs。Widdup，"saidMr。Coulson，"thespringtime\'sfulluponus。"
"Ain\'tthatright？"saidMrs。Widdup。"Theair\'srealwarm。Andthere\'sbock-beersignsoneverycorner。
Andthepark\'sallyallerandpinkandbluewithflowers；
andIhavesuchshootingpainsupmylegsandbody。"
"\'Inthespring，\'"quotedMr。Coulson，curlinghismustache，"\'ay——thatis，aman\'s——fancylightlyturnstothoughtsoflove。\'"
"Lawsy，now!"exclaimedMrs。Widdup；"ain\'tthatright？Seemslikeit\'sintheair。"
"\'Inthespring，\'"continuedoldMr。Coulson，"\'alivelieririsshinesupontheburnisheddove。\'"
"Theydobelively，theIrish，"sighedMrs。Widduppensively。
"Mrs。Widdup，"saidMr。Coulson，makingafaceatatwingeofhisgoutyfoot，"thiswouldbealonesomehousewithoutyou。I\'man——thatis，I\'manelderlyman——butI\'mworthacomfortablelotofmoney。Ifhalfamilliondollars\'worthofGovernmentbondsandthetrueaffectionofaheartthat，thoughnolongerbeatingwiththefirstardourofyouth，canstillthrobwithgenuine——"
Theloudnoiseofanoverturnedchairneartheporti鑢esoftheadjoiningroominterruptedthevenerableandscarcelysuspectingvictimofMay。
InstalkedMissVanMeekerConstantiaCoulson，bony，durable，tall，high-nosed，frigid，well-bred，thirty-five，in-the-neighbourhood-of-Gramercy-Parkish。Sheputupalorgnette。Mrs。WidduphastilystoopedandarrangedthebandagesonMr。Coulson\'sgoutyfoot。
"IthoughtHigginswaswithyou，"saidMissVanMeekerConstantia。
"Higginswentout，"explainedherfather，"andMrs。
Widdupansweredthebell。Thatisbetternow，Mrs。
Widdup，thankyou。No；thereisnothingelseIrequire。"
Thehousekeeperretired，pinkunderthecool，inquiringstareofMissCoulson。
"Thisspringweatherislovely，isn\'tit，daughter？"
saidtheoldman，consciouslyconscious。
"That\'sjustit，"repliedMissVanMeekerConstantiaCoulson，somewhatobscurely。"WhendoesMrs。Wid-
dupstartonhervacation，papa？"
"Ibelieveshesaidaweekfromto-day，"saidMr。
Coulson。
MissVanMeekerConstantiastoodforaminuteatthewindowgazing，towardthelittlepark，floodedwiththemellowafternoonsunlight。Withtheeyeofabotanistsheviewedtheflowers——mostpotentweaponsofinsid-
iousMay。WiththecoolpulsesofavirginofCologneshewithstoodtheattackoftheetherealmildness。Thearrowsofthepleasantsunshinefellback，frostbitten，fromthecoldpanoplyofherunthrilledbosom。Theodouroftheflowerswakednosoftsentimentsintheunexploredrecessesofherdormantheart。Thechirpofthesparrowsgaveherapain。ShemockedatMay。
ButalthoughMissCoulsonwasproofagainsttheseason，shewaskeenenoughtoestimateitspower。Sheknewthatelderlymenandthick-waistedwomenjumpedaseducatedfleasintheridiculoustrainofMay，themerrymockerofthemonths。Shehadheardoffoolisholdgentlemenmarryingtheirhousekeepersbefore。Whatahumiliatingthing，afterall，wasthisfeelingcalledlove!
Thenextmorningat8o\'clock，whentheicemancalled，thecooktoldhimthatMissCoulsonwantedtoseehiminthebasement。
"Well，ain\'tItheOlcottandDepew；notmentioningthefirstnameatall？"saidtheiceman，admiringly，ofhimself。
Asaconcessionherolledhissleevesdown，droppedhisicehooksonasyringeandwentback。WhenMissVanMeekerConstantiaCoulsonaddressedhimhetookoffhisbat。
"Thereisarearentrancetothisbasement，"saidMissCoulson，"whichcanbereachedbydrivingintothevacantlotnextdoor，wheretheyareexcavatingforabuilding。Iwantyoutobringinthatwaywithintwohours1，000poundsofice。Youmayhavetobringanothermanortwotohelpyou。IwillshowyouwhereIwantitplaced。Ialsowant1，000poundsadaydeliveredthesamewayforthenextfourdays。Yourcompanymaychargetheiceonourregularbill。Thisisforyourextratrouble。"
MissCoulsontenderedaten-dollarbill。Theicemanbowed，andheldhishatinhistwohandsbehindhim。
"Notifyou\'llexcuseme，lady。It\'llbeapleasuretofixthingsupforyouanywayyouplease。"
AlasforMay!
AboutnoonMr。Coulsonknockedtwoglassesoffhistable，brokethespringofhisbellandyelledforHigginsatthesametime。
"Bringanaxe，"commandedMr。Coulson，sardoni-
cally，"orsendoutforaquartofprussicacid，orhaveapolicemancomeinandshootme。I\'dratherthatthanbefrozentodeath。"
"Itdoesseemtobegettingcool，Sir，"saidHiggins。
"Ihadn\'tnoticeditbefore。I\'llclosethewindow，Sir。"
"Do，"saidMr。Coulson。"Theycallthisspring，dothey？IfitkeepsuplongI\'llgobacktoPalmBeach。
Housefeelslikeamorgue。"
LaterMissCoulsondutifullycameintoinquirehowthegoutwasprogressing。
"\'Stantia，"saidtheoldman，"howistheweatherout-
doors？"
"Bright，"answeredMissCoulson，"butchilly。"
"Feelslikethedeadofwintertome，"saidMr。Coulson。
"Aninstance，"saidConstantia，gazingabstractedlyoutthewindow，"of\'winterlingeringinthelapofspring，\'
thoughthemetaphorisnotinthemostrefinedtaste。"
AlittlelatershewalkeddownbythesideofthelittleparkandonwestwardtoBroadwaytoaccomplishalittleshopping。
AlittlelaterthanthatMrs。Widdupenteredtheinvalid\'sroom。
"Didyouring，Sir？"sheasked，dimplinginmanyplaces。"IaskedHigginstogotothedrugstore，andI
thoughtIheardyourbell。"
"Ididnot，"saidMr。Coulson。
"I\'mafraid，"saidMrs。Widdup，"Iinterruptedyousir，yesterdaywhenyouwereabouttosaysomething。"
"Howcomesit，Mrs。Widdup，"saidoldmanCoulsonsternly，"thatIfinditsocoldinthishouse？"
"Cold，Sir？"saidthehousekeeper，"why，now，sinceyouspeakofititdoseemcoldinthisroom。But，out-
doorsit\'saswarmandfineasJune，sir。Andhowthisweatherdoseemtomakeone\'sheartjumpoutofone\'sshirtwaist，sir。Andtheivyallleavedoutonthesideofthehouse，andthehand-organsplaying，andthechildrendancingonthesidewalk——\'tisagreattimeforspeakingoutwhat\'sintheheart。Youweresayingyesterday，sir——"
"Woman!"roaredMr。Coulson；"youareafool。I
payyoutotakecareofthishouse。Iamfreezingtodeathinmyownroom，andyoucomeinanddriveltomeaboutivyandhand-organs。Getmeanovercoatatonce。Seethatalldoorsandwindowsareclosedbelow。
Anold，fat，irresponsible，one-sidedobjectlikeyouprat-
ingaboutspringtimeandflowersinthemiddleofwinter!
WhenHigginscomesback，tellhimtobringmeahotrumpunch。Andnowgetout!"
ButwhoshallshamethebrightfaceofMay？Roguethoughshebeanddisturberofsanemen\'speace，nowisevirginscunningnorcoldstorageshallmakeherbowherheadinthebrightgalaxyofmonths。
Oh，yes，thestorywasnotquitefinished。
Anightpassed，andHigginshelpedoldmanCoulsoninthemorningtohischairbythewindow。Thecoldoftheroomwasgone。Heavenlyodoursandfragrantmild-
nessentered。
InhurriedMrs。Widdup，andstoodbyhischair。Mr。
Coulsonreachedhisbonyhandandgraspedherplumpone。
"Mrs。Widdup，"hesaid，"thishousewouldbenohomewithoutyou。Ihavehalfamilliondollars。Ifthatandthetrueaffectionofaheartnolonoerinitsyouthfulprime，butstillnotcold，could——"
"Ifoundoutwhatmadeitcold，"saidMrs。Widdup，leanin\'againsthischair。"\'Twasice——tonsofit——
inthebasementandinthefurnaceroom，everywhere。I
shutofftheregistersthatitwascomingthroughintoyourroom，Mr。Coulson，poorsoul!Andnowit\'sMaytimeagain。"
"Atrueheart，"wentonoldmanCoulson，alittlewanderingly，"thatthespringtimehasbroughttolifeagain，and——butwhatwillmydaughtersay，Mrs。
Widdup？"
"Neverfear，sir，"saidMrs。Widdup，cheerfully。
"MissCoulson，sheranawaywiththeicemanlastnight，sir!"
ATECHNICALERROR
Inevercaredespeciallyforfeuds，believingthemtobeevenmoreoverratedproductsofourcountrythangrapefruit，scrapple，orhoneymoons。Nevertheless，ifImaybeallowed，IwilltellyouofanIndianTerritoryfeudofwhichIwaspress-agent，camp-follower，andinaccessoryduringthefact。
IwasonavisittoSamDurkee\'sranch，whereIhadagreattimefallingoffunmanicuredponiesandwavingmybarehandatthelowerjawsofwolvesabouttwomilesaway。Samwasahardenedpersonofabouttwenty-
five，withareputationforgoinghomeinthedarkwithperfectequanimity，thoughoftenwithreluctance。
OverintheCreekNationwasafamilybearingthenameofTatum。IwastoldthattheDurkeesandTatumshadbeenfeudingforyears。Severalofeachfamilyhadbittenthegrass，anditwasexpectedthatmoreNebuchad-
nezzarswouldfollow。Ayoungergenerationofeachfamilywasgrowingup，andthegrasswaskeepingpacewiththem。
ButIgatheredthattheyhadfoughtfairly；thattheyhadnotlainincornfieldsandaimedatthedivisionoftheirenemies\'suspendersintheback——partly，perhaps，becausetherewerenocornfields，andnobodyworemorethanonesuspender。Norhadanywomanorchildofeitherhouseeverbeenharmed。Inthosedays——andyouwillfinditsoyet——theirwomenweresafe。
SamDurkeehadagirl。(Ifitwereanall-fictionmagazinethatIexpecttosellthisstoryto，Ishouldsay，"Mr。Durkeerejoicedinafianc閑。")HernamewasEllaBaynes。Theyappearedtobedevotedtoeachother，andtohaveperfectconfidenceineachother，asallcouplesdowhoareandhaveoraren\'tandhaven\'t。Shewastolerablypretty，withaheavymassofbrownhairthathelpedheralong。Heintroducedmetoher，whichseemednottolessenherpreferenceforhim；soIreasonedthattheyweresurelysoul-mates。
MissBayneslivedinKingfisher，twentymilesfromtheranch。Samlivedonagallopbetweenthetwoplaces。
OnedaytherecametoKingfisheracourageousyoungman，rathersmall，withsmoothfaceandregularfeatures。
Hemademanyinquiriesaboutthebusinessofthetown，andespeciallyoftheinhabitantscognominally。HesaidhewasfromMuscogee，andhelookedit，withhisyellowshoesandcrochetedfour-in-hand。ImethimoncewhenIrodeinforthemail。HesaidhisnamewasBeverlyTravers，whichseemedratherimprobable。
Therewereactivetimesontheranch，justthen，andSamwastoobusytogototownoften。Asanincom-
petentandgenerallyworthlessguest，itdevolveduponmetorideinforlittlethingssuchaspostcards，barrelsofflour，baking-powder，smoking-tobacco，and——lettersfromElla。
Oneday，whenIwasmessengerforhalfagrossofcigarettepapersandacoupleofwagontires，IsawtheallegedBeverlyTraversinayellow-wheeledbuggywithEllaBaynes，drivingabouttownasostentatiouslyastheblack，waxymudwouldpermit。Iknewthatthisinfor-
mationwouldbringnobalmofGileadtoSam\'ssoul，soIrefrainedfromincludingitinthenewsofthecitythatIretailedonmyreturn。Butonthenextafternoonanelongatedex-cowboyofthenameofSimmons，anold-
timepalofSam\'s，whokeptafeedstoreinKingfisher，rodeouttotheranchandrolledandburnedmanycigar-
ettesbeforehewouldtalk。Whenhedidmakeoration，hiswordswerethese:
"Say，Sam，there\'sbeenadescriptionofagalootmiscallin\'himselfBevel-edgedTravelsimpairingtheatmosphericairofKingfisherforthepasttwoweeks。
Youknowwhohewas？HewasnototherwisethanBenTatum，fromtheCreekNation，sonofoldGopherTatumthatyourUncleNewtshotlastFebruary。Youknowwhathedonethismorning？HekilledyourbrotherLester——shothimintheco\'t-houseyard。"
IwonderedifSamhadheard。Hepulledatwigfromamesquitebush，cheweditgravely，andsaid:
"Hedid，didhe？HekilledLester？"
"Thesame，"saidSimmons。"Andhedidmore。
Herunawaywithyourgirl，thesameastosayMissEllaBaynes。Ithoughtyoumightliketoknow，soIrodeouttoimparttheinformation。"
"Iammuchobliged，Jim，"saidSam，takingthechewedtwigfromhismouth。"Yes，I\'mgladyourodeOut。Yes，I\'mrightglad。"
"Well，I\'llberidin\'back，Ireckon。ThatboyIleftinthefeedstoredon\'tknowhayfromoats。HeshotLesterintheback。"
"Shothimintheback？"
"Yes，whilehewashitchin\'hishoss。"
"I\'mmuchobliged，Jim。"
"Ikindofthoughtyou\'dliketoknowassoonasyoucould。"
"Comeinandhavesomecoffeebeforeyourideback，Jim？"
"Why，no，Ireckonnot；Imustgetbacktothestore。"
"Andyousay——"
"Yes，Sam。Everybodyseen\'emdriveawaytogetherinabuckboard，withabigbundle，likeclothes，tiedupinthebackofit。Hewasdrivin\'theteamhebroughtoverwithhimfromMuscogee。They\'llbehardtoover-
takerightaway。"
"Andwhich——"
"Iwasgoin\'ontotellyou。TheyleftontheGuthrieroad；butthere\'snotellin\'whichforksthey\'lltake——
youknowthat。"
"Allright，Jim；muchobliged。"
"You\'rewelcome，Sam。"
Simmonsrolledacigaretteandstabbedhisponywithbothheels。Twentyyardsawayhereinedupandcalledback:
"Youdon\'twantno——assistance，asyoumightsay？"
"Notany，thanks。"
"Ididn\'tthinkyouwould。Well，solong!"
Samtookoutandopenedabone-handledpocket-knifeandscrapedadriedpieceofmudfromhisleftboot。I
thoughtatfirsthewasgoingtoswearavendettaonthebladeofit，orrecite"TheGipsy\'sCurse。"ThefewfeudsIhadeverseenorreadaboutusuallyopenedthatway。Thisoneseemedtobepresentedwithanewtreat-
ment。Thusofferedonthestage，itwouldhavebeenhissedoff，andoneofBelasco\'sthrillingmelodramasdemandedinstead。
"Iwonder，"saidSam，withaprofoundlythoughtfulexpression，"ifthecookhasanycoldbeansleftover!"
HecalledWash，theNegrocook，andfindingthathehadsome，orderedhimtoheatupthepotandmakesomestrongcoffee。ThenwewentintoSam\'sprivateroom，whereheslept，andkepthisarmoury，dogs，andthesad-
dlesofhisfavouritemounts。Hetookthreeorfoursix-
shootersoutofabookcaseandbegantolookthemover，whistling"TheCowboy\'sLament"abstractedly。After-
wardheorderedthetwobesthorsesontheranchsaddledandtiedtothehitching-post。
Now，inthefeudbusiness，inallsectionsofthecountry，Ihaveobservedthatinoneparticularthereisadelicatebutstrictetiquettebelonging。Youmustnotmentionthewordorrefertothesubjectinthepresenceofafeudist。
Itwouldbemorereprehensiblethancommentinguponthemoleonthechinofyourrichaunt。Ifound，lateron，thatthereisanotherunwrittenrule，butIthinkthatbelongssolelytotheWest。
Ityetlackedtwohourstosupper-time；butintwentyminutesSamandIwereplungingdeepintothereheatedbeans，hotcoffee，andcoldbeef。
Nothinglikeagoodmealbeforealongride，"saidSam。"Eathearty。"
Ihadasuddensuspicion。
"Whydidyouhavetwohorsessaddled？"Iasked。
"One，two——one，two，"saidSam。"Youcancount，can\'tyou？"
Hismathematicscarriedwithitamomentaryqualmandalesson。Thethoughthadnotoccurredtohimthatthethoughtcouldpossiblyoccurtomenottorideathissideonthatredroadtorevengeandjustice。Itwasthehighercalculus。Iwasbookedforthetrail。Ibegantoeatmorebeans。
Inanhourwesetforthatasteadygallopeastward。
OurhorseswereKentucky-bred，strengthenedbythemesquitegrassofthewest。BenTatum\'ssteedsmayhavebeenswifter，andhehadagoodlead；butifhehadheardthepunctualthudsofthehoofsofthosetrailersofours，bornintheheartoffeudland，hemighthavefeltthatretributionwascreepinguponthehoof-printsofhisdappernags。
IknewthatBenTatum\'scardtoplaywasflight——
flightuntilhecamewithinthesaferterritoryofhisownhenchmenandsupporters。Heknewthatthemanpur-
suinghimwouldfollowthetrailtoanyendwhereitmightlead。
DuringtherideSamtalkedoftheprospectforrain，ofthepriceofbeef，andofthemusicalglasses。Youwouldhavethoughthehadneverhadabrotherorasweetheartoranenemyonearth。Therearesomesub-
jectstoobigevenforthewordsinthe"Unabridged。"
Knowingthisphaseofthefeudcode，butnothavingpractiseditsufficiently，Ioverdidthethingbytellingsomeslightlyfunnyanecdotes。Samlaughedatexactlytherightplace——laughedwithhismouth。WhenIcaughtsightofhismouth，IwishedIhadbeenblessedwithenoughsenseofhumourtohavesuppressedthoseanecdotes。
OurfirstsightofthemwehadinGuthrie。Tiredandhungry，westumbled，unwashed，intoalittleyellow-pinehotelandsatatatable。Intheoppositecornerwesawthefugitives。Theywerebentupontheirmeal，butlookedaroundattimesuneasily。
Thegirlwasdressedinbrown-oneofthesesmooth，half-shiny，silky-lookingaffairswithlacecollarandcuffs，andwhatIbelievetheycallanaccordion-plaitedskirt。
Sheworeathickbrownveildowntohernose，andabroad-brimmedstrawhatwithsomekindoffeathersadorningit。Themanworeplain，darkclothes，andhishairwastrimmedveryshort。Hewassuchamanasyoumightseeanywhere。
Theretheywere——themurdererandthewomanhehadstolen。Therewewere——therightfulavenger，accordingtothecode，andthesupernumerarywhowritesthesewords。
Foronetime，atleast，intheheartofthesupernumerarythererosethekillinginstinct。Foronemomenthejoinedtheforceofcombatants——orally。
"Whatareyouwaitingfor，Sam？"Isaidinawhisper。
"Lethimhaveitnow!"
Samgaveamelancholysigh。
"Youdon\'tunderstand；buthedoes，"hesaid。"Heknows。Mr。Tenderfoot，there\'saruleouthereamongwhitemenintheNationthatyoucan\'tshootamanwhenhe\'swithawoman。Ineverknewittobebrokeyet。
Youcan\'tdoit。You\'vegottogethiminagangofmenorbyhimself。That\'swhy。Heknowsit，too。Weallknow。So，that\'sMr。BenTatum!Oneofthe\'prettymen\'!I\'llcuthimoutoftheherdbeforetheyleavethehotel，andregulatehisaccount!"
Aftersuppertheflyingpairdisappearedquickly-
AlthoughSamhauntedlobbyandstairwayandhallshalfthenight，insomemysteriouswaythefugitiveseludedhim；andinthemorningtheveiledladyinthebrowndresswiththeaccordion-plaitedskirtandthedapperyoungmanwiththeclose-clippedhair，andthebuckboardwiththeprancingnags，weregone。
Itisamonotonousstory，thatoftheride；soitshallbecurtailed。Onceagainweovertookthemonaroad。Wewereaboutfiftyyardsbehind。Theyturnedinthebuckboardandlookedatus；thendroveonwithoutwhippinguptheirhorses。Theirsafetynolongerlayinspeed。BenTatumknew。Heknewthattheonlyrockofsafetylefttohimwasthecode。Thereisnodoubtthat，hadhebeenalone，thematterwouldhavebeensettledquicklywithSamDurkeeintheusualway；
buthehadsomethingathissidethatkeptstillthetrigger-fingerofboth。Itseemedlikelythathewasnocoward。
So，youmayperceivethatwoman，onoccasions，maypostponeinsteadofprecipitatingconflictbetweenmanandman。Butnotwillinglyorconsciously。Sheisobliviousofcodes。
Fivemilesfarther，wecameuponthefuturegreatWesterncityofChandler。Thehorsesofpursuersandpursuedwerestarvedandweary。Therewasonehotelthatoffereddangertomanandentertainmenttobeast；
sothefourofusmetagaininthediningroomattheringingofabellsoresonantandlargethatithadcrackedthewelkinlongago。ThediningroomwasnotaslargeastheoneatGuthrie。
Justaswewereeatingapplepie——howBenDavisesandtragedyimpingeuponeachother!——InoticedSamlookingwithkeenintentnessatourquarrywheretheywereseatedatatableacrosstheroom。Thegirlstillworethebrowndresswithlacecollarandcuffs，andtheveildrawndowntohernose。Themanbentoverhisplate，withhisclosecroppedheadheldlow。
"There\'sacode，"IheardSamsay，eithertomeortohimself，"thatwon\'tletyoushootamaninthecompanyofawoman；but，bythunder，thereain\'tonetokeepyoufromkillingawomaninthecompanyofaman!"
And，quickerthanmymindcouldfollowhisargument，hewhippedaColt\'sautomaticfromunderhisleftarmandpumpedsixbulletsintothebodythatthebrowndresscovered——thebrowndresswiththelacecollarandcuffsandtheaccordion-plaitedskirt。
Theyoungpersoninthedarksacksuit，fromwhoseheadandfromwhoselifeawoman\'sgloryhadbeenclipped，laidherheadonherarmsstretcheduponthetable；whilepeoplecamerunningtoraiseBenTatumfromthefloorinhisfemininemasqueradethathadgivenSamtheopportunitytosetaside，technically，theobliga-
tionsofthecode。
SUITEHOMESANDTHEIRROMANCE
FEWyoungcouplesintheBig-City-of-BluffbegantheirmarriedexistencewithgreaterpromiseofhappinessthandidMr。andMrs。ClaudeTurpin。Theyfeltnoespecialanimositytowardeachother；theywerecomfort-
ablyestablishedinahandsomeapartmenthousethathadanameandaccommodationslikethoseofasleeping-
car；theywerelivingasexpensivelyasthecoupleonthenextfloorabovewhohadtwicetheirincome；
andtheirmarriagehadoccurredonawager，aferry-
boatandfirstacquaintance，thussecuringasensationalnewspapernoticewiththeirnamesattachedtopicturesoftheQueenofRoumaniaandM。Santos-
Dumont。
Turpin\'sincomewas$200permonth。Onpayday，aftercalculatingtheamountsdueforrent，instalmentsonfurnitureandpiano，gas，andbillsowedtotheflorist，confectioner，milliner，tailor，winemerchantandcabcompany，theTurpinswouldfindthattheystillhad$200
lefttospend。Howtodothisisoneofthesecretsofmetropolitanlife。
ThedomesticlifeoftheTurpinswasabeautifulpicturetosee。Butyoucouldn\'tgazeuponitasyoucouldatanoleographof"Don\'tWakeGrandma，"or"Brook-
lynbyMoonlight。"
Youhadtoblinkwhenlookedatit；andyouheardafizzingsoundjustlikethemachinewitha"scope"attheendofit。Yes；therewasn\'tmuchreposeaboutthepictureoftheTurpins\'domesticlife。Itwassomethinglike"SpearingSalmonintheColumbiaRiver，"or"Jap-
aneseArtilleryinAction。"
Everydaywasjustlikeanother；asthedaysareinNewYork。InthemorningTurpinwouldtakebromo-
seltzer，hispocketchangefromundertheclock，hishat，nobreakfastandhisdeparturefortheoffice。AtnoonMrs。Turpinwouldgetoutofbedandhumour，putonakimono，airs，andthewatertoboilforcoffee。
Turpinluncheddowntown。Hecamehomeat6
todressfordinner。Theyalwaysdinedout。Theystrayedfromthechop-housetochop-sueydom，fromterracetotabled\'h魌e，fromrathskellertoroadhouse，fromcaf？tocasino，fromMaria\'stotheMarthaWash-
ington。Suchisdomesticlifeinthegreatcity。Yourvineisthemistletoe；yourfigtreebearsdates。YourhouseholdgodsareMercuryandJohnHowardPayne。
Fortheweddingmarchyounowhearonly"ComewiththeGypsyBride。"Yourarelydineatthesameplacetwiceinsuccession。Youtireofthefood；and，besides，youwanttogivethemtimeforthequestionofthatsouve-
nirsilversugarbowltoblowover。
TheTurpinswerethereforehappy。Theymademanywarmanddelightfulfriends，someofwhomtheyremem-
beredthenextday。Theirhomelifewasanidealone，accordingtotherulesandregulationsoftheBookofBluff。
TherecameatimewhenitdawneduponTurpinthathiswifewasgettingawaywithtoomuchmoney。
Ifyoubelongtothenear-swellclassintheBigCity，andyourincomeis$200permonth，andyoufindattheendofthemonth，afterlookingoverthebillsforcurrentexpenses，thatyou，yourself，havespent$150，youverynaturallywonderwhathasbecomeoftheother$50。
Soyoususpectyourwife。Andperhapsyougiveherahintthatsomethingneedsexplanation。
"Isay，Vivien，"saidTurpin，oneafternoonwhentheywereenjoyinginraptsilencethepeaceandquietoftheircozyapartment，"you\'vebeencreatingahiatusbigenoughforadogtocrawlthroughinthismonth\'shon-
orarium。Youhaven\'tbeenpayingyourdressmakeranythingonaccount，haveyou？"
Therewasamoment\'ssilence。Nosoundscouldbeheardexceptthebreathingofthefoxterrier，andthesubdued，monotonoussizzlingofVivien\'sfulvouslocksagainsttheinsensatecurlingirons。ClaudeTurpin，sittinguponapillowthathehadthoughtfullyplacedupontheconvolutionsoftheapartmentsofa，narrowlywatchedtheriante，lovelyfaceofhiswife。
"Claudie，dear，"saidshe，touchingherfingertoherrubytongueandtestingtheunresponsivecurlingirons，"youdomeaninjustice。Mme。Toinettehasnotseenacentofminesincethedayyoupaidyourtailortendollarsonaccount。"
Turpin\'ssuspicionswereallayedforthetime。Butonedaysoontherecameananonymouslettertohimthatread:
"Watchyourwife。Sheisblowinginyourmoneysecretly。Iwasasuffererjustasyouare。TheplaceisNo。345BlankStreet。Awordtothewise，etc。
"AMANWHOKNOWS"
Turpintookthislettertothecaptainofpoliceoftheprecinctthathelivedin。
"Myprecinctisascleanasahound\'stooth，"saidthecaptain。"Thelid\'sshutdownasclosethereasitisovertheeyeofaWilliamsburggirlwhenshe\'skissedataparty。Butifyouthinkthere\'sanythingqueerattheaddress，I\'llgotherewithye。"
Onthenextafternoonat3，TurpinandthecaptaincreptsoftlyupthestairsofNo。345BlankStreet。A
dozenplain-clothesmen，dressedinfullpoliceuniforms，soastoallaysuspicion，waitedinthehallbelow。
Atthetopofthestairswasadoor，whichwasfoundtobelocked。Thecaptaintookakeyfromhispocketandunlockedit。Thetwomenentered。
Theyfoundthemselvesinalargeroom，occupiedbytwentyortwenty-fiveelegantlyclothedladies。Racingchartshungagainstthewalls，atickerclickedinonecorner；withatelephonereceivertohisearamanwascallingoutthevariouspositionsofthehorsesinaveryexcitingrace。Theoccupantsoftheroomlookedupattheintruders；but，asifreassuredbythesightofthecaptain\'suniform，theyrevertedtheirattentiontothemanatthetelephone。
"Yousee，"saidthecaptaintoTurpin，"thevalueofananonymousletter!Nohigh-mindedandself-respect-
inggentlemanshouldconsideroneworthyofnotice。
Isyourwifeamongthisassembly，Mr。Turpin？"
"Sheisnot，"saidTurpin。
"Andifshewas，"continuedthecaptain，"wouldshebewithinthereachofthetongueofslander？TheseladiesconstituteaBrowningSociety。Theymeettodiscussthemeaningofthegreatpoet。ThetelephoneisconnectedwithBoston，whencetheparentsocietytransmitsfrequentlyitsinterpretationsofthepoems。Beashamedofyersuspicions，Mr。Turpin。"
"Gosoakyourshield，"saidTurpin。"Vivienknowshowtotakecareofherselfinapool-room。She\'snotdroppinganythingontheponies。Theremustbesome-
thingqueergoingonhere。"
"NothingbutBrowning，"saidthecaptain。"Hearthat？"
"Thanatopsisbyanose，"drawledthemanatthetelephone。
"That\'snotBrowning；that\'sLongfellow，"saidTurpin，whosometimesreadbooks。
"Backtothepasture!"exclaimedthecaptain。"long-
fellowmadethepacing-to-wagonrecordof7。53\'waybackin1868。"
"Ibelievethere\'ssomethingqueeraboutthisjoint，"
repeatedTurpin。
"Idon\'tseeit，"saidthecaptain。
"Iknowitlookslikeapool-room，allright，"persistedTurpin，"butthat\'sallablind。Vivienhasbeendroppingalotofcoinsomewhere。Ibelievethere\'ssomeunder-
handedworkgoingonhere。"
Anumberofracingsheetsweretackedclosetogether，coveringalargespaceononeofthewalls。Turpin，suspicious，toreseveralofthemdown。Adoor，pre-
viouslyhidden，wasrevealed。Turpinplacedaneartothecrackandlistenedintently。Heheardthesofthumofmanyvoices，lowandguardedlaughter，andasharp，metallicclickingandscrapingasiffromamultitudeoftinybutbusyobjects。
"MyGod!ItisasIfeared!"whisperedTurpintohimself。"Summonyourmenatonce!"hecalledtothecaptain。"Sheisinthere，Iknow。"
Attheblowingofthecaptain\'swhistletheuniformedplain-clothesmenrushedupthestairsintothepool-
room。Whentheysawthebettingparaphernaliadistrib-
utedaroundtheyhalted，surprisedandpuzzledtoknowwhytheyhadbeensummoned。
Butthecaptainpointedtothelock-eddoorandbadethembreakitdown。Inafewmomentstheydemolisheditwiththeaxestheycarried。IntotheotherroomsprangClaudeTurpin，withthecaptainathisheels。
ThescenewasonethatlingeredlonginTurpin\'smind。Nearlyascoreofwomen——womenexpensivelyandfashionablyclothed，manybeautifulandofrefinedappearance——hadbeenseatedatlittlemarble-toppedtables。Whenthepoliceburstopenthedoortheyshriekedandranhereandtherelikegaylyplumedbirdsthathadbeendisturbedinatropicalgrove。Somebecamehysterical；oneortwofainted；severalkneltatthefeetoftheofficersandbesoughtthemformercyonaccountoftheirfamiliesandsocialposition。
AmanwhohadbeenseatedbehindadeskhadseizedarollofcurrencyaslargeastheankleofaParadiseRoofGardenschorusgirlandjumpedoutofthewindow。
Halfadozenattendantshuddledatoneendoftheroom，breathlessfromfear。
Uponthetablesremainedthedamningandincon-
trovertibleevidencesoftheguiltofthehabitu閑softhatsinisterroom——dishafterdishheapedhighwithicecream，andsurroundedbystacksofemptyones，scrapedtothelastspoonful。
"Ladies，"saidthecaptaintohisweepingcircleofprisoner"I\'llnotholdanyofyez。SomeofyezIrecog-
nizeashavingfinehousesandgoodstandinginthecommunity，withhard-workinghusbandsandchilderathome。ButI\'llreadyeabitofalecturebeforeyego。
Inthenextroomthere\'sa20-to-1shotjustdroppedinunderthewirethreelengthsaheadofthefield。Isthisthewayyewasteyourhusbands\'moneyinsteadofhelp-
ingearnit？Homewidyez!Thelid\'sontheice-creamfreezerinthisprecinct。"
ClaudeTurpin\'swifewasamongthepatronsoftheraidedroom。Heledhertotheirapartmentinstemsilence。Theresheweptsoremorsefullyandbesoughthisforgivenesssopleadinglythatheforgothisjustanger，andsoonhegatheredhispenitentgolden-hairedVivieninhisarmsandforgaveher。
"Darling，"shemurmured，halfsobbingly，asthemoon-
lightdriftedthroughtheopenwindow，glorifyinghersweet，upturnedface，"IknowIdonewrong。Iwillnevertouchicecreamagain。Iforgotyouwerenotamillionaire。Iusedtogothereeveryday。Butto-dayIfeltsomestrange，sadpresentimentofevil，andIwasnotmyself。Iateonlyelevensaucers。"
"Saynomore，"saidClaude，gentlyashefondlycaressedherwavingcurls。
"Andyouaresurethatyoufullyforgiveme？"askedVivien，gazingathimentreatinglywithdewyeyesofheavenlyblue。
"Almostsure，littleone，"answeredClaude，stoopingandlightlytouchinghersnowyforeheadwithhislips。
"I\'llletyouknowlateron。I\'vegotamonth\'ssalarydownonVanillatowinthethree-year-oldsteeplechaseto-morrow；andiftheice-creamhunchistothegoodyouareItagain——see？"
THEWHIRLIGIGOFLIFE
JUSTICE-OF-THE-PEACEBenajaWiddupsatinthedoorofhisofficesmokinghiselder-stempipe。Half-
waytothezeniththeCumberlandrangeroseblue-grayintheafternoonhaze。Aspeckledhenswaggereddownthemainstreetofthe"settlement，"cacklingfoolishly。
Uptheroadcameasoundofcreakingaxles，andthenaslowcloudofdust，andthenabull-cartbearingRansieBilbroandhiswife。ThecartstoppedattheJustice\'sdoor，andthetwoclimbeddown。Ransiewasanarrowsixfeetofsallowbrownskinandyellowhair。Theimperturbabilityofthemountainshunguponhimlikeasuitofarmour。Thewomanwascalicoed，angled，snuff-brushed，andwearywithunknowndesires。Throughitallgleamedafaintprotestofcheatedyouthunconsciousofitsloss。
TheJusticeofthePeaceslippedhisfeetintohisshoes，forthesakeofdignity，andmovedtoletthementer。
"We-all，"saidthewoman，inavoicelikethewindblowingthroughpineboughs，"wantsadivo\'ce。"ShelookedatRansietoseeifhenotedanyflaworambiguityorevasionorpartialityorself-partisanshipinherstate-
mentoftheirbusiness。
"Adivo\'ce，"repeatedRansie，withasolemnDod。
"We-allcan\'tgitalongtogethernohow。It\'slonesomeenoughfurtoliveinthemount\'inswhenamanandawomankeersfuroneanother。Butwhenshe\'sa-spittin\'
likeawildcatora-sullenin\'likeahoot-owlinthecabin，amanain\'tgotnocalltolivewithher。"
"Whenhe\'sano-\'countvarmint，"saidthewoman，"withoutanyespecialwarmth，a-traipsin\'alongofscalawagsandmoonshinersanda-layin\'onhisbackpizen\'ithco\'nwhiskey，anda-pesterin\'folkswithapacko\'hungry，triflin\'houn\'stofeed!"
"Whenshekeepsa-throwin\'skilletlids，"cameRansie\'santiphony，"andslingsb\'ilin\'wateronthebestcoon-dogintheCumberlands，andsetsherselfagin\'cookin\'aman\'svictuals，andkeepshimawakeo\'nightsaccusin\'himofasightofdoin\'s!"
"Whenhe\'sal\'aysa-fightin\'therevenues，andgitsahardnameinthemount\'insfurameanman，who\'sgwinetobeablefurtosleepo\'nights？"
TheJusticeofthePeacestirreddeliberatelytohisduties。Heplacedhisonechairandawoodenstoolforhispetitioners。Heopenedhisbookofstatutesonthetableandscannedtheindex。Presentlyhewipedhisspectaclesandshiftedhisinkstand。
"Thelawandthestatutes，"saidhe，"airsilentonthesubjeckofdivo\'ceasfurasthejurisdictionofthisco\'tairconcerned。But，accordin\'toequityandtheCon-
stitutionandthegoldenrule，it\'sabadbarg\'inthatcan\'trunbothways。Ifajusticeofthepeacecanmarryacouple，it\'splainthatheisboundtobeabletodivo\'ce\'em。Thishereofficewillissueadecreeofdivo\'ceandabidebythedecisionoftheSupremeCo\'ttoholditgood。"
RansieBilbrodrewasmalltobacco-bagfromhistrouserspocket。Outofthisheshookuponthetableafive-dollarnote。"Soldab\'arskinandtwofoxesfurthat，"heremarked。"It\'sallthemoneywegot。"
"Theregularpriceofadivo\'ceinthisco\'t，"saidtheJustice，"airfivedollars。"Hestuffedthebillintothepocketofhishomespunvestwithadeceptiveairofindiffer-
ence。Withmuchbodilytoilandmentaltravailhewrotethedecreeuponhalfasheetoffoolscap，andthencopieditupontheother。RansieBilbroandhiswifelistenedtohisreadingofthedocumentthatwastogivethemfreedom:
"KnowallmenbythesepresentsthatRansieBilbroandhiswife，ArielaBilbro，thisdaypersonallyappearedbeforemeandpromisesthathereinaftertheywillneitherlove，honour，norobeyeachother，neitherforbetternorworse，beingofsoundmindandbody，andacceptsummonsfordivorceaccordingtothepeaceanddignityoftheState。
Hereinfailnot，sohelpyouGod。BenajaWiddup，justiceofthepeaceinandforthecountyofPiedmont，StateofTennessee。"
TheJusticewasabouttohandoneofthedocumentstoRansie。ThevoiceofArieladelayedthetransfer。
Bothmenlookedather。Theirdullmasculinitywasconfrontedbysomethingsuddenandunexpectedinthewoman。
"Judge，don\'tyougivehimthatairpaperyit。\'Tain\'tallsettled，nohow。Igottohavemyrightsfirst。I
gottohavemyali-money。\'Tain\'tnokindofawaytodofuramantodivo\'cehiswife\'thoutherhavin\'acentfurtodowith。I\'ma-layin\'offtobea-goin\'uptobrotherEd\'suponHogbackMount\'in。I\'mboundfurtohevapa\'rofshoesandsomesnuffandthingsbesides。EfRancekinaffo\'dadivo\'ce，lethimpaymeali-money。"
RansieBilbrowasstrickentodumbperplexity。Therehadbeennoprevioushintofalimony。Womenwerealwaysbringingupstartlingandunlooked-forissues。
JusticeBenajaWiddupfeltthatthepointdemandedjudicialdecision。Theauthoritieswerealsosilentonthesubjectofalimony。Butthewoman\'sfeetwerebare。
ThetrailtoHogbackMountainwassteepandflinty。
"ArielaBilbro，"heasked，inofficialtones，"howmuchdidyou\'lowwouldbegoodandsufficientali-moneyinthecasebefo\'theco\'t。"
"I\'lowed，"sheanswered，"furtheshoesandall，tosayfivedollars。Thatain\'tmuchfurali-money，butIreckonthat\'llgitmetoupbrotherEd\'s。"
"Theamount，"saidtheJustice，"airnotonreasonable。
RansieBilbro，youairorderedbytheco\'ttopaytheplain-
tiffthesumoffivedollarsbefo\'thedecreeofdivo\'ceairissued。"
"Ihain\'tnomo\'money，"breathedRansie，heavily。
"IdonepaidyouallIhad。"
"Otherwise，"saidtheJustice，lookingseverelyoverhisspectacles，"youairincontemptofco\'t。"
"Ireckonifyougimmetillto-morrow，"pleadedthehusband，"Imoutbeabletorakeorscrapeitupsomewhars。Ineverlookedfortobea-payin\'noali-
money。"
"Thecaseairadjourned，"saidBenajaWiddup，"tillto-morrow，whenyou-allwillpresentyo\'selvesandobeytheorderoftheco\'t。Followin\'ofwhichthedecreesofdivo\'cewillbedelivered。"Hesatdowninthedoorandbegantoloosenashoestring。
"WemoutaswellgodowntoUncleZiah\'s，"decidedRansie，"andspendthenight。"Heclimbedintothecartononeside，andArielaclimbedinontheother。
Obeyingtheflapofhisrope，thelittleredbullslowlycamearoundonatack，andthecartcrawledawayinthenimbusarisingfromitswheels。
Justice-of-the-peaceBenajaWiddupsmokedhiselder-
stempipe。Lateintheafternoonhegothisweeklypaper，andreadituntilthetwilightdimmeditslines。Thenhelitthetallowcandleonhistable，andreaduntilthemoonrose，markingthetimeforsupper。Helivedinthedoublelogcabinontheslopenearthegirdledpoplar。
Goinghometosupperhecrossedalittlebranchdarkenedbyalaurelthicket。Thedarkfigureofamansteppedfromthelaurelsandpointedarifleathisbreast。Hishatwaspulleddownlow，andsomethingcoveredmostofhisface。
"Iwantyo\'money，"saidthefigure，"\'thoutanytalk。
I\'mgettin\'nervous，andmyfinger\'sa-wabblin\'onthisheretrigger。"
"I\'veonlygotf-f-fivedollars，"saidtheJustice，pro-
ducingitfromhisvestpocket。
"Rollitup，"cametheorder，"andstickitintheendofthisheregun-bar\'l。"
Thebillwascrispandnew。Evenfingersthatwereclumsyandtremblingfoundlittledifficultyinmakingaspillofitandinsertingit(thiswithlessease)intothemuzzleoftherifle。
"NowIreckonyoukinbegoin\'along，"saidtherobber。
TheJusticelingerednotonhisway。
Thenextdaycamethelittleredbull，drawingthecarttotheofficedoor。JusticeBenajaWidduphadhisshoeson，forhewasexpectingthevisit。InhispresenceRansieBilbrohandedtohiswifeafive-dollarbill。Theofficial\'seyesharplyviewedit。Itseemedtocurlupasthoughithadbeenrolledandinsertedintotheendofagun-barrel。
ButtheJusticerefrainedfromcomment。Itistruethatotherbillsmightbeinclinedtocurl。Hehandedeachoneadecreeofdivorce。Eachstoodawkwardlysilent，slowlyfoldingtheguaranteeoffreedom。ThewomancastashyglancefullofconstraintatRansie。
"Ireckonyou\'llbegoin\'backuptothecabin，"shesaid，along\'iththebull-cart。There\'sbreadinthetinboxsettin\'ontheshelf。Iputthebaconintheb\'ilin\'-pottokeepthehoundsfromgittin\'it。Don\'tforgettowindtheclockto-night。"
"Youaira-goin\'toyourbrotherEd\'s？"askedRansie，withfineunconcern。
"Iwas\'lowin\'togetalonguptharaforenight。I
ain\'tsayin\'asthey\'llpestertheyselvesanytomakemewelcome，butIhain\'tnowharelsefurtogo。It\'sarightsmartways，andIreckonIbetterbegoin\'。I\'llbea-sayin\'
good-bye，Ranse-thatis，ifyoukeerfurtosayso。"
"Idon\'tknowasanybody\'sahounddog，"saidRansie，inamartyr\'svoice，"furtonotwanttosaygood-bye——
\'lessyouairsoanxioustogitawaythatyoudon\'twantmetosayit。"
Arielawassilent。Shefoldedthefive-dollarbillandherdecreecarefully，andplacedtheminthebosomofherdress。BenajaWiddupwatchedthemoneydisappearwithmournfuleyesbehindhisspectacles。
Andthenwithhisnextwordsheachievedrank(ashisthoughtsran)witheitherthegreatcrowdoftheworld\'ssympathizersorthelittlecrowdofitsgreatfinanciers。
"Bekindo\'lonesomeintheoldcabinto-night，Ranse，"
hesaid。
RansieBilbrostaredoutattheCumberlands，clearbluenowinthesunlight。HedidnotlookatAriela。
"I\'lowitmightbelonesome，"hesaid；"butwhenfolksgitsmadandwantsadivo\'ce，youcan\'tmakefolksstay。"
"There\'sotherswantedadivo\'ce，"saidAriela，speakingtothewoodenstool。"Besides，nobodydon\'twantno-
bodytostay。"
"Nobodyneversaidtheydidn\'t。"
"Nobodyneversaidtheydid。IreckonIbetterstartonnowtobrotherEd\'s。"
"Nobodycan\'twindthatoldclock。"
"Wantmetogobackalong\'ithyouinthecartandwinditfuryou，Ranse？"
Themountaineer\'scountenancewasproofagainstemotion。ButhereachedoutabighandandenclosedAriela\'sthinbrownone。Hersoulpeepedoutoncethroughherimpassiveface，hallowingit。
"Themhoundsshan\'tpesteryounomore，"saidRansie。"IreckonIbeenmeanandlowdown。Youwindthatclock，Ariela。"
"Myhearthit\'sinthatcabin，Ranse，"shewhispered，"along\'ithyou。Iai\'nta-goin\'togitmadnomore。Le\'sbestartin\'，Ranse，so\'swekingithomebysundown。"
Justice-of-the-peaceBenajaWiddupinterposedastheystartedforthedoor，forgettinghispresence。
"InthenameoftheStateofTennessee，"hesaid，"I
forbidyou-alltobea-defyin\'ofitslawsandstatutes。
