下载辰思小说免费APP
Thisco\'tismo\'thanwillin\'andfullofjoytoseethecloudsofdiscordandmisunderstandin\'rollin\'awayfromtwolovin\'hearts，butitairthedutyoftheco\'ttop\'eservethemoralsandintegrityoftheState。Theco\'tremindsyouthatyouairnolongermanandwife，butairdivo\'cedbyregulardecree，andassuchairnotentitledtothebenefitsand\'purtenancesofthemattermonalestate。"
ArielacaughtRansie\'sarm。Didthosewordsmeanthatshemustlosehimnowwhentheyhadjustlearnedthelessonoflife？
"Buttheco\'tairprepared，"wentontheJustice，"furtoremovethedisabilitiessetupbythedecreeofdivo\'ce。
Theco\'taironhandtoperformthesolemnceremonyofmarri\'ge，thusfixin\'thingsupandenablin\'thepartiesinthecasetoresumethehonour\'bleandelevatin\'stateofmattermonywhichtheydesires。Thefeefurper-
formin\'saidceremonywillbe，inthiscase，towit，fivedollars。"
Ariclacaughtthegleamofpromiseinhiswords。
Swiftlyherhandwenttoherbosom。FreelyasanalightingdovethebillflutteredtotheJustice\'stable。
HersallowcheekcolouredasshestoodhandinhandwithRansieandlistenedtothereunitingwords。
Ransiehelpedherintothecart，andclimbedinbesideher。Thelittleredbullturnedoncemore，andtheysetout，hand-clasped，forthemountains。
Justice-of-the-peaceBenajaWiddupsatinhisdoorandtookoffhisshoes。Onceagainhefingeredthebilltuckeddowninhisvestpocket。Onceagainhesmokedhiselder-stempipe。Onceagainthespeck-ledhenswag-
gereddownthemainstreetofthe"settlement，"cacklingfoolishly。
ASACRIFICEHIT
TheeditoroftheHearthstoneMagazinehisownideasabouttheselectionofmanuscriptforhispublication。
Histheoryisnosecret；infact，hewillexpoundittoyouwillinglysittingathismahoganydesk，smilingbenignantlyandtappinghiskneegentlywithhisgold-rimmedeye-
glasses。
"TheHearthstone，"hewillsay，"doesnotemployastaffofreaders。Weobtainopinionsofthemanuscriptssubmittedtousdirectlyfromtypesofthevariousclassesofourreaders。"
Thatistheeditor\'stheory；andthisisthewayhecarriesitout:
WhenabatchofMSS。isreceivedtheeditorstuffseveryoneofhispocketsfullofthemanddistributesthemashegoesaboutduringtheday。Theofficeemployees，thehallporter，thejanitor，theelevatorman，messengerboys，thewaitersatthecaf？wheretheeditorhasluncheon，themanatthenews-standwherehebuyshiseveningpaper，thegrocerandmilkman，theguardonthe5。30uptownelevatedtrain，theticket-chopperatSixty——thstreet，thecookandmaidathishome——
thesearethereaderswhopassuponMSS。sentintotheHearthstoneMagazine。Ifhispocketsarenotentirelyemptiedbythetimehereachesthebosomofhisfamilytheremainingonesarehandedovertohiswifetoreadafterthebabygoestosleep。AfewdayslatertheeditorgathersintheMSS。duringhisregularroundsandcon-
siderstheverdictofhisassortedreaders。
Thissystemofmakingupamagazinehasbeenverysuccessful；andthecirculation，pacedbytheadvertisingrates，ismakingawonderfulrecordofspeed。
TheHearthstoneCompanyalsopublishesbooks，anditsimprintistobefoundonseveralsuccessfulworks——allrecommended，saystheeditor，bytheHearthstone\'8
armyofvolunteerreaders。Nowandthen(accordingtotalkativemembersoftheeditorialstaff)theHearthstonehasallowedmanuscriptstoslipthroughitsfingersontheadviceofitsheterogeneousreaders，thatafterwardprovedtobefamoussellerswhenbroughtoutbyotherhouses。
Forinstance(thegossipssay)，"TheRiseandFallofSilasLatham"wasunfavourablypasseduponbytheelevator-man；theoffice-boyunanimouslyrejected"TheBoss"；"IntheBishop\'sCarriage"wascontemptuouslylookeduponbythestreet-carconductor；"TheDeliver-
ance"wasturneddownbyaclerkinthesubscriptiondepartmentwhosewife\'smotherhadjustbegunatwo-
months\'visitathishome；"TheQueen\'sQuair"camebackfromthejanitorwiththecomment:"Soisthebook。"
ButneverthelesstheHearthstoneadherestoitstheoryandsystem，anditwillneverlackvolunteerreaders；
foreachoneofthewidelyscatteredstaff，fromtheyoungladystenographerintheeditorialofficetothemanwhoshovelsincoal(whoseadversedecisionlosttotheHearth-
stoneCompanythemanuscriptof"TheUnderWorld")，hasexpectationsofbecomingeditorofthemagazinesomeday。
ThismethodoftheHearthstonewaswellknowntoAllenSlaytonwhenhewrotehisnoveletteentitled"LoveIsAll。"SlaytonhadhungabouttheeditorialofficesofallthemagazinessopersistentlythathewasacquaintedwiththeinnerworkingsofeveryoneinGotham。
HeknewnotonlythattheeditoroftheHearthstonehandedhisMSS。aroundamongdifferenttypesofpeopleforreading，butthatthestoriesofsentimentallove-
interestwenttoMissPuffkin，theeditor\'sstenographer。
Anotheroftheeditor\'speculiarcustomswastoconcealinvariablythenameofthewriterfromhisreadersofMSS。sothataglitteringnamemightnotinfluencethesincerityoftheirreports。
Slaytonmade"LoveIsAll"theeffortofhislife。Hegaveitsixmonthsofthebestworkofhisheartandbrain。Itwasapurelove-story，fine，elevated，romantic，passionate——aprosepoemthatsetthedivineblessingoflove(Iamtransposingfromthemanuscript)highaboveallearthlygiftsandhonours，andlisteditinthecatalogueofheaven\'schoicestrewards。Slayton\'sliteraryambitionwasintense。Hewouldhavesacrificedallotherworldlypossessionstohavegainedfameinhischosenart。Hewouldalmosthavecutoffhisrighthand，orhaveofferedhimselftotheknifeoftheappendi-
citisfanciertohaverealizedhisdreamofseeingoneofhiseffortspublishedintheHearthstone。
Slaytonfinished"LoveIsAll，"andtookittothyHearthstoneinperson。Theofficeofthemagazinewasinalarge，conglomeratebuilding，presidedunderbyajanitor。
Asthewritersteppedinsidethedooronhiswaytotheelevatorapotatomasherflewthroughthehall，wreck-
ing，Slayton\'shat，andsmashingtheglassofthedoor。
Closelyfollowinginthewakeoftheutensilflewthejanitor，abulky，unwholesomeman，suspenderlessandsordid，panic-strickenandbreathless。Afrowsy，tallwomanwithflyinghairfollowedthemissile。Thejanitor\'sfootslippedonthetiledfloor，hefellinaheapwithanexclamationofdespair。Thewomanpounceduponhimandseizedhishair。Themanbellowedlustily。
Hervengeancewreaked，theviragoroseandstalkedtriumphantasMinerva，backtosomecrypticdomesticretreatattherear。Thejanitorgottohisfeet，blownandhumiliated。
"Thisismarriedlife，"hesaidtoSlayton，withacertainbruisedhumour。"That\'sthegirlIusedtolayawakeofnightsthinkingabout。Sorryaboutyourhat，mister。
Say，don\'tsnitchtothetenantsaboutthis，willyer？
Idon\'twanttolosemejob。"
SlaytontooktheelevatorattheendofthehallandwentuptotheofficesoftheHearthstone。HelefttheMS。of"LoveIsAll"withtheeditor，whoagreedtogive，himananswerastoitsavailabilityattheendofaweek。
Slaytonformulatedhisgreatwinningschemeonhiswaydown。Itstruckhimwithonebrilliantflash，andhecouldnotrefrainfromadmiringhisowngeniusinconceivingtheidea。Thatverynighthesetaboutcarry-
ingitintoexecution。
MissPuffkin，theHearthstonestenographer，boardedinthesamehousewiththeauthor。Shewasanoldish，thin，exclusive，languishing，sentimentalmaid；andSlaytonhadbeenintroducedtohersometimebefore。
Thewriter\'sdaringandself-sacrificingprojectwasthis:HeknewthattheeditoroftheHearthstonereliedstronglyuponMissPuffkin\'sjudgmentinthemanuscriptofromanticandsentimentalfiction。Hertasterepresentedtheimmenseaverageofmediocrewomenwhodevournovelsandstoriesofthattype。Thecentralideaandkeynoteof"LoveIsAll"wasloveatfirstsight——theenrapturing，irresistible，soul-thrilling，feelingthatcom-
pelsamanorawomantorecognizehisorherspirit-mateassoonasheartspeakstoheart。SupposeheshouldimpressthisdivinetruthuponMissPuffkinpersonally!——
wouldshenotsurelyindorsehernewandrapturoussensationsbyrecommendinghighlytotheeditoroftheHearthstonethenovelette"LoveIsAll"？
Slaytonthoughtso。AndthatnighthetookMissPuffkintothetheatre。Thenextnighthemadevehementlovetoherinthedimparlouroftheboarding-house。Hequotedfreelyfrom"LoveIsAll"；andhewoundupwithMissPuffkin\'sheadonhisshoulder，andvisionsofliteraryfamedancinginhishead。
ButSlaytondidnotstopatlove-making。This，hesaidtohimself，wastheturningpointofhislife；and，likeatruesportsman，he"wentthelimit。"OnThursdaynightheandMissPuffkinwalkedovertotheBigChurchintheMiddleoftheBlockandweremarried。
BraveSlayton!Chateaubrianddiedinagarret，Byroncourtedawidow，Keatsstarvedtodeath，Poemixedhisdrinks，DeQuinceyhitthepipe，AdelivedinChica-o，Jameskeptondoingit，DicKensworewhitesocks，DeMaupassantworeastrait-jacket，TomWatsonbecameaPopulist，Jeremiahwept，alltheseauthorsdidthesethingsforthesakeofliterature，butthoudidstcapthemall；thoumarriedstawifefortocarveforthyselfanicheinthetempleoffame!
OnFridaymorningMrs。SlaytonsaidshewouldgoovertotheHearthstoneoffice，handinoneortwomanu-
riptsthattheeditorhadgiventohertoread，andresignherpositionasstenographer。
"Wasthereanything——er——that——er——youparticu-
larlyfanciedinthestoriesyouaregoingtoturnin？"
askedSlaytonwithathumpingheart。
"Therewasoneanovelette，thatIlikedsomuch，"
saidhiswife。"Ihaven\'treadanythinginyearsthatIthoughtwashalfasniceandtruetolife。"
ThatafternoonSlaytonhurrieddowntotheHearth-
stoneoffice。Hefeltthathisrewardwascloseathand。
WithanoveletteintheHearthstone，literaryreputationwouldsoonbehis。
Theofficeboymethimattherailingintheouteroffice。Itwasnotforunsuccessfulauthorstoholdpersonalcolloquywiththeeditorexceptatrareintervals。
Slayton，hugginghimselfinternally，wasnursinginhishearttheexquisitehopeofbeingabletocrushtheofficeboywithhisforthcomingsuccess。
Heinquiredconcerninghisnovelette。Theofficeboywentintothesacredprecinctsandbroughtforthalargeenvelope，thickwithmorethanthebulkofathousanddiecks。
"Thebosstoldmetotellyouhe\'ssorry，"saidtheboy，"butyourmanuscriptain\'tavailableforthemagazine。"
Slaytonstood，dazed。"Canyoutellme，"hestammered，"whetherornoMissPuff——thatismy——ImeanMissruffkin——handedinanovelettethismorningthatshehadbeenaskedtoread？"
"Sureshedid，"answeredtheofficeboywisely。"I
heardtheoldmansaythatMissPuffkinsaiditwasadaisy。Thenameofitwas，\'MarriedfortheMazuma，oraWorkingGirl\'sTriumph。\'"
"Say，you!"saidtheofficeboyconfidentially，"yourname\'sSlayton，ain\'tit？IguessImixedcasesonvouwithoutmeanin\'todoit。Thebossgivemesomemanu-
scripttohandaroundtheotherdayandIgottheonesforMissPuffkinandthejanitormixed。Iguessit\'sallright，though。"
AndthenSlaytonlookedcloserandsawonthecoverofhismanuscript，underthetitle"LoveIsAll，"thejanitor\'scommentscribbledwithapieceofcharcoal:
"The——yousay!"
THEROADSWETAKE
TWIENTYmilesWestofTucson，the"SunsetExpress"
stoppedatatanktotakeonwater。Besidestheaqueous，additiontheengineofthatfamousflyeracquiredsomeotherthingsthatwerenotgoodforit。
Whilethefiremanwasloweringthefeedinghose，BobTidball，"Shark"Dodsonandaquarter-bredCreekIndiancalledJohnBigDogclimbedontheengineandshowedtheengineerthreeroundorificesinpiecesofordnancethatthecarried。Theseorificessoimpressedtheengineerwiththeirpossibilitiesthatheraisedbothhandsinagesturesuchasaccompaniestheejaculation"Dotell!"
AtthecrispcommandofSharkDodson，whowasleaderoftheattackingforcetheengineerdescendedtothegroundanduncoupledtheengineandtender。
ThenJohnBigDog，percheduponthecoal，sportivelyheldtwogunsupontheenginedriverandthefireman，andsuggestedthattheyruntheenginefiftyyardsawayandthereawaitfurtherorders。
SharkDodsonandBobTidball，scorningtoputsuchlow-gradeoreasthepassengersthroughthemill，struckoutfortherichpocketoftheexpresscar。Theyfoundthemessengersereneinthebeliefthatthe"SunsetExpress"wastakingonnothingmorestimulatinganddangerousthanaquapura。WhileBobwasknockingthisideaoutofhisheadwiththebutt-endofhissix-shooterSharkDodsonwasalreadydosingtheexpress-carsafewithdynamite。
Thesafeexplodedtothetuneof$30，000，allgoldandcurrency。Thepassengersthrusttheirheadscasuallyoutofthewindowstolookforthethunder-cloud。Theconductorjerkedatthebell-rope，whichsaggeddownlooseandunresisting，athistug。SharkDodsonandBobTidball，withtheirbootyinastoutcanvasbag，tumbledoutoftheexpresscarandranawkwardlyintheirhigh-heeledbootstotheengine。
Theengineer，sullenlyangrybutwise，rantheengine，accordingtoorders，rapidlyawayfromtheinerttrain。
Butbeforethiswasaccomplishedtheexpressmessenger，recoveredfromBobTidball\'spersuadertoneutrality，jumpedoutofhiscarwithaWinchesterrifleandtookatrickinthegame。Mr。JohnBigDog，sittingonthecoaltender，unwittinglymadeawrongleadbygivinganimitationofatarget，andthemessengertrumpedhim。
WithaballexactlybetweenhisshoulderbladestheCreekchevalierofindustryrolledofftotheground，thusincreasingtheshareofhiscomradesinthelootbyone-sixtheach。
Twomilesfromthetanktheengineerwasorderedtostop。
Therobberswavedadefiantadieuandplungeddownthesteepslopeintothethickwoodsthatlinedthetrack。
Fiveminutesofcrashingthroughathicketofchapparalbroughtthemtoopenwoods，wherethreehorsesweretiedtolow-hangingbranches。OnewaswaitingforJohnBigDog，whowouldneverridebynightordayagain。
Thisanimaltherobbersdivestedofsaddleandbridleandsetfree。Theymountedtheothertwowiththebagacrossonepommel，androdefastandwithdiscre-
tionthroughtheforestandupaprimeval，lonelygorge。
HeretheanimalthatboreBobTidballslippedonamossyboulderandbrokeaforeleg。Theyshothimthroughtheheadatonceandsatdowntoholdacouncilofflight。
Madesecureforthepresentbythetortuoustrailthey-
hadtravelled，thequestionoftimewasnolongersobig。
Manymilesandhourslaybetweenthemandthespryestpossethatcouldfollow。SharkDodson\'shorse，withtrailingropeanddroppedbridle，pantedandcroppedthankfullyofthegrassalongthestreaminthegorge。
BobTidballopenedthesack，drewoutdoublehandfulsoftheneatpackagesofcurrencyandtheonesackofgoldandchuckledwiththegleeofachild。
"Say，youolddouble-deckedpirate，"hecalledjoyfullytoDodson，"yousaidwecoulddoit——yougotaheadforfinancingthatknocksthehornsoffofanythinginArizona。"
"Whatarewegoingtodoaboutahossforyou，Bob？
Weain\'tgotlongtowaithere。They\'llbeonourtrailbeforedaylightinthemornin\'。"
"Oh，Iguessthatcayuseofyourn\'llcarrydoubleforawhile，"answeredthesanguineBob。"We\'llannexthefirstanimalwecomeacross。Byjingoes，wemadeahaul，didn\'twe？Accordin\'tothemarksonthismoneythere\'s$30，000——$15，000apiece!"
"It\'sshortofwhatIexpected，"saidSharkDodson，kickingsoftlyatthepackageswiththetoeofhisbootandthenhelookedpensivelyatthewetsidesofhistiredhorse。
"OldBolivar\'smightynighplayedout，"hesaid，slowly。"Iwishthatsorrelofyourshadn\'tgothurt。"
"SodoI，"saidBob，heartily，"butitcan\'tbehelped。
Bolivar\'sgotplentyofbottom——he\'llgetusbothfarenoughtogetfreshmounts。Dangit，Shark，Ican\'tbelpthinkin\'howfunnyitisthatanEasternerlikeyoucancomeouthereandgiveusWesternfellowscardsandspadesinthedesperadobusiness。WhatpartoftheEastwasyoufrom，anyway？"
"NewYorkState，"saidSharkDodson，sittingdownonaboulderandchewingatwig。"IwasbornonafarminUlsterCounty。IranawayfromhomewhenIwasseventeen。ItwasanaccidentmycomingWest。Iwaswalkin\'alongtheroadwithmyclothesinabundle，makin\'forNewYorkCity。Ihadanideaofgoin\'thereandmakin\'lotsofmoney。IalwaysfeltlikeIcoulddoit。Icametoaplaceoneevenin\'wheretheroadforkedandIdidn\'tknowwhichforktotake。I
studiedaboutitforhalfanhour，andthenItooktheleft-
hand。ThatnightIrunintothecampofaWildWestshowthatwastravellin\'amongthelittletowns，andIwentWestwithit。I\'veoftenwonderedifI
wouldn\'thaveturnedoutdifferentifI\'dtooktheotherroad。"
"Oh，Ireckonyou\'dhaveendedupaboutthesame，"
saidBobTidball，cheerfullyphilosophical。"Itain\'ttheroadswetake；it\'swhat\'sinsideofusthatmakesusturnoutthewaywedo。"
SharkDodsongotupandleanedagainstatree。
"I\'dagooddealratherthatsorrelofyournhadn\'thurthimself，Bob，"hesaidagain，almostpathetically。
"Samehere，"agreedBob；"hewassureafirst-ratekindofacrowbait。ButBolivar，he\'llpullusthroughallright。Reckonwe\'dbetterbemovin\'on，hadn\'twe，Shark？I\'llbagthisboodleag\'inandwe\'llhitthetrailforhighertimber。"
BobTidballreplacedthespoilinthebagandtiedthemouthofittightlywithacord。WhenhelookedupthemostprominentobjectthathesawwasthemuzzleofSharkDodson\'s。45helduponhimwithoutawaver。
"Stopyourfunnin\'，"saidBob，withagrin。"Wegottobehittin\'thebreeze。"
"Setstill，"saidShark。"Youain\'tgoin\'tohitnobreeze，Bob。Ihatetotellyou，butthereain\'tanychanceforbutoneofus。Bolivar，he\'splentytired，andhecan\'tcarrydouble。"
"Webeenpards，meandyou，SharkDodson，forthreeyear，"Bobsaidquietly。"We\'veriskedourlivestogethertimeandagain。I\'vealwaysgiveyouasquaredeal，andIthoughtyouwasaman。I\'veheardsomequeerstoriesaboutyoushootin\'oneortwomeninapeculiarway，butIneverbelieved\'em。Nowifyou\'rejusthavin\'
alittlefunwithme，Shark，putyourgunup，andwe\'llgetonBolivarandvamose。Ifyoumeantoshoot——
shoot，youblackheartedsonofatarantula!"
SharkDodson\'sfaceboreadeeplysorrowfullook。
"Youdon\'tknowhowbadIfeel，"hesighed，"aboutthatsorrelofyournbreakin\'hisleg，Bob。"
TheexpressiononDodson\'sfacechangedinaninstanttooneofcoldferocitymingledwithinexorablecupidity。
Thesoulofthemanshoweditselfforamomentlikeanevilfaceinthewindowofareputablehouse。
TrulyBobTidballwasneverto"hitthebreeze"again。
Thedeadly。45ofthefalsefriendcrackedandfilledthegorgewitharoarthatthewallshurledbackwithindignantechoes。AndBolivar，unconsciousaccomplice，swiftlyboreawaythelastoftheholders-upofthe"SunsetExpress，"notputtothestressof"carryingdouble。"
Butas"Shark"Dodsongallopedawaythewoodsseemedtofadefromhisview；therevolverinhisrighthandturnedtothecurvedarmofamahoganychair；hissaddlewasstrangelyupholstered，andheopenedhiseyesandsawhisfeet，notinstirrups，butrestingquietlyontheedgeofaquartered-oakdesk。
IamtellingyouthatDodson，ofthefirmofDodson&Decker，WallStreetbrokers，openedhiseyes。Peabody，theconfidentialclerk，wasstandingbyhischair，hesitatingtospeak。Therewasaconfusedhumofwheelsbelow，andthesedativebuzzofanelectricfan。
"Ahem!Peabody，"saidDodson，blinking。"Imusthavefallenasleep。Ihadamostremarkabledream。
Whatisit，Peabody？"
"Mr。Williams，sir，ofTracy&Williams，isoutside。
HehascometosettlehisdealinX。Y。Z。Themarketcaughthimshort，sir，ifyouremember。"
"Yes，Iremember。WhatisX。Y。Z。quotedatto-day，Peabody？"
"Oneeighty-five，sir。"
"Thenthat\'shisprice。"
"Excuseme，"saidPeabody，rathernervously"forspeakingofit，butI\'vebeentalkingtoWilliams。He\'sanoldfriendofyours，Mr。Dodson，andyoupracticallyhaveacornerinX。Y。Z。Ithoughtyoumight——thatis，Ithoughtyoumightnotrememberthathesoldyouthestockat98。Ifhesettlesatthemarketpriceitwilltakeeverycenthehasintheworldandhishometootodelivertheshares。"
TheexpressiononDodson\'sfacechangedinaninstanttooneofcoldferocitymingledwithinexorablecupidity。
Thesoulofthemanshoweditselfforamomentlikeanevilfaceinthewindowofareputablehouse。
"Hewillsettleatoneeighty-five，"saidDodson。
"Bolivarcannotcarrydouble。"
ABLACKJACKBARGAINER
ThemostdisreputablethinginYanceyGoree\'slawofficewasGoreehimself，sprawledinhiscreakvoldarm-
chair。Thericketylittleoffice，builtofredbrick，wassetflushwiththestreet——themainstreetofthetownofBethel。
Bethelresteduponthefoot-hillsoftheBlueRidge。
Aboveitthemountainswerepiledtothesky。FarbelowittheturbidCatawbagleamedyellowalongitsdisconsolatevalley。
TheJunedaywasatitssultriesthour。Betheldozedinthetepidshade。Tradewasnot。ItwassostillthatGoree，reclininginhischair，distinctlyheardtheclickingofthechipsinthegrand-juryroom，wherethe"court-
housegang"wasplayingpoker。Fromtheopenbackdooroftheofficeawell-wornpathmeanderedacrossthegrassylottothecourt-house。ThetreadingoutofthatpathhadcostGoreeallheeverhad——firstinheritanceofafewthousanddollars，nexttheoldfamilyhome，and，latterlythelastshredsofhisself-respectandmanhood。
The"gang"hadcleanedhimout。Thebrokengamblerhadturneddrunkardandparasite；hehadlivedtoseethisdaycomewhenthemenwhohadstrippedhimdeniedhimaseatatthegame。Hiswordwasnolongertobetaken。Thedailyboutsatcardshadarrangeditselfaccordingly，andtohimwasassignedtheignoblepartoftheonlooker。Thesheriff，thecountyclerk，asportivedeputy，agayattorney，andachalk-facedmanhailing"fromthevalley，"satattable，andtheshearedonewasthustacitlyadvisedtogoandgrowmorewool。
Soonwearyingofhisostracism，Goreehaddepartedforhisoffice，mutteringtohimselfasheunsteadilytra-
versedtheunluckypathway。Afteradrinkofcornwhiskeyfromademijohnunderthetable，hehadflunghimselfintothechair，staring，inasortofmaudlinapathy，outatthemountainsimmersedinthesummerhaze。
ThelittlewhitepatchhesawawayuponthesideofBlackjackwasLaurel，thevillagenearwhichhehadbeenbornandbred。There，also，wasthebirthplaceofthefeudbetweentheGoreesandtheColtranes。NownodirectheiroftheGoreessurvivedexceptthispluckedandsingedbirdofmisfortune。TotheColtranes，also，butonemalesupporterwasleft——ColonelAbnerCol-
trane，amanofsubstanceandstanding，amemberoftheStateLegislature，andacontemporarywithGoree\'sfather。Thefeudhadbeenatypicaloneoftheregion；
ithadleftaredrecordofhate，wrongandslaughter。
ButYanceyGoreewasnotthinkingoffeuds。Hisbefuddledbrainwashopelesslyattackingtheproblemofthefuturemaintenanceofhimselfandhisfavouritefollies。Oflate，oldfriendsofthefamilyhadseentoitthathehadwhereoftoeatandaplacetosleep——butwhiskeytheywouldnotbuyforhim，andhemusthavewhiskey。
Hislawbusinesswasextinct；nocasehadbeenintrustedtohimintwoyears。Hehadbeenaborrowerandasponge，anditseemedthatifhefellnoloweritwouldbefromlackofopportunity。Onemorechance——hewassayingtohimself——ifhehadonemorestakeatthegame，hethoughthecouldwin；buthehadnothinglefttosell，andhiscreditwasmorethanexhausted。
Hecouldnothelpsmiling，eveninhismisery，ashethoughtofthemantowhom，sixmonthsbefore，hehadsoldtheoldGoreehomestead。Therehadcomefrom"backyan\'"inthemountainstwoofthestrangestcreatures，amannamedPikeGarveyandhiswife。"Backyan\'，"withawaveofthehandtowardthehills，wasunderstoodamongthemountaineerstodesignatetheremotestfastnesses，theunplumbedgorges，thehauntsoflawbreakers，thewolf\'sden，andtheboudoirofthebear。
InthecabinfaruponBlackjack\'sshoulder，inthewildestpartoftheseretreats，thisoddcouplehadlivedfortwentyyears。Theyhadneitherdognorchildrentomitigatetheheavysilenceofthehills。PikeGarveywaslittleknowninthesettlements，butallwhohaddealtwithhimpronouncedhim"crazyasaloon。"Heacknowledgednooccupationsavethatofasquirrelhunter，buthe"moonshined"occasionallybywayofdiversion。Oncethe"revenues"haddraggedhimfromhislair，fightingsilentlyanddesperatelylikeaterrier，andhehadbeensenttostate\'sprisonfortwoyears。Released，hepoppedbackintohisholelikeanangryweasel。
Fortune，passingovermanyanxiouswooers，madeafreakishflightintoBlackjack\'sboskypocketstosmileuponPikeandhisfaithfulpartner。
Onedayapartyofspectacled，knickerbockered，andaltogetherabsurdprospectorsinvadedthevicinityoftheGarvey\'scabin。Pikeliftedhissquirrelrifleoffthehooksandtookashotatthematlongrangeonthechanceoftheirbeingrevenues。Happilyhemissed，andtheunconsciousagentsofgoodluckdrewnearer，disclosingtheirinnocenceofanythingresemblinglaworjustice。
Lateron，theyofferedtheGarveysanenormousquantityofready，green，crispmoneyfortheirthirty-acrepatchofclearedland，mentioning，asanexcuseforsuchamadaction，someirrelevantandinadequatenonsenseaboutabedofmicaunderlyingthesaidproperty。
WhentheGarveysbecamepossessedofsomanydol-
larsthattheyfalteredincomputingthem，thedeficienciesoflifeonBlackjackbegantogrowprominent。Pikebegantotalkofnewshoes，ahogsheadoftobaccotosetinthecorner，anewlocktohisrifle；and，leadingMartellatoacertainspotonthemountain-side，hepointedouttoherhowasmallcannon——doubtlessathingnotbeyondthescopeoftheirfortuneinprice——
mightbeplantedsoastocommandanddefendthesoleaccessibletrailtothecabin，totheconfusionofrevenuesandmeddlingstrangersforever。
ButAdamreckonedwithouthisEve。Thesethingsrepresentedtohimtheappliedpowerofwealth，butthereslumberedinhisdingycabinanambitionthatsoaredfarabovehisprimitivewants。SomewhereinMrs。Garvey\'sbosomstillsurvivedaspotoffemininityunstarvedbytwentyyearsofBlackjack。Forsolongatimethesoundsinherearshadbeenthescaly-barksdroppinginthewoodsatnoon，andthewolvessingingamongtherocksatnight，anditwasenoughtohavepurgedherofvanities。Shehadgrownfatandsadandyellowanddull。Butwhenthemeanscame，shefeltarekindleddesiretoassumetheperquisitesofhersex——
tositatteatables；tobuyfutilethings；towhitewashthehideousveracityoflifewithalittleformandceremony。
SoshecoldlyvetoedPike\'sproposedsystemoffortifica-
tions，andannouncedthatthevwoulddescendupontheworld，andgyratesocially。
Andthus，atlength，itwasdecided，andthethingdone。ThevillageofLaurelwastheircompromisebetweenMrs。Garvey\'spreferenceforoneofthelargevalleytownsandPike\'shankeringforprimevalsolitudes。
LaurelyieldedahaltingroundoffeeblesocialdistractionsomportablewithMartella\'sambitions，andwasnotentirelywithoutrecommendationtoPike，itscontiguitytothemountainspresentingadvantagesforsuddenretreatincasefashionablesocietyshouldmakeitadvisable。
TheirdescentuponLaurelhadbeencoincidentwithYanceyGoree\'sfeverishdesiretoconvertpropertyintocash，andtheyboughttheoldGoreehomestead，payingfourthousanddollarsreadymoneyintothespendthrift\'sshakinghands。
ThusithappenedthatwhilethedisreputablelastoftheGoreessprawledinhisdisreputableoffice，attheendofhisrow，spurnedbythecronieswhomhehadgorged，strangersdweltinthehallsofhisfathers。
Acloudofdustwasrolling，slowlyuptheparchedstreet，withsomethingtravellinginthemidstofit。A
littlebreezewaftedthecloudtooneside，andanew，brightlypaintedcarryall，drawnbyaslothfulgrayhorse，becamevisible。ThevehicledeflectedfromthemiddleofthestreetasitnearedGoree\'soffice，andstoppedinthegutterdirectlyinfrontofhisdoor。
Onthefrontseatsatagaunt，tallman，dressedinblackbroadcloth，hisrigidhandsincarceratedinyellowkidgloves。OnthebackseatwasaladywhotriumphedovertheJuneheat。Herstoutformwasarmouredinaskintightsilkdressofthedescriptionknownas"change-
able，"beingagorgeouscombinationofshiftinghues。
Shesaterect，wavingamuch-omamentedfan，withhereyesfixedstonilyfardownthestreet。HoweverMartellaGarvey\'sheartmightberejoicingatthepleasuresofhernewlife，Blackjackhaddonehisworkwithherexterior。
Hehadcarvedhercountenancetotheimageofemptinessandinanity；hadimbuedherwiththestolidityofhiscrags，andthereserveofhishushedinteriors。Shealwaysseemedtohear，whateverhersurroundingswere，thescaly-barksfallingandpatteringdownthemountain-
side。ShecouldalwaysheartheawfulsilenceofBlack-
jacksoundingthroughthestillestofnights。
Goreewatchedthissolemnequipage，asitdrovetohisdoor，withonlyfaintinterest；butwhenthelankdriverwrappedthereinsabouthiswhip，awkwardlydescended，andsteppedintotheoffice，heroseunsteadilytoreceivehim，recognizingPikeGarvey，thenew，thetransformed，therecentlycivilized。
ThemountaineertookthechairGoreeofferedhim。
TheywhocastdoubtsuponGarvey\'ssoundnessofmindhadastrongwitnessintheman\'scountenance。Hisfacewastoolong，adullsaffroninhue，andimmobileasastatue\'s。Pale-blue，unwinkingroundeyeswithoutlashesaddedtothesingularityofhisgruesomevisage。
Goreewasatalosstoaccountforthevisit。
"EverythingallrightatLaurel，Mr。Garvey？"heinquired。
"Everythingallright，sir，andmightypleasedisMissisGarveyandmewiththeproperty。MissisGarveylikesyo\'oldplace，andshelikestheneighbourhood。Societyiswhatshe\'lowsshewants，andsheisgettin\'ofit。TheRogerses，theHapgoods，thePrattsandtheTroyshevbeentoseeMissisGarvey，andshehevetmealstomostoftharhouses。Thebestfolkshevaxedhertodiffer\'ntkindsofdoin\'s。Icyan\'tsay，Mr。Goree，thatsechthingssuitsme——furme，givemethemthar。"Garvey\'shuge，yellow-glovedhandflourishedinthedirectionofthemountains。"That\'swharIb\'long，\'mongstthewildhoneybeesandtheb\'ars。Butthatain\'twhatI
comefurtosay，Mr。Goree。Thar\'ssomethin\'yougotwhatmeandMissisGarveywantstobuy。"
"Buy!"echoedGoree。"Fromme？"Thenhelaughedharshly。"Ireckonyouaremistakenaboutthat。Ireckonyouaremistakenaboutthat。Isoldouttoyou，asyouyourselfexpressedit，\'lock，stockandbarrel。\'Thereisn\'tevenaramrodlefttosell。"
"You\'vegotit；andwe\'unswantit。\'Takethemoney，\'saysMissisGarvey，\'andbuyitfa\'randsquared\'。\'"
Goreeshookhishead。"Thecupboard\'sbare，"hesaid。
"We\'veriz，"pursuedthemountaineer，undetectedfromhisobject，"aheap。Wewasporeaspossums，andnowwecouldhevfolkstodinnereveryday。Webeenrecognized，MissisGarveysays，bythebestsociety。
Butthere\'ssomethin\'weneedweain\'tgot。Shesaysitoughttobeenputinthe\'ventoryovthesale，butittain\'tthar。\'Takethemoney，then，\'saysshe，\'andbuyitfa\'randsquar\'。"\'
"Outwithit，"saidGoree，hisrackednervesgrowingimpatient。
Garveythrewhisslouchbatuponthetable，andleanedforward，fixinghisunblinkingevesuponGoree\'s。
"There\'saoldfeud，"hesaiddistinctlyandslowly，"\'tweenyou\'unsandtheColtranes。"
Goreefrownedominously。Tospeakofhisfeudtoafeudistisaseriousbreachofthemountainetiquette。
Themanfrom"backyan\'"knewitaswellasthelawyerdid。
"Naoffense，"hewenton"butpurelyinthewayofbusiness。MissisGarveyhevstudiedallaboutfeuds。
Mostofthequalityfolksinthemountainshev\'em。TheSettlesandtheGoforths，theRankinsandtheBoyds，theSilersandtheGalloways，hevallbeencyarin\'onfeudsf\'omtwentytoahundredyear。Thelastmantodrapwaswhenyo\'uncle，JedgePaisleyGoree，\'journedco\'tandshotLenColtranef\'omthebench。MissisGarveyandme，wecomef\'omthepo\'whitetrash。Nobodywouldn\'tpickafeudwithwe\'uns，nomo\'nwithafam\'lyoftree-toads。Qualitypeopleeverywhar，saysMissisGarvey，hasfeuds。We\'unsain\'tquality，butwe\'reuyin\'intoitasfuraswecan。\'Takethemoney，then，\'
saysMissisGarvey，\'andbuyMr。Goree\'sfeud，fa\'randsquar\'。\'"
Thesquirrelhunterstraightenedaleghalfacrosstheroom，drewarollofbillsfromhispocket，andthrewthemonthetable。
"Thar\'stwohundreddollars，Mr。Goree；whatyouwouldcallafa\'rpriceforafeudthat\'sbeen\'lowedtorundownlikeyournhev。Thar\'sonlyyoulefttocyar\'
onyo\'sideofit，andyou\'dmakemightypo\'killin\'。I\'lltakeitoffyo\'hands，andit\'llsetmeandMissisGarveyupamongthequality。Thar\'sthemoney。"
Thelittlerollofcurrencyonthetableslowlyuntwisteditself，writhingandjumpingasitsfoldsrelaxed。InthesilencethatfollowedGarvey\'slastspeechtherattlingofthepokerchipsinthecourt-housecouldbeplainlyheard。
Goreeknewthatthesheriffhadjustwonapot，forthesubduedwhoopwithwhichhealwaysgreetedavictoryfloatedacrossthesqquareuponthecrinklyheatwaves。
BeadsofmoisturestoodonGoree\'sbrow。Stooping，hedrewthewicker-covereddemijohnfromunderthetable，andfilledatumblerfromit。
"Alittlecornliquor，Mr。Garvey？Ofcourseyouarejokingaboutwhatyouspokeof？Opensquiteanewmarket，doesn\'tit？Feuds。Prime，two-fiftytothree。Feuds，slightlydamaged——twohundred，I
believeyousaid，Mr。Garvey？"
Goreelaughedself-consciously。
ThemountaineertooktheglassGoreehandedhim，anddrankthewhiskywithoutatremorofthelidsofhisstaringeyes。Thelawyerapplaudedthefeatbyalookofenviousadmiration。Hepouredhisowndrink，andtookitlikeadrunkard，bygulps，andwithshuddersatthesmellandtaste。
"Twohundred，"repeatedGarvey。"Thar\'sthemoney。"
AsuddenpassionflaredupinGoree\'sbrain。Hestruckthetablewithhisfist。Oneofthebillsflippedoverandtouchedhishand。Heflinchedasifsomethinghadstunghim。
"Doyoucometome，"heshouted，"seriouslywithsucharidiculous，insulting，darned-foolproposition？"
"It\'sfa\'randsquar\'，"saidthesquirrelhunter，buthereachedouthishandasiftotakebackthemoney；andthenGoreeknewthathisownflurryofragehadnotbeenfromprideorresentment，butfromangerathimself，knowingthathewouldsetfootinthedeeperdepthsthatwerebeingopenedtohim。Heturnedinaninstantfromanoutragedgentlemantoananxiouschaffererrecom-
mendinghisgoods。
"Don\'tbeinahurry，Garvey，"hesaid，hisfacecrimsonandhisspeechthick。"Iacceptyourp-p-proposition，thoughit\'sdirtcheapattwohundred。At-trade\'sallrightwhenbothp-purchaserandb-buyerares-satisfied。
ShallIw-wrapitupforyou，Mr。Garvey？"
Garveyrose，andshookouthisbroadcloth。"MissisGarvevwillbepleased。Youairoutofit，anditstandsColtraneandGarvey。Justascrapovwritin\'，Mr。
Goree，youbein\'alawyer，toshowwetraded。"
Goreeseizedasheetofpaperandapen。Themoneywasclutchedinhismoisthand。Everythingelsesud-
denlyseemedtogrowtrivialandlight。
"Billofsale，byallmeans。\'Right，title，andinterestinandto\'……\'foreverwarrantand——\'No，Garvey，we\'llhavetoleaveoutthat\'defend，\'"saidGoreewithaloudlaugh。"You\'llhavetodefendthistitleyourself。"
Themountaineerreceivedtheamazingscreedthatthelawyerhandedhim，foldeditwithimmenselabour，andlaceditcarefullyinhispocket。
Goreewasstandingnearthewindow。"Stephere，said，raisinghisfinger，"andI\'llshowyouyourrecentlypurchasedenemy。Therehegoes，downtheothersideofthestreet。"
Themountaineercrookedhislongframetolookthroughthewindowinthedirectionindicatedbytheother。
ColonelAbnerColtrane，anerect，portlygentlemanofaboutfifty，wearingtheinevitablelong，double-breastedfrockcoatoftheSouthernlawmaker，andanoldhighsilkhat，waspassingontheoppositesidewalk。AsGarveylooked，Goreeglancedathisface。Iftherebesuchathingasayellowwolf，herewasitscounterpart。
Garveysnarledashisunhumaneyesfollowedthemovingfigure，disclosinglong，amber-colouredfangs。
"Isthathim？Why，that\'sthemanwhosentmetothepenitentiaryonce!"
"Heusedtobedistrictattorney，"saidGoreecare-
lessly。"And，bytheway，he\'safirst-classshot。"
"Ikinhitasquirrel\'seyeatahundredyard，"saidGarvey。"Sothatthar\'sColtrane!ImadeabettertradethanIwasthinkin\'。I\'lltakekeerovthisfeud，Mr。Goree，better\'nyoueverdid!"
Hemovedtowardthedoor，butlingeredthere，betray-
ingaslightperplexity。
"Anythingelseto-day？"inquiredGoreewithfrothysarcasm。"Anyfamilytraditions，ancestralghosts，orskeletonsinthecloset？Pricesaslowasthelowest。"
"Tharwasanotherthing，"repliedtheunmovedsquirrelhunter，"thatMissisGarveywasthinkin\'of。\'Tain\'tsomuchinmylineast\'other，butshewantedpartic\'larthatIshouldinquire，andefyouwaswillin\'，\'payfurit，\'
shesays，\'fa\'randsquar\'。\'Thar\'saburyin\'groun\'，asyouknow，Mr。Goree，intheyardofyo\'oldplace，underthecedars。Themthatliestharisyo\'folkswhatwaskilledbytheColtranes。Themonymentshasthenameson\'em。MissisGarvevsaysafam\'lyburyin\'
groun\'-isasho\'signofquality。Shesaysefwegitthefeudthar\'ssomethin\'elseoughttogowithit。Thenamesonthemmoiivmentsis\'Goree，\'buttheycanbechangedtoournby——"
"Go。Go!"screamedGoree，hisfaceturningpurple。
Hestretchedoutbothhandstowardthemountaineer，hisfingershookedandshaking。"Go，youghoul!EvenaCh-Chinamanprotectstheg-gravesofhisancestors——go!"
Thesquirrelhunterslouchedoutofthedoortohiscarryall。WhilehewasclimbingoverthewheelGoreewascollecting，withfeverishcelerity，themoneythathadfallenfromhishandtothefloor。Asthevehicleslowlyturnedabout，thesheep，withacoatofnewlygrownwool，washurrying，inindecenthaste，alongthepathtothecourt-house。
Atthreeo\'clockinthemorningtheybroughthimbacktohisoffice，shornandunconscious。Thesheriff，thesportivedeputy，thecountyclerk，andthegayattorneycarriedhim，thechalk-facedman"fromthevalley"
actingasescort。
"Onthetable，"saidoneofthem，andtheydepositedhimthereamongthelitterofhisunprofitablebooksandpapers。
"Yancethinksalotofapairofdeuceswhenhe\'sliquoredup，"sighedthesheriffreflectively。
"Toomuch，"saidthegayattorney。"Amanhasnobusinesstoplaypokerwhodrinksasmuchashedoes。I
wonderhowmuchhedroppedto-night。"
"Closetotwohundred。WhatIwonderiswharhegotit。Yanceain\'thadacentfuroveramonth，I
know。"
"Struckaclient，maybe。Well，let\'sgethomebeforedaylight。He\'llbeallrightwhenhewakesup，exceptforasortofbeehiveaboutthecranium。"
Thegangslippedawaythroughtheearlymorningtwilight。ThenexteyetogazeuponthemiserableGoreewastheorbofday。Hepeeredthroughtheuncurtainedwindow，firstdelugingthesleeperinafloodoffaintgold，butsoonpouringuponthemottledredofhisfleshasearching，white，summerheat。Goreestirred，halfunconsciously，amongthetable\'sd閎ris，andturnedhisfacefromthewindow。Hismovementdislodgedaheavylawbook，whichcrasheduponthefloor。Openinghiseyes，hesaw，bendingoverhim，amaninablackfrockcoat。Lookinghigher，hediscoveredawell-wornsilkhat，andbeneathitthekindly，smoothfaceofColonelAbnerColtrane。
Alittleuncertainoftheoutcome，thecolonelwaitedfortheothertomakesomesignofrecognition。Notintwentyyearshadmalemembersofthesetwofamiliesfacedeachotherinpeace。Goree\'seyelidspuckeredashestrainedhisblurredsighttowardthisvisitor，andthenhesmiledserenely。
"HaveyoubroughtStellaandLucyovertoplay？"
hesaidcalmly。
"Doyouknowme，Yancey？"askedColtrane。
"OfcourseIdo。Youbroughtmeawhipwithawhistleintheend。"
Sohehad——twenty-fouryearsago；whenYancey\'sfatherwashisbestfriend。
Goree\'seyeswanderedabouttheroom。Thecolonelunderstood。"Liestill，andI\'llbringyousome，"saidhe。
Therewasapumpintheyardattherear，andGoreeclosedhiseyes，listeningwithrapturetotheclickofitshandle，andthebubblingofthefallingstream。Col-
tranebroughtapitcherofthecoolwater，andhelditforhimtodrink。PresentlyGoreesatup——amostforlornobject，hissummersuitofflaxsoiledandcrumpled，hisdiscreditableheadtousledandunsteady。Hetriedtowaveoneofhishandstowardthecolonel。
"Ex-excuse-everything，willyou？"hesaid。"I
musthavedrunktoomuchwhiskeylastnight，andgonetobedonthetable。"Hisbrowsknittedintoapuzzledfrown。
"Outwiththeboysawhile？"askedColtranekindly。
"No，Iwentnowhere。Ihaven\'thadadollartospendinthelasttwomonths。Struckthedemijohntoooften。
Ireckon，asusual。"
ColonelColtranetouchedhimontheshoulder。
"Alittlewhileago，Yancey，"hebegan，"youaskedmeifIhadbroughtStellaandLucyovertoplay。Youweren\'tquiteawakethen，andmusthavebeendreamingyouwereaboyagain。Youareawakenow，andIwantyoutolistentome。IhavecomefromStellaandLucytotheiroldplaymate，andtomyoldfriend\'sson。TheyknowthatIamgoingtobringyouhomewithme，andyouwillfindthemasreadywithawelcomeastheywereintheolddays。Iwantyoutocometomyhouseandstayuntilyouareyourselfaain，andasmuchlongerasyouwill。Weheardofyourbeingdownintheworld，andinthemidstoftemptation，andweagreedthatyoushouldcomeoverandplayatourhouseoncemore。Willyoucome，myboy？Willyoudropouroldfamilytroubleandcomewithme？"
"Trouble!"saidGoree，openinghiseyeswide。"TherewasneveranytroublebetweenusthatIknowof。I\'msurewe\'vealwaysbeenthebestfriends。But，goodLord，Colonel，howcouldIgotoyourhomeasIam——adrunkenwretch，amiserable，degradedspendthriftandgambler——"
Helurchedfromthetableintohisarmchair，andbegantoweepmaudlintears，mingledwithgenuinedropsofremorseandshame。Coltranetalkedtohimpersist-
entlyandreasonably，remindinghimofthesimplemoun-
tainpleasuresofwhichhehadoncebeensofond，andinsistinguponthegenuinenessoftheinvitation。
