第9章

Hiseye，accustomedtothedarkness，metfirstablind-

ingglare，andthenhemadeoutthefacesandformsofmanypeople，amidanextravagantdisplayofsplendidrobings——billowylaces，brilliant-huedfinery，ribbons，silksandmistydrapery。Andthenhecaughtthemean。

ingofthatjarringhum，andhesawthetired，pale，happyfaceofhiswife，bending，aswereascoreofothers，overhersewingmachine——toiling，toiling。Herewasthefollyshepursued，andtheendofhisquest。

Butnothisdeliverance，thougheventhenremorsestruckhim。Hisshamedsoulflutteredoncemorebeforeitretiredtomakeroomfortheotherandbetterone。

For，totemperhisthrillofjoy，theshineofthesatinandtheglimmerofornamentsrecalledthedisturbingfigureofthebespangledAmazon，andthebaseduplicatehistoriesitbytheglareoffootlightsandstolendiamonds。Itispastthewisdomofhimwhoonlysetsthescenes，eithertopraiseorblametheman。Butthistimehisloveover-

camehisscruples。Hetookaquickstep，andreachedouthishandforthedoorknob。FatherRoganwasquickertoarrestitanddrawhimback。

"Youusemytrustinyouqueerly，"saidtheprieststernly。"Whatareyouabouttodo？"

"Iamgoingtomywife，"saidLorison。"Letmepass。"

"Listen，"saidthepriest，holdinghimfirmlybythearm。"Iamabouttoputyouinpossessionofapieceofknowledgeofwhich，thusfar，youhavescarcelyproveddeserving。Idonotthinkyoueverwill；butIwillnotdwelluponthat。Youseeinthatroomthewomanyoumarried，workingforafrugallivingforherself，andagenerouscomfortforanidolizedbrother。Thisbuildingbelongstothechiefcostumerofthecity。FormonthstheadvanceordersforthecomingMardiGrasfestivalshavekepttheworkgoingdayandnight。ImyselfsecuredemploymenthereforNorah。Shetoilshereeachnightfromnineo\'clockuntildaylight，and，besides，carrieshomewithhersomeofthefinercostumes，requiringmoredelicateneedlework，andworkstherepartoftheday。

Somehow，youtwohaveremainedstrangelyignorantofeachother\'slives。Areyouconvincednowthatyourwifeisnotwalkingthestreets？"

"Letmegotoher，"criedLorison，againstruggling，"andbegherforgiveness!\'

"Sir，"saidthepriest，"doyouowemenothing？Bequiet。ItseemssooftenthatHeavenletsfallitschoicestgiftsintohandsthatmustbetaughttoholdthem。Listenagain。Youforgotthatrepentantsinmustnotcomprom-

ise，butlookup，forredemption，tothepurestandbest。

Youwenttoherwiththefine-spunsophistrythatpeacecouldbefoundinamutualguilt；andshe，fearfuloflosingwhatherheartsocraved，thoughtitworththepricetobuyitwithadesperate，pure，beautifullie。Ihaveknownhersincethedayshewasborn；sheisasinnocentandunsulliedinlifeanddeedasaholysaint。Inthatlowlystreetwhereshedwellsshefirstsawthelight，andshehaslivedthereeversince，spendingherdaysingenerousself-sacrificeforothers。Och，yespalpeen!"continuedFatherRogan，raisinghisfingerinkindlyangeratLorison。

"Whatfor，Iwonder，couldshebeaftermakingafoolofhersilf，andshamin\'herswatesoulwithlies，forthelikeofyou!"

"Sir，"saidLorison，trembling，"saywhatyoupleaseofme。Doubtitasyoumust，Iwillyetprovemygratitudetoyou，andmydevotiontoher。Butletmespeaktoheroncenow，letmekneelforjustonemomentatherfeet，and——"

"Tut，tut!"saidthepriest。"Howmanyactsofalovedramadoyouthinkanoldbookwormlikemecapableofwitnessing？Besides，whatkindoffiguresdowecut，spyinguponthemysteriesofmidnightmillinery!Gotomeetyourwifeto-morrow，assheorderedyou，andobeyherthereafter，andmaybesometimeIshallgetforgive-

nessforthepartIhaveplayedinthisnight\'swork。Offwidyezdowntheshtairs，now!\'Tislate，andanouldmanlikemeshouldbetakin\'hisrest。"

MADAMEBO-PEEP，OFTHERANCHES

"AUNTELLEN，"saidOctavia，cheerfully，asshethrewherblackkidglovescarefullyatthedignifiedPersiancatonthewindow-seat，"I\'mapauper。"

"Youaresoextremeinyourstatements，Octavia，dear，"saidAuntEllen，mildly，lookingupfromherpaper。

"Ifyoufindyourselftemporarilyinneedofsomesmallchangeforbonbons，youwillfindmypurseinthedrawerofthewritingdesk。"

OctaviaBeaupreeremovedherhatandseatedherselfonafootstoolnearheraunt\'schair，claspingherhandsaboutherknees。Herslimandflexiblefigure，cladinamodishmourningcostume，accommodateditselfeasilyandgracefullytothetryingposition。Herbrightandyouthfulface，withitspairofsparkling，life-enamouredeyes，triedtocomposeitselftotheseriousnessthattheoccasionseemedtodemand。

"Yougoodauntie，itisn\'tacaseofbonbons；itisabject，staring，unpicturesquepoverty，withready-madeclothes，gasolinedgloves，andprobablyoneo\'clockdinnersallwaitingwiththetraditionalwolfatthedoor。I\'vejustcomefrommylawyer，auntie，and，\'Please，ma\'am，I

ain\'tgotnothink\'tall。Flowers，lady？Buttonhole，gentleman？Pencils，sir，threeforfive，tohelpapoorwidow？\'DoIdoitnicely，auntie，or，asabread-winneraccomplishment，weremylessonsinelocutionentirelywasted？"

"Dobeserious，mydear，"saidAuntEllen，lettingherpaperfalltothefloor，"longenoughtotellmewhatyoumean。ColonelBeaupree\'sestate——"

"ColonelBeaupree\'sestate，"interruptedOctavia，emphasizingherwordswithappropriatedramaticges-

tures，"isofSpanishcastellararchitecture。ColonelBeaupree\'sresourcesare——wind。ColonelBeaupree\'sstocksare——water。ColonelBeaupree\'sincomeis——

allin。ThestatementlacksthelegaltechnicalitiestowhichIhavebeenlisteningforanhour，butthatiswhatitmeanswhentranslated。"

"Octavia!"AuntEllenwasnowvisiblypossessedbyconsternation。"Icanhardlybelieveit。Anditwastheimpressionthathewasworthamillion。AndtheDePeystersthemselvesintroducedhim!"

Octaviarippledoutalaugh，andthenbecameproperlygrave。

"Demortuisnil，auntie——noteventherestofit。Thedearoldcolonel——whatagoldbrickhewas，afterall!

Ipaidformybargainfairly——I\'mallhere，amInot？——

items:eyes，fingers，toes，youth，oldfamily，unques-

tionablepositioninsocietyascalledforinthecontractnowild-catstockhere。"Octaviapickedupthemorningpaperfromthefloor。"ButI\'mnotgoingto\'squeal\'——isn\'tthatwhattheycallitwhenyourailatFortunebecauseyou\'ve，lostthegame？"Sheturnedthepagesofthepapercalmly。"\'Stockmarket\'——nouseforthat。\'Society\'sdoings\'——that\'sdone。Hereismypage——thewishcolumn。AVanDressercouldnotbesaidto\'want\'foranything，ofcourse。\'Chamber-

maids，cooks，canvassers，stenographers-"

"Dear，"saidAuntEllen，withalittletremorinhervoice，"pleasedonottalkinthatway。Evenifyouraffairsareinsounfortunateacondition，thereismythreethousand——"

Octaviaspranguplithely，anddepositedasmartkissonthedelicatecheekoftheprimlittleelderlymaid。

"Blessedauntie，yourthreethousandisjustsufficienttoinsureyourHysontobefreefromwillowleavesandkeepthePersianinsterilizedcream。IknowI\'dbewelcome，butIprefertostrikebottomlikeBeelzebubratherthanhangaroundlikethePerilisteningtothemusicfromthesideentrance。I\'mgoingtoearnmyownliving。There\'snothingelsetodo。I\'ma——Oh，oh，oh!——

Ihadforgotten。There\'sonethingsavedfromthewreck。It\'sacorral——no，aranchin——letmesee——

Texas:anasset，dearoldMr。Bannistercalledit。Howpleasedhewastoshowmesomethinghecoulddescribeasunencumbered!I\'veadescriptionofitamongthosestupidpapershemademebringawaywithmefromhisoffice。I\'lltrytofindit。"

Octaviafoundhershopping-bag，anddrewfromitalongenvelopefilledwithtypewrittendocuments。

"AranchinTexas，"sighedAuntEllen。"Itsoundstomemorelikealiabilitythananasset。Thosearetheplaceswherethecentipedesarefound，andcowboys，andfandangos。"

"\'TheRanchodelasSombras，\'"readOctaviafromasheetofviolentlypurpletypewriting"\'issituatedonehundredandtenmilessoutheastofSanAntonio，andthirty-eightmilesfromitsnearestrailroadstation，Nopal，ontheI。andG。N。Ranch，consistsof7，680acresofwell-

wateredland，withtitleconferredbyStatepatents，andtwenty-twosections，or14，080acres，partlyunderyearlyrunningleaseandpartlyboughtunderState\'stwenty-

year-purchaseact。Eightthousandgradedmerinosheep，withthenecessaryequipmentofhorses，vehiclesandgeneralranchparaphernalia。Ranch-housebuiltofbrick，withsixroomscomfortablyfurnishedaccordingtotherequirementsoftheclimate。Allwithinastrongbarbed-wirefence。

"\'Thepresentranchmanagerseemstobecompetentandreliable，andisrapidlyplacinguponapayingbasisabusinessthat，inotherhands，hadbeenallowedtosufferfromneglectandmisconduct。

"\'ThispropertywassecuredbyColonelBeaupreeinadealwithaWesternirrigationsyndicate，andthetitletoitseemstobeperfect。Withcarefulmanagementandthenaturalincreaseoflandvalues，itoughttobemadethefoundationforacomfortablefortuneforitsowner。\'"

WhenOctaviaceasedreading，AuntEllenutteredsomethingasnearasniffasherbreedingpermitted。

"Theprospectus，"shesaid，withuncompromisingmetropolitansuspicion，"doesn\'tmentionthecentipedes，ortheIndians。Andyouneverdidlikemutton，Octavia。

Idon\'tseewhatadvantageyoucanderivefromthis——

desert。"

ButOctaviawasinatrance。Hereyesweresteadilyregardingsomethingquitebeyondtheirfocus。Herlipswereparted，andherfacewaslightedbythekindlingfuroroftheexplorer，theardent，stirringdisquietoftheadventurer。Suddenlysheclaspedherhandstogetherexultantly。

"Theproblemsolvesitself，auntie，"shecried。"I\'mgoingtothatranch。I\'mgoingtoliveonit。I\'mgoingtolearntolikemutton，andevenconcedethegoodqualitiesofcentipedes——atarespectfuldistance。It\'sjustwhatIneed。It\'sanewlifethatcomeswhenmyoldoneisjustending。It\'sarelease，auntie；itisn\'tanarrow-

ing。Thinkofthegallopsoverthoseleaguesofprairies，withthewindtuggingattherootsofyourhair，thecom-

ingclosetotheearthandlearningoveragainthestoriesofthegrowinggrassandthelittlewildflowerswithoutnames!Gloriousiswhatitwillbe。ShallIbeashepherdesswithaWatteauhat，andacrooktokeepthebadwolvesfromthelambs，oratypicalWesternranchgirl，withshorthair，likethepicturesofherintheSundaypapers？Ithinkthelatter。Andthey\'llhavemypicture，too，withthewild-catsI\'veslain，single-handed，hangingfrommysaddlehorn。\'FromtheFourHundredtotheFlocks\'isthewaythey\'llheadlineit，andthey\'llprintphotographsoftheoldVanDressermansionandthechurchwhereIwasmarried。Theywon\'thavemypicture，butthey\'llgetanartisttodrawit。I\'llbewildandwoolly，andI\'llgrowmyownwool。"

"Octavia!"AuntEllencondensedintotheonewordalltheprotestsshewasunabletoutter。

"Don\'tsayaword，auntie。I\'mgoing。I\'llseetheskyatnightfitdownontheworldlikeabigbutter-dishcover，andI\'llmakefriendsagainwiththestarsthatI

haven\'thadachatwithsinceIwasaweechild。Iwishtogo。I\'mtiredofallthis。I\'mgladIhaven\'tanymoney。IcouldblessColonelBeaupreeforthatranch，andforgivehimforallhisbubbles。Whatifthelifewillberoughandlonely!I——Ideserveit。Ishutmyhearttoeverythingexceptthatmiserableambition。I——oh，Iwishtogoaway，andforget——forget!"

Octaviaswervedsuddenlytoherknees，laidherflushedfaceinheraunt\'slap，andshookwithturbulentsobs。

AuntEllenbentoverher，andsmoothedthecoppery-

brownhair。

"Ididn\'tknow，"shesaid，gently；"Ididn\'tknow——

that。Whowasit，dear？

WhenMrs。OctaviaBeaupree，n閑VanDresser，steppedfromthetrainatNopal，hermannerlost，forthemoment，someofthateasycertitudewhichhadalwaysmarkedhermovements。Thetownwasofrecentestab-

lishment，andseemedtohavebeenhastilyconstructedofundressedlumberandflappingcanvas。Theelementthathadcongregatedaboutthestation，thoughnotoffensivelydemonstrative，wasclearlycomposedofcitizensaccustomedtoandpreparedforrudealarms。

Octaviastoodontheplatform，againstthetelegraphoffice，andattemptedtochoosebyintuitionfromtheswaggering，stragglingstring，ofloungers，themanageroftheRanchodelasSombras，whohadbeeninstructedbyMr。Bannistertomeetherthere。Thattall，serious，looking，elderlymanintheblueflannelshirtandwhitetieshethoughtmustbehe。But，no；hepassedby，removinghisgazefromtheladyashersrestedonhim，accordingtotheSoutherncustom。Themanager，shethought，withsomeimpatienceatbeingkeptwaiting，shouldhavenodifficultyinselectingher。Youngwomenwearingthemostrecentthinginash-colouredtravellingsuitswerenotsoplentifulinNopal!

Thuskeepingaspeculativewatchonallpersonsofpossiblemanagerialaspect，Octavia，withacatchingbreathandastartofsurprise，suddenlybecameawareofTeddyWestlakehurryingalongtheplatforminthedirectionofthetrain——ofTeddyWestlakeorhissun-

brownedghostincheviot，bootsandleather-girdledhat——TheodoreWestlake，Jr。，amateurpolo(almost)

champion，all-roundbutterflyandcumbererofthesoil；

butabroader，surer，moreemphasizedanddeterminedTeddythantheoneshehadknownayearagowhenlastshesawhim。

HeperceivedOctaviaatalmostthesametime，deflectedhiscourse，andsteeredforherinhisold，straightforwardway。Somethinglikeawecameuponherasthestrange-

nessofhismetamorphosiswasbroughtintocloserrange；

therich，red-brownofhiscomplexionbroughtoutsovividlyhisstraw-colouredmustacheandsteel-grayeyes。

Heseemedmoregrown-up，and，somehow，fartheraway。

But，whenhespoke，theold，boyishTeddycamebackagain。Theyhadbeenfriendsfromchildhood。

"Why，\'Tave!"heexclaimed，unabletoreducehisperplexitytocoherence。"How——what——when——

where？"

"Train，"saidOctavia；"necessity；tenminutesago；

home。Yourcomplexion\'sgone，Teddy。Now，how——

what——when——where？"

"I\'mworkingdownhere，"saidTeddy。Hecastsideglancesaboutthestationasonedoeswhotriestocombinepolitenesswithduty。

"Youdidn\'tnoticeonthetrain，"heasked，"anoldladywithgraycurlsandapoodle，whooccupiedtwoseatswithherbundlesandquarrelledwiththeconductor，didyou？"

"Ithinknot，"answeredOctavia，reflecting。"Andyouhaven\'t，byanychance，noticedabig，gray-mustachedmaninablueshirtandsix-shooters，withlittleflakesofmerinowoolstickinginhishair，haveyou？"

"Lotsof\'em，"saidTeddy，withsymptomsofmentaldeliriumunderthestrain。Doyouhappentoknowanysuchindividual？"

"No；thedescriptionisimaginary。Isyourinterestintheoldladywhomyoudescribeapersonalone？"

"Neversawherinmylife。She\'spaintedentirelyfromfancy。SheownsthelittlepieceofpropertywhereI

earnmybreadandbutter-theRanchodelasSombras。

Idroveuptomeetheraccordingtoarrangementwithherlawyer。"

Octavialeanedagainstthewallofthetelegraphoffice。

Wasthispossible？Anddidn\'theknow？

"Areyouthemanagerofthatranch？"sheaskedweakly。

"Iam，"saidTeddy，withpride。

"IamMrs。Beaupree，"saidOctaviafaintly；"butmyhairneverwouldcurl，andIwaspolitetotheconductor。"

Foramomentthatstrange，grown-uplookcameback，andremovedTeddymilesawayfromher。

"Ihopeyou\'llexcuseme，"hesaid，ratherawkwardly。

"Yousee，I\'vebeendownhereinthechaparralayear。

Ihadn\'theard。Givemeyourchecks，please，andI\'llhaveyourtrapsloadedintothewagon。Jos？willfollowwiththem。Wetravelaheadinthebuckboard。"

SeatedbyTeddyinafeather-weightbuckboard，behindapairofwild，cream-colouredSpanishponies，Octaviaabandonedallthoughtfortheexhilarationofthepresent。

Theysweptoutofthelittletownanddownthelevelroadtowardthesouth。Soontheroaddwindledanddis-

appeared，andtheystruckacrossaworldcarpetedwithanendlessreachofcurlymesquitegrass。Thewheelsmadenosound。Thetirelessponiesboundedaheadatanunbrokengallop。Thetemperatewind，madefragrantbythousandsofacresofblueandyellowwildflowers，roaredgloriouslyintheirears。Themotionwasa雛ial，ecstatic，withathrillingsenseofperpetuityinitseffect。

Octaviasatsilent，possessedbyafeelingofelemental，sensualbliss。Teddyseemedtobewrestlingwithsomeinternalproblem。

"I\'mgoingtocallyoumadama，"heannouncedastheresultofhislabours。"ThatiswhattheMexicanswillcallyou——they\'renearlyallMexicansontheranch，youknow。Thatseemstomeabouttheproperthing。"

"Verywell，Mr。Westlake，"saidOctavia，primly。

"Oh，now，"saidTeddy，insomeconsternation，"that\'scarryingthethingtoofar，isn\'tit？"

"Don\'tworrymewithyourbeastlyetiquette。I\'mjustbeginningtolive。Don\'tremindmeofanythingartificial。Ifonlythisaircouldbebottled!Thismuchaloneisworthcomingfor。Oh，lookItheregoesadeer!"

"Jack-rabbit，"saidTeddy，withoutturninghishead。

"CouldI——mightIdrive？"suggestedOctavia，pant-

ing，withrose-tintedcheeksandtheeyeofaneagerchild。

"Ononecondition。CouldI——mightIsmoke？"

"Forever!"criedOctavia，takingthelineswithsolemnjoy。"HowshallIknowwhichwaytodrive？"

"Keephersou\'bysou\'east，andallsailset。YouseethatblackspeckonthehorizonunderthatlowermostGulfcloud？That\'sagroupoflive-oaksandaland-

mark。Steerhalfwaybetweenthatandthelittlehilltotheleft。I\'llreciteyouthewholecodeofdrivingrulesfortheTexasprairies:keepthereinsfromunderthehorses\'feet，andswearat\'emfrequent。"

"I\'mtoohappytoswear，Ted。Oh，whydopeoplebuyyachtsortravelinpalace-cars，whenabuckboardandapairofplugsandaspringmorninglikethiscansatisfyalldesire？"

"Now，I\'llaskyou，"protestedTeddy，whowasfutilelystrikingmatchaftermatchonthedashboard，"nottocallthosedenizensoftheairplugs。Theycankickoutahundredmilesbetweendaylightanddark。"Atlasthesucceededinsnatchingalightforhiscigarfromtheflameheldinthehollowofhishands。

"Room!"saidOctavia，intensely。"That\'swhatproducestheeffect。IknownowwhatI\'vewanted——

scope——range——room!"

"Smoking-room，"saidTeddy，unsentimentally。"I

lovetosmokeinabuckboard。Thewindblowsthesmokeintoyouandoutagain。Itsavesexertion。"

Thetwofellsonaturallyintotheirold-timegoodfellow-

shipthatitwasonlybydegreesthatasenseofthestrange-

nessofthenewrelationsbetweenthemcametobefelt。

"Madama，"saidTeddy，wonderingly，"howeverdidyougetitintoyourbeadtocutthecrowdandcomedownhere？IsitafadnowamongtheupperclassestotrotofftosheepranchesinsteadoftoNewport？"

"Iwasbroke，Teddy，"saidOctavia，sweetly，withherinterestcentreduponsteeringsafelybetweenaSpanishdaggerplantandaclumpofchaparral；"Ihaven\'tathingintheworldbutthisranch——notevenanyotherhometogoto。"

"Come，now，"saidTeddy，anxiouslybutineredu-

lously，"youdon\'tmeanit？"

"Whenmyhusband，"saidOctavia，withashyslurringoftheword，"diedthreemonthsagoIthoughtIhadareasonableamountoftheworld\'sgoods。Hislawyerexplodedthattheoryinasixty-minutefullyillustratedlecture。Itooktothesheepasalastresort。DoyouhappentoknowofanyfashionablecapriceamongthegildedyouthofManhattanthatinducesthemtoabandonpoloandclubwindowstobecomemanagersofsheepranches？"

"It\'seasilyexplainedinmycase，"respondedTeddy，promptly。"Ihadtogotowork。Icouldn\'thaveearnedmyboardinNewYork，soIchummedawhilewitholdSandford，oneofthesyndicatethatownedtheranchbeforeColonelBeaupreeboughtit，andgotaplacedownhere。

Iwasn\'tmanageratfirst。Ijoggedaroundonponiesandstudiedthebusinessindetail，untilIgotallthepointsinmyhead。Isawwhereitwaslosingandwhatthereme-

dieswere，andthenSandfordputmeincharge。Igetahundreddollarsamonth，andIearnit。"

"PoorTeddy!"saidOctavia，withasmile。

"Youneedn\'t。Ilikeit。Isavehalfmywages，andI\'mashardasawaterplug。Itbeatspolo。"

"Willitfurnishbreadandteaandjamforanotherout-

castfromcivilization？"

"Thespringshearing，"saidthemanager，"justcleanedupadeficitinlastyear\'sbusiness。Wastefulnessandinattentionhavebeentheruleheretofore。Theautumnclipwillleaveasmallprofitoverallexpenses。Nextyeartherewillbejam。"

When，aboutfouro\'clockintheafternoon，theponiesroundedagentle，brush-coveredhill，andthenswooped，likeadoublecream-colouredcyclone，upontheRanchodelasSombras，Octaviagavealittlecryofdelight。A

lordlygroveofmagnificentlive-oakscastanareaofgrateful，coolshade，whencetheranchhaddrawnitsname，"delasSombras"——oftheshadows。Thehouse，ofredbrick，onestory，ranlowandlongbeneaththetrees。

Throughitsmiddle，dividingitssixroomsinhalf，extendedabroad，archedpassageway，picturesquewithfloweringcactusandhangingredearthernjars。A"gallery，"lowandbroad，encircledthebuilding。Vinesclimbedaboutit，andtheadjacentgroundwas，foraspace，coveredwithtransplantedgrassandshrubs。Alittlelake，longandnarrow，glimmeredinthesunattherear。FurtherawaystoodtheshacksoftheMexicanworkers，thecorrals，woolshedsandshearingpens。Totherightlaythelowhills，splatteredwithdarkpatchesofchaparral；tothelefttheunboundedgreenprairieblendingagainsttheblueheavens。

"It\'sahome，Teddy，"saidOctavia，breathlessly；

that\'swhatitis——it\'sahome。"

"Notsobadforasheepranch，"admittedTeddy，withexcusablepride。"I\'vebeentinkeringonitatoddtimes。"

AMexicanyouthsprangfromsomewhereinthegrass，andtookchargeofthecreams。Themistressandthemanagerenteredthehouse。

"Here\'sMrs。MacIntyre，"saidTeddy，asaplacid，neat，elderlyladycameoutuponthegallerytomeetthem。"Mrs。Mac，here\'stheboss。Verylikelyshewillbewantingahunkofhamandadishofbeansafterherdrive。"

Mrs。MacIntyre，thehousekeeper，asmuchafixtureontheplaceasthelakeorthelive-oaks，receivedtheimputationoftheranch\'sresourcesofrefreshmentwithmildindignation，andwasabouttogiveitutterancewhenOctaviaspoke。

"Oh，Mrs。MacIntyre，don\'tapologizeforTeddy。

Yes，IcallhimTeddy。Sodoeseveryonewhomhehasn\'tdupedintotakinghimseriously。Yousee，weusedtocutpaperdollsandplayjackstrawstogetheragesago。Noonemindswhathesays。"

"No，"saidTeddy，"noonemindswhathesays，justsohedoesn\'tdoitagain。"

Octaviacastoneofthosesubtle，sidelongglancestowardhimfrombeneathherloweredeyelids——aglancethatTeddyusedtodescribeasanupper-cut。Buttherewasnothinginhisingenuous，weather-tannedfacetowarrantasuspicionthathewasmakinganallusion——

nothing。Beyondadoubt，thoughtOctavia，hehadforgotten。

"Mr。Westlakelikeshisfun，"saidMrs。Maclntyre，assheconductedOctaviatoherrooms。"But，"sheadded，loyally，"peoplearoundhereusuallypayattentiontowhathesayswhenhetalksinearnest。Idon\'tknowwhatwouldhavebecomeofthisplacewithouthim。"

Tworoomsattheeastendofthehousehadbeenarrangedfortheoccupancyoftheranch\'smistress。Whensheenteredthemaslightdismayseizedherattheirbareappearanceandthescantinessoftheirfurniture；butshequicklyreflectedthattheclimatewasasemi-tropicalone，andwasmovedtoappreciationofthewell-conceivedeffortstoconformtoit。Thesasheshadalreadybeenremovedfromthebigwindows，andwhitecurtainswavedintheGulfbreezethatstreamedthroughthewidejalousies。

Thebarefloorwasamplystrewnwithcoolrugs；thechairswereinviting，deep，dreamywillows；thewallswerepaperedwithalight，cheerfulolive。Onewholesideofhersittingroomwascoveredwithbooksonsmooth，unpaintedpineshelves。Sheflewtotheseatonce。Beforeherwasawell-selectedlibrary。Shecaughtglimpsesoftitlesofvolumesoffictionandtravelnotyetseasonedfromthedampnessofthepress。

Presently，recollectingthatshewasnowinawildernessgivenovertomutton，centipedesandprivations，theincongruityoftheseluxuriesstruckher，and，withintuitivefemininesuspicion，shebeganturningtothefly-leavesofvolumeaftervolume。UponeachonewasinscribedinfluentcharactersthenameofTheodoreWestlake，Jr。

Octavia，fatiguedbyherlongjourney，retiredearlythatnight。Lyinguponherwhite，coolbed，sheresteddeliciously，butsleepcoquettedlongwithher。Shelistenedtofaintnoiseswhosestrangenesskeptherfacultiesonthealert——thefractiousyelpingofthecoyotes，theceaseless，lowsymphonyofthewind，thedistantboomingofthefrogsaboutthelake，thelamentationofaconcertinaintheMexicans\'quarters。Thereweremanyconflictingfeelingsinherheart——thankfulnessandrebellion，peaceanddisquietude，lonelinessandasenseofprotectingcare，happinessandanold，hauntingpain。

Shedidwhatanyotherwomanwouldhavedone——

soughtreliefinawholesometideofunreasonabletears，andherlastwords，murmuredtoherselfbeforeslumber，capitulating，camesoftlytowooher，were"Hehasforgotten。"

ThemanageroftheRanchodelasSombraswasnodilettante。Hewasa"hustler。"Hewasgenerallyup，mounted，andawayofmorningsbeforetherestofthehouseholdwereawake，makingtheroundsoftheflocksandcamps。Thiswasthedutyofthemajordomo，astatelyoldMexicanwithaprincelyairandmanner，butTeddyseemedtohaveagreatdealofconfidenceinhisowneyesight。Exceptinthebusyseasons，henearlyalwaysreturnedtotheranchtobreakfastateighto\'clock，withOctaviaandMrs。Maclntyre，atthelittletablesetinthecentralhallway，bringingwithhimatonicandbreezycheerfulnessfullofthehealthandflavouroftheprairies。

AfewdaysafterOctavia\'sarrivalhemadehergetoutoneofherridingskirts，andcurtailittoashortnessdemandedbythechaparralbrakes。

Withsomemisgivingsshedonnedthisandthepairofbuckskinleggingsheprescribedinaddition，and，mounteduponadancingpony，rodewithhimtoviewherposses-

sions。Heshowedhereverything——theflocksofewes，muttonsandgrazinglambs，thedippingvats，theshearingpens，theuncouthmerinoramsintheirlittlepasture，thewater-tanksIpreparedagainstthesummerdrought——

givingaccountofhisstewardshipwithaboyishenthus-

siasmthatneverflagged。

WherewastheoldTeddythatsheknewsowell？Thissideofhimwasthesame，anditwasasidethatpleasedher；butthiswasallsheeversawofhimnow。Wherewashissentimentality——thoseold，varyingmoodsofimpetuouslove-making，offanciful，quixoticdevotion，ofheart-breakinggloom，ofalternating，absurdtendernessandhaughtydignity？Hisnaturehadbeenasensitiveone，histemperamentborderingcloselyontheartistic。

Sheknewthat，besidesbeingafolloweroffashionanditsfadsandsports，hehadcultivatedtastesofafinernature。

Hehadwrittenthings，hehadtamperedwithcolours，hewassomethingofastudentincertainbranchesofart，andonceshehadbeenadmittedtoallhisaspirationsandthoughts。Butnow——andshecouldnotavoidthecon-

clusion——Teddyhadbarricadedagainsthereverysideofhimselfexceptone——thesidethatshowedthemanageroftheRanchodelasSombrasandajollychumwhohadforgivenandforgotten。QueerlyenoughthewordsofMr。Bannister\'sdescriptionofherpropertycameintohermind——"allinclosedwithinastrongbarbed-wirefence。"

"Teddy\'sfenced，too，"saidOctaviatoherself。

Itwasnotdifficultforhertoreasonoutthecauseofhisfortifications。IthadoriginatedonenightattheHammersmiths\'ball。ItoccurredatatimesoonaftershehaddecidedtoacceptColonelBeaupreeandhismillion，whichwasnomorethanherlooksandtheentr閑

sheheldtotheinnercircleswereworth。Teddyhadproposedwithallhisimpetuosityandfire，andshelookedhimstraightintheeyes，ansaid，coldlyandfinally:

"Neverletmehearanysuchsillynonsensefromyouagain。""Youwon\'t，"saidTeddy，withanexpressionaroundhismouth，and——nowTeddywasinclosedwithinastrongbarbed-wirefence。

ItwasonthisfirstrideofinspectionthatTeddywasseizedbytheinspirationthatsuggestedthenameofMotherGoose\'sheroine，andheatoncebestowedituponOctavia。Theidea，supportedbybothasimilarityofnamesandidentityofoccupations，seemedtostrikehimasapeculiarlyhappyone，andhenevertiredofusingit。

TheMexicansontheranchalsotookupthename，addinganothersyllabletoaccommodatetheirlingualincapacityforthefinal"p，"gravelyreferringtoheras"LaMadamaBo-Peepy。"Eventuallyitspread，and"MadameBo-

Peep\'sranch"wasasoftenmentionedasthe"RanchodelasSombras。"

Camethelong，hotseasonfromMaytoSeptember，whenworkisscarceontheranches。Octaviapassedthedaysinakindoflotus-eater\'sdream。Books，hammocks，correspondencewithafewintimatefriends，arenewedinterestinheroldwater-colourboxandeasel——thesedisposedofthesultryhoursofdaylight。Theeveningswerealwayssuretobringenjoyment。BestofallweretherapturoushorsebackrideswithTeddy，whenthemoongavelightoverthewind-sweptleagues，chaperonedbythewheelingnight-hawkandthestartledowl。OftentheMexicanswouldcomeupfromtheirshackswiththeirguitarsandsingtheweirdestofheart-breakingsongs。

Therewerelong，cosychatsonthebreezygallery，andaninterminablewarfareofwitsbetweenTeddyandMrs。

MacIntyre，whoseabundantScotchshrewdnessoftenmorethanovermatchedthelighterhumourinwhichshewaslacking。

Andthenightscame，oneafteranother，andwerefiledawaybyweeksandmonths——nightssoftandlanguorousandfragrant，thatshouldhavedrivenStrephontoChloeoverwireshoweverbarbed，thatmighthavedrawnCupidhimselftohunt，lassoinhand，amongthoseamorouspastures——butTeddykepthisfencesup。

OneJulynightMadameBo-Peepandherranchman-

agerweresittingontheeastgallerv。Teddyhadbeenexhaustingthescienceofprognosticationastotheproba-

bilitiesofapriceoftwenty-fourcentsfortheautumnclip，andhadthensubsidedintoananestheticcloudofHavanasmoke。OnlyasincompetentajudgeasawomanwouldhavefailedtonotelongagothatatleastathirdofhissalarymusthavegoneupinthefumesofthoseimportedRegalias。

"Teddy，"saidOctavia，suddenly，andrathersharply，"whatareyouworkingdownhereonaranchfor？"

"Onehundredper，"saidTeddy，glibly，"andfound。"

"I\'veagoodmindtodischargeyou。"

"Can\'tdoit，"saidTeddy，withagrin。

"Whynot？"demandedOctavia，withargumentativeheat。

"Undercontract。Termsofsalerespectallunexpiredcontracts。Minerunsuntil12P。m。，Decemberthirty-first。

Youmightgetupatmidnightonthatdateandfireme。

ifyoutryitsoonerI\'llbeinapositiontobringlegalproceedings。"

Octaviaseemedtobeconsideringtheprospectsoflitigation。

"But，"continuedTeddycheerfully，"I\'vebeenthink-

ingofresigninganyway。"

Octavia\'srocking-chairceaseditsmotion。Therewerecentipedesinthiscountry，shefeltsure；andIndians，andvast，lonely，desolate，emptywastes；allwithinstrongbarbed-wirefence。TherewasaVanDresserpride，buttherewasalsoaVanDresserheart。Shemustknowforcertainwhetherornothehadforgotten。

"Ah，well，Teddy，"shesaid，withafineassumptionofpoliteinterest，"it\'slonelydownhere；you\'relongingtogetbacktotheoldlife——topoloandlobstersandtheatresandballs。"

"Nevercaredmuchforballs，"saidTeddyvirtuously。

"You\'regettingold，Teddy。Yourmemoryisfailing。

Nobodyeverknewyoutomissadance，unlessitoccurredonthesamenightwithanotheronewhichyouattended。

Andyoushowedsuchshockingbadtaste，too，indancingtoooftenwiththesamepartner。Letmesee，whatwasthatForbesgirl\'sname——theonewithwalleyes——

Mabel，wasn\'tit？"

"No；Ad閘e。Mabelwastheonewiththebonyelbows。Thatwasn\'twallinAd閘e\'seyes。Itwassoul。

Weusedtotalksonnetstogether，andVerlaine。JustthenIwastryingtorunapipefromthePierianspring。"

"Youwereonthefloorwithher，"saidOctavia，unde-

flected，"fivetimesattheHammersmiths\'。"

"Hammersmiths\'what？"questionedTeddy，vacuously。

"Ball——ball，"saidOctavia，viciously。"Whatwerewetalkingof？"

"Eyes，Ithought，"saidTeddy，aftersomereflection；

"andelbows。"

"ThoseHammersmiths，"wentonOctavia，inhersweetestsocietyprattle，aftersubduinganintensedesiretoyankahandfulofsunburnt，sandyhairfromtheheadlyingbackcontentedlyagainstthecanvasofthesteamerchair，"hadtoomuchmoney。Mines，wasn\'tit？Itwassomethingthatpaidsomethingtotheton。Youcouldn\'tgetaglassofplainwaterintheirhouse。Everythingatthatballwasdreadfullyoverdone。"

"Itwas，"saidTeddy。

"Suchacrowdtherewas!"Octaviacontinued，con-

sciousthatshewastalkingtherapiddrivelofaschool-

girldescribingherfirstdance。"Thebalconieswereaswarmastherooms。I——lost——somethingatthatball。"

Thelastsentencewasutteredinatonecalculatedtoremovethebarbsfrommilesofwire。

"SodidI，"confessedTeddy，inalowervoice。

"Aglove，"saidOctavia，fallingbackastheenemyapproachedherditches。

"Caste，"saidTeddy，haltinghisfiringlinewithoutloss。"Ihobnobbed，halftheeveningwithoneofHammersmith\'sminers，afellowwhokepthishandsinhispockets，andtalkedlikeanarchangelaboutreductionplantsanddriftsandlevelsandsluice-boxes。"

"Apearl-grayglove，nearlynew，"sighedOctavia，mournfully。

"Abang-upchap，thatMcArdle，"maintainedTeddyapprovingly。"Amanwhohatedolivesandelevators；

amanwhohandledmountainsascroquettes，andbuilttunnelsintheair；amanwhoneverutteredawordofsillynonsenseinhislife。Didyousignthoselease-

renewalapplicationsyet，madama？They\'vegottobeonfileinthelandofficebythethirty-first。"

Teddyturnedhisheadlazily。Octavia\'schairwasvacant。

Acertaincentipede，crawlingalongthelinesmarkedoutbyfate，expoundedthesituation。ItwasearlyonemorningwhileOctaviaandMrs。Maclntyreweretrim-

mingthehoneysuckleonthewestgallery。Teddyhadrisenanddepartedhastilybeforedaylightinresponsetowordthataflockofeweshadbeenscatteredfromtheirbeddinggroundduringthenightbyathunder-storm。

Thecentipede，drivenbydestiny，showedhimselfonthefloorofthegallery，andthen，thescreechesofthetwowomengivinghimhiscue，hescuttledwithallhisyellowlegsthroughtheopendoorintothefurthermostwestroom，whichwasTeddy\'s。Armingthemselveswithdomesticutensilsselectedwithregardtotheirlength，OctaviaandMrs。Maclntyre，withmuchclutchingofskirtsandskirmishingforthepositionofrearguardintheattackingforce，followed。

Onceoutside，thecentipedeseemedtohavedisappeared，andhisprospectivemurderersbeganathoroughbutcautioussearchfortheirvictim。

EveninthemidstofsuchadangerousandabsorbingadventureOctaviawasconsciousofanawedcuriosityonfindingherselfinTeddy\'ssanctum。Inthatroomhesatalone，silentlycommuningwiththosesecretthoughtsthathenowsharedwithnoone，dreamedtherewhateverdreamshenowcalledonnoonetointerpret。

ItwastheroomofaSpartanorasoldier。Inonecornerstoodawide，canvas-coveredcot；inanother，asmallbookcase；inanother，agrimstandofWinchestersandshotguns。Animmensetable，strewnwithletters，papersanddocumentsandsurmountedbyasetofpigeon-

holes，occupiedoneside。

Thecentipedeshowedgeniusinconcealinghimselfinsuchbarequarters。Mrs。Maclntyrewaspokingabroom-handlebehindthebookcase。OctaviaapproachedTeddy\'scot。Theroomwasjustasthemanagerhadleftitinhishurry。TheMexicanmaidhadnotyetgivenitherattention。Therewashisbigpillowwiththeimprintofhisheadstillinthecentre。ShethoughtthehorridbeastmighthaveclimbedthecotandhiddenitselftobiteTeddy。Centipedeswerethuscruelandvindictivetowardmanagers。

Shecautiouslyoverturnedthepillow，andthenpartedherlipstogivethesignalforreinforcementsatsightofalong，slender，darkobjectlyingthere。But，repressingitintime，shecaughtupaglove，apearl-grayglove，flattened——itmightbeconceived——bymany，manymonthsofnightlypressurebeneaththepillowofthemanwhohadforgottentheHammersmiths\'ball。Teddymusthaveleftsohurriedlythatmorningthathehad，foronce，forgottentotransferittoitsresting-placebyday。

Evenmanagers，whoarenotoriouslywilyandcunning，aresometimescaughtupwith。

Octaviaslidthegraygloveintothebosomofhersum-

merymorninggown。Itwashers。Menwhoputthem-

selveswithinastrongbarbed-wirefence，andrememberHammersmithballsonlybythetalkofminersaboutsluice-

boxes，shouldnotbeallowedtopossesssucharticles。

Afterall，whataparadisethisprairiecountrywas!

Howitblossomedliketherosewhenyoufoundthingsthatwerethoughttobelost!Howdeliciouswasthatmorningbreezecominginthewindows，freshandsweetwiththebreathoftheyellowratamablooms!Mightonenotstand，foraminute，withshining，far-gazingeyes，anddreamthatmistakesmightbecorrected？

WhywasMrs。Maclntyrepokingaboutsoabsurdlywithabroom？

"I\'vefoundit，"saidMrs。MacIntyre，bangingthedoor。

"Hereitis。"

"Didyoulosesomething？askedOctavia，withsweetlypolitenon-interest。

"Thelittledevil!"saidMrs。Maclntyre，driventoviolence。"Ye\'venoforgottenhimalretty？"

Betweenthemtheyslewthecentipede。ThuswasherewardedforhisagencytowardtherecoveryofthingslostattheHammersmiths\'ball。

ItseemsthatTeddy，induecourse，rememberedtheglove，andwhenhereturnedtothehouseatsunsetmadeasecretbutexhaustivesearchforit。Notuntilevening，uponthemoonliteasterngallery，didhefindit。Itwasuponthehandthathehadthoughtlosttohimforever，andsohewasmovedtorepeatcertainnonsensethathehadbeencommandednever，nevertoutteragain。Teddy\'sfencesweredown。

Thistimetherewasnoambitiontostandintheway，andthewooingwasasnaturalandsuccessfulasshouldbebetweenardentshepherdandgentleshepherdess。

Theprairieschangedtoagarden。TheRanchodelasSombrasbecametheRanchofLight。

AfewdayslaterOctaviareceivedaletterfromMr。

Bannister，inreplytooneshehadwrittentohimaskingsomequestionsaboutherbusiness。Aportionoftheletterranasfollows:

"Iamatalosstoaccountforyourreferencestothesheepranch。Twomonthsafteryourdeparturetotakeupyourresidenceuponit，itwasdiscoveredthatColonelBeaupree\'stitlewasworthless。Adeedcametolightshowingthathedisposedofthepropertybeforehisdeath。

Thematterwasreportedtoyourmanager，Mr。Westlake，whoatoncerepurchadtheproperty。Itisentirelybeyondmypowersofconjecturetoimaginehowyouhaveremainedinignoranceofthisfact。Ibegyouthatwillatonceconferwiththatgentleman，whowill，atleast，corroboratemystatement。"

OctaviasoughtTeddy，withbattleinhereye。

"Whatareyouworkingonthisranchfor？"sheaskedoncemore。

"Onehundred——"hebegantorepeat，butsawinherfacethatsheknew。SheheldMr。Bannister\'sletterinherhand。Heknewthatthegamewasup。

"It\'smyranch，"saidTeddy，likeaschoolboydetectedinevil。"It\'samightypoormanagerthatisn\'tabletoabsorbtheboss\'sbusinessifyougivehimtime。"

"Whywereyouworkingdownhere？"pursuedOctaviastillstrugglingafterthekeytotheriddleofTeddy。

"Totellthetruth，\'Tave，"saidTeddy，withquietcandour，"itwasn\'tforthesalary。Thataboutkeptmeincigarsandsunburnlotions。Iwassentsouthbymydoctor。\'Twasthatrightlungthatwasgoingtothebadonaccountofover-exerciseandstrainatpoloandgym-

nastics。Ineededclimateandozoneandrestandthingsofthatsort。"

InaninstantOctaviawascloseagainstthevicinityoftheaffectedorgan。Mr。Bannister\'sletterflutteredtothefloor。

"It\'s——it\'swellnow，isn\'tit，Teddy？"

"Soundasamesquitechunk。Ideceivedyouinonething。IpaidfiftythousandforyourranchassoonasIfoundyouhadnotitle。Ihadjustaboutthatmuchincomeaccumulatedatmybanker\'swhileI\'vebeenherdingsheepdownhere，soitwasalmostlikepickingthethinguponabargain-counterforapenny。There\'sanotherlittlesurplusofunearnedincrementpilingupthere，\'Tave。I\'vebeenthinkingofaweddingtripinayachtwithwhiteribbonstiedtothemast，throughtheMediterranean，andthenupamongtheHebridesanddownNorwaytotheZuyderZee。"

"AndIwasthinking，"saidOctavia，softly，"ofaweddinggallopwithmymanageramongtheflocksofsheepandbacktoaweddingbreakfastwithMrs。Mae-

Intyreonthegallery，with，maybe，asprigoforangeblossomfastenedtotheredjarabovethetable。"

Teddylaughed，andbegantochant:

"LittleBo-Peephaslosthersheep，Anddoesn\'tknowwheretofind\'em。

Let\'emalone，andthey\'llcomehome，And——"

Octaviadrewhisheaddown，andwhisperedinhisear，Butthatisoneofthetalestheybroughtbehindthem。