第1章

CHAPTERI

THEHONOURABLEHILARYVANESITSFORHISPORTRAIT

ImayaswellbeginthisstorywithMr。HilaryVane，morefrequentlyaddressedastheHonourableHilaryVane，althoughitwasthegentleman\'sproudboastthathehadneverheldanofficeinhislife。HebelongedtotheVanesofCamdenStreet，——abeautifulvillageinthehillsnearRipton，——andwas，incommonwithsomeothergreatmenwhohadmadeanoiseinNewYorkandthenation，agraduateofCamdenWentworthAcademy。

ButMr。Vane，whenhewasathome，livedonawide，maple-shadedstreetinthecityofRipton，caredforbyanelderlyhousekeeperwhohadmoreedgesthananew-fangledmowingmachine。ThehousewasaporticoedonewhichhadbelongedtotheAustensforahundredyearsormore，forHilaryVanehadmarried，towardsmiddleage，MissSarahAusten。Intwoyearshewasawidower，andhenevertrieditagain；hehadtheAustens\'house，andthatmany-edgedwoman，EuphrasiaCotton，theAustens\'housekeeper。

Thehousewasofwood，andwaspaintedwhiteasregularlyasleapyear。

Fromthestreetfronttothevegetablegardenintheextremerearitwasexceedinglylong，andperhapsforpropriety\'ssake——HilaryVanelivedatoneendofitandEuphrasiaattheother。Hilarywassixty-five，Euphrasiaseventy，whichisnotoldforfrugalpeople，thoughitisjustaswelltoaddthattherehadneverbeenabreathofscandalabouteitherofthem，inRiptonorelsewhere。FortheHonourableHilary\'smodestneedsoneroomsufficed，andthefrontparlourhadnotbeenusedsincepoorSarahAusten\'sdemise，thirtyyearsbeforethisstoryopens。

Inthosethirtyyears，byasaneandsteadygrowth，HilaryVanehadachievedhispresenteminentpositionintheState。HewastrusteeforI

knownothowmanypeopleandinstitutions，adeaconinthefirstchurch，alawyerofsuchabilitythathesometimeswasaccordedthecourtesy-

titleof“Judge。“Hisonlyvice——ifitcouldbecalledsuch——wasinoccasionallyplacingapiece，thesizeofapea，ofaparticularkindofplugtobaccounderhistongue，——andthiswasnotknowntomanypeople。

Euphrasiacouldnotbecalledawastefulperson，andHilaryhadaccumulatednosmallportionofthisworld\'sgoods，andplacedthemasproprietydemanded，wheretheywerenotvisibletothenakedeye:andbeitaddedinhisfavourthathegaveassecretly，toinstitutionsandhospitalsthefinancesandmethodsofwhichwereknowntohim。

AsconcreteevidenceoftheHonourableHilaryVane\'simportance，whenhetravelledhehadonlytowithdrawfromhiship-pocketabookinwhichmanycolouredcardswereneatlyinserted，anopen-sesamewhichpermittedhimtositwithoutpaymenteveninthosewheeledpalacesofluxuryknownasPullmancars。WithinthelimitsoftheStatehedidnotevenhavetoopenthebook，butmerelysay，withatwinkleofhiseyestotheconductor，“Goodmorning，John，“andJohnwouldreplywithabowandagenialandusuallywittyremark，andpointhimouttoanobodywhosatinthebackofthecar。SofarhadMr。HilaryVane\'stalentscarriedhim。

ThebeginningofthiseminencedatedbacktothedaysbeforetheEmpire，whenthereweremanylittleprincipalitiesofrailroadsfightingamongthemselves。ForwearecometoachangedAmerica。Therewasatime，inthedaysofthesixthEdwardofEngland，whenthegreatlandownersfounditmoreprofitabletoconsolidatethefarms，seizethecommonlands，andacquirericheshithertoundreamedof。HencetherisingoftailorKetandothers，andthelevelingoffencesandbarriers，andtheeatingofmanysheep。ItmayhavebeenthatMr。VanehadcomeacrossthispassageinEnglishhistory，buthedrewnoparallels。HisfirstpositionoftrusthadbeenascounselforthatprincipalityknownintheolddaysastheCentralRailroad，ofwhichacertainMr。Duncanhadbeenpresident，andHilaryVanehadfoughttheCentral\'sbattleswithsuchtellingeffectthatwhenitwasmergedintotheoneImperialRailroad，itsstockholders——

totheadmirationoffinanciers——wereguaranteedtenpercent。Itwas，indeed，rumouredthatHilarydrewtheActofConsolidationitself。Atanyrate，hewastoovaluableanopponenttoneglect，andafteracertainintervaloftimeMr。VanebecamechiefcounselintheStatefortheImperialRailroad，onwhichdizzyheightwenowbeholdhim。Andhefound，bydegrees，thathehadnolongertimeforprivatepractice。

ItisperhapsgratuitoustoaddthattheHonourableHilaryVanewasamanofconvictions。Inpoliticshewouldhavetoldyou——withsomevehemence，ifyouseemedtodoubt——thathewasaRepublican。Treasontopartyheregardedwithadeep-seatedabhorrence，asanactforwhichamanshouldbejustlyoutlawed。Ifhewereinamellowmood，withtherightquantityofHoneyDewtobaccounderhistongue，hewouldperhapstellyouwhyhewasaRepublican，ifhethoughtyouworthyofhisconfidence。Hebelievedinthegoldstandard，foronething；inthetariff(leftunimpairedinitsglory)foranother，andwithawaveofhishandwouldindicatetheprosperityofthenationwhichsurroundedhim，——aprosperitytoosacredtotamperwith。

Onearticleofhisbelief，andinrealitythechiefarticle，Mr。Vanewouldnotmentiontoyou。Itwasperhapsbecausehehadneverformulatedthearticleforhimself。ItmightbecalledafaithinthedivinerightofImperialRailroadstorule，butitwasleftoutoftheverbalcreed。

ThisisfarfromimplyinghypocrisytoMr。Vane。Itwashisfoundation-

rockandtoosacredforlightconversation。Whenheallowedhimselftobebitteragainstvarious“youngmenwithmissions“whohadsprungupinvariousStatesoftheUnion，so-calledpurifiersofpolitics，hewouldcallthemtheunsuccessfulwithagrievance，andrecommendtothemthepracticeofcharity，forbearance，andotherChristianvirtues。ThankGod，hisStatewasnottroubledwithsuch。

InpersonMr。HilaryVanewastall，withaslightstooptohisshoulders，andheworetheconventionaldouble-breastedblackcoat，whichreachedtohisknees，andsquare-toedcongressboots。HehadaPuritanbeard，thehawk-likeVanenose，andatwinklingeyethatspokeofasenseofhumourandaknowledgeoftheworld。Inshort，hewasnoman\'sfool，andonoccasionshadbeenmorethanamatchforcertainNewYorklawyerswithnationalreputations。

Itisrare，inthisworldoftrouble，thatsuchanapparentlyidealandhappystateofexistenceiswithoutacanker。AndIhavelefttherevelationofthecankertothelast。Riptonknewitwasthere，CamdenStreetknewit，andMr。Vane\'sacquaintancesthroughouttheState；butnobodyeverspokeofit。EuphrasiashedoverittheonlytearsshehadknownsinceSarahAustendied，andsomeoftheseblottedtheonlylettersshewrote。HilaryVanedidnotshedtears，buthisfriendssuspectedthathisheart-stringsweretorn，andpitiedhim。HilaryVanefiercelyresentedpity，andthatwaswhytheydidnotspeakofit。ThistroubleofhiswasthecommonpointonwhichheandEuphrasiatouched，andtheytouchedonlytoquarrel。Letusoutwithit——HilaryVanehadawildson，whosenamewasAusten。

EuphrasiaknewthatinhissecretsoulMr。Vaneattributedthiswildness，andwhathewaspleasedtodesignateasprofligacy，totheAustenblood。

AndEuphrasiaresenteditbitterly。SarahAustenhadbeenayoung，elfishthingwhenhemarriedher，-adryad，theelderlyandlearnedMrs。

Tredwayhadcalledher。MrVanehadunderstoodheraboutaswellashewouldhaveunderstoodMary，QueenofScots，ifhehadbeenmarriedtothatlady。SarahAustenhadawild，shybeauty，startled，alerteyeslikeananimal，andrebelliousblackhairthatcurledaboutherearsandgaveherafaun-likeappearance。WithapipeandthecostumeofRosalindshewouldhavebeenperfect。Shehadhadahabitofrunningoffforthedayintothehillswithherson，andtheconventionsofRiptonhadbeentoherassomanydefunctbluelaws。Duringherbriefmarriedlifetherehadbeenperiodsofdefiancefromherlastingaweek，whenshewouldnotspeaktoHilaryorlookathim，andtheseperiodswouldbefollowedbyviolentspellsofweepinginEuphrasia\'sarms，whenthehousewasnoplaceforHilary。Hepossessedbymatrimonyandintricatemechanismofwhichhisreallyadmirablebraincouldnotgraspthefirstprinciples；hefeltforherarealifuncomfortableaffection，butwhenshediedheheavedasighofrelief，atwhichhewasimmediatelyhorrified。

Austenheunderstoodlittlebetter，buthisaffectionforthechildmaybelikenedtotheforceofagreatriverrushingthroughanarrowgorge，andheviedwithEuphrasiainspoilinghim。Neitherknewwhattheyweredoing，andthespoilingprocesswasinterspersedwithoccasionaland(toAusten)unmeaningintervalsofseverediscipline。Theboylovedthestreetsandthewoodsandhisfellow-beings；hispunishmentswereaseriesofafternoonsinthehouse，duringoneofwhichhewreckedthebedroomwherehewasconfined，andwassoundlywhaledwithanoldslipperthatbrokeundertheprocess。Euphrasiakepttheslipper，andonceshowedittoHilaryduringaquarreltheyhadwhentheboywasgrownupandgoneandthehousewassilent，andHilaryhadturnedaway，choking，andlefttheroom。Suchwashiscross。

Tomakeitworse，theboyhadlovehisfather。Nay，stilllovedhim。Asalittlefellow，afterascoldingforsomewaywardprank，hewouldthrowhimselfintoHilary\'sarmsandclingtohim，andwouldneverknowhownearhecametounmanninghim。AsAustengrewup，theysawtheworldindifferentcolours:bluetoHilarywasredtoAusten，andwhite，black；

essentialstoonewerenon-essentialstotheother；boysandgirls，menandwomen，abhorredbyonewerebooncompanionstotheother。

Austenmadefunoftheminister，andwascompelledtogochurchtwiceonSundaysandtoprayer-meetingonWednesdays。ThenhewenttoCamdenStreet，tolivewithhisgrandparentsintheoldVanehouseandattendCamdenWentworthAcademy。Hisletters，suchastheywere，wereinimitableifcrude，butcontainednotthekindofhumourHilaryVaneknew。CamdenWentworth，principalandteachers，waspaintedtothelife；

andtheladcouldhardlywaitforvacationtimetoseehisfather，onlytobeginquarrelingwithhimagain。

IpassoverescapadesinRiptonthatshockedonehalfofthepopulationandconvulsedtheotherhalf。Austenwenttothecollegewhichhisfatherhadattended，——acollegeofsplendidAmericantraditions，——andhiscareertheremightwellhavepuzzledafatheroffargreatertoleranceandcatholicity。HilaryVanewasatrustee，andjourneyedmorethanoncetotalkthematteroverwiththepresident，whohadbeenhisclassmatethere。

“Ilovethatboy，Hilary，“thepresidenthadsaidatlength，whenpressedforafrankopinion，——“thereisn\'tasoulintheplace，Ibelieve，thatdoesn\'t，——undergraduatesandfaculty，——buthehasgivenmemoreanxiousthoughtthananyscholarIhaveeverhad。“

“Trouble，“correctedMr。Vane，sententiously。

“Well，yes，trouble，“answeredthepresident，smiling，“butuponmysoul，Ithinkitisallanimalspirits。“

“Aeuphemismforthedevil，“saidHilary，grimly；“heistheanimalpartofus，Ihavebeenbroughtuptobelieve。“

Thepresidentwasawiseman，andtookanothertack。

“Hehasareallyremarkablemind，whenhechoosestouseit。Everyonceinawhilehetakesyourbreathaway——buthehastobecomeinterested。A

fewweeksagoHayscametomedirectfromhislectureroomtotellmeaboutadiscussionofAusten\'sinconstitutionallaw。Hays，youknow，isnoteasilyenthused，buthedeclaresyoursonhasasfinealegalbrainashehascomeacrossinhisexperience。Butsincethen，Iamboundtoadmit，“addedthepresident，sadly，“Austenseemsnottohavelookedatalesson。“

“\'Unstableaswater，thoushaltnotexcel，\'“repliedHilary。

“He\'llsoberdown，“saidthepresident，stretchinghisconvictionalittle，“hehastwogreathandicaps:helearnstooeasily，andheistoopopular。“Thepresidentlookedoutofhisstudywindowacrossthecommon，surroundedbythegreatelmswhichhadbeenplantedwhenIndianladsplayedamongthestumpsandtheredflagofEnglandhadflownfromthetallpinestaff。Thegreenwascoverednowwithstudentsofaconqueringrace，skylarkingtoandfroastheylookedonatadesultorybaseballgame。“Iverilybelieve，“saidthepresident，atawordfromyourson，mostofthemwouldputontheircoatsandfollowhimonanymadexpeditionthatcameintohismind。“

HilaryVanegroanedmorethanonceinthetrainbacktoRipton。Itmeantnothingtohimtobethefatherofthemostpopularmanincollege。

“Themadexpedition“cameatlengthintheshapeofafightwiththetownspeople，inwhichAusten，ofcourse，wastheringleader。Ifhehadinheritedhismother\'seccentricities，hehadheightandphysiquefromtheVanes，andoneresultwasaweekinbedforthesonofthelocalplumberandadamagesuitagainsttheHonourableHilary。AnotherresultwasthatAustenandaTomGaylordcamebacktoRiptononalongsuspension，which，rumoursaid，wouldhavebeenexpulsionifHilarywerenotatrustee。TomGaylordwasproudofsuspensioninsuchcompany。

Moreofhimlater。HewasthesonofoldTomGaylord，whoownedmorelumberthananymanintheState，andwhomHilaryVanebelievedtobethereceptacleofallthevices。

EventuallyAustenwentbackandgraduated——notsummacumlaude，honestycompelsmetoadd。Thencametheinevitablediscussion，andtopleasehisfatherhewenttotheHarvardLawSchoolfortwoyears。Attheendofthattime，insteadofreturningtoRipton，aletterhadcomefromhimwiththepostmarkofaWesternState，wherehehadfledwithaclassmatewhoownedranch。EvidentlytheworldlyconsiderationtobederivedfromconformitycountedlittlewithAustenVane。Moneywasamediumonly——notanend。Hewasinthesaddleallday，withnothingbutthehorizontolimithim；helovedhisfather，anddidnotdoubthisfather\'sloveforhim，andhelovedEuphrasia。Hecouldsupporthimself，buthemustseelife。Thesucceedingyearsbroughtlettersandquaint，uselesspresentstoboththeoccupantsofthelonelyhouse，——NavajoblanketsandIndianjewelerandbasket-work，——andAustenlittleknewhowcarefullythesewerepackedawayandsurreptitiouslygazedatfromtimetotime。ButtoHilarytheWesterncareerwasadisgrace，andsuchmeagrereportsofitascamefromothersourcesthanAustentendedonlytoconfirmhiminthisopinion。

ItwascommonlysaidofMr。PaulPardriffthatnotanewspaperfellfromthepressthathedidnothaveaknowledgeofitscontents。CertainitwasthatMr。Pardriffmadeaspecialtyofmanykindsofknowledge，politicalandotherwise，and，theinformationhecouldgive——ifhechose——

aboutStateandnationalaffairswasofareconditeandcynicalnaturethatmadeonewishtoforgetabouttheAmericanflag。Mr。Pardriffwasunderforty，andwiththesegiftsmanyinnocentcitizensofRiptonnaturallywonderedwhythecolumnsofhisnewspaper，theRiptonRecord，didnotmorecloselyresemblethespicinessofhistalkintheofficeofGales\'Hotel。Thecolumnscontained，instead，sucheffortsasessaysonanationalflowerandtheabnormalsizeofthehatsofcertaingreatmen，notablyAndrewJackson；yes，andthegoldstandard；andintimesofpoliticalstresstheyweredevotedtoasomewhatfulsomepraiseofregularandorthodoxRepublicancandidates，——andpraiseofanyonewasnotincharacterwiththeeditor。Ill-naturedpeoplesaidthatthematterinhispapermightpossiblybeaccountedforbythegratitudeofthecandidates，andthefactthatMr。Pardriffandhiswifeandhismaid-

servantandhishiredmantravelledonpinkmileagebooks，whichcouldonlybehadforlove——notmoney。Ontheotherhand，reputablewitnesseshadhaditoftenfromMr。Pardriffthathewasareformer，andnotatallinsympathywithcertainpracticeswhichundoubtedlyexisted。

Someyearsbefore——tobeexact，theyearAustenVaneleftthelawschool——

Mr。PardriffhadproposedtoexchangetheRiptonRecordwiththeeditorofthePepperCountyPlainsmaninafarWesternState。Theexchangewaseffected，andMr。PardriffglancedoverthePlainsmanregularlyonceaweek，thoughIdoubtwhethertheWesterneditoreverreadtheRecordafterthefirstcopy。OnedayinJuneMr。PardriffwasseatedinhissanctumaboveMerrill\'sdrugstorewhenhiskeengreeneyesfelluponthefollowing:——

“ThePlainsmanconsidersitsafetosaythatthesympathyofthepeopleofPepperCountyatlargeiswithMr。AustenVane，whosepersonaldifficultywithJimBlodgettresultedsodisastrouslyforMr。Blodgett。

Thelattergentlemanhaslongmadehimselfobnoxioustolocalranchownersbyhispersistentdisregardofpropertylinesandproperty，anditwillberecalledthatheisatpresentinhotwaterwiththeenergeticSecretaryoftheInteriorforfencinggovernmentlands。Vane，whowasrecentlymademanagerofReadyMoneyRanch，isoneofthemostpopularyoungmeninthecounty。HewasunwillinglyassistedovertheStatelinebyhisfriends。AlthoughhehasneverbeenacitizenoftheState，thePlainsmantruststhathemaysoonbebackandbecomeoneofus。AtlastreportMr。Blodgettwasrestingeasily。“

ThisarticleobtainedcirculationinRipton，althoughitwasnotcopiedintotheRecordoutofdeferencetothefeelingsoftheHonourableHilaryVane。InadditiontothepersonalregardMr。PardriffprofessedtohavefortheHonourableHilary，itmaybewelltorememberthatAusten\'sfatherwas，amongother，things，chairmanoftheStateCommittee。Mr。Tredway(largestrailroadstockholderinRipton)pursedhislipsthatwerealreadypursed。TomGaylordroaredwithlaughter。TwoorthreedayslatertheHonourableHilary，stillinblissfulignorance，receivedaletterthatagitatedhimsorely。

“DEARFATHER:Ihopeyoudon\'tobjecttoreceivingalittlevisitfromaprodigal，waywardson。Totellthetruth，IhavefounditconvenienttoleavetheReadyMoneyRanchforawhile，althoughBobTynerisgoodenoughtosayImayhavetheplacewhenIcomeback。YouknowIoftenthinkofyouandPhrasiebackinRipton，andIlongtoseethedearoldtownagain。Expectmewhenyouseeme。

“Youraff。son，“AUSTEN。“

CHAPTERII

ONTHETREATMENTOFPRODIGALS

WhileEuphrasia，inafrenzyofanticipation，garnishedandswepttheroomwhichheldforhersomanymemoriesofAusten\'sboyhood，evenbeatingthecarpetwithherownhands，HilaryVanewentabouthisbusinesswithnoapparentlackofdiligence。Buthewasmeditating。HehadmanytimeslistenedtotheReverendMr。Weightmanreadtheparablefromthepulpit，buthehadneverreflectedhowitwouldbetobethefatherofarealprodigal。Whatwastobedoneaboutthecalf？Wastheretobeacalf，orwastherenot？Totellthetruth，Hilarywantedacalf，andyettohaveone(inspiteofHolyWrit)wouldseemtosetapremiumondisobedienceandriotousliving。

Again，Austenhadreachedthirty，anagewhenitwasnotlikelyhewouldsettledownandliveanorderlyandgodlylifeamongcivilizedbeings，andthereforeafattedcalfwaslikelytobethefirstofmanyfollieswhichhe(Hilary)wouldlivetoregret。No，hewoulddealwithjustice。

Howhedealtwillbeseenpresently，butwhenhefinallyreachedthisconclusion，theclippingfromthePepperCountyPlainsmanhadnotyetcomebeforehiseyes。

Itisworthrelatinghowtheclippingdidcomebeforehiseyes，fornooneinRiptonhadthetemeritytospeakofit。Primarily，itwasbecauseMissVictoriaFlinthadlostaterrier，andsecondarily，becauseshewasapersonofstronglikesanddislikes。InpursuitoftheterriershedrovemadlythroughLeith，which，aseverybodyknows，isafamouscolonyofrichsummerresidents。VictoriaprobablystoppedateveryhouseinLeith，andsearchedthemwithcharacteristicvigourandlackofceremony，sometimesenteringbythesidedoor，andsometimesbythefront，andcaringverylittlewhethertheownerswereathomeornot。Mr。HumphreyCrewediscoveredherinaboa-stallatWedderburn，——ashisplacewascalled，——foritmadelittledifferencetoVictoriathatMr。Crewewasabachelorofmarriageableageandmillions。Full，asever，ofpracticalsuggestions，Mr。CreweproposedtotelephonetoRiptonandputanadvertisementintheRecord，which——ashehappenedtoknow——wenttopressthenextday。Victoriawouldnottrusttothetelephone，whereuponMr。

Creweofferedtodrivedownwithher。

“You\'dboreme，Humphrey，“saidshe，assheclimbedintoherrunaboutwiththefatherandgrandfatheroftheabsentee。Mr。Crewelaughedasshedroveaway。Hehadachemicalqualityofturninginvidiousremarksintocompliments，andhetookthisoneasVictoria\'smannerofsayingthatshedidnotwishtodisturbsoimportantaman。

ArrivinginthehotmainstreetofRipton，hersharpeyesdescriedtheRecordsignoverthedrugstore，andinanastonishinglyshorttimeshewasintheemptyoffice。Mr。Pardriffwasatdinner。Shesatdownintheeditorialchairandreadagreatdealofuninterestingmatter，butatlastfoundsomethingonthefloor(wherethewindhadblownit)whichmadeherlaugh。ItwastheaccountofAustenVane\'sdifficultywithMr。

Blodgett。VictoriadidnotknowAusten，butsheknewthattheHonourableHilaryhadasonofthatnamewhohadgoneWest，andthiswaswhattickledher。ShethrusttheclippinginthepocketofherlinencoatjustasMr。Pardriffcamein。

HerconversationwiththeeditoroftheRecordprovedsoentertainingthatsheforgotallabouttheclippinguntilshehadreachedFairview，andhadsatisfiedasomewhatimperiousappetitebyacombinationoflunchandafternoontea。Fairviewwasthe“summerplace“ofMr。AugustusP。

Flint，herfather，onashelfofthehillsinthetownofTunbridge，equidistantfromLeithandRipton:andMr。FlintwasthepresidentoftheImperialRailroad，noless。

Yes，hehadoncebeenplainGusFlint，manyyearsago，whenheusedtofetchthepocket-handkerchiefsofMr。IsaacD。WorthingtonofBrampton，andhewasstill“Gus“tohisfriends。Mr。Flint\'shadbeenthebrainwhichhadlargelyconceivedandexecutedtheconsolidationofprincipalitiesofwhichtheImperialRailroadwastheresultand，assurelyastoughmetalprevails，Mr。Flint，aftermanyothertrialsanderrorsofweakerstuff，hadbeenelectedtotheplaceforwhichhewassosupremelyfitted。WearesousedinAmericatothesetremendousrisesthataparagraphwillsufficetoplaceMr。FlintinhisAladdin\'spalace。

Todohimjustice，hecarednotafigforthepalace，andhewouldhavebeencontentwiththefarmhouseunderthehillwherehisgardenerlived。

YoucouldnotfoolMr。Flintonahorseorafarm，andheknewtoadotwhatarailroadwasworthbytravellingoverit。Likehisgovernor-

generalanddependent，Mr。HilaryVane，hehadmarriedawifewhohadupsetallhiscalculations。TheladydiscoveredMr。Flint\'sbalanceinthebank，andhadproceededtouseitforherownglorification，andtheironyofitallwasthathecoulddefenditfromeverybodyelse。Mrs。

Flintspent，andMr。Flintpaidthebills；forthefirsttenyearsprotestingly，andafterthathegaveitupandlethergoherowngait。

ShehadcomefromthetownofSharon，inanotherState，throughwhichMr。

Flint\'srailroadalsoran，andshehadbeenknownastheRoseofthatplace。Shehadbeguntoriseimmediately，withthekite-likeadaptabilityoftheAmericanwomanforhighaltitudes，andtheleadenweightofthehusbandattheendofthetailwasasnothingtoher。ShehadbegunitallbythestudyofpeopleinhotelswhileMr。Flintwasclosetedwithofficialsanddirectors。Bydintofminuteobservationandreasoningpowersandunflaggingdeterminationshepassedrapidlythroughseveralstrata，andhadmadeacountryplaceoutofherhusband\'sfarminTunbridge，sohappilyandconvenientlysituatednearLeith。InwintertheylivedonFifthAvenue。

Onedaughteralonehadhalted，foraminuteperiod，thisprogress，andthisdaughterwasVictoria——namedbyhermother。Victoriawasnowtwenty-one，andwasnotonlyofanothergeneration，butmightalmosthavebeenjudgedofanotherracethanherparents。Thethingsforwhichhermotherhadstrivenshetookforgranted，andthoughtofthemnotatall，andshehadbynaturethatsimplicityandastonishingfranknessofmannerandspeechwhichwasoncebelievedtobeanexclusiveprivilegeofduchesses。

ToreturntoFairview。Victoria，aftersharingherfiveo\'clockluncheonwithherdogs，wenttoseekherfather，forthepurpose(ifitmustbetold)ofaskinghimforacheque。Mr。FlintwasatFairviewontheaverageoftwodaysoutoftheweekduringthesummer，andthenhewasnearlyalwaysclosetedwithasecretaryandtwostenographersandalong-

distancetelephoneintwoplainlittleroomsatthebackofthehouse。

AndMr。HilaryVanewasofteninconsultationwithhim，ashewasonthepresentoccasionwhenVictoriaflungopenthedoor。AtsightofMr。Vaneshehaltedsuddenlyonthethreshold，andagleamofmischiefcameintohereyeasshethrustherhandintohercoatpocket。Thetworegardedherwiththedetachedairofmenwhosethreadofthoughthasbeenbroken。

“Well，Victoria，“saidherfather，kindlyifresignedly，“whatisitnow？“

“Money，“repliedVictoria，promptly；“IwenttoAvalonthismorningandboughtthathorseyousaidImighthave。“

“Whathorse？“askedMr。Flint，vaguely。“Butnevermind。TellMr。

Freemantomakeoutthecheque。“

Mr。VaneglancedatMr。Flint，andhiseyestwinkled。Victoria，whohadlongagodiscoveredthesecretoftheHoneyDew，knewthathewasrollingitunderhistongueandthinkingherfatherafoolforhisindulgence。

“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Vane？“shesaid；“Austen\'scominghome，isn\'the？“

ShehadgotthisbyfeminineartsoutofMr。PaulPardriff，towhomshehadnotconfidedthefactofherpossessionoftheclipping。

TheHonourableHilarygaveagrunt，ashealwaysdidwhenhewassurprisedanddispleased，asthoughsomeonehadproddedhimwithastickinasensitivespot。

“Yourson？Why，Vane，younevertoldmethat，“saidMr。Flint。“I

didn\'tknowthatyouknewhim，Victoria。“

“Idon\'t，“answeredVictoria，“butI\'dliketo。WhatdidhedotoMr。

Blodgett？“shedemandedofHilary。

“Mr。Blodgett！“exclaimedthatgentleman。“Ineverheardofhim。What\'shappenedtohim？“

“Hewillprobablyrecover，“sheassuredhim。

TheHonourableHilary，tryinginvaintosuppresshisagitation，rosetohisfeet。

“Idon\'tknowwhatyou\'retalkingabout，Victoria，“hesaid，buthisglancewasfixedontheclippinginherhand。

“Haven\'tyouseenit？“sheasked，givingittohim。

Hereaditinsilence，groaned，andhandedittoMr。Flint，whohadbeendrummingonthetableandglancingatVictoriawithvaguedisapproval。

Mr。FlintreaditandgaveitbacktotheHonourableHilary，whogroanedagainandlookedoutofthewindow。

“Whydoyoufeelbadlyaboutit？“askedVictoria。“I\'dbeproudofhim，ifIwereyou。“

“Proudofhim“echoedMr。Vane，grimly。“Proudofhim！“

“Victoria，whatdoyoumean？“saidMr。Flint。

“Whynot？“saidVictoria。“He\'sdonenothingtomakeyouashamed。

Accordingtothatclipping，he\'spunishedamanwhorichlydeservedtobepunished，andhehasthesympathyofanentirecounty。“

HilaryVanewasnotamantodiscusshisdomesticafflictionwithanybody，sohemerelygruntedandgazedpersistentlyoutofthewindow，andwasnotawareofthefactthatVictoriamadealittlefaceathimasshelefttheroom。Theyoungarenotalwaysimpartialjudgesoftheold，andVictoriahadneverforgivenhimforcarryingtoherfatherthenewsofanescapadeofhersinRipton。

Ashedrovethroughthesilentforestroadsonhiswayhomewardthatafternoon，theHonourableHilaryrevolvedthenewandintenselydisagreeablefactinhismindastohowheshouldtreataprodigalwhohadattemptedmanslaughterandwasafugitivefromjustice。Inthemeantimeatallandspareyoungmanofared-bronzecolouralightedfromthefiveo\'clockexpressatRiptonandgrinneddelightedlyatthegentlemenwhomadethestationtheirheadquartersabouttraintime。Theywereprivatelydisappointedthatthegrayfelthat，althoughbroad-

brimmed，wasnotasombrero，andtherespectable，loose-fittingsuitofclotheswasnotofbuckskinwithtasselsonthetrousers；andlikewisethathecamewithoutthecartridgebeltandholsterwhichtheyhadpicturedinanticipatorysessionsonthebaggage-trucks。Therecouldbenodoubtofthewarmthoftheirgreetingastheysidledupandseizedahandsomewhatlargerthantheirs，butthewelcomehadinitaningredientofawethatpuzzledthenewcomer，whodidnothesitatetoinquire:——

“What\'sthematter，Ed？Whysoceremonious，Perley？“

Buthiseagernessdidnotpermithimtowaitforexplanations。Graspinghisbag，theonlybaggagehepossessed，hestartedoffataswingingstrideforHanoverStreet，pausingonlytoshakethehandsofthefewwhorecognizedhim，unconsciousofthewild-fireathisback。HanoverStreetwasemptythatdrowsysummerafternoon，andhestoppedunderthewell-

rememberedmaplesbeforethehouseandgazedatitlongandtenderly；

evenatthewindowsofthatroom——opennowforthefirsttimeinyears——

wherehehadservedsomanysentencesofimprisonment。Thenhewentcautiouslyaroundbythesideandlookedinatthekitchendoor。ToothereyesthanhisEuphrasiamightnothaveseemedasafepersontoembrace，butinamomenthehadherlockedinhisarmsandweeping。SheknewnothingasyetofMr。Blodgett\'smisfortunes，butifAustenVanehaddepopulatedacountyitwouldhavemadenodifferenceinheraffection。

“My，butyou\'reaman，“exclaimedEuphrasia，backingawayatlastandstaringathimwiththeonlycompleteapprovalshehadeveraccordedtoanyhumanbeingsaveone。

“Whatdidyouexpect，Phrasie？“

“Come，andI\'llshowyouyourroom，“shesaid，inaguttershecouldnothide；“it\'sgotallthesamepicturesin，yourmother\'spictures，andthechairyoubrokethattimewhenHilarylockedyouin。It\'smended。“

“Holdon，Phrasie，“saidAusten，seizingherbytheapron-strings，“howabouttheJudge？“Itwasbythistitleheusuallydesignatedhisfather。

“Whatabouthim？“demandedEuphrasia，sharply。

“Well，it\'shishouse，foronething，“answeredAusten，“andhemayprefertohavethatroom——empty。“

“Empty！Turnyouout？I\'dliketoseehim，“criedEuphrasia。“Itwouldn\'ttakemelongtoleavehimhighanddry。“

Shepausedatthesoundofwheels，andtherewastheHonourableHilary，acrossthegardenpatch，intheactofslippingoutofhisbuggyatthestabledoor。IntheabsenceofLuke，thehiredman，thechiefcounselfortherailroadwaswonttoputupthehorsehimself，andhealreadyhadthereinsfestoonedfromthebitringswhenhefeltaheavy，handonhisshoulderandheardavoicesay:——

“Howareyou，Judge？“

Ifthetruthbetold，thatvoiceandthattouchthrewtheHonourableHilary\'sheartoutofbeat。Manydayshehadbeenschoolinghimselfforthisoccasion:thisveryafternoonhehaddeterminedhiscourseofaction，whichemphaticallydidnotincludeafattedcalf。Andnowsurgedupadryad-likememorywhichhadtroubledhimmanyawakefulnight，ofstartled，appealingeyesthatsoughthisinvain，andofthesonshehadlefthimflinginghimselfintohisarmsinthefaceofchastisement。ForthemomentHilaryVane，underthistraitorousinfluence，wasunabletospeak。Butheletthehandrestonhisshoulder，andatlengthwasabletopronounce，inashamefullyshakyvoice，thenameofhisson。

WhereuponAustenseizedhimbytheothershoulderandturnedhimroundandlookedintohisface。

“ThesameoldJudge，“hesaid。

ButHilarywasstartled，evenasEuphrasiahadbeen。Wasthisstrange，bronzed，quietlyhumorousyoungmanhisson？Hilaryevenhadtoraisehiseyesalittle；hehadforgottenhowtallAustenwas。Strangeemotions，unbiddenandunwelcome，ranriotinhisbreast；andHilaryVane，whomadenoslipsbeforelegislativecommitteesorsupremecourts，actuallyfoundhimselfsaying:——

“Euphrasia\'sgotyourroomready。“

“It\'sgoodofyoutotakemein，Judge，“saidAusten，pattinghisshoulder。Andthenhebegan，quitenaturallytounbucklethebreechingsandloosethetraces，whichhedidwithsuchdeftnessandceleritythathehadthehorseunharnessedandinthestallinatwinkling，andhadhauledthebuggythroughthestabledoor，theHonourableHilarywatchinghimthewhile。Hewastroubled，butforthelifeofhimcouldfindnoadequatewords，whousuallyhadthedictionaryathisdisposal。

“Didn\'twritemewhyyoucamehome，“saidtheHonourableHilary，ashissonwashedhishandsatthespigot。

“Didn\'tI？Well，thetruthwasIwantedtoseeyouagain，Judge。“

Hisfathergrunted，notwithabsolutedispleasure，butsuspiciously。

“HowaboutBlodgett？“heasked。

“Blodgett？Haveyouheardaboutthat？Whotoldyou？“

“Nevermind。Youdidn\'t。Nothinginyourletteraboutit。“

“Itwasn\'tworthmentioning，“repliedAusten。“Tynerandtheboyslikeditprettywell，butIdidn\'tthinkyou\'dbeinterested。Itwasalocalaffair。“

“Notinterested！Notworthmentioning！“exclaimedtheHonourableHilary，outragedtodiscoverthathissonwasmodestlydeprecatinganachievementinsteadofdefendingacrime。“Godfrey！murderain\'tworthmentioning，I

presume。“

“Notwhenitisn\'tsuccessful，“saidAusten。“IfBlodgetthadsucceeded，Iguessyou\'dhaveheardofitbeforeyoudid。“

“DoyoumeantosaythisBlodgetttriedtokillyou？“demandedtheHonourableHilary。

“Yes，“saidhisson，“andI\'veneverunderstoodwhyhedidn\'t。He\'sagooddealbettershotthanIam。“

TheHonourableHilarygrunted，andsatdownonabucketandcarefullypreparedapieceofHoneyDew。Hewassurprisedandagitated。

“Thenwhyareyouafugitivefromjusticeifyouwereactinginself-

defence？“heinquired。

“Well，youseetherewerenowitnesses，exceptaMexicanofBlodgett\'s，andBlodgettrunsthePepperCountymachinefortherailroadoutthere。

I\'dbeenwantingtocomeEastandhavealookatyouforsometime，andI

thoughtImightaswellcomenow。“

“Howdidthis——thisaffairstart？“askedMr。Vane。

“BlodgettwasdrivinginsomeofTyner\'scalves，andIcaughthim。I

toldhimwhatIthoughtofhim，andheshotatmethroughhispocket。

Thatwasall。“

“All！Youshothim，didn\'tyou？“

“Iwasluckyenoughtohithimfirst，“saidAusten。

Extraordinaryasitmayseem，theHonourableHilaryexperiencedasenseofpride。

“Wheredidyouhithim？“heasked。

ItwasEuphrasiawhotookmattersinherownhandsandkilledthefattedcalf，andthemealtowhichtheypresentlysatdownwasverydifferentfromthefrugalsuppersMr。Vaneusuallyhad。Buthemadenocomment。

Itisperhapsnottoomuchtosaythathewouldhavebeendistinctlydisappointedhaditbeenotherwise。TherewasAusten\'sfavouritepie，andAusten\'sfavouritecake，allinheritedfromtheAustens，whohadthoughtmoreofthefleshpotsthanpeopleshould。Andtheprodigaldidfulljusticetotheoccasion。

CHAPTERIII

CONCERNINGTHEPRACTICEOFLAW

SoinstinctivelydoweharkbacktotheprimevalmanthattherewasatendencytolionizetheprodigalinRipton，whichprovesthefinishedcivilizationoftheEastnottobesofarremovedfromthatlandofoutlaws，PepperCounty。Mr。PaulPardriff，whohadaguiltyconscienceabouttheclipping，andvividlybearinginmindMr。Blodgett\'smishap，aloneavoidedyoungMr。Vane；andescapedthroughthetype-settingroomanddownanoutsidestairwayintherearwhenthatgentlemancalled。ItgaveanironicalturntotheincidentthatMr。Pardriffwasatthemomentengagedina“WelcomeHome“paragraphmeanttobepropitiatory。

Austencaredverylittleforlionizing。HespentmostofhistimewithyoungTomGaylord，nowhisfather\'sright-handmaninatremendouslumberbusiness。AndTom，albeithehadbecomesoimportant，habituallyfelloncemoreunderthedominationoftheheroofhisyouthfuldays。

Togetherthesetwovisitedhauntsoftheirboyhood，campingandfishingandscalingmountains，Tomwithaneyetolumberingprospectsthewhile。

Afteramatteroftwoorthreemonthsbadpassedawayinthispleasantthoughunprofitablemanner，theHonourableHilaryrequestedthepresenceofhissononemorningathisoffice。Thisofficewasinwhathadoncebeenalargeresidence，andfromitsamplewindowsyoucouldlookoutthroughtheelmsontothesquare。Old-fashionedbookcaseslinedwithmustybooksfilledthewalls，exceptwhereasteelengravingofalegallightorarailroadmapoftheStatewashung，andtheHonourableHilarysatinaWindsorchairatamahoganytableinthemiddle。

Theanteroomnextdoor，wheretheclerkssat，wasalsoawaiting-roomforvariousindividualsfromthedifferentpartsoftheStatewhocontinuallysoughtthecounsel\'spresence。

“Haven\'tseenmuchofyousinceyou\'vebe\'nhome，Austen，“hisfatherremarkedasanopening。

“Your——legalbusinesscompelsyoutotravelagreatdeal，“answeredAusten，turningfromthewindowandsmiling。

“Somewhat，“saidtheHonourableHilary，onwhomthispleasantrywasnotlost。“You\'vebe\'ntravellingonthelumberbusiness，Itakeit。“

“IknowmoreaboutitthanIdid，“hissonadmitted。

TheHonourableHilarygrunted。

“Caughtagoodmanyfish，haven\'tyou？“

Austencrossedtheroomandsatontheedgeofthedeskbesidehisfather\'schair。

“Seehere，Judge，“hesaid，“whatareyoudrivingat？Outwithit。“

“Whenareyou——goingbackWest？“askedMr。Vane。

Austendidnotansweratonce，butlookeddownintohisfather\'sinscrutableface。

“Doyouwanttogetridofme？“hesaid。

“Sowedenoughwildoats，haven\'tyou？“inquiredthefather。

“I\'vesowedagoodmany，“Austenadmitted。

“Whynotsettledown？“

“Ihaven\'tyetmetthelady，Judge，“repliedhisson。

“Couldn\'tsupportherifyouhad，“saidMr。Vane。

“Thenit\'sfortunate，“saidAusten，resolvednottobethenecessarysecondinaquarrel。Heknewhisfather，andperceivedthatthesepreliminaryandcausticopeningsofhiswerereallyolivebranches。

“SometimesIthinkyoumightaswellbeinthatoutlandishcountry，forallIseeofyou，“saidtheHonourableHilary。

“Yououghttoretirefrombusinessandtryfishing，“hissonsuggested。

TheHonourableHilarysometimessmiled。

“You\'vegotagoodbrain，Austen，andwhat\'stheuseofwastingitchasingcattleandpractisingwithapistolonyourfellow-beings？Youwon\'thavemuchtroubleingettingadmittedtothebar。Comeintotheoffice。“

Austendidnotansweratonce。Hesuspectedthatithadcosthisfathernotalittletomaketheseadvances。

“DoyoubelieveyouandIcouldgetalong，Judge？Howlongdoyouthinkitwouldlast？“

“I\'veconsideredthatsome，“answeredtheHonourableHilary，“butIwon\'tlastagreatwhilelongermyself。“

“You\'reassoundasabronco，“declaredAusten，pattinghim。

“Ineverwaswhatyoumightcalldissipated，“agreedMr。Vane，“butmendon\'tgoonforever。I\'veworkedhardallmylife，andgotwhereIam，andI\'vealwaysthoughtI\'dliketohanditontoyou。It\'sapositionofhonourandtrust，Austen，andoneofwhichanylawyermightbeproud。“

“Myambitionhasn\'truninexactlythatchannel，“saidhisson。

“Didn\'tknowasyouhadanypreciseambition，“respondedtheHonourableHilary，“butIneverheardofamanrefusingtobechiefcounselforagreatrailroad。Idon\'tsayyoucanbe，mind，butIsaywithworkandbrainsit\'saseasyforthesonofHilaryVaneasforanybodyelse。“

“Idon\'tknowmuchaboutthedutiesofsuchaposition，“saidAusten，laughing，“butatalleventsIshallhavetimetomakeupmymindhowtoanswerMr。Flintwhenhecomestomewiththeproposal。Tospeakfrankly，Judge，Ihadn\'tthoughtofspendingthewholeofwhatmightotherwiseproveabrilliantlifeinRipton。“

TheHonourableHilarysmiledagain，andthenhegrunted。

“ItellyouwhatI\'lldo，“hesaid；“youcomeinwithmeandagreetostayfiveyears。Ifyou\'vedonewellforyourself，andwanttogotoNewYorkorsomelargeplaceattheendofthattime，Iwon\'thinderyou。

ButIfeelitmydutytosay，ifyoudon\'tacceptmyoffer，nosonofmineshallinheritwhatI\'velaidupbyhardlabour。It\'sagainstAmericandoctrine，andit\'sagainstmyprinciples。YoucangobacktoPepperCountyandgetputinjail，butyoucan\'tsayIhaven\'twarnedyoufairly。“

“Yououghttoleaveyourfortunetotherailroad，Judge，“saidAusten。

“GenerationstocomewouldblessyournameifyouputupanewstationinRiptonandbuiltbridgesoverBunkerHillgradecrossingandtheotheroneonHeathStreetwhereNicAdamswaskilledlastmonth。Ishouldn\'tbegrudgeacentofthemoney。“

“IsupposeIwasafooltotalktoyou，“saidtheHonourableHilary，gettingup。

ButhissonpushedhimdownagainintotheWindsorchair。

“Holdon，Judge，“hesaid，“thatwasjustmywayofsayingifIacceptedyouroffer，itwouldn\'tbebecauseIyearnedafterthemoney。Thinkingofithasneverkeptmeawakenights。Nowifyou\'llallowmetotakeafewdaysonceinawhiletoletoffsteam，I\'llmakeacounterproposal，inthenatureofacompromise。“

“What\'sthat？“theHonourableHilarydemandedsuspiciously。

“ProvidedIgetadmittedtothebarIwilltakearoominanotherpartofthisbuildingandpickupwhatcrumbsofpracticeIcanbymyself。Ofcourse，sir，Irealizethatthese，iftheycomeatall，willbeowingtothelustreofyourname。ButIshould，beforeIbecomeMr。Flint\'sright-handman，liketolearntowalkwithmyownlegs。“

ThespeechpleasedtheHonourableHilary，andheputouthishand。

“It\'sabargain，Austen，“hesaid。

“Idon\'tmindtellingyounow，Judge，thatwhenIlefttheWestIleftitforgood，providedyouandIcouldlivewithinadecentproximity。AndI

oughttoaddthatIalwaysintendedgoingintothelawafterI\'dhadafling。Itisn\'tfairtoleaveyouwiththeimpressionthatthisisasuddendetermination。Prodigalsdon\'tbecomegoodasquickasallthat。“

RiptoncaughtitsbreathasecondtimethedayAustenhiredalawoffice，nordidthesurprisewhollyceasewhen，inoneseason，hewasadmittedtothebar，fortheproceedingwasnotinkeepingwiththehabitsandcustomsofprodigals。Needlesstosay，thepracticedidnotimmediatelybegintopourin，butthelittleofficerarelylackedavisitor，andsometimeshadasmanyasfiveorsix。Therewasanirresistibleattractionaboutthatroom，andapparentlyverylittlelawreadthere，thoughsometimesitsoccupantaroseandpushedthevisitorsintothehallandlockedthedoor，andopenedthewindowatthetoptoletthesmokeout。ManyoftheHonourableHilary\'scallerspreferredthelittleroominthefarcorridortothegreatman\'sownoffice。

ThesevisitorsoftheelderMr。Vane\'s，ashasbeenbeforehinted，werenotallclients。Withoutburdeningthereadertooearlywithatreatiseonthefabricofasystem，sufficeittosaythatsomethingwascontinuallygoingonthatwasnotlaw；andgentlemencameandwent——fatandthin，sharp-eyedandred-faced——whowereneitherclientsnorlawyers。

Thesewerereallysecretivegentlemen，thoughmostofthemhadahail-

fellow-well-metmannerandaheartygreeting，butwhentheytalkedtotheHonourableHilaryitwaswithdoorsshut，andeventhentheysatveryclosetohisear。ManyofthempreferrednowtowaitinAusten\'sofficeinsteadoftheanteroom，andsomeofthemwerenotsocautiouswiththesonofHilaryVanethattheydidnotletdropcertainobservationstosethimthinking。Hehadafancifulifsomewhatfacetiouswayofcallingthembyfeudaltitleswhichmadethemgrin。

“HowistheDukeofPutnamthismorning？“hewouldaskofthegentlemanofwhomtheRiptonRecordwouldfrequentlymakethefollowingannouncement:“AmongtheprominentresidentsofPutnamCountyintownthisweekwastheHonourableBrushBascom。“

TheHonourableBrushandmanyofhisassociates，baronsandearls，albeittheshrewdestofmen，didnotknowexactlyhowtotakethesonofHilaryVane。ThiswastruealsooftheHonourableHilaryhimself，whodidnotwhollyappreciatethehumourinAusten\'sparallelofthefeudalsystem。

AlthoughAustenhadsetupforhimself，thereweremanyways——notlegal——

inwhichthesonmighthavebeenhelpfultothefather，buttheHonourableHilaryhesitated，forsomeunformulatedreason，tomakeuseofhim；andtheconsequencewasthatMr。HamiltonTootingandotheryoungmenofahustlingnatureintheHonourableHilary\'sofficefoundthatAusten\'sadventdidnottendgreatlytolightenacertainclassoftheirlabours。Infact，fatherandsonwerenotmuchnearerinspiritthanwhenodehadbeeninPepperCountyandtheotherinRipton。CautionandaninstinctwhichsensesobstaclesarecharacteristicsofgentlemeninMr。Vane\'sbusiness。

Sotwoyearspassed，——yearsliberallyinterspersedwithexpeditionsintothemountainsandelsewhere，andnightsspentinthecompanyofTomGaylordandothers。DuringthisperiodAustenwasmorethanonceassailedbythetemptationtoreturntothefreelifeofPepperCounty，Mr。Blodgetthavingcompletelyrecoverednow，andonlydesiringvengeanceofacorporalnature。Butabargainwasabargain，andAustenVanestucktohisendofit，althoughhehadnowbeguntorealizemanyaspectsofasituationwhichhehadnotbeforesuspected。Hehadlongforeseen，however，thatthetimewascomingwhenaseriousdisagreementwithhisfatherwasinevitable。Inadditiontothedifferenceintemperament，HilaryVanebelongedtoonegenerationandAustentoanother。

Ithappened，asdosomanyincidentswhichtendtoshapealife，byaseemingchance。ItwasaTuneevening，andtherehadbeenachurchsociableandbasketpicnicduringthedayinagroveinthetownofMercer，sometenmilessouthofRipton。Thegrovewasboundedononesidebytherailroadtrack，andmergedintoathickclumpofsecondgrowthandalderswheretherewasadiagonalgradecrossing。Thepicnicwasoverandthepeoplepreparingtogohomewhentheywerestartledbyacrash，followedbythescreamingofbrakesasabigengineflewpastthegroveandbroughtaheavytraintoahaltsomedistancedownthegrade。

Thewomenshriekedanddroppedthedishestheywerewashing，andthemenlefttheirhorsesstandingandrantothecrossingandthenstoodforthemomenthelpless，inhorroratthescenewhichmettheireyes。Thewagonofone——oftheirowncongregationwasinsplinters，aman(afarmeroftheneighbourhood)lyingamongthealderswithwhatseemedamortalinjury。AmidthelamentationsandcriesforsomeonetogotoMercerVillageforthedoctorayoungmandroveuprapidlyandsprangoutofabuggy，trustingtosomeonetocatchhishorse，pushed，throughtheringofpeople，andbentoverthewoundedfarmer。Inaninstanthehadwhippedoutaknife，cutastickfromoneofthealders，knottedhishandkerchiefaroundtheman\'sleg，ranthestickthroughtheknot，andtwistedthehandkerchiefuntilthebloodceasedtoflow。Theywatchedhim，paralyzed，asthehelplessinthisworldwatchthecapable，andbeforehehadfinishedhistaskthetraincrewandsomepassengersbegantoarrive。

“Haveyouadoctoraboard，Charley？“theyoungmanasked。

“No，“answeredtheconductor，whohadbeenaddressed；“myGod，notone，Austen。“

“Backupyourtrain，“saidAusten，“andstopyourbaggagecarhere。Andgotothegrove，“headdedtooneofthepicnickers，“andbringfourorfivecarriagecushions。Andyouholdthis。“

Themanbesidehimtookthetourniquet，ashewasbid。AustenVanedrewanote-bookfromhispocket。

“Iwantthisman\'snameandaddress，“hesaid，“andthenamesandaddressesofeverypersonhere，quickly。“

Hedidnotlifthisvoice，butthemanwhohadtakenchargeofsuchasituationwasnottobedenied。Theyobeyedhim，someeagerly，somereluctantly，andbythattimethetrainhadbackeddownandthecushionshadarrived。Theylaidtheseonthefloorofthebaggagecarandliftedthemanontothem。HisnamewasZebMeader，andhewasstillinsensible。AustenVane，withapeculiarsetlookuponhisface，satbesidehimallthewayintoRipton。Hespokeonlyonce，andthatwastotelltheconductortotelegraphfromAvalontohavetheambulancefromSt。Mary\'sHospitalmeetthetrainatRipton。

ThenextdayHilaryVane，returningfromoneofhisperiodicaltripstothenorthernpartoftheState，invadedhisson\'soffice。

“What\'sthistheytellmeaboutyoursavingaman\'slife？“heasked，sinkingintooneofthevacantchairsandregardingAustenwithhistwinklingeyes。

“Idon\'tknowwhattheytellyou，“Austenanswered。“Ididn\'tdoanythingbutgetatourniquetonhislegandhavehimputonthetrain。“

TheHonourableHilarygrunted，andcontinuedtoregardhisson。ThenhecutapieceofHoneyDew。

“Looksbad，doesit？“hesaid。

“Well，“repliedAusten，“itmighthavebeendonebetter。Itwasbungled。

Inadeath-trapascleverlyconceivedasthatcrossing，withadowngradeapproachingit，theyoughttohavegotthehorsetoo。“

TheHonourableHilarygruntedagain，andinsertedtheHoneyDew。Heresolvedtoignorethepalpablechallengeinthisremark，whichwasinkeepingwiththisnewandseriousmieninAusten。

“Getthenamesofwitnesses？“washisnextquestion。

“Itookparticularpainstodoso。“

“Hand\'emovertoTooting。WhatkindofmanisthisMeagre？“

“Heisrathermeagrenow，“saidAusten，smilingalittle。“Hisname\'sMeader。“

“Ishelikelytomakeafuss？“

“Ithinkheis，“saidAusten。

“Well，“saidtheHonourableHilary，“wemusthaveHamTootinghurry\'roundandfixitupwithhimassoonashecantalk，beforeoneofthesecormorantlawyersgetshisclawinhim。“

Austensaidnothing，andaftersomedesultoryconversation，inwhichheknewhowtoindulgewhenhewishedtoconcealthefactthathewasbaffled，theHonourableHilarydeparted。Thatstudentofhumannature，Mr。HamiltonTooting，ayoungmanofasportingappearanceandafreevocabulary，madethenextattempt。ItisacharacteristicofMr。

Tooting\'skindthat，intheireffortstobegenial，theyoftenuseanawkwarddiminutiveoftheirfriends\'names。

“Hello，Aust，“saidMr。Tooting，“IdroppedintogetthosewitnessesinthatMeagreaccident，beforeIforgetit。“

“IthinkI\'llkeep\'em，“saidAusten，makinganoteoutoftheRevisedStatutes。

“Oh，allright，allright，“saidMr。Tooting，bitingoffapieceofhiscigar。“Goingtohandlethecaseyourself，areyou？“

“Imay。“

“I\'mjustasgladtohavesomeof\'emoffmyhands，andthislookstomelikeanastyone。Idon\'tlikethoseMercerpeople。Thelastfarmertheyranoverthereraisedhell。“

“Ishouldn\'tblamethisoneifhedid，ifheevergetswellenough，“saidAusten。YoungMr。TootingpausedwithalightedmatchhalfwaytohiscigarandlookedatAustenshrewdly，andthensatdownonthedeskveryclosetohim。

“Say，Aust，itsometimessickensamantohavetobuythesefellowsoff。

What？Poordevils，theydon\'tgetanythinglikewhattheyoughttoget，dothey？WaittillyouseehowtheRailroadCommission\'llwhitewashthatcase。Itmakesamanwanttobeindependent。What？“

“Thissoundslikevirtue，Ham。“

“I\'veoftenthought，too，“saidMr。Tooting，“thatamancouldmakemoremoneyifhedidn\'twearthecollar。“

“Butnotsleepaswell，perhaps，“saidAusten。

“Say，Aust，you\'renotonthelevelwithme。“

“Ihopetoreachthatexaltedplanesomeday，Ham。“

“What\'sgotintoyou？“demandedtheusuallyclear-headedMr。Tooting，nowalittlebewildered。

“Nothing，yet，“saidAusten，“butI\'mthinkingseriouslyofhavingasandwichandapieceofapplepie。Willyoucomealong？“

Theycrossedthesquaretogether，Mr。Tootingrackinganormallyfertilebrainforsomeexcusetoreopenthesubject。Despairingofthat，hedecidedthatanysubjectwoulddo。

“ThatHumphreyCreweupatLeithissmart——smartaspaint，“heremarked。

“Doyouknowhim？“

“I\'veseenhim，“saidAusten。“He\'sayoungman，isn\'the？“

“Andnatty。Heknowsathingortwoforamillionairethatdon\'thavetowork，andherunsthatplaceofhisrightuptothehandle。Yououghttohearhimtalkaboutthetariff，andnationalpolitics。Iwaspassingtheretheotherday，andhewaswalkingaroundamongtheflowerbeds。

\'Ain\'tyournameTooting？\'hehollered。“Ialmostfelloutofthebuggy。“

“Whatdidhewant？“askedAusten，curiously。Mr。Tootingwinked。

“Say，thosemillionairesarequeer，andnomistake。You\'dthinkafellowthatonlyhadtocutcouponswouldn\'tbelookin\'foranotherjob，wouldn\'tyou？Hemademehitchmyhorse，andhadmeintohisstudy，ashecalledit，andgavemeabigglassofwhiskeyandsoda。Afellowwithbuttonsandastripedvestbroughtitontiptoe。ThenthisCrewegavemealongyellowcigarwithabandonitandtoldmewhattheStateneeded，——

macadamroads，farmers\'institutes，forests，andGodknowswhat。ItoldhimallhehadtodowastogetpermissionfromoldmanFlint，andhecouldhave\'em。“

“Whatdidhesaytothat？“

“HesaidFlintwasanintimatefriendofhis。ThenheaskedmeawholeraftofquestionsaboutfellowsintheneighbourhoodIdidn\'tknowhe\'deverheardof。Say，hewantstogofromLeithtotheLegislature。“

“HecangoforallIcare，“saidAusten，ashepushedopenthedooroftherestaurant。

ForafewdaysMr。Meaderhungbetweenlifeanddeath。Buthecameofastockwhichhadforgenerationsthrustitsrootsintothecrevicesofgranite，andwasnoteasilykilledbysteam-engines。AustenVanecalledtwice，andthenmadeanarrangementwithyoungDr。Tredway(oneofthenumerousRiptonTredwayswhosemoneyhadfoundedthehospital)thathewastoseeMr。Meaderassoonashewasabletosustainaconversation。

Dr。Tredway，bytheway，wasabachelor，andhadbeenAusten\'scompaniononmanyaboisterousexpedition。

WhenAusten，inresponsetothedoctor\'stelephonemessage，stoodovertheironbedinthespick-and-spanmen\'swardofSt。Mary\'s，awaveofthatintensefeelinghehadexperiencedattheaccidentsweptoverhim。

Thefarmer\'sbeardwasovergrown，andtheeyeslookedupathimasfromcavernsofsufferingbelowthebandage。Theywereshrewdeyes，however，andprovedthatMr。Meaderhadpossessionofthefivesenses——nay，ofthesix。Austensatdownbesidethebed。

“Dr。Tredwaytellsmeyouaregettingalongfinely，“hesaid。

“Nothankstotherailrud，“answeredMr。Meader；“theydonetheirbest。“

“Didyouhearanywhistleoranybell？“Austenasked。

“Notasound，“saidMr。Meader；“theyevenshutofftheirsteamonthatgrade。“

AustenVane，likemostmenwhoarereallycapableofadeepsympathy，wasnotanadeptatexpressingitverbally。Moreover，heknewenoughofhisfellow-mentorealizethataPuritanfarmerwouldbesuspiciousofsympathy。Themanhadbeenneartodeathhimself，wascompelledtospendpartofthesummer，hisbread-earningseason，inahospital，andyetnoappealorwordofcomplainthadcrossedhislips。

“Mr。Meader，“saidAusten，“Icameoverheretotellyouthatinmyopinionyouareentitledtoheavydamagesfromtherailroad，andtoadviseyounottoacceptacompromise。Theywillsendsomeonetoyouandofferyouasumfarbelowthatwhichyououghtinjusticetoreceive，Yououghttofightthiscase。“

“HowamIgoingtopayalawyer，withamortgageonmyfarm？“demandedMr。Meader。

“I\'malawyer，“saidAusten，“andifyou\'lltakeme，I\'lldefendyouwithoutcharge。“

“Ain\'tyouthesonofHilaryVane？“

“Yes。“

“I\'veheardofhimagoodmanytimes，“saidMr。Meader，asiftoaskwhatmanhadnot。“You\'rerailroad，ain\'tye？“

Mr。Meadergazedlongandthoughtfullyintotheyoungman\'sface，andthesuspiciongraduallyfadedfromthefarmer\'sblueeyes。

“Ilikeyourlooks，“hesaidatlast。“Iguessyousavedmylife。I\'m——

I\'mmuchobligedtoyou。“

WhenMr。Tootingarrivedlaterintheday，hefoundMr。Meaderwillingtolisten，butotherwisestrangelynon-committal。Withnativeshrewdness，thefarmeraskedhimwhatofficehecamefrom，butdidnotconfideinMr。

TootingthefactthatMr。Vane\'ssonhadvolunteeredtowringmoremoneyfromMr。Vane\'sclientthanMr。Tootingofferedhim。Considerablybewildered，thatgentlemanleftthehospitaltoreporttheaffairtotheHonourableHilary，who，atintervalsduringtheafternoon，foundhimselfrelapsingintospeculation。

Insideofasomewhatunpromisingshell，Mr。ZebMeaderwasahumanbeing，andnomeanjudgeofmenandmotives。Ashisconvalescenceprogressed，AustenVanefellintothehabitofdroppinginfromtimetotimetochatwithhim，andgraduallywasrewardedbymanyvividcharactersketchesofMr。Meader\'sneighboursinMerceranditsvicinity。Oneafternoon，whenAustencameintotheward，hefoundatMr。Meader\'sbedsideabasketoffruitwhichlookedtooexpensiveandtemptingtohavecomefromanydealer\'sinRipton。

“Aladycamewiththat，“Mr。Meaderexplained。“IneverwaspopularbeforeIwasrunoverbythecars。She\'sbe\'nheretwice。Whenshefetcheditto-day，Ikindofthoughtshewasuptosome，game，andI

didn\'twanttotakeit。“

“Uptosomegame？“repeatedAusten。

“Well，Idon\'tknow，“continuedMr。Meader，thoughtfully，“thewomanheretellsmeshecomesregularinthesummertimetoseesickfolks，butfromthewayshemadeuptomeIhadanideathatshewantedsomething。Butldon\'tknow。ThoughtI\'daskyou。Yousee，she\'srailrud。“

“Railroad！“

“She\'sFlint\'sdaughter。“

Austenlaughed。

“Ishouldn\'tworryaboutthat，“hesaid。“IfMr。Flintsenthisdaughterwithfruittoeverybodyhisrailroadinjures，shewouldn\'thavetimetodoanythingelse。IdoubtifMr。Flinteverheardofyourcase。“

Mr。Meaderconsideredthis，andcalculatedtherewassomethinginit。

“Shewasanice，commonyounglady，andcussedifshedidn\'tmakemelaugh，shehassuchafunnywayoftalkin\'。Shewantedtoknowallaboutyou。“

“Whatdidshewanttoknow？“Austenexclaimed，notunnaturally。

“Well，shewantedtoknowabouttheaccident，andItoldherhowyoudruvupandscrewedthatthingaroundmylegandbackedthetraindown。Shewasagooddealtookwiththat。“

“Ithinkyouareinclinedtomaketoomuchofit，“saidAusten。

Threedayslater，ashewasabouttoentertheward，Mr。Meaderbeingnowtheonlyinvalidthere，heheardasoundwhichmadehimpauseinthedoorway。ThesoundwasfemininelaughterofamusicalqualitythatstruckpleasantlyonAusten\'sear。MissVictoriaFlintwassatedbesideMr。Meader\'sbed，andqualifiedfriendshiphadevidentlybeenreplacedbyintimacysinceAusten\'slastvisit，forMr。Meaderwaslaughing，too。

“AndnowI\'mquitesureyouhavemissedyourvocation，Mr。Meader，“saidVictoria。“Youwouldhavemadeafortuneonthestage。“

“Meaplay-actor！“exclaimedtheinvalid。“Howmuchwagesdotheygit？“

“Untoldsums，“shedeclared，“iftheycantalklikeyou。“

“Hekindofthoughtthatstoryfunny——sameasyou，“Mr。Meaderruminated，andglancedup。“Dratme，“heremarked，“ifheain\'ta-comin\'now！