第1章

CONTENTS

JIMMY\'SBIGBROTHERFROMCALIFORNIA

THEYOUNGESTMISSPIPER

AWIDOWOFTHESANTAANAVALLEY

THEMERMAIDOFLIGHTHOUSEPOINT

UNDERTHEEAVES

HOWREUBENALLEN"SAWLIFE"INSANFRANCISCO

THREEVAGABONDSOFTRINIDAD

AVISIONOFTHEFOUNTAIN

AROMANCEOFTHELINE

BOHEMIANDAYSINSANFRANCISCO

UNDERTHEREDWOODS

JIMMY\'SBIGBROTHERFROMCALIFORNIA

Asnightcreptupfromthevalleythatstormyafternoon，Sawyer\'sLedgewasatfirstquiteblottedoutbywindandrain，butpresentlyreappearedinlittlenebulousstar-likepointsalongthemountainside，asthestragglingcabinsofthesettlementwereonebyonelitupbytheminersreturningfromtunnelandclaim。Thesestarswereofvaryingbrilliancythatevening，twonotablyso——onethateventuallyresolveditselfintoamany-candledilluminationofacabinofevidentfestivity；theotherintoaglimmeringtaperinthewindowofasilentone。Theymighthaverepresentedtheextrememutationsoffortuneinthesettlementthatnight：thecelebrationofastrikebyRobertFalloner，aluckyminer；andthesick-bedofDickLasham，anunluckyone。

Thelatterwas，however，notquitealone。HewasministeredtobyDaddyFolsom，aweakbutemotionalandaggressivelyhopefulneighbor，whowassittingbesidethewoodenbunkwhereontheinvalidlay。Yettherewassomethingperfunctoryinhisattitude：

hiseyeswerecontinuallystrayingtothewindow，whencetheilluminatedFallonerfestivitiescouldbeseenbetweenthetrees，andhisearsweremoreintentonthesongsandlaughterthatcamefaintlyfromthedistancethanonthefeverishbreathingandunintelligiblemoansofthesufferer。

Neverthelesshelookedtroubledequallybytheconditionofhischargeandbyhisownenforcedabsencefromtherevels。Amoreimpatientmoanfromthesickman，however，broughtachangetohisabstractedface，andheturnedtohimwithanexaggeratedexpressionofsympathy。

"Incourse！Lordy！Iknowjestwhatthosepainsare：kinderezefyouwashavin\'atoothpulledthathadrootsbranchin\'alloverye！

My！I\'vejesthad\'emsobadIcouldn\'tkeepfromyellin\'！That\'shotrheumatics！Yes，sir，Ioughterknow！And"（confidentially）

"thesing\'lerthingabout\'emisthattheygetworsejestasthey\'regoingoff——sorterwringin\'yerhandandpunchin\'yeinthebacktosay\'Good-by。\'There！"hecontinued，asthemansankexhaustedlybackonhisrudepillowofflour-sacks。"There！didn\'tItellye？Ye\'llbeallrightinaminit，andezchipperezajaybirdinthemornin\'。Oh，don\'ttellmeaboutrheumatics——I\'vebinthar！On\'yminewasthecoldkind——thathangsonlongest——yoursisthehot，thatburnsitselfupinnotime！"

IftheflushedfaceandbrighteyesofLashamwerenotenoughtocorroboratethissymptomofhighfever，thequick，wanderinglaughhegavewouldhaveindicatedthepointofdelirium。ButthetoooptimisticDaddyFolsomreferredthisacttoimprovement，andwentoncheerfully："Yes，sir，you\'rebetternow，and"——hereheassumedanairofcautiousdeliberation，extravagant，asallhisassumptionswere——"Iain\'tsayin\'that——ef——you——was——to——rise——up"（veryslowly）"andheaveablanketortwooveryourshoulders——jestbywayo\'caution，youknow——andleanin\'onme，kindermeanderovertoBobFalloner\'scabinandtheboys，itwouldn\'tdoyouaheapo\'good。

Changeso\'thiskindisoftenprescribedbythefaculty。"Anothermoanfromthesufferer，however，hereapparentlycorrectedDaddy\'stoofavorableprognosis。"Oh，allright！Well，perhapsyeknowbest；andI\'lljestrunovertoBob\'sandsayhowasyeain\'tcomin\'，andwillbebackinajiffy！"

"Theletter，"saidthesickmanhurriedly，"theletter，theletter！"

Daddyleanedsuddenlyoverthebed。ItwasimpossibleforevenhishopefulnesstoavoidthefactthatLashamwasdelirious。Itwasastrongfactorinthecase——onethatwouldcertainlyjustifyhisgoingovertoFalloner\'swiththenews。Forthepresentmoment，however，thisaberrationwastobeacceptedcheerfullyandhumoredafterDaddy\'sownfashion。"Ofcourse——theletter，theletter，"hesaidconvincingly；"that\'swhattheboyshevbinsingin\'jestnow——

\'Good-by，Charley；whenyouareaway，Writemealetter，love；sendmealetter，love！\'

That\'swhatyouheard，andamightypurtysongitistoo，andkinderclingstoyou。It\'swonderfulhowthesethingsgetsinyourhead。"

"Theletter——write——sendmoney——money——money，andthephotograph——

thephotograph——photograph——money，"continuedthesickman，intherapidreiterationofdelirium。

"Incourseyouwill——to-morrow——whenthemailgoes，"returnedDaddysoothingly；"plentyofthem。Jestnowyoutrytogetasnooze，willye？Hol\'on！——takesomeo\'this。"

Therewasananodynemixtureontherudeshelf，whichthedoctorhadleftonhismorningvisit。Daddyhadacomfortablebeliefthatwhatwouldrelievepainwouldalsocheckdelirium，andheaccordinglymeasuredoutadosewithaliberalmargintoallowofwastebythepatientinswallowinginhissemi-consciousstate。Ashelaymorequiet，mutteringstill，butnowunintelligibly，Daddy，waitingforamorecompleteunconsciousnessandtheopportunitytoslipawaytoFalloner\'s，casthiseyesaroundthecabin。HenoticednowforthefirsttimesincehisentrancethatacrumpledenvelopebearingaWesternpost-markwaslyingatthefootofthebed。Daddyknewthatthetri-weeklyposthadarrivedanhourbeforehecame，andthatLashamhadevidentlyreceivedaletter。

Sureenoughtheletteritselfwaslyingagainstthewallbesidehim。Itwasopen。Daddyfeltjustifiedinreadingit。

Itwascurtandbusinesslike，statingthatunlessLashamatoncesentaremittanceforthesupportofhisbrotherandsister——twochildreninchargeofthewriter——theymustfindahomeelsewhere。

Thatthearrearswerelongstanding，andtherepeatedpromisesofLashamtosendmoneyhadbeenunfulfilled。Thatthewritercouldstanditnolonger。Thiswouldbehislastcommunicationunlessthemoneyweresentforthwith。

Itwasbynomeansanovelor，underthecircumstances，ashockingdisclosuretoDaddy。Hehadseensimilarmissivesfromdaughters，andevenwives，consequentonthevaryingfortunesofhisneighbors；nooneknewbetterthanhetheuncertaintiesofaminer\'sprospects，andyettheinevitablehopefulnessthatbuoyedhimup。Hetosseditasideimpatiently，whenhiseyecaughtastripofpaperhehadoverlookedlyingupontheblanketneartheenvelope。Itcontainedafewlinesinanunformedboyishhandaddressedto"mybrother，"andevidentlyslippedintotheletterafteritwaswritten。BytheuncertaincandlelightDaddyreadasfollows：——

DearBrother，RitetomeandCissyriteoff。Whyaintyoudoneit？

It\'ssolongsinceyouroteany。MisterReckettssesyoudontcareanymore。Wenyouritesendyourfotograff。FolksheresesIaintgotnobigbrutheranyway，asIdisrememberhislooks，andcantsaywotslikehim。Cissy\'skryin\'allalongofit。I\'vegotahedake。WilliamWalkermakeitakebyablo。SonomoreatpresentfromyourlovinglittlebrutherJim。

Thequick，hystericlaughwithwhichDaddyreadthiswasquiteconsistentwithhisresponsive，emotionalnature；so，too，werethereadytearsthatsprangtohiseyes。Heputthecandledownunsteadily，withacasualglanceatthesickman。Itwasnotable，however，thatthislookcontainedlesssympathyfortheailing"bigbrother"thanhisemotionmighthavesuggested。ForDaddywascarriedquiteawaybyhisownmentalpictureofthehelplesschildren，andeageronlytorelatehisimpressionsoftheincident。

Hecastanotherglanceattheinvalid，thrustthepapersintohispocket，andclappingonhishatslippedfromthecabinandrantothehouseoffestivity。Yetitwascharacteristicoftheman，andsoengrossedwashebyhisoneidea，thattotheusualinquiriesregardinghispatientheanswered，"he\'sallright，"andplungedatonceintotheincidentofthedunningletter，reserving——withtheinstinctofanemotionalartist——thechild\'smissiveuntilthelast。Asheexpected，themoneydemandwasreceivedwithindignantcriticismsofthewriter。

"That\'sjustlike\'emintheStates，"saidCaptainFletcher；

"darnediftheydon\'tbelievewe\'veonlygottoboreaholeinthegroundandsnakeoutahundreddollars。Why，there\'smywife——withaheapofhosssenseineverythingelse——isalluswonderin\'whyI

can\'trakeinacoolfiftybetwixtonesteamerdayandanother。"

"That\'snothin\'tomyolddad，"interruptedGusHouston，the"infant"ofthecamp，abright-eyedyoungfellowoftwenty；"why，hewrotetomeyesterdaythatifI\'donlypickupasinglepieceofgoldeverydayandjustputitaside，sayin\'\'That\'sforpopperandmommer，\'andnotfoolitaway——itwouldbeallthey\'daskofme。"

"That\'sso，"addedanother；"theseignorantrelationsisjusttheruino\'theminingindustry。BobFallonerhezbinluckyinhisstriketo-day，buthe\'sadarnedsightluckierinbeingwithoutkithorkinthatheknowsof。"

Daddywaiteduntilthemomentaryirritationhadsubsided，andthendrewtheotherletterfromhispocket。"Thatain\'tall，boys，"hebeganinafalteringvoice，butgraduallyworkinghimselfuptoapitchofpathos；"justasIwasthinkingallthemverythings，I

kindernoticedthisyerpoorlittlebito\'paperlyin\'tharlonesomelikeandforgotten，andI——readit——andwell——gentlemen——

itjustchokedmerightup！"Hestopped，andhisvoicefaltered。

"Goslow，Daddy，goslow！"saidanauditorsmilingly。ItwasevidentthatDaddy\'ssympatheticweaknesswaswellknown。

Daddyreadthechild\'sletter。But，unfortunately，whatwithhisrealemotionandtheintoxicationofanaudience，hereaditextravagantly，andinterpolatedachild\'slisp（onnoauthoritywhatever），andasimulatedinfantiledelivery，which，Ifear，atfirstprovokedthesmilesratherthanthetearsofhisaudience。

Nevertheless，atitsconclusionthelittlenotewashandedroundtheparty，andthentherewasamomentofthoughtfulsilence。

"Tellyouwhatitis，boys，"saidFletcher，lookingaroundthetable，"weoughttobedoin\'suthin\'forthemkidsrightoff！Didyou，"turningtoDaddy，"sayanythin\'aboutthistoDick？"

"Nary——why，he\'scleanoffhisheadwithfever——don\'tunderstandaword——andjustbabbles，"returnedDaddy，forgetfulofhisroseatediagnosisamomentago，"andhasn\'tgotacent。"

"Wemustmakeupwhatwecanamongstusaforethemailgoesto-

night，"saidthe"infant，"feelinghurriedlyinhispockets。

"Come，anteup，gentlemen，"headded，layingthecontentsofhisbuckskinpurseuponthetable。

"Holdon，boys，"saidaquietvoice。ItwastheirhostFalloner，whohadjustrisenandwasslippingonhisoilskincoat。"You\'vegotenoughtodo，Ireckon，tolookafteryourownfolks。I\'venone！Letthisbemyaffair。I\'vegottogototheExpressOfficeanyhowtoseeaboutmypassagehome，andI\'lljustgetadraftforahundreddollarsforthatoldskeesicks——what\'shisblamedname？

Oh，Ricketts"——hemadeamemorandumfromtheletter——"andI\'llsenditbyexpress。Meantime，youfellowssitdownthereandwritesomething——youknowwhat——sayingthatDick\'shurthishandandcan\'twrite——youknow；butaskedyoutosendadraft，whichyou\'redoing。Sabe？That\'sall！I\'llskipovertotheexpressnowandgetthedraftoff，andyoucanmailtheletteranhourlater。SoputyourdustbackinyourpocketsandhelpyourselvestothewhiskeywhileI\'mgone。"Heclappedhishatonhisheadanddisappeared。

"Theregoesawhiteman，youbet！"saidFletcheradmiringly，asthedoorclosedbehindtheirhost。"Now，boys，"headded，drawingachairtothetable，"let\'sgetthisyerletteroff，andthengobacktoourgame。"

Pensandinkwereproduced，andananimateddiscussionensuedastothemattertobeconveyed。Daddy\'spleaforanextendedexplanatoryandsympatheticcommunicationwasoverruled，andtheletterwaswrittentoRickettsonthesimplelinessuggestedbyFalloner。

"ButwhataboutpoorlittleJim\'sletter？Thatoughttobeanswered，"saidDaddypathetically。

"IfDickhurthishandsohecan\'twritetoRicketts，howinthunderishegoin\'towritetoJim？"wasthereply。

"Butsuthin\'oughterbesaidtothepoorkid，"urgedDaddypiteously。

"Well，writeityourself——youandGusHoustonmakeupsomethin\'

together。I\'mgoingtowinsomemoney，"retortedFletcher，returningtothecard-table，wherehewaspresentlyfollowedbyallbutDaddyandHouston。

"Yecan\'twriteitinDick\'sname，becausethatlittlebrotherknowsDick\'shandwriting，evenifhedon\'trememberhisface。

See？"suggestedHouston。

"That\'sso，"saidDaddydubiously；"but，"headded，withelasticcheerfulness，wecanwritethatDick\'says。\'See？"

"Yourhead\'slevel，oldman！Justyouwadeinonthat。"

Daddyseizedthepenand"wadedin。"Intosomewhatdeepanddifficultwater，Ifancy，forsomeofitsplashedintohiseyes，andhesniffledonceortwiceashewrote。"Suthin\'likethis，"hesaid，afterapause：——

DEARLITTLEJIMMIE，——Yourbigbrotherhavin\'hurthishand，wantsmetotellyouthatotherwaysheisallhunkyandA1。Hesayshedon\'tforgetyouandlittleCissy，youbet！andhe\'ssendin\'moneytooldRickettsstraightoff。Hesaysdon\'tyouandCissymindwhetherschoolkeepsornotaslongasbigBrotherDickholdsthelines。Hesayshe\'dhavewrittenbefore，buthe\'sbinfollerin\'upaleadmightyclose，andexpectstostrikeitrichinafewdays。

"Youain\'tgotnosabeaboutkids，"saidDaddyimperturbably；

"they\'vegottobehumoredlikesickfolks。Andtheywanteverythin\'big——theydon\'ttakenostockinthingseztheyare——

eveneftheyhev\'emworsethantheyare。\'So，\'"continuedDaddy，readingtopreventfurtherinterruption，"\'hesaysyou\'rejusttokeepyoureyesskinnedlookin\'outforhimcomin\'homeanytime——

dayornight。Allyou\'vegottodoistositupandwait。Hemightcomeandevensnakeyououtofyourbeds！Hemightcomewithfourwhitehorsesandaniggerdriver，orhemightcomedisguisedasanornarytramp。Onlyyou\'vegottobekeenonwatchin\'。\'（Yesee，"interruptedDaddyexplanatorily，"that\'lljestkeepthemkidslively。）\'HesaysCissy\'stostopcryin\'rightoff，andifWillieWalkerhitsyerontherightcheekyoujustslugoutwithyourleftfist，\'cordin\'toScripter。\'Gosh，"ejaculatedDaddy，stoppingsuddenlyandgazinganxiouslyatHouston，"there\'sthatblamedphotograph——Icleanforgotthat。"

"AndDickhasn\'tgotoneintheshop，andneverhad，"returnedHoustonemphatically。"Golly！thatstumpsus！Unless，"headded，withdiabolicalthoughtfulness，"wetakeBob\'s？Thekidsdon\'trememberDick\'sface，andBob\'saboutthesameage。Andit\'saregularstarpicture——youbet！BobhadittakeninSacramento——inallhiswarpaint。See！"Heindicatedaphotographpinnedagainstthewall——areallystrikinglikenesswhichdidfulljusticetoBob\'slongsilkenmustacheandlarge，browndeterminedeyes。"I\'llsnakeitoffwhiletheyain\'tlookin\'，andyoujamitintheletter。Bobwon\'tmissit，andwecanfixitupwithDickafterhe\'swell，andsendanother。"

Daddysilentlygraspedthe"infant\'s"hand，whopresentlysecuredthephotographwithoutattractingattentionfromthecard-players。

Itwaspromptlyinclosedintheletter，addressedtoMasterJamesLasham。The"infant"startedwithittothepost-office，andDaddyFolsomreturnedtoLasham\'scabintorelievethewatcherthathadbeendetachedfromFalloner\'stotakehisplacebesidethesickman。

Meanwhiletherainfellsteadilyandtheshadowscrepthigherandhigherupthemountain。TowardsmidnightthestarpointsfadedoutonebyoneoverSawyer\'sLedgeevenastheyhadcome，withthedifferencethattheilluminationofFalloner\'scabinwasextinguishedfirst，whilethedimlightofLasham\'sincreasedinnumber。Later，twostarsseemedtoshootfromthecentreoftheledge，trailingalongthedescent，untiltheywerelostintheobscurityoftheslope——thelightsofthestage-coachtoSacramentocarryingthemailandRobertFalloner。Theymetandpassedtwofainterlightstoilinguptheroad——thebuggylightsofthedoctor，hastilysummonedfromCartervilletothebedsideofthedyingDickLasham。

TheslowingupofhistraincausedBobFallonertostartfromahalfdozeinaWesternPullmancar。Asheglancedfromhiswindowhecouldseethattheblindingsnowstormwhichhadfollowedhimforthepastsixhourshadatlasthopelesslyblockedtheline。Therewasnoprospectbeyondtheinterminablesnowylevel，thewhirlingflakes，andthemonotonouspalisadesofleaflesstreesseenthroughittothedistantbanksoftheMissouri。Itwasaprospectthatthemountain-bredFallonerwasbeginningtoloathe，andalthoughitwasscarcelysixweekssinceheleftCalifornia，hewasalreadylookingbackregretfullytothedeepslopesandthefreesongoftheserriedranksofpines。

Theintensecoldhadchilledhistemperateblood，evenastherigorsandconventionsofEasternlifehadcheckedhissincerityandspontaneousflowofanimalspiritsbegotteninthefrankintercourseandbrotherhoodofcamps。HehadjustfledfromtheartificialitiesofthegreatAtlanticcitiestoseekoutsomeWesternfarminglandsinwhichhemightputhiscapitalandenergies。Theunlooked-forinterruptionofhisprogressbyalong-forgottenclimateonlydeepenedhisdiscontent。Andnow——thattrainwasactuallybacking！

Itappearedtheymustreturntothelaststationtowaitforasnow-ploughtocleartheline。Itwas，explainedtheconductor，barelyamilefromShepherdstown，wheretherewasagoodhotelandachanceofbreakingthejourneyforthenight。

Shepherdstown！ThenametouchedsomedimchordinBobFalloner\'smemoryandconscience——yetonethatwasvague。ThenhesuddenlyrememberedthatbeforeleavingNewYorkhehadreceivedaletterfromHoustoninforminghimofLasham\'sdeath，remindinghimofhispreviousbounty，andbegginghim——ifhewentWest——tobreakthenewstotheLashamfamily。Therewasalsosomeallusiontoajokeabouthis（Bob\'s）photograph，whichhehaddismissedasunimportant，andevennowcouldnotrememberclearly。Forafewmomentshisconscienceprickedhimthatheshouldhaveforgottenitall，butnowhecouldmakeamendsbythisprovidentialdelay。Itwasnotatasktohisliking；inanyothercircumstanceshewouldhavewritten，buthewouldnotshirkitnow。

ShepherdstownwasonthemainlineoftheKansasPacificRoad，andashealightedatitsstation，thebigthroughtrainsfromSanFranciscosweptoutofthestormydistanceandstoppedalso。Heremembered，ashemingledwiththepassengers，hearingachildishvoiceaskifthiswastheCaliforniantrain。Herememberedhearingtheamusedandpatientreplyofthestation-master："Yes，sonny——

heresheisagain，andhere\'sherpassengers，"ashegotintotheomnibusanddrovetothehotel。Hereheresolvedtoperformhisdisagreeabledutyasquicklyaspossible，andonhiswaytohisroomstoppedforamomentattheofficetoaskforRicketts\'

address。Theclerk，afteraquickglanceofcuriosityathisnewguest，gaveittohimreadily，withasomewhatfamiliarsmile。ItstruckFalloneralsoasbeingoddthathehadnotbeenaskedtowritehisnameonthehotelregister，butthiswasasavingoftimehewasnotdisposedtoquestion，ashehadalreadydeterminedtomakehisvisittoRickettsatonce，beforedinner。Itwasstillearlyevening。

Hewaswashinghishandsinhisbedroomwhentherecamealighttapathissitting-roomdoor。Fallonerquicklyresumedhiscoatandenteredthesitting-roomastheporterusheredinayoungladyholdingasmallboybythehand。But，toFalloner\'sutterconsternation，nosoonerhadthedoorclosedontheservantthantheboy，withahalf-apologeticglanceattheyounglady，utteredachildishcry，brokefromher，andcalling，"Dick！Dick！"ranforwardandleapedintoFalloner\'sarms。

ThemereshockoftheonsetandhisownamazementleftBobwithoutbreathforwords。Theboy，witharmsconvulsivelyclaspinghisbody，wasimprintingkissesonBob\'swaistcoatindefaultofreachinghisface。AtlastFallonermanagedgentlybutfirmlytofreehimself，andturnedahalf-appealing，half-embarrassedlookupontheyounglady，whoseownface，however，suddenlyflushedpink。Toaddtotheconfusion，theboy，insomereactionofinstinct，suddenlyranbacktoher，franticallyclutchedatherskirts，andtriedtoburyhisheadintheirfolds。

"Hedon\'tloveme，"hesobbed。"Hedon\'tcareformeanymore。"

Thefaceoftheyounggirlchanged。Itwasaprettyfaceinitsflushing；inthepalenessandthoughtfulnessthatovercastititwasastrikingface，andBob\'sattentionwasforamomentdistractedfromthegrotesquenessofthesituation。Leaningovertheboyshesaidinacaressingyetauthoritativevoice，"Runawayforamoment，dear，untilIcallyou，"openingthedoorforhiminamaternalwaysoinconsistentwiththeyouthfulnessofherfigurethatitstruckhimeveninhisconfusion。Therewassomethingalsoinherdressandcarriagethatequallyaffectedhim：hergarmentsweresomewhatold-fashionedinstyle，yetofgoodmaterial，withanoddincongruitytotheclimateandseason。

Underherroughoutercloaksheworeapolkajacketandthethinnestofsummerblouses；andherhat，thoughdark，wasofroughstraw，plainlytrimmed。Nevertheless，thesepeculiaritieswerecarriedoffwithanairofbreedingandself-possessionthatwasunmistakable。Itwaspossiblethathercoolself-possessionmighthavebeenduetosomeinstinctiveantagonism，forasshecameastepforwardwithcoldlyandclearly-openedgrayeyes，hewasvaguelyconsciousthatshedidn\'tlikehim。Nevertheless，hermannerwasformallypolite，even，ashefancied，tothepointofirony，asshebegan，inavoicethatoccasionallydroppedintothelazySouthernintonation，andaspeechthateasilyslippedattimesintoSoutherndialect：——

"Isentthechildoutoftheroom，asIcouldseethathisadvanceswereannoyingtoyou，andagooddeal，Ireckon，becauseIknewyourreceptionofthemwasstillmorepainfultohim。Itisquitenatural，Idaresay，youshouldfeelasyoudo，andIreckonconsistentwithyourattitudetowardshim。Butyoumustmakesomeallowanceforthedepthofhisfeelings，andhowhehaslookedforwardtothismeeting。WhenItellyouthateversincehereceivedyourlastletter，heandhissister——untilherillnesskeptherhome——havegoneeverydaywhenthePacifictrainwasduetothestationtomeetyou；thattheyhavetakenliterallyasGospeltrutheverywordofyourletter"——

"Myletter？"interruptedFalloner。

Theyounggirl\'sscarletlipcurledslightly。"Ibegyourpardon——

Ishouldhavesaidtheletteryoudictated。Ofcourseitwasn\'tinyourhandwriting——youhadhurtyourhand，youknow，"sheaddedironically。"Atallevents，theybelieveditall——thatyouwerecomingatanymoment；theylivedinthatbelief，andthepoorthingswenttothestationwithyourphotographintheirhandssothattheymightbethefirsttorecognizeandgreetyou。"

"Withmyphotograph？"interruptedFalloneragain。

Theyounggirl\'scleareyesdarkenedominously。"Ireckon，"shesaiddeliberately，assheslowlydrewfromherpocketthephotographDaddyFolsomhadsent，"thatthatisyourphotograph。

Itcertainlyseemsanexcellentlikeness，"sheadded，regardinghimwithaslightsuggestionofcontemptuoustriumph。

Inaninstanttherevelationofthewholemysteryflasheduponhim！

TheforgottenpassageinHouston\'sletteraboutthestolenphotographstoodclearlybeforehim；thecoincidenceofhisappearanceinShepherdstown，andthenaturalmistakeofthechildrenandtheirfairprotector，weremadeperfectlyplain。Butwiththisreliefandthecertaintythathecouldconfoundherwithanexplanationcameacertainmischievousdesiretoprolongthesituationandincreasehistriumph。Shecertainlyhadnotshownhimanyfavor。

"Haveyougottheletteralso？"heaskedquietly。

Shewhiskeditimpatientlyfromherpocketandhandedittohim。

AshereadDaddy\'scharacteristicextravaganceandrecognizedthefamiliaridiosyncrasiesofhisoldcompanions，hewasunabletorestrainasmile。Heraisedhiseyes，tomeetwithsurprisethefairstranger\'sleveledeyebrowsandbrightlyindignanteyes，inwhich，however，therainwasfastgatheringwiththelightning。

"Itmaybeamusingtoyou，andIreckonlikelyitwasallaCaliforniajoke，"shesaidwithslightlytremblinglips；"Idon\'tknowNo\'therngentlemenandtheirways，andyouseemtohaveforgottenourwaysasyouhaveyourkindred。Perhapsallthismayseemsofunnytothem：itmaynotseemfunnytothatboywhoisnowcryinghisheartoutinthehall；itmaynotbeveryamusingtothatpoorCissyinhersick-bedlongingtoseeherbrother。Itmaybesofarfromamusingtoher，thatIshouldhesitatetobringyouthereinherexcitedconditionandsubjecthertothepainthatyouhavecausedhim。ButIhavepromisedher；sheisalreadyexpectingus，andthedisappointmentmaybedangerous，andIcanonlyimploreyou——forafewmomentsatleast——toshowalittlemoreaffectionthanyoufeel。"Ashemadeanimpulsive，deprecatinggesture，yetwithoutchanginghislookofrestrainedamusement，shestoppedhimhopelessly。"Oh，ofcourse，yes，yes，Iknowitisyearssinceyouhaveseenthem；theyhavenorighttoexpectmore；only——only——

feelingasyoudo，"sheburstimpulsively，"why——oh，whydidyoucome？"

HerewasBob\'schance。Heturnedtoherpolitely；begangravely，"Isimplycameto"——whensuddenlyhisfacechanged；hestoppedasifstruckbyablow。Hischeekflushed，andthenpaled！GoodGod！

Whathadhecomefor？Totellthemthatthisbrothertheywerelongingfor——livingfor——perhapsevendyingfor——wasdead！Inhiscrassstupidity，hiswoundedvanityoverthescornoftheyounggirl，hisanticipationoftriumph，hehadforgotten——totallyforgotten——whatthattriumphmeant！PerhapsifhehadfeltmorekeenlythedeathofLashamthethoughtofitwouldhavebeenuppermostinhismind；butLashamwasnothispartnerorassociate，onlyabrotherminer，andhissingleactofgenerositywasintheordinaryroutineofcamplife。Ifshecouldthinkhimcoldandheartlessbefore，whatwouldshethinkofhimnow？Theabsurdityofhermistakehadvanishedinthegrimtragedyhehadseemedtohavecruellypreparedforher。Thethoughtstruckhimsokeenlythathestammered，faltered，andsankhelplesslyintoachair。

Theshockthathehadreceivedwassoplaintoherthatherownindignationwentoutinthebreathofit。Herlipquivered。

"Don\'tyoumind，"shesaidhurriedly，droppingintoherSouthernspeech；"Ididn\'tgotohurtyou，butIwasjustthatmadwiththethoughtofthosepickaninnies，andtheeasywayyoutookit，thatI

cleanforgotI\'dnocalltocatechiseyou！Andyoudon\'tknowmefromtheQueenofSheba。Well，"shewenton，stillmorerapidly，andinodddistinctiontoherpreviousformalslowSoutherndelivery，"I\'mthedaughterofColonelBoutelle，ofBayouSara，Louisiana；andhispaw，andhispawbeforehim，hadaplantationtheresincethetimeofAdam，buthelostitandsixhundredniggersduringtheWah！Wewerepoohaspohverty——pawandmawandwefourgirls——andnomoreideaofworkthanababy。ButIhadaneducationattheconventatNewOrleans，andcouldplay，andspeakFrench，andIgotaplaceasschool-teacherhere；IreckonthefirstSouthernwomanthathastaughtschoolintheNo\'th！

Ricketts，whousedtobeourstewardatBayouSara，toldmeaboutthepickaninnies，andhowhelplesstheywere，withonlyabrotherwhooccasionallysentthemmoneyfromCalifornia。IsupposeI

cottonedtothepoohlittlethingsatfirstbecauseIknewwhatitwastobealoneamongststrangers，Mr。Lasham；Iusedtoteachthematoddtimes，andlookafterthem，andgowiththemtothetraintolookforyou。PerhapsRickettsmademethinkyoudidn\'tcareforthem；perhapsIwaswronginthinkingitwastrue，fromthewayyoumetJimmyjustnow。ButI\'vespokenmymindandyouknowwhy。"

Sheceasedandwalkedtothewindow。

Fallonerrose。Thestormthathadsweptthroughhimwasover。

Thequickdetermination，resolutepurpose，andinfinitepatiencewhichhadmadehimwhathewaswereallthere，andwithitaconscientiousnesswhichhisselfishindependencehadhithertokeptdormant。Heacceptedthesituation，notpassively——itwasnotinhisnature——butthrewhimselfintoitwithallhisenergy。

"Youwerequiteright，"hesaid，haltingamomentbesideher；"I

don\'tblameyou，andletmehopethatlateryoumaythinkmelesstoblamethanyoudonow。Now，what\'stobedone？Clearly，I\'vefirsttomakeitrightwithTommy——ImeanJimmy——andthenwemustmakeastraightdashovertothegirl！Whoop！"Beforeshecouldunderstandfromhisfacethestrangechangeinhisvoice，hehaddashedoutoftheroom。Inamomenthereappearedwiththeboystrugglinginhisarms。"Thinkofthelittlescampnotknowinghisownbrother！"helaughed，givingtheboyareallyaffectionate，ifslightlyexaggeratedhug，andexpectingmetoopenmyarmstothefirstlittleboywhojumpsintothem！I\'veagreatmindnottogivehimthepresentIfetchedallthewayfromCalifornia。Waitamoment。"Hedashedintothebedroom，openedhisvalise——whereheprovidentiallyrememberedhehadkept，withaminer\'ssuperstition，thefirstlittlenuggetofgoldhehadeverfound——seizedthetinybitofquartzofgold，anddashedoutagaintodisplayitbeforeJimmy\'seagereyes。

Iftheheartiness，sympathy，andcharmingkindnessoftheman\'swholemannerandfaceconvinced，evenwhileitslightlystartled，theyounggirl，itwasstillmoreeffectivewiththeboy。Childrenarequicktodetectthefalseringofaffectedemotion，andBob\'swassogenuine——whateveritscause——thatitmighthaveeasilypassedforafraternalexpressionwithhardercritics。Thechildtrustfullynestledagainsthimandwouldhavegraspedthegold，buttheyoungmanwhiskeditintohispocket。"Notuntilwe\'veshownittoourlittlesister——wherewe\'regoingnow！I\'mofftoorderasleigh。"Hedashedoutagaintotheofficeasifhefoundsomereliefinaction，or，asitseemedtoMissBoutelle，toavoidembarrassingconversation。Whenhecamebackagainhewascarryinganimmensebearskinfromhisluggage。Hecastacriticallookatthegirl\'sunseasonableattire。

"IshallwrapyouandJimmyinthis——youknowit\'ssnowingfrightfully。"

MissBoutelleflushedalittle。"I\'mwarmenoughwhenwalking，"

shesaidcoldly。BobglancedathersmartlittleFrenchshoes，andthoughtotherwise。Hesaidnothing，buthastilybundledhistwoguestsdownstairsandintothestreet。Thewhirlwinddanceofthesnowmadethesleighanindistinctbulkintheglitteringdarkness，andastheyounggirlforaninstantstooddazedlystill，Bobincontinentlyliftedherfromherfeet，depositedherinthevehicle，droppedJimmyinherlap，andwrappedthembothtightlyinthebearskin。Herweight，whichwasscarcelymorethanachild\'s，struckhiminthatmomentasbeingtantalizinglyincongruoustothematronlyseverityofhermanneranditsstrangeeffectuponhim。

Hethenjumpedinhimself，takingthedirectionfromhiscompanion，anddroveoffthroughthestorm。

Thewindanddarknesswerenotfavorabletoconversation，andonlyoncedidhebreakthesilence。"Isthereanyonewhowouldbelikelytoremember——me——wherewearegoing？"heasked，inalullofthestorm。

MissBoutelleuncoveredenoughofherfacetoglanceathimcuriously。"Hardly！YouknowthechildrencameherefromtheNo\'thafteryourmother\'sdeath，whileyouwereinCalifornia。"

"Ofcourse，"returnedBobhurriedly；"Iwasonlythinking——youknowthatsomeofmyoldfriendsmighthavecalled，"andthencollapsedintosilence。

Afterapauseavoicecameicily，althoughunderthefurs："Perhapsyou\'dpreferthatyourarrivalbekeptsecretfromthepublic？ButtheyseemtohavealreadyrecognizedyouatthehotelfromyourinquiryaboutRicketts，andthephotographJimmyhadalreadyshownthemtwoweeksago。"Bobrememberedtheclerk\'sfamiliarmannerandtheomissiontoaskhimtoregister。"Butitneedgonofurther，ifyoulike，"sheadded，withaslightreturnofherpreviousscorn。

"I\'venoreasonforkeepingitsecret，"saidBobstoutly。

Nootherwordswereexchangeduntilthesleighdrewupbeforeaplainwoodenhouseinthesuburbsofthetown。Bobcouldseeataglancethatitrepresentedtheincomeofsomecarefulartisanorsmallshopkeeper，andthatitpromisedlittleforaninvalid\'sluxuriouscomfort。Theywereusheredintoachillysitting-roomandMissBoutelleranupstairswithJimmytopreparetheinvalidforBob\'sappearance。Henoticedthataworddroppedbythewomanwhoopenedthedoormadetheyounggirl\'sfacegraveagain，andpaledthecolorthatthestormhadbuffetedtohercheek。Henoticedalsothattheseplainsurroundingsseemedonlytoenhanceherownsuperiority，andthatthewomantreatedherwithadeferenceinoddcontrasttotheill-concealeddisfavorwithwhichsheregardedhim。Strangelyenough，thislatterfactwasarelieftohisconscience。Itwouldhavebeenterribletohavereceivedtheirkindnessunderfalsepretenses；totaketheirjustblameofthemanhepersonatedseemedtomitigatethedeceit。

Theyounggirlrejoinedhimpresentlywithtroubledeyes。Cissywasworse，andonlyintermittentlyconscious，buthadaskedtoseehim。Itwasashortflightofstairstothebedroom，butbeforehereacheditBob\'sheartbeatfasterthanithadinanymountainclimb。Inonecorneroftheplainlyfurnishedroomstoodasmalltrucklebed，andinitlaytheinvalid。ItneededbutasingleglanceatherflushedfaceinitsaureoleofyellowhairtorecognizethelikenesstoJimmy，although，addedtothatstrangerefinementproducedbysuffering，therewasaspiritualexaltationinthechild\'slook——possiblyfromdelirium——thatawedandfrightenedhim；anawfulfeelingthathecouldnotlietothishopelesscreaturetookpossessionofhim，andhisstepfaltered。

Butsheliftedhersmallarmspatheticallytowardshimasifshedivinedhistrouble，andhesankonhiskneesbesideher。Withatinyfingercurledaroundhislongmustache，shelaytheresilent。

Herfacewasfulloftrustfulness，happiness，andconsciousness——

butshespokenoword。

Therewasapause，andFalloner，slightlyliftinghisheadwithoutdisturbingthatfaintlyclaspingfinger，beckonedMissBoutelletohisside。"Canyoudrive？"hesaid，inalowvoice。

"Yes。"

"Takemysleighandgetthebestdoctorintowntocomehereatonce。Bringhimwithyouifyoucan；ifhecan\'tcomeatonce，drivehomeyourself。Iwillstayhere。"

"But"——hesitatedMissBoutelle。

"Iwillstayhere，"herepeated。

Thedoorclosedontheyounggirl，andFalloner，stillbendingoverthechild，presentlyheardthesleigh-bellspassawayinthestorm。

Hestillsatwithhisbenthead，heldbythetinyclaspofthosethinfingers。Butthechild\'seyeswerefixedsointentlyuponhimthatMrs。Rickettsleanedoverthestrangely-assortedpairandsaid——

"It\'syourbrotherDick，dearie。Don\'tyouknowhim？"

Thechild\'slipsmovedfaintly。"Dick\'sdead，"shewhispered。

"She\'swandering，"saidMrs。Ricketts。"Speaktoher。"ButBob，withhiseyesonthechild\'s，liftedaprotestinghand。Thelittlesufferer\'slipsmovedagain。"Itisn\'tDick——it\'stheangelGodsenttotellme。"

Shespokenomore。AndwhenMissBoutellereturnedwiththedoctorshewasbeyondthereachoffinitevoices。Fallonerwouldhaveremainedallnightwiththem，buthecouldseethathispresenceinthecontractedhouseholdwasnotdesired。EvenhisoffertotakeJimmywithhimtothehotelwasdeclined，andatmidnighthereturnedalone。

Whathisthoughtswerethatnightmaybeeasilyimagined。Cissy\'sdeathhadremovedtheonlycausehehadforconcealinghisrealidentity。TherewasnothingmoretopreventhisrevealingalltoMissBoutelleandtooffertoadopttheboy。Buthereflectedthiscouldnotbedoneuntilafterthefuneral，foritwasonlyduetoCissy\'smemorythatheshouldstillkeepuptheroleofDickLashamaschiefmourner。IfitseemsstrangethatBobdidnotatthiscrucialmomenttakeMissBoutelleintohisconfidence，Ifearitwasbecausehedreadedthepersonaleffectofthedeceithehadpracticeduponhermorethananyethicalconsideration；shehadsoftenedconsiderablyinherattitudetowardshimthatnight；hewashuman，afterall，andwhilehefelthisconducthadbeenunselfishinthemain，hedarednotconfesstohimselfhowmuchheropinionhadinfluencedhim。Heresolvedthatafterthefuneralhewouldcontinuehisjourney，andwritetoher，enroute，afullexplanationofhisconduct，inclosingDaddy\'sletterascorroborativeevidence。Butonsearchinghisletter-casehefoundthathehadlosteventhatevidence，andhemusttrustsolelyatpresenttoherfaithinhisimprobablestory。

Itseemedasifhisgreatestsacrificewasdemandedatthefuneral！

Foritcouldnotbedisguisedthattheneighborswerestronglyprejudicedagainsthim。Eventhepreacherimprovedtheoccasiontowarnthecongregationagainstthedangersofputtingoffdutyuntiltoolate。AndwhenRobertFalloner，pale，butself-restrained，leftthechurchwithMissBoutelle，equallypaleandreserved，onhisarm，hecouldwithdifficultyrestrainhisfuryatthepassingofasignificantsmileacrossthefacesofafewcuriousbystanders。

"ItwasAmyBoutelle，thatwasthe\'penitence\'thatfetchedhim，youbet！"heoverheard，abarelyconcealedwhisper；andthereply，"Andit\'sagoodthingshe\'smadeoutofittoo，forhe\'smightyrich！"

Atthechurchdoorhetookhercoldhandintohis。"Iamleavingto-morrowmorningwithJimmy，"hesaid，withawhiteface。"Good-

by。"

"Youarequiteright；good-by，"sherepliedasbriefly，butwiththefaintestcolor。Hewonderedifshehadheardittoo。

Whethershehadhearditornot，shewenthomewithMrs。Rickettsinsomerighteousindignation，whichfound——aftertheyounglady\'shabit——freeexpression。WhateverwereMr。Lasham\'sfaultsofomissionitwasmostun-Christiantoalludetothemthere，andaninsulttothepoorlittledear\'smemorywhohadforgiventhem。

Weresheinhisshoesshewouldshakethedustofthetownoffherfeet；andshehopedhewould。ShewasalittlesoftenedonarrivingtofindJimmyintears。HehadlostDick\'sphotograph——orDickhadforgottentogiveitbackatthehotel，forthiswasallhehadinhispocket。Andheproducedaletter——themissingletterofDaddy，whichbymistakeFallonerhadhandedbackinsteadofthephotograph。MissBoutellesawthesuperscriptionandCalifornianpostmarkwithavaguecuriosity。

"Didyoulookinside，dear？Perhapsitslippedin。"

Jimmyhadnot。MissBoutelledid——andIgrievetosay，endedbyreadingthewholeletter。

BobFallonerhadfinishedpackinghisthingsthenextmorning，andwaswaitingforMr。RickettsandJimmy。Butwhenatapcameatthedoor，heopenedittofindMissBoutellestandingthere。"IhavesentJimmyintothebedroom，"shesaidwithafaintsmile，"tolookforthephotographwhichyougavehiminmistakeforthis。Ithinkforthepresentheprefershisbrother\'spicturetothisletter，whichIhavenotexplainedtohimoranyone。"Shestopped，andraisinghereyestohis，saidgently："Ithinkitwouldhaveonlybeenapartofyourgoodnesstohavetrustedme，Mr。Falloner。"

"Thenyouwillforgiveme？"hesaideagerly。

Shelookedathimfrankly，yetwithafainttraceofcoquetrythattheangelsmighthavepardoned。"DoyouwantmetosaytoyouwhatMrs。RickettssayswerethelastwordsofpoorCissy？"

Ayearlater，whenthedarknessandrainwerecreepingupSawyer\'sLedge，andHoustonandDaddyFolsomweresittingbeforetheirbrushwoodfireintheoldLashamcabin，thelatterdeliveredhimselforacularly。

"It\'samightyqueerthing，thatnewsaboutBob！It\'snotthathe\'smarried，forthatmighthappentoanyone；butthisyeraccountinthepaperofhisweddingbeingattendedbyhis\'littlebrother。\'Thatgetsme！Tothinkallthewhilehewasherehewaslettin\'ontousthathehadn\'tkithorkin！Well，sir，thataccountstomeforonething，——thesing\'lerwayhetumbledtothatletterofpoorDickLasham\'slittlebrotherandsenthimthatdraft！Don\'tyesee？Itwasafellerfeelin\'！Knewhowitwashimself！IreckonyeallthoughtIwaskindersoftreadingthatlettero\'DickLasham\'slittlebrothertohim，butyeseewhatitdid。"

THEYOUNGESTMISSPIPER

IdonotthinkthatanyofuswhoenjoyedtheacquaintanceofthePipergirlsorthehospitalityofJudgePiper，theirfather，evercaredfortheyoungestsister。Notonaccountofherextremeyouth，fortheeldestMissPiperconfessedtotwenty-six——andtheyouthoftheyoungestsisterwasestablishedsolely，Ithink，byonebigbraiddownherback。Neitherwasitbecauseshewastheplainest，forthebeautyofthePipergirlswasarecognizedgeneraldistinction，andtheyoungestMissPiperwasnotentirelydevoidofthefamilycharms。Norwasitfromanylackofintelligence，norfromanydefectivesocialquality；forherprecocitywasastounding，andhergood-humoredfranknessalarming。