第3章

"YOU，"saidBrookspromptly。"You\'reallstandinghere，croakinglikecrows，thisfinemorning。IpassedYOURfarm，Johnson，notanhourago；thewheatjustclimbingoutoftheblackadobemudasthickasrowsofpinsonpaper——whathaveYOUtogrumbleat？IsawYOURstock，Briggs，overonTwo-MileBottom，waddlingalong，fatastheadobetheywerestickingin，theircoatsshininglikefreshpaint——what\'sthematterwithYOU？And，"turningtotheproprietor，"there\'sYOURshed，Saunders，overonthecreek，justburstingwithlastyear\'sgrainthatyouknowhasgoneuptwohundredpercent。sinceyouboughtitatabargain——whatareYOU

growlingat？It\'senoughtoprovokeafireorafaminetohearyougroaning——andtakecareitdon\'t，someday，asalessontoyou。"

Allthiswassoperfectlytrueoftheprosperousburghersthattheycouldnotforamomentreply。ButBriggshadrecoursetowhathebelievedtobearetaliatorytaunt。

"Iheardyou\'vebeenaskin\'WidowWadetocometoyourdance，"hesaid，withawinkattheothers。"Ofcourseshesaid\'Yes。\'"

"Ofcourseshedid，"returnedBrookscoolly。"I\'vejustgothernote。"

"What？"ejaculatedthethreementogether。"Mrs。Wadecomin\'？"

"Certainly！Whyshouldn\'tshe？AnditwoulddoYOUgoodtocometoo，andshakethelimpdampnessouto\'you，"returnedBrooks，ashequietlyremountedhishorseandcanteredaway。

"DarnedefIdon\'tthinkhe\'sgothiseyeonthewidder，"saidJohnsonfaintly。

"Orthequartersection，"addedBriggsgloomily。

Forallthat，theeventfuleveningcame，withmanylightsinthestaring，undrapedwindowsofthehotel，coldlybrightbuntingonthestilldampwallsofthelongdining-room，andagentledownpourfromthehiddenskiesabove。AclosecarryallwasespeciallyselectedtobringMrs。Wadeandherhousekeeper。Thewidowarrived，lookingalittleslimmerthanusualinhercloselybuttonedblackdress，whitecollarandcuffs，veryglisteningineyeandinhair，——whoseglossyblackringletswereperhapsmoreelaboratelyarrangedthanwashercustom，——andwithafaintcomingandgoingofcolor，dueperhapstoheragitationatthistentativereenteringintoworldlylife，whichwasneverthelessquitevirginalineffect。Avaguesolemnitypervadedtheintroductoryproceedings，andasingularwantofsociabilitywasvisibleinthe"sociable"

partoftheentertainment。Peopletalkedinwhispersorwiththatgraveprecisionwhichindicatesgoodmannersinruralcommunities；

conversedpainfullywithotherpeoplewhomtheydidnotwanttotalktoratherthanappeartobealone，orrushedaimlesslytogetherlikewaterdrops，andthenfloatedinbroken，adherentmassesoverthefloor。Thewidowbecameahelpless，religiouscentreofdeaconsandSunday-schoolteachers，whichBrooks，untiring，yetfruitless，inhisattempttoproducegayety，triedinvaintobreak。Tothisgloomtheuntrieddangersoftheimpendingdance，dulyprefiguredbyalonelycottagepianoandtwoviolinsinadesertofexpanse，addedanervouschill。Whenatlastthemusicstruckup——somewhathesitatinglyandprotestingly，fromthecircumstancethattheplayerwasthechurchorganist，andfumbledmechanicallyforhisstops，theattempttomakeupacotillonsetwaslefttotheheroicBrooks。

Yethebarelyescapeddisasterwhen，inposingthecouples，heincautiouslybeggedthemtolookalittlelessasiftheywerewaitingforthecoffintobebornedowntheaislebetweenthem，andwasrewardedbyaburstoftearsfromMrs。Johnson，whohadlostachildtwoyearsbefore，andwhohadtobeledaway，whileherplaceinthesetwastakenbyanother。Yetthecotillonpassedoff；aSpanishdancesucceeded；"Moneymusk，"withtheVirginiaReel，putaslightintoxicatingvibrationintotheair，andhealthyyouthatlastasserteditselfinascoreoffreckledbutbuxomgirlsinwhitemuslin，withrompingfiguresandlaughter，atthelowerendoftheroom。Stillarigiddecorumreignedamongtheelderdancers，andthefigureswerecalledoutingraveformality，asif，toBrooks\'sfancy，theywerehymnsgivenfromthepulpit，untilatthecloseoftheset，inhalf-real，half-mockdespair，heturneddesperatelytoMrs。Wade，hispartner：——

"Doyouwaltz？"

Mrs。Wadehesitated。SheHAD，beforemarriage，andwasagoodwaltzer。"Ido，"shesaidtimidly，"butdoyouthinkthey"——

Butbeforethepoorwidowcouldformulateherfearsastothereceptionof"rounddances，"Brookshaddartedtothepiano，andthenextmomentsheheardwitha"fearfuljoy"theopeningbarsofawaltz。ItwasanoldJulienwaltz，freshstillinthefifties，daring，provocativetofoot，swampingtointellect，arrestingtojudgment，irresistible，supreme！BeforeMrs。Wadecouldprotest，Brooks\'sarmhadgatheredupherslimfigure，andwithonequickbackwardsweepandswirltheywereoff！Thefloorwasclearedfortheminasuddenbewildermentofalarm——asuspenseofburningcuriosity。Thewidow\'slittlefeettrippedquickly，herlongblackskirtswungout；assheturnedthecornertherewasnotonlyasuddenrevelationofherprettyankles，but，whatwasmorestartling，adazzlingflashoffrilledandlacedpetticoat，whichatonceconvincedeverywomanintheroomthattheacthadbeenpremeditatedfordays！Yeteventhatcriticismwaspresentlyforgotteninthepervadingintoxicationofthemusicandthemovement。Theyoungerpeoplefellintoitwithwildrompings，whirlings，andclaspingofhandsandwaists。Andstrangerthanall，acorybanticenthusiasmseizedupontheemotionallyreligious，andthosepriestsandpriestessesofCybelewhowerefamousfortheirfrenzyandpassionincamp-meetingdevotionsseemedtofindanequalexpressionthatnightinthewaltz。Andwhen，flushedandpanting，Mrs。Wadeatlasthaltedonthearmofherpartner，theywerenearlyknockedoverbytherevolvingJohnsonandMrs。Stubbsinawhirlofgloomyexultation！DeaconsandSunday-schoolteacherswaltzedtogetheruntilthelongroomshook，andtheverybuntingonthewallswavedandflutteredwiththegyrationsofthosereligiousdervishes。Nobodyknew——nobodycaredhowlongthisfrenzylasted——itceasedonlywiththecollapseofthemusicians。

Then，withmuchvaguebewilderment，inwardtrepidation，awkwardandincoherentpartings，everybodywentdazedlyhome；therewasnootherdancingafterthat——thewaltzwastheoneeventofthefestivalandofthehistoryofSantaAna。Andlaterthatnight，whenthetimidMrs。Wade，intheseclusionofherownroomandthedisrobingofherslimfigure，glancedatherspotlessfrilledandlacedpetticoatlyingonachair，afaintsmile——thefirstofherwidowhood——curvedthecornersofherprettymouth。

AweekofominoussilenceregardingthefestivalsucceededinSantaAna。Thelocalpapergavethefullestparticularsoftheopeningofthehotel，butcontenteditselfwithsaying："Theentertainmentconcludedwithadance。"Mr。Brooks，whofelthimselfcompelledtocalluponhislatecharmingpartnertwiceduringtheweek，characteristicallysoothedheranxietiesastotheresult。"Thefactofitis，Mrs。Wade，there\'sreallynobodyinparticulartoblame——andthat\'swhatgetsthem。They\'reallmixedupinit，deaconsandSunday-schoolteachers；andwhenoldJohnsontriedtobenastytheothereveningandhopedyouhadn\'tsufferedfromyourexertionsthatnight，Itoldhimyouhadn\'tquiterecoveredyetfromthephysicalshockofhavingbeenrunintobyhimandMrs。

Stubbs，butthat，youbeingalady，youdidn\'ttelljusthowyoufeltattheexhibitionheandshemadeofthemselves。Thatshuthimup。"

"Butyoushouldn\'thavesaidthat，"saidMrs。Wadewithafrightenedlittlesmile。

"Nomatter，"returnedBrookscheerfully。"I\'lltaketheblameofitwiththeothers。Youseethey\'llhavetohaveascapegoat——andI\'mjusttheman，forIgotupthedance！AndasI\'mgoingaway，I

supposeIshallbearoffthesinwithmeintothewilderness。"

"You\'regoingaway？"repeatedMrs。Wadeinmoregenuineconcern。

"Notforlong，"returnedBrookslaughingly。"Icameheretolookupamillsite，andI\'vefoundit。MeantimeIthinkI\'veopenedtheireyes。"

"Youhaveopenedmine，"saidthewidowwithtimidfrankness。

Theyweresoftprettyeyeswhenopened，inspiteoftheirheavyredlids，andMr。BrooksthoughtthatSantaAnawouldbenoworseiftheyremainedopen。Possiblyhelookedit，forMrs。Wadesaidhurriedly，"Imean——thatis——I\'vebeenthinkingthatlifeneedn\'tALWAYSbeasgloomyaswemakeithere。AndevenHERE，youknow，Mr。Brooks，wehavesixmonths\'sunshine——thoughwealwaysforgetitintherainyseason。"

"That\'sso，"saidBrookscheerfully。"Ioncelostaheapofmoneythroughmyownfoolishness，andI\'vemanagedtoforgetit，andI

evenreckontogetitbackagainoutofSantaAnaifmymillspeculationholdsgood。Sogood-by，Mrs。Wade——butnotforlong。"

Heshookherhandfranklyanddeparted，leavingthewidowconsciousofacertainsympatheticconfidenceandalittlegratefulfor——sheknewnotwhat。

Thisfeelingremainedwithhermostoftheafternoon，andevenimpartedacertaingayetytoherspirits，totheextentofcausinghertohumsoftlytoherself；theairbeingoddlyenoughtheJulienWaltz。Andwhen，laterintheday，theshadowswereclosinginwiththerain，wordwasbroughttoherthatastrangerwishedtoseeherinthesitting-room，shecarriedalessmournfulmindtothisfunctionofherexistence。ForMrs。Wadewasaccustomedtogiveaudiencetotravelingagents，tradesmen，working-handsandservants，aschatelaineofherranch，andtheoccasionwasnotnovel。Yetonenteringtheroom，whichsheusedpartlyasanoffice，shefoundsomedifficultyinclassifyingthestranger，whoatfirstglanceremindedherofthetrampingminershehadseenthatnightfromherwindow。Hewasratherincongruouslydressed，somearticlesofhisapparelbeingfinerthanothers；heworeadiamondpininascarffoldedoverarough"hickory"shirt；hislighttrousersweretuckedincommonminingbootsthatborestainsoftravelandasuggestionthathehadsleptinhisclothes。Whatshecouldseeofhisunshavenfaceinthatuncertainlightexpressedakindofdoggedconcentration，overlaidbyanassumptionofease。Hegotupasshecamein，andwithaslight"Howdo，ma\'am，"shutthedoorbehindherandglancedfurtivelyaroundtheroom。

"WhatI\'vegottosaytoye，Mrs。Wade，——asIreckonyoube，——isstrictlyprivateandconfidential！Why，ye\'llseeaforeIgetthrough。ButIthoughtImightjustaswellcautionyeaginourbeingdisturbed。"

Overcomingaslightinstinctofrepulsion，Mrs。Wadereturned，"Youcanspeaktomehere；noonewillinterruptyou——unlessIcallthem，"sheaddedwithalittlefemininecaution。

"AndIreckonyewon\'tdothat，"hesaidwithagrimsmile。"Youarethewidowo\'PulaskiWade，lateo\'HeavyTreeHill，Ireckon？"

"Iam，"saidMrs。Wade。

"Andyourhusband\'sburieduptharinthegraveyard，withamonumentoverhimsettingforthhisvirtuesezaChristianandasquaremanandahigh-mindedcitizen？Andthathewasfoullymurderedbyhighwaymen？"

"Yes，"saidMrs。Wade，"thatistheinscription。"

"Well，ma\'am，abiggerpacko\'liesneverwascutonstone！"

Mrs。Waderose，halfinindignation，halfinterror。

"Keepyoursittin\'，"saidthestranger，withawarningwaveofhishand。"WaittillI\'mthrough，andthenyoucallinthehullStateo\'Californy，efyewant。"

Thestranger\'smannerwassodoggedlyconfidentthatMrs。Wadesankbacktremblinglyinherchair。Themanputhisslouchhatonhisknee，twirleditroundonceortwice，andthensaidwiththesamestubborndeliberation：——

"Thehighwaymaninthatbusinesswasyourhusband——PulaskiWade——

andhisgang，andhewaskilledbyoneo\'themenhewasrobbin\'。

Yesee，ma\'am，itusedtobeyourhusband\'slittlegametoropeinthreeorfourstrangersinapokerdealatSpanishJim\'ssaloon——I

seeyou\'veheardo\'theplace，"heinterpolatedasMrs。Wadedrewbacksuddenly——"andwhenhecouldn\'tclean\'emoutinthatway，ortheyshowedalittlemoremoneythantheyplayed，he\'dlayfor\'emwithhisganginalonepartofthetrail，andgothroughthemlikeanyroadagent。That\'swhathedidthatnight——andthat\'showhegotkilled。"

"Howdoyouknowthis？"saidMrs。Wade，withquiveringlips。

"Iwasoneo\'themenhewentthroughbeforehewaskilled。AndI\'dhevgotmymoneyback，buttheresto\'thegangcameup，andI

gotawayjestintimetosavemylifeandnothin\'else。Yemightremembertharwasonemangotawayandgiv\'thealarm，buthewasgoin\'ontotheStatesbytheoverlandcoachthatnightandcouldn\'tstaytobeawitness。Iwasthatman。Ihadpaidmypassagethrough，andIcouldn\'tloseTHATtoowithmyothermoney，soIwent。"

Mrs。Wadesatstunned。Sherememberedthemissingwitness，andhowshehadlongedtoseethemanwhowaslastwithherhusband；sherememberedSpanishJim\'ssaloon——hiswell-knownhaunt；hisfrequentandunaccountableabsences，thesuddeninfluxofmoneywhichhealwayssaidhehadwonatcards；thediamondringhehadgivenherastheresultof"abet；"theforgottenrecurrenceofotherrobberiesbyasecretmaskedgang；ahundredotherthingsthathadworriedher，instinctively，vaguely。Sheknewnow，too，themeaningoftheunrestthathaddrivenherfromHeavyTreeHill——thestrangeunformulatedfearsthathadhauntedherevenhere。Yetwithallthisshefelt，too，herpresentweakness——knewthatthismanhadtakenheratadisadvantage，thatsheoughttoindignantlyassertherself，denyeverything，demandproof，andbrandhimaslanderer！

"Howdid——you——knowitwasmyhusband？"shestammered。

"Hismaskfelloffinthefight；youknowanothermaskwasfound——

itwasHIS。IsawhimasplainlyasIseehimthere！"hepointedtoadaguerreotypeofherhusbandwhichstooduponherdesk。

Mrs。Wadecouldonlystarevacantly，hopelessly。Afterapausethemancontinuedinalessaggressivemannerandmoreconfidentialtone，which，however，onlyincreasedherterror。"Iain\'tsayin\'

thatYOUknowedanythingaboutthis，ma\'am，andwhateverotherfolksmightsaywhenTHEYknowofit，I\'llallerssaythatyoudidn\'t。"

"What，then，didyoucomeherefor？"saidthewidowdesperately。

"WhatdoIcomeherefor？"repeatedthemangrimly，lookingaroundtheroom；"whatdidIcometothisyercomfortablehome——thisyerbigranchandtoarichwomanlikeyourselffor？Well，Mrs。Wade，Icometogetthesixhundreddollarsyourhusbandrobbedmeof，that\'sall！Iain\'taskin\'more！Iain\'taskin\'interest！I

ain\'taskin\'compensationforhavin\'torunformylife——and，"

againlookinggrimlyroundthewalls，"Iain\'taskin\'morethanyouwillgive——orismyrights。"

"Butthishouseneverwashis；itwasmyfather\'s，"gaspedMrs。

Wade；"youhavenoright"——

"Mebbe\'yes\'andmebbe\'no，\'Mrs。Wade，"interruptedtheman，withawaveofhishat；"buthowaboutthemtwocheckstobearerfortwohundreddollarseachfoundamongyourhusband\'seffects，andcollectedbyyourlawyerforyou——MYCHECKS，Mrs。Wade？"

Awaveofdreadfulrecollectionoverwhelmedher。Sherememberedthechecksfounduponherhusband\'sbody，knownonlytoherandherlawyer，believedtobegamblinggains，andcollectedatonceunderhislegaladvice。Yetshemadeonemoredesperateeffortinspiteoftheinstinctthattoldherhewasspeakingthetruth。

"Butyoushallhavetoproveit——beforewitnesses。"

"DoyouWANTmetoproveitbeforewitnesses？"saidtheman，comingnearerher。"Doyouwanttotakemywordandkeepitbetweenourselves，ordoyouwanttocallinyoursuperintendentandhismen，andallSantyAny，tohearmeproveyourhusbandwasahighwayman，thief，andmurderer？DoyouwanttoknockoverthatmonumentonHeavyTreeHill，andupsetyourstandinghereamongthedeaconsandelders？Doyouwanttodoallthisandbeforced，evenbyyourneighbors，topaymeintheend，asyouwill？Efyoudo，callinyourwitnessesnowandlet\'shaveitover。MebbeitwouldlookbetterefIgotthemoneyoutofYOURFRIENDSthanye——

awoman！P\'rapsyou\'reright！"

Hemadeasteptowardsthedoor，butshestoppedhim。

"No！no！wait！It\'salargesum——Ihaven\'titwithme，"shestammered，thoroughlybeaten。

"Yekingetit。"

"Givemetime！"sheimplored。"Look！I\'llgiveyouahundreddownnow，——allIhavehere，——therestanothertime！"Shenervouslyopenedadrawerofherdeskandtakingoutabuckskinbagofgoldthrustitinhishand。"There！goawaynow！"Sheliftedherthinhandsdespairinglytoherhead。"Go！do！"

Themanseemedstruckbyhermanner。"Idon\'twanttobehardonawoman，"hesaidslowly。"I\'llgonowandcomebackagainatnineto-night。Youcangitthemoney，orwhat\'sasgood，achecktobearer，bythen。Andefye\'lltakemyadvice，youwon\'tasknoadvicefromothers，efyouwanttokeepyoursecret。Justnowit\'ssafewithme；I\'masquareman，efIseemtobeahardone。"Hemadeagestureasiftotakeherhand，butasshedrewshrinkinglyaway，hechangedittoanawkwardbow，andthenextmomentwasgone。

Shestartedtoherfeet，buttheunwontedstrainuponhernervesandfrailbodyhadbeengreaterthansheknew。Shemadeastepforward，felttheroomwhirlroundherandthenseemtocollapsebeneathherfeet，and，clutchingatherchair，sankbackintoit，fainting。

Howlongshelaytheresheneverknew。Shewasatlastconsciousofsomeonebendingoverher，andavoice——thevoiceofMr。Brooks——

inherear，saying，"Ibegyourpardon；youseemill。ShallI

callsomeone？"

"No！"shegasped，quicklyrecoveringherselfwithaneffort，andstaringroundher。"Whereis——whendidyoucomein？"

"Onlythismoment。Iwasleavingtonight，soonerthanIexpected，andthoughtI\'dsaygood-by。Theytoldmethatyouhadbeenengagedwithastranger，buthehadjustgone。Ibegyourpardon——

Iseeyouareill。Iwon\'tdetainyouanylonger。"

"No！no！don\'tgo！Iambetter——better，"shesaidfeverishly。Assheglancedathisstrongandsympatheticfaceawildideaseizedher。Hewasastrangerhere，analientothesepeople，likeherself。Theadvicethatshedarenotseekfromothers，fromherhalf-estrangedreligiousfriends，fromevenhersuperintendentandhiswife，daresheaskfromhim？Perhapshesawthisfrighteneddoubt，thisimploringappeal，inhereyes，forhesaidgently，"IsitanythingIcandoforyou？"

"Yes，"shesaid，withthesuddendesperationofweakness；"Iwantyoutokeepasecret。"

"Yours？——yes！"hesaidpromptly。

WhereatpoorMrs。Wadeinstantlyburstintotears。Then，amidsthersobs，shetoldhimofthestranger\'svisit，ofhisterribleaccusations，ofhisdemands，hisexpectedreturn，andherownutterhelplessness。Toherterror，asshewentonshesawasingularchangeinhiskindface；hewasfollowingherwithhard，eagerintensity。Shehadhalfhoped，eventhroughherfatefulinstincts，thathemighthavelaughed，manlike，atherfears，orpooh-poohedthewholething。Buthedidnot。"Yousayhepositivelyrecognizedyourhusband？"herepeatedquickly。

"Yes，yes！"sobbedthewidow，"andknewthatdaguerreotype！"shepointedtothedesk。

Brooksturnedquicklyinthatdirection。Luckilyhisbackwastowardsher，andshecouldnotseehisface，andthequick，startledlookthatcameintohiseyes。Butwhentheyagainmethers，itwasgone，andeventheireagerintensityhadchangedtoagentlecommiseration。"Youhaveonlyhiswordforit，Mrs。Wade，"

hesaidgently，"andintellingyoursecrettoanother，youhaveshorntherascalofhalfhispoweroveryou。Andheknewit。Now，dismissthematterfromyourmindandleaveitalltome。Iwillbehereafewminutesbeforenine——ANDALONEINTHISROOM。Letyourvisitorbeshowninhere，anddon\'tletusbedisturbed。

Don\'tbealarmed，"headdedwithafainttwinkleinhiseye，"therewillbenofussandnoexposure！"

ItlackedafewminutesofninewhenMr。Brookswasusheredintothesitting-room。Assoonashewasalonehequietlyexaminedthedoorandthewindows，andhavingsatisfiedhimself，tookhisseatinachaircasuallyplacedbehindthedoor。Presentlyheheardthesoundofvoicesandaheavyfootstepinthepassage。Helightlyfelthiswaistcoatpocket——itcontainedaprettylittleweaponofpowerandprecision，withabarrelscarcelytwoincheslong。

Thedooropened，andthepersonoutsideenteredtheroom。InaninstantBrookshadshutthedoorandlockeditbehindhim。Themanturnedfiercely，butwasfacedbyBrooksquietly，withonefingercalmlyhookedinhiswaistcoatpocket。Themanslightlyrecoiledfromhim——notasmuchfromfearasfromsomevaguestupefaction。

"What\'sthatfor？What\'syourlittlegame？"hesaidhalfcontemptuously。

"Nogameatall，"returnedBrookscoolly。"Youcameheretosellasecret。Idon\'tproposetohaveitgivenawayfirsttoanylistener。"

"YOUdon\'t——whoareYOU？"

"That\'saqueerquestiontoaskofthemanyouaretryingtopersonate——butIdon\'twonder！You\'redoingitd————dbadly。"

"Personate——YOU？"saidthestranger，withstaringeyes。

"Yes，ME，"saidBrooksquietly。"IamtheonlymanwhoescapedfromtherobberythatnightatHeavyTreeHillandwhowenthomebytheOverlandCoach。"

Thestrangerstared，butrecoveredhimselfwithacoarselaugh。

"Oh，well！we\'reonthesamelay，itappears！Bothafterthewidow——aforeweshowupherhusband。"

"Notexactly，"saidBrooks，withhiseyesfixedintentlyonthestranger。"YouareheretodenounceahighwaymanwhoisDEADandescapedjustice。IamheretodenounceonewhoisLIVING！——Stop！

dropyourhand；it\'snouse。Youthoughtyouhadtodealonlywithawomanto-night，andyourrevolverisn\'tquitehandyenough。

There！down！——down！So！That\'lldo。"

"Youcan\'tproveit，"saidthemanhoarsely。

"Fool！Inyourstorytothatwomanyouhavegivenyourselfaway。

Therewerebuttwotravelersattackedbythehighwaymen。Onewaskilled——Iamtheother。WheredoYOUcomein？Whatwitnesscanyoube——exceptasthehighwaymanthatyouare？WhoislefttoidentifyWadebut——hisaccomplice！"

Theman\'ssuddenlywhitenedfacemadehisunshavenbeardseemtobristleoverhisfacelikesomewildanimal\'s。"Well，efyoukalkilatetoblowme，you\'vegottoblowWadeandhiswiddertoo。

Jestyourememberthat，"hesaidwhiningly。

"I\'vethoughtofthat，"saidBrookscoolly，"andIcalculatethattopreventitisworthaboutthathundreddollarsyougotfromthatpoorwoman——andnomore！Now，sitdownatthattable，andwriteasIdictate。"

Themanlookedathiminwonder，butobeyed。

"Write，"saidBrooks，"\'IherebycertifythatmyaccusationsagainstthelatePulaskiWadeofHeavyTreeHillareerroneousandgroundless，andtheresultofmistakenidentity，especiallyinregardtoanycomplicityofhisintherobberyofJohnStubbs，deceased，andHenryBrooks，atHeavyTreeHill，onthenightofthe13thAugust，1854。\'"

Themanlookedupwitharepulsivesmile。"Who\'sthefoolnow，Cap\'n？What\'sbecomeofyourholdonthewidder，now？"

"Write！"saidBrooksfiercely。

ThesoundofapenhurriedlyscratchingpaperfollowedthisfirstoutburstofthequietBrooks。

"Signit，"saidBrooks。

Themansignedit。

"Nowgo，"saidBrooks，unlockingthedoor，"butremember，ifyoushouldeverbeinclinedtorevisitSantaAna，youwillfindME

livingherealso。"

Themanslunkoutofthedoorandintothepassagelikeawildanimalreturningtothenightanddarkness。Brookstookupthepaper，rejoinedMrs。Wadeintheparlor，andlaiditbeforeher。

"But，"saidthewidow，tremblingeveninherjoy，"doyou——doyouthinkhewasREALLYmistaken？"

"Positive，"saidBrookscoolly。"It\'strue，it\'samistakethathascostyouahundreddollars，buttherearesomemistakesthatareworththattobekeptquiet。"……

Theyweremarriedayearlater；butthereisnorecordthatinafteryearsofconjugalrelationswithaweak，charming，butsometimestryingwoman，HenryBrookswasevertemptedtotellherthewholetruthoftherobberyofHeavyTreeHill。

THEMERMAIDOFLIGHTHOUSEPOINT

Somefortyyearsago，onthenortherncoastofCalifornia，neartheGoldenGate，stoodalighthouse。Ofaprimitiveclass，sincesupersededbyabuildingmoreinkeepingwiththegrowingmagnitudeoftheadjacentport，itattractedlittleattentionfromthedesolateshore，and，itwasalleged，stilllessfromthedesolateseabeyond。Agraystructureoftimber，stone，andglass，itwasbuffetedandharriedbytheconstanttradewinds，bakedbytheuncloudedsixmonths\'sun，lostforafewhoursintheafternoonsea-fog，andlaughedoverbycirclingguillemotsfromtheFarallones。

Itwaskeptbyarecluse——apreoccupiedmanofscientifictastes，who，inshamelesscontrasttohisfellowimmigrants，hadappliedtothegovernmentforthisscarcelylucrativepositionasameansofsecuringtheseclusionhevaluedmorethangold。Somebelievedthathewasthevictimofanearlydisappointmentinlove——aviewcharitablytakenbythosewhoalsobelievedthatthegovernmentwouldnothaveappointed"acrank"toapositionofresponsibility。

Howbeit，hefulfilledhisduties，and，withtheassistanceofanIndian，evencultivatedasmallpatchofgroundbesidethelighthouse。Hisisolationwascomplete！Therewaslittletoattractwanderershere：thenearestmineswerefiftymilesaway；thevirginforestonthemountainsinlandwerepenetratedonlybysawmillsandwoodmenfromtheBaysettlements，equallyremote。Althoughbytheshore-linethelightsofthegreatportweresometimesplainlyvisible，yetthesolitudearoundhimwaspeopledonlybyIndians，——abranchofthegreatnortherntribeof"root-diggers，"——peacefulandsimpleintheirhabits，asyetundisturbedbythewhiteman，norstirredintoantagonismbyaggression。Civilizationonlytouchedhimatstatedintervals，andthenbythemoreexpeditiousseafromthegovernmentboatthatbroughthimsupplies。Butforhiscontiguitytotheperpetualturmoilofwindandsea，hemighthavepassedarestfulArcadianlifeinhissurroundings；forevenhissolitudewassometimeshauntedbythisfaintreminderofthegreatporthardbythatpulsatedwithanequalunrest。Nevertheless，thesandsbeforehisdoorandtherocksbehindhimseemedtohavebeenuntroddenbyanyotherwhiteman\'sfootsincetheirupheavalfromtheocean。Itwastruethatthelittlebaybesidehimwasmarkedonthemapas"SirFrancisDrake\'sBay，"traditionhavinglocateditasthespotwherethatingeniouspirateandempire-makerhadoncelandedhisvesselsandscrapedthebarnaclesfromhisadventurouskeels。ButofthisEdgarPomfrey——or"CaptainPomfrey，"ashewascalledbyvirtueofhishalf-nauticaloffice——hadthoughtlittle。

Forthefirstsixmonthshehadthoroughlyenjoyedhisseclusion。

Inthecompanyofhisbooks，ofwhichhehadbroughtsuchafairstorethattheirshelveslinedhissnugcornerstotheexclusionofmorecomfortablefurniture，hefoundhisprincipalrecreation。

Evenhisunwontedmanuallabor，thetrimmingofhislampandcleaningofhisreflectors，andhispersonalhousekeeping，inwhichhisIndianhelpattimesassisted，hefoundanovelandinterestingoccupation。Foroutdoorexercise，arambleonthesands，aclimbtotherockyupland，orapullinthelighthouseboat，amplysufficedhim。"Crank"ashewassupposedtobe，hewassaneenoughtoguardagainstanyofthoseearlylapsesintobarbarismwhichmarkedthelivesofsomesolitarygold-miners。Hisowntaste，aswellasthedutyofhisoffice，kepthispersonandhabitationsweetandclean，andhishabitsregular。Eventhelittlecultivatedpatchofgroundontheleesideofthetowerwassymmetricalandwellordered。ThustheoutwardlightofCaptainPomfreyshoneforthoverthewildernessofshoreandwave，evenlikehisbeacon，whateverhisinwardilluminationmayhavebeen。

Itwasabrightsummermorning，remarkableeveninthemonotonousexcellenceoftheseason，withaslighttouchofwarmthwhichtheinvincibleNorthwestTradeshadnotyetchilled。Therewasstillafainthazeoffthecoast，asiflastnight\'sfoghadbeencaughtinthequicksunshine，andtheshiningsandswerehot，butwithouttheusualdazzlingglare。Afaintperfumefromaquaintlilac-coloredbeach-flower，whoseclusteringheadsdottedthesandlikebitsofblownspume，tooktheplaceofthatsmelloftheseawhichtheodorlessPacificlacked。Afewrocks，halfamileaway，liftedthemselvesabovetheebbtideatvaryingheightsastheylayonthetroughoftheswell，werecrestedwithfoambyastrikingsurge，orcleanlyerasedinthefullsweepofthesea。Beside，andpartlyupononeofthehigherrocks，asingularobjectwasmoving。

Pomfreywasinterestedbutnotstartled。Hehadonceortwiceseensealsdisportingontheserocks，andononeoccasionasea-lion，——

anestrayfromthefamiliarrocksontheothersideoftheGoldenGate。Butheceasedworkinhisgardenpatch，andcomingtohishouse，exchangedhishoeforatelescope。Whenhegotthemysteryinfocushesuddenlystoppedandrubbedtheobject-glasswithhishandkerchief。Butevenwhenheappliedtheglasstohiseyeforasecondtime，hecouldscarcelybelievehiseyesight。FortheobjectseemedtobeaWOMAN，thelowerpartofherfiguresubmergedinthesea，herlonghairdependingoverhershouldersandwaist。

Therewasnothinginherattitudetosuggestterrororthatshewasthevictimofsomeaccident。Shemovedslowlyandcomplacentlywiththesea，andeven——amorestaggeringsuggestion——appearedtobecombingoutthestrandsofherlonghairwithherfingers。Withherbodyhalfconcealedshemighthavebeenamermaid！

Heswepttheforeshoreandhorizonwithhisglass；therewasneitherboatnorship——noranythingthatmoved，exceptthelongswellofthePacific。Shecouldhavecomeonlyfromthesea；fortoreachtherocksbylandshewouldhavehadtopassbeforethelighthouse，whilethenarrowstripofshorewhichcurvednorthwardbeyondhisrangeofviewheknewwasinhabitedonlybyIndians。

ButthewomanwasunhesitatinglyandappallinglyWHITE，andherhairlighteventoagoldengleaminthesunshine。

Pomfreywasagentleman，andassuchwasamazed，dismayed，andcruellyembarrassed。Ifshewasasimplebatherfromsomevicinityhithertounknownandunsuspectedbyhim，itwasclearlyhisbusinesstoshutuphisglassandgobacktohisgardenpatch——

althoughthepropinquityofhimselfandthelighthousemusthavebeenasplainlyvisibletoherasshewastohim。Ontheotherhand，ifshewasthesurvivorofsomewreckandindistress——or，asheevenfanciedfromherrecklessmanner，bereftofhersenses，hisdutytorescueherwasequallyclear。Inhisdilemmahedetermineduponacompromiseandrantohisboat。Hewouldpullouttosea，passbetweentherocksandthecurvingsand-spit，andexaminethesandsandseamorecloselyforsignsofwreckage，orsomeoverlookedwaitingboatneartheshore。Hewouldbewithinhailifsheneededhim，orshecouldescapetoherboatifshehadone。

Inanothermomenthisboatwasliftingontheswelltowardstherocks。Hepulledquickly，occasionallyturningtonotethatthestrangefigure，whosemovementswerequitediscernibletothenakedeye，wasstillthere，butgazingmoreearnestlytowardsthenearestshoreforanysignoflifeoroccupation。Intenminuteshehadreachedthecurvewherethetrendopenednorthward，andthelonglineofshorestretchedbeforehim。Hesweptiteagerlywithasinglesearchingglance。Seaandshorewereempty。Heturnedquicklytotherock，scarcelyahundredyardsonhisbeam。Itwasemptytoo！Forgettinghispreviousscruples，hepulleddirectlyforituntilhiskeelgratedonitssubmergedbase。Therewasnothingtherebuttherock，slipperywiththeyellow-greenslimeofseaweedandkelp——neithertracenorsignofthefigurethathadoccupieditamomentago。Hepulledaroundit；therewasnocleftorhiding-place。Foraninstanthisheartleapedatthesightofsomethingwhite，caughtinajaggedtoothoftheoutlyingreef，butitwasonlythebleachedfragmentofabambooorange-crate，castfromthedeckofsomeSouthSeatrader，suchasoftenstrewedthebeach。Helayofftherock，keepingwayintheswell，andscrutinizingtheglitteringsea。Atlasthepulledbacktothelighthouse，perplexedanddiscomfited。

Wasitsimplyasportingseal，transformedbysometrickofhisvision？Buthehadseenitthroughhisglass，andnowrememberedsuchdetailsasthefaceandfeaturesframedintheircontourofgoldenhair，andbelievedhecouldevenhaveidentifiedthem。Heexaminedtherockagainwithhisglass，andwassurprisedtoseehowclearlyitwasoutlinednowinitsbarrenloneliness。Yethemusthavebeenmistaken。Hisscientificandaccuratemindallowedofnoerrantfancy，andhehadalwayssneeredatthemarvelousastheresultofhastyorsuperficialobservation。Hewasalittleworriedatthislapseofhishealthyaccuracy，——fearingthatitmightbetheresultofhisseclusionandloneliness，——akintothevisionsoftherecluseandsolitary。Itwasstrange，too，thatitshouldtaketheshapeofawoman；forEdgarPomfreyhadastory——

theusualoldandfoolishone。

Thenhisthoughtstookalighterphase，andheturnedtothememoryofhisbooks，andfinallytothebooksthemselves。Fromashelfhepickedoutavolumeofoldvoyages，andturnedtoarememberedpassage："InotherseasdoeaboundmarvellssocheasSeaSpydersofthebignessofapinnace，thewichtheyhavebeenknowntoattackanddestroy；SeaVyperswhichreachtothetopofagoodlymaste，wherebytheyareabletodrawmarinnersfromtheriggingbythesuctionoftheirbreathes；andDevillFyshe，whichvomitfirebynightwhichmakyththeseatoshineprodigiously，andmermaydes。

TheyarehalffysheandhalfmaydeofgrateBeauty，andhavebeenseenofdiversgodlyandcreditablewitnessesswymmingbesiderocks，hiddentotheirwaistinthesea，combingoftheirhayres，tothehelpofwhychtheycarryasmallmirroreofthebignessoftheirfingers。"Pomfreylaidthebookasidewithafaintsmile。

Toeventhiscredulityhemightcome！

Nevertheless，heusedthetelescopeagainthatday。Buttherewasnorepetitionoftheincident，andhewasforcedtobelievethathehadbeenthevictimofsomeextraordinaryillusion。Thenextmorning，however，withhiscalmerjudgmentdoubtsbegantovisithim。TherewasnooneofwhomhecouldmakeinquiriesbuthisIndianhelper，andtheirconversationhadusuallybeenrestrictedtothelanguageofsignsortheuseofafewwordshehadpickedup。Hecontrived，however，toaskiftherewasa"waugee"（white）

womanintheneighborhood。TheIndianshookhisheadinsurprise。

Therewasno"waugee"nearerthantheremotemountain-ridgetowhichhepointed。Pomfreywasobligedtobecontentwiththis。

Evenhadhisvocabularybeenlarger，hewouldassoonhavethoughtofrevealingtheembarrassingsecretofthiswoman，whomhebelievedtobeofhisownrace，toamerebarbarianashewouldofaskinghimtoverifyhisownimpressionsbyallowinghimtolookatherthatmorning。Thenextday，however，somethinghappenedwhichforcedhimtoresumehisinquiries。Hewasrowingaroundthecurvingspotwhenhesawanumberofblackobjectsonthenorthernsandsmovinginandoutofthesurf，whichhepresentlymadeoutasIndians。Anearerapproachsatisfiedhimthattheywerewadingsquawsandchildrengatheringseaweedandshells。Hewouldhavepushedhisacquaintancestillnearer，butashisboatroundedthepoint，withoneaccordtheyallscuttledawaylikefrightenedsandpipers。Pomfrey，onhisreturn，askedhisIndianretaineriftheycouldswim。"Oh，yes！""Asfarastherock？""Yes。"YetPomfreywasnotsatisfied。Thecolorofhisstrangeapparitionremainedunaccountedfor，anditwasnotthatofanIndianwoman。

Triflingeventslingerlonginamonotonousexistence，anditwasnearlyaweekbeforePomfreygaveuphisdailytelescopicinspectionoftherock。Thenhefellbackuponhisbooksagain，and，oddlyenough，uponanothervolumeofvoyages，andsochancedupontheaccountofSirFrancisDrake\'soccupationofthebaybeforehim。Hehadalwaysthoughtitstrangethatthegreatadventurerhadleftnotraceorsignofhissojournthere；stillstrangerthatheshouldhaveoverlookedthepresenceofgold，knowneventotheIndiansthemselves，andhavelostadiscoveryfarbeyondhiswildestdreamsandatreasuretowhichthecargoesofthosePhilippinegalleonshehadmoreorlesssuccessfullyinterceptedweretrifles。Hadtherestlessexplorerbeencontenttopacethosedrearysandsduringthreeweeksofinactivity，withnothoughtofpenetratingtheinlandforestsbehindtherange，orofevenenteringthenoblerbaybeyond？

Orwasthelocationofthespotameretraditionaswildandunsupportedasthe"marvells"oftheothervolume？Pomfreyhadtheskepticismofthescientific，inquiringmind。

Twoweekshadpassedandhewasreturningfromalongclimbinland，whenhestoppedtorestinhisdescenttothesea。Thepanoramaoftheshorewasbeforehim，fromitsuttermostlimittothelighthouseonthenorthernpoint。Thesunwasstillonehourhigh，itwouldtakehimaboutthattimetoreachhome。Butfromthiscoignofvantagehecouldsee——whathehadnotbeforeobserved——

thatwhathehadalwaysbelievedwasalittlecoveonthenorthernshorewasreallytheestuaryofasmallstreamwhichrosenearhimandeventuallydescendedintotheoceanatthatpoint。Hecouldalsoseethatbesideitwasalonglowerectionofsomekind，coveredwiththatchedbrush，whichlookedlikea"barrow，"yetshowedsignsofhabitationintheslightsmokethatrosefromitanddriftedinland。Itwasnotfaroutofhisway，andheresolvedtoreturninthatdirection。OnhiswaydownheonceortwiceheardthebarkingofanIndiandog，andknewthathemustbeinthevicinityofanencampment。Acamp-fire，withtheashesyetwarm，provedthathewasonthetrailofoneofthenomadictribes，butthedecliningsunwarnedhimtohastenhometohisduty。Whenheatlastreachedtheestuary，hefoundthatthebuildingbesideitwaslittleelsethanalonghut，whosethatchedandmud-plasteredmound-likeroofgaveittheappearanceofacave。Itssingleopeningandentranceabuttedonthewater\'sedge，andthesmokehehadnoticedrolledthroughthisentrancefromasmoulderingfirewithin。Pomfreyhadlittledifficultyinrecognizingthepurposeofthisstrangestructurefromtheaccountshehadheardfrom"loggers"oftheIndiancustoms。Thecavewasa"sweat-house"——acalorificchamberinwhichtheIndianscloselyshutthemselves，naked，witha"smudge"orsmoulderingfireofleaves，until，perspiringandhalfsuffocated，theyrushedfromtheentranceandthrewthemselvesintothewaterbeforeit。Thestillsmoulderingfiretoldhimthatthehousehadbeenusedthatmorning，andhemadenodoubtthattheIndianswereencampednearby。Hewouldhavelikedtopursuehisresearchesfurther，buthefoundhehadalreadytrespasseduponhisremainingtime，andheturnedsomewhatabruptlyaway——soabruptly，infact，thatafigure，whichhadevidentlybeencautiouslyfollowinghimatadistance，hadnottimetogetaway。Hisheartleapedwithastonishment。Itwasthewomanhehadseenontherock。

Althoughhernativedressnowonlydisclosedherheadandhands，therewasnodoubtabouthercolor，anditwasdistinctlywhite，saveforthetanningofexposureandaslightredochremarkingonherlowforehead。Andherhair，longandunkemptasitwas，showedthathehadnoterredinhisfirstimpressionofit。Itwasatawnyflaxen，withfainterbleachingswherethesunhadtoucheditmost。HereyeswereofaclearNorthernblue。Herdress，whichwasquitedistinctiveinthatitwasneitherthecastofffineryofcivilizationnorthecheap"government"flannelsandcalicoesusuallywornbytheCaliforniantribes，waspurelynative，andoffringeddeerskin，andconsistedofalong，looseshirtandleggingsworkedwithbrightfeathersandcoloredshells。Anecklace，alsoofshellsandfancypebbles，hungroundherneck。Sheseemedtobeafullydevelopedwoman，inspiteofthegirlishnessofherflowinghair，andnotwithstandingtheshapelesslengthofhergaberdine-

likegarment，tallerthantheordinarysquaw。

Pomfreysawallthisinasingleflashofperception，forthenextinstantshewasgone，disappearingbehindthesweat-house。Heranafterher，catchingsightofheragain，halfdoubledup，inthecharacteristicIndiantrot，dodgingaroundrocksandlowbushesasshefledalongthebanksofthestream。Butforherdistinguishinghair，shelookedinherflightlikeanordinaryfrightenedsquaw。

This，whichgaveasenseofunmanlinessandridiculetohisownpursuitofher，withthefactthathishourofdutywasdrawingnearandhewasstillfarfromthelighthouse，checkedhiminfullcareer，andheturnedregretfullyaway。Hehadcalledafterheratfirst，andshehadnotheededhim。Whathewouldhavesaidtoherhedidnotknow。Hehastenedhomediscomfited，evenembarrassed——

yetexcitedtoadegreehehadnotdeemedpossibleinhimself。

Duringthemorninghisthoughtswerefullofher。Theoryaftertheoryforherstrangeexistencethereheexaminedanddismissed。

Hisfirstthought，thatshewasawhitewoman——somesettler\'swife——

masqueradinginIndiangarb，heabandonedwhenhesawhermoving；

nowhitewomancouldimitatethatIndiantrot，norwouldremembertoattemptitifshewerefrightened。Theideathatshewasacaptivewhite，heldbytheIndians，becameridiculouswhenhethoughtofthenearnessofcivilizationandthepeaceful，timidcharacterofthe"digger"tribes。Thatshewassomeunfortunatedementedcreaturewhohadescapedfromherkeeperandwanderedintothewilderness，aglanceatherclear，frank，intelligent，curiouseyeshadcontradicted。Therewasbutonetheoryleft——themostsensibleandpracticalone——thatshewastheoffspringofsomewhitemanandIndiansquaw。Yetthishefound，oddlyenough，theleastpalatabletohisfancy。Andthefewhalf-breedshehadseenwerenotatalllikeher。

ThenextmorninghehadrecoursetohisIndianretainer，"Jim。"

Withinfinitedifficulty，protraction，andnotalittleembarrassment，hefinallymadehimunderstandthathehadseena"whitesquaw"nearthe"sweat-house，"andthathewantedtoknowmoreabouther。WithequaldifficultyJimfinallyrecognizedthefactoftheexistenceofsuchaperson，butimmediatelyafterwardsshookhisheadinanemphaticnegation。WithgreaterdifficultyandgreatermortificationPomfreypresentlyascertainedthatJim\'snegativereferredtoasupposedabductionofthewomanwhichheunderstoodthathisemployerseriouslycontemplated。ButhealsolearnedthatshewasarealIndian，andthattherewerethreeorfourotherslikeher，maleandfemale，inthatvicinity；thatfroma"skeenamowitch"（littlebaby）theywerealllikethat，andthattheirparentswereofthesamecolor，butneverawhiteor"waugee"