下载辰思小说免费APP
Therewasnothingforthemtosay。Theyhadspentthelastpennyoftheirsmallchange;
therewasnothingleftbutgold。Thedayoflove—tokenswaspast。Theyhadnowonlytheirheartstogiveeachother。AndEmilbeinggone，whatwasherlifetobelike？Insomeways，itwouldbeeasier。Shewouldnot，atleast，liveinperpetualfear。IfEmilwereonceawayandsettledatwork，shewouldnothavethefeelingthatshewasspoilinghislife。Withthememoryhelefther，shecouldbeasrashasshechose。Nobodycouldbetheworseforitbutherself;andthat，surely，didnotmatter。
Herowncasewasclear。Whenagirlhadlovedoneman，andthenlovedanotherwhilethatmanwasstillalive，everybodyknewwhattothinkofher。Whathappenedtoherwasoflittlecon—
sequence，solongasshedidnotdragotherpeopledownwithher。Emilonceaway，shecouldleteverythingelsegoandliveanewlifeofperfectlove。
Marieleftthestilereluctantly。Shehad，afterall，thoughthemightcome。Andhowgladsheoughttobe，shetoldherself，thathewasasleep。Sheleftthepathandwentacrossthepasture。Themoonwasalmostfull。Anowlwashootingsomewhereinthefields。Shehadscarcelythoughtaboutwhereshewasgoingwhenthepondglitteredbeforeher，whereEmilhadshottheducks。Shestoppedandlookedatit。Yes，therewouldbeadirtywayoutoflife，ifonechosetotakeit。Butshedidnotwanttodie。Shewantedtoliveanddream——ahundredyears，forever！Aslongasthissweetnesswelledupinherheart，aslongasherbreastcouldholdthistreasureofpain！Shefeltasthepondmustfeelwhenitheldthemoonlikethat;whenitencircledandswelledwithInthemorning，whenEmilcamedown—
stairs，Alexandramethiminthesitting—roomandputherhandsonhisshoulders。"Emil，I
wenttoyourroomassoonasitwaslight，butyouweresleepingsosoundIhatedtowakeyou。Therewasnothingyoucoulddo，soI
letyousleep。TheytelephonedfromSainte—
AgnesthatAmedeediedatthreeo’clockthismorning。"
VI
TheChurchhasalwaysheldthatlifeisfortheliving。OnSaturday，whilehalfthevil—
lageofSainte—AgneswasmourningforAme—
deeandpreparingthefuneralblackforhisburialonMonday，theotherhalfwasbusywithwhitedressesandwhiteveilsforthegreatconfirmationserviceto—morrow，whenthebishopwastoconfirmaclassofonehundredboysandgirls。FatherDuchesnedividedhistimebetweenthelivingandthedead。AlldaySaturdaythechurchwasasceneofbustlingactivity，alittlehushedbythethoughtofAmedee。ThechoirwerebusyrehearsingamassofRossini，whichtheyhadstudiedandpractisedforthisoccasion。Thewomenweretrimmingthealtar，theboysandgirlswerebringingflowers。
OnSundaymorningthebishopwastodriveoverlandtoSainte—AgnesfromHanover，andEmilBergsonhadbeenaskedtotaketheplaceofoneofAmedee’scousinsinthecavalcadeoffortyFrenchboyswhoweretorideacrosscoun—
trytomeetthebishop’scarriage。Atsixo’clockonSundaymorningtheboysmetatthechurch。
Astheystoodholdingtheirhorsesbythebridle，theytalkedinlowtonesoftheirdeadcomrade。
TheykeptrepeatingthatAmedeehadalwaysbeenagoodboy，glancingtowardtheredbrickchurchwhichhadplayedsolargeapartinAmedee’slife，hadbeenthesceneofhismostseriousmomentsandofhishappiesthours。Hehadplayedandwrestledandsungandcourtedunderitsshadow。Onlythreeweeksagohehadproudlycarriedhisbabytheretobechristened。
TheycouldnotdoubtthatthatinvisiblearmwasstillaboutAmedee;thatthroughthechurchonearthhehadpassedtothechurchtriumph—
ant，thegoalofthehopesandfaithofsomanyhundredyears。
Whenthewordwasgiventomount，theyoungmenrodeatawalkoutofthevillage;
butonceoutamongthewheatfieldsinthemorningsun，theirhorsesandtheirownyouthgotthebetterofthem。Awaveofzealandfieryenthusiasmsweptoverthem。TheylongedforaJerusalemtodeliver。Thethudoftheirgal—
lopinghoofsinterruptedmanyacountrybreak—
fastandbroughtmanyawomanandchildtothedoorofthefarmhousesastheypassed。FivemileseastofSainte—Agnestheymetthebishopinhisopencarriage，attendedbytwopriests。
Likeonemantheboysswungofftheirhatsinabroadsalute，andbowedtheirheadsasthehandsomeoldmanliftedhistwofingersintheepiscopalblessing。Thehorsemenclosedaboutthecarriagelikeaguard，andwheneverarest—
lesshorsebrokefromcontrolandshotdowntheroadaheadofthebody，thebishoplaughedandrubbedhisplumphandstogether。"Whatfineboys！"hesaidtohispriests。"TheChurchstillhashercavalry。"
Asthetroopsweptpastthegraveyardhalfamileeastofthetown，——thefirstframechurchoftheparishhadstoodthere，——oldPierreSeguinwasalreadyoutwithhispickandspade，diggingAmedee’sgrave。Hekneltandun—
coveredasthebishoppassed。TheboyswithoneaccordlookedawayfromoldPierretotheredchurchonthehill，withthegoldcrossflamingonitssteeple。
Masswasateleven。Whilethechurchwasfilling，EmilBergsonwaitedoutside，watchingthewagonsandbuggiesdriveupthehill。Afterthebellbegantoring，hesawFrankShabatarideuponhorsebackandtiehishorsetothehitch—bar。Marie，then，wasnotcoming。Emilturnedandwentintothechurch。Amedee’swastheonlyemptypew，andhesatdowninit。
SomeofAmedee’scousinswerethere，dressedinblackandweeping。Whenallthepewswerefull，theoldmenandboyspackedtheopenspaceatthebackofthechurch，kneelingonthefloor。Therewasscarcelyafamilyintownthatwasnotrepresentedintheconfirmationclass，byacousin，atleast。Thenewcommunicants，withtheirclear，reverentfaces，werebeautifultolookuponastheyenteredinabodyandtookthefrontbenchesreservedforthem。EvenbeforetheMassbegan，theairwaschargedwithfeeling。ThechoirhadneversungsowellandRaoulMarcel，inthe"Gloria，"dreweventhebishop’seyestotheorganloft。FortheoffertoryhesangGounod’s"AveMaria，"——
alwaysspokenofinSainte—Agnesas"theAveMaria。"
EmilbegantotorturehimselfwithquestionsaboutMarie。Wassheill？Hadshequarreledwithherhusband？Wasshetoounhappytofindcomfortevenhere？Hadshe，perhaps，thoughtthathewouldcometoher？Wasshewaitingforhim？Overtaxedbyexcitementandsorrowashewas，theraptureoftheservicetookholduponhisbodyandmind。AshelistenedtoRaoul，heseemedtoemergefromthecon—
flictingemotionswhichhadbeenwhirlinghimaboutandsuckinghimunder。Hefeltasifaclearlightbrokeuponhismind，andwithitaconvictionthatgoodwas，afterall，strongerthanevil，andthatgoodwaspossibletomen。
Heseemedtodiscoverthattherewasakindofraptureinwhichhecouldloveforeverwith—
outfalteringandwithoutsin。HelookedacrosstheheadsofthepeopleatFrankShabatawithcalmness。Thatrapturewasforthosewhocouldfeelit;forpeoplewhocouldnot，itwasnon—existent。HecovetednothingthatwasFrankShabata’s。Thespirithehadmetinmusicwashisown。FrankShabatahadneverfoundit;wouldneverfinditifhelivedbesideitathousandyears;wouldhavedestroyeditifhehadfoundit，asHerodslewtheinnocents，asRomeslewthemartyrs。
SAN——CTAMARI—I—I—A，wailedRaoulfromtheorganloft;
O——RAPRONO—O—BIS！
AnditdidnotoccurtoEmilthatanyonehadeverreasonedthusbefore，thatmusichadeverbeforegivenamanthisequivocalrevelation。
TheconfirmationservicefollowedtheMass。
Whenitwasover，thecongregationthrongedaboutthenewlyconfirmed。Thegirls，andeventheboys，werekissedandembracedandweptover。Alltheauntsandgrandmothersweptwithjoy。Thehousewiveshadmuchadototearthemselvesawayfromthegeneralrejoicingandhurrybacktotheirkitchens。Thecountryparishionerswerestayingintownfordinner，andnearlyeveryhouseinSainte—Agnesenter—
tainedvisitorsthatday。FatherDuchesne，thebishop，andthevisitingpriestsdinedwithFabienSauvage，thebanker。EmilandFrankShabatawerebothguestsofoldMoiseMarcel。
AfterdinnerFrankandoldMoiseretiredtotherearroomofthesaloontoplayCaliforniaJackanddrinktheircognac，andEmilwentovertothebanker’swithRaoul，whohadbeenaskedtosingforthebishop。
Atthreeo’clock，Emilfeltthathecouldstanditnolonger。Heslippedoutundercoverof"TheHolyCity，"followedbyMalvina’swistfuleye，andwenttothestableforhismare。
Hewasatthatheightofexcitementfromwhicheverythingisforeshortened，fromwhichlifeseemsshortandsimple，deathverynear，andthesoulseemstosoarlikeaneagle。AsherodepastthegraveyardhelookedatthebrownholeintheearthwhereAmedeewastolie，andfeltnohorror。That，too，wasbeautiful，thatsimpledoorwayintoforgetfulness。Theheart，whenitistoomuchalive，achesforthatbrownearth，andecstasyhasnofearofdeath。Itistheoldandthepoorandthemaimedwhoshrinkfromthatbrownhole;itswooersarefoundamongtheyoung，thepassionate，thegallant—hearted。
ItwasnotuntilhehadpassedthegraveyardthatEmilrealizedwherehewasgoing。Itwasthehourforsayinggood—bye。Itmightbethelasttimethathewouldseeheralone，andto—
dayhecouldleaveherwithoutrancor，withoutbitterness。
Everywherethegrainstoodripeandthehotafternoonwasfullofthesmelloftheripewheat，likethesmellofbreadbakinginanoven。Thebreathofthewheatandthesweetcloverpassedhimlikepleasantthingsinadream。Hecouldfeelnothingbutthesenseofdiminishingdis—
tance。Itseemedtohimthathismarewasfly—
ing，orrunningonwheels，likearailwaytrain。
Thesunlight，flashingonthewindow—glassofthebigredbarns，drovehimwildwithjoy。Hewaslikeanarrowshotfromthebow。HislifepoureditselfoutalongtheroadbeforehimasherodetotheShabatafarm。
WhenEmilalightedattheShabatas’gate，hishorsewasinalather。Hetiedherinthestableandhurriedtothehouse。Itwasempty。
ShemightbeatMrs。Hiller’sorwithAlexan—
dra。Butanythingthatremindedhimofherwouldbeenough，theorchard，themulberrytree……Whenhereachedtheorchardthesunwashanginglowoverthewheatfield。Longfingersoflightreachedthroughtheapplebranchesasthroughanet;theorchardwasrid—
dledandshotwithgold;lightwasthereality，thetreesweremerelyinterferencesthatreflectedandrefractedlight。Emilwentsoftlydownbetweenthecherrytreestowardthewheatfield。
Whenhecametothecorner，hestoppedshortandputhishandoverhismouth。Mariewaslyingonhersideunderthewhitemulberrytree，herfacehalfhiddeninthegrass，hereyesclosed，herhandslyinglimplywheretheyhadhappenedtofall。Shehadlivedadayofhernewlifeofperfectlove，andithadleftherlikethis。
Herbreastroseandfellfaintly，asifshewereasleep。Emilthrewhimselfdownbesideherandtookherinhisarms。Thebloodcamebacktohercheeks，herambereyesopenedslowly，andinthemEmilsawhisownfaceandtheorchardandthesun。"Iwasdreamingthis，"shewhis—
pered，hidingherfaceagainsthim，"don’ttakemydreamaway！"
VII
WhenFrankShabatagothomethatnight，hefoundEmil’smareinhisstable。Suchanimpertinenceamazedhim。Likeeverybodyelse，Frankhadhadanexcitingday。Sincenoonhehadbeendrinkingtoomuch，andhewasinabadtemper。Hetalkedbitterlytohim—
selfwhileheputhisownhorseaway，andashewentupthepathandsawthatthehousewasdarkhefeltanaddedsenseofinjury。Heap—
proachedquietlyandlistenedonthedoorstep。
Hearingnothing，heopenedthekitchendoorandwentsoftlyfromoneroomtoanother。
Thenhewentthroughthehouseagain，up—
stairsanddown，withnobetterresult。Hesatdownonthebottomstepoftheboxstairwayandtriedtogethiswitstogether。Inthatun—
naturalquiettherewasnosoundbuthisownheavybreathing。Suddenlyanowlbegantohootoutinthefields。Frankliftedhishead。
Anideaflashedintohismind，andhissenseofinjuryandoutragegrew。Hewentintohisbedroomandtookhismurderous405Winches—
terfromthecloset。
WhenFranktookuphisgunandwalkedoutofthehouse，hehadnotthefaintestpurposeofdoinganythingwithit。Hedidnotbelievethathehadanyrealgrievance。Butitgratifiedhimtofeellikeadesperateman。Hehadgotintothehabitofseeinghimselfalwaysindesperatestraits。Hisunhappytemperamentwaslikeacage;hecouldnevergetoutofit;andhefeltthatotherpeople，hiswifeinparticular，musthaveputhimthere。IthadnevermorethandimlyoccurredtoFrankthathemadehisownunhappiness。Thoughhetookuphisgunwithdarkprojectsinhismind，hewouldhavebeenparalyzedwithfrighthadheknownthattherewastheslightestprobabilityofhisevercarry—
inganyofthemout。
Frankwentslowlydowntotheorchardgate，stoppedandstoodforamomentlostinthought。Heretracedhisstepsandlookedthroughthebarnandthehayloft。Thenhewentouttotheroad，wherehetookthefoot—
pathalongtheoutsideoftheorchardhedge。
ThehedgewastwiceastallasFrankhimself，andsodensethatonecouldseethroughitonlybypeeringcloselybetweentheleaves。Hecouldseetheemptypathalongwayinthemoonlight。Hismindtraveledaheadtothestile，whichhealwaysthoughtofashauntedbyEmilBergson。Butwhyhadhelefthishorse？
Atthewheatfieldcorner，wheretheorchardhedgeendedandthepathledacrossthepasturetotheBergsons’，Frankstopped。Inthewarm，breathlessnightairheheardamurmuringsound，perfectlyinarticulate，aslowasthesoundofwatercomingfromaspring，wherethereisnofall，andwheretherearenostonestofretit。Frankstrainedhisears。Itceased。Heheldhisbreathandbegantotremble。Restingthebuttofhisgunontheground，hepartedthemulberryleavessoftlywithhisfingersandpeeredthroughthehedgeatthedarkfiguresonthegrass，intheshadowofthemulberrytree。
Itseemedtohimthattheymustfeelhiseyes，thattheymusthearhimbreathing。Buttheydidnot。Frank，whohadalwayswantedtoseethingsblackerthantheywere，foroncewantedtobelievelessthanhesaw。ThewomanlyingintheshadowmightsoeasilybeoneoftheBergsons’farm—girls……Againthemurmur，likewaterwellingoutoftheground。Thistimehehearditmoredistinctly，andhisbloodwasquickerthanhisbrain。Hebegantoact，justasamanwhofallsintothefirebeginstoact。Thegunsprangtohisshoulder，hesightedmechani—
callyandfiredthreetimeswithoutstopping，stoppedwithoutknowingwhy。Eitherheshuthiseyesorhehadvertigo。Hedidnotseeany—
thingwhilehewasfiring。Hethoughtheheardacrysimultaneouswiththesecondreport，buthewasnotsure。Hepeeredagainthroughthehedge，atthetwodarkfiguresunderthetree。
Theyhadfallenalittleapartfromeachother，andwereperfectlystill——No，notquite;inawhitepatchoflight，wherethemoonshonethroughthebranches，aman’shandwaspluck—
ingspasmodicallyatthegrass。
Suddenlythewomanstirredandutteredacry，thenanother，andanother。Shewasliving！
Shewasdraggingherselftowardthehedge！
Frankdroppedhisgunandranbackalongthepath，shaking，stumbling，gasping。Hehadneverimaginedsuchhorror。Thecriesfol—
lowedhim。Theygrewfainterandthicker，asifshewerechoking。Hedroppedonhiskneesbesidethehedgeandcrouchedlikearabbit，listening;fainter，fainter;asoundlikeawhine;
again——amoan——another——silence。Frankscrambledtohisfeetandranon，groaningandpraying。Fromhabithewenttowardthehouse，wherehewasusedtobeingsoothedwhenhehadworkedhimselfintoafrenzy，butatthesightoftheblack，opendoor，hestartedback。Heknewthathehadmurderedsomebody，thatawomanwasbleedingandmoaningintheor—
chard，buthehadnotrealizedbeforethatitwashiswife。Thegatestaredhimintheface。
Hethrewhishandsoverhishead。Whichwaytoturn？Heliftedhistormentedfaceandlookedatthesky。"HolyMotherofGod，nottosuffer！Shewasagoodgirl——nottosuffer！"
Frankhadbeenwonttoseehimselfindra—
maticsituations;butnow，whenhestoodbythewindmill，inthebrightspacebetweenthebarnandthehouse，facinghisownblackdoorway，hedidnotseehimselfatall。Hestoodliketheharewhenthedogsareapproachingfromallsides。Andheranlikeahare，backandforthaboutthatmoonlitspace，beforehecouldmakeuphismindtogointothedarkstableforahorse。Thethoughtofgoingintoadoorwaywasterribletohim。HecaughtEmil’shorsebythebitandleditout。Hecouldnothavebuckledabridleonhisown。Aftertwoorthreeattempts，heliftedhimselfintothesad—
dleandstartedforHanover。Ifhecouldcatchtheoneo’clocktrain，hehadmoneyenoughtogetasfarasOmaha。
Whilehewasthinkingdullyofthisinsomelesssensitizedpartofhisbrain，hisacuterfacultiesweregoingoverandoverthecrieshehadheardintheorchard。Terrorwastheonlythingthatkepthimfromgoingbacktoher，terrorthatshemightstillbeshe，thatshemightstillbesuffering。Awoman，mutilatedandbleedinginhisorchard——itwasbecauseitwasawomanthathewassoafraid。Itwasincon—
ceivablethatheshouldhavehurtawoman。Hewouldratherbeeatenbywildbeaststhanseehermoveonthegroundasshehadmovedintheorchard。Whyhadshebeensocareless？
Sheknewhewaslikeacrazymanwhenhewasangry。Shehadmorethanoncetakenthatgunawayfromhimandheldit，whenhewasangrywithotherpeople。Onceithadgoneoffwhiletheywerestrugglingoverit。Shewasneverafraid。But，whensheknewhim，whyhadn’tshebeenmorecareful？Didn’tshehaveallsummerbeforehertoloveEmilBergsonin，withouttakingsuchchances？ProbablyshehadmettheSmirkaboy，too，downthereintheorchard。Hedidn’tcare。ShecouldhavemetallthemenontheDividethere，andwelcome，ifonlyshehadn’tbroughtthishorroronhim。
TherewasawrenchinFrank’smind。Hedidnothonestlybelievethatofher。Heknewthathewasdoingherwrong。Hestoppedhishorsetoadmitthistohimselfthemoredirectly，tothinkitoutthemoreclearly。Heknewthathewastoblame。Forthreeyearshehadbeentryingtobreakherspirit。Shehadawayofmakingthebestofthingsthatseemedtohimasentimentalaffectation。Hewantedhiswifetoresentthathewaswastinghisbestyearsamongthesestupidandunappreciativepeople;butshehadseemedtofindthepeoplequitegoodenough。IfheevergotrichhemeanttobuyherprettyclothesandtakehertoCaliforniainaPullmancar，andtreatherlikealady;butinthemeantimehewantedhertofeelthatlifewasasuglyandasunjustashefeltit。Hehadtriedtomakeherlifeugly。Hehadrefusedtoshareanyofthelittlepleasuresshewassopluckyaboutmakingforherself。Shecouldbegayabouttheleastthingintheworld;butshemustbegay！Whenshefirstcametohim，herfaithinhim，heradoration——Frankstruckthemarewithhisfist。WhyhadMariemadehimdothisthing;whyhadshebroughtthisuponhim？Hewasoverwhelmedbysickeningmis—
fortune。Allatonceheheardhercriesagain——
hehadforgottenforamoment。"Maria，"hesobbedaloud，"Maria！"
WhenFrankwashalfwaytoHanover，themotionofhishorsebroughtonaviolentattackofnausea。Afterithadpassed，herodeonagain，buthecouldthinkofnothingexcepthisphysicalweaknessandhisdesiretobecom—
fortedbyhiswife。Hewantedtogetintohisownbed。Hadhiswifebeenathome，hewouldhaveturnedandgonebacktohermeeklyenough。
VIII
WhenoldIvarclimbeddownfromhisloftatfouro’clockthenextmorning，hecameuponEmil’smare，jadedandlather—stained，herbridlebroken，chewingthescatteredtuftsofhayoutsidethestabledoor。Theoldmanwasthrownintoafrightatonce。Heputthemareinherstall，threwherameasureofoats，andthensetoutasfastashisbow—legscouldcarryhimonthepathtothenearestneighbor。
"Somethingiswrongwiththatboy。Somemisfortunehascomeuponus。Hewouldneverhaveusedherso，inhisrightsenses。Itisnothiswaytoabusehismare，"theoldmankeptmuttering，ashescuttledthroughtheshort，wetpasturegrassonhisbarefeet。
WhileIvarwashurryingacrossthefields，thefirstlongraysofthesunwerereachingdownbetweentheorchardboughstothosetwodew—
drenchedfigures。Thestoryofwhathadhap—
penedwaswrittenplainlyontheorchardgrass，andonthewhitemulberriesthathadfalleninthenightandwerecoveredwithdarkstain。
ForEmilthechapterhadbeenshort。Hewasshotintheheart，andhadrolledoveronhisbackanddied。Hisfacewasturneduptotheskyandhisbrowsweredrawninafrown，asifhehadrealizedthatsomethinghadbefallenhim。ButforMarieShabataithadnotbeensoeasy。Oneballhadtornthroughherrightlung，anotherhadshatteredthecarotidartery。Shemusthavestartedupandgonetowardthehedge，leavingatrailofblood。Thereshehadfallenandbled。Fromthatspottherewasanothertrail，heavierthanthefirst，whereshemusthavedraggedherselfbacktoEmil’sbody。
Oncethere，sheseemednottohavestruggledanymore。Shehadliftedherheadtoherlover’sbreast，takenhishandinbothherown，andbledquietlytodeath。Shewaslyingonherrightsideinaneasyandnaturalposition，hercheekonEmil’sshoulder。Onherfacetherewasalookofineffablecontent。Herlipswerepartedalittle;hereyeswerelightlyclosed，asifinaday—dreamoralightslumber。Aftershelaydownthere，sheseemednottohavemovedaneyelash。Thehandsheheldwascoveredwithdarkstains，whereshehadkissedit。
Butthestained，slipperygrass，thedarkenedmulberries，toldonlyhalfthestory。AboveMarieandEmil，twowhitebutterfliesfromFrank’salfalfa—fieldwereflutteringinandoutamongtheinterlacingshadows;divingandsoaring，nowclosetogether，nowfarapart;andinthelonggrassbythefencethelastwildrosesoftheyearopenedtheirpinkheartstodie。
WhenIvarreachedthepathbythehedge，hesawShabata’sriflelyingintheway。Heturnedandpeeredthroughthebranches，fallinguponhiskneesasifhislegshadbeenmowedfromunderhim。"MercifulGod！"hegroaned;
Alexandra，too，hadrisenearlythatmorning，becauseofheranxietyaboutEmil。ShewasinEmil’sroomupstairswhen，fromthewindow，shesawIvarcomingalongthepaththatledfromtheShabatas’。Hewasrunninglikeaspentman，totteringandlurchingfromsidetoside。Ivarneverdrank，andAlexandrathoughtatoncethatoneofhisspellshadcomeuponhim，andthathemustbeinaverybadwayindeed。Sherandownstairsandhurriedouttomeethim，tohidehisinfirmityfromtheeyesofherhousehold。Theoldmanfellintheroadatherfeetandcaughtherhand，overwhichhebowedhisshaggyhead。"Mistress，mistress，"hesobbed，"ithasfallen！Sinanddeathfortheyoungones！Godhavemercyuponus！"
EndofPartIV
PARTV
AlexandraI
Ivarwassittingatacobbler’sbenchinthebarn，mendingharnessbythelightofalanternandrepeatingtohimselfthe101stPsalm。Itwasonlyfiveo’clockofamid—Octoberday，butastormhadcomeupintheafternoon，bring—
ingblackclouds，acoldwindandtorrentsofrain。Theoldmanworehisbuffalo—skincoat，andoccasionallystoppedtowarmhisfingersatthelantern。Suddenlyawomanburstintotheshed，asifshehadbeenblownin，accompaniedbyashowerofrain—drops。ItwasSigna，wrappedinaman’sovercoatandwearingapairofbootsoverhershoes。IntimeoftroubleSignahadcomebacktostaywithhermistress，forshewastheonlyoneofthemaidsfromwhomAlexandrawouldacceptmuchpersonalservice。ItwasthreemonthsnowsincethenewsoftheterriblethingthathadhappenedinFrankShabata’sorchardhadfirstrunlikeafireovertheDivide。SignaandNelsewerestayingonwithAlexandrauntilwinter。
"Ivar，"Signaexclaimedasshewipedtherainfromherface，"doyouknowwheresheis？"
Theoldmanputdownhiscobbler’sknife。
"Who，themistress？"
"Yes。Shewentawayaboutthreeo’clock。I
happenedtolookoutofthewindowandsawhergoingacrossthefieldsinherthindressandsun—hat。Andnowthisstormhascomeon。I
thoughtshewasgoingtoMrs。Hiller’s，andI
telephonedassoonasthethunderstopped，butshehadnotbeenthere。I’mafraidsheisoutsomewhereandwillgetherdeathofcold。"
Ivarputonhiscapandtookupthelantern。
"JA，JA，wewillsee。Iwillhitchtheboy’smaretothecartandgo。"
Signafollowedhimacrossthewagon—shedtothehorses’stable。Shewasshiveringwithcoldandexcitement。"Wheredoyousupposeshecanbe，Ivar？"
Theoldmanliftedasetofsingleharnesscarefullyfromitspeg。"HowshouldIknow？"
"Butyouthinksheisatthegraveyard，don’tyou？"Signapersisted。"SodoI。Oh，I
wishshewouldbemorelikeherself！Ican’tbelieveit’sAlexandraBergsoncometothis，withnoheadaboutanything。Ihavetotellherwhentoeatandwhentogotobed。"
"Patience，patience，sister，"mutteredIvarashesettledthebitinthehorse’smouth。
"Whentheeyesofthefleshareshut，theeyesofthespiritareopen。Shewillhaveamessagefromthosewhoaregone，andthatwillbringherpeace。Untilthenwemustbearwithher。YouandIaretheonlyoneswhohaveweightwithher。Shetrustsus。"
"Howawfulit’sbeentheselastthreemonths。"Signaheldthelanternsothathecouldseetobucklethestraps。"Itdon’tseemrightthatwemustallbesomiserable。Whydoweallhavetobepunished？Seemstomelikegoodtimeswouldnevercomeagain。"
Ivarexpressedhimselfinadeepsigh，butsaidnothing。Hestoopedandtookasandburrfromhistoe。
"Ivar，"Signaaskedsuddenly，"willyoutellmewhyyougobarefoot？AllthetimeIlivedhereinthehouseIwantedtoaskyou。Isitforapenance，orwhat？"
"No，sister。Itisfortheindulgenceofthebody。FrommyyouthupIhavehadastrong，rebelliousbody，andhavebeensubjecttoeverykindoftemptation。Eveninagemytempta—
tionsareprolonged。Itwasnecessarytomakesomeallowances;andthefeet，asIunderstandit，arefreemembers。Thereisnodivinepro—
hibitionforthemintheTenCommandments。
Thehands，thetongue，theeyes，theheart，allthebodilydesireswearecommandedtosub—
due;butthefeetarefreemembers。Iindulgethemwithoutharmtoanyone，eventotramp—
linginfilthwhenmydesiresarelow。Theyarequicklycleanedagain。"
Signadidnotlaugh。ShelookedthoughtfulasshefollowedIvarouttothewagon—shedandheldtheshaftsupforhim，whilehebackedinthemareandbuckledthehold—backs。"Youhavebeenagoodfriendtothemistress，Ivar，"
shemurmured。
"Andyou，Godbewithyou，"repliedIvarasheclamberedintothecartandputthelan—
ternundertheoilclothlap—cover。"Nowforaducking，mygirl，"hesaidtothemare，gather—
ingupthereins。
Astheyemergedfromtheshed，astreamofwater，runningoffthethatch，struckthemareontheneck。Shetossedherheadindignantly，thenstruckoutbravelyonthesoftground，slippingbackagainandagainassheclimbedthehilltothemainroad。BetweentherainandthedarknessIvarcouldseeverylittle，soheletEmil’smarehavetherein，keepingherheadintherightdirection。Whenthegroundwaslevel，heturnedheroutofthedirtroaduponthesod，whereshewasabletotrotwithoutslipping。
BeforeIvarreachedthegraveyard，threemilesfromthehouse，thestormhadspentitself，andthedownpourhaddiedintoasoft，drippingrain。Theskyandthelandwereadarksmokecolor，andseemedtobecomingtogether，liketwowaves。WhenIvarstoppedatthegateandswungouthislantern，awhitefigurerosefrombesideJohnBergson’swhitestone。
Theoldmansprangtothegroundandshuf—
fledtowardthegatecalling，"Mistress，mis—
tress！"
Alexandrahurriedtomeethimandputherhandonhisshoulder。"TYST！Ivar。There’snothingtobeworriedabout。I’msorryifI’vescaredyouall。Ididn’tnoticethestormtillitwasonme，andIcouldn’twalkagainstit。I’mgladyou’vecome。IamsotiredIdidn’tknowhowI’devergethome。"
Ivarswungthelanternupsothatitshoneinherface。"GUD！Youareenoughtofrightenus，mistress。Youlooklikeadrownedwoman。
Howcouldyoudosuchathing！"
Groaningandmumblingheledheroutofthegateandhelpedherintothecart，wrappingherinthedryblanketsonwhichhehadbeensitting。
Alexandrasmiledathissolicitude。"Notmuchuseinthat，Ivar。Youwillonlyshutthewetin。Idon’tfeelsocoldnow;butI’mheavyandnumb。I’mgladyoucame。"
Ivarturnedthemareandurgedherintoaslidingtrot。Herfeetsentbackacontinualspatterofmud。
Alexandraspoketotheoldmanastheyjoggedalongthroughthesullengraytwilightofthestorm。"Ivar，Ithinkithasdonemegoodtogetcoldclearthroughlikethis，once。Idon’tbelieveIshallsuffersomuchanymore。Whenyougetsonearthedead，theyseemmorerealthantheliving。Worldlythoughtsleaveone。
EversinceEmildied，I’vesufferedsowhenitrained。NowthatI’vebeenoutinitwithhim，Ishan’tdreadit。Afteryouoncegetcoldclearthrough，thefeelingoftherainonyouissweet。
Itseemstobringbackfeelingsyouhadwhenyouwereababy。Itcarriesyoubackintothedark，beforeyouwereborn;youcan’tseethings，buttheycometoyou，somehow，andyouknowthemandaren’tafraidofthem。Maybeit’slikethatwiththedead。Iftheyfeelanythingatall，it’stheoldthings，beforetheywereborn，thatcomfortpeoplelikethefeelingoftheirownbeddoeswhentheyarelittle。"
"Mistress，"saidIvarreproachfully，"thosearebadthoughts。ThedeadareinParadise。"
Thenhehunghishead，forhedidnotbelievethatEmilwasinParadise。
Whentheygothome，Signahadafireburn—
inginthesitting—roomstove。SheundressedAlexandraandgaveherahotfootbath，whileIvarmadegingerteainthekitchen。WhenAlexandrawasinbed，wrappedinhotblankets，Ivarcameinwithhisteaandsawthatshedrankit。Signaaskedpermissiontosleepontheslatloungeoutsideherdoor。Alexandraenduredtheirattentionspatiently，butshewasgladwhentheyputoutthelampandlefther。
Asshelayaloneinthedark，itoccurredtoherforthefirsttimethatperhapsshewasactuallytiredoflife。Allthephysicaloperationsoflifeseemeddifficultandpainful。Shelongedtobefreefromherownbody，whichachedandwassoheavy。Andlongingitselfwasheavy：sheyearnedtobefreeofthat。
Asshelaywithhereyesclosed，shehadagain，morevividlythanformanyyears，theoldillu—
sionofhergirlhood，ofbeingliftedandcarriedlightlybysomeoneverystrong。Hewaswithheralongwhilethistime，andcarriedherveryfar，andinhisarmsshefeltfreefrompain。
Whenhelaidherdownonherbedagain，sheopenedhereyes，and，forthefirsttimeinherlife，shesawhim，sawhimclearly，thoughtheroomwasdark，andhisfacewascovered。Hewasstandinginthedoorwayofherroom。Hiswhitecloakwasthrownoverhisface，andhisheadwasbentalittleforward。Hisshouldersseemedasstrongasthefoundationsoftheworld。Hisrightarm，baredfromtheelbow，wasdarkandgleaming，likebronze，andsheknewatoncethatitwasthearmofthemighti—
estofalllovers。Sheknewatlastforwhomitwasshehadwaited，andwherehewouldcarryher。That，shetoldherself，wasverywell。
Thenshewenttosleep。
Alexandrawakenedinthemorningwithnothingworsethanahardcoldandastiffshoulder。Shekeptherbedforseveraldays，anditwasduringthattimethatsheformedaresolutiontogotoLincolntoseeFrankSha—
bata。Eversinceshelastsawhiminthecourt—
room，Frank’shaggardfaceandwildeyeshadhauntedher。Thetrialhadlastedonlythreedays。FrankhadgivenhimselfuptothepoliceinOmahaandpleadedguiltyofkill—
ingwithoutmaliceandwithoutpremeditation。
Thegunwas，ofcourse，againsthim，andthejudgehadgivenhimthefullsentence，——tenyears。HehadnowbeenintheStatePeni—
tentiaryforamonth。
Frankwastheonlyone，Alexandratoldher—
self，forwhomanythingcouldbedone。Hehadbeenlessinthewrongthananyofthem，andhewaspayingtheheaviestpenalty。SheoftenfeltthatsheherselfhadbeenmoretoblamethanpoorFrank。FromthetimetheShabatashadfirstmovedtotheneighboringfarm，shehadomittednoopportunityofthrowingMarieandEmiltogether。BecausesheknewFrankwassurlyaboutdoinglittlethingstohelphiswife，shewasalwayssendingEmilovertospadeorplantorcarpenterforMarie。ShewasgladtohaveEmilseeasmuchaspossibleofanintelli—
gent，city—bredgirlliketheirneighbor;sheno—
ticedthatitimprovedhismanners。SheknewthatEmilwasfondofMarie，butithadneveroccurredtoherthatEmil’sfeelingmightbedif—
ferentfromherown。Shewonderedatherselfnow，butshehadneverthoughtofdangerinthatdirection。IfMariehadbeenunmarried，——oh，yes！Thenshewouldhavekepthereyesopen。ButthemerefactthatshewasSha—
bata’swife，forAlexandra，settledeverything。
Thatshewasbeautiful，impulsive，barelytwoyearsolderthanEmil，thesefactshadhadnoweightwithAlexandra。Emilwasagoodboy，andonlybadboysranaftermarriedwomen。
Now，AlexandracouldinameasurerealizethatMariewas，afterall，Marie;notmerelya"marriedwoman。"Sometimes，whenAlex—
andrathoughtofher，itwaswithanachingtenderness。Themomentshehadreachedthemintheorchardthatmorning，everythingwascleartoher。Therewassomethingaboutthosetwolyinginthegrass，somethinginthewayMariehadsettledhercheekonEmil’sshoulder，thattoldhereverything。Shewonderedthenhowtheycouldhavehelpedlovingeachother;
howshecouldhavehelpedknowingthattheymust。Emil’scold，frowningface，thegirl’scontent——Alexandrahadfeltaweofthem，eveninthefirstshockofhergrief。
Theidlenessofthosedaysinbed，therelax—
ationofbodywhichattendedthem，enabledAlexandratothinkmorecalmlythanshehaddonesinceEmil’sdeath。SheandFrank，shetoldherself，wereleftoutofthatgroupoffriendswhohadbeenoverwhelmedbydisaster。
ShemustcertainlyseeFrankShabata。Eveninthecourtroomherhearthadgrievedforhim。
Hewasinastrangecountry，hehadnokins—
menorfriends，andinamomenthehadruinedhislife。Beingwhathewas，shefelt，Frankcouldnothaveactedotherwise。ShecouldunderstandhisbehaviormoreeasilythanshecouldunderstandMarie’s。Yes，shemustgotoLincolntoseeFrankShabata。
ThedayafterEmil’sfuneral，AlexandrahadwrittentoCarlLinstrum;asinglepageofnote—
paper，abarestatementofwhathadhappened。
Shewasnotawomanwhocouldwritemuchaboutsuchathing，andaboutherownfeelingsshecouldneverwriteveryfreely。SheknewthatCarlwasawayfrompost—offices，prospect—
ingsomewhereintheinterior。Beforehestartedhehadwrittenherwhereheexpectedtogo，butherideasaboutAlaskawerevague。Astheweekswentbyandsheheardnothingfromhim，itseemedtoAlexandrathatherheartgrewhardagainstCarl。Shebegantowonderwhethershewouldnotdobettertofinishherlifealone。
Whatwasleftoflifeseemedunimportant。
II
LateintheafternoonofabrilliantOctoberday，AlexandraBergson，dressedinablacksuitandtraveling—hat，alightedattheBurlingtondepotinLincoln。ShedrovetotheLindellHotel，whereshehadstayedtwoyearsagowhenshecameupforEmil’sCommencement。
Inspiteofherusualairofsurenessandself—
possession，Alexandrafeltillateaseinhotels，andshewasglad，whenshewenttotheclerk’sdesktoregister，thattherewerenotmanypeopleinthelobby。Shehadhersupperearly，wearingherhatandblackjacketdowntothedining—roomandcarryingherhandbag。Aftersuppershewentoutforawalk。
Itwasgrowingdarkwhenshereachedtheuniversitycampus。Shedidnotgointothegrounds，butwalkedslowlyupanddownthestonewalkoutsidethelongironfence，lookingthroughattheyoungmenwhowererunningfromonebuildingtoanother，atthelightsshin—
ingfromthearmoryandthelibrary。Asquadofcadetsweregoingthroughtheirdrillbehindthearmory，andthecommandsoftheiryoungofficerrangoutatregularintervals，sosharpandquickthatAlexandracouldnotunderstandthem。Twostalwartgirlscamedownthelibrarystepsandoutthroughoneoftheirongates。Astheypassedher，AlexandrawaspleasedtohearthemspeakingBohemiantoeachother。Everyfewmomentsaboywouldcomerunningdowntheflaggedwalkanddashoutintothestreetasifhewererushingtoannouncesomewondertotheworld。Alexandrafeltagreattendernessforthemall。Shewishedoneofthemwouldstopandspeaktoher。ShewishedshecouldaskthemwhethertheyhadknownEmil。
Asshelingeredbythesouthgatesheactuallydidencounteroneoftheboys。Hehadonhisdrillcapandwasswinginghisbooksattheendofalongstrap。Itwasdarkbythistime;
hedidnotseeherandranagainsther。Hesnatchedoffhiscapandstoodbareheadedandpanting。"I’mawfullysorry，"hesaidinabright，clearvoice，witharisinginflection，asifheexpectedhertosaysomething。
"Oh，itwasmyfault！"saidAlexandraeagerly。
"Areyouanoldstudenthere，mayIask？"
"No，ma’am。I’maFreshie，justoffthefarm。CherryCounty。Wereyouhuntingsomebody？"
"No，thankyou。Thatis——"Alexandrawantedtodetainhim。"Thatis，Iwouldliketofindsomeofmybrother’sfriends。Hegradu—
atedtwoyearsago。"
"Thenyou’dhavetotrytheSeniors，wouldn’tyou？Let’ssee;Idon’tknowanyofthemyet，butthere’llbesuretobesomeofthemaroundthelibrary。Thatredbuilding，rightthere，"hepointed。
"Thankyou，I’lltrythere，"saidAlexandralingeringly。
"Oh，that’sallright！Good—night。"TheladclappedhiscaponhisheadandranstraightdownEleventhStreet。Alexandralookedafterhimwistfully。
Shewalkedbacktoherhotelunreasonablycomforted。"Whatanicevoicethatboyhad，andhowpolitehewas。IknowEmilwasalwayslikethattowomen。"Andagain，aftershehadundressedandwasstandinginhernightgown，brushingherlong，heavyhairbytheelectriclight，sherememberedhimandsaidtoherself，"Idon’tthinkIeverheardanicervoicethanthatboyhad。Ihopehewillgetonwellhere。
CherryCounty;that’swherethehayissofine，andthecoyotescanscratchdowntowater。"
Atnineo’clockthenextmorningAlexandrapresentedherselfatthewarden’sofficeintheStatePenitentiary。ThewardenwasaGer—
man，aruddy，cheerful—lookingmanwhohadformerlybeenaharness—maker。AlexandrahadalettertohimfromtheGermanbankerinHanover。Asheglancedattheletter，Mr。
Schwartzputawayhispipe。
"ThatbigBohemian，isit？Sure，he’sgettin’alongfine，"saidMr。Schwartzcheer—
fully。
"Iamgladtohearthat。Iwasafraidhemightbequarrelsomeandgethimselfintomoretrouble。Mr。Schwartz，ifyouhavetime，I
wouldliketotellyoualittleaboutFrankShabata，andwhyIaminterestedinhim。"
ThewardenlistenedgeniallywhileshetoldhimbrieflysomethingofFrank’shistoryandcharacter，buthedidnotseemtofindanythingunusualinheraccount。
"Sure，I’llkeepaneyeonhim。We’lltakecareofhimallright，"hesaid，rising。"Youcantalktohimhere，whileIgotoseetothingsinthekitchen。I’llhavehimsentin。Heoughttobedonewashingouthiscellbythistime。Wehavetokeep’emclean，youknow。"
Thewardenpausedatthedoor，speakingbackoverhisshouldertoapaleyoungmaninconvicts’clotheswhowasseatedatadeskinthecorner，writinginabigledger。
"Bertie，when1037isbroughtin，youjuststepoutandgivethisladyachancetotalk。"
Theyoungmanbowedhisheadandbentoverhisledgeragain。
WhenMr。Schwartzdisappeared，Alexandrathrustherblack—edgedhandkerchiefnervouslyintoherhandbag。Comingoutonthestreet—
carshehadnothadtheleastdreadofmeetingFrank。Butsinceshehadbeenherethesoundsandsmellsinthecorridor，thelookofthemeninconvicts’clotheswhopassedtheglassdoorofthewarden’soffice，affectedherunpleasantly。
Thewarden’sclockticked，theyoungcon—
vict’spenscratchedbusilyinthebigbook，andhissharpshoulderswereshakeneveryfewsecondsbyaloosecoughwhichhetriedtosmother。Itwaseasytoseethathewasasickman。Alexandralookedathimtimidly，buthedidnotonceraisehiseyes。Heworeawhiteshirtunderhisstripedjacket，ahighcollar，andanecktie，verycarefullytied。Hishandswerethinandwhiteandwellcaredfor，andhehadasealringonhislittlefinger。Whenheheardstepsapproachinginthecorridor，herose，blottedhisbook，puthispenintherack，andlefttheroomwithoutraisinghiseyes。Throughthedoorheopenedaguardcamein，bringingFrankShabata。
"Youtheladythatwantedtotalkto1037？
Hereheis。Beonyourgoodbehavior，now。Hecansetdown，lady，"seeingthatAlexandraremainedstanding。"Pushthatwhitebuttonwhenyou’rethroughwithhim，andI’llcome。"
TheguardwentoutandAlexandraandFrankwereleftalone。
Alexandratriednottoseehishideousclothes。Shetriedtolookstraightintohisface，whichshecouldscarcelybelievewashis。Itwasalreadybleachedtoachalkygray。Hislipswerecolorless，hisfineteethlookedyellowish。
HeglancedatAlexandrasullenly，blinkedasifhehadcomefromadarkplace，andoneeye—
browtwitchedcontinually。Shefeltatoncethatthisinterviewwasaterribleordealtohim。
Hisshavedhead，showingtheconformationofhisskull，gavehimacriminallookwhichhehadnothadduringthetrial。
Alexandraheldoutherhand。"Frank，"shesaid，hereyesfillingsuddenly，"Ihopeyou’llletmebefriendlywithyou。Iunderstandhowyoudidit。Idon’tfeelhardtowardyou。Theyweremoretoblamethanyou。"
Frankjerkedadirtybluehandkerchieffromhistrouserspocket。Hehadbeguntocry。HeturnedawayfromAlexandra。"Ineverdidmeantodonot’ingtodatwoman，"hemut—
tered。"Inevermeantodonot’ingtodatboy。
Iain’thadnot’ingag’in’datboy。Ialwayslikedatboyfine。An’thenIfindhim——"Hestopped。Thefeelingwentoutofhisfaceandeyes。Hedroppedintoachairandsatlookingstolidlyatthefloor，hishandshanginglooselybetweenhisknees，thehandkerchieflyingacrosshisstripedleg。Heseemedtohavestirredupinhismindadisgustthathadpara—
lyzedhisfaculties。
"Ihaven’tcomeupheretoblameyou，Frank。Ithinktheyweremoretoblamethanyou。"Alexandra，too，feltbenumbed。
Franklookedupsuddenlyandstaredoutoftheofficewindow。"IguessdatplaceallgotohellwhatIworksohardon，"hesaidwithaslow，bittersmile。"Inotcareadamn。"Hestoppedandrubbedthepalmofhishandoverthelightbristlesonhisheadwithannoyance。
"Inocant’inkwithoutmyhair，"hecom—
plained。"IforgetEnglish。Wenottalkhere，exceptswear。"
Alexandrawasbewildered。Frankseemedtohaveundergoneachangeofpersonality。TherewasscarcelyanythingbywhichshecouldrecognizeherhandsomeBohemianneighbor。
Heseemed，somehow，notaltogetherhuman。
Shedidnotknowwhattosaytohim。
"Youdonotfeelhardtome，Frank？"sheaskedatlast。
Frankclenchedhisfistandbrokeoutinexcitement。"Inotfeelhardatnowoman。I
tellyouInotthatkind—aman。Ineverhitmywife。No，neverIhurtherwhenshedevilmesomethingawful！"Hestruckhisfistdownonthewarden’sdesksohardthatheafterwardstrokeditabsently。Apalepinkcreptoverhisneckandface。"Two，t’reeyearsIknowdatwomandon’carenomore’boutme，Alex—
andraBergson。Iknowsheaftersomeotherman。Iknowher，oo—oo！An’Iain’tneverhurther。Ineverwould—adonedat，ifIain’thaddatgunalong。Idon’knowwhatinhellmakemetakedatgun。ShealwayssayIain’tnomantocarrygun。Ifshebeenindathouse，wheresheought—abeen——Butdasafoolishtalk。"
Frankrubbedhisheadandstoppedsuddenly，ashehadstoppedbefore。Alexandrafeltthattherewassomethingstrangeinthewayhechilledoff，asifsomethingcameupinhimthatextinguishedhispoweroffeelingorthinking。
"Yes，Frank，"shesaidkindly。"IknowyounevermeanttohurtMarie。"
Franksmiledatherqueerly。Hiseyesfilledslowlywithtears。"Youknow，Imostforgitdatwoman’sname。Sheain’tgotnonameformenomore。Ineverhatemywife，butdatwomanwhatmakemedodat——HonesttoGod，butIhateher！Inomantofight。Idon’
wanttokillnoboyandnowoman。Inotcarehowmanymenshetakeunderdattree。Inocarefornot’ingbutdatfineboyIkill，Alexan—
draBergson。IguessIgocrazysure’nough。"
AlexandrarememberedthelittleyellowcaneshehadfoundinFrank’sclothes—closet。Shethoughtofhowhehadcometothiscountryagayyoungfellow，soattractivethatthepretti—
estBohemiangirlinOmahahadrunawaywithhim。Itseemedunreasonablethatlifeshouldhavelandedhiminsuchaplaceasthis。SheblamedMariebitterly。Andwhy，withherhappy，affectionatenature，shouldshehavebroughtdestructionandsorrowtoallwhohadlovedher，eventopooroldJoeTovesky，theunclewhousedtocarryheraboutsoproudlywhenshewasalittlegirl？Thatwasthestrangestthingofall。Wasthere，then，some—
thingwronginbeingwarm—heartedandimpul—
sivelikethat？Alexandrahatedtothinkso。
ButtherewasEmil，intheNorwegiangrave—
yardathome，andherewasFrankShabata。
Alexandraroseandtookhimbythehand。
"FrankShabata，IamnevergoingtostoptryinguntilIgetyoupardoned。I’llnevergivetheGovernoranypeace。IknowIcangetyououtofthisplace。"
Franklookedatherdistrustfully，buthegatheredconfidencefromherface。"Alexan—
dra，"hesaidearnestly，"ifIgitout—ahere，I
nottroublediscountrynomore。IgobackwhereIcomefrom;seemymother。"
Alexandratriedtowithdrawherhand，butFrankheldontoitnervously。Heputouthisfingerandabsentlytouchedabuttononherblackjacket。"Alexandra，"hesaidinalowtone，lookingsteadilyatthebutton，"youain’
t’inkIusedatgirlawfulbadbefore——"
"No，Frank。Wewon’ttalkaboutthat，"
Alexandrasaid，pressinghishand。"Ican’thelpEmilnow，soI’mgoingtodowhatIcanforyou。YouknowIdon’tgoawayfromhomeoften，andIcameuphereonpurposetotellyouthis。"
Thewardenattheglassdoorlookedinin—
quiringly。Alexandranodded，andhecameinandtouchedthewhitebuttononhisdesk。Theguardappeared，andwithasinkingheartAlexandrasawFrankledawaydownthecor—
ridor。AfterafewwordswithMr。Schwartz，shelefttheprisonandmadeherwaytothestreet—car。Shehadrefusedwithhorrorthewarden’scordialinvitationto"gothroughtheinstitution。"Asthecarlurchedoveritsun—
evenroadbed，backtowardLincoln，AlexandrathoughtofhowsheandFrankhadbeenwreckedbythesamestormandofhow，al—
thoughshecouldcomeoutintothesunlight，shehadnotmuchmoreleftinherlifethanhe。
Sherememberedsomelinesfromapoemshehadlikedinherschooldays：——
HenceforththeworldwillonlybeAwiderprison—housetome，——
andsighed。Adisgustoflifeweigheduponherheart;somesuchfeelingashadtwicefrozenFrankShabata’sfeatureswhiletheytalkedtogether。ShewishedshewerebackontheDivide。
WhenAlexandraenteredherhotel，theclerkhelduponefingerandbeckonedtoher。Assheapproachedhisdesk，hehandedheratelegram。
Alexandratooktheyellowenvelopeandlookedatitinperplexity，thensteppedintotheele—
vatorwithoutopeningit。Asshewalkeddownthecorridortowardherroom，shereflectedthatshewas，inamanner，immunefromeviltid—
ings。Onreachingherroomshelockedthedoor，andsittingdownonachairbythedresser，openedthetelegram。ItwasfromHanover，anditread：——
ArrivedHanoverlastnight。Shallwaithereuntilyoucome。Pleasehurry。
CARLLINSTRUM。
Alexandraputherheaddownonthedresserandburstintotears。
III
ThenextafternoonCarlandAlexandrawerewalkingacrossthefieldsfromMrs。
Hiller’s。AlexandrahadleftLincolnaftermid—
night，andCarlhadmetherattheHanoverstationearlyinthemorning。Aftertheyreachedhome，AlexandrahadgoneovertoMrs。Hiller’stoleavealittlepresentshehadboughtforherinthecity。Theystayedattheoldlady’sdoorbutamoment，andthencameouttospendtherestoftheafternooninthesunnyfields。
Alexandrahadtakenoffherblacktraveling—
suitandputonawhitedress;partlybecauseshesawthatherblackclothesmadeCarlun—
comfortableandpartlybecauseshefeltop—
pressedbythemherself。Theyseemedalittleliketheprisonwhereshehadwornthemyester—
day，andtobeoutofplaceintheopenfields。
Carlhadchangedverylittle。Hischeekswerebrownerandfuller。Helookedlesslikeatiredscholarthanwhenhewentawayayearago，butnoone，evennow，wouldhavetakenhimforamanofbusiness。Hissoft，lustrousblackeyes，hiswhimsicalsmile，wouldbelessagainsthimintheKlondikethanontheDivide。Therearealwaysdreamersonthefrontier。
CarlandAlexandrahadbeentalkingsincemorning。Herletterhadneverreachedhim。
HehadfirstlearnedofhermisfortunefromaSanFranciscopaper，fourweeksold，whichhehadpickedupinasaloon，andwhichcon—
tainedabriefaccountofFrankShabata’strial。
Whenheputdownthepaper，hehadalreadymadeuphismindthathecouldreachAlexandraasquicklyasalettercould;andeversincehehadbeenontheway;dayandnight，bythefastestboatsandtrainshecouldcatch。Hissteamerhadbeenheldbacktwodaysbyroughweather。
AstheycameoutofMrs。Hiller’sgardentheytookuptheirtalkagainwheretheyhadleftit。
"Butcouldyoucomeawaylikethat，Carl，withoutarrangingthings？Couldyoujustwalkoffandleaveyourbusiness？"Alexandraasked。
Carllaughed。"PrudentAlexandra！Yousee，mydear，Ihappentohaveanhonestpartner。
Itrusthimwitheverything。Infact，it’sbeenhisenterprisefromthebeginning，youknow。
I’minitonlybecausehetookmein。I’llhavetogobackinthespring。Perhapsyouwillwanttogowithmethen。Wehaven’tturnedupmillionsyet，butwe’vegotastartthat’sworthfollowing。ButthiswinterI’dliketospendwithyou。Youwon’tfeelthatweoughttowaitlonger，onEmil’saccount，willyou，Alexandra？"
Alexandrashookherhead。"No，Carl;I
don’tfeelthatwayaboutit。Andsurelyyouneedn’tmindanythingLouandOscarsaynow。TheyaremuchangrierwithmeaboutEmil，now，thanaboutyou。Theysayitwasallmyfault。ThatIruinedhimbysendinghimtocollege。"
"No，Idon’tcareabuttonforLouorOscar。ThemomentIknewyouwereintrou—
ble，themomentIthoughtyoumightneedme，italllookeddifferent。You’vealwaysbeenatriumphantkindofperson。"Carlhesitated，lookingsidewiseatherstrong，fullfigure。"Butyoudoneedmenow，Alex—
andra？"
Sheputherhandonhisarm。"Ineededyouterriblywhenithappened，Carl。Icriedforyouatnight。Theneverythingseemedtogethardinsideofme，andIthoughtperhapsIshouldnevercareforyouagain。ButwhenIgotyourtelegramyesterday，then——thenitwasjustasitusedtobe。YouareallIhaveintheworld，youknow。"
Carlpressedherhandinsilence。TheywerepassingtheShabatas’emptyhousenow，buttheyavoidedtheorchardpathandtookonethatledoverbythepasturepond。
"Canyouunderstandit，Carl？"Alexandramurmured。"IhavehadnobodybutIvarandSignatotalkto。Dotalktome。Canyouun—
derstandit？CouldyouhavebelievedthatofMarieTovesky？Iwouldhavebeencuttopieces，littlebylittle，beforeIwouldhavebetrayedhertrustinme！"
Carllookedattheshiningspotofwaterbeforethem。"Maybeshewascuttopieces，too，Alexandra。Iamsureshetriedhard;theybothdid。ThatwaswhyEmilwenttoMexico，ofcourse。Andhewasgoingawayagain，youtellme，thoughhehadonlybeenhomethreeweeks。YourememberthatSundaywhenI
wentwithEmiluptotheFrenchChurchfair？
Ithoughtthatdaytherewassomekindoffeel—
ing，somethingunusual，betweenthem。I
meanttotalktoyouaboutit。ButonmywaybackImetLouandOscarandgotsoangrythatIforgoteverythingelse。Youmustn’tbehardonthem，Alexandra。Sitdownherebythepondaminute。Iwanttotellyousomething。"
Theysatdownonthegrass—tuftedbankandCarltoldherhowhehadseenEmilandMarieoutbythepondthatmorning，morethanayearago，andhowyoungandcharmingandfullofgracetheyhadseemedtohim。"Ithap—
penslikethatintheworldsometimes，Alexan—
dra，"headdedearnestly。"I’veseenitbefore。
Therearewomenwhospreadruinaroundthemthroughnofaultoftheirs，justbybeingtoobeautiful，toofulloflifeandlove。Theycan’thelpit。Peoplecometothemaspeoplegotoawarmfireinwinter。Iusedtofeelthatinherwhenshewasalittlegirl。Doyouremem—
berhowalltheBohemianscrowdedroundherinthestorethatday，whenshegaveEmilhercandy？Yourememberthoseyellowsparksinhereyes？"
Alexandrasighed。"Yes。Peoplecouldn’thelplovingher。PoorFrankdoes，evennow，I
think;thoughhe’sgothimselfinsuchatanglethatforalongtimehislovehasbeenbittererthanhishate。Butifyousawtherewasany—
thingwrong，yououghttohavetoldme，Carl。"
Carltookherhandandsmiledpatiently。
"Mydear，itwassomethingonefeltintheair，asyoufeelthespringcoming，orastorminsummer。Ididn’tSEEanything。Simply，whenIwaswiththosetwoyoungthings，Ifeltmybloodgoquicker，Ifelt——howshallIsayit？——
anaccelerationoflife。AfterIgotaway，itwasalltoodelicate，toointangible，towriteabout。"
Alexandralookedathimmournfully。"I
trytobemoreliberalaboutsuchthingsthanIusedtobe。Itrytorealizethatwearenotallmadealike。Only，whycouldn’tithavebeenRaoulMarcel，orJanSmirka？Whydidithavetobemyboy？"
"Becausehewasthebesttherewas，Isup—
pose。Theywereboththebestyouhadhere。"
Thesunwasdroppinglowinthewestwhenthetwofriendsroseandtookthepathagain。
Thestraw—stackswerethrowinglongshadows，theowlswereflyinghometotheprairie—dogtown。Whentheycametothecornerwherethepasturesjoined，Alexandra’stwelveyoungcoltsweregallopinginadroveoverthebrowofthehill。
"Carl，"saidAlexandra，"Ishouldliketogouptherewithyouinthespring。Ihaven’tbeenonthewatersincewecrossedtheocean，whenIwasalittlegirl。AfterwefirstcameouthereIusedtodreamsometimesabouttheship—
yardwherefatherworked，andalittlesortofinlet，fullofmasts。"Alexandrapaused。Afteramoment’sthoughtshesaid，"Butyouwouldneveraskmetogoawayforgood，wouldyou？"
"Ofcoursenot，mydearest。IthinkIknowhowyoufeelaboutthiscountryaswellasyoudoyourself。"Carltookherhandinbothhisownandpressedittenderly。
"Yes，Istillfeelthatway，thoughEmilisgone。WhenIwasonthetrainthismorning，andwegotnearHanover，IfeltsomethinglikeIdidwhenIdrovebackwithEmilfromtheriverthattime，inthedryyear。Iwasgladtocomebacktoit。I’velivedherealongtime。
Thereisgreatpeacehere，Carl，andfreedom……IthoughtwhenIcameoutofthatprison，wherepoorFrankis，thatIshouldneverfeelfreeagain。ButIdo，here。"Alexandratookadeepbreathandlookedoffintotheredwest。
"Youbelongtotheland，"Carlmurmured，"asyouhavealwayssaid。Nowmorethanever。"
"Yes，nowmorethanever。Yourememberwhatyouoncesaidaboutthegraveyard，andtheoldstorywritingitselfover？Onlyitiswewhowriteit，withthebestwehave。"
Theypausedonthelastridgeofthepasture，overlookingthehouseandthewindmillandthestablesthatmarkedthesiteofJohnBergson’shomestead。Oneverysidethebrownwavesoftheearthrolledawaytomeetthesky。
"LouandOscarcan’tseethosethings，"saidAlexandrasuddenly。"SupposeIdowillmylandtotheirchildren，whatdifferencewillthatmake？Thelandbelongstothefuture，Carl;
that’sthewayitseemstome。Howmanyofthenamesonthecountyclerk’splatwillbethereinfiftyyears？Imightaswelltrytowillthesunsetovertheretomybrother’schildren。Wecomeandgo，butthelandisalwayshere。Andthepeoplewholoveitandunderstanditarethepeoplewhoownit——foralittlewhile。"
Carllookedatherwonderingly。Shewasstillgazingintothewest，andinherfacetherewasthatexaltedserenitythatsometimescametoheratmomentsofdeepfeeling。Thelevelraysofthesinkingsunshoneinhercleareyes。
"Whyareyouthinkingofsuchthingsnow，Alexandra？"
"IhadadreambeforeIwenttoLincoln——
ButIwilltellyouaboutthatafterward，afterwearemarried。Itwillnevercometrue，now，inthewayIthoughtitmight。"ShetookCarl’sarmandtheywalkedtowardthegate。"Howmanytimeswehavewalkedthispathtogether，Carl。Howmanytimeswewillwalkitagain！
Doesitseemtoyoulikecomingbacktoyourownplace？Doyoufeelatpeacewiththeworldhere？Ithinkweshallbeveryhappy。Ihaven’tanyfears。Ithinkwhenfriendsmarry，theyaresafe。Wedon’tsufferlike——thoseyoungones。"
Alexandraendedwithasigh。
Theyhadreachedthegate。BeforeCarlopenedit，hedrewAlexandratohimandkissedhersoftly，onherlipsandonhereyes。
Sheleanedheavilyonhisshoulder。"Iamtired，"shemurmured。"Ihavebeenverylonely，Carl。"
Theywentintothehousetogether，leavingtheDividebehindthem，undertheeveningstar。Fortunatecountry，thatisonedaytoreceiveheartslikeAlexandra’sintoitsbosom，togivethemoutagainintheyellowwheat，intherustlingcorn，intheshiningeyesofyouth！
