CHAPTERI
THEHONOURABLEHILARYVANESITSFORHISPORTRAIT
ImayaswellbeginthisstorywithMr。HilaryVane，morefrequentlyaddressedastheHonourableHilaryVane，althoughitwasthegentleman'sproudboastthathehadneverheldanofficeinhislife。HebelongedtotheVanesofCamdenStreet，——abeautifulvillageinthehillsnearRipton，——andwas，incommonwithsomeothergreatmenwhohadmadeanoiseinNewYorkandthenation，agraduateofCamdenWentworthAcademy。
ButMr。Vane，whenhewasathome，livedonawide，maple-shadedstreetinthecityofRipton，caredforbyanelderlyhousekeeperwhohadmoreedgesthananew-fangledmowingmachine。ThehousewasaporticoedonewhichhadbelongedtotheAustensforahundredyearsormore，forHilaryVanehadmarried，towardsmiddleage，MissSarahAusten。Intwoyearshewasawidower，andhenevertrieditagain；hehadtheAustens'house，andthatmany-edgedwoman，EuphrasiaCotton，theAustens'housekeeper。
Thehousewasofwood，andwaspaintedwhiteasregularlyasleapyear。
Fromthestreetfronttothevegetablegardenintheextremerearitwasexceedinglylong，andperhapsforpropriety'ssake——HilaryVanelivedatoneendofitandEuphrasiaattheother。Hilarywassixty-five，Euphrasiaseventy，whichisnotoldforfrugalpeople，thoughitisjustaswelltoaddthattherehadneverbeenabreathofscandalabouteitherofthem，inRiptonorelsewhere。FortheHonourableHilary'smodestneedsoneroomsufficed，andthefrontparlourhadnotbeenusedsincepoorSarahAusten'sdemise，thirtyyearsbeforethisstoryopens。
Inthosethirtyyears，byasaneandsteadygrowth，HilaryVanehadachievedhispresenteminentpositionintheState。HewastrusteeforI
knownothowmanypeopleandinstitutions，adeaconinthefirstchurch，alawyerofsuchabilitythathesometimeswasaccordedthecourtesy-
titleof“Judge。“Hisonlyvice——ifitcouldbecalledsuch——wasinoccasionallyplacingapiece，thesizeofapea，ofaparticularkindofplugtobaccounderhistongue，——andthiswasnotknowntomanypeople。
Euphrasiacouldnotbecalledawastefulperson，andHilaryhadaccumulatednosmallportionofthisworld'sgoods，andplacedthemasproprietydemanded，wheretheywerenotvisibletothenakedeye:andbeitaddedinhisfavourthathegaveassecretly，toinstitutionsandhospitalsthefinancesandmethodsofwhichwereknowntohim。
AsconcreteevidenceoftheHonourableHilaryVane'simportance，whenhetravelledhehadonlytowithdrawfromhiship-pocketabookinwhichmanycolouredcardswereneatlyinserted，anopen-sesamewhichpermittedhimtositwithoutpaymenteveninthosewheeledpalacesofluxuryknownasPullmancars。WithinthelimitsoftheStatehedidnotevenhavetoopenthebook，butmerelysay，withatwinkleofhiseyestotheconductor，“Goodmorning，John，“andJohnwouldreplywithabowandagenialandusuallywittyremark，andpointhimouttoanobodywhosatinthebackofthecar。SofarhadMr。HilaryVane'stalentscarriedhim。
ThebeginningofthiseminencedatedbacktothedaysbeforetheEmpire，whenthereweremanylittleprincipalitiesofrailroadsfightingamongthemselves。ForwearecometoachangedAmerica。Therewasatime，inthedaysofthesixthEdwardofEngland，whenthegreatlandownersfounditmoreprofitabletoconsolidatethefarms，seizethecommonlands，andacquirericheshithertoundreamedof。HencetherisingoftailorKetandothers，andthelevelingoffencesandbarriers，andtheeatingofmanysheep。ItmayhavebeenthatMr。VanehadcomeacrossthispassageinEnglishhistory，buthedrewnoparallels。HisfirstpositionoftrusthadbeenascounselforthatprincipalityknownintheolddaysastheCentralRailroad，ofwhichacertainMr。Duncanhadbeenpresident，andHilaryVanehadfoughttheCentral'sbattleswithsuchtellingeffectthatwhenitwasmergedintotheoneImperialRailroad，itsstockholders——
totheadmirationoffinanciers——wereguaranteedtenpercent。Itwas，indeed，rumouredthatHilarydrewtheActofConsolidationitself。Atanyrate，hewastoovaluableanopponenttoneglect，andafteracertainintervaloftimeMr。VanebecamechiefcounselintheStatefortheImperialRailroad，onwhichdizzyheightwenowbeholdhim。Andhefound，bydegrees，thathehadnolongertimeforprivatepractice。
ItisperhapsgratuitoustoaddthattheHonourableHilaryVanewasamanofconvictions。Inpoliticshewouldhavetoldyou——withsomevehemence，ifyouseemedtodoubt——thathewasaRepublican。Treasontopartyheregardedwithadeep-seatedabhorrence，asanactforwhichamanshouldbejustlyoutlawed。Ifhewereinamellowmood，withtherightquantityofHoneyDewtobaccounderhistongue，hewouldperhapstellyouwhyhewasaRepublican，ifhethoughtyouworthyofhisconfidence。Hebelievedinthegoldstandard，foronething；inthetariff(leftunimpairedinitsglory)foranother，andwithawaveofhishandwouldindicatetheprosperityofthenationwhichsurroundedhim，——aprosperitytoosacredtotamperwith。
Onearticleofhisbelief，andinrealitythechiefarticle，Mr。Vanewouldnotmentiontoyou。Itwasperhapsbecausehehadneverformulatedthearticleforhimself。ItmightbecalledafaithinthedivinerightofImperialRailroadstorule，butitwasleftoutoftheverbalcreed。
ThisisfarfromimplyinghypocrisytoMr。Vane。Itwashisfoundation-
rockandtoosacredforlightconversation。Whenheallowedhimselftobebitteragainstvarious“youngmenwithmissions“whohadsprungupinvariousStatesoftheUnion，so-calledpurifiersofpolitics，hewouldcallthemtheunsuccessfulwithagrievance，andrecommendtothemthepracticeofcharity，forbearance，andotherChristianvirtues。ThankGod，hisStatewasnottroubledwithsuch。
InpersonMr。HilaryVanewastall，withaslightstooptohisshoulders，andheworetheconventionaldouble-breastedblackcoat，whichreachedtohisknees，andsquare-toedcongressboots。HehadaPuritanbeard，thehawk-likeVanenose，andatwinklingeyethatspokeofasenseofhumourandaknowledgeoftheworld。Inshort，hewasnoman'sfool，andonoccasionshadbeenmorethanamatchforcertainNewYorklawyerswithnationalreputations。
Itisrare，inthisworldoftrouble，thatsuchanapparentlyidealandhappystateofexistenceiswithoutacanker。AndIhavelefttherevelationofthecankertothelast。Riptonknewitwasthere，CamdenStreetknewit，andMr。Vane'sacquaintancesthroughouttheState；butnobodyeverspokeofit。EuphrasiashedoverittheonlytearsshehadknownsinceSarahAustendied，andsomeoftheseblottedtheonlylettersshewrote。HilaryVanedidnotshedtears，buthisfriendssuspectedthathisheart-stringsweretorn，andpitiedhim。HilaryVanefiercelyresentedpity，andthatwaswhytheydidnotspeakofit。ThistroubleofhiswasthecommonpointonwhichheandEuphrasiatouched，andtheytouchedonlytoquarrel。Letusoutwithit——HilaryVanehadawildson，whosenamewasAusten。
EuphrasiaknewthatinhissecretsoulMr。Vaneattributedthiswildness，andwhathewaspleasedtodesignateasprofligacy，totheAustenblood。
AndEuphrasiaresenteditbitterly。SarahAustenhadbeenayoung，elfishthingwhenhemarriedher，-adryad，theelderlyandlearnedMrs。
Tredwayhadcalledher。MrVanehadunderstoodheraboutaswellashewouldhaveunderstoodMary，QueenofScots，ifhehadbeenmarriedtothatlady。SarahAustenhadawild，shybeauty，startled，alerteyeslikeananimal，andrebelliousblackhairthatcurledaboutherearsandgaveherafaun-likeappearance。WithapipeandthecostumeofRosalindshewouldhavebeenperfect。Shehadhadahabitofrunningoffforthedayintothehillswithherson，andtheconventionsofRiptonhadbeentoherassomanydefunctbluelaws。Duringherbriefmarriedlifetherehadbeenperiodsofdefiancefromherlastingaweek，whenshewouldnotspeaktoHilaryorlookathim，andtheseperiodswouldbefollowedbyviolentspellsofweepinginEuphrasia'sarms，whenthehousewasnoplaceforHilary。Hepossessedbymatrimonyandintricatemechanismofwhichhisreallyadmirablebraincouldnotgraspthefirstprinciples；hefeltforherarealifuncomfortableaffection，butwhenshediedheheavedasighofrelief，atwhichhewasimmediatelyhorrified。
Austenheunderstoodlittlebetter，buthisaffectionforthechildmaybelikenedtotheforceofagreatriverrushingthroughanarrowgorge，andheviedwithEuphrasiainspoilinghim。Neitherknewwhattheyweredoing，andthespoilingprocesswasinterspersedwithoccasionaland(toAusten)unmeaningintervalsofseverediscipline。Theboylovedthestreetsandthewoodsandhisfellow-beings；hispunishmentswereaseriesofafternoonsinthehouse，duringoneofwhichhewreckedthebedroomwherehewasconfined，andwassoundlywhaledwithanoldslipperthatbrokeundertheprocess。Euphrasiakepttheslipper，andonceshowedittoHilaryduringaquarreltheyhadwhentheboywasgrownupandgoneandthehousewassilent，andHilaryhadturnedaway，choking，andlefttheroom。Suchwashiscross。
Tomakeitworse，theboyhadlovehisfather。Nay，stilllovedhim。Asalittlefellow，afterascoldingforsomewaywardprank，hewouldthrowhimselfintoHilary'sarmsandclingtohim，andwouldneverknowhownearhecametounmanninghim。AsAustengrewup，theysawtheworldindifferentcolours:bluetoHilarywasredtoAusten，andwhite，black；
essentialstoonewerenon-essentialstotheother；boysandgirls，menandwomen，abhorredbyonewerebooncompanionstotheother。
Austenmadefunoftheminister，andwascompelledtogochurchtwiceonSundaysandtoprayer-meetingonWednesdays。ThenhewenttoCamdenStreet，tolivewithhisgrandparentsintheoldVanehouseandattendCamdenWentworthAcademy。Hisletters，suchastheywere，wereinimitableifcrude，butcontainednotthekindofhumourHilaryVaneknew。CamdenWentworth，principalandteachers，waspaintedtothelife；
andtheladcouldhardlywaitforvacationtimetoseehisfather，onlytobeginquarrelingwithhimagain。
IpassoverescapadesinRiptonthatshockedonehalfofthepopulationandconvulsedtheotherhalf。Austenwenttothecollegewhichhisfatherhadattended，——acollegeofsplendidAmericantraditions，——andhiscareertheremightwellhavepuzzledafatheroffargreatertoleranceandcatholicity。HilaryVanewasatrustee，andjourneyedmorethanoncetotalkthematteroverwiththepresident，whohadbeenhisclassmatethere。
“Ilovethatboy，Hilary，“thepresidenthadsaidatlength，whenpressedforafrankopinion，——“thereisn'tasoulintheplace，Ibelieve，thatdoesn't，——undergraduatesandfaculty，——buthehasgivenmemoreanxiousthoughtthananyscholarIhaveeverhad。“
“Trouble，“correctedMr。Vane，sententiously。
“Well，yes，trouble，“answeredthepresident，smiling，“butuponmysoul，Ithinkitisallanimalspirits。“
“Aeuphemismforthedevil，“saidHilary，grimly；“heistheanimalpartofus，Ihavebeenbroughtuptobelieve。“
Thepresidentwasawiseman，andtookanothertack。
“Hehasareallyremarkablemind，whenhechoosestouseit。Everyonceinawhilehetakesyourbreathaway——buthehastobecomeinterested。A
fewweeksagoHayscametomedirectfromhislectureroomtotellmeaboutadiscussionofAusten'sinconstitutionallaw。Hays，youknow，isnoteasilyenthused，buthedeclaresyoursonhasasfinealegalbrainashehascomeacrossinhisexperience。Butsincethen，Iamboundtoadmit，“addedthepresident，sadly，“Austenseemsnottohavelookedatalesson。“
“'Unstableaswater，thoushaltnotexcel，'“repliedHilary。
“He'llsoberdown，“saidthepresident，stretchinghisconvictionalittle，“hehastwogreathandicaps:helearnstooeasily，andheistoopopular。“Thepresidentlookedoutofhisstudywindowacrossthecommon，surroundedbythegreatelmswhichhadbeenplantedwhenIndianladsplayedamongthestumpsandtheredflagofEnglandhadflownfromthetallpinestaff。Thegreenwascoverednowwithstudentsofaconqueringrace，skylarkingtoandfroastheylookedonatadesultorybaseballgame。“Iverilybelieve，“saidthepresident，atawordfromyourson，mostofthemwouldputontheircoatsandfollowhimonanymadexpeditionthatcameintohismind。“
HilaryVanegroanedmorethanonceinthetrainbacktoRipton。Itmeantnothingtohimtobethefatherofthemostpopularmanincollege。
“Themadexpedition“cameatlengthintheshapeofafightwiththetownspeople，inwhichAusten，ofcourse，wastheringleader。Ifhehadinheritedhismother'seccentricities，hehadheightandphysiquefromtheVanes，andoneresultwasaweekinbedforthesonofthelocalplumberandadamagesuitagainsttheHonourableHilary。AnotherresultwasthatAustenandaTomGaylordcamebacktoRiptononalongsuspension，which，rumoursaid，wouldhavebeenexpulsionifHilarywerenotatrustee。TomGaylordwasproudofsuspensioninsuchcompany。
Moreofhimlater。HewasthesonofoldTomGaylord，whoownedmorelumberthananymanintheState，andwhomHilaryVanebelievedtobethereceptacleofallthevices。
EventuallyAustenwentbackandgraduated——notsummacumlaude，honestycompelsmetoadd。Thencametheinevitablediscussion，andtopleasehisfatherhewenttotheHarvardLawSchoolfortwoyears。Attheendofthattime，insteadofreturningtoRipton，aletterhadcomefromhimwiththepostmarkofaWesternState，wherehehadfledwithaclassmatewhoownedranch。EvidentlytheworldlyconsiderationtobederivedfromconformitycountedlittlewithAustenVane。Moneywasamediumonly——notanend。Hewasinthesaddleallday，withnothingbutthehorizontolimithim；helovedhisfather，anddidnotdoubthisfather'sloveforhim，andhelovedEuphrasia。Hecouldsupporthimself，buthemustseelife。Thesucceedingyearsbroughtlettersandquaint，uselesspresentstoboththeoccupantsofthelonelyhouse，——NavajoblanketsandIndianjewelerandbasket-work，——andAustenlittleknewhowcarefullythesewerepackedawayandsurreptitiouslygazedatfromtimetotime。ButtoHilarytheWesterncareerwasadisgrace，andsuchmeagrereportsofitascamefromothersourcesthanAustentendedonlytoconfirmhiminthisopinion。
ItwascommonlysaidofMr。PaulPardriffthatnotanewspaperfellfromthepressthathedidnothaveaknowledgeofitscontents。CertainitwasthatMr。Pardriffmadeaspecialtyofmanykindsofknowledge，politicalandotherwise，and，theinformationhecouldgive——ifhechose——
aboutStateandnationalaffairswasofareconditeandcynicalnaturethatmadeonewishtoforgetabouttheAmericanflag。Mr。Pardriffwasunderforty，andwiththesegiftsmanyinnocentcitizensofRiptonnaturallywonderedwhythecolumnsofhisnewspaper，theRiptonRecord，didnotmorecloselyresemblethespicinessofhistalkintheofficeofGales'Hotel。Thecolumnscontained，instead，sucheffortsasessaysonanationalflowerandtheabnormalsizeofthehatsofcertaingreatmen，notablyAndrewJackson；yes，andthegoldstandard；andintimesofpoliticalstresstheyweredevotedtoasomewhatfulsomepraiseofregularandorthodoxRepublicancandidates，——andpraiseofanyonewasnotincharacterwiththeeditor。Ill-naturedpeoplesaidthatthematterinhispapermightpossiblybeaccountedforbythegratitudeofthecandidates，andthefactthatMr。Pardriffandhiswifeandhismaid-
servantandhishiredmantravelledonpinkmileagebooks，whichcouldonlybehadforlove——notmoney。Ontheotherhand，reputablewitnesseshadhaditoftenfromMr。Pardriffthathewasareformer，andnotatallinsympathywithcertainpracticeswhichundoubtedlyexisted。
Someyearsbefore——tobeexact，theyearAustenVaneleftthelawschool——
Mr。PardriffhadproposedtoexchangetheRiptonRecordwiththeeditorofthePepperCountyPlainsmaninafarWesternState。Theexchangewaseffected，andMr。PardriffglancedoverthePlainsmanregularlyonceaweek，thoughIdoubtwhethertheWesterneditoreverreadtheRecordafterthefirstcopy。OnedayinJuneMr。PardriffwasseatedinhissanctumaboveMerrill'sdrugstorewhenhiskeengreeneyesfelluponthefollowing:——
“ThePlainsmanconsidersitsafetosaythatthesympathyofthepeopleofPepperCountyatlargeiswithMr。AustenVane，whosepersonaldifficultywithJimBlodgettresultedsodisastrouslyforMr。Blodgett。
Thelattergentlemanhaslongmadehimselfobnoxioustolocalranchownersbyhispersistentdisregardofpropertylinesandproperty，anditwillberecalledthatheisatpresentinhotwaterwiththeenergeticSecretaryoftheInteriorforfencinggovernmentlands。Vane，whowasrecentlymademanagerofReadyMoneyRanch，isoneofthemostpopularyoungmeninthecounty。HewasunwillinglyassistedovertheStatelinebyhisfriends。AlthoughhehasneverbeenacitizenoftheState，thePlainsmantruststhathemaysoonbebackandbecomeoneofus。AtlastreportMr。Blodgettwasrestingeasily。“
ThisarticleobtainedcirculationinRipton，althoughitwasnotcopiedintotheRecordoutofdeferencetothefeelingsoftheHonourableHilaryVane。InadditiontothepersonalregardMr。PardriffprofessedtohavefortheHonourableHilary，itmaybewelltorememberthatAusten'sfatherwas，amongother，things，chairmanoftheStateCommittee。Mr。Tredway(largestrailroadstockholderinRipton)pursedhislipsthatwerealreadypursed。TomGaylordroaredwithlaughter。TwoorthreedayslatertheHonourableHilary，stillinblissfulignorance，receivedaletterthatagitatedhimsorely。
“DEARFATHER:Ihopeyoudon'tobjecttoreceivingalittlevisitfromaprodigal，waywardson。Totellthetruth，IhavefounditconvenienttoleavetheReadyMoneyRanchforawhile，althoughBobTynerisgoodenoughtosayImayhavetheplacewhenIcomeback。YouknowIoftenthinkofyouandPhrasiebackinRipton，andIlongtoseethedearoldtownagain。Expectmewhenyouseeme。
“Youraff。son，“AUSTEN。“
CHAPTERII
ONTHETREATMENTOFPRODIGALS
WhileEuphrasia，inafrenzyofanticipation，garnishedandswepttheroomwhichheldforhersomanymemoriesofAusten'sboyhood，evenbeatingthecarpetwithherownhands，HilaryVanewentabouthisbusinesswithnoapparentlackofdiligence。Buthewasmeditating。HehadmanytimeslistenedtotheReverendMr。Weightmanreadtheparablefromthepulpit，buthehadneverreflectedhowitwouldbetobethefatherofarealprodigal。Whatwastobedoneaboutthecalf？Wastheretobeacalf，orwastherenot？Totellthetruth，Hilarywantedacalf，andyettohaveone(inspiteofHolyWrit)wouldseemtosetapremiumondisobedienceandriotousliving。
Again，Austenhadreachedthirty，anagewhenitwasnotlikelyhewouldsettledownandliveanorderlyandgodlylifeamongcivilizedbeings，andthereforeafattedcalfwaslikelytobethefirstofmanyfollieswhichhe(Hilary)wouldlivetoregret。No，hewoulddealwithjustice。
Howhedealtwillbeseenpresently，butwhenhefinallyreachedthisconclusion，theclippingfromthePepperCountyPlainsmanhadnotyetcomebeforehiseyes。
Itisworthrelatinghowtheclippingdidcomebeforehiseyes，fornooneinRiptonhadthetemeritytospeakofit。Primarily，itwasbecauseMissVictoriaFlinthadlostaterrier，andsecondarily，becauseshewasapersonofstronglikesanddislikes。InpursuitoftheterriershedrovemadlythroughLeith，which，aseverybodyknows，isafamouscolonyofrichsummerresidents。VictoriaprobablystoppedateveryhouseinLeith，andsearchedthemwithcharacteristicvigourandlackofceremony，sometimesenteringbythesidedoor，andsometimesbythefront，andcaringverylittlewhethertheownerswereathomeornot。Mr。HumphreyCrewediscoveredherinaboa-stallatWedderburn，——ashisplacewascalled，——foritmadelittledifferencetoVictoriathatMr。Crewewasabachelorofmarriageableageandmillions。Full，asever，ofpracticalsuggestions，Mr。CreweproposedtotelephonetoRiptonandputanadvertisementintheRecord，which——ashehappenedtoknow——wenttopressthenextday。Victoriawouldnottrusttothetelephone，whereuponMr。
Creweofferedtodrivedownwithher。
“You'dboreme，Humphrey，“saidshe，assheclimbedintoherrunaboutwiththefatherandgrandfatheroftheabsentee。Mr。Crewelaughedasshedroveaway。Hehadachemicalqualityofturninginvidiousremarksintocompliments，andhetookthisoneasVictoria'smannerofsayingthatshedidnotwishtodisturbsoimportantaman。
ArrivinginthehotmainstreetofRipton，hersharpeyesdescriedtheRecordsignoverthedrugstore，andinanastonishinglyshorttimeshewasintheemptyoffice。Mr。Pardriffwasatdinner。Shesatdownintheeditorialchairandreadagreatdealofuninterestingmatter，butatlastfoundsomethingonthefloor(wherethewindhadblownit)whichmadeherlaugh。ItwastheaccountofAustenVane'sdifficultywithMr。
Blodgett。VictoriadidnotknowAusten，butsheknewthattheHonourableHilaryhadasonofthatnamewhohadgoneWest，andthiswaswhattickledher。ShethrusttheclippinginthepocketofherlinencoatjustasMr。Pardriffcamein。
HerconversationwiththeeditoroftheRecordprovedsoentertainingthatsheforgotallabouttheclippinguntilshehadreachedFairview，andhadsatisfiedasomewhatimperiousappetitebyacombinationoflunchandafternoontea。Fairviewwasthe“summerplace“ofMr。AugustusP。
Flint，herfather，onashelfofthehillsinthetownofTunbridge，equidistantfromLeithandRipton:andMr。FlintwasthepresidentoftheImperialRailroad，noless。
Yes，hehadoncebeenplainGusFlint，manyyearsago，whenheusedtofetchthepocket-handkerchiefsofMr。IsaacD。WorthingtonofBrampton，andhewasstill“Gus“tohisfriends。Mr。Flint'shadbeenthebrainwhichhadlargelyconceivedandexecutedtheconsolidationofprincipalitiesofwhichtheImperialRailroadwastheresultand，assurelyastoughmetalprevails，Mr。Flint，aftermanyothertrialsanderrorsofweakerstuff，hadbeenelectedtotheplaceforwhichhewassosupremelyfitted。WearesousedinAmericatothesetremendousrisesthataparagraphwillsufficetoplaceMr。FlintinhisAladdin'spalace。
Todohimjustice，hecarednotafigforthepalace，andhewouldhavebeencontentwiththefarmhouseunderthehillwherehisgardenerlived。
YoucouldnotfoolMr。Flintonahorseorafarm，andheknewtoadotwhatarailroadwasworthbytravellingoverit。Likehisgovernor-
generalanddependent，Mr。HilaryVane，hehadmarriedawifewhohadupsetallhiscalculations。TheladydiscoveredMr。Flint'sbalanceinthebank，andhadproceededtouseitforherownglorification，andtheironyofitallwasthathecoulddefenditfromeverybodyelse。Mrs。
Flintspent，andMr。Flintpaidthebills；forthefirsttenyearsprotestingly，andafterthathegaveitupandlethergoherowngait。
ShehadcomefromthetownofSharon，inanotherState，throughwhichMr。
Flint'srailroadalsoran，andshehadbeenknownastheRoseofthatplace。Shehadbeguntoriseimmediately，withthekite-likeadaptabilityoftheAmericanwomanforhighaltitudes，andtheleadenweightofthehusbandattheendofthetailwasasnothingtoher。ShehadbegunitallbythestudyofpeopleinhotelswhileMr。Flintwasclosetedwithofficialsanddirectors。Bydintofminuteobservationandreasoningpowersandunflaggingdeterminationshepassedrapidlythroughseveralstrata，andhadmadeacountryplaceoutofherhusband'sfarminTunbridge，sohappilyandconvenientlysituatednearLeith。InwintertheylivedonFifthAvenue。
Onedaughteralonehadhalted，foraminuteperiod，thisprogress，andthisdaughterwasVictoria——namedbyhermother。Victoriawasnowtwenty-one，andwasnotonlyofanothergeneration，butmightalmosthavebeenjudgedofanotherracethanherparents。Thethingsforwhichhermotherhadstrivenshetookforgranted，andthoughtofthemnotatall，andshehadbynaturethatsimplicityandastonishingfranknessofmannerandspeechwhichwasoncebelievedtobeanexclusiveprivilegeofduchesses。
ToreturntoFairview。Victoria，aftersharingherfiveo'clockluncheonwithherdogs，wenttoseekherfather，forthepurpose(ifitmustbetold)ofaskinghimforacheque。Mr。FlintwasatFairviewontheaverageoftwodaysoutoftheweekduringthesummer，andthenhewasnearlyalwaysclosetedwithasecretaryandtwostenographersandalong-
distancetelephoneintwoplainlittleroomsatthebackofthehouse。
AndMr。HilaryVanewasofteninconsultationwithhim，ashewasonthepresentoccasionwhenVictoriaflungopenthedoor。AtsightofMr。Vaneshehaltedsuddenlyonthethreshold，andagleamofmischiefcameintohereyeasshethrustherhandintohercoatpocket。Thetworegardedherwiththedetachedairofmenwhosethreadofthoughthasbeenbroken。
“Well，Victoria，“saidherfather，kindlyifresignedly，“whatisitnow？“
“Money，“repliedVictoria，promptly；“IwenttoAvalonthismorningandboughtthathorseyousaidImighthave。“
“Whathorse？“askedMr。Flint，vaguely。“Butnevermind。TellMr。
Freemantomakeoutthecheque。“
Mr。VaneglancedatMr。Flint，andhiseyestwinkled。Victoria，whohadlongagodiscoveredthesecretoftheHoneyDew，knewthathewasrollingitunderhistongueandthinkingherfatherafoolforhisindulgence。
“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Vane？“shesaid；“Austen'scominghome，isn'the？“
ShehadgotthisbyfeminineartsoutofMr。PaulPardriff，towhomshehadnotconfidedthefactofherpossessionoftheclipping。
TheHonourableHilarygaveagrunt，ashealwaysdidwhenhewassurprisedanddispleased，asthoughsomeonehadproddedhimwithastickinasensitivespot。
“Yourson？Why，Vane，younevertoldmethat，“saidMr。Flint。“I
didn'tknowthatyouknewhim，Victoria。“
“Idon't，“answeredVictoria，“butI'dliketo。WhatdidhedotoMr。
Blodgett？“shedemandedofHilary。
“Mr。Blodgett！“exclaimedthatgentleman。“Ineverheardofhim。What'shappenedtohim？“
“Hewillprobablyrecover，“sheassuredhim。
TheHonourableHilary，tryinginvaintosuppresshisagitation，rosetohisfeet。
“Idon'tknowwhatyou'retalkingabout，Victoria，“hesaid，buthisglancewasfixedontheclippinginherhand。
“Haven'tyouseenit？“sheasked，givingittohim。
Hereaditinsilence，groaned，andhandedittoMr。Flint，whohadbeendrummingonthetableandglancingatVictoriawithvaguedisapproval。
Mr。FlintreaditandgaveitbacktotheHonourableHilary，whogroanedagainandlookedoutofthewindow。
“Whydoyoufeelbadlyaboutit？“askedVictoria。“I'dbeproudofhim，ifIwereyou。“
“Proudofhim“echoedMr。Vane，grimly。“Proudofhim！“
“Victoria，whatdoyoumean？“saidMr。Flint。
“Whynot？“saidVictoria。“He'sdonenothingtomakeyouashamed。
Accordingtothatclipping，he'spunishedamanwhorichlydeservedtobepunished，andhehasthesympathyofanentirecounty。“
HilaryVanewasnotamantodiscusshisdomesticafflictionwithanybody，sohemerelygruntedandgazedpersistentlyoutofthewindow，andwasnotawareofthefactthatVictoriamadealittlefaceathimasshelefttheroom。Theyoungarenotalwaysimpartialjudgesoftheold，andVictoriahadneverforgivenhimforcarryingtoherfatherthenewsofanescapadeofhersinRipton。
Ashedrovethroughthesilentforestroadsonhiswayhomewardthatafternoon，theHonourableHilaryrevolvedthenewandintenselydisagreeablefactinhismindastohowheshouldtreataprodigalwhohadattemptedmanslaughterandwasafugitivefromjustice。Inthemeantimeatallandspareyoungmanofared-bronzecolouralightedfromthefiveo'clockexpressatRiptonandgrinneddelightedlyatthegentlemenwhomadethestationtheirheadquartersabouttraintime。Theywereprivatelydisappointedthatthegrayfelthat，althoughbroad-
brimmed，wasnotasombrero，andtherespectable，loose-fittingsuitofclotheswasnotofbuckskinwithtasselsonthetrousers；andlikewisethathecamewithoutthecartridgebeltandholsterwhichtheyhadpicturedinanticipatorysessionsonthebaggage-trucks。Therecouldbenodoubtofthewarmthoftheirgreetingastheysidledupandseizedahandsomewhatlargerthantheirs，butthewelcomehadinitaningredientofawethatpuzzledthenewcomer，whodidnothesitatetoinquire:——
“What'sthematter，Ed？Whysoceremonious，Perley？“
Buthiseagernessdidnotpermithimtowaitforexplanations。Graspinghisbag，theonlybaggagehepossessed，hestartedoffataswingingstrideforHanoverStreet，pausingonlytoshakethehandsofthefewwhorecognizedhim，unconsciousofthewild-fireathisback。HanoverStreetwasemptythatdrowsysummerafternoon，andhestoppedunderthewell-
rememberedmaplesbeforethehouseandgazedatitlongandtenderly；
evenatthewindowsofthatroom——opennowforthefirsttimeinyears——
wherehehadservedsomanysentencesofimprisonment。Thenhewentcautiouslyaroundbythesideandlookedinatthekitchendoor。ToothereyesthanhisEuphrasiamightnothaveseemedasafepersontoembrace，butinamomenthehadherlockedinhisarmsandweeping。SheknewnothingasyetofMr。Blodgett'smisfortunes，butifAustenVanehaddepopulatedacountyitwouldhavemadenodifferenceinheraffection。
“My，butyou'reaman，“exclaimedEuphrasia，backingawayatlastandstaringathimwiththeonlycompleteapprovalshehadeveraccordedtoanyhumanbeingsaveone。
“Whatdidyouexpect，Phrasie？“
“Come，andI'llshowyouyourroom，“shesaid，inaguttershecouldnothide；“it'sgotallthesamepicturesin，yourmother'spictures，andthechairyoubrokethattimewhenHilarylockedyouin。It'smended。“
“Holdon，Phrasie，“saidAusten，seizingherbytheapron-strings，“howabouttheJudge？“Itwasbythistitleheusuallydesignatedhisfather。
“Whatabouthim？“demandedEuphrasia，sharply。
“Well，it'shishouse，foronething，“answeredAusten，“andhemayprefertohavethatroom——empty。“
“Empty！Turnyouout？I'dliketoseehim，“criedEuphrasia。“Itwouldn'ttakemelongtoleavehimhighanddry。“
Shepausedatthesoundofwheels，andtherewastheHonourableHilary，acrossthegardenpatch，intheactofslippingoutofhisbuggyatthestabledoor。IntheabsenceofLuke，thehiredman，thechiefcounselfortherailroadwaswonttoputupthehorsehimself，andhealreadyhadthereinsfestoonedfromthebitringswhenhefeltaheavy，handonhisshoulderandheardavoicesay:——
“Howareyou，Judge？“
Ifthetruthbetold，thatvoiceandthattouchthrewtheHonourableHilary'sheartoutofbeat。Manydayshehadbeenschoolinghimselfforthisoccasion:thisveryafternoonhehaddeterminedhiscourseofaction，whichemphaticallydidnotincludeafattedcalf。Andnowsurgedupadryad-likememorywhichhadtroubledhimmanyawakefulnight，ofstartled，appealingeyesthatsoughthisinvain，andofthesonshehadlefthimflinginghimselfintohisarmsinthefaceofchastisement。ForthemomentHilaryVane，underthistraitorousinfluence，wasunabletospeak。Butheletthehandrestonhisshoulder，andatlengthwasabletopronounce，inashamefullyshakyvoice，thenameofhisson。
WhereuponAustenseizedhimbytheothershoulderandturnedhimroundandlookedintohisface。
“ThesameoldJudge，“hesaid。
ButHilarywasstartled，evenasEuphrasiahadbeen。Wasthisstrange，bronzed，quietlyhumorousyoungmanhisson？Hilaryevenhadtoraisehiseyesalittle；hehadforgottenhowtallAustenwas。Strangeemotions，unbiddenandunwelcome，ranriotinhisbreast；andHilaryVane，whomadenoslipsbeforelegislativecommitteesorsupremecourts，actuallyfoundhimselfsaying:——
“Euphrasia'sgotyourroomready。“
“It'sgoodofyoutotakemein，Judge，“saidAusten，pattinghisshoulder。Andthenhebegan，quitenaturallytounbucklethebreechingsandloosethetraces，whichhedidwithsuchdeftnessandceleritythathehadthehorseunharnessedandinthestallinatwinkling，andhadhauledthebuggythroughthestabledoor，theHonourableHilarywatchinghimthewhile。Hewastroubled，butforthelifeofhimcouldfindnoadequatewords，whousuallyhadthedictionaryathisdisposal。
“Didn'twritemewhyyoucamehome，“saidtheHonourableHilary，ashissonwashedhishandsatthespigot。
“Didn'tI？Well，thetruthwasIwantedtoseeyouagain，Judge。“
Hisfathergrunted，notwithabsolutedispleasure，butsuspiciously。
“HowaboutBlodgett？“heasked。
“Blodgett？Haveyouheardaboutthat？Whotoldyou？“
“Nevermind。Youdidn't。Nothinginyourletteraboutit。“
“Itwasn'tworthmentioning，“repliedAusten。“Tynerandtheboyslikeditprettywell，butIdidn'tthinkyou'dbeinterested。Itwasalocalaffair。“
“Notinterested！Notworthmentioning！“exclaimedtheHonourableHilary，outragedtodiscoverthathissonwasmodestlydeprecatinganachievementinsteadofdefendingacrime。“Godfrey！murderain'tworthmentioning，I
presume。“
“Notwhenitisn'tsuccessful，“saidAusten。“IfBlodgetthadsucceeded，Iguessyou'dhaveheardofitbeforeyoudid。“
“DoyoumeantosaythisBlodgetttriedtokillyou？“demandedtheHonourableHilary。
“Yes，“saidhisson，“andI'veneverunderstoodwhyhedidn't。He'sagooddealbettershotthanIam。“
TheHonourableHilarygrunted，andsatdownonabucketandcarefullypreparedapieceofHoneyDew。Hewassurprisedandagitated。
“Thenwhyareyouafugitivefromjusticeifyouwereactinginself-
defence？“heinquired。
“Well，youseetherewerenowitnesses，exceptaMexicanofBlodgett's，andBlodgettrunsthePepperCountymachinefortherailroadoutthere。
I'dbeenwantingtocomeEastandhavealookatyouforsometime，andI
thoughtImightaswellcomenow。“
“Howdidthis——thisaffairstart？“askedMr。Vane。
“BlodgettwasdrivinginsomeofTyner'scalves，andIcaughthim。I
toldhimwhatIthoughtofhim，andheshotatmethroughhispocket。
Thatwasall。“
“All！Youshothim，didn'tyou？“
“Iwasluckyenoughtohithimfirst，“saidAusten。
Extraordinaryasitmayseem，theHonourableHilaryexperiencedasenseofpride。
“Wheredidyouhithim？“heasked。
ItwasEuphrasiawhotookmattersinherownhandsandkilledthefattedcalf，andthemealtowhichtheypresentlysatdownwasverydifferentfromthefrugalsuppersMr。Vaneusuallyhad。Buthemadenocomment。
Itisperhapsnottoomuchtosaythathewouldhavebeendistinctlydisappointedhaditbeenotherwise。TherewasAusten'sfavouritepie，andAusten'sfavouritecake，allinheritedfromtheAustens，whohadthoughtmoreofthefleshpotsthanpeopleshould。Andtheprodigaldidfulljusticetotheoccasion。
CHAPTERIII
CONCERNINGTHEPRACTICEOFLAW
SoinstinctivelydoweharkbacktotheprimevalmanthattherewasatendencytolionizetheprodigalinRipton，whichprovesthefinishedcivilizationoftheEastnottobesofarremovedfromthatlandofoutlaws，PepperCounty。Mr。PaulPardriff，whohadaguiltyconscienceabouttheclipping，andvividlybearinginmindMr。Blodgett'smishap，aloneavoidedyoungMr。Vane；andescapedthroughthetype-settingroomanddownanoutsidestairwayintherearwhenthatgentlemancalled。ItgaveanironicalturntotheincidentthatMr。Pardriffwasatthemomentengagedina“WelcomeHome“paragraphmeanttobepropitiatory。
Austencaredverylittleforlionizing。HespentmostofhistimewithyoungTomGaylord，nowhisfather'sright-handmaninatremendouslumberbusiness。AndTom，albeithehadbecomesoimportant，habituallyfelloncemoreunderthedominationoftheheroofhisyouthfuldays。
Togetherthesetwovisitedhauntsoftheirboyhood，campingandfishingandscalingmountains，Tomwithaneyetolumberingprospectsthewhile。
Afteramatteroftwoorthreemonthsbadpassedawayinthispleasantthoughunprofitablemanner，theHonourableHilaryrequestedthepresenceofhissononemorningathisoffice。Thisofficewasinwhathadoncebeenalargeresidence，andfromitsamplewindowsyoucouldlookoutthroughtheelmsontothesquare。Old-fashionedbookcaseslinedwithmustybooksfilledthewalls，exceptwhereasteelengravingofalegallightorarailroadmapoftheStatewashung，andtheHonourableHilarysatinaWindsorchairatamahoganytableinthemiddle。
Theanteroomnextdoor，wheretheclerkssat，wasalsoawaiting-roomforvariousindividualsfromthedifferentpartsoftheStatewhocontinuallysoughtthecounsel'spresence。
“Haven'tseenmuchofyousinceyou'vebe'nhome，Austen，“hisfatherremarkedasanopening。
“Your——legalbusinesscompelsyoutotravelagreatdeal，“answeredAusten，turningfromthewindowandsmiling。
“Somewhat，“saidtheHonourableHilary，onwhomthispleasantrywasnotlost。“You'vebe'ntravellingonthelumberbusiness，Itakeit。“
“IknowmoreaboutitthanIdid，“hissonadmitted。
TheHonourableHilarygrunted。
“Caughtagoodmanyfish，haven'tyou？“
Austencrossedtheroomandsatontheedgeofthedeskbesidehisfather'schair。
“Seehere，Judge，“hesaid，“whatareyoudrivingat？Outwithit。“
“Whenareyou——goingbackWest？“askedMr。Vane。
Austendidnotansweratonce，butlookeddownintohisfather'sinscrutableface。
“Doyouwanttogetridofme？“hesaid。
“Sowedenoughwildoats，haven'tyou？“inquiredthefather。
“I'vesowedagoodmany，“Austenadmitted。
“Whynotsettledown？“
“Ihaven'tyetmetthelady，Judge，“repliedhisson。
“Couldn'tsupportherifyouhad，“saidMr。Vane。
“Thenit'sfortunate，“saidAusten，resolvednottobethenecessarysecondinaquarrel。Heknewhisfather，andperceivedthatthesepreliminaryandcausticopeningsofhiswerereallyolivebranches。
“SometimesIthinkyoumightaswellbeinthatoutlandishcountry，forallIseeofyou，“saidtheHonourableHilary。
“Yououghttoretirefrombusinessandtryfishing，“hissonsuggested。
TheHonourableHilarysometimessmiled。
“You'vegotagoodbrain，Austen，andwhat'stheuseofwastingitchasingcattleandpractisingwithapistolonyourfellow-beings？Youwon'thavemuchtroubleingettingadmittedtothebar。Comeintotheoffice。“
Austendidnotansweratonce。Hesuspectedthatithadcosthisfathernotalittletomaketheseadvances。
“DoyoubelieveyouandIcouldgetalong，Judge？Howlongdoyouthinkitwouldlast？“
“I'veconsideredthatsome，“answeredtheHonourableHilary，“butIwon'tlastagreatwhilelongermyself。“
“You'reassoundasabronco，“declaredAusten，pattinghim。
“Ineverwaswhatyoumightcalldissipated，“agreedMr。Vane，“butmendon'tgoonforever。I'veworkedhardallmylife，andgotwhereIam，andI'vealwaysthoughtI'dliketohanditontoyou。It'sapositionofhonourandtrust，Austen，andoneofwhichanylawyermightbeproud。“
“Myambitionhasn'truninexactlythatchannel，“saidhisson。
“Didn'tknowasyouhadanypreciseambition，“respondedtheHonourableHilary，“butIneverheardofamanrefusingtobechiefcounselforagreatrailroad。Idon'tsayyoucanbe，mind，butIsaywithworkandbrainsit'saseasyforthesonofHilaryVaneasforanybodyelse。“
“Idon'tknowmuchaboutthedutiesofsuchaposition，“saidAusten，laughing，“butatalleventsIshallhavetimetomakeupmymindhowtoanswerMr。Flintwhenhecomestomewiththeproposal。Tospeakfrankly，Judge，Ihadn'tthoughtofspendingthewholeofwhatmightotherwiseproveabrilliantlifeinRipton。“
TheHonourableHilarysmiledagain，andthenhegrunted。
“ItellyouwhatI'lldo，“hesaid；“youcomeinwithmeandagreetostayfiveyears。Ifyou'vedonewellforyourself，andwanttogotoNewYorkorsomelargeplaceattheendofthattime，Iwon'thinderyou。
ButIfeelitmydutytosay，ifyoudon'tacceptmyoffer，nosonofmineshallinheritwhatI'velaidupbyhardlabour。It'sagainstAmericandoctrine，andit'sagainstmyprinciples。YoucangobacktoPepperCountyandgetputinjail，butyoucan'tsayIhaven'twarnedyoufairly。“
“Yououghttoleaveyourfortunetotherailroad，Judge，“saidAusten。
“GenerationstocomewouldblessyournameifyouputupanewstationinRiptonandbuiltbridgesoverBunkerHillgradecrossingandtheotheroneonHeathStreetwhereNicAdamswaskilledlastmonth。Ishouldn'tbegrudgeacentofthemoney。“
“IsupposeIwasafooltotalktoyou，“saidtheHonourableHilary，gettingup。
ButhissonpushedhimdownagainintotheWindsorchair。
“Holdon，Judge，“hesaid，“thatwasjustmywayofsayingifIacceptedyouroffer，itwouldn'tbebecauseIyearnedafterthemoney。Thinkingofithasneverkeptmeawakenights。Nowifyou'llallowmetotakeafewdaysonceinawhiletoletoffsteam，I'llmakeacounterproposal，inthenatureofacompromise。“
“What'sthat？“theHonourableHilarydemandedsuspiciously。
“ProvidedIgetadmittedtothebarIwilltakearoominanotherpartofthisbuildingandpickupwhatcrumbsofpracticeIcanbymyself。Ofcourse，sir，Irealizethatthese，iftheycomeatall，willbeowingtothelustreofyourname。ButIshould，beforeIbecomeMr。Flint'sright-handman，liketolearntowalkwithmyownlegs。“
ThespeechpleasedtheHonourableHilary，andheputouthishand。
“It'sabargain，Austen，“hesaid。
“Idon'tmindtellingyounow，Judge，thatwhenIlefttheWestIleftitforgood，providedyouandIcouldlivewithinadecentproximity。AndI
oughttoaddthatIalwaysintendedgoingintothelawafterI'dhadafling。Itisn'tfairtoleaveyouwiththeimpressionthatthisisasuddendetermination。Prodigalsdon'tbecomegoodasquickasallthat。“
RiptoncaughtitsbreathasecondtimethedayAustenhiredalawoffice，nordidthesurprisewhollyceasewhen，inoneseason，hewasadmittedtothebar，fortheproceedingwasnotinkeepingwiththehabitsandcustomsofprodigals。Needlesstosay，thepracticedidnotimmediatelybegintopourin，butthelittleofficerarelylackedavisitor，andsometimeshadasmanyasfiveorsix。Therewasanirresistibleattractionaboutthatroom，andapparentlyverylittlelawreadthere，thoughsometimesitsoccupantaroseandpushedthevisitorsintothehallandlockedthedoor，andopenedthewindowatthetoptoletthesmokeout。ManyoftheHonourableHilary'scallerspreferredthelittleroominthefarcorridortothegreatman'sownoffice。
ThesevisitorsoftheelderMr。Vane's，ashasbeenbeforehinted，werenotallclients。Withoutburdeningthereadertooearlywithatreatiseonthefabricofasystem，sufficeittosaythatsomethingwascontinuallygoingonthatwasnotlaw；andgentlemencameandwent——fatandthin，sharp-eyedandred-faced——whowereneitherclientsnorlawyers。
Thesewerereallysecretivegentlemen，thoughmostofthemhadahail-
fellow-well-metmannerandaheartygreeting，butwhentheytalkedtotheHonourableHilaryitwaswithdoorsshut，andeventhentheysatveryclosetohisear。ManyofthempreferrednowtowaitinAusten'sofficeinsteadoftheanteroom，andsomeofthemwerenotsocautiouswiththesonofHilaryVanethattheydidnotletdropcertainobservationstosethimthinking。Hehadafancifulifsomewhatfacetiouswayofcallingthembyfeudaltitleswhichmadethemgrin。
“HowistheDukeofPutnamthismorning？“hewouldaskofthegentlemanofwhomtheRiptonRecordwouldfrequentlymakethefollowingannouncement:“AmongtheprominentresidentsofPutnamCountyintownthisweekwastheHonourableBrushBascom。“
TheHonourableBrushandmanyofhisassociates，baronsandearls，albeittheshrewdestofmen，didnotknowexactlyhowtotakethesonofHilaryVane。ThiswastruealsooftheHonourableHilaryhimself，whodidnotwhollyappreciatethehumourinAusten'sparallelofthefeudalsystem。
AlthoughAustenhadsetupforhimself，thereweremanyways——notlegal——
inwhichthesonmighthavebeenhelpfultothefather，buttheHonourableHilaryhesitated，forsomeunformulatedreason，tomakeuseofhim；andtheconsequencewasthatMr。HamiltonTootingandotheryoungmenofahustlingnatureintheHonourableHilary'sofficefoundthatAusten'sadventdidnottendgreatlytolightenacertainclassoftheirlabours。Infact，fatherandsonwerenotmuchnearerinspiritthanwhenodehadbeeninPepperCountyandtheotherinRipton。CautionandaninstinctwhichsensesobstaclesarecharacteristicsofgentlemeninMr。Vane'sbusiness。
Sotwoyearspassed，——yearsliberallyinterspersedwithexpeditionsintothemountainsandelsewhere，andnightsspentinthecompanyofTomGaylordandothers。DuringthisperiodAustenwasmorethanonceassailedbythetemptationtoreturntothefreelifeofPepperCounty，Mr。Blodgetthavingcompletelyrecoverednow，andonlydesiringvengeanceofacorporalnature。Butabargainwasabargain，andAustenVanestucktohisendofit，althoughhehadnowbeguntorealizemanyaspectsofasituationwhichhehadnotbeforesuspected。Hehadlongforeseen，however，thatthetimewascomingwhenaseriousdisagreementwithhisfatherwasinevitable。Inadditiontothedifferenceintemperament，HilaryVanebelongedtoonegenerationandAustentoanother。
Ithappened，asdosomanyincidentswhichtendtoshapealife，byaseemingchance。ItwasaTuneevening，andtherehadbeenachurchsociableandbasketpicnicduringthedayinagroveinthetownofMercer，sometenmilessouthofRipton。Thegrovewasboundedononesidebytherailroadtrack，andmergedintoathickclumpofsecondgrowthandalderswheretherewasadiagonalgradecrossing。Thepicnicwasoverandthepeoplepreparingtogohomewhentheywerestartledbyacrash，followedbythescreamingofbrakesasabigengineflewpastthegroveandbroughtaheavytraintoahaltsomedistancedownthegrade。
Thewomenshriekedanddroppedthedishestheywerewashing，andthemenlefttheirhorsesstandingandrantothecrossingandthenstoodforthemomenthelpless，inhorroratthescenewhichmettheireyes。Thewagonofone——oftheirowncongregationwasinsplinters，aman(afarmeroftheneighbourhood)lyingamongthealderswithwhatseemedamortalinjury。AmidthelamentationsandcriesforsomeonetogotoMercerVillageforthedoctorayoungmandroveuprapidlyandsprangoutofabuggy，trustingtosomeonetocatchhishorse，pushed，throughtheringofpeople，andbentoverthewoundedfarmer。Inaninstanthehadwhippedoutaknife，cutastickfromoneofthealders，knottedhishandkerchiefaroundtheman'sleg，ranthestickthroughtheknot，andtwistedthehandkerchiefuntilthebloodceasedtoflow。Theywatchedhim，paralyzed，asthehelplessinthisworldwatchthecapable，andbeforehehadfinishedhistaskthetraincrewandsomepassengersbegantoarrive。
“Haveyouadoctoraboard，Charley？“theyoungmanasked。
“No，“answeredtheconductor，whohadbeenaddressed；“myGod，notone，Austen。“
“Backupyourtrain，“saidAusten，“andstopyourbaggagecarhere。Andgotothegrove，“headdedtooneofthepicnickers，“andbringfourorfivecarriagecushions。Andyouholdthis。“
Themanbesidehimtookthetourniquet，ashewasbid。AustenVanedrewanote-bookfromhispocket。
“Iwantthisman'snameandaddress，“hesaid，“andthenamesandaddressesofeverypersonhere，quickly。“
Hedidnotlifthisvoice，butthemanwhohadtakenchargeofsuchasituationwasnottobedenied。Theyobeyedhim，someeagerly，somereluctantly，andbythattimethetrainhadbackeddownandthecushionshadarrived。Theylaidtheseonthefloorofthebaggagecarandliftedthemanontothem。HisnamewasZebMeader，andhewasstillinsensible。AustenVane，withapeculiarsetlookuponhisface，satbesidehimallthewayintoRipton。Hespokeonlyonce，andthatwastotelltheconductortotelegraphfromAvalontohavetheambulancefromSt。Mary'sHospitalmeetthetrainatRipton。
ThenextdayHilaryVane，returningfromoneofhisperiodicaltripstothenorthernpartoftheState，invadedhisson'soffice。
“What'sthistheytellmeaboutyoursavingaman'slife？“heasked，sinkingintooneofthevacantchairsandregardingAustenwithhistwinklingeyes。
“Idon'tknowwhattheytellyou，“Austenanswered。“Ididn'tdoanythingbutgetatourniquetonhislegandhavehimputonthetrain。“
TheHonourableHilarygrunted，andcontinuedtoregardhisson。ThenhecutapieceofHoneyDew。
“Looksbad，doesit？“hesaid。
“Well，“repliedAusten，“itmighthavebeendonebetter。Itwasbungled。
Inadeath-trapascleverlyconceivedasthatcrossing，withadowngradeapproachingit，theyoughttohavegotthehorsetoo。“
TheHonourableHilarygruntedagain，andinsertedtheHoneyDew。Heresolvedtoignorethepalpablechallengeinthisremark，whichwasinkeepingwiththisnewandseriousmieninAusten。
“Getthenamesofwitnesses？“washisnextquestion。
“Itookparticularpainstodoso。“
“Hand'emovertoTooting。WhatkindofmanisthisMeagre？“
“Heisrathermeagrenow，“saidAusten，smilingalittle。“Hisname'sMeader。“
“Ishelikelytomakeafuss？“
“Ithinkheis，“saidAusten。
“Well，“saidtheHonourableHilary，“wemusthaveHamTootinghurry'roundandfixitupwithhimassoonashecantalk，beforeoneofthesecormorantlawyersgetshisclawinhim。“
Austensaidnothing，andaftersomedesultoryconversation，inwhichheknewhowtoindulgewhenhewishedtoconcealthefactthathewasbaffled，theHonourableHilarydeparted。Thatstudentofhumannature，Mr。HamiltonTooting，ayoungmanofasportingappearanceandafreevocabulary，madethenextattempt。ItisacharacteristicofMr。
Tooting'skindthat，intheireffortstobegenial，theyoftenuseanawkwarddiminutiveoftheirfriends'names。
“Hello，Aust，“saidMr。Tooting，“IdroppedintogetthosewitnessesinthatMeagreaccident，beforeIforgetit。“
“IthinkI'llkeep'em，“saidAusten，makinganoteoutoftheRevisedStatutes。
“Oh，allright，allright，“saidMr。Tooting，bitingoffapieceofhiscigar。“Goingtohandlethecaseyourself，areyou？“
“Imay。“
“I'mjustasgladtohavesomeof'emoffmyhands，andthislookstomelikeanastyone。Idon'tlikethoseMercerpeople。Thelastfarmertheyranoverthereraisedhell。“
“Ishouldn'tblamethisoneifhedid，ifheevergetswellenough，“saidAusten。YoungMr。TootingpausedwithalightedmatchhalfwaytohiscigarandlookedatAustenshrewdly，andthensatdownonthedeskveryclosetohim。
“Say，Aust，itsometimessickensamantohavetobuythesefellowsoff。
What？Poordevils，theydon'tgetanythinglikewhattheyoughttoget，dothey？WaittillyouseehowtheRailroadCommission'llwhitewashthatcase。Itmakesamanwanttobeindependent。What？“
“Thissoundslikevirtue，Ham。“
“I'veoftenthought，too，“saidMr。Tooting，“thatamancouldmakemoremoneyifhedidn'twearthecollar。“
“Butnotsleepaswell，perhaps，“saidAusten。
“Say，Aust，you'renotonthelevelwithme。“
“Ihopetoreachthatexaltedplanesomeday，Ham。“
“What'sgotintoyou？“demandedtheusuallyclear-headedMr。Tooting，nowalittlebewildered。
“Nothing，yet，“saidAusten，“butI'mthinkingseriouslyofhavingasandwichandapieceofapplepie。Willyoucomealong？“
Theycrossedthesquaretogether，Mr。Tootingrackinganormallyfertilebrainforsomeexcusetoreopenthesubject。Despairingofthat，hedecidedthatanysubjectwoulddo。
“ThatHumphreyCreweupatLeithissmart——smartaspaint，“heremarked。
“Doyouknowhim？“
“I'veseenhim，“saidAusten。“He'sayoungman，isn'the？“
“Andnatty。Heknowsathingortwoforamillionairethatdon'thavetowork，andherunsthatplaceofhisrightuptothehandle。Yououghttohearhimtalkaboutthetariff，andnationalpolitics。Iwaspassingtheretheotherday，andhewaswalkingaroundamongtheflowerbeds。
'Ain'tyournameTooting？'hehollered。“Ialmostfelloutofthebuggy。“
“Whatdidhewant？“askedAusten，curiously。Mr。Tootingwinked。
“Say，thosemillionairesarequeer，andnomistake。You'dthinkafellowthatonlyhadtocutcouponswouldn'tbelookin'foranotherjob，wouldn'tyou？Hemademehitchmyhorse，andhadmeintohisstudy，ashecalledit，andgavemeabigglassofwhiskeyandsoda。Afellowwithbuttonsandastripedvestbroughtitontiptoe。ThenthisCrewegavemealongyellowcigarwithabandonitandtoldmewhattheStateneeded，——
macadamroads，farmers'institutes，forests，andGodknowswhat。ItoldhimallhehadtodowastogetpermissionfromoldmanFlint，andhecouldhave'em。“
“Whatdidhesaytothat？“
“HesaidFlintwasanintimatefriendofhis。ThenheaskedmeawholeraftofquestionsaboutfellowsintheneighbourhoodIdidn'tknowhe'deverheardof。Say，hewantstogofromLeithtotheLegislature。“
“HecangoforallIcare，“saidAusten，ashepushedopenthedooroftherestaurant。
ForafewdaysMr。Meaderhungbetweenlifeanddeath。Buthecameofastockwhichhadforgenerationsthrustitsrootsintothecrevicesofgranite，andwasnoteasilykilledbysteam-engines。AustenVanecalledtwice，andthenmadeanarrangementwithyoungDr。Tredway(oneofthenumerousRiptonTredwayswhosemoneyhadfoundedthehospital)thathewastoseeMr。Meaderassoonashewasabletosustainaconversation。
Dr。Tredway，bytheway，wasabachelor，andhadbeenAusten'scompaniononmanyaboisterousexpedition。
WhenAusten，inresponsetothedoctor'stelephonemessage，stoodovertheironbedinthespick-and-spanmen'swardofSt。Mary's，awaveofthatintensefeelinghehadexperiencedattheaccidentsweptoverhim。
Thefarmer'sbeardwasovergrown，andtheeyeslookedupathimasfromcavernsofsufferingbelowthebandage。Theywereshrewdeyes，however，andprovedthatMr。Meaderhadpossessionofthefivesenses——nay，ofthesix。Austensatdownbesidethebed。
“Dr。Tredwaytellsmeyouaregettingalongfinely，“hesaid。
“Nothankstotherailrud，“answeredMr。Meader；“theydonetheirbest。“
“Didyouhearanywhistleoranybell？“Austenasked。
“Notasound，“saidMr。Meader；“theyevenshutofftheirsteamonthatgrade。“
AustenVane，likemostmenwhoarereallycapableofadeepsympathy，wasnotanadeptatexpressingitverbally。Moreover，heknewenoughofhisfellow-mentorealizethataPuritanfarmerwouldbesuspiciousofsympathy。Themanhadbeenneartodeathhimself，wascompelledtospendpartofthesummer，hisbread-earningseason，inahospital，andyetnoappealorwordofcomplainthadcrossedhislips。
“Mr。Meader，“saidAusten，“Icameoverheretotellyouthatinmyopinionyouareentitledtoheavydamagesfromtherailroad，andtoadviseyounottoacceptacompromise。Theywillsendsomeonetoyouandofferyouasumfarbelowthatwhichyououghtinjusticetoreceive，Yououghttofightthiscase。“
“HowamIgoingtopayalawyer，withamortgageonmyfarm？“demandedMr。Meader。
“I'malawyer，“saidAusten，“andifyou'lltakeme，I'lldefendyouwithoutcharge。“
“Ain'tyouthesonofHilaryVane？“
“Yes。“
“I'veheardofhimagoodmanytimes，“saidMr。Meader，asiftoaskwhatmanhadnot。“You'rerailroad，ain'tye？“
Mr。Meadergazedlongandthoughtfullyintotheyoungman'sface，andthesuspiciongraduallyfadedfromthefarmer'sblueeyes。
“Ilikeyourlooks，“hesaidatlast。“Iguessyousavedmylife。I'm——
I'mmuchobligedtoyou。“
WhenMr。Tootingarrivedlaterintheday，hefoundMr。Meaderwillingtolisten，butotherwisestrangelynon-committal。Withnativeshrewdness，thefarmeraskedhimwhatofficehecamefrom，butdidnotconfideinMr。
TootingthefactthatMr。Vane'ssonhadvolunteeredtowringmoremoneyfromMr。Vane'sclientthanMr。Tootingofferedhim。Considerablybewildered，thatgentlemanleftthehospitaltoreporttheaffairtotheHonourableHilary，who，atintervalsduringtheafternoon，foundhimselfrelapsingintospeculation。
Insideofasomewhatunpromisingshell，Mr。ZebMeaderwasahumanbeing，andnomeanjudgeofmenandmotives。Ashisconvalescenceprogressed，AustenVanefellintothehabitofdroppinginfromtimetotimetochatwithhim，andgraduallywasrewardedbymanyvividcharactersketchesofMr。Meader'sneighboursinMerceranditsvicinity。Oneafternoon，whenAustencameintotheward，hefoundatMr。Meader'sbedsideabasketoffruitwhichlookedtooexpensiveandtemptingtohavecomefromanydealer'sinRipton。
“Aladycamewiththat，“Mr。Meaderexplained。“IneverwaspopularbeforeIwasrunoverbythecars。She'sbe'nheretwice。Whenshefetcheditto-day，Ikindofthoughtshewasuptosome，game，andI
didn'twanttotakeit。“
“Uptosomegame？“repeatedAusten。
“Well，Idon'tknow，“continuedMr。Meader，thoughtfully，“thewomanheretellsmeshecomesregularinthesummertimetoseesickfolks，butfromthewayshemadeuptomeIhadanideathatshewantedsomething。Butldon'tknow。ThoughtI'daskyou。Yousee，she'srailrud。“
“Railroad！“
“She'sFlint'sdaughter。“
Austenlaughed。
“Ishouldn'tworryaboutthat，“hesaid。“IfMr。Flintsenthisdaughterwithfruittoeverybodyhisrailroadinjures，shewouldn'thavetimetodoanythingelse。IdoubtifMr。Flinteverheardofyourcase。“
Mr。Meaderconsideredthis，andcalculatedtherewassomethinginit。
“Shewasanice，commonyounglady，andcussedifshedidn'tmakemelaugh，shehassuchafunnywayoftalkin'。Shewantedtoknowallaboutyou。“
“Whatdidshewanttoknow？“Austenexclaimed，notunnaturally。
“Well，shewantedtoknowabouttheaccident，andItoldherhowyoudruvupandscrewedthatthingaroundmylegandbackedthetraindown。Shewasagooddealtookwiththat。“
“Ithinkyouareinclinedtomaketoomuchofit，“saidAusten。
Threedayslater，ashewasabouttoentertheward，Mr。Meaderbeingnowtheonlyinvalidthere，heheardasoundwhichmadehimpauseinthedoorway。ThesoundwasfemininelaughterofamusicalqualitythatstruckpleasantlyonAusten'sear。MissVictoriaFlintwassatedbesideMr。Meader'sbed，andqualifiedfriendshiphadevidentlybeenreplacedbyintimacysinceAusten'slastvisit，forMr。Meaderwaslaughing，too。
“AndnowI'mquitesureyouhavemissedyourvocation，Mr。Meader，“saidVictoria。“Youwouldhavemadeafortuneonthestage。“
“Meaplay-actor！“exclaimedtheinvalid。“Howmuchwagesdotheygit？“
“Untoldsums，“shedeclared，“iftheycantalklikeyou。“
“Hekindofthoughtthatstoryfunny——sameasyou，“Mr。Meaderruminated，andglancedup。“Dratme，“heremarked，“ifheain'ta-comin'now！
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