Hadtheyreallycloseduponherinsomepantheisticembracethatmadeherapartofthem？Hadshebeenbaptizedinthatmoonlightasachildofthegreatforest？Itwaseasytobelieveinthemythsofthepoetsofanidylliclifeunderthosetrees，where，freefromconventionalrestrictions，onelovedandwasloved。Ifshe，withherownworldlyexperience，couldthinkofthisnow，whymightnotGeorgeKearneyhavethought？……Shestopped，andfoundherselfblushingeveninthedarkness。Asthethoughtandblushweretheusualsequelofherreflections，itistobefearedthattheymayhavebeenattimestheimpellingcause。
Mr。Carr，however，madeupforhisdaughters’wantofsympathywithmetropolitanlife。Totheirastonishment，henotonlyplungedintothefashionablegayetiesandamusementsofthetown，butindressandmannerassumedtheroleofaleaderofsociety。Theinvariableanswertotheirhalf—humorouscommentwasthenecessitiesofthemine，andthepolicyoffrequentingthecompanyofcapitalists，toenlisttheirsupportandconfidence。Therewassomethinginthissounliketheirfather，thatwhatatanyothertimetheywouldhavehailedasarelieftohishabitualabstractionnowhalfalarmedthem。Yethewasnotdissipated——hedidnotdrinknorgamble。
Therecertainlydidnotseemanyharminhisfrequentingthesocietyofladies，withagallantrythatappearedtobeforcedandapleasurethattotheircriticaleyeswascertainlyapocryphal。
Hedidnotdraghisdaughtersintothemixedsocietyofthatperiod；hedidnotpressuponthemthecompanyofthosehemostfrequented，andwhoseacceptedpositioninthatlittleworldoffashionwasconsideredequaltotheirown。WhenJessiestronglyobjectedtothepronouncedmannersofacertainwidow，whoseactualpresentwealthandpecuniaryinfluencecondonedforamoreuncertainprehistoricpast，Mr。Carrdidnoturgeafurtheracquaintance。"Aslongasyou’renotthinkingofmarryingagain，papa，"Jessiehadsaidfinally，"Idon’tseethenecessityofourknowingher。""ButsupposeIwere，"hadrepliedMr。Carrwithaffectedhumor。"Thenyoucertainlywouldn’tcareforanyonelikeher，"hisdaughterhadrespondedtriumphantly。Mr。Carrsmiled，anddroppedthesubject，butitisprobablethathisdaughters’
wantofsympathywithhisacquaintancesdidnotintheleastinterferewithhissocialprestige。Agentlemaninallhisrelationsandunderallcircumstances，evenhiscoldscientificabstractionwasprovocative；richmenenviedhisloftyignoranceofthesmallerdetailsofmoney—making，evenwhiletheymistrustedhisjudgment。Amanstillwellpreserved，andfreefromweakeningvices，hewasadangerousrivaltoyoungerandfasterSanFrancisco，intheeyesofthesex，whoknewhowtovalueareposetheydidnotthemselvespossess。
SuddenlyMr。CarrannouncedhisintentionofproceedingtoSacramento，onfurtherbusinessofthemine，leavinghistwodaughtersinthefamilyofawealthyfrienduntilheshouldreturnforthem。HeopposedtheirreadysuggestiontoreturntoDevil’sFordwithanewandunnecessaryinflexibility：heevenmettheircompromisetoaccompanyhimtoSacramentowithequaldecision。
"Youwillbeonlyinmyway，"hesaidcurtly。"Enjoyyourselvesherewhileyoucan。"
Thuslefttothemselves，theytriedtoaccepthisadvice。Possiblysomeslightreactiontotheirpreviousdisappointmentmayhavealreadysetin；perhapstheyfeltanydistractiontobearelieftotheiranxietyabouttheirfather。Theywentoutmore；theyfrequentedconcertsandparties；theyaccepted，withtheirhostandhisfamily，aninvitationtooneofthoseopulentandbarbaricentertainmentswithwhichanotedSanFranciscomillionairedistractedhisraremomentsofreflectioninhisgorgeouspalaceonthehills。Heretheycouldatleastbeoncemoreinthecountrytheyloved，albeitofamilderandlessheroictype，andalittledegradedbytheoverlappingtinselandscatteredspanglesofthepalace。
Itwasathreedays’fete；thestyleandchoiceofamusementslefttotheguests，andanequalandactiveparticipationbynomeansnecessaryorindispensable。Consequently，whenChristieandJessieCarrproposedaridethroughtheadjacentcanyononthesecondmorning，theyhadnodifficultyinfindinghorsesinthewell—
furnishedstablesoftheiropulententertainers，norcavaliersamongtheotherguests，whoweretoohappytofindfavorintheeyesofthetwoprettygirlswhoweresupposedtobeabnormallyfastidiousandrefined。Christie’sescortwasagood—naturedyoungbanker，shrewdenoughtoavoiddemonstrativeattentions，andluckyenoughtointerestherduringtheridewithhisclearandhalf—
humorousreflectionsonsomeofthebusinessspeculationsoftheday。Ifhisideaswereoccasionallytooclever，andnotalwaysconsistentwithahighsenseofhonor，shewasnonethelessinterestedtoknowtheethicsofthatworldofspeculationintowhichherfatherhadplunged，andthemoreconvinced，withmingledsenseofprideandanxiety，thathisstilldominantgentlemanhoodwouldpreventhiscopingwithitonequalterms。Norcouldshehelpcontrastingtheconversationofthesharp—wittedmanathersidewithwhatshestillrememberedofthevague，touching，boyishenthusiasmofthemillionairesofDevil’sFord。Hadherescortguessedtheresultofthiscontrast，hewouldhardlyhavebeenasgratifiedashewaswiththegraveattentionofherbeautifuleyes。
Thefascinationofagraciousdayandtheleafysolitudeofthecanyonledthemtoprolongtheirridebeyondtheproposedlimit，anditbecamenecessarytowardssunsetforthemtoseeksomeshortercuthome。
"There’savaqueroinyonderfield，"saidChristie’sescort，whowasridingwithheralittleinadvanceoftheothers，"andthosefellowsknoweverytrailthatahorsecanfollow。I’llrideon，intercepthim，andtrymySpanishonhim。IfImisshim，ashe’sgallopingon，youmighttryyourhandonhimyourself。He’llunderstandyoureyes，MissCarr，inanylanguage。"
Ashedashedaway，tocoverhisfirstaudacityofcompliment，Christieliftedtheeyesthusapostrophizedtotheoppositefield。
Thevaquero，whowaschasingsomecattle，wasevidentlytoopreoccupiedtoheedtheshoutsofhercompanion，andwheelingroundsuddenlytointerceptoneofthedeviatingfugitives，permittedChristie’sescorttodashpasthimbeforethatgentlemancouldreininhisexcitedsteed。Thisbroughtthevaquerodirectlyinherpath。Perceivingher，hethrewhishorsebackonitshaunches，topreventacollision。Christierodeuptohim，suddenlyutteredacry，andhalted。Forbeforeher，sunburntincheekandthroat，darkerinthefreegrowthofmoustacheandcurlinghair，cladinthecoarse，picturesquefineryofhisclass，undisguisedonlyinhisboyishbeauty，satGeorgeKearney。
Theblood，thathadforsakenherastonishedface，rushedasquicklyback。Hiseyes，whichhadsuddenlysparkledwithanelectricalglow，sankbeforehers。Hishanddropped，andhischeekflushedwithadarkembarrassment。
"Youhere，Mr。Kearney？Howstrange!——buthowgladIamtomeetyouagain!"
Shetriedtosmile；hervoicetrembled，andherlittlehandshookassheextendedittohim。
Heraisedhisdarkeyesquickly，andimpulsivelyurgedhishorsetoherside。But，asifsuddenlyawakeningtotherealityofthesituation，heglancedatherhurriedly，downathisbarbaricfinery，andthrewasearchinglooktowardsherescort。
InaninstantChristiesawtheinfelicityofherposition，anditsdangers。ThewordsofWhiskeyDick，"Hewouldn’tstandthat，"
flashedacrosshermind。Therewasnotimetolose。Thebankerhadalreadygainedcontroloverhishorse，andwasapproachingthem，allunconsciousofthefixedstarewithwhichGeorgewasregardinghim。Christiehastilyseizedthehandwhichhehadallowedtofallathisside，andsaidquickly：——
"Willyouridewithmealittleway，Mr。Kearney？"
Heturnedthesamesearchinglookuponher。Shemetitclearlyandsteadily；heeventhoughtreproachfully。
"Do!"shesaidhurriedly。"Iaskitasafavor。Iwanttospeaktoyou。JessieandIareherealone。Fatherisaway。YOUareoneofouroldestfriends。"
Hehesitated。Sheturnedtotheastonishedyoungbanker，whorodeup。
"Ihavejustmetanoldfriend。Willyoupleaseridebackasquicklyasyoucan，andtellJessiethatMr。Kearneyishere，andaskhertojoinus？"
Shewatchedherdazedescort，stillspeechlessfromthespectacleofthefastidiousMissCarrtete—a—tetewithacommonMexicanvaquero，gallopoffinthedirectionofthecanyon，andthenturnedtoGeorge。
"Nowtakemehome，theshortestway，asquickasyoucan。"
"Home？"echoedGeorge。
"ImeantoMr。Prince’shouse。Quick!beforetheycancomeuptous。"
Hemechanicallyputspurstohishorse；shefollowed。Theypresentlystruckintoatrailthatsoondivergedagainintoadisusedloggingtrackthroughthewoods。
"ThisistheshortcuttoPrince’s，bytwomiles，"hesaid，astheyenteredthewoods。
Astheywerestillgalloping，withoutexchangingaword，Christiebegantoslackenherspeed；Georgedidthesame。Theyweresafefromintrusionatthepresent，eveniftheothershadfoundtheshortcut。Christie，boldandself—reliantamomentago，suddenlyfoundherselfgrowingweakandembarrassed。Whathadshedone？
Shecheckedherhorsesuddenly。
"Perhapswehadbetterwaitforthem，"shesaidtimidly。
Georgehadnotraisedhiseyestohers。
"Yousaidyouwantedtohurryhome，"herepliedgently，passinghishandalonghismustang’svelvetyneck，"and——andyouhadsomethingtosaytome。"
"Certainly，"sheanswered，withafaintlaugh。"I’msoastonishedatmeetingyouhere。I’mquitebewildered。Youarelivinghere；
youhaveforsakenustobuyaranche？"shecontinued，lookingathimattentively。
Hisbrowcoloredslightly。
"No，I’mlivinghere，butIhaveboughtnoranche。I’monlyahiredmanonsomebodyelse’sranche，tolookafterthecattle。"
Hesawherbeautifuleyesfillwithastonishmentand——somethingelse。Hisbrowcleared；hewenton，withhisoldboyishlaugh：
"No，MissCarr。Thefactis，I’mdeadbroke。I’velosteverythingsinceIsawyoulast。ButasIknowhowtoride，andI’mnotafraidofwork，Imanagetokeepalong。"
"Youhavelostmoneyin——inthemines？"saidChristiesuddenly。
"No"——herepliedquickly，evadinghereyes。"Mybrotherhasmyinterest，youknow。I’vebeenfoolishonmyownaccountsolely。
YouknowI’mratherinclinedtothatsortofthing。Butaslongasmyfollydon’taffectothers，Icanstandit。"
"Butitmayaffectothers——andTHEYmaynotthinkofitasfolly——"
Shestoppedshort，confusedbyhisbrighteningcolorandeyes。"I
mean——Oh，Mr。Kearney，Iwantyoutobefrankwithme。Iknownothingofbusiness，butIknowtherehasbeentroubleaboutthemineatDevil’sFord。Tellmehonestly，hasmyfatheranythingtodowithit？IfIthoughtthatthroughanyimprudenceofhis，youhadsuffered——ifIbelievedthatyoucouldtraceanymisfortuneofyourstohim——toUS——Ishouldneverforgivemyself"——shestoppedandflashedasinglelookathim——"IshouldneverforgiveYOUforabandoningus。"
Thelookofpainwhichhadatfirstshownitselfinhisface，whichneverconcealedanything，passed，andaquicksmilefollowedherfeminineanticlimax。
"MissCarr，"hesaid，withboyisheagerness，"ifanymansuggestedtomethatyourfatherwasn’tthebrightestandbestofhiskind——
toowiseandcleverforthefoolsabouthimtounderstand——I’d——I’dshoothim。"
ConfusedbyhisreadyandgraciousdisclaimerofwhatshehadNOT
intendedtosay，therewasnothingleftforherbuttorushuponwhatshereallyintendedtosay，withwhatshefeltwasshamefulprecipitation。
"Onewordmore，Mr。Kearney，"shebegan，lookingdown，butfeelingthecolorcometoherfaceasshespoke。"Whenyouspoketomethedayyouleft，youmusthavethoughtmehardandcruel。WhenItellyouthatIthoughtyouwerealludingtoJessieandsomefeelingyouhadforher——"
"ForJessie!"echoedGeorge。
"Youwillunderstandthat——that——"
"Thatwhat？"saidGeorge，drawingnearertoher。
"ThatIwasonlyspeakingasshemighthavespokenhadyoutalkedtoherofme，"addedChristiehurriedly，slightlybackingherhorseawayfromhim。
Butthiswasnotsoeasy，asGeorgewasthebetterrider，andbyanimperceptiblemovementofhiswristandfoothadgluedhishorsetoherside。"Hewillgonow，"shehadthought，buthedidn’t。
"Wemustrideon，"shesuggestedfaintly。
"No，"hesaidwithasuddendroppingofhisboyishmannerandaslightliftingofhishead。"Wemustridetogethernofurther，MissCarr。ImustgobacktotheworkIamhiredtodo，andyoumustgoonwithyourparty，whomIhearcoming。Butwhenweparthereyoumustbidmegood—by——notasJessie’ssister——butasChristie——theone——theonlywomanthatIlove，orthatIeverhaveloved。"
Heheldouthishand。Withtherecollectionoftheirpreviousparting，shetremblinglyadvancedherown。Hetookit，butdidnotraiseittohislips。Anditwasshewhofoundherselfhalfconfusedlyretaininghishandinhers，untilshedroppeditwithablush。
"ThenisthisthereasonyougivefordesertingusasyouhavedesertedDevil’sFord？"shesaidcoldly。
Heliftedhiseyestoherwithastrangesmile，andsaid，"Yes，"
wheeledhishorse，anddisappearedintheforest。
Hehadleftherthusabruptlyoncebefore，kissed，blushing，andindignant。Hewasleavinghernow，unkissed，butwhiteandindignant。Yetshewassoself—possessedwhenthepartyjoinedher，thatthesingularrencontreandherexplanationofthestranger’ssuddendepartureexcitednofurthercomment。OnlyJessiemanagedtowhisperinherear，——
"Ihopeyouaresatisfiednowthatitwasn’tmehemeant？"
"Notatall，"saidChristiecoldly。
CHAPTERVII
AfewdaysafterthegirlshadreturnedtoSanFrancisco，theyreceivedaletterfromtheirfather。Hisbusiness，hewrote，woulddetainhiminSacramentosomedayslonger。TherewasnoreasonwhytheyshouldreturntoDevil’sFordintheheatofthesummer；theirhosthadwrittentobeghimtoallowthemamoreextendedvisit，and，iftheywereenjoyingthemselves，hethoughtitwouldbewellnottodisobligeanoldfriend。HehadheardtheyhadapleasantvisittoMr。Prince’splace，andthatacertainyoungbankerhadbeenveryattentivetoChristie。
"Doyouknowwhatallthismeans，dear？"askedJessie，whohadbeenwatchinghersisterwithanunusuallygraveface。
Christiewhosethoughtshadwanderedfromtheletter，repliedcarelessly，——
"Isupposeitmeansthatwearetowaithereuntilfathersendsforus。"
"Itmeansagooddealmore。Itmeansthatpapahashadanotherreverse；itmeansthattheassayhasturnedoutbadlyforthemine——
thatthefurthertheygofromtheflattheworseitgets——thatallthegoldtheywillprobablyeverseeatDevil’sFordiswhattheyhavealreadyfoundorwillfindontheflat；itmeansthatallDevil’sFordisonlya’pocket，’andnota’lead。’"Shestopped，withunexpectedtearsinhereyes。
"Whotoldyouthis？"askedChristiebreathlessly。
"Fairfax——Mr。Munroe，"stammeredhersister，"writestomeasifwealreadyknewit——tellsmenottobealarmed，thatitisn’tsobad——
andallthat。"
"Howlonghasthishappened，Jessie？"saidChristie，takingherhand，withawhitebutcalmface。
"Nearlyeversincewe’vebeenhere，Isuppose。Itmustbeso，forhesayspoorpapaisstillhopefulofdoingsomethingyet。"
"AndMr。Munroewritestoyou？"saidChristieabstractedly。
"Ofcourse，"saidJessiequickly。"Hefeelsinterestedin——us。"
"NobodytellsMEanything，"saidChristie。
"Didn’t——"
"No，"saidChristiebitterly。
"WhatonearthDIDyoutalkabout？Butpeopledon’tconfideinyoubecausethey’reafraidofyou。You’reso——"
"Sowhat？"
"Sogentlypatronizing，andso’I—don’t—suppose—you—can—help—it，—
poor—thing，’inyourgeneralstyle，"saidJessie，kissingher。
"There!IonlywishIwaslikeyou。Whatdoyousayifwewritetofatherthatwe’llgobacktoDevil’sFord？Mr。Munroethinkswewillbeofservicetherejustnow。Ifthemenaredissatisfied，andthinkwe’respendingmoney——"
"I’mafraidMr。Munroeishardlyadisinterestedadviser。Atleast，Idon’tthinkitwouldlookquitedecentforyoutoflybackwithoutyourfather，athissuggestion，"saidChristiecoldly。"Heisnottheonlypartner。Wearespendingnomoney。Besides，wehaveengagedtogotoMr。Prince’sagainnextweek。"
"Asyoulike，dear，"saidJessie，turningawaytohideafaintsmile。
Nevertheless，whentheyreturnedfromtheirvisittoMr。Prince’s，andoneortwouneventfulrides，Christielookedgrave。ItwasonlyafewdayslaterthatJessieburstuponheronemorning。
"Youweresayingthatnobodyevertellsyouanything。Well，here’syourchance。WhiskeyDickisbelow。"
"WhiskeyDick？"repeatedChristie。"Whatdoeshewant？"
"YOU，love。Whoelse？Youknowhealwaysscornsmeasnotbeinghigh—tonedandelegantenoughforhissocialconfidences。Heaskedforyouonly。"
Withanuneasysenseofsomeimpendingrevelation，Christiedescendedtothedrawing—room。Assheopenedthedoor，astrongflavorofthattoiletsoapandeaudeColognewithwhichWhiskeyDickwasinthehabitofgracefullyeffacingthetracesofdissipationmadeknownhispresence。Inspiteofanewsuitofclothes，whosepristinefoldsrefusedtoadaptthemselvesentirelytothecontourofhisfigure，hewassomewhatsubduedbytheunexpectedeleganceofthedrawing—roomofChristie’shost。ButaglanceatChristie’ssadbutgraciousfacequicklyreassuredhim。
Takingfromhishatathree—corneredparcel，heunfoldedahandsomesaffronarose，whichhegravelypresentedtoher。Havingthusreestablishedhisposition，hesankelegantlyintoatete—a—teteottoman。FindingthepositioninconvenienttofaceChristie，whohadseatedherselfonachair，hetransferredhimselftotheothersideoftheottoman，andaddressedheroveritsbackasfromapulpit。
"Isthisreallyafortunateaccident，Mr。Hall，ordidyoutrytofindus？"saidChristiepleasantly。
"Partlypromiskuss，andpartlycoincident，MissChristie，oneupandt’otherdown，"saidDicklightly。"WorkbeingslackatpresentatDevil’sFord，Ireck’nedI’dtakeapaseardownto’Frisco，anddipintothevortexo’fash’nablesocietyandoutagain。"Helightlywavedanewhandkerchieftoillustratehisswallow—likeintrusion。"Thisyerminglin’withthebo—tongisapttobewearisome，ezyouandmeknows，unlesscombinedwithexperienceandjudgment。Sowhenthemboysupthereallowsthatthere’salittletoomuchfash’nablesocietyandSanFranciscocapitalandhigh—
falutin’aboutthefuturegoin’onfersquaresurfacemining，I
sez，’Lookyere，gentlemen，’sezI，’youdon’tseethepint。Thepintistogetthepop’lareyefixed，sotospeak，onDevil’sFord。
Whenafash’nablestarrisesabovethe’Friscohorizon——likeMissCarr——and，sotospeak，dazzlesthegineraleye，peoplewanttoknowwhosheis。Andwhenpeoplesaythat’stheaccomplisheddaughtero’theaccomplishedsuperintendentoftheDevil’sFordclaim——otherwiseknownastheStar—eyedGoddesso’Devil’sFord——
everyeyeisfixedonthemine，andCapital，sotospeak，tumblestoher。’Andwhentheysezthattheoldman——excusemyfreedom，butthat’sthewaytheboystalkofyourfather，meaningnoharm——
theoldman，insteado’tryingtocorralrichwidders——grassorotherwise——tospendtheirmoneyonthebigworksforthegoldthatain’tthereyet——shouldstayinDevil’sFordandputallhissabeandgeniusintogrindin’outthelittlegoldthatisthere，Iseztothemthatitain’tyourfather’sstyle。’Hisstyle，’sezI，’eztogoinandbuildthemworks。’Whenthey’redoneheturnsroundtoCapital，andsezhe——’Lookyer，’sezhe，’thar’salltheworksyouwant，firstquality——costamillion；thar’sallthewateryouwant，onlimited——costanothermillion；thar’sallthepaygravelyouwantinandoutertheground——callittwomillionsmore。Nowmytime’stoovally’ble；myprofesshun’stoohigh—tonedtoWORK
mines。IMAKE’em。Handmeoveracheckfortenmillionsandcallitsquare，andworkitforyourself。’SoCapitalhandsoverthemoneyandwaltzesdowntorunthemine，andyouoriginallocatorswalksroundwithyerhandsinyerpocketsa—topofyoursixmillionprofit，andyoulet’sCapitaltaketheworkandtheresponsibility。"
PreposterousasthisseemedfromthelipsofWhiskeyDick，Christiehadahauntingsuspicionthatitwasnotgreatlyunlikethetheoriesexpoundedbythecleveryoungbankerwhohadbeenherescort。Shedidnotinterrupthisflowofreminiscentcriticism；
whenhepausedforbreath，shesaid，quietly：
"ImetMr。GeorgeKearneytheotherdayinthecountry。"
WhiskeyDickstoppedawkwardly，glancedhurriedlyatChristie，andcoughedbehindhishandkerchief。
"Mr。Kearney——eh——er——certengly——yes——er——methim，yousay。Washe——er——er——well？"
"Inhealth，yes；butotherwisehehaslosteverything，"saidChristie，fixinghereyesontheembarrassedDick。
"Yes——er——incourse——incourse——"continuedDick，nervouslyglancingroundtheapartmentasifendeavoringtofindanopeningtosomelessabruptstatementofthefact。
"Andactuallyreducedtotakesomemenialemployment，"addedChristie，stillregardingDickwithherclearglance。
"That’sit——that’sjustit，"saidDick，beamingashesuddenlyfoundhisdelicateandconfidentialopportunity。"That’sit，MissChristie；that’sjustwhatIwassayin’totheboys。’Ezitthesquarething，’sezI，’jestbecauseGeorgehezhappenedtohypothecateeverydollarhehas，orexpectstohev，toputintothemworks，onlytopleaseMr。Carr，andjustbecausehedon’twanttodistressthatintelligentgentlemanbylettinghimseehe’sdeadbroke——forhimtogoanddemeanhimselfandDevil’sFordbyrushingawayandhiringoutasaMexicanvaqueroonMexicanwages？Look，’
sezI，’atthedisgracehebringsuponahigh—toned，fash’nablegirl，atwhosesidehe’swalkedanddanced，andpassedrings，andsentiments，andbokaysinthechangeso’thecotillionandthemizzourka。Andwot，’sezI，’ifsomeday，prancingalonginafash’nablecavalcade，sheallofasuddentscomesacrosshimdrivin’aMexicansteer？’That’swhatIsaidtotheboys。Andsoyoumethim，MissChristie，asusual，"continuedDick，endeavoringundertheappearanceofalargesocialexperiencetoconcealaneageranxietytoknowthedetails——"soyoumethim；and，incourse，youdidn’tletonyerknewhim，sotospeak，nat’rally，orp’rapsyoukinderlikeaskedhimtofixyoursaddle—girth，andgivehimafive—dollarpiece——eh？"
Christie，whohadrisenandgonetothewindow，suddenlyturnedaverypalefaceandshiningeyesonDick。
"Mr。Hall，"shesaid，withafaintattemptatasmile，"weareoldfriends，andIfeelIcanaskyouafavor。Youoncebeforeactedasourescort——itwasforashortbutahappytime——willyouacceptalargertrust？MyfatherisbusyinSacramentoforthemine：willyou，withoutsayinganythingtoanybody，takeJessieandmebackatoncetoDevil’sFord？"
"WillI？MissChristie，"saidDick，chokingbetweenanintensegratificationandadesiretokeepbackitsvulgarexhibition，"I
shallbeproud!"
"WhenIsaykeepitasecret"——shehesitated——"Idon’tmeanthatI
objecttoyourlettingMr。Kearney，ifyouhappentoknowwhereheis，understandthatwearegoingbacktoDevil’sFord。"
"Cert’nly——nat’rally，"saidDick，wavinghishandgracefully；
"sorterdrophimaline，sayingthatbiznessofasocialanddelicatenature——beingtheescortofMissChristieandJessieCarrtoDevil’sFord——preventsmyhavingthepleasureofcalling。"
"Thatwilldoverywell，Mr。Hall，"saidChristie，faintlysmilingthroughhermoisteyelashes。"Thenwillyougoatonceandsecureticketsforto—night’sboat，andbringthemhere？JessieandI
willarrangeeverythingelse。"
"Cert’nly，"saidDickimpulsively，andpreparingtotakeagracefulleave。
"We’llbeimpatientuntilyoureturnwiththetickets，"saidChristiegraciously。
Dickshookhandsgravely，gotasfarasthedoor，andpaused。
"Youthinkitbettertotaketheticketsnow？"hesaiddubiously。
"Byallmeans，"saidChristieimpetuously。"I’vesetmyheartongoingto—night——andunlessyousecureberthsearly——"
"Incourse——incourse，"interruptedDicknervously。"But——"
"Butwhat？"saidChristieimpatiently。
Dickhesitated，shutthedoorcarefully，and，lookingroundtheroom，lightlyshookouthishandkerchief，apparentlyflickedawayanembarrassingsuggestion，andsaid，withalittlelaugh：
"It’sridiklous，perfectlyridiklous，MissChristie；butnotbein’
inthehabitofcarryin’readymoney，andhavin’omittedtocashadraftonWells，Fargo&Co。——"
"Ofcourse，"saidChristierapidly。"HowforgetfulIam!Prayforgiveme，Mr。Hall。Ididn’tthink。I’llrunupandgetitfromourhost；hewillbegladtobeourbanker。"
"Onemoment，MissChristie，"saidDicklightly，ashisthumbandfingerrelaxedinhiswaistcoatpocketovertheonlypieceofmoneyintheworldthathadremainedtohimafterhisextravagantpurchaseofChristie’ssaffronarose，"onemoment：inthisyermonetarytransaction，ifyoulike，youareatlibertytouseMY
name。"
CHAPTERVIII
AsChristieandJessieCarrlookedfromthewindowsofthecoach，whosedust—cloggedwheelswereslowlydraggingthem，asifreluctant，nearerthelaststageoftheirjourneytoDevil’sFord，theywereconsciousofachangeinthelandscape，whichtheycouldnotentirelychargeupontheirchangedfeelings。Thefewbaredopenspacesontheupland，thelongstretchofrockyridgenearthesummit，sovividandsovelvetyduringtheirfirstjourney，werenowburntandyellow；eventhebriefopeningsintheforestweresearedasifbyahotironinthescorchingraysofahalfyear’ssun。Thepastoralslopesofthevalleybelowwerecloakedinlustre—leather：therarewatercoursesalongtheroadhadfadedfromthewaitingeyeandear；itseemedasifthelonganddrysummerhadeveninvadedtheclose—setranksofpines，andhadblownasimoombreaththroughthedensestwoods，leavingitscharredredashesoneveryleafandsprayalongthetunnelledshade。Astheyleanedoutofthewindowandinhaledthehalf—deadspicesoftheevergreens，theyseemedtohaveenteredtheatmosphereofsomeexhaustedpassion——ofsomefierceexcitementthatwasevennowslowlyburningitselfout。
ItwasareliefatlasttoseethestragglinghousesofDevil’sFordfarbelowcomeoncemoreintoview，astheyroundedtheshoulderofDevil’sSpurandbeganthelongdescent。Butastheyenteredthetownachangemoreominousandstartlingthanthedesiccationofthelandscapeforceditselfuponthem。Thetownwasstillthere，butwhereweretheinhabitants？Fourmonthsagotheyhadleftthestragglingstreetthrongedwithbusycitizens——groupsateverycorner，andachaosofmerchandiseandtradersintheopenplazaorsquarebesidethePresbyterianchurch。Nowallwaschanged。Onlyafewwayfarersliftedtheirheadslazilyasthecoachrattledby，crossingthedesertedsquarelitteredwithemptyboxes，andglidingpastemptycabinsorvacantshopwindows，fromwhichnotonlyfamiliarfaces，buteventhewindowsashesthemselves，weregone。Thegreatunfinishedserpent—likeflume，crossingtheriverongigantictrestles，hadadvancedasfarasthetown，stoopingoveritlikesomeenormousreptilethathadsuckeditslifebloodandwasgorgedwithitsprey。
WhiskeyDick，whohadleftthestageonthesummittoavailhimselfofashorterfoottrailtothehouse，thatwouldgivehimhalfanhour’sgracetomakepreparations，metthematthestageofficewithabuggy。Aglanceattheyounggirls，perhaps，convincedhimthatthegracesofelegantworldlyconversationwereoutofplacewiththerevelationhereadontheirfaces。Perhaps，he，too，wasatrifleindisposed。Theshortjourneytothehousewasmadeinprofoundsilence。
Thevillahadbeenrepaintedanddecorated，anditlookedfresher，andeven，totheirpreoccupiedminds，appearedmoreattractivethanever。Thoughtfulhandshadtakencareofthevinesandrose—bushesonthetrellises；water——thatpreciouselementinDevil’sFord——hadnotbeensparedinkeepinggreenthroughthelongdroughttheplantswhichthegirlshadsotenderlynurtured。Itwastheoneoasisinwhichthesummerstilllingered；andyetasingularsenseoflosscameoverthegirlsastheyoncemorecrosseditsthreshold。Itseemednolongertheirown。
"EfIwasyou，MissChristie，I’dkeepclosetothehouseforadayortwo，until——until——thingsissettled，"saidDick；"there’saheapo’trampsandsichcattletrapsin’round。P’rapsyouwouldn’tfeelsolonesomeifyouwasnearertown——forinstance，’boutwher’
youuseterlive。"
"Inthedearoldcabin，"saidChristiequickly；"Irememberit；I
wishweweretherenow。"
"Doyoureally？Doyou？"saidWhiskeyDick，withsuddenlytwinklingeyes。"That’slikeyoutosayit。That’swhatIallussaid，"continuedDick，addressingspacegenerally；"ifthere’sanyoneezknowshowtocomesquaredowntothebottomrockwithoutflinchin’，it’syourhigh—toned，fash’nablegals。ButImustmeanderbacktotown，andlettheboysknowyou’reinpossession，safeandsound。It’srightmeanthatFairfaxandMattinglyhadtogodowntoLagrangeonsomelowbusinessyesterday，butthey’llbebackto—morrow。Solong。"
Leftalone，thegirlsbegantorealizetheirstrangeposition。
Theyhadconceivednosettledplan。ThenighttheyleftSanFranciscotheyhadwrittenanearnestlettertotheirfather，tellinghimthatonlearningthetruthaboutthereversesofDevil’sFord，theythoughtittheirdutytoreturnandsharethemwithothers，withoutobliginghimtoprefertherequest，andwithaslittleworrytohimaspossible。Hewouldfindthemreadytosharehistrials，andinwhatmustbethesceneoftheirworkhereafter。
"Itwillbringfatherback，"saidChristie；"hewon’tleaveusherealone；andthentogetherwemustcometosomeunderstandingwithhim——withTHEM——forsomehowIfeelasifthishousebelongedtousnolonger。"
Hersurmisewasnotfarwrong。WhenMr。CarrarrivedhurriedlyfromSacramentothenextevening，hefoundthehousedeserted。Hisdaughtersweregone；therewereindicationsthattheyhadarrived，and，forsomereason，suddenlydeparted。Thevaguefearthathadhauntedhisguiltysoulafterreceivingtheirletter，andduringhisbreathlessjourney，nowseemedtoberealized。Hewasturningfromtheemptyhouse，whosereproachfulsolitudefrightenedhim，whenhewasconfrontedonthethresholdbythefigureofFairfaxMunroe。
"Icametothestageofficetomeetyou，"hesaid；"youmusthaveleftthestageatthesummit。"
"Idid，"saidCarrangrily。"Iwasanxioustomeetmydaughtersquickly，toknowthereasonoftheirfoolishalarm，andtoknowalsowhohadbeenfrighteningthem。Wherearethey？"
"Theyaresafeintheoldcabinbeyond，thathasbeenputupreadytoreceivethemagain，"saidFairfaxquietly。
"Butwhatisthemeaningofthis？Whyaretheynothere？"demandedCarr，hidinghisagitationinaburstofquerulousrage。
"DoYOUask，Mr。Carr？"saidFairfaxsadly。"Didyouexpectthemtoremainhereuntilthesherifftookpossession？Nooneknowsbetterthanyourselfthatthemoneyadvancedyouonthedeedsofthishomesteadhasneverbeenrepaid。"
Carrstaggered，butrecoveredhimselfwithfeebleviolence。
"Sinceyouknowsomuchofmyaffairs，howdoyouknowthatthisclaimwilleverbepressedforpayment？Howdoyouknowitisnottheadvanceofa——a——friend？"
"BecauseIhaveseenthewomanwhoadvancedit，"saidFairfaxhopelessly。"Shewasheretolookatthepropertybeforeyourdaughterscame。"
"Well？"saidCarrnervously。
"Well!YouforcemetotellyousomethingIshouldliketoforget。
YouforcemetoanticipateadisclosureIexpectedtomaketoyouonlywhenIcametoaskpermissiontowooyourdaughterJessie；andwhenItellyouwhatitis，youwillunderstandthatIhavenorighttocriticiseyourconduct。Iamonlyexplainingmyown。"
"Goon，"saidCarrimpatiently。
"WhenIfirstcametothiscountry，therewasawomanIlovedpassionately。Shetreatedmeaswomenofherkindonlytreatmenlikeme；sheruinedme，andleftme。Thatwasfouryearsago。I
loveyourdaughter，Mr。Carr，butshehasneverhearditfrommylips。IwouldnotwooheruntilIhadtoldyouall。Ihavetriedtodoiterethis，andfailed。PerhapsIshouldnotnow，but——"
"Butwhat？"saidCarrfuriously；"speakout!"
"Butthis。Look!"saidFairfax，producingfromhispocketthepacketoflettersJessiehadfound；"perhapsyouknowthehandwriting？"
"Whatdoyoumean？"gaspedCarr。
"Thatwoman——mymistress——isthewomanwhoadvancedyoumoney，andwhoclaimsthishouse。"
Theinterview，andwhatevercameofit，remainedasecretwiththetwomen。WhenMr。Carracceptedthehospitalityoftheoldcabinagain，itwasunderstoodthathehadsacrificedthenewhouseanditsfurnituretosomeofthemorepressingdebtsofthemine，andtheactwentfartorestorehiswaningpopularity。ButamoregenuinefeelingofreliefwasexperiencedbyDevil’sFordwhenitwasrumoredthatFairfaxMunroehadaskedforthehandofJessieCarr，andthatsomepromisecontingentupontheequitableadjustmentoftheaffairsoftheminehadbeengivenbyMr。Carr。
TothesuperstitiousmindofDevil’sFordanditsfewremaininglocators，thisnewpartnershipseemedtopromisethatunityofinterestandstabilityoffortunethatDevil’sFordhadlacked。
Butnothingcouldbedoneuntiltherainyseasonhadfairlysetin；
untilthelong—looked—forelementthatwastomagicallyseparatethegoldfromthedrossinthosedullmoundsofdustandgravelhadcomeofitsownfreewill，andinitsownappointedchannels，independentofthefeebleauxiliariesthathadhopelesslyriventherocksonthehillside，orhungincompleteandunfinishedinloftyscaffoldingsabovethesettlement。
Therainyseasoncameearly。Atfirstingatheredmistsonthehigherpeaksthatwereliftedinthemorningsunonlytoshowafresherfieldofdazzlingwhitebelow；inwhitecloudsthatatfirstseemedtobemeredriftsblownacrossfromthosefreshsnowfields，andobscuringtheclearblueabove；infar—offmurmursinthehollowhillsandgulches；innearertinklingmelodyandbabyprattlingintheleaves。Itcamewithbrightflashesofsunlightbyday，withdeep，monotonousshadowatnight；withtheonsetofheavywinds，theroarofturbulentwoods，thetumultuoustossingofleafyarms，andwithwhatseemedthesilentdissolutionofthewholelandscapeindaysofsteadyanduninterrupteddownfall。Itcameextravagantly，foreverycanyonhadgrownintoatorrent，everygulchawaterspout，everywatercourseariver，andallpouringintotheNorthFork，that，rushingpastthesettlement，seemedtothreatenitwithliftedcrestandflyingmane。Itcamedangerously，foronenighttheriver，leapingthefeeblebarrierofDevil’sFord，sweptawayhousesandbanks，scatteredwithunconsciousironythelaboriouslycollectedheapsofgravelleftforhydraulicmachinery，andspreadoutavastandsilentlakeacrossthesubmergedflat。
Inthehurryandconfusionofthatnightthegirlshadthrownopentheircabintotheescapingminers，whohurriedalongtheslopethatwasnowthebankoftheriver。SuddenlyChristiefeltherarmgrasped，andshewashalf—led，half—dragged，intotheinnerroom。
Herfatherstoodbeforeher。
"WhereisGeorgeKearney？"heaskedtremulously。
"GeorgeKearney!"echoedChristie，foramomentbelievingtheexcitementhadturnedherfather’sbrain。"Youknowheisnothere；heisinSanFrancisco。"
"Heishere——Itellyou，"saidCarrimpatiently；"hehasbeenhereeversincethehighwater，tryingtosavetheflumeandreservoir。"
"George——here!"Christiecouldonlygasp。
"Yes!Hepassedhereafewmomentsago，toseeifyouwereallsafe，andhehasgoneontowardstheflume。Butwhatheistryingtodoismadness。Ifyouseehim，implorehimtodonomore。Lethimabandontheaccursedflumetoitsfate。Ithasworkedalreadytoomuchwoeuponusall；whyshoulditcarryhisbraveandyouthfulsouldownwithit？"
Thewordswerestillringinginherears，whenhesuddenlypassedaway，withthehurryingcrowd。Scarcelyknowingwhatshedid，sheranout，vaguelyintentonlyononethought，seekingonlytheoneface，latelysodearinrecollectionthatshefeltshewoulddieifsheneversawitagain。Perplexedbyconfusedvoicesinthewoods，shelosttrackofthecrowd，untilthevoicessuddenlywereraisedinoneloudoutcry，followedbythecrashingoftimber，thesplashingofwater，asilence，andthenadull，continuousroar。
Sheranvaguelyoninthedirectionofthereservoir，withherfather’sinjunctionstillinhermind，untilaterribleideadisplacedit，andsheturnedatrightanglessuddenly，andrantowardstheslopeleadingdowntothesubmergedflat。Shehadbarelylefttheshelterofthetreesbehindherbeforetheroarofwaterseemedtoriseatherveryfeet。Shestopped，dazed，bewildered，andhorror—stricken，ontheedgeoftheslope。Itwastheslopenolonger，butthebankoftheriveritself!
Eveninthegraylightofearlymorning，andwithinexperiencedeyes，shesawalltooclearlynow。Thetrestle—workhadgivenway；
thecurvingmileofflume，fallenintothestream，and，crushedanddammedagainsttheoppositeshore，hadabsolutelyturnedthewholeriverthroughthehalf—finishedditchandpartlyexcavatedmineinitsway，afewrodsfurtherontojointheoldfamiliarchannel。
Thebankoftheriverwaschanged；theflathadbecomeanisland，betweenwhichandtheslopewhereshestoodtheNorthForkwasrollingitsresistlessyellowtorrent。Asshegazedspellbound，aportionoftheslopebeneathhersuddenlyseemedtosinkandcrumble，andwasswallowedupintherushingstream。Sheheardacryofwarningbehindher，but，rootedtothespotbyafearfulfascination，sheheededitnot。
Againtherewasasuddendisruption，andanotherpartoftheslopesanktorisenomore；butthistimeshefeltherselfseizedbythewaistanddraggedback。Itwasherfatherstandingbyherside。
Hewasflushedandexcited，gazingatthewaterwithastrangeexultation。
"Doyouseeit？Doyouknowwhathashappened？"heaskedquickly。
"Theflumehasfallenandturnedtheriver，"saidChristiehurriedly。"But——haveyouseenhim——ishesafe？"
"He——who？"heansweredvacantly。
"GeorgeKearney!"
"Heissafe，"hesaidimpatiently。"But，doyousee，Christie？Doyouknowwhatthismeans？"
Hepointedwithhistremuloushandtothestreambeforethem。
"Itmeansweareruined，"saidChristiecoldly。
"Nothingofthekind!Itmeansthattheriverisdoingtheworkoftheflume。Itissluicingoffthegravel，deepeningtheditch，andalteringtheslopewhichwastheoldbendoftheriver。Itwilldointenminutestheworkthatwouldtakeusayear。Ifwecanstopitintime，orcontrolit，wearesafe；butifwecannot，itwillcarryawaythebedanddepositwiththerest，andweareruinedagain。"
Withagestureofimpotentfury，hedashedawayinthedirectionofanequallyexcitedcrowd，thatonapointoftheslopenearertheislandweregesticulatingandshoutingtoasecondgroupofmen，whoontheoppositeshorewereclamberingonoverthechokeddebrisoftheflumethathaddammedanddivertedthecurrent。Itwasevidentthatthesameideahadoccurredtothem，andtheywereriskingtheirlivesintheattempttosetfreetheimpediments。
ShockedandindignantasChristiehadbeenatthedegradingabsorptionofmaterialinterestsatsuchamoment，theelementofdangerliftedthelaborsofthesemenintoheroism，andshebegantofeelastrangeexultationasshewatchedthem。Undertheskilfulblowsoftheiraxes，inafewmomentsthevastbodyofdriftbegantodisintegrate，andthentoswingroundandmovetowardstheoldchannel。Acheerwentup，butassuddenlydiedawayagain。Anoverlappingfringeofwreckagehadcaughtonthepointoftheislandandarrestedthewholemass。
Themen，whohadgainedtheshorewithdifficulty，lookedbackwithacryofdespair。Butthenextmomentfromamongthemleapedafigure，alert，buoyant，invincible，and，axeinhand，oncemoreessayedthepassage。Springingfromtimbertotimber，heatlastreachedthepointofobstruction。Afewstrokesoftheaxeweresufficienttoclearit；butatthefirststrokeitwasapparentthatthestrikerwasalsolosinghisholdupontheshore，andthathemustinevitablybecarriedawaywiththetossingdebris。Butthisconsiderationdidnotseemtoaffecthim；thelastblowwasstruck，andasthefreedtimbersrolledon，overandover，heboldlyplungedintotheflood。Christiegavealittlecry——herhearthadboundedwithhim；itseemedasifhisplungehadsplashedthewaterinhereyes。Hedidnotcometothesurfaceuntilhehadpassedthepointbelowwhereherfatherstood，andthenstrugglingfeebly，asifstunnedordisabledbyablow。Itseemedtoherthathewastryingtoapproachthesideoftheriverwhereshewas。
Wouldhedoit？Couldshehelphim？Shewasalone；hewashiddenfromtheviewofthemenonthepoint，andnosuccorcouldcomefromthem。Therewasafringeofaldernearlyoppositetheircabinthatalmostoverhungthestream。Sherantoit，clutcheditwithafrantichand，and，leaningovertheboilingwater，utteredforthefirsttimehisname：
"George!"
Asifcalledtothesurfacebythemagicofhervoice，heroseafewyardsfromherinmid—current，andturnedhisfadingeyestowardsthebank。Inanothermomenthewouldhavebeensweptbeyondherreach，butwithasupremeeffortheturnedononeside；
thecurrent，strikinghimsideways，threwhimtowardsthebank，andshecaughthimbyhissleeve。Foraninstantitseemedasifshewouldbedraggeddownwithhim。Foronedangerousmomentshedidnotcare，andalmostyieldedtothespell；butastherushofwaterpressedhimagainstthebank，sherecoveredherself，andmanagedtolifthimbeyonditsreach。Andthenshesatdown，half—fainting，withhiswhitefaceanddampcurlsuponherbreast。
"George，darling，speaktome!Onlyoneword!Tellme，haveI
savedyou？"
Hiseyesopened。Afainttwinkleoftheolddayscametothem——aboyishsmileplayeduponhislips。
"Foryourself——orJessie？"
Shelookedaroundherwithalittlefrightenedair。Theywerealone。Therewasbutonewayofsealingthosemischievouslips，andshefoundit!
"That’swhatIallussaid，gentlemen，"lazilyremarkedWhiskeyDick，afewweekslater，leaningbackagainstthebar，withhisglassinhishand。"’George，’sezI，’itain’twhatyouSAYtoafash’nable，high—tonedyounglady；it’swhatyouDOESezmakesorbreaksyou。’Andthat’swhatIsezgin’rallyo’thingsintheFord。Itain’twhatCarrandyouboysallowstodo；it’sthegin’ralaverageo’thingsezISdonethatgivestonetothehull，andhezbroughtthisyernewlucktoyouall!"
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