I

OnOctober10，1856，aboutfourhundredpeoplewerecampedinTasajaraValley，California。Itcouldnothavebeenfortheprospect，sinceamorebarren，dreary，monotonous，anduninvitinglandscapeneverstretchedbeforehumaneye;itcouldnothavebeenforconvenienceorcontiguity，asthenearestsettlementwasthirtymilesaway;itcouldnothavebeenforhealthorsalubrity，asthebreathoftheague-hauntedtulesintheoutlyingStocktonmarshessweptthroughthevalley;itcouldnothavebeenforspaceorcomfort，for，encampedonanunlimitedplain，menandwomenwerehuddledtogetherascloselyasinanurbantenement-house，withoutthefreedomordecencyofruralisolation;itcouldnothavebeenforpleasantcompanionship，asdejection，mentalanxiety，tears，andlamentationwerethedominantexpression;itwasnotahurriedflightfrompresentorimpendingcalamity，forthecamphadbeendeliberatelyplanned，andforaweekpioneerwagonshadbeenslowlyarriving;itwasnotanirrevocableexodus，forsomehadalreadyreturnedtotheirhomesthatothersmighttaketheirplaces。Itwassimplyareligiousrevivalofoneortwodenominationalsects，knownasa"camp-meeting。"

Alargecentraltentservedfortheassemblingoftheprincipalcongregation;smallertentsservedforprayer-meetingsandclass-

rooms，knowntothefewunbelieversas"side-shows";whiletheactualdwellingsoftheworshiperswererudelyextemporizedshantiesofboardsandcanvas，sometimesmerecorralsorinclosuresopentothecloudlesssky，ormoreoftentheunhitchedcoveredwagonwhichhadbroughtthemthere。Thesingularresemblancetoacircus，alreadyprofanelysuggested，wascarriedoutbyastragglingfringeofboysandhalf-grownmenontheoutskirtsoftheencampment，acrimoniouswithdisappointedcuriosity，lazywithoutthecarelesseaseofvagrancy，andviciouswithouttheexcitementofdissipation。Forthecoarsepovertyandbrutaleconomyofthelargerarrangements，thedrearypanoramaofunlovelyandunwholesomedomesticdetailsalwaysbeforetheeyes，werehardlyexcitingtothesenses。Thecircusmighthavebeenmoredangerous，butscarcelymorebrutalizing。Theactorsthemselves，hardandaggressivethroughpracticalstruggles，oftenwarpedandtwistedwithchronicformsofsmallerdiseases，ormalformedandcrippledthroughcarelessnessandneglect，andrestlessanduneasythroughsomevaguementaldistressandinquietudethattheyhadaddedtotheirburdens，werescarcelyamusingperformers。TherheumaticParkinsons，fromGreenSprings;theophthalmicFilgees，fromAlderCreek;theague-strickenHarneys，fromMartinezBend;

andthefeeble-limbedSteptons，fromSugarMill，might，intheircombinedfamilies，havesuggestedahospital，ratherthananyothersocialassemblage。Eventheircompanionship，whichhadlittleofcheerfulfellowshipinit，wouldhavebeengrotesquebutforthepatheticinstinctofsomemutualvagueappealfromthehardnessoftheirlivesandthehelplessnessoftheirconditionsthathadbroughtthemtogether。NorwasthisappealtoaHigherPoweranythelesspatheticthatitborenoreferencewhatevertotheirrespectiveneedsordeficiencies，butwasalwaysaninvocationforalightwhich，whentheybelievedtheyhadfoundit，tounregenerateeyesscarcelyseemedtoilluminetheruggedpathinwhichtheirfeetwerecontinuallystumbling。Onemighthavesmiledattheideaofthevendetta-followingFergusesprayingfor"justificationbyFaith，"buttheactualspectacleofoldSimonFergus，whoseshot-gunwasstillinhiswagon，offeringupthatappealwithstreamingeyesandagonizedfeatureswaspainfulbeyondadoubt。Toseekandobtainanexaltationoffeelingvaguelyknownas"It，"orlessvaguelyveilingasacredname，wastheburdenofthegeneralappeal。

Thelargetenthadbeenfilled，andbetweentheexhortationsacertaingloomyenthusiasmhadbeenkeptupbysinging，whichhadtheeffectofcontinuinginaneasy，rhythmical，impersonal，andirresponsiblewaythesympathiesofthemeeting。Thiswasinterruptedbyayoungmanwhorosesuddenly，withthatspontaneityofimpulsewhichcharacterizedthespeakers，butunlikehispredecessors，heremainedforamomentmute，tremblingandirresolute。Thefatalhesitationseemedtochecktheunreasoning，monotonousflowofemotion，andtorecalltosomeextentthereasonandeventhecriticismoftheworshipers。Hestammeredaprayerwhoseearnestnesswasundoubted，whosehumilitywasbuttooapparent，buthiswordsfellonfacultiesalreadybenumbedbyrepetitionandrhythm。Aslightmovementofcuriosityintherearbenches，andawhisperthatitwasthemaideneffortofanewpreacher，helpedtoprolongtheinterruption。Aheavymanofstrongphysicalexpressionsprangtotherescuewithahystericalcryof"Glory！"andatumultuousfluencyofepithetandsacredadjuration。Stillthemeetingwavered。Withonefinalparoxysmalcry，thepowerfulmanthrewhisarmsaroundhisnearestneighborandburstintosilenttears。Ananxioushushfollowed;thespeakerstillcontinuedtosobonhisneighbor’sshoulder。Almostbeforethefactcouldbecommentedupon，itwasnoticedthattheentirerankofworshipersonthebenchbesidehimwerecryingalso;thesecondandthirdrowswerespeedilydissolvedintears，untileventheveryyouthfulscoffersinthelastbenchessuddenlyfoundtheirhalf-hystericallaughterturnedtosobs。Thedangerwasaverted，thereactionwascomplete;thesingingcommenced，andinafewmomentsthehaplesscauseoftheinterruptionandthemanwhohadretrievedthedisasterstoodtogetheroutsidethetent。Ahorsewaspicketednearthem。

Thevictorwasstillpantingfromhislateexertions，andwasmoreorlessdiluvialineyeandnostril，butneithereyenornostrilboretheslightesttremorofotherexpression。Hisfacewasstolidandperfectlyinkeepingwithhisphysique，——heavy，animal，andunintelligent。

"YeoughtertrustedintheLord，"hesaidtotheyoungpreacher。

"ButIdid，"respondedtheyoungman，earnestly。

"That’sit。Justifyin’yourselfbyworksinsteado’leanin’ontoHim！FindHim，sezyou！GitHim，sezyou！Worksisvain。Glory！

glory！"hecontinued，withfluentvacuityandwandering，dull，observanteyes。

"ButifIhadalittlemorepracticeinclass，BrotherSilas，moreeducation？"

"Theletterkilleth，"interruptedBrotherSilas。Herehiswanderingeyestookdullcognizanceoftwofemalefacespeeringthroughtheopeningofthetent。"No，yermishun，BrotherGideon，istoseekHimintheby-ways，inthewilderness，——wherethefoxeshevholesandtheravenshevtheiryoung，——butnotintheTemplesofthepeople。WotsezSisterParsons？"

Oneofthefemalefacesdetacheditselffromthetentflaps，whichitnearlyresembledincolor，andbroughtforwardanangularfigureclothedinfadedfustianthathadtakenthevariousshadesandodorsofhouseholdservice。

"BrotherSilasspeakswell，"saidSisterParsons，withstridulousfluency。"It’sfore-ordained。Fore-ordinashunisbetternorordinashun，saiththeLord。Heshallgoforth，turnin’neithertotherighthandnorthelefthand，andseekHimamongthelosttribesandtheungodly。HeshallputasidethetemptashunofMammonandtheflesh。"HereyesandthoseofBrotherSilasherebothsoughttheotherfemaleface，whichwasthatofayounggirlofseventeen。

"WotsezlittleSisterMeely，——wotsezMeelyParsons？"continuedBrotherSilas，asifrepeatinganunctuousformula。

Theyounggirlcamehesitatinglyforward，andwithanervouscryof"Oh，Gideon！"threwherselfonthebreastoftheyoungman。

Foramomenttheyremainedlockedineachother’sarms。Inthepromiscuousandfraternalembracingswhichwereapartofthedevotionalexercisesofthehour，theactpassedwithoutsignificance。Theyoungmangentlyraisedherface。Shewasyoungandcomely，albeitmarkedwithahalf-frightened，half-vacantsorrow。"Amen，"saidBrotherGideon，gravely。

Hemountedhishorseandturnedtogo。BrotherSilashadclaspedhispowerfularmsaroundbothwomenandwasholdingtheminaponderousembrace。

"Goforth，youngman，intothewilderness。"

Theyoungmanbowedhishead，andurgedhishorseforwardinthebleakandbarrenplain。Inhalfanhoureveryvestigeofthecampanditsunwholesomesurroundingswaslostinthedistance。Itwasasifthestrongdesiccatingwind，whichseemedtospringupathishorse’sfeet，hadcleanlyerasedtheflimsystructuresfromthefaceoftheplain，sweptawaythelighterbreathofpraiseandplaint，anddrieduptheeasy-flowingtears。Theairwasharshbutpure;thegrimeconomyofformandshadeandcolorinthelevelplainwascoarsebutnotvulgar;theskyabovehimwascoldanddistantbutnotrepellent;themoisturethathadbeendeniedhiseyesattheprayer-meetingoverflowedthemhere;thewordsthathadchokedhisutteranceanhouragonowrosetohislips。Hethrewhimselffromhishorse，andkneelinginthewitheredgrass——amereatomintheboundlessplain——liftedhispalefaceagainsttheirresponsiveblueandprayed。

Heprayedthattheunselfishdreamofhisbitterboyhood，hisdisappointedyouth，mightcometopass。Heprayedthathemightinhigherhandsbecomethehumbleinstrumentofgoodtohisfellow-

man。Heprayedthatthedeficienciesofhisscanteducation，hisself-taughtlearning，hishelplessisolation，andhisinexperiencemightbeoverlookedorreinforcedbygrace。HeprayedthattheInfiniteCompassionmightenlightenhisignoranceandsolitudewithamanifestationoftheSpirit;inhisveryweaknessheprayedforsomespecialrevelation，somesignortoken，somevisitationorgraciousunbendingfromthatcoldlyliftingsky。Thelowsunburnedtheblackedgeofthedistanttuleswithdulleatingfiresasheprayed，litthedwarfedhillswithabriefbutineffectualradiance，andthendiedout。Thelingeringtradewindsfiredafewvolleysoveritsgraveandthenlapsedintoachillysilence。Theyoungmanstaggeredtohisfeet;itwasquitedarknow，butthecomingnighthadadvancedafewstarryvedettessoneartheplaintheylookedlikehumanwatch-fires。Foraninstanthecouldnotrememberwherehewas。Thenalighttrembledfardownattheentranceofthevalley。BrotherGideonrecognizedit。ItwasinthelonelyfarmhouseofthewidowofthelastCircuitpreacher。

II

TheabodeofthelateReverendMarvinHilerremainedinthedisorganizedconditionhehadleftitwhenremovedfromhissphereofearthlyuselessnessandcontinuousaccident。Thestragglingfencethatonlyhalfinclosedthehouseandbarnhadstoppedatthatpointwherethetwodeaconswhohadeachvolunteeredtodoaday’sworkonithadcompletedtheirallottedtime。ThebuildingofthebarnhadbeenarrestedwhenthehalfloadoftimbercontributedbySugarMillbrethrenwasexhausted，andthreewindowsgivenby"ChristianSeekers"atMartinezpainfullyaccentedtheboardedspacesfortheotherthreethat"UnknownFriends"inTasajarahadpromisedbutnotyetsupplied。Intheclearingsometreesthathadbeenfelledbutnottakenawayaddedtothegeneralincompleteness。

SomethingofthisunfinishedcharacterclungtotheWidowHilerandasserteditselfinherthreechildren，oneofwhomwasconsistentlyposthumous。Prematurelyoldandprematurelydisappointed，shehadalltheinexperienceofgirlhoodwiththecaresofmaternity，andkeptinherfamilycirclethefreshnessofanoldmaid’smisogynisticantipathieswithacertainguiltyandremorsefulconsciousnessofwidowhood。Shesupportedthemeagrehouseholdtowhichherhusbandhadcontributedonlytheextramouthstofeedwithreproachfulastonishmentandwearyincapacity。Shehadlongsincegrowntiredoftryingtomakebothendsmeet，ofwhichshedeclared"theLordhadtakenone。"Duringhertwoyears’widowhoodshehadwaitedonProvidence，whobyapleasinglocalfictionhadbeenmaderesponsibleforthedisusedandcast-offfurnitureandclothingwhich，accompaniedwithscripturaltexts，foundtheirwaymysteriouslyintoherfewhabitablerooms。Theprovidentialmannawasnotalwaysfresh;theravenswhofedherandherlittleoneswithflourfromtheSugarMillsdidnotalwaysselectthebestquality。Smallwonderthat，sittingbyherlonelyhearthstone，——aborrowedstovethatsupplementedtheunfinishedfireplace，——

surroundedbyhermismatchedfurnitureandcladinmisfittinggarments，shehadcontractedahabitofsnifflingduringherdrearywatches。Inherweakermomentssheattributedittogrief;inherstrongerintervalssheknewthatitsprangfromdampanddraught。

Inherapathythesoundofhorses’hoofsatherunprotecteddoorevenatthathourneithersurprisednoralarmedher。SheliftedherheadasthedooropenedandthepalefaceofGideonDeanelookedintotheroom。Shemovedasidethecradleshewasrocking，and，takingasaucepanandtea-cupfromachairbesideher，absentlydusteditwithherapron，andpointingtothevacantseatsaid，"Takeachair，"asquietlyasifhehadsteppedfromthenextroominsteadoftheouterdarkness。

"I’llputupmyhorsefirst，"saidGideongently。

"Sodo，"respondedthewidowbriefly。

Gideonledhishorseacrosstheinclosure，stumblingovertheheapsofrubbish，driedchips，andweather-beatenshavingswithwhichitwasstrewn，untilhereachedtheunfinishedbarn，wherehetemporarilybestowedhisbeast。Thentakingarustyaxe，bythefaintlightofthestars，heattackedoneofthefallentreeswithsuchenergythatattheendoftenminuteshereappearedatthedoorwithanarmfulofcutboughsandchips，whichhequietlydepositedbehindthestove。Observingthathewasstillstandingasiflookingforsomething，thewidowliftedhereyesandsaid，"Efit’sthebucket，Ireckonye’llfinditatthespring，whereoneofthemfoolishFilgeeboysleftit。I’vebeenthattuckeredoutsenssundown，Iain’thadtheambitiontogoandtoteitback。"

WithoutawordGideonrepairedtothespring，filledthemissingbucket，replacedthehoopontheloosenedstavesofanotherhefoundlyinguselessbesideit，andagainreturnedtothehouse。

Thewidowoncemorepointedtothechair，andGideonsatdown。

"It’squiteaspellsensyouwoshere，"saidtheWidowHiler，returningherfoottothecradle-rocker;"notsensyerwasordained。Be’npracticin’，Ireckon，atthemeetin’。"

Aslightcolorcameintohischeek。"Myplaceisnotthere，SisterHiler，"hesaidgently;"it’sforthosewiththegifto’tongues。

Igoforthonlyacommonlaborerinthevineyard。"Hestoppedandhesitated;hemighthavesaidmore，butthewidow，whowasfamiliarwiththatkindofhumilityastheordinaryperfunctoryexpressionofherclass，suggestednosympatheticinterestinhismission。

"Thar’sadealo’talkoverthere，"shesaiddryly，"andthar’sfolksezthinksthar’sadealo’moneyspentinpicnickingtheGospelthatmightbegiventothemezwishtospreadit，ortotheirwidowsandchildren。Butthatdon’tconsarnyou，BrotherGideon。SisterParsonshezmoneyenoughtosettleherdarterMeelycomfortablyonherownland;andI’veheardtellthatyouandMeelywasonlywaitin’tillyouwasordainedtobejinedtogether。

You’llhevaneasiertimeofit，BrotherGideon，thanpoorMarvinHilerhad，"shecontinued，suppressinghertearswithacertainastringencythattooktheplaceofherlostpride;"buttheLordwillsthatsomeshouldbetriedandsomenot。"

"ButIamnotgoingtomarryMeelyParsons，"saidGideonquietly。

Thewidowtookherfootfromtherocker。"NotmarryMeely！"sherepeatedvaguely。Butrelapsingintoherdespondentmoodshecontinued："ThenIreckonit’struewhatotherfolkssezofBrotherSilasBraggleymakin’uptoherandhispowerfulexhortin’

influenceoverherma。FolkssezezSisterParsonshezjustresignedhersoulinterhiskeepin’。"

"BrotherSilashezaheavenlygift，"saidtheyoungman，withgentleenthusiasm;"andperhapsitmaybeso。Ifitis，itistheLord’swill。ButIdonotmarryMeelybecausemylifeandmywayshenceforthmustliefarbeyondhersphereofstrength。Ioughtn’ttodragayounginexperiencedsoulwithmetobattleandstruggleinthethornypathsthatImusttread。"

"Ireckonyouknowyourownmind，"saidSisterHilergrimly。"Butthar’sfolksezmightallowthatMeelyParsonsain’tanybetterthanothers，thatsheshouldn’thavehershareo’trialsandkeersandcrosses。Richesandbringin’updon’texemptfolksfromtheshadder。ImarriedMarvinHilerouterahouseezgoodezSisterParsons’，andatatimewhenoldCyrusParsonshadn’tarooftohisheadbutthecoveroftheemigrantwagonhekemacrosstheplainsin。ImightsayezMarvinknowedprettywellwotitwastohaveahelpmeetinhisministration，ifitwasn’tvanityofsperittosayitnow。Butthefleshisweak，BrotherGideon。"Herinfluenzahereresolveditselfintounmistakabletears，whichshewipedawaywiththefirstarticlethatwasaccessibleinthework-bagbeforeher。AsitchancedtobeablacksilkneckerchiefofthedeceasedHiler，theresultwasfunereal，suggestive，butpracticallyineffective。

"YouwereagoodwifetoBrotherHiler，"saidtheyoungmangently。

"Everybodyknowsthat。"

"It’ssuthin’tothinkofsincehe’sgone，"continuedthewidow，bringingherworknearertohereyestoadjustittotheirtear-

dimmedfocus。"It’ssuthin’tolaytoheartinthelonelydaysandnightswhenthar’snomanroundtofetchwaterandwoodandlendahandtodoin’chores;it’ssuthin’toremember，withhisthreechildrentofeed，andlittleSelby，theeldest，thatvainanduselessthathecan’teventotethebabyroundwhileIdotheworkofahiredman。"

"It’sahardtrial，SisterHiler，"saidGideon，"buttheLordhasHisappointedtime。"

FamiliarasconsolationbyvaguequotationwastoSisterHiler，therewasanoccultsympathyinthetoneinwhichthiswasofferedthatliftedherforaninstantoutofhernarrowerself。Sheraisedhereyestohis。Thepersonalabstractionofthedevoteehadnoplaceinthedeepdarkeyesthatwereliftedfromthecradletoherswithasad，discriminating，andalmostwomanlysympathy。

Surprisedoutofherselfishpreoccupation，shewasremindedofherapparentcallousnesstowhatmightbehispresentdisappointment。

Perhapsitseemedstrangetoher，too，thatthosetendereyesshouldgoa-begging。

"Yertakin’aChristianviewofyerowndisappointment，BrotherGideon，"shesaid，withlessastringencyofmanner;"buteveryheartknowethitsownsorrer。I’llbegettin’suppernowthatthebaby’ssleepin’sound，andye’llsitbyandeat。"

"Ifyouletmehelpyou，SisterHiler，"saidtheyoungmanwithacheerfulnessthatbeliedanyoverwhelmingheartaffection，andawakenedinthewidowafemininecuriosityastohisrealfeelingstoMeely。Butherfurtherquestioningwasmetwithafrank，amiable，andsimplebrevitythatwasaspuzzlingasthemostartfulperiphraseoftact。Accustomedasshewastotheloquacityofgriefandtheconfidingprolixityofdisappointedlovers，shecouldnotunderstandherguest’squiescentattitude。Hercuriosity，however，soongavewaytothehabitualcontemplationofherownsorrows，andshecouldnotforegotheopportunepresenceofasympathizingauditortowhomshecouldrelieveherfeelings。Thepreparationsfortheeveningmealwerethereforeaccompaniedbyadrearymonotoneoflamentation。Shebewailedherlostyouth，herbriefcourtship，thestrugglesofherearlymarriedlife，herprematurewidowhood，herpenuriousandhelplessexistence，thedisruptionofallherpresentties，thehopelessnessofthefuture。

Sherehearsedtheunendingplaintofthoselongevenings，settothemusicoftherestlesswindaroundherbleakdwelling，withsomethingofitsstridulousreiteration。Theyoungmanlistened，andrepliedwithsoftlyassentingeyes，butwithoutpausinginthematerialaidthathewasquietlygivingher。Hehadremovedthecradleofthesleepingchildtothebedroom，quietedthesuddenwakefulnessof"Pinkey，"rearrangedthestragglingfurnitureofthesitting-roomwithmuchorderandtidiness，repairedthehingesofarebelliousshutterandthelockofanunyieldingdoor，andyethadapparentlyretainedanunabatedinterestinherspokenwoes。

Surprisedoncemoreintorecognizingthisdevotion，SisterHilerabruptlyarrestedhermonologue。

"Well，ifyouain’tthehandiestmanIeverseedaboutahouse！"

"AmI？"saidGideon，withsuddenlysparklingeyes。"Doyoureallythinkso？"

"Ido。"

"Thenyoudon’tknowhowgladIam。"Hisfrankfacesounmistakablyshowedhissimplegratificationthatthewidow，aftergazingathimforamoment，wassuddenlyseizedwithabewilderingfancy。Thefirsteffectofitwastheabruptwithdrawalofhereyes，thenasuddeneffusionofbloodtoherforeheadthatfinallyextendedtohercheekbones，andthenanintervalofforgetfulnesswheresheremainedwithaplateheldvaguelyinherhand。Whenshesucceededatlastinputtingitonthetableinsteadoftheyoungman’slap，shesaidinavoicequiteunlikeherown，——

"Sho！"

"Imeanit，"saidGideon，cheerfully。Afterapause，inwhichheunostentatiouslyrearrangedthetablewhichthewidowwasabstractedlydisorganizing，hesaidgently，"Aftertea，whenyou’renotsomuchflusteredwithworkandworry，andmorecomposedinspirit，we’llhavealittletalk，SisterHiler。I’minnohurryto-night，andifyoudon’tmindI’llmakemyselfcomfortableinthebarnwithmyblanketuntilsun-upto-morrow。IcangetupearlyenoughtodosomeoddchoresroundthelotbeforeIgo。"

"Youknowbest，BrotherGideon，"saidthewidow，faintly，"andifyouthinkit’stheLord’swill，andnospeshaltroubletoyou，sodo。Butsakesalive！it’stimeItidiedmyselfalittle，"shecontinued，liftingonehandtoherhair，whilewiththeothersheendeavoredtofastenabuttonlesscollar;"leavin’alonethevanitieso’dress，it’sezmuchasonecandotokeepacleanragonwiththechildrenclimbin’overye。Sitby，andI’llbebackinaminit。"Sheretiredtothebackroom，andinafewmomentsreturnedwithsmoothedhairandapalm-leafbrocheshawlthrownoverhershoulders，whichnotonlyconcealedtheravagesmadebytimeandmaternityonthegownbeneath，buttosomeextentgaveherthesuggestionofbeingacasualvisitorinherownhousehold。ItmustbeconfessedthatfortherestoftheeveningSisterHilerratherlentherselftothisidea，possiblyfromthefactthatittemporarilyobliteratedthechildren，andquiteremovedherfromanyresponsibilityintheunpicturesquehousehold。ThiseffectwasonlymarredbytheabsenceofanyimpressionuponGideon，whoscarcelyappearedtonoticethechange，andwhosesofteyesseemedrathertoidentifythemiserablewomanunderherforceddisguise。

Heprefacedthemealwithaferventgrace，towhichthewidowlistenedwithsomethingoftheconsciousattitudeshehadadoptedatchurchduringherlatehusband’sministration，andduringthemealsheatewithalikeconsciousnessof"companymanners。"

LaterthateveningSelbyHilerwokeupinhislittletrucklebed，listeningtotherisingmidnightwind，whichinhischildishfancyheconfoundedwiththesoundofvoicesthatcamethroughtheopendooroftheliving-room。Herecognizedthedeepvoiceoftheyoungminister，Gideon，andtheoccasionaltearfulresponsesofhismother，andhewasfancyinghimselfagainatchurchwhenheheardastep，andtheyoungpreacherseemedtoentertheroom，andgoingtothebedleanedoveritandkissedhimontheforehead，andthenbentoverhislittlebrotherandsisterandkissedthemtoo。Thenheslowlyre-enteredtheliving-room。Liftinghimselfsoftlyonhiselbow，Selbysawhimgouptowardshismother，whowascrying，withherheadonthetable，andkissheralsoontheforehead。

Thenhesaid"Good-night，"andthefrontdoorclosed，andSelbyheardhisfootstepscrossingthelottowardsthebarn。Hismotherwasstillsittingwithherfaceburiedinherhandswhenhefellasleep。

Shesatbythedyingembersofthefireuntilthehousewasstillagain;thensheroseandwipedhereyes。"Et’sagoodthing，"shesaid，goingtothebedroomdoor，andlookinginuponhersleepingchildren;"et’samercyandablessingforthemand——for——me。But——

but——hemight——hev——said——he——lovedme！"

III

AlthoughGideonDeanecontrivedtofindanestforhisblanketinthemouldystrawoftheunfinishedbarnloft，hecouldnotsleep。

Herestlesslywatchedthestarsthroughthecracksoftheboardedroof，andlistenedtothewindthatmadethehalf-openstructureasvocalasasea-shell，untilpastmidnight。Onceortwicehehadfanciedheheardthetrampofhorse-hoofsonthefar-offtrail，andnowitseemedtoapproachnearer，mingledwiththesoundofvoices。

Gideonraisedhisheadandlookedthroughthedoorwayoftheloft。

Hewasnotmistaken：twomenhadhaltedintheroadbeforethehouse，andwereexaminingitasifuncertainifitwerethedwellingtheywereseeking，andwerehesitatingiftheyshouldrousetheinmates。Thinkinghemightsparethewidowthisdisturbancetoherslumbers，andpossiblysomealarm，herosequickly，anddescendingtotheinclosurewalkedtowardsthehouse。

Asheapproachedthemenadvancedtomeethim，andbyaccidentordesignrangedthemselvesoneitherside。Aglanceshowedhimtheywerestrangerstothelocality。

"We’relookin’ferthepreacherthatliveshere，"saidone，whoseemedtobetheelder。"Amanbythenameo’Hiler，Ireckon！"

"BrotherHilerhasbeendeadtwoyears，"respondedGideon。"Hiswidowandchildrenlivehere。"

Thetwomenlookedateachother。Theyoungeronelaughed;theeldermumbledsomethingaboutitsbeing"threeyearsago，"andthenturningsuddenlyonGideon，said：

"P’r’apsYOU’REapreacher？"

"Iam。"

"Canyoucometoadyingman？"

"Iwill。"

Thetwomenagainlookedateachother。"But，"continuedGideon，softly，"you’llpleasekeepquietsoasnottodisturbthewidowandherchildren，whileIgetmyhorse。"Heturnedaway;theyoungermanmadeamovementasiftostophim，buttheelderquicklyrestrainedhishand。"Heisn’tgoin’torunaway，"hewhispered。"Look，"headded，asGideonamomentlaterreappearedmountedandequipped。

"Doyouthinkwe’llbeintime？"askedtheyoungpreacherastheyrodequicklyawayinthedirectionofthetules。

Theyoungerrepressedalaugh;theotheransweredgrimly，"I

reckon。"

"Andisheconsciousofhisdanger？"

"Ireckon。"

Gideondidnotspeakagain。Butastheonusofthatsilenceseemedtorestupontheothertwo，thelastspeaker，afterafewmoments’

silentandrapidriding，continuedabruptly，"Youdon’tseemcurious？"

"Ofwhat？"saidGideon，liftinghissofteyestothespeaker。"Youtellmeofabrotheratthepointofdeath，whoseekstheLordthroughanhumblevessellikemyself。HEwilltellmetherest。"

Asilencestillmoreconstrainedonthepartofthetwostrangersfollowed，whichtheyendeavoredtoescapefrombyfuriousriding;

sothatinhalfanhourthepartyhadreachedapointwherethetulesbegantosapthearidplain，whilebeyondthembroadenedthelagoonsofthedistantriver。Intheforeground，nearaclumpofdwarfedwillows，acamp-firewasburning，aroundwhichfifteenortwentyarmedmenwerecollected，theirhorsespicketedinanoutercircleguardedbytwomountedsentries。Ablastedcotton-woodwithasingleblackarmextendedoverthetulesstoodominouslyagainstthedarksky。

Thecircleopenedtoreceivethemandclosedagain。TheeldermandismountedandleadingGideontotheblastedcotton-wood，pointedtoapinionedmanseatedatitsfootwithanarmedguardoverhim。

HelookedupatGideonwithanamusedsmile。

"Yousaiditwasadyingman，"saidGideon，recoiling。

"Hewillbeadeadmaninhalfanhour，"returnedthestranger。

"Andyou？"

"WearetheVigilantesfromAlamo。Thisman，"pointingtotheprisoner，"isagamblerwhokilledamanyesterday。Wehuntedhimhere，triedhimanhourago，andfoundhimguilty。Thelastmanwehunghere，threeyearsago，askedforaparson。Webroughthimthemanwhousedtolivewherewefoundyou。Sowethoughtwe’dgivethismanthesameshow，andbroughtyou。"

"AndifIrefuse？"saidGideon。

Theleadershruggedhisshoulders。

"That’sHISlookout，notours。We’vegivenhimthechance。Driveahead，boys，"headded，turningtotheothers;"theparsonallowshewon’ttakeahand。"

"Onemoment，"saidGideon，indesperation，"onemoment，forthesakeofthatGodyouhavebroughtmeheretoinvokeinbehalfofthiswretchedman。Onemoment，forthesakeofHiminwhosepresenceyoumuststandonedayashedoesnow。"WithpassionateearnestnesshepointedoutthevindictiveimpulsetheyweremistakingforDivinejustice;withpatheticfervencyhefelluponhiskneesandimploredtheirmercyfortheculprit。Butinvain。

Asatthecamp-meetingofthedaybefore，hewaschilledtofindhiswordsseemedtofallonunheedingandunsympatheticears。Helookedaroundontheirabstractedfaces;intheirgloomysavageenthusiasmforexpiatorysacrifice，hewashorrifiedtofindthesameunreasoningexaltationthathadcheckedhisexhortationsthen。

Onlyonefacelookeduponhis，halfmischievously，halfcompassionately。Itwastheprisoner’s。

"Yerwastin’timeonus，"saidtheleader，dryly;"wastin’HIS

time。Hadn’tyoubettertalktohim？"

Gideonrosetohisfeet，paleandcold。"Hemayhavesomethingtoconfess。MayIspeakwithhimalone？"hesaidgently。

Theleadermotionedtothesentrytofallback。Gideonplacedhimselfbeforetheprisonersothatinthefaintlightofthecamp-

firetheman’sfigurewaspartlyhiddenbyhisown。"Youmeantwellwithyourlittlebluff，pardner，"saidtheprisoner，notunkindly，"butthey’vegotthecardstowin。"

"Kneeldownwithyourbacktome，"saidGideon，inalowvoice。

Theprisonerfellonhisknees。AtthesametimehefeltGideon’shandandtheglidingofsteelbehindhisback，andtheseveredcordshunglooselyonhisarmsandlegs。

"WhenIliftmyvoicetoGod，brother，"saidGideon，softly，"droponyourfaceandcrawlasfarasyoucaninastraightlineinmyshadow，thenbreakforthetules。Iwillstandbetweenyouandtheirfirstfire。"

"Areyoumad？"saidtheprisoner。"Doyouthinktheywon’tfirelesttheyshouldhurtyou？Man！they’llkillYOU，thefirstthing。"

"Sobeit——ifyourchanceisbetter。"

Stillonhisknees，themangraspedGideon’stwohandsinhisownanddevouredhimwithhiseyes。

"Youmeanit？"

"Ido。"

"Then，"saidtheprisoner，quietly，"IreckonI’llstopandhearwhatyou’vegottosayaboutGoduntilthey’reready。"

"Yourefusetofly？"

"IreckonIwasneverbetterfittedtodiethannow，"saidtheprisoner，stillgraspinghishand。Afterapauseheaddedinalowertone，"Ican’tpray——but——Ithink，"hehesitated，"IthinkI

couldmanagetoringinahymn。"

"Willyoutry，brother？"

"Yes。"

Withtheirhandstightlyclaspedtogether，Gideonliftedhisgentlevoice。Theairwasacommonone，familiarinthelocalreligiousgatherings，andafterthefirstverseoneortwoofthesullenlookers-onjoinedunkindlyintherefrain。But，ashewenton，theairandwordsseemedtoofferavagueexpressiontothedullloweringanimalemotionofthesavageconcourse，andattheendofthesecondversetherefrain，augmentedinvolumeandswelledbyeveryvoiceinthecamp，sweptoutoverthehollowplain。

Itwasmetinthedistancebyafar-offcry。Withanoathtakingtheplaceofhissupplication，theleadersprangtohisfeet。Buttoolate！Thecrywasrepeatedasanearersloganofdefiance——theplainshook——therewasthetempestuousonsetoffurioushoofs——adozenshots——thescatteringoftheembersofthecamp-fireintoathousandvanishingsparksevenastheluridgatheringofsavagehumanitywasdispersedanddissipatedovertheplain，andGideonandtheprisonerstoodalone。ButasthesheriffofContraCostawithhisrescuingpossesweptby，themantheyhadcometosavefellforwardinGideon’sarmswithabulletinhisbreast——theParthianshotoftheflyingVigilanteleader。

TheeagercrowdthatsurgedaroundhimwithoutstretchedhelpinghandswouldhavehustledGideonaside。Butthewoundedmanrousedhimself，andthrowinganarmaroundtheyoungpreacher’sneck，warnedthembackwiththeother。"Standback！"hegasped。"Heriskedhislifeformine！Lookathim，boys！Wantedterstandup’twixtthemhoundsandmeanddrawtheirfireonhimself！Ain’thejusthell？"hestopped;anapologeticsmilecrossedhislips。"I

cleanforgot，pardner;butit’sallright。IsaidIwasreadytogo;andIam。"HisarmslippedfromGideon’sneck;heslidtotheground;hehadfainted。

Adark，military-lookingmanpushedhiswaythroughthecrowd——thesurgeon，oneoftheposse，accompaniedbyayoungermanfastidiouslydressed。Theformerbentovertheunconsciousprisoner，andtoreopenhisshirt;thelatterfollowedhismovementswithaflushofanxiousinquiryinhishandsome，carelessface。Afteramoment’spausethesurgeon，withoutlookingup，answeredtheyoungman’smutequestioning。"Bettersendthesheriffhereatonce，Jack。"

"Heishere，"respondedtheofficial，joiningthegroup。

Thesurgeonlookedupathim。"Iamafraidthey’veputthecaseoutofyourjurisdiction，Sheriff，"hesaidgrimly。"It’sonlyamatterofadayortwoatbest——perhapsonlyafewhours。Buthewon’tlivetobetakenbacktojail。"

"WillhelivetogoasfarasMartinez？"askedtheyoungmanaddressedasJack。

"Withcare，perhaps。"

"Willyouberesponsibleforhim，JackHamlin？"saidthesheriff，suddenly。

"Iwill。"

"Thentakehim。Stay，he’scomingto。"

Thewoundedmanslowlyopenedhiseyes。TheyfelluponJackHamlinwithapleasedlookofrecognition，butalmostinstantlyandanxiouslyglancedaroundasifseekinganother。Leaningoverhim，Jacksaidgayly，"They’vepassedyouovertome，oldman;areyouwilling？"

Thewoundedman’seyesassented，butstillmovedrestlesslyfromsidetoside。

"Isthereanyoneyouwanttogowithyou？"

"Yes，"saidtheeyes。

"Thedoctor，ofcourse？"

Theeyesdidnotanswer。Gideondroppedonhiskneesbesidehim。

Arayoflightflashedinthehelplessman’seyesandtransfiguredhiswholeface。

"YouwantHIM？"saidJackincredulously。

"Yes，"saidtheeyes。

"What——thepreacher？"

Thelipsstruggledtospeak。Everybodybentdowntohearhisreply。

"Youbet，"hesaidfaintly。

IV

Itwasearlymorningwhenthewagoncontainingthewoundedman，Gideon，JackHamlin，andthesurgeoncreptslowlythroughthestreetsofMartinezandstoppedbeforethedoorofthe"PalmettoShades。"TheupperfloorofthissaloonandhostelrywasoccupiedbyMr。Hamlinashisprivatelodgings，andwasfittedupwiththeusualluxuryandmorethantheusualfastidiousnessofhisextravagantclass。Asthedustyandtravel-wornpartytrodthesoftcarpetsandbrushedasidetheirsilkenhangingsintheirslowprogresswiththeirhelplessburdentothelace-canopiedandsnowycouchoftheyounggambler，itseemedalmostaprofanationofsomefeminineseclusion。Gideon，towhomsuchluxurywasunknown，wasprofoundlytroubled。Thevoluptuouseaseandsensuousness，therefinementsofalifeofirresponsibleindulgence，affectedhimwithaphysicalterrortowhichinhislatemomentofrealperilhehadbeenastranger;thegildingandmirrorsblindedhiseyes;eventhefaintperfumeseemedtohimanunhallowedincense，andturnedhimsickandgiddy。Accustomedashehadbeentodiseaseandmiseryinitshumblestplacesandmeanestsurroundings，thewoundeddesperadolyinginlacesandfinelinenseemedtohimmonstrousandunnatural。Itrequiredallhisself-abnegation，allhissenseofduty，allhisdeeppity，andalltheinstinctivetactwhichwasbornofhisgentlethoughtfulnessforothers，torepressashrinking。ButwhenthemiserablecauseofallagainopenedhiseyesandsoughtGideon’shand，heforgotitall。Happily，Hamlin，whohadbeenwatchinghimwithwonderingbutcriticaleyes，mistookhisconcern。"Don’tyouworryaboutthatgin-millandhash-

gymnasiumdownstairs，"hesaid。"I’vegiventheproprietorathousanddollarstoshutupshopaslongasthisthinglasts。"

Thatthiswasdonefromsomedelicatesenseofrespecttothepreacher’sdomiciliarypresence，andnotentirelytosecurecompletequietandseclusionfortheinvalid，wasevidentfromthefactthatMr。Hamlin’sdrawinganddiningrooms，andeventhehall，werefilledwitheagerfriendsandinquirers。ItwasdiscomposingtoGideontofindhimselfalmostanequalsubjectofinterestandcuriositytothevisitors。Thestoryofhissimpledevotionhadlostnothingbyreport;hatsweredoffedinhispresencethatmighthavegrowntotheirwearers’heads;theboldesteyesdroppedashepassedby;hehadonlytoputhispalefaceoutofthebedroomdoorandtheloudestdiscussion，heatedbydrinkoraffection，felltoawhisper。Thesurgeon，whohadrecognizedtheonedominantwishofthehopelesslysinkingman，gravelyretired，leavingGideonafewsimpleinstructionsanddirectionsfortheiruse。"He’lllastaslongashehasneedofyou，"hesaidrespectfully。"Myartisonlysecondhere。Godhelpyouboth！Whenhewakes，makethemostofyourtime。"

Inafewmomentshedidwaken，andasbeforeturnedhisfadinglookalmostinstinctivelyonthefaithful，gentleeyesthatwerewatchinghim。HowGideonmadethemostofhistimedidnottranspire，butattheendofanhour，whenthedyingmanhadagainlapsedintounconsciousness，hesoftlyopenedthedoorofthesitting-room。

Hamlinstartedhastilytohisfeet。Hehadclearedtheroomofhisvisitors，andwasalone。HeturnedamomenttowardsthewindowbeforehefacedGideonwithinquiringbutcuriously-shiningeyes。

"Well？"hesaid，hesitatingly。

"DoyouknowKateSomers？"askedGideon。

Hamlinopenedhisbrowneyes。"Yes。"

"Canyousendforher？"

"What，HERE？"

"Yes，here。"

"Whatfor？"

"Tomarryhim，"saidGideon，gently。"There’snotimetolose。"

"ToMARRYhim？"

"Hewishesit。"

"Butsay——oh，come，now，"saidHamlinconfidentially，leaningbackwithhishandsonthetopofachair。"Ain’tthisplayingitalittle——justaLITTLE——toolowdown？Ofcourseyoumeanwell，andallthat;butcome，now，say——couldn’tyoujustletuponhimthere？Why，she"——Hamlinsoftlyclosedthedoor——"she’sgotnocharacter。"

"Themorereasonheshouldgiveherone。"

AcynicalknowledgeofmatrimonyimpartedtohimbythewivesofothersevidentlycoloredMr。Hamlin’sviews。"Well，perhapsit’sallthesameifhe’sgoingtodie。Butisn’titratherroughonHER？Idon’tknow，"headded，reflectively;"shewassnivelingroundherealittlewhileago，untilIsentheraway。"

"Yousentheraway！"echoedGideon。

"Idid。"

"Why？"

"BecauseYOUwerehere。"

NeverthelessMr。Hamlindeparted，andinhalfanhourreappearedwithtwobrilliantlydressedwomen。One，hysterical，tearful，frightened，andpallid，wasthedestinedbride;theother，highlycolored，excited，andpleasedlyobservant，washerfriend。Twomenhastilysummonedfromtheanteroomaswitnessescompletedthegroupthatmovedintothebedroomandgatheredroundthebed。

Theceremonywassimpleandbrief。Itwaswell，forofallwhotookpartinitnonewasmoreshakenbyemotionthantheofficiatingpriest。Thebrilliantdressesofthewomen，thecontrastoftheirpaintedfaceswiththewaxenpallorofthedyingman;theterribleincongruityoftheirvoices，inflections，expressions，andfamiliarity;themingledperfumeofcosmeticsandthefaintodorofwine;theeyesoftheyoungerwomanfollowinghismovementswithstrangeabsorption，soaffectedhimthathewasgladwhenhecouldfallonhiskneesatlastandburyhisfaceinthepillowofthesufferer。Thehandthathadbeenplacedinthebride’scoldfingersslippedfromthemandmechanicallysoughtGideon’sagain。Thesignificanceoftheunconsciousactbroughtthefirstspontaneoustearsintothewoman’seyes。Itwashislastact，forwhenGideon’svoicewasagainliftedinprayer，thespiritforwhomitwasofferedhadrisenwithit，asitwere，stilllovinglyhandinhand，fromtheearthforever。

Thefuneralwasarrangedfortwodayslater，andGideonfoundthathisserviceshadbeensoseriouslyyetsohumblycounteduponbythefriendsofthedeadmanthathecouldscarcefinditinhishearttotellthemthatitwasthefunctionofthelocalpreacher——

anolderandmoreexperiencedmanthanhimself。"Ifitis，"saidJackHamlin，coolly，"I’mafraidhewon’tgetayallerdogtocometohischurch;butifyousayyou’llpreachatthegrave，thereain’taman，woman，orchildthatwillbekeptaway。Don’tyougobackonyourluck，now;it’ssomethingawfulandnigger-like。

You’vegotthiscrowdwherethehairisshort;excuseme，butit’sso。Talkofrevivals！Youcouldgivethatone-horseshowinTasajaraahundredpoints，andskunkthemeasily。"Indeed，hadGideonbeenaccessibletovanity，thespontaneoushomagehemetwitheverywherewouldhavetouchedhimmoresympatheticallyandkindlythanitdid;butintheutterunconsciousnessofhisownpowerandthequalitytheyworshipedinhim，hefeltalarmedandimpatientofwhathebelievedtobetheirweaksympathywithhisownhumanweakness。Inthedepthofhisunselfishheart，lit，itmustbeconfessed，onlybythescant，inefficientlampofhisyouthfulexperience，hereallybelievedhehadfailedinhisapostolicmissionbecausehehadbeenunabletotouchtheheartsoftheVigilantesbyoralappealandargument。Feelingthusthereverenceoftheseirreligiouspeoplethatsurroundedhim，thefacileyieldingoftheirhabitsandprejudicestohishalf-utteredwish，appearedtohimonlyatemptationoftheflesh。Noonehadsoughthimafterthemannerofthecamp-meeting;hehadconvertedthewoundedmanthroughacommonweaknessoftheirhumanity。Morethanthat，hewasconsciousofagrowingfascinationforthetruthfulnessandsincerityofthatclass;particularlyofMr。JackHamlin，whoseconversionhefelthecouldneverattempt，yetwhosestrangefriendshipalternatelythrilledandfrightenedhim。

Itwastheeveningbeforethefuneral。Thecoffin，halfsmotheredinwreathsandflowers，stoodupontrestlesintheanteroom;alargesilverplatebearinganinscriptiononwhichforthesecondtimeGideonreadthenameofthemanhehadconverted。Itwasanameassociatedonthefrontiersooftenwithrecklesshardihood，dissipation，andblood，thatevennowGideontrembledathispresumption，andwaschilledbyamomentarydoubtoftheefficiencyofhislabor。Drawingunconsciouslynearertothemutesubjectofhisthoughts，hethrewhisarmsacrossthecoffinandburiedhisfacebetweenthem。

Astreamofsoftmusic，theechoofsomeforgottensong，seemedtoGideontosuddenlyfillandpossessthedarkenedroom，andthentoslowlydieaway，liketheopeningandshuttingofadooruponafloodofgoldenradiance。Helistenedwithhushedbreathandabeatingheart。Hehadneverheardanythinglikeitbefore。Againthestrainarose，thechordsswelledroundhim，untilfromtheirmidstatenorvoicebrokehighandsteadfast，likeastarintroubledskies。Gideonscarcelybreathed。Itwasahymn——butsuchahymn。Hehadneverconceivedtherecouldbesuchbeautifulwords，joinedtosuchexquisitemelody，andsungwithagracesotenderandtrue。Whatwereallotherhymnstothisineffableyearningforlight，forlove，andforinfiniterest？Thrilledandexalted，Gideonfelthisdoubtspiercedandscatteredbythatilluminatingcry。Suddenlyherose，andwithatroubledthoughtpushedopenthedoortothesitting-room。ItwasMr。JackHamlinsittingbeforeaparlororgan。Themusicceased。

"ItwasYOU，"stammeredGideon。

Jacknodded，struckafewchordsbywayoffinish，andthenwheeledroundonthemusic-stooltowardsGideon。Hisfacewasslightlyflushed。"Yes。IusedtobetheorganistandtenorinourchurchintheStates。Iusedtosnatchthesinnersbald-headedwiththat。

DoyouknowIreckonI’llsingthatto-morrow，ifyoulike，andmaybeafterwardswe’ll——but"——hestopped——"we’lltalkofthatafterthefuneral。It’sbusiness。"SeeingGideonstillglancingwithatroubledairfromtheorgantohimself，hesaid："Wouldyouliketotrythathymnwithme？Comeon！"

Heagainstruckthechords。Asthewholeroomseemedtothrobwiththemusic，Gideonfelthimselfagaincarriedaway。GlancingoverJack’sshoulders，hecouldreadthewordsbutnotthenotes;yet，havingaquickearforrhythm，hepresentlyjoinedinwithadeepbutuncultivatedbaritone。Togethertheyforgoteverythingelse，andattheendofanhourwereonlyrecalledbythepresenceofasilentlyadmiringconcourseofvotive-offeringfriendswhohadgatheredroundthem。

Thefuneraltookplacethenextdayatthegraveduginthepubliccemetery——agreenareafencedinbythepalisadingtules。ThewordsofGideonwerebriefbuthumble;thestrongestpartisanofthedeadmancouldfindnofaultinaconfessionofhumanfrailtyinwhichthespeakerhumblyconfessedhisshare;andwhenthehymnwasstartedbyHamlinandtakenupbyGideon，thevastmultitude，drawnbyinterestandcuriosity，joinedasinasolemnAmen。

Later，whenthosetwostrangely-assortedfriendshadreturnedtoMr。Hamlin’sroomsprevioustoGideon’sdeparture，theformer，inamannermoreseriousthanhishabitualcynicalgood-humor，began："I

saidIhadtotalkbusinesswithyou。Theboysaboutherewanttobuildachurchforyou，andarereadytoplankthemoneydownifyou’llsayit’sago。Youunderstandtheyaren’taskingyoutoruninoppositiontothatGospelsharp——excuseme——that’sherenow，nordotheywantyoutorunasideshowinconnectionwithit。Theywantyoutobeindependent。Theydon’tpinyoudowntoanykindofreligion，youknow;whateveryoucaretogivethem——Methodist，RomanCatholic，Presbyterian——-ismightygoodenoughforthem，ifyou’llexpoundit。Youmightgivealittleofeach，oroneononedayandoneanother——they’llneverknowthedifferenceifyouonlymixthedrinksyourself。They’llgiveyouahouseandguaranteeyoufifteenhundreddollarsthefirstyear。"

Hestoppedandwalkedtowardsthewindow。Thesunlightthatfelluponhishandsomefaceseemedtocallbackthecarelesssmiletohislipsandtherecklessfiretohisbrowneyes。"Idon’tsupposethere’samanamongthemthatwouldn’ttellyouallthisinagreatdealbetterwaythanIdo。Butthedarnedfools——excuseme——wouldhaveMEbreakittoyou。Why，Idon’tknow。Ineedn’ttellyouI

likeyou——notonlyforwhatyoudidforGeorge——butIlikeyouforyourstyle——foryourself。AndIwantyoutoaccept。Youcouldkeeptheseroomstilltheygotahousereadyforyou。Together——

youandme——we’dmakethatorganhowl。ButbecauseIlikeit——

becauseit’severythingtous——andnothingtoyou，itdon’tseemsquareformetoaskit。Doesit？"

GideonrepliedbytakingHamlin’shand。Hisfacewasperfectlypale，buthislookcollected。Hehadnotexpectedthisoffer，andyetwhenitwasmadehefeltasifhehadknownitbefore——asifhehadbeenwarnedofit——asifitwasthegreattemptationofhislife。Watchinghimwithanearnestnessonlyslightlyoverlaidbyhisusualmanner，Hamlinwenton。

"Iknowitwouldbelonelyhere，andamanlikeyououghttohaveawifefor——"heslightlyliftedhiseyebrows——"forexample’ssake。

IheardtherewasayoungladyinthecaseoverthereinTasajara——

buttheoldpeopledidn’tseeitonaccountofyourposition。

They’djumpatitnow。Eh？No？Well，"continuedJack，withadecentattempttoconcealhiscynicalrelief，"perhapsthoseboyshavebeensoeagertofindoutalltheycoulddoforyouthatthey’vebeensold。Perhapswe’remakingequalfoolsofourselvesnowinaskingyoutostay。Butdon’tsaynojustyet——takeadayoraweektothinkofit。"

Gideonstillpalebutcalm，casthiseyesaroundtheelegantroom，atthemagicorgan，thenupontheslighthandsomefigurebeforehim。"IWILLthinkofit，"hesaid，inalowvoice，ashepressedJack’shand。"AndifIacceptyouwillfindmehereto-morrowafternoonatthistime;ifIdonotyouwillknowthatIkeepwithmewhereverIgothekindness，thebrotherlylove，andthegraceofGodthatpromptsyouroffer，eventhoughHewithholdsfrommeHisblessedlight，whichalonecanmakemeknowHiswish。"Hestoppedandhesitated。"Ifyouloveme，Jack，don’taskmetostay，butprayforthatlightwhichalonecanguidemyfeetbacktoyou，ortakemehenceforever。"

Heoncemoretightlypressedthehandoftheembarrassedmanbeforehimandwasgone。

Passers-byontheMartinezroadthatnightrememberedamuteandghostlyriderwho，heedlessofhailorgreeting，movedbythemasinatranceorvision。ButtheWidowHilerthenextmorning，comingfromthespring，foundnoabstractionorpreoccupationinthesofteyesofGideonDeaneashesuddenlyappearedbeforeher，andgentlyrelievedherofthebucketshewascarrying。Aquickflashofcoloroverherbrowandcheek-bone，asifahotironhadpassedthere，andacertainastringentcoyness，wouldhaveembarrassedanyothermanthanhim。

"Sho，it’sYOU。Ireck’nedI’dseenthelastofyou。"

"Youdon’tmeanthat，SisterHiler？"saidGideon，withagentlesmile。

"Well，whatwiththereportofyourgoin’sonatMartinezandimprovin’theoccasionofthatsinner’sdeath，andleadin’arevival，Ireckonedyou’ldhevforgottenlowfolksatTasajara。

Andifyourgoin’tobesettledthereinanewchurch，withnewhearers，Ireckonyou’llwantnewsurroundingstoo。Thingschangeandyoungfolkschangewith’em。"

Theyhadreachedthehouse。HerbreathwasquickandshortasifsheandnotGideonhadbornetheburden。Heplacedthebucketinitsaccustomedplace，andthengentlytookherhandinhis。Theactprecipitatedthelastdropoffeeblecoquetryshehadretained，andtheoldtearstookitsplace。Letushopeforthelasttime。

ForasGideonstoopedandliftedherailingbabeinhisstrongarms，hesaidsoftly，"WhateverGodhaswroughtformesinceweparted，IknownowHehascalledmetobutonework。"

"Andthatwork？"sheasked，tremulously。

"Towatchoverthewidowandfatherless。AndwithGod’sblessing，sister，andHisholyordinance，Iamheretostay。"

SARAHWALKER

Itwasveryhot。NotabreathofairwasstirringthroughoutthewesternwingoftheGreyportHotel，andtheusualfeverishlifeofitsfourhundredinmateshadsuccumbedtotheweather。Thegreatverandawasdeserted;thecorridorsweredesolated;nofootfallechoedinthepassages;thelazyrustleofawanderingskirt，orapassingsighthatwashalfapant，seemedtointensifytheheatedsilence。Anintoxicatedbee，disgracefullyunsteadyinwingandleg，whohadbeenholdinganinebriatedconversationwithhimselfinthecornerofmywindowpane，hadgonetosleepatlastandwassnoring。Theerrantprincemighthaveenteredtheslumberoushallsunchallenged，andwalkedintoanyofthedarkenedroomswhoseopendoorsgapedformoreair，withoutawakeningtheveriestGreyportflirtwithhissalutation。Attimesadrowsyvoice，alazilyinterjectedsentence，anincoherentprotest，along-drawnphraseofsaccharinetenuitysuddenlybrokeoffwithagasp，camevaguelytotheear，asifindicatingahalf-suspended，half-articulatedexistencesomewhere，butnotdefiniteenoughtoindicateconversation。Inthemidstofthis，therewasthesuddencryingofachild。

Ilookedupfrommywork。ThroughthecameraofmyjealouslyguardedwindowIcouldcatchaglimpseofthevivid，quiveringblueofthesky，theglitteringintensityoftheocean，thelongmotionlessleavesofthehorse-chestnutintheroad，——allutterlyinconsistentwithanythingasactiveasthislamentation。I

steppedtotheopendoorandintothesilenthall。

Apparentlythenoisehadattractedtheequalattentionofmyneighbors。Avaguechorusof"SarahWalker，"inquerulousrecognition，of"OLord！thatchildagain！"inhopelessprotest，rosefaintlyfromthedifferentrooms。Asthelamentationsseemedtoapproachnearer，thevisitors’doorsweresuccessivelyshut，swiftfootstepshurriedalongthehall;pastmyopendoorcameamomentaryvisionofaheatednursemaidcarryingatumultuouschaosoffrilledskirts，flyingsash，rebelliousslippers，andtossingcurls;therewasamoment’srallyingstrugglebeforetheroomnearlyoppositemine，andthenadooropenedandshutuponthevision。ItwasSarahWalker！

Everybodyknewher;fewhadeverseenmoreofherthanthispassingvision。Inthegreathall，inthedining-room，inthevastparlors，inthegarden，intheavenue，onthebeach，asoundoflamentationhadalwaysbeenfollowedbythissamebriefapparition。

Wasthereasuddenpauseamongthedancersandasubjugationoftheloudestbassoonsintheearlyevening"hop，"theexplanationwasgiveninthewords"SarahWalker。"Wasthereawildconfusionamongthemorningbathersonthesands，peoplewhispered"SarahWalker。"Apanicamongthewaitersatdinner，aninterruptionintheSundaysacredconcert，adisorganizationoftheafter-dinnerpromenadeontheveranda，wasinstantlyreferredtoSarahWalker。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读