"Andturnedhimselfoutofhisonlysheltertogivemearoofandcovering，"shecontinuedmechanically，strugglingwiththenewandhorriblefancythathiswordsawakened。
"AndthlepteverynightatIndianThpringtosaveyourreputation，"
saidCurson。"Ofcourthe。"
Teresaturnedverywhite。Cursonwaspreparedforanoutburstoffury——perhapsevenanotherattack。Butthecrushedandbeatenwomanonlygazedathimwithfrightenedandimploringeyes。"ForGod’ssake，Dick，don’tsaythat！"
Theamiablecynicwasstaggered。Hisgood-humorandacertainchivalrousinstincthecouldnotrepressgotthebetterofhim。
Heshruggedhisshoulders。"WhatIthay，andwhatyouDO，Teretha，needn’tmakeusquarrel。I’venoclaimonyou——Iknowit。Only——"avividsenseoftheridiculous，powerfulinmenofhisstamp，completedhervictory——"onlydon’tthayanythingaboutmycomingdownheretocutyououtfromthe——the——THESHERIFF。"
Hegaveutterancetoashortbutunaffectedlaugh，madeaslightgrimace，andturnedtogo。
Teresadidnotjoininhismirth。Awkwardasitwouldhavebeenifhehadtakenasevererviewofthesubject，shewasmortifiedevenamidstherfearsandembarrassmentathislevity。Justasshehadbecomeconvincedthathisjealousyhadmadeherover-
conscious，hisapparentgood-humoredindifferencegavethatover-
consciousnessaguiltysignificance。Yetthiswaslostinhersuddenalarmashercompanion，lookingup，utteredanexclamation，andplacedhishanduponhisrevolver。Withasinkingconvictionthattheclimaxhadcome，Teresaturnedhereyes。Fromthedimaislesbeyond，Lowwasapproaching。Thecatastropheseemedcomplete。
Shehadbarelytimetoutteranimploringwhisper："InthenameofGod，notawordtohim。"Butachangehadalreadycomeoverhercompanion。Itwasnolongeraparleywithafoolishwoman;
hehadtodealwithamanlikehimself。AsLow’sdarkfaceandpicturesquefigurecamenearer，Mr。Curson’sproposedmethodofdealingwithhimwasmadeaudible。
"IthitamulattooraThircuth，orboth？"heasked，withaffectedanxiety。
Low’sIndianphlegmwasimpervioustosuchassault。HeturnedtoTeresa，withoutapparentlynoticinghercompanion。"Iturnedback，"hesaidquietly，"assoonasIknewtherewerestrangershere;Ithoughtyoumightneedme。"Shenoticedforthefirsttimethat，inadditiontohisrifle，hecarriedarevolverandhuntingknifeinhisbelt。
"Yeth，"returnedCurson，withanineffectualattempttoimitateLow’sphlegm;"butathIdidn’thappentobeasthrangertothislady，perhapsitwathn’tnethethary，particularlyathIhadtwofriends——"
"Waitingattheedgeofthewoodwithaledhorse，"interruptedLow，withoutaddressinghim，butapparentlycontinuinghisexplanationtoTeresa。ButsheturnedtoLowwithfeverishanxiety。
"That’sso——heisanoldfriend——"shegaveaquick，imploringglanceatCurson——"anoldfriendwhocametohelpmeaway——heisverykind，"shestammered，turningalternatelyfromtheonetotheother;"butItoldhimtherewasnohurry——atleastto-day——
thatyou——were——verygood——too，andwouldhidemealittlelonger，untilyourplan——youknowYOURplan，"sheadded，withalookofbeseechingsignificancetoLow——"couldbetried。"Andthen，withahelplessconvictionthatherexcuses，motives，andemotionswereequallyandperfectlytransparenttobothmen，shestoppedinatremble。
"Perhapthit’thjuthtathwell，then，thatthegentlemancamethtraighthere，anddidn’ttacklemytwofriendthwhenhepathedthem，"observedCurson，halfsarcastically。
"Ihavenotpassedyourfriends，norhaveIbeennearthem，"saidLow，lookingathimforthefirsttime，withthesameexasperatingcalm，"orperhapsIshouldnotbeHEREortheyTHERE。Iknewthatonemanenteredthewoodafewmomentsago，andthattwomenandfourhorsesremainedoutside。"
"That’strue，"saidTeresatoCursonexcitedly——"that’strue。Heknowsall。Hecanseewithoutlooking，hearwithoutlistening。
He——he——"shestammered，colored，andstopped。
Thetwomenhadfacedeachother。Curson，afterhisfirstgood-
naturedimpulse，hadretainednowishtoregainTeresa，whomhefelthenolongerloved，andyetwho，forthatveryreasonperhaps，hadawakenedhischivalrousinstincts。Low，equallyonhisside，wasaltogetherunconsciousofanyfeelingwhichmightgrowintoapassion，andpreventhimfromlettinghergowithanotherifforherownsafety。Theywerebothmenofacertaintasteandrefinement。Yet，inspiteofallthis，somevagueinstinctofthebasermaleanimalremainedwiththem，andtheyweremovedtoamutuallyaggressiveattitudeinthepresenceofthefemale。
Onewordmore，andtheopeningchapterofasylvanIliadmighthavebegun。ButthismodernHelensawitcoming，andarresteditwithaninspirationoffemininegenius。Withoutbeingobserved，shedisengagedherknifefromherbosomandletitfallasifbyaccident。Itstruckthegroundwiththepointofitskeenblade，boundedandrolledbetweenthem。Thetwomenstartedandlookedateachotherwithafoolishair。Cursonlaughed。
"Ireckonshecantakecareofherthelf，"hesaid，extendinghishandtoLow。"I’moff。ButifI’mwantedSHE’LLknowwheretofindme。"Lowtooktheprofferedhand，butneitherofthetwomenlookedatTeresa。Thereserveofantagonismoncebroken，afewwordsofcaution，advice，andencouragementpassedbetweenthem，inapparentobliviousnessofherpresenceorherpersonalresponsibility。AsCursonatlastnoddedafarewelltoher，Lowinsisteduponaccompanyinghimasfarasthehorses，andinanothermomentshewasagainalone。
Shehadsavedaquarrelbetweenthematthesacrificeofherself，forhervanitywasstillkeenenoughtofeelthatthisexhibitionofheroldweaknesshaddegradedherintheireyes，and，worse，hadlosttherespectherlaterestrainthadwonfromLow。Theyhadtreatedherlikeachildoracrazywoman，perhapsevennowwereexchangingcriticismsuponher——perhapspityingher！Yetshehadpreventedaquarrel，afight;possiblythedeathofeitheroneortheotherofthesemenwhodespisedher，fornonebetterknewthanshethetrivialbeginninganddesperateendoftheseencounters。Wouldthey——wouldLoweverrealizeit，andforgiveher？Hersmall，darkhandswentuptohereyesandshesankupontheground。Shelookedthroughtear-veiledlashesuponthemuteandgiantwitnessesofherdeceitandpassion，andtriedtodraw，fromtheirimmovablecalm，strengthandconsolationasbefore。Buteventheyseemedtostandapart，reservedandforbidding。
WhenLowreturnedshehopedtogatherfromhiseyesandmannerwhathadpassedbetweenhimandherformerlover。Butbeyondameregentleabstractionattimesheretainedhisusualcalm。Shewasatlastforcedtoalludetoitherselfwithsimulatedrecklessness。
"IsupposeIdidn’tgetaverygoodcharacterfrommylastplace？"shesaid，withalaugh。
"Idon’tunderstandyou，"hereplied，inevidentsincerity。
Shebitherlipandwassilent。Butastheywerereturninghome，shesaidgently，"IhopeyouwerenotangrywithmeforthelieI
toldwhenIspokeof’yourplan。’Icouldnotgivetherealreasonfornotreturningwith——with——thatman。Butit’snotallalie。Ihaveaplan——ifyouhaven’t。WhenyouarereadytogotoSacramentototakeyourplace，dressmeasanIndianboy，paintmyface，andletmegowithyou。Youcanleaveme——there——
youknow。"
"It’snotabadidea，"herespondedgravely。"Wewillsee。"
Onthenextday，andthenext，therencontreseemedtobeforgotten。Theherbariumwasalreadyfilledwithrarespecimens。
Teresahadevenovercomeherfemininerepugnanceto"bugs"andcreepingthingssofarastoassistinhisentomologicalcollection。Hehaddrawnfromasacredcacheinthehollowofatreethefewworntext-booksfromwhichhehadstudied。
"Theyseemveryprecious，"shesaid，withasmile。
"Very，"herepliedgravely。"Therewasonewithplatesthattheantsateup，anditwillbesixmonthsbeforeIcanaffordtobuyanother。"
Teresaglancedhurriedlyoverhiswell-wornbuckskinsuit，athiscalicoshirtwithitspatternalmostobliteratedbycountlesswashings，andbecamethoughtful。
"Isupposeyoucouldn’tbuyoneatIndianSpring？"shesaidinnocently。
ForonceLowwasstartledoutofhisphlegm。"IndianSpring！"heejaculated;"perhapsnoteveninSanFrancisco。ThesecamefromtheStates。"
"Howdidyougetthem？"persistedTeresa。
"IboughtthemforskinsIgotovertheridge。"
"Ididn’tmeanthat——butnomatter。Thenyoumeantosellthatbearskin，don’tyou？"sheadded。
Lowhad，infact，alreadysoldit，theproceedshavingbeeninvestedinagoldringforMissNellie，whichshescrupulouslydidnotwearexceptinhispresence。InhissingulartruthfulnesshewouldhavefranklyconfessedittoTeresa，butthesecretwasnothisown。HecontentedhimselfwithsayingthathehaddisposedofitatIndianSpring。
Teresastarted，andcommunicatedunconsciouslysomeofhernervousnesstohercompanion。Theygazedineachother’seyeswithatroubledexpression。
"Doyouthinkitwaswisetosellthatparticularskin，whichmightbeidentified？"sheaskedtimidly。
Lowknittedhisarchedbrows，butfeltastrangesenseofrelief。
"Perhapsnot，"hesaidcarelessly;"butit’stoolatenowtomendmatters。"
Thatafternoonshewroteseveralletters，andtorethemup。One，however，sheretained，andhandedittoLowtopostatIndianSpring，whitherhewasgoing。Shecalledhisattentiontothesuperscription，beingthesameasthepreviousletter，andadded，withaffectedgayety，"Butiftheanswerisn’tasprompt，perhapsitwillbepleasanterthanthelast。"Herquickfeminineeyenoticedalittleexcitementinhismannerandamorestudiousattentiontohisdress。Onlyafewdaysbeforeshewouldnothaveallowedthistopasswithoutsomemischievousallusiontohismysterioussweetheart;ittroubledhergreatlynowtofindthatshecouldnotbringherselftothishouseholdpleasantry，andthatherliptrembledandhereyegrewmoistashepartedfromher。
Theafternoonpassedslowly;hehadsaidhemightnotreturntosupperuntillate，neverthelessastrangerestlessnesstookpossessionofherasthedayworeon。Sheputasideherwork，thedarningofhisstockings，andrambledaimlesslythroughthewoods。Shehadwanderedsheknewnothowfar，whenshewassuddenlyseizedwiththesamevaguesenseofaforeignpresencewhichshehadfeltbefore。CoulditbeCursonagain，withawordofwarning？No！sheknewitwasnothe;sosubtlehadhersensebecomethatsheevenfanciedthatshedetectedintheinvisibleauraprojectedbytheunknownnosignificanceorrelationtoherselforLow，andfeltnofear。Neverthelessshedeemeditwisesttoseektheprotectionofhersylvanbower，andhurriedswiftlythither。
Butnotsoquicklynordirectlythatshedidnotonceortwicepauseinherflighttoexaminethenew-comerfrombehindafriendlytrunk。Hewasastranger——ayoungfellowwithabrownmustache，wearingheavyMexicanspursinhisriding-boots，whosetinklingheapparentlydidnotcaretoconceal。Hehadperceivedher，andwasevidentlypursuingher，butsoawkwardlyandtimidlythatsheeludedhimwithease。Whenshehadreachedthesecurityofthehollowtreeandpulledthecurtainofbarkbeforethenarrowopening，withhereyetotheinterstices，shewaitedhiscoming。Hearrivedbreathlesslyintheopenspacebeforethetreewherethebearoncelay;thedazed，bewildered，andhalf-
awedexpressionofhisface，asheglancedaroundhimandthroughtheopeningsoftheforestaisles，broughtafaintsmiletohersaddenedface。Atlasthecalledinahalf-embarrassedvoice：——
"MissNellie！"
ThesmilefadedfromTeresa’scheek。Whowas"MissNellie？"Shepressedhereartotheopening。"MissWynn！"thevoiceagaincalled，butwaslostintheecholesswoods。Devouredwithanewgratuitouscuriosity，inanothermomentTeresafeltshewouldhavedisclosedherselfatanyrisk，butthestrangerroseandbegantoretracehissteps。Longafterhistinklingspurswerelostinthedistance，Teresaremainedlikeastatue，staringattheplacewherehehadstood。Thenshesuddenlyturnedlikeamadwoman，glanceddownatthegownshewaswearing，toreitfromherbackasifithadbeenapollutedgarment，andstampeduponitinaconvulsionofrage。Andthen，withherbeautifulbarearmsclaspedtogetheroverherhead，shethrewherselfuponhercouchinatempestoftears。
CHAPTERVI
WhenMissNelliereachedthefirstminingextensionofIndianSpring，whichsurroundeditlikeafosse，shedescendedforoneinstantintooneofitstrenches，openedherparasol，removedherduster，hiditunderabowlder，andwithafewshiversandcat-
likestrokesofhersofthandsnotonlyobliteratedallmaterialtracesofthestolencreamofCarquinezWoods，butassumedafelinedemurenessquiteinconsistentwithanymoraldereliction。
Unfortunately，sheforgottoremoveatthesametimeacertainringfromherthirdfinger，whichshehadputonwithherdusterandhadwornatnoothertime。Withthisslightexception，thebenignantfatewhichalwaysprotectedthatyoungpersonbroughtherincontactwiththeBurnhamgirlsatoneendofthemainstreetasthereturningcoachtoExcelsiorenteredtheother，andenabledhertotakeleaveofthembeforethecoachofficewithacertainostentationofpartingwhichstruckMr。JackBrace，whowaslingeringatthedoorway，intoastateofutterbewilderment。
HerewasMissNellieWynn，thebelleofExcelsior，calm，quiet，self-possessed，herchastecambricskirtsanddaintyshoesasfreshaswhenshehadleftherfather’shouse;butwherewasthewomanofthebrownduster，andwheretheyellow-dressedapparitionofthewoods？Hewasfeeblyrepeatingtohimselfhismentaladjurationofafewhoursbeforewhenhecaughthereye，andwastakenwithablushandafitofcoughing。Couldhehavebeensuchanegregiousfool，andwasitnotplainlywrittenonhisembarrassedfaceforhertoread？
"Arewegoingdowntogether？"askedMissNelliewithanexceptionallygracioussmile。
Therewasneitheraffectationnorcoquetryinthisadvance。ThegirlhadnoideaofBrace’ssuspicionofher，nordidanyuneasydesiretoplacateordeceiveapossiblerivalofLow’sprompthergraciousness。Shesimplywishedtoshakeoffinthisencounterthealreadystaleexcitementofthepasttwohours，asshehadshakenthedustofthewoodsfromherclothes。Itwascharacteristicofherirresponsiblenatureandtransientsusceptibilitiesthatsheactuallyenjoyedthereliefofchange;
morethanthat，Ifear，shelookeduponthisinfidelitytoapastdubiouspleasureasamoralprinciple。Amild，openflirtationwitharecognizedmanlikeBrace，afterhersecretpassionatetrystwithanamelessnomadlikeLow，wasanethicalequipoisethatseemedpropertooneofherreligiouseducation。
BracewasonlytoohappytoprofitbyMissNellie’scondescension;
heatoncesecuredtheseatbyherside，andspentthefourhoursandahalfoftheirreturnjourneytoExcelsiorinblissfulbuttimidcommunionwithher。Ifhedidnotdaretoconfesshispastsuspicions，hewasequallyafraidtoventureupontheboldnesshehadpremeditatedafewhoursbefore。Hewasthereforeobligedtotakeamiddlecourseofslightlyegotisticalnarrationofhisownpersonaladventures，withwhichhebeguiledtheyounggirl’sear。
Thisheonlydepartedfromonce，todescribetoheravaluablegrizzlybearskinwhichhehadseenthatdayforsaleatIndianSpring，withaviewtodiviningherpossibleacceptanceofitfora"buggyrobe;"andoncetocommentuponaringwhichshehadinadvertentlydisclosedinpullingoffherglove。
"It’sonlyanoldfamilykeepsake，"sheadded，witheasymendacity;andaffectingtorecognizeinMr。Brace’scuriosityanotunnaturalexcusefortoyingwithhercharmingfingers，shehidtheminchasteandvirginalseclusioninherlap，untilshecouldrecovertheringandresumeherglove。
Aweekpassed——aweekofpeculiaranddesiccatingheatforeventhosedrySierratable-lands。Thelongdayswerefilledwithimpalpabledustandacridhazesuspendedinthemotionlessair;
thenightswerebreathlessanddewless;thecoldwindwhichusuallysweptdownfromthesnowlinewaslaidtosleepoveradarkmonotonouslevel，whosehorizonwasprickedwiththeeatingfiresofburningforestcrests。ThelaggingcoachofIndianSpringdroveupatExcelsior，andprecipitateditspassengerswithanaccompanyingcloudofdustbeforetheExcelsiorHotel。
Astheyemergedfromthecoach，Mr。Brace，standinginthedoorway，closelyscannedtheirbegrimedandalmostunrecognizablefaces。Theyweretheusualtypeoftravelers：asingleprofessionalmanindustyblack，afewtradersintweedsandflannels，asprinklingofminersinredandgrayshirts，aChinaman，anegro，andaMexicanpackerormuleteer。Thislatterforamomentmingledwiththecrowdinthebar-room，andevenpenetratedthecorridoranddining-roomofthehotel，asifimpelledbyacertainsemi-civilizedcuriosity，andthenstrolledwithalazy，draggingstep——halfimpededbytheenormousleatherleggings，chains，andspurs，peculiartohisclass——downthemainstreet。Thedarknesswasgathering，butthemuleteerindulgedinthesamechildishscrutinyofthedimlylightedshops，magazines，andsaloons，andevenoftheoccasionalgroupsofcitizensatthestreetcorners。Apparentlyyoung，asfarastheoutlinesofhisfigurecouldbeseen，heseemedtoshowevenmorethantheusualconcernofmasculineExcelsiorinthecharmsofwomankind。Thefewfemalefiguresaboutatthathour，orvisibleatwindoworveranda，receivedhismarkedattention;herespectfullyfollowedthetwoauburn-haireddaughtersofDeaconJohnsonontheirwaytochoirmeetingtothedoorofthechurch。Notcontentwiththatactofdiscreetgallantry，aftertheyhadenteredhemanagedtoslipunperceivedbehindthem。
ThememorialoftheExcelsiorgamblers’generositywasamodernbuilding，largeandpretentious，forevenMr。Wynn’spopularity，andhadbeengood-humoredlyknown，inthecharacteristiclanguageofthegenerousdonors，asoneofthe"biggestreligiousbluffs"
onrecord。Itsgroinedrafters，whichweresonewandspicythattheystillsuggestedtheirnativeforestaisles，seldomcoveredmorethanahundreddevotees，andintheramblingchoir，withitsbarespaceforthefutureorgan，thefewchoristers，gatheredroundasmallharmonium，werelostinthedeepeningshadowofthatsummerevening。Themuleteerremainedhiddenintheobscurityofthevestibule。Afterafewmoments’desultoryconversation，inwhichitappearedthattheunexpectedabsenceofMissNellieWynn，theirleader，wouldpreventtheirpracticing，thechoristerswithdrew。Thestranger，whohadlistenedeagerly，drewbackinthedarknessastheypassedout，andremainedforafewmomentsavagueandmotionlessfigureinthesilentchurch。
Thencomingcautiouslytothewindow，theflappingbroad-brimmedhatwasputaside，andthefaintlightofthedyingdayshoneintheblackeyesofTeresa！Despiteherface，darkenedwithdyeanddisfiguredwithdust，themattedhairpiledandtwistedaroundherhead，thestrangedressandboyishfigure，oneswiftglancefromunderherraisedlashesbetrayedheridentity。
Sheturnedasidemechanicallyintothefirstpew，pickedupandopenedahymn-book。Hereyesbecamerivetedonanamewrittenonthetitle-page，"NellieWynn。"HERname，andHERbook。Theinstinctthathadguidedherherewasright;theslightgossipofherfellow-passengerswasright;thiswastheclergyman’sdaughter，whosepraisefilledallmouths。Thiswastheunknowngirlthestrangerwasseeking，butwhointurnperhapshadbeenseekingLow——thegirlwhoabsorbedhisfancy——thesecretofhisabsences，hispreoccupation，hiscoldness！Thiswasthegirlwhomtosee，perhapsinhisarms，shewasnowperilingherlibertyandherlifeunknowntohim！Aslightodor，somefaintperfumeofitsowner，camefromthebook;itwasthesameshehadnoticedinthedressLowhadgivenher。Sheflungthevolumetotheground，and，throwingherarmsoverthebackofthepewbeforeher，buriedherfaceinherhands。
Inthatlightandattitudeshemighthaveseemedsomeraptacolyteabandonedtoself-communion。Butwhateveryearninghersoulmighthavehadforhighersympathyordeeperconsolation，I
fearthatthespiritualTabernacleofExcelsiorandtheReverendMr。Wynndidnotmeetthatrequirement。Sheonlyfeltthedry，oven-likeheatofthatvastshell，emptyofsentimentandbeauty，hollowinitspretenseanddrearyinitsdesolation。Sheonlysawinitachiefaltarfortheglorificationofthisgirlwhohadabsorbedeventhepureworshipofhercompanion，andconvertedanddegradedhissublimepaganismtoherpettycreed。
Withawoman’switheringcontemptforherownartdisplayedinanotherwoman，shethoughthowsheherselfcouldhavetouchedhimwiththepeacethatthemajestyoftheirwoodlandaisles——sounlikethispillaredsham——hadtaughtherownpassionateheart，hadshebutdared。Minglingwiththisimperfecttheology，shefeltshecouldhaveprovedtohimalsothatabrunetteandawomanofherexperiencewasbetterthananimmatureblonde。Shebegantoloatheherselfforcominghither，anddreadedtomeethisface。Hereasuddenthoughtstruckher。Whatifhehadnotcomehere？Whatifshehadbeenmistaken？Whatifherrashinterpretationofhisabsencefromthewoodthatnightwassimplemadness？Whatifheshouldreturn——ifhehadalreadyreturned？
Sherosetoherfeet，whiteningyetjoyfulwiththethought。Shecouldreturnatonce;whatwasthegirltohernow？YettherewastimetosatisfyherselfifhewereatHERhouse。Shehadbeentoldwhereitwas;shecouldfinditinthedark;anopendoororwindowwouldbetraysomesignorsoundoftheoccupants。
Sherose，replacedherhatoverhereyes，knottedherflauntingscarfaroundherthroat，gropedherwaytothedoor，andglidedintotheouterdarkness。
CHAPTERVII
ItwasquitedarkwhenMr。JackBracestoppedbeforeFatherWynn’sopendoor。Thewindowswerealsoinvitinglyopentothewayfarer，aswerethepastoralcounselsofFatherWynn，deliveredtosomefavoredguestwithin，inatoneofvoiceloudenoughforapulpit。JackBracepaused。Thevisitorwastheconvalescentsheriff，JimDunn，whohadpubliclycommemoratedhisrecoverybymakinghisfirstcalluponthefatherofhisinamorata。TheReverendMr。Wynnhadbeenexpatiatingupontheunremittingheatofapossibleprecursorofforestfires，andexhibitingsomecatholicknowledgeofthedesignsofaDeityinthatregard，andwhatshouldbethepolicyoftheLegislature，whenMr。Braceconcludedtoenter。Mr。Wynnandthewoundedman，whooccupiedanarm-chairbythewindow，weretheonlyoccupantsoftheroom。
Butinspiteoftheformer’sostentatiousgreeting，Bracecouldseethathisvisitwasinopportuneandunwelcome。Thesheriffnoddedaquick，impatientrecognition，which，haditnotbeenaccompaniedbyananathemaontheheat，mighthavebeentakenasapersonalinsult。NeitherspokeofMissNellie，althoughitwaspatenttoBracethattheyweremomentarilyexpectingher。Allofwhichwentfartostrengthenacertainwaveringpurposeinhismind。
"Ah，ha！stronglanguage，Mr。Dunn，"saidFatherWynn，referringtothesheriff’sadjuration，"but’outofthefullnessoftheheartthemouthspeaketh。’Job，sir，cursed，wearetold，andevenexpressedhimselfinvigorousHebrewregardinghisbirthday。
Ha，ha！I’mnotopposedtothat。WhenIhaveoftenwrestledwiththespiritIconfessIhavesometimessaid，’D——nyou。’
Yes，sir，’D——nyou。’"
Therewassomethingsounutterablyvileinthereverendgentleman’sutteranceandemphasisofthisoaththatthetwomen，albeitbotheasyandfacileblasphemers，feltshocked;asthepurestofactressesisapttooverdotherakishnessofagayLothario，FatherWynn’simmaculateconceptionofanimprecationwassomethingterrible。Butheadded，"Thelawoughttointerferewiththerecklessuseofcamp-firesinthewoodsinsuchweatherbypackersandprospectors。"
"Itisn’tsomuchtheworkofwhitemen，"brokeinBrace，"asitisofGreasers，Chinamen，andDiggers，especiallyDiggers。
There’sthatblastedLow，rangesthewholeCarquinezWoodsasiftheywerehis。Ireckonheain’tparticularjustwherehethrowshismatches。"
"Buthe’snotaDigger;he’saCherokee，andonlyahalf-breedatthat，"interpolatedWynn。"Unless，"headded，withtheartfulsuggestionofthebetrayedtrustofatoocredulousChristian，"hedeceivedmeinthisasinotherthings。"
InwhatotherthingsLowhaddeceivedhimhedidnotsay;but，totheastonishmentofbothmen，DunngrowledadissenttoBrace’sproposition。Eitherfromsomesecretirritationwiththatpossiblerival，orimpatienceattheprolongedabsenceofNellie，hehad"hadenoughofthatsortofhog-washladledouttohimforgenuineliquor。"AstotheCarquinezWoods，he[Dunn]"didn’tknowwhyLowhadn’tasmuchrightthereasifhe’dgrabbeditunderapreemptionlawanddidn’tlivethere。"WiththishintatcertainspeculationsofFatherWynninpubliclandsforahomestead，headdedthat"Ifthey[BraceandWynn]couldbringhimalonganyolderAmericansettlerthananIndian，theymightrakedownhis[Dunn’s]pile。"Unpreparedforthisturnintheconversation，Wynnhastenedtoexplainthathedidnotrefertothepureaborigine，whosegradualextinctionnooneregrettedmorethanhimself，buttothemongrel，whoinheritedonlythevicesofcivilization。"Thereshouldbealaw，sir，againsttheminglingofraces。Therearemen，sir，whoviolatethelawsoftheMostHighbylivingwithIndianwomen——squawmen，sir，astheyarecalled。"
Dunnrosewithafacelividwithweaknessandpassion。"Whodaressaythat？Theyaread——dsightbetterthansneakingNorthernAbolitionists，whomarriedtheirdaughterstobuckniggerslike——"ButaspasmofpainwithheldthisParthianshotatthepoliticsofhistwocompanions，andhesankbackhelplesslyinhischair。
Anawkwardsilenceensued。Thethreemenlookedateachotherinembarrassmentandconfusion。Dunnfeltthathehadgivenwaytoagratuitouspassion;Wynnhadavaguepresentimentthathehadsaidsomethingthatimperiledhisdaughter’sprospects;andBracewasdividedbetweenanangryretortandthesecretpurposealreadyalludedto。
"It’salltheblastedheat，"saidDunn，withaforcedsmile，pushingawaythewhiskywhichWynnhadostentatiouslyplacedbeforehim。
"Ofcourse，"saidWynnhastily;"onlyit’sapityNellieain’theretogiveyouhersmelling-salts。Sheoughttobebacknow，"
headded，nolongermindfulofBrace’spresence;"thecoachisover-duenow，thoughIreckontheheatmadeYubaBilltakeiteasyattheupgrade。"
"IfyoumeanthecoachfromIndianSpring，"saidBracequietly，"it’sinalready;butMissNelliedidn’tcomeonit。"
"MaybeshegotoutattheCrossing，"saidWynncheerfully;"shesometimesdoes。"
"Shedidn’ttakethecoachatIndianSpring，"returnedBrace，"becauseIsawitleave，andpasseditonBuckskintenminutesago，comingupthehills。"
"She’sstoppedoveratBurnham’s，"saidWynnreflectively。Then，inresponsetothesignificantsilenceofhisguests，headded，inatoneofchagrinwhichhisforcedheartinesscouldnotdisguise，"Well，boys，it’sadisappointmentallround;butwemusttakethelessonasitcomes。I’llgoovertothecoachofficeandseeifshe’ssentanyword。MakeyourselvesathomeuntilIreturn。"
Whenthedoorhadclosedbehindhim，Bracearoseandtookhishatasiftogo。Withhishandonthelock，heturnedtohisrival，who，halfhiddeninthegatheringdarkness，stillseemedunabletocomprehendhisill-luck。
"Ifyou’rewaitingforthatbald-headedfraudtocomebackwiththetruthabouthisdaughter，"saidBracecoolly，"you’dbettersendforyourthingsandtakeupyourlodgingshere。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"saidDunnsternly。
"Imeanthatshe’snotattheBurnhams’;ImeanthatheeitherdoesordoesnotknowWHEREsheis，andthatineithercaseheisnotlikelytogiveyouinformation。ButIcan。"
"Youcan？"
"Yes。"
"Then，whereisshe？"
"IntheCarquinezWoods，inthearmsofthemanyouwerejustdefending——Low，thehalf-breed。"
Theroomhadbecomesodarkthatfromtheroadnothingcouldbedistinguished。Onlythemomentarysoundofstrugglingfeetwasheard。
"Sitdown，"saidBrace’svoice，"anddon’tbeafool。You’retooweak，anditain’tafairfight。Letgoyourhold。I’mnotlying——IwishtoGodIwas！"
Therewassilence，andBraceresumed，"We’vebeenrivals，Iknow。
MaybeIthoughtmychanceasgoodasyours。IfwhatIsayain’ttruth，we’llstandaswestoodbefore;andifyou’reontheshoot，I’myourmanwhenyoulike，whereyoulike，oronsightifyouchoose。ButIcan’tbeartoseeanothermanplayeduponasI’vebeenplayedupon——givendeadawayasI’vebeen。Itain’tonthesquare。
"There，"hecontinued，afterapause，"that’sright，nowsteady。
Listen。AweekagothatgirlwentdownjustlikethistoIndianSpring。Itwasgivenout，likethis，thatshewenttotheBurnhams’。Idon’tmindsaying，Dunn，thatIwentdownmyself，allonthesquare，thinkingImightgetashowtotalktoher，justasYOUmighthavedone，youknow，ifyouhadmychance。I
didn’tcomeacrossheranywhere。ButtwomenthatImetthoughttheyrecognizedherinadisguisegoingintothewoods。Notsuspectinganything，Iwentafterher;sawheratadistanceinthemiddleofthewoodsinanotherdressthatIcanswearto，andwasjustcominguptoherwhenshevanished——wentlikeasquirrelupatree，ordownlikeagopherintheground，butvanished。"
"Isthatall？"saidDunn’svoice。"Andjustbecauseyouweread——dfool，orhadtakenalittletoomuchwhisky，youthought——"
"Steady。That’sjustwhatIsaidtomyself，"interruptedBracecoolly，"particularlywhenIsawherthatsameafternooninanotherdress，saying’Good-by’totheBurnhams，asfreshasaroseandascoldasthosesnow-peaks。Onlyonething——shehadaringonherfingersheneverworebefore，anddidn’texpectmetosee。"
"Whatifshedid？Shemighthaveboughtit。Ireckonshehasn’ttoconsultyou，"brokeinDunn’svoicesternly。
"Shedidn’tbuyit，"continuedBracequietly。"LowgavethatJewtraderabearskininexchangeforit，andpresentedittoher。I
foundthatouttwodaysafterwards。IfoundoutthatoutofthewholeafternoonshespentlessthananhourwiththeBurnhams。I
foundoutthatsheboughtadusterlikethedisguisethetwomensawherin。IfoundtheyellowdresssheworethatdayhangingupinLow’scabin——theplacewhereIsawhergo——THERENDEZVOUS
WHERESHEMEETSHIM。Oh，you’relistenin’，areyou？Stop！SIT
DOWN！
"Idiscovereditbyaccident，"continuedthevoiceofBracewhenallwasagainquiet;"itwashiddenasonlyasquirreloranInjincanhidewhentheyimproveuponnature。WhenIwassatisfiedthatthegirlhadbeeninthewoods，Iwasdeterminedtofindoutwhereshevanished，andwentthereagain。
Prospectingaround，Ipickedupatthefootofoneofthebiggesttreesthisyeroldmemorandum-book，withgrassesandherbsstuckinit。IrememberedthatI’dheardoldWynnsaythatLow，likethed——dDiggerthathewas，collectedtheseherbs;onlyhepretendeditwasforscience。Ireckonedthebookwashisandthathemightn’tbefaraway。Ilaylowandwaited。BimebyI
sawalizardrunningdowntheroot。Whenhegotsightofmehestopped。"
"D——nthelizard！What’sthatgottodowithwheresheisnow？"
"Everything。Thatlizardhadapieceofsugarinhismouth。
Wherediditcomefrom？Imadehimdropit，andcalculatedhe’dgobackformore。Hedid。Hescootedupthattreeandslippedinundersomehangingstripsofbark。Ishoved’emaside，andfoundanopeningtothehollowwheretheydotheirhousekeeping。"
"Butyoudidn’tseeherthere——andhowdoyouknowsheistherenow？"
"Ideterminedtomakeitsure。Whensheleftto-day，Istartedanhouraheadofher，andhidmyselfattheedgeofthewoods。
AnhourafterthecoacharrivedatIndianSpring，shecamethereinabrowndusterandwasjoinedbyhim。I’dhavefollowedthem，butthed——dhoundhastheearsofasquirrel，andthoughIwasfivehundredyardsfromhimhewasonhisguard。"
"Guardbeblessed！Wasn’tyouarmed？Whydidn’tyougoforhim？"saidDunn，furiously。
"IreckonedI’dleavethatforyou，"saidBracecoolly。"Ifhe’dkilledme，andifhe’devencoveredmewithhisrifle，he’dbeensuretoletdaylightthroughmeatdoublethedistance。I
shouldn’thavebeenanybetteroff，noryoueither。IfI’dkilledHIM，itwouldhavebeenyourdutyassherifftoputmeinjail;andIreckonitwouldn’thavebrokenyourheart，JimDunn，tohavegotridofTWOrivalsinsteadofone。Hullo！Whereareyougoing？"
"Going？"saidDunnhoarsely。"GoingtotheCarquinezWoods，byGod！tokillhimbeforeher。I’LLriskit，ifyoudaren’t。Letmesucceed，andyoucanhangMEandtakethegirlyourself。"
"Sitdown，sitdown。Don’tbeafool，JimDunn！Youwouldn’tkeepthesaddleahundredyards。DidIsayIwouldn’thelpyou？
No。Ifyou’rewilling，we’llruntherisktogether，butitmustbeinmyway。Hearme。I’lldriveyoudownthereinabuggybeforedaylight，andwe’llsurprisetheminthecabinorastheyleavethewood。Butyoumustcomeasiftoarresthimforsomeoffense——say，asanescapedDiggerfromtheReservation，adangeroustramp，adestroyerofpublicpropertyintheforests，asuspectedroadagent，oranythingtogiveyoutherighttohunthim。TheexposureofhimandNellie，don’tyousee，mustbeaccidental。Ifheresists，killhimonthespot，andnobody’llblameyou;ifhegoespeaceablywithyou，andyouoncegethiminExcelsiorjail，whenthestorygetsoutthathe’stakenthebelleofExcelsiorforhissquaw，ifyou’dtheangelsforyourposseyoucouldn’tkeeptheboysfromhanginghimtothefirsttree。
What’sthat？"
Hewalkedtothewindow，andlookedoutcautiously。
"Ifitwastheoldmancomingbackandlistening，"hesaid，afterapause，"itcan’thehelped。He’llhearitsoonenough，ifhedon’tsuspectsomethingalready。"
"Lookyer，Brace，"brokeinDunnhoarsely。"D——difIunderstandyouoryoume。ThatdogLowhasgottoanswertoME，nottotheLAW！I’lltakemyriskofkillinghim，onsightandonthesquare。Idon’treckontohandicapmyselfwithawarrant，andI
amnotgoingtodrawhimoutwithalie。Youhearme？That’smeallthetime！"
"Thenyoucalkilatetogodownthar，"saidBracecontemptuously，"yelloutforhimandNellie，andlethimlineyouonarestfromthefirsttreeasifyouwereagrizzly。"
Therewasapause。"What’sthatyouweresayingjustnowaboutabearskinhesold？"askedDunnslowly，asifreflecting。
"Heexchangedabearskin，"repliedBrace，"withasingleholerightovertheheart。He’sadeadshot，Itellyou。"
"D——nhisshooting，"saidDunn。"I’mnotthinkingofthat。Howlongagodidhebringinthatbearskin？"
"Abouttwoweeks，Ireckon。Why？"
"Nothing！Lookyer，Brace，youmeanwell——thar’smyhand。I’llgodownwithyouthere，butnotasthesheriff。I’mgoingthereasJimDunn，andyoucancomealongasawhiteman，toseethingsfixedonthesquare。Come！"
Bracehesitated。"You’llthinkbetterofmyplanbeforeyougetthere;butI’vesaidI’dstandbyyou，andIwill。Come，then。
There’snotimetolose。"
Theypassedoutintothedarknesstogether。
"Whatareyouwaitingfor？"saidDunnimpatiently，asBrace，whowassupportinghimbythearm，suddenlyhaltedatthecornerofthehouse。
"Someonewaslistening——didyounotseehim？Wasittheoldman？"askedBracehurriedly。
"Blasttheoldman！ItwasonlyoneofthemMexicanpackerschock-fullofwhisky，andtryingtoholdupthehouse。Whatareyouthinkingof？Weshallbelate。"
Inspiteofhisweakness，thewoundedmanhurriedlyurgedBraceforward，untiltheyreachedthelatter’slodgings。Tohissurprise，thehorseandbuggywerealreadybeforethedoor。
"Thenyoureckonedtogo，anyway？"saidDunn，withasearchinglookathiscompanion。
"IcalkilatedSOMEBODYwouldgo，"returnedBrace，evasively，pattingtheimpatientBuckskin;"butcomeinandtakeadrinkbeforeweleave。"
Dunnstartedoutofamomentaryabstraction，puthishandonhiship，andmechanicallyenteredthehouse。Theyhadscarcelyraisedtheglassestotheirlipswhenasuddenrattleofwheelswasheardinthestreet。Bracesetdownhisglassandrantothewindow。
"It’sthemarebolted，"hesaid，withanoath。"We’vekepthertoolongstanding。Followme，"andhedasheddownthestaircaseintothestreet。Dunnfollowedwithdifficulty;whenhereachedthedoorhewasalreadyconfrontedbyhisbreathlesscompanion。
"She’sgoneoffonarun，andI’llsweartherewasamaninthebuggy！"Hestoppedandexaminedthehalter-strap，stillfastenedtothefence。"Cut！byGod！"
Dunnturnedpalewithpassion。"Who’sgotanotherhorseandbuggy？"hedemanded。
"ThenewblacksmithinMainStreet;butwewon’tgetitbyborrowing，"saidBrace。
"Howthen？"askedDunnsavagely。
"Seizeit，asthesheriffofYubaandhisdeputy，pursuingaconfederateoftheInjinLow——THEHORSETHIEF！"
CHAPTERVIII
Thebriefhourofdarknessthatprecededthedawnwasthatnightintensifiedbyadensesmoke，which，afterblottingouthorizonandsky，droppedathickveilonthehighroadandthesilentstreetsofIndianSpring。AsthebuggycontainingSheriffDunnandBracedashedthroughtheobscurity，Bracesuddenlyturnedtohiscompanion。
"Someoneahead！"
Thetwomenbentforwardoverthedashboard。Abovethesteadyplungingoftheirownhorse-hoofstheycouldhearthequickerirregularbeatofotherhoofsinthedarknessbeforethem。
"It’sthathorsethief！"saidDunn，inasavagewhisper。"Beartotheright，andhandmethewhip。"
Adozencutsofthecruellash，andtheirmaddenedhorse，boundingateachstroke，brokeintoawildcanter。Thefrailvehicleswayedfromsidetosideateachspringoftheelasticshafts。Steadyinghimselfbyonehandonthelowrail，Dunndrewhisrevolverwiththeother。"Singouttohimtopullup，orwe’llfire。Myvoiceiscleangone，"headded，inahuskywhisper。
Theyweresonearthattheycoulddistinguishthebulkofavehiclecareeringfromsidetosideintheblacknessahead。Dunndeliberatelyraisedhisweapon。"Singout！"herepeatedimpatiently。ButBrace，whowasstillkeepingintheshadow，suddenlygraspedhiscompanion’sarm。
"Hush！It’sNOTBuckskin，"hewhisperedhurriedly。
"Areyousure？"
"DON’TYOUSEEWE’REGAININGONHIM？"repliedtheothercontemptuously。Dunngraspedhiscompanion’shandandpresseditsilently。Eveninthatsuprememomentthishorseman’stributetothefugitiveBuckskinforestalledallbaserconsiderationsofpursuitandcapture！
Intwentysecondstheywereabreastofthestranger，crowdinghishorseandbuggynearlyintotheditch;Bracekeenlywatchful，Dunnsuppressedandpale。Inhalfaminutetheywereleadinghimalength;andwhentheirhorseagainsettleddowntohissteadywork，thestrangerwasalreadylostinthecirclingdustthatfollowedthem。Butthevictorsseemeddisappointed。Theobscurityhadcompletelyhiddenallbutthevagueoutlinesofthemysteriousdriver。
"He’snotourgame，anyway，"whisperedDunn。"Driveon。"
"Butifitwassomefriendofhis，"suggestedBraceuneasily，"whatwouldyoudo？"
"WhatISAIDI’ddo，"respondedDunnsavagely。"Idon’twantfiveminutestodoitin，either;we’llbehalfanhouraheadofthatd——dfool，whoeverheis。Lookhere;allyou’vegottodoistoputmeinthetrailtothatcabin。Standbackofme，outofgun-shot，alone，ifyoulike，asmydeputy，orwithanynumberyoucanpickupasmyposse。IfhegetsbymeasNellie’slover，youmayshoothimortakehimasahorsethief，ifyoulike。"
"Thenyouwon’tshoothimonsight？"
"NottillI’vehadawordwithhim。"
"But——"
"I’vechirped，"saidthesheriffgravely。"Driveon。"
Forafewmomentsonlytheplunginghoofsandrattlingwheelswereheard。Adull，luridglowbegantodefinethehorizon。
Theyweresilentuntilanabatementofthesmoke，thevanishingofthegloomyhorizonline，andacertainimpenetrabilityinthedarknessaheadshowedthemtheywerenearingtheCarquinezWoods。
ButtheyweresurprisedonenteringthemtofindthedimaislesalightwithafaintmysticAurora。Thetopsofthetoweringspiresabovethemhadcaughtthegleamofthedistantforestfires，andreflecteditasfromagildeddome。
"ItwouldbehotworkiftheCarquinezWoodsshouldconcludetotakeahandinthisyerlittlegamethat’sgoingonoverontheDivideyonder，"saidBrace，securinghishorseandglancingatthespiresoverhead。"IreckonI’drathertakeabackseatatInjinSpringwhentheshowcommences。"
Dunndidnotreply，but，buttoninghiscoat，placedonehandonhiscompanion’sshoulder，andsullenlybadehim"leadtheway。"
Advancingslowlyandwithdifficultythedesperatemanmighthavebeentakenforapeacefulinvalidreturningfromanearlymorningstroll。Hisrighthandwasburiedthoughtfullyinthesidepocketofhiscoat。OnlyBraceknewthatitrestedonthehandleofhispistol。
Fromtimetotimethelatterstoppedandconsultedthefainttrailwithaminutenessthatshowedrecentcarefulstudy。
Suddenlyhepaused。"Imadeablazehereaboutstoshowwheretoleavethetrail。Thereitis，"headded，pointingtoaslightnotchcutinthetrunkofanadjoiningtree。
"Butwe’vejustpassedone，"saidDunn，"ifthat’swhatyouarelookingafter，ahundredyardsback。"
Braceutteredanoath，andranbackinthedirectionsignifiedbyhiscompanion。Presentlyhereturnedwithasmileoftriumph。
"They’vesuspectedsomething。It’saclevertrick，butitwon’tholdwater。Thatblazewhichwasdonetomuddleyouwascutwithanaxe;thiswhichImadewasdonewithabowie-knife。It’stherealone。We’renotfaroffnow。Comeon。"
Theyproceededcautiously，atrightangleswiththe"blazed"
tree，fortenminutesmore。Theheatwasoppressive;dropsofperspirationrolledfromtheforeheadofthesheriff，andattimes，whenheattemptedtosteadyhisuncertainlimbs，hishandsshrankfromtheheated，blisteringbarkhetouchedwithunglovedpalms。
"Hereweare，"saidBrace，pausingatlast。"Doyouseethatbiggesttree，withtherootstretchingouthalfwayacrosstotheoppositeone？"
"No，it’sfurthertotherightandabreastofthedeadbrush，"
interruptedDunnquickly，withasuddenrevelationthatthiswasthespotwherehehadfoundthedeadbearinthenightTeresaescaped。
"That’sso，"respondedBrace，inastonishment。
"Andtheopeningisontheotherside，oppositethedeadbrush，"
saidDunn。
"Thenyouknowit？"saidBracesuspiciously。
"Ireckon！"respondedDunn，grimly。"That’senough！Fallback！"
Tothesurpriseofhiscompanion，heliftedhisheaderect，andwithastrong，firmstepwalkeddirectlytothetree。Reachingit，heplantedhimselfsquarelybeforetheopening。
"Halloo！"hesaid。
Therewasnoreply。Asquirrelscamperedawayclosetohisfeet。
Brace，farinthedistance，afteranineffectualattempttodistinguishhiscompanionthroughtheinterveningtrunks，tookoffhiscoat，leanedagainstatree，andlitacigar。
"Comeoutofthatcabin！"continuedDunn，inaclear，resonantvoice。"ComeoutbeforeIdragyouout！"
"Allright，’CaptainScott。’Don’tshoot，andI’llcomedown，"
saidavoiceasclearandashighashisown。Thehangingstripsofbarkweredashedaside，andawomanleapedlightlytotheground。
Dunnstaggeredback。"Teresa！bytheEternal！"
ItwasTeresa！theoldTeresa！Teresa，ahundredtimesmorevicious，reckless，hysterical，extravagant，andoutrageousthanbefore。Teresa，staringwithtoothandeye，sunburntandembrowned，herhairhangingdownhershoulders，andhershawldrawntightlyaroundherneck。
"Teresaitis！thesameoldgal！Hereweareagain！Returnofthefavoriteinheroriginalcharacter！Fortwoweeksonly！
Houpla！Tshk！"and，catchingheryellowskirtwithherfingers，shepirouettedbeforetheastoundedman，andendedinapose。
Recoveringhimselfwithaneffort，Dunndashedforwardandseizedherbythewrist。
"Answerme，woman！IsthatLow’scabin？"
"Itis。"
"Whooccupiesitbesides？"
"Ido。"
"Andwhoelse？"
"Well，"drawledTeresaslowly，withanextravagantaffectationofmodesty，"nobodyelsebutus，Ireckon。Two’scompany，youknow，andthree’snone。"
"Stop！Willyouswearthatthereisn’tayounggirl，his——hissweetheart——concealedtherewithyou？"
ThefireinTeresa’seyewasgenuineassheansweredsteadily，"Well，itain’tmystyletoputupwiththatsortofthing;atleast，itwasn’toveratYolo，andyouknowit，JimDunn，orI
wouldn’tbehere。"
"Yes，yes，"saidDunnhurriedly。"ButI’mad——dfool，orworse，thefoolofafool。Tellme，Teresa，isthismanLowyourlover？"
Teresaloweredhereyesasifinmaidenlyconfusion。"Well，ifI’dknownthatYOUhadanyfeelingofyourownaboutit——ifyou’dspokensooner——"
"Answerme，youdevil！"
"Heis。"
"Andhehasbeenwithyouhere——yesterday——to-night？"
"Hehas。"
"Enough。"Helaughedaweak，foolishlaugh，and，turningpale，suddenlylapsedagainstatree。Hewouldhavefallen，butwithaquickinstinctTeresasprangtohisside，andsupportedhimgentlytoaroot。Theactionover，theybothlookedastounded。
"Ireckonthatwasn’tmuchlikeeitheryouorme，"saidDunnslowly，"wasit？Butifyou’dletmedropthenyou’dhavestretchedoutthebiggestfoolintheSierras。"Hepaused，andlookedathercuriously。"What’scomeoveryou;blessedifI
seemtoknowyounow。"
Shewasverypaleagain，andquiet;thatwasall。
"Teresa！d——nit，lookhere！WhenIwaslaidupyonderinExcelsiorIsaidIwantedtogetwellforonlytwothings。Onewastohuntyoudown，theothertomarryNellieWynn。WhenI
camehereIthoughtthatlastthingcouldneverbe。IcamehereexpectingtofindherherewithLow，andkillhim——perhapskillhertoo。Ineveroncethoughtofyou;notonce。Youmighthaverisenupbeforeme——betweenmeandhim——andI’dhavepassedyouby。AndnowthatIfindit’sallamistake，anditwasyou，nother，Iwaslookingfor，why——"
"Why，"sheinterruptedbitterly，"you’lljusttakeme，ofcourse，tosaveyourtimeandearnyoursalary。I’mready。"
"ButI’Mnot，justyet，"hesaidfaintly。"Helpmeup。"
Shemechanicallyassistedhimtohisfeet。
"Nowstandwhereyouare，"headded，"anddon’tmovebeyondthistreetillIreturn。"
Hestraightenedhimselfwithaneffort，clenchedhisfistsuntilthenailswerenearlyburiedinhispalms，andstrodewithafirm，steadystepinthedirectionhehadcome。Inafewmomentshereturnedandstoodbeforeher。
"I’vesentawaymydeputy——themanwhobroughtmehere，thefoolwhothoughtyouwereNellie。Heknowsnowhemadeamistake。
ButwhoitwashemistookforNelliehedoesnotknow，norshalleverknow，norshallanylivingbeingknow，otherthanmyself。
AndwhenIleavethewoodto-dayIshallknowitnolonger。YouaresafehereasfarasIamconcerned，butIcannotscreenyoufromothersprying。LetLowtakeyouawayfromhereassoonashecan。"
"Lethimtakemeaway？Ah，yes。Forwhat？"
"Tosaveyou，"saidDunn。"Lookhere，Teresa！Withoutknowingit，youliftedmeoutofhelljustnow，andbecauseofthewrongImighthavedoneher——forHERsake，Ispareyouandshirkmyduty。"
"Forhersake！"gaspedthewoman——"forhersake！Oh，yes！Goon。"
"Well，"saidDunngloomily，"Ireckonperhapsyou’daslieveleftmeinhell，foralltheloveyoubearme。Andmaybeyou’vegrudgeenoughaginmestilltowishI’dfoundherandhimtogether。"
"Youthinkso？"shesaid，turningherheadaway。
"There，d——nit！Ididn’tmeantomakeyoucry。Maybeyouwouldn’t，then。Onlytellthatfellowtotakeyououtofthis，andnotrunawaythenexttimeheseesamancoming。"
"Hedidn’trun，"saidTeresa，withflashingeyes。"I——I——Isenthimaway，"shestammered。Then，suddenlyturningwithfuryuponhim，shebrokeout，"Run！Runfromyou！Ha，ha！YousaidjustnowI’dagrudgeagainstyou。Well，listen，JimDunn。I’donlytobringyouinrangeofthatyoungman’srifle，andyou’dhavedroppedinyourtrackslike——"
"Likethatbar，theothernight，"saidDunn，withashortlaugh。
"SoTHATwasyourlittlegame？"Hecheckedhislaughsuddenly——acloudpassedoverhisface。"Lookhere，Teresa，"hesaid，withanassumptionofcarelessnessthatwasastransparentasitwasutterlyincompatiblewithhisfrank，openselfishness。"Whatbecameofthatbar？Theskin——eh？Thatwasworthsomething？"
"Yes，"saidTeresaquietly。"LowexchangeditandgotaringformefromthattraderIsaacs。Itwasworthmore，youbet。Andtheringdidn’tfiteither——"
"Yes，"interruptedDunn，withanalmostchildisheagerness。
"AndImadehimtakeitback，andgetthevalueinmoney。IhearthatIsaacssolditagainandmadeanotherprofit;butthat’slikethosetraders。"ThedisingenuouscandorofTeresa’smannerwasinexquisitecontrasttoDunn。Heroseandgraspedherhandsoheartilyshewasforcedtoturnhereyesaway。
"Good-by！"hesaid。
"Youlooktired，"shemurmured，withasuddengentlenessthatsurprisedhim;"letmegowithyouapartoftheway。"
"Itisn’tsafeforyoujustnow，"hesaid，thinkingofthepossibleconsequencesofthealarmBracehadraised。
"NotthewayYOUcame，"shereplied;"butoneknownonlytomyself。"
Hehesitatedonlyamoment。"Allright，then，"hesaidfinally，"letusgoatonce。It’ssuffocatinghere，andIseemtofeelthisdeadbarkcrinkleundermyfeet。"
Shecastarapidglancearoundher，andthenseemedtosoundwithhereyesthefar-offdepthsoftheaisles，beginningtogrowpalewiththeadvancingday，butstillholdingastrangequiverofheatintheair。Whenshehadfinishedherhalf-abstractedscrutinyofthedistance，shecastonebackwardglanceatherowncabinandstopped。
"Willyouwaitamomentforme？"sheaskedgently。
"Yes——but——notricks，Teresa！Itisn’tworththetime。"
Shelookedhimsquarelyintheeyeswithoutaword。
"Enough，"hesaid;"go！"
Shewasabsentforsomemoments。Hewasbeginningtobecomeuneasy，whenshemadeherappearanceagain，cladinheroldfadedblackdress。Herfacewasverypale，andhereyeswereswollen，butsheplacedhishandonhershoulder，andbiddinghimnottofeartoleanuponher，forshewasquitestrong，ledtheway。
"Youlookmorelikeyourselfnow，andyet——blastitall！——youdon’teither，"saidDunn，lookingdownuponher。"You’vechangedinsomeway。Whatisit？IsitonaccountofthatInjin？
Couldn’tyouhavefoundawhitemaninhisplace？"
"Ireckonhe’sneitherworsenorbetterforthat，"sherepliedbitterly;"andperhapshewasn’tasparticularinhistasteasawhitemanmighthavebeen。But，"sheadded，withasuddenspasmofheroldrage，"it’salie;he’sNOTanIndian，nomorethanI
am。Notunlessbeingbornofamotherwhoscarcelyknewhim，ofafatherwhoneverevensawhim，andbeingbroughtupamongwhitemenandwildbeasts——lesscruelthantheywere——couldmakehimone！"
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