CONTENTS
I。THETWINSOFTABLEMOUNTAIN
II。ANHEIRESSOFREDDOG
III。THEGREATDEADWOODMYSTERY
IV。ALEGENDOFSAMMTSTADT
V。VIEWSFROMAGERMANSPION
THETWINSOFTABLEMOUNTAIN。
CHAPTERI。
ACLOUDONTHEMOUNTAIN。
Theylivedonthevergeofavaststonylevel，upheavedsofarabovethesurroundingcountrythatitsvagueoutlines，viewedfromthenearestvalley，seemedamerecloud-streakrestinguponthelesserhills。Therushandroaroftheturbulentriverthatwasheditseasternbasewerelostatthatheight;thewindsthatstrovewiththegiantpinesthathalfwayclimbeditsflanksspenttheirfurybelowthesummit;for，atvariancewithmostmeteorologicalspeculation，aneternalcalmseemedtoinvestthisserenealtitude。
ThefewAlpineflowersseldomthrilledtheirpetalstoapassingbreeze;rainandsnowfellalikeperpendicularly，heavily，andmonotonouslyoverthegranitebowldersscatteredalongitsbrownexpanse。AlthoughbyactualmeasurementaninconsiderableelevationoftheSierranrange，andamereshoulderofthenearestwhite-facedpeakthatglimmeredinthewest，itseemedtoliesonearthequiet，passionlessstars，thatatnightitcaughtsomethingoftheircalmremoteness。
Thearticulateutteranceofsuchalocalityshouldhavebeenawhisper;alaughorexclamationwasdiscordant;andtheordinarytonesofthehumanvoiceonthenightofthe15thofMay，1868，hadagrotesqueincongruity。
Inthethickdarknessthatclothedthemountainthatnight，thehumanfigurewouldhavebeenlost，orconfoundedwiththeoutlinesofoutlyingbowlders，whichatsuchtimestookuponthemselvesthevaguesemblanceofmenandanimals。Hencethevoicesinthefollowingcolloquyseemedthemoregrotesqueandincongruousfrombeingtheapparentexpressionofanuprightmonolith，tenfeethigh，ontheright，andanothermassofgranite，that，reclining，peepedovertheverge。
"Hello！"
"Helloyourself！"
"You’relate。"
"Ilostthetrail，andclimbeduptheslide。"
Herefollowedastumble，theclatterofstonesdownthemountain-
side，andanoathsoveryhumanandundignifiedthatitatoncerelievedthebowldersofanycomplicityofexpression。Thevoices，too，wereclosetogethernow，andunexpectedlyinquiteanotherlocality。
"Anythingup？"
"LooeyNapoleon’sdeclaredwaraginGermany。"
"Sho-o-o！"
Notwithstandingthisexclamation，theinterestofthelatterspeakerwasevidentlyonlypoliteandperfunctory。What，indeed，werethepoliticalconvulsionsoftheOldWorldtothedwellersonthisserene，isolatedeminenceoftheNew？
"Ireckonit’sso，"continuedthefirstvoice。"FrenchPeteandthattharfellerthatkeepstheDutchgroceryhevhedarowoverit;emptiedtheirsix-shootersintoeachother。TheDutchman’sgottwoballsinhisleg，andtheFrenchman’sgotanonnessarybuttonholeinhisshirt-buzzum，andhezcavedin。"
Thisconcise，localcorroborationoftheconflictofremotenations，howeverconfirmatory，didnotappeartoexciteanyfurtherinterest。Eventhelastspeaker，nowthathewasinthiscalm，dispassionateatmosphere，seemedtolosehisownconcerninhistidings，andtohaveabandonedeverythingofasensationalandlower-worldlycharacterinthepinesbelow。Therewereafewmomentsofabsolutesilence，andthenanotherstumble。Butnowthevoicesofbothspeakerswerequitepatientandphilosophical。
"Holdon，andI’llstrikealight，"saidthesecondspeaker。"I
broughtalanternalong，butIdidn’tlightup。Ikemoutaforesundown，andyouknowhowitallersisupyer。Ididn’twantit，anddidn’tkeertolightup。Iforgotyou’realwaysalittledazedandstrange-likewhenyoufirstcomeup。"
Therewasacrackle，aflash，andpresentlyasteadyglow，whichthesurroundingdarknessseemedtoresent。Thefacesofthetwomenthusrevealedweresingularlyalike。Thesamethin，narrowoutlineofjawandtemple;thesamedark，graveeyes;thesamebrowngrowthofcurlybeardandmustache，whichconcealedthemouth，andhidwhatmighthavebeenanyindividualidiosyncrasyofthoughtorexpression，——showedthemtobebrothers，orbetterknownasthe"TwinsofTableMountain。"Acertainanimationinthefaceofthesecondspeaker，——thefirst-comer，——acertainlightinhiseye，mighthaveatfirstdistinguishedhim;buteventhisfadedoutinthesteadyglowofthelantern，andhadnovalueasapermanentdistinction，for，bythetimetheyhadreachedthewesternvergeofthemountain，thetwofaceshadsettledintoahomogeneouscalmnessandmelancholy。
Thevaguehorizonofdarkness，thatafewfeetfromthelanternstillencompassedthem，gavenoindicationoftheirprogress，untiltheirfeetactuallytrodtherudeplanksandthatchthatformedtheroofoftheirhabitation;fortheircabinhalfburrowedinthemountain，andhalfclung，likeaswallow’snest，tothesideofthedeepdeclivitythatterminatedthenorthernlimitofthesummit。
Haditnotbeenforthewindlassofashaft，acoilofrope，andafewheapsofstoneandgravel，whichweretheonlyindicationsofhumanlaborinthatstonyfield，therewasnothingtointerruptitsmonotonousdeadlevel。And，whentheydescendedadozenwell-wornstepstothedooroftheircabin，theyleftthesummit，asbefore，lonely，silent，motionless，itslongleveluninterrupted，baskinginthecoldlightofthestars。
Thesimileofa"nest"asappliedtothecabinofthebrotherswasnomerefigureofspeechasthelightofthelanternfirstflasheduponit。Thenarrowledgebeforethedoorwasstrewnwithfeathers。Asuggestionthatitmightbethehomeandhauntofpredatorybirdswaspromptlycheckedbythespectacleofthenailed-upcarcassesofadozenhawksagainstthewalls，andtheoutspreadwingsofanextendedeagleemblazoningthegableabovethedoor，likeanarmorialbearing。Withinthecabinthewallsandchimney-pieceweredazzlinglybedeckedwiththeparty-coloredwingsofjays，yellow-birds，woodpeckers，kingfishers，andthepoly-
tintedwood-duck。Yetinthatdry，highly-rarefiedatmosphere，therewasnottheslightestsuggestionofodorordecay。
Thefirstspeakerhungthelanternuponahookthatdangledfromtherafters，and，goingtothebroadchimney，kickedthehalf-deadembersintoasuddenresentfulblaze。Hethenopenedarudecupboard，and，withoutlookingaround，called，"Ruth！"
Thesecondspeakerturnedhisheadfromtheopendoorwaywherehewasleaning，asiflisteningtosomethinginthedarkness，andansweredabstractedly，——
"Rand！"
"Idon’tbelieveyouhavetouchedgrubto-day！"
Ruthgruntedoutsomeindifferentreply。
"Tharhezen’tbeenaslicecutoffthatbaconsinceIleft，"
continuedRand，bringingasideofbaconandsomebiscuitsfromthecupboard，andapplyinghimselftothediscussionofthematthetable。"You’regettin’offyerfeet，Ruth。What’sup？"
Ruthrepliedbytakinganuninvitedseatbesidehim，andrestinghischinonthepalmsofhishands。Hedidnoteat，butsimplytransferredhisinattentionfromthedoortothetable。
"You’reworkin’toomanyhoursintheshaft，"continuedRand。
"You’realwaysuptosomesuchd——nfoolbusinesswhenI’mnotyer。"
"Idippedalittlewestto-day，"Ruthwenton，withoutheedingthebrotherlyremonstrance，"andstruckquartzandpyrites。"
"Thet’syou！——allersdippin’westoreastforquartzandthecolor，insteadofkeepingonplumbdowntothe’cement’！"*
*Thelocalnameforgold-bearingalluvialdrift，——thebedofaprehistoricriver。
"We’vebeenthreeyearsdiggingforcement，"saidRuth，moreinabstractionthaninreproach，——"threeyears！"
"Andwemaybethreeyearsmore，——maybeonlythreedays。Why，youcouldn’tbemoreimpatientif——if——ifyoulivedinavalley。"
Deliveringthistremendouscomparisonasanunanswerableclimax，Randappliedhimselfoncemoretohisrepast。Ruth，afteramoment’spause，withoutspeakingorlookingup，disengagedhishandfromunderhischin，andsliditalong，palmuppermost，onthetablebesidehisbrother。ThereuponRandslowlyreachedforwardhislefthand，therightbeingengagedinconveyingvictualtohismouth，andlaiditonhisbrother’spalm。Theactwasevidentlyanhabitual，halfmechanicalone;forinafewmomentsthehandswereasgentlydisengaged，withoutcommentorexpression。AtlastRandleanedbackinhischair，laiddownhisknifeandfork，and，complacentlylooseningthebeltthatheldhisrevolver，threwitandtheweapononhisbed。Takingouthispipe，andchippingsometobaccoonthetable，hesaidcarelessly，"IcameapiecethroughthewoodswithMorniejustnow。"
ThefacethatRuthturneduponhisbrotherwasverydistinctinitsexpressionatthatmoment，andquitebeliedthepopulartheorythatthetwinscouldnotbetoldapart。"Thetgal，"continuedRand，withoutlookingup，"iseitherflighty，or——orsuthin’，"headdedinvaguedisgust，pushingthetablefromhimasifitweretheladyinquestion。"Don’ttellme！"
Ruth’seyesquicklysoughthisbrother’s，andwereasquicklyaverted，asheaskedhurriedly，"How？"
"Whatgetsme，"continuedRandinapetulantnonsequitur，"isthatYOU，myowntwin-brother，neverletsonabouthercomin’yer，permiskuslike，whenIain’tyer，andyouandhergallivantin’andpromanadin’，andswoppin’sentimentsandmottoes。"
Ruthtriedtocontradicthisblushingfacewithalaughofworldlyindifference。
"Shecameupyeronasortofpasear。"
"Oh，yes！——ashortcuttothecreek，"interpolatedRandsatirically。
"LastTuesdayorWednesday，"continuedRuth，withaffectedforgetfulness。
"Oh，incourse，Tuesday，orWednesday，orThursday！You’vesomanyfolksclimbingupthisyermountaintocallonye，"continuedtheironicalRand，"thatyoudisremember;onlyyourememberedenoughnottotellme。SHEdid。Shetookmeforyou，orpretendedto。"
ThecolordroppedfromRuth’scheek。
"Tookyouforme？"heasked，withanawkwardlaugh。
"Yes，"sneeredRand;"chirpedandchatteredawayaboutOURpicnic，OURnose-gays，andlordknowswhat！Saidshe’dkeepthemblue-
jay’swings，andwear’eminherhat。Spoutedpoetry，too，——thesamesorto’rotyougetoffnowandthen。"
Ruthlaughedagain，butratherostentatiouslyandnervously。
"Ruth，lookyer！"
Ruthfacedhisbrother。
"What’syourlittlegame？Doyoumeantosayyoudon’tknowwhatthetgalis？Doyoumeantosayyoudon’tknowthetshe’sthelaughing-stockoftheFerry;thetherfather’sad————doldfool，andhermother’sadrunkardandworse;thetshe’sgotanyrighttobehangingroundyer？Youcan’tmeantomarryher，evenifyoukalkilatetoturnmeouttodoit，forshewouldn’tlivealonewithyeuphere。’Tain’therkind。AndifIthoughtyouwasthinkingof——"
"What？"saidRuth，turninguponhisbrotherquickly。
"Oh，thet’sright！holler;swearandyell，andbreakthings，do！
Tearround！"continuedRand，kickinghisbootsoffinacorner，"justbecauseIaskyouacivilquestion。That’sbrotherly，"headded，jerkinghischairawayagainstthesideofthecabin，"ain’tit？"
"She’snottoblamebecausehermotherdrinks，andherfather’sashyster，"saidRuthearnestlyandstrongly。"Themenwhomakeherthelaughing-stockoftheFerrytriedtomakehersomethingworse，andfailed，andtakethissneak’srevengeonher。’Laughing-
stock！’Yes，theyknewshecouldturnthetablesonthem。"
"Ofcourse;goon！She’sbetterthanme。IknowI’mafratricide，that’swhatIam，"saidRand，throwinghimselfontheupperofthetwoberthsthatformedthebedsteadofthecabin。
"I’veseenherthreetimes，"continuedRuth。
"Andyou’veknownmetwentyyears，"interruptedhisbrother。
Ruthturnedonhisheel，andwalkedtowardsthedoor。
"That’sright;goon！Whydon’tyougetthechalk？"
Ruthmadenoreply。Randdescendedfromthebed，and，takingapieceofchalkfromtheshelf，drewalineonthefloor，dividingthecabinintwoequalparts。
"Youcanhavetheeasthalf，"hesaid，asheclimbedslowlybackintobed。
Thismysteriousritewastheusualterminationofaquarrelbetweenthetwins。Eachmankepthishalfofthecabinuntilthefeudwasforgotten。Itwasthemarkofsilenceandseparation，overwhichnowordsofrecrimination，argument，orevenexplanation，weredelivered，untilitwaseffacedbyoneortheother。Thiswasconsideredequivalenttoapologyorreconciliation，whicheachwereequallyboundinhonortoaccept。
Itmayberemarkedthatthefloorwasmuchwhiteratthislineofdemarcation，andunderthefreshchalk-lineappearedthefaintevidencesofonerecentlyeffaced。
Withoutapparentlyheedingthispotentialceremony，Ruthremainedleaningagainstthedoorway，lookinguponthenight，thebulkofwhoseprofundityandblacknessseemedtobegatheredbelowhim。
Thevaultabovewassereneandtranquil，withafewlargefar-
spacedstars;theabyssbeneath，untroubledbysightorsound。
Steppingoutupontheledge，heleanedfarovertheshelfthatsustainedtheircabin，andlistened。Afaintrhythmicalroll，risingandfallinginlongundulationsagainsttheinvisiblehorizon，tohisaccustomedearstoldhimthewindwasblowingamongthepinesinthevalley。Yet，minglingwiththisfamiliarsound，hisear，nowmorbidlyacute，seemedtodetectastrangerinarticulatemurmur，asofconfusedandexcitedvoices，swellingupfromthemysteriousdepthstothestarsabove，andagainswallowedupinthegulfsofsilencebelow。Hewasrousedfromaconsiderationofthisphenomenonbyafaintglowtowardstheeast，whichatlastbrightened，untilthedarkoutlineofthedistantwallsofthevalleystoodoutagainstthesky。Werehisothersensesparticipatinginthedelusionofhisears？forwiththebrighteninglightcamethefaintodorofburningtimber。
Hisfacegrewanxiousashegazed。Atlastherose，andre-enteredthecabin。Hiseyesfelluponthefaintchalk-mark，and，takinghissoftfelthatfromhishead，withafewpracticalsweepsofthebrimhebrushedawaytheominousrecordoftheirlateestrangement。
GoingtothebedwhereonRandlaystretched，open-eyed，hewouldhavelaidhishanduponhisarmlightly;butthebrother’sfingerssoughtandclaspedhisown。"Getup，"hesaidquietly;"there’sastrangefireintheCanyonheadthatIcan’tmakeout。"
Randslowlyclamberedfromhisshelf，andhandinhandthebrothersstoodupontheledge。"It’sarightsmartchancebeyondtheFerry，andapiecebeyondtheMill，too，"saidRand，shadinghiseyeswithhishand，fromforceofhabit。"It’sinthewoodswhere——"HewouldhaveaddedwherehemetMornie;butitwasapointofhonorwiththetwins，afterreconciliation，nottoalludetoanytopicoftheirrecentdisagreement。
Ruthdroppedhisbrother’shand。"Itdoesn’tsmelllikethewoods，"hesaidslowly。
"Smell！"repeatedRandincredulously。"Why，it’stwentymilesinabee-lineyonder。Smell，indeed！"
Ruthwassilent，butpresentlyfelltolisteningagainwithhisformerabstraction。"Youdon’thearanything，doyou？"heaskedafterapause。
"It’sblowin’inthepinesontheriver，"saidRandshortly。
"Youdon’thearanythingelse？"
"No。"
"Nothinglike——like——like——"
Rand，whohadbeenlisteningwithanintensitythatdistortedtheleftsideofhisface，interruptedhimimpatiently。
"Likewhat？"
"Likeawomansobbin’？"
"Ruth，"saidRand，suddenlylookingupinhisbrother’sface，"what’sgoneofyou？"
Ruthlaughed。"Thefire’sout，"hesaid，abruptlyre-enteringthecabin。"I’mgoin’toturnin。"
Rand，followinghisbrotherhalfreproachfully，sawhimdivesthimselfofhisclothing，androllhimselfintheblanketsofhisbed。
"Good-night，Randy！"
Randhesitated。Hewouldhavelikedtoaskhisbrotheranotherquestion;buttherewasclearlynothingtobedonebutfollowhisexample。
"Good-night，Ruthy！"hesaid，andputoutthelight。Ashedidso，theglowintheeasternhorizonfaded，too，anddarknessseemedtowellupfromthedepthsbelow，and，flowingintheopendoor，wrappedthemindeeperslumber。
CHAPTERII。
THECLOUDSGATHER。
Twelvemonthshadelapsedsincethequarrelandreconciliation，duringwhichintervalnoreferencewasmadebyeitherofthebrotherstothecausewhichhadprovokedit。Randwasatworkintheshaft，Ruthhavingthatmorningundertakenthereplenishmentofthelarderwithgamefromthewoodedskirtofthemountain。Randhadtakenadvantageofhisbrother’sabsenceto"prospect"inthe"drift，"——aproceedingutterlyatvariancewithhispreviouscondemnationofallsuchspeculativeessay;butRand，despitehisassumptionofasuperiorpracticalnature，wasnotabovecertainlocalsuperstitions。Havingthatmorningputonhisgrayflannelshirtwrongsideout，——anabstractionrecognizedamongtheminersasthesureforerunnerofdivinationandtreasure-discovery，——hecouldnotforegothatopportunityoftryinghisluck，withouthazardingadangerousexample。Hewasalsoconsciousoffeeling"chipper，"——anotherlocalexpressionforbuoyancyofspirit，notcommontomenwhoworkfiftyfeetbelowthesurface，withoutthestimulusofairandsunshine，andnottobeoverlookedasanimportantfactorinfortunateadventure。Nevertheless，nooncamewithoutthediscoveryofanytreasure。Hehadattackedthewallsoneithersideofthelateral"drift"skilfully，soastoexposetheirqualitywithoutdestroyingtheircohesiveintegrity，buthadfoundnothing。Onceortwice，returningtotheshaftforrestandair，itsgrimsilencehadseemedtohimpervadedwithsomevagueechoofcheerfulholidayvoicesabove。Thissethimtothinkingofhisbrother’sequallyextravagantfancyofthewailingvoicesintheaironthenightofthefire，andofhisattributingittoalover’sabstraction。
"Ilaidittohisbeingstruckafterthatgal;andyet，"Randcontinuedtohimself，"here’sme，whohaven’tbeenfoolin’roundnogal，anddogmyskinifIdidn’tthinkIheardonesingin’upthar！"Heputhisfootonthelowerroundoftheladder，paused，andslowlyascendedadozensteps。Herehepausedagain。Allatoncethewholeshaftwasfilledwiththemusicalvibrationsofawoman’ssong。Seizingtheropethathungidlyfromthewindlass，hehalfclimbed，halfswunghimself，tothesurface。
Thevoicewasthere;butthesuddentransitiontothedazzlinglevelbeforehimatfirstblindedhiseyes，sothathetookinonlybydegreestheunwontedspectacleofthesinger，——aprettygirl，standingontiptoeonabowldernotadozenyardsfromhim，utterlyabsorbedintyingagayly-stripedneckerchief，evidentlytakenfromherownplumpthroat，tothehalliardsofafreshly-cuthickory-
polenewlyrearedasaflag-staffbesideher。Thehickory-pole，thehalliards，theflutteringscarf，theyoungladyherself，wereallglaringinnovationsonthefamiliarlandscape;butRand，withhishandstillontherope，silentlyanddemurelyenjoyedit。
Forthebetterunderstandingofthegeneralreader，whodoesnotliveonanisolatedmountain，itmaybeobservedthattheyounglady’spositionontherockexhibitedsomestudyofPOSE，andacertainexaggerationofattitude，thatbetrayedthehabitofanaudience;alsothathervoicehadanartificialaccentthatwasnotwhollyunconscious，eveninthisloftysolitude。Yettheverynextmoment，whensheturned，andcaughtRand’seyefixeduponher，shestartednaturally，coloredslightly，utteredthatfeminineadjuration，"GoodLord！gracious！goodnessme！"whichisseldomusedinreferencetoitseffectuponthehearer，andskippedinstantlyfromthebowldertotheground。Here，however，shealightedinaPOSE，broughttherightheelofherneatly-fittingleftbootcloselyintothehollowedsideofherrightinstep，atthesamemomentdeftlycaughtherflyingskirt，whippeditaroundherankles，and，slightlyraisingitbehind，permittedthechastedisplayofaninchortwooffrilledwhitepetticoat。Themostirreverentcriticofthesexwill，Ithink，admitthatithassomemovementsthatareautomatic。
"HopeIdidn’tdisturbye，"saidRand，pointingtotheflag-staff。
Theyoungladyslightlyturnedherhead。"No，"shesaid;"butI
didn’tknowanybodywashere，ofcourse。OurPARTY"——sheemphasizedtheword，andaccompanieditwithalooktowardthefurtherextremityoftheplateau，toshowshewasnotalone——"ourpartyclimbedthisridge，andputupthispoleasasigntoshowtheydidit。"Theridiculousself-complacencyofthisrecordinthefaceofamanwhowasevidentlyadwelleronthemountainapparentlystruckherforthefirsttime。"Wedidn’tknow，"shestammered，lookingattheshaftfromwhichRandhademerged，"that——
that——"Shestopped，and，glancingagaintowardsthedistantrangewhereherfriendshaddisappeared，begantoedgeaway。
"Theycan’tbefaroff，"interposedRandquietly，asifitwerethemostnaturalthingintheworldfortheladytobethere。"TableMountainain’tasbigasallthat。Don’tyoubescared！Soyouthoughtnobodyliveduphere？"
Sheturneduponhimapairofhonesthazeleyes，whichnotonlycontradictedthesomewhatmeretricioussmartnessofherdress，butwasutterlyinconsistentwiththepalpableartificialcolorofherhair，——anobviousimitationofacertainpopularfashionthenknowninartisticcirclesasthe"BritishBlonde，"——andbegantoostentatiouslyresumeapairoflemon-coloredkidgloves。Having，asitwere，thusindicatedherstandingandrespectability，andputanimmeasurabledistancebetweenherselfandherboldinterlocutor，shesaidimpressively，"Weevidentlymadeamistake：Iwillrejoinourparty，whowill，ofcourse，apologize。"
"What’syourhurry？"saidtheimperturbableRand，disengaginghimselffromtherope，andwalkingtowardsher。"Aslongasyou’reuphere，youmightstopaspell。"
"Ihavenowishtointrude;thatis，ourpartycertainlyhasnot，"
continuedtheyounglady，pullingthetightgloves，andsmoothingtheplump，almostburstingfingers，withanaffectationoffashionableease。
"Oh！Ihaven’tanythingtodojustnow，"saidRand，"andit’saboutgrubtime，Ireckon。Yes，Ilivehere，Ruthandme，——righthere。"
Theyoungwomanglancedattheshaft。
"No，notdownthere，"saidRand，followinghereye，withalaugh。
"Comehere，andI’llshowyou。"
Astrongdesiretokeepupanappearanceofgenteelreserve，andanequallystronginclinationtoenjoytheadventurouscompanyofthisgood-looking，heartyyoungfellow，madeherhesitate。Perhapssheregrettedhavingundertakenaroleofsuchdignityatthebeginning：shecouldhavebeensoperfectlynaturalwiththisperfectlynaturalman，whereasanyrelaxationnowmightincreasehisfamiliarity。Andyetshewasnotwithoutavaguesuspicionthatherdignityandhergloveswerealikethrownawayonhim，——afactmadethemoreevidentwhenRandsteppedtoherside，and，withoutanyapparentconsciousnessofdisrespectorgallantry，laidhislargehand，halfpersuasively，halffraternally，uponhershoulder，andsaid，"Oh，comealong，do！"
Thesimpleacteitherexceededthelimitsofherforbearance，ordecidedthecourseofhersubsequentbehavior。Sheinstantlysteppedbackasinglepace，anddrewherleftfootslowlyanddeliberatelyafterher;thenshefixedhereyesandupliftedeyebrowsuponthedaringhand，and，takingitbytheendsofherthumbandforefinger，liftedit，anddroppeditinmid-air。Shethenfoldedherarms。Itwastheindignantgesturewithwhich"Alice，"thePrideofDumballinVillage，receivedtheloathsomeadvancesofthebloatedaristocrat，SirParkynsParkyn，andhadatMarysville，afewnightsbefore，broughtdownthehouse。
Thiseffectwas，Ithink，however，lostuponRand。Theslightcolorthatrosetohischeekashelookeddownuponhisclay-soiledhandswasduetothebeliefthathehadreallycontaminatedheroutwardsuperfineperson。Buthiscolorquicklypassed：hisfrank，boyishsmilereturned，ashesaid，"It’llruboff。Lord，don’tmindthat！Thar，now——comeon！"
Theyoungwomanbitherlip。Thennaturetriumphed;andshelaughed，althoughalittlescornfully。AndthenProvidenceassistedherwiththesuddenpresentationoftwofigures，amanandwoman，slowlyclimbingupoverthemountainverge，notfarfromthem。Withacryof"There’sSol，now！"sheforgotherdignityandherconfusion，andrantowardsthem。
Randstoodlookingafterherneatfigure，lessconcernedintheadventofthestrangersthaninhersuddencaprice。Hewasnotsoyoungandinexperiencedbutthathenotedcertainambiguitiesinherdressandmanner：hewasbynomeansimpressedbyherdignity。
Buthecouldnothelpwatchingherassheappearedtobevolublyrecountingherlateinterviewtohercompanions;and，stillunconsciousofanyimproprietyorobtrusiveness，heloungeddownlazilytowardsher。Herhumorhadevidentlychanged;forsheturnedanhonest，pleasedfaceuponhim，asshegirlishlyattemptedtodragthestrangersforward。
Themanwasplumpandshort;unlikethenativesofthelocality，hewascloselycroppedandshaven，asiftokeepdownthestrongblue-
blacknessofhisbeardandhair，whichneverthelessasserteditselfoverhisroundcheeksandupperliplikeatattooingofIndianink。
Thewomanathissidewasreservedandindistinctive，withthatappearanceofbeinganunenthusiasticfamilyservantpeculiartosomemen’swives。WhenRandwaswithinafewfeetofhim，hestarted，struckatheatricalattitude，and，shadinghiseyeswithhishand，cried，"What，domeeyesdeceiveme！"burstintoaheartylaugh，dartedforward，seizedRand’shand，andshookitbriskly。
"Pinkney，Pinkney，myboy！howareyou？Andthisisyourlittle’prop’？yourquarter-section，yourcountry-seat，thatwe’vebeentrespassingon，eh？Anicelittlespot，cool，sequestered，remote，——atrifleunimproved;carriage-roadasyetunfinished。Ha，ha！Buttothinkofourmakingadiscoveryofthisinaccessiblemountain，climbingit，sir，fortwomortalhours，christeningit’Sol’sPeak，’gettingupaflag-pole，unfurlingourstandardtothebreeze，sir，andthen，byGad，windingupbyfindingPinkney，thefestivePinkney，livingonitathome！"
Completelysurprised，butstillperfectlygood-humored，Randshookthestranger’srighthandwarmly，andreceivedonhisbroadshouldersawelcomingthwackfromtheleft，withoutquestion。"Shedon’tmindherfriendsmakingfreewithMEevidently，"saidRandtohimself，ashetriedtosuggestthatfacttotheyoungladyinameaningglance。
Thestrangernotedhisglance，andsuddenlypassedhishandthoughtfullyoverhisshavencheeks。"No，"hesaid——"yes，surely，Iforget——yes，Isee;ofcourseyoudon’t！Rosy，"turningtohiswife，"ofcoursePinkneydoesn’tknowPhemie，eh？"
"No，norMEeither，Sol，"saidthatladywarningly。
"Certainly！"continuedSol。"It’shismisfortune。Youweren’twithmeatGoldHill。——Allowme，"hesaid，turningtoRand，"topresentMrs。SolSaunders，wifeoftheundersigned，andMissEuphemiaNeville，otherwiseknownasthe’MarysvillePet，’thebestvarietyactressknownontheprovincialboards。PlayedOpheliaatMarysville，Friday;domesticdramaatGoldHill，Saturday;Sundaynight，foursongsincharacter，differentdresseachtime，andaclog-dance。Thebestclog-danceonthePacificSlope，"headdedinastageaside。"Theminstrelsarecrazytogetherin’Frisco。
Butmoneycan’tbuyher——prefersthelegitimatedramatothissortofthing。"Herehetookafewstepsofajig，towhichthe"MarysvillePet"beattimewithherfeet，andconcludedwithalaughandawink——thecombinedexpressionofanartist’sadmirationforherability，andamanoftheworld’sscepticismoffeminineambition。
MissEuphemiarespondedtotheformalintroductionbyextendingherhandfranklywithare-assuringsmiletoRand，andanutterobliviousnessofherformerhauteur。Randshookitwarmly，andthendroppedcarelesslyonarockbesidethem。
"Andyounevertoldmeyouliveduphereintheattic，yourascal！"
continuedSolwithalaugh。
"No，"repliedRandsimply。"HowcouldI？Ineversawyoubefore，thatIremember。"
MissEuphemiastaredatSol。Mrs。Sollookedupinherlord’sface，andfoldedherarmsinaresignedexpression。Solrosetohisfeetagain，andshadedhiseyeswithhishand，butthistimequiteseriously，andgazedatRand’ssmilingface。
"GoodLord！Doyoumeantosayyournameisn’tPinkney？"heasked，withahalfembarrassedlaugh。
"ItISPinkney，"saidRand;"butInevermetyoubefore。"
"Didn’tyoucometoseeayoungladythatjoinedmytroupeatGoldHilllastmonth，andsayyou’dmeetmeatKeeler’sFerryinadayortwo？"
"No-o-o，"saidRand，withagood-humoredlaugh。"Ihaven’tleftthismountainfortwomonths。"
Hemighthaveaddedmore;buthisattentionwasdirectedtoMissEuphemia，whoduringthisshortdialogue，havingstuffedalternatelyherhandkerchief，thecornerofhermantle，andhergloves，intohermouth，restrainedherselfnolonger，butgavewaytoanuncontrollablefitoflaughter。"OSol！"shegaspedexplanatorily，asshethrewherselfalternatelyagainsthim，Mrs。
Sol，andabowlder，"you’llkillmeyet！OLord！firstwetakepossessionofthisman’sproperty，thenweclaimHIM。"Thecontemplationofthishumorousclimaxaffectedhersothatshewasfainatlasttowalkaway，andconfidetherestofherspeechtospace。
Soljoinedinthelaughuntilhiswifepluckedhissleeve，andwhisperedsomethinginhisear。Inaninstanthisfacebecameatoncemysteriousanddemure。"Ioweyouanapology，"hesaid，turningtoRand，butinavoiceostentatiouslypitchedhighenoughforMissEuphemiatooverhear："IseeIhavemadeamistake。A
resemblance——onlyamereresemblance，asIlookatyounow——ledmeastray。Ofcourseyoudon’tknowanyyoungladyintheprofession？"
"Ofcoursehedoesn’t，Sol，"saidMissEuphemia。"Icouldhavetoldyouthat。Hedidn’tevenknowME！"
Thevoiceandmock-heroicattitudeofthespeakerwasenoughtorelievethegeneralembarrassmentwithalaugh。Rand，nowpleasantlyconsciousofonlyMissEuphemia’spresence，againofferedthehospitalityofhiscabin，withthepoliterecognitionofherfriendsinthesentence，"andyoumightaswellcomealongtoo。"
"Butwon’tweincommodetheladyofthehouse？"saidMrs。Solpolitely。
"Whatladyofthehouse"？saidRandalmostangrily。
"Why，Ruth，youknow！"
ItwasRand’sturntobecomehilarious。"Ruth，"hesaid，"isshortforRutherford，mybrother。"Hislaugh，however，wasechoedonlybyEuphemia。
"Thenyouhaveabrother？"saidMrs。Solbenignly。
"Yes，"saidRand："hewillbeheresoon。"Asuddenthoughtdroppedthecolorfromhischeek。"Lookhere，"hesaid，turningimpulsivelyuponSol。"Ihaveabrother，atwin-brother。Itcouldn’tbeHIM——"
Solwasconsciousofasignificantfemininepressureonhisrightarm。Hewasequaltotheemergency。"Ithinknot，"hesaiddubiously，"unlessyourbrother’shairismuchdarkerthanyours。
Yes！nowIlookatyou，yoursisbrown。Hehasamoleonhisrightcheekhasn’the？"
TheredcamequicklybacktoRand’sboyishface。Helaughed。"No，sir：mybrother’shairis，ifanything，ashadelighterthanmine，andnarymole。Comealong！"
Andleadingtheway，Randdisclosedthenarrowstepswindingdowntotheshelfonwhichthecabinhung。"Becareful，"saidRand，takingthenowunresistinghandofthe"MarysvillePet"astheydescended："astepthatway，anddownyougotwothousandfeetonthetopofapine-tree。"
Butthegirl’sslightcryofalarmwaspresentlychangedtooneofunaffectedpleasureastheystoodontherockyplatform。"Itisn’tahouse：it’saNEST，andtheloveliest！"saidEuphemiabreathlessly。
"It’sascene，aperfectscene，sir！"saidSol，enraptured。"I
shalltakethelibertyofbringingmyscene-paintertosketchitsomeday。Itwoulddofor’TheMountaineer’sBride’superbly，or，"
continuedthelittleman，warmingthroughtheblue-blackborderofhisfacewithprofessionalenthusiasm，"it’senoughtomakeaplayitself。’TheCotontheCrags。’Lastscene——moonlight——thestruggleontheledge！TheLadyoftheCragsthrowsherselffromthebeetlingheights！——Ashriekfromthedepths——awoman’swail！"
"Dryup！"sharplyinterruptedRand，towhomthisspeechrecalledhisbrother’shalf-forgottenstrangeness。"Lookattheprospect。"
Inthefullnoonofacloudlessday，beneaththematumultuousseaofpinessurged，heaved，rodeingiantcrests，stretchedandlostitselfintheghostly，snow-peakedhorizon。Thethrongingwoodschokedeverydefile，swepteverycrest，filledeveryvalleywithitsdark-greentiltingspears，andleftonlyTableMountainsunlitandbare。Hereandtherewereprofoundolivedepths，overwhichthegrayhawkhunglazily，andintowhichbluejaysdipped。A
faint，dullyellowishstreakmarkedanoccasionalwatercourse;adeeperreddishribbon，themountainroadanditsoverhangingmurkycloudofdust。
"Isitquitesafehere？"askedMrs。Sol，eyingthelittlecabin。
"Imeanfromstorms？"
"Itneverblowsuphere，"repliedRand，"andnothinghappens。"
"Itmustbelovely，"saidEuphemia，claspingherhands。
"ItISthat，"saidRandproudly。"It’sfouryearssinceRuthandI
tookupthisyerclaim，andraisedthisshanty。Inthatfouryearswehaven’tleftitaloneanight，orcaredto。It’sonlybigenoughfortwo，andthemtwomustbebrothers。Itwouldn’tdoformerepardnerstoliveherealone，——theycouldn’tdoit。Itwouldn’tbeexactlythethingformanandwifetoshutthemselvesupherealone。ButRuthandmeknoweachother’sways，andherewe’llstayuntilwe’vemadeapile。Wesometimes——oneofus——takesapaseartotheFerrytobuyprovisions;butwe’regladtocrawluptothebackofold’Table’atnight。"
"You’requiteoutoftheworldhere，then？"suggestedMrs。Sol。
"That’sit，justit！We’reoutoftheworld，——outofrows，outofliquor，outofcards，outofbadcompany，outoftemptation。
Cussednessandfoolishnesshezgottofollowusupheretofindus，andthere’stoomanyreadytoclimbdowntothemthingstotempt’emtocomeuptous。"
Therewasalittleboyishconceitinhistone，ashestoodthere，notaltogetherunbecominghisfreshcolorandsimplicity。Yet，whenhiseyesmetthoseofMissEuphemia，hecolored，hehardlyknewwhy，andtheyoungladyherselfblushedrosily。
Whentheneatcabin，withitsdecoratedwalls，andsquirrelandwild-catskins，wasdulyadmired，theluncheon-basketoftheSaunderspartywasre-enforcedbyprovisionsfromRand’slarder，andspreadupontheledge;thedimensionsofthecabinnotadmittingfour。Underthepotentinfluenceofabottle，Solbecamehilariousandprofessional。The"Pet"wasinducedtofavorthecompanywitharecitation，and，underthepleaofteachingRand，toperformtheclog-dancewithbothgentlemen。Thentherewasaninterval，inwhichRandandEuphemiawanderedalittlewaydownthemountain-sidetogatherlaurel，leavingMr。Soltohissiestaonarock，andMrs。Soltotakesomeknittingfromthebasket，andsitbesidehim。
WhenRandandhiscompanionhaddisappeared，Mrs。Solnudgedhersleepingpartner。"DoyouthinkthatWASthebrother？"
Solyawned。"Sureofit。They’reaslikeastwopeas，inlooks。"
"Whydidn’tyoutellhimso，then？"
"Willyoutellme，mydear，whyyoustoppedmewhenIbegan？"
"BecausesomethingwassaidaboutRuthbeinghere;andIsupposedRuthwasawoman，andperhapsPinkney’swife，andknewyou’dbeputtingyourfootinitbytalkingofthatotherwoman。Isupposeditwasforfearofthathedeniedknowingyou。"
"Well，whenHE——thisRand——toldmehehadatwin-brother，helookedsofrightenedthatIknewheknewnothingofhisbrother’sdoingswiththatwoman，andIthrewhimoffthescent。He’sagoodfellow，butawfullygreen，andIdidn’twanttoworryhimwithtales。Ilikehim，andIthinkPhemiedoestoo。"
"Nonsense！He’saconceitedprig！Didyouhearhissermonontheworldanditstemptations？Iwonderifhethoughttemptationhadcomeuptohiminthepersonofusprofessionalsoutonapicnic。
Ithinkitwaspositivelyrude。"
"Mydearwoman，you’realwaysseeingslightsandinsults。Itellyouhe’stakenashinetoPhemie;andhe’sasgoodasfourseatsandabouquettothatchildnextWednesdayevening，tosaynothingoftheeclatofgettingthisSt。Simeon——whatdoyoucallhim？——
Stalactites？"
"Stylites，"suggestedMrs。Sol。
"Stylites，offfromhispillarhere。I’llhaveaparagraphinthepaper，thatthehermitcrabsofTableMountain——"
"Don’tbeafool，Sol！"
"ThehermittwinsofTableMountainbespokethechasteperformance。"
"Oneofthembeingtheprotectorofthewell-knownMornieNixon，"
respondedMrs。Sol，viciouslyaccentingthenamewithherknitting-
needles。
"Rosy，you’reunjust。You’reprejudicedbythereportsofthetown。Mr。Pinkney’sinterestinhermaybeapurelyartisticone，althoughmistaken。She’llnevermakeagoodvariety-actress：she’stooheavy。Andtheboysdon’tgiveherafairshow。Nowomancanmakeadebutinmyversionof’Somnambula，’andhavethefrontrowinthepitsaytoherinthesleepwalkingscene，’You’reoutratherlate，Mornie。Kinderforgottoputonyourthings，didn’tyou？
Mothersick，Isuppose，andyou’regoin’formoregin？Hurryalong，oryou’llketchitwhenyegethome。’Why，youcouldn’tdoityourself，Rosy！"
TowhichMrs。Sol’sillogicalclimaxwas，that，"badasRutherfordmightbe，thisSunday-schoolsuperintendent，Rand，wasworse。"
Randandhiscompanionreturnedlate，butinhighspirits。TherewasanunnecessaryeffusivenessinthewayinwhichEuphemiakissedMrs。Sol，——theonewomanpresent，whoUNDERSTOOD，andwastobepropitiated，——whichdidnottendtoincreaseMrs。Sol’sgoodhumor。
Shehadherbasketpackedallreadyfordeparture;andeventheearnestsolicitationofRand，thattheywoulddefertheirgoinguntilsunset，producednoeffect。
"Mr。Rand——Mr。Pinkney，Imean——saysthesunsetsherearesolovely，"pleadedEuphemia。
"Thereisarehearsalatseveno’clock，andwehavenotimetolose，"saidMrs。Solsignificantly。
"Iforgottosay，"saidthe"MarysvillePet"timidly，glancingatMrs。Sol，"thatMr。RandsayshewillbringhisbrotheronWednesdaynight，andwantsfourseatsinfront，soasnottobecrowded。"
Solshooktheyoungman’shandwarmly。"You’llnotregretit，sir：
it’sasurprising，aremarkableperformance。"
"I’dliketogoapiecedownthemountainwithyou，"saidRand，withevidentsincerity，lookingatMissEuphemia;"butRuthisn’thereyet，andwemakearulenevertoleavetheplacealone。I’llshowyoutheslide：it’sthequickestwaytogodown。Ifyoumeetanyonewholookslikeme，andtalkslikeme，callhim’Ruth，’andtellhimI’mwaitin’forhimyer。"
MissPhemia，thelasttogo，standingonthevergeofthedeclivity，hereremarked，withadangeroussmile，that，ifshemetanyonewhoborethatresemblance，shemightbetemptedtokeephimwithher，——aplayfulnessthatbroughtthereadycolortoRand’scheek。Whensheaddedtothisthegreateraudacityofkissingherhandtohim，theyounghermitactuallyturnedawayinsheerembarrassment。Whenhelookedaroundagain，shewasgone，andforthefirsttimeinhisexperiencethemountainseemedbarrenandlonely。
ThetoosympatheticreaderwhowouldrashlydeducefromthisanynewlyawakenedsentimentinthevirginheartofRandwouldquitemisapprehendthatpeculiaryoungman。Thatsingularmixtureofboyishinexperienceandmaturedoubtanddisbelief，whichwaspartlytheresultofhistemperament，andpartlyofhiscloisteredlifeonthemountain，madehimregardhislatecompanions，nowthattheyweregone，andhisintimacywiththem，withremorsefuldistrust。Themountainwasbarrenandlonely，becauseitwasnolongerHIS。Ithadbecomeapartofthegreatworld，whichfouryearsagoheandhisbrotherhadputaside，andinwhich，astwoself-devotedmen，theywalkedalone。Morethanthat，hebelievedhehadacquiredsomeunderstandingofthetemptationsthatassailedhisbrother，andthepoorlittlevanitiesofthe"MarysvillePet"
weretransformedintotheblandishmentsofaCirce。Rand，whowouldhavesuccumbedtoawicked，superiorwoman，believedhewasasaintinwithstandingthefoolishweaknessofasimpleone。
Hedidnotresumehisworkthatday。Hepacedthemountain，anxiouslyawaitinghisbrother’sreturn，andeagertorelatehisexperiences。Hewouldgowithhimtothedramaticentertainment;
fromhisexampleandwisdom，Ruthshouldlearnhoweasilytemptationmightbeovercome。But，firstofall，thereshouldbethefullestexchangeofconfidencesandexplanations。Theoldruleshouldberescindedforonce，theolddiscussioninregardtoMorniere-opened，andRand，havingconvincedhisbrotheroferror，wouldgenerouslyextendhisforgiveness。
Thesunsankredly。Lingeringlongupontheledgebeforetheircabin，itatlastslippedawayalmostimperceptibly，leavingRandstillwrappedinrevery。Darkness，thesmokeofdistantfiresinthewoods，andthefainteveningincenseofthepines，creptslowlyup;butRuthcamenot。Themoonrose，asilvergleamonthefartherridge;andRand，becominguneasyathisbrother’sprolongedabsence，resolvedtobreakanothercustom，andleavethesummit，toseekhimonthetrail。Hebuckledonhisrevolvers，seizedhisgun，whenacryfromthedepthsarrestedhim。Heleanedovertheledge，andlistened。Againthecryarose，andthistimemoredistinctly。Heheldhisbreath：thebloodsettledaroundhisheartinsuperstitiousterror。Itwasthewailingvoiceofawoman。
"Ruth，Ruth！forGod’ssakecomeandhelpme！"
ThebloodflewbackhotlytoRand’scheek。ItwasMornie’svoice。
Byleaningovertheledge，hecoulddistinguishsomethingmovingalongthealmostprecipitousfaceofthecliff，whereanabandonedtrail，longsincebrokenoffanddisruptedbythefallofaportionoftheledge，stoppedabruptlyahundredfeetbelowhim。Randknewthetrail，adangerousonealways：initspresentconditionasinglemis-stepwouldbefatal。Wouldshemakethatmis-step？Heshookoffahorribletemptationthatseemedtobesealinghislips，andparalyzinghislimbs，andalmostscreamedtoher，"Droponyourface，hangontothechaparral，anddon’tmove！"
Inanotherinstant，withacoilofropearoundhisarm，hewasdashingdownthealmostperpendicular"slide。"Whenhehadnearlyreachedtheleveloftheabandonedtrail，hefastenedoneendoftheropetoajuttingsplinterofgranite，andbeganto"layout，"
andworkhiswaylaterallyalongthefaceofthemountain。
Presentlyhestrucktheregulartrailatthepointfromwhichthewomanmusthavediverged。
"ItisRand，"shesaid，withoutliftingherhead。
"Itis，"repliedRandcoldly。"Passtheropeunderyourarms，andI’llgetyoubacktothetrail。"
"WhereisRuth？"shedemandedagain，withoutmoving。Shewastrembling，butwithexcitementratherthanfear。
"Idon’tknow，"returnedRandimpatiently。"Come！theledgeisalreadycrumblingbeneathourfeet。"
"Letitcrumble！"saidthewomanpassionately。
Randsurveyedherwithprofounddisgust，thenpassedtheropearoundherwaist，andhalflifted，halfswungherfromherfeet。
Inafewmomentsshebegantomechanicallyhelpherself，andpermittedhimtoguidehertoaplaceofsafety。Thatreached，shesankdownagain。
Therisingmoonshonefulluponherfaceandfigure。ThroughhisgrowingindignationRandwasstillimpressedandevenstartledwiththechangethefewlastmonthshadwroughtuponher。Inplaceofthesilly，fanciful，half-hystericalhoydenwhomhehadknown，amaturedwoman，stronginpassionateself-will，fascinatinginakindofwild，savagebeauty，lookedupathimasiftoreadhisverysoul。
"Whatareyoustaringat？"shesaidfinally。"Whydon’tyouhelpmeon？"
"Wheredoyouwanttogo？"saidRandquietly。
"Where！Upthere！"——shepointedsavagelytothetopofthemountain，——"toHIM！WhereelseshouldIgo？"shesaid，withabitterlaugh。
"I’vetoldyouhewasn’tthere，"saidRandroughly。"Hehasn’treturned。"
"I’llwaitforhim——doyouhear？——waitforhim;staytheretillhecomes。Ifyouwon’thelpme，I’llgoalone。"
Shemadeastepforwardbutfaltered，staggered，andwasobligedtoleanagainstthemountainforsupport。Stainsoftravelwereonherdress;linesoffatigueandpain，andtracesofburningpassionatetears，wereonherface;herblackhairflowedfrombeneathhergaudybonnet;and，shamedoutofhisbrutality，Randplacedhisstrongarmroundherwaist，andhalfcarrying，halfsupportingher，begantheascent。Herheaddroppedwearilyonhisshoulder;herarmencircledhisneck;herhair，asifcaressingly，layacrosshisbreastandhands;hergratefuleyeswereclosetohis;herbreathwasuponhischeek：andyethisonlyconsciousnesswasofthepossiblyludicrousfigurehemightpresenttohisbrother，shouldhemeethimwithMornieNixoninhisarms。Notawordwasspokenbyeithertilltheyreachedthesummit。Relievedatfindinghisbrotherstillabsent，heturnednotunkindlytowardthehelplessfigureonhisarm。"Idon’tseewhatmakesRuthsolate，"hesaid。"He’salwaysherebysundown。Perhaps——"
"PerhapsheknowsI’mhere，"saidMornie，withabitterlaugh。
"Ididn’tsaythat，"saidRand，"andIdon’tthinkit。WhatI
meantwas，hemighthavemetapartythatwaspicnickinghereto-
day，——Sol。Saundersandwife，andMissEuphemia——"
Mornieflunghisarmawayfromherwithapassionategesture。
"THEYhere！——picnickingHERE！——thosepeopleHERE！"
"Yes，"saidRand，unconsciouslyalittleashamed。"Theycamehereaccidentally。"
Mornie’squickpassionhadsubsided：shehadsunkagainwearilyandhelplesslyonarockbesidehim。"Isuppose，"shesaid，withaweaklaugh——"Isuppose，theytalkedofME。Isupposetheytoldyouhow，withtheirliesandfairpromises，theytrickedmeout，andsetmebeforeanaudienceofbrutesandlaughinghyenastomakemerryover。DidtheytellyouoftheinsultsthatIreceived？——howthesinsofmyparentswereflungatmeinsteadofbouquets？Didtheytellyoutheycouldhavesparedmethis，buttheywantedthefewextradollarstakeninatthedoor？No！"
"Theysaidnothingofthekind，"repliedRandsurlily。
"Thenyoumusthavestoppedthem。YouwerehorrifiedenoughtoknowthatIhaddaredtotaketheonlyhonestwayleftmetomakealiving。Iknowyou，RandolphPinkney！You’dratherseeJoaquinMuriatta，theMexicanbandit，standingbeforeyouto-nightwitharevolver，thanthehelpless，shamed，miserableMornieNixon。Andyoucan’thelpyourself，unlessyouthrowmeoverthecliff。
Perhapsyou’dbetter，"shesaid，withabitterlaughthatfadedfromherlipsassheleaned，paleandbreathless，againstthebowlder。
"Ruthwilltellyou——"beganRand。
"D——nRuth！"
Randturnedaway。
"Stop！"shesaidsuddenly，staggeringtoherfeet。"I’msick——forallIknow，dying。Godgrantthatitmaybeso！But，ifyouareaman，youwillhelpmetoyourcabin——tosomeplacewhereIcanliedownNOW，andbeatrest。I’mvery，verytired。"
Shepaused。Shewouldhavefallenagain;butRand，seeingmoreinherfacethanhervoiceinterpretedtohissullenears，tookhersullenlyinhisarms，andcarriedhertothecabin。Hereyesglancedaroundthebrightparty-coloredwalls，andafaintsmilecametoherlipsassheputasideherbonnet，adornedwithacompanionpinionofthebrightwingsthatcoveredit。
"WhichisRuth’sbed？"sheasked。
Randpointedtoit。
"Laymethere！"
Randwouldhavehesitated，but，withanotherlookatherface，complied。
Shelayquitestillamoment。Presentlyshesaid，"Givemesomebrandyorwhiskey！"
Randwassilentandconfused。
"Iforgot，"sheaddedhalfbitterly。"Iknowyouhavenotthatcommonestandcheapestofvices。"
Shelayquitestillagain。Suddenlysheraisedherselfpartlyonherelbow，andinastrong，firmvoice，said，"Rand！"
"Yes，Mornie。"
"Ifyouarewiseandpractical，asyouassumetobe，youwilldowhatIaskyouwithoutaquestion。IfyoudoitATONCE，youmaysaveyourselfandRuthsometrouble，somemortification，andperhapssomeremorseandsorrow。Doyouhearme？"
"Yes。"
"Gotothenearestdoctor，andbringhimherewithyou。"
"ButYOU！"
Hervoicewasstrong，confident，steady，andpatient。"Youcansafelyleavemeuntilthen。"
InanothermomentRandwasplungingdownthe"slide。"Butitwaspastmidnightwhenhestruggledoverthelastbowlderuptheascent，draggingthehalf-exhaustedmedicalwisdomofBrown’sFerryonhisarm。
"I’vebeengonelong，doctor，"saidRandfeverishly，"andshelookedSOdeath-likewhenIleft。Ifweshouldbetoolate！"
Thedoctorstoppedsuddenly，liftedhishead，andprickedhisearslikeahoundonapeculiarscent。"WeAREtoolate，"hesaid，withaslightprofessionallaugh。
Indignantandhorrified，Randturneduponhim。
"Listen，"saidthedoctor，liftinghishand。
Randlistened，sointentlythatheheardthefamiliarmoanoftheriverbelow;butthegreatstonyfieldlaysilentbeforehim。Andthen，borneacrossitsbarebarrenbosom，likeitsownarticulation，camefaintlythefeeblewailofanew-bornbabe。
III。
STORM。
Thedoctorhurriedaheadinthedarkness。Rand，whohadstoppedparalyzedattheominoussound，startedforwardagainmechanically;
butasthecryaroseagainmoredistinctly，andthefullsignificanceofthedoctor’swordscametohim，hefaltered，stopped，and，withcheeksburningwithshameandhelplessindignation，sankuponastonebesidetheshaft，and，buryinghisfaceinhishands，fairlygavewaytoaburstofboyishtears。Yeteventhentherecollectionthathehadnotcriedsince，yearsago，hismother’sdyinghandshadjoinedhisandRuth’schildishfingerstogether，stunghimfiercely，anddriedhistearsinangryheatuponhischeeks。
Howlonghesatthere，herememberednot;whathethought，herecallednot。Butthewildestandmostextravagantplansandresolvesavailedhimnothinginthefaceofthisforeverdesecratedhome，andthisshamefulculminationofhisambitiouslifeonthemountain。Oncehethoughtofflight;butthereflectionthathewouldstillabandonhisbrothertoshame，perhapsaself-contentedshame，checkedhimhopelessly。Couldheavertthefuture？HeMUST;buthow？Yethecouldonlysitandstareintothedarknessindumbabstraction。
Sittingthere，hiseyesfelluponapeculiarobjectinacreviceoftheledgebesidetheshaft。Itwasthetinpailcontaininghisdinner，which，accordingtotheircustom，itwasthedutyofthebrotherwhostaidabovegroundtoprepareandplaceforthebrotherwhoworkedbelow。Ruthmust，consequently，haveputittherebeforeheleftthatmorning，andRandhadoverlookeditwhilesharingtherepastofthestrangersatnoon。Atthesightofthisdumbwitnessoftheirmutualcaresandlabors，Randsighed，halfinbrotherlysorrow，halfinaselfishsenseofinjurydonehim。
Hetookupthepailmechanically，removeditscover，and——started;
forontopofthecarefullybestowedprovisionslayalittlenote，addressedtohiminRuth’speculiarscrawl。
Heopeneditwithfeverishhands，helditinthelightofthepeacefulmoon，andreadasfollows：
DEAR，DEARBROTHER，——Whenyoureadthis，Ishallbefaraway。IgobecauseIshallnotstaytodisgraceyou，andbecausethegirlthatIbroughttroubleuponhasgoneawaytoo，tohideherdisgraceandmine;andwhereshegoes，Rand，Ioughttofollowher，and，pleaseGod，Iwill！Iamnotaswiseorasgoodasyouare，butitseemsthebestIcando;andGodblessyou，dearoldRandy，boy！TimesandtimesagainI’vewantedtotellyouall，andreckonedtodoso;
butwhetheryouwassittingbeforemeinthecabin，orworkingbesidemeinthedrift，Icouldn’tgettolookuponyourhonestface，dearbrother，andsaywhatthingsI’dbeenkeepingfromyousolong。I’llstayawayuntilI’vedonewhatIoughttodo，andifyoucansay，"Come，Ruth，"Iwillcome;but，untilyoucansayit，themountainisyours，Randy，boy，themineisyours，thecabinisyours，ALLisyours。Rubouttheoldchalk-marks，Rand，asIrubthemouthereinmy——[Afewwordsherewereblurredandindistinct，asifthemoonhadsuddenlybecomedim-eyedtoo]。Godblessyou，brother！
P。S。——YouknowImeanMornieallthetime。It’ssheI’mgoingtoseek;butdon’tyouthinksobadofherasyoudo，Iamsomuchworsethanshe。Iwantedtotellyouthatallalong，butIdidn’tdare。She’srunawayfromtheFerryhalfcrazy;saidshewasgoingtoSacramento，andIamgoingtheretofindheraliveordead。
Forgiveme，brother！Don’tthrowthisdownrightaway;holditinyourhandamoment，Randy，boy，andtryhardtothinkit’smyhandinyours。Andsogood-by，andGodblessyou，oldRandy！
Fromyourlovingbrother，RUTH。
AdeepsenseofreliefoverpoweredeveryotherfeelinginRand’sbreast。ItwasclearthatRuthhadnotyetdiscoveredthetruthofMornie’sflight：hewasonhiswaytoSacramento，andbeforehecouldreturn，Morniecouldberemoved。Oncedespatchedinsomeotherdirection，withRuthoncemorereturnedandunderhisbrother’sguidance，theseparationcouldbemadeeasyandfinal。
Therewasevidentlynomarriageasyet;andnow，thefearofanimmediatemeetingover，thereshouldbenone。ForRandhadalreadyfearedthis;hadrecalledthefewinfelicitousrelations，legalandillegal，whichwerecommontotheadjoiningcamp，——theflagrantlymiserablelifeofthehusbandofaSanFranciscoanonymawholivedinstyleattheFerry，theshamefulcarousalsandmoreshamefulquarrelsoftheFrenchmanandMexicanwomanwho"kepthouse"at"theCrossing，"theawfulspectacleofthethreehalf-bredIndianchildrenwhoplayedbeforethecabinofafellowminerandtownsman。ThankHeaven，theEagle’sNestonTableMountainshouldneverbepointedatfromthevalleyasanother——
Aheavyhanduponhisarmbroughthimtremblingtohisfeet。Heturned，andmetthehalf-anxious，half-contemptuousglanceofthedoctor。
"I’msorrytodisturbyou，"hesaiddryly;"butit’sabouttimeyouorsomebodyelseputinanappearanceatthatcabin。LuckilyforHER，she’sonewomaninathousand;hashadherwitsaboutherbetterthansomefolksIknow，andhasleftmelittletodobutmakehercomfortable。Butshe’sgonethroughtoomuch，——foughtherlittlefighttoogallantly，——isaltogethertoomuchofatrumptobeplayedoffuponnow。Soriseupoutofthat，youngman，pickupyourscatteredfaculties，andfetchawoman——somesensiblecreatureofherownsex——tolookafterher;for，withoutwishingtobepersonal，I’md————difItrusthertothelikesofyou。"
TherewasnomistakingDr。Duchesne’svoiceandmanner;andRandwasaffectedbyit，asmostpeoplewerethroughoutthevalleyoftheStanislaus。Butheturneduponhimhisfrankandboyishface，andsaidsimply，"ButIdon’tknowanywoman，orwheretogetone。"
Thedoctorlookedathimagain。"Well，I’llfindyousomeone，"hesaid，softening。
"Thankyou！"saidRand。
Thedoctorwasdisappearing。WithaneffortRandrecalledhim。
"Onemoment，doctor。"Hehesitated，andhischeekswereglowing。
"You’llpleasesaynothingaboutthisdownthere"——hepointedtothevalley——"foratime。Andyou’llsaytothewomanyousend——"
Dr。Duchesne，whoseresolutelipsweresealeduponthesecretsofhalfTuolumneCounty，interruptedhimscornfully。"Icannotanswerforthewoman——youmusttalktoheryourself。Asforme，generallyIkeepmyprofessionalvisitstomyself;but——"helaidhishandonRand’sarm——"ifIfindoutyou’reputtingonanyairstothatpoorcreature，if，onmynextvisit，herlipsorherpulsetellmeyouhaven’tbeenactingonthesquaretoher，I’lldropahinttodrunkenoldNixonwherehisdaughterishidden。Ireckonshecouldstandhisbrutalitybetterthanyours。Good-night！"
Inanothermomenthewasgone。Rand，whohadheldbackhisquicktongue，feelinghimselfinthepowerofthisman，oncemorealone，sankonarock，andburiedhisfaceinhishands。Recallinghimselfinamoment，herose，wipedhishoteyelids，andstaggeredtowardthecabin。Itwasquitestillnow。Hepausedonthetopmoststep，andlistened：therewasnosoundfromtheledge，ortheEagle’sNestthatclungtoit。Halftimidlyhedescendedthewindingsteps，andpausedbeforethedoorofthecabin。"Mornie，"
hesaid，inadry，metallicvoice，whoseonlyindicationofthepresenceofsicknesswasinthelownessofitspitch，——"Mornie！"
Therewasnoreply。"Mornie，"herepeatedimpatiently，"it’sme，——
Rand。Ifyouwantanything，you’retocallme。Iamjustoutside。"Stillnoanswercamefromthesilentcabin。Hepushedopenthedoorgently，hesitated，andsteppedoverthethreshold。
Achangeintheinteriorofthecabinwithinthelastfewhoursshowedanewpresence。Theguns，shovels，picks，andblanketshaddisappeared;thetwochairsweredrawnagainstthewall，thetableplacedbythebedside。Theswinging-lanternwasshadedtowardsthebed，——theobjectofRand’sattention。Onthatbed，hisbrother’sbed，layahelplesswoman，palefromthelongblackhairthatmattedherdampforehead，andclungtoherhollowcheeks。Herfacewasturnedtothewall，sothatthesoftenedlightfelluponherprofile，whichtoRandatthatmomentseemedevennobleandstrong。
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