Butthenextmomenthiseyefellupontheshoulderandarmthatlaynearesttohim，andthelittlebundle，swathedinflannel，thatitclaspedtoherbreast。Hisbrowgrewdarkashegazed。Thesleepingwomanmoved。Perhapsitwasaninstinctiveconsciousnessofhispresence;perhapsitwasonlythecurrentofcoldairfromtheopeneddoor：butsheshudderedslightly，and，stillunconscious，drewthechildasifawayfromHIM，andnearertoherbreast。TheshamedbloodrushedtoRand’sface;andsayinghalfaloud，"I’mnotgoingtotakeyourpreciousbabeawayfromyou，"heturnedinhalf-boyishpettishnessaway。Neverthelesshecamebackagainshortlytothebedside，andgazeduponthemboth。Shecertainlydidlookaltogethermoreladylike，andlessaggressive，lyingtheresostill：sickness，thatcheaprefiningprocessofsomenatures，wasnotunbecomingtoher。Butthisbundle！Aboyishcuriosity，strongerthanevenhisstrongobjectiontothewholeepisode，wassteadilyimpellinghimtolifttheblanketfromit。
"Isupposeshe’dwakenifIdid，"saidRand;"butI’dliketoknowwhatrightthedoctorhadtowrapitupinmybestflannelshirt。"
Thisfreshgrievance，thefruitofhiscuriosity，senthimawayagaintomeditateontheledge。Afterafewmomentshereturnedagain，openedthecupboardatthefootofthebedsoftly，tookthenceapieceofchalk，andscrawledinlargelettersuponthedoorofthecupboard，"Ifyouwantanything，singout：I’mjustoutside。——RAND。"Thisdone，hetookablanketandbear-skinfromthecorner，andwalkedtothedoor。Butherehepaused，lookedbackattheinscription（evidentlynotsatisfiedwithit），returned，tookupthechalk，addedaline，butrubbeditoutagain，repeatedthisoperationafewtimesuntilheproducedthepolitepostscript，——"Hopeyou’llbebettersoon。"Thenheretreatedtotheledge，spreadthebear-skinbesidethedoor，and，rollinghimselfinablanket，lithispipeforhisnight-longvigil。ButRand，althoughamartyr，aphilosopher，andamoralist，wasyoung。
Inlessthantenminutesthepipedroppedfromhislips，andhewasasleep。
Heawokewithastrangesenseofheatandsuffocation，andwithdifficultyshookoffhiscovering。Rubbinghiseyes，hediscoveredthatanextrablankethadinsomemysteriouswaybeenaddedinthenight;andbeneathhisheadwasapillowhehadnorecollectionofplacingtherewhenhewenttosleep。Bydegreestheeventsofthepastnightforcedthemselvesuponhisbenumbedfaculties，andhesatup。Thesunwasridinghigh;thedoorofthecabinwasopen。
Stretchinghimself，hestaggeredtohisfeet，andlookedinthroughtheyawningcrackatthehinges。Herubbedhiseyesagain。Washestillasleep，andfollowedbyadreamofyesterday？Forthere，evenintheveryattitudeherememberedtohaveseenhersittingatherluncheononthepreviousday，withherknittingonherlap，satMrs。SolSaunders！Whatdiditmean？orhadshereallybeensittingthereeversince，andalltheeventsthatfollowedonlyadream？
Ahandwaslaiduponhisarm;and，turning，hesawthemurkyblackeyesandIndian-inkedbeardofSolbesidehim。Thatgentlemanputhisfingeronhislipswithatheatricalgesture，andthen，slowlyretreatinginthewell-knownmanneroftheburiedMajestyofDenmark，wavedhim，likeanotherHamlet，toaremoterpartoftheledge。Thisreached，hegraspedRandwarmlybythehand，shookitheartily，andsaid，"It’sallright，myboy;allright！"
"But——"beganRand。Thehotbloodflowedtohischeeks：hestammered，andstoppedshort。
"It’sallright，Isay！Don’tyoumind！We’llpullyouthrough。"
"But，Mrs。Sol！whatdoesshe——"
"Roseyhastakenthematterinhand，sir;andwhenthatwomantakesamatterinhand，whetherit’sababyorarehearsal，sir，shemakesitbuzz。"
"Buthowdidsheknow？"stammeredRand。
"How？Well，sir，thesceneopenedsomethinglikethis，"saidSolprofessionally。"CurtainrisesonmeandMrs。Sol。Domesticinterior：practicablechairs，table，books，newspapers。EnterDr。
Duchesne，——eccentriccharacterpart，verypopularwiththeboys，——
tellsoff-handaffectingstoryofstrangewoman——one’moreunfortunate’——havingbabyinEagle’sNest，lonelyplaceon’peaksofSnowdon，’midnight;eaglesscreaming，youknow，andfardownunfathomabledepths;onlyattendant，cold-bloodedruffian，evidentlyfatherofchild，withsinisterdesignsonchildandmother。"
"Hedidn’tsayTHAT！"saidRand，withanagonizedsmile。
"Order！Sitdowninfront！"continuedSoleasily。"Mrs。Sol——
highlyinterested，amotherherself——demandsnameofplace。’TableMountain。’No;itcannotbe——itis！Excitement。Mystery！Roseyrisestooccasion——comestofront：’Someonemustgo;I——I——willgomyself！’Myself，comingtocenter：’Notalone，dearest;I——Iwillaccompanyyou！’Ashriekatrightuppercenter。Enterthe’MarysvillePet。’’Ihaveheardall。’Tisabasecalumny。ItcannotbeHE——Randolph！Never！’——’Dareyouaccompanyuswill！’
Tableau。
"IsMissEuphemia——here？"gaspedRand，practicaleveninhisembarrassment。
"Or-r-rder！Scenesecond。Summitofmountain——moonlightPeaksofSnowdonindistance。Right——lonelycabin。Enterslowlyupdefile，Sol，Mrs。Sol，the’Pet。’Advanceslowlytocabin。Suppressedshriekfromthe’Pet，’whorushestorecumbentfigure——Left——
discoveredlyingbesidecabin-door。’’Tishe！Hist！hesleeps！’
Throwsblanketoverhim，andretiresupstage——so。"HereSolachievedavileimitationofthe"Pet’s"mostenchantingstage-
manner。"Mrs。Soladvances——Center——throwsopendoor。Shriek！
’’TisMornie，thelostfound！’The’Pet’advances：’Andthefatheris？’——’NotRand！’The’Pet’kneeling：’JustHeaven，Ithankthee！’
No，itis——’"
"Hush！"saidRandappealingly，lookingtowardthecabin。
"Hushitis！"saidtheactorgood-naturedly。"Butit’sallright，Mr。Rand：we’llpullyouthrough。"
Laterinthemorning，RandlearnedthatMornie’sill-fatedconnectionwiththeStarVarietyTroupehadbeenasourceofanxietytoMrs。Sol，andshehadreproachedherselfforthegirl’sinfelicitousdebut。
"But，Lordblessyou，Mr。Rand！"saidSol，"itwasallinthewayofbusiness。Shecametous——wasfreshandnew。Herchance，lookingatitprofessionally，wasasgoodasanyamateur’s;butwhatwithherrelationshere，andherbein’known，shedidn’ttake。
Welostmoneyonher！It’snaturalsheshouldfeelalittleugly。
Wealldowhenwegetsorterkickedbackontoourselves，andfindwecan’tstandalone。Why，youwouldn’tbelieveit，"hecontinued，withamoisttwinkleofhisblackeyes;"butthenightIlostmylittleRosey，ofdiphtheriainGoldHill，thechildwasdownonthebillsforacomicsong;andIhadtodragMrs。Solon，cutupasshewas，andfilledupwiththatmuchofOldBourbontokeephernervesstiff，soshecoulddoanoldgagwithmetogaintime，andmakeupthe’variety。’Why，sir，whenIcametothefront，Iwasugly！Andwhenoneoftheboysinthefrontrowsangout，’Don’texposethatpoorchildtothenightair，Sol，’——meaningMrs。Sol，——
Iactedugly。No，sir，it’shumannature;anditwasquitenaturalthatMornie，whenshecaughtsighto’Mrs。Sol’sfacelastnight，shouldriseupandcussusboth。Lord，ifshe’donlyactedlikethat！Buttheoldladygotherquietatlast;and，asIsaidbefore，it’sallright，andwe’llpullherthrough。Butdon’tYOU
thankus：it’salittlematterbetwixtusandMornie。We’vegoteverythingfixed，sothatMrs。Solcanstayrightalong。We’llpullMorniethrough，andgetherawayfromthis，andherbabytoo，assoonaswecan。Youwon’tgetmadifItellyousomething？"
saidSol，withahalf-apologeticlaugh。"Mrs。Solwasratherdownonyoutheotherday，hatedyouonsight，andpreferredyourbrothertoyou;butwhenshefoundhe’drunoffandleftYOU，you，——
don’tmindmysayin’，——a’mereboy，’totakewhatoughterbeHIS
place，why，shejustwheeledroundagin’him。Isupposehegotflustered，andcouldn’tfacethemusic。Neverleftawordofexplanation？Well，itwasn’texactlysquare，thoughItelltheoldwomanit’shumannature。Hemighthavedroppedahintwherehewasgoin’。Well，there，Iwon’tsayawordmoreagin’him。Iknowhowyoufeel。Hushitis。"
Itwasthefirmconvictionofthesimple-mindedSolthatnooneknewthevariousnaturalindicationsofhumanpassionbetterthanhimself。Perhapsitwasoneofthefallaciesofhisprofessionthattheexpressionofallhumanpassionwaslimitedtocertainconventionalsignsandsounds。Consequently，whenRandcoloredviolently，becameconfused，stammered，andatlastturnedhastilyaway，thegood-heartedfellowinstantlyrecognizedtheunfailingevidenceofmodestyandinnocenceembarrassedbyrecognition。AsforRand，Ifearhisshamewasonlymomentary。Confirmedinthebeliefofhisulteriorwisdomandvirtue，hisfirstembarrassmentover，hewasnotdispleasedwiththishalfwaytribute，andreallybelievedthatthetimewouldcomewhenMr。Solshouldeventuallypraisehissagacityandreservation，andacknowledgethathewassomethingmorethanamereboy。He，nevertheless，shrankfrommeetingMorniethatmorning，andwasgladthatthepresenceofMrs。
Solrelievedhimfromthatduty。
Thedaypasseduneventfully。Randbusiedhimselfinhisusualavocations，andconstructedatemporaryshelterforhimselfandSolbesidetheshaft，besidesrudelyshapingafewnecessaryarticlesoffurnitureforMrs。Sol。
"ItwillbealittlespellyetaforeMornie’sabletobemoved，"
suggestedSol，"andyoumightaswellbecomfortable。"
Randsighedatthisprospect，yetpresentlyforgothimselfinthegoodhumorofhiscompanion，whoseadmirationforhimselfhebegantopatronizinglyadmit。Therewasnosenseofdegradationinacceptingthefriendshipofthismanwhohadtraveledsofar，seensomuch，andyet，asapracticalmanoftheworld，Randfeltwassoinferiortohimself。TheabsenceofMissEuphemia，whohadearlyleftthemountain，wasasourceofodd，half-definiterelief。
Indeed，whenheclosedhiseyestorestthatnight，itwaswithasensethattherealityofhissituationwasnotasbadashehadfeared。Onceonly，thefigureofhisbrother——haggard，weary，andfootsore，onhishopelessquest，wanderinginlonelytrailsandloneliersettlements——cameacrosshisfancy;butwithitcamethegreaterfearofhisreturn，andthepatheticfigurewasbanished。
"And，besides，he’sinSacramentobythistime，andlikeasnotforgottenusall，"hemuttered;and，twiningthispoppyandmandragoraaroundhispillow，hefellasleep。
Hisspiritshadquitereturnedthenextmorning，andonceortwicehefoundhimselfsingingwhileatworkintheshaft。ThefearthatRuthmightreturntothemountainbeforehecouldgetridofMornie，andtheslightanxietythathadgrownuponhimtoknowsomethingofhisbrother’smovements，andtobeabletogovernthemashewished，causedhimtohitupontheplanofconstructinganingeniousadvertisementtobepublishedintheSanFranciscojournals，whereinthemissingRuthshouldbeadvisedthatnewsofhisquestshouldbecommunicatedtohimby"afriend，"throughthesamemedium，afteranintervaloftwoweeks。Fullofthisamiableintention，hereturnedtothesurfacetodinner。Here，tohismomentaryconfusion，hemetMissEuphemia，who，inabsenceofSol，wasassistingMrs。Solinthedetailsofthehousehold。
Ifthehonestfranknesswithwhichthatyoungladygreetedhimwasnotenoughtorelievehisembarrassment，hewouldhaveforgottenitintheutterlynewandchangedaspectshepresented。Herextravagantwalking-costumeofthepreviousdaywasreplacedbysomebrightcalico，alittlewhiteapron，andabroad-brimmedstraw-hat，whichseemedtoRand，insomeoddfashion，torestoreheroriginalgirlishsimplicity。Thechangewascertainlynotunbecomingtoher。Ifherwaistwasnotastightlypinched，alamode，therestillwasanhonest，youthfulplumpnessaboutit;herstepwasfreerfortheabsenceofherhigh-heelboots;andeventhehandsheextendedtoRand，ifnotquitesosmallasinhertightgloves，andalittlebrownfromexposure，wasmagneticinitsstrong，kindlygrasp。TherewasperhapsaslightsuggestionofthepracticalMr。Solinherwholesomepresence;andRandcouldnothelpwonderingifMrs。SolhadeverbeenaGoldHill"Pet"beforehermarriagewithMr。Sol。Theyounggirlnoticedhiscuriousglance。
"Youneversawmeinmyrehearsaldressbefore，"shesaid，withalaugh。"ButI’mnot’company’to-day，anddidn’tputonmybestharnesstoknockroundin。IsupposeIlookdreadful。"
"Idon’tthinkyoulookbad，"saidRandsimply。
"Thankyou，"saidEuphemia，withalaughandacourtesy。"Butthisisn’tgettingthedinner。"
Aspartofthatoperationevidentlywasthetaking-offofherhat，theputting-upofsomethickblondlocksthathadescaped，andtherolling-upofhersleevesoverapairofstrong，roundedarms，Randlingerednearher。Alltraceofthe"Pet’s"previousprofessionalcoquetrywasgone，——perhapsitwasonlyreplacedbyamorenaturalone;butasshelookedup，andcaughtsightofRand’sinterestedface，shelaughedagain，andcoloredalittle。Slightaswastheblush，itwassufficienttokindleasympatheticfireinRand’sowncheeks，whichwassoutterlyunexpectedtohimthatheturnedonhisheelinconfusion。"IreckonshethinksI’msoftandsilly，likeRuth，"hesoliloquized，and，determiningnottolookatheragain，betookhimselftoadistantandcontemplativepipe。InvaindidMissEuphemiaaddressherselftotheostentatiousgettingofthedinnerinfullviewofhim;invaindidshebringthecoffee-
potawayfromthefire，andnearerRand，withtheapparentintentionofexaminingitscontentsinabetterlight;invain，whilewipingaplate，didshe，absorbedinthedistantprospect，walktothevergeofthemountain，andbecomestatuesqueandforgetful。Thesulkyyounggentlemantooknooutwardnoticeofher。
Mrs。Sol’sattendanceuponMorniepreventedherleavingthecabin，andRandandMissEuphemiadinedintheopenairalone。TheridiculousnessofkeepingupaformalattitudetohissolitarycompanioncausedRandtorelax;but，tohisastonishment，the"Pet"
seemedtohavebecomecorrespondinglydistantandformal。Afterafewmomentsofdiscomfort，Rand，whohadeatenlittle，arose，and"believedhewouldgobacktowork。"
"Ah，yes！"saidthe"Pet，"withanindifferentair，"Isupposeyoumust。Well，good-by，Mr。Pinkney。"
Randturned。"YOUarenotgoing？"heasked，insomeuneasiness。
"I’VEgotsomeworktodotoo，"returnedMissEuphemiaalittlecurtly。
"But，"saidthepracticalRand，"Ithoughtyouallowedthatyouwerefixedtostayuntilto-morrow？"
ButhereMissEuphemia，withrisingcolorandslightacerbityofvoice，wasnotawarethatshewas"fixedtostay"anywhere，leastofallwhenshewasintheway。Morethanthat，sheMUSTsay——
althoughperhapsitmadenodifference，andsheoughtnottosayit——thatshewasnotinthehabitofintrudingupongentlemenwhoplainlygavehertounderstandthathercompanywasnotdesirable。
Shedidnotknowwhyshesaidthis——ofcourseitcouldmakenodifferencetoanybodywhodidn’t，ofcourse，care——butsheonlywantedtosaythatsheonlycameherebecauseherdearfriend，heradoptedmother，——andabetterwomanneverbreathed，——hadcome，andhadaskedhertostay。Ofcourse，Mrs。Solwasanintruderherself——Mr。Solwasanintruder——theywereallintruders：sheonlywonderedthatMr。Pinkneyhadbornewiththemsolong。Sheknewitwasanawfulthingtobehere，takingcareofapoor——poor，helplesswoman;butperhapsMr。Rand’sBROTHERmightforgivethem，ifhecouldn’t。Butnomatter，shewouldgo——Mr。Solwouldgo——ALL
wouldgo;andthen，perhaps，Mr，Rand——
Shestoppedbreathless;shestoppedwiththecornerofherapronagainsthertearfulhazeleyes;shestoppedwith——whatwasmoreremarkablethanall——Rand’sarmactuallyaroundherwaist，andhisastonished，alarmedfacewithinafewinchesofherown。
"Why，MissEuphemia，Phemie，mydeargirl！InevermeantanythinglikeTHAT，"saidRandearnestly。"Ireallydidn’tnow！Comenow！"
"YouneveroncespoketomewhenIsatdown，"saidMissEuphemia，feeblyendeavoringtowithdrawfromRand’sgrasp。
"Ireallydidn’t！Oh，comenow，lookhere！Ididn’t！Don’t！
There’sadear——THERE！"
Thislastconclusiveexpositionwasakiss。MissEuphemiawasnotquickenoughtoreleaseherselffromhisarms。Heanticipatedthatactafullhalf-second，andhaddroppedhisown，paleandbreathless。
Thegirlrecoveredherselffirst。"There，Ideclare，I’mforgettingMrs。Sol’scoffee！"sheexclaimedhastily，and，snatchingupthecoffee-pot，disappeared。Whenshereturned，Randwasgone。MissEuphemiabusiedherselfdemurelyinclearingupthedishes，withthetailofhereyesweepingthehorizonofthesummitlevelaroundher。
ButnoRandappeared。Presentlyshebegantolaughquietlytoherself。Thisoccurredseveraltimesduringheroccupation，whichwassomewhatprolonged。Theresultofthismeditativehilaritywassummedupinasomewhatgraveandthoughtfuldeductionasshewalkedslowlybacktothecabin："IdobelieveI’mthefirstwomanthatthatboyeverkissed。"
MissEuphemiastaidthatdayandthenext，andRandforgothisembarrassment。BywhatmeansIknownot，MissEuphemiamanagedtorestoreRand’sconfidenceinhimselfandinher，andinalittlerambleonthemountain-sidegothimtorelate，albeitsomewhatreluctantly，theparticularsofhisrescueofMorniefromherdangerouspositiononthebrokentrail。
"And，ifyouhadn’tgotthereassoonasyoudid，she’dhavefallen？"askedthe"Pet。"
"Ireckon，"returnedRandgloomily："shewassorterdazedandcrazedlike。"
"Andyousavedherlife？"
"Isupposeso，ifyouputitthatway，"saidRandsulkily。
"Buthowdidyougetherupthemountainagain？"
"Oh！Igotherup，"returnedRandmoodily。
"Buthow？Really，Mr。Rand，youdon’tknowhowinterestingthisis。It’sasgoodasaplay，"saidthe"Pet，"withalittleexcitedlaugh。
"Oh，Icarriedherup！"
"Inyourarms？"
"Y-e-e-s。"
MissEuphemiapaused，andbitoffthestalkofaflower，madeawryface，andthrewitawayfromherindisgust。
Thenshedugafewtinyholesintheearthwithherparasol，andburiedbitsoftheflower-stalkinthem，asiftheyhadbeentendermemories。"IsupposeyouknewMornieverywell？"sheasked。
"Iusedtorunacrossherinthewoods，"respondedRandshortly，"ayearago。Ididn’tknowhersowellthenas——"Hestopped。
"Aswhat？AsNOW？"askedthe"Pet"abruptly。Rand，whowascoloringoverhisnarrowescapefromatopicwhichadelicatekindnessofSolhadexcludedfromtheirintercourseonthemountain，stammered，"asYOUdo，Imeant。"
The"Pet"tossedherheadalittle。"Oh！Idon’tknowheratall——
exceptthroughSol。"
Randstaredhardatthis。The"Pet，"whowaslookingathimintently，said，"ShowmetheplacewhereyousawMornieclingingthatnight。"
"It’sdangerous，"suggestedRand。
"YoumeanI’dbeafraid！Tryme！Idon’tbelieveshewasSO
dreadfullyfrightened！"
"Why？"askedRand，inastonishment。
"Oh——because——"
Randsatdowninvaguewonderment。
"Showittome，"continuedthe"Pet，""or——I’llfinditALONE！"
Thuschallenged，herose，and，afterafewmoments’climbing，stoodwithheruponthetrail。"Youseethatthorn-bushwheretherockhasfallenaway。Itwasjustthere。Itisnotsafetogofarther。
No，really！MissEuphemia！Pleasedon’t！It’salmostcertaindeath！"
Butthegiddygirlhaddartedpasthim，and，facetothewallofthecliff，wascreepingalongthedangerouspath。Randfollowedmechanically。Onceortwicethetrailcrumbledbeneathherfeet;
butsheclungtoaprojectingrootofchaparral，andlaughed。Shehadalmostreachedherelectedgoal，when，slipping，thetreacherouschaparralsheclungtoyieldedinhergrasp，andRand，withacry，sprungforward。
Butthenextinstantshequicklytransferredherholdtoacleftinthecliff，andwassafe。Notsohercompanion。Thesoilbeneathhim，loosenedbytheimpulseofhisspring，slippedaway：hewasfallingwithit，whenshecaughthimsharplywithherdisengagedhand，andtogethertheyscrambledtoamoresecurefooting。
"Icouldhavereacheditalone，"saidthe"Pet，""ifyou’dleftmealone。"
"ThankHeaven，we’resaved！"saidRandgravely。
"ANDWITHOUTAROPE，"saidMissEuphemiasignificantly。
Randdidnotunderstandher。But，astheyslowlyreturnedtothesummit，hestammeredoutthealwaysdifficultthanksofamanwhohasbeenphysicallyhelpedbyoneoftheweakersex。MissEuphemiawasquicktoseehererror。
"Imighthavemadeyouloseyourfootingbycatchingatyou，"shesaidmeekly。"ButIwassofrightenedforyou，andcouldnothelpit。"
Thesuperioranimal，thoroughlybamboozled，thereuponcomplimentedheronherdexterity。
"Oh，that’snothing！"shesaid，withasigh。"Iusedtodotheflying-trapezebusinesswithpapawhenIwasachild，andI’venotforgottenit。"Withthisandotherconfidencesofherearlylife，inwhichRandbetrayedconsiderableinterest，theybeguiledthetediousascent。"Ioughttohavemadeyoucarrymeup，"saidthelady，withalittlelaugh，whentheyreachedthesummit;"butyouhaven’tknownmeaslongasyouhaveMornie，haveyou？"WiththismysteriousspeechshebadeRand"good-night，"andhurriedofftothecabin。
Andsoaweekpassedby，——theweeksodreadedbyRand，yetpassedsopleasantly，thatattimesitseemedasifthatdreadwereonlyatrickofhisfancy，orasifthecircumstancesthatsurroundedhimweredifferentfromwhathebelievedthemtobe。Ontheseventhdaythedoctorhadstaidlongerthanusual;andRand，whohadbeensittingwithEuphemiaontheledgebytheshaft，watchingthesunset，hadbarelytimetowithdrawhishandfromhers，asMrs。
Sol，atriflepaleandwearied-looking，approachedhim。
"Idon’tliketotroubleyou，"shesaid，——indeed，theyhadseldomtroubledhimwiththedetailsofMornie’sconvalescence，orevenherneedsandrequirements，——"butthedoctorisalarmedaboutMornie，andshehasaskedtoseeyou。Ithinkyou’dbettergoinandspeaktoher。Youknow，"continuedMrs。Soldelicately，"youhaven’tbeenintheresincethenightshewastakensick，andmaybeanewfacemightdohergood。"
TheguiltybloodflewtoRand’sfaceashestammered，"IthoughtI’dbeintheway。Ididn’tbelieveshecaredmuchtoseeme。Issheworse？"
"Thedoctorislookingveryanxious，"saidMrs。Solsimply。
ThebloodreturnedfromRand’sface，andsettledaroundhisheart。
Heturnedverypale。HehadconsoledhimselfalwaysforhiscomplicityinRuth’sabsence，thathewastakinggoodcareofMornie，or——whatisconsideredbymostselfishnaturesanequivalent——permittingorencouragingsomeoneelseto"takegoodcareofher;"butherewasacontingencyutterlyunforeseen。Itdidnotoccurtohimthatthis"takinggoodcare"ofhercouldresultinanythingbutaperfectsolutionofhertroubles，orthattherecouldbeanyfuturetoherconditionbutoneofrecovery。
Butwhatifsheshoulddie？AsuddenandhelplesssenseofhisresponsibilitytoRuth，toHER，broughthimtremblingtohisfeet。
Hehurriedtothecabin，whereMrs。Sollefthimwithawordofcaution："You’llfindherchangedandquiet，——veryquiet。IfIwasyou，Iwouldn’tsayanythingtobringbackheroldself。"
ThechangewhichRandsawwassogreat，thefacethatwasturnedtohimsoquiet，that，withanewfearuponhim，hewouldhavepreferredthesavageeyesandrecklessmienoftheoldMorniewhomhehated。Withhishabitualimpulsivenesshetriedtosaysomethingthatshouldexpressthatfactnotunkindly，butfaltered，andawkwardlysankintothechairbyherbedside。
"Idon’twonderyoustareatmenow，"shesaidinafar-offvoice。
"Itseemstoyoustrangetoseemelyingheresoquiet。YouarethinkinghowwildIwaswhenIcameherethatnight。Imusthavebeencrazy，Ithink。IdreamedthatIsaiddreadfulthingstoyou;
butyoumustforgiveme，andnotmindit。Iwascrazythen。"Shestopped，andfoldedtheblanketbetweenherthinfingers。"I
didn’taskyoutocomeheretotellyouthat，ortoremindyouofit;but——butwhenIwascrazy，Isaidsomanyworse，dreadfulthingsofHIM;andyou——YOUwillbeleftbehindtotellhimofit。"
Randwasvaguelymurmuringsomethingtotheeffectthat"heknewshedidn’tmeananything，"that"shemusn’tthinkofitagain，"
that"he’dforgottenallaboutit，"whenshestoppedhimwithatiredgesture。
"PerhapsIwaswrongtothink，that，afterIamgone，youwouldcaretotellhimanything。PerhapsI’mwrongtothinkofitatall，ortocarewhathewillthinkofme，exceptforthesakeofthechild——hischild，Rand——thatImustleavebehindme。HewillknowthatITneverabusedhim。No，Godblessitssweetheart！IT
neverwaswildandwickedandhateful，likeitscruel，crazymother。Andhewillloveit;andyou，perhaps，willloveittoo——
justalittle，Rand！Lookatit！"Shetriedtoraisethehelplessbundlebesideherinherarms，butfailed。"Youmustleanover，"
shesaidfaintlytoRand。"Itlookslikehim，doesn’tit？"
Rand，withwondering，embarrassedeyes，triedtoseesomeresemblance，inthelittleblue-redoval，tothesad，wistfulfaceofhisbrother，whicheventhenwashauntinghimfromsomemysteriousdistance。Hekissedthechild’sforehead，buteventhensovaguelyandperfunctorily，thatthemothersighed，anddrewitclosertoherbreast。
"Thedoctorsays，"shecontinuedinacalmervoice，"thatI’mnotdoingaswellasIoughtto。Idon’tthink，"shefaltered，withsomethingofheroldbitterlaugh，"thatI’meverdoingaswellasIoughtto，andperhapsit’snotstrangenowthatIdon’t。Andhesaysthat，incaseanythinghappenstome，Ioughttolookahead。
Ihavelookedahead。It’sadarklookahead，Rand——ahorrorofblackness，withoutkindfaces，withoutthebaby，without——withoutHIM！"
Sheturnedherfaceaway，andlaiditonthebundlebyherside。
Itwassoquietinthecabin，that，throughtheopendoorbeyond，thefaint，rhythmicalmoanofthepinesbelowwasdistinctlyheard。
"Iknowit’sfoolish;butthatiswhat’lookingahead’alwaysmeanttome，"shesaid，withasigh。"But，sincethedoctorhasbeengone，I’vetalkedtoMrs。Sol，andfindit’sforthebest。AndI
lookahead，andseemoreclearly。Ilookahead，andseemydisgraceremovedfarawayfromHIMandyou。Ilookahead，andseeyouandHElivingtogetherhappily，asyoudidbeforeIcamebetweenyou。Ilookahead，andseemypastlifeforgotten，myfaultsforgiven;andIthinkIseeyoubothlovingmybaby，andperhapslovingmealittleforitssake。Thankyou，Rand，thankyou！"
ForRand’shandhadcaughthersbesidethepillow，andhewasstandingoverher，whiterthanshe。Somethinginthepressureofhishandemboldenedhertogoon，andevenlentacertainstrengthtohervoice。
"WhenitcomestoTHAT，Rand，you’llnotletthesepeopletakethebabyaway。You’llkeepitHEREwithyouuntilHEcomes。AndsomethingtellsmethathewillcomewhenIamgone。You’llkeepithereinthepureairandsunlightofthemountain，andoutofthosewickeddepthsbelow;andwhenIamgone，andtheyaregone，andonlyyouandRuthandbabyarehere，maybeyou’llthinkthatitcametoyouinacloudonthemountain，——acloudthatlingeredonlylongenoughtodropitsburden，andfaded，leavingthesunlightanddewbehind。Whatisit，Rand？Whatareyoulookingat？"
"Iwasthinking，"saidRandinastrangealteredvoice，"thatI
musttroubleyoutoletmetakedownthosedudsandfurbelowsthathangonthewall，sothatIcangetatsometrapsofminebehindthem。"Hetooksomearticlesfromthewall，replacedthedressesofMrs。Sol，andansweredMornie’slookofinquiry。
"Iwasonlygettingatmypurseandmyrevolver，"hesaid，showingthem。"I’vegottogetsomestoresattheFerrybydaylight。"
Morniesighed。"I’mgivingyougreattrouble，Rand，Iknow;butitwon’tbeforlong。"
Hemutteredsomething，tookherhandagain，andbadeher"good-
night。"Whenhereachedthedoor，helookedback。Thelightwasshiningfulluponherfaceasshelaythere，withherbabeonherbreast，bravely"lookingahead。"
IV。
THECLOUDSPASS。
ItwasearlymorningattheFerry。The"upcoach"hadpassed，withlightsunextinguished，andthe"outsides"stillasleep。TheferrymanhadgoneuptotheFerryMansionHouse，swinginghislantern，andhadfoundthesleepy-looking"allnight"bar-keeperonthepointofwithdrawingforthedayonamattressunderthebar。
AnIndianhalf-breed，porteroftheMansionHouse，waswashingoutthestainsofrecentnocturnaldissipationfromthebar-roomandveranda;afewbirdsweretwitteringonthecotton-woodsbesidetheriver;abolderfewhadalightedupontheveranda，andweretryingtoreconciletheexistenceofsomuchlemon-peelandcigar-stumpswiththeirideasofabeneficentCreator。Afaintearthlyfreshnessandperfumerosealongtheriverbanks。Deepshadowstilllayupontheoppositeshore;butinthedistance，fourmilesaway，MorningalongthelevelcrestofTableMountainwalkedwithrosytread。
Thesleepybar-keeperwasthatmorningdoomedtodisappointment;
forscarcelyhadthecoachpassed，whenstepswereheardupontheveranda，andaweary，dustytravellerthrewhisblanketandknapsacktotheporter，andthendroppedintoavacantarm-chair，withhiseyesfixedonthedistantcrestofTableMountain。Heremainedmotionlessforsometime，untilthebar-keeper，whohadalreadyconcoctedtheconventionalwelcomeoftheMansionHouse，appearedwithitinaglass，putituponthetable，glancedatthestranger，andthen，thoroughlyawake，criedout，——
"RuthPinkney——orI’maChinaman！"
Thestrangerliftedhiseyeswearily。Hollowcircleswerearoundtheirorbits;haggardlineswereinhischecks。ButitwasRuth。
Hetooktheglass，anddraineditatasingledraught。"Yes，"hesaidabsently，"RuthPinkney，"andfixedhiseyesagainonthedistantrosycrest。
"Onyourwayuphome？"suggestedthebar-keeper，followingthedirectionofRuth’seyes。
"Perhaps。"
"Beenuponapasear，hain’tyer？Beenhavin’alittletearroundSacramento，——seein’thesights？"
Ruthsmiledbitterly。"Yes。"
Thebar-keeperlingered，ostentatiouslywipingaglass。ButRuthagainbecameabstractedinthemountain，andthebarkeeperturnedaway。
Howpureandclearthatsummitlookedtohim！howrestfulandsteadfastwithserenityandcalm！howunlikehisownfeverish，dusty，travel-wornself！Aweekhadelapsedsincehehadlastlookeduponit，——aweekofdisappointment，ofanxiousfears，ofdoubts，ofwildimaginings，ofutterhelplessness。InhishopelessquestofthemissingMornie，hehad，infancy，seenthissereneeminencehauntinghisremorseful，passion-strickensoul。Andnow，withoutaclewtoguidehimtoherunknownhiding-place，hewasbackagain，tofacethebrotherwhomhehaddeceived，withonlytheconfessionofhisownweakness。Hardasitwastoloseforeverthefierce，reproachfulglancesofthewomanheloved，itwasstillharder，toamanofRuth’stemperament，tolookagainuponthefaceofthebrotherhefeared。Ahandlaiduponhisshoulderstartledhim。Itwasthebar-keeper。
"Ifit’safairquestion，RuthPinkney，I’dliketoaskyehowlongyekalkilatetohangaroundtheFerryto-day。"
"Why？"demandedRuthhaughtily。
"Because，whateveryou’vebeenanddone，Iwantyetohaveasquareshow。OleNixonhasbeencavoortin’roundyerthelasttwodays，swearin’tokillyouonsightforrunnin’offwithhisdarter。
Sabe？Now，letmeaxyetwoquestions。FIRST，Areyouheeled？"
Ruthrespondedtothisdialecticalinquiryaffirmativelybyputtinghishandonhisrevolver。
"Good！Now，SECOND，Haveyougotthegalalongherewithyou？"
"No，"respondedRuthinahollowvoice。
"That’sbetteryet，"saidtheman，withoutheedingthetoneofthereply。"Awoman——andespeciallyTHEwomaninarowofthiskind——
handicapsamanawful。"Hepaused，andtookuptheemptyglass。
"Lookyer，RuthPinkney，I’masquareman，andI’llbesquarewithyou。SoI’lljusttellyouyou’vegotthedemdestoddsagin’ye。
Pr’apsyeknowit，anddon’tkeer。Well，theboysaroundyerareallsidin’withtheoldmanNixon。It’sthefirsttimetheoldripeverhadahandinhisfavor：sotheboyswillseefairplayforNixon，andagin’YOU。ButIreckonyoudon’tmindhim！"
"Solittle，Ishallneverpulltriggeronhim，"saidRuthgravely。
Thebar-keeperstared，andrubbedhischinthoughtfully。"Well，thar’sthatKanakaJoe，whousedtobesortersweetonMornie，——
he’sanuglydevil，——he’shelpin’theoldman。"
ThesadlookfadedfromRuth’seyessuddenly。AcertainwildBerserkerrage——ataintoftheblood，inheritedfromheavenknowswhatOld-Worldancestry，whichhadmadethetwin-brothers’
Southwesterneccentricitiesrespectedinthesettlement——glowedinitsplace。Thebarkeepernotedit，andauguredalivelyfuturefortheday’sfestivities。Butitfadedagain;andRuth，asherose，turnedhesitatinglytowardshim。
"HaveyouseenmybrotherRandlately？"
"Nary。"
"Hehasn’tbeenhere，orabouttheFerry？"
"Narytime。"
"Youhaven’theard，"saidRuth，withafaintattemptatasmile，"ifhe’sbeenaroundhereaskingafterme，——sorterlookingmeup，youknow？"
"Notmuch，"returnedthebar-keeperdeliberately。"EzfarezI
knowRand，——thatarbrothero’yours，——he’soneofyerhigh-tonedchapsezdoesn’tdrink，thinksbar-roomsispizen，andain’tthesorttocomeroundyer，andslingyarnswithme。"
Ruthrose;butthehandthatheplaceduponthetable，albeitapowerfulone，trembledsothatitwaswithdifficultyheresumedhisknapsack。Whenhedidso，hisbentfigure，stoopingshoulders，andhaggardface，madehimappearanothermanfromtheonewhohadsatdown。Therewasaslighttouchofapologeticdeferenceandhumilityinhismannerashepaidhisreckoning，andslowlyandhesitatinglybegantodescendthesteps。
Thebar-keeperlookedafterhimthoughtfully。"Well，dogmyskin！"
heejaculatedtohimself，"efIhadn’tseenthatman——thatsameRuthPinkney——straddleafriend’sbodyinthisyerveryroom，anddareawholecrowdtocomeon，I’dswarthathehadn’tanygritinhim。Thar’ssomethingup！"
ButhereRuthreachedthelaststep，andturnedagain。
"IfyouseeoldmanNixon，sayI’mintown;ifyouseethat————
————————"（IregrettosaythatIcannotrepeathisexact，andbriefcharacterizationofthepresentconditionandnatalantecedentsofKanakaJoe），"sayI’mlookingoutforhim，"andwasgone。
Hewandereddowntheroad，towardstheonelong，stragglingstreetofthesettlement。Thefewpeoplewhomethimatthatearlyhourgreetedhimwithakindofconstrainedcivility;certaincautioussoulshurriedbywithoutseeinghim;allturnedandlookedafterhim;andafewfollowedhimatarespectfuldistance。AsomewhatnotoriouspracticaljokerandrecognizedwagattheFerryapparentlyawaitedhiscomingwithsomethingofinvitationandexpectation，but，catchingsightofRuth’shaggardfaceandblazingeyes，becameinstantlypractical，andbynomeansjocularinhisgreeting。Atthetopofthehill，Ruthturnedtolookoncemoreuponthedistantmountain，nowagainamerecloud-lineonthehorizon。Inthefirmbeliefthathewouldneveragainseethesunriseuponit，heturnedasideintoahazel-thicket，and，tearingoutafewleavesfromhispocket-book，wrotetwoletters，——onetoRand，andonetoMornie，butwhich，astheywereneverdelivered，shallnotburdenthisbriefchronicleofthateventfulday。For，whiletranscribingthem，hewasstartledbythesoundsofadozenpistol-shotsinthedirectionofthehotelhehadrecentlyquitted。
Somethinginthemeresoundprovokedtheoldhereditaryfightinginstinct，andsenthimtohisfeetwithabound，andaslightdistensionofthenostrils，andsniffingoftheair，notunknowntocertainmenwhobecomehalfintoxicatedbythesmellofpowder。Hequicklyfoldedhisletters，andaddressedthemcarefully，and，takingoffhisknapsackandblanket，methodicallyarrangedthemunderatree，withthelettersontop。Thenheexaminedthelockofhisrevolver，andthen，withthestepofamantenyearsyounger，leapedintotheroad。Hehadscarcelydonesowhenhewasseized，andbysheerforcedraggedintoablacksmith’sshopattheroadside。Heturnedhissavagefaceanddrawnweaponuponhisassailant，butwassurprisedtomeettheanxiouseyesofthebar-
keeperoftheMansionHouse。
"Don’tbead————dfool，"saidthemanquickly。"Thar’sfiftyagin’youdownthar。Butwhyinh-lldidn’tyouwipeoutoldNixonwhenyouhadsuchagoodchance？"
"WipeoutoldNixon？"repeatedRuth。
"Yes;justnow，whenyouhadhimcovered。"
"What！"
Thebar-keeperturnedquicklyuponRuth，staredathim，andthensuddenlyburstintoafitoflaughter。"Well，I’veknowedyoutwoweretwins，butdamnmeifIeverthoughtI’dbesoldlikethis！"
Andheagainburstintoaroaroflaughter。
"Whatdoyoumean？"demandedRuthsavagely。
"WhatdoImean？"returnedthebarkeeper。"Why，Imeanthis。I
meanthatyourbrotherRand，asyoucallhim，he’zbin——forayoungfeller，andapiousfeller——doin’aboutthetallestkindo’
fightin’to-daythat’sbeendoneattheFerry。HelaidoutthatarKanakaJoeandtwoofhischums。Hewaspitchedintoonyourquarrel，andhetookitupforyoulikealittleman。Imanagedtodraghimoff，upyerinthehazel-bushforsafety，andoutyoupops，andIthoughtyouwashim。Hecan’tbefaraway。Halloo！
Therethey’recomin’;andthar’sthedoctor，tryingtokeepthemback！"
Acrowdofangry，excitedfaces，filledtheroadsuddenly;butbeforethemDr。Duchesne，mounted，andwithapistolinhishand，opposedtheirfurtherprogress。
"Backinthebush！"whisperedthebarkeeper。"Now’syourtime！"
ButRuthstirrednot。"Goyouback，"hesaidinalowvoice，"findRand，andtakehimaway。Iwillfillhisplacehere。"Hedrewhisrevolver，andsteppedintotheroad。
Ashout，areport，andthespatterofreddustfromabulletnearhisfeet，toldhimhewasrecognized。Hestirrednot;butanothershout，andacry，"Theretheyare——BOTHof’em！"madehimturn。
HisbrotherRand，withasmileonhislipandfireinhiseye，stoodbyhisside。Neitherspoke。ThenRand，quietly，asofold，slippedhishandintohisbrother’sstrongpalm。Twoorthreebulletssangbythem;asplinterflewfromtheblacksmith’sshed：
butthebrothers，hardgrippingeachother’shands，andlookingintoeachother’sfaceswithaquietjoy，stoodtherecalmandimperturbable。
Therewasamomentarypause。ThevoiceofDr。Duchesneroseabovethecrowd。
"Keepback，Isay！keepback！Orhearme！——forfiveyearsI’veworkedamongyou，andmendedandpatchedtheholesyou’vedrilledthrougheachother’scarcasses——Keepback，Isay！——orthenextmanthatpullstrigger，orstepsforward，willgetaholefrommethatnosurgeoncanstop。I’msickofyourbunglingballpractice！
Keepback！——or，bythelivingJingo，I’llshowyouwhereaman’svitalsare！"
Therewasaburstoflaughterfromthecrowd，andforamomentthetwinswereforgotteninthisaudaciousspeechandcoollyimpertinentpresence。
"That’sright！Nowletthatinfernaloldhypocriticaldrunkard，MatNixon，steptothefront。"
Thecrowdpartedrightandleft，andhalfpushed，halfdraggedNixonbeforehim。
"Gentlemen，"saidthedoctor，"thisisthemanwhohasjustshotatRandPinkneyforhidinghisdaughter。Now，Itellyou，gentlemen，andItellhim，thatforthelastweekhisdaughter，MornieNixon，hasbeenundermycareasapatient，andmyprotectionasafriend。
Ifthere’sanybodytobeshot，thejobmustbeginwithme！"
Therewasanotherlaugh，andacryof"BullyforoldSawbones！"
Ruthstartedconvulsively，andRandansweredhislookwithaconfirmingpressureofhishand。
"Thatisn’tall，gentlemen：thisdrunkenbrutehasjustshotatagentlemanwhoseonlyoffence，tomyknowledge，is，thathehas，forthelastweek，treatedherwithabrother’skindness，hastakenherintohisownhome，andcaredforherwantsasifshewerehisownsister。"
Ruth’shandagaingraspedhisbrother’s。Randcoloredandhunghishead。
"There’smoreyet，gentlemen。Itellyouthatthatgirl，MornieNixon，has，tomyknowledge，beentreatedlikealady，hasbeencaredforassheneverwascaredforinherfather’shouse，and，whilethatfatherhasbeenproclaiminghershameineverybar-roomattheFerry，hashadthesympathyandcare，nightandday，oftwoofthemostaccomplishedladiesoftheFerry，——Mrs。SolSaunders，gentlemen，andMissEuphemia。"
Therewasashoutofapprobationfromthecrowd。Nixonwouldhaveslippedaway，butthedoctorstoppedhim。
"Notyet！I’veonethingmoretosay。I’vetotellyou，gentlemen，onmyprofessionalwordofhonor，that，besidesbeinganoldhypocrite，thissameoldMatNixonistheungrateful，unnaturalGRANDFATHERofthefirstboyborninthedistrict。"
Awildhuzzagreetedthedoctor’sclimax。ByacommonconsentthecrowdturnedtowardtheTwins，who，graspingeachother’shands，stoodapart。Thedoctornoddedhishead。ThenextmomenttheTwinsweresurrounded，andliftedinthearmsofthelaughingthrong，andborneintriumphtothebar-roomoftheMansionHouse。
"Gentlemen，"saidthebar-keeper，"callforwhatyoulike：theMansionHousetreatsto-dayinhonorofitsbeingthefirsttimethatRandPinkneyhasbeenadmittedtothebar。"……
Itwasagreed，that，asherconditionwasstillprecarious，thenewsshouldbebrokentohergraduallyandindirectly。TheindefatigableSolhadaprofessionalidea，whichwasnotdispleasingtotheTwins。Itbeingalovelysummerafternoon，thecouchofMorniewasliftedoutontheledge，andshelaytherebaskinginthesunlight，drinkinginthepureair，andlookingbravelyaheadinthedaylightasshehadinthedarkness，forhercouchcommandedaviewofthemountainflank。And，lyingthere，shedreamedapleasantdream，andinherdreamsawRandreturningupthemountain-trail。Shewashalfconsciousthathehadgoodnewsforher;and，whenheatlastreachedherbedside，hebegangentlyandkindlytotellhisnews。Butsheheardhimnot，orratherinherdreamwasmostoccupiedwithhiswaysandmanners，whichseemedunlikehim，yetinexpressiblysweetandtender。Thetearswerefastcominginhereyes，whenhesuddenlydroppedonhiskneesbesideher，threwawayRand’sdisguisinghatandcoat，andclaspedherinhisarms。AndbythatsheKNEWitwasRuth。
Butwhattheysaid;whathurriedwordsofmutualexplanationandforgivenesspassedbetweenthem;whatbitteryettenderrecollectionsofhiddenfearsanddoubts，nowforeverchasedawayintherainoftearsandjoyoussunshineofthatmountain-top，werethenwhispered;
whateverofthislittlechroniclethattothereaderseemsstrangeandinconsistent（asallhumanrecordmusteverbestrangeandimperfect，excepttotheactors）wasthenmadeclear，——wasneverdivulgedbythem，andmustremainwiththemforever。Therestofthepartyhadwithdrawn，andtheywerealone。ButwhenMornieturned，andplacedthebabyinitsfather’sarms，theyweresoisolatedintheirhappiness，thatthelowerworldbeneaththemmighthaveswunganddriftedaway，andleftthatmountain-topthebeginningandcreationofabetterplanet……
"Youknowallaboutitnow，"saidSolthenextday，explainingthepreviousepisodesofthishistorytoRuth："you’vegotthewholeplotbeforeyou。Itdraggedalittleinthesecondact，fortheactorsweren’tupintheirparts。Butforanamateurperformance，onthewhole，itwasn’tbad。"
"Idon’tknow，I’msure，"saidRandimpulsively，"howwe’dhavegotonwithoutEuphemia。It’stoobadshecouldn’tbehereto-day。"
"Shewantedtocome，"saidSol;"butthegentlemanshe’sengagedtocameupfromMarysvillelastnight。"
"Gentleman——engaged！"repeatedRand，whiteandredbyturns。
"Well，yes。Isay，’gentleman，’althoughhe’sinthevarietyprofession。Shealwayssaid，"saidSol，quietlylookingatRand，"thatshe’dnevermarryOUTofit。"
ANHEIRESSOFREDDOG。
Thefirstintimationgivenoftheeccentricityofthetestatorwas，Ithink，inthespringof1854。Hewasatthattimeinpossessionofaconsiderableproperty，heavilymortgagedtoonefriend，andawifeofsomeattraction，onwhoseaffectionsanotherfriendheldanencumberinglien。Onedayitwasfoundthathehadsecretlydug，orcausedtobedug，adeeptrapbeforethefront-doorofhisdwelling，intowhichafewfriends，inthecourseoftheevening，casuallyandfamiliarlydropped。Thiscircumstance，slightinitself，seemedtopointtotheexistenceofacertainhumorintheman，whichmighteventuallygetintoliterature，althoughhiswife’slover——amanofquickdiscernment，whoselegwasbrokenbythefall——tookotherviews。Itwassomeweekslater，that，whilediningwithcertainotherfriendsofhiswife，heexcusedhimselffromthetabletoquietlyre-appearatthefront-windowwithathree-quarterinchhydraulicpipe，andastreamofwaterprojectedattheassembledcompany。Anattemptwasmadetotakepubliccognizanceofthis;butamajorityofthecitizensofRedDog，whowerenotatdinner，decidedthatamanhadarighttochoosehisownmethodsofdivertinghiscompany。Nevertheless，thereweresomehintsofhisinsanity;hiswiferecalledotheractsclearlyattributabletodementia;thecrippledloverarguedfromhisownexperiencethattheintegrityofherlimbscouldonlybesecuredbyleavingherhusband’shouse;andthemortgagee，fearingafurtherdamagetohisproperty，foreclosed。Butherethecauseofallthisanxietytookmattersintohisownhands，anddisappeared。
Whenwenextheardfromhim，hehad，insomemysteriousway，beenrelievedalikeofhiswifeandproperty，andwaslivingaloneatRockvillefiftymilesaway，andeditinganewspaper。Butthatoriginalityhehaddisplayedwhendealingwiththeproblemsofhisownprivatelife，whenappliedtopoliticsinthecolumnsof"TheRockvilleVanguard"wassingularlyunsuccessful。Anamusingexaggeration，purportingtobeanexactaccountofthemannerinwhichtheopposingcandidatehadmurderedhisChineselaundryman，was，Iregrettosay，answeredonlybyassaultandbattery。A
gratuitousandpurelyimaginativedescriptionofagreatreligiousrevivalinCalaveras，inwhichthesheriffofthecounty——anotoriouslyprofanesceptic——wasallegedtohavebeenthechiefexhorter，resultedonlyinthewithdrawalofthecountyadvertisingfromthepaper。Inthemidstofthispracticalconfusionhesuddenlydied。Itwasthendiscovered，asacrowningproofofhisabsurdity，thathehadleftawill，bequeathinghisentireeffectstoafreckle-facedmaid-servantattheRockvilleHotel。ButthatabsurditybecameseriouswhenitwasalsodiscoveredthatamongtheseeffectswereathousandsharesintheRisingSunMiningCompany，whichadayortwoafterhisdemise，andwhilepeoplewerestilllaughingathisgrotesquebenefaction，suddenlysprangintoopulenceandcelebrity。Threemillionsofdollarswasroughlyestimatedasthevalueoftheestatethuswantonlysacrificed。Foritisonlyfairtostate，asajusttributetotheenterpriseandenergyofthatyoungandthrivingsettlement，thattherewasnotprobablyasinglecitizenwhodidnotfeelhimselfbetterabletocontrolthedeceasedhumorist’sproperty。Somehadexpressedadoubtoftheirabilitytosupportafamily;othershadfeltperhapstookeenlythedeepresponsibilityrestinguponthemwhenchosenfromthepanelasjurors，andhadevadedtheirpublicduties;afewhaddeclinedofficeandalowsalary：butnooneshrankfromthepossibilityofhavingbeencalledupontoassumethefunctionsofPeggyMoffat，theheiress。
Thewillwascontested，——firstbythewidow，whoitnowappearedhadneverbeenlegallydivorcedfromthedeceased;nextbyfourofhiscousins，whoawoke，onlytoolate，toaconsciousnessofhismoralandpecuniaryworth。Butthehumblelegatee——asingularlyplain，unpretending，uneducatedWesterngirl——exhibitedadoggedpertinacityinclaimingherrights。Sherejectedallcompromises。
Aroughsenseofjusticeinthecommunity，whiledoubtingherabilitytotakecareofthewholefortune，suggestedthatsheoughttobecontentwiththreehundredthousanddollars。"She’sboundtothrowevenTHATawayonsomedernedskunkofaman，natoorally;butthreemillionsistoomuchtogiveachapformakin’heronhappy。
It’sofferin’atemptationtocussedness。"TheonlyopposingvoicetothiscounselcamefromthesardoniclipsofMr。JackHamlin。
"Suppose，"suggestedthatgentleman，turningabruptlyonthespeaker，——"suppose，whenyouwontwentythousanddollarsofmelastFridaynight——supposethat，insteadofhandingyouoverthemoneyasIdid——supposeI’dgotuponmyhind-legs，andsaid，’Lookyer，BillWethersbee，you’read————dfool。IfIgiveyethattwentythousand，you’llthrowitawayinthefirstskin-gamein’Frisco，andhanditovertothefirstshort-cardsharpyou’llmeet。
There’sathousand，——enoughforyoutoflingaway，——takeitandget！’SupposewhatI’dsaidtoyouwasthefrozentruth，andyouknow’dit，wouldthathavebeenthesquarethingtoplayonyou？"
ButhereWethersbeequicklypointedouttheinefficiencyofthecomparisonbystatingthatHEhadwonthemoneyfairlywithaSTAKE。"Andhowdoyouknow，"demandedHamlinsavagely，bendinghisblackeyesontheastoundedcasuist，——"howdoyouknowthatthegalhezn’tputdownastake？"Themanstammeredanunintelligiblereply。ThegamblerlaidhiswhitehandonWethersbee’sshoulder。
"Lookyer，oldman，"hesaid，"everygalstakesherWHOLEpile，——
youcanbetyourlifeonthat，——whatever’sherlittlegame。Ifshetooktokeerdsinsteadofherfeelings，ifshe’dputup’chips’
insteado’bodyandsoul，she’dbusteverybank’twixtthisand’Frisco！Youhearme？"
Somewhatofthisideawasconveyed，Ifearnotquiteassentimentally，toPeggyMoffatherself。ThebestlegalwisdomofSanFrancisco，retainedbythewidowandrelatives，tookoccasion，inaprivateinterviewwithPeggy，topointoutthatshestoodinthequasi-criminalattitudeofhavingunlawfullypractisedupontheaffectionsofaninsaneelderlygentleman，withaviewofgettingpossessionofhisproperty，andsuggestedtoherthatnovestigeofhermoralcharacterwouldremainafterthetrial，ifshepersistedinforcingherclaimstothatissue。ItissaidthatPeggy，onhearingthis，stoppedwashingtheplateshehadinherhands，and，twistingthetowelaroundherfingers，fixedhersmallpaleblueeyesatthelawyer。
"Andezthatthekindo’chirpinthesecritterskeepup？"
"Iregrettosay，mydearyounglady，"respondedthelawyer，"thattheworldiscensorious。Imustadd，"hecontinued，withengagingfrankness，"thatweprofessionallawyersareapttostudytheopinionoftheworld，andthatsuchwillbethetheoryof——ourside。"
"Then，"saidPeggystoutly，"ezIallowI’vegottogointocourttodefendmycharacter，Imightaswellpackinthemthreemillionstoo。"
ThereishearsayevidencethatPegaddedtothisspeechawishanddesireto"bustthecrust"ofhertraducers，and，remarkingthat"thatwasthekindofhairpin"shewas，closedtheconversationwithanunfortunateaccidenttotheplate，thatleftaseverecontusiononthelegalbrowofhercompanion。Butthisstory，popularinthebar-roomsandgulches，lackedconfirmationinhighercircles。Betterauthenticatedwasthelegendrelatedofaninterviewwithherownlawyer。Thatgentlemanhadpointedouttohertheadvantageofbeingabletoshowsomereasonablecauseforthesingulargenerosityofthetestator。
"Although，"hecontinued，"thelawdoesnotgobackofthewillforreasonorcauseforitsprovisions，itwouldbeastrongpointwiththejudgeandjury——particularlyifthetheoryofinsanityweresetup——forustoshowthattheactwaslogicalandnatural。Ofcourseyouhave——Ispeakconfidently，MissMoffat——certainideasofyourownwhythelateMr。Bywayswassosingularlygeneroustoyou。"
"No，Ihaven’t，"saidPegdecidedly。
"Thinkagain。Hadhenotexpressedtoyou——youunderstandthatthisisconfidentialbetweenus，althoughIprotest，mydearyounglady，thatIseenoreasonwhyitshouldnotbemadepublic——hadhenotgivenutterancetosentimentsofanatureconsistentwithsomefuturematrimonialrelations？"ButhereMissPeg’slargemouth，whichhadbeenslowlyrelaxingoverherirregularteeth，stoppedhim。
"Ifyoumeanhewantedtomarryme——No！"
"Isee。Butwerethereanyconditions——ofcourseyouknowthelawtakesnocognizanceofanynotexpressedinthewill;butstill，forthesakeofmerecorroborationofthebequest——doyouknowofanyconditionsonwhichhegaveyoutheproperty？"
"Youmeandidhewantanythinginreturn？"
"Exactly，mydearyounglady。"
Peg’sfaceononesideturnedadeepmagentacolor，ontheotheralightercherry，whilehernosewaspurple，andherforeheadanIndianred。Toaddtotheeffectofthisawkwardanddiscomposingdramaticexhibitionofembarrassment，shebegantowipeherhandsonherdress，andsatsilent。
"Iunderstand，"saidthelawyerhastily。"Nomatter——theconditionsWEREfulfilled。"
"No！"saidPegamazedly。"Howcouldtheybeuntilhewasdead？"
Itwasthelawyer’sturntocolorandgrowembarrassed。
"HeDIDsaysomething，andmakesomeconditions，"continuedPeg，withacertainfirmnessthroughherawkwardness;"butthat’snobody’sbusinessbutmineandhis’n。Andit’snocallo’yoursortheirs。"
"But，mydearMissMoffat，iftheseveryconditionswereproofsofhisrightmind，yousurelywouldnotobjecttomakethemknown，ifonlytoenableyoutoputyourselfinaconditiontocarrythemout。"
"But，"saidPegcunningly，"s’poseyouandtheCourtdidn’tthink’emsatisfactory？S’poseyouthought’emQUEER？Eh？"
Withthishelplesslimitationonthepartofthedefence，thecasecametotrial。Everybodyremembersit，——howforsixweeksitwasthedailyfoodofCalaverasCounty;howforsixweekstheintellectualandmoralandspiritualcompetencyofMr。JamesBywaystodisposeofhispropertywasdiscussedwithlearnedandformalobscurityinthecourt，andwithunletteredandindependentprejudicebycamp-firesandinbar-rooms。Attheendofthattime，whenitwaslogicallyestablishedthatatleastnine-tenthsofthepopulationofCalaveraswereharmlesslunatics，andeverybodyelse’sreasonseemedtototteronitsthrone，anexhaustedjurysuccumbedonedaytothepresenceofPeginthecourt-room。Itwasnotaprepossessingpresenceatanytime;buttheexcitement，andaninjudiciousattempttoornamentherself，broughtherdefectsintoaglaringreliefthatwasalmostunreal。Everyfreckleonherfacestoodoutandasserteditselfsingly;herpaleblueeyes，thatgavenoindicationofherforceofcharacter，wereweakandwandering，orstaredblanklyatthejudge;herover-sizedhead，broadatthebase，terminatinginthescantiestpossiblelight-
coloredbraidinthemiddleofhernarrowshoulders，wasashardanduninterestingasthewoodenspheresthattoppedtherailingagainstwhichshesat。
Thejury，whoforsixweekshadhadherdescribedtothembytheplaintiffsasanarch，wilyenchantress，whohadsappedthefailingreasonofJimByways，revoltedtoaman。Therewassomethingsoappallinglygratuitousinherplainness，thatitwasfeltthatthreemillionswasscarcelyacompensationforit。"Efthatmoneywasgivetoher，sheearneditSURE，boys：itwasn’tnosoftnessoftheoldman，"saidtheforeman。Whenthejuryretired，itwasfeltthatshehadclearedhercharacter：whentheyre-enteredtheroomwiththeirverdict，itwasknownthatshehadbeenawardedthreemillionsdamagesforitsdefamation。
Shegotthemoney。Butthosewhohadconfidentlyexpectedtoseehersquanderitweredisappointed：onthecontrary，itwaspresentlywhisperedthatshewasexceedinglypenurious。Thatadmirablewoman，Mrs。StiverofRedDog，whoaccompaniedhertoSanFranciscotoassistherinmakingpurchases，wasloudinherindignation。"ShecaresmorefortwobitsthanIdoforfivedollars。Shewouldn’tbuyanythingatthe’CityofParis，’becauseitwas’tooexpensive，’andatlastriggedherselfout，aperfectguy，atsomecheapslop-shopsinMarketStreet。AndafterallthecareJaneandmetookofher，givingupourtimeandexperiencetoher，sheneversomuchasmadeJaneasinglepresent。"Popularopinion，whichregardedMrs。Stiver’sattentionaspurelyspeculative，wasnotshockedatthisunprofitabledenouement;butwhenPegrefusedtogiveanythingtoclearthemortgageoffthenewPresbyterianChurch，andevendeclinedtotakesharesintheUnionDitch，consideredbymanyasanequallysacredandsafeinvestment，shebegantolosefavor。Nevertheless，sheseemedtobeasregardlessofpublicopinionasshehadbeenbeforethetrial;tookasmallhouse，inwhichshelivedwithanoldwomanwhohadoncebeenafellow-servant，onapparentlytermsofperfectequality，andlookedafterhermoney。IwishIcouldsaythatshedidthisdiscreetly;butthefactis，sheblundered。Thesamedoggedpersistencyshehaddisplayedinclaimingherrightswasvisibleinherunsuccessfulventures。Shesunktwohundredthousanddollarsinaworn-outshaftoriginallyprojectedbythedeceasedtestator;
sheprolongedthemiserableexistenceof"TheRockvilleVanguard"
longafterithadceasedtointerestevenitsenemies;shekeptthedoorsoftheRockvilleHotelopenwhenitscustomhaddeparted;shelosttheco-operationandfavorofafellow-capitalistthroughatriflingmisunderstandinginwhichshewasderelictandimpenitent;
shehadthreelawsuitsonherhandsthatcouldhavebeensettledforatrifle。Inotethesedefectstoshowthatshewasbynomeansaheroine。IquoteheraffairwithJackFolinsbeetoshowshewasscarcelytheaveragewoman。
Thathandsome，gracelessvagabondhadstrucktheoutskirtsofRedDoginacycloneofdissipationwhichlefthimastrandedbutstillratherinterestingwreckinaruinouscabinnotfarfromPegMoffat’svirginbower。Pale，crippledfromexcesses，withavoicequitetremulousfromsympatheticemotionmoreorlessdevelopedbystimulants，helingeredlanguidly，withmuchtimeonhishands，andonlyafewneighbors。Inthisfascinatingkindofgeneraldeshabilleofmorals，dress，andtheemotions，heappearedbeforePegMoffat。Morethanthat，heoccasionallylimpedwithherthroughthesettlement。ThecriticaleyeofRedDogtookinthesingularpair，——Jack，voluble，suffering，apparentlyovercomebyremorse，conscience，vituperation，anddisease;andPeg，open-
mouthed，high-colored，awkward，yetdelighted;andthecriticaleyeofRedDog，seeingthis，winkedmeaninglyatRockville。Nooneknewwhatpassedbetweenthem;butallobservedthatonesummerdayJackdrovedownthemainstreetofRedDoginanopenbuggy，withtheheiressofthattownbesidehim。Jack，albeitatrifleshaky，heldthereinswithsomethingofhisolddash;andMistressPeggy，inanenormousbonnetwithpearl-coloredribbonsashadedarkerthanherhair，holdinginhershort，pink-glovedfingersabouquetofyellowroses，absolutelyglowedcrimsonindistressfulgratificationoverthedash-board。Sothesetwofaredon，outofthebusysettlement，intothewoods，againsttherosysunset。
Possiblyitwasnotaprettypicture：nevertheless，asthedimaislesofthesolemnpinesopenedtoreceivethem，minersleanedupontheirspades，andmechanicsstoppedintheirtoiltolookafterthem。ThecriticaleyeofRedDog，perhapsfromthesun，perhapsfromthefactthatithaditselfoncebeenyounganddissipated，tookonakindlymoistureasitgazed。
Themoonwashighwhentheyreturned。ThosewhohadwaitedtocongratulateJackonthisnearprospectofafavorablechangeinhisfortuneswerechagrinedtofind，that，havingseentheladysafehome，hehadhimselfdepartedfromRedDog。NothingwastobegainedfromPeg，who，onthenextdayandensuingdays，kepttheeventenorofherway，sunkathousandortwomoreinunsuccessfulspeculation，andmadenochangeinherhabitsofpersonaleconomy。
Weekspassedwithoutanyapparentsequeltothisromanticidyl。
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