CONTENTS

COLONELSTARBOTTLE’SCLIENT

THEPOSTMISTRESSOFLAURELRUN

ANIGHTAT"HAYS"

JOHNSON’S"OLDWOMAN"

THENEWASSISTANTATPINECLEARINGSCHOOL

INAPIONEERRESTAURANT

ATREASUREOFTHEGALLEON

OUTOFAPIONEER’STRUNK

THEGHOSTSOFSTUKELEYCASTLE

COLONELSTARBOTTLE’SCLIENT。

CHAPTERI。

Itmayberememberedthatitwasthehabitofthatgallant"war-

horse"oftheCalaverasdemocracy，ColonelStarbottle，atthecloseofapoliticalcampaign，toreturntohisoriginalprofessionoftheLaw。Perhapsitcouldnotbecalledapeacefulretirement。

Thesamefiery-tonguedeloquenceandfull-breastedchivalrywhichhadinturnsthrilledandoverawedfreemenatthepollswerenolessfervidandembattledbeforeajury。YettheColonelwascounselfortwoorthreepastoralDitchcompaniesandcertainbucoliccorporations，andalthoughhemanagedtoimportintothesimplestquestionofcontractmoreorlessabuseofopposingcounsel，andoccasionallymingledprecedentsoflawwithantecedentsofhisadversary，hislegalvictorieswereseldomcomplicatedbybloodshed。Hewasonlyonceshotatbyafree-handedjudge，andtwiceassaultedbyanover-sensitivelitigant。Nevertheless，itwasthoughtmerelyprudent，whilepreparingthepapersinthewellknowncaseof"TheArcadianShepherds’AssociationofTuolumneversustheKedronVineandFigTreeGrowersofCalaveras，"thattheColonelshouldseekwithashotguntheseclusionofhispartner’slawofficeinthesylvanoutskirtsofRoughandReadyforthatcompleterestandseriouspreoccupationwhichMarysvillecouldnotafford。

Itwasanexceptionallyhotday。Thepaintedshinglesoftheplainwoodenone-storiedbuildinginwhichtheColonelsatwerewarpedandblisteringinthedirectraysofthefierce，untemperedsun。

Thetinsignbearingthedazzlinglegend，"StarbottleandBungstarter，AttorneysandCounselors，"glowedwithaninsufferablelight；thetwopine-treesstillleftintheclearingaroundthehouse，ineffectiveasshade，seemedonlytohaveabsorbedtheday-

longheatthrougheveryscorchedandcrisptwigandfibre，toradiateitagainwiththepungentsmellofaslowlysmoulderingfire；theairwasmotionlessyetvibratinginthesunlight；ondistantshallowsthehalf-driedriverwasflashingandintolerable。

Seatedinawoodenarmchairbeforeatablecoveredwithbooksandpapers，yetwiththatapparentlyhaughtyattitudetowardsitaffectedbygentlemenofabdominalfullness，ColonelStarbottlesupportedhimselfwithonehandgraspingthearmofhischairandtheothervigorouslyplyingahugepalm-leaffan。Hewasperspiringfreely。Hehadtakenoffhischaracteristicbluefrock-coat，waistcoat，cravat，andcollar，and，strippedonlytohisruffledshirtandwhitedrilltrousers，presentedtheappearancefromtheoppositesideofthetableofhavinghastilyrisentoworkinhisnightgown。Aglasswithathinsedimentofsugarandlemon-peelremaininginitstoodnearhiselbow。Suddenlyablackshadowfellonthestaring，uncarpetedhall。Itwasthatofastrangerwhohadjustenteredfromthenoiselessdustofthedesertedroad。TheColonelcastarapidglanceathissword-cane，whichlayonthetable。

Butthestranger，althoughsallowandmorose-looking，wasevidentlyofpacificintent。Hepausedonthethresholdinakindofsurlyembarrassment。

"IreckonthisisColonelStarbottle，"hesaidatlast，glancinggloomilyroundhim，asiftheinterviewwasnotentirelyofhisownseeking。"Well，I’veseenyouoftenenough，thoughyoudon’tknowme。Myname’sJoCorbin。Iguess，"headded，stilldiscontentedly，"Ihavetoconsultyouaboutsomething。"

"Corbin？"repeatedtheColonelinhisjauntiestmanner。"Ah！AnyrelationtooldMajeCorbinofNashville，sir？"

"No，"saidthestrangerbriefly。"I’mfromShelbyville。"

"TheMajor，"continuedtheColonel，halfclosinghiseyesasiftofollowtheMajorintothedreamypast，"theoldMajor，sir，amatteroffiveorsixyearsago，wasoneofmymostintimatepoliticalfriends，——infact，sir，mymostintimatefriend。Takeachyar！"

Butthestrangerhadalreadytakenone，andduringtheColonel’sreminiscencehadleanedforward，withhiseyesontheground，discontentedlyswinginghissofthatbetweenhislegs。"DidyouknowTomFrisbee，ofYolo？"heaskedabruptly。

"Er——no。"

"NorevenheardanythingaboutFrisbee，norwhathappenedtohim？"

continuedtheman，withaggrievedmelancholy。

InpointoffacttheColoneldidnotthinkthathehad。

"NoranythingabouthisbeingkilledoveratFresno？"saidthestranger，withadespondingimplicationthattheinterviewafterallwasafailure。

"If——er——ifyoucould——er——givemeahintortwo，"suggestedtheColonelblandly。

"Therewasn’tmuch，"saidthestranger，"ifyoudon’tremember。"

Hepaused，thenrising，hegloomilydraggedhischairslowlybesidethetable，andtakingupapaperweightexamineditwithheavydissatisfaction。"Yousee，"hewentonslowly，"Ikilledhim——itwasaquo’ll。Hewasmypardner，butIreckonhemusthavedrovemehard。Yes，sir，"headdedwithaggrievedreflection，"Ireckonhedrovemehard。"

TheColonelsmiledcourteously，slightlyexpandinghischestunderthehomicidalrelation，asif，havingtakenitinandmadeitapartofhimself，hewasready，ifnecessary，tobecomepersonallyresponsibleforit。Thenliftinghisemptyglasstothelight，helookedatitwithhalfclosedeyes，inpoliteimitationofhiscompanion’sexaminationofthepaper-weight，andsetitdownagain。

Acasualspectatorfromthewindowmighthaveimaginedthatthetwowereengagedinanamicableinventoryofthefurniture。

"Andthe——er——actualcircumstances？"askedtheColonel。

"Oh，itwasfairenoughfight。THEY’LLtellyouthat。AndsowouldHE，Ireckon——ifhecould。Hewasuglyandbedev’lin’，butI

didn’tcaretoquo’ll，andgivehimthego-byallthetime。Hekepton，followedmeoutoftheshanty，drew，andfiredtwice。

I"——hestoppedandregardedhishatamomentasifitwasacorroboratingwitness——"I——Iclosedwithhim——Ihadto——itwasmyonlychance，andthatendedit——andwithhisownrevolver。Ineverdrewmine。"

"Isee，"saidtheColonel，nodding，"clearlyjustifiableandhonorableasregardsthecode。Andyouwishmetodefendyou？"

Thestranger’sgloomyexpressionofastonishmentnowturnedtoblankhopelessness。

"Iknewyoudidn’tunderstand，"hesaid，despairingly。"Why，allTHATwasTWOYEARSAGO。It’sallsettledanddoneandgone。Thejuryfoundformeattheinquest。Itain’tTHATIwanttoseeyouabout。It’ssomethingarisingoutofit。"

"Ah，"saidtheColonel，affably，"avendetta，perhaps。Somefriendorrelationofhistakenupthequarrel？"

ThestrangerlookedabstractedlyatStarbottle。"Youthinkarelationmight；orwouldfeelinthatsortofway？"

"Why，blankitall，sir，"saidtheColonel，"nothingismorecommon。Why，in’52oneofmyoldestfriends，DoctorByrne，ofSt。

Jo，theseventhinalinefromoldGeneralByrne，ofSt。Louis，waskilled，sir，byPinkeyRiggs，seventhinalinefromSenatorRiggs，ofKentucky。Originalcause，sir，somethingaboutad————droastingear，orablankpersimmonin1832；forty-sevenmenwipedoutintwentyyears。Fact，sir。"

"Itain’tthat，"saidthestranger，movinghesitatinglyinhischair。"IfitwasanythingofthatsortIwouldn’tmind，——itmightbringmatterstoawind-up，andIshouldn’thavetocomehereandhavethiscursedtalkwithyou。"

Itwassoevidentthatthisfrankandunaffectedexpressionofsomeobscuredisgustwithhisownpresentpositionhadnootherimplication，thattheColoneldidnotexcepttoit。Yetthemandidnotgoon。Hestoppedandseemedlostinsombrecontemplationofhishat。

TheColonelleanedbackinhischair，fannedhimselfelegantly，wipedhisforeheadwithalargepongeehandkerchief，andlookingathiscompanion，whoseshadowedabstractionseemedtorenderhimimpervioustotheheat，said：——

"MydearMr。Corbin，Iperfectlyunderstandyou。Blankitall，sir，thetemperatureinthisinfernalholeisquiteenoughtorenderanyconfidentialconversationbetweengentlemenupondelicatemattersutterlyimpossible。It’salmostasnearHades，sir，astheymakeit，——asItrustyouandI，Mr。Corbin，willeverexperience。Ipropose，"continuedtheColonel，withairygeniality，"somelightchangeandrefreshment。Thebar-keeperoftheMagnoliais——er——Imaysay，sir，facileprincepsintheconcoctionofmintjuleps，andthereisabackroomwhereIhaveoccasionallyconferredwithpoliticalleadersatelectiontime。Itisbutastep，sir——infact，onMainStreet——roundthecorner。"

ThestrangerlookedupandthenrosemechanicallyastheColonelresumedhiscoatandwaistcoat，butnothiscollarandcravat，whichlaylimpanddejectedamonghispapers。Then，shelteringhimselfbeneathalarge-brimmedPanamahat，andhookinghiscaneonhisarm，heledtheway，faninhand，intotheroad，tiptoeinginhistight，polishedbootsthroughthered，impalpabledustwithhisusualjauntymanner，yetnotwithoutaprofanesuggestionofburningploughshares。Thestrangerstrodeinsilencebyhissideintheburningsun，impenetrableinhisownmoroseshadow。

ButtheMagnoliawasfragrant，likeitsnamesake，withmintandherbalodors，coolwithsprinkledfloors，andsparklingwithbrokeniceonitscounters，likedewdropsonwhite，unfoldedpetals——andslightlysoporificwiththesubduedmurmurofdroningloungers，whowereheavywithitssweets。ThegallantColonelnoddedwithconfidentialaffabilitytothespotless-shirtedbar-keeper，andthentakingCorbinbythearmfraternallyconductedhimintoasmallapartmentintherearofthebar-room。Itwasevidentlyusedastheofficeoftheproprietor，andcontainedaplaindesk，table，andchairs。Attherearwindow，Nature，notentirelyevicted，lookedinwithafewstragglingbuckeyesandadustymyrtle，overthebodyofalately-felledpine-tree，thatflauntedfromanupflungbranchastillgreensprayasifitwereadroopingbannerliftedbyadeadbutrigidarm。Fromtheadjoiningroomthefaint，monotonousclickofbilliardballs，languidlyplayed，cameatintervalslikethedrynotesofcicaleinthebushes。

Thebar-keeperbroughttwoglassescrownedwithmintanddiademedwithbrokenice。TheColoneltookalongpullathisportion，andleanedbackinhischairwithablandgulpofsatisfactionanddreamilypatienteyes。Thestrangermechanicallysippedthecontentsofhisglass，andthen，withouthavingalteredhisreluctantexpression，drewfromhisbreast-pocketanumberofoldletters。Holdingthemdisplayedinhisfingerslikeadifficulthandofcards，andwithsomethingoftheairofadispiritedplayer，hebegan：——

"Yousee，aboutsixmonthsafterthisyertroubleIgotthisletter。"Hepickedoutawellworn，badlywrittenmissive，andputitintoColonelStarbottle’shands，risingatthesametimeandleaningoverhimasheread。"Yousee，shethatwrititsaysashowshehadn’theardfromhersonforalongtime，butowingtohishavingspokenonceaboutME，shewasemboldenedtowriteandaskmeifIknewwhathadgoneofhim。"Hewaspointinghisfingerateachlineoftheletterashereadit，orratherseemedtotranslateitfrommemorywithasadfamiliarity。"Now，"hecontinuedinparenthesis，"youseethiskindo’gotme。IknewhehadgotrelativesinKentucky。Iknewthatallthistroublehadbeenputinthepaperwithhisnameandmine，butthisherenameofMarthaJeffcourtatthebottomdidn’tseemtojibewithit。ThenI

rememberedthathehadleftalotoflettersinhistrunkintheshanty，andIlooked’emover。AndIfoundthathisnameWASTomJeffcourt，andthathe’dbeenpassin’underthenameofFrisbeeallthistime。"

"Perfectlynaturalandafrequentoccurrence，"interposedtheColonelcheerfully。"OnlylastyearImetanoldfriendwhomwe’llcallStidger，ofNewOrleans，attheUnionClub，’Frisco。’Howareyou，Stidger？’Isaid；’Ihaven’tseenyousinceweusedtomeet——

drivingovertheShellRoadin’53。’’Excuseme，sir，’saidhe，’mynameisnotStidger，it’sBrown。’Ilookedhimintheeye，sir，andsawhimquiver。’ThenImustapologizetoStidger，’I

said，’forsupposinghimcapableofchanginghisname。’Hecametomeanhourafter，allinatremble。’ForGod’ssake，Star，’hesaid，——alwayscalledmeStar，——’don’tgobackonme，butyouknowfamilyaffairs——anotherwoman，beautifulcreature，’etc。，etc。，——

yes，sir，perfectlycommon，butablankmistake。Whenamanoncefunkshisownnamehe’llturntailonanything。Sorryforthisman，Friezecoat，orTurncoat，orwhatever’shisd————dname；butit’sso。"

Thesuggestiondidnot，however，seemtoraisethestranger’sspiritsoralterhismanner。"HisnamewasJeffcourt，andthisherewashismother，"hewentondrearily；"andyouseehereshesays"——pointingtotheletteragain——"she’sbeenexpectingmoneyfromhimanditdon’tcome，andshe’smightyhardup。Andthatgavemeanidea。Idon’tknow，"hewenton，regardingtheColonelwithgloomydoubt，"asyou’llthinkitwasmuch；Idon’tknowasyouwouldn’tcallitad————dfoolidea，butIgotitallthesame。"Hestopped，hesitated，andwenton。"Youseethisman，FrisbeeorJeffcourt，wasmypardner。Weweregoodfriendsuptothekilling，andthenhedrovemehard。IthinkItoldyouhedrovemehard，——didn’tI？Well，hedid。ButtheideaIgotwasthis。Considerin’Ikilledhimafterall，andsotospeakdisappointedthem，IreckonedI’dtakeuponmyselfthecareofthatfamilyandsend’emmoneyeverymonth。"

TheColonelslightlystraitenedhisclean-shavenmouth。"Akindofexpiationoramercementbyfine，knowntotheMosaic，Roman，andoldEnglishlaw。Gad，sir，theJewsmighthavemadeyouMARRYhiswidoworsister。Anoldcustom，andIthinksuperseded——sir，properlysuperseded——bythealternativeofordealbybattleinthemediaevaltimes。Idon’tmyselffancythesepecuniaryfashionsofsettlingwrongs，——butgoon。"

"Iwroteher，"continuedCorbin，"thathersonwasdead，butthatheandmehadsomeintereststogetherinaclaim，andthatIwasverygladtoknowwheretosendherwhatwouldbehisshareeverymonth。IthoughtitnousetotellherIkilledhim，——maybeshemightrefusetotakeit。Isentherahundreddollarseverymonthsince。Sometimesit’sbeenprettyhardsleddin’todoit，forI

ain’trich；sometimesI’vehadtoborrowthemoney，butIreckonedthatIwasonlypayingformyshareinthisherebusinessofhisbein’dead，andIdidit。"

"AndIunderstandyouthatthisJeffcourtreallyhadnointerestinyourclaim？"

Corbinlookedathimindullastonishment。"Notacent，ofcourse；

IthoughtItoldyouthat。Butthatweren’thisfault，forheneverhadanything，andowedmemoney。Infact，"headdedgloomily，"itwasbecauseIhadn’tanymoretogivehim——havin’

soldmywatchforgrub——thathequo’lledwithmethatday，andupandcalledmea’sneakin’Yankeehound。’Itoldyouhedrovemehard。"

TheColonelcoughedslightlyandresumedhisjauntymanner。"Andthe——er——motherwas，ofcourse，gratefulandsatisfied？"

"Well，no，——notexactly。"Hestoppedagainandtookuphislettersoncemore，sortedandarrangedthemasiftoplayouthisunfinishedbuthopelesshand，anddrawingoutanother，laiditbeforetheColonel。"Yousee，thisMrs。Jeffcourt，afteratime，reckonedsheoughttohaveMOREmoneythanIsenther，andwrotesayingthatshehadalwaysunderstoodfromherson（hethatneverwrotebutonceayear，remember）thatthisclaimofours（thatsheneverknewof，youknow）waspayingmuchmorethanIsenther——andshewantedareturnofaccountsandpapers，orshe’dwritetosomelawyer，mightyquick。Well，Ireckonedthatallthiswasnaturallyinthelineofmytrouble，andIDIDmanagetoscrapetogetherfiftydollarsmorefortwomonthsandsentit。Butthatdidn’tseemtosatisfyher——asyousee。"HedealtColonelStarbottleanotherletterfromhisbalefulhandwithanunchangedface。"WhenIgotthat，——well，Ijustupandtoldherthewholething。Isenthertheaccountofthefightfromthenewspapers，andtoldherashowhersonwastheFrisbeethatwasmypardner，andhowheneverhadacentintheworld——buthowI’dgotthatideatohelpher，andwaswillingtocarryitoutaslongasIcould。"

"Didyoukeepacopyofthatletter？"askedtheColonel，straiteninghismask-likemouth。

"No，"saidCorbinmoodily。"Whatwasthegood？Iknow’dshe’dgottheletter，——andshedid，——forthatiswhatshewroteback。"HelaidanotherletterbeforetheColonel，whohastilyreadafewlinesandthenbroughthisfatwhitehandviolentlyonthedesk。

"Why，d——nitall，sir，thisisBLACKMAIL！AsinfamousacaseofthreateningandchantageasIeverheardof。"

"Well，"saidCorbin，dejectedly，"Idon’tknow。YouseesheallowsthatImurderedFrisbeetogetholdofhisclaim，andthatI’mtryingtobuyheroff，andthatifIdon’tcomedownwithtwentythousanddollarsonthenail，andnotesfortherest，she’llprosecuteme。Well，mebbethethinglookstoherlikethat——mebbeyouknowI’vegottoshoulderthattoo。Perhapsit’sallinthesameline。"

ColonelStarbottleforamomentregardedCorbincritically。Inspiteofhischivalrousattitudetowardsthehomicidalfaculty，theColonelwasnotoptimisticinregardtothebaserpecuniaryinterestsofhisfellow-man。Itwasquiteonthecardsthathiscompanionmighthavemurderedhispartnertogetpossessionoftheclaim。ItwastruethatCorbinhadvoluntarilyassumedanunrecordedandhithertounknownresponsibilitythathadneverbeenevensuspected，andwasvirtuallyself-imposed。Butthatmighthavebeentheusualoneunerringblunderofcriminalsagacityandforethought。Itwasequallytruethathedidnotlookoractlikeameanmurderer；butthatwasnothing。However，therewasnoevidenceofthesereflectionsintheColonel’sface。Ratherhesuddenlybeamedwithanexcessofpoliteness。"Wouldyou——er——

mind，Mr。Corbin，whilstIamgoingoverthoselettersagain，to——

er——stepacrosstomyoffice——and——er——bringmethecopyof’Wood’sDigest’thatliesonmytable？Itwillsavesometime。"

Thestrangerrose，asiftheservicewaspartofhisself-imposedtrouble，andasequallyhopelesswiththerest，andtakinghishatdepartedtoexecutethecommission。AssoonashehadleftthebuildingColonelStarbottleopenedthedoorandmysteriouslybeckonedthebar-keeperwithin。

"DoyourememberanythingofthekillingofamannamedFrisbeeoverinFresnothreeyearsago？"

Thebar-keeperwhistledmeditatively。"Threeyearsago——Frisbee？——

Fresno？——no？Yes——butthatwasonlyoneofhisnames。HewasJackWalkeroverhere。Yes——andbyJove！thatfellerthatwasherewithyoukilledhim。Darnmyskin，butIthoughtIrecognizedhim。"

"Yes，yes，Iknowallthat，"saidtheColonel，impatiently。"ButdidFrisbeehaveanyPROPERTY？Didhehaveanymeansofhisown？"

"Property？"echoedthebar-keeperwithscornfulincredulity。

"Property？Means？Theonlypropertyandmeansheeverhadwasthefreelunchesordrinkshetookinatsomebodyelse’sexpense。Why，theonlychanceheeverhadofearningasquaremealwaswhenthatfellowthatwaswithyoujustnowtookhimupandmadehimhispartner。AndtheonlywayHEcouldgetridofhimwastokillhim！

AndIdidn’tthinkhehaditinhim。Ratheraqueerkindo’chap，——

gooddealofhayseedabouthim。Showedupattheinquestsoglumandorkerdthatiftheboyshadn’tmadeuptheirmindsthisyerFrisbeeORTERBEENkilled——itmighthavegonehardwithhim。"

"Mr。Corbin，"saidColonelStarbottle，withapainedbutunmistakablehauteurandasingularelevationofhisshirtfrill，asifithadbecomeofitsownaccorderectile，"Mr。Corbin——er——

er——isthedistantrelativeofoldMajorCorbin，ofNashville——er——

oneofmyoldestpoliticalfriends。WhenMr。Corbin——er——returns，youcanconducthimtome。And，ifyouplease，replenishtheglasses。"

Whenthebar-keeperrespectfullyshowedMr。Corbinand"Wood’sDigest"intotheroomagain，theColonelwasstillbeamingandapologetic。

"Athousandthanks，sir，butexcepttoSHOWyouthelawifyourequireit——hardlynecessary。Ihave——er——glancedoverthewoman’slettersagain；itwouldbebetter，perhaps，ifyouhadkeptcopiesofyourown——butstillthesetellthewholestoryandYOUROWN。

Theclaimispreposterous！Youhavesimplytodropthewholething。Stopyourremittances，stopyourcorrespondence，——paynoheedtoanyfurtherlettersandwaitresults。Youneedfearnothingfurther，sir；Istakemyprofessionalreputationonit。"

ThegloomofthestrangerseemedonlytoincreaseastheColonelreachedhistriumphantconclusion。

"Ireckonedyou’dsaythat，"hesaidslowly，"butitwon’tdo。I

shallgoonpayingasfarasIcan。It’smytroubleandI’llseeitthrough。"

"But，mydearsir，consider，"gaspedtheColonel。"Youareinthehandsofaninfamousharpy，whoisusingherson’sbloodtoextractmoneyfromyou。Youhavealreadypaidadozentimesmorethanthelifeofthatd————dsneakwasworth；andmorethanthat——thelongeryoukeeponpayingyouarehelpingtogivecolortotheirclaimandestoppingyourowndefense。AndGad，sir，you’remakingaprecedentforthissortofthing！youareofferingapremiumtowidowsandorphans。Agentlemanwon’tbeabletoexchangeshotswithanotherwithoutmakinghimselfliablefordamages。Iamwillingtoadmitthatyourfeelings——though，inmyopinion——er——

exaggerated——doyoucredit；butIamsatisfiedthattheyareutterlymisunderstood——sir。"

"Notbyallofthem，"saidCorbindarkly。

"Eh？"returnedtheColonelquickly。

"TherewasanotherletterherewhichIdidn’tparticularlypointouttoyou，"saidCorbin，takingupthelettersagain，"forI

reckoneditwasn’tevidence，sotospeak，beingfromHISCOUSIN，agirl，——andcalculatedyou’dreaditwhenIwasout。"

TheColonelcoughedhastily。"Iwasinfact——er——justabouttoglanceoveritwhenyoucamein。"

"Itwaswritten，"continuedCorbin，selectingalettermorebethumbedthantheothers，"aftertheoldwomanhadthreatenedme。

Thishereyoungwomanallowsthatsheissorrythatheraunthastotakemoneyofmeonaccountofhercousinbeingkilled，andsheisstillsorrierthatsheissobitteragainstme。Shesaysshehadn’tseenhercousinsincehewasaboy，andusedtoplaywithher，andthatshefindsithardtobelievethatheshouldevergrowuptochangehisnameandactsoastoprovokeanybodytoliftahandagainsthim。ShesaysshesupposeditmustbesomethinginthatdreadfulCaliforniathatalterspeopleandmakeseverybodysoreckless。Ireckonherhead’slevelthere，ain’tit？"

Therewassuchasuddenandunexpectedlighteningoftheman’sfaceashesaidit，suchamomentaryrelieftohispersistentgloom，thattheColonel，albeitinwardlydissentingfrombothletterandcomment，smiledcondescendingly。

"She’snoslouchofascribeneither，"continuedCorbinanimatedly。

"Readthat。"

Hehandedhiscompaniontheletter，pointingtoapassagewithhisfinger。TheColoneltookitwith，Ifear，asomewhatloweredopinionofhisclient，andanewtheoryofthecase。Itwasevidentthatthisweaksubmissiontotheaunt’sconspiracywasonlytheresultofagreaterweaknessfortheniece。ColonelStarbottlehadawholesomedistrustofthesexasabusinessorpoliticalfactor。Hebegantolookovertheletter，butwasevidentlyslurringitwithsuperficialpoliteness，whenCorbinsaid：——

"Readitoutloud。"

TheColonelslightlyliftedhisshoulders，fortifiedhimselfwithanothersipofthejulep，and，leaningback，oratoricallybegantoread，——thestrangerleaningoverhimandfollowinglinebylinewithshiningeyes。

"’WhenIsayIamsorryforyou，itisbecauseIthinkitmustbedreadfulforyoutobegoingroundwiththebloodofafellow-

creatureonyourhands。ItmustbeawfulforyouinthestillnessofthenightseasontohearthevoiceoftheLordsaying，"Cain，whereisthybrother？"andyousaying，"Lord，Ihaveslayedhimdead。"Itmustbeawfulforyouwhentheprideofyourwrathwassurfitted，andhisdumsenselesscorpswasbeforeyou，nottoknowthatitiswritten，"Vengeanceismine，Iwillrepay，"saiththeLord……Itwasnouseforyoutosay，"Ineverheardthatbefore，"rememberingyourteacherandparents。YetverilyIsayuntoyou，"Thoughyoursinsbeasscarlet，theyshallbewashedwhiterthansnow，"saiththeLord——Isaiahi。18；and"HearthathnosorrowthatHeavencannotheal。"——Myhymnbook，1stPresbyterianChurch，page79。Mr。Corbin，Ipityyourfeelinsatthegraveofmyporedearcousin，knowingheisbeforehisMaker，andyoucan’tbringhimback。’Umph！——er——er——verygood——verygoodindeed，"saidtheColonel，hastilyrefoldingtheletter。"Verywellmeaningand——

er"——

"Goon，"saidCorbinoverhisshoulder，"youhaven’treadall。"

"Ah，true。IperceiveIoverlookedsomething。Um——um。’MayGodforgiveyou，Mr。Corbin，asIdo，andmakeauntythinkbetterofyou，foritwasgoodwhatyoutriedtodoforherandthefammely，andI’vealwayssaiditwhenshewasragingroundandwantingmoneyofyou。Idon’tbelieveyoumeanttodoitanyway，owin’toyourkindnessofhearttotheophanlessandthewidowsinceyoudidit。

Anserthisletter，anddon’tmindwhatauntysays。Sonomoreatpresentfrom——Yoursveryrespectfully，SALLYDOWS。

"’P。S。——There’sbeensometroubelinourtownship，andsomefitin’。MaytheLordchangetherheartsandmakethemasalittlechild，forifyouarestillyoungyoumaygrowupdifferent。I

havewritashortprayerforyoutosayeverynight。Youcancoppyitoutandputitattheheadofyourbed。Itisthis：OLordmakemesorryforhavingkilledSarahDows’cousin。Giveme，OLord，thatpeacethattheworldcannotgive，andwhichfadethnotaway；

formyyokeisheavy，andmyburdenisharderthanIcanbear。’"

TheColonel’sdeliberatevoicestopped。Therewasasilenceintheroom，andtheairseemedstifling。Theclickofthebilliardballscamedistinctlythroughthepartitionfromtheotherroom。Thentherewasanotherclick，astamponthefloor，andavoicecryingcoarsely："Curseitall——missedagain！"

Tothestranger’sastonishment，theColonelwasonhisfeetinaninstant，gaspingwithinarticulaterage。Flingingthedooropen，heconfrontedthestartledbar-keeperempurpledandstertorous。

"Blankitall，sir，doyoucallthisasaloonforgentlemen，oracorralforswearingcattle？Ordoyoumeantosaythattheconversationoftwogentlemenupondelicateprofessional——and——er——

domesticaffairs——istobebrokenuponbytheblankprofanityoflow-bredhoundsovertheirpicayunegambling！Takethemmykyard，sir，"chokedtheColonel，whowasalwaysSouthernanddialecticinhisexcitedasinhissoftestmoments，"andtellthemthatColonelStarbottlewillnevahdyarkenthesedoahsagain。"

Beforetheastonishedbar-keepercouldreply，theColonelhaddashedbackintotheroom，clappedhishatonhishead，andseizedhisbook，letters，andcane。"Mr。Corbin，"hesaidwithgaspingdignity，"Iwilltakethesepapahs，andconsultthemagaininmyownoffice——where，ifyouwilldomethehonor，sir，tocallatteno’clockto-morrow，Iwillgiveyoumyopinion。"Hestrodeoutofthesaloonbesidethehalfawe-stricken，half-amused，yetalldiscreetlysilentloungers，followedbyhiswonderingbutgloomyclient。Atthedoortheyparted，——theColoneltiptoeingtowardshisofficeasifdancingwithrage，thestrangerdarklyploddingthroughthestiflingdustintheoppositedirection，withwhatmighthavebeenafaintsuggestiontohiscounselor，thatthepathsofthehomicidedidnotliebesidethestillcoolwaters。

CHAPTERII。

ThehouseofCaptainMastertonDows，atPineville，Kentucky，wasafinespecimenofSouthernclassicalarchitecture，beinganexactcopyofMajorFauquier’shouseinVirginia，whichwasinturnonlyaslightvariationfromawell-knownstatesman’shistoricalvillainAlabama，thateverybodyknewwasdesignedfromafamousGreektempleonthePiraeus。NotbutthatitsharedthisresemblancewiththeCountyCourtHouseandtheOddFellows’Hall，buttheadditionoftrainingjessamineandCherokeerosetothecolumnsoftheportico，andoverthecolonnadeleadingtoitsoffices，showedacertaindomesticdistinction。Andtheskylineofitsincongruouslyhighroofwaspleasantlybrokenagainstadjacentgreenpines，butternut，anddarkercypress。

Anearerapproachshowedthestuccoedgateposts——whoseredbrickcorewasrevealedthroughthedroppingplaster——openinginawallofhalf-roughstone，half-woodenpalisade，equallycoveredwithshiningmossandparasiticalvines，whichhidatangledgardenlefttoitsownunkemptluxuriance。Yettherewasareminiscenceofpastformalityandevenpretentiousnessinawidebox-borderedterraceandoneortwostuccoedvasesprematurelywornandtime-

stained；whileseveralrareexoticshad，however，thrivensounwiselyandwellinthatstimulatingsoilastolosetheirexclusiverefinementandacquireacertaintemporaryvulgarity。A

few，withthenotuncommonenthusiasmofaliens，hadadoptedcertainnativepeculiaritieswithazealthatfarexceededanyindigenousperformance。Butdominantthroughallwasthecontinualsuggestionofprecociousfruitionandprematuredecaythatlingeredlikeasadperfumeinthegarden，butmadeitselfpersistentiflesspoeticalinthehouse。

Heretheflutedwoodencolumnsoftheporticoandcolonnadeseemedtohavetakenuponthemselvesasoddenandunwholesomeageunknowntostoneandmortar。Mossandcreeperclungtopaintthattimehadneitherdriednormellowed，butleftstillglairyinitswhiteconsistency。Therewererustyredblotchesaroundinflamednail-

holesintheswollenwood，asofpuncturesinlivingflesh；alongtheentablatureandcornicesandinthedankguttersdecayhadtakentheformofamilddeliquescence；andthepillarswerespottedasifNaturehaddroppedoverthetooearlyruinafewuncleantears。Thehouseitselfwaslifteduponabroadwoodenfoundationpaintedtoimitatemarblewithsuchhopelessmendacitythatthearchitectatthelastmomenthadaddedagreenborder，andtheownerpermittedafallenboardtoremainoffsoastoallowafewprivilegedfowlstoopenlyexploretheinterior。WhenMissSallyDowsplayedthepianointhedrawing-roomshewasattimesaccompaniedbytheupliftedvoiceofthesympathetichoundswhosoughtitsquietretreatinill-healthorlowspirits，andfromwhomshewasseparatedonlybyanimperfectlycarpetedfloorofyawningseams。Theinfantprogenyof"MammyJudy，"anoldnurse，madethisahiding-placefromdomesticjustice，wheretheywereeventuallybetrayedbysubterraneangigglingthathadonceortwicebroughtbashfulconfusiontotheheartsofMissSally’sadmirers，andmischievoussecuritytothatfinishedcoquetteherself。

ItwasapleasantSeptemberafternoon，onpossiblyoneoftheseoccasions，thatMissSally，sittingbeforethepiano，alternatelystrikingafewnoteswiththreepinkfingersandglancingatherreflectioninthepolishedrosewoodsurfaceoftheliftedkeyboardcase，washeardtoutterthislanguidprotest：——

"Quitthatkindoftalk，Chet，unlessyoujustadmiretohaveeverywordofitrepeatedalloverthecounty。ThoselittleniggersofMammyJudy’sarelyingroundsomewhereandaremighty’cute，andsassy，Itellyou。It’snothin’toME，sure，butMissHildamightn’tliketohearofit。Sosoonafteryourparticularattentiontoheratlastnight’spawtytoo。"

Hereafresh-lookingyoungfellowofsix-and-twenty，leaninguneasilyoverthepianofromtheoppositeside，washeardtomurmurthathedidn’tcarewhatMissHildaheard，northewholeworld，forthematterofthat。"But，"headded，withafaintsmile，"folksallowthatyouknowhowtoPLAYUPsometimes，andputontheloudpedal，whenyoudon’twantMammy’sniggerstohear。"

"Indeed，"saidtheyoungladydemurely。"Likethis？"

Sheputoutadistractinglittlefoot，clothedinthewhitestockingandcoolblackprunellaslipperthenderigueurintheState，and，pressingitonthepedal，begantodrumvigorouslyonthekeys。InvaintheamorousChetprotestedinavoicewhichtheinstrumentdrowned。Perceivingwhichtheartfulyoungladyopenedherblueeyesmildlyandsaid：——

"IreckonitISso；itDOESkindofpreventyouhearingwhatyoudon’twanttohear。"

"YouknowwellenoughwhatImean，"saidtheyouthgloomily。"Andthatain’tallthatfolkssay。Theyallowthatyou’redoin’aheaptoomuchcorrespondencewiththatCalifornianroughthatkilledTomJeffcourtoverthere。"

"Dothey？"saidtheyounglady，withaslightcurlofherprettylip。"Thenperhapstheyallowthatifitwasn’tformehewouldn’tbesendingahundreddollarsamonthtoAuntMartha？"

"Yes，"saidthefatuousyouth；"buttheyallowhekilledTomforhismoney。Andtheydosayit’smightyqueerdoin’sinyo’writin’

religiousletterstohim，andTomyourowncousin。"

"Oh，theytellthoseliesHERE，dothey？Butdotheysayanythingabouthow，whenthesameliesweretoldoverinCalifornia，thelawyerthey’vegotoverthere，calledColonelStarbottle，——aSouthernmantoo，——gotupandjustwrotetoAuntMarthathatshe’dbetterquitthataforeshegotprosecuted？Theydidn’ttellyouthat，didthey，MisterChesterBrooks？"

ButheretheunfortunateBrooks，afterthefashionofalljealouslovers，desertedhisalliesforhisfairenemy。"Idon’tcottontowhatTHEYsay，Sally，butyouDOwritetohim，andIdon’tseewhatyou’vegottowriteabout——youandhim。JuleJeffcourtsaysthatwhenyougotreligionatLouisvilleduringtherevival，youfeltyouhadacalltowriteandsavesinners，andyoudidthatasyourtrialandprobation，butthatsinceyoubackslidedandareworldlyagain，andgotoparties，youjustkeepitupforfoolin’andflirtin’！SHEain’tgoin’toweakenonthemanthatshotherbrother，justbecausehe’sgotagoldmineand——amustache！"

"ShetakeshisMONEYallthesame，"saidMissSally。

"SHEdon’t，——hermotherdoes。SHEsaysifshewasamanshe’dhavebloodforblood！"

"My！"saidMissSally，inaffectedconsternation。"It’sawondershedon’tapplytoyoutoactforher。"

"IfitwasMYbrotherhekilled，I’dchallengehimquickenough，"

saidChet，flushingthroughhisthinpinkskinandlighthair。

"Marryher，then，andthat’llmakeyouoneofthefamily。IreckonMissHildacanbearit，"rejoinedtheyoungladypertly。

"Lookhere，MissSally，"saidtheyoungfellowwithaboyishdespairthatwasnotwithoutacertainpathosinitsimpliedinferiority，"Iain’tgiftedlikeyou——Iain’tonyo’levelnohow；

Ican’tpassyo’ontheroad，andsoIreckonImusttakeyo’dustasyo’makeit。Butthereisonething，MissSally，Iwanttotellyou。Youknowwhat’sgoingoninthiscountry，you’veheardyourfathersaywhattheopinionofthebestmenis，andwhat’slikelytohappeniftheYanksforcethatniggerworshiper，Lincoln，ontheSouth。Youknowthatwe’redrawingthelineclosereveryday，andspottin’thementhatain’tsound。Takecare，MissSally，youain’tsellin’uscheaptosomeNorthernAbolitionistwho’dliketosetMarmJudy’slittleniggerstosomethingworsethaneavesdroppingdownthere，andmebbeteach’emtokindleafireunderneathyo’

ownflo’。"

Hehadbecomequitedialecticinhisappeal，asifyouthfullyrevertingtosomeaccentofthenursery，orasifhewereexhortingherinsomerecognizedshibbolethofasection。MissSallyroseandshutdownthepiano。Thenleaningoveritonherelbows，herroundedlittlechinslightlyelevatedwithlanguidimpertinence，andonesaucyfootkickedbackwardsbeyondthehemofherwhitecottonfrock，shesaid："Andletmetellyou，MisterChesterBrooks，thatit’sjustsuchGod-forsaken，infantphenomenonsasyouwhowanttorunthewholecountrythatmakeallthisfuss，whenyouain’tnomorefittobetrustedwithmatchesthanJudy’schildren。

WhatdoYOUknowofMr。JoCorbin，whenyoudon’tevenknowthathe’sfromShelbyville，andasgoodaSuth’nerasyou，andifhehasn’tgotniggersit’sbecausetheydon’tusetheminhisparts？

Yo’rforalltheworldlikeoneo’Mrs。Johnson’sfancybantamsthatain’tquitoftheshellaforetheysquareoffattheirownmother。Mygoodness！Sho！Sho-o-o！"Andsuitingtheactiontothewordtheyounglady，stillindolently，eveninhersimulation，swirledaround，caughtherskirtsatthesidewitheachhand，andlazilyshakingthembeforeherintheacceptedfemininemethodoffrighteningchickensassheretreatedbackwards，droppedthemsuddenlyinaprofoundcurtseyandsweptoutoftheparlor。

Nevertheless，assheenteredthesitting-roomshepausedtolisten，then，goingtothewindow，peepedthroughtheslitsoftheVenetianblindandsawheryouthfuladmirer，moredejectedintheconsciousnessofhiswastedeffortsanduselessattire，mounthisshowyyounghorse，asaimlesslyspiritedashimself，andrideaway。

MissSallydidnotregretthis；neitherhadshebeenentirelysincereinherdefenseofhermysteriouscorrespondent。But，likemanyofhersex，shewastryingtokeepupbytheactivestimulusofoppositionaninterestthatshehadbeguntothinkiflefttoitselfmightwane。ShewasconsciousthathercousinJulia，althoughimpertinentandillogical，wasrightinconsideringherfirstepistolaryadvancestoCorbinasayouthfulconvert’sreligiouszeal。Butnowthathergirlishenthusiasmwasspent，andtherevivalitselfhadprovedasfleetinganexcitementastheold"TournamentofLoveandBeauty，"whichithadsupplanted，shepreferredtobelievethatsheenjoyedthefascinatingimproprietybecauseitwastheactualresultofherreligiousfreedom。PerhapsshehadavagueideathatCorbin’sconversionwouldexpiateherpresentpreferencefordressanddancing。Shehadcertainlyneverflirtedwithhim；theyhadneverexchangedphotographs；therewasnotapassageinhislettersthatmightnothavebeenperusedbyherparents，——which，Ifear，wasprobablyonereasonwhyshehadnevershownhercorrespondence；andbeyondthefactthatthisletter-writinggaveheracertainimportanceinherowneyesandthoseofhercompanions，itmightreallybestopped。Sheeventhoughtofwritingatoncetohimthatherparentsobjectedtoitsfurthercontinuance，butrememberingthathisusualmonthlyletterwasnownearlydue，sheconcludedtowaituntilitcame。

ItistobefearedthatMissSallyhadlittlehelpinthewayoffamilyadvice，andthatthemoraladministrationoftheDowshouseholdwasasprematurelydevelopedandasprecociouslyexhaustedastheestateandmansionthemselves。CaptainDows’

marriagewithJosephineJeffcourt，thedaughterofa"poorwhite，"

hadbeenconsideredamesalliancebyhisfamily，andhisownsister，MirandaDows，hadabandonedherbrother’sroofandrefusedtoassociatewiththeJeffcourts，onlyreturningtothehouseandanarmedneutralityatthedeathofMrs。Dowsafewyearslater。

ShehadtakenchargeofMissSally，sendinghertoschoolatNashvilleuntilshewasrecalledbyherfathertwoyearsago。ItmaybeimaginedthatMissSally’scorrespondencewithJeffcourt’smurdererhadaffordedheramixedsatisfaction；itwasatfirstassertedthatMissSally’sforgivenesswasreallypromptedby"MissMirandy，"asasubtlesarcasmuponthefamily。When，however，thatforgivenessseemedtobecomeasourceofrevenuetotheimpoverishedJeffcourts，herChristianinterferencehaddeclined。

Forthisreason，possibly，theyounggirldidnotseekherauntinthebedroom，thedining-room，orthebusiness-room，whereMissMirandafrequentlyassistedCaptainDowsinthefatuousandprejudicedmismanagementofthehouseandproperty，norinanyofthevacantguest-rooms，which，intheirearlywreckoflatter-daymahoganyandrosewood，seemedtohavebeenunoccupiedforages，butwentdirectlytoherownroom。Thiswasinthe"L，"alatelyaddedwingthathadescapedthegloomyarchitecturaltyrannyofthemainbuilding，andgaveMissSallylight，ventilation，thefreshnessandspiceofnewpineboardsandcleanpaper，andaseparateentranceandwindowsonacoolverandaalltoherself。Intendedasaconcessiontotheyounglady’straveledtaste，itwasreallyareversiontothefinersimplicityofthepioneer。

Newastheapartmentappearedtobe，itwasoldenoughtocontainthebrieflittlerecordsofhermaidenhood：thechildishsamplersandpictures；thesportingepochwithitsfox-heads，opossumandwild-catskins，riding-whip，andthegoshawkinacage，whichMissSallybelievedcouldbetrainedasafalcon；thereligiousintervalofillustratedtexts，"RockofAges，"cardboardcrosses，andthecertificateofhermembershipwith"TheDaughtersofSion"attheheadofherlittlebed，downtothelastdecadenceoffrivolityshowninthebe-ribbonedguitarinthecorner，andthedancecards，favors，androsettes，militarybuttons，driedbouquets，andotherlovegagesonthemantelpiece。

Theyounggirlopenedadrawerofhertableandtookoutasmallpacketofletterstiedupwithagreenribbon。Asshedidsosheheardthesoundofhoofsintherearcourtyard。Thiswaspresentlyfollowedbyastepontheveranda，andsheopenedthedoortoherfatherwiththelettersstillinherhand。Therewasneithertheleastembarrassmentnorself-consciousnessinhermanner。

CaptainDows，superficiallyremarkableonlyforacertainoddcombinationofhighmilitarystockandturned-overplanter’scollar，wasslightlyexaltedbyasympatheticminglingofpoliticsandmintjulepatPinevilleCourtHouse。"Iwaspassingbythepost-officeattheCrossRoadslastweek，dear，"hebegan，cheerfully，"andIthoughtofyou，andreckoneditwasabouttimethatmyPussygotoneofherlettersfromherrichCalifornianfriend——andsureenoughtherewasone。Icleanforgottogiveittoyouthen，andonlyremembereditpassingthereto-day。Ididn’tgettoseeiftherewasanygold-dustinit，"hecontinued，withgreatarchness，andafatherlypinchofhercheek；"thoughI

suspectthatisn’tthekindofcurrencyhesendstoyou。"

"ItISfromMr。Corbin，"saidMissSally，takingitwithalanguidkindofdoubt；"andonlynow，paw，IwasjustthinkingthatI’dsortofdropwritinganymore；itmakesagooddealofbuzzingamongsttheneighbors，andIdon’tseemuchhoneynorcombinit。"

"Eh，"saidtheCaptain，apparentlymoreastonishedthandelightedathisdaughter’sprudence。"Well，child，suityourself！It’smightymean，though，forIwasjustthinkingoftellingyouthatJudgeReadisanoldfriendofthisColonelStarbottle，whoisyourfriend’sfriendandlawyer，andhesaysthatColonelStarbottleisWITHUS，andworkingforthecauseoutthere，andhasgotalistofalltheSo’thernmeninCaliforniathataresoundandsolidfortheSouth。Readsaysheshouldn’twonderifhe’dmakeCaliforniawheelintolinetoo。"

"Idon’tseewhatthat’sgottodowithMr。Corbin，"saidtheyounggirl，impatiently，flickingthestillunopenedletteragainstthepacketinherhand。

"Well，"saidtheCaptain，withcheerfulvagueness，"Ithoughtitmightinterestyou，——that’sall，"andloungedjudiciallyaway。

"Pawthinks，"saidMissSally，stillstandinginthedoorway，ostentatiouslyaddressingherpetgoshawk，butwithoneeyefollowingherretreatingparent，"Pawthinksthateverybodyisaskeenbentonpoliticsasheis。There’swherepawslipsup，Jim。"

Re-enteringtheroom，scratchingherlittlenosethoughtfullywiththeedgeofMr。Corbin’sletter，shewenttothemantelpieceandpickedupasmallivory-handleddagger，thegiftofJoyceMasterton，agedeighteen，presentedwithcertainversesaddressedtoa"DaughteroftheSouth，"andcutopentheenvelope。Thefirstglancewasatherownname，andthenatthesignature。Therewasnochangeintheformality；itwas"DearMissSarah，"and"Yoursrespectfully，JoCorbin，"asusual。Shewasstillsecure。Butherprettybrowscontractedslightlyasshereadasfollows：——

"I’vealwaysallowedIshouldfeeleasierinmymindifIcouldevergettoseeMrs。Jeffcourt，andthatmaybeshemightfeeleasierinhersifIstoodbeforeher，facetoface。Evenifshedidn’tforgivemeatonce，itmightdohergoodtogetoffwhatshehadonhermindagainstme。Butastherewasn’tanychanceofhercomingtome，anditwasoutofthequestionmycomingtoherandstillkeepingupenoughworkintheminestosendhertheregularmoney，itcouldn’tbedone。ButatlastI’vegotapartnertorunthemachinewhenI’maway。IshallbeatShelbyvillebythetimethisreachesyou，whereIshallstayadayortwotogiveyoutimetobreakthenewstoMrs。Jeffcourt，andthencomeon。YouwilldothisformeinyourChristiankindness，MissDows——won’tyou？andifyoucouldsoftenhermindsoastomakeitlesshardformeI

shallbegrateful。

"P。S。——IforgottosayIhavehadHIMexhumed——youknowwhoI

mean——andambringinghimwithmeinapatentmetallicburialcasket，——thebestthatcouldbegotin’Frisco，andwillseethatheisproperlyburiedinyourowngraveyard。ItseemedtomethatitwouldbethebestthingIcoulddo，andmightworkuponherfeelings——asithasonmine。Don’tyou？

"J。C。"

MissSallyfeltthetendrilsofherfairhairstirwithconsternation。Theletterhadarrivedaweekago；perhapshewasinPinevilleatthatverymoment！ShemustgoatoncetotheJeffcourts，——itwasonlyamiledistant。Perhapsshemightbestillintime；buteventhenitwasaterriblyshortnoticeforsuchameeting。Yetshestoppedtoselecthernewesthatfromthecloset，andtotieitwiththelargestofbowsunderherprettychin；andthenskippedfromtheverandaintoagreenlanethatranbesidethegardenboundary。There，hiddenbyahedge，shedroppedintoalong，swingingtrot，thateveninherhastestillkeptthelanguiddeliberationcharacteristicofherpeople，untilshehadreachedtheroad。Twoorthreehoundsinthegardenstartedjoyouslytofollowher，butshedrovethembackwithaportentousfrown，andanill-aimedstone，andasuppressedvoice。YetinthatbackwardglanceshecouldseethatherlittleEumenides——MammyJudy’schildren——werepeeringatherfrombelowthewoodenflooroftheportico，whichtheyweregraspingwithoutstretchedarmsandbowedshoulders，asiftheywereblackcaryatidessupporting——asindeedtheirracehaddoneformanyayear——thepre-doomedanddecayingmansionoftheirmaster。

CHAPTERIII。

HappilyMissSallythoughtmoreofherpresentmissionthanofthepasterrorsofherpeople。Thefastershewalkedthemorevividlyshepicturedthepossiblecomplicationsofthismeeting。Sheknewthedull，meannatureofheraunt，andtheutterhopelessnessofallappealtoanythingbutherselfishcupidity，andsawinthisfatuousessayofCorbinonlyanaggravationofherworstinstincts。

Eventhedeadbodyofhersonwouldnotonlywhetherappetiteforpecuniaryvengeance，butgiveitplausibilityintheeyesoftheiremotionalbutignorantneighbors。ShehadstilllesstohopefromJuliaJeffcourt’smorehonestandhumanindignationbutequallybigotedandprejudicedintelligence。Itistruetheywereonlywomen，andsheoughttohavenofearofthatphysicalrevengewhichJuliahadspokenof，butshereflectedthatMissJeffcourt’sunmistakablebeauty，andwhatwasbelievedtobea"trulySouthernspirit，"hadgainedhermanyadmirerswhomighteasilytakeherwrongsupontheirshoulders。Ifherfatherhadonlygivenherthatletterbefore，shemighthavestoppedCorbin’scomingatall；shemightevenhavemethimintimetohurryhimandhercousin’sprovocativeremainsoutofthecountry。Inthemidstofthesereflectionsshehadtopassthelittlehillsidecemetery。Itwasaspotofgreatnaturalbeauty，cypress-shadowedandluxuriant。ItwasjustlycelebratedinPineville，and，butforitspretentioustombstones，mighthavebeenpeacefulandsuggestive。Heresherecognizedafigurejustturningfromitsgate。ItwasJuliaJeffcourt。

Herfirstinstinct——thatshewastoolateandthathercousinhadcometothecemeterytomakesomearrangementsfortheimpendingburial——was，however，quicklydissipatedbytheyounggirl’smanner。

"Well，SallyDows，YOUhere！who’dhavethoughtofseeingyouto-

day？Why，ChetBrooksallowedthatyoudancedeverysetlastnightanddidn’tgethometilldaylight。Andyou——youthataregoingtoshowupatanotherpartyto-nighttoo！Well，IreckonIhaven’tgotthatmuchambitionthesetimes。Andoutwithyournewbonnettoo。"

Therewasaslightcurlofherhandsomelipasshelookedathercousin。ShewascertainlyamorebeautifulgirlthanMissSally；

verytall，darkandluminousofeye，withabrunettepallorofcomplexion，suggesting，itwassaid，thatremotemixtureofbloodwhichwasoneoftheunprovencountsofMissMiranda’sindictmentagainstherfamily。MissSallysmiledsweetlybehindherbigbow。

"IfyoureckontotietoeverythingthatChetBrookssays，you’llwantlotsofstring，andyouwon’tbesafethen。Yououghttohaveheardhimrunonaboutthisone，andthatone，andthatotherone，notanhouragoinourparlor。Ihadtopackhimoff，sayinghewasevenmakingJudy’sniggerstired。"Shestoppedandaddedwithpolitelanguor，"Isupposethere’snonewsupatyo’houseeither？

Everything’sgoingonasusual——and——yougetyo’Californiadraftregularly？"

AgooddealofthewhiteofJulia’sbeautifuleyesshowedassheturnedindignantlyonthespeaker。"Iwish，cousinSally，you’djustletuptalkingtomeaboutthatmoney。YouknowaswellasI

dothatIallowedtomawIwouldn’ttakeacentofitfromthefirst！Imighthavehadallthegownsandbonnets"——withalookatMissSally’sbows——"Iwantedfromher；sheevenofferedtotakemetoSt。Louisforarig-out——ifI’dbeenwillingtotakebloodmoney。ButI’drathersticktothisoldsleazymou’nin’forTom"——

shegaveadramaticpluckatherfadedblackskirt——"thanflauntroundinwhitemuslinsandChinasilksattendollarsayard，paidforbyhismurderer。"

"Youknowblack’syo’coloralways，——takinginyourheightandcomplexion，Jule，"saidMissSallydemurely，yetnotwithoutafeminineconsciousnessthatitreallydidsetoffhercousin’sgracefulfiguretoperfection。"Butyoucan’tkeepupthisgaitalways。YouknowsomedayyoumightcomeuponthisMr。Corbin。"

"He’dbetternotcrossmypath，"shesaidpassionately。

"I’veheardgirlstalklikethataboutamanandthengetjustgreenandyellowafterhim，"saidMissSallycritically。"Butgoodnessme！speakingofmeetingpeopleremindsmeIcleanforgottostopatthestageofficeandseeaboutbringingoverthenewoverseer。LuckyImetyou，Jule！Good-by，dear。Comeinto-

night，andwe’llallgotothepartytogether。"AndwithalittlenodsheranoffbeforeherindignantcousincouldframeasuitablycrushingreplytoherParthianinsinuation。

ButatthestageofficeMissSallyonlywroteafewlinesonacard，putitinanenvelope，whichsheaddressedtoMr。JosephCorbin，andthenseatingherselfwitheasycarelessnessonalongpacking-box，languidlysummonedtheproprietor。

"You’realwaysonhandyourselfatKirbystationwhenthekyarscomeintobringpassengerstoPineville，Mr。Sledge？"

"Yes，Miss。"

"Yo’haven’tbroughtanystrangersoverlately？"

"Well，lastweekSquireFarnhamofGreenRidge——ifhekinbecalledastranger——asusedtoliveintheveryhouseyofather"——

"Yes，Iknow，"saidMissSally，impatiently，"butifanENTIRE

strangercomestotakeaseatforPineville，youaskhimifthat’shisname，"handingtheletter，"andgiveittohimifitis。And——

Mr。Sledge——it’snobody’sbusinessbut——yoursandmine。"

"Iunderstand，MissSally，"withaslow，paternal，toleratingwink。

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