CHAPTERII。
Oncewithinthefriendlyshadowsofthelongbeltofpines，Mrs。
BakerkeptthemuntilshehadleftthelimitedsettlementofLaurelRunfartotheright，andcameuponanopenslopeofBurntRidge，wheresheknewJoSimmons’mustang，BlueLightning，wouldbequietlyfeeding。Shehadoftenriddenhimbefore，andwhenshehaddetachedthefifty-footreatafromhishead-stall，hepermittedherthefurtherrecognizedfamiliarityoftwiningherfingersinhisbluishmaneandclimbingonhisback。Thetool-shedofBurntRidgeTunnel，whereJo’ssaddleandbridlealwayshung，wasbutacanterfartheron。Shereacheditunperceived，and——anothertrickoftheolddays——quicklyextemporizedaside-saddlefromSimmons’Mexicantree，withitshighcantleandhornbow，andtheaidofablanket。
Thenleapingtoherseat，sherapidlythrewoffhermantle，tieditbyitssleevesaroundherwaist，tuckeditunderoneknee，andletitfalloverherhorse’sflanks。BythistimeBlueLightningwasalsostruckwithaflashofequinerecollectionandprickeduphisears。Mrs。Bakerutteredalittlechirpingcrywhichheremembered，andthenextmomenttheywerebothcareeringovertheRidge。
Thetrailthatshehadtaken，thoughprecipitate，difficult，anddangerousinplaces，wasacleargainoftwomilesonthestageroad。Therewaslesschanceofherbeingfollowedormeetinganyone。Thegreatercanyonswerealreadyinshadow；thepinesonthefartherridgeswereseparatingtheirmasses，andshowingindividualsilhouettesagainstthesky，buttheairwasstillwarm，andthecoolbreathofnight，asshewellknewit，hadnotyetbeguntoflowdownthemountain。ThelowerrangeofBurntRidgewasstilluneclipsedbythecreepingshadowofthemountainaheadofher。
Withoutawatch，butwiththisfamiliarandslowlychangingdialspreadoutbeforeher，sheknewthetimetoaminute。HeavyTreeHill，alesserheightinthedistance，wasalreadywipedoutbythatshadowyindexfinger——halfpastseven！ThestagewouldbeatHickoryHilljustbeforehalfpasteight；sheoughttoanticipateit，ifpossible，——itwouldstaytenminutestochangehorses，——sheMUSTarrivebeforeitleft！
Therewasagoodtwo-milelevelbeforetheriseofthenextrange。
Now，BlueLightning！allyouknow！Andthatwasmuch，——forwiththelittlechiphatandflutteringribbonswellbentdownoverthebluishmane，andthestreaminggauzeofhermantlealmostlevelwiththehorse’sback，shesweptdownacrossthelongtablelandlikeaskimmingblue-jay。Afewmorebird-likedipsupanddowntheundulations，andthencamethelong，cruelascentoftheDivide。
Acridwithperspiration，cakingwithdust，slitheringintheslippery，impalpablepowderoftheroad，groggilystaggeringinareddustydream，coughing，snorting，head-tossing；becomingsuddenlydejected，withslouchinghaunchandlimplegsoneasyslopes，orwildlyspasmodicandagileonsharpacclivities，BlueLightningbegantohaveideasandrecollections！Ah！shewasadevilforalark——thislightly-clinging，caressing，blarneying，cooingcreature——upthere！Herememberedhernow。Ha！verywellthen。Hoop-la！Andsuddenlyleapingoutlikearabbit，bucking，trottinghard，amblinglightly，"loping"onthreelegsandrecreatinghimself，——asonlyaCaliforniamustangcould，——theinvincibleBlueLightningatlaststoodtriumphantlyuponthesummit。Theeveningstarhadjustprickeditselfthroughthegoldenmistofthehorizonline，——eighto’clock！Shecoulddoitnow！Buthere，suddenly，herfirsthesitationseizedher。Sheknewherhorse，sheknewthetrail，sheknewherself，——butdidsheknowTHEMANtowhomshewasriding？Acoldchillcreptoverher，andthensheshiveredinasuddenblast；itwasNightatlastswoopingdownfromthenowinvisibleSierras，andpossessingallittouched。ButitwasonlyonelongdescenttoHickoryHillnow，andshesweptdownsecurelyonitswings。Half-pasteight！Thelightsofthesettlementwerejustaheadofher——butso，too，werethetwolampsofthewaitingstagebeforethepost-officeandhotel。
Happilytheloungingcrowdweregatheredaroundthehotel，andsheslippedintothepost-officefromtherear，unperceived。Asshesteppedbehindthepartition，itsonlyoccupant——agood-lookingyoungfellowwithareddishmustache——turnedtowardsherwithaflushofdelightedsurprise。Butitchangedatthesightofthewhite，determinedfaceandthebrillianteyesthathadneverlookedoncetowardshim，butwerefixeduponalargebag，whoseyawningmouthwasstillopenandproppedupbesidehisdesk。
"Whereisthethroughmoneyletterthatcameinthatbag？"shesaidquickly。
"What——do——you——mean？"hestammered，withafacethathadsuddenlygrownwhiterthanherown。
"Imeanthatit’saDECOY，checkedatHeavyTreeCrossing，andthatMr。Home，ofSanFrancisco，isnowwaitingatmyofficetoknowifyouhavetakenit！"
Thelaughandliethathehadatfirsttriedtosummontomouthandlipsneverreachedthem。For，underthespellofherrigid，truthfulface，heturnedalmostmechanicallytohisdesk，andtookoutapackage。
"GoodGod！you’veopeneditalready！"shecried，pointingtothebrokenseal。
Theexpressiononherface，morethananythingshehadsaid，convincedhimthatsheknewall。Hestammeredunderthenewalarmthatherdespairingtonesuggested。"Yes！——Iwasowingsomebills——
thecollectorwaswaitinghereforthemoney，andItooksomethingfromthepacket。ButIwasgoingtomakeitupbynextmail——I
swearit。"
"Howmuchhaveyoutaken？"
"Onlyatrifle。I"——
"Howmuch？"
"Ahundreddollars！"
ShedraggedthemoneyshehadbroughtfromLaurelRunfromherpocket，andcountingoutthesum，replaceditintheopenpackage。
Heranquicklytogetthesealingwax，butshemotionedhimawayasshedroppedthepackagebackintothemail-bag。"No；aslongasthemoneyisfoundinthebagthepackagemayhavebeenbrokenACCIDENTALLY。Nowburstopenoneortwoofthoseotherpackagesalittle——so；"shetookoutapacketoflettersandbruisedtheirofficialwrappingsunderherlittlefootuntilthetapefasteningwasloosened。"Nowgivemesomethingheavy。"Shecaughtupabrasstwo-poundweight，andinthesamefeverishbutcollectedhastewrappeditinpaper，sealedit，stampedit，and，addressingitinalargeprintedhandtoherselfatLaurelHill，droppeditinthebag。Thenshecloseditandlockedit；hewouldhaveassistedher，butsheagainwavedhimaway。"Sendfortheexpressman，andkeepyourselfoutofthewayforamoment，"shesaidcurtly。
Anattitudeofweakadmirationandfoolishpassionhadtakentheplaceofhisformertremulousfear。Heobeyedexcitedly，butwithoutaword。Mrs。Bakerwipedhermoistforeheadandparchedlips，andshookoutherskirt。Wellmighttheyoungexpressmanstartattheunexpectedrevelationofthosesparklingeyesandthatdemurelysmilingmouthatthelittlewindow。
"Mrs。Baker！"
Sheputherfingerquicklytoherlips，andthrewaworldofunutterableandenigmaticalmeaningintohermischievousface。
"There’sabigSanFranciscoswelltakin’myplaceatLaurelto-
night，Charley。"
"Yes，ma’am。"
"Andit’sapitythattheOmnibusWayBaghappenedtogetsuchashakingupandbangingroundalready，cominghere。"
"Eh？"
"Isay，"continuedMrs。Baker，withgreatgravityanddancingeyes，"thatitwouldbejustAWFULifthatkeerfulcityclerkfoundthingskindermixedupinsidewhenhecomestoopenit。Iwouldn’tgivehimtroublefortheworld，Charley。"
"No，ma’am，itain’tlikeyou。"
"Soyou’llbeparticularlycarefulonMYaccount。"
"Mrs。Baker，"saidCharley，withinfinitegravity，"ifthatbagSHOULDTUMBLEOFFADOZENTIMESbetweenthisandLaurelHill，I’llhopdownandpickitupmyself。"
"Thankyou！shake！"
Theyshookhandsgravelyacrossthewindow-ledge。
"Andyouain’tgoingdownwithus，Mrs。Baker？"
"Ofcoursenot；itwouldn’tdo，——forIAIN’THERE，——don’tyousee？"
"Ofcourse！"
Shehandedhimthebagthroughthedoor。Hetookitcarefully，butinspiteofhisgreatprecautionfelloverittwiceonhiswaytotheroad，wherefromcertainexclamationsandshoutsitseemedthatalikemiserablemischanceattendeditselevationtotheboot。
ThenMrs。Bakercamebackintotheoffice，and，asthewheelsrolledaway，threwherselfintoachair，andinconsistentlygavewayforthefirsttimetoanoutburstoftears。ThenherhandwasgraspedsuddenlyandshefoundGreenonhiskneesbeforeher。Shestartedtoherfeet。
"Don’tmove，"hesaid，withweakhystericpassion，"butlistentome，forGod’ssake！Iamruined，Iknow，eventhoughyouhavejustsavedmefromdetectionanddisgrace。Ihavebeenmad！——afool，todowhatIhavedone，Iknow，butyoudonotknowall——youdonotknowwhyIdidit——youcannotthinkofthetemptationthathasdrivenmetoit。Listen，Mrs。Baker。Ihavebeenstrivingtogetmoney，honestly，dishonestly——anyway，tolookwellinYOUReyes——
tomakemyselfworthyofyou——tomakemyselfrich，andtobeabletoofferyouahomeandtakeyouawayfromLaurelRun。ItwasallforYOU，itwasallforloveofYOU，Betsy，mydarling。Listentome！"
Inthefury，outragedsensibility，indignation，andinfinitedisgustthatfilledherlittlebodyatthatmoment，sheshouldhavebeenlarge，imperious，goddess-like，andcommanding。ButGodisattimesironicalwithsufferingwomanhood。Shecouldonlywritheherhandfromhisgraspwithchildishcontortions；shecouldonlyglareathimwitheyesthatwereprettilyandpiquantlybrilliant；shecouldonlyslapathisdetaininghandwithaplumpandvelvetypalm，andwhenshefoundhervoiceitwashighfalsetto。Andallshecouldsaywas，"Leavemebe，looney，orI’llscream！"
Herose，withaweak，confusedlaugh，halfofmiserableaffectationandhalfofrealangerandshame。
"Whatdidyoucomeridingoverherefor，then？Whatdidyoutakeallthisriskfor？Whydidyourushoverheretosharemydisgrace——forYOUareasmuchmixedupwiththisnowasIam——ifyoudidn’tcalculatetoshareEVERYTHINGELSEwithme？Whatdidyoucomeherefor，then，ifnotforME？"
"WhatdidIcomeherefor？"saidMrs。Baker，witheverydropofredbloodgonefromhercheekandtremblinglip。"What——did——I——comeherefor？Well！——IcamehereforJOHNBAKER’Ssake！JohnBaker，whostoodbetweenyouanddeathatBurntRidge，asIstandbetweenyouanddamnationatLaurelRun，Mr。Green！Yes，JohnBaker，lyingunderhalfofBurntRidge，butmoretomethisdaythananylivingmancrawlingoverit——in——in"——oh，fatalclimax！——"inamontho’
Sundays！WhatdidIcomeherefor？IcamehereasJohnBaker’slivin’wifetocarryondeadJohnBaker’swork。Yes，dirtyworkthistime，maybe，Mr。Green！buthisworkandforHIMonly——
precious！That’swhatIcameherefor；that’swhatILIVEfor；
that’swhatI’mwaitingfor——tobeuptoHIMandhisworkalways！
That’sme——BetsyBaker！"
Shewalkedupanddownrapidly，tyingherchiphatunderherchinagain。Thenshestopped，andtakingherchamoispursefromherpocket，laiditsharplyonthedesk。
"StantonGreen，don’tbeafool！Riseupoutofthis，andbeamanagain。Takeenoughouto’thatbagtopaywhatyouoweGov’ment，sendinyourresignation，andkeeptheresttostartyouinanhonestlifeelsewhere。Butlightouto’HickoryHillaforethistimeto-morrow。"
Shepulledhermantlefromthewallandopenedthedoor。
"Youaregoing？"hesaidbitterly。
"Yes。"Eithershecouldnotholdseriousnesslonginhercapriciouslittlefancy，or，withfemininetact，shesoughttomakethepartinglessdifficultforhim，forshebrokeintoadazzlingsmile。"Yes，I’mgoin’torunBlueLightningaginCharleyandthatwaybagbacktoLaurelRun，andbreaktherecord。"……
Itissaidthatshedid！PerhapsowingtothefactthatthegradeofthereturnjourneytoLaurelRunwasinherfavor，andthatshecouldavoidthelong，circuitousascenttothesummittakenbythestage，orthat，owingtotheextraordinarydifficultiesinthecarriageofthewaybag，——whichhadtobetwicerescuedfromunderthewheelsofthestage，——sheenteredtheLaurelRunpost-officeasthecoachleaderscametrottingupthehill。Mr。Homewasalreadyontheplatform。
"You’llhavetoballastyournextwaybag，boss，"saidCharley，gravely，asitescapedhisclutchesoncemoreinthedustoftheroad，"oryou’llhavetomakeanewcontractwiththecompany。
We’velosttenminutesinfivemilesoverthatbuckingthing。"
Homedidnotreply，butquicklydraggedhisprizeintotheoffice，scarcelynoticingMrs。Baker，whostoodbesidehimpaleandbreathless。Astheboltofthebagwasdrawn，revealingitschaoticinterior，Mrs。Bakergavealittlesigh。Homeglancedquicklyather，emptiedthebaguponthefloor，andpickedupthebrokenandhalf-filledmoneyparcel。Thenhecollectedthescatteredcoinsandcountedthem。"It’sallright，Mrs。Baker，"hesaidgravely。"HE’Ssafethistime。"
"I’msoglad！"saidlittleMrs。Baker，withahypocriticalgasp。
"SoamI，"returnedHome，withincreasinggravity，ashetookthecoin，"for，fromallIhavegatheredthisafternoon，itseemshewasanoldpioneerofLaurelRun，afriendofyourhusband’s，and，Ithink，morefoolthanknave！"Hewassilentforamoment，clickingthecoinsagainsteachother；thenhesaidcarelessly：
"Didhegetquiteaway，Mrs。Baker？"
"I’msureIdon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout，"saidMrs。Baker，withaloftyairofdignity，butasomewhatdebasingcolor。"I
don’tseewhyIshouldknowanythingaboutit，orwhyheshouldgoawayatall。"
"Well，"saidMr。Home，layinghishandgentlyonthewidow’sshoulder，"well，yousee，itmighthaveoccurredtohisfriendsthattheCOINSWEREMARKED！Thatis，nodoubt，thereasonwhyhewouldtaketheirgoodadviceandgo。But，asIsaidbefore，Mrs。
Baker，YOU’REallright，whateverhappens，——theGovernmentstandsbyYOU！"
ANIGHTAT"HAYS。"
CHAPTERI。
ItwasdifficulttosayifHays’farmhouse，or"Hays，"asitwasfamiliarlycalled，lookedanymorebleakandcheerlessthatwinterafternoonthanitusuallydidinthestrongsummersunshine。
Paintedacoldmercilesswhite，withscantprojectionsforshadows，aroofofwhite-pineshingles，bleachedlighterthroughsunandwind，andcoveredwithlow，white-cappedchimneys，itlookedevenmorestarkandchillythanthedriftswhichhadclimbeditslowroadsidefence，andyetseemedhopelessofgainingafootholdontheglancingwalls，orslippery，wind-sweptroof。Thestorm，whichhadalreadyheapedthehollowsoftheroadwithsnow，hurleditsfinely-granulatedflakesagainstthebuilding，buttheywerewhirledalongtheguttersandridges，anddisappearedinsmokelikepuffsacrosstheicyroof。Thegraniteoutcropinthehillyfieldbeyondhadlongagowhitenedandvanished；thedwarffirsandlarcheswhichhadatfirsttakenuncouthshapesinthedriftblendedvaguelytogether，andthenmergedintoanunbrokenformlesswave。Butthegauntanglesandrigidoutlinesofthebuildingremainedsharpandunchanged。Itwouldseemasiftherigorsofwinterhadonlyaccentedtheirhardness，asthefiercenessofsummerhadpreviouslymadethemintolerable。
ItwasbelievedthatsomeofthisunyieldinggrimnessattachedtoHayshimself。Certainitisthatneitherhardshipnorprosperityhadtouchedhischaracter。YearsagohisemigrantteamhadbrokendowninthiswildbutwoodeddefileoftheSierras，andhehadbeenforcedtoawinterencampment，withonlyarudelog-cabinforshelter，ontheveryvergeofthepromisedland。Unabletoenterithimself，hewasneverthelessabletoassistthebetter-equippedteamsthatfollowedhimwithwoodandwaterandacoarseforagegatheredfromashelteredslopeofwildoats。Thiswasthebeginningofarude"supplystation"whichafterwardsbecamesoprofitablethatwhenspringcameandHays’teamweresufficientlyrecruitedtofollowthefloodofimmigratinggold-seekerstotheplacersandvalleys，thereseemednooccasionforit。Hisfortunehadbeenalreadyfoundinthebeltofarableslopebehindthewoodeddefile，andinthemiraculouslylocatedcoignofvantageonwhatwasnowthegreathighwayoftravelandtheonlyoasisandfirstreliefofthewearyjourney；thebreakingdownofhisownteamatthatspothadnotonlybeenthesalvationofthosewhofoundat"Hays"themeansofprosecutingthelastpartoftheirpilgrimage，butlaterprovidedtheequipmentofreturningteams。
Thefirsttwoyearsofthisexperiencehadnotbeenwithouthardshipanddanger。HehadbeenraidedbyIndiansandbesiegedforthreedaysinhisstockadedcabin；hehadbeeninvestedbywintrydriftsoftwentyfeetofsnow，cutoffequallyfromincomingteamsfromthepassandthevalleybelow。Duringthesecondyearhiswifehadjoinedhimwithfourchildren，butwhethertheenforcedseparationhaddulledherconjugalaffection，orwhethershewastemptedbyanaturalfemininelongingforthelandofpromisebeyond，shesoughtitonemorningwithafascinatingteamster，leavinghertwosonsandtwodaughtersbehindher；twoyearslatertheelderofthedaughtersfollowedthemother’sexample，withsuchmaidenlydiscretion，however，astoforbearcompromisingherselfbyanypreviousmatrimonialformalitywhatever。FromthatdayHayshadnofurtherpersonalintercoursewiththevalleybelow。Heputupahotelamileawayfromthefarmhousethathemightnothavetodispensehospitalitytohiscustomers，noraccepttheirnearcompanionship。AlwaysaseverePresbyterian，andanuncompromisingdeaconofafar-scatteredandscantycommunitywhooccasionallyheldtheirserviceinoneofhisbarns，hegrewmorerigid，sectarian，andnarrowdaybyday。Hewasfeared，andalthoughneitherrespectednorloved，hisdominationandendurancewereaccepted。Agrimlandlord，hardcreditor，close-fistedpatron，andasmilelessneighborwhoneithergamblednordrank，"OldHays，"ashewascalled，whileyetscarcefifty，hadfewacquaintancesandfewerfriends。Therewerethosewhobelievedthathisdomesticinfelicitiesweretheresultofhisunsympatheticnature；itneveroccurredtoanyone（buthimselfprobably）thattheymighthavebeenthecause。InthoseSierranaltitudes，aselsewhere，thebeliefinoriginalsin——popularlyknownas"purecussedness"——dominatedandoverboreanyconsiderationofpassive，impellingcircumstancesortemptation，unlesstheyhadbeenactivelydemonstratedwitharevolver。Thepassiveexpressionofharshness，suspicion，distrust，andmorosenesswaslookeduponasinherentwickedness。
ThestormragedviolentlyasHaysemergedfromthelastofalongrangeofoutbuildingsandsheds，andcrossedtheopenspacebetweenhimandthefarmhouse。Beforehehadreachedtheporch，withitsscantshelter，hehadflounderedthroughasnowdrift，andfacedthefullfuryofthestorm。Butthesnowseemedtohaveglancedfromhishardangularfigureasithadfromhisroof-ridge，forwhenheenteredthenarrowhall-wayhispilotjacketwasunmarked，exceptwhereanarrowlineofpowderedflakesoutlinedtheseamsasifworn。Totherightwasanapartment，halfoffice，halfsitting-
room，furnishedwithadarkandchillyironsafe，asofaandchairscoveredwithblackandcoldlyshininghorsehair。HereHaysnotonlyremovedhisuppercoatbuthisunderonealso，anddrawingachairbeforethefiresatdowninhisshirt-sleeves。Itwashisusualrusticpioneerhabit，andmighthavebeensomelingeringreminiscenceofcertainremoteancestorstowhomclotheswereanimpediment。Hewaswarminghishandsandplacidlyignoringhisgauntarmsintheirthinly-clad"hickory"sleeves，whenayounggirlofeighteensauntered，halfperfunctorily，halfinquisitivelyintotheroom。Itwashisonlyremainingdaughter。Alreadyelectedbycircumstancestoadryhouseholdvirginity，hersomewhatlargefeatures，sallowcomplexion，andtasteless，unattractivedress，didnotobviouslysuggestasacrifice。Sincehersister’sdepartureshehadtakensolechargeofherfather’sdomesticaffairsandthefewrudeservantsheemployed，withacertaininheritedfollowingofhisownmoodsandmethods。Totheneighborsshewasknownas"MissHays，"——adubiousrespectthat，inacommunityoffamiliar"Sallies，""Mamies，""Pussies，"wasgrimlyprophetic。YetsherejoicedintheOrientalappellationof"Zuleika。"TothisitisneedlesstoaddthatitwasimpossibletoconceiveanyonewholookedmoredecidedlyWestern。
"Yekinputsomethingsinmycarpetbagaginthetimethesledcomesround，"saidherfathermeditatively，withoutlookingup。
"Thenyou’renotcomingbacktonight？"askedthegirlcuriously。
"What’sgoin’onatthesummit，father？"
"Iam，"hesaidgrimly。"Youdon’treckonIkalkilatetostopthar！I’mgoingonasfarasHorseley’stocloseupthatcontractaforetheweatherchanges。"
"Ikinderalloweditwasfunnyyou’dgotothehotelto-night。
There’sadancethere；thosetwoWetherbeegirlsandMamieHarrispasseduptheroadanhouragoonawood-sled，nighblowntopiecesandsittin’upinthesnowlikeskeertwhiterabbits。"
Hays’browdarkenedheavily。
"Let’emgo，"hesaid，inahardvoicethatthefiredidnotseemtohavesoftened。"Let’emgoforallthegoodtheirfool-parentswillevergetouterthem，ortheherdofwaysidecattlethey’veletthemlooseamong。
"Ireckontheyhaven’tmuchtodoathome，orarehardputforcompany，totravelsixmilesinthesnowtoshowofftheirprinkin’
toalotofidleloutsshinywithbear’sgreaseandscentedupwithdoctor’sstuff，"addedthegirl，shrugginghershoulders，withatouchofherfather’smoodandmanner。
PerhapsitstruckHaysatthatmomentthatherattitudewassomewhatmonstrousandunnaturalforonestillyoungandpresumablylikeothergirls，for，afterglancingatherunderhisheavybrows，hesaid，inagentlertone：——
"NeverYOUmind，Zuly。WhenyourbrotherJackcomeshomehe’llknowwhat’swhat，andhavealltheproperNewYorkwaysandstyle。
It’snighonthreeyearsnowthathe’shadthebesttrainingDr。
Dawson’sAcademycouldgive，——sayin’nothingofthepow’fulChristianexampleofoneofthebestpreachersintheStates。Theymayn’thaveworldly，ungodlyfandangoeswhereheis，andriotouslivin’，andscarletabominations，butI’vebeentoldthatthey’ve’teacircles，’and’assemblies，’and’harmonyconcerts’ofyoungfolks——anddancin’——yes，finesquaredancin’undercontrol。No，I
ain’tstintedhiminanythin’。Youkinrememberthat，Zuleika，whenyouhearanymoregossipandbackbitin’aboutyourfather’smeanness。Iain’tsparednomoneyforhim。"
"Ireckonnot，"saidthegirl，alittlesharply。"Why，there’sthatdraftfurtwohundredandfiftydollarsthatkemonlylastweekfromtheDoctor’sfurextras。"
"Yes，"repliedHays，withaslightknittingofthebrows，"theDoctormouthevwritmoreparticklers，butparsonsain’tallusbusinessmen。IreckonthesehereextrysweretopushJackalongintheterm，astheDoctorknewIwantedhimbackhereinthespring，nowthathisbrotherhasgottobetoostiff-neckedandself-opinionatedtodohisfather’swork。"ItseemedfromthisthattherehadbeenaquarrelbetweenHaysandhiseldestson，whoconductedhisbranchbusinessatSacramento，andwhohadinapassionthreatenedtosetuparivalestablishmenttohisfather’s。
Anditwasalsoevidentfromthemannerofthegirlthatshewasbynomeansastrongpartisanofherfatherinthequarrel。
"You’dbetterfindoutfirsthowalltheschoolin’andtrainin’ofJack’sisgoin’tojibewiththeRanch，andifheain’tbeeneddicatedoutofallknowledgeofstationbusinessorkeerforit。
NewYorkain’tHays’Ranch，andtheseyer’assemblies’and’harmony’doin’sandtheirairsandgracesmayputhimoutofconceitwithourplainways。Ireckonyedidn’ttakethattomindwhenyou’vebeenhustlin’roundpayin’twohundredandfiftydollardraftsforJackandquo’llin’withBijah！Iain’tsayin’nothin’，father，onlymebbeifBijahhadhaddraftsandextrysflourishedaroundhimalittlemore，mebbehe’dhavebeenmorepoliteandnotsoroughspoken。Mebbe，"shecontinuedwithalittlelaugh，"evenI’DbealittlemoreinthestyletosuitMasterJackwhenhecomesefIhadthreehundreddollars’worthofconventschoolin’likeMamieHarris。"
"Yes，andyou’dhaveonlymadeyourselffairgameforev’ryschemin’，lazysportorcounter-jumperalongtheroadfromthistoSacramento！"respondedHayssavagely。
Zuleikalaughedagainconstrainedly，butinawaythatmighthavesuggestedthatthisdreadfulcontingencywasstillonethatitwaspossibletocontemplatewithoutentireconsternation。Asshemovedslowlytowardsthedoorshestopped，withherhandonthelock，andsaidtentatively："Ireckonyouwon’tbewantin’anysupperbeforeyougo？You’realmostsuretobeofferedsuthin’upatHorseley’s，whileifIhavetocookyouupsuthin’nowandstillhavethemen’sregularsuppertogetatseven，itmakesalltheexpenseofanextrameal。"
Hayshesitated。Hewouldhavepreferredhissuppernow，andhadhisdaughterpressedhimwouldhaveacceptedit。Buteconomy，whichwasoneofZuleika’sinheritedinstincts，vaguelyappearingtohimtobeavirtue，interchangeablewithchastityandabstemiousness，wascertainlytobeencouragedinayounggirl。Ithardlyseemspossiblethatwithaneyesingletotheintegrityofthelardershecouldeverlookkindlyontheblandishmentsofhissex，or，indeed，beexposedtothem。Hesaidsimply："Don’tcookforme，"andresumedhisattitudebeforethefireasthegirllefttheroom。
Ashesatthere，grimandimmovableasoneofthebatteredfire-
dogsbeforehim，thewindinthechimneyseemedtocarryonadeep-
throated，dejected，andconfidentialconversationwithhim，butreallyhadverylittletoreveal。Therewerenohauntingreminiscencesofhismarriedlifeinthisroom，whichhehadalwaysoccupiedinpreferencetothecompanyorsitting-roombeyond。
Therewerenofamiliarshadowsofthepastlurkinginitscornerstopervadehisreverie。Whenhedidreflect，whichwasseldom，therewasalwaysinhismindavagueideaofacentralinjusticetowhichhehadbeensubjected，thatwastobeavoidedbycircuitousmovement，tobehiddenbywork，butnevertobesurmounted。Andto-nighthewasgoingoutinthestorm，whichhecouldunderstandandfight，ashehadoftendonebefore，andhewasgoingtodriveabargainwithamanlikehimselfandgetthebetterofhimifhecould，ashehaddonebefore，andanotherdaywouldbegone，andthatcentralinjusticewhichhecouldnotunderstandwouldbecircumvented，andhewouldstillbeholdinghisownintheworld。
AndtheGodofIsraelwhomhebelievedin，andwhowasahardbutconscientiousProvidence，somethinglikehimself，wouldassisthimperhapssomedaytotheunderstandingofthissamevagueinjusticewhichHewas，forsomestrangereason，permitting。ButnevermoreunrelentingandunsparingofothersthanwhenunderconvictionofSinhimself，andnevermoreharshandunforgivingthanwhenfreshfromthecontemplationoftheDivineMercy，hestillsattheregrimlyholdinghishandtoawarmththatneverseemedtogetnearerhisheartthanthat，whenhisdaughterre-enteredtheroomwithhiscarpet-bag。
Torise，putonhiscoatandovercoat，secureafurcaponhisheadbyawoolencomforter，coveringhisearsandtwinedroundhisthroat，andtorigidlyofferasquareandweather-beatencheektohisdaughter’sdustykiss，didnot，apparently，suggestanylingeringorhesitation。Thesledwasatthedoor，which，foratumultuousmoment，openedonthestormandthewhitevisionofahorseknee-deepinadrift，andthenclosedbehindhim。Zuleikashotthebolt，brushedsomeflakesoftheinvadingsnowfromthemat，and，afterfrugallyrakingdownthefireonthehearthherfatherhadjustquitted，retiredthroughthelongpassagetothekitchenandherdomesticsupervision。
Itwasafewhourslater，supperhadlongpast；the"hands"hadonebyonereturnedtotheirquartersundertherooforintheadjacentlofts，andZuleikaandthetwomaidshadatlastabandonedthekitchenfortheirbedroomsbeyond。Zuleikaherself，bythelightofasolitarycandle，hadenteredtheofficeandhaddroppedmeditativelyintoachair，assheslowlyrakedthewarmashesoverthestillsmoulderingfire。Thebarkingofdogshadmomentarilyattractedherattention，butithadsuddenlyceased。Itwasfollowed，however，byamorestartlingincident，——aslightmovementoutside，andanattempttoraisethewindow！
Shewasnotfrightened；perhapstherewaslittleforhertofear；
itwasknownthatHayskeptnomoneyinthehouse，thesafewasonlyusedforsecuritiesandcontracts，andtherewerehalfadozenmenwithincall。Itwas，therefore，onlyherusualactive，burningcuriosityfornovelincidentthatmadeherruntothewindowandpeerout；butitwaswithaspontaneouscryofastonishmentsheturnedanddartedtothefrontdoor，andopenedittothemuffledfigureofayoungman。
"Jack！Saintsalive！Why，ofallthings！"shegasped，incoherently。
Hestoppedherwithanimpatientgestureandahandthatpreventedherfromclosingthedooragain。
"Dadain’there？"heaskedquickly。
"No。"
"When’llhebeback？"
"Notto-night。"
"Good，"hesaid，turningtothedooragain。Shecouldseeamotionlesshorseandsleighintheroad，withawomanholdingthereins。
Hebeckonedtothewoman，whodrovetothedoorandjumpedout。
Tall，handsome，andaudacious，shelookedatZuleikawithaquicklaughofconfidence，asatsomerecognizedabsurdity。
"Gointhere，"saidtheyoungman，openingthedooroftheoffice；
"I’llcomebackinaminute。"
Assheentered，stillsmiling，asiftakingpartinsomehumorousbutriskysituation，heturnedquicklytoZuleikaandsaidinalowvoice："Wherecanwetalk？"
Thegirlheldoutherhandandglidedhurriedlythroughthepassageuntilshereachedadoor，whichsheopened。Bythelightofadyingfirehecouldseeitwasherbedroom。Lightingacandleonthemantel，shelookedeagerlyinhisfaceashethrewasidehismufflerandopenedhiscoat。Itdisclosedaspare，youthfulfigure，andathin，weakfacethatabuddingmustacheonlyseemedtomakestillmoreimmature。Foraninstantbrotherandsistergazedateachother。Astonishmentonherpart，nervousimpatienceonhis，apparentlyrepressedanydemonstrationoffamilyaffection。
Yetwhenshewasabouttospeakhestoppedherroughly。
"Therenow；don’ttalk。Iknowwhatyou’regoin’tosay——couldsayitmyselfifIwantedto——andit’snouse。Wellthen，hereIam。
YousawHER。Well，she’sMYWIFE——we’vebeenmarriedthreemonths。
Yes，myWIFE；marriedthreemonthsago。I’mherebecauseIranawayfromschool——thatis，IHAVEN’TBEENTHEREforthelastthreemonths。Icameoutwithherlaststeamer；wewentuptotheSummitHotellastnight——wheretheydidn’tknowme——untilwecouldseehowthelandlay，beforepoppingdownondad。Ihappenedtolearnthathewasoutto-night，andIbroughtherdownheretohaveatalk。
Wecangobackagainbeforehecomes，youknow，unless"——
"But，"interruptedthegirl，withsuddenpracticality，"yousayyouain’tbeenatDoctorDawson’sforthreemonths！Why，onlylastweekhedrewondadfortwohundredandfiftydollarsforyourextras！"
Heglancedaroundhimandthenarrangedhisnecktieintheglassabovethemantelwithanervouslaugh。
"OH，THAT！Ifixedthatup，andgotthemoneyforitinNewYorktopayourpassagewith。It’sallright，youknow。"
CHAPTERII。
Thegirlstoodlookingattheingeniousforgerwithanodd，breathlesssmile。Itwasdifficulttodetermine，however，ifgratifiedcuriositywerenotitsmostdominantexpression。
"Andyou’vegotawife——andTHAT’Sher？"sheresumed。
"Yes。"
"Wheredidyoufirstmeether？Whoisshe？"
"She’sanactress——mightypopularin’Frisco——ImeanNewYork。Loto’chapstriedtogether——Icut’emout。Foralldad’stryingtokeepmeatDawson’s——Iain’tsuchafool，eh？"
Nevertheless，ashestoodtherestrokinghisfairmustache，hisastutenessdidnotseemtoimpresshissistertoenthusiasticassent。Yetshedidnotrelaxherbreathless，inquisitivesmileasshewenton：——
"Andwhatareyougoingtodoaboutdad？"
Heturneduponherquerulously。
"Well，that’swhatIwanttotalkabout。"
"You’llcatchit！"shesaidimpressively。Buthereherbrother’snervousnessbrokeoutintoaweak，impotentfury。Itwasevident，too，thatinspiteofitsapparentspontaneousirritationitsintentwasstudied。Catchit！Wouldhe？Oh，yes！Well，she’dseeWHO’Dcatchit！Nothim。No，he’dhadenoughofthismeanness，andwanteditended！Hewasn’tawomantobetreatedlikehissister，——liketheirmother——liketheirbrother，ifitcametothat，forheknewhowhewastobebroughtbacktotakeBijah’splaceinthespring；he’dheardthewholestory。No，hewasgoingtostandupforhisrights，——hewasgoingtobetreatedasthesonofamanwhowasworthhalfamillionoughttobetreated！Hewasn’tgoingtobeskimped，whilehisfatherwaswallowinginmoneythathedidn’tknowwhattodowith，——moneythatbyrightsoughttohavebeengiventotheirmotherandtheirsister。Why，eventhelawwouldn’tpermitsuchmeanness——ifhewasdead。No，he’dcomebackwithLottie，hiswife，toshowhisfatherthattherewasoneofthefamilythatcouldn’tbefooledandbullied，andwouldn’tputupwithitanylonger。Therewasgoingtobeafairdivisionoftheproperty，andhissisterAnnie’sproperty，andhers——Zuleika’s——
too，ifshe’dhavetheplucktospeakupforherself。Allthisandmuchmorehesaid。Yetevenwhilehissmallfurywasgenuineandcharacteristic，therewassuchanevidentincongruitybetweenhimselfandhisspeechthatitseemedtofithimloosely，andinameasureflappedinhisgestureslikeanother’sgarment。Zuleika，whohadexhibitedneitherdisgustnorsympathywithhisrebellion，buthadratherappearedtoenjoyitasanoveldomesticperformance，themoralityofwhichdevolvedsolelyupontheperformer，retainedhercurioussmile。Andthenaknockatthedoorstartledthem。
Itwasthestranger，——slightlyapologeticandstillhumorous，butfirmandself-confidentwithal。Shewassorrytointerrupttheirfamilycouncil，butthefirewasgoingoutwhereshesat，andshewouldlikeacupofteaorsomerefreshment。ShedidnotlookatJack，but，completelyignoringhim，addressedherselftoZuleikawithwhatseemedtobeadirectchallenge；inthatfeminineeye-
grappletherewasaquick，instinctive，andfinalstrugglebetweenthetwowomen。Thestrangertriumphed。Zuleika’svacantsmilechangedtooneofsubmission，andthen，equallyignoringherbrotherinthisdoubledefeat，shehastenedtothekitchentodothevisitor’sbidding。Thewomanclosedthedoorbehindher，andtookZuleika’splacebeforethefire。
"Well？"shesaid，inahalf-contemptuoustoleration。
"Well？"saidJack，inanequallyill-disguiseddiscontent，butanevidentdesiretoplacatethewomanbeforehim。"It’sallright，youknow。I’vehadmysay。It’llcomeright，Lottie，you’llsee。"
Thewomansmiledagain，andglancedaroundthebarewallsoftheroom。
"AndIsuppose，"shesaid，drily，"whenitcomesrightI’mtotaketheplaceofyoursisterinthechargeofthisworkhouseandsucceedtothekeysofthatsafeintheotherroom？"
"It’llcomeallright，Itellyou；youcanfixthingsuphereanywayyou’lllikewhenwegettheoldmanstraight，"saidJack，withtheiterationoffeebleness。"Andastothatsafe，I’veseenitchockfullofsecurities。"
"It’llholdonelessto-night，"shesaid，lookingatthefire。
"Whatareyoutalkingabout？"heasked，inqueruloussuspicion。
Shedrewapaperfromherpocket。
"It’sthatdraftofyoursthatyouwerecrazyenoughtosignDawson’snameto。Itwaslyingoutthereonthedesk。Ireckonitisn’tathingyoucaretohavekeptasevidence，evenbyyourfather。"
Shehelditintheflamesuntilitwasconsumed。
"ByJove，yourheadislevel，Lottie！"hesaid，withanadmirationthatwasnot，however，withoutaweakreserveofsuspicion。
"No，itisn’t，orIwouldn’tbehere，"shesaid，curtly。Thensheadded，asifdismissingthesubject，"Well，whatdidyoutellher？"
"Oh，IsaidImetyouinNewYork。YouseeIthoughtshemightthinkitqueerifsheknewIonlymetyouinSanFranciscothreeweeksago。OfcourseIsaidweweremarried。"
Shelookedathimwithwearyastonishment。
"Andofcourse，whetherthingsgorightornot，she’llfindoutthatI’vegotahusbandliving，thatInevermetyouinNewYork，butonthesteamer，andthatyou’velied。Idon’tseetheUSEofit。Yousaidyouweregoingtotellthewholethingsquarelyandsaythetruth，andthat’swhyIcametohelpyou。"
"Yes；butdon’tyousee，hangitall！"hestammered，intheirritationofweakconfusion，"IhadtotellherSOMETHING。Fatherwon’tdaretotellherthetruth，nomorethanhewilltheneighbors。He’llhushitup，youbet；andwhenwegetthisthingfixedyou’llgoandgetyourdivorce，youknow，andwe’llbemarriedprivatelyonthesquare。"
Helookedsovague，soimmature，yetsofatuouslyself-confident，thatthewomanextendedherhandwithalaughandtappedhimonthebackasshemighthavepattedadog。ThenshedisappearedtofollowZuleikainthekitchen。
Whenthetwowomenreturnedtogethertheywereevidentlyonthebestofterms。Somuchsothattheman，withtheeasyreactionofashallownature，becamesanguineandexalted，eventoanostentatiousexhibitionofthoseNewYorkgracesonwhichthepaternalHayshadsetsuchstore。HecomplacentlyexplainedthemethodsbywhichhehaddeceivedDr。Dawson；howhehadhimselfwrittenaletterfromhisfathercommandinghimtoreturntotakehisbrother’splace，andhowhehadshownittotheDoctorandbeenthreemonthsinSanFranciscolookingforworkandassistingLottieatthetheatre，untilaconvictionoftherighteousnessofhiscause，perhapscombinedwiththefactthattheywerealsoshortofmoneyandshehadnoengagement，impelledhimtohispresentheroicstep。AllofwhichZuleikalistenedtowithchildishinterest，butsuperiorappreciationofhiscompanion。Thefactthatthiswomanwasanactress，anabominationvaguelyalludedtobyherfatherasbeingevenmoremysteriouslywickedthanhersisterandmother，andcorrespondinglyexciting，asofferingapossiblepermanentrelieftothemonotonyofherhomelife，seemedtoexcuseherbrother’sweakness。Shewasalmostreadytobecomehispartisan——AFTERshehadseenherfather。
Theyhadtalkedlargelyoftheirplans；theyhadsettledsmalldetailsofthefutureandthearrangementoftheproperty；theyhadagreedthatZuleikashouldberelievedofherhouseholddrudgery，andsenttoafashionableschoolinSanFranciscowithamusicteacherandadressmaker。TheyhaddiscussedeverythingbuttheprecisemannerinwhichtherevelationshouldbeconveyedtoHays。
Therewasstillplentyoftimeforthat，forhewouldnotreturnuntilto-morrowatnoon，anditwasalreadytacitlyunderstoodthatthevehicleoftransmissionshouldbealetterfromtheSummitHotel。Thepossiblecontingencyofasuddenoutburstofhumanpassionnotentirelycontrolledbyreligiousfeelingwastobeguardedagainst。
Theyweresittingcomfortablybeforethereplenishedfire；thewindwasstillmoaninginthechimney，when，suddenly，inalullofthestormthesoundofsleigh-bellsseemedtofilltheroom。Itwasfollowedbyavoicefromwithout，and，withahystericalcry，Zuleikastartedtoherfeet。Thesamebreathlesssmilewithwhichshehadgreetedherbrotheranhouragowasuponherlipsasshegasped：——
"Lord，saveus！——butit’sdadcomeback！"
Igrievetosaythatherethedoughtyredresserofdomesticwrongsandretrieverofthefamilyhonorlapsedwhite-facedinhischairidealessandtremulous。Itwashisfrailercompanionwhorosetotheoccasionandevenpartlydraggedhimwithher。"Gobacktothehotel，"shesaidquickly，"andtakethesledwithyou，——youarenotfittofacehimnow！ButhedoesnotknowME，andIwillstay！"
TothestaringZuleika："Iamastrangerstoppedbyabrokensleighonmywaytothehotel。Leavetheresttome。Nowclearout，bothofyou。I’lllethimin。"
Shelookedsoconfident，self-contained，andsuperior，thatthethoughtofoppositionneverenteredtheirminds，andasanimpatientrappingrosefromthedoortheylether，withahalf-
impatient，half-laughinggesture，drivethembeforeherfromtheroom。Whentheyhaddisappearedinthedistance，sheturnedtothefrontdoor，unboltedandopenedit。Haysblunderedinoutofthesnowwithamutteredexclamation，andthen，asthelightfromtheopenofficedoorrevealedastranger，startedandfellback。
"MissHaysisbusy，"saidthewomanquietly，"Iamafraid，onmyaccount。ButmysleighbrokedownonthewaytothehotelandI
wasforcedtogetouthere。IsupposethisisMr。Hays？"
Astrangewoman——byherdressandappearanceaveryworldling——andevenbraverinlooksandapparelthanmanyhehadseeninthecities——seemed，inspiteofallhisprecautions，tohavefallenshortofthehotelandbeenprecipitateduponhim！Yetundertheinfluenceofsomeoddabstractionhewasaffectedbyitlessthanhecouldhavebelieved。Heevenachievedarudebowasheboltedthedoorandusheredherintotheoffice。Morethanthat，hefoundhimselfexplainingtothefairtrespasserthereasonsofhisreturntohisownhome。For，likeadirectman，hehadaconsciousnessofsomeinconsistencyinhisreturn——orinthecircumstancesthatinducedachangeofplanswhichmightconscientiouslyrequireanexplanation。
"Yousee，ma’am，arathersingularthinghappenedtomeafterI
passedthesummit。ThreetimesIlostthetrack，gotoffitsomehow，andfoundmyselftravelinginacircle。Thethirdtime，whenIstruckmyowntracksagain，IconcludedI’djustfollowthembackhere。IsupposeImighthavegottheroadagainbytryin’andfightin’thesnow——butther’ssomethingsnotworththefightin’。
Thiswasamatterofbusiness，and，afterall，ma’am，businessain’teverythin’，isit？"
Hewasevidentlyinsomeunusualmood，themoodthatwithcertainreticentnaturesoftencompelsthemtomaketheirbriefconfidencestoutterstrangersratherthanimpartthemtothoseintimatefriendswhomightremindthemoftheirweakness。Sheagreedwithhimpleasantly，butnotsoobviouslyastoexcitesuspicion。"Andyoupreferredtoletyourbusinessgo，andcomebacktothecomfortofyourownhomeandfamily。"
"Thecomfortofmyhomeandfamily？"herepeatedinadry，deliberatevoice。"Well，IreckonIain’tbeentemptedmuchbyTHAT。Thatisn’twhatImeant。"Buthewentbacktothephrase，repeatingitgrimly，asifitweresomemandatorytext。"ThecomfortofmyOWNHOMEANDFAMILY！Well，Satanhasn’tsetTHAT
trapformyfeetyet，ma’am。No；yesawmydaughter？well，that’sallmyfamily；yeseethisroom？that’sallmyhome。Mywiferanawayfromme；mydaughterclearedouttoo，myeldestsonaswaswithmeherehasquo’lledwithmeandreckonstosetuparivalbusinessaginme。No，"hesaid，stillmoremeditativelyanddeliberately；"itwasn’ttocomebacktothecomfortsofmyownhomeandfamilythatIfacedroundonHeavyTreeHill，Ireckon。"
Asthewoman，forcertainreasons，hadnodesiretocheckthisauspiciousandunlookedforconfidence，shewaitedpatiently。Haysremainedsilentforaninstant，warminghishandsbeforethefire，andthenlookedupinterrogatively。
"Aprofessorofreligion，ma’am，orunderconviction？"
"Notexactly，"saidtheladysmiling。
"Excuseme，butinspiteofyourfineclothesIreckonedyouhadaseriouslookjustnow。AreaderofScripture，maybe？"
"IknowtheBible。"
"Yourememberwhentheangelwiththeflamin’swordappeareduntoSaulontheroadtoDamascus？"
"Yes。"
"Itmouthevbeensuthin’inthatstylethatstoppedme，"hesaidslowlyandtentatively。"Thoughnat’rallyIdidn’tSEEanything，andonlyhadthequeerfeelin’。ItmighthevbeenTHATshiedmymareoffthetrack。"
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