ThehouseoftheMcKinstrysrose，orratherstretched，itselfbeforehim，inallthelazyungainlinessofSouthwesternarchitecture。Acollectionoftemporarymake-shiftsofboards，oflogs，ofcanvas，prematurelydecayed，andinsomeinstancesabandonedforanewererection，ordegradedtomereouthouses——itpresentedwithsingularfranknessthenomadicandtentativedispositionofitsfounder。Ithadbeenrepairedwithoutbeingimproved；itsadditionshadseemedonlytoextenditsprimitiveuglinessoveralargerspace。Itsroofswereroughlyshingledorrudelyboardedandbattened，andtheraftersofsomeofits"lean-

to’s"weresimplycoveredwithtarredcanvas。Asiftosettleanydoubtoftheimpossibilityofthisheterogeneousmassevertakinguponitselfanypicturesquecombination，asmallbuildingofcorrugatediron，transportedinsectionsfromsomeremoterlocality，hadbeensetupinitscentre。TheMcKinstryranchhadlongbeenaneyesoretothemaster：eventhatmorninghehadbeenmutelywonderingfromwhatconvolutionofthathideouschrysalisthebrightbutterflyCressyhademerged。Itwaswitharenewalofthiscuriositythathehadjustseenherflutterbacktoitagain。

Ayellowdogwhohadobservedhimhesitatingindoubtwhereheshouldenter，hereyawned，rosefromthesunlightwherehehadbeenblinking，approachedthemasterwithlanguidpoliteness，andthenturnedtowardstheironbuildingasifshowinghimtheway。Mr。

Fordfollowedhimcautiously，painfullyconsciousthathishypocriticalcanineintroducerwasonlyavailinghimselfofanopportunitytogainingressintothehouse，andwasleadinghimasaresponsibleaccomplicetoprobableexposureanddisgrace。Hisexpectationwasquicklyrealized：alazilyquerulous，feminineoutcry，withthewords，"Yer’sthatdarnedhoundagin！"camefromanadjacentroom，andhisexposedandabashedcompanionswiftlyretreatedpasthimintotheroadagain。Mr。Fordfoundhimselfaloneinaplainly-furnishedsitting-roomconfrontingtheopendoorleadingtoanotherapartmentatwhichthefigureofawoman，precededhastilybyathrowndishcloth，hadjustappeared。ItwasMrs。McKinstry；hersleeveswererolledupoverherredbutstillshapelyarms，andasshestoodtherewipingthemonherapron，withherelbowsadvanced，andherclosedhandsraisedalternatelyintheair，therewasanoddpugilisticsuggestioninherattitude。Itwasnotlessenedonhersuddendiscoveryofthemasterbyherretreatingbackwardswithherhandsupandherelbowsstillwellforwardasifwarilyretiringtoanimaginary"corner。"

Mr。Fordatoncetactfullysteppedbackfromthedoorway。"Ibegyourpardon，"hesaid，delicatelyaddressingtheoppositewall，"butIfoundthedooropenandIfollowedthedog。"

"That’sjustoneofhispizenoustricks，"respondedMrs。McKinstrydolefullyfromwithin。"On’ylastweekheletinaChinaman，andinthenat’ralhustlin’thatfolleredhemanagedtohelphimselfoutertheporkbar’l。Thereain’tnoshadeo’cussednessthator’naryhoundain’tupto。"Yetnotwithstandingthisominouscomparisonshepresentlymadeherappearancewithhersleevesturneddown，herblackwoollendress"tidied，"andasmileoffatiguedbutnotunkindlywelcomeandprotectiononherface。

Dustingachairwithherapronandplacingitbeforethemaster，shecontinuedmaternally，"Nowthatyou’rehere，setyerightdownandmakeyourselftohome。Mymenfolksareallouto’door，butsomeof’em’ssuretohappeninsoonforsuthin’；thatdayain’tyetcreatedthattheydon’tcomehuntin’upMammyMcKinstryeveryfiveminutesforthisthingorthat。"

Theglowofacertainhardprideburnedthroughthecarewornlanguorofherbrowncheek。Whatshehadsaidwasstrangelytrue。

Thisraw-bonedwomanbeforehim，althoughscarcelymiddle-aged，hadforyearsoccupiedaself-imposedmaternalandprotectingrelation，notonlytoherhusbandandbrothers，buttothethreeorfourmen，whoaspartners，orhiredhands，livedattheranch。Aninheritedandtrainedsympathywithwhatshecalledher"boys’s"andher"menfolk，"andtheirneedshadpartlyunsexedher。ShewasafairtypeofaclassnotuncommonontheSouthwesternfrontier；womenwhowereruderhelpmeetsoftheirrudehusbandsandbrothers，whohadsharedtheirprivationsandsufferingswithsurly，masculineendurance，ratherthanfemininepatience；womenwhohadsenttheirlovedonestohopelessadventureorterriblevendettaasamatterofcourse，orwithpartisanfury；whohaddevotedlynursedthewoundedtokeepalivethefeud，orhadreceivedbacktheirdeaddry-eyedandrevengeful。SmallwonderthatCressyMcKinstryhaddevelopedstrangelyunderthissexlessrelationship。Lookingatthemother，albeitnotwithoutacertainrespect，Mr。Fordfoundhimselfcontrastingherwiththedaughter’sgracefulfemininity，andwonderingwhereinCressy’syouthfulcontourthepossibilityofthegrimfigurebeforehimwasevennowhidden。

"Hiramallowedtogoovertotheschoolhouseandseeyouthismornin’，"saidMrs。McKinstry，afterapause；"butIreckonezhowhehadtolookupstockontheriver。Thecattlearethatwildthistimeo’year，huntin’water，andhangin’roundthetules，thatmymenarenighworritedouto’theirbuteswith’em。HankandJimain’tbeenofftheirmustangssincesunup，andHiram，whatwithpartrollen’theWestBoundaryallnight，watchin’stakeswharthemlowdownHarrisonshevbeentrespassin’——hasn’tputhisfeettothegroundinfourteenhours。MebbeeyounoticedHiramezyoukemalong？Efso，yedidn’trememberwhatkindo’shootin’ironshehadwithhim？Iseehisrifleoveryon。Likeeznothe’zonlygothissix-shooter，andthemHarrisonsaremeanenoughtolayforhimatlongrange。But，"sheadded，returningtothelessimportanttopic，"Is’poseCressycameallright。"

"Yes，"saidthemasterhopelessly。

"Ireckonshelookedso，"continuedMrs。McKinstry，withtolerantabstraction。"SheallowedtodoherselfcreditinoneofthemnewstoregowndsthatshegotatSacramento。Atleastthat’swhatsomeofourmensaid。Lateyears，Iain’tkepttechwiththefashionsmyself。"Shepassedherfingersexplanatorilydownthefoldsofherowncoarsegown，butwithoutregretorapology。

"Sheseemedwellpreparedinherlessons，"saidthemaster，abandoningforthemomentthatcriticismofhispupil’sdress，whichhesawwasutterlyfutile，"butamItounderstandthatsheiscomingregularlytoschool——thatsheisnowperfectlyfreetogiveherentireattentiontoherstudies——that——that——her——

engagementisbrokenoff？"

"Why，didn’tshetellye？"echoedMrs。McKinstryinlanguidsurprise。

"SHEcertainlydid，"saidthemasterwithslightembarrassment，"but"——

"EfSHEsaidso，"interruptedMrs。McKinstryabstractedly，"sheoughterknow，andyoukintietowhatshesays。"

"ButasI’mresponsibletoPARENTSandnottoscholarsforthedisciplineofmyschool，"returnedtheyoungmanalittlestiffly，"IthoughtitmydutytohearitfromYOU。"

"That’sso，"saidMrs。McKinstrymeditatively；"thenIreckonyou’dbetterseeHiram。Thatar’SethDavisengagementwasamatterofhernandherfather’s，andnotinMYline。I’sposethatHiramnat’rallyallowstosetthethingsquaretoyouandinquirin’

friends。"

"Ihopeyouunderstand，"saidthemaster，slightlyresentingtheclassification，"thatmyreasonforinquiringaboutthepermanencyofyourdaughter’sattendancewassimplybecauseitmightbenecessarytoarrangeherstudiesinawaymoresuitabletoheryears；perhapseventosuggesttoyouthatayoungladies’seminarymightbemoresatisfactory"——

"Sartain，sartain，"interruptedMrs。McKinstryhurriedly，butwhetherfromevasionofannoyingsuggestionorwearinessofthetopic，themastercouldnotdetermine。"You’dbetterspeaktoHiramaboutit。On’y，"shehesitatedslightly，"ezhe’sgotnowsortersetandpintedtowardsyourschool，andisatrifleworritedwithstockandthemHarrisons，yemighttechitlightly。Heoughterbealongyernow。Ican’tthinkwhatkeepshim。"Hereyewanderedagainwithtroubledpreoccupationtothecornerwhereherhusband’sSharps’riflestood。SuddenlysheraisedhervoiceasifforgetfulofMr。Ford’spresence。

"OCressy！"

"OMaw！"

Theresponsecamefromtheinnerroom。ThenextmomentCressyappearedatthedoorwithanoddhalf-lazydefianceinhermanner，whichthemastercouldnotunderstandexceptuponthehypothesisthatshehadbeenlistening。Shehadalreadychangedherelaboratetoiletforalongclinging，coarsebluegown，thataccentedthegracefulcurvesofherslight，petticoat-lessfigure。Noddingherheadtowardsthemaster，shesaid，"Howdy？"andturnedtohermother，whopracticallyignoredtheirpersonalacquaintance。

"Cressy，"shesaid，"Dad’sgoneandlefthisSharps’yer，d’yemindtakin’italongtomeethim，aforehepassestheBoundarycorner。

Yemighttellhimtheteacher’syer，wantin’toseehim。"

"Onemoment，"saidthemaster，astheyounggirlcarelesslysteppedtothecornerandliftedtheweapon。"LetMEtakeit。It’sallonmywaybacktoschoolandI’llmeethim。"

Mrs。McKinstrylookedperturbed。Cressyopenedhercleareyesonthemasterwithevidentsurprise。"No，Mr。Ford，"saidMrs。

McKinstry，withherformermaternalmanner。"Ye’dbetternotmixyourselfupwiththeseyerdoin’s。Ye’venocalltodoit，andCressyhas；it’sallinthefamily。Butit’souterYOURline，andthemHarrisonwhelpsgotoyourschool。Fancytheteachertakin’

weppinsbetwixtandbetween！"

"It’sfitterworkfortheteacherthanforoneofhisscholars，andayoungladyatthat，"saidMr。Fordgravely，ashetooktheriflefromthehandsofthehalf-amused，half-reluctantgirl。"It’squitesafewithme，andIpromiseIshalldeliveritintoMr。

McKinstry’shandsandnoneother。"

"Perhapsitwouldn’tbeezlikelytobegin’rallynoticedezitwouldifoneofUScarriedit，"murmuredMrs。McKinstryinconfidentialabstraction，gazingatherdaughtersublimelyunconsciousofthepresenceofathirdparty。

"You’requiteright，"saidthemastercomposedly，throwingtherifleoverhisshoulderandturningtowardsthedoor。"SoI’llsaygood-afternoon，andtryandfindyourhusband。"

Mrs。McKinstryconstrainedlypluckedatthefoldsofhercoarsegown。"Ye’lllikeadrinkaforeyego，"shesaid，inanill-

concealedtoneofrelief。"Icleanforgotmymanners。Cressy，fetchoutthatdemijohn。"

"Notforme，thankyou，"returnedMr。Fordsmiling。

"Oh，Isee——you’retemperance，nat’rally，"saidMrs。McKinstrywithatolerantsigh。

"Hardlythat，"returnedthemaster，"Ifollownorule，Idrinksometimes——butnotto-day。"

Mrs。McKinstry’sdarkfacecontracted。"Don’tyousee，Maw，"

struckinCressyquickly。"Teacherdrinkssometimes，buthedon’tUSEwhiskey。That’sall。"

Hermother’sfacerelaxed。Cressyslippedoutofthedoorbeforethemaster，andprecededhimtothegate。Whenshehadreacheditsheturnedandlookedintohisface。

"WhatdidMawsaytoyeraboutseein’mejustnow？"

"Idon’tunderstandyou。"

"Toyourseein’meandJoeMastersonthetrail？"

"Shesaidnothing。"

"Humph，"saidCressymeditatively。"Whatwasityoutoldheraboutit？"

"Nothing。"

"ThenyouDIDN’Tseeus？"

"Isawyouwithsomeone——Idon’tknowwhom。"

"Andyoudidn’ttellMaw？"

"Ididnot。Itwasnoneofmybusiness。"

Heinstantlysawtheutterinconsistencyofthisspeechinconnectionwiththereasonhebelievedhehadincoming。Butitwastoolatetorecallit，andshewaslookingathimwithabrightbutsingularexpression。

"ThatJoeMastersistheconceitedestfellowgoin’。Itoldhimyoucouldseehisfoolishness。"

"Ah，indeed。"

Mr。Fordpushedopenthegate。Asthegirlstilllingeredhewasobligedtoholditamomentbeforepassingthrough。

"Mawcouldn’tquitehitchontoyournotdrinkin’。Shereckonsyou’relikeeverybodyelseaboutyer。That’swheresheslipsuponyou。Andeverybodyelse，Ikalkilate。"

"Isupposeshe’ssomewhatanxiousaboutyourfather，andIdaresayisexpectingmetohurry，"returnedthemasterpointedly。

"Oh，dad’sallright，"saidCressymischievously。"You’llcomeacrosshimoveryon，intheclearing。Butyou’relookingrightpurtywiththatgun。Itkindersetsyouoff。Yououghterwearone。"

Themastersmiledslightly，said"Good-by，"andtookleaveofthegirl，butnotofhereyes，whichwerestillfollowinghim。Evenwhenhehadreachedtheendofthelaneandglancedbackattheramblingdwelling，shewasstillleaningonthegatewithonefootonthelowerrailandherchincuppedinthehollowofherhand。

Shemadeaslightgesture，notclearlyintelligibleatthatdistance；itmighthavebeenamischievousimitationofthewayhehadthrownthegunoverhisshoulder，itmighthavebeenawaftedkiss。

Themasterhowevercontinuedhiswayinnoveryself-satisfiedmood。AlthoughhedidnotregrethavingtakentheplaceofCressyasthepurveyoroflethalweaponsbetweenthebelligerentparties，heknewhewastacitlyminglinginthefeudbetweenpeopleforwhomhecaredlittleornothing。ItwastruethattheHarrisonssenttheirchildrentohisschool，andthatinthefiercepartisanshipofthelocalitythissimplecourtesywasopentomisconstruction。

Buthewasmoreuneasilyconsciousthatthismission，sofarasMrs。McKinstrywasconcerned，wasamiserablefailure。Thestrangerelationsofthemotheranddaughterperhapsexplainedmuchofthegirl’sconduct，butitofferednohopeoffutureamelioration。

Wouldthefather，"worritedbystock"andboundaryquarrels——amaninthehabitofcuttingGordianknotswithabowieknife——provemorereasonable？Wasthereanynearersympathybetweenfatheranddaughter？ButshehadsaidhewouldmeetMcKinstryintheclearing：shewasright，forherehewascomingforwardatagallop！

CHAPTERIII。

Whenwithinadozenpacesofthemaster，McKinstry，scarcelycheckinghismustang，threwhimselffromthesaddle，andwithasharpcutofhisriataontheanimal’shaunchessenthimstillgallopingtowardsthedistanthouse。Then，withbothhandsdeeplythrustinthesidepocketsofhislong，looselinencoat，heslowlyloungedwithclankingspurstowardstheyoungman。Hewasthick-

set，ofmediumheight，denselyandreddishlybearded，withheavy-

liddedpaleblueeyesthatworealookofdrowsypain，andaftertheirfirstweariedglanceatthemaster，seemedtorestanywherebutonhim。

"YourwifewassendingyouyourriflebyCressy，"saidthemaster，"butIofferedtobringitmyself，asIthoughtitscarcelyapropererrandforayounglady。Hereitis。Ihopeyoudidn’tmissitbeforeanddon’trequireitnow，"headdedquietly。

Mr。McKinstrytookitinonehandwithanairofslightlyembarrassedsurprise，resteditagainsthisshoulder，andthenwiththesamehandandwithoutremovingtheotherfromhispocket，tookoffhissoftfelthat，showedabullet-holeinitsrim，andreturnedlazily，"It’sabouthalfanhourlate，butthemHarrisonsreckonedIwasfixedfor’emandwartoonarvoustodrawaclearbeadonme。"

Themomentwasevidentlynotafelicitousoneforthemaster’spurpose，buthewasdeterminedtogoon。Hehesitatedaninstant，whenhiscompanion，whoseemedtobeequallybutmoresluggishlyembarrassed，inamomentofpreoccupiedperplexitywithdrewfromhispockethisrighthandswathedinablood-stainedbandage，andfollowingsomeinstinctivehabit，attempted，asifreflectively，toscratchhisheadwithtwostiffenedfingers。

"Youarehurt，"saidthemaster，genuinelyshocked，"andhereIamdetainingyou。"

"Ihadmyhandup——so，"explainedMcKinstry，withheavydeliberation，"andtheballrakedoffmylittlefingerafteritwentthroughmyhat。Butthatain’twhatIwantedtosaywhenIstoppedye。I

ain’tjustkamenoughyet，"heapologizedinthecalmestmanner，"andIcleanforgitmyself，"headdedwithperfectself-possession。

"ButIwaskalkilatin’toaskyou"——helaidhisbandagedhandfamiliarlyonthemaster’sshoulder——"ifCressykemallright？"

"Perfectly，"saidthemaster。"Butshan’tIwalkonhomewithyou，andwecantalktogetherafteryourwoundisattendedto？"

"Andshelookedpurty？"continuedMcKinstrywithoutmoving。

"Very。"

"Andyouthoughtthemnewstoregowndsofhersrightpeart？"

"Yes，"saidthemaster。"Perhapsalittletoofinefortheschool，youknow，"headdedinsinuatingly，"and"——

"Notforher——notforher，"interruptedMcKinstry。"Ireckonthar’smorewharthatcamfrom！Yeneedn’tfearbutthatshekinkeepupthatgaitezlongezHiramMcKinstryheztherunnin’ofher。"

Mr。Fordgazedhopelesslyatthehideousranchinthedistance，atthesky，andthetrailbeforehim；thenhisglancefelluponthehandstilluponhisshoulder，andhestruggledwithafinaleffort。

"AtanothertimeI’dliketohavealongtalkwithyouaboutyourdaughter，Mr。McKinstry。"

"Talkon，"saidMcKinstry，puttinghiswoundedhandthroughthemaster’sarm。"Iadmiretohearyou。You’rethatkam，itdoesmegood。"

Neverthelessthemasterwasconsciousthathisownarmwasscarcelyasfirmashiscompanion’s。Itwashoweveruselesstodrawbacknow，andwithasmuchtactashecouldcommandherelievedhismindofitspurpose。Addressingtheobtrudingbandagebeforehim，hedweltuponCressy’spreviousattitudeintheschool，thedangerofanyrelapse，thenecessityofherhavingamoreclearlydefinedpositionasascholar，andeventheadvisabilityofherbeingtransferredtoamoreadvancedschoolwithamorematureteacherofherownsex。"ThisiswhatIwishedtosaytoMrs。McKinstryto-

day，"heconcluded，"butshereferredmetoyou。"

"Incourse，incourse，"saidMcKinstry，noddingcomplacently。

"She’sagoodwomaninandaroundtheranch，andinanydoin’so’

thiskind，"helightlywavedhiswoundedarmintheair，"thereain’tabetter，tho’Isayit。ShewasBlairRawlins’darter；sheandherbrotherClaybein’theonlyonesthatkemoutsafeartertheirtwentyyears’fightwiththeMcEnteesinWestKaintuck。Butshedon’tunderstandgalsezyouandmedo。NotthatI’mmuch，ezIorterbemorekam。AndtheoldwomanjestsizedthehullthingwhenshesaidSHEhadn’tanyhandinCressy’sengagement。Nomoreshehad！Andezfarezthatgoes，nomoredidme，norSethDavis，norCressy。"Hepaused，andliftinghisheavy-liddedeyestothemasterforthesecondtime，saidreflectively，"Yemustn’tmindmytellin’ye——ezbetwixtmanandman——thatTHEoneezismostresponsibleforthemakin’andbreakin’o’thatengagementisYOU！"

"Me！"saidthemasterinutterbewilderment。

"You！"repeatedMcKinstryquietly，reinstallingthehandFordhadattemptedtowithdraw。"Iain’tsayin’yeeitherknow’ditorkalkilatedonit。Butitwarso。Efye’dharktome，andmeanderonalittle，I’lltellyeHOWitwar。Idon’tmindwalkin’apieceYOURway，forifwegotowardstheranch，andthehoundsseeme，they’llsetuparacketandbringouttheoldwoman，andthengood-

bytoanyconfidentialtalkbetwixtyouandme。AndI’m，somehow，kammeroutyer。"

Hemovedslowlydownthetrail，stillholdingFord’sarmconfidentially，although，owingtohislargeprotectingmanner，heseemedtoofferaridiculoussuggestionofsupportingHIMwithhiswoundedmember。

"WhenyoufirstkemtoInjinSpring，"hebegan，"SethandCressywasgoin’toschool，boyandgirllike，andnothin’more。They’dknowneachotherfrombabies——theDavisesbein’ourneighborsinKaintuck，andemigraten’withusfromSt。Joe。SethmouthevcottonedtoCress，andCresstohim，incourseo’time，andtherewasn’tanythin’betwixtthefamiliestohevkept’emfrommarryin’

whentheywanted。Butthereneverwaranywordspassed，andnoengagement。"

"But，"interruptedFordhastily，"mypredecessor，Mr。Martin，distinctlytoldmethattherewas，andthatitwaswithYOUR

permission。"

"That’sonlybecauseyounoticedsuthin’thefirstdayyoulookedovertheschoolwithMartin。’Dad，’sezCresstome，’thatnewteacher’sverypeart；andhe’sthatkeenaboutnoticin’meandSeththatIreckonyou’dbettergivoutthatwe’reengaged。’’Butareyou？’sezI。’It’llcometothatintheend，’sezCress，’andifthatyerteacherhezcomeherewithNorthernideaso’society，it’sjustezwelltolethimseeInjinSpringain’tentirelyinthewoodsaboutthemthingseither。’SoIagreed，andMartintoldyouitwasallright；CressandSethwasanengagedcouple，andyouwastotakenonotice。AndthenYOUupsandobjectstothehullthing，andallowsthatcourtin’inschool，evenamongengagedpupils，ain’tproper。"

ThemasterturnedhiseyeswithsomeuneasinesstothefaceofCressy’sfather。Itwasheavybutimpassive。

"Idon’tmindtellin’you，nowthatit’sover，whathappened。Thetroublewithme，Mr。Ford，is——Iain’tkam！andYOUair，andthat’swhatgotme。ForwhenIheardwhatyou’dsaid，Igotonthatmustangandstartedfortheschool-housetocleanyououtandgiv’

youfiveminutestoleaveInjinSpring。Idon’tknowezyourememberthatday。I’dkalkilatedmytimesoeztoketchyecomin’

outo’school，butIwastooairly。Ihungaroundouto’sight，andthenhitchedmyhosstoabuckeyeandpeepedinterthewindertohevagoodlookatye。Itwasveryquietandkam。Therewassquirrelsovertheroof，yellow-jacketsandbeesdronin’away，andkindersleeping-likeallaroundintheair，andjay-birdstwitterin’intheshingles，andtheynevermindedme。Youweremovin’upanddownamongthemlittlegalsandboys，liftin’uptheirheadsandtalkin’to’emsoftlyandquietlike，ezifyouwasoneofthemyourself。Andtheylookedcontentedandkam。Andonct——Idon’tknowifYOUrememberit——youkemcloseuptothewinderwithyourhandsbehindyou，andlookedoutsokamandquietandsofaroff，ezifeverybodyelseoutsidetheschoolwasmilesawayfromyou。ItkemtomethenthatI’dgivenaheaptohevhadtheoldwomanseeyouthar。Itkemtome，Mr。Ford，thattherewasn’tanyplaceforMEthar；anditkemtome，too——andalittleroughlike——thatmebbeetherewasn’tanyplacethereforMYCresseither！SoIrodeawaywithoutdisturbin’younorthebirdsnorthesquirrels。Talkin’withCressthatnight，shesaidezhowitwasafairsampleofwhathappenedeveryday，andthatyou’dalwaystreatedherfairliketheothers。Sosheallowedthatshe’dgodowntoSacramento，andgetsomethingsaginherandSethbein’

marriednextmonth，andshereckonedshewouldn’ttroubleyounortheschoolagin。HarktillI’vedone，Mr。Ford，"hecontinued，astheyoungmanmadeaslightmovementofdeprecation。"Well，I

agreed。ButartershegottoSacramentoandboughtsomefancyfixin’s，shewrotetomeandsezezhowshe’dbeenthinkin’thehullthingover，andshereckonedthatsheandSethweretooyoungtomarry，andtheengagementhadbetterbebroke。AndIbrokeitforher。"

"Buthow？"askedthebewilderedmaster。

"Gin’rallywiththisgun，"returnedMcKinstrywithslowgravity，indicatingtheriflehewascarrying，"forIain’tkam。IletontoSeth’sfatherthatifIeverfoundSethandCressytogetheragain，I’dshoothim。Itmadeasorto’coolnessbetwixtthefamilies，andhezgivensomecomforttothemlow-downHarrisons；

buteventhelaw，Ireckon，recognizesafather’srights。AndezCresssez，nowezSeth’souto’theway，tharain’tnoreasonwhyshecan’tgobacktoschoolandfinishhereddication。AndI

reckonedshewasright。Andwebothagreedthatezshe’dleftschooltogitthemstoreclothes，itwasonlyfairthatshe’dgivetheschoolthebenefitof’em。"

Thecaseseemedmorehopelessthanever。Themasterknewthatthemanbesidehimmighthardlyproveaslenienttoasecondobjectionathishand。Butthatveryreason，perhaps，impelledhim，nowthatheknewhisdanger，toconsideritmorestronglyasaduty，andhispriderevoltedfromapossiblethreatunderlyingMcKinstry’sconfidences。Neverthelesshebegangently：

"Butyouarequitesureyouwon’tregretthatyoudidn’tavailyourselfofthisbrokenengagement，andyourdaughter’soutfit——tosendhertosomelargerboarding-schoolinSacramentoorSanFrancisco？Don’tyouthinkshemayfinditdull，andsoontireofthecompanyofmerechildrenwhenshehasalreadyknowntheexcitementof"——hewasabouttosay"alover，"butcheckedhimself，andadded，"ayounggirl’sfreedom？"

"Mr。Ford，"returnedMcKinstry，withtheslowandfatuousmisconceptionofaone-ideaedman，"whenIsaidjustnowthat，lookin’interthatkam，peacefulschoolofyours，Ididn’tfindaplaceforCress，itwarn’tbecauseIdidn’tthinksheOUGHTERhevaplacethar。Tharwasthattharwotsheneverhadezalittlegirlwithmeandtheoldwoman，andthatshecouldn’tfindezagrowndupgirlinanyboarding-school——thehomeofachild；thatkindo’

innocentfoolishnessthatIsometimesreckonmusthevslippedouterouremigrantwagoncomin’acrosstheplains，orgotleftbehindatSt。Joe。Shewasagrowndgirlfittomarryaforeshewasachild。

Shehadyoungfellersa-sparkin’heraforesheeverplayedwith’emezboyandgirl。Idon’tmindtellin’youthatitwern’tinthenaturofBlairRawlins’dartertoteachherowndarteranybetter，forallshe’sbeenamightyhelptome。Soifit’sallthesametoyou，Mr。Ford，wewon’ttalkaboutagrowndupschool；I’dratherCressbealittlegirlagainamongthemotherchildren。IshouldbeapowerfulsightmorekamifIknowedthatwhenIwasawayhuntin’stockorfightin’stakeswiththemHarrisons，thatshewasasettin’therewiththemandthebirdsandthebees，andlistenin’

tothemandtoyou。Mebbeethere’sbeenalittletoomanyscrimmagesgoin’onroundtheranchsenceshe’sbeenachild；

mebbeesheorterknowsuthin’moreofamanthanafellerwhosparksherandfightsforher。"

Themasterwassilent。Hadthisdull，narrow-mindedpartisanstumbleduponatruththathadneverdawneduponhisownbroadercomprehension？Hadthisselfishsavageandliterallyred-handedfrontierbrawlerbeenmovedbysomedumbinstinctofthepowerofgentlenesstounderstandhisdaughter’sneedsbetterthanhe？Foramomenthewasstaggered。ThenhethoughtofCressy’slaterflirtationswithJoeMasters，andherconcealmentoftheirmeetingfromhermother。Hadshedeceivedherfatheralso？Orwasnotthefatherdeceivinghimwiththisalternatesuggestionofthreatandofkindliness——ofpowerandweakness。HehadheardofthiscruelphaseofSouthwesterncunningbefore。Withthefeeblesophistryofthecynichemistrustedthegoodhisscepticismcouldnotunderstand。Howbeit，glancingsidewaysattheslumberingsavageryofthemanbesidehim，andhiswoundedhand，hedidnotcaretoshowhislackofconfidence。Hecontentedhimselfwiththatequallyfeebleresourceofweakhumanityinsuchcases——good-

naturedindifference。"Allright，"hesaidcarelessly；"I’llseewhatcanbedone。Butareyouquitesureyouarefittogohomealone？ShallIaccompanyyou？"AsMcKinstrywaivedthesuggestionwithagesture，headdedlightly，asiftoconcludetheinterview，"I’llreportprogresstoyoufromtimetotime，ifyoulike。"

"ToME，"emphasizedMcKinstry；"notoverTHAR，"indicatingtheranch。"Butp’rhapsyouwouldn’tmindmyridin’byandlookin’inattheschool-roomwinderonctinawhile？Ah——youWOULD，"headded，withthefirstdeepeningofcolorhehadshown。"Well，nevermind。"

"Youseeitmightdistractthechildrenfromtheirlessons，"

explainedthemastergently，whohadhowevercontemplatedwithsomeconcerntheinfinitedelightwhichaglimpseofMcKinstry’sfieryandfatuousfaceatthewindowwouldawakeninJohnnyFilgee’sinfantbreast。

"Well，nomatter！"returnedMcKinstryslowly。"Yedon’tkeer，I

s’pose，tocomeovertothehotelandtakesuthin’？Ajuleporasmash？"

"Ishouldn’tthinkofkeepingyouamomentlongerfromMrs。

McKinstry，"saidthemaster，lookingathiscompanion’swoundedhand。"Thankyouallthesame。Good-by。"

Theyshookhands，McKinstrytransferringhisrifletothehollowofhiselbowtoofferhisunwoundedleft。Themasterwatchedhimslowlyresumehiswaytowardstheranch。Thenwithahalfuneasyandhalfpleasurablesensethathehadtakensomestepwhoseconsequencesweremoreimportantthanhewouldatpresentunderstand，heturnedintheoppositedirectiontotheschool-

house。HewassopreoccupiedthatitwasnotuntilhehadnearlyreacheditthatherememberedUncleBen。WithanoddrecollectionofMcKinstry’spreviousperformance，heapproachedtheschoolfromthethicketintherearandslippednoiselesslytotheopenwindowwiththeintentionoflookingin。Buttheschool-house，farfromexhibitingthat"kam"andstudiousabstractionwhichhadsotouchedthesavagebreastofMcKinstry，wasfilledwiththeaccentsofyouthfulandunrestrainedvituperation。ThevoiceofRupertFilgeecamesharplytothemaster’sastonishedears。

"Youneedn’ttrytoplayoffDobellorMitchellonME——youhear！

MuchYOUknowofeither，don’tyou？Lookatthatcopy。IfJohnnycouldn’tdobetterthanthat，I’dlickhim。Ofcourseit’sthepen——itain’tyourstodgyfingers——oh，no！P’r’apsyou’dliketohevafewmoreboxeso’quillsandgoldpensandGillott’sbestthrownin，fortwobitsalesson？Itellyouwhat！I’llthrowupthecontractinanotherminit！Theregoesanotherquillbusted！

Lookhere，whatYOUwantain’tapen，butaclothes-pinandasplitnail！That’llaboutjibewithyourdilikitgait。"

Themasteratoncesteppedtothewindowand，unobserved，tookaquicksurveyoftheinterior。Followingsomeingeniousideaofhisownregardingfitness，thebeautifulFilgeehadinducedUncleBentoseathimselfonthefloorbeforeoneofthesmallestdesks，presumablyhisbrother’s，inanattitudewhich，whileitcertainlygavehimconsiderableelbow-roomforthosecontortionscommontoimmaturepenmanship，offeredhisyouthfulinstructorasuperioreminence，fromwhichhehovered，occasionallyswoopingdownuponhisgrown-uppupillikeamischievousbutgracefuljay。ButMr。

Ford’smostdistinctimpressionwasthat，farfromresentingthederogatorypositionandtheabusethataccompaniedit，UncleBennotonlybeameduponhispersecutorwithunquenchablegoodhumor，butwithundisguisedadmiration，andshowednottheslightestinclinationtoaccepthisproposedresignation。

"Goslow，Roop，"hesaidcheerfully。"Youwasonctaboyyourself。

Nat’rallyIkalkilatetostandallthedamages。You’vegotterwastesomepowderoverablastlikethisyer，waydowntothebedrock。NexttimeI’llbringmyownpens。"

"Do。SomefromtheDobellschoolyouustergoto，"suggestedthedarklyironicalRupert。"Theywasiron-cladinjin-rubber，warn’tthey？"

"Neveryoumindwottheywere，"saidUncleBengood-humoredly。

"Lookatthatstringof’C’s’inthatline。There’snothingmeanaboutTHEM。"

Heputhispenbetweenhisteeth，raisedhimselfslowlyonhislegs，andshadinghiseyeswithhishandfromthesevereperspectiveofsixfeet，gazedadmiringlydownuponhiswork。

Rupert，withhishandsinhispocketsandhisbacktothewindow，cynicallyassistedattheinspection。

"Wot’sthatsickwormatthebottomofthepage？"heasked。

"Wotmightyouthinkitwos？"saidUncleBenbeamingly。

"Lookslikeoneo’themsnakerootsyoudigupwithalittlemudstucktoit，"returnedRupertcritically。

"That’smyname。"

Theybothstoodlookingatitwiththeirheadsverymuchononeside。"Itain’tsobadastherestyou’vedone。ItMIGHTbeyourname。Thatez，itdon’tlooklikeanythin’else，"suggestedRupert，struckwithanewideathatitwasperhapsmoreprofessionaloccasionallytoencouragehispupil。"Youmightgetonincourseo’

time。Butwhatareyoudoin’allthisfor？"heaskedsuddenly。

"Doin’what？"

"Thisyercomin’toschoolwhenyouain’tsent，andyouain’tgotnocalltogo——you，agrown-upman！"

ThecolordeepenedinUncleBen’sfacetothebackofhisears。"Wotwouldyougiv’toknow，Roop？S’poseIreckonedsomedaytomakeastrikeandsorterdropintersacietyeasy——eh？S’poseIwantedtobereadytokeepupmyendwiththeotherfellers，whenthetimekem？Tobeabletoslingpo’tryandreadnovelsandsich——eh？"

AnexpressionofinfiniteandunutterablescorndawnedintheeyesofRupert。"Youdo？Well，"herepeatedwithslowandcuttingdeliberation，"I’lltellyouwhatyou’recomin’herefor，andtheonlythingthatmakesyoucome。"

"What？"

"It’s——some——girl！"

UncleBenbrokeintoaboisterouslaughthatmadetheroofshake，stampingaboutandslappinghislegstillthecrazyfloortrembled。

Butatthatmomentthemastersteppedtotheperchandmadeaquietbutdiscomposingentrance。

CHAPTERIV。

ThereturnofMissCressidaMcKinstrytoIndianSpringandherinterruptedstudieswasaneventwhoseeffectswerenotentirelyconfinedtotheschool。Thebrokenengagementitselfseemedoflittlemomentinthegeneralestimationcomparedtoherresumptionofheroldfootingasascholar。Afewill-naturedeldersofherownsex，andnaturallyexemptfromthediscriminatingretortofMr。

McKinstry’s"shot-gun，"allegedthattheSeminaryatSacramentohaddeclinedtoreceiveher，butthemajorityacceptedherreturnwithlocalprideasapracticalcomplimenttotheeducationalfacilitiesofIndianSpring。TheTuolumne"Star，"withabreadthandeloquencetouchinglydisproportionatetoitsactualsizeandqualityoftypeandpaper，referredtothepossible"growthofagroveofAcademusatIndianSpring，underwhosecloisteredboughsfuturesagesandstatesmenwerenowmeditating，"inawaythatmadethemasterfeelexceedinglyuncomfortable。ForsomedaysthetrailbetweentheMcKinstrys’ranchandtheschool-housewaslightlypatrolledbyreliefsofsusceptibleyoungmen，towhomtheenfranchisedCressida，relievedfromthedangeroussupervisionoftheDavis-McKinstryclique，wasanobjectofambitiousadmiration。Theyounggirlherself，who，inspiteofthemaster’sannoyance，seemedtobefollowingsomeconscientiousdutyinconsecutivelyarrayingherselfinthedifferentdressesshehadbought，howevershemayhavetantalizedheradmirersbythisrevelationofbridalfinery，didnotventuretobringthemnearthelimitsoftheplay-ground。ItstruckthemasterwithsomesurprisethatIndianSpringdidnotseemtotroubleitselfinregardtohisownprivilegedrelationswithitsrusticenchantress；theyoungmenclearlywerenotjealousofhim；

nomatronhadsuggestedanyindecoruminayounggirlofCressy’syearsandantecedentsbeingintrustedtotheteachingsofayoungmanscarcelyhersenior。NotwithstandingtheattitudewhichMr。

Fordhadbeenpleasedtoassumetowardsher，thisimpliedcomplimenttohissupposedmonasticvocationsaffectedhimalmostasuncomfortablyasthe"Star’s"extravaganteulogium。Hewasobligedtorecallcertainfoolishexperiencesofhisowntoenablehimtorisesuperiortothispresumptionofhisasceticism。

InpursuanceofhispromisetoMcKinstry，hehadprocuredafewelementarybooksofstudysuitabletoCressy’snewposition，without，however，takingheroutofthesmallerclassesorthedisciplineoftheschool。Inafewweekshewasenabledtofurtherimproveherattitudebymakinghera"monitor"overthesmallergirls，therebydividingcertainfunctionswithRupertFilgee，whoseministrationstothedeceitfuland"silly"sexhadbeencharacterizedbyperhapsmorevigilantscornanddisparagementthanwasnecessary。

Cressyhadaccepteditasshehadacceptedhernewstudies，withanindolentgood-humor，andattimesafranklysupremeignoranceoftheirabstractormoralpurposethatwasdiscouraging。"What’sthegoodofthat？"shewouldask，liftinghereyesabruptlytothemaster。Mr。Ford，somewhatembarrassedbyherlook，whichalways，soonerorlater，franklyconfesseditselfanexcuseforaperfectlyirrelevantexaminationofhisfeaturesindetail，wouldendingivinghersomeseverelypracticalanswer。Yet，ifthesubjectappealedtoanyparticularidiosyncrasyofherown，shewouldspeedilymasterthestudy。Apassingpredilectionforbotanywasprovokedbyasingleincident。Themasterdeemingthisstudyaharmlessyoung-lady-likeoccupation，hadonedayintroducedthetopicatrecess，andwasmetbytheusualanswer。"Butsuppose，"hecontinuedartfully，"somebodysentyouanonymouslysomeflowers。"

"Herho！"suggestedJohnnyFilgeehoarsely，withboldbadrecklessness。IgnoringtheremarkandthekickwithwhichRuperthadresenteditonthepersonofhisbrother，themastercontinued：

"Andifyoucouldn’tfindoutwhosentthem，youwouldwantatleasttoknowwhattheywereandwheretheygrew。"

"Eftheygrewanywhere’boutyerwecouldtellherthat，"saidachorusofsmallvoices。

Themasterhesitated。Hewasconsciousofbeingondelicateground。HewassurroundedbyadozenpairsoflittlekeeneyesfromwhomNaturehadneveryetsucceededinhidinghersecrets——

eyesthathadwaitedforandknewthecomingupoftheearliestflowers；littlefingersthathadneverturnedthepagesofatext-

book，butknewwheretoscrapeawaythedeadleavesabovethefirstanemone，orhadgropedpainfullyamongthelifelessbranchesinforgottenhollowsfortheshydog-rose；unguidedlittlefeetthathadinstinctivelymadetheirwaytoremotesouthernslopesforthefirstmariposas，orhadunerringlythreadedthetule-hiddenbanksoftheriverforflower-de-luce。Convincedthathecouldnotholdhisownontheirlevel，heshamelesslystruckatonceaboveit。

"Supposethatoneofthoseflowers，"hecontinued，"wasnotliketherest；thatitsstalksandleaves，insteadofbeinggreenandsoft，werewhiteandstringylikeflannelasiftoprotectitfromcold，wouldn’titbenicetobeabletosayatoncethatithadlivedonlyinthesnow，andthatsomeonemusthavegoneallthatwayupthereabovethesnowlinetopickit？"Thechildren，takenabackbythisunfairintroductionofafloralstranger，weresilent。Cressythoughtfullyacceptedbotanyonthosepossibilities。

Aweeklatershelaidonthemaster’sdeskalimp-lookingplantwithastalklikeheavyfrayedworstedyarn。"Itain’tmuchtolookatafterall，isit？"shesaid。"IreckonIcouldcutabetteronewithscissorsouteranoldclothjacketofmine。"

"Andyoufoundithere？"askedthemasterinsurprise。

"IgotMasterstolookforitwhenhewasontheSummit。Idescribedittohim。Ididn’tallowhehadthegumptiontogetit。Buthedid。"

Althoughbotanylanguishedslightlyafterthisvicariouseffort，itkeptCressyinfreshbouquets，andextendingitsgentleinfluencetoherfriendsandacquaintancesbecameslightlyconfoundedwithhorticulture，ledtotheplantingofoneortwogardens，andwasacceptedinschoolasanimpliedconcessiontoberries，apples，andnuts。InreadingandwritingCressygreatlyimproved，withamarkeddecreaseingrammaticalsolecisms，althoughshestillretainedcertaincharacteristicwords，andalwaysherownslowSouthwestern，halfmusicalintonation。Thislanguiddeliberationwasparticularlynoticeableinherreadingaloud，andgavethestudiedandmeasuredrhetoricacharmofwhichhercarelesscolloquialspeechwasincapable。Eventhe"FifthReader，"withitsimposingpassagesfromtheEnglishclassicscarefullyselectedwithaviewofparalyzingsmall，hesitating，orhurriedvoices，inCressy’shandsbecamenolongeranunintelligibleincantation。Shehadquietlymasteredthedifficultiesofpronunciationbysomeinstinctivesenseofeuphonyifnotofcomprehension。Themasterwithhiseyesclosedhardlyrecognizedhispupil。Whetherornotsheunderstoodwhatshereadhehesitatedtoinquire；nodoubt，aswithherotherstudies，sheknewwhatattractedher。RupertFilgee，asympatheticifnotalwaysacorrectreader，whoboldlytookfourandfivesyllabledfencesflyingonlytocometogriefperhapsintheditchofsomerhetoricalpausebeyond，aloneexpressedhisscornofherperformance。OctaviaDean，tornbetweenherhopelessaffectionforthisbeautifulbutinaccessibleboy，andhersoul-friendshipforthisbiggerbutmany-frockedgirl，studiedthemaster’sfacewithwatchfulanxiety。

ItisneedlesstosaythatHiramMcKinstrywas，intheintervalsofstake-drivingandstock-hunting，heavilycontentedwiththislatestevidenceofhisdaughter’sprogress。Heevenintimatedtothemasterthatherreadingbeinganaccomplishmentthatcouldbeexercisedathomewasconducivetothat"kam"inwhichhewassodeficient。ItwasalsorumoredthatCressy’soralrenderingofAddison’s"ReflectionsinWestminsterAbbey"andBurke’s"IndictmentofWarrenHastings，"hadbeguiledhimoneeveningfromimprovinganopportunityto"plug"oneofHarrison’sboundary"raiders。"

ThemastersharedinCressy’sgloryinthepubliceye。ButalthoughMrs。McKinstrydidnotmateriallychangeherattitudeoftolerantgood-naturetowardshim，hewaspainfullyconsciousthatshelookeduponherdaughter’sstudiesandherhusband’sinterestsinthemasaweaknessthatmightincourseoftimeproduceinfirmityofhomicidalpurposeandbecomeenervatingofeyeandtrigger-finger。AndwhenMr。McKinstrygothimselfappointedasschool-trustee，andwastherebyobligedtominglewithcertainEasternsettlers，——colleaguesontheBoard，——thispossibleweakeningoftheoldsharplydrawnsectionallinebetween"Yanks"

andthemselvesgavehergravedoubtsofHiram’sphysicalstamina。

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