CONTENTS

DRIFTFROMTWOSHORES

THEMANONTHEBEACH

TWOSAINTSOFTHEFOOT-HILLS

"JINNY"

ROGERCATRON’SFRIEND

"WHOWASMYQUIETFRIEND？"

AGHOSTOFTHESIERRAS

THEHOODLUMBAND

THEMANWHOSEYOKEWASNOTEASY

MYFRIEND，THETRAMP

THEMANFROMSOLANO

THEOFFICESEEKER

ASLEEPING-CAREXPERIENCE

MORNINGONTHEAVENUE

WITHTHEENTREES

DRIFTFROMTWOSHORES

THEMANONTHEBEACH

I

Helivedbesideariverthatemptiedintoagreatocean。Thenarrowstripoflandthatlaybetweenhimandtheestuarywascoveredathightidebyashiningfilmofwater，atlowtidewiththecast-upofferingsofseaandshore。Logsyetgreen，andsaplingswashedawayfrominlandbanks，batteredfragmentsofwrecksandorangecratesofbamboo，brokenintotinyraftsyetodorouswiththeirlostfreight，layinlongsuccessivecurves，——

thefringesandoverlappingsofthesea。Athighnoontheshadowofaseagull’swing，orasuddenflurryandgraysquallofsand-

pipers，themselvesbutshadows，wasallthatbrokethemonotonousglareofthelevelsands。

Hehadlivedtherealoneforatwelvemonth。Althoughbutafewmilesfromathrivingsettlement，duringthattimehisretirementhadneverbeenintrudedupon，hisseclusionremainedunbroken。Inanyothercommunityhemighthavebeenthesubjectofrumororcriticism，buttheminersatCampRogueandthetradersatTrinidadHead，themselvesindividualandeccentric，wereprofoundlyindifferenttoallotherformsofeccentricityorheterodoxythatdidnotcomeincontactwiththeirown。Andcertainlytherewasnoformofeccentricitylessaggressivethanthatofahermit，hadtheychosentogivehimthatappellation。Buttheydidnotevendothat，probablyfromlackofinterestorperception。Tothevarioustraderswhosuppliedhissmallwantshewasknownas"Kernel，"

"Judge，"and"Boss。"Tothegeneralpublic"TheManontheBeach"

wasconsideredasufficientlydistinguishingtitle。Hisname，hisoccupation，rank，orantecedents，nobodycaredtoinquire。Whetherthisarosefromafearofreciprocalinquiryandinterest，orfromtheprofoundindifferencebeforereferredto，Icannotsay。

Hedidnotlooklikeahermit。Amanyetyoung，erect，well-

dressed，clean-shaven，withalowvoice，andasmilehalfmelancholy，halfcynical，wasscarcelytheconventionalideaofasolitary。Hisdwelling，arudeimprovementonafisherman’scabin，hadallthesevereexteriorsimplicityoffrontierarchitecture，butwithinitwascomfortableandwholesome。Threerooms——akitchen，alivingroom，andabedroom——wereallitcontained。

Hehadlivedtherelongenoughtoseethedullmonotonyofoneseasonlapseintothedullmonotonyoftheother。Thebleaknorthwesttrade-windshadbroughthimmorningsofstaringsunlightandnightsoffogandsilence。Thewarmersouthwesttradeshadbroughthimclouds，rain，andthetransientgloriesofquickgrassesandodorousbeachblossoms。Butsummerorwinter，wetordryseason，ononesiderosealwaysthesharplydefinedhillswiththeirchangelessbackgroundofevergreens；ontheothersidestretchedalwaystheillimitableoceanassharplydefinedagainstthehorizon，andasunchanginginitshue。Theonsetofspringandautumntides，somechangesamonghisfeatheredneighbors，thefootprintsofcertainwildanimalsalongtheriver’sbank，andthehangingoutofparty-coloredsignalsfromthewoodedhillsidefarinland，helpedhimtorecordtheslowmonths。Onsummerafternoons，whenthesunsankbehindabankoffogthat，movingsolemnlyshoreward，atlastencompassedhimandblottedoutseaandsky，hisisolationwascomplete。Thedampgrayseathatflowedaboveandaroundandabouthimalwaysseemedtoshutoutanintangibleworldbeyond，andtobetheonlyrealpresence。Theboomingofbreakersscarceadozenrodsfromhisdwellingwasbutavagueandunintelligiblesound，ortheechoofsomethingpastforever。Everymorningwhenthesuntoreawaythemistycurtainheawoke，dazedandbewildered，asuponanewworld。Thefirstsenseofoppressionover，hecametoloveatlastthissubtlespiritofoblivion；andatnight，whenitscloudywingswerefoldedoverhiscabin，hewouldsitalonewithasenseofsecurityhehadneverfeltbefore。Onsuchoccasionshewasapttoleavehisdooropen，andlistenasforfootsteps；forwhatmightnotcometohimoutofthisvague，nebulousworldbeyond？PerhapsevenSHE，——forthisstrangesolitarywasnotinsanenorvisionary。Hewasneverinspiritalone。Fornightandday，sleepingorwaking，pacingthebeachorcrouchingoverhisdriftwoodfire，awoman’sfacewasalwaysbeforehim，——thefaceforwhosesakeandforcauseofwhomhesattherealone。Hesawitinthemorningsunlight；itwasherwhitehandsthatwereliftedfromthecrestedbreakers；itwastherustlingofherskirtwhentheseawindsweptthroughthebeachgrasses；itwasthelovingwhisperofherlowvoicewhenthelongwavessankanddiedamongthesedgeandrushes。Shewasasomnipresentasseaandskyandlevelsand。Hencewhenthefogwipedthemaway，sheseemedtodrawclosertohiminthedarkness。

Ononeortwomoregraciousnightsinmidsummer，whentheinfluenceofthefervidnoondaysunwasstillfeltontheheatedsands，thewarmbreathofthefogtouchedhischeekasifithadbeenhers，andthetearsstartedtohiseyes。

Beforethefogscame——forhearrivedthereinwinter——hehadfoundsurceaseandrestinthesteadyglowofalighthouseuponthelittlepromontoryaleaguebelowhishabitation。Evenonthedarkestnights，andinthetumultsofstorm，itspoketohimofapatiencethatwasenduringandasteadfastnessthatwasimmutable。

Lateronhefoundacertaindumbcompanionshipinanuprootedtree，which，floatingdowntheriver，hadstrandedhopelesslyuponhisbeach，butintheeveninghadagaindriftedaway。Rowingacrosstheestuaryadayortwoafterward，herecognizedthetreeagainfroma"blaze"ofthesettler’saxestilluponitstrunk。Hewasnotsurprisedaweeklatertofindthesametreeinthesandsbeforehisdwelling，orthatthenextmorningitshouldbeagainlaunchedonitspurposelesswanderings。Andso，impelledbywindortide，butalwayshauntinghisseclusion，hewouldmeetitvoyaginguptheriverattheflood，orseeittossingamongthebreakersonthebar，butalwayswiththeconfidenceofitsreturningsoonerorlatertoananchoragebesidehim。Afterthethirdmonthofhisself-imposedexile，hewasforcedintoamorehumancompanionship，thatwasbriefbutregular。Hewasobligedtohavemenialassistance。Whilehemighthaveeatenhisbread"insorrow"carelesslyandmechanically，ifithadbeenpreparedforhim，theoccupationofcookinghisownfoodbroughtthevulgarityandmaterialnessofexistencesoneartohismorbidsensitivenessthathecouldnoteatthemealhehadhimselfprepared。Hedidnotyetwishtodie，andwhenstarvationorsocietyseemedtobetheonlyalternative，hechosethelatter。AnIndianwoman，sohideousastoscarcelysuggesthumanity，atstatedtimesperformedforhimtheseoffices。Whenshedidnotcome，whichwasnotinfrequent，hedidnoteat。

SuchwasthementalandphysicalconditionoftheManontheBeachonthe1stofJanuary，1869。

Itwasastill，brightday，followingaweekofrainandwind。Lowdownthehorizonstilllingeredafewwhiteflecks——theflyingsquadronsofthestorm——asvagueasdistantsails。Southwardtheharborbarwhitenedoccasionallybutlazily；eventheturbulentPacificswellstretcheditslengthwearilyupontheshore。Andtoilingfromthesettlementoverthelowsanddunes，acarriageatlasthaltedhalfamilefromthesolitary’sdwelling。

"Ireckonye’llhevtogitouthere，"saidthedriver，pullinguptobreathehispantinghorses。"Yecan’tgitanynigher。"

Therewasagroanofexecrationfromtheinteriorofthevehicle，ahystericallittleshriek，andoneortwoshrillexpressionsoffemininedisapprobation，butthedrivermovednot。Atlastamasculineheadexpostulatedfromthewindow："Lookhere；youagreedtotakeustothehouse。Why，it’samileawayatleast！"

"Thar，ortharabouts，Ireckon，"saidthedriver，coollycrossinghislegsonthebox。

"It’snousetalking；Icanneverwalkthroughthissandandhorridglare，"saidafemalevoicequicklyandimperatively。Then，apprehensively，"Well，ofalltheplaces！"

"Well，Inever！"

"ThisDOESexceedeverything。"

"It’sreallyTOOidioticforanything。"

Itwasnoticeablethatwhilethevoicesbetrayedthedifferenceofageandsex，theyboreasingularresemblancetoeachother，andacertainquerulousnessofpitchthatwasdominant。

"IreckonI’vegoneaboutasfurasIallowtogowiththemhosses，"continuedthedriversuggestively，"andastime’svallyble，ye’dbetterunload。"

"Thewretchdoesnotmeantoleaveusherealone？"saidafemalevoiceinshrillindignation。"You’llwaitforus，driver？"saidamasculinevoice，confidently。

"Howlong？"askedthedriver。

Therewasahurriedconsultationwithin。Thewords"Mightsenduspacking！""Maytakeallnighttogethimtolistentoreason，"

"Bother！wholethingoverintenminutes，"camefromthewindow。

Thedrivermeanwhilehadsettledhimselfbackinhisseat，andwhistledinpatientcontemptofafashionablefarethatdidn’tknowitsownmindnordestination。Finally，themasculineheadwasthrustout，and，withacertainpotentialairofjudiciallyendingadifficulty，said：——

"You’retofollowusslowly，andputupyourhorsesinthestableorbarnuntilwewantyou。"

Anironicallaughburstfromthedriver。"Oh，yes——inthestableorbarn——incourse。But，myeyessorterfailin’me，mebbee，now，someevyouyoungerfolkswillkindlypintoutthestableorbarnoftheKernel’s。Woa！——willye？——woa！Givemeachancetopickoutthattherebarnorstabletoputyein！"Thisinarchconfidencetothehorses，whohadnotmoved。

Herethepreviousspeaker，rotund，dignified，andelderly，alightedindignantly，closelyfollowedbytherestoftheparty，twoladiesandagentleman。Oneoftheladieswaspasttheage，butnotthefashion，ofyouth，andherParisiandressclungoverherwastedfigureandwell-bredbonesartisticallyifnotgracefully；theyoungerlady，evidentlyherdaughter，wascrispandpretty，andcarriedofftheaquilinenoseandaristocraticemaciationofhermotherwithacertainpiquancyandadashthatwascharming。Thegentlemanwasyoung，thin，withthefamilycharacteristics，butotherwiseindistinctive。

Withoneaccordtheyallfaceddirectlytowardthespotindicatedbythedriver’swhip。Nothingbutthebare，bleak，rectangularoutlinesofthecabinoftheManontheBeachmettheireyes。Allelsewasadesolateexpanse，unrelievedbyanystructurehigherthanthetussocksofscantbeachgrassthatclothedit。Theyweresoutterlyhelplessthatthedriver’sderisivelaughtergavewayatlasttogoodhumorandsuggestion。"Lookyer，"hesaidfinally，"I

don’tknowezit’syourfaultyoudon’tknowthiskentryezwellezyoudoYurup；soI’lldragthisyerteamovertoRobinson’sontheriver，givethehorsesabite，andthenmeanderdownthisyerridge，andwaitforye。Ye’llseemefromtheKernel’s。"Andwithoutwaitingforareply，heswunghishorses’headstowardtheriver，androlledaway。

Thesamequerulousprotestthathadcomefromthewindowsarosefromthegroup，butvainly。Thenfollowedaccusationsandrecrimination。"It’sYOURfault；youmighthavewritten，andhadhimmeetusatthesettlement。""Youwantedtotakehimbysurprise！""Ididn’t。YouknowifI’dwrittenthatwewerecoming，he’dhavetakengoodcaretorunawayfromus。""Yes，tosomemoreinaccessibleplace。""Therecanbenoneworsethanthis，"etc。，etc。Butitwassoclearlyevidentthatnothingwastobedonebuttogoforward，thateveninthemidstoftheirwranglingtheystraggledoninIndianfiletowardthedistantcabin，sinkingankle-deepintheyieldingsand，punctuatingtheirverbalaltercationwithsighs，andonlyabatingitatascreamfromtheelderlady。

"Where’sMaria？"

"Goneonahead！"gruntedtheyoungergentleman，inabassvoice，soincongruouslylargeforhimthatitseemedtohavebeenaventriloquisticcontributionbysomebodyelse。

Itwastootrue。Maria，afteraddingherpungencytothegeneralconversation，haddartedonahead。Butalas！thatswiftCamilla，afterscouringtheplainsometwohundredfeetwithherdemitrain，cametogriefonanunbendingtussockandsatdown，pantingbutsavage。Astheyploddedwearilytowardher，shebitherredlips，smackedthemonhercruellittlewhiteteethlikeafestiveandsprightlyghoul，andlisped：——

"YouDOlooksolikeguys！ForalltheworldlikethoseEnglishshopkeeperswemetontheRighi，doingthethree-guineaexcursionintheirSundayclothes！"

Certainlythespectacleoftheseexoticallyplumedbipeds，whosefinefeatherswerealreadybedrabbledbysandandgrowinglimpintheseabreeze，wassomewhatdissonantwiththerudenessofseaandskyandshore。Afewgullsscreamedatthem；aloon，startledfromthelagoon，aroseshriekingandprotesting，withpainfullyextendedlegs，inobviousburlesqueoftheyoungergentleman。Theelderladyfeltthejusticeofhergentledaughter’scriticism，andretaliatedwithsimpledirectness：——

"Yourskirtisruined，yourhairiscomingdown，yourhatishalfoffyourhead，andyourshoes——inHeaven’sname，Maria！whatHAVE

youdonewithyourshoes？"

Mariahadexhibitedaslimstockingedfootfromunderherskirt。

Itwasscarcelythreefingersbroad，withanarchaspatricianashernose。"Somewherebetweenhereandthecarriage，"sheanswered；

"Dickcanrunbackandfindit，whileheislookingforyourbrooch，mamma。Dick’ssoobliging。"

TherobustvoiceofDickthundered，butthewastedfigureofDickfeeblyplougheditswayback，andreturnedwiththemissingbuskin。

"ImayaswellcarrytheminmyhandlikethemarketgirlsatSaumur，forwehavegottowadesoon，"saidMissMaria，sinkingherownterrorsinthedelightfulcontemplationofthehorrorinherparent’sface，asshepointedtoashiningfilmofwaterslowlydeepeninginanarrowswaleinthesandsbetweenthemandthecabin。

"It’sthetide，"saidtheeldergentleman。"Ifweintendtogoonwemusthasten；permitme，mydearmadam，"andbeforeshecouldreplyhehadliftedtheastoundedmatroninhisarms，andmadegallantlyfortheford。ThegentleMariacastanominouseyeonherbrother，who，withmanifestreluctance，performedforherthesameoffice。Butthatacuteyoungladykepthereyesupontheprecedingfigureoftheeldergentleman，andseeinghimsuddenlyandmysteriouslydisappeartohisarmpits，unhesitatinglythrewherselffromherbrother’sprotectingarms，——anactionwhichinstantlyprecipitatedhimintothewater，——andpaddledhastilytotheoppositebank，wheresheeventuallyassistedinpullingtheelderlygentlemanoutofthehollowintowhichhehadfallen，andinrescuinghermother，whofloatedhelplesslyonthesurface，upheldbyherskirts，likeagiganticandvariegatedwater-lily。

Dickfollowedwithasinglegaiter。Inanotherminutetheyweresafeontheoppositebank。

Theelderladygavewaytotears；Marialaughedhysterically；Dickmingledabassoathwiththenowaudiblesurf；theeldergentleman，whosefloridfacethesaltwaterhadbleached，andwhosedignityseemedtohavebeenwashedaway，accountedforbothbysayinghethoughtitwasaquicksand。

"Itmighthavebeen，"saidaquietvoicebehindthem；"youshouldhavefollowedthesandduneshalfamilefurthertotheestuary。"

Theyturnedinstantlyatthevoice。ItwasthatoftheManontheBeach。Theyallrosetotheirfeetandutteredtogether，saveone，thesingleexclamation，"James！"Theeldergentlemansaid"Mr。

North，"and，withaslightresumptionofhisformerdignity，buttonedhiscoatoverhisdampshirtfront。

Therewasasilence，inwhichtheManontheBeachlookedgravelydownuponthem。Iftheyhadintendedtoimpresshimbyanysuggestionofagay，brilliant，andsensuousworldbeyondintheirownpersons，theyhadfailed，andtheyknewit。Keenlyaliveastheyhadalwaysbeentoexternalprepossession，theyfeltthattheylookedforlornandludicrous，andthatthesituationlayinhishands。Theelderlyladyagainburstintotearsofgenuinedistress，Mariacoloredoverhercheek-bones，andDickstaredatthegroundinsullendisquiet。

"Youhadbettergetup，"saidtheManontheBeach，afteramoment’sthought，"andcomeuptothecabin。Icannotofferyouachangeofgarments，butyoucandrythembythefire。"

Theyallrosetogether，andagainsaidinchorus，"James！"butthistimewithanevidentefforttorecallsomespeechoractionpreviouslyresolveduponandcommittedtomemory。Theelderladygotsofarastoclaspherhandsandadd，"Youhavenotforgottenus——James，oh，James！"；theyoungergentlemantoattemptabrusque"Why，Jim，oldboy，"thatendedinquerulousincoherence；theyoungladytocastahalf-searching，half-coquettishlookathim；andtheoldgentlemantobegin，"Ourdesire，Mr。North"——buttheeffortwasfutile。Mr。JamesNorth，standingbeforethemwithfoldedarms，lookedfromtheonetotheother。

"Ihavenotthoughtmuchofyouforatwelvemonth，"hesaid，quietly，"butIhavenotforgottenyou。Come！"

Heledthewayafewstepsinadvance，theyfollowingsilently。Inthisbriefinterviewtheyfelthehadresumedtheolddominanceandindependence，againstwhichtheyhadrebelled；morethanthat，inthishalffailureoftheirfirstconcertedactiontheyhadchangedtheirquerulousbickeringstoasullendistrustofeachother，andwalkedmoodilyapartastheyfollowedJamesNorthintohishouse。

Afireblazedbrightlyonthehearth；afewextraseatswerequicklyextemporizedfromboxesandchests，andtheelderlady，withtheskirtofherdressfoldedoverherknees，——lookingnotunlikeanexceedinglyoverdressedjointeddoll，——driedherflouncesandhertearstogether。MissMariatookinthescantappointmentsofthehouseinonesingleglance，andthenfixedhereyesuponJamesNorth，who，theleastconcernedoftheparty，stoodbeforethem，graveandpatientlyexpectant。

"Well，"begantheelderladyinahighkey，"afterallthisworryandtroubleyouhavegivenus，James，haven’tyouanythingtosay？

Doyouknow——haveyoutheleastideawhatyouaredoing？whategregiousfollyyouarecommitting？whateverybodyissaying？Eh？

Heavensandearth！——doyouknowwhoIam？"

"Youaremyfather’sbrother’swidow，AuntMary，"returnedJames，quietly。"IfIamcommittinganyfollyitonlyconcernsmyself；ifIcaredforwhatpeoplesaidIshouldnotbehere；ifIlovedsocietyenoughtoappreciateitsgoodreportIshouldstaywithit。"

"Buttheysayyouhaverunawayfromsocietytopinealoneforaworthlesscreature——awomanwhohasusedyou，asshehasusedandthrownawayothers——a——"

"Awoman，"chimedinDick，whohadthrownhimselfonJames’sbedwhilehispatentleathersweredrying，"awomanthatallthefellersknowneverintended"——here，however，hemetJamesNorth’seye，andmutteringsomethingabout"wholethingbeingtooidiotictotalkabout，"relapsedintosilence。

"Youknow，"continuedMrs。North，"thatwhileweandalloursetshutoureyestoyourveryobviousrelationswiththatwoman，andwhileImyselfoftenspokeofittoothersasasimpleflirtation，andavertedascandalforyoursake，andwhentheclimaxwasreached，andsheherselfgaveyouanopportunitytoseveryourrelations，andnobodyneedhavebeenwiser——andshe’dhavehadalltheblame——andit’sonlywhatshe’saccustomedto——you——you！you，JamesNorth！——youmustnonsensicallygo，and，bythisextravagantpieceofidiocyandsentimentaltomfoolery，leteverybodyseehowseriousthewholeaffairwas，andhowdeepithurtyou！andhereinthisawfulplace，alone——whereyou’rehalfdrownedtogettoitandarewillingtobewhollydrownedtogetaway！Oh，don’ttalktome！Iwon’thearit——it’sjusttooidioticforanything！"

Thesubjectofthisoutburstneitherspokenormovedasinglemuscle。

"Youraunt，Mr。North，speaksexcitedly，"saidtheeldergentleman；

"yetIthinkshedoesnotoverestimatetheunfortunatepositioninwhichyouroddfancyplacesyou。Iknownothingofthereasonsthathaveimpelledyoutothisstep；Ionlyknowthatthepopularopinionisthatthecauseisutterlyinadequate。Youarestillyoung，withafuturebeforeyou。Ineednotsayhowyourpresentconductmayimperilthat。Ifyouexpectedtoachieveanygood——

eventoyourownsatisfaction——butthisconduct——"

"Yes——iftherewasanythingtobegainedbyit！"brokeinMrs。

North。

"Ifyoueverthoughtshe’dcomeback！——butthatkindofwomandon’t。Theymusthavechange。Why"——beganDicksuddenly，andassuddenlylyingdownagain。

"Isthisallyouhavecometosay？"askedJamesNorth，afteramoment’spatientsilence，lookingfromonetotheother。

"All？"screamedMrs。North；"isitnotenough？"

"Nottochangemymindnormyresidenceatpresent，"repliedNorth，coolly。

"Doyoumeantocontinuethisfollyallyourlife？"

"Andhaveacoroner’sinquest，andadvertisementsandallthefactsinthepapers？"

"AndhaveHERreadthemelancholydetails，andknowthatyouwerefaithfulandshewasnot？"

ThislastshotwasfromthegentleMaria，whobitherlipsasitglancedfromtheimmovableman。

"Ibelievethereisnothingmoretosay，"continuedNorth，quietly。

"Iamwillingtobelieveyourintentionsareasworthyasyourzeal。Letussaynomore，"headded，withgraveweariness；"thetideisrising，andyourcoachmanissignalingyoufromthebank。"

Therewasnomistakingtheunshakenpositivenessoftheman，whichwasallthemorenoticeablefromitsgentlebututterindifferencetothewishesoftheparty。Heturnedhisbackuponthemastheygatheredhurriedlyaroundtheeldergentleman，whilethewords，"Hecannotbeinhisrightmind，""It’syourdutytodoit，""It’ssheerinsanity，""Lookathiseye！"allfellunconsciouslyuponhisear。

"Onewordmore，Mr。North，"saidtheeldergentleman，alittleportentously，toconcealanevidentembarrassment。"Itmaybethatyourconductmightsuggesttomindsmorepracticalthanyourowntheexistenceofsomeaberrationoftheintellect——sometemporarymania——thatmightforceyourbestfriendsintoaquasi-legalattitudeof——"

"Declaringmeinsane，"interruptedJamesNorth，withtheslightimpatienceofamanmoreanxioustoendaprolixinterviewthantocombatanargument。"Ithinkdifferently。Asmyaunt’slawyer，youknowthatwithinthelastyearIhavedeededmostofmypropertytoherandherfamily。IcannotbelievethatsoshrewdanadviserasMr。EdmundCarterwouldeverpermitproceedingsthatwouldinvalidatethatconveyance。"

MariaburstintoalaughofsuchwickedgratificationthatJamesNorth，forthefirsttime，raisedhiseyeswithsomethingofinteresttoherface。Shecoloredunderthem，butreturnedhisglancewithanotherlikeabayonetflash。Thepartyslowlymovedtowardthedoor，JamesNorthfollowing。

"Thenthisisyourfinalanswer？"askedMrs。North，stoppingimperiouslyonthethreshold。

"Ibegyourpardon？"queriedNorth，halfabstractedly。

"Yourfinalanswer？"

"Oh，certainly。"

Mrs。Northflouncedawayadozenrodsinrage。ThiswasunfortunateforNorth。Itgavethemthefinalattackindetail。

Dickbegan："Comealong！Youknowyoucanadvertiseforherwithapersonaldownthereandtheoldwomanwouldn’tobjectaslongasyouwerecarefulandputinanappearancenowandthen！"

AsDicklimpedaway，Mr。Carterthought，inconfidence，thatthewholematter——eventosuitMr。North’ssensitivenature——mightbesettledthere。"SHEevidentlyexpectsyoutoreturn。MyopinionisthatsheneverleftSanFrancisco。Youcan’ttellanythingaboutthesewomen。"

Withthislastsentenceonhisindifferentear，JamesNorthseemedtobeleftfree。Mariahadrejoinedhermother；butastheycrossedtheford，andaninterveningsand-hillhidtheothersfromsight，thatpiquantyoungladysuddenlyappearedonthehillandstoodbeforehim。

"Andyou’renotcomingback？"shesaiddirectly。

"No。"

"Never？"

"Icannotsay。"

"Tellme！whatisthereaboutsomewomentomakemenlovethemso？"

"Love，"repliedNorth，quietly。

"No，itcannotbe——itisnotTHAT！"

Northlookedoverthehillandroundthehill，andlookedbored。

"Oh，I’mgoingnow。Butonemoment，Jem！Ididn’twanttocome。

Theydraggedmehere。Good-by。"

Sheraisedaburningfaceandeyestohis。Heleanedforwardandimprintedtheperfunctorycousinlykissoftheperioduponhercheek。

"Notthatway，"shesaidangrily，clutchinghiswristswithherlong，thinfingers；"youshan’tkissmeinthatway，JamesNorth。"

Withthefaintest，ghost-likepassingofatwinkleinthecornersofhissadeyes，hetouchedhislipstohers。Withthecontact，shecaughthimroundtheneck，pressedherburninglipsandfacetohisforehead，hischeeks，theverycurvesofhischinandthroat，and——withalaughwasgone。

II

HadthekinsfolkofJamesNorthanyhopethattheirvisitmightrevivesomelingeringdesirehestillcombatedtoenteroncemoretheworldtheyrepresented，thathopewouldhavesoondied。

Whatevereffectthisepisodehaduponthesolitary，——andhehadbecomesoself-indulgentofhissorrow，andsocarelessofallthatcamebetweenhimandit，astomeetoppositionwithprofoundindifference，——theonlyappreciableresultwasagreaterattractionforthesolitudethatprotectedhim，andhegreweventolovethebleakshoreandbarrensandsthathadprovedsoinhospitabletoothers。Therewasanewmeaningtotheroarofthesurges，anhonest，loyalsturdinessintheunchangingpersistencyoftheuncouthandblusteringtrade-winds，andamutefidelityintheshiningsands，treacheroustoallbuthim。Withsuchbandogstolieinwaitfortrespassers，shouldhenotbegrateful？

Ifnobitternesswasawakenedbytherepeatedavowaloftheunfaithfulnessofthewomanheloved，itwasbecausehehadalwaysmadetheobservationandexperienceofothersgivewaytothedominanceofhisowninsight。Noarrayofcontradictoryfactsevershookhisbelieforunbelief；likeallegotists，heacceptedthemastruthscontrolledbyalargertruthofwhichhealonewascognizant。Hissimplicity，whichwasbutanotherformofhisegotism，wassocompleteastobaffleordinarymaliciouscunning，andsohewassparedtheexperienceandknowledgethatcometoalowernature，andhelpdebaseit。

Exerciseandthestimulusofthefewwantsthatsenthimhuntingorfishingkeptuphisphysicalhealth。Neveraloverofrudefreedomoroutdoorlifehissedentarypredilectionsandnicetasteskepthimfromlapsingintobarbarianexcess；neverasportsmanhefollowedthechasewithnofeverishexaltation。Evendumbcreaturesfoundouthissecret，andattimes，stalkingmoodilyovertheupland，thebrowndeerandelkwouldcrosshispathwithoutfearormolestation，or，idlylounginginhiscanoewithintheriverbar，flocksofwildfowlwouldsettlewithinstrokeofhislistlessoar。Andsothesecondwinterofhishermitagedrewnearitsclose，andwithitcameastormthatpassedintolocalhistory，andisstillremembered。Ituprootedgianttreesalongtheriver，andwiththemthetinyrootletsofthelifehewasidlyfostering。

Themorninghadbeenfitfullyturbulent，thewindveeringseveralpointssouthandwest，withsuspicionslulls，unlikethesteadyonsetoftheregularsouthwesttrades。Highoverheadthelongmanesofracingcirrostratusstreamedwithflyinggullsandhurryingwater-fowl；ploverpipedincessantly，andaflockoftimoroussand-piperssoughtthelowridgeofhiscabin，whileawreckingcrewofcurlewhastilymannedtheuprootedtreethattossedwearilybeyondthebar。Bynoontheflyingcloudshuddledtogetherinmasses，andthenweresuddenlyexplodedinonevastopaquesheetovertheheavens。Theseabecamegray，andsuddenlywrinkledandold。Therewasadumb，half-articulatecryintheair，——ratheraconfusionofmanysounds，asoftheboomingofdistantguns，theclangorofabell，thetramplingofmanywaves，thecreakingoftimbersandsoughingofleaves，thatsankandfellereyoucouldyetdistinguishthem。Andthenitcameontoblow。

Fortwohoursitblewstrongly。Atthetimethesunshouldhavesetthewindhadincreased；infifteenminutesdarknessshutdown，eventhewhitesandslosttheiroutlines，andseaandshoreandskylayinthegripofarelentlessandaggressivepower。

Withinhiscabin，bytheleapinglightofhisgustyfire，Northsatalone。Hisfirstcuriositypassed，theturmoilwithoutnolongercarriedhisthoughtbeyonditsoneconvergingcentre。SHEhadcometohimonthewingsofthestorm，evenasshehadbeenbornetohimonthesummerfog-cloud。Nowandthenthewindshookthecabin，butheheededitnot。Hehadnofearsforitssafety；itpresenteditslowgabletothefullfuryofthewindthatyearbyyearhadpiled，andevennowwaspiling，protectingbuttressesofsandagainstit。Witheachsucceedinggustitseemedtonestlemorecloselytoitsfoundations，inthewhirlofflyingsandthatrattledagainstitsroofandwindows。Itwasnearlymidnightwhenasuddenthoughtbroughthimtohisfeet。WhatifSHEwereexposedtothefuryofsuchanightasthis？Whatcouldhedotohelpher？

Perhapsevennow，ashesatthereidle，she——Hark！wasnotthatagun——No？Yes，surely！

Hehurriedlyunboltedthedoor，butthestrengthofthewindandtheimpactofdriftedsandresistedhisefforts。Withanewandfeverishstrengthpossessinghimheforceditopenwideenoughtopermithisegresswhenthewindcaughthimasafeather，rolledhimoverandover，andthen，grapplinghimagain，heldhimdownhardandfastagainstthedrift。Unharmed，butunabletomove，helaythere，hearingthemultitudinousroarofthestorm，butunabletodistinguishonefamiliarsoundinthesavagemedley。Atlasthemanagedtocrawlflatonhisfacetothecabin，andrefasteningthedoor，threwhimselfuponhisbed。

HewasawakenedfromafitfuldreamofhisCousinMaria。Shewithasupernaturalstrengthseemedtobeholdingthedooragainstsomeunseen，unknownpowerthatmoanedandstrovewithout，andthrewitselfindespairingforceagainstthecabin。Hecouldseethelitheundulationsofherformasshealternatelyyieldedtoitspower，andagaindrewthedooragainstit，coilingherselfaroundthelog-hewndoorpostwithahideous，snake-likesuggestion。Andthenastruggleandaheavyblow，whichshooktheveryfoundationsofthestructure，awokehim。Heleapedtohisfeet，andintoaninchofwater！Bytheflickeringfirelighthecouldseeitoozinganddrippingfromthecrevicesofthelogsandbroadeningintoapoolbythechimney。Ascrapofpapertornfromanenvelopewasfloatingidlyonitscurrent。Wasittheoverflowofthebacked-upwatersoftheriver？Hewasnotleftlongindoubt。Anotherblowuponthegableofthehouse，andatorrentofsprayleapeddownthechimney，scatteredtheembersfarandwide，andlefthiminutterdarkness。Someofthesprayclungtohislips。Itwassalt。Thegreatoceanhadbeatendowntheriverbarandwasuponhim！

Wasthereaughttoflyto？No！Thecabinstooduponthehighestpointofthesandspit，andthelowswaleononesidecrossedbyhislatevisitorswasaseethingmassofbreakers，whiletheestuarybehindhimwasnowtheoceanitself。Therewasnothingtodobuttowait。

Theveryhelplessnessofhissituationwas，toamanofhispeculiartemperament，anelementofpatientstrength。Theinstinctofself-preservationwasstillstronginhim，buthehadnofearofdeath，nor，indeed，anypresentimentofit；yetifitcame，itwasaneasysolutionoftheproblemthathadbeentroublinghim，anditwipedofftheslate！Hethoughtofthesarcasticpredictionofhiscousin，anddeathintheformthatthreatenedhimwastheobliterationofhishomeandeventhegrounduponwhichitstood。

Therewouldbenothingtorecord，nostaincouldcomeupontheliving。TheinstinctthatkepthimtruetoHERwouldtellherhowhedied；ifitdidnot，itwasequallywell。Andwiththissimplefatalismhisonlybelief，thisstrangemangropedhiswaytohisbed，laydown，andinafewmomentswasasleep。Thestormstillroaredwithout。Onceagainthesurgesleapedagainstthecabin，butitwasevidentthatthewindwasabatingwiththetide。

Whenheawokeitwashighnoon，andthesunwasshiningbrightly。

Forsometimehelayinadeliciouslanguor，doubtingifhewasaliveordead，butfeelingthrougheverynerveandfibreanexquisitesenseofpeace——aresthehadnotknownsincehisboyhood——areliefhescarcelyknewfromwhat。Hefeltthathewassmiling，andyethispillowwaswetwiththetearsthatglitteredstillonhislashes。Thesandblockinguphisdoorway，heleapedlightlyfromhiswindow。Afewcloudswerestillsailingslowlyintheheavens，thetrailingplumesofagreatbenedictionthatlayonseaandshore。Hescarcelyrecognizedthefamiliarlandscape；anewbarhadbeenformedintheriver，andanarrowcausewayofsandthatcrossedthelagoonandmarshestotheriverbankandtheuplandtrailseemedtobringhimnearertohumanityagain。Hewasconsciousofafresh，childlikedelightinallthis，andwhen，amomentlater，hesawtheolduprootedtree，nowapparentlyforevermooredandimbeddedinthesandbesidehiscabin，herantoitwithasenseofjoy。

Itstrailingrootswerefestoonedwithclingingsea-weedandthelong，snaky，undulatingstemsofthesea-turnip；andfixedbetweentwocrossingrootswasabambooorangecrate，almostintact。Ashewalkedtowarditheheardastrangecry，unlikeanythingthebarrensandshadbornebefore。Thinkingitmightbesomestrangeseabirdcaughtinthemeshesofthesea-weed，herantothecrateandlookedwithin。Itwashalffilledwithsea-mossandfeatheryalgae。Thecrywasrepeated。Hebrushedasidetheweedswithhishands。Itwasnotawoundedseabird，butalivinghumanchild！

Ashelifteditfromitsdampenwrappingshesawthatitwasaninfanteightorninemonthsold。Howandwhenithadbeenbroughtthere，orwhatforcehadguidedthatelfishcradletohisverydoor，hecouldnotdetermine；butitmusthavebeenleftearly，foritwasquitewarm，anditsclothingalmostdriedbytheblazingmorningsun。Towraphiscoataboutit，toruntohiscabinwithit，tostartoutagainwiththeappallingconvictionthatnothingcouldbedoneforitthere，occupiedsomemoments。HisnearestneighborwasTrinidadJoe，a"logger，"threemilesuptheriver。

Herememberedtohaveheardvaguelythathewasamanoffamily。

Tohalfstranglethechildwithafewdropsfromhiswhiskyflask，toextricatehiscanoefromthemarsh，andstrikeoutintotheriverwithhiswaif，wasatleasttodosomething。InhalfanhourhehadreachedthestragglingcabinandshedsofTrinidadJoe，andfromthefewscantyflowersthatmingledwiththebrushwoodfence，andasurplusoflinenflutteringontheline，heknewthathissurmiseastoTrinidadJoe’sdomesticestablishmentwascorrect。

Thedooratwhichheknockedopeneduponaneat，plainly-furnishedroom，andthefigureofabuxomwomanoftwenty-five。Withanawkwardnessnewtohim，Northstammeredoutthecircumstancesofhisfindingtheinfant，andtheobjectofhisvisit。Beforehehadfinished，thewoman，bysomefemininetrick，hadtakenthechildfromhishandsereheknewit；andwhenhepaused，outofbreath，burstintoafitoflaughter。Northtriedtolaughtoo，butfailed。

Whenthewomanhadwipedthetearsfromapairofveryfrankblueeyes，andhiddentworowsofverystrongwhiteteethagain，shesaid：——

"Lookyar！You’rethatlooneysorta’chapthatlivesaloneoveronthespityonder，ain’tye？"

Northhastenedtoadmitallthatthestatementmightimply。

"Andsoye’vehadababyleftyetokeepyoucompany？Lordy！"

Hereshelookedasifdangerouslyneararelapse，andthenadded，asifinexplanationofherconduct，——

"WhenIsawyepaddlin’downhere，——youthetezshyaselkinsummer，——Isez，’He’ssick。’Butababy，——Oh，Lordy！"

ForamomentNorthalmosthatedher。Awomanwho，inthispathetic，perhapsalmosttragic，picturesawonlyaludicrousimage，andthatimagehimself，wasofanotherracethanthathehadevermingledwith。Profoundlyindifferentashehadalwaysbeentothecriticismofhisequalsinstation，themischievouslaughterofthisilliteratewomanjarreduponhimworsethanhiscousin’ssarcasm。Itwaswithalittledignitythathepointedoutthefactthatatpresentthechildneedednourishment。"It’sveryyoung，"

headded。"I’mafraiditwantsitsnaturalnourishment。"

"Wharisittogetit？"askedthewoman。

JamesNorthhesitated，andlookedaround。Thereshouldbeababysomewhere！thereMUSTbeababysomewhere！"Ithoughtthatyou，"

hestammered，consciousofanawkwardcoloring，——"I——thatis——I——"

Hestoppedshort，forshewasalreadycrammingherapronintohermouth，toolate，however，tostopthelaughthatoverflowedit。

Whenshefoundherbreathagain，shesaid，——

"Lookyar！Idon’twondertheysaidyouwaslooney！I’mTrinidadJoe’sonmarrieddarter，andtheonlywomaninthishouse。Anyfoolcouldhavetoldyouthat。Now，efyoucanrigusupababyouto’

themfacts，I’dliketoseeitdone。"

Inwardlyfuriousbutoutwardlypolite，JamesNorthbeggedherpardon，deploredhisignorance，and，withacourtlybow，madeamovementtotakethechild。Butthewomanasquicklydrewitaway。

"Notmuch，"shesaid，hastily。"What！trustthatpoorcrittertoyou？No，sir！Thar’smorewaysoffeedingababy，youngman，thanyouknowson，withallyour’nat’ralnourishment。’Butitlookskinderlogyandstupid。"

Northfreezinglyadmittedthathehadgiventheinfantwhiskyasastimulant。

【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