"Youdid？Come，now，thatain’tsolooneyafterall。Well，I’lltakethebaby，andwhenDadcomeshomewe’llseewhatcanbedone。"

Northhesitated。Hisdislikeofthewomanwasintense，andyetheknewnooneelseandthebabyneededinstantcare。Besides，hebegantoseetheludicrousnessofhismakingafirstcallonhisneighborswithafoundlingtodisposeof。Shesawhishesitation，andsaid，——

"Yedon’tknowme，incourse。Well，I’mBessyRobinson，TrinidadJoeRobinson’sdaughter。IreckonDadwillgivemeacharacterifyouwantreferences，oranyoftheboysontheriver。"

"I’monlythinkingofthetroubleI’mgivingyou，MissRobinson，I

assureyou。Anyexpenseyoumayincur——"

"Youngman，"saidBessyRobinson，turningsharplyonherheel，andfacinghimwithherblackbrowsalittlecontracted，"ifitcomestoexpenses，IreckonI’llpayyouforthatbaby，ornottakeitatall。ButIdon’tknowyouwellenoughtoquarrelwithyouonsight。Soleavethechildtome，and，ifyouchoose，paddledownhereto-morrow，aftersunup——theridewilldoyougood——andseeit，andDadthrownin。Goodby！"andwithonepowerfulbutwell-

shapedarmthrownaroundthechild，andtheothercrookedatthedimpledelbowalittleaggressively，shesweptbyJamesNorthandenteredabedroom，closingthedoorbehindher。

WhenMr。JamesNorthreachedhiscabinitwasdark。Asherebuilthisfire，andtriedtorearrangethescatteredanddisorderedfurniture，andremovethedebrisoflastnight’sstorm，hewasconsciousforthefirsttimeoffeelinglonely。Hedidnotmissthechild。Beyondtheinstinctsofhumanityanddutyhehadreallynointerestinitswelfareorfuture。Hewasrathergladtogetridofit，hewouldhavepreferredtosomeoneelse，andyetSHE

lookedasifshewerecompetent。Andthencamethereflectionthatsincethemorninghehadnotoncethoughtofthewomanheloved。

Thelikehadneveroccurredinhistwelvemonthsolitude。Sohesettowork，thinkingofherandofhissorrows，untiltheword"Looney，"inconnectionwithhissuffering，flashedacrosshismemory。"Looney！"Itwasnotaniceword。Itsuggestedsomethinglessthaninsanity；somethingthatmighthappentoacommon，unintellectualsortofperson。Herememberedtheloon，anungainlyfeatheredneighbor，thatwaspopularlysupposedtohavelentitsnametotheadjective。Coulditbepossiblethatpeoplelookeduponhimasonetoohopelesslyanduninterestinglyafflictedforsympathyorcompanionship，toounimportantandcommonforevenridicule；orwasthisbutthecoarseinterpretationofthatvulgargirl？

Nevertheless，thenextmorning"aftersunup"JamesNorthwasatTrinidadJoe’scabin。Thatworthyproprietorhimself——along，lankman，withevenmorethantheordinaryruralWesterncharacteristicsofillhealth，illfeeding，andmelancholy——methimonthebank，clothedinamannerandcostumethatwasasingularcombinationofthefrontiersmanandthesailor。WhenNorthhadagainrelatedthestoryofhisfindingthechild，TrinidadJoepondered。

"Itmouthevbeenstowedawayinoneofthemcratesforsafe-

keeping，"hesaid，musingly，"andwashedoffthedecko’oneo’

themTahitibrigsgoin’downferoranges。Least-ways，itnevergottharfromtheseparts。"

"Butit’samiracleitslifewassavedatall。Itmusthavebeensomehoursinthewater。"

"Thembrigslaystheircoursewellinshore，anditwasjustmebbeatossupifthevesselclawedoffthereefatall！Andeztothechildkeepin’up，why，dogmyskin！that’sjustthecontrarinesso’

things，"continuedJoe，insententiouscynicism。"Efanableseamanhadfallenfromtheyard-armthatnighthe’dbeensunkinsighto’theship，andthetbabyezcan’tswimastrokesailsashore，soundasleep，withthewavesforababy-jumper。"

North，whowashalfrelieved，yethalfawkwardlydisappointedatnotseeingBessy，venturedtoaskhowthechildwasdoing。

"She’lldoallrightnow，"saidafrankvoiceabove，and，lookingup，Northdiscernedtheroundarms，blueeyes，andwhiteteethofthedaughteratthewindow。"She’sallhunky，andhasanappetite——

efshehezn’tgother’nat’ralnourishment。’Come，Dad！heaveahead，andtellthestrangerwhatyouandmeallowwe’lldo，anddon’tstandthereswappin’lieswithhim。"

"Weel，"saidTrinidadJoe，dejectedly，"Bessallowsshecanrarthatbabyanddojusticetoit。AndIdon’tsay——thoughI’mherfather——thatshecan’t。ButwhenBesswantsanythingshewantsitall，cleandown；nohalf-waysnorleavin’sforher。"

"That’sme！goon，Dad——you’rechippin’inthesamenotcheverytime，"saidMissRobinson，withcheerfuldirectness。

"Well，weagreetoputthejobupthisway。We’lltakethechildandyou’llgiveusapaperorwritin’makin’overallyourrightandtitle。How’sthat？"

Withoutknowingexactlywhyhedid，Mr。Northobjecteddecidedly。

"Doyouthinkwewon’ttakegoodcareofit？"askedMissBessy，sharply。

"Thatisnotthequestion，"saidNorth，alittlehotly。"Inthefirstplace，thechildisnotminetogive。Ithasfallenintomyhandsasatrust，——thefirsthandsthatreceiveditfromitsparents。Idonotthinkitrighttoallowanyotherhandstocomebetweentheirsandmine。"

MissBessyleftthewindow。Inanothermomentsheappearedfromthehouse，and，walkingdirectlytowardsNorth，heldoutasomewhatsubstantialhand。"Good！"shesaid，asshegavehisfingersanhonestsqueeze。"Youain’tsolooneyafterall。Dad，he’sright！

Heshan’tginitup，butwe’llgohalvesinit，heandme。He’llbefatherandI’llbemother’tildeathdouspart，orthereg’larfamilyturnsup。Well——whatdoyousay？"

Morepleasedthanhedaredconfesstohimselfwiththepraiseofthiscommongirl，Mr。JamesNorthassented。Thenwouldheseethebaby？Hewould，andTrinidadJoehavingalreadyseenthebaby，andtalkedofthebaby，andfeltthebaby，andindeedhadthebabyofferedtohimineverywayduringthepastnight，concludedtogivesomeofhisvaluabletimetologging，andleftthemtogether。

Mr。Northwasobligedtoadmitthatthebabywasthriving。Hemoreoverlistenedwithpoliteinteresttothestatementthatthebaby’seyeswerehazel，likehisown；thatithadfiveteeth；thatshewas，foragirlofthatprobableage，arobustchild；andyetMr。Northlingered。Finally，withhishandonthedoor-lock，heturnedtoBessyandsaid，——

"MayIaskyouanoddquestion，MissRobinson？"

"Goon。"

"WhydidyouthinkIwas——’looney’？"

ThefrankMissRobinsonbentherheadoverthebaby。

"Why？"

"Yes，why？"

"BecauseyouWERElooney。"

"Oh！"

"But——"

"Yes——"

"You’llgetoverit。"

Andundertheshallowpretextofgettingthebaby’sfood，sheretiredtothekitchen，whereMr。Northhadthesupremesatisfactionofseeingher，ashepassedthewindow，sittingonachairwithherapronoverherhead，shakingwithlaughter。

ForthenexttwoorthreedayshedidnotvisittheRobinsons，butgavehimselfuptopastmemories。Onthethirddayhehad——itmustbeconfessednotwithoutsomeeffort——broughthimselfintothatconditionofpatientsorrowwhichhadbeenhishabit。Theepisodeofthestormandthefindingofthebabybegantofade，ashadfadedthevisitofhisrelatives。Ithadbeenadull，wetdayandhewassittingbyhisfire，whentherecameatapathisdoor。

"Flora；"bywhichjuvenescentnamehisagedIndianhandmaidwasknown，usuallyannouncedherpresencewithanimitationofacurlew’scry：itcouldnotbeher。Hefanciedheheardthetrailingofawoman’sdressagainsttheboards，andstartedtohisfeet，deathlypale，withanameuponhislips。Butthedoorwasimpatientlythrownopen，andshowedBessyRobinson！Andthebaby！

Withafeelingofreliefhecouldnotunderstandheofferedheraseat。Sheturnedherfrankeyesonhimcuriously。

"Youlookskeert！"

"Iwasstartled。YouknowIseenobodyhere！"

"Thet’sso。Butlookyar，doyoueveruseadoctor？"

Notclearlyunderstandingher，heinturnasked，"Why？"

"Causeyoumustriseupandgetonenow——thet’swhy。Thisyerbabyofoursissick。Wedon’tuseadoctoratourhouse，wedon’tbeleevein’em，hain’tnocallfor’em——butthisyerbaby’sparentsmebbeedid。Soriseupouto’thatcheerandgetone。"

JamesNorthlookedatMissRobinsonandrose，albeitalittleindoubt，andhesitating。

MissRobinsonsawit。"Ishouldn’thevtroubledye，norriddenthreemiletodoit，iftherhedbeenanyoneelsetosend。ButDad’soveratEureka，buyinglogs，andI’malone。Hello——wheryergoin’？"

Northhadseizedhishatandopenedthedoor。"Foradoctor，"herepliedamazedly。

"Didyekalkilatetowalksixmilesandback？"

"Certainly——Ihavenohorse。"

"ButIhave，andyou’llfindhertetheredoutside。Sheain’tmuchtolookat，butwhenyoustrikethetrailshe’llgo。"

"ButYOU——howwillYOUreturn？"

"Well，"saidMissRobinson，drawingherchairtothefire，takingoffherhatandshawl，andwarmingherkneesbytheblaze，"I

didn’treckontoreturn。You’llfindmeherewhenyoucomebackwiththedoctor。Go！Skedaddlequick！"

Shedidnothavetorepeatthecommand。InanotherinstantJamesNorthwasinMissBessy’sseat——aman’sdragoonsaddle，——andpoundingawaythroughthesand。Twofactswereinhismind：onewasthathe，the"looney，"wasabouttoopencommunicationwiththewisdomandcontemporarycriticismofthesettlement，bygoingforadoctortoadministertoasickandanonymousinfantinhispossession；theotherwasthathissolitaryhousewasinthehandsofaself-invited，large-limbed，illiterate，butrathercomelyyoungwoman。Thesefactshecouldnotgallopawayfrom，buttohiscreditbeitrecordedthathefulfilledhismissionzealously，ifnotcoherently，tothedoctor，whoduringtherapidridegatheredtheideathatNorthhadrescuedayoungmarriedwomanfromdrowning，whohadsincegivenbirthtoachild。

Thefewwordsthatsetthedoctorrightwhenhearrivedatthecabinmightinanyothercommunityhaverequiredfurtherexplanation，butDr。Duchesne，anoldarmysurgeon，waspreparedforeverythingandindifferenttoall。"Theinfant，"hesaid，"wasthreatenedwithinflammationofthelungs；atpresenttherewasnodanger，butthegreatestcareandcautionmustbeexercised。

Particularlyexposureshouldbeavoided。""Thatsettlesthewholematter，then，"saidBessypotentially。Bothgentlemenlookedtheirsurprise。"Itmeans，"shecondescendedtofurtherexplain，"thatYOUmustridethatfillyhome，waitfortheoldmantocometo-

morrow，andthenridebackherewithsomeofmyduds，forthar’sno’day-days’norpicknickingforthatbabyontilshe’sbetter。AndI

reckontostaywithherontilsheis。"

"Shecertainlyisunabletobearanyexposureatpresent，"saidthedoctor，withanamusedsideglanceatNorth’sperplexedface。

"MissRobinsonisright。I’llridewithyouoverthesandsasfarasthetrail。"

"I’mafraid，"saidNorth，feelingitincumbentuponhimtosaysomething，"thatyou’llhardlyfinditascomfortablehereas——"

"Ireckonnot，"shesaidsimply，"butIdidn’texpectmuch。"

Northturnedalittlewearilyaway。"Goodnight，"shesaidsuddenly，extendingherhand，withagentlersmileoflipandeyethanhehadeverbeforenoticed，"goodnight——takegoodcareofDad。"

ThedoctorandNorthrodetogethersomemomentsinsilence。Northhadanotherfactpresentedtohim，i。e。thathewasgoinga-

visiting，andthathehadvirtuallyabandonedhisformerlife；alsothatitwouldbeprofanationtothinkofhissacredwoeinthehouseofastranger。

"Idaresay，"saidthedoctor，suddenly，"youarenotfamiliarwiththetypeofwomanMissBessypresentssoperfectly。Yourlifehasbeenspentamongtheconventionalclass。"

Northfrozeinstantlyatwhatseemedtobeaprobingofhissecret。

Disregardingthelastsuggestion，hemadeanswersimplyandtruthfullythathehadnevermetanyWesterngirllikeBessy。

"That’syourbadluck，"saidthedoctor。"Youthinkhercoarseandilliterate？"

Mr。Northhadbeensomuchstruckwithherkindnessthatreallyhehadnotthoughtofit。

"That’snotso，"saidthedoctor，curtly；"althoughevenifyoutoldhersoshewouldnotthinkanythelessofyou——norofherself。IfshespokerusticGreekinsteadofbadEnglish，andworeacestusinplaceofanill-fittingcorset，you’dswearshewasagoddess。There’syourtrail。Goodnight。"

III

JamesNorthdidnotsleepwellthatnight。HehadtakenMissBessy’sbedroom，athersuggestion，therebeingbuttwo，and"Dadneverusingsheetsandnotbein’keerfulinhishabits。"Itwasneat，butthatwasall。Thescantornamentationwasatrocious；twoorthreehighlycoloredprints，ashellwork-box，aghastlywinterbouquetofskeletonleavesandmosses，astar-fish，andtwochinavaseshideousenoughtohavebeenworshipedasBuddhistidols，exhibitedthegentlerecreationofthefairoccupant，andthepossiblefutureeducationofthechild。InthemorninghewasmetbyJoe，whoreceivedthemessageofhisdaughterwithhisusualdejection，andsuggestedthatNorthstaywithhimuntilthechildwasbetter。Thateventwasstillremote；Northfound，onhisreturntohiscabin，thatthechildhadbeenworse；buthedidnotknow，untilMissBessydroppedacasualremark，thatshehadnotclosedherowneyesthatnight。Itwasaweekbeforeheregainedhisownquarters，butanactiveweek——indeed，onthewhole，aratherpleasantweek。Fortherewasadelicateflatteryinbeingdomineeredbyawholesomeandhandsomewoman，andMr。JamesNorthhadbythistimemadeuphismindthatshewasboth。Onceortwicehefoundhimselfcontemplatinghersplendidfigurewitharecollectionofthedoctor’scompliment，andlater，emulatingherownfrankness，toldherofit。

"AndwhatdidYOUsay？"sheasked。

"Oh，Ilaughedandsaid——nothing。"

Andsodidshe。

Amonthafterthisinterchangeoffrankness，sheaskedhimifhecouldspendthenexteveningatherhouse。"Yousee，"shesaid，"there’stobeadancedownatthehallatEureka，andIhaven’tkickedafutsincelastspring。HankFisher’scomin’uptotakemeover，andI’mgoin’tolettheshantyslideforthenight。"

"Butwhat’stobecomeofthebaby？"askedNorth，alittletestily。

"Well，"saidMissRobinson，facinghimsomewhataggressively，"I

reckonitwon’thurtyetotakecareofitforanight。Dadcan’t——

andifhecould，hedon’tknowhow。Likedtohavepizenedmeaftermardied。No，youngman，Idon’tproposetoaskHankFishertototethetchildovertoEurekaandback，andspilehisfun。"

"ThenIsupposeImustmakewayforMr。Hank——Hank——Fisher？"saidNorth，withtheleasttingeofsarcasminhisspeech。

"Ofcourse。You’vegotnothingelsetodo，youknow。"

Northwouldhavegivenworldstohavepleadedapreviousengagementonbusinessofimportance，butheknewthatBessyspoketruly。Hehadnothingtodo。"AndFisherhas，Isuppose？"heasked。

"Ofcourse——tolookafterME！"

AmoreunpleasanteveningJamesNorthhadnotspentsincethefirstdayofhissolitude。Healmostbegantohatetheunconsciouscauseofhisabsurdposition，ashepacedupanddownthefloorwithit。

"Wasthereeversuchegregiousfolly？"hebegan，butrememberinghewasquotingMariaNorth’sfavoriteresumeofhisownconduct，hestopped。Thechildcried，missing，nodoubt，thefullroundedcurvesandplumparmofitsnurse。Northdanceditviolently，withaninwardaccompanimentthatwasnotmusical，andthoughtoftheotherdancers。"Doubtless，"hemused，"shehastoldthisbeauofhersthatshehasleftthebabywiththe’looney’ManontheBeach。

PerhapsImaybeofferedapermanentengagementasaharmlesssimpletonaccustomedtothecareofchildren。Mothersmaycryforme。ThedoctorisatEureka。Ofcourse，hewillbetheretoseehisuntranslatedgoddess，andcondolewithherovertheimbecilityoftheManontheBeach。"OncehecarelesslyaskedJoewhothecompanywere。

"Well，"saidJoe，mournfully，"thar’sWidderHigsbyanddarter；thefourStubbsgals；incoursePollyDoblewillbeonhandwiththatfellerthat’sclerkingoverattheHeadforJones，andJones’swife。Thenthar’sFrenchPete，andWhiskyBen，andthatchapthatshotArcher，——Idisrememberhisname，——andthebarber——what’sthatlittlemulatto’sname——that’arKanaka？Iswow！"continuedJoe，drearily，"I’llbeforgettin’myownnext——and——"

"Thatwilldo，"interruptedNorth，onlyhalfconcealinghisdisgustasheroseandcarriedthebabytotheotherroom，beyondthereachofnamesthatmightshockitsladylikeears。Thenextmorninghemetthefrom-dance-returningBessyabstractedly，andsoontookhisleave，fullofadisloyalplan，conceivedinthesleeplessnessofherownbedchamber。HewassatisfiedthatheowedadutytoitsunknownparentstoremovethechildfromthedegradinginfluencesofthebarberKanaka，andHankFisherespecially，andheresolvedtowritetohisrelatives，statingthecase，askingahomeforthewaifandassistancetofinditsparents。HeaddressedthislettertohiscousinMaria，partlyinconsiderationofthedramaticfarewellofthatyounglady，anditspossibleinfluenceinturninghersusceptiblehearttowardshisprotege。Hethenquietlysettledbacktohisoldsolitaryhabits，andforaweeklefttheRobinsonsunvisited。TheresultwasamorningcallbyTrinidadJoeonthehermit。"It’sawhimofmygal’s，Mr。North，"hesaid，dejectedly，"andezItoldyoubeforeandwarnedye，whenthatgalhezanidee，foweryokeofoxenandsevingmencan’tdragitouterher。She’sgotaideeo’larnin’——neverhevin’hedmuchschoolin’，andweonytakin’thepapers，permiskisslike——andshesaysYOUcanteachher——

nothevin’anythin’elsetodo。Doyefollyme？"

"Yes，"saidNorth，"certainly。"

"Well，sheallowsezmebbeeyou’reproud，anddidn’tlikehertakin’careofthebabyfornowt；andshereckonsthatefyou’llginhersomebooklarnin’，andgethertoslingsomefancytalkinfash’n’blestyle——why，she’llcallitsquar。"

"Youcantellher，"saidNorth，veryhonestly，"thatIshallbeonlytoogladtohelpherinanyway，withouteverhopingtocancelmydebtofobligationtoher。"

"Thenit’sago？"saidthemystifiedJoe，withadesperateattempttoconveytheforegoingstatementtohisownintellectinthreeSaxonwords。

"It’sago，"repliedNorth，cheerfully。

Andhefeltrelieved。Forhewasnotquitesatisfiedwithhisownwantoffranknesstoher。Butherewasawaytopayoffthedebtheowedher，andyetretainhisowndignity。Andnowhecouldtellherwhathehaddone，andhetrustedtotheambitiousinstinctthatpromptedhertoseekabettereducationtoexplainhisreasonsforit。

Hesawherthateveningandconfessedalltoherfrankly。Shekeptherheadaverted，butwhensheturnedherblueeyestohimtheywerewetwithhonesttears。Northhadaman’shorrorofareadyfemininelachrymalgland；butitwasnotlikeBessytocry，anditmeantsomething；andthenshediditinalarge，goddess-likeway，withoutsniffling，orchocking，orgettinghernosered，butratherwithagentledeliquescence，aharmoniousmelting，sothathewasfaintocomfortherwithnearercontact，gentlenessinhisownsadeyes，andapressureofherlargehand。

"It’sallright，Is’pose，"shesaid，sadly；"butIdidn’treckononyerhavin’anyrelations，butthoughtyouwasalone，likeme。"

JamesNorth，thinkingofHankFisherandthe"mullater，"couldnothelpintimatingthathisrelationswereverywealthyandfashionablepeople，andhadvisitedhimlastsummer。A

recollectionofthemannerinwhichtheyhadsovisitedhimandhisownreceptionofthempreventedhissayingmore。ButMissBessycouldnotforegoacertainfemininecuriosity，andasked，——

"DidtheycomewithSamBaker’steam？"

"Yes。"

"LastJuly？"

"Yes。"

"AndSamdrovethehorseshereforabite？"

"Ibelieveso。"

"Andthem’syourrelations？"

"Theyare。"

MissRobinsonreachedoverthecradleandenfoldedthesleepinginfantinherpowerfularms。Thensheliftedhereyes，wrathfulthroughherstillglitteringtears，andsaid，slowly，"Theydon’t——

have——this——child——then！"

"Butwhy？"

"Oh，why？Isawthem！That’swhy，andenough！Youcan’tplayanysuchgayandfestiveskeletonsonthispoorbabyforfleshandbloodparents。No，sir！"

"Ithinkyoujudgethemhastily，MissBessy，"saidNorth，secretlyamused；"myauntmaynot，atfirst，favorablyimpressstrangers，yetshehasmanyfriends。ButsurelyyoudonotobjecttomycousinMaria，theyounglady？"

"What！thatdriedcuttle-fish，withnothinglivin’aboutherbuthereyes？JamesNorth，yemaybeafoolliketheoldwoman，——

perhapsit’sinthefamily，——butyeain’tadevil，likethatgal！

Thatendsit。"

Anditdid。NorthdispatchedasecondlettertoMariasayingthathehadalreadymadeotherarrangementsforthebaby。Pleasedwithhereasyvictory，MissBessybecamemorethanusuallygracious，andthenextdaybowedhershapelyneckmeeklytotheyokeofherteacher，andbecameadocilepupil。JamesNorthcouldnothavehelpednoticingherreadyintelligence，evenhadhebeenlessprejudicedinherfavorthanhewasfastbecomingnow。Ifhehadfounditpleasantbeforetobeadmonishedbyhertherewasstillmoredeliciousflatteryinherperfecttrustinhisomniscientskillasapilotoverthisunknownsea。Therewasacertainenjoymentinguidingherhandoverthewriting-book，thatIfearhecouldnothaveobtainedfromanintellectlessgraciouslysustainedbyitsphysicalnature。Theweeksflewquicklybyongossamerwings，andwhensheplacedabunchoflarkspursandpoppiesinhishandonemorning，herememberedforthefirstthatitwasspring。

IcannotsaythattherewasmoretorecordofMissBessy’seducationthanthis。OnceNorth，halfjestingly，remarkedthathehadneveryetseenheradmirer，Mr。HankFisher。MissBessy（coloringbutcool）——"Youneverwill！"North（whitebuthot）——

"Why？"MissBessy（faintly）——"I’drathernot。"North（resolutely）——"Iinsist。"Bessy（yielding）——"Asmyteacher？"

North（hesitatingly，atthelimitationoftheepithet）——"Y-e-e-s！"

Bessy——"Andyou’llpromisenevertospeakofitagain？"North——

"Never。"Bessy（slowly——"Well，hesaidIdidanawfulthingtogoovertoyourcabinandstay。"North（inthegenuinesimplicityofarefinednature）——"Buthow？"MissBessy（halfpiqued，butabsolutelyadmiringthatnature）——"Quit！andkeepyourpromise！"

TheyweresohappyinthesenewrelationsthatitoccurredtoMissBessyonedaytotakeJamesNorthtotaskforobliginghertoasktobehispupil。"YouknewhowignorantIwas，"sheadded；andMr。

Northretortedbyrelatingtoherthedoctor’scriticismonherindependence。"Totellyouthetruth，"headded，"Iwasafraidyouwouldnottakeitaskindlyashethought。"

"Thatis，youthoughtmeasvainasyourself。Itseemstomeyouandthedoctorhadagreatdealtosaytoeachother。"

"Onthecontrary，"laughedNorth，"thatwasallwesaid。"

"Andyoudidn’tmakefunofme？"

PerhapsitwasnotnecessaryforNorthtotakeherhandtoemphasizehisdenial，buthedid。

MissBessy，beingstillreminiscent，perhaps，didnotnoticeit。

"Ifithadn’tbeenforthatar——Imeanthatthar——no，thatbaby——I

wouldn’thaveknownyou！"shesaiddreamily。

"No，"returnedNorth，mischievously，"butyoustillwouldhaveknownHankFisher。"

Nowomanisperfect。MissBessylookedathimwithasudden——herfirstandlast——flashofcoquetry。Thenstoopedandkissed——thebaby。

JamesNorthwasasimplegentleman，butnotaltogetherafool。Hereturnedthekiss，butnotvicariously。

Therewasafootstepontheporch。Thesetwoturnedthehuesofadyingdolphin，andthenlaughed。ItwasJoe。Heheldanewspaperinhishand。"Ireckonyewozright，Mr。North，aboutmytakin’

theseyarpapersreg’lar。ForIallowhere’ssuthin’thatmayclarupthemysteryo’thatbaby’sparents。"Withthehesitationofaslowlygrapplingintellect，JoesatdownonthetableandreadfromtheSanFrancisco"Herald"asfollows："’ItisnowascertainedbeyonddoubtthatthewreckreportedbytheAeoluswastheAmericanbrigPomareboundhencetoTahiti。Theworstsurmisesarefoundcorrect。Thebodyofthewomanhasbeensinceidentifiedasthatofthebeau-ti-fuldaughterof——of——of——Terp——Terp——Terpish’——Well！

Iswowthatnamejusttacklesme。"

"Ginittome，Dad，"saidBessypertly。"Youneverhadanyeducation，anyway。Hearyouraccomplisheddaughter。"Withamockbowtothenewschoolmaster，andacapitalburlesqueofaconfidentschoolgirl，shestrodetothemiddleoftheroomthepaperheldandfoldedbook-wiseinherhands。"Ahem！Wheredidyouleaveoff？Oh，’thebeautifuldaughterofTerpsichore——whosenamewasprom-i-nentlyconnectedwithamysterioussocialscandaloflastyear——thegiftedbutunfortunateGraceChatterton’——No——don’tstopme——there’ssomemore！’Thebodyofherchild，alovelyinfantofsixmonths，hasnotbeenrecovered，anditissupposedwaswashedoverboard。’There！maybethat’sthechild，Mr。North。Why，Dad！

Look，OmyGod！He’sfalling。Catchhim，Dad！Quick！"

Butherstrongarmhadanticipatedherfather’s。Shecaughthim，liftedhimtothebed，onwhichhelayhenceforthformanydaysunconscious。Thenfeversupervened，anddelirium，andDr。Duchesnetelegraphedforhisfriends；butattheendofaweekandtheopeningofasummerdaythestormpassed，astheotherstormhadpassed，andheawoke，enfeebled，butatpeace。Bessywasathisside——hewasgladtosee——alone。

"Bessy，dear，"hesaidhesitatingly，"whenIamstrongerIhavesomethingtotellyou。"

"Iknowitall，Jem，"shesaidwithatremblinglip；"Ihearditall——no，notfromTHEM，butfromyourownlipsinyourdelirium。

I’mgladitcamefromYOU——eventhen。"

"Doyouforgiveme，Bessy？"

Shepressedherlipstohisforeheadandsaidhastily，andthenfalteringly，asifafraidofherimpulse：——

"Yes。Yes。"

"Andyouwillstillbemothertothechild？"

"HERchild？"

"Nodear，nothers，butMINE！"

Shestarted，criedalittle，andthenputtingherarmsaroundhim，said："Yes。"

Andastherewasbutonewayoffulfillingthatsacredpromise，theyweremarriedintheautumn。

TWOSAINTSOFTHEFOOT-HILLS

Itneverwasclearlyascertainedhowlongtheyhadbeenthere。ThefirstsettlerofRough-and-Ready——oneLow，playfullyknowntohisfamiliarsas"ThePoorIndian"——declaredthattheSaintswereaforehistime，andoccupiedacabininthebrushwhenhe"blazed"hiswaytotheNorthFork。ItiscertainthatthetwowerepresentwhenthewaterwasfirstturnedontheUnionDitchandthenandtherereceivedthedesignationofDaddyDowneyandMammyDowney，whichtheykepttothelast。Astheytotteredtowardtherefreshmenttent，theywerewelcomedwiththegreatestenthusiasmbytheboys；or，toborrowthemorerefinedlanguageofthe"UnionRecorder，"——"Theirgrayhairsandbentfigures，recallingastheydidthehappypaternaleasternhomesofthespectators，andtheblessingsthatfellfromvenerablelipswhentheyleftthosehomestojourneyinquestoftheGoldenFleeceonOccidentalSlopes，causedmanytoburstintotears。"Thenearerfacts，thatmanyofthesespectatorswereorphans，thatafewwereunabletoestablishanylegalparentagewhatever，thatothershadenjoyedaState’sguardianshipanddiscipline，andthatamajorityhadlefttheirpaternalroofswithoutanyembarrassingpreliminaryformula，weremerepassingcloudsthatdidnotdimthegoldenimageryofthewriter。FromthatdaytheSaintswereadoptedashistoricallayfigures，andenteredatonceintopossessionofuninterruptedgratuitiesandendowment。

Itwasnotstrangethat，inacountrylargelymadeupofambitiousandrecklessyouth，thesetwo——typesofconservativeandsettledforms——shouldbethuscelebrated。Apartfromanysentimentorveneration，theywereadmirablefoilstothecommunity’syouthfulprogressandenergy。Theywereputforwardateverysocialgathering，occupiedprominentseatsontheplatformateverypublicmeeting，walkedfirstineveryprocession，wereconspicuousatthefrequentfuneralandrarerwedding，andweregodfatherandgodmothertothefirstbabyborninRough-and-Ready。Atthefirstpollopenedinthatprecinct，DaddyDowneycastthefirstvote，and，aswashiscustomonallmomentousoccasions，becamevolublyreminiscent。"ThefirstvoteIevercast，"saidDaddy，"wasforAndrewJackson；thefathero’someonyourpeartyoungchapswasn’tbornthen；he！he！thatwas’waylongin’33，wasn’tit？I

disremembernow，butifMammywashere，shebein’aschool-galatthetime，shecouldsay。Butmymemory’sfailin’me。I’manoldman，boys；yetIlikestoseetheyoungonesgoahead。Irecklectthattharvotefromasuckumstance。SquireAdamswaspresent，andseein’itwasmyfirstvote，heputagooldpieceintomyhand，and，sezhe，sezSquireAdams，’Letthatalwaysbeareminderoftheexerciseofagloriousfreeman’sprivilege！’Hedid；he！he！

Lord，boys！Ifeelsoproudofye，thatIwishIhadahundredvotestocastforyeall。"

ItwashardlynecessarytosaythatthememorialtributeofSquireAdamswasincreasedtenfoldbythejudges，inspectors，andclerks，andthattheoldmantotteredbacktoMammy，considerablyheavierthanhecame。Asbothoftherivalcandidateswereequallysureofhisvote，andeachhadcalleduponhimandofferedaconveyance，itisbutfairtopresumetheywereequallybeneficent。ButDaddyinsisteduponwalkingtothepolls，——adistanceoftwomiles，——asamoralexample，andatextfortheCaliforniaparagraphers，whohastenedtorecordthatsuchwastheinfluenceofthefoot-hillclimate，that"acitizenofRough-and-Ready，agedeighty-four，roseatsixo’clock，and，aftermilkingtwocows，walkedadistanceoftwelvemilestothepolls，andreturnedintimetochopacordofwoodbeforedinner。"

Slightlyexaggeratedasthisstatementmayhavebeen，thefactthatDaddywasalwaysfoundbythevisitortobeengagedathiswood-

pile，whichseemedneithertoincreasenordiminishunderhisaxe，afact，doubtless，owingtotheactivityofMammy，whowasalwaysatthesametimemakingpies，seemedtogivesomecredencetothestory。Indeed，thewood-pileofDaddyDowneywasastandingreprooftotheindolentandsluggishminer。

"OleDaddymustuseupapow’fulsightofwood；everytimeI’vepassedbyhisshantyhe’sbeenmakin’thechipsfly。Butwhatgetsmeis，thatthepiledon’tseemtocomedown，"saidWhiskyDicktohisneighbor。

"Well，youdernedfool！"growledhisneighbor，"sposesomechaphappenstopassbythar，andseestheoldmandoin’aman’sworkateighty，andsloucheslikeyouandmelyingrounddrunk，andthatchap，feelin’kinderhumped，goesupsomedarknightandheavesaloadofcutpineoverhisfence，who’sgotanythingtosayaboutit？Say？"Certainlynotthespeaker，whohaddonetheactsuggested，northepenitentandremorsefulhearer，whorepeateditnextday。

Thepiesandcakesmadebytheoldwomanwere，Ithink，remarkableratherfortheirinducingthesameloyalandgenerousspiritthanfortheirintrinsicexcellence，anditmaybesaidappealedmorestronglytothenobleraspirationsofhumanitythanitsvulgarappetite。Howbeit，everybodyateMammyDowney’spies，andthoughtofhischildhood。"Take’em，dearboys，"theoldladywouldsay；

"itdoesmegoodtoseeyoueat’em；remindsmekinderofmypoorSammy，that，efhe’dlived，wouldhevbeenezstrongandbegezyoube，butwastakendownwithlungfever，atSweetwater。Ikinseehimyet；that’sfortyyearago，dear！comin’outo’thelottothebake-house，andsmilin’suchabeautifulsmile，likeyours，dearboy，asIhandedhimaminceoralemmingturnover。Dear，dear，howIdorunon！andthosedaysispast！butIseemstoliveinyouagain！"Thewifeofthehotel-keeper，actuatedbyalowjealousy，hadsuggestedthatshe"seemedtoliveOFFthem；"butasthatpersontriedtodemonstratethetruthofherstatementbyreferencetothecostoftherawmaterialusedbytheoldlady，itwasconsideredbythecampastoopracticalandeconomicalforconsideration。"Besides，"addedCyPerkins，"efoldMammywantstoturnanhonestpennyinheroldage，letherdoit。Howwouldyoulikeyouroldmothertomakepiesongrubwages？eh？"Asuggestionthatsoaffectedhishearer（whohadnomother）thatheboughtthreeonthespot。Thequalityofthesepieshadneverbeendiscussedbutonce。ItisrelatedthatayounglawyerfromSanFrancisco，diningatthePalmettorestaurant，pushedawayoneofMammyDowney’spieswitheveryexpressionofdisgustanddissatisfaction。Atthisjuncture，WhiskyDick，considerablyaffectedbyhisfavoritestimulant，approachedthestranger’stable，and，drawingupachair，satuninvitedbeforehim。

"Mebbee，youngman，"hebegangravely，"yedon’tlikeMammyDowney’spies？"

Thestrangerrepliedcurtly，andinsomeastonishment，thathedidnot，asarule，"eatpie。"

"Youngman，"continuedDick，withdrunkengravity，"mebbeeyou’reaccustomedtoCharlotterusksandbluemange；mebbeeyecan’teatunlessyourgrubisgotupbyoneo’themFrenchcooks’？YetWE——

usboysyarinthiscamp——callsthatpie——agood——acom-pe-tentpie！"

Thestrangeragaindisclaimedanythingbutageneraldislikeofthatformofpastry。

"Youngman，"continuedDick，utterlyunheedingtheexplanation，——

"youngman，mebbeeyouonsthadanole——averyolemother，who，totteringdownthevaleo’years，madepies。Mebbee，andit’slikeyourblankepicureansoul，yeturnedupyournoseontheolewoman，andwentbackonthepies，andonher！Shethatdandledyewhenyewozababy，——alittlebaby！Mebbeeyewentbackonher，andshookher，andplayedoffonher，andgaveheraway——deadaway！Andnow，mebbee，youngman——Iwouldn’thurtyefortheworld，butmebbee，aforeyeleavethisyartable，YE’LLEATTHATPIE！"

Thestrangerrosetohisfeet，butthemuzzleofadragoonrevolverintheunsteadyhandsofWhiskyDick，causedhimtositdownagain。

Heatethepie，andlosthiscaselikewise，beforeaRough-and-

Readyjury。

Indeed，farfromexhibitingthecynicaldoubtsanddistrustsofage，DaddyDowneyreceivedalwayswithchildlikedelighttheprogressofmodernimprovementandenergy。"Inmyday，longbackinthetwenties，ittookusnighaweek——aweek，boys——togetupabarn，andalltheyoungones——Iwasonethen——formiles’roundattheraisin’；andyer’syouboys——rascalsyeare，too——runsupthisyershantyforMammyandme’twixtsun-upanddark！Eh，eh，you’reteachin’theoldfolksnewtricks，areye？Ah，getalong，you！"

andinplayfulsimulationofangerhewouldshakehiswhitehairandhishickorystaffatthe"rascals。"Theonlyindicationoftheconservativetendenciesofagewasvisibleinhiscontinualprotestagainsttheextravaganceoftheboys。"Why，"hewouldsay，"afamily，ahullfamily，——leavin’alonemeandtheoldwoman，——mightbesupportedonwhatyouyoungrascalsthrowawayinasinglespree。Ah，youyoungdogs，didn’tIhearaboutyourscatteringhalf-dollarsonthestagetheothernightwhenthatEyetalianPapistwassingin’？AndthatmoneygoesoutofAmeriky——ivrycent！"

Therewaslittledoubtthattheoldcoupleweresaving，ifnotavaricious。Butwhenitwasknown，throughtheindiscreetvolubilityofMammyDowney，thatDaddyDowneysentthebulkoftheirsavings，gratuities，andgiftstoadissipatedandprodigalsonintheEast，——whosephotographtheoldmanalwayscarriedwithhim，——itratherelevatedhimintheirregard。"Whenyewritetothatgayandfestivesono’yourn，Daddy，"saidJoeRobinson，"sendhimthisyerspecimen。Givehimmycompliments，andtellhim，efhekinspendmoneyfasterthanIcan，Icallhim！Tellhim，efhewantsafirst-classjamboree，tokemouthere，andmeandtheboyswillshowhimwhatasquaredrunkis！"Invainwouldtheoldmancontinuetoprotestagainstthespiritofthegift；theminergenerallyreturnedwithhispocketsthatmuchthelighter，anditisnotimprobablealittlelessintoxicatedthanheotherwisemighthavebeen。ItmaybepremisedthatDaddyDowneywasstrictlytemperate。Theonlywayhemanagedtoavoidhurtingthefeelingsofthecampwasbyacceptingthefrequentdonationsofwhiskytobeusedforthepurposesofliniment。

"Nexttosnake-oil，myson，"hewouldsay，"anddilberry-juice，——

andyedon’tseemtopro-duce’emhereabouts，——whiskyisgoodforrubbin’ontooldbonestomake’emlimber。Butpurecoldwater，’sparklin’andbrightinitsliquidlight，’and，sotospeak，reflectin’ofGod’sownlinymentsonitssurfiss，isthebest，onless，likepoorol’Mammyandme，yegetsthedumb-agurfromover-use。"

ThefameoftheDowneycouplewasnotconfinedtothefoot-hills。

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