sofa，albeittohimitwasabankinabowerofenchantment。Thenshesaid，withadorablereproachfulness，"Youdon’taskwhatIdidwiththebody。"
Mr。EdwardBricestarted。Hewasyoung，andunfamiliarwiththeevasiveexpansivenessofthefemalemindatsuchsuprememoments。
"Thebody——oh，yes——certainly。"
"Iburieditmyself——itwassuthintooawful！——andthegangwouldhavebeensuretohavefoundit，andtheemptybelt。IburnedTHAT。Sothatnobodyknowsnothin’。"
Itwasnotatimeforstrictlygrammaticalnegatives，andIamafraidthatthegirl’scharacteristicallyfamiliarspeech，evenwhenpatheticallycorrectedhereandtherebytheinfluenceoftheconvent，endearedherthemoretohim。Andwhenshesaid，"Andnow，Mr。EdwardBrice，sitoveratthatendofthesofyandlet’stalk，"theytalked。Theytalkedforanhour，moreorlesscontinuously，untiltheyweresurprisedbyadiscreetcoughandtheentranceofMrs。Tarbox。Thentherewasmoretalk，andthediscoverythatMr。Bricewaslongdueattheoffice。
"Yemightdropin，nowandthen，wheneveryefeellikeit，andFloisathome，"suggestedMrs。Tarboxatparting。
Mr。BriceDIDdropinfrequentlyduringthenextmonth。OnoneoftheseoccasionsMr。Tarboxaccompaniedhimtothedoor。"Andnow——
ezeverythingissettledandinorder，Mr。Brice，andefyoushouldbewantin’tosayanythingaboutittoyourbossesattheoffice，yemaymentionMYnameezFloDimwood’ssecondcousin，andsayI’madepositorintheirbank。And，"withgreaterdeliberation，"efanythingatanytimeshouldbethrownupatyeformarryin’anieceo’SnapshotHarry’s，yemightmention，keerlesslike，thatSnapshotHarry，underthenameo’HenryJ。Dimwood，hasheldsharesintheiroldbankforyears！"
ATREASUREOFTHEREDWOODS
PARTI
Mr。JackFlemingstoppedsuddenlybeforealifelessanddecayingredwood-treewithanexpressionofdisgustandimpatience。Itwastheverytreehehadpassedonlyanhourbefore，andhenowknewhehadbeendescribingthatmysteriousandhopelesscirclefamiliarenoughtothoselostinthewoods。
Therewasnomistakingthetree，withitsonebrokenbranchwhichdependedatananglelikethearmofasemaphore；nordiditrelievehismindtoreflectthathismishapwaspartlyduetohisownfoolishabstraction。Hewasreturningtocampfromaneighboringminingtown，andwhileindulgingintheusualday-
dreamsofayouthfulprospector，haddeviatedfromhispathinattemptingtomakeashortcutthroughtheforest。Hehadlostthesun，hisonlyguide，inthethicklyinterlacedboughsabovehim，whichsuffusedthoughthelongcolumnarvaultonlyavague，melancholytwilight。Hehadevidentlypenetratedsomeunknownseclusion，absolutelyprimevalanduntrodden。Thethicklayersofdecayingbarkandthedesiccateddustofagesdeadenedhisfootfallandinvestedthegloomwithaprofoundsilence。
Ashestoodforamomentortwo，irresolute，hisear，bythistimeattunedtothestillness，caughtthefaintbutdistinctlapandtrickleofwater。Hewashotandthirsty，andturnedinstinctivelyinthatdirection。Averyfewpacesbroughthimtoafallentree；
atthefootofitsupturnedrootsgurgledthespringwhoseupwellingstreamhadslowlybutpersistentlyloosenedtheirholdonthesoil，andworkedtheirruin。Apoolofcoolandclearwater，formedbythedisruptionofthesoil，overflowed，andafterafewyardssankagaininthesoddenfloor。
Ashedrankandbathedhisheadandhandsinthissylvanbasin，henoticedthewhiteglitterofaquartzledgeinitsdepths，andwasconsiderablysurprisedandrelievedtofind，hardby，anactualoutcropofthatrockthroughthethickcarpetofbarkanddust。
Thisbetokenedthathewasneartheedgeoftheforestorsomerockyopening。Hefanciedthatthelightgrewclearerbeyond，andthepresenceofafewfrondsoffernsconfirmedhiminthebeliefthathewasapproachingadifferentbeltofvegetation。Presentlyhesawtheverticalbeamsofthesunagainpiercingtheopeninginthedistance。Withthisprospectofspeedydeliverancefromtheforestatlastsecure，hedidnothurryforward，butonthecontrarycoollyretracedhisfootstepstothespringagain。Thefactwasthattheinstinctsandhopesoftheprospectorwerestronglydominantinhim，andhavingnoticedthequartzledgeandthecontiguousoutcrop，hedeterminedtoexaminethemmoreclosely。
Hehadstilltimetofindhiswayhome，anditmightnotbesoeasytopenetratethewildernessagain。Unfortunately，hehadneitherpick，pan，norshovelwithhim，butaverycursorydisplacementofthesoilaroundthespringandattheoutcropwithhishandsshowedhimtheusualredsoilanddecomposedquartzwhichconstitutedan"indication。"Yetnoneknewbetterthanhimselfhowdisappointingandillusiveitsresultsoftenwere，andheregrettedthathehadnotapantoenablehimtotestthesoilbywashingitatthespring。Iftherewereonlyaminer’scabinhandy，hecouldeasilyborrowwhathewanted。Itwasjusttheusualluck，——"thethingsamanseeswhenhehasn’thisgunwithhim！"
Heturnedimpatientlyawayagaininthedirectionoftheopening。
Whenhereachedit，hefoundhimselfonarockyhillsideslopingtowardasmallgreenvalley。Alightsmokecurledaboveaclumpofwillows；itwasfromthechimneyofalowdwelling，butasecondglancetoldhimthatitwasnominer’scabin。Therewasalargerclearingaroundthehouse，andsomerudeattemptatcultivationinaroughlyfencedarea。Nevertheless，hedeterminedtotryhisluckinborrowingapickandpanthere；attheworsthecouldinquirehiswaytothemainroadagain。
Ahurriedscrambledownthehillbroughthimtothedwelling，——aramblingadditionofshedstotheusuallogcabin。Buthewassurprisedtofindthatitsexterior，andindeedthepalingsofthefencearoundit，werecoveredwiththestretchedanddryingskinsofanimals。Thepeltsofbear，panther，wolf，andfoxwereintermingledwithsquirrelandwildcatskins，andthedisplayedwingsofeagle，hawk，andkingfisher。Therewasnotrailleadingtoorfromthecabin；itseemedtohavebeenlostinthisopeningoftheencompassingwoodsandleftaloneandsolitary。
Thebarkingofacoupleoftetheredhoundsatlastbroughtafiguretothedoorofthenearestlean-toshed。Itseemedtobethatofayounggirl，butitwascladingarmentssoridiculouslylargeanddisproportionatethatitwasdifficulttotellherpreciseage。A
calicodresswaspinnedupattheskirt，andtightlygirtatthewaistbyanapron——solongthatonecornerhadtobetuckedinattheapronstringdiagonally，tokeepthewearerfromtreadingonit。Anenormoussunbonnetofyellownankeencompletelyconcealedherheadandface，butallowedtwoknottedandtwistedbrowntailsofhairtoescapeunderitsfrilledcapebehind。Shewasevidentlyengagedinsomeculinarywork，andstillheldalargetinbasinorpanshehadbeencleaningclaspedtoherbreast。
Fleming’seyeglancedatitcovetously，ignoringthefigurebehindit。Buthewasdiplomatic。
"Ihavelostmywayinthewoods。Canyoutellmeinwhatdirectionthemainroadlies？"
Shepointedasmallredhandapparentlyinthedirectionhehadcome。"Straightoverthar——acrossthehill。"
Flemingsighed。Hehadbeenmakingacircuitoftheforestinsteadofgoingthroughit——andthisopenspacecontainingthecabinwasonaremoteoutskirt！
"Howfarisittotheroad？"heasked。
"Jestaspellarteryerisethehill，efyekeep’longsidethewoods。Butit’sarightsmartchancebeyond，efyegothroughit。"
Thiswasquiteplaintohim。Inthelocaldialecta"spell"wasunderamile；"arightsmartchance"mightbethreeorfourmilesfarther。Luckilythespringandoutcropwereneartheoutskirts；
hewouldpassnearthemagainonhisway。Helookedlonginglyatthepanwhichshestillheldinherhands。"Wouldyoumindlendingmethatpanforalittlewhile？"hesaidhalflaughingly。
"Wotfor？"demandedthegirlquickly。Yethertonewasoneofchildishcuriosityratherthansuspicion。Flemingwouldhavelikedtoavoidthequestionandtheconsequentexposureofhisdiscoverywhichadirectanswerimplied。Buthesawitwastoolatenow。
"Iwanttowashalittledirt，"hesaidbluntly。
Thegirlturnedherdeepsunbonnettowardhim。Somewhereinitsdepthshesawtheflashofwhiteteeth。"Goalongwithye——ye’refunnin’！"shesaid。
"Iwanttowashoutsomedirtinthatpan——I’mprospectingforgold，"hesaid；"don’tyouunderstand？"
"Areyeaminer？"
"Well，yes——asortofone，"hereturned，withalaugh。
"Thenye’dbetterbescootin’outo’thismightyquickaforedadcomes。Hedon’tcottontominers，andwon’thave’emaround。
That’swhyhelivesouthere。"
"Well，Idon’tliveouthere，"respondedtheyoungmanlightly。"I
shouldn’tbehereifIhadn’tlostmyway，andinhalfanhourI’llbeoffagain。SoI’mnotlikelytobotherhim。But，"headded，asthegirlstillhesitated，"I’llleaveadepositforthepan，ifyoulike。"
"Leaveawhich？"
"Themoneythatthepan’sworth，"saidFlemingimpatiently。
Thehugesunbonnetstifflyswungaroundlikethewind-sailofashipandstaredatthehorizon。"Idon’twantnomoney。Yekingit，"saidthevoiceinitsdepths。
"Lookhere，"hesaiddesperately，"IonlywantedtoprovetoyouthatI’llbringyourpanbacksafe。Nowlook！Ifyoudon’tliketotakemoney，I’llleavethisringwithyouuntilIcomeback。
There！"Heslippedasmallspecimenring，madeoutofhisfirstgoldfindings，fromhislittlefinger。
Thesunbonnetslowlyswungaroundagainandstaredatthering。
Thenthelittleredrighthandreachedforward，tookthering，placeditontheforefingerofthelefthand，withalltheotherfingerswidelyextendedforthesunbonnettoview，andallthewhilethepanwasstillheldagainsthersidebytheotherhand。
Flemingnoticedthatthehands，thoughtawnyandnotoverclean，werealmostchildlikeinsize，andthattheforefingerwasmuchtoosmallforthering。Hetriedtofathomthedepthsofthesun-
bonnet，butitwasdentedononeside，andhecoulddiscernonlyasinglepaleblueeyeandathinblackarchofeyebrow。
"Well，"saidFleming，"isitago？"
"Ofcourseye’llbecomin’backforitagain，"saidthegirlslowly。
TherewassomuchofhopelessdisappointmentatthatprospectinhervoicethatFleminglaughedoutright。"I’mafraidIshall，forIvaluetheringverymuch，"hesaid。
Thegirlhandedhimthepan。"It’sourbreadpan，"shesaid。
Itmighthavebeenanything，foritwasbynomeansnew；indeed，itwasbatteredononesideandthebottomseemedtohavebeenbroken；
butitwouldserve，andFlemingwasanxioustobeoff。"Thankyou，"hesaidbriefly，andturnedaway。Thehoundbarkedagainashepassed；heheardthegirlsay，"Shutyourhead，Tige！"andsawherturnbackintothekitchen，stillholdingtheringbeforethesunbonnet。
Whenhereachedthewoods，heattackedtheoutcrophehadnoticed，anddetachedwithhishandsandtheaidofasharprockenoughoftheloosesoiltofillthepan。Thishetooktothespring，and，loweringthepaninthepool，begantowashoutitscontentswiththecentrifugalmovementoftheexperiencedprospector。Thesaturatedredsoiloverflowedthebrimwiththatliquidoozeknownas"slumgullion，"andturnedthecrystalpooltothecolorofblooduntilthesoilwaswashedaway。Thenthesmallerstoneswerecarefullyremovedandexamined，andthenanotherwashingofthenownearlyemptypanshowedthefineblacksandcoveringthebottom。
Thiswasinturnasgentlywashedaway。
Alas！thecleanpanshowedonlyoneortwominuteglisteningyellowscales，likepinheads，adheringfromtheirspecificgravitytothebottom；gold，indeed，butmerelyenoughtoindicate"thecolor，"
andcommontoordinaryprospectinginhisownlocality。
Hetriedanotherpanfulwiththesameresult。Hebecameawarethatthepanwasleaky，andthatinfinitecarealonepreventedthebottomfromfallingoutduringthewashing。Stillitwasanexperiment，andtheresultafailure。
Flemingwastoooldaprospectortotakehisdisappointmentseriously。Indeed，itwascharacteristicofthatperformanceandthatperiodthatfailureleftneitherhopelessnessnorlossoffaithbehindit；theprospectorhadsimplymiscalculatedtheexactlocality，andwasequallyasreadytotryhisluckagain。ButFlemingthoughtithightimetoreturntohisownminingworkincamp，andatoncesetofftoreturnthepantoitsgirlishownerandrecoverhisring。
Asheapproachedthecabinagain，beheardthesoundofsinging。
Itwasevidentlythegirl’svoice，upliftedinwhatseemedtobeafragmentofsomenegrocamp-meetinghymn：——
"DarwasapoormanandhisnameitwasLazarum，LordbressdeLamb——gloryhallelugerum！
LordbressdeLamb！"
Thefirsttwolineshadabriskmovement，accentedapparentlybytheclappingofhandsorthebeatingofatinpan，buttherefrain，"LordbressdeLamb，"wasdrawnoutinalugubriouschantofinfinitetenuity。
"Therichmandiedandhewentstraighttohellerum。
LordbressdeLamb——gloryhallelugerum！
LordbressdeLamb！"
Flemingpausedatthecabindoor。Beforehecouldrapthevoiceroseagain：——
"Whenyeseeapoo’manbesuretogivehimcrumbsorum，LordbressdeLamb——gloryhallelugerum！
LordbressdeLamb！"
Attheendofthisinterminablerefrain，drawnoutinayouthfulnasalcontralto，Flemingknocked。Thegirlinstantlyappeared，holdingtheringinherfingers。"Ireckoneditwasyou，"shesaid，withanaffectedbriskness，toconcealherevidentdislikeatpartingwiththetrinket。"Thereitis！"
ButFlemingwastooastoundedtospeak。Withtheopeningofthedoorthesunbonnethadfallenbacklikeabuggytop，disclosingforthefirsttimetheheadandshouldersofthewearer。Shewasnotachild，butasmartyoungwomanofseventeenoreighteen，andmuchofhisembarrassmentarosefromtheconsciousnessthathehadnoreasonwhateverforhavingbelievedherotherwise。
"IhopeIdidn’tinterruptyoursinging，"hesaidawkwardly。
Itwasonlyoneo’mammy’scamp-meetin’songs，"saidthegirl。
"Yourmother？Isshein？"heasked，glancingpastthegirlintothekitchen。
"’Tain’tmother——she’sdead。Mammy’souroldnurse。She’sgonetoJimtown，andtakenmydudstogetsomenewonesfittedtome。
Thesearesomeo’mother’s。"
Thisaccountedforherstrangeappearance；butFlemingnoticedthatthegirl’smannerhadnottheslightestconsciousnessoftheirunbecomingness，norofthecharmsoffaceandfiguretheyhadmarred。
Shelookedathimcuriously。"Hevyougotreligion？"
"Well，no！"saidFleming，laughing；"I’mafraidnot。"
"Dadhez——he’sgotitpow’ful。"
"Isthatthereasonhedon’tlikeminers？"askedFleming。
"’Takenottoyourselfthemammonofunrighteousness，’"saidthegirl，withtheconfidentairofrepeatingalesson。"That’swhattheBooksays。"
"ButIreadtheBible，too，"repliedtheyoungman。
"Dadsays，’Theletterkilleth’！"saidthegirlsententiously。
FleminglookedatthetrophiesnailedonthewallswithavaguewonderifthispeculiarScripturaldestructivenesshadanythingtodowithhisskillasamarksman。Thegirlfollowedhiseye。
"Dad’samightyhunteraforetheLord。"
"Whatdoeshedowiththeseskins？"
"Trades’emoffforgrubandfixin’s。Buthedon’tbelieveintrottin’roundinthemudforgold。"
"Don’tyousupposetheseanimalswouldhavepreferreditifhehad？
Goldhuntingtakesnothingfromanybody。"
Thegirlstaredathim，andthen，tohisgreatsurprise，laughedinsteadofbeingangry。Itwasaveryfascinatinglaughinherimperfectlynourishedpaleface，andherlittleteethrevealedthebluishmilkywhitenessofpipsofyoungIndiancorn。
"Wotyerlookin’at？"sheaskedfrankly。
"You，"hereplied，withequalfrankness。
"It’sthemduds，"shesaid，lookingdownatherdress；"IreckonI
ain’tgotthehango’’em"
Yettherewasnottheslightesttoneofembarrassmentorevencoquetryinhermanner，aswithbothhandsshetriedtogatherintheloosefoldsaroundherwaist。
"Letmehelpyou，"hesaidgravely。
Sheliftedupherarmswithchildlikesimplicityandbackedtowardhimashesteppedbehindher，drewinthefolds，andpinnedthemaroundwhatprovedaverysmallwaistindeed。Thenheuntiedtheapron，tookitoff，foldeditinhalf，andretieditscurtailedproportionsaroundthewaist。"Itdoesfeelaheapeasier，"shesaid，withalittleshiverofsatisfaction，assheliftedherroundcheek，andthetailofherblueeyeswiththeirbrownlashes，overhershoulder。Itwasatemptingmoment——butJackfeltthatthewholeraceofgoldhunterswasontrialjustthen，andwasadamant！
Perhapshewasagentlefellowatheart，too。
"Icouldloopupthatdressalso，ifIhadmorepins，"heremarkedtentatively。Jackhadsistersofhisown。
Thepinswereforthcoming。Inthisoperation——akindoffestooning——
thegirl’spetticoat，apieceofcommonwashed-outblueflannel，aspaleashereyes，butofthecommonestmaterial，becamevisible，butwithoutfearorreproachtoeither。
"There，thatlooksmoretidy，"saidJack，criticallysurveyinghisworkandalittleofthesmallanklesrevealed。Thegirlalsoexamineditcarefullybyitsreflectiononthesurfaceofthesaucepan。"Looksalittlelikeachinygirl，don’tit？"
Jackwouldhaveresentedthis，thinkingshemeantaChinese，untilhesawherpointingtoacheapcrockeryornament，representingaDutchshepherdess，ontheshelf。Therewassomeresemblance。
"Youbeatmammyouto’sight！"sheexclaimedgleefully。"Itwilljestsetherclearcrazywhensheseesme。"
"Thenyouhadbettersayyoudidityourself，"saidFleming。
"Why？"askedthegirl，suddenlyopeninghereyesonhimwithrelentlessfrankness。
"Yousaidyourfatherdidn’tlikeminers，andhemightn’tlikeyourlendingyourpantome。"
"I’mmoreafraido’lyin’thano’dad，"shesaidwithanelevationofmoralsentimentthatwas，however，slightlyweakenedbytheaddition，"Mammy’llsayanythingI’lltellhertosay。"
"Well，good-by，"saidFleming，extendinghishand。
"Yedidn’ttellmewhatluckyehadwiththepan，"shesaid，delayingtakinghishand。
Flemingshruggedhisshoulders。"Oh，myusualluck，——nothing，"hereturned，withasmile。
"Yeseemtokeermoreforgettin’yeroldringbackthanforanyluck，"shecontinued。"Ireckonyouain’tmucho’aminer。"
"I’mafraidnot。"
"Yedidn’tsaywotyernamewas，incasedadwantstoknow。"
"Idon’tthinkhewillwantto；butit’sJohnFleming。"
Shetookhishand。"Youdidn’ttellmeyours，"hesaid，holdingthelittleredfingers，"incaseIwantedtoknow。"
Itpleasedhertoconsidertherejoinderintenselywitty。Sheshowedallherlittleteeth，threwawayhishand，andsaid：——
"G’longwithye，Mr。Fleming。It’sTinka"——
"Tinker？"
"Yes；shortforKatinka，——KatinkaJallinger。"
"Good-by，MissJallinger。"
"Good-by。Dad’snameisHenryBooneJallinger，ofKentucky，efyewaseveraskin’。"
"Thankyou。"
Heturnedawayassheswiftlyre-enteredthehouse。Ashewalkedaway，hehalfexpectedtohearhervoiceupliftedagaininthecamp-meetingchant，buthewasdisappointed。Whenhereachedthetopofthehillheturnedandlookedbackatthecabin。
Shewasapparentlywaitingforthis，andwavedhimanadieuwiththehumblepanhehadborrowed。Itflashedamomentdazzlinglyasitcaughtthedecliningsun，andthenwentout，evenobliteratingthelittlefigurebehindit。
PARTII
Mr。JackFlemingwasindeed"notmuchofaminer。"Heandhispartners——bothasyoung，hopeful，andinefficientashimself——hadforthreemonthsworkedaclaiminamountainminingsettlementwhichyieldedthemacertainamountofhealthyexercise，good-
humoredgrumbling，andexaltedindependence。Todigforthreeorfourhoursinthemorning，smoketheirpipesunderaredwood-treeforanhouratnoon，takeuptheirlaborsagainuntilsunset，whenthey"washedup"andgatheredsufficientgoldtopayfortheirdailywants，was，withouttheirseekingit，orevenknowingit，therealizationofacharmingsocialisticidealwhichbettermenthanthemselveshadonlydreamedof。Flemingfellbackintothisrefinedbarbarism，givinglittlethoughttohiswoodlandexperience，andnorevelationofittohispartners。Hehadtransactedtheirbusinessattheminingtown。Hisdeviationsenroutewerenothingtothem，andsmallaccounttohimself。
Thethirddayafterhisreturnhewaslyingunderaredwoodwhenhispartnerapproachedhim。
"Youaren’tuneasyinyourmindaboutanyunpaidbill——sayawashbill——thatyou’reowing？"
"Why？"
"There’sabigniggerwomanincamplookingforyou；she’sgotafoldedaccountpaperinherhand。Itlooksdeucedlylikeabill。"
"Theremustbesomemistake，"suggestedFleming，sittingup。
"Shesaysnot，andshe’sgotyournamepatenough！Faulkner"（hisotherpartner）"headedherstraightupthegulch，awayfromcamp，whileIcamedowntowarnyou。Soifyouchoosetoskedaddleintothebrushoutthereandlielowuntilwegetheraway，we’llfixit！"
"Nonsense！I’llseeher。"
Hispartnerlookedaghastatthistemerity，butFleming，jumpingtohisfeet，atoncesetouttomeethismysteriousvisitor。Thiswasnoeasymatter，astheingeniousFaulknerwaslaboriouslyleadinghischargeupthesteepgulchroad，withgreatpoliteness，butmanyaudiblemisgivingsastowhetherthiswasnot"JackFleming’sdayforgoingtoJamestown。"
Hewasfurtherlighteningthejourneybycheeringaccountsoftherecentdepredationsofbearsandpanthersinthatimmediatelocality。WhenovertakenbyFlemingheaffectedastartofjoyfulsurprise，toconcealthelookofwarningwhichFlemingdidnotheed，——havingnoeyesbutforFaulknerscompanion。Shewasaveryfatnegrowoman，pantingwithexertionandsuppressedimpatience。
Fleming’sheartwasfilledwithcompunction。
"IsyouMarseFleming？"shegasped。
"Yes，"saidFleminggently。"WhatcanIdoforyou？"
"Well！Yekinpickdisyarinsek，discaterpillier，"shesaid，pointingtoFaulkner，"offmypaf。Yekintelldisyarchipmunkdatwhenhecomestoshowin’memuletracksforb’artracks，he’sbarkin’updewrongtree！Datwhenhetellsmedatheseespanfersa-promenadin’roundindeshortgrassorhidin’behimerocksindeopen，hehain’ttalkin’tononiggerchile，butagrowedwoman！YekintellhimdatMammyCurtislivedindewoodsafo’hewasborn，andhezseenmoreb’arsandmountainlyunsdanhehezhairsinhismustarches。"
Theword"Mammy"broughtaflashofrecollectiontoFleming。
"Iamverysorry，"hebegan；buttohissurprisethenegrowomanburstintoagood-temperedlaugh。
"Allright，honey！S’long’syouisMarseFleminganddemandattookdat’arpanofferTinkadeodderday，Iain’tmindin’yo’
frens’bedevilments。I’vegotsomefinfo’you，yar，andalittlebox，"andshehandedhimafoldedpaper。
Flemingfelthimselfreddening，heknewnotwhy，atwhichFaulknerdiscreetlybutostentatiouslywithdrew，conveyingtohisotherpartnerpainfulconvictionthatFleminghadborrowedapanfromatravelingtinker，whosenegrowifewasevennowpresentingabillforthesame，anddemandingasettlement。Relievedbyhisdeparture，Fleminghurriedlytoreopenthefoldedpaper。Itwasaletterwrittenuponaleaftornoutofanoldaccountbook，whoseruledlineshadundoubtedlygivenhispartnerstheideathatitwasabill。Fleminghurriedlyreadthefollowing，tracedwithapencilinaschoolgirl’shand：——
Mr。J。FLEMING。
DearSir，——AfteryouwentawaythatdayItookthatpanyoubroughtbacktomixabatchofbreadandbiscuits。Thenextmorningatbreakfastdadsays："What’sgoneo’themtharbiscuits——myteethisjustbrokewiththem——they’resogritty——they’reabominable！
What’sthis？"sayshe，andwiththathechucksovertometwoorthreeflakesofgoldthatwasinthem。Youseewhathadhappened，Mr。Fleming，wasthis！Youhadbetterluckthanyouwasknowingof！Itwasthisway！Someofthegoldyouwashedhadgotslippedintothesidesofthepanwhereitwasbroke，andthestickydoughmusthavebroughtitout，andIkneadedthemupunbeknowing。OfcourseIhadtotellawickedlie，but"Beyeallthingstoallmen，"saystheBook，andIthoughtyououghttoknowyourgoodluck，andIsendmammywiththisandthegoldinalittlebox。Ofcourse，ifdadwasahunterofMammonandnotofGod’sownbeasts，hewouldhavebeenmightykeenaboutfindingwhereitcamefrom，butheallowsitwasinthewaterinournearspring。Sogood-by。
Doyoucareforyourringnowasmuchasyoudid？
Yoursveryrespectfully，KATINKAJALLINGER。
AsMr。Flemingglancedupfromthepaper，mammyputasmallcardboardboxinhishand。Foraninstanthehesitatedtoopenit，notknowinghowfarmammywasintrustedwiththesecret。Tohisgreatreliefshesaidbriskly："Well，dar！nowdatjob’sdonegoneandoftenmyhan’s，Iallowtoquitandjestgetoffdisyercampafo’yekinshakeastick。Sodon’ttellmenuffinIain’tgottertellwhenIgoesback。"
Flemingunderstood。"YoucantellherIthankher——and——I’llattendtoit，"hesaidvaguely；"thatis——I"——
"Holddar！that’sjustenuff，honey——nomo’！Solongtoyeandyousefolks。"
Hewatchedherstridingawaytowardthemainroad，andthenopenedthebox。
Itcontainedthreeflakesofplacerorsurfacegold，weighinginallaboutaquarterofanounce。Theycouldeasilyhaveslippedintotheintersticesofthebrokenpanandnothavebeenobservedbyhim。Ifthiswastheresultofthewashingofasinglepan——andhecouldnoweasilyimaginethatotherflakesmighthaveescaped——
what——Buthestopped，dazedandbewilderedatthebaresuggestion。
Hegazeduponthevanishingfigureof"mammy。"Couldshe——couldKatinka——havetheleastsuspicionofthepossibilitiesofthisdiscovery？OrhadProvidenceputthekeepingofthissecretintothehandsofthosewholeastunderstooditsimportance？Foraninstanthethoughtofrunningafterherwithawordofcaution；butonreflectionhesawthatthismightawakenhersuspicionandprecipitateadiscoverybyanother。
Hisonlysafetyforthepresentwassilence，untilhecouldrepeathisexperiment。Andthatmustbedonequickly。
Howshouldhegetawaywithouthispartners’knowledgeofhispurpose？Hewastooloyaltothemtowishtokeepthisgoodfortunetohimself，buthewasnotyetsureofhisgoodfortune。
Itmightbeonlyalittle"pocket"whichhehadjustemptied；itmightbealargeronewhichanothertrialwouldexhaust。
Hehadputupno"notice；"hemightfinditalreadyinpossessionofKatinka’sfather，oranychanceprospectorlikehimself。Ineithercasehewouldbecoveredwithridiculebyhispartnersandthecamp，ormoreseriouslyrebukedforhiscarelessnessandstupidity。No！hecouldnottellthemthetruth；norcouldhelie。
Hewouldsayhewascalledawayforadayonprivatebusiness。
Luckilyforhim，theactiveimaginationofhispartnerswasevennowhelpinghim。Thetheoryofthe"tinker"andthe"pan"wasindignantlyrejectedbyhisotherpartner。HisblushesandembarrassmentweresuddenlyrememberedbyFaulkner，andbythetimehereachedhiscabin，theyhadsettledthatthenegrowomanhadbroughthimaloveletter！Hewasyoungandgoodlooking；whatwasmorenaturalthanthatheshouldhavesomedistantloveaffair？
HisembarrassedstatementthathemustleaveearlythenextmorningonbusinessthathecouldnotatPRESENTdisclosewasconsideredamplyconfirmatory，andreceivedwithmaliciouslysignificantacquiescence。"Only，"saidFaulkner，"atYOURage，sonny，"——hewasninemonthsolderthanFleming，——"IshouldhavegoneTO-NIGHT。"
SurelyProvidencewasfavoringhim！
Hewasoffearlythenextmorning。Hewassorelytemptedtogofirsttothecabin，buteverymomentwaspreciousuntilhehadtestedtheproofofhisgoodfortune。
Itwashighnoonbeforehereachedthefringeofforest。Afewpacesfartherandhefoundthespringandoutcrop。Toaverthispartners’suspicionshehadnotbroughthisownimplements，buthadborrowedapan，spade，andpickfromaneighbor’sclaimbeforesettingout。Thespotwasapparentlyinthesameconditionaswhenheleftit，andwithabeatingheartheatoncesettowork，aneasytaskwithhisnewimplements。Henervouslywatchedthewateroverflowthepanofdirtatitsedgesuntil，emptiedofearthandgravel，theblacksandalonecoveredthebottom。Aslightpremonitionofdisappointmentfollowed；arichindicationwouldhaveshownitselfbeforethis！Afewmoreworkings，andthepanwasquiteemptyexceptforafewpin-pointsof"color，"almostexactlythequantityhefoundbefore。Hewashedanotherpanwiththesameresult。Anothertakenfromadifferentleveloftheoutcropyieldedneithermorenorless！Therewasnomistake：itwasafailure！Hisdiscoveryhadbeenonlyalittle"pocket，"andthefewflakesshehadsenthimwerethefirstandlastofthatdiscovery。
Hesatdownwithasenseofrelief；hecouldfacehispartnersagainwithoutdisloyalty；hecouldseethatprettylittlefigureoncemorewithoutthecompunctionofhavingincurredherfather’sprejudicesbylocatingapermanentclaimsonearhiscabin。Infact，hecouldcarryouthispartners’fancytotheletter！
Hequicklyheapedhisimplementstogetherandturnedtoleavethewood；buthewasconfrontedbyafigurethatatfirsthescarcelyrecognized。Yet——itwasKatinka！theyounggirlofthecabin，whohadsenthimthegold。Shewasdresseddifferently——perhapsinherordinaryevery-daygarments——abrightspriggedmuslin，achiphatwithblueribbonssetuponacoilofluxuriousbrownhair。Butwhatstruckhimmostwasthatthegirlishanddiminutivecharacterofthefigurehadvanishedwithherill-fittingclothes；thegirlthatstoodbeforehimwasofordinaryheight，andofaprettinessandgraceoffigurethathefeltwouldhaveattractedanywhere。
Flemingfelthimselfsuddenlyembarrassed，——afeelingthatwasnotlessenedwhenhenoticedthatherprettylipwascompressedandhereyebrowsalittlestraightenedasshegazedathim。
"Yemadeabeelineforthewoods，Isee，"shesaidcoldly。"I
allowedyemighthavebeendroppin’intoourhousefirst。"
"SoIshould，"saidFlemingquickly，"butIthoughtIoughttofirstmakesureoftheinformationyoutookthetroubletosendme。"Hehesitatedtospeakoftheillluckhehadjustexperienced；
hecouldlaughatithimself——butwouldshe？
"Andyegotanewpan？"shesaidhalfpoutingly。
Hereseemedhisopportunity。"Yes，butI’mafraidithasn’tthemagicofyours。Ihaven’tevengotthecolor。Ibelieveyoubewitchedyouroldpan。"
Herfaceflushedalittleandbrightened，andherliprelaxedwithasmile。"Go’longwithyer！Yedon’tmeantosayyehadnoluckto-day？"
"None——butinseeingyou。"
Hereyessparkled。"Yesee，Isaidall’longyeweren’tmucho’aminer。Yeain’tgotnofaith。Efyehadasmuchasagraino’
mustardseed，ye’dremovemountains；it’sintheBook。"
"Yes，andthismountainisonthebedrock，andmyfaithisnotstrongenough，"hesaidlaughingly。"Andthen，thatwouldbehavingfaithinMammon，andyoudon’twantmetohaveTHAT。"
Shelookedathimcuriously。"Ijestreckonyedon’tcareapicayunewhetheryestrikeanythingornot，"shesaidhalfadmiringly。
"TopleaseyouI’lltryagain，ifyou’lllookon。Perhapsyou’llbringmeluckasyoudidbefore。Youshalltakethepan。Iwillfillitandyoushallwashitout。You’llbemyMASCOT。"
Shestiffenedalittleatthis，andthensaidpertly，"Wot’sthat？"
"Mygoodfairy。"
Shesmiledagain，thistimewithanewcolorinherpaleface。
"MaybeIam，"shesaid，withsuddengravity。
Hequicklyfilledthepanagainwithsoil，broughtittothespring，andfirstwashedoutthegreaterbulkofloosesoil。"Nowcomehereandkneeldownbesideme，"hesaid，"andtakethepananddoasIshowyou。"
Shekneltdownobediently。Suddenlysheliftedherlittlehandwithagestureofwarning。"Waitaminit——jestaminit——tillthewaterrunsclearagain。"
Thepoolhadbecomeslightlydiscoloredfromthefirstwashing。
"Thatmakesnodifference，"hesaidquickly。
"Ah！butwait，please！"Shelaidherbrownhanduponhisarm；apleasantwarmthseemedtofollowhertouch。Thenshesaidjoyously，"Lookdownthere。"
"Where？"heasked。
"There——don’tyeseeit？"
"Seewhat？"
"Youandme！"
Helookedwhereshepointed。Thepoolhadsettled，resumeditsmirror-likecalm，andreflecteddistinctly，notonlytheirtwobendingfaces，buttheirtwofigureskneelingsidebyside。Twotallredwoodsroseoneithersideofthem，likethecolumnsbeforeanaltar。
Therewasamomentofsilence。Thedroneofabumble-beenearbyseemedtomakethesilenceswimdrowsilyintheirears；farofftheyheardthefaintbeatofawoodpecker。Thesuggestionoftheirkneelingfiguresinthismagicmirrorwasvague，unreasoning，yetforthemomentnonethelessirresistible。Hisarminstinctivelycreptaroundherlittlewaistashewhispered，——hescarceknewwhathesaid，——"PerhapshereisthetreasureIamseeking。"
Thegirllaughed，releasedherself，andsprangup；thepansankingloriouslytothebottomofthepool，whereFleminghadtogropeforit，assistedbyTinka，whorolleduphersleevetoherelbow。
Foraminuteortwotheywashedgravely，butwithnobettersuccessthanattendedhisownindividualefforts。Theresultinthebottomofthepanwasthesame。Fleminglaughed。
"Yousee，"hesaidgayly，"theMammonofunrighteousnessisnotforme——atleast，sonearyourfather’stabernacle。"
"Thatmakesnodifferencenow，"saidthegirlquickly，"fordadisgoin’tomove，anyway，fartherupthemountains。Hesaysit’sgettin’toocrowdedforhimhere——whenthelastsettlertookupasectionthreemilesoff。"
"AndareYOUgoingtoo？"askedtheyoungmanearnestly。
Tinkanoddedherbrownhead。Flemingheavedagenuinesigh。
"Well，I’lltrymyhandherealittlelonger。I’llputupanoticeofclaim；Idon’tsupposeyourfatherwouldobject。Youknowhecouldn’tLEGALLY。"
"Ireckonyemightdoitefyewanted——efyewasTHATkeenongettin’gold！"saidTinka，lookingaway。Therewassomethinginthegirl’stonewhichthisbuddingloverresented。Hehadbecomesensitive。
"Oh，well，"hesaid，"Iseethatitmightmakeunpleasantnesswithyourfather。Ionlythought，"hewenton，withtenderertentativeness，"thatitwouldbepleasanttoworkherenearyou。"
"Ye’dbeonlywastin’yertime，"shesaiddarkly。
Flemingrosegravely。"Perhapsyou’reright，"heansweredsadlyandalittlebitterly，"andI’llgoatonce。"
Hewalkedtothespring，andgathereduphistools。"Thankyouagainforyourkindness，andgood-by。"
Heheldouthishand，whichshetookpassively，andhemovedaway。
Buthehadnotgonefarbeforeshecalledhim。Heturnedtofindherstillstandingwherehehadlefther，herlittlehandsclinchedatherside，andherwidelyopenedeyesstaringathim。Suddenlysheranathim，and，catchingthelapelsofhiscoatinbothhands，heldhimrigidlyfast。
"No！no！yesha’n’tgo——yemustn’tgo！"shesaid，withhystericalintensity。"Iwanttotellyesomething！Listen！——you——you——Mr。
Fleming！I’vebeenawicked，wickedgirl！I’vetoldliestodad——
tomammy——toYOU！I’vebornefalsewitness——I’mworsethanSapphira——I’veactedabiglie。Oh，Mr。Fleming，I’vemadeyoucomebackherefornothing！Yedidn’tfindnogoldtheotherday。
Therewasn’tany。Itwasallme！I——I——SALTEDTHATPAN！"
"Saltedit！"echoedFleming，inamazement。
"Yes，’saltedit，’"shefaltered；"that’swhatdadsaystheycallit——whatthosewickedsonsofMammondototheirclaimstosellthem。I——putgoldinthepanmyself；itwasn’ttherebefore。"
"Butwhy？"gaspedFleming。
Shestopped。Thensuddenlythefountainsinthedeepofherblueeyeswerebrokenup；sheburstintoasob，andburiedherheadinherhands，andherhandsonhisshoulder。"Because——because"——shesobbedagainsthim——"IWANTEDYOUtocomeback！"
Hefoldedherinhisarms。Hekissedherlovingly，forgivingly，gratefully，tearfully，smilingly——andpaused；thenhekissedhersympathetically，understandingly，apologetically，explanatorily，inlieuofotherconversation。Then，becomingcoherent，heasked，——
"ButWHEREdidyougetthegold？"
"Oh，"shesaidbetweenfitfulanddespairingsobs，"somewhere！——I
don’tknow——outoftheoldRun——longago——whenIwaslittle！I
didn’tneverdaresayanythingtodad——he’dhavebeencrazymadathisowndaughterdiggin’——andInevercarednorthoughtasinglebitaboutituntilIsawyou。"
"Andyouhaveneverbeentheresince？"
"Never。"
"Noranybodyelse？"
"No。"
Suddenlyshethrewbackherhead；herchiphatfellbackfromherface，rosywithadawninginspiration！"Oh，say，Jack！——youdon’tthinkthat——afterallthistime——theremight"——Shedidnotfinishthesentence，but，graspinghishand，cried，"Come！"
Shecaughtupthepan，heseizedtheshovelandpick，andtheyracedlikeboyandgirldownthehill。Whenwithinafewhundredfeetofthehousesheturnedatrightanglesintotheclearing，andsaying，"Don’tbeskeered；dad’saway，"ranboldlyon，stillholdinghishand，alongthelittlevalley。Atitsfartherextremitytheycametothe"Run，"ahalf-driedwatercoursewhoserockysidesweremarkedbytheerosionofwintertorrents。Itwasapparentlyaswildandsecludedastheforestspring。"Nobodyevercamehere，"saidthegirlhurriedly，"afterdadsunkthewellatthehouse。"
OneortwopoolsstillremainedintheRunfromthelastseason’sflow，waterenoughtowashoutseveralpansofdirt。
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