OPENINGSINTHEOLDTRAIL
byBretHarteAMERCURYOFTHEFOOT-HILLS
ItwashighhotnoonontheCasketRidge。ItsveryscantshadewasrestrictedtoafewdwarfScotchfirs，andwassoperpendicularlycastthatLeonidasBoone，seekingshelterfromtheheat，wasobligedtodrawhimselfupunderoneofthem，asifitwereanumbrella。Occasionally，withaboy’sperversity，hepermittedonebaredfoottoprotrudebeyondthesharplymarkedshadowuntiltheburningsunforcedhimtodrawitinagainwithathrillofsatisfaction。Therewasnoearthlyreasonwhyhehadnotsoughtthelargershadowsofthepine-treeswhichrearedthemselvesagainsttheRidgeontheslopebelowhim，exceptthathewasaboy，andperhapsevenmoresuperstitiousandopinionatedthanmostboys。
Havinggotunderthistreewithinfinitecare，hehadmadeuphismindthathewouldnotmovefromituntilitslineofshadereachedandtouchedacertainstoneonthetrailnearhim！WHYhedidthishedidnotknow，butheclungtohissublimepurposewiththecourageandtenacityofayouthfulCasabianca。Hewascramped，tickledbydustandfirsprays；hewassupremelyuncomfortable——buthestayed！Awoodpeckerwasmonotonouslytappinginanadjacentpine，withmeasuredintervalsofsilence，whichhealwaysfirmlybelievedwasacertaintelegraphyofthebird’sownmaking；agreen-and-goldlizardflashedbyhisfoottostiffenitselfsuddenlywitharigidityequaltohisown。StillHEstirrednot。
Theshadowgraduallycreptnearerthemysticstone——andtouchedit。
Hesprangup，shookhimself，andpreparedtogoabouthisbusiness。
Thiswassimplyanerrandtothepost-officeatthecross-roads，scarcelyamilefromhisfather’shouse。Hewasalreadyhalfwaythere。Hehadtakenonlythebetterpartofonehourforthisdesultoryjourney！
However，henowproceededonhisway，divergingonlytofollowafreshrabbit-trackafewhundredyards，tonotethattheanimalhaddoubledtwiceagainstthewind，andthen，naturally，hewasobligedtolookcloselyforothertrackstodetermineitspursuers。Hepausedalso，butonlyforamoment，torapthriceonthetrunkofthepinewherethewoodpeckerwasatwork，whichheknewwouldmakeitceaseworkforatime——asitdid。Havingthusrenewedhisrelationswithnature，hediscoveredthatoneofthelettershewastakingtothepost-officehadslippedinsomemysteriouswayfromthebosomofhisshirt，wherehecarriedthem，pasthiswaist-bandintohistrouser-leg，andwasabouttomakeacasualdeliveryofitselfonthetrail。Thiscausedhimtotakeouthislettersandcountthem，whenhefoundonemissing。Hehadbeengivenfourletterstopost——hehadonlythree。Therewasabigoneinhisfather’shandwriting，twoindistinctiveonesofhismother’s，andasmalleroneofhissister’s——THATwasgone！Notatalldisconcerted，hecalmlyretracedhissteps，followinghisowntracksminutely，withagrimfaceandadistinctdelightintheprocess，whilelooking——perfunctorily——fortheletter。Inthemidstofthisslowprogressabrightideastruckhim。Hewalkedbacktothefir-treewherehehadrested，andfoundthelostmissive。Ithadslippedoutofhisshirtwhenheshookhimself。Hewasnotparticularlypleased。
Heknewthatnobodywouldgivehimcreditforhistroubleingoingbackforit，orhisastutenessinguessingwhereitwas。Heheavedthesighofmisunderstoodgenius，andagainstartedforthepost-office。Thistimehecarriedthelettersopenlyandostentatiouslyinhishand。
Presentlyheheardavoicesay，"Hey！"Itwasagentle，musicalvoice，——astranger’svoice，foritevidentlydidnotknowhowtocallhim，anddidnotsay，"Oh，Leonidas！"or"You——lookhere！"Hewasabreastofalittleclearing，guardedbyalowstockadeofbarkpalings，andbeyonditwasasmallwhitedwelling-house。Leonidasknewtheplaceperfectlywell。Itbelongedtothesuperintendentofaminingtunnel，whohadlatelyrentedittosomestrangersfromSanFrancisco。Thusmuchhehadheardfromhisfamily。Hehadamountainboy’scontemptforcityfolks，andwasnothimselfinterestedinthem。Yetasheheardthecall，hewasconsciousofaslightlyguiltyfeeling。Hemighthavebeentrespassinginfollowingtherabbit’strack；hemighthavebeenseenbysomeonewhenhelosttheletterandhadtogobackforit——allgrown-uppeoplehadawayofofferingthemselvesaswitnessesagainsthim！
Hescowledalittleasheglancedaroundhim。Thenhiseyefellonthecallerontheothersideofthestockade。
Tohissurpriseitwasawoman：apretty，gentle，fragilecreature，allsoftmuslinandlaces，withherfingersinterlocked，andleaningbothelbowsonthetopofthestockadeasshestoodunderthecheckeredshadowofabuckeye。
"Comehere——please——won’tyou？"shesaidpleasantly。
ItwouldhavebeenimpossibletoresisthervoiceifLeonidashadwantedto，whichhedidn’t。Hewalkedconfidentlyuptothefence。
Shereallywasverypretty，witheyeslikehissetter’s，andascaressing。Andtherewerelittlepuckersandsatinycreasesaroundherdelicatenostrilsandmouthwhenshespoke，whichLeonidasknewwere"expression。"
"I——I"——shebegan，withcharminghesitation；thensuddenly，"What’syourname？"
"Leonidas。"
"Leonidas！That’saprettyname！"HethoughtitDIDsoundpretty。
"Well，Leonidas，Iwantyoutobeagoodboyanddoagreatfavorforme，——averygreatfavor。"
Leonidas’sfacefell。Thiskindofpreludeandformulawasfamiliartohim。Itwasusuallyfollowedby，"Promisemethatyouwillneverswearagain，"or，"thatyouwillgostraighthomeandwashyourface，"orsomeotherirrelevantpersonality。Butnobodywiththatsortofeyeshadeversaidit。Sohesaid，alittleshylybutsincerely，"Yes，ma’am。"
"Youaregoingtothepost-office？"
Thisseemedaveryfoolish，womanishquestion，seeingthathewasholdinglettersinhishand；buthesaid，"Yes。"
"Iwantyoutoputaletterofmineamongyoursandpostthemalltogether，"shesaid，puttingonelittlehandtoherbosomanddrawingoutaletter。Henoticedthatshepurposelyheldtheaddressedsidesothathecouldnotseeit，buthealsonoticedthatherhandwassmall，thin，andwhite，eventoafainttintofblueinit，unlikehissister’s，thebaby’s，oranyotherhandhehadeverseen。"Canyouread？"shesaidsuddenly，withdrawingtheletter。
Theboyflushedslightlyatthequestion。"OfcourseIcan，"hesaidproudly。
"Ofcourse，certainly，"sherepeatedquickly；"but，"sheadded，withamischievoussmile，"youmustn’tNOW！Promiseme！Promisemethatyouwon’treadthisaddress，butjustposttheletter，likeoneofyourown，intheletter-boxwiththeothers。"
Leonidaspromisedreadily；itseemedtohimagreatfussaboutnothing；perhapsitwassomekindofgameorabet。Heopenedhissunburnthand，holdinghisownletters，andsheslippedhers，facedownward，betweenthem。Hersoftfingerstouchedhisintheoperation，andseemedtoleaveapleasantwarmthbehindthem。
"Promisemeanotherthing，"sheadded；"promisemeyouwon’tsayawordofthistoanyone。"
"Ofcourse！"saidLeonidas。
"That’sagoodboy，andIknowyouwillkeepyourword。"Shehesitatedamoment，smilinglyandtentatively，andthenheldoutabrighthalf-dollar。Leonidasbackedfromthefence。"I’drathernot，"hesaidshyly。
"ButasapresentfromME？"
Leonidascolored——hewasreallyproud；andhewasalsobrightenoughtounderstandthatthepossessionofsuchunboundedwealthwouldprovokedangerousinquiryathome。Buthedidn’tliketosayit，andonlyreplied，"Ican’t。"
Shelookedathimcuriously。"Then——thankyou，"shesaid，offeringherwhitehand，whichfeltlikeabirdinhis。"Nowrunon，anddon’tletmekeepyouanylonger。"Shedrewbackfromthefenceasshespoke，andwavedhimaprettyfarewell。Leonidas，halfsorry，halfrelieved，dartedaway。
Herantothepost-office，whichheneverhaddonebefore。Loyallyheneverlookedatherletter，nor，indeed，athisownagain，swingingthehandthatheldthemfarfromhisside。Heenteredthepost-officedirectly，goingatoncetotheletter-boxanddepositingthepreciousmissivewiththeothers。Thepost-officewasalsothe"countrystore，"andLeonidaswasinthehabitofstillfurtherprotractinghiserrandstherebylingeringinthatstimulatingatmosphereofsugar，cheese，andcoffee。Butto-dayhisstaywasbrief，sotransitorythatthepostmasterhimselfinferredaudiblythat"oldmanBoonemusthavebeentanningLeewithahickoryswitch。"ButthesimplereasonwasthatLeonidaswishedtogobacktothestockadefenceandthefairstranger，ifhaplyshewasstillthere。Hisheartsankas，breathlesswithunwontedhaste，hereachedtheclearingandtheemptybuckeyeshade。Hewalkedslowlyandwithsaddiffidencebythedesertedstockadefence。Butpresentlyhisquickeyediscernedaglintofwhiteamongthelaurelsnearthehouse。ItwasSHE，walkingwithapparentindifferenceawayfromhimtowardsthecorneroftheclearingandtheroad。Butthisheknewwouldbringhertotheendofthestockadefence，wherehemustpass——anditdid。Sheturnedtohimwithabrightsmileofaffectedsurprise。"Why，you’reasswift-footedasMercury！"
Leonidasunderstoodherperfectly。Mercurywastheothernameforquicksilver——andthatwaslively，youbet！Hehadoftenspiltsomeonthefloortoseeitmove。Shemustbeawfullycutetohavenoticedittoo——cuterthanhissisters。Hewasquitebreathlesswithpleasure。
"Iputyourletterintheboxallright，"heburstoutatlast。
"Withoutanyoneseeingit？"sheasked。
"Surepop！naryone！Thepostmasterstuckouthishandtograbit，butIjustletonthatIdidn’tseehim，andshoveditinmyself。"
"You’reassharpasyou’regood，"shesaidsmilingly。"Now，there’sjustONEthingmoreIwantyoutodo。Forgetallaboutthis——won’tyou？"
Hervoicewasverycaressing。Perhapsthatwaswhyhesaidboldly：
"Yes，ma’am，allexceptYOU。"
"Dearme，whatacompliment！Howoldareyou？"
"Goin’onfifteen，"saidLeonidasconfidently。
"Andgoingveryfast，"saidtheladymischievously。"Well，then，youneedn’tforgetME。Onthecontrary，"sheadded，afterlookingathimcuriously，"Iwouldratheryou’drememberme。Good-by——or，rather，good-afternoon——ifI’mtoberemembered，Leon。"
"Good-afternoon，ma’am。"
Shemovedaway，andpresentlydisappearedamongthelaurels。Butherlastwordswereringinginhisears。"Leon"——everybodyelsecalledhim"Lee"forbrevity；"Leon"——itwasprettyasshesaidit。
Heturnedaway。Butitsochancedthattheirpartingwasnottopassunnoticed，for，lookingupthehill，Leonidasperceivedhiseldersisterandlittlebrothercomingdowntheroad，andknewthattheymusthaveseenhimfromthehilltop。Itwasliketheir"snoopin’"！
Theyrantohimeagerly。
"Youweretalkingtothestranger，"saidhissisterbreathlessly。
"Shespoketomefirst，"saidLeonidas，onthedefensive。
"Whatdidshesay？"
"Wantedtoknowtheeleckshunnews，"saidLeonidaswithcoolmendacity，"andItoldher。"
Thisimprobablefictionneverthelesssatisfiedthem。"Whatwasshelike？Oh，dotellus，Lee！"continuedhissister。
Nothingwouldhavedelightedhimmorethantoexpatiateuponherloveliness，thesoftwhitebeautyofherhands，the"cunning"
littlepuckersaroundherlips，herbrighttendereyes，theangelictextureofherrobes，andthemusicaltinkleofhervoice。ButLeonidashadnoconfidant，andwhathealthyboyevertrustedhissisterinsuchmatter！"YOUsawwhatshewaslike，"hesaid，withevasivebluntness。
"But，Lee"——
ButLeewasadamant。"Goandaskher，"hesaid。
"Likeasnotyouweresassytoher，andsheshutyouup，"saidhissisterartfully。Buteventhiscruelsuggestion，whichhecouldhavesoeasilyflouted，didnotdrawhim，andhisingeniousrelationsflounceddisgustedlyaway。
ButLeonidaswasnotsparedanyfurtherallusiontothefairstranger；forthefactofherhavingspokentohimwasdulyreportedathome，andatdinnerhisreticencewasagainsorelyattacked。"Justlikeher，inspiteofallherairsandgraces，tohangoutalongthefencelikeanyordinaryhiredgirl，jabberin’
withanybodythatwentalongtheroad，"saidhismotherincisively。
Heknewthatshedidn’tlikehernewneighbors，sothisdidnotsurprisenorgreatlypainhim。Neitherdidtheprosaicfactsthatwerenowfirstmadeplaintohim。HisdivinitywasaMrs。
Burroughs，whosehusbandwasconductingaseriesofminingoperations，andprospectingwithagangofmenontheCasketRidge。
Ashisdutyrequiredhiscontinualpresencethere，Mrs。BurroughswasforcedtoforegothecivilizedpleasuresofSanFranciscoforafrontierlife，forwhichshewasillfitted，andinwhichshehadnointerest。AllthiswasavagueirrelevancetoLeonidas，whoknewheronlyasagoddessinwhitewhohadbeenfamiliartohim，andkind，andtowhomhewastiedbythedeliciousjoyofhavingasecretincommon，andhavingdoneheraspecialfavor。Healthyyouthclingstoitsownimpressions，letreason，experience，andevenfactsargueevertothecontrary。
Sohekepthersecretandhisintact，andwasrewardedafewdaysafterwardsbyadistantviewofherwalkinginthegarden，withamanwhomherecognizedasherhusband。Itisneedlesstosaythat，withoutanyextraneousthought，themansufferedinLeonidas’sestimationbyhispropinquitytothegoddess，andthathedeemedhimvastlyinferior。
Itwasastillgreaterrewardtohisfidelitythatsheseizedanopportunitywhenherhusband’sheadwasturnedtowaveherhandtohim。Leonidasdidnotapproachthefence，partlythroughshynessandpartlythroughamoresubtleinstinctthatthismanwasnotinthesecret。Hewasright，foronlythenextday，ashepassedtothepost-office，shecalledhimtothefence。
"Didyouseemewavemyhandtoyouyesterday？"sheaskedpleasantly。
"Yes，ma’am；but"——hehesitated——"Ididn’tcomeup，forIdidn’tthinkyouwantedmewhenanyoneelsewasthere。"
Shelaughedmerrily，andliftinghisstrawhatfromhishead，ranthefingersoftheotherhandthroughhisdampcurls。"You’rethebrightest，dearestboyIeverknew，Leon，"shesaid，droppingherprettyfacetothelevelofhisown，"andIoughttohaverememberedit。ButIdon’tmindtellingyouIwasdreadfullyfrightenedlestyoumightmisunderstandmeandcomeandaskforanotherletter——beforeHIM。"Assheemphasizedthepersonalpronoun，herwholefaceseemedtochange：thelightofherblueeyesbecamemereglitteringpoints，hernostrilsgrewwhiteandcontracted，andherprettylittlemouthseemedtonarrowintoastraightcruelline，likeacat’s。"NotawordevertoHIM，ofallmen！Doyouhear？"shesaidalmostbrusquely。Then，seeingtheconcernintheboy’sface，shelaughed，andaddedexplanatorily：
"He’sabad，badman，Leon，rememberthat。"
Thefactthatshewasspeakingofherhusbanddidnotshocktheboy’smoralsenseintheleast。Thesacrednessofthoserelations，andevenofbloodkinship，is，Ifear，notalwayssocleartotheyouthfulmindaswefondlyimagine。ThatMr。BurroughswasabadmantohaveexcitedthischangeinthislovelywomanwasLeonidas’sonlyconclusion。Herememberedhowhissister’ssoft，prettylittlekitten，purringonherlap，usedtogetitsbackupandspitatthepostmaster’syellowhound。
"Ineverwishedtocomeunlessyoucalledmefirst，"hesaidfrankly。
"What？"shesaid，inherhalfplayful，halfreproachful，butwhollycaressingway。"YoumeantosayyouwouldnevercometoseemeunlessIsentforyou？Oh，Leon！andyou’dabandonmeinthatway？"
ButLeonidaswassetinhisownboyishsuperstition。"I’djustdelightinbeingsentforbyyouanytime，Mrs。Burroughs，andyoukinalwaysfindme，"hesaidshyly，butdoggedly；"but"——Hestopped。
"Whatanopinionatedyounggentleman！Well，IseeImustdoallthecourting。SoconsiderthatIsentforyouthismorning。I’vegotanotherletterforyoutomail。"Sheputherhandtoherbreast，andoutoftheprettyfrillingsofherfrockproduced，asbefore，withthesamefaintperfumeofviolets，aletterlikethefirst。Butitwasunsealed。"Now，listen，Leon；wearegoingtobegreatfriends——youandI。"Leonidasfelthischeeksglowing。
"Youaregoingtodomeanothergreatfavor，andwearegoingtohavealittlefunandagreatsecretallbyourownselves。Now，first，haveyouanycorrespondent——youknow——anyonewhowritestoyou——anyboyorgirl——fromSanFrancisco？"
Leonidas’scheeksgrewredder——alas！fromalesshappyconsciousness。
Heneverreceivedanyletters；nobodyeverwrotetohim。Hewasobligedtomakethisshamefuladmission。
Mrs。Burroughslookedthoughtful。"ButyouhavesomefriendinSanFrancisco——someonewhoMIGHTwritetoyou？"shesuggestedpleasantly。
"IknewaboyoncewhowenttoSanFrancisco，"saidLeonidasdoubtfully。"Atleast，heallowedhewasgoin’there。"
"Thatwilldo，"saidMrs。Burroughs。"Isupposeyourparentsknowhimorofhim？"
"Why，"saidLeonidas，"heusedtolivehere。"
"Betterstill。For，yousee，itwouldn’tbestrangeifheDID
write。Whatwasthegentleman’sname？"
"JimBelcher，"returnedLeonidashesitatingly，bynomeanssurethattheabsentBelcherknewhowtowrite。Mrs。Burroughstookatinypencilfromherbelt，openedthelettershewasholdinginherhand，andapparentlywrotethenameinit。Thenshefoldeditandsealedit，smilingcharminglyatLeonidas’spuzzledface。
"Now，Leon，listen；forhereisthefavorIamasking。Mr。JimBelcher"——shepronouncedthenamewithgreatgravity——"willwritetoyouinafewdays。ButinsideofYOURletterwillbealittlenotetome，whichyouwillbringme。Youcanshowyourlettertoyourfamily，iftheywanttoknowwhoitisfrom；butnoonemustseeMINE。Canyoumanagethat？"
"Yes，"saidLeonidas。Then，asthewholeideaflasheduponhisquickintelligence，hesmileduntilheshowedhisdimples。Mrs。
Burroughsleanedforwardoverthefence，liftedhistornstrawhat，anddroppedaflutteringlittlekissonhisforehead。Itseemedtotheboy，flushedandrosyasamaid，asifshehadleftashiningstarthereforeveryonetosee。
"Don’tsmilelikethat，Leon，you’repositivelyirresistible！Itwillbeanicelittlegame，won’tit？Nobodyinitbutyouandme——
andBelcher！We’lloutwitthemyet。And，yousee，you’llbeobligedtocometome，afterall，withoutmyasking。"
Theybothlaughed；indeed，quiteadimpled，bright-eyed，rosy，innocentpair，thoughIthinkLeonidaswasthemoremaidenly。
"And，"addedLeonidas，withbreathlesseagerness，"Icansometimeswriteto——to——Jim，andincloseyourletter。"
"Angelofwisdom！certainly。Well，now，let’ssee——haveyougotanylettersforthepostto-day？"Hecoloredagain，forinanticipationofmeetingherhehadhurriedupthefamilypostthatmorning。Heheldouthisletters：shethrustherownamongthem。
"Now，"shesaid，layinghercool，softhandagainsthishotcheek，"runalong，dear；youmustnotbeseenloiteringhere。"
Leonidasranoff，buoyeduponambientair。Itseemedjustlikeafairy-book。Herehewas，theconfidantofthemostbeautifulcreaturehehadseen，andtherewasamysteriouslettercomingtohim——Leonidas——andnoonetoknowwhy。Andnowhehada"call"toseeheroften；shewouldnotforgethim——heneedn’tloiterbythefenceposttoseeifshewantedhim——andhisboyishprideandshynesswereappeased。TherewasnoquestionofmoralethicsraisedinLeonidas’smind；heknewthatitwouldnotbetherealJimBelcherwhowouldwritetohim，butthatmadetheprospectthemoreattractive。Nordidanothercircumstancetroublehisconscience。Whenhereachedthepost-office，hewassurprisedtoseethemanwhomheknewtobeMr。Burroughstalkingwiththepostmaster。Leonidasbrushedbyhimanddepositedhislettersintheboxindiscreettriumph。Thepostmasterwasevidentlyofficiallyresentingsomeimputationonhiscarelessness，and，concludinghisdefense，"No，sir，"hesaid，"youkinbetyourbootsthatefanyletterhezgoneastrayforyouoryourwife——Yesaidyourwife，didn’tye？"
"Yes，"saidBurroughshastily，withaglancearoundtheshop。
"Well，foryouoranybodyatyourhouse——itain’therethat’sthefault。Youhearme！Iknoweveryletterthatcomesinandgoesouterthisoffice，Ireckon，andhandle’emall，"——Leonidasprickeduphisears，——"andifanybodyoughterknow，it’sme。Yekinpastethatinyourhat，Mr。Burroughs。"Burroughs，apparentlydisconcertedbytheintrusionofathirdparty——Leonidas——uponwhatwasevidentlyaprivateinquiry，murmuredsomethingsurlily，andpassedout。
Leonidaswaspuzzled。Thatbigmanseemedtobe"snoopin’"aroundforsomething！Heknewthathedarednottouchtheletter-bag，——
LeonidashadheardsomewherethatitwasadeadlycrimetotouchanylettersaftertheGovernmenthadgotholdofthemonce，andhehadnofearsforthesafetyofhers。Butoughthenotgobackatonceandtellheraboutherhusband’svisit，andthealarmingfactthatthepostmasterwaspersonallyacquaintedwithalltheletters？
Heinstantlysaw，too，thewisdomofherinclosingherletterhereafterinanotheraddress。Yethefinallyresolvednottotellherto-day，——itwouldlooklike"hanginground"again；and——anothersecretreason——hewasafraidthatanyallusiontoherhusband’sinterferencewouldbringbackthatchangeinherbeautifulfacewhichhedidnotlike。Thebettertoresisttemptation，hewentbackanotherway。
Itmustnotbesupposedthat，whileLeonidasindulgedinthissecretpassionforthebeautifulstranger，itwastotheexclusionofhisboyishhabits。Itmerelytooktheplaceofhisintellectualvisionsandhisromanticreading。Henolongercarriedbooksinhispocketonhislazyrambles。Whatweremediaevallegendsofhigh-bornladiesandtheirpagestothisrealromanceofhimselfandMrs。Burroughs？WhatweretheexploitsofboycaptainsandjuveniletrappersandtheIndianmaidensandSpanishsenoritastowhatwasnowpossibletohimselfandhisdivinityhere——uponCasketRidge！Theverygroundaroundherwasnowconsecratedtoromanceandadventure。Consequently，hevisitedafewtrapsonhiswaybackwhichhehadsetfor"jackass-rabbits"andwildcats，——thelatteravindictivereprisalforaggressionuponanorphanbroodofmountainquailwhichhehadtakenunderhisprotection。For，whilehenourishedakeenloveofsport，itwascontrolledbyaboy’slargerunderstandingofnature：apantheisticsympathywithmanandbeastandplant，whichmadehimkeenlyalivetothestrangecrueltiesofcreation，revealedtohimsomequeeranimalfeuds，andmadehimachivalrouspartisanoftheweaker。Hehadevengoneoutofhiswaytodefend，byingeniouscontrivancesofhisown，thehoardofagoldensquirrelandthetreasuresofsomewildbeesfromapredatorybear，althoughitdidnotpreventhimlaterfromcapturingthesquirrelbyanequallyingeniouscontrivance，andfromeventuallyeatingsomeofthehoney。
Hewaslatehomethatevening。Butthiswas"vacation，"——thedistrictschoolwasclosed，andbutforthehousehold"chores，"
whichoccupiedhisearlymornings，eachlongsummerdaywasaholiday。Sotwoorthreepassed；andthenonemorning，onhisgoingtothepost-office，thepostmasterthrewdownuponthecounterarealandratherbulkyletter，dulystamped，andaddressedtoMr。LeonidasBoone！Leonidaswastoodiscreettoopenitbeforewitnesses，butinthesolitudeofthetrailhomebroketheseal。
Itcontainedanotherletterwithnoaddress——clearlytheoneSHE
expected——and，moremarvelousstill，asheafoftrout-hooks，withdelicategut-snellssuchasLeonidashadonlydaredtodreamof。
Thelettertohimselfwaswritteninaclear，distincthand，andranasfollows：——
DEARLEE，——HowareyougettingononoldCasketRidge？Itseemsacoon’sagesinceyouandmewastogether，andtimesIgettothinkImustjustrunupandseeyou！We’rehavingbullytimesin’Frisco，youbet！thoughthereain’tanythingwildworthshuckstogotosee——’ceptthesealionsattheCliffHouse。They’rejuststunning——bigasagrizzly，andbigger——climbingoverabigrockorswimminginthesealikeanotterormuskrat。I’msendingyousomesnellsandhooks，suchasyoucan’tgetatCasket。Usethefineonesforpot-holesandthebiggeronesforrunningwaterorfalls。
Letmeknowwhenyou’vegot’em。WritetoLockBoxNo。1290。
That’swheredad’sletterscome。Sonomoreatpresent。
Fromyourstruly，JIMBELCHER。
NotonlydidLeonidasknowthatthiswasnotfromtherealJim，buthefeltthevaguecontactofanew，charming，andoriginalpersonalitythatfascinatedhim。Ofcourse，itwasonlynaturalthatoneofHERfriends——ashemustbe——shouldbeequallydelightful。TherewasnojealousyinLeonidas’sdevotion；heknewonlyajoyinthisfellowshipofadmirationforherwhichhewassatisfiedthattheotherboymustfeel。Andonlytherightkindofboycouldknowtheimportanceofhisravishinggift，andthisJimwasevidently"noslouch"！Yet，inLeonidas’snewjoyhedidnotforgetHER！Heranbacktothestockadefenceandloungedupontheroadinviewofthehouse，butshedidnotappear。
Leonidaslingeredonthetopofthehill，ostentatiouslyexaminingayounghickoryforagreenswitch，buttonoeffect。Thenitsuddenlyoccurredtohimthatshemightbestayinginpurposely，and，perhapsalittlepiquedbyherindifference，heranoff。
Therewasamountainstreamhardby，nowdwindledinthesummerdrouthtoameretricklingthreadamongtheboulders，andtherewasacertain"pot-hole"thathehadlongknown。Itwasthelurking-
placeofaphenomenaltrout，——analmosthistoricfishinthedistrict，whichhadlongresistedtheattemptofsuchrudesportsmenasminers，orevenexpertslikehimself。Fewhadseenit，exceptasavague，shadowybulkinthefourfeetofdepthandgloominwhichithid；onlyoncehadLeonidas’squickeyefeastedonitsfairproportions。OnthatmemorableoccasionLeonidas，havingexhaustedeverykindoflureofpaintedflyandlivingbait，wasrisingfromhiskneesbehindthebank，whenapinkfive-centstampdislodgedfromhispocketflutteredintheair，anddescendedslowlyuponthestillpool。Horrifiedathisloss，Leonidasleanedovertorecoverit，whentherewasaflashlikelightningintheblackdepths，adozenchangesoflightandshadowonthesurface，alittlewhirlingwavesplashingagainstthesideoftherock，andthepostagestampwasgone。Morethanthat——foroneinstantthetroutremainedvisible，stationaryandexpectant！Whetheritwastheinstinctofsport，orwhetherthefishhaddetectedanew，subtle，andoriginalflavorinthegumandpaper，Leonidasneverknew。Alas！hehadnotanotherstamp；hewasobligedtoleavethefish，butcarriedabrilliantideaawaywithhim。Eversincethenhehadcherishedit——andanotherextrastampinhispocket。Andnow，withthisstrongbutgossamer-likesnell，thisnewhook，andthisfreshlycuthickoryrod，hewouldmakethetrial！
Butfatewasagainsthim！Hehadscarcelydescendedthenarrowtrailtothepine-fringedmarginofthestreambeforehisquickeardetectedanunusualrustlingthroughtheadjacentunderbrush，andthenavoicethatstartledhim！ItwasHERS！Inaninstantallthoughtofsporthadfled。Withabeatingheart，halfopenedlips，andupliftedlashes，Leonidasawaitedthecomingofhisdivinitylikeatimorousvirginatherfirsttryst。
ButMrs。Burroughswasclearlynotinanequallyresponsivemood。
Withherfairfacereddenedbythesun，thedamptendrilsofherunwoundhairclingingtoherforehead，andhersmartlittleslippersredwithdust，therewasalsoaquerulouslightinhereyes，andastillmorequerulouspinchinhernostrils，asshestoodpantingbeforehim。
"Youtiresomeboy！"shegasped，holdingonelittlehandtohersideasshegrippedherbrambledskirtaroundherankleswiththeother。
"Whydidn’tyouwait？Whydidyoumakemerunallthisdistanceafteryou？"
Leonidastimidlyandpoignantlyprotested。Hehadwaitedbeforethehouseandonthehill；hethoughtshedidn’twanthim。
"Couldn’tyouseethatTHATMANkeptmein？"shewentonpeevishiy。
"Haven’tyousenseenoughtoknowthathesuspectssomething，andfollowsmeeverywhere，doggingmyfootstepseverytimethepostcomesin，andevengoingtothepost-officehimself，tomakesurethatheseesallmyletters？Well，"sheaddedimpatiently，"haveyouanythingforme？Whydon’tyouspeak？"
Crushedandremorseful，Leonidasproducedherletter。Shealmostsnatcheditfromhishand，openedit，readafewlines，andherfacechanged。Asmilestrayedfromhereyestoherlips，andbackagain。Leonidas’sheartwaslifted；shewassoforgivingandsobeautiful！
"Isheaboy，Mrs。Burroughs？"askedLeonidasshyly。
"Well——notexactly，"shesaid，hercharmingfaceallradiantagain。
"He’solderthanyou。Whathashewrittentoyou？"
Leonidasputhisletterinherhandforreply。
"IwishIcouldseehim，youknow，"hesaidshyly。"Thatletter’sbully——it’sjustrats！Ilikehimpow’ful。"
Mrs。Burroughshadskimmedthroughtheletter，butnotinterestedly。
"Youmustn’tlikehimmorethanyoulikeme，"shesaidlaughingly，caressinghimwithhervoiceandeyes，andevenherstrayinghand。
"Icouldn’tdothat！InevercouldlikeanybodyasIlikeyou，"
said。Leonidasgravely。Therewassuchappallingtruthfulnessintheboy’svoiceandfranklyopenedeyesthatthewomancouldnotevadeit，andwasslightlydisconcerted。Butshepresentlystartedupwithavexatiouscry。"There’sthatwretchfollowingmeagain，Idobelieve，"shesaid，staringatthehilltop。"Yes！Look，Leon，he’sturningtocomedownthistrail。What’stobedone？Hemustn’tseemehere！"
Leonidaslooked。ItwasindeedMr。Burroughs；buthewasevidentlyonlytakingashortcuttowardstheRidge，wherehismenwereworking。Leonidashadseenhimtakeitbefore。Butitwastheprincipaltrailonthesteephillside，andtheymusteventuallymeet。Amanmightevadeitbyscramblingthroughthebrushtoalowerandroughertrail；butawoman，never！ButanideahadseizedLeonidas。"Icanstophim，"hesaidconfidentlytoher。
"YoujustlielowherebehindthatrocktillIcomeback。Hehasn’tseenyouyet。"
ShehadbarelytimetodrawbackbeforeLeonidasdarteddownthetrailtowardsherhusband。Yet，inherintensecuriosity，sheleanedoutthenextmomenttowatchhim。Hepausedatlast，notfarfromtheapproachingfigure，andseemedtokneeldownonthetrail。Whatwashedoing？Herhusbandwasstillslowlyadvancing。
Suddenlyhestopped。Atthesamemomentsheheardtheirtwovoicesinexcitedparley，andthen，toheramazement，shesawherhusbandscramblehurriedlydownthetrailtothelowerlevel，andwithanoccasionalbackwardglance，hastenawayuntilhehadpassedbeyondherview。
ShecouldscarcelyrealizehernarrowescapewhenLeonidasstoodbyherside。"Howdidyoudoit？"shesaideagerly。
"Witharattler！"saidtheboygravely。
"Withawhat？"
"Arattlesnake——pizensnake，youknow。"
"Arattlesnake？"shesaid，staringatLeonidaswithaquicksnatchingawayofherskirts。
Theboy，whoseemedtohaveforgottenherinhisotherabstractionofadventure，nowturnedquickly，withdevotedeyesandareassuringsmile。
"Yes；butIwouldn’tlethimhurtyou，"hesaidgently。
"ButwhatdidyouDO？"
Helookedathercuriously。"Youwon’tbefrightenedifIshowyou？"hesaiddoubtfully。"There’snothin’tobeafeerdofs’longasyou’rewithme，"headdedproudly。
"Yes——thatis"——shestammered，andthen，hercuriositygettingthebetterofherfear，sheaddedinawhisper："Showmequick！"
Heledthewayupthenarrowtrailuntilhestoppedwherehehadkneltbefore。Itwasanarrow，sunnyledgeofrock，scarcelywideenoughforasinglepersontopass。Hesilentlypointedtoacleftintherock，andkneelingdownagain，begantowhistleinasoft，flutteringway。Therewasamomentofsuspense，andthenshewasconsciousofanawfulglidingsomething，——amovementsomeasuredyetsoexquisitelygracefulthatshestoodenthralled。Anarrow，flattened，expressionlessheadwasfollowedbyafootlongstripofyellow-barredscales；thentherewasapause，andtheheadturned，inabeautifullysymmetricalhalf-circle，towardsthewhistler。
Thewhistlingceased；thesnake，withhalfitsbodyoutofthecleft，remainedpoisedinairasifstiffenedtostone。
"There，"saidLeonidasquietly，"that’swhatMr。Burroughssaw，andthat’sWHYhescootedoffthetrail。IjustcalledoutWilliamHenry，——IcallhimWilliamHenry，andheknowshisname，——andthenIsangouttoMr。Burroughswhatwasup；anditwasluckyIdid，forthenextmomenthe’dhavebeenontopofhimandhavebeenstruck，forrattlersdon’tgivewaytoanyone。"
"Oh，whydidn’tyoulet"——Shestoppedherselfquickly，butcouldnotstopthefierceglintinhereyenorthesharpcurveinhernostril。Luckily，Leonidasdidnotseethis，beingpreoccupiedwithhisothergracefulcharmer，WilliamHenry。
"Buthowdidyouknowitwashere？"saidMrs。Burroughs，recoveringherself。
"Fetchedhimhere，"saidLeonidasbriefly。
"Whatinyourhands？"shesaid，drawingback。
"No！madehimfollow！IHAVEhandledhim，butitwasafterI’dfirstmadehimstrikehispizenoutuponastick。Yeknow，afterhestrikesfourtimesheain’tgotanypizenleft。Thenyekindoanythin’withhim，andheknowsit。Heknowsme，youbet！I’vebinthreemonthstrainin’him。Look！Don’tbefrightened，"hesaid，asMrs。Burroughsdrewhurriedlyback；"seehimmindme。Nowscoothome，WilliamHenry。"
Heaccompaniedthecommandwithaslow，dominantmovementofthehickoryrodhewascarrying。Thesnakedroppeditshead，andslidnoiselesslyoutofthecleftacrossthetrailanddownthehill。
"Thinksmyrodiswitch-hazel，whichrattlerscan’tabide，"
continuedLeonidas，droppingintoaboy’sbreathlessabbreviatedspeech。"Livesdownyourway——justbackofyourfarm。Showyesomeday。Sunshimselfonaflatstoneeveryday——alwayscold——
nevercangetwarm。Eh？"
Shehadnotspoken，butwasgazingintospacewithabreathlessrigidityofattitudeandafixedlookinhereye，notunlikethemotionlessorbsofthereptilethathadglidedaway。
"Doesanybodyelseknowyoukeephim？"sheasked。
"Naryone。Inevershowedhimtoanybodybutyou，"repliedtheboy。
"Don’t！Youmustshowmewherehehidesto-morrow，"shesaid，inheroldlaughingway。"Andnow，Leon，Imustgobacktothehouse。"
"MayIwritetohim——toJimBelcher，Mrs。Burroughs？"saidtheboytimidly。
"Certainly。Andcometometo-morrowwithyourletter——Iwillhavemineready。Good-by。"Shestoppedandglancedatthetrail。"Andyousaythatifthatmanhadkepton，thesnakewouldhavebittenhim？"
"Surepop！——ifhe’dtrodonhim——ashewassureto。Thesnakewouldn’thaveknownhedidn’tmeanit。It’sonlynatural，"
continuedLeonidas，withglowingpartisanshipforthegentleandabsentWilliamHenry。"YOUwouldn’tliketobetroddenupon，Mrs。
Burroughs！"
"No！I’dstrikeout！"shesaidquickly。Shemadearapidmotionforwardwithherlowforeheadandlevelhead，leavingitrigidthenextmoment，sothatitremindedhimofthesnake，andhelaughed。
Atwhichshelaughedtoo，andtrippedaway。
Leonidaswentbackandcaughthistrout。Buteventhistriumphdidnotremoveavaguesenseofdisappointmentwhichhadcomeoverhim。
HehadoftenpicturedtohimselfaHeaven-sentmeetingwithherinthewoods，awalkwithher，alone，wherehecouldpickhertherarestflowersandherbsandshowherhiswoodlandfriends；andithadonlyendedinthis，andanexhibitionofWilliamHenry！HeoughttohavesavedHERfromsomething，andnotherhusband。Yethehadnoill-feelingforBurroughs，onlyadesiretocircumventhim，onbehalfoftheunprotected，ashewouldhavebaffledahawkorawildcat。Hewenthomeindismalspirits，butlaterthateveningconstructedaboyishletterofthankstotheapocryphalBelcherandtoldhimallabout——thetrout！
Hebroughtherhisletterthenextday，andreceivedherstoinclose。Shewaspleasant，herowncharmingselfagain，butsheseemedmoreinterestedinotherthingsthanhimself，as，forinstance，thedocileWilliamHenry，whosehiding-placeheshowed，andwhosefewtricksshemadehimexhibittoher，andwhichthegratifiedLeonidasacceptedasadelicateformofflatterytohimself。Buthisyearning，innocentspiritdetectedasomethinglacking，whichhewastooproudtoadmiteventohimself。Itwashisownfault；heoughttohavewaitedforher，andnotgoneforthetrout！
Soafortnightpassedwithaninterchangeofthevicariousletters，andbrief，hopeful，anddisappointingmeetingstoLeonidas。Toaddtohisunhappiness，hewasobligedtolistentosneeringdisparagementofhisgoddessfromhisfamily，andcriticismswhich，happily，hisinnocencedidnotcomprehend。Itwashisownmotherwhoaccusedherofshamefully"makingup"tothegood-lookingexpressmanatchurchlastSunday，anddeclaredthatBurroughsoughtto"lookafterthatwifeofhis，"——twostatementswhichthesimpleLeonidascouldnotreconcile。Hehadseentheincident，andonlythoughthermorelovelythanever。Whyshouldnottheexpressmanthinksotoo？Andyettheboywasnothappy；somethingintrudeduponhissports，uponhisbooks，makingthemdullandvapid，andyetthatsomethingwasshe！Hegrewpaleandpreoccupied。Ifhehadonlysomeoneinwhomtoconfide——someonewhocouldexplainhishopesandfears。Thatonewasnearerthanhethought！
Itwasquitethreeweekssincetherattlesnakeincident，andhewaswanderingmoodilyoverCasketRidge。HewasneartheCasket，thatabruptupheavalofquartzandgneiss，shapedlikeacoffer，fromwhichthemountaintookitsname。ItwasafavoritehauntofLeonidas，oneofwhoseboyishsuperstitionswasthatitcontainedatreasureofgold，andoneofwhosebrightestdreamshadbeenthatheshouldyetdiscoverit。Thishedidnotdoto-day，butlookingupfromtherocksthathewaslistlesslyexamining，hemadethealmostasthrillingdiscoverythatnearhimonthetrailwasadistinguished-lookingstranger。
Hewasbestridingashapelymustang，whichwellbecamehishandsomefaceandslight，elegantfigure，andhewaslookingatLeonidaswithanamusedcuriosityandacertaineasyassurancethatweredifficulttowithstand。Itwaswiththesamefascinatingself-
confidenceofsmile，voice，andmannerthatherodeuptotheboy，andleaninglightlyoverhissaddle，saidwithexaggeratedpoliteness："IbelieveIhavethepleasureofaddressingMr。
LeonidasBoone？"
TherisingcolorinLeonidas’sfacewasapparentlyasufficientanswertothestranger，forhecontinuedsmilingly，"ThenpermitmetointroducemyselfasMr。JamesBelcher。Asyouperceive，Ihavegrownconsiderablysinceyoulastsawme。Infact，I’vedonenothingelse。It’ssurprisingwhatafellowcandowhenhesetshismindononething。Andthen，youknow，they’realwaystellingyouthatSanFranciscoisa’growingplace。’Thataccountsforit！"
Leonidas，dazed，dazzled，butdelighted，showedallhiswhiteteethinashylaugh。Atwhichtheenchantingstrangerleapedfromhishorselikeaveryboy，drewhisarmthroughtherein，andgoinguptoLeonidas，liftedtheboy’sstrawhatfromhisheadandranhisfingersthroughhiscurls。Therewasnothingoriginalinthat——
everybodydidthattohimasapreliminarytoconversation。ButwhenthisingenuousfinegentlemanputhisownPanamahatonLeonidas’shead，andclappedLeonidas’stornstrawonhisown，and，passinghisarmthroughtheboy’s，begantowalkonwithhim，Leonidas’ssimpleheartwentouttohimatonce。
"Andnow，Leon，"saidthedelightfulstranger，"let’syouandmehaveatalk。There’sanicecoolspotundertheselaurels；I’llstakeoutPepita，andwe’lljustlieoffthereandgab，andnotcareifschoolkeepsornot。"
"Butyouknowyouain’treallyJimBelcher，"saidtheboyshyly。
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