"I’masgoodamanasheisanyday，whoeverIam，"saidthestranger，withhumorousdefiance，"andcanlickhimoutofhisboots，whoeverHEis。Thatoughttosatisfyyou。Butifyouwantmycertificate，here’syourownletter，oldman，"hesaid，producingLeonidas’slastscrawlfromhispocket。
"AndHERS？"saidtheboycautiously。
Thestranger’sfacechangedalittle。"AndHERS，"herepeatedgravely，showingalittlepinknotewhichLeonidasrecognizedasoneofMrs。Burroughs’sinclosures。Theboywassilentuntiltheyreachedthelaurels，wherethestrangertetheredhishorseandthenthrewhimselfinaneasyattitudebeneaththetree，withthebackofhisheaduponhisclaspedhands。Leonidascouldseehiscurvedbrownmustachesandsilkylashesthatwerealmostaslong，andthoughthimthehandsomestmanhehadeverbeheld。
"Well，Leon，"saidthestranger，stretchinghimselfoutcomfortablyandpullingtheboydownbesidehim，"howarethingsgoingontheCasket？Allserene，eh？"
TheinquirysodismallyrecalledLeonidas’slatefeelingsthathisfaceclouded，andheinvoluntarilysighed。Thestrangerinstantlyshiftedhisheadandgazedcuriouslyathim。Thenhetooktheboy’ssunburnthandinhisown，andhelditamoment。"Well，goon，"hesaid。
"Well，Mr。——Mr。——Ican’tgoon——Iwon’t！"saidLeonidas，withasuddenfitofobstinacy。"Idon’tknowwhattocallyou。"
"Callme’Jack’——’JackHamlin’whenyou’renotinahurry。Everheardofmebefore？"headded，suddenlyturninghisheadtowardsLeonidas。
Theboyshookhishead。"No。"
Mr。JackHamlinliftedhislashesinaffectedexpostulationtotheskies。"AndthisisFame！"hemurmuredaudibly。
ButthisLeonidasdidnotcomprehend。Norcouldheunderstandwhythestranger，whoclearlymusthavecometoseeHER，shouldnotaskabouther，shouldnotrushtoseekher，butshouldliebackthereallthewhilesocontentedlyonthegrass。HEwouldn’t。Hehalfresentedit，andthenitoccurredtohimthatthisfinegentlemanwaslikehimself——shy。Whocouldhelpbeingsobeforesuchanangel？HEwouldhelphimon。
Andso，shylyatfirst，butbitbybitemboldenedbyawordortwofromJack，hebegantotalkofher——ofherbeauty——ofherkindness——
ofhisownunworthiness——ofwhatshehadsaidanddone——until，findinginthisgraciousstrangertheventhispent-upfeelingssolonghadsought，hesangthenandtherethelittleidylofhisboyishlife。Hetoldofhisdeclineinheraffectionsafterhisunpardonablesininkeepingherwaitingwhilehewentforthetrout，andaddedthemiserablemistakeoftherattlesnakeepisode。
"Foritwasamistake，Mr。Hamlin。Ioughtn’ttohaveletaladylikethatknowanythingaboutsnakes——justbecauseIhappentoknowthem。"
"ItWASanawfulslump，Lee，"saidHamlingravely。"Getawomanandasnaketogether——andwhereareyou？ThinkofAdamandEveandtheserpent，youknow。"
"Butitwasn’tthatway，"saidtheboyearnestly。"AndIwanttotellyousomethingelsethat’sjustmakin’mesick，Mr。Hamlin。
YouknowItoldyouWilliamHenrylivesdownatthebottomofBurroughs’sgarden，andhowIshowedMrs。Burroughshistricks！
Well，onlytwodaysagoIwasdowntherelookingforhim，andcouldn’tfindhimanywhere。There’sasortofnarrowtrailfromthegardentothehill，ashortcutuptotheRidge，insteado’
goingbytheirgate。It’sjustthetrailanyonewouldtakeinahurry，oriftheydidn’twanttobeseenfromtheroad。Well！I
waslookingthiswayandthatforWilliamHenry，andwhistlin’forhim，whenIslippedontothetrail。There，inthemiddleofit，wasanoldbucketturnedupsidedown——justthethingamanwouldkickawayorawomanliftup。Well，Mr。Hamlin，Ikickeditaway，and"——theboystopped，withroundedeyesandbatedbreath，andadded——"Ijusthadtimetogiveonejumpandsavemyself！Forunderthatpail，crampeddownsohecouldn’tgetout，andjustbilin’overwithrage，andchockfulofpizen，wasWilliamHenry！
Ifithadbeenanybodyelselessspry，they’dhavegotbitten，——andthat’sjustwhatthesneakwhoputitthereknew。"
Mr。Hamlinutteredanexclamationunderhisbreath，androsetohisfeet。
"Whatdidyousay？"askedtheboyquickly。
"Nothing，"saidMr。Hamlin。
ButithadsoundedtoLeonidaslikeanoath。
Mr。Hamlinwalkedafewsteps，asifstretchinghislimbs，andthensaid："AndyouthinkBurroughswouldhavebeenbitten？"
"Why，no！"saidLeonidasinastonishedindignation；"ofcoursenot——
notBURROUGHS。ItwouldhavebeenpoorMRS。Burroughs。For，ofcourse，HEsetthattrapforher——don’tyousee？Whoelsewoulddoit？"
"Ofcourse，ofcourse！Certainly，"saidMr。Hamlincoolly。"Ofcourse，asyousay，HEsetthetrap——yes——youjusthangontothatidea。"
ButsomethinginMr。Hamlin’smanner，andapeculiarlookinhiseye，didnotsatisfyLeonidas。"Areyougoingtoseehernow？"hesaideagerly。"Icanshowyouthehouse，andthenruninandtellheryou’reoutsideinthelaurels。"
"Notjustyet，"saidMr。Hamlin，layinghishandontheboy’sheadafterhavingrestoredhisownhat。"Yousee，Ithoughtofgivingherasurprise。Abigsurprise！"headdedslowly。Afterapause，hewenton："Didyoutellherwhatyouhadseen？"
"OfcourseIdid，"saidLeonidasreproachfully。"DidyouthinkI
wasgoingtolethergetbit？Itmighthavekilledher。"
"AnditmightnothavebeenanunmixedpleasureforWilliamHenry。
Imean，"saidMr。Hamlingravely，correctinghimself，"YOUwouldneverhaveforgivenhim。Butwhatdidshesay？"
Theboy’sfaceclouded。"Shethankedmeandsaiditwasverythoughtful——andkind——thoughitmighthavebeenonlyanaccident"——
hestammered——"andthenshesaidperhapsIwashangingroundandcomingtherealittletoomuchlately，andthatasBurroughswasverywatchful，I’dbetterquitfortwoorthreedays。"Thetearswererisingtohiseyes，butbyputtinghistwoclenchedfistsintohispockets，hemanagedtoholdthemdown。PerhapsMr。Hamlin’ssofthandonhisheadassistedhim。Mr。Hamlintookfromhispocketanotebook，andtearingoutaleaf，satdownagainandbegantowriteonhisknee。Afterapause，Leonidassaid，——
"Wasyoueverinlove，Mr。Hamlin？"
"Never，"saidMr。Hamlin，quietlycontinuingtowrite。"But，nowyouspeakofit，it’salong-feltwantinmynaturethatIintendtosupplysomeday。ButnotuntilI’vemademypile。Anddon’tYOUeither。"Hecontinuedwriting，foritwasthisgentleman’speculiaritytotalkwithoutapparentlytheslightestconcernwhetheranybodyelsespoke，whetherhewaslistenedto，orwhetherhisremarkswereatallrelevanttothecase。Yethewasalwayslistenedtoforthatreason。Whenhehadfinishedwriting，hefoldedupthepaper，putitinanenvelope，andaddressedit。
"ShallItakeittoher？"saidLeonidaseagerly。
"It’snotforHER；it’sforhim——Mr。Burroughs，"saidMr。Hamlinquietly。
Theboydrewback。"Togethimoutoftheway，"addedHamlinexplanatorily。"Whenhegetsit，lightningwouldn’tkeephimhere。
Now，howtosendit，"hesaidthoughtfully。
"Youmightleaveitatthepost-office，"saidLeonidastimidly。
"Healwaysgoestheretowatchhiswife’sletters。"
ForthefirsttimeintheirinterviewMr。Hamlindistinctlylaughed。
"Yourheadislevel，Leo，andI’lldoit。NowthebestthingyoucandoistofollowMrs。Burroughs’sadvice。Quitgoingtothehouseforadayortwo。"Hewalkedtowardshishorse。Theboy’sfacesank，buthekeptupbravely。"AndwillIseeyouagain？"hesaidwistfully。
Mr。Hamlinloweredhisfacesoneartheboy’sthatLeonidascouldseehimselfinthebrowndepthsofMr。Hamlin’seyes。"Ihopeyouwill，"hesaidgravely。Hemounted，shooktheboy’shand，androdeawayinthelengtheningshadows。ThenLeonidaswalkedsadlyhome。
Therewasnoneedforhimtokeephispromise；forthenextmorningthefamilywerestirredbytheannouncementthatMr。andMrs。
BurroughshadleftCasketRidgethatnightbythedownstageforSacramento，andthatthehousewasclosed。Therewerevariousrumorsconcerningthereasonofthissuddendeparture，butonlyonewaspersistent，andborneoutbythepostmaster。ItwasthatMr。
BurroughshadreceivedthatafternoonananonymousnotethathiswifewasabouttoelopewiththenotoriousSanFranciscogambler，JackHamlin。
ButLeonidasBoone，albeithalfunderstanding，kepthismiserablesecretwithastillhopefulandtrustfulheart。ItgrievedhimalittlethatWilliamHenrywasfoundafewdayslaterdead，withhisheadcrushed。Yetitwasnotuntilyearslater，whenhehadmadeasuccessful"prospect"onCasketRidge，thathemetMr。HamlininSanFrancisco，andknewhowhehadplayedthepartofMercuryuponthat"heaven-kissinghill。"
COLONELSTARBOTTLEFORTHEPLAINTIFF
IthadbeenadayoftriumphforColonelStarbottle。First，forhispersonality，asitwouldhavebeendifficulttoseparatetheColonel’sachievementsfromhisindividuality；second，forhisoratoricalabilitiesasasympatheticpleader；andthird，forhisfunctionsastheleadinglegalcounselfortheEurekaDitchCompanyversustheStateofCalifornia。OnhisstrictlylegalperformancesinthisissueIprefernottospeak；therewerethosewhodeniedthem，althoughthejuryhadacceptedtheminthefaceoftherulingofthehalfamused，halfcynicalJudgehimself。ForanhourtheyhadlaughedwiththeColonel，weptwithhim，beenstirredtopersonalindignationorpatrioticexaltationbyhispassionateandloftyperiods，——whatelsecouldtheydothangivehimtheirverdict？IfitwasallegedbysomethattheAmericaneagle，ThomasJefferson，andtheResolutionsof’98hadnothingwhatevertodowiththecontestofaditchcompanyoveradoubtfullywordedlegislativedocument；thatwholesaleabuseoftheStateAttorneyandhispoliticalmotiveshadnottheslightestconnectionwiththelegalquestionraised——itwas，nevertheless，generallyacceptedthatthelosingpartywouldhavebeenonlytoogladtohavetheColonelontheirside。AndColonelStarbottleknewthis，as，perspiring，florid，andpanting，herebuttonedthelowerbuttonsofhisbluefrock-coat，whichhadbecomeloosedinanoratoricalspasm，andreadjustedhisold-fashioned，spotlessshirtfrillaboveitashestruttedfromthecourt-roomamidstthehandshakingsandacclamationsofhisfriends。
Andhereanunprecedentedthingoccurred。TheColonelabsolutelydeclinedspirituousrefreshmentattheneighboringPalmettoSaloon，anddeclaredhisintentionofproceedingdirectlytohisofficeintheadjoiningsquare。Nevertheless，theColonelquittedthebuildingalone，andapparentlyunarmed，exceptforhisfaithfulgold-headedstick，whichhungasusualfromhisforearm。Thecrowdgazedafterhimwithundisguisedadmirationofthisnewevidenceofhispluck。Itwasrememberedalsothatamysteriousnotehadbeenhandedtohimattheconclusionofhisspeech，——evidentlyachallengefromtheStateAttorney。ItwasquiteplainthattheColonel——apracticedduelist——washasteninghometoanswerit。
Buthereintheywerewrong。Thenotewasinafemalehand，andsimplyrequestedtheColoneltoaccordaninterviewwiththewriterattheColonel’sofficeassoonasheleftthecourt。ButitwasanengagementthattheColonel——asdevotedtothefairsexashewastothe"code"——wasnolesspromptinaccepting。Heflickedawaythedustfromhisspotlesswhitetrousersandvarnishedbootswithhishandkerchief，andsettledhisblackcravatunderhisByroncollarashenearedhisoffice。Hewassurprised，however，onopeningthedoorofhisprivateoffice，tofindhisvisitoralreadythere；hewasstillmorestartledtofindhersomewhatpastmiddleageandplainlyattired。ButtheColonelwasbroughtupinaschoolofSouthernpoliteness，alreadyantiqueintherepublic，andhisbowofcourtesybelongedtotheepochofhisshirtfrillandstrappedtrousers。Noonecouldhavedetectedhisdisappointmentinhismanner，albeithissentenceswereshortandincomplete。ButtheColonel’scolloquialspeechwasapttobefragmentaryincoherenciesofhislargeroratoricalutterances。
"Athousandpardons——for——er——havingkeptaladywaiting——er！
But——er——congratulationsoffriends——and——er——courtesyduetothem——er——interferedwith——thoughperhapsonlyheightened——byprocrastination——thepleasureof——ha！"AndtheColonelcompletedhissentencewithagallantwaveofhisfatbutwhiteandwell-kepthand。
"Yes！Icametoseeyoualongo’thatspeechofyours。Iwasincourt。WhenIheardyougettin’itoffonthatjury，Isaystomyself，’That’sthekindo’lawyerIwant。Amanthat’sfloweryandconvincin’！Justthemantotakeupourcase。"
"Ah！It’samatterofbusiness，Isee，"saidtheColonel，inwardlyrelieved，butexternallycareless。"And——er——mayIaskthenatureofthecase？"
"Well！it’sabreach-o’-promisesuit，"saidthevisitorcalmly。
IftheColonelhadbeensurprisedbefore，hewasnowreallystartled，andwithanaddedhorrorthatrequiredallhispolitenesstoconceal。Breach-of-promisecaseswerehispeculiaraversion。
Hehadalwaysheldthemtobeakindoflitigationwhichcouldhavebeenobviatedbythepromptkillingofthemasculineoffender——inwhichcasehewouldhavegladlydefendedthekiller。Butasuitfordamages，——DAMAGES！——withthereadingoflove-lettersbeforeahilariousjuryandcourt，wasagainstallhisinstincts。Hischivalrywasoutraged；hissenseofhumorwassmall，andinthecourseofhiscareerhehadlostoneortwoimportantcasesthroughanunexpecteddevelopmentofthisqualityinajury。
Thewomanhadevidentlynoticedhishesitation，butmistookitscause。"Itain’tme——butmydarter。"
TheColonelrecoveredhispoliteness。"Ah！Iamrelieved，mydearmadam！Icouldhardlyconceiveamanignorantenoughto——er——er——
throwawaysuchevidentgoodfortune——orbaseenoughtodeceivethetrustfulnessofwomanhood——maturedandexperiencedonlyinthechivalryofoursex，ha！"
Thewomansmiledgrimly。"Yes！——it’smydarter，ZaideeHooker——soyemightsparesomeofthemprettyspeechesforHER——beforethejury。"
TheColonelwincedslightlybeforethisdoubtfulprospect，butsmiled。"Ha！Yes！——certainly——thejury。But——er——mydearlady，needwegoasfarasthat？Cannotthisaffairbesettled——er——outofcourt？Couldnotthis——er——individual——beadmonished——toldthathemustgivesatisfaction——personalsatisfaction——forhisdastardlyconduct——to——er——nearrelative——orevenvaluedpersonalfriend？
The——er——arrangementsnecessaryforthatpurposeImyselfwouldundertake。"
Hewasquitesincere；indeed，hissmallblackeyesshonewiththatfirewhichaprettywomanoran"affairofhonor"couldalonekindle。Thevisitorstaredvacantlyathim，andsaidslowly，"Andwhatgoodisthatgoin’todoUS？"
"Compelhimto——er——performhispromise，"saidtheColonel，leaningbackinhischair。
"Ketchhimdoin’it！"sheexclaimedscornfully。"No——thatain’twotwe’reafter。WemustmakehimPAY！Damages——andnothin’shorto’THAT。"
TheColonelbithislip。"Isuppose，"hesaidgloomily，"youhavedocumentaryevidence——writtenpromisesandprotestations——er——er——
love-letters，infact？"
"No——naryaletter！Yesee，that’sjestit——andthat’swhereYOU
comein。You’vegottoconvincethatjuryyourself。You’vegottoshowwhatitis——tellthewholestoryyourownway。Lord！toamanlikeyouthat’snothin’。"
Startlingasthisadmissionmighthavebeentoanyotherlawyer，Starbottlewasabsolutelyrelievedbyit。Theabsenceofanymirth-provokingcorrespondence，andtheappealsolelytohisownpowersofpersuasion，actuallystruckhisfancy。Helightlyputasidethecomplimentwithawaveofhiswhitehand。
"Ofcourse，"hesaidconfidently，"thereisstronglypresumptiveandcorroborativeevidence？Perhapsyoucangiveme——er——abriefoutlineoftheaffair？"
"Zaideekindothatstraightenough，Ireckon，"saidthewoman；
"whatIwanttoknowfirstis，kinyoutakethecase？"
TheColoneldidnothesitate；hiscuriositywaspiqued。"I
certainlycan。Ihavenodoubtyourdaughterwillputmeinpossessionofsufficientfactsanddetails——toconstitutewhatwecall——er——abrief。"
"Shekinbebriefenough——orlongenough——forthematterofthat，"
saidthewoman，rising。TheColonelacceptedthisimpliedwitticismwithasmile。
"AndwhenmayIhavethepleasureofseeingher？"heaskedpolitely。
"Well，IreckonassoonasIcantrotoutandcallher。She’sjustoutside，meanderin’intheroad——kindershy，yeknow，atfirst。"
Shewalkedtothedoor。TheastoundedColonelneverthelessgallantlyaccompaniedherasshesteppedoutintothestreetandcalledshrilly，"YouZaidee！"
Ayounggirlhereapparentlydetachedherselffromatreeandtheostentatiousperusalofanoldelectionposter，andsauntereddowntowardstheofficedoor。Likehermother，shewasplainlydressed；
unlikeher，shehadapale，ratherrefinedface，withademuremouthanddowncasteyes。ThiswasalltheColonelsawashebowedprofoundlyandledthewayintohisoffice，forsheacceptedhissalutationswithoutliftingherhead。Hehelpedhergallantlytoachair，onwhichsheseatedherselfsideways，somewhatceremoniously，withhereyesfollowingthepointofherparasolasshetracedapatternonthecarpet。Asecondchairofferedtothemotherthatlady，however，declined。"IreckontoleaveyouandZaideetogethertotalkitout，"shesaid；turningtoherdaughter，sheadded，"Jestyoutellhimall，Zaidee，"andbeforetheColonelcouldriseagain，disappearedfromtheroom。Inspiteofhisprofessionalexperience，Starbottlewasforamomentembarrassed。Theyounggirl，however，brokethesilencewithoutlookingup。
"AdoniramK。Hotchkiss，"shebegan，inamonotonousvoice，asifitwerearecitationaddressedtothepublic，"firstbegantotakenoticeofmeayearago。Arterthat——offandon"——
"Onemoment，"interruptedtheastoundedColonel；"doyoumeanHotchkissthePresidentoftheDitchCompany？"Hehadrecognizedthenameofaprominentcitizen——arigid，ascetic，taciturn，middle-agedman——adeacon——andmorethanthat，theheadofthecompanyhehadjustdefended。Itseemedinconceivable。
"That’shim，"shecontinued，witheyesstillfixedontheparasolandwithoutchanginghermonotonoustone——"offandoneversince。
MostofthetimeattheFree-WillBaptistChurch——atmorningservice，prayer-meetings，andsuch。Andathome——outside——er——intheroad。"
"Isitthisgentleman——Mr。AdoniramK。Hotchkiss——who——er——promisedmarriage？"stammeredtheColonel。
"Yes。"
TheColonelshifteduneasilyinhischair。"Mostextraordinary！
for——yousee——mydearyounglady——thisbecomes——a——er——mostdelicateaffair。"
"That’swhatmawsaid，"returnedtheyoungwomansimply，yetwiththefaintestsmileplayingaroundherdemurelipsanddowncastcheek。
"Imean，"saidtheColonel，withapainedyetcourteoussmile，"thatthis——er——gentleman——isinfact——er——oneofmyclients。"
"That’swhatmawsaidtoo，andofcourseyourknowinghimwillmakeitalltheeasierforyou。"
AslightflushcrossedtheColonel’scheekashereturnedquicklyandalittlestiffly，"Onthecontrary——er——itmaymakeitimpossibleformeto——er——actinthismatter。"
Thegirlliftedhereyes。TheColonelheldhisbreathasthelonglasheswereraisedtohislevel。Eventoanordinaryobserverthatsuddenrevelationofhereyesseemedtotransformherfacewithsubtlewitchery。Theywerelarge，brown，andsoft，yetfilledwithanextraordinarypenetrationandprescience。Theyweretheeyesofanexperiencedwomanofthirtyfixedinthefaceofachild。WhatelsetheColonelsawthereHeavenonlyknows！Hefelthisinmostsecretspluckedfromhim——hiswholesoullaidbare——hisvanity，belligerency，gallantry——evenhismediaevalchivalry，penetrated，andyetilluminated，inthatsingleglance。Andwhentheeyelidsfellagain，hefeltthatagreaterpartofhimselfhadbeenswallowedupinthem。
"Ibegyourpardon，"hesaidhurriedly。"Imean——thismattermaybearranged——er——amicably。Myinterestwith——andasyouwiselysay——my——er——knowledgeofmyclient——er——Mr。Hotchkiss——mayeffect——
acompromise。"
"AndDAMAGES，"saidtheyounggirl，readdressingherparasol，asifshehadneverlookedup。
TheColonelwinced。"And——er——undoubtedlyCOMPENSATION——ifyoudonotpressafulfillmentofthepromise。Unless，"hesaid，withanattemptedreturntohisformereasygallantry，which，however，therecollectionofhereyesmadedifficult，"itisaquestionof——er——
theaffections。"
"Which？"askedhisfairclientsoftly。
"Ifyoustilllovehim？"explainedtheColonel，actuallyblushing。
Zaideeagainlookedup；againtakingtheColonel’sbreathawaywitheyesthatexpressednotonlythefullestperceptionofwhathehadSAID，butofwhathethoughtandhadnotsaid，andwithanaddedsubtlesuggestionofwhathemighthavethought。"That’stellin’，"
shesaid，droppingherlonglashesagain。
TheColonellaughedvacantly。Thenfeelinghimselfgrowingimbecile，heforcedanequallyweakgravity。"Pardonme——I
understandtherearenoletters；mayIknowthewayinwhichheformulatedhisdeclarationandpromises？"
"Hymn-books。"
"Ibegyourpardon，"saidthemystifiedlawyer。
"Hymn-books——markedwordsinthemwithpencil——andpassed’emontome，"repeatedZaidee。"Like’love，’’dear，’’precious，’’sweet，’
and’blessed，’"sheadded，accentingeachwordwithapushofherparasolonthecarpet。"SometimesawholelineouterTateandBrady——andSolomon’sSong，youknow，andsich。"
"Ibelieve，"saidtheColonelloftily，"thatthe——er——phrasesofsacredpsalmodylendthemselvestothelanguageoftheaffections。
Butinregardtothedistinctpromiseofmarriage——wasthere——er——
noOTHERexpression？"
"MarriageServiceintheprayer-book——linesandwordsouterthat——
allmarked，"Zaideereplied。
TheColonelnoddednaturallyandapprovingly。"Verygood。Wereotherscognizantofthis？Werethereanywitnesses？"
"Ofcoursenot，"saidthegirl。"Onlymeandhim。Itwasgenerallyatchurch-time——orprayer-meeting。Once，inpassingtheplate，heslippedoneo’thempeppermintlozengeswiththelettersstampedonit’Iloveyou’formetotake。"
TheColonelcoughedslightly。"Andyouhavethelozenge？"
"Iateit。"
"Ah，"saidtheColonel。Afterapauseheaddeddelicately，"Butweretheseattentions——er——confinedto——er——sacredprecincts？Didhemeetyouelsewhere？"
"Useterpassourhouseontheroad，"returnedthegirl，droppingintohermonotonousrecital，"andusetersignal。"
"Ah，signal？"repeatedtheColonelapprovingly。
"Yes！He’dsay’Keerow，’andI’dsay’Keeree。’Suthinglikeabird，youknow。"
Indeed，assheliftedhervoiceinimitationofthecall，theColonelthoughtitcertainlyverysweetandbirdlike。AtleastasSHEgaveit。WithhisremembranceofthegrimdeaconhehaddoubtsastothemelodiousnessofHISutterance。Hegravelymadeherrepeatit。
"Andafterthatsignal？"headdedsuggestively。
"He’dpasson。"
TheColonelagaincoughedslightly，andtappedhisdeskwithhispenholder。
"Werethereanyendearments——er——caresses——er——suchastakingyourhand——er——claspingyourwaist？"hesuggested，withagallantyetrespectfulsweepofhiswhitehandandbowingofhishead；"er——
slightpressureofyourfingersinthechangesofadance——Imean，"
hecorrectedhimself，withanapologeticcough——"inthepassingoftheplate？"
"No；hewasnotwhatyou’dcall’fond，’"returnedthegirl。
"Ah！AdoniramK。Hotchkisswasnot’fond’intheordinaryacceptanceoftheword，"notedtheColonel，withprofessionalgravity。
Sheliftedherdisturbingeyes，andagainabsorbedhisinherown。
Shealsosaid"Yes，"althoughhereyesintheirmysteriousprescienceofallhewasthinkingdisclaimedthenecessityofanyansweratall。Hesmiledvacantly。Therewasalongpause。Onwhichsheslowlydisengagedherparasolfromthecarpetpattern，andstoodup。
"Ireckonthat’saboutall，"shesaid。
"Er——yes——butonemoment，"begantheColonelvaguely。Hewouldhavelikedtokeepherlonger，butwithherstrangepremonitionofhimhefeltpowerlesstodetainher，orexplainhisreasonfordoingso。Heinstinctivelyknewshehadtoldhimall；hisprofessionaljudgmenttoldhimthatamorehopelesscasehadnevercometohisknowledge。Yethewasnotdaunted，onlyembarrassed。
"Nomatter，"hesaid。"OfcourseIshallhavetoconsultwithyouagain。"
Hereyesagainansweredthatsheexpectedhewould，andsheaddedsimply，"When？"
"Inthecourseofadayortwo；"herepliedquickly。"Iwillsendyouword。"
Sheturnedtogo。Inhiseagernesstoopenthedoorforher，heupsethischair，andwithsomeconfusion，thatwasactuallyyouthful，healmostimpededhermovementsinthehall，andknockedhisbroad-brimmedPanamahatfromhisbowinghandinafinalgallantsweep。Yetashersmall，trim，youthfulfigure，withitssimpleLeghornstrawhatconfinedbyabluebowunderherroundchin，passedawaybeforehim，shelookedmorelikeachildthanever。
TheColonelspentthatafternooninmakingdiplomaticinquiries。
Hefoundhisyouthfulclientwasthedaughterofawidowwhohadasmallranchonthecross-roads，nearthenewFree-WillBaptistChurch——theevidenttheatreofthispastoral。Theyledasecludedlife，thegirlbeinglittleknowninthetown，andherbeautyandfascinationapparentlynotyetbeingarecognizedfact。TheColonelfeltapleasurablereliefatthis，andageneralsatisfactionhecouldnotaccountfor。HisfewinquiriesconcerningMr。Hotchkissonlyconfirmedhisownimpressionsoftheallegedlover，——aserious-minded，practicallyabstractedman，abstentiveofyouthfulsociety，andthelastmanapparentlycapableoflevityoftheaffectionsorseriousflirtation。TheColonelwasmystified，butdeterminedofpurpose，whateverthatpurposemighthavebeen。
Thenextdayhewasathisofficeatthesamehour。Hewasalone——
asusual——theColonel’sofficebeingreallyhisprivatelodgings，disposedinconnectingrooms，asingleapartmentreservedforconsultation。Hehadnoclerk，hispapersandbriefsbeingtakenbyhisfaithfulbody-servantandex-slave"Jim"toanotherfirmwhodidhisofficeworksincethedeathofMajorStryker，theColonel’sonlylawpartner，whofellinaduelsomeyearsprevious。WithafineconstancytheColonelstillretainedhispartner’snameonhisdoorplate，and，itwasallegedbythesuperstitious，keptacertaininvincibilityalsothroughthe’manes’ofthatlamentedandsomewhatfearedman。
TheColonelconsultedhiswatch，whoseheavygoldcasestillshowedthemarksofaprovidentialinterferencewithabulletdestinedforitsowner，andreplaceditwithsomedifficultyandshortnessofbreathinhisfob。Atthesamemomentheheardastepinthepassage，andthedooropenedtoAdoniramK。Hotchkiss。TheColonelwasimpressed；hehadaduelist’srespectforpunctuality。
Themanenteredwithanodandtheexpectantinquiringlookofabusyman。AshisfeetcrossedthatsacredthresholdtheColonelbecameallcourtesy；heplacedachairforhisvisitor，andtookhishatfromhishalfreluctanthand。Hethenopenedacupboardandbroughtoutabottleofwhiskeyandtwoglasses。
"A——er——slightrefreshment，Mr。Hotchkiss，"hesuggestedpolitely。
"Ineverdrink，"repliedHotchkiss，withthesevereattitudeofatotalabstainer。
"Ah——er——notthefinestBourbonwhiskey，selectedbyaKentuckyfriend？No？Pardonme！Acigar，then——themildestHavana。"
"Idonotusetobacconoralcoholinanyform，"repeatedHotchkissascetically。"Ihavenofoolishweaknesses。"
TheColonel’smoist，beadyeyessweptsilentlyoverhisclient’ssallowface。Heleanedbackcomfortablyinhischair，andhalfclosinghiseyesasindreamyreminiscence，saidslowly："Yourreply，Mr。Hotchkiss，remindsmeof——er——sing’larcircumstancethat——er——occurred，inpointoffact——attheSt。CharlesHotel，NewOrleans。PinkeyHornblower——personalfriend——invitedSenatorDoolittletojoinhiminsocialglass。Received，sing’larlyenough，replysimilartoyours。’Don’tdrinknorsmoke？’saidPinkey。’Gad，sir，youmustbemightysweetontheladies。’Ha！"
TheColonelpausedlongenoughtoallowthefaintflushtopassfromHotchkiss’scheek，andwenton，halfclosinghiseyes："’I
allownoman，sir，todiscussmypersonalhabits，’declaredDoolittle，overhisshirtcollar。’ThenIreckonshootin’mustheoneofthosehabits，’saidPinkeycoolly。BothmendroveoutontheShellRoadbackofcemeterynextmorning。PinkeyputbulletattwelvepacesthroughDoolittle’stemple。PoorDooneverspokeagain。Leftthreewivesandsevenchildren，theysay——twoof’emblack。"
"Igotanotefromyouthismorning，"saidHotchkiss，withbadlyconcealedimpatience。"Isupposeinreferencetoourcase。Youhavetakenjudgment，Ibelieve。"
TheColonel，withoutreplying，slowlyfilledaglassofwhiskeyandwater。Foramomenthehelditdreamilybeforehim，asifstillengagedingentlereminiscencescalledupbytheact。Thentossingitoff，hewipedhislipswithalargewhitehandkerchief，andleaningbackcomfortablyinhischair，said，withawaveofhishand，"TheinterviewIrequested，Mr。Hotchkiss，concernsasubject——whichImaysayis——er——er——atpresentNOTofapublicorbusinessnature——althoughLATERitmightbecome——er——er——both。Itisanaffairofsome——er——delicacy。"
TheColonelpaused，andMr。Hotchkissregardedhimwithincreasedimpatience。TheColonel，however，continued，withunchangeddeliberation："Itconcerns——er——er——ayounglady——abeautiful，high-souledcreature，sir，who，apartfromherpersonalloveliness——
er——er——ImaysayisofoneofthefirstfamiliesofMissouri，and——er——notremotelyconnectedbymarriagewithoneof——er——er——myboyhood’sdearestfriends。"Thelatter，Igrievetosay，wasapureinventionoftheColonel’s——anoratoricaladditiontothescantyinformationhehadobtainedthepreviousday。"Theyounglady，"hecontinuedblandly，"enjoysthefurtherdistinctionofbeingtheobjectofsuchattentionfromyouaswouldmakethisinterview——really——aconfidentialmatter——er——eramongfriendsand——
er——er——relationsinpresentandfuture。IneednotsaythattheladyIrefertoisMissZaideeJunoHooker，onlydaughterofAlmiraAnnHooker，relictofJeffersonBrownHooker，formerlyofBooneCounty，Kentucky，andlatterlyof——er——PikeCounty，Missouri。"
Thesallow，ascetichueofMr。Hotchkiss’sfacehadpassedthroughalividandthenagreenishshade，andfinallysettledintoasullenred。"What’sallthisabout？"hedemandedroughly。
TheleasttouchofbelligerentfirecameintoStarbottle’seye，buthisblandcourtesydidnotchange。"Ibelieve，"hesaidpolitely，"Ihavemademyselfclearasbetween——er——gentlemen，thoughperhapsnotasclearasIshouldto——er——er——jury。"
Mr。Hotchkisswasapparentlystruckwithsomesignificanceinthelawyer’sreply。"Idon’tknow，"hesaid，inalowerandmorecautiousvoice，"whatyoumeanbywhatyoucall’myattentions’
to——anyone——orhowitconcernsyou。Ihavenotexchangedhalfadozenwordswith——thepersonyouname——haveneverwrittenheraline——norevencalledatherhouse。"
Herosewithanassumptionofease，pulleddownhiswaistcoat，buttonedhiscoat，andtookuphishat。TheColoneldidnotmove。
"IbelieveIhavealreadyindicatedmymeaninginwhatIhavecalled’yourattentions，’"saidtheColonelblandly，"andgivenyoumy’concern’forspeakingas——er——er——mutualfriend。AstoYOUR
statementofyourrelationswithMissHooker，Imaystatethatitisfullycorroboratedbythestatementoftheyoungladyherselfinthisveryofficeyesterday。"
"Thenwhatdoesthisimpertinentnonsensemean？WhyamIsummonedhere？"demandedHotchkissfuriously。
"Because，"saidtheColoneldeliberately，"thatstatementisinfamously——yes，damnablytoyourdiscredit，sir！"
Mr。Hotchkisswashereseizedbyoneofthoseimpotentandinconsistentrageswhichoccasionallybetraythehabituallycautiousandtimidman。HecaughtuptheColonel’sstick，whichwaslyingonthetable。AtthesamemomenttheColonel，withoutanyapparenteffort，graspeditbythehandle。ToMr。Hotchkiss’sastonishment，thestickseparatedintwopieces，leavingthehandleandabouttwofeetofnarrowglitteringsteelintheColonel’shand。Themanrecoiled，droppingtheuselessfragment。TheColonelpickeditup，fittedtheshiningbladeinit，clickedthespring，andthenrisingwithafaceofcourtesyyetofunmistakablygenuinepain，andwithevenaslighttremorinhisvoice，saidgravely，——
"Mr。Hotchkiss，Ioweyouathousandapologies，sir，that——er——aweaponshouldbedrawnbyme——eventhroughyourowninadvertence——
underthesacredprotectionofmyroof，anduponanunarmedman。I
begyourpardon，sir，andIevenwithdrawtheexpressionswhichprovokedthatinadvertence。Nordoesthisapologypreventyoufromholdingmeresponsible——personallyresponsible——ELSEWHEREforanindiscretioncommittedinbehalfofalady——my——er——client。"
"Yourclient？Doyoumeanyouhavetakenhercase？You，thecounselfortheDitchCompany？"askedMr。Hotchkiss，intremblingindignation。
"HavingwonYOURcase，sir，"repliedtheColonelcoolly，"the——er——
usagesofadvocacydonotpreventmefromespousingthecauseoftheweakandunprotected。"
"Weshallsee，sir，"saidHotchkiss，graspingthehandleofthedoorandbackingintothepassage。"Thereareotherlawyerswho"——
"Permitmetoseeyouout，"interruptedtheColonel，risingpolitely。
——"willbereadytoresisttheattacksofblackmail，"continuedHotchkiss，retreatingalongthepassage。
"AndthenyouwillbeabletorepeatyourremarkstomeINTHE
STREET，"continuedtheColonel，bowing，ashepersistedinfollowinghisvisitortothedoor。
ButhereMr。Hotchkissquicklyslammeditbehindhim，andhurriedaway。TheColonelreturnedtohisoffice，andsittingdown，tookasheetofletter-paperbearingtheinscription"StarbottleandStryker，AttorneysandCounselors，"andwrotethefollowinglines：——
HOOKERversusHOTCHKISS。
DEARMADAM，——Havinghadavisitfromthedefendantinabove，weshouldbepleasedtohaveaninterviewwithyouattwoP。M。
to-morrow。
Yourobedientservants，STARBOTTLEANDSTRYKER。
ThishesealedanddispatchedbyhistrustedservantJim，andthendevotedafewmomentstoreflection。ItwasthecustomoftheColoneltoactfirst，andjustifytheactionbyreasonafterwards。
HeknewthatHotchkisswouldatoncelaythematterbeforerivalcounsel。HeknewthattheywouldadvisehimthatMissHookerhad"nocase"——thatshewouldbenonsuitedonherownevidence，andheoughtnottocompromise，butbereadytostandtrial。Hebelieved，however，thatHotchkissfearedsuchexposure，andalthoughhisowninstinctshadbeenatfirstagainstthisremedy，hewasnowinstinctivelyinfavorofit。Herememberedhisownpowerwithajury；hisvanityandhischivalryalikeapprovedofthisheroicmethod；hewasboundbynoprosaicfacts——hehadhisowntheoryofthecase，whichnomereevidencecouldgainsay。Infact，Mrs。
Hooker’sadmissionthathewasto"tellthestoryinhisownway"
actuallyappearedtohimaninspirationandaprophecy。
Perhapstherewassomethingelse，duepossiblytothelady’swonderfuleyes，ofwhichhehadthoughtmuch。Yetitwasnothersimplicitythataffectedhimsolely；onthecontrary，itwasherapparentintelligentreadingofthecharacterofherrecreantlover——andofhisown！OfalltheColonel’sprevious"light"or"serious"loves，nonehadeverbeforeflatteredhiminthatway。
Anditwasthis，combinedwiththerespectwhichhehadheldfortheirprofessionalrelations，thatprecludedhishavingamorefamiliarknowledgeofhisclient，throughseriousquestioningorplayfulgallantry。Iamnotsureitwasnotpartofthecharmtohavearusticfemmeincompriseasaclient。
Nothingcouldexceedtherespectwithwhichhegreetedherassheenteredhisofficethenextday。Heevenaffectednottonoticethatshehadputonherbestclothes，andhemadenodoubtappearedaswhenshehadfirstattractedthematureyetfaithlessattentionsofDeaconHotchkissatchurch。Awhitevirginalmuslinwasbeltedaroundherslimfigurebyablueribbon，andherLeghornhatwasdrawnaroundherovalcheekbyabowofthesamecolor。ShehadaSoutherngirl’snarrowfeet，encasedinwhitestockingsandkidslippers，whichwerecrossedprimlybeforeherasshesatinachair，supportingherarmbyherfaithfulparasolplantedfirmlyonthefloor。Afaintodorofsouthernwoodexhaledfromher，and，oddlyenough，stirredtheColonelwithafar-offrecollectionofapine-shadedSunday-schoolonaGeorgiahillside，andofhisfirstlove，agedten，inashortstarchedfrock。Possiblyitwasthesamerecollectionthatrevivedsomethingoftheawkwardnesshehadfeltthen。
He，however，smiledvaguely，andsittingdown，coughedslightly，andplacedhisfinger-tipstogether。"Ihavehadan——er——interviewwithMr。Hotchkiss，but——I——er——regrettosaythereseemstobenoprospectof——er——compromise。"
Hepaused，andtohissurpriseherlistless"company"facelitupwithanadorablesmile。"Ofcourse！——ketchhim！"shesaid。"Washemadwhenyoutoldhim？"Sheputherkneescomfortablytogetherandleanedforwardforareply。
Forallthat，wildhorsescouldnothavetornfromtheColonelawordaboutHotchkiss’sanger。"Heexpressedhisintentionofemployingcounsel——anddefendingasuit，"returnedtheColonel，affablybaskinginhersmile。
Shedraggedherchairnearerhisdesk。"Thenyou’llfighthimtoothandnail？"sheaskedeagerly；"you’llshowhimup？You’lltellthewholestoryyourownway？You’llgivehimfits？——andyou’llmakehimpay？Sure？"shewentonbreathlessly。
"I——er——will，"saidtheColonel，almostasbreathlessly。
Shecaughthisfatwhitehand，whichwaslyingonthetable，betweenherownandliftedittoherlips。Hefelthersoftyoungfingerseventhroughthelisle-threadglovesthatencasedthem，andthewarmmoistureofherlipsuponhisskin。Hefelthimselfflushing——butwasunabletobreakthesilenceorchangehisposition。Thenextmomentshehadscuttledbackwithherchairtoheroldposition。
"I——er——certainlyshalldomybest，"stammeredtheColonel，inanattempttorecoverhisdignityandcomposure。
"That’senough！You’lldoit，"saidsheenthusiastically。"Lordy！
JustyoutalkforMEasyedidforHISoldDitchCompany，andyou’llfetchit——everytime！Why，whenyoumadethatjurysituptheotherday——whenyougotthatoffabouttheMerrikanflagwavingequallyovertherightsofhonestcitizensbandedtogetherinpeacefulcommercialpursuits，aswellasoverthefortressofofficialproflig——"
"Oligarchy，"murmuredtheColonelcourteously。
——"oligarchy，"repeatedthegirlquickly，"mybreathwasjusttookaway。Isaidtomaw，’Ain’thetoosweetforanything！’Idid，honestInjin！Andwhenyourolleditalloffattheend——nevermissingaword（youdidn’tneedtomark’eminalesson-book，buthad’emallreadyonyourtongue）——andwalkedout——Well！I
didn’tknowyounortheDitchCompanyfromAdam，butIcouldhavejustrunoverandkissedyoutherebeforethewholecourt！"
Shelaughed，withherfaceglowing，althoughherstrangeeyeswerecastdown。Alack！theColonel’sfacewasequallyflushed，andhisownbeadyeyeswereonhisdesk。Toanyotherwomanhewouldhavevoicedthebanalgallantrythatheshouldnow，himself，lookforwardtothatreward，butthewordsneverreachedhislips。Helaughed，coughedslightly，andwhenhelookedupagainshehadfallenintothesameattitudeasonherfirstvisit，withherparasolpointonthefloor。
"Imustaskyouto——er——directyourmemoryto——er——anotherpoint：
thebreakingoffofthe——er——er——er——engagement。Didhe——er——giveanyreasonforit？Orshowanycause？"
"No；heneversaidanything，"returnedthegirl。
"Notinhisusualway？——er——noreproachesoutofthehymn-book？——orthesacredwritings？"
"No；hejustQUIT。"
"Er——ceasedhisattentions，"saidtheColonelgravely。"Andnaturallyyou——er——werenotconsciousofanycauseforhisdoingso。"
ThegirlraisedherwonderfuleyessosuddenlyandsopenetratinglywithoutreplyinginanyotherwaythattheColonelcouldonlyhurriedlysay："Isee！None，ofcourse！"
Atwhichsherose，theColonelrisingalso。"We——shallbeginproceedingsatonce。Imust，however，cautionyoutoanswernoquestions，norsayanythingaboutthiscasetoanyoneuntilyouareincourt。"
Sheansweredhisrequestwithanotherintelligentlookandanod。
Heaccompaniedhertothedoor。Ashetookherprofferedhand，heraisedthelisle-threadfingerstohislipswithold-fashionedgallantry。Asifthatacthadcondonedforhisfirstomissionsandawkwardness，hebecamehisold-fashionedselfagain，buttonedhiscoat，pulledouthisshirtfrill，andstruttedbacktohisdesk。
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