"Butthatisn’tlegalnorbusiness。Andyoucouldn’tevenholdtheDitchCompanytoitifTHEYchosetobackout。"
"ButIdon’tthinktheywill，"saidBarkersimply。"Andyouseemywordwasn’tgivenentirelytoTHEM。Iboughtthethingthroughmywife’scousin，HenrySpring，abroker，andhemakessomethingbyit，fromthecompany，oncommission。AndIcan’tgobackonHIM。
Whatdidyousay？"
Stacyhadonlygroanedthroughhissetteeth。"Nothing，"hesaidbriefly，"exceptthatI’mcoming，asIsaidbefore，todinewithyouto-night；butnomoreBUSINESS。I’veenoughofthatwithothers，andtherearesomewaitingformeintheouterofficenow。"
Barkerroseatonce，butwiththesameaffectionatesmileandtendergravityofcountenance，andlaidhishandcaressinglyonStacy’sshoulder。"It’slikeyoutogiveupsomuchofyourtimetomeandmyfoolishnessandbesofrankwithme。AndIknowit’smightyroughonyoutohavetobeameremachineinsteadofJimStacy。Don’tyoubotheraboutme。I’llsellsomeofmyWideWestExtensionandpullthethingthroughmyself。It’sallright，butI’msorryforyou，oldchap。"Heglancedaroundtheroomatthewallsandrichpaneling，andadded，"Isupposethat’swhatyouhavetopayforallthissortofthing？"
BeforeStacycouldreply，awaitingvisitorwasannouncedforthesecondtime，andBarker，withanotherhand-shakeandareassuringsmiletohisoldpartner，passedintothehall，asiftheonusofanyinfelicityintheinterviewwasuponhimselfalone。ButStacydidnotseemtobeinaparticularlyaccessiblemoodtothenewcaller，whoinhisturnappearedtobeslightlyirritatedbyhavingbeenkeptwaitingoversomeirksomebusiness。"Youdon’tseemtofollowme，"hesaidtoStacyafterrecitinghisbusinessperplexity。
"Can’tyousuggestsomething？"
"Well，whydon’tyougetholdofoneofyourboardofdirectors？"
saidStacyabstractedly。"There’sCaptainDrummond；youandheareoldfriends。YouwerecomradesintheMexicanWar，weren’tyou？"
"Thatbed————d！"saidhisvisitorbitterly。"Allhisinterestsaretheotherway，andinatradeofthiskind，youknow，Stacy，thatamanwouldsacrificehisownbrother。Doyousupposethathe’dletuponasurethingthathe’sgotjustbecauseheandI
foughtsidebysideatCerroGordo？Come！whatareyougivingus？
You’rethelastmanIeverexpectedtohearthatkindofflapdoodlefrom。Ifit’sbecauseyourbankhasgotsomeotherinterestandyoucan’tadviseme，whydon’tyousayso？"Nevertheless，inspiteofStacy’sabruptdisclaimer，heleftafewminuteslater，halfconvincedthatStacy’slukewarmnesswasduetosomeadverseinfluence。Othercallerswerealmostasquicklydisposedof，andattheendofanhourStacyfoundhimselfagainalone。
Butnotapparentlyinaverysatisfiedmood。Afterafewmomentsofpurelymechanicalmemoranda-making，heroseabruptlyandopenedasmalldrawerinacabinet，fromwhichhetookaletterstillinitsenvelope。Itboreaforeignpostmark。Glancingoverithastily，hiseyesatlastbecamefixedonaconcludingparagraph。
"Ihope，"wrotehiscorrespondent，"thatevenintherushofyourbigbusinessyouwillsometimeslookafterBarker。NotthatI
thinkthedearoldchapwillevergowrong——indeed，IoftenwishI
wasascertainofmyselfasofhimandhisinsight；butIamafraidweweremoreinclinedtobemerelyamusedandtolerantofhiswonderfultrustandsimplicitythantoreallyunderstanditforhisowngoodandours。Iknowyoudidnotlikehismarriage，andwereinclinedtobelievehewasthevictimofaratherunscrupulousfatherandafoolish，unequalgirl；butareyousatisfiedthathewouldhavebeenthehappierwithoutit，orlivedhisperfectlifeunderotherandwhatyoumaythinkwiserconditions？IfheWROTE
thepoetrythatheLIVESeverybodywouldthinkhimwonderful；forbeingwhatheiswenevergivehimsufficientcredit。"Stacysmiledgrimly，andpenciledonhismemorandum，"Hewantsittotheamountoftenthousanddollars。""Anyhow，"continuedthewriter，"lookafterhim，Jim，forhissake，yoursake，andthesakeof——
PHILDEMOREST。"
Stacyputtheletterbackinitsenvelope，andtossingitgrimlyasidewentonwithhiscalculations。Presentlyhestopped，restoredthelettertohiscabinet，andrangabellonhistable。
"SendMr。Northhere，"hesaidtothenegromessenger。Inafewmomentshischiefbook-keeperappearedinthedoorway。
"TurntotheBranchledgerandbringmeastatementofMr。GeorgeBarker’saccount。"
"Hewashereamomentago，"saidNorth，essayingaconfidentiallooktowardshischief。
"Iknowit，"saidStacycoolly，withoutlookingup。
"He’sbeenrunningagooddealonwildcatlately，"suggestedNorth。
"Iaskedforhisaccount，andnotyouropinionofit，"saidStacyshortly。
Thesubordinatewithdrewsomewhatabashedbutstillcurious，andreturnedpresentlywithaledgerwhichhelaidbeforehischief。
StacyranhiseyesoverthelistofBarker’ssecurities；itseemedtohimthatallthewildestschemesofthepastyearstaredhimintheface。Hisfinger，however，stoppedontheWideWestExtension。
"Mr。Barkerwillbewantingtosellsomeofthisstock。Whatisitquotedatnow？"
"Sixty。"
"ButIwouldpreferthatMr。Barkershouldnotofferintheopenmarketatpresent。Givehimseventyforit——privatesale；thatwillbetenthousanddollarspaidtohiscredit。AdvisetheBranchofthisatonce，andtokeepthetransactionquiet。"
"Yes，sir，"respondedtheclerkashemovedtowardsthedoor。Buthehesitated，andwithanotheressayatconfidencesaidinsinuatingly，"Ialwaysthought，sir，thatWideWestwouldrecover。"
Stacy，perhapsnotdispleasedtofindwhathadevidentlypassedinhissubordinate’smind，lookedathimandsaiddryly，"ThenIwouldadviseyoualsotokeepthatopiniontoyourself。"But，cleverashewas，hehadnotanticipatedtheresult。Mr。North，thoughatrustedemployee，washuman。Onarrivingintheouterofficehebeckonedtooneoftheloungingbrokers，andinalowvoicesaid，"I’lltaketwosharesofWideWest，ifyoucangetitcheap。"
Thebroker’sfacebecamealertandeager。"Yes，butIsay，isanythingup？"
"I’mnotheretogivethebusinessofthebankaway，"retortedNorthseverely；"taketheorderorleaveit。"
Themanhurriedaway。HavingthusvindicatedhishumanitybyalsopassingthesnubhehadreceivedfromStacytoaninferior，heturnedawaytocarryouthismaster’sinstructions，yetsecureinthebeliefthathehadprofitedbyhissuperiordiscernmentoftherealreasonofthatmaster’ssingularconduct。Butwhenhereturnedtotheprivateroom，inhopesoffurtherrevelations，Mr。
Stacywasclosetedwithanotherfinancialmagnate，andhadapparentlydivestedhismindofthewholeaffair。
CHAPTERII。
WhenGeorgeBarkerreturnedtotheouterwardofthefinancialstrongholdhehadpenetrated，withitscurvingsweepofcounters，brassrailings，andwireworkscreensdefendedbythespruceclerksbehindthem，hewasagainimpressedwiththepositionofthemanhehadjustquitted，andforamomenthesitated，withaninclinationtogoback。Itwaswithnoideaofmakingafurtherappealtohisoldcomrade，but——whatwouldhavebeenoddinanyothernaturebuthis——hewasaffectedbyasensethatHEmighthavebeenunfairandselfishinhismannertothemanpanopliedbythesedefenses，andwhowasinameasureforcedtobeapartofthem。Hewouldliketohavereturnedandcondoledwithhim。Theclerks，whowereheartlesslyfamiliarwiththeanxiousbearingofthemenwhosoughtinterviewswiththeirchief，bothbeforeandafter，smiledwiththewhisperedconvictionthatthefreshandingenuousyoungstrangerhadbeen"chucked"likeothersuntiltheymethiskindly，tolerant，andevensuperioreyes，andwerepuzzled。MeanwhileBarker，whohadthatsublime，naturalqualityofabstractionoversmallimpertinenceswhichismoreexasperatingthanstudiedindifference，afterhisbriefhesitationpassedoutunconcernedlythroughtheswingingmahoganydoorsintotheblowystreet。Herethewindandrainrevivedhim；thebankanditscurtrefusalwereforgotten；hewalkedonwardwithonlyasmilingmemoryofhispartnerasintheolddays。HerememberedhowStacyhadburneddowntheiroldcabinratherthanhaveitfallintosordidorunworthyhands——thisStacywhowasnowcondemnedtosinkhisimpulsesandbecomeameremachine。HehadneverknownStacy’srealmotiveforthatact，——
bothDemorestandStacyhadkepttheirknowledgeoftheattemptedrobberyfromtheiryoungerpartner，——italwaysseemedtohimtobeapreciousrevelationofStacy’sinnernature。Facingthewindandrain，herecalledhowStacy，thoughneversoenthusiasticabouthismarriageasDemorest，hadtakenupVanLoosharplyforsomefoolishsneerabouthisownyouthfulness。HewasaffectionatelytolerantofevenStacy’sdisliketohiswife’srelations，forStacydidnotknowthemashedid。Indeed，Barker，whoseownfatherandmotherhaddiedinhisinfancy，hadacceptedhiswife’srelationswithalovingtrustandconfidencethatwassupreme，fromthefactthathehadneverknownanyother。
Atlasthereachedhishotel。Itwasanewone，thelatestcreationofafeverishprogressinhotel-buildingwhichhadcoveredfiveyearsandasmanysquareswithlargeshowyerections，utterlybeyondtheneedsofthecommunity，yeteachsuperiorinsizeandadornmenttoitspredecessor。Itstruckhimasbeingtheoneevidenceofanabidingfaithinthefutureofthemetropolisthathehadseeninnothingelse。Asheentereditsfrescoedhallthatafternoonhewassuddenlyreminded，byitschallengingopulency，ofthebankhehadjustquitted，withoutknowingthatthebankhadreallyfurnisheditscapitalanditsoriginaldesign。Thegildedbar-rooms，flashingwithmirrorsandcutglass；thesaloons，withtheirdesertexpanseofTurkeycarpetandoasisofclustereddivansandgildedtables；thegreatdining-room，withporphyrycolumns，andwallsandceilingsshiningwithallegory——allthesethingswhichhadattractedhisyouthfulwonderwithoutdistractinghiscorrectsimplicityoftastehenowbegantocomprehend。Itwasthebank’smoney"atwork。"Intheclatterofdishesinthedining-
roomheevenseemedtohearagainthechinkingofcoin。
Itwasashortcuttohisapartmentstopassthroughasmallerpublicsitting-roompopularlyknownas"FlirtationCamp，"whereeightortencouplesgenerallyfoundrefugeonchairsandsetteesbythewindows，halfconcealedbyheavycurtains。Buttheoccupantswerebynomeansyouthfulspinstersorbachelors；theyweregenerallymarriedwomen，guestsofthehotel，receivingotherpeople’shusbandswhosewiveswere"intheStates，"orresponsiblemiddle-agedleadersofthetown。Intheelaboratetoilettesofthewomen，ascomparedwiththelessformalbusinesssuitsofthemen，therewasanoddminglingofthesocialattitudewithperhapsmoremysteriousconfidences。TheidlegossipaboutthemhadneveraffectedBarker；ratherhehadthatinnaterespectforthesecretsofotherswhichisasinseparablefromsimplicityasitisfromhighbreeding，andhescarcelyglancedatthedifferentcouplesinhisprogressthroughtheroom。Hedidnotevennoticearatherstrikingandhandsomewoman，who，surroundedbytwoorthreeadmirers，yetlookedupatBarkerashepassedwithself-consciouslidsasifseekingareturnofherglance。Buthemovedonabstractedly，andonlystoppedwhenhesuddenlysawthefamiliarskirtofhiswifeatafurtherwindow，andhaltedbeforeit。
"Oh，it’sYOU，"saidMrs。Barker，withahalf-nervous，half-
impatientlaugh。"Why，Ithoughtyou’dcertainlystayhalftheafternoonwithyouroldpartner，consideringthatyouhaven’tmetforthreeyears。"
TherewasnodoubtsheHADthoughtso；therewasequallynodoubtthattheconversationshewascarryingonwithhercompanion——agood-looking，portlybusinessman——waseffectuallyinterrupted。
ButBarkerdidnotnoticeit。"CaptainHeath，myhusband，"shewenton，carelesslyrisingandsmoothingherskirts。Thecaptain，whohadrisentoo，bowedvaguelyattheintroduction，butBarkerextendedhishandfrankly。"IfoundStacybusy，"hesaidinanswertohiswife，"butheiscomingtodinewithusto-night。"
"IfyoumeanJimStacy，thebanker，"saidCaptainHeath，brighteningintogreaterease，"he’sthebusiestmaninCalifornia。I’veseenmenstandinginaqueueoutsidehisdoorasintheolddaysatthepost-office。Andheonlygivesyoufiveminutesandnoextension。
Soyouandhewerepartnersonce？"hesaid，lookingcuriouslyatthestillyouthfulBarker。
ButitwasMrs。Barkerwhoanswered，"Ohyes！andalwayssuchgoodfriends。Iwasawfullyjealousofhim。"Nevertheless，shedidnotrespondtotheaffectionateprotestinBarker’seyesnortothelaughofCaptainHeath，butglancedindifferentlyaroundtheroomasiftoleavefurtherconversationtothetwomen。ItwaspossiblethatshewasbeginningtofeelthatCaptainHeathwasasdetropnowasherhusbandhadbeenamomentbefore。Standingthere，however，betweenthemboth，idlytracingapatternonthecarpetwiththetoeofherslipper，shelookedprettierthanshehadeverlookedasKittyCarter。Herslightfigurewasmorefullydeveloped。Thatartificialseveritycoveringanaturalvirgincoynesswithwhichsheusedtowaitattableinherfather’shotelatBoomvillehadgone，andwasreplacedbyasatisfiedconsciousnessofherpowertoplease。Herglancewasfreer，butnotasfrankasinthosedays。Herdresswasundoubtedlyricherandmorestylish；
yetBarker’sloyalheartoftenrevertedfondlytothechintzgown，coquettishlyfrilledapron，andspotlesscuffsandcollarinwhichshehadhandedhimhiscoffeewithafaintcolorthatlefthisownfacecrimson。
CaptainHeath’stactbeingequaltoherindifference，hehadexcusedhimself，althoughhewasbecominginterestedinthisyouthfulhusband。ButMrs。Barker，afterhavingassertedherhusband’sdistinctionastheequalfriendofthemillionaire，wasbynomeanswillingthatthecaptainshouldbefurtherinterestedinBarkerforhimselfalone，anddidnoturgehimtostay。Ashedepartedsheturnedtoherhusband，and，indicatingthegrouphehadpassedthemomentbefore，said：——
"Thathorridwomanhasbeenstaringatusallthetime。Idon’tseewhatyouseeinhertoadmire。"
PoorBarker’sadmirationhadbeenlimitedtoafewwordsofcivilityintheenforcedcontactofthathugecaravansaryandinhisquiet，youthfulrecognitionofherstrikingpersonality。ButhewasjustthentoopreoccupiedwithhisinterviewwithStacytoreply，andperhapshedidnotquiteunderstandhiswife。ItwasoddhowmanythingshedidnotquiteunderstandnowaboutKitty，butthatheknewmustbeHISfault。ButMrs。Barkerapparentlydidnotrequire，afterthefashionofhersex，areply。Forthenextmoment，astheymovedtowardstheirrooms，shesaidimpatiently，"Well，youdon’ttellwhatStacysaid。Didyougetthemoney？"
Igrievetosaythatthissouloftruthandfranknesslied——onlytohiswife。PerhapsheconsidereditonlylyingtoHIMSELF，athingofwhichhewasattimesmiserablyconscious。"Itwasn’tnecessary，dear，"hesaid；"headvisedmetosellmysecuritiesinthebank；andifyouonlyknewhowdreadfullybusyheis。"
Mrs。Barkercurledherprettylip。"Itdoesn’ttakeverylongtolendtenthousanddollars！"shesaid。"Butthat’swhatIalwaystellyou。Youhaveaboutmademesickbysingingthepraisesofthosewonderfulpartnersofyours，andhereyouaskafavorofoneofthemandhetellsyoutosellyoursecurities！Andyouknow，andheknows，they’reworthnexttonothing。"
"Youdon’tunderstand，dear"——beganBarker。
"Iunderstandthatyou’vegivenyourwordtopoorHarry，"saidMrs。
Barkerinprettyindignation，"who’sresponsiblefortheDitchpurchase。"
"AndIshallkeepit。Ialwaysdo，"saidBarkerveryquietly，butwiththatsamesingularexpressionoffacethathadpuzzledStacy。
ButMrs。Barker，who，perhaps，knewherhusbandbetter，saidinanalteredvoice：——
"ButHOWcanyou，dear？"
"IfI’mshortathousandortwoI’llaskyourfather。"
Mrs。Barkerwassilent。"Father’ssoverymuchharriednow，George。
Whydon’tyousimplythrowthewholethingup？"
"ButI’vegivenmywordtoyourcousinHenry。"
"Yes，butonlyyourWORD。Therewasnowrittenagreement。Andyoucouldn’tevenholdhimtoit。"
Barkeropenedhisfrankeyesinastonishment。Herowncousin，too！
AndtheywereStacy’sverywords！
"Besides，"addedMrs。Barkeraudaciously，"hecouldgetridofitelsewhere。Hehadanotheroffer，buthethoughtyoursthebest。
Sodon’tbesilly。"
Bythistimetheyhadreachedtheirrooms。Barker，apparentlydismissingthesubjectfromhismindwithcharacteristicbuoyancy，turnedintothebedroomandwalkedsmilinglytowardsasmallcribwhichstoodinthecorner。"Why，he’sgone！"hesaidinsomedismay。
"Well，"saidMrs。Barkeralittleimpatiently，"youdidn’texpectmetotakehimintothepublicparlor，whereIwasseeingvisitors，didyou？Isenthimoutwiththenurseintothelowerhalltoplaywiththeotherchildren。"
AshademomentarilypassedoverBarker’sface。Healwayslookedforwardtomeetingthechildwhenhecameback。Hehadabelief，basedonnogroundswhatever，thatthelittlecreatureunderstoodhim。Andhehadafather’sdoubtofthewholesomenessofotherpeople’schildrenwhowerebornintotheworldindiscriminatelyandnotundertheexceptionalconditionsofhisown。"I’llgoandfetchhim，"hesaid。
"Youhaven’ttoldmeanythingaboutyourinterview；whatyoudidandwhatyourgoodfriendStacysaid，"saidMrs。Barker，droppinglanguidlyintoachair。"Andreallyifyouaresimplyrunningawayagainafterthatchild，ImightjustaswellhaveaskedCaptainHeathtostaylonger。"
"Oh，astoStacy，"saidBarker，droppingbesideherandtakingherhand；"well，dear，hewasawfullybusy，youknow，andshutupintheinnermostofficeliketheagateinoneoftheJapanesenestsofboxes。But，"hecontinued，brighteningup，"justthesamedearoldJimStacyofHeavyTreeHill，whenIfirstknewyou。Lord！dear，howitallcamebacktome！ThatdayIproposedtoyouinthebeliefthatIwasunexpectedlyrichandevenboughtaclaimfortheboysonthestrengthofit，andhowIcamebacktothemtofindthattheyhadmadeabigstrikeontheveryclaim。Lord！I
rememberhowIwassoafraidtotellthemaboutyou——andhowtheyguessedit——thatdearoldStacyoneofthefirst。"
"Yes，"saidMrs。Barker，"andIhopeyourfriendStacyrememberedthatbutforME，whenyoufoundoutthatyouwerenotrich，you’dhavegivenuptheclaim，butthatIreallydeceivedmyownfathertomakeyoukeepit。I’veoftenworriedoverthat，George，"shesaidpensively，turningadiamondbraceletaroundherprettywrist，"althoughIneversaidanythingaboutit。"
"But，Kittydarling，"saidBarker，graspinghiswife’shand，"I
gavemynoteforit；youknowyousaidthatwasbargainenough，andIhadbetterwaituntilthenotewasdue，anduntilIfoundI
couldn’tpay，beforeIgaveuptheclaim。Itwasverycleverofyou，andtheboysallsaidso，too。Butyouneverdeceivedyourfather，dear，"hesaid，lookingathergravely，"forIshouldhavetoldhimeverything。"
"Ofcourse，ifyoulookatitinthatway，"saidhiswifelanguidly，"it’snothing；onlyIthinkitoughttoberememberedwhenpeoplegoaboutsayingpaparuinedyouwithhishotelschemes。"
"Whodaressaythat？"saidBarkerindignantly。
"Well，iftheydon’tSAYittheylookit，"saidMrs。Barker，withatossofherprettyhead，"andIbelievethat’satthebottomofStacy’srefusal。"
"Butheneversaidaword，Kitty，"saidBarker，flushing。
"There，don’texciteyourself，George，"saidMrs。Barkerresignedly，"butgoforthebaby。Iknowyou’redyingtogo，andIsupposeit’stimeNorahbroughtitupstairs。"
AtanyothertimeBarkerwouldhavelingeredwithexplanations，butjustthenadeepersensethanusualofsomemisunderstandingmadehimanxioustoshortenthisdomesticcolloquy。Herose，pressedhiswife’shand，andwentout。Butyethewasnotentirelysatisfiedwithhimselfforleavingher。"Isupposeitisn’trightmygoingoffassoonasIcomein，"hemurmuredreproachfullytohimself，"butIthinkshewantsthebabybackasmuchasI；only，womanlike，shedidn’tcaretoletmeknowit。"
Hereachedthelowerhall，whichheknewwasafavoritepromenadeforthenurseswhoweregatheredatthefartherend，wherealargewindowlookeduponMontgomeryStreet。ButNorah，theIrishnurse，wasnotamongthem；hepassedthroughseveralcorridorsinhissearch，butinvain。Atlast，worriedandalittleanxious，heturnedtoregainhisroomsthroughthelongsaloonwherehehadfoundhiswifepreviously。Itwasdesertednow；thelastcallerhadleft——evenfrivolityhaditsprescribedlimits。Hewasconsequentlystartledbyagentlemurmurfromoneoftheheavilycurtainedwindowrecesses。Itwasawoman’svoice——low，sweet，caressing，andfilledwithanalmostpathetictenderness。Anditwasfollowedbyadistinctgurglingsatisfiedcrow。
Barkerturnedinstantlyinthatdirection。Astepbroughthimtothecurtain，whereasingularspectaclepresenteditself。
Seatedonalounge，completelyabsorbedandpossessedbyhertreasure，wasthe"horridwoman"whomhiswifehadindicatedonlyalittlewhileago，holdingababy——Kitty’ssacredbaby——inherwantonlap！Thechildwasfeeblygraspingtheendoftheslenderjewelednecklacewhichthewomanheldtemptinglydanglingfromathinwhitejeweledfingeraboveit。Butitseyeswerebeamingwithanintensedelight，asiftryingtorespondtothedeep，concentratedloveinthehandsomefacethatwasbentaboveit。
AtthesuddenintrusionofBarkershelookedup。Therewasafaintriseinhercolor，butnolossofsell-possession。
"Pleasedon’tscoldthenurse，"shesaid，"norsayanythingtoMrs。
Barker。Itisallmyfault。Ithoughtthatboththenurseandchildlookeddreadfullyboredwitheachother，andIborrowedthelittlefellowforawhiletotryandamusehim。AtleastIhaven’tmadehimcry，haveI，dear？"Thelastepithet，itisneedlesstosay，wasaddressedtothelittlecreatureinherlap，butinitstendermodulationittouchedthefather’squicksympathiesasifhehadshareditwiththechild。"Yousee，"shesaidsoftly，disengagingthebabyfingersfromhernecklace，"thatOURsexisnottheonlyonetemptedbyjewelryandglitter。"
Barkerhesitated；theMadonna-likedevotionofamomentagowasgone；itwasonlythewomanoftheworldwholaughinglylookedupathim。Neverthelesshewastouched。"Haveyou——ever——hadachild，Mrs。Horncastle？"heaskedgentlyandhesitatingly。Hehadavaguerecollectionthatshepassedforawidow，andinhissimpleeyesallwomenwerevirginsormarriedsaints。
"No，"shesaidabruptly。Thensheaddedwithalaugh，"OrperhapsIshouldnotadmirethemsomuch。Isupposeit’sthesamefeelingbachelorshaveforotherpeople’swives。ButIknowyou’redyingtotakethatboyfromme。Takehim，then，anddon’tbeashamedtocarryhimyourselfjustbecauseI’mhere；youknowyouwoulddelighttodoitifIweren’t。"
Barkerbentoverthesilkenlapinwhichthechildwascomfortablynestling，andinthatattitudehadafaintconsciousnessthatMrs。
Horncastlewasmischievouslybreathingintohiscurlsasilentlaugh。Barkerliftedhisfirstbornwithproudskillfulness，butthatsagaciousinfantevidentlyknewwhenhewascomfortable，andinaparoxysmofobjectioncaughthisfather’scurlswithonefist，whilewiththeotherhegraspedMrs。Horncastle’sbrownbraidsandbroughttheirheadsintocontact。UponwhichhumoroussituationNorah，thenurse，entered。
"It’sallright，Norah，"saidMrs。Horncastle，laughing，asshedisengagedherselffromthelinkingchild。"Mr。Barkerhasclaimedthebaby，andhasagreedtoforgiveyouandmeandsaynothingtoMrs。Barker。"Norah，withtheinscrutablecriticismofhersexonhersex，thoughtitextremelyprobable，andhaltedwithexasperatingdiscretion。"There，"continuedMrs。Horncastle，playfullyevadingthechild’sfurtheradvances，"gowithpapa，that’sadear。Mr。Barkerpreferstocarryhimback，Norah。"
"But，"saidtheingenuousandpersistentBarker，stilllingeringinhopesofrecallingthewoman’spreviousexpression，"youDOlovechildren，andyouthinkhimabrightlittlechapforhisage？"
"Yes，"saidMrs。Horncastle，puttingbackherloosenedbraid，"soroundandfatandsoft。Andsuchadiscriminatingeyeforjewelry。
ReallyyououghttogetanecklacelikemineforMrs。Barker——itwouldpleaseboth，youknow。"Shemovedslowlyaway，theunitedeffortsofNorahandBarkerscarcelysufficingtorestrainthestrugglingchildfromleapingafterherassheturnedatthedoorandblewhimakiss。
WhenBarkerregainedhisroomhefoundthatMrs。BarkerhaddismissedStacyfromhermindexceptsofarastoinvokeNorah’saidinlayingouthersmartestgownfordinner。"Butwhytakeallthistrouble，dear？"saidhersimple-mindedhusband；"wearegoingtodineinaprivateroomsothatwecantalkoveroldtimesallbyourselves，andanydresswouldsuithim。And，Lord，dear！"headded，withaquickbrighteningatthefancy，"ifyoucouldonlyjustrigyourselfupinthatprettylilacgownyouusedtowearatBoomville——itwouldbetookilling，andjustlikeoldtimes。Iputitawaymyselfinoneofourtrunks——Icouldn’tbeartoleaveitbehind；Iknowjustwhereitis。I’ll"——ButMrs。Barker’srestrainingscornwithheldhim。
"GeorgeBarker，ifyouthinkIamgoingtoletyouthrowawayandutterlyWASTEMr。Stacyonus，alone，inaprivateroomwithcloseddoors——andIdaresayyou’dliketositinyourdressing-gownandslippers——youareentirelymistaken。Iknowwhatisdue，nottoyouroldpartner，buttothegreatMr。Stacy，thefinancier，andI
knowwhatisdueFROMHIMTOUS！No！Wedineinthegreatdining-
room，publicly，and，ifpossible，attheverynexttabletothosestuck-upPeterburysandtheirEasternfriends，includingthathorridwoman，which，I’msure，oughttosatisfyyou。Thenyoucantalkasmuchasyoulike，andasloudasyoulike，aboutoldtimes，——andthelouderandthemorethebetter，——butIdon’tthinkHE’LLlikeit。"
"Butthebaby！"expostulatedBarker。"Stacy’sjustwildtoseehim——andwecan’tbringhimdowntothetable——thoughweMIGHT，"headded，momentarilybrightening。
"Afterdinner，"saidMrs。Barkerseverely，"wewillwalkthroughthebigdrawing-rooms，andTHENMr。Stacymaycomeupstairsandseehiminhiscrib；butnotbefore。Andnow，George，Idowishthatto-night，FORONCE，youwouldnotwearaturn-downcollar，andthatyouwouldgotothebarber’sandhavehimcutyourhairandsmoothoutthecurls。And，forHeaven’ssake！lethimputsomewaxorgumorSOMETHINGonyourmustacheandtwistituponyourcheeklikeCaptainHeath’s，foritpositivelydroopsoveryourmouthlikeagirl’sringlet。It’squiteenoughformetohearpeopletalkofyourinexperience，butreallyIdon’twantyoutolookasifIhadrunawaywithaprettyschoolboy。And，consideringthesizeofthatchild，it’spositivelydisgraceful。And，onethingmore，George。WhenI’mtalkingtoanybody，pleasedon’tsitoppositetome，beamingwithdelight，andyourmouthopen。Anddon’troarifbychanceIsaysomethingfunny。And——whateveryoudo——don’tmakeeyesatmeincompanywheneverIhappentoalludetoyou，asIdidbeforeCaptainHeath。Itispositivelytooridiculous。"
Nothingcouldexceedthelaughinggoodhumorwithwhichherhusbandreceivedthesecautions，northeevidentsinceritywithwhichhepromisedamendment。Equallysincerewashe，thoughalittlemorethoughtful，inhissevereself-examinationofhisdeficiencies，when，later，heseatedhimselfatthewindowwithonehandsoftlyencompassinghischild’schubbyfistinthecribbesidehim，and，intheinstinctivefashionofallloneliness，lookedoutofthewindow。Thesoutherntradeswerewhippingthewavesofthedistantbayandharborintoyeastycrests。Sheetsofrainsweptthesidewalkswiththeregularityofafusillade，againstwhichafewpedestriansstruggledwithflappingwaterproofsandslantingumbrellas。HecouldlookalongthedesertedlengthofMontgomeryStreettotheheightsofTelegraphHillanditslong-disusedsemaphore。Itseemedloneliertohimthanthemile-longsweepofHeavyTreeHill，writhingagainstthemountainwindanditsaeoliansong。HehadneverfeltsolonelyTHERE。Inhisrigidself-
examinationhethoughtKittyrightinprotestingagainsttheeffectofhisyouthfulnessandoptimism。Yethewasalsorightinbeinghimself。Thereisanegoisminthehighestsimplicity；andBarker，whilewillingtobelieveinothers’methods，neverabandonedhisownaims。HewasrightinlovingKittyashedid；heknewthatshewasbetterandmorelovablethanshecouldbelieveherselftobe；
buthewaswillingtobelieveitpainedanddiscomposedherifheshoweditbeforecompany。Hewouldnothaveherchangeeventhispeculiarity——itwaspartofherself——nomorethanhewouldhavechangedhimself。Andbehindwhathehadconceivedwasherclear，practicalcommonsense，allthistimehadbeenherbeliefthatshehaddeceivedherfather！Poordear，dearKitty！Andshehadsufferedbecausestupidpeoplehadconceivedthatherfatherhadledhimawayinselfishspeculations。Asifhe——Barker——wouldnothavefirstdiscoveredit，andasifanybody——evendearKittyherself——wasresponsibleforHISconvictionsandactionsbuthimself。Nevertheless，thisgentleegotistwasunusuallyserious，andwhenthechildawokeatlast，andwithafretfulstartandvacanteyespushedhiscaressinghandaway，hefeltlonelierthanbefore。Itwaswithaslightsenseofhumiliation，too，thathesawitstretchitshandstothemerehireling，Norah，whohadnevergivenitthelovethathehadseeneveninthefrivolousMrs。
Horncastle’seyes。Later，whenhiswifecamein，lookingveryprettyinherelaboratedinnertoilette，hehadthesameconflictingemotions。Heknewthattheyhadalreadypassedthatphaseoftheirmarriedlifewhenshenolongerdressedtopleasehim，andthatthedictatesoffashionortherivalryofanotherwomansheheldsuperiortohistastes；yethedidnotblameher。
ButhewasalittlesurprisedtoseethatherdresswascopiedfromoneofMrs。Horncastle’smoststrikingones，andthatitdidnotsuither。Thatwhichadornedthematurerwomandidnotagreewiththedemureandslightlyaustereprettinessoftheyoungwife。
ButBarkerforgotallthiswhenStacy——reservedandsomewhatsevere-lookingineveningdress——arrivedwithbusinesspunctuality。
Hefanciedthathisoldpartnerreceivedtheannouncementthattheywoulddineinthepublicroomwithsomethingofsurprise，andhesawhimglancekeenlyatKittyinherfinearray，asifhehadsuspecteditwasherchoice，andunderstoodhermotives。Indeed，theyounghusbandhadfoundhimselfsomewhatnervousinregardtoStacy’sestimateofKitty；hewasconsciousthatshewasnotlookingandactingliketheoldKittythatStacyhadknown；itdidnotenterhishonestheartthatStacyhad，perhaps，notappreciatedherthen，andthatherpresentqualitymightaccordmorewithhisworldlytastesandexperience。Itwas，therefore，withakindoftimiddelightthathesawStacyapparentlyenterintohermood，andwithastillmoretimorousamusementtonoticethatheseemedtosympathizenotonlywithher，butwithherhalf-rallying，half-
seriousattitudetowardshis（Barker’s）inexperienceandsimplicity。HewasgladthatshehadmadeafriendofStacy，eveninthisway。Stacywouldunderstand，ashedid，herprettywillfulnessatlast；shewouldunderstandwhatatruefriendStacywastohim。Itwaswithunfeignedsatisfactionthathefollowedthemintodinnerassheleaneduponhisguest’sarm，chattingconfidentially。Hewasonlyuneasybecausehermannerhadaslightostentation。
Theentranceofthelittlepartyproducedaquicksensationthroughoutthedining-room。Whisperspassedfromtabletotable；
allheadswereturnedtowardsthegreatfinancierastowardsamagnet；afewguestsevenshamelesslyfacedroundintheirchairsashepassed。Mrs。Barkerwaspink，pretty，andvolublewithexcitement；Stacyhadaslightmaskofreserve；Barkerwastheonlyonenaturalandunconscious。
AsthedinnerprogressedBarkerfoundthattherewaslittlechanceforhimtoinvokehisoldpartner’smemoriesofthepast。Hefound，however，thatStacyhadreceivedaletterfromDemorest，andthathewascominghomefromEurope。Hisletterswerestillsad；
theybothagreeduponthat。AndthenforthefirsttimethatdayStacylookedintentlyatBarkerwiththelookthathehadoftenwornonHeavyTreeHill。
"Thenyouthinkitisthesameoldtroublethatworrieshim？"saidBarkerinanawedandsympatheticvoice。
"Ibelieveitis，"saidStacy，withanequalfeeling。Mrs。Barkerprickedupherprettyears；herhusband’sreadysympathywasfamiliarenough；butthatthiscold，practicalStacyshouldbemovedatanythingpiquedhercuriosity。
"Andyoubelievethathehasnevergotoverit？"continuedBarker。
"Hehadonechance，buthethrewitaway，"saidStacyenergetically。
"If，insteadofgoingofftoEuropebyhimselftobroodoverit，hehadjoinedmeinbusiness，he’dhavebeenanotherman。"
"ButnotDemorest，"saidBarkerquickly。
"WhatdreadfulsecretisthisaboutDemorest？"saidMrs。Barkerpetulantly。"Isheill？"
Bothmenweresilentbytheiroldcommoninstinct。ButitwasStacywhosaid"No"inawaythatputanyfurtherquestioningatanend，andBarkerwasgratefulandforthemomentdisloyaltohisKitty。
ItwaswithdelightthatMrs。Barkerhadseenthattheattentionofthenexttablewasdirectedtothem，andthatevenMrs。HorncastlehadglancedfromtimetotimeatStacy。ButshewasnotpreparedfortheevidentequaleffectthatMrs。HorncastlehadcreateduponStacy。Hiscoldfacewarmed，hiscriticaleyesoftened；heaskedhername。Mrs。Barkerwasvoluble，prejudiced，and，itseemed，misinformed。
"Iknowitall，"saidStacy，withdidacticemphasis。"Herhusbandwasasbadastheymakethem。WhenherlifehadbecomeintolerableWITHHIM，hetriedtomakeitshamefulWITHOUTHIMbyabandoningher。Shecouldgetadivorceadozentimesover，butshewon’t。"
"Isupposethat’swhatmakeshersoveryattractivetogentlemen，"
saidMrs。Barkerironically。
"Ihaveneverseenherbefore，"continuedStacy，withbusinessprecision，"althoughIandtwoothermenareguardiansofherproperty，andhavesaveditfromtheclutchesofherhusband。Theytoldmeshewashandsome——andsosheis。"
PleasedwiththesuddenhumanweaknessofStacy，Barkerglancedathiswifeforsympathy。Butshewaslookingstudiouslyanotherway，andtheyounghusband’seyes，stillfullofhisgratification，felluponMrs。Horncastle’s。Shelookedawaywithabrightcolor。
WhereuponthesanguineBarker——perfectlyconvincedthatshereturnedStacy’sadmiration——wasseizedwithoneofhisoldboyishdreamsofthefuture，andsawStacyhappilyunitedtoher，andwasonlyrecalledtothedinnerbeforehimbyitsend。ThenStacydulypromenadedthegreatsaloonwithMrs。Barkeronhisarm，visitedthebabyinherapartments，andtookaneasyleave。ButhegraspedBarker’shandbeforepartinginquitehisoldfashion，andsaid，"Cometolunchwithmeatthebankanyday，andwe’lltalkofPhilDemorest，"andleftBarkerashappyasiftheappointmentweretoconferthefavorhehadthatmorningrefused。ButMrs。Barker，whohadoverheard，wasmoredubious。
"Youdon’tsupposeheasksyoutotalkwithyouaboutDemorestandhisstupidsecret，doyou？"shesaidscornfully。
"Perhapsnotonlyaboutthat，"saidBarker，gladthatshehadnotdemandedthesecret。
"Well，"returnedMrs。Barkerassheturnedaway，"hemightjustaswelllunchhereandtalkaboutHER——andseeher，too。"
MeantimeStacyhaddroppedintohisclub，onlyafewsquaresdistant。Hisappearancecreatedthesameinterestthatithadproducedatthehotel，butwithlessreserveamonghisfellowmembers。
"Haveyouheardthenews？"saidadozenvoices。Stacyhadnot；hehadbeendiningout。
"ThatinfernalswindleofaDivideRailroadhaspassedthelegislature。"
StacyinstantlyrememberedBarker’sabsurdbeliefinitandhisreasons。Hesmiledandsaidcarelessly，"Areyouquitesureit’saswindle？"
Therewasadeadsilenceatthecoolnessofthemanwhohadbeenmostoutspokenagainstit。
"But，"saidavoicehesitatingly，"youknowitgoesnowhereandtonopurpose。"
"Butthatdoesnotpreventit，nowthatit’safact，fromgoinganywhereandtosomepurpose，"saidStacy，turningaway。Hepassedintothereading-roomquietly，butinaninstantturnedandquicklydescendedbyanotherstaircaseintothehall，hurriedlyputonhisovercoat，andslippingoutwasamomentlaterre-enteringthehotel。HerehehastilysummonedBarker，whocamedown，flushedandexcited。LayinghishandonBarker’sarminhisolddominantway，hesaid：——
"Don’tdelayasinglehour，butgetawrittenagreementforthatDitchproperty。"
Barkersmiled。"ButIhave。Gotitthisafternoon。"
"Thenyouknow？"ejaculatedStacyinsurprise。
"Ionlyknow，"saidBarker，coloring，"thatyousaidIcouldbackoutofitifitwasn’tsigned，andthat’swhatKittysaid，too。
AndIthoughtitlookedawfullymeanformetoholdamantothatkindofabargain。Andso——youwon’tbemad，oldfellow，willyou？——IthoughtI’dputitbeyondanyquestionofmyowngoodfaithbyhavingitinblackandwhite。"Hestopped，laughingandblushing，butstillearnestandsincere。"Youdon’tthinkmeafool，doyou？"hesaidpathetically。
Stacysmiledgrimly。"Ithink，Barkerboy，thatifyougototheBranchyou’llhavenodifficultyinpayingfortheDitchproperty。
Good-night。"
Inafewmomentshewasbackattheclubagainbeforeanyoneknewhehadevenleftthebuilding。Asheagainre-enteredthesmoking-
roomhefoundthemembersstillineagerdiscussionaboutthenewrailroad。Onewassaying，"Iftheycouldgetanextension，andcarrytheroadthroughHeavyTreeHilltoBoomvillethey’dbeallright。"
"Iquiteagreewithyou，"saidStacy。
CHAPTERIII。
Theswaying，creaking，Boomvillecoachhadatlastreachedthelevelridge，andsankforwarduponitsspringswithasighofreliefandtheslowprecipitationofthereddustwhichhadhungincloudsaroundit。Thewholecoach，insideandout，wascoveredwiththisimpalpablepowder；ithadpouredintothewindowsthatgapedwidelyintheinsufferableheat；itlaythickuponthenovelreadbythepassengerwhohadforthethirdorfourthtimeduringtheascentmadeagutterofthehalf-openedbookandblownthedustawayinasinglepuff，likethesmokefromapistol。Itlayinfoldsandcreasesovertheyellowsilkdusterofthehandsomewomanonthebackseat，andwhensheendeavoredtoshakeitoffenvelopedherinareddishnimbus。Itgrimedthehandkerchiefsofothers，andleftsanguinarystreaksontheirmoppedforeheads。ButasthecoachhadslowlyclimbedthesummitthesunwasalsosinkingbehindtheBlackSpurRange，andwithitsultimatedisappearanceadeliciouscoolnessspreaditselflikeawaveacrosstheridge。Thepassengersdrewalongbreath，thereaderclosedhisbook，theladyliftedtheedgeofherveilanddelicatelywipedherforehead，overwhichafewdamptendrilsofhairwereclinging。Evenadistinguished-lookingmanwhohadsatasimpenetrableandremoteasastatueinoneofthefrontseatsmovedandturnedhisabstractedfacetothewindow。Hisdeeplytannedcheekandclearlycutfeaturesharmonizedwiththereddustthatlayinthecurvesofhisbrownlinendust-cloak，andcompletedhisresemblancetoabronzefigure。YetitwasDemorest，changedonlyincoloring。Now，asfiveyearsago，hisabstractionhadacertainqualitywhichthemostfamiliarstrangershrankfromdisturbing。Butinthegeneralrelaxationofreliefthenovel-readeraddressedhim。
"Well，weain’tfarfromBoomvillenow，andit’salldown-gradetherestoftheway。Ireckonyou’llbeasgladtogeta’washup’anda’shake’astherestofus。"
"IamafraidIwon’thavesoearlyanopportunity，"saidDemorest，withafaint，gravesmile，"forIgetoffatthecross-roadtoHeavyTreeHill。"
"HeavyTreeHill！"repeatedtheotherinsurprise。"Youain’tgoin’toHeavyTreeHill？Why，youmighthavegonetheredirectbyrailroad，andhavebeentherefourhoursago。Youknowthere’sabranchfromtheDivideRailroadgoestherestraighttothehotelatHymettus。"
"Where？"saidDemorest，withapuzzledsmile。
"Hymettus。That’sthefancynamethey’vegiventothewatering-
placeontheslope。ButIreckonyou’reastrangerhere？"
"Forfiveyears，"saidDemorest。"IfancyI’veheardoftherailroad，althoughIprefertogotoHeavyTreethisway。ButI
neverheardofawatering-placetherebefore。"
"Why，it’sthebiggestboomoftheyear。Folksthataretiredofthefogsof’FriscoandtheheatofSacramentoallgothere。It’sfourthousandfeetup，withahotellikeSaratoga，dancing，andabandplayseverynight。AnditallsprangoutoftheDivideRailroadandacranknamedGeorgeBarker，whoboughtupsomeoldDitchpropertyandranabranchlinealongitslevels，andmadeajunctionwiththeDivide。Youcancomeallthewayfrom’FriscoorSacramentobyrail。It’samightybigthing！"
"Yet，"saidDemorest，withsomeanimation，"youcallthemanwhooriginatedthissuccessacrank。Ishouldsayhewasagenius。"
Theotherpassengershookhishead。"Allsheerniggerluck。HeboughttheDitchplantaforetherewasaghostofachancefortheDivideRailroad，justouto’pured————dfoolishness。Heexpectedsolittlefromitthathehadn’tevengottheagreementdoneinwritin’，andhadn’tpaidforit，whentheDivideRailroadpassedthelegislature，asitneveroughterdone！For，yousee，theblamedestcur’ousthingaboutthewholeaffairwasthatthis’straw’roadofaDivide，allpurewildcat，wasonlygottenuptofrightenthePacificRailroadsharpsintobuyingitup。AndtheroadthatnobodyevercalculatedwouldeverhavearailofitlaidwaspushedonassoonasfolksknewthattheDitchplanthadbeenboughtup，fortheythoughttherewasabigthingbehindit。Eventhehotelwas，atfirst，simplyakindofgenteelalms-housethatthisyerBarkerhadbuiltforbroken-downminers！"
"Nevertheless，"continuedDemorest，smiling，"youadmitthatitisagreatsuccess？"
"Yes，"saidtheother，alittleirritatedbysomecomplacencyinDemorest’ssmile，"butthesuccessisn’tHIS’N。Foolshasideas，andwisemenprofitbythem，forthathotelnowhasJimStacy’sbankbehindit，andisevenakindofcountrybranchoftheBrookHousein’Frisco。Barker’soutofit，Ireckon。Anyhow，HE
couldn’trunahotel，forallthathiswife——shethat’soneofthebig’Friscoswellsnow——usedtohelpserveinherfather’s。No，sir，it’sjustafool’sluck，gettin’thefirsttasteandleavin’
theresttoothers。"
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