CONTENTS
JIMMY'SBIGBROTHERFROMCALIFORNIA
THEYOUNGESTMISSPIPER
AWIDOWOFTHESANTAANAVALLEY
THEMERMAIDOFLIGHTHOUSEPOINT
UNDERTHEEAVES
HOWREUBENALLEN"SAWLIFE"INSANFRANCISCO
THREEVAGABONDSOFTRINIDAD
AVISIONOFTHEFOUNTAIN
AROMANCEOFTHELINE
BOHEMIANDAYSINSANFRANCISCO
UNDERTHEREDWOODS
JIMMY'SBIGBROTHERFROMCALIFORNIA
Asnightcreptupfromthevalleythatstormyafternoon，Sawyer'sLedgewasatfirstquiteblottedoutbywindandrain，butpresentlyreappearedinlittlenebulousstar-likepointsalongthemountainside，asthestragglingcabinsofthesettlementwereonebyonelitupbytheminersreturningfromtunnelandclaim。Thesestarswereofvaryingbrilliancythatevening，twonotablyso——onethateventuallyresolveditselfintoamany-candledilluminationofacabinofevidentfestivity；theotherintoaglimmeringtaperinthewindowofasilentone。Theymighthaverepresentedtheextrememutationsoffortuneinthesettlementthatnight：thecelebrationofastrikebyRobertFalloner，aluckyminer；andthesick-bedofDickLasham，anunluckyone。
Thelatterwas，however，notquitealone。HewasministeredtobyDaddyFolsom，aweakbutemotionalandaggressivelyhopefulneighbor，whowassittingbesidethewoodenbunkwhereontheinvalidlay。Yettherewassomethingperfunctoryinhisattitude：
hiseyeswerecontinuallystrayingtothewindow，whencetheilluminatedFallonerfestivitiescouldbeseenbetweenthetrees，andhisearsweremoreintentonthesongsandlaughterthatcamefaintlyfromthedistancethanonthefeverishbreathingandunintelligiblemoansofthesufferer。
Neverthelesshelookedtroubledequallybytheconditionofhischargeandbyhisownenforcedabsencefromtherevels。Amoreimpatientmoanfromthesickman，however，broughtachangetohisabstractedface，andheturnedtohimwithanexaggeratedexpressionofsympathy。
"Incourse！Lordy！Iknowjestwhatthosepainsare：kinderezefyouwashavin'atoothpulledthathadrootsbranchin'alloverye！
My！I'vejesthad'emsobadIcouldn'tkeepfromyellin'！That'shotrheumatics！Yes，sir，Ioughterknow！And"（confidentially）
"thesing'lerthingabout'emisthattheygetworsejestasthey'regoingoff——sorterwringin'yerhandandpunchin'yeinthebacktosay'Good-by。'There！"hecontinued，asthemansankexhaustedlybackonhisrudepillowofflour-sacks。"There！didn'tItellye？Ye'llbeallrightinaminit，andezchipperezajaybirdinthemornin'。Oh，don'ttellmeaboutrheumatics——I'vebinthar！On'yminewasthecoldkind——thathangsonlongest——yoursisthehot，thatburnsitselfupinnotime！"
IftheflushedfaceandbrighteyesofLashamwerenotenoughtocorroboratethissymptomofhighfever，thequick，wanderinglaughhegavewouldhaveindicatedthepointofdelirium。ButthetoooptimisticDaddyFolsomreferredthisacttoimprovement，andwentoncheerfully："Yes，sir，you'rebetternow，and"——hereheassumedanairofcautiousdeliberation，extravagant，asallhisassumptionswere——"Iain'tsayin'that——ef——you——was——to——rise——up"（veryslowly）"andheaveablanketortwooveryourshoulders——jestbywayo'caution，youknow——andleanin'onme，kindermeanderovertoBobFalloner'scabinandtheboys，itwouldn'tdoyouaheapo'good。
Changeso'thiskindisoftenprescribedbythefaculty。"Anothermoanfromthesufferer，however，hereapparentlycorrectedDaddy'stoofavorableprognosis。"Oh，allright！Well，perhapsyeknowbest；andI'lljestrunovertoBob'sandsayhowasyeain'tcomin'，andwillbebackinajiffy！"
"Theletter，"saidthesickmanhurriedly，"theletter，theletter！"
Daddyleanedsuddenlyoverthebed。ItwasimpossibleforevenhishopefulnesstoavoidthefactthatLashamwasdelirious。Itwasastrongfactorinthecase——onethatwouldcertainlyjustifyhisgoingovertoFalloner'swiththenews。Forthepresentmoment，however，thisaberrationwastobeacceptedcheerfullyandhumoredafterDaddy'sownfashion。"Ofcourse——theletter，theletter，"hesaidconvincingly；"that'swhattheboyshevbinsingin'jestnow——
'Good-by，Charley；whenyouareaway，Writemealetter，love；sendmealetter，love！'
That'swhatyouheard，andamightypurtysongitistoo，andkinderclingstoyou。It'swonderfulhowthesethingsgetsinyourhead。"
"Theletter——write——sendmoney——money——money，andthephotograph——
thephotograph——photograph——money，"continuedthesickman，intherapidreiterationofdelirium。
"Incourseyouwill——to-morrow——whenthemailgoes，"returnedDaddysoothingly；"plentyofthem。Jestnowyoutrytogetasnooze，willye？Hol'on！——takesomeo'this。"
Therewasananodynemixtureontherudeshelf，whichthedoctorhadleftonhismorningvisit。Daddyhadacomfortablebeliefthatwhatwouldrelievepainwouldalsocheckdelirium，andheaccordinglymeasuredoutadosewithaliberalmargintoallowofwastebythepatientinswallowinginhissemi-consciousstate。Ashelaymorequiet，mutteringstill，butnowunintelligibly，Daddy，waitingforamorecompleteunconsciousnessandtheopportunitytoslipawaytoFalloner's，casthiseyesaroundthecabin。HenoticednowforthefirsttimesincehisentrancethatacrumpledenvelopebearingaWesternpost-markwaslyingatthefootofthebed。Daddyknewthatthetri-weeklyposthadarrivedanhourbeforehecame，andthatLashamhadevidentlyreceivedaletter。
Sureenoughtheletteritselfwaslyingagainstthewallbesidehim。Itwasopen。Daddyfeltjustifiedinreadingit。
Itwascurtandbusinesslike，statingthatunlessLashamatoncesentaremittanceforthesupportofhisbrotherandsister——twochildreninchargeofthewriter——theymustfindahomeelsewhere。
Thatthearrearswerelongstanding，andtherepeatedpromisesofLashamtosendmoneyhadbeenunfulfilled。Thatthewritercouldstanditnolonger。Thiswouldbehislastcommunicationunlessthemoneyweresentforthwith。
Itwasbynomeansanovelor，underthecircumstances，ashockingdisclosuretoDaddy。Hehadseensimilarmissivesfromdaughters，andevenwives，consequentonthevaryingfortunesofhisneighbors；nooneknewbetterthanhetheuncertaintiesofaminer'sprospects，andyettheinevitablehopefulnessthatbuoyedhimup。Hetosseditasideimpatiently，whenhiseyecaughtastripofpaperhehadoverlookedlyingupontheblanketneartheenvelope。Itcontainedafewlinesinanunformedboyishhandaddressedto"mybrother，"andevidentlyslippedintotheletterafteritwaswritten。BytheuncertaincandlelightDaddyreadasfollows：——
DearBrother，RitetomeandCissyriteoff。Whyaintyoudoneit？
It'ssolongsinceyouroteany。MisterReckettssesyoudontcareanymore。Wenyouritesendyourfotograff。FolksheresesIaintgotnobigbrutheranyway，asIdisrememberhislooks，andcantsaywotslikehim。Cissy'skryin'allalongofit。I'vegotahedake。WilliamWalkermakeitakebyablo。SonomoreatpresentfromyourlovinglittlebrutherJim。
Thequick，hystericlaughwithwhichDaddyreadthiswasquiteconsistentwithhisresponsive，emotionalnature；so，too，werethereadytearsthatsprangtohiseyes。Heputthecandledownunsteadily，withacasualglanceatthesickman。Itwasnotable，however，thatthislookcontainedlesssympathyfortheailing"bigbrother"thanhisemotionmighthavesuggested。ForDaddywascarriedquiteawaybyhisownmentalpictureofthehelplesschildren，andeageronlytorelatehisimpressionsoftheincident。
Hecastanotherglanceattheinvalid，thrustthepapersintohispocket，andclappingonhishatslippedfromthecabinandrantothehouseoffestivity。Yetitwascharacteristicoftheman，andsoengrossedwashebyhisoneidea，thattotheusualinquiriesregardinghispatientheanswered，"he'sallright，"andplungedatonceintotheincidentofthedunningletter，reserving——withtheinstinctofanemotionalartist——thechild'smissiveuntilthelast。Asheexpected，themoneydemandwasreceivedwithindignantcriticismsofthewriter。
"That'sjustlike'emintheStates，"saidCaptainFletcher；
"darnediftheydon'tbelievewe'veonlygottoboreaholeinthegroundandsnakeoutahundreddollars。Why，there'smywife——withaheapofhosssenseineverythingelse——isalluswonderin'whyI
can'trakeinacoolfiftybetwixtonesteamerdayandanother。"
"That'snothin'tomyolddad，"interruptedGusHouston，the"infant"ofthecamp，abright-eyedyoungfellowoftwenty；"why，hewrotetomeyesterdaythatifI'donlypickupasinglepieceofgoldeverydayandjustputitaside，sayin''That'sforpopperandmommer，'andnotfoolitaway——itwouldbeallthey'daskofme。"
"That'sso，"addedanother；"theseignorantrelationsisjusttheruino'theminingindustry。BobFallonerhezbinluckyinhisstriketo-day，buthe'sadarnedsightluckierinbeingwithoutkithorkinthatheknowsof。"
Daddywaiteduntilthemomentaryirritationhadsubsided，andthendrewtheotherletterfromhispocket。"Thatain'tall，boys，"hebeganinafalteringvoice，butgraduallyworkinghimselfuptoapitchofpathos；"justasIwasthinkingallthemverythings，I
kindernoticedthisyerpoorlittlebito'paperlyin'tharlonesomelikeandforgotten，andI——readit——andwell——gentlemen——
itjustchokedmerightup！"Hestopped，andhisvoicefaltered。
"Goslow，Daddy，goslow！"saidanauditorsmilingly。ItwasevidentthatDaddy'ssympatheticweaknesswaswellknown。
Daddyreadthechild'sletter。But，unfortunately，whatwithhisrealemotionandtheintoxicationofanaudience，hereaditextravagantly，andinterpolatedachild'slisp（onnoauthoritywhatever），andasimulatedinfantiledelivery，which，Ifear，atfirstprovokedthesmilesratherthanthetearsofhisaudience。
Nevertheless，atitsconclusionthelittlenotewashandedroundtheparty，andthentherewasamomentofthoughtfulsilence。
"Tellyouwhatitis，boys，"saidFletcher，lookingaroundthetable，"weoughttobedoin'suthin'forthemkidsrightoff！Didyou，"turningtoDaddy，"sayanythin'aboutthistoDick？"
"Nary——why，he'scleanoffhisheadwithfever——don'tunderstandaword——andjustbabbles，"returnedDaddy，forgetfulofhisroseatediagnosisamomentago，"andhasn'tgotacent。"
"Wemustmakeupwhatwecanamongstusaforethemailgoesto-
night，"saidthe"infant，"feelinghurriedlyinhispockets。
"Come，anteup，gentlemen，"headded，layingthecontentsofhisbuckskinpurseuponthetable。
"Holdon，boys，"saidaquietvoice。ItwastheirhostFalloner，whohadjustrisenandwasslippingonhisoilskincoat。"You'vegotenoughtodo，Ireckon，tolookafteryourownfolks。I'venone！Letthisbemyaffair。I'vegottogototheExpressOfficeanyhowtoseeaboutmypassagehome，andI'lljustgetadraftforahundreddollarsforthatoldskeesicks——what'shisblamedname？
Oh，Ricketts"——hemadeamemorandumfromtheletter——"andI'llsenditbyexpress。Meantime，youfellowssitdownthereandwritesomething——youknowwhat——sayingthatDick'shurthishandandcan'twrite——youknow；butaskedyoutosendadraft，whichyou'redoing。Sabe？That'sall！I'llskipovertotheexpressnowandgetthedraftoff，andyoucanmailtheletteranhourlater。SoputyourdustbackinyourpocketsandhelpyourselvestothewhiskeywhileI'mgone。"Heclappedhishatonhisheadanddisappeared。
"Theregoesawhiteman，youbet！"saidFletcheradmiringly，asthedoorclosedbehindtheirhost。"Now，boys，"headded，drawingachairtothetable，"let'sgetthisyerletteroff，andthengobacktoourgame。"
Pensandinkwereproduced，andananimateddiscussionensuedastothemattertobeconveyed。Daddy'spleaforanextendedexplanatoryandsympatheticcommunicationwasoverruled，andtheletterwaswrittentoRickettsonthesimplelinessuggestedbyFalloner。
"ButwhataboutpoorlittleJim'sletter？Thatoughttobeanswered，"saidDaddypathetically。
"IfDickhurthishandsohecan'twritetoRicketts，howinthunderishegoin'towritetoJim？"wasthereply。
"Butsuthin'oughterbesaidtothepoorkid，"urgedDaddypiteously。
"Well，writeityourself——youandGusHoustonmakeupsomethin'
together。I'mgoingtowinsomemoney，"retortedFletcher，returningtothecard-table，wherehewaspresentlyfollowedbyallbutDaddyandHouston。
"Yecan'twriteitinDick'sname，becausethatlittlebrotherknowsDick'shandwriting，evenifhedon'trememberhisface。
See？"suggestedHouston。
"That'sso，"saidDaddydubiously；"but，"headded，withelasticcheerfulness，wecanwritethatDick'says。'See？"
"Yourhead'slevel，oldman！Justyouwadeinonthat。"
Daddyseizedthepenand"wadedin。"Intosomewhatdeepanddifficultwater，Ifancy，forsomeofitsplashedintohiseyes，andhesniffledonceortwiceashewrote。"Suthin'likethis，"hesaid，afterapause：——
DEARLITTLEJIMMIE，——Yourbigbrotherhavin'hurthishand，wantsmetotellyouthatotherwaysheisallhunkyandA1。Hesayshedon'tforgetyouandlittleCissy，youbet！andhe'ssendin'moneytooldRickettsstraightoff。Hesaysdon'tyouandCissymindwhetherschoolkeepsornotaslongasbigBrotherDickholdsthelines。Hesayshe'dhavewrittenbefore，buthe'sbinfollerin'upaleadmightyclose，andexpectstostrikeitrichinafewdays。
"Youain'tgotnosabeaboutkids，"saidDaddyimperturbably；
"they'vegottobehumoredlikesickfolks。Andtheywanteverythin'big——theydon'ttakenostockinthingseztheyare——
eveneftheyhev'emworsethantheyare。'So，'"continuedDaddy，readingtopreventfurtherinterruption，"'hesaysyou'rejusttokeepyoureyesskinnedlookin'outforhimcomin'homeanytime——
dayornight。Allyou'vegottodoistositupandwait。Hemightcomeandevensnakeyououtofyourbeds！Hemightcomewithfourwhitehorsesandaniggerdriver，orhemightcomedisguisedasanornarytramp。Onlyyou'vegottobekeenonwatchin'。'（Yesee，"interruptedDaddyexplanatorily，"that'lljestkeepthemkidslively。）'HesaysCissy'stostopcryin'rightoff，andifWillieWalkerhitsyerontherightcheekyoujustslugoutwithyourleftfist，'cordin'toScripter。'Gosh，"ejaculatedDaddy，stoppingsuddenlyandgazinganxiouslyatHouston，"there'sthatblamedphotograph——Icleanforgotthat。"
"AndDickhasn'tgotoneintheshop，andneverhad，"returnedHoustonemphatically。"Golly！thatstumpsus！Unless，"headded，withdiabolicalthoughtfulness，"wetakeBob's？Thekidsdon'trememberDick'sface，andBob'saboutthesameage。Andit'saregularstarpicture——youbet！BobhadittakeninSacramento——inallhiswarpaint。See！"Heindicatedaphotographpinnedagainstthewall——areallystrikinglikenesswhichdidfulljusticetoBob'slongsilkenmustacheandlarge，browndeterminedeyes。"I'llsnakeitoffwhiletheyain'tlookin'，andyoujamitintheletter。Bobwon'tmissit，andwecanfixitupwithDickafterhe'swell，andsendanother。"
Daddysilentlygraspedthe"infant's"hand，whopresentlysecuredthephotographwithoutattractingattentionfromthecard-players。
Itwaspromptlyinclosedintheletter，addressedtoMasterJamesLasham。The"infant"startedwithittothepost-office，andDaddyFolsomreturnedtoLasham'scabintorelievethewatcherthathadbeendetachedfromFalloner'stotakehisplacebesidethesickman。
Meanwhiletherainfellsteadilyandtheshadowscrepthigherandhigherupthemountain。TowardsmidnightthestarpointsfadedoutonebyoneoverSawyer'sLedgeevenastheyhadcome，withthedifferencethattheilluminationofFalloner'scabinwasextinguishedfirst，whilethedimlightofLasham'sincreasedinnumber。Later，twostarsseemedtoshootfromthecentreoftheledge，trailingalongthedescent，untiltheywerelostintheobscurityoftheslope——thelightsofthestage-coachtoSacramentocarryingthemailandRobertFalloner。Theymetandpassedtwofainterlightstoilinguptheroad——thebuggylightsofthedoctor，hastilysummonedfromCartervilletothebedsideofthedyingDickLasham。
TheslowingupofhistraincausedBobFallonertostartfromahalfdozeinaWesternPullmancar。Asheglancedfromhiswindowhecouldseethattheblindingsnowstormwhichhadfollowedhimforthepastsixhourshadatlasthopelesslyblockedtheline。Therewasnoprospectbeyondtheinterminablesnowylevel，thewhirlingflakes，andthemonotonouspalisadesofleaflesstreesseenthroughittothedistantbanksoftheMissouri。Itwasaprospectthatthemountain-bredFallonerwasbeginningtoloathe，andalthoughitwasscarcelysixweekssinceheleftCalifornia，hewasalreadylookingbackregretfullytothedeepslopesandthefreesongoftheserriedranksofpines。
Theintensecoldhadchilledhistemperateblood，evenastherigorsandconventionsofEasternlifehadcheckedhissincerityandspontaneousflowofanimalspiritsbegotteninthefrankintercourseandbrotherhoodofcamps。HehadjustfledfromtheartificialitiesofthegreatAtlanticcitiestoseekoutsomeWesternfarminglandsinwhichhemightputhiscapitalandenergies。Theunlooked-forinterruptionofhisprogressbyalong-forgottenclimateonlydeepenedhisdiscontent。Andnow——thattrainwasactuallybacking！
Itappearedtheymustreturntothelaststationtowaitforasnow-ploughtocleartheline。Itwas，explainedtheconductor，barelyamilefromShepherdstown，wheretherewasagoodhotelandachanceofbreakingthejourneyforthenight。
Shepherdstown！ThenametouchedsomedimchordinBobFalloner'smemoryandconscience——yetonethatwasvague。ThenhesuddenlyrememberedthatbeforeleavingNewYorkhehadreceivedaletterfromHoustoninforminghimofLasham'sdeath，remindinghimofhispreviousbounty，andbegginghim——ifhewentWest——tobreakthenewstotheLashamfamily。Therewasalsosomeallusiontoajokeabouthis（Bob's）photograph，whichhehaddismissedasunimportant，andevennowcouldnotrememberclearly。Forafewmomentshisconscienceprickedhimthatheshouldhaveforgottenitall，butnowhecouldmakeamendsbythisprovidentialdelay。Itwasnotatasktohisliking；inanyothercircumstanceshewouldhavewritten，buthewouldnotshirkitnow。
ShepherdstownwasonthemainlineoftheKansasPacificRoad，andashealightedatitsstation，thebigthroughtrainsfromSanFranciscosweptoutofthestormydistanceandstoppedalso。Heremembered，ashemingledwiththepassengers，hearingachildishvoiceaskifthiswastheCaliforniantrain。Herememberedhearingtheamusedandpatientreplyofthestation-master："Yes，sonny——
heresheisagain，andhere'sherpassengers，"ashegotintotheomnibusanddrovetothehotel。Hereheresolvedtoperformhisdisagreeabledutyasquicklyaspossible，andonhiswaytohisroomstoppedforamomentattheofficetoaskforRicketts'
address。Theclerk，afteraquickglanceofcuriosityathisnewguest，gaveittohimreadily，withasomewhatfamiliarsmile。ItstruckFalloneralsoasbeingoddthathehadnotbeenaskedtowritehisnameonthehotelregister，butthiswasasavingoftimehewasnotdisposedtoquestion，ashehadalreadydeterminedtomakehisvisittoRickettsatonce，beforedinner。Itwasstillearlyevening。
Hewaswashinghishandsinhisbedroomwhentherecamealighttapathissitting-roomdoor。Fallonerquicklyresumedhiscoatandenteredthesitting-roomastheporterusheredinayoungladyholdingasmallboybythehand。But，toFalloner'sutterconsternation，nosoonerhadthedoorclosedontheservantthantheboy，withahalf-apologeticglanceattheyounglady，utteredachildishcry，brokefromher，andcalling，"Dick！Dick！"ranforwardandleapedintoFalloner'sarms。
ThemereshockoftheonsetandhisownamazementleftBobwithoutbreathforwords。Theboy，witharmsconvulsivelyclaspinghisbody，wasimprintingkissesonBob'swaistcoatindefaultofreachinghisface。AtlastFallonermanagedgentlybutfirmlytofreehimself，andturnedahalf-appealing，half-embarrassedlookupontheyounglady，whoseownface，however，suddenlyflushedpink。Toaddtotheconfusion，theboy，insomereactionofinstinct，suddenlyranbacktoher，franticallyclutchedatherskirts，andtriedtoburyhisheadintheirfolds。
"Hedon'tloveme，"hesobbed。"Hedon'tcareformeanymore。"
Thefaceoftheyounggirlchanged。Itwasaprettyfaceinitsflushing；inthepalenessandthoughtfulnessthatovercastititwasastrikingface，andBob'sattentionwasforamomentdistractedfromthegrotesquenessofthesituation。Leaningovertheboyshesaidinacaressingyetauthoritativevoice，"Runawayforamoment，dear，untilIcallyou，"openingthedoorforhiminamaternalwaysoinconsistentwiththeyouthfulnessofherfigurethatitstruckhimeveninhisconfusion。Therewassomethingalsoinherdressandcarriagethatequallyaffectedhim：hergarmentsweresomewhatold-fashionedinstyle，yetofgoodmaterial，withanoddincongruitytotheclimateandseason。
Underherroughoutercloaksheworeapolkajacketandthethinnestofsummerblouses；andherhat，thoughdark，wasofroughstraw，plainlytrimmed。Nevertheless，thesepeculiaritieswerecarriedoffwithanairofbreedingandself-possessionthatwasunmistakable。Itwaspossiblethathercoolself-possessionmighthavebeenduetosomeinstinctiveantagonism，forasshecameastepforwardwithcoldlyandclearly-openedgrayeyes，hewasvaguelyconsciousthatshedidn'tlikehim。Nevertheless，hermannerwasformallypolite，even，ashefancied，tothepointofirony，asshebegan，inavoicethatoccasionallydroppedintothelazySouthernintonation，andaspeechthateasilyslippedattimesintoSoutherndialect：——
"Isentthechildoutoftheroom，asIcouldseethathisadvanceswereannoyingtoyou，andagooddeal，Ireckon，becauseIknewyourreceptionofthemwasstillmorepainfultohim。Itisquitenatural，Idaresay，youshouldfeelasyoudo，andIreckonconsistentwithyourattitudetowardshim。Butyoumustmakesomeallowanceforthedepthofhisfeelings，andhowhehaslookedforwardtothismeeting。WhenItellyouthateversincehereceivedyourlastletter，heandhissister——untilherillnesskeptherhome——havegoneeverydaywhenthePacifictrainwasduetothestationtomeetyou；thattheyhavetakenliterallyasGospeltrutheverywordofyourletter"——
"Myletter？"interruptedFalloner。
Theyounggirl'sscarletlipcurledslightly。"Ibegyourpardon——
Ishouldhavesaidtheletteryoudictated。Ofcourseitwasn'tinyourhandwriting——youhadhurtyourhand，youknow，"sheaddedironically。"Atallevents，theybelieveditall——thatyouwerecomingatanymoment；theylivedinthatbelief，andthepoorthingswenttothestationwithyourphotographintheirhandssothattheymightbethefirsttorecognizeandgreetyou。"
"Withmyphotograph？"interruptedFalloneragain。
Theyounggirl'scleareyesdarkenedominously。"Ireckon，"shesaiddeliberately，assheslowlydrewfromherpocketthephotographDaddyFolsomhadsent，"thatthatisyourphotograph。
Itcertainlyseemsanexcellentlikeness，"sheadded，regardinghimwithaslightsuggestionofcontemptuoustriumph。
Inaninstanttherevelationofthewholemysteryflasheduponhim！
TheforgottenpassageinHouston'sletteraboutthestolenphotographstoodclearlybeforehim；thecoincidenceofhisappearanceinShepherdstown，andthenaturalmistakeofthechildrenandtheirfairprotector，weremadeperfectlyplain。Butwiththisreliefandthecertaintythathecouldconfoundherwithanexplanationcameacertainmischievousdesiretoprolongthesituationandincreasehistriumph。Shecertainlyhadnotshownhimanyfavor。
"Haveyougottheletteralso？"heaskedquietly。
Shewhiskeditimpatientlyfromherpocketandhandedittohim。
AshereadDaddy'scharacteristicextravaganceandrecognizedthefamiliaridiosyncrasiesofhisoldcompanions，hewasunabletorestrainasmile。Heraisedhiseyes，tomeetwithsurprisethefairstranger'sleveledeyebrowsandbrightlyindignanteyes，inwhich，however，therainwasfastgatheringwiththelightning。
"Itmaybeamusingtoyou，andIreckonlikelyitwasallaCaliforniajoke，"shesaidwithslightlytremblinglips；"Idon'tknowNo'therngentlemenandtheirways，andyouseemtohaveforgottenourwaysasyouhaveyourkindred。Perhapsallthismayseemsofunnytothem：itmaynotseemfunnytothatboywhoisnowcryinghisheartoutinthehall；itmaynotbeveryamusingtothatpoorCissyinhersick-bedlongingtoseeherbrother。Itmaybesofarfromamusingtoher，thatIshouldhesitatetobringyouthereinherexcitedconditionandsubjecthertothepainthatyouhavecausedhim。ButIhavepromisedher；sheisalreadyexpectingus，andthedisappointmentmaybedangerous，andIcanonlyimploreyou——forafewmomentsatleast——toshowalittlemoreaffectionthanyoufeel。"Ashemadeanimpulsive，deprecatinggesture，yetwithoutchanginghislookofrestrainedamusement，shestoppedhimhopelessly。"Oh，ofcourse，yes，yes，Iknowitisyearssinceyouhaveseenthem；theyhavenorighttoexpectmore；only——only——
feelingasyoudo，"sheburstimpulsively，"why——oh，whydidyoucome？"
HerewasBob'schance。Heturnedtoherpolitely；begangravely，"Isimplycameto"——whensuddenlyhisfacechanged；hestoppedasifstruckbyablow。Hischeekflushed，andthenpaled！GoodGod！
Whathadhecomefor？Totellthemthatthisbrothertheywerelongingfor——livingfor——perhapsevendyingfor——wasdead！Inhiscrassstupidity，hiswoundedvanityoverthescornoftheyounggirl，hisanticipationoftriumph，hehadforgotten——totallyforgotten——whatthattriumphmeant！PerhapsifhehadfeltmorekeenlythedeathofLashamthethoughtofitwouldhavebeenuppermostinhismind；butLashamwasnothispartnerorassociate，onlyabrotherminer，andhissingleactofgenerositywasintheordinaryroutineofcamplife。Ifshecouldthinkhimcoldandheartlessbefore，whatwouldshethinkofhimnow？Theabsurdityofhermistakehadvanishedinthegrimtragedyhehadseemedtohavecruellypreparedforher。Thethoughtstruckhimsokeenlythathestammered，faltered，andsankhelplesslyintoachair。
Theshockthathehadreceivedwassoplaintoherthatherownindignationwentoutinthebreathofit。Herlipquivered。
"Don'tyoumind，"shesaidhurriedly，droppingintoherSouthernspeech；"Ididn'tgotohurtyou，butIwasjustthatmadwiththethoughtofthosepickaninnies，andtheeasywayyoutookit，thatI
cleanforgotI'dnocalltocatechiseyou！Andyoudon'tknowmefromtheQueenofSheba。Well，"shewenton，stillmorerapidly，andinodddistinctiontoherpreviousformalslowSoutherndelivery，"I'mthedaughterofColonelBoutelle，ofBayouSara，Louisiana；andhispaw，andhispawbeforehim，hadaplantationtheresincethetimeofAdam，buthelostitandsixhundredniggersduringtheWah！Wewerepoohaspohverty——pawandmawandwefourgirls——andnomoreideaofworkthanababy。ButIhadaneducationattheconventatNewOrleans，andcouldplay，andspeakFrench，andIgotaplaceasschool-teacherhere；IreckonthefirstSouthernwomanthathastaughtschoolintheNo'th！
Ricketts，whousedtobeourstewardatBayouSara，toldmeaboutthepickaninnies，andhowhelplesstheywere，withonlyabrotherwhooccasionallysentthemmoneyfromCalifornia。IsupposeI
cottonedtothepoohlittlethingsatfirstbecauseIknewwhatitwastobealoneamongststrangers，Mr。Lasham；Iusedtoteachthematoddtimes，andlookafterthem，andgowiththemtothetraintolookforyou。PerhapsRickettsmademethinkyoudidn'tcareforthem；perhapsIwaswronginthinkingitwastrue，fromthewayyoumetJimmyjustnow。ButI'vespokenmymindandyouknowwhy。"
Sheceasedandwalkedtothewindow。
Fallonerrose。Thestormthathadsweptthroughhimwasover。
Thequickdetermination，resolutepurpose，andinfinitepatiencewhichhadmadehimwhathewaswereallthere，andwithitaconscientiousnesswhichhisselfishindependencehadhithertokeptdormant。Heacceptedthesituation，notpassively——itwasnotinhisnature——butthrewhimselfintoitwithallhisenergy。
"Youwerequiteright，"hesaid，haltingamomentbesideher；"I
don'tblameyou，andletmehopethatlateryoumaythinkmelesstoblamethanyoudonow。Now，what'stobedone？Clearly，I'vefirsttomakeitrightwithTommy——ImeanJimmy——andthenwemustmakeastraightdashovertothegirl！Whoop！"Beforeshecouldunderstandfromhisfacethestrangechangeinhisvoice，hehaddashedoutoftheroom。Inamomenthereappearedwiththeboystrugglinginhisarms。"Thinkofthelittlescampnotknowinghisownbrother！"helaughed，givingtheboyareallyaffectionate，ifslightlyexaggeratedhug，andexpectingmetoopenmyarmstothefirstlittleboywhojumpsintothem！I'veagreatmindnottogivehimthepresentIfetchedallthewayfromCalifornia。Waitamoment。"Hedashedintothebedroom，openedhisvalise——whereheprovidentiallyrememberedhehadkept，withaminer'ssuperstition，thefirstlittlenuggetofgoldhehadeverfound——seizedthetinybitofquartzofgold，anddashedoutagaintodisplayitbeforeJimmy'seagereyes。
Iftheheartiness，sympathy，andcharmingkindnessoftheman'swholemannerandfaceconvinced，evenwhileitslightlystartled，theyounggirl，itwasstillmoreeffectivewiththeboy。Childrenarequicktodetectthefalseringofaffectedemotion，andBob'swassogenuine——whateveritscause——thatitmighthaveeasilypassedforafraternalexpressionwithhardercritics。Thechildtrustfullynestledagainsthimandwouldhavegraspedthegold，buttheyoungmanwhiskeditintohispocket。"Notuntilwe'veshownittoourlittlesister——wherewe'regoingnow！I'mofftoorderasleigh。"Hedashedoutagaintotheofficeasifhefoundsomereliefinaction，or，asitseemedtoMissBoutelle，toavoidembarrassingconversation。Whenhecamebackagainhewascarryinganimmensebearskinfromhisluggage。Hecastacriticallookatthegirl'sunseasonableattire。
"IshallwrapyouandJimmyinthis——youknowit'ssnowingfrightfully。"
MissBoutelleflushedalittle。"I'mwarmenoughwhenwalking，"
shesaidcoldly。BobglancedathersmartlittleFrenchshoes，andthoughtotherwise。Hesaidnothing，buthastilybundledhistwoguestsdownstairsandintothestreet。Thewhirlwinddanceofthesnowmadethesleighanindistinctbulkintheglitteringdarkness，andastheyounggirlforaninstantstooddazedlystill，Bobincontinentlyliftedherfromherfeet，depositedherinthevehicle，droppedJimmyinherlap，andwrappedthembothtightlyinthebearskin。Herweight，whichwasscarcelymorethanachild's，struckhiminthatmomentasbeingtantalizinglyincongruoustothematronlyseverityofhermanneranditsstrangeeffectuponhim。
Hethenjumpedinhimself，takingthedirectionfromhiscompanion，anddroveoffthroughthestorm。
Thewindanddarknesswerenotfavorabletoconversation，andonlyoncedidhebreakthesilence。"Isthereanyonewhowouldbelikelytoremember——me——wherewearegoing？"heasked，inalullofthestorm。
MissBoutelleuncoveredenoughofherfacetoglanceathimcuriously。"Hardly！YouknowthechildrencameherefromtheNo'thafteryourmother'sdeath，whileyouwereinCalifornia。"
"Ofcourse，"returnedBobhurriedly；"Iwasonlythinking——youknowthatsomeofmyoldfriendsmighthavecalled，"andthencollapsedintosilence。
Afterapauseavoicecameicily，althoughunderthefurs："Perhapsyou'dpreferthatyourarrivalbekeptsecretfromthepublic？ButtheyseemtohavealreadyrecognizedyouatthehotelfromyourinquiryaboutRicketts，andthephotographJimmyhadalreadyshownthemtwoweeksago。"Bobrememberedtheclerk'sfamiliarmannerandtheomissiontoaskhimtoregister。"Butitneedgonofurther，ifyoulike，"sheadded，withaslightreturnofherpreviousscorn。
"I'venoreasonforkeepingitsecret，"saidBobstoutly。
Nootherwordswereexchangeduntilthesleighdrewupbeforeaplainwoodenhouseinthesuburbsofthetown。Bobcouldseeataglancethatitrepresentedtheincomeofsomecarefulartisanorsmallshopkeeper，andthatitpromisedlittleforaninvalid'sluxuriouscomfort。Theywereusheredintoachillysitting-roomandMissBoutelleranupstairswithJimmytopreparetheinvalidforBob'sappearance。Henoticedthataworddroppedbythewomanwhoopenedthedoormadetheyounggirl'sfacegraveagain，andpaledthecolorthatthestormhadbuffetedtohercheek。Henoticedalsothattheseplainsurroundingsseemedonlytoenhanceherownsuperiority，andthatthewomantreatedherwithadeferenceinoddcontrasttotheill-concealeddisfavorwithwhichsheregardedhim。Strangelyenough，thislatterfactwasarelieftohisconscience。Itwouldhavebeenterribletohavereceivedtheirkindnessunderfalsepretenses；totaketheirjustblameofthemanhepersonatedseemedtomitigatethedeceit。
Theyounggirlrejoinedhimpresentlywithtroubledeyes。Cissywasworse，andonlyintermittentlyconscious，buthadaskedtoseehim。Itwasashortflightofstairstothebedroom，butbeforehereacheditBob'sheartbeatfasterthanithadinanymountainclimb。Inonecorneroftheplainlyfurnishedroomstoodasmalltrucklebed，andinitlaytheinvalid。ItneededbutasingleglanceatherflushedfaceinitsaureoleofyellowhairtorecognizethelikenesstoJimmy，although，addedtothatstrangerefinementproducedbysuffering，therewasaspiritualexaltationinthechild'slook——possiblyfromdelirium——thatawedandfrightenedhim；anawfulfeelingthathecouldnotlietothishopelesscreaturetookpossessionofhim，andhisstepfaltered。
Butsheliftedhersmallarmspatheticallytowardshimasifshedivinedhistrouble，andhesankonhiskneesbesideher。Withatinyfingercurledaroundhislongmustache，shelaytheresilent。
Herfacewasfulloftrustfulness，happiness，andconsciousness——
butshespokenoword。
Therewasapause，andFalloner，slightlyliftinghisheadwithoutdisturbingthatfaintlyclaspingfinger，beckonedMissBoutelletohisside。"Canyoudrive？"hesaid，inalowvoice。
"Yes。"
"Takemysleighandgetthebestdoctorintowntocomehereatonce。Bringhimwithyouifyoucan；ifhecan'tcomeatonce，drivehomeyourself。Iwillstayhere。"
"But"——hesitatedMissBoutelle。
"Iwillstayhere，"herepeated。
Thedoorclosedontheyounggirl，andFalloner，stillbendingoverthechild，presentlyheardthesleigh-bellspassawayinthestorm。
Hestillsatwithhisbenthead，heldbythetinyclaspofthosethinfingers。Butthechild'seyeswerefixedsointentlyuponhimthatMrs。Rickettsleanedoverthestrangely-assortedpairandsaid——
"It'syourbrotherDick，dearie。Don'tyouknowhim？"
Thechild'slipsmovedfaintly。"Dick'sdead，"shewhispered。
"She'swandering，"saidMrs。Ricketts。"Speaktoher。"ButBob，withhiseyesonthechild's，liftedaprotestinghand。Thelittlesufferer'slipsmovedagain。"Itisn'tDick——it'stheangelGodsenttotellme。"
Shespokenomore。AndwhenMissBoutellereturnedwiththedoctorshewasbeyondthereachoffinitevoices。Fallonerwouldhaveremainedallnightwiththem，buthecouldseethathispresenceinthecontractedhouseholdwasnotdesired。EvenhisoffertotakeJimmywithhimtothehotelwasdeclined，andatmidnighthereturnedalone。
Whathisthoughtswerethatnightmaybeeasilyimagined。Cissy'sdeathhadremovedtheonlycausehehadforconcealinghisrealidentity。TherewasnothingmoretopreventhisrevealingalltoMissBoutelleandtooffertoadopttheboy。Buthereflectedthiscouldnotbedoneuntilafterthefuneral，foritwasonlyduetoCissy'smemorythatheshouldstillkeepuptheroleofDickLashamaschiefmourner。IfitseemsstrangethatBobdidnotatthiscrucialmomenttakeMissBoutelleintohisconfidence，Ifearitwasbecausehedreadedthepersonaleffectofthedeceithehadpracticeduponhermorethananyethicalconsideration；shehadsoftenedconsiderablyinherattitudetowardshimthatnight；hewashuman，afterall，andwhilehefelthisconducthadbeenunselfishinthemain，hedarednotconfesstohimselfhowmuchheropinionhadinfluencedhim。Heresolvedthatafterthefuneralhewouldcontinuehisjourney，andwritetoher，enroute，afullexplanationofhisconduct，inclosingDaddy'sletterascorroborativeevidence。Butonsearchinghisletter-casehefoundthathehadlosteventhatevidence，andhemusttrustsolelyatpresenttoherfaithinhisimprobablestory。
Itseemedasifhisgreatestsacrificewasdemandedatthefuneral！
Foritcouldnotbedisguisedthattheneighborswerestronglyprejudicedagainsthim。Eventhepreacherimprovedtheoccasiontowarnthecongregationagainstthedangersofputtingoffdutyuntiltoolate。AndwhenRobertFalloner，pale，butself-restrained，leftthechurchwithMissBoutelle，equallypaleandreserved，onhisarm，hecouldwithdifficultyrestrainhisfuryatthepassingofasignificantsmileacrossthefacesofafewcuriousbystanders。
"ItwasAmyBoutelle，thatwasthe'penitence'thatfetchedhim，youbet！"heoverheard，abarelyconcealedwhisper；andthereply，"Andit'sagoodthingshe'smadeoutofittoo，forhe'smightyrich！"
Atthechurchdoorhetookhercoldhandintohis。"Iamleavingto-morrowmorningwithJimmy，"hesaid，withawhiteface。"Good-
by。"
"Youarequiteright；good-by，"sherepliedasbriefly，butwiththefaintestcolor。Hewonderedifshehadheardittoo。
Whethershehadhearditornot，shewenthomewithMrs。Rickettsinsomerighteousindignation，whichfound——aftertheyounglady'shabit——freeexpression。WhateverwereMr。Lasham'sfaultsofomissionitwasmostun-Christiantoalludetothemthere，andaninsulttothepoorlittledear'smemorywhohadforgiventhem。
Weresheinhisshoesshewouldshakethedustofthetownoffherfeet；andshehopedhewould。ShewasalittlesoftenedonarrivingtofindJimmyintears。HehadlostDick'sphotograph——orDickhadforgottentogiveitbackatthehotel，forthiswasallhehadinhispocket。Andheproducedaletter——themissingletterofDaddy，whichbymistakeFallonerhadhandedbackinsteadofthephotograph。MissBoutellesawthesuperscriptionandCalifornianpostmarkwithavaguecuriosity。
"Didyoulookinside，dear？Perhapsitslippedin。"
Jimmyhadnot。MissBoutelledid——andIgrievetosay，endedbyreadingthewholeletter。
BobFallonerhadfinishedpackinghisthingsthenextmorning，andwaswaitingforMr。RickettsandJimmy。Butwhenatapcameatthedoor，heopenedittofindMissBoutellestandingthere。"IhavesentJimmyintothebedroom，"shesaidwithafaintsmile，"tolookforthephotographwhichyougavehiminmistakeforthis。Ithinkforthepresentheprefershisbrother'spicturetothisletter，whichIhavenotexplainedtohimoranyone。"Shestopped，andraisinghereyestohis，saidgently："Ithinkitwouldhaveonlybeenapartofyourgoodnesstohavetrustedme，Mr。Falloner。"
"Thenyouwillforgiveme？"hesaideagerly。
Shelookedathimfrankly，yetwithafainttraceofcoquetrythattheangelsmighthavepardoned。"DoyouwantmetosaytoyouwhatMrs。RickettssayswerethelastwordsofpoorCissy？"
Ayearlater，whenthedarknessandrainwerecreepingupSawyer'sLedge，andHoustonandDaddyFolsomweresittingbeforetheirbrushwoodfireintheoldLashamcabin，thelatterdeliveredhimselforacularly。
"It'samightyqueerthing，thatnewsaboutBob！It'snotthathe'smarried，forthatmighthappentoanyone；butthisyeraccountinthepaperofhisweddingbeingattendedbyhis'littlebrother。'Thatgetsme！Tothinkallthewhilehewasherehewaslettin'ontousthathehadn'tkithorkin！Well，sir，thataccountstomeforonething，——thesing'lerwayhetumbledtothatletterofpoorDickLasham'slittlebrotherandsenthimthatdraft！Don'tyesee？Itwasafellerfeelin'！Knewhowitwashimself！IreckonyeallthoughtIwaskindersoftreadingthatlettero'DickLasham'slittlebrothertohim，butyeseewhatitdid。"
THEYOUNGESTMISSPIPER
IdonotthinkthatanyofuswhoenjoyedtheacquaintanceofthePipergirlsorthehospitalityofJudgePiper，theirfather，evercaredfortheyoungestsister。Notonaccountofherextremeyouth，fortheeldestMissPiperconfessedtotwenty-six——andtheyouthoftheyoungestsisterwasestablishedsolely，Ithink，byonebigbraiddownherback。Neitherwasitbecauseshewastheplainest，forthebeautyofthePipergirlswasarecognizedgeneraldistinction，andtheyoungestMissPiperwasnotentirelydevoidofthefamilycharms。Norwasitfromanylackofintelligence，norfromanydefectivesocialquality；forherprecocitywasastounding，andhergood-humoredfranknessalarming。
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