"YOU，"saidBrookspromptly。"You'reallstandinghere，croakinglikecrows，thisfinemorning。IpassedYOURfarm，Johnson，notanhourago；thewheatjustclimbingoutoftheblackadobemudasthickasrowsofpinsonpaper——whathaveYOUtogrumbleat？IsawYOURstock，Briggs，overonTwo-MileBottom，waddlingalong，fatastheadobetheywerestickingin，theircoatsshininglikefreshpaint——what'sthematterwithYOU？And，"turningtotheproprietor，"there'sYOURshed，Saunders，overonthecreek，justburstingwithlastyear'sgrainthatyouknowhasgoneuptwohundredpercent。sinceyouboughtitatabargain——whatareYOU
growlingat？It'senoughtoprovokeafireorafaminetohearyougroaning——andtakecareitdon't，someday，asalessontoyou。"
Allthiswassoperfectlytrueoftheprosperousburghersthattheycouldnotforamomentreply。ButBriggshadrecoursetowhathebelievedtobearetaliatorytaunt。
"Iheardyou'vebeenaskin'WidowWadetocometoyourdance，"hesaid，withawinkattheothers。"Ofcourseshesaid'Yes。'"
"Ofcourseshedid，"returnedBrookscoolly。"I'vejustgothernote。"
"What？"ejaculatedthethreementogether。"Mrs。Wadecomin'？"
"Certainly！Whyshouldn'tshe？AnditwoulddoYOUgoodtocometoo，andshakethelimpdampnessouto'you，"returnedBrooks，ashequietlyremountedhishorseandcanteredaway。
"DarnedefIdon'tthinkhe'sgothiseyeonthewidder，"saidJohnsonfaintly。
"Orthequartersection，"addedBriggsgloomily。
Forallthat，theeventfuleveningcame，withmanylightsinthestaring，undrapedwindowsofthehotel，coldlybrightbuntingonthestilldampwallsofthelongdining-room，andagentledownpourfromthehiddenskiesabove。AclosecarryallwasespeciallyselectedtobringMrs。Wadeandherhousekeeper。Thewidowarrived，lookingalittleslimmerthanusualinhercloselybuttonedblackdress，whitecollarandcuffs，veryglisteningineyeandinhair，——whoseglossyblackringletswereperhapsmoreelaboratelyarrangedthanwashercustom，——andwithafaintcomingandgoingofcolor，dueperhapstoheragitationatthistentativereenteringintoworldlylife，whichwasneverthelessquitevirginalineffect。Avaguesolemnitypervadedtheintroductoryproceedings，andasingularwantofsociabilitywasvisibleinthe"sociable"
partoftheentertainment。Peopletalkedinwhispersorwiththatgraveprecisionwhichindicatesgoodmannersinruralcommunities；
conversedpainfullywithotherpeoplewhomtheydidnotwanttotalktoratherthanappeartobealone，orrushedaimlesslytogetherlikewaterdrops，andthenfloatedinbroken，adherentmassesoverthefloor。Thewidowbecameahelpless，religiouscentreofdeaconsandSunday-schoolteachers，whichBrooks，untiring，yetfruitless，inhisattempttoproducegayety，triedinvaintobreak。Tothisgloomtheuntrieddangersoftheimpendingdance，dulyprefiguredbyalonelycottagepianoandtwoviolinsinadesertofexpanse，addedanervouschill。Whenatlastthemusicstruckup——somewhathesitatinglyandprotestingly，fromthecircumstancethattheplayerwasthechurchorganist，andfumbledmechanicallyforhisstops，theattempttomakeupacotillonsetwaslefttotheheroicBrooks。
Yethebarelyescapeddisasterwhen，inposingthecouples，heincautiouslybeggedthemtolookalittlelessasiftheywerewaitingforthecoffintobebornedowntheaislebetweenthem，andwasrewardedbyaburstoftearsfromMrs。Johnson，whohadlostachildtwoyearsbefore，andwhohadtobeledaway，whileherplaceinthesetwastakenbyanother。Yetthecotillonpassedoff；aSpanishdancesucceeded；"Moneymusk，"withtheVirginiaReel，putaslightintoxicatingvibrationintotheair，andhealthyyouthatlastasserteditselfinascoreoffreckledbutbuxomgirlsinwhitemuslin，withrompingfiguresandlaughter，atthelowerendoftheroom。Stillarigiddecorumreignedamongtheelderdancers，andthefigureswerecalledoutingraveformality，asif，toBrooks'sfancy，theywerehymnsgivenfromthepulpit，untilatthecloseoftheset，inhalf-real，half-mockdespair，heturneddesperatelytoMrs。Wade，hispartner：——
"Doyouwaltz？"
Mrs。Wadehesitated。SheHAD，beforemarriage，andwasagoodwaltzer。"Ido，"shesaidtimidly，"butdoyouthinkthey"——
Butbeforethepoorwidowcouldformulateherfearsastothereceptionof"rounddances，"Brookshaddartedtothepiano，andthenextmomentsheheardwitha"fearfuljoy"theopeningbarsofawaltz。ItwasanoldJulienwaltz，freshstillinthefifties，daring，provocativetofoot，swampingtointellect，arrestingtojudgment，irresistible，supreme！BeforeMrs。Wadecouldprotest，Brooks'sarmhadgatheredupherslimfigure，andwithonequickbackwardsweepandswirltheywereoff！Thefloorwasclearedfortheminasuddenbewildermentofalarm——asuspenseofburningcuriosity。Thewidow'slittlefeettrippedquickly，herlongblackskirtswungout；assheturnedthecornertherewasnotonlyasuddenrevelationofherprettyankles，but，whatwasmorestartling，adazzlingflashoffrilledandlacedpetticoat，whichatonceconvincedeverywomanintheroomthattheacthadbeenpremeditatedfordays！Yeteventhatcriticismwaspresentlyforgotteninthepervadingintoxicationofthemusicandthemovement。Theyoungerpeoplefellintoitwithwildrompings，whirlings，andclaspingofhandsandwaists。Andstrangerthanall，acorybanticenthusiasmseizedupontheemotionallyreligious，andthosepriestsandpriestessesofCybelewhowerefamousfortheirfrenzyandpassionincamp-meetingdevotionsseemedtofindanequalexpressionthatnightinthewaltz。Andwhen，flushedandpanting，Mrs。Wadeatlasthaltedonthearmofherpartner，theywerenearlyknockedoverbytherevolvingJohnsonandMrs。Stubbsinawhirlofgloomyexultation！DeaconsandSunday-schoolteacherswaltzedtogetheruntilthelongroomshook，andtheverybuntingonthewallswavedandflutteredwiththegyrationsofthosereligiousdervishes。Nobodyknew——nobodycaredhowlongthisfrenzylasted——itceasedonlywiththecollapseofthemusicians。
Then，withmuchvaguebewilderment，inwardtrepidation，awkwardandincoherentpartings，everybodywentdazedlyhome；therewasnootherdancingafterthat——thewaltzwastheoneeventofthefestivalandofthehistoryofSantaAna。Andlaterthatnight，whenthetimidMrs。Wade，intheseclusionofherownroomandthedisrobingofherslimfigure，glancedatherspotlessfrilledandlacedpetticoatlyingonachair，afaintsmile——thefirstofherwidowhood——curvedthecornersofherprettymouth。
AweekofominoussilenceregardingthefestivalsucceededinSantaAna。Thelocalpapergavethefullestparticularsoftheopeningofthehotel，butcontenteditselfwithsaying："Theentertainmentconcludedwithadance。"Mr。Brooks，whofelthimselfcompelledtocalluponhislatecharmingpartnertwiceduringtheweek，characteristicallysoothedheranxietiesastotheresult。"Thefactofitis，Mrs。Wade，there'sreallynobodyinparticulartoblame——andthat'swhatgetsthem。They'reallmixedupinit，deaconsandSunday-schoolteachers；andwhenoldJohnsontriedtobenastytheothereveningandhopedyouhadn'tsufferedfromyourexertionsthatnight，Itoldhimyouhadn'tquiterecoveredyetfromthephysicalshockofhavingbeenrunintobyhimandMrs。
Stubbs，butthat，youbeingalady，youdidn'ttelljusthowyoufeltattheexhibitionheandshemadeofthemselves。Thatshuthimup。"
"Butyoushouldn'thavesaidthat，"saidMrs。Wadewithafrightenedlittlesmile。
"Nomatter，"returnedBrookscheerfully。"I'lltaketheblameofitwiththeothers。Youseethey'llhavetohaveascapegoat——andI'mjusttheman，forIgotupthedance！AndasI'mgoingaway，I
supposeIshallbearoffthesinwithmeintothewilderness。"
"You'regoingaway？"repeatedMrs。Wadeinmoregenuineconcern。
"Notforlong，"returnedBrookslaughingly。"Icameheretolookupamillsite，andI'vefoundit。MeantimeIthinkI'veopenedtheireyes。"
"Youhaveopenedmine，"saidthewidowwithtimidfrankness。
Theyweresoftprettyeyeswhenopened，inspiteoftheirheavyredlids，andMr。BrooksthoughtthatSantaAnawouldbenoworseiftheyremainedopen。Possiblyhelookedit，forMrs。Wadesaidhurriedly，"Imean——thatis——I'vebeenthinkingthatlifeneedn'tALWAYSbeasgloomyaswemakeithere。AndevenHERE，youknow，Mr。Brooks，wehavesixmonths'sunshine——thoughwealwaysforgetitintherainyseason。"
"That'sso，"saidBrookscheerfully。"Ioncelostaheapofmoneythroughmyownfoolishness，andI'vemanagedtoforgetit，andI
evenreckontogetitbackagainoutofSantaAnaifmymillspeculationholdsgood。Sogood-by，Mrs。Wade——butnotforlong。"
Heshookherhandfranklyanddeparted，leavingthewidowconsciousofacertainsympatheticconfidenceandalittlegratefulfor——sheknewnotwhat。
Thisfeelingremainedwithhermostoftheafternoon，andevenimpartedacertaingayetytoherspirits，totheextentofcausinghertohumsoftlytoherself；theairbeingoddlyenoughtheJulienWaltz。Andwhen，laterintheday，theshadowswereclosinginwiththerain，wordwasbroughttoherthatastrangerwishedtoseeherinthesitting-room，shecarriedalessmournfulmindtothisfunctionofherexistence。ForMrs。Wadewasaccustomedtogiveaudiencetotravelingagents，tradesmen，working-handsandservants，aschatelaineofherranch，andtheoccasionwasnotnovel。Yetonenteringtheroom，whichsheusedpartlyasanoffice，shefoundsomedifficultyinclassifyingthestranger，whoatfirstglanceremindedherofthetrampingminershehadseenthatnightfromherwindow。Hewasratherincongruouslydressed，somearticlesofhisapparelbeingfinerthanothers；heworeadiamondpininascarffoldedoverarough"hickory"shirt；hislighttrousersweretuckedincommonminingbootsthatborestainsoftravelandasuggestionthathehadsleptinhisclothes。Whatshecouldseeofhisunshavenfaceinthatuncertainlightexpressedakindofdoggedconcentration，overlaidbyanassumptionofease。Hegotupasshecamein，andwithaslight"Howdo，ma'am，"shutthedoorbehindherandglancedfurtivelyaroundtheroom。
"WhatI'vegottosaytoye，Mrs。Wade，——asIreckonyoube，——isstrictlyprivateandconfidential！Why，ye'llseeaforeIgetthrough。ButIthoughtImightjustaswellcautionyeaginourbeingdisturbed。"
Overcomingaslightinstinctofrepulsion，Mrs。Wadereturned，"Youcanspeaktomehere；noonewillinterruptyou——unlessIcallthem，"sheaddedwithalittlefemininecaution。
"AndIreckonyewon'tdothat，"hesaidwithagrimsmile。"Youarethewidowo'PulaskiWade，lateo'HeavyTreeHill，Ireckon？"
"Iam，"saidMrs。Wade。
"Andyourhusband'sburieduptharinthegraveyard，withamonumentoverhimsettingforthhisvirtuesezaChristianandasquaremanandahigh-mindedcitizen？Andthathewasfoullymurderedbyhighwaymen？"
"Yes，"saidMrs。Wade，"thatistheinscription。"
"Well，ma'am，abiggerpacko'liesneverwascutonstone！"
Mrs。Waderose，halfinindignation，halfinterror。
"Keepyoursittin'，"saidthestranger，withawarningwaveofhishand。"WaittillI'mthrough，andthenyoucallinthehullStateo'Californy，efyewant。"
Thestranger'smannerwassodoggedlyconfidentthatMrs。Wadesankbacktremblinglyinherchair。Themanputhisslouchhatonhisknee，twirleditroundonceortwice，andthensaidwiththesamestubborndeliberation：——
"Thehighwaymaninthatbusinesswasyourhusband——PulaskiWade——
andhisgang，andhewaskilledbyoneo'themenhewasrobbin'。
Yesee，ma'am，itusedtobeyourhusband'slittlegametoropeinthreeorfourstrangersinapokerdealatSpanishJim'ssaloon——I
seeyou'veheardo'theplace，"heinterpolatedasMrs。Wadedrewbacksuddenly——"andwhenhecouldn'tclean'emoutinthatway，ortheyshowedalittlemoremoneythantheyplayed，he'dlayfor'emwithhisganginalonepartofthetrail，andgothroughthemlikeanyroadagent。That'swhathedidthatnight——andthat'showhegotkilled。"
"Howdoyouknowthis？"saidMrs。Wade，withquiveringlips。
"Iwasoneo'themenhewentthroughbeforehewaskilled。AndI'dhevgotmymoneyback，buttheresto'thegangcameup，andI
gotawayjestintimetosavemylifeandnothin'else。Yemightremembertharwasonemangotawayandgiv'thealarm，buthewasgoin'ontotheStatesbytheoverlandcoachthatnightandcouldn'tstaytobeawitness。Iwasthatman。Ihadpaidmypassagethrough，andIcouldn'tloseTHATtoowithmyothermoney，soIwent。"
Mrs。Wadesatstunned。Sherememberedthemissingwitness，andhowshehadlongedtoseethemanwhowaslastwithherhusband；sherememberedSpanishJim'ssaloon——hiswell-knownhaunt；hisfrequentandunaccountableabsences，thesuddeninfluxofmoneywhichhealwayssaidhehadwonatcards；thediamondringhehadgivenherastheresultof"abet；"theforgottenrecurrenceofotherrobberiesbyasecretmaskedgang；ahundredotherthingsthathadworriedher，instinctively，vaguely。Sheknewnow，too，themeaningoftheunrestthathaddrivenherfromHeavyTreeHill——thestrangeunformulatedfearsthathadhauntedherevenhere。Yetwithallthisshefelt，too，herpresentweakness——knewthatthismanhadtakenheratadisadvantage，thatsheoughttoindignantlyassertherself，denyeverything，demandproof，andbrandhimaslanderer！
"Howdid——you——knowitwasmyhusband？"shestammered。
"Hismaskfelloffinthefight；youknowanothermaskwasfound——
itwasHIS。IsawhimasplainlyasIseehimthere！"hepointedtoadaguerreotypeofherhusbandwhichstooduponherdesk。
Mrs。Wadecouldonlystarevacantly，hopelessly。Afterapausethemancontinuedinalessaggressivemannerandmoreconfidentialtone，which，however，onlyincreasedherterror。"Iain'tsayin'
thatYOUknowedanythingaboutthis，ma'am，andwhateverotherfolksmightsaywhenTHEYknowofit，I'llallerssaythatyoudidn't。"
"What，then，didyoucomeherefor？"saidthewidowdesperately。
"WhatdoIcomeherefor？"repeatedthemangrimly，lookingaroundtheroom；"whatdidIcometothisyercomfortablehome——thisyerbigranchandtoarichwomanlikeyourselffor？Well，Mrs。Wade，Icometogetthesixhundreddollarsyourhusbandrobbedmeof，that'sall！Iain'taskin'more！Iain'taskin'interest！I
ain'taskin'compensationforhavin'torunformylife——and，"
againlookinggrimlyroundthewalls，"Iain'taskin'morethanyouwillgive——orismyrights。"
"Butthishouseneverwashis；itwasmyfather's，"gaspedMrs。
Wade；"youhavenoright"——
"Mebbe'yes'andmebbe'no，'Mrs。Wade，"interruptedtheman，withawaveofhishat；"buthowaboutthemtwocheckstobearerfortwohundreddollarseachfoundamongyourhusband'seffects，andcollectedbyyourlawyerforyou——MYCHECKS，Mrs。Wade？"
Awaveofdreadfulrecollectionoverwhelmedher。Sherememberedthechecksfounduponherhusband'sbody，knownonlytoherandherlawyer，believedtobegamblinggains，andcollectedatonceunderhislegaladvice。Yetshemadeonemoredesperateeffortinspiteoftheinstinctthattoldherhewasspeakingthetruth。
"Butyoushallhavetoproveit——beforewitnesses。"
"DoyouWANTmetoproveitbeforewitnesses？"saidtheman，comingnearerher。"Doyouwanttotakemywordandkeepitbetweenourselves，ordoyouwanttocallinyoursuperintendentandhismen，andallSantyAny，tohearmeproveyourhusbandwasahighwayman，thief，andmurderer？DoyouwanttoknockoverthatmonumentonHeavyTreeHill，andupsetyourstandinghereamongthedeaconsandelders？Doyouwanttodoallthisandbeforced，evenbyyourneighbors，topaymeintheend，asyouwill？Efyoudo，callinyourwitnessesnowandlet'shaveitover。MebbeitwouldlookbetterefIgotthemoneyoutofYOURFRIENDSthanye——
awoman！P'rapsyou'reright！"
Hemadeasteptowardsthedoor，butshestoppedhim。
"No！no！wait！It'salargesum——Ihaven'titwithme，"shestammered，thoroughlybeaten。
"Yekingetit。"
"Givemetime！"sheimplored。"Look！I'llgiveyouahundreddownnow，——allIhavehere，——therestanothertime！"Shenervouslyopenedadrawerofherdeskandtakingoutabuckskinbagofgoldthrustitinhishand。"There！goawaynow！"Sheliftedherthinhandsdespairinglytoherhead。"Go！do！"
Themanseemedstruckbyhermanner。"Idon'twanttobehardonawoman，"hesaidslowly。"I'llgonowandcomebackagainatnineto-night。Youcangitthemoney，orwhat'sasgood，achecktobearer，bythen。Andefye'lltakemyadvice，youwon'tasknoadvicefromothers，efyouwanttokeepyoursecret。Justnowit'ssafewithme；I'masquareman，efIseemtobeahardone。"Hemadeagestureasiftotakeherhand，butasshedrewshrinkinglyaway，hechangedittoanawkwardbow，andthenextmomentwasgone。
Shestartedtoherfeet，buttheunwontedstrainuponhernervesandfrailbodyhadbeengreaterthansheknew。Shemadeastepforward，felttheroomwhirlroundherandthenseemtocollapsebeneathherfeet，and，clutchingatherchair，sankbackintoit，fainting。
Howlongshelaytheresheneverknew。Shewasatlastconsciousofsomeonebendingoverher，andavoice——thevoiceofMr。Brooks——
inherear，saying，"Ibegyourpardon；youseemill。ShallI
callsomeone？"
"No！"shegasped，quicklyrecoveringherselfwithaneffort，andstaringroundher。"Whereis——whendidyoucomein？"
"Onlythismoment。Iwasleavingtonight，soonerthanIexpected，andthoughtI'dsaygood-by。Theytoldmethatyouhadbeenengagedwithastranger，buthehadjustgone。Ibegyourpardon——
Iseeyouareill。Iwon'tdetainyouanylonger。"
"No！no！don'tgo！Iambetter——better，"shesaidfeverishly。Assheglancedathisstrongandsympatheticfaceawildideaseizedher。Hewasastrangerhere，analientothesepeople，likeherself。Theadvicethatshedarenotseekfromothers，fromherhalf-estrangedreligiousfriends，fromevenhersuperintendentandhiswife，daresheaskfromhim？Perhapshesawthisfrighteneddoubt，thisimploringappeal，inhereyes，forhesaidgently，"IsitanythingIcandoforyou？"
"Yes，"shesaid，withthesuddendesperationofweakness；"Iwantyoutokeepasecret。"
"Yours？——yes！"hesaidpromptly。
WhereatpoorMrs。Wadeinstantlyburstintotears。Then，amidsthersobs，shetoldhimofthestranger'svisit，ofhisterribleaccusations，ofhisdemands，hisexpectedreturn，andherownutterhelplessness。Toherterror，asshewentonshesawasingularchangeinhiskindface；hewasfollowingherwithhard，eagerintensity。Shehadhalfhoped，eventhroughherfatefulinstincts，thathemighthavelaughed，manlike，atherfears，orpooh-poohedthewholething。Buthedidnot。"Yousayhepositivelyrecognizedyourhusband？"herepeatedquickly。
"Yes，yes！"sobbedthewidow，"andknewthatdaguerreotype！"shepointedtothedesk。
Brooksturnedquicklyinthatdirection。Luckilyhisbackwastowardsher，andshecouldnotseehisface，andthequick，startledlookthatcameintohiseyes。Butwhentheyagainmethers，itwasgone，andeventheireagerintensityhadchangedtoagentlecommiseration。"Youhaveonlyhiswordforit，Mrs。Wade，"
hesaidgently，"andintellingyoursecrettoanother，youhaveshorntherascalofhalfhispoweroveryou。Andheknewit。Now，dismissthematterfromyourmindandleaveitalltome。Iwillbehereafewminutesbeforenine——ANDALONEINTHISROOM。Letyourvisitorbeshowninhere，anddon'tletusbedisturbed。
Don'tbealarmed，"headdedwithafainttwinkleinhiseye，"therewillbenofussandnoexposure！"
ItlackedafewminutesofninewhenMr。Brookswasusheredintothesitting-room。Assoonashewasalonehequietlyexaminedthedoorandthewindows，andhavingsatisfiedhimself，tookhisseatinachaircasuallyplacedbehindthedoor。Presentlyheheardthesoundofvoicesandaheavyfootstepinthepassage。Helightlyfelthiswaistcoatpocket——itcontainedaprettylittleweaponofpowerandprecision，withabarrelscarcelytwoincheslong。
Thedooropened，andthepersonoutsideenteredtheroom。InaninstantBrookshadshutthedoorandlockeditbehindhim。Themanturnedfiercely，butwasfacedbyBrooksquietly，withonefingercalmlyhookedinhiswaistcoatpocket。Themanslightlyrecoiledfromhim——notasmuchfromfearasfromsomevaguestupefaction。
"What'sthatfor？What'syourlittlegame？"hesaidhalfcontemptuously。
"Nogameatall，"returnedBrookscoolly。"Youcameheretosellasecret。Idon'tproposetohaveitgivenawayfirsttoanylistener。"
"YOUdon't——whoareYOU？"
"That'saqueerquestiontoaskofthemanyouaretryingtopersonate——butIdon'twonder！You'redoingitd————dbadly。"
"Personate——YOU？"saidthestranger，withstaringeyes。
"Yes，ME，"saidBrooksquietly。"IamtheonlymanwhoescapedfromtherobberythatnightatHeavyTreeHillandwhowenthomebytheOverlandCoach。"
Thestrangerstared，butrecoveredhimselfwithacoarselaugh。
"Oh，well！we'reonthesamelay，itappears！Bothafterthewidow——aforeweshowupherhusband。"
"Notexactly，"saidBrooks，withhiseyesfixedintentlyonthestranger。"YouareheretodenounceahighwaymanwhoisDEADandescapedjustice。IamheretodenounceonewhoisLIVING！——Stop！
dropyourhand；it'snouse。Youthoughtyouhadtodealonlywithawomanto-night，andyourrevolverisn'tquitehandyenough。
There！down！——down！So！That'lldo。"
"Youcan'tproveit，"saidthemanhoarsely。
"Fool！Inyourstorytothatwomanyouhavegivenyourselfaway。
Therewerebuttwotravelersattackedbythehighwaymen。Onewaskilled——Iamtheother。WheredoYOUcomein？Whatwitnesscanyoube——exceptasthehighwaymanthatyouare？WhoislefttoidentifyWadebut——hisaccomplice！"
Theman'ssuddenlywhitenedfacemadehisunshavenbeardseemtobristleoverhisfacelikesomewildanimal's。"Well，efyoukalkilatetoblowme，you'vegottoblowWadeandhiswiddertoo。
Jestyourememberthat，"hesaidwhiningly。
"I'vethoughtofthat，"saidBrookscoolly，"andIcalculatethattopreventitisworthaboutthathundreddollarsyougotfromthatpoorwoman——andnomore！Now，sitdownatthattable，andwriteasIdictate。"
Themanlookedathiminwonder，butobeyed。
"Write，"saidBrooks，"'IherebycertifythatmyaccusationsagainstthelatePulaskiWadeofHeavyTreeHillareerroneousandgroundless，andtheresultofmistakenidentity，especiallyinregardtoanycomplicityofhisintherobberyofJohnStubbs，deceased，andHenryBrooks，atHeavyTreeHill，onthenightofthe13thAugust，1854。'"
Themanlookedupwitharepulsivesmile。"Who'sthefoolnow，Cap'n？What'sbecomeofyourholdonthewidder，now？"
"Write！"saidBrooksfiercely。
ThesoundofapenhurriedlyscratchingpaperfollowedthisfirstoutburstofthequietBrooks。
"Signit，"saidBrooks。
Themansignedit。
"Nowgo，"saidBrooks，unlockingthedoor，"butremember，ifyoushouldeverbeinclinedtorevisitSantaAna，youwillfindME
livingherealso。"
Themanslunkoutofthedoorandintothepassagelikeawildanimalreturningtothenightanddarkness。Brookstookupthepaper，rejoinedMrs。Wadeintheparlor，andlaiditbeforeher。
"But，"saidthewidow，tremblingeveninherjoy，"doyou——doyouthinkhewasREALLYmistaken？"
"Positive，"saidBrookscoolly。"It'strue，it'samistakethathascostyouahundreddollars，buttherearesomemistakesthatareworththattobekeptquiet。"……
Theyweremarriedayearlater；butthereisnorecordthatinafteryearsofconjugalrelationswithaweak，charming，butsometimestryingwoman，HenryBrookswasevertemptedtotellherthewholetruthoftherobberyofHeavyTreeHill。
THEMERMAIDOFLIGHTHOUSEPOINT
Somefortyyearsago，onthenortherncoastofCalifornia，neartheGoldenGate，stoodalighthouse。Ofaprimitiveclass，sincesupersededbyabuildingmoreinkeepingwiththegrowingmagnitudeoftheadjacentport，itattractedlittleattentionfromthedesolateshore，and，itwasalleged，stilllessfromthedesolateseabeyond。Agraystructureoftimber，stone，andglass，itwasbuffetedandharriedbytheconstanttradewinds，bakedbytheuncloudedsixmonths'sun，lostforafewhoursintheafternoonsea-fog，andlaughedoverbycirclingguillemotsfromtheFarallones。
Itwaskeptbyarecluse——apreoccupiedmanofscientifictastes，who，inshamelesscontrasttohisfellowimmigrants，hadappliedtothegovernmentforthisscarcelylucrativepositionasameansofsecuringtheseclusionhevaluedmorethangold。Somebelievedthathewasthevictimofanearlydisappointmentinlove——aviewcharitablytakenbythosewhoalsobelievedthatthegovernmentwouldnothaveappointed"acrank"toapositionofresponsibility。
Howbeit，hefulfilledhisduties，and，withtheassistanceofanIndian，evencultivatedasmallpatchofgroundbesidethelighthouse。Hisisolationwascomplete！Therewaslittletoattractwanderershere：thenearestmineswerefiftymilesaway；thevirginforestonthemountainsinlandwerepenetratedonlybysawmillsandwoodmenfromtheBaysettlements，equallyremote。Althoughbytheshore-linethelightsofthegreatportweresometimesplainlyvisible，yetthesolitudearoundhimwaspeopledonlybyIndians，——abranchofthegreatnortherntribeof"root-diggers，"——peacefulandsimpleintheirhabits，asyetundisturbedbythewhiteman，norstirredintoantagonismbyaggression。Civilizationonlytouchedhimatstatedintervals，andthenbythemoreexpeditiousseafromthegovernmentboatthatbroughthimsupplies。Butforhiscontiguitytotheperpetualturmoilofwindandsea，hemighthavepassedarestfulArcadianlifeinhissurroundings；forevenhissolitudewassometimeshauntedbythisfaintreminderofthegreatporthardbythatpulsatedwithanequalunrest。Nevertheless，thesandsbeforehisdoorandtherocksbehindhimseemedtohavebeenuntroddenbyanyotherwhiteman'sfootsincetheirupheavalfromtheocean。Itwastruethatthelittlebaybesidehimwasmarkedonthemapas"SirFrancisDrake'sBay，"traditionhavinglocateditasthespotwherethatingeniouspirateandempire-makerhadoncelandedhisvesselsandscrapedthebarnaclesfromhisadventurouskeels。ButofthisEdgarPomfrey——or"CaptainPomfrey，"ashewascalledbyvirtueofhishalf-nauticaloffice——hadthoughtlittle。
Forthefirstsixmonthshehadthoroughlyenjoyedhisseclusion。
Inthecompanyofhisbooks，ofwhichhehadbroughtsuchafairstorethattheirshelveslinedhissnugcornerstotheexclusionofmorecomfortablefurniture，hefoundhisprincipalrecreation。
Evenhisunwontedmanuallabor，thetrimmingofhislampandcleaningofhisreflectors，andhispersonalhousekeeping，inwhichhisIndianhelpattimesassisted，hefoundanovelandinterestingoccupation。Foroutdoorexercise，arambleonthesands，aclimbtotherockyupland，orapullinthelighthouseboat，amplysufficedhim。"Crank"ashewassupposedtobe，hewassaneenoughtoguardagainstanyofthoseearlylapsesintobarbarismwhichmarkedthelivesofsomesolitarygold-miners。Hisowntaste，aswellasthedutyofhisoffice，kepthispersonandhabitationsweetandclean，andhishabitsregular。Eventhelittlecultivatedpatchofgroundontheleesideofthetowerwassymmetricalandwellordered。ThustheoutwardlightofCaptainPomfreyshoneforthoverthewildernessofshoreandwave，evenlikehisbeacon，whateverhisinwardilluminationmayhavebeen。
Itwasabrightsummermorning，remarkableeveninthemonotonousexcellenceoftheseason，withaslighttouchofwarmthwhichtheinvincibleNorthwestTradeshadnotyetchilled。Therewasstillafainthazeoffthecoast，asiflastnight'sfoghadbeencaughtinthequicksunshine，andtheshiningsandswerehot，butwithouttheusualdazzlingglare。Afaintperfumefromaquaintlilac-coloredbeach-flower，whoseclusteringheadsdottedthesandlikebitsofblownspume，tooktheplaceofthatsmelloftheseawhichtheodorlessPacificlacked。Afewrocks，halfamileaway，liftedthemselvesabovetheebbtideatvaryingheightsastheylayonthetroughoftheswell，werecrestedwithfoambyastrikingsurge，orcleanlyerasedinthefullsweepofthesea。Beside，andpartlyupononeofthehigherrocks，asingularobjectwasmoving。
Pomfreywasinterestedbutnotstartled。Hehadonceortwiceseensealsdisportingontheserocks，andononeoccasionasea-lion，——
anestrayfromthefamiliarrocksontheothersideoftheGoldenGate。Butheceasedworkinhisgardenpatch，andcomingtohishouse，exchangedhishoeforatelescope。Whenhegotthemysteryinfocushesuddenlystoppedandrubbedtheobject-glasswithhishandkerchief。Butevenwhenheappliedtheglasstohiseyeforasecondtime，hecouldscarcelybelievehiseyesight。FortheobjectseemedtobeaWOMAN，thelowerpartofherfiguresubmergedinthesea，herlonghairdependingoverhershouldersandwaist。
Therewasnothinginherattitudetosuggestterrororthatshewasthevictimofsomeaccident。Shemovedslowlyandcomplacentlywiththesea，andeven——amorestaggeringsuggestion——appearedtobecombingoutthestrandsofherlonghairwithherfingers。Withherbodyhalfconcealedshemighthavebeenamermaid！
Heswepttheforeshoreandhorizonwithhisglass；therewasneitherboatnorship——noranythingthatmoved，exceptthelongswellofthePacific。Shecouldhavecomeonlyfromthesea；fortoreachtherocksbylandshewouldhavehadtopassbeforethelighthouse，whilethenarrowstripofshorewhichcurvednorthwardbeyondhisrangeofviewheknewwasinhabitedonlybyIndians。
ButthewomanwasunhesitatinglyandappallinglyWHITE，andherhairlighteventoagoldengleaminthesunshine。
Pomfreywasagentleman，andassuchwasamazed，dismayed，andcruellyembarrassed。Ifshewasasimplebatherfromsomevicinityhithertounknownandunsuspectedbyhim，itwasclearlyhisbusinesstoshutuphisglassandgobacktohisgardenpatch——
althoughthepropinquityofhimselfandthelighthousemusthavebeenasplainlyvisibletoherasshewastohim。Ontheotherhand，ifshewasthesurvivorofsomewreckandindistress——or，asheevenfanciedfromherrecklessmanner，bereftofhersenses，hisdutytorescueherwasequallyclear。Inhisdilemmahedetermineduponacompromiseandrantohisboat。Hewouldpullouttosea，passbetweentherocksandthecurvingsand-spit，andexaminethesandsandseamorecloselyforsignsofwreckage，orsomeoverlookedwaitingboatneartheshore。Hewouldbewithinhailifsheneededhim，orshecouldescapetoherboatifshehadone。
Inanothermomenthisboatwasliftingontheswelltowardstherocks。Hepulledquickly，occasionallyturningtonotethatthestrangefigure，whosemovementswerequitediscernibletothenakedeye，wasstillthere，butgazingmoreearnestlytowardsthenearestshoreforanysignoflifeoroccupation。Intenminuteshehadreachedthecurvewherethetrendopenednorthward，andthelonglineofshorestretchedbeforehim。Hesweptiteagerlywithasinglesearchingglance。Seaandshorewereempty。Heturnedquicklytotherock，scarcelyahundredyardsonhisbeam。Itwasemptytoo！Forgettinghispreviousscruples，hepulleddirectlyforituntilhiskeelgratedonitssubmergedbase。Therewasnothingtherebuttherock，slipperywiththeyellow-greenslimeofseaweedandkelp——neithertracenorsignofthefigurethathadoccupieditamomentago。Hepulledaroundit；therewasnocleftorhiding-place。Foraninstanthisheartleapedatthesightofsomethingwhite，caughtinajaggedtoothoftheoutlyingreef，butitwasonlythebleachedfragmentofabambooorange-crate，castfromthedeckofsomeSouthSeatrader，suchasoftenstrewedthebeach。Helayofftherock，keepingwayintheswell，andscrutinizingtheglitteringsea。Atlasthepulledbacktothelighthouse，perplexedanddiscomfited。
Wasitsimplyasportingseal，transformedbysometrickofhisvision？Buthehadseenitthroughhisglass，andnowrememberedsuchdetailsasthefaceandfeaturesframedintheircontourofgoldenhair，andbelievedhecouldevenhaveidentifiedthem。Heexaminedtherockagainwithhisglass，andwassurprisedtoseehowclearlyitwasoutlinednowinitsbarrenloneliness。Yethemusthavebeenmistaken。Hisscientificandaccuratemindallowedofnoerrantfancy，andhehadalwayssneeredatthemarvelousastheresultofhastyorsuperficialobservation。Hewasalittleworriedatthislapseofhishealthyaccuracy，——fearingthatitmightbetheresultofhisseclusionandloneliness，——akintothevisionsoftherecluseandsolitary。Itwasstrange，too，thatitshouldtaketheshapeofawoman；forEdgarPomfreyhadastory——
theusualoldandfoolishone。
Thenhisthoughtstookalighterphase，andheturnedtothememoryofhisbooks，andfinallytothebooksthemselves。Fromashelfhepickedoutavolumeofoldvoyages，andturnedtoarememberedpassage："InotherseasdoeaboundmarvellssocheasSeaSpydersofthebignessofapinnace，thewichtheyhavebeenknowntoattackanddestroy；SeaVyperswhichreachtothetopofagoodlymaste，wherebytheyareabletodrawmarinnersfromtheriggingbythesuctionoftheirbreathes；andDevillFyshe，whichvomitfirebynightwhichmakyththeseatoshineprodigiously，andmermaydes。
TheyarehalffysheandhalfmaydeofgrateBeauty，andhavebeenseenofdiversgodlyandcreditablewitnessesswymmingbesiderocks，hiddentotheirwaistinthesea，combingoftheirhayres，tothehelpofwhychtheycarryasmallmirroreofthebignessoftheirfingers。"Pomfreylaidthebookasidewithafaintsmile。
Toeventhiscredulityhemightcome！
Nevertheless，heusedthetelescopeagainthatday。Buttherewasnorepetitionoftheincident，andhewasforcedtobelievethathehadbeenthevictimofsomeextraordinaryillusion。Thenextmorning，however，withhiscalmerjudgmentdoubtsbegantovisithim。TherewasnooneofwhomhecouldmakeinquiriesbuthisIndianhelper，andtheirconversationhadusuallybeenrestrictedtothelanguageofsignsortheuseofafewwordshehadpickedup。Hecontrived，however，toaskiftherewasa"waugee"（white）
womanintheneighborhood。TheIndianshookhisheadinsurprise。
Therewasno"waugee"nearerthantheremotemountain-ridgetowhichhepointed。Pomfreywasobligedtobecontentwiththis。
Evenhadhisvocabularybeenlarger，hewouldassoonhavethoughtofrevealingtheembarrassingsecretofthiswoman，whomhebelievedtobeofhisownrace，toamerebarbarianashewouldofaskinghimtoverifyhisownimpressionsbyallowinghimtolookatherthatmorning。Thenextday，however，somethinghappenedwhichforcedhimtoresumehisinquiries。Hewasrowingaroundthecurvingspotwhenhesawanumberofblackobjectsonthenorthernsandsmovinginandoutofthesurf，whichhepresentlymadeoutasIndians。Anearerapproachsatisfiedhimthattheywerewadingsquawsandchildrengatheringseaweedandshells。Hewouldhavepushedhisacquaintancestillnearer，butashisboatroundedthepoint，withoneaccordtheyallscuttledawaylikefrightenedsandpipers。Pomfrey，onhisreturn，askedhisIndianretaineriftheycouldswim。"Oh，yes！""Asfarastherock？""Yes。"YetPomfreywasnotsatisfied。Thecolorofhisstrangeapparitionremainedunaccountedfor，anditwasnotthatofanIndianwoman。
Triflingeventslingerlonginamonotonousexistence，anditwasnearlyaweekbeforePomfreygaveuphisdailytelescopicinspectionoftherock。Thenhefellbackuponhisbooksagain，and，oddlyenough，uponanothervolumeofvoyages，andsochancedupontheaccountofSirFrancisDrake'soccupationofthebaybeforehim。Hehadalwaysthoughtitstrangethatthegreatadventurerhadleftnotraceorsignofhissojournthere；stillstrangerthatheshouldhaveoverlookedthepresenceofgold，knowneventotheIndiansthemselves，andhavelostadiscoveryfarbeyondhiswildestdreamsandatreasuretowhichthecargoesofthosePhilippinegalleonshehadmoreorlesssuccessfullyinterceptedweretrifles。Hadtherestlessexplorerbeencontenttopacethosedrearysandsduringthreeweeksofinactivity，withnothoughtofpenetratingtheinlandforestsbehindtherange，orofevenenteringthenoblerbaybeyond？
Orwasthelocationofthespotameretraditionaswildandunsupportedasthe"marvells"oftheothervolume？Pomfreyhadtheskepticismofthescientific，inquiringmind。
Twoweekshadpassedandhewasreturningfromalongclimbinland，whenhestoppedtorestinhisdescenttothesea。Thepanoramaoftheshorewasbeforehim，fromitsuttermostlimittothelighthouseonthenorthernpoint。Thesunwasstillonehourhigh，itwouldtakehimaboutthattimetoreachhome。Butfromthiscoignofvantagehecouldsee——whathehadnotbeforeobserved——
thatwhathehadalwaysbelievedwasalittlecoveonthenorthernshorewasreallytheestuaryofasmallstreamwhichrosenearhimandeventuallydescendedintotheoceanatthatpoint。Hecouldalsoseethatbesideitwasalonglowerectionofsomekind，coveredwiththatchedbrush，whichlookedlikea"barrow，"yetshowedsignsofhabitationintheslightsmokethatrosefromitanddriftedinland。Itwasnotfaroutofhisway，andheresolvedtoreturninthatdirection。OnhiswaydownheonceortwiceheardthebarkingofanIndiandog，andknewthathemustbeinthevicinityofanencampment。Acamp-fire，withtheashesyetwarm，provedthathewasonthetrailofoneofthenomadictribes，butthedecliningsunwarnedhimtohastenhometohisduty。Whenheatlastreachedtheestuary，hefoundthatthebuildingbesideitwaslittleelsethanalonghut，whosethatchedandmud-plasteredmound-likeroofgaveittheappearanceofacave。Itssingleopeningandentranceabuttedonthewater'sedge，andthesmokehehadnoticedrolledthroughthisentrancefromasmoulderingfirewithin。Pomfreyhadlittledifficultyinrecognizingthepurposeofthisstrangestructurefromtheaccountshehadheardfrom"loggers"oftheIndiancustoms。Thecavewasa"sweat-house"——acalorificchamberinwhichtheIndianscloselyshutthemselves，naked，witha"smudge"orsmoulderingfireofleaves，until，perspiringandhalfsuffocated，theyrushedfromtheentranceandthrewthemselvesintothewaterbeforeit。Thestillsmoulderingfiretoldhimthatthehousehadbeenusedthatmorning，andhemadenodoubtthattheIndianswereencampednearby。Hewouldhavelikedtopursuehisresearchesfurther，buthefoundhehadalreadytrespasseduponhisremainingtime，andheturnedsomewhatabruptlyaway——soabruptly，infact，thatafigure，whichhadevidentlybeencautiouslyfollowinghimatadistance，hadnottimetogetaway。Hisheartleapedwithastonishment。Itwasthewomanhehadseenontherock。
Althoughhernativedressnowonlydisclosedherheadandhands，therewasnodoubtabouthercolor，anditwasdistinctlywhite，saveforthetanningofexposureandaslightredochremarkingonherlowforehead。Andherhair，longandunkemptasitwas，showedthathehadnoterredinhisfirstimpressionofit。Itwasatawnyflaxen，withfainterbleachingswherethesunhadtoucheditmost。HereyeswereofaclearNorthernblue。Herdress，whichwasquitedistinctiveinthatitwasneitherthecastofffineryofcivilizationnorthecheap"government"flannelsandcalicoesusuallywornbytheCaliforniantribes，waspurelynative，andoffringeddeerskin，andconsistedofalong，looseshirtandleggingsworkedwithbrightfeathersandcoloredshells。Anecklace，alsoofshellsandfancypebbles，hungroundherneck。Sheseemedtobeafullydevelopedwoman，inspiteofthegirlishnessofherflowinghair，andnotwithstandingtheshapelesslengthofhergaberdine-
likegarment，tallerthantheordinarysquaw。
Pomfreysawallthisinasingleflashofperception，forthenextinstantshewasgone，disappearingbehindthesweat-house。Heranafterher，catchingsightofheragain，halfdoubledup，inthecharacteristicIndiantrot，dodgingaroundrocksandlowbushesasshefledalongthebanksofthestream。Butforherdistinguishinghair，shelookedinherflightlikeanordinaryfrightenedsquaw。
This，whichgaveasenseofunmanlinessandridiculetohisownpursuitofher，withthefactthathishourofdutywasdrawingnearandhewasstillfarfromthelighthouse，checkedhiminfullcareer，andheturnedregretfullyaway。Hehadcalledafterheratfirst，andshehadnotheededhim。Whathewouldhavesaidtoherhedidnotknow。Hehastenedhomediscomfited，evenembarrassed——
yetexcitedtoadegreehehadnotdeemedpossibleinhimself。
Duringthemorninghisthoughtswerefullofher。Theoryaftertheoryforherstrangeexistencethereheexaminedanddismissed。
Hisfirstthought，thatshewasawhitewoman——somesettler'swife——
masqueradinginIndiangarb，heabandonedwhenhesawhermoving；
nowhitewomancouldimitatethatIndiantrot，norwouldremembertoattemptitifshewerefrightened。Theideathatshewasacaptivewhite，heldbytheIndians，becameridiculouswhenhethoughtofthenearnessofcivilizationandthepeaceful，timidcharacterofthe"digger"tribes。Thatshewassomeunfortunatedementedcreaturewhohadescapedfromherkeeperandwanderedintothewilderness，aglanceatherclear，frank，intelligent，curiouseyeshadcontradicted。Therewasbutonetheoryleft——themostsensibleandpracticalone——thatshewastheoffspringofsomewhitemanandIndiansquaw。Yetthishefound，oddlyenough，theleastpalatabletohisfancy。Andthefewhalf-breedshehadseenwerenotatalllikeher。
ThenextmorninghehadrecoursetohisIndianretainer，"Jim。"
Withinfinitedifficulty，protraction，andnotalittleembarrassment，hefinallymadehimunderstandthathehadseena"whitesquaw"nearthe"sweat-house，"andthathewantedtoknowmoreabouther。WithequaldifficultyJimfinallyrecognizedthefactoftheexistenceofsuchaperson，butimmediatelyafterwardsshookhisheadinanemphaticnegation。WithgreaterdifficultyandgreatermortificationPomfreypresentlyascertainedthatJim'snegativereferredtoasupposedabductionofthewomanwhichheunderstoodthathisemployerseriouslycontemplated。ButhealsolearnedthatshewasarealIndian，andthattherewerethreeorfourotherslikeher，maleandfemale，inthatvicinity；thatfroma"skeenamowitch"（littlebaby）theywerealllikethat，andthattheirparentswereofthesamecolor，butneverawhiteor"waugee"
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