SpencerTucker，doyouhear？Andifyouain’tsatisfiedthen，buymyclothes，myweddingring，theonlythingsyourhusbandhasn’tstolen。"
"Idon’tunderstandyou，"saidMrs。Tuckercoldly，turningtowardsthedoor。Butwithaflyingleapacrossthecounterherrelentlessadversarystoodbetweenherandretreat。
"Youdon’tunderstand！Perhapsyoudon’tunderstandthatyourhusbandnotonlystolethehardlaborofthesemen，buteventhelittlemoneytheybroughthereandtrustedtohisthievinghands。
Perhapsyoudon’tknowthathestolemyhusband’shardearnings，mortgagedtheseverygoodsyouwanttobuy，andthatheisto—dayaconvictedthief，aforger，andarunawaycoward。Perhaps，ifyoucan’tunderstandME，youcanreadthenewspaper。Look！"Sheexultinglyopenedthepaperthesheriffhadbeenreadingaloud，andpointedtothedisplayedheadlines。"Look！therearetheverywords，’Forgery，Swindling，Embezzlement！’Doyousee？Andperhapsyoucan’tunderstandthis。Look！’ShamefulFlight。
AbandonshisWife。RunsoffwithaNotorious——’"
"Easy，oldgal，easynow。D——nit！Willyoudryup？Isay。
STOP！"
Itwastoolate！
Thesheriffhaddashedthepaperfromthewoman’shand，butnotuntilMrs。Tuckerhadreadasingleline，alinesuchasshehadsometimesturnedfromwithwearyscorninhercarelessperusalofthedailyshamefulchronicleofdomesticinfelicity。Thenshehadcoldlywonderediftherecouldbeanysuchmenandwomen;andnow！
Thecrowdfellbackbeforeher;eventheviragowassilencedasshelookedatherface。Thehumorist’sfacewasaswhite，butnotasimmobile，ashegasped，"Christ！ifIdon’tbelievesheknewnothin’ofit！"
Foramomentthefullforceofsuchasupposition，withallitspoignancy，itsdramaticintensity，anditspathos，possessedthecrowd。Inthemomentaryclairvoyanceofenthusiasmtheycaughtaglimpseofthetruth，andbyoneofthestrangereactionsofhumanpassiontheyonlywaitedforawordofappealorexplanationfromherlipstothrowthemselvesatherfeet。Hadshesimplytoldherstorytheywouldhavebelievedher;hadshecried，fainted，orgoneintohysterics，theywouldhavepitiedher。Shedidneither。
Perhapsshethoughtofneither，orindeedofanythingthatwasthenbeforehereyes。Shewalkederecttothedoorandturneduponthethreshold。"ImeanwhatIsay，"shesaidcalmly。"Idon’tunderstandyou。Butwhateverjustclaimsyouhaveuponmyhusbandwillbepaidbyme，orbyhislawyer，CaptainPoindexter。"
Shehadlostthesympathybutnottherespectofherhearers。Theymadewayforherwithsullendeferenceasshepassedoutontheplatform。Butheradversary，profitingbythelastopportunity，burstintoanironicallaugh。
"CaptainPoindexter，isit？Well，perhapshe’ssafetopayYOUR
bill，butasforyourhusband’s——"
"That’sanothermatter，"interruptedafamiliarvoicewiththegreatestcheerfulness;"that’swhatyouweregoingtosay，wasn’tit？Ha！ha！Well，Mrs。Patterson，"continuedPoindexter，steppingfromhisbuggy，"youneverspokeatruerwordinyourlife。Onemoment，Mrs。Tucker。Letmesendyoubackinthebuggy。Don’tmindME。Icangetafreshhorseofthesheriff。I’mquiteathomehere。Isay，Patterson，stepafewpacesthisway，willyou？
Alittlefurtherfromyourwife，please。That’lldo。You’vegotaclaimoffivethousanddollarsagainsttheproperty，haven’tyou？"
"Yes。"
"Well，thatwomanjustdrivingawayisyouronesolitarychanceofgettingacentofit。Ifyourwifeinsultsheragain，thatchanceisgone。AndifYOUdo——"
"Well？"
"AssureasthereisaGodinIsraelandaSupremeCourtoftheStateofCalifornia，I’llkillyouinyourtracks！……Stay！"
Pattersonturned。TheirrepressiblelookofhumoroustoleranceofallhumanfrailtyhadsuffusedPoindexter’sblackeyeswithmischievousmoisture。"Ifyouthinkitquitesafetoconfidetoyourwifethisprospectofherimprovementbywidowhood，youmay！"
CHAPTERIII
Mr。Pattersondidnotinformhiswifeofthelawyer’spersonalthreattohimself。Buthemanaged，afterPoindexterhadleft，tomakeherconsciousthatMrs。Tuckermightbeapowertobeplacatedandfeared。"You’veshotoffyourmouthather，"hesaidargumentatively，"andwhetheryou’vehitthemarkornotyou’vehadyoursay。Efyouthinkit’sworthapossiblefivethousanddollarsandinteresttokeepon，heaveahead。Efyouratherhavethechanceofgettingtherestincash，you’llletuponher。""Youdon’tsuppose，"returnedMrs。Pattersoncontemptuously，"thatshe’sgotanythingbutwhatthatmanofhers——Poindexter——letsherhave？"
"Thesheriffsays，"retortedPattersonsurlily，"thatshe’snotifiedhimthatsheclaimstheranchoasagiftfromherhusbandthreeyearsago，andshe’sinPOSSESSIONnow，andwassowhentheexecutionwasout。Itdon’tmakenomatter，"headded，withgloomyphilosophy，"who’sgotafullhandaslongasWEain’tgotthecardstochipin。Iwouldn’t’a’mindedit，"hecontinuedmeditatively，"efSpenceTuckerhaddroppedahinttomeaforeheputout。""AndIsuppose，"saidMrs。Pattersonangrily，"you’dhaveputouttoo？""Ireckon，"saidPattersonsimply。
Twiceorthriceduringtheeveninghereferred，moreorlessdirectly，tothislackofconfidenceshownbyhislatedebtorandemployer，andseemedtofeelitmorekeenlythanthelossofproperty。Heconfidedhissentimentsquiteopenlytothesheriffinpossession，overthewhiskeyandeuchrewithwhichthesegentlemenavoidedthedifficultiesoftheirdelicaterelations。Hebroodedoveritashehandedthekeysoftheshoptothesheriffwhentheypartedforthenight，andwasstillthinkingofitwhenthehousewasclosed，everybodygonetobed，andhewasfetchingafreshjugofwaterfromthewell。Themoonwasattimesobscuredbyflyingclouds，theavant—couriersoftheregulareveningshower。
Hewasstoopingoverthewell，whenhesprangsuddenlytohisfeetagain。"Who’sthere？"hedemandedsharply。
"Hush！"saidavoicesolowandfaintitmighthavebeenawhisperofthewindinthepalisadesofthecorral。But，indistinctasitwas，itwasthevoiceofthemanhewasthinkingofasfaraway，anditsentathrillofalternateaweandpleasurethroughhispulses。
Heglancedquicklyaround。Themoonwashiddenbyapassingcloud，andonlythefaintoutlinesofthehousehehadjustquittedwerevisible。"Isthatyou，Spence？"hesaidtremulously。
"Yes，"repliedthevoice，andafiguredimlyemergedfromthecornerofthecorral。
"Laylow，laylow，forGod’ssake，"saidPatterson，hurriedlythrowinghimselfupontheapparition。"Thesheriffandhisposseareinthere。"
"ButImustspeaktoyouamoment，"saidthefigure。
"Wait，"saidPatterson，glancingtowardsthebuilding。Itsblank，shutterlesswindowsrevealednoinnerlight;aprofoundsilenceencompassedit。"Comequick，"hewhispered。Lettinghisgraspslipdowntotheunresistinghandofthestranger，hehalf—dragged，half—ledhim，brushingagainstthewall，intotheopendoorofthedesertedbar—roomhehadjustquitted，lockedtheinnerdoor，pouredaglassofwhiskeyfromadecanter，gaveittohim，andthenwatchedhimdrainitatasingledraught。Themooncameout，and，fallingthroughthebarewindowsfulluponthestranger’sface，revealedtheartisticbutslightlydisheveledcurlsandmoustacheofthefugitive，SpencerTucker。
Whatevermayhavebeentherealinfluenceofthisunfortunatemanuponhisfellows，itseemedtofindexpressioninasingularunanimityofcriticism。Pattersonlookedathimwithahalf—
dismal，half—welcomingsmile。"Well，youareah—llofafellow，ain’tyou？"
SpencerTuckerpassedhishandthroughhishairandlifteditfromhisforehead，withagestureatonceemotionalandtheatrical。"I
amamanwithapriceonme！"hesaidbitterly。"Givemeuptothesheriff，andyou’llgetfivethousanddollars。Helpme，andyou’llgetnothing。That’smyd————dluck，andyourstoo，Isuppose。"
"Ireckonyou’rerightthere，"saidPattersongloomily。"ButI
thoughtyougotcleanaway。Wentoffinaship——"
"Wentoffinaboattoaship，"interruptedTuckersavagely;"wentofftoashipthathadallmythingsonboard——everything。ThecursedboatcapsizedinasqualljustofftheHeads。Theship，d——nher，sailedaway，thementhinkingIwasdrowned，likely，andthatthey’dmakeagoodthingoffmygoods，Ireckon。"
"Butthegirl，Inez，whowaswithyou，didn’tshemakearow？"
"Quiensabe？"returnedTucker，witharecklesslaugh。"Well，I
hungonlikegrimdeathtothatboat’skeeluntiloneofthoseChinesefishermen，ina’dug—out，’hauledmeinoppositeSaucelito。
Icharteredhimandhisdug—outtobringmedownhere。"
"Whyhere？"askedPatterson，withacertainostentatiouscautionthatill—concealedhispensivesatisfaction。
"Youmaywellask，"returnedTucker，withanequalostentationofbitterness，asheslightlywavedhiscompanionaway。"ButI
reckonedIcouldtrustawhitemanthatI’dbeenkindto，andwhowouldn’tgobackonme。No，no，letmego！Handmeovertothesheriff！"
Pattersonhadsuddenlygraspedboththehandsofthepicturesquescampbeforehim，withanaffectionthatforaninstantalmostshamedthemanwhohadruinedhim。ButTucker’segotismwhisperedthatthisaffectionwasonlyarecognitionofhisownsuperiority，andfeltflattered。Hewasbeginningtobelievethathewasreallytheinjuredparty。
"WhatIHAVEandwhatIhaveHADisyours，Spence，"returnedPatterson，withasadandsimpledirectnessthatmadeanyfurtherdiscussionagratuitousinsult。"Ionlywantedtoknowwhatyoureckonedtodohere。"
"IwanttogetoveracrosstheCoastRangetoMonterey，"saidTucker。"Oncethere，oneofthosecoastingschoonerswillbringmedowntoAcapulco，wheretheshipwillputin。"
Pattersonremainedsilentforamoment。"There’samustanginthecorralyoucantake——leastways，Ishan’tknowthatit’sgone——untilto—morrowafternoon。Inanhourfromnow，"headded，lookingfromthewindow，"thesecloudswillsettledowntobusiness。Itwillrain;therewillbelightenoughforyoutofindyourwaybytheregulartrailoverthemountain，butnotenoughforanyonetoknowyou。Ifyoucan’tpushthroughto—night，youcanlieoverattheposadaonthesummit。Themgreasersthatkeepitwon’tknowyou，andiftheydidtheywon’tgobackonyou。Andiftheydidgobackonyou，nobodywouldbelievethem。It’smightycurious，"headded，withgloomyphilosophy，"butIreckonit’sthereasonwhyProvidenceallowsthiskindofcattletoliveamongwhitemenandothersmadeinhisimage。Takeapieceofpie，won’tyou？"Hecontinued，abandoningthisabstractreflectionandproducinghalfaflatpumpkinpiefromthebar。SpencerTuckergraspedthepiewithonehandandhisfriend’sfingerswiththeother，andforafewmomentswassilentfromthehurrieddeglutitionofviandandsentiment。"YOU’REawhiteman，Patterson，anyway，"heresumed。
"I’lltakeyourhorse，andputitdowninouraccount，atyourownfigure。Assoonasthiscursedthingisblownover，I’llbebackhereandseeyouthrough，youbet。Idon’tdesertmyfriends，howeverroughthingsgowithme。"
"Iseeyoudon’t，"returnedPatterson，withanunconsciousandserioussimplicitythathadtheeffectofthemostexquisiteirony。
"IwasonlyjustsayingtothesheriffthatiftherewasanythingI
couldhavedoneforyou，youwouldn’thavecutawaywithoutlettingmeknow。"TuckerglanceduneasilyatPatterson，whocontinued，"Yeain’twantinganythingelse？"Thenobservingthathisformerfriendandpatronwasroughlybutnewlyclothed，andbetrayednotraceofhislastescapade，headded，"Iseeyou’vegotafreshharness。"
"Thatd————dChinamanboughtmetheseatthelanding;they’renotmuchinstyleorfit，"hecontinued，tryingtogetamoonlightviewofhimselfinthemirrorbehindthebar，"butthatdon’tmatterhere。"Hefilledanotherglassofspirits，jauntilysettledhimselfbackinhischair，andadded，"Idon’tsupposethereareanygirlsaround，anyway。"
"’Ceptyourwife;shewasdownherethisafternoon，"saidPattersonmeditatively。
Mr。Tuckerpausedwiththepieinhishand。"Ah，yes！"Heessayedarecklesslaugh，butthatevidentsimulationfailedbeforePatterson’smelancholy。Withanassumptionoffallinginwithhisfriend’smanner，ratherthanfromanypersonalanxiety，hecontinued，"Well？"
"ThatmanPoindexterwasdownherewithher。Putherinthehaciendatoholdpossessionaforethenewscameout。"
"Impossible！"saidTucker，risinghastily。"Itdon’tbelong——thatis——"hehesitated。
"Yerthinkingthecreditors’llgetit，mebbe，"returnedPatterson，gazingatthefloor。"Notaslongasshe’sinit;nosir！Whetherit’sreallyhers，orshe’sonlykeepinghouseforPoindexter，she’safixture，youbet。They’reateamwhentheypulltogether，theyare！"
ThesmileslowlyfadedfromTucker’sface，thatnowlookedquiterigidinthemoonlight。HeputdownhisglassandwalkedtothewindowasPattersongloomilycontinued，"Butthat’snothingtoyou。
You’vegotaheadof’emboth，andhadyourrevengebygoingoffwiththegal。That’swhatIsaidallalong。Whenfolks——
especiallywomenfolks——wonderedhowyoucouldleaveawomanlikeyourwife，andgooffwithascallawaglikethatgal，Iallerssaidthey’dfindouttherewasareason。AndwhenyourwifecameflauntingdownherewithPoindexterbeforeshe’dquitegotquitofyou，Ireckontheybegantoseethewholelittlegame。Nosir！I
knewitwasn’tonaccountofthegal！Why，whenyoucamehereto—
nightandtoldmequitenat’ral—likeandeasyhowshewentoffintheship，andthencalmlyateyourpieanddrankyourwhiskeyafterit，Iknewyoudidn’tcareforher。There’smyhand，Spence;
you’reatrump，evenifyouarealittlelooney，eh？Why，what’sup？"
ShallowandselfishasTuckerwas，Patterson’swordsseemedlikearevelationthatshockedhimasprofoundlyasitmighthaveshockedanoblernature。Thesimplevanityandselfishnessthatmadehimunabletoconceiveanyhigherreasonforhiswife’sloyaltythanhisownpersonalpopularityandsuccess，nowthathenolongerpossessedthateclat，madehimequallycapableofthelowestsuspicions。Hewasadishonoredfugitive，brokeninfortuneandreputation——whyshouldshenotdeserthim！Hehadbeenunfaithfultoherfromwildness，fromcaprice，fromtheeffectofthosefascinatingqualities;itseemedtohimnaturalthatsheshouldbedisloyalfrommoredeliberatemotives，andhehuggedhimselfwiththatbelief。Yettherewasenoughdoubt，enoughofhauntingsuspicionthathehadlostoralienatedapowerfulaffection，tomakehimthoroughlymiserable。Hereturnedhisfriend’sgraspconvulsivelyandburiedhisfaceuponhisshoulder。Buthewasnotabovefeelingacertainexultationintheeffectofhismiseryuponthedog—like，unreasoningaffectionofPatterson，norcouldheentirelyrefrainfromslightlyposinghisafflictionbeforethatsympatheticbutmelancholyman。Suddenlyheraisedhishead，drewback，andthrusthishandintohisbosomwithatheatricalgesture。
"What’stokeepmefromkillingPoindexterinhistracks？"hesaidwildly。
"Nothin’butHISshootingfirst，"returnedPatterson，withdismalpracticality。"He’smightyquick，likeallthemarmymen。It’sabouteven，Ireckon，thathedon’tgetMEfirst，"headdedinanominousvoice。
"No！"returnedTucker，graspinghishandagain。"Thisisnotyouraffair，Patterson;leavehimtomewhenIcomeback。"
"Ifheevergetsthedroponme，Ireckonhewon’twait，"continuedPattersonlugubriously。"Heseemstoobjecttomypassin’
criticismonyourwife，asifshewasaqueenoranangel。"
ThebloodcametoSpencer’scheek，andheturneduneasilytothewindow。"It’sdarkenoughnowforastart，"hesaidhurriedly，"andifIcouldgetacrossthemountainwithoutlyingoveratthesummit，itwouldbeadaygained。"
Pattersonarosewithoutaword，filledaflaskofspirit，handedittohisfriend，andsilentlyledthewaythroughtheslowlyfallingrainandthenowsettleddarkness。Themustangwasquicklysecuredandsaddled，aheavyponchoaffordedTuckeradisguiseaswellasaprotectionfromtherain。Withafewhurried，disconnectedwords，andanabstractedair，heoncemoreshookhisfriend’shandandissuedcautiouslyfromthecorral。Whenoutofearshotfromthehouseheputspurstothemustang，anddashedintoagallop。
Tointersectthemountainroadhewasobligedtotraversepartofthehighwayhiswifehadwalkedthatafternoon，andtopasswithinamileofthecasawhereshewas。Longbeforehereachedthatpointhiseyeswerestrainingthedarknessinthatdirectionforsomeindicationofthehousewhichwastohimfamiliar。Becomingnowaccustomedtotheevenobscurity，lesstryingtothevisionthanthealternatelightandshadowofcloudorthefullglareofthemoonlight，hefanciedhecoulddistinguishitslowwallsoverthemonotonouslevel。Oneofthoseimpulseswhichhadsooftentakentheplaceofresolutioninhischaractersuddenlypossessedhimtodivergefromhiscourseandapproachthehouse。Why，hecouldnothaveexplained。Itwasnotfromanyfeelingofjealoussuspicionorcontemplatedrevenge——thathadpassedwiththepresenceofPatterson;itwasnotfromanyvaguelingeringsentimentforthewomanhehadwronged——hewouldhaveshrunkfrommeetingheratthatmoment。Butitwasfulloftheseandmorepossibilitiesbywhichhemightormightnotbeguided，andwasatleastamovementtowardssomevagueend，andadistractionfromcertainthoughtshedarednotentertainandcouldnotentirelydismiss。Inconceivableandinexplicabletohumanreason，itmighthavebeenacceptabletotheDivineomniscienceforitspredestinedresult。
Helefttheroadatapointwherethemarshencroacheduponthemeadow，familiartohimalreadyasnearthespotwherehehadembarkedfromtheChinaman’sboatthedaybefore。Herememberedthatthewallsofthehaciendaweredistinctlyvisiblefromthetuleswherehehadhiddenallday，andhenowknewthatthefigureshehadobservednearthebuilding，whichhaddeterredhisfirstattemptsatlanding，musthavebeenhiswifeandhisfriend。Heknewthatalongtongueofthesloughfilledbytherisingtidefollowedthemarsh，andlaybetweenhimandthehacienda。Thesinkingofhishorse’shoofsinthespongysoildetermineditsproximity，andhemadeadetourtotherighttoavoidit。Indoingso，alightsuddenlyroseabovethedistanthorizonaheadofhim，trembledfaintly，andthenburnedwithasteadylustre。Itwasalightatthehacienda。Guidinghishorsehalfabstractedlyinthisdirection，hisprogresswaspresentlycheckedbythesplashingoftheanimal’shoofsinthewater。Buttheturfbelowwasfirm，andasaltdropthathadspatteredtohislipstoldhimthatitwasonlytheencroachingofthetideinthemeadow。Withhiseyesonthelight，heagainurgedhishorseforward。Therainlulled，thecloudsbegantobreak，thelandscapealternatelylightenedandgrewdark;theoutlinesofthecrumblinghaciendawallsthatenshrinedthelightgrewmorevisible。Astrangeanddreamyresemblancetothelongblue—grassplainbeforehiswife’spaternalhouse，asseenbyhimduringhiseveningridestocourtship，presseditselfuponhim。Heremembered，too，thatsheusedtoputalightinthewindowtoindicateherpresence。Followingthisretrospect，themooncameboldlyout，sparkledupontheoverflowofsilverathisfeet，seemedtoshowthedark，opaquemeadowbeyondforamoment，andthendisappeared。Itwasdarknow，butthelesserearthlystarstillshonebeforehimasaguide，andpushingtowardsit，hepassedintheall—embracingshadow。
CHAPTERIV
AsMrs。Tucker，erect，white，andrigid，droveawayfromthetienda，itseemedtohertosinkagainintothemonotonousplain，withallitshorriblerealities。Exceptthattherewasnowanewandheart—breakingsignificancetothesolitudeandlonelinessofthelandscape，allthathadpassedmighthavebeenadream。Butasthebloodcamebacktohercheek，andlittlebylittlehertinglingconsciousnessreturned，itseemedasifherlifehadbeenthedream，andthislastscenetheawakeningreality。Witheyessmartingwiththemoistureofshame，thescarletbloodattimesdyeingherveryneckandtemples，shemuffledherloweredcrestinhershawlandbentoverthereins。Bitbybitsherecalled，inPoindexter’smysteriouscautionandstrangeallusions，thecorroborationofherhusband’sshameandherowndisgrace。Thiswaswhyshewasbroughthither——thedesertedwife，andabandonedconfederate！Themockingglitteroftheconcavevaultaboveher，scouredbytheincessantwind，thecoldstareoftheshiningpoolsbeyond，thehardoutlinesoftheCoastRange，andthejarringaccompanimentofherhorse’shoofsandrattlingbuggywheelsalternatelygoadedanddistractedher。Shefoundherselfrepeating"No！no！no！"withthedoggedreiterationoffever。Shescarcelyknewwhenorhowshereachedthehacienda。Shewasonlyconsciousthatassheenteredthepatiothedustysolitudethathadbeforefilledherwithunrestnowcametoherlikebalm。Abenumbingpeaceseemedtofallfromthecrumblingwalls;thepeaceofutterseclusion，isolation，oblivion，death！Nevertheless，anhourlater，whenthejingleofspursandbridlewereagainheardintheroad，shestartedtoherfeetwithbentbrowsandakindlingeye，andconfrontedCaptainPoindexterinthecorridor。
"Iwouldnothaveintrudeduponyousosoonagain，"hesaidgravely，"butIthoughtImightperhapsspareyouarepetitionofthesceneofthismorning。Hearmeout，please，"headded，withagentle，half—deprecatinggesture，assheliftedthebeautifulscornofhereyestohis。"Ihavejustheardthatyourneighbor，DonJoseSantierra，ofLosGatos，isonhiswaytothishouse。Heonceclaimedthisland，andhatedyourhusband，whoboughtoftherivalclaimant，whosegrantwasconfirmed。Itellyouthis，"headded，slightlyflushingasMrs。Tuckerturnedimpatientlyaway，"onlytoshowyouthatlegallyhehasnorights，andyouneednotseehimunlessyouchoose。Icouldnotstophiscomingwithoutperhapsdoingyoumoreharmthangood;butwhenhedoescome，mypresenceunderthisroofasyourlegalcounselwillenableyoutoreferhimtome。"Hestopped。Shewaspacingthecorridorwithshort，impatientsteps，herarmsdropped，andherhandsclaspedrigidlybeforeher。"HaveIyourpermissiontostay？"
Shesuddenlystoppedinherwalk，approachedhimrapidly，andfixinghereyesonhis，said，——
"DoIknowALL，now——everything？"
Hecouldonlyreplythatshehadnotyettoldhimwhatshehadheard。
"Well，"shesaidscornfully，"thatmyhusbandhasbeencruellyimposedupon——imposeduponbysomewretchedwoman，whohasmadehimsacrificehisproperty，hisfriends，hishonor——everythingbutme？"
"Everythingbutwhom？"gaspedPoindexter。
"ButME！"
Poindextergazedatthesky，theair，thedesertedcorridor，thestonesofthepatioitself，andthenattheinexplicablewomanbeforehim。Thenhesaidgravely，"Ithinkyouknoweverything。"
"Thenifmyhusbandhasleftmeallhecould——thisproperty，"shewentonrapidly，twistingherhandkerchiefbetweenherfingers，"I
candowithitwhatIlike，can’tI？"
"Youcertainlycan。"
"Thensellit，"shesaid，withpassionatevehemence。"Sellit——
all！everything！Andsellthese。"Shedartedintoherbedroom，andreturnedwiththediamondringsshehadtornfromherfingersandearswhensheenteredthehouse。"Sellthemforanythingthey’llbring，onlysellthematonce。"
"Butforwhat？"askedPoindexter，withdemurelipsbuttwinklingeyes。
"Topaythedebtsthatthis——this——womanhasledhiminto;toreturnthemoneyshehasstolen！"shewentonrapidly，"tokeephimfromsharingherinfamy！Can’tyouunderstand？"
"But，mydearmadam，"beganPoindexter，"evenifthiscouldbedone——"
"Don’ttellme’ifitcould’——itMUSTbedone。DoyouthinkI
couldsleepunderthisroof，proppedupbythetimbersofthatruinedtienda？DoyouthinkIcouldwearthosediamondsagain，whilethattermagantshop—womancansaythathermoneyboughtthem？
No。Ifyouaremyhusband’sfriendyouwilldothis——for——forhissake。"Shestopped，lockedandinterlockedhercoldfingersbeforeher，andsaid，hesitatingandmechanically，"Youmeantwell，CaptainPoindexter，inbringingmehere，Iknow！YoumustnotthinkthatIblameyouforit，orforthemiserableresultofitthatyouhavejustwitnessed。ButifIhavegainedanythingbyit，forGod’ssakeletmereapitquickly，thatImaygiveittothesepeopleandgo！IhaveafriendwhocanaidmetogettomyhusbandortomyhomeinKentucky，whereSpencerwillyetfindme，Iknow。
Iwantnothingmore。"Shestoppedagain。Withanotherwomanthepausewouldhavebeenoneoftears。Butshekeptherheadabovethefloodthatfilledherheart，andthecleareyesfixeduponPoindexter，albeitpained，wereundimmed。
"Butthiswouldrequiretime，"saidPoindexter，withasmileofcompassionateexplanation;"youcouldnotsellnow，nobodywouldbuy。Youaresafetoholdthispropertywhileyouareinactualpossession，butyouarenotstrongenoughtoguaranteeittoanother。Theremaystillbelitigation;yourhusbandhasothercreditorsthanthesepeopleyouhavetalkedwith。Butwhilenobodycouldoustyou——thewifewhowouldhavethesympathiesofjudgeandjury——itmightbeadifferentcasewithanyonewhoderivedtitlefromyou。Anypurchaserwouldknowthatyoucouldnotsell，orifyoudid，itwouldbeataridiculoussacrifice。"
Shelistenedtohimabstractedly，walkedtotheendofthecorridor，returned，andwithoutlookingup，said，——
"Isupposeyouknowher？"
"Ibegyourpardon？"
"Thiswoman。Youhaveseenher？"
"Never，tomyknowledge。"
"Andyouarehisfriend！That’sstrange。"Sheraisedhereyestohis。"Well，"shecontinuedimpatiently，"whoisshe？andwhatisshe？Youknowthatsurely？"
"IknownomoreofherthanwhatIhavesaid，"saidPoindexter。
"Sheisanotoriouswoman。"
TheswiftcolorcametoMrs。Tucker’sfaceasiftheepithethadbeenappliedtoherself。"Isuppose，"shesaidinadryvoice，asifshewereaskingabusinessquestion，butwithaneyethatshowedherrisinganger，——"Isupposethereissomelawbywhichcreaturesofthiskindcanbefollowedandbroughttojustice——somelawthatwouldkeepinnocentpeoplefromsufferingfortheircrimes？"
"Iamafraid，"saidPoindexter，"thatarrestingherwouldhardlyhelpthesepeopleoverinthetienda。"
"Iamnotspeakingofthem，"respondedMrs。Tucker，withasuddensublimecontemptforthepeoplewhosecauseshehadespoused："Iamtalkingofmyhusband。"
Poindexterbithislip。"You’dhardlythinkofbringingbackthestrongestwitnessagainsthim，"hesaidbluntly。
Mrs。Tuckerdroppedhereyesandwassilent。AsuddenshamesuffusedPoindexter’scheek;hefeltasifhehadstruckthatwomanablow。"Ibegyourpardon，"hesaidhastily，"Iamtalkinglikealawyertoalawyer。"Hewouldhavetakenanyotherwomanbythehandinthehonestfullnessofhisapology，butsomethingrestrainedhimhere。Heonlylookeddowngentlyonherloweredlashes，andrepeatedhisquestionifheshouldremainduringthecominginterviewwithDonJose："Imustbegyoutodeterminequickly，"headded，"forIalreadyhearhimenteringthegate。"
"Stay，"saidMrs。Tucker，astheringingofspursandclatterofhoofscamefromthecorral。"Onemoment。"Shelookedupsuddenly，andsaid，"Howlonghadheknownher？"Butbeforehecouldreplytherewasastepinthedoorway，andthefigureofDonJoseSantierraemergedfromthearchway。
Hewasamanslightlypastmiddleage，fairandwellshaven，wearingablackbroadclothserape，thedeeplyembroideredopeningofwhichformedacollarofsilverraysaroundhisneck，whilearowofsilverbuttonsdownthesideseamsofhisridingtrousers，andsilverspurs，completedhissingularequipment。Mrs。Tucker’sswiftfeminineglancetookinthesedetails，aswellasthedeepsalutation，moreformalthantheexuberantfrontierpolitenessshewasaccustomedto，withwhichhegreetedher。Itwasenoughtoarrestherfirstimpulsetoretreat。ShehesitatedandstoppedasPoindextersteppedforward，partlyinterposingbetweenthem，acknowledgingDonJose’sdistantrecognitionofhimselfwithanironicalaccessionofhisusualhumoroustolerance。TheSpaniarddidnotseemtonoticeit，butremainedgravelysilentbeforeMrs。
Tucker，gazingatherwithanexpressionofintentandunconsciousabsorption。
"Youarequiteright，DonJose，"saidPoindexter，withironicalconcern，"itisMrs。Tucker。YoureyesdoNOTdeceiveyou。Shewillbegladtodothehonorsofherhouse，"hecontinued，withasimulationofappealingtoher，"unlessyouvisitheronbusiness，whenIneednotsayIshallbeonlytoohappy，toattendyou，asbefore。"
DonJose，withaslightliftingoftheeyebrows，allowedhimselftobecomeconsciousofthelawyer’smeaning。"ItisnotofbusinessthatIcometokisstheSenora’shandto—day，"hereplied，withamelancholysoftness;"itisasherneighbor，toputmyselfatherdisposition。Ah！thewhathavewehereforalady？"hecontinued，raisinghiseyesindeprecationofthesurroundings;"ahouseofnothing，aplaceofwindsanddrybones，withoutrefreshments，orsatisfaction，ordelicacy。TheSenorawillnotrefusetomakeusproudthisdaytosendherofthatwhichwehaveinourpoorhomeatLosGatos，tomakehermorecomplete。Ofwhatshallitbe？Lethermakechoice。OrifshewouldcommemoratethisdaybyacceptingofourhospitalityatLosGatos，untilsheshallarrangeherselfthemoretoreceiveushere，weshallhavetoomuchhonor。"
"TheSenorawouldonlyfinditthemoredifficulttoreturntothishumbleroofagain，afteronceleavingitforDonJose’shospitality，"
saidPoindexter，withademureglanceatMrs。Tucker。Buttheinnuendoseemedtolapseequallyunheededbyhisfairclientandthestranger。RaisinghereyeswithacertaintimiddignitywhichDonJose’spresenceseemedtohavecalledout，sheaddressedherselftohim。
"Youareverykindandconsiderate，MisterSantierra，andIthankyou。Iknowthatmyhusband"——shelettheclearbeautyofhertranslucenteyesrestfullonbothmen——"wouldthankyoutoo。ButIshallnotbeherelongenoughtoacceptyourkindnessinthishouseorinyourown。Ihavebutonedesireandobjectnow。Itistodisposeofthisproperty，andindeedallIpossess，topaythedebtofmyhusband。Itisinyourpower，perhaps，tohelpme。I
amtoldthatyouwishtopossessLosCuervos，"shewenton，equallyobliviousoftheconsciousnessthatappearedinDonJose’sface，andahumorousperplexityonthebrowofPoindexter。"IfyoucanarrangeitwithMr。Poindexter，youwillfindmealiberalvendor。
Thatmuchyoucando，andIknowyouwillbelieveIshallbegrateful。Youcandonomore，unlessitbetosaytoyourfriendsthatMrs。BelleTuckerremainshereonlyforthatpurpose，andtocarryoutwhatsheknowstobethewishesofherhusband。"Shepaused，bentherprettycrest，droppedaquaintcurtseytothesuperiorage，thesilverbraid，andthegentlemanlybearingofDonJose，andwiththepassingsunshineofasmiledisappearedfromthecorridor。
Thetwomenremainedsilentforamoment，DonJosegazingabstractedlyonthedoorthroughwhichshehadvanished，untilPoindexter，withareturnofhistolerantsmile，said，"YouhaveheardtheviewsofMrs。Tucker。Youknowthesituationaswellasshedoes。"
"Ah，yes;possiblybetter。"
Poindexterdartedaquickglanceatthegrave，sallowfaceofDonJose，butdetectingnounusualsignificanceinhismanner，continued，"Asyousee，sheleavesthismatterinmyhands。Letustalklikebusinessmen。Haveyouanyideaofpurchasingthisproperty？"
"Ofpurchasing，ah，no。"
Poindexterbenthisbrows，butquicklyrelaxedthemwithasmileofhumorousforgiveness。"Ifyouhaveanyotheridea，DonJose，I
oughttowarnyou，asMrs。Tucker’slawyer，thatsheisinlegalpossessionhere，andthatnothingbutherownactcanchangethatposition。"
"Ah，so。"
Irritatedattheshrugwhichaccompaniedthis，Poindextercontinuedhaughtily，"IfIamtounderstand，youhavenothingtosay——"
"Tosay，ah，yes，possibly。But"——heglancedtowardthedoorofMrs。Tucker’sroom——"nothere。"Hestopped，appearedtorecallhimself，andwithanapologeticsmileandastudiedbutgracefulgestureofinvitation，hemotionedtothegateway，andsaid，"Willyouride？"
"Whatcanthefellowbeupto？"mutteredPoindexter，aswithanassentingnodheproceededtoremounthishorse。"Ifhewasn’tanoldhidalgo，I’dmistrusthim。Nomatter！heregoes！"
TheDonalsoremountedhishalf—brokenmustang;theyproceededinsolemnsilencethroughthecorral，andsidebysideemergedontheopenplain。Poindexterglancedaround;nootherbeingwasinsight。ItwasnotuntilthelonelyhaciendahadalsosunkbehindthemthatDonJosebrokethesilence。
"Yousayjustnowweshallspeakasbusinessmen。Isayno，DonMarco;Iwillnot。Ishallspeak，weshallspeak，asgentlemen。"
"Goon，"saidPoindexter，whowasbeginningtobeamused。
"IsayjustnowIwillnotpurchasetheranchofromtheSenora。
Andwhy？Lookyou，DonMarco;"hereinedinhishorse，thrusthishandunderhisserape，anddrewoutafoldeddocument："thisiswhy。"
Withasmile，Poindextertookthepaperfromhishandandopenedit。Butthesmilefadedfromhislipsasheread。WithblazingeyeshespurredhishorsebesidetheSpaniard，almostunseatinghim，andsaidsternly，"Whatdoesthismean？"
"Whatdoesitmean？"repeatedDonJose，withequallyflashingeyes，"I’lltellyou。Itmeansthatyourclient，thismanSpencerTucker，isaJudas，atraitor！ItmeansthathegaveLosCuervostohismistressayearago，andthatshesoldittome——tome，youhear！——ME，JoseSantierra，thedaybeforesheleft！ItmeansthatthecoyoteofaSpencer，thethief，whoboughttheselandsofathief，andgavethemtoathief，hastrickedyouall。Look，"hesaid，risinginhissaddle，holdingthepaperlikeabaton，anddefiningwithasweepofhisarmthewholelevelplain，"alltheselandswereoncemine，theyaremineagainto—day。DoIwanttopurchaseLosCuervos？youask，foryouwillspeakoftheBUSINESS。
Well，listen。IHAVEpurchasedLosCuervos，andhereisthedeed。"
"Butithasneverbeenrecorded，"saidPoindexter，withacarelessnesshewasfarfromfeeling。
"Ofaverity，no。DoyouwishthatIshouldrecordit？"askedDonJose，withareturnofhissimplegravity。
Poindexterbithislip。"Yousaidweweretotalklikegentlemen，"
hereturned。"Doyouthinkyouhavecomeintopossessionofthisallegeddeedlikeagentleman？"
DonJoseshruggedhisshoulders。"Ifoundittossedinthelapofaharlot。Iboughtitforasong。Eh，whatwouldyou？"
"Wouldyousellitagainforasong？"askedPoindexter。
"Ah！whatisthis？"saidDonJose，liftinghisiron—graybrows;
"butamomentagowewouldselleverything，foranymoney。Nowwewouldbuy。Isitso？"
"Onemoment，DonJose，"saidPoindexter，withabalefullightinhisdarkeyes。"DoIunderstandthatyouaretheallyofSpencerTuckerandhismistress，thatyouintendtoturnthisdoublybetrayedwifefromtheonlyroofshehastocoverher？"
"Ah，Icomprehendnot。Youheardhersayshewishedtogo。
PerhapsitmaypleaseMEtodistributelargesstothesecattleyonder，Idonotsayno。Moreshedoesnotask。ButYOU，DonMarco，ofwhomareyouadvocate？Youabandonyourclient’smistressforthewife，isitso？"
"WhatImaydoyouwilllearnhereafter，"saidPoindexter，whohadregainedhiscomposure，suddenlyreininguphishorse。"Asourpathsseemlikelytodiverge，theyhadbetterbeginnow。Goodmorning。"
"Patience，myfriend，patience！Ah，blessedSt。Anthony，whattheseAmericansare！Listen。ForwhatYOUshalldo，Idonotinquire。ThequestionistomewhatI"——heemphasizedthepronounbytappinghimselfonthebreast——"I，JoseSantierra，willdo。
Well，Ishalltellyou。To—day，nothing。To—morrow，nothing。Foraweek，foramonth，nothing！After，weshallsee。"
Poindexterpausedthoughtfully。"Willyougiveyourword，DonJose，thatyouwillnotpresstheclaimforamonth？"
"Truly，ononecondition。Observe！Idonotaskyouforanequalpromise，thatyouwillnottakethistimetodefendyourself。"Heshruggedhisshoulders。"No！Itisonlythis。YoushallpromisethatduringthattimetheSenoraTuckershallremainignorantofthisdocument。"
Poindexterhesitatedamoment。"Ipromise，"hesaidatlast。
"Good。Adios，DonMarco。"
"Adios，DonJose。"
TheSpaniardputspurstohismustangandgallopedoffinthedirectionofLosGatos。Thelawyerremainedforamomentgazingonhisretreatingbutvictoriousfigure。ForthefirsttimetheoldlookofhumoroustolerationwithwhichMr。Poindexterwasinthehabitofregardingallhumaninfirmitygavewaytosomethinglikebitterness。"Imighthaveguessedit，"hesaid，withaslightriseofcolor。"He’sanoldfool;andshe——well，perhapsit’sallthebetterforher！"HeglancedbackwardsalmosttenderlyinthedirectionofLosCuervos，andthenturnedhisheadtowardstheembarcadero。
Astheafternoonworeon，acreaking，antiquatedox—cartarrivedatLosCuervos，bearingseveralarticlesoffurniture，andsometastefulornamentsfromLosGatos，atthesametimethatayoungMexicangirlmysteriouslyappearedinthekitchen，asatemporaryassistanttothedecrepitConcha。ThesewerebothclearlyattributabletoDonJose，whosevisitwasnotsoremotebutthatthesedelicateattentionsmighthavebeenalreadyprojectedbeforeMrs。Tuckerhaddeclinedthem，andshecouldnot，withoutmarkeddiscourtesy，returnthemnow。Shedidnotwishtoseemdiscourteous;shewouldliketohavebeenmoreciviltothisoldgentleman，whostillretainedtheevidencesofapicturesqueanddecorouspast，andareposesodifferentfromthelifethatwasperplexingher。Reflectingthatifheboughttheestatethesethingswouldbereadytohishand，andwithawoman’sinstinctrecognizingtheirvalueinsettingoffthehousetootherpurchasers’eyes，shetookapleasureintastefullyarrangingthem，andevenfoundherselfspeculatinghowshemighthaveenjoyedthemherselfhadshebeenabletokeeppossessionoftheproperty。
Afterall，itwouldnothavebeensolonelyifrefinedandgentleneighbors，likethisoldman，wouldhavesympathizedwithher;shehadaninstinctivefeelingthat，intheirownhopelessdecayandhereditaryunfitnessforthisnewcivilization，theywouldhavebeenmoretolerantofherhusband’sfailurethanhisownkind。ShecouldnotbelievethatDonJosereallyhatedherhusbandforbuyingofthesuccessfulclaimant，astherewasnootherlegaltitle。
Allowingherselftobecomeinterestedintheguilelessgossipofthenewhandmaiden，proudofherbrokenEnglish，shewasdrawnintoasympathywiththegravesimplicityofDonJose’scharacter，arelicofthattruenobilitywhichplacedthisdescendantoftheCastiliansandthedaughterofafreepeopleonthesamelevel。
InthiswaytheseconddayofheroccupancyofLosCuervosclosed，withdumbcloudsalongthegrayhorizon，andtheparoxysmsofhystericalwindgrowingfainterandfainteroutsidethewalls;withthemoonrisingafternightfall，andlosingitselfinsilentandmysteriousconfidenceswithdriftingscud。Shewenttobedearly，butwokepastmidnight，hearing，asshethought，herownnamecalled。Theimpressionwassostronguponherthatsherose，and，hastilyenwrappingherself，wenttothedarkembrasuresoftheoven—shapedwindows，andlookedout。Thedwarfedoakbesidethewindowwasstilldroppingfromapastshower，butthelevelwasteofmarshandmeadowbeyondseemedtoadvanceandrecedewiththecomingandgoingofthemoon。Againsheheardhernamecalled，andthistimeinaccentssostrangelyfamiliarthatwithaslightcrysheranintothecorridor，crossedthepatio，andreachedtheopengate。Thedarknessthathad，eveninthisbriefinterval，againfallenupontheprospectshetriedinvaintopiercewitheyeandvoice。Ablanksilencefollowed。Thentheveilwassuddenlywithdrawn;thevastplain，stretchingfromthemountaintothesea，shoneasclearlyasinthelightofday;themovingcurrentofthechannelglitteredlikeblackpearls，thestagnantpoolslikemoltenlead;butnotasignoflifenormotionbrokethemonotonyofthebroadexpanse。Shemusthavesurelydreamedit。Achillwinddroveherbacktothehouseagain;sheenteredherbedroom，andinhalfanhourshewasinapeacefulsleep。
CHAPTERV
Thetwomenkepttheirsecret。Mr。PoindexterconvincedMrs。
TuckerthatthesaleofLosCuervoscouldnotbeeffecteduntilthenotorietyofherhusband’sflighthadbeenfairlyforgotten，andshewasforcedtoacceptherfate。Thesaleofherdiamonds，whichseemedtohertohaverealizedasingularlyextravagantsum，enabledhertoquietlyreinstatethePattersonsinthetiendaandtodischargeinfullherhusband’sliabilitiestotherancherosandhishumblerretainers。
Meanwhilethewinterrainshadceased。Itseemedtoherasifthecloudshadsuddenlyonenightstrucktheirwhitetentsandstolenaway，leavingtheunvanquishedsuntomountthevacantskythenextmorningalone，andpossessitthenceforwardunchallenged。Oneafternoonshethoughtthelongsadwastebeforeherwindowhadcaughtsometintofgayercolorfromthesunset;aweeklatershefounditablazinglandscapeofpoppies，brokenhereandtherebybluelagoonsoflupine，bypoolsofdaisies，bybanksofdog—roses，bybroadoutlyingshoresofdandelionsthatscatteredtheirlavishgoldtothefootofthehills，wherethegreenbillowsofwildoatscarrieditonandupwardstothedarkercrestofpines。Fortwomonthsshewasdazzledandbewilderedwithcolor。ShehadneverbeforebeenfacetofacewiththisspendthriftCalifornianFlora，inhervirginwastefulness，hermorethangoddess—likeprodigality。
Theteemingearthseemedtoquickenandthrobbeneathherfeet;thefewcircuitsofaplougharoundtheoutlyingcorralwereenoughtocalloutajunglegrowthofgiantgrainthatalmosthidthelowwallsofthehacienda。Inthisgloriousfecundityoftheearth，inthisjoyousrenewaloflifeandcolor，inthisopulentyouthandfreshnessofsoilandsky，italoneremained，thedeadandsterilePast，leftinthemidstofbuoyantrejuvenescenceandresurrection，likeanemptychurchyardskullupturnedonthespringingturf。Itsbronzedadobewallsmockedthegreenvinethatembracedthem，thecrumblingdustofitscourtyardremainedungerminatingandunfruitful;tothethousandstirringvoiceswithout，itsdrylipsaloneremainedmute，unresponsiveandunchanged。
DuringthistimeDonJosehadbecomeafrequentvisitoratLosCuervos，bringingwithhimatfirsthisnieceandsisterinastatelyprecisionofpolitenessthatwasnotlostontheproudBlueGrassstranger。ShereturnedtheirvisitatLosGatos，andtheremadetheformalacquaintanceofDonJose’sgrandmother，aladywhostillregardedthedecrepitConchaasagiddymuchacha，andwhoherselfglitteredaswiththephosphorescenceofrefineddecay。
ThroughthiscircumstanceshelearnedthatDonJosewasnotyetfifty，andthathisgravityofmannerandsedatenesswasmoretheresultoffastidiousisolationandtemperamentthanyears。Shecouldnottellwhytheinformationgaveherafeelingofannoyance，butitcausedhertoregrettheabsenceofPoindexter，andtowonder，alsosomewhatnervously，whyhehadlatelyavoidedherpresence。ThethoughtthathemightbedoingsofromarecollectionoftheinnuendoesofMrs。Pattersoncausedalittletremorofindignationinherpulses。"Asif——"butshedidnotfinishthesentenceeventoherself，andhereyesfilledwithbittertears。
Yetshehadthoughtofthehusbandwhohadsocruellywrongedherlessfeverishly，lessimpatientlythanbefore。Forshethoughtshelovedhimnowthemoredeeply，because，althoughshewasnotreconciledtohisabsence，itseemedtokeepalivethememoryofwhathehadbeenbeforehisonewildactseparatedthem。Shehadneverseenthereflectionofanotherwoman’seyesinhis;thepastcontainednohauntingrecollectionofwaningoralienatedaffection;shecouldmeethimagain，and，claspingherarmsaroundhim，awakenasiffromatroubleddreamwithoutreproachorexplanation。Herstrongbeliefinthismadeherpatient;shenolongersoughttoknowtheparticularsofhisflight，andneverdreamedthatherpassivesubmissiontohisabsencewaspartlyduetoafearthatsomethinginhisactualpresenceatthatmomentwouldhavedestroyedthatbeliefforever。
ForthisreasonthedelicatereticenceofthepeopleatLosGatos，andtheirseclusionfromtheworldwhichknewofherhusband’sfault，hadmadeherencouragethevisitsofDonJose，untilfromtheinstinctalreadyalludedtosheonedaysummonedPoindextertoLosCuervos，onthedaythatDonJoseusuallycalled。Buttohersurprisethetwomenmetmoreorlessawkwardlyandcoldly，andhertactashostesswastriedtotheutmosttokeeptheirevidentantagonismfrombeingtooapparent。Theefforttoreconciletheirmutualdiscontent，andsomeotherfeelingshedidnotquiteunderstand，producedanervousexcitementwhichcalledthebloodtohercheekandgaveadangerousbrilliancytohereyes，twocircumstancesnotunnoticednorunappreciatedbyhertwoguests。
Butinsteadofreunitingthem，theprettierMrs。Tuckerbecame，themoredistantandreservedgrewthemen，untilDonJoserosebeforetheusualhour，andwithmorethanusualceremoniousnessdeparted。
"ThenmybusinessdoesnotseemtobewithHIM？"saidPoindexter，withquietcoolness，asMrs。Tuckerturnedhersomewhatmystifiedfacetowardshim。"Orhaveyouanythingtosaytomeabouthiminprivate？"
"IamsureIdon’tknowwhatyoubothmean，"shereturnedwithaslighttremorofvoice。"Ihadnoideayouwerenotongoodterms。
Ithoughtyouwere！It’sveryawkward。"Withoutcoquetryandunconsciouslysheraisedherblueeyesunderherlidsuntiltheclearpupilscoylyandsoftlyhidthemselvesinthecornersofthebrownlashes，andadded，"Youhavebothbeensokindtome。"
"Perhapsthatisthereason，"saidPoindexter，gravely。ButMrs。
Tuckerrefusedtoacceptthesuggestionwithequalgravity，andbegantolaugh。Thelaugh，whichwasatfirstfrank，spontaneous，andalmostchild—like，wasbecominghystericalandnervousasshewenton，untilitwassuddenlycheckedbyPoindexter。
"IhavehadnodifficultieswithDonJoseSantierra，"hesaid，somewhatcoldlyignoringherhilarity，"butperhapsheisnotinclinedtobeaspolitetothefriendofthehusbandasheistothewife。"
"Mr。Poindexter！"saidMrs。Tuckerquickly，herfacebecomingpaleagain。
"Ibegyourpardon！"saidPoindexter，flushing;"but——"
"Youwanttosay，"sheinterruptedcoolly，"thatyouarenotfriends，Isee。Isthatthereasonwhyyouhaveavoidedthishouse？"shecontinuedgently。
"IthoughtIcouldbeofmoreservicetoyouelsewhere，"herepliedevasively。"Ihavebeenlatelyfollowingupacertainclueratherclosely。IthinkIamonthetrackofaconfidanteof——of——thatwoman。"
AquickshadowpassedoverMrs。Tucker’sface。"Indeed！"shesaidcoldly。"ThenIamtobelievethatyouprefertospendyourleisuremomentsinlookingafterthatcreaturetocallinghere？"
Poindexterwasstupefied。Wasthisthewomanwhoonlyfourmonthsagowasalmostvindictivelyeagertopursueherhusband’sparamour！
Therecouldbebutoneanswertoit——DonJose！Fourmonthsagohewouldhavesmiledcompassionatelyatitfromhiscynicalpre—
eminence。Nowhemanagedwithdifficultytostiflethebitternessofhisreply。
"Ifyoudonotwishtheinquirycarriedon，"hebegan，"ofcourse——"
"I？Whatdoesitmattertome？"shesaidcoolly。"Doasyouplease。"
Nevertheless，halfanhourlater，ashewasleaving，shesaid，withacertainhesitatingtimidity，"Donotleavemesomuchalonehere，andletthatwomango。"
Thiswasnottheonlyunlooked—forsequeltoherinnocentdesiretopropitiateherbestfriends。DonJosedidnotcallagainuponhisusualday，butinhisplacecameDonaClara，hisyoungersister。
WhenMrs。TuckerhadpolitelyaskedaftertheabsentDonJose，DonaClarawoundherswarthyarmsaroundthefairAmerican’swaistandreplied，"ButwhydidyousendfortheabogadoPoindexterwhenmybrothercalled？"
"ButCaptainPoindextercallsasoneofmyfriends，"saidtheamazedMrs。Tucker。"Heisagentleman，andhasbeenasoldierandanofficer，"sheaddedwithsomewarmth。
"Ah，yes，asoldierofthelaw，whatyoucallanoficialdepolicia，achiefofgendarmes，mysister，butnotagentleman——acamarerotoprotectalady。"
Mrs。Tuckerwouldhaveutteredahastyreply，buttheperfectandgood—naturedsimplicityofDonaClarawithheldher。Nevertheless，shetreatedDonJosewithacertainreserveattheirnextmeeting，untilitbroughtthesimple—mindedCastiliansodangerouslynearthepointofdemandinganexplanationwhichimpliedtoomuchthatshewasobligedtorestorehimtemporarilytohisoldfooting。
Meantimeshehadabrilliantidea。ShewouldwritetoCalhounWeaver，whomshehadavoidedsincethatmemorableday。Shewouldsayshewishedtoconsulthim。HewouldcometoLosCuervos;hemightsuggestsomethingtolightenthiswearywaiting;atleastshewouldshowthemallthatshehadstilloldfriends。YetshedidnotdreamofreturningtoherBlueGrasshome;herparentshaddiedsincesheleft;sheshrankfromthethoughtofdraggingherruinedlifebeforethehopefulyouthofhergirlhood’scompanions。
Mr。CalhounWeaverarrivedpromptly，ostentatiously，oracularly，andcordially，butalittlecoarsely。Hehad——didsheremember？——
expectedthisfromthefirst。Spencerhadlosthisheadthroughvanity，andhadattemptedtoomuch。Itrequiredforesightandfirmness，ashehimself——whohadlatelymadesuccessful"combinations"whichshemightperhapshaveheardof——wellknew。
ButSpencerhadgotthe"bighead。""Astothatwoman——adevilishhandsomewomantoo！——well，everybodyknewthatSpenceralwayshadaweaknessthatway，andhewouldsay——butifshedidn’tcaretohearanymoreabouther——well，perhapsshewasright。Thatwasthebestwaytotakeit。"Sittingbeforeher，prosperous，weak，egotistical，incompetent，unavailable，andyetfilledwithavaguekindlinessofintent，Mrs。Tuckerloathedhim。Asickeningperceptionofherownweaknessinsendingforhim，anewandachingsenseofherutterisolationandhelplessness，seemedtoparalyzeher。
"Nat’rallyyoufeelbad，"hecontinued，withthelargeairofaprofoundstudentofhumannature。"Nat’rally，nat’rallyyou’rekeptinanuncomfortablestate，notknowingjisthowyoustand。
Thereain’tbutonethingtodo。Jistriseup，quietlike，andgetadivorceaginSpencer。Holdon！Thereain’tajudgeorjuryinCaliforniathatwouldn’tgiveittoyourightoffthenail，withoutaskingquestions。Why，you’ldgetitbydefaultifyouwantedto;
you’ldjusthavetowalkoverthecourse！Andthen，Belle，"hedrewhischairstillnearerher，"whenyou’vesettleddownagain——
well！——Idon’tmindrenewingthatofferIoncemadeye，beforeSpencerevercameroundye——Idon’tmind，Belle，IswearIdon’t！
HonestInjin！I’minearnest，there’smyhand！"
Mrs。Tucker’sreplyhasnotbeenrecorded。EnoughthathalfanhourlaterMr。Weaverappearedinthecourtyardwithtracesoftearsonhisfoolishface，abrokenfalsettovoice，andotherevidenceofmentalandmoraldisturbance。Hiscordialityandoracularpredispositionremainedsufficientlytoenablehimtosuggestthemagicalwords"BlueGrass"mysteriouslytoConcha，withanindicationofhishandtotheerectfigureofherpalemistressinthedoorway，whowavedtohimasilentbuthalf—compassionatefarewell。
Ataboutthistimeaslightchangeinhermannerwasnoticedbythefewwhosawhermorefrequently。Herapparentlyinvinciblegirlishnessofspirithadgivenwaytoacertainmatronlyseriousness。Sheappliedherselftoherhouseholdcaresandtheimprovementofthehaciendawithanewsenseofdutyandasettledearnestness，untilbydegreesshewroughtintoitnotonlyherinstinctivedelicacyandtaste，butpartofherownindividuality。
Eventheruderancherosandtradesmenwhowerepermittedtoenterthewallsintheexerciseoftheircallingbegantospeakmysteriouslyofthebeautyofthisgardenofthealmarjal。Shewentoutbutseldom，andthenaccompaniedbytheoneortheotherofherfemaleservants，inlongdrivesonunfrequentedroads。OnSundaysshesometimesdrovetothehalf—ruinedmissionchurchofSantaInez，andhidherself，duringmass，inthedimmonasticshadowsofthechoir。Graduallythepoorerpeoplewhomshemetinthesejourneysbegantoshowanalmostdevotionalreverenceforher，stoppingintheroadswithuncoveredheadsforhertopass，ormakingwayforherinthetiendaorplazaofthewretchedtownwithdumbcourtesy。Shebegantofeelastrangesenseofwidowhood，that，whileitattimesbroughttearstohereyes，was，notwithoutacertaintendersolace。Inthesympathyandsimplenessofthisimpulseshewentasfarastorevivethemourningshehadwornforherparents，butwithsuchafatalaccentingofherbeauty，anddangerousmisinterpretingofherconditiontoeligiblebachelorsstrangetothecountry，thatshewasobligedtoputitoffagain。
HerreserveanddignifiedmannercausedotherstomistakehernationalityforthatoftheSantierras，andin"DonaBella"thesimpleMrs。Tuckerwasforawhileforgotten。Attimessheevenforgotitherself。Accustomednowalmostentirelytotheaccentsofanotherlanguageandthefeaturesofanotherrace，shewouldsitforhoursinthecorridor，whosemassivebronzedinclosureevenhertastefulcarecouldonlymakeanemboweredmausoleumofthePast，orgazeabstractedlyfromthedarkembrasuresofherwindowsacrossthestretchingalmarjaltotheshininglagoonbeyondthatterminatedtheestuary。Shehadastrangefondnessforthistranquilmirror，whichundersunorstarsalwaysretainedthepassivereflexoftheskyabove，andseemedtorestherwearyeyes。
ShehadobjectedtooneoftheplansprojectedbyPoindextertoredeemthelandanddeepenthewaterattheembarcadero，asitwouldhavedrainedthelagoon，andthelawyerhadpostponedtheimprovementtogratifyherfancy。Soshekeptitthroughthelongsummerunchangedsavebytheshadowsofpassingwingsorthelazyfilesofsleepingsea—fowl。
Ononeoftheseafternoonsshenoticedaslowlymovingcarriageleavethehighroadandcrossthealmarjalskirtingtheedgeofthelagoon。IfitcontainedvisitorsforLosCuervostheyhadevidentlytakenashortercutwithoutwaitingtogoontotheregularroadwhichintersectedthehighwayatrightanglesamilefartheron。Itwaswithsomesenseofannoyanceandirritationthatshewatchedthetrespass，andfinallysawthevehicleapproachthehouse。AfewmomentslatertheservantinformedherthatMr。
Pattersonwouldliketoseeheralone。Whensheenteredthecorridor，whichinthedryseasonservedasareceptionhall，shewassurprisedtoseethatPattersonwasnotalone。Nearhimstoodawell—dressedhandsomewoman，gazingaboutherwithgood—humoredadmirationofMrs。Tucker’stasteandingenuity。
"Itdon’tlookmuchlikeitdidtwoyearsago，"saidthestrangercheerfully。"You’veimproveditwonderfully。"
Stiffeningslightly，Mrs。TuckerturnedinquiringlytoMr。
Patterson。Butthatgentleman’susualprofoundmelancholyappearedtobeintensifiedbythehilarityofhiscompanion。Heonlysigheddeeplyandrubbedhislegwiththebrimofhishatingloomyabstraction。
"Well！goon，then，"saidthewoman，laughingandnudginghim。"Goon——introduceme——can’tyou？Don’tstandtherelikeatombstone。
Youwon’t？Well，I’llintroducemyself。"Shelaughedagain，andthen，withanexcellentimitationofPatterson’slugubriousaccents，said，"Mr。SpencerTucker’swifethatIS，allowmetointroduceyoutoMr。SpencerTucker’ssweetheartthatWAS！Holdon！IsaidTHATWAS。FortrueasIstandhere，ma’am——andI
reckonIwouldn’tstandhereifitwasn’ttrue——Ihaven’tseteyesonhimsincethedayheleftyou。"
"It’stheGospeltruth，everyword，"saidPatterson，stirredintoasuddenactivitybyMrs。Tucker’swhiteandrigidface。"It’sthefrozentruth，andIkinproveit。ForIkinswearthatwhenthatthereyoungwomanwassailin’outertheGoldenGate，SpencerTuckerwasinmybarroom;IkinswearthatIfedhim，lickeredhim，givehimahossandsethiminhisroadtoMontereythatverynight。"
"Then，whereishenow？"saidMrs。Tucker，suddenlyfacingthem。
Theylookedateachother，andthenlookedatMrs。Tucker。Thenbothtogetherrepliedslowlyandinperfectunison，"That’s——what——
we——want——to——know。"Theyseemedsosatisfiedwiththiseffectthattheyasdeliberatelyrepeated，"Yes——that’s——what——we——want——
to——know。"
Betweentheshockofmeetingthepartnerofherhusband’sguiltandtheunexpectedrevelationtoherinexperience，thatinsuggestionandappearancetherewasnothingbeyondtherecollectionofthatguiltthatwasreallyshockinginthewoman——betweentheextravagantextremesofhopeandfearsuggestedbytheirwords，therewassomethingsogrotesquelyabsurdinthemelodramaticchorusthatshewithdifficultysuppressedahystericallaugh。
"That’sthewaytotakeit，"saidthewoman，puttingherowngood—
humoredinterpretationuponMrs。Tucker’sexpression。"Now，lookhere！I’lltellyouallaboutit。"Shecarefullyselectedthemostcomfortablechair，andsittingdown，lightlycrossedherhandsinherlap。"Well，Ilefthereonthe13thoflastJanuaryontheshipArgo，calculatingthatyourhusbandwouldjointheshipjustinsidetheHeads。Thatwasourarrangement，butifanythinghappenedtopreventhim，hewastojoinmeinAcapulco。Well！Hedidn’tcomeaboard，andwesailedwithouthim。Butitappearsnowhedidattempttojointheship，buthisboatwascapsized。There，now，don’tbealarmed！hewasn’tdrowned，asPattersoncanswearto——no，catchHIM！notahairofhimwashurt;butI——IwasbundledofftotheendoftheearthinMexico，alone，withoutacenttoblessme。Fortrueasyoulive，thathoundofacaptain，whenhefound，ashethought，thatSpencerwasnabbed，hejustconfiscatedallhistrunksandvaluablesandleftmeinthelurch。IfIhadn’tmetamandowntherethatofferedtomarrymeandbroughtmehere，Imighthavediedthere，Ireckon。ButIdid，andhereIam。I
wentdownthereasyourhusband’ssweetheart，I’vecomebackasthewifeofanhonestman，andIreckonit’saboutsquare！"
Therewassomethingsostartlinglyfrank，sohopelesslyself—
satisfied，socontagiouslygood—humoredinthewoman’sperfectmoralunconsciousness，thatevenifMrs。Tuckerhadbeenlesspreoccupiedherresentmentwouldhaveabated。ButhereyeswerefixedonthegloomyfaceofPatterson，whowasbeginningtounlockthesepulchresofhismemoryanddisinterhisdeeplyburiedthoughts。
"YoukinbetyourwholepileonwhatthisMrs。CaptingBaxter——ezusedtobeFrenchInezofNewOrleans——heztoldye。Yekintakeeverythingshe’sunloaded。Andit’sonlydoin’thesquarethingtohertosay，shehain’tdoneitouto’nocussedness，butjusttosatisfyherself，nowshe’samarriedwomanandpastsuchfoolishness。Butthatain’tneitherherenorthere。ThegistofthewholematteristhatSpencerTuckerwasatthetiendathedayaftershesailedandafterhisboatcapsized。"Hethengaveadetailedaccountoftheinterview，withtheunnecessarybuttruthfulminutiaeofhisclass，addingtotheparticularsalreadyknownthatthefollowingweekhevisitedtheSummitHouseandwassurprisedtofindthatSpencerhadneverbeenthere，norhadheeversailedfromMonterey。
"Butwhywasthisnottoldtomebefore？"saidMrs。Tucker，suddenly。"Whynotatthetime？Why，"shedemandedalmostfiercely，turningfromtheonetotheother，"hasthisbeenkeptfromme？"
"I’lltellyewhy，"saidPatterson，sinkingwithcrushedsubmissionintoachair。"WhenIfoundhewasn’twhereheoughttobe，Igottolookin’elsewhere。IknewthetrackofthehossIlenthimbyalooseshoe。Iexamined;andfoundhehadturnedoffthehighroadsomewherebeyondthelagoon，jistasifhewasmakin’abeelinehere。"
"Well，"saidMrs。Tucker，breathlessly。
"Well，"saidPatterson，withtheresignedtoneofanaccustomedmartyr，"mebbeI’maGod—forsakenidiot，butIreckonheDIDcomeyer。AndmebbeI’mthatmuchofahabitooallunatic，butthinkingso，Icalkilatedyou’ldknowitwithouttellin’。"
Withtheireyesfixeduponher，Mrs。Tuckerfeltthequickbloodrushtohercheeks，althoughsheknewnotwhy。Buttheywereapparentlysatisfiedwithherignorance，forPattersonresumed，yetmoregloomily：——
"Thenifhewasn’thidin’herebeknownsttoyou，hemusthavechangedhismindaginandgotawaybytheembarcadero。Theonlythingwantin’toprovethatideaistoknowhowhegotaboat，andwhathedidwiththehoss。Andthar’sonemoreidea，andezthatcan’tbeproved，"continuedPatterson，sinkinghisvoicestilllower，"mebbeit’saccordin’toGod’slaws。"
Unsympathetictoherasthespeakerhadalwaysbeenandstillwas，Mrs。Tuckerfeltavaguechillcreepoverherthatseemedtobetheresultofhismannermorethanhiswords。"Andthatideais……？"shesuggestedwithpalelips。
"It’sthis！Fust，Idon’tsayitmeansmuchtoanybodybutme。
I’veheardofthesewarningsaforenow，ezcomin’onlytofolksezhearthemforthemselvesalone，andIreckonIkinstandit，ifit’sthewillo’God。Theideaisthen——that——SpencerTucker——WAS
DROWNDEDinthatboat;theideais"——hisvoicewasalmostlostinahoarsewhisper——"thatitwasnolivingmanthatkemtomethatnight，butaspiritthatkemoutofthedarknessandwentbackintoit！Noeyesawhimbutmine——noearsheardhimbutmine。Ireckonitweren’tintendeditshould。"Hepaused，andpassedtheflapofhishatacrosshiseyes。"Thepie，you’llsay，isaginit，"hecontinuedinthesametoneofvoice，——"thewhiskeyisaginit——afewcusswordsthatdroppedfromhim，accidentallike，mayhavebeenaginit。Allthesametheymouthavebeenonlythelittlesignsandtokensthatitwashim。"
ButMrs。Baxter’sreadylaughsomewhatrudelydispelledtheinfectionofPatterson’sgloom。"IreckontheonlyspiritwasthatwhichyouandSpencerconsumed，"shesaid，cheerfully。"Idon’twonderyou’realittlemixed。Likeasnotyou’vemisunderstoodhisplans。"Pattersonshookhishead。"He’llturnupyet，aliveandkicking！Likeasnot，then，Poindexterknowswhereheisallthetime。"
"Impossible！Hewouldhavetoldme，"saidMrs。Tucker，quickly。
Mrs。BaxterlookedatPattersonwithoutspeaking。Pattersonrepliedbyalonglugubriouswhistle。
"Idon’tunderstandyou，"saidMrs。Tucker，drawingbackwithcolddignity。
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