"Peaches？"saidhe，withextremedeliberation。
"Well，no，Sir。Notforthreeorfourweeksyet。
Ihaven’tanyideawhereyoumightfindsome。Theremaybeafewintownfromundertheglass，butthey’dbebardtolocate。Maybeatoneofthemoreexpen—
sivehotels—someplacewherethere’splentyofmoneytowaste。I’vegotsomeveryfineoranges，though—fromashiploadthatcameinto—day。"
TheKidlingeredonthecornerforamoment，andthensetoutbrisklytowardapairofgreenlightsthatflankedthestepsofabuildingdownadarksidestreet。
"Captainaroundanywhere？"heaskedofthedesksergeantofthepolicestation。
Atthatmomentthecaptaincamebrisklyforwardfromtherear。Hewasinplainclothesandhadabusyair。
"Hello，Kid，"hesaidtothepugilist。"Thoughtyouwerebridal—touring？
"Gotbackyesterday。I’masolidcitizennow。
ThinkI’lltakeaninterestinmunicipaldoings。HowwoulditsuityoutogetintoDenverDick’splaceto—
night，Cap？
"Pastperformances，"saidthecaptain，twistinghismoustache。"Denverwascloseduptwomonthsago。"
"Correct，"saidtheKid。"RaffertychasedhimoutoftheForty—third。He’srunninginyourpre—
cinctnow，andhisgame’sbiggerthanever。I’mdownonthisgamblingbusiness。Icanputyouagainsthisgame。"
"Inmyprecinct？"growledthecaptain。"Areyousure，Kid？I’lltakeitasafavor。Haveyougottheentree？Howisittobedone？"
"Hammers，"saidtheKid。"Theyhaven’tgotanysteelonthedoorsyet。You’llneedtenmen。
No，theywon’tletmeintheplace。Denverhasbeentryingtodome。HethoughtItippedhimofffortheotherraid。Ididn’t，though。Youwanttohurry。
I’vegottogetbackhome。Thehouseisonlythreeblocksfromhere。"
Beforetenminuteshadspedthecaptainwithadozenmenstolewiththeirguideintothehallwayofadarkandvirtuous—lookingbuildinginwhichmanybusinesseswereconductedbyday。
"Thirdfloor，rear，"saidtheKid，softly。"I’llleadtheway。"
Twoaxemenfacedthedoorthathepointedouttothem。
"Itseemsallquiet，"saidthecaptain，doubtfully。
"Areyousureyourtipisstraight？"
"Cutaway！"saidtheKid。"It’sonmeifitain’t。"
Theaxescrashedthroughtheasyetunprotecteddoor。Ablazeoflightfromwithinpouredthroughthesmashedpanels。Thedoorfell，andtheraidersrangintotheroomwiththeirgunshandy。
Thebigroomwasfurnishedwiththegaudymag—
nificencedeartoDenverDick’swesternideas。Vari—
ouswell—patronizedgameswereinprogress。Aboutfiftymenwhowereintheroomrusheduponthepoliceinagrandbreakforpersonalliberty。Theplain—
clothesmenhadtodoalittleclub—swinging。Morethanhalfthepatronsescaped。
DenverDickhadgracedhisgamewithhisownpresencethatnight。Heledtherushthatwasin—
tendedtosweepawaythesmallerbodyofraiders，ButwhenbesawtheKidhismannerbecamepersonal。
Beingintheheavyweightclassbecasthimselfjoy—
fullyuponhisslighterenemy，andtheyrolleddownaflightofstairsineachothersarms。Ontheland—
ingtheyseparatedandarose，andthentheKidwasabletousesomeofhisprofessionaltactics，whichhadbeenuselesstohimwhileintheexcitedclutchofa200—poundsportinggentlemanwhowasabouttolose$20，000worthofparaphernalia。
AftervanquishinghisadversarytheKidhurriedupstairsandthroughthegambling—roomintoasmallerapartmentconnectingbyanarcheddoorway。
Herewasalongtablesetwithchoicestchinawareandsilver，andlavishlyfurnishedwithfoodofthatexpensiveandspectacularsortofwhichthedevoteesofsportaresupposedtobefond。Hereagainwastobeperceivedtheliberalandfloridtasteofthegen—
tlemanwiththeurbancognomenalprefix。
ANo。10patentleathershoeprotrudedafewofitsinchesoutsidethetableclothalongthefloor。TheKidseizedthisandpluckedforthablackmaninawhitetieandthegarbofaservitor。
"Getup！"commandedtheKid。"Areyouinchargeofthisfreelunch？"
"Yes，sah，Iwas。Hastheydonepinchedusag’in，boss？"
"Looksthatway。Listentome。Arethereanypeachesinthislayout？Ifthereain’tI’llhavetothrowupthesponge。"
"Therewasthreedozen，sah，whenthegameopenedthisevenin’;butIreckonthegentlemendoneeat’emallup。Ifyou’dliketoeatafust—rateorange，sah，Ikinfindyousome。"
"Getbusy，"orderedtheKid，sternly，andmovewhateverpeachcropyou’vegotquickorthere’llbetrouble。Ifanybodyorangesmeagainto—night，I’llknockhisfaceoff。"
TheraidonDenverDick’shigh—pricedandprodi—
galluncheonrevealedonelone，lastpeachthathadescapedtheepicureanjawsofthefollowersofchance。IntotheKid’spocketitwent，andthatin—
defatigableforagerdepartedimmediatelywithhisprize。Withscarcelyaglanceatthesceneonthesidewalkbelow，wheretheofficerswereloadingtheirprisonersintothepatrolwagons，bemovedhomewardwithlong，swiftstrides。
Hisheartwaslightasbewent。SorodetheknightsbacktoCamelotafterperilsandhighdeedsdonefortheirladiesfair。TheKid’sladyhadcom—
mandedhimandbehadobeyed。True，itwasbutapeachthatshehadcraved;butithadbeennosmalldeedtogleanapeachatmidnightfromthatwintrycitywhereyettheFebruarysnowslaylikeiron。
Shehadaskedforapeach;shewashisbride;inhispocketthepeachwaswarminginhisbandthathelditforfearthatitmightfalloutandbelost。
OnthewaytheKidturnedinatanall—nightdrugstoreandsaidtothespectacledclerk：
"Say，sport，Iwishyou’dsizeupthisribofmineandseeifit’sbroke。Iwasinalittlescrapandbumpeddownaflightortwoofstairs。"
Thedruggistmadeanexamination。
"Itisn’tbroken，"washisdiagnosis，"butyouhaveabruisetherethatlookslikeyou’dfallenofftheFlatirontwice。"
"That’sallright，"saidtheKid。"Let’shaveyourclothesbrush，please。"
Thebridewaitedintherosyglowofthepinklampshade。Themiracleswerenotallpassedaway。Bybreathingadesireforsomeslightthing—aflower，apomegranate，a—oh，yes，apeach—shecouldsendforthhermanintothenight，intotheworldwhichcouldnotwithstandhim，andhewoulddoherbidding。
Andnowbestoodbyherchairandlaidthepeachinherband。
"Naughtyboy！"shesaid，fondly。"DidIsayapeach？IthinkIwouldmuchratherhavehadanorange。"
Blestbethebride。
THEHARBINGER
Longbeforethespringtideisfeltinthedullbosomoftheyokeldoesthecitymanknowthatthegrass—
greengoddessisuponherthrone。Hesitsathisbreakfasteggsandtoast，begirtbystonewalls，openshismorningpaperandseesjournalismleavevernal—
ismatthepost。
For，whereas，spring’scourierswereoncetheevi—
denceofourfinersenses，nowtheAssociatedPressdoesthetrick。
ThewarbleofthefirstrobininHackensack，thestirringofthemaplesapinBennington，thebud—
dingofthepussywillowsalongMainStreetinSyra—
cuse，thefirstchirpofthebluebird，theswansongoftheBluePoint，theannualtornadoinSt。Louis，theplaintofthepeachpessimistfromPompton，N。
J。，theregularvisitofthetamewildgoosewithabrokenlegtothepondnearBilgewaterJunction，thebaseattemptoftheDrugTrusttoboostthepriceofquininefoiledintheHousebyCongressmanJinks，thefirsttallpoplarstruckbylightningandtheusualstunnedpicknickerswhohadtakenrefuge，thefirstcrackoftheicejamintheAlleghenyRiver，thefindingofavioletinitsmossybedbythecorrespondentatRoundCorners—thesearetheadvancesignsoftheburgeoningseasonthatarewiredintothewisecity，whilethefarmerseesnothingbutwinteruponhisdrearyfields。
Butthesebemereexternals。Thetrueharbingeristheheart。WhenStrephonseekshisChloeandMikehisMaggie，thenonlyisspringarrivedandthenewspaperreportofthefive—footrattlerkilledinSquirePettigrew’spastureconfirmed。
Erethefirstvioletblew，Mr。Peters，Mr。RagsdaleandMr。KiddsattogetheronabenchinUnionSquareandconspired。Mr。PeterswastheD’Artag—
nanoftheloafersthere。Hewasthedingiest，thelaziest，thesorriestbrownblotagainstthegreenback—
groundofanybenchinthepark。Butjustthenhewasthemostimportantofthetrio。
Mr。Petershadawife。ThishadnotheretoforeaffectedhisstandingwithRagsyandKidd。Butto—
dayitinvestedhimwithapeculiarinterest。Hisfriends，havingescapedmatrimony，hadshownadispositiontoderideMr。Petersforhisventureonthattroubledsea。ButatlasttheyhadbeenforcedtoacknowledgethateitherhehadbeengiftedwithalargeforesightorthathewasoneofFortune’sluckysons。
For，Mrs。Petershadadollar。Awholedollarbill，goodandreceivablebytheGovernmentforcustoms，taxesandallpublicdues。Howtogetpossessionofthatdollarwasthequestionupfordiscussionbythethreemustymusketeers。
"Howdoyouknowitwasadollar？"askedRagsy，theimmensityofthesuminclininghimtoscepticism。
"Thecoalmanseenherhaveit，"saidMr。Peters。
"Shewentoutanddonesomewashingyesterday。
Andlookwhatshegivemeforbreakfast—theheelofaloafandacupofcoffee，andherwithadollar！"
"It’sfierce，"saidRagsy。
"Saywegoupandpunch’erandstickatowelin’ermouthandcopthecoin"suggestedKidd，Viciously。"Y’ain’tafraidofawoman，areyou？"
"Shemighthollerandhaveuspinched，"demurredRagsy。"Idon’tbelieveinsluggingnowomaninahousefulofpeople。"
"Gent’men，"saidMr。Peters，severely，throughhisrussetstubble，"rememberthatyouarespeakingofmywife。Amanwhowouldlifthishandtoaladyexceptinthewayof——"
"Maguire，"saidRagsy，pointedly，"hasgothisbockbeersignout。Ifwehadadollarwecould——"
"Hushup！"saidMr。Peters，lickinghislips。
"Wegottogetthatcasenotesomehow，boys。Ain’twhat’saman’swife’shis？Leaveittome。I’llgoovertothehouseandgetit。Waithereforme。"
"I’veseen’emgiveupquick，andtellyouwhereit’shidifyoukick’emintheribs，"saidKidd。
"Nomanwouldkickawoman，"saidPeters，vir—
tuously。"Alittlechoking—justatouchonthewindpipe—thatgetsawaywith’em—andnomarksleft。Waitforme。I’llbringbackthatdollar，boys。"
Highupinatenement—housebetweenSecondAve—
nueandtheriverlivedthePetersesinabackroomsogloomythatthelandlordblushedtotaketherentforit。Mrs。Petersworkedatsundrytimes，doingoddjobsofscrubbingandwashing。Mr。Petershadapure，unbrokenrecordoffiveyearswithouthavingearnedapenny。Andyettheyclungtogether，shar—
ingeachother’shatredandmisery，beingcreaturesofhabit。Ofhabit，thepowerthatkeepstheearthfromflyingtopieces;thoughthereissomesillytheoryofgravitation。
Mrs。Petersreposedher200poundsonthesaferofthetwochairsandgazedstolidlyouttheonewin—
dowatthebrickwallopposite。Hereyeswereredanddamp。Thefurniturecouldhavebeencarriedawayonapushcart，butnopushcartmanwouldhaveremoveditasagift。
ThedooropenedtoadmitMr。Peters。Hisfox—
terriereyesexpressedawish。Hiswife’sdiagnosislocatedcorrectlytheseatofit，butmisreadithun—
gerinsteadofthirst。
"You’llgetnothingmoretoeattillnight，"shesaid，lookingoutofthewindowagain。Takeyourhound—dog’sfaceoutoftheroom。"
Mr。Peters’seyecalculatedthedistancebetweenthem。Bytakingherbysurpriseitmightbepos—
sibletospringuponher，overthrowher，andapplythethrottlingtacticsofwhichhehadboastedtohiswaitingcomrades。True，ithadbeenonlyaboast;neveryethadbedaredtolayviolentbandsuponher;butwiththethoughtsofthedelicious，coolbockorCulmbacherbracinghisnerves，hewasneartoupsettinghisowntheoriesofthetreatmentduebyagentlemantoalady。But，withhisloafer’sloveforthemoreartisticandlessstrenuousway，hechosediplomacyfirst，thehighcardinthegame——theas—
sumedattitudeofsuccessalreadyattained。
"Youhaveadollar，"hesaid，loftily，butsignifi—
cantlyinthetonethatgoeswiththelightingofacigar—whenthepropertiesareathand。"
"Ihave，"saidMrs。Peters，producingthebillfromherbosomandcracklingit，teasingly。
"Iamofferedapositionina——inateastore，"
saidMr。Peters。"Iamtobeginworkto—morrow。
Butitwillbenecessaryformetobuyapairof——"
"Youarealiar，"saidMrs。Peters，reinterringthenote。"Noteastore，nornoABCstore，nornojunkshopwouldhaveyou。Irubbedtheskinoffbothmehandswashin’jumpersandoverallstomakethatdollar。Doyouthinkitcomeoutofthemsudstobuythekindyouputintoyou？Skiddoo！Getyourmindoffofmoney。"
EvidentlytheposesofTalleyrandwerenotworthonehundredcentsonthatdollar。Butdiplomacyisdexterous。TheartistictemperamentofMr。Petersliftedhimbythestrapsofhiscongressgaitersandsethimonnewground。Hecalledupalookofdes—
peratemelancholytohiseyes。
"Clara，"hesaid，hollowly，"tostrugglefurtherisuseless。Youhavealwaysmisunderstoodme。
HeavenknowsIhavestrivenwithallmymighttokeepmyheadabovethewavesofmisfortune，but—"
"Cutouttherainbowofhopeandthatstuffaboutwalkin’onebyonethroughthenarrowislesofSpain，"saidMrs。Peters，withasigh。"I’vehearditsooften。There’sanouncebottleofcarbolicontheshelfbehindtheemptycoffeecan。Drinkhearty。"
Mr。Petersreflected。Whatnext！Theoldex—
pedientshadfailed。Thetwomustymusketeerswereawaitinghimhardbytheruinedchateau——thatistosay，onaparkbenchwithricketycast—ironlegs。
Hishonorwasatstake。Hehadengagedtostormthecastlesingle—handedandbringbackthetreas—
urethatwastofurnishthemwassailandsolace。Andallthatstoodbetweenhimandthecoveteddollarwashiswife，oncealittlegirlwhomhecould——aha！
——whynotagain？Oncewithsoftwordshecould，astheysay，twistheraroundhislittlefinger。Whynotagain？Notforyearshadhetriedit。Grimpovertyandmutualhatredhadkilledallthat。ButRagsyandKiddwerewaitingforhimtobringthedollar！
Mr。Peterstookasurreptitiouslykeenlookathiswife。Herformlessbulkoverflowedthechair。Shekepthereyesfixedoutthewindowinastrangekindoftrance。Hereyesshowedthatshehadbeenre—
centlyweeping。
"Iwonder，"saidMr。Peterstohimself，"ifthere’dbeanythinginit。"
Thewindowwasopenuponitsoutlookofbrickwallsanddrab，barrenbackyards。Exceptforthemildnessoftheairthatentereditmighthavebeenmidwinteryetinthecitythatturnssuchafrown—
ingfacetobesiegingspring。Butspringdoesn’tcomewiththethunderofcannon。Sheisasapperandaminer，andyoumustcapitulate。
"I’lltryit，"saidMr。Peterstohimself，makingawryface。
Hewentuptohiswifeandputhisarmacrosshershoulders。
"Clara，darling，"hesaidintonesthatshouldn’thavefooledababyseal，"whyshouldwehavehardwords？Ain’tyoumyowntootsumwootsums？
"Ablackmarkagainstyou，Mr。Peters，inthesa—
redledgerofCupid。Chargesofattemptedgraftarefiledagainstyou，andofforgeryandutteranceoftwoofLove’sholiestofappellations。
Butthemiracleofspringwaswrought。IntothebackroomoverthebackalleybetweentheblackwallshadcrepttheHarbinger。Itwasridiculous，andyet—Well，itisarattrap，andyou，madamandsirandallofus，areinit。
RedandfatandcryinglikeNiobeorNiagara，Mrs。Petersthrewherarmsaroundherlordanddissolveduponhim。Mr。Peterswouldhavestriventoextricatethedollarbillfromitsdepositvault，buthisarmswereboundtohissides。
"Doyouloveme，James？"askedMrs。Peters。
"Madly，"saidJames，"but——"
"Youareill！"exclaimedMrs。Peters。"Whyareyousopaleandtiredlooking？"
"Ifeelweak，"saidMr。Peters。"I——"
"Oh，wait;Iknowwhatitis。Wait，James。I’llbebackinaminutes’’
WithapartingbugthatrevivedinMr。PetersrecollectionsoftheTerribleTurk，hiswifehurriedoutoftheroomanddownthestairs。
Mr。Petershitchedhisthumbsunderhissus—
penders。
"Allright，"heconfidedtotheceiling。"I’vegothergoing。Ihadn’tanyideatheoldgirlwassoftanymoreunderthefoolishrib。Well，sir;ain’tI
theClaudeMelnotteofthelowerEastSide？What？
It’sa100to1shotthatIgetthedollar。Iwonderwhatshewentoutfor。Iguessshe’sgonetotellMrs。Muldoononthesecondfloor，thatwe’rerecon—
ciled。I’llrememberthis。Softsoap！AndRagsywastalkingaboutsluggingher！
Mrs。Peterscamebackwithabottleofsarsapa—
rilla。
"I’mgladIhappenedtohavethatdollar，"shesaid。"You’reallrundown，boney。"
Mr。Petershadatablespoonfulofthestuffin—
sertedintohim。ThenMrs。Peterssatonhislapandmurmured：
"Callmetootsumwootsumsagain，James。"
Hesatstill，heldtherebyhismaterializedgoddessofspring。
Springhadcome。
OnthebenchinUnionSquareMr。RagsdaleandMr。Kiddsquirmed，tongue—parched，awaitingD’Artagnanandhisdollar。
"IwishIhadchokedheratfirst，"saidMr。Peterstohimself。
WHILETHEAUTOWAITS
Promptlyatthebeginningoftwilight，cameagaintothatquietcornerofthatquiet，smallparkthegirlingray。Shesatuponabenchandreadabook，fortherewasyettocomeahalfhourinwhichprintcouldbeaccomplished。
Torepeat：Herdresswasgray，andplainenoughtomaskitsimpeccancyofstyleandfit。Alarge—
meshedveilimprisonedherturbanhatandafacethatshonethroughitwithacalmandunconsciousbeauty。Shehadcomethereatthesamehouronthedayprevious，andonthedaybeforethat;andtherewasonewhoknewit。
Theyoungmanwhoknewithoverednear，relyinguponburntsacrificestothegreatjoss，Luck。Hispietywasrewarded，for，inturningapage，herbookslippedfromherfingersandboundedfromthebenchafullyardaway。
Theyoungmanpounceduponitwithinstantavid—
ity，returningittoitsownerwiththatairthatseemstoflourishinparksandpublicplaces—acompoundofgallantryandhope，temperedwithrespectforthepolicemanonthebeat。Inapleasantvoice，beriskedaninconsequentremarkupontheweatherthatin—
troductorytopicresponsibleforsomuchoftheworld’sunhappiness—andstoodpoisedforamo—
ment，awaitinghisfate。
Thegirllookedhimoverleisurely;athisordinary，neatdressandhisfeaturesdistinguishedbynothingparticularinthewayofexpression。
"Youmaysitdown，ifyoulike，"shesaid，inafull，deliberatecontralto。"Really，Iwouldliketohaveyoudoso。Thelightistoobadforreading。
Iwouldprefertotalk。"
ThevassalofLuckslidupontheseatbyhersidewithcomplaisance。
"Doyouknow，"besaid，speakingtheformulawithwhichparkchairmenopentheirmeetings，"thatyouarequitethestunningestgirlIhaveseeninalongtime？Ihadmyeyeonyouyesterday。
Didn’tknowsomebodywasbowledoverbythoseprettylampsofyours，didyou，honeysuckle？"
"Whoeveryouare，"saidthegirl，inicytones，"youmustrememberthatIamalady。Iwillexcusetheremarkyouhavejustmadebecausethemistakewas，doubtless，notanunnaturalone——inyourcircle。
Iaskedyoutositdown;iftheinvitationmustcon—
stitutemeyourhoneysuckle，consideritwith—
drawn。"
"Iearnestlybegyourpardon，"pleadedtheyoungran。Hisexpressionofsatisfactionhadchangedtooneofpenitenceandhumility。Itwasmyfault，youknow—Imean，therearegirlsinparks，youknow—thatis，ofcourse，youdon’tknow，but——"
"Abandonthesubject，ifyouplease。OfcourseIknow。Now，tellmeaboutthesepeoplepassingandcrowding，eachway，alongthesepaths。Wherearetheygoing？Whydotheyhurryso？Aretheyhappy？"
Theyoungmanhadpromptlyabandonedhisairofcoquetry。Hiscuewasnowforawaitingpart;
hecouldnotguesstherolebewouldbeexpectedtoplay。
"Itisinterestingtowatchthem，"hereplied，pos—
tulatinghermood。"Itisthewonderfuldramaoflife。Somearegoingtosupperandsometo——er——
otherplaces。Onewonderswhattheirhistoriesare。"
"Idonot，"saidthegirl;"Iamnotsoinquisi—
tive。Icomeheretositbecausehere，only，canIbetearthegreat，common，throbbingheartofhu—
manity。Mypartinlifeiscastwhereitsbeatsareneverfelt。CanyousurmisewhyIspoketoyou，Mr。——？"
"Parkenstacker，"suppliedtheyoungman。Thenbelookedeagerandhopeful。
"No，"saidthegirl，holdingupaslenderfinger，andsmilingslightly。"Youwouldrecognizeitim—
mediately。Itisimpossibletokeepone’snameoutofprint。Orevenone’sportrait。Thisveilandthishatofmymaidfurnishmewithanincog。YoushouldhaveseenthechauffeurstareatitwhenhethoughtIdidnotsee。Candidly，therearefiveorsixnamesthatbelongintheholyofholies，andmine，bytheaccidentofbirth，isoneofthem。Ispoketoyou，Mr。Stackenpot——"
"Parkenstacker，"correctedtheyoungman，mod—
estly。
"——Mr。Parkenstacker，becauseIwantedtotalk，foronce，withanaturalman——oneunspoiledbythedespicableglossofwealthandsupposedsocialsu—
periority。Oh！youdonotknowhowwearyIamofit——money，money，money！Andofthemenwhosurroundme，dancinglikelittlemarionettesallcutbythesamepattern。Iamsickofpleasure，ofjewels，oftravel，ofsociety，ofluxuriesofallkinds。"
"Ialwayshadanidea，"venturedtheyoungman，hesitatingly，"thatmoneymustbeaprettygoodthing。"
"Acompetenceistobedesired。Butwhenyouleavesomanymillionsthat——！"Sheconcludedthesentencewithagestureofdespair。"Itisthemo—
otonyofit"shecontinued，"thatpalls。Drives，dinners，theatres，balls，suppers，withthegildingofsuperfluouswealthoveritall。Sometimestheverytinkleoftheiceinmychampagneglassnearlydrivesmemad。"
Mr。Parkenstackerlookedingenuouslyinterested。
"Ihavealwaysliked，"hesaid，"toreadandhearaboutthewaysofwealthyandfashionablefolks。I
supposeIamabitofasnob。ButIliketohavemyinformationaccurate。Now，Ihadformedtheopin—
ionthatchampagneiscooledinthebottleandnotbyplacingiceintheglass。"
Thegirlgaveamusicallaughofgenuineamuse—
ment。
"Youshouldknow，"sheexplained，inanindul—
genttone，"thatweofthenon—usefulclassdependforouramusementupondeparturefromprecedent。
Justnowitisafadtoputiceinchampagne。TheideawasoriginatedbyavisitingPrinceofTartarywhilediningattheWaldorf。Itwillsoongivewaytosomeotherwhim。JustasatadinnerpartythisweekonMadisonAvenueagreenkidglovewaslaidbytheplateofeachguesttobeputonandusedwhileeatingolives。"
"Isee，"admittedtheyoungman，humbly。
"Thesespecialdiversionsoftheinnercircledonotbecomefamiliartothecommonpublic。"
"Sometimes，"continuedthegirl，acknowledginghisconfessionoferrorbyaslightbow，"IhavethoughtthatifIevershouldloveamanitwouldbeoneoflowlystation。Onewhoisaworkerandnotadrone。But，doubtless，theclaimsofcasteandwealthwillprovestrongerthanmyinclination。JustnowIambesiegedbytwo。OneisaGrandDukeofaGermanprincipality。Ithinkhehas，orhasbad，awife，somewhere，drivenmadbyhisintemperanceandcruelty。TheotherisanEnglishMarquis，socoldandmercenarythatIevenpreferthediabolismoftheDuke。Whatisitthatimpelsmetotellyouthesethings，Mr。Packenstacker？
"Parkenstacker，"breathedtheyoungman。"In—
deed，youcannotknowhowmuchIappreciateyourconfidences。"
Thegirlcontemplatedhimwiththecalm，imper—
sonalregardthatbefittedthedifferenceintheirsta—
tions。
"Whatisyourlineofbusiness，Mr。Parken—
stacker？"sheasked。
"Averyhumbleone。ButIhopetoriseintheworld。Wereyoureallyinearnestwhenyousaidthatyoucouldloveamanoflowlyposition？"
"IndeedIwas。ButIsaid’might。’ThereistheGrandDukeandtheMarquis，youknow。Yes;nocallingcouldbetoohumblewerethemanwhatI
wouldwishhimtobe。"
"Iwork，"declaredMr。Parkenstacker，"inares—
taurant。"
Thegirlshrankslightly。
"Notasawaiter？"shesaid，alittleimploringly。
"Laborisnoble，butpersonalattendance，youknow——valetsand——"
"Iamnotawaiter。Iamcashierin"——onthestreettheyfacedthatboundedtheoppositesideoftheparkwasthebrilliantelectricsign"RESTAU—
RANT"——"Iamcashierinthatrestaurantyouamthere。"
Thegirlconsultedatinywatchsetinabraceletofrichdesignuponherleftwrist，androse，hurriedly。
Shethrustherbookintoaglitteringreticulesus—
pendedfromherwaist，forwhich，however，thebookwastoolarge。
"Whyareyounotatwork？"sheasked。
"Iamonthenightturn，"saidtheyoungman;
itisyetanhourbeforemyperiodbegins。MayI
nothopetoseeyouagain？"
"Idonotknow。Perhaps—butthewhimmaynotseizemeagain。Imustgoquicklynow。Thereisadinner，andaboxattheplay——and，oh！thesameoldround。Perhapsyounoticedanautomobileattheuppercorneroftheparkasyoucame。Onewithawhitebody"Andredrunninggear？"askedtheyoungman，knittinghisbrowsreflectively。
"Yes。Ialwayscomeinthat。Pierrewaitsformethere。Hesupposesmetobeshoppinginthede—
partmentstoreacrossthesquare。Conceiveofthebondageofthelifewhereinwemustdeceiveevenourchauffeurs。Good—night。"
"Butitisdarknow，"saidMr。Parkenstacker，"andtheparkisfullofrudemen。MayInotwalk——"
"Ifyouhavetheslightestregardformywishes，"
saidthegirl，firmly，"youwillremainatthisbenchfortenminutesafterIhaveleft。Idonotmeantoaccuseyou，butyouareprobablyawarethatautosgenerallybearthemonogramoftheirowner。Again，good—night"
Swiftandstatelyshemovedawaythroughthedusk。Theyoungmanwatchedhergracefulformasshereachedthepavementatthepark’sedge，andturnedupalongittowardthecornerwherestoodtheautomobile。Thenhetreacherouslyandunhesitat—
inglybegantododgeandskimamongtheparktreesandshrubberyinacourseparalleltoherroute，keep—
ingherwellinsightWhenshereachedthecornersheturnedherheadtoglanceatthemotorcar，andthenpassedit，continuingonacrossthestreet。Shelteredbehindacon—
venientstandingcab，theyoungmanfollowedhermovementscloselywithhiseyes。Passingdownthesidewalkofthestreetoppositethepark，sheenteredtherestaurantwiththeblazingsign。Theplacewasoneofthosefranklyglaringestablishments，allwhite，paintandglass，whereonemaydinecheaplyandconspicuously。Thegirlpenetratedtherestauranttosomeretreatatitsrear，whenceshequicklyemergedwithoutherbatandveil。
Thecashier’sdeskwaswelltothefront。Ared—
headgirlanthestoolclimbeddown，glancingpointedlyattheclockasshedidso。Thegirlingraymountedinherplace。
Theyoungmanthrusthishandsintohispocketsandwalkedslowlybackalongthesidewalk。Atthecornerhisfootstruckasmall，paper—coveredvolumelyingthere，sendingitslidingtotheedgeoftheturf。Byitspicturesquecoverherecognizeditasthebookthegirlhadbeenreading。Hepickeditupcarelessly，andsawthatitstitlewas"NewArabianNights，"theauthorbeingofthenameofStevenson。
Hedroppeditagainuponthegrass，andlounged，irresolute，foraminute。Thenhesteppedintotheautomobile，reclineduponthecushions，andsaidtwowordstothechauffeur：
"Club，Henri。"
ACOMEDYINRUBBER
Onemayhope，inspiteofthemetaphorists，toavoidthebreathofthedeadlyupastree;onemay，bygreatgoodfortune，succeedinblackingtheeyeofthebasilisk;onemightevendodgetheattentionsofCer—
berusandArgus，butnoman，aliveordead，canes—
capethegazeoftheRubberer。
NewYorkistheCaoutchoucCity。Therearemany，ofcourse，whogotheirways，makingmoney，withoutturningtotherightortheleft，butthereisatribeabroadwonderfullycomposed，liketheMartians，solelyofeyesandmeansoflocomotion。
Thesedevoteesofcuriosityswarm，likeflies，inamomentinastruggling，breathlesscircleaboutthesceneofanunusualoccurrence。Ifaworkmanopensamanhole，ifastreetcarrunsoveramanfromNorthTarrytown，ifalittleboydropsaneggonhiswayhomefromthegrocery，ifacasualhouseortwodropsintothesubway，ifaladylosesanickelthroughaholeinthelislethread，ifthepolicedragatelephoneandaracingchartforthfromanIbsenSocietyreading—room，ifSenatorDepeworMr。
ChuckConnorswalksouttotaketheair—ifanyoftheseincidentsoraccidentstakesplace，youwillseethemad，irresistiblerushofthe"rubber"tribetothespot。
Theimportanceoftheeventdoesnotcount。Theygazewithequalinterestandabsorptionatacho—
rusgirloratamanpaintingaliverpillsign。Theywillformasdeepacordonaroundamanwithaclub—
footastheywillaroundabalkedautomobile。Theyhavethefurorrubberendi。Theyareopticalglut—
tons，feastingandfatteningonthemisfortunesoftheirfellowbeings。Theygloatandporeandglareandsquintandstarewiththeirfishyeyeslikegoggle—
eyedperchatthebookbaitedwithcalamity。
ItwouldseemthatCupidwouldfindtheseocularvampirestoocoldgameforhiscalorificshafts，buthavewenotyettodiscoveranimmuneevenamongtheProtozoa？Yes，beautifulRomancedescendedupontwoofthistribe，andlovecameintotheirheartsastheycrowdedabouttheprostrateformofamanwhohadbeenrunoverbyabrewerywagon。
WilliamPrywasthefirstonthespot。Hewasanexpertatsuchgatherings。Withanexpressionofin—
tensehappinessonhisfeatures，bestoodoverthevic—
timoftheaccident，listeningtohisgroansasiftothesweetestmusic。WhenthecrowdofspectatorshadswelledtoacloselypackedcircleWilliamsawaviolentcommotioninthecrowdoppositehim。Menwerehurledasidelikeninepinsbytheimpactofsomemovingbodythatclovethemliketherushofator—
nado。Withelbows，umbrella，hat—pin，tongue，andfingernailsdoingtheirduty，VioletSeymourforcedherwaythroughthemobofonlookerstothefirstrow。
Strongmenwhoevenhadbeenabletosecureaseatonthe5。30Harlemexpressstaggeredbacklikechil—
drenasshebuckedcentre。TwolargeladyspectatorswhobadseentheDukeofRoxburghmarriedandhadoftenblockedtrafficonTwenty—thirdStreetfellbackintothesecondrowwithrippedshirtwaistswhenViolethadfinishedwiththem。WilliamPrylovedheratfirstsight。
TheambulanceremovedtheunconsciousagentofCupid。WilliamandVioletremainedafterthecrowdhaddispersed。TheyweretrueRubberers。Peoplewholeavethesceneofanaccidentwiththeambulancehavenotgenuinecaoutchoucinthecosmogonyoftheirnecks。Thedelicate，fineflavoroftheaffairistobebadonlyintheafter—taste—ingloatingoverthespot，ingazingfixedlyatthehousesopposite，inhoveringthereinadreammoreexquisitethantheopium—eater’secstasy。WilliamPryandVioletSey—
mourwereconnoisseursincasualties。Theyknewbowtoextractfullenjoymentfromeveryincident。
Presentlytheylookedateachother。Violethadabrownbirthmarkonherneckaslargeasasilverhalf—dollar。Williamfixedhiseyesuponit。WilliamPryhadinordinatelybowedlegs。Violetallowedhergazetolingerunswervinglyuponthem。Facetofacetheystoodthusformoments，eachstaringattheother。Etiquettewouldnotallowthemtospeak;butintheCaoutchoucCityitispermittedtogazewith—
outstintatthetreesintheparksandatthephysi—
calblemishesofafellowcreature。
Atlengthwithasightheyparted。ButCupidhadbeenthedriverofthebrewerywagon，andthewheelthatbrokealegunitedtwofondhearts。
ThenextmeetingoftheheroandheroinewasinfrontofaboardfencenearBroadway。Thedayhadbeenadisappointingone。Therehadbeennofightsonthestreet，childrenhadkeptfromunderthewheelsofthestreetcars，cripplesandfatmeninnegligeeshirtswerescarce;nobodyseemedtobeinclinedtosliponbananapeelsorfalldownwithheartdisease。
EventhesportfromKokomo，Ind。，whoclaimstobeacousinofex—MayorLowandscattersnickelsfromacabwindow，hadnotputinhisappearance。
Therewasnothingtostareat，andWilliamPryhadpremonitionsofennui。
Buthesawalargecrowdscramblingandpushingexcitedlyinfrontofabillboard。Sprintingforit，heknockeddownanoldwomanandachildcarryingabottleofmilk，andfoughthiswaylikeademonintothemassofspectators。AlreadyintheinnerlinestoodVioletSeymourwithonesleeveandtwogoldfill—
ingsgone，acorsetsteelpunctureandasprainedwrist，buthappy。Shewaslookingatwhattherewastosee。Amanwaspaintinguponthefence：
"EatBricklets—TheyFillYourFace。"
VioletblushedwhenshesawWilliamPry。Williamjabbedaladyinablacksilkraglanintheribs，kickedaboyintheshin，bitanoldgentlemanontheleftearandmanagedtocrowdnearertoViolet。Theystoodforanhourlookingatthemanpainttheletters。
ThenWilliam’slovecouldberepressednolonger。
Hetouchedheronthearm。
"Comewithme，"hesaid。"IknowwherethereisabootblackwithoutanAdam’sapple。"
Shelookedupathimshyly，yetwithunmistakablelovetransfiguringhercountenance。
"Andyouhavesaveditforme？"sheasked，tremblingwiththefirstdimecstasyofawomanbe—
loved。
Togethertheyhurriedtothebootblack’sstand。
Anhourtheyspenttheregazingatthemalformedyouth。
Awindow—cleanerfellfromthefifthstorytothesidewalkbesidethem。Astheambulancecameclang—
ingupWilliampressedherhandjoyously。"Fourribsatleastandacompoundfracture，"hewhispered，swiftly。"Youarenotsorrythatyoumetme，areyou，dearest？
"Me？"saidViolet，returningthepressure。"Surenot。Icouldstandalldayrubberingwithyou。"
Theclimaxoftheromanceoccurredafewdayslater。PerhapsthereaderwillremembertheintenseexcitementintowhichthecitywasthrownwhenElizaJane，acoloredwoman，wasservedwithasubpoena。
TheRubberTribeencampedonthespot。WithhisownhandsWilliamPryplacedaboardupontwobeerkegsinthestreetoppositeElizaJane’sresidence。
HeandVioletsatthereforthreedaysandnights。
Thenitoccurredtoadetectivetoopenthedoorandservethesubpoena。Hesentforakinetoscopeanddidso。
Twosoulswithsuchcongenialtastescouldnotlongremainapart。Asapolicemandrovethemawaywithhisnightstickthateveningtheyplightedtheirtroth。
Theseedsoflovebadbeenwellsown，andhadgrownup，hardyandvigorous，intoa—letuscallitarub—
berplant。
TheweddingofWilliamPryandVioletSeymourwassetforJune10。TheBigChurchintheMiddleoftheBlockwasbankedhighwithflowers。ThepopuloustribeofRubbererstheworldoverisram—
pantoverweddings。Theyarethepessimistsofthepews。Theyaretheguyersofthegroomandthebanterersofthebride。Theycometolaughatyourmarriage，andshouldyouescapefromHymen’stoweronthebackofdeath’spalesteedtheywillcometothefuneralandsitinthesamepewandcryoveryourluck。Rubberwillstretch。
Thechurchwaslighted。Agrosgraincarpetlayovertheasphalttotheedgeofthesidewalk。Brides—
maidswerepattingoneanother’ssashesawryandspeakingoftheBride’sfreckles。Coachmentiedwhiteribbonsontheirwhipsandbewailedthespaceoftimebetweendrinks。Theministerwasmusingoverhispossiblefee，essayingconjecturewhetheritwouldsufficetopurchaseanewbroadclothsuitforhimselfandaphotographofLauraJaneLibbeyforhiswife。Yea，Cupidwasintheair。
Andoutsidethechurch，oh，mybrothers，surgedandheavedtherankandfileofthetribeofRubberers。
intwobodiestheywere，withthegrosgraincarpetandcopswithclubsbetween。Theycrowdedlikecattle，theyfought，theypressedandsurgedandswayedandtrampledoneanothertoseeabitofagirlinawhiteveilacquirelicensetogothroughaman’spocketswhilebesleeps。
Butthehourfortheweddingcameandwent，andthebrideandbridegroomcamenot。Andimpatiencegavewaytoalarmandalarmbroughtaboutsearch，andtheywerenotfound。Andthentwobigpolice—
mentookabandanddraggedoutofthefuriousmobofonlookersacrushedandtrampledthing，withaweddingringinitsvestpocketandashreddedandhystericalwomanbeatingherwaytothecarpet’sedge，ragged，bruisedandobstreperous。
WilliamPryandVioletSeymour，creaturesofhabit，hadjoinedintheseethinggameofthespecta—
tors，unabletoresisttheoverwhelmingdesiretogazeuponthemselvesentering，asbrideandbridegroom，therose—deckedchurch。
Rubberwillout。
ONETHOUSANDDOLLARS
"Onethousanddollars，"repeatedLawyerTolman，solemnlyandseverely，"andhereisthemoney。"
YoungGilliangaveadecidedlyamusedlaughashefingeredthethinpackageofnewfifty—dollarnotes。
"It’ssuchaconfoundedlyawkwardamount，"heexplained，genially，tothelawyer。"Ifithadbeententhousandafellowmightwindupwithalotoffireworksanddohimselfcredit。Evenfiftydollarswouldhavebeenlesstrouble。"
"Youheardthereadingofyouruncle’swill，"con—
tinuedLawyerTolman，professionallydryinhistones。"Idonotknowifyoupaidmuchattentiontoitsdetails。Imustremindyouofone。Youarerequiredtorendertousanaccountofthemannerofexpenditureofthis$1，000assoonasyouhavedis—
posedofit。Thewillstipulatesthat。ItrustthatyouwillsofarcomplywiththelateMr。Gillian’swishes。"
"Youmaydependuponit，"saidtheyoungman。%
politely，"inspiteoftheextraexpenseitwillentail。
Imayhavetoengageasecretary。Iwasnevergoodataccounts。"
Gillianwenttohisclub。TherebehuntedoutonewhomhecalledOldBryson。
OldBrysonwascalmandfortyandsequestered。
Hewasinacornerreadingabook，andwhenhesawGillianapproachinghesighed，laiddownhisbookandtookoffhisglasses。
"OldBryson，wakeup，"saidGillian。"I’veafunnystorytotellyou。"
"Iwishyouwouldtellittosomeoneinthebilliardroom，"saidOldBryson。"YouknowhowIhateyourstories。"
"Thisisabetteronethanusual，"saidGillian，rollingacigarette;"andI’mgladtotellittoyou。
It’stoosadandfunnytogowiththerattlingofbilliardbars。I’vejustcomefrommylateuncle’sfirmoflegalcorsairs。Heleavesmeaneventhou—
sanddollars。Now，whatcanamanpossiblydowithathousanddollars？"
"Ithought，"saidOldBryson，showingasmuchinterestasabeeshowsinavinegarcruet，"thatthelateSeptimusGillianwasworthsomethinglikehalfamillion。"
"Hewas，"assentedGillian，joyously，"andthat’swherethejokecomesin。He’slefthiswholecargoofdoubloonstoamicrobe。Thatis，partofitgoestothemanwhoinventsanewbacillusandtheresttoes—
tablishahospitalfordoingawaywithitagain。
Thereareoneortwotriflingbequestsontheside。
—thebutlerandthehousekeepergetasealringand$10each。Hisnephewgets$1，000。"
"You’vealwayshadplentyofmoneytospend，"
observedOldBryson。
"Tons，"saidGillian。"Unclewasthefairygod—
motherasfarasanallowancewasconcerned。"
"Anyotherheirs？"askedOldBryson。
"None。"Gillianfrownedathiscigaretteandkickedtheupholsteredleatherofadivanuneasily。
ThereisaMissHayden，awardofmyuncle，wholivedinhishouse。She’saquietthing—musical—
thedaughterofsomebodywhowasunluckyenoughtobehisfriend。Iforgottosaythatshewasinonthesealringand$10joke，too。IwishIhadbeen。
ThenIcouldhavehadtwobottlesofbrut，tippedthewaiterwiththeringandhadthewholebusinessoffmybands。Don’tbesuperiorandinsulting，OldBry—
son—tellmewhatafellowcandowithathousanddollars。"
OldBrysonrubbedhisglassesandsmiled。AndwhenOldBrysonsmiled，Gillianknewthatbein—
tendedtobemoreoffensivethanever。
"Athousanddollars，"liesaid，"meansmuchorlittle。OnemanmaybuyahappyhomewithitandlaughatRockefeller。AnothercouldsendhiswifeSouthwithitandsaveherlife。AthousanddollarswouldbuypuremilkforonehundredbabiesduringJune，July，andAugustandsavefiftyoftheirlives。
Youcouldcountuponahalfhour’sdiversionwithitatfaroinoneofthefortifiedartgalleries。Itwouldfurnishaneducationtoanambitiousboy。IamtoldthatagenuineCorotwassecuredforthatamountinanauctionroomyesterday。YoucouldmovetoaNewHampshiretownandliverespectablytwoyearsonit。YoucouldrentMadisonSquareGardenforoneeveningwithit，andlectureyouraudience，ifyoushouldhaveone，ontheprecariousnessofthepro—
fessionofheirpresumptive。"
"Peoplemightlikeyou，OldBryson，"saidGillian，alwaysunruffled，"ifyouwouldn’tmoralize。IaskedyoutotellmewhatIcoulddowithathousanddollars。"
"You？"saidBryson，withagentlelaugh。
"Why，BobbyGillian，there’sonlyonelogicalthingyoucoulddo。YoucangobuyMissLottaLauriereadiamondpendantwiththemoney，andthentakeyourselfofftoIdahoandinflict，yourpresenceuponaranch。Iadviseasheepranch，asIhaveaparticulardislikeforsheep。"
"Thanks，"saidGillian，rising，"IthoughtI
coulddependuponyou，OldBryson。You’vehitontheveryscheme。Iwantedtochuckthemoneyinalump，forI’vegottoturninanaccountforit，andIhateitemizing。"
Gillianphonedforacabandsaidtothedriver：
"ThestageentranceoftheColumbineTheatre。"—
MissLottaLaurierewasassistingnaturewithapowderpuff，almostreadyforhercallatacrowdedMatinee，whenherdressermentionedthenameofMr。
Gillian。
"Letitin，"saidMissLauriere。"Now，whatisit，Bobby？I’mgoingonintwominutes。"
"Rabbit—footyourrightearalittle，"suggestedGillian，critically。"That’sbetter。Itwon’ttaketwominutesforme。Whatdoyousaytoalittlethinginthependantline？Icanstandthreecipherswithafigureoneinfrontof’em。"
"Oh，justasyousay，"carolledMissLauriere。
myrightglove，Adams。Say，Bobby，didyouseethatnecklaceDellaStaceyhadontheothernight？
Twenty—twohundreddollarsitcostatTiffany’s。
But，ofcourse—pullmysashalittletotheleft，Adams。"
"MissLaurierefortheopeningchorus！"criedthecallboywithout。
Gillianstrolledouttowherehiscabwaswaiting。
"Whatwouldyoudowithathousanddollarsifyouhadit？"beaskedthedriver。
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