SomehowthesightofhermadedeeperthevoidinFenneben'slife——
　　sincethatloveaffairofhisownlongago。
　　"Well，"Norriewenton，"UnclesaysI'mtomarryrich，becausemypapaexpectedmeto。Hesaidpapahadmoneywhichwasmamma'sandheuseditforcollegeendowments，becausetheWreamslovecollegesbest，andthatitwashiswish，andit'sUncleJoshua'stoo，thatIshouldmarrywell。
　　IknewIcamehonestlybymyloveofspending。Iinheriteditfrommymother。Aren'ttheWreamsallfunnymentojustseenothinginmoney，butacapandgownandaMaster'sDegree？Butyouareahumanbeing，UncleLloyd。Youwouldn'tleaveadaughterdependentonherunclesandusehermoneytoendowcolleges，wouldyou？"Thewhitearmstoleroundhisneckaffectionately，asElinoraddedsoftly，"I'mgoingtotellyousomethingelse。
　　UncleJoshuawantsmetomarryProfessorBurgess。”
　　"Doyouwanttomarryhim？"Fennebenasked。
　　"Hehasn'taskedmetoyet。Butheissuchagentlemanandhehasafortuneinhisownname，orintrust，orsomethinglikethat。
　　ItwouldpleasetheCambridgefolks，andUncleJoshuaexpectsmetoconsent，andI'veneverdisobeyeduncle'swishes，soI
　　couldn'trefusenow。And，well，ifhe'llwaittillI'mready，Iguessitwillsuitme。”
　　"He'llwaitallright，ifhewantsyou，Norrie。Hemustwaituntilyougraduate，"theDeandeclared。
　　"Oh，yes；aWreamwithoutacollegediplomaislikeashipwithoutacompass，amerederelictonlife'ssea。I'minnohurryanyhow，"
　　andshebegantotalkofotherthings。
　　InthemonthsthatfollowedTrenchhadnoneedtowatchProfessorBurgessinhisrelationtoDennieSaxon，forBurgesshadnothoughtofherotherthanofkindlysympathy。Thatis，Burgessthoughthehadnothought。
　　HeknewhewasinlovewithElinor，knewthatbackinCambridgebeforehewasgraduatedfromtheuniversity。HehadbeentoldthatElinorlikedluxuriousliving，andhehadmoney——hehadtoldFennebenasmuchintheirfirstinterview。Everythingseemedtobesettlednow，forJoshuaWreamhadwrittenBurgessthekindofletteronlyaveryoldman，andanab-stractscholar，andabachelorwouldeverwrite，tellingallthathehadsaidtoNorrie。HemadeitobligatorythatFennebenshouldfirstgivehissanctiontotheunion。
　　HerequestedalsothatBurgesswouldnevermentionthislettertohisdearyoungniece，andheexpresslystipulatedthatNorrieshouldgraduateatSunrisefirst。Heendedwithanoldman'sblessingandwiththeassurancethatwithElinorsafelyprovidedforhisconsciencewhyhisconscience？wouldbeatrest，andhecoulddieinpeace。
　　SotherewassmoothsailingatSunriseformanymonths。
　　Elinorwasalwayscharming，andDr。Fennebenseemedoblivioustothesituation，leastofalltoputtingupanyobjection，which，accordingtobrotherJoshua，wouldhaveblockedthegameoflove。
　　Therewastimenowforprofoundresearch，thestudyoftypes，seclusion，andtheadvantageofgeographicalbreathwhichhadbroughttheProfessortoKansas，andwhichheheededlessandlesswiththepassingdays。
　　Forhefoundhimselfmoreandmorelivinginthelivesofthestudents。
　　Hehadbeenashamed，once，ofhavingbeenDennieSaxon'sescort；
　　andheneverknewwhenshecametobetheonepersoninLagondaLedgetowhomheturnedforconfidenceandaidinmanythings。
　　MeanwhilethebigboyfromthewesternclaimwasassurelygoinguptheroundsofcultureastheProfessorwascomingdowntothecommonneedsofcommonminds，andbothwereunconsciousthenthatbackofeachwasDr。Fenneben，"dearoldFunnybone"tothestudentbody，playingeachmanforhiskingrowinthegreatgameoflifefoughtoutinSunrise-by-the-Walnut。
　　TowardElinor，VictorBurleighseemedutterlyindifferent。
　　EvenLloydFenneben，whohadcaughtaninsightintothingsonthenightoftheOctoberstorm，andhadbeguntoreadthatnewlineintheboy'sface，failedtograspwhatlaybackofthoseinnocent-looking，wide-openeyes，whosetiger-goldengleamshowedbutrarelynow。
　　Vicwaseasilythemostpopularfellowinhisclass，andtheyearatSunrisehadworkedamarvelouschangeinhim。
　　"Youareadarnedsmoothcitizen，"Trenchdrawled，asheandBurleighstoodintheshadebythecampusgateontheclosingdayoftheirfreshmanyear。
　　Agroupofgirlshadbeenbiddingthetwogood-byeforthesummer。
　　AsElinorWream，whowasthelastoneofthecompany，offeredherhandtoVictherewasalookofexpectancyinherglancewhichfoundnoresponseinhisowneyes。AsheturnedawaywithindifferentcourtesytoTrench，thebigrightguardstaredhardathim。
　　"Youarea——well，anykindofasmoothcitizen，Isay，"herepeated。
　　"What'stroublingyourlivernow？"Vicasked。
　　Trenchdidnotheedthequestion，butsaid，slowly:
　　"And-the-big-noble-hearted-young-fellow-walked-in-and-out-beside-
　　how-the-touch-of-her-hand-thrilled-his-every-pulse-beat，-and-how-her-smile-was-
　　the-light-of-his-soul。And-he-grew-handsomer-and-more-beloved-with-the-passing-
　　manhood——"
　　AsuddenclutchonTrench'sarm，theblazeoftheold-timefuryinburningeyes，asVic'shoarsevoicecried:
　　"ForGod'ssake，Trench，getoutofmysight!"
　　"Iwill，"drawledTrench。"Theonlyfriendyoueverhad。
　　I'llcarrymytroublesuptoBigChiefFunnybone。Likeasnothe'llsentencemetotumbleyouthroughthechapeldoorofthesouthturretdownthe`roadtoperdition。'Nousethough，yougothatroadeveryday。Bettertreatmerightandtellmeallyourtroubles。
　　IfthereisanycoolhandletotakeholdofGehannabynexttoFunnybone，I'mtheonefellowinSunrisetograbontoit。”
　　ButVicwasoutofhearing。
　　Andthedaysofalong，hotKansassummer，agloriousautumn，andashort，nippywinterswungbyintheirappointedseasons。Andnowthespringtimewasunrollingindaintybeautyoftendergreenleaf，andgrowinggrass，andwarm，sweetair，andtrillofsongbird。Collegestudentsphilosophizelittleinthespringtimeoftheirsophomoreyear。Havinglearnedallthatbookscanteach，andalittlemore，theyseekotherpastime。
　　NobodyinSunriseexceptDr。FennebentookthetimetorememberhowstiffandungenialProfessorBurgesswaswhenhefirstcameWest；
　　norwhatanawkwardgoslingVictorBurleighwasthedayheenteredSunrise；
　　northatonceitcouldhaveseemedjustalittleoddtoinviteDennieSaxon，apoorstudent，daughterofahalf-reformeddrunkard，totheclassparties；northatevenElinorWream，"Norriethebeloved，"
　　wasnotsupposedtobeengagedtoVincentBurgess。Supposed!Andthat，whenhersenioryearwaswellalong，theengagementwouldbeopenlyspokenofasnowinhersophomoreyear，itwasquietlyaccepted，evenifProfessorBurgesswasoftenDennieSaxon'sescort。
　　Thatwasbecausehewassuchagentleman。NorthatwithallthesechangesTrenchhadremainedthesameoldlazyTrench，thecomfortableidolofthegirls，forhewasrightguardtoallofthem，andcaredfornone。
　　AndtheyneverknewtillafterwardthatforallthefouryearshewasfaithfultoalittlesweetheartoutinthesandyCimarronRivercountry，towhomhetookbackcleanhandsandapureheart，whenhewenthomeafterfouryearsofcollegelife。
　　Noneofthesethingswerenotedespecially，savebyDr。LloydFenneben，andhewasn'tasophomorenoraprofessorinlovewithaprettygirl；
　　aprofessorlearningforthefirsttimethatsympathyhasalsoitsculturevalue，aswellasperfectlytranslatedHorace，andthatthegrowthofahumansoulmeanssomethingasbeautifulasthegrowthofacompleteconjugationonanoldGreekstemfromanolderGreekroot。
　　FennebenhadlearnedallthiswhilehewaschasingabouttheKansasprairieswithacollegeinhisvestpocket。
　　Thereweresomeunchangedthings，however，whichFennebenonlyguessedat。
　　VictorBurleighhadneverapologizedtoProfessorBurgessforhisrudeattack，unlessacertainstraineddignifiedcourtesybethemarkofatacitapology。
　　AndBurgesscouldgiveonlycoldrecognitiontothebigfellowwhohadchokedhimintosubmissionandhadgoneunpunishedbythecollegeauthorities。
　　BetweenthesetwoFennebenguessedtherewasnochange。
　　Buthedidnotgrievedeeply。Theremustbeapersonalphaseinthisgrudgethatnothirdpersoncouldhandle。
　　Itmightbeagirl——butthefaceofthereturnsindicatedotherwise。
　　MeanwhilethecollegewasdoingitsperfectworkforBurleigh，whosestrengthofmind，andself-control，andgrowinggraciousnessofmannerbetokenedthesplendidmanhoodthatshouldrestonthisfoundation。Whilethespiritoftheprairiesod，thebenedictionofthebroad-sweepingairofheaven，andthesturdy，wholesomelifeofthesonsanddaughtersoffreedom-loving，broad-spiritedmenandwomen——allweregivingtoVincentBurgessanewhappinessinhisworkunlikeanypleasurehehadeverknownbefore。
　　LittleBugBuler，nowfouryearsofage，hadchangedleastofallamongchangingthingsaboutLagondaLedge。Asweet-faced，quaintlittlefellowhewas，withbigappealingeyes，ababylisptohiswords，andinnocentways。
　　Hewasasturdy，pudgy，self-reliantyoungster，however，whotooklongramblesaloneandturnedupsafeattherightmoment。AllLagondaLedgepettedhim，eventoBurgess，whoneverforgotthedayintherotundawhenBug'spityingvoicehadbrokenBurleigh'sgriponhisneck。
　　BondSaxonhadnotchanged，northewhite-hairedwomanofPigeonPlace——
　　northereputationoftheravinesandrockycovertsforhidinglawbreakersacrosstheWalnutRiver。AndFennebennotedoftentheslenderbluesmokerisingwherenobodyhadahouse。
　　ItwasanAprildayintheWalnutValley，withallthefreshnessoftheearthjustwashedandperfumedbyAprilshowers。
　　Thesunshinewaspalegold。Therewasagray-greenfilmylightfrombuddingtrees，andtheold-timemiracleofthegrasswaswroughtoutoncemorebeforetheeyesofmen。TheorchardsalongtheWalnutwerefaintlypink，andtheeggsintherobin'snest，thesouthwindspurringthroughthewoodedspaces，theodoroffar-plowedfurrowsontheprairiefarms，allgaveassuranceoftheyear'sgladdestdays。
　　FromtheSunriseledgethebeautyofthelandscapewasexquisite。
　　Therewasnohazeoverhangingtheearthnow，andtheWalnutValleywasapicturebeyondaMaster'sdream。VictorBurleighsatonthetopoftheflightofstepsleadingfromthelowercampus，lookinglazilyoutwithdreamyeyesonallthattheearthhadtogiveonthissweetAprilafternoon。
　　PresentlyElinorWreamcamearoundthenorthangleofthebuilding，hesitatedalittle，thenwalkedstraighttothesteps。
　　"Goodafternoon，Victor，"shesaid。
　　Burleighlookedup，gladthenofhismonthsofdisciplineandself-control。Asightgoodforanybodyonadaylikethiswasthiscollegegirlwithbeautifuldarkhairandlaughingdarkeyes，asatinypinkandwhitecomplexion，andaslenderform，cladjustnowindaintypinkginghamwithfaintlittleedgingsofwhiteandpalegreen，allstylishlyputtogethertorevealroundedarms，andwhiteneck，anddimpledchin。
　　"Hello，Elinor，"Vicsaid，calmly，makingroomforheronthestonesteps。
　　"Takeaseat。”
　　Elinorsatdownbesidehim，throwingherhatontheground。
　　"Whitheraway？"Vicasked。
　　"I'lltellyoupresently。Iwanttogetovermystagefrightfirst。”
　　"Allright，lookatthisview。I'llgiveittoyouifyoulikeit。”
　　Vichadturnedtothewestagainandwaslookingawaytowardthedreamyprairiesbeyondthevalley。
　　ElinorrecalledtheSeptemberdaywhenthebullsnakelaysunningitselfonthisverystone。Howshyandawkwardheseemedthen，withonlyadeepsweetvoicetoattractfavorableattention。
　　Andnow，big，andgraceful，andhandsome，andreserved——
　　anygirlmightbeproudtohavehisregard。Ofcourse，forherself，therewasVincentBurgessinthepleasantinevitablesometime。
　　Shegavelittlethoughttothat。Shewaslivinginthepresent。
　　AndinthewooingspiritoftheAprilafternoonElinorwasgladtositherebesideVictorBurleigh。
　　"Whattimenextmonthdowehavethebigbaseballgame？"sheasked。
　　"ThegamethatistomakeSunrisethechampioncollegeinKansas，andyouourcollegechampion？"Vic'slipssuddenlygrewgray。
　　"Friday，thethirteenth——auspiciousdate!"heanswered。
　　"ButImaynotplayinit。Imightfail。”
　　"Oh，wemustwinthisgame，anyhow，andyouneverdofail。
　　Don'tforgetthenameyourmothergaveyou。Doyourememberwhenyoutoldmethat？"
　　"Acoupleofthousandyearsago，wasn'tit？"Vicasked，smilingdownonher。
　　"IfIdon'tplaySunriseneedn'tfail，evenforFriday，thethirteenth。”
　　"Butitwillfailwithoutyou。YoupulledustovictoryayearagoattheThanksgivinggame，andlastfalltheSunrisegoallinewasn'tcrossedthewholeseasonwith`Burleigh!Burly!Burlee!'foraslogan。
　　Wemustwinthisyear。Thenitwillbeacompletechampionship:
　　football，basket-ball，andbaseball。Wewon'tdoitthoughunlesswehave`Burleighatthebat'。”
　　Ashadowcrossedhisfaceandhelookedawaytowhereatinyfilmofbluesmokewasrisingabovetheroughledgesbeyondtheriver。
　　"I'mgettingovermystagefrightnow，"Elinorsaid，thepinkdeepeningonherfaircheek，"andI'lltellyouwhatIwant。”
　　"Commandme!"hesaid，gallantly。
　　"Well，it'sawful，andthegirlsaretoomeantolive。
　　Buttheyaregettingevenwithme，theysay，forsomethingI
　　didlastfall。”
　　"Allright。”Vicwaswaiting，graciously。
　　"AlotofushavebrokensomeoftherulesoftheSororityandit'sdecreedthatImustgoovertheroutewecamehomebyonthenightofthestormdownintheKickapooCorral。Theyarehavinga`spread'
　　downthereatfiveo'clockandwearetogetthereintimeforit，goingbythewestsideoftheriver，andthey'llbringushome。
　　TheysaidIshouldaskyoutogowithme，andifyouwouldn'tgoformetoaskMr。Trenchtogo。Theyaretoosillyforanything。”
　　"Trenchwasexecutedformanslaughterattwoforty-fivetoday。
　　It'sthreeo'clocknow。Let'sgo。”Heliftedhertoherfeetandstoopedtopickupherhat。
　　"Doyoureallymindgoingwithme，Victor？"Elinorasked。
　　"DoImind？I'vebeenwaitingtwoyearsforyoutoaskmetogo。”
　　Hisvoicewasverydeepandtherewasasoftlightinhisbrowneyes。
　　Elinor'spulsebeatfeltathrill。Asuddensenseofthesweetnessofthedayandofajoyunlikeanyotherjoyofherlifepossessedher。
　　DownonthebridgetheystoppedtowatchthesunlitwatersoftheWalnutripplingbelowthem。
　　"Arewethesametwowhocreptuponthisbridge，wet，andmuddyandtired，andscaredonestormyOctobernighteighteenmonthsago？"Elinorasked。
　　"I'vehadnoreincarnationthatIknowof，"Vicreplied。
　　"Ihave，"Elinordeclared，andVicthoughtofBurgess。
　　Upthenarrowhiddenglentheymadetheirway，clamberingaboutbrokenledges，crossingandrecrossingthelittlestream，huggingthedryfootingunderoverhangingrockshelves，laughingatmisstepsandrejoicinginthespringtimejoy，untiltheycamesuddenlyuponagrassyopenspace，cliff-walledandhidden，evenfromtherestoftheglen。
　　Atthefartherendwasthelowdoorway-likeentrancetothecave。
　　Thesong-birdsweretwitteringinthetreesabovethem，thewatersofthelittlestreamgurgledattheirfeet，thewoodsyodorofgrowingthingswasintheair，andallthelittleglenwasrestfulandquiet。
　　"Isn'titbeautifulandromantic——andeverythingnice？"
　　Elinorcried。"Idon'tmindthissentencetohardservice。
　　Itisworthit。Doyoumindthelossoftime，Victor？"
　　"Icounteditgaintobeherewithyou，eveninthestormandterror。
　　Howcanthisbeloss？"heansweredher。Hisvoicewaslowandmusical。
　　Elinorlookedupquickly。AndquicklyasthethinghadcometoVictorBurleighonthewestbluffabovetheoldKickapooCorraltwoOctobersago，sotoElinorWreamcamethevisionofwhattheloveofsuchamanwouldbetothewomanwhocouldwinit。
　　"Doyoureallymeanit，Victor？Wasn'tIalumpoflead？
　　Adeadweighttoyourstrengththatnight？Youhaveneveroncespokenofit。”
　　Shelookedupwithshiningeyesandputoutherhand。
　　Whatcouldhedobutkeepitinhisownforamoment，firm-held，assomethinghewouldkeepforever。
　　"Ihaveneveronceforgottenit，"hemurmured。
　　Thecavebydaylightwasasthelightninghadshownit，abigchamber，rock-walled，rock-floored，rock-roofed，inthesideofthebluff，butlittlebelowthelevelofthegroundandeasyofentrance。
　　Itwascoolanddamp，but，withthedaylightthroughthedoorway，itwasmerelyshadowyinside。Inthefartherwallyawnedtheraggedopeningtotheblackspacesleadingoffunderground。
　　Throughthisopeningthesetwohadcreptonce，feelingthatbehindthewallsomebodywascrouchingwithevilintent。
　　Theypeeredthroughtheopeningnow，tryingtoseethemiraculouswaybywhichtheyhadcomeintothecavefromtherear。
　　Buttheystaredonlyintoblacknessandcaughtthebreathofthedampundergroundairwithafaintodorofwoodsmokesomewhere。
　　"Elinor，it'sagoodthingwecamethroughhereinthenight。
　　Itwouldhavebeenmaddeningtobeforcedinherebydaylight。
　　Wemusthaveslippeddownthroughaholesomewhereinourstumblesandhitapassageleadingoutofhereonlytotheriver，asortoffireescapebywayofthewaters。Yourememberwecouldn'tgetanywhereonthebacktrack，excepttothecliffabovetheWalnut。It'sallveryfineiftheescapergetsoutoftheriverbeforehereachesLagonda'swhirlpool。”
　　Hewasleaningfarthroughtheopeninginthewall，gazingintothedarknessandseeingnothing。
　　"Somewherebackinthere，whileIwaspawingaroundthatnight，Ifoundsomethingupinachinkthatfeltliketheodd-shapedlittlesilverpitchermymotherhadonce——anoldfamilyheirloom，lostorstolensometimeago。Icamebackandhuntedforitlater，butitwaswintertimeandcoldasthegraveoutsideanddarkerinhere，andIcouldn'tfindanything，soIconcludedmaybeIwasmistakenaltogetheraboutitsbeinglikethatoldpitcherofours。
　　Itwasabadnightfor`seein'things'；itmighthavebeenfor`feelin'things'aswell。There'snothingherebutdampairanddarkness。”
　　Andevenwhilehewasspeakingclosebesidethewall，sonearthatahandcouldhavereachedhim，amanwascrouching；
　　thesamemanwhosecrueleyeshadstaredthroughthebushesatLloydFennebenashesatbytheriverbeforePigeonPlace；
　　thesamemanwhoseeyeshadleeredatVicBurleighinthissameplaceeighteenmonthsbefore；thesamemanwhomlittleBugBuler'sinnocentfacehadstartledashewasabouttoseizethemoneyboxatthegatewaytotheSunrisefootballfield；
　　andthissamemanwascrouchingnowtospringatVicBurleigh'sthroatinthedarkness。
　　"It'sagoodthingafellowhasaguardianangelonceinawhile，"
　　Vicsaid，ashehastilywithdrewhisheadandshoulders。
　　"Wegetprettyclosetotheedgeofthingssometimesandneverknowhownearwearetodestruction。”
　　"Wewereprettyclosethatnight，"Elinorreplied。
　　"Shallwerestherealittlewhile，ordoyoursavagesororitysistersrequireyoutodotimeinsomanyminutes？"
　　Vicasked，astheyleftthecaveandcameagainintothesunlight，andallthesweetnessoftheAprilwoodland，andtheruggedbeautyoftheglen。
　　"I'mgladtorest，"Elinorsaid，droppingdownonastone。
　　Hercheekswerebloomingfromtheexerciseofthetramp，andherprettyhairwasindisorder。
　　Farawayfromthewestprairiecamethefaintnoteofachild'svoiceinsong。
　　"Victor，"Elinorsaid，astheylistened，"doyouknowthattheSunrisegirlsenvyBugBuler？Theysayyouwouldhavemoretimeforthegirlsifitwasn'tforhim。Whatyouspendforhimyoucouldspendonlightrefreshmentsforthem，don'tyousee？"
　　"IknowI'mastingycuss，"Vicsaid，carelessly，butadeeperredtouchedhischeek。
　　"Youknowyouarenot，"Elinorinsisted，"andI'vealwaysthoughtitwasabeautifulthingforabiggrownmanlikeyoutocareforalittleorphanboy。
　　Allthegirlsthinkso，too。”
　　Burleighlookeddownathergratefully。
　　"Ithoughtonce——infact，Iwastoldonce——thatmycareforhimwassufficientreasonwhyIshouldletallthegirlsalone，mostofallwhyIshouldnotthinkofElinorWream。”
　　"Howstrange!"Elinor'sfacehadawomanlyexpression。
　　"I'veneverhadalittlechildtoloveme。I'vebeenbroughtupwithonlyAEneas'ssmallsonAscanius，andotherclassicalchildren，onUncleJoshua'sDeadLanguagebookshelves。
　　IfeelsometimesasifI'dbeenrobbed。”
　　"You？Ididn'tknowyouhadeverwantedanythingyoudidn'tget。”
　　Victorhadthoughtallthingswereduetoherandcameasduly。
　　Thewomanlylookonherfacenowwasarevelationtohim。
　　Butthenhehadnotdaredtostudyherfaceformonths，andhedidnotyetrealizewhatlifeinDr。Fenneben'shomemustmeantohercharacter-building。
　　"I'lltellyousometimeaboutsomethingIoughttohavehad，asacrificeIwasforcedtomake；butnotnow，TellmeaboutBug。”
　　TherewasnobitternessinElinor'stone，yettheideaofherhavingthecapacitytoenduregaveheranewercharmtothemanbesideher。
　　"IhaveneverknownwhosechildBugis，"hebegan。
　　"Thewayinwhichhecametomeisfullofterriblememories，anditallhappenedontheblackestdayofmylife——
　　thehardlifeofalonelyboyonaKansasclaim。
　　That'swhyIneverspeakofitandtryalwaystoforgetit。
　　Ifoundhimbymereaccident，helplessandinawfuldanger。
　　Hewasabouttwoyearsoldthenandallhecouldsaywas`badman'
　　andhisname，`BugBuler。'I'vewonderedifBugishisname，orifhecouldnotspeakhisrealnameplainlythen。”
　　Burleighpaused，andasenseofElinor'sinterestbroughtathrillofjoytohim。
　　"Wherewashe？"sheasked。
　　Vicslowlyunfastenedhiscuffandslippedhiscoatsleeveuptohiselbow。
　　"Doyourememberthatscar？"heasked。"ItisnottheonlyoneIhave。
　　IfoughtwithdeathforthatbabyboyandIshallalwayscarrythescarsofthatday。Bugwasaloneinalonelylittledeserteddugout。
　　Somebodyhadlefthimtheretoperish。Hewasonalowchair，theonlyfurnitureintheroom，andontheearthfloorbetweenhimandmewerefiveoftheugliestrattlesnakesthatevercoiledforadeadlyblow。
　　LittleBugheldouthisarmstome，andI'llneverforgethisbabyface——
　　and——Ikilledthemallandcarriedhimaway。Itwasadangerous，hardjob，buttheboyIsavedhasbeentheblessingofmylifeeversince。
　　Icouldnothaveenduredthedaysthatfollowedwithouthisneedforcareandhisloveandinnocence。He'skeptmegood，Elinor。WhenI
　　gotbackhomewithhimmymother，whohadbeenverysick，wasdead，andourhousehadbeenrobbedofeveryvaluablebysomethief——awaysidetragedyofwesternKansas。Thatwasthedaythepitcherwasstolen。
　　Anotewasleftwarningmenottofollownortrytofindoutwhohaddonethestealing，butIthoughtIknewanyhow。That'swhyIkilledthatbullsnakethefirstdayIcametoSunriseandthat'swhyImusthavelookedlikeabulldogtoyou，soft-shelteredCambridgefolks。
　　Lifehasbeenmostlyafistfightforme，butDr。Fennebenhastaughtmethatthereareotherpowersbesidephysicalstrength。
　　Thattheknock-downgamedoesn'tbringtherealvictoryalways。
　　IhopeI'velearnedalittlehere。”
　　Alittle!CouldthisbethebigawkwardfreshmanofaSeptemberdaygoneby？
　　Thencollegecultureissurelyworththecost。
　　Elinorleanedforward，eagerly。
　　"Tellmeaboutyourfather，"shesaid。
　　"Myfatherlosthislifebecausehedaredtotellthetruth，"Victorreplied。
　　"Oh，glorious!"Elinorcried，earnestly。
　　"Ihavealwayslovedmyfather'smemoryforhiscourage，"
　　Victorcontinued。"Hewasabelieverinlawenforcementandhewasaterrortothebootleggerswhocarriedwhiskyintooursettlement。
　　AmannamedGreshwasnotoriousforsellingwhiskytotheclaimholders。
　　Hegaveit，Elinor，gaveit，toaboy，awidow'sson，madehimdrunk，robbedhim，andlefthimtofreezetodeathinablizzard。
　　Theboylivedlongenoughtotellmyfatherwhodidit，anditwashistestimonythathelpedtoconvictGreshandstarthimtothepenitentiary。
　　Heescapedfromthesheriffontheway——and，sofarasIknow，there'sonebadmanstillatlarge，afugitivebeforethelaw。
　　Whiskyisthedevil'sownbesttool，whetheramandrinksithimselforgetsotherpeopletodrinkit。”
　　"That'sabadname，"Elinorsaid。"MygrandfatheradoptedaboynamedGresh，whoturnedoutbad。IthinkhewaskilledinasaloonrowinChicago。DidthisGreshevertroubleyouagain？"
　　Burleigh'sfacewasgrimasheanswered:
　　"Myfatherwaswaylaidandmurderedwithaclubbythisman。
　　HeescapedafterwardintoIndianTerritory。Helefthisownname，Gresh，scrawledonapieceofpaperpinnedtomyfather'scoattoshowwhoserevengewasworkedout。Hewasavolcanoofhumanhate——
　　thatmanGresh。Aftermyfather'snamewaswritten——`ThesameclubforeveryBurleighwhoevercrossesmypath。'
　　Iexpecttocrosshispathsomeday，andifIeverlaymyeyesonthatfienditwillgohardwithoneofus。”TheyellowglowburnedagaininVictorBurleigh'seyesandhisfistsclinchedinvoluntarily。
　　Theyweresilentawhile，untilthesweetnessofthedayandthejoyofbeingtogetherwooedthemtohappierthoughts。
　　ThenElinorrememberedherdisorderedhairand，throwingasideherhat，shedeftlyputitintoplace。
　　"AmIpresentableforthesupperattheKickapooCorral？"
　　sheasked，asshepickedupherhatagain。
　　"Yousuitme，"Burleighreplied。"WhataretheKickapoorequirements？"
　　"ThatVictorBurleighshallbesatisfied，"sheanswered，roguishly。
　　"Really，that'sright。Fourgirlsofferedtosubstituteformeinthispenitentialpilgrimageandwritesomelongtranslationsformebeside。”
　　"Four，individuallyorcollectively？"heasked。
　　"Eitherway，"sheanswered。
　　"Whydidn'tyouletthemdoit？
　　"Whichway？"
　　"Eitherway，"hereplied。
　　"Wouldyouratherhavehadthefoureitherway，thanme？"
　　shequestioned，withprettyvanity。
　　"Muchrather。”Hisvoicewasstern。
　　"Why？"Shewasstungbytheanswer。
　　Theglenwasalladreamygray-greenruggednessofshelvingrockwithmossycrevicesandfernynooks。Thesunlightfilteringthroughtheyoungleavesfellabouttheminashadow-fleckedsoftness。
　　Therewasacrooningsongofsomebirdonitsnest，themurmurofwatersripplingdownthestonyshallows，andabeautifulgirlinadaintypinkdresswithherfingersjusttouchingherfluffymassesofhair。
　　"Why？"
　　WiththequestionElinorlookedupandsawwhy。
　　SawinVictorBurleigh'sgolden-browneyesalookshehadneverreadineyesbefore；sawthewholeface，therugged，manlyfacelightedwithaman'sovermasteringlove。
　　Andthejoyofitthrilledhersoul。
　　"Doyouknowwhy？
　　Heleanedtowardhereversolittle。AndElinorWream，forgetfuloftheWreamfamilyrank，forgetfulofhertacitconsenttoUncleJoshua'swishes，forgetfulofVincentBurgessandhisheritageofculture，beautifulElinorWream，withherstarryeyes，andcheeksofpeach-blossompink，putoutherhandstoVictorBurleigh，whotookthemeagerly。
　　"Letmeholdthemaminute，"hesaid，softly。"Therearesixtyyearstoremember，butonlyonehourlikethis。”
　　Then，forgetfuloftheworldandthedemandsoftheworld，keepingherhandsinhis，hebentandkissedher，asfromthefoundationoftheworlditwashisrighttodo。
　　AndLove'sYoungDream，notboughtwithpain，asmotherloveisbought，norwroughtoutwithprayerandsacrificialservice，asloveforallhumanityiswon，cameagainonthisAprildaytothelittle，rock-shelteredglenbesidethebrightwatersoftheWalnut，andbrieflythererebuiltinrainbowhuestheold，oldparadiseofjoyforthesetwoalone。
　　AndintothenewEdencamethenewserpentalsofortodestroy。
　　BeforeElinorandVictorwasthesunlitvalley。Behindthemwasthecave'smouthwithitsshadowygloomdeepeningbacktodensedarkness。
　　Andcreepingstealthilythroughthatblackness，likeaserpentwarmingitsvenomandwrithingslowlytowardthelight，ahumanformwasslowly，stealthilycrawlingoutward，withheaduprearedandcrueleyesalert。
　　Thebrutalfacewasvoidofpity，asiftheconsciencebehindithadlongbeenboundandgaggedtohumansympathy。
　　WhileBurleighwasspeakingthecavemanhadreachedthedoorwayandrearedupjustbesideitintheshadow。Clutchingabrutal-lookingclubinhishairy，roughhand，hestoodlisteningtothestoryofthemurderthathadleftVictorfatherless。
　　Thefaceofthelistenermadecleartheneedforguardianangels。