minginblackmolassesandporkgravy。
　　Hendersonlookedatitamoment；thenoverhisfacecamealookofutterdespair。
　　Hedroppedhisheadinhisarmsandbrokeintouncontrolledcrying。
　　"Oh，myGod，Gillispie，"hesobbed，"I
　　shalldieouthereinthiswretchedhole!I
　　wantmymother。GreatGod，Gillispie，amIgoingtodiewithouteverseeingmymother？"
　　Gillispie，maddenedatthisanguish，whichhecouldinnowayalleviate，soughtcomfortbyfirstlightinghispipeandthentakinghisrevolveroutofhiship-pocketandplayingwithit。Hendersoncontinuedtoshakewithsobs，andCatherine，whohadneverbeforeinherlifeheardamancry，leanedagainstthedoorforamomenttogathercourage。
　　Thensheranintothehousequickly，laugh-
　　ingasshecame。ShetookHenderson'sarmsawayfromhisfaceandlaidhimbackonthepillow，andshestoopedoverhimandkissedhisforeheadinthemostmatter-
　　of-factway。
　　"That'swhatyourmotherwoulddoifshewerehere，"shecried，merrily。"Where'sthewater？"
　　Shewashedhisfaceandhandsalongtime，tilltheywerecoolandhisconvulsivesobshadceased。Thenshetookasliceofthinbreadfromherbasketandaspoonfulofamberjelly。Shebeataneggintosomemilkanddroppedalittleliquorwithinit，andservedthemtogetheronthefirstcleannapkinthathadbeeninthecabinofthethreeJohnssinceitwasbuiltAtthisthegreatfoolonthebedcriedagain，onlyquietly，tearsofweakhappi-
　　nessrunningfromhisfeverisheyes。AndCatherinestraightenedthedisorderlycabin。
　　Shecameeverydayfortwoweeks，andbythattimeHenderson，veryuncertainastothestrengthofhislegs，butoncemoreaccoutredinhisnativepluck，satupinachair，forwhichshehadmadecleansoftcushions，writingalettertohismother。Thefloorwasscrubbed；thecabinhadtakentoitselfcupboardsmadeofpacking-boxes；ithadclothes-pressesandshelves；curtainsatthewindows；boxesforallsortofnecessaries，fromflourtotobacco；andacook-bookonthewall，withaninscriptionwithinwhichwasmoreappropriatethanrespectful。
　　Thedaythatsheannouncedthatshewouldhavenofurthercalltocomeback，Waite，whowaslookingafterthehousewhileGillispiewasafield，madealittlespeech。
　　"Afterthishere，"hesaid，"wefourstandserfallstogether。Nowlookhere，there'slotsofthingscanhappentoapersononthiscussedpraira，andnoonebenoneth'wiser。Soseehere，Mis'Ford，everynightoneofusisa-goin'toth'roofofthisshack。Fromtherewecanseeyourplace。
　　Ifanythingisth'matter——itdon'tsignifyhowlittleerhowbig——youhangalanternonth'stickthatI'llputalongsideth'houseto-morrow。Yehcanh'istth'lightupwithastring，andeverymornin'beforewegooutwe'lllooktoo，andawhiterag'llbringusquickaswecangitthere。Wedon'tsaynothin'aboutwhatweoweyeh，furthatain'tourway，butwestickstoeachotherfromthison。”
　　Catherine'seyesweremoist。ShelookedatHenderson。Hisfacehadnoexpressioninitatall。Hedidnotevensaygood-bytoher，andsheturned，withthetearssud-
　　denlydriedunderherlids，andwalkeddowntheroadinthetwilight。
　　Weekswentby，andthoughGillispieandWaitewereoftenatCatherine's，Hendersonnevercame。GillispiegaveitoutashisopinionthatHendersonwasanungratefulpuppy；butWaitesaidnothing。Thisstrangeman，whoseemedlikeamereunto-
　　wardaccidentofnature，hadchangeddur-
　　ingthesummer。Hisbigill-shapedbodyhadgrownmoregaunt；hisdeep-setgrayeyeshadsunkdeeper；thegentlenesswhichhaddistinguishedhimevenonthewildrangesofMontanabecamemoremarked。
　　LateinAugusthevolunteeredtotakeonhimselftheentirechargeofthenightwatch。
　　"It'snicertobeoutatnight，"hesaidtoCatherine。"Thenyoudon'tkeeplook-
　　ingoffatthings；youcanlookinside；"andhestruckhisbreastwithhissplayhand。
　　Cattlearetimorousunderthestars。Thevastnessoftheplains，thesweepofthewindundertheunbrokenarch，frightenthem；
　　theyaremadefortheclosecomfortsofthebarn-yard；andtheapprehensioniscon-
　　tagious，aseveryranchmanknows。Waiterealizedtheneedofbecominggoodfriendswithhisanimals。Nightafternight，ridingupanddowninthetwilightofthestars，ordozing，rolledinhisblanket，intheshelterofaknoll，hewouldhearalowroar；itwasthecryofthealarmist。Thenfromeverydirectionthecattlewouldrisewithtremblingawkwardnessontheirknees，andanswer，givingoutsullenbellowings。Someofthemwouldbegintomovefromplacetoplace，spreadingthebaselessalarm，andthencamethetimeforaction，elseovertheplaininmerefruitlessfrenzywouldgothewholefranticband，lashedtomadnessbytheirownfears，tramplingeachother，heed-
　　lessofanyobstacle，inpitiable，deadlyrout。
　　Waiteknewthepremonitorysignswell，andatthefirstwarningbellowhewasonhisfeet，alertanddetermined，hisenergynervedforastruggleinwhichhealwaysconquered。
　　Waitehadasecretwhichhetoldtonone，knowing，inhisunanalyticalfashion，thatitwouldnotbebelievedin。Butsoonaseverthedarkheadsofthecattlebegantoliftthemselves，hesentaresonantvoiceoutintothestillness。Thesongshesangwerehymns，andhemadethemintoasortofimperativelullaby。Waitelethislungsandsoulfillwiththebreathofthenight；
　　hegavehimselfuptotheexaltationofmasteringthosetremblingbrutes。Mount-
　　ing，melodious，withevenandpowerfulswinghelethisfullnotesfallontheairintheconfidenceofpower，andonebyonethereassuredcattlewouldliedownagain，lowinginsoftcontentment，andsofallasleepwithnosesstretchedoutinmuteattention，tilltheirpresencecouldhardlybeguessedexceptforthesweetaromaoftheircuds。
　　Onenightintheearlydusk，hesawCath-
　　erineFordhasteningacrosstheprairiewithBillDeems。Hesentahallooouttothem，whichtheybothansweredastheyranon。
　　WaiteknewonwhaterrandofmercyCath-
　　erinewasbent，andhethoughtofthechil-
　　drenoveratthecabinalone。Thecattlewerequiet，thenightbeautiful，andhecon-
　　cludedthatitwassafeenough，sincehewasonhispony，toridedownthereaboutmid-
　　nightandseethatthelittleonesweresafe。
　　Thedarksky，prickedwithpointsofin-
　　tensestlight，hungoverhimsobeneficentlythatinhisheartthereleapedajoywhichevenhisever-presentsorrowcouldnotdis-
　　turb。ThissorrowWaiteopenlyadmittednotonlytohimself，buttoothers。HehadsaidtoCatherine:"Yousee，I'llalwayshevtoloveyeh。An'yeh'llnotgitcrosswithme；I'mnotgoin'tobeinth'way。”AndCatherinehadtoldhim，withtearsinhereyes，thathislovecouldneverbebutacom-
　　forttoanywoman。Andthesewords，whichthepoorfellowhadinnosensemistaken，comfortedhimalways，becamepartofhisjoyasherodethere，underthosepiercingstars，tolookafterherlittleones。Hefoundthemsleepingintheirbunks，thebabytightinKitty'sarms，thelittleboyabovethemintheupperbunk，withhishandinthelonghairofhisbrownspaniel。Waitesoftlykissedeachofthem，soKitty，whowashalfwaking，toldhermotherafterwards，andthen，bethinkinghimthatCatherinemightnotbeabletoreturnintimefortheirbreak-
　　fast，foundthemilkandbread，andsetitforthemonthetable。Catherinehadbeenwriting，andherunfinishedletterlayopenbesidetheink。Hetookupthepenandwrote，"Thechilddrenwasallasleepattwelv。
　　"J。W。”
　　Hehadnotmorethangotonhisponyagainbeforeheheardanominoussoundthatmadehisheartleap。Itwasafranticdullpoundingofhoofs。Heknewinasecondwhatitmeant。Therewasastam-
　　pedeamongthecattle。Iftheanimalshadallbeenhis，hewouldnothavelosthissenseofjudgment。Buttherealizationthathehadvoluntarilyundertakenthecareofthem，andthatthelargerpartofthembelongedtohisfriends，puthiminapassionofappre-
　　hensionthat，asaranchman，wasalmostin-
　　explicable。Hedidtheverythingofallothersthatnocattle-maninhisrightsenseswouldthinkofdoing。GillispieandHender-
　　son，talkingitoverafterward，wereneverabletounderstandit。Itispossible——justbarelypossible——thatWaite，stilldrunkonhissolitarydreams，knewwhathewasdoing，andchosetobringhislittlechaptertoanendwhilethelineswerepleasant。Atanyrate，herodestraightforward，shoutingandwavinghisarmsinaninsaneendeavortoheadoffthatfranticmob。Thenoisewokethechildren，andtheypeeredfromthewindowasthepawingandbellowingherdplungedby，tramplingtheyoungsteersundertheirfeet。
　　Intheearlymorning，CatherineFord，spentbothinmindandbody，camewalkingslowlyhome。Inherheartwasaprayerofthanks-
　　giving。MaryDeemslaysleepingbackinhercomfortlessshack，withherlittlesonbyherside。
　　"ThewonderofGodisinit，"saidCath-
　　erinetoherselfasshewalkedhome。"AlltheministersofalltheworldcouldnothavepreachedmesuchasermonasI'vehadto-night。”
　　Sodimhadbeenthelightandsoper-
　　turbedhermindthatshehadnotnoticedhowtornandtrampledwastheroad。Butsuddenlyabulkinherpathwaystartledher。
　　Itwasthedeadandmangledbodyofasteer。
　　Shestoopedoverittoreadthebrandonitsflank。"It'soneofthethreeJohns'，"shecriedout，lookinganxiouslyabouther。
　　"Howcouldthathavehappened？"
　　Thedirectionwhichthecattlehadtakenwastowardherhouse，andshehastenedhomeward。AndnotaquarterofamilefromherdoorshefoundthebodyofWaitebesidethatofhispony，crushedoutofitsfamiliarformintosomethingunspeakablyshapeless。Inherexcitementshehalfdragged，halfcarriedthatmutilatedbodyhome，andthenranuphersignalofalarmonthestickthatWaitehimselfhaderectedforherconvenience。Shethoughtitwouldbealongtimebeforeanyonereachedher，butshehadhardlyhadtimetobathethedisfiguredfaceandstraightenthedisfiguredbodybeforeHendersonwaspoundingatherdoor。Outsidestoodhisponypantingfromitsterrificexertions。Hendersonhadnotseenherbeforeforsixweeks。Nowhestaredatherwithfrightenedeyes。
　　"Whatisit？Whatisit？"hecried。
　　"Whathashappenedtoyou，my——mylove？"
　　Atleastafterward，thinkingitoverassheworkedbydayortossedinhernarrowbunkatnight，itseemedtoCatherinethatthosewerethewordshespoke。Yetshecouldneverfeelsure；nothinginhismannerafterthatjustifiedtheimpassionedanxietyofhismannerinthosefirstfewuncertainmoments；
　　forasecondlaterhesawthebodyofhisfriendandlearnedthelittlethatCatherineknew。Theyburiedhimthenextdayinalittlehollowwheretherewasaspringandsomewildaspens。
　　"Heneverlikedtheprairie，"Catherinesaid，whensheselectedthespot。"AndI
　　wanthimtolieasshelteredaspossible。”
　　Afterhehadbeenlaidatrest，andshewasback，busywithtidyingherneglectedshack，shefelltocryingsothatthechildrenwerescared。
　　"There'snoonelefttocarewhatbecomesofus，"shetoldthem，bitterly。"Wemightstarveouthereforallthatanyonecares。”
　　Andallthroughthenighthertearsfell，andshetoldherselfthattheywereallforthemanwhoselastthoughtwasforherandherbabies；shetoldherselfoverandoveragainthathertearswereallforhim。Afterthistheautumnbegantohurryon，andthesnowfellcapriciously，daysofbitingcoldgivingplacetoretrospectiveglancesatsummer。
　　Thelastofthevegetablesweretakenoutofthegardenandburiedinthecellar；andafewtonsofcoal——dearalmostasdiamonds——werebroughtouttoprovideagainsttheseverestweather。Ordinarilybuffalochipswerethefuel。Catherinewasalarmedatthewayherwretchedlittlestoreofmoneybegantovanish。Thebabywasfretfulwithitsteething，andwasreallymorecarethanwhenshenursedit。Thedaysshortened，anditseemedtoherthatshewasforeverworkingbylamp-lightTheprairieswerebrownandforbidding，theskyoftenameregraypall。Themonotonyofthelifebegantoseemterrible。Sometimesherearsachedforasound。Foratimeinthesummersomanyhadseemedtoneedherthatshehadbeenhappyinspiteofherpovertyandherloneliness。Now，suddenly，noonewantedher。Shecouldfindnosourceofinspiration。
　　Shewonderedhowshewasgoingtolivethroughthewinter，andkeepherpatienceandhergood-nature。
　　"You'llloveme，"shesaid，almostfiercely，onenighttothechildren——"you'lllovemamma，nomatterhowcrossandhomelyshegets，won'tyou？"
　　Thecoldgrewdaybyday。Astrongwinterwassettingin。Catherinetookupherstudyofmedicineagain，andsatoverherbookstillmidnight。Itoccurredtoherthatshemightfitherselffornursingbyspring，andthatthechildrencouldbeputwithsomeone——shedidnotdaretothinkwithwhom。Butthiswastheonlysolutionshecouldfindtoherproblemofexistence。
　　Novembersettleddowndrearily。Fewpassedtheshack。Catherine，whohadnoonetospeakwithexceptingthechildren，continuallydevisedamusementsforthem。
　　Theygottolivinginaworldoffantasy，andwereneverthemselves，butalwayswildIndians，orarcticexplorers，orRobinsonCrusoes。KittyandRoderick，youngastheywere，foundanever-endingsourceofamusementintheselittlegrotesquedreamsanddramas。Thefundofmoneywasget-
　　tingsolowthatCatherinewasobligedtoeconomizeeveninthenecessities。Ifithadnotbeenforhertwocows，shewouldhardlyhaveknownhowtofindfoodforherlittleones。Butshehadawonderfulwayofmak-
　　ingthingswitheggsandmilk，andshekeptherlittletablealwaysinviting。ThedaybeforeThanksgivingshedeterminedthattheyshouldallhaveafrolic。
　　"ByChristmas，"shesaidtoKitty，"thesnowmaybesobadthatIcannotgettotown。We'llhaveourhigholdtimenow。”
　　ThereisnodenyingthatCatherineusedslangevenintalkingtothechildren。Thelittleponyhadbeensoldlongago，andgoingtotownmeantawalkoftwelvemiles。
　　ButCatherinestartedoutearlyinthemorning，andwasbackbynightfall，notsoverymuchtheworse，andcarryinginherarmsbundleswhichmighthavefatiguedabronco。
　　Thenextmorningshewasupearly，andwasashappyandridiculouslyexcitedovertheprospectoftheday'smerrymakingasifshehadbeenKitty。Busyasshewas，shenoticedapeculiaroppressionintheair，whichintensifiedasthedaywenton。Theskyseemedtohangbutalittlewayabovetherollingstretchoffrost-bittengrass。ButKittylaughingoverhernewdoll，Roderickstartlingthesullensilencewithhisdrum，thesmellofthechicken，slaughteredtomakeaprairieholiday，browningintheoven，droveallapprehensionsfromCath-
　　erine'smind。Shewasacommoncreature。
　　Suchverylittlethingscouldmakeherhappy。
　　Shesangassheworked；andwhatwiththedrummingofherboy，andthelittleexultingshrieksofherbaby，theshackwasfilledwithadeafeningandexhilaratingdin。
　　Itwasalittlepastnoon，whenshebecameconsciousthattherewassweepingdownonheragraysheetofsnowandice，andnottillthendidsherealizewhatthoseloweringcloudshadsignified。Foronemomentshestoodhalfparalyzed。Shethoughtofevery-
　　thing，——ofthecattle，ofthechanceforbeingburiedinthisdrift，ofthestockofprovi-
　　sions，ofthepowerofenduranceofthechildren。Whileshewasstillthinking，thefirstice-needlesoftheblizzardcamepepper-
　　ingthewindows。Thecattleranbellowingtotheleesideofthehouseandcrouchedthere，andthechickensscurriedforthecoop。
　　Catherineseizedsuchblanketsandbitsofcarpetasshecouldfind，andcrammedthematwindowsanddoors。Thenshepiledcoalonthefire，andclothedthechildreninalltheyhadthatwaswarmest，theirout-doorgar-
　　mentsincluded；andwiththemcloseabouther，shesatandwaited。Thewindseemedtopushsteadilyatthewallsofthehouse。
　　Thehowlingbecamehorrible。Shecouldseethatthechildrenwerecryingwithfright，butshecouldnothearthem。Theairwasdusky；thecold，inspiteofthefire，intol-
　　erable。Ineverycreviceofthewretchedstructuretheiceandsnowmadetheirway。
　　Itcamethroughtheroof，andbeganpilingupinlittlepointedstripsunderthecrevices。
　　Catherineputthechildrenalltogetherinonebunk，coveredthemwithallthebed-
　　clothesshehad，andthenstoodbeforethemdefiantly，facingthewest，fromwhencethewindwasdriving。Notsuddenly，butbysteadypressure，atlengththewindow-sashyielded，andthenextmomentthatwhirlwindwasinthehouse，——amaddeningtumultoficeandwind，leavingnoroomforresistance；
　　akillingcold，againstwhichitwasfutiletofight。Catherinethrewthebedclothesovertheheadsofthechildren，andthenthrewherselfacrossthebunk，gaspingandchok-
　　ingforbreath。Herbodywouldnothaveyieldedtothesufferingyet，sostronglymadeandsustainedwasit；butherdismaystifledher。Shesawinonehorrifiedmomentthefrozenformsofherbabies，nowsopinkandpleasanttothesense；andoblivioncametosaveherfromfurthermisery。
　　Shewasalive——justbarelyalive——whenGillispieandHendersongotthere，threehourslater，theveryballsoftheireyesalmostfrozenintoblindness。Butforaninstinctstrongerthanreasontheywouldneverhavebeenabletohavefoundtheirwayacrossthattracklessstretch。Thechil-
　　drenlyingunconsciousundertheircoveringswereneitherdeadnoractuallyfrozen，al-
　　thoughthemenputtingtheirhandsontheirlittleheartscouldnotatfirstdiscoverthebeating。Stiffandsufferingastheseyoungfellowswere，itwasnoeasymattertogetthewindowbackintoplaceandre-lightthefire。Theyhadtiedflasksofliquorabouttheirwaists；andthisbeneficentfluidtheyusedwiththatsenseofappreciationwhichonlyapioneercanfeeltowardwhiskey。ItwashoursbeforeCatherinerewardedthemwithagleamofconsciousness。Herbodyhadbeenfrozeninmanyplaces。Herarms，outstretchedoverherchildrenandholdingtheclothesdownaboutthem，wererigid。
　　Butconsciousnesscameatlength，dimlystrugglingupthroughherbrain；andoverhershesawherfriendsrubbingandrubbingthosestrongfirmarmsofherswithsnow。
　　Shehalfraisedherhead，withahorrorofcomprehensioninhereyes，andlistened。A
　　cryansweredher，——acryofdullpainfromthebaby。Hendersondroppedonhiskneesbesideher。
　　"Theyareallsafe，"hesaid。"Andwewillneverleaveyouagain。IhavebeenafraidtotellyouhowIloveyou。IthoughtImightoffendyou。IthoughtIoughttowait——youknowwhy。ButIwillneverletyouruntherisksofthisawfullifealoneagain。Youmustrenamethebaby。FromthisdayhisnameisJohn。AndwewillhavethethreeJohnsagainbackattheoldranch。Itdoesn'tmatterwhetheryoulovemeornot，Catherine，Iamgoingtotakecareofyoujustthesame。Gillispieagreeswithme。”
　　"Damme，yes，"mutteredGillispie，feelingofhiship-pocketforconsolationinhisoldmanner。
　　Catherinestruggledtofindhervoice，butitwouldnotcome。
　　"Donotspeak，"whisperedJohn。"Tellmewithyoureyeswhetheryouwillcomeasmywifeoronlyasoursister。”
　　Catherinetoldhim。
　　"ThisisThanksgivingday，"saidhe。
　　"Andwedon'tknowmuchaboutpraying，butIguessweallhavesomethinginourheartsthatdoesjustaswell。”
　　"Damme，yes，"saidGillispie，again，ashepensivelycockedanduncockedhisre-
　　volver。
　　AResuscitationAFTERbeingdeadtwentyyears，hewalkedoutintothesunshine。
　　Itwasasifthebonesofableachedskele-
　　tonshouldjointhemselvesonsomeforgottenplain，andlookaboutthemforthevanishedflesh。
　　Tobedeaditisnotnecessarytobeinthegrave。Thereareplaceswherethewormscreepabouttheheartinsteadofthebody。
　　Thepenitentiaryisoneofthese。
　　DavidCulrosshadbeeninthepenitentiarytwentyyears。Now，withthatworm-eatenheart，hecameoutintolibertyandlookedabouthimforthehabilimentswithwhichhehadformerlyclothedhimself，——forhope，self-respect，courage，pugnacity，andindustry。
　　Buttheyhadvanishedandleftnotrace，likethefleshofthedeadmenontheplains，andso，morallyunapparelled，inthehideousskeletonofhismanhood，hewalkedondownthestreetunderthemid-Junesunshine。
　　Youcanunderstand，canyounot，howaskeletonmightwishtogetbackintoitscomfortablegrave？DavidCulrosshadnotwalkedtwoblocksbeforehewasseizedwithanalmostuncontrollabledesiretobegtobeshieldedoncemoreinthatsafeandshamefulretreatfromwhichhehadjustbeenreleased。Ahorribleperceptionofthelargenessoftheworldsweptoverhim。
　　Spaceandeternitycouldseemnolargertotheusualmanthanearth——thatsnugandinsignificantplanet——lookedtoDavidCulross。
　　"IfIgoback，"hecried，despairingly，lookinguptothegreatbuildingthataroseabovethestonyhills，"theywillnottakemein。”Hewasabsolutelywithoutarefuge，utterlywithoutadestination；hedidnothaveahope。Therewasnothinghedesiredexceptthesurroundingofthosefournarrowwallsbetweenwhichhehadlainatnightanddreamedthoseever-recurringdreams，——
　　dreamswhichwereneverpropheciesorpromises，butalwaysthehackneyedhistoryofwhathehadsacrificedbyhiscrime，andrelinquishedbyhispride。
　　Themenwhopassedhimlookedathimwithmingledamusementandpity。Theyknewthe"prisonlook，"andtheyknewtheprisonclothes。ForthoughtheStategivestoitsdischargedconvictsclotheswhicharelikethoseofothermen，itmakesahundredsuitsfromthesamesortofcloth。Thepoliceknowthefabric，andeventhecitizensrecognizeit。But，then，wereeachmandressedindifferentgarbhecouldnotbedisguised。Everyoneknowsinwhatdullschoolthatsidelongglanceislearned，thataimlessdroopingoftheshoulders，thatrhythmicliftingoftheheavyfoot。
　　DavidCulrosswonderedifhiswillweredead。Heputittothetest。Helifteduphisheadtoapositionwhichithadnotheldformanymiserableyears。Heputhishandsinhispocketsinapitifulattemptatnon-
　　chalance，andwalkeddownthestreetwithastepwhichwasmeanttobebrisk，butwhichwasinfactonlyuncertain。Inhispocketweretendollars。ThismuchtheStateequipsamanwithwhenitsendshimoutofitspenalhalls。Itgiveshimalsotransportationtoanypointwithinreasonabledistancethathemaydesiretoreach。Cul-
　　rosshadrequestedatickettoChicago。HenaturallysaidChicago。Inthelongcolor-
　　lessdaysithadbeeninChicagothatallthoseendlesslyrepeatedsceneshadbeenlaid。Walkingupthestreetnowwiththatwaveringineffectualgait，thesescenescamebacktosurgeinhisbrainlikewaterscease-
　　lesslytossedinawind-sweptbasin。
　　Therewastheoffice，bareandclean，wheretheyoungstoop-shoulderedclerkssatwrit-
　　ing。Intheirfaceswasastrangeresem-
　　blance，justastherewasinthebacksoftheledgers，andintheendlessbillsonthespindles。Ifoneofthemlaughed，itwasnotwithgayety，butwithgratificationatthediscomfitureofanother。Noneofthematewell。Noneofthemwererestedaftersleep。Allofthemrodeonthestuffyone-
　　horsecarstoandfromtheirwork。Sun-
　　daystheylayinbedverylate，andatemoredinnerthantheycoulddigest。Therewasacertainfellowshipamongthem，——suchfel-
　　lowshipasabandofcaptivesamongcanni-
　　balsmightfeel，eachofthemwaitingwithvitalcuriositytoseewhowasthenexttobeeaten。Butofthatfellowshipthatplansinunison，suffersinsympathy，enjoysvicari-
　　ously，strengthensintofriendshipandcom-
　　munionofsoultheyknewnothing。Indeed，suchcamaraderiewouldhavebeendisap-
　　provedofbytheHeadClerk。Hewouldhavelookedonanemotionwithexactlythesamedispleasurethathewouldonanerrorinthefootingoftheyear'saccounts。ItwastacitlyunderstoodthatonereachedtheproudpositionofHeadClerkbyhavingnoemotionswhatever。
　　Culrossdidnotrememberhavingbeenbornwithapeninhishand，orevenwithonebehindhisear；butcertainlyfromthedayhehadbeenletoutofknickerbockershiscon-
　　stantcompanionhadbeenthatgreatlyover-
　　estimatedarticle。HisfatherdyingatatimethatcutshortDavid'sschool-days，hewentoutarmedwithhisnewknowledgeofdouble-
　　entry，determinedtomakeafortuneandacommercialname。Meantime，helivedinasuiteofthreeroomsonWestMadisonStreetwithhismother，whowasagoodwoman，andlivedwhereshedidthatshemightbenearherfavoritemeeting-house。Sheprayed，andcookedbaddinners，principallycomposedofdispiritingpastry。Herideaofhouse-keepingwastokeeptheshadesdown，whateverhappened；andwhenDavidlefthomeintheeveningforanypurposeofpleasure，shewept。Davidpersuadedhim-
　　selfthathedespisedamusement，andwenttobedeachnightathalf-pastnineinafoldingbedsteadinthefrontroom，and，bybecomingabsolutelystolidfrommerevege-
　　tation，imaginedthathewasalmostfittobeaHeadClerk。
　　Walkingdownthestreetnowafterthetwentyyears，thinkingofthesedeadbutinno-
　　centdays，thiswasthepicturehesaw；andashereflecteduponit，eventhedespoiledanddesolateyearsjustpassedseemedricherbycontrast。
　　Hereachedthestationthusdreaming，andfound，ashehadbeentoldwhenthewardenbadehimgood-by，thatatrainwastobeathanddirectlyboundtothecity。Afewmomentslaterhewasonthattrain。Wellbackintheshadow，andoutofsightoftheotherpassengers，hegavehimselfuptotheenjoymentofthecomfortablecushion。Hewouldwillinglyhavelookedfromthewin-
　　dow，——greenfieldswerenewandwonderful；
　　driftingcloudsamarvel；men，houses，horses，farms，allarevelation，——butthosehauntingvisionswereathimagain，andwouldnotleavebrainoreyefreeforotherthings。
　　Butthenextscenehadwarmertints。Itwastheinteriorofarichroom，——crimsonandamberfabrics，flowers，thegleamofastatuebeyondthedrapings；thesoundofatenderpianounflingingafamiliarmelody，andawoman。Shewasjustapartofalltheluxury。
　　Hehimself，verytimidandconsciousofhisawkwardness，satnear，tryingbarrenlytogetsomeofhisthoughtsoutofhisbrainontohistongue。
　　"Strange，isn'tit，"thewomanbrokeinonherownmusic，"thatwehaveseeneachothersoveryoftenandneverspoken？I'veoftenthoughtintroductionswereridiculous。
　　Fancyseeingapersonyearinandyearout，andreallyknowingallabouthim，andbeingperfectlyacquaintedwithhisname——atleasthisorhername，youknow——andthenneverspeaking!Someonecomesalong，andsays，'MissLeBaron，thisisMr。
　　Culross，'justasifonedidn'tknowthatallthetime!Andthereyouare!Youceasetobedumbfolks，andfalltotalking，andsayalotofthingsneitherofyoucareabout，andafterfiveorsixweeksoftimeandsun-
　　drymeetings，getdowntohonestlysayingwhatyoumean。I'msogladwe'vegotthroughwiththatfirststage，andcansaywhatwethinkandtellwhatwereallylike。”
　　Thentheplayingbeganagain，——aharp-
　　likeinterminglingofsoftsounds。ZoeLeBaron'shandswereverygirlish。Every-
　　thingaboutherwasunformed。Evenhermindwasso。Butallpromisedafullcom-
　　pletion。Thevoice，theshoulders，thesmile，thewords，thelips，thearms，thewholemindandbody，wereroundingtomaturity。
　　"Whydoyounevercometochurchinthemorning？"asksMissLeBaron，wheel-
　　ingaroundonherpiano-stoolsuddenly。
　　"Youareonlythereatnight，withyourmother。”
　　"Igoonlyonheraccount，"repliesDavid，truthfully。"InthemorningIamsotiredwiththeweek'sworkthatIrestathome。
　　Ioughttogo，Iknow。”
　　"Yes，youought，"returnstheyoungwoman，gravely。"Itdoesn'treallyrestonetolieinbedlikethat。I'vetrieditatboarding-school。Itwasnogoodwhatever。”
　　"Shouldyouadviseme，"asksDavid，inaconfidingtone，"toariseearlyonSunday？"
　　Thegirlblushesalittle。"Byallmeans!"
　　shecries，hereyestwinkling，"and——andcometochurch。Ourmorningsermonsarereallyverymuchbetterthanthoseintheevening。”Andsheplaysawaltz，andwhatwiththemusicandthewarmthoftheroomandtheperfumeoftheroses，asomethingnamelessandmysticalstealsoverthepoorclerk，andswatheshimaboutlikethefumesofopium。Theyarealone。Thesilenceismadedeeperbythatrhythmicunswellingofsound。Asthepainterflushesthebarewallintosplendor，theseemotionsillumi-
　　natedhissoul，andgavetoitthathighcour-
　　agethatcomeswhenmenorwomensuddenlyrealizethateachlifehasitssignificance，——
　　theirownlivesnolessthanthelivesofothers。
　　Themansittingthereintheshadowinthatnoisytrainsawinhisvisionhowtheladaroseandmoved，likeoneunderaspell，towardthepiano。Hefeltagaintheen-
　　chantmentofthemusic-riddenquiet，oftheperfume，andthepresenceofthewoman。
　　"Knowingyouandspeakingwithyouhavenotmademuchdifferencewithme，"
　　hewhispers，drunkonthenewwineofpassion，"forIhavelovedyousinceIsawyoufirst。Andthoughitissosweettohearyouspeak，yourvoiceisnomorebeautifulthanIthoughtitwouldbe。Ihavelovedyoualongtime，andIwanttoknow——"
　　Thebrokenmanintheshadowremem-
　　beredhowtheladstopped，astonishedathisboldnessandhisfluency，overcomesuddenlyatthethoughtofwhathewassaying。Themusicstoppedwithadiscord。Thegirlarose，tremblingandscarlet。
　　"Iwouldnothavebelieveditofyou，"
　　shecries，"totakeadvantageofmelikethis，whenIamalone——and——everything。
　　Youknowverywellthatnothingbuttroublecouldcometoeitherofusfromyourtellingmeathinglikethat。”
　　Heputshishandsuptohisfacetokeepoffheranger。Heistremblingwithconfusion。
　　Thenshebrokeinpenitently，tryingtopullhishandsawayfromhishotface:
　　"Nevermind!Iknowyoudidn'tmeananything。Begood，do，anddon'tspoilthelovelytimeswehavetogether。Youknowverywellfatherandmotherwouldn'tletusseeeachotheratallifthey——iftheythoughtyouweresayinganythingsuchasyousaidjustnow。”
　　"Oh，butIcan'thelpit!"criestheboy，despairingly。"Ihaveneverlovedanybodyatalltillnow。Idon'tmeannotanothergirl，youknow。ButyouarethefirstbeingIevercaredfor。IsometimesthinkmothercaresformebecauseIpaytherent。Andtheoffice——youcan'timaginewhatthatislike。Themeninitaremovingcorpses。
　　They'reproudtobethatway，andsowasI
　　tillIknewyouandlearnedwhatlifewaslike。
　　AllthehappymomentsIhavehadhavebeenhere。Now，ifyoutellmethatwearenottocareforeachother——"
　　Therewassomeonecomingdownthehall。Thecurtainlifted。Amiddle-agedmanstoodtherelookingathim。
　　"Culross，"saidhe，"I'mdisappointedinyou。Ididn'tmeantolisten，butIcouldn'thelphearingwhatyousaidjustnow。I
　　don'tblameyouparticularly。Youngmenwillbefools。AndIdonotinanywaymeantoinsultyouwhenItellyoutostopyourcominghere。Idon'twanttoseeyouinsidethisdooragain，andafterawhileyouwillthankmeforit。Youhavetakenaveryunfairadvantageofmyinvitation。I
　　makeallowancesforyouryouth。”
　　Heheldbackthecurtainfortheladtopassout。Davidthrewamiserableglanceatthegirl。ShewasstandinglookingatherfatherwithanexpressionthatDavidcouldnotfathom。Hewentintothehall，pickeduphishat，andwalkedoutinsilence。
　　Davidwonderedthatnight，walkingthechillystreetsafterhequittedthehouse，andoften，oftenafterward，ifthatcomfortableandprosperousgentleman，safebeyondtheperturbationsofyouth，hadanyideaofwhathehaddone。HowCOULDheknowanythingoftheblackmonotonyofthelifeofthemanheturnedfromhisdoor？The"desk'sdeadwood"andallitshatefulslavery，thedulldarkenedroomswherehismotherprosedthroughendlessevenings，thebookless，joyless，hopelessexistencethathadcrampedhimallhisdaysroseupbeforehim，asastretchofunbrokenplainmayrisebeforealostmantillitmaddenshim。
　　Thebowedmaninthecar-seatremem-
　　beredwithaflushofreminiscentmiseryhowtheladturnedsuddenlyinhiswalkandenteredthedoorofadrinking-roomthatstoodopen。Itwasverycomfortablewithin。Thescreenskeptoutthechilloftheautumnnight，thesawdust-sprinkledfloorwasclean，thetablesplacedneartogether，thebarglittering，theattendantswhite-apronedandbrisk。
　　Davidlikedtheplace，andhelikedbetterstillthelaughterthatcamefromaroomwithin。Ithadanoteinitalittledifferentfromanythinghehadeverheardbeforeinhislife，andonethatechoedhismood。Heventuredtoaskifhemightgointothefartherroom。
　　Itdoesnotmeanmuchwhenmostyoungmengotoaplacelikethis。Theytaketheirbitofunwholesomedissipationquietlyenough，andarealittlecoarserandmorecarelesseachtimetheyindulgeinit，perhaps。
　　Butcertainlytheiracts，whatevergradualdeteriorationtheymayindicate，bespeaknosuddenmoralrevolution。Withthisyoungclerkitwasdifferent。Hewasaworsemanfromthemomentheenteredthedoor，forhedidviolencetohisprinciples；hekilledhisself-respect。
　　Hehadbeenpaidattheofficethatnight，andhehadthemoney——aweek'smiserablepittance——inhispocket。Hiseveryactionrevealedthefactthathewasanoviceinrecklessness。Hisinnocentfacepiquedthemenwithin。Theygavehimawelcomethatamazedhim。Ofcoursetherestoftheeveningwasachaostohim。Thethroatdownwhichhepouredtheliquorwasastenderasachild's。Thementurnedhisheadwiththeirironicalcompliments。Theirboisterousgood-fellowshipwasasintoxicat-
　　ingtothispooryoungrecluseastheliquor。
　　Itwastherevulsionfromthisfeeling，whenhecametoaconsciousnessthatthemenwerelaughingathimandnotwithhim，thatwreckedhislife。Hehadgonefrombeertowhiskey，andfromwhiskeytobrandy，bythistime，atthesuggestionofthemen，andwasmakingawkwardlungeswithabilliardcue，spurredonbythemock-
　　ingapplauseoftheothers。Oneyoungfellowwasparticularlyhilariousathisexpense。Hisjokesbecameinsults，orsotheyseemedtoDavid。
　　Aquarrelfollowed，halfajestonthepartoftheother，allseriousasfarasDavidwasconcerned。Andthen——Well，whocouldtellhowithappened？ThebilliardcuewasinDavid'shand，andtheskullofthejesterwassplit，ahorriblegapingthing，revolt-
　　inglyanimal。
　　Davidneversawhishomeagain。Hismothergaveitoutinchurchthatherheartwasbroken，andshewrotealettertoDavidbegginghimtoreform。Shesaidshewouldneverceasetoprayforhim，thathemightreturntograce。Hehadanattorney，animpecuniousandveryagedgentleman，whoselifewasavenerablefailure，andwhotalkedsomuchabouthispersonalinconveniencesfromindigestionthatheforgottotakeaverykeeninterestintheconcernsofhisclient。David'strialmadenosensation。Hedidnotevenhavethecheapsympathyofthemorbid。Thecourt-roomwasalmostemptythedullspringdaywhentheeastwindbeatagainstthewindow，janglingtheloosepanesallthroughthereadingoftheverdict。
　　Twentyyears!