"Theworldlooksprettybig。It'ssafeandcloseinth'gulch。”
　　Atthestationthemajorwenttolookafterthetrunks，andRoederputKateinherseat。
　　"Iwantedt'giveyousomething"hesaid，seatinghimselfbesideher，"butI
　　didn'tdare。”
　　"Oh，mydearfriend，"shecried，layingherlittleglovedhandonhisredandknottedone，"don'tgobackintotheshadow。Donotreturntothatterriblesilence。Wait。
　　Havepatience。Fatehasbroughtyouwealth。Itwillbringyoulove。”
　　"I'vesomethin'toask，"hesaid，payingnoattentiontoherappeal。"Youmustanswerit。Ifwe'a'metlongago，an'youhadn'tahusbandor——anythin'——doyouthinkyou'd'velovedmethen？"
　　Shefeltherselfturningwhite。
　　"No，"shesaidsoftly。"Icouldneverhavelovedyou，mydearfriend。Wearenotthesame。Believeme，thereisawomansomewherewhowillloveyou；butIamnotthatwoman——norcouldIhaveeverbeen。”
　　Thetrainwasstarting。Themajorcamebustlingin。
　　"Well，good-by，"saidRoeder，holdingouthishandtoKate。
　　"Good-by，"shecried。"Don'tgobackupthegulch。”
　　"Oh，"hesaid，reassuringly，"don'tyouworryaboutme，my——don'tworry。Thegulchisanice，quietplace。An'youknowwhatItoldyouaboutth'ranksallbein'
　　full。Good-by。”Thetrainwaswellunderway。Hesprangoff，andstoodontheplatformwavinghishandkerchief。
　　"Well，Kate，"saidthemajor，seatinghimselfdowncomfortablyandadjustinghistravellingcap，"didyoufindtheWesterntype？"
　　"Idon'tquiteknow，"saidshe，slowly。
　　"ButIhavemadethediscoverythatahumansoulismuchthesamewhereveryoumeetit。”
　　"Dearme!Youhaven'tbeenmeetingasoul，haveyou？"themajorsaid，face-
　　tiously，unbucklinghistravelling-bag。"I'lltellJack。”
　　"No，I'lltellJack。Andhe'llfeelquiteasbadlyasIdotothinkthatIcoulddonothingforitsproperadjustment。”
　　Themajor'sfacetookonalookofcom-
　　prehension。
　　"Wasthatthesoul，"heasked，"thatjustcamedowninthecarriagewithus？"
　　"Thatwasit，"assentedKate。"Itwasborn；ithashaditsmortalday；andithasgonebackupthegulch。”
　　AMichiganManAPINEforestisnature'sexpressionofsolemnityandsolitude。Sunlight，rivers，cascades，people，music，laughter，ordancingcouldnotmakeitgay。Withitsunceasingreverberationsanditseternalshadows，itisasawfulandasholyasacathedral。
　　Thirtygoodfellowsworkingtogetherbydayanddrinkingtogetherbynightcankeepupbutamoodyimitationofjollity。Spendtwenty-fiveofyourfortyyears，asLutherDallasdid，inthisperennialgloom，andyoursoul——thatwhichenjoys，aspires，competes——willbedruggedasdeepasifyouhadquaffedthecupofoblivion。
　　LutherDallaswascountedoneofthemostexperiencedaxe-meninthenortherncamps。
　　Hecouldfellatreewiththeswiftsuretyofanexecutioner，andinrevengeforhismanyarboralmurdersthewoodlandhadtakencaptivehismind，capturedandchaineditasProsperodidAriel。TheresoundingfootstepsofProgressdrivenonsomerci-
　　lesslyinthismadagecouldnotreachhisfastness。Itdidnotconcernhimthatmenwerethinking，investigating，inventing。
　　Hissensesrespondedonlytothesonorousmusicofthewoods；asteadfastwindring-
　　ingmetallicmelodyfromthepine-topscon-
　　tentedhimasthesoundoftheseadoesthesailor；anddearastheodorsoftheoceantothemarinerweretheresinousscentsoftheforesttohim。Likeasailor，too，hehadhissuperstitions。Hehadapresentimentthathewastodiebyoneofthesetrees，——
　　thatsomeday，inchopping，thetreewouldfalluponandcrushhimasitdidhisfatherthedaytheybroughthimbacktothecamponalitterofpineboughs。
　　Onedaythegang-bossnoticedatreethatDallashadleftstandinginamostunwood-
　　manlikemannerinthesectionwhichwasallottedtohim。
　　"Whatinthunderisthatstandingtherefor？"heasked。
　　Dallasraisedhiseyestothepine，tower-
　　inginsterndignityahundredfeetabovethem。
　　"Well，"hesaidfeebly，"Inoticedit，butkind-aleftitt'thelast。”
　　"Cutitdownto-morrow，"wastheresponse。
　　Thewindwasrising，andthetreemut-
　　teredsavagely。Lutherthoughtitsoundedlikeamenace，andturnedpale。Notrou-
　　blehasyetbeenfoundthatwillkeepamanawakeinthekeenairofthepineriesafterhehasbeenswinginghisaxeallday，butthesleepofthechopperwassobrokenwithdisturbingdreamsthatnightthatthebeadsgatheredonhisbrow，andtwicehecriedaloud。Heatehiscoarseflap-jacksinthemorningandescapedfromthesmokyshantyassoonashecould。
　　"It'llbringbadluck，I'mafraid，"hemutteredashewenttogethisaxefromtherack。Hewasasfondofhisaxeasasoldierofhismusket，butto-dayheshouldereditwithreluctance。Hefeltlikeamanwithhisdestinybeforehim。Thetreestoodlikeasentinel。Heraisedhisaxe，once，twice，adozentimes，butcouldnotbringhimselftomakeacutinthebark。Hewalkedbackwardsafewstepsandlookedup。
　　Thefunerealgreenseemedtogrowdarkeranddarkertillitbecameblack。Itwastheembodimentofsorrow。Wasitnotshakinggiantarmsathim？Diditnotcryoutinangrychallenge？Lutherdidnottrytolaughathisfears；hehadneverseenanyhumorinlife。Agustofwindhadsome-
　　waycreptthroughthedensebarricadeoffoliagethatflankedtheclearing，andstruckhimwithanicychill。Helookedatthesky；thedaywasadvancingrapidly。Hewentathisworkwithanenergyasdeter-
　　minedasdespair。Theaxeinhispractisedhandmadecleanstraightcutsinthetrunk，nowonthisside，nowonthat。Histaskwasnotaneasyone，buthefinisheditwithwonderfulexpedition。Afterthechoppingwasfinished，thetreestoodfirmamoment；
　　then，asthetensely-strainedfibresbeganaweirdmoaning，hesprangaside，andstoodwaiting。Inthedistancehesawtwomenhewingalog。Theaxe-mansentthemashoutandthrewuphisarmsforthemtolook。Thetreestoodoutclearandbeauti-
　　fulagainstthegraysky；themenceasedtheirworkandwatchedit。Thevibrationsbecamemoreviolent，andthesoundstheyproducedgrewlouderandloudertilltheyreachedashrillwildcry。Therecameapause，thenadeepshudderinggroan。Thetopmostbranchesbegantomoveslowly，thewholestatelybulkswayed，andthenshottowardstheground。Thegigantictrunkboundedfromthestump，recoiledlikeacannon，crasheddown，andlayconquered，witharoarasofanearthquake，inacloudofflyingtwigsandchips。
　　Whenthedusthadclearedaway，themenatthelogontheoutsideoftheclearingcouldnotseeLuther。Theyrantothespot，andfoundhimlyingonthegroundwithhischestcrushedin。Hisfearfuleyeshadnotrightlycalculatedthedistancefromthestumptothetopofthepine，norrightlyweighedthepowerofthemassedbranches，andso，standingspell-bound，watchingthedescendingtrunkasonemightwatchhisNemesis，thereboundcameandlefthimlyingworsethandead。
　　Threemonthslater，whenthelogs，loppedoftheirbranches，drifteddownthestreams，thewoodman，ahumanlogloppedofhisstrength，driftedtoagreatcity。A
　　change，thedoctorsaid，mightprolonghislife。Thelumbermenmadeupapurse，andhestartedout，notverydefinitelyknowinghisdestination。Hehadasister，muchyoungerthanhimself，whoattheageofsix-
　　teenhadmarriedandgone，hebelieved，toChicago。Thatwasyearsago，buthehadanideathathemightfindher。Hewasnottroubledbyhislackofresources；hedidnotbelievethatanymanwouldwantforamealunlesshewere"shiftless。”
　　Hehadalwaysbeenabletoturnhishandtosomething。
　　Hefelttooillfromthejostlingofthecarstonoticemuchofanythingonthejour-
　　ney。Thedizzysceneswhirlingpastmadehimfaint，andhewasgladtoliewithclosedeyes。Heimaginedthathislittlesisterinherpinkcalicofrockandbarefeetasherememberedherwouldbeatthesta-
　　tiontomeethim。"Oh，Lu!"shewouldcallfromsomehiding-place，andhewouldgoandfindher。
　　TheconductorstoppedbyLuther'sseatandsaidthattheywereinthecityatlast；
　　butitseemedtothesickmanasiftheywentmilesafterthat，withamultitudeoftwinklinglightsononesideandablankdarkness，thattheytoldhimwasthelake，ontheother。Theconductoragainstoppedbyhisseat。
　　"Well，myman，"saidhe，"howareyoufeeling？"
　　Luther，thepossessorofthetoughestmusclesin。thegang，feltasickman'sirri-
　　tationatthetoneofpity。
　　"Oh，I'mallright!"hesaid，gruffly，andshookofftheassistancetheconductortriedtoofferwithhisovercoat。"I'mgoingtomysister's，"heexplained，inanswertotheinquiryastowherehewasgoing。Theman，somewhatpiquedatthespiritinwhichhisoverturesweremet，lefthim，andLuthersteppedontotheplatform。Therewasalongvistaofsemi-light，downwhichcrowdsofpeoplewalkedandbaggage-menrushed。Thebuilding，ifitdeservedthename，seemedaruin，andthroughthearcheddoorsLuthercouldseemen——hackmen——
　　dancingandhowlinglikedervishes。Trainswerecomingandgoing，andthewhistlesandbellskeptupaceaselessclangor。
　　Luther，withhissmallsatchelanduncouthdress，slouchedbythecrowdunnoticed，andreachedthestreet。Hewalkedamidsuchanilluminationashehadneverdreamedof，andpausedhalfblindedintheglareofabroadsheetofelectriclightthatfilledapillaredentranceintowhichmanypeoplepassed。Helookedabouthim。Aboveoneverysiderosegreat，many-windowedbuild-
　　ings；onthestreetthecarsandcarriagesthronged，andjostlingcrowdsdashedhead-
　　longamongthevehicles。Afteratimeheturneddownastreetthatseemedtohimapandemoniumfilledwithmadmen。Itwenttohisheadlikewine，andhardlylefthimthepresenceofmindtosustainaquietexterior。Thewindwasladenwithapene-
　　tratingmoisturethatchilledhimasthedryicybreezesfromHuronneverhaddone，andthepaininhislungsmadehimfaintanddizzy。Hewonderedifhisred-cheekedlittlesistercouldliveinoneofthosevast，impregnablebuildings。Hethoughtofstoppingsomeofthoseserious-lookingmenandaskingthemiftheyknewher；buthecouldnotmusterupthecourage。Thedistressingexperiencethatcomestoalmosteveryonesometimeinlife，oflosingallidentityintheuniversalhumanity，wasbecominghis。Thetearsbegantorolldownhiswastedfacefromlonelinessandexhaustion。Hegrewhungrywithlongingforthedirtybutfamiliarcabinsofthecamp，andstaggeredalongwitheyeshalfclosed，conjuringvisionsofthewarminte-
　　riors，theleapingfires，thegroupsoflaughingmenseendimlythroughcloudsoftobacco-smoke。
　　Adeliciousscentofcoffeemethishun-
　　grysenseandmadehimreallythinkhewastakingthesavoryblackdraughtfromhisfamiliartincup；butthemuddystreets，theblindinglights，thecruel，rushingpeo-
　　ple，werestillthere。Thebuildings，how-
　　ever，nowbecamedifferent。Theywerelowerandmeaner，withdirtywindows。
　　Womenlaughingloudlycrowdedaboutthedoors，andtheestablishmentsseemedtobeequallydividedbetweensaloon-keepers，pawnbrokers，anddealersinsecond-handclothes。Lutherwonderedwheretheyalldrewtheirsupportfrom。Upononesign-
　　boardheread，"Lodgings10centsto50
　　cents。ASquareMealfor15cents，"and，thankfulforsomehaven，entered。Herehespenthisfirstnightandothernights，whilehispursedwindledandhisstrengthwaned。
　　Atlasthegotamaninadrug-storetosearchthedirectoryforhissister'sresi-
　　dence。Theyfoundanamehetooktobehisbrother-in-law's。Itwastwodayslaterwhenhefoundtheaddress，——agreat，many-
　　storiedmansionononeofthesouthernboulevards，——andfoundalsothathissearchhadbeeninvain。Soreandfaint，hestag-
　　geredbacktohismiserableshelter，onlytoarisefeverishandillinthemorning。Hefrequentedthegreatshopdoors，throngedwithbrilliantly-dressedladies，andwatchedtoseeifhislittlesistermightnotdashupinoneofthosesatin-linedcoachesandtakehimwherehewouldbewarmandsafeandwouldsleepundisturbedbydrunken，ribaldsongsandloathsomesurroundings。Thereweredayswhenhealmostforgothisname，and，strivingtoremember，wouldlosehissensesforamomentanddriftbacktotheharmonioussolitudesoftheNorthandbreathetheresin-scentedfrostyatmosphere。
　　Hegrewterrifiedatthebloodhecoughedfromhislaceratedlungs，andwonderedbit-
　　terlywhytheboysdidnotcometotakehimhome。
　　Oneday，ashepainfullydraggedhimselfdownaresidencestreet，hetriedtocollecthisthoughtsandformsomeplanforthefuture。Hehadnotrade，understoodnohandiwork；hecouldfelltrees。Helookedatthegaunt，scrawny，transplantedspeci-
　　mensthatmethiseye，andgavehimselfuptothehomesicknessthatfilledhissoul。
　　Hesleptthatnightintheshelterofasta-
　　ble，andspenthislastmoneyinthemorn-
　　ingforabiscuit。
　　Hetravelledmanymilesthatafternoonlookingforsomethingtowhichhemightturnhishand。Oncehegotpermissiontocarryahodforhalfanhour。Attheendofthattimehefainted。Whenherecovered，theforemanpaidhimtwenty-fivecents。
　　"ForGod'ssake，man，gohome，"hesaid。
　　Lutherstaredathimwithawhitefaceandwenton。
　　Therecamedayswhenhesoforgothisnativedignityastobeg。Heseldomreceivedanything；hewasreferredtovari-
　　ouscharitableinstitutionstheexistenceofwhichhehadneverheard。
　　Onemorning，whenapallofsmokeenve-
　　lopedthecityandtheodorsofcoal-gasrefusedtolifttheirnauseatingpoisonthroughtheheavyair，Luther，chilledwithdewandfamished，awoketoahappierlife。
　　Thelonelinessathisheartwasgone。Thefeelingofhopelessimprisonmentthatthemilesandmilesofstreetshadterrifiedhimwithgaveplacetooneoffreedomandexal-
　　tation。Abovehimheheardtheraspingofpineboughs；hisfeettrodonareboundingmatofdecay；theskywasascoldlyblueasthebosomofHuron。Hewalkedasifonether，singingasenselessjargonthewood-
　　menhadarousedtheechoeswith，——
　　"Hiyihalloo!
　　Theowlseesyou!
　　Lookwhatyoudo!
　　Hiyihalloo!"
　　Swungoverhisshoulderwasastickhehadusedtoassisthislimpinggait，butnowtransformedintothebelovedaxe。Hewouldreachtheclearingsoon，hethought，andstrodeonlikeagiant，whilepeoplehur-
　　riedfromhispath。Suddenlyasmoothtrunk，strippedofitsbarkandbleachedbyweather，arosebeforehim。
　　"Hiyihalloo!"Highwentthewastedarm——crash!——abrokenstaff，ajingleofwires，amaddened，shoutingmanthecentreofagroupofamusedspectators!Afewmomentslater，fourbroad-shoulderedmeninbluehadhimintheirgrasp，pinionedandguarded，clatteringoverthenoisystreetsbehindtwospiritedhorses。Theydrewafterthematroopofnoisy，jeeringboys，whodancedaboutthewagonlikeaswirlofautumnleaves。Thencameahalt，andLutherwasdraggedupthestepsofasquarebrickbuildingwithabelfryonthetop。
　　Theyenteredalargebareroomwithbenchesrangedaboutthewalls，andbroughthimbeforeamanatadesk。
　　"Whatisyourname？"askedthemanatthedesk。
　　"Hiyihalloo!"saidLuther。
　　"He'sdrunk，sergeant，"saidoneofthemeninblue，andtheaxe-manwasledintothebasement。Hewasconsciousofaninvoluntaryresistance，ashortstruggle，andafinalshockofpain，——thenoblivion。
　　Thechopperawoketotherealizationofthreestonewallsandanirongratinginfront。Throughthishelookedoutuponastoneflooringacrosswhichwasarowofsimilarapartments。Heneitherknewnorcaredwherehewas。Thefeelingofim-
　　prisonmentwasnogreaterthanhehadfeltontheendless，cheerlessstreets。Helaidhimselfonthebenchthatranalongasidewall，and，closinghiseyes，listenedtothebabbleoftheclearstreamandthethunderofthe"drive"onitsjourney。Howthelogshurriedandjostled!crushing，whirling，ducking，withthemerryladsleapingaboutthemwithshoutsandlaughter。Suddenlyhewasrecalledbyavoice。Someonehandedanarrowtincupfullofcoffeeandathicksliceofbreadthroughthegrating。
　　Acrossthewayhedimlysawamaneatingasimilarsliceofbread。Meninothercom-
　　partmentswereswearingandsinging。Heknewthesenowforthevoiceshehadheardinhisdreams。Hetriedtoforcesomeofthebreaddownhisparchedandswollenthroat，butfailed；thecoffeestrangledhim，andhethrewhimselfuponthebench。
　　Theforestagain，thenight-wind，thewhistleoftheaxethroughtheair。Oncewhenheopenedhiseyeshefounditdark。
　　Itwouldsoonbetimetogotowork。Hefanciedtherewouldbehoar-frostonthetreesinthemorning。Howclosethecabinseemed!Ha!——herecamehislittlesister。
　　Hervoicesoundedlikethewindonaspringmorning。Howlouditswellednow!
　　"Lu!Lu!"shecried。
　　Thenextmorningthelock-upkeeperopenedthecelldoor。Lutherlaywithhisheadinapoolofblood。Hissoulhadescapedfromthethralloftheforest。
　　"Well，well!"saidthelittlefatpolice-
　　justice，whenhewastoldofit。"Weoughttohaveadoctoraroundtolookaftersuchcases。”
　　ALadyofYesterday"ALIGHTwindblewfromthegatesofthesun，"themorningshefirstwalkeddownthestreetofthelittleIowatown。Notacloudfleckedtheblue；therewasahummingofhappyinsects；asmellofrichandmoistloamperfumedtheair，andintheduskofbeechesandofoaksstoodthequiethomes。Shepausednowandthen，lookinginthegardens，oratagroupofchildren，thenpassedon，smilingincontent。
　　Heraccentwassostrange，thattheagentforrealestate，whomshevisited，askedher，twiceandonceagain，whatitwasshesaid。
　　"Iwant，"shehadrepeatedsmilingly，"anuplandmeadow，wherecloverwillgrow，andmignonette。”
　　Atthetea-tablesthatnight，therewasamightychattering。Thebriskvillagemadeamysteryofthisladywiththeslowstep，theforeigntrickofspeech，thelongblackgown，andthegentlevoice。Themen，concealingtheircuriosityinpresenceofthewomen，gratifieditsecretly，bysaunteringtothetavernintheevening。Therethekeeperandhiswifestoodreadytoconveyanyneighborlyintelligence。
　　"ElizabethAstrado"waswrittenintheregister，——anameconveyinglittle，unaccom-
　　paniedbytitleorbyplaceofresidence。
　　"Sheeatsalone，"thetavern-keeper'swifeconfidedtotheireagerears，"andasksfornoservice。Oh，she'sacuriosity!
　　She'sgotherstory，——you'llsee!"
　　Inatownwhereeverymankneweveryotherman，andwhetherornothepaidhistaxesontime，andwhathisstandingwasinchurch，andalltheskeletonsofhishome，astrangeralientotheirwaysdisturbedtheirpeaceofmind。
　　"Anuplandmeadowwherecloverandmignonettewillgrow，"shehadsaid，andsuchanoneshefound，andplantedthickwithfinewhitecloverandwithmignonette。
　　Then，whilethecarpentersraisedhercabinattheborderofthemeadow，nearthestreet，shepassedamongthevillagers，minglingwiththemgently，winningtheirgood-will，inspiteofthemselves。
　　Thecabinwasofunbarkedmaplelogs，withfourroomsandarusticportico。Thenallthevillagersstaredinverytruth。They，livingintheirtrimanduglylittlehomes，accountedhousesoflogsasthemisfortuneoftheirpioneerparents。Ashedforwood，abarnfortheJerseycow，arusticfence，tall，withahighswinginggate，completedthedomain。Inthefrontroomofthecabinwasafireplaceofrudebrick。Inthebed-
　　rooms，cotsasbareandhardasanun's，andinthekitchenthedomesticnecessaries；
　　thatwasall。Thepooresthouse-holderinthetownwouldnothaveconfessedtosuchscantfurnishing。YettherichestmanmightwellhavehesitatedbeforehesenttoFranceforhivesandhivesofbees，asshedid，settingthemupalongthesouthernborderofhermeadow。
　　Latertherecamestrongboxes，markedwithmanymarksofforeigntransportationlines，andtheneighbor-gossips，seeingthem，imaginedwealthofcuriousfurniture；
　　butthemanwhocartedthemtoldhiswife，whotoldherfriend，whotoldherfriend，thateveryboxtothelastonewasplacedinthedrycementedcellar，andleftthereinthedark。
　　"An'amightyridic'lousexpenseacellarlikethatis，t'putunderahouseofthatchar'cter，"saidthemantohiswife——whorepeatedittoherfriend。
　　"Butthatain'tall，"thecarpenter'swifehadsaidwhensheheardaboutitall，"Hanksaysthereisonelittleroom，notfitforbutterynoryetfurclosit，withawindowhighup——well，youkenseeyourself——
　　an'astrongdoor。Jus'inpassin'th'otherday，whenhewasthere，hangin'someshelves，hetriedit，an'itwaslocked!"
　　"Well!"saidthewomenwholistened。
　　However，theywerenotunfriendly，thesebriskgossips。Twoofthem，pluckinguptardycourage，didcalloneafternoon。Theirhostesswasoutamongherbees，crooningtothem，asitseemed，whiletheylightedallabouther，litontheflowerinherdarkhair，buzzedvivaciouslyabouthersnow-whitelinengown，lightedonherlong，darkhands。
　　Shecameinbrightlywhenshesawherguests，andplacedchairsforthem，courte-
　　ously，steepedthemacupofpaleandfra-
　　granttea，andservedthemwithlittlecakes。
　　Thoughhermannerwassoquietandsokind，thewomenwereshybeforeher。She，turningtooneandthentheother，askedquestionsinherquaintway。
　　"Youhavechildren，haveyounot？"
　　Bothofthemhad。
　　"Ah，"shecried，claspingthoseslenderhands，"butyouareveryfortunate!Yourlittleones，——whataretheirages？"
　　Theytoldher，shelisteningsmilingly。
　　"Andyounurseyourlittlebabes——younursethematthebreast？"
　　Themodestwomenblushed。Theywerenotusedtospeakingwithsuchfreedom。
　　Buttheyconfessedtheydid，notlikingarti-
　　ficialmeans。
　　"No，"saidthelady，lookingatthemwithasoftlightinhereyes，"asyousay，thereisnothinglikethegoodmotherNature。ThelittleonesGodsendsshouldlieatthebreast。'Tisnotthemilkalonethattheyimbibe；itisthebreathoflife，——
　　itisthehumanmagnetism，thepower，——
　　howshallIsay？Happythemotherwhohasalittlebabetohold!"
　　Theywantedtoaskaquestion，buttheydarednot——wantedtoaskahundredques-
　　tions。Butbackofthegentlenesswasahauteur，andtheywerestill。
　　"Tellme，"shesaid，breakingherreverie，"ofwhatyourhusbandsdo。Aretheycarpenters？Dotheybuildhousesformen，liketheblessedJesus？Oraretheytillersofthesoil？Dotheybringfruitsoutofthisbountifulvalley？"
　　Theyanswered，withareservationofap-
　　proval。"TheblessedJesus!"Itsoundedlikepopery。
　　Shehadgonefromthesebriefpersonalmatterstootherthings。
　　"Howverystrongyoupeopleseem，"shehadremarked。"Bothyourmenandyourwomenarelargeandstrong。Youshouldbe，beingappointedtosubdueacontinent。
　　Menthinktheychoosetheirdestinies，butindeed，goodneighbors，Ithinknotso。
　　MenaredrivenbythewindsofGod'swill。
　　Theyareasmuchbiddentobuildupthisvalley，thisstorehouseforthenations，ascoralinsectsarebiddentomakethereefswiththeirownlittlebodies，dyingastheybuild。Isitnotso？"
　　"WearethecreaturesofGod'swill，I
　　suppose，"saidoneofhervisitors，piously。
　　Shehadgiventhemlittleconfidencesinreturn。
　　"Imakemybread，"shesaid，withchild-
　　ishpride，"prayseeifyoudonotthinkitexcellent!"Andshecutaflakyloaftodis-
　　playitswhiteness。Oneguestsummonedthebravadotoinquire，——
　　"Thenyouarenotusedtodoinghouse-
　　work？"
　　"I？"shesaid，withaslowsmile，"Ihavenevergotusedtoanything，——notevenliv-
　　ing。”Andsoshebaffledthemall，yetwonthem。
　　Theweekswentby。ElizabethAstradoattendedtoherbees，milkedhercow，fedherfowls，baked，washed，andcleaned，likethesimplewomenabouther，savingthatasshediditalookofineffablecontentlightedupherface，andshesangforhappiness。
　　Sometimes，amidtheballadsthatshehummed，astrainslippedinofsomegreatmelody，whichshe，singingunaware，asitwere，corrected，shakingherfingerinself-
　　reproval，andreturningagaintotheballadsandthehymns。Norwassheremissinneighborlyoffices；butifanywereailing，orhadafestivity，shewasathandtoassist，condole，orcongratulate，carryingalwayssomesimplegiftinherhand，appropriatetotheoccasion。
　　Shehadherwidercharitiestoo，forallshekeptclosetoherhome。When，oneday，astorycametoherofalaborerstruckdownwithheatinputtinginaculvertontherailroad，andgossipsaidhecouldnotspeakEnglish，shehastenedtohim，caughtdyingwordsfromhislips，whisperedareply，andthenwhatseemedtobeaprayer，whileheheldfastherhand，andsanktocomawithwistfuleyesuponherface。
　　Moreover'twasshewhoburiedhim，rais-
　　ingacrossabovehisgrave，andshewhoplantedrose-bushesaboutthemound。
　　"HespokelikeanItalian，"saidthephy-
　　siciantoherwarily。
　　"Andsohewas，"shehadreplied。
　　"Afellow-countrymanofyours，nodoubt？"
　　"Arenotallmenourcountrymen，myfriend？"shesaid，gently。"Whatarelittlelinesdrawnintheimaginationofmen，dividingterritory，thattheyshoulddivideoursympathies？Theworldismycountry——andyours，Ihope。Isitnotso？"
　　Thentherehadalsobeenahaplesspairoflovers，shamedbeforetheircommunity，who，desperate，impoverished，andbewilderedatthewarbetweennatureandsociety，hadbeenhelpedbyherintoanewpartoftheworld。Therehadbeenawidowwithmanychildren，whohadfoundbasketsofcookedfoodandbundlesofwell-madeclothingonherstep。Andasthedayspassed，withthesepleasantoffices，thefaceofthestrangewomanglowedwithanever-increasingcon-
　　tent，andherdark，delicatebeautygrew。
　　JohnHartingtonspenthisvacationatDesMoines，havingalaudabledesiretoseesomethingoftheworldbeforereturningtohisnativetown，withhiscollegehonorsfreshuponhim。SwiftestofthecollegerunnerswasJohnHartington，famedforhisleapingtoo，andmeasuringwidestatthechestandwaistofalltheheartyfellowsattheuniversity。Hisblondcurlsclusteredaboveabrowalmostasinnocentasachild's；hisfrankandbraveblueeyes，hisfreestep，hismellowlaugh，bespoketheperfectanimal，unharmedbycivilization，unperplexedbytheclosingcentury'sfalla-
　　ciesandpassions。Thewholesomeoakthatspreadsitsrootsdeepinthegeneroussoil，couldnotbemoreapartofnaturethanhe。Conscientious，unimaginative，direct，sincere，industrious，hewastheidealmanofhiskind，andhisreturntotowncausedaflutteramongthemaidenswhichtheydidnotevenattempttoconceal。
　　Theytoldhimallthechat，ofcourse，and，amongotherthings，mentionedthegreatsensationoftheyear，——thecomingofthewomanwithhermystery，thepurchaseofthesunnyupland，theplantingitwithcloverandwithmignonette，thebuildingofthehouseoflogs，thekeepingofthebees，thebarrenrooms，thebusy，silentlife，thecharities，thenever-endingwonderofitall。Andthenthewoman——kind，yetdifferentfromtherest，withtheforeigntrickoftongue，theslow，proudwalk，thedelicate，slighthands，thebeautiful，beau-
　　tifulsmile，theairasofacreaturefromanotherworld。
　　Hartington，strollingbeyondthevillagestreets，upwherethesunsetdiedindaffodilabovetheupland，sawthelittlecotoflogs，andoutbeforeit，amongblood-redpoppies，thewomanofwhomhehadheard。Hergownofwhitegleamedinthateerieradi-
　　ance，glorified，hersadgreateyesbentonhiminmagneticscrutiny。Apeaceandplenitudeofpowercameradiatingfromher，andreachedhimwherehestood，sud-
　　denly，andforthefirsttimeinhiscarelesslife，struckdumbandawed。She，too，seemedsuddenlyabashedatthisgreatbulkofyouthfulmanhood，innocentandstrong。
　　Shegazedonhim，andheonher，bothchainedwithsomemysteriousenchant-
　　ment。Yetneitherspoke，andhe，turninginbewildermentatlast，wentbacktotown，whilesheplacedonehandonherlipstokeepfromcallinghim。Andneithersleptthatnight，andinthemorningwhenshewentwithmilkingpailandstoolouttothegrassyfield，therehestoodatthebars，waiting。Againtheygazed，likecreaturesheldinthrallbysomemagician，tillsheheldoutherhandandsaid，——
　　"Wemustbefriends，althoughwehavenotmet。PerhapsweAREoldfriends。
　　Theysaytherehavebeenworldsbeforethisone。Ihavenotseenyouinthesehabili-
　　mentsoffleshandblood，andyet——wemaybefriends？"
　　JohnHartington，usedtothethinjestsofthevillagegirls，andalltheirsimpletalk，rose，nevertheless，enlightenedashewaswithsomestrangesympathywithher，tounderstandandanswerwhatshesaid。
　　"Ithinkperhapsitmaybeso。MayI
　　comeinbesideyouinthefield？Givemethepail。I'llmilkthecowforyou。”
　　Shethrewherheadbackandlaughedlikeagirlfromschool，andhelaughedtoo，andtheyshookhands。Thenshesatnearhimwhilehemilked，bothkeepingsilence，saveforthep-rringnoisehemadewithhislipstothepatientbeast。Beingthrough，sheservedhimwithacupfulofthefra-
　　grantmilk；buthebadeherdrinkfirst，thendrankhimself，andthentheylaughedagain，asiftheybothhadfoundsomethingnewandgoodinlife。
　　Thenshe，——
　　"Comeseehowwellmybeesaredoing。”
　　Andtheywent。Sheservedhimwiththelucentsyrupofthebees，perfumedwiththemignonette，——suchhoneyasthereneverwasbefore。Hesatonthebroaddoorstep，nearthescarletpoppies，sheonthegrass，andthentheytalked——wasitonegoldenhour——ortwo？Ah，well，'twaslongenoughforhertolearnallofhissimplelife，longenoughforhertoknowthathewasvictorattheracesattheschool，thathecouldplaythepipe，likeanyshepherdoftheancientdays，andwhenhewentheaskedherifhemightreturn。
　　"Well，"laughedshe，"sometimesIamlonely。Comeseeme——inaweek。”
　　Yethewastherethatdayattwilight，andhebroughthissilverpipe，andpipedtoherunderthestars，andshesungballadstohim，——songsofStrephonandtimeswhenthehillswereyoung，andflockswerefairerthantheyeverbethesedays。
　　"To-morrow，andto-morrow，andto-mor-
　　row，"andstilltheintercourse，stillherdarklovelinesswaxing，stilltheweavingofthemysticspell，stillhappinessasprimi-
　　tiveandassweetaseverEdenknew。
　　Thencameatwilightwhenthesweetrainfell，andontheheavyairtheperfumesofthefieldsfloated。Thewomanstoodbythewindowofthecot，lookingout。Tall，graceful，fullofthatsubtlepowerwhichdrewhissoul；clothedinwhitelinen，fra-
　　grantfromherfields，withbreathfreightedwithfreshmilk，witheyesofflame，shewastheretobeadored。Andhe，beingmanofmanliesttype，forgotallthatmighthavecheckedthewords，andpouredhissouloutatherfeet。Shedrewherselfuplikeaqueen，butonlythatshemightlookqueenlierforhissake，and，bending，kissedhisbrow，andwhisperedbackhisvows。
　　Andtheyweremarried。
　　ThevillagerspitiedHartington。
　　"She'smorethanamatchforhiminyears——an'insomeotherways，aslikeasnot，"theysaid。"Besides，sheain'tmuchinclinedtomentionanythingaboutherpast。'Twon'tbearthetellin'probably。”
　　Asforthelovers，theylaughedastheywentabouttheirhonesttasks，orsattogetherarmsencirclingeachatevening，nowunderthestars，andnowbeforetheirfireofwood。Theytalkedtogetheroftheirfarm，addedafieldforwinterwheat，boughtothercattle，andsomehorses，whichtheyrodeoutovertherollingprairiessidebyside。Heneverstoppedtochataboutthetown；sheneverventuredonthestreetwithouthimbyherside。Truthtotell，theirneighborsenviedthem，marvellinghowonecouldextractaheavenoutofearth，andwhatsuchperfectjoycouldmean。
　　Yet，foralltheirprosperity，notonead-
　　ditiondidtheymaketothatmostsimplehome。Itstoodthere，withitsbareneces-
　　sities，madebeautifulonlywiththeirlove。
　　Butwhenthewinterwasmostgone，hemadealittlecradleofhardwood，inwhichsheplacedpillowsofdown，andoverwhichshehunglinencurtainsembroideredbyherhand。
　　Inthelongevenings，bytheflickerofthefire，theysattogether，cheektocheek，andlookedatthislittlebed，singinglowsongstogether。
　　"Thishappinessisterrible，myJohn，"
　　shesaidtohimonenight，——awondrousnight，whentheeasternwindhadflungthetasselsoutonallthebuddingtreesofspring，andtheairwasthrobbingwithawakeninglife，andbalmypuffsofbreeze，andodorsoftheearth。"Andwearegrow-
　　ingyoung。Doyounotthinkthatweareveryyoungandstrong？"
　　Hekissedheronthelips。"Iknowthatyouarebeautiful，"hesaid。
　　"Oh，wehavelivedatNature'sheart，yousee，mylove。Thecattleandthefowls，thehoneyandthewheat，thecot——
　　thecradle，John，andyouandme!Thesethingsmakehappiness。Theyarenature。
　　Butthen，youcannotunderstand。Youhaveneverknowntheartificial——"
　　"Andyou，Elizabeth？"
　　"John，ifyouwish，youshallhearallI
　　havetotell。'Tisalong，long，wearytale。
　　Willyouhearitnow？Believeme，itwillmakeussad。”
　　Shegraspedhisarmtillheshrankwithpain。
　　"Tellwhatyouwillandwhenyouwill，Elizabeth。Perhaps，someday——when——"
　　hepointedtothelittlecrib。
　　"Asyousay。”Andsoitdropped。
　　TherecameadaywhenHartington，sit-
　　tingupontheportico，whereperfumesofthebuddingclovercametohim，hatedthehummingofthehappybees，hatedtherust-
　　lingofthetrees，hatedthesightofearth。
　　"Thechildisdead，"thenursehadsaid，"asforyourwife，perhaps——"butthatwasall。Finallyheheardthenurse'sstepuponthefloor。
　　"Come，"shesaid，motioninghim。Andhehadgone，laidcheekagainstthatdyingcheek，whisperedhisloveoncemore，sawitreturnedeventhen，inthosedeepeyes，andlaidherbackuponherpillow，dead。
　　Heburiedheramongthemignonette，levelledtheearth，sowedthicktheseedagain。
　　"'Tisasshewished，"hesaid。
　　Withhisstronghandshewrenchedthelittlecrib，laiditpiecebypieceupontheirhearth，andscatteredthenthesacredashesonthewind。Then，withhard-comingbreath，brokeopenthelockeddoorofthatroomwhichhehadneverentered，thinkingtofindthere，perhaps，somesignofthatunguessablelifeofhers，butfoundthereonlyanaltar，withvotivelampsbeforetheBlessedVirgin，andliliesfadedandfallenfromtheirstems。
　　Thendownintothecellarwenthe，tothoseboxes，withtheforeignmarks。Andthen，indeed，hefoundahintofthatdeadlife。Gownsofvelvetandofsilk，suchasprincessesmightwear，wondersoflace，yellowedwithtime，greatcloaksofsnowyfur，lustrousrobes，jewelsofworth，——avastarrayofbrillianttrumpery。Thentherewerebooksinmanytongues，withricholdbindingsandilluminatedpage，andinthemwrittenthedeadwoman'sname，——anameofmanyparts，withtitlesofimpress，andinthemidstofallthename，"Eliza-
　　bethAstrado，"asshesaid。
　　Andthatwasall，orifthereweremorehemighthavelearned，followingtrailsthatfellwithinhisway，heneverlearnedit，beingcontent，andthankfulthathehadheldherforatimewithinhisarms，andlookedinhergreatsoul，which，weary-
　　ingoflife'ssadcomplexities，hadsim-
　　plifieditself，andmadehisloveitsbestadornment。