andbeyondthelevelofyellowingtulesappearedthefringedandraisedbanksoftheriver。Halftropicallookingcottageswithdeepverandas——thehomesofearlySouthernpioneers——tooktheplaceofincompleteblocksofmodernhouses，monotonouslyalike。InthesesylvansurroundingsMr。Hamlin'spicturesquerusticitylookedlessincongruousandmoreArcadian；theyounggirlhadlostsomeofherrestraintwithherconfidences，andloungingtogethersidebyside，withouttheleastconsciousnessofanysentimentintheirwordsoractions，theyneverthelesscontrivedtoimpressthespectatorwiththeideathattheywereacharmingpairofpastorallovers。Sostrongwasthisimpressionthat，astheyapproachedAuntChloe'slaundry，aprettyrose-coveredcottagewithanenormouswhitewashedbarn-likeextensionintherear，theblackproprietressherself，standingatthedoor，calledherhusbandtocomeandlookatthem，andflashedherwhiteteethinsuchunqualifiedcommendationandpatronagethatMr。Hamlin，withdrawinghimselffromSophy'sside，instantlychargeddownuponthem。
"Ifyoudon'tslidethelidbackoverthatgrinningboxofdominoesofyoursandtakeitinside，I'lljustcarryHannibaloffwithme，"
hesaidinaquickwhisper，withahalf-wicked，half-mischievousglitterinhisbrowneyes。"Thatyounglady's——ALADY——doyouunderstand？Noriffrafffriendofmine，butaregularNUN——asaint——doyouhear？Soyoujuststandbackandlethertakeagoodlookround，andrestherself，untilshewantsyou。”"Twoblackidiots，MissBrown，"hecontinuedcheerfullyinahighervoiceofexplanation，asSophyapproached，"whothinkbecauseoneof'emusedtoshavemeandtheothersavedmylifethey'vegotarighttostandattheirhumblecottagedoorandfrightenhorses!"
SogreatwasMr。Hamlin'sascendencyoverhisformerservantsthateventhisingeniouspleasantrywasreceivedwitheverysignofaffectionandappreciationofthehumorist，andoftheprofoundrespectforhiscompanion。AuntChloeshowedthemeffusivelyintoherparlor，asmallbutscrupulouslyneatandsweet-smellingapartment，inordinatelyfurnishedwithahugemahoganycentre-tableandchairs，andthemostfragileandmeretriciouschinaandglassornamentsonthemantel。Butthethreejasmine-edgedlatticewindowsopeneduponahomelygardenofold-fashionedherbsandflowers，andtheirfragrancefilledtheroom。Thecleanestandstarchiestofcurtains，themostdazzlingandwhitestoftidiesandchair-covers，bespoketheadjacentlaundry；indeed，thewholecottageseemedtoexhaletheodorsoflavendersoapandfreshlyironedlinen。Yetthecottagewaslargeforthecoupleandtheirassistants。"Darwastwofrontroomsondenextflo'datdeyneverused，"explainedAuntChloe；"friendsalloweddatdeycouldlet'emtowhitefolks，butdeyhadalwaysbeendonekep'forMarseHamlin，efheeverwantedtobewidhisoldniggersagain。”Jacklookedupquicklywithabrightenedface，madeasigntoHannibal，andthetwolefttheroomtogether。
Whenhecamethroughthepassageafewmomentslater，therewasasoundoflaughterintheparlor。Herecognizedthefull，roundlazychuckleofAuntChloe，buttherewasahighergirlishripplethathedidnotknow。HehadneverheardSophylaughbefore。Nor，whenheentered，hadheeverseenhersoanimated。ShewashelpingChloesetthetable，tothatlady'sintensedelightat"Missy's"
girlishhousewifery。Shewaspickingtheberriesfreshfromthegarden，butteringtheSallyLunn，makingthetea，andarrangingthedetailsoftherepastwithapparentlynotraceofherformerdiscontentandunhappinessineitherfaceormanner。Hedroppedquietlyintoachairbythewindow，and，withthehomelyscentsofthegardenmixingwiththehonestodorsofAuntChloe'scookery，watchedherwithanamusementthatwasaspleasantandgratefulasitwasstrangeandunprecedented。
"Nowden，"saidAuntChloetoherhusband，assheputthefinishingtouchtotherepastinaplateofdoughnutsasexquisitelybrownandshiningasJack'seyeswereatthatmoment，"Hannibal，youjustcomeaway，andletdemtwowhitequalitychillenshavedeytea。
Dey'sdonestarved，shuah。”AndwithanapprovingnodtoJack，shebundledherhusbandfromtheroom。
Thedoorclosed；theyounggirlbegantopouroutthetea，butJackremainedinhisseatbythewindow。Itwasasingularsensationwhichhedidnotcaretodisturb。ItwasnonewthingforMr。
Hamlintofindhimselfatatete-a-teterepastwiththeadmiringandcomplaisantfair；therewasa'cabinetparticulier'inacertainSanFranciscorestaurantwhichhadlistenedtotheirvariousvanitiesandprofessionsofundyingfaith；hemighthaverecalledcertainfestalrendezvouswithawidowwhosepietyandimpeccablereputationmadeitamoraldutyforhertocometohimonlyindisguise；itwasbutafewdaysagothathehadbeenletprivatelyintothepalatialmansionofahighofficialforamidnightsupperwithafoolishwife。Itwasnotstrange，therefore，thatheshouldbealonehere，secretly，withamemberofthatindiscreet，lovingsex。Butthatheshouldbesittingthereinacheapnegrolaundrywithabsolutelynosentimentofanykindtowardstheheavy-haired，freckle-facedcountryschoolgirloppositehim，fromwhomhesoughtandexpectednothing，andENJOYINGitwithoutscornofhimselforhiscompanion，tousehisownexpression，"gothim。”Presentlyheroseandsaunteredtothetablewithshiningeyes。
"Well，whatdoyouthinkofAuntChloe'sshebang？"heaskedsmilingly。
"Oh，it'ssosweetandcleanandhomelike，"saidthegirlquickly。
Atanyothertimehewouldhavewincedatthelastadjective。Itstruckhimnowasexactlytheword。
"Wouldyouliketolivehere，ifyoucould？"
Herfacebrightened。SheputtheteapotdownandgazedfixedlyatJack。
"Becauseyoucan。Lookhere。IspoketoHannibalaboutit。Youcanhavethetwofrontroomsifyouwantto。Oneof'emisbigenoughandlightenoughforastudiotodoyourworkin。Youtellthatniggerwhatyouwanttoputin'em，andhe'sgotmyorderstodoit。Itoldhimaboutyourpainting；saidyouwerethedaughterofanoldfriend，youknow。Holdon，Sophy；d——nitall，I'vegottodoalittlegilt-edgedlying；butIletyououtoftheniecebusinessthistime。Yes，fromthismomentI'mnolongeryouruncle。Irenouncetherelationship。It'shard，"continuedtherascal，"afteralltheseyearsandconsideringsisterMary'sfeelings；but，asyouseemtowishit，itmustbedone。”
Sophy'ssteel-blueeyessoftened。SheslidherlongbrownhandacrossthetableandgraspedJack's。Hereturnedthepressurequicklyandfraternally，eventothathalf-shamed，half-hurriedevasionofemotionpeculiartoallbrothers。Thiswasalsoanewsensation；buthelikedit。
"Youaretoo——toogood，Mr。Hamlin，"shesaidquietly。
"Yes，"saidJackcheerfully，"that'swhat'sthematterwithme。Itisn'tnatural，andifIkeepituptoolongitbringsonmycough。”
Nevertheless，theywerehappyinaboyandgirlfashion，eatingheartily，and，Ifear，notalwaysdecorously；scramblingsomewhatforthestrawberries，andsmackingtheirlipsovertheSallyLunn。
Meantime，itwasarrangedthatMr。HamlinshouldinformMissMixthatSophywouldleaveschoolattheendoftheterm，onlyafewdayshence，andthentransferherselftolodgingswithsomeoldfamilyservants，whereshecouldmoreeasilypursueherstudiesinherownprofession。Sheneednotmakeherplaceofabodeasecret，neitherneedshecourtpublicity。ShewouldwritetoJackregularly，informinghimofherprogress，andhewouldvisitherwheneverhecould。Jackassentedgravelytothefurtherpropositionthathewastokeepastrictaccountofallthemoneysheadvancedher，andthatshewastorepayhimoutoftheproceedsofherfirstpictures。Hehadpromisedalso，withaslightmentalreservation，nottobuythemallhimself，buttotrusttohersuccesswiththepublic。Theywerenevertotalkofwhathadhappenedbefore；shewastobeginlifeanew。Ofsuchweretheirconfidences，spokenoftentogetheratthesamemoment，andwiththeirmouthsfull。OnlyonethingtroubledJack；hehadnotyettoldherfranklywhohewasandwhatwashisreputation；hehadhithertocarelesslysupposedshewouldlearnit，andintruthhadcaredlittleifshedid；butitwasevidentfromherconversationthatdaythatbysomemiracleshewasstillinignorance。Unablenowtotellherhimself，hehadchargedHannibaltobreakittohercasuallyafterhewasgone。"Youcanletmedowneasyifyoulike，butyou'dbettermakeasquaredealofitwhileyou'reaboutit。
And，"Jackhadaddedcheerfully，"ifshethinksafterthatshe'dbetterdropmeentirely，youjustsaythatifshewishestoSTAY，you'llseethatIdon'tevercomehereagain。Andyoukeepyourwordaboutittoo，youblacknigger，orI'llbethefirsttothrashyou。”
Nevertheless，whenHannibalandAuntChloereturnedtoclearawaytherepast，theywereaharmoniousparty；albeit，Mr。Hamlinseemedmorecontenttowatchthemsilentlyfromhischairbythewindow，acigarbetweenhislips，andthepleasantdistractionofthehomelyscentsandsoundsofthegardeninhissenses。Allusionhavingbeenmadeagaintothemorningperformanceoftheorgan，hewasimploredbyHannibaltodiversifyhistalentbyexercisingitonanoldguitarwhichhadpassedintothatretainer'spossessionwithcertainclothesofhismaster'swhentheyseparated。Mr。Hamlinaccepteditdubiously；ithadtwangedunderhisvolatilefingersinmorepretentiousbutlessinnocenthalls。Butpresentlyheraisedhistenorvoiceandsoftbrownlashestothehumbleceilingandsang。
"WaydownupontheSwaneeRiver，"
DiscoursedJackplaintively，——
"Far，faraway，Thar'swharmyheartisturningever，Thar'swhartheoldfolksstay。”
Thetwoduskyscionsofanemotionalrace，thathadbeenwonttosweetenitstoilandcondoneitswrongswithmusic，satwraptandsilent，swayingwithJack'svoiceuntiltheycouldburstinuponthechorus。Thejasminevinestrilledsoftlywiththeafternoonbreeze；aslenderyellow-hammer，perhapsemulousofJack，swunghimselffromanoutersprayandpeeredcuriouslyintotheroom；andafewneighbors，gatheringattheirdoorsandwindows，remarkedthat"afterall，whenitcametorealsinging，noonecouldbeatthosed——dniggers。”
ThesunwasslowlysinkingintherollinggoldoftheriverwhenJackandSophystartedleisurelybackthroughthebrokenshaftsoflight，andacrossthefar-stretchingshadowsofthecottonwoods。
Inthemidstofalazysilencetheywerepresentlyconsciousofadistantmonotonousthrob，theboomingoftheupboatontheriver。
Thesoundcamenearer——passedthem，theboatitselfhiddenbythetrees；butatrailingcloudofsmokeabovecastamomentaryshadowupontheirpath。ThegirllookedupatJackwithatroubledface。
Mr。Hamlinsmiledreassuringly；butinthatinstanthehadmadeuphismindthatitwashismoraldutytokillMr。EdwardStratton。
IV。
ForthenexttwomonthsMr。HamlinwasprofessionallyengagedinSanFranciscoandMarysville，andthetransferofSophyfromtheschooltohernewhomewaseffectedwithouthissupervision。Fromlettersreceivedbyhimduringthatinterval，itseemedthattheyounggirlhadenteredenergeticallyuponhernewcareer，andthatherartisticeffortswerecrownedwithsuccess。TherewereafewIndian-inksketches，studiesmadeatschoolandexpandedinherown"studio，"whichwereeagerlyboughtassoonasexhibitedinthephotographer'swindow，——notablybyafloridandinartisticbookkeeper，anoldnegrowoman，aslangystableboy，agorgeouslydressedandpaintedfemale，andthebeardedsecondofficerofariversteamboat，withouthesitationandwithoutcomment。This，asMr。HamlinintelligentlypointedoutinalettertoSophy，showedageneralanddiversifiedappreciationonthepartofthepublic。
Indeed，itemboldenedher，intheretouchingofphotographs，tooffersittingstothesubjects，andtoundertakeevenlargecrayoncopies，whichhadresultedinhergettingsomanyordersthatshewasnolongerobligedtosellherdrawings，butrestrictedherselfsolelytoprofitableportraiture。Thestudiobecameknown；evenitsquaintsurroundingsaddedtothepopularinterest，andtheoriginalityandindependenceoftheyoungpainterhelpedhertoagenuinesuccess。AllthisshewrotetoJack。MeantimeHannibalhadassuredhimthathehadcarriedouthisinstructionsbyinforming"Missy"ofhisoldmaster'srealoccupationandreputation，butthattheyoungladyhadn't"tooknonotice。”
Certainlytherewasnoallusiontoitinherletters，noranyindicationinhermanner。Mr。Hamlinwasgreatly，anditseemedtohimproperly，relieved。AndhelookedforwardwithconsiderablesatisfactiontoanearlyvisittooldHannibal'slaundry。
Itmustbeconfessed，also，thatanothermatter，asimpleaffairofgallantry，wasgivinghimanequallyunusual，unexpected，andabsurdannoyance，whichhehadneverbeforepermittedtosuchtrivialities。Inarecentvisittoafashionablewatering-place，hehadattractedtheattentionofwhatappearedtobearespectable，matteroffactwoman，thewifeofarecentlyelectedruralSenator。Shewas，however，singularlybeautiful，andassingularlycold。Itwasperhapsthisquality，andherevidentannoyanceatsomeunreasoningprepossessionwhichJack'sfascinationsexerciseduponher，thatheightenedthatrecklessdesireforriskandexcitementwhichreallymadeupthegreaterpartofhisgallantry。Nevertheless，aswashishabit，hehadtreatedheralwayswithacharmingunconsciousnessofhisownattentions，andafranknessthatseemedinconsistentwithanyinsidiousapproach。Infact，Mr。Hamlinseldommadelovetoanybody，butpermittedittobemadetohimwithgood-humoreddeprecationandcheerfulskepticism。Hehadonce，quiteaccidentally，whileriding，comeuponherwhenshehadstrayedfromherownridingparty，andhadbehavedwithsuchunexpectedcircumspectionandpropriety，nottomentionacertainthoughtfulabstraction，——itwasthedayhehadreceivedSophy'sletter，——thatshewasconstrainedtomakethefirstadvances。Thisledtoalaterinnocentrendezvous，inwhichMrs。CamperlywasimpelledtoconfidetoMr。Hamlinthefactthatherhusbandhadreallyneverunderstoodher。Jacklistenedwithanunderstandingandsympathyquickenedbylongexperienceofsuchconfessions。Ifanythinghadeverkepthimfrommarriageitwasthisevidentincompatibilityoftheconjugalrelationswithajustconceptionofthefemininesoulanditsaspirations。
AndsoeventuallythisyearningforsympathydraggedMrs。
Camperly'scleanskirtsandrusticpurityafterJack'sheelsintovariousplacesandvarioussituationsnotsoclean，rural，orinnocent；madehermiserablyunhappyinhisabsence，andstillmoremiserablyhappyinhispresence；impelledhertolie，cheat，andbearfalsewitness；forcedhertolistenwithmingledshameandadmirationtonarrowcriticismofhisfaults，fromnaturessopalpablyinferiortohisownthathermoralsensewasconfusedandshaken；gavehertwodistinctlives，butsounrealandfeverishthat，witharecklessnessequaltohisown，shewasatlastreadytomergethembothintohis。ForthefirsttimeinhislifeMr。
Hamlinfoundhimselfboredatthebeginningofanaffair，actuallyhesitated，andsuddenlydisappearedfromSanFrancisco。
HeturnedupafewdayslateratAuntChloe'sdoor，withvariouspackagesofpresentsandquitetheairofareturningfatherofafamily，totheintensedelightofthatladyandtoSophy'sproudgratification。Forhewaslostinaprofuse，boyishadmirationofherprettystudio，andinwholesomereverenceforherartandherastoundingprogress。Theywerealsoamusedathisaweandevidentalarmattheportraitsoftwoladies，herlatestsitters，thatwerestillontheeasels，and，inconsiderationofhishalf-assumed，half-realbashfulness，theyturnedtheirfacestothewall。Thenhisquick，observanteyedetectedaphotographofhimselfonthemantel。
"What'sthat？"heaskedsuddenly。
SophyandAuntChloeexchangedmeaningglances。Sophyhad，asasurprisetoJack，justcompletedahandsomecrayonportraitofhimselffromanoldphotographfurnishedbyHannibal，andthepicturewasatthatmomentinthewindowofherformerpatron，——
thephotographer。
"Oh，dat!MissSophyjus'putitdarfo'deladysitterstolookattogib'emapleasant'spresshion，"saidAuntChloe，chuckling。
Mr。Hamlindidnotlaugh，butquietlyslippedthephotographintohispocket。Yet，perhaps，ithadnotbeenrecognized。
ThenSophyproposedtohaveluncheoninthestudio；itwasquite"Bohemian"andfashionable，andmanyartistsdidit。ButtohergreatsurpriseJackgravelyobjected，preferringthelittleparlorofAuntChloe，thevine-fringedwindows，andtheheavyrespectablefurniture。Hethoughtitwasprofaningthestudio，andthen——
anybodymightcomein。Thisunusualcircumspectionamusedthem，andwasbelievedtobepartoftheboyishawewithwhichJackregardedthemodels，thedraperies，andthestudiesonthewalls。
Certainitwasthathewasmuchmoreathiseaseintheparlor，andwhenheandSophywereoncemorealoneattheirmeal，althoughheatenothing，hehadregainedallhisoldnaivete。Presentlyheleanedforwardandplacedhishandfraternallyonherarm。Sophylookedupwithanequallyfranksmile。
"YouknowIpromisedtoletbygonesbebygones，eh？Well，I
intendedit，andmore，——Iintendedtomake'emso。ItoldyouI'dneverspeaktoyouagainofthatmanwhotriedtorunyouoff，andIintendedthatnooneelseshould。Well，ashewastheonlyonewhocouldtalk——thatmeanthim。Butthecardsareoutofmyhands；
thegame'sbeenplayedwithoutme。Forhe'sdead!"
Thegirlstarted。Mr。Hamlin'shandpassedcaressinglytwiceorthricealonghersleevewithapeculiargentlenessthatseemedtomagnetizeher。
"Dead，"herepeatedslowly。"ShotinSanDiegobyanotherman，butnotbyme。Ihadhimtrackedasfarasthat，andhadmyeyesonhim，butitwasn'tmydeal。Butthere，"headded，givinghermagnetizedarmagentleandfinaltapasiftoawakenit，"he'sdead，andsoisthewholestory。Andnowwe'lldropitforever。”
Thegirl'sdowncasteyeswerefixedonthetable。"Butthere'smysister，"shemurmured。
"Didsheknowyouwentwithhim？"askedJack。
"No；butsheknowsIranaway。”
"Well，youranawayfromhometostudyhowtobeanartist，don'tyousee？Somedayshe'llfindoutyouAREONE；thatsettlesthewholething。”
TheywerebothquitecheerfulagainwhenAuntChloereturnedtoclearthetable，especiallyJack，whowasinthebestspirits，withpreternaturallybrighteyesandasomewhatrarecoloronhischeeks。AuntChloe，whohadnoticedthathisbreathingwashurriedattimes，watchedhimnarrowly，andwhenlaterheslippedfromtheroom，followedhimintothepassage。Hewasleaningagainstthewall。Inaninstantthenegresswasathisside。
"DeLawdyGawd，MarseJack，notAGIN？"
Hetookhishandkerchief，slightlystreakedwithblood，fromhislipsandsaidfaintly，"Yes，itcameon——ontheboat；butIthoughtthed——dthingwasover。Getmeoutofthis，quick，tosomehotel，beforesheknowsit。YoucantellherIwascalledaway。
Saythat"——buthisbreathfailedhim，andwhenAuntChloecaughthimlikeachildinherstrongarmshecouldmakenoresistance。
Inanotherhourhewasunconscious，withtwodoctorsathisbedside，inthelittleroomthathadbeenoccupiedbySophy。Itwasasharpattack，butpromptattendanceandskillfulnursingavailed；heralliedthenextday，butitwouldbeweeks，thedoctorssaid，beforehecouldberemovedinsafety。Sophywastransferredtotheparlor，butspentmostofhertimeatJack'sbedsidewithAuntChloe，orinthestudiowiththedooropenbetweenitandthebedroom。Inspiteofhisenforcedidlenessandweakness，itwasagainasingularlypleasantexperiencetoJack；itamusedhimtosometimesseeSophyatherworkthroughtheopendoor，andwhensitterscame，——forhehadinsistedonhercontinuingherdutiesasbefore，keepinghisinvalidpresenceinthehouseasecret，——hehadallthesatisfactionofamischievousboyinrehearsingtoSophysuchoftheconversationascouldbeoverheardthroughthecloseddoor，andspeculatingonthepossiblewonderandchagrinofthesittershadtheydiscoveredhim。Evenwhenhewasconvalescentandstrongenoughtobehelpedintotheparlorandgarden，hepreferredtoremainproppedupinSophy'slittlebedroom。Itwasevident，however，thatthispredilectionwasconnectedwithnosuggestionnorreminiscenceofSophyherself。Itwastruethathehadonceaskedherifitdidn'tmakeher"feellikehome。”ThedecidednegativefromSophyseemedtomildlysurprisehim。"That'sodd，"hesaid；"nowallthesefixingsandthings，"pointingtotheflowersinavase，thelittlehangingshelfofbooks，theknickknacksonthemantel-shelf，andthefewfeminineornamentsthatstillremained，"lookratherlikehometome。”
Sothedaysslippedby，andalthoughMr。Hamlinwassoonabletowalkshortdistances，leaningonSophy'sarm，intheeveningtwilight，alongtheriverbank，hewasstillmissedfromthehauntsofdissipatedmen。Agoodmanypeoplewondered，andothers，chieflyofthemoreirrepressiblesex，weresingularlyconcerned。
Apparentlyoneofthese，onesultryafternoon，stoppedbeforetheshadowedwindowofaphotographer's；shewasahandsome，well-
dressedwoman，yetbearingacertaincountrylikesimplicitythatwasunliketherestlesssmartnessofthemoreurbanpromenaderswhopassedher。NeverthelessshehadhaltedbeforeMr。Hamlin'spicture，whichSophyhadnotyetdaredtobringhomeandpresenttohim，andwasgazingatitwithraptandbreathlessattention。
Suddenlysheshookdownherveilandenteredtheshop。Couldtheproprietorkindlytellherifthatportraitwastheworkofalocalartist？
TheproprietorwasbothproudandpleasedtosaythatITWAS!ItwastheworkofaMissBrown，ayounggirlstudent；infact，amereschoolgirlonemightsay。Hecouldshowherothersofherpictures。
Thanks。Butcouldhetellherifthisportraitwasfromlife？
Nodoubt；theyoungladyhadastudio，andhehimselfhadsenthersitters。
Andperhapsthiswastheportraitofonethathehadsenther？
No；butshewasverypopularandbecomingquitethefashion。Veryprobablythisgentleman，who，heunderstood，wasquiteapubliccharacter，hadheardofher，andselectedheronthataccount。
Thelady'sfaceflushedslightly。Thephotographercontinued。Thepicturewasnotforsale；itwasonlythereonexhibition；infactitwastobereturnedto-morrow。
Tothesitter？
Hecouldn'tsay。Itwastogobacktothestudio。Perhapsthesitterwouldbethere。
Andthisstudio？Couldshehaveitsaddress？
Themanwroteafewlinesonhiscard。Perhapstheladywouldbekindenoughtosaythathehadsenther。Thelady，thankinghim，partlyliftedherveiltoshowacharmingsmile，andgracefullywithdrew。Thephotographerwaspleased。MissBrownhadevidentlygotanothersitter，and，fromthatmomentaryglimpseofherface，itwouldbeapictureasbeautifulandattractiveastheman's。
Butwhatwastheoddideathatstruckhim？Shecertainlyremindedhimofsomeone!Therewasthesameheavyhair，onlythislady'swasgolden，andshewasolderandmoremature。Andheremainedforamomentwithknittedbrowsmusingoverhiscounter。
Meantimethefairstrangerwasmakingherwaytowardstheriversuburb。WhenshereachedAuntChloe'scottage，shepaused，withtheunfamiliarcuriosityofanewcomer，overitsquaintandincongruousexterior。ShehesitatedamomentalsowhenAuntChloeappearedinthedoorway，and，withapuzzledsurveyofherfeatures，wentupstairstoannounceavisitor。Therewasthesoundofhurriedshuttingofdoors，ofthemovingoffurniture，quickfootstepsacrossthefloor，andthenagirlishlaughthatstartledher。SheascendedthestairsbreathlesslytoAuntChloe'ssummons，foundthenegressonthelanding，andknockedatadoorwhichboreacardmarked"Studio。”Thedooropened；sheentered；thereweretwosuddenoutcriesthatmighthavecomefromonevoice。
"Sophonisba!"
"Marianne!"
"Hush。”
ThewomanhadseizedSophybythewristanddraggedhertothewindow。TherewasahaggardlookofdesperationinherfaceakintothatwhichHamlinhadonceseeninhersister'seyesontheboat，asshesaidhuskily:"IdidnotknowYOUwerehere。IcametoseethewomanwhohadpaintedMr。Hamlin'sportrait。IdidnotknowitwasYOU。Listen!Quick!answermeonequestion。Tellme——
Iimploreyou——forthesakeofthemotherwhoboreusboth!——tellme——isthisthemanforwhomyoulefthome？"
"No!No!Ahundredtimesno!"
Thentherewasasilence。Mr。Hamlinfromthebedroomheardnomore。
Anhourlater，whenthetwowomenopenedthestudiodoor，palebutcomposed，theyweremetbytheanxiousandtearfulfaceofAuntChloe。
"LawdyGawd，Missy，——butdeydonegone!——bofeof'em!"
"Whoisgone？"demandedSophy，asthewomanbesidehertrembledandgrewpalerstill。
"MarseJackanddatfoolnigger，Hannibal。”
"Mr。Hamlingone？"repeatedSophyincredulously。"When？Where？"
"Jessnow——ondedownboat。Suddenbusiness。Didn'tliketodisturbyo'andyo'friend。Saidhe'dwrite。”
"Buthewasill——almosthelpless，"gaspedSophy。
"Dat'swhyhetookdatoldnigger。Lawdy，Missy，bressyo'heart。
Deybothknowsaichudder，shuah!It'sallright。Darnow，dardeyare；listen。”
Sheheldupherhand。Aslowpulsation，thatmighthavebeenthedull，laboredbeatingoftheirownhearts，wasmakingitselffeltthroughoutthelittlecottage。Itcamenearer，——adeepregularinspirationthatseemedslowlytofillandpossessthewholetranquilsummertwilight。Itwasnearerstill——wasabreastofthehouse——passed——grewfainterandatlastdiedawaylikeadeep-drawnsigh。Itwasthedownboat，thatwasnowseparatingMr。Hamlinandhisprotegee，evenasithadoncebroughtthemtogether。
ANINGENUEOFTHESIERRAS。
I。
Weallheldourbreathasthecoachrushedthroughthesemi-
darknessofGalloper'sRidge。Thevehicleitselfwasonlyahugelumberingshadow；itsside-lightswerecarefullyextinguished，andYubaBillhadjustpolitelyremovedfromthelipsofanoutsidepassengereventhecigarwithwhichhehadbeenostentatiouslyexhibitinghiscoolness。ForithadbeenrumoredthattheRamonMartinezgangof"roadagents"were"laying"forusonthesecondgrade，andwouldtimethepassageofourlightsacrossGalloper'sinordertointerceptusinthe"brush"beyond。Ifwecouldcrosstheridgewithoutbeingseen，andsogetthroughthebrushbeforetheyreachedit，weweresafe。Iftheyfollowed，itwouldonlybeasternchasewiththeoddsinourfavor。
Thehugevehicleswayedfromsidetoside，rolled，dipped，andplunged，butBillkeptthetrack，asif，inthewhisperedwordsoftheExpressman，hecould"feelandsmell"theroadhecouldnolongersee。Weknewthatattimeswehungperilouslyovertheedgeofslopesthateventuallydroppedathousandfeetsheertothetopsofthesugar-pinesbelow，butweknewthatBillknewitalso。Thehalfvisibleheadsofthehorses，drawnwedge-wisetogetherbythetightenedreins，appearedtocleavethedarknesslikeaploughshare，heldbetweenhisrigidhands。Eventhehoof-beatsofthesixhorseshadfallenintoavague，monotonous，distantroll。Thentheridgewascrossed，andweplungedintothestillblackerobscurityofthebrush。Ratherwenolongerseemedtomove——itwasonlythephantomnightthatrushedbyus。ThehorsesmighthavebeensubmergedinsomeswiftLetheanstream；nothingbutthetopofthecoachandtherigidbulkofYubaBillaroseabovethem。Yeteveninthatawfulmomentourspeedwasunslackened；itwasasifBillcarednolongertoGUIDEbutonlytodrive，orasifthedirectionofhishugemachinewasdeterminedbyotherhandsthanhis。Anincautiouswhispererhazardedtheparalyzingsuggestionofour"meetinganotherteam。”ToourgreatastonishmentBilloverheardit；toourgreaterastonishmenthereplied。"It'udbeonlyaneckandneckracewhichwouldgettoh-llfirst，"hesaidquietly。Butwewererelieved——
forhehadSPOKEN!Almostsimultaneouslythewiderturnpikebegantoglimmerfaintlyasavisibletrackbeforeus；thewaysidetreesfelloutofline，openedup，anddroppedoffoneafteranother；wewereonthebroadertable-land，outofdanger，andapparentlyunperceivedandunpursued。
Neverthelessintheconversationthatbrokeoutagainwiththerelightingofthelamps，andthecomments，congratulations，andreminiscencesthatwerefreelyexchanged，YubaBillpreservedadissatisfiedandevenresentfulsilence。Themostgenerouspraiseofhisskillandcourageawokenoresponse。"Ireckontheoldmanwazjustspilin'forafight，andisfeelin'disappointed，"saidapassenger。ButthosewhoknewthatBillhadthetruefighter'sscornforanypurelypurposelessconflictweremoreorlessconcernedandwatchfulofhim。Hewoulddrivesteadilyforfourorfiveminuteswiththoughtfullyknittedbrows，buteyesstillkeenlyobservantunderhisslouchedhat，andthen，relaxinghisstrainedattitude，wouldgivewaytoamovementofimpatience。"Youain'tuneasyaboutanything，Bill，areyou？"askedtheExpressmanconfidentially。Billliftedhiseyeswithaslightlycontemptuoussurprise。"NotaboutanythingterCOME。It'swhatHEZhappenedthatIdon'texacklysabe。Idon'tseenosignsofRamon'sgangeverhavin'beenoutatall，andeftheywereoutIdon'tseewhytheydidn'tgoforus。”
"Thesimplefactisthatourrusewassuccessful，"saidanoutsidepassenger。"Theywaitedtoseeourlightsontheridge，and，notseeingthem，missedusuntilwehadpassed。That'smyopinion。”
"Youain'tputtin'anypriceonthatopinion，airye？"inquiredBillpolitely。
"No。”
"'Costhar'sacomicpaperin'Friscopaysforthemthings，andI'veseenworsethingsinit。”
"Comeoff，Bill，"retortedthepassenger，slightlynettledbythetitteringofhiscompanions。"Thenwhatdidyouputoutthelightsfor？"
"Well，"returnedBillgrimly，"itmouthavebeenbecauseIdidn'tkeertohevyouchapsblazin'awayatthefirstbushyouTHOUGHT
yousawmoveinyourskeer，andbringin'downtheirfireonus。”
Theexplanation，thoughunsatisfactory，wasbynomeansanimprobableone，andwethoughtitbettertoacceptitwithalaugh。
Bill，however，resumedhisabstractedmanner。
"WhogotinattheSummit？"heatlastaskedabruptlyoftheExpressman。
"DerrickandSimpsonofColdSpring，andoneofthe'Excelsior'
boys，"respondedtheExpressman。
"AndthatPikeCountygirlfromDow'sFlat，withherbundles。
Don'tforgether，"addedtheoutsidepassengerironically。
"Doesanybodyhereknowher？"continuedBill，ignoringtheirony。
"You'dbetteraskJudgeThompson；hewasmightyattentivetoher；
gettin'heraseatbytheoffwindow，andlookin'afterherbundlesandthings。”
"Gettin'heraseatbytheWINDOW？"repeatedBill。
"Yes，shewantedtoseeeverything，andwasn'tafraidoftheshooting。”
"Yes，"brokeinathirdpassenger，"andhewassod——dcivilthatwhenshedroppedherringinthestraw，hestruckamatchaginallyourrules，youknow，andhelditforhertofindit。Anditwasjustaswewerecrossin'throughthebrush，too。Isawthehullthingthroughthewindow，forIwashangingoverthewheelswithmygunreadyforaction。Anditwasn'tnofaultofJudgeThompson'sifhisd——dfoolishnesshadn'tshownusup，andgotusashotfromthegang。”
Billgaveashortgrunt，butdrovesteadilyonwithoutfurthercommentoreventurninghiseyestothespeaker。
Wewerenownotmorethanamilefromthestationatthecrossroadswhereweweretochangehorses。Thelightsalreadyglimmeredinthedistance，andtherewasafaintsuggestionofthecomingdawnonthesummitsoftheridgetothewest。Wehadplungedintoabeltoftimber，whensuddenlyahorsemanemergedatasharpcanterfromatrailthatseemedtobeparallelwithourown。Wewereallslightlystartled；YubaBillalonepreservinghismoodycalm。
"Hullo!"hesaid。
ThestrangerwheeledtooursideasBillslackenedhisspeed。Heseemedtobea"packer"orfreightmuleteer。
"Yedidn'tget'heldup'ontheDivide？"continuedBillcheerfully。
"No，"returnedthepacker，withalaugh；"Idon'tcarrytreasure。
ButIseeyou'reallright，too。Isawyoucrossin'overGalloper's。”
"SAWus？"saidBillsharply。"Wehadourlightsout。”
"Yes，buttherewassuthin'white——ahandkerchieforwoman'sveil，Ireckon——hangin'fromthewindow。Itwasonlyamovin'spotaginthehillside，butezIwaslookin'outforyeIknewitwasyoubythat。Good-night!"
Hecanteredaway。Wetriedtolookateachother'sfaces，andatBill'sexpressioninthedarkness，butheneitherspokenorstirreduntilhethrewdownthereinswhenwestoppedbeforethestation。
Thepassengersquicklydescendedfromtheroof；theExpressmanwasabouttofollow，butBillpluckedhissleeve。
"I'mgoin'totakealookoverthisyerstageandtheseyerpassengerswithye，aforewestart。”
"Why，what'sup？"
"Well，"saidBill，slowlydisengaginghimselffromoneofhisenormousgloves，"whenwewaltzeddownintothebrushupthereI
sawaman，ezplainezIseeyou，riseupfromit。Ithoughtourtimehadcomeandthebandwasgoin'toplay，whenhesorterdrewback，madeasign，andwejustscootedpasthim。”
"Well？"
"Well，"saidBill，"itmeansthatthisyercoachwasPASSEDTHROUGH
FREEto-night。”
"Youdon'tobjecttoTHAT——surely？Ithinkweweredeucedlylucky。”
Billslowlydrewoffhisotherglove。"I'vebeenriskin'myeverlastin'lifeonthisd——dlinethreetimesaweek，"hesaidwithmockhumility，"andI'mallusthankfulforsmallmercies。
BUT，"headdedgrimly，"whenitcomesdowntobeingpassedfreebysomepalofahossthief，andthetcalledaspeshalProvidence，I
AIN'TINIT!No，sir，Iain'tinit!"
II。
Itwaswithmixedemotionsthatthepassengersheardthatadelayoffifteenminutestotightencertainscrew-boltshadbeenorderedbytheautocraticBill。SomewereanxioustogettheirbreakfastatSugarPine，butotherswerenotaversetolingerforthedaylightthatpromisedgreatersafetyontheroad。TheExpressman，knowingtherealcauseofBill'sdelay，wasneverthelessatalosstounderstandtheobjectofit。Thepassengerswereallwellknown；anyideaofcomplicitywiththeroadagentswaswildandimpossible，and，eveniftherewasaconfederateofthegangamongthem，hewouldhavebeenmorelikelytoprecipitatearobberythantocheckit。Again，thediscoveryofsuchaconfederate——towhomtheyclearlyowedtheirsafety——andhisarrestwouldhavebeenquiteagainsttheCaliforniansenseofjustice，ifnotactuallyillegal。ItseemedevidentthatBill'squixoticsenseofhonorwasleadinghimastray。
Thestationconsistedofastable，awagonshed，andabuildingcontainingthreerooms。Thefirstwasfittedupwith"bunks"orsleepingberthsfortheemployees；thesecondwasthekitchen；andthethirdandlargerapartmentwasdining-roomorsitting-room，andwasusedasgeneralwaiting-roomforthepassengers。Itwasnotarefreshmentstation，andtherewasno"bar。”ButamysteriouscommandfromtheomnipotentBillproducedademijohnofwhiskey，withwhichhehospitablytreatedthecompany。TheseductiveinfluenceoftheliquorloosenedthetongueofthegallantJudge
Thompson。HeadmittedtohavingstruckamatchtoenablethefairPikeCountiantofindherring，which，however，provedtohavefalleninherlap。Shewas"afine，healthyyoungwoman——atypeoftheFarWest，sir；infact，quiteaprairieblossom!yetsimpleandguilelessasachild。”ShewasonherwaytoMarysville，hebelieved，"althoughsheexpectedtomeetfriends——afriend，infact——lateron。”Itwasherfirstvisittoalargetown——infact，anycivilizedcentre——sinceshecrossedtheplainsthreeyearsago。
Hergirlishcuriositywasquitetouching，andherinnocenceirresistible。Infact，inacountrywhosetendencywastoproduce"frivolityandforwardnessinyounggirls，hefoundheramostinterestingyoungperson。”Shewaseventhenoutinthestable-
yardwatchingthehorsesbeingharnessed，"preferringtoindulgeapardonablehealthyyoungcuriositythantolistentotheemptycomplimentsoftheyoungerpassengers。”
ThefigurewhichBillsawthusengaged，withoutbeingotherwisedistinguished，certainlyseemedtojustifytheJudge'sopinion。
Sheappearedtobeawell-maturedcountrygirl，whosefrankgrayeyesandlargelaughingmouthexpressedawholesomeandabidinggratificationinherlifeandsurroundings。Shewaswatchingthereplacingofluggageintheboot。Alittlefemininestart，asoneofherownparcelswasthrownsomewhatroughlyontheroof，gaveBillhisopportunity。"Nowthere，"hegrowledtothehelper，"yeain'tcartingstone!Lookout，willyer!Someofyourthings，miss？"headded，withgruffcourtesy，turningtoher。"Theseyertrunks，forinstance？"
Shesmiledapleasantassent，andBill，pushingasidethehelper，seizedalargesquaretrunkinhisarms。Butfromexcessofzeal，orsomeothermischance，hisfootslipped，andhecamedownheavily，strikingthecornerofthetrunkonthegroundandlooseningitshingesandfastenings。Itwasacheap，common-
lookingaffair，buttheaccidentdiscoveredinitsyawninglidaquantityofwhite，lace-edgedfeminineapparelofanapparentlysuperiorquality。Theyoungladyutteredanothercryandcamequicklyforward，butBillwasprofuseinhisapologies，himselfgirdedthebrokenboxwithastrap，anddeclaredhisintentionofhavingthecompany"makeitgood"toherwithanewone。Thenhecasuallyaccompaniedhertothedoorofthewaiting-room，entered，madeaplaceforherbeforethefirebysimplyliftingthenearestandmostyouthfulpassengerbythecoatcollarfromthestoolthathewasoccupying，and，havinginstalledtheladyinit，displacedanothermanwhowasstandingbeforethechimney，and，drawinghimselfuptohisfullsixfeetofheightinfrontofher，glanceddownuponhisfairpassengerashetookhiswaybillfromhispocket。
"YournameisdownhereasMissMullins？"hesaid。