Gentlemen:Ireceivedyourletterto-daybypost，inregardtotheransomyouaskforthereturnofmyson。
　　Ithinkyouarealittlehighinyourdemands，andIherebymakeyouacounter-proposition，whichIaminclinedtobelieveyouwillaccept。YoubringJohnnyhomeandpaymetwohundredandfiftydollarsincash，andIagreetotakehimoffyourhands。Youhadbettercomeatnight，fortheneighboursbelieveheislost，andIcouldn'tberesponsibleforwhattheywoulddotoanybodytheysawbringinghimback。Veryrespectfully，EBENEZERDORSET。
　　"GreatpiratesofPenzance!"saysI；"ofalltheimpudent——"
　　ButIglancedatBill，andhesitated。HehadthemostappealinglookinhiseyesIeversawonthefaceofadumboratalkingbrute。
　　"Sam，"sayshe，"what'stwohundredandfiftydollars，afterall？We'vegotthemoney。OnemorenightofthiskidwillsendmetoabedinBedlam。Besidesbeingathoroughgentleman，IthinkMr。Dorsetisaspend-
　　thriftformakingussuchaliberaloffer。Youain'tgoingtoletthechancego，areyou？"
　　"Tellyouthetruth，Bill，"saysI，"thislittleheewelambhassomewhatgotonmynervestoo。We'lltakehimhome，paytheransomandmakeourget-away。"
　　Wetookhimhomethatnight。Wegothimtogobytellinghimthathisfatherhadboughtasilver-mountedrifleandapairofmoccasinsforhim，andweweregoingtohuntbearsthenextday。
　　Itwasjusttwelveo'clockwhenweknockedatEbene-
　　zer'sfrontdoor。JustatthemomentwhenIshouldhavebeenabstractingthefifteenhundreddollarsfromtheboxunderthetree，accordingtotheoriginalproposition，BillwascountingouttwohundredandfiftydollarsintoDorset'shand。
　　WhenthekidfoundoutweweregoingtoleavehimathomehestartedupahowllikeacalliopeandfastenedhimselfastightasaleechtoBill'sleg。Hisfatherpeeledhimawaygradually，likeaporousplaster。
　　"Howlongcanyouholdhim？"asksBill。
　　"I'mnotasstrongasIusedtobe，"saysoldDorset，"butIthinkIcanpromiseyoutenminutes。"
　　"Enough，"saysBill。"IntenminutesIshallcrosstheCentral，SouthernandMiddleWesternStates，andbeleggingittrippinglyfortheCanadianborder。"
　　And，asdarkasitwas，andasfatasBillwas，andasgoodarunnerasIam，hewasagoodmileandahalfoutofSummitbeforeIcouldcatchupwithhim。
　　THEMARRYMONTHOFMAY
　　PRITHEE，smitethepoetintheeyewhenhewouldsingtoyoupraisesofthemonthofMay。Itisamonthpresidedoverbythespiritsofmischiefandmadness。
　　Pixiesandflibbertigibbetshauntthebuddingwoods:
　　Puckandhistrainofmidgetsarebusyintownandcountry。
　　InMaynatureholdsupatusachidingfinger，biddingusrememberthatwearenotgods，butoverconceitedmembersofherowngreatfamily。Sheremindsusthatwearebrotherstothechowder-doomedclamandthedonkey；linealscionsofthepansyandthechimpanzee，andbutcousins-germantothecooingdoves，thequackingducksandthehousemaidsandpolicemenintheparks。
　　InMayCupidshootsblindfolded——millionairesmarrystenographers；wiseprofessorswoowhite-apronedgum-
　　chewersbehindquick-lunchcounters；schoolma'amsmakebigbadboysremainafterschool；ladswithladderssteallightlyoverlawnswhereJulietwaitsinhertrellissedwindowwithhertelescopepacked；youngcouplesoutforawalkcomehomemarried；oldchapsputonwhitespatsandpromenadeneartheNormalSchool；evenmarriedmen，grownunwontedlytenderandsentimental，whacktheirspousesonthebackandgrowl:"Howgoesit，oldgirl:"
　　ThisMay，whoisnogoddess，butCirce，masqueradingatthedancegiveninhonourofthefaird閎utante，Sum-
　　mer，putsthekiboshonusall。
　　OldMr。Coulsongroanedalittle，andthensatupstraightinhisinvalid'schair。Hehadthegoutverybadinonefoot，ahousenearGramercyPark，halfamilliondollarsandadaughter。Andhehadahouse-
　　keeper，Mrs。Widdup。Thefactandthenamedeserveasentenceeach。Theyhaveit。
　　WhenMaypokedMr。Coulsonhebecameelderbrothertotheturtle-dove。Inthewindownearwhichhesatwereboxesofjonquils，ofhyacinths，geraniumsandpansies。Thebreezebroughttheirodourintotheroom。
　　Immediatelytherewasawell-contestedroundbetweenthebreathoftheflowersandtheableandactiveeffluviumfromgoutliniment。Thelinimentwoneasily；butnotbeforetheflowersgotanuppercuttooldMr。Coulson'snose。Thedeadlyworkoftheimplacable，falseenchant-
　　ressMaywasdone。
　　AcrosstheparktotheolfactoriesofMr。Coulsoncameotherunmistakable，characteristic，copyrightedsmellsofspringthatbelongtothe-big-city-above-the-Subway，alone。Thesmellsofhotasphalt，undergroundcaverns，gasoline，patchouli，orangepeel，sewergas，Albanygrabs，Egyptiancigarettes，mortarandtheundriedinkonnews-
　　papers。Theinblowingairwassweetandmild。Sparrowswrangledhappilyeverywhereoutdoors。NevertrustMay。
　　Mr。Coulsontwistedtheendsofhiswhitemustache，cursedhisfoot，andpoundedabellonthetablebyhisside。
　　IncameMrs。Widdup。Shewascomelytotheeye，fair，flustered，fortyandfoxy。
　　"Higginsisout，sir，"shesaid，withasmilesuggestiveofvibratorymassage。"Hewenttopostaletter。CanIdoanythingforyou，sir？"
　　"It'stimeformyaconite，"saidoldMr。Coulson。
　　"Dropitforme。Thebottle'sthere。Threedrops。
　　Inwater。D——thatis，confoundHiggins!There'snobodyinthishousecaresifIdiehereinthischairforwantofattention。"
　　Mrs。Widdupsigheddeeply。
　　"Don'tbesayingthat，sir，"shesaid。"There'sthemthatwouldcaremorethananyoneknows。Thirteendrops，yousaid，sir？"
　　"Three，"saidoldmanCoulson。
　　HetookhisdoseandthenMrs。Widdup'shand。Sheblushed。Oh，yes，itcanbedone。Justholdyourbreathandcompressthediaphragm。
　　"Mrs。Widdup，"saidMr。Coulson，"thespringtime'sfulluponus。"
　　"Ain'tthatright？"saidMrs。Widdup。"Theair'srealwarm。Andthere'sbock-beersignsoneverycorner。
　　Andthepark'sallyallerandpinkandbluewithflowers；
　　andIhavesuchshootingpainsupmylegsandbody。"
　　"'Inthespring，'"quotedMr。Coulson，curlinghismustache，"'ay——thatis，aman's——fancylightlyturnstothoughtsoflove。'"
　　"Lawsy，now!"exclaimedMrs。Widdup；"ain'tthatright？Seemslikeit'sintheair。"
　　"'Inthespring，'"continuedoldMr。Coulson，"'alivelieririsshinesupontheburnisheddove。'"
　　"Theydobelively，theIrish，"sighedMrs。Widduppensively。
　　"Mrs。Widdup，"saidMr。Coulson，makingafaceatatwingeofhisgoutyfoot，"thiswouldbealonesomehousewithoutyou。I'man——thatis，I'manelderlyman——butI'mworthacomfortablelotofmoney。Ifhalfamilliondollars'worthofGovernmentbondsandthetrueaffectionofaheartthat，thoughnolongerbeatingwiththefirstardourofyouth，canstillthrobwithgenuine——"
　　Theloudnoiseofanoverturnedchairneartheporti鑢esoftheadjoiningroominterruptedthevenerableandscarcelysuspectingvictimofMay。
　　InstalkedMissVanMeekerConstantiaCoulson，bony，durable，tall，high-nosed，frigid，well-bred，thirty-five，in-the-neighbourhood-of-Gramercy-Parkish。Sheputupalorgnette。Mrs。WidduphastilystoopedandarrangedthebandagesonMr。Coulson'sgoutyfoot。
　　"IthoughtHigginswaswithyou，"saidMissVanMeekerConstantia。
　　"Higginswentout，"explainedherfather，"andMrs。
　　Widdupansweredthebell。Thatisbetternow，Mrs。
　　Widdup，thankyou。No；thereisnothingelseIrequire。"
　　Thehousekeeperretired，pinkunderthecool，inquiringstareofMissCoulson。
　　"Thisspringweatherislovely，isn'tit，daughter？"
　　saidtheoldman，consciouslyconscious。
　　"That'sjustit，"repliedMissVanMeekerConstantiaCoulson，somewhatobscurely。"WhendoesMrs。Wid-
　　dupstartonhervacation，papa？"
　　"Ibelieveshesaidaweekfromto-day，"saidMr。
　　Coulson。
　　MissVanMeekerConstantiastoodforaminuteatthewindowgazing，towardthelittlepark，floodedwiththemellowafternoonsunlight。Withtheeyeofabotanistsheviewedtheflowers——mostpotentweaponsofinsid-
　　iousMay。WiththecoolpulsesofavirginofCologneshewithstoodtheattackoftheetherealmildness。Thearrowsofthepleasantsunshinefellback，frostbitten，fromthecoldpanoplyofherunthrilledbosom。Theodouroftheflowerswakednosoftsentimentsintheunexploredrecessesofherdormantheart。Thechirpofthesparrowsgaveherapain。ShemockedatMay。
　　ButalthoughMissCoulsonwasproofagainsttheseason，shewaskeenenoughtoestimateitspower。Sheknewthatelderlymenandthick-waistedwomenjumpedaseducatedfleasintheridiculoustrainofMay，themerrymockerofthemonths。Shehadheardoffoolisholdgentlemenmarryingtheirhousekeepersbefore。Whatahumiliatingthing，afterall，wasthisfeelingcalledlove!
　　Thenextmorningat8o'clock，whentheicemancalled，thecooktoldhimthatMissCoulsonwantedtoseehiminthebasement。
　　"Well，ain'tItheOlcottandDepew；notmentioningthefirstnameatall？"saidtheiceman，admiringly，ofhimself。
　　Asaconcessionherolledhissleevesdown，droppedhisicehooksonasyringeandwentback。WhenMissVanMeekerConstantiaCoulsonaddressedhimhetookoffhisbat。
　　"Thereisarearentrancetothisbasement，"saidMissCoulson，"whichcanbereachedbydrivingintothevacantlotnextdoor，wheretheyareexcavatingforabuilding。Iwantyoutobringinthatwaywithintwohours1，000poundsofice。Youmayhavetobringanothermanortwotohelpyou。IwillshowyouwhereIwantitplaced。Ialsowant1，000poundsadaydeliveredthesamewayforthenextfourdays。Yourcompanymaychargetheiceonourregularbill。Thisisforyourextratrouble。"
　　MissCoulsontenderedaten-dollarbill。Theicemanbowed，andheldhishatinhistwohandsbehindhim。
　　"Notifyou'llexcuseme，lady。It'llbeapleasuretofixthingsupforyouanywayyouplease。"
　　AlasforMay!
　　AboutnoonMr。Coulsonknockedtwoglassesoffhistable，brokethespringofhisbellandyelledforHigginsatthesametime。
　　"Bringanaxe，"commandedMr。Coulson，sardoni-
　　cally，"orsendoutforaquartofprussicacid，orhaveapolicemancomeinandshootme。I'dratherthatthanbefrozentodeath。"
　　"Itdoesseemtobegettingcool，Sir，"saidHiggins。
　　"Ihadn'tnoticeditbefore。I'llclosethewindow，Sir。"
　　"Do，"saidMr。Coulson。"Theycallthisspring，dothey？IfitkeepsuplongI'llgobacktoPalmBeach。
　　Housefeelslikeamorgue。"
　　LaterMissCoulsondutifullycameintoinquirehowthegoutwasprogressing。
　　"'Stantia，"saidtheoldman，"howistheweatherout-
　　doors？"
　　"Bright，"answeredMissCoulson，"butchilly。"
　　"Feelslikethedeadofwintertome，"saidMr。Coulson。
　　"Aninstance，"saidConstantia，gazingabstractedlyoutthewindow，"of'winterlingeringinthelapofspring，'
　　thoughthemetaphorisnotinthemostrefinedtaste。"
　　AlittlelatershewalkeddownbythesideofthelittleparkandonwestwardtoBroadwaytoaccomplishalittleshopping。
　　AlittlelaterthanthatMrs。Widdupenteredtheinvalid'sroom。
　　"Didyouring，Sir？"sheasked，dimplinginmanyplaces。"IaskedHigginstogotothedrugstore，andI
　　thoughtIheardyourbell。"
　　"Ididnot，"saidMr。Coulson。
　　"I'mafraid，"saidMrs。Widdup，"Iinterruptedyousir，yesterdaywhenyouwereabouttosaysomething。"
　　"Howcomesit，Mrs。Widdup，"saidoldmanCoulsonsternly，"thatIfinditsocoldinthishouse？"
　　"Cold，Sir？"saidthehousekeeper，"why，now，sinceyouspeakofititdoseemcoldinthisroom。But，out-
　　doorsit'saswarmandfineasJune，sir。Andhowthisweatherdoseemtomakeone'sheartjumpoutofone'sshirtwaist，sir。Andtheivyallleavedoutonthesideofthehouse，andthehand-organsplaying，andthechildrendancingonthesidewalk——'tisagreattimeforspeakingoutwhat'sintheheart。Youweresayingyesterday，sir——"
　　"Woman!"roaredMr。Coulson；"youareafool。I
　　payyoutotakecareofthishouse。Iamfreezingtodeathinmyownroom，andyoucomeinanddriveltomeaboutivyandhand-organs。Getmeanovercoatatonce。Seethatalldoorsandwindowsareclosedbelow。
　　Anold，fat，irresponsible，one-sidedobjectlikeyouprat-
　　ingaboutspringtimeandflowersinthemiddleofwinter!
　　WhenHigginscomesback，tellhimtobringmeahotrumpunch。Andnowgetout!"
　　ButwhoshallshamethebrightfaceofMay？Roguethoughshebeanddisturberofsanemen'speace，nowisevirginscunningnorcoldstorageshallmakeherbowherheadinthebrightgalaxyofmonths。
　　Oh，yes，thestorywasnotquitefinished。
　　Anightpassed，andHigginshelpedoldmanCoulsoninthemorningtohischairbythewindow。Thecoldoftheroomwasgone。Heavenlyodoursandfragrantmild-
　　nessentered。
　　InhurriedMrs。Widdup，andstoodbyhischair。Mr。
　　Coulsonreachedhisbonyhandandgraspedherplumpone。
　　"Mrs。Widdup，"hesaid，"thishousewouldbenohomewithoutyou。Ihavehalfamilliondollars。Ifthatandthetrueaffectionofaheartnolonoerinitsyouthfulprime，butstillnotcold，could——"
　　"Ifoundoutwhatmadeitcold，"saidMrs。Widdup，leanin'againsthischair。"'Twasice——tonsofit——
　　inthebasementandinthefurnaceroom，everywhere。I
　　shutofftheregistersthatitwascomingthroughintoyourroom，Mr。Coulson，poorsoul!Andnowit'sMaytimeagain。"
　　"Atrueheart，"wentonoldmanCoulson，alittlewanderingly，"thatthespringtimehasbroughttolifeagain，and——butwhatwillmydaughtersay，Mrs。
　　Widdup？"
　　"Neverfear，sir，"saidMrs。Widdup，cheerfully。
　　"MissCoulson，sheranawaywiththeicemanlastnight，sir!"
　　ATECHNICALERROR
　　Inevercaredespeciallyforfeuds，believingthemtobeevenmoreoverratedproductsofourcountrythangrapefruit，scrapple，orhoneymoons。Nevertheless，ifImaybeallowed，IwilltellyouofanIndianTerritoryfeudofwhichIwaspress-agent，camp-follower，andinaccessoryduringthefact。
　　IwasonavisittoSamDurkee'sranch，whereIhadagreattimefallingoffunmanicuredponiesandwavingmybarehandatthelowerjawsofwolvesabouttwomilesaway。Samwasahardenedpersonofabouttwenty-
　　five，withareputationforgoinghomeinthedarkwithperfectequanimity，thoughoftenwithreluctance。
　　OverintheCreekNationwasafamilybearingthenameofTatum。IwastoldthattheDurkeesandTatumshadbeenfeudingforyears。Severalofeachfamilyhadbittenthegrass，anditwasexpectedthatmoreNebuchad-
　　nezzarswouldfollow。Ayoungergenerationofeachfamilywasgrowingup，andthegrasswaskeepingpacewiththem。
　　ButIgatheredthattheyhadfoughtfairly；thattheyhadnotlainincornfieldsandaimedatthedivisionoftheirenemies'suspendersintheback——partly，perhaps，becausetherewerenocornfields，andnobodyworemorethanonesuspender。Norhadanywomanorchildofeitherhouseeverbeenharmed。Inthosedays——andyouwillfinditsoyet——theirwomenweresafe。
　　SamDurkeehadagirl。Ifitwereanall-fictionmagazinethatIexpecttosellthisstoryto，Ishouldsay，"Mr。Durkeerejoicedinafianc閑。"HernamewasEllaBaynes。Theyappearedtobedevotedtoeachother，andtohaveperfectconfidenceineachother，asallcouplesdowhoareandhaveoraren'tandhaven't。Shewastolerablypretty，withaheavymassofbrownhairthathelpedheralong。Heintroducedmetoher，whichseemednottolessenherpreferenceforhim；soIreasonedthattheyweresurelysoul-mates。
　　MissBayneslivedinKingfisher，twentymilesfromtheranch。Samlivedonagallopbetweenthetwoplaces。
　　OnedaytherecametoKingfisheracourageousyoungman，rathersmall，withsmoothfaceandregularfeatures。
　　Hemademanyinquiriesaboutthebusinessofthetown，andespeciallyoftheinhabitantscognominally。HesaidhewasfromMuscogee，andhelookedit，withhisyellowshoesandcrochetedfour-in-hand。ImethimoncewhenIrodeinforthemail。HesaidhisnamewasBeverlyTravers，whichseemedratherimprobable。
　　Therewereactivetimesontheranch，justthen，andSamwastoobusytogototownoften。Asanincom-
　　petentandgenerallyworthlessguest，itdevolveduponmetorideinforlittlethingssuchaspostcards，barrelsofflour，baking-powder，smoking-tobacco，and——lettersfromElla。
　　Oneday，whenIwasmessengerforhalfagrossofcigarettepapersandacoupleofwagontires，IsawtheallegedBeverlyTraversinayellow-wheeledbuggywithEllaBaynes，drivingabouttownasostentatiouslyastheblack，waxymudwouldpermit。Iknewthatthisinfor-
　　mationwouldbringnobalmofGileadtoSam'ssoul，soIrefrainedfromincludingitinthenewsofthecitythatIretailedonmyreturn。Butonthenextafternoonanelongatedex-cowboyofthenameofSimmons，anold-
　　timepalofSam's，whokeptafeedstoreinKingfisher，rodeouttotheranchandrolledandburnedmanycigar-
　　ettesbeforehewouldtalk。Whenhedidmakeoration，hiswordswerethese:
　　"Say，Sam，there'sbeenadescriptionofagalootmiscallin'himselfBevel-edgedTravelsimpairingtheatmosphericairofKingfisherforthepasttwoweeks。
　　Youknowwhohewas？HewasnototherwisethanBenTatum，fromtheCreekNation，sonofoldGopherTatumthatyourUncleNewtshotlastFebruary。Youknowwhathedonethismorning？HekilledyourbrotherLester——shothimintheco't-houseyard。"
　　IwonderedifSamhadheard。Hepulledatwigfromamesquitebush，cheweditgravely，andsaid:
　　"Hedid，didhe？HekilledLester？"
　　"Thesame，"saidSimmons。"Andhedidmore。
　　Herunawaywithyourgirl，thesameastosayMissEllaBaynes。Ithoughtyoumightliketoknow，soIrodeouttoimparttheinformation。"
　　"Iammuchobliged，Jim，"saidSam，takingthechewedtwigfromhismouth。"Yes，I'mgladyourodeOut。Yes，I'mrightglad。"
　　"Well，I'llberidin'back，Ireckon。ThatboyIleftinthefeedstoredon'tknowhayfromoats。HeshotLesterintheback。"
　　"Shothimintheback？"
　　"Yes，whilehewashitchin'hishoss。"
　　"I'mmuchobliged，Jim。"
　　"Ikindofthoughtyou'dliketoknowassoonasyoucould。"
　　"Comeinandhavesomecoffeebeforeyourideback，Jim？"
　　"Why，no，Ireckonnot；Imustgetbacktothestore。"
　　"Andyousay——"
　　"Yes，Sam。Everybodyseen'emdriveawaytogetherinabuckboard，withabigbundle，likeclothes，tiedupinthebackofit。Hewasdrivin'theteamhebroughtoverwithhimfromMuscogee。They'llbehardtoover-
　　takerightaway。"
　　"Andwhich——"
　　"Iwasgoin'ontotellyou。TheyleftontheGuthrieroad；butthere'snotellin'whichforksthey'lltake——
　　youknowthat。"
　　"Allright，Jim；muchobliged。"
　　"You'rewelcome，Sam。"
　　Simmonsrolledacigaretteandstabbedhisponywithbothheels。Twentyyardsawayhereinedupandcalledback:
　　"Youdon'twantno——assistance，asyoumightsay？"
　　"Notany，thanks。"
　　"Ididn'tthinkyouwould。Well，solong!"
　　Samtookoutandopenedabone-handledpocket-knifeandscrapedadriedpieceofmudfromhisleftboot。I
　　thoughtatfirsthewasgoingtoswearavendettaonthebladeofit，orrecite"TheGipsy'sCurse。"ThefewfeudsIhadeverseenorreadaboutusuallyopenedthatway。Thisoneseemedtobepresentedwithanewtreat-
　　ment。Thusofferedonthestage，itwouldhavebeenhissedoff，andoneofBelasco'sthrillingmelodramasdemandedinstead。
　　"Iwonder，"saidSam，withaprofoundlythoughtfulexpression，"ifthecookhasanycoldbeansleftover!"
　　HecalledWash，theNegrocook，andfindingthathehadsome，orderedhimtoheatupthepotandmakesomestrongcoffee。ThenwewentintoSam'sprivateroom，whereheslept，andkepthisarmoury，dogs，andthesad-
　　dlesofhisfavouritemounts。Hetookthreeorfoursix-
　　shootersoutofabookcaseandbegantolookthemover，whistling"TheCowboy'sLament"abstractedly。After-
　　wardheorderedthetwobesthorsesontheranchsaddledandtiedtothehitching-post。
　　Now，inthefeudbusiness，inallsectionsofthecountry，Ihaveobservedthatinoneparticularthereisadelicatebutstrictetiquettebelonging。Youmustnotmentionthewordorrefertothesubjectinthepresenceofafeudist。
　　Itwouldbemorereprehensiblethancommentinguponthemoleonthechinofyourrichaunt。Ifound，lateron，thatthereisanotherunwrittenrule，butIthinkthatbelongssolelytotheWest。
　　Ityetlackedtwohourstosupper-time；butintwentyminutesSamandIwereplungingdeepintothereheatedbeans，hotcoffee，andcoldbeef。
　　Nothinglikeagoodmealbeforealongride，"saidSam。"Eathearty。"
　　Ihadasuddensuspicion。
　　"Whydidyouhavetwohorsessaddled？"Iasked。
　　"One，two——one，two，"saidSam。"Youcancount，can'tyou？"
　　Hismathematicscarriedwithitamomentaryqualmandalesson。Thethoughthadnotoccurredtohimthatthethoughtcouldpossiblyoccurtomenottorideathissideonthatredroadtorevengeandjustice。Itwasthehighercalculus。Iwasbookedforthetrail。Ibegantoeatmorebeans。
　　Inanhourwesetforthatasteadygallopeastward。
　　OurhorseswereKentucky-bred，strengthenedbythemesquitegrassofthewest。BenTatum'ssteedsmayhavebeenswifter，andhehadagoodlead；butifhehadheardthepunctualthudsofthehoofsofthosetrailersofours，bornintheheartoffeudland，hemighthavefeltthatretributionwascreepinguponthehoof-printsofhisdappernags。
　　IknewthatBenTatum'scardtoplaywasflight——
　　flightuntilhecamewithinthesaferterritoryofhisownhenchmenandsupporters。Heknewthatthemanpur-
　　suinghimwouldfollowthetrailtoanyendwhereitmightlead。
　　DuringtherideSamtalkedoftheprospectforrain，ofthepriceofbeef，andofthemusicalglasses。Youwouldhavethoughthehadneverhadabrotherorasweetheartoranenemyonearth。Therearesomesub-
　　jectstoobigevenforthewordsinthe"Unabridged。"
　　Knowingthisphaseofthefeudcode，butnothavingpractiseditsufficiently，Ioverdidthethingbytellingsomeslightlyfunnyanecdotes。Samlaughedatexactlytherightplace——laughedwithhismouth。WhenIcaughtsightofhismouth，IwishedIhadbeenblessedwithenoughsenseofhumourtohavesuppressedthoseanecdotes。
　　OurfirstsightofthemwehadinGuthrie。Tiredandhungry，westumbled，unwashed，intoalittleyellow-pinehotelandsatatatable。Intheoppositecornerwesawthefugitives。Theywerebentupontheirmeal，butlookedaroundattimesuneasily。
　　Thegirlwasdressedinbrown-oneofthesesmooth，half-shiny，silky-lookingaffairswithlacecollarandcuffs，andwhatIbelievetheycallanaccordion-plaitedskirt。
　　Sheworeathickbrownveildowntohernose，andabroad-brimmedstrawhatwithsomekindoffeathersadorningit。Themanworeplain，darkclothes，andhishairwastrimmedveryshort。Hewassuchamanasyoumightseeanywhere。
　　Theretheywere——themurdererandthewomanhehadstolen。Therewewere——therightfulavenger，accordingtothecode，andthesupernumerarywhowritesthesewords。
　　Foronetime，atleast，intheheartofthesupernumerarythererosethekillinginstinct。Foronemomenthejoinedtheforceofcombatants——orally。
　　"Whatareyouwaitingfor，Sam？"Isaidinawhisper。
　　"Lethimhaveitnow!"
　　Samgaveamelancholysigh。
　　"Youdon'tunderstand；buthedoes，"hesaid。"Heknows。Mr。Tenderfoot，there'saruleouthereamongwhitemenintheNationthatyoucan'tshootamanwhenhe'swithawoman。Ineverknewittobebrokeyet。
　　Youcan'tdoit。You'vegottogethiminagangofmenorbyhimself。That'swhy。Heknowsit，too。Weallknow。So，that'sMr。BenTatum!Oneofthe'prettymen'!I'llcuthimoutoftheherdbeforetheyleavethehotel，andregulatehisaccount!"
　　Aftersuppertheflyingpairdisappearedquickly-
　　AlthoughSamhauntedlobbyandstairwayandhallshalfthenight，insomemysteriouswaythefugitiveseludedhim；andinthemorningtheveiledladyinthebrowndresswiththeaccordion-plaitedskirtandthedapperyoungmanwiththeclose-clippedhair，andthebuckboardwiththeprancingnags，weregone。
　　Itisamonotonousstory，thatoftheride；soitshallbecurtailed。Onceagainweovertookthemonaroad。Wewereaboutfiftyyardsbehind。Theyturnedinthebuckboardandlookedatus；thendroveonwithoutwhippinguptheirhorses。Theirsafetynolongerlayinspeed。BenTatumknew。Heknewthattheonlyrockofsafetylefttohimwasthecode。Thereisnodoubtthat，hadhebeenalone，thematterwouldhavebeensettledquicklywithSamDurkeeintheusualway；
　　buthehadsomethingathissidethatkeptstillthetrigger-fingerofboth。Itseemedlikelythathewasnocoward。
　　So，youmayperceivethatwoman，onoccasions，maypostponeinsteadofprecipitatingconflictbetweenmanandman。Butnotwillinglyorconsciously。Sheisobliviousofcodes。
　　Fivemilesfarther，wecameuponthefuturegreatWesterncityofChandler。Thehorsesofpursuersandpursuedwerestarvedandweary。Therewasonehotelthatoffereddangertomanandentertainmenttobeast；
　　sothefourofusmetagaininthediningroomattheringingofabellsoresonantandlargethatithadcrackedthewelkinlongago。ThediningroomwasnotaslargeastheoneatGuthrie。
　　Justaswewereeatingapplepie——howBenDavisesandtragedyimpingeuponeachother!——InoticedSamlookingwithkeenintentnessatourquarrywheretheywereseatedatatableacrosstheroom。Thegirlstillworethebrowndresswithlacecollarandcuffs，andtheveildrawndowntohernose。Themanbentoverhisplate，withhisclosecroppedheadheldlow。
　　"There'sacode，"IheardSamsay，eithertomeortohimself，"thatwon'tletyoushootamaninthecompanyofawoman；but，bythunder，thereain'tonetokeepyoufromkillingawomaninthecompanyofaman!"
　　And，quickerthanmymindcouldfollowhisargument，hewhippedaColt'sautomaticfromunderhisleftarmandpumpedsixbulletsintothebodythatthebrowndresscovered——thebrowndresswiththelacecollarandcuffsandtheaccordion-plaitedskirt。
　　Theyoungpersoninthedarksacksuit，fromwhoseheadandfromwhoselifeawoman'sgloryhadbeenclipped，laidherheadonherarmsstretcheduponthetable；whilepeoplecamerunningtoraiseBenTatumfromthefloorinhisfemininemasqueradethathadgivenSamtheopportunitytosetaside，technically，theobliga-
　　tionsofthecode。
　　SUITEHOMESANDTHEIRROMANCE
　　FEWyoungcouplesintheBig-City-of-BluffbegantheirmarriedexistencewithgreaterpromiseofhappinessthandidMr。andMrs。ClaudeTurpin。Theyfeltnoespecialanimositytowardeachother；theywerecomfort-
　　ablyestablishedinahandsomeapartmenthousethathadanameandaccommodationslikethoseofasleeping-
　　car；theywerelivingasexpensivelyasthecoupleonthenextfloorabovewhohadtwicetheirincome；
　　andtheirmarriagehadoccurredonawager，aferry-
　　boatandfirstacquaintance，thussecuringasensationalnewspapernoticewiththeirnamesattachedtopicturesoftheQueenofRoumaniaandM。Santos-
　　Dumont。
　　Turpin'sincomewas$200permonth。Onpayday，aftercalculatingtheamountsdueforrent，instalmentsonfurnitureandpiano，gas，andbillsowedtotheflorist，confectioner，milliner，tailor，winemerchantandcabcompany，theTurpinswouldfindthattheystillhad$200
　　lefttospend。Howtodothisisoneofthesecretsofmetropolitanlife。
　　ThedomesticlifeoftheTurpinswasabeautifulpicturetosee。Butyoucouldn'tgazeuponitasyoucouldatanoleographof"Don'tWakeGrandma，"or"Brook-
　　lynbyMoonlight。"
　　Youhadtoblinkwhenlookedatit；andyouheardafizzingsoundjustlikethemachinewitha"scope"attheendofit。Yes；therewasn'tmuchreposeaboutthepictureoftheTurpins'domesticlife。Itwassomethinglike"SpearingSalmonintheColumbiaRiver，"or"Jap-
　　aneseArtilleryinAction。"
　　Everydaywasjustlikeanother；asthedaysareinNewYork。InthemorningTurpinwouldtakebromo-
　　seltzer，hispocketchangefromundertheclock，hishat，nobreakfastandhisdeparturefortheoffice。AtnoonMrs。Turpinwouldgetoutofbedandhumour，putonakimono，airs，andthewatertoboilforcoffee。
　　Turpinluncheddowntown。Hecamehomeat6
　　todressfordinner。Theyalwaysdinedout。Theystrayedfromthechop-housetochop-sueydom，fromterracetotabled'h魌e，fromrathskellertoroadhouse，fromcaf？tocasino，fromMaria'stotheMarthaWash-
　　ington。Suchisdomesticlifeinthegreatcity。Yourvineisthemistletoe；yourfigtreebearsdates。YourhouseholdgodsareMercuryandJohnHowardPayne。
　　Fortheweddingmarchyounowhearonly"ComewiththeGypsyBride。"Yourarelydineatthesameplacetwiceinsuccession。Youtireofthefood；and，besides，youwanttogivethemtimeforthequestionofthatsouve-
　　nirsilversugarbowltoblowover。
　　TheTurpinswerethereforehappy。Theymademanywarmanddelightfulfriends，someofwhomtheyremem-
　　beredthenextday。Theirhomelifewasanidealone，accordingtotherulesandregulationsoftheBookofBluff。
　　TherecameatimewhenitdawneduponTurpinthathiswifewasgettingawaywithtoomuchmoney。
　　Ifyoubelongtothenear-swellclassintheBigCity，andyourincomeis$200permonth，andyoufindattheendofthemonth，afterlookingoverthebillsforcurrentexpenses，thatyou，yourself，havespent$150，youverynaturallywonderwhathasbecomeoftheother$50。
　　Soyoususpectyourwife。Andperhapsyougiveherahintthatsomethingneedsexplanation。
　　"Isay，Vivien，"saidTurpin，oneafternoonwhentheywereenjoyinginraptsilencethepeaceandquietoftheircozyapartment，"you'vebeencreatingahiatusbigenoughforadogtocrawlthroughinthismonth'shon-
　　orarium。Youhaven'tbeenpayingyourdressmakeranythingonaccount，haveyou？"
　　Therewasamoment'ssilence。Nosoundscouldbeheardexceptthebreathingofthefoxterrier，andthesubdued，monotonoussizzlingofVivien'sfulvouslocksagainsttheinsensatecurlingirons。ClaudeTurpin，sittinguponapillowthathehadthoughtfullyplacedupontheconvolutionsoftheapartmentsofa，narrowlywatchedtheriante，lovelyfaceofhiswife。
　　"Claudie，dear，"saidshe，touchingherfingertoherrubytongueandtestingtheunresponsivecurlingirons，"youdomeaninjustice。Mme。Toinettehasnotseenacentofminesincethedayyoupaidyourtailortendollarsonaccount。"
　　Turpin'ssuspicionswereallayedforthetime。Butonedaysoontherecameananonymouslettertohimthatread:
　　"Watchyourwife。Sheisblowinginyourmoneysecretly。Iwasasuffererjustasyouare。TheplaceisNo。345BlankStreet。Awordtothewise，etc。
　　"AMANWHOKNOWS"
　　Turpintookthislettertothecaptainofpoliceoftheprecinctthathelivedin。
　　"Myprecinctisascleanasahound'stooth，"saidthecaptain。"Thelid'sshutdownasclosethereasitisovertheeyeofaWilliamsburggirlwhenshe'skissedataparty。Butifyouthinkthere'sanythingqueerattheaddress，I'llgotherewithye。"
　　Onthenextafternoonat3，TurpinandthecaptaincreptsoftlyupthestairsofNo。345BlankStreet。A
　　dozenplain-clothesmen，dressedinfullpoliceuniforms，soastoallaysuspicion，waitedinthehallbelow。
　　Atthetopofthestairswasadoor，whichwasfoundtobelocked。Thecaptaintookakeyfromhispocketandunlockedit。Thetwomenentered。
　　Theyfoundthemselvesinalargeroom，occupiedbytwentyortwenty-fiveelegantlyclothedladies。Racingchartshungagainstthewalls，atickerclickedinonecorner；withatelephonereceivertohisearamanwascallingoutthevariouspositionsofthehorsesinaveryexcitingrace。Theoccupantsoftheroomlookedupattheintruders；but，asifreassuredbythesightofthecaptain'suniform，theyrevertedtheirattentiontothemanatthetelephone。
　　"Yousee，"saidthecaptaintoTurpin，"thevalueofananonymousletter!Nohigh-mindedandself-respect-
　　inggentlemanshouldconsideroneworthyofnotice。
　　Isyourwifeamongthisassembly，Mr。Turpin？"
　　"Sheisnot，"saidTurpin。
　　"Andifshewas，"continuedthecaptain，"wouldshebewithinthereachofthetongueofslander？TheseladiesconstituteaBrowningSociety。Theymeettodiscussthemeaningofthegreatpoet。ThetelephoneisconnectedwithBoston，whencetheparentsocietytransmitsfrequentlyitsinterpretationsofthepoems。Beashamedofyersuspicions，Mr。Turpin。"
　　"Gosoakyourshield，"saidTurpin。"Vivienknowshowtotakecareofherselfinapool-room。She'snotdroppinganythingontheponies。Theremustbesome-
　　thingqueergoingonhere。"
　　"NothingbutBrowning，"saidthecaptain。"Hearthat？"
　　"Thanatopsisbyanose，"drawledthemanatthetelephone。
　　"That'snotBrowning；that'sLongfellow，"saidTurpin，whosometimesreadbooks。
　　"Backtothepasture!"exclaimedthecaptain。"long-
　　fellowmadethepacing-to-wagonrecordof7。53'waybackin1868。"
　　"Ibelievethere'ssomethingqueeraboutthisjoint，"
　　repeatedTurpin。
　　"Idon'tseeit，"saidthecaptain。
　　"Iknowitlookslikeapool-room，allright，"persistedTurpin，"butthat'sallablind。Vivienhasbeendroppingalotofcoinsomewhere。Ibelievethere'ssomeunder-
　　handedworkgoingonhere。"
　　Anumberofracingsheetsweretackedclosetogether，coveringalargespaceononeofthewalls。Turpin，suspicious，toreseveralofthemdown。Adoor，pre-
　　viouslyhidden，wasrevealed。Turpinplacedaneartothecrackandlistenedintently。Heheardthesofthumofmanyvoices，lowandguardedlaughter，andasharp，metallicclickingandscrapingasiffromamultitudeoftinybutbusyobjects。
　　"MyGod!ItisasIfeared!"whisperedTurpintohimself。"Summonyourmenatonce!"hecalledtothecaptain。"Sheisinthere，Iknow。"
　　Attheblowingofthecaptain'swhistletheuniformedplain-clothesmenrushedupthestairsintothepool-
　　room。Whentheysawthebettingparaphernaliadistrib-
　　utedaroundtheyhalted，surprisedandpuzzledtoknowwhytheyhadbeensummoned。
　　Butthecaptainpointedtothelock-eddoorandbadethembreakitdown。Inafewmomentstheydemolisheditwiththeaxestheycarried。IntotheotherroomsprangClaudeTurpin，withthecaptainathisheels。
　　ThescenewasonethatlingeredlonginTurpin'smind。Nearlyascoreofwomen——womenexpensivelyandfashionablyclothed，manybeautifulandofrefinedappearance——hadbeenseatedatlittlemarble-toppedtables。Whenthepoliceburstopenthedoortheyshriekedandranhereandtherelikegaylyplumedbirdsthathadbeendisturbedinatropicalgrove。Somebecamehysterical；oneortwofainted；severalkneltatthefeetoftheofficersandbesoughtthemformercyonaccountoftheirfamiliesandsocialposition。
　　AmanwhohadbeenseatedbehindadeskhadseizedarollofcurrencyaslargeastheankleofaParadiseRoofGardenschorusgirlandjumpedoutofthewindow。
　　Halfadozenattendantshuddledatoneendoftheroom，breathlessfromfear。
　　Uponthetablesremainedthedamningandincon-
　　trovertibleevidencesoftheguiltofthehabitu閑softhatsinisterroom——dishafterdishheapedhighwithicecream，andsurroundedbystacksofemptyones，scrapedtothelastspoonful。
　　"Ladies，"saidthecaptaintohisweepingcircleofprisoner"I'llnotholdanyofyez。SomeofyezIrecog-
　　nizeashavingfinehousesandgoodstandinginthecommunity，withhard-workinghusbandsandchilderathome。ButI'llreadyeabitofalecturebeforeyego。
　　Inthenextroomthere'sa20-to-1shotjustdroppedinunderthewirethreelengthsaheadofthefield。Isthisthewayyewasteyourhusbands'moneyinsteadofhelp-
　　ingearnit？Homewidyez!Thelid'sontheice-creamfreezerinthisprecinct。"
　　ClaudeTurpin'swifewasamongthepatronsoftheraidedroom。Heledhertotheirapartmentinstemsilence。Theresheweptsoremorsefullyandbesoughthisforgivenesssopleadinglythatheforgothisjustanger，andsoonhegatheredhispenitentgolden-hairedVivieninhisarmsandforgaveher。
　　"Darling，"shemurmured，halfsobbingly，asthemoon-
　　lightdriftedthroughtheopenwindow，glorifyinghersweet，upturnedface，"IknowIdonewrong。Iwillnevertouchicecreamagain。Iforgotyouwerenotamillionaire。Iusedtogothereeveryday。Butto-dayIfeltsomestrange，sadpresentimentofevil，andIwasnotmyself。Iateonlyelevensaucers。"
　　"Saynomore，"saidClaude，gentlyashefondlycaressedherwavingcurls。
　　"Andyouaresurethatyoufullyforgiveme？"askedVivien，gazingathimentreatinglywithdewyeyesofheavenlyblue。
　　"Almostsure，littleone，"answeredClaude，stoopingandlightlytouchinghersnowyforeheadwithhislips。
　　"I'llletyouknowlateron。I'vegotamonth'ssalarydownonVanillatowinthethree-year-oldsteeplechaseto-morrow；andiftheice-creamhunchistothegoodyouareItagain——see？"
　　THEWHIRLIGIGOFLIFE
　　JUSTICE-OF-THE-PEACEBenajaWiddupsatinthedoorofhisofficesmokinghiselder-stempipe。Half-
　　waytothezeniththeCumberlandrangeroseblue-grayintheafternoonhaze。Aspeckledhenswaggereddownthemainstreetofthe"settlement，"cacklingfoolishly。
　　Uptheroadcameasoundofcreakingaxles，andthenaslowcloudofdust，andthenabull-cartbearingRansieBilbroandhiswife。ThecartstoppedattheJustice'sdoor，andthetwoclimbeddown。Ransiewasanarrowsixfeetofsallowbrownskinandyellowhair。Theimperturbabilityofthemountainshunguponhimlikeasuitofarmour。Thewomanwascalicoed，angled，snuff-brushed，andwearywithunknowndesires。Throughitallgleamedafaintprotestofcheatedyouthunconsciousofitsloss。
　　TheJusticeofthePeaceslippedhisfeetintohisshoes，forthesakeofdignity，andmovedtoletthementer。
　　"We-all，"saidthewoman，inavoicelikethewindblowingthroughpineboughs，"wantsadivo'ce。"ShelookedatRansietoseeifhenotedanyflaworambiguityorevasionorpartialityorself-partisanshipinherstate-
　　mentoftheirbusiness。
　　"Adivo'ce，"repeatedRansie，withasolemnDod。
　　"We-allcan'tgitalongtogethernohow。It'slonesomeenoughfurtoliveinthemount'inswhenamanandawomankeersfuroneanother。Butwhenshe'sa-spittin'
　　likeawildcatora-sullenin'likeahoot-owlinthecabin，amanain'tgotnocalltolivewithher。"
　　"Whenhe'sano-'countvarmint，"saidthewoman，"withoutanyespecialwarmth，a-traipsin'alongofscalawagsandmoonshinersanda-layin'onhisbackpizen'ithco'nwhiskey，anda-pesterin'folkswithapacko'hungry，triflin'houn'stofeed!"
　　"Whenshekeepsa-throwin'skilletlids，"cameRansie'santiphony，"andslingsb'ilin'wateronthebestcoon-dogintheCumberlands，andsetsherselfagin'cookin'aman'svictuals，andkeepshimawakeo'nightsaccusin'himofasightofdoin's!"
　　"Whenhe'sal'aysa-fightin'therevenues，andgitsahardnameinthemount'insfurameanman，who'sgwinetobeablefurtosleepo'nights？"
　　TheJusticeofthePeacestirreddeliberatelytohisduties。Heplacedhisonechairandawoodenstoolforhispetitioners。Heopenedhisbookofstatutesonthetableandscannedtheindex。Presentlyhewipedhisspectaclesandshiftedhisinkstand。
　　"Thelawandthestatutes，"saidhe，"airsilentonthesubjeckofdivo'ceasfurasthejurisdictionofthisco'tairconcerned。But，accordin'toequityandtheCon-
　　stitutionandthegoldenrule，it'sabadbarg'inthatcan'trunbothways。Ifajusticeofthepeacecanmarryacouple，it'splainthatheisboundtobeabletodivo'ce'em。Thishereofficewillissueadecreeofdivo'ceandabidebythedecisionoftheSupremeCo'ttoholditgood。"
　　RansieBilbrodrewasmalltobacco-bagfromhistrouserspocket。Outofthisheshookuponthetableafive-dollarnote。"Soldab'arskinandtwofoxesfurthat，"heremarked。"It'sallthemoneywegot。"
　　"Theregularpriceofadivo'ceinthisco't，"saidtheJustice，"airfivedollars。"Hestuffedthebillintothepocketofhishomespunvestwithadeceptiveairofindiffer-
　　ence。Withmuchbodilytoilandmentaltravailhewrotethedecreeuponhalfasheetoffoolscap，andthencopieditupontheother。RansieBilbroandhiswifelistenedtohisreadingofthedocumentthatwastogivethemfreedom:
　　"KnowallmenbythesepresentsthatRansieBilbroandhiswife，ArielaBilbro，thisdaypersonallyappearedbeforemeandpromisesthathereinaftertheywillneitherlove，honour，norobeyeachother，neitherforbetternorworse，beingofsoundmindandbody，andacceptsummonsfordivorceaccordingtothepeaceanddignityoftheState。
　　Hereinfailnot，sohelpyouGod。BenajaWiddup，justiceofthepeaceinandforthecountyofPiedmont，StateofTennessee。"
　　TheJusticewasabouttohandoneofthedocumentstoRansie。ThevoiceofArieladelayedthetransfer。
　　Bothmenlookedather。Theirdullmasculinitywasconfrontedbysomethingsuddenandunexpectedinthewoman。
　　"Judge，don'tyougivehimthatairpaperyit。'Tain'tallsettled，nohow。Igottohavemyrightsfirst。I
　　gottohavemyali-money。'Tain'tnokindofawaytodofuramantodivo'cehiswife'thoutherhavin'acentfurtodowith。I'ma-layin'offtobea-goin'uptobrotherEd'suponHogbackMount'in。I'mboundfurtohevapa'rofshoesandsomesnuffandthingsbesides。EfRancekinaffo'dadivo'ce，lethimpaymeali-money。"
　　RansieBilbrowasstrickentodumbperplexity。Therehadbeennoprevioushintofalimony。Womenwerealwaysbringingupstartlingandunlooked-forissues。
　　JusticeBenajaWiddupfeltthatthepointdemandedjudicialdecision。Theauthoritieswerealsosilentonthesubjectofalimony。Butthewoman'sfeetwerebare。
　　ThetrailtoHogbackMountainwassteepandflinty。
　　"ArielaBilbro，"heasked，inofficialtones，"howmuchdidyou'lowwouldbegoodandsufficientali-moneyinthecasebefo'theco't。"
　　"I'lowed，"sheanswered，"furtheshoesandall，tosayfivedollars。Thatain'tmuchfurali-money，butIreckonthat'llgitmetoupbrotherEd's。"
　　"Theamount，"saidtheJustice，"airnotonreasonable。
　　RansieBilbro，youairorderedbytheco'ttopaytheplain-
　　tiffthesumoffivedollarsbefo'thedecreeofdivo'ceairissued。"
　　"Ihain'tnomo'money，"breathedRansie，heavily。
　　"IdonepaidyouallIhad。"
　　"Otherwise，"saidtheJustice，lookingseverelyoverhisspectacles，"youairincontemptofco't。"
　　"Ireckonifyougimmetillto-morrow，"pleadedthehusband，"Imoutbeabletorakeorscrapeitupsomewhars。Ineverlookedfortobea-payin'noali-
　　money。"
　　"Thecaseairadjourned，"saidBenajaWiddup，"tillto-morrow，whenyou-allwillpresentyo'selvesandobeytheorderoftheco't。Followin'ofwhichthedecreesofdivo'cewillbedelivered。"Hesatdowninthedoorandbegantoloosenashoestring。
　　"WemoutaswellgodowntoUncleZiah's，"decidedRansie，"andspendthenight。"Heclimbedintothecartononeside，andArielaclimbedinontheother。
　　Obeyingtheflapofhisrope，thelittleredbullslowlycamearoundonatack，andthecartcrawledawayinthenimbusarisingfromitswheels。
　　Justice-of-the-peaceBenajaWiddupsmokedhiselder-
　　stempipe。Lateintheafternoonhegothisweeklypaper，andreadituntilthetwilightdimmeditslines。Thenhelitthetallowcandleonhistable，andreaduntilthemoonrose，markingthetimeforsupper。Helivedinthedoublelogcabinontheslopenearthegirdledpoplar。
　　Goinghometosupperhecrossedalittlebranchdarkenedbyalaurelthicket。Thedarkfigureofamansteppedfromthelaurelsandpointedarifleathisbreast。Hishatwaspulleddownlow，andsomethingcoveredmostofhisface。
　　"Iwantyo'money，"saidthefigure，"'thoutanytalk。
　　I'mgettin'nervous，andmyfinger'sa-wabblin'onthisheretrigger。"
　　"I'veonlygotf-f-fivedollars，"saidtheJustice，pro-
　　ducingitfromhisvestpocket。
　　"Rollitup，"cametheorder，"andstickitintheendofthisheregun-bar'l。"
　　Thebillwascrispandnew。Evenfingersthatwereclumsyandtremblingfoundlittledifficultyinmakingaspillofitandinsertingitthiswithlesseaseintothemuzzleoftherifle。
　　"NowIreckonyoukinbegoin'along，"saidtherobber。
　　TheJusticelingerednotonhisway。
　　Thenextdaycamethelittleredbull，drawingthecarttotheofficedoor。JusticeBenajaWidduphadhisshoeson，forhewasexpectingthevisit。InhispresenceRansieBilbrohandedtohiswifeafive-dollarbill。Theofficial'seyesharplyviewedit。Itseemedtocurlupasthoughithadbeenrolledandinsertedintotheendofagun-barrel。
　　ButtheJusticerefrainedfromcomment。Itistruethatotherbillsmightbeinclinedtocurl。Hehandedeachoneadecreeofdivorce。Eachstoodawkwardlysilent，slowlyfoldingtheguaranteeoffreedom。ThewomancastashyglancefullofconstraintatRansie。
　　"Ireckonyou'llbegoin'backuptothecabin，"shesaid，along'iththebull-cart。There'sbreadinthetinboxsettin'ontheshelf。Iputthebaconintheb'ilin'-pottokeepthehoundsfromgittin'it。Don'tforgettowindtheclockto-night。"
　　"Youaira-goin'toyourbrotherEd's？"askedRansie，withfineunconcern。
　　"Iwas'lowin'togetalonguptharaforenight。I
　　ain'tsayin'asthey'llpestertheyselvesanytomakemewelcome，butIhain'tnowharelsefurtogo。It'sarightsmartways，andIreckonIbetterbegoin'。I'llbea-sayin'
　　good-bye，Ranse-thatis，ifyoukeerfurtosayso。"
　　"Idon'tknowasanybody'sahounddog，"saidRansie，inamartyr'svoice，"furtonotwanttosaygood-bye——
　　'lessyouairsoanxioustogitawaythatyoudon'twantmetosayit。"
　　Arielawassilent。Shefoldedthefive-dollarbillandherdecreecarefully，andplacedtheminthebosomofherdress。BenajaWiddupwatchedthemoneydisappearwithmournfuleyesbehindhisspectacles。
　　Andthenwithhisnextwordsheachievedrankashisthoughtsranwitheitherthegreatcrowdoftheworld'ssympathizersorthelittlecrowdofitsgreatfinanciers。
　　"Bekindo'lonesomeintheoldcabinto-night，Ranse，"
　　hesaid。
　　RansieBilbrostaredoutattheCumberlands，clearbluenowinthesunlight。HedidnotlookatAriela。
　　"I'lowitmightbelonesome，"hesaid；"butwhenfolksgitsmadandwantsadivo'ce，youcan'tmakefolksstay。"
　　"There'sotherswantedadivo'ce，"saidAriela，speakingtothewoodenstool。"Besides，nobodydon'twantno-
　　bodytostay。"
　　"Nobodyneversaidtheydidn't。"
　　"Nobodyneversaidtheydid。IreckonIbetterstartonnowtobrotherEd's。"
　　"Nobodycan'twindthatoldclock。"
　　"Wantmetogobackalong'ithyouinthecartandwinditfuryou，Ranse？"
　　Themountaineer'scountenancewasproofagainstemotion。ButhereachedoutabighandandenclosedAriela'sthinbrownone。Hersoulpeepedoutoncethroughherimpassiveface，hallowingit。
　　"Themhoundsshan'tpesteryounomore，"saidRansie。"IreckonIbeenmeanandlowdown。Youwindthatclock，Ariela。"
　　"Myhearthit'sinthatcabin，Ranse，"shewhispered，"along'ithyou。Iai'nta-goin'togitmadnomore。Le'sbestartin'，Ranse，so'swekingithomebysundown。"
　　Justice-of-the-peaceBenajaWiddupinterposedastheystartedforthedoor，forgettinghispresence。
　　"InthenameoftheStateofTennessee，"hesaid，"I
　　forbidyou-alltobea-defyin'ofitslawsandstatutes。