Thisco'tismo'thanwillin'andfullofjoytoseethecloudsofdiscordandmisunderstandin'rollin'awayfromtwolovin'hearts，butitairthedutyoftheco'ttop'eservethemoralsandintegrityoftheState。Theco'tremindsyouthatyouairnolongermanandwife，butairdivo'cedbyregulardecree，andassuchairnotentitledtothebenefitsand'purtenancesofthemattermonalestate。"
　　ArielacaughtRansie'sarm。Didthosewordsmeanthatshemustlosehimnowwhentheyhadjustlearnedthelessonoflife？
　　"Buttheco'tairprepared，"wentontheJustice，"furtoremovethedisabilitiessetupbythedecreeofdivo'ce。
　　Theco'taironhandtoperformthesolemnceremonyofmarri'ge，thusfixin'thingsupandenablin'thepartiesinthecasetoresumethehonour'bleandelevatin'stateofmattermonywhichtheydesires。Thefeefurper-
　　formin'saidceremonywillbe，inthiscase，towit，fivedollars。"
　　Ariclacaughtthegleamofpromiseinhiswords。
　　Swiftlyherhandwenttoherbosom。FreelyasanalightingdovethebillflutteredtotheJustice'stable。
　　HersallowcheekcolouredasshestoodhandinhandwithRansieandlistenedtothereunitingwords。
　　Ransiehelpedherintothecart，andclimbedinbesideher。Thelittleredbullturnedoncemore，andtheysetout，hand-clasped，forthemountains。
　　Justice-of-the-peaceBenajaWiddupsatinhisdoorandtookoffhisshoes。Onceagainhefingeredthebilltuckeddowninhisvestpocket。Onceagainhesmokedhiselder-stempipe。Onceagainthespeck-ledhenswag-
　　gereddownthemainstreetofthe"settlement，"cacklingfoolishly。
　　ASACRIFICEHIT
　　TheeditoroftheHearthstoneMagazinehisownideasabouttheselectionofmanuscriptforhispublication。
　　Histheoryisnosecret；infact，hewillexpoundittoyouwillinglysittingathismahoganydesk，smilingbenignantlyandtappinghiskneegentlywithhisgold-rimmedeye-
　　glasses。
　　"TheHearthstone，"hewillsay，"doesnotemployastaffofreaders。Weobtainopinionsofthemanuscriptssubmittedtousdirectlyfromtypesofthevariousclassesofourreaders。"
　　Thatistheeditor'stheory；andthisisthewayhecarriesitout:
　　WhenabatchofMSS。isreceivedtheeditorstuffseveryoneofhispocketsfullofthemanddistributesthemashegoesaboutduringtheday。Theofficeemployees，thehallporter，thejanitor，theelevatorman，messengerboys，thewaitersatthecaf？wheretheeditorhasluncheon，themanatthenews-standwherehebuyshiseveningpaper，thegrocerandmilkman，theguardonthe5。30uptownelevatedtrain，theticket-chopperatSixty——thstreet，thecookandmaidathishome——
　　thesearethereaderswhopassuponMSS。sentintotheHearthstoneMagazine。Ifhispocketsarenotentirelyemptiedbythetimehereachesthebosomofhisfamilytheremainingonesarehandedovertohiswifetoreadafterthebabygoestosleep。AfewdayslatertheeditorgathersintheMSS。duringhisregularroundsandcon-
　　siderstheverdictofhisassortedreaders。
　　Thissystemofmakingupamagazinehasbeenverysuccessful；andthecirculation，pacedbytheadvertisingrates，ismakingawonderfulrecordofspeed。
　　TheHearthstoneCompanyalsopublishesbooks，anditsimprintistobefoundonseveralsuccessfulworks——allrecommended，saystheeditor，bytheHearthstone'8
　　armyofvolunteerreaders。NowandthenaccordingtotalkativemembersoftheeditorialstafftheHearthstonehasallowedmanuscriptstoslipthroughitsfingersontheadviceofitsheterogeneousreaders，thatafterwardprovedtobefamoussellerswhenbroughtoutbyotherhouses。
　　Forinstancethegossipssay，"TheRiseandFallofSilasLatham"wasunfavourablypasseduponbytheelevator-man；theoffice-boyunanimouslyrejected"TheBoss"；"IntheBishop'sCarriage"wascontemptuouslylookeduponbythestreet-carconductor；"TheDeliver-
　　ance"wasturneddownbyaclerkinthesubscriptiondepartmentwhosewife'smotherhadjustbegunatwo-
　　months'visitathishome；"TheQueen'sQuair"camebackfromthejanitorwiththecomment:"Soisthebook。"
　　ButneverthelesstheHearthstoneadherestoitstheoryandsystem，anditwillneverlackvolunteerreaders；
　　foreachoneofthewidelyscatteredstaff，fromtheyoungladystenographerintheeditorialofficetothemanwhoshovelsincoalwhoseadversedecisionlosttotheHearth-
　　stoneCompanythemanuscriptof"TheUnderWorld"，hasexpectationsofbecomingeditorofthemagazinesomeday。
　　ThismethodoftheHearthstonewaswellknowntoAllenSlaytonwhenhewrotehisnoveletteentitled"LoveIsAll。"SlaytonhadhungabouttheeditorialofficesofallthemagazinessopersistentlythathewasacquaintedwiththeinnerworkingsofeveryoneinGotham。
　　HeknewnotonlythattheeditoroftheHearthstonehandedhisMSS。aroundamongdifferenttypesofpeopleforreading，butthatthestoriesofsentimentallove-
　　interestwenttoMissPuffkin，theeditor'sstenographer。
　　Anotheroftheeditor'speculiarcustomswastoconcealinvariablythenameofthewriterfromhisreadersofMSS。sothataglitteringnamemightnotinfluencethesincerityoftheirreports。
　　Slaytonmade"LoveIsAll"theeffortofhislife。Hegaveitsixmonthsofthebestworkofhisheartandbrain。Itwasapurelove-story，fine，elevated，romantic，passionate——aprosepoemthatsetthedivineblessingofloveIamtransposingfromthemanuscripthighaboveallearthlygiftsandhonours，andlisteditinthecatalogueofheaven'schoicestrewards。Slayton'sliteraryambitionwasintense。Hewouldhavesacrificedallotherworldlypossessionstohavegainedfameinhischosenart。Hewouldalmosthavecutoffhisrighthand，orhaveofferedhimselftotheknifeoftheappendi-
　　citisfanciertohaverealizedhisdreamofseeingoneofhiseffortspublishedintheHearthstone。
　　Slaytonfinished"LoveIsAll，"andtookittothyHearthstoneinperson。Theofficeofthemagazinewasinalarge，conglomeratebuilding，presidedunderbyajanitor。
　　Asthewritersteppedinsidethedooronhiswaytotheelevatorapotatomasherflewthroughthehall，wreck-
　　ing，Slayton'shat，andsmashingtheglassofthedoor。
　　Closelyfollowinginthewakeoftheutensilflewthejanitor，abulky，unwholesomeman，suspenderlessandsordid，panic-strickenandbreathless。Afrowsy，tallwomanwithflyinghairfollowedthemissile。Thejanitor'sfootslippedonthetiledfloor，hefellinaheapwithanexclamationofdespair。Thewomanpounceduponhimandseizedhishair。Themanbellowedlustily。
　　Hervengeancewreaked，theviragoroseandstalkedtriumphantasMinerva，backtosomecrypticdomesticretreatattherear。Thejanitorgottohisfeet，blownandhumiliated。
　　"Thisismarriedlife，"hesaidtoSlayton，withacertainbruisedhumour。"That'sthegirlIusedtolayawakeofnightsthinkingabout。Sorryaboutyourhat，mister。
　　Say，don'tsnitchtothetenantsaboutthis，willyer？
　　Idon'twanttolosemejob。"
　　SlaytontooktheelevatorattheendofthehallandwentuptotheofficesoftheHearthstone。HelefttheMS。of"LoveIsAll"withtheeditor，whoagreedtogive，himananswerastoitsavailabilityattheendofaweek。
　　Slaytonformulatedhisgreatwinningschemeonhiswaydown。Itstruckhimwithonebrilliantflash，andhecouldnotrefrainfromadmiringhisowngeniusinconceivingtheidea。Thatverynighthesetaboutcarry-
　　ingitintoexecution。
　　MissPuffkin，theHearthstonestenographer，boardedinthesamehousewiththeauthor。Shewasanoldish，thin，exclusive，languishing，sentimentalmaid；andSlaytonhadbeenintroducedtohersometimebefore。
　　Thewriter'sdaringandself-sacrificingprojectwasthis:HeknewthattheeditoroftheHearthstonereliedstronglyuponMissPuffkin'sjudgmentinthemanuscriptofromanticandsentimentalfiction。Hertasterepresentedtheimmenseaverageofmediocrewomenwhodevournovelsandstoriesofthattype。Thecentralideaandkeynoteof"LoveIsAll"wasloveatfirstsight——theenrapturing，irresistible，soul-thrilling，feelingthatcom-
　　pelsamanorawomantorecognizehisorherspirit-mateassoonasheartspeakstoheart。SupposeheshouldimpressthisdivinetruthuponMissPuffkinpersonally!——
　　wouldshenotsurelyindorsehernewandrapturoussensationsbyrecommendinghighlytotheeditoroftheHearthstonethenovelette"LoveIsAll"？
　　Slaytonthoughtso。AndthatnighthetookMissPuffkintothetheatre。Thenextnighthemadevehementlovetoherinthedimparlouroftheboarding-house。Hequotedfreelyfrom"LoveIsAll"；andhewoundupwithMissPuffkin'sheadonhisshoulder，andvisionsofliteraryfamedancinginhishead。
　　ButSlaytondidnotstopatlove-making。This，hesaidtohimself，wastheturningpointofhislife；and，likeatruesportsman，he"wentthelimit。"OnThursdaynightheandMissPuffkinwalkedovertotheBigChurchintheMiddleoftheBlockandweremarried。
　　BraveSlayton!Chateaubrianddiedinagarret，Byroncourtedawidow，Keatsstarvedtodeath，Poemixedhisdrinks，DeQuinceyhitthepipe，AdelivedinChica-o，Jameskeptondoingit，DicKensworewhitesocks，DeMaupassantworeastrait-jacket，TomWatsonbecameaPopulist，Jeremiahwept，alltheseauthorsdidthesethingsforthesakeofliterature，butthoudidstcapthemall；thoumarriedstawifefortocarveforthyselfanicheinthetempleoffame!
　　OnFridaymorningMrs。SlaytonsaidshewouldgoovertotheHearthstoneoffice，handinoneortwomanu-
　　riptsthattheeditorhadgiventohertoread，andresignherpositionasstenographer。
　　"Wasthereanything——er——that——er——youparticu-
　　larlyfanciedinthestoriesyouaregoingtoturnin？"
　　askedSlaytonwithathumpingheart。
　　"Therewasoneanovelette，thatIlikedsomuch，"
　　saidhiswife。"Ihaven'treadanythinginyearsthatIthoughtwashalfasniceandtruetolife。"
　　ThatafternoonSlaytonhurrieddowntotheHearth-
　　stoneoffice。Hefeltthathisrewardwascloseathand。
　　WithanoveletteintheHearthstone，literaryreputationwouldsoonbehis。
　　Theofficeboymethimattherailingintheouteroffice。Itwasnotforunsuccessfulauthorstoholdpersonalcolloquywiththeeditorexceptatrareintervals。
　　Slayton，hugginghimselfinternally，wasnursinginhishearttheexquisitehopeofbeingabletocrushtheofficeboywithhisforthcomingsuccess。
　　Heinquiredconcerninghisnovelette。Theofficeboywentintothesacredprecinctsandbroughtforthalargeenvelope，thickwithmorethanthebulkofathousanddiecks。
　　"Thebosstoldmetotellyouhe'ssorry，"saidtheboy，"butyourmanuscriptain'tavailableforthemagazine。"
　　Slaytonstood，dazed。"Canyoutellme，"hestammered，"whetherornoMissPuff——thatismy——ImeanMissruffkin——handedinanovelettethismorningthatshehadbeenaskedtoread？"
　　"Sureshedid，"answeredtheofficeboywisely。"I
　　heardtheoldmansaythatMissPuffkinsaiditwasadaisy。Thenameofitwas，'MarriedfortheMazuma，oraWorkingGirl'sTriumph。'"
　　"Say，you!"saidtheofficeboyconfidentially，"yourname'sSlayton，ain'tit？IguessImixedcasesonvouwithoutmeanin'todoit。Thebossgivemesomemanu-
　　scripttohandaroundtheotherdayandIgottheonesforMissPuffkinandthejanitormixed。Iguessit'sallright，though。"
　　AndthenSlaytonlookedcloserandsawonthecoverofhismanuscript，underthetitle"LoveIsAll，"thejanitor'scommentscribbledwithapieceofcharcoal:
　　"The——yousay!"
　　THEROADSWETAKE
　　TWIENTYmilesWestofTucson，the"SunsetExpress"
　　stoppedatatanktotakeonwater。Besidestheaqueous，additiontheengineofthatfamousflyeracquiredsomeotherthingsthatwerenotgoodforit。
　　Whilethefiremanwasloweringthefeedinghose，BobTidball，"Shark"Dodsonandaquarter-bredCreekIndiancalledJohnBigDogclimbedontheengineandshowedtheengineerthreeroundorificesinpiecesofordnancethatthecarried。Theseorificessoimpressedtheengineerwiththeirpossibilitiesthatheraisedbothhandsinagesturesuchasaccompaniestheejaculation"Dotell!"
　　AtthecrispcommandofSharkDodson，whowasleaderoftheattackingforcetheengineerdescendedtothegroundanduncoupledtheengineandtender。
　　ThenJohnBigDog，percheduponthecoal，sportivelyheldtwogunsupontheenginedriverandthefireman，andsuggestedthattheyruntheenginefiftyyardsawayandthereawaitfurtherorders。
　　SharkDodsonandBobTidball，scorningtoputsuchlow-gradeoreasthepassengersthroughthemill，struckoutfortherichpocketoftheexpresscar。Theyfoundthemessengersereneinthebeliefthatthe"SunsetExpress"wastakingonnothingmorestimulatinganddangerousthanaquapura。WhileBobwasknockingthisideaoutofhisheadwiththebutt-endofhissix-shooterSharkDodsonwasalreadydosingtheexpress-carsafewithdynamite。
　　Thesafeexplodedtothetuneof$30，000，allgoldandcurrency。Thepassengersthrusttheirheadscasuallyoutofthewindowstolookforthethunder-cloud。Theconductorjerkedatthebell-rope，whichsaggeddownlooseandunresisting，athistug。SharkDodsonandBobTidball，withtheirbootyinastoutcanvasbag，tumbledoutoftheexpresscarandranawkwardlyintheirhigh-heeledbootstotheengine。
　　Theengineer，sullenlyangrybutwise，rantheengine，accordingtoorders，rapidlyawayfromtheinerttrain。
　　Butbeforethiswasaccomplishedtheexpressmessenger，recoveredfromBobTidball'spersuadertoneutrality，jumpedoutofhiscarwithaWinchesterrifleandtookatrickinthegame。Mr。JohnBigDog，sittingonthecoaltender，unwittinglymadeawrongleadbygivinganimitationofatarget，andthemessengertrumpedhim。
　　WithaballexactlybetweenhisshoulderbladestheCreekchevalierofindustryrolledofftotheground，thusincreasingtheshareofhiscomradesinthelootbyone-sixtheach。
　　Twomilesfromthetanktheengineerwasorderedtostop。
　　Therobberswavedadefiantadieuandplungeddownthesteepslopeintothethickwoodsthatlinedthetrack。
　　Fiveminutesofcrashingthroughathicketofchapparalbroughtthemtoopenwoods，wherethreehorsesweretiedtolow-hangingbranches。OnewaswaitingforJohnBigDog，whowouldneverridebynightordayagain。
　　Thisanimaltherobbersdivestedofsaddleandbridleandsetfree。Theymountedtheothertwowiththebagacrossonepommel，androdefastandwithdiscre-
　　tionthroughtheforestandupaprimeval，lonelygorge。
　　HeretheanimalthatboreBobTidballslippedonamossyboulderandbrokeaforeleg。Theyshothimthroughtheheadatonceandsatdowntoholdacouncilofflight。
　　Madesecureforthepresentbythetortuoustrailthey-
　　hadtravelled，thequestionoftimewasnolongersobig。
　　Manymilesandhourslaybetweenthemandthespryestpossethatcouldfollow。SharkDodson'shorse，withtrailingropeanddroppedbridle，pantedandcroppedthankfullyofthegrassalongthestreaminthegorge。
　　BobTidballopenedthesack，drewoutdoublehandfulsoftheneatpackagesofcurrencyandtheonesackofgoldandchuckledwiththegleeofachild。
　　"Say，youolddouble-deckedpirate，"hecalledjoyfullytoDodson，"yousaidwecoulddoit——yougotaheadforfinancingthatknocksthehornsoffofanythinginArizona。"
　　"Whatarewegoingtodoaboutahossforyou，Bob？
　　Weain'tgotlongtowaithere。They'llbeonourtrailbeforedaylightinthemornin'。"
　　"Oh，Iguessthatcayuseofyourn'llcarrydoubleforawhile，"answeredthesanguineBob。"We'llannexthefirstanimalwecomeacross。Byjingoes，wemadeahaul，didn'twe？Accordin'tothemarksonthismoneythere's$30，000——$15，000apiece!"
　　"It'sshortofwhatIexpected，"saidSharkDodson，kickingsoftlyatthepackageswiththetoeofhisbootandthenhelookedpensivelyatthewetsidesofhistiredhorse。
　　"OldBolivar'smightynighplayedout，"hesaid，slowly。"Iwishthatsorrelofyourshadn'tgothurt。"
　　"SodoI，"saidBob，heartily，"butitcan'tbehelped。
　　Bolivar'sgotplentyofbottom——he'llgetusbothfarenoughtogetfreshmounts。Dangit，Shark，Ican'tbelpthinkin'howfunnyitisthatanEasternerlikeyoucancomeouthereandgiveusWesternfellowscardsandspadesinthedesperadobusiness。WhatpartoftheEastwasyoufrom，anyway？"
　　"NewYorkState，"saidSharkDodson，sittingdownonaboulderandchewingatwig。"IwasbornonafarminUlsterCounty。IranawayfromhomewhenIwasseventeen。ItwasanaccidentmycomingWest。Iwaswalkin'alongtheroadwithmyclothesinabundle，makin'forNewYorkCity。Ihadanideaofgoin'thereandmakin'lotsofmoney。IalwaysfeltlikeIcoulddoit。Icametoaplaceoneevenin'wheretheroadforkedandIdidn'tknowwhichforktotake。I
　　studiedaboutitforhalfanhour，andthenItooktheleft-
　　hand。ThatnightIrunintothecampofaWildWestshowthatwastravellin'amongthelittletowns，andIwentWestwithit。I'veoftenwonderedifI
　　wouldn'thaveturnedoutdifferentifI'dtooktheotherroad。"
　　"Oh，Ireckonyou'dhaveendedupaboutthesame，"
　　saidBobTidball，cheerfullyphilosophical。"Itain'ttheroadswetake；it'swhat'sinsideofusthatmakesusturnoutthewaywedo。"
　　SharkDodsongotupandleanedagainstatree。
　　"I'dagooddealratherthatsorrelofyournhadn'thurthimself，Bob，"hesaidagain，almostpathetically。
　　"Samehere，"agreedBob；"hewassureafirst-ratekindofacrowbait。ButBolivar，he'llpullusthroughallright。Reckonwe'dbetterbemovin'on，hadn'twe，Shark？I'llbagthisboodleag'inandwe'llhitthetrailforhighertimber。"
　　BobTidballreplacedthespoilinthebagandtiedthemouthofittightlywithacord。WhenhelookedupthemostprominentobjectthathesawwasthemuzzleofSharkDodson's。45helduponhimwithoutawaver。
　　"Stopyourfunnin'，"saidBob，withagrin。"Wegottobehittin'thebreeze。"
　　"Setstill，"saidShark。"Youain'tgoin'tohitnobreeze，Bob。Ihatetotellyou，butthereain'tanychanceforbutoneofus。Bolivar，he'splentytired，andhecan'tcarrydouble。"
　　"Webeenpards，meandyou，SharkDodson，forthreeyear，"Bobsaidquietly。"We'veriskedourlivestogethertimeandagain。I'vealwaysgiveyouasquaredeal，andIthoughtyouwasaman。I'veheardsomequeerstoriesaboutyoushootin'oneortwomeninapeculiarway，butIneverbelieved'em。Nowifyou'rejusthavin'
　　alittlefunwithme，Shark，putyourgunup，andwe'llgetonBolivarandvamose。Ifyoumeantoshoot——
　　shoot，youblackheartedsonofatarantula!"
　　SharkDodson'sfaceboreadeeplysorrowfullook。
　　"Youdon'tknowhowbadIfeel，"hesighed，"aboutthatsorrelofyournbreakin'hisleg，Bob。"
　　TheexpressiononDodson'sfacechangedinaninstanttooneofcoldferocitymingledwithinexorablecupidity。
　　Thesoulofthemanshoweditselfforamomentlikeanevilfaceinthewindowofareputablehouse。
　　TrulyBobTidballwasneverto"hitthebreeze"again。
　　Thedeadly。45ofthefalsefriendcrackedandfilledthegorgewitharoarthatthewallshurledbackwithindignantechoes。AndBolivar，unconsciousaccomplice，swiftlyboreawaythelastoftheholders-upofthe"SunsetExpress，"notputtothestressof"carryingdouble。"
　　Butas"Shark"Dodsongallopedawaythewoodsseemedtofadefromhisview；therevolverinhisrighthandturnedtothecurvedarmofamahoganychair；hissaddlewasstrangelyupholstered，andheopenedhiseyesandsawhisfeet，notinstirrups，butrestingquietlyontheedgeofaquartered-oakdesk。
　　IamtellingyouthatDodson，ofthefirmofDodson&Decker，WallStreetbrokers，openedhiseyes。Peabody，theconfidentialclerk，wasstandingbyhischair，hesitatingtospeak。Therewasaconfusedhumofwheelsbelow，andthesedativebuzzofanelectricfan。
　　"Ahem!Peabody，"saidDodson，blinking。"Imusthavefallenasleep。Ihadamostremarkabledream。
　　Whatisit，Peabody？"
　　"Mr。Williams，sir，ofTracy&Williams，isoutside。
　　HehascometosettlehisdealinX。Y。Z。Themarketcaughthimshort，sir，ifyouremember。"
　　"Yes，Iremember。WhatisX。Y。Z。quotedatto-day，Peabody？"
　　"Oneeighty-five，sir。"
　　"Thenthat'shisprice。"
　　"Excuseme，"saidPeabody，rathernervously"forspeakingofit，butI'vebeentalkingtoWilliams。He'sanoldfriendofyours，Mr。Dodson，andyoupracticallyhaveacornerinX。Y。Z。Ithoughtyoumight——thatis，Ithoughtyoumightnotrememberthathesoldyouthestockat98。Ifhesettlesatthemarketpriceitwilltakeeverycenthehasintheworldandhishometootodelivertheshares。"
　　TheexpressiononDodson'sfacechangedinaninstanttooneofcoldferocitymingledwithinexorablecupidity。
　　Thesoulofthemanshoweditselfforamomentlikeanevilfaceinthewindowofareputablehouse。
　　"Hewillsettleatoneeighty-five，"saidDodson。
　　"Bolivarcannotcarrydouble。"
　　ABLACKJACKBARGAINER
　　ThemostdisreputablethinginYanceyGoree'slawofficewasGoreehimself，sprawledinhiscreakvoldarm-
　　chair。Thericketylittleoffice，builtofredbrick，wassetflushwiththestreet——themainstreetofthetownofBethel。
　　Bethelresteduponthefoot-hillsoftheBlueRidge。
　　Aboveitthemountainswerepiledtothesky。FarbelowittheturbidCatawbagleamedyellowalongitsdisconsolatevalley。
　　TheJunedaywasatitssultriesthour。Betheldozedinthetepidshade。Tradewasnot。ItwassostillthatGoree，reclininginhischair，distinctlyheardtheclickingofthechipsinthegrand-juryroom，wherethe"court-
　　housegang"wasplayingpoker。Fromtheopenbackdooroftheofficeawell-wornpathmeanderedacrossthegrassylottothecourt-house。ThetreadingoutofthatpathhadcostGoreeallheeverhad——firstinheritanceofafewthousanddollars，nexttheoldfamilyhome，and，latterlythelastshredsofhisself-respectandmanhood。
　　The"gang"hadcleanedhimout。Thebrokengamblerhadturneddrunkardandparasite；hehadlivedtoseethisdaycomewhenthemenwhohadstrippedhimdeniedhimaseatatthegame。Hiswordwasnolongertobetaken。Thedailyboutsatcardshadarrangeditselfaccordingly，andtohimwasassignedtheignoblepartoftheonlooker。Thesheriff，thecountyclerk，asportivedeputy，agayattorney，andachalk-facedmanhailing"fromthevalley，"satattable，andtheshearedonewasthustacitlyadvisedtogoandgrowmorewool。
　　Soonwearyingofhisostracism，Goreehaddepartedforhisoffice，mutteringtohimselfasheunsteadilytra-
　　versedtheunluckypathway。Afteradrinkofcornwhiskeyfromademijohnunderthetable，hehadflunghimselfintothechair，staring，inasortofmaudlinapathy，outatthemountainsimmersedinthesummerhaze。
　　ThelittlewhitepatchhesawawayuponthesideofBlackjackwasLaurel，thevillagenearwhichhehadbeenbornandbred。There，also，wasthebirthplaceofthefeudbetweentheGoreesandtheColtranes。NownodirectheiroftheGoreessurvivedexceptthispluckedandsingedbirdofmisfortune。TotheColtranes，also，butonemalesupporterwasleft——ColonelAbnerCol-
　　trane，amanofsubstanceandstanding，amemberoftheStateLegislature，andacontemporarywithGoree'sfather。Thefeudhadbeenatypicaloneoftheregion；
　　ithadleftaredrecordofhate，wrongandslaughter。
　　ButYanceyGoreewasnotthinkingoffeuds。Hisbefuddledbrainwashopelesslyattackingtheproblemofthefuturemaintenanceofhimselfandhisfavouritefollies。Oflate，oldfriendsofthefamilyhadseentoitthathehadwhereoftoeatandaplacetosleep——butwhiskeytheywouldnotbuyforhim，andhemusthavewhiskey。
　　Hislawbusinesswasextinct；nocasehadbeenintrustedtohimintwoyears。Hehadbeenaborrowerandasponge，anditseemedthatifhefellnoloweritwouldbefromlackofopportunity。Onemorechance——hewassayingtohimself——ifhehadonemorestakeatthegame，hethoughthecouldwin；buthehadnothinglefttosell，andhiscreditwasmorethanexhausted。
　　Hecouldnothelpsmiling，eveninhismisery，ashethoughtofthemantowhom，sixmonthsbefore，hehadsoldtheoldGoreehomestead。Therehadcomefrom"backyan'"inthemountainstwoofthestrangestcreatures，amannamedPikeGarveyandhiswife。"Backyan'，"withawaveofthehandtowardthehills，wasunderstoodamongthemountaineerstodesignatetheremotestfastnesses，theunplumbedgorges，thehauntsoflawbreakers，thewolf'sden，andtheboudoirofthebear。
　　InthecabinfaruponBlackjack'sshoulder，inthewildestpartoftheseretreats，thisoddcouplehadlivedfortwentyyears。Theyhadneitherdognorchildrentomitigatetheheavysilenceofthehills。PikeGarveywaslittleknowninthesettlements，butallwhohaddealtwithhimpronouncedhim"crazyasaloon。"Heacknowledgednooccupationsavethatofasquirrelhunter，buthe"moonshined"occasionallybywayofdiversion。Oncethe"revenues"haddraggedhimfromhislair，fightingsilentlyanddesperatelylikeaterrier，andhehadbeensenttostate'sprisonfortwoyears。Released，hepoppedbackintohisholelikeanangryweasel。
　　Fortune，passingovermanyanxiouswooers，madeafreakishflightintoBlackjack'sboskypocketstosmileuponPikeandhisfaithfulpartner。
　　Onedayapartyofspectacled，knickerbockered，andaltogetherabsurdprospectorsinvadedthevicinityoftheGarvey'scabin。Pikeliftedhissquirrelrifleoffthehooksandtookashotatthematlongrangeonthechanceoftheirbeingrevenues。Happilyhemissed，andtheunconsciousagentsofgoodluckdrewnearer，disclosingtheirinnocenceofanythingresemblinglaworjustice。
　　Lateron，theyofferedtheGarveysanenormousquantityofready，green，crispmoneyfortheirthirty-acrepatchofclearedland，mentioning，asanexcuseforsuchamadaction，someirrelevantandinadequatenonsenseaboutabedofmicaunderlyingthesaidproperty。
　　WhentheGarveysbecamepossessedofsomanydol-
　　larsthattheyfalteredincomputingthem，thedeficienciesoflifeonBlackjackbegantogrowprominent。Pikebegantotalkofnewshoes，ahogsheadoftobaccotosetinthecorner，anewlocktohisrifle；and，leadingMartellatoacertainspotonthemountain-side，hepointedouttoherhowasmallcannon——doubtlessathingnotbeyondthescopeoftheirfortuneinprice——
　　mightbeplantedsoastocommandanddefendthesoleaccessibletrailtothecabin，totheconfusionofrevenuesandmeddlingstrangersforever。
　　ButAdamreckonedwithouthisEve。Thesethingsrepresentedtohimtheappliedpowerofwealth，butthereslumberedinhisdingycabinanambitionthatsoaredfarabovehisprimitivewants。SomewhereinMrs。Garvey'sbosomstillsurvivedaspotoffemininityunstarvedbytwentyyearsofBlackjack。Forsolongatimethesoundsinherearshadbeenthescaly-barksdroppinginthewoodsatnoon，andthewolvessingingamongtherocksatnight，anditwasenoughtohavepurgedherofvanities。Shehadgrownfatandsadandyellowanddull。Butwhenthemeanscame，shefeltarekindleddesiretoassumetheperquisitesofhersex——
　　tositatteatables；tobuyfutilethings；towhitewashthehideousveracityoflifewithalittleformandceremony。
　　SoshecoldlyvetoedPike'sproposedsystemoffortifica-
　　tions，andannouncedthatthevwoulddescendupontheworld，andgyratesocially。
　　Andthus，atlength，itwasdecided，andthethingdone。ThevillageofLaurelwastheircompromisebetweenMrs。Garvey'spreferenceforoneofthelargevalleytownsandPike'shankeringforprimevalsolitudes。
　　LaurelyieldedahaltingroundoffeeblesocialdistractionsomportablewithMartella'sambitions，andwasnotentirelywithoutrecommendationtoPike，itscontiguitytothemountainspresentingadvantagesforsuddenretreatincasefashionablesocietyshouldmakeitadvisable。
　　TheirdescentuponLaurelhadbeencoincidentwithYanceyGoree'sfeverishdesiretoconvertpropertyintocash，andtheyboughttheoldGoreehomestead，payingfourthousanddollarsreadymoneyintothespendthrift'sshakinghands。
　　ThusithappenedthatwhilethedisreputablelastoftheGoreessprawledinhisdisreputableoffice，attheendofhisrow，spurnedbythecronieswhomhehadgorged，strangersdweltinthehallsofhisfathers。
　　Acloudofdustwasrolling，slowlyuptheparchedstreet，withsomethingtravellinginthemidstofit。A
　　littlebreezewaftedthecloudtooneside，andanew，brightlypaintedcarryall，drawnbyaslothfulgrayhorse，becamevisible。ThevehicledeflectedfromthemiddleofthestreetasitnearedGoree'soffice，andstoppedinthegutterdirectlyinfrontofhisdoor。
　　Onthefrontseatsatagaunt，tallman，dressedinblackbroadcloth，hisrigidhandsincarceratedinyellowkidgloves。OnthebackseatwasaladywhotriumphedovertheJuneheat。Herstoutformwasarmouredinaskintightsilkdressofthedescriptionknownas"change-
　　able，"beingagorgeouscombinationofshiftinghues。
　　Shesaterect，wavingamuch-omamentedfan，withhereyesfixedstonilyfardownthestreet。HoweverMartellaGarvey'sheartmightberejoicingatthepleasuresofhernewlife，Blackjackhaddonehisworkwithherexterior。
　　Hehadcarvedhercountenancetotheimageofemptinessandinanity；hadimbuedherwiththestolidityofhiscrags，andthereserveofhishushedinteriors。Shealwaysseemedtohear，whateverhersurroundingswere，thescaly-barksfallingandpatteringdownthemountain-
　　side。ShecouldalwaysheartheawfulsilenceofBlack-
　　jacksoundingthroughthestillestofnights。
　　Goreewatchedthissolemnequipage，asitdrovetohisdoor，withonlyfaintinterest；butwhenthelankdriverwrappedthereinsabouthiswhip，awkwardlydescended，andsteppedintotheoffice，heroseunsteadilytoreceivehim，recognizingPikeGarvey，thenew，thetransformed，therecentlycivilized。
　　ThemountaineertookthechairGoreeofferedhim。
　　TheywhocastdoubtsuponGarvey'ssoundnessofmindhadastrongwitnessintheman'scountenance。Hisfacewastoolong，adullsaffroninhue，andimmobileasastatue's。Pale-blue，unwinkingroundeyeswithoutlashesaddedtothesingularityofhisgruesomevisage。
　　Goreewasatalosstoaccountforthevisit。
　　"EverythingallrightatLaurel，Mr。Garvey？"heinquired。
　　"Everythingallright，sir，andmightypleasedisMissisGarveyandmewiththeproperty。MissisGarveylikesyo'oldplace，andshelikestheneighbourhood。Societyiswhatshe'lowsshewants，andsheisgettin'ofit。TheRogerses，theHapgoods，thePrattsandtheTroyshevbeentoseeMissisGarvey，andshehevetmealstomostoftharhouses。Thebestfolkshevaxedhertodiffer'ntkindsofdoin's。Icyan'tsay，Mr。Goree，thatsechthingssuitsme——furme，givemethemthar。"Garvey'shuge，yellow-glovedhandflourishedinthedirectionofthemountains。"That'swharIb'long，'mongstthewildhoneybeesandtheb'ars。Butthatain'twhatI
　　comefurtosay，Mr。Goree。Thar'ssomethin'yougotwhatmeandMissisGarveywantstobuy。"
　　"Buy!"echoedGoree。"Fromme？"Thenhelaughedharshly。"Ireckonyouaremistakenaboutthat。Ireckonyouaremistakenaboutthat。Isoldouttoyou，asyouyourselfexpressedit，'lock，stockandbarrel。'Thereisn'tevenaramrodlefttosell。"
　　"You'vegotit；andwe'unswantit。'Takethemoney，'saysMissisGarvey，'andbuyitfa'randsquared'。'"
　　Goreeshookhishead。"Thecupboard'sbare，"hesaid。
　　"We'veriz，"pursuedthemountaineer，undetectedfromhisobject，"aheap。Wewasporeaspossums，andnowwecouldhevfolkstodinnereveryday。Webeenrecognized，MissisGarveysays，bythebestsociety。
　　Butthere'ssomethin'weneedweain'tgot。Shesaysitoughttobeenputinthe'ventoryovthesale，butittain'tthar。'Takethemoney，then，'saysshe，'andbuyitfa'randsquar'。"'
　　"Outwithit，"saidGoree，hisrackednervesgrowingimpatient。
　　Garveythrewhisslouchbatuponthetable，andleanedforward，fixinghisunblinkingevesuponGoree's。
　　"There'saoldfeud，"hesaiddistinctlyandslowly，"'tweenyou'unsandtheColtranes。"
　　Goreefrownedominously。Tospeakofhisfeudtoafeudistisaseriousbreachofthemountainetiquette。
　　Themanfrom"backyan'"knewitaswellasthelawyerdid。
　　"Naoffense，"hewenton"butpurelyinthewayofbusiness。MissisGarveyhevstudiedallaboutfeuds。
　　Mostofthequalityfolksinthemountainshev'em。TheSettlesandtheGoforths，theRankinsandtheBoyds，theSilersandtheGalloways，hevallbeencyarin'onfeudsf'omtwentytoahundredyear。Thelastmantodrapwaswhenyo'uncle，JedgePaisleyGoree，'journedco'tandshotLenColtranef'omthebench。MissisGarveyandme，wecomef'omthepo'whitetrash。Nobodywouldn'tpickafeudwithwe'uns，nomo'nwithafam'lyoftree-toads。Qualitypeopleeverywhar，saysMissisGarvey，hasfeuds。We'unsain'tquality，butwe'reuyin'intoitasfuraswecan。'Takethemoney，then，'
　　saysMissisGarvey，'andbuyMr。Goree'sfeud，fa'randsquar'。'"
　　Thesquirrelhunterstraightenedaleghalfacrosstheroom，drewarollofbillsfromhispocket，andthrewthemonthetable。
　　"Thar'stwohundreddollars，Mr。Goree；whatyouwouldcallafa'rpriceforafeudthat'sbeen'lowedtorundownlikeyournhev。Thar'sonlyyoulefttocyar'
　　onyo'sideofit，andyou'dmakemightypo'killin'。I'lltakeitoffyo'hands，andit'llsetmeandMissisGarveyupamongthequality。Thar'sthemoney。"
　　Thelittlerollofcurrencyonthetableslowlyuntwisteditself，writhingandjumpingasitsfoldsrelaxed。InthesilencethatfollowedGarvey'slastspeechtherattlingofthepokerchipsinthecourt-housecouldbeplainlyheard。
　　Goreeknewthatthesheriffhadjustwonapot，forthesubduedwhoopwithwhichhealwaysgreetedavictoryfloatedacrossthesqquareuponthecrinklyheatwaves。
　　BeadsofmoisturestoodonGoree'sbrow。Stooping，hedrewthewicker-covereddemijohnfromunderthetable，andfilledatumblerfromit。
　　"Alittlecornliquor，Mr。Garvey？Ofcourseyouarejokingaboutwhatyouspokeof？Opensquiteanewmarket，doesn'tit？Feuds。Prime，two-fiftytothree。Feuds，slightlydamaged——twohundred，I
　　believeyousaid，Mr。Garvey？"
　　Goreelaughedself-consciously。
　　ThemountaineertooktheglassGoreehandedhim，anddrankthewhiskywithoutatremorofthelidsofhisstaringeyes。Thelawyerapplaudedthefeatbyalookofenviousadmiration。Hepouredhisowndrink，andtookitlikeadrunkard，bygulps，andwithshuddersatthesmellandtaste。
　　"Twohundred，"repeatedGarvey。"Thar'sthemoney。"
　　AsuddenpassionflaredupinGoree'sbrain。Hestruckthetablewithhisfist。Oneofthebillsflippedoverandtouchedhishand。Heflinchedasifsomethinghadstunghim。
　　"Doyoucometome，"heshouted，"seriouslywithsucharidiculous，insulting，darned-foolproposition？"
　　"It'sfa'randsquar'，"saidthesquirrelhunter，buthereachedouthishandasiftotakebackthemoney；andthenGoreeknewthathisownflurryofragehadnotbeenfromprideorresentment，butfromangerathimself，knowingthathewouldsetfootinthedeeperdepthsthatwerebeingopenedtohim。Heturnedinaninstantfromanoutragedgentlemantoananxiouschaffererrecom-
　　mendinghisgoods。
　　"Don'tbeinahurry，Garvey，"hesaid，hisfacecrimsonandhisspeechthick。"Iacceptyourp-p-proposition，thoughit'sdirtcheapattwohundred。At-trade'sallrightwhenbothp-purchaserandb-buyerares-satisfied。
　　ShallIw-wrapitupforyou，Mr。Garvey？"
　　Garveyrose，andshookouthisbroadcloth。"MissisGarvevwillbepleased。Youairoutofit，anditstandsColtraneandGarvey。Justascrapovwritin'，Mr。
　　Goree，youbein'alawyer，toshowwetraded。"
　　Goreeseizedasheetofpaperandapen。Themoneywasclutchedinhismoisthand。Everythingelsesud-
　　denlyseemedtogrowtrivialandlight。
　　"Billofsale，byallmeans。'Right，title，andinterestinandto'……'foreverwarrantand——'No，Garvey，we'llhavetoleaveoutthat'defend，'"saidGoreewithaloudlaugh。"You'llhavetodefendthistitleyourself。"
　　Themountaineerreceivedtheamazingscreedthatthelawyerhandedhim，foldeditwithimmenselabour，andlaceditcarefullyinhispocket。
　　Goreewasstandingnearthewindow。"Stephere，said，raisinghisfinger，"andI'llshowyouyourrecentlypurchasedenemy。Therehegoes，downtheothersideofthestreet。"
　　Themountaineercrookedhislongframetolookthroughthewindowinthedirectionindicatedbytheother。
　　ColonelAbnerColtrane，anerect，portlygentlemanofaboutfifty，wearingtheinevitablelong，double-breastedfrockcoatoftheSouthernlawmaker，andanoldhighsilkhat，waspassingontheoppositesidewalk。AsGarveylooked，Goreeglancedathisface。Iftherebesuchathingasayellowwolf，herewasitscounterpart。
　　Garveysnarledashisunhumaneyesfollowedthemovingfigure，disclosinglong，amber-colouredfangs。
　　"Isthathim？Why，that'sthemanwhosentmetothepenitentiaryonce!"
　　"Heusedtobedistrictattorney，"saidGoreecare-
　　lessly。"And，bytheway，he'safirst-classshot。"
　　"Ikinhitasquirrel'seyeatahundredyard，"saidGarvey。"Sothatthar'sColtrane!ImadeabettertradethanIwasthinkin'。I'lltakekeerovthisfeud，Mr。Goree，better'nyoueverdid!"
　　Hemovedtowardthedoor，butlingeredthere，betray-
　　ingaslightperplexity。
　　"Anythingelseto-day？"inquiredGoreewithfrothysarcasm。"Anyfamilytraditions，ancestralghosts，orskeletonsinthecloset？Pricesaslowasthelowest。"
　　"Tharwasanotherthing，"repliedtheunmovedsquirrelhunter，"thatMissisGarveywasthinkin'of。'Tain'tsomuchinmylineast'other，butshewantedpartic'larthatIshouldinquire，andefyouwaswillin'，'payfurit，'
　　shesays，'fa'randsquar'。'Thar'saburyin'groun'，asyouknow，Mr。Goree，intheyardofyo'oldplace，underthecedars。Themthatliestharisyo'folkswhatwaskilledbytheColtranes。Themonymentshasthenameson'em。MissisGarvevsaysafam'lyburyin'
　　groun'-isasho'signofquality。Shesaysefwegitthefeudthar'ssomethin'elseoughttogowithit。Thenamesonthemmoiivmentsis'Goree，'buttheycanbechangedtoournby——"
　　"Go。Go!"screamedGoree，hisfaceturningpurple。
　　Hestretchedoutbothhandstowardthemountaineer，hisfingershookedandshaking。"Go，youghoul!EvenaCh-Chinamanprotectstheg-gravesofhisancestors——go!"
　　Thesquirrelhunterslouchedoutofthedoortohiscarryall。WhilehewasclimbingoverthewheelGoreewascollecting，withfeverishcelerity，themoneythathadfallenfromhishandtothefloor。Asthevehicleslowlyturnedabout，thesheep，withacoatofnewlygrownwool，washurrying，inindecenthaste，alongthepathtothecourt-house。
　　Atthreeo'clockinthemorningtheybroughthimbacktohisoffice，shornandunconscious。Thesheriff，thesportivedeputy，thecountyclerk，andthegayattorneycarriedhim，thechalk-facedman"fromthevalley"
　　actingasescort。
　　"Onthetable，"saidoneofthem，andtheydepositedhimthereamongthelitterofhisunprofitablebooksandpapers。
　　"Yancethinksalotofapairofdeuceswhenhe'sliquoredup，"sighedthesheriffreflectively。
　　"Toomuch，"saidthegayattorney。"Amanhasnobusinesstoplaypokerwhodrinksasmuchashedoes。I
　　wonderhowmuchhedroppedto-night。"
　　"Closetotwohundred。WhatIwonderiswharhegotit。Yanceain'thadacentfuroveramonth，I
　　know。"
　　"Struckaclient，maybe。Well，let'sgethomebeforedaylight。He'llbeallrightwhenhewakesup，exceptforasortofbeehiveaboutthecranium。"
　　Thegangslippedawaythroughtheearlymorningtwilight。ThenexteyetogazeuponthemiserableGoreewastheorbofday。Hepeeredthroughtheuncurtainedwindow，firstdelugingthesleeperinafloodoffaintgold，butsoonpouringuponthemottledredofhisfleshasearching，white，summerheat。Goreestirred，halfunconsciously，amongthetable'sd閎ris，andturnedhisfacefromthewindow。Hismovementdislodgedaheavylawbook，whichcrasheduponthefloor。Openinghiseyes，hesaw，bendingoverhim，amaninablackfrockcoat。Lookinghigher，hediscoveredawell-wornsilkhat，andbeneathitthekindly，smoothfaceofColonelAbnerColtrane。
　　Alittleuncertainoftheoutcome，thecolonelwaitedfortheothertomakesomesignofrecognition。Notintwentyyearshadmalemembersofthesetwofamiliesfacedeachotherinpeace。Goree'seyelidspuckeredashestrainedhisblurredsighttowardthisvisitor，andthenhesmiledserenely。
　　"HaveyoubroughtStellaandLucyovertoplay？"
　　hesaidcalmly。
　　"Doyouknowme，Yancey？"askedColtrane。
　　"OfcourseIdo。Youbroughtmeawhipwithawhistleintheend。"
　　Sohehad——twenty-fouryearsago；whenYancey'sfatherwashisbestfriend。
　　Goree'seyeswanderedabouttheroom。Thecolonelunderstood。"Liestill，andI'llbringyousome，"saidhe。
　　Therewasapumpintheyardattherear，andGoreeclosedhiseyes，listeningwithrapturetotheclickofitshandle，andthebubblingofthefallingstream。Col-
　　tranebroughtapitcherofthecoolwater，andhelditforhimtodrink。PresentlyGoreesatup——amostforlornobject，hissummersuitofflaxsoiledandcrumpled，hisdiscreditableheadtousledandunsteady。Hetriedtowaveoneofhishandstowardthecolonel。
　　"Ex-excuse-everything，willyou？"hesaid。"I
　　musthavedrunktoomuchwhiskeylastnight，andgonetobedonthetable。"Hisbrowsknittedintoapuzzledfrown。
　　"Outwiththeboysawhile？"askedColtranekindly。
　　"No，Iwentnowhere。Ihaven'thadadollartospendinthelasttwomonths。Struckthedemijohntoooften。
　　Ireckon，asusual。"
　　ColonelColtranetouchedhimontheshoulder。
　　"Alittlewhileago，Yancey，"hebegan，"youaskedmeifIhadbroughtStellaandLucyovertoplay。Youweren'tquiteawakethen，andmusthavebeendreamingyouwereaboyagain。Youareawakenow，andIwantyoutolistentome。IhavecomefromStellaandLucytotheiroldplaymate，andtomyoldfriend'sson。TheyknowthatIamgoingtobringyouhomewithme，andyouwillfindthemasreadywithawelcomeastheywereintheolddays。Iwantyoutocometomyhouseandstayuntilyouareyourselfaain，andasmuchlongerasyouwill。Weheardofyourbeingdownintheworld，andinthemidstoftemptation，andweagreedthatyoushouldcomeoverandplayatourhouseoncemore。Willyoucome，myboy？Willyoudropouroldfamilytroubleandcomewithme？"
　　"Trouble!"saidGoree，openinghiseyeswide。"TherewasneveranytroublebetweenusthatIknowof。I'msurewe'vealwaysbeenthebestfriends。But，goodLord，Colonel，howcouldIgotoyourhomeasIam——adrunkenwretch，amiserable，degradedspendthriftandgambler——"
　　Helurchedfromthetableintohisarmchair，andbegantoweepmaudlintears，mingledwithgenuinedropsofremorseandshame。Coltranetalkedtohimpersist-
　　entlyandreasonably，remindinghimofthesimplemoun-
　　tainpleasuresofwhichhehadoncebeensofond，andinsistinguponthegenuinenessoftheinvitation。