Hesawhisownpalefacegoingawayfromthisolder，grimmerman。
　　"Son，ifIcouldhavelookedforwardtoanythin’butbloodspillin’
　　I’dneverhavegivenyousuchanametouphold，"continuedtherancher。
　　"WhatI’mgoin’totellyounowismysecret。Myothersonsan’Annhaveneverheardit。JimBlaisdellsuspectsthere’ssomethin’strange，buthedoesn’tknow。I’llshorenevertellanyoneelsebutyou。
　　An’youmustpromisetokeepmysecretnowan’afterIamgone。"
　　"Ipromise，"saidJean。
　　"Wal，an’nowtogetitout，"beganhisfather，breathinghard。
　　Hisfacetwitchedandhishandsclenched。"ThesheepmanheahI
　　havetoreckonwithisLeeJorth，alifelongenemyofmine。Wewereborninthesametown，playedtogetheraschildren，an’foughtwitheachotherasboys。Wenevergotalongtogether。An’webothfellinlovewiththesamegirl。Itwasnipan’tuckforawhile。
　　EllenSuttonbelongedtooneoftheoldfamiliesoftheSouth。
　　Shewasabeauty，an’muchcourted，an’Ireckonitwashardforhertochoose。ButIwonheran’webecameengaged。Thenthewarbrokeout。IenlistedwithmybrotherJean。HeadvisedmetomarryEllenbeforeIleft。ButIwouldnot。Thatwastheblunderofmylife。
　　Soonafterourpartin’herlettersceasedtocome。ButIdidn’tdistrusther。Thatwasaterribletimean’allwasconfusion。
　　ThenIgotcrippledan’putinahospital。An’inabootayearIwassentbackhome。"
　　AtthisjunctureJeanrefrainedfromfurthergazeathisfather’sface。
　　LeeJorthhadgottenoutofgoin’towar，"wentontherancher，inlower，thickervoice。"He’dmarriedmysweetheart，Ellen……
　　IknewthestorylongbeforeIgotwell。Hehadrunafterherlikeahoundafterahare……An’Ellenmarriedhim。Wal，whenIwasabletogetabootIwenttoseeJorthan’Ellen。Iconfrontedthem。
　　Ihadtoknowwhyshehadgonebackonme。LeeJorthhadn’tchangedanywithallhisgoodfortune。He’dmadeEllenbelieveinmydishonor。
　　But，Ireckon，liesornolies，EllenSuttonwasfaithless。Inmyabsencehehadwonherawayfromme。An’Isawthatshelovedhimassheneverhadme。Ireckonthatkilledallmygenerosity。Ifshe’dbeenimposeduponan’weanedawaybyhisliesan’hadregrettedmealittleI’dhaveforgiven，perhaps。Butsheworshipedhim。Shewashisslave。An’I，wal，Ilearnedwhathatewas。
　　"ThewarruinedtheSuttons，sameassomanySoutherners。LeeJorthwentinforraisin’cattle。He’dgottentheSuttonrangean’afterafewyearshebegantoaccumulatestock。Inthosedayseverycattlemanwasalittlebitofathief。Everycattlemandroveinan’brandedcalveshecouldn’tswearwashis。Wal，theIsbelswerethestrongestcattleraisersinthatcountry。An’IlaidatrapforLeeJorth，caughthimintheactofbrandin’calvesofmineI’dmarked，an’I
　　provedhimathief。Imadehimarustler。Iruinedhim。Wemetonce。
　　ButJorthwasoneTexannotstrongonthedraw，atleastagainstanIsbel。Heleftthecountry。Hehadfriendsan’relativesan’theystartedhimatstockraisin’again。Buthebegantogamblean’hegotinwithashadycrowd。Hewentfrombadtoworsean’thenhecamebackhome。WhenIsawthechangeinproud，beautifulEllenSutton，an’howshestillworshipedJorth，itshoredrovemenearmadbetweenpityan’hate……Wal，IreckoninaTexanhateoutlivesanyotherfeelin’。Therecameastrangeturnofthewheelan’myfortuneschanged。
　　Likemostyoungbloodsoftheday，Idrankan’gambled。An’onenightIrunacrossJorthan’acard—sharpfriend。Hefleecedme。Wequarreled。
　　Gunswerethrown。Ikilledmyman……AbootthatperiodtheTexasRangershadcomeintoexistence……An’，son，whenIsaidIneverwasrunoutofTexasIwasn’tholdin’tostricttruth。Irodeoutonahoss。
　　"IwenttoOregon。ThereImarriedsoon，an’thereBillan’Guywereborn。Theirmotherdidnotlivelong。An’nextImarriedyourmother，Jean。ShehadsomeIndianblood，which，forallIcouldsee，madeheronlythefiner。Shewasawonderfulwomanan’gavemetheonlyhappinessIeverknew。Yourememberher，ofcourse，an’thosehomedaysinOregon。IreckonImadeanothergreatblunderwhenImovedtoArizona。Butthecattlecountryhadalwayscalledme。IhadheardofthiswildTontoBasinan’howTexansweresettlin’there。An’JimBlaisdellsentmewordtocome——thatthisshorewasagardenspotoftheWest。Wal，itis。An’yourmotherwasgone——
　　"ThreeyearsagoLeeJorthdriftedintotheTonto。An’，strangetome，alongabootayearorsoafterhiscomin’theHashKnifeGangrodeupfromTexas。Jorthwentinforraisin’sheep。AlongwithsomeothersheepmenhelivesupintheRimcanyons。Somewherebackinthewildbrakesisthehidin’placeoftheHashKnifeGang。Nobodybutme，Ireckon，associatesColonelJorth，ashe’scalled，withDaggsan’
　　hisgang。MaybeBlaisdellan’afewothershaveahunch。Butthat’snomatter。AsasheepmanJorthhasalegitimategrievancewiththecattlemen。Butwhatcouldbesettledbyasquareconsiderationforthegoodofallan’thefutureJorthwillneversettle。He’llneversettlebecauseheisnownolongeranhonestman。He’sinwithDaggs。
　　Icain’tprovethis，son，butIknowit。IsawitinJorth’sfacewhenImethimthatdaywithGreaves。Isawmore。Ishoresawwhatheisupto。He’dnevermeetmeatanevenbreak。He’sdeadsetonusin’thissheepan’cattlefeudtoruinmyfamilyan’me，evenasI
　　ruinedhim。Buthemeansmore，Jean。ThiswillbeawarbetweenTexans，an’abloodywar。TherearebadmeninthisTonto——someoftheworstthatdidn’tgetshotinTexas。Jorthwillhavesomeofthesefellows……Now，arewegoin’towaittobesheepedoffourrangean’tobemurderedfromambush？"
　　"No，wearenot，"repliedJean，quietly。
　　"Wal，comedowntothehouse，"saidtherancher，andledthewaywithoutspeakinguntilhehaltedbythedoor。Thereheplacedhisfingeronasmallholeinthewoodatabouttheheightofaman’shead。
　　Jeansawitwasabulletholeandthatafewgrayhairsstucktoitsedges。Theranchersteppedclosertothedoor—post，sothathisheadwaswithinaninchofthewood。ThenhelookedatJeanwitheyesinwhichthereglinteddancingspecksoffire，likewildsparks。
　　"Son，thissneakin’shotatmewasmadethreemawnin’sago。Irecollectmovin’myhaidjustwhenIheardthecrackofarifle。Shorewassurprised。ButIgotinsidequick。"
　　Jeanscarcelyheardthelatterpartofthisspeech。Heseemeddoubledupinwardly，inhotandcoldconvulsionsofchangingemotion。A
　　terribleholduponhisconsciousnesswasabouttobreakandletgo。
　　ThefirstshothadbeenfiredandhewasanIsbel。Indeed，hisfatherhadmadehimtentimesanIsbel。Bloodwasthick。Hisfatherdidnotspeaktodullears。Thisstrifeofrisingtumultinhimseemedtheeffectofyearsofcalm，ofpeaceinthewoods，ofdreamywaitingforheknewnotwhat。Itwasthepassionateprimitivelifeinhimthathadawakenedtothecallofbloodties。
　　"That’sabootall，son，"concludedtherancher。"YouunderstandnowwhyIfeelthey’regoin’tokillme。Ifeelitheah。"Withsolemngestureheplacedhisbroadhandoverhisheart。"An’，Jean，strangewhisperscometomeatnight。Itseemslikeyourmotherwascallin’
　　ortryin’towarnme。Icain’texplainthesequeerwhispers。ButI
　　knowwhatIknow。"
　　"Jorthhashisfollowers。Youmusthaveyours，"repliedJean，tensely。
　　"Shore，son，an’Icantakemychoiceofthebestmenheah，"repliedtherancher，withpride。"ButI’llnotdothat。I’lllaythedealbeforetheman’letthemchoose。Ireckonit’llnotbealong—windedfight。It’llbeshortanbloody，afterthewayofTexans。I’mlookin’
　　toyou，Jean，toseethatanIsbelisthelastman！"
　　"MyGod——dad！istherenootherway？ThinkofmysisterAnn——ofmybrothers’wives——of——ofotherwomen！Dad，thesedamnedTexasfeudsarecruel，horrible！"burstoutJean，inpassionateprotest。
　　"Jean，woulditbeanyeasierforourwomenifweletthesemenshootusdownincoldblood？"
　　"Ohno——no，Isee，there’snohopeof——of……But，dad，Iwasn’tthinkin’aboutmyself。Idon’tcare。OncestartedI’ll——I’llbewhatyoubraggedIwas。Onlyit’ssohardto—togivein。"
　　Jeanleanedanarmagainstthesideofthecabinand，bowinghisfaceoverit，hesurrenderedtotheirresistiblecontentionwithinhisbreast。Andasifwithawrenchthatstrangeinwardholdbroke。
　　Heletdown。Hewentback。Somethingthatwasboyishandhopeful——andinitsplaceslowlyrosethedarktideofhisinheritance，thesavageinstinctofself—preservationbequeathedbyhisIndianmother，andthefierce，feudalbloodlustofhisTexanfather。
　　Thenasheraisedhimself，grippedbyasickeningcoldnessinhisbreast，herememberedEllenJorth’sfaceasshehadgazeddreamilydownofftheRim——sosoft，sodifferent，withtremulouslips，sad，musing，withfar—seeingstareofdarkeyes，peeringintotheunknown，theinstinctoflifestillunlived。WithconfusedvisionandnamelesspainJeanthoughtofher。
　　"Dad，it’shardon——the——theyoungfolks，"hesaid，bitterly。"Thesinsofthefather，youknow。An’theotherside。HowaboutJorth？
　　Hasheanychildren？"
　　WhatacuriousgleamofsurpriseandconjectureJeanencounteredinhisfather’sgaze！
　　"Hehasadaughter。EllenJorth。Namedafterhermother。ThefirsttimeIsawEllenJorthIthoughtshewasaghostofthegirlIhadlovedan’lost。Sightofherwaslikeabladeinmyside。Butthelooksofheran’whatsheis——theydon’tgibe。OldasIam，myheart——Bah！EllenJorthisadamnedhussy！"
　　JeanIsbelwentoffaloneintothecedars。Surrenderandresignationtohisfather’screedshouldhaveendedhisperplexityandworry。
　　Hisinstantandburningresolvetobeashisfatherhadrepresentedhimshouldhaveopenedhismindtoslowcunning，tothecraftoftheIndian，tothedevelopmentofhate。Butthereseemedtobeanobstacle。
　　Acloudinthewayofvision。Afacelimnedonhismemory。
　　Thosedamningwordsofhisfather’shadbeenashock——howlittleorgreathecouldnottell。WasitonlyadaysincehehadmetEllenJorth？Whathadmadeallthedifference？Suddenlylikeabreaththefragranceofherhaircamebacktohim。Thenthesweetcoolnessofherlips！Jeantrembled。Helookedaroundhimasifhewerepursuedorsurroundedbyeyes，byinstincts，byfears，byincomprehensiblethings。
　　"Ahuh！Thatmustbewhatailsme，"hemuttered。"Thelookofher——an’
　　thatkiss——they’vegonehardme。Ishouldneverhavestoppedtotalk。
　　An’I’mtokillherfatheran’leavehertoGodknowswhat。"
　　Somethingwaswrongsomewhere。Jeanabsolutelyforgotthatwithinthehourhehadpledgedhismanhood，hislifetoafeudwhichcouldbeblottedoutonlyinblood。Ifhehadunderstoodhimselfhewouldhaverealizedthatthepledgewasnomorethrillingandunintelligibleinitspossibilitiesthanthisinstinctwhichdrewhimirresistibly。
　　"EllenJorth！So——mydadcallsheradamnedhussy！So——thatexplainsthe——thewaysheacted——whysheneverhitmewhenIkissedher。An’
　　herwords，soeasyan’cool—like。Hussy？Thatmeansshe’sbad——bad！
　　Scornfulofme——maybedisappointedbecausemykisswasinnocent！
　　Itwas，Iswear。An’allshesaid:’Oh，I’vebeenkissedbefore。’"
　　Jeangrewfuriouswithhimselfforthespreadingofanewsensationinhisbreastthatseemednowtoache。Hadhebecomeinfatuated，allinaday，withthisEllenJorth？Washejealousofthemenwhohadtheprivilegeofherkisses？No！Buthisreplywashotwithshame，withuncertainty。Thethingthatseemedwrongwasoutsideofhimself。
　　Ablunderwasnocrime。Tobeattractedbyaprettygirlinthewoods——toyieldtoanimpulsewasnodisgrace，norwrong。Hehadbeenfoolishoveragirlbefore，thoughnottosucharashextent。EllenJorthhadstuckinhisconsciousness，andwithherasenseofregret。
　　Thenswiftlyranghisfather’sbitterwords，therevealing:"Butthelooksofheran’whatsheis——theydon’tgibe！"Intheimportofthesewordshidthemeaningofthewrongthattroubledhim。
　　Broodinglyheponderedoverthem。
　　"Thelooksofher。Yes，shewaspretty。Butitdidn’tdawnonmeatfirst。I——Iwassortofexcited。Ilikedtolookather，butdidn’tthink。"Andnowconsciouslyherfacewascalledup，infinitelysweetandmoreimpellingforthedeliberatememory。Flashofbrownskin，smoothandclear;levelgazeofdark，wideeyes，steady，bold，unseeing;
　　redcurvedlips，sadandsweet;herstrong，clean，finefacerosebeforeJean，eagerandwistfulonemoment，softenedbydreamymusingthought，andthenextstormilypassionate，fullofhate，fulloflonging，butthemoremysteriousandbeautiful。
　　Shelookslikethat，butshe’sbad，"concludedJean，withbitterfinality。"ImighthavefalleninlovewithEllenJorthif——ifshe’dbeendifferent。"
　　ButtheconvictionforceduponJeandidnotdispelthehauntingmemoryofherfacenordiditwhollysilencethedeepandstubbornvoiceofhisconsciousness。Laterthatafternoonhesoughtamomentwithhissister。
　　"Ann，didyouevermeetEllenJorth？"heasked。
　　"Yes，butnotlately，"repliedAnn。
　　"Well，ImetherasIwasridin’alongyesterday。Shewasherdin’
　　sheep，"wentonJean，rapidly。"IaskedhertoshowmethewaytotheRim。An’shewalkedwithmeamileorso。Ican’tsaythemeetin’
　　wasnotinterestin’，atleasttome……Willyoutellmewhatyouknowabouther？"
　　"Sure，Jean，"repliedhissister，withherdarkeyesfixedwonderinglyandkindlyonhistroubledface。"I’veheardagreatdeal，butinthisTontoBasinIdon’tbelieveallIhear。WhatIknowI’lltellyou。
　　IfirstmetEllenJorthtwoyearsago。Wedidn’tknoweachother’snamesthen。ShewastheprettiestgirlIeversaw。Ilikedher。
　　Shelikedme。Sheseemedunhappy。Thenexttimewemetwasataround—up。Therewereothergirlswithmeandtheysnubbedher。
　　ButIleftthemandwentaroundwithher。Thatsnubcuthertotheheart。Shewaslonely。Shehadnofriends。Shetalkedaboutherself——howshehatedthepeople，butlovedArizona。Shehadnothin’
　　fittowear。Ididn’tneedtobetoldthatshe’dbeenusedtobetterthings。Justwhenitlookedasifweweregoin’tobefriendsshetoldmewhoshewasandaskedmemyname。Itoldher。Jean，I
　　couldn’thavehurthermoreifI’dslappedherface。Sheturnedwhite。Shegasped。Andthensheranoff。ThelasttimeIsawherwasaboutayearago。Iwasridin’ashort—cuttrailtotheranchwhereafriendlived。AndImetEllenJorthridin’withamanI’dneverseen。Thetrailwasovergrownandshady。Theywereridin’
　　closeanddidn’tseemerightoff。Themanhadhisarmroundher。
　　Shepushedhimaway。Isawherlaugh。Thenhegotholdofheragainandwaskissin’herwhenhishorseshiedatsightofmine。Theyrodebymethen。EllenJorthheldherheadhighandneverlookedatme。"
　　"Ann，doyouthinkshe’sabadgirl？"demandedJean，bluntly。
　　"Bad？Oh，Jean！"exclaimedAnn，insurpriseandembarrassment。
　　"Dadsaidshewasadamnedhussy。"
　　"Jean，dadhatestheJorths。"
　　"Sister，I’maskin’youwhatyouthinkofEllenJorth。Wouldyoubefriendswithherifyoucould？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Thenyoudon’tbelieveshe’sbad。"
　　"No。EllenJorthislonely，unhappy。Shehasnomother。Shelivesaloneamongroughmen。Suchagirlcan’tkeepmenfromhandlin’herandkissin’her。Maybeshe’stoofree。Maybeshe’swild。Butshe’shonest，Jean。Youcantrustawomantotell。Whensherodepastmethatdayherfacewaswhiteandproud。ShewasaJorthandIwasanIsbel。Shehatedherself——shehatedme。Butnobadgirlcouldlooklikethat。Sheknowswhat’ssaidofherallaroundthevalley。
　　Butshedoesn’tcare。She’dencouragegossip。"
　　"Thankyou，Ann，"repliedJean，huskily。"Pleasekeepthis——thismeetin’ofminewithheralltoyourself，won’tyou？"
　　"Why，Jean，ofcourseIwill。"
　　Jeanwanderedawayagain，peculiarlygratefultoAnnforrevivingandupholdingsomethinginhimthatseemedawaveringpartofthebestofhim——achivalrythathaddemandedtobekilledbyjudgmentofarighteouswoman。Hewasconsciousofanuplift，agladdeningofhisspirit。Yettheacheremained。Morethanthat，hefoundhimselfplungeddeeperintoconjecture，doubt。HadnottheEllenJorthincidentended？Hedeniedhisfather’sindictmentofherandacceptedthefaithofhissister。"Reckonthat’sabootall，asdadsays，"hesoliloquized。Yetwasthatall？Hepacedunderthecedars。
　　Hewatchedthesunset。Helistenedtothecoyotes。Helingeredthereafterthecallforsupper;untiloutofthetumultofhisconflictingemotionsandponderingsthereevolvedthestaggeringconsciousnessthathemustseeEllenJorthagain。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　EllenJorthhurriedbackintotheforest，hotlyresentfuloftheaccidentthathadthrownherincontactwithanIsbel。
　　Disgustfilledher——disgustthatshehadbeenamiabletoamemberofthehatedfamilythathadruinedherfather。Thesurpriseofthismeetingdidnotcometoherwhileshewasunderthespellofstrongerfeeling。Shewalkedunderthetrees，swiftly，withheaderect，lookingstraightbeforeher，andeverystepseemedarelief。
　　Uponreachingcamp，herattentionwasdistractedfromherself。Pepe，theMexicanboy，withthetwoshepherddogs，wastryingtodrivesheepintoacloserbunchtosavethelambsfromcoyotes。Ellenlovedthefleecy，totteringlittlelambs，andatthisseasonshehatedalltheprowlingbeastoftheforest。Fromthistimeonforweekstheflockwouldbebesiegedbywolves，lions，bears，thelastofwhichwereoftenboldanddangerous。Theoldgrizzliesthatkilledtheewestoeatonlythemilk—bagswereparticularlydreadedbyEllen。Shewasagoodshotwitharifle，buthadordersfromherfathertoletthebearsalone。Fortunately，suchsheep—killingbearswerebutfew，andwerelefttobehuntedbymenfromtheranch。Mexicansheepherderscouldnotbedependedupontoprotecttheirflocksfrombears。
　　EllenhelpedPepedriveinthestragglers，andshetookseveralshotsatcoyotesskulkingalongtheedgeofthebrush。Theopengladeintheforestwasfavorableforherdingthesheepatnight，andthedogscouldbedependedupontoguardtheflock，andinmostcasestodrivepredatorybeastsaway。
　　Afterthistask，whichbroughtthetimetosunset，Ellenhadsuppertocookandeat。Darknesscame，andacoolnightwindsetin。
　　Hereandtherealambbleatedplaintively。Withherworkdonefortheday，Ellensatbeforearuddycampfire，andfoundherthoughtsagaincenteringaroundthesingularadventurethathadbefallenher。
　　Disdainfullyshestrovetothinkofsomethingelse。ButtherewasnothingthatcoulddispeltheinterestofhermeetingwithJeanIsbel。
　　Thereuponsheimpatientlysurrenderedtoit，andrecalledeverywordandactionwhichshecouldremember。Andintheprocessofthismeditationshecametoanactionofhers，recollectionofwhichbroughtthebloodtinglingtoherneckandcheeks，sounusuallyandburninglythatshecoveredthemwithherhands。"Whatdidhethinkofme？"shemused，doubtfully。Itdidnotmatterwhathethought，butshecouldnothelpwondering。Andwhenshecametothememoryofhiskissshesufferedmorethanthesensationofthrobbingscarletcheeks。Scornfullyandbitterlysheburstout，"Shorehecouldn’thavethoughtmuchgoodofme。"
　　Thehalfhourfollowingthisreminiscencewasfarfrombeingpleasant。
　　Proud，passionate，strong—willedEllenJorthfoundherselfavictimofconflictingemotions。Theeventofthedaywastooclose。Shecouldnotunderstandit。DisgustanddisdainandscorncouldnotmakethismeetingwithJeanIsbelasifithadneverbeen。Pridecouldnoteffaceitfromhermind。Themoreshereflected，thehardershetriedtoforget，thestrongergrewasignificanceofinterest。Andwhenahintofthisdawneduponherconsciousnesssheresenteditsoforciblythatshelosthertemper，scatteredthecampfire，andwentintothelittleteepeetenttorollinherblankets。
　　Thussettledsnugandwarmforthenight，withashepherddogcurledattheopeningofhertent，sheshuthereyesandconfidentlybadesleependherperplexities。Butsleepdidnotcomeatherinvitation。
　　Shefoundherselfwideawake，keenlysensitivetothesputteringofthecampfire，thetinklingofbellsontherams，thebleatingoflambs，thesoughofwindinthepines，andthehungrysharpbarkofcoyotesoffinthedistance。Darknesswasnorespecterofherpride。Thelonesomenightwithitsemphasisofsolitudeseemedtoinduceclamoringandstrangethoughts，aconfusingensembleofallthosethathadannoyedherduringthedaytime。Notforlonghoursdidsheerwearinessbringhertoslumber。
　　Ellenawakenedlateandfailedofherusualalacrity。BothPepeandtheshepherddogappearedtoregardherwithsurpriseandsolicitude。
　　Ellen’sspiritwaslowthismorning;herbloodransluggishly;shehadtofightamournfultendencytofeelsorryforherself。Andatfirstshewasnotverysuccessful。Thereseemedtobesomekindofpleasureinrevelinginmelancholywhichhercommonsensetoldherhadnoreasonforexistence。Butstatesofmindpersistedinspiteofcommonsense。
　　"Pepe，whenisAntoniocomin’back？"sheasked。
　　Theboycouldnotgiveherasatisfactoryanswer。Ellenhadwillinglytakenthesheepherder’splaceforafewdays，butnowshewasimpatienttogohome。Shelookeddownthegreen—and—brownaislesoftheforestuntilshewastired。Antoniodidnotreturn。Ellenspentthedaywiththesheep;andinthemanifoldtaskofcaringforathousandnew—bornlambssheforgotherself。Thisdaysawtheendoflambing—timeforthatseason。Theforestresoundedtoababelofbaasandbleats。Whennightcameshewasgladtogotobed，forwhatwithlossofsleep，andwearinessshecouldscarcelykeephereyesopen。
　　Thefollowingmorningsheawakenedearly，bright，eager，expectant，fullofboundinglife，strangelyawareofthebeautyandsweetnessofthescentedforest，strangelyconsciousofsomenamelessstimulustoherfeelings。
　　NotlongwasElleninassociatingthisnewanddelightfulvarietyofsensationswiththefactthatJeanIsbelhadsetto—dayforhisrideuptotheRimtoseeher。Ellen’sjoyousnessfled;hersmilesfaded。
　　Thespringmorninglostitsmagicradiance。
　　"Shorethere’snosenseinmylyin’tomyself，"shesoliloquized，thoughtfully。"It’squeerofme——feelin’gladaboothim——withoutknowin’。Lord！Imustbelonesome！Tobegladofseein’anIsbel，evenifheisdifferent！"
　　Soberlysheacceptedtheastoundingreality。Herconfidencediedwithhergayety;hervanitybegantosuffer。AndshecaughtatheradmissionthatJeanIsbelwasdifferent;sheresenteditinamaze;
　　sheridiculedit;shelaughedathernaiveconfession。Shecouldarriveatnoconclusionotherthanthatshewasaweak—minded，fluctuating，inexplicablelittlefool。
　　Butforallthatshefoundhermindhadbeenmadeupforher，withoutconsentordesire，beforeherwillhadbeenconsulted;andthatinevitablyandunalterablyshemeanttoseeJeanIsbelagain。
　　Longshebattledwiththisstrangedecree。Onemomentshewonavictoryover，thisnewcuriousself，onlytoloseitthenext。
　　Andatlastoutofherconflictthereemergedafewconvictionsthatleftherwithsomeshredsofpride。ShehatedallIsbels，shehatedanyIsbel，andparticularlyshehatedJeanIsbel。Shewasonlycurious——intenselycurioustoseeifhewouldcomeback，andifhedidcomewhathewoulddo。Shewantedonlytowatchhimfromsomecovert。Shewouldnotgonearhim，notlethimseeherorguessofherpresence。
　　Thussheassuagedherhurtvanity——thusshestifledhermiserabledoubts。
　　Longbeforethesunhadbeguntoslantwestwardtowardthemid—afternoonJeanIsbelhadsetasameetingtimeEllendirectedherstepsthroughtheforesttotheRim。Shefeltashamedofhereagerness。Shehadaguiltyconsciencethatnostrangethrillscouldsilence。Itwouldbefuntoseehim，towatchhim，tolethimwaitforher，tofoolhim。
　　LikeanIndian，shechosethesoftpine—needlematstotreadupon，andherlight—moccasinedfeetleftnotrace。LikeanIndianalsoshemadeawidedetour，andreachedtheRimaquarterofamilewestofthespotwhereshehadtalkedwithJeanIsbel;andhere，turningeast，shetookcaretosteponthebarestones。Thiswasanadventure，seeminglythefirstshehadeverhadinherlife。AssuredlyshehadneverbeforecomedirectlytotheRimwithouthaltingtolook，towonder，toworship。
　　Thistimeshescarcelyglancedintotheblueabyss。Allabsorbedwassheinhidinghertracks。Notonechanceinathousandwouldsherisk。
　　TheJorthprideburnedevenwhilethefemininesideofherdominatedheractions。Shehadsomedifficultrockypointstocross，thenwindfallstoround，andatlengthreachedthecovertshedesired。
　　AruggedyellowpointoftheRimstoodsomewhathigherthanthespotEllenwantedtowatch。Adensethicketofjackpinesgrewtotheveryedge。ItaffordedanambushthateventheIndianeyesJeanIsbelwascreditedwithcouldneverpenetrate。Moreover，ifbyaccidentshemadeanoiseandexcitedsuspicion，shecouldretreatunobservedandhideinthehugerocksbelowtheRim，whereaferretcouldnotlocateher。
　　Withherplandecidedupon，Ellenhadnothingtodobutwait，sosherepairedtotheothersideofthepinethicketandtotheedgeoftheRimwhereshecouldwatchandlisten。SheknewthatlongbeforeshesawIsbelshewouldhearhishorse。Itwasaltogetherunlikelythathewouldcomeonfoot。
　　"Shore，EllenJorth，y’u’reaqueergirl，"shemused。"IreckonI
　　wasn’twellacquaintedwithy’u。"
　　Beneathheryawnedawonderfuldeepcanyon，ruggedandrockywithbutfewpinesonthenorthslope，thickwithdarkgreentimberonthesouthslope。Yellowandgraycrags，liketurretedcastles，stoodupoutoftheslopingforestonthesideoppositeher。Thetreeswereallsharp，spearpointed。Patchesoflightgreenaspensshowedstrikinglyagainstthedenseblack。ThegreatslopebeneathEllenwasserratedwithnarrow，deepgorges，almostcanyonsinthemselves。
　　Shadowsalternatedwithclearbrightspaces。Themile—widemouthofthecanyonopenedupontheBasin，downintoaworldofwildtimberedrangesandravines，valleysandhills，thatrolledandtumbledindark—greenwavestotheSierraAnchas。