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　　*END*THESMALLPRINT！FORPUBLICDOMAINETEXTS*Ver。04。29。93*END*
　　THELOSTROAD
　　THENOVELSANDSTORIESOF
　　RICHARDHARDINGDAVIS
　　Contains：
　　THELOSTROAD
　　THEMIRACLEOFLASPALMAS
　　EVILTOHIMWHOEVILTHINKS
　　THEMENOFZANZIBAR
　　THELONGARM
　　THEGODOFCOINCIDENCE
　　THEBURIEDTREASUREOFCOBRE
　　THEBOYSCOUT
　　SOMEWHEREINFRANCE
　　THEDESERTER
　　TO
　　MYWIFE
　　ANINTRODUCTIONBY
　　JOHNT。McCUTCHEON
　　WITHDAVISINVERACRUZ，BRUSSELS，ANDSALONIKA
　　IncommonwithmanyotherswhohavebeenwithRichardHardingDavisascorrespondents，Ifinditdifficulttorealizethathehascoveredhislaststoryandthathewillnotbeseenagainwiththemenwhofollowthewargame，rushingtodistantplacesuponwhichthespotlightofnewsinterestsuddenlycentres。
　　Itseemsasortofbitterironythathewhohadcoveredsomanybigeventsofworldimportanceinthepasttwentyyearsshouldbeabruptlytornawayinthemidstofthegreatesteventofthemall，whilethestoryisstillunfinishedanditsoutcomeundetermined。Ifthereisacompensatingthought，itliesinthereflectionthathehadalifeofalmostunparalleledfulness，crowdedtothebrim，uptothelastmoment，withthoseexperiencesandachievementswhichheparticularlyaspiredtohave。Heleftwhilethetidewasatitsflood，andwhilehestillheldsupremehisplaceasthebestreporterinhiscountry。Heescapedthebitternessofseeingtheebbsetin，whentheyouthtowhichheclunghadslippedaway，andwhenhewouldhavetositimpatientintheaudience，whileyoungermenwereinthethickofgreat，world-stirringdramasonthestage。
　　Thiswouldhavebeenarealtragedyin"Dick"Davis'scase，for，whilehisbodywouldhaveaged，itisdoubtfulifhisspiriteverwouldhavelostitsyouthfulfreshnessorboyishenthusiasm。
　　ItwasmyprivilegetoseeagooddealofDavisinthelasttwoyears。
　　HearrivedinVeraCruzamongthefirstofthesixtyorseventycorrespondentswhoflockedtothatnewscentrewhenthesituationwassofullofsensationalpossibilities。ItwasatimewhentheAmericannewspaper-readingpublicwaseagerforthrills，andtheingenuityandresourcefulnessofthecorrespondentsinVeraCruzweretriedtotheuttermosttosupplythedemand。
　　InthefaceofthefiercestcompetitionitfelltoDavis'slottolandthebiggeststoryofthosedaysofmarkingtime。
　　Thestory"broke"whenitbecameknownthatDavis，MedillMcCormick，andFrederickPalmerhadgonethroughtheMexicanlinesinanefforttoreachMexicoCity。DavisandMcCormick，withletterstotheBrazilianandBritishministers，gotthroughandreachedthecapitalonthestrengthofthoseletters，butPalmer，havingonlyanAmericanpassport，wasturnedback。
　　AfteranominoussilencewhichfurnishedAmericannewspaperswithalivelyperiodofsuspense，thetwomenreturnedsafelywithwonderfulstoriesoftheirexperienceswhileunderarrestinthehandsoftheMexicanauthorities。McCormick，inrecentlyspeakingofDavisatthattime，saidthat，"asacorrespondentindifficultanddangeroussituations，hewasincomparable——cheerful，ingenious，andundiscouraged。Whenthetimecametochoosebetweensafetyandleavinghiscompanionhestuckbyhisfellowcaptiveeventhough，astheybothsaid，afiring-squadandablankwallwerebynomeansaremotepossibility。"
　　ThisMexicoCityadventurewasaspectacularachievementwhichgaveDavisandMcCormickadistinctionwhichnoothercorrespondentsofalltheambitiousandablecorpshadmanagedtoattain。
　　Davisusually"hunted"alone。Hedependedentirelyuponhisowningenuityandwonderfulinstinctfornewssituations。Hehadtheenergyandenthusiasmofabeginner，withtheexperienceandtrainingofaveteran。Hisinterestinthingsremainedaskeenasthoughhehadnotbeenyearsatagamewhichoftenleavesamanjadedandblase。HisacquaintanceshipintheAmericanarmyandnavywaswide，andforthisreason，aswellasfortheprestigewhichhisfameandpositionasanationalcharactergavehim，hefounditeasytoestablishvaluableconnectionsinthechannelsfromwhichnewsemanates。Andyet，inspiteofthefactthathewas"onhisown"insteadofhavingaworkingpartnershipwithothermen，hewasgenerousinhelpingattimeswhenhewasabletodoso。
　　DaviswasaconspicuousfigureinVeraCruz，asheinevitablyhadbeeninallsuchsituations。Whereverhewent，hewaspointedout。Hisdistinctionofappearance，togetherwithadistinctionindress，which，whetherfromhabitorpolicy，wasavaluableassetinhiswork，madehimamarkedman。Hedressedandlookedthe"warcorrespondent，"suchaoneashewoulddescribeinoneofhisstories。Hefulfilledthepopularidealofwhatamemberofthatfascinatingprofessionshouldlooklike。HiscodeoflifeandhabitswasasfixedasthatoftheBritonwhotakeshishabitsandcustomsandgamesandteawhereverhegoes，nomatterhowbenightedorremotethespotmaybe。
　　HewasjustasloyaltohiscodeasistheBriton。Hecarriedhisbath-tub，hisimmaculatelinen，hiseveningclothes，hiswarequipment——inwhichhehadtheprideofaconnoisseur——whereverhewent，and，whatismore，hehadthecouragetousetheeveningclothesattimeswhentheirusewasconspicuous。HewastheonlymanwhoworeadinnercoatinVeraCruz，andeachnight，athisparticulartableinthecrowded"Portales，"attheHotelDiligencia，hewastobeseen，asfreshandcleanasthoughhewereinaNewYorkorLondonrestaurant。
　　Eachdayhewasupearlytotakethetrainouttothe"gap，"
　　acrosswhichcamearrivalsfromMexicoCity。Sometimesagood"story"wouldcomedown，aswhenthelong-heraldedandlong-
　　expectedarrivalofConsulSillimangaveafirst-page"feature"
　　toalltheAmericanpapers。
　　Intheafternoonhewouldplaywaterpolooveratthenavyaviationcamp，andalwaysatacertaintimeofthedayhis"striker"wouldbringhimhishorseandforanhourormorehewouldrideoutalongthebeachroadswithintheAmericanlines。
　　AfterthefirstfewdaysitwasdifficulttoextractrealthrillsfromtheVeraCruzsituation，butweusedtorideouttoElTejarwiththecavalrypatrolandimaginethatwemightbefiredonatsomepointinthelongridethroughunoccupiedterritory；orelsegoouttothe"front，"atLegarto，wherealittleAmericanforceoccupiedasun-bakedrowoffreight-cars，surroundedbymalarialswamps。Fromthetopoftherailroadwater-tank，wecouldlookacrosstotheMexicanoutpostsamileorsoaway。Itwasnotveryexciting，andwhatthrillswegotlaychieflyinourimagination。
　　BeforemyacquaintanceshipwithDavisatVeraCruzIhadnotknownhimwell。Ourtrailsdidn'tcrosswhileIwasinJapanintheJapanese-RussianWar，andintheTransvaalImissedhimbyafewdays，butinVeraCruzIhadmanyenjoyableopportunitiesofbecomingwellacquaintedwithhim。
　　Theprivilegewasapleasantone，foritservedtodispelapreconceivedandnotanentirelyfavorableimpressionofhischaracter。ForyearsIhadheardstoriesaboutRichardHardingDavis——storieswhichemphasizedanegotismandself-assertivenesswhich，iftheyeverexisted，hadhappilyceasedtobeobtrusivebythetimeIgottoknowhim。
　　HewasadifferentDavisfromtheDaviswhomIhadexpectedtofind；andIcanimaginenomorecharminganddelightfulcompanionthanhewasinVeraCruz。TherewasnoevidenceofthosequalitieswhichIfearedtofind，andhisattitudewasoneofunfailingkindness，considerateness，andgenerosity。
　　InthemanytalksIhadwithhim，Iwasalwaysstruckbyhisevidentdevotiontoafixedcodeofpersonalconduct。Inhiswritingshewastheinterpreterofchivalrous，well-bredyouth，andhisheroeswereyoung，clean-thinkingcollegemen，heroicbig-gamehunters，warcorrespondents，andidealizedmenabouttown，whoalwaysdidthenoblething，disdainingtheunworthyinactormotive。Itseemedtomethathewasmodellinghisownlife，perhapsunconsciously，afterthefavoredtypeswhichhisimaginationhadcreatedforhisstories。Inacertainsensehewaslivingalifeofmake-believe，whereinhewastheheroofthestory，andinwhichhewasboundbyhisidealsalwaystoactashewouldhavetheheroofhisstoryact。Itwasaqualitywhichonlyonecouldhavewhohadpreservedafreshyouthfulnessofoutlookinspiteofthehardeningprocessesofmaturity。
　　Hispowerofobservationwasextraordinarilykeen，andhenotonlyhadtheraregiftofsensingthevitalelementsofasituation，butalsohad，toanunrivalleddegree，theabilitytodescribethemvividly。Idon'tknowhowmanyofthosemenatVerzCruztriedtodescribethekaleidoscopiclifeofthecityduringtheAmericanoccupation，butIknowthatDavis'sstorywasfarandawaythemostfaithfulandsatisfyingpicture。Thestorywasphotographic，eventothesoundsandsmells。
　　ThelastIsawofhiminVeraCruzwaswhen，ontheUtah，hesteamedpasttheflagshipWyoming，uponwhichIwasquartered，andstartedforNewYork。TheBattenbergcupracehadjustbeenrowed，andtheUtahandFloridacrewshadtied。AstheUtahwassailingimmediatelyaftertherace，therewasnotimeinwhichtorowoffthetie。Soitwasdecidedthatthenamesofbothshipsshouldbeengravedonthecup，andthattheFloridacrewshoulddefendthetitleagainstachallengingcrewfromtheBritishAdmiralCraddock'sflagship。
　　BytheendofJune，thepublicinterestinVeraCruzhadwaned，andthecorpsofcorrespondentsdwindleduntiltherewereonlyafewleft。
　　FrederickPalmerandIwentuptojoinCarranzaandVilla，andonthe26thofJulywewereinMontereywaitingtostartwiththetriumphalmarchofCarranza'sarmytowardMexicoCity。Therewasnosignofserioustroubleabroad。Thatnightominoustelegramscame，andatteno'clockonthefollowingmorningwewereonatrainheadedfortheStates。
　　PalmerandDaviscaughttheLusitania，sailingAugust4fromNewYork，andIfollowedontheSaintPaul，leavingthreedayslater。
　　Onthe17thofAugustIreachedBrussels，anditseemedthemostnaturalthingintheworldtofindDavisalreadythere。HewasatthePalaceHotel，whereanumberofAmericanandEnglishcorrespondentswerequartered。
　　Thingsmovedquickly。Onthe19thIrvinCobb，WillIrwin，ArnoDosch，andIwerecaughtbetweentheBelgianandGermanlinesinLouvain；ourretreattoBrusselswascut，andforthreedays，whilethevastGermanarmymovedthroughthecity，weweredetained。Then，thearmyhavingpassed，wewereallowedtogobacktothecapital。
　　InthemeantimeDaviswasinBrussels。TheGermansreachedtheoutskirtsofthecityonthemorningofthe20th，andthecorrespondentswhohadremainedinBrusselswerefeverishlywritingdespatchesdescribingtheimminentfallofthecity。Oneofthem，HarryHansen，oftheChicagoDailyNews，tellsthefollowingstory，whichIgiveinhiswords：
　　"Whilewewerewriting，"saysHansen，"RichardHardingDaviswalkedintothewriting-roomofthePalaceHotelwithabunchofmanuscriptinhishand。Withanamusedexpressionhesurveyedthethreecorrespondentsfillingwhitepaper。
　　"'Isay，men，'saidDavis，'doyouknowwhenthenexttrainleaves？'
　　"'Thereisoneatthreeo'clock，'saidacorrespondent，lookingup。
　　"'Thatlookslikeouronlychancetogetastoryout，'saidDavis。'Well，we'lltrusttothat。'
　　"ThestorywastheGermaninvasionofBrussels，andthetrainmentionedwasconsideredtheforlornhopeofthecorrespondentstoconnectwiththeoutsideworld——thatis，everycorrespondentthoughtittobetheotherman'shope。Secretlyeachhadpreparedtooutwittheother，andsecretlyDavishadalreadysenthisstorytoOstend。HemeanttoemulateArchibaldForbes，whodespatchedacourierwithhisrealmanuscript，andnextdaypubliclydroppedabulkypackageinthemail-bag。
　　"DavishadsensedthenewsintheoccupationofBrusselslongbeforeithappened。WithdawnhewentouttotheLouvainroad，wheretheGermanarmystood，preparedtosmashthecapitalifnegotiationsfailed。Hisobservanteyetookinallthedetails。
　　Beforenoonhehadwrittenacomprehensivesketchoftheoccupation，andwhenwordwasreceivedthatitwasunderway，hetrustedhiscopytoanoldFlemishwoman，whospokenotawordofEnglish，andsawhersafelyonboardthetrainthatpulledoutunderBelgianauspicesforOstend。"
　　WithpasseswhichtheGermancommandantinBrusselsgaveusthecorrespondentsimmediatelystartedouttoseehowfarthosepasseswouldcarryus。AnumberofusleftontheafternoonofAugust23forWaterloo，whereitwasexpectedthatthegreatclashbetweentheGermanandtheAnglo-Frenchforceswouldoccur。
　　Wehadplannedtobebackthesameevening，andwentpreparedonlyforanafternoon'sdriveinacoupleofhiredstreetcarriages。ItwassevenweeksbeforeweagainsawBrussels。
　　OnthefollowingdayAugust24DavisstartedforMons。Heworethekhakiuniformwhichhehadworninmanycampaigns。Acrosshisbreastwasanarrowbarofsilkribbonindicatingthecampaignsinwhichhehadservedasacorrespondent。HesomuchresembledaBritishofficerthathewasarrestedasaBritishderelictandwasinformedthathewouldbeshotatonce。
　　HeescapedonlybyofferingtowalktoBrandWhitlock，inBrussels，reportingtoeachofficerhemetontheway。Hisplanwasapproved，andasahostageonparoleheappearedbeforetheAmericanminister，whoquicklyestablishedhisidentityasanAmericanofgoodstanding，tothesatisfactionoftheGermans。
　　Inthefollowingfewmonthsourtrailswerewidelyseparated。IreadofhisarrestbyGermanofficersontheroadtoMons；laterI
　　readthestoryofhisdeparturefromBrusselsbytraintoHolland——atripwhichcarriedhimthroughLouvainwhilethetownstillwasburning；andstilllaterIreadthathewaswiththefewluckymenwhowereinRheimsduringoneoftheearlybombardmentsthatdamagedthecathedral。Byamazingluck，combinedwithanaturalnewssensewhichdrewhiminstinctivelytocriticalplacesatthepsychologicalmoment，hehadbeenawitnessofthetwomostwidelyfeaturedstoriesoftheearlyweeksofthewar。
　　ArrestedbytheGermansinBelgium，andlaterbytheFrenchinFrance，hewasconvincedthattherestrictionsoncorrespondentsweretoogreattopermitofgoodwork。
　　SohelefttheEuropeanwarzonewiththewidelyquotedremark：
　　"Thedayofthewarcorrespondentisover。"
　　AndyetIwasnotsurprisedwhen，oneevening，lateinNovemberoflastyear，hesuddenlywalkedintotheroominSalonikawhereWilliamG。Shepherd，oftheUnitedPress，"JimmyHare，"theveteranwarphotographer，andIhadestablishedourselvesseveralweeksbefore。
　　Thehotelwasjammed，andthecity，withanormalcapacityofaboutonehundredandseventy-fivethousand，wasstrugglingtoaccommodateatleastahundredthousandmore。Therewasnotaroomtobehadinanyofthebetterhotels，andforseveraldayswelodgedDavisinourroom，avastchamberwhichformerlyhadbeenthemaindining-roomoftheestablishment，andwhichnowwasconvertedintoabedroom。Therewasroomforadozenmen，ifnecessary，andwheneverstrandedAmericansarrivedandcouldfindnohotelaccommodationswesimplyriggedupemergencycotsfortheirtemporaryuse。
　　TheweatherinSalonikaatthistime，lateNovember，waspenetratinglycold。Inthemorningsthesteamcoilsstruggledfeeblytodispelthechillintheroom。
　　EarlyinthemorningafterDavishadarrived，wewerearousedbythesoundofviolentsplashing，accompaniedbyshudderinggasps，andwelookedoutfromthesnugwarmthofourbedstoseeDavisstandinginhisportablebath-tubanddrenchinghimselfwithice-coldwater。Asanexhibitionofcourageousdevotiontoanestablishedcustomoflifeitwasadmirable，butI'mnotsurethatitwasprudent。
　　Forsomereason，perhapsadefectivecirculationoraweakenedheart，hissystemfailedtoreactfromthesecold-waterbaths。
　　Allthroughthedayshecomplainedoffeelingchilled。Heneverseemedtogetthoroughlywarmed，andofusallhewastheonewhosufferedmostkeenlyfromthecold。Itwasallthemoresurprising，forhisappearancewasalwaysthatofamaninthepinkofathleticfitness——ruddy-faced，clear-eyed，andfulloftirelessenergy。
　　OnoneoccasionwereturnedfromtheFrenchfrontinSerbiatoSalonikainaboxcarlightedonlybycandles，bitterlycold，andfrightfullyexhausting。Weweresevenhoursintravellingfifty-fivemiles，andwearrivedatourdestinationatthreeo'clockinthemorning。Severalofthemencontracteddesperatecolds，whichclungtothemforweeks。Daviswaschilledthrough，andsaidthatofallthecoldhehadeverexperiencedthatwhichsweptacrosstheMacedonianplainfromtheBalkanhighlandswasthemostpenetrating。Evenhisheavyclothingcouldnotaffordhimadequateprotection。
　　Whenhewassettledinhisownroominourhotelheinstalledanoil-stovewhichburnedbesidehimashesatathisdeskandwrotehisstories。Theroomwaslikeanoven，buteventhenhestillcomplainedofthecold。
　　Whenhelefthegaveusthestove，andwhenweleft，sometimelater，itwaspresentedtooneofourdoctorfriendsoutinaBritishhospital，whereI'msureitisdoingitsbesttothawtheBalkanchilloutofsickandwoundedsoldiers。
　　Daviswasalwaysupearly，andhisenergyandinterestwereaskeenasaboy's。Wehadourmealstogether，sometimesinthecrowdedandrathersmartBastasini's，butmoreofteninthemaelstromofhumanitythatnightlypackedtheOlymposPalacerestaurant。Davis，Shepherd，Hare，andI，withsometimesMr。andMrs。JohnBass，madeuptheseparties，which，foraperiodofabouttwoweeksorso，werethemostenjoyabledailyeventsofourlives。
　　Undertheglaringlightsoftherestaurant，andsurroundedbyBritish，French，Greek，andSerbianofficers，German，Austrian，andBulgariancivilians，withasprinklingofAmerican，English，andScotchnursesanddoctors，packedsosolidlyinthehuge，high-ceilingedroomthatthewaiterscouldbarelypicktheirwayamongthetables，wehungforhoursoverourdinners，andleftonlywhenthelandlordandhisAustrianwifecountedtheday'sreceiptsandpaidthewaitersattheendoftheevening。
　　OnecouldnotimagineamorecharminganddelightfulcompanionthanDavisduringthesedays。Whilehealwaysassertedthathecouldnotmakeaspeech，andwasterrifiedatthethoughtofstandingupatabanquet-table，yet，sittingatadinner-tablewithafewfriendswhowereonlytooeagertolistenratherthantotalk，hisstories，coveringpersonalexperiencesinallpartsoftheworld，wereintenselyvivid，withthatremarkable"holding"qualityofdescriptionwhichcharacterizeshiswritings。
　　Hebroughthisownbread——acoarse，brownsort，whichhepreferredtothebetterwhitebread——andwithitheategreatquantitiesofbutter。Aswesatdownatthetablehisfirstdemandwasfor"Mastika，"apeculiarGreekdrinkdistilledfrommasticgum，andhisseconddemandinvariablywas"Dubeurre！"withthe"r's"assilentasthestars；andifitfailedtocomeatoncethewaiterwasmadetofeeltheenormityofhistardiness。
　　ThereminiscencesrangedfromhisearlynewspaperdaysinPhiladelphia，andskippingfromManchuriatoCubaandCentralAmerica，tohisearlySundaysunderArthurBrisbane；theyrangedthroughanendlessvarietyofpersonalexperienceswhichverynearlycoveredthewholecourseofAmericanhistoryinthepasttwentyyears。
　　Perhapstohimitwaspleasanttogooverhisremarkableadventures，butitcouldnothavebeenhalfaspleasantasitwastohearthem，toldastheywerewithakeennessofdescriptionandbrilliancyofhumorouscommentthatmadethemgemsofnarrative。
　　Attimes，inourwork，wealltriedourhandsatdescribingtheSalonikaofthoseearlydaysoftheAlliedoccupation，foritwasreallywhatonewidelytravelledBritishofficercalledit——"themostamazinglyinterestingsituationI'veeverseen"——butDavis'sdescriptionwasfarandawaythebest，justashisdescriptionofVeraCruzwasthebest，andhiswonderfulstoryoftheentryoftheGermanarmyintoBrusselswasmatchlessasoneofthegreatpiecesofreportinginthepresentwar。
　　InthinkingofDavis，IshallalwaysrememberhimforthedelightfulqualitieswhichheshowedinSalonika。Hewasunfailinglyconsiderateandthoughtful。Throughhisnarrativesonecouldseethepridewhichhetookinthewidthandbreadthofhispersonalrelationtothegreateventsofthepasttwentyyears。Hisvastscopeofexperiencesandequallywideacquaintanceshipwiththebigfiguresofourtime，wereamazing，anditwasequallyamazingthatoneofsucharichandinterestinghistorycouldtellhisstoriesinsuchasimplewaythatthepersonalelementwasneverobtrusive。
　　WhenheleftSalonikaheendeavoredtoobtainpermissionfromtheBritishstafftovisitMoudros，but，failinginthis，hebookedhispassageonacrowdedlittleGreeksteamer，wheretheonlyobtainableaccommodationwasaloungeinthediningsaloon。
　　Wegavehimafarewelldinner，atwhichtheAmericanconsulandhisfamily，withalltheotherAmericanstheninSalonika，werepresent，andafterthedinnerwerowedouttohisshipandsawhimveryuncomfortablyinstalledforhisvoyage。
　　Hecamedownthesealadderandwavedhishandaswerowedaway。
　　ThatwasthelastIsawofRichardHardingDavis。
　　JOHNT。MCCUTCHEON。
　　THELOSTROAD
　　DuringthewarwithSpain，ColtonLeecameintotheserviceasavolunteer。Forayoungman，healwayshadtakenlifealmosttooseriously，andwhen，afterthecampaigninCuba，heelectedtomakesoldieringhisprofession，theseriousnesswithwhichheattackedhisnewworksurprisednoone。Findingtheyhadlosthimforever，hisformerintimateswerebored，buthiscolonelwasenthusiastic，andthemenofhistroopnotonlyloved，butrespectedhim。
　　Fromthestarthedeterminedinhisnewlifewomenshouldhavenopart——adeterminationthatpuzzlednoonesomuchasthewomen，fortoLeenowoman，oldoryoung，hadfoundcausetobeunfriendly。Buthehadreadthatthearmyisajealousmistresswhobrooksnorival，that"redlipstarnishthescabbardsteel，"
　　that"hetravelsthefastestwhotravelsalone。"
　　So，whenwhitehandsbeckonedandprettyeyessignalled，hedidnotlook。Forfiveyears，untiljustbeforehesailedforhisthreeyearsofdutyinthePhilippines，hesucceedednotonlyinnotlooking，butinbuildingupforhimselfsuchafinereputationasawoman-haterthatallwomenwerecrazyabouthim。
　　HadhenotbeenorderedtoAgawamsettthatfactwouldnothaveaffectedhim。ButattheOfficers'Schoolhehadindulgedinhardstudyratherthaninhardriding，hadoverworked，hadbroughtbackhisCubanfever，andwasinpoorshapetofacethetropics。
　　So，fortwomonthsbeforethetransportwastosail，theyorderedhimtoCapeCodtofillhislungswiththebracingairofaNewEnglandautumn。
　　HeselectedAgawamsett，because，whenatHarvard，itwastherehehadspenthissummervacations，andheknewhewouldfindsailboatsandtennisand，throughthepinewoodsbackofthelittlewhalingvillage，manymilesofuntravelledroads。Hepromisedhimselfthatoverthesehewouldgallopanimaginarytroopinroutemarches，wouldmanoeuvreitagainstpossibleambush，and，incombatpatrols，groundscouts，andcossackoutposts，chargewithit"asforagers。"Buthedidnoneofthesethings。ForatAgawamsetthemetFrancesGardner，andhisexperiencewithherwassodisastrousthat，inhisdeterminationtoavoidallwomen，hewasconvincedhewasright。
　　WhenlaterhereachedManilahevowednootherwomanwouldeveragainfindaplaceinhisthoughts。Nootherwomandid。
　　Notbecausehehadthestrengthtokeephisvow，butbecausehesocontinuallythoughtofFrancesGardnerthatnootherwomanhadachance。
　　MissGardnerwasaremarkablegirl。Hercharmappealedtoallkindsofmen，and，unfortunatelyforLee，severalkindsofmenappealedtoher。Herfortuneandherrelationswereboundupinthepersonofarichauntwithwhomshelived，andwho，itwasunderstood，somedaywouldleaveherallthemoneyintheworld。
　　But，inspiteofhercharm，certainlyinspiteoftherichaunt，Lee，truetohisdetermination，mightnothavenoticedthegirlhadnotsheriddensoextremelywell。
　　Itwastothecaptainofcavalryshefirstappealed。Butevenacavalrycaptain，whosedutyinlifeistoinstructsixtymenintheartoftakingthelifeofasmanyothermenaspossible，mayturnhisheadinthedirectionofagood-lookinggirl。Andwhenforweeksamanridesatthesideofonethroughpineforestsasdimandmysteriousastheaislesofagreatcathedral，whenheguidesheracrossthewetmarsheswhenthesunissettingcrimsoninthepoolsandthewindblowssaltfromthesea，whenhelosesthembothbymoonlightinwood-roadswherethehoofsofthehorsessinksilentlyintodustypineneedles，hethinksmorefrequentlyofthegirlathissidethanofthefaithfultrooperswaitingforhiminSanFrancisco。Thegirlathissidethoughtfrequentlyofhim。
　　Withthe"surfaceindications"ofayoungmanabouttoaskhertomarryhimshewaspainfullyfamiliar；butthistimethepossibilitywasthereverseofpainful。Whatshemeanttodoaboutitshedidnotknow，butshedidknowthatshewasstrangelyhappy。Betweenlivingonasthedependentofasomewhatexactingrelativeandbecomingthefullpartnerofthisyoungstranger，whowithmenhadprovedhimselfsomasterful，andwhowithherwassogentle，thereseemedbutlittlechoice。Butshedidnotasyetwishtomakethechoice。Shepreferredtobelieveshewasnotcertain。Sheassuredhimthatbeforehisleaveofabsencewasovershewouldtellhimwhethershewouldremainondutywiththequerulousaunt，whohadbefriendedher，orashiswifeaccompanyhimtothePhilippines。
　　Itwasnottheanswerhewanted；butinherhappiness，whichwasevidenttoeveryone，hecouldnothelpbuttakehope。Andinthequestionssheputtohimoflifeinthetropics，ofthelifeofthe"officers'ladies，"hesawthatwhatwasinhermindwasapossiblelifewithhim，andhewascontent。
　　Shebecametohimawonderful，gloriousperson，andeachdayshegrewinloveliness。IthadbeenfiveyearsofsoldieringinCuba，China，andontheMexicanbordersincehehadtalkedtoawomanwithinterest，andnowinallshesaid，inallherthoughtsandwordsanddelights，hefoundfresherandstrongerreasonsfordiscardinghisdeterminationtoremainweddedonlytotheUnitedStatesArmy。Hedidnotneedreasons。Hewasfartoomuchinlovetoseeinanywordoractofhersanythingthatwasnotfineandbeautiful。
　　Intheirridestheyhadonedaystumbleduponalong-lostandlong-forgottenroadthroughthewoods，whichshehadclaimedastheirownbyrightofdiscovery，and，nomattertowhatpointtheysetfortheachday，theyalwaysreturnedbyit。Theirwaythroughthewoodsstretchedformiles。Itwasconcealedinaforestofstuntedoaksandblackpines，withnosignofhumanhabitation，savehereandthereaclearingnowlongneglectedandaliveonlywithgoldenrod。Trunksoftrees，moss-grownandcrumblingbeneaththetouchoftheponies'hoofs，layintheirpath，andaboveitthebranchesofayoungergenerationhadclaspedhands。Attheirapproachsquirrelsracedforshelter，woodcockandpartridgeshotdeeperintothenetworkofvinesandsaplings，andtheclickofthesteelastheponiestossedtheirbits，andtheirownwhispers，alonedisturbedthesilence。
　　"Itisanenchantedroad，"saidthegirl；"ormaybeweareenchanted。"
　　"NotI，"criedtheyoungmanloyally。"Iwasneversosane，neversosure，neversohappyinknowingjustwhatIwanted！Ifonlyyoucouldbeassure！"
　　Onedayshecametohiminhighexcitementwithabookofverse。
　　"Hehaswrittenapoem，"shecried，"aboutourownwoods，aboutourlostroad！Listen"shecommanded，andshereadtohim：
　　"'TheyshuttheroadthroughthewoodsSeventyyearsago。
　　Weatherandrainhaveundoneitagain，AndnowyouwouldneverknowTherewasoncearoadthroughthewoodsBeforetheyplantedthetrees。
　　Itisunderneaththecoppiceandheath，Andthethinanemones。
　　OnlythekeeperseesThat，wheretheringdovebroods，Andthebadgersrollatease，Therewasoncearoadthroughthewoods。
　　"'Yet，ifyouenterthewoodsOfasummereveninglate，Whenthenightaircoolsonthetrout-ringedpoolsWheretheotterwhistleshismateTheyfearnotmeninthewoodsBecausetheyseesofew，Youwillhearthebeatofahorse'sfeet，Andtheswishofaskirtinthedew，SteadilycanteringthroughThemistysolitudes，AsthoughtheyperfectlyknewTheoldlostroadthroughthewoods……
　　Butthereisnoroadthroughthewoods。'"
　　"Idon'tlikethatatall，"criedthesoldierman。"It'stoo——toosad——itdoesn'tgiveyouanyencouragement。Thewayitends，I
　　mean：'Butthereisnoroadthroughthewoods。'Ofcoursethere'saroad！Forustherealwayswillbe。I'mgoingtomakesure。I'mgoingtobuythosewoods，andkeepthelostroadwherewecanalwaysfindit。"
　　"Idon'tthink，"saidthegirl，"thathemeansarealroad。"
　　"Iknowwhathemeans，"criedthelover，"andhe'swrong！Thereisaroad，andyouandIhavefoundit，andwearegoingtofollowitforalways。"
　　Thegirlshookherhead，buthereyesweresmilinghappily。
　　The"season"atAgawamsettclosedwiththetennistournament，anditwasgenerallyconcededfitandproper，fromeverypointofview，thatinmixeddoublesLeeandMissGardnershouldbepartners。YoungStedman，theBostonartist，wastheonlyonewhomadeobjection。Upinthesail-loftthathehadturnedintoastudiohewaspaintingaportraitofthelovelyMissGardner，andheprotestedthatthethreedays'tournamentwouldsadlyinterrupthiswork。AndFrances，whowasverymuchinterestedintheportrait，wasinclinedtoagree。
　　ButLeebeatdownherobjections。Hewasnotatallinterestedintheportrait。Hedisapprovedofitentirely。ForthesittingsrobbedhimofFrancesduringthebetterpartofeachmorning，andheurgedthatwhenhemustsosoonleaveher，betweenthemanwhowantedherportraitandthemanwhowantedher，itwouldbekindtogivehertimetothelatter。
　　"ButIhadnoidea，"protestedFrances，"hewouldtakesolong。
　　Hetoldmehe'dfinishitinthreesittings。Buthe'ssocriticalofhisownworkthathegoesoveritagainandagain。HesaysthatIamamostdifficultsubject，butthatIinspirehim。Andhesays，ifIwillonlygivehimtime，hebelievesthiswillbethebestthinghehasdone。"
　　"That'sanawfulthought，"saidthecavalryofficer。
　　"Youdon'tlikehim，"reprovedMissGardner。"Heisalwaysverypolitetoyou。"
　　"He'spolitetoeverybody，"saidLee；"that'swhyIdon'tlikehim。He'snotarealartist。He'sacourtier。Godgavehimatalent，andhemakesameanuseofit。Usesittoflatterpeople。
　　He'sliketheselong-hairedviolinistswhoplayanythingyouaskthemtointhelobsterpalaces。"
　　MissGardnerlookedawayfromhim。Hercolorwashighandhereyesverybright。
　　"Ithink，"shesaidsteadily，"thatMr。Stedmanisagreatartist，andsomedayalltheworldwillthinkso，too！"
　　Leemadenoanswer。NotbecausehedisagreedwithherestimateofMr。Stedman'sgenius-hemadenopretenseofbeinganartcritic——butbecausehervehementadmirationhadfilledhimwithsuddenpanic。Hewasnotjealous。Forthathewasfartoohumble。
　　Indeed，hethoughthimselfsoutterlyunworthyofFrancesGardnerthatthefactthattohimshemightprefersomeoneelsewasinnowayasurprise。HeonlyknewthatifsheshouldprefersomeoneelsenotallhistroophorsesnorallhismencouldputHumptyDumptybackagain。
　　Butif，inregardtoMr。Stedman，MissGardnerhadforamomentbeenatoddswiththemanwholovedher，shemadeupforitthedayfollowingonthetenniscourt。Thereshewasinaccordwithhiminheart，soul，andbody，andhersharp"Wellplayed，partner！"thrilledhimlikeoneofhisownbuglecalls。Fortwodaysagainstvisitingandlocalteamstheyfoughttheirwaythroughthetournament，andthestrugglewithherathissidefilledLeewithagreathappiness。NotthatthechampionshipofAgawamsettcountedgreatlytooneexiledforthreeyearstoliveamongtheMoros。Hewantedtowinbecauseshewantedtowin。
　　Buthishappinesscameindoingsomethingincommonwithher，inhelpingherandinhavingherhelphim，inbeing，ifonlyinplay，ifonlyforthreedays，her"partner。"
　　Aftertheywontheywalkedhometogether，eachswingingafat，heavyloving-cup。Oneachwasengraved：
　　"Mixeddoubles，Agawamsett，1910。"
　　Leeheldhisupsothatthesettingsunflashedonthesilver。
　　"Iamgoingtokeepthat，"hesaid，"aslongasIlive。Itmeansyouwereoncemy'partner。'It'sasignthatoncewetwoworkedtogetherforsomethingandwon。"Inthewordsthemanshowedsuchfeelingthatthegirlsaidsoberly：
　　"Minemeansthattome，too。Iwillneverpartwithmine，either。"
　　Leeturnedtoherandsmiled，appealingwistfully。
　　"Itseemsapitytoseparatethem，"hesaid。"They'dlookwelltogetheroveranopenfireplace。"
　　Thegirlfrownedunhappily。"Idon'tknow，"sheprotested。"I
　　don'tknow。"
　　ThenextdayLeereceivedfromtheWarDepartmentatelegramdirectinghimto"proceedwithoutdelay"toSanFrancisco，andtheretoembarkforthePhilippines。
　　Thatnightheputthequestiontoherdirectly，butagainsheshookherheadunhappily；againshesaid："Idon'tknow！"
　　Sohesailedwithouther，andeacheveningatsunset，asthegreattransportheavedherwayacrosstheswellofthePacific，hestoodattherailandlookedback。Withtheaidofthefirstofficerhecalculatedthedifferenceintimebetweenawhalingvillagesituatedatforty-fourdegreesnorthandanarmytransportdroppingrapidlytowardtheequator，andso，eachday，keptinstepwiththegirlheloved。
　　"Now，"hewouldtellhimself，"sheisinhercartinfrontofthepost-office，andwhiletheysortthemorningmailshegossipswiththefisherfolks，thesummerfolks，thegrooms，andchauffeurs。NowsheissittingforherportraittoStedman"hedidnotdwelllongonthatpartofherday，"andnowsheisattennis，or，asshepromised，ridingaloneatsunsetdownourlostroadthroughthewoods。"
　　ButthatpartofherdayfromwhichLeehurriedwasthatpartoverwhichthegirlherselflingered。Asheturnedhiseyesfromhiscanvastomeethers，Stedman，thecharming，thedeferential，theadroit，whoneverallowedhispaintingtointerrupthistalk，toldherofwhathewaspleasedtocallhisdreamsandambitions，ofthegreatandbeautifulladieswhohadsatbeforehiseasel，andoftheonlyoneofthemwhohadgivenhiminspiration。
　　Especiallyoftheonlyonewhohadgivenhiminspiration。Withheralwaystouplifthim，hecouldbecomeoneoftheworld'smostfamousartists，andshewouldgodownintohistoryasthebeautifulwomanwhohadhelpedhim，asthewifeofRembrandthadinspiredRembrandt，as"MonaLisa"hadmadeLeonardo。
　　Gilbertwrote："Itisnottheloverwhocomestowoo，butthelover'swayofwooing！"Hissuccessfulloverwastheonewhothrewthegirlacrosshissaddleandrodeawaywithher。Butonekindofwomandoesnotliketohaveherloverapproachshouting：
　　"Atthegallop！Charge！"
　　Sheprefersamannotbecauseheismasterful，butbecauseheisnot。Shelikestobelievethemanneedshermorethansheneedshim，thatshe，andonlyshe，cansteadyhim，cheerhim，keephimtruetotheworkheisintheworldtoperform。Itiscalledthe"mothering"instinct。
　　Francesfeltthismotheringinstincttowardthesensitive，imaginative，charmingStedman。Shebelievedhehadbuttwothoughts，hisartandherself。Shewascontenttoplacehisartfirst。
　　Shecouldnotguessthattoonesounworldly，toonesowrappedupinhisart，thefortuneofarichauntmightprovealluring。
　　WhenthetransportfinallypickedupthelandfallsofCaviteHarbor，Lee，withtheinstinctofasoldier，didnotexclaim：
　　"ThisiswhereDeweyranthefortsandsanktheSpanishfleet！"
　　Onthecontrary，hewassaying："Whenshecomestojoinme，itwillbehereIwillfirstseehersteamer。Iwillbewaitingwithafield-glassontheendofthatwharf。No，Iwillbeouthereinashore-boatwavingmyhat。Andofallthosealongtherail，myheartwilltellmewhichisshe！"
　　ThenabarefootedFilipinoboyhandedhimanunsignedcablegram。
　　Itread："IfIwroteathousandwordsIcouldnotmakeiteasierforeitherofus。IamtomarryArthurStedmaninDecember。"
　　LeewasgratefulforthefactthathewasnotpermittedtolingerinManila。Instead，hewasatonceorderedup-country，whereataone-trooppostheadministeredtheaffairsofasomewhathecticprovince，andundertheguidanceofthelocalconstabularychasedwill-o'-the-wispbrigands。Onashelfinhisquartersheplacedthesilverloving-cup，andatnight，whenthevillageslept，hewouldsitfacingit，fillingonepipeafteranother，andthroughthesmokestaringattheevidencetothefactthatonceFrancesGardnerandhehadbeenpartners。
　　Inthesepost-mortemshesawnothingmorbid。Withhispresentactivitiestheyinnowayinterfered，andinthinkingofthedayswhentheyhadbeentogether，inthinkingofwhathehadlost，hefounddeepcontent。Anotherman，havinglostthewomanheloved，wouldhavetriedtoforgetherandallshemeanttohim。ButLeewasfartoohonestwithhimselftosubstituteotherthoughtsforthosethatwereglorious，thatstillthrilledhim。Thegirlcouldtakeherselffromhim，butshecouldnottakehisloveforherfromhim。Andforthathewasgrateful。Heneverhadconsideredhimselfworthy，andsocouldnotbelievehehadbeenillused。Inhisthoughtsofhertherewasnobitterness：forthatalsohewasgrateful。And，asheknewhewouldnotcareforanyotherwomaninthewayhecaredforher，hepreferredtocareinthatway，evenforonewhowaslost，thaninalesserwayforapossibleshewhosomedaymightgreatlycareforhim。Soshestillremainedinhisthoughts，andwassoconstantlywithhimthatheledadualexistence，inwhichbydayhedirectedtheaffairsofanalienandhostilepeopleandbynightagainlivedthroughthewonderfulmomentswhenshehadthoughtshelovedhim，whenhefirsthadlearnedtoloveher。Attimessheseemedactuallyathisside，andhecouldnottellwhetherhewaspretendingthatthisweresoorwhethertheforceofhislovehadprojectedherimagehalfaroundtheworld。
　　Often，wheninsinglefileheledthementhroughtheforest，heseemedagaintobebackonCapeCodpickinghiswayovertheirownlostroadthroughthewood，andheheard"thebeatofahorse'sfeetandtheswishofaskirtinthedew。"Andthenacarbinewouldrattle，orahorsewouldstumbleandatrooperswear，andhewasagaininthesweatingjungle，wheremen，intentuponhislife，crouchedinambush。
　　Shesparedhimthemockeryofwedding-cards；buttheannouncementoftheweddingcametohiminathree-months-oldnewspaper。Hopingtheywouldspeakofherintheirletters，hekeptupasomewhatone-sidedcorrespondencewithfriendsofMrs。Stedman'sinBoston，whereshenowlived。Butforayearinnoneoftheirlettersdidhernameappear。WhenamutualfrienddidwriteofherLeeunderstoodthesilence。
　　Fromthefirst，themutualfriendwrote，thelifeofMrs。Stedmanandherhusbandwasthoroughlymiserable。Stedmanblamedherbecauseshecametohimpenniless。Therichaunt，whohadheartilydisapprovedoftheartist，hadspokenofhimsofranklythatFranceshadquarrelledwithher，andfromhernolongerwouldacceptmoney。InhisangeratthisStedmanshowedhimselftoFrancesashewas。Andonlytwomonthsaftertheirmarriageshewasfurtherenlightened。
　　AniratehusbandmadehimthecentralfigureinascandalthatfilledthefriendsofFranceswithdisgust，andthatforherwasanawakeningcruelandhumiliating。MennolongerpermittedtheirwomenfolktosittoStedmanforaportrait，andtheneedofmoneygrewimperative。HethemoreblamedFrancesforhavingquarrelledwithheraunt，toldheritwasforhermoneyhehadmarriedher，thatshehadruinedhiscareer，andthatshewastoblameforhisostracism——aconditionthathisownmisconducthadbroughtuponhim。Finally，aftertwelvemonthsofthis，onemorningheleftanotesayinghenolongerwouldallowhertobeadraguponhim，andsailedforEurope。
　　Theylearnedthat，inParis，hehadreturnedtothatlifewhichbeforehismarriage，eveninthateasy-goingcity，hadmadehimnotorious。"AndFrances，"continuedLee'scorrespondent，"hasleftBoston，andnowlivesinNewYork。Shewouldn'tletanyofushelpher，norevenknowwheresheis。Thelastweheardofhershewasinchargeofthecomplaintdepartmentofamillineryshop，forwhichworkshewasreceivingaboutthesamewagesI
　　givemycook。"
　　Leedidnotstoptowonderwhythesamewoman，whotoonemanwasa"drag，"wastoanother，eventhoughseparatedfromherbyhalftheworld，ajoyandablessing。Instead，hepromptlywrotehislawyerstofindMrs。Stedman，and，insuchawayastokeepherignorantoftheirgoodoffices，seethatsheobtainedapositionmorecongenialthanherpresentone，andonethatwouldpayherasmuchas，withoutarousinghersuspicions，theyfounditpossibletogive。
　　Threemonthshadpassed，andthisletterhadnotbeenanswered，wheninManila，wherehehadbeenorderedtomakeareport，heheardofheragain。Oneevening，whenthebandplayedontheLuneta，hemetanewlymarriedcouplewhohadknownhiminAgawamsett。Theynowwereonaninety-daycruisearoundtheworld。ClosefriendsofFrancesGardner，theyrememberedhimasoneofhermanydevoteesandatoncespokeofher。
　　"Thatblackguardshemarried，"thebridegroomtoldhim，"waskilledthreemonthsagoracingwithanothercarfromVersaillesbacktoParisafteradinneratwhich，itseems，allpresentdrank'burgundyoutofthefingerbowls。'ComingdownthatsteephillintoSaintCloud，thecarscollided，andStedmanandawoman，whosehusbandthoughtshewassomewhereelse，werekilled。
　　Hecouldn'tevendiewithoutmakingascandalofit。"
　　"Buttheworst，"addedthebride，"isthat，inspiteofthewaythelittlebeasttreatedher，IbelieveFrancesstillcaresforhim，andalwayswill。That'stheworstofit，isn'tit？"shedemanded。
　　Inwords，Leedidnotanswer，butinhisheartheagreedthatwasmuchtheworstofit。ThefactthatFranceswasfreefilledhimwithhope；butthatshestillcaredforthemanshehadmarried，andwouldcontinuetothinkonlyofhim，madehimillwithdespair。
　　Hecabledhislawyersforheraddress。Hedeterminedthat，atonce，onlearningit，hewouldtellherthatwithhimnothingwaschanged。Hehadforgottennothing，andhadlearnedmuch。Hehadlearnedthathisloveforherwasasplendidandinspiringpassion，thatevenwithoutherithadliftedhimup，helpedandcheeredhim，madethewholeworldkindandbeautiful。Withherhecouldnotpictureaworldsocompletewithhappiness。
　　Sinceenteringthearmyhehadnevertakenaleaveofabsence，andhewassure，ifnowheaskedforone，itwouldnotberefused。Hedetermined，iftheanswertohiscablegavehimtheaddress，hewouldreturnatonce，andagainofferherhislove，whichhenowknewwasdeeper，finer，andinfinitelymoretenderthanthelovehefirsthadfeltforher。Butthecablebalkedhim。"Addressunknown，"itread；"believedtohavegoneabroadincapacityofgoverness。Haveemployedforeignagents。Willcabletheirreport。"
　　Whethertowaitforandbeguidedbythereportofthedetectives，ortoproceedtoEuropeandsearchforherhimself，Leedidnotknow。Hefinallydeterminedthattoseekforherwithnoclewtoherwhereaboutswouldbebutawasteofpreciousmoments，while，ifintheirsearchtheagentsweresuccessful，hewouldbeabletogodirectlytoher。Meanwhile，bycable，heaskedforprotractedleaveofabsenceand，whilewaitingforhisanswer，returnedtohispost。There，withinaweek，hereceivedhisleaveofabsence，butinafashionthatthreatenedtoremovehimforeverfromthearmy。
　　Theconstabularyhadlocatedthewill-o'-the-wispbrigandsbehindastockadebuiltaboutanextinctvolcano，andLeeandhistroopandamountainbatteryattemptedtodislodgethem。InthefightthatfollowedLeecoveredhisbrowswithlaurelwreathsandreceivedtwobulletwoundsinhisbody。
　　Foramonthdeathstoodatthesideofhiscot；andthen，stillweakandattimesdeliriouswithfever，byslowstageshewasremovedtothehospitalinManila。Inoneofhissanemomentsacablewasshownhim。Itread："Whereaboutsstillunknown。"Leeatoncerebelledagainsthisdoctors。Hemustrise，hedeclared，andproceedtoEurope。Itwasuponamatteroflifeanddeath。Thesurgeonsassuredhimhisremainingexactlywherehewasalsowasamatterofasgreatconsequence。Lee'sknowledgeofhisownlackofstrengthtoldhimtheywereright。
　　Then，fromheadquarters，hewasinformedthat，asarewardforhisservicesandinrecognitionofhisapproachingconvalescence，hewasorderedtoreturntohisownclimateandthataneasybillethadbeenfoundforhimasarecruitingofficerinNewYorkCity。BelievingthewomanhelovedtobeinEurope，thisplanforhiscomfortonlysucceededinbringingonarelapse。Butthedayfollowingtherecameanothercablegram。Itputanabruptendtohismutiny，andbroughthimandtheWarDepartmentintocompleteaccord。
　　"SheisinNewYork，"itread，"actingasagentforacharitableinstitution，whichonenotknown，buthopeinafewdaystocablecorrectaddress。"
　　Inalltheworldtherewasnomansohappy。Thenextmorningatransportwassailing，and，probablybecausetheyhadreadthecablegram，thesurgeonsagreedwithLeethataseavoyagewoulddohimnoharm。Hewascarriedonboard，andwhenthepropellersfirstchurnedthewaterandheknewhewasmovingtowardher，theheroofthefightaroundthecratershedunmanlytears。Hewouldseeheragain，hearhervoice；thesamegreatcitywouldshelterthem。Itwasworthadozenbullets。
　　HereachedNewYorkinasnow-storm，aweekbeforeChristmas，andwentstraighttotheofficeofhislawyers。Theyreceivedhimwithembarrassment。Sixweeksbefore，ontheverydaytheyhadcabledhimthatMrs。StedmanwasinNewYork，shehadleftthecharitableinstitutionwhereshehadbeenemployed，andhadagaindisappeared。
　　LeesenthistrunkstotheArmyandNavyClub，whichwasimmediatelyaroundthecornerfromtherecruitingofficeinSixthAvenue，andbegandischargingtelegramsateveryonewhohadeverknownFrancesGardner。Thenetresultwasdiscouraging。Intheyearandahalfinwhichhehadbeenabsenteveryfriendofthegirlhesoughthadtemporarilychangedhisplaceofresidenceorwaspermanentlydead。
　　Meanwhilehisarrivalbythetransportwasannouncedintheafternoonpapers。Atthewharfanadmiringtrooperhadtoldafinetaleofhisconductatthebattleofthecrater，andreporterscalledattheclubtoseehim。Hedidnotdiscouragethem，ashehopedthroughthemthefactofhisreturnmightbemadeknowntoFrances。Shemightsendhimalineofwelcome，andhewoulddiscoverherwhereabouts。But，thoughmanyotherssenthimheartygreetings，fromhertherewasnoword。
　　OntheseconddayafterhisarrivaloneofthetelegramswasansweredinpersonbyafriendofMrs。Stedman。HeknewonlythatshehadbeeninNewYork，thatshewasverypoorandinillhealth，thatsheshunnedallofherfriends，andwasearningherlivingasthematronofsomesortofaclubforworkinggirls。Hedidnotknowthenameofit。
　　Onthethirddaytherestillwasnonews。OnthefourthLeedecidedthatthenextmorninghewouldadvertise。Hewouldsayonly："WillMrs。ArthurStedmancommunicatewithMessrs。Fuller&
　　Fuller？"Fuller&Fullerwerehislawyers。Thatafternoonheremaineduntilsixo'clockattherecruitingoffice，andwhenheleftittheelectricstreetlightswereburningbrightly。Aheavydampsnowwasfalling，andthelightsandthefallingflakesandtheshoutsofdriversandthetootsoftaxicabsmadeforthemanfromthetropicsawelcomehomecoming。
　　Insteadofreturningatoncetohisclub，heslackenedhissteps。
　　TheshopwindowsofSixthAvenuehungwithChristmasgarlands，andcoloredlampsglowedlikeopenfireplaces。Leepassedslowlybeforethem，gladthathehadbeenabletogetbackatsuchaseason。Forthemomenthehadforgottenthewomanhesought，andwasconsciousonlyofhissurroundings。Hehadpausedinfrontofthewindowofapawn-shop。Overthearrayofcheapjewelry，ofbanjos，shot-guns，andrazors，hiseyesmovedidly。Andthentheybecametransfixedandstaring。Intheveryfrontofthewindow，directlyunderhisnose，wasatarnishedsilverloving-cup。Onitwasengraved，"MixedDoubles。Agawamsett，1910。"Inalltheworldtherewereonlytwosuchcups，andasthoughheweredodgingtheslashofabolo，Leeleapedintotheshop。ManyprecioussecondswerewastedinpersuadingMrs。Cohenthathedidnotbelievethecuphadbeenstolen；thathewasnotfromtheCentralOffice；
　　thathebelievedtheladywhohadpawnedthecuphadcomebyithonestly；thathemeantnoharmtothelady；thathemeantnoharmtoMrs。Cohen；that，muchastheyoungladymayhaveneededthemoneyMrs。Cohenhadloanedheronthecup，heneededtheaddressoftheyoungladystillmore。
　　Mrs。Cohenretiredbehindascreen，andLeewasconsciousthatfromtheothersideofitthewholefamilyofCohensweretakinghismeasurements。Heapprovedoftheireffortstoprotecttheownerofthecup，butnotfromhim。
　　Heoffered，ifoneoftheyoungerCohenswouldtakehimtotheyounglady，tolethimfirstaskherifshewouldreceiveCaptainLee，andforhisservicehewouldgivetheyoungCohenuntoldgold。
　　Heexhibitedtheuntoldgold。TheyoungCohenchokedatthesightandsprangintotheseatbesidethedriverofataxicab。
　　"TotheWorkingGirls'Home，onTenthStreet！"hecommanded。
　　Throughthefallingsnowandtheflashinglightstheyslid，skidded，andleaped。InsidethecabLeeshiveredwithexcitement，withcold，withfearthatitmightnotbetrue。Hecouldnotrealizeshewasnear。Itwaseasiertoimaginehimselfstillinthejungle，withmonthsoftimeandsixteenthousandmilesoflandandwaterseparatingthem；orinthehospital，onawhite-enamelcot，watchingtheshadowcreepacrossthewhitewashedwall；orlyingbeneathanawningthatdidnotmove，staringataburning，brazenseathatdidnotmove，onatransportthat，timedbythebeatingofhisheart，stoodstill。
　　Thosedayswerewithintheradiusofhisexperience。Separation，absence，theimmutablegiantsoftimeandspace，heknew。Withthemhehadfoughtandcouldwithstandthem。Buttobenearher，tohearhervoice，tobringhisloveintoheractualpresence，thatwasanattackuponhisfeelingswhichfoundhimwithoutweapons。Thatforaveryfewdollarsshehadtradedthecupfromwhichshehadswornnevertopartdidnotconcernhim。Havingpartedfromhim，whatshedidwithasilvermugwasoflittleconsequence。Itwasofsignificanceonlyinthatitmeantshewaspoor。Andthatshewaseitheraninmateoramatronofalodging-houseforworkinggirlsalsoshowedshewaspoor。
　　Hehadbeentoldthatwashercondition，andthatshewasinillhealth，andthatfromallwholovedhershehadrefusedtoaccepthelp。Atthethoughthisjawslockedpugnaciously。Therewasonewholovedher，who，shouldsherefusehisaid，waspreparedtomakeherlifeintolerable。
　　Heplannedinsuccessionatlightningspeedallhemightdoforher。AmongotherthingshewouldmakethisChristmasthehappiestsheorhewouldeverknow。Notforaninstantdidhequestionthatshewhohadrefusedhelpfromallwholovedhercouldrefuseanythingheoffered。Forheknewitwasofferedwithalovethatdemandednothinginreturn，withalovethataskedonlytobeallowedtolove，andtoserve。Torefusehelpinspiredbysuchafeelingashiswouldbemorbid，wicked，ridiculous，asthoughaflowerrefusedtoturnitsfacetothesun，andshutitslipstothedew。
　　Thecabstoppedinfrontofabrickbuildingadornedwithmanyfire-
　　escapes。Afterwardherememberedabare，brilliantlylithallhungwithphotographsoftheAcropolis，andastout，capablewomaninacap，wholookedhimoverandsaid：
　　"YouwillfindMrs。Stedmaninthewriting-room。"
　　AndherememberedenteringaroomfilledwithMissionfurnitureandreading-lampsundergreenshades。Itwasempty，exceptforayounggirlindeepblack，whowasseatedfacinghim，herheadbentaboveawriting-desk。Ashecameintothecircleofthelampsthegirlraisedhereyesandasthoughliftedtoherfeetbywhatshesaw，andthroughnoeffortofherown，stooderect。
　　Andtheyoungmanwhohadpersuadedhimselfhislovedemandednothing，whoaskedonlytoworshipathergate，foundhisarmsreachingout，andheardhisvoiceasthoughitcamefromagreatdistance，cry，"Frances！"
　　Andthegirlwhohadrefusedthehelpofallwholovedher，likeahomingpigeonwalkedstraightintotheoutstretchedarms。
　　Afterfiveminutes，whenhewasalmostabletobelieveitwastrue，hesaidinhiscommanding，masterfulway："AndnowI'mgoingtotakeyououtofhere。I'mgoingtobuyyouaring，andasablecoat，andahousetolivein，andadinner。Whichshallwebuyfirst？"
　　"First，"saidFrances，frowninghappily，"IamafraidwemustgototheRitz，totellAuntEmily。Shealwayslovedyou，anditwillmakehersohappy。"
　　"TotheRitz！"stammeredtheyoungman。"ToAuntEmily！Ithoughttheytoldmeyourauntand-you-"
　　"Wequarrelled，yes，"saidFrances，"andshehasforgivenme；butshehasnotforgivenherself，soshespoilsme，andalreadyIhaveahousetolivein，andseveralsablecoats，and，oh！everything，everythingbutthering。"
　　"Iamsosorry！"criedLee。"Ithoughtyouwerepoor。Ihopedyouwerepoor。Butyouarejoking！"heexclaimeddelightedly。"Youarehereinaworkinggirls'home-"
　　"ItisoneofAuntEmily'scharities。Shebuiltit，"saidFrances。"I
　　comeheretotalktothegirls。"
　　"But，"persistedLeetriumphantly，"ifyouarenotpoor，whydidyoupawnoursilverloving-cup？"
　　Thefaceofthegirlbecamealovelycrimson，andtearsrosetohereyes。
　　Asthoughataconfessional，sheliftedherhandspenitently。
　　"Trytounderstand，"shebegged；"Iwantedyoutoloveme，notformymoney-"
　　"Butyouknew！"criedLee。
　　"Ihadtobesure，"beggedthegirl；"andIwantedtobelieveyoulovedmeevenifIdidnotloveyou。WhenitwastoolateIknewyoulovedmeasnowomaneverdeservedtobeloved；andIwantedthatlove。Icouldnotlivewithoutit。SowhenIreadinthepapersyouhadreturnedI
　　wouldn'tletmyselfwriteyou；Iwouldn'tletmyselfbegyoutocometoseeme。Isetatestforyou。IknewfromthepapersyouwereattheArmyandNavyClub，andthataroundthecornerwastherecruitingoffice。I'doftenseenthesergeantthere，inuniform，atthedoor。Iknewyoumustpassfromyourclubtotheofficemanytimeseachday，soI
　　thoughtoftheloving-cupandthepawn-shop。Iplanteditthere。Itwasatrick，atest。Ithoughtifyousawitinapawn-shopyouwouldbelieveI
　　nolongercaredforyou，andthatIwasverypoor。Ifyoupasseditby，thenIwouldknowyouyourselfhadstoppedcaring，butifyouaskedaboutit，ifyouinquiredforme，thenIwouldknowyoucametomeofyourownwish，becauseyou-"
　　Leeshookhishead。
　　"Youdon'thavetotellme，"hesaidgently，"whyIcame。I'veacaboutside。Youwillgetinit，"hecommanded，"andwewillrescueourcup。Ialwaystoldyoutheywouldlookwelltogetheroveranopenfireplace。"
　　THEMIRACLEOFLASPALMAS
　　Thisisthestoryofagallantofficerwholovedhisprofession，hisregiment，hiscountry，butaboveall，whiskey；ofhismiraculousconversiontototalabstinence，andofthehumbleinstrumentthatworkedthemiracle。Atthetimeitwasworked，abattalionoftheThirty-thirdInfantryhadbeenleftbehindtoguardtheZone，andwasoccupyingimpromptubarracksonthehillaboveLasPalmas。ThatwaswhenLasPalmaswasoneofthefourthousandstationsalongthefortymilesofthePanamaRailroad。
　　Whentherailroadwas"reconstructed"thenameofLasPalmasdidnotappearonthenewtime-table，andwhenthisstoryappearsLasPalmaswillbeeightyfeetunderwater。Soifanyonewishestodisputethemiraclehewillhavetoconducthisinvestigationinadiving-bell。
　　OnthisparticulareveningyoungMajorAintree，incommandofthebattalion，hadgoneupthelinetoPanamatodineattheHotelTivoli，andhaddinedwell。TopreventhisdoingthisapaternalgovernmenthadorderedthatattheTivolinoalcoholicliquorsmaybesold；butonlytwohundredyardsfromthehotel，outsidethezoneoftemperance，liesPanamaandAngelina's，andduringthedinner，betweentheTivoliandAngelina's，theJamaicanwaiter-boysranrelayraces。
　　Afterthedinner，theJamaicanwaiter-boysprovingtooslow，thedinner-partyinabodyadjournedtoAngelina's，andwhenlater，MajorAintreemovedacrossthestreettothenighttraintoLasPalmas，hemovedunsteadily。
　　YoungStandishoftheCanalZonepolice，who，thoughbuttwenty-
　　six，wasafullcorporal，wasforthatnightondutyas"trainguard，"andwaswaitingattherearstepsofthelastcar。AsAintreeapproachedthestepshesawindistinctlyaboyishfigureinkhaki，and，mistakingitforoneofhisownmen，heclaspedthehandrailforsupport，andhaltedfrowning。
　　Observingtheconditionoftheofficerthepolicemanalsofrowned，butindeferencetotheuniform，slowlyandwithreluctanceraisedhishandtohissombrero。Thereluctancewasmoreapparentthanthesalute。Itwaslessofasalutethananimpertinence。
　　Partlyoutofregardforhisrank，partlyfromtemper，chieflyfromwhiskey，Aintreesawscarlet。
　　"Whenyous'luteyours'periorofficer，"heshouted，"yous'lutehimquick。Youunnerstan'，yous'lutehimquick！S'lutemeagain，"hecommanded，"ands'lutemedamnquick。"
　　Standishremainedmotionless。Asisthehabitofpolicemenoveralltheworld，histhumbswerestuckinhisbelt。Heansweredwithoutoffense，intonesmatter-of-factandcalm。
　　"Youarenotmysuperiorofficer，"hesaid。
　　ItwasthecalmnessthatirritatedAintree。Hiseyessoughtfortheinfantryman'scapandfoundasombrero。
　　"Youdamnedleatherneck，"hebegan，"I'llreport——"
　　"I'mnotamarine，either，"interruptedStandish。"I'mapoliceman。
　　Moveon，"heordered，"you'rekeepingthesepeoplewaiting。"
　　Othersofthedinner-partyformedaflyingwedgearoundAintreeandcrowdedhimupthestepsandintoaseatandsatuponhim。
　　Tenminuteslater，whenStandishmadehisroundsofthecars，Aintreesawhimapproaching。Hehadavaguerecollectionthathehadbeeninsulted，andbyapoliceman。
　　"You！"hecalled，andsoloudlythatallinthecarturned，"I'mgoingtoreportyou，goingtoreportyouforinsolence。What'syourname？"
　　LookingneitheratAintreenoratthefacesturnedtowardhim，StandishrepliedasthoughAintreehadaskedhimwhattimeitwas。
　　"Standish，"hesaid，"corporal，shieldnumber226，ontrainguard。"Hecontinueddowntheaisle。
　　"I'llrememberyou，"Aintreeshouted。
　　Butinthehot，glaringdawnofthemorningafter，Aintreeforgot。
　　ItwasStandishwhoremembered。
　　ThemenoftheZonepolicearehand-picked。Theyhavebeensoldiers，marines，cowboys，sheriffs，"BlackHussars"ofthePennsylvaniaStateconstabulary，roughriderswithRoosevelt，mountedpoliceinCanada，irregularhorseinSouthAfrica；theyformoneofthebest-organized，best-disciplined，mostefficient，mostpicturesquesemi-militarybodiesintheworld。StandishjoinedthemfromthePhilippineconstabularyinwhichhehadbeenasecondlieutenant。ThereareseverallikehimintheZonepolice，andinEnglandtheywouldbecalledgentlemenrankers。OntheIsthmus，becauseofhisyouth，hisfellowpolicemencalledStandish"Kid。"Andsmartaseachofthemwas，eachofthemadmittedtheKidworehisuniformwithadifference。
　　WithhimitalwayslookedasthoughithadcomefreshlyironedfromtheColonlaundry；hisleatherleggingsshonelikemeerschaumpipes；thebrimofhissombrerorestedimpudentlyonthebridgeofhisnose。
　　"He'sbeenanofficer，"theyusedtosayinextenuation。"Youcantellwhenhesalutes。Heshowsthebackofhishand。"Secretly，theywereproudofhim。Standishcameofalongchainofsoldiers，andthattheweakestlinkinthechainhadprovedtobehimselfwasasorrownooneelsebuthimselfcouldfathom。Sincehewasthreeyearsoldhehadbeentrainedtobeasoldier，ascarefully，withthesamesinglenessofpurpose，asthecrownprinceistrainedtobeaking。Andwhen，afterthreehappy，gloriousyearsatWestPoint，hewasfoundnotcleverenoughtopasstheexaminationsandwasdropped，hedidnotcursethegodsanddie，butbeganagaintoworkhiswayup。Hewasdeterminedhestillwouldwearshoulder-straps。