I
OnOctober10，1856，aboutfourhundredpeoplewerecampedinTasajaraValley，California。Itcouldnothavebeenfortheprospect，sinceamorebarren，dreary，monotonous，anduninvitinglandscapeneverstretchedbeforehumaneye;itcouldnothavebeenforconvenienceorcontiguity，asthenearestsettlementwasthirtymilesaway;itcouldnothavebeenforhealthorsalubrity，asthebreathoftheague-hauntedtulesintheoutlyingStocktonmarshessweptthroughthevalley;itcouldnothavebeenforspaceorcomfort，for，encampedonanunlimitedplain，menandwomenwerehuddledtogetherascloselyasinanurbantenement-house，withoutthefreedomordecencyofruralisolation;itcouldnothavebeenforpleasantcompanionship，asdejection，mentalanxiety，tears，andlamentationwerethedominantexpression;itwasnotahurriedflightfrompresentorimpendingcalamity，forthecamphadbeendeliberatelyplanned，andforaweekpioneerwagonshadbeenslowlyarriving;itwasnotanirrevocableexodus，forsomehadalreadyreturnedtotheirhomesthatothersmighttaketheirplaces。Itwassimplyareligiousrevivalofoneortwodenominationalsects，knownasa"camp-meeting。"
Alargecentraltentservedfortheassemblingoftheprincipalcongregation;smallertentsservedforprayer-meetingsandclass-
rooms，knowntothefewunbelieversas"side-shows";whiletheactualdwellingsoftheworshiperswererudelyextemporizedshantiesofboardsandcanvas，sometimesmerecorralsorinclosuresopentothecloudlesssky，ormoreoftentheunhitchedcoveredwagonwhichhadbroughtthemthere。Thesingularresemblancetoacircus，alreadyprofanelysuggested，wascarriedoutbyastragglingfringeofboysandhalf-grownmenontheoutskirtsoftheencampment，acrimoniouswithdisappointedcuriosity，lazywithoutthecarelesseaseofvagrancy，andviciouswithouttheexcitementofdissipation。Forthecoarsepovertyandbrutaleconomyofthelargerarrangements，thedrearypanoramaofunlovelyandunwholesomedomesticdetailsalwaysbeforetheeyes，werehardlyexcitingtothesenses。Thecircusmighthavebeenmoredangerous，butscarcelymorebrutalizing。Theactorsthemselves，hardandaggressivethroughpracticalstruggles，oftenwarpedandtwistedwithchronicformsofsmallerdiseases，ormalformedandcrippledthroughcarelessnessandneglect，andrestlessanduneasythroughsomevaguementaldistressandinquietudethattheyhadaddedtotheirburdens，werescarcelyamusingperformers。TherheumaticParkinsons，fromGreenSprings;theophthalmicFilgees，fromAlderCreek;theague-strickenHarneys，fromMartinezBend;
andthefeeble-limbedSteptons，fromSugarMill，might，intheircombinedfamilies，havesuggestedahospital，ratherthananyothersocialassemblage。Eventheircompanionship，whichhadlittleofcheerfulfellowshipinit，wouldhavebeengrotesquebutforthepatheticinstinctofsomemutualvagueappealfromthehardnessoftheirlivesandthehelplessnessoftheirconditionsthathadbroughtthemtogether。NorwasthisappealtoaHigherPoweranythelesspatheticthatitborenoreferencewhatevertotheirrespectiveneedsordeficiencies，butwasalwaysaninvocationforalightwhich，whentheybelievedtheyhadfoundit，tounregenerateeyesscarcelyseemedtoilluminetheruggedpathinwhichtheirfeetwerecontinuallystumbling。Onemighthavesmiledattheideaofthevendetta-followingFergusesprayingfor"justificationbyFaith，"buttheactualspectacleofoldSimonFergus，whoseshot-gunwasstillinhiswagon，offeringupthatappealwithstreamingeyesandagonizedfeatureswaspainfulbeyondadoubt。Toseekandobtainanexaltationoffeelingvaguelyknownas"It，"orlessvaguelyveilingasacredname，wastheburdenofthegeneralappeal。
Thelargetenthadbeenfilled，andbetweentheexhortationsacertaingloomyenthusiasmhadbeenkeptupbysinging，whichhadtheeffectofcontinuinginaneasy，rhythmical，impersonal，andirresponsiblewaythesympathiesofthemeeting。Thiswasinterruptedbyayoungmanwhorosesuddenly，withthatspontaneityofimpulsewhichcharacterizedthespeakers，butunlikehispredecessors，heremainedforamomentmute，tremblingandirresolute。Thefatalhesitationseemedtochecktheunreasoning，monotonousflowofemotion，andtorecalltosomeextentthereasonandeventhecriticismoftheworshipers。Hestammeredaprayerwhoseearnestnesswasundoubted，whosehumilitywasbuttooapparent，buthiswordsfellonfacultiesalreadybenumbedbyrepetitionandrhythm。Aslightmovementofcuriosityintherearbenches，andawhisperthatitwasthemaideneffortofanewpreacher，helpedtoprolongtheinterruption。Aheavymanofstrongphysicalexpressionsprangtotherescuewithahystericalcryof"Glory！"andatumultuousfluencyofepithetandsacredadjuration。Stillthemeetingwavered。Withonefinalparoxysmalcry，thepowerfulmanthrewhisarmsaroundhisnearestneighborandburstintosilenttears。Ananxioushushfollowed;thespeakerstillcontinuedtosobonhisneighbor’sshoulder。Almostbeforethefactcouldbecommentedupon，itwasnoticedthattheentirerankofworshipersonthebenchbesidehimwerecryingalso;thesecondandthirdrowswerespeedilydissolvedintears，untileventheveryyouthfulscoffersinthelastbenchessuddenlyfoundtheirhalf-hystericallaughterturnedtosobs。Thedangerwasaverted，thereactionwascomplete;thesingingcommenced，andinafewmomentsthehaplesscauseoftheinterruptionandthemanwhohadretrievedthedisasterstoodtogetheroutsidethetent。Ahorsewaspicketednearthem。
Thevictorwasstillpantingfromhislateexertions，andwasmoreorlessdiluvialineyeandnostril，butneithereyenornostrilboretheslightesttremorofotherexpression。Hisfacewasstolidandperfectlyinkeepingwithhisphysique，——heavy，animal，andunintelligent。
"YeoughtertrustedintheLord，"hesaidtotheyoungpreacher。
"ButIdid，"respondedtheyoungman，earnestly。
"That’sit。Justifyin’yourselfbyworksinsteado’leanin’ontoHim！FindHim，sezyou！GitHim，sezyou！Worksisvain。Glory！
glory！"hecontinued，withfluentvacuityandwandering，dull，observanteyes。
"ButifIhadalittlemorepracticeinclass，BrotherSilas，moreeducation？"
"Theletterkilleth，"interruptedBrotherSilas。Herehiswanderingeyestookdullcognizanceoftwofemalefacespeeringthroughtheopeningofthetent。"No，yermishun，BrotherGideon，istoseekHimintheby-ways，inthewilderness，——wherethefoxeshevholesandtheravenshevtheiryoung，——butnotintheTemplesofthepeople。WotsezSisterParsons？"
Oneofthefemalefacesdetacheditselffromthetentflaps，whichitnearlyresembledincolor，andbroughtforwardanangularfigureclothedinfadedfustianthathadtakenthevariousshadesandodorsofhouseholdservice。
"BrotherSilasspeakswell，"saidSisterParsons，withstridulousfluency。"It’sfore-ordained。Fore-ordinashunisbetternorordinashun，saiththeLord。Heshallgoforth，turnin’neithertotherighthandnorthelefthand，andseekHimamongthelosttribesandtheungodly。HeshallputasidethetemptashunofMammonandtheflesh。"HereyesandthoseofBrotherSilasherebothsoughttheotherfemaleface，whichwasthatofayounggirlofseventeen。
"WotsezlittleSisterMeely，——wotsezMeelyParsons？"continuedBrotherSilas，asifrepeatinganunctuousformula。
Theyounggirlcamehesitatinglyforward，andwithanervouscryof"Oh，Gideon！"threwherselfonthebreastoftheyoungman。
Foramomenttheyremainedlockedineachother’sarms。Inthepromiscuousandfraternalembracingswhichwereapartofthedevotionalexercisesofthehour，theactpassedwithoutsignificance。Theyoungmangentlyraisedherface。Shewasyoungandcomely，albeitmarkedwithahalf-frightened，half-vacantsorrow。"Amen，"saidBrotherGideon，gravely。
Hemountedhishorseandturnedtogo。BrotherSilashadclaspedhispowerfularmsaroundbothwomenandwasholdingtheminaponderousembrace。
"Goforth，youngman，intothewilderness。"
Theyoungmanbowedhishead，andurgedhishorseforwardinthebleakandbarrenplain。Inhalfanhoureveryvestigeofthecampanditsunwholesomesurroundingswaslostinthedistance。Itwasasifthestrongdesiccatingwind，whichseemedtospringupathishorse’sfeet，hadcleanlyerasedtheflimsystructuresfromthefaceoftheplain，sweptawaythelighterbreathofpraiseandplaint，anddrieduptheeasy-flowingtears。Theairwasharshbutpure;thegrimeconomyofformandshadeandcolorinthelevelplainwascoarsebutnotvulgar;theskyabovehimwascoldanddistantbutnotrepellent;themoisturethathadbeendeniedhiseyesattheprayer-meetingoverflowedthemhere;thewordsthathadchokedhisutteranceanhouragonowrosetohislips。Hethrewhimselffromhishorse，andkneelinginthewitheredgrass——amereatomintheboundlessplain——liftedhispalefaceagainsttheirresponsiveblueandprayed。
Heprayedthattheunselfishdreamofhisbitterboyhood，hisdisappointedyouth，mightcometopass。Heprayedthathemightinhigherhandsbecomethehumbleinstrumentofgoodtohisfellow-
man。Heprayedthatthedeficienciesofhisscanteducation，hisself-taughtlearning，hishelplessisolation，andhisinexperiencemightbeoverlookedorreinforcedbygrace。HeprayedthattheInfiniteCompassionmightenlightenhisignoranceandsolitudewithamanifestationoftheSpirit;inhisveryweaknessheprayedforsomespecialrevelation，somesignortoken，somevisitationorgraciousunbendingfromthatcoldlyliftingsky。Thelowsunburnedtheblackedgeofthedistanttuleswithdulleatingfiresasheprayed，litthedwarfedhillswithabriefbutineffectualradiance，andthendiedout。Thelingeringtradewindsfiredafewvolleysoveritsgraveandthenlapsedintoachillysilence。Theyoungmanstaggeredtohisfeet;itwasquitedarknow，butthecomingnighthadadvancedafewstarryvedettessoneartheplaintheylookedlikehumanwatch-fires。Foraninstanthecouldnotrememberwherehewas。Thenalighttrembledfardownattheentranceofthevalley。BrotherGideonrecognizedit。ItwasinthelonelyfarmhouseofthewidowofthelastCircuitpreacher。
II
TheabodeofthelateReverendMarvinHilerremainedinthedisorganizedconditionhehadleftitwhenremovedfromhissphereofearthlyuselessnessandcontinuousaccident。Thestragglingfencethatonlyhalfinclosedthehouseandbarnhadstoppedatthatpointwherethetwodeaconswhohadeachvolunteeredtodoaday’sworkonithadcompletedtheirallottedtime。ThebuildingofthebarnhadbeenarrestedwhenthehalfloadoftimbercontributedbySugarMillbrethrenwasexhausted，andthreewindowsgivenby"ChristianSeekers"atMartinezpainfullyaccentedtheboardedspacesfortheotherthreethat"UnknownFriends"inTasajarahadpromisedbutnotyetsupplied。Intheclearingsometreesthathadbeenfelledbutnottakenawayaddedtothegeneralincompleteness。
SomethingofthisunfinishedcharacterclungtotheWidowHilerandasserteditselfinherthreechildren，oneofwhomwasconsistentlyposthumous。Prematurelyoldandprematurelydisappointed，shehadalltheinexperienceofgirlhoodwiththecaresofmaternity，andkeptinherfamilycirclethefreshnessofanoldmaid’smisogynisticantipathieswithacertainguiltyandremorsefulconsciousnessofwidowhood。Shesupportedthemeagrehouseholdtowhichherhusbandhadcontributedonlytheextramouthstofeedwithreproachfulastonishmentandwearyincapacity。Shehadlongsincegrowntiredoftryingtomakebothendsmeet，ofwhichshedeclared"theLordhadtakenone。"Duringhertwoyears’widowhoodshehadwaitedonProvidence，whobyapleasinglocalfictionhadbeenmaderesponsibleforthedisusedandcast-offfurnitureandclothingwhich，accompaniedwithscripturaltexts，foundtheirwaymysteriouslyintoherfewhabitablerooms。Theprovidentialmannawasnotalwaysfresh;theravenswhofedherandherlittleoneswithflourfromtheSugarMillsdidnotalwaysselectthebestquality。Smallwonderthat，sittingbyherlonelyhearthstone，——aborrowedstovethatsupplementedtheunfinishedfireplace，——
surroundedbyhermismatchedfurnitureandcladinmisfittinggarments，shehadcontractedahabitofsnifflingduringherdrearywatches。Inherweakermomentssheattributedittogrief;inherstrongerintervalssheknewthatitsprangfromdampanddraught。
Inherapathythesoundofhorses’hoofsatherunprotecteddoorevenatthathourneithersurprisednoralarmedher。SheliftedherheadasthedooropenedandthepalefaceofGideonDeanelookedintotheroom。Shemovedasidethecradleshewasrocking，and，takingasaucepanandtea-cupfromachairbesideher，absentlydusteditwithherapron，andpointingtothevacantseatsaid，"Takeachair，"asquietlyasifhehadsteppedfromthenextroominsteadoftheouterdarkness。
"I’llputupmyhorsefirst，"saidGideongently。
"Sodo，"respondedthewidowbriefly。
Gideonledhishorseacrosstheinclosure，stumblingovertheheapsofrubbish，driedchips，andweather-beatenshavingswithwhichitwasstrewn，untilhereachedtheunfinishedbarn，wherehetemporarilybestowedhisbeast。Thentakingarustyaxe，bythefaintlightofthestars，heattackedoneofthefallentreeswithsuchenergythatattheendoftenminuteshereappearedatthedoorwithanarmfulofcutboughsandchips，whichhequietlydepositedbehindthestove。Observingthathewasstillstandingasiflookingforsomething，thewidowliftedhereyesandsaid，"Efit’sthebucket，Ireckonye’llfinditatthespring，whereoneofthemfoolishFilgeeboysleftit。I’vebeenthattuckeredoutsenssundown，Iain’thadtheambitiontogoandtoteitback。"
WithoutawordGideonrepairedtothespring，filledthemissingbucket，replacedthehoopontheloosenedstavesofanotherhefoundlyinguselessbesideit，andagainreturnedtothehouse。
Thewidowoncemorepointedtothechair，andGideonsatdown。
"It’squiteaspellsensyouwoshere，"saidtheWidowHiler，returningherfoottothecradle-rocker;"notsensyerwasordained。Be’npracticin’，Ireckon，atthemeetin’。"
Aslightcolorcameintohischeek。"Myplaceisnotthere，SisterHiler，"hesaidgently;"it’sforthosewiththegifto’tongues。
Igoforthonlyacommonlaborerinthevineyard。"Hestoppedandhesitated;hemighthavesaidmore，butthewidow，whowasfamiliarwiththatkindofhumilityastheordinaryperfunctoryexpressionofherclass，suggestednosympatheticinterestinhismission。
"Thar’sadealo’talkoverthere，"shesaiddryly，"andthar’sfolksezthinksthar’sadealo’moneyspentinpicnickingtheGospelthatmightbegiventothemezwishtospreadit，ortotheirwidowsandchildren。Butthatdon’tconsarnyou，BrotherGideon。SisterParsonshezmoneyenoughtosettleherdarterMeelycomfortablyonherownland;andI’veheardtellthatyouandMeelywasonlywaitin’tillyouwasordainedtobejinedtogether。
You’llhevaneasiertimeofit，BrotherGideon，thanpoorMarvinHilerhad，"shecontinued，suppressinghertearswithacertainastringencythattooktheplaceofherlostpride;"buttheLordwillsthatsomeshouldbetriedandsomenot。"
"ButIamnotgoingtomarryMeelyParsons，"saidGideonquietly。
Thewidowtookherfootfromtherocker。"NotmarryMeely！"sherepeatedvaguely。Butrelapsingintoherdespondentmoodshecontinued："ThenIreckonit’struewhatotherfolkssezofBrotherSilasBraggleymakin’uptoherandhispowerfulexhortin’
influenceoverherma。FolkssezezSisterParsonshezjustresignedhersoulinterhiskeepin’。"
"BrotherSilashezaheavenlygift，"saidtheyoungman，withgentleenthusiasm;"andperhapsitmaybeso。Ifitis，itistheLord’swill。ButIdonotmarryMeelybecausemylifeandmywayshenceforthmustliefarbeyondhersphereofstrength。Ioughtn’ttodragayounginexperiencedsoulwithmetobattleandstruggleinthethornypathsthatImusttread。"
"Ireckonyouknowyourownmind，"saidSisterHilergrimly。"Butthar’sfolksezmightallowthatMeelyParsonsain’tanybetterthanothers，thatsheshouldn’thavehershareo’trialsandkeersandcrosses。Richesandbringin’updon’texemptfolksfromtheshadder。ImarriedMarvinHilerouterahouseezgoodezSisterParsons’，andatatimewhenoldCyrusParsonshadn’tarooftohisheadbutthecoveroftheemigrantwagonhekemacrosstheplainsin。ImightsayezMarvinknowedprettywellwotitwastohaveahelpmeetinhisministration，ifitwasn’tvanityofsperittosayitnow。Butthefleshisweak，BrotherGideon。"Herinfluenzahereresolveditselfintounmistakabletears，whichshewipedawaywiththefirstarticlethatwasaccessibleinthework-bagbeforeher。AsitchancedtobeablacksilkneckerchiefofthedeceasedHiler，theresultwasfunereal，suggestive，butpracticallyineffective。
"YouwereagoodwifetoBrotherHiler，"saidtheyoungmangently。
"Everybodyknowsthat。"
"It’ssuthin’tothinkofsincehe’sgone，"continuedthewidow，bringingherworknearertohereyestoadjustittotheirtear-
dimmedfocus。"It’ssuthin’tolaytoheartinthelonelydaysandnightswhenthar’snomanroundtofetchwaterandwoodandlendahandtodoin’chores;it’ssuthin’toremember，withhisthreechildrentofeed，andlittleSelby，theeldest，thatvainanduselessthathecan’teventotethebabyroundwhileIdotheworkofahiredman。"
"It’sahardtrial，SisterHiler，"saidGideon，"buttheLordhasHisappointedtime。"
FamiliarasconsolationbyvaguequotationwastoSisterHiler，therewasanoccultsympathyinthetoneinwhichthiswasofferedthatliftedherforaninstantoutofhernarrowerself。Sheraisedhereyestohis。Thepersonalabstractionofthedevoteehadnoplaceinthedeepdarkeyesthatwereliftedfromthecradletoherswithasad，discriminating，andalmostwomanlysympathy。
Surprisedoutofherselfishpreoccupation，shewasremindedofherapparentcallousnesstowhatmightbehispresentdisappointment。
Perhapsitseemedstrangetoher，too，thatthosetendereyesshouldgoa-begging。
"Yertakin’aChristianviewofyerowndisappointment，BrotherGideon，"shesaid，withlessastringencyofmanner;"buteveryheartknowethitsownsorrer。I’llbegettin’suppernowthatthebaby’ssleepin’sound，andye’llsitbyandeat。"
"Ifyouletmehelpyou，SisterHiler，"saidtheyoungmanwithacheerfulnessthatbeliedanyoverwhelmingheartaffection，andawakenedinthewidowafemininecuriosityastohisrealfeelingstoMeely。Butherfurtherquestioningwasmetwithafrank，amiable，andsimplebrevitythatwasaspuzzlingasthemostartfulperiphraseoftact。Accustomedasshewastotheloquacityofgriefandtheconfidingprolixityofdisappointedlovers，shecouldnotunderstandherguest’squiescentattitude。Hercuriosity，however，soongavewaytothehabitualcontemplationofherownsorrows，andshecouldnotforegotheopportunepresenceofasympathizingauditortowhomshecouldrelieveherfeelings。Thepreparationsfortheeveningmealwerethereforeaccompaniedbyadrearymonotoneoflamentation。Shebewailedherlostyouth，herbriefcourtship，thestrugglesofherearlymarriedlife，herprematurewidowhood，herpenuriousandhelplessexistence，thedisruptionofallherpresentties，thehopelessnessofthefuture。
Sherehearsedtheunendingplaintofthoselongevenings，settothemusicoftherestlesswindaroundherbleakdwelling，withsomethingofitsstridulousreiteration。Theyoungmanlistened，andrepliedwithsoftlyassentingeyes，butwithoutpausinginthematerialaidthathewasquietlygivingher。Hehadremovedthecradleofthesleepingchildtothebedroom，quietedthesuddenwakefulnessof"Pinkey，"rearrangedthestragglingfurnitureofthesitting-roomwithmuchorderandtidiness，repairedthehingesofarebelliousshutterandthelockofanunyieldingdoor，andyethadapparentlyretainedanunabatedinterestinherspokenwoes。
Surprisedoncemoreintorecognizingthisdevotion，SisterHilerabruptlyarrestedhermonologue。
"Well，ifyouain’tthehandiestmanIeverseedaboutahouse！"
"AmI？"saidGideon，withsuddenlysparklingeyes。"Doyoureallythinkso？"
"Ido。"
"Thenyoudon’tknowhowgladIam。"Hisfrankfacesounmistakablyshowedhissimplegratificationthatthewidow，aftergazingathimforamoment，wassuddenlyseizedwithabewilderingfancy。Thefirsteffectofitwastheabruptwithdrawalofhereyes，thenasuddeneffusionofbloodtoherforeheadthatfinallyextendedtohercheekbones，andthenanintervalofforgetfulnesswheresheremainedwithaplateheldvaguelyinherhand。Whenshesucceededatlastinputtingitonthetableinsteadoftheyoungman’slap，shesaidinavoicequiteunlikeherown，——
"Sho！"
"Imeanit，"saidGideon，cheerfully。Afterapause，inwhichheunostentatiouslyrearrangedthetablewhichthewidowwasabstractedlydisorganizing，hesaidgently，"Aftertea，whenyou’renotsomuchflusteredwithworkandworry，andmorecomposedinspirit，we’llhavealittletalk，SisterHiler。I’minnohurryto-night，andifyoudon’tmindI’llmakemyselfcomfortableinthebarnwithmyblanketuntilsun-upto-morrow。IcangetupearlyenoughtodosomeoddchoresroundthelotbeforeIgo。"
"Youknowbest，BrotherGideon，"saidthewidow，faintly，"andifyouthinkit’stheLord’swill，andnospeshaltroubletoyou，sodo。Butsakesalive！it’stimeItidiedmyselfalittle，"shecontinued，liftingonehandtoherhair，whilewiththeothersheendeavoredtofastenabuttonlesscollar;"leavin’alonethevanitieso’dress，it’sezmuchasonecandotokeepacleanragonwiththechildrenclimbin’overye。Sitby，andI’llbebackinaminit。"Sheretiredtothebackroom，andinafewmomentsreturnedwithsmoothedhairandapalm-leafbrocheshawlthrownoverhershoulders，whichnotonlyconcealedtheravagesmadebytimeandmaternityonthegownbeneath，buttosomeextentgaveherthesuggestionofbeingacasualvisitorinherownhousehold。ItmustbeconfessedthatfortherestoftheeveningSisterHilerratherlentherselftothisidea，possiblyfromthefactthatittemporarilyobliteratedthechildren，andquiteremovedherfromanyresponsibilityintheunpicturesquehousehold。ThiseffectwasonlymarredbytheabsenceofanyimpressionuponGideon，whoscarcelyappearedtonoticethechange，andwhosesofteyesseemedrathertoidentifythemiserablewomanunderherforceddisguise。
Heprefacedthemealwithaferventgrace，towhichthewidowlistenedwithsomethingoftheconsciousattitudeshehadadoptedatchurchduringherlatehusband’sministration，andduringthemealsheatewithalikeconsciousnessof"companymanners。"
LaterthateveningSelbyHilerwokeupinhislittletrucklebed，listeningtotherisingmidnightwind，whichinhischildishfancyheconfoundedwiththesoundofvoicesthatcamethroughtheopendooroftheliving-room。Herecognizedthedeepvoiceoftheyoungminister，Gideon，andtheoccasionaltearfulresponsesofhismother，andhewasfancyinghimselfagainatchurchwhenheheardastep，andtheyoungpreacherseemedtoentertheroom，andgoingtothebedleanedoveritandkissedhimontheforehead，andthenbentoverhislittlebrotherandsisterandkissedthemtoo。Thenheslowlyre-enteredtheliving-room。Liftinghimselfsoftlyonhiselbow，Selbysawhimgouptowardshismother，whowascrying，withherheadonthetable，andkissheralsoontheforehead。
Thenhesaid"Good-night，"andthefrontdoorclosed，andSelbyheardhisfootstepscrossingthelottowardsthebarn。Hismotherwasstillsittingwithherfaceburiedinherhandswhenhefellasleep。
Shesatbythedyingembersofthefireuntilthehousewasstillagain;thensheroseandwipedhereyes。"Et’sagoodthing，"shesaid，goingtothebedroomdoor，andlookinginuponhersleepingchildren;"et’samercyandablessingforthemand——for——me。But——
but——hemight——hev——said——he——lovedme！"
III
AlthoughGideonDeanecontrivedtofindanestforhisblanketinthemouldystrawoftheunfinishedbarnloft，hecouldnotsleep。
Herestlesslywatchedthestarsthroughthecracksoftheboardedroof，andlistenedtothewindthatmadethehalf-openstructureasvocalasasea-shell，untilpastmidnight。Onceortwicehehadfanciedheheardthetrampofhorse-hoofsonthefar-offtrail，andnowitseemedtoapproachnearer，mingledwiththesoundofvoices。
Gideonraisedhisheadandlookedthroughthedoorwayoftheloft。
Hewasnotmistaken：twomenhadhaltedintheroadbeforethehouse，andwereexaminingitasifuncertainifitwerethedwellingtheywereseeking，andwerehesitatingiftheyshouldrousetheinmates。Thinkinghemightsparethewidowthisdisturbancetoherslumbers，andpossiblysomealarm，herosequickly，anddescendingtotheinclosurewalkedtowardsthehouse。
Asheapproachedthemenadvancedtomeethim，andbyaccidentordesignrangedthemselvesoneitherside。Aglanceshowedhimtheywerestrangerstothelocality。
"We’relookin’ferthepreacherthatliveshere，"saidone，whoseemedtobetheelder。"Amanbythenameo’Hiler，Ireckon！"
"BrotherHilerhasbeendeadtwoyears，"respondedGideon。"Hiswidowandchildrenlivehere。"
Thetwomenlookedateachother。Theyoungeronelaughed;theeldermumbledsomethingaboutitsbeing"threeyearsago，"andthenturningsuddenlyonGideon，said：
"P’r’apsYOU’REapreacher？"
"Iam。"
"Canyoucometoadyingman？"
"Iwill。"
Thetwomenagainlookedateachother。"But，"continuedGideon，softly，"you’llpleasekeepquietsoasnottodisturbthewidowandherchildren，whileIgetmyhorse。"Heturnedaway;theyoungermanmadeamovementasiftostophim，buttheelderquicklyrestrainedhishand。"Heisn’tgoin’torunaway，"hewhispered。"Look，"headded，asGideonamomentlaterreappearedmountedandequipped。
"Doyouthinkwe’llbeintime？"askedtheyoungpreacherastheyrodequicklyawayinthedirectionofthetules。
Theyoungerrepressedalaugh;theotheransweredgrimly，"I
reckon。"
"Andisheconsciousofhisdanger？"
"Ireckon。"
Gideondidnotspeakagain。Butastheonusofthatsilenceseemedtorestupontheothertwo，thelastspeaker，afterafewmoments’
silentandrapidriding，continuedabruptly，"Youdon’tseemcurious？"
"Ofwhat？"saidGideon，liftinghissofteyestothespeaker。"Youtellmeofabrotheratthepointofdeath，whoseekstheLordthroughanhumblevessellikemyself。HEwilltellmetherest。"
Asilencestillmoreconstrainedonthepartofthetwostrangersfollowed，whichtheyendeavoredtoescapefrombyfuriousriding;
sothatinhalfanhourthepartyhadreachedapointwherethetulesbegantosapthearidplain，whilebeyondthembroadenedthelagoonsofthedistantriver。Intheforeground，nearaclumpofdwarfedwillows，acamp-firewasburning，aroundwhichfifteenortwentyarmedmenwerecollected，theirhorsespicketedinanoutercircleguardedbytwomountedsentries。Ablastedcotton-woodwithasingleblackarmextendedoverthetulesstoodominouslyagainstthedarksky。
Thecircleopenedtoreceivethemandclosedagain。TheeldermandismountedandleadingGideontotheblastedcotton-wood，pointedtoapinionedmanseatedatitsfootwithanarmedguardoverhim。
HelookedupatGideonwithanamusedsmile。
"Yousaiditwasadyingman，"saidGideon，recoiling。
"Hewillbeadeadmaninhalfanhour，"returnedthestranger。
"Andyou？"
"WearetheVigilantesfromAlamo。Thisman，"pointingtotheprisoner，"isagamblerwhokilledamanyesterday。Wehuntedhimhere，triedhimanhourago，andfoundhimguilty。Thelastmanwehunghere，threeyearsago，askedforaparson。Webroughthimthemanwhousedtolivewherewefoundyou。Sowethoughtwe’dgivethismanthesameshow，andbroughtyou。"
"AndifIrefuse？"saidGideon。
Theleadershruggedhisshoulders。
"That’sHISlookout，notours。We’vegivenhimthechance。Driveahead，boys，"headded，turningtotheothers;"theparsonallowshewon’ttakeahand。"
"Onemoment，"saidGideon，indesperation，"onemoment，forthesakeofthatGodyouhavebroughtmeheretoinvokeinbehalfofthiswretchedman。Onemoment，forthesakeofHiminwhosepresenceyoumuststandonedayashedoesnow。"WithpassionateearnestnesshepointedoutthevindictiveimpulsetheyweremistakingforDivinejustice;withpatheticfervencyhefelluponhiskneesandimploredtheirmercyfortheculprit。Butinvain。
Asatthecamp-meetingofthedaybefore，hewaschilledtofindhiswordsseemedtofallonunheedingandunsympatheticears。Helookedaroundontheirabstractedfaces;intheirgloomysavageenthusiasmforexpiatorysacrifice，hewashorrifiedtofindthesameunreasoningexaltationthathadcheckedhisexhortationsthen。
Onlyonefacelookeduponhis，halfmischievously，halfcompassionately。Itwastheprisoner’s。
"Yerwastin’timeonus，"saidtheleader，dryly;"wastin’HIS
time。Hadn’tyoubettertalktohim？"
Gideonrosetohisfeet，paleandcold。"Hemayhavesomethingtoconfess。MayIspeakwithhimalone？"hesaidgently。
Theleadermotionedtothesentrytofallback。Gideonplacedhimselfbeforetheprisonersothatinthefaintlightofthecamp-
firetheman’sfigurewaspartlyhiddenbyhisown。"Youmeantwellwithyourlittlebluff，pardner，"saidtheprisoner，notunkindly，"butthey’vegotthecardstowin。"
"Kneeldownwithyourbacktome，"saidGideon，inalowvoice。
Theprisonerfellonhisknees。AtthesametimehefeltGideon’shandandtheglidingofsteelbehindhisback，andtheseveredcordshunglooselyonhisarmsandlegs。
"WhenIliftmyvoicetoGod，brother，"saidGideon，softly，"droponyourfaceandcrawlasfarasyoucaninastraightlineinmyshadow，thenbreakforthetules。Iwillstandbetweenyouandtheirfirstfire。"
"Areyoumad？"saidtheprisoner。"Doyouthinktheywon’tfirelesttheyshouldhurtyou？Man！they’llkillYOU，thefirstthing。"
"Sobeit——ifyourchanceisbetter。"
Stillonhisknees，themangraspedGideon’stwohandsinhisownanddevouredhimwithhiseyes。
"Youmeanit？"
"Ido。"
"Then，"saidtheprisoner，quietly，"IreckonI’llstopandhearwhatyou’vegottosayaboutGoduntilthey’reready。"
"Yourefusetofly？"
"IreckonIwasneverbetterfittedtodiethannow，"saidtheprisoner，stillgraspinghishand。Afterapauseheaddedinalowertone，"Ican’tpray——but——Ithink，"hehesitated，"IthinkI
couldmanagetoringinahymn。"
"Willyoutry，brother？"
"Yes。"
Withtheirhandstightlyclaspedtogether，Gideonliftedhisgentlevoice。Theairwasacommonone，familiarinthelocalreligiousgatherings，andafterthefirstverseoneortwoofthesullenlookers-onjoinedunkindlyintherefrain。But，ashewenton，theairandwordsseemedtoofferavagueexpressiontothedullloweringanimalemotionofthesavageconcourse，andattheendofthesecondversetherefrain，augmentedinvolumeandswelledbyeveryvoiceinthecamp，sweptoutoverthehollowplain。
Itwasmetinthedistancebyafar-offcry。Withanoathtakingtheplaceofhissupplication，theleadersprangtohisfeet。Buttoolate！Thecrywasrepeatedasanearersloganofdefiance——theplainshook——therewasthetempestuousonsetoffurioushoofs——adozenshots——thescatteringoftheembersofthecamp-fireintoathousandvanishingsparksevenastheluridgatheringofsavagehumanitywasdispersedanddissipatedovertheplain，andGideonandtheprisonerstoodalone。ButasthesheriffofContraCostawithhisrescuingpossesweptby，themantheyhadcometosavefellforwardinGideon’sarmswithabulletinhisbreast——theParthianshotoftheflyingVigilanteleader。
TheeagercrowdthatsurgedaroundhimwithoutstretchedhelpinghandswouldhavehustledGideonaside。Butthewoundedmanrousedhimself，andthrowinganarmaroundtheyoungpreacher’sneck，warnedthembackwiththeother。"Standback！"hegasped。"Heriskedhislifeformine！Lookathim，boys！Wantedterstandup’twixtthemhoundsandmeanddrawtheirfireonhimself！Ain’thejusthell？"hestopped;anapologeticsmilecrossedhislips。"I
cleanforgot，pardner;butit’sallright。IsaidIwasreadytogo;andIam。"HisarmslippedfromGideon’sneck;heslidtotheground;hehadfainted。
Adark，military-lookingmanpushedhiswaythroughthecrowd——thesurgeon，oneoftheposse，accompaniedbyayoungermanfastidiouslydressed。Theformerbentovertheunconsciousprisoner，andtoreopenhisshirt;thelatterfollowedhismovementswithaflushofanxiousinquiryinhishandsome，carelessface。Afteramoment’spausethesurgeon，withoutlookingup，answeredtheyoungman’smutequestioning。"Bettersendthesheriffhereatonce，Jack。"
"Heishere，"respondedtheofficial，joiningthegroup。
Thesurgeonlookedupathim。"Iamafraidthey’veputthecaseoutofyourjurisdiction，Sheriff，"hesaidgrimly。"It’sonlyamatterofadayortwoatbest——perhapsonlyafewhours。Buthewon’tlivetobetakenbacktojail。"
"WillhelivetogoasfarasMartinez？"askedtheyoungmanaddressedasJack。
"Withcare，perhaps。"
"Willyouberesponsibleforhim，JackHamlin？"saidthesheriff，suddenly。
"Iwill。"
"Thentakehim。Stay，he’scomingto。"
Thewoundedmanslowlyopenedhiseyes。TheyfelluponJackHamlinwithapleasedlookofrecognition，butalmostinstantlyandanxiouslyglancedaroundasifseekinganother。Leaningoverhim，Jacksaidgayly，"They’vepassedyouovertome，oldman;areyouwilling？"
Thewoundedman’seyesassented，butstillmovedrestlesslyfromsidetoside。
"Isthereanyoneyouwanttogowithyou？"
"Yes，"saidtheeyes。
"Thedoctor，ofcourse？"
Theeyesdidnotanswer。Gideondroppedonhiskneesbesidehim。
Arayoflightflashedinthehelplessman’seyesandtransfiguredhiswholeface。
"YouwantHIM？"saidJackincredulously。
"Yes，"saidtheeyes。
"What——thepreacher？"
Thelipsstruggledtospeak。Everybodybentdowntohearhisreply。
"Youbet，"hesaidfaintly。
IV
Itwasearlymorningwhenthewagoncontainingthewoundedman，Gideon，JackHamlin，andthesurgeoncreptslowlythroughthestreetsofMartinezandstoppedbeforethedoorofthe"PalmettoShades。"TheupperfloorofthissaloonandhostelrywasoccupiedbyMr。Hamlinashisprivatelodgings，andwasfittedupwiththeusualluxuryandmorethantheusualfastidiousnessofhisextravagantclass。Asthedustyandtravel-wornpartytrodthesoftcarpetsandbrushedasidetheirsilkenhangingsintheirslowprogresswiththeirhelplessburdentothelace-canopiedandsnowycouchoftheyounggambler，itseemedalmostaprofanationofsomefeminineseclusion。Gideon，towhomsuchluxurywasunknown，wasprofoundlytroubled。Thevoluptuouseaseandsensuousness，therefinementsofalifeofirresponsibleindulgence，affectedhimwithaphysicalterrortowhichinhislatemomentofrealperilhehadbeenastranger;thegildingandmirrorsblindedhiseyes;eventhefaintperfumeseemedtohimanunhallowedincense，andturnedhimsickandgiddy。Accustomedashehadbeentodiseaseandmiseryinitshumblestplacesandmeanestsurroundings，thewoundeddesperadolyinginlacesandfinelinenseemedtohimmonstrousandunnatural。Itrequiredallhisself-abnegation，allhissenseofduty，allhisdeeppity，andalltheinstinctivetactwhichwasbornofhisgentlethoughtfulnessforothers，torepressashrinking。ButwhenthemiserablecauseofallagainopenedhiseyesandsoughtGideon’shand，heforgotitall。Happily，Hamlin，whohadbeenwatchinghimwithwonderingbutcriticaleyes，mistookhisconcern。"Don’tyouworryaboutthatgin-millandhash-
gymnasiumdownstairs，"hesaid。"I’vegiventheproprietorathousanddollarstoshutupshopaslongasthisthinglasts。"
Thatthiswasdonefromsomedelicatesenseofrespecttothepreacher’sdomiciliarypresence，andnotentirelytosecurecompletequietandseclusionfortheinvalid，wasevidentfromthefactthatMr。Hamlin’sdrawinganddiningrooms，andeventhehall，werefilledwitheagerfriendsandinquirers。ItwasdiscomposingtoGideontofindhimselfalmostanequalsubjectofinterestandcuriositytothevisitors。Thestoryofhissimpledevotionhadlostnothingbyreport;hatsweredoffedinhispresencethatmighthavegrowntotheirwearers’heads;theboldesteyesdroppedashepassedby;hehadonlytoputhispalefaceoutofthebedroomdoorandtheloudestdiscussion，heatedbydrinkoraffection，felltoawhisper。Thesurgeon，whohadrecognizedtheonedominantwishofthehopelesslysinkingman，gravelyretired，leavingGideonafewsimpleinstructionsanddirectionsfortheiruse。"He’lllastaslongashehasneedofyou，"hesaidrespectfully。"Myartisonlysecondhere。Godhelpyouboth！Whenhewakes，makethemostofyourtime。"
Inafewmomentshedidwaken，andasbeforeturnedhisfadinglookalmostinstinctivelyonthefaithful，gentleeyesthatwerewatchinghim。HowGideonmadethemostofhistimedidnottranspire，butattheendofanhour，whenthedyingmanhadagainlapsedintounconsciousness，hesoftlyopenedthedoorofthesitting-room。
Hamlinstartedhastilytohisfeet。Hehadclearedtheroomofhisvisitors，andwasalone。HeturnedamomenttowardsthewindowbeforehefacedGideonwithinquiringbutcuriously-shiningeyes。
"Well？"hesaid，hesitatingly。
"DoyouknowKateSomers？"askedGideon。
Hamlinopenedhisbrowneyes。"Yes。"
"Canyousendforher？"
"What，HERE？"
"Yes，here。"
"Whatfor？"
"Tomarryhim，"saidGideon，gently。"There’snotimetolose。"
"ToMARRYhim？"
"Hewishesit。"
"Butsay——oh，come，now，"saidHamlinconfidentially，leaningbackwithhishandsonthetopofachair。"Ain’tthisplayingitalittle——justaLITTLE——toolowdown？Ofcourseyoumeanwell，andallthat;butcome，now，say——couldn’tyoujustletuponhimthere？Why，she"——Hamlinsoftlyclosedthedoor——"she’sgotnocharacter。"
"Themorereasonheshouldgiveherone。"
AcynicalknowledgeofmatrimonyimpartedtohimbythewivesofothersevidentlycoloredMr。Hamlin’sviews。"Well，perhapsit’sallthesameifhe’sgoingtodie。Butisn’titratherroughonHER？Idon’tknow，"headded，reflectively;"shewassnivelingroundherealittlewhileago，untilIsentheraway。"
"Yousentheraway！"echoedGideon。
"Idid。"
"Why？"
"BecauseYOUwerehere。"
NeverthelessMr。Hamlindeparted，andinhalfanhourreappearedwithtwobrilliantlydressedwomen。One，hysterical，tearful，frightened，andpallid，wasthedestinedbride;theother，highlycolored，excited，andpleasedlyobservant，washerfriend。Twomenhastilysummonedfromtheanteroomaswitnessescompletedthegroupthatmovedintothebedroomandgatheredroundthebed。
Theceremonywassimpleandbrief。Itwaswell，forofallwhotookpartinitnonewasmoreshakenbyemotionthantheofficiatingpriest。Thebrilliantdressesofthewomen，thecontrastoftheirpaintedfaceswiththewaxenpallorofthedyingman;theterribleincongruityoftheirvoices，inflections，expressions，andfamiliarity;themingledperfumeofcosmeticsandthefaintodorofwine;theeyesoftheyoungerwomanfollowinghismovementswithstrangeabsorption，soaffectedhimthathewasgladwhenhecouldfallonhiskneesatlastandburyhisfaceinthepillowofthesufferer。Thehandthathadbeenplacedinthebride’scoldfingersslippedfromthemandmechanicallysoughtGideon’sagain。Thesignificanceoftheunconsciousactbroughtthefirstspontaneoustearsintothewoman’seyes。Itwashislastact，forwhenGideon’svoicewasagainliftedinprayer，thespiritforwhomitwasofferedhadrisenwithit，asitwere，stilllovinglyhandinhand，fromtheearthforever。
Thefuneralwasarrangedfortwodayslater，andGideonfoundthathisserviceshadbeensoseriouslyyetsohumblycounteduponbythefriendsofthedeadmanthathecouldscarcefinditinhishearttotellthemthatitwasthefunctionofthelocalpreacher——
anolderandmoreexperiencedmanthanhimself。"Ifitis，"saidJackHamlin，coolly，"I’mafraidhewon’tgetayallerdogtocometohischurch;butifyousayyou’llpreachatthegrave，thereain’taman，woman，orchildthatwillbekeptaway。Don’tyougobackonyourluck，now;it’ssomethingawfulandnigger-like。
You’vegotthiscrowdwherethehairisshort;excuseme，butit’sso。Talkofrevivals！Youcouldgivethatone-horseshowinTasajaraahundredpoints，andskunkthemeasily。"Indeed，hadGideonbeenaccessibletovanity，thespontaneoushomagehemetwitheverywherewouldhavetouchedhimmoresympatheticallyandkindlythanitdid;butintheutterunconsciousnessofhisownpowerandthequalitytheyworshipedinhim，hefeltalarmedandimpatientofwhathebelievedtobetheirweaksympathywithhisownhumanweakness。Inthedepthofhisunselfishheart，lit，itmustbeconfessed，onlybythescant，inefficientlampofhisyouthfulexperience，hereallybelievedhehadfailedinhisapostolicmissionbecausehehadbeenunabletotouchtheheartsoftheVigilantesbyoralappealandargument。Feelingthusthereverenceoftheseirreligiouspeoplethatsurroundedhim，thefacileyieldingoftheirhabitsandprejudicestohishalf-utteredwish，appearedtohimonlyatemptationoftheflesh。Noonehadsoughthimafterthemannerofthecamp-meeting;hehadconvertedthewoundedmanthroughacommonweaknessoftheirhumanity。Morethanthat，hewasconsciousofagrowingfascinationforthetruthfulnessandsincerityofthatclass;particularlyofMr。JackHamlin，whoseconversionhefelthecouldneverattempt，yetwhosestrangefriendshipalternatelythrilledandfrightenedhim。
Itwastheeveningbeforethefuneral。Thecoffin，halfsmotheredinwreathsandflowers，stoodupontrestlesintheanteroom;alargesilverplatebearinganinscriptiononwhichforthesecondtimeGideonreadthenameofthemanhehadconverted。Itwasanameassociatedonthefrontiersooftenwithrecklesshardihood，dissipation，andblood，thatevennowGideontrembledathispresumption，andwaschilledbyamomentarydoubtoftheefficiencyofhislabor。Drawingunconsciouslynearertothemutesubjectofhisthoughts，hethrewhisarmsacrossthecoffinandburiedhisfacebetweenthem。
Astreamofsoftmusic，theechoofsomeforgottensong，seemedtoGideontosuddenlyfillandpossessthedarkenedroom，andthentoslowlydieaway，liketheopeningandshuttingofadooruponafloodofgoldenradiance。Helistenedwithhushedbreathandabeatingheart。Hehadneverheardanythinglikeitbefore。Againthestrainarose，thechordsswelledroundhim，untilfromtheirmidstatenorvoicebrokehighandsteadfast，likeastarintroubledskies。Gideonscarcelybreathed。Itwasahymn——butsuchahymn。Hehadneverconceivedtherecouldbesuchbeautifulwords，joinedtosuchexquisitemelody，andsungwithagracesotenderandtrue。Whatwereallotherhymnstothisineffableyearningforlight，forlove，andforinfiniterest？Thrilledandexalted，Gideonfelthisdoubtspiercedandscatteredbythatilluminatingcry。Suddenlyherose，andwithatroubledthoughtpushedopenthedoortothesitting-room。ItwasMr。JackHamlinsittingbeforeaparlororgan。Themusicceased。
"ItwasYOU，"stammeredGideon。
Jacknodded，struckafewchordsbywayoffinish，andthenwheeledroundonthemusic-stooltowardsGideon。Hisfacewasslightlyflushed。"Yes。IusedtobetheorganistandtenorinourchurchintheStates。Iusedtosnatchthesinnersbald-headedwiththat。
DoyouknowIreckonI’llsingthatto-morrow，ifyoulike，andmaybeafterwardswe’ll——but"——hestopped——"we’lltalkofthatafterthefuneral。It’sbusiness。"SeeingGideonstillglancingwithatroubledairfromtheorgantohimself，hesaid："Wouldyouliketotrythathymnwithme？Comeon！"
Heagainstruckthechords。Asthewholeroomseemedtothrobwiththemusic，Gideonfelthimselfagaincarriedaway。GlancingoverJack’sshoulders，hecouldreadthewordsbutnotthenotes;yet，havingaquickearforrhythm，hepresentlyjoinedinwithadeepbutuncultivatedbaritone。Togethertheyforgoteverythingelse，andattheendofanhourwereonlyrecalledbythepresenceofasilentlyadmiringconcourseofvotive-offeringfriendswhohadgatheredroundthem。
Thefuneraltookplacethenextdayatthegraveduginthepubliccemetery——agreenareafencedinbythepalisadingtules。ThewordsofGideonwerebriefbuthumble;thestrongestpartisanofthedeadmancouldfindnofaultinaconfessionofhumanfrailtyinwhichthespeakerhumblyconfessedhisshare;andwhenthehymnwasstartedbyHamlinandtakenupbyGideon，thevastmultitude，drawnbyinterestandcuriosity，joinedasinasolemnAmen。
Later，whenthosetwostrangely-assortedfriendshadreturnedtoMr。Hamlin’sroomsprevioustoGideon’sdeparture，theformer，inamannermoreseriousthanhishabitualcynicalgood-humor，began："I
saidIhadtotalkbusinesswithyou。Theboysaboutherewanttobuildachurchforyou，andarereadytoplankthemoneydownifyou’llsayit’sago。Youunderstandtheyaren’taskingyoutoruninoppositiontothatGospelsharp——excuseme——that’sherenow，nordotheywantyoutorunasideshowinconnectionwithit。Theywantyoutobeindependent。Theydon’tpinyoudowntoanykindofreligion，youknow;whateveryoucaretogivethem——Methodist，RomanCatholic，Presbyterian——-ismightygoodenoughforthem，ifyou’llexpoundit。Youmightgivealittleofeach，oroneononedayandoneanother——they’llneverknowthedifferenceifyouonlymixthedrinksyourself。They’llgiveyouahouseandguaranteeyoufifteenhundreddollarsthefirstyear。"
Hestoppedandwalkedtowardsthewindow。Thesunlightthatfelluponhishandsomefaceseemedtocallbackthecarelesssmiletohislipsandtherecklessfiretohisbrowneyes。"Idon’tsupposethere’samanamongthemthatwouldn’ttellyouallthisinagreatdealbetterwaythanIdo。Butthedarnedfools——excuseme——wouldhaveMEbreakittoyou。Why，Idon’tknow。Ineedn’ttellyouI
likeyou——notonlyforwhatyoudidforGeorge——butIlikeyouforyourstyle——foryourself。AndIwantyoutoaccept。Youcouldkeeptheseroomstilltheygotahousereadyforyou。Together——
youandme——we’dmakethatorganhowl。ButbecauseIlikeit——
becauseit’severythingtous——andnothingtoyou，itdon’tseemsquareformetoaskit。Doesit？"
GideonrepliedbytakingHamlin’shand。Hisfacewasperfectlypale，buthislookcollected。Hehadnotexpectedthisoffer，andyetwhenitwasmadehefeltasifhehadknownitbefore——asifhehadbeenwarnedofit——asifitwasthegreattemptationofhislife。Watchinghimwithanearnestnessonlyslightlyoverlaidbyhisusualmanner，Hamlinwenton。
"Iknowitwouldbelonelyhere，andamanlikeyououghttohaveawifefor——"heslightlyliftedhiseyebrows——"forexample’ssake。
IheardtherewasayoungladyinthecaseoverthereinTasajara——
buttheoldpeopledidn’tseeitonaccountofyourposition。
They’djumpatitnow。Eh？No？Well，"continuedJack，withadecentattempttoconcealhiscynicalrelief，"perhapsthoseboyshavebeensoeagertofindoutalltheycoulddoforyouthatthey’vebeensold。Perhapswe’remakingequalfoolsofourselvesnowinaskingyoutostay。Butdon’tsaynojustyet——takeadayoraweektothinkofit。"
Gideonstillpalebutcalm，casthiseyesaroundtheelegantroom，atthemagicorgan，thenupontheslighthandsomefigurebeforehim。"IWILLthinkofit，"hesaid，inalowvoice，ashepressedJack’shand。"AndifIacceptyouwillfindmehereto-morrowafternoonatthistime;ifIdonotyouwillknowthatIkeepwithmewhereverIgothekindness，thebrotherlylove，andthegraceofGodthatpromptsyouroffer，eventhoughHewithholdsfrommeHisblessedlight，whichalonecanmakemeknowHiswish。"Hestoppedandhesitated。"Ifyouloveme，Jack，don’taskmetostay，butprayforthatlightwhichalonecanguidemyfeetbacktoyou，ortakemehenceforever。"
Heoncemoretightlypressedthehandoftheembarrassedmanbeforehimandwasgone。
Passers-byontheMartinezroadthatnightrememberedamuteandghostlyriderwho，heedlessofhailorgreeting，movedbythemasinatranceorvision。ButtheWidowHilerthenextmorning，comingfromthespring，foundnoabstractionorpreoccupationinthesofteyesofGideonDeaneashesuddenlyappearedbeforeher，andgentlyrelievedherofthebucketshewascarrying。Aquickflashofcoloroverherbrowandcheek-bone，asifahotironhadpassedthere，andacertainastringentcoyness，wouldhaveembarrassedanyothermanthanhim。
"Sho，it’sYOU。Ireck’nedI’dseenthelastofyou。"
"Youdon’tmeanthat，SisterHiler？"saidGideon，withagentlesmile。
"Well，whatwiththereportofyourgoin’sonatMartinezandimprovin’theoccasionofthatsinner’sdeath，andleadin’arevival，Ireckonedyou’ldhevforgottenlowfolksatTasajara。
Andifyourgoin’tobesettledthereinanewchurch，withnewhearers，Ireckonyou’llwantnewsurroundingstoo。Thingschangeandyoungfolkschangewith’em。"
Theyhadreachedthehouse。HerbreathwasquickandshortasifsheandnotGideonhadbornetheburden。Heplacedthebucketinitsaccustomedplace，andthengentlytookherhandinhis。Theactprecipitatedthelastdropoffeeblecoquetryshehadretained，andtheoldtearstookitsplace。Letushopeforthelasttime。
ForasGideonstoopedandliftedherailingbabeinhisstrongarms，hesaidsoftly，"WhateverGodhaswroughtformesinceweparted，IknownowHehascalledmetobutonework。"
"Andthatwork？"sheasked，tremulously。
"Towatchoverthewidowandfatherless。AndwithGod’sblessing，sister，andHisholyordinance，Iamheretostay。"
SARAHWALKER
Itwasveryhot。NotabreathofairwasstirringthroughoutthewesternwingoftheGreyportHotel，andtheusualfeverishlifeofitsfourhundredinmateshadsuccumbedtotheweather。Thegreatverandawasdeserted;thecorridorsweredesolated;nofootfallechoedinthepassages;thelazyrustleofawanderingskirt，orapassingsighthatwashalfapant，seemedtointensifytheheatedsilence。Anintoxicatedbee，disgracefullyunsteadyinwingandleg，whohadbeenholdinganinebriatedconversationwithhimselfinthecornerofmywindowpane，hadgonetosleepatlastandwassnoring。Theerrantprincemighthaveenteredtheslumberoushallsunchallenged，andwalkedintoanyofthedarkenedroomswhoseopendoorsgapedformoreair，withoutawakeningtheveriestGreyportflirtwithhissalutation。Attimesadrowsyvoice，alazilyinterjectedsentence，anincoherentprotest，along-drawnphraseofsaccharinetenuitysuddenlybrokeoffwithagasp，camevaguelytotheear，asifindicatingahalf-suspended，half-articulatedexistencesomewhere，butnotdefiniteenoughtoindicateconversation。Inthemidstofthis，therewasthesuddencryingofachild。
Ilookedupfrommywork。ThroughthecameraofmyjealouslyguardedwindowIcouldcatchaglimpseofthevivid，quiveringblueofthesky，theglitteringintensityoftheocean，thelongmotionlessleavesofthehorse-chestnutintheroad，——allutterlyinconsistentwithanythingasactiveasthislamentation。I
steppedtotheopendoorandintothesilenthall。
Apparentlythenoisehadattractedtheequalattentionofmyneighbors。Avaguechorusof"SarahWalker，"inquerulousrecognition，of"OLord！thatchildagain！"inhopelessprotest，rosefaintlyfromthedifferentrooms。Asthelamentationsseemedtoapproachnearer，thevisitors’doorsweresuccessivelyshut，swiftfootstepshurriedalongthehall;pastmyopendoorcameamomentaryvisionofaheatednursemaidcarryingatumultuouschaosoffrilledskirts，flyingsash，rebelliousslippers，andtossingcurls;therewasamoment’srallyingstrugglebeforetheroomnearlyoppositemine，andthenadooropenedandshutuponthevision。ItwasSarahWalker！
Everybodyknewher;fewhadeverseenmoreofherthanthispassingvision。Inthegreathall，inthedining-room，inthevastparlors，inthegarden，intheavenue，onthebeach，asoundoflamentationhadalwaysbeenfollowedbythissamebriefapparition。
Wasthereasuddenpauseamongthedancersandasubjugationoftheloudestbassoonsintheearlyevening"hop，"theexplanationwasgiveninthewords"SarahWalker。"Wasthereawildconfusionamongthemorningbathersonthesands，peoplewhispered"SarahWalker。"Apanicamongthewaitersatdinner，aninterruptionintheSundaysacredconcert，adisorganizationoftheafter-dinnerpromenadeontheveranda，wasinstantlyreferredtoSarahWalker。