"Oh，thedistancemakesitmoreimproper，then，"hesaidabstractedly;butafteramoment’scontemplationofherhalf-
　　avertedface，heaskedgravely，"Hasanyonetalkedtoyouaboutme？"
　　Tenminutesbefore，Nelliehadbeenburningtounburthenherselfofherfather’swarning，butnowshefeltshewouldnot。"Iwishyouwouldn’tcallyourselfLow，"shesaidatlast。
　　"Butit’smyname，"herepliedquietly。
　　"Nonsense！It’sonlyastupidtranslationofastupidnickname。
　　Theymightaswellcallyou’Water’atonce。"
　　"Butyousaidyoulikedit。"
　　"Well，soIdo。Butdon’tyousee——I——ohdear！youdon’tunderstand。"
　　Lowdidnotreply，butturnedhisheadwithresignedgravitytowardsthedeeperwoods。Graspingthebarrelofhisriflewithhislefthand，hethrewhisrightarmacrosshisleftwristandleanedslightlyuponitwiththehabitualeaseofaWesternhunter——doublypicturesqueinhisownlithe，youthfulsymmetry。
　　MissNellielookedathimfromunderhereyelids，andthenhalfdefiantlyraisedherheadandherdarklashes。Graduallyanalmostmagicalchangecameoverherfeatures;hereyesgrewlargerandmoreandmoreyearning，untiltheyseemedtodrawandabsorbintheirliquiddepthsthefigureoftheyoungmanbeforeher;hercoldfacebrokeintoanecstasyoflightandcolor;herhumidlipspartedinabright，welcomingsmile，until，withanirresistibleimpulse，shearose，andthrowingbackherheadstretchedtowardshimtwohandsfullofvagueandtremblingpassion。
　　Inanothermomenthehadseizedthem，kissedthem，and，ashedrewherclosertohisembrace，feltthemtightenaroundhisneck。"Butwhatnamedoyouwishtocallme？"heasked，lookingdownintohereyes。
　　MissNelliemurmuredsomethingconfidentiallytothethirdbuttonofhishuntingshirt。"Butthat，"hereplied，withasmile，"THATwouldn’tbeanymorepractical，andyouwouldn’twantotherstocallmedar——"Herfingersloosenedaroundhisneck，shedrewherheadback，andasingularexpressionpassedoverherface，whichtoanycalmerobserverthanaloverwouldhaveseemed，however，toindicatemorecuriositythanjealousy。
　　"WhoelseDOEScallyouso？"sheaddedearnestly。"Howmany，forinstance？"
　　Low’sreplywasaddressednottoherear，butherlips。Shedidnotavoidit，butadded，"Anddoyoukissthemalllikethat？"
　　Takinghimbytheshoulders，sheheldhimalittlewayfromher，andgazedathimfromheadtofoot。Thendrawinghimagaintoherembrace，shesaid，"Idon’tcare，atleastnowomanhaskissedyoulikethat。"Happy，dazzled，andembarrassed，hewasbeginningtostammerthetruthfulprotestationthatrosetohislips，butshestoppedhim："No，don’tprotest！saynothing！LetMEloveYOU——thatisall。Itisenough。"Hewouldhavecaughtherinhisarmsagain，butshedrewback。"Weareneartheroad，"shesaidquietly。"Come！Youpromisedtoshowmewhereyoucamped。LetUSmakethemostofourholiday。InanhourI
　　mustleavethewoods。"
　　"ButIshallaccompanyyou，dearest。"
　　"No，ImustgoasIcame——alone。"
　　"ButNellie——"
　　"Itellyouno，"shesaid，withanalmostharshpracticaldecision，incompatiblewithherpreviousabandonment。"Wemightbeseentogether。"
　　"Well，supposeweare;wemustbeseentogethereventually，"heremonstrated。
　　Theyounggirlmadeaninvoluntarygestureofimpatientnegation，butcheckedherself。"Don’tletustalkofthatnow。Come，whileIamhereunderyourownroof——"shepointedtothehighinterlacedboughsabovethem——"youmustbehospitable。Showmeyourhome;tellme，isn’titalittlegloomysometimes？"
　　"Itneverhasbeen;IneverthoughtitWOULDbeuntilthemomentyouleaveitto-day。"
　　Shepressedhishandbrieflyandinahalf-perfunctoryway，asifhervanityhadacceptedanddismissedthecompliment。"Takemesomewhere，"shesaidinquisitively，"whereyoustaymost;IdonotseemtoseeyouHERE，"sheadded，lookingaroundherwithaslightshiver。"Itissobigandsohigh。Haveyounoplacewhereyoueatandrestandsleep？"
　　"Exceptintherainyseason，Icampallovertheplace——atanyspotwhereImayhavebeenshootingorcollecting。"
　　"Collecting？"queriedNellie。
　　"Yes;withtheherbarium，youknow。"
　　"Yes，"saidNelliedubiously。"Butyoutoldmeonce——thefirsttimeweevertalkedtogether，"sheadded，lookinginhiseyes——
　　"somethingaboutyourkeepingyourthingslikeasquirrelinatree。Couldwenotgothere？Istherenotroomforustositandtalkwithoutbeingbrow-beatenandlookeddownuponbythesesupercilioustrees？"
　　"It’stoofaraway，"saidLowtruthfully，butwithasomewhatpronouncedemphasis，"muchtoofarforyoujustnow;anditliesonanothertrailthatentersthewoodbeyond。Butcome，Iwillshowyouaspringknownonlytomyself，thewoodducks，andthesquirrels。IdiscovereditthefirstdayIsawyou，andgaveityourname。Butyoushallchristenityourself。Itwillbeallyours，andyoursalone，foritissohiddenandsecludedthatI
　　defyanyfeetbutmyownorwhososhallkeepstepwithminetofindit。Shallthatfootbeyours，Nellie？"
　　Herfacebeamedwithabrightassent。"Itmaybedifficulttotrackitfromhere，"hesaid，"butstandwhereyouareamoment，anddon’tmove，rustle，noragitatetheairinanyway。Thewoodsarestillnow。"Heturnedatrightangleswiththetrail，movedafewpacesintothefernsandunderbrush，andthenstoppedwithhisfingeronhislips。Foraninstantbothremainedmotionless;thenwithhisintentfacebentforwardandbotharmsextended，hebegantosinkslowlyupononekneeandoneside，inclininghisbodywithagentle，perfectly-graduatedmovementuntilhisearalmosttouchedtheground。Nelliewatchedhisgracefulfigurebreathlessly，until，likeabowunbent，hestoodsuddenlyerectagain，andbeckonedtoherwithoutchangingthedirectionofhisface。
　　"Whatisit？"sheaskedeagerly。
　　"Allright;Ihavefoundit，"hecontinued，movingforwardwithoutturninghishead。
　　"Buthow？Whatdidyoukneelfor？"Hedidnotreply，buttakingherhandinhiscontinuedtomoveslowlyonthroughtheunderbrush，asifobeyingsomemagneticattraction。"Howdidyoufindit？"againaskedthehalf-awedgirl，hervoiceunconsciouslyfallingtoawhisper。Stillsilent，Lowkepthisrigidfaceandforwardtreadfortwentyyardsfurther;thenhestoppedandreleasedthegirl’shalf-impatienthand。"Howdidyoufindit？"
　　sherepeatedsharply。
　　"Withmyearsandnose，"repliedLowgravely。
　　"Withyournose？"
　　"Yes;Ismeltit。"
　　Stillfreshwiththememoryofhispicturesqueattitude，theyoungman’sreplyseemedtoinvolvesomethingmoreirritatingtoherfeelingsthaneventhatabsurdanticlimax。Shelookedathimcoldlyandcritically，andappearedtohesitatewhethertoproceed。"Isitfar？"sheasked。
　　"Notmorethantenminutesnow，asIshallgo。"
　　"Andyouwon’thavetosmellyourwayagain？"
　　"No;itisquiteplainnow，"heansweredseriously，theyounggirl’ssarcasmslippingharmlesslyfromhisIndianstolidity。
　　"Don’tyousmellityourself？"
　　ButMissNellie’sthin，coldnostrilsrefusedtotakethatvulgarinterest。
　　"Norhearit？Listen！"
　　"YouforgetIsufferthemisfortuneofhavingbeenbroughtupunderaroof，"sherepliedcoldly。
　　"That’strue，"repeatedLow，inallseriousness;"it’snotyourfault。Butdoyouknow，IsometimesthinkIampeculiarlysensitivetowater;Ifeelitmilesaway。Atnight，thoughImaynotseeitorevenknowwhereitis，Iamconsciousofit。ItiscompanytomewhenIamalone，andIseemtohearitinmydreams。Thereisnomusicassweettomeasitssong。Whenyousangwithmethatdayinchurch，Iseemedtohearitrippleinyourvoice。Itsaystomemorethanthebirdsdo，morethantherarestplantsIfind。Itseemstolivewithmeandforme。Itismyearliestrecollection;Iknowitwillbemylast，forI
　　shalldieinitsembrace。Doyouthink，Nellie，"hecontinued，stoppingshortandgazingearnestlyinherface——"doyouthinkthatthechiefsknewthiswhentheycalledme’SleepingWater’？"
　　ToMissNellie’sseveralgiftsIfearthegodshadnotaddedpoetry。AslightknowledgeofEnglishverseofaselectcharacter，unfortunately，didnotassistherintheinterpretationoftheyoungman’sspeech，norrelieveherfromthemomentaryfeelingthathewasattimesdeficientinintellect。Shepreferred，however，totakeapersonalviewofthequestion，andexpressedhersarcasticregretthatshehadnotknownbeforethatshehadbeenindebtedtothegreatflumeandditchatExcelsiorforthepleasureofhisacquaintance。Thispertremarkoccasionedsomeexplanation，whichendedinthegirl’sacceptingakissinlieuofmorelogicalargument。
　　Nevertheless，shewasstillconsciousofaninwardirritation——
　　alwaysdistinctfromhersingularandperfectlymaterialpassion——
　　whichfoundventasthedifficultiesoftheirundeviatingprogressthroughtheunderbrushincreased。Atlastshelosthershoeagain，andstoppedshort。"It’sapityyourIndianfriendsdidnotchristenyou’WildMustard’or’Clover，’"shesaidsatirically，"thatyoumighthavehadsomesympathiesandlongingsfortheopenfieldsinsteadofthesehorridjungles！I
　　knowwewillnotgetbackintime。"
　　Unfortunately，Lowacceptedthisspeechliterallyandwithhisremorselessgravity。"Ifmynameannoysyou，Icangetitchangedbythelegislature，youknow，andIcanfindoutwhatmyfather’snamewas，andtakethat。Mymother，whodiedingivingmebirth，wasthedaughterofachief。"
　　"ThenyourmotherwasreallyanIndian？"saidNellie，"andyouare——"Shestoppedshort。
　　"ButItoldyouallthisthedaywefirstmet，"saidLow，withgraveastonishment。"Don’tyourememberourlongtalkcomingfromchurch？"
　　"No，"saidNelliecoldly，"youdidn’ttellme。"Butshewasobligedtodrophereyesbeforetheunwavering，undeniabletruthfulnessofhis。
　　"Youhaveforgotten，"hesaidcalmly;"butitisonlyrightyoushouldhaveyourownwayindisposingofanamethatIhavecaredlittlefor;andasyou’retohaveashareofit——"
　　"Yes，butit’sgettinglate，andifwearenotgoingforward——"
　　interruptedthegirlimpatiently。
　　"WeAREgoingforward，"saidLowimperturbably;"butIwantedtotellyou，aswewerespeakingonTHATsubject"（Nellielookedatherwatch），"I’vebeenofferedtheplaceofbotanistandnaturalistinProfessorGrant’ssurveyofMountShasta，andifI
　　takeit——why，whenIcomeback，darling——well——"
　　"Butyou’renotgoingjustyet，"brokeinNellie，withanewexpressioninherface。
　　"No。"
　　"Thenweneednottalkofitnow，"shesaid，withanimation。
　　Hersuddenvivacityrelievedhim。"Iseewhat’sthematter，"hesaidgently，lookingdownatherfeet;"theselittleshoeswerenotmadetokeepstepwithamoccasin。Wemusttryanotherway。"
　　Hestoopedasiftosecuretheerringbuskin，butsuddenlyliftedherlikeachildtohisshoulder。"There，"hecontinued，placingherarmroundhisneck，"youareclearofthefernsandbramblesnow，andwecangoon。Areyoucomfortable？"Helookedup，readheranswerinherburningeyesandthewarmlipspressedtohisforeheadattherootsofhisstraightdarkhair，andagainmovedonwardasinamesmericdream。Buthedidnotswervefromhisdirectcourse，andwithafinaldashthroughtheundergrowthpartedtheleafycurtainbeforethespring。
　　Atfirsttheyounggirlwasdazzledbythestronglightthatcamefromarentintheinterwovenarchesofthewood。Thebreachhadbeencausedbythehugebulkofoneofthegreatgiantsthathadhalffallen，andwaslyingatasteepangleagainstoneofitsmightiestbrethren，havingbornedownalessertreeinthearcofitsdownwardpath。Twooftheroots，aslargeasyoungertrees，tossedtheirblackenedandbarelimbshighintheair。Thespring——theinsignificantcauseofthisvastdisruption——gurgled，flashed，andsparkledatthebase;thelimpidbabyfingersthathadlaidbarethefoundationsofthatfallencolumnplayedwiththestillclingingrootlets，lavedthefracturedandtwistedlimbs，and，widening，filledwithsleepingwaterthegravesfromwhichtheyhadbeentorn。
　　"Ithadbeengoingonforyears，downthere，"saidLow，pointingtoacavityfromwhichthefreshwaternowslowlywelled，"butithadbeenquickenedbytherisingofthesubterraneanspringsandriverswhichalwaysoccursatacertainstageofthedryseason。
　　Irememberthatonthatverynight——forithappenedalittleaftermidnight，whenallsoundsaremoreaudible——Iwastroubledandoppressedinmysleepbywhatyouwouldcallanightmare;afeelingasifIwaskeptdownbybondsandpinionsthatIlongedtobreak。AndthenIheardacrashinthisdirection，andthefirststreakofmorningbroughtmethesoundandscentofwater。
　　SixmonthsafterwardsIchancedtofindmywayhere，asItoldyou，andgaveityourname。IdidnotdreamthatIshouldeverstandbesideitwithyou，andhaveyouchristenityourself。"
　　Heunloosenedthecupfromhisflask，andfillingitatthespringhandedittoher。Buttheyounggirlleantoverthepool，andpouringthewateridlybacksaid，"I’dratherputmyfeetinit。Mayn’tI？"
　　"Idon’tunderstandyou，"hesaidwonderingly。
　　"MyfeetareSOhotanddusty。Thewaterlooksdeliciouslycool。
　　MayI？"
　　"Certainly。"
　　HeturnedawayasNellie，withapparentunconsciousness，seatedherselfonthebank，andremovedhershoesandstockings。Whenshehaddabbledherfeetafewmomentsinthepool，shesaidoverhershoulder——
　　"Wecantalkjustaswell，can’twe？"
　　"Certainly。"
　　"Well，then，whydidn’tyoucometochurchmoreoften，andwhydidn’tyouthinkoftellingfatherthatyouwereconvictedofsinandwantedtobebaptized？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"hesitatedtheyoungman。
　　"Well，youlostthechanceofhavingfatherconvertyou，baptizeyou，andtakeyouintofullchurchfellowship。"
　　"Ineverthought——"hebegan。
　　"Youneverthought。Aren’tyouaChristian？"
　　"Isupposeso。"
　　"Hesupposesso！Haveyounoconvictions——noprofession？"
　　"But，Nellie，Ineverthoughtthatyou——"
　　"NeverthoughtthatI——what？DoyouthinkthatIcouldeverbeanythingtoamanwhodidnotbelieveinjustificationbyfaith，orinthecovenantofchurchfellowship？Doyouthinkfatherwouldletme？"
　　Inhiseagernesstodefendhimselfhesteppedtoherside。Butseeingherlittlefeetshiningthroughthedarkwater，likeoutcroppingsofdelicatelyveinedquartz，hestoppedembarrassed。
　　MissNellie，however，leapedtoonefoot，and，shakingtheotheroverthepool，putherhandonhisshouldertosteadyherself。
　　"Youhaven’tgotatowel——or，"shesaiddubiously，lookingathersmallhandkerchief，"anythingtodrythemon？"
　　ButLowdidnot，assheperhapsexpected，offerhisownhandkerchief。
　　"Ifyoutakeabathafterourfashion，"hesaidgravely，"youmustlearntodryyourselfafterourfashion。"
　　Liftingheragainlightlyinhisarms，hecarriedherafewstepstothesunnyopening，andbadeherburyherfeetinthedriedmossesandbakedwitheredgrassesthatwerebleachinginahollow。Theyounggirlutteredacryofchildishdelight，asthesoftciliatedfibrestouchedhersensitiveskin。
　　"Itishealing，too，"continuedLow;"amoccasinfilledwithitafteradayonthetrailmakesyouallrightagain。"
　　ButMissNellieseemedtobethinkingofsomethingelse。
　　"Isthatthewaythesquawsbatheanddrythemselves？"
　　"Idon’tknow;youforgetIwasaboywhenIleftthem。"
　　"Andyou’resureyouneverknewany？"
　　"None。"
　　Theyounggirlseemedtoderivesomesatisfactioninmovingherfeetupanddownforseveralminutesamongthegrassesinthehollow;then，afterapause，said，"YouarequitecertainIamthefirstwomanthatevertouchedthisspring？"
　　"Notonlythefirstwoman，butthefirsthumanbeing，exceptmyself。"
　　"Hownice！"
　　Theyhadtakeneachother’shands;seatedsidebyside，theyleanedagainstacurvingelasticrootthathalfsupported，halfencompassed，them。Thegirl’scapricious，fitfulmannersuccumbedasbeforetothenearcontactofhercompanion。
　　Lookingintohereyes，Lowfellintoasweet，selfishlover’smonologue，descriptiveofhispastandpresentfeelingstowardsher，whichsheacceptedwithaheightenedcolor，aslightexchangeofsentiment，andastrangecuriosity。Thesunhadpaintedtheirhalf-embracedsilhouettesagainsttheslantingtree-trunk，andbegantodeclineunnoticed;therippleofthewaterminglingwiththeirwhisperscameasonesoundtothelisteningear;eventheireloquentsilenceswereasdeep，and，I
　　wot，perhapsasdangerous，asthedarkenedpoolthatfilledsonoiselesslyadozenyardsaway。Soquietweretheythatthetremorofinvadingwingsonceortwiceshookthesilence，orthequickscamperoffrightenedfeetrustledthedeadgrass。ButinthemidstofaprolongedstillnesstheyoungmansprangupsosuddenlythatNelliewasstillhalfclingingtohisneckashestooderect。"Hush！"hewhispered;"someoneisnear！"
　　Hedisengagedheranxioushandsgently，leapedupontheslantingtree-trunk，andrunninghalf-wayupitsinclinewiththeagilityofasquirrel，stretchedhimselfatfulllengthuponitandlistened。
　　Totheimpatient，inexplicablystartledgirl，itseemedanagebeforeherejoinedher。
　　"Youaresafe，"hesaid;"heisgoingbythewesterntrailtowardsIndianSpring。"
　　"WhoisHE？"sheasked，bitingherlipswithapoorlyrestrainedgestureofmortificationanddisappointment。
　　"Somestranger，"repliedLow。
　　"Aslongashewasn’tcominghere，whydidyougivemesuchafright？"shesaidpettishly。"Areyounervousbecauseasinglewayfarerhappenstostrayhere？"
　　"Itwasnowayfarer，forhetriedtokeepnearthetrail，"saidLow。"Hewasastrangertothewood，forhelosthiswayeverynowandthen。Hewasseekingorexpectingsomeone，forhestoppedfrequentlyandwaitedorlistened。Hehadnotwalkedfar，forheworespursthattinkledandcaughtinthebrush;andyethehadnotriddenhere，fornohorse’shoofspassedtheroadsincewehavebeenhere。HemusthavecomefromIndianSpring。"
　　"Andyouheardallthatwhenyoulistenedjustnow？"askedNellie，halfdisdainfully。
　　ImpervioustoherincredulityLowturnedhiscalmeyesonherface。"Certainly，I’llbetmylifeonwhatIsay。Tellme：doyouknowanybodyinIndianSpringwhowouldlikelyspyuponyou？"
　　Theyounggirlwasconsciousofacertainill-defineduneasiness，butanswered，"No。"
　　"ThenitwasnotYOUhewasseeking，"saidLowthoughtfully。
　　MissNelliehadnottimetonoticetheemphasis，forheadded，"Youmustgoatonce，andlestyouhavebeenfollowedIwillshowyouanotherwaybacktoIndianSpring。Itislonger，andyoumusthasten。Takeyourshoesandstockingswithyouuntilweareoutofthebush。"
　　Heraisedheragaininhisarmsandstrodeoncemoreoutthroughthecovertintothedimaislesofthewood。Theyspokebutlittle;shecouldnothelpfeelingthatsomeotherdiscordantelement，affectinghimmorestronglythanitdidher，hadcomebetweenthem，andwashalfperplexedandhalffrightened。Attheendoftenminutesheseatedheruponafallenbranch，andtellingherhewouldreturnbythetimeshehadresumedhershoesandstockingsglidedfromherlikeashadow。Shewouldhaveutteredanindignantprotestatbeingleftalone，buthewasgoneereshecoulddetainhim。Foramomentshethoughtshehatedhim。Butwhenshehadmechanicallyshodherselfoncemore，notwithoutnervousshiversateveryfallingneedle，hewasatherside。
　　"Doyouknowanyonewhowearsafriezecoatlikethat？"heasked，handingherafewtornshredsofwoolaffixedtoasplinterofbark。
　　MissNellieinstantlyrecognizedthematerialofacertainsportingcoatwornbyMr。JackBraceonfestiveoccasions，butastrangeyetinfallibleinstinctthatwaspartofhernaturemadeherinstantlydisclaimallknowledgeofit。
　　"No，"shesaid。
　　"Notanyonewhoscentshimselfwithsomedoctor’sstufflikecologne？"continuedLow，withthedisgustofkeenolfactorysensibilities。
　　AgainMissNellierecognizedtheperfumewithwhichthegallantexpressmanwaswonttomakeredolentherlittleparlor，butagainsheavowednoknowledgeofitspossessor。"Well，"returnedLowwithsomedisappointment，"suchamanhasbeenhere。Beonyourguard。Letusgoatonce。"
　　Sherequirednourgingtohastenhersteps，buthurriedbreathlesslyathisside。Hehadtakenanewtrailbywhichtheyleftthewoodatrightangleswiththehighway，twomilesaway。
　　Followinganalmosteffacedmuletrackalongaslightdepressionoftheplain，deepenough，however，tohidethemfromview，heaccompaniedher，until，risingtothelevelagain，shesawtheywerebeginningtoapproachthehighwayandthedistantroofsofIndianSpring。"Nobodymeetingyounow，"hewhispered，"wouldsuspectwhereyouhadbeen。Goodnight！untilnextweek——remember。"
　　Theypressedeachother’shands，andstandingontheslightridgeoutlinedagainstthepalingsky，infullviewofthehighway，partingcarelessly，asiftheyhadbeenchancemettravelers。
　　ButNelliecouldnotrestrainapartingbackwardglanceasshelefttheridge。Lowhaddescendedtothedesertedtrail，andwasrunningswiftlyinthedirectionoftheCarquinezWoods。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　Teresaawokewithastart。Itwasdayalready，buthowfaradvancedtheeven，unchanging，softtwilightofthewoodsgavenoindication。Hercompanionhadvanished，andtoherbewilderedsensessohadthecamp-fire，eventoitsembersandashes。Wassheawake，orhadshewanderedawayunconsciouslyinthenight？
　　Oneglanceatthetreeaboveherdissipatedthefancy。Therewastheopeningofherquaintretreatandthehangingstripsofbark，andatthefootoftheoppositetreelaythecarcassofthebear。
　　Ithadbeenskinned，and，asTeresathoughtwithaninwardshiver，alreadylookedhalfitsformersize。
　　Notyetaccustomedtothefactthatafewstepsineitherdirectionaroundthecircumferenceofthosegreattrunksproducedthesuddenappearanceordisappearanceofanyfigure，Teresautteredaslightscreamasheryoungcompanionunexpectedlysteppedtoherside。"Youseeachangehere，"hesaid;"thestamped-outashesofthecamp-firelieunderthebrush，"andhepointedtosomecleverlyscatteredboughsandstripsofbarkwhichcompletelyeffacedthetracesoflastnight’sbivouac。"Wecan’taffordtocalltheattentionofanypackerorhunterwhomightstragglethiswaytothisparticularspotandthisparticulartree;themorenaturally，"headded，"astheyalwaysprefertocampoveranoldfire。"Acceptingthisexplanationmeekly，aspartlyareproachforhercapriceofthepreviousnight，Teresahungherhead。
　　"I’mverysorry，"shesaid，"butwouldn’tthat，"pointingtothecarcassofthebear，"havemadethemcurious？"
　　ButLow’slogicwasrelentless。
　　"Bythistimetherewouldhavebeenlittlelefttoexcitecuriosity，ifyouhadbeenwillingtoleavethosebeaststotheirwork。"
　　"I’mverysorry，"repeatedthewoman，herlipsquivering。
　　"Theyarethescavengersofthewood，"hecontinuedinalightertone;"ifyoustayhereyoumusttrytousethemtokeepyourhouseclean。"
　　Teresasmilednervously。
　　"Imeanthattheyshallfinishtheirworkto-night，"headded，"andIshallbuildanothercamp-fireforusamilefromhereuntiltheydo。"
　　ButTeresacaughthissleeve。
　　"No，"shesaidhurriedly，"don’t，please，forme。Youmustnottakethetrouble，northerisk。Hearme;do，please。Icanbearit，IWILLbearit——to-night。Iwouldhaveborneitlastnight，butitwassostrange——and"——shepassedherhandsoverherforehead——"IthinkImusthavebeenhalfmad。ButIamnotsofoolishnow。"
　　Sheseemedsobrokenanddespondentthatherepliedreassuringly：
　　"PerhapsitwouldbebetterthatIshouldfindanotherhiding-
　　placeforyou，untilIcandisposeofthatcarcasssothatitwillnotdrawdogsafterthewolves，andmenafterTHEM。
　　Besides，yourfriendthesheriffwillprobablyrememberthebearwhenheremembersanything，andtrytogetonitstrackagain。"
　　"He’saconceitedfool，"brokeinTeresainahighvoice，withaslightreturnofheroldfury，"orhe’dhaveguessedwherethatshotcamefrom;and，"sheaddedinalowertone，lookingdownatherlimpandnervelessfingers，"hewouldn’thaveletapoor，weak，nervouswretchlikemegetaway。"
　　"Buthisdeputymayputtwoandtwotogether，andconnectyourescapewithit。"
　　Teresa’seyesflashed。"Itwouldbelikethedog，justtosavehispride，toswearitwasanambushofmyfriends，andthathewasoverpoweredbynumbers。Ohyes！Iseeitall！"shealmostscreamed，lashingherselfintoarageatthebarecontemplationofthisdiminutionofherglory。"That’sthedirtyliehetellseverywhere，andistellingnow。"
　　Shestampedherfeetandglancedsavagelyaround，asifatanyrisktoproclaimthefalsehood。Lowturnedhisimpassive，truthfulfacetowardsher。
　　"SheriffDunn，"hebegangravely，"isapolitician，andafoolwhenhetakestothetrailasahunterofmanorbeast。Butheisnotacowardnoraliar。Yourchanceswouldbebetterifhewere——ifhelaidyourescapetoanambushofyourfriends，thanifhisprideheldyoualoneresponsible。"
　　"Ifhe’ssuchagoodman，whydoyouhesitate？"sherepliedbitterly。"Whydon’tyougivemeupatonce，anddoaservicetooneofyourfriends？"
　　"Idonotevenknowhim，"returnedLowopeninghiscleareyesuponher。"I’vepromisedtohideyouhere，andIshallhideyouaswellfromhimasfromanybody。"
　　Teresadidnotreply，butsuddenlydroppingdownuponthegroundburiedherfaceinherhandsandbegantosobconvulsively。Lowturnedimpassivelyaway，andputtingasidethebarkcurtainclimbedintothehollowtree。Inafewmomentshereappeared，ladenwithprovisionsandafewsimplecookingutensils，andtouchedherlightlyontheshoulder。Shelookeduptimidly;theparoxysmhadpassed，butherlashesyetglittered。
　　"Come，"hesaid，"comeandgetsomebreakfast。Ifindyouhaveeatennothingsinceyouhavebeenhere——twenty-fourhours。"
　　"Ididn’tknowit，"shesaid，withafaintsmile。Thenseeinghisburden，andpossessedbyanewandstrangedesireforsomemenialemployment，shesaidhurriedly，"Letmecarrysomething——
　　do，please，"andeventriedtodisencumberhim。
　　Halfannoyed，Lowatlastyielded，andhandinghisriflesaid，"There，then，takethat;butbecareful——it’sloaded！"
　　Acruelblushburntthewoman’sfacetotherootsofherhairasshetooktheweaponhesitatinglyinherhand。
　　"No！"shestammered，hurriedlyliftinghershame-suffusedeyestohis;"no！no！"
　　Heturnedawaywithanimpatiencewhichshowedherhowcompletelygratuitoushadbeenheragitationanditssignificance，andsaid，"Well，then，giveitbackifyouareafraidofit。"Butsheassuddenlydeclinedtoreturnit;andshoulderingitdeftly，tookherplacebyhisside。Silentlytheymovedfromthehollowtreetogether。
　　Duringtheirwalkshedidnotattempttoinvadehistaciturnity。
　　Neverthelessshewasaskeenlyaliveandwatchfulofhiseverymovementandgestureasifshehadhungenchantedonhislips。
　　Theunerringwaywithwhichhepursuedaviewless，undeviatingpaththroughthosetracklesswoods，hisquickreconnaissanceofcertaintreesoropenings，hismuteinspectionofsomealmostimperceptiblefootprintofbirdorbeast，hiscriticalexaminationofcertainplantswhichhepluckedanddepositedinhisdeerskinhaversack，werenotlostonthequick-wittedwoman。
　　Astheygraduallychangedtheclear，unencumberedaislesofthecentralwoodsforamoretangledundergrowth，Teresafeltthatsubtleadmirationwhichculminatesinimitation，andsimulatingperfectlythestep，tread，andeasyswingofhercompanion，followedsoaccuratelyhisleadthatshewonagratifiedexclamationfromhimwhentheirgoalwasreached——abroken，blackenedshaft，splinteredbylong-forgottenlightning，inthecentreofatangledcarpetofwood-clover。
　　"Idon’twonderyoudistancedthedeputy，"hesaidcheerfully，throwingdownhisburden，"ifyoucantakethehunting-pathlikethat。Inafewdays，ifyoustayhere，Icanventuretotrustyoualoneforalittlepasearwhenyouaretiredofthetree。"
　　Teresalookedpleased，butbusiedherselfwitharrangementsforthebreakfast，whilehegatheredthefuelfortheroaringfirewhichsoonblazedbesidetheshatteredtree。
　　Teresa’sbreakfastwasasuccess。Itwasarevelationtotheyoungnomad，whoseascetichabitsandsimpletasteswereusuallycontentwiththemostprimitiveformsoffrontiercookery。Itwasatleastasurprisetohimtoknowthatwithoutextratroublekneadedflour，water，andsaleratusneednotbeessentiallyheavy;thatcoffeeneednotbeboiledwithsugartotheconsistencyofsyrup;thateventhatrarestdelicacy，smallshredsofvenisoncoveredwithashesandbroiledupontheendofaramrodboldlythrustintotheflames，wouldbebetterandevenmoreexpeditiouslycookeduponburningcoals。Movedinhispracticalnature，hewassurprisedtofindthiscuriouscreatureofdisorganizednervesanduselessimpulsesinformedwithanintelligencethatdidnotprecludethewelfareofhumanityortheexistenceofasoul。Herespectedherforsomeminutes，untilinthemidstofaculinarytriumphabigteardroppedandsplutteredinthesaucepan。Butheforgavetheirrelevancybytakingnonoticeofit，andbydoingfulljusticetothatparticulardish。
　　Nevertheless，heaskedseveralquestionsbasedupontheserecentlydiscoveredqualities。Itappearedthatintheolddaysofherwanderingswiththecircustroupeshehadoftenbeenforcedtoundertakethisnomadichousekeeping。Butshe"despisedit，"hadneverdoneitsince，andalwayshadrefusedtodoitfor"him"——thepersonalpronounreferring，asLowunderstood，toherlover，Curson。Notcaringtorevivethesememoriesfurther，Lowbrieflyconcluded："Idon’tknowwhatyouwere，orwhatyoumaybe，butfromwhatIseeofyouyou’vegotallthesabeofafrontierman’swife。"
　　Shestoppedandlookedathim，andthenwithanimpulseofimprudencethatonlyhalfconcealedamoreseriousvanity，asked，"DoyouthinkImighthavemadeagoodsquaw？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"herepliedquietly。"Ineversawenoughofthemtoknow。"
　　Teresa，confidentfromhiscleareyesthathespokethetruth，buthavingnothingreadytofollowthiscalmdisposalofhercuriosity，relapsedintosilence。
　　Themealfinished，Teresawashedtheirscanttableequipageinalittlespringnearthecamp-fire;where，catchingsightofherdisordereddressandcollar，sherapidlythrewhershawl，afterthenationalfashion，overhershoulderandpinneditquickly。
　　Lowcachedtheremainingprovisionsandthefewcookingutensilsunderthedeadembersandashes，obliteratingallsuperficialindicationoftheircamp-fireasdeftlyandartisticallyashehadbefore。
　　"Thereisn’ttheghostofachance，"hesaidinexplanation，"thatanybodybutyouorIwillsetfootherebeforewecomebacktosupper，butit’swelltobeonguard。I’lltakeyoubacktothecabinnow，thoughIbetyoucouldfindyourwaythereaswellasIcan。"
　　OntheirwaybackTeresaranaheadofhercompanion，andpluckingafewtinyleavesfromahiddenoasisinthebark-strewntrailbroughtthemtohim。
　　"That’sthekindyou’relookingfor，isn’tit？"shesaid，halftimidly。
　　"Itis，"respondedLow，ingratifiedsurprise;"buthowdidyouknowit？You’renotabotanist，areyou？"
　　"Ireckonnot，"saidTeresa;"butyoupickedsomewhenwecame，andInoticedwhattheywere。"
　　Herewasindeedanotherrevelation。Lowstoppedandgazedatherwithsuchfrank，open，utterlyunabashedcuriositythatherblackeyesfellbeforehim。
　　"Anddoyouthink，"heaskedwithlogicaldeliberation，"thatyoucouldfindanyplantfromanotherIshouldgiveyou？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Orfromadrawingofit"
　　"Yes;perhapsevenifyoudescribedittome。"
　　Ahalf-confidential，half-fraternalsilencefollowed。
　　"Itellyouwhat。I’vegotabook——"
　　"Iknowit，"interruptedTeresa;"fullofthesethings。"
　　"Yes。Doyouthinkyoucould——"
　　"OfcourseIcould，"brokeinTeresa，again。
　　"Butyoudon’tknowwhatImean，"saidtheimperturbableLow。
　　"CertainlyIdo。Why，find’em，andpreserveallthedifferentonesforyoutowriteunder——that’sit，isn’tit？"
　　Lownoddedhishead，gratifiedbutnotentirelyconvincedthatshehadfullyestimatedthemagnitudeoftheendeavor。
　　"Isuppose，"saidTeresa，inthefemininepostscriptumvoicewhichitwouldseementeredeventhephilosophicalcalmoftheaislestheyweretreading——"IsupposethatSHEplacesgreatvalueonthem？"
　　LowhadindeedheardSciencepersonifiedbefore，norwasitatallimpossiblethatthesingularwomanwalkingbyhissidehadalso。Hesaid"Yes;"butadded，inmentalreferencetotheLinneanSocietyofSanFrancisco，that"THEYwereratherparticularabouttherarerkinds。"
　　ContentasTeresahadbeentobelieveinLow’stenderrelationswithsomefavoredONEofhersex，thisfrankconfessionofapluraldevotionstaggeredher。
　　"They？"sherepeated。
　　"Yes，"hecontinuedcalmly。"TheBotanicalSocietyIcorrespondwitharemoreparticularthantheGovernmentSurvey。"
　　"Thenyouaredoingthisforasociety？"demandedTeresa，withastare。
　　"Certainly。I’mmakingacollectionandclassificationofspecimens。Iintend——butwhatareyoulookingat？"
　　Teresahadsuddenlyturnedaway。Puttinghishandlightlyonhershoulder，theyoungmanbroughtherfacetofacehimagain。
　　Shewaslaughing。
　　"Ithoughtallthewhileitwasforagirl，"shesaid;"and——"
　　Butherethemereeffortofspeechsentheroffintoanaudibleandgenuineoutburstoflaughter。Itwasthefirsttimehehadseenherevensmileotherthanbitterly。Characteristicallyunconsciousofanyhumorinhererror，heremainedunembarrassed。
　　Buthecouldnothelpnoticingachangeintheexpressionofherface，hervoice，andevenherintonation。Itseemedasifthatfitoflaughterhadloosedthelasttiesthatboundhertoaself-imposedcharacter，hadsweptawaythelastbarrierbetweenherandherhealthiernature，haddispossessedapainfulunreality，andrelievedthemorbidtensionofapurelynervousattitude。ThechangeinherutteranceandtheresumptionofhersofterSpanishaccentseemedtohavecomewithherconfidences，andLowtookleaveofherbeforetheirsylvancabinwithacomrade’sheartiness，andacompleteforgetfulnessthathervoicehadeverirritatedhim。
　　Whenhereturnedthatafternoonhewasstartledtofindthecabinempty。Butinsteadofbearinganyappearanceofdisturbanceorhurriedflight，therudeinteriorseemedtohavemagicallyassumedadecorousorderandcleanlinessunknownbefore。Freshbarkhidtheinequalitiesofthefloor。Theskinsandblanketswerefoldedinthecorners，therudeshelveswerecarefullyarranged，evenafewtallfernsandbrightbutquicklyfadingflowersweredisposedaroundtheblackenedchimney。Shehadevidentlyavailedherselfofthechangeofclothinghehadbroughther，forherlategarmentswerehangingfromthehastily-
　　devisedwoodenpegsdriveninthewall。Theyoungmangazedaroundhimwithmixedfeelingsofgratificationanduneasiness。
　　Hispresencehadbeendispossessedinasinglehour;histenyearsoflonelyhabitationhadleftnotracethatthiswomanhadnoteffacedwithadeftmoveofherhand。Morethanthat，itlookedasifshehadalwaysoccupiedit;anditwaswithasingularconvictionthatevenwhensheshouldoccupyitnolongeritwouldonlyreverttohimasherdwellingthathedroppedthebarkshuttersathwarttheopening，andleftittofollowher。
　　Tohisquickear，fineeye，andabnormalsenses，thiswaseasyenough。Shehadgoneinthedirectionofthismorning’scamp。
　　Onceortwicehepausedwithahalf-gestureofrecognitionandacharacteristic"Good！"attheplacewhereshehadstopped，butwassurprisedtofindthathermaincoursehadbeenasdirectashisown。DeviatingfromthisdirectlinewithIndianprecaution，hefirstmadeacircuitofthecamp，andapproachedtheshatteredtrunkfromtheoppositedirection。HeconsequentlycameuponTeresaunawares。Butthemomentaryastonishmentandembarrassmentwerehisalone。
　　Hescarcelyrecognizedher。Shewaswearingthegarmentshehadbroughtherthedaybefore——acertaindiscardedgownofMissNellieWynn，whichhehadhurriedlybeggedfromherunderthepretextofclothingthewifeofadistressedoverlandemigrantthenonthewaytothemines。AlthoughhehadsatisfiedhisconsciencewiththeintentionofconfessingthepiousfraudtoherwhenTeresawasgoneandsafefrompursuit，itwasnotwithoutasenseofremorsethathewitnessedthesacrilegioustransformation。Thetwowomenwerenearlythesameheightandsize;andalthoughTeresa’smaturerfigureaccentedtheoutlinesmorestrongly，itwasstillbecomingenoughtoincreasehisirritation。
　　Ofthisbecomingnessshewasdoubtlessunawareatthemomentthathesurprisedher。Shewasconsciousofhaving"achange，"andthishademboldenedherto"doherhair"andotherwisecomposeherself。Aftertheirgreetingshewasthefirsttoalludetothedress，regrettingthatitwasnotmoreofaroughdisguise，andthat，asshemustnowdiscardthenationalhabitofwearinghershawl"manta"fashionoverherhead，shewantedahat。"Butyoumustnot，"shesaid，"borrowanymoredressesformefromyouryoungwoman。Buythemformeatsomeshop。Theyleftmeenoughmoneyforthat。"Lowgentlyputasidethefewpiecesofgoldshehaddrawnfromherpocket，andbrieflyremindedherofthesuspicionsuchapurchasebyhimwouldproduce。"That’sso，"shesaid，withalaugh。"Caramba！whatamuleI’mbecoming！Ah！
　　waitamoment。Ihaveit！Buymeacommonfelthat——aman’shat——asifforyourself，asachangetothatanimal，"pointingtothefox-tailedcapheworesummerandwinter，"andI’llshowyouatrick。Ihaven’trunatheatricalwardrobefornothing。"Norhadshe，forthehatthusprocured，afewdayslater，became，bytheaidofasilkhandkerchiefandabluejay’sfeather，afascinating"porkpie。"
　　WhatevercauseofannoyancetoLowstilllingeredinTeresa’sdress，itwassoonforgotteninapalpableevidenceofTeresa’svalueasabotanicalassistant。Itappearedthatduringtheafternoonshehadnotonlyduplicatedhisspecimens，buthaddiscoverdoneortworareplantsasyetunclassifiedinthefloraoftheCarquinezWoods。Hewasdelighted，andinturn，overthecampfire，yieldedupsomedetailsofhispresentlifeandsomeofhisearlierrecollections。
　　"Youdon’trememberanythingofyourfather？"sheasked。"Didheevertrytoseekyouout？"
　　"No！Whyshouldhe？"repliedtheimperturbableLow;"hewasnotaCherokee。"
　　"No，hewasabeast，"respondedTeresapromptly。"Andyourmother——doyourememberher？"
　　"No，Ithinkshedied。"
　　"YouTHINKshedied？Don’tyouknow？"
　　"No！"
　　"Thenyou’reanother！"saidTeresa。Notwithstandingthisfrankness，theyshookhandsforthenight：Teresanestlinglikearabbitinahollowbythesideofthecampfire;Lowwithhisfeettowardsit，Indian-wise，andhisheadandshoulderspillowedonhishaversack，onlyhalfdistinguishableinthedarknessbeyond。
　　Withsuchtrivialdetailsthreeuneventfuldaysslippedby。
　　Theirretreatwasundisturbed，norcouldLowdetect，bytheleastevidencetohisacuteperceptivefaculties，thatanyintrudingfeethadsincecrossedthebeltofshade。TheechoesofpassingeventsatIndianSpringhadrecordedtheescapeofTeresaasoccurringataremoteandpurelyimaginativedistance，andherprobabledirectionthecountyofYolo。
　　"Canyouremember，"heonedayaskedher，"whattimeitwaswhenyoucuttheriataandgotaway？"
　　Teresapressedherhandsuponhereyesandtemples。
　　"Aboutthree，Ireckon。"
　　"Andyouwerehereatseven;youcouldhavecoveredsomegroundinfourhours？"
　　"Perhaps——Idon’tknow，"shesaid，hervoicetakingupitsoldqualityagain。"Don’taskme——Iranalltheway。"
　　Herfacewasquitepaleassheremovedherhandsfromhereyes，andherbreathcameasquicklyasifshehadjustfinishedthatraceforlife。
　　"ThenyouthinkIamsafehere？"sheadded，afterapause。
　　"Perfectly——untiltheyfindyouareNOTinYolo。Thenthey’lllookhere。AndTHAT’SthetimeforyoutogoTHERE。"Teresasmiledtimidly。
　　"ItwilltakethemsometimetosearchYolo——unless，"sheadded，"you’retiredofmehere。"Thecharmingnonsequiturdidnot，however，seemtostriketheyoungman。"I’vegottimeyettofindafewmoreplantsforyou，"shesuggested。
　　"Oh，certainly！"
　　"Andgiveyouafewmorelessonsincooking。"
　　"Perhaps。"
　　TheconscientiousandliteralLowwasbeginningtodoubtifshewerereallypractical。Howotherwisecouldshetriflewithsuchasituation？
　　Itmustbeconfessedthatthatdayandthenextshedidtriflewithit。Shegaveherselfuptoagraveanddeliciouslanguorthatseemedtoflowfromshadowandsilenceandpermeateherentirebeing。Shepassedhoursinathoughtfulreposeofmindandspiritthatseemedtofalllikebalmfromthosesteadfastguardians，anddistilltheirgentleetherinhersoul;orbreathedintoherlisteningearimmunityfromtheforgottenpast，andsecurityforthepresent。Iftherewasnodreamofthefutureinthiscalm，evenrecurrenceofplacidexistence，somuchthebetter。Thesimpledetailsofeachsucceedingday，thequainthousekeeping，thebriefcompanionshipandcomingandgoingofheryounghost——himselfatbestacrystallizedpersonificationofthesedateandhospitablewoods——satisfiedherfeeblecravings。Shenolongerregrettedtheinferiorpositionthatherfearshadobligedhertotakethefirstnightshecame;shebegantolookuptothisyoungman——somuchyoungerthanherself——
　　withoutknowingwhatitmeant;itwasnotuntilshefoundthatthisattitudedidnotdetractfromhispicturesquenessthatshediscoveredherselfseekingforreasonstodegradehimfromthisseductiveeminence。
　　Aweekhadelapsedwithlittlechange。Ontwodayshehadbeenabsentallday，returningonlyintimetosupinthehollowtree，which，thankstothefinalremovalofthedeadbearfromitsvicinity，wasnowconsideredasaferretreatthantheexposedcamp-fire。Onthefirstoftheseoccasionsshereceivedhimwithsomepreoccupation，payingbutlittleheedtothescantgossiphebroughtfromIndianSpring，andretiringearlyunderthepleaoffatigue，thathemightseekhisowndistantcamp-fire，which，thankstoherstrongernervesandregainedcourage，shenolongerrequiredsonear。Onthesecondoccasion，hefoundherwritingalettermoreorlessblottedwithhertears。Whenitwasfinished，shebeggedhimtopostitatIndianSpring，whereintwodaysananswerwouldbereturned，undercover，tohim。
　　"Ihopeyouwillbesatisfiedthen，"sheadded。
　　"Satisfiedwithwhat？"queriedtheyoungman。
　　"You’llsee，"shereplied，givinghimhercoldhand。"Good-night。"
　　"Butcan’tyoutellmenow？"heremonstrated，retainingherhand。
　　"Waittwodayslonger——itisn’tmuch，"wasallshevouchsafedtoanswer。
　　Thetwodayspassed。Theirformerconfidenceandgoodfellowshipwerefullyrestoredwhenthemorningcameonwhichhewastobringtheanswerfromthepost-officeatIndianSpring。Hehadtalkedagainofhisfuture，andhadrecordedhisambitiontoprocuretheappointmentofnaturalisttoaGovernmentSurveyingExpedition。Shehadevenjocularlyproposedtodressherselfinman’sattireand"enlist"ashisassistant。
　　"Butyouwillbesafewithyourfriends，Ihope，bythattime，"
　　respondedLow。
　　"Safewithmyfriends，"sherepeatedinalowervoice。"Safewithmyfriends——yes！"Anawkwardsilencefollowed;Teresabrokeitgayly："Butyourgirl，yoursweetheart，mybenefactor——willSHEletyougo？"
　　"Ihaven’ttoldheryet，"saidLow，gravely，"butIdon’tseewhysheshouldobject。"
　　"Object，indeed！"interruptedTeresainahighvoiceandasuddenandutterlygratuitousindignation;"howshouldshe？I’dliketoseeherdoit！"
　　Sheaccompaniedhimsomedistancetotheintersectionofthetrail，wheretheypartedingoodspirits。Onthedustyplainwithoutagalewasblowingthatrockedthehightree-topsaboveher，but，temperedandsubdued，enteredthelowaisleswithaflutteringbreathofmorningandasoundlikethecooingofdoves。Neverhadthewoodbeforeshownsosweetasenseofsecurityfromtheturmoilandtempestoftheworldbeyond;neverbeforehadanintrusionfromtheouterlife——evenintheshapeofaletter——seemedsowickedadesecration。Temptedbythesolicitationofairandshade，shelingered，withLow’sherbariumslungonhershoulder。
　　Astrangesensation，likeashiver，suddenlypassedacrosshernerves，andlefttheminastateofrigidtension。Witheverysensemorbidlyacute，witheveryfacultystrainedtoitsutmost，thesubtleinstinctsofLow’swoodcrafttransformedandpossessedher。Sheknewitnow！Anewelementwasinthewood——astrangebeing——anotherlife——anothermanapproaching！Shedidnotevenraiseherheadtolookabouther，butdartedwiththeprecisionandfleetnessofanarrowinthedirectionofhertree。Butherfeetwerearrested，herlimbsparalzyed，herveryexistencesuspended，bythesoundofavoice：——
　　"Teresa！"
　　Itwasavoicethathadrunginherearsforthelasttwoyearsinallphasesofintensity，passion，tenderness，andanger;avoiceuponwhosemodulations，rudeandunmusicalthoughtheywere，herheartandsoulhadhungintransportoranguish。ButitwasachimethathadrungitslastpealtohersensesassheenteredtheCarquinezWoods，andforthelastweekhadbeenasdeadtoherasavoicefromthegrave。Itwasthevoiceofherlover——DickCurson！
　　CHAPTERV
　　Thewindwasblowingtowardsthestranger，sothathewasnearlyuponherwhenTeresafirsttookthealarm。Hewasamanoversixfeetinheight，stronglybuilt，withaslighttendencytoaroundnessofbulkwhichsuggestedreservedratherthanimpededenergy。Histhickbeardandmustachewerecloselycroppedaroundasmallandhandsomemouththatlispedexceptwhenhewasexcited，butalwayskeptfellowshipwithhisblueeyesinaperpetualsmileofhalf-cynicalgood-humor。Hisdresswassuperiortothatofthelocality;hisgeneralexpressionthatofamanoftheworld，albeitaworldofSanFrancisco，Sacramento，andMurderer’sBar。Headvancedtowardsherwithalaughandanoutstretchedhand。
　　"YOUhere！"shegasped，drawingback。
　　Apparentlyneithersurprisednormortifiedatthisreception，heansweredfrankly，"Yeth。Youdidn’texpectme，Iknow。ButDolorethshowedmetheletteryouwroteher，and——well——hereI
　　am，readytohelpyou，withtwomenandathparehorthewaitingoutsidethewoodthontheblindtrail。"
　　"You——YOU——here？"sheonlyrepeated。
　　Cursonshruggedhisshoulders。"Yeth。"Ofcourthyouneverexpectedtotheemeagain，andleathtofallHERE。I’lladmitthat;I’llthayIwouldn’tifI’dbeeninyourplathe。I’llgofurther，andthayyoudidn’twanttotheemeagain——anywhere。
　　Butitallcomethtothethamething;hereIam。IreadtheletteryouwroteDoloreth。Ireadhowyouwerehidinghere，underDunn’thverynothe，withhiswholepotheout，cavortingroundandbarkin’upthewrongtree。ImadeupmymindtocomedownherewithafewnathtyfriendsofmineandcutyououtunderDunn’thnothe，andrunyouoverintoYuba——that’thall。"
　　"Howdaredsheshowyoumyletter——YOUofallmen？HowdaredsheaskYOURhelp？"continuedTeresa，fiercely。
　　"Butshedidn’tathkmyhelp，"herespondedcoolly。"D——difI
　　don’tthinkshejuthtcalculatedI’dbegladtoknowyouwerebeinghunteddownandthtarving，thatImightputDunnonyourtrack。"
　　"Youlie！"saidTeresa，furiously;"shewasmyfriend。Abetterfriendthanthosewhoprofessed——more，"sheadded，withacontemptuousdrawingawayofherskirtasifshefearedCurson’scontamination。
　　"Allright。Thettlethatwithherwhenyougoback，"continuedCursonphilosophically。"Wecantalkofthatontheway。Thethingnowithtogetupandgetoutofthethewoods。Come！"
　　Teresa’sonlyreplywasagestureofscorn。
　　"Iknowallthat，"continuedCursonhalfsoothingly，"butthey’rewaiting。"
　　"Letthemwait。Ishallnotgo。"
　　"Whatwillyoudo？"
　　"Stayhere——tillthewolveseatme。"
　　"Teresa，listen。D——-itall——Teresa——Tita！seehere，"hesaidwithsuddenenergy。"IsweartoGodit’sallright。I’mwillingtoletby-gonesbeby-gonesandtakeanewdeal。Youshallcomebackasifnothinghadhappened，andtakeyouroldplaceasbefore。Idon’tminddoingthesquarething，allround。Ifthat’swhatyoumean，ifthat’sallthatstandsintheway，why，lookuponthethingassettled。There，Tita，oldgirl，come。"
　　Carelessorobliviousofherstonysilenceandstartingeyes，heattemptedtotakeherhand。Butshedisengagedherselfwithaquickmovement，drewback，andsuddenlycrouchedlikeawildanimalabouttospring。Cursonfoldedhisarmsassheleapedtoherfeet;thelittledaggershehaddrawnfromhergarterflashedmenacinglyintheair，butshestopped。
　　Themanbeforeherremainederect，impassive，andsilent;thegreattreesaroundandbeyondherremainederect，impassive，andsilent;therewasnosoundinthedimaislesbutthequickpantingofhermadpassion，nomovementinthecalm，motionlessshadowbutthetremblingofherupliftedsteel。Herarmbentandslowlysank，herfingersrelaxed，theknifefellfromherhand。
　　"That’thquiteenoughforathow，"hesaid，withareturntohisformercynicaleaseandaperceptibletoneofreliefinhisvoice。"It’ththethameoldTheretha。Well，then，ifyouwon’tgowithme，gowithoutme;taketheledhortheandcutaway。
　　DickAthleyandPeterethwillfollowyouoverthecountyline。
　　Ifyouwantthomemoney，thereitith。"Hetookabuckskinpursefromhispocket。"Ifyouwon’ttakeitfromme——hehesitatedasshemadenoreply——"Athley’thflushandreadytolendyouthome。"
　　Shehadnotseemedtohearhim，buthadstoopedinsomeembarrassment，pickeduptheknifeandhastilyhidit，thenwithavertedfaceandnervousfingerswasbeginningtotearstripsofloosebarkfromthenearesttrunk。
　　"Well，whatdoyouthay？"
　　"Idon’twantanymoney，andIshallstayhere。"Shehesitated，lookedaroundher，andthenadded，withaneffort，"Isupposeyoumeantwell。Beitso！Letby-gonesbeby-gones。Yousaidjustnow，’It’sthesameoldTeresa。’Sosheis，andseeingshe’sthesameshe’sbetterherethananywhereelse。"
　　TherewasenoughbitternessinhertonetocallforCurson’shalf-perfunctorysympathy。
　　"Thatbed——d，"herespondedquickly。"Juthtthayyou’llcome，Tita，and——"
　　Shestoppedhishalf-spokensentencewithanegativegesture。
　　"Youdon’tunderstand。Ishallstayhere。"
　　"Buteveniftheydon’ttheekyouhere，youcan’tlivehereforever。Thefriendthatyouwroteaboutwhowaththogoodtoyou，youknow，can’tkeepyouherealwayth;andareyouthureyoucanalwaythtruthther？"
　　"Itisn’tawoman;it’saman。"Shestoppedshort，andcoloredtothelineofherforehead。"Whosaiditwasawoman？"shecontinuedfiercely，asiftocoverherconfusionwithaburstofgratuitousanger。"Isthatanotherofyourlies？"
　　Curson’slips，whichforamomenthadcompletelylosttheirsmile，werenowdrawntogetherinaprolongedwhistle。Hegazedcuriouslyathergown，atherhat，atthebowofbrightribbonthattiedherblackhair，andsaid，"Ah！"
　　"Apoormanwhohaskeptmysecret，"shewentonhurriedly——"amanasfriendlessandlonelyasmyself。Yes，"disregardingCurson’scynicalsmile，"amanwhohassharedeverything——"
　　"Naturally，"suggestedCurson。