Dunnlookedatherinsurprisenotunmixedwithadmiration。"IfNellie，"hethought，"couldbutloveMElikethat！"Butheonlysaid：
　　"Forallthat，he’sanInjin。Why，lookathisname。Itain’tLow。It’sL’EauDormante，SleepingWater，anInjinname。"
　　"Andwhatdoesthatprove？"returnedTeresa。"OnlythatIndiansclapanick-nameonanystranger，whiteorred，whomaycampwiththem。Why，evenhisownfather，awhiteman，thewretchwhobegothimandabandonedhim，——HEhadanIndianname——LoupNoir。"
　　"Whatnamedidyousay？"
　　"LeLoupNoir，theBlackWolf。Isupposeyou’dcallhimanIndian，too？Eh！What’sthematter？We’rewalkingtoofast。
　　Stopamomentandrest。There——there，leanonme！"
　　Shewasnonetoosoon;for，afterholdinghimuprightamoment，hislimbsfailed，andstoopinggentlyshewasobligedtosupporthimhalfrecliningagainstatree。
　　"Itstheheat！"hesaid。"Givemesomewhiskyfrommyflask。
　　Nevermindthewater，"headdedfaintly，withaforcedlaugh，afterhehadtakenadraughtatthestrongspirit。"Tellmemoreabouttheotherwater——theSleepingWater——youknow。Howdoyouknowallthisabouthimandhis——father？"
　　"PartlyfromhimandpartlyfromCurson，whowrotetomeabouthim，"sheansweredwithsomehesitation。
　　ButDunndidnotseemtonoticethisincongruityofcorrespondencewithaformerlover。"AndHEtoldyou？"
　　"Yes;andIsawthenameonanoldmemorandumbookhehas，whichhesaysbelongedtohisfather。It’sfullofoldaccountsofsometradingpostonthefrontier。It’sbeenmissingforadayortwo，butitwillturnup。ButIcanswearIsawit。"
　　Dunnattemptedtorisetohisfeet。"Putyourhandinmypocket，"hesaidinahurriedwhisper。"No，there！——bringoutabook。There，Ihaven’tlookedatityet。Isthatit？"headded，handingherthebookBracehadgivenhimafewhoursbefore。
　　"Yes，"saidTeresa，insurprise。"Wheredidyoufindit？"
　　"Nevermind！Nowletmeseeit，quick。Openit，formysightisfailing。There——thankyou——that’sall！"
　　"Takemorewhisky，"saidTeresa，withastrangeanxietycreepingoverher。"Youarefaintagain。"
　　"Wait！Listen，Teresa——lower——putyourearlower。Listen！I
　　camenearkillingthatchapLowto-day。Wouldn’tithavebeenridiculous？"
　　Hetriedtosmile，buthisheadfellback。Hehadfainted。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　ForthefirsttimeinherlifeTeresalostherpresenceofmindinanemergency。Shecouldonlysitstaringatthehelplessman，scarcelyconsciousofhiscondition，hermindfilledwithasuddenpropheticintuitionofthesignificanceofhislastwords。
　　Inthelightofthatnewrevelationshelookedintohispale，haggardfaceforsomeresemblancetoLow，butinvain。Yetherswiftfeminineinstinctmettheobjection。"It’sthemother’sbloodthatwouldshow，"shemurmured，"notthisman’s。"
　　Recoveringherself，shebegantochafehishandsandtemples，andmoistenedhislipswiththespirit。Whenhisrespirationreturnedwithafaintcolortohischeeks，shepressedhishandseagerlyandleanedoverhim。
　　"Areyousure？"sheasked。
　　"Ofwhat？"hewhisperedfaintly。
　　"ThatLowisreallyyourson？"
　　"Whosaidso？"heasked，openinghisroundeyesuponher。
　　"Youdidyourself，amomentago，"shesaidquickly。"Don’tyouremember？"
　　"DidI？"
　　"Youdid。Isitnotso？"
　　Hesmiledfaintly。"Ireckon。"
　　Sheheldherbreathinexpectation。Butonlytheludicrousnessofthediscoveryseemedparamounttohisweakenedfaculties。
　　"Isn’titjustabouttheridiculousestthingallround？"hesaid，withafeeblechuckle。"FirstYOUnearlykillmebeforeyouknowIamLow’sfather;thenI’mjustspoilin’tokillhimbeforeI
　　knowhe’smyson;thenthatgod-forsakenfoolJackBracemistakesyouforNellieandNellieforyou。Ain’titjustthebiggestthingfortheboystogetholdof？ButwemustkeepitdarkuntilafterImarryNellie，don’tyousee？Thenwe’llhaveagoodtimeallround，andI’llstandthedrinks。Thinkofit，Teresha！Youdon’nome，Ido’noyou，nobodyknowshanybodyelsh。ItrykillLo’。Lo’wantskillNellie。Nothathnori——’"
　　butthepotentliquor，overtakinghisexhaustedsenses，thickened，impeded，andatlaststoppedhisspeech。Hisheadslippedtohershoulder，andhebecameoncemoreunconscious。
　　Teresabreathedagain。Inthatbriefmomentshehadabandonedherselftoawildinspirationofhopewhichshecouldscarcelydefine。Notthatitwasentirelyawildinspiration;shetriedtoreasoncalmly。Whatifsherevealedthetruthtohim？Whatifshetoldthewretchedmanbeforeherthatshehaddeceivedhim;thatshehadoverheardhisconversationwithBrace;thatshehadstolenBrace’shorsetobringLowwarning;that，failingtofindLowinhisaccustomedhaunts，oratthecampfire，shehadleftanoteforhimpinnedtotheherbarium，imploringhimtoflywithhiscompanionfromthedangerthatwascoming;andthat，remainingonwatch，shehadseenthemboth——BraceandDunn——
　　approaching，andhadpreparedtomeetthematthecabin？Wouldthismiserableandmaddenedmanunderstandherself-abnegation？
　　WouldheforgiveLowandNellie？——shedidnotaskforherself。
　　Orwouldtherevelationturnhisbrain，ifitdidnotkillhimoutright？Shelookedatthesunkenorbitsofhiseyesandhecticonhischeek，andshuddered。
　　Whywasthisaddedtotheagonyshealreadysuffered？Shehadbeenwillingtostandbetweenthemwithherlife，herliberty，andeven——thehotblooddyedhercheekatthethought——withtheaddedshameofbeingthoughtthecast-offmistressofthatman’sson。Yetallthisshehadtakenuponherselfinexpiationofsomething——sheknewnotclearlywhat;no，fornothing——onlyforHIM。Andyetthisverysituationofferedherthatgleamofhopewhichhadthrilledher;ahopesowildinitsimprobability，sodegradinginitspossibility，thatatfirstsheknewnotwhetherdespairwasnotpreferabletoitsshame。Andyetwasitunreasonable？Shewasnolongerpassionate;shewouldbecalmandthinkitoutfairly。
　　ShewouldgotoLowatonce。Shewouldfindhimsomewhere——andevenifwiththatgirl，whatmattered？——andshewouldtellhimall。Whenheknewthatthelifeanddeathofhisfatherlayinthescale，wouldhelethisbrief，foolishpassionforNelliestandintheway？Evenifhewerenotinfluencedbyfilialaffectionormerecompassion，wouldhispridelethimstooptoarivalrywiththemanwhohaddesertedhisyouth？CouldhetakeDunn’spromisedbride，whomusthavecoquettedwithhimtohavebroughthimtothismiserableplight？Wasthislikethecalm，proudyounggodsheknew？Yetshehadanuneasyinstinctthatcalm，proudyounggodsandgoddessesdidthingslikethis，andfelttheweaknessofherreasoningflushherownconsciouscheek。
　　"Teresa！"
　　Shestarted。Dunnwasawake，andwasgazingathercuriously。
　　"IwasreckoningitwastheonlysquarethingforLowtostopthispromiscuouspicnickinghereandmarryyououtandout。"
　　"Marryme！"saidTeresainavoicethat，withallherefforts，shecouldnotmakecynical。
　　"Yes，"herepeated，"afterI’vemarriedNellie;toteyoudowntoSanAngeles，andtheretakemynamelikeaman，andgiveittoyou。Nobody’llaskafterTERESA，sure——youbetyourlife。Andiftheydo，andhecan’tstoptheirjaw，justyoucallontheoldman。It’smightyqueer，ain’tit，Teresa，tothinkofyourbeingmydaughter-in-law？"
　　Itseemedhereasifhewasabouttolapseagainintounconsciousnessoverthepurelyludicrousaspectofthesubject，buthehaplyrecoveredhisseriousness。"He’llhaveasmuchmoneyfrommeashewantstogointobusinesswith。What’shislineofbusiness，Teresa？"askedthisprospectivefather-in-law，inalarge，liberalway。
　　"Heisabotanist！"saidTeresa，withasuddenchildishanimationthatseemedtokeepupthegrimhumorofthepaternalsuggestion;
　　"andoh，heistoopoortobuybooks！Isentforoneortwoforhimmyself，theotherday——"shehesitated——"itwasallthemoneyIhad，butitwasn’tenoughforhimtogoonwithhisstudies。"
　　Dunnlookedathersparklingeyesandglowingcheeks，andbecamethoughtful。"Cursonmusthavebeenad——dfool，"hesaidfinally。
　　Teresaremainedsilent。Shewasbeginningtobeimpatientanduneasy，fearingsomemischancethatmightdelayherdreaded，yetlonged-formeetingwithLow。Yetshecouldnotleavethissickandexhaustedman，HISFATHER，nowboundtoherbymorethanmerehumanity。
　　"Couldn’tyoumanage，"shesaidgently，"toleanonmeafewstepsfurther，untilIcouldbringyoutoacoolerspotandnearerassistance？"
　　Henodded。Sheliftedhimalmostlikeachildtohisfeet。A
　　spasmofpainpassedoverhisface。"Howfarisit？"heasked。
　　"Notmorethantenminutes，"shereplied。
　　"Icanmakeaspurtforthattime，"hesaidcoolly，andbegantowalkslowlybutsteadilyon。Onlyhisface，whichwaswhiteandset，andtheconvulsivegripofhishandonherarmbetrayedtheeffort。Attheendoftenminutesshestopped。Theystoodbeforethesplintered，lightning-scarredshaftintheopeningofthewoods，whereLowhadbuiltherfirstcamp-fire。Shecarefullypickeduptheherbarium，butherquickeyehadalreadydetectedinthedistance，beforeshehadallowedDunntoentertheopeningwithher，thathernotewasgone。Lowhadbeentherebeforethem;hehadbeenwarned，ashisabsencefromthecabinshowed;hewouldnotreturnthere。Theywerefreefrominterruption——butwherehadhegone？
　　Thesickmandrewalongbreathofreliefassheseatedhimintheclover-grownhollowwhereshehadsleptthesecondnightofherstay。"It’scoolerthanthosecursedwoods，"hesaid。"I
　　supposeit’sbecauseit’salittlelikeagrave。Whatareyougoingtodonow？"headded，asshebroughtacupofwaterandplaceditathisside。
　　"Iamgoingtoleaveyouhereforalittlewhile，"shesaidcheerfully，butwithapalefaceandnervoushands。"I’mgoingtoleaveyouwhileIseekLow。"
　　Thesickmanraisedhishead。"I’mgoodforaspurt，Teresa，likethatI’vejustgotthrough，butIdon’tthinkI’muptoafamilyparty。Couldn’tyouissuecardslateron？"
　　"Youdon’tunderstand，"shesaid。"I’mgoingtogetLowtosendsomeoneofyourfriendstoyouhere。Idon’tthinkhe’llbegrudgeleavingHERamomentforthat，"sheaddedtoherselfbitterly。
　　"What’sthatyou’resaying？"hequeried，withthenervousquicknessofaninvalid。
　　"Nothing——butthatI’mgoingnow。"Sheturnedherfaceasidetohidehermoistenedeyes。"Wishmegoodluck，won’tyou？"sheasked，halfsadly，halfpettishly。
　　"Comehere！"
　　Shecameandbentoverhim。Hesuddenlyraisedhishands，and，drawingherfacedowntohisown，kissedherforehead。
　　"GivethattoHIM，"hewhispered，"fromME。"
　　Sheturnedandfled，happilyforhersentiment，nothearingthefeeblelaughthatfollowed，asDunn，insheerimbecility，againreferredtotheextravagantludicrousnessofthesituation。"Itisaboutthebiggestthinginthewayofasellallround，"herepeated，lyingonhisback，confidentiallytothespeckofsmoke-obscuredskyabovehim。Hepicturedhimselfrepeatingit，nottoNellie——hersevereproprietymightatlastoverlookthefact，butwouldnottoleratethejoke——buttoherfather！ItwouldbeoneofthosecharacteristicCalifornianjokesFatherWynnwouldadmire。
　　Tohisexhaustionfeverpresentlysucceeded，andhebegantogrowrestless。Theheattooseemedtoinvadehisretreat，andfromtimetotimethelittlepatchofblueskywastotallyobscuredbycloudsofsmoke。Heamusedhimselfwithwatchingalizardwhowasinvestigatingafoldedpieceofpaper，whoseelasticitygavethelittlecreaturelivelyapprehensionsofitsvitality。Atlasthecouldstandthestillnessofhisretreatandhissupinepositionnolonger，androlledhimselfoutofthebedofleavesthatTeresahadsocarefullypreparedforhim。Herosetohisfeetstiffandsore，and，supportinghimselfbythenearesttree，movedafewstepsfromthedeadashesofthecamp-fire。Themovementfrightenedthelizard，whoabandonedthepaperandfled。
　　WithasatiricalrecollectionofBraceandhis"ridiculous"
　　discoverythroughthemediumofthisanimal，hestoopedandpickedupthepaper。"Likeasnot，"hesaidtohimself，withgrimirony，"theseyerlizardsareinthediscoverybusiness。
　　P’r’apsthismayleadtoanothermystery，"andhebegantounfoldthepaperwithasmile。Butthesmileceasedashiseyesuddenlycaughthisownname。
　　Adozenlineswerewritteninpencilonwhatseemedtobeablankleaforiginallytornfromsomebook。Hetrembledsothathewasobligedtositdowntoreadthesewords：——
　　"Whenyougetthiskeepawayfromthewoods。Dunnandanothermanareindeadlypursuitofyouandyourcompanion。Ioverheardtheirplantosurpriseyouinourcabin。DON’TGOTHERE，andI
　　willdelaythemandputthemoffthescent。Don’tmindme。Godblessyou，andifyouneverseemeagainthinksometimesof"TERESA。"
　　Histremblingceased;hedidnotstart，butroseinanabstractedway，andmadeafewdeliberatestepsinthedirectionTeresahadgone。Eventhenhewassoconfusedthathewasobligedtorefertothepaperagain，butwithsolittleeffectthathecouldonlyrepeatthelastwords，"thinksometimesofTeresa。"Hewasconsciousthatthiswasnotall;hehadafullconvictionofbeingdeceived，andknewthatheheldtheproofinhishand，buthecouldnotformulateitbeyondthatsentence。"Teresa"——yes，hewouldthinkofher。Shewouldexplainit。Andhereshewasreturning。
　　Inthatbriefintervalherfaceandmannerhadagainchanged。
　　Herfacewaspaleandquitebreathless。ShecastaswiftglanceatDunnandthepaperhemechanicallyheldout，walkeduptohim，andtoreitfromhishand。
　　"Well，"shesaidhoarsely，"whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"
　　Heattemptedtospeak，buthisvoicefailedhim。Eventhenhewasconsciousthatifhehadspokenhewouldhaveonlyrepeated，"thinksometimesofTeresa。"Helookedlonginglybuthelplesslyatthespotwhereshehadthrownthepaper，asifithadcontainedhisunutteredwords。
　　"Yes，"shewentontoherself，asifhewasamute，indifferentspectator——"yes，they’regone。Thatendsitall。Thegame’splayedout。Well！"suddenlyturninguponhim，"nowyouknowitall。YourNellieWASherewithhim，andiswithhimnow。Doyouhear？Makethemostofit;you’velostthem——buthereIam。"
　　"Yes，"hesaideagerly——"yes，Teresa。"
　　Shestopped，staredathim;thentakinghimbythehandledhimlikeachildbacktohiscouch。"Well，"shesaid，inhalf-savageexplanation，"ItoldyouthetruthwhenIsaidthegirlwasn’tatthecabinlastnight，andthatIdidn’tknowher。Whatareyouglowerin’at？No！Ihaven’tliedtoyou，IsweartoGod，exceptinonething。Didyouknowwhatthatwas？TosavehimItookuponmeashameIdon’tdeserve。IletyouthinkIwashismistress。Youthinksonow，don’tyou？Well，beforeGodto-day——
　　andHemaytakemewhenHelikes——I’mnomoretohimthanasister！IreckonyourNelliecan’tsayasmuch。"
　　Sheturnedaway，andwiththequick，impatientstrideofsomecagedanimalmadethenarrowcircuitoftheopening，stoppingamomentmechanicallybeforethesickman，andagain，withoutlookingathim，continuinghermonotonousround。Theheathadbecomeexcessive，butsheheldhershawlwithbothhandsdrawntightlyoverhershoulders。Suddenlyawood-duckdartedoutofthecovertblindlyintotheopening，struckagainsttheblastedtrunk，fellhalfstunnednearherfeet，andthen，recovering，flutteredaway。Shehadscarcelycompletedanothercircuitbeforetheirruptionwasfollowedbyawhirringbevyofquail，aflightofjays，andasuddentumultofwingssweptthroughthewoodlikeatornado。SheturnedinquiringlytoDunn，whohadrisentohisfeet，butthenextmomentshecaughtconvulsivelyathiswrist;awolfhadjustdashedthroughtheunderbrushnotadozenyardsaway，andoneithersideofthemtheycouldhearthescamperandrustleofhurryingfeetliketheoutburstofasummershower。Acoldwindarosefromtheoppositedirection，asiftocontestthiswildexodus，butitwasfollowedbyablastofsickeningheat。TeresasankatDunn’sfeetinanagonyofterror。
　　"Don’tletthemtouchme！"shegasped;"keepthemoff！Tellme，forGod’ssake，whathashappened！"
　　Helaidhishandfirmlyonherarm，andliftedherinhisturntoherfeetlikeachild。Inthatsuprememomentofphysicaldanger，hisstrength，reason，andmanhoodreturnedintheirplenitudeofpower。Hepointedcoollytothetrailshehadquitted，andsaid，"TheCarquinezWoodsareonfire！"
　　CHAPTERX
　　ThenestofthetunefulBurnhams，althoughinthesuburbsofIndianSpring，wasnotinordinaryweatherandseasonshiddenfromthelongingeyesoftheyouthofthatsettlement。Thatnight，however，itwasveiledinthesmokethatencompassedthegreathighwayleadingtoExcelsior。ItispresumedthattheBurnhambroodhadlongsincefoldedtheirwings，fortherewasnosignoflifenormovementinthehouseasarapidly-drivenhorseandbuggypulledupbeforeit。Fortunately，thepaternalBurnhamwasanearlybird，inthehabitofpickingupthefirststirringminingworm，andaresoundingknockbroughthimhalfdressedtothestreetdoor。HewasstartledatseeingFatherWynnbeforehim，atrifleflushedandabstracted。
　　"Ahha！upbetimes，Isee，andready。Nosluggardshere——ha，ha！"hesaidheartily，slammingthedoorbehindhim，andbyaseriesofpokesintheribsgeniallybackinghishostintohisownsitting-room。"I’mup，too，andamheretoseeNellie。
　　She’shere，eh——ofcourse？"headded，dartingaquicklookatBurnham。
　　ButMr。Burnhamwasoneofthoselarge，liberalWesternhusbandswhoclassifiedhishouseholdunderthegeneraltitleof"womanfolk，"fortheintegersofwhichhewasnotresponsible。Hehesitated，andthenpropoundedoverthebalusterstotheupperstorythedirectquery——
　　"Youdon’thappentohaveNellieWynnupthere，doye？"
　　Therewasanintervalofinquiryproceedingfromhalfadozenreluctantthroats，moreorlesscottonyandmuffled，inthosevariousdegreesofgrievanceandmentaldistresswhichindicatetooearlyrousedyoungwomanhood。Theeventualreplyseemedtobeaffirmative，albeitaccompaniedwithasuppressedgiggle，asiftheyoungladyhadjustbeendiscoveredasananswertoanamusingconundrum。
　　"Allright，"saidWynn，withanapparentaccessionofboisterousgeniality。"TellherImustseeher，andI’veonlygotafewminutestospare。Tellhertosliponanythingandcomedown;
　　there’snooneherebutmyself，andI’veshutthefrontdooronBrotherBurnham。Ha，ha！"andsuitingtheactiontotheword，heactuallybundledtheadmiringBrotherBurnhamoutonhisowndoorstep。Therewasalightpatteringonthestaircase，andNellieWynn，pinkwithsleep，verytall，veryslim，hastilydrapedinawhitecounterpanewithablueborderandageneralclassicsuggestion，slippedintotheparlor。Atthesamemomentherfathershutthedoorbehindher，placedonehandontheknob，andwiththeotherseizedherwrist。
　　"Wherewereyouyesterday？"heasked。
　　Nellielookedathim，shruggedhershoulders，andsaid，"Here。"
　　"YouwereintheCarquinezWoodswithLowDorman;youwentthereindisguise;you’vemethimtherebefore。Heisyourclandestinelover;youhavetakenpledgesofaffectionfromhim;youhave——"
　　"Stop！"shesaid。
　　Hestopped。
　　"Didhetellyouthis？"sheasked，withanexpressionofdisdain。
　　"No;Ioverheardit。DunnandBracewereatthehousewaitingforyou。Whenthecoachdidnotbringyou，Iwenttotheofficetoinquire。AsIleftourdoorIthoughtIsawsomebodylisteningattheparlorwindows。ItwasonlyadrunkenMexicanmuleteerleaningagainstthehouse;butifHEheardnothing，I
　　did。Nellie，IheardBracetellDunnthathehadtrackedyouinyourdisguisetothewoods——doyouhear？thatwhenyoupretendedtobeherewiththegirlsyouwerewithLow——alone;thatyouweararingthatLowgotofatraderhere;thattherewasacabininthewoods——"
　　"Stop！"sherepeated。
　　Wynnagainpaused。
　　"AndwhatdidYOUdo？"sheasked。
　　"Iheardtheywerestartingdowntheretosurpriseyouandhimtogether，andIharnessedupandgotaheadoftheminmybuggy。"
　　"Andfoundmehere，"shesaid，lookingfullintohiseyes。
　　Heunderstoodherandreturnedthelook。Herecognizedthefullimportanceoftheculminatingfactconveyedinherwords，andwasobligedtocontenthimselfwithitslogicalandworldlysignificance。Itwastoolatenowtotakehertotaskformerefilialdisobedience;theymustbecomeallies。
　　"Yes，"hesaidhurriedly;"butifyouvalueyourreputation，ifyouwishtosilenceboththesemen，answermefully。"
　　"Goon，"shesaid。
　　"Didyougotothecabininthewoodsyesterday？"
　　"No。"
　　"DidyouevergotherewithLow？"
　　"No;Idonotknowevenwhereitis。"
　　Wynnfeltthatshewastellingthetruth。Nellieknewit;butasshewouldhavebeenequallysatisfiedwithanequallyefficaciousfalsehood，herfaceremainedunchanged。
　　"Andwhendidheleaveyou？"
　　"Atnineo’clock，here。Hewenttothehotel。"
　　"Hesavedhislife，then，forDunnisonhiswaytothewoodstokillhim。"
　　Thejeopardyofherloverdidnotseemtoaffecttheyounggirlwithalarm，althoughhereyesbetrayedsomeinterest。
　　"ThenDunnhasgonetothewoods？"shesaidthoughtfully。
　　"Hehas，"repliedWynn。
　　"Isthatall？"sheasked。
　　"Iwanttoknowwhatyouaregoingtodo？"
　　"IWASgoingbacktobed。"
　　"Thisisnotimefortrifling，girl。"
　　"Ishouldthinknot，"shesaid，withayawn;"it’stooearly，ortoolate。"
　　Wynngraspedherwristmoretightly。"Hearme！Putwhateverfaceyoulikeonthisaffair，youarecompromised——andcompromisedwithamanyoucan’tmarry。"
　　"Idon’tknowthatIeverwantedtomarryLow，ifyoumeanhim，"
　　shesaidquietly。
　　"AndDunnwouldn’tmarryyounow。"
　　"I’mnotsosureofthat，either。"
　　"Nellie，"saidWynnexcitedly，"doyouwanttodrivememad？
　　Haveyounothingtosay——nothingtosuggest？"
　　"Oh，youwantmetohelpyou，doyou！Whydidn’tyousaythatfirst？Well，goandbringDunnhere。"
　　"Areyoumad？Themanhasgonealreadyinpursuitofyourlover，believingyouwithhim。"
　　"Thenhewillthemorereadilycomeandtalkwithmewithouthim。
　　Willyoutaketheinvitation——yesorno？"
　　"Yes，but——"
　　"Enough。OnyourwaythereyouwillstopatthehotelandgiveLowaletterfromme。"
　　"Nellie！"
　　"Youshallreadit，ofcourse，"shesaidscornfully，"foritwillbeyourtextfortheconversationyouwillhavewithhim。Willyoupleasetakeyourhandfromthelockandopenthedoor？"
　　Wynnmechanicallyopenedthedoor。Theyounggirlflewup-
　　stairs。Inaveryfewmomentsshereturnedwithtwonotes：onecontainedafewlinesofformalinvitationtoDunn;theotherreadasfollows：
　　"DEARMR。DORMAN，——MyfatherwilltellyouhowdeeplyIregretthatourrecentbotanicalexcursionsintheCarquinezWoodshavebeenasourceofseriousmisapprehensionstothosewhohadaclaimtomyconsideration，andthatIshallbeobligedtodiscontinuethemforthefuture。Atthesametimehewishesmetoexpressmygratitudeforyourvaluableinstructionandassistanceinthatpleasingstudy，eventhoughapproachingeventsmaycompelmetorelinquishitforotherduties。MayIbegyoutoaccepttheinclosedringasaslightrecognitionofmyobligationstoyou？
　　"Yourgratefulpupil，"NELLIEWYNN。"
　　Whenhehadfinishedreadingtheletter，shehandedhimaring，whichhetookmechanically。Heraisedhiseyestoherswithperfectlygenuineadmiration。"You’reagoodgirl，Nellie，"hesaid，and，inamomentofparentalforgetfulness，unconsciouslyadvancedhislipstowardshercheek。Butshedrewbackintimetorecallhimtoasenseofthathumanweakness。
　　"IsupposeI’llhavetimeforanapyet，"shesaid，asagentlehinttoherembarrassedparent。Henoddedandturnedtowardsthedoor。
　　"IfIwereyou，"shecontinued，repressingayawn，"I’dmanagetobeseenongoodtermswithLowatthehotel;soperhapsyouneednotgivethelettertohimuntilthelastthing。Good-by。"
　　Thesitting-roomdooropenedandclosedbehindherassheslippedup-stairs，andherfather，withouttheformalityofleave-taking，quietlylethimselfoutbythefrontdoor。
　　Whenhedroveintothehighroadagain，however，anoverlookedpossibilitythreatenedforamomenttoindefinitelypostponehisamiableintentionsregardingLow。ThehotelwasatthefurtherendofthesettlementtowardstheCarquinezWoods，andasWynnhadnearlyreachedithewasrecalledtohimselfbythesoundsofhoofsandwheelsrapidlyapproachingfromthedirectionoftheExcelsiorturnpike。WynnmadenodoubtitwasthesheriffandBrace。Toavoidrecognitionatthatmoment，hewhippeduphishorse，intendingtokeeptheleaduntilhecouldturnintothefirstcross-road。Butthecomingtravelershadthefleetesthorse，andfindingitimpossibletodistancethemhedroveclosetotheditch，pullingupsuddenlyasthestrangevehiclewasabreastofhim，andforcingthemtopasshimatfullspeed，withtheresultalreadychronicled。Whentheyhadvanishedinthedarkness，Mr。Wynn，withaheartoverflowingwithChristianthankfulnessanduniversalbenevolence，wheeledround，anddrovebacktothehotelhehadalreadypassed。Topullupattheverandawithastentorianshout，tothumploudlyatthedesertedbar，tohilariouslybeatthepanelsofthelandlord’sdoor，andcommitajocoseassaultandbatteryuponthathalf-dresssedandhalf-awakenedman，waseminentlycharacteristicofWynn，andpartofhisamiableplansthatmorning。
　　"Somethingtowashthiswoodsmokefrommythroat，BrotherCarter，andaboutasmuchagaintopropopenyoureyes，"hesaid，draggingCarterbeforethebar，"andglassesroundforasmanyoftheboysasareupandstirringafterahard-workingChristian’srest。Howgoesthehonestpublican’strade，andwhohavewehere？"
　　"Thar’sJudgeRobinsonandtwolawyersfromSacramento，DickCursonoverfromYolo，"saidCarter，"andthataryoungInjinyarbdoctorfromtheCarquinezWoods。Ireckonhe’sjistup——I
　　noticedalightunderhisdoorasIpassed。"
　　"He’smymanforafriendlychatbeforebreakfast，"saidWynn。
　　"Youneedn’tcomeup。I’llfindtheway。Idon’twantalight;
　　Ireckonmyeyesain’tasbrightnorasyoungashis，butthey’llseealmostasfarinthedark——he！he！"And，noddingtoBrotherCarter，hestrodealongthepassage，andwithnootherintroductionthanaplayfulandpreliminary"Boo！"burstintooneoftherooms。
　　Low，whobythelightofasinglecandlewasbendingovertheplatesofalargequarto，merelyraisedhiseyesandlookedattheintruder。
　　Theyoungman’snaturalimperturbability，alwaysexasperatingtoWynn，seemedaccentedthatmorningbycontrastwithhisownover-actedanimation。
　　"Ahha！——wastingthemidnightoilinsteadofimbibingthemorningdews，"saidFatherWynnarchly，illustratinghismetaphorwithamovementofhishandtohislips。"Whathavewehere？"
　　"Ananonymousgift，"repliedLowsimply，recognizingthefatherofNelliebyrisingfromhischair。"It’savolumeI’velongedtopossess，butnevercouldaffordtobuy。Icannotimaginewhosentittome。"
　　Wynnwasforamomentstartledbythethoughtthatthisrecipientofvaluablegiftsmighthaveinfluentialfriends。Butaglanceatthebareroom，whichlookedlikeacamp，andthestrange，unconventionalgarbofitsoccupant，restoredhisformerconvictions。Theremightbeapromiseofintelligence，butscarcelyofprosperity，inthefigurebeforehim。
　　"Ah！Wemustnotforgetthatwearewatchedoverinthenightseason，"hesaid，layinghishandonLow’sshoulder，withanillustrationofcelestialguardianshipthatwouldhavebeenimpiousbutforitspalpablegrotesqueness。"No，sir，weknownotwhatadaymaybringforth。"
　　Unfortunately，Low’spracticalminddidnotgobeyondamerehumaninterpretation。Itwasenough，however，toputanewlightinhiseyeandafaintcolorinhischeek。
　　"CouldithavebeenMissNellie？"heasked，withhalf-boyishhesitation。
　　Mr。WynnwastoomuchofaChristiannottobowbeforewhatappearedtohimthepurelyprovidentialinterpositionofthissuggestion。SeizingitandLowatthesamemoment，heplayfullyforcedhimdownagaininhischair。
　　"Ah，yourascal！"hesaid，withinfinitearchness;"that’syourgame，isit？YouwanttotrappoorFatherWynn。Youwanttomakehimsay’No。’Youwanttotempthimtocommithimself。No，sir！——never，sir！——no，no！"
　　FirmlyconvincedthatthepresentwasNellie’s，andthatherfatheronlygood-humoredlyguessedit，theyoungman’ssimple，truthfulnaturewasembarrassed。Helongedtoexpresshisgratitude，butfearedtobetraytheyounggirl’strust。TheReverendMr。Wynnspeedilyrelievedhismind。
　　"No"hecontinued，bestridingachair，andfamiliarlyconfrontingLowoveritsback。"No，sir——no！Andyouwantmetosay’No，’
　　don’tyou，regardingthelittlewalksofNellieandacertainyoungmanintheCarquinezWoods？——ha，ha！You’dlikemetosaythatIknewnothingofthebotanizings，andtheherbcollectings，andthepicknickingsthere——he，he！——youslydog！Perhapsyou’dliketotemptFatherWynnfurther，andmakehimswearheknowsnothingofhisdaughterdisguisingherselfinadusterandmeetinganotheryoungman——isn’titanotheryoungman？——allalone，eh？PerhapsyouwantpooroldFatherWynntosayNo。No，sir，nothingofthekindeveroccurred。Ah，youyoungrascal！"
　　Slightlytroubled，inspiteofWynn’sheartymanner，Low，withhisusualdirectness，however，said，"IdonotwantanyonetodenythatIhaveseenMissNellie。"
　　"Certainly，certainly，"saidWynn，abandoninghismethod，considerablydisconcertedbyLow’ssimplicity，andacertainnaturalreservethatshookoffhisfamiliarity。"Certainlyit’sanoblethingtobeabletoputyourhandonyourheartandsaytotheworld，’Comeon，allofyou！Observeme;Ihavenothingtoconceal。IwalkwithMissWynninthewoodsasherinstructor——herteacher，infact。Wecullaflowerhereandthere;wepluckanherbfreshfromthehandsoftheCreator。Welook，sotospeak，fromNaturetoNature’sGod。’Yes，myyoungfriend，weshouldbethefirsttorepelthefoulcalumnythatcouldmisinterpretourmostinnocentactions。"
　　"Calumny？"repeatedLow，startingtohisfeet。"Whatcalumny？"
　　"Myfriend，mynobleyoungfriend，Irecognizeyourindignation。
　　Iknowyourworth。WhenIsaidtoNellie，myonlychild，myperhapstoosimpleoffspring——amerewildflowerlikeyourself——
　　whenIsaidtoher，’Go，mychild，walkinthewoodswiththisyoungman，handinhand。Lethiminstructyoufromthehumblestroots，forhehastroddeninthewaysoftheAlmighty。Gatherwisdomfromhislips，andknowledgefromhissimplewoodman’scraft。Make，infact，acollectionnotonlyofherbs，butofmoralaxiomsandexperience’——IknewIcouldtrustyou，and，trustingyou，myyoungfriend，IfeltIcouldtrusttheworld。
　　PerhapsIwasweak，foolish。ButIthoughtonlyofherwelfare。
　　Ievenrecallhowthattopreservethepurityofhergarments，I
　　badeherdonasimpleduster;that，tosecureherfromthetriflingcompanionshipofothers，Ibadeherkeepherowncounsel，andseekyouatseasonsknownbuttoyourselves。"
　　"But……didNellie……understandyou？"interruptedLowhastily。
　　"Iseeyoureadhersimplenature。Understandme？No，notatfirst！Hermaidenlyinstinct——perhapsherdutytoanother——tookthealarm。Irememberherwords。’ButwhatwillDunnsay？’sheasked。’Willhenotbejealous？’"
　　"Dunn！jealous！Idon’tunderstand，"saidLow，fixinghiseyesonWynn。
　　"That’sjustwhatIsaidtoNellie。’Jealous！’Isaid。’What，Dunn，youraffiancedhusband，jealousofamerefriend——ateacher，aguide，aphilosopher。Itisimpossible。’Well，sir，shewasright。Heisjealous。And，morethanthat，hehasimpartedhisjealousytoothers！Inotherwords，hehasmadeascandal！"
　　Low’seyesflashed。"Whereisyourdaughternow？"hesaidsternly。
　　"Atpresentinbed，sufferingfromanervousattackbroughtonbytheseunjustsuspicions。Sheappreciatesyouranxiety，and，knowingthatyoucouldnotseeher，toldmetogiveyouthis。"
　　HehandedLowtheringandtheletter。
　　Theclimaxhadbeenforced，and，itmustbeconfessed，wasbynomeanstheoneMr。Wynnhadfullyarrangedinhisowninnerconsciousness。HehadintendedtotakeanostentatiousleaveofLowinthebar-room，delivertheletterwitharchness，andescapebeforeapossibleexplosion。Heconsequentlybackedtowardsthedoorforanemergency。Buthewasagainatfault。Thatunaffectedstoicalfortitudeinacutesuffering，whichwastheoneremainingprideandgloryofLow’srace，wasyettoberevealedtoWynn’scivilizedeyes。
　　Theyoungmantooktheletter，andreaditwithoutchangingamuscle，foldedtheringinit，anddroppeditintohishaversack。
　　Thenhepickeduphisblanket，threwitoverhisshoulder，tookhistrustyrifleinhishand，andturnedtowardsWynnasifcoldlysurprisedthathewasstillstandingthere。
　　"Areyou——areyou——going？"stammeredWynn。
　　"AreyouNOT？"repliedLowdryly，leaningonhisrifleforamomentasifwaitingforWynntoprecedehim。Thepreacherlookedathimamoment，mumbledsomething，andthenshambledfeeblyandineffectivelydownthestaircasebeforeLow，withapainfulsuggestiontotheordinaryobserverofbeingoccasionallyurgedtheretobythemoccasinoftheyoungmanbehindhim。
　　Onreachingthelowerhall，however，heendeavoredtocreateadiversioninhisfavorbydashingintothebar-roomandclappingtheoccupantsonthebackwithindiscriminateplayfulness。Buthereagainheseemedtobedisappointed。Tohisgreatdiscomfiture，alargemannotonlyreturnedhissalutationwithpowerfullevity，butwithequalplayfulnessseizedhiminhisarms，andafteraningenioussimulationofdepositinghiminthehorse-troughsethimdowninaffectedamazement。"Bleth’tifI
　　didn’tthinkfromtheweightofyourhanditwathmyoldfriend，ThacramentoBill，"saidCursonapologetically，withawinkatthebystanders。"That’ththewayBillalwaythuthedtotacklehithfriendth，tillhewathonedaybounthedbyaprithe-fighterinFrithco，whomhehadmithtakenforamithionary。"AsMr。
　　Curson’sreputationwasofaqualitythatmadeanyformofapologyfromhiminstantlyacceptable，theamusedspectatorsmadewayforhimas，recognizingLow，whowasjustleavingthehotel，heturnedcoollyfromthemandwalkedtowardshim。
　　"Halloo！"hesaid，extendinghishand。"You’rethemanI’mwaitingfor。Didyougetabookfromtheexthprethoffithelathtnight？"
　　"Idid。Why？"
　　"It’thallright。AthI’mrethponthibleforit，Ionlywantedtoknow。"
　　"DidYOUsendit？"askedLow，quicklyfixinghiseyesonhisface。
　　"Well，notexactlyME。Butit’thnotworthmakingamythteryofit。Terethagavemeacommithiontobuyitandthendittoyouanonymouthly。That’thawoman’thnonthenth，forhowcouldtheegetaretheiptforit？"
　　"ThenitwasHERpresent，"saidLowgloomily。
　　"Ofcourthe。Itwathn’tmine，myboy。I’dhavethentyouaTharp’thrifleinplatheofthatmuthleloaderyoucarry，orthomethingthenthible。But，Ithay！what’thup？Youlookathifyouhadbeenrunningallnight。"
　　Lowgraspedhishand。"Thankyou，"hesaidhurriedly;"butit’snothing。OnlyImustbebacktothewoodsearly。Good-by。"
　　ButCursonretainedLow’shandinhisownpowerfulgrip。
　　"I’llgowithyouabitfurther，"hesaid。"Infact，I’vegotthomethingtothaytoyou;onlydon’tbeinthuchahurry;thewoodthcanwaittillyougetthere。"QuietlycompellingLowtoalterhisowncharacteristicIndianstridetokeeppacewithhis，hewenton："Idon’tmindthayingIrathercottonedtoyoufromthetimeyouactedlikeawhiteman——nooffenthe——toTeretha。
　　Shethaythyouwereleftwhenachildlyinground，juthtathpromithcuouthlyathshewath;andifIcandoanythingtowardthputtingyouonthetrailofyourpeople，I’lldoit。IknowthomeofthevoyageurthwhotradedwiththeCherokeeth，andyourfatherwathone-wathn’the？"HeglancedatLow’sutterlyabstractedandimmobileface。"Ithay，youdon’ttheemtotakeahandinthithgame，pardner。What’ththerow？Ithanythingwrongoverthere？"andhepointedtotheCarquinezWoods，whichwerejustloomingoutofthemorninghorizoninthedistance。
　　Lowstopped。Thelastwordsofhiscompanionseemedtorecallhimtohimself。Heraisedhiseyesautomaticallytothewoodsandstarted。
　　"ThereISsomethingwrongoverthere，"hesaidbreathlessly。
　　"Look！"
　　"Itheenothing，"saidCurson，beginningtodoubtLow’ssanity;
　　"nothingmorethanIthawanhourago。"
　　"Lookagain。Don’tyouseethatsmokerisingstraightup？Itisn’tblownovertherefromtheDivide;it’snewsmoke！Thefireisinthewoods！"
　　"Ireckonthat’thso，"mutteredCurson，shadinghiseyeswithhishand。"But，hullo！waitaminute！We’llgethortheth。Isay！"
　　heshouted，forgettinghislispinhisexcitement——"stop！"ButLowhadalreadyloweredhisheadanddartedforwardlikeanarrow。
　　Inafewmomentshehadleftnotonlyhiscompanionbutthelaststragglinghousesoftheoutskirtsfarbehindhim，andhadstruckoutinalong，swingingtrotforthedisused"cut-off。"AlreadyhefanciedheheardthenoteofclamorinIndianSpring，andthoughthedistinguishedthesoundofhurryinghoofsonthegreathighway。Butthesunkentrailhiditfromhisview。Fromthecolumnofsmokenowplainlyvisibleinthegrowingmorninglighthetriedtolocatethesceneoftheconflagration。Itwasevidentlynotafireadvancingregularlyfromtheouterskirtofthewood，communicatedtoitfromtheDivide;itwasalocaloutburstnearitscentre。Itwasnotinthedirectionofhiscabininthetree。TherewasnoimmediatedangertoTeresa，unlessfeardroveherbeyondtheconfinesofthewoodintothehandsofthosewhomightrecognizeher。Thescreamingofjaysandravensabovehisheadquickenedhisspeed，asitheraldedtherapidadvanceoftheflames;andtheunexpectedapparitionofaboundingbody，flattenedandflyingovertheyellowplain，toldhimthateventhesecureretreatofthemountainwild-cathadbeeninvaded。AsuddenrecollectionofTeresa’suncontrollableterrorthatfirstnightsmotehimwithremorseandredoubledhisefforts。Aloneinthetrackofthesefranticandbewilderedbeasts，towhatmadnessmightshenotbedriven！
　　Thesharpcrackofariflefromthehighroadturnedhiscoursemomentarilyinthatdirection。Thesmokewascurlinglazilyovertheheadsofthepartyofmenintheroad，whilethehugehulkofagrizzlywasdisappearinginthedistance。Abattueoftheescapinganimalshadcommenced！Inthebitternessofhishearthecaughtatthehorriblesuggestion，andresolvedtosaveherfromthemordiewithherthere。
　　Howfastheran，orthetimeittookhimtoreachthewoods，hasneverbeenknown。Theiroutlineswerealreadyhiddenwhenheenteredthem。Toasenselesskeen，acouragelessdesperate，andapurposelessunalteredthanLow’s，thewoodwouldhavebeenimpenetrable。Thecentralfirewasstillconfinedtotheloftytreetops，butthedownwardrushofwindfromtimetotimedrovethesmokeintotheaislesinblindingandsuffocatingvolumes。
　　Tosimulatethecreepinganimals，andfalltothegroundonhandsandknees，feelhiswaythroughtheunderbrushwhenthesmokewasdensest，ortakeadvantageofitsmomentarylifting，andwithoutuncertainty，mistake，orhesitationglidefromtreetotreeinoneundeviatingcourse，waspossibleonlytoanexperiencedwoodsman。Tokeephisreasonandinsightsoclearastobeableinthemidstofthisbewilderingconfusiontoshapethatcoursesoastointersectthewildandunknowntractofaninexperienced，frightenedwandererbelongedtoLow，andLowalone。Hewasmakinghiswayagainstthewindtowardsthefire。Hehadreasonedthatshewaseitherincomparativesafetytowindwardofit，orheshouldmeetherbeingdriventowardshimbyit，orfindhersuccumbedandfaintingatitsfeet。Todothishemustpenetratetheburningbelt，andthenpassundertheblazingdome。Hewasalreadyuponit;hecouldseethefallingfiredroppinglikerainorblownlikegorgeousblossomsoftheconflagrationacrosshispath。Thespacewaslitupbrilliantly。Thevastshaftsofdullcoppercastnoshadowbelow，buttherewasnosignnortokenofanyhumanbeing。Foramomenttheyoungmanwasatfault。Itwastruethishiddenheartoftheforestborenoundergrowth;thecoolmattedcarpetoftheaislesseemedtoquenchtheglowingfragmentsastheyfell。Escapemightbedifficult，butnotimpossible，yeteverymomentwasprecious。Heleanedagainstatree，andsenthisvoicelikeaclarionbeforehim："Teresa！"Therewasnoreply。Hecalledagain。Afaintcryathisbackfromthetrailhehadjusttraversedmadehimturn。Onlyafewpacesbehindhim，blindedandstaggering，butfollowinglikeabeatenandwoundedanimal，Teresa，halted，knelt，claspedherhands，anddumblyheldthemoutbeforeher。
　　"Teresa！"hecriedagain，andsprangtoherside。
　　Shecaughthimbytheknees，andliftedherfaceimploringlytohis。
　　"Saythatagain！"shecried，passionately。"TellmeitwasTeresayoucalled，andnoother！Youhavecomebackforme！Youwouldnotletmedieherealone！"
　　Heliftedhertenderlyinhisarms，andcastarapidglancearoundhim。Itmighthavebeenhisfancy，butthereseemedadullglowinthedirectionhehadcome。
　　"Youdonotspeak！"shesaid。"Tellme！Youdidnotcomeheretoseekher？"
　　"Whom？"hesaidquickly。
　　"Nellie！"
　　Withasharpcryhelethersliptotheground。Allthepent-upagony，rage，andmortificationofthelasthourbrokefromhiminthatinarticulateoutburst。Then，catchingherhandsagain，hedraggedhertohislevel。
　　"Hearme！"hecried，disregardingthewhirlingsmokeandthefierybaptismthatsprinkledthem——"hearme！Ifyouvalueyourlife，ifyouvalueyoursoul，andifyoudonotwantmetocastyoutothebeastslikeJezebelofold，never——nevertakethataccursednameagainuponyourlips。Seekher——HER？Yes！Seekhertotieherlikeawitch’sdaughterofhelltothatblazingtree！"Hestopped。"Forgiveme，"hesaidinachangedvoice。
　　"I’mmad，andforgettingmyselfandyou。Come。"
　　Withoutnoticingtheexpressionofhalf-savagedelightthathadpassedacrossherface，heliftedherinhisarms。
　　"Whichwayareyougoing？"sheasked，passingherhandsvaguelyacrosshisbreast，asiftoreassureherselfofhisidentity。
　　"Toourcampbythescarredtree，"hereplied。
　　"Notthere，notthere，"shesaid，hurriedly。"Iwasdrivenfromtherejustnow。IthoughtthefirebeganthereuntilIcamehere。"
　　Thenitwasashefeared。ObeyingthesamemysteriouslawthathadlaunchedthisfatalfirelikeathunderboltfromtheburningmountaincrestfivemilesawayintotheheartoftheCarquinezWoods，ithadagainleapedamilebeyond，andwashemmingthembetweentwonarrowinglinesoffire。ButLowwasnotdaunted。
　　Retracinghisstepsthroughtheblindingsmoke，hestrodeoffatrightanglestothetrailnearthepointwherehehadenteredthewood。ItwasthespotwherehehadfirstliftedNellieinhisarmstocarryhertothehiddenspring。Ifanyrecollectionofitcrossedhismindatthatmoment，itwasonlyshowninhisredoubledenergy。Hedidnotglidethroughthethickunderbrush，asonthatday，butseemedtotakeasavagepleasureinbreakingthroughitwithsheerbruteforce。OnceTeresainsisteduponrelievinghimoftheburdenofherweight，butafterafewstepsshestaggeredblindlyagainsthim，andwouldfainhaverecourseoncemoretohisstrongarms。Andso，alternatelystaggering，bending，crouching，orboundingandcrashingon，butalwaysinonedirection，theyburstthroughthejealousrampart，andcameuponthesylvanhauntofthehiddenspring。Thegreatangleofthehalf-fallentreeactedasaharriertothewindanddriftingsmoke，andthecoolspringsparkledandbubbledinthealmosttranslucentair。Helaidherdownbesidethewater，andbathedherfaceandhands。Ashedidsohisquickeyecaughtsightofawoman’shandkerchieflyingatthefootofthedisruptedroot。
　　DroppingTeresa’shand，hewalkedtowardsit，andwiththetoeofhismoccasingaveitonevigorouskickintotheoozeattheoverflowofthespring。HeturnedtoTeresa，butsheevidentlyhadnotnoticedtheact。
　　"Whereareyou？"sheasked，withasmile。
　　Somethinginhermovementstruckhim！Hecametowardsher，andbendingdownlookedintoherface。"Teresa！GoodGod！——lookatme！Whathashappened？"
　　Sheraisedhereyestohis。Therewasaslightfilmacrossthem;
　　thelidswereblackened;thebeautifullashesgoneforever！
　　"Iseeyoualittlenow，Ithink，"shesaid，withasmile，passingherhandsvaguelyoverhisface。"Itmusthavehappenedwhenhefainted，andIhadtodraghimthroughtheblazingbrush;
　　bothmyhandswerefull，andIcouldnotcovermyeyes。"
　　"Dragwhom？"saidLow，quickly。
　　"Why，Dunn。"
　　"Dunn！Hehere？"saidLow，hoarsely。
　　"Yes;didn’tyoureadthenoteIleftontheherbarium？Didn’tyoucometothecamp-fire？"sheaskedhurriedly，claspinghishands。"Tellmequickly！"
　　"No！"
　　"Thenyouwerenotthere——thenyoudidn’tleavemetodie？"
　　"No！Iswearit，Teresa！"thestoicismthathadupheldhisownagonybreakingdownbeforeherstrongemotion。
　　"ThankGod！"Shethrewherarmsaroundhim，andhidherachingeyesinhistroubledbreast。
　　"Tellmeall，Teresa，"hewhisperedinherlisteningear。"Don’tmove;staythere，andtellmeall。"
　　Withherfaceburiedinhisbosom，asifspeakingtohisheartalone，shetoldhimpart，butnotall。Withhereyesfilledwithtears，butasmileonherlips，radiantwithnew-foundhappiness，shetoldhimhowshehadoverheardtheplansofDunnandBrace，howshehadstolentheirconveyancetowarnhimintime。Buthereshestopped，dreadingtosayawordthatwouldshatterthehopeshewasbuildinguponhissuddenrevulsionoffeelingforNellie。Shecouldnotbringherselftorepeattheirinterview——
　　thatwouldcomelater，whentheyweresafeandoutofdanger;nownoteventhesecretofhisbirthmustcomebetweenthemwithitsdistraction，tomartheirperfectcommunion。ShefalteredthatDunnhadfaintedfromweakness，andthatshehaddraggedhimoutofdanger。"Hewillneverinterferewithus——Imean，"shesaidsoftly，"withMEagain。Icanpromiseyouthataswellasifhehadswornit。"
　　"Lethimpass，now，"saidLow;"thatwillcomelateron，"headded，unconsciouslyrepeatingherthoughtinatonethatmadeherheartsick。"Buttellme，Teresa，whydidyougotoExcelsior？"
　　Sheburiedherheadstilldeeper，asiftohideit。Hefeltherbrokenheartbeatagainsthisown;hewasconsciousofadepthoffeelingherrivalhadneverawakenedinhim。ThepossibilityofTeresalovinghimhadneveroccurredtohissimplenature。Hebenthisheadandkissedher。Shewasfrightened，andunloosedherclingingarms;butheretainedherhand，andsaid，"Wewillleavethisaccursedplace，andyoushallgowithmeasyousaidyouwould;norneedyoueverleaveme，unlessyouwishit。"
　　Shecouldhearthebeatingofherownheartthroughhiswords;
　　shelongedtolookattheeyesandlipsthattoldherthis，andreadthemeaninghisvoicealonecouldnotentirelyconvey。Forthefirsttimeshefeltthelossofhersight。Shedidnotknowthatitwas，inthismomentofhappiness，thelastblessingvouchsafedtohermiserablelife。
　　Afewmomentsofsilencefollowed，brokenonlybythedistantrumoroftheconflagrationandthecrashoffallingboughs。
　　"Itmaybeanhouryet，"hewhispered，"beforethefirehassweptapathforustotheroadbelow。Wearesafehere，unlesssomesuddencurrentshoulddrawthefiredownuponus。Youarenotfrightened？"Shepressedhishand;shewasthinkingofthepalefaceofDunn，lyinginthesecureretreatshehadpurchasedforhimatsuchasacrifice。Yetthepossibilityofdangertohimnowforamomentmarredherpresenthappinessandsecurity。"Youthinkthefirewillnotgonorthofwhereyoufoundme？"sheaskedsoftly。
　　"Ithinknot，"hesaid，"butIwillreconnoitre。Staywhereyouare。"
　　Theypressedhands，andparted。Heleapedupontheslantingtrunkandascendeditrapidly。Shewaitedinmuteexpectation。
　　Therewasasuddenmovementoftherootonwhichshesat，adeafeningcrash，andshewasthrownforwardonherface。
　　Thevastbulkoftheleaningtree，dislodgedfromitsaerialsupportbythegradualsappingofthespringatitsroots，orbythecrumblingofthebarkfromtheheat，hadslipped，madeahalfrevolution，and，falling，overborethelessertreesinitspath，andtore，initsresistlessmomentum，abroadopeningtotheunderbrush。
　　WithacrytoLow，Teresastaggeredtoherfeet。Therewasanintervalofhideoussilence，butnoreply。Shecalledagain。
　　Therewasasuddendeepeningroar，theblastofafieryfurnacesweptthroughtheopening，athousandluminouspointsaroundherburstintofire，andinaninstantshewaslostinawhirlwindofsmokeandflame！Fromtheonsetofitsfurytoitsculminationtwentyminutesdidnotelapse;butinthatintervalaradiusoftwohundredyardsaroundthehiddenspringwassweptoflifeandlightandmotion。
　　Fortherestofthatdayandpartofthenightapallofsmokehungabovethesceneofdesolation。Itliftedonlytowardsthemorning，whenthemoon，risinghigh，pickedoutinblackandsilvertheshrunkenandsilentcolumnsofthoserooflessvaults，shornofbaseandcapital。Itflickeredonthestill，overflowingpoolofthehiddenspring，andshoneuponthewhitefaceofLow，who，witharootletofthefallentreeholdinghimdownlikeanarmacrosshisbreast，seemedtobesleepingpeacefullyinthesleepingwater……
　　Contemporaneoushistorytouchedhimasbriefly，butnotasgently。"Itisnowdefinitelyascertained，"said"TheSlumgullionMirror，""thatSheriffDunnmethisfateintheCarquinezWoodsintheperformanceofhisduty;thatfearlessmanhavingreceivedinformationoftheconcealmentofabandofhorsethievesintheirrecesses。Thedesperadoesarepresumedtohaveescaped，astheonlyremainsfoundarethoseoftwowretchedtramps，oneofwhomissaidtohavebeenadigger，whosupportedhimselfuponrootsandherbs，andtheotheradegradedhalf-whitewoman。Itisnotunreasonabletosupposethatthefireoriginatedthroughtheircarelessness，althoughFatherWynnoftheFirstBaptistChurch，inhispowerfuldiscourseoflastSunday，pointedatthewarningandlessonofsuchcatastrophes。
　　Itmaynotbeoutofplaceheretosaythattherumorsregardinganengagementbetweenthepastor’saccomplisheddaughterandthelatelamentedsheriffareutterlywithoutfoundation，asithasbeenanonditforsometimeinallwell-informedcirclesthattheindefatigableMr。Brace，ofWells，FargoandCo。’sExpress，willshortlyleadtheladytothehymenealaltar。"