CHAPTERVIII。
　　ThereligiousattitudewhichMrs。McKinstryhadassumedtowardsherhusband’sweakcivilizedtendencieswasnotentirelyfreefromhumanrancor。Thatstrongloyalnaturewhichhadunsexeditselfintheoneideaofduty，nowthatdutyseemedtobenolongerappreciatedtookrefugeinherforgottenwomanhoodandintheinfinitesimallysmallarguments，resources，andmanoeuvresatitscommand。Shehadconceivedasingularjealousyofthisdaughterwhohadchangedherhusband’snature，andwhohadsupplantedthetraditionsofthehouseholdlife；shehadacquiredanexaggerateddepreciationofthosefemininecharmswhichhadneverbeenafactorinherowndomestichappiness。Shesawinherhusband’sdesiretomitigatethesavageausteritiesoftheirhabitsonlyaweakconcessiontothepowersofbeautyandadornment——degradingvanitiesshehadneverknownintheirlife-longstruggleforfrontiersupremacy——thathadneverbroughtthemvictoriousoutofthatstruggle。"Frizzles，""furblows，"and"fancyfixin’s"hadneverhelpedthemintheirexodusacrosstheplains；hadnevertakentheplaceofswifteyes，quickears，stronghands，andendurance；hadnevernursedthesickorbandagedthewounded。Whenenvyorjealousyinvadesthefemaleheartafterfortyitisapttobringabitternesswhichknowsnoattenuatingcompensationinthatcoquetry，emulation，passionateappeal，orinnocenttenderness，whichmakestolerablethejealouscapricesoftheyoungerwoman。
　　Thestruggleforrivalryisfelttobehopeless，thepowerofimitationisgone。OfherforgottenwomanhoodMrs。McKinstryrevivedonlyacapacitytosuffermeanlyandinflictmeansufferinguponothers。Intheruinedcastleofheryouth，andthefallinginofbanquetinghallandbower，thedungeonandtorture-chamberappearedtohavebeenleft，or，touseherownmetaphor，shehadquerulouslycomplainedtotheparsonthat，"Accordin’tosomefolks，shemouthevbinthebarrenfig-treee-lectedtobearpersimmums。"
　　Hermethodswerenotentirelydifferentfromthoseemployedbyhersufferingsisterhoodinlikeemergencies。TheunluckyHiram，"worritedbystock，"washardlyplacatedorconsoledbylearningfromherthatitwasonlytheresultofhisownweakness，actinguponthe’cussednessofthestock-dispersingHarrisons；theperplexityintowhichhewasthrownbythenewsofthenewlegalclaimtohislandwasnotsoothedbythesuggestionthatitwasatrickofthatYankeecivilizationtowhichhewasmeanlysuccumbing。
　　Shewhohadalwaysbeenaroughbutdevotednurseinsicknesswasnowherselfovertakenbyvagueirregulardisorderswhichinvolvedthegreatestcareandtheabsenceofallexcitingcauses。TheattendanceofMcKinstryandCressyata"crazyquiltingparty"hadbroughton"blindchills；"theimportationofamelodeonforCressytoplayonhadsuperinducedan"innerdrash，"andathreatenedattackof"palsycreeps"hadonlybeenwardedoffbythetimelypostponementofaneveningpartysuggestedbyherdaughter。Theoldnomadicinstinct，morbidlyexcitedbyherdiscontent，causedhertolayartfulplansforafurtheremigration。Sheknewshehadthegermsof"mashfever"caughtfromtheadjacentriver；sherelatedmysteriousinformation，gatheredin"classmeeting，"ofthesuperiorfacilitiesforstockraisingonthehigherfoot-hills；sheresuscitatedherdeadandgoneMissourirelationsinherdailyspeech，toamanifestinvidiouscomparisonwiththeliving；sherevivedeventheincidentsofherearlymarriedlifewiththesamebalefulintent。Theacquisitionofafew"biledshirts"byHiramforfestiveappearanceswithCressypainfullyremindedherthathehadmarriedherin"hickory；"shefurtheraccentedthechangebyherselfappearinginheroldestclothes，onthehypothesisthatitwasnecessaryforsomeonetokeepupthetraditionsofthepast。
　　HerattitudetowardsCressywouldhavebeenmoredecidedhadsheeverpossessedtheslightestinfluenceoverher，orhadevenunderstoodherwiththeintuitivesympathiesofthematernalrelations。YetshewentsofarastoevenopenlyregretthebreakingoffofthematchwithSethDavis，whosefamily，atleast，stillretainedthehabitsandtraditionssherevered；butshewaspromptlysilencedbyherhusbandinformingherthatwords"thathadtobetukback"hadalreadypassedbetweenhimandSeth’sfather，andthat，accordingtothosesametraditions，bloodwasmorelikelytobespilledthanmingled。Whethershewasonlywithheldfromattemptingareconciliationherselfthroughlackoftactandopportunityremainstobeseen。ForthepresentsheencouragedMasters’sattentionsunderanewandvagueideathataflirtationwhichdistractedCressyfromherstudieswasdispleasingtoMcKinstryandinimicaltohisplans。BlindlyignorantofMr。
　　Ford’spossiblerelationstoherdaughter，andsuspectingnothing，shefelttowardshimonlyadullaversionasbeingthesenselesspivotofhertroubles。Seeingnoone，andhabituallyclosingherearstoanyfamilyallusiontoCressy’ssocialtriumphs，shewasunawareofeventhepopularadmirationtheirmemorablewaltzhadexcited。
　　OnthemorningofthedaythatUncleBenhadconfidedtothemasterhisingeniousplanforsettlingtheboundarydisputes，thebarkingofMcKinstry’syellowdogannouncedtheapproachofastrangertotheranch。ItprovedtobeMr。Stacey——notonlyasdazzlinglyarrayedaswhenhefirstroseaboveJohnnyFilgee’shorizon，butwearing，inadditiontohisjauntybusinessair，alookofcomplacentexpectationoftheprettygirlwhomhehadmetattheball。Hehadnotseenherforamonth。ItwasahappyinspirationofhisownthatenabledhimtopresenthimselfthatmorninginthetwinfunctionsofavictoriousMercuryandApollo。
　　McKinstryhadtobesummonedfromanadjacentmeadow，whileCressy，inthemeantime，undertooktoentertainthegallantstranger。
　　Thiswaseasilydone。Itwaspartofherfascinationsthat，disdainingtheordinaryrealorassumedignoranceoftheingenueofherclass，shegenerallyexhibitedtoheradmirers（withperhapsthesingleexceptionofthemaster）alaughingconsciousnessofthestateofmindintowhichhercharmshadthrownthem。Sheunderstoodtheirpassionifshecouldnotacceptit。Thistoabashfulrusticcommunitywashelpful，butinthemainunsatisfactory；withadvancessopromptlyunmasked，themoststrategicretreatwasapttobecomeanutterrout。Leaningagainstthelintelofthedoor，hercurvedhandshadingthesparklingdepthsofhereyes，andthesunlightstrikingdownupontheprettycurvesofherlanguidfigure，sheawaitedtheattack。
　　"Ihaven’tseenyou，MissCressy，sincewedancedtogether——amonthago。"
　　"Thatwasmightyroughpapers，"saidCressy，whowaspurposelydialecticaltostrangers，"consideringthatyoutrapsedupanddownthelane，pastthehouse，twiceyesterday。"
　　"Thenyousawme？"saidtheyoungman，withaslightlydiscomfitedlaugh。
　　"Idid。Andsodidthehound，andso，Ireckon，didJoeMastersandthehiredman。Andwhenyouprancedbackonthehomestretch，therewasthehound，Masters，thehiredman，andMawallonyourtrail，andPawbringin’uptherearwithashot-gun。Therewasaboutahalfamileofyoualtogether。"Sheremovedherhandfromhereyestoindicatewithalazilygracefulsweepthissomewhatimaginativeprocession，andlaughed。
　　"Youarecertainlywellguarded，"saidStaceyhesitatingly；"andlookingatyou，MissCressy，"headdedboldly，"Idon’twonderatit。"
　　"Well，itISreckonedthatnexttoPaw’sboundariesI’mprettywellprotectedfromsquattersandjumpers。"
　　Forcefulandquaintasherlanguagewas，thelazysweetnessofherintonation，andthedelicaterefinementofherface，morethanatonedforit。Itwasunconventionalandpicturesqueashergestures。SoatleastthoughtMr。Stacey，anditemboldenedhimtofurthergallantry。
　　"Well，MissCressy，asmybusinesswithyourfatherto-daywastotrytoeffectacompromiseofhisboundaryclaims，perhapsyoumightacceptmyservicesinyourownbehalf。"
　　"Whichmeans，"respondedtheyoungladypertly，"thesamethingtoMEastoPaw。Notrespassersbutyourself。Thankyou，sir。"Shetwirledlightlyonherheelanddroppedhimthatexaggeratedcurtseyknowntotheschool-childrenasa"cheese。"Itpermittedinitsprogresstheglimpseofaprettylittleslipperwhichcompletedhissubjugation。
　　"Well，ifit’sonlyafaircompromise，"hebeganlaughingly。
　　"Compromisemeanssomebodygivingup。Whoisit？"sheasked。
　　TheinfatuatedStaceyhadreachedthepointofthinkingthisreparteeifpossiblemorekillingthanhisown。
　　"Ha！That’sforMissCressytosay。"
　　Buttheyoungladyleaningbackagainstthelintelwiththecomfortableeaseofbeingirresponsiblydiverted，sagelypointedoutthatthatwasthefunctionofthearbitrator。
　　"Ahwell，supposewebeginbygivingupSethDavis，eh？YouseethatI’mprettywellposted，MissCressy。"
　　"Youalarmme，"saidCressysweetly。"ButIreckonheHADgivenup。"
　　"Hewasintherunningthatnightattheball。LookedhalfsavagewhileIwasdancingwithyou。Wantedtoeatme。"
　　"PoorSeth！AndheusedtobeSOparticularinhisfood，"saidthewittyCressy。
　　Mr。Staceywasconvulsed。"Andthere’sMr。Dabney——UncleBen，"hecontinued，"eh？Veryquietbutverysly。Adarkhorse，eh？
　　Pretendstotakelessonsforthesakeofbeingnearsomeone，eh？
　　Wouldhewereaboyagainbecausesomebodyelseisagirl？"
　　"Ishouldbefrightenedofyouifyoulivedherealways，"returnedCressywithinvinciblenaivete；"butperhapsthenyouwouldn’tknowsomuch。"
　　Staceysimplyacceptedthisasacompliment。"Andthere’sMasters，"hesaidinsinuatingly。
　　"NotJoe？"saidCressywithalowlaugh，turninghereyestothedoor。
　　"Yes，"saidStaceywithaquick，uneasysmile。"Ah！Iseewemustn’tdropHIM。IsheoutTHERE？"headded，tryingtofollowthedirectionofhereyes。
　　Buttheyounggirlkeptherfacestudiouslyaverted。"Isthatall？"sheaskedafterapause。
　　"Well——there’sthatsolemnschool-master，whocutmeoutofthewaltzwithyou——thatMr。Ford。"
　　HadhebeenaperfectlycoolandimpartialobserverhewouldhaveseentheslighttremorcrossCressy’ssofteyelidseveninprofile，followedbythatmomentaryarrestofherwholeface，mouth，dimples，andeyes，whichhadovertakenitthenightthemasterenteredtheball-room。Buthewasneither，anditpassedquicklyandunnoticed。Herusuallithebutlanguidplayofexpressionandcolorcameback，andsheturnedherheadlazilytowardsthespeaker。"There’sPawcoming。Isupposeyouwouldn’tmindgivingmeasampleofyourstyleofarbitratingwithhim，beforeyoutryitonme？"
　　"Certainlynot，"saidStacey，bynomeansdispleasedattheprospectofhavingsoprettyandintelligentawitnessinthedaughterofwhathebelievedwouldformanattractivedisplayofhisdiplomaticskillandgraciousnesstothefather。"Don’tgoaway。I’vegotnothingtosayMissCressycouldnotunderstandandanswer。"
　　Thejinglingofspurs，andtheshadowofMcKinstryandhisshot-gunfallingatthismomentbetweenthespeakerandCressy，sparedherthenecessityofareply。McKinstrycastanuneasyglancearoundtheapartment，andnotseeingMrs。McKinstrylookedrelieved，andeventhedeeptracesofthelossofavaluablesteerthatmorningpartlyfadedfromhisIndian-redcomplexion。Heplacedhisshot-
　　guncarefullyinthecorner，tookhissoftfelthatfromhishead，foldeditandputitinoneofthecapaciouspocketsofhisjacket，turnedtohisdaughter，andlayinghismaimedhandfamiliarlyonhershoulder，saidgravely，withoutlookingatStacey，"Whatmightthestrangerbewantin’，Cress？"
　　"PerhapsI’dbetteranswerthatmyself，"saidStaceybriskly。"I’mactingforBenhamandCo。，ofSanFrancisco，whohaveboughttheSpanishtitletopartofthisproperty。I"——
　　"Stopthere！"saidMcKinstry，inavoicedullbutdistinct。Hetookhishatfromhispocket，putiton，walkedtothecornerandtookuphisgun，lookedatStaceyforthefirsttimewithnarcoticeyesthatseemedtodrowsilyabsorbhisslightfigure，thenputthegunbackhalfcontemptuously，andwithawaveofhishandtowardsthedoor，said："We’llsettlethisyeroutside。Cress，youstopinhere。There’sman’stalkgoin’on。"
　　"But，Paw，"saidCressy，layingherhandlanguidlyonherfather’ssleevewithouttheleastchangeofcolororamusedexpression。
　　"Thisgentlemanhascomeoverhereonacompromise。"
　　"Ona——WHICH？"saidMcKinstry，glancingscornfullyoutofthedoorforsomerarespeciesofmustangvaguelysuggestedtohiminthatunfamiliarword。
　　"Toseeifwecouldn’tcometosomefairsettlement，"saidStacey。
　　"I’venoobjectiontogoingoutsidewithyou，butIthinkwecandiscussthismatterherejustaswell。"Hisfinefeathershadnotmadehimacoward，althoughhishearthadbeatenalittlefasteratthissuddenrecollectionofthedangerousreputationofhishost。
　　"Goon，"saidMcKinstry。
　　"Theplainfactsofthecasearethese，"continuedStacey，withmoreconfidence。"WehavesoldastripofthispropertycoveringthelandindisputebetweenyouandHarrison。Weareboundtoputourpurchaserinpeaceablepossession。Nowtosavetimewearewillingtobuythatpossessionofanymanwhocangiveit。Wearetoldthatyoucan。"
　　"Well，considerin’thatforthelastfouryearsI’vebeenfightin’
　　nightanddayaginthemlow-downHarrisonsforit，Ireckonyou’vebeenliedto，"saidMcKinstrydeliberately。"Why——excepttheclearingonthenorthside，wharIputupabarn，tharain’tanacreofitashasn’tbeenshiftedfirstthissideandthenthatasfastezIdruvboundarystakesandfences，andtheHarrisonspulled’emupagin。Tharain’tmorethanfiftyacresezI’vehedaclearholdon，andIwouldn’thevhadthatefithadn’tbinforthebarn，theraisin’aloneo’whichcostmeaman，twohorses，andthisyerlittlefinger。"
　　"Putusinpossessionofeventhatfiftyacres，andWE’LLundertaketoholdtherestandejectthoseHarrisonsfromit，"returnedStaceycomplacently。"Youunderstandthatthemomentwe’vemadeapeaceableentrancetoevenafootholdonyourside，theHarrisonsareonlytrespassers，andwiththetitletobackuswecancallonthewholesheriff’spossetoputthemoff。That’sthelaw。"
　　"Thatarthelaw？"repeatedMcKinstrymeditatively。
　　"Yes，"saidStacey。"So，"hecontinued，withaself-satisfiedsmiletoCressy，"farfrombeinghardonyou，Mr。McKinstry，we’reratherinclinedtoputyouonvelvet。Weofferyouafairpricefortheonlythingyoucangiveus——actualpossession；andwehelpyouwithyouroldgrudgeagainsttheHarrisons。Wenotonlyclearthemout，butwepayYOUforeventheparttheyheldadverselytoyou。"
　　Mr。McKinstrypassedhisthreewholefingersoverhisforeheadandeyesasiftroubledbyadrowsyaching。"Thenyoudon’treckontohevanythin’tosaytothemHarrisons？"
　　"Wedon’tproposetorecognizetheminthematteratall，"returnedStacey。
　　"Norallow’emanythin’？"
　　"Notacent！Soyousee，Mr。McKinstry，"hecontinuedmagnanimously，yetwithamischievoussmiletoCressy，"thereisnothinginthisamicablediscussionthatrequirestobesettledoutside。"
　　"Ain’tthere？"saidMcKinstry，inadull，deliberatevoice，raisinghiseyesforthesecondtimetoStacey。Theywerebloodshot，withaheavy，hangingfurtiveness，notunlikeoneofhisownhuntedsteers。"ButIain’tkamenuffinyer。"Hemovedtothedoorwithabeckoningofhisfatefulhand。"Outsideaminit——EFyouplease。"
　　Staceystarted，shruggedhisshoulders，andhalfdefiantlysteppedbeyondthethreshold。Cressy，unchangedincolororexpression，lazilyfollowedtothedoor。
　　"Wot，"saidMcKinstry，slowlyfacingStacey；"wotefIrefoose？
　　WotefIsayIdon’tallowanyman，oranybank，oranycompromise，totakeupmyquo’r’lls？WotefIsaythatlow-downandmeanasthemHarrisonsis，theydon’tbegintobeezmean，ezlow-down，ezunderhanded，ezsneakin’ezthatyercompromise？WotefIsaythatefthat’sthekindo’hogwashthatlawandsnivelizationoffersmeforpeaceandquietness，I’lltakethefightin’，andthelaw-
　　breakin’，andthesheriff，andallh-llforhisposseinstead？WotefIsaythat？"
　　"Itwillonlybemydutytorepeatit，"saidStacey，withanaffectedcarelessnesswhich，however，didnotconcealhissurpriseandhisdiscomfiture。"It’snoaffairofmine。"
　　"Unless，"saidCressy，assumingheroldpositionagainstthelintelofthedoor，andsmoothingthewornbear-skinthatservedasamatwiththetoeofherslipper，"unlessyou’vemixeditupwithyourotherarbitration，youknow。"
　　"Wototherarbitration？"askedMcKinstrysuddenly，withmurkyeyes。
　　Staceycastarapid，halfindignantglanceattheyounggirl，whoreceiveditwithherhandstuckedbehindherback，herlovelyheadbentsubmissivelyforward，andaprolongedlittlelaugh。
　　"Ohnothing，Paw，"shesaid，"onlyalittleprivatefoolishnessbetwixtmeandthegentleman。You’dadmiretohearhimtalk，Paw——
　　aboutotherthingsthanbusiness。He’sjustthatchipperandgay。"
　　Nevertheless，aswithamuttered"Good-morning"theyoungfellowturnedaway，shequietlybrushedpastherfather，andfollowedhim——
　　withherhandsstillpenitentlybehindher，andtherosypalmsturnedupward——asfarasthegate。HersinglelongMargueritebraidofhairtrailingdownherbacknearlytothehemofherskirt，appearedtoaccentherdemurereserve。Atthegatesheshadedhereyeswithherhand，andglancedupward。
　　"Itdon’tseemtobeagooddayforarbitrating。Atrifleearlyintheseason，ain’tit？"
　　"Good-morning，MissMcKinstry。"
　　Sheheldoutherhand。Hetookitwithanaffectedeasebutcautiously，asifithadbeenthevelvetpawofayoungpantherwhohadscratchedhim。Afterall，whatwasshebutthecuboftheuntamedbeast，McKinstry？Hewaswelloutofit！Hewasnotrevengeful——butbusinesswasbusiness，andhehadgiventhemthefirstchance。
　　Ashisfiguredisappearedbehindthebuckeyesofthelane，Cressycastaglanceatthedecliningsun。Shere-enteredthehouse，andwentdirectlytoherroom。Asshepassedthewindow，shecouldseeherfatheralreadyremountedgallopingtowardsthetules，asifinsearchofthatriparian"kam"hislateinterviewhaddisturbed。A
　　fewstragglingbitsofcolorintheslopingmeadowswerethechildrencominghomefromschool。Shehastilytiedagirlishsun-
　　bonnetunderherchin，andslippingoutofthebackdoor，sweptlikealissomshadowalongthelineoffenceuntilsheseemedtomeltintotheumbrageofthewoodsthatfringedthedistantnorthboundary。
　　CHAPTERIX。
　　Meanwhile，unawareofherhusband’ssuddenrelapsetoheroldborderprinciplesandofthevisitthathadinducedit，Mrs。
　　McKinstrywasslowlyreturningfromalugubriousrecitalofhermoodsandfeelingsattheparson’s。Asshecrossedthebarrenflatandreachedthewoodeduplandmidwaybetweentheschool-houseandtheranch，shesawbeforehertheoldfamiliarfigureofSethDavisloungingonthetrail。Inherhabitualloyaltytoherhusband’sfeudsshewouldprobablyhavestalkeddefiantlypasthim，notwithstandingherlateregretsofthebrokenengagement，butSethbegantoadvanceawkwardlytowardsher。Infact，hehadnoticedthetall，gaunt，plaid-shawledandholland-bonnetedfigureapproaching，andhadwaitedforit。
　　Asheseemedintentupongettinginherwayshestoppedandraisedherrighthandwarninglybeforeher。Inspiteoftheshawlandthesun-bonnet，sufferinghadimplantedarudeRunicdignitytoherattitude。"Wordsthathevtobetookback，SethDavis，"shesaidhastily，"hevpassedbetweenyouandmyman。Outofmyway，then，thatImaypass，too。"
　　"Notmuchbetwixtyouandme，AuntRachel，"hesaidwithslouchingdeprecation，usingtheoldhouseholdtitlebywhichhehadfamiliarlyknownher。"I’venothinaginyou——andIkinproveitbywotI’myertosay。AndIain’ttrucklin’toyerformyself，forezfarezmeandyour’nezconcerned，"hecontinued，withamalevolentglance，"tharain’tgoldenoughinCalefornytomaktheweddin’ringthatcouldhitchmeandCresstogether。Iwanttotellyouthatyou’rebein’played；thatyou’rebein’befooledandbamboozledandhoney-fogled。Thetwhileyou’regroanin’atclass-
　　meetin’andHiram’squo’llin’withDad，andJoeMasterswaitin’
　　roundtopickupanybonethat’sthrowedhim，thatsneakin’，hypocriticalYankeeschool-masterisdraggin’yourdaughtertoh-llwithhimonthesly。"
　　"Quitthat，SethDavis，"saidMrs。McKinstrysternly，"orbemanenoughtotellittoaman。That’sHiram’sbusinesstoknow。"
　　"Andwhatifheknowsitwellenoughandwinksatit？Whatifhe’swillin’enoughtotruckletoit，tocurryfavorwiththemsneakin’
　　Yanks？"saidSethmalignantly。
　　AspasmofsavageconvictionseizedMrs。McKinstry。Butitwasmorefromherjealousfearsofherhusband’sdisloyaltythanconcernforherdaughter’stransgression。Nevertheless，shesaiddesperately，"It’salie。Whereareyourproofs？"
　　"Proofs？"returnedSeth。"Whoisitsneaksaroundtheschool-housetohaveprivatetalkswiththeschool-master，andedgeshimonwithCressyaforefolks？Yourhusband。Whogoessneakin’offeveryarternoonwiththatsamecantin’houndofaschool-master？Yourdaughter。Who’sbeencarryin’ontogether，andhidin’thickenoughtoberiddenoutonarailtogether？Yourdaughterandtheschool-
　　master。Proofs？——askanybody。Askthechildren。Lookyar——you，Johnny——comehere。"
　　Hehadsuddenlydirectedhisvoicetoablackberrybushnearthetrail，fromwhichthecurlyheadofJohnnyFilgeehadjustappeared。Thathome-returninginfantpainfullydisengagedhimself，hisslate，hisbooks，andhissmalldinner-pailhalffilledwithfruitasimmatureashimself，andcametowardsthemsideways。
　　"Yer’sadime，Johnny，togitsomecandy，"saidSeth，endeavoringtodistorthispassion-setfaceintoasmile。
　　JohnnyFilgee’ssmall，berry-stainedpalmpromptlyclosedoverthecoin。
　　"Now，don’tlie。Where’sCressy？"
　　"Kithin’herbo。"
　　"Goodboy。Whatbo？"
　　Johnnyhesitated。Hehadonceseentheschool-masterandCressytogether；hehadhearditwhisperedbytheotherchildrenthattheylovedeachother。ButlookingatSethandMrs。McKinstryhefeltthatsomethingmoretremendousthanthisstupidfactwasrequiredofhimforgrown-uppeople，andbeinghonestandimaginative，hedeterminedthatitshouldbeworththemoney。
　　"Speakup，Johnny，don’tbeafeardtotell。"
　　Johnnywasnot"afeard"——hewasonlythinking。Hehadit！Herememberedthathehadjustseenhisparagon，thebrilliantStacey，comingfromtheboundarywoods。WhatmorepoeticalandstartlinglyeffectivethantoconnecthimwithCressy？Herepliedpromptly：——
　　"MithterThtathy。Hegivedherawatchandringoftrulygold。
　　Goin’tobemarriedatThacramento。"
　　"Youlyin’limb，"saidSeth，seizinghimroughly。ButMrs。
　　McKinstryinterposed。
　　"Letthatbratgo，"shesaidwithgleamingeyes。"Iwanttotalktoyou。"SethreleasedJohnny。"It’satrick，’hesaid，"he’sbinputuptoitbythatFord。"
　　ButJohnny，aftersecuringasafevantagebehindtheblackberrybush，determinedtogivethemanothertrial——withfacts。
　　"Iknowmor’nthat，"hecalledout。
　　"Git——youmeaslypup，"saidSethsavagely。
　　"IknowTheriffBriggth，heridovertheboundarywithaloto’menandhorthes，"saidJohnny，withthathurrieddeliverywithwhichhewasabletoestopinterruption。"Theed’emgoby。MaurHarrithonthethhisdad’sgoin’tochuckoutoleMcKinthtry。Hooray！"
　　Mrs。McKinstryturnedherdarkfacesharplyonSeth。"What’sthathesez？"
　　"Nothin’butchildren’sgassin’，"heanswered，meetinghereyeswithanevilconsciousnesshalfloutish，halfdefiant，"andefitwartrue，itwouldonlysarveHiramMcKinstryright。"
　　Shelaidherhanduponhisshoulderwithswiftsuspicion。"Outo’
　　myway，SethDavis，"shesaidsuddenly，pushinghimaside。"Efthisezanyunderhandedworkofyours，you’llpayforit。"
　　ShestrodepasthiminthedirectionofJohnny，butattheapproachofthetallwomanwiththeangryeyes，theboyflew。Shehesitatedamoment，turnedagainwithathreateningwaveofthehandtoSeth，andstartedoffrapidlyinthedirectionoftheboundary。
　　Shehadnotplacedsomuchfaithintheboy’sstoryasinthevaguerevelationofevilinDavis’smanner。Iftherewasany"cussedness"
　　afoot，Seth，convincedofCressy’sunfaithfulness，andwithnofurtherhopeofanymediationfromtheparents，wouldknowit。
　　UnlessHiramhadbeenwarned，hewasstilllulledinhisfatuousdreamofcivilization。Atthattimeheandhismenwereinthetuleswiththestock；tobesatisfied，sheherselfmustgototheboundary。
　　Shereachedtheridgeofthecottonwoodsandsycamores，andafewhundredyardsfurtherbroughthertotheedgeofthatgentlesouthernslopewhichatlastsankintothebroadmeadowofthedebatableground。InspiteofStacey’sinvidiouscriticismofitsintrinsicvalue，thistheatreofsavagedissension，violence，andbloodshedwasbysomeironyofnatureapastorallandscapeofsingularandpeacefulrepose。Thesoftglacisstretchingbeforeherwasinspringceruleanwithlupins，andlaterstarredwithmariposas。Themeadowwastransverselycrossedbyacurvinglineofaldersthatindicatedararewater-course，ofwhichinthedryseasononlyasinglepoolremainedtoflashbacktheunvaryingsky。
　　Therehadbeennoattemptatcultivationofthisbroadexpanse；
　　wildoats，mustard，andrankgrassesleftitatossingseaofturbulentandvariegatedcolorwhosewavesrodehighenoughtoengulfhorseandriderintheirchokingdepths。Eventhetracesofhumanstruggle，theuprootedstakes，scatteredfence-rails，andemptypost-holeswereforeverhiddenunderthesebillowsofverdure。Midwayofthefieldandnearthewater-coursearoseMcKinstry’sbarn——thesolitaryhumanstructurewhoserude，misshapen，bulgingsidesandswallow-hauntedeavesburstingwithhayfromtheneighboringpasture，seemedhoweveronlyanextravagantgrowthoftheprolificsoil。Mrs。McKinstrygazedatitanxiously。Therewasnosignoflifeormovementnearoraroundit；itstoodasithadalwaysstood，desertedandsolitary。Butturninghereyestotheright，beyondthewater-course，shecouldseeaslightregularundulationofthegrassyseaandwhatappearedtobethedriftingonitssurfaceofhalfadozenslouchedhatsinthedirectionofthealders。Therewasnolongeranydoubt；apartyfromtheothersidewasapproachingtheborder。
　　Ashoutandthequickgallopingofhoofsbehindhersentathrillofrelieftoherheart。Shehadbarelytimetodrawasideasherhusbandandhisfollowerssweptpastherdowntheslope。Butitneedednothisfuriouscry，"TheHarrisonshevsoldusout，"totellherthatthecrisishadcome。
　　Sheheldherbreathasthecavalcadediverged，andinopenorderfuriouslyapproachedthewater-course，andshecouldseeasuddencheckandhesitationinthemovementinthemeadowatthatunlooked-foronset。Thenshethoughtofthebarn。Itwouldbearallying-pointforthemifdrivenback——atowerofdefenceifbesieged。Therewerearmssecretedbeneaththehayforsuchanemergency。Shewouldrunthere，swing-toitsopendoors，andgetreadytobarricadethem。
　　Sherancrouchingly，seekingthehighergrassesandbramblesoftheridgetoescapeobservationfromthemeadowuntilshecoulddescenduponthebarnfromtherear。Shethrewasideherimpedingshawl；
　　herbrownhollandsun-bonnet，tornoffherheadandhangingbyitsstringsfromhershoulders，lethercoarsesilver-threadedhairstreamlikeamaneoverherback；herfaceandhandswerebleedingfromthornsandwhitenedbydust。Butshestruggledonfiercelylikesomehuntedanimaluntilshereachedthedescendingtrail，when，lettingherselfgoblindly，onlywithheldbythelonggrassessheclutchedatwildlyoneitherside，shehalffell，halfstumbleddowntheslopeandemergedbesidethebarn，breathlessandexhausted。
　　Butwhatacontrastwasthere！Foraninstantshecouldscarcelybelievethatshehadlefttheridgewithherhusband’ssavageoutcryinherears，andinhereyestheswiftvisionofhisfuriouscavalcade。Theboundarymeadowwashiddenbythesoftlinesofgracefulwillowsinwhosedimrecessesthefiguresofthepassionatehorsemenseemedtohavemeltedforever。Therewasnothingnowtointerruptthelongvistaofpeacefulbeautythatstretchedbeforeherthroughthislonelyhollowtothedistantsleepinghills。Theburstingbarnintheforeground，heapedwithgrainthatfringeditseavesandbristledfromitswindowsanddoorsuntilitsunlovelybulkwashiddenintrailingfeatheryoutlines；thegentleflutterofwingsandsoothingtwitterofswallowsandjaysarounditsopenrafters，andthedriftingshadowsofafewcirclingcrowsaboveit；thedrowsysongofbeesonthewildmustardthathalfhiditswallswithyellowbloom；thesoundoffaintly-tricklingwaterinoneofthoseoldIndian-hauntedspringsthathadgivenitsnametothelocality；alltheseforaninstanttouchedthesensesofthishard，fiercewomanasshehadnotbeentouchedsinceshewasagirl。Foronebriefmomentthejoysofpeaceandthatmaturedreposethatneverhadbeenhersflasheduponher；butwithitcamethesavageconsciousnessthatevennowitwasbeingwrestedaway，andthethoughtfiredherbloodagain。Shelistenedeagerlyforasecondinthedirectionofthemeadow；therewasnoreportoffire-arms——therewasyettimetopreparethebarnfordefence。Sherantothefrontofthebuildingandseizedthelatchofthehalf-closeddoor。Alittlefemininecrythatwashalfalaughcamefromwithin，withtherapidrustleofaskirtandasthedoorswungopenalightfigurevanishedthroughtherearwindow。Theslantingsunlightfallingintheshadowedinteriordisclosedonlythesingleerectfigureoftheschool-masterJohnFord。
　　ThefirstconfusionandembarrassmentofaninterruptedrendezvousthathadcoloredFord’scheeks，gavewaytoalookofalarmashecaughtsightofthebleedingfaceanddishevelledfigureofMrs。
　　McKinstry。Shesawit。Toherdistortedfancyitseemedonlyaproofofdeeperguilt。Withoutawordsheclosedtheheavydoorbehindherandswungthehugecross-barunaidedtoitsplace。Shethenturnedandconfrontedhim，wipingthedustfromherfaceandarmswithhertornanddanglingsun-bonnetinawaythatrecalledherattitudeonthefirstdayhehadmether。
　　"ThatwasCresswithye？"shesaid。
　　Hehesitated，stillgazingatherinwonder。
　　"Don’tlie。"
　　Hestarted。"Idon’tproposeto，"heretortedindignantly。"Itwas"——
　　"Idon’taskyehowlongthisyer’sbingoin’on，"shesaid，pointingtoCressy’ssun-bonnet，afewbooks，andascatterednosegayofwildflowerslyingonthehay；"andIdon’twanttoknow。Infiveminuteseitherherfatherwillbehere，orthemhell-houndsofHarrison’swho’vesoldhimoutwillswarmroundthisbarntogitpossesshun。Efthisyer"——sheagainpointedcontemptuouslytotheobjectsjustindicated——"meansthatyou’vecastyourlotwithUSandkalkilatetotakeourbitterwithoursweet，ye’llliftupthatstackofhayandbringoutaguntohelpdefendit。Efyou’remeanin’anythin’else，Ford，you’llhideyourselfinthathaytillHiramcomesandhastimeenoughtoattendtoye。"
　　"AndifIchoosetodoneither？"hesaidhaughtily。
　　Shelookedathiminunutterablescorn。"There’sthewinder——takeitwhilethere’stime，aforeIbarit。EfyouseeHiram，tellhimyeleftanoldwomanbehindyetodefendtheplacewharyouusterhidewithherdarter。"
　　Beforehecouldreplytherewasadistantreport，followedalmostdirectlybyanother。Withamovementofirritationhewalkedtothewindow，turnedandlookedather——boltedit，andcameback。
　　"Where’sthatgun？"hesaidalmostrudely。
　　"Ireckon’sthatwouldfetchye，"shesaid，draggingawaythehayanddisclosingalongtrough-likeboxcoveredwithtarpaulin。Itprovedtocontainpowder，shot，andtwoguns。Hetookone。
　　"IsupposeImayknowwhatIamfightingfor？"hesaiddryly。
　　"Yemightsay’Cress’efthey"——indicatingthedirectionofthereports——"happentoaskye，"shereturnedwithequalsobriety。
　　"Jessnowyekintakeyourstanduptharintheloftandseewhat’scomin’。"
　　Hedidnotlinger，butclimbedtotheplaceassignedhim，gladtoescapethecompanyofthewomanwhoatthatmomenthealmosthated。
　　InhisunreflectingpassionforCressyhehadalwaysevadedthethoughtofthisrelationshiporpropinquity；themotherhadrecalledittohiminawaythatimperilledevenhispassionforthedaughter；hismindwaswhollypreoccupiedwiththeidiotic，exasperating，andutterlyhopelesspositionthathadbeenforceduponhim。Inthebitternessofhisspirithissenseofpersonaldangerwassofarabsorbedthathespeculatedonthechancebulletinthemeleethatmightendhisfollyandrelievehimofresponsibility。Shutupinabarnwithafuriouswoman，inalawlessdefenceofquestionablerights——withtheaddedconsciousnessthatanequallyquestionablepassionhaddrawnhimintoit，andthatSHEknewit——deathseemedtooffertheonlyescapefromtheexplanationhecouldnevergive。IfanotherstingcouldhavebeenaddeditwastheabsurdconvictionthatCressywouldnotappreciatehissacrifice，butwasperhapsevenatthatmomentcalmlycongratulatingherselfonthefelicitousnessofthecomplicationinwhichshehadlefthim。
　　Suddenlyheheardashoutandthetrampingofhorse。Thesidesoftheloftwerescantilyboardedtoallowtheextensionofthepent-
　　upgrain，andbetweentheintersticesFord，withoutbeinghimselfseen，hadanuninterruptedviewoftheplainbetweenhimandthelineofwillows。Ashegazed，fivemenhurriedlyissuedfromtheextremeleftandrantowardsthebarn。McKinstryandhisfollowerssimultaneouslybrokefromthesamecovertfurthertotherightandgallopedforwardtointerceptthem。Butalthoughmounted，thegreaterdistancetheyhadtotraversebroughtthemtotherearofthebuildingonlyastheHarrisonpartycametoasuddenhaltbeforetheclosedandbarricadeddoorsoftheusuallydefencelessbarn。ThediscomfitureofthelatterwasgreetedbyaderisiveshoutfromtheMcKinstryparty——albeit，equallyastonished。ButinthatbriefmomentFordrecognizedintheleaderoftheHarrisonsthewell-knownfigureoftheSheriffofTuolumne。Itneededonlythistocaptheclimaxofthefatalitythatseemedtopursuehim。
　　Hewasnolongeralawlessopposerofequallylawlessforces，buthewasactuallyresistingthelawitself。Heunderstoodthesituationnow。ItwassomeidioticblunderofUncleBen’sthathadprecipitatedthisattack。
　　Thebelligerentshadalreadycockedtheirweapons，althoughthebarnwasstillarampartbetweentheparties。ButanadroitflankerofMcKinstry’s，creepingthroughthetallmustard，managedtotakeupanenfiladingpositionastheHarrisonsadvancedtobreakinthedoor。Athreateningshoutfromtheambuscadedpartisanscausedthemtohurriedlyfallbacktowardstherearofthebarn。Therewasapause，andthenbegantheusualHomericchaff，——withthisWesterndifferencethatitwascunninglyintendedtodrawtheother’sfire。
　　"Whydon’tyoublazeawayatthedoor，you————————！Itwon’thurtye！"
　　"He’safraidtheboltwillshootback！"LaughterfromtheMcKinstrys。
　　"Comeouterthetallgrassandshowyourself，youblack，mud-eatinggopher。"
　　"Hecan’t。He’sdroppedhisgritandissarchin’forit。"GoadinglaughterfromtheHarrisons。
　　Eachmanwaitedforthatsingleshotwhichwouldprecipitatethefight。Evenintheirlawlessnesstherudeinstinctoftheduelloswayedthem。Theofficerofthelawrecognizedtheprincipleaswellasitspracticaladvantageinacollision，buthehesitatedtosacrificeoneofhismeninanattackonthebarn，whichwoulddrawthefireofMcKinstryatthatnecessarilyfatalrange。Asabravemanhewouldhavetakentheriskhimself，butasaprudentone，hereflectedthathishurriedlycollectedpossewereallpartisans，andifhefelltheconflictwouldresolveitselfintoapurelypartisanstrugglewithoutasingleunprejudicedwitnesstojustifyhisconductinthepopulareye。Themasteralsoknewthis；ithadcheckedhisfirstimpulsetocomeforwardasamediator；hisonlyreliancenowwasonMrs。McKinstry’srestraintandthesheriff’sforbearance。Thenextinstantbothseemedtobeimperilled。
　　"Well，whydon’tyouwadein？"sneeredDickMcKinstry；"whodoyoureckon’shiddeninthebarn？"
　　"I’lltellye，"saidaharsh，passionatevoicefromthehill-side。
　　"It’sCressyMcKinstryandtheschool-masterhidin’inthehay。"
　　Bothpartiesturnedquicklytowardstheintruderwhohadapproachedthemunperceived。ButthespeechwasfollowedbyamorestartlingrevulsionofsentimentasMrs。McKinstry’svoicerangoutfromthebarn，"Youlie，SethDavis！"
　　ThebriefadvantageofferedtothesheriffinDavis’sadventasaneutralwitness，wasutterlylostbythisunlooked-forrevelationofMrs。McKinstry’spresenceinthebarn！Thefateswereclearlyagainsthim！Awomaninthefight，andanoldoneatthat！A
　　whitewomantobeforciblyejected！InthewholeunwrittencodeofSouthwesternchivalrytherewasnosuchprecedent。
　　"Standback，"hesaiddisgustedlytohisfollowers，"standbackandletthed————dbarnslide。Butyou，HiramMcKinstry，I’llgiveYOU
　　fiveminutestoshakeyourselfclearofyourwife’spetticoatsandgit！"Hisbloodwasupnow——thequickerfromhismomentaryweaknessandthetrickofwhichhethoughthimselfadupe。
　　Againthefatalsignalseemedimminent，againitwasdelayed。ForHiramMcKinstry，withclankingspursandrifleinhandsteppedfrombehindthebarn，fullinthepresenceofhisantagonists。
　　"Eztomygitteninfiveminits，"hebeganinhislaziest，drowsiestmanner，"we’llseewhenthetime’sup。ButjestnowwordshevpassedbetwixtmywifeandSethDavis。Aforeanythin’
　　elsegoesonyer，he’sgottotakeHISback。Mywifeallowshelies；Iallowheliestoo，andIstan’heretosayit。"
　　Therightofpersonalinsulttoprecedenceofredresswastoooldafrontierprincipletobegainsaidnow。BothpartiesheldbackandeveryeyewasturnedtowhereSethDavishadbeenstanding。Buthehaddisappeared。
　　Where？
　　WhenMrs。McKinstryhurledherdenialfromthebarn，hehadtakenadvantageofthegreatersurprisetoleaptooneofthetrussesofhaythatprojectedbeyondtheloft，andsecureafootingfromwhichhequicklyscrambledthroughtheopenscantlingtotheinterior。
　　Themasterwho，startledbyhisvoice，hadmadehiswaythroughtheloosegraintotherear，reacheditasSethhalfcrawled，halftumbledthrough。Theireyesmetinasingleflashofrage，butbeforeSethcouldutteranoutcry，themasterhaddroppedhisgun，seizedhimaroundtheneckandcrammedathickhandfulofthesofthayhehadhurriedlysnatchedupintohisfaceandgaspingmouth。
　　Afuriousbutsilentstruggleensued；theyieldinghayonwhichtheybothfelldeadenedallsoundofascuffleandconcealedthemfromview；massesofit，alreadyloosenedbytheintruder’sentrance，anddislodgedintheircontortionsbegantoslipthroughtheopeningtotheground。Themaster，stilluppermostandholdingSethfirmlydown，allowedhimselftoslipwiththem，shovinghisadversarybeforehim；themaddenedMissouriandetectinghispurpose，madeadesperateattempttochangehisposition，andsucceededinraisinghiskneeagainstthemaster’schest。Ford，guardingagainstwhatseemedtobeonlyawrestler’sstrategy，contentedhimselfbylockingthebentkneefirmlyinthatposition，andthusunwittinglygaveSeththelooked-foropportunityofdrawingthebowie-knifeconcealedinhisbootleg。HeknewhismistakeonlyasSethviolentlyfreedhisarm，andthrewitupwardfortheblow。Heheardthesteelslitherlikeascythethroughthehay，andunlockinghisholddesperatelythrewhimselfontheupliftedarm。Themovementsavedhim。ForthereleasedbodyofSethslippedrapidlythroughtheopening，upheldforasingleinstantonthevergebythegraspofthemaster’stwohandsonthearmthatstillheldtheknife，andthendroppedheavilydownward。
　　Eventhen，thehaythathadslippedbeforehimwouldhavebrokenhisfall，buthisheadcameinviolentcontactwithsomefarmingimplementsstandingagainstthewall，andwithoutacryhewasstretchedsenselessontheground。ThewholeoccurrencepassedsorapidlyandsonoiselesslythatnotonlydidMcKinstry’schallengefalluponhisalreadyunconsciousears，buttheloosenedhaywhichinthemaster’sstrugglestorecoverhimselfstillcontinuedtoslidegentlyfromtheloft，actuallyhidhimfromtheeyesofthespectatorswhosoughthimamomentafterwards。Amassofhayandwildoats，dislodgedapparentlybyMrs。McKinstryinsecuringherdefences，wasallthatmettheireyes；eventhewomanherselfwasunconsciousofthedeadlystrugglethathadtakenplaceaboveher。
　　Themasterstaggeredtoanuprightpositionhalfchokedandhalfblindedwithdust，turgidandburstingwiththerushofbloodtohishead，butclearandcollectedinmind，andunremorsefullytriumphant。UnconsciousoftherealextentofSeth’scatastrophehegropedforandseizedhisgun，examinedthecapandeagerlywaitedforarenewedattack。"Hetriedtokillme；hewouldhavekilledme；ifhecomesagainImustkillhim，"hekeptrepeatingtohimself。Itneveroccurredtohimthatthiswasinconsistentwithhispreviousthought——indeedwiththewholetenorofhisbelief。
　　Perhapsthemostpeacefulmanwhohasbeenonceputinperiloflifebyanadversary，whohasrecognizeddeaththreateninghimintheeyeofhisantagonist，isbysomestrangeparadoxnotlikelytoholdhisownlifeorthelifeofhisadversaryasdearlyasbefore。
　　Everythingwassilentnow。Thesuspenseirritatedhim，henolongerdreadedbutevenlongedfortheshotthatwouldprecipitatehostilities。Whatweretheydoing？GuidedbySeth，weretheyconcertingafreshattack？
　　Listeningmoreintentlyhebecameawareofadistantshouting，andevenmoredistinctly，ofthedull，heavytramplingofhoofs。A
　　suddenangryfearthattheMcKinstryshadbeenbeatenoffandwereflying——afearandangerthatnowforthefirsttimeidentifiedhimwiththeircause——cameoverhim，andhescrambledquicklytowardstheopeningbelow。Butthesoundwasapproachingandwithitcameavoice。
　　"Holdonthere，sheriff！"
　　ItwasthevoiceoftheagentStacey。