"UntilItouchedyou。I’mafraidIgaveyouashock；myhandwasdrippingfromthespring。"
　　Shecoloredsoquicklythatheknewshemusthavebeenconsciousatthetime，andhenoticednowthatthesleeveofhercloak，whichhadbeenhalftornoffherbarearm，waspinnedtogetheroverit。
　　Whenandhowhadshemanagedtodoitwithouthisdetectingtheact？
　　"Atallevents，"shesaidcoldly，"I’mgladyouhavenotreceivedgreaterinjuryfrom——yourmulepack。"
　　"Ithinkwe’vebothbeenverylucky，"hesaidsimply。
　　Shedidnotreply，butremainedlookingfurtivelyatthenarrowtrail。Thenshelistened。"IthoughtIheardvoices，"shesaid，halfrising。
　　"ShallIshout？"heasked。
　　"No！Yousaythere’snouse——there’sonlythiswayoutofit！"
　　"Imightgoupfirst，andperhapsgetassistance——aropeorchair，"
　　hesuggested。
　　"Andleavemeherealone？"shecried，withahorrifiedglanceattheabyss。"No，thankyou！Ishouldbeoverthatledgebeforeyoucameback！There’sadreadfulfascinationinitevennow。No！I
　　thinkI’drathergo——atonce！InevershallbestrongeraslongasIstaynearit；Imaybeweaker。"
　　Shegaveapetulantlittleshiver，andthen，thoughpalerandevidentlyagitated，composedhertatteredanddustyoutergarmentsinadeft，ladylikeway，andleanedbackagainstthemountainside，Hesawheralsoglanceathisloosenedshirtfrontandhangingneckerchief，andwithaheightenedcolorhequicklyre-knotteditaroundhisthroat。Theymovedfromtheledgetowardthetrail。
　　Suddenlyshestartedback。
　　"Butit’sonlywideenoughforONE，andInever——NEVER——couldevenstandonitaminutealone！"sheexclaimed。
　　Helookedathercritically。"Wewillgotogether，sidebyside，"
　　hesaidquietly，"butyouwillhavetotaketheoutside。"
　　"Outside！"sherepeated，recoiling。"Impossible！Ishallfall。"
　　"Ishallkeepholdofyou，"heexplained；"youneednotfearthat。
　　Stop！I’llmakeitsafer。"Heuntiedthelargebandannasilkhandkerchiefwhichheworearoundhisshoulders，knottedoneendofitfirmlytohisbelt，andhandedhertheother。
　　"Doyouthinkyoucanholdontothat？"
　　"I——don’tknow，"——shehesitated。"IfIshouldfall？"
　　"Stayamoment！Isyourbeltstrong？"Hepointedtoagirdleofyellowleatherwhichcaughthertunicaroundhersmallwaist。
　　"Yes，"shesaideagerly，"it’srealleather。"
　　Hegentlyslippedtheedgeofthehandkerchiefunderitandknottedit。Theywerethuslinkedtogetherbyafootofhandkerchief。
　　"Ifeelmuchsafer，"shesaid，withafaintsmile。
　　"ButifIshouldfall，"heremarked，lookingintohereyes，"youwouldgotoo！Haveyouthoughtofthat？"
　　"Yes。"Herpreviouscharmingsmilereturned。"ItwouldbereallyJackandJillthistime。"
　　Theypassedoutonthetrail。"NowImusttakeYOURarm，"hesaidlaughingly；"notyouMINE。"Hepassedhisarmunderhers，holdingitfirmly。Itwastheonehehadtouched。Forthefirstfewstepsheruncertainfeettooknoholdoftheslopingmountainside，whichseemedtoslipsidewaysbeneathher。Hewasliterallycarryingheronhisshoulder。Butinafewmomentsshesawhowcleverlyhebalancedhimself，alwaysleaningtowardthehillside，andpresentlyshewasabletohelphimbyafewsteps。Sheexpressedhersurpriseathisskill。
　　"It’snothing；Icarryapailofwaterupherewithoutspillingadrop。"
　　Shestiffenedslightlyunderthisremark，andindeedsofaroverdidherattempttowalkwithouthisaid，thatherfootslippedonastone，andshefelloutwardtowardtheabyss。Butinaninstanthisarmwastransferredfromherelbowtoherwaist，andinthemomentumofhisquickrecoverytheybothlandedpantingagainstthemountainside。
　　"I’mafraidyou’dhavespiltthepailthattime，"shesaid，withaslightlyheightenedcolor，asshedisengagedherselfgentlyfromhisarm。
　　"No，"heansweredboldly，"forthepailneverwouldhavestiffeneditselfinatiff，andtriedtogoalone。"
　　"Ofcoursenot，ifitwereonlyapail，"sheresponded。
　　Theymovedonagaininsilence。Thetrailwasgrowingalittlesteepertowardtheupperendandtheroadbank。Braywasoftenhimselfobligedtoseekthefriendlyaidofamanzanitaorthornbushtosupportthem。Suddenlyshestoppedandcaughthisarm。"There！"shesaid。"Listen！They’recoming！"
　　Braylistened；hecouldhearatintervalsafar-offshout；thenanearerone——aname——"Eugenia。"SothatwasHERS！
　　"ShallIshoutback？"heasked。
　　"Notyet！"sheanswered。"Arewenearthetop？"Asuddenglowofpleasurecameoverhim——heknewnotwhy，exceptthatshedidnotlookdelighted，excited，orevenrelieved。
　　"Onlyafewyardsmore，"hesaid，withanunaffectedhalfsigh。
　　"ThenI’dbetteruntiethis，"shesuggested，beginningtofumbleattheknotofthehandkerchiefwhichlinkedthem。
　　Theirheadswereclosetogether，theirfingersoftenmet；hewouldhavelikedtosaysomething，buthecouldonlyadd："Areyousureyouwillfeelquitesafe？Itisalittlesteeperaswenearthebank。"
　　"Youcanholdme，"sherepliedsimply，withasuperblyunconsciousliftingofherarm，assheyieldedherwaisttohimagain，butwithoutraisinghereyes。
　　Hedid，——holdingherrathertightly，Ifear，astheyclambereduptheremainingslope，foritseemedtohimasalastembrace。Asheliftedhertotheroadbank，theshoutscamenearer；andglancingup，hesawtwomenandawomanrunningdownthehilltowardthem。
　　HeturnedtoEugenia。Inthatinstantshehadslippedthetattereddust-coatfromhershoulder，thrownitoverherarm，setherhatstraight，andwascalmlyawaitingthemwithaself-possessionandcoolnessthatseemedtoshametheirexcitement。Henoticed，too，withthequickperceptionofunimportantthingswhichcomestosomenaturesatsuchmoments，thatshehadpluckedasprigofwildmyrtlefromthemountainside，andwaswearingitonherbreast。
　　"GoodnessHeavens！Genie！Whathashappened！Wherehaveyoubeen？"
　　"Eugenia！thisisperfectmadness！"begantheeldermandidactically。"Youhavealarmedusbeyondmeasure——keptthestagewaiting，andnowitisgone！"
　　"Genie！Lookhere，Isay！We’vebeenhuntingforyoueverywhere。
　　What’sup？"saidtheyoungerman，withbrotherlybrusqueness。
　　Asthesequestionswereallutteredinthesamebreath，Eugeniarepliedtothemcollectively。"ItwassohotthatIkeptalongthebankhere，whileyouwereontheotherside。Iheardthetrickleofwatersomewheredownthere，andsearchingforitmyfootslipped。
　　Thisgentleman"——sheindicatedBray——"wasonalittlesortofatrailthere，andassistedmebacktotheroadagain。"
　　ThetwomenandthewomanturnedandstaredatBraywithalookofcuriositythatchangedquicklyintoahalfcontemptuousunconcern。
　　Theysawayoungishsortofman，withalongmustache，atwodays’
　　growthofbeard，anotovercleanface，thatwasfurtherstreakedwithredonthetemple，atornflannelshirt，thatshowedaverywhiteshoulderbesideasunburntthroatandneck，andsoiledwhitetrousersstuckintomuddyhighboots——infact，thepictureofabroken-downminer。Buttheirunconcernwasasspeedilychangedagainintoresentmentattheperfecteaseandequalitywithwhichheregardedthem，aregardthemoreexasperatingasitwasnotwithoutasuspicionofhisperceptionofsomesatireorhumorinthesituation。
　　"Ahem！verymuchobliged，Iamsure。I——er"——
　　"Theladyhasthankedme，"interruptedBray，withasmile。
　　"Didyoufallfar？"saidtheyoungermantoEugenia，ignoringBray。
　　"Notfar，"sheanswered，withahalfappealinglookatBray。
　　"Onlyafewfeet，"addedthelatter，withpromptmendacity，"justalittleslipdown。"
　　Thethreenew-comershereturnedaway，and，surroundingEugenia，conversedinanundertone。Quiteconsciousthathewasthesubjectofdiscussion，BraylingeredonlyinthehopeofcatchingapartingglancefromEugenia。Thewords"YOUdoit，""No，YOU！""ItwouldcomebetterfromHER，"weredistinctlyaudibletohim。Tohissurprise，however，shesuddenlybrokethroughthem，andadvancingtohim，withadangerousbrightnessinherbeautifuleyes，heldoutherslimhand。"Myfather，Mr。Neworth，mybrother，HarryNeworth，andmyaunt，Mrs。Dobbs，"shesaid，indicatingeachonewithagracefulinclinationofherhandsomehead，"allthinkIoughttogiveyousomethingandsendyouaway。Ibelievethatisthewaytheyputit。Ithinkdifferently！Icometoaskyoutoletmeoncemorethankyouforyourgoodservicetometo-day——whichI
　　shallneverforget。"Whenhehadreturnedherfirmhandclaspforaminute，shecoollyrejoinedthediscomfitedgroup。
　　"She’snosardine，"saidBraytohimselfemphatically，"butI
　　suspectshe’llcatchitfromherfolksforthis。Ioughttohavegoneawayatonce，likeagentleman，hangit！"
　　Hewasevenangrilydebatingwithhimselfwhetherheoughtnottofollowhertoprotectherfromhergesticulatingrelationsastheyalltrailedupthehillwithher，whenhereflectedthatitwouldonlymakemattersworse。Andwithitcamethedreadfulreflectionthatasyethehadnotcarriedthewatertohisexpectingandthirstycomrades。Hehadforgottenthemfortheselazy，snobbish，purse-proudSanFranciscans——forBrayhadtheminer’ssupremecontemptforthemoneyedtradingclasses。Whatwouldtheboysthinkofhim！Heflunghimselfoverthebank，andhastenedrecklesslydownthetrailtothespring。Buthereagainhelingered——theplacehadbecomesuddenlyhallowed。Howdeserteditlookedwithouther！Hegazedeagerlyaroundontheledgeforanytracethatshehadleft——abow，abitofribbon，orevenahairpinthathadfallenfromher。
　　Astheyoungmanslowlyfilledthepailhecaughtsightofhisownreflectioninthespring。ItcertainlywasnotthatofanAdonis！
　　Helaughedhonestly；hissenseofhumorhadsavedhimfrommanyanextravagance，andmitigatedmanyadisappointmentbeforethis。
　　Well！Shewasaplucky，handsomegirl——evenifshewasnotforhim，andhemightneverseteyesonheragain。Yetitwasahardpullupthattrailoncemore，carryinganinsensiblepailofwaterinthehandthathadoncesustainedalovelygirl！Herememberedherreplytohisbadinage，"Ofcoursenot——ifitwereonlyapail，"
　　andfoundadozenprettyinterpretationsofit。Yethewasnotinlove！No！Hewastoopoorandtoolevelheadedforthat！Andhewasunaffectedlyandmateriallytired，too，whenhereachedtheroadagain，andrested，leavingthespringanditslittleidylbehind。
　　BythistimethesunhadlefttheburningledgeoftheEurekaCompany，andthestageroadwasalsoinshadow，sothathisreturnthroughitsheavydustwaslessdifficult。Andwhenheatlastreachedthecamp，hefoundtohisreliefthathisprolongedabsencehadbeenoverlookedbyhisthirstycompanionsinalargerexcitementanddisappointment；foritappearedthatawell-knownSanFranciscocapitalist，whomtheforemanhadpersuadedtovisittheirclaimwithaviewtoadvanceandinvestment，hadactuallycomeoverfromRedDogforthatpurpose，andhadgotasfarasthesummitwhenhewasstoppedbyanaccident，anddelayedsolongthathewasobligedtogoontoSacramentowithoutmakinghisexamination。
　　"Thatwasonlyhisexcuse——mereflap-doodle！"interruptedthepessimisticJerrold。"Hewasfoolin’you；he’dheardofsuthinbetter！Theideaofcallingthataffairan’accident，’oronethatwouldstopanymanwhomeantbusiness！"
　　Brayhadbecomeuneasilyconscious。"Whatwastheaccident？"heasked。
　　"Ad————dfoolwoman’saccident，"brokeinthemisogynistParkhurst，"andit’strue！That’swhatmakesitsocussedmean。
　　Forthere’sallusawomanatthebottomofsuchthings——betyourlife！Thinkof’emcomin’here。Tharoughttobealawaginit。"
　　"Butwhatwasit？"persistedBray，becomingmoreapprehensive。
　　"Why，whatdoesthatblastedfoolofacapitalistdobutbringwithhimhisdaughterandauntieto’seethewonderfulscenerywithpopadear！’asifitwasacheapSunday-schoolpanorama！Andwhatdothesechuckle-headedwomendobutgetoffthecoachandgotowanderin’about，andplayin’’herewegoroundthemulberrybush’
　　untiloneof’emtumblesdownaravine。Andthenthere’sagreattodo！and’dearpopa’wasupanddowntheroadyellin’’Mecheyld！
　　mecheyld！’Andthentherewascamphorandsalvolatileandeaudecolognetobegot，andthecoachgoesoff，and’popadear’getsleft，andthenhastohurryoffinabuggytocatchit。SoWEgetlefttoo，justbecausethatGod-forsakenfool，Neworth，bringshiswomenhere。"
　　UnderthisrecitalpoorBraysatascompletelycrushedaswhenthefairdaughterofNeworthhaddescendeduponhisshouldersatthespring。Hesawitall！HISwasthefault。ItwasHISdelayanddalliancewithherthathadcheckedNeworth’svisit；worsethanthat，itwashissubsequentaudacityandherdefenseofhimthatwouldprobablypreventanyrenewalofthenegotiations。Hehadshipwreckedhispartners’prospectsinhisabsurdvanityandpride！
　　Hedidnotdaretoraisehiseyestotheirdejectedfaces。Hewouldhaveconfessedeverythingtothem，butthesamefeelingofdelicacyforherwhichhaddeterminedhimtokeepheradventurestohimselfnowforeversealedhislips。Howmighttheynotmisconstruehisconduct——andHERS！Perhapssomethingofthiswasvisibleinhisface。
　　"Come，oldman，"saidthecheerfulmisogynist，withperfectinnocence，"don’ttakeitsohard。Sometimeinaman’slifeawoman’ssuretogetthedroponhim，asIsaidafore，andthisyerwoman’sgotthedroponfiveofus！But——hallo，Ned，oldman——
　　what’sthematterwithyourhead？"Helaidhishandgentlyonthemattedtempleofhisyoungerpartner。
　　"Ihad——aslip——onthetrail，"hestammered。"Hadtogobackagainforanotherpailful。That’swhatdelayedme，youknow，boys，"headded。"Butit’snothing！"
　　"Nothing！"ejaculatedParkhurst，clappinghimonthebackandtwistinghimaroundbytheshoulderssothathefacedhiscompanions。"Nothing！Lookathim，gentlemen；andhesaysit’s’nothing。’That’showaMANtakesit！HEdidn’tgoroundyellin’
　　andwringin’hishandsandsayin’’Mepay-l！mepay-l！’whenitspilt！Hejusthumpedhimselfandtrottedbackforanother。Andyeteverydropofwaterinthatoversetbucketmeanthardworkandhardsweat，andwasaspreciousasgold。"
　　LuckilyforBray，whosemingledemotionsunderParkhurst’seloquencewerebeginningtobehysterical，theforemaninterrupted。
　　"Well，boys！it’stimewegottoworkagain，andtookanotherheaveattheoldledge！ButnowthatthisjobofNeworth’sisover——I
　　don’tmindtellin’yesuthin。"Astheirleaderusuallyspokebutlittle，andtothepoint，thefourmengatheredaroundhim。
　　"AlthoughIengineeredthisaffair，andgotitup，somehow，IneverSAWthatNeworthstandingonthisledge！No，boys！IneversawhimHERE。"ThelookofsuperstitionwhichBrayandtheothershadoftenseenonthisoldminer’sface，andwhichsooftenshoweditselfinhisacts，wasthere。"AndthoughIwantedhimtocome，andallowedtohavehimcome，I’mkinderrelievedthathedidn’t，andsoletwhatsoeverluck’sintheaircometousfivealone，boys，justaswestand。"
　　ThenextmorningBraywasupbeforehiscompanions，andalthoughitwasnothisturn，offeredtobringwaterfromthespring。HewasnotinlovewithEugenia——hehadnotforgottenhisremorseofthepreviousday——buthewouldliketogothereoncemorebeforeherelentlesslywipedoutherimagefromhismind。AndhehadheardthatalthoughNeworthhadgoneontoSacramento，hissonandthetwoladieshadstoppedonforadayortwoattheditchsuperintendent’shouseonthesummit，onlytwomilesaway。Shemightpassontheroad；hemightgetaglimpseofheragainandawaveofherhandbeforethisthingwasoverforever，andheshouldhavetotakeupthedailyroutineofhisworkagain。Itwasnotlove——ofTHAThewasassured——butitwasthewaytostopitbyconvincinghimselfofitsmadness。Besides，inviewofallthecircumstances，itwashisdutyasagentlemantoshowsomeconcernforherconditionaftertheaccidentandthedisagreeablecontretempswhichfollowedit。
　　ThusBray！Alas，noneofthesepossibilitiesoccurred。Hefoundthespringhadsimplylapsedintoitspreviousunsuggestiveobscurity，——amerenicheinthemountainsidethatheldonly——
　　water！Thestageroadwasdesertedsaveforanearly，curly-headedschoolboy，whomhefoundlurkingonthebank，butwhoevadedhiscompanyandconversation。Hereturnedtothecampquitecuredofhisfancy。Hislatezealasawater-carrierhadearnedhimadayortwo’sexemptionfromthatduty。Hisplacewastakenthenextafternoonbythewoman-hatingParkhurst，andhewasthelessconcernedbyitashehadheardthatthesameafternoontheladiesweretoleavethesummitforSacramento。
　　Butthenoccurredasingularcoincidence。Thenewwater-bringerwasasscandalouslylateinhisdeliveryofthepreciousfluidashispredecessor！Anhourpassedandhedidnotreturn。Hisunfortunatepartners，toilingawaywithpickandcrowbarontheburningledge，wereclamorousfromthirst，andBraywasbecomingabsurdlyuneasy。ItcouldnotbepossiblethatEugenia’saccidenthadbeenrepeated！Orhadshemethimwithinquiries？Butno！shewasalreadygone。Themysterywaspresentlycleared，however，bytheabruptappearanceofParkhurstrunningtowardsthem，butWITHOUTHISPAIL！Thecryofconsternationanddespairwhichgreetedthatdiscoverywas，however，quicklychangedbyasinglebreathless，halfintelligiblesentencehehadshotbeforehimfromhispantinglips。Andhewasholdingsomethinginhisoutstretchedpalmthatwasmoreeloquentthanwords。Gold！
　　Inaninstanttheyhadhimundertheshadeofthepine-tree，andweresquattingroundhimlikeschoolboys。Hewasprofoundlyagitated。Hisstory，farfrombeingbrief，wasincoherentandattimesseemedirrelevant，butthatwascharacteristic。Theywouldrememberthathehadalwaysheldthetheorythat，eveninquartzmining，thedepositswerealwaysfoundnearwater，pastorpresent，withsignsoffluvialerosion！Hedidn’tcallhimselfoneofyourblankedscientificminers，buthisheadwaslevel！Itwasallverywellforthemtosay"Yes，yes！"NOW，buttheydidn’tuseto！
　　Well！whenhegottothespring，henoticedthattherehadbeenakindoflandslideaboveit，ofcourse，fromwatercleavage，andtherewasadistinctmarkofitonthemountainside，whereithaduprootedandthrownoversomesmallbushes！
　　ExcitedasBraywas，herecognizedwithahystericalsensationthetrackmadebyEugeniainherfall，whichhehimselfhadnoticed。
　　ButhehadthoughtonlyofHER。
　　"WhenIsawthat，"continuedParkhurst，morerapidlyandcoherently，"Isawthattherewasacrackabovetheholewherethewatercamethrough——asifithadbeentheoldchannelofthespring。Iwideneditalittlewithmyclaspknife，andthen——inalittlepouchorpocketofdecomposedquartz——Ifoundthat！Notonlythat，boys，"hecontinued，rising，withashout，"butthewholeslopeabovethespringisamassofseepageunderneath，asifyou’dplayedahydraulichoseonit，andit’sreadytotumbleandisjustrottenwithquartz！"
　　Themenleapedtotheirfeet；inanothermomenttheyhadsnatchedpicks，pans，andshovels，and，theforemanleading，withacoilofropethrownoverhisshoulders，wereallflyingdownthetrailtothehighway。Theirhastewaswise。ThespringwasnotonTHEIR
　　claim；itwasknowntoothers；itwasdoubtfulifParkhurst’sdiscoverywithhisknifeamountedtoactualWORKonthesoil。Theymust"takeitup"withaformalnotice，andgettoworkatonce！
　　Inanhourtheywerescatteredoverthemountainside，likebeesclingingtothefragrantslopeoflaurelandmyrtleabovethespring。Anexcavationwasmadebesideit，andtheledgebroadenedbyadozenfeet。Eventhespringitselfwasutilizedtowashthehastilyfilledprospectingpans。AndwhenthePioneerCoachslowlytoileduptheroadthatafternoon，thepassengersstaredatthescarcelydry"NoticeofLocation"pinnedtothepinebytheroadbank，whenceEugeniahadfallentwodaysbefore！
　　EagerlyandanxiouslyasEdwardBrayworkedwithhiscompanions，itwaswithmoreconflictingfeelings。Therewasacertainsenseofdesecrationintheiract。Howherproudlipwouldhavecurledhadsheseenhim——hewhobutafewhoursbeforewouldhavesearchedthewholeslopeforthetreasureofaribbon，ahandkerchief，orabowfromherdress——nowdelvingandpickingthehillsideforthatfortuneheraccidenthadsomysteriouslydisclosed。Mysteriouslyhebelieved，forhehadnotfullyacceptedParkhurst’sstory。
　　Thatgentlemisogynisthadneverbeenanactiveprospector；aninclinationtotheorizewithoutpracticeandtocombathispartners’experiencewereallagainsthisallegedprocessofdiscovery，althoughthegoldwasactuallythere；andhisconductthatafternoonwascertainlypeculiar。Hedidbutlittleoftherealwork；butwanderedfrommantoman，withsuggestions，advice，andexhortations，andtheairofasuperiorpatron。Thismighthavebeencharacteristic，butmingledwithitwasacertainnervousanxietyandwatchfulness。Hewascontinuallyscanningthestageroadandthetrail，staringeagerlyatanywayfarerinthedistance，andattimesfallingintofitsofstrangeabstraction。
　　Atothertimeshewoulddrawneartooneofhisfellowpartners，asifforconfidentialdisclosure，andthencheckhimselfandwanderaimlesslyaway。Anditwasnotuntileveningcamethatthemysterywassolved。
　　Theprospectingpanshadbeendulywashedandexamined，theslopeaboveandbelowhadbeenfullyexploredandtested，witharesultandpromisethatoutrantheirmostsanguinehopes。Therewasnomistakingthefactthattheyhadmadea"big"strike。Thatsingulargravityandreticence，sooftenobservedinminersatthesecrises，hadcomeoverthemastheysatthatnightforthelasttimearoundtheiroldcamp-fireontheEurekaledge，whenParkhurstturnedimpulsivelytoBray。"Rolloverhere，"hesaidinawhisper。"Iwanttotellyesuthin！"
　　Bray"rolled"beyondthesquattingcircle，andthetwomengraduallyedgedthemselvesoutofhearingoftheothers。Inthesilentabstractionthatprevailednobodynoticedthem。
　　"It’sgotsuthintodowiththisdiscovery，"saidParkhurst，inalow，mysterioustone，"butasfarasthegoldgoes，andourequalrightstoitaspartners，itdon’taffectthem。IfI，"hecontinuedinaslightlypatronizing，paternaltone，"choosetomakeyouandtheotherboyssharersinwhatseemstobeaspecialProvidencetoME，Ireckonwewon’tquarrelonit。It’samightycurious，singularthing。It’soneofthosethingsyereadaboutinbooksanddon’ttakeanystockin！Butwe’vegotthegold——andI’vegottheblackandwhitetoproveit——evenifitain’texactlyhuman。"
　　Hisvoicesanksolow，hismannerwassoimpressive，thatdespitehisknownexaggeration，Brayfeltaslightthrillofsuperstition。
　　MeantimeParkhurstwipedhisbrow，tookafoldedslipofpaperandasprigoflaurelfromhispocket，anddrewalongbreath。
　　"WhenIgottothespringthisafternoon，"hewenton，inanervous，tremulous，andscarcelyaudiblevoice，"Isawthisbito’
　　paper，foldednote-wise，lyin’ontheledgebeforeit。Ontopofitwasthissprigoflaurel，tocatchtheeye。Iain’tthemantopryintootherfolks’secrets，orreadwhatain’tmine。Butonthebacko’thisnotewaswritten’ToJack！’It’sacommonenoughname，butit’sasingularthing，efyou’llrecollect，tharain’tANOTHERJackinthiscompany，notonthewholeridgebetwixtthisandthesummit，exceptMYSELF！SoIopenedit，andthisiswhatitread！"Heheldthepapersidewaystowardtheleapinglightofthestillnearcamp-fire，andreadslowly，withtheemphasisofhavingreaditmanytimesbefore。
　　"’IwantyoutobelievethatI，atleast，respectandhonoryourhonest，manlycalling，andwhenyoustrikeitrich，asyousurelywill，IhopeyouwillsometimesthinkofJill。’"
　　Inthethrillofjoy，hope，andfearthatcameoverBray，hecouldseethatParkhursthadnotonlyfailedtodetecthissecret，buthadnotevenconnectedthetwonameswiththeirobvioussuggestion。
　　"ButdoyouknowanybodynamedJill？"heaskedbreathlessly。
　　"It’snoNAME，"saidParkhurstinasombrevoice，"it’saTHING！"
　　"Athing？"repeatedBray，bewildered。
　　"Yes，ameasure——youknow——twofingersofwhiskey。"
　　"Oh，a’gill，’"saidBray。
　　"That’swhatIsaid，youngman，"returnedParkhurstgravely。
　　Braychokedbackahystericallaugh；spellingwasnotoriouslynotoneofParkhurst’sstrongpoints。"Butwhathasa’gill’gottodowithit？"heaskedquickly。
　　"It’soneofthemSphinxthings，don’tyousee？Asortofriddleorrebus，youknow。You’vegottostudyitout，asthemoldchapsdid。ButIfetchedit。Whatcomesafter’gills，’eh？"
　　"Pints，Isuppose，"saidBray。
　　"Andafterpints？"
　　"Quarts。"
　　"QUARTZ，andthereyouare。SoIlookedaboutmeforquartz，andsureenoughstruckitthefirstpop。"
　　BraycastaquicklookatParkhurst’sgraveface。Themanwasevidentlyimpressedandsincere。"Haveyoutoldthistoanyone？"
　　heaskedquickly。
　　"No。"
　　"ThenDON’T！oryou’llspoilthecharm，andbringusillluck！
　　That’stherule，youknow。Ireallydon’tknowthatyououghttohavetoldme，"addedtheartfulBray，dissemblinghisintensejoyatthisproofofEugenia’sremembrance。
　　"But，"saidParkhurstblankly，"yousee，oldman，you’dbeenthelastmanatthespring，andIkinderthought"——
　　"Don’tthink，"saidBraypromptly，"andaboveall，don’ttalk；notawordtotheboysofthis。Stay！Givemethepaperandthesprig。I’vegottogotoSanFrancisconextweek，andI’lltakecareofitandthinkitout！"HeknewthatParkhurstmightbetemptedtotalk，butwithoutthepaperhisstorywouldbetreatedlightly。Parkhursthandedhimthepaper，andthetwomenreturnedtothecamp-fire。
　　ThatnightBraysleptbutlittle。Thesuperstitionoftheloverisnolesskeenthanthatofthegambler，andBray，whilelaughingatParkhurst’sextravagantfancy，IamafraidwasequallyinclinedtobelievethattheirgoodfortunecamethroughEugenia’sinfluence。
　　Atleastheshouldtellherso，andherpreciousnotebecamenowaninvitationaswellasanexcuseforseekingher。Theonlyfearthatpossessedhimwasthatshemighthaveexpectedsomeacknowledgmentofhernotebeforesheleftthatafternoon；theonlythinghecouldnotunderstandwashowshehadmanagedtoconveythenotetothespring，forshecouldnothavetakenitherself。ButthiswoulddoubtlessbeexplainedbyherinSanFrancisco，whitherheintendedtoseekher。Hisaffairs，thepurchasingofmachineryfortheirnewclaim，wouldnodoubtgivehimeasyaccesstoherfather。
　　ButitwasonethingtoimaginethiswhileprocuringanewandfashionableoutfitinSanFrancisco，andquiteanothertostandbeforethe"palatial"residenceoftheNeworthsonRinconHill，withtheconsciousnessofnootherintroductionthanthememoryoftheNeworths’discourtesyonthemountain，and，eveninhisfinefeathers，Brayhesitated。Atthismomentacarriagerolleduptothedoor，andEugenia，anadorablevisionoflacesandsilks，alighted。
　　Forgettingeverythingelse，headvancedtowardherwithoutstretchedhand。Hesawherstart，afaintcolorcomeintoherface；heknewhewasrecognized；butshestiffenedquicklyagain，thecolorvanished，herbeautifulgrayeyesrestedcoldlyonhimforamoment，andthen，withthefaintestinclinationofherproudhead，shesweptbyhimandenteredthehouse。
　　ButBray，thoughshocked，wasnotdaunted，andperhapshisownpridewasawakened。Herantohishotel，summonedamessenger，inclosedhernoteinanenvelope，andaddedtheselines：——
　　DEARMISSNEWORTH，——Ionlywantedtothankyouanhourago，asI
　　shouldliketohavedonebefore，forthekindnotewhichIinclose，butwhichyouhavemademefeelIhavenorighttotreasureanylonger，andtotellyouthatyourmostgenerouswishandprophecyhasbeenmorethanfulfilled。
　　Yours，verygratefully，EDMUNDBRAY。
　　Withinthehourthemessengerreturnedwiththestillbrieferreply：——
　　"MissNeworthhasbeenfullyawareofthatpreoccupationwithhisgoodfortunewhichpreventedMr。Brayfromanearlieracknowledgmentofherfoolishnote。"
　　Coldasthisresponsewas，Bray’sheartleaped。SheHADlingeredonthesummit，andHADexpectedareply。Heseizedhishat，and，jumpingintothefirstcabatthehoteldoor，droverapidlybacktothehouse。Hehadbutoneidea，toseeheratanycost，butoneconcern，toavoidameetingwithherfatherfirst，oradenialatherverydoor。
　　Hedismissedthecabatthestreetcornerandbegantoreconnoitrethehouse。Ithadalargegardenintherear，reclaimedfromtheadjacent"scruboak"infestedsandhill，andprotectedbyahighwall。Ifhecouldscalethatwall，hecouldcommandthepremises。
　　Itwasabrightmorning；shemightbetemptedintothegarden。A
　　tallerscruboakgrewnearthewall；tothemountain-bredBrayitwasaneasymattertoswinghimselffromittothewall，andhedid。Buthismomentumwassogreatthathetouchedthewallonlytobeobligedtoleapdownintothegardentosavehimselffromfallingthere。Heheardalittlecry，felthisfeetstrikesometinutensil，androlledonthegroundbesideEugeniaandheroverturnedwatering-pot。
　　Theybothstruggledtotheirfeetwithanastonishmentthatturnedtolaughterintheireyesandthesamethoughtinthemindsofeach。
　　"Butwearenotonthemountainsnow，Mr。Bray，"saidEugenia，takingherhandkerchiefatlastfromhersoberingfaceandstraighteningeyebrows。
　　"Butwearequits，"saidBray。"Andyounowknowmyrealname。I
　　onlycameheretotellyouwhyIcouldnotansweryourletterthesameday。Inevergotit——Imean，"headdedhurriedly，"anothermangotitfirst。"
　　Shethrewupherhead，andherfacegrewpale。"ANOTHERmangotit，"sherepeated，"andYOUletanotherman"——
　　"No，no，"interruptedBrayimploringly。"Youdon’tunderstand。
　　Oneofmypartnerswenttothespringthatafternoon，andfoundit；
　　butheneitherknowswhosentit，norforwhomitwasintended。"
　　HehastilyrecountedParkhurst’sstory，hismysteriousbelief，andhisinterpretationofthenote。Thecolorcamebacktoherfaceandthesmiletoherlipsandeyes。"IhadgonetwicetothespringafterIsawyou，butIcouldn’tbearitsdesertedlookwithoutyou，"headdedboldly。Here，seeingherfacegrewgraveagain，headded，"Buthowdidyougetthelettertothespring？andhowdidyouknowthatitwasfoundthatday？"
　　Itwasherturntolookembarrassedandentreating，butthecombinationwascharminginherproudface。"Igotthelittleschoolboyatthesummit，"shesaid，withgirlishhesitation，"totakethenote。Heknewthespring，buthedidn’tknowYOU。Itoldhim——itwasveryfoolish，Iknow——towaituntilyoucameforwater，tobecertainthatyougotthenote，towaituntilyoucameup，forIthoughtyoumightquestionhim，orgivehimsomeword。"Herfacewasquiterosynow。"But，"sheadded，andherliptookadivinepout，"hesaidhewaitedTWOHOURS；thatyounevertooktheLEAST
　　CONCERNoftheletterorhim，butwentaroundthemountainside，peeringandpickingineveryholeandcornerofit，andthenhegottiredandranaway。OfcourseIunderstanditnow，itwasn’tYOU；
　　butoh，please；Ibegyou，Mr。Bray，don’t！"
　　Brayreleasedthelittlehandwhichhehadimpulsivelycaught，andwhichhadalloweditselftobedetainedforablissfulmoment。
　　"Andnow，don’tyouthink，Mr。Bray，"sheaddeddemurely，"thatyouhadbetterletmefillmypailagainwhileyougoroundtothefrontdoorandcalluponmeproperly？"
　　"Butyourfather"——
　　"Myfather，asawell-knowninvestor，regretsexceedinglythathedidnotmakeyouracquaintancemorethoroughlyinhislatebriefinterview。Heis，asyourforemanknows，exceedinglyinterestedintheminesonEurekaledge。Hewillbegladifyouwillcall。"Sheledhimtoalittledoorinthewall，whichsheunbolted。"Andnow’Jill’mustsaygood-byto’Jack，’forshemustmakeherselfreadytoreceiveaMr。Braywhoisexpected。"
　　AndwhenBrayalittlelatercalledatthefrontdoor，hewasrespectfullyannounced。Hecalledanotherday，andmanydaysafter。HecamefrequentlytoSanFrancisco，andonedaydidnotreturntohisoldpartners。Hehadenteredintoanewpartnershipwithonewhohedeclared"hadmadethefirststrikeonEurekamountain。"
　　MR。BILSON’SHOUSEKEEPER
　　I
　　WhenJoshuaBilson，oftheSummitHouse，BuckeyeHill，losthiswife，itbecamenecessaryforhimtotakeahousekeepertoassisthiminthemanagementofthehotel。AlreadyallBuckeyehadconsideredthisamerepreliminarytotakinganotherwife，afteradecentprobation，astherelationsofhousekeeperandlandlordwereconfidentialanddelicate，andBilsonwasaman，andnotabovefemaleinfluence。Therewas，however，somechangeofopiniononthatpointwhenMissEuphemiaTrotterwasengagedforthatposition。BuckeyeHill，whichhadconfidentlylookedforwardtoabuxomwidowor，withequalconfidence，tothepromotionofsomeprettybutinefficientchambermaid，wasstartledbytheselectionofamaidenladyofmiddleage，andabovethemediumheight，atonceserious，precise，andmasterful，andtoallappearancesoutrageouslycompetent。Morecarefully"takingstock"ofher，itwasacceptedshehadthreegoodpoints，——dark，seriouseyes，atrimbutsomewhatthinfigure，andwell-kepthandsandfeet。These，whichinsosusceptibleacommunitywouldhavebeenenough，inthewordsofonecritic，"tohavemarriedhertothreemen，"sheseemedtomakeoflittleaccountherself，andherattitudetowardthosewhowereinclinedtomakethemofaccountwasceremoniousandfrigid。Indeed，sheseemedtooccupyherselfentirelywithlookingaftertheservants，ChineseandEuropeans，examiningthebillsandstoresoftradersandshopkeepers，inafashionthatmadeherrespectedand——feared。Itwaswhispered，infact，thatBilsonstoodinaweofherasheneverhadofhiswife，andthathewas"henpeckedinhisownfarmyardbyastrangepullet。"
　　Nevertheless，healwaysspokeofherwitharespectandevenareverencethatseemedincompatiblewiththeirrelativepositions。
　　Itgaverisetosurmisesmoreorlessingeniousandconflicting：
　　MissTrotterhadasecretinterestinthehotel，andrepresentedaSanFranciscosyndicate；MissTrotterwasawomanofindependentproperty，andhadadvancedlargesumstoBilson；MissTrotterwasawomanofnoproperty，butshewastheonlydaughterof——variously——
　　alatedistinguishednobleman，aruinedmillionaire，andaforeignstatesman，bentonmakingherownliving。
　　Alas，forromance！MissEuphemiaTrotter，or"MissE。Trotter，"asshepreferredtosignherself，loathinghersentimentalprefix，wasreallyapoorgirlwhohadbeeneducatedinanEasternseminary，wheresheeventuallybecameateacher。Shehadsurvivedherparentsandaneglectedchildhood，andhadworkedhardforherlivingsinceshewasfourteen。Shehadbeenanurseinahospital，anassistantinareformatory，hadobservedmenandwomenunderconditionsofpainandweakness，andhadknownthebodyonlyasatabernacleofhelplessnessandsuffering；yethadbroughtoutofherexperienceahardphilosophywhichsheusedequallytoherselfastoothers。Thatshehadeverindulgedinanyromanceofhumanexistence，Igreatlydoubt；thelankygirlteacherattheVermontacademyhadenoughtodotopushherselfforwardwithoutentanglinggirlfriendshipsorconfidences，andsobecameaprematurelyhardduenna，paidtolookoutfor，restrain，andreport，ifnecessary，anyvagrantflirtationorsmallintrigueofhercompanions。A
　　pronounced"oldmaid"atfifteen，shehadnothingtoforgetorforgiveinothers，andstilllesstolearnfromthem。
　　Itwasspring，anddownthelongslopesofBuckeyeHilltheflowerswerealreadyeffacingthelastdentedfootprintsofthewinterrains，andthewindsnolongerbroughttheirmonotonouspatter。Inthepinewoodstherewerethesongandflashofbirds，andthequickeningstimulusofthestirringaromaticsap。Minersandtunnelmenwerealreadyforsakingthedirectroadforaramblethroughthewoodlandtrailanditssylvancharms，andoccasionallybreakingintoshoutsandhorseplaylikegreatboys。Theschoolchildrenweredisportingthere；thereweresomeoldercouplessentimentallygatheringflowerssidebyside。MissTrotterwasalsothere，butmakingashortcutfromthebankandexpressoffice，andbynomeansdisturbedbyanygentlereminiscenceofhergirlhoodoranyotherinstinctiveparticipationinthewantonseason。Springcame，sheknew，regularlyeveryyear，andbrought"springcleaning"andothernecessarychangesandrehabilitations。
　　Thisyearithadbroughtalsoaconsiderableincreaseinthesumshewasputtingby，andshewas，perhaps，satisfiedinapracticalway，ifnotwiththeblindinstinctivenessofothers。Shewaswalkingleisurely，holdinghergrayskirtwelloverherslimanklesandsmartlybootedfeet，andclearofthebrushingofdaisiesandbuttercups，whensuddenlyshestopped。Afewpacesbeforeher，partlyconcealedbyamyrtle，ayoungwoman，startledatherapproach，hadjustwithdrawnherselffromtheembraceofayoungmanandslippedintotheshadow。Nevertheless，inthatmoment，MissTrotter’skeeneyeshadrecognizedherasaveryprettySwedishgirl，oneofherchambermaidsatthehotel。MissTrotterpassedwithoutaword，butgravely。Shewasnotshockednorsurprised，butitstruckherpracticalmindatoncethatifthiswereanaffairwithimpendingmatrimony，itmeantthelossofavaluableandattractiveservant；ifotherwise，aseriousdisturbanceofthatservant’sduties。ShemustlookoutforanothergirltotaketheplaceofFridaPaulineJansen，thatwasall。Itispossible，therefore，thatMissJansen’scriticismofMissTrottertohercompanionasa"spying，jealousoldcat"wasunfair。ThiscompanionMissTrotterhadnoticed，onlytoobservethathisfaceandfigurewereunfamiliartoher。Hisredshirtandheavybootsgavenoindicationofhissocialconditioninthatlocality。Heseemedmorestartledanddisturbedatherintrusionthanthegirlhadbeen，butthatwasmoreaconditionofsexthanofdegree，shealsoknew。Insuchcircumstancesitisthewomanalwayswhoisthemostcomposedandself-possessed。
　　Afewdaysafterthis，MissTrotterwassummonedinsomehastetotheoffice。ChrisCalton，ayoungmanoftwenty-six，partnerintheRoanokeLedge，hadfracturedhisarmandcollar-bonebyafall，andhadbeenbroughttothehotelforthatrestandattention，undermedicaladvice，whichhecouldnotprocureintheRoanokecompany’scabin。Shehadaretired，quietroommadeready。Whenhewasinstalledtherebythedoctorshewenttoseehim，andfoundagood-looking，curlyheadedyoungfellow，evenboyishinappearanceandmanner，whoreceivedherwiththatairofdeferenceandtimiditywhichshewasaccustomedtoexciteinthemasculinebreast——whenitwasnotaccompaniedwithdistrust。Itstruckherthathewassomewhatemotional，andhadtheexpressionofonewhohadbeenspoiledandpettedbywomen，aratherunusualcircumstanceamongthemenofthelocality。Perhapsitwouldbeunfairtohertosaythatadispositiontoshowhimthathecouldexpectnosuch"nonsense"THEREsprangupinherheartatthatmoment，forsheneverhadunderstoodanytoleranceofsuchweakness，butacertainprecisionanddrynessofmannerwastheonlyresultofherobservation。Sheadjustedhispillow，askedhimiftherewasanythingthathewanted，buttookherdirectionsfromthedoctor，ratherthanfromhimself，withapracticalinsightandminutenessthatwasasappallingtothepatientasitwasanunexpecteddelighttoDr。Duchesne。"Iseeyouquiteunderstandme，MissTrotter，"hesaid，withgreatrelief。
　　"Ioughtto，"respondedtheladydryly。"Ihadadozensuchcases，someofthemwithcomplications，whileIwasassistantattheSacramentoHospital。"
　　"Ah，then！"returnedthedoctor，droppinggladlyintopurelyprofessionaldetail，"you’llseethisisverysimple，notacomminutedfracture；constitutionandbloodhealthy；allyou’vetodoistoseethatheeatsproperly，keepsfreefromexcitementandworry，butdoesnotgetdespondent；alittlecompany；hispartnersandsomeoftheboysfromtheLedgewilldropinoccasionally；nottoomuchofTHEM，youknow；andofcourse，absoluteimmobilityoftheinjuredparts。"Theladynodded；thepatientliftedhisblueeyesforaninstanttoherswithalookoftentativeappeal，butitslippedoffMissTrotter’sdarkpupils——whichwereasabstractedlycriticalasthedoctor’s——withoutbeingabsorbedbythem。Whenthedoorclosedbehindher，thedoctorexclaimed："ByJove！you’reinluck，Chris！That’sasplendidwoman！Justtheonetolookafteryou！"Thepatientgroanedslightly。"Dowhatshesays，andwe’llpullyouthroughinnotime。Why！she’sabletoadjustthosebandagesherself！"
　　This，indeed，shedidaweeklater，whenthesurgeonhadfailedtocall，unveilinghisneckandarmwithprofessionalcoolness，andsupportinghiminherslimarmsagainstherstiff，erectbuckramedbreast，whileshereplacedthesplintswithmasculinefirmnessoftouchandsereneandsexlessindifference。Hisstammeredembarrassedthanksattherelief——forhehadbeeninconsiderablepain——sheacceptedwithacertainprideasatributetoherskill，atributewhichDr。Duchesnehimselfafterwardfullyindorsed。