CONTENTS
　　JIMMY'SBIGBROTHERFROMCALIFORNIA
　　THEYOUNGESTMISSPIPER
　　AWIDOWOFTHESANTAANAVALLEY
　　THEMERMAIDOFLIGHTHOUSEPOINT
　　UNDERTHEEAVES
　　HOWREUBENALLEN"SAWLIFE"INSANFRANCISCO
　　THREEVAGABONDSOFTRINIDAD
　　AVISIONOFTHEFOUNTAIN
　　AROMANCEOFTHELINE
　　BOHEMIANDAYSINSANFRANCISCO
　　UNDERTHEREDWOODS
　　JIMMY'SBIGBROTHERFROMCALIFORNIA
　　Asnightcreptupfromthevalleythatstormyafternoon，Sawyer'sLedgewasatfirstquiteblottedoutbywindandrain，butpresentlyreappearedinlittlenebulousstar-likepointsalongthemountainside，asthestragglingcabinsofthesettlementwereonebyonelitupbytheminersreturningfromtunnelandclaim。Thesestarswereofvaryingbrilliancythatevening，twonotablyso——onethateventuallyresolveditselfintoamany-candledilluminationofacabinofevidentfestivity；theotherintoaglimmeringtaperinthewindowofasilentone。Theymighthaverepresentedtheextrememutationsoffortuneinthesettlementthatnight：thecelebrationofastrikebyRobertFalloner，aluckyminer；andthesick-bedofDickLasham，anunluckyone。
　　Thelatterwas，however，notquitealone。HewasministeredtobyDaddyFolsom，aweakbutemotionalandaggressivelyhopefulneighbor，whowassittingbesidethewoodenbunkwhereontheinvalidlay。Yettherewassomethingperfunctoryinhisattitude：
　　hiseyeswerecontinuallystrayingtothewindow，whencetheilluminatedFallonerfestivitiescouldbeseenbetweenthetrees，andhisearsweremoreintentonthesongsandlaughterthatcamefaintlyfromthedistancethanonthefeverishbreathingandunintelligiblemoansofthesufferer。
　　Neverthelesshelookedtroubledequallybytheconditionofhischargeandbyhisownenforcedabsencefromtherevels。Amoreimpatientmoanfromthesickman，however，broughtachangetohisabstractedface，andheturnedtohimwithanexaggeratedexpressionofsympathy。
　　"Incourse！Lordy！Iknowjestwhatthosepainsare：kinderezefyouwashavin'atoothpulledthathadrootsbranchin'alloverye！
　　My！I'vejesthad'emsobadIcouldn'tkeepfromyellin'！That'shotrheumatics！Yes，sir，Ioughterknow！And"（confidentially）
　　"thesing'lerthingabout'emisthattheygetworsejestasthey'regoingoff——sorterwringin'yerhandandpunchin'yeinthebacktosay'Good-by。'There！"hecontinued，asthemansankexhaustedlybackonhisrudepillowofflour-sacks。"There！didn'tItellye？Ye'llbeallrightinaminit，andezchipperezajaybirdinthemornin'。Oh，don'ttellmeaboutrheumatics——I'vebinthar！On'yminewasthecoldkind——thathangsonlongest——yoursisthehot，thatburnsitselfupinnotime！"
　　IftheflushedfaceandbrighteyesofLashamwerenotenoughtocorroboratethissymptomofhighfever，thequick，wanderinglaughhegavewouldhaveindicatedthepointofdelirium。ButthetoooptimisticDaddyFolsomreferredthisacttoimprovement，andwentoncheerfully："Yes，sir，you'rebetternow，and"——hereheassumedanairofcautiousdeliberation，extravagant，asallhisassumptionswere——"Iain'tsayin'that——ef——you——was——to——rise——up"（veryslowly）"andheaveablanketortwooveryourshoulders——jestbywayo'caution，youknow——andleanin'onme，kindermeanderovertoBobFalloner'scabinandtheboys，itwouldn'tdoyouaheapo'good。
　　Changeso'thiskindisoftenprescribedbythefaculty。"Anothermoanfromthesufferer，however，hereapparentlycorrectedDaddy'stoofavorableprognosis。"Oh，allright！Well，perhapsyeknowbest；andI'lljestrunovertoBob'sandsayhowasyeain'tcomin'，andwillbebackinajiffy！"
　　"Theletter，"saidthesickmanhurriedly，"theletter，theletter！"
　　Daddyleanedsuddenlyoverthebed。ItwasimpossibleforevenhishopefulnesstoavoidthefactthatLashamwasdelirious。Itwasastrongfactorinthecase——onethatwouldcertainlyjustifyhisgoingovertoFalloner'swiththenews。Forthepresentmoment，however，thisaberrationwastobeacceptedcheerfullyandhumoredafterDaddy'sownfashion。"Ofcourse——theletter，theletter，"hesaidconvincingly；"that'swhattheboyshevbinsingin'jestnow——
　　'Good-by，Charley；whenyouareaway，Writemealetter，love；sendmealetter，love！'
　　That'swhatyouheard，andamightypurtysongitistoo，andkinderclingstoyou。It'swonderfulhowthesethingsgetsinyourhead。"
　　"Theletter——write——sendmoney——money——money，andthephotograph——
　　thephotograph——photograph——money，"continuedthesickman，intherapidreiterationofdelirium。
　　"Incourseyouwill——to-morrow——whenthemailgoes，"returnedDaddysoothingly；"plentyofthem。Jestnowyoutrytogetasnooze，willye？Hol'on！——takesomeo'this。"
　　Therewasananodynemixtureontherudeshelf，whichthedoctorhadleftonhismorningvisit。Daddyhadacomfortablebeliefthatwhatwouldrelievepainwouldalsocheckdelirium，andheaccordinglymeasuredoutadosewithaliberalmargintoallowofwastebythepatientinswallowinginhissemi-consciousstate。Ashelaymorequiet，mutteringstill，butnowunintelligibly，Daddy，waitingforamorecompleteunconsciousnessandtheopportunitytoslipawaytoFalloner's，casthiseyesaroundthecabin。HenoticednowforthefirsttimesincehisentrancethatacrumpledenvelopebearingaWesternpost-markwaslyingatthefootofthebed。Daddyknewthatthetri-weeklyposthadarrivedanhourbeforehecame，andthatLashamhadevidentlyreceivedaletter。
　　Sureenoughtheletteritselfwaslyingagainstthewallbesidehim。Itwasopen。Daddyfeltjustifiedinreadingit。
　　Itwascurtandbusinesslike，statingthatunlessLashamatoncesentaremittanceforthesupportofhisbrotherandsister——twochildreninchargeofthewriter——theymustfindahomeelsewhere。
　　Thatthearrearswerelongstanding，andtherepeatedpromisesofLashamtosendmoneyhadbeenunfulfilled。Thatthewritercouldstanditnolonger。Thiswouldbehislastcommunicationunlessthemoneyweresentforthwith。
　　Itwasbynomeansanovelor，underthecircumstances，ashockingdisclosuretoDaddy。Hehadseensimilarmissivesfromdaughters，andevenwives，consequentonthevaryingfortunesofhisneighbors；nooneknewbetterthanhetheuncertaintiesofaminer'sprospects，andyettheinevitablehopefulnessthatbuoyedhimup。Hetosseditasideimpatiently，whenhiseyecaughtastripofpaperhehadoverlookedlyingupontheblanketneartheenvelope。Itcontainedafewlinesinanunformedboyishhandaddressedto"mybrother，"andevidentlyslippedintotheletterafteritwaswritten。BytheuncertaincandlelightDaddyreadasfollows：——
　　DearBrother，RitetomeandCissyriteoff。Whyaintyoudoneit？
　　It'ssolongsinceyouroteany。MisterReckettssesyoudontcareanymore。Wenyouritesendyourfotograff。FolksheresesIaintgotnobigbrutheranyway，asIdisrememberhislooks，andcantsaywotslikehim。Cissy'skryin'allalongofit。I'vegotahedake。WilliamWalkermakeitakebyablo。SonomoreatpresentfromyourlovinglittlebrutherJim。
　　Thequick，hystericlaughwithwhichDaddyreadthiswasquiteconsistentwithhisresponsive，emotionalnature；so，too，werethereadytearsthatsprangtohiseyes。Heputthecandledownunsteadily，withacasualglanceatthesickman。Itwasnotable，however，thatthislookcontainedlesssympathyfortheailing"bigbrother"thanhisemotionmighthavesuggested。ForDaddywascarriedquiteawaybyhisownmentalpictureofthehelplesschildren，andeageronlytorelatehisimpressionsoftheincident。
　　Hecastanotherglanceattheinvalid，thrustthepapersintohispocket，andclappingonhishatslippedfromthecabinandrantothehouseoffestivity。Yetitwascharacteristicoftheman，andsoengrossedwashebyhisoneidea，thattotheusualinquiriesregardinghispatientheanswered，"he'sallright，"andplungedatonceintotheincidentofthedunningletter，reserving——withtheinstinctofanemotionalartist——thechild'smissiveuntilthelast。Asheexpected，themoneydemandwasreceivedwithindignantcriticismsofthewriter。
　　"That'sjustlike'emintheStates，"saidCaptainFletcher；
　　"darnediftheydon'tbelievewe'veonlygottoboreaholeinthegroundandsnakeoutahundreddollars。Why，there'smywife——withaheapofhosssenseineverythingelse——isalluswonderin'whyI
　　can'trakeinacoolfiftybetwixtonesteamerdayandanother。"
　　"That'snothin'tomyolddad，"interruptedGusHouston，the"infant"ofthecamp，abright-eyedyoungfellowoftwenty；"why，hewrotetomeyesterdaythatifI'donlypickupasinglepieceofgoldeverydayandjustputitaside，sayin''That'sforpopperandmommer，'andnotfoolitaway——itwouldbeallthey'daskofme。"
　　"That'sso，"addedanother；"theseignorantrelationsisjusttheruino'theminingindustry。BobFallonerhezbinluckyinhisstriketo-day，buthe'sadarnedsightluckierinbeingwithoutkithorkinthatheknowsof。"
　　Daddywaiteduntilthemomentaryirritationhadsubsided，andthendrewtheotherletterfromhispocket。"Thatain'tall，boys，"hebeganinafalteringvoice，butgraduallyworkinghimselfuptoapitchofpathos；"justasIwasthinkingallthemverythings，I
　　kindernoticedthisyerpoorlittlebito'paperlyin'tharlonesomelikeandforgotten，andI——readit——andwell——gentlemen——
　　itjustchokedmerightup！"Hestopped，andhisvoicefaltered。
　　"Goslow，Daddy，goslow！"saidanauditorsmilingly。ItwasevidentthatDaddy'ssympatheticweaknesswaswellknown。
　　Daddyreadthechild'sletter。But，unfortunately，whatwithhisrealemotionandtheintoxicationofanaudience，hereaditextravagantly，andinterpolatedachild'slisp（onnoauthoritywhatever），andasimulatedinfantiledelivery，which，Ifear，atfirstprovokedthesmilesratherthanthetearsofhisaudience。
　　Nevertheless，atitsconclusionthelittlenotewashandedroundtheparty，andthentherewasamomentofthoughtfulsilence。
　　"Tellyouwhatitis，boys，"saidFletcher，lookingaroundthetable，"weoughttobedoin'suthin'forthemkidsrightoff！Didyou，"turningtoDaddy，"sayanythin'aboutthistoDick？"
　　"Nary——why，he'scleanoffhisheadwithfever——don'tunderstandaword——andjustbabbles，"returnedDaddy，forgetfulofhisroseatediagnosisamomentago，"andhasn'tgotacent。"
　　"Wemustmakeupwhatwecanamongstusaforethemailgoesto-
　　night，"saidthe"infant，"feelinghurriedlyinhispockets。
　　"Come，anteup，gentlemen，"headded，layingthecontentsofhisbuckskinpurseuponthetable。
　　"Holdon，boys，"saidaquietvoice。ItwastheirhostFalloner，whohadjustrisenandwasslippingonhisoilskincoat。"You'vegotenoughtodo，Ireckon，tolookafteryourownfolks。I'venone！Letthisbemyaffair。I'vegottogototheExpressOfficeanyhowtoseeaboutmypassagehome，andI'lljustgetadraftforahundreddollarsforthatoldskeesicks——what'shisblamedname？
　　Oh，Ricketts"——hemadeamemorandumfromtheletter——"andI'llsenditbyexpress。Meantime，youfellowssitdownthereandwritesomething——youknowwhat——sayingthatDick'shurthishandandcan'twrite——youknow；butaskedyoutosendadraft，whichyou'redoing。Sabe？That'sall！I'llskipovertotheexpressnowandgetthedraftoff，andyoucanmailtheletteranhourlater。SoputyourdustbackinyourpocketsandhelpyourselvestothewhiskeywhileI'mgone。"Heclappedhishatonhisheadanddisappeared。
　　"Theregoesawhiteman，youbet！"saidFletcheradmiringly，asthedoorclosedbehindtheirhost。"Now，boys，"headded，drawingachairtothetable，"let'sgetthisyerletteroff，andthengobacktoourgame。"
　　Pensandinkwereproduced，andananimateddiscussionensuedastothemattertobeconveyed。Daddy'spleaforanextendedexplanatoryandsympatheticcommunicationwasoverruled，andtheletterwaswrittentoRickettsonthesimplelinessuggestedbyFalloner。
　　"ButwhataboutpoorlittleJim'sletter？Thatoughttobeanswered，"saidDaddypathetically。
　　"IfDickhurthishandsohecan'twritetoRicketts，howinthunderishegoin'towritetoJim？"wasthereply。
　　"Butsuthin'oughterbesaidtothepoorkid，"urgedDaddypiteously。
　　"Well，writeityourself——youandGusHoustonmakeupsomethin'
　　together。I'mgoingtowinsomemoney，"retortedFletcher，returningtothecard-table，wherehewaspresentlyfollowedbyallbutDaddyandHouston。
　　"Yecan'twriteitinDick'sname，becausethatlittlebrotherknowsDick'shandwriting，evenifhedon'trememberhisface。
　　See？"suggestedHouston。
　　"That'sso，"saidDaddydubiously；"but，"headded，withelasticcheerfulness，wecanwritethatDick'says。'See？"
　　"Yourhead'slevel，oldman！Justyouwadeinonthat。"
　　Daddyseizedthepenand"wadedin。"Intosomewhatdeepanddifficultwater，Ifancy，forsomeofitsplashedintohiseyes，andhesniffledonceortwiceashewrote。"Suthin'likethis，"hesaid，afterapause：——
　　DEARLITTLEJIMMIE，——Yourbigbrotherhavin'hurthishand，wantsmetotellyouthatotherwaysheisallhunkyandA1。Hesayshedon'tforgetyouandlittleCissy，youbet！andhe'ssendin'moneytooldRickettsstraightoff。Hesaysdon'tyouandCissymindwhetherschoolkeepsornotaslongasbigBrotherDickholdsthelines。Hesayshe'dhavewrittenbefore，buthe'sbinfollerin'upaleadmightyclose，andexpectstostrikeitrichinafewdays。
　　"Youain'tgotnosabeaboutkids，"saidDaddyimperturbably；
　　"they'vegottobehumoredlikesickfolks。Andtheywanteverythin'big——theydon'ttakenostockinthingseztheyare——
　　eveneftheyhev'emworsethantheyare。'So，'"continuedDaddy，readingtopreventfurtherinterruption，"'hesaysyou'rejusttokeepyoureyesskinnedlookin'outforhimcomin'homeanytime——
　　dayornight。Allyou'vegottodoistositupandwait。Hemightcomeandevensnakeyououtofyourbeds！Hemightcomewithfourwhitehorsesandaniggerdriver，orhemightcomedisguisedasanornarytramp。Onlyyou'vegottobekeenonwatchin'。'（Yesee，"interruptedDaddyexplanatorily，"that'lljestkeepthemkidslively。）'HesaysCissy'stostopcryin'rightoff，andifWillieWalkerhitsyerontherightcheekyoujustslugoutwithyourleftfist，'cordin'toScripter。'Gosh，"ejaculatedDaddy，stoppingsuddenlyandgazinganxiouslyatHouston，"there'sthatblamedphotograph——Icleanforgotthat。"
　　"AndDickhasn'tgotoneintheshop，andneverhad，"returnedHoustonemphatically。"Golly！thatstumpsus！Unless，"headded，withdiabolicalthoughtfulness，"wetakeBob's？Thekidsdon'trememberDick'sface，andBob'saboutthesameage。Andit'saregularstarpicture——youbet！BobhadittakeninSacramento——inallhiswarpaint。See！"Heindicatedaphotographpinnedagainstthewall——areallystrikinglikenesswhichdidfulljusticetoBob'slongsilkenmustacheandlarge，browndeterminedeyes。"I'llsnakeitoffwhiletheyain'tlookin'，andyoujamitintheletter。Bobwon'tmissit，andwecanfixitupwithDickafterhe'swell，andsendanother。"
　　Daddysilentlygraspedthe"infant's"hand，whopresentlysecuredthephotographwithoutattractingattentionfromthecard-players。
　　Itwaspromptlyinclosedintheletter，addressedtoMasterJamesLasham。The"infant"startedwithittothepost-office，andDaddyFolsomreturnedtoLasham'scabintorelievethewatcherthathadbeendetachedfromFalloner'stotakehisplacebesidethesickman。
　　Meanwhiletherainfellsteadilyandtheshadowscrepthigherandhigherupthemountain。TowardsmidnightthestarpointsfadedoutonebyoneoverSawyer'sLedgeevenastheyhadcome，withthedifferencethattheilluminationofFalloner'scabinwasextinguishedfirst，whilethedimlightofLasham'sincreasedinnumber。Later，twostarsseemedtoshootfromthecentreoftheledge，trailingalongthedescent，untiltheywerelostintheobscurityoftheslope——thelightsofthestage-coachtoSacramentocarryingthemailandRobertFalloner。Theymetandpassedtwofainterlightstoilinguptheroad——thebuggylightsofthedoctor，hastilysummonedfromCartervilletothebedsideofthedyingDickLasham。
　　TheslowingupofhistraincausedBobFallonertostartfromahalfdozeinaWesternPullmancar。Asheglancedfromhiswindowhecouldseethattheblindingsnowstormwhichhadfollowedhimforthepastsixhourshadatlasthopelesslyblockedtheline。Therewasnoprospectbeyondtheinterminablesnowylevel，thewhirlingflakes，andthemonotonouspalisadesofleaflesstreesseenthroughittothedistantbanksoftheMissouri。Itwasaprospectthatthemountain-bredFallonerwasbeginningtoloathe，andalthoughitwasscarcelysixweekssinceheleftCalifornia，hewasalreadylookingbackregretfullytothedeepslopesandthefreesongoftheserriedranksofpines。
　　Theintensecoldhadchilledhistemperateblood，evenastherigorsandconventionsofEasternlifehadcheckedhissincerityandspontaneousflowofanimalspiritsbegotteninthefrankintercourseandbrotherhoodofcamps。HehadjustfledfromtheartificialitiesofthegreatAtlanticcitiestoseekoutsomeWesternfarminglandsinwhichhemightputhiscapitalandenergies。Theunlooked-forinterruptionofhisprogressbyalong-forgottenclimateonlydeepenedhisdiscontent。Andnow——thattrainwasactuallybacking！
　　Itappearedtheymustreturntothelaststationtowaitforasnow-ploughtocleartheline。Itwas，explainedtheconductor，barelyamilefromShepherdstown，wheretherewasagoodhotelandachanceofbreakingthejourneyforthenight。
　　Shepherdstown！ThenametouchedsomedimchordinBobFalloner'smemoryandconscience——yetonethatwasvague。ThenhesuddenlyrememberedthatbeforeleavingNewYorkhehadreceivedaletterfromHoustoninforminghimofLasham'sdeath，remindinghimofhispreviousbounty，andbegginghim——ifhewentWest——tobreakthenewstotheLashamfamily。Therewasalsosomeallusiontoajokeabouthis（Bob's）photograph，whichhehaddismissedasunimportant，andevennowcouldnotrememberclearly。Forafewmomentshisconscienceprickedhimthatheshouldhaveforgottenitall，butnowhecouldmakeamendsbythisprovidentialdelay。Itwasnotatasktohisliking；inanyothercircumstanceshewouldhavewritten，buthewouldnotshirkitnow。
　　ShepherdstownwasonthemainlineoftheKansasPacificRoad，andashealightedatitsstation，thebigthroughtrainsfromSanFranciscosweptoutofthestormydistanceandstoppedalso。Heremembered，ashemingledwiththepassengers，hearingachildishvoiceaskifthiswastheCaliforniantrain。Herememberedhearingtheamusedandpatientreplyofthestation-master："Yes，sonny——
　　heresheisagain，andhere'sherpassengers，"ashegotintotheomnibusanddrovetothehotel。Hereheresolvedtoperformhisdisagreeabledutyasquicklyaspossible，andonhiswaytohisroomstoppedforamomentattheofficetoaskforRicketts'
　　address。Theclerk，afteraquickglanceofcuriosityathisnewguest，gaveittohimreadily，withasomewhatfamiliarsmile。ItstruckFalloneralsoasbeingoddthathehadnotbeenaskedtowritehisnameonthehotelregister，butthiswasasavingoftimehewasnotdisposedtoquestion，ashehadalreadydeterminedtomakehisvisittoRickettsatonce，beforedinner。Itwasstillearlyevening。
　　Hewaswashinghishandsinhisbedroomwhentherecamealighttapathissitting-roomdoor。Fallonerquicklyresumedhiscoatandenteredthesitting-roomastheporterusheredinayoungladyholdingasmallboybythehand。But，toFalloner'sutterconsternation，nosoonerhadthedoorclosedontheservantthantheboy，withahalf-apologeticglanceattheyounglady，utteredachildishcry，brokefromher，andcalling，"Dick！Dick！"ranforwardandleapedintoFalloner'sarms。
　　ThemereshockoftheonsetandhisownamazementleftBobwithoutbreathforwords。Theboy，witharmsconvulsivelyclaspinghisbody，wasimprintingkissesonBob'swaistcoatindefaultofreachinghisface。AtlastFallonermanagedgentlybutfirmlytofreehimself，andturnedahalf-appealing，half-embarrassedlookupontheyounglady，whoseownface，however，suddenlyflushedpink。Toaddtotheconfusion，theboy，insomereactionofinstinct，suddenlyranbacktoher，franticallyclutchedatherskirts，andtriedtoburyhisheadintheirfolds。
　　"Hedon'tloveme，"hesobbed。"Hedon'tcareformeanymore。"
　　Thefaceoftheyounggirlchanged。Itwasaprettyfaceinitsflushing；inthepalenessandthoughtfulnessthatovercastititwasastrikingface，andBob'sattentionwasforamomentdistractedfromthegrotesquenessofthesituation。Leaningovertheboyshesaidinacaressingyetauthoritativevoice，"Runawayforamoment，dear，untilIcallyou，"openingthedoorforhiminamaternalwaysoinconsistentwiththeyouthfulnessofherfigurethatitstruckhimeveninhisconfusion。Therewassomethingalsoinherdressandcarriagethatequallyaffectedhim：hergarmentsweresomewhatold-fashionedinstyle，yetofgoodmaterial，withanoddincongruitytotheclimateandseason。
　　Underherroughoutercloaksheworeapolkajacketandthethinnestofsummerblouses；andherhat，thoughdark，wasofroughstraw，plainlytrimmed。Nevertheless，thesepeculiaritieswerecarriedoffwithanairofbreedingandself-possessionthatwasunmistakable。Itwaspossiblethathercoolself-possessionmighthavebeenduetosomeinstinctiveantagonism，forasshecameastepforwardwithcoldlyandclearly-openedgrayeyes，hewasvaguelyconsciousthatshedidn'tlikehim。Nevertheless，hermannerwasformallypolite，even，ashefancied，tothepointofirony，asshebegan，inavoicethatoccasionallydroppedintothelazySouthernintonation，andaspeechthateasilyslippedattimesintoSoutherndialect：——
　　"Isentthechildoutoftheroom，asIcouldseethathisadvanceswereannoyingtoyou，andagooddeal，Ireckon，becauseIknewyourreceptionofthemwasstillmorepainfultohim。Itisquitenatural，Idaresay，youshouldfeelasyoudo，andIreckonconsistentwithyourattitudetowardshim。Butyoumustmakesomeallowanceforthedepthofhisfeelings，andhowhehaslookedforwardtothismeeting。WhenItellyouthateversincehereceivedyourlastletter，heandhissister——untilherillnesskeptherhome——havegoneeverydaywhenthePacifictrainwasduetothestationtomeetyou；thattheyhavetakenliterallyasGospeltrutheverywordofyourletter"——
　　"Myletter？"interruptedFalloner。
　　Theyounggirl'sscarletlipcurledslightly。"Ibegyourpardon——
　　Ishouldhavesaidtheletteryoudictated。Ofcourseitwasn'tinyourhandwriting——youhadhurtyourhand，youknow，"sheaddedironically。"Atallevents，theybelieveditall——thatyouwerecomingatanymoment；theylivedinthatbelief，andthepoorthingswenttothestationwithyourphotographintheirhandssothattheymightbethefirsttorecognizeandgreetyou。"
　　"Withmyphotograph？"interruptedFalloneragain。
　　Theyounggirl'scleareyesdarkenedominously。"Ireckon，"shesaiddeliberately，assheslowlydrewfromherpocketthephotographDaddyFolsomhadsent，"thatthatisyourphotograph。
　　Itcertainlyseemsanexcellentlikeness，"sheadded，regardinghimwithaslightsuggestionofcontemptuoustriumph。
　　Inaninstanttherevelationofthewholemysteryflasheduponhim！
　　TheforgottenpassageinHouston'sletteraboutthestolenphotographstoodclearlybeforehim；thecoincidenceofhisappearanceinShepherdstown，andthenaturalmistakeofthechildrenandtheirfairprotector，weremadeperfectlyplain。Butwiththisreliefandthecertaintythathecouldconfoundherwithanexplanationcameacertainmischievousdesiretoprolongthesituationandincreasehistriumph。Shecertainlyhadnotshownhimanyfavor。
　　"Haveyougottheletteralso？"heaskedquietly。
　　Shewhiskeditimpatientlyfromherpocketandhandedittohim。
　　AshereadDaddy'scharacteristicextravaganceandrecognizedthefamiliaridiosyncrasiesofhisoldcompanions，hewasunabletorestrainasmile。Heraisedhiseyes，tomeetwithsurprisethefairstranger'sleveledeyebrowsandbrightlyindignanteyes，inwhich，however，therainwasfastgatheringwiththelightning。
　　"Itmaybeamusingtoyou，andIreckonlikelyitwasallaCaliforniajoke，"shesaidwithslightlytremblinglips；"Idon'tknowNo'therngentlemenandtheirways，andyouseemtohaveforgottenourwaysasyouhaveyourkindred。Perhapsallthismayseemsofunnytothem：itmaynotseemfunnytothatboywhoisnowcryinghisheartoutinthehall；itmaynotbeveryamusingtothatpoorCissyinhersick-bedlongingtoseeherbrother。Itmaybesofarfromamusingtoher，thatIshouldhesitatetobringyouthereinherexcitedconditionandsubjecthertothepainthatyouhavecausedhim。ButIhavepromisedher；sheisalreadyexpectingus，andthedisappointmentmaybedangerous，andIcanonlyimploreyou——forafewmomentsatleast——toshowalittlemoreaffectionthanyoufeel。"Ashemadeanimpulsive，deprecatinggesture，yetwithoutchanginghislookofrestrainedamusement，shestoppedhimhopelessly。"Oh，ofcourse，yes，yes，Iknowitisyearssinceyouhaveseenthem；theyhavenorighttoexpectmore；only——only——
　　feelingasyoudo，"sheburstimpulsively，"why——oh，whydidyoucome？"
　　HerewasBob'schance。Heturnedtoherpolitely；begangravely，"Isimplycameto"——whensuddenlyhisfacechanged；hestoppedasifstruckbyablow。Hischeekflushed，andthenpaled！GoodGod！
　　Whathadhecomefor？Totellthemthatthisbrothertheywerelongingfor——livingfor——perhapsevendyingfor——wasdead！Inhiscrassstupidity，hiswoundedvanityoverthescornoftheyounggirl，hisanticipationoftriumph，hehadforgotten——totallyforgotten——whatthattriumphmeant！PerhapsifhehadfeltmorekeenlythedeathofLashamthethoughtofitwouldhavebeenuppermostinhismind；butLashamwasnothispartnerorassociate，onlyabrotherminer，andhissingleactofgenerositywasintheordinaryroutineofcamplife。Ifshecouldthinkhimcoldandheartlessbefore，whatwouldshethinkofhimnow？Theabsurdityofhermistakehadvanishedinthegrimtragedyhehadseemedtohavecruellypreparedforher。Thethoughtstruckhimsokeenlythathestammered，faltered，andsankhelplesslyintoachair。
　　Theshockthathehadreceivedwassoplaintoherthatherownindignationwentoutinthebreathofit。Herlipquivered。
　　"Don'tyoumind，"shesaidhurriedly，droppingintoherSouthernspeech；"Ididn'tgotohurtyou，butIwasjustthatmadwiththethoughtofthosepickaninnies，andtheeasywayyoutookit，thatI
　　cleanforgotI'dnocalltocatechiseyou！Andyoudon'tknowmefromtheQueenofSheba。Well，"shewenton，stillmorerapidly，andinodddistinctiontoherpreviousformalslowSoutherndelivery，"I'mthedaughterofColonelBoutelle，ofBayouSara，Louisiana；andhispaw，andhispawbeforehim，hadaplantationtheresincethetimeofAdam，buthelostitandsixhundredniggersduringtheWah！Wewerepoohaspohverty——pawandmawandwefourgirls——andnomoreideaofworkthanababy。ButIhadaneducationattheconventatNewOrleans，andcouldplay，andspeakFrench，andIgotaplaceasschool-teacherhere；IreckonthefirstSouthernwomanthathastaughtschoolintheNo'th！
　　Ricketts，whousedtobeourstewardatBayouSara，toldmeaboutthepickaninnies，andhowhelplesstheywere，withonlyabrotherwhooccasionallysentthemmoneyfromCalifornia。IsupposeI
　　cottonedtothepoohlittlethingsatfirstbecauseIknewwhatitwastobealoneamongststrangers，Mr。Lasham；Iusedtoteachthematoddtimes，andlookafterthem，andgowiththemtothetraintolookforyou。PerhapsRickettsmademethinkyoudidn'tcareforthem；perhapsIwaswronginthinkingitwastrue，fromthewayyoumetJimmyjustnow。ButI'vespokenmymindandyouknowwhy。"
　　Sheceasedandwalkedtothewindow。
　　Fallonerrose。Thestormthathadsweptthroughhimwasover。
　　Thequickdetermination，resolutepurpose，andinfinitepatiencewhichhadmadehimwhathewaswereallthere，andwithitaconscientiousnesswhichhisselfishindependencehadhithertokeptdormant。Heacceptedthesituation，notpassively——itwasnotinhisnature——butthrewhimselfintoitwithallhisenergy。
　　"Youwerequiteright，"hesaid，haltingamomentbesideher；"I
　　don'tblameyou，andletmehopethatlateryoumaythinkmelesstoblamethanyoudonow。Now，what'stobedone？Clearly，I'vefirsttomakeitrightwithTommy——ImeanJimmy——andthenwemustmakeastraightdashovertothegirl！Whoop！"Beforeshecouldunderstandfromhisfacethestrangechangeinhisvoice，hehaddashedoutoftheroom。Inamomenthereappearedwiththeboystrugglinginhisarms。"Thinkofthelittlescampnotknowinghisownbrother！"helaughed，givingtheboyareallyaffectionate，ifslightlyexaggeratedhug，andexpectingmetoopenmyarmstothefirstlittleboywhojumpsintothem！I'veagreatmindnottogivehimthepresentIfetchedallthewayfromCalifornia。Waitamoment。"Hedashedintothebedroom，openedhisvalise——whereheprovidentiallyrememberedhehadkept，withaminer'ssuperstition，thefirstlittlenuggetofgoldhehadeverfound——seizedthetinybitofquartzofgold，anddashedoutagaintodisplayitbeforeJimmy'seagereyes。
　　Iftheheartiness，sympathy，andcharmingkindnessoftheman'swholemannerandfaceconvinced，evenwhileitslightlystartled，theyounggirl，itwasstillmoreeffectivewiththeboy。Childrenarequicktodetectthefalseringofaffectedemotion，andBob'swassogenuine——whateveritscause——thatitmighthaveeasilypassedforafraternalexpressionwithhardercritics。Thechildtrustfullynestledagainsthimandwouldhavegraspedthegold，buttheyoungmanwhiskeditintohispocket。"Notuntilwe'veshownittoourlittlesister——wherewe'regoingnow！I'mofftoorderasleigh。"Hedashedoutagaintotheofficeasifhefoundsomereliefinaction，or，asitseemedtoMissBoutelle，toavoidembarrassingconversation。Whenhecamebackagainhewascarryinganimmensebearskinfromhisluggage。Hecastacriticallookatthegirl'sunseasonableattire。
　　"IshallwrapyouandJimmyinthis——youknowit'ssnowingfrightfully。"
　　MissBoutelleflushedalittle。"I'mwarmenoughwhenwalking，"
　　shesaidcoldly。BobglancedathersmartlittleFrenchshoes，andthoughtotherwise。Hesaidnothing，buthastilybundledhistwoguestsdownstairsandintothestreet。Thewhirlwinddanceofthesnowmadethesleighanindistinctbulkintheglitteringdarkness，andastheyounggirlforaninstantstooddazedlystill，Bobincontinentlyliftedherfromherfeet，depositedherinthevehicle，droppedJimmyinherlap，andwrappedthembothtightlyinthebearskin。Herweight，whichwasscarcelymorethanachild's，struckhiminthatmomentasbeingtantalizinglyincongruoustothematronlyseverityofhermanneranditsstrangeeffectuponhim。
　　Hethenjumpedinhimself，takingthedirectionfromhiscompanion，anddroveoffthroughthestorm。
　　Thewindanddarknesswerenotfavorabletoconversation，andonlyoncedidhebreakthesilence。"Isthereanyonewhowouldbelikelytoremember——me——wherewearegoing？"heasked，inalullofthestorm。
　　MissBoutelleuncoveredenoughofherfacetoglanceathimcuriously。"Hardly！YouknowthechildrencameherefromtheNo'thafteryourmother'sdeath，whileyouwereinCalifornia。"
　　"Ofcourse，"returnedBobhurriedly；"Iwasonlythinking——youknowthatsomeofmyoldfriendsmighthavecalled，"andthencollapsedintosilence。
　　Afterapauseavoicecameicily，althoughunderthefurs："Perhapsyou'dpreferthatyourarrivalbekeptsecretfromthepublic？ButtheyseemtohavealreadyrecognizedyouatthehotelfromyourinquiryaboutRicketts，andthephotographJimmyhadalreadyshownthemtwoweeksago。"Bobrememberedtheclerk'sfamiliarmannerandtheomissiontoaskhimtoregister。"Butitneedgonofurther，ifyoulike，"sheadded，withaslightreturnofherpreviousscorn。
　　"I'venoreasonforkeepingitsecret，"saidBobstoutly。
　　Nootherwordswereexchangeduntilthesleighdrewupbeforeaplainwoodenhouseinthesuburbsofthetown。Bobcouldseeataglancethatitrepresentedtheincomeofsomecarefulartisanorsmallshopkeeper，andthatitpromisedlittleforaninvalid'sluxuriouscomfort。Theywereusheredintoachillysitting-roomandMissBoutelleranupstairswithJimmytopreparetheinvalidforBob'sappearance。Henoticedthataworddroppedbythewomanwhoopenedthedoormadetheyounggirl'sfacegraveagain，andpaledthecolorthatthestormhadbuffetedtohercheek。Henoticedalsothattheseplainsurroundingsseemedonlytoenhanceherownsuperiority，andthatthewomantreatedherwithadeferenceinoddcontrasttotheill-concealeddisfavorwithwhichsheregardedhim。Strangelyenough，thislatterfactwasarelieftohisconscience。Itwouldhavebeenterribletohavereceivedtheirkindnessunderfalsepretenses；totaketheirjustblameofthemanhepersonatedseemedtomitigatethedeceit。
　　Theyounggirlrejoinedhimpresentlywithtroubledeyes。Cissywasworse，andonlyintermittentlyconscious，buthadaskedtoseehim。Itwasashortflightofstairstothebedroom，butbeforehereacheditBob'sheartbeatfasterthanithadinanymountainclimb。Inonecorneroftheplainlyfurnishedroomstoodasmalltrucklebed，andinitlaytheinvalid。ItneededbutasingleglanceatherflushedfaceinitsaureoleofyellowhairtorecognizethelikenesstoJimmy，although，addedtothatstrangerefinementproducedbysuffering，therewasaspiritualexaltationinthechild'slook——possiblyfromdelirium——thatawedandfrightenedhim；anawfulfeelingthathecouldnotlietothishopelesscreaturetookpossessionofhim，andhisstepfaltered。
　　Butsheliftedhersmallarmspatheticallytowardshimasifshedivinedhistrouble，andhesankonhiskneesbesideher。Withatinyfingercurledaroundhislongmustache，shelaytheresilent。
　　Herfacewasfulloftrustfulness，happiness，andconsciousness——
　　butshespokenoword。
　　Therewasapause，andFalloner，slightlyliftinghisheadwithoutdisturbingthatfaintlyclaspingfinger，beckonedMissBoutelletohisside。"Canyoudrive？"hesaid，inalowvoice。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Takemysleighandgetthebestdoctorintowntocomehereatonce。Bringhimwithyouifyoucan；ifhecan'tcomeatonce，drivehomeyourself。Iwillstayhere。"
　　"But"——hesitatedMissBoutelle。
　　"Iwillstayhere，"herepeated。
　　Thedoorclosedontheyounggirl，andFalloner，stillbendingoverthechild，presentlyheardthesleigh-bellspassawayinthestorm。
　　Hestillsatwithhisbenthead，heldbythetinyclaspofthosethinfingers。Butthechild'seyeswerefixedsointentlyuponhimthatMrs。Rickettsleanedoverthestrangely-assortedpairandsaid——
　　"It'syourbrotherDick，dearie。Don'tyouknowhim？"
　　Thechild'slipsmovedfaintly。"Dick'sdead，"shewhispered。
　　"She'swandering，"saidMrs。Ricketts。"Speaktoher。"ButBob，withhiseyesonthechild's，liftedaprotestinghand。Thelittlesufferer'slipsmovedagain。"Itisn'tDick——it'stheangelGodsenttotellme。"
　　Shespokenomore。AndwhenMissBoutellereturnedwiththedoctorshewasbeyondthereachoffinitevoices。Fallonerwouldhaveremainedallnightwiththem，buthecouldseethathispresenceinthecontractedhouseholdwasnotdesired。EvenhisoffertotakeJimmywithhimtothehotelwasdeclined，andatmidnighthereturnedalone。
　　Whathisthoughtswerethatnightmaybeeasilyimagined。Cissy'sdeathhadremovedtheonlycausehehadforconcealinghisrealidentity。TherewasnothingmoretopreventhisrevealingalltoMissBoutelleandtooffertoadopttheboy。Buthereflectedthiscouldnotbedoneuntilafterthefuneral，foritwasonlyduetoCissy'smemorythatheshouldstillkeepuptheroleofDickLashamaschiefmourner。IfitseemsstrangethatBobdidnotatthiscrucialmomenttakeMissBoutelleintohisconfidence，Ifearitwasbecausehedreadedthepersonaleffectofthedeceithehadpracticeduponhermorethananyethicalconsideration；shehadsoftenedconsiderablyinherattitudetowardshimthatnight；hewashuman，afterall，andwhilehefelthisconducthadbeenunselfishinthemain，hedarednotconfesstohimselfhowmuchheropinionhadinfluencedhim。Heresolvedthatafterthefuneralhewouldcontinuehisjourney，andwritetoher，enroute，afullexplanationofhisconduct，inclosingDaddy'sletterascorroborativeevidence。Butonsearchinghisletter-casehefoundthathehadlosteventhatevidence，andhemusttrustsolelyatpresenttoherfaithinhisimprobablestory。
　　Itseemedasifhisgreatestsacrificewasdemandedatthefuneral！
　　Foritcouldnotbedisguisedthattheneighborswerestronglyprejudicedagainsthim。Eventhepreacherimprovedtheoccasiontowarnthecongregationagainstthedangersofputtingoffdutyuntiltoolate。AndwhenRobertFalloner，pale，butself-restrained，leftthechurchwithMissBoutelle，equallypaleandreserved，onhisarm，hecouldwithdifficultyrestrainhisfuryatthepassingofasignificantsmileacrossthefacesofafewcuriousbystanders。
　　"ItwasAmyBoutelle，thatwasthe'penitence'thatfetchedhim，youbet！"heoverheard，abarelyconcealedwhisper；andthereply，"Andit'sagoodthingshe'smadeoutofittoo，forhe'smightyrich！"
　　Atthechurchdoorhetookhercoldhandintohis。"Iamleavingto-morrowmorningwithJimmy，"hesaid，withawhiteface。"Good-
　　by。"
　　"Youarequiteright；good-by，"sherepliedasbriefly，butwiththefaintestcolor。Hewonderedifshehadheardittoo。
　　Whethershehadhearditornot，shewenthomewithMrs。Rickettsinsomerighteousindignation，whichfound——aftertheyounglady'shabit——freeexpression。WhateverwereMr。Lasham'sfaultsofomissionitwasmostun-Christiantoalludetothemthere，andaninsulttothepoorlittledear'smemorywhohadforgiventhem。
　　Weresheinhisshoesshewouldshakethedustofthetownoffherfeet；andshehopedhewould。ShewasalittlesoftenedonarrivingtofindJimmyintears。HehadlostDick'sphotograph——orDickhadforgottentogiveitbackatthehotel，forthiswasallhehadinhispocket。Andheproducedaletter——themissingletterofDaddy，whichbymistakeFallonerhadhandedbackinsteadofthephotograph。MissBoutellesawthesuperscriptionandCalifornianpostmarkwithavaguecuriosity。
　　"Didyoulookinside，dear？Perhapsitslippedin。"
　　Jimmyhadnot。MissBoutelledid——andIgrievetosay，endedbyreadingthewholeletter。
　　BobFallonerhadfinishedpackinghisthingsthenextmorning，andwaswaitingforMr。RickettsandJimmy。Butwhenatapcameatthedoor，heopenedittofindMissBoutellestandingthere。"IhavesentJimmyintothebedroom，"shesaidwithafaintsmile，"tolookforthephotographwhichyougavehiminmistakeforthis。Ithinkforthepresentheprefershisbrother'spicturetothisletter，whichIhavenotexplainedtohimoranyone。"Shestopped，andraisinghereyestohis，saidgently："Ithinkitwouldhaveonlybeenapartofyourgoodnesstohavetrustedme，Mr。Falloner。"
　　"Thenyouwillforgiveme？"hesaideagerly。
　　Shelookedathimfrankly，yetwithafainttraceofcoquetrythattheangelsmighthavepardoned。"DoyouwantmetosaytoyouwhatMrs。RickettssayswerethelastwordsofpoorCissy？"
　　Ayearlater，whenthedarknessandrainwerecreepingupSawyer'sLedge，andHoustonandDaddyFolsomweresittingbeforetheirbrushwoodfireintheoldLashamcabin，thelatterdeliveredhimselforacularly。
　　"It'samightyqueerthing，thatnewsaboutBob！It'snotthathe'smarried，forthatmighthappentoanyone；butthisyeraccountinthepaperofhisweddingbeingattendedbyhis'littlebrother。'Thatgetsme！Tothinkallthewhilehewasherehewaslettin'ontousthathehadn'tkithorkin！Well，sir，thataccountstomeforonething，——thesing'lerwayhetumbledtothatletterofpoorDickLasham'slittlebrotherandsenthimthatdraft！Don'tyesee？Itwasafellerfeelin'！Knewhowitwashimself！IreckonyeallthoughtIwaskindersoftreadingthatlettero'DickLasham'slittlebrothertohim，butyeseewhatitdid。"
　　THEYOUNGESTMISSPIPER
　　IdonotthinkthatanyofuswhoenjoyedtheacquaintanceofthePipergirlsorthehospitalityofJudgePiper，theirfather，evercaredfortheyoungestsister。Notonaccountofherextremeyouth，fortheeldestMissPiperconfessedtotwenty-six——andtheyouthoftheyoungestsisterwasestablishedsolely，Ithink，byonebigbraiddownherback。Neitherwasitbecauseshewastheplainest，forthebeautyofthePipergirlswasarecognizedgeneraldistinction，andtheyoungestMissPiperwasnotentirelydevoidofthefamilycharms。Norwasitfromanylackofintelligence，norfromanydefectivesocialquality；forherprecocitywasastounding，andhergood-humoredfranknessalarming。