Therewasnothingforthemtosay。Theyhadspentthelastpennyoftheirsmallchange;
　　therewasnothingleftbutgold。Thedayoflove—tokenswaspast。Theyhadnowonlytheirheartstogiveeachother。AndEmilbeinggone，whatwasherlifetobelike？Insomeways，itwouldbeeasier。Shewouldnot，atleast，liveinperpetualfear。IfEmilwereonceawayandsettledatwork，shewouldnothavethefeelingthatshewasspoilinghislife。Withthememoryhelefther，shecouldbeasrashasshechose。Nobodycouldbetheworseforitbutherself;andthat，surely，didnotmatter。
　　Herowncasewasclear。Whenagirlhadlovedoneman，andthenlovedanotherwhilethatmanwasstillalive，everybodyknewwhattothinkofher。Whathappenedtoherwasoflittlecon—
　　sequence，solongasshedidnotdragotherpeopledownwithher。Emilonceaway，shecouldleteverythingelsegoandliveanewlifeofperfectlove。
　　Marieleftthestilereluctantly。Shehad，afterall，thoughthemightcome。Andhowgladsheoughttobe，shetoldherself，thathewasasleep。Sheleftthepathandwentacrossthepasture。Themoonwasalmostfull。Anowlwashootingsomewhereinthefields。Shehadscarcelythoughtaboutwhereshewasgoingwhenthepondglitteredbeforeher，whereEmilhadshottheducks。Shestoppedandlookedatit。Yes，therewouldbeadirtywayoutoflife，ifonechosetotakeit。Butshedidnotwanttodie。Shewantedtoliveanddream——ahundredyears，forever！Aslongasthissweetnesswelledupinherheart，aslongasherbreastcouldholdthistreasureofpain！Shefeltasthepondmustfeelwhenitheldthemoonlikethat;whenitencircledandswelledwithInthemorning，whenEmilcamedown—
　　stairs，Alexandramethiminthesitting—roomandputherhandsonhisshoulders。"Emil，I
　　wenttoyourroomassoonasitwaslight，butyouweresleepingsosoundIhatedtowakeyou。Therewasnothingyoucoulddo，soI
　　letyousleep。TheytelephonedfromSainte—
　　AgnesthatAmedeediedatthreeo’clockthismorning。"
　　VI
　　TheChurchhasalwaysheldthatlifeisfortheliving。OnSaturday，whilehalfthevil—
　　lageofSainte—AgneswasmourningforAme—
　　deeandpreparingthefuneralblackforhisburialonMonday，theotherhalfwasbusywithwhitedressesandwhiteveilsforthegreatconfirmationserviceto—morrow，whenthebishopwastoconfirmaclassofonehundredboysandgirls。FatherDuchesnedividedhistimebetweenthelivingandthedead。AlldaySaturdaythechurchwasasceneofbustlingactivity，alittlehushedbythethoughtofAmedee。ThechoirwerebusyrehearsingamassofRossini，whichtheyhadstudiedandpractisedforthisoccasion。Thewomenweretrimmingthealtar，theboysandgirlswerebringingflowers。
　　OnSundaymorningthebishopwastodriveoverlandtoSainte—AgnesfromHanover，andEmilBergsonhadbeenaskedtotaketheplaceofoneofAmedee’scousinsinthecavalcadeoffortyFrenchboyswhoweretorideacrosscoun—
　　trytomeetthebishop’scarriage。Atsixo’clockonSundaymorningtheboysmetatthechurch。
　　Astheystoodholdingtheirhorsesbythebridle，theytalkedinlowtonesoftheirdeadcomrade。
　　TheykeptrepeatingthatAmedeehadalwaysbeenagoodboy，glancingtowardtheredbrickchurchwhichhadplayedsolargeapartinAmedee’slife，hadbeenthesceneofhismostseriousmomentsandofhishappiesthours。Hehadplayedandwrestledandsungandcourtedunderitsshadow。Onlythreeweeksagohehadproudlycarriedhisbabytheretobechristened。
　　TheycouldnotdoubtthatthatinvisiblearmwasstillaboutAmedee;thatthroughthechurchonearthhehadpassedtothechurchtriumph—
　　ant，thegoalofthehopesandfaithofsomanyhundredyears。
　　Whenthewordwasgiventomount，theyoungmenrodeatawalkoutofthevillage;
　　butonceoutamongthewheatfieldsinthemorningsun，theirhorsesandtheirownyouthgotthebetterofthem。Awaveofzealandfieryenthusiasmsweptoverthem。TheylongedforaJerusalemtodeliver。Thethudoftheirgal—
　　lopinghoofsinterruptedmanyacountrybreak—
　　fastandbroughtmanyawomanandchildtothedoorofthefarmhousesastheypassed。FivemileseastofSainte—Agnestheymetthebishopinhisopencarriage，attendedbytwopriests。
　　Likeonemantheboysswungofftheirhatsinabroadsalute，andbowedtheirheadsasthehandsomeoldmanliftedhistwofingersintheepiscopalblessing。Thehorsemenclosedaboutthecarriagelikeaguard，andwheneverarest—
　　lesshorsebrokefromcontrolandshotdowntheroadaheadofthebody，thebishoplaughedandrubbedhisplumphandstogether。"Whatfineboys！"hesaidtohispriests。"TheChurchstillhashercavalry。"
　　Asthetroopsweptpastthegraveyardhalfamileeastofthetown，——thefirstframechurchoftheparishhadstoodthere，——oldPierreSeguinwasalreadyoutwithhispickandspade，diggingAmedee’sgrave。Hekneltandun—
　　coveredasthebishoppassed。TheboyswithoneaccordlookedawayfromoldPierretotheredchurchonthehill，withthegoldcrossflamingonitssteeple。
　　Masswasateleven。Whilethechurchwasfilling，EmilBergsonwaitedoutside，watchingthewagonsandbuggiesdriveupthehill。Afterthebellbegantoring，hesawFrankShabatarideuponhorsebackandtiehishorsetothehitch—bar。Marie，then，wasnotcoming。Emilturnedandwentintothechurch。Amedee’swastheonlyemptypew，andhesatdowninit。
　　SomeofAmedee’scousinswerethere，dressedinblackandweeping。Whenallthepewswerefull，theoldmenandboyspackedtheopenspaceatthebackofthechurch，kneelingonthefloor。Therewasscarcelyafamilyintownthatwasnotrepresentedintheconfirmationclass，byacousin，atleast。Thenewcommunicants，withtheirclear，reverentfaces，werebeautifultolookuponastheyenteredinabodyandtookthefrontbenchesreservedforthem。EvenbeforetheMassbegan，theairwaschargedwithfeeling。ThechoirhadneversungsowellandRaoulMarcel，inthe"Gloria，"dreweventhebishop’seyestotheorganloft。FortheoffertoryhesangGounod’s"AveMaria，"——
　　alwaysspokenofinSainte—Agnesas"theAveMaria。"
　　EmilbegantotorturehimselfwithquestionsaboutMarie。Wassheill？Hadshequarreledwithherhusband？Wasshetoounhappytofindcomfortevenhere？Hadshe，perhaps，thoughtthathewouldcometoher？Wasshewaitingforhim？Overtaxedbyexcitementandsorrowashewas，theraptureoftheservicetookholduponhisbodyandmind。AshelistenedtoRaoul，heseemedtoemergefromthecon—
　　flictingemotionswhichhadbeenwhirlinghimaboutandsuckinghimunder。Hefeltasifaclearlightbrokeuponhismind，andwithitaconvictionthatgoodwas，afterall，strongerthanevil，andthatgoodwaspossibletomen。
　　Heseemedtodiscoverthattherewasakindofraptureinwhichhecouldloveforeverwith—
　　outfalteringandwithoutsin。HelookedacrosstheheadsofthepeopleatFrankShabatawithcalmness。Thatrapturewasforthosewhocouldfeelit;forpeoplewhocouldnot，itwasnon—existent。HecovetednothingthatwasFrankShabata’s。Thespirithehadmetinmusicwashisown。FrankShabatahadneverfoundit;wouldneverfinditifhelivedbesideitathousandyears;wouldhavedestroyeditifhehadfoundit，asHerodslewtheinnocents，asRomeslewthemartyrs。
　　SAN——CTAMARI—I—I—A，wailedRaoulfromtheorganloft;
　　O——RAPRONO—O—BIS！
　　AnditdidnotoccurtoEmilthatanyonehadeverreasonedthusbefore，thatmusichadeverbeforegivenamanthisequivocalrevelation。
　　TheconfirmationservicefollowedtheMass。
　　Whenitwasover，thecongregationthrongedaboutthenewlyconfirmed。Thegirls，andeventheboys，werekissedandembracedandweptover。Alltheauntsandgrandmothersweptwithjoy。Thehousewiveshadmuchadototearthemselvesawayfromthegeneralrejoicingandhurrybacktotheirkitchens。Thecountryparishionerswerestayingintownfordinner，andnearlyeveryhouseinSainte—Agnesenter—
　　tainedvisitorsthatday。FatherDuchesne，thebishop，andthevisitingpriestsdinedwithFabienSauvage，thebanker。EmilandFrankShabatawerebothguestsofoldMoiseMarcel。
　　AfterdinnerFrankandoldMoiseretiredtotherearroomofthesaloontoplayCaliforniaJackanddrinktheircognac，andEmilwentovertothebanker’swithRaoul，whohadbeenaskedtosingforthebishop。
　　Atthreeo’clock，Emilfeltthathecouldstanditnolonger。Heslippedoutundercoverof"TheHolyCity，"followedbyMalvina’swistfuleye，andwenttothestableforhismare。
　　Hewasatthatheightofexcitementfromwhicheverythingisforeshortened，fromwhichlifeseemsshortandsimple，deathverynear，andthesoulseemstosoarlikeaneagle。AsherodepastthegraveyardhelookedatthebrownholeintheearthwhereAmedeewastolie，andfeltnohorror。That，too，wasbeautiful，thatsimpledoorwayintoforgetfulness。Theheart，whenitistoomuchalive，achesforthatbrownearth，andecstasyhasnofearofdeath。Itistheoldandthepoorandthemaimedwhoshrinkfromthatbrownhole;itswooersarefoundamongtheyoung，thepassionate，thegallant—hearted。
　　ItwasnotuntilhehadpassedthegraveyardthatEmilrealizedwherehewasgoing。Itwasthehourforsayinggood—bye。Itmightbethelasttimethathewouldseeheralone，andto—
　　dayhecouldleaveherwithoutrancor，withoutbitterness。
　　Everywherethegrainstoodripeandthehotafternoonwasfullofthesmelloftheripewheat，likethesmellofbreadbakinginanoven。Thebreathofthewheatandthesweetcloverpassedhimlikepleasantthingsinadream。Hecouldfeelnothingbutthesenseofdiminishingdis—
　　tance。Itseemedtohimthathismarewasfly—
　　ing，orrunningonwheels，likearailwaytrain。
　　Thesunlight，flashingonthewindow—glassofthebigredbarns，drovehimwildwithjoy。Hewaslikeanarrowshotfromthebow。HislifepoureditselfoutalongtheroadbeforehimasherodetotheShabatafarm。
　　WhenEmilalightedattheShabatas’gate，hishorsewasinalather。Hetiedherinthestableandhurriedtothehouse。Itwasempty。
　　ShemightbeatMrs。Hiller’sorwithAlexan—
　　dra。Butanythingthatremindedhimofherwouldbeenough，theorchard，themulberrytree……Whenhereachedtheorchardthesunwashanginglowoverthewheatfield。Longfingersoflightreachedthroughtheapplebranchesasthroughanet;theorchardwasrid—
　　dledandshotwithgold;lightwasthereality，thetreesweremerelyinterferencesthatreflectedandrefractedlight。Emilwentsoftlydownbetweenthecherrytreestowardthewheatfield。
　　Whenhecametothecorner，hestoppedshortandputhishandoverhismouth。Mariewaslyingonhersideunderthewhitemulberrytree，herfacehalfhiddeninthegrass，hereyesclosed，herhandslyinglimplywheretheyhadhappenedtofall。Shehadlivedadayofhernewlifeofperfectlove，andithadleftherlikethis。
　　Herbreastroseandfellfaintly，asifshewereasleep。Emilthrewhimselfdownbesideherandtookherinhisarms。Thebloodcamebacktohercheeks，herambereyesopenedslowly，andinthemEmilsawhisownfaceandtheorchardandthesun。"Iwasdreamingthis，"shewhis—
　　pered，hidingherfaceagainsthim，"don’ttakemydreamaway！"
　　VII
　　WhenFrankShabatagothomethatnight，hefoundEmil’smareinhisstable。Suchanimpertinenceamazedhim。Likeeverybodyelse，Frankhadhadanexcitingday。Sincenoonhehadbeendrinkingtoomuch，andhewasinabadtemper。Hetalkedbitterlytohim—
　　selfwhileheputhisownhorseaway，andashewentupthepathandsawthatthehousewasdarkhefeltanaddedsenseofinjury。Heap—
　　proachedquietlyandlistenedonthedoorstep。
　　Hearingnothing，heopenedthekitchendoorandwentsoftlyfromoneroomtoanother。
　　Thenhewentthroughthehouseagain，up—
　　stairsanddown，withnobetterresult。Hesatdownonthebottomstepoftheboxstairwayandtriedtogethiswitstogether。Inthatun—
　　naturalquiettherewasnosoundbuthisownheavybreathing。Suddenlyanowlbegantohootoutinthefields。Frankliftedhishead。
　　Anideaflashedintohismind，andhissenseofinjuryandoutragegrew。Hewentintohisbedroomandtookhismurderous405Winches—
　　terfromthecloset。
　　WhenFranktookuphisgunandwalkedoutofthehouse，hehadnotthefaintestpurposeofdoinganythingwithit。Hedidnotbelievethathehadanyrealgrievance。Butitgratifiedhimtofeellikeadesperateman。Hehadgotintothehabitofseeinghimselfalwaysindesperatestraits。Hisunhappytemperamentwaslikeacage;hecouldnevergetoutofit;andhefeltthatotherpeople，hiswifeinparticular，musthaveputhimthere。IthadnevermorethandimlyoccurredtoFrankthathemadehisownunhappiness。Thoughhetookuphisgunwithdarkprojectsinhismind，hewouldhavebeenparalyzedwithfrighthadheknownthattherewastheslightestprobabilityofhisevercarry—
　　inganyofthemout。
　　Frankwentslowlydowntotheorchardgate，stoppedandstoodforamomentlostinthought。Heretracedhisstepsandlookedthroughthebarnandthehayloft。Thenhewentouttotheroad，wherehetookthefoot—
　　pathalongtheoutsideoftheorchardhedge。
　　ThehedgewastwiceastallasFrankhimself，andsodensethatonecouldseethroughitonlybypeeringcloselybetweentheleaves。Hecouldseetheemptypathalongwayinthemoonlight。Hismindtraveledaheadtothestile，whichhealwaysthoughtofashauntedbyEmilBergson。Butwhyhadhelefthishorse？
　　Atthewheatfieldcorner，wheretheorchardhedgeendedandthepathledacrossthepasturetotheBergsons’，Frankstopped。Inthewarm，breathlessnightairheheardamurmuringsound，perfectlyinarticulate，aslowasthesoundofwatercomingfromaspring，wherethereisnofall，andwheretherearenostonestofretit。Frankstrainedhisears。Itceased。Heheldhisbreathandbegantotremble。Restingthebuttofhisgunontheground，hepartedthemulberryleavessoftlywithhisfingersandpeeredthroughthehedgeatthedarkfiguresonthegrass，intheshadowofthemulberrytree。
　　Itseemedtohimthattheymustfeelhiseyes，thattheymusthearhimbreathing。Buttheydidnot。Frank，whohadalwayswantedtoseethingsblackerthantheywere，foroncewantedtobelievelessthanhesaw。ThewomanlyingintheshadowmightsoeasilybeoneoftheBergsons’farm—girls……Againthemurmur，likewaterwellingoutoftheground。Thistimehehearditmoredistinctly，andhisbloodwasquickerthanhisbrain。Hebegantoact，justasamanwhofallsintothefirebeginstoact。Thegunsprangtohisshoulder，hesightedmechani—
　　callyandfiredthreetimeswithoutstopping，stoppedwithoutknowingwhy。Eitherheshuthiseyesorhehadvertigo。Hedidnotseeany—
　　thingwhilehewasfiring。Hethoughtheheardacrysimultaneouswiththesecondreport，buthewasnotsure。Hepeeredagainthroughthehedge，atthetwodarkfiguresunderthetree。
　　Theyhadfallenalittleapartfromeachother，andwereperfectlystill——No，notquite;inawhitepatchoflight，wherethemoonshonethroughthebranches，aman’shandwaspluck—
　　ingspasmodicallyatthegrass。
　　Suddenlythewomanstirredandutteredacry，thenanother，andanother。Shewasliving！
　　Shewasdraggingherselftowardthehedge！
　　Frankdroppedhisgunandranbackalongthepath，shaking，stumbling，gasping。Hehadneverimaginedsuchhorror。Thecriesfol—
　　lowedhim。Theygrewfainterandthicker，asifshewerechoking。Hedroppedonhiskneesbesidethehedgeandcrouchedlikearabbit，listening;fainter，fainter;asoundlikeawhine;
　　again——amoan——another——silence。Frankscrambledtohisfeetandranon，groaningandpraying。Fromhabithewenttowardthehouse，wherehewasusedtobeingsoothedwhenhehadworkedhimselfintoafrenzy，butatthesightoftheblack，opendoor，hestartedback。Heknewthathehadmurderedsomebody，thatawomanwasbleedingandmoaningintheor—
　　chard，buthehadnotrealizedbeforethatitwashiswife。Thegatestaredhimintheface。
　　Hethrewhishandsoverhishead。Whichwaytoturn？Heliftedhistormentedfaceandlookedatthesky。"HolyMotherofGod，nottosuffer！Shewasagoodgirl——nottosuffer！"
　　Frankhadbeenwonttoseehimselfindra—
　　maticsituations;butnow，whenhestoodbythewindmill，inthebrightspacebetweenthebarnandthehouse，facinghisownblackdoorway，hedidnotseehimselfatall。Hestoodliketheharewhenthedogsareapproachingfromallsides。Andheranlikeahare，backandforthaboutthatmoonlitspace，beforehecouldmakeuphismindtogointothedarkstableforahorse。Thethoughtofgoingintoadoorwaywasterribletohim。HecaughtEmil’shorsebythebitandleditout。Hecouldnothavebuckledabridleonhisown。Aftertwoorthreeattempts，heliftedhimselfintothesad—
　　dleandstartedforHanover。Ifhecouldcatchtheoneo’clocktrain，hehadmoneyenoughtogetasfarasOmaha。
　　Whilehewasthinkingdullyofthisinsomelesssensitizedpartofhisbrain，hisacuterfacultiesweregoingoverandoverthecrieshehadheardintheorchard。Terrorwastheonlythingthatkepthimfromgoingbacktoher，terrorthatshemightstillbeshe，thatshemightstillbesuffering。Awoman，mutilatedandbleedinginhisorchard——itwasbecauseitwasawomanthathewassoafraid。Itwasincon—
　　ceivablethatheshouldhavehurtawoman。Hewouldratherbeeatenbywildbeaststhanseehermoveonthegroundasshehadmovedintheorchard。Whyhadshebeensocareless？
　　Sheknewhewaslikeacrazymanwhenhewasangry。Shehadmorethanoncetakenthatgunawayfromhimandheldit，whenhewasangrywithotherpeople。Onceithadgoneoffwhiletheywerestrugglingoverit。Shewasneverafraid。But，whensheknewhim，whyhadn’tshebeenmorecareful？Didn’tshehaveallsummerbeforehertoloveEmilBergsonin，withouttakingsuchchances？ProbablyshehadmettheSmirkaboy，too，downthereintheorchard。Hedidn’tcare。ShecouldhavemetallthemenontheDividethere，andwelcome，ifonlyshehadn’tbroughtthishorroronhim。
　　TherewasawrenchinFrank’smind。Hedidnothonestlybelievethatofher。Heknewthathewasdoingherwrong。Hestoppedhishorsetoadmitthistohimselfthemoredirectly，tothinkitoutthemoreclearly。Heknewthathewastoblame。Forthreeyearshehadbeentryingtobreakherspirit。Shehadawayofmakingthebestofthingsthatseemedtohimasentimentalaffectation。Hewantedhiswifetoresentthathewaswastinghisbestyearsamongthesestupidandunappreciativepeople;butshehadseemedtofindthepeoplequitegoodenough。IfheevergotrichhemeanttobuyherprettyclothesandtakehertoCaliforniainaPullmancar，andtreatherlikealady;butinthemeantimehewantedhertofeelthatlifewasasuglyandasunjustashefeltit。Hehadtriedtomakeherlifeugly。Hehadrefusedtoshareanyofthelittlepleasuresshewassopluckyaboutmakingforherself。Shecouldbegayabouttheleastthingintheworld;butshemustbegay！Whenshefirstcametohim，herfaithinhim，heradoration——Frankstruckthemarewithhisfist。WhyhadMariemadehimdothisthing;whyhadshebroughtthisuponhim？Hewasoverwhelmedbysickeningmis—
　　fortune。Allatonceheheardhercriesagain——
　　hehadforgottenforamoment。"Maria，"hesobbedaloud，"Maria！"
　　WhenFrankwashalfwaytoHanover，themotionofhishorsebroughtonaviolentattackofnausea。Afterithadpassed，herodeonagain，buthecouldthinkofnothingexcepthisphysicalweaknessandhisdesiretobecom—
　　fortedbyhiswife。Hewantedtogetintohisownbed。Hadhiswifebeenathome，hewouldhaveturnedandgonebacktohermeeklyenough。
　　VIII
　　WhenoldIvarclimbeddownfromhisloftatfouro’clockthenextmorning，hecameuponEmil’smare，jadedandlather—stained，herbridlebroken，chewingthescatteredtuftsofhayoutsidethestabledoor。Theoldmanwasthrownintoafrightatonce。Heputthemareinherstall，threwherameasureofoats，andthensetoutasfastashisbow—legscouldcarryhimonthepathtothenearestneighbor。
　　"Somethingiswrongwiththatboy。Somemisfortunehascomeuponus。Hewouldneverhaveusedherso，inhisrightsenses。Itisnothiswaytoabusehismare，"theoldmankeptmuttering，ashescuttledthroughtheshort，wetpasturegrassonhisbarefeet。
　　WhileIvarwashurryingacrossthefields，thefirstlongraysofthesunwerereachingdownbetweentheorchardboughstothosetwodew—
　　drenchedfigures。Thestoryofwhathadhap—
　　penedwaswrittenplainlyontheorchardgrass，andonthewhitemulberriesthathadfalleninthenightandwerecoveredwithdarkstain。
　　ForEmilthechapterhadbeenshort。Hewasshotintheheart，andhadrolledoveronhisbackanddied。Hisfacewasturneduptotheskyandhisbrowsweredrawninafrown，asifhehadrealizedthatsomethinghadbefallenhim。ButforMarieShabataithadnotbeensoeasy。Oneballhadtornthroughherrightlung，anotherhadshatteredthecarotidartery。Shemusthavestartedupandgonetowardthehedge，leavingatrailofblood。Thereshehadfallenandbled。Fromthatspottherewasanothertrail，heavierthanthefirst，whereshemusthavedraggedherselfbacktoEmil’sbody。
　　Oncethere，sheseemednottohavestruggledanymore。Shehadliftedherheadtoherlover’sbreast，takenhishandinbothherown，andbledquietlytodeath。Shewaslyingonherrightsideinaneasyandnaturalposition，hercheekonEmil’sshoulder。Onherfacetherewasalookofineffablecontent。Herlipswerepartedalittle;hereyeswerelightlyclosed，asifinaday—dreamoralightslumber。Aftershelaydownthere，sheseemednottohavemovedaneyelash。Thehandsheheldwascoveredwithdarkstains，whereshehadkissedit。
　　Butthestained，slipperygrass，thedarkenedmulberries，toldonlyhalfthestory。AboveMarieandEmil，twowhitebutterfliesfromFrank’salfalfa—fieldwereflutteringinandoutamongtheinterlacingshadows;divingandsoaring，nowclosetogether，nowfarapart;andinthelonggrassbythefencethelastwildrosesoftheyearopenedtheirpinkheartstodie。
　　WhenIvarreachedthepathbythehedge，hesawShabata’sriflelyingintheway。Heturnedandpeeredthroughthebranches，fallinguponhiskneesasifhislegshadbeenmowedfromunderhim。"MercifulGod！"hegroaned;
　　Alexandra，too，hadrisenearlythatmorning，becauseofheranxietyaboutEmil。ShewasinEmil’sroomupstairswhen，fromthewindow，shesawIvarcomingalongthepaththatledfromtheShabatas’。Hewasrunninglikeaspentman，totteringandlurchingfromsidetoside。Ivarneverdrank，andAlexandrathoughtatoncethatoneofhisspellshadcomeuponhim，andthathemustbeinaverybadwayindeed。Sherandownstairsandhurriedouttomeethim，tohidehisinfirmityfromtheeyesofherhousehold。Theoldmanfellintheroadatherfeetandcaughtherhand，overwhichhebowedhisshaggyhead。"Mistress，mistress，"hesobbed，"ithasfallen！Sinanddeathfortheyoungones！Godhavemercyuponus！"
　　EndofPartIV
　　PARTV
　　AlexandraI
　　Ivarwassittingatacobbler’sbenchinthebarn，mendingharnessbythelightofalanternandrepeatingtohimselfthe101stPsalm。Itwasonlyfiveo’clockofamid—Octoberday，butastormhadcomeupintheafternoon，bring—
　　ingblackclouds，acoldwindandtorrentsofrain。Theoldmanworehisbuffalo—skincoat，andoccasionallystoppedtowarmhisfingersatthelantern。Suddenlyawomanburstintotheshed，asifshehadbeenblownin，accompaniedbyashowerofrain—drops。ItwasSigna，wrappedinaman’sovercoatandwearingapairofbootsoverhershoes。IntimeoftroubleSignahadcomebacktostaywithhermistress，forshewastheonlyoneofthemaidsfromwhomAlexandrawouldacceptmuchpersonalservice。ItwasthreemonthsnowsincethenewsoftheterriblethingthathadhappenedinFrankShabata’sorchardhadfirstrunlikeafireovertheDivide。SignaandNelsewerestayingonwithAlexandrauntilwinter。
　　"Ivar，"Signaexclaimedasshewipedtherainfromherface，"doyouknowwheresheis？"
　　Theoldmanputdownhiscobbler’sknife。
　　"Who，themistress？"
　　"Yes。Shewentawayaboutthreeo’clock。I
　　happenedtolookoutofthewindowandsawhergoingacrossthefieldsinherthindressandsun—hat。Andnowthisstormhascomeon。I
　　thoughtshewasgoingtoMrs。Hiller’s，andI
　　telephonedassoonasthethunderstopped，butshehadnotbeenthere。I’mafraidsheisoutsomewhereandwillgetherdeathofcold。"
　　Ivarputonhiscapandtookupthelantern。
　　"JA，JA，wewillsee。Iwillhitchtheboy’smaretothecartandgo。"
　　Signafollowedhimacrossthewagon—shedtothehorses’stable。Shewasshiveringwithcoldandexcitement。"Wheredoyousupposeshecanbe，Ivar？"
　　Theoldmanliftedasetofsingleharnesscarefullyfromitspeg。"HowshouldIknow？"
　　"Butyouthinksheisatthegraveyard，don’tyou？"Signapersisted。"SodoI。Oh，I
　　wishshewouldbemorelikeherself！Ican’tbelieveit’sAlexandraBergsoncometothis，withnoheadaboutanything。Ihavetotellherwhentoeatandwhentogotobed。"
　　"Patience，patience，sister，"mutteredIvarashesettledthebitinthehorse’smouth。
　　"Whentheeyesofthefleshareshut，theeyesofthespiritareopen。Shewillhaveamessagefromthosewhoaregone，andthatwillbringherpeace。Untilthenwemustbearwithher。YouandIaretheonlyoneswhohaveweightwithher。Shetrustsus。"
　　"Howawfulit’sbeentheselastthreemonths。"Signaheldthelanternsothathecouldseetobucklethestraps。"Itdon’tseemrightthatwemustallbesomiserable。Whydoweallhavetobepunished？Seemstomelikegoodtimeswouldnevercomeagain。"
　　Ivarexpressedhimselfinadeepsigh，butsaidnothing。Hestoopedandtookasandburrfromhistoe。
　　"Ivar，"Signaaskedsuddenly，"willyoutellmewhyyougobarefoot？AllthetimeIlivedhereinthehouseIwantedtoaskyou。Isitforapenance，orwhat？"
　　"No，sister。Itisfortheindulgenceofthebody。FrommyyouthupIhavehadastrong，rebelliousbody，andhavebeensubjecttoeverykindoftemptation。Eveninagemytempta—
　　tionsareprolonged。Itwasnecessarytomakesomeallowances;andthefeet，asIunderstandit，arefreemembers。Thereisnodivinepro—
　　hibitionforthemintheTenCommandments。
　　Thehands，thetongue，theeyes，theheart，allthebodilydesireswearecommandedtosub—
　　due;butthefeetarefreemembers。Iindulgethemwithoutharmtoanyone，eventotramp—
　　linginfilthwhenmydesiresarelow。Theyarequicklycleanedagain。"
　　Signadidnotlaugh。ShelookedthoughtfulasshefollowedIvarouttothewagon—shedandheldtheshaftsupforhim，whilehebackedinthemareandbuckledthehold—backs。"Youhavebeenagoodfriendtothemistress，Ivar，"
　　shemurmured。
　　"Andyou，Godbewithyou，"repliedIvarasheclamberedintothecartandputthelan—
　　ternundertheoilclothlap—cover。"Nowforaducking，mygirl，"hesaidtothemare，gather—
　　ingupthereins。
　　Astheyemergedfromtheshed，astreamofwater，runningoffthethatch，struckthemareontheneck。Shetossedherheadindignantly，thenstruckoutbravelyonthesoftground，slippingbackagainandagainassheclimbedthehilltothemainroad。BetweentherainandthedarknessIvarcouldseeverylittle，soheletEmil’smarehavetherein，keepingherheadintherightdirection。Whenthegroundwaslevel，heturnedheroutofthedirtroaduponthesod，whereshewasabletotrotwithoutslipping。
　　BeforeIvarreachedthegraveyard，threemilesfromthehouse，thestormhadspentitself，andthedownpourhaddiedintoasoft，drippingrain。Theskyandthelandwereadarksmokecolor，andseemedtobecomingtogether，liketwowaves。WhenIvarstoppedatthegateandswungouthislantern，awhitefigurerosefrombesideJohnBergson’swhitestone。
　　Theoldmansprangtothegroundandshuf—
　　fledtowardthegatecalling，"Mistress，mis—
　　tress！"
　　Alexandrahurriedtomeethimandputherhandonhisshoulder。"TYST！Ivar。There’snothingtobeworriedabout。I’msorryifI’vescaredyouall。Ididn’tnoticethestormtillitwasonme，andIcouldn’twalkagainstit。I’mgladyou’vecome。IamsotiredIdidn’tknowhowI’devergethome。"
　　Ivarswungthelanternupsothatitshoneinherface。"GUD！Youareenoughtofrightenus，mistress。Youlooklikeadrownedwoman。
　　Howcouldyoudosuchathing！"
　　Groaningandmumblingheledheroutofthegateandhelpedherintothecart，wrappingherinthedryblanketsonwhichhehadbeensitting。
　　Alexandrasmiledathissolicitude。"Notmuchuseinthat，Ivar。Youwillonlyshutthewetin。Idon’tfeelsocoldnow;butI’mheavyandnumb。I’mgladyoucame。"
　　Ivarturnedthemareandurgedherintoaslidingtrot。Herfeetsentbackacontinualspatterofmud。
　　Alexandraspoketotheoldmanastheyjoggedalongthroughthesullengraytwilightofthestorm。"Ivar，Ithinkithasdonemegoodtogetcoldclearthroughlikethis，once。Idon’tbelieveIshallsuffersomuchanymore。Whenyougetsonearthedead，theyseemmorerealthantheliving。Worldlythoughtsleaveone。
　　EversinceEmildied，I’vesufferedsowhenitrained。NowthatI’vebeenoutinitwithhim，Ishan’tdreadit。Afteryouoncegetcoldclearthrough，thefeelingoftherainonyouissweet。
　　Itseemstobringbackfeelingsyouhadwhenyouwereababy。Itcarriesyoubackintothedark，beforeyouwereborn;youcan’tseethings，buttheycometoyou，somehow，andyouknowthemandaren’tafraidofthem。Maybeit’slikethatwiththedead。Iftheyfeelanythingatall，it’stheoldthings，beforetheywereborn，thatcomfortpeoplelikethefeelingoftheirownbeddoeswhentheyarelittle。"
　　"Mistress，"saidIvarreproachfully，"thosearebadthoughts。ThedeadareinParadise。"
　　Thenhehunghishead，forhedidnotbelievethatEmilwasinParadise。
　　Whentheygothome，Signahadafireburn—
　　inginthesitting—roomstove。SheundressedAlexandraandgaveherahotfootbath，whileIvarmadegingerteainthekitchen。WhenAlexandrawasinbed，wrappedinhotblankets，Ivarcameinwithhisteaandsawthatshedrankit。Signaaskedpermissiontosleepontheslatloungeoutsideherdoor。Alexandraenduredtheirattentionspatiently，butshewasgladwhentheyputoutthelampandlefther。
　　Asshelayaloneinthedark，itoccurredtoherforthefirsttimethatperhapsshewasactuallytiredoflife。Allthephysicaloperationsoflifeseemeddifficultandpainful。Shelongedtobefreefromherownbody，whichachedandwassoheavy。Andlongingitselfwasheavy：sheyearnedtobefreeofthat。
　　Asshelaywithhereyesclosed，shehadagain，morevividlythanformanyyears，theoldillu—
　　sionofhergirlhood，ofbeingliftedandcarriedlightlybysomeoneverystrong。Hewaswithheralongwhilethistime，andcarriedherveryfar，andinhisarmsshefeltfreefrompain。
　　Whenhelaidherdownonherbedagain，sheopenedhereyes，and，forthefirsttimeinherlife，shesawhim，sawhimclearly，thoughtheroomwasdark，andhisfacewascovered。Hewasstandinginthedoorwayofherroom。Hiswhitecloakwasthrownoverhisface，andhisheadwasbentalittleforward。Hisshouldersseemedasstrongasthefoundationsoftheworld。Hisrightarm，baredfromtheelbow，wasdarkandgleaming，likebronze，andsheknewatoncethatitwasthearmofthemighti—
　　estofalllovers。Sheknewatlastforwhomitwasshehadwaited，andwherehewouldcarryher。That，shetoldherself，wasverywell。
　　Thenshewenttosleep。
　　Alexandrawakenedinthemorningwithnothingworsethanahardcoldandastiffshoulder。Shekeptherbedforseveraldays，anditwasduringthattimethatsheformedaresolutiontogotoLincolntoseeFrankSha—
　　bata。Eversinceshelastsawhiminthecourt—
　　room，Frank’shaggardfaceandwildeyeshadhauntedher。Thetrialhadlastedonlythreedays。FrankhadgivenhimselfuptothepoliceinOmahaandpleadedguiltyofkill—
　　ingwithoutmaliceandwithoutpremeditation。
　　Thegunwas，ofcourse，againsthim，andthejudgehadgivenhimthefullsentence，——tenyears。HehadnowbeenintheStatePeni—
　　tentiaryforamonth。
　　Frankwastheonlyone，Alexandratoldher—
　　self，forwhomanythingcouldbedone。Hehadbeenlessinthewrongthananyofthem，andhewaspayingtheheaviestpenalty。SheoftenfeltthatsheherselfhadbeenmoretoblamethanpoorFrank。FromthetimetheShabatashadfirstmovedtotheneighboringfarm，shehadomittednoopportunityofthrowingMarieandEmiltogether。BecausesheknewFrankwassurlyaboutdoinglittlethingstohelphiswife，shewasalwayssendingEmilovertospadeorplantorcarpenterforMarie。ShewasgladtohaveEmilseeasmuchaspossibleofanintelli—
　　gent，city—bredgirlliketheirneighbor;sheno—
　　ticedthatitimprovedhismanners。SheknewthatEmilwasfondofMarie，butithadneveroccurredtoherthatEmil’sfeelingmightbedif—
　　ferentfromherown。Shewonderedatherselfnow，butshehadneverthoughtofdangerinthatdirection。IfMariehadbeenunmarried，——oh，yes！Thenshewouldhavekepthereyesopen。ButthemerefactthatshewasSha—
　　bata’swife，forAlexandra，settledeverything。
　　Thatshewasbeautiful，impulsive，barelytwoyearsolderthanEmil，thesefactshadhadnoweightwithAlexandra。Emilwasagoodboy，andonlybadboysranaftermarriedwomen。
　　Now，AlexandracouldinameasurerealizethatMariewas，afterall，Marie;notmerelya"marriedwoman。"Sometimes，whenAlex—
　　andrathoughtofher，itwaswithanachingtenderness。Themomentshehadreachedthemintheorchardthatmorning，everythingwascleartoher。Therewassomethingaboutthosetwolyinginthegrass，somethinginthewayMariehadsettledhercheekonEmil’sshoulder，thattoldhereverything。Shewonderedthenhowtheycouldhavehelpedlovingeachother;
　　howshecouldhavehelpedknowingthattheymust。Emil’scold，frowningface，thegirl’scontent——Alexandrahadfeltaweofthem，eveninthefirstshockofhergrief。
　　Theidlenessofthosedaysinbed，therelax—
　　ationofbodywhichattendedthem，enabledAlexandratothinkmorecalmlythanshehaddonesinceEmil’sdeath。SheandFrank，shetoldherself，wereleftoutofthatgroupoffriendswhohadbeenoverwhelmedbydisaster。
　　ShemustcertainlyseeFrankShabata。Eveninthecourtroomherhearthadgrievedforhim。
　　Hewasinastrangecountry，hehadnokins—
　　menorfriends，andinamomenthehadruinedhislife。Beingwhathewas，shefelt，Frankcouldnothaveactedotherwise。ShecouldunderstandhisbehaviormoreeasilythanshecouldunderstandMarie’s。Yes，shemustgotoLincolntoseeFrankShabata。
　　ThedayafterEmil’sfuneral，AlexandrahadwrittentoCarlLinstrum;asinglepageofnote—
　　paper，abarestatementofwhathadhappened。
　　Shewasnotawomanwhocouldwritemuchaboutsuchathing，andaboutherownfeelingsshecouldneverwriteveryfreely。SheknewthatCarlwasawayfrompost—offices，prospect—
　　ingsomewhereintheinterior。Beforehestartedhehadwrittenherwhereheexpectedtogo，butherideasaboutAlaskawerevague。Astheweekswentbyandsheheardnothingfromhim，itseemedtoAlexandrathatherheartgrewhardagainstCarl。Shebegantowonderwhethershewouldnotdobettertofinishherlifealone。
　　Whatwasleftoflifeseemedunimportant。
　　II
　　LateintheafternoonofabrilliantOctoberday，AlexandraBergson，dressedinablacksuitandtraveling—hat，alightedattheBurlingtondepotinLincoln。ShedrovetotheLindellHotel，whereshehadstayedtwoyearsagowhenshecameupforEmil’sCommencement。
　　Inspiteofherusualairofsurenessandself—
　　possession，Alexandrafeltillateaseinhotels，andshewasglad，whenshewenttotheclerk’sdesktoregister，thattherewerenotmanypeopleinthelobby。Shehadhersupperearly，wearingherhatandblackjacketdowntothedining—roomandcarryingherhandbag。Aftersuppershewentoutforawalk。
　　Itwasgrowingdarkwhenshereachedtheuniversitycampus。Shedidnotgointothegrounds，butwalkedslowlyupanddownthestonewalkoutsidethelongironfence，lookingthroughattheyoungmenwhowererunningfromonebuildingtoanother，atthelightsshin—
　　ingfromthearmoryandthelibrary。Asquadofcadetsweregoingthroughtheirdrillbehindthearmory，andthecommandsoftheiryoungofficerrangoutatregularintervals，sosharpandquickthatAlexandracouldnotunderstandthem。Twostalwartgirlscamedownthelibrarystepsandoutthroughoneoftheirongates。Astheypassedher，AlexandrawaspleasedtohearthemspeakingBohemiantoeachother。Everyfewmomentsaboywouldcomerunningdowntheflaggedwalkanddashoutintothestreetasifhewererushingtoannouncesomewondertotheworld。Alexandrafeltagreattendernessforthemall。Shewishedoneofthemwouldstopandspeaktoher。ShewishedshecouldaskthemwhethertheyhadknownEmil。
　　Asshelingeredbythesouthgatesheactuallydidencounteroneoftheboys。Hehadonhisdrillcapandwasswinginghisbooksattheendofalongstrap。Itwasdarkbythistime;
　　hedidnotseeherandranagainsther。Hesnatchedoffhiscapandstoodbareheadedandpanting。"I’mawfullysorry，"hesaidinabright，clearvoice，witharisinginflection，asifheexpectedhertosaysomething。
　　"Oh，itwasmyfault！"saidAlexandraeagerly。
　　"Areyouanoldstudenthere，mayIask？"
　　"No，ma’am。I’maFreshie，justoffthefarm。CherryCounty。Wereyouhuntingsomebody？"
　　"No，thankyou。Thatis——"Alexandrawantedtodetainhim。"Thatis，Iwouldliketofindsomeofmybrother’sfriends。Hegradu—
　　atedtwoyearsago。"
　　"Thenyou’dhavetotrytheSeniors，wouldn’tyou？Let’ssee;Idon’tknowanyofthemyet，butthere’llbesuretobesomeofthemaroundthelibrary。Thatredbuilding，rightthere，"hepointed。
　　"Thankyou，I’lltrythere，"saidAlexandralingeringly。
　　"Oh，that’sallright！Good—night。"TheladclappedhiscaponhisheadandranstraightdownEleventhStreet。Alexandralookedafterhimwistfully。
　　Shewalkedbacktoherhotelunreasonablycomforted。"Whatanicevoicethatboyhad，andhowpolitehewas。IknowEmilwasalwayslikethattowomen。"Andagain，aftershehadundressedandwasstandinginhernightgown，brushingherlong，heavyhairbytheelectriclight，sherememberedhimandsaidtoherself，"Idon’tthinkIeverheardanicervoicethanthatboyhad。Ihopehewillgetonwellhere。
　　CherryCounty;that’swherethehayissofine，andthecoyotescanscratchdowntowater。"
　　Atnineo’clockthenextmorningAlexandrapresentedherselfatthewarden’sofficeintheStatePenitentiary。ThewardenwasaGer—
　　man，aruddy，cheerful—lookingmanwhohadformerlybeenaharness—maker。AlexandrahadalettertohimfromtheGermanbankerinHanover。Asheglancedattheletter，Mr。
　　Schwartzputawayhispipe。
　　"ThatbigBohemian，isit？Sure，he’sgettin’alongfine，"saidMr。Schwartzcheer—
　　fully。
　　"Iamgladtohearthat。Iwasafraidhemightbequarrelsomeandgethimselfintomoretrouble。Mr。Schwartz，ifyouhavetime，I
　　wouldliketotellyoualittleaboutFrankShabata，andwhyIaminterestedinhim。"
　　ThewardenlistenedgeniallywhileshetoldhimbrieflysomethingofFrank’shistoryandcharacter，buthedidnotseemtofindanythingunusualinheraccount。
　　"Sure，I’llkeepaneyeonhim。We’lltakecareofhimallright，"hesaid，rising。"Youcantalktohimhere，whileIgotoseetothingsinthekitchen。I’llhavehimsentin。Heoughttobedonewashingouthiscellbythistime。Wehavetokeep’emclean，youknow。"
　　Thewardenpausedatthedoor，speakingbackoverhisshouldertoapaleyoungmaninconvicts’clotheswhowasseatedatadeskinthecorner，writinginabigledger。
　　"Bertie，when1037isbroughtin，youjuststepoutandgivethisladyachancetotalk。"
　　Theyoungmanbowedhisheadandbentoverhisledgeragain。
　　WhenMr。Schwartzdisappeared，Alexandrathrustherblack—edgedhandkerchiefnervouslyintoherhandbag。Comingoutonthestreet—
　　carshehadnothadtheleastdreadofmeetingFrank。Butsinceshehadbeenherethesoundsandsmellsinthecorridor，thelookofthemeninconvicts’clotheswhopassedtheglassdoorofthewarden’soffice，affectedherunpleasantly。
　　Thewarden’sclockticked，theyoungcon—
　　vict’spenscratchedbusilyinthebigbook，andhissharpshoulderswereshakeneveryfewsecondsbyaloosecoughwhichhetriedtosmother。Itwaseasytoseethathewasasickman。Alexandralookedathimtimidly，buthedidnotonceraisehiseyes。Heworeawhiteshirtunderhisstripedjacket，ahighcollar，andanecktie，verycarefullytied。Hishandswerethinandwhiteandwellcaredfor，andhehadasealringonhislittlefinger。Whenheheardstepsapproachinginthecorridor，herose，blottedhisbook，puthispenintherack，andlefttheroomwithoutraisinghiseyes。Throughthedoorheopenedaguardcamein，bringingFrankShabata。
　　"Youtheladythatwantedtotalkto1037？
　　Hereheis。Beonyourgoodbehavior，now。Hecansetdown，lady，"seeingthatAlexandraremainedstanding。"Pushthatwhitebuttonwhenyou’rethroughwithhim，andI’llcome。"
　　TheguardwentoutandAlexandraandFrankwereleftalone。
　　Alexandratriednottoseehishideousclothes。Shetriedtolookstraightintohisface，whichshecouldscarcelybelievewashis。Itwasalreadybleachedtoachalkygray。Hislipswerecolorless，hisfineteethlookedyellowish。
　　HeglancedatAlexandrasullenly，blinkedasifhehadcomefromadarkplace，andoneeye—
　　browtwitchedcontinually。Shefeltatoncethatthisinterviewwasaterribleordealtohim。
　　Hisshavedhead，showingtheconformationofhisskull，gavehimacriminallookwhichhehadnothadduringthetrial。
　　Alexandraheldoutherhand。"Frank，"shesaid，hereyesfillingsuddenly，"Ihopeyou’llletmebefriendlywithyou。Iunderstandhowyoudidit。Idon’tfeelhardtowardyou。Theyweremoretoblamethanyou。"
　　Frankjerkedadirtybluehandkerchieffromhistrouserspocket。Hehadbeguntocry。HeturnedawayfromAlexandra。"Ineverdidmeantodonot’ingtodatwoman，"hemut—
　　tered。"Inevermeantodonot’ingtodatboy。
　　Iain’thadnot’ingag’in’datboy。Ialwayslikedatboyfine。An’thenIfindhim——"Hestopped。Thefeelingwentoutofhisfaceandeyes。Hedroppedintoachairandsatlookingstolidlyatthefloor，hishandshanginglooselybetweenhisknees，thehandkerchieflyingacrosshisstripedleg。Heseemedtohavestirredupinhismindadisgustthathadpara—
　　lyzedhisfaculties。
　　"Ihaven’tcomeupheretoblameyou，Frank。Ithinktheyweremoretoblamethanyou。"Alexandra，too，feltbenumbed。
　　Franklookedupsuddenlyandstaredoutoftheofficewindow。"IguessdatplaceallgotohellwhatIworksohardon，"hesaidwithaslow，bittersmile。"Inotcareadamn。"Hestoppedandrubbedthepalmofhishandoverthelightbristlesonhisheadwithannoyance。
　　"Inocant’inkwithoutmyhair，"hecom—
　　plained。"IforgetEnglish。Wenottalkhere，exceptswear。"
　　Alexandrawasbewildered。Frankseemedtohaveundergoneachangeofpersonality。TherewasscarcelyanythingbywhichshecouldrecognizeherhandsomeBohemianneighbor。
　　Heseemed，somehow，notaltogetherhuman。
　　Shedidnotknowwhattosaytohim。
　　"Youdonotfeelhardtome，Frank？"sheaskedatlast。
　　Frankclenchedhisfistandbrokeoutinexcitement。"Inotfeelhardatnowoman。I
　　tellyouInotthatkind—aman。Ineverhitmywife。No，neverIhurtherwhenshedevilmesomethingawful！"Hestruckhisfistdownonthewarden’sdesksohardthatheafterwardstrokeditabsently。Apalepinkcreptoverhisneckandface。"Two，t’reeyearsIknowdatwomandon’carenomore’boutme，Alex—
　　andraBergson。Iknowsheaftersomeotherman。Iknowher，oo—oo！An’Iain’tneverhurther。Ineverwould—adonedat，ifIain’thaddatgunalong。Idon’knowwhatinhellmakemetakedatgun。ShealwayssayIain’tnomantocarrygun。Ifshebeenindathouse，wheresheought—abeen——Butdasafoolishtalk。"
　　Frankrubbedhisheadandstoppedsuddenly，ashehadstoppedbefore。Alexandrafeltthattherewassomethingstrangeinthewayhechilledoff，asifsomethingcameupinhimthatextinguishedhispoweroffeelingorthinking。
　　"Yes，Frank，"shesaidkindly。"IknowyounevermeanttohurtMarie。"
　　Franksmiledatherqueerly。Hiseyesfilledslowlywithtears。"Youknow，Imostforgitdatwoman’sname。Sheain’tgotnonameformenomore。Ineverhatemywife，butdatwomanwhatmakemedodat——HonesttoGod，butIhateher！Inomantofight。Idon’
　　wanttokillnoboyandnowoman。Inotcarehowmanymenshetakeunderdattree。Inocarefornot’ingbutdatfineboyIkill，Alexan—
　　draBergson。IguessIgocrazysure’nough。"
　　AlexandrarememberedthelittleyellowcaneshehadfoundinFrank’sclothes—closet。Shethoughtofhowhehadcometothiscountryagayyoungfellow，soattractivethatthepretti—
　　estBohemiangirlinOmahahadrunawaywithhim。Itseemedunreasonablethatlifeshouldhavelandedhiminsuchaplaceasthis。SheblamedMariebitterly。Andwhy，withherhappy，affectionatenature，shouldshehavebroughtdestructionandsorrowtoallwhohadlovedher，eventopooroldJoeTovesky，theunclewhousedtocarryheraboutsoproudlywhenshewasalittlegirl？Thatwasthestrangestthingofall。Wasthere，then，some—
　　thingwronginbeingwarm—heartedandimpul—
　　sivelikethat？Alexandrahatedtothinkso。
　　ButtherewasEmil，intheNorwegiangrave—
　　yardathome，andherewasFrankShabata。
　　Alexandraroseandtookhimbythehand。
　　"FrankShabata，IamnevergoingtostoptryinguntilIgetyoupardoned。I’llnevergivetheGovernoranypeace。IknowIcangetyououtofthisplace。"
　　Franklookedatherdistrustfully，buthegatheredconfidencefromherface。"Alexan—
　　dra，"hesaidearnestly，"ifIgitout—ahere，I
　　nottroublediscountrynomore。IgobackwhereIcomefrom;seemymother。"
　　Alexandratriedtowithdrawherhand，butFrankheldontoitnervously。Heputouthisfingerandabsentlytouchedabuttononherblackjacket。"Alexandra，"hesaidinalowtone，lookingsteadilyatthebutton，"youain’
　　t’inkIusedatgirlawfulbadbefore——"
　　"No，Frank。Wewon’ttalkaboutthat，"
　　Alexandrasaid，pressinghishand。"Ican’thelpEmilnow，soI’mgoingtodowhatIcanforyou。YouknowIdon’tgoawayfromhomeoften，andIcameuphereonpurposetotellyouthis。"
　　Thewardenattheglassdoorlookedinin—
　　quiringly。Alexandranodded，andhecameinandtouchedthewhitebuttononhisdesk。Theguardappeared，andwithasinkingheartAlexandrasawFrankledawaydownthecor—
　　ridor。AfterafewwordswithMr。Schwartz，shelefttheprisonandmadeherwaytothestreet—car。Shehadrefusedwithhorrorthewarden’scordialinvitationto"gothroughtheinstitution。"Asthecarlurchedoveritsun—
　　evenroadbed，backtowardLincoln，AlexandrathoughtofhowsheandFrankhadbeenwreckedbythesamestormandofhow，al—
　　thoughshecouldcomeoutintothesunlight，shehadnotmuchmoreleftinherlifethanhe。
　　Sherememberedsomelinesfromapoemshehadlikedinherschooldays：——
　　HenceforththeworldwillonlybeAwiderprison—housetome，——
　　andsighed。Adisgustoflifeweigheduponherheart;somesuchfeelingashadtwicefrozenFrankShabata’sfeatureswhiletheytalkedtogether。ShewishedshewerebackontheDivide。
　　WhenAlexandraenteredherhotel，theclerkhelduponefingerandbeckonedtoher。Assheapproachedhisdesk，hehandedheratelegram。
　　Alexandratooktheyellowenvelopeandlookedatitinperplexity，thensteppedintotheele—
　　vatorwithoutopeningit。Asshewalkeddownthecorridortowardherroom，shereflectedthatshewas，inamanner，immunefromeviltid—
　　ings。Onreachingherroomshelockedthedoor，andsittingdownonachairbythedresser，openedthetelegram。ItwasfromHanover，anditread：——
　　ArrivedHanoverlastnight。Shallwaithereuntilyoucome。Pleasehurry。
　　CARLLINSTRUM。
　　Alexandraputherheaddownonthedresserandburstintotears。
　　III
　　ThenextafternoonCarlandAlexandrawerewalkingacrossthefieldsfromMrs。
　　Hiller’s。AlexandrahadleftLincolnaftermid—
　　night，andCarlhadmetherattheHanoverstationearlyinthemorning。Aftertheyreachedhome，AlexandrahadgoneovertoMrs。Hiller’stoleavealittlepresentshehadboughtforherinthecity。Theystayedattheoldlady’sdoorbutamoment，andthencameouttospendtherestoftheafternooninthesunnyfields。
　　Alexandrahadtakenoffherblacktraveling—
　　suitandputonawhitedress;partlybecauseshesawthatherblackclothesmadeCarlun—
　　comfortableandpartlybecauseshefeltop—
　　pressedbythemherself。Theyseemedalittleliketheprisonwhereshehadwornthemyester—
　　day，andtobeoutofplaceintheopenfields。
　　Carlhadchangedverylittle。Hischeekswerebrownerandfuller。Helookedlesslikeatiredscholarthanwhenhewentawayayearago，butnoone，evennow，wouldhavetakenhimforamanofbusiness。Hissoft，lustrousblackeyes，hiswhimsicalsmile，wouldbelessagainsthimintheKlondikethanontheDivide。Therearealwaysdreamersonthefrontier。
　　CarlandAlexandrahadbeentalkingsincemorning。Herletterhadneverreachedhim。
　　HehadfirstlearnedofhermisfortunefromaSanFranciscopaper，fourweeksold，whichhehadpickedupinasaloon，andwhichcon—
　　tainedabriefaccountofFrankShabata’strial。
　　Whenheputdownthepaper，hehadalreadymadeuphismindthathecouldreachAlexandraasquicklyasalettercould;andeversincehehadbeenontheway;dayandnight，bythefastestboatsandtrainshecouldcatch。Hissteamerhadbeenheldbacktwodaysbyroughweather。
　　AstheycameoutofMrs。Hiller’sgardentheytookuptheirtalkagainwheretheyhadleftit。
　　"Butcouldyoucomeawaylikethat，Carl，withoutarrangingthings？Couldyoujustwalkoffandleaveyourbusiness？"Alexandraasked。
　　Carllaughed。"PrudentAlexandra！Yousee，mydear，Ihappentohaveanhonestpartner。
　　Itrusthimwitheverything。Infact，it’sbeenhisenterprisefromthebeginning，youknow。
　　I’minitonlybecausehetookmein。I’llhavetogobackinthespring。Perhapsyouwillwanttogowithmethen。Wehaven’tturnedupmillionsyet，butwe’vegotastartthat’sworthfollowing。ButthiswinterI’dliketospendwithyou。Youwon’tfeelthatweoughttowaitlonger，onEmil’saccount，willyou，Alexandra？"
　　Alexandrashookherhead。"No，Carl;I
　　don’tfeelthatwayaboutit。Andsurelyyouneedn’tmindanythingLouandOscarsaynow。TheyaremuchangrierwithmeaboutEmil，now，thanaboutyou。Theysayitwasallmyfault。ThatIruinedhimbysendinghimtocollege。"
　　"No，Idon’tcareabuttonforLouorOscar。ThemomentIknewyouwereintrou—
　　ble，themomentIthoughtyoumightneedme，italllookeddifferent。You’vealwaysbeenatriumphantkindofperson。"Carlhesitated，lookingsidewiseatherstrong，fullfigure。"Butyoudoneedmenow，Alex—
　　andra？"
　　Sheputherhandonhisarm。"Ineededyouterriblywhenithappened，Carl。Icriedforyouatnight。Theneverythingseemedtogethardinsideofme，andIthoughtperhapsIshouldnevercareforyouagain。ButwhenIgotyourtelegramyesterday，then——thenitwasjustasitusedtobe。YouareallIhaveintheworld，youknow。"
　　Carlpressedherhandinsilence。TheywerepassingtheShabatas’emptyhousenow，buttheyavoidedtheorchardpathandtookonethatledoverbythepasturepond。
　　"Canyouunderstandit，Carl？"Alexandramurmured。"IhavehadnobodybutIvarandSignatotalkto。Dotalktome。Canyouun—
　　derstandit？CouldyouhavebelievedthatofMarieTovesky？Iwouldhavebeencuttopieces，littlebylittle，beforeIwouldhavebetrayedhertrustinme！"
　　Carllookedattheshiningspotofwaterbeforethem。"Maybeshewascuttopieces，too，Alexandra。Iamsureshetriedhard;theybothdid。ThatwaswhyEmilwenttoMexico，ofcourse。Andhewasgoingawayagain，youtellme，thoughhehadonlybeenhomethreeweeks。YourememberthatSundaywhenI
　　wentwithEmiluptotheFrenchChurchfair？
　　Ithoughtthatdaytherewassomekindoffeel—
　　ing，somethingunusual，betweenthem。I
　　meanttotalktoyouaboutit。ButonmywaybackImetLouandOscarandgotsoangrythatIforgoteverythingelse。Youmustn’tbehardonthem，Alexandra。Sitdownherebythepondaminute。Iwanttotellyousomething。"
　　Theysatdownonthegrass—tuftedbankandCarltoldherhowhehadseenEmilandMarieoutbythepondthatmorning，morethanayearago，andhowyoungandcharmingandfullofgracetheyhadseemedtohim。"Ithap—
　　penslikethatintheworldsometimes，Alexan—
　　dra，"headdedearnestly。"I’veseenitbefore。
　　Therearewomenwhospreadruinaroundthemthroughnofaultoftheirs，justbybeingtoobeautiful，toofulloflifeandlove。Theycan’thelpit。Peoplecometothemaspeoplegotoawarmfireinwinter。Iusedtofeelthatinherwhenshewasalittlegirl。Doyouremem—
　　berhowalltheBohemianscrowdedroundherinthestorethatday，whenshegaveEmilhercandy？Yourememberthoseyellowsparksinhereyes？"
　　Alexandrasighed。"Yes。Peoplecouldn’thelplovingher。PoorFrankdoes，evennow，I
　　think;thoughhe’sgothimselfinsuchatanglethatforalongtimehislovehasbeenbittererthanhishate。Butifyousawtherewasany—
　　thingwrong，yououghttohavetoldme，Carl。"
　　Carltookherhandandsmiledpatiently。
　　"Mydear，itwassomethingonefeltintheair，asyoufeelthespringcoming，orastorminsummer。Ididn’tSEEanything。Simply，whenIwaswiththosetwoyoungthings，Ifeltmybloodgoquicker，Ifelt——howshallIsayit？——
　　anaccelerationoflife。AfterIgotaway，itwasalltoodelicate，toointangible，towriteabout。"
　　Alexandralookedathimmournfully。"I
　　trytobemoreliberalaboutsuchthingsthanIusedtobe。Itrytorealizethatwearenotallmadealike。Only，whycouldn’tithavebeenRaoulMarcel，orJanSmirka？Whydidithavetobemyboy？"
　　"Becausehewasthebesttherewas，Isup—
　　pose。Theywereboththebestyouhadhere。"
　　Thesunwasdroppinglowinthewestwhenthetwofriendsroseandtookthepathagain。
　　Thestraw—stackswerethrowinglongshadows，theowlswereflyinghometotheprairie—dogtown。Whentheycametothecornerwherethepasturesjoined，Alexandra’stwelveyoungcoltsweregallopinginadroveoverthebrowofthehill。
　　"Carl，"saidAlexandra，"Ishouldliketogouptherewithyouinthespring。Ihaven’tbeenonthewatersincewecrossedtheocean，whenIwasalittlegirl。AfterwefirstcameouthereIusedtodreamsometimesabouttheship—
　　yardwherefatherworked，andalittlesortofinlet，fullofmasts。"Alexandrapaused。Afteramoment’sthoughtshesaid，"Butyouwouldneveraskmetogoawayforgood，wouldyou？"
　　"Ofcoursenot，mydearest。IthinkIknowhowyoufeelaboutthiscountryaswellasyoudoyourself。"Carltookherhandinbothhisownandpressedittenderly。
　　"Yes，Istillfeelthatway，thoughEmilisgone。WhenIwasonthetrainthismorning，andwegotnearHanover，IfeltsomethinglikeIdidwhenIdrovebackwithEmilfromtheriverthattime，inthedryyear。Iwasgladtocomebacktoit。I’velivedherealongtime。
　　Thereisgreatpeacehere，Carl，andfreedom……IthoughtwhenIcameoutofthatprison，wherepoorFrankis，thatIshouldneverfeelfreeagain。ButIdo，here。"Alexandratookadeepbreathandlookedoffintotheredwest。
　　"Youbelongtotheland，"Carlmurmured，"asyouhavealwayssaid。Nowmorethanever。"
　　"Yes，nowmorethanever。Yourememberwhatyouoncesaidaboutthegraveyard，andtheoldstorywritingitselfover？Onlyitiswewhowriteit，withthebestwehave。"
　　Theypausedonthelastridgeofthepasture，overlookingthehouseandthewindmillandthestablesthatmarkedthesiteofJohnBergson’shomestead。Oneverysidethebrownwavesoftheearthrolledawaytomeetthesky。
　　"LouandOscarcan’tseethosethings，"saidAlexandrasuddenly。"SupposeIdowillmylandtotheirchildren，whatdifferencewillthatmake？Thelandbelongstothefuture，Carl;
　　that’sthewayitseemstome。Howmanyofthenamesonthecountyclerk’splatwillbethereinfiftyyears？Imightaswelltrytowillthesunsetovertheretomybrother’schildren。Wecomeandgo，butthelandisalwayshere。Andthepeoplewholoveitandunderstanditarethepeoplewhoownit——foralittlewhile。"
　　Carllookedatherwonderingly。Shewasstillgazingintothewest，andinherfacetherewasthatexaltedserenitythatsometimescametoheratmomentsofdeepfeeling。Thelevelraysofthesinkingsunshoneinhercleareyes。
　　"Whyareyouthinkingofsuchthingsnow，Alexandra？"
　　"IhadadreambeforeIwenttoLincoln——
　　ButIwilltellyouaboutthatafterward，afterwearemarried。Itwillnevercometrue，now，inthewayIthoughtitmight。"ShetookCarl’sarmandtheywalkedtowardthegate。"Howmanytimeswehavewalkedthispathtogether，Carl。Howmanytimeswewillwalkitagain！
　　Doesitseemtoyoulikecomingbacktoyourownplace？Doyoufeelatpeacewiththeworldhere？Ithinkweshallbeveryhappy。Ihaven’tanyfears。Ithinkwhenfriendsmarry，theyaresafe。Wedon’tsufferlike——thoseyoungones。"
　　Alexandraendedwithasigh。
　　Theyhadreachedthegate。BeforeCarlopenedit，hedrewAlexandratohimandkissedhersoftly，onherlipsandonhereyes。
　　Sheleanedheavilyonhisshoulder。"Iamtired，"shemurmured。"Ihavebeenverylonely，Carl。"
　　Theywentintothehousetogether，leavingtheDividebehindthem，undertheeveningstar。Fortunatecountry，thatisonedaytoreceiveheartslikeAlexandra’sintoitsbosom，togivethemoutagainintheyellowwheat，intherustlingcorn，intheshiningeyesofyouth！