Yettherewereleadendays，whenhalftheprospectseemedtobeseenthroughpalisadesofrain;whentheslightinclinebetweentheterracesbecameatumultuouscascade，andthesuresthoofsslippedontrailsofunctuousmud;whencattlewereboggedafewyardsfromthehighway，andthecrossingoftheturnpikeroadwasadangerousford。Thereweredaysofgaleandtempest，whentheshriveledstalksofgiantoatswerestrickenliketrees，andlayacrosseachotherinrigidangles，andaroarasoftheseacameupfromthewrithingtreetopsinthesunkenvalley。Therewerelongwearynightsofsteadydownpour，hammeringontheredtilesofthecasa，anddrummingontheshinglesofthenewveranda，whichwasmoreterribletobeborne。Alone，butfortheservants，andanoccasionalstorm—stayedtenantfromFairPlains，Clarencemighthave，atsuchtimes，questionedtheeffectofthisseclusionuponhisimpassionednature。ButhehadalreadybeenaccustomedtomonasticseclusioninhisboyishlifeatElRefugio，andhedidnotreflectthat，forthatveryreason，itsindulgencesmighthavebeendangerous。FromtimetotimelettersreachedhimfromtheouterworldofSanFrancisco，——afewpleasantlinesfromMrs。Peyton，inanswertohisownchronicleofhishalfstewardship，givingthenewsofthefamily，andbrieflyrecountingtheirmovements。ShewasafraidthatSusy’ssensitivenaturechafedundertherestrictionofmourninginthegaycity，butshetrustedtobringherbackforachangetoRobleswhentherainswereover。Thiswasapoorsubstituteforthosebrief，happyglimpsesofthehomecirclewhichhadsocharmedhim，butheaccepteditstoically。Hewanderedovertheoldhouse，fromwhichtheperfumeofdomesticityseemedtohaveevaporated，yet，notwithstandingMrs。Peyton’splayfulpermission，heneverintrudeduponthesanctityoftheboudoir，andkeptitjealouslylocked。
　　HewassittinginPeyton’sbusinessroomonemorning，whenIncarnacionentered。ClarencehadtakenafancytothisIndian，halfsteward，halfvacquero，whohadreciprocateditwithacertaindog—likefidelity，butalsoafelineindirectnessthatwaspartofhisnature。HehadbeenearlyprepossessedwithClarencethroughakinsmanatElRefugio，wheretheyoungAmerican’sgenerosityhadleftaromanticrecordamongthecommonpeople。Hehadbeenpleasedtoapproveofhisfolliesbeforetheknowledgeofhisprofitlessandlordlylandpurchasehadcommendeditselftohimascorroborativetestimony。"Oftruehidalgoblood，markyou，"hehadsaidoracularly。"Whereforewashisfathersacrificedbymongrels！Astotheothers，believeme，——bah！"
　　Hestoodthere，sombreroinhand，murkyandconfidential，steamingthroughhissoakedserapeandexhalingablendedodorofequineperspirationandcigarettesmoke。
　　"Itwas，perhaps，asthemasterhadnoticed，abrigand’sownday！
　　Bullying，treacherous，andwicked！Itblewyouoffyourhorseifyousomuchasliftedyourarmsandletthewindgetinsideyourserape;andasforthemud，——caramba！infiftyvarasyourforelegswerelikebears，andyourhoofswereearthenplasters！"
　　ClarenceknewthatIncarnacionhadnotsoughthimwithmeremeteorologicalinformation，andpatientlyawaitedfurtherdevelopments。Thevacquerowenton：——
　　"Butoneofthethingsthisbeastofaweatherdidwastowashdownthestalksofthegrain，andtoclearoutthetroughandhollowsbetween，andtomakelevelthefields，and——lookyou！touncoverthestonesandrubbishandwhateverthesummerdusthadburied。Indeed，itwasevenasamiraclethatJoseMendezoneday，afterthefirstshowers，cameuponasilverbuttonfromhiscalzas，whichhehadlostintheearlysummer。Anditwasonlythatmorningthat，rememberinghowmuchandwithwhatfireDonClarenciohadsoughtthemissingbootfromthefootoftheSenorPeytonwhenhisbodywasfound，he，Incarnacion，hadthoughthewouldlookforitonthefaldaofthesecondterrace。Andbehold，MotherofGoditwasthere！Soakedwithmudandrain，butthesameaswhenthesenorwasalive。Totheveryspur！"
　　HedrewthebootfrombeneathhisserapeandlaiditbeforeClarence。Theyoungmaninstantlyrecognizedit，inspiteofitsweather—beatenconditionanditsairofgrotesqueanddrunkeninconsistencytotheusuallytrimandcorrectappearanceofPeytonwhenalive。"Itisthesame，"hesaid，inalowvoice。
　　"Good！"saidIncarnacion。"Now，ifDonClarenciowillexaminetheAmericanspur，hewillsee——what？Afewhorse—hairstwistedandcaughtinthesharppointsoftherowel。Good！IsitthehairofthehorsethatSenorrode？Clearlynot;andintruthnot。Itistoolongfortheflanksandbellyofthehorse;itisnotthesamecolorasthetailandthemane。Howcomesitthere？Itcomesfromthetwistedhorsehairropeofariata，andnotfromthebraidedcowhidethongsoftheregularlassoofavacquero。Thelassoslipsnotmuch，butholds;theriataslipsmuchandstrangles。"
　　"ButMr。Peytonwasnotstrangled，"saidClarencequickly。
　　"No，forthenooseoftheriatawasperhapslarge，——whoknows？Itmighthaveslippeddownhisarms，pinionedhim，andpulledhimoff。
　　Truly！——suchhasbeenknownbefore。Thenonthegrounditslippedagain，orheperhapsworkeditofftohisfeetwhereitcaughtonhisspur，andthenhewasdraggeduntilthebootcameoff，andbehold！hewasdead。"
　　ThishadbeenClarence’sowntheoryofthemurder，buthehadonlyhalfconfidedittoIncarnacion。Hesilentlyexaminedthespurwiththeaccusinghorse—hair，andplaceditinhisdesk。Incarnacioncontinued：——
　　"Thereisnotavacquerointhewholeranchowhohasahorse—hairriata。Weusethebraidedcowhide;itisheavierandstronger;itisforthebullandnottheman。Thehorse—hairriatacomesfromovertherange——south。"
　　Therewasadeadsilence，brokenonlybythedrummingoftherainupontheroofoftheveranda。Incarnacionslightlyshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"DonClarenciodoesnotknowthesoutherncounty？FranciscoRobles，cousinofthe’Sisters，’——hetheycall’Pancho，’——comesfromthesouth。SurelywhenDonClarencioboughtthetitlehesawFrancisco，forhewasthesteward？"
　　"IdealtonlywiththeactualownersandthroughmybankersinSanFrancisco，"returnedClarenceabstractedly。
　　Incarnacionlookedthroughtheyellowcornersofhismurkyeyesathismaster。
　　"PedroValdez，whowassentawaybySenorPeyton，isthefoster—
　　brotherofFrancisco。Theyweremuchtogether。NowthatFranciscoisrichfromthegoldDonClarenciopaidforthetitle，theycomenotmuchtogether。ButPedroisrich，too。MotherofGod！Hegamblesandisafinegentleman。Heholdshisheadhigh，——evenovertheAmericanoshegambleswith。Truly，theysayhecanshootwiththebestofthem。Heboastsandswellshimself，thisPedro！Hesaysifalltheoldfamilieswerelikehim，theywoulddrivethosewesternswinebackoverthemountainsagain。"
　　Clarenceraisedhiseyes，caughtasubtleyellowflashfromIncarnacion’s，gazedathimsuddenly，androse。
　　"Idon’tthinkIhaveeverseenhim，"hesaidquietly。"Thankyouforbringingmethespur。Butkeeptheknowledgeofittoyourself，goodNascio，forthepresent。"
　　Nascioneverthelessstilllingered。Perceivingwhich，Clarencehandedhimacigaretteandproceededtolightonehimself。Heknewthatthevacquerowouldrerollhis，andthatthatalwaysdeliberateoccupationwouldcoverandbeanexcuseforfurtherconfidence。
　　"TheSenoraPeytondoesnotperhapsmeetthisPedrointhesocietyofSanFrancisco？"
　　"Surelynot。Thesenoraisinmourningandgoesnotoutinsociety，norwouldsheprobablygoanywherewhereshewouldmeetadismissedservantofherhusband。"
　　Incarnacionslowlylithiscigarette，andsaidbetweenthepuffs，"Andthesenorita——shewouldnotmeethim？"
　　"Assuredlynot。"
　　"And，"continuedIncarnacion，throwingdownthematchandputtinghisfootonit，"ifthisboaster，thisturkey—cock，saysshedid，youcouldputhimoutlikethat？"
　　"Certainly，"saidClarence，withaneasyconfidencehewas，however，farfromfeeling，"ifhereallySAIDit——whichIdoubt。"
　　"Ah，truly，"saidIncarnacion;"whoknows？ItmaybeanotherSenoritaSilsbee。"
　　"Thesenora’sadopteddaughteriscalledMISSPEYTON，friendNascio。
　　Youforgetyourself，"saidClarencequietly。
　　"Ah，pardon！"saidIncarnacionwitheffusiveapology;"butshewasbornSilsbee。Everybodyknowsit;sheherselfhastoldittoPepita。TheSenorPeytonbequeathedhisestatetotheSenoraPeyton。Henamednotthesenorita！Eh，whatwouldyou？Itisthecommoncackleofthebarnyard。ButIsay’MeesSilsbee。’Forlookyou。ThereisaSilsbeeofSacramento，thedaughterofheraunt，whowritesletterstoher。Pepitahasseenthem！AndpossiblyitisonlythatMeesofwhomthebrigandPedroboasts。"
　　"Possibly，"saidClarence，"butasfarasthisranchoisconcerned，friendNascio，thouwiltunderstand——andIlooktotheetomaketheothersunderstand——thatthereisnoSenoritaSILSBEEhere，onlytheSenoritaPEYTON，therespecteddaughterofthesenorathymistress！"
　　HespokewiththequaintminglingoffamiliarityandpaternalgravityoftheSpanishmaster——afacultyhehadacquiredatElRefugioinalikevicariousposition，andwhichneverfailedasasignofauthority。"Andnow，"headdedgravely，"getoutofthis，friend，withGod’sblessing，andseethatthourememberestwhatI
　　toldthee。"
　　Theretainer，withequalgravity，steppedbackwards，salutedwithhissombrerountilthestiffbrimscrapedthefloor，andthensolemnlywithdrew。
　　Lefttohimself，Clarenceremainedforaninstantsilentandthoughtfulbeforetheoven—likehearth。So！everybodyknewSusy’srealrelationstothePeytons，andeverybodybutMrs。Peyton，perhaps，knewthatshewassecretlycorrespondingwithsomeoneofherownfamily。Inothercircumstanceshemighthavefoundsomeexcuseforthisassertionofherindependenceandloveofherkindred，butinherattitudetowardsMrs。Peytonitseemedmonstrous。ItappearedimpossiblethatMrs。Peytonshouldnothaveheardofit，orsuspectedtheyounggirl’sdisaffection。Perhapsshehad，——itwasanotherburdenlaiduponhershoulders，——buttheproudwomanhadkeptittoherself。Afilmofmoisturecameacrosshiseyes。IfearhethoughtlessofthesuggestionofSusy’ssecretmeetingwithPedro，orIncarnacion’simpliedsuspicionsthatPedrowasconcernedinPeyton’sdeath，thanofthissentimentalpossibility。HeknewthatPedrohadbeenhatedbytheothersonaccountofhisposition;heknewtheinstinctivejealousiesoftheraceandtheirpredispositiontoextravagantmisconstruction。Fromwhathehadgathered，andparticularlyfromthevoiceshehadoverheardontheFairPlainsRoad，itseemedtohimthatPedrowasmorecapableofmercenaryintriguethanphysicalrevenge。HewasnotawareoftheirrevocableaffrontputuponPedrobyPeyton，andhehadconsequentlyattachednoimportancetoPeyton’sownhalf—
　　scornfulintimationoftheonlykindofretaliationthatPedrowouldbelikelytotake。Theunsuccessfulattemptuponhimselfhehadalwaysthoughtmighthavebeenanaccident，orifitwasreallyapremeditatedassault，itmighthavebeenintendedactuallyforHIMSELFandnotPeyton，ashehadfirstthought，andhisoldfriendhadsufferedforHIM，throughsomemistakeoftheassailant。Thepurpose，whichaloneseemedwanting，mighthavebeentoremoveClarenceasapossiblewitnesswhohadoverheardtheirconspiracy——
　　howmuchofittheydidnotknow——ontheFairPlainsRoadthatnight。Theonlyclueheheldtothemurdererinthespurlockedinhisdesk，merelyledhimbeyondtheconfinesoftherancho，butdefinitelynowhereelse。Itwas，however，somerelieftoknowthatthecrimewasnotcommittedbyoneofPeyton’sretainers，northeoutcomeofdomestictreachery。
　　AftersomeconsiderationheresolvedtoseekJimHooker，whomightbepossessedofsomeinformationrespectingSusy’srelations，eitherfromtheyounggirl’sownconfidencesorfromJim’spersonalknowledgeoftheoldfrontierfamilies。FromasenseofloyaltytoSusyandMrs。Peyton，hehadneveralludedtothesubjectbeforehim，butsincetheyounggirl’sownindiscretionhadmadeitamatterofcommonreport，howeverdistastefulitwastohisownfeelings，hefelthecouldnotpleadthesenseofdelicacyforher。
　　Hehadgreathopesinwhathehadalwaysbelievedwasonlyherexaggerationoffactaswellasfeeling。Andhehadaninstinctiverelianceonherfellowposeur’sabilitytodetectit。Afewdayslater，whenhefoundhecouldsafelyleavetheranchoalone，herodetoFairPlains。
　　Thefloodswereoutalongtheturnpikeroad，andevenseemedtohaveincreasedsincehislastjourney。Thefaceofthelandscapehadchangedagain。Oneofthelowerterraceshadbecomeawildmereofsedgeandreeds。Thedryanddustybedofaforgottenbrookhadreappeared，afull—bankedriver，crossingtheturnpikeandcompellingalongdetourbeforethetravelercouldfordit。ButasheapproachedtheHopkinsfarmandtheoppositeclearingandcabinofJimHooker，hewasquiteunpreparedforastillmoreremarkabletransformation。Thecabin，athree—roomedstructure，anditscattle—shedhadentirelydisappeared！Therewerenotracesorsignsofinundation。Thelandlayonagentleacclivityabovethefarmandsecurefromtheeffectsoftheflood，andapartoftheploughedandclearedlandaroundthesiteofthecabinshowednoevidenceofoverflowonitsblack，upturnedsoil。Butthehousewasgone！Onlyafewtimberstooheavytoberemoved，theblightingerasionsofafewmonthsofoccupation，andthedull，blackenedareaofthesiteitselfweretobeseen。Thefencealonewasintact。
　　Clarencehaltedbeforeit，perplexedandastonished。ScarcelytwoweekshadelapsedsincehehadlastvisiteditandsatbeneathitsroofwithJim，andalreadyitsfewruinshadtakenuponthemselvesthelookofyearsofabandonmentanddecay。Thewildlandseemedtohavethrownoffitsyokeofcultivationinanight，andnatureriotedagainwithallitsprimalforcesoverthefreedsoil。Wildoatsandmustardwerespringingalreadyinthebrokenfurrows，andlankvineswereslimilyspreadingoverafewscatteredbutstillunseasonedandsappyshingles。Somebatteredtincansandfragmentsofoldclothinglookedasremoteasiftheyhadbeenrelicsoftheearliestimmigration。
　　ClarenceturnedinquiringlytowardstheHopkinsfarmhouseacrosstheroad。Hisarrival，however，hadalreadybeennoticed，asthedoorofthekitchenopenedinananticipatoryfashion，andhecouldseetheslightfigureofPhoebeHopkinsinthedoorway，backedbytheoverlookingheadsandshouldersofherparents。Thefaceoftheyounggirlwaspaleanddrawnwithanxiety，atwhichClarence’ssimpleastonishmenttookashadeofconcern。
　　"IamlookingforMr。Hooker，"hesaiduneasily。"AndIdon’tseemtobeabletofindeitherhimorhishouse。"
　　"Andyoudon’tknowwhat’sgoneofhim？"saidthegirlquickly。
　　"No;Ihaven’tseenhimfortwoweeks。"
　　"There，Itoldyouso！"saidthegirl，turningnervouslytoherparents。"Iknewit。Hehasn’tseenhimfortwoweeks。"Then，lookingalmosttearfullyatClarence’sface，shesaid，"Nomorehavewe。"
　　"But，"saidClarenceimpatiently，"somethingmusthavehappened。
　　Whereishishouse？"
　　"Takenawaybythemjumpers，"interruptedtheoldfarmer;"alotofroughsthatpulleditdownandcarteditoffinajiffybeforeourveryeyeswithoutanswerin’acivilquestiontomeorher。Buthewasn’tthere，norbefore，norsince。"
　　"No，"addedtheoldwoman，withflashingeyes，"orhe’dlet’emhavewhatther’wasinhissix—shooters。"
　　"No，hewouldn’t，mother，"saidthegirlimpatiently，"he’dCHANGED，andwasaginallthemideasofforceandriotin’。Hewasforpeaceandlawallthetime。Why，thedaybeforewemissedhimhewastellin’meCalifornianeverwouldbedecentuntilpeopleobeyedthelawsandthetitlesweresettled。Andforthatreason，becausehewouldn’tfightaginthelaw，orwithouttheconsentofthelaw，they’vekilledhim，orkidnappedhimaway。"
　　Thegirl’slipsquivered，andhersmallbrownhandstwistedtheedgesofherbluecheckedapron。AlthoughthisnewpictureofJim’speacefulnesswasasastoundingandunsatisfactoryashisowndisappearance，therewasnodoubtofthesincerityofpoorPhoebe’simpression。
　　InvaindidClarencepointouttothemtheremustbesomemistake;
　　thatthetrespassers——theso—calledjumpers——reallybelongedtothesamepartyasHooker，andwouldhavenoreasontodispossesshim;
　　that，infact，theywereallHIS，Clarence’s，tenants。InvainheassuredthemofHooker’sperfectsecurityinpossession;thathecouldhavedriventheintrudersawaybythesimpleexhibitionofhislease，orthathecouldhaveevencalledaconstablefromthetownofFairPlainstoprotecthimfrommerelawlessness。Invaindidheassurethemofhisintentiontofindhismissingfriend，andreinstatehimatanycost。Theconvictionthattheunfortunateyoungmanhadbeenfoullydealtwithwasfixedinthemindsofthetwowomen。ForamomentClarencehimselfwasstaggeredbyit。
　　"Yousee，"saidtheyounggirl，withakindlingface，"thedaybeforehecamebackfromRobles，ther’weresomequeermenhangin’
　　roundhiscabin，butastheywerethesamekindthatwentoffwithhimthedaytheSisters’titlewasconfirmed，wethoughtnothingofit。Butwhenhecamebackfromyouheseemedworriedandanxious，andwasn’tabitlikehimself。Wethoughtperhapshe’dgotintosometroublethere，orbeendisappointed。Hehadn’t，hadhe，Mr。
　　Brant？"continuedPhoebe，withanappealinglook。
　　"Bynomeans，"saidClarencewarmly。"Onthecontrary，hewasabletodohisfriendsgoodservicethere，andwassuccessfulinwhatheattempted。Mrs。Peytonwasverygrateful。Ofcoursehetoldyouwhathadhappened，andwhathedidforus，"continuedClarence，withasmile。
　　HehadalreadyamusedhimselfonthewaywithafancifulconceptionoftheexaggeratedaccountJimhadgivenofhisexploits。Butthebewilderedgirlshookherhead。
　　"No，hedidn’ttellusANYTHING。"
　　Clarencewasreallyalarmed。ThisunprecedentedabstentionofHooker’swasportentous。
　　"Hedidn’tsayanythingbutwhatItoldyouaboutlawandorder，"
　　shewenton;"butthatsamenightweheardagooddealoftalkingandshoutinginthecabinandaroundit。Andthenextdayhewastalkingwithfather，andwantingtoknowhowHEkepthislandwithouttroublefromoutsiders。"
　　"AndIsaid，"brokeinHopkins，"thatIguessedfolksdidn’tbotheramanwithwomenfolksaround，andthatIkalkilatedthatIwasn’tquiteasnotoriousforfightin’ashewas。"
　　"Andhesaid，"alsointerruptedMrs。Hopkins，"andquiteinhisnat’ralway，too，——gloomylike，youremember，Cyrus，"appealinglytoherhusband，——"thatthatwashiscurse。"
　　ThesmilethatflickeredaroundClarence’smouthfaded，however，ashecaughtsightofPhoebe’spleading，interrogatingeyes。Itwasreallytoobad。Whateverchangehadcomeovertherascalitwastooevidentthathispreviousbelligerentpersonalityhadhaditsfulleffectuponthesimplegirl，andthat，hereafter，onepairofhonesteyeswouldbewistfullyfollowinghim。
　　Perplexedandindignant，Clarenceagaincloselyquestionedherastothepersonnelofthetrespassingpartywhohadbeenseenonceortwicesincepassingoverthefield。HehadatlastelicitedenoughinformationtoidentifyoneofthemasGilroy，theleaderofthepartythathadinvadedRoblesrancho。Hischeekflushed。EveniftheyhadwishedtotakeatheatricalandmomentaryrevengeonHookerforthepassingtreacherytothemwhichtheyhadjustdiscovered，althoughsuchretaliationwasonlytransitory，andtheycouldnotholdtheland，itwasaninsulttoClarencehimself，whosetenantJimwas，andsubversiveofalltheirlegallyacquiredrights。HewouldconfrontthisGilroyatonce;hishalf—wildencampmentwasonlyafewmilesaway，justovertheboundariesoftheRoblesestate。Withoutstatinghisintention，hetookleaveoftheHopkinsfamilywiththecheerfulassurancethathewouldprobablyreturnwithsomenewsofHooker，androdeaway。
　　Thetrailbecamemoreindistinctandunfrequentedasitdivergedfromthemainroad，andpresentlylostitselfintheslopetowardstheeast。Thehorizongrewlarger：therewerefaintbluishlinesuponitwhichheknewweredistantmountains;beyondthisastillfainterwhiteline——theSierransnows。Presentlyheintersectedatrailrunningsouth，andremarkedthatitcrossedthehighwaybehindhim，wherehehadoncemetthetwomysterioushorsemen。Theyhadevidentlyreachedtheterracethroughthewildoatsbythattrail。
　　Alittlefartheronwereafewgroupsofshedsandcanvastentsinabareandopenspace，withscatteredcattleandhorsemen，exactlylikeanencampment，orthegatheringofacountryfair。AsClarencerodedowntowardsthemhecouldseethathisapproachwasinstantlyobserved，andthatasimultaneousmovementwasmadeasiftoanticipatehim。Forthefirsttimeherealizedthepossibleconsequencesofhisvisit，single—handed，butitwastoolatetoretracehissteps。Withaglanceathisholster，herodeboldlyforwardtothenearestshed。Adozenmenhoverednearhim，butsomethinginhisquiet，determinedmannerheldthemaloof。Gilroywasonthethresholdinhisshirtsleeves。AsinglelookshowedhimthatClarencewasalone，andwithacarelessgestureofhishandhewarnedawayhisownfollowers。
　　"You’vegotasortofeasywayofdroppin’inwharyouain’tinvited，Brant，"hesaidwithagrimsmile，whichwasnot，however，withoutacertainairofapproval。"Gotitfromyourfather，didn’tyou？"
　　"Idon’tknow，butIdon’tbelieveHEeverthoughtitnecessarytowarntwentymenoftheapproachofONE，"repliedClarence，inthesametone。"Ihadnotimetostandonceremony，forIhavejustcomefromHooker’squartersectionatFairPlains。"
　　Gilroysmiledagain，andgazedabstractedlyatthesky。
　　"YouknowaswellasIdo，"saidClarence，controllinghisvoicewithaneffort，"thatwhatyouhavedonetherewillhavetobeundone，ifyouwishtoholdeventhoselawlessmenofyourstogether，orkeepyourselfandthemfrombeingrunintothebrushlikehighwaymen。I’venofearforthat。NeitherdoIcaretoknowwhatwasyourmotiveindoingit;butIcanonlytellyouthatifitwasretaliation，IalonewasandstillamresponsibleforHooker’sactionattherancho。Icameheretoknowjustwhatyouhavedonewithhim，and，ifnecessary，totakehisplace。"
　　"You’rejustalittletoopreviousinyourtalk，Ireckon，Brant，"
　　returnedGilroylazily，"andastolegality，Ireckonwestandonthesamelevelwithyourself，justhere。Beginnin’withwhatyoucamefor：aswedon’tknowwhereyourJimHookeris，andasweain’tdoneanythin’toHIM，wedon’texacklyseewhatwecoulddowithYOU
　　inhisplace。Eztoourmotives，——well，we’vegotagooddealtosayaboutTHAT。Wereckonedthathewasn’texacklythekindofmanwewantedforaneighbor。Hispow’fulfightin’styledidn’tsuituspeacefulfolks，andwethoughtitratherworkedaginthisnew’lawandorder’rackettohavesuchamanabout，tosaynuthin’ofitprejudicin’quietsettlers。Hehadtoomanyrevolversforonemantokeephiseyeon，andwasaltogethertoomuchsteepedinblood，sotospeak，forordinarywashin’anddomesticpurposes！Hishullgetupwastoodeathlikeandclammy;sowepersuadedhimtoleave。Wejustwentthere，allofus，andexhortedhim。Westayedroundtheretwodaysandnights，takin’turns，talkin’withhim，nuthin’more，onlyselectingsubjectsinhisownstyletopleasehim，untilheleft！Andthen，aswedidn’tseeanyuseforhishousethere，wetookitaway。Them’sthecoldfacts，Brant，"headded，withacertainconvincingindifferencethatleftnoroomfordoubt，"andyoucanstandby’em。Now，workin’backtothefirstprincipleyoulaiddown，——thatwe’llhavetoUNDOwhatwe’veDONE，——wedon’tagreewithyou，forwe’vetakenaleafouteryourownbook。We’vegotithereinblackandwhite。We’vegotabillo’saleofHooker’shouseandpossession，andwe’reonthelandinplaceofhim，——ASYOUR
　　TENANTS。"Hereenteredtheshanty，tookapieceofpaperfromasoap—boxontheshell，andhelditouttoClarence。"Hereitis。
　　It’safairandsquaredeal，Brant。Wegavehim，asitsayshere，ahundreddollarsforit！Nohumbuggin’，butthehardcash，byJiminy！ANDHETOOKTHEMONEY。"
　　Theringoftruthintheman’svoicewasasunmistakableasthesignatureinJim’sownhand。Hookerhadsoldout！Clarenceturnedhastilyaway。
　　"Wedon’tknowwherehewent，"continuedGilroygrimly，"butI
　　reckonyouain’toveranxioustoseehimNOW。AndIkintellyesomethingtoeaseyourmind，——hedidn’trequiremuchpersuadin’。
　　AndIkintellyeanother，ifyeain’tabovetakin’advicefromfolksthatdon’tpertendtogiveit，"headded，withthesamecuriouslookofinterestinhisface。"You’vedonewelltogetshutofhim，andifyougotshutofafewmoreofhiskindthatyoutrustto，you’ddobetter。"
　　Asiftoavoidnoticinganyangryreplyfromtheyoungman，hereenteredthecabinandshutthedoorbehindhim。Clarencefelttheuselessnessoffurtherparley，androdeaway。
　　ButGilroy’sParthianarrowrankledasherode。HewasnotgreatlyshockedatJim’sdefection，forhewasalwaysfullyconsciousofhisvanityandweakness;buthewasbynomeanscertainthatJim’sextravaganceandbraggadocio，whichhehadfoundonlyamusingand，perhaps，evenpathetic，mightnotbeasprovocativeandprejudicialtoothersasGilroyhadsaid。But，likeallsympatheticandunselfishnatures，hesoughttofindsomeexcuseforhisoldcompanion’sweaknessinhisownmistakenjudgment。HehadnobusinesstobringpoorJimontheland，tosubjecthissingulartemperamenttothetemptationsofsuchalifeandsuchsurroundings;
　　heshouldneverhavemadeuseofhisservicesattherancho。Hehaddonehimharmratherthangoodinhisill—advised，and，perhaps，SELFISHattemptstohelphim。IhavesaidthatGilroy’spartingwarningrankledinhisbreast，butnotignobly。Itwoundedthesurfaceofhissensitivenature，butcouldnottaintorcorruptthepure，wholesomebloodofthegentlemanbeneathit。ForinGilroy’swarninghesawonlyhisownshortcomings。Astrangefatalityhadmarkedhisfriendships。HehadbeennohelptoJim;hehadbroughtnohappinesstoSusyorMrs。Peyton，whosedisagreementhisvisitseemedtohaveaccented。Thinkingoverthemysteriousattackuponhimself，itnowseemedtohimpossiblethat，insomeobscureway，hispresenceattheranchohadprecipitatedthemoreseriousattackonPeyton。If，asithadbeensaid，therewassomecurseuponhisinheritancefromhisfather，heseemedtohavemadeothersshareitwithhim。Hewasridingonwardabstractedly，withhisheadsunkonhisbreastandhiseyesfixeduponsomevaguepointbetweenhishorse’ssensitiveears，whenasudden，intelligent，forwardprickingofthemstartledhim，andanapparitionarosefromtheplainbeforehimthatseemedtosweepallothersenseaway。
　　Itwasthefigureofahandsomeyounghorsemanasabstractedashimself，butevidentlyonbettertermswithhisownpersonality。Hewasdarkhaired，sallowcheeked，andblueeyed，——thetypeoftheoldSpanishCalifornian。Aburnt—outcigarettewasinhismouth，andhewasridingaroanmustangwiththelazygraceofhisrace。ButwhatarrestedClarence’sattentionmorethanhispicturesquepersonwasthenarrow，flexible，longcoilofgrayhorse—hairriatawhichhungfromhissaddle—bow，butwhoseknottedandsilver—beadedterminatinglashhewasswirlingidlyinhisnarrowbrownhand。Clarenceknewandinstantlyrecognizeditastheordinaryfancifulappendageofagentlemanrider，usedfortetheringhishorseonlonelyplains，andalwaysmadetheobjectofthemostlavishexpenditureofdecorationandartisticskill。Buthewasassuddenlyfilledwithablind，unreasoningsenseofrepulsionandfury，andliftedhiseyestothemanasheapproached。WhatthestrangersawinClarence’sblazingeyesnoonebuthimselfknew，forhisownbecamefixedandstaring;
　　hissallowcheeksgrewlankerandlivid;hiscareless，jauntybearingstiffenedintorigidity，andswervinghishorsetoonesidehesuddenlypassedClarenceatafuriousgallop。TheyoungAmericanwheeledquickly，andforaninstanthiskneesconvulsivelygrippedtheflanksofhishorsetofollow。Butthenextmomentherecalledhimself，andwithaneffortbegantocollecthisthoughts。Whatwasheintendingtodo，andforwhatreason！Hehadmethundredsofsuchhorsemenbefore，andcaparisonedandaccoutredlikethis，eventotheriata。Andhecertainlywasnotdressedlikeeitherofthemysterioushorsemenwhomhehadoverheardthatmoonlightevening。
　　Helookedback;thestrangerhadalreadyslackenedhispace，andwasslowlydisappearing。Clarenceturnedandrodeonhisway。
　　CHAPTERIX。
　　WithoutdisclosingthefullextentofJim’sdefectionanddesertion，ClarencewasabletotruthfullyassuretheHopkinsfamilyofhispersonalsafety，andtopromisethathewouldcontinuehisquest，andsendthemfurthernewsoftheabsentee。HebelieveditwouldbefoundthatJimhadbeencalledawayonsomeimportantbusiness，butthatnotdaringtoleavehisnewshantyexposedandtemptinglyunprotected，hehadmadeavirtueofnecessitybysellingittohisneighbors，intendingtobuildabetterhouseonitssiteafterhisreturn。HavingcomfortedPhoebe，andimpulsivelyconceivedfurtherplansforrestoringJimtoher，——happilywithoutanyrecurrenceofhispreviousdoubtsastohisownefficacyasaspecialProvidence，——
　　hereturnedtotherancho。IfhethoughtagainofJim’sdefectionandGilroy’swarning，itwasonlytostrengthenhimselftoaclearerperceptionofhisunselfishdutyandsinglenessofpurpose。Hewouldgiveupbrooding，applyhimselfmorepracticallytothemanagementoftheproperty，carryouthisplansforthefoundationofaLandlords’ProtectiveLeagueforthesoutherncounties，becomeacandidatefortheLegislature，and，inbrief，trytofillPeyton’splaceinthecountyashehadattherancho。Hewouldendeavortobecomebetteracquaintedwiththehalf—breedlaborersontheestateandavoidthefrictionbetweenthemandtheAmericans;hewasconsciousthathehadnotmadethatuseofhisearlyfamiliaritywiththeirwaysandlanguagewhichhemighthavedone。If，occasionally，thefigureoftheyoungSpaniardwhomhehadmetonthelonelyroadobtrudeditselfonhim，itwasalwayswiththeinstinctivepremonitionthathewouldmeethimagain，andthemysteryofthesuddenrepulsionbeinsomewayexplained。ThusClarence！ButthemomentaryimpulsethathaddrivenhimtoFairPlains，theeagernesstosethismindatrestregardingSusyandherrelatives，hehadutterlyforgotten。
　　Howbeitsomeoftheenergyandenthusiasmthathebreathedintothesevariousessaysmadetheirimpression。HesucceededinformingtheLandlords’League;underacommissionsuggestedbyhimthestragglingboundariesofRoblesandtheadjacentclaimswereresurveyed，defined，andmutuallyprotected;eventhelawlessGilroy，fromextendinganamusedtolerationtotheyoungadministrator，grewtorecognizeandaccepthim;thepeonsandvacquerosbegantohavefaithinamanwhoacknowledgedthemsufficientlytorebuildtheruinedMissionChapelontheestate，andsavethemthelongpilgrimagetoSantaInezonSundaysandsaints’days;theSanFranciscopriestimportedfromClarence’soldcollegeatSanJose，andanhabitualguestatClarence’shospitableboard，wasgratefulenoughtofillhisflockwithloyaltytotheyoungpadron。
　　Hehadreturnedfromalongdriveoneafternoon，andhadjustthrownhimselfintoaneasy—chairwiththecomfortableconsciousnessofarestfairlyearned。Thedullembersofafireoccasionallyglowedintheoven—likehearth，althoughtheopencasementofawindowletinthesoftbreathofthesouthwesttrades。Theangelushadjustrungfromtherestoredchapel，and，mellowedbydistance，seemedtoClarencetolendthatreposetothewind—sweptlandscapethatithadalwayslacked。
　　Suddenlyhisquickeardetectedthesoundofwheelsintherutsofthecarriageway。Usuallyhisvisitorstothecasacameonhorseback，andcartsandwagonsusedonlythelowerroad。Asthesoundapproachednearer，anoddfancyfilledhisheartwithunaccountablepleasure。CoulditbeMrs。Peytonmakinganunexpectedvisittotherancho？Heheldhisbreath。Thevehiclewasnowrollingonintothepatio。Theclatterofhoofsandahaltwerefollowedbytheaccentsofwomen’svoices。Oneseemedfamiliar。Herosequickly，aslightfootstepsranalongthecorridor，andthenthedooropenedimpetuouslytothelaughingfaceofSusy！
　　Hecametowardsherhastily，yetwithonlythesimpleimpulseofastonishment。Hehadnothoughtofkissingher，butasheapproached，shethrewhercharmingheadarchlytooneside，withamischievousknittingofherbrowsandasignificantgesturetowardsthepassage，thatindicatedtheproximityofastrangerandthepossibilityofinterruption。
　　"Hush！Mrs。McClosky’shere，"shewhispered。
　　"Mrs。McClosky？"repeatedClarencevaguely。
　　"Yes，ofcourse，"impatiently。"MyAuntJane。Silly！Wejustcutawaydownheretosurpriseyou。Aunty’sneverseentheplace，andherewasagoodchance。"
　　"Andyourmother——Mrs。Peyton？Hasshe——doesshe？"——stammeredClarence。
　　"Hasshe——doesshe？"mimickedSusy，withincreasingimpatience。
　　"Why，ofcoursesheDOESN’Tknowanythingaboutit。ShethinksI’mvisitingMaryRogersatOakland。AndIam——AFTERWARDS，"shelaughed。"IjustwrotetoAuntJanetomeetmeatAlameda，andwetookthestagetoSantaInezanddroveonhereinabuggy。Wasn’titrealfun？Tellme，Clarence！Youdon’tsayanything！Tellme——
　　wasn’titrealfun？"
　　Thiswasallsolikeherold，childlike，charming，irresponsibleself，thatClarence，troubledandbewilderedashewas，tookherhandsanddrewherlikeachildtowardshim。
　　"Ofcourse，"shewenton，yetstoppingtosmellarosebudinhisbuttonhole，"Ihaveaperfectrighttocometomyownhome，goodnessknows！andifIbringmyownaunt，amarriedwoman，withme，——
　　although，"loftily，"theremaybeayoungunmarriedgentlemanalonethere，——stillIfailtoseeanyimproprietyinit！"
　　Hewasstillholdingher;butinthatinstanthermannerhadcompletelychangedagain;theoldSusyseemedtohaveslippedawayandevadedhim，andhewasretainingonlyaconsciousactressinhisarms。
　　"Releaseme，Mr。Brant，please，"shesaid，withalanguidaffectedglancebehindher;"wearenotalone。"
　　Then，astherustlingofaskirtsoundednearerinthepassage，sheseemedtochangebacktoheroldselfoncemore，andwithalightningflashofsignificancewhispered，——
　　"Sheknowseverything！"
　　ToaddtoClarence’sconfusion，thewomanwhoenteredcastaquickglanceofplayfulmeaningontheseparatingyouthfulpair。Shewasanineffectiveblondewithacertainbeautythatseemedtobegraduallysuccumbingtotheravagesofpaintandpowderratherthanyears;herdressappearedtohavesufferedfromanequallyunwiseexcessofornamentationandtrimming，andshegavethegeneralimpressionofhavingbeenintendedforexhibitioninalmostanyotherlightthantheoneinwhichshehappenedtobe。Thereweretwoorthreemud—stainsonthelacesofhersleeveandunderskirtthatwereobtrusivelyincongruous。Hervoice，whichhad，however，aringofhonestintentioninit，wassomewhatover—strained，andevidentlyhadnotyetadjusteditselftothelow—ceilinged，conventual—likebuilding。
　　"There，children，don’tmindme！IknowI’mnotoninthisscene，butIgotnervouswaitingthere，inwhatyoucallthe’salon，’withonlythoseGreaserservantsstaringroundmeinacircle，likearegularchorus。My！butit’santeekhere——regularanteek——Spanish。"
　　Then，withaglanceatClarence，"SothisisClarenceBrant，——yourClarence？Interduceme，Susy。"
　　Inhisconfusionofindignation，pain，andevenacertainconceptionofthegrimludicrousnessofthesituation，ClarencegraspeddespairinglyatthesinglesentenceofSusy’s。"Inmyownhome。"
　　Surely，atleast，itwasHEROWNHOME，andashewasonlythebusinessagentofheradoptedmother，hehadnorighttodictatetoherunderwhatcircumstancessheshouldreturntoit，orwhomsheshouldintroducethere。InherindependenceandcapriceSusymighteasilyhavegoneelsewherewiththisastoundingrelative，andwouldMrs。Peytonlikeitbetter？Clingingtothisidea，hisinstinctofhospitalityasserteditself。HewelcomedMrs。McCloskywithnervouseffusion：——
　　"IamonlyMrs。Peyton’smajordomohere，butanyguestofherDAUGHTER’Siswelcome。"
　　"Yes，"saidMrs。McClosky，withostentatiousarchness，"IreckonSusyandIunderstandyourpositionhere，andyou’vegotagoodberthofit。Butwewon’ttroubleyoumuchonMrs。Peyton’saccount，willwe，Susy？Andnowsheandmewilljusttakealookaroundtheshanty，——itisrealoldSpanishanteek，ain’tit？——andsortertakestockofit，andyouyoungfolkswillhavetotearyourselvesapartforawhile，andplayproprietybeforeme。You’vegottobeonyourgoodbehaviorwhileI’mhere，Icantellyou！I’maheavyold’doo—anna。’Ain’tI，Susy？School—ma’msandmothersuperiorsain’tinthegamewithMEfordiscipline。"
　　Shethrewherarmsaroundtheyounggirl’swaistanddrewhertowardsheraffectionately，anactionthatslightlyprecipitatedsomepowderupontheblackdressofherniece。SusyglancedmischievouslyatClarence，butwithdrewhereyespresentlytoletthemrestwithunmistakableappreciationandadmirationonherrelative。ApangshotthroughClarence’sbreast。HehadneverseenherlookinthatwayatMrs。Peyton。Yetherewasthisstranger，provincial，overdressed，andextravagant，whosevulgaritywasonlymadetolerablethroughhergoodhumor，whohadawakenedthatinterestwhichtherefinedMrs。Peytonhadneveryetbeenabletotouch。AsMrs。McCloskysweptoutoftheroomwithSusyheturnedawaywithasinkingheart。
　　YetitwasnecessarythattheSpanishhouseservantsshouldnotsuspectthistreasontotheirmistress，andClarencestoppedtheirchildishcuriosityaboutthestrangerwithacarelessandeasyacceptanceofSusy’ssuddenvisitinthelightofanordinaryoccurrence，andwithafamiliaritytowardsMrs。McCloskywhichbecamethemoredistastefultohiminproportionashesawthatitwasevidentlyagreeabletoher。But，easilyresponsive，shebecamespeedilyconfidential。Withoutasinglequestionfromhimself，oracontributingremarkfromSusy，inhalfanhourshehadtoldhimherwholehistory。How，asJaneSilsbee，aneldersisterofSusy’smother，shehadearlyelopedfromthepaternalhomeinKansaswithMcClosky，astrollingactor。Howshehadmarriedhimandgoneonthestageunderhisstagename，effectivelypreventinganyrecognitionbyherfamily。How，comingtoCalifornia，whereherhusbandhadbecomemanagerofthetheatreatSacramento，shewasindignanttofindthatheronlysurvivingrelation，asister—in—law，livinginthesameplace，hadforamoneyconsiderationgivenupallclaimtotheorphanedSusy，andhowshehadresolvedtofindout"ifthepoorchildwashappy。"Howshesucceededinfindingoutthatshewasnothappy。Howshewrotetoher，andevenmethersecretlyatSanFranciscoandOakland，andhowshehadundertakenthisjourneypartlyfor"alark，"andpartlytoseeClarenceandtheproperty。Therewasnodoubtofthespeaker’ssincerity;withthisoutrageouscandortherewasanequalobliviousnessofanyindelicacyinherconducttowardsMrs。Peytonthatseemedhopeless。Yethemusttalkplainlytoher;hemustsaytoherwhathecouldnotsaytoSusy;uponHERMrs。Peyton’shappiness——hebelievedhewasthinkingofSusy’salso——depended。Hemusttakethefirstopportunityofspeakingtoheralone。
　　Thatopportunitycamesoonerthanhehadexpected。Afterdinner，Mrs。McCloskyturnedtoSusy，andplayfullytellingherthatshehad"totalkbusiness"withMr。Brant，badehergotothesalonandawaither。Whentheyounggirllefttheroom，shelookedatClarence，and，withthatassumptionofcurtnesswithwhichcoarsebutkindlynaturesbelievetheyovercomethedifficultyofdelicatesubjects，saidabruptly：——
　　"Well，youngman，nowwhat’sallthisbetweenyouandSusy？I’mlookingafterherinterests——sameasifshewasmyowngirl。Ifyou’vegotanythingtosay，now’syourtime。Anddon’tyoushilly—
　　shallytoolongoverit，either，foryoumightaswellknowthatagirllikethatcanhaveherpickandchoice，andbebeholdentonoone;andwhenshedon’tcaretochoose，there’smeandmyhusbandreadytodoforherallthesame。Wemightn’tbeabletodotheanteekSpanishSquire，butwe’vegotourownlineofbusiness，andit’sacomfortableone。"
　　TohavethissaidtohimundertheroofofMrs。Peyton，fromwhom，inhissensitiveness，hehadthusfarjealouslyguardedhisownsecret，wasevenmorethanClarence’sgentlenesscouldstand，andfixedhiswaveringresolution。
　　"Idon’tthinkwequiteunderstandeachother，Mrs。McClosky，"hesaidcoldly，butwithglitteringeyes。"Ihavecertainlysomethingtosaytoyou;ifitisnotonasubjectaspleasantastheoneyoupropose，itis，nevertheless，onethatIthinkyouandIaremorecompetenttodiscusstogether。"
　　Then，withquietbutunrelentingdirectness，hepointedouttoherthatSusywasalegallyadopteddaughterofMrs。Peyton，and，asaminor，utterlyunderhercontrol;thatMrs。Peytonhadnoknowledgeofanyopposingrelatives;andthatSusyhadnotonlyconcealedthefactfromher，butthathewassatisfiedthatMrs。PeytondidnotevenknowofSusy’sdiscontentandalienation;thatshehadtenderlyandcarefullybroughtupthehelplessorphanasherownchild，andevenifshehadnotgainedheraffectionwasatleastentitledtoherobedienceandrespect;thatwhileSusy’sgirlishcapriceandinexperienceexcusedHERconduct，Mrs。PeytonandherfriendswouldhavearighttoexpectmoreconsiderationfromapersonofMrs。
　　McClosky’smaturerjudgment。Thatforthesereasons，andasthefriendofMrs。Peyton，whomhecouldalonerecognizeasSusy’sguardianandthearbiterofheraffections，hemustdeclinetodiscusstheyounggirlwithanyreferencetohimselforhisownintentions。
　　Anunmistakableflushasserteditselfunderthelady’spowder。
　　"Suityourself，youngman，suityourself，"shesaid，withequallydirectresentmentandantagonism;"onlymebbeeyou’llletmetellyouthatJimMcCloskyain’tnofool，andmebbeeknowswhatlawyersthinkofanarrangementwithasister—in—lawthatleavesarealsisterout！Mebbeethat’sa’Sister’stitle’youain’tthoughtof，Mr。Brant！Andmebbeeyou’llfindoutthatyourchanceo’gettin’
　　Mrs。Peyton’sconsentain’tassafetogambleonasyoureckonitis。Andmebbee，what’smoretothepurpose，ifyouDIDgetit，itmightnotbejustthetrumpcardtofetchSusywith！Andtowindup，Mr。Brant，whenyouDOhavetocomedowntothebed—rockandmeandJimMcClosky，youmayfindoutthathimandmehavediscoveredabettermatchforSusythanthesonofoldHamBrant，whoistryingtoplaytheSpanishgrandeeoffhisfather’smoneyonacoupleofwomen。Andwemayn’thavetogofartodoit——ortogetTHEREAL
　　THING，Mr。Brant！"
　　Tooheartsickanddisgustedtoevennoticethesluruponhimselfortheimportofherlastwords，Clarenceonlyroseandbowedasshejumpedupfromthetable。Butasshereachedthedoorhesaid，halfappealingly：——
　　"Whateverareyourotherintentions，Mrs。McClosky，aswearebothSusy’sguests，Ibegyouwillsaynothingofthistoherwhilewearehere，andparticularlythatyouwillnotallowhertothinkforamomentthatIhavediscussedMYrelationstoherwithanybody。"
　　Sheflungherselfoutofthedoorwithoutareply;butonenteringthedarklow—ceilingeddrawing—roomshewassurprisedtofindthatSusywasnotthere。Shewasconsequentlyobligedtoreturntotheveranda，whereClarencehadwithdrawn，andtosomewhatostentatiouslydemandoftheservantsthatSusyshouldbesenttoherroomatonce。Buttheyounggirlwasnotinherownroom，andwasapparentlynowheretobefound。Clarence，whohadnowfullydeterminedasalastresourcetomakeadirectappealtoSusyherself，listenedtothisfruitlesssearchwithsomeconcern。Shecouldnothavegoneoutintherain，whichwasagainfalling。Shemightbehidingsomewheretoavoidarecurrenceofthesceneshehadperhapspartlyoverheard。HeturnedintothecorridorthatledtoMrs。Peyton’sboudoir。Asheknewthatitwaslocked，hewassurprisedtoseebythedimlightofthehanginglampthataduplicatekeytotheoneinhisdeskwasinthelock。ItmustbeSusy’s，andtheyounggirlhadprobablytakenrefugethere。Heknockedgently。Therewasarustleintheroomandthesoundofachairbeingmoved，butnoreply。Impelledbyasuddeninstinctheopenedthedoor，andwasmetbyacoolcurrentofairfromsomeopenwindow。AtthesamemomentthefigureofSusyapproachedhimfromthesemi—darknessoftheinterior。
　　"Ididnotknowyouwerehere，"saidClarence，muchrelieved，heknewnotwhy，"butIamglad，forIwantedtospeakwithyoualoneforafewmoments。"
　　Shedidnotreply，buthedrewamatchfromhispocketandlitthetwocandleswhichheknewstoodonthetable。Thewickofonewasstillwarm，asifithadbeenrecentlyextinguished。Asthelightslowlyradiated，hecouldseethatshewasregardinghimwithanairofaffectedunconcern，butasomewhatheightenedcolor。Itwaslikeher，andnotinconsistentwithhisideathatshehadcometheretoavoidanafterscenewithMrs。McCloskyorhimself，orperhapsboth。
　　Theroomwasnotdisarrangedinanyway。Thewindowthatwasopenedwasthecasementofthedeepembrasuredoneintherearwall，andthelightcurtainbeforeitstillswayedoccasionallyinthenightwind。
　　"I’mafraidIhadarowwithyouraunt，Susy，"hebeganlightly，inhisoldfamiliarway;"butIhadtotellherIdidn’tthinkherconducttoMrs。Peytonwasexactlythesquarethingtowardsonewhohadbeenasdevotedtoyouasshehasbeen。"
　　"Oh，forgoodness’sake，don’tgooverallthatagain，"saidSusyimpatiently。"I’vehadenoughofit。"
　　Clarenceflashed，butrecoveredhimself。
　　"ThenyouoverheardwhatIsaid，andknowwhatIthink，"hesaidcalmly。
　　"IknewitBEFORE，"saidtheyounggirl，withaslightsupercilioustossofthehead，andyetacertainabstractionofmannerasshewenttothewindowandclosedit。"Anybodycouldseeit！IknowyoualwayswantedmetostayherewithMrs。Peyton，andbecoddledandmonitoredandcatechisedandshutupawayfromanyone，untilYOUhadbeencoddledandmonitoredandcatechisedbysomebodyelsesufficientlytosuitherideasofyourbeingafithusbandforme。
　　Itoldauntyitwasnouseourcominghereto——to"——
　　"Todowhat？"askedClarence。
　　"Toputsomespiritintoyou，"saidtheyounggirl，turninguponhimsharply;"tokeepyoufrombeingtiedtothatwoman’sapron—strings。
　　Tokeepherfrommakingaslaveofyouasshewouldofme。Butitisofnouse。MaryRogerswasrightwhenshesaidyouhadnowishtopleaseanybodybutMrs。Peyton，andnoeyesforanybodybuther。
　　Andifithadn’tbeentooridiculous，consideringherageandyours，she’dsayyouweredeadinlovewithher。"
　　ForaninstantClarencefeltthebloodrushtohisfaceandthensinkaway，leavinghimpaleandcold。Theroom，whichhadseemedtowhirlaroundhim，andthenfadeaway，returnedwithappallingdistinctness，——thedistinctnessofmemory，——andavisionofthefirstdaythathehadseenMrs。Peytonsittingthere，asheseemedtoseehernow。Forthefirsttimethereflasheduponhimtheconvictionthattheyounggirlhadspokenthetruth，andhadbrusquelybrushedtheveilfromhisfoolisheyes。HeWASinlovewithMrs。Peyton！ThatwaswhathisdoubtsandhesitationregardingSusymeant。Thatalonewasthesource，secret，andlimitofhisvagueambition。
　　Butwiththeconvictioncameasingularcalm。Inthelastfewmomentsheseemedtohavegrownolder，tohaveloosedthebondsofoldcompanionshipwithSusy，andthelaterimpressionshehadgivenhimofhermatureknowledge，andmovedonfarbeyondheryearsandexperience。Anditwaswithanauthoritythatwashalfpaternal，andinavoicehehimselfscarcelyrecognized，thathesaid：——
　　"IfIdidnotknowyouwereprejudicedbyafoolishandindiscreetwoman，Ishouldbelievethatyouweretryingtoinsultmeasyouhaveyouradoptedmother，andwouldsaveyouthepainofdoingbothinHERhousebyleavingitnowandforever。ButbecauseIbelieveyouarecontrolledagainstyourbestinstinctbythatwoman，IshallremainherewithyoutofrustrateherasbestIcan，oruntilIamabletolayeverythingbeforeMrs。Peytonexceptthefoolishspeechyouhavejustmade。"
　　Theyounggirllaughed。"WhynotTHATonetoo，whileyou’reaboutit？Seewhatshe’llsay。"
　　"Ishalltellher，"continuedClarencecalmly，"onlywhatYOU
　　yourselfhavemadeitnecessaryformetotellhertosaveyoufromfollyanddisgrace，andonlyenoughtospareherthemortificationofhearingitfirstfromherownservants。"
　　"HearingWHATfromherownservants？Whatdoyoumean？Howdareyou？"demandedtheyounggirlsharply。
　　Shewasquiterealinheranxietynow，althoughherattitudeofvirtuousindignationstruckhimasbeinglikeallheremotionalexpression，namely，acting。
　　"ImeanthattheservantsknowofyourcorrespondencewithMrs。
　　McClosky，andthatsheclaimstobeyouraunt，"returnedClarence。
　　"TheyknowthatyouconfidedtoPepita。TheybelievethateitherMrs。McCloskyoryouhaveseen"——
　　Hehadstoppedsuddenly。Hewasabouttosaythattheservants（particularlyIncarnacion）knewthatPedrohadboastedofhavingmetSusy，when，forthefirsttime，thetremendoussignificanceofwhathehadhithertoconsideredasmerelyanidlefalsehoodflasheduponhim。
　　"Seenwhom？"repeatedSusyinahighervoice，impatientlystampingherfoot。
　　Clarencelookedather，andinherexcited，questioningfacesawaconfirmationofhisstillhalf—formedsuspicions。Inhisownabruptpauseandknittedeyebrowsshemusthavereadhisthoughtsalso。
　　Theireyesmet。Hervioletpupilsdilated，trembled，andthenquicklyshiftedasshesuddenlystiffenedintoanattitudeofscornfulindifference，almostgrotesqueinitsunreality。Hiseyesslowlyturnedtothewindow，thedoor，thecandlesonthetableandthechairbeforeit，andthencamebacktoherfaceagain。Thenhedrewadeepbreath。
　　"Igivenoheedtotheidlegossipofservants，Susy，"hesaidslowly。"Ihavenobeliefthatyouhaveevercontemplatedanythingworsethananactofgirlishfolly，orthegratificationofapassingcaprice。NeitherdoIwanttoappealtoyouorfrightenyou，butImusttellyounow，thatIknowcertainfactsthatmightmakesuchasimpleactoffollymonstrous，inconceivableinYOU，andalmostaccessorytoacrime！Icantellyounomore。ButsosatisfiedamIofsuchapossibility，thatIshallnotscrupletotakeanymeans——thestrongest——topreventeventheremotestchanceofit。Youraunthasbeenlookingforyou;youhadbettergotohernow。Iwillclosetheroomandlockthedoor。Meantime，Ishouldadviseyounottositsonearanopenwindowwithacandleatnightinthislocality。Evenifitmightnotbedangerousforyou，itmightbefataltothefoolishcreaturesitmightattract。"
　　Hetookthekeyfromthedoorashehelditopenforhertopassout。Sheutteredashrilllittlelaugh，likeanervous，mischievouschild，and，slippingoutofherpreviousartificialattitudeasifithadbeenamantle，ranoutoftheroom。
　　CHAPTERX。
　　AsSusy’sfootstepsdiedaway，Clarenceclosedthedoor，walkedtothewindow，andexamineditclosely。Thebarshadbeenrestoredsincehehadwrenchedthemofftogiveingresstothefamilyonthedayofrecapture。Heglancedaroundtheroom;nothingseemedtohavebeendisturbed。Neverthelesshewasuneasy。Thesuspicionsofafrank，trustfulnaturewhenoncearousedareapttobemoregeneralandfar—reachingthanthespecificdistrustsofthedisingenuous，fortheyimplytheoverthrowofawholeprincipleandnotameredetail。Clarence’sconvictionthatSusyhadseenPedrorecentlysincehisdismissalledhimintothewildestsurmisesofhermotives。ItwaspossiblethatwithoutherhavingreasontosuspectPedro’sgreatercrime，hemighthaveconfidedtoherhisintentionofreclaimingthepropertyandinstallingherasthemistressandchatelaineoftherancho。TheideawasonethatmighthaveappealedtoSusy’stheatricalimagination。HerecalledMrs。
　　McClosky’ssneerathisownpretensionsandhervaguethreatsofarivalofmorelinealdescent。ThepossibleinfidelityofSusytohimselftouchedhimlightlywhenthefirstsurprisewasover;
　　indeed，itscarcelycouldbecalledinfidelity，ifsheknewandbelievedMaryRogers’sdiscovery;andtheconvictionthatheandshehadreallyneverlovedeachothernowenabledhim，ashebelieved，tolookatherconductdispassionately。YetitwashertreacherytoMrs。Peytonandnottohimselfthatimpressedhimmost，andperhapsmadehimequallyunjust，throughhisaffections。
　　Heextinguishedthecandles，partlyfromsomevagueprecautionshecouldnotexplain，andpartlytothinkoverhisfearsintheabstractionandobscurityofthesemi—darkness。Thehigherwindowssuffusedafaintlightontheceiling，and，assistedbythedarklantern—likeglowcastontheoppositewallbythetunneloftheembrasuredwindow，thefamiliaroutlinesoftheroomanditsfurniturecamebacktohim。Somewhatinthisfashionalso，intheobscurityandquiet，camebacktohimtheeventshehadoverlookedandforgotten。Herecallednowsomegossipoftheservants，andhintsdroppedbySusyofaviolentquarrelbetweenPeytonandPedro，whichresultedinPedro’sdismissal，butwhichnowseemedclearlyattributabletosomegravercausethaninattentionandinsolence。
　　HerecalledMaryRogers’splayfulpleasantrieswithSusyaboutPedro，andSusy’smysteriousair，whichhehadhithertoregardedonlyaspartofherexaggeration。HerememberedMrs。Peyton’sunwarrantableuneasinessaboutSusy，whichhehadeitheroverlookedorreferredentirelytohimself;shemusthavesuspectedsomething。
　　Tohisquickenedimagination，inthisruinofhisfaithandtrust，hebelievedthatHooker’sdefectionwaseitherpartoftheconspiracy，orthathehadrunawaytoavoidbeingimplicatedwithSusyinitsdiscovery。This，too，wasthesignificanceofGilroy’spartingwarning。HeandMrs。Peytonalonehadbeenblindandconfidinginthemidstofthistreachery，andevenHEhadbeenblindtohisownrealaffections。
　　Thewindhadrisenagain，andthefaintlightontheoppositewallgrewtremulousandshiftingwiththemovementofthefoliagewithout。Butpresentlytheglowbecamequiteobliterated，asifbytheinterventionofsomeopaquebodyoutsidethewindow。Herosehurriedlyandwenttothecasement。Butatthesamemomenthefanciedheheardthejammingofadoororwindowinquiteanotherdirection，andhisexaminationofthecasementbeforehimshowedhimonlythesilverlightofthethinlycloudedskyfallinguninterruptedlythroughthebarsandfoliageontheinteriorofthewhitewashedembrasure。Thenaconceptionofhismistakeflashedacrosshim。Thelineofthecasawaslong，straggling，andexposedelsewhere;whyshouldtheattempttoenterorcommunicatewithanyonewithinbeconfinedonlytothissinglepoint？Andwhynotsatisfyhimselfatonceifanytrespasserswereloungingaroundthewalls，andthenconfrontthemboldlyintheopen？Theirdiscoveryandidentificationwasasimportantasthedefeatoftheirintentions。
　　Herelitthecandle，and，placingitonasmalltablebythewallbeyondthevisualrangeofthewindow，rearrangedthecurtainsothat，whileitpermittedthelighttopassout，itlefttheroominshadow。Hethenopenedthedoorsoftly，lockeditbehindhim，andpassednoiselesslyintothehall。Susy’sandMrs。McClosky’sroomswereatthefurtherendofthepassage，butbetweenthemandtheboudoirwastheopenpatio，andthelowmurmurofthevoicesofservants，whostilllingereduntilheshoulddismissthemforthenight。Turningback，hemovedsilentlydownthepassage，untilhereachedthenarrowarcheddoortothegarden。Thisheunlockedandopenedwiththesamestealthycaution。Therainhadrecommenced。
　　Notdaringtoriskareturntohisroom，hetookfromapegintherecessanoldwaterproofcloakand"sou’wester"ofPeyton’s，whichstillhungthere，andpassedoutintothenight，lockingthedoorbehindhim。Tokeeptheknowledgeofhissecretpatrolfromthestablemen，hedidnotattempttotakeouthisownhorse，buttrustedtofindsomevacquero’smustanginthecorral。Bygoodluckanold"BlueGrass"hackofPeyton’s，nearestthestockadeasheentered，alloweditselftobequicklycaught。Usingitsropeheadstallforabridle，Clarencevaultedonitsbareback，andpacedcautiouslyoutintotheroad。Herehekeptthecurveofthelonglineofstockadeuntilhereachedtheoutlyingfieldwhere，halfhiddeninthewithered，sapless，butstillstandingstalksofgrain，heslowlybeganacircuitofthecasa。