Sheturnedtohimwithconfidence。
``Ihaven’tsofar，butofcourse，whenyouseeit，ifyouwouldpreferitinacorn——Let’splayagame！
Turnyourheadinthisdirection，’’heindicatedwiththewhip，``closeyoureyes，andopenthemwhenIsayready。’’
``Allright！’’
``Now！’’saidtheHarvester。
``Oh，’’criedtheGirl。``Stop！Pleasestop！’’
TheywereatthefootofasmallleveethatrantothebridgecrossingSingingWater。Ontheleftlaythevalleythroughwhichthestreamsweptfromitshurriedrushdownthehill，amarshythicketofvines，shrubs，andbushes，thebanksimpassablewithwatergrowth。Everywhereflamedfoxfireandcardinalflower，thousandsofwildtigerliliesliftedgorgeousorange-redtrumpets，besidepearl-whiteturtleheadandmoondaisies，whileallthecreekbankwasacorallinewiththefirstopeningbloomofbigpinkmallows。Rankjewelflowerpouredgoldfromdaintycornucopiasandlavenderbeard-tongueofferedhoneytoamillionbumblingbees；watersmart-
weedspreadaglowingpinkbackground，andtwiningamberdoddertoppedthemarshinlacymistwithitsdelicatewhitebloom。Straightbeforethemawhite-
sandedroadclimbedtothebridgeandupagentlehillbetweentheyounghedgeofsmalltreesandbushes，whereagainflowersandbrightcoloursriotedandledtothecabinyetinvisible。Ontheright，thehill，crownedwithgiganticforesttrees，slopedtothelake；midwaythebuildingstood，andfromit，amongscatteringtreesallthewaytothewater’sedge，wereimmensebedsofvividcolour。Likeascarfofgoldflungacrossthefaceofearthwavedthemistysaffron，andbesidetheroadrunningdownthehill，inasunny，openspacearosetree-likespecimensofthriftymagentapokeberry。Downthehillcreptthemassesofcolour，changingfromdrysoiltowatergrowth。
Higharoundtheblue-greensurfaceofthelakewavedlacyheadsofwildrice，lowercat-tails，bulrushes，andmarshgrasses；arrowheadliliesliftedspinesofpearlybloom，whileyellowwaterliliesandbluewaterhyacinthsintermingled；hereandtheregrewapinkstretchofwatersmartweedandthedanglinggoldofjewelflower。Overthewater，borderingtheedge，starryfacesofwhitepondliliesfloated。Blueflagswavedgracefulleaves，willowsgrewinclumps，andvinesclamberedeverywhere。
Amongthegrowthofthelakeshore，duck，coot，andgrebevoicescommingledinthelastchatteringhastenedsplashofsecuringsupperbeforebedtime；cryingkilldeerscrossedthewater，andoverheadthenighthawksmassedincirclingcompanies。BetsyclimbedthehillandateverysteptheGirlcried，``Slower！pleasegoslower！’’Withwideeyesshestaredaroundher。
``WHYDIDN’TYOUTELLMEITWOULDBELIKETHIS？’’shedemandedinawedtones。
``HaveIhadopportunitytodescribemuchofanything？’’askedtheHarvester。``Besides，Iwasbornandrearedhere，andwhileithasbeenagardenofbloomforthepastsixyearsonly，italwayshasbeenapicture；
butoneforgetstosaymuchaboutasightseeneverydayandthatrequirestheworkthisdoes。’’
``Thatwhitemistdownthere，whatisit？’’shemarvelled。
``PearlsgrownbytheAlmighty，’’answeredtheHarvester。``FlowersthatIhopeyouwilllove。Theyarelikeyou。Tallandslender，graceful，pearlwhiteandpearlpure——thosearethearrowheadLilies。’’
``Andthewonderfulpurplish-redthereonthebank？
Oh，Icouldkneelandpraybeforecolourlikethat！’
``Pokeberry！’’saidtheHarvester。``Rootsbringfivecentsapound。Goodbloodpurifier。’’
``Man！’’criedtheGirl。``Howcanyou？I’mnotgoingtoaskwhatanothercolouris。I’lljustworshipwhatIlikeinsilence。’’
``WillyouforgivemeifItellyouwhatawomanwhosejudgmentIrespectsaysaboutthatcolour？’’
``Perhaps！’’
``Shesays，`GodprovesthatHelovesitbestofallthetintsinHisworkshopbyusingitfirstandmostsparingly。’
Nowareyougoingtopunishmebykeepingsilent？’’
``Icouldn’tifItried。’’
JustthentheycameuponthebridgecrossingSingingWater，andtherewasalongviewofitsborder，ripplingbed，andmarshybanks；whileontheotherhandthelakeresembledarichlyincrustedsapphire。
``Isthehouseclose？’’
``Justafewrods，attheturnofthedrive。’’
``Pleasehelpmedown。Iwanttoremainhereawhile。
Idon’tcarewhatelsethereistosee。Nothingcanequalthis。IwishIcouldbringdownabedandsleephere。I’dliketohaveatable，anddrawandpaint。
Iunderstandnowwhatyoumeanaboutthedesignsyoumentioned。Why，theremustbethousands！I
can’tgoon。Ineversawanythingsoappealinginallmylife。’’
NowtheHarvester’smotherhaddesignedthatbridgeandhehadbuiltitwithmuchcare。Frombark-coveredrailingstosolidoakfloorandcomfortablebenchesrunningalongthesidesitwasintendedtobeapartofthelandscape。
``I’llsendBelshazzartothecabinwiththewagon，’’
hesaid，``soyoucanseebetter。’’
``Butyoumustnot！’’shecried。``Ican’twalk。I
wouldn’tsoilthesebeautifulshoesforanything。’’
``Whydon’tyouchangethem？’’inquiredtheHarvester。
``IamafraidIforgoteverythingIhad，’’saidtheGirl。
``Thereareshoessomewhereinthisload。Ithoughtofthemingettingotherthingsforyou，butIhadnoideaastosize，andsoItoldthatclerkto-daywhenshegotyourmeasuretoputineverykindyou’dneed。’’
``Youarehorriblyextravagant，’’shesaid。``Butifyouhavethemhere，perhapsIcoulduseonepair。’’
TheHarvestermountedthewagonandhunteduntilhefoundalargebox，andopeningitonthebenchhedisclosedalmosteveryvarietyofshoe，walkingshoeandslipper，agirleverowned，aswellassandalsandhighovershoes。
``Forpitysake！’’criedtheGirl。``Coverthatbox！
Youfrightenme。You’llnevergetthempaidfor。
Youmusttakethemstraightback。’’
``Nevertakeanythingback，’’saidtheHarvester。
```Besureyouareright，thengoahead，’ismymotto。
NowIknowtheseareyourcorrectsizeandthatfordifferingoccasionsyouwillwantjustsuchshoesasothergirlshave，andheretheyare。Simpleaslife！Ithinkthesewillservebecausetheyareforstreetwear，yettheyarewhiteinside。’’
Heproducedapairofcanvaswalkingshoesandkneelingbeforeherheldouthishand。
Whenhehadfinished，heloadedtheboxonthewagon，gavethehitchingstraptoBelshazzar，andtoldhimtoleadBetsytothecabinandholdheruntilhecame。
ThenheturnedtotheGirl。
``Now，’’hesaid，``lookaslongasyouchoose。Butrememberthatthelawgivesyoupartofthisandyourlover，whichsameamI，givesyoutheremainder，soyouareprivilegedtocomehereatanyhourasoftenasyouplease。Ifyoumissanythingthisevening，youhavealltimetocomeinwhichtore-examineit。’’
``I’dliketoliverighthereonthisbridge，’’shesaid。
``Iwishithadaroof。’’
``Roofitto-morrow，’’offeredtheHarvester。``Simplematterofafewpillarsalreadycut，joistsjoined，andsomeslabshinglesleftfromthecabin。Anythingelseyourladyshipcansuggest？’’
``Thatyoubesensible。’’
``Iwasbornthatway，’’explainedtheHarvester，``andI’vecultivatedthefacultyuntilI’vedevelopedrealgenius。Talkingofsense，thereneverwasapropermarriageinwhichthemandidn’tgivethewomanapresent。YouseemlikelytobemoreappreciativeofthisbridgethananythingelseIhave，sorighthereandnowwouldbetheappropriateplacetoofferyoumyweddinggift。Ididn’thavemuchtime，butIcouldn’thavefoundanythingmoresuitableifI’dtakenayear。’’
Heheldoutasmall，whitevelvetcase。
``Doesn’tthatlookasifitweremadeforabride？’’
heasked。
``Itdoes，’’answeredtheGirl。``ButIcan’ttakeit。
Youarenotdoingright。Marryingaswedid，younevercanbelievethatIloveyou；maybeitwon’teverhappenthatIdo。Ihavenorighttoacceptgiftsandexpensiveclothingfromyou。Inthefirstplace，iftheloveyouasknevercomes，thereisnopossiblewayinwhichIcanrepayyou。Inthesecond，thesethingsyouareofferingarenotsuitableforlifeandworkinthewoods。Inthethird，Ithinkyouarebeingextravagant，andIcouldn’tforgivemyselfifIallowedthat。’’
``Youdivideyourstatementslikeapreacher，don’tyou？’’askedtheHarvesteringenuously。``Nowsittheehereandgazeontheplacidlakeandquietyourtroubledspirit，whileIdemolishyour`perfectlygood’
arguments。Inthefirstplace，youarenowmywife，andyouhavearighttotakeanythingIoffer，ifyoucareforitorcanuseitinanymanner。Inthesecond，youmustrecognizeadifferenceinourpositions。Whatseemsnothingtoyoumeansalltheworldtome，andyouarelessthanhumanifyoudeprivemeofthejoyofexpressingfeelingsIaminhonourboundtokeepinmyheart，bytheselittlematerialofferings。Inthethirdplace，Iinheritedoversixhundredacresoflandandwater，pleaseobservethewater——itisnowinevidenceonyourleft。AllmylifeIhavebeentaughttobefrugal，economical，andtowork。AllI’veearnedeitherhasgonebackintoland，intothebank，orintobooks，veryplainfood，andsuchclothingasyounowseemewearing。Justthevalueofthisplaceasitstands，withitsbigtrees，itsdrugcropsyieldingalltheyearround，wouldbedifficulttoestimate；andIdon’tmindtellingyouthatonthetopofthathillthereisagoldmine，andit’smine——ourssincefouro’clock。’’
``Agoldmine！’’
``Acresandacresofwildginseng，sevenyearsofageandreadytoharvest。Doyourememberwhatyourfewpoundsbrought？’’
``Whyit’sworththousands！’’
``Exactly！ForyourpeaceofmindImightaddthatallIhavedoneorgotispaidfor，exceptwhatIboughtto-day，andIwillwriteacheckforthatassoonasthebillismadeout。MybankaccountneverwillfeelitTruly，Ruth，Iamnotdoingorgoingtodoanythingextravagant。Ican’taffordtogiveyoudiamondnecklaces，yachts，andtripstoEurope；butyoucanhavethecontentsofthisboxandamotorboatonthelake，ahorseandcarriage，andatrip——saytoNewYorkperfectlywell。Pleasetakeit。’’
``Iwishyouwouldn’taskme。Iwouldbehappiernotto。’’
``Yes，butIdoaskyou，’’persistedtheHarvester。
``Youarenottheonlyonetobeconsidered。Ihavesomerightsalso，andI’mnotsoself-effacingthatI
won’tinsistuponthem。FromyourstandpointIamalmostastranger。Youhavespentnotimeconsideringmeinnearrelations；Irealizethat。Youfeelasifyouweredrivenhereforarefuge，andthatistrue。IsaidtoBelshazzaronedaythatImustrememberthatyouhadnodream，andhadspentnotimelovingme，andI
doIknowhowthisweddingseemstoyou，butit’sgoingtomeansomethingdifferentandbettersoon，pleaseGod。Icanseeyourside；nowsupposeyoutakealookatmine。Ididhaveadream，itwasmydream，andbeyondthesumofanydelightIeverconceived。OnthestrengthofitIrebuiltmyhomeandremodelledthesepremises。ThenIsawyou，andfromthatdayIworkedearlyandlate。IlostyouandI
neverstoppeduntilIfoundyou；andIwouldhavecourtedandwonyou，butthefatesintervenedandhereyouare！Soit’smydelighttocourtandwinyounow。
Ifyouknewthedifferencebetweenhavingadreamthatstirredtheleastfibreofyourbeingandfacingtheworldinademandforrealizationofit，andthenfindingwhatyoucovetedinthepalmofyourhand，asitwere，youwouldknowwhatisinmyheart，andwhyexpressionofsomekindisnecessarytomejustnow，andwhyI’llexplodeifitisdenied。Itwilllowerthetension，ifyouwillacceptthisasamatteroffact；asifyouratherexpectedandlikedit，ifyoucan。’’
TheHarvestersethisfingeronthespring。
``Don’t！’’shesaid。``I’llneverhavethecourageifyoudo。Giveittomeinthecase，andletmeopenit。
Despiteyourunanswerablearguments，IamquitesurethatistheonlywayinwhichIcantakeit。’’
TheHarvestergaveherthebox。
``Myweddinggift！’’sheexclaimed，moretoherselfthantohim。``WhyshouldIbethebuffetofalltheunkindfateskeptinstoreforagirlmywholelife，andthensuddenlybeofferedhome，beautifulgifts，andwonderfullovingkindnessbyastranger？’’
TheHarvesterranhisfingersthroughhiscrisphair，pulleditintoapeak，steppedtotheseatandsittingontherailing，heliftedhiselbows，tiltedhishead，andbeganamotleyoutpouringofhalf-spoken，half-whistledtrillsandimploringcries。TherewasenoughsimilaritythattheGirlinstantlyrecognizedtheredbird。OutofbreaththeHarvesterdroppedtotheseatbesideher。
``Anddon’tyoukeepforgettingit！’’hecried。``Nowopenthatboxandputonthetrinket；becauseIwanttotakeyoutothecabinwhenthesunfallslevelonthedrive。’’
Sheopenedthecase，exposingathreadofgoldthatappearedtooslenderfortheweightofanexquisitependant，setwithshimmeringpearls。
``Ifyouwilllookdownthere，’’theHarvesterpointedovertherailingtothearrowheadliliestouchedwiththefadinglight，``youwillseethattheyaresimilar。’’
``Theyare！’’criedtheGirl。``Howlovely！WhichismorebeautifulIdonotknow。Andyouwon’tlikeitifIsayImustnot。’’
SheheldtheopencasetowardtheHarvester。
```Possessionisninepointsinthelaw，’’’hequoted。
``Youhavetakenitalreadyanditisinyourhands；
nowmakethegiftperfectformebyputtingitonandsayingnothingmore。’’
``Myweddinggift！’’repeatedtheGirl。Slowlysheliftedthebeautifulornamentandhelditinthelight。
``I’msogladyoujustforcemetotakeit，’’shesaid。
``Anyhalf-normalgirlwouldbedelighted。Idoacceptit。Andwhat’smore，Iamgoingtokeepandwearitandmyringatsuitabletimesallmylife，inmemoryofwhatyouhavedonetobekindtomeonthisawfulday。’’
``Thankyou！’’saidtheHarvester。``Thatisaflashoftheproperspirit。Allowmetoputitonyou。’’
``No！’’saidtheGirl。``Notyet！Afterawhile！I
wanttoholditinmyhands，whereIcanseeit！’’
``Nowthereisoneotherthing，’’saidtheHarvester。
``IfIhadknownforanylengthoftimethatthisdaywascomingandbringingyou，asmostmenknowwhenagirlistobegivenintotheircare，Icouldhavemadeitdifferent。Asitis，I’vedonethebestIknew。AllyourafterlifeIhopeyouwillbelievethis:Justthatifyoumissedanythingto-daythatwouldhavemadeiteasierforyouormorepleasant，thereasonwasbecauseofmyignoranceofwomenandtheconventions，andlackoftime。IwantyoutoknowandtofeelthatinmyheartthosevowsItookwerereal。ThisisundoubtedlyallthemarryingIwilleverwanttodo。Iamold-fashionedinmyways，anddeeplyimbuedwiththespiritofthewoods，andthatmeansunendingevolutionalongthesamelines。
``Tomeyouaremyreveredandbelovedwife，mymatenow；andIamsurenothingwillmakemefeelanydifferent。ThisisthedayofmymarriagetotheonlywomanIeverhavethoughtofwedding，andtomeitisjoyunspeakable。Withothermensuchadayendsdifferentlyfromthecloseofthiswithme。BecauseIhavedoneandwillcontinuetodothelevelbestIknowforyou，thisorationistheprologuetoaskingyouforonegifttomefromyou，aweddinggift。Idon’twantitunlessyoucanbestowitungrudgingly，andtrulywantmetohaveit。Ifyoucan，IwillhaveallfromthisdayIhopeforatthehandsoffate。MayIhavethegiftIaskofyou，Ruth？’’
Sheliftedstartledeyestohisface。
``Tellmewhatitis？’’shebreathed。
``Itmayseemmuchtoyou，’’saidtheHarvester；
``tomeitappearsonlyagraciousact，fromawonderfulwoman，ifyouwillgivemefreely，onerealkiss。I’veneverhadone，savefromaDreamGirl，Ruth，andyouwillhavetomakeyoursprettygoodifitisanythinglikehers。Youarewomanenoughtoknowthatmostmencrushtheirbridesintheirarmsandtakeathousand。
I’llputmyhandsbehindmeandnevermoveamuscle，andIwon’taskformore，ifyouwillcrownmyweddingdaywithonlyonetouchofyourlips。Willyoukissmejustonce，Ruth？’’
TheGirlliftedapiteousfacedownwhichbigtearssuddenlyrolled。
``OhMan，youshameme！’’shecried。``WhatkindofahearthaveIthatitfailstorespondtosuchaplea？HaveIbeenoverworkedandstarvedsolongthereisnofeelinginme？Idon’tunderstandwhyIdon’ttakeyouinmyarmsandkissyouahundredtimes，butyouseeIdon’t。Itdoesn’tseemasifIevercould。’’
``Nevermind，’’saidtheHarvestergently。``Itwasonlyafancyofmine，bredfrommydreamandunreasonable，perhaps。IamsorryImentionedit。Thesunisonthestoopnow；Iwantyoutoenteryourhomeinitslight。Come！’’
Hehalfliftedherfromthebench。``IamgoingtohelpyouupthedriveasIusedtoassistmother，’’hesaid，fightingtokeephisvoicenatural。``Claspyourhandsbeforeyouanddrawyourelbowstoyoursides。
Nowletmetakeoneineachpalm，andyouwillscootupthisdriveasifyouwereonwheels。’’
``ButIdon’twantto`scoot’，’’shesaidunsteadily。
``Imustgoslowlyandnotmissanything。’’
``Onthecontrary，youdon’twanttodoanysuchthing——youshouldleavemostofitforto-morrow。’’
``Ihadforgottentherewouldbeanyto-morrow。Itseemsasifthedaywouldenditandsetmeadriftagain。’’
``Youaregoingtoawakeinthegoldroomwiththesunshiningonyourfaceinthemorning，andit’sgoingtokeeponallyourlife。Nowifyou’vegotasmileinyouranatomy，bringittothesurface，forjustbeyondthistreelieshappinessforyou。’’
Hisvoicewasclearandsteadynow，hisconfidencesomethingcontagious。Therewasalovelysmileonherfaceasshelookedathim，andsteppedintothelineoflightcrossingthedriveway；andthenshestoppedandcried，``Ohlovely！Lovely！Lovely！’’overandover。
ThenmaybetheHarvesterwasnotgladhehadplanned，workedunceasingly，andbuildedaswellasheknew。
Thecabinoflarge，peeled，goldenoaklogs，oiledtopreservethem，nestledlikeabigmushroomonthesideofthehill。Aboveandbehindthebuildingthetreesaroseinagreensetting。Theroofwasstainedtotheirshades。Thewideverandawasenclosedinscreening，overwhichwonderfulvinesclimbedinplaces，androunditgrewfernsanddeep-woodplants。Insidehungbigbasketsofwildgrowth；therewasawideswingingseat，withabackrest，supportedbyheavychains。Therewerechairsandatableofbentsaplingsandhickorywithes。Twofullstoriesthebuildingarose，andthewesternsunwarmeditalmosttoorange-yellow，whilethegracefulvinescrepttowardtheroof。
TheGirllookedattherapidlyrisinghedgeoneachsideofher，atthewhitefloorofthedrive，andlongandlongatthecabin。
``YoudidallthissinceFebruary？’’sheasked。
``Eventotransformingthelandscape，’’answeredtheHarvester。
``OhIwishitwasnotcomingnight！’’shecried。``I
don’twantthedarktocome，untilyouhavetoldmethenameofeverytreeandshrubofthatwonderfulhedge，andeveryplantandvineoftheveranda；andohI
wanttofollowupthedrivewayandseethatbeautifullittlecreek——listentoitchuckleandlaugh！Isitalwaysgladlikethat？Seethefernsandthingsthatgrowontheothersideofit！Whytherearebigbedsofthem。Andliliesofthevalleybytheacre！Whatisthatyellowaroundthecorner？’’
``Nevermindthatnow，’’saidtheHarvester，guidingherupthesteps，alongthegravelledwalktothescreenthatheopened，andoverafloodofgoldlightshecrossedtheveranda，andenteredthedoor。
``Nowhereitappearsbare，’’saidtheHarvester，``becauseIdidn’tknowwhatshouldgoonthewallsorwhatrugstogetoraboutthewindows。Thetable，chairs，andcouchImademyselfwithsomehelpfromacarpenter。Theyaresolidblackwalnutandwillagefinely。’’
``Theyarebeautiful，’’saidtheGirl，softlytouchingtheshiningtabletopwithherfingers。``Pleaseputthenecklaceonmenow，Ihavetousemyeyesandhandsforotherthings。’’
SheheldouttheboxandtheHarvesterliftedthependantandclaspedthechainaroundherneck。Sheglancedatthelustrouspearlsandthenthefingersofonehandsoftlyclosedoverthem。Shewentthroughthelong，wideliving-room，examiningthechairsandmantel，stoppingtotouchandexclaimoveritsarrayofhalf-finishedcandlesticks。Atthedoorofhisroomshepaused。``Andthis？’’shequestioned。
``Mine，’’saidtheHarvester，turningtheknob。``I’llgiveyouonepeeptosatisfyyourcuriosity，andshowyouthelocationofthebridgeoverwhichyoucametomeinmydream。Alltheremainderisyours。Ireserveonlythis。’’
``Willthe`goblinsgitme’ifIcomehere？’’
``Notgoblins，butamanalive；soheedyourwarning。
Afteryouhaveseenit，keepaway。’’
Thefloorwascement，threeofthewallsheavyscreeningwithmosquitowireinside，theroofslabshingled。
Ontheinnerwallwasabookcase，belowitadesk，atonesideaguncabinet，attheotherabathinasmallalcovebesideacloset。Theroomcontainedtwochairslikethoseoftheveranda，andthebedwasalowoakcouchcoveredwithathickmattressofhemlocktwigs，toppedwithsweetfern，onwhichthesunshoneallday。
Onachairatthefootwerespreadsomewhitesheets，ablanket，andanoilcloth。Thesunbeatin，thewinddriftedthrough，andonelyingonthecouchcouldseedownthebrighthill，andsweepthelaketotheoppositebankwithoutliftingthehead。TheHarvesterdrewtheGirltothebedside。
``Nowstraightinalinefromhere，’’hesaid，``acrossthelaketothatbig，scraggyoak，everyclearnightthemoonbuildsabridgeofmoltengold，andonceyouwalkedit，mygirl，andcamestraighttome，aloneandunafraid；
andyouweregraciousandlovelybeyondanythingamaneverdreamedofbefore。I’llhavethattothinkofto-night。Nowcomeseethedining-room，kitchen，andhand-madesunshine。’’
Heledherintowhathadbeenthefrontroomoftheoldcabin，nowalarge，longdining-roomhavingoneachsidewidewindowswithdeepseats。Thefireplacebackwallwasagainstthatoftheliving-room，butherethemantelwasbare。Allthewood-work，chairs，thediningtable，cupboards，andcarvingtableweregoldenoak。Onlyafewrugsandfurnishingsandawoman’stouchwererequiredtomakeitanunusualandbeautifulroom。Thekitchenwasshiningwithawhitehard-woodfloor，whitewood-work，andpalegreenwalls。Itwasalight，airy，sanitaryplace，suppliedwithapump，sink，hotandcoldwaterfaucets，refrigerator，andeverymodernconveniencepossibletothecountry。
ThentheHarvesteralmostcarriedtheGirlupthestairsandshowedherthreelargesleepingrooms，emptyandbaresaveforsomepackingcases。
``Ididn’tknowaboutthese，soIdidn’tdoanything。
Whenyoufindtimetoplan，tellmewhatyouwant，andI’llmake——orbuyit。Theyaregood-sized，coolrooms。
Theyallhaveclosetsandpipesfromthefurnace，sotheywillbecomfortableinwinter。Nowthereisyourplaceremaining。I’llleaveyouwhileIstableBetsyandfeedthestock。’’
Heguidedhertothedooropeningfromtheliving-
roomtotheeast。
``Thisisthesunshinespot，’’hesaid。``Itisbathedinmorninglight，andshelteredbyafternoonshade。
SingingWaterisacrossthedrivetheretotalktoyoualways。Itcomespeltingdownsofastitneverfreezes，soitmakesmusicallwinter，andthebirdsaresonumerousyou’llhavetogotobedearlyforthey’llwakeyoubydawn。InoticedthisroomwasgoingtobefullofsunshinewhenIbuiltit，andIcravedonlybrightnessforyou，soIcoaxedallofittostaythatIcould。Everystrokeistheworkofmyhands，andallofthefurniture。
Ihopeyouwilllikeit。ThisistheroomofwhichI’vebeentellingyou，Ruth。Goinandtakepossession，andI’llentreatGodandallHisministeringangelstosendyousunshineandjoy。’’
Heopenedthedoor，guidedherinside，closedit，andwentswiftlytohiswork。
TheGirlstoodandlookedaroundherwithamazedeyes。Thefloorwaspaleyellowwood，polisheduntilitshonelikeatabletop。Thecasings，table，chairs，dressingtable，chestofdrawers，andbedweresolidcurlymaple。Thedoorswerebigpolishedslabsofit，eachcontainingenoughmaterialtoveneerallthefurnitureintheroom。Thewallswereofplaster，tintedyellow，andthewindowswithyellowshadeswerecurtainedindaintywhite。ShecouldheartheHarvestercarryingtheloadfromthewagontothefrontporch，theclamourofthebarnyard；andasshewenttothenorthwindowtoseetheview，ashiningpeacockstrutteddownthewalkandwenttotheHarvester’shandforgrain，whilescoresofsnow-whitedovescircledoverhishead。
Shesteppedondeeprugsofyellowgoatskins，and，glancingatthewindowsoneitherside，sheopenedthedoor。
Outsideitlayaporchwitharailing，butnoroof。
Oneachpoststoodaboxfilledwithyellowwood-flowersandtrailingvinesofpalegreen。Abigtreerisingthroughonecornerofthefloorsuppliedthecover。Agateopenedtoawalkleadingtothedriveway，andoneithersidelayapatchofsod，outlinedbyadeephedgeofbrightgold。Initsaffron，cone-flowers，black-eyedSusans，golden-rod，wildsunflowers，andjewelflowergrew，andsomeofit，enoughtoformayellowline，wasalreadyinbloom。Aroundtheporchanddownthewalkwerebedsofyellowviolets，pixiemoss，andeverytinygoldflowerofthewoods。TheGirlleanedagainstthetreeandlookedaroundherandthenstaggeredinsideanddroppedonthecouch。
``Whatplanning！Whatwork！’’shesobbed。``Whattaste！Whyhe’sapoet！Whatwonderfulbeauty！
He’sanartistwithearthforhiscanvas，andgrowingthingsforcolours。’’
Shelaytherestaringatthewalls，thebeautifulwood-
workandfurniture，thedressingtablewithitsarrayoftoiletarticles，alowchairbeforeit，andthethickrugforherfeet。Overandovershelookedateverything，andthenclosedhereyesandlayquietly，toowearyandoverwhelmedtothink。Byandbycametappingatthedoor，andshesprangupandcrossingtothedressingtablestraightenedherhairandcomposedherface。
``Ajaxdemandstoseeyou，’’criedagayvoice。
TheGirlsteppedoutside。
``Don’tbefrightenedifhescreamsatyou，’’warnedtheHarvesterasshepassedhim。``Hedetestsastranger，andhealwayscriesandsulks。’’
Itwasaquestionwhatwasintheheadofthebirdashesawthestrangelookingcreatureinvadinghisdomain，andhedidscream，awild，high，stridentwailthatdelightedtheHarvesterinexpressibly，becauseitsenttheGirlheadlongintohisarms。
``Oh，goodgracious！’’shecried。``Hassuchabeautifulbirdgotanoiseinitlikethat？WhyI’vefedtheminparksandIneverheardoneexplodebefore。’’
ThenhowtheHarvesterlaughed。
``Butyouseeyouareinthewoodsnow，andthisisnotaparkbird。Itwillbethetestofyourpowertoseehowsoonyoucancoaxhimtoyourhand。’’
``HowdoIworktowinhim？’’
``IamafraidIcan’ttellyouthat，’’saidtheHarvester。
``Ihadtoinventaplanformyself。Itrequiredalongtimeandmuchpetting，andmymethodsmightnotavailforyou。Itwillinterestyoutostudythatout。
ButthememberofthefamilyitispositivelyessentialthatyouwintoalifeanddeathallegianceisBelshazzar。
Ifyoucanmakehimloveyou，hewillprotectyouateveryturn。Hewillgobeforeyouintotheforestandallthecrawling，creepingthingswillgetoutofhisway。
Hewillnosearoundtheflowersyouwanttogather，andifhegrowlsandthehaironthebackofhisneckrises，neverforgetthatyoumustheedthatwarning。AfewtimesIhavenotstoppedforit，andIalwayshavebeensorry。Sofarasanythinganimateoruncertainfootingisconcerned，youarealwaysperfectlysafeifyouobeyhim。Abouttouchingplantsandflowers，youmustconfineyourselftothoseyouarecertainyouknow，untilIcanteachyou。Therearegorgeousandwonderfullyattractivethingshere，butsomeofthemarerankpoison。Youwon’thandleplantsyoudon’tknow，untilyoulearn，Ruth？’’
``Iwillnot，’’shepromisedinstantly。
Shewenttotheseatundertheporchtreeandleaningagainstthetrunkshestudiedthehill，andtheripplingcourseofSingingWaterwhereitturnedandcurvedbeforethecabin，andstartedacrossthevividlittlemarshtowardthelake。ThenshelookedattheHarvester。
Heseatedhimselfonthelowrailingandsmiledather。
``Youareverytired？’’heasked。
``No，’’shesaid。``Youarerightabouttheairbeingbetteruphere。Itisstimulatinginsteadofdepressing。’’
``Sofaraspureair，location，andwaterareconcerned，’’
saidtheHarvester，``Iconsiderthisplaceideal。Thelakeislargeenoughtocooltheairandraisesufficientmoisturetodampenit，andtoosmalltomakeitreallycoldanddisagreeable。Theslopeofthehillgivesperfectdrainage。Theheaviestrainsdonotwettheearthformorethanthreehours。North，south，andwestbreezessweepthecoolairfromthewatertothecabininsummer。
Thesamesunswarmushereonthewinterhillside。
Myviolets，springbeauties，anemones，anddutchman’sbreechesherearealwaystwoweeksaheadofthoseinthewoods。Iamnotafraidofyournotlikingthelocationortheair。Asforthecabin，ifyoudon’tcareforthat，it’sverysimple。I’lltransformitintoalaboratoryanddry-house，andbuildyouwhateveryouwant，withinmymeans，overthereonthehilljustacrossSingingWaterandfacingthevalleytowardOnabasha。
That’saperfectlocation。Thethingthatworriesmeiswhatyouaregoingtodoforcompany，especiallywhileIamaway。’’
``Don’ttroubleyourselfaboutanything，’’shesaid。
``Justsayinyourheart，`sheisgoingtobestrongerthansheeverhasbeeninherlifeinthislovelyplace，andshehasmorerightnowthansheeverhadorhopedtohave。’
Foronething，Iamgoingtostudyyourbooks。Ineverhavehadtimebefore。Whilewesewedorembroidered，mothertalkedbythehourofthegreatwritersoftheworld，toldmewhattheywrote，andhowtheyexpressedthemselves，butIgottoreadverylittleformyself。’’
``Booksaremycompany，’’saidtheHarvester。
``Doyourfriendscomeoften？’’
``Almostnever！Docandhiswifecomemost，andifyoulookoutsomedayandseeawhite-haired，bentoldwoman，withafaceassweetasdawn，comingupthebankofSingingWater，thatwillbemymother’sfriend，GrannyMoreland，whojoinsusonthenorthoverthere。
Sheisfrankandbrusque，soshesayswhatshethinkswithunmistakabledistinctness，butherheartisbigandtenderandherphilosophykeepshersweetandkindlydespitetheacheofrheumatismandtheweightofseventyyears。’’
``I’dlovetohavehercome，’’saidtheGirl。``Isthatall？’’
``Yes。’’
``Why？’’
``Yourfavouriteword，’’laughedtheHarvester。``Thereasonlieswithme，orratherwithmymother。SomedayIwilltellyouthewholestory，andthecause。I
thinknowIcanencompassitinthis。Theplaceisanexperiment。Whenmedicinalherbs，roots，andbarksbecamesoscarcethatsomeofthemostimportantwerealmostextinct，itoccurredtomethatitwouldbeagoodideatostoptravellingmilesandpoachingonthewoodsofotherpeople，andturnourlandintoanherbgarden。Forfouryearsbeforemotherwent，andsixsince，I’veworkedwithallmymight，andresultsarebeginningtotakeshape。WhileI’vebeenatit，ofcourse，myneighbourshadaninklingofwhatwasgoingon，andI’vebeencalledafool，lazy，andafanatic，becauseIdidnotfellthetreesandplowforcorn。YoureadilycanseeI’malittleshortofcorngroundoutthere，’’
hewavedtowardthemarshandlake，``andupthere，’’
heindicatedthesteephillandwood。``ButsomewhereonthislandI’vebeenabletofindmuckformallows，waterforflagsandwillows，shadeforferns，lilies，andginseng，rocky，sunnyspacesformullein，andopen，fertilebedsforBouncingBet——justforexamples。Godneverevolvedaplacebettersuitedforanherbfarm；fromwoodstowaterandallthatgoesbetween，itisperfect。’’
``Andindescribablylovely，’’addedtheGirl。
``Yes，Ithinkitis，’’saidtheHarvester。``ButinthedayswhenIdidn’tknowhowitwascomingout，Iwassensitiveaboutit；soIkeptquietandworked，andallowedtheotherfellowtodothetalking。Afterawhiletheginsengbedgrewatreasureworthguarding，andIdidn’tcareforanyonetoknowhowmuchIhadorwhereitwas，asamatterofprecaution。Ginsengandmoneyaresynonymous，andIwasforcedtobeawaysomeofthetime。’’
``Wouldanyonetakeit？’’
``Certainly！’’saidtheHarvester。``Iftheyknewitwasthere，andwhatitisworth。Then，asI’vetoldyou，muchofthestuffheremustnotbehandledexceptbyexperts，andIdidn’twantpeoplecominginmyabsenceandtakingrisks。Theremainderofmyreasonforlivingsoaloneiscowardice，pureandsimple。’’
``Cowardice？You！Ohno！’’
``Thankyou！’’saidtheHarvester。``Butitis！
SomedayI’lltellyouofaverysolemnoathI’vehadtokeep。Ithasn’tbeeneasy。Youwouldn’tunderstand，atleastnotnow。IfthedayevercomeswhenIthinkyouwill，I’lltellyou。JustnowIcanexpressitbythatoneword。Ididn’tdarefailorIfeltIwouldbelostasmyfatherwasbeforeme。SoIremainedawayfromthecityanditstemptationsandmenofmyage，andworkedinthewoodsuntilIwastiredenoughtodrop，readbooksthathelped，tinkeredwiththecarving，andsometimesIhadanidea，andIwentintothatlittlebuildingbehindthedry-house，tookoutmydifferentherbs，andtriedmyhandatcompoundinganewcureforsomeofthepainsofhumanity。Itisn’tbadwork，Ruth。Itkeepsafellowatafairlydecentlevel，andsomegoodmaycomeofit。Careyistryingseveralformulaeforme，andiftheyworkI’llcarrythemhigher。Ifyouwantmoney，Girl，Iknowhowtogetitforyou。’’
``Don’tyouwantit？’’
``NotonecentmorethanI’vegot，’’saidtheHarvesteremphatically。``Whenanymanaccumulatesmorethanhecanearnwithhisownhands，hebeginstoenrichhimselfattheexpenseoftheyouth，thesweat，theblood，thejoyofhisfellowmen。Icangotothecity，takealook，andseewhatmoneydoes，asarule，andit’sanotherthingI’mafraidof。Youwillfindmeadreadfulcowardonthosetwopoints。Idon’twanttoknowsocietyanditsways。Iseewhatitdoestoothermen；itwouldbepresumptiontoreckonmyselfstronger。SoIlivealone。Asformoney，I’vewatchedthecrosscutsandthequickandeasywaystoaccumulateit；butI’vehadsomethinginmethatheldmetotheslow，sure，cleanworkofmyownhands，andit’syieldedmeenoughforone，fortwoeven，inareasonabledegree。SoI’veworked，read，compounded，andcarved。
IfIcouldn’twearmyselfdownenoughtosleepbyanyothermethod，Iwentintothelake，andswamacrossandback；andthatisguaranteedtoputanymantorest，cleanandunashamed。’’
``Sixyears，’’saidtheGirlsoftly，asshestudiedhim。
``Ithinkithassetamarkonyou。IbelieveIcantraceit。Yourforehead，brow，andeyesbearthelinesandtheappearanceofallexperience，allcomprehension，butyourlipsarethoseofaveryyounglad。Ishouldn’tbesurprisedifIhadthatkissreadyforyou，andIreallybelieveIcanmakeitworthwhile。’’
``OhgoodLord！’’criedtheHarvester，turningabackwardsomersaultovertherailingandstartinginbigboundsupthedrivetowardthestable。Hepassedarounditandintothewoodsatarushandafewsecondslaterfromsomewhereonthetopofthehillhisstrong，deepvoicesweptdown，``Glory，gloryhallelujah！’’
Hesangitthroughatthetopofhislungs，thatmajesticoldhymn，buttherewasnomusicatall，itwassimplyaroar。ByandbyhecamesoberlytothebarnandpausedtostrokeBetsy’snose。
``Stopchewinggrassandlistentome，’’hesaid。``She’shere，Betsy！She’sinourcabin。She’sgoingtoremain，youcanstakeyouroatsonthat。She’sgoingtobetheloveliestandsweetestgirlinalltheworld，andbecauseyou’reabeast，I’lltellyousomethingamannevercouldknow。Downwithyourear，youcritter！She’sgoingtokissme，Betsy！Thisverynight，beforeIlayme，herlipsmeetmine，andmaybeyouthinkthatwon’tbeglorious。Isupposeditwouldbeayear，anyway，butit’snow！Ain’tyougladyouareananimal，Betsy，andcankeepsecretsforafoolmanthatcan’t？’’
Hewalkeddownthedriveway，andbeforetheGirlhadachancetospeak，hesaid，``IwonderifIhadnotbettercarrythosethingsintoyourroom，andarrangeyourbedforyou。’’
``Ican，’’shesaid。
``Ohno！’’exclaimedtheHarvester。``Youcan’tliftthemattressandheavycovers。Holdthedoorandtellmehow。’’
Helaidabigbundleonthefloor，openedit，andtookouttheshoes。
``Yourshoeboxisintheclosetthere。’’
``Ididn’tknowwhatthatdoorwas，soIdidn’topenit。’’
``Thatisapartofmyarrangementsforyou，’’saidtheHarvester。``Hereisaclosetwithshelvesforyourcoversandotherthings。TheyarebarebecauseI
didn’tknowjustwhatshouldbeputonthem。Thisistheshoeboxhereinthecorner；I’llputtheseinitnow。’’
Hekneltandinarowsettheshoesinthecurlymapleboxandclosedit。
``Thereyouareforallkindsofplacesandvarietiesofweather。Thisadjoiningisyourbathroom。Iputintowels，soaps；brushes，andeverythingIcouldthinkof，andthereishotwaterreadyforyou——rainwater，too。’’
TheGirlfollowedandlookedintoashininglittlebathroom，withitswhiteporcelaintubandwashbowl，enamelledwood-work，daintygreenwalls，andwhitecurtainsandtowels。Shecouldseenoaccessorysheknewofthatwasmissing，andthereweremanythingstowhichsheneverhadbeenaccustomed。TheHarvesterhadgonebacktothesunshineroom，andwaskneelingonthefloorbesidethebundle。Hebeganopeningboxesandhandingherdresses。
``Thereareskirt，coat，andwaisthangersonthehooks，’’hesaid。``Ionlygotafewthingstostarton，becauseIdidn’tknowwhatyouwouldlike。Insteadofbeingsocarefulwiththatdress，whydon’tyoutakeitoff，andputonacommonone？Thenwewillhavesomethingtoeat，andgotothetopofthehillandwatchthemoonbridgethelake。’’
Whileshehungthedressesandselectedtheonetowear，heplacedthemattress，spreadthepaddingandsheets，andencasedthepillow。Thenhebentandpressedthespringswithhishands。
``Ithinkyouwillfindthatsoftandeasyenoughforhealth，’’hesaid。``AllthepersonalbelongingsIhadthatclerkputupforyouareinthatchestofdrawersthere。Iputthelittleboxesinthetopandwentdown。
Youcanemptyandarrangethemto-morrow。Justhuntoutwhatyouwillneednow。Thereshouldbeeverythingagirlusestheresomewhere。Itoldthemtobeverycarefulaboutthat。Ifthethingsarenotrightornottoyourtaste，youcantakethembackassoonasyouarerested，andtheywillexchangethemforyou。
IfthereisanythingIhavemissedthatyoucanthinkofthatyouneedto-night，tellmeandI’llgoandgetit。’’
TheGirlturnedtowardhim。
``Youcouldn’tbemakingsportofme，’’shesaid，``butMan！Can’tyouseethatIdon’tknowwhattodowithhalfyouhavehere？Ineversawsuchthingscloselybefore。Idon’tknowwhattheyarefor。I
don’tknowhowtousethem。Mymotherwouldhaveknown，butIdonot。Youoverwhelmme！FiftytimesI’vetriedtotellyouthataroomofmyveryown，sucharoomasthiswillbewhento-morrow’ssuncomesin，andthese，andthese，andthese，’’sheturnedfromthechestofboxestothedressingtable，bed，closet，andbath，``alltheseforme，andyouknowabsolutelynothingaboutme——Igetabiglumpinmythroat，andthewordsthatdocomeallseemsomeaningless，Iamperfectlyashamedtosaythem。OhMan，whydoyoudoit？’’
``Ithoughtitwasabouttimetospringanother`why’
onme，’’saidtheHarvester。``ThankGod，IamnowinapositionwhereIcantellyou`why’！Idoitbecauseyouarethegirlofmydream，mymatebyeverylawofHeavenandearth。Allmenbuildaswellastheyknowwhentheonewomanoftheuniverselaysherspellonthem。IdidallthisformyselfjustasakindofexpressionofwhatitwouldbeinmyhearttodoifI
coulddowhatI’dlike。PutontheeasiestdressyoucanfindandIwillgoandsetoutsomethingtoeat。’’
Shestoodwitharmshighpiledwiththeprettiestdressesthatcouldbeselectedhurriedly，thetearsrunningdownherwhitecheeksandsmiledthroughthemathim。
``Therewouldn’tbeanyofthatliquidamberwouldthere？’’sheasked。
``Quarts！’’criedtheHarvester。``I’llbringsome……Doesitreallyhitthespot，Ruth？’’hequestionedashehandedhertheglass。
Sheheapedthedressesonthebedandtookit。
``Itreallydoes。IamafraidIamusingtoomuch。’’
``Idon’tthinkitpossiblycanhurtyou。To-morrowwewillaskDoc。Howsoonwillyoubereadyforlunch？’’
``Idon’twantabite。’’
``Youwillwhenyouseeandsmellit，’’saidtheHarvester。``Iamanexpertcook。It’smychiefestaccomplishment。YoushouldtastethedishesIimprovise。
Buttherewon’tbemuchto-night，becauseIwantyoutoseethemoonriseoverthelake。’’
HewentawayandtheGirlremovedherdressandspreaditonthecouch。Thenshebathedherfaceandhands。Whenshesawthediscolouredcloth，itprovedthatshehadbeenpainted，andmadeherveryindignant。
Yetshecouldnotbealtogetherangry，forthatflushofcolourhadsavedtheHarvesterfrombeingpitiedbyhisfriend。Shestoodalongtimebeforethemirror，staringathergaunt，colourlessface；thenshewenttothedressingtableandcommittedacrime。Shefoundaboxofcreamandrubbeditonforafoundation。
Thensheopenedsomepinkpowder，andcarefullydustedhercheeks。
``Iamutterlyashamed，’’shesaidtotheimageinthemirror，``buthehasdonesomuchforme，heisso，so——
Idon’tknowawordbigenough——thatIcan’tbearhimtoseehowghastlyIam，howlittleworthit。Perhapsthefood，betterair，andoutdoorexercisewillgivemestrengthandcoloursoon。UntilitdoesI’mafraidI’mgoingtohelpoutallIcanwiththis。Itiswonderfulhowitchangesone。Ireallyappearlikeagirlinsteadofabonyoldwoman。’’
Thenshelookedoverthedresses，selectedaprettywhiteprincesse，slippediton，andwenttothekitchen。
ButtheHarvesterwouldnothaveherthere。Heseatedheratthediningtable，besidethewindowoverlookingthelake，lightedapairofhishome-madecandlesinhisfineststicks，andplacedbeforeherbread，butter，coldmeat，milk，andfruit，andtogethertheyatetheirfirstmealintheirhome。
``IfIhadknown，’’saidtheHarvester，``GrannyMorelandisafamouscook。SheisaSouthernwoman，andshecanfrychickenandmakesomeespecialdishestosurpassanyoneIeverknew。Shewouldhavebeensopleasedtocomeoverandgetusanall-rightsupper。’’
``I’dmuchratherhavethis，andbebyourselves，’’saidtheGirl。
``Well，youcanbankonit，Iwould，’’agreedtheHarvester。``Forinstance，ifanyonewerehere，I
mightfeelrestrainedabouttellingyouthatyouareexactlythebeautiful，flushedDreamGirlIhaveadoredformonths，andyourdressmostbecoming。Youareapicturetoblindtheeyesofalonelybachelor，Ruth。’’
``Ohwhydidyousaythat？’’wailedtheGirl。``NowI’vegottofeellikeasneakortellyou——andIdidn’twantyoutoknow。’’
``Don’tyouevertellmeoranyoneelseanythingyoudon’twantto，’’saidtheHarvesterroundly。``It’snobody’sbusiness！’’
``ButImust！Ican’tbeginwithdeception。Iwasfoolenoughtothinkyouwouldn’tnotice。Man，theypaintedme！Ididn’tknowtheyweredoingit，butwhenitallwashedoff，IlookedsoghastlyIalmostfrightenedmyself。Ihuntedthroughtheboxestheyputupforyouandfoundsomepinkpowder——’’
``Butdon’tallthedaintiestwomenpowderthesedays，andconsideritindispensable？Theclerksaidso，andI’venoticeditmentionedinthepapers。Iboughtitforyoutouse。’’
``Yes，justpowder，butMan，Iputonalotofcoldcreamfirsttostickthepowdergoodandthick。OhIwishIhadn’t！’’
``Wellsinceyou’vetoldit，isyourconscienceperfectlyatease？Noyoudon’t！Yousitwhereyouare！
Youarelovely，andifyoudon’tuseenoughpowdertocoverthepaleness，untilyourcolourreturns，I’llholdyouandputiton。Iknowyoufeelbetterwhenyouappearsothateveryonemustadmireyou。’’
``Yes，butI’mafraud！’’
``Youarenosuchthing！’’criedtheHarvesterhotly。
``Therehasn’tawomanintenthousandgotanysuchropeofhair。Ihavebeenseeingthepapersonthehairquestion，too。Noonewillbelieveit’sreal。Iftheythinkyourhairisfalse，whenitisnatural，theywon’tbeanymorefooledwhentheythinkyourcolourisreal，anditisn’t。Verysoonitwillbeandnooneneedeverknowthedifference。Yougoonandfixupyourlevelbest。Toseeyourselfappearingwellwillmakeyouambitioustobecomesoassoonaspossible。’’
``Harvester-man，’’saidtheGirl，gazingathimwithwetluminouseyes，``forthesakeofotherwomen，I
couldwishthatallmenhadanoathtokeep，andhadbeenrearedinthewoods。’’
``Hereistheplaceweadjourntothemoon，’’criedtheHarvester。``Idon’tknowofanythingthatcancureasuddenaccessionofswellheadlikegazingattheheavens。
Onefindshisplaceamongtheatomsnaturallyandinstantaneouslywiththeeyesonthenightsky。Shouldyouhaveawrap？Youshould！Themistsfromthelakearecool。Idon’tbelievethereisoneamongmyorders。Iforgotthat。Butupstairswithmother’sclothingthereareseveralshawlsandshouldercapes。
Allofthemwerewashedandcarefullypacked。Wouldyouuseone，Ruth？’’
``Whynotgiveittome。Wouldn’tshelikemetowearherthingsbetterthantohavethemlyinginmothballs？’’
TheHarvesterlookedatherandshookhishead，marvelling。
``Ican’ttellhowpleasedshewouldbe，’’hesaid。
``Whereareherbelongings？’’askedtheGirl。``I
couldusethemtohelpfurnishthehouse，anditwouldn’tappearsostrangetoyou。’’
TheHarvesterlikedthat。
``Allthewashedthingsareinthoseboxesupstairs；
alsosomefineskinsI’vesavedonthechanceofwantingthem。Herdishesareinthebottomofthechinaclosetthere；shewasmightyproudofthem。ThefurnitureandcarpetsweresooldandabusedIburnedthem。I’llgobringawrap。’’
Hetookthecandleandclimbedthestairs，soonreturningwithalittlewhitewoolshawlandabigpinkcoverlet。
``GotthisforherChristmasonetime，’’hesaid。``She’dneverhadawhiteoneandshethoughtitwaspretty。’’
HefoldeditaroundtheGirl’sshouldersandpickedupthecoverlet。
``You’renevergoingtotakethattothewoods！’’shecried。
``Whynot？’’
Shetookitinherhandstofindacorner。
``JustasIthought！It’sagenuinePeterHartman！
It’soneofthethingsthatmoneycan’tbuy，or，rather，onethattakesamintofmoneytoown。Theyareheirlooms。Theyarenotmanufacturedanymore。
AttheartstorewhereIworkedthey’dgiveyoufiftydollarsforthat。Itisnotfadedorwornaparticle。
Itwouldbelovelyinmyroom；youmustn’ttakeatreasurelikethatoutofdoors。’’
``Ruth，areyouinearnest？’’demandedtheHarvester。
``Ibelievetherearesixofthemupstairs。’’
``Plutocrat！’’criedtheGirl。``Whatcolours？’’
``Moreofthispinkishred，blue，andpalegreen。’’
``Famous！MayIhavethemtohelpfurnishwithto-morrow？’’
``Certainly！Anythingyoucanfind，anywayonearthyouwantit，onlyinmyroom。Thatistaboo，asItoldyou。WhatamIgoingtotaketo-night？’’
``Isn’ttherugyouhadinthewoodsinthewagonyet？
Usethat！’’
``Ofcourse！Theverything！Bel，proceed！’’
``Areyougoingtoleavethehouselikethis？’’
``Whynot？’’
``Supposesomeonebreaksin！’’
``Nothingworthcarryingaway，exceptwhatyouhaveon。Noonetogetin。Thereisabigswampbackofourwoods，marshinfront，we’reupherewherewecanseethedriveandbridge。Thereisnothingpossiblefromanydirection。Neverlockedthecabininmylife，exceptyourroom，andthatwasbecauseitwassacred，notthattherewasanydanger。Cleartheway，Bel！’’
``Clearitofwhat？’’
``Katydids，hoptoads，andothercarnivorousanimals。’’
``Nowyouaremakingfunofme！Clearitofwhat？’’
``Acoonthatmightgoshufflingacross，anopossum，orasnakegoingtothelake。Nowareyoufrightenedsothatyouwillnotgo？’’
``No。ThepathisbroadandwhiteandsurelyyouandBelcantakecareofme。’’
``Ifyouwilltrustuswecan。’’
``Well，Iamtrustingyou。’’
``Youareindeed，’’saidtheHarvester。``Nowseeifyouthinkthisispretty。’’
Heindicatedthehillslopingtowardthelake。Thepathwoundamongmassivetrees，betweenwhosebranchespatchesofmoonlightfiltered。Aroundthelakeshoreandclimbingthehillwerethicketsofbushes。Thewaterlayshininginthelight，agentlewindruffledthesurfaceinundulantwaves，andontheoppositebankarosethelineofbigtrees。Underagiantoakwidelybranching，onthetopofthehill，theHarvesterspreadtherugandheldoneendofitagainstthetreetrunktoprotecttheGirl’sdress。Thenhesatalittledistanceawayandbegantotalk。Hemingledsomesensewithaquantityofnonsense，andappreciatedeveryhintofalaughheheard。Thedayhadbeennoamusingmatterforagirlabsolutelyaloneamongstrangepeopleandscenes。Anythingmoreforeigntoherpreviousenvironmentorexpectationshecouldnotimagine。Sohetalkedtopreventherfromthinking，andworkedforalaughashelabouredforbread。
``Nowwemustgo，’’hesaidatlast。``IfthereisthemalariaIstronglysuspectinyoursystem，thisnightairisnonetoogoodforyou。Ionlywantedyoutoseethelakethefirstnightinyournewhome，andifitwon’tshockyou，Ibroughtyouherebecausethisismyholyofholies。CanyouguesswhyIwantedyoutocome，Ruth？’’
``IfIwasn’tsostupidwithalternateburningandchills，andsodeadenedtoeverypropersensibility，I
supposeIcould，’’sheanswered，``butI’mnotbrilliant。
Idon’tknow，unlessitisbecauseyouknewitwouldbetheloveliestplaceIeversaw。Surelythereisnootherspotintheworldquitesobeautiful。’’
``Thenwoulditseemstrangetoyou，’’askedtheHarvestergoingtotheGirlandgentlyputtinghisarmsaroundher，``woulditseemstrangetoyou，thatawomanwhooncehomedhereandthoughtittheprettiestplaceonearth，chosetoremainforhereternalsleep，ratherthantorestinadistantcityofstrangerdead？’’
HefelttheGirltrembleagainsthim。
``Whereisshe？’’
``Veryclose，’’saidtheHarvester。``Underthisoak。
Sheusedtosaythatshehadaspeakingacquaintancewitheverytreeonourland，andofthemallshelovedthisbigonethebest。Shelikedtocomehereinwinter，andfeelthestingofthewindsweepingacrossthelake，andinsummerthiswasherplacetoreadandtothink。
Sowhensheslepttheunwakingsleep，Ruth，Icamehereandmadeherbedwithmyownhands，andthencarriedhertoit，coveredher，andshesleepswell。I
neverhaveregrettedhergoing。Lifedidnotbringherjoy。Shewasverytired。Sheusedtosaythatafterhersoulhadfled，ifIwouldlayherhere，perhapsthebigrootswouldreachdownandfindher，andfromherfrailframegatherslightnourishmentandthenherbodywouldliveagainintalkingleavesthatwouldsheltermeinsummerandwhisperherloveinwinter。
OfallMedicineWoodsthisisthedearestspottome。
Canyouloveittoo，Ruth？’’
``OhIcan！’’criedtheGirl；``Idonow！Justtoseetheplaceandhearthatisenough。Iwish，ohtomysoulIwish——’’
``Youwishwhat？’’whisperedtheHarvestergently。
``Idarenot！Iwaswildtothinkofit。Iwouldbeungratefultoaskit。’’
``Youwouldbeungraciousifyoudidn’taskanythingthatwouldgivemethejoyofpleasingyou。Howlongisitgoingtorequireforyoutolearn，Ruth，thattomakeupforsomeofthedifficultieslifehasbroughtyouwouldgivememorehappinessthananythingelsecould？
Tellmenow。’’
``No！’’
Hegatheredhercloser。
``Ruth，thereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldbeactivelyunkindtome。Whatisityouwish？’’
Shestruggledfromhisarmsandstoodaloneinwhitemoonlight，staringacrossthelake，alongtheshore，deepintotheperfumedforest，andthenatthemoundshenowcoulddistinguishunderthegianttree。Suddenlyshewenttohimandwithbothshakinghandsgrippedhisarm。
``Mymother！’’shepanted。``Ohshewasabeautifulwoman，delicatelyreared，andherheartwascrushedandbroken。BytheinchshewenttoadreadfulendIcouldnotavertorallay，andinpovertyandgrimeIfoughtforawaytosaveherbodyfromfurtherhorror，andit’sallsodreadfulIthoughtallfeelinginmewasdriedandstill，butIamnotquitecallousedyet。Isufferitoverwitheverybreath。Itisneverentirelyoutofmymind。OhMan，ifonlyyouwouldliftherfromthehorribleplaceshelies，wherebriersrunriotandcattletrampleandtheunmercifulsunbeats！Ohifonlyyou’dliftherfromit，andbringherhere！Ibelieveitwouldtakeawaysomeofthehorror，theshame，andtheheartache。
IbelieveIcouldgotosleepwithouthearingthevoiceofhersuffering，ifIknewshewaslyingonthishill，underyourbeautifultree，closethedearmotheryoulove。OhMan，wouldyou——？’’
TheHarvestercrushedtheGirlinhisarmsandshudderingsobsshookhisbigframe，andchokedhisvoice。
``Ruth，forGod’ssake，bequiet！’’hecried。``WhyI’dbegladto！I’llgoanywhereyoutellme，andbringher，andsheshallrestwherethelakemurmurs，thetreesshelter，thewindssing，andearthknowsthesunonlyinlongraysofgoldlight。’’
Shestaredathimwithstrainedface。
``You——youwouldn’t！’’shebreathed。
``Ruth，child，’’saidtheHarvester，``ItellyouI’dbehappy。Lookatmysideofthis！I’minsearchofbandstobindyoutomeandtothisplace。Couldyoutellmeastrongerthantohavethemotheryouidolizedliehereforherlongsleep？WhyGirl，youcan’tknowthedeepandabidingjoyitwouldgivemetobringher。I’dfeelIhadyoualmostsecure。WhereissheRuth？’’
``InthatoldunkeptcemeterysouthofOnabasha，whereitcostsnomoneytolayawayyourlovedones。’’
``Closehere！WhyI’llgoto-morrow！Isupposedshewasinthecity。’’
Shestraightenedanddrewawayfromhim。
``HowcouldI？Ihadnothing。IcouldnothavepaidevenherfareandbroughtherhereinthecheapestboxthedecencyofmanwouldallowhimtomakeifherdoctorhadnotgivenmethemoneyIowe。NowdoyouunderstandwhyImustearnandpayitmyself？
Saveforhim，itwascharityorherdelicatebodytohorrors。Moneynevercanrepayhim。’’
``Ruth，thedayyoucametoOnabashawasshewithyou？’’
``Intheexpresscar，’’saidtheGirl。
``Wheredidyougowhenyouleftthetrainshed？’’
``Straighttothebaggageroom，whereUncleHenrywaswaiting。Menbroughtandputherinhiswagon，andhedrovewithmetotheplaceandothermenloweredher，andthatwasall。’’
``YoupoorGirl！’’criedtheHarvester。``Thistimeto-morrownightsheshallsleepinluxuryunderthisoak，sohelpmeGod！Ruth，canyouspareme？MayI
goatonce？Ican’trest，myself。’’
``Youwill？’’criedtheGirl。``Youwill？’’
Shewaslaughinginthemoonlight。``OhMan，I
can’tever，evertellyou！’’
``Don’ttry，’’saidtheHarvester。``Callitsettled。
Iwillstartearlyinthemorning。Iknowthatlittlecemetery。Themanwhoselanditisoncanpointmethespot。Sheisprobablythelastonelaidthere。Comenow，Ruth。GototheroomImadeforyou，andsleepdeeplyandinpeace。Willyoutrytorest？’’
``OhDavid！’’sheexulted。``Onlythink！Herewhereit’scleanandcool；besidethelake，whereleavesfallgentlyandIcancomeandsitclosetoherandbringflowers；andsheneverwillbealone，foryourdearmotherishere。OhDavid！’’
``Itisbetter。Ican’tthankyouenoughforthinkingofit。Comenow，letmehelpyou。’’
Hehalfcarriedherdownthehill。Thenhemadethecabinaglamouroflightbyputtingcandlesinthestickshehadcarvedandplacingthemeverywhere。
``Thereisalightingplantinthebasement，’’hesaid，``butIhadnotexpectedtouseituntilwinter，andI
havenoacetylene。Candleswereourgrandmothers’
lightsandtheyarethebestanyway。Gobatheyourface，Ruth，andwashawayalltraceoftears。Putonthepinkpowder，andinafewweeksyouwillhavecolourtooutdothewildestrose。Youmustbeasgayasyoucantheremainderofthisnight。’’
``Iwill！’’criedtheGirl。``Iwill！OhIdidn’tknowathingonearthcouldmakemehappy！Ididn’tknowIreallycouldbeglad。Ohiftheiceinmyheartwouldmelt，andthewallbreakdown，andthegirlhoodI’veneverknownwouldcomeyet！OhDavid，ifitwould！’’
``BeforetheLorditshall！’’vowedtheHarvester。
``ItshallcomewiththefulnessofjoyrighthereinMedicineWoods。Thinkit！Believeit！Keepitbeforeyou！Workforit！Happinessisworthwhile！
Allofushavearighttoit！Itshallbeyoursandsoon。’’
``Iwilltry！Iwill！’’promisedtheGirl。``I’llgorightnowandI’llputontheblessedpinkpowdersothicklyyou’llneverknowwhatisunderit，andsoonitwon’tbeneededatall。’’
Shewaslaughingasshelefttheroom。TheHarvesterrestlesslywalkedthefloorafewminutesandthensatwithanotebookandbeganenteringstems。
WhentheGirlreturned，hebroughtthepillowfromherbed，foldedthecoverlet，andshelayontheminthebigswing。Hecoveredherwiththewhiteshawl，andwhileSingingWatersangitsloudest，katydidsexultedoverthedelightfulactoftheirancestor，andamilliongauze-
wingedcreaturesofnighthummedagainstthescreen，inavoicesoftandlowhetoldherinasteadystream，asheswayedherbackandforth，whateachsoundofthenightwas，andhowandwhyitwasmadeallthewayfromtherumblingbuzzoftheJunebugtothescreechoftheowlandthesplashofthebassinthelake。Allofit，asitappealedtohim，wasthestoryofsteadyevolution，thenaturalprocessesofreproduction，thejoyoflifeanditsbattles，andtheconquestofthestronginnature。Athishandseverysoundwasstrippedofterror。
Theleapingbasswasexultinginlife，thescreechingowlwastellingitsmateithadfoundafatmouseforthechildren，thenighthawkwascourting，thebigbullfrogsboomingaroundthelakewereserenadingthemoon。
Therewasnotathingtofearoravoiceleftwithanunsympatheticnoteinit。Shewashalfasleepwhenatlasthehelpedhertoherroom，setapitcheroffrosty，clinkingdrinkonhertable，lockedherdoorandwindowscreensinside，spreadBelshazzar’sblanketonherporch，andsethisdoorwideopen，thathemighthearifshecalled，andthensaidgoodnightandwentbacktohismemorandumbook。
``Nobadbeginning，’’hemutteredsoftly，``nobadbeginning，butI’dalmostgivemyrighthandifshehadn’tforgotten——’’
InherroomtheexhaustedGirlslippedthepinsfromherhairandsankonthelowchairbeforethedressing-
table。Shepickeduptheshining，silverbackedbrushandstaredatthemonogram，R。F。L，entwinedonit。
``Mysoul！’’sheexclaimed。``WASHESOSUREASTHAT？
Wasthereeveranyothermanlikehim？’’
Shedroppedthebrushandwithtiredhandspushedbacktheheavybraids。Thenshearoseandgoingtothechestofdrawersbeganliftinglidstofindanightrobe。Asshesearchedtheboxesshefoundeverydainty，prettyundergarmentagirleverusedandatlasttherobes。Sheshookoutalongwhiteone，slippedintoit，andwalkedtothebed。Thatstoodashehadarrangedit，white，clean，anddainty。
``Everythingforme！’’shesaidsoftly。``Everythingforme！Shalltherebenothingforhim？Ohhemakesiteasy，easy！’’
Shesteppedtothecloset，pickeddownalavendersilkkimonaanddrawingitoverhergownshegathereditaroundherandopeningthebathroomdoor，shesteppedintoalittlehallleadingtothedining-room。Assheenteredtheliving-roomtheHarvesterbentoverhisbook。
Herstepwasveryclosewhenhehearditandturnedhishead。Inaninstantshetouchedhisshoulders。TheHarvesterdroppedthepencil，andpalmdownwardlaidhishandsonthetable，hispromisestronginhisheart。
TheGirlslidashakingpalmunderhischin，leanedhisheadagainstherbreast，anddroppedasweet，tear-wetfaceonhis。Withallthestrengthofherfrailarmsshegrippedhimasecond，andthengavethekiss，intowhichshetriedtoputallshecouldfindnowordstoexpress。
CHAPTERXIV
SNOWYWINGS
TheHarvestersatatthetableindeepthoughtsuntilthelightsintheGirl’sroomweredarkenedandeverythingwasquiet。Thenhelockedthescreensinsideandwentintothenight。Themoonfloodedallthehillside，untilcoarseprintcouldhavebeenreadwithkeeneyesinitslight。Arestlessness，bornofexultationhecouldnotallayorcontrol，wasonhim。Shehadnotforgotten！Afterthis，thedreamwouldbeeffacedbyreality。Itwasthebeginning。Hescarcelyhaddaredhopeforsomuch。Surelyitpresagedthelovewithwhichshesomedaywouldcometohimandcrownhislife。Hewalkedsoftlyupanddownthedrive，passingherwindows，unabletothinkofsleep。Overandoverhedweltontheincidentsoftheday，soinevitablyhecametohispromise。
``MercifulHeaven！’’hemuttered。``Howcansuchthingshappen？Thepoor，overworked，tired，sufferinggirl。Itwillgivehersomecomfort。Shewillfeelbetter。
Ithastobedone。IbelieveIwilldotheworstpartofitwhileshesleeps。’’
Hewenttothecabin，creptveryclosetooneofherwindowsandlistenedintently。Surelynomortalawakecouldliemotionlesssolong。Shemustbesleeping。HepattedBelshazzar，whispered，``Watch，boy，watchforyourlife！’’andthencrossedtothedry-house。Besideithefoundabigrollofcoffeesacksthatheusedincollectingroots，andgoingtothebarn，hetookaspadeandmattock。Thenheclimbedthehilltotheoak；inthewhitemoonlightlaidoffhismeasurementsandbeganwork。Hisheartwasverytenderasheliftedtheearth，andthrewitintothetopsofthebigbagshehadproppedopen。
``I’lllineitwithacoupleofsheetsandfinishtheedgewithpondliliesandferns，’’heplanned，``andI’lldragthisearthfromsight，andcoveritwithbrushuntilI
needit。’’
Sometimeshepausedinhisworktorestafewminutesandthenhestoodandglancedaroundhim。Severaltimeshewentdownthehillandslippedclosetoawindow，buthecouldnothearasound。Whenhisworkwasfinished，hestoodbeforetheoak，scrapingclingingearthfromthemattockwithwhichhehadcutrootshehadbeencompelledtoremove。Hewastirednowandhethoughthewouldgotohisroomandsleepuntildaybreak。
Asheturnedtheimplementherememberedhowthroughithehadfoundher，andnowhewasusingitinherservice。Hesmiledasheworked，andhalflistenedtothesteadyrollofsoundencompassinghim。Acoolbreathsweptfromthelakeandhewonderedifitfoundherwet，hotcheek。Awildduckintherushesbelowgaveanalarmsignal，anditraninsubduedvoice，notebynote，alongtheshore。TheHarvestergrippedthemattockandstoodmotionless。Wildthingshadtaughthimsomanylessonsheheededtheirwarningsinstinctively。
Perhapsitwasaminkormuskratapproachingtherushes。Listeningintently，heheardastealthystepcomingupthepathbehindhim。
TheHarvesterwaited。Hesoundlesslymovedaroundthetrunkofthebigtree。Aninstantmorethenightprowlerstoppedsquarelyattheheadoftheopengrave，andjumpedbackwithanoath。Hestoodtenseasecond，thenadvanced，scratchedamatchanddroppeditintothedepthsoftheopening。ThatinstanttheHarvesterrecognizedHenryJameson，andwithaspringlandedbetweentheman’sshouldersandsenthim，facedown，headlongintothegrave。Hesnatchedoneofthesacksofearth，andtippingit，grippedthebottomandemptiedthecontentsontheheadandshouldersoftheprostrateman。Thenhedroppedonhimandfeelingacrosshisbacktookanugly，bigrevolverfromapocket。HeswungtothesurfaceandwaiteduntilHenryJamesoncrawledfromundertheweightofearthandbegantorise；then，ateachattempt，heknockedhimdown。Atlasthecaughttheexhaustedmanbythecollaranddraggedhimtothepath，wherehedroppedhimandstoodgloating。
``So！’’hesaid；``It’syou！Comingtoexecuteyourthreat，areyou？What’sthematterwithmyfinishingyou，loadingyourcarcasswithafewstonesintothissack，anddroppingyouinthedeepestpartofthelake。’’
Therewasnoreply。
``Ain’tyoualittlehasty？’’askedtheHarvester。
``Isn’titrathercoldbloodedtocomesneakingwhenyouthoughtI’dbeasleep？Don’tyouthinkitwouldbelowdowntokillamanonhisweddingday？’’
HenryJamesonarosecautiouslyandfacedtheHarvester。
``Whohaveyoukilled？’’hepanted。
``Noone，’’answeredtheHarvester。``Thisisforthevictimofamemberofyourfamily，butIneverdreamedI’dhavethejoyofplantinganyofyouinitfirst，eventemporarily。Didyourestwell？WhatIshouldhavedonewastofillin，treaddown，andleaveyouatthebottom。’’
Jamesonretreatedafewsteps。TheHarvesterlaughedandadvancedthesamedistance。
``Nowthen，’’hesaid，``explainwhatyouaredoingonmypremises，afewhoursafteryourthreat，andarmedwithanotherrevolverbeforeIcouldreturntheoneItookfromyouthisafternoon。Youmustgrowthemonbushesatyourplace，theyseemsonumerous。
Speakup！Whatareyoudoinghere？’’
Therewasnoanswer。
``Therearethreethingsitmightbe，’’musedtheHarvester。``Youmightthinktoharmme，butyou’rewatchedonthatscoreandIdon’tbelieveyou’denjoytheresultsuretofollow。YoumightcontemplatetryingtostealRuth’smoneyagain，butwe’llpassthatup。
YoumightwanttogothroughmywoodstoinformyourselfastowhatIhaveofvaluethere。But，inallprob-
ability，youareafterme。Well，hereIam。Goahead！
Dowhatyoucameto！’’
TheHarvestersteppedtowardthelakebankandJameson，turningtowatchhim，exposedafaceghastlythroughitsgrime。
``Lookhere！’’criedtheHarvester，sickening。``Wewillendthisrightnow。Iwasratherbusythisafternoon，butIwasn’ttoohurriedtotakethatlittleweaponofyourstothechiefofpoliceandtellhimwhereandhowIgotitandwhatoccurred。Hewastoreturnittoyouto-morrowwithhisultimatum。WhenIhaveaddedthehistoryofto-night，reinforcedbyanothergun，hewillunderstandyourintentionsandknowwhereyoubelong。Youshouldbeconfined，butbecauseyournameisthesameastheGirl’s，andthereisofyourbloodinherveins，I’llgiveyouonemorechance。I’llletyougothistime，butI’llreportyou，anddeliverthisimplementtobeaddedtoyourcollectionatheadquarters。AndI
tellyou，andI’lltellthem，thatifeverIfindyouonmypremisesagain，I’llfinishyouonsight。Isthatclear？’’
Jamesonnodded。
``WhatIshoulddoistoplumpyousquarelyintoconfinement，asIcouldeasilyenough，butthat’snotmyway。Iamgoingtoletyouoff，butyougoknowingthelaw。Onethingmore:Don’tleavewithanydistortedideasinyourhead。IsawRuththedayshesteppedfromthecarsinOnabashaandIlovedher。Iwantedtocourtandmarryher，asanymanwouldthegirlheloves，butyouspoiledthatwithyourwomankillingbrutality。SoImarriedherinOnabashathisafternoon。
Youcanseetherecordsatthecountyclerk’sofficeandinterviewtheministerwhoperformedtheceremony，ifyoudoubtme。Ruthisinherroom，comfortableasIcanmakeher，asleepandunafraid，thankGod！Thisgraveisforhermother。TheGirlwantsherliftedfromthehorribleplaceyouputher，andlaidwhereitisshelteredandpleasant。Now，I’llseeyouoffmyland。
Hurryyourself！’’
WiththeHarvesterfollowing，HenryJamesonwentbackoverthepathhehadcome，untilhereachedandmountedthehorsehehadridden。AstheHarvesterwatchedhim，Jamesonturnedinthesaddleandspokeforthesecondtime。
``Whatwillyougivemeincoldcashtotellyouwhosheis，andwherehermother’speopleare？’’
TheHarvesterleapedforthebridleandmissed。
Jamesonbentoverthehorseandlashedittoarun。