Theeditorialsanctumofthe“CalaverasClarion“openeduponthe“composing-room“ofthatpaperontheoneside，andgaveapparentlyupontherestofCalaverasCountyupontheother。For，situatedontheveryoutskirtsofthesettlementandthesummitofaverysteephill，thepinesslopedawayfromtheeditorialwindowstothelongvalleyoftheSouthForkand——infinity。ThelittlewoodenbuildinghadinvadedNaturewithoutsubduingit。Itwasfillednightanddaywiththemurmurofpinesandtheirfragrance。Squirrelsscamperedoveritsroofwhenitwasnotpreoccupiedbywoodpeckers，andaprinter\'sdevilhadonceseenanest-buildingbluejayenterthecomposingwindow，flutterbeforeoneoftheslantingtype-caseswithanairofdeliberateselection，andthenflyoffwithavowelinitsbill。
Amidstthesesylvansurroundingsthetemporaryeditorofthe“Clarion“satathissanctum，readingtheproofsofaneditorial。
Ashewasoccupyingthatpositionduringasixweeks\'absenceofthebonafideeditorandproprietor，hewasconsequentlyreadingtheproofwithsomeanxietyandresponsibility。Ithadbeensuggestedtohimbycertaincitizensthatthe“Clarion“neededafirmerandmoreaggressivepolicytowardstheBillbeforetheLegislatureforthewagonroadtotheSouthFork。SeveralAssemblymenhadbeen“gotat“bytherivalsettlementofLibertyHill，andascathingexposureanddenunciationofsuchmethodswasnecessary。
Theinterestsoftheirowntownshipwerealsotobe“whoopedup。“
Allthishadbeenvigorouslyexplainedtohim，andhehadgraspedthespirit，ifnotalwaysthefacts，ofhisinformants。Itistobefeared，therefore，thathewasperusinghisarticlemorewithreferencetoitsvigorthanhisownconvictions。Andyethewasnotsogreatlyabsorbedastobeunmindfulofthemurmurofthepineswithout，hishalf-savageenvironment，andthelazytalkofhissolecompanions，——theforemanandprinterintheadjoiningroom。
“Betyourlife！I\'vealwayssaidthatamanINSIDEanewspaperofficecouldholdhisownaginanyoutsiderthatwantedtoplayroughortriedtoraidtheoffice！Thar\'sthepress，andthar\'stheprintin\'inkandroller！Folkstalkaheapo\'thepowero\'thePress！——Itellye，yedon\'thalfknowit。Why，whenoldKernelFishwaseditin\'the\'SierraBanner，\'oneo\'thembulliesthathe\'dlampoonedinthe\'Banner\'foughthiswaypasttheKernelintheoffice，intothecomposin\'-room，towreckeverythin\'and\'pye\'allthetypes。Spoffrel——yedon\'trememberSpoffrel？——littlered-
hairedman？——wasforeman。Spoffrelfendedhimoffwiththerollerandgotonegooddabinterhiseyesthatblindedhim，andthenSpoffrelsorterskirmishedhimovertothepress，——aplainleverjustlikeours，——wharthelocked-upformoftheinsidewasstilla-lyin\'！Then，quickaslightnin\'，Spoffreltiltshimoveraginit，andHEthrowsouthishandandketchesholdo\'theformtosteadyhimself，whenSpoffreljustrunstheformandthehandunderthepressanddownwiththelever！Andthatheldthefellerfastasgrimdeath！Andwhenatlasthebegsoff，andSpoffletshimloose，thehullo\'that\'erelampooningarticleheobjectedtowasprintedrightontotheskino\'hishand！Fact，anditwouldn\'tcomeoff，either。“
“Gosh，butI\'dliketohevseenit，“saidtheprinter。“Thereain\'tanychance，Ireckon，o\'suchasighthere。Thebossdon\'ttakenoriskslampoonin\'，andhe“theeditorknewhewasbeingindicatedbysomeunseengestureoftheunseenworkman“ain\'tthatstyle。“
“Yeneverkintell，“saidtheforemandidactically，“whatmighthappen！I\'veknowneditorstogetintoafightjestforalittleinnercentbedevilin\'o\'theoppositeparty。Sometimesforamisprint。OldmanPritchardofthe\'Argus\'oncethadaholeblownthroughhisarmbecausehisproofreaderhadcalledColonelStarbottle\'sspeechan\'ignominious\'defense，whentheoldmanhedwritten\'ingenuous\'defense。“
Theeditorpausedinhisproof-reading。Hehadjustcomeuponthesentence:“WecannotcongratulateLibertyHill——initssuperiorelevation——upontheignominioussilenceoftherepresentativeofallCalaveraswhenthisinfamousBillwasintroduced。“Hereferredtohiscopy。Yes！Hehadcertainlywritten“ignominious，“——thatwaswhathisinformantshadsuggested。Butwashesuretheywereright？Hehadavaguerecollection，also，thattherepresentativealludedto——SenatorBradley——hadfoughttwoduels，andwasa“good“
thoughsomewhatimpulsiveshot！Hemightalterthewordto“ingenuous“or“ingenious，“eitherwouldbefinelysarcastic，butthen——therewashisforeman，whowoulddetectit！Hewouldwaituntilhehadfinishedtheentirearticle。Inthatoccupationhebecameobliviousofthenextroom，ofasilence，awhisperedconversation，whichendedwitharappingatthedoorandtheappearanceoftheforemaninthedoorway。
“There\'samanintheofficewhowantstoseetheeditor，“hesaid。
“Showhimin，“repliedtheeditorbriefly。Hewas，however，consciousthattherewasasingularsignificanceinhisforeman\'smanner，andaneagerapparitionoftheotherprinterovertheforeman\'sshoulder。
“He\'scarryin\'ashot-gun，andisamantwiceasbigasyoube，“
saidtheforemangravely。
Theeditorquicklyrecalledhisownbriefandasyetblamelessrecordinthe“Clarion。““Perhaps，“hesaidtentatively，withagentlesmile，“he\'slookingforCaptainBrush“theabsenteditor。
“Itoldhimallthat，“saidtheforemangrimly，“andhesaidhewantedtoseethemanincharge。“
Inproportionastheeditor\'sheartsankhisoutwardcrestarose。
“Showhimin，“hesaidloftily。
“WeKINkeephimout，“suggestedtheforeman，lingeringamoment；
“meandhim，“indicatingtheexpectantprinterbehindhim，“isenoughforthat。“
“Showhimup，“repeatedtheeditorfirmly。
Theforemanwithdrew；theeditorseatedhimselfandagaintookuphisproof。Thedoubtfulword“ignominious“seemedtostandoutoftheparagraphbeforehim；itcertainlyWASastrongexpression！Hewasabouttorunhispencilthroughitwhenheheardtheheavystepofhisvisitorapproaching。Asuddeninstinctofbelligerencytookpossessionofhim，andhewrathfullythrewthepencildown。
Theburlyformofthestrangerblockedthedoorway。Hewasdressedlikeaminer，buthisbuildandgeneralphysiognomywerequitedistinctfromthelocalvariety。Hisupperlipandchinwereclean-shaven，stillshowingtheblue-blackrootsofthebeardwhichcoveredtherestofhisfaceanddependedinathickfleeceunderhisthroat。Hecarriedasmallbundletiedupinasilkhandkerchiefinonehand，anda“shot-gun“intheother，perilouslyathalf-cock。Enteringthesanctum，heputdownhisbundleandquietlyclosedthedoorbehindhim。Hethendrewanemptychairtowardshimanddroppedheavilyintoitwithhisgunonhisknees。
Theeditor\'sheartdroppedalmostasheavily，althoughhequitecomposedlyheldouthishand。
“ShallIrelieveyouofyourgun？“
“Thankye，lad——noa。It\'smoorcoomfortablewi\'me，andit\'smaindangersometohandleonthehalf-cock。That\'swhyIdidn\'tleave\'imonthehorseoutside！“
Atthesoundofhisvoiceandoccasionalaccentaflashofintelligencerelievedtheeditor\'smind。Herememberedthattwentymilesaway，intheillimitablevistafromhiswindows，layasettlementofEnglishnorth-countryminers，who，whilefaithfullyadoptingthemethods，customs，andevenslangoftheCalifornians，retainedmanyoftheirnativepeculiarities。Thegunhecarriedonhisknee，however，wasevidentlypartoftheCalifornianimitation。
“CanIdoanythingforyou？“saidtheeditorblandly。
“Ay！I\'vecoomheretobillmawoife。“
“I——don\'tthinkIunderstand，“hesitatedtheeditor，withasmile。
“I\'vecoomheretogetyetoputintoyourpaaperawarnin\'，anotiss，thatonlessshereturnstomyhouseinfourweeks，I\'llhavenowttodowi\'heragain。“
“Oh！“saidtheeditor，nowperfectlyreassured，“youwantanadvertisement？That\'sthebusinessoftheforeman；I\'llcallhim。“
Hewasrisingfromhisseatwhenthestrangerlaidaheavyhandonhisshoulderandgentlyforcedhimdownagain。
“Noa，lad！Idon\'twantnoaforemannorunderstrapperstotakethisjob。Iwanttotalkitoverwi\'you。Sabe？Mywoifeshebinupandawaathesesixmonths。Wehadabitofdifference，thatain\'therenorthere，butsheskedaddledoutermyhouse。Iwanttogiveherfairwarning，andletherknowIain\'tpayin\'anydebtso\'
hersarterthisnotiss，andIain\'ttakin\'herbackarterfourweeksfromdate。“
“Isee，“saidtheeditorglibly。“What\'syourwife\'sname？“
“ElizaJaneDimmidge。“
“Good，“continuedtheeditor，scribblingonthepaperbeforehim；
“somethinglikethiswilldo:\'Whereasmywife，ElizaJaneDimmidge，havingleftmybedandboardwithoutjustcauseorprovocation，thisistogivenoticethatIshallnotberesponsibleforanydebtsofhercontractingonorafterthisdate。\'“
“Yemustbealawyer，“saidMr。Dimmidgeadmiringly。
Itwasanoldenoughformofadvertisement，andtheremarkshowedincontestablythatMr。Dimmidgewasnotanative；buttheeditorsmiledpatronizinglyandwenton:“\'AndIfurthergivenoticethatifshedoesnotreturnwithintheperiodoffourweeksfromthisdate，Ishalltakesuchproceedingsforreliefasthelawaffords。\'“
“Coom，lad，Ididn\'tsayTHAT。“
“Butyousaidyouwouldn\'ttakeherback。“
“Ay。“
“Andyoucan\'tpreventherwithoutlegalproceedings。She\'syourwife。Butyouneedn\'ttakeproceedings，youknow。It\'sonlyawarning。“
Mr。Dimmidgenoddedapprovingly。“That\'sso。“
“You\'llwantitpublishedforfourweeks，untildate？“askedtheeditor。
“Mebbelonger，lad。“
Theeditorwrote“tillforbid“inthemarginofthepaperandsmiled。
“Howbigwillitbe？“saidMr。Dimmidge。
Theeditortookupacopyofthe“Clarion“andindicatedaboutaninchofspace。Mr。Dimmidge\'sfacefell。
“Iwantitbigger，——inlargeletters，likeaplay-card，“hesaid。
“That\'snogoodforawarning。“
“Youcanhavehalfacolumnorawholecolumnifyoulike，“saidtheeditorairily。
“I\'lltakeawholeone，“saidMr。Dimmidgesimply。
Theeditorlaughed。“Why！itwouldcostyouahundreddollars。“
“I\'lltakeit，“repeatedMr。Dimmidge。
“But，“saidtheeditorgravely，“thesamenoticeinasmallspacewillserveyourpurposeandbequitelegal。“
“Neveryoumindthat，lad！It\'sthelooksofthethingI\'marter，andnottheexpense。I\'lltakethatcolumn。“
Theeditorcalledintheforemanandshowedhimthecopy。“Canyoudisplaythatsoastofillacolumn？“
Theforemangraspedthesituationpromptly。Itwouldbebigbusinessforthepaper。“Yes，“hesaidmeditatively，“thatbold-
facedelectiontypewilldoit。“
Mr。Dimmidge\'sfacebrightened。Theexpression“bold-faced“
pleasedhim。“That\'sit！Itoldyou。Iwanttobillherinaportionofthepaper。“
“Imightputinacut，“saidtheforemansuggestively；“somethinglikethis。“Hetookavenerablewoodcutfromthecase。Igrievetosayitwasonewhich，untilthemiddleofthepresentcentury，wascommonenoughinthenewspaperofficesintheSouthwest。Itshowedtherunningfigureofanegrowomancarryingherpersonalpropertyinaknottedhandkerchiefslungfromastickoverhershoulder，andwassupposedtorepresent“afugitiveslave。“
Mr。Dimmidge\'seyesbrightened。“I\'lltakethat，too。It\'salittledark-complectedforMrs。P。，butitwilldo。Nowroonaway，lad，“hesaidtotheforeman，ashequietlypushedhimintotheouterofficeagainandclosedthedoor。Then，facingthesurprisededitor，hesaid，“Theer\'sanothernotissIwantyetoputinyourpaper；butthat\'satweenUS。NotawordtoTHEM，“heindicatedthebanishedforemanwithajerkofhisthumb。“Sabe？Iwantyoutoputthisinanotherparto\'yourpaper，quiteinnocent-like，yeknow。“Hedrewfromhispocketagraywallet，andtakingoutaslipofpaperreadfromitgravely，“\'IfthisshouldmeettheeyeofR。B。，lookoutforM。J。D。Heisonyourtrack。WhenthisyouseewritealinetoE。J。D。，ElktownPostOffice。\'Iwantthistogoinas\'PersonalandPrivate\'——sabe？——likethemnotissesinthebig\'Friscopapers。“
“Isee，“saidtheeditor，layingitaside。“Itshallgointhesameissueinanothercolumn。“
ApparentlyMr。Dimmidgeexpectedsomethingmorethanthisreply，forafteramoment\'shesitationhesaidwithanoddsmile:
“Yeain\'tseein\'themeanin\'o\'that，lad？“
“No，“saidtheeditorlightly；“butIsupposeR。B。does，anditisn\'tintendedthatanyoneelseshould。“
“Mebbeitis，andmebbeitisn\'t，“saidMr。Dimmidge，withaself-
satisfiedair。“Idon\'tmindsayingatweenusthatR。B。isthemanasI\'vesuspicionedashavin\'somethingtodowithmywifegoin\'away；andyesee，ifhewritestoE。J。D——that\'smywife\'sinitials——atElktown，I\'LLgetthatletterandsomakesure。“
“Butsupposeyourwifegoestherefirst，orsends？“
“ThenI\'llketchherorhermessenger。Yesee？“
Theeditordidnotseefittoopposeanyargumenttothisphenomenalsimplicity，andMr。Dimmidge，aftersettlinghisbillwiththeforeman，andenjoiningtheeditortothestrictestsecrecyregardingtheoriginofthe“personalnotice，“tookuphisgunanddeparted，leavingthetreasuryofthe“Clarion“unprecedentedlyenriched，andtheeditortohisproofs。
Thepaperdulyappearedthenextmorningwiththecolumnadvertisement，thepersonalnotice，andtheweightyeditorialonthewagonroad。Therewasasingulardemandforthepaper，theeditionwasspeedilyexhausted，andtheeditorwasproportionatelyflattered，althoughhewassurprisedtoreceiveneitherpraisenorcriticismfromhissubscribers。Beforeevening，however，helearnedtohisastonishmentthattheexcitementwascausedbythecolumnadvertisement。NobodyknewMr。Dimmidge，norhisdomesticinfelicities，andtheeditorandforeman，beingequallyinthedark，tookrefugeinamysteriousandimpressiveevasionofallinquiry。NeversincethelastSanFranciscoVigilanceCommitteehadtheofficebeensobesieged。Theeditor，foreman，andeventheapprentice，werebuttonholedand“treated“atthebar，buttonoeffect。Allthatcouldbelearnedwasthatitwasabonafideadvertisement，forwhichonehundreddollarshadbeenreceived！
Thereweregreatdiscussionsandconflictingtheoriesastowhetherthevalueofthewife，orthehusband\'sanxietytogetridofher，justifiedtheenormousexpenseandostentatiousdisplay。Shewassupposedtobeanexceedinglybeautifulwomanbysome，byothersaperfectSycorax；inonebreathMr。Dimmidgewasaweak，uxoriousspouse，wastinghissubstanceonacreaturewhodidnotcareforhim，andinanotheramaddened，distracted，henpeckedman，contenttopurchasepeaceandrestatanyprice。Certainly，neverwasadvertisementmoreeffectiveinitspublicity，orcheaperinproportiontothecirculationitcommanded。ItwascopiedthroughoutthewholePacificslope；mightySanFranciscopapersdescribeditssizeandsettingundertheattractiveheadline，“HowtheyAdvertiseaWifeintheMountains！“ItreappearedintheEasternjournals，underthetitleof“WhimsicalitiesoftheWesternPress。“ItwasbelievedtohavecrossedtoEnglandasaspecimenof“TransatlanticSavagery。“Therealeditorofthe“Clarion“
awokeonemorning，inSanFrancisco，tofindhispaperfamous。Itsadvertisingcolumnswereeagerlysoughtfor；heatonceadvancedtherates。Peopleboughtsuccessiveissuestogazeuponthismonumentalrecordofextravagance。Asingularidea，which，however，broughtfurtherfortunetothepaper，wasadvancedbyanastutecriticattheEurekaSaloon。“Myopinion，gentlemen，isthatthewholeblamedthingisabluff！Thereain\'tnoMr。
Dimmidge；thereain\'tnoMrs。Dimmidge；thereain\'tnodesertion！
ThewholerottenthingisanADVERTISEMENTo\'suthin\'！Ye\'llfindaforeyegetthroughwithitthatthattherewifewon\'tcomebackuntilthatblamedhusbandbuysSomebody\'sSoap，ortreatshertoSomebody\'sparticularStarchorPatentMedicine！Yejestwatchandsee！“Theideawasstartling，andseizeduponthemercantilemind。
Theprincipalmerchantofthetown，andpurveyortotheminingsettlementsbeyond，appearedthenextmorningattheofficeofthe“Clarion。““Yewouldn\'tmindputtin\'this\'ad\'inacolumnalongsideo\'theDimmidgeone，wouldye？“Theyoungeditorglancedatit，andthen，withaserpent-likesagacity，veiled，however，bythesuavityofthedove，pointedoutthattheoriginaladvertisermightthinkitcalledhisbonafidesintoquestionandwithdrawhisadvertisement。“Butifwesecuredyoubyanofferofdoubletheamountpercolumn？“urgedthemerchant。“That，“respondedthelocumtenens，“wasfortheactualeditorandproprietorinSanFranciscotodetermine。Hewouldtelegraph。“Hedidso。Theresponsewas，“Putitin。“Whereuponinthenextissue，sidebysidewithMr。Dimmidge\'sprotractedwarning，appearedacolumnwiththeannouncement，inlargeletters，“WEHAVEN\'TLOSTANYWIFE，butWEarepreparedtofurnishthefollowinggoodsatalowerratethananyotheradvertiserinthecounty，“followedbytheusualpricelistofthemerchant\'swares。Therewasanunprecedenteddemandforthatissue。Thereputationofthe“Clarion，“bothasashrewdadvertisingmediumandacomicpaper，wasestablishedatonce。ForafewdaystheeditorwaitedwithsomeapprehensionforaremonstrancefromtheabsentDimmidge，butnonecame。WhetherMr。
Dimmidgerecognizedthatthisnewadvertisementgaveextrapublicitytohisown，orthathewasalreadyonthetrackofthefugitive，theeditordidnotknow。Thefewcuriouscitizenswhohad，earlyintheexcitement，penetratedthesettlementoftheEnglishminerstwentymilesawayinsearchofinformation，foundthatMr。Dimmidgehadgoneaway，andthatMrs。DimmidgehadNEVER
residedtherewithhim！
Sixweekspassed。ThelimitofMr。Dimmidge\'sadvertisementhadbeenreached，and，asitwasnotrenewed，ithadpassedoutofthepagesofthe“Clarion，“andwithitthemerchant\'sadvertisementinthenextcolumn。Theexcitementhadsubsided，althoughitsinfluencewasstillfeltinthecirculationofthepaperanditsadvertisingpopularity。Thetemporaryeditorwasalsonearingthelimitofhisincumbency，buthadsofarparticipatedinthegoodfortuneofthe“Clarion“astoreceiveanofferfromoneoftheSanFranciscodailies。
Itwasawarmnight，andhewasaloneinhissanctum。Therestofthebuildingwasdarkanddeserted，andhissolitarylight，flashingoutthroughtheopenwindow，felluponthenearerpinesandwaslostinthedark，indefinableslopebelow。Hehadreachedthesanctumbytherear，andadoorwhichhealsoleftopentoenjoythefreshnessofthearomaticair。Nordiditintheleastmarhisprivacy。Ratherthesolitudeofthegreatwoodswithoutseemedtoenterthroughthatdoorandencompassedhimwithitsprotectingloneliness。Therewasoccasionallyafaint“peep“inthescanteaves，ora“pat-pat，“endinginafrightenedscurryacrosstheroof，ortheslowflapofaheavywinginthedarknessbelow。Thesegentledisturbancesdidnot，however，interrupthisworkon“TheTrueFunctionsoftheCountyNewspaper，“theeditorialonwhichhewasengaged。
Presentlyamoredistinctrustlingagainstthestragglingblackberrybushesbesidethedoorattractedhisattention。Itwasfollowedbyalighttappingagainstthesideofthehouse。Theeditorstartedandturnedquicklytowardstheopendoor。Twooutsidestepsledtotheground。Standingupontheloweronewasawoman。Theupperpartofherfigure，illuminatedbythelightfromthedoor，wasthrownintogreaterreliefbythedarkbackgroundofthepines。Herfacewasunknowntohim，butitwasapleasantone，markedbyacertaingood-humoreddetermination。
“MayIcomein？“shesaidconfidently。
“Certainly，“saidtheeditor。“Iamworkingherealonebecauseitissoquiet。“Hethoughthewouldprecipitatesomeexplanationfromherbyexcusinghimself。
“That\'sthereasonwhyIcame，“shesaid，withaquietsmile。
Shecameupthenextstepandenteredtheroom。Shewasplainlybutneatlydressed，andnowthatherfigurewasrevealedhesawthatshewaswearingalinsey-woolseyriding-skirt，andcarriedaserviceablerawhidewhipinhercotton-gauntletedhand。Shetookthechairheofferedherandsatdownsidewaysonit，herwhiphandnowalsoholdingupherskirt，andpermittingahemofcleanwhitepetticoatandasmart，well-shapedboottobeseen。
“Idon\'tremembertohavehadthepleasureofseeingyouinCalaverasbefore，“saidtheeditortentatively。
“No。Ineverwasherebefore，“shesaidcomposedly，“butyou\'veheardenoughofme，Ireckon。I\'mMrs。Dimmidge。“Shethrewonehandoverthebackofthechair，andwiththeothertappedherriding-whiponthefloor。
Theeditorstarted。Mrs。Dimmidge！Thenshewasnotamyth。Anabsurdsimilaritybetweenherattitudewiththewhipandherhusband\'sentrancewithhisgunsixweeksbeforeforceditselfuponhimandmadeheraninvinciblepresence。
“Thenyouhavereturnedtoyourhusband？“hesaidhesitatingly。
“Notmuch！“shereturned，withaslightcurlofherlip。
“Butyoureadhisadvertisement？“
“Isawthatcolumnoffoolnonsenseheputinyourpaper——efthat\'swhatyoumean，“shesaidwithdecision，“butIdidn\'tcomeheretoseeHIM——butYOU。“
Theeditorlookedatherwithaforcedsmile，butavaguemisgiving。
Hewasaloneatnightinadesertedpartofthesettlement，withaplump，self-possessedwomanwhohadacontraltovoice，ahorsewhip，and——hecouldnothelpfeeling——anevidentgrievance。
“Toseeme？“herepeated，withafaintattemptatgallantry。“Youarepayingmeagreatcompliment，butreally“——
“WhenItellyouI\'vecomethreethousandmilesfromKansasstraightherewithoutstopping，yekinreckonit\'sso，“sherepliedfirmly。
“Threethousandmiles！“echoedtheeditorwonderingly。
“Yes。Threethousandmilesfrommyownfolks\'homeinKansas，wheresixyearsagoImarriedMr。Dimmidge，——aBritishfurrinerascouldscarcelymakehimselfunderstoodinanyChristianlanguage！
Well，hegotroundmeanddad，allowin\'hewasareg\'larout-and-
outprofeshnalminer，——hadlivedinmineseversincehewasaboy；
andso，notknowin\'whatkindo\'mines，anddadjustbilin\'overwiththegoldfever，weweremarriedandkemacrosstheplainstoCaliforny。Hewasagoodenoughmantolookat，butitwarn\'tthreemonthsbeforeIdiscoveredthatheallowedawifewasnobetternoraniggerslave，andhethemaster。Thatmademeopenmyeyes；butthen，ashedidn\'tdrink，anddidn\'tgamble，anddidn\'tswear，andwasagoodproviderandlaidbymoney，whyIshiftedalongwithhimasbestIcould。WedrifteddownthefirstyeartoSonora，atRedDog，wheretherewasn\'tanotherwoman。Well，Ididtheniggerslavebusiness，——neverstirringouto\'thesettlement，neverseein\'atownoracrowdo\'decentpeople，——andhedidthelordandmaster！Weplayedthatgamefortwoyears，andIgottired。Butwhenatlastheallowedhe\'dgouptoElktownHill，wheretherewasapasselo\'hiscountrymenatwork，withneverasigno\'anyotherfolks，andleavemealoneatRedDoguntilhefixedupaplaceformeatElktownHill，——Ikicked！Igavehimfairwarning！Ididasotherniggerslavesdid，——Iranaway！“
ArecollectionofthewretchedwoodcutwhichMr。Dimmidgehadselectedtopersonifyhiswifeflashedupontheeditorwithanewmeaning。Yetperhapsshehadnotseenit，andhadonlyreadacopyoftheadvertisement。Whatcouldshewant？The“CalaverasClarion，“althougha“Palladium“anda“SentinelupontheHeightsofFreedom“inreferencetowagonroads，wasnotaredresserofdomesticwrongs，——exceptthroughitsadvertisingcolumns！Hernextwordsintensifiedthatsuggestion。
“I\'vecomeheretoputanadvertisementinyourpaper。“
Theeditorheavedasighofrelief，asoncebefore。“Certainly，“
hesaidbriskly。“Butthat\'sanotherdepartmentofthepaper，andtheprintershavegonehome。Cometo-morrowmorningearly。“
“To-morrowmorningIshallbemilesaway，“shesaiddecisively，“andwhatIwantdonehasgottobedoneNOW！Idon\'twanttoseenoprinters；Idon\'twantANYBODYtoknowI\'vebeenherebutyou。
That\'swhyIkemhereatnight，androdeallthewayfromSawyer\'sStation，andwouldn\'ttakethestage-coach。Andwhenwe\'vesettledabouttheadvertisement，I\'mgoingtomountmyhorse，outtharinthebushes，andscootouterthesettlement。“
“Verygood，“saidtheeditorresignedly。“OfcourseIcandeliveryourinstructionstotheforeman。Andnow——letmesee——Isupposeyouwishtointimateinapersonalnoticetoyourhusbandthatyou\'vereturned。“
“Nothin\'o\'thekind！“saidMrs。Dimmidgecoolly。“Iwanttoplacardhimashedidme。I\'vegotitallwrittenouthere。
Sabe？“
Shetookfromherpocketafoldedpaper，andspreadingitoutontheeditor\'sdesk，withacertainprideofauthorshipreadasfollows:——
“Whereasmyhusband，MicahJ。Dimmidge，havinggivenoutthatI
havelefthisbedandboard，——thesamebeingabunkinalogcabinandporkandmolassesthreetimesaday，——andhavingadvertisedthathe\'dpaynodebtsofMYcontractin\'，——which，astharain\'tany，mightbeeasiercollectedthandebtsofhisowncontractin\'，——
thisistocertifythatunlesshereturnsfromElktownHilltohisonlyhomeinSonorainoneweekfromdate，payin\'thecostofthisadvertisement，I\'llknowthereasonwhy——ElizaJaneDimmidge。“
“Thar，“sheadded，drawingalongbreath，“putthatinacolumnofthe\'Clarion，\'samesizeasthelast，andletitwork，andthat\'sallIwantofyou。“
“Acolumn？“repeatedtheeditor。“Doyouknowthecostisveryexpensive，andICOULDputitinasingleparagraph？“
“IreckonIkinpaythesameasMr。DimmidgedidforHIS，“saidtheladycomplacently。“Ididn\'tseeyourpapermyself，butthepaperascopiedit——oneofthembigNewYorkdailies——saidthatittookupawholecolumn。“
Theeditorbreathedmorefreely；shehadnotseentheinfamouswoodcutwhichherhusbandhadselected。Atthesamemomenthewasstruckwithasenseofretribution，justice，andcompensation。
“Wouldyou，“heaskedhesitatingly，——“wouldyoulikeitillustrated——
byacut？“
“Withwhich？“
“Waitamoment；I\'llshowyou。“
Hewentintothedarkcomposing-room，litacandle，andrummaginginadrawersacredtoweather-beaten，old-fashionedelectrotypedadvertisingsymbolsofvarioustrades，finallyselectedoneandbroughtittoMrs。Dimmidge。Itrepresentedabareandexceedinglystalwartarmwieldingalargehammer。
“Yourhusbandbeingaminer，——aquartzminer，——wouldthatdo？“heasked。Ithadbeenpreviouslyusedtoadvertiseablacksmith，agold-beater，andastone-mason。
Theladyexamineditcritically。
“ItdoeslookalittlelikeMicah\'sarm，“shesaidmeditatively。
“Well——youkinputitin。“
Theeditorwassowellpleasedwithhissuccessthathemustneedsmakeanothersuggestion。“Isuppose，“hesaidingenuously，“thatyoudon\'twanttoanswerthe\'Personal\'？“
\'Personal\'？“sherepeatedquickly，“what\'sthat？Iain\'tseenno\'Personal。\'“Theeditorsawhisblunder。She，ofcourse，hadneverseenMr。Dimmidge\'sartful“Personal；“THATthebigdailiesnaturallyhadnotnoticednorcopied。Butitwastoolatetowithdrawnow。Hebroughtoutafileofthe“Clarion，“andsnippingouttheparagraphwithhisscissors，laiditbeforethelady。
Shestaredatitwithwrinkledbrowsandadarkeningface。
“AndTHISwasinthesamepaper？——putinbyMr。Dimmidge？“sheaskedbreathlessly。
Theeditor，somewhatalarmed，stammered“Yes。“Butthenextmomenthewasreassured。Thewrinklesdisappeared，adozendimplesbrokeoutwheretheyhadbeen，andthedetermined，matter-of-factMrs。
Dimmidgeburstintoafitofrosymerriment。Againandagainshelaughed，shakingthebuilding，startlingthesedate，melancholywoodsbeyond，untiltheeditorhimselflaughedinsheervacantsympathy。
“Lordy！“shesaidatlast，gasping，andwipingthelaughterfromherweteyes。“IneverthoughtofTHAT。“
“No，“explainedtheeditorsmilingly；“ofcourseyoudidn\'t。Don\'tyousee，thepapersthatcopiedthebigadvertisementneversawthatlittleparagraph，oriftheydid，theyneverconnectedthetwotogether。“
“Oh，itain\'tthat，“saidMrs。Dimmidge，tryingtoregainhercomposureandholdinghersides。“It\'sthatblessedDEARolddunderheadofaDimmidgeI\'mthinkingof。Thatgetsme。Iseeitallnow。Only，sakesalive！IneverthoughtTHATofhim。Oh，it\'sjusttoomuch！“andsheagainrelapsedbehindherhandkerchief。
“ThenIsupposeyoudon\'twanttoreplytoit，“saidtheeditor。
Herlaughterinstantlyceased。“Don\'tI？“shesaid，wipingherfaceintoitspreviouscomplacentdetermination。“Well，youngman，Ireckonthat\'sjustwhatIWANTtodo！Now，waitamoment；let\'sseewhathesaid，“shewenton，takingupandreperusingthe“Personal“paragraph。“Well，then，“shewenton，afteramoment\'ssilentcompositionwithmovinglips，“youjustputtheselinesin。“
Theeditortookuphispencil。
“ToMr。J。D。Dimmidge——Hopeyou\'restillonR。B。\'stracks。Keepthere！——E。J。D。“
Theeditorwrotedowntheline，andthen，rememberingMr。Dimmidge\'svoluntaryexplanationofHIS“Personal，“waitedwithsomeconfidenceforalikefranknessfromMrs。Dimmidge。Buthewasmistaken。
“Youthinkthathe——R。B——orMr。Dimmidge——willunderstandthis？“
heatlastaskedtentatively。“Isitenough？“
“Quiteenough，“saidMrs。Dimmidgeemphatically。Shetookarollofgreenbacksfromherpocket，selectedahundred-dollarbillandthenafive，andlaidthembeforetheeditor。“Youngman，“shesaid，withacertaindemuregravity，“you\'vedonemeaheapo\'
good。Ineverspentmoneywithmoresatisfactionthanthis。I
neverthoughtmucho\'the\'powero\'thePress，\'asyoucallit，afore。Butthishasbeenarightcomfortablevisit，andI\'mgladI
ketchedyoualone。Butyouunderstandonething:thisyervisit，andWHOIam，isbetwixtyouandmeonly。“
“OfcourseImustsaythattheadvertisementwasAUTHORIZED，“
returnedtheeditor。“I\'monlythetemporaryeditor。Theproprietorisaway。“
“Somuchthebetter，“saidtheladycomplacently。“Youjustsayyoufounditonyourdeskwiththemoney；butdon\'tyougivemeaway。“
“Icanpromiseyouthatthesecretofyourpersonalvisitissafewithme，“saidtheyoungman，withabow，asMrs。Dimmidgerose。
“Letmeseeyoutoyourhorse，“headded。“It\'squitedarkinthewoods。“
“Icanseewellenoughalone，andit\'sjustaswellyoushouldn\'tknowHOWIkemorHOWIwentaway。EnoughforyoutoknowthatI\'llbemilesawaybeforethatpapercomesout。Sostaywhereyouare。“
Shepressedhishandfranklyandfirmly，gatheredupherriding-
skirt，slippedbackwardstothedoor，andthenextmomentrustledawayintothedarkness。
EarlythenextmorningtheeditorhandedMrs。Dimmidge\'sadvertisement，andthewoodcuthehadselected，tohisforeman。Hewaspurposelybriefinhisdirections，soastoavoidinquiry，andretiredtohissanctum。Inthespaceofafewmomentstheforemanenteredwithaslightembarrassmentofmanner。
“You\'llexcusemyspeakingtoyou，sir，“hesaid，withasingularmixtureofhumilityandcunning。“It\'snobusinessofmine，I
know；butIthoughtIoughttotellyouthatthisyerkindo\'thingwon\'tpayanymore，——it\'saboutplayedout！“
“Idon\'tthinkIunderstandyou，“saidtheeditorloftily，butwithaninwardmisgiving。“Youdon\'tmeantosaythataregular，actualadvertisement“——
“Ofcourse，Iknowallthat，“saidtheforeman，withapeculiarsmile；“andI\'mreadytobackyouupinit，andso\'stheboy；butitwon\'tpay。“
“ItHASpaidahundredandfivedollars，“saidtheeditor，takingthenotesfromhispocket；“soI\'dadviseyoutosimplyattendtoyourdutyandsetitup。“
Alookofsurprise，followed，however，byakindofpityingsmile，passedovertheforeman\'sface。“Ofcourse，sir，THAT\'Sallright，andyouknowyourownbusiness；butifyouthinkthatthenewadvertisementwillpaythistimeastheotheronedid，andwhoopupanothercolumnfromanadvertiser，I\'mafraidyou\'llslipup。It\'salittle\'offcolor\'now，——not\'uptodate，\'——ifitain\'taregular\'backnumber，\'asyou\'llsee。“
“MeantimeI\'lldispensewithyouradvice，“saidtheeditorcurtly，“andIthinkyouhadbetterletoursubscribersandadvertisersdothesame，orthe\'Clarion\'mightalsobeobligedtodispensewithyourSERVICES。“
“Iain\'tnoblab，“saidtheforeman，inanaggrievedmanner，“andI
don\'tintendtogivetheshowawayevenifitdon\'tPAY。ButI
thoughtI\'dtellyou，becauseIknowthefolksroundherebetterthanyoudo。“
Hewasright。Nosoonerhadtheadvertisementappearedthantheeditorfoundthateverybodybelievedittobeasheerinventionofhisownto“oncemoreboom“the“Clarion。“IftheyhaddoubtedMR。Dimmidge，theyutterlyrejectedMRS。Dimmidgeasanadvertiser！
Itwasastalejokethatnobodywouldfollowup；andontheheelsofthiscamealetterfromtheeditor-in-chief。
MYDEARBOY，——Youmeantwell，Iknow，butthesecondDimmidge“ad“
wasamistake。Still，itwasabigbluffofyourstoshowthemoney，andIsendyoubackyourhundreddollars，hopingyouwon\'t“doitagain。“Ofcourseyou\'llhavetokeeptheadvertisementinthepaperfortwoissues，justasifitwerearealthing，andit\'sluckythatthere\'sjustnownopressureinourcolumns。Youmighthavetoldabetterstorythanthathogwashaboutyourfindingthe“ad“andahundreddollarslyinglooseonyourdeskonemorning。
Itwasratherthin，andIdon\'twondertheforemankicked。
Theyoungeditorwasindespair。AtfirsthethoughtofwritingtoMrs。DimmidgeattheElktownPost-Office，askinghertorelievehimofhisvowofsecrecy；buthisprideforbade。Therewasahumorousconcern，notwithoutatouchofpity，inthefacesofhiscontributorsashepassed；afewaffectedtobelieveinthenewadvertisement，andaskedhimvague，perfunctoryquestionsaboutit。
Hispositionwastrying，andhewasnotsorrywhenthetermofhisengagementexpiredthenextweek，andheleftCalaverastotakehisnewpositionontheSanFranciscopaper。
HewasstandinginthesaloonoftheSacramentoboatwhenhefeltasuddenheavypressureonhisshoulder，andlookingroundsharply，beheldnotonlytheblack-beardedfaceofMr。Dimmidge，litupbyasmile，butbesideitthebeaming，buxomfaceofMrs。Dimmidge，overflowingwithgood-humor。Stillalittlesorefromhispastexperience，hewasabouttoaddressthemabruptly，whenhewasutterlyvanquishedbytheheartypressureoftheirhandsandtheunmistakablelookofgratitudeintheireyes。
“Iwasjustsayingto\'LizyJane，“beganMr。Dimmidgebreathlessly，“ifIcouldonlymeetthatyoungmano\'the\'Clarion\'whatbroughtustogetheragain“——
“You\'dbewillin\'topayfourtimestheamountwebothpaidhim，“
interpolatedthelaughingMrs。Dimmidge。
“ButIdidn\'tbringyoutogether，“burstoutthedazedyoungman，“andI\'dliketoknow，inthenameofHeaven，whatbroughtyoutogethernow？“
“Don\'tyousee，lad，“saidtheimperturbableMr。Dimmidge，“\'LizyJaneandmyselfhadqua\'lled，andwejustunpackedourfoolnonsenseinyourpaperandletthehullworldknowit！Andwebothfeltkinderskeertandshamedlike，anditlookedsuchsmallhogwash，andofsolittleaccount，forallthetalkitmade，thatwekinderfeltlonelyastwoseparatedfoolsthatreallyoughttosharetheirfoolishnesstogether。“
“Andthatain\'tall，“saidMrs。Dimmidge，withaslyglanceatherspouse，“forIfoundoutfromthat\'Personal\'youshowedmethatthisparticularoldfoolwasactooallyjealous！——JEALOUS！“
“Andthen？“saidtheeditorimpatiently。
“AndthenIKNEWhelovedmeallthetime。“
THESECRETOFSOBRIENTE\'SWELL
EventotheeyeofthemostinexperiencedtravelertherewasnodoubtthatBuenaVistawasa“played-out“miningcamp。There，seamedandscarredbyhydraulicengines，wastheoldhillside，overwhosedenudedsurfacethegrasshadbeguntospringagaininfitfulpatches；thereweretheabandonedheapsoftailingsalreadyblackenedbysunandrain，andwornintomoundslikeruinsofmasonry；therewerethewaterlessditches，likegiantgraves，andthepoolsofslumgullion，nowdriedintoshining，glazedcement。
Thereweretwoorthreewooden“stores，“fromwhichthewindowsanddoorshadbeentakenandconveyedtothenewersettlementofWynyard\'sGulch。Fourorfivebuildingsthatstillwereinhabited——
theblacksmith\'sshop，thepost-office，apioneer\'scabin，andtheoldhotelandstage-office——onlyaccentedthegeneraldesolation。
Thelatterbuildinghadaremotenessofprosperityfarbeyondtheothers，havingbeenawaysideSpanish-Americanposada，withadobewallsoftwofeetinthickness，thatshamedthelatershellsofhalf-inchplank，whichwereslowlywarpingandcrackinglikedriedpodsintheoven-likeheat。
Theproprietorofthisbuilding，ColonelSwinger，hadbeenlookeduponbythecommunityasapersonquiteasremote，old-fashioned，andinconsistentwithpresentprogressasthehouseitself。HewasanoldVirginian，whohademigratedfromhisdecayingplantationontheJamesRiveronlytofindtheslaves，whichhehadbroughtwithhim，freedmenwhentheytouchedCaliforniansoil；tobedrivenbyNorthernprogressand“smartness“outofthelargercitiesintothemountains，tofixhimselfatlast，withthehopelessfatuityofhisrace，uponanalreadyimpoverishedsettlement；tosinkhisscantcapitalinhopelessshaftsandledges，andfinallytotakeoverthedecayinghostelryofBuenaVista，withitsdesultorycustomandfew，lingering，impecuniousguests。Here，too，hisoldVirginianideasofhospitalitywereagainsthisfinancialsuccess；hecouldnotdunnorturnfromhisdoorthoseunfortunateprospectorswhomtheebbingfortunesofBuenaVistahadleftstrandedbyhisside。
ColonelSwingerwassittinginawicker-workrocking-chairontheverandaofhishotel——sippingamintjulepwhichheheldinhishand，whilehegazedintothedustydistance。Nothingcouldhaveconvincedhimthathewasnotperformingaseriouspartofhisdutyashotel-keeperinthisattitude，eventhoughtherewerenotravelersexpected，andtheroadatthishourofthedaywasdeserted。OnabenchathissideLarryHawkinsstretchedhislazylength，——onefootdroppedontheveranda，andonearmoccasionallygropingunderthebenchforhisowntumblerofrefreshment。Apartfromthiscommunityofoccupation，therewasapparentlynointerchangeofsentimentbetweenthepair。Thesilencehadcontinuedforsomemoments，whenthecolonelputdownhisglassandgazedearnestlyintothedistance。
“Seein\'anything？“remarkedthemanonthebench，whohadsleepilyregardedhim。
“No，“saidthecolonel，“thatis——it\'sonlyDickRugglescrossin\'
theroad。“
“Thoughtyoulookedalittlestartled，ezifyou\'dseenthatarwanderin\'stranger。“
“WhenIseethatwanderingstranger，sah，“saidthecoloneldecisively，“Iwon\'tbesittin\'longinthisyerchyar。I\'lllethimknowinabouttensecondsthatIdon\'tharboranyvagrantsprowlin\'aboutlikepoorwhitesorfreeniggersonmypropahty，sah！“
“Allthesame，Ikinderwishyedidseehim，foryou\'dbesettledinYOURmindandI\'dbeeasierinMINE，efyoufoundoutwhathewasdoin\'roundyer，oryehadtoadmitthatitwasn\'tnoLIVIN\'
man。“
“Whatdoyoumean？“saidthecolonel，testilyfacingaroundinhischair。
Hiscompanionalsoalteredhisattitudebydroppinghisotherfoottothefloor，sittingup，andleaninglazilyforwardwithhishandsclasped。
“Lookyer，colonel。Whenyoutookthisplace，IfeltIdidn\'thavenocalltotellyeallIknowaboutit，nortopizenyermindbyanydarnedfoolyarnsImouthevheard。Yeknowitwasoneo\'themoldSpanishhaciendas？“
“Iknow，“saidthecolonelloftily，“thatitwasheldbyagrantfromCharlestheFifthofSpain，justasmypropahtyontheJamesRiverwasgiventomypeoplebyKingJamesofEngland，sah！“
“Thatezasmaybe，“returnedhiscompanion，inlazyindifference；
“thoughIreckonthatCharlestheFifthofSpainandKingJamesofEnglandain\'tgotmuchtodowithwhatI\'mgoin\'totellye。Yesee，IwasherelongaforeYOURtime，oranyoftheboysthathevnowclearedout；andatthattimethehaciendabelongedtoamannamedJuanSobriente。Hewasthatkindo\'foolthathetooknostockinmining。Whentheboyswerewhoopin\'uptheplaceandfindingthecoloreverywhere，andtherewasahundredmenworkingdownthereinthegulch，hewaseitherridin\'roundlookin\'upthewildhorsesheowned，orsittin\'withtwoorthreelazypeonsandInjinsthatwasfedandlookedarterbythepriests。Gosh！nowI
thinkofit，itwasmightylikeYOUwhenyoufirstkemherewithyourniggers。That\'scurious，too，ain\'tit？“
Hehadstopped，gazingwithanodd，superstitiouswondermentatthecolonel，asifovercomebythisnotveryremarkablecoincidence。
Thecolonel，overlookingortotallyoblivioustoitssomewhatuncomplimentarysignificance，simplysaid，“Goon。Whatabouthim？“
“Well，ezIwassayin\'，hewarn\'tinitnohow，butkeptonhisreg\'larwaywhentheboomwasthebiggest。Someoftheboysalloweditwasmightyoncivilforhimtostandofflikethat，andothers——whenherefusedabigpileforhishaciendaandthegarden，thatranrightintothegold-bearingledge——warforlynchinghimanddrivinghimouterthesettlement。Butashehadaprettydarterorniecelivin\'withhim，and，exceptforhisparticklercussednesstowardsmining，waskinderpeaceableandperlite，theythoughtbetterofit。Thingswentalonglikethis，untilonedaytheboysnoticed——particklerlytheboysthathadslippedupontheirluck——thatoldmanSobrientewasgettin\'rich，——hadstockedaranchoverontheDivide，andhadgivensomegoldcandlestickstothemissionchurch。Thatwouldhavebeenonlyhumannatureandbusiness，efhe\'dhadanyduringthemflushtimes；buthehadn\'t。
Thiskinderpuzzledthem。Theytackledthepeons，——hisniggers，——
butitwasall\'Nosabe。\'Theytackledanotherman，——akindofhalf-breedKanaka，who，exceptthepriest，wastheonlymanwhocametoseehim，andwassupposedtobemightysweetonthedarterorniece，——buttheydidn\'tevengetthecolorouterHIM。ThenthefirstthingweknowedwasthatoldSobrientewasfounddeadinthewell！“
“Inthewell，sah！“saidthecolonel，startingup。“Thewellonmypropahty？“
“No，“saidhiscompanion。“Theoldwellthatwasafterwardsshutup。Yourswasdugbythelasttenant，JackRaintree，whoallowedthathedidn\'twantto\'takeanySobrienteinhisreg\'larwhiskeyandwater。\'Well，thehalf-breedKanakaclearedoutaftertheoldman\'sdeath，andsodidthatdarterorniece；andthechurch，towhomoldSobrientehadleftthishouse，letittoRaintreefornexttonothin\'。“
“Idon\'tseewhatallthathasgottodowiththatwanderingtramp，“saidthecolonel，whowasbynomeanspleasedwiththishistoryofhisproperty。
“I\'lltellye。AfewdaysafterRaintreetookitover，hewaslookin\'roundthegarden，whicholdSobrientehadalwayskeptshutupaginstrangers，andhefindsalotofdried-up\'slumgullion\'*
scatteredallaboutthebordersandbeds，justasiftheoldmanhadbeenusingitforfertilizing。Well，Raintreeain\'tnofool；
heallowedtheoldmanwasn\'tone，either；andheknewthatslumgullionwasn\'tworthnomorethanmudforanygooditwoulddothegarden。SoheputthisyertogetherwithSobriente\'sgoodluck，andallowedtohimselfthattheoldcoyotehadbeensecretlygold-washin\'allthewhileheseemedtobestandin\'offaginit！
Butwherewasthemine？Whardidhegetthegold？That\'swhatgotRaintree。Hehuntedalloverthegarden，prospectedeverypartofit，——yekinseetheholesyet，——butheneverevengotthecolor！“
*Thatis，aviscidcement-likerefuseofgold-washing。
Hepaused，andthen，asthecolonelmadeanimpatientgesture，hewenton。
“Well，onenightjustaforeyoutooktheplace，andwhenRaintreewasgettin\'justsickofit，hehappenedtobewalkin\'inthegarden。Hewaspuzzlin\'hisbrainagintoknowhowoldSobrientemadehispile，whenallofasuddensthesawsuthin\'a-movin\'inthebrushbesidethehouse。Hecallsout，thinkin\'itwasoneoftheboys，butgotnoanswer。Thenhegoestothebushes，andatallfigger，allinblack，startsoutaforehim。Hecouldn\'tseeanyface，foritsheadwascoveredwithahood，buthesawthatitheldsuthin\'likeabigcrossclaspedaginitsbreast。Thismadehimthinkitwasonethempriests，untilhelooksaginandseesthatitwasn\'tnocrossitwascarryin，\'butaPICKAXE！Hemakesajumptowardsit，butitvanished！Hetraipsedoverthehullgarden，——wentthoughev\'rybush，——butitwascleangone。Thenthehullthingflasheduponhimwithacoldshiver。Theoldmanbein\'
founddeadinthewell！thegoin\'awayofthehalf-breedandthegirl！thefindin\'o\'thatslumgullion！TheoldmanHADmadeastrikeinthatgarden，thehalf-breedhaddiscoveredhissecretandmurderedhim，throwin\'himdownthewell！ItwarnoLIVIN\'manthathehadseen，buttheghostofoldSobriente！“
Thecolonelemptiedtheremainingcontentsofhisglassatasinglegulp，andsatup。“It\'smyopinion，sah，thatRaintreehadthatnightmorethanhisusualallowanceofcorn-juiceonboard；andit\'sonlyawonder，sah，thathedidn\'tseeafewpinkalligatorsandsky-bluesnakesatthesametime。Butwhat\'sthisgottodowiththatwanderin\'tramp？“
“They\'reallthesamething，colonel，andinmyopinionthattheretrampain\'tnomorealivethanthatfiggerwas。“
“ButYOUweretheonethatsawthistrampwithyourowneyes，“
retortedthecolonelquickly，“andyouneverbeforealloweditwasaspirit！“
“Exactly！Isawitwharaminitaforenothin\'hadbeenstandin\'，andaminitafternothin\'stood，“saidLarryHawkins，withacertainseriousemphasis；“butIwarn\'tgoin\'tosayittoANYBODY，andIwarn\'tgoin\'togiveyouandthehaciendaaway。AndeznobodyknewRaintree\'sstory，Ijestshutupmyhead。ButyoukinbetyourlifethatthemanIsawwarn\'tnolivin\'man！“
“We\'llsee，sah！“saidthecolonel，risingfromhischairwithhisfingersinthearmholesofhisnankeenwaistcoat，“efheeverintrudesonmypropertyagain。Butlookyar！don\'tyegosayin\'
anythingofthistoPolly，——youknowwhatwomenare！“
AfaintcolorcameintoLarry\'sface；ananimationquitedifferenttothelazydeliberationofhispreviousmonologueshoneinhiseyes，ashesaid，withacertainroughrespecthehadnotshownbeforetohiscompanion，“That\'swhyI\'mtellin\'ye，sothatefSHE
happenedtoseeanythingandgotskeert，ye\'dknowhowtoreasonheroutofit。“
“\'Sh！“saidthecolonel，withawarninggesture。
Ayounggirlhadjustappearedinthedoorway，andnowstoodleaningagainstthecentralpillarthatsupportedit，withonehandaboveherhead，inalazyattitudestronglysuggestiveofthecolonel\'sSouthernindolence，yetwithagraceentirelyherown。
Indeed，itovercamethenegligenceofhercreasedandfadedyellowcottonfrockandunbuttonedcollar，andsuggested——atleasttotheeyesofONEman——thecurvingandclingingofthejasminevineagainsttheoutercolumnoftheveranda。LarryHawkinsroseawkwardlytohisfeet。
“Nowwhatareyoutwomenmumblin\'andconfidin\'toeachother？
Youlookforalltheworldliketwooldwomengossips，“shesaid，withlanguidimpertinence。
Itwaseasytoseethataprivilegedandrecognizedautocratspoke。
NoonehadeverquestionedPollySwinger\'srighttointerrupting，interfering，andsaucycriticisms。Secureinthehopelessorchivalrousadmirationofthemenaroundher，shehadrepaiditwithafranknessthatscornedanycoquetry；withanindifferencetotheordinaryfeminineeffectorprovocationindressorbearingthatwasasnaturalasitwasinvincible。NoonehadeverknownPollyto“fixup“foranybody，yetnooneeverdoubtedtheeffect，ifshehad。Noonehadeverrebukedhercharmingpetulance，orwishedto。
Larrygaveaweak，vaguelaugh。ColonelSwingerasineffectivelyassumedamockparentalseverity。“Whenyouseetwogentlemen，miss，discussin\'politicstogether，itain\'tbehavin\'likealadytointerrupt。Betterrunawayandtidyyourselfbeforethestagecomes。“
Theyoungladyrepliedtothelastinnuendobytakingtwospiralsofsofthair，like“cornsilk，“fromherovalcheek，wettingthemwithherlips，andtuckingthembehindherears。Herfather\'sungentlemanlysuggestionbeingthusdisposedof，shereturnedtoherfirstcharge。
“Itain\'tnopolitics；youain\'tbeenswearingenoughforTHAT！
Come，now！It\'sthemysteriousstrangerye\'vebeentalkingabout！“
Bothmenstaredatherwithunaffectedconcern。
“WhatdoYOUknowaboutanymysteriousstranger？“demandedherfather。
“Doyousupposeyoumenkinkeepasecret，“scoffedPolly。“Why，DickRugglestoldmehowskeertyeallwereoveranentirestranger，andheadvisedmenottowanderdowntheroadafterdark。
IaskedhimifhethoughtIwasapickaninnytobefrightenedbybogies，andthatifhehadn\'tabetterexcuseforwantin\'\'toseemehome\'fromtheInjinspring，hemightslide。“
Larrylaughedagain，albeitalittlebitterly，foritseemedtohimthattheexcusewasfullyjustified；butthecolonelsaidpromptly，“Dick\'safool，andyoumighthavetoldhimtherewereworsethingstobemetontheroadthanbogies。Runawaynow，andseethattheniggersareonhandwhenthestagecomes。“
Twohourslaterthestagecamewithaclatterofhoofsandacloudofreddust，whichprecipitateditselfandadozenthirstytravelersupontheverandabeforethehotelbar-room；itbroughtalsotheusual“express“newspapersandmuchtalktoColonelSwinger，whoalwaysreceivedhisguestsinaloftypersonalfashionatthedoor，ashemighthavedoneinhisoldVirginianhome；butitbroughtlikewise——marveloustorelate——anACTUALGUEST，whohadtwotrunksandaskedforaroom！HewasevidentlyastrangertothewaysofBuenaVista，andparticularlytothoseofColonelSwinger，andatfirstseemedinclinedtoresentthesocialattitudeofhishost，andhisfrankandfreecuriosity。Whenhe，however，foundthatColonelSwingerwasevenbettersatisfiedtogiveanaccountofHISOWNaffairs，hisfamily，pedigree，andhispresentresidence，hebegantobetraysomeinterest。Thecoloneltoldhimallthenews，andwouldnodoubthaveevenexpatiatedonhisghostlyvisitant，hadhenotprudentlyconcludedthathisguestmightdeclinetoremaininahauntedinn。Thestrangerhadspokenofstayingaweek；hehadsomeprivateminingspeculationstowatchatWynyard\'sGulch，——thenextsettlement，buthedidnotcaretoappearopenlyatthe“GulchHotel。“Hewasamanofthirty，withsoft，pleasingfeaturesandasingularlithenessofmovement，which，combinedwithanut-brown，gypsycomplexion，atfirstsuggestedaforeigner。Buthisdialect，tothecolonel\'sears，wasdistinctlythatofNewEngland，andtothiswasaddedapuritanicalandsanctimoniousdrawl。“Helooked，“saidthecolonelinafteryears，“likeablanklightmulatter，buttalkedlikeablankYankeeparson。“Forallthat，hewasacceptabletohishost，whomayhavefeltthathisreminiscencesofhisplantationontheJamesRiverwerepallingonBuenaVistaears，andwasgladofhisnewauditor。
Itwasanadvertisement，too，ofthehotel，andapromiseofitsfuturefortunes。“GentlemenhavingpropahtyinterestsattheGulch，sah，prefertostayatBuenaVistawithanothermanofpropahty，thantotrusttothosenew-fangledpapah-collared，gingerbreadboothsfortradersthattheycall\'hotels\'there，“hehadremarkedtosomeof“theboys。“Inhispreoccupationwiththenewguest，healsobecamealittleneglectfulofhisoldchumanddependent，LarryHawkins。Norwasthistheonlycircumstancethatfilledtheheadofthatshiftlessloyalretainerofthecolonelwithbitternessandforeboding。PollySwinger——thescornfullyindifferent，thecontemptuouslyinaccessible，thecoldlycapriciousandpetulant——wasinclinedtobepolitetothestranger！
ThefactwasthatPolly，afterthefashionofhersex，tookitintoherprettyhead，againstallconsistencyandlogic，suddenlytomakeanexceptiontohergeneralattitudetowardsmankindinfavorofoneindividual。Thereason-seekingmasculinereaderwillrashlyconcludethatthisindividualwastheCAUSEaswellastheobject；
butIamsatisfiedthateveryfairreaderofthesepageswillinstinctivelyknowbetter。MissPollyhadsimplyselectedthenewguest，Mr。Starbuck，toshowOTHERS，particularlyLarryHawkins，whatsheCOULDdoifshewereinclinedtobecivil。Fortwodaysshe“fixedup“herdistractinghairathimsothatitssilkenflossencircledherheadlikeanimbus；shetuckedherovalchinintoawhitefichuinsteadofabuttonlesscollar；sheappearedatdinnerinanewlystarchedyellowfrock！Shetalkedtohimwith“companymanners；“saidshewould“admiretogotoSanFrancisco，“andaskedifheknewheroldfriendstheFauquiergirlsfrom“Faginia。“Thecolonelwassomewhatdisturbed；hewasgladthathisdaughterhadbecomelessnegligentofherpersonalappearance；hecouldnotbutsee，withtheothers，howitenhancedhergraces；buthewas，withtheothers，notentirelysatisfiedwithherreasons。Andhecouldnothelpobserving——whatwasmoreorlesspatenttoALL——thatStarbuckwasfarfrombeingequallyresponsivetoherattentions，andattimeswasindifferentandalmostuncivil。NobodyseemedtobesatisfiedwithPolly\'stransformationbutherself。
Buteventuallyshewasobligedtoassertherself。ThethirdeveningafterStarbuck\'sarrivalshewasgoingovertothecabinofAuntChloe，whonotonlydidthewashingforBuenaVista，butassistedPollyindressmaking。Itwasnotfar，andthenightwasmoonlit。AsshecrossedthegardenshesawStarbuckmovinginthemanzanitabushesbeyond；amischievouslightcameintohereyes；
shehadnotEXPECTEDtomeethim，butshehadseenhimgoout，andtherewerealwaysPOSSIBILITIES。Tohersurprise，however，hemerelyliftedhishatasshepassed，andturnedabruptlyinanotherdirection。Thiswasmorethanthelittleheart-breakerofBuenaVistawasaccustomedto！
“Oh，Mr。Starbuck！“shecalled，inherlaziestvoice。
Heturnedalmostimpatiently。
“Sinceyou\'resocivilandpressing，IthoughtI\'dtellyouIwasjustrunnin\'overtoAuntChloe\'s，“shesaiddryly。
“Ishouldthinkitwashardlytheproperthingforayoungladytodoatthistimeofnight，“hesaidsuperciliously。“Butyouknowbest，——youknowthepeoplehere。“
Polly\'scheeksandeyesflamed。“Yes，IreckonIdo，“shesaidcrisply；“it\'sonlyaSTRANGERherewouldthinkofbeingrude。
Good-night，Mr。Starbuck！“
ShetrippedawayafterthisParthianshot，yetfeeling，eveninhertriumph，thattheconceitedfoolseemedactuallyrelievedatherdeparture！Andforthefirsttimeshenowthoughtthatshehadseensomethinginhisfacethatshedidnotlike！Butherlazyindependencereasserteditselfsoon，andhalfanhourlater，whenshehadleftAuntChloe\'scabin，shehadregainedherself-esteem。
Yet，toavoidmeetinghimagain，shetookalongerroutehome，acrossthedriedditchandoverthebluff，scarredbyhydraulics，andsofell，presently，upontheoldgardenatthepointwhereitadjoinedtheabandoneddiggings。ShewasquitesureshehadescapedameetingwithStarbuck，andwasglidingalongundertheshadowofthepear-trees，whenshesuddenlystopped。Anindescribableterrorovercameherasshestaredataspotinthegarden，perfectlyilluminatedbythemoonlightnotfiftyyardsfromwhereshestood。Forshesawonitssurfaceahumanhead——aman\'shead！——seeminglyontheleveloftheground，staringinherdirection。Ahystericallaughsprangfromherlips，andshecaughtatthebranchesaboveherorshewouldhavefallen！Yetinthatmomenttheheadhadvanished！Themoonlightrevealedtheemptygarden，——thegroundshehadgazedat，——butnothingmore！
Shehadneverbeensuperstitious。Asachildshehadheardthenegroestalkof“thehants，“——thatis，“theHAUNTS“orspirits，——
buthadbelieveditapartoftheirignorance，andunworthyawhitechild，——thedaughteroftheirmaster！ShehadlaughedwithDickRugglesovertheillusionsofLarry，andhadsharedherfather\'scontemptuousdisbeliefofthewanderingvisitantbeinganythingbutalivingman；yetshewouldhavescreamedforassistancenow，onlyforthegreaterfearofmakingherweaknessknowntoMr。Starbuck，andbeingdependentuponhimforhelp。AndwithitcamethesuddenconvictionthatHEhadseenthisawfulvision，too。Thiswouldaccountforhisimpatienceofherpresenceandhisrudeness。Shefeltfaintandgiddy。Yetafterthefirstshockhadpassed，heroldindependenceandpridecametoherrelief。Shewouldgotothespotandexamineit。Ifitweresometrickorillusion，shewouldshowhersuperiorityandhavethelaughonStarbuck。Shesetherwhiteteeth，clenchedherlittlehands，andstartedoutintothemoonlight。Butalas！forwomen\'sweakness。ThenextmomentsheutteredascreamandalmostfellintothearmsofMr。Starbuck，whohadsteppedoutoftheshadowsbesideher。
“SoyouseeyouHAVEbeenfrightened，“hesaid，withastrange，forcedlaugh；“butIwarnedyouaboutgoingoutalone！“
Eveninherfrightshecouldnothelpseeingthathe，too，seemedpaleandagitated，atwhichsherecoveredhertongueandherself-
possession。
“Anybodywouldbefrightenedbybeingdoggedaboutunderthetrees，“
shesaidpertly。
“Butyoucalledoutbeforeyousawme，“hesaidbluntly，“asifsomethinghadfrightenedyou。ThatwasWHYIcametowardsyou。“
Sheknewitwasthetruth；butasshewouldnotconfesstohervision，shefibbedoutrageously。
“Frightened，“shesaid，withpalebutloftyindignation。“Whatwastheretofrightenme？I\'mnotababy，tothinkIseeabogieinthedark！“ThiswassaidinthefainthopethatHEhadseensomethingtoo。IfithadbeenLarryorherfatherwhohadmether，shewouldhaveconfessedeverything。
“Youhadbettergoin，“hesaidcurtly。“Iwillseeyousafeinsidethehouse。“
Shedemurredatthis，butasshecouldnotpersistinherfirstboldintentionofexaminingthelocalityofthevisionwithoutadmittingitsexistence，shepermittedhimtowalkwithhertothehouse，andthenatoncefledtoherownroom。Larryandherfathernoticedtheirentrancetogetherandtheiragitatedmanner，andwereuneasy。Yetthecolonel\'spaternalprideandLarry\'slover\'srespectkeptthetwomenfromcommunicatingtheirthoughtstoeachother。
“Theconfoundedpuphasbeentryin\'tobefamiliar，andPolly\'ssethimdown，“thoughtLarry，withglowingsatisfaction。
“He\'sbeentryingsomeofhissanctimoniousYankeeabolitiontalkonPolly，andsheshockedhim！“thoughtthecolonelexultingly。
ButpoorPollyhadotherthingstothinkofinthesilenceofherroom。Anotherwomanwouldhaveunburdenedherselftoaconfidante；
butPollywastooloyaltoherfathertoshatterhisbeliefs，andtoohigh-spiritedtotakeanotherandalesserpersonintoherconfidence。ShewascertainthatAuntChloewouldbefullofsympatheticbeliefandspeculations，butshewouldnottrustaniggerwithwhatshecouldn\'ttellherownfather。ForPollyreallyandtrulybelievedthatshehadseenaghost，nodoubttheghostofthemurderedSobriente，accordingtoLarry\'sstory。WHY
heshouldappearwithonlyhisheadabovegroundpuzzledher，althoughitsuggestedtheCatholicideaofpurgatory，andhewasaCatholic！PerhapshewouldhaverisenentirelybutforthatstupidStarbuck\'spresence；perhapshehadamessageforHERalone。TheideapleasedPolly，albeititwasa“fearfuljoy“andattendedwithsomecoldshivering。Naturally，asagentleman，hewouldappeartoHER——thedaughterofagentleman——thesuccessortohishouse——
ratherthantoaYankeestranger。Whatwasshetodo？Foroncehercalmnerveswerestrangelythrilled；shecouldnotthinkofundressingandgoingtobed，andtwoo\'clocksurprisedher，stillmeditating，andoccasionallypeepingfromherwindowuponthemoonlitbutvacantgarden。Ifshesawhimagain，wouldshedaretogodownalone？Suddenlyshestartedtoherfeetwithabeatingheart！Therewastheunmistakablesoundofastealthyfootstepinthepassage，comingtowardsherroom。Wasithe？Inspiteofherhighresolvesshefeltthatifthedooropenedsheshouldscream！