\"Oh，thedistancemakesitmoreimproper，then，\"hesaidabstractedly;butafteramoment’scontemplationofherhalf-
avertedface，heaskedgravely，\"Hasanyonetalkedtoyouaboutme？\"
Tenminutesbefore，Nelliehadbeenburningtounburthenherselfofherfather’swarning，butnowshefeltshewouldnot。\"Iwishyouwouldn’tcallyourselfLow，\"shesaidatlast。
\"Butit’smyname，\"herepliedquietly。
\"Nonsense！It’sonlyastupidtranslationofastupidnickname。
Theymightaswellcallyou’Water’atonce。\"
\"Butyousaidyoulikedit。\"
\"Well，soIdo。Butdon’tyousee——I——ohdear！youdon’tunderstand。\"
Lowdidnotreply，butturnedhisheadwithresignedgravitytowardsthedeeperwoods。Graspingthebarrelofhisriflewithhislefthand，hethrewhisrightarmacrosshisleftwristandleanedslightlyuponitwiththehabitualeaseofaWesternhunter——doublypicturesqueinhisownlithe，youthfulsymmetry。
MissNellielookedathimfromunderhereyelids，andthenhalfdefiantlyraisedherheadandherdarklashes。Graduallyanalmostmagicalchangecameoverherfeatures;hereyesgrewlargerandmoreandmoreyearning，untiltheyseemedtodrawandabsorbintheirliquiddepthsthefigureoftheyoungmanbeforeher;hercoldfacebrokeintoanecstasyoflightandcolor;herhumidlipspartedinabright，welcomingsmile，until，withanirresistibleimpulse，shearose，andthrowingbackherheadstretchedtowardshimtwohandsfullofvagueandtremblingpassion。
Inanothermomenthehadseizedthem，kissedthem，and，ashedrewherclosertohisembrace，feltthemtightenaroundhisneck。\"Butwhatnamedoyouwishtocallme？\"heasked，lookingdownintohereyes。
MissNelliemurmuredsomethingconfidentiallytothethirdbuttonofhishuntingshirt。\"Butthat，\"hereplied，withasmile，\"THATwouldn’tbeanymorepractical，andyouwouldn’twantotherstocallmedar——\"Herfingersloosenedaroundhisneck，shedrewherheadback，andasingularexpressionpassedoverherface，whichtoanycalmerobserverthanaloverwouldhaveseemed，however，toindicatemorecuriositythanjealousy。
\"WhoelseDOEScallyouso？\"sheaddedearnestly。\"Howmany，forinstance？\"
Low’sreplywasaddressednottoherear，butherlips。Shedidnotavoidit，butadded，\"Anddoyoukissthemalllikethat？\"
Takinghimbytheshoulders，sheheldhimalittlewayfromher，andgazedathimfromheadtofoot。Thendrawinghimagaintoherembrace，shesaid，\"Idon’tcare，atleastnowomanhaskissedyoulikethat。\"Happy，dazzled，andembarrassed，hewasbeginningtostammerthetruthfulprotestationthatrosetohislips，butshestoppedhim：\"No，don’tprotest！saynothing！LetMEloveYOU——thatisall。Itisenough。\"Hewouldhavecaughtherinhisarmsagain，butshedrewback。\"Weareneartheroad，\"shesaidquietly。\"Come！Youpromisedtoshowmewhereyoucamped。LetUSmakethemostofourholiday。InanhourI
mustleavethewoods。\"
\"ButIshallaccompanyyou，dearest。\"
\"No，ImustgoasIcame——alone。\"
\"ButNellie——\"
\"Itellyouno，\"shesaid，withanalmostharshpracticaldecision，incompatiblewithherpreviousabandonment。\"Wemightbeseentogether。\"
\"Well，supposeweare;wemustbeseentogethereventually，\"heremonstrated。
Theyounggirlmadeaninvoluntarygestureofimpatientnegation，butcheckedherself。\"Don’tletustalkofthatnow。Come，whileIamhereunderyourownroof——\"shepointedtothehighinterlacedboughsabovethem——\"youmustbehospitable。Showmeyourhome;tellme，isn’titalittlegloomysometimes？\"
\"Itneverhasbeen;IneverthoughtitWOULDbeuntilthemomentyouleaveitto-day。\"
Shepressedhishandbrieflyandinahalf-perfunctoryway，asifhervanityhadacceptedanddismissedthecompliment。\"Takemesomewhere，\"shesaidinquisitively，\"whereyoustaymost;IdonotseemtoseeyouHERE，\"sheadded，lookingaroundherwithaslightshiver。\"Itissobigandsohigh。Haveyounoplacewhereyoueatandrestandsleep？\"
\"Exceptintherainyseason，Icampallovertheplace——atanyspotwhereImayhavebeenshootingorcollecting。\"
\"Collecting？\"queriedNellie。
\"Yes;withtheherbarium，youknow。\"
\"Yes，\"saidNelliedubiously。\"Butyoutoldmeonce——thefirsttimeweevertalkedtogether，\"sheadded，lookinginhiseyes——
\"somethingaboutyourkeepingyourthingslikeasquirrelinatree。Couldwenotgothere？Istherenotroomforustositandtalkwithoutbeingbrow-beatenandlookeddownuponbythesesupercilioustrees？\"
\"It’stoofaraway，\"saidLowtruthfully，butwithasomewhatpronouncedemphasis，\"muchtoofarforyoujustnow;anditliesonanothertrailthatentersthewoodbeyond。Butcome，Iwillshowyouaspringknownonlytomyself，thewoodducks，andthesquirrels。IdiscovereditthefirstdayIsawyou，andgaveityourname。Butyoushallchristenityourself。Itwillbeallyours，andyoursalone，foritissohiddenandsecludedthatI
defyanyfeetbutmyownorwhososhallkeepstepwithminetofindit。Shallthatfootbeyours，Nellie？\"
Herfacebeamedwithabrightassent。\"Itmaybedifficulttotrackitfromhere，\"hesaid，\"butstandwhereyouareamoment，anddon’tmove，rustle，noragitatetheairinanyway。Thewoodsarestillnow。\"Heturnedatrightangleswiththetrail，movedafewpacesintothefernsandunderbrush，andthenstoppedwithhisfingeronhislips。Foraninstantbothremainedmotionless;thenwithhisintentfacebentforwardandbotharmsextended，hebegantosinkslowlyupononekneeandoneside，inclininghisbodywithagentle，perfectly-graduatedmovementuntilhisearalmosttouchedtheground。Nelliewatchedhisgracefulfigurebreathlessly，until，likeabowunbent，hestoodsuddenlyerectagain，andbeckonedtoherwithoutchangingthedirectionofhisface。
\"Whatisit？\"sheaskedeagerly。
\"Allright;Ihavefoundit，\"hecontinued，movingforwardwithoutturninghishead。
\"Buthow？Whatdidyoukneelfor？\"Hedidnotreply，buttakingherhandinhiscontinuedtomoveslowlyonthroughtheunderbrush，asifobeyingsomemagneticattraction。\"Howdidyoufindit？\"againaskedthehalf-awedgirl，hervoiceunconsciouslyfallingtoawhisper。Stillsilent，Lowkepthisrigidfaceandforwardtreadfortwentyyardsfurther;thenhestoppedandreleasedthegirl’shalf-impatienthand。\"Howdidyoufindit？\"
sherepeatedsharply。
\"Withmyearsandnose，\"repliedLowgravely。
\"Withyournose？\"
\"Yes;Ismeltit。\"
Stillfreshwiththememoryofhispicturesqueattitude，theyoungman’sreplyseemedtoinvolvesomethingmoreirritatingtoherfeelingsthaneventhatabsurdanticlimax。Shelookedathimcoldlyandcritically，andappearedtohesitatewhethertoproceed。\"Isitfar？\"sheasked。
\"Notmorethantenminutesnow，asIshallgo。\"
\"Andyouwon’thavetosmellyourwayagain？\"
\"No;itisquiteplainnow，\"heansweredseriously，theyounggirl’ssarcasmslippingharmlesslyfromhisIndianstolidity。
\"Don’tyousmellityourself？\"
ButMissNellie’sthin，coldnostrilsrefusedtotakethatvulgarinterest。
\"Norhearit？Listen！\"
\"YouforgetIsufferthemisfortuneofhavingbeenbroughtupunderaroof，\"sherepliedcoldly。
\"That’strue，\"repeatedLow，inallseriousness;\"it’snotyourfault。Butdoyouknow，IsometimesthinkIampeculiarlysensitivetowater;Ifeelitmilesaway。Atnight，thoughImaynotseeitorevenknowwhereitis，Iamconsciousofit。ItiscompanytomewhenIamalone，andIseemtohearitinmydreams。Thereisnomusicassweettomeasitssong。Whenyousangwithmethatdayinchurch，Iseemedtohearitrippleinyourvoice。Itsaystomemorethanthebirdsdo，morethantherarestplantsIfind。Itseemstolivewithmeandforme。Itismyearliestrecollection;Iknowitwillbemylast，forI
shalldieinitsembrace。Doyouthink，Nellie，\"hecontinued，stoppingshortandgazingearnestlyinherface——\"doyouthinkthatthechiefsknewthiswhentheycalledme’SleepingWater’？\"
ToMissNellie’sseveralgiftsIfearthegodshadnotaddedpoetry。AslightknowledgeofEnglishverseofaselectcharacter，unfortunately，didnotassistherintheinterpretationoftheyoungman’sspeech，norrelieveherfromthemomentaryfeelingthathewasattimesdeficientinintellect。Shepreferred，however，totakeapersonalviewofthequestion，andexpressedhersarcasticregretthatshehadnotknownbeforethatshehadbeenindebtedtothegreatflumeandditchatExcelsiorforthepleasureofhisacquaintance。Thispertremarkoccasionedsomeexplanation，whichendedinthegirl’sacceptingakissinlieuofmorelogicalargument。
Nevertheless，shewasstillconsciousofaninwardirritation——
alwaysdistinctfromhersingularandperfectlymaterialpassion——
whichfoundventasthedifficultiesoftheirundeviatingprogressthroughtheunderbrushincreased。Atlastshelosthershoeagain，andstoppedshort。\"It’sapityyourIndianfriendsdidnotchristenyou’WildMustard’or’Clover，’\"shesaidsatirically，\"thatyoumighthavehadsomesympathiesandlongingsfortheopenfieldsinsteadofthesehorridjungles！I
knowwewillnotgetbackintime。\"
Unfortunately，Lowacceptedthisspeechliterallyandwithhisremorselessgravity。\"Ifmynameannoysyou，Icangetitchangedbythelegislature，youknow，andIcanfindoutwhatmyfather’snamewas，andtakethat。Mymother，whodiedingivingmebirth，wasthedaughterofachief。\"
\"ThenyourmotherwasreallyanIndian？\"saidNellie，\"andyouare——\"Shestoppedshort。
\"ButItoldyouallthisthedaywefirstmet，\"saidLow，withgraveastonishment。\"Don’tyourememberourlongtalkcomingfromchurch？\"
\"No，\"saidNelliecoldly，\"youdidn’ttellme。\"Butshewasobligedtodrophereyesbeforetheunwavering，undeniabletruthfulnessofhis。
\"Youhaveforgotten，\"hesaidcalmly;\"butitisonlyrightyoushouldhaveyourownwayindisposingofanamethatIhavecaredlittlefor;andasyou’retohaveashareofit——\"
\"Yes，butit’sgettinglate，andifwearenotgoingforward——\"
interruptedthegirlimpatiently。
\"WeAREgoingforward，\"saidLowimperturbably;\"butIwantedtotellyou，aswewerespeakingonTHATsubject\"（Nellielookedatherwatch），\"I’vebeenofferedtheplaceofbotanistandnaturalistinProfessorGrant’ssurveyofMountShasta，andifI
takeit——why，whenIcomeback，darling——well——\"
\"Butyou’renotgoingjustyet，\"brokeinNellie，withanewexpressioninherface。
\"No。\"
\"Thenweneednottalkofitnow，\"shesaid，withanimation。
Hersuddenvivacityrelievedhim。\"Iseewhat’sthematter，\"hesaidgently，lookingdownatherfeet;\"theselittleshoeswerenotmadetokeepstepwithamoccasin。Wemusttryanotherway。\"
Hestoopedasiftosecuretheerringbuskin，butsuddenlyliftedherlikeachildtohisshoulder。\"There，\"hecontinued，placingherarmroundhisneck，\"youareclearofthefernsandbramblesnow，andwecangoon。Areyoucomfortable？\"Helookedup，readheranswerinherburningeyesandthewarmlipspressedtohisforeheadattherootsofhisstraightdarkhair，andagainmovedonwardasinamesmericdream。Buthedidnotswervefromhisdirectcourse，andwithafinaldashthroughtheundergrowthpartedtheleafycurtainbeforethespring。
Atfirsttheyounggirlwasdazzledbythestronglightthatcamefromarentintheinterwovenarchesofthewood。Thebreachhadbeencausedbythehugebulkofoneofthegreatgiantsthathadhalffallen，andwaslyingatasteepangleagainstoneofitsmightiestbrethren，havingbornedownalessertreeinthearcofitsdownwardpath。Twooftheroots，aslargeasyoungertrees，tossedtheirblackenedandbarelimbshighintheair。Thespring——theinsignificantcauseofthisvastdisruption——gurgled，flashed，andsparkledatthebase;thelimpidbabyfingersthathadlaidbarethefoundationsofthatfallencolumnplayedwiththestillclingingrootlets，lavedthefracturedandtwistedlimbs，and，widening，filledwithsleepingwaterthegravesfromwhichtheyhadbeentorn。
\"Ithadbeengoingonforyears，downthere，\"saidLow，pointingtoacavityfromwhichthefreshwaternowslowlywelled，\"butithadbeenquickenedbytherisingofthesubterraneanspringsandriverswhichalwaysoccursatacertainstageofthedryseason。
Irememberthatonthatverynight——forithappenedalittleaftermidnight，whenallsoundsaremoreaudible——Iwastroubledandoppressedinmysleepbywhatyouwouldcallanightmare;afeelingasifIwaskeptdownbybondsandpinionsthatIlongedtobreak。AndthenIheardacrashinthisdirection，andthefirststreakofmorningbroughtmethesoundandscentofwater。
SixmonthsafterwardsIchancedtofindmywayhere，asItoldyou，andgaveityourname。IdidnotdreamthatIshouldeverstandbesideitwithyou，andhaveyouchristenityourself。\"
Heunloosenedthecupfromhisflask，andfillingitatthespringhandedittoher。Buttheyounggirlleantoverthepool，andpouringthewateridlybacksaid，\"I’dratherputmyfeetinit。Mayn’tI？\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou，\"hesaidwonderingly。
\"MyfeetareSOhotanddusty。Thewaterlooksdeliciouslycool。
MayI？\"
\"Certainly。\"
HeturnedawayasNellie，withapparentunconsciousness，seatedherselfonthebank，andremovedhershoesandstockings。Whenshehaddabbledherfeetafewmomentsinthepool，shesaidoverhershoulder——
\"Wecantalkjustaswell，can’twe？\"
\"Certainly。\"
\"Well，then，whydidn’tyoucometochurchmoreoften，andwhydidn’tyouthinkoftellingfatherthatyouwereconvictedofsinandwantedtobebaptized？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"hesitatedtheyoungman。
\"Well，youlostthechanceofhavingfatherconvertyou，baptizeyou，andtakeyouintofullchurchfellowship。\"
\"Ineverthought——\"hebegan。
\"Youneverthought。Aren’tyouaChristian？\"
\"Isupposeso。\"
\"Hesupposesso！Haveyounoconvictions——noprofession？\"
\"But，Nellie，Ineverthoughtthatyou——\"
\"NeverthoughtthatI——what？DoyouthinkthatIcouldeverbeanythingtoamanwhodidnotbelieveinjustificationbyfaith，orinthecovenantofchurchfellowship？Doyouthinkfatherwouldletme？\"
Inhiseagernesstodefendhimselfhesteppedtoherside。Butseeingherlittlefeetshiningthroughthedarkwater，likeoutcroppingsofdelicatelyveinedquartz，hestoppedembarrassed。
MissNellie，however，leapedtoonefoot，and，shakingtheotheroverthepool，putherhandonhisshouldertosteadyherself。
\"Youhaven’tgotatowel——or，\"shesaiddubiously，lookingathersmallhandkerchief，\"anythingtodrythemon？\"
ButLowdidnot，assheperhapsexpected，offerhisownhandkerchief。
\"Ifyoutakeabathafterourfashion，\"hesaidgravely，\"youmustlearntodryyourselfafterourfashion。\"
Liftingheragainlightlyinhisarms，hecarriedherafewstepstothesunnyopening，andbadeherburyherfeetinthedriedmossesandbakedwitheredgrassesthatwerebleachinginahollow。Theyounggirlutteredacryofchildishdelight，asthesoftciliatedfibrestouchedhersensitiveskin。
\"Itishealing，too，\"continuedLow;\"amoccasinfilledwithitafteradayonthetrailmakesyouallrightagain。\"
ButMissNellieseemedtobethinkingofsomethingelse。
\"Isthatthewaythesquawsbatheanddrythemselves？\"
\"Idon’tknow;youforgetIwasaboywhenIleftthem。\"
\"Andyou’resureyouneverknewany？\"
\"None。\"
Theyounggirlseemedtoderivesomesatisfactioninmovingherfeetupanddownforseveralminutesamongthegrassesinthehollow;then，afterapause，said，\"YouarequitecertainIamthefirstwomanthatevertouchedthisspring？\"
\"Notonlythefirstwoman，butthefirsthumanbeing，exceptmyself。\"
\"Hownice！\"
Theyhadtakeneachother’shands;seatedsidebyside，theyleanedagainstacurvingelasticrootthathalfsupported，halfencompassed，them。Thegirl’scapricious，fitfulmannersuccumbedasbeforetothenearcontactofhercompanion。
Lookingintohereyes，Lowfellintoasweet，selfishlover’smonologue，descriptiveofhispastandpresentfeelingstowardsher，whichsheacceptedwithaheightenedcolor，aslightexchangeofsentiment，andastrangecuriosity。Thesunhadpaintedtheirhalf-embracedsilhouettesagainsttheslantingtree-trunk，andbegantodeclineunnoticed;therippleofthewaterminglingwiththeirwhisperscameasonesoundtothelisteningear;eventheireloquentsilenceswereasdeep，and，I
wot，perhapsasdangerous，asthedarkenedpoolthatfilledsonoiselesslyadozenyardsaway。Soquietweretheythatthetremorofinvadingwingsonceortwiceshookthesilence，orthequickscamperoffrightenedfeetrustledthedeadgrass。ButinthemidstofaprolongedstillnesstheyoungmansprangupsosuddenlythatNelliewasstillhalfclingingtohisneckashestooderect。\"Hush！\"hewhispered;\"someoneisnear！\"
Hedisengagedheranxioushandsgently，leapedupontheslantingtree-trunk，andrunninghalf-wayupitsinclinewiththeagilityofasquirrel，stretchedhimselfatfulllengthuponitandlistened。
Totheimpatient，inexplicablystartledgirl，itseemedanagebeforeherejoinedher。
\"Youaresafe，\"hesaid;\"heisgoingbythewesterntrailtowardsIndianSpring。\"
\"WhoisHE？\"sheasked，bitingherlipswithapoorlyrestrainedgestureofmortificationanddisappointment。
\"Somestranger，\"repliedLow。
\"Aslongashewasn’tcominghere，whydidyougivemesuchafright？\"shesaidpettishly。\"Areyounervousbecauseasinglewayfarerhappenstostrayhere？\"
\"Itwasnowayfarer，forhetriedtokeepnearthetrail，\"saidLow。\"Hewasastrangertothewood，forhelosthiswayeverynowandthen。Hewasseekingorexpectingsomeone，forhestoppedfrequentlyandwaitedorlistened。Hehadnotwalkedfar，forheworespursthattinkledandcaughtinthebrush;andyethehadnotriddenhere，fornohorse’shoofspassedtheroadsincewehavebeenhere。HemusthavecomefromIndianSpring。\"
\"Andyouheardallthatwhenyoulistenedjustnow？\"askedNellie，halfdisdainfully。
ImpervioustoherincredulityLowturnedhiscalmeyesonherface。\"Certainly，I’llbetmylifeonwhatIsay。Tellme：doyouknowanybodyinIndianSpringwhowouldlikelyspyuponyou？\"
Theyounggirlwasconsciousofacertainill-defineduneasiness，butanswered，\"No。\"
\"ThenitwasnotYOUhewasseeking，\"saidLowthoughtfully。
MissNelliehadnottimetonoticetheemphasis，forheadded，\"Youmustgoatonce，andlestyouhavebeenfollowedIwillshowyouanotherwaybacktoIndianSpring。Itislonger，andyoumusthasten。Takeyourshoesandstockingswithyouuntilweareoutofthebush。\"
Heraisedheragaininhisarmsandstrodeoncemoreoutthroughthecovertintothedimaislesofthewood。Theyspokebutlittle;shecouldnothelpfeelingthatsomeotherdiscordantelement，affectinghimmorestronglythanitdidher，hadcomebetweenthem，andwashalfperplexedandhalffrightened。Attheendoftenminutesheseatedheruponafallenbranch，andtellingherhewouldreturnbythetimeshehadresumedhershoesandstockingsglidedfromherlikeashadow。Shewouldhaveutteredanindignantprotestatbeingleftalone，buthewasgoneereshecoulddetainhim。Foramomentshethoughtshehatedhim。Butwhenshehadmechanicallyshodherselfoncemore，notwithoutnervousshiversateveryfallingneedle，hewasatherside。
\"Doyouknowanyonewhowearsafriezecoatlikethat？\"heasked，handingherafewtornshredsofwoolaffixedtoasplinterofbark。
MissNellieinstantlyrecognizedthematerialofacertainsportingcoatwornbyMr。JackBraceonfestiveoccasions，butastrangeyetinfallibleinstinctthatwaspartofhernaturemadeherinstantlydisclaimallknowledgeofit。
\"No，\"shesaid。
\"Notanyonewhoscentshimselfwithsomedoctor’sstufflikecologne？\"continuedLow，withthedisgustofkeenolfactorysensibilities。
AgainMissNellierecognizedtheperfumewithwhichthegallantexpressmanwaswonttomakeredolentherlittleparlor，butagainsheavowednoknowledgeofitspossessor。\"Well，\"returnedLowwithsomedisappointment，\"suchamanhasbeenhere。Beonyourguard。Letusgoatonce。\"
Sherequirednourgingtohastenhersteps，buthurriedbreathlesslyathisside。Hehadtakenanewtrailbywhichtheyleftthewoodatrightangleswiththehighway，twomilesaway。
Followinganalmosteffacedmuletrackalongaslightdepressionoftheplain，deepenough，however，tohidethemfromview，heaccompaniedher，until，risingtothelevelagain，shesawtheywerebeginningtoapproachthehighwayandthedistantroofsofIndianSpring。\"Nobodymeetingyounow，\"hewhispered，\"wouldsuspectwhereyouhadbeen。Goodnight！untilnextweek——remember。\"
Theypressedeachother’shands，andstandingontheslightridgeoutlinedagainstthepalingsky，infullviewofthehighway，partingcarelessly，asiftheyhadbeenchancemettravelers。
ButNelliecouldnotrestrainapartingbackwardglanceasshelefttheridge。Lowhaddescendedtothedesertedtrail，andwasrunningswiftlyinthedirectionoftheCarquinezWoods。
CHAPTERIV
Teresaawokewithastart。Itwasdayalready，buthowfaradvancedtheeven，unchanging，softtwilightofthewoodsgavenoindication。Hercompanionhadvanished，andtoherbewilderedsensessohadthecamp-fire，eventoitsembersandashes。Wassheawake，orhadshewanderedawayunconsciouslyinthenight？
Oneglanceatthetreeaboveherdissipatedthefancy。Therewastheopeningofherquaintretreatandthehangingstripsofbark，andatthefootoftheoppositetreelaythecarcassofthebear。
Ithadbeenskinned，and，asTeresathoughtwithaninwardshiver，alreadylookedhalfitsformersize。
Notyetaccustomedtothefactthatafewstepsineitherdirectionaroundthecircumferenceofthosegreattrunksproducedthesuddenappearanceordisappearanceofanyfigure，Teresautteredaslightscreamasheryoungcompanionunexpectedlysteppedtoherside。\"Youseeachangehere，\"hesaid;\"thestamped-outashesofthecamp-firelieunderthebrush，\"andhepointedtosomecleverlyscatteredboughsandstripsofbarkwhichcompletelyeffacedthetracesoflastnight’sbivouac。\"Wecan’taffordtocalltheattentionofanypackerorhunterwhomightstragglethiswaytothisparticularspotandthisparticulartree;themorenaturally，\"headded，\"astheyalwaysprefertocampoveranoldfire。\"Acceptingthisexplanationmeekly，aspartlyareproachforhercapriceofthepreviousnight，Teresahungherhead。
\"I’mverysorry，\"shesaid，\"butwouldn’tthat，\"pointingtothecarcassofthebear，\"havemadethemcurious？\"
ButLow’slogicwasrelentless。
\"Bythistimetherewouldhavebeenlittlelefttoexcitecuriosity，ifyouhadbeenwillingtoleavethosebeaststotheirwork。\"
\"I’mverysorry，\"repeatedthewoman，herlipsquivering。
\"Theyarethescavengersofthewood，\"hecontinuedinalightertone;\"ifyoustayhereyoumusttrytousethemtokeepyourhouseclean。\"
Teresasmilednervously。
\"Imeanthattheyshallfinishtheirworkto-night，\"headded，\"andIshallbuildanothercamp-fireforusamilefromhereuntiltheydo。\"
ButTeresacaughthissleeve。
\"No，\"shesaidhurriedly，\"don’t，please，forme。Youmustnottakethetrouble，northerisk。Hearme;do，please。Icanbearit，IWILLbearit——to-night。Iwouldhaveborneitlastnight，butitwassostrange——and\"——shepassedherhandsoverherforehead——\"IthinkImusthavebeenhalfmad。ButIamnotsofoolishnow。\"
Sheseemedsobrokenanddespondentthatherepliedreassuringly：
\"PerhapsitwouldbebetterthatIshouldfindanotherhiding-
placeforyou，untilIcandisposeofthatcarcasssothatitwillnotdrawdogsafterthewolves，andmenafterTHEM。
Besides，yourfriendthesheriffwillprobablyrememberthebearwhenheremembersanything，andtrytogetonitstrackagain。\"
\"He’saconceitedfool，\"brokeinTeresainahighvoice，withaslightreturnofheroldfury，\"orhe’dhaveguessedwherethatshotcamefrom;and，\"sheaddedinalowertone，lookingdownatherlimpandnervelessfingers，\"hewouldn’thaveletapoor，weak，nervouswretchlikemegetaway。\"
\"Buthisdeputymayputtwoandtwotogether，andconnectyourescapewithit。\"
Teresa’seyesflashed。\"Itwouldbelikethedog，justtosavehispride，toswearitwasanambushofmyfriends，andthathewasoverpoweredbynumbers。Ohyes！Iseeitall！\"shealmostscreamed，lashingherselfintoarageatthebarecontemplationofthisdiminutionofherglory。\"That’sthedirtyliehetellseverywhere，andistellingnow。\"
Shestampedherfeetandglancedsavagelyaround，asifatanyrisktoproclaimthefalsehood。Lowturnedhisimpassive，truthfulfacetowardsher。
\"SheriffDunn，\"hebegangravely，\"isapolitician，andafoolwhenhetakestothetrailasahunterofmanorbeast。Butheisnotacowardnoraliar。Yourchanceswouldbebetterifhewere——ifhelaidyourescapetoanambushofyourfriends，thanifhisprideheldyoualoneresponsible。\"
\"Ifhe’ssuchagoodman，whydoyouhesitate？\"sherepliedbitterly。\"Whydon’tyougivemeupatonce，anddoaservicetooneofyourfriends？\"
\"Idonotevenknowhim，\"returnedLowopeninghiscleareyesuponher。\"I’vepromisedtohideyouhere，andIshallhideyouaswellfromhimasfromanybody。\"
Teresadidnotreply，butsuddenlydroppingdownuponthegroundburiedherfaceinherhandsandbegantosobconvulsively。Lowturnedimpassivelyaway，andputtingasidethebarkcurtainclimbedintothehollowtree。Inafewmomentshereappeared，ladenwithprovisionsandafewsimplecookingutensils，andtouchedherlightlyontheshoulder。Shelookeduptimidly;theparoxysmhadpassed，butherlashesyetglittered。
\"Come，\"hesaid，\"comeandgetsomebreakfast。Ifindyouhaveeatennothingsinceyouhavebeenhere——twenty-fourhours。\"
\"Ididn’tknowit，\"shesaid，withafaintsmile。Thenseeinghisburden，andpossessedbyanewandstrangedesireforsomemenialemployment，shesaidhurriedly，\"Letmecarrysomething——
do，please，\"andeventriedtodisencumberhim。
Halfannoyed，Lowatlastyielded，andhandinghisriflesaid，\"There，then，takethat;butbecareful——it’sloaded！\"
Acruelblushburntthewoman’sfacetotherootsofherhairasshetooktheweaponhesitatinglyinherhand。
\"No！\"shestammered，hurriedlyliftinghershame-suffusedeyestohis;\"no！no！\"
Heturnedawaywithanimpatiencewhichshowedherhowcompletelygratuitoushadbeenheragitationanditssignificance，andsaid，\"Well，then，giveitbackifyouareafraidofit。\"Butsheassuddenlydeclinedtoreturnit;andshoulderingitdeftly，tookherplacebyhisside。Silentlytheymovedfromthehollowtreetogether。
Duringtheirwalkshedidnotattempttoinvadehistaciturnity。
Neverthelessshewasaskeenlyaliveandwatchfulofhiseverymovementandgestureasifshehadhungenchantedonhislips。
Theunerringwaywithwhichhepursuedaviewless，undeviatingpaththroughthosetracklesswoods，hisquickreconnaissanceofcertaintreesoropenings，hismuteinspectionofsomealmostimperceptiblefootprintofbirdorbeast，hiscriticalexaminationofcertainplantswhichhepluckedanddepositedinhisdeerskinhaversack，werenotlostonthequick-wittedwoman。
Astheygraduallychangedtheclear，unencumberedaislesofthecentralwoodsforamoretangledundergrowth，Teresafeltthatsubtleadmirationwhichculminatesinimitation，andsimulatingperfectlythestep，tread，andeasyswingofhercompanion，followedsoaccuratelyhisleadthatshewonagratifiedexclamationfromhimwhentheirgoalwasreached——abroken，blackenedshaft，splinteredbylong-forgottenlightning，inthecentreofatangledcarpetofwood-clover。
\"Idon’twonderyoudistancedthedeputy，\"hesaidcheerfully，throwingdownhisburden，\"ifyoucantakethehunting-pathlikethat。Inafewdays，ifyoustayhere，Icanventuretotrustyoualoneforalittlepasearwhenyouaretiredofthetree。\"
Teresalookedpleased，butbusiedherselfwitharrangementsforthebreakfast，whilehegatheredthefuelfortheroaringfirewhichsoonblazedbesidetheshatteredtree。
Teresa’sbreakfastwasasuccess。Itwasarevelationtotheyoungnomad，whoseascetichabitsandsimpletasteswereusuallycontentwiththemostprimitiveformsoffrontiercookery。Itwasatleastasurprisetohimtoknowthatwithoutextratroublekneadedflour，water，andsaleratusneednotbeessentiallyheavy;thatcoffeeneednotbeboiledwithsugartotheconsistencyofsyrup;thateventhatrarestdelicacy，smallshredsofvenisoncoveredwithashesandbroiledupontheendofaramrodboldlythrustintotheflames，wouldbebetterandevenmoreexpeditiouslycookeduponburningcoals。Movedinhispracticalnature，hewassurprisedtofindthiscuriouscreatureofdisorganizednervesanduselessimpulsesinformedwithanintelligencethatdidnotprecludethewelfareofhumanityortheexistenceofasoul。Herespectedherforsomeminutes，untilinthemidstofaculinarytriumphabigteardroppedandsplutteredinthesaucepan。Butheforgavetheirrelevancybytakingnonoticeofit，andbydoingfulljusticetothatparticulardish。
Nevertheless，heaskedseveralquestionsbasedupontheserecentlydiscoveredqualities。Itappearedthatintheolddaysofherwanderingswiththecircustroupeshehadoftenbeenforcedtoundertakethisnomadichousekeeping。Butshe\"despisedit，\"hadneverdoneitsince，andalwayshadrefusedtodoitfor\"him\"——thepersonalpronounreferring，asLowunderstood，toherlover，Curson。Notcaringtorevivethesememoriesfurther，Lowbrieflyconcluded：\"Idon’tknowwhatyouwere，orwhatyoumaybe，butfromwhatIseeofyouyou’vegotallthesabeofafrontierman’swife。\"
Shestoppedandlookedathim，andthenwithanimpulseofimprudencethatonlyhalfconcealedamoreseriousvanity，asked，\"DoyouthinkImighthavemadeagoodsquaw？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"herepliedquietly。\"Ineversawenoughofthemtoknow。\"
Teresa，confidentfromhiscleareyesthathespokethetruth，buthavingnothingreadytofollowthiscalmdisposalofhercuriosity，relapsedintosilence。
Themealfinished，Teresawashedtheirscanttableequipageinalittlespringnearthecamp-fire;where，catchingsightofherdisordereddressandcollar，sherapidlythrewhershawl，afterthenationalfashion，overhershoulderandpinneditquickly。
Lowcachedtheremainingprovisionsandthefewcookingutensilsunderthedeadembersandashes，obliteratingallsuperficialindicationoftheircamp-fireasdeftlyandartisticallyashehadbefore。
\"Thereisn’ttheghostofachance，\"hesaidinexplanation，\"thatanybodybutyouorIwillsetfootherebeforewecomebacktosupper，butit’swelltobeonguard。I’lltakeyoubacktothecabinnow，thoughIbetyoucouldfindyourwaythereaswellasIcan。\"
OntheirwaybackTeresaranaheadofhercompanion，andpluckingafewtinyleavesfromahiddenoasisinthebark-strewntrailbroughtthemtohim。
\"That’sthekindyou’relookingfor，isn’tit？\"shesaid，halftimidly。
\"Itis，\"respondedLow，ingratifiedsurprise;\"buthowdidyouknowit？You’renotabotanist，areyou？\"
\"Ireckonnot，\"saidTeresa;\"butyoupickedsomewhenwecame，andInoticedwhattheywere。\"
Herewasindeedanotherrevelation。Lowstoppedandgazedatherwithsuchfrank，open，utterlyunabashedcuriositythatherblackeyesfellbeforehim。
\"Anddoyouthink，\"heaskedwithlogicaldeliberation，\"thatyoucouldfindanyplantfromanotherIshouldgiveyou？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Orfromadrawingofit\"
\"Yes;perhapsevenifyoudescribedittome。\"
Ahalf-confidential，half-fraternalsilencefollowed。
\"Itellyouwhat。I’vegotabook——\"
\"Iknowit，\"interruptedTeresa;\"fullofthesethings。\"
\"Yes。Doyouthinkyoucould——\"
\"OfcourseIcould，\"brokeinTeresa，again。
\"Butyoudon’tknowwhatImean，\"saidtheimperturbableLow。
\"CertainlyIdo。Why，find’em，andpreserveallthedifferentonesforyoutowriteunder——that’sit，isn’tit？\"
Lownoddedhishead，gratifiedbutnotentirelyconvincedthatshehadfullyestimatedthemagnitudeoftheendeavor。
\"Isuppose，\"saidTeresa，inthefemininepostscriptumvoicewhichitwouldseementeredeventhephilosophicalcalmoftheaislestheyweretreading——\"IsupposethatSHEplacesgreatvalueonthem？\"
LowhadindeedheardSciencepersonifiedbefore，norwasitatallimpossiblethatthesingularwomanwalkingbyhissidehadalso。Hesaid\"Yes;\"butadded，inmentalreferencetotheLinneanSocietyofSanFrancisco，that\"THEYwereratherparticularabouttherarerkinds。\"
ContentasTeresahadbeentobelieveinLow’stenderrelationswithsomefavoredONEofhersex，thisfrankconfessionofapluraldevotionstaggeredher。
\"They？\"sherepeated。
\"Yes，\"hecontinuedcalmly。\"TheBotanicalSocietyIcorrespondwitharemoreparticularthantheGovernmentSurvey。\"
\"Thenyouaredoingthisforasociety？\"demandedTeresa，withastare。
\"Certainly。I’mmakingacollectionandclassificationofspecimens。Iintend——butwhatareyoulookingat？\"
Teresahadsuddenlyturnedaway。Puttinghishandlightlyonhershoulder，theyoungmanbroughtherfacetofacehimagain。
Shewaslaughing。
\"Ithoughtallthewhileitwasforagirl，\"shesaid;\"and——\"
Butherethemereeffortofspeechsentheroffintoanaudibleandgenuineoutburstoflaughter。Itwasthefirsttimehehadseenherevensmileotherthanbitterly。Characteristicallyunconsciousofanyhumorinhererror，heremainedunembarrassed。
Buthecouldnothelpnoticingachangeintheexpressionofherface，hervoice，andevenherintonation。Itseemedasifthatfitoflaughterhadloosedthelasttiesthatboundhertoaself-imposedcharacter，hadsweptawaythelastbarrierbetweenherandherhealthiernature，haddispossessedapainfulunreality，andrelievedthemorbidtensionofapurelynervousattitude。ThechangeinherutteranceandtheresumptionofhersofterSpanishaccentseemedtohavecomewithherconfidences，andLowtookleaveofherbeforetheirsylvancabinwithacomrade’sheartiness，andacompleteforgetfulnessthathervoicehadeverirritatedhim。
Whenhereturnedthatafternoonhewasstartledtofindthecabinempty。Butinsteadofbearinganyappearanceofdisturbanceorhurriedflight，therudeinteriorseemedtohavemagicallyassumedadecorousorderandcleanlinessunknownbefore。Freshbarkhidtheinequalitiesofthefloor。Theskinsandblanketswerefoldedinthecorners，therudeshelveswerecarefullyarranged，evenafewtallfernsandbrightbutquicklyfadingflowersweredisposedaroundtheblackenedchimney。Shehadevidentlyavailedherselfofthechangeofclothinghehadbroughther，forherlategarmentswerehangingfromthehastily-
devisedwoodenpegsdriveninthewall。Theyoungmangazedaroundhimwithmixedfeelingsofgratificationanduneasiness。
Hispresencehadbeendispossessedinasinglehour;histenyearsoflonelyhabitationhadleftnotracethatthiswomanhadnoteffacedwithadeftmoveofherhand。Morethanthat，itlookedasifshehadalwaysoccupiedit;anditwaswithasingularconvictionthatevenwhensheshouldoccupyitnolongeritwouldonlyreverttohimasherdwellingthathedroppedthebarkshuttersathwarttheopening，andleftittofollowher。
Tohisquickear，fineeye，andabnormalsenses，thiswaseasyenough。Shehadgoneinthedirectionofthismorning’scamp。
Onceortwicehepausedwithahalf-gestureofrecognitionandacharacteristic\"Good！\"attheplacewhereshehadstopped，butwassurprisedtofindthathermaincoursehadbeenasdirectashisown。DeviatingfromthisdirectlinewithIndianprecaution，hefirstmadeacircuitofthecamp，andapproachedtheshatteredtrunkfromtheoppositedirection。HeconsequentlycameuponTeresaunawares。Butthemomentaryastonishmentandembarrassmentwerehisalone。
Hescarcelyrecognizedher。Shewaswearingthegarmentshehadbroughtherthedaybefore——acertaindiscardedgownofMissNellieWynn，whichhehadhurriedlybeggedfromherunderthepretextofclothingthewifeofadistressedoverlandemigrantthenonthewaytothemines。AlthoughhehadsatisfiedhisconsciencewiththeintentionofconfessingthepiousfraudtoherwhenTeresawasgoneandsafefrompursuit，itwasnotwithoutasenseofremorsethathewitnessedthesacrilegioustransformation。Thetwowomenwerenearlythesameheightandsize;andalthoughTeresa’smaturerfigureaccentedtheoutlinesmorestrongly，itwasstillbecomingenoughtoincreasehisirritation。
Ofthisbecomingnessshewasdoubtlessunawareatthemomentthathesurprisedher。Shewasconsciousofhaving\"achange，\"andthishademboldenedherto\"doherhair\"andotherwisecomposeherself。Aftertheirgreetingshewasthefirsttoalludetothedress，regrettingthatitwasnotmoreofaroughdisguise，andthat，asshemustnowdiscardthenationalhabitofwearinghershawl\"manta\"fashionoverherhead，shewantedahat。\"Butyoumustnot，\"shesaid，\"borrowanymoredressesformefromyouryoungwoman。Buythemformeatsomeshop。Theyleftmeenoughmoneyforthat。\"Lowgentlyputasidethefewpiecesofgoldshehaddrawnfromherpocket，andbrieflyremindedherofthesuspicionsuchapurchasebyhimwouldproduce。\"That’sso，\"shesaid，withalaugh。\"Caramba！whatamuleI’mbecoming！Ah！
waitamoment。Ihaveit！Buymeacommonfelthat——aman’shat——asifforyourself，asachangetothatanimal，\"pointingtothefox-tailedcapheworesummerandwinter，\"andI’llshowyouatrick。Ihaven’trunatheatricalwardrobefornothing。\"Norhadshe，forthehatthusprocured，afewdayslater，became，bytheaidofasilkhandkerchiefandabluejay’sfeather，afascinating\"porkpie。\"
WhatevercauseofannoyancetoLowstilllingeredinTeresa’sdress，itwassoonforgotteninapalpableevidenceofTeresa’svalueasabotanicalassistant。Itappearedthatduringtheafternoonshehadnotonlyduplicatedhisspecimens，buthaddiscoverdoneortworareplantsasyetunclassifiedinthefloraoftheCarquinezWoods。Hewasdelighted，andinturn，overthecampfire，yieldedupsomedetailsofhispresentlifeandsomeofhisearlierrecollections。
\"Youdon’trememberanythingofyourfather？\"sheasked。\"Didheevertrytoseekyouout？\"
\"No！Whyshouldhe？\"repliedtheimperturbableLow;\"hewasnotaCherokee。\"
\"No，hewasabeast，\"respondedTeresapromptly。\"Andyourmother——doyourememberher？\"
\"No，Ithinkshedied。\"
\"YouTHINKshedied？Don’tyouknow？\"
\"No！\"
\"Thenyou’reanother！\"saidTeresa。Notwithstandingthisfrankness，theyshookhandsforthenight：Teresanestlinglikearabbitinahollowbythesideofthecampfire;Lowwithhisfeettowardsit，Indian-wise，andhisheadandshoulderspillowedonhishaversack，onlyhalfdistinguishableinthedarknessbeyond。
Withsuchtrivialdetailsthreeuneventfuldaysslippedby。
Theirretreatwasundisturbed，norcouldLowdetect，bytheleastevidencetohisacuteperceptivefaculties，thatanyintrudingfeethadsincecrossedthebeltofshade。TheechoesofpassingeventsatIndianSpringhadrecordedtheescapeofTeresaasoccurringataremoteandpurelyimaginativedistance，andherprobabledirectionthecountyofYolo。
\"Canyouremember，\"heonedayaskedher，\"whattimeitwaswhenyoucuttheriataandgotaway？\"
Teresapressedherhandsuponhereyesandtemples。
\"Aboutthree，Ireckon。\"
\"Andyouwerehereatseven;youcouldhavecoveredsomegroundinfourhours？\"
\"Perhaps——Idon’tknow，\"shesaid，hervoicetakingupitsoldqualityagain。\"Don’taskme——Iranalltheway。\"
Herfacewasquitepaleassheremovedherhandsfromhereyes，andherbreathcameasquicklyasifshehadjustfinishedthatraceforlife。
\"ThenyouthinkIamsafehere？\"sheadded，afterapause。
\"Perfectly——untiltheyfindyouareNOTinYolo。Thenthey’lllookhere。AndTHAT’SthetimeforyoutogoTHERE。\"Teresasmiledtimidly。
\"ItwilltakethemsometimetosearchYolo——unless，\"sheadded，\"you’retiredofmehere。\"Thecharmingnonsequiturdidnot，however，seemtostriketheyoungman。\"I’vegottimeyettofindafewmoreplantsforyou，\"shesuggested。
\"Oh，certainly！\"
\"Andgiveyouafewmorelessonsincooking。\"
\"Perhaps。\"
TheconscientiousandliteralLowwasbeginningtodoubtifshewerereallypractical。Howotherwisecouldshetriflewithsuchasituation？
Itmustbeconfessedthatthatdayandthenextshedidtriflewithit。Shegaveherselfuptoagraveanddeliciouslanguorthatseemedtoflowfromshadowandsilenceandpermeateherentirebeing。Shepassedhoursinathoughtfulreposeofmindandspiritthatseemedtofalllikebalmfromthosesteadfastguardians，anddistilltheirgentleetherinhersoul;orbreathedintoherlisteningearimmunityfromtheforgottenpast，andsecurityforthepresent。Iftherewasnodreamofthefutureinthiscalm，evenrecurrenceofplacidexistence，somuchthebetter。Thesimpledetailsofeachsucceedingday，thequainthousekeeping，thebriefcompanionshipandcomingandgoingofheryounghost——himselfatbestacrystallizedpersonificationofthesedateandhospitablewoods——satisfiedherfeeblecravings。Shenolongerregrettedtheinferiorpositionthatherfearshadobligedhertotakethefirstnightshecame;shebegantolookuptothisyoungman——somuchyoungerthanherself——
withoutknowingwhatitmeant;itwasnotuntilshefoundthatthisattitudedidnotdetractfromhispicturesquenessthatshediscoveredherselfseekingforreasonstodegradehimfromthisseductiveeminence。
Aweekhadelapsedwithlittlechange。Ontwodayshehadbeenabsentallday，returningonlyintimetosupinthehollowtree，which，thankstothefinalremovalofthedeadbearfromitsvicinity，wasnowconsideredasaferretreatthantheexposedcamp-fire。Onthefirstoftheseoccasionsshereceivedhimwithsomepreoccupation，payingbutlittleheedtothescantgossiphebroughtfromIndianSpring，andretiringearlyunderthepleaoffatigue，thathemightseekhisowndistantcamp-fire，which，thankstoherstrongernervesandregainedcourage，shenolongerrequiredsonear。Onthesecondoccasion，hefoundherwritingalettermoreorlessblottedwithhertears。Whenitwasfinished，shebeggedhimtopostitatIndianSpring，whereintwodaysananswerwouldbereturned，undercover，tohim。
\"Ihopeyouwillbesatisfiedthen，\"sheadded。
\"Satisfiedwithwhat？\"queriedtheyoungman。
\"You’llsee，\"shereplied，givinghimhercoldhand。\"Good-night。\"
\"Butcan’tyoutellmenow？\"heremonstrated，retainingherhand。
\"Waittwodayslonger——itisn’tmuch，\"wasallshevouchsafedtoanswer。
Thetwodayspassed。Theirformerconfidenceandgoodfellowshipwerefullyrestoredwhenthemorningcameonwhichhewastobringtheanswerfromthepost-officeatIndianSpring。Hehadtalkedagainofhisfuture，andhadrecordedhisambitiontoprocuretheappointmentofnaturalisttoaGovernmentSurveyingExpedition。Shehadevenjocularlyproposedtodressherselfinman’sattireand\"enlist\"ashisassistant。
\"Butyouwillbesafewithyourfriends，Ihope，bythattime，\"
respondedLow。
\"Safewithmyfriends，\"sherepeatedinalowervoice。\"Safewithmyfriends——yes！\"Anawkwardsilencefollowed;Teresabrokeitgayly：\"Butyourgirl，yoursweetheart，mybenefactor——willSHEletyougo？\"
\"Ihaven’ttoldheryet，\"saidLow，gravely，\"butIdon’tseewhysheshouldobject。\"
\"Object，indeed！\"interruptedTeresainahighvoiceandasuddenandutterlygratuitousindignation;\"howshouldshe？I’dliketoseeherdoit！\"
Sheaccompaniedhimsomedistancetotheintersectionofthetrail，wheretheypartedingoodspirits。Onthedustyplainwithoutagalewasblowingthatrockedthehightree-topsaboveher，but，temperedandsubdued，enteredthelowaisleswithaflutteringbreathofmorningandasoundlikethecooingofdoves。Neverhadthewoodbeforeshownsosweetasenseofsecurityfromtheturmoilandtempestoftheworldbeyond;neverbeforehadanintrusionfromtheouterlife——evenintheshapeofaletter——seemedsowickedadesecration。Temptedbythesolicitationofairandshade，shelingered，withLow’sherbariumslungonhershoulder。
Astrangesensation，likeashiver，suddenlypassedacrosshernerves，andlefttheminastateofrigidtension。Witheverysensemorbidlyacute，witheveryfacultystrainedtoitsutmost，thesubtleinstinctsofLow’swoodcrafttransformedandpossessedher。Sheknewitnow！Anewelementwasinthewood——astrangebeing——anotherlife——anothermanapproaching！Shedidnotevenraiseherheadtolookabouther，butdartedwiththeprecisionandfleetnessofanarrowinthedirectionofhertree。Butherfeetwerearrested，herlimbsparalzyed，herveryexistencesuspended，bythesoundofavoice：——
\"Teresa！\"
Itwasavoicethathadrunginherearsforthelasttwoyearsinallphasesofintensity，passion，tenderness，andanger;avoiceuponwhosemodulations，rudeandunmusicalthoughtheywere，herheartandsoulhadhungintransportoranguish。ButitwasachimethathadrungitslastpealtohersensesassheenteredtheCarquinezWoods，andforthelastweekhadbeenasdeadtoherasavoicefromthegrave。Itwasthevoiceofherlover——DickCurson！
CHAPTERV
Thewindwasblowingtowardsthestranger，sothathewasnearlyuponherwhenTeresafirsttookthealarm。Hewasamanoversixfeetinheight，stronglybuilt，withaslighttendencytoaroundnessofbulkwhichsuggestedreservedratherthanimpededenergy。Histhickbeardandmustachewerecloselycroppedaroundasmallandhandsomemouththatlispedexceptwhenhewasexcited，butalwayskeptfellowshipwithhisblueeyesinaperpetualsmileofhalf-cynicalgood-humor。Hisdresswassuperiortothatofthelocality;hisgeneralexpressionthatofamanoftheworld，albeitaworldofSanFrancisco，Sacramento，andMurderer’sBar。Headvancedtowardsherwithalaughandanoutstretchedhand。
\"YOUhere！\"shegasped，drawingback。
Apparentlyneithersurprisednormortifiedatthisreception，heansweredfrankly，\"Yeth。Youdidn’texpectme，Iknow。ButDolorethshowedmetheletteryouwroteher，and——well——hereI
am，readytohelpyou，withtwomenandathparehorthewaitingoutsidethewoodthontheblindtrail。\"
\"You——YOU——here？\"sheonlyrepeated。
Cursonshruggedhisshoulders。\"Yeth。\"Ofcourthyouneverexpectedtotheemeagain，andleathtofallHERE。I’lladmitthat;I’llthayIwouldn’tifI’dbeeninyourplathe。I’llgofurther，andthayyoudidn’twanttotheemeagain——anywhere。
Butitallcomethtothethamething;hereIam。IreadtheletteryouwroteDoloreth。Ireadhowyouwerehidinghere，underDunn’thverynothe，withhiswholepotheout，cavortingroundandbarkin’upthewrongtree。ImadeupmymindtocomedownherewithafewnathtyfriendsofmineandcutyououtunderDunn’thnothe，andrunyouoverintoYuba——that’thall。\"
\"Howdaredsheshowyoumyletter——YOUofallmen？HowdaredsheaskYOURhelp？\"continuedTeresa，fiercely。
\"Butshedidn’tathkmyhelp，\"herespondedcoolly。\"D——difI
don’tthinkshejuthtcalculatedI’dbegladtoknowyouwerebeinghunteddownandthtarving，thatImightputDunnonyourtrack。\"
\"Youlie！\"saidTeresa，furiously;\"shewasmyfriend。Abetterfriendthanthosewhoprofessed——more，\"sheadded，withacontemptuousdrawingawayofherskirtasifshefearedCurson’scontamination。
\"Allright。Thettlethatwithherwhenyougoback，\"continuedCursonphilosophically。\"Wecantalkofthatontheway。Thethingnowithtogetupandgetoutofthethewoods。Come！\"
Teresa’sonlyreplywasagestureofscorn。
\"Iknowallthat，\"continuedCursonhalfsoothingly，\"butthey’rewaiting。\"
\"Letthemwait。Ishallnotgo。\"
\"Whatwillyoudo？\"
\"Stayhere——tillthewolveseatme。\"
\"Teresa，listen。D——-itall——Teresa——Tita！seehere，\"hesaidwithsuddenenergy。\"IsweartoGodit’sallright。I’mwillingtoletby-gonesbeby-gonesandtakeanewdeal。Youshallcomebackasifnothinghadhappened，andtakeyouroldplaceasbefore。Idon’tminddoingthesquarething，allround。Ifthat’swhatyoumean，ifthat’sallthatstandsintheway，why，lookuponthethingassettled。There，Tita，oldgirl，come。\"
Carelessorobliviousofherstonysilenceandstartingeyes，heattemptedtotakeherhand。Butshedisengagedherselfwithaquickmovement，drewback，andsuddenlycrouchedlikeawildanimalabouttospring。Cursonfoldedhisarmsassheleapedtoherfeet;thelittledaggershehaddrawnfromhergarterflashedmenacinglyintheair，butshestopped。
Themanbeforeherremainederect，impassive，andsilent;thegreattreesaroundandbeyondherremainederect，impassive，andsilent;therewasnosoundinthedimaislesbutthequickpantingofhermadpassion，nomovementinthecalm，motionlessshadowbutthetremblingofherupliftedsteel。Herarmbentandslowlysank，herfingersrelaxed，theknifefellfromherhand。
\"That’thquiteenoughforathow，\"hesaid，withareturntohisformercynicaleaseandaperceptibletoneofreliefinhisvoice。\"It’ththethameoldTheretha。Well，then，ifyouwon’tgowithme，gowithoutme;taketheledhortheandcutaway。
DickAthleyandPeterethwillfollowyouoverthecountyline。
Ifyouwantthomemoney，thereitith。\"Hetookabuckskinpursefromhispocket。\"Ifyouwon’ttakeitfromme——hehesitatedasshemadenoreply——\"Athley’thflushandreadytolendyouthome。\"
Shehadnotseemedtohearhim，buthadstoopedinsomeembarrassment，pickeduptheknifeandhastilyhidit，thenwithavertedfaceandnervousfingerswasbeginningtotearstripsofloosebarkfromthenearesttrunk。
\"Well，whatdoyouthay？\"
\"Idon’twantanymoney，andIshallstayhere。\"Shehesitated，lookedaroundher，andthenadded，withaneffort，\"Isupposeyoumeantwell。Beitso！Letby-gonesbeby-gones。Yousaidjustnow，’It’sthesameoldTeresa。’Sosheis，andseeingshe’sthesameshe’sbetterherethananywhereelse。\"
TherewasenoughbitternessinhertonetocallforCurson’shalf-perfunctorysympathy。
\"Thatbed——d，\"herespondedquickly。\"Juthtthayyou’llcome，Tita，and——\"
Shestoppedhishalf-spokensentencewithanegativegesture。
\"Youdon’tunderstand。Ishallstayhere。\"
\"Buteveniftheydon’ttheekyouhere，youcan’tlivehereforever。Thefriendthatyouwroteaboutwhowaththogoodtoyou，youknow，can’tkeepyouherealwayth;andareyouthureyoucanalwaythtruthther？\"
\"Itisn’tawoman;it’saman。\"Shestoppedshort，andcoloredtothelineofherforehead。\"Whosaiditwasawoman？\"shecontinuedfiercely，asiftocoverherconfusionwithaburstofgratuitousanger。\"Isthatanotherofyourlies？\"
Curson’slips，whichforamomenthadcompletelylosttheirsmile，werenowdrawntogetherinaprolongedwhistle。Hegazedcuriouslyathergown，atherhat，atthebowofbrightribbonthattiedherblackhair，andsaid，\"Ah！\"
\"Apoormanwhohaskeptmysecret，\"shewentonhurriedly——\"amanasfriendlessandlonelyasmyself。Yes，\"disregardingCurson’scynicalsmile，\"amanwhohassharedeverything——\"
\"Naturally，\"suggestedCurson。