\"Andturnedhimselfoutofhisonlysheltertogivemearoofandcovering，\"shecontinuedmechanically，strugglingwiththenewandhorriblefancythathiswordsawakened。
\"AndthlepteverynightatIndianThpringtosaveyourreputation，\"
saidCurson。\"Ofcourthe。\"
Teresaturnedverywhite。Cursonwaspreparedforanoutburstoffury——perhapsevenanotherattack。Butthecrushedandbeatenwomanonlygazedathimwithfrightenedandimploringeyes。\"ForGod’ssake，Dick，don’tsaythat！\"
Theamiablecynicwasstaggered。Hisgood-humorandacertainchivalrousinstincthecouldnotrepressgotthebetterofhim。
Heshruggedhisshoulders。\"WhatIthay，andwhatyouDO，Teretha，needn’tmakeusquarrel。I’venoclaimonyou——Iknowit。Only——\"avividsenseoftheridiculous，powerfulinmenofhisstamp，completedhervictory——\"onlydon’tthayanythingaboutmycomingdownheretocutyououtfromthe——the——THESHERIFF。\"
Hegaveutterancetoashortbutunaffectedlaugh，madeaslightgrimace，andturnedtogo。
Teresadidnotjoininhismirth。Awkwardasitwouldhavebeenifhehadtakenasevererviewofthesubject，shewasmortifiedevenamidstherfearsandembarrassmentathislevity。Justasshehadbecomeconvincedthathisjealousyhadmadeherover-
conscious，hisapparentgood-humoredindifferencegavethatover-
consciousnessaguiltysignificance。Yetthiswaslostinhersuddenalarmashercompanion，lookingup，utteredanexclamation，andplacedhishanduponhisrevolver。Withasinkingconvictionthattheclimaxhadcome，Teresaturnedhereyes。Fromthedimaislesbeyond，Lowwasapproaching。Thecatastropheseemedcomplete。
Shehadbarelytimetoutteranimploringwhisper：\"InthenameofGod，notawordtohim。\"Butachangehadalreadycomeoverhercompanion。Itwasnolongeraparleywithafoolishwoman;
hehadtodealwithamanlikehimself。AsLow’sdarkfaceandpicturesquefigurecamenearer，Mr。Curson’sproposedmethodofdealingwithhimwasmadeaudible。
\"IthitamulattooraThircuth，orboth？\"heasked，withaffectedanxiety。
Low’sIndianphlegmwasimpervioustosuchassault。HeturnedtoTeresa，withoutapparentlynoticinghercompanion。\"Iturnedback，\"hesaidquietly，\"assoonasIknewtherewerestrangershere;Ithoughtyoumightneedme。\"Shenoticedforthefirsttimethat，inadditiontohisrifle，hecarriedarevolverandhuntingknifeinhisbelt。
\"Yeth，\"returnedCurson，withanineffectualattempttoimitateLow’sphlegm;\"butathIdidn’thappentobeasthrangertothislady，perhapsitwathn’tnethethary，particularlyathIhadtwofriends——\"
\"Waitingattheedgeofthewoodwithaledhorse，\"interruptedLow，withoutaddressinghim，butapparentlycontinuinghisexplanationtoTeresa。ButsheturnedtoLowwithfeverishanxiety。
\"That’sso——heisanoldfriend——\"shegaveaquick，imploringglanceatCurson——\"anoldfriendwhocametohelpmeaway——heisverykind，\"shestammered，turningalternatelyfromtheonetotheother;\"butItoldhimtherewasnohurry——atleastto-day——
thatyou——were——verygood——too，andwouldhidemealittlelonger，untilyourplan——youknowYOURplan，\"sheadded，withalookofbeseechingsignificancetoLow——\"couldbetried。\"Andthen，withahelplessconvictionthatherexcuses，motives，andemotionswereequallyandperfectlytransparenttobothmen，shestoppedinatremble。
\"Perhapthit’thjuthtathwell，then，thatthegentlemancamethtraighthere，anddidn’ttacklemytwofriendthwhenhepathedthem，\"observedCurson，halfsarcastically。
\"Ihavenotpassedyourfriends，norhaveIbeennearthem，\"saidLow，lookingathimforthefirsttime，withthesameexasperatingcalm，\"orperhapsIshouldnotbeHEREortheyTHERE。Iknewthatonemanenteredthewoodafewmomentsago，andthattwomenandfourhorsesremainedoutside。\"
\"That’strue，\"saidTeresatoCursonexcitedly——\"that’strue。Heknowsall。Hecanseewithoutlooking，hearwithoutlistening。
He——he——\"shestammered，colored，andstopped。
Thetwomenhadfacedeachother。Curson，afterhisfirstgood-
naturedimpulse，hadretainednowishtoregainTeresa，whomhefelthenolongerloved，andyetwho，forthatveryreasonperhaps，hadawakenedhischivalrousinstincts。Low，equallyonhisside，wasaltogetherunconsciousofanyfeelingwhichmightgrowintoapassion，andpreventhimfromlettinghergowithanotherifforherownsafety。Theywerebothmenofacertaintasteandrefinement。Yet，inspiteofallthis，somevagueinstinctofthebasermaleanimalremainedwiththem，andtheyweremovedtoamutuallyaggressiveattitudeinthepresenceofthefemale。
Onewordmore，andtheopeningchapterofasylvanIliadmighthavebegun。ButthismodernHelensawitcoming，andarresteditwithaninspirationoffemininegenius。Withoutbeingobserved，shedisengagedherknifefromherbosomandletitfallasifbyaccident。Itstruckthegroundwiththepointofitskeenblade，boundedandrolledbetweenthem。Thetwomenstartedandlookedateachotherwithafoolishair。Cursonlaughed。
\"Ireckonshecantakecareofherthelf，\"hesaid，extendinghishandtoLow。\"I’moff。ButifI’mwantedSHE’LLknowwheretofindme。\"Lowtooktheprofferedhand，butneitherofthetwomenlookedatTeresa。Thereserveofantagonismoncebroken，afewwordsofcaution，advice，andencouragementpassedbetweenthem，inapparentobliviousnessofherpresenceorherpersonalresponsibility。AsCursonatlastnoddedafarewelltoher，Lowinsisteduponaccompanyinghimasfarasthehorses，andinanothermomentshewasagainalone。
Shehadsavedaquarrelbetweenthematthesacrificeofherself，forhervanitywasstillkeenenoughtofeelthatthisexhibitionofheroldweaknesshaddegradedherintheireyes，and，worse，hadlosttherespectherlaterestrainthadwonfromLow。Theyhadtreatedherlikeachildoracrazywoman，perhapsevennowwereexchangingcriticismsuponher——perhapspityingher！Yetshehadpreventedaquarrel，afight;possiblythedeathofeitheroneortheotherofthesemenwhodespisedher，fornonebetterknewthanshethetrivialbeginninganddesperateendoftheseencounters。Wouldthey——wouldLoweverrealizeit，andforgiveher？Hersmall，darkhandswentuptohereyesandshesankupontheground。Shelookedthroughtear-veiledlashesuponthemuteandgiantwitnessesofherdeceitandpassion，andtriedtodraw，fromtheirimmovablecalm，strengthandconsolationasbefore。Buteventheyseemedtostandapart，reservedandforbidding。
WhenLowreturnedshehopedtogatherfromhiseyesandmannerwhathadpassedbetweenhimandherformerlover。Butbeyondameregentleabstractionattimesheretainedhisusualcalm。Shewasatlastforcedtoalludetoitherselfwithsimulatedrecklessness。
\"IsupposeIdidn’tgetaverygoodcharacterfrommylastplace？\"shesaid，withalaugh。
\"Idon’tunderstandyou，\"hereplied，inevidentsincerity。
Shebitherlipandwassilent。Butastheywerereturninghome，shesaidgently，\"IhopeyouwerenotangrywithmeforthelieI
toldwhenIspokeof’yourplan。’Icouldnotgivetherealreasonfornotreturningwith——with——thatman。Butit’snotallalie。Ihaveaplan——ifyouhaven’t。WhenyouarereadytogotoSacramentototakeyourplace，dressmeasanIndianboy，paintmyface，andletmegowithyou。Youcanleaveme——there——
youknow。\"
\"It’snotabadidea，\"herespondedgravely。\"Wewillsee。\"
Onthenextday，andthenext，therencontreseemedtobeforgotten。Theherbariumwasalreadyfilledwithrarespecimens。
Teresahadevenovercomeherfemininerepugnanceto\"bugs\"andcreepingthingssofarastoassistinhisentomologicalcollection。Hehaddrawnfromasacredcacheinthehollowofatreethefewworntext-booksfromwhichhehadstudied。
\"Theyseemveryprecious，\"shesaid，withasmile。
\"Very，\"herepliedgravely。\"Therewasonewithplatesthattheantsateup，anditwillbesixmonthsbeforeIcanaffordtobuyanother。\"
Teresaglancedhurriedlyoverhiswell-wornbuckskinsuit，athiscalicoshirtwithitspatternalmostobliteratedbycountlesswashings，andbecamethoughtful。
\"Isupposeyoucouldn’tbuyoneatIndianSpring？\"shesaidinnocently。
ForonceLowwasstartledoutofhisphlegm。\"IndianSpring！\"heejaculated;\"perhapsnoteveninSanFrancisco。ThesecamefromtheStates。\"
\"Howdidyougetthem？\"persistedTeresa。
\"IboughtthemforskinsIgotovertheridge。\"
\"Ididn’tmeanthat——butnomatter。Thenyoumeantosellthatbearskin，don’tyou？\"sheadded。
Lowhad，infact，alreadysoldit，theproceedshavingbeeninvestedinagoldringforMissNellie，whichshescrupulouslydidnotwearexceptinhispresence。InhissingulartruthfulnesshewouldhavefranklyconfessedittoTeresa，butthesecretwasnothisown。HecontentedhimselfwithsayingthathehaddisposedofitatIndianSpring。
Teresastarted，andcommunicatedunconsciouslysomeofhernervousnesstohercompanion。Theygazedineachother’seyeswithatroubledexpression。
\"Doyouthinkitwaswisetosellthatparticularskin，whichmightbeidentified？\"sheaskedtimidly。
Lowknittedhisarchedbrows，butfeltastrangesenseofrelief。
\"Perhapsnot，\"hesaidcarelessly;\"butit’stoolatenowtomendmatters。\"
Thatafternoonshewroteseveralletters，andtorethemup。One，however，sheretained，andhandedittoLowtopostatIndianSpring，whitherhewasgoing。Shecalledhisattentiontothesuperscription，beingthesameasthepreviousletter，andadded，withaffectedgayety，\"Butiftheanswerisn’tasprompt，perhapsitwillbepleasanterthanthelast。\"Herquickfeminineeyenoticedalittleexcitementinhismannerandamorestudiousattentiontohisdress。Onlyafewdaysbeforeshewouldnothaveallowedthistopasswithoutsomemischievousallusiontohismysterioussweetheart;ittroubledhergreatlynowtofindthatshecouldnotbringherselftothishouseholdpleasantry，andthatherliptrembledandhereyegrewmoistashepartedfromher。
Theafternoonpassedslowly;hehadsaidhemightnotreturntosupperuntillate，neverthelessastrangerestlessnesstookpossessionofherasthedayworeon。Sheputasideherwork，thedarningofhisstockings，andrambledaimlesslythroughthewoods。Shehadwanderedsheknewnothowfar，whenshewassuddenlyseizedwiththesamevaguesenseofaforeignpresencewhichshehadfeltbefore。CoulditbeCursonagain，withawordofwarning？No！sheknewitwasnothe;sosubtlehadhersensebecomethatsheevenfanciedthatshedetectedintheinvisibleauraprojectedbytheunknownnosignificanceorrelationtoherselforLow，andfeltnofear。Neverthelessshedeemeditwisesttoseektheprotectionofhersylvanbower，andhurriedswiftlythither。
Butnotsoquicklynordirectlythatshedidnotonceortwicepauseinherflighttoexaminethenew-comerfrombehindafriendlytrunk。Hewasastranger——ayoungfellowwithabrownmustache，wearingheavyMexicanspursinhisriding-boots，whosetinklingheapparentlydidnotcaretoconceal。Hehadperceivedher，andwasevidentlypursuingher，butsoawkwardlyandtimidlythatsheeludedhimwithease。Whenshehadreachedthesecurityofthehollowtreeandpulledthecurtainofbarkbeforethenarrowopening，withhereyetotheinterstices，shewaitedhiscoming。Hearrivedbreathlesslyintheopenspacebeforethetreewherethebearoncelay;thedazed，bewildered，andhalf-
awedexpressionofhisface，asheglancedaroundhimandthroughtheopeningsoftheforestaisles，broughtafaintsmiletohersaddenedface。Atlasthecalledinahalf-embarrassedvoice：——
\"MissNellie！\"
ThesmilefadedfromTeresa’scheek。Whowas\"MissNellie？\"Shepressedhereartotheopening。\"MissWynn！\"thevoiceagaincalled，butwaslostintheecholesswoods。Devouredwithanewgratuitouscuriosity，inanothermomentTeresafeltshewouldhavedisclosedherselfatanyrisk，butthestrangerroseandbegantoretracehissteps。Longafterhistinklingspurswerelostinthedistance，Teresaremainedlikeastatue，staringattheplacewherehehadstood。Thenshesuddenlyturnedlikeamadwoman，glanceddownatthegownshewaswearing，toreitfromherbackasifithadbeenapollutedgarment，andstampeduponitinaconvulsionofrage。Andthen，withherbeautifulbarearmsclaspedtogetheroverherhead，shethrewherselfuponhercouchinatempestoftears。
CHAPTERVI
WhenMissNelliereachedthefirstminingextensionofIndianSpring，whichsurroundeditlikeafosse，shedescendedforoneinstantintooneofitstrenches，openedherparasol，removedherduster，hiditunderabowlder，andwithafewshiversandcat-
likestrokesofhersofthandsnotonlyobliteratedallmaterialtracesofthestolencreamofCarquinezWoods，butassumedafelinedemurenessquiteinconsistentwithanymoraldereliction。
Unfortunately，sheforgottoremoveatthesametimeacertainringfromherthirdfinger，whichshehadputonwithherdusterandhadwornatnoothertime。Withthisslightexception，thebenignantfatewhichalwaysprotectedthatyoungpersonbroughtherincontactwiththeBurnhamgirlsatoneendofthemainstreetasthereturningcoachtoExcelsiorenteredtheother，andenabledhertotakeleaveofthembeforethecoachofficewithacertainostentationofpartingwhichstruckMr。JackBrace，whowaslingeringatthedoorway，intoastateofutterbewilderment。
HerewasMissNellieWynn，thebelleofExcelsior，calm，quiet，self-possessed，herchastecambricskirtsanddaintyshoesasfreshaswhenshehadleftherfather’shouse;butwherewasthewomanofthebrownduster，andwheretheyellow-dressedapparitionofthewoods？Hewasfeeblyrepeatingtohimselfhismentaladjurationofafewhoursbeforewhenhecaughthereye，andwastakenwithablushandafitofcoughing。Couldhehavebeensuchanegregiousfool，andwasitnotplainlywrittenonhisembarrassedfaceforhertoread？
\"Arewegoingdowntogether？\"askedMissNelliewithanexceptionallygracioussmile。
Therewasneitheraffectationnorcoquetryinthisadvance。ThegirlhadnoideaofBrace’ssuspicionofher，nordidanyuneasydesiretoplacateordeceiveapossiblerivalofLow’sprompthergraciousness。Shesimplywishedtoshakeoffinthisencounterthealreadystaleexcitementofthepasttwohours，asshehadshakenthedustofthewoodsfromherclothes。Itwascharacteristicofherirresponsiblenatureandtransientsusceptibilitiesthatsheactuallyenjoyedthereliefofchange;
morethanthat，Ifear，shelookeduponthisinfidelitytoapastdubiouspleasureasamoralprinciple。Amild，openflirtationwitharecognizedmanlikeBrace，afterhersecretpassionatetrystwithanamelessnomadlikeLow，wasanethicalequipoisethatseemedpropertooneofherreligiouseducation。
BracewasonlytoohappytoprofitbyMissNellie’scondescension;
heatoncesecuredtheseatbyherside，andspentthefourhoursandahalfoftheirreturnjourneytoExcelsiorinblissfulbuttimidcommunionwithher。Ifhedidnotdaretoconfesshispastsuspicions，hewasequallyafraidtoventureupontheboldnesshehadpremeditatedafewhoursbefore。Hewasthereforeobligedtotakeamiddlecourseofslightlyegotisticalnarrationofhisownpersonaladventures，withwhichhebeguiledtheyounggirl’sear。
Thisheonlydepartedfromonce，todescribetoheravaluablegrizzlybearskinwhichhehadseenthatdayforsaleatIndianSpring，withaviewtodiviningherpossibleacceptanceofitfora\"buggyrobe;\"andoncetocommentuponaringwhichshehadinadvertentlydisclosedinpullingoffherglove。
\"It’sonlyanoldfamilykeepsake，\"sheadded，witheasymendacity;andaffectingtorecognizeinMr。Brace’scuriosityanotunnaturalexcusefortoyingwithhercharmingfingers，shehidtheminchasteandvirginalseclusioninherlap，untilshecouldrecovertheringandresumeherglove。
Aweekpassed——aweekofpeculiaranddesiccatingheatforeventhosedrySierratable-lands。Thelongdayswerefilledwithimpalpabledustandacridhazesuspendedinthemotionlessair;
thenightswerebreathlessanddewless;thecoldwindwhichusuallysweptdownfromthesnowlinewaslaidtosleepoveradarkmonotonouslevel，whosehorizonwasprickedwiththeeatingfiresofburningforestcrests。ThelaggingcoachofIndianSpringdroveupatExcelsior，andprecipitateditspassengerswithanaccompanyingcloudofdustbeforetheExcelsiorHotel。
Astheyemergedfromthecoach，Mr。Brace，standinginthedoorway，closelyscannedtheirbegrimedandalmostunrecognizablefaces。Theyweretheusualtypeoftravelers：asingleprofessionalmanindustyblack，afewtradersintweedsandflannels，asprinklingofminersinredandgrayshirts，aChinaman，anegro，andaMexicanpackerormuleteer。Thislatterforamomentmingledwiththecrowdinthebar-room，andevenpenetratedthecorridoranddining-roomofthehotel，asifimpelledbyacertainsemi-civilizedcuriosity，andthenstrolledwithalazy，draggingstep——halfimpededbytheenormousleatherleggings，chains，andspurs，peculiartohisclass——downthemainstreet。Thedarknesswasgathering，butthemuleteerindulgedinthesamechildishscrutinyofthedimlylightedshops，magazines，andsaloons，andevenoftheoccasionalgroupsofcitizensatthestreetcorners。Apparentlyyoung，asfarastheoutlinesofhisfigurecouldbeseen，heseemedtoshowevenmorethantheusualconcernofmasculineExcelsiorinthecharmsofwomankind。Thefewfemalefiguresaboutatthathour，orvisibleatwindoworveranda，receivedhismarkedattention;herespectfullyfollowedthetwoauburn-haireddaughtersofDeaconJohnsonontheirwaytochoirmeetingtothedoorofthechurch。Notcontentwiththatactofdiscreetgallantry，aftertheyhadenteredhemanagedtoslipunperceivedbehindthem。
ThememorialoftheExcelsiorgamblers’generositywasamodernbuilding，largeandpretentious，forevenMr。Wynn’spopularity，andhadbeengood-humoredlyknown，inthecharacteristiclanguageofthegenerousdonors，asoneofthe\"biggestreligiousbluffs\"
onrecord。Itsgroinedrafters，whichweresonewandspicythattheystillsuggestedtheirnativeforestaisles，seldomcoveredmorethanahundreddevotees，andintheramblingchoir，withitsbarespaceforthefutureorgan，thefewchoristers，gatheredroundasmallharmonium，werelostinthedeepeningshadowofthatsummerevening。Themuleteerremainedhiddenintheobscurityofthevestibule。Afterafewmoments’desultoryconversation，inwhichitappearedthattheunexpectedabsenceofMissNellieWynn，theirleader，wouldpreventtheirpracticing，thechoristerswithdrew。Thestranger，whohadlistenedeagerly，drewbackinthedarknessastheypassedout，andremainedforafewmomentsavagueandmotionlessfigureinthesilentchurch。
Thencomingcautiouslytothewindow，theflappingbroad-brimmedhatwasputaside，andthefaintlightofthedyingdayshoneintheblackeyesofTeresa！Despiteherface，darkenedwithdyeanddisfiguredwithdust，themattedhairpiledandtwistedaroundherhead，thestrangedressandboyishfigure，oneswiftglancefromunderherraisedlashesbetrayedheridentity。
Sheturnedasidemechanicallyintothefirstpew，pickedupandopenedahymn-book。Hereyesbecamerivetedonanamewrittenonthetitle-page，\"NellieWynn。\"HERname，andHERbook。Theinstinctthathadguidedherherewasright;theslightgossipofherfellow-passengerswasright;thiswastheclergyman’sdaughter，whosepraisefilledallmouths。Thiswastheunknowngirlthestrangerwasseeking，butwhointurnperhapshadbeenseekingLow——thegirlwhoabsorbedhisfancy——thesecretofhisabsences，hispreoccupation，hiscoldness！Thiswasthegirlwhomtosee，perhapsinhisarms，shewasnowperilingherlibertyandherlifeunknowntohim！Aslightodor，somefaintperfumeofitsowner，camefromthebook;itwasthesameshehadnoticedinthedressLowhadgivenher。Sheflungthevolumetotheground，and，throwingherarmsoverthebackofthepewbeforeher，buriedherfaceinherhands。
Inthatlightandattitudeshemighthaveseemedsomeraptacolyteabandonedtoself-communion。Butwhateveryearninghersoulmighthavehadforhighersympathyordeeperconsolation，I
fearthatthespiritualTabernacleofExcelsiorandtheReverendMr。Wynndidnotmeetthatrequirement。Sheonlyfeltthedry，oven-likeheatofthatvastshell，emptyofsentimentandbeauty，hollowinitspretenseanddrearyinitsdesolation。Sheonlysawinitachiefaltarfortheglorificationofthisgirlwhohadabsorbedeventhepureworshipofhercompanion，andconvertedanddegradedhissublimepaganismtoherpettycreed。
Withawoman’switheringcontemptforherownartdisplayedinanotherwoman，shethoughthowsheherselfcouldhavetouchedhimwiththepeacethatthemajestyoftheirwoodlandaisles——sounlikethispillaredsham——hadtaughtherownpassionateheart，hadshebutdared。Minglingwiththisimperfecttheology，shefeltshecouldhaveprovedtohimalsothatabrunetteandawomanofherexperiencewasbetterthananimmatureblonde。Shebegantoloatheherselfforcominghither，anddreadedtomeethisface。Hereasuddenthoughtstruckher。Whatifhehadnotcomehere？Whatifshehadbeenmistaken？Whatifherrashinterpretationofhisabsencefromthewoodthatnightwassimplemadness？Whatifheshouldreturn——ifhehadalreadyreturned？
Sherosetoherfeet，whiteningyetjoyfulwiththethought。Shecouldreturnatonce;whatwasthegirltohernow？YettherewastimetosatisfyherselfifhewereatHERhouse。Shehadbeentoldwhereitwas;shecouldfinditinthedark;anopendoororwindowwouldbetraysomesignorsoundoftheoccupants。
Sherose，replacedherhatoverhereyes，knottedherflauntingscarfaroundherthroat，gropedherwaytothedoor，andglidedintotheouterdarkness。
CHAPTERVII
ItwasquitedarkwhenMr。JackBracestoppedbeforeFatherWynn’sopendoor。Thewindowswerealsoinvitinglyopentothewayfarer，aswerethepastoralcounselsofFatherWynn，deliveredtosomefavoredguestwithin，inatoneofvoiceloudenoughforapulpit。JackBracepaused。Thevisitorwastheconvalescentsheriff，JimDunn，whohadpubliclycommemoratedhisrecoverybymakinghisfirstcalluponthefatherofhisinamorata。TheReverendMr。Wynnhadbeenexpatiatingupontheunremittingheatofapossibleprecursorofforestfires，andexhibitingsomecatholicknowledgeofthedesignsofaDeityinthatregard，andwhatshouldbethepolicyoftheLegislature，whenMr。Braceconcludedtoenter。Mr。Wynnandthewoundedman，whooccupiedanarm-chairbythewindow，weretheonlyoccupantsoftheroom。
Butinspiteoftheformer’sostentatiousgreeting，Bracecouldseethathisvisitwasinopportuneandunwelcome。Thesheriffnoddedaquick，impatientrecognition，which，haditnotbeenaccompaniedbyananathemaontheheat，mighthavebeentakenasapersonalinsult。NeitherspokeofMissNellie，althoughitwaspatenttoBracethattheyweremomentarilyexpectingher。Allofwhichwentfartostrengthenacertainwaveringpurposeinhismind。
\"Ah，ha！stronglanguage，Mr。Dunn，\"saidFatherWynn，referringtothesheriff’sadjuration，\"but’outofthefullnessoftheheartthemouthspeaketh。’Job，sir，cursed，wearetold，andevenexpressedhimselfinvigorousHebrewregardinghisbirthday。
Ha，ha！I’mnotopposedtothat。WhenIhaveoftenwrestledwiththespiritIconfessIhavesometimessaid，’D——nyou。’
Yes，sir，’D——nyou。’\"
Therewassomethingsounutterablyvileinthereverendgentleman’sutteranceandemphasisofthisoaththatthetwomen，albeitbotheasyandfacileblasphemers，feltshocked;asthepurestofactressesisapttooverdotherakishnessofagayLothario，FatherWynn’simmaculateconceptionofanimprecationwassomethingterrible。Butheadded，\"Thelawoughttointerferewiththerecklessuseofcamp-firesinthewoodsinsuchweatherbypackersandprospectors。\"
\"Itisn’tsomuchtheworkofwhitemen，\"brokeinBrace，\"asitisofGreasers，Chinamen，andDiggers，especiallyDiggers。
There’sthatblastedLow，rangesthewholeCarquinezWoodsasiftheywerehis。Ireckonheain’tparticularjustwherehethrowshismatches。\"
\"Buthe’snotaDigger;he’saCherokee，andonlyahalf-breedatthat，\"interpolatedWynn。\"Unless，\"headded，withtheartfulsuggestionofthebetrayedtrustofatoocredulousChristian，\"hedeceivedmeinthisasinotherthings。\"
InwhatotherthingsLowhaddeceivedhimhedidnotsay;but，totheastonishmentofbothmen，DunngrowledadissenttoBrace’sproposition。Eitherfromsomesecretirritationwiththatpossiblerival，orimpatienceattheprolongedabsenceofNellie，hehad\"hadenoughofthatsortofhog-washladledouttohimforgenuineliquor。\"AstotheCarquinezWoods，he[Dunn]\"didn’tknowwhyLowhadn’tasmuchrightthereasifhe’dgrabbeditunderapreemptionlawanddidn’tlivethere。\"WiththishintatcertainspeculationsofFatherWynninpubliclandsforahomestead，headdedthat\"Ifthey[BraceandWynn]couldbringhimalonganyolderAmericansettlerthananIndian，theymightrakedownhis[Dunn’s]pile。\"Unpreparedforthisturnintheconversation，Wynnhastenedtoexplainthathedidnotrefertothepureaborigine，whosegradualextinctionnooneregrettedmorethanhimself，buttothemongrel，whoinheritedonlythevicesofcivilization。\"Thereshouldbealaw，sir，againsttheminglingofraces。Therearemen，sir，whoviolatethelawsoftheMostHighbylivingwithIndianwomen——squawmen，sir，astheyarecalled。\"
Dunnrosewithafacelividwithweaknessandpassion。\"Whodaressaythat？Theyaread——dsightbetterthansneakingNorthernAbolitionists，whomarriedtheirdaughterstobuckniggerslike——\"ButaspasmofpainwithheldthisParthianshotatthepoliticsofhistwocompanions，andhesankbackhelplesslyinhischair。
Anawkwardsilenceensued。Thethreemenlookedateachotherinembarrassmentandconfusion。Dunnfeltthathehadgivenwaytoagratuitouspassion;Wynnhadavaguepresentimentthathehadsaidsomethingthatimperiledhisdaughter’sprospects;andBracewasdividedbetweenanangryretortandthesecretpurposealreadyalludedto。
\"It’salltheblastedheat，\"saidDunn，withaforcedsmile，pushingawaythewhiskywhichWynnhadostentatiouslyplacedbeforehim。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidWynnhastily;\"onlyit’sapityNellieain’theretogiveyouhersmelling-salts。Sheoughttobebacknow，\"
headded，nolongermindfulofBrace’spresence;\"thecoachisover-duenow，thoughIreckontheheatmadeYubaBilltakeiteasyattheupgrade。\"
\"IfyoumeanthecoachfromIndianSpring，\"saidBracequietly，\"it’sinalready;butMissNelliedidn’tcomeonit。\"
\"MaybeshegotoutattheCrossing，\"saidWynncheerfully;\"shesometimesdoes。\"
\"Shedidn’ttakethecoachatIndianSpring，\"returnedBrace，\"becauseIsawitleave，andpasseditonBuckskintenminutesago，comingupthehills。\"
\"She’sstoppedoveratBurnham’s，\"saidWynnreflectively。Then，inresponsetothesignificantsilenceofhisguests，headded，inatoneofchagrinwhichhisforcedheartinesscouldnotdisguise，\"Well，boys，it’sadisappointmentallround;butwemusttakethelessonasitcomes。I’llgoovertothecoachofficeandseeifshe’ssentanyword。MakeyourselvesathomeuntilIreturn。\"
Whenthedoorhadclosedbehindhim，Bracearoseandtookhishatasiftogo。Withhishandonthelock，heturnedtohisrival，who，halfhiddeninthegatheringdarkness，stillseemedunabletocomprehendhisill-luck。
\"Ifyou’rewaitingforthatbald-headedfraudtocomebackwiththetruthabouthisdaughter，\"saidBracecoolly，\"you’dbettersendforyourthingsandtakeupyourlodgingshere。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"saidDunnsternly。
\"Imeanthatshe’snotattheBurnhams’;ImeanthatheeitherdoesordoesnotknowWHEREsheis，andthatineithercaseheisnotlikelytogiveyouinformation。ButIcan。\"
\"Youcan？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Then，whereisshe？\"
\"IntheCarquinezWoods，inthearmsofthemanyouwerejustdefending——Low，thehalf-breed。\"
Theroomhadbecomesodarkthatfromtheroadnothingcouldbedistinguished。Onlythemomentarysoundofstrugglingfeetwasheard。
\"Sitdown，\"saidBrace’svoice，\"anddon’tbeafool。You’retooweak，anditain’tafairfight。Letgoyourhold。I’mnotlying——IwishtoGodIwas！\"
Therewassilence，andBraceresumed，\"We’vebeenrivals，Iknow。
MaybeIthoughtmychanceasgoodasyours。IfwhatIsayain’ttruth，we’llstandaswestoodbefore;andifyou’reontheshoot，I’myourmanwhenyoulike，whereyoulike，oronsightifyouchoose。ButIcan’tbeartoseeanothermanplayeduponasI’vebeenplayedupon——givendeadawayasI’vebeen。Itain’tonthesquare。
\"There，\"hecontinued，afterapause，\"that’sright，nowsteady。
Listen。AweekagothatgirlwentdownjustlikethistoIndianSpring。Itwasgivenout，likethis，thatshewenttotheBurnhams’。Idon’tmindsaying，Dunn，thatIwentdownmyself，allonthesquare，thinkingImightgetashowtotalktoher，justasYOUmighthavedone，youknow，ifyouhadmychance。I
didn’tcomeacrossheranywhere。ButtwomenthatImetthoughttheyrecognizedherinadisguisegoingintothewoods。Notsuspectinganything，Iwentafterher;sawheratadistanceinthemiddleofthewoodsinanotherdressthatIcanswearto，andwasjustcominguptoherwhenshevanished——wentlikeasquirrelupatree，ordownlikeagopherintheground，butvanished。\"
\"Isthatall？\"saidDunn’svoice。\"Andjustbecauseyouweread——dfool，orhadtakenalittletoomuchwhisky，youthought——\"
\"Steady。That’sjustwhatIsaidtomyself，\"interruptedBracecoolly，\"particularlywhenIsawherthatsameafternooninanotherdress，saying’Good-by’totheBurnhams，asfreshasaroseandascoldasthosesnow-peaks。Onlyonething——shehadaringonherfingersheneverworebefore，anddidn’texpectmetosee。\"
\"Whatifshedid？Shemighthaveboughtit。Ireckonshehasn’ttoconsultyou，\"brokeinDunn’svoicesternly。
\"Shedidn’tbuyit，\"continuedBracequietly。\"LowgavethatJewtraderabearskininexchangeforit，andpresentedittoher。I
foundthatouttwodaysafterwards。IfoundoutthatoutofthewholeafternoonshespentlessthananhourwiththeBurnhams。I
foundoutthatsheboughtadusterlikethedisguisethetwomensawherin。IfoundtheyellowdresssheworethatdayhangingupinLow’scabin——theplacewhereIsawhergo——THERENDEZVOUS
WHERESHEMEETSHIM。Oh，you’relistenin’，areyou？Stop！SIT
DOWN！
\"Idiscovereditbyaccident，\"continuedthevoiceofBracewhenallwasagainquiet;\"itwashiddenasonlyasquirreloranInjincanhidewhentheyimproveuponnature。WhenIwassatisfiedthatthegirlhadbeeninthewoods，Iwasdeterminedtofindoutwhereshevanished，andwentthereagain。
Prospectingaround，Ipickedupatthefootofoneofthebiggesttreesthisyeroldmemorandum-book，withgrassesandherbsstuckinit。IrememberedthatI’dheardoldWynnsaythatLow，likethed——dDiggerthathewas，collectedtheseherbs;onlyhepretendeditwasforscience。Ireckonedthebookwashisandthathemightn’tbefaraway。Ilaylowandwaited。BimebyI
sawalizardrunningdowntheroot。Whenhegotsightofmehestopped。\"
\"D——nthelizard！What’sthatgottodowithwheresheisnow？\"
\"Everything。Thatlizardhadapieceofsugarinhismouth。
Wherediditcomefrom？Imadehimdropit，andcalculatedhe’dgobackformore。Hedid。Hescootedupthattreeandslippedinundersomehangingstripsofbark。Ishoved’emaside，andfoundanopeningtothehollowwheretheydotheirhousekeeping。\"
\"Butyoudidn’tseeherthere——andhowdoyouknowsheistherenow？\"
\"Ideterminedtomakeitsure。Whensheleftto-day，Istartedanhouraheadofher，andhidmyselfattheedgeofthewoods。
AnhourafterthecoacharrivedatIndianSpring，shecamethereinabrowndusterandwasjoinedbyhim。I’dhavefollowedthem，butthed——dhoundhastheearsofasquirrel，andthoughIwasfivehundredyardsfromhimhewasonhisguard。\"
\"Guardbeblessed！Wasn’tyouarmed？Whydidn’tyougoforhim？\"saidDunn，furiously。
\"IreckonedI’dleavethatforyou，\"saidBracecoolly。\"Ifhe’dkilledme，andifhe’devencoveredmewithhisrifle，he’dbeensuretoletdaylightthroughmeatdoublethedistance。I
shouldn’thavebeenanybetteroff，noryoueither。IfI’dkilledHIM，itwouldhavebeenyourdutyassherifftoputmeinjail;andIreckonitwouldn’thavebrokenyourheart，JimDunn，tohavegotridofTWOrivalsinsteadofone。Hullo！Whereareyougoing？\"
\"Going？\"saidDunnhoarsely。\"GoingtotheCarquinezWoods，byGod！tokillhimbeforeher。I’LLriskit，ifyoudaren’t。Letmesucceed，andyoucanhangMEandtakethegirlyourself。\"
\"Sitdown，sitdown。Don’tbeafool，JimDunn！Youwouldn’tkeepthesaddleahundredyards。DidIsayIwouldn’thelpyou？
No。Ifyou’rewilling，we’llruntherisktogether，butitmustbeinmyway。Hearme。I’lldriveyoudownthereinabuggybeforedaylight，andwe’llsurprisetheminthecabinorastheyleavethewood。Butyoumustcomeasiftoarresthimforsomeoffense——say，asanescapedDiggerfromtheReservation，adangeroustramp，adestroyerofpublicpropertyintheforests，asuspectedroadagent，oranythingtogiveyoutherighttohunthim。TheexposureofhimandNellie，don’tyousee，mustbeaccidental。Ifheresists，killhimonthespot，andnobody’llblameyou;ifhegoespeaceablywithyou，andyouoncegethiminExcelsiorjail，whenthestorygetsoutthathe’stakenthebelleofExcelsiorforhissquaw，ifyou’dtheangelsforyourposseyoucouldn’tkeeptheboysfromhanginghimtothefirsttree。
What’sthat？\"
Hewalkedtothewindow，andlookedoutcautiously。
\"Ifitwastheoldmancomingbackandlistening，\"hesaid，afterapause，\"itcan’thehelped。He’llhearitsoonenough，ifhedon’tsuspectsomethingalready。\"
\"Lookyer，Brace，\"brokeinDunnhoarsely。\"D——difIunderstandyouoryoume。ThatdogLowhasgottoanswertoME，nottotheLAW！I’lltakemyriskofkillinghim，onsightandonthesquare。Idon’treckontohandicapmyselfwithawarrant，andI
amnotgoingtodrawhimoutwithalie。Youhearme？That’smeallthetime！\"
\"Thenyoucalkilatetogodownthar，\"saidBracecontemptuously，\"yelloutforhimandNellie，andlethimlineyouonarestfromthefirsttreeasifyouwereagrizzly。\"
Therewasapause。\"What’sthatyouweresayingjustnowaboutabearskinhesold？\"askedDunnslowly，asifreflecting。
\"Heexchangedabearskin，\"repliedBrace，\"withasingleholerightovertheheart。He’sadeadshot，Itellyou。\"
\"D——nhisshooting，\"saidDunn。\"I’mnotthinkingofthat。Howlongagodidhebringinthatbearskin？\"
\"Abouttwoweeks，Ireckon。Why？\"
\"Nothing！Lookyer，Brace，youmeanwell——thar’smyhand。I’llgodownwithyouthere，butnotasthesheriff。I’mgoingthereasJimDunn，andyoucancomealongasawhiteman，toseethingsfixedonthesquare。Come！\"
Bracehesitated。\"You’llthinkbetterofmyplanbeforeyougetthere;butI’vesaidI’dstandbyyou，andIwill。Come，then。
There’snotimetolose。\"
Theypassedoutintothedarknesstogether。
\"Whatareyouwaitingfor？\"saidDunnimpatiently，asBrace，whowassupportinghimbythearm，suddenlyhaltedatthecornerofthehouse。
\"Someonewaslistening——didyounotseehim？Wasittheoldman？\"askedBracehurriedly。
\"Blasttheoldman！ItwasonlyoneofthemMexicanpackerschock-fullofwhisky，andtryingtoholdupthehouse。Whatareyouthinkingof？Weshallbelate。\"
Inspiteofhisweakness，thewoundedmanhurriedlyurgedBraceforward，untiltheyreachedthelatter’slodgings。Tohissurprise，thehorseandbuggywerealreadybeforethedoor。
\"Thenyoureckonedtogo，anyway？\"saidDunn，withasearchinglookathiscompanion。
\"IcalkilatedSOMEBODYwouldgo，\"returnedBrace，evasively，pattingtheimpatientBuckskin;\"butcomeinandtakeadrinkbeforeweleave。\"
Dunnstartedoutofamomentaryabstraction，puthishandonhiship，andmechanicallyenteredthehouse。Theyhadscarcelyraisedtheglassestotheirlipswhenasuddenrattleofwheelswasheardinthestreet。Bracesetdownhisglassandrantothewindow。
\"It’sthemarebolted，\"hesaid，withanoath。\"We’vekepthertoolongstanding。Followme，\"andhedasheddownthestaircaseintothestreet。Dunnfollowedwithdifficulty;whenhereachedthedoorhewasalreadyconfrontedbyhisbreathlesscompanion。
\"She’sgoneoffonarun，andI’llsweartherewasamaninthebuggy！\"Hestoppedandexaminedthehalter-strap，stillfastenedtothefence。\"Cut！byGod！\"
Dunnturnedpalewithpassion。\"Who’sgotanotherhorseandbuggy？\"hedemanded。
\"ThenewblacksmithinMainStreet;butwewon’tgetitbyborrowing，\"saidBrace。
\"Howthen？\"askedDunnsavagely。
\"Seizeit，asthesheriffofYubaandhisdeputy，pursuingaconfederateoftheInjinLow——THEHORSETHIEF！\"
CHAPTERVIII
Thebriefhourofdarknessthatprecededthedawnwasthatnightintensifiedbyadensesmoke，which，afterblottingouthorizonandsky，droppedathickveilonthehighroadandthesilentstreetsofIndianSpring。AsthebuggycontainingSheriffDunnandBracedashedthroughtheobscurity，Bracesuddenlyturnedtohiscompanion。
\"Someoneahead！\"
Thetwomenbentforwardoverthedashboard。Abovethesteadyplungingoftheirownhorse-hoofstheycouldhearthequickerirregularbeatofotherhoofsinthedarknessbeforethem。
\"It’sthathorsethief！\"saidDunn，inasavagewhisper。\"Beartotheright，andhandmethewhip。\"
Adozencutsofthecruellash，andtheirmaddenedhorse，boundingateachstroke，brokeintoawildcanter。Thefrailvehicleswayedfromsidetosideateachspringoftheelasticshafts。Steadyinghimselfbyonehandonthelowrail，Dunndrewhisrevolverwiththeother。\"Singouttohimtopullup，orwe’llfire。Myvoiceiscleangone，\"headded，inahuskywhisper。
Theyweresonearthattheycoulddistinguishthebulkofavehiclecareeringfromsidetosideintheblacknessahead。Dunndeliberatelyraisedhisweapon。\"Singout！\"herepeatedimpatiently。ButBrace，whowasstillkeepingintheshadow，suddenlygraspedhiscompanion’sarm。
\"Hush！It’sNOTBuckskin，\"hewhisperedhurriedly。
\"Areyousure？\"
\"DON’TYOUSEEWE’REGAININGONHIM？\"repliedtheothercontemptuously。Dunngraspedhiscompanion’shandandpresseditsilently。Eveninthatsuprememomentthishorseman’stributetothefugitiveBuckskinforestalledallbaserconsiderationsofpursuitandcapture！
Intwentysecondstheywereabreastofthestranger，crowdinghishorseandbuggynearlyintotheditch;Bracekeenlywatchful，Dunnsuppressedandpale。Inhalfaminutetheywereleadinghimalength;andwhentheirhorseagainsettleddowntohissteadywork，thestrangerwasalreadylostinthecirclingdustthatfollowedthem。Butthevictorsseemeddisappointed。Theobscurityhadcompletelyhiddenallbutthevagueoutlinesofthemysteriousdriver。
\"He’snotourgame，anyway，\"whisperedDunn。\"Driveon。\"
\"Butifitwassomefriendofhis，\"suggestedBraceuneasily，\"whatwouldyoudo？\"
\"WhatISAIDI’ddo，\"respondedDunnsavagely。\"Idon’twantfiveminutestodoitin，either;we’llbehalfanhouraheadofthatd——dfool，whoeverheis。Lookhere;allyou’vegottodoistoputmeinthetrailtothatcabin。Standbackofme，outofgun-shot，alone，ifyoulike，asmydeputy，orwithanynumberyoucanpickupasmyposse。IfhegetsbymeasNellie’slover，youmayshoothimortakehimasahorsethief，ifyoulike。\"
\"Thenyouwon’tshoothimonsight？\"
\"NottillI’vehadawordwithhim。\"
\"But——\"
\"I’vechirped，\"saidthesheriffgravely。\"Driveon。\"
Forafewmomentsonlytheplunginghoofsandrattlingwheelswereheard。Adull，luridglowbegantodefinethehorizon。
Theyweresilentuntilanabatementofthesmoke，thevanishingofthegloomyhorizonline，andacertainimpenetrabilityinthedarknessaheadshowedthemtheywerenearingtheCarquinezWoods。
ButtheyweresurprisedonenteringthemtofindthedimaislesalightwithafaintmysticAurora。Thetopsofthetoweringspiresabovethemhadcaughtthegleamofthedistantforestfires，andreflecteditasfromagildeddome。
\"ItwouldbehotworkiftheCarquinezWoodsshouldconcludetotakeahandinthisyerlittlegamethat’sgoingonoverontheDivideyonder，\"saidBrace，securinghishorseandglancingatthespiresoverhead。\"IreckonI’drathertakeabackseatatInjinSpringwhentheshowcommences。\"
Dunndidnotreply，but，buttoninghiscoat，placedonehandonhiscompanion’sshoulder，andsullenlybadehim\"leadtheway。\"
Advancingslowlyandwithdifficultythedesperatemanmighthavebeentakenforapeacefulinvalidreturningfromanearlymorningstroll。Hisrighthandwasburiedthoughtfullyinthesidepocketofhiscoat。OnlyBraceknewthatitrestedonthehandleofhispistol。
Fromtimetotimethelatterstoppedandconsultedthefainttrailwithaminutenessthatshowedrecentcarefulstudy。
Suddenlyhepaused。\"Imadeablazehereaboutstoshowwheretoleavethetrail。Thereitis，\"headded，pointingtoaslightnotchcutinthetrunkofanadjoiningtree。
\"Butwe’vejustpassedone，\"saidDunn，\"ifthat’swhatyouarelookingafter，ahundredyardsback。\"
Braceutteredanoath，andranbackinthedirectionsignifiedbyhiscompanion。Presentlyhereturnedwithasmileoftriumph。
\"They’vesuspectedsomething。It’saclevertrick，butitwon’tholdwater。Thatblazewhichwasdonetomuddleyouwascutwithanaxe;thiswhichImadewasdonewithabowie-knife。It’stherealone。We’renotfaroffnow。Comeon。\"
Theyproceededcautiously，atrightangleswiththe\"blazed\"
tree，fortenminutesmore。Theheatwasoppressive;dropsofperspirationrolledfromtheforeheadofthesheriff，andattimes，whenheattemptedtosteadyhisuncertainlimbs，hishandsshrankfromtheheated，blisteringbarkhetouchedwithunglovedpalms。
\"Hereweare，\"saidBrace，pausingatlast。\"Doyouseethatbiggesttree，withtherootstretchingouthalfwayacrosstotheoppositeone？\"
\"No，it’sfurthertotherightandabreastofthedeadbrush，\"
interruptedDunnquickly，withasuddenrevelationthatthiswasthespotwherehehadfoundthedeadbearinthenightTeresaescaped。
\"That’sso，\"respondedBrace，inastonishment。
\"Andtheopeningisontheotherside，oppositethedeadbrush，\"
saidDunn。
\"Thenyouknowit？\"saidBracesuspiciously。
\"Ireckon！\"respondedDunn，grimly。\"That’senough！Fallback！\"
Tothesurpriseofhiscompanion，heliftedhisheaderect，andwithastrong，firmstepwalkeddirectlytothetree。Reachingit，heplantedhimselfsquarelybeforetheopening。
\"Halloo！\"hesaid。
Therewasnoreply。Asquirrelscamperedawayclosetohisfeet。
Brace，farinthedistance，afteranineffectualattempttodistinguishhiscompanionthroughtheinterveningtrunks，tookoffhiscoat，leanedagainstatree，andlitacigar。
\"Comeoutofthatcabin！\"continuedDunn，inaclear，resonantvoice。\"ComeoutbeforeIdragyouout！\"
\"Allright，’CaptainScott。’Don’tshoot，andI’llcomedown，\"
saidavoiceasclearandashighashisown。Thehangingstripsofbarkweredashedaside，andawomanleapedlightlytotheground。
Dunnstaggeredback。\"Teresa！bytheEternal！\"
ItwasTeresa！theoldTeresa！Teresa，ahundredtimesmorevicious，reckless，hysterical，extravagant，andoutrageousthanbefore。Teresa，staringwithtoothandeye，sunburntandembrowned，herhairhangingdownhershoulders，andhershawldrawntightlyaroundherneck。
\"Teresaitis！thesameoldgal！Hereweareagain！Returnofthefavoriteinheroriginalcharacter！Fortwoweeksonly！
Houpla！Tshk！\"and，catchingheryellowskirtwithherfingers，shepirouettedbeforetheastoundedman，andendedinapose。
Recoveringhimselfwithaneffort，Dunndashedforwardandseizedherbythewrist。
\"Answerme，woman！IsthatLow’scabin？\"
\"Itis。\"
\"Whooccupiesitbesides？\"
\"Ido。\"
\"Andwhoelse？\"
\"Well，\"drawledTeresaslowly，withanextravagantaffectationofmodesty，\"nobodyelsebutus，Ireckon。Two’scompany，youknow，andthree’snone。\"
\"Stop！Willyouswearthatthereisn’tayounggirl，his——hissweetheart——concealedtherewithyou？\"
ThefireinTeresa’seyewasgenuineassheansweredsteadily，\"Well，itain’tmystyletoputupwiththatsortofthing;atleast，itwasn’toveratYolo，andyouknowit，JimDunn，orI
wouldn’tbehere。\"
\"Yes，yes，\"saidDunnhurriedly。\"ButI’mad——dfool，orworse，thefoolofafool。Tellme，Teresa，isthismanLowyourlover？\"
Teresaloweredhereyesasifinmaidenlyconfusion。\"Well，ifI’dknownthatYOUhadanyfeelingofyourownaboutit——ifyou’dspokensooner——\"
\"Answerme，youdevil！\"
\"Heis。\"
\"Andhehasbeenwithyouhere——yesterday——to-night？\"
\"Hehas。\"
\"Enough。\"Helaughedaweak，foolishlaugh，and，turningpale，suddenlylapsedagainstatree。Hewouldhavefallen，butwithaquickinstinctTeresasprangtohisside，andsupportedhimgentlytoaroot。Theactionover，theybothlookedastounded。
\"Ireckonthatwasn’tmuchlikeeitheryouorme，\"saidDunnslowly，\"wasit？Butifyou’dletmedropthenyou’dhavestretchedoutthebiggestfoolintheSierras。\"Hepaused，andlookedathercuriously。\"What’scomeoveryou;blessedifI
seemtoknowyounow。\"
Shewasverypaleagain，andquiet;thatwasall。
\"Teresa！d——nit，lookhere！WhenIwaslaidupyonderinExcelsiorIsaidIwantedtogetwellforonlytwothings。Onewastohuntyoudown，theothertomarryNellieWynn。WhenI
camehereIthoughtthatlastthingcouldneverbe。IcamehereexpectingtofindherherewithLow，andkillhim——perhapskillhertoo。Ineveroncethoughtofyou;notonce。Youmighthaverisenupbeforeme——betweenmeandhim——andI’dhavepassedyouby。AndnowthatIfindit’sallamistake，anditwasyou，nother，Iwaslookingfor，why——\"
\"Why，\"sheinterruptedbitterly，\"you’lljusttakeme，ofcourse，tosaveyourtimeandearnyoursalary。I’mready。\"
\"ButI’Mnot，justyet，\"hesaidfaintly。\"Helpmeup。\"
Shemechanicallyassistedhimtohisfeet。
\"Nowstandwhereyouare，\"headded，\"anddon’tmovebeyondthistreetillIreturn。\"
Hestraightenedhimselfwithaneffort，clenchedhisfistsuntilthenailswerenearlyburiedinhispalms，andstrodewithafirm，steadystepinthedirectionhehadcome。Inafewmomentshereturnedandstoodbeforeher。
\"I’vesentawaymydeputy——themanwhobroughtmehere，thefoolwhothoughtyouwereNellie。Heknowsnowhemadeamistake。
ButwhoitwashemistookforNelliehedoesnotknow，norshalleverknow，norshallanylivingbeingknow，otherthanmyself。
AndwhenIleavethewoodto-dayIshallknowitnolonger。YouaresafehereasfarasIamconcerned，butIcannotscreenyoufromothersprying。LetLowtakeyouawayfromhereassoonashecan。\"
\"Lethimtakemeaway？Ah，yes。Forwhat？\"
\"Tosaveyou，\"saidDunn。\"Lookhere，Teresa！Withoutknowingit，youliftedmeoutofhelljustnow，andbecauseofthewrongImighthavedoneher——forHERsake，Ispareyouandshirkmyduty。\"
\"Forhersake！\"gaspedthewoman——\"forhersake！Oh，yes！Goon。\"
\"Well，\"saidDunngloomily，\"Ireckonperhapsyou’daslieveleftmeinhell，foralltheloveyoubearme。Andmaybeyou’vegrudgeenoughaginmestilltowishI’dfoundherandhimtogether。\"
\"Youthinkso？\"shesaid，turningherheadaway。
\"There，d——nit！Ididn’tmeantomakeyoucry。Maybeyouwouldn’t，then。Onlytellthatfellowtotakeyououtofthis，andnotrunawaythenexttimeheseesamancoming。\"
\"Hedidn’trun，\"saidTeresa，withflashingeyes。\"I——I——Isenthimaway，\"shestammered。Then，suddenlyturningwithfuryuponhim，shebrokeout，\"Run！Runfromyou！Ha，ha！YousaidjustnowI’dagrudgeagainstyou。Well，listen，JimDunn。I’donlytobringyouinrangeofthatyoungman’srifle，andyou’dhavedroppedinyourtrackslike——\"
\"Likethatbar，theothernight，\"saidDunn，withashortlaugh。
\"SoTHATwasyourlittlegame？\"Hecheckedhislaughsuddenly——acloudpassedoverhisface。\"Lookhere，Teresa，\"hesaid，withanassumptionofcarelessnessthatwasastransparentasitwasutterlyincompatiblewithhisfrank，openselfishness。\"Whatbecameofthatbar？Theskin——eh？Thatwasworthsomething？\"
\"Yes，\"saidTeresaquietly。\"LowexchangeditandgotaringformefromthattraderIsaacs。Itwasworthmore，youbet。Andtheringdidn’tfiteither——\"
\"Yes，\"interruptedDunn，withanalmostchildisheagerness。
\"AndImadehimtakeitback，andgetthevalueinmoney。IhearthatIsaacssolditagainandmadeanotherprofit;butthat’slikethosetraders。\"ThedisingenuouscandorofTeresa’smannerwasinexquisitecontrasttoDunn。Heroseandgraspedherhandsoheartilyshewasforcedtoturnhereyesaway。
\"Good-by！\"hesaid。
\"Youlooktired，\"shemurmured，withasuddengentlenessthatsurprisedhim;\"letmegowithyouapartoftheway。\"
\"Itisn’tsafeforyoujustnow，\"hesaid，thinkingofthepossibleconsequencesofthealarmBracehadraised。
\"NotthewayYOUcame，\"shereplied;\"butoneknownonlytomyself。\"
Hehesitatedonlyamoment。\"Allright，then，\"hesaidfinally，\"letusgoatonce。It’ssuffocatinghere，andIseemtofeelthisdeadbarkcrinkleundermyfeet。\"
Shecastarapidglancearoundher，andthenseemedtosoundwithhereyesthefar-offdepthsoftheaisles，beginningtogrowpalewiththeadvancingday，butstillholdingastrangequiverofheatintheair。Whenshehadfinishedherhalf-abstractedscrutinyofthedistance，shecastonebackwardglanceatherowncabinandstopped。
\"Willyouwaitamomentforme？\"sheaskedgently。
\"Yes——but——notricks，Teresa！Itisn’tworththetime。\"
Shelookedhimsquarelyintheeyeswithoutaword。
\"Enough，\"hesaid;\"go！\"
Shewasabsentforsomemoments。Hewasbeginningtobecomeuneasy，whenshemadeherappearanceagain，cladinheroldfadedblackdress。Herfacewasverypale，andhereyeswereswollen，butsheplacedhishandonhershoulder，andbiddinghimnottofeartoleanuponher，forshewasquitestrong，ledtheway。
\"Youlookmorelikeyourselfnow，andyet——blastitall！——youdon’teither，\"saidDunn，lookingdownuponher。\"You’vechangedinsomeway。Whatisit？IsitonaccountofthatInjin？
Couldn’tyouhavefoundawhitemaninhisplace？\"
\"Ireckonhe’sneitherworsenorbetterforthat，\"sherepliedbitterly;\"andperhapshewasn’tasparticularinhistasteasawhitemanmighthavebeen。But，\"sheadded，withasuddenspasmofheroldrage，\"it’salie;he’sNOTanIndian，nomorethanI
am。Notunlessbeingbornofamotherwhoscarcelyknewhim，ofafatherwhoneverevensawhim，andbeingbroughtupamongwhitemenandwildbeasts——lesscruelthantheywere——couldmakehimone！\"