Oakhurst（startinginastonishment;aside）。SandyMorton，mylostpartner’sfather！Thisisfate。
Morton。Youareastonished;butIthoughtso。Ay，youwillhearmenow！Iamyourfather，AlexanderMorton，whodroveyou，ahelplessboy，intodisgraceandmisery。Iknowyourshamelesslife：fortwentyyearsitwasmine，andworse，until，bythegraceofGod，Ireformed，asyoushall。Ihavestoppedyouinadisgracefulact。Yourmother——Godforgiveme！——leftHERhouse，forMYarms，aswickedly，aswantonly，asshamelessly——
Oakhurst。Stop，oldman！Stop！Anotherword（seizinghim），andI
mayforgetyouryears。
Morton。Butnotyourblood。No，AlexanderMorton，Ihavecomethousandsofmilesforonesacredpurpose，——tosaveyou;andI
shall，withGod’swill，doitnow。Beitso，ononecondition。
Youshallhavethisgirl;butlawfully，openly，withthesanctionofHeavenandyourparents。
Oakhurst（aside）。Iseearayofhope。ThisisSandy’sfather;
thecold，insensatebrute，whodrovehimintoexile，theonebittermemoryofhislife。Sandydisappeared，irreclaimable，orlivingalone，hatingirrevocablytheauthorofhismisery;whyshouldnotI——
Morton（continuing）。Ononecondition。Hearme，AlexanderMorton。
Ifwithinayear，you，abandoningyourevilpractices，yourwaywardlife，seektoreformbeneathmyroof，IwillmakethisproudSpanishDongladtoacceptyouasthemorethanequalofhisdaughter。
Oakhurst（aside）。Itwouldbeaneasydeception。Sandyhasgivenmethedetailsofhisearlylife。Atleast，beforetheimpositionwasdiscoveredIshallbe——（Aloud。）I——I——（Aside。）Perdition！
SHEiscoming！Thereisalightmovingintheupperchamber。DonJoseisawakened。（Aloud。）I——I——accept。
Morton。Itiswell。Takethesekeys，openyondergate，andfly！
（AsOAKHURSThesitates。）Obeyme。Iwillmeetyoursweetheart，andexplainall。Youwillcomehereatdaylightinthemorning，andclaimadmittance，notasavagabond，ahousebreaker，butasmyson。Youhesitate。AlexanderMorton，I，yourfather，commandyou。
Go！
OAKHURSTgoestothegate，opensit，asthesoundofDIEGO’Svoice，singinginthefog，comesfaintlyin。
Oyer’syourSandyMorton，Drinkhimdown！
Oyer’syourSandyMorton，Drinkhimdown！
Oyer’syourSandyMorton，Forhe’sdrunk，andgoin’a-courtin’。
Oyer’syourSandyMorton，Drinkhimdown！
OAKHURSTrecoilsagainstgate，MORTONhesitates，aswindowincorridoropens，andDONJOSEcallsfromuppercorridor。
DonJose。Concho！（Pause。）’TisthatvagabondDiego，losthiswayinthefog。StrangethatConchoshouldhaveoverlookedhim。I
willdescend。
Morton（toOAKHURST）。Doyouhear？
ExitOAKHURSTthroughgateway。MORTONclosesgate，andreturnstocentre。EnterJOVITAhurriedly。
Jovita。Ihaveithere。Quick！thereisalightinDonJose’schamber;myfatheriscomingdown。（SeesMORTON，andscreams。）
Morton（seizingher。）Hush！foryourownsake;forHIS;controlyourself。Heisgone，buthewillreturn。（ToJOVITA，stillstruggling。）Hush，Ibeg，MissJovita。Ibeg，Icommandyou，mydaughter。Hush！
Jovita（whispering）。Hisvoicehaschanged。Whatdoesthismean？
（Aloud。）Wherehashegone？andwhyareYOUhere？
Morton（slowlyandseriously）。Hehasleftmeheretoanswertheunansweredquestionyouaskedhim。（EnterDonJoseandCol。
STARBOTTLE，R。andL。）IamheretotellyouthatIamhisfather，andthatheisAlexanderMorton。
TABLEAUX。
Curtain。
ENDOFACTI。
ACTII。
SCENE1。——RedGulch。Canyonofriver，anddistantviewofSierras，snow-ravined。Schoolhouseoflogsinrightmiddledistance。Ledgeofrocksincentre。Onstepsofschoolhousetwolargebunchesofflowers。EnterSTARBOTTLE，slowlyclimbingrocksL。，pantingandexhausted。Seatshimselfonrock，foreground，andwipeshisfacewithhispocket-handkerchief。
Starbottle。Thisisevidentlytheer——locality。Herearethe——er——
grovesofAcademus——theheightsofer——Ida！Ishouldsaythattheunwillingnesswhichthe——er——divineShakespearepointsoutinthe——
er——\"whiningschoolboy\"isintensifiedin——er——climbingthisheight，andthe——er——alacrityofhisdeparturemustbeinexactratiotohisgravitation。Goodidea。Ged！sayittoschoolma’am。
Wonderwhatshe’slike？Humph！theusualthin，weazened，hatchet-
facedYankeespinster，withanindecentfamiliaritywithWebster’sDictionary！Andthisisthewoman，Star，you’reexpectedtodiscover，andbringbacktoaffluenceandplenty。ThisisthenewfanaticismofMr。AlexanderMorton，sen。Ged！notsatisfiedwithdragginghisprodigalsonoutofmeritedobscurity，thismiserableoldlunaticcommissionsMEtohuntupanotherofhisabusedrelatives;someforty-fifthcousin，whosemotherhehadfrozen，beaten，orstarvedtodeath！Andallthistopleasehisprodigal！
Ged！ifthatprodigalhadn’tpresentedhimselfthatmorning，I’dhavepickedup——er——some——er——reducedgentleman——Ged，thatknewhowtospendtheoldman’smoneytobetteradvantage。（Musing。）Ifthisschoolmistresswerebarelygood-looking，Star，——andshe’ssuretohavefiftythousandfromtheoldman，——Ged，youmightgetevenwithAlexander，sen。，forbetrothinghisprodigaltoDonaJovita，inspiteofthe——er——evidentpreferencethatthegirlshowedforyou。Capitalidea！Ifshe’snotpositivelyhideousI’lldoit！
Ged！I’llreconnoitrefirst！（Musing。）Icouldstandoneeye;
yes——er——singleeyewouldnotbepositivelyobjectionableinthe——
er——presentexperimentsofsciencetowardthe——er——thesubstitutionofglass。Redhair，Star，is——er——Venetian，——thebeautyofGiorgione。（Goesuptoschoolhousewindow，andlooksin。）Tooearly！Sevenemptybenches;sevendeskssplashedwithink。The——
er——rostrumoftheawfulMinervaempty，but——er——adornedwithflowers，nosegays——demnme！Andhere，hereonthe——er——verythreshold（lookingdown），floraltributes。The——er——conceitoftheseNewEnglandschoolma’ams，andtheir——er——evidentJesuiticalinfluenceovertheyoung，isfraught，sir，fraughtwith——er——darklypoliticalsignificance。Eh，Ged！there’sacaricatureontheblackboard。（Laughing。）Ha，ha！Absurdchalkoutlineofridiculousfatperson。Evidentlytheschoolma’am’sadmirer。Ged！
immenselyfunny！Ah！boyswillbeboys。Likeyou，Star，justlikeyou，——alwaysuptotrickslikethat。Asentencescrawledbelowthefigureseemstobe——er——explanation。Hem！（Takesouteyeglass。）
Let’ssee（reading。）\"Thisisold\"——old——er——old——demme，sir！——
\"Starbottle！\"Thisisinfamous。Ihaven’tbeenforty-eighthoursintheplace，andtomycertainknowledgehaven’tspokentoachild。Ged，sir，it’sthe——er——postingofalibel！Thewoman，the——er——female，whopermitsthiskindofthing，shouldbemaderesponsible——er——personallyresponsible。Eh，hush！Whathavewehere？（Retirestoledgeofrocks。）
EnterMISSMARYL。，readingletter。
MissMary。Strange！Isitalladream？No！herearethefamiliarrocks，thedistantsnow-peaks，theschoolhouse，thespringbelow。
AnhouragoIwasthepoorschoolmistressofRedGulch，withnoambitionnorhopebeyondthismountainwall;andnow——oh，itmustbeadream！Buthereistheletter。Certainlythisisnodelusion：itistooplain，formal，business-like。（Reads。）
MYDEARCOUSIN——IaddresstheonlysurvivingchildofmycousinMaryandherhusbandJohnMorris，bothdeceased。ItismydutyasaChristianrelativetoprovideyouwithahome——tosharewithyouthatwealthandthoseblessingsthatakindprovidencehasvouchsafedme。Iamawarethatmyconducttoyourfatherandmother，whileinmysinfulandunregeneratestate，isnowarranteeformypresentpromise;butmylegaladviser，Col。Starbottle，whoisempoweredtotreatwithyou，willassureyouofthesincerityofmyintention，andmylegalabilitytoperformit。Hewillconductyoutomyhouse;youwillshareitsroofwithmeandmyprodigalsonAlexander，nowbythegraceofGodrestored，andmindfuloftheerrorofhisways。Iencloseadraftforonethousanddollars：ifyourequiremore，drawuponmeforthesame。
Yourcousin，ALEXANDERMORTON，SEN。
Mymother’scousin——so！CousinAlexander！arichman，andreunitedtothesonhedroveintoshamefulexile。Well！wewillseethisconfidentiallawyer;anduntilthen——untilthen——why，wearetheschoolmistressofRedGulch，andresponsibleforitsyouthfulprodigals。（Goingtoschoolhousedoor。）
MissMary（stoppingtoexamineflowers）。Poor，poorSandy！
Anotheroffering，and，ashefondlybelieves，unknownandanonymous！Asifhewerenotvisibleineverypetalandleaf！
Themariposablossomoftheplain。ThesnowflowerIlongedfor，fromthosecoolsnowdriftsbeyondtheridge。AndIreallybelievehewassoberwhenhearrangedthem。Poorfellow！Ibegintothinkthatthedissipatedportionofthiscommunityarethemostinteresting。Ah！someonebehindtherock，——Sandy，I’llwager。
No！astranger！
Col。Starbottle（aside，andadvancing）。IfIcouldmakeherthinkIleftthoseflowers！（Aloud。）WhenIstatethat——er——Iamperhaps——er——stranger——
MissMary（interruptinghimcoldly）。Youexplain，sir，yourappearanceonaspotwhichtherudecourtesyofeventhisrudeminer’scamphaspreservedfromintrusion。
Starbottle（slightlyabashed，butrecoveringhimself）。Yes——Ged！——
thatis，I——er——sawyouadmiring——er——tribute——er——humbletributeofflowers。Iammyselfpassionatelydevotedtoflowers。Ged！
I’vespenthours——in——er——bendingoverthe——er——gracefulsunflower，in——er——pluckingthetimidvioletfromtheoverhangingbutreluctantbough，incollectingthe——er——er——fauna——Imeanthe——er——
flora——ofthis——er——district。
MissMary（whohasbeenregardinghimintently）。Permitmetoleaveyouinuninterruptedadmirationofthem。（Handinghimflowers。）Youwillhaveampletimeinyourjourneydownthegulchtoindulgeyourcuriosity！
HandsSTARBOTTLEflowers，entersschoolhouse，andquietlyclosesdooronSTARBOTTLEasSANDYMORTONenterscautiouslyandsheepishlyfromleft。SANDYstopsinastonishmentonobservingSTARBOTTLE，andremainsbywingleft。
Starbottle（smellingflowers，andnotnoticingMISSMARY’Sabsence）。
Beautiful——er——exquisite。（Lookingupatcloseddoor。）Ged！Mostextraordinarydisappearance！（Looksaround，anddiscoversSANDY;
examineshimforamomentthroughhiseyeglass，andthen，afterapause，inflateshischest，turnshisbackonSANDY，andadvancestoschoolhousedoor。SANDYcomesquickly，and，asSTARBOTTLEraiseshiscanetorapondoor，seizeshisarm。Bothmen，regardingeachotherfixedly，holdingeachother，retreatslowlyandcautiouslytocentre。ThenSTARBOTTLEdisengageshisarm。）
Sandy（embarrassedlybutdeterminedly）。Lookyer，stranger。Bytherulesofthiscamp，thisplaceissacredtotheschoolma’amandherchildren。
Starbottle（withloftyseverity）。Itis！Then——er——permitmetoask，sir，whatYOUaredoinghere。
Sandy（embarrassed，anddroppinghisheadinconfusion）。Iwas——
passing。Thereisnoschoolto-day。
Starbottle。Then，sir，Ged！permitmeto——er——DEMAND——DEMAND，sir——
anapology。Youhavelaid，sir，yourhanduponmyperson——demnme！Notthefirsttime，sir，either;for，ifIamnotmistaken，youarethe——er——inebriatedmenial，sir，whotwomonthsagojostledme，sir，——demnme，——asIenteredtheranchoofmyfriendDonJoseCastro。
Sandy（starting，aside）。DonJose！（Aloud。）Hush，hush！Shewillhearyou。No——thatis——（stops，confusedandembarrassed。
Aside。）Shewillhearofmydisgrace。Hewilltellherthewholestory。
Starbottle。Ishallawaityourapologyonehour。Attheendofthattime，ifitisnotforthcoming，Ishall——er——er——waiveyourmenialantecedents，andexpectthe——er——satisfactionofagentleman。Good-morning，sir。（Turnstoschoolhouse。）
Sandy。No，no：youshallnotgo！
Starbottle。Whowillpreventme？
Sandy（grapplinghim）。Iwill。（Appealingly。）Lookyer，stranger，don’tprovokeme，I，adesperateman，desperateandcrazedwithdrink，——don’tye，don’tyedoit！ForGod’ssake，takeyourhandsoffme！Yedon’tknowwhatyedo。Ah！（Wildly，holdingSTARBOTTLEfirmly，andforcinghimbackwardtoprecipicebeyondledgeofrocks。）Hearme。Threeyearsago，inamomentlikethis，Idraggedaman——myfriend——tothisprecipice。I——I——
no！no！——don’tangermenow！（Sandy’sgriponSTARBOTTLErelaxesslightly，andhisheaddroops。）
Starbottle（coolly）。Permitmetoremark，sir，thatanyreminiscenceofyour——er——friend——oranyothermanis——er——atthismoment，irrelevantandimpertinent。Permitmetopointoutthe——er——fact，sir，thatyourhandispressingheavily，demnedheavily，onmyshoulder。
Sandy（fiercely）。Youshallnotgo！
Starbottle（fiercely）。Shallnot？
Struggle。STARBOTTLEdrawsderringerfromhisbreast-pocket，andSANDYseizeshisarm。Inthispositionbothpartiesstruggletoledgeofrocks，andCOL。STARBOTTLEisforcedpartlyover。
MissMary（openingschoolhousedoor）。IthoughtIheardvoices。
（Lookingtowardledgeofrocks，whereCOL。STARBOTTLEandSANDYarepartlyhiddenbytrees。BothmenrelaxgraspofeachotheratMISS
MARY’Svoice。）
Col。Starbottle（aloudandwithvoiceslightlyraised，toSANDY）。
By——er——leaningoverthiswayamoment，asinglemoment，youwill——
er——perceivethetrailIspeakof。Itfollowsthecanyontotheright。Itwillbringyouto——er——thesettlementinanhour。（ToMISSMARY，asifobservingherforthefirsttime。）IbelieveI
am——er——right;but，being——er——morefamiliarwiththelocality，youcandirectthegentlemanbetter。
SANDYslowlysinksonhiskneesbesiderock，withhisfaceavertedfromschoolhouse，asCOL。STARBOTTLEdisengageshimself，andadvancesjauntilyandgallantlytoschoolhouse。
Col。Starbottle。In——er——er——showingthestrangerthe——er——way，I
perhapsinterruptedourinterview。The——er——observancesof——er——
civilityandhumanitymustnotbeforegone，evenfor——er——theladies。I——er——believeIaddressMissMaryMorris。WhenI——er——
statethatmynameisCol。Starbottle，chargedonmissionof——er——
delicatenature，IbelieveI——er——explainMYintrusion。
MISSMARYbows，andmotionstoschoolhousedoor;COL。STARBOTTLE，bowingdeeply，enters;butMISSMARYremainsstandingbydoor，lookingtowardtreesthathideSANDY。
MissMary（aside）。IamsureitwasSandy’svoice！Butwhydoesheconcealhimself？
Sandy（aside，risingslowlytohisfeet，withhisbacktoschoolhousedoor）。Eventhisconceitedbullyovercomesme，andshamesmewithhisreadinessandtact。Hewasquicktospareher——
astranger——thespectacleoftwoangrymen。I——I——mustneedswranglebeforeherverydoor！Well，well！betteroutofhersightforever，thananobjectofpityorterror。[Exitslowly，andwithdowncasteyes，right。
MissMary（watchingthetrail）。ItWASSandy！andthisconcealmentmeanssomethingmorethanbashfulness。Perhapsthestrangercanexplain。
[Entersschoolhouse，andclosesdoor。
SCENE2。——Thesame。EnterCONCHO，lame，cautiously，fromR。
PausesatR。，andthenbeckonstoHOPSING，whofollowsR。
Concho（impatiently）。Well！yousawhim？
HopSing。Meseehim。
Concho。Andyourecognizedhim？
HopSing。Noshabelikoquize。
Concho（furiously）。Youknewhim，eh？Carramba！YouKNEWhim。
HopSing（slowlyandsententiously）。MeshabemanyoucalleeDiego。MeshabbeeLedGulcheecallSandy。MeshabbeemanPokerFlatcalleeAlexandleeMolton。Alleesame，John！Alleesame！
Concho（rubbinghishands）。Bueno！GoodJohn！goodJohn！AndyouknewhewascalledAlexanderMorton？Andgoon——goodJohn——goon！
HopSing。Meplenteewasheeshirtee——MelicanmanPokerFlat。MeplenteewasheeshirtAlexandleeMolton。Alwayslitee，liteeonshirtalleetime。（Pointingtotailofhisblouse，andimitatingwritingwithfinger。）AlexandleeMolton。Melicanmantelleeme——
shirtsayAlexandleeMolton——shabbee？
Concho。Bueno！ExcellentJohn。GoodJohn。HislinenmarkedAlexanderMorton。Theproofsaregathering！（crossestoC。）——theletterIfoundinhispack，addressedtoAlexanderMorton，PokerFlat，whichfirstputmeonhistrack;thestoryofhiswife’sinfidelity，andherflightwithhispartnertoredGulch，thequarrelandfightthatseparatedthem，hisflighttoSanJose，hiswanderingstothemissionofSanCarmel，totheranchooftheHolyFisherman。Therecordiscomplete！
HopSing。AlexandleeMolton——
Concho（hurriedlyreturningtoHOPSING）。Yes！goodJohn;yes，goodJohn——goon。AlexanderMorton——
HopSing。AlexandleeMolton。Mewasheeshirt，AlexandleeMolton;
henopaywashee。Mewasheeflowtydozenhep——fourbittiedozen——
twentydollarhep。AlexandleeMoltonnopayee。Hesay，\"Gotohellee！\"Youpayme（extendinghishand）。
Concho。Car——！（checkinghimself）。Pocotiempo，John！Ingoodtime，John。Fortydollar——yes。Fiftydollar！Tomorrow，John。
HopSing。Menolikee\"to-mollow！\"Menolikee\"nextime，John！\"
AlleetimeMelicanmansay，\"Chalkeeup，John，\"\"Nosmalleechange，John，\"——umph。Plentyfooleeme！
Concho。Youshallhaveyourmoney，John;butgonow——youcomprehend。Carramba！go！（PushesHOPSINGtowing。）
HopSing（expostulating）。Flowtydozen，hep，John！twentydollar，John。Sabe。Flowty——twenty——（gesticulatingwithfingers）。
[ExitHOPSING，pushedoffbyCONCHO。
Concho。Thepagandolt！Butheisimportant。Ah，ifhewerewiser，Ishouldnotridmyselfofhimsoquickly！Andnowfortheschoolmistress，——thesweetheartofSandy。Ifthesemenhavenotlied，heisinlovewithher;and，ifheis，hehastoldherhissecretbeforenow;andshewillbeswifttourgehimtohisrights。
Ifhehasnottoldher——umph！（laughing）itwillnotbeaDAY——anHOUR——beforeshewillfindoutifherloverisAlexanderMorton，therichman’sson，or\"Sandy，\"theunknownvagabond。Eh，friendSandy！Itwasawomanthatlockedupyoursecret：itshallbeawoman，MadrediDios！whoshallunlockit。Ha！（Goestodoorofschoolhouseasdooropens，andappearsCOL。STARBOTTLE。）
Concho（aside）。Athousanddevils！thelawyeroftheoldmanMorton。（Aloud。）Pardon，pardon！Iamastranger。Ihavelostmywayonthemountain。Iamseekingatrail。Senor，pardon！
Starbottle（aside）。Anothermanseekingtheroad！Ged，Ibelievehe’slyingtoo。（Aloud。）Itisbeforeyou，sir，DOWN，——downthemountain。
Concho。Athousandthanks，senor。（Aside。）Perditioncatchhim！
（Aloud。）Thanks，senor。[ExitR。
Starbottle。Ged，I’veseenthatfacebefore。Ged，it’sCastro’smajor-domo。Demnme，butIbelieveallhisdomesticshavefalleninlovewiththeprettyschoolma’am。
EnterMISSMARYfromschoolhouse。
MissMary（slowlyrefoldingletter）。Youareaware，then，ofthecontentsofthisnote;andyouarethefriendofAlexanderMorton，sen。？
Col。Starbottle。Permitmeamoment，asinglemoment，to——er——er——
explain。IamMr。Morton’slegaladviser。Thereis——er——senseof——
er——responsibility，——er——personalresponsibility，abouttheterm\"friend，\"thatatthe——er——er——presentmomentIamnot——er——
preparedtoassume。Thesubstanceoftheletterisbeforeyou。I
amhereto——er——expressitsspirit。Iamhere（withgreatgallantry）toexpressthe——er——yearningsofcousinlyaffection。I
amaware——er——thatOURconduct，——ifImayusethe——er——thepluralofadvocacy，——Iamawarethat——er——OURconducthasnotinthepastyearsbeenof——er——er——exemplarycharacter。Iamawarethatthe——
er——deathofourlamentedcousin，yoursaintedmother，was——er——
hastened——Imay——er——say——pre——cip——itated——byour——er——indiscretionButwearehereto——er——confessjudgment——with——er——er——costs。
MissMary（interrupting）。Inotherwords，yourclient，mycousin，havingruinedmyfather，havingturnedhisownwidowedrelationoutofdoors，andsentme，herdaughter，amongstrangerstoearnherbread;havingseenmymothersinkanddieinherstruggletokeepherfamilyfromwant，——thismannowseekstocondonehisoffences——
pardonme，sir，ifIuseyourownlegalphraseology——byofferingmeahome;bygivingmepartofhisill-gottenwealth，theassociationofhisownhypocriticalself，andthecompanyofhisshameless，profligateson——
Starbottle（interrupting）。Amoment，MissMorris，——asinglemoment！Theepithetsyouhaveused，the——er——vigorouscharacterizationofour——er——conduct，is——er——withinthe——er——
strictrulesoflegaladvocacy，correct。Weare——er——rascals！weare——er——scoundrels！weare——er——well，Iamnot——er——preparedtosaythatwearenot——er——demnme——hypocrites！Buttheyoungmanyouspeakof——ourson，whosepastlife（speakingasCol。Starbottle）
noonemoresincerelydeprecatesthanmyself，——thatyoungmanhasreformed;hasbeenforthepastfewmonthsamiracleofsobriety，decorum，andindustry;hastaken，thankstotheexampleof——er——
friends，apositionofintegrityinhisfather’sbusiness，offilialobedienceinhisfather’shousehold;is，inshort，aparagon;and，demnme，Idoubtifhe’shisfather’sson。
MissMary。Enough，sir！Youarewaitingformyanswer。Thereisnoreasonwhyitshouldnotbeasprecise，asbrief，andasformalasyourmessage。Gotomycousin;saythatyousawthepersonheclaimsashisrelation;saythatyoufoundher，apoorschoolmistress，inarudeminingcamp，dependentforherbreadonthescantearningsofalreadyimpoverishedmen，dependentforherhonorontherudechivalryofoutcastsandvagabonds;andsaythatthenandtheresherepudiatedyourkinship，andrespectfullydeclinedyourinvitation。
Starbottle（aside）。Ged！Star！thisisthe——er——femaleofyourspecies！Thisisthewoman——the——er——onewoman——forwhomyouareresponsible，sir！——personallyresponsible！
MissMary（coldly）。Youhavemyanswer，sir。
Col。Starbottle。Permitme——er——singlemoment，——asinglemoment！
Betweentheer——presentmoment，andthatofmydeparture——thereisan——er——intervaloftwelvehours。MayI，atthecloseofthatinterval——againpresentmyself——withoutprejudice，foryourfinalanswer？
MissMary（indifferently）。Asyouwill，sir。Ishallbehere。
Col。Starbottle。Permitme。（Takesherhandgallantly。）Yourconductandmanner，MissMorris，remindme——er——singularly——of——erbeautifulcreature——oneofthe——er——firstfamilies。（ObservingMISS
MARYregardinghimamusedly，becomesembarrassed。）Thatis——er——I
mean——er——er——goodmorning，MissMorris！（Passesbyschoolhousedoor，retreatingandbowing，andpicksupflowersfromdoor-step。）
Goodmorning！
MissMary。Excuseme，Col。Starbottle（withwinningpoliteness），butIfearImustrobyouofthoseflowers。Irecognizethemnowastheofferingofoneofmypupils。IfearImustrevokemygift（takingflowersfromastonishedcolonel’shand），allexceptasingleoneforyourbuttonhole。Haveyouanychoice，orshallI
（archly）chooseforyou？Thenitshallbethis。（Beginstoplaceflowersinbuttonhole，COL。STARBOTTLEexhibitingextravagantgratitudeindumbshow。BusinessprolongedthroughMISSMARY’sspeech。）IfIamnotwrong，colonel，thegentlemantowhomyousokindlypointedouttheroadthismorningwasnotastrangertoyou。
Ah！Iamright。There，onemoment，——asprigofgreen，asingleleaf，wouldsetoffthepinknicely。Hereheisknownonlyas\"Sandy\"：youknowtheabsurdhabitsofthiscamp。Ofcoursehehasanothername。There！（releasingthecolonel）itismuchprettiernow。
Col。Starbottle。Ged，madam！Therarestexotic——theVictoriaRegina——isnotas——er——graceful——er——tribute！
MissMary。Andyetyourefusetosatisfymycuriosity？
Col。Starbottle（withgreatembarrassment，whichatlastresolvesitselfintoincreaseddignityofmanner）。Whatyouaskis——er——er——
impossible！Youareright：the——er——gentlemanyoualludetoisknowntomeunder——er——er——anothername。Buthonor——MissMorris，honor！——sealsthelipsofCol。Starbottle。（Aside。）Ifsheshouldknowhewasamenial！No。Thepositionofthemanyouhavechallenged，Star，mustbeequaltoyourown。（Aloud。）Anything，MissMorris，but——er——that！
MissMary（smiling）。Beitso。Adios，Col。Starbottle。
Col。Starbottle（gallantly）。Aurevoir，MissMorris。[Exit，impressively，L。
MissMary。So！Sandyconcealsanothername，whichhewithholdsfromRedGulch。Well！Pshaw！Whatisthattome？Thecampismadeupofrefugees，——menwhoperhapshavegoodreasontohideanamethatmaybeinfamous，thenamethatwouldpublishacrime。
Nonsense！CrimeandSandy！No，shameandguiltdonothidethemselvesinthosehonestbutoccasionallysomewhatbloodshoteyes。Besides，goodnessknows！thepoorfellow’sweaknessispalpableenough。No，thatisnotthereason。Itisnoguiltthatkeepshisnamehidden，——atleast，nothis。（Seatingherself，andarrangingflowersinherlap。）PoorSandy！hemusthaveclimbedtheeasternsummittogetthis。See，therosysunrisestilllingersinitsverypetals;thedewisfreshuponit。Dearlittlemountainbaby！Ireallybelievethatfellowgotupbeforedaylight，toclimbthatgiddyheightandsecureitsvirginfreshness。Andtothink，inamomentofspite，I’dhavegivenittothatbombasticwarrior！（Pause。）Thatwasafineofferyourefusedjustnow，MissMary。Thinkofit：ahomeofluxury，apositionofassuredrespectandhomage;thelifeIonceled，withallitsdifficultiessmoothedaway，itsuncertaintydispelled，——
thinkofit！Mypoormother’sdreamfulfilled，——I，herdaughter，themistressofaffluence，thequeenofsocialpower！Whatatemptation！Ah，MissMary，WASitatemptation？Wastherenothinginyourfreelifeherethatstiffenedyourcourage，thatsteeledtheadamantofyourrefusal？orwasitonlythememoryofyourmother’swrongs？Luxuryandwealth！Couldyoucommandadwellingmorecharmingthanthis？Positionandrespect！IsnottheawfuladmirationoftheselawlessmenmorefascinatingthantheperilousflatteryofgentlemenlikeCol。Starbottle？isnotthedevotionoftheseoutcastsmorecomplimentarythanthelip-serviceofperfumedgallantry？（Pause。）It’sveryoddhedoesn’tcome。Iwonderifthatconceitedoldfoolsaidanythingtohim。（Rises，andthenseatsherself，smiling。）HeHASCOME。Heisdodginginandoutofthemanganitabushesbelowthespring。Isupposeheimaginesmyvisitorstillhere。Thebashfulfool！Ifanybodyshouldseehim，itwouldbeenoughtomakeapettyscandal！I’llgivehimatalking-to。（Pause。）Iwonderiftheridiculousfoolhasgonetosleepinthosebushes。（Rises。）Well，lethim：itwillhelphimtorecoverhissensesfromlastnight’sdissipation;andyou，MissMary，itishightimeyouwerepreparingthelessonsforto-morrow。
（Goestoschoolhouse，entersdoor，andslamsitbehindher;afteramomentreappearswithemptybucket。）Ofcoursethere’snowater，andIamdyingofthirst。（Goesslowlytoleft，andpausesembarrassedlyandbashfully，presentlylaughs，——thensuddenlyfrowns，andassumesanappearanceofindignation。）MissMaryMorris，haveyoubecomesuchanegregiousfoolthatyoudarenotsatisfytheordinarycravingsofhumannature，justbecauseanidle，dissipated，bashfulblockhead——nonsense！[Exit，brandishingpail。
SCENE3。——TheSame。
（Apause。SANDY’Svoice，without。）Thisway，miss：thetrailiseasier。
（MISSMARY’Svoice，without。）Nevermindme;lookafterthebucket。
EnterSANDY，carryingbucketwithwater，followedbyMISSMARY。
SANDYsetsbucketdown。
MissMary。There，you’vespilthalfofit。Ifithadbeenwhiskey，you’dhavebeenmorecareful。
Sandy（submissively）。Yes，miss。
MissMary（aside）。\"Yes，miss！\"Themanwilldrivemecrazywithhissaccharineimbecility。（Aloud。）Ibelieveyouwouldassenttoanything，evenifIsaidyouwere——animpostor！
Sandy（amazedly）。Animpostor，MissMary？
MissMary。Well，Idon’tknowwhatothertermyouuseinRedGulchtoexpressamanwhoconcealshisrealnameunderanother。
Sandy（embarrassed，butfacingMISSMARY）。Hasanybodybeentellin’yeIwasanimpostor，miss？HasthetdernedoldfoolthatIsawyewith——
MissMary。\"Thatoldfool，\"asyoucallhim，wastoohonorableagentlemantodiscloseyoursecret，andtooloyalafriendtotraduceyoubyanepithet。Fearnothing，Mr。\"Sandy\"：ifyouhavelimitedyourconfidencetoONEfriend，ithasnotbeenmisplaced。
But，dearme，don’tthinkIwishtopenetrateyoursecret。No。
ThelittleIlearnedwasaccidental。Besides，hisbusinesswaswithme：perhaps，ashisfriend，youalreadyknowit。
Sandy（meekly）。Perhaps，miss，hewastoohonorableagentlemantodiscloseYOURsecret。Hisbusinesswaswithme。
MissMary（aside）。Hehastakenaleafoutofmybook！Heisnotsostupid，afterall。（Aloud。）Ihavenosecret。Col。Starbottlecameheretomakemeanoffer。
Sandy（recoiling）。Anoffer！
MissMary。Ofahomeandindependence。（Aside。）Poorfellow！howpalehelooks！（Aloud。）Well，yousee，Iammoretrustfulthanyou。IwilltellyouMYsecret;andyoushallaidmewithyourcounsel。（Theysitonledgeofrocks。）Listen！Mymotherhadacousinonce，——acousincruel，cowardly，selfish，anddissolute。
Shelovedhim，aswomenareapttolovesuchmen，——lovedhimsothatshebeguiledherownhusbandtotrusthisfortunesinthehandsofthiswretchedprofligate。Thehusbandwasruined，disgraced。Thewifesoughthercousinforhelpforhernecessities。
Hemetherwithinsult，andproposedthatsheshouldflywithhim。
Sandy。Onemoment，miss：itwasn’thispardner——hispardner’swife——eh？
MissMary（impatiently）。Itwasthehelplesswifeofhisownblood，Itellyou。Thehusbanddiedbroken-hearted。Thewife，mymother，struggledinpoverty，undertheshadowofaproudname，togivemeaneducation，anddiedwhileIwasstillagirl。To-daythiscousin，——thismorethanmurdererofmyparents，——old，rich，self-satisfied，REFORMED，invitesme，byvirtueofthatkinshipheviolatedanddespised，tohishome，hiswealth，his——hisfamilyroof-tree！Themanyousawwashisagent。
Sandy。Andyou——
MissMary。Refused。
Sandy（passinghishandoverhisforehead）。Youdidwrong，MissMary。
MissMary。Wrong，sir？（Rising。）
Sandy（humblybutfirmly）。Sityedown，MissMary。Itain’tforyetothrowyourbrightyounglifeawayyerinthisplace。Itain’tforsuchasyetosoilyourfairyounghandsbyrakingintheashestostirupthedeadembersofafamilywrong。Itain’tforye——ye’llpardonme，MissMary，forsayin’it——itain’tforyetoallowwhenit’sTOOLATEfuramantoreform，ortogobackofhisreformation。Don’tyedoit，miss，furGod’ssake，——don’tyedoit！Harkin，MissMary。Ifye’lltakemyadvice——afool’sadvice，maybe——ye’llgo。AndwhenItellyethatthatadvice，ifyetakeit，willtakethesunshineoutofthesehills，thecoloroffthemtrees，thefreshnessouterthemflowers，theheart’s-bloodouterme，——ye’llknowthatIain’tthinkin’o’myself，butofye。AndI
wouldn’tsaythismuchtoye，MissMary;butyou’regoin’away。
There’saflower，miss，you’rewearin’inyourbosom，——aflowerI
pickedatdaybreakthismorning，fivemilesawayinthesnow。Thewindwasblowingchillaroundit，sothatmyhandsthatdugforitwerestiffandcold;buttherootswerewarm，MissMary，astheyarenowinyourbosom。Ye’llkeepthatflower，MissMary，inremembranceofmyloveforye，thatkeptwarmandblossomedthroughthesnow。And，don’tstart，MissMary，——forye’llleavebehindye，asIdid，thesnowandrocksthroughwhichitbloomed。Iaxesyourparding，miss：I’mhurtin’yerfeelin’s，sure。
MissMary（risingwithagitation）。Nothing，——nothing;butclimbingthesestupidrockshasmademegiddy：that’sall。Yourarm。（ToSANDYimpatiently）。Can’tyougivemeyourarm？（SANDYsupportsMISSMARYawkwardlytowardschoolhouse。AtdoorMISSMARYpauses。）
Butifreformationissoeasy，soacceptable，whyhaveyounotprofitedbyit？Whyhaveyounotreformed？WhyhaveIfoundyouhere，adisgraced，dissipated，anonymousoutcast，whomanhonestgirldarenotknow？Whydoyoupresumetopreachtome？Haveyouafather？
Sandy。Hush，MissMary，hush！Ihadafather。Harkin。Allthatyouhavesufferedfromakinshipevensofarremoved，Ihaveknownfromthehandsofonewhoshouldhaveprotectedme。MYfatherwas——
butnomatter。You，MissMary，cameoutofyourtrialslikegoldfromthewashing。Iwasonlythedirtandgraveltobethrownaway。Itistoolate，MissMary，toolate。Myfatherhasneversoughtme，wouldturnmefromhisdoorshadIsoughthim。Perhapsheisonlyright。
MissMary。Butwhyshouldhebesodifferentfromothers？Listen。
ThisverycousinwhoseofferIrefusedhadason，——wild，wayward，byallreportthemostdegradedofmen。Itwaspartofmycousin’sreformationtosavethisson，and，ifitwerepossible，snatchhimfromthatterriblefatewhichseemedtobehisonlyinheritance。
Sandy（eagerly）。Yes，miss。
MissMary。Torestorehimtoaregeneratedhome。WiththisideahefollowedhisprodigaltoCalifornia。I，youunderstand，wasonlyanafter-thoughtconsequentuponhissuccess。HecametoCaliforniauponthispilgrimagetwoyearsago。Hehadnorecollection，sotheytellme，bywhichhecouldrecognizethiserringson;andatfirsthissearchwaswild，profitless，andalmosthopeless。Butbydegrees，andwithapersistencythatseemedtoincreasewithhishopelessness，hewasrewardedbyfindingsomeclewtohimat——at——at——
Sandy（excitedly）。AtPokerFlat？
MissMary。Ah，perhapsyouknowthestory，——atPokerFlat。HetracedhimtotheMissionofSanCarmel。
Sandy。Yes，miss：goon。
MissMary。Hewasmoresuccessfulthanhedeserved，perhaps。Hefoundhim。Iseeyouknowthestory。
Sandy。Foundhim！Foundhim！Miss，didyousayfoundhim？
MissMary。Yes，foundhim。AndtodayAlexanderMorton，thereclaimedprodigal，ispartofthehouseholdIaminvitedtojoin。
Soyousee，Mr。Sandy，thereisstillhope。Whathashappenedtohimisonlyapromisetoyou。Eh！Mr。Sandy——whatisthematter？
Areyouill？Yourexertionthismorning，perhaps。Speaktome！
Graciousheavens，heisgoingmad！No！No！Yes——itcannotbe——itis——heHASbrokenhispromise：heisdrunkagain。
Sandy（rising，excitedandconfused）。Excuseme，miss，IamalittleonsartainHERE（pointingtohishead）。Ican’t——I
disremember——whatyousaidjus’now：yementionedthenameo’thatprodigalthatwasfound。
MissMary。Certainly：composeyourself，——mycousin’sson，AlexanderMorton。Listen，Sandy，youpromisedME，youknow，yousaidforMYsakeyouwouldnottouchadrop。（EntercautiouslytowardschoolhousetheDUCHESS，stopsonobservingSANDY，andhidesbehindrock。）
Sandy（stillbewilderedandincoherent）。Ireckon。Harkin，miss，isthattharthing（pointingtowardsrockwhereDUCHESSisconcealed）——isthatatree，or——or——awoman？Isitsortermovin’
thisway？
MissMary（layingherhandonSANDY’S）。Recoveryoursenses，forHeaven’ssake，Sandy，——forMYsake！Itisonlyatree。
Sandy（rising）。Then，miss，I’vebrokemywordwithye：I’mdrunk。
P’r’apsI’dbetterbea-goin’（lookingroundconfusedly）tillI’msober。（GoingtowardL。）
MissMary（seizinghishand）。Butyou’llseemeagain，Sandy：
you’llcomehere——before——before——Igo？
Sandy。Yes，miss，——beforeyego。（StaggersstupidlytowardL。
Aside。）Foundhim！foundAlexanderMorton！It’sathirdtime，Sandy，thethirdtime：itmeans——itmeans——you’remad！（Laughswildly，andexitL。）
MissMary（springingtoherfeet）。Thereisamysterybehindallthis，MaryMorris，thatyou——you——mustdiscover。ThatmanwasNOT
drunk：heHADNOTbrokenhispromisetome。Whatdoesitallmean？
Ihaveit。IwillaccepttheofferofthisAlexanderMorton。I
willtellhimthestoryofthishelplessman，thispoor，poor，recklessSandy。Withthestoryofhisownsonbeforehiseyes，hecannotbutinteresthimselfinhisfate。Heisrich：hewillaidmeinmysearchforSandy’sfather，forSandy’ssecret。Attheworst，Icanonlyfollowtheadviceofthiswretchedman，——anadvicesogenerous，sokind，soself-sacrificing。Ah——
SCENE4。——Thesame。EntertheDUCHESS，showilyandextravagantlydressed。Hermanneratfirstisamixtureofalternateshynessandbravado。
TheDuchess。Iheerdtellthatyouwasgoin’downto’Friscoto-
morrow，foryourvacation;andIcouldn’tletyegotillIcametothankyeforyourkindnesstomyboy，——littleTommy。
MissMary（aside。Risingabstractedly，andrecallingherselfwithaneffort）。Isee，——apooroutcast，themotherofmyanonymouspupil。（Aloud。）Tommy！agoodboy，——adear，goodlittleboy。
Duchess。Thankee，miss，thankee。IfIamhismother，tharain’tasweeter，dearer，betterboylivesthanhim。And，ifIain’tmuchassaysit，tharain’tasweeter，dearer，angelerteacherthanhe’sgot。Itain’tforyoutobecomplimentedbyme，miss;itain’tforsuchasmetobecomin’hereinbroaddaytodoit，either;butI
cometoaskafavor，——notforme，miss，butforthedarlingboy。
MissMary（aside——abstractedly）。Thispoor，degradedcreaturewillkillmewithherwearyinggratitude。Sandywillnotreturn，ofcourse，whilesheishere。（Aloud。）Goon。IfIcanhelpyouoryours，beassuredIwill。
TheDuchess。Thankee，miss。Yousee，thar’snoonetheboyhasanyclaimonbutme，andIain’ttheproperpersontobringhimup。
Ididallowtosendhimto’Frisco，lastyear;butwhenIheerdtalkthataschoolma’amwascomin’up，andyoudid，andhesortertuktoyenatrilfromthefirst，IguessIdidwelltokeephimyer。For，oh，miss，helovesyesomuch;and，ifyoucouldhearhimtalkinhispurtyway，yewouldn’trefusehimanything。
MissMary（withfatiguedpoliteness，andincreasingimpatience）。I
see，Isee：praygoon。
TheDuchess（withquietpersistency）。It’snatrilheshouldtaketoye，miss;forhisfather，whenIfirstknowedhim，miss，wasagentlemanlikeyourself;andtheboymustforgetmesoonerorlater——andIain’tgoin’tocryaboutTHAT。
MissMary（impatiently）。PraytellmehowIcanserveyou。
TheDuchess。Yes，miss;yousee，IcametoaskyoutotakemyTommy，——Godblesshimforthesweetest，bestestboythatlives！——totakehimwithyou。I’vemoneyplenty;andit’sallyoursandhis。
Puthiminsomegoodschool，wharyekingoandsee，andsorterhelphimto——forget——-hismother。Dowithhimwhatyoulike。Theworstyoucandowillbekindnesstowhathewouldlearnwithme。
Youwill：Iknowyouwill;won’tyou？Youwillmakehimaspureandasgoodasyourself;andwhenhehasgrownup，andisagentleman，youwilltellhimhisfather’sname，——thenamethathasn’tpassedmylipsforyears，——thenameofAlexanderMorton。
MissMary（aside）。AlexanderMorton！Theprodigal！Ah，Isee，——
theungatheredhusksofhisidleharvest。
TheDuchess。Youhesitate，MissMary。（Seizingher。）Donottakeyourhandaway。Youaresmiling。Godblessyou！Iknowyouwilltakemyboy。Speaktome，MissMary。
MissMary（aloud）。Iwilltakeyourchild。Morethanthat，Iwilltakehimtohisfather。
TheDuchess。No，no！forGod’ssake，no，MissMary！Hehasneverseenhimfromhisbirth：hedoesnotknowhim。Hewilldisownhim。
Hewillcursehim，——willcurseme！
MissMary。Whyshouldhe？Surelyhiscrimeisworsethanyours。
TheDuchess。Hearme，MissMary。（Aside。）HowcanItellher？
（Aloud。）Onemoment，miss。Iwasonce——yemaynotbelieveit，miss——asgood，aspure，asyou。Ihadahusband，thefatherofthischild。Hewaskind，good，easy，forgiving，——toogoodforme，miss，toosimpleandunsuspecting。Hewaswhattheworldcallsafool，miss：helovedmetoowell，——thekindo’crime，miss，——
beggin’yourpardon，andallpreceptstothecontrairy，——theonethingthatwomenlikemeneverforgives。Hehadapardner，miss，thatgovernedhimasHEnevergovernedme;thatheldhimwiththestrongerwill，andmaybeMEtoo。Iwasyoung，miss，——noolderthanyourselfthen;andIranawaywithhim，——leftall，andranawaywithmyhusband’spardner。Myhusband——nat’rally——tooktodrink。
Iaxesyourpardin’，miss;butye’llseenow，allowin’yourlarnin’，thatAlexanderMortonain’tthemanaswilltakemychild。
MissMary。Nonsense。Youarewrong。Hehasreformed;hehasbeenrestoredtohishome，——yourchild’shome，yourhomeifyouwillbutclaimit。Donotfear：Iwillmakethatright。
EnterSANDYslowlyandsheepishly，R。;stopsonobservingtheDuchess，andstandsamazedandmotionless。
MissMary（observingSANDY——aside）。HeHASreturned。Poorfellow！
HowshallIgetridofthiswoman？（Aloud。）Enough。Ifyouaresincere，Iwilltakeyourchild，and，Godhelpme！bringhimtohishomeandyours。Areyousatisfied？
TheDuchess。Thankye！Thankye，miss;but——butthar’samistakesomewhar。Incourse——it’snatural——yedon’tknowthefatherofthatchild，myboyTommy，underthenameo’AlexanderMorton。
Ye’rethinking，likeasnot，ofanotherman。ThemanImeanlivesyer，inthiscamp：theycallshimSandy，miss，——SANDY！
MissMary（afterapause，comingforwardpassionately）。Hush！I
havegivenyoumyanswer，beitAlexanderMortonorSandy。Gonow：
bringmethechildthiseveningatmyhouse。Iwillmeetyouthere。（LeadstheDUCHESStowing。TheDUCHESSendeavorstofallatherfeet。）
TheDuchess。Godblessyou，miss！
MissMary（hurriedlyembracingher）。Nomore，nomore——butgo！
[ExitDUCHESS。MISSMARYreturnshurriedlytocentre，confrontingSANDY。
MissMary（toSANDY，hurriedlyandexcitedly）。Youhaveheardwhatthatwomansaid。Idonotaskyouunderwhataliasyouareknownhere：Ionlyaskasinglequestion。——IsSHEyourwife？areyouthefatherofherchild？
Sandy（sinkinguponhiskneesbeforeher，andcoveringhisfacewithhishands）。Iam！
MissMary。Enough！（Takingflowerfromherbosom。）Here，Igiveyoubackthefloweryougavemethismorning。Ithasfadedanddiedhereuponmybreast。ButIshallreplaceitwithyourfoundling，——thechildofthatwoman，bornlikethatflowerinthesnow！AndIgonow，Sandy，andleavebehindme，asyousaidthismorning，thesnowandrocksinwhichitbloomed。Good-by！
Farewell，farewell——forever！（Goestowardschoolhouseas——
EnterCOL。STARBOTTLE。
MissMary（toSTARBOTTLE）。Youarehereinseason，sir。Youmusthavecomeforananswertoyourquestion。Youmustfirstgivemeonetomine。Whoisthisman（pointingtoSANDY），themanyoumetupontherocksthismorning？
Col。Starbottle。Ahem！Iam——er——nowfullypreparedandresponsible，Imaysay，miss——er——personallyresponsible，toanswerthatquestion。Whenyouaskeditthismorning，theordinarycourtesyofthe——er——codeofhonorthrewa——er——cloakaroundthe——
er——antecedentsofthe——er——manwhomIhad——er——electedbyademandforpersonalsatisfaction，totheequalityofmyself，an——er——
gentleman！That——er——cloakisnowremoved。Ihavewaitedsixhoursforanapologyora——er——replytomydemand。Iamnowfreetoconfessthatthe——er——personyoualludetowasfirstknownbyme，threemonthsago，asaninebriatedmenial，——agroominthehouseholdofmyfriendDonJoseCastro，——bythe——er——simplenameof\"Diego。\"
MissMary（slowly）。Iamsatisfied。Iacceptmycousin’sinvitation。
[Exitslowly，supportedbyCOL。STARBOTTLE，R。
AsSTARBOTTLEandMISSMARYexeuntR。，CONCHOandHOPSINGentercautiously，L。SANDYslowlyrisestohisfeet，passeshishandacrosshisforehead，looksaroundtowardexitofSTARBOTTLEandMISSMARY。
Sandy（slowly，butwithmorecalmnessofdemeanor）。Gone，gone——
forever！No：Iamnotmad，norcrazedwithdrink。Myhandsnolongertremble。Thereisnoconfusionhere。（Feelinghisforehead）。Iheardthemall。Itwasnodream。Iheardhereveryword。AlexanderMorton，yes，theyspokeofAlexanderMorton。Sheisgoingtohim，tomyfather。Sheisgoing——she，Mary，mycousin——
sheisgoingtomyfather。Hehasbeenseekingme——hasfound——ah！
（Groans。）No，no，Sandy！Bepatient，becalm：youarenotcrazy——
no，no，goodSandy，goodoldboy！Bepatient，bepatient：itiscoming，itiscoming。Yes，Isee：someonehasleapedintomyplace;someonehasleapedintotheoldman’sarms。SomeonewillcreepintoHERheart！No！byGod！No！IamAlexanderMorton。
Yes，yes！Buthow，howshallIproveit？——how？Who（CONCHOstepscautiouslyforwardtowardsSANDYunobserved）willbelievethevagabond，theoutcast——myGod！——thecrazydrunkard？
Concho（advancing，andlayinghishandonSANDY）。Iwill！
Sandy（staggeringbackamazedly）。You！
Concho。Yes，——I，I，——Concho！Youknowme，Diego，youknowme，——
Concho，themajor-domooftheBlessedInnocents。Ha！Youknowmenow。Yes，Ihavecometosaveyou。Ihavecometomakeyoustrong。So——IhavecometohelpyoustriptheJudasthathassteppedintoyourplace，——theshamprodigalthathashadthefattedcalfandthering，——ah！ah！
Sandy。You？Youdonotknowme！
Concho。Ah！youthink，youthink，eh？Listen：SinceyouleftI
havetrackedHIM——THEIMPOSTOR，thisJudas，thiscoyote——stepbystep，untilhistrackscrossedyours;andthenIsoughtyouout。I
knowall。Ifoundaletteryouhaddropped;thatbroughtmetoPokerFlat。Ah，youstart！IhaveseenthosewhoknewyouasAlexanderMorton。Yousee！Ah，Iamwise。
Sandy（aside）。Itistrue。（Aloud。）But（suspiciously）whyhaveyoudonethis？You，Concho？——youwerenotmyfriend。
Concho。No，butHEismyenemy。Ah，youstart！Lookatme，AlexanderMorton，Sandy，Diego！Youknewaman，strong，active，likeyourself。Eh！Lookatmenow！Lookatme，acripple！Eh！
lameandcrushedhere（pointingtohisleg），brokenandcrushedhere（pointingtohisheart），byhim，——theimpostor！Listen，Diego。ThenightIwassenttotrackyoufromtherancho，he——thisman——struckmefromthewall，dashedmetotheearth，andmadeMY
BODY，brokenandbruised，astepping-stonetoleapthewallintoyourplace，Diego，——intoyourfather’sheart，——intomymaster’shome。Theyfoundmedead，theythought，——no，notdead，Diego！Itwassad，theysaid，——unfortunate。Theynursedme;theytalkedofmoney——eh，Diego！——money！Theywouldhavepensionedmetohushscandal——eh！Iwasadog，aforeigner，aGreaser！Eh！ThatiswhyIamhere。No！Iloveyounot，Diego;youareofhisrace;
butIhate——MotherofGod！——IHATEhim！
Sandy（risingtohisfeet，aside）。Good！Ibegintofeelmycouragereturn：mynervesarestronger。Courage，Sandy！（Aloud。）
Beitso，Concho：thereismyhand！Wewillhelpeachother，——youtomybirthright，Itoyourrevenge！Harkye！（SANDY’Smannerbecomesmorecalmandserious。）ThisimpostorisNOcraven，NO
coyote。Whoeverheis，hemustbestrong。Hehasmostplausibleevidences。Wemusthaverigidproofs。IwillgowithyoutoPokerFlat。Thereisoneman，ifhebeliving，knowsmebetterthananymanwholives。Hehasdonemewrong，——agreatwrong，Concho，——butIwillforgivehim。Iwilldomore，——Iwillaskhisforgiveness。
Hewillbeawitnessnomandaregainsay——mypartner——GodhelphimandforgivehimasIdo！——JohnOakhurst。
Concho。Oakhurstyourpartner！
Sandy（angrily）。Yes。Lookye，Concho，hehaswrongedmeinaprivateway：thatisMYbusiness，notYOURS;buthewasMYpartner，nooneshallabusehimbeforeme。
Concho。Beitso。Thensinkhere！Rothere！Gobacktoyourhusks，Oprodigal！wallowintheditchesofthiscamp，andseeyourbirthrightsoldforadramofaguardiente！Liehere，dogandcoyotethatyouare，withyourmistressundertheprotectionofyourdestroyer！ForItellyou——I，Concho，thecripple——thatthemanwhostruckmedown，themanwhosteppedintoyourbirthright，themanwhoto-morrowwelcomesyoursweetheartinhisarms，whoholdsthecustodyofyourchild，isyourpartner，——JohnOakhurst。
Sandy（whohasbeensinkingunderCONCHO’Swords，risingconvulsivelytohisfeet）。Godbemercifultomeasinner！
（Faints。）
Concho（standingoverhisprostratebodyexultingly）。Iamright。
Youarewise，Concho，youarewise！YouhavefoundAlexanderMorton！
HopSing（advancingslowlytoSANDY’Sside，andextendingopenpalm）。Mewasheeshirtfloyou，flowtydozenhab。Younopayeeme。Mewanteetwentydollarhep。Sabe！
Curtain。
ENDOFACTII。
ACTIII。
SCENE1。——ThebankparlorofMorton&Son，SanFrancisco。Roomrichlyfurnished;twosquarelibrarydesks，leftandright。Atright，safeinwall;atleft，samewithpracticabledoors。FoldingdoorinflatC。，leadingtocounting-room。DoorinlefttoprivateroomofALEXANDERMORTON，sen。;doorinrighttoprivateroomofMORTON，jun。ALEXANDERMORTON，sen。，discoveredatdeskR。，openingandreadingletters。
Morton，sen。（layingdownletter）。Well，well，theusualstory;
lettersfromallsortsofpeople，whohavedoneorintendtodoallsortsofthingsformyreclaimedprodigal。（Reads。）\"DearSir：
fiveyearsagoIloanedsomemoneytoastrangerwhoanswersthedescriptionofyourrecoveredson。HewillrememberJimParker，——
LimpingJim，ofPokerFlat。Beingatpresentshortoffunds，pleasesendtwentydollars，amountloaned，byreturnmail。Ifnotconvenient，fivedollarswilldoasinstalment。\"Pshaw！（Throwsletteraside，andtakesupanother。）\"DearSir：IinviteyourattentiontoenclosedcircularforaproposedHomeforDissipatedandAnonymousGold-Miners。Yourwell-knownreputationforliberality，andyourlatevaluableexperienceinthereformationofyourson，willnaturallyenlistyourbroadestsympathies。Weencloseadraftforfivethousanddollars，foryoursignature。\"Weshallsee！Another：\"DearSir：theSocietyfortheFormationofBibleClassesintheUpperStanislausacknowledgeyourrecentmunificentgiftoffivehundreddollarstothecause。LastSabbathBrotherHawkinsofPokerFlatrelatedwithtouchingeffectthestoryofyourprodigaltoanassemblageofovertwohundredminers。
Owingtounusualexpenses，weregrettobecompelledtodrawuponyouforfivehundreddollarsmore。\"So！（Puttingdownletter。）
Ifweweregiventoprideandvainglory，wemightwellbepuffedupwiththefameofourworksandthecontagionofourexample：yetI
fearthat，withtheworldly-minded，thispraiseofcharitytoothersisonlytheprayerfulexpectationofsomepersonalapplicationtothepraiser。（Ringshand-bell。）
EnterJACKSON。
（ToJACKSON。）Filetheseletters（handingletters）withtheothers。Thereisnoanswer。HasyoungMr。Alexandercomeinyet？
Jackson。Heonlylefthereanhourago。Itwassteamerdayyesterday：hewasupallnight，sir。
OldMorton（aside）。True。Andthenightbeforehetravelledallnight，ridingtwohoursaheadofoneofourdefaultingagents，andsavedthebankahundredthousanddollars。Certainlyhisdevotiontobusinessisunremitting。（Aloud。）AnynewsfromCol。Starbottle？
Jackson。Heleftthisnote，sir，earlythismorning。
OldMorton（takesit，andreads）。\"IthinkImaysay，onmyownpersonalresponsibility，thatthemissionissuccessful。MissMorriswillarriveto-nightwithafemaleattendantandchild。\"
（ToJACKSON。）Thatisall，sir。Stop！Hasanyonebeensmokinghere？
Jackson。Nottomyknowledge，sir。
OldMorton。TherewasaflavorofstaletobaccosmokeintheroomthismorningwhenIentered，andashesonthecarpet。IKNOWthatyoungMr。Alexanderhasabandonedthepernicioushabit。Seethatitdoesnotoccuragain。
Jackson。Yes，sir。（Aside。）ImustwarnMr。Alexanderthathisfriendsmustbemorecareful;andyetthoseashesweregoodforadepositoffiftythousand。
OldMorton。Isanyonewaiting？
Jackson。Yes，sir，——DonJoseCastroandMr。Capper。
OldMorton。ShowintheDon：thepolicemancanwait。