\"ButSaulwasuptosomewickedness，wasn’the？\"saidtheladysmilingly，\"whileYOUweresimplygoingsomewhereonbusiness？\"
\"Yes，\"saidHaysthoughtfully，\"butmyBUSINESSmighthevseemedlikepersecution。Idon’tmindtellin’youwhatitwasifyou’dcaretolisten。Butmebbeyou’retired。Mebbeyouwanttoretire。
Youknow，\"hewentonwithasuddenhospitableoutburst，\"youneedn’tbeinanyhurrytogo；wekintakecareofyouhereto-
night，andit’llcostyounothin’。AndI’llsendyouonwithmysleighinthemornin’。Per’apsyou’dlikesuthin’toeat——acupoftea——or——I’llcallZuleika；\"andherosewithanexpressionofawkwardcourtesy。
Butthelady，albeitwithaself-satisfiedsparkleinherdarkeyes，herecarelesslyassuredhimthatZuleikahadalreadygivenherrefreshment，and，indeed，wasatthatmomentpreparingherownroomforher。Shebeggedhewouldnotinterrupthisinterestingstory。
Hayslookedrelieved。
\"Well，IreckonIwon’tcallher，forwhatIwasgoin’tosayain’texacklythesorto’thin’foraninnocent，simplesorto’thinglikehertohear——Imean，\"heinterruptedhimselfhastily——\"thatfolksofmoreexperienceoftheworldlikeyouandmedon’tmindspeakin’of——I’msortertakin’itforgrantedthatyou’reamarriedwoman，ma’am。\"
Thelady，whohadregardedhimwithasuddenrigidity，hererelaxedherexpressionandnodded。
\"Well，\"continuedHays，resuminghisplacebythefire，\"youseethisyermanIwasgoin’toseelivesaboutfourmilesbeyondthesummitonaranchthatfurnishesmostofthehayforthestockthatsideoftheDivide。He’sbinholdin’offhisnextyear’scontractswithme，hopin’tomakebettertermsfromtheprospectsofalatespringandhigherprices。Heheldhisheadmightyhighandtalkedbigofwaitin’hisowntime。Ihappenedtoknowhecouldn’tdoit。\"
Heputhishandsonhiskneesandstaredatthefire，andthenwenton：——
\"Yeseethismanhadhadcrossesandfamilytrials。Hehadawifethatlefthimtojinealotofballydancersandpaintedwomeninthe’Friscoplayhouseswhenhewaslivin’inthesoutherncountry。
You’llsaythatwaslikeMYowncase，——andmebbethatwaswhyitcametohimtotellmeaboutit，——butthedifferencebetwixtHIM
andMEwasthatinsteadofrestin’untotheLordandfindin’Him，andpluckin’outtheeyethatoffendedhim’cordin’toScripter，asIdid，HEfollowedafterHERtryin’togetherback，until，findin’
thatwasn’tnouse，hetookabigdisgustandcameupheretohidehisself，wheretherewasn’tnoplayhousenorplay-actors，andnowimmenbutInjinsquaws。Hepre-emptedtheland，andnat’rally，therebein’nooneezcaredtolivetherebuthimself，hehaditallhisownway，madeitpay，and，asIwassayin’before，heldhisheadhighforprices。Well——youain’tgettin’tired，ma’am？\"
\"No，\"saidthelady，restinghercheekonherhandandgazingonthefire，\"it’sallveryinteresting；andsooddthatyoutwomen，withnearlythesameexperiences，shouldbeneighbors。\"
\"Saybuyerandseller，ma’am，notneighbors——atleastScriptoorily——
norfriends。Well，——nowthisiswheretheSpeshalProvidencecomesin，——onlythisafternoonJimBriggs，hearin’mespeakofHorseley’soffishness\"——
\"WHOSEoffishness？\"askedthelady。
\"Horseley’soffishness，——Horseley’sthenameofthemanI’mtalkin’
about。Well，hearin’that，hesays：\"Youholdon，Hays，andhe’llclimbdown。Thatwifeofhishasleftthestage——gotsickofit——
andisdriftin’roundin’Friscowithsomefellow。WhenHorseleygetstohearthat，youcan’tkeephimhere，——he’llsettleup，sellout，andrealizeoneverythinghe’sgottogoafterheragin，——youbet。That’swhatBriggssaid。Well，that’swhatsentmeuptoHorseley’sto-night——togetthere，dropthenews，andthenpinhimdowntothatcontract。\"
\"Itlookedlikeagoodstrokeofbusinessandafairone，\"saidtheladyinanoddvoice。ItwassooddthatHayslookedup。Butshehadsomewhatalteredherposition，andwasgazingattheceiling，andwithherhandtoherfaceseemedtohavejustrecoveredfromaslightyawn，atwhichhehesitatedwithanewandtimidsenseofpoliteness。
\"You’regettin’tired，ma’am？\"
\"Ohdear，no！\"shesaidinthesamevoice，butclearingherthroatwithalittlecough。\"Andwhydidn’tyouseethisMr。Horseleyafterall？Oh，Iforgot！——yousaidyouchangedyourmindfromsomethingyou’dheard。\"
Hehadturnedhiseyestothefireagain，butwithoutnoticingashedidsothatsheslowlymovedherface，stillhalfhiddenbyherhand，towardshimandwaswatchinghimintently。
\"No，\"hesaid，slowly，\"nothin’Iheard，somethin’Ifelt。Itmouthevbeenthatthatsetmeoffthetrack。Itkemtomeallofasuddenthathemightbesittin’tharcalmandpeacefullikeezI
mightbehere，hevin’forgotallaboutherandhistrouble，andherewasmegoin’todropdownuponhimandstartitallfreshagin。Itlookedalittlelikepersecution——yes，likepersecution。
Igotridofit，sayin’tomyselfitwasbusiness。ButI’dgotofftheroadmeantime，andhadtofinditagain，andwheneverIgotbacktothetrackandwaspointedforhishouse，itallseemedtocomebackonmeandsetmeoffagin。Whenthathadhappenedthreetimes，Iturnedroundandstartedforhome。\"
\"Anddoyoumeantosay，\"saidthelady，withadiscordantlaugh，\"thatyoubelieve，becauseYOUdidn’tgothereandbreakthenews，thatnobodyelsewill？Thathewon’thearofitfromthefirstmanhemeets？\"
\"Hedon’tmeetanyoneupwherehelives，andonlyBriggsandmyselfknowit，andI’llseethatBriggsdon’ttell。Butitwasmightyqueerthiswholethingcomin’uponmesuddenly，——wasn’tit？\"
\"Veryqueer，\"repliedthelady；\"for\"——withthesamemetalliclaugh——\"youdon’tseemtobegiventothiskindofweaknesswithyourownfamily。\"
Iftherewasanydoubtastothesarcasticsuggestionofhervoice，therecertainlycouldbenoneinthewickedglitterofhereyesfixeduponhisfaceunderhershadinghand。Buthaplyheseemedunconsciousofboth，andevenacceptedherstatementwithoutanulteriorsignificance。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，communingly，totheglaringembersofthehearth，\"itmusthavebeenaspecialrevelation。\"
Therewassomethingsofatuousandone-idea’dinhisattitudeandexpression，somonstrouslyinconsistentandinadequatetowhatwasgoingonaroundhim，andsohopelesslystupid——ifameresimulation——thattheangrysuspicionthathewasactingapartslowlyfadedfromhereyes，andahystericalsmilebegantotwitchhersetlips。Shestillgazedathim。Thewindhowleddrearilyinthechimney；allthatwaseconomic，grim，andcheerlessintheroomseemedtogatherasflittingshadowsaroundthatcentralfigure。
Suddenlyshearosewithsuchaquickrustlingofherskirtsthatheliftedhiseyeswithastart；forshewasstandingimmediatelybeforehim，herhandsbehindher，herhandsome，audaciousfacebentsmilinglyforward，andherbold，brillianteyeswithinafootofhisown。
\"Now，Mr。Hays，doyouwanttoknowwhatthiswarningorspecialrevelationofyoursREALLYmeant？Well，ithadnothingwhatevertodowiththatmanonthesummit。No。Thewholeinterest，gist，andmeaningofitwassimplythis，thatyoushouldturnroundandcomestraightbackhereand\"——shedrewbackandmadehimanexaggeratedtheatricalcurtsey——\"havethesupremepleasureofmakingMY
acquaintance！Thatwasall。Andnow，asyou’veHADIT，infiveminutesImustbeoff。You’veofferedmealreadyyourhorseandsleightogotothesummit。Iacceptitandgo！Good-by！\"
Heknewnothingofawoman’scoquettishhumor；heknewstilllessofthatmimicstagefromwhichherpresentvoice，gesture，andexpressionwereborrowed；hehadnoknowledgeoftheburlesqueemotionswhichthatvoice，gesture，andexpressionweresupposedtoportray，andfinallyandfatallyhewasunabletodetectthefemininehystericjaranddiscordthatunderlayitall。Hethoughtitwasstrong，characteristic，andreal，andaccepteditliterally。
Herose。
\"Efyouallowyoucan’tstay，whyI’llgoandgetthehorse。I
reckonheain’tbinputupyet。\"
\"Do，please。\"
Hegrimlyresumedhiscoatandhatanddisappearedthroughthepassageintothekitchen，whence，amomentlater，Zuleikacameflying。
\"Well，whathashappened？\"shesaideagerly。
\"It’sallright，\"saidthewomanquickly，\"thoughheknowsnothingyet。ButI’vegotthingsfixedgenerally，sothathe’llbequitereadytohaveitbrokentohimbythistimeto-morrow。Butdon’tyousayanythingtillI’veseenJackandyouhearfromHIM。
Remember。\"
Shespokerapidly；hercheekswerequiteglowingfromsomesuddenenergy；sowereZuleika’swiththeexcitementofcuriosity。
Presentlythesoundofsleigh-bellsagainfilledtheroom。ItwasHaysleadingthehorseandsleightothedoor，beneathaskynowstarlitandcrispunderanortheastwind。ThefairstrangercastasignificantglanceatZuleika，andwhisperedhurriedly，\"Youknowhemustnotcomewithme。Youmustkeephimhere。\"
Sherantothedoormuffledandhooded，leapedintothesleigh，andgatheredupthereins。
\"Butyoucannotgoalone，\"saidHays，withawkwardcourtesy。\"I
waskalkilatin’\"——
\"You’retootiredtogooutagain，dad，\"brokeinZuleika’svoicequickly。\"Youain’tfit；you’reallgrayandkrinklynow，likeaswhenyouhadoneofyourlastspells。She’llsendthesleighbackto-morrow。\"
\"Icanfindmyway，\"saidtheladybriskly；\"there’sonlyoneturnoff，Ibelieve，andthat\"——
\"Leadstothestagestationthreemileswest。Youneedn’tbeafraidofgettin’offonthat，foryou’lllikelyseethedownstagecrossin’yourroadezsoonezyougetclearoftheranch。\"
\"Good-night，\"saidthelady。Anarcofwhitespraysprangbeforetheforwardrunner，andthesleighvanishedintheroad。
Fatheranddaughterreturnedtotheoffice。
\"Youdidn’tgettoknowher，dad，didye？\"queriedZuleika。
\"No，\"respondedHaysgravely，\"excepttoseeshewasn’tnobackwoodsormountaineeringsort。Now，there’sthekindofwoman，Zuly，asknowsherownmindandyourstoo；thatamanlikeyourbrotherJackoughterpickoutwhenhemarries。\"
Zuleika’sfacebeamedbehindherfather。\"Youain’tgoin’tositupanylonger，dad？\"shesaid，asshenoticedhimresumehisseatbythefire。\"It’sgettin’late，andyoulookmightytuckeredoutwithyournight’swork。\"
\"Doyouknowwhatshesaid，Zuly？\"returnedherfather，afterapause，whichturnedouttohavebeenalong，silentlaugh。
\"No。\"
\"Shesaid，\"herepeatedslowly，\"thatshereckonedIcamebackhereto-nighttohavethepleasureofheracquaintance！\"Hebroughthistwohandsheavilydownuponhisknees，rubbingthemdowndeliberatelytowardshisankles，andleaningforwardwithhisfacetothefireandalong-sustainedsmileofcompletethoughtardyappreciation。
HewasstillinthisattitudewhenZuleikalefthim。Thewindcroonedoverhimconfidentially，buthestillsatthere，givenupapparentlytosomeposthumousenjoymentofhisvisitor’sdepartingwitticism。
ItwasscarcelydaylightwhenZuleika，whiledressing，heardaquicktappinguponhershutter。Sheopenedittothescaredandbewilderedfaceofherbrother。
\"Whathappenedwithherandfatherlastnight？\"hesaidhoarsely。
\"Nothing——why？\"
\"Readthat。Itwasbroughttomehalfanhouragobyamanindad’ssleigh，fromthestagestation。\"
Hehandedheracrumplednotewithtremblingfingers。Shetookitandread：——
\"Thegame’supandI’moutofit！Takemyadviceandclearoutofittoo，untilyoucancomebackinbettershape。Don’tbesuchafoolastotryandfollowme。Yourfatherisn’tone，andthat’swhereyou’veslippedup。\"
\"Heshallpayforit，whateverhe’sdone，\"saidherbrotherwithanaccessofwildpassion。\"Whereishe？\"
\"Why，Jack，youwouldn’tdaretoseehimnow？\"
\"Wouldn’tI？\"Heturnedandran，convulsedwithpassion，beforethewindowstowardsthefrontofthehouse。Zuleikaslippedoutofherbedroomandrantoherfather’sroom。Hewasnotthere。
Alreadyshecouldhearherbrotherhammeringfranticallyagainstthelockedfrontdoor。
Thedooroftheofficewaspartlyopen。Herfatherwasstillthere。Asleep？Yes，forhehadapparentlysunkforwardbeforethecoldhearth。Butthehandsthathehadalwaysbeentryingtowarmwerecolderthanthehearthorashes，andhehimselfneveragainspokenorstirred……
Itwasdeemedprovidentialbytheneighborsthathisyoungestandfavoriteson，alarmedbynewsofhisfather’sfailinghealth，hadarrivedfromtheAtlanticStatesjustatthelastmoment。ButitwasthoughtsingularthatafterthedivisionofthepropertyheentirelyabandonedtheRanch，andthatevenpendingthedivisionhisbeautifulbutfastidiousEasternbridedeclinedtovisititwithherhusband。
JOHNSON’S\"OLDWOMAN。\"
Itwasgrowingdark，andtheSonoratrailwasbecomingmoreindistinctbeforemeateverystep。Thedifficultyhadincreasedoverthegrassyslope，wheretheoverflowfromsomesmallerwatercourseabovehadwornanumberofdiverginggulliessolikethetrailastobeundistinguishablefromit。Unabletodeterminewhichwastherightone，Ithrewthereinsoverthemule’sneckandresolvedtotrusttothatsuperioranimal’ssagacity，ofwhichI
hadheardsomuch。ButIhadnottakenintoaccounttheequallywell-knownweaknessesofsexandspecies，andChuChuhadalreadyshownuncontrollablesignsofwantingherownway。Withoutamoment’shesitation，feelingtherelaxedbridle，shelaydownandrolledover。
Inthisperplexitythesoundofhorse’shoofsringingoutoftherockycanyonbeyondwasarelief，evenifmomentarilyembarrassing。
Aninstantafterwardsahorseandriderappearedcanteringroundthehillonwhatwasevidentlythelosttrail，andpulledupasI
succeededinforcingChuChutoherlegsagain。
\"IsthatthetrailfromSonora？\"Iasked。
\"Yes；\"butwithacriticalglanceatthemule，\"Ireckonyouain’tgoingthartonight。\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"It’samatterofeighteenmiles，andmostofitablindtrailthroughthewoodsafteryoutakethevalley。\"
\"Isitworsethanthis？\"
\"What’sthematterwiththistrail？Yeain’texpectingaracecourseorashellroadoverthefoothills——areye？\"
\"No。IsthereanyhotelwhereIcanstop？\"
\"Nary。\"
\"Noranyhouse？\"
\"No。\"
\"Thankyou。Good-night。\"
Hehadalreadypassedon，whenhehaltedagainandturnedinhissaddle。\"Lookyer。Justaspelloveryoncanyonye’llfindapatcho’buckeyes；turntotherightandye’llseeatrail。
That’lltakeyetoashanty。Youaskifit’sJohnson’s。\"
\"Who’sJohnson？\"
\"Iam。Youain’tlookin’forVanderbiltorGodAlmightyuphere，areyou？Well，then，youharktome，willyou？Yousaytomyoldwomantogiveyousupperandashakedownsomewharto-night。SayI
sentyou。Solong。\"
HewasgonebeforeIcouldacceptordecline。AnextraordinarynoiseproceededfromChuChu，notunlikeasuppressedchuckle。I
lookedsharplyather；shecoughedaffectedly，and，withherheadandneckstretchedtotheirgreatestlength，appearedtocontemplateherneatlittleoffforeshoewithadmiringabstraction。ButassoonasIhadmountedshesetoffabruptly，crossedtherockycanyon，apparentlysightedthepatchofbuckeyesofherownvolition，andwithouttheslightesthesitationfoundthetrailtotheright，andinhalfanhourstoodbeforetheshanty。
Itwasalogcabinwithanadditional\"lean-to\"ofthesamematerial，roofedwithbark，andontheothersidealargerandmoreambitious\"extension\"builtofrough，unplaned，andunpaintedredwoodboards，lightlyshingled。The\"lean-to\"wasevidentlyusedasakitchen，andthecentralcabinasaliving-room。ThebarkingofadogasIapproachedcalledfourchildrenofdifferentsizestotheopendoor，wherealreadyanenterprisingbabywasfeeblyessayingtocrawloverabarofwoodlaidacrossthethresholdtorestrainit。
\"IsthisJohnson’shouse？\"
Myremarkwasreallyaddressedtotheeldest，aboyofapparentlynineorten，butIfeltthatmyattentionwasundulyfascinatedbythebaby，whoatthatmomenthadtoppledoverthebar，andwascalmlyeyeingmeupsidedown，whilesilentlyandheroicallysuffocatinginitspetticoats。Theboydisappearedwithoutreplying，butpresentlyreturnedwithatallergirloffourteenorfifteen。Iwasstruckwiththewaythat，asshereachedthedoor，shepassedherhandsrapidlyovertheheadsoftheothersasifcountingthem，pickedupthebaby，reversedit，shookoutitsclothes，andreturnedittotheinside，withoutevenlookingatit。
Theactwasevidentlyautomaticandhabitual。
Irepeatedmyquestiontimidly。
Yes，itWASJohnson’s，buthehadjustgonetoKing’sMills。I
replied，hurriedly，thatIknewit，——thatIhadmethimbeyondthecanyon。AsIhadlostmywayandcouldn’tgettoSonorato-night，hehadbeengoodenoughtosaythatImightstaythereuntilmorning。MyvoicewasslightlyraisedforthebenefitofMr。
Johnson’s\"oldwoman，\"who，Ihadnodoubt，wasinspectingmefurtivelyfromsomecorner。
Thegirldrewthechildrenaway，excepttheboy。Tohimshesaidsimply，\"Showthestrangerwhartostakeouthismule，’Dolphus，\"
anddisappearedinthe\"extension\"withoutanotherword。I
followedmylittleguide，whowasperhapsmoreactivelycurious，butequallyunresponsive。Tomyvariousquestionshesimplyreturnedasmileofexasperatingvacuity。Buthenevertookhiseagereyesfromme，andIwassatisfiedthatnotadetailofmyappearanceescapedhim。Leadingthewaybehindthehousetoalittlewood，whoseonly\"clearing\"hadbeeneffectedbydecayorstorm，hestoodsilentlyapartwhileIpicketedChuChu，neitherofferingtoassistmenoropposinganyinterruptiontomysurveyofthelocality。Therewasnotraceofhumancultivationinthesurroundingsofthecabin；thewildernessstilltrodsharplyontheheelsofthepioneer’sfreshfootprints，andevenseemedtoobliteratethem。Forafewyardsaroundtheactualdwellingtherewasanunsavoryfringeofcivilizationintheshapeofcast-offclothes，emptybottles，andtincans，andtheadjacentthornandelderbushesblossomedunwholesomelywithbitsoftornwhitepaperandbleachingdish-cloths。Thishideouscircleneverwidened；
Naturealwaysappearedtorollbacktheintrudingdebris；nobirdnorbeastcarrieditaway；noanimaleverforcedtheuncleanlybarrier；civilizationremainedgrimlytrenchedinitsownexuvia。
Theoldterrifyinggirdleoffirearoundthehunter’scampwasnotmoredeterringtocuriousnightprowlersthanthiscoarseandaccidentaloutwork。
WhenIregainedthecabinIfounditempty，thedoorsofthelean-
toandextensionclosed，buttherewasastoolsetbeforearudetable，uponwhichsmokedatincupofcoffee，atindishofhotsaleratusbiscuit，andaplateoffriedbeef。Therewassomethingoddanddepressinginthissilentexclusionofmypresence。HadJohnson’s\"oldwoman\"fromsomedarkpostofobservationtakenadisliketomyappearance，orwasthischurlishwithdrawalapeculiarityofSierranhospitality？OrwasMrs。Johnsonyoungandpretty，andhiddenundertherestrictingbanofJohnson’sjealousy，orwassheadeformedcripple，orevenabedriddencrone？Fromtheextensionattimescameamurmurofvoices，butnevertheaccentsofadultwomanhood。Thegatheringdarkness，relievedonlybyadullglowfromthesmoulderinglogsintheadobechimney，addedtomyloneliness。InthecircumstancesIknewIoughttohaveputasidetherepastandgivenmyselfuptogloomyandpessimisticreflection；butNatureisofteninconsistent，andinthatkeenmountainair，Igrievetosay，myphysicalandmoralconditionwasnotinthatperfectaccordalwaysindicatedbyromancers。IhadanappetiteandIgratifiedit；dyspepsiaandethicalreflectionsmightcomelater。Iatethesaleratusbiscuitcheerfully，andwasmeditativelyfinishingmycoffeewhenagurglingsoundfromtheraftersaboveattractedmyattention。Ilookedup；undertheoverhangofthebarkroofthreepairsofroundeyeswerefixeduponme。TheybelongedtothechildrenIhadpreviouslyseen，who，intheattitudeofRaphael’scherubs，hadevidentlybeendeeplyinterestedspectatorsofmyrepast。Asoureyesmetaninarticulategiggleescapedthelipsoftheyoungest。
Inevercouldunderstandwhytheshyamusementofchildrenovertheireldersisnotacceptedasphilosophicallybyitsobjectaswhenitproceedsfromanequal。WefondlybelievethatwhenJonesorBrownlaughsatusitisfrommalice，ignorance，oradesiretoshowhissuperiority，butthereisalwaysahauntingsuspicioninourmindsthattheselittlecriticsREALLYseesomethinginustolaughat。I，however，smiledaffablyinreturn，ignoringanypossiblegrotesquenessinmymannerofeatinginprivate。
\"Comehere，Johnny，\"Isaidblandly。
Thetwoelderones，agirlandaboy，disappearedinstantly，asifthecrowningjokeofthisremarkwastoomuchforthem。FromascrapingandkickingagainstthelogwallIjudgedthattheyhadquicklydroppedtothegroundoutside。Theyoungerone，thegiggler，remainedfascinated，butreadytoflyatamoment’swarning。
\"Comehere，Johnny，boy，\"Irepeatedgently。\"Iwantyoutogotoyourmother，please，andtellher\"——
Butherethechild，whohadbeenworkingitsfaceconvulsively，suddenlyutteredalugubrioushowlanddisappearedalso。Irantothefrontdoorandlookedoutintimetoseethetallestgirl，whohadreceivedme，walkingawaywithitunderherarm，pushingtheboyaheadofherandlookingbackoverhershoulder，notunlikeayouthfulshe-bearconductinghercubsfromdanger。Shedisappearedattheendoftheextension，wheretherewasevidentlyanotherdoor。
Itwasveryextraordinary。ItwasnotstrangethatIturnedbacktothecabinwithachagrinandmortificationwhichforamomentmademeentertainthewildideaofsaddlingChuChu，andshakingthedustofthattaciturnhousefrommyfeet。Buttheridiculousnessofsuchanact，tosaynothingofitsingratitude，asquicklypresenteditselftome。Johnsonhadofferedmeonlyfoodandshelter；IcouldhaveclaimednomorefromtheinnIhadaskedhimtodirectmeto。Ididnotre-enterthehouse，but，lightingmylastcigar，begantowalkgloomilyupanddownthetrail。Withtheoutcomingofthestarsithadgrownlighter；throughawindopeninginthetreesIcouldseetheheavybulkoftheoppositemountain，andbeyonditasuperiorcrestdefinedbyaredlineofforestfire，which，however，castnoreflectiononthesurroundingearthorsky。
Faintwoodlandcurrentsofair，stillwarmfromtheafternoonsun，stirredtheleavesaroundmewithlong-drawnaromaticbreaths。ButtheseintimegavewaytothesteadySierrannightwindsweepingdownfromthehighersummits，androckingthetopsofthetallestpines，yetleavingthetranquillityofthedarkloweraislesunshaken。Itwasveryquiet；therewasnocrynorcallofbeastorbirdinthedarkness；thelongrustleofthetree-topssoundedasfaintasthefar-offwashofdistantseas。Nordidtheresemblanceceasethere；theclose-setfilesofthepinesandcedars，stretchinginillimitablerankstothehorizon，werefilledwiththeimmeasurablelonelinessofanoceanshore。InthisvastsilenceI
begantothinkIunderstoodthetaciturnityofthedwellersinthesolitarycabin。
WhenIreturned，however，Iwassurprisedtofindthetallestgirlstandingbythedoor。AsIapproachedsheretreatedbeforeme，andpointingtothecornerwhereacommoncotbedhadbeenevidentlyjustputup，said，\"Yecanturninthar，onlyye’llhavetorouseoutearlywhen’Dolphusdoesthechores，\"andwasturningtowardstheextensionagain，whenIstoppedheralmostappealingly。
\"Onemoment，please。CanIseeyourmother？\"
Shestoppedandlookedatmewithasingularexpression。Thenshesaidsharply：——
\"Youknow，fustrate，she’sdead。\"
Shewasturningawayagain，butIthinkshemusthaveseenmyconcerninmyface，forshehesitated。\"But，\"Isaidquickly，\"I
certainlyunderstoodyourfather，thatis，Mr。Johnson，\"Iadded，interrogatively，\"tosaythat——thatIwastospeakto\"——Ididn’tliketorepeattheexactphrase——\"hisWIFE。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhathewasplayin’yefor，\"shesaidshortly。\"Marhasbeendeadmor’nayear。\"
\"But，\"Ipersisted，\"istherenogrown-upwomanhere？\"
\"No。\"
\"Thenwhotakescareofyouandthechildren？\"
\"Ido。\"
\"Yourselfandyourfather——eh？\"
\"Dadain’theretwodaysrunning，andthenon’ytosleep。\"
\"Andyoutaketheentirechargeofthehouse？\"
\"Yes，andthelogtallies。\"
\"Thelogtallies？\"
\"Yes；keepcountandmeasurethelogsthatgobytheslide。\"
ItflasheduponmethatIhadpassedtheslideordeclivityonthehillside，wherelogswereslippeddownintothevalley，andI
inferredthatJohnson’sbusinesswascuttingtimberforthemill。
\"Butyou’reratheryoungforallthiswork，\"Isuggested。
\"I’mgoin’onsixteen，\"shesaidgravely。
Indeed，forthematterofthat，shemighthavebeenanyage。Herface，onwhichsunburntooktheplaceofcomplexion，wasalreadyhardandset。ButonanearerviewIwasstruckwiththefactthathereyes，whichwerenotlarge，werealmostindistinguishablefromthepresenceofthemostsingulareyelashesIhadeverseen。
Intenselyblack，intenselythick，andeventangledintheirprofusion，theybristledratherthanfringedhereyelids，obliteratingeverythingbuttheshiningblackpupilsbeneath，whichwerelikecertainlustroushairymountainberries。Itwasthiswoodlandsuggestionthatseemedtouncannilyconnectherwiththelocality。Iwentonplayfully：——
\"That’snotVERYold——buttellme——doesyourfather，orDIDyourfather，everspeakofyouashis’oldwoman？’\"
Shenodded。\"ThenyouthoughtIwasmar？\"shesaid，smiling。
Itwassucharelieftoseeherwornfacerelaxitsexpressionofpatheticgravity——althoughthisoperationquiteburiedhereyesintheirblackthickesthedgeagain——thatIcontinuedcheerfully：\"Itwasn’tmuchofamistake，consideringallyoudoforthehouseandfamily。\"
\"Thenyoudidn’ttellBilly’togoandbedeadinthegroundwithmar，’ashe’lowsyoudid？\"shesaidhalfsuspiciously，yettremblingontheedgeofasmile。
No，Ihadnot，butIadmittedthatmyaskinghimtogotohismothermighthavebeenopentothisdismalconstructionbyasensitiveinfantmind。Sheseemedmollified，andagainturnedtogo。
\"Good-night，Miss——youknowyourfatherdidn’ttellmeyourrealname，\"Isaid。
\"Karline！\"
\"Good-night，MissKarline。\"
Iheldoutmyhand。
Shelookedatitandthenatmethroughherintricateeyelashes。
Thenshestruckitasidebriskly，butnotunkindly，said\"Quitfoolin’，now，\"asshemighthavesaidtooneofthechildren，anddisappearedthroughtheinnerdoor。Notknowingwhethertobeamusedorindignant，Iremainedsilentamoment。ThenItookaturnoutsideintheincreasingdarkness，listenedtothenowhurryingwindoverthetree-tops，re-enteredthecabin，closedthedoor，andwenttobed。
Butnottosleep。Perhapstheresponsibilitytowardsthesesolitarychildren，whichJohnsonhadsolightlyshakenoff，devolveduponmeasIlaythere，forIfoundmyselfimaginingadozenemergenciesoftheirunprotectedstate，withwhichtheeldergirlcouldscarcelygrapple。Therewaslittletofearfromdepredatorymanorbeast——desperadoesofthemountaintrailneverstoopedtoignobleburglary，bearorpantherseldomapproachedacabin——buttherewasthechanceofsuddenillness，fire，theaccidentsthatbesetchildhood，tosaynothingofthenarrowingmoralandmentaleffectoftheirisolationatthattenderage。ItwasscandalousinJohnsontoleavethemalone。
InthesilenceIfoundIcouldhearquitedistinctlythesoundoftheirvoicesintheextension，anditwasevidentthatCarolinewasputtingthemtobed。Suddenlyavoicewasuplifted——herown！Shebegantosingandtheotherstojoinher。Itwastherepetitionofasingleverseofawell-knownlugubriousnegromelody。\"Alltheworldamsadanddreary，\"wailedCaroline，inahighhead-note，\"everywhereIroam。\"\"Oh，darkieth，\"lispedtheyoungergirlinresponse，\"howmyheartgrowthweary，farfromtheoldfolkthath-o-o-me。\"Thiswasrepeatedtwoorthreetimesbeforetheothersseemedtogetthefullswingofit，andthenthelinesroseandfellsadlyandmonotonouslyinthedarkness。Idon’tknowwhy，butIatoncegottheimpressionthatthosemotherlesslittlecreatureswereunderavaguebeliefthattheirperformancewasdevotional，andwasreallyfillingtheplaceofaneveninghymn。Abriefandindistinctkindofrecitation，followedbyadeadsilence，brokenonlybytheslowcreakingofnewtimber，asifthehousewerestretchingitselftosleeptoo，confirmedmyimpression。Thenallbecamequietagain。
ButIwasmorewideawakethanbefore。FinallyIrose，dressedmyself，anddraggingmystooltothefire，tookabookfrommyknapsack，andbythelightofagutteringcandle，whichI
discoveredinabottleinthecornerofthehearth，begantoread。
PresentlyIfellintoadoze。HowlongIsleptIcouldnottell，foritseemedtomethatadreamyconsciousnessofadogbarkingatlastforceditselfuponmesostronglythatIawoke。ThebarkingappearedtocomefrombehindthecabininthedirectionoftheclearingwhereIhadtetheredChuChu。Iopenedthedoorhurriedly，ranroundthecabintowardsthehollow，andwasalmostatoncemetbythebulkofthefrightenedChuChu，plungingoutofthedarknesstowardsme，keptonlyincheckbyherreatainthehandofablanketedshapeslowlyadvancingwithagunoveritsshoulderoutofthehollow。BeforeIhadtimetorecoverfrommyastonishmentIwasthrownintogreaterconfusionbyrecognizingtheshapeasnoneotherthanCaroline！
Withouttheleastembarrassmentorevenself-consciousnessofherappearance，shetossedtheendofthereatatomewiththecurtestexplanationasshepassedby。Someprowlingbearorcatamounthadfrightenedthemule。Ihadbettertetheritbeforethecabinawayfromthewind。
\"ButIthoughtwildbeastsnevercamesonear，\"Isaidquickly。
\"Mulemeat’smightytemptin’，\"saidthegirlsententiouslyandpassedon。Iwantedtothankher；IwantedtosayhowsorryIwasthatshehadbeendisturbed；Iwantedtocomplimentheronherquietmidnightcourage，andyetwarnheragainstrecklessness；I
wantedtoknowwhethershehadbeenaccustomedtosuchalarms；andifthegunshecarriedwasreallyanecessity。ButIcouldonlyrespectherreticence，andIwasturningawaywhenIwasstruckbyamoreinexplicablespectacle。AsshenearedtheendoftheextensionIdistinctlysawthetallfigureofaman，movingwithacertaindiffidenceandhesitationthatdidnot，however，suggestanyintentionofconcealment，amongthetrees；thegirlapparentlysawhimatthesamemomentandslightlyslackenedherpace。Notmorethanadozenfeetseparatedthem。Hesaidsomethingthatwasinaudibletomyears，——butwhetherfromhishesitationorthedistanceIcouldnotdetermine。Therewasnosuchuncertaintyinherreply，however，whichwasgiveninherusualcurtfashion：\"Allright。Youcantrapsealonghomenowandturnin。\"
Sheturnedthecorneroftheextensionanddisappeared。Thetallfigureofthemanwaveredhesitatinglyforamoment，andthenvanishedalso。ButIwastoomuchexcitedbycuriositytoacceptthisunsatisfactoryconclusion，and，hastilypicketingChuChuafewrodsfromthefrontdoor，Iranafterhim，withaninstinctivefeelingthathehadnotgonefar。Iwasright。Afewpacesdistanthehadhaltedinthesamedubious，lingeringway。\"Hallo！\"
Isaid。
Heturnedtowardsmeinthelikeawkwardfashion，butwithneitherastonishmentnorconcern。
\"Comeupandtakeadrinkwithmebeforeyougo，\"Isaid，\"ifyou’renotinahurry。I’malonehere，andsinceIHAVEturnedoutIdon’tseewhywemightn’thaveasmokeandatalktogether。\"
\"Idursn’t。\"
Ilookedupatthesixfeetofstrengthbeforemeandrepeatedwonderingly，\"Darenot？\"
\"SHEwouldn’tlikeit。\"Hemadeamovementwithhisrightshouldertowardstheextension。
\"Who？\"
\"MissKarline。\"
\"Nonsense！\"Isaid。\"Sheisn’tinthecabin，——youwon’tseeHER。
Comealong。\"Hehesitated，althoughfromwhatIcoulddiscernofhisbeardedfaceitwasweaklysmiling。
\"Come。\"
Heobeyed，followingmenotunlikeChuChu，Ifancied，withthesamesenseofsuperiorsizeandstrengthandaslightwhiteningoftheeye，asifreadytoshyatanymoment。Atthedoorhe\"backed。\"Thenheenteredsideways。Inoticedthatheclearedthedoorwayatthetopandthesidesonlybyahair’sbreadth。
BythelightofthefireIcouldseethat，inspiteofhisfullfirstgrowthofbeard，hewasyoung，——evenyoungerthanmyself，——
andthathewasbynomeansbad-looking。Ashestillshowedsignsofretreatingatanymoment，Itookmyflaskandtobaccofrommysaddle-bags，handedthemtohim，pointedtothestool，andsatdownmyselfuponthebed。
\"Youlivenearhere？\"
\"Yes，\"hesaidalittleabstractedly，asiflisteningforsomeinterruption，\"atTenMileCrossing。\"
\"Why，that’stwomilesaway。\"
\"Ireckon。\"
\"Thenyoudon’tlivehere——ontheclearing？\"
\"No。Ib’longtothemillat’TenMile。’\"
\"Youwereonyourwayhome？\"
\"No，\"hehesitated，lookingathispipe；\"Ikindermeanderroundhereatthistime，whenJohnson’saway，toseeifeverything’sgoin’straight。\"
\"Isee——you’reafriendofthefamily。\"
\"’Deedno！\"Hestopped，laughed，lookedconfused，andadded，apparentlytohispipe，\"Thatis，asorterfriend。Notmuch。
SHE\"——heloweredhisvoiceasifthatpotentialpersonalityfilledthewholecabin——\"wouldn’tlikeit。\"
\"Thenatnight，whenJohnson’saway，youdosentrydutyroundthehouse？\"
\"Yes，’sentrydooty，’that’sit，\"——heseemedimpressedwiththesuggestion——\"that’sit！Sentrydooty。You’vestruckit，pardner。\"
\"AndhowoftenisJohnsonaway？\"
\"’Bouttwoorthreetimesaweekonanaverage。\"
\"ButMissCarolineappearstobeabletotakecareofherself。Shehasnofear。\"
\"Fear！Fearwasn’thangin’roundwhenSHEwasborn！\"Hepaused。
\"No，sir。Didyeeverlookintothemeyes？\"
Ihadn’t，onaccountofthelashes。ButIdidn’tcaretosaythis，andonlynodded。
\"Thereain’tthecreatedthinglivin’ordead，thatshecan’tstandstraightuptoandlookat。\"
Iwonderedifhehadfanciedsheexperiencedanydifficultyinstandingupbeforethatinnocentlygood-humoredface，butIcouldnotresistsaying：——
\"ThenIdon’tseetheuseofyourwalkingfourmilestolookafterher。\"
Iwassorryforitthenextminute，forheseemedtohaveawkwardlybrokenhispipe，andhadtobenddownforalongtimeafterwardstolaboriouslypickupthesmallestfragmentsofit。Atlasthesaid，cautiously：
\"Yenoticedthembitso’flannin’roundthechillern’sthroats？\"
IrememberedthatIhad，butwasuncertainwhetheritwasintendedasapreventiveofcoldorachild’sideaofdecoration。Inodded。
\"That’stheirtrouble。Onenight，whenoldJohnsonhadbeenoffforthreedaystoCoulterville，IwasprowlingroundhereandI
didn’tgittoseenoone，thoughtherewasalightburnin’intheshantyallnight。ThenextnightIwashereagain，——thesamelighttwinklin’，butnooneabout。Ireckonedthatwasmightyqueer，andIjesscrep’uptothehousean’listened。Iheardsuthin’likealittlecoughoncetinawhile，andattimessuthin’likealittlemoan。Ididn’tdursttosingoutforIknewSHEwouldn’tlikeit，butwhistledkeerlesslike，toletthechillernknowIwasthere。
Butitdidn’tseemtotake。Iwasjessgoin’off，when——darnmyskin！——ifIdidn’tcomeacrossthebucketofwaterI’dfetchedupfromthespringTHATMORNIN’，standin’therefull，andNEVERTAKEN
IN！WhenIsawthatIreckonedI’djesswadein，anyhow，andI
knocked。Pootysoonthedoorwashalfopened，andIsawhereyesblazin’atmelikethemcoals。ThenSHE’lowedI’dbetter’gitupandgit，’andshetthedoorto！ThenI’lowedshemighttellmewhatwasup——throughthedoor。Thenshesaid，throughthedoor，ashowthechillernlayallsickwiththathoss-distemper，diphthery。
Thenshe’lowedshe’duseadoctorefI’dfetchhim。Thenshe’lowedagainI’dbettertakethebabythathadn’tketchedityetalongwithme，andleaveitwhereitwassafe。Thenshepassedoutthebabythroughthedoorallwrappedupinablankitlikeapapoose，andyoubetImadetrackswithit。Iknowedtharwasn’tnogoodgoingtothemill，soIletoutforWhite’s，fourmilesbeyond，whartherewasWhite’soldmother。Itoldherhowthingswerepointin’，andshelentmeahoss，andIjessroundedonDoctorGreenatMountainJim’s，andhadhimbackhereaforesun-up！AndthenIheardshewilted，——regularlyplayedout，yousee，——forshehaditallalongwussthanthelot，andneverletonorwhimpered！\"
\"Itwaswellyoupersistedinseeingherthatnight，\"Isaid，watchingtheraptexpressionofhisface。Helookedupquickly，becameconsciousofmyscrutiny，anddroppedhiseyesagain，smiledfeebly，anddrawingacircleintheasheswiththebrokenpipe-
stem，said：——
\"ButSHEdidn’tlikeit，though。\"
Isuggested，alittlewarmly，thatifsheallowedherfathertoleaveheraloneatnightwithdelicatechildren，shehadnorighttochooseWHOshouldassistherinanemergency。Itstruckmeafterwardsthatthiswasnotverycomplimentarytohim，andIaddedhastilythatIwonderedifsheexpectedsomeyoungladytobepassingalongthetrailatmidnight！ButthisremindedmeofJohnson’sstyleofargument，andIstopped。
\"Yes，\"hesaidmeekly，\"andefshedidn’tkeerenoughforherselfandherbrothersandsisters，sheorterrememberthemBeazeleychillern。\"
\"Beazeleychildren？\"Irepeatedwonderingly。
\"Yes；themtwolittleones，thesizeofMirandy；they’reBeazeley’s。\"
\"WhoisBeazeley，andwhatarehischildrendoinghere？\"
\"Beazeleyupanddiedatthemill，andshebedevilledherfathertolethertakehistwoyoung’unshere。\"
\"Youdon’tmeantosaythatwithherotherworkshe’stakingcareofotherpeople’schildrentoo？\"
\"Yes，andeddicatin’them。\"
\"Educatingthem？\"
\"Yes；teachin’themtoreadandwriteanddosums。Oneofourloggersketchedheratitwhenshewaskeepin’tally。\"
Wewerebothsilentforsomemoments。
\"IsupposeyouknowJohnson？\"Isaidfinally。
\"Notmuch。\"
\"Butyoucallhereatothertimesthanwhenyou’rehelpingher？\"
\"Neverbeeninthehousebefore。\"
Helookedslowlyaroundhimashespoke，raisinghiseyestothebareraftersabove，anddrawingafewlongbreaths，asifhewereinhalingtheauraofsomeunseenpresence。Heappearedsoperfectlygratifiedandcontented，andIwassoimpressedwiththishumbleandsilentabsorptionofthesacredinterior，thatIfeltvaguelyconsciousthatanyinterruptionofitwasaprofanation，andIsatstill，gazingatthedyingfire。Presentlyhearose，stretchedouthishand，shookminewarmly，said，\"IreckonI’llmeanderalong，\"tookanotherlongbreath，thistimesecretly，asifconsciousofmyeyes，andthenslouchedsidewaysoutofthehouseintothedarknessagain，whereheseemedsuddenlytoattainhisfullheight，andsolooming，disappeared。Ishutthedoor，wenttobed，andsleptsoundly。
SosoundlythatwhenIawokethesunwasstreamingonmybedfromtheopendoor。Onthetablebeforememybreakfastwasalreadylaid。WhenIhaddressedandeatenit，struckbythesilence，I
wenttothedoorandlookedout。’DolphuswasholdingChuChubythereataafewpacesfromthecabin。
\"Where’sCaroline？\"Iasked。
Hepointedtothewoodsandsaid：\"Overyon：keepingtally。\"
\"Didsheleaveanymessage？\"
\"SaidIwastogityourmuleforyou。\"
\"Anythingelse？\"
\"Yes；saidyouwastogo。\"
Iwent，butnotuntilIhadscrawledafewwordsofthanksonaleafofmynotebook，whichIwrappedaboutmylastSpanishdollar，addresseditto\"MissJohnson，\"andlaidituponthetable……
Itwasmorethanayearlaterthatinthebar-roomoftheMariposaHotelahandwaslaiduponmysleeve。Ilookedup。ItwasJohnson。
HedrewfromhispocketaSpanishdollar。\"Ireckoned，\"hesaid，cheerfully，\"I’drunagainyesomewharsometime。MyoldwomantoldmetogiveyethatwhenIdid，andsaythatshe’didn’tkeepnohotel。’Butsheallowedshe’dkeeptheletter，andhasspelleditouttothechillern。\"
HerewastheopportunityIhadlongedfortotouchJohnson’sprideandaffectioninthebravebutunprotectedgirl。\"IwanttotalktoyouaboutMissJohnson，\"Isaid，eagerly。
\"Ireckonso，\"hesaid，withanexasperatingsmile。\"Mostfellersdo。Butsheain’tMissJohnsonnomore。She’smarried。\"
\"NottothatbigchapoverfromTenMileMills？\"Isaidbreathlessly。
\"What’sthematterwithHIM，\"saidJohnson。\"Yedidn’texpecthertomarryanobleman，didye？\"
IsaidIdidn’tseewhysheshouldn’t——andbelievedthatsheHAD。
THENEWASSISTANTATPINECLEARINGSCHOOL。
CHAPTERI。
TheschoolmistressofPineClearingwastakingalastlookaroundherschoolroombeforeleavingitfortheday。Shemighthavedonesowithpride，fortheschoolroomwasconsideredamarvelofarchitecturalelegancebythecitizens，andeventotheordinaryobserverwasapretty，villa-likestructure，withanopencupolaandoverhangingroofofdiamond-shapedshinglesandadeepElizabethanporch。Butitwasthemonumentofafiercestrugglebetweenanewercivilizationandabarbarismoftheolddays，whichhadresultedintheclearingawayofthepines——andafewotherthingsasincongruoustothenewlifeandfarlessinnocent，thoughnolesssincere。Ithadcostthecommunityfifteenthousanddollars，andthelivesoftwoofitscitizens。
Happilytherewasnostainofthisonthecleanwhitewalls，thebeautifully-writtengilttexts，ortheshiningblackboardthathadofferednorecordwhichcouldnotbedailywipedaway。And，certainly，thelastpersonintheworldtosuggestanyreminiscencesofitsbelligerentfoundationwasthepersonoftheschoolmistress。
Mature，thin，precise，——notprettyenoughtohaveexcitedHomericfeuds，noryetsoplainastoprecludecertainsoothinggraces，——
shewasthewidowofapoorCongregationalminister，andhadbeenexpresslyimportedfromSanFranciscotosquarelymarktheissuebetweentheregenerateandunregeneratelife。Low-voiced，gentlewomanly，withthepallorofill-healthperhapsundulyaccentedbyhermourning，whichwasstillcutmodishlyenoughtoshowoffhersparebutgoodfigure，shewassupposedtorepresentthemodelofpious，scholasticrefinement。TheOpposition——sulleninditchesandatthedoorsofsaloons，orinthefieldstruculentastheirowncattle——neverthelesshadloweredtheircrestsandbuttonedtheircoatsovertheirrevolutionaryredshirtswhenSHEwentby。