\"UntilItouchedyou。I’mafraidIgaveyouashock；myhandwasdrippingfromthespring。\"
Shecoloredsoquicklythatheknewshemusthavebeenconsciousatthetime，andhenoticednowthatthesleeveofhercloak，whichhadbeenhalftornoffherbarearm，waspinnedtogetheroverit。
Whenandhowhadshemanagedtodoitwithouthisdetectingtheact？
\"Atallevents，\"shesaidcoldly，\"I’mgladyouhavenotreceivedgreaterinjuryfrom——yourmulepack。\"
\"Ithinkwe’vebothbeenverylucky，\"hesaidsimply。
Shedidnotreply，butremainedlookingfurtivelyatthenarrowtrail。Thenshelistened。\"IthoughtIheardvoices，\"shesaid，halfrising。
\"ShallIshout？\"heasked。
\"No！Yousaythere’snouse——there’sonlythiswayoutofit！\"
\"Imightgoupfirst，andperhapsgetassistance——aropeorchair，\"
hesuggested。
\"Andleavemeherealone？\"shecried，withahorrifiedglanceattheabyss。\"No，thankyou！Ishouldbeoverthatledgebeforeyoucameback！There’sadreadfulfascinationinitevennow。No！I
thinkI’drathergo——atonce！InevershallbestrongeraslongasIstaynearit；Imaybeweaker。\"
Shegaveapetulantlittleshiver，andthen，thoughpalerandevidentlyagitated，composedhertatteredanddustyoutergarmentsinadeft，ladylikeway，andleanedbackagainstthemountainside，Hesawheralsoglanceathisloosenedshirtfrontandhangingneckerchief，andwithaheightenedcolorhequicklyre-knotteditaroundhisthroat。Theymovedfromtheledgetowardthetrail。
Suddenlyshestartedback。
\"Butit’sonlywideenoughforONE，andInever——NEVER——couldevenstandonitaminutealone！\"sheexclaimed。
Helookedathercritically。\"Wewillgotogether，sidebyside，\"
hesaidquietly，\"butyouwillhavetotaketheoutside。\"
\"Outside！\"sherepeated，recoiling。\"Impossible！Ishallfall。\"
\"Ishallkeepholdofyou，\"heexplained；\"youneednotfearthat。
Stop！I’llmakeitsafer。\"Heuntiedthelargebandannasilkhandkerchiefwhichheworearoundhisshoulders，knottedoneendofitfirmlytohisbelt，andhandedhertheother。
\"Doyouthinkyoucanholdontothat？\"
\"I——don’tknow，\"——shehesitated。\"IfIshouldfall？\"
\"Stayamoment！Isyourbeltstrong？\"Hepointedtoagirdleofyellowleatherwhichcaughthertunicaroundhersmallwaist。
\"Yes，\"shesaideagerly，\"it’srealleather。\"
Hegentlyslippedtheedgeofthehandkerchiefunderitandknottedit。Theywerethuslinkedtogetherbyafootofhandkerchief。
\"Ifeelmuchsafer，\"shesaid，withafaintsmile。
\"ButifIshouldfall，\"heremarked，lookingintohereyes，\"youwouldgotoo！Haveyouthoughtofthat？\"
\"Yes。\"Herpreviouscharmingsmilereturned。\"ItwouldbereallyJackandJillthistime。\"
Theypassedoutonthetrail。\"NowImusttakeYOURarm，\"hesaidlaughingly；\"notyouMINE。\"Hepassedhisarmunderhers，holdingitfirmly。Itwastheonehehadtouched。Forthefirstfewstepsheruncertainfeettooknoholdoftheslopingmountainside，whichseemedtoslipsidewaysbeneathher。Hewasliterallycarryingheronhisshoulder。Butinafewmomentsshesawhowcleverlyhebalancedhimself，alwaysleaningtowardthehillside，andpresentlyshewasabletohelphimbyafewsteps。Sheexpressedhersurpriseathisskill。
\"It’snothing；Icarryapailofwaterupherewithoutspillingadrop。\"
Shestiffenedslightlyunderthisremark，andindeedsofaroverdidherattempttowalkwithouthisaid，thatherfootslippedonastone，andshefelloutwardtowardtheabyss。Butinaninstanthisarmwastransferredfromherelbowtoherwaist，andinthemomentumofhisquickrecoverytheybothlandedpantingagainstthemountainside。
\"I’mafraidyou’dhavespiltthepailthattime，\"shesaid，withaslightlyheightenedcolor，asshedisengagedherselfgentlyfromhisarm。
\"No，\"heansweredboldly，\"forthepailneverwouldhavestiffeneditselfinatiff，andtriedtogoalone。\"
\"Ofcoursenot，ifitwereonlyapail，\"sheresponded。
Theymovedonagaininsilence。Thetrailwasgrowingalittlesteepertowardtheupperendandtheroadbank。Braywasoftenhimselfobligedtoseekthefriendlyaidofamanzanitaorthornbushtosupportthem。Suddenlyshestoppedandcaughthisarm。\"There！\"shesaid。\"Listen！They’recoming！\"
Braylistened；hecouldhearatintervalsafar-offshout；thenanearerone——aname——\"Eugenia。\"SothatwasHERS！
\"ShallIshoutback？\"heasked。
\"Notyet！\"sheanswered。\"Arewenearthetop？\"Asuddenglowofpleasurecameoverhim——heknewnotwhy，exceptthatshedidnotlookdelighted，excited，orevenrelieved。
\"Onlyafewyardsmore，\"hesaid，withanunaffectedhalfsigh。
\"ThenI’dbetteruntiethis，\"shesuggested，beginningtofumbleattheknotofthehandkerchiefwhichlinkedthem。
Theirheadswereclosetogether，theirfingersoftenmet；hewouldhavelikedtosaysomething，buthecouldonlyadd：\"Areyousureyouwillfeelquitesafe？Itisalittlesteeperaswenearthebank。\"
\"Youcanholdme，\"sherepliedsimply，withasuperblyunconsciousliftingofherarm，assheyieldedherwaisttohimagain，butwithoutraisinghereyes。
Hedid，——holdingherrathertightly，Ifear，astheyclambereduptheremainingslope，foritseemedtohimasalastembrace。Asheliftedhertotheroadbank，theshoutscamenearer；andglancingup，hesawtwomenandawomanrunningdownthehilltowardthem。
HeturnedtoEugenia。Inthatinstantshehadslippedthetattereddust-coatfromhershoulder，thrownitoverherarm，setherhatstraight，andwascalmlyawaitingthemwithaself-possessionandcoolnessthatseemedtoshametheirexcitement。Henoticed，too，withthequickperceptionofunimportantthingswhichcomestosomenaturesatsuchmoments，thatshehadpluckedasprigofwildmyrtlefromthemountainside，andwaswearingitonherbreast。
\"GoodnessHeavens！Genie！Whathashappened！Wherehaveyoubeen？\"
\"Eugenia！thisisperfectmadness！\"begantheeldermandidactically。\"Youhavealarmedusbeyondmeasure——keptthestagewaiting，andnowitisgone！\"
\"Genie！Lookhere，Isay！We’vebeenhuntingforyoueverywhere。
What’sup？\"saidtheyoungerman，withbrotherlybrusqueness。
Asthesequestionswereallutteredinthesamebreath，Eugeniarepliedtothemcollectively。\"ItwassohotthatIkeptalongthebankhere，whileyouwereontheotherside。Iheardthetrickleofwatersomewheredownthere，andsearchingforitmyfootslipped。
Thisgentleman\"——sheindicatedBray——\"wasonalittlesortofatrailthere，andassistedmebacktotheroadagain。\"
ThetwomenandthewomanturnedandstaredatBraywithalookofcuriositythatchangedquicklyintoahalfcontemptuousunconcern。
Theysawayoungishsortofman，withalongmustache，atwodays’
growthofbeard，anotovercleanface，thatwasfurtherstreakedwithredonthetemple，atornflannelshirt，thatshowedaverywhiteshoulderbesideasunburntthroatandneck，andsoiledwhitetrousersstuckintomuddyhighboots——infact，thepictureofabroken-downminer。Buttheirunconcernwasasspeedilychangedagainintoresentmentattheperfecteaseandequalitywithwhichheregardedthem，aregardthemoreexasperatingasitwasnotwithoutasuspicionofhisperceptionofsomesatireorhumorinthesituation。
\"Ahem！verymuchobliged，Iamsure。I——er\"——
\"Theladyhasthankedme，\"interruptedBray，withasmile。
\"Didyoufallfar？\"saidtheyoungermantoEugenia，ignoringBray。
\"Notfar，\"sheanswered，withahalfappealinglookatBray。
\"Onlyafewfeet，\"addedthelatter，withpromptmendacity，\"justalittleslipdown。\"
Thethreenew-comershereturnedaway，and，surroundingEugenia，conversedinanundertone。Quiteconsciousthathewasthesubjectofdiscussion，BraylingeredonlyinthehopeofcatchingapartingglancefromEugenia。Thewords\"YOUdoit，\"\"No，YOU！\"\"ItwouldcomebetterfromHER，\"weredistinctlyaudibletohim。Tohissurprise，however，shesuddenlybrokethroughthem，andadvancingtohim，withadangerousbrightnessinherbeautifuleyes，heldoutherslimhand。\"Myfather，Mr。Neworth，mybrother，HarryNeworth，andmyaunt，Mrs。Dobbs，\"shesaid，indicatingeachonewithagracefulinclinationofherhandsomehead，\"allthinkIoughttogiveyousomethingandsendyouaway。Ibelievethatisthewaytheyputit。Ithinkdifferently！Icometoaskyoutoletmeoncemorethankyouforyourgoodservicetometo-day——whichI
shallneverforget。\"Whenhehadreturnedherfirmhandclaspforaminute，shecoollyrejoinedthediscomfitedgroup。
\"She’snosardine，\"saidBraytohimselfemphatically，\"butI
suspectshe’llcatchitfromherfolksforthis。Ioughttohavegoneawayatonce，likeagentleman，hangit！\"
Hewasevenangrilydebatingwithhimselfwhetherheoughtnottofollowhertoprotectherfromhergesticulatingrelationsastheyalltrailedupthehillwithher，whenhereflectedthatitwouldonlymakemattersworse。Andwithitcamethedreadfulreflectionthatasyethehadnotcarriedthewatertohisexpectingandthirstycomrades。Hehadforgottenthemfortheselazy，snobbish，purse-proudSanFranciscans——forBrayhadtheminer’ssupremecontemptforthemoneyedtradingclasses。Whatwouldtheboysthinkofhim！Heflunghimselfoverthebank，andhastenedrecklesslydownthetrailtothespring。Buthereagainhelingered——theplacehadbecomesuddenlyhallowed。Howdeserteditlookedwithouther！Hegazedeagerlyaroundontheledgeforanytracethatshehadleft——abow，abitofribbon，orevenahairpinthathadfallenfromher。
Astheyoungmanslowlyfilledthepailhecaughtsightofhisownreflectioninthespring。ItcertainlywasnotthatofanAdonis！
Helaughedhonestly；hissenseofhumorhadsavedhimfrommanyanextravagance，andmitigatedmanyadisappointmentbeforethis。
Well！Shewasaplucky，handsomegirl——evenifshewasnotforhim，andhemightneverseteyesonheragain。Yetitwasahardpullupthattrailoncemore，carryinganinsensiblepailofwaterinthehandthathadoncesustainedalovelygirl！Herememberedherreplytohisbadinage，\"Ofcoursenot——ifitwereonlyapail，\"
andfoundadozenprettyinterpretationsofit。Yethewasnotinlove！No！Hewastoopoorandtoolevelheadedforthat！Andhewasunaffectedlyandmateriallytired，too，whenhereachedtheroadagain，andrested，leavingthespringanditslittleidylbehind。
BythistimethesunhadlefttheburningledgeoftheEurekaCompany，andthestageroadwasalsoinshadow，sothathisreturnthroughitsheavydustwaslessdifficult。Andwhenheatlastreachedthecamp，hefoundtohisreliefthathisprolongedabsencehadbeenoverlookedbyhisthirstycompanionsinalargerexcitementanddisappointment；foritappearedthatawell-knownSanFranciscocapitalist，whomtheforemanhadpersuadedtovisittheirclaimwithaviewtoadvanceandinvestment，hadactuallycomeoverfromRedDogforthatpurpose，andhadgotasfarasthesummitwhenhewasstoppedbyanaccident，anddelayedsolongthathewasobligedtogoontoSacramentowithoutmakinghisexamination。
\"Thatwasonlyhisexcuse——mereflap-doodle！\"interruptedthepessimisticJerrold。\"Hewasfoolin’you；he’dheardofsuthinbetter！Theideaofcallingthataffairan’accident，’oronethatwouldstopanymanwhomeantbusiness！\"
Brayhadbecomeuneasilyconscious。\"Whatwastheaccident？\"heasked。
\"Ad————dfoolwoman’saccident，\"brokeinthemisogynistParkhurst，\"andit’strue！That’swhatmakesitsocussedmean。
Forthere’sallusawomanatthebottomofsuchthings——betyourlife！Thinkof’emcomin’here。Tharoughttobealawaginit。\"
\"Butwhatwasit？\"persistedBray，becomingmoreapprehensive。
\"Why，whatdoesthatblastedfoolofacapitalistdobutbringwithhimhisdaughterandauntieto’seethewonderfulscenerywithpopadear！’asifitwasacheapSunday-schoolpanorama！Andwhatdothesechuckle-headedwomendobutgetoffthecoachandgotowanderin’about，andplayin’’herewegoroundthemulberrybush’
untiloneof’emtumblesdownaravine。Andthenthere’sagreattodo！and’dearpopa’wasupanddowntheroadyellin’’Mecheyld！
mecheyld！’Andthentherewascamphorandsalvolatileandeaudecolognetobegot，andthecoachgoesoff，and’popadear’getsleft，andthenhastohurryoffinabuggytocatchit。SoWEgetlefttoo，justbecausethatGod-forsakenfool，Neworth，bringshiswomenhere。\"
UnderthisrecitalpoorBraysatascompletelycrushedaswhenthefairdaughterofNeworthhaddescendeduponhisshouldersatthespring。Hesawitall！HISwasthefault。ItwasHISdelayanddalliancewithherthathadcheckedNeworth’svisit；worsethanthat，itwashissubsequentaudacityandherdefenseofhimthatwouldprobablypreventanyrenewalofthenegotiations。Hehadshipwreckedhispartners’prospectsinhisabsurdvanityandpride！
Hedidnotdaretoraisehiseyestotheirdejectedfaces。Hewouldhaveconfessedeverythingtothem，butthesamefeelingofdelicacyforherwhichhaddeterminedhimtokeepheradventurestohimselfnowforeversealedhislips。Howmighttheynotmisconstruehisconduct——andHERS！Perhapssomethingofthiswasvisibleinhisface。
\"Come，oldman，\"saidthecheerfulmisogynist，withperfectinnocence，\"don’ttakeitsohard。Sometimeinaman’slifeawoman’ssuretogetthedroponhim，asIsaidafore，andthisyerwoman’sgotthedroponfiveofus！But——hallo，Ned，oldman——
what’sthematterwithyourhead？\"Helaidhishandgentlyonthemattedtempleofhisyoungerpartner。
\"Ihad——aslip——onthetrail，\"hestammered。\"Hadtogobackagainforanotherpailful。That’swhatdelayedme，youknow，boys，\"headded。\"Butit’snothing！\"
\"Nothing！\"ejaculatedParkhurst，clappinghimonthebackandtwistinghimaroundbytheshoulderssothathefacedhiscompanions。\"Nothing！Lookathim，gentlemen；andhesaysit’s’nothing。’That’showaMANtakesit！HEdidn’tgoroundyellin’
andwringin’hishandsandsayin’’Mepay-l！mepay-l！’whenitspilt！Hejusthumpedhimselfandtrottedbackforanother。Andyeteverydropofwaterinthatoversetbucketmeanthardworkandhardsweat，andwasaspreciousasgold。\"
LuckilyforBray，whosemingledemotionsunderParkhurst’seloquencewerebeginningtobehysterical，theforemaninterrupted。
\"Well，boys！it’stimewegottoworkagain，andtookanotherheaveattheoldledge！ButnowthatthisjobofNeworth’sisover——I
don’tmindtellin’yesuthin。\"Astheirleaderusuallyspokebutlittle，andtothepoint，thefourmengatheredaroundhim。
\"AlthoughIengineeredthisaffair，andgotitup，somehow，IneverSAWthatNeworthstandingonthisledge！No，boys！IneversawhimHERE。\"ThelookofsuperstitionwhichBrayandtheothershadoftenseenonthisoldminer’sface，andwhichsooftenshoweditselfinhisacts，wasthere。\"AndthoughIwantedhimtocome，andallowedtohavehimcome，I’mkinderrelievedthathedidn’t，andsoletwhatsoeverluck’sintheaircometousfivealone，boys，justaswestand。\"
ThenextmorningBraywasupbeforehiscompanions，andalthoughitwasnothisturn，offeredtobringwaterfromthespring。HewasnotinlovewithEugenia——hehadnotforgottenhisremorseofthepreviousday——buthewouldliketogothereoncemorebeforeherelentlesslywipedoutherimagefromhismind。AndhehadheardthatalthoughNeworthhadgoneontoSacramento，hissonandthetwoladieshadstoppedonforadayortwoattheditchsuperintendent’shouseonthesummit，onlytwomilesaway。Shemightpassontheroad；hemightgetaglimpseofheragainandawaveofherhandbeforethisthingwasoverforever，andheshouldhavetotakeupthedailyroutineofhisworkagain。Itwasnotlove——ofTHAThewasassured——butitwasthewaytostopitbyconvincinghimselfofitsmadness。Besides，inviewofallthecircumstances，itwashisdutyasagentlemantoshowsomeconcernforherconditionaftertheaccidentandthedisagreeablecontretempswhichfollowedit。
ThusBray！Alas，noneofthesepossibilitiesoccurred。Hefoundthespringhadsimplylapsedintoitspreviousunsuggestiveobscurity，——amerenicheinthemountainsidethatheldonly——
water！Thestageroadwasdesertedsaveforanearly，curly-headedschoolboy，whomhefoundlurkingonthebank，butwhoevadedhiscompanyandconversation。Hereturnedtothecampquitecuredofhisfancy。Hislatezealasawater-carrierhadearnedhimadayortwo’sexemptionfromthatduty。Hisplacewastakenthenextafternoonbythewoman-hatingParkhurst，andhewasthelessconcernedbyitashehadheardthatthesameafternoontheladiesweretoleavethesummitforSacramento。
Butthenoccurredasingularcoincidence。Thenewwater-bringerwasasscandalouslylateinhisdeliveryofthepreciousfluidashispredecessor！Anhourpassedandhedidnotreturn。Hisunfortunatepartners，toilingawaywithpickandcrowbarontheburningledge，wereclamorousfromthirst，andBraywasbecomingabsurdlyuneasy。ItcouldnotbepossiblethatEugenia’saccidenthadbeenrepeated！Orhadshemethimwithinquiries？Butno！shewasalreadygone。Themysterywaspresentlycleared，however，bytheabruptappearanceofParkhurstrunningtowardsthem，butWITHOUTHISPAIL！Thecryofconsternationanddespairwhichgreetedthatdiscoverywas，however，quicklychangedbyasinglebreathless，halfintelligiblesentencehehadshotbeforehimfromhispantinglips。Andhewasholdingsomethinginhisoutstretchedpalmthatwasmoreeloquentthanwords。Gold！
Inaninstanttheyhadhimundertheshadeofthepine-tree，andweresquattingroundhimlikeschoolboys。Hewasprofoundlyagitated。Hisstory，farfrombeingbrief，wasincoherentandattimesseemedirrelevant，butthatwascharacteristic。Theywouldrememberthathehadalwaysheldthetheorythat，eveninquartzmining，thedepositswerealwaysfoundnearwater，pastorpresent，withsignsoffluvialerosion！Hedidn’tcallhimselfoneofyourblankedscientificminers，buthisheadwaslevel！Itwasallverywellforthemtosay\"Yes，yes！\"NOW，buttheydidn’tuseto！
Well！whenhegottothespring，henoticedthattherehadbeenakindoflandslideaboveit，ofcourse，fromwatercleavage，andtherewasadistinctmarkofitonthemountainside，whereithaduprootedandthrownoversomesmallbushes！
ExcitedasBraywas，herecognizedwithahystericalsensationthetrackmadebyEugeniainherfall，whichhehimselfhadnoticed。
ButhehadthoughtonlyofHER。
\"WhenIsawthat，\"continuedParkhurst，morerapidlyandcoherently，\"Isawthattherewasacrackabovetheholewherethewatercamethrough——asifithadbeentheoldchannelofthespring。Iwideneditalittlewithmyclaspknife，andthen——inalittlepouchorpocketofdecomposedquartz——Ifoundthat！Notonlythat，boys，\"hecontinued，rising，withashout，\"butthewholeslopeabovethespringisamassofseepageunderneath，asifyou’dplayedahydraulichoseonit，andit’sreadytotumbleandisjustrottenwithquartz！\"
Themenleapedtotheirfeet；inanothermomenttheyhadsnatchedpicks，pans，andshovels，and，theforemanleading，withacoilofropethrownoverhisshoulders，wereallflyingdownthetrailtothehighway。Theirhastewaswise。ThespringwasnotonTHEIR
claim；itwasknowntoothers；itwasdoubtfulifParkhurst’sdiscoverywithhisknifeamountedtoactualWORKonthesoil。Theymust\"takeitup\"withaformalnotice，andgettoworkatonce！
Inanhourtheywerescatteredoverthemountainside，likebeesclingingtothefragrantslopeoflaurelandmyrtleabovethespring。Anexcavationwasmadebesideit，andtheledgebroadenedbyadozenfeet。Eventhespringitselfwasutilizedtowashthehastilyfilledprospectingpans。AndwhenthePioneerCoachslowlytoileduptheroadthatafternoon，thepassengersstaredatthescarcelydry\"NoticeofLocation\"pinnedtothepinebytheroadbank，whenceEugeniahadfallentwodaysbefore！
EagerlyandanxiouslyasEdwardBrayworkedwithhiscompanions，itwaswithmoreconflictingfeelings。Therewasacertainsenseofdesecrationintheiract。Howherproudlipwouldhavecurledhadsheseenhim——hewhobutafewhoursbeforewouldhavesearchedthewholeslopeforthetreasureofaribbon，ahandkerchief，orabowfromherdress——nowdelvingandpickingthehillsideforthatfortuneheraccidenthadsomysteriouslydisclosed。Mysteriouslyhebelieved，forhehadnotfullyacceptedParkhurst’sstory。
Thatgentlemisogynisthadneverbeenanactiveprospector；aninclinationtotheorizewithoutpracticeandtocombathispartners’experiencewereallagainsthisallegedprocessofdiscovery，althoughthegoldwasactuallythere；andhisconductthatafternoonwascertainlypeculiar。Hedidbutlittleoftherealwork；butwanderedfrommantoman，withsuggestions，advice，andexhortations，andtheairofasuperiorpatron。Thismighthavebeencharacteristic，butmingledwithitwasacertainnervousanxietyandwatchfulness。Hewascontinuallyscanningthestageroadandthetrail，staringeagerlyatanywayfarerinthedistance，andattimesfallingintofitsofstrangeabstraction。
Atothertimeshewoulddrawneartooneofhisfellowpartners，asifforconfidentialdisclosure，andthencheckhimselfandwanderaimlesslyaway。Anditwasnotuntileveningcamethatthemysterywassolved。
Theprospectingpanshadbeendulywashedandexamined，theslopeaboveandbelowhadbeenfullyexploredandtested，witharesultandpromisethatoutrantheirmostsanguinehopes。Therewasnomistakingthefactthattheyhadmadea\"big\"strike。Thatsingulargravityandreticence，sooftenobservedinminersatthesecrises，hadcomeoverthemastheysatthatnightforthelasttimearoundtheiroldcamp-fireontheEurekaledge，whenParkhurstturnedimpulsivelytoBray。\"Rolloverhere，\"hesaidinawhisper。\"Iwanttotellyesuthin！\"
Bray\"rolled\"beyondthesquattingcircle，andthetwomengraduallyedgedthemselvesoutofhearingoftheothers。Inthesilentabstractionthatprevailednobodynoticedthem。
\"It’sgotsuthintodowiththisdiscovery，\"saidParkhurst，inalow，mysterioustone，\"butasfarasthegoldgoes，andourequalrightstoitaspartners，itdon’taffectthem。IfI，\"hecontinuedinaslightlypatronizing，paternaltone，\"choosetomakeyouandtheotherboyssharersinwhatseemstobeaspecialProvidencetoME，Ireckonwewon’tquarrelonit。It’samightycurious，singularthing。It’soneofthosethingsyereadaboutinbooksanddon’ttakeanystockin！Butwe’vegotthegold——andI’vegottheblackandwhitetoproveit——evenifitain’texactlyhuman。\"
Hisvoicesanksolow，hismannerwassoimpressive，thatdespitehisknownexaggeration，Brayfeltaslightthrillofsuperstition。
MeantimeParkhurstwipedhisbrow，tookafoldedslipofpaperandasprigoflaurelfromhispocket，anddrewalongbreath。
\"WhenIgottothespringthisafternoon，\"hewenton，inanervous，tremulous，andscarcelyaudiblevoice，\"Isawthisbito’
paper，foldednote-wise，lyin’ontheledgebeforeit。Ontopofitwasthissprigoflaurel，tocatchtheeye。Iain’tthemantopryintootherfolks’secrets，orreadwhatain’tmine。Butonthebacko’thisnotewaswritten’ToJack！’It’sacommonenoughname，butit’sasingularthing，efyou’llrecollect，tharain’tANOTHERJackinthiscompany，notonthewholeridgebetwixtthisandthesummit，exceptMYSELF！SoIopenedit，andthisiswhatitread！\"Heheldthepapersidewaystowardtheleapinglightofthestillnearcamp-fire，andreadslowly，withtheemphasisofhavingreaditmanytimesbefore。
\"’IwantyoutobelievethatI，atleast，respectandhonoryourhonest，manlycalling，andwhenyoustrikeitrich，asyousurelywill，IhopeyouwillsometimesthinkofJill。’\"
Inthethrillofjoy，hope，andfearthatcameoverBray，hecouldseethatParkhursthadnotonlyfailedtodetecthissecret，buthadnotevenconnectedthetwonameswiththeirobvioussuggestion。
\"ButdoyouknowanybodynamedJill？\"heaskedbreathlessly。
\"It’snoNAME，\"saidParkhurstinasombrevoice，\"it’saTHING！\"
\"Athing？\"repeatedBray，bewildered。
\"Yes，ameasure——youknow——twofingersofwhiskey。\"
\"Oh，a’gill，’\"saidBray。
\"That’swhatIsaid，youngman，\"returnedParkhurstgravely。
Braychokedbackahystericallaugh；spellingwasnotoriouslynotoneofParkhurst’sstrongpoints。\"Butwhathasa’gill’gottodowithit？\"heaskedquickly。
\"It’soneofthemSphinxthings，don’tyousee？Asortofriddleorrebus，youknow。You’vegottostudyitout，asthemoldchapsdid。ButIfetchedit。Whatcomesafter’gills，’eh？\"
\"Pints，Isuppose，\"saidBray。
\"Andafterpints？\"
\"Quarts。\"
\"QUARTZ，andthereyouare。SoIlookedaboutmeforquartz，andsureenoughstruckitthefirstpop。\"
BraycastaquicklookatParkhurst’sgraveface。Themanwasevidentlyimpressedandsincere。\"Haveyoutoldthistoanyone？\"
heaskedquickly。
\"No。\"
\"ThenDON’T！oryou’llspoilthecharm，andbringusillluck！
That’stherule，youknow。Ireallydon’tknowthatyououghttohavetoldme，\"addedtheartfulBray，dissemblinghisintensejoyatthisproofofEugenia’sremembrance。
\"But，\"saidParkhurstblankly，\"yousee，oldman，you’dbeenthelastmanatthespring，andIkinderthought\"——
\"Don’tthink，\"saidBraypromptly，\"andaboveall，don’ttalk；notawordtotheboysofthis。Stay！Givemethepaperandthesprig。I’vegottogotoSanFrancisconextweek，andI’lltakecareofitandthinkitout！\"HeknewthatParkhurstmightbetemptedtotalk，butwithoutthepaperhisstorywouldbetreatedlightly。Parkhursthandedhimthepaper，andthetwomenreturnedtothecamp-fire。
ThatnightBraysleptbutlittle。Thesuperstitionoftheloverisnolesskeenthanthatofthegambler，andBray，whilelaughingatParkhurst’sextravagantfancy，IamafraidwasequallyinclinedtobelievethattheirgoodfortunecamethroughEugenia’sinfluence。
Atleastheshouldtellherso，andherpreciousnotebecamenowaninvitationaswellasanexcuseforseekingher。Theonlyfearthatpossessedhimwasthatshemighthaveexpectedsomeacknowledgmentofhernotebeforesheleftthatafternoon；theonlythinghecouldnotunderstandwashowshehadmanagedtoconveythenotetothespring，forshecouldnothavetakenitherself。ButthiswoulddoubtlessbeexplainedbyherinSanFrancisco，whitherheintendedtoseekher。Hisaffairs，thepurchasingofmachineryfortheirnewclaim，wouldnodoubtgivehimeasyaccesstoherfather。
ButitwasonethingtoimaginethiswhileprocuringanewandfashionableoutfitinSanFrancisco，andquiteanothertostandbeforethe\"palatial\"residenceoftheNeworthsonRinconHill，withtheconsciousnessofnootherintroductionthanthememoryoftheNeworths’discourtesyonthemountain，and，eveninhisfinefeathers，Brayhesitated。Atthismomentacarriagerolleduptothedoor，andEugenia，anadorablevisionoflacesandsilks，alighted。
Forgettingeverythingelse，headvancedtowardherwithoutstretchedhand。Hesawherstart，afaintcolorcomeintoherface；heknewhewasrecognized；butshestiffenedquicklyagain，thecolorvanished，herbeautifulgrayeyesrestedcoldlyonhimforamoment，andthen，withthefaintestinclinationofherproudhead，shesweptbyhimandenteredthehouse。
ButBray，thoughshocked，wasnotdaunted，andperhapshisownpridewasawakened。Herantohishotel，summonedamessenger，inclosedhernoteinanenvelope，andaddedtheselines：——
DEARMISSNEWORTH，——Ionlywantedtothankyouanhourago，asI
shouldliketohavedonebefore，forthekindnotewhichIinclose，butwhichyouhavemademefeelIhavenorighttotreasureanylonger，andtotellyouthatyourmostgenerouswishandprophecyhasbeenmorethanfulfilled。
Yours，verygratefully，EDMUNDBRAY。
Withinthehourthemessengerreturnedwiththestillbrieferreply：——
\"MissNeworthhasbeenfullyawareofthatpreoccupationwithhisgoodfortunewhichpreventedMr。Brayfromanearlieracknowledgmentofherfoolishnote。\"
Coldasthisresponsewas，Bray’sheartleaped。SheHADlingeredonthesummit，andHADexpectedareply。Heseizedhishat，and，jumpingintothefirstcabatthehoteldoor，droverapidlybacktothehouse。Hehadbutoneidea，toseeheratanycost，butoneconcern，toavoidameetingwithherfatherfirst，oradenialatherverydoor。
Hedismissedthecabatthestreetcornerandbegantoreconnoitrethehouse。Ithadalargegardenintherear，reclaimedfromtheadjacent\"scruboak\"infestedsandhill，andprotectedbyahighwall。Ifhecouldscalethatwall，hecouldcommandthepremises。
Itwasabrightmorning；shemightbetemptedintothegarden。A
tallerscruboakgrewnearthewall；tothemountain-bredBrayitwasaneasymattertoswinghimselffromittothewall，andhedid。Buthismomentumwassogreatthathetouchedthewallonlytobeobligedtoleapdownintothegardentosavehimselffromfallingthere。Heheardalittlecry，felthisfeetstrikesometinutensil，androlledonthegroundbesideEugeniaandheroverturnedwatering-pot。
Theybothstruggledtotheirfeetwithanastonishmentthatturnedtolaughterintheireyesandthesamethoughtinthemindsofeach。
\"Butwearenotonthemountainsnow，Mr。Bray，\"saidEugenia，takingherhandkerchiefatlastfromhersoberingfaceandstraighteningeyebrows。
\"Butwearequits，\"saidBray。\"Andyounowknowmyrealname。I
onlycameheretotellyouwhyIcouldnotansweryourletterthesameday。Inevergotit——Imean，\"headdedhurriedly，\"anothermangotitfirst。\"
Shethrewupherhead，andherfacegrewpale。\"ANOTHERmangotit，\"sherepeated，\"andYOUletanotherman\"——
\"No，no，\"interruptedBrayimploringly。\"Youdon’tunderstand。
Oneofmypartnerswenttothespringthatafternoon，andfoundit；
butheneitherknowswhosentit，norforwhomitwasintended。\"
HehastilyrecountedParkhurst’sstory，hismysteriousbelief，andhisinterpretationofthenote。Thecolorcamebacktoherfaceandthesmiletoherlipsandeyes。\"IhadgonetwicetothespringafterIsawyou，butIcouldn’tbearitsdesertedlookwithoutyou，\"headdedboldly。Here，seeingherfacegrewgraveagain，headded，\"Buthowdidyougetthelettertothespring？andhowdidyouknowthatitwasfoundthatday？\"
Itwasherturntolookembarrassedandentreating，butthecombinationwascharminginherproudface。\"Igotthelittleschoolboyatthesummit，\"shesaid，withgirlishhesitation，\"totakethenote。Heknewthespring，buthedidn’tknowYOU。Itoldhim——itwasveryfoolish，Iknow——towaituntilyoucameforwater，tobecertainthatyougotthenote，towaituntilyoucameup，forIthoughtyoumightquestionhim，orgivehimsomeword。\"Herfacewasquiterosynow。\"But，\"sheadded，andherliptookadivinepout，\"hesaidhewaitedTWOHOURS；thatyounevertooktheLEAST
CONCERNoftheletterorhim，butwentaroundthemountainside，peeringandpickingineveryholeandcornerofit，andthenhegottiredandranaway。OfcourseIunderstanditnow，itwasn’tYOU；
butoh，please；Ibegyou，Mr。Bray，don’t！\"
Brayreleasedthelittlehandwhichhehadimpulsivelycaught，andwhichhadalloweditselftobedetainedforablissfulmoment。
\"Andnow，don’tyouthink，Mr。Bray，\"sheaddeddemurely，\"thatyouhadbetterletmefillmypailagainwhileyougoroundtothefrontdoorandcalluponmeproperly？\"
\"Butyourfather\"——
\"Myfather，asawell-knowninvestor，regretsexceedinglythathedidnotmakeyouracquaintancemorethoroughlyinhislatebriefinterview。Heis，asyourforemanknows，exceedinglyinterestedintheminesonEurekaledge。Hewillbegladifyouwillcall。\"Sheledhimtoalittledoorinthewall，whichsheunbolted。\"Andnow’Jill’mustsaygood-byto’Jack，’forshemustmakeherselfreadytoreceiveaMr。Braywhoisexpected。\"
AndwhenBrayalittlelatercalledatthefrontdoor，hewasrespectfullyannounced。Hecalledanotherday，andmanydaysafter。HecamefrequentlytoSanFrancisco，andonedaydidnotreturntohisoldpartners。Hehadenteredintoanewpartnershipwithonewhohedeclared\"hadmadethefirststrikeonEurekamountain。\"
MR。BILSON’SHOUSEKEEPER
I
WhenJoshuaBilson，oftheSummitHouse，BuckeyeHill，losthiswife，itbecamenecessaryforhimtotakeahousekeepertoassisthiminthemanagementofthehotel。AlreadyallBuckeyehadconsideredthisamerepreliminarytotakinganotherwife，afteradecentprobation，astherelationsofhousekeeperandlandlordwereconfidentialanddelicate，andBilsonwasaman，andnotabovefemaleinfluence。Therewas，however，somechangeofopiniononthatpointwhenMissEuphemiaTrotterwasengagedforthatposition。BuckeyeHill，whichhadconfidentlylookedforwardtoabuxomwidowor，withequalconfidence，tothepromotionofsomeprettybutinefficientchambermaid，wasstartledbytheselectionofamaidenladyofmiddleage，andabovethemediumheight，atonceserious，precise，andmasterful，andtoallappearancesoutrageouslycompetent。Morecarefully\"takingstock\"ofher，itwasacceptedshehadthreegoodpoints，——dark，seriouseyes，atrimbutsomewhatthinfigure，andwell-kepthandsandfeet。These，whichinsosusceptibleacommunitywouldhavebeenenough，inthewordsofonecritic，\"tohavemarriedhertothreemen，\"sheseemedtomakeoflittleaccountherself，andherattitudetowardthosewhowereinclinedtomakethemofaccountwasceremoniousandfrigid。Indeed，sheseemedtooccupyherselfentirelywithlookingaftertheservants，ChineseandEuropeans，examiningthebillsandstoresoftradersandshopkeepers，inafashionthatmadeherrespectedand——feared。Itwaswhispered，infact，thatBilsonstoodinaweofherasheneverhadofhiswife，andthathewas\"henpeckedinhisownfarmyardbyastrangepullet。\"
Nevertheless，healwaysspokeofherwitharespectandevenareverencethatseemedincompatiblewiththeirrelativepositions。
Itgaverisetosurmisesmoreorlessingeniousandconflicting：
MissTrotterhadasecretinterestinthehotel，andrepresentedaSanFranciscosyndicate；MissTrotterwasawomanofindependentproperty，andhadadvancedlargesumstoBilson；MissTrotterwasawomanofnoproperty，butshewastheonlydaughterof——variously——
alatedistinguishednobleman，aruinedmillionaire，andaforeignstatesman，bentonmakingherownliving。
Alas，forromance！MissEuphemiaTrotter，or\"MissE。Trotter，\"asshepreferredtosignherself，loathinghersentimentalprefix，wasreallyapoorgirlwhohadbeeneducatedinanEasternseminary，wheresheeventuallybecameateacher。Shehadsurvivedherparentsandaneglectedchildhood，andhadworkedhardforherlivingsinceshewasfourteen。Shehadbeenanurseinahospital，anassistantinareformatory，hadobservedmenandwomenunderconditionsofpainandweakness，andhadknownthebodyonlyasatabernacleofhelplessnessandsuffering；yethadbroughtoutofherexperienceahardphilosophywhichsheusedequallytoherselfastoothers。Thatshehadeverindulgedinanyromanceofhumanexistence，Igreatlydoubt；thelankygirlteacherattheVermontacademyhadenoughtodotopushherselfforwardwithoutentanglinggirlfriendshipsorconfidences，andsobecameaprematurelyhardduenna，paidtolookoutfor，restrain，andreport，ifnecessary，anyvagrantflirtationorsmallintrigueofhercompanions。A
pronounced\"oldmaid\"atfifteen，shehadnothingtoforgetorforgiveinothers，andstilllesstolearnfromthem。
Itwasspring，anddownthelongslopesofBuckeyeHilltheflowerswerealreadyeffacingthelastdentedfootprintsofthewinterrains，andthewindsnolongerbroughttheirmonotonouspatter。Inthepinewoodstherewerethesongandflashofbirds，andthequickeningstimulusofthestirringaromaticsap。Minersandtunnelmenwerealreadyforsakingthedirectroadforaramblethroughthewoodlandtrailanditssylvancharms，andoccasionallybreakingintoshoutsandhorseplaylikegreatboys。Theschoolchildrenweredisportingthere；thereweresomeoldercouplessentimentallygatheringflowerssidebyside。MissTrotterwasalsothere，butmakingashortcutfromthebankandexpressoffice，andbynomeansdisturbedbyanygentlereminiscenceofhergirlhoodoranyotherinstinctiveparticipationinthewantonseason。Springcame，sheknew，regularlyeveryyear，andbrought\"springcleaning\"andothernecessarychangesandrehabilitations。
Thisyearithadbroughtalsoaconsiderableincreaseinthesumshewasputtingby，andshewas，perhaps，satisfiedinapracticalway，ifnotwiththeblindinstinctivenessofothers。Shewaswalkingleisurely，holdinghergrayskirtwelloverherslimanklesandsmartlybootedfeet，andclearofthebrushingofdaisiesandbuttercups，whensuddenlyshestopped。Afewpacesbeforeher，partlyconcealedbyamyrtle，ayoungwoman，startledatherapproach，hadjustwithdrawnherselffromtheembraceofayoungmanandslippedintotheshadow。Nevertheless，inthatmoment，MissTrotter’skeeneyeshadrecognizedherasaveryprettySwedishgirl，oneofherchambermaidsatthehotel。MissTrotterpassedwithoutaword，butgravely。Shewasnotshockednorsurprised，butitstruckherpracticalmindatoncethatifthiswereanaffairwithimpendingmatrimony，itmeantthelossofavaluableandattractiveservant；ifotherwise，aseriousdisturbanceofthatservant’sduties。ShemustlookoutforanothergirltotaketheplaceofFridaPaulineJansen，thatwasall。Itispossible，therefore，thatMissJansen’scriticismofMissTrottertohercompanionasa\"spying，jealousoldcat\"wasunfair。ThiscompanionMissTrotterhadnoticed，onlytoobservethathisfaceandfigurewereunfamiliartoher。Hisredshirtandheavybootsgavenoindicationofhissocialconditioninthatlocality。Heseemedmorestartledanddisturbedatherintrusionthanthegirlhadbeen，butthatwasmoreaconditionofsexthanofdegree，shealsoknew。Insuchcircumstancesitisthewomanalwayswhoisthemostcomposedandself-possessed。
Afewdaysafterthis，MissTrotterwassummonedinsomehastetotheoffice。ChrisCalton，ayoungmanoftwenty-six，partnerintheRoanokeLedge，hadfracturedhisarmandcollar-bonebyafall，andhadbeenbroughttothehotelforthatrestandattention，undermedicaladvice，whichhecouldnotprocureintheRoanokecompany’scabin。Shehadaretired，quietroommadeready。Whenhewasinstalledtherebythedoctorshewenttoseehim，andfoundagood-looking，curlyheadedyoungfellow，evenboyishinappearanceandmanner，whoreceivedherwiththatairofdeferenceandtimiditywhichshewasaccustomedtoexciteinthemasculinebreast——whenitwasnotaccompaniedwithdistrust。Itstruckherthathewassomewhatemotional，andhadtheexpressionofonewhohadbeenspoiledandpettedbywomen，aratherunusualcircumstanceamongthemenofthelocality。Perhapsitwouldbeunfairtohertosaythatadispositiontoshowhimthathecouldexpectnosuch\"nonsense\"THEREsprangupinherheartatthatmoment，forsheneverhadunderstoodanytoleranceofsuchweakness，butacertainprecisionanddrynessofmannerwastheonlyresultofherobservation。Sheadjustedhispillow，askedhimiftherewasanythingthathewanted，buttookherdirectionsfromthedoctor，ratherthanfromhimself，withapracticalinsightandminutenessthatwasasappallingtothepatientasitwasanunexpecteddelighttoDr。Duchesne。\"Iseeyouquiteunderstandme，MissTrotter，\"hesaid，withgreatrelief。
\"Ioughtto，\"respondedtheladydryly。\"Ihadadozensuchcases，someofthemwithcomplications，whileIwasassistantattheSacramentoHospital。\"
\"Ah，then！\"returnedthedoctor，droppinggladlyintopurelyprofessionaldetail，\"you’llseethisisverysimple，notacomminutedfracture；constitutionandbloodhealthy；allyou’vetodoistoseethatheeatsproperly，keepsfreefromexcitementandworry，butdoesnotgetdespondent；alittlecompany；hispartnersandsomeoftheboysfromtheLedgewilldropinoccasionally；nottoomuchofTHEM，youknow；andofcourse，absoluteimmobilityoftheinjuredparts。\"Theladynodded；thepatientliftedhisblueeyesforaninstanttoherswithalookoftentativeappeal，butitslippedoffMissTrotter’sdarkpupils——whichwereasabstractedlycriticalasthedoctor’s——withoutbeingabsorbedbythem。Whenthedoorclosedbehindher，thedoctorexclaimed：\"ByJove！you’reinluck，Chris！That’sasplendidwoman！Justtheonetolookafteryou！\"Thepatientgroanedslightly。\"Dowhatshesays，andwe’llpullyouthroughinnotime。Why！she’sabletoadjustthosebandagesherself！\"
This，indeed，shedidaweeklater，whenthesurgeonhadfailedtocall，unveilinghisneckandarmwithprofessionalcoolness，andsupportinghiminherslimarmsagainstherstiff，erectbuckramedbreast，whileshereplacedthesplintswithmasculinefirmnessoftouchandsereneandsexlessindifference。Hisstammeredembarrassedthanksattherelief——forhehadbeeninconsiderablepain——sheacceptedwithacertainprideasatributetoherskill，atributewhichDr。Duchesnehimselfafterwardfullyindorsed。