SoeverydaytheolddoctorandIhuntedthecure-allplantamongthemountainsandvalleysoftheBlueRidge。Togetherwetoiledupsteepheightssoslipperywithfallenautumnleavesthatwehadtocatcheverysaplingandbranchwithinourreachtosaveusfromfalling。Wewadedthroughgorgesandchasms，breast-deepwithlaurelandferns；wefollowedthebanksofmountainstreamsformiles；wewoundourwaylikeIndiansthroughbrakesofpine——roadside，hillside，riverside，mountainsideweexploredinoursearchforthemiraculousplant。
Astheolddoctorsaid，itmusthavegrownscarceandhardtofind。Butwefollowedourquest。Daybydayweplumbedthevalleys，scaledtheheights，andtrampedtheplateausinsearchofthemiraculousplant。
Mountain-bred，heneverseemedtotire。Ioftenreachedhometoofatiguedtodoanythingexceptfallintobedandsleepuntilmorning。Thiswekeptupforamonth。
OneeveningafterIhadreturnedfromasix-miletrampwiththeolddoctor，AmaryllisandItookalittlewalkunderthetreesneartheroad。
Welookedatthemountainsdrawingtheirroyal-purplerobesaroundthemfortheirnight’srepose。
\"I’mgladyou’rewellagain，\"shesaid。\"Whenyoufirstcameyoufrightenedme。Ithoughtyouwerereallyill。\"
\"Wellagain！\"Ialmostshrieked。\"DoyouknowthatIhaveonlyonechanceinathousandtolive？\"
Amaryllislookedatmeinsurprise。\"Why，\"saidshe，\"youareasstrongasoneoftheplough-mules，yousleeptenortwelvehourseverynight，andyouareeatingusoutofhouseandhome。Whatmoredoyouwant？\"
\"Itellyou，\"saidI，\"thatunlesswefindthemagic——thatis，theplantwearelookingfor——intime，nothingcansaveme。Thedoctortellsmeso。\"
\"Whatdoctor？\"
\"DoctorTatum——theolddoctorwholiveshalfwayupBlackOakMountain。
Doyouknowhim？\"
\"IhaveknownhimsinceIwasabletotalk。Andisthatwhereyougoeveryday——isithewhotakesyouontheselongwalksandclimbsthathavebroughtbackyourhealthandstrength？Godblesstheolddoctor。\"
Justthentheolddoctorhimselfdroveslowlydowntheroadinhisricketyoldbuggy。IwavedmyhandathimandshoutedthatIwouldbeonhandthenextdayattheusualtime。HestoppedhishorseandcalledtoAmaryllistocomeouttohim。TheytalkedforfiveminuteswhileIwaited。Thentheolddoctordroveon。
WhenwegottothehouseAmaryllisluggedoutanencyclopaediaandsoughtawordinit。\"Thedoctorsaid，\"shetoldme，\"thatyouneedn’tcallanymoreasapatient，buthe’dbegladtoseeyouanytimeasafriend。Andthenhetoldmetolookupmynameintheencyclopaediaandtellyouwhatitmeans。Itseemstobethenameofagenusoffloweringplants，andalsothenameofacountrygirlinTheocritusandVirgil。Whatdoyousupposethedoctormeantbythat？\"
\"Iknowwhathemeant，\"saidI。\"Iknownow。\"
AwordtoabrotherwhomayhavecomeunderthespelloftheunquietLadyNeurasthenia。
Theformulawastrue。Eventhoughgropinglyattimes，thephysiciansofthewalledcitieshadputtheirfingersuponthespecificmedicament。
AndsofortheexerciseoneisreferredtogoodDoctorTatumonBlackOakMountain——taketheroadtoyourrightattheMethodistmeetinghouseinthepine-grove。
Absoluterestandexercise！
WhatrestmoreremedialthantositwithAmaryllisintheshade，and，withasixthsense，readthewordlessTheocritanidylofthegold-banneredbluemountainsmarchingorderlyintothedormitoriesofthenight？
XVOCTOBERANDJUNE
TheCaptaingazedgloomilyathisswordthathunguponthewall。Intheclosetnearbywasstoredhisfadeduniform，stainedandwornbyweatherandservice。Whatalong，longtimeitseemedsincethoseolddaysofwar’salarms！
Andnow，veteranthathewasofhiscountry’sstrenuoustimes，hehadbeenreducedtoabjectsurrenderbyawoman’ssofteyesandsmilinglips。Ashesatinhisquietroomheheldinhishandtheletterhehadjustreceivedfromher——theletterthathadcausedhimtowearthatlookofgloom。Here-readthefatalparagraphthathaddestroyedhishope。
Indecliningthehonouryouhavedonemeinaskingmetobeyourwife，I
feelthatIoughttospeakfrankly。ThereasonIhaveforsodoingisthegreatdifferencebetweenourages。Ilikeyouvery，verymuch，butIamsurethatourmarriagewouldnotbeahappyone。Iamsorrytohavetorefertothis，butIbelievethatyouwillappreciatemyhonestyingivingyouthetruereason。
TheCaptainsighed，andleanedhisheaduponhishand。Yes，thereweremanyyearsbetweentheirages。Buthewasstrongandrugged，hehadpositionandwealth。Wouldnothislove，histendercare，andtheadvantageshecouldbestowuponhermakeherforgetthequestionofage？
Besides，hewasalmostsurethatshecaredforhim。
TheCaptainwasamanofpromptaction。Inthefieldhehadbeendistinguishedforhisdecisivenessandenergy。Hewouldseeherandpleadhiscauseagaininperson。Age！——whatwasittocomebetweenhimandtheoneheloved？
Intwohourshestoodready，inlightmarchingorder，forhisgreatestbattle。HetookthetrainfortheoldSoutherntowninTennesseewhereshelived。
TheodoraDemingwasonthestepsofthehandsome，porticoedoldmansion，enjoyingthesummertwilight，whentheCaptainenteredthegateandcameupthegravelledwalk。Shemethimwithasmilethatwasfreefromembarrassment。AstheCaptainstoodonthestepbelowher，thedifferenceintheiragesdidnotappearsogreat。Hewastallandstraightandclear-eyedandbrowned。Shewasinthebloomoflovelywomanhood。
\"Iwasn’texpectingyou，\"saidTheodora；\"butnowthatyou’vecomeyoumaysitonthestep。Didn’tyougetmyletter？\"
\"Idid，\"saidtheCaptain；\"andthat’swhyIcame。Isay，now，Theo，reconsideryouranswer，won’tyou？\"
Theodorasmiledsoftlyuponhim。Hecarriedhisyearswell。Shewasreallyfondofhisstrength，hiswholesomelooks，hismanliness——
perhaps，if——
\"No，no，\"shesaid，shakingherhead，positively；\"it’soutofthequestion。Ilikeyouawholelot，butmarryingwon’tdo。Myageandyoursare——butdon’tmakemesayitagain——Itoldyouinmyletter。\"
TheCaptainflushedalittlethroughthebronzeonhisface。Hewassilentforawhile，gazingsadlyintothetwilight。Beyondalineofwoodsthathecouldseewasafieldwheretheboysinbluehadoncebivouackedontheirmarchtowardthesea。Howlongagoitseemednow！
Truly，FateandFatherTimehadtrickedhimsorely。Justafewyearsinterposedbetweenhimselfandhappiness！
Theodora’shandcreptdownandrestedintheclaspofhisfirm，brownone。Shefelt，atleast，thatsentimentthatisakintolove。
\"Don’ttakeitsohard，please，\"shesaid，gently。\"It’sallforthebest。I’vereasoneditoutverywiselyallbymyself。Somedayyou’llbegladIdidn’tmarryyou。Itwouldbeveryniceandlovelyforawhile——
but，justthink！Inonlyafewshortyearswhatdifferenttasteswewouldhave！Oneofuswouldwanttositbythefiresideandread，andmaybenurseneuralgiaorrheumatismofevenings，whiletheotherwouldbecrazyforballsandtheatresandlatesuppers。No，mydearfriend。Whileitisn’texactlyJanuaryandMay，it’saclearcaseofOctoberandprettyearlyinJune。\"
\"I’dalwaysdowhatyouwantedmetodo，Theo。Ifyouwantedto——\"
\"No，youwouldn’t。Youthinknowthatyouwould，butyouwouldn’t。
Pleasedon’taskmeanymore。\"
TheCaptainhadlosthisbattle。Buthewasagallantwarrior，andwhenherosetomakehisfinaladieuhismouthwasgrimlysetandhisshouldersweresquared。
HetookthetrainfortheNorththatnight。Onthenexteveninghewasbackinhisroom，wherehisswordwashangingagainstthewall。Hewasdressingfordinner，tyinghiswhitetieintoaverycarefulbow。Andatthesametimehewasindulginginapensivesoliloquy。
\"’Ponmyhonour，IbelieveTheowasright，afterall。Nobodycandenythatshe’sapeach，butshemustbetwenty-eight，attheverykindestcalculation。\"
Foryousee，theCaptainwasonlynineteen，andhisswordhadneverbeendrawnexceptontheparadegroundatChattanooga，whichwasasnearasheevergottotheSpanish-AmericanWar。
XVITHECHURCHWITHANOVERSHOT-WHEEL
Lakelandsisnottobefoundinthecataloguesoffashionablesummerresorts。ItliesonalowspuroftheCumberlandrangeofmountainsonalittletributaryoftheClinchRiver。Lakelandsproperisacontentedvillageoftwodozenhousessituatedonaforlorn，narrow-gaugerailroadline。YouwonderwhethertherailroadlostitselfinthepinewoodsandranintoLakelandsfromfrightandloneliness，orwhetherLakelandsgotlostandhuddleditselfalongtherailroadtowaitfortheearstocarryithome。
YouwonderagainwhyitwasnamedLakelands。Therearenolakes，andthelandsaboutaretoopoortobeworthmentioning。
HalfamilefromthevillagestandstheEagleHouse，abig，roomyoldmansionrunbyJosiahRankinfortheaccommodationofvisitorswhodesirethemountainairatinexpensiverates。TheEagleHouseisdelightfullymismanaged。Itisfullofancientinsteadofmodernimprovements，anditisaltogetherascomfortablyneglectedandpleasinglydisarrangedasyourownhome。Butyouarefurnishedwithcleanroomsandgoodandabundantfare：yourselfandthepinywoodsmustdotherest。Naturehasprovidedamineralspring，grape-vineswings，andcroquet——eventhewicketsarewooden。YouhaveArttothankonlyforthefiddle-and-guitarmusictwiceaweekatthehopintherusticpavilion。
ThepatronsoftheEagleHousearethosewhoseekrecreationasanecessity，aswellasapleasure。Theyarebusypeople，whomaybelikenedtoclocksthatneedafortnight’swindingtoinsureayear’srunningoftheirwheels。Youwillfindstudentstherefromthelowertowns，nowandthenanartist，orageologistabsorbedinconstruingtheancientstrataofthehills。Afewquietfamiliesspendthesummersthere；andoftenoneortwotiredmembersofthatpatientsisterhoodknowntoLakelandsas\"schoolmarms。\"
AquarterofamilefromtheEagleHousewaswhatwouldhavebeendescribedtoitsguestsas\"anobjectofinterest\"inthecatalogue，hadtheEagleHouseissuedacatalogue。Thiswasanold，oldmillthatwasnolongeramill。InthewordsofJosiahRankin，itwas\"theonlychurchintheUnitedStates，sah，withanovershot-wheel；andtheonlymillintheworld，sah，withpewsandapipeorgan。\"TheguestsoftheEagleHouseattendedtheoldmillchurcheachSabbath，andheardthepreacherlikenthepurifiedChristiantoboltedflourgroundtousefulnessbetweenthemillstonesofexperienceandsuffering。
EveryyearaboutthebeginningofautumntherecametotheEagleHouseoneAbramStrong，whoremainedforatimeanhonouredandbelovedguest。InLakelandshewascalled\"FatherAbram，\"becausehishairwassowhite，hisfacesostrongandkindandflorid，hislaughsomerry，andhisblackclothesandbroadhatsopriestlyinappearance。Evennewguestsafterthreeorfourdays’acquaintancegavehimthisfamiliartitle。
FatherAbramcamealongwaytoLakelands。Helivedinabig，roaringtownintheNorthwestwhereheownedmills，notlittlemillswithpewsandanorganinthem，butgreat，ugly，mountain-likemillsthatthefreighttrainscrawledaroundalldaylikeantsaroundanant-heap。AndnowyoumustbetoldaboutFatherAbramandthemillthatwasachurch，fortheirstoriesruntogether。
Inthedayswhenthechurchwasamill，Mr。Strongwasthemiller。Therewasnojollier，dustier，busier，happiermillerinallthelandthanhe。
Helivedinalittlecottageacrosstheroadfromthemill。Hishandwasheavy，buthistollwaslight，andthemountaineersbroughttheirgraintohimacrossmanywearymilesofrockyroads。
Thedelightofthemiller’slifewashislittledaughter，Aglaia。Thatwasabravename，truly，foraflaxen-hairedtoddler；butthemountaineerslovesonorousandstatelynames。Themotherhadencountereditsomewhereinabook，andthedeedwasdone。InherbabyhoodAglaiaherselfrepudiatedthename，asfarascommonusewent，andpersistedincallingherself\"Dums。\"ThemillerandhiswifeoftentriedtocoaxfromAglaiathesourceofthismysteriousname，butwithoutresults。Atlasttheyarrivedatatheory。Inthelittlegardenbehindthecottagewasabedofrhododendronsinwhichthechildtookapeculiardelightandinterest。Itmayhavebeenthatsheperceivedin\"Dums\"akinshiptotheformidablenameofherfavouriteflowers。
WhenAglaiawasfouryearsoldsheandherfatherusedtogothroughalittleperformanceinthemilleveryafternoon，thatneverfailedtocomeoff，theweatherpermitting。Whensupperwasreadyhermotherwouldbrushherhairandputonacleanapronandsendheracrosstothemilltobringherfatherhome。Whenthemillersawhercominginthemilldoorhewouldcomeforward，allwhitewiththeflourdust，andwavehishandandsinganoldmiller’ssongthatwasfamiliarinthosepartsandransomethinglikethis：
\"Thewheelgoesround，Thegristisground，Thedustymiller’smerry。
Hesingsallday，Hisworkisplay，Whilethinkingofhisdearie。\"
ThenAglaiawouldruntohimlaughing，andcall：
\"Da-da，cometakeDumshome；\"andthemillerwouldswinghertohisshoulderandmarchovertosupper，singingthemiller’ssong。Everyeveningthiswouldtakeplace。
Oneday，onlyaweekafterherfourthbirthday，Aglaiadisappeared。Whenlastseenshewaspluckingwildflowersbythesideoftheroadinfrontofthecottage。Alittlewhilelaterhermotherwentouttoseethatshedidnotstraytoofaraway，andshewasalreadygone。
Ofcourseeveryeffortwasmadetofindher。Theneighboursgatheredandsearchedthewoodsandthemountainsformilesaround。Theydraggedeveryfootofthemillraceandthecreekforalongdistancebelowthedam。
Neveratraceofherdidtheyfind。Anightortwobeforetherehadbeenafamilyofwandererscampedinagrovenearby。Itwasconjecturedthattheymighthavestolenthechild；butwhentheirwagonwasovertakenandsearchedshecouldnotbefound。
Themillerremainedatthemillfornearlytwoyears；andthenhishopeoffindingherdiedout。HeandhiswifemovedtotheNorthwest。Inafewyearshewastheownerofamodernmillinoneoftheimportantmillingcitiesinthatregion。Mrs。StrongneverrecoveredfromtheshockcausedbythelossofAglaia，andtwoyearsaftertheymovedawaythemillerwaslefttobearhissorrowalone。
WhenAbramStrongbecameprosperoushepaidavisittoLakelandsandtheoldmill。Thescenewasasadoneforhim，buthewasastrongman，andalwaysappearedcheeryandkindly。Itwasthenthathewasinspiredtoconverttheoldmillintoachurch。Lakelandswastoopoortobuildone；
andthestillpoorermountaineerscouldnotassist。Therewasnoplaceofworshipnearerthantwentymiles。
Themilleralteredtheappearanceofthemillaslittleaspossible。Thebigovershot-wheelwasleftinitsplace。Theyoungpeoplewhocametothechurchusedtocuttheirinitialsinitssoftandslowlydecayingwood。Thedamwaspartlydestroyed，andtheclearmountainstreamrippleduncheckeddownitsrockybed。Insidethemillthechangesweregreater。
Theshaftsandmillstonesandbeltsandpulleyswere，ofcourse，allremoved。Thereweretworowsofbencheswithaislesbetween，andalittleraisedplatformandpulpitatoneend。Onthreesidesoverheadwasagallerycontainingseats，andreachedbyastairwayinside。Therewasalsoanorgan——arealpipeorgan——inthegallery，thatwastheprideofthecongregationoftheOldMillChurch。MissPhoebeSummerswastheorganist。TheLakelandsboysproudlytookturnsatpumpingitforherateachSunday’sservice。TheRev。Mr。Banbridgewasthepreacher，androdedownfromSquirrelGaponhisoldwhitehorsewithoutevermissingaservice。AndAbramStrongpaidforeverything。Hepaidthepreacherfivehundreddollarsayear；andMissPhoebetwohundreddollars。
Thus，inmemoryofAglaia，theoldmillwasconvertedintoablessingforthecommunityinwhichshehadoncelived。Itseemedthatthebrieflifeofthechildhadbroughtaboutmoregoodthanthethreescoreyearsandtenofmany。ButAbramStrongsetupyetanothermonumenttohermemory。
OutfromhismillsintheNorthwestcamethe\"Aglaia\"flour，madefromthehardestandfinestwheatthatcouldberaised。Thecountrysoonfoundoutthatthe\"Aglaia\"flourhadtwoprices。Onewasthehighestmarketprice，andtheotherwas——nothing。
Wherevertherehappenedacalamitythatleftpeopledestitute——afire，aflood，atornado，astrike，orafamine，therewouldgohurryingagenerousconsignmentofthe\"Aglaia\"atits\"nothing\"price。Itwasgivenawaycautiouslyandjudiciously，butitwasfreelygiven，andnotapennycouldthehungryonespayforit。Theregottobeasayingthatwhenevertherewasadisastrousfireinthepoordistrictsofacitythefirechief’sbuggyreachedthescenefirst，nextthe\"Aglaia\"flourwagon，andthenthefireengines。
SothiswasAbramStrong’sothermonumenttoAglaia。Perhapstoapoetthethememayseemtooutilitarianforbeauty；buttosomethefancywillseemsweetandfinethatthepure，white，virginflour，flyingonitsmissionofloveandcharity，mightbelikenedtothespiritofthelostchildwhosememoryitsignalized。
TherecameayearthatbroughthardtimestotheCumberlands。Graincropseverywherewerelight，andtherewerenolocalcropsatall。Mountainfloodshaddonemuchdamagetoproperty。Evengameinthewoodswassoscarcethatthehuntersbroughthardlyenoughhometokeeptheirfolkalive。EspeciallyaboutLakelandswastherigourfelt。
AssoonasAbramStrongheardofthishismessagesflew；andthelittlenarrow-gaugecarsbegantounload\"Aglaia\"flourthere。Themiller’sordersweretostoretheflourinthegalleryoftheOldMillChurch；andthateveryonewhoattendedthechurchwastocarryhomeasackofit。
TwoweeksafterthatAbramStrongcameforhisyearlyvisittotheEagleHouse，andbecame\"FatherAbram\"again。
ThatseasontheEagleHousehadfewergueststhanusual。AmongthemwasRoseChester。MissChestercametoLakelandsfromAtlanta，wheresheworkedinadepartmentstore。Thiswasthefirstvacationoutingofherlife。ThewifeofthestoremanagerhadoncespentasummerattheEagleHouse。ShehadtakenafancytoRose，andhadpersuadedhertogothereforherthreeweeks’holiday。Themanager’swifegaveheralettertoMrs。Rankin，whogladlyreceivedherinherownchargeandcare。
MissChesterwasnotverystrong。Shewasabouttwenty，andpaleanddelicatefromanindoorlife。ButoneweekofLakelandsgaveherabrightnessandspiritthatchangedherwonderfully。ThetimewasearlySeptemberwhentheCumberlandsareattheirgreatestbeauty。Themountainfoliagewasgrowingbrilliantwithautumnalcolours；onebreathedaerialchampagne，thenightsweredeliciouslycool，causingonetosnugglecosilyunderthewarmblanketsoftheEagleHouse。
FatherAbramandMissChesterbecamegreatfriends。TheoldmillerlearnedherstoryfromMrs。Rankin，andhisinterestwentoutquicklytotheslenderlonelygirlwhowasmakingherownwayintheworld。
ThemountaincountrywasnewtoMissChester。Shehadlivedmanyyearsinthewarm，flattownofAtlanta；andthegrandeurandvarietyoftheCumberlandsdelightedher。Shewasdeterminedtoenjoyeverymomentofherstay。Herlittlehoardofsavingshadbeenestimatedsocarefullyinconnectionwithherexpensesthatsheknewalmosttoapennywhatherverysmallsurpluswouldbewhenshereturnedtowork。
MissChesterwasfortunateingainingFatherAbramforafriendandcompanion。HekneweveryroadandpeakandslopeofthemountainsnearLakelands。Throughhimshebecameacquaintedwiththesolemndelightoftheshadowy，tiltedaislesofthepineforests，thedignityofthebarecrags，thecrystal，tonicmornings，thedreamy，goldenafternoonsfullofmysterioussadness。Soherhealthimproved，andherspiritsgrewlight。
ShehadalaughasgenialandheartyinitsfemininewayasthefamouslaughofFatherAbram。Bothofthemwerenaturaloptimists；andbothknewhowtopresentasereneandcheerfulfacetotheworld。
OnedayMissChesterlearnedfromoneofthegueststhehistoryofFatherAbram’slostchild。Quicklyshehurriedawayandfoundthemillerseatedonhisfavouriterusticbenchnearthechalybeatespring。Hewassurprisedwhenhislittlefriendslippedherhandintohis，andlookedathimwithtearsinhereyes。
\"Oh，FatherAbram，\"shesaid，\"I’msosorry！Ididn’tknowuntilto-dayaboutyourlittledaughter。Youwillfindheryetsomeday——Oh，Ihopeyouwill。\"
Themillerlookeddownatherwithhisstrong，readysmile。
\"Thankyou，MissRose，\"hesaid，inhisusualcheerytones。\"ButIdonotexpecttofindAglaia。ForafewyearsIhopedthatshehadbeenstolenbyvagrants，andthatshestilllived；butIhavelostthathope。I
believethatshewasdrowned。\"
\"Icanunderstand，\"saidMissChester，\"howthedoubtmusthavemadeitsohardtobear。Andyetyouaresocheerfulandsoreadytomakeotherpeople’sburdenslight。GoodFatherAbram！\"
\"GoodMissRose！\"mimickedthemiller，smiling。\"Whothinksofothersmorethanyoudo？\"
AwhimsicalmoodseemedtostrikeMissChester。
\"Oh，FatherAbram，\"shecried，\"wouldn’titbegrandifIshouldprovetobeyourdaughter？Wouldn’titberomantic？Andwouldn’tyouliketohavemeforadaughter？\"
\"Indeed，Iwould，\"saidthemiller，heartily。\"IfAglaiahadlivedI
couldwishfornothingbetterthanforhertohavegrownuptobejustsuchalittlewomanasyouare。MaybeyouareAglaia，\"hecontinued，fallinginwithherplayfulmood；\"can’tyourememberwhenwelivedatthemill？\"
MissChesterfellswiftlyintoseriousmeditation。Herlargeeyeswerefixedvaguelyuponsomethinginthedistance。FatherAbramwasamusedatherquickreturntoseriousness。Shesatthusforalongtimebeforeshespoke。
\"No，\"shesaidatlength，withalongsigh，\"Ican’trememberanythingatallaboutamill。Idon’tthinkthatIeversawaflourmillinmylifeuntilIsawyourfunnylittlechurch。AndifIwereyourlittlegirlI
wouldrememberit，wouldn’tI？I’msosorry，FatherAbram。\"
\"SoamI，\"saidFatherAbram，humouringher。\"Butifyoucannotrememberthatyouaremylittlegirl，MissRose，surelyyoucanrecollectbeingsomeoneelse’s。Yourememberyourownparents，ofcourse。\"
\"Oh，yes；Irememberthemverywell——especiallymyfather。Hewasn’tabitlikeyou，FatherAbram。Oh，Iwasonlymakingbelieve：Come，now，you’verestedlongenough。Youpromisedtoshowmethepoolwhereyoucanseethetroutplaying，thisafternoon。Ineversawatrout。\"
LateoneafternoonFatherAbramsetoutfortheoldmillalone。Heoftenwenttositandthinkoftheolddayswhenhelivedinthecottageacrosstheroad。Timehadsmoothedawaythesharpnessofhisgriefuntilhenolongerfoundthememoryofthosetimespainful。ButwheneverAbramStrongsatinthemelancholySeptemberafternoonsonthespotwhere\"Dums\"usedtorunineverydaywithheryellowcurlsflying，thesmilethatLakelandsalwayssawuponhisfacewasnotthere。
Themillermadehiswayslowlyupthewinding，steeproad。Thetreescrowdedsoclosetotheedgeofitthathewalkedintheirshade，withhishatinhishand。Squirrelsranplayfullyupontheoldrailfenceathisright。Quailswerecallingtotheiryoungbroodsinthewheatstubble。
Thelowsunsentatorrentofpalegolduptheravinethatopenedtothewest。EarlySeptember！——itwaswithinafewdaysonlyoftheanniversaryofAglaia’sdisappearance。
Theoldovershot-wheel，halfcoveredwithmountainivy，caughtpatchesofthewarmsunlightfilteringthroughthetrees。Thecottageacrosstheroadwasstillstanding，butitwoulddoubtlessgodownbeforethenextwinter’smountainblasts。Itwasoverrunwithmorninggloryandwildgourdvines，andthedoorhungbyonehinge。
FatherAbrampushedopenthemilldoor，andenteredsoftly。Andthenhestoodstill，wondering。Heheardthesoundofsomeonewithin，weepinginconsolably。Helooked，andsawMissChestersittinginadimpew，withherheadboweduponanopenletterthatherhandsheld。
FatherAbramwenttoher，andlaidoneofhisstronghandsfirmlyuponhers。Shelookedup，breathedhisname，andtriedtospeakfurther。
\"Notyet，MissRose，\"saidthemiller，kindly。\"Don’ttrytotalkyet。
There’snothingasgoodforyouasanice，quietlittlecrywhenyouarefeelingblue。\"
Itseemedthattheoldmiller，whohadknownsomuchsorrowhimself，wasamagicianindrivingitawayfromothers。MissChester’ssobsgreweasier。Presentlyshetookherlittleplain-borderedhandkerchiefandwipedawayadroportwothathadfallenfromhereyesuponFatherAbram’sbighand。Thenshelookedupandsmiledthroughhertears。MissChestercouldalwayssmilebeforehertearshaddried，justasFatherAbramcouldsmilethroughhisowngrief。Inthatwaythetwowereverymuchalike。
Themilleraskedhernoquestions；butbyandbyMissChesterbegantotellhim。
Itwastheoldstorythatalwaysseemssobigandimportanttotheyoung，andthatbringsreminiscentsmilestotheirelders。Lovewasthetheme，asmaybesupposed。TherewasayoungmaninAtlanta，fullofallgoodnessandthegraces，whohaddiscoveredthatMissChesteralsopossessedthesequalitiesaboveallotherpeopleinAtlantaoranywhereelsefromGreenlandtoPatagonia。SheshowedFatherAbramtheletteroverwhichshehadbeenweeping。Itwasamanly，tenderletter，alittlesuperlativeandurgent，afterthestyleofloveletterswrittenbyyoungmenfullofgoodnessandthegraces。HeproposedforMissChester’shandinmarriageatonce。Life，hesaid，sinceherdepartureforathree-weeks’visit，wasnottobeendured。Hebeggedforanimmediateanswer；andifitwerefavourablehepromisedtofly，ignoringthenarrow-gaugerailroad，atoncetoLakelands。
\"Andnowwheredoesthetroublecomein？\"askedthemillerwhenhehadreadtheletter。
\"Icannotmarryhim，\"saidMissChester。
\"Doyouwanttomarryhim？\"askedFatherAbram。
\"Oh，Ilovehim，\"sheanswered，\"but——\"Downwentherheadandshesobbedagain。
\"Come，MissRose，\"saidthemiller；\"youcangivemeyourconfidence。I
donotquestionyou，butIthinkyoucantrustme。\"
\"Idotrustyou，\"saidthegirl。\"IwilltellyouwhyImustrefuseRalph。Iamnobody；Ihaven’tevenaname；thenameIcallmyselfisalie。Ralphisanobleman。Ilovehimwithallmyheart，butIcanneverbehis。\"
\"Whattalkisthis？\"saidFatherAbram。\"Yousaidthatyourememberyourparents。Whydoyousayyouhavenoname？Idonotunderstand。\"
\"Idorememberthem，\"saidMissChester。\"Irememberthemtoowell。MyfirstrecollectionsareofourlifesomewhereinthefarSouth。Wemovedmanytimestodifferenttownsandstates。Ihavepickedcotton，andworkedinfactories，andhaveoftengonewithoutenoughfoodandclothes。
Mymotherwassometimesgoodtome；myfatherwasalwayscruel，andbeatme。Ithinktheywerebothidleandunsettled。
\"OnenightwhenwewerelivinginalittletownonarivernearAtlantatheyhadagreatquarrel。ItwaswhiletheywereabusingandtauntingeachotherthatIlearned——oh，FatherAbram，IlearnedthatIdidn’tevenhavetherighttobe——don’tyouunderstand？Ihadnorighteventoaname；Iwasnobody。
\"Iranawaythatnight。IwalkedtoAtlantaandfoundwork。IgavemyselfthenameofRoseChester，andhaveearnedmyownlivingeversince。NowyouknowwhyIcannotmarryRalph——and，oh，Icannevertellhimwhy。\"
Betterthananysympathy，morehelpfulthanpity，wasFatherAbram’sdepreciationofherwoes。
\"Why，dear，dear！isthatall？\"hesaid。\"Fie，fie！Ithoughtsomethingwasintheway。Ifthisperfectyoungmanisamanatallhewillnotcareapinchofbranforyourfamilytree。DearMissRose，takemywordforit，itisyourselfhecaresfor。Tellhimfrankly，justasyouhavetoldme，andI’llwarrantthathewilllaughatyourstory，andthinkallthemoreofyouforit。\"
\"Ishallnevertellhim，\"saidMissChester，sadly。\"AndIshallnevermarryhimnoranyoneelse。Ihavenottheright。\"
Buttheysawalongshadowcomebobbingupthesunlitroad。Andthencameashorteronebobbingbyitsside；andpresentlytwostrangefiguresapproachedthechurch。ThelongshadowwasmadebyMissPhoebeSummers，theorganist，cometopractise。TommyTeague，agedtwelve，wasresponsiblefortheshortershadow。ItwasTommy’sdaytopumptheorganforMissPhoebe，andhisbaretoesproudlyspurnedthedustoftheroad。
MissPhoebe，inherlilac-spraychintzdress，withheraccuratelittlecurlshangingovereachear，courtesiedlowtoFatherAbram，andshookhercurlsceremoniouslyatMissChester。Thensheandherassistantclimbedthesteepstairwaytotheorganloft。
Inthegatheringshadowsbelow，FatherAbramandMissChesterlingered。
Theyweresilent；anditislikelythattheywerebusywiththeirmemories。MissChestersat，leaningherheadonherhand，withhereyesfixedfaraway。FatherAbramstoodinthenextpew，lookingthoughtfullyoutofthedoorattheroadandtheruinedcottage。
Suddenlythescenewastransformedforhimbackalmostascoreofyearsintothepast。For，asTommypumpedaway，MissPhoebestruckalowbassnoteontheorganandheldittotestthevolumeofairthatitcontained。Thechurchceasedtoexist，sofarasFatherAbramwasconcerned。Thedeep，boomingvibrationthatshookthelittleframebuildingwasnonotefromanorgan，butthehummingofthemillmachinery。Hefeltsurethattheoldovershotwheelwasturning；thathewasbackagain，adusty，merrymillerintheoldmountainmill。Andnoweveningwascome，andsoonwouldcomeAglaiawithflyingcolours，toddlingacrosstheroadtotakehimhometosupper。FatherAbram’seyeswerefixeduponthebrokendoorofthecottage。
Andthencameanotherwonder。Inthegalleryoverheadthesacksofflourwerestackedinlongrows。Perhapsamousehadbeenatoneofthem；
anywaythejarofthedeeporgannoteshookdownbetweenthecracksofthegalleryfloorastreamofflour，coveringFatherAbramfromheadtofootwiththewhitedust。Andthentheoldmillersteppedintotheaisle，andwavedhisarmsandbegantosingthemiller’ssong：
\"Thewheelgoesround，Thegristisground，Thedustymiller’smerry。\"
——andthentherestofthemiraclehappened。MissChesterwasleaningforwardfromherpew，aspaleastheflouritself，herwide-openeyesstaringatFatherAbramlikeoneinawakingdream。Whenhebeganthesongshestretchedoutherarmstohim；herlipsmoved；shecalledtohimindreamytones：\"Da-da，cometakeDumshome！\"
MissPhoebereleasedthelowkeyoftheorgan。Butherworkhadbeenwelldone。Thenotethatshestruckhadbeatendownthedoorsofaclosedmemory；andFatherAbramheldhislostAglaiacloseinhisarms。
WhenyouvisitLakelandstheywilltellyoumoreofthisstory。Theywilltellyouhowthelinesofitwereafterwardtraced，andthehistoryofthemiller’sdaughterrevealedafterthegipsywanderershadstolenheronthatSeptemberday，attractedbyherchildishbeauty。ButyoushouldwaituntilyousitcomfortablyontheshadedporchoftheEagleHouse，andthenyoucanhavethestoryatyourease。ItseemsbestthatourpartofitshouldclosewhileMissPhoebe’sdeepbassnotewasyetreverberatingsoftly。
Andyet，tomymind，thefinestthingofitallhappenedwhileFatherAbramandhisdaughterwerewalkingbacktotheEagleHouseinthelongtwilight，almosttoogladtospeak。
\"Father，\"shesaid，somewhattimidlyanddoubtfully，\"haveyouagreatdealofmoney？\"
\"Agreatdeal？\"saidthemiller。\"Well，thatdepends。Thereisplentyunlessyouwanttobuythemoonorsomethingequallyexpensive。\"
\"Woulditcostvery，verymuch，\"askedAglaia，whohadalwayscountedherdimessocarefully，\"tosendatelegramtoAtlanta？\"
\"Ah，\"saidFatherAbram，withalittlesigh，\"Isee。YouwanttoaskRalphtocome。\"
Aglaialookedupathimwithatendersmile。
\"Iwanttoaskhimtowait，\"shesaid。\"Ihavejustfoundmyfather，andIwantittobejustwetwoforawhile。Iwanttotellhimhewillhavetowait。\"
XVIINEWYORKBYCAMPFIRELIGHT
AwayoutintheCreekNationwelearnedthingsaboutNewYork。
Wewereonahuntingtrip，andwerecampedonenightonthebankofalittlestream。BudKingsburywasourskilledhunterandguide，anditwasfromhislipsthatwehadexplanationsofManhattanandthequeerfolksthatinhabitit。Budhadoncespentamonthinthemetropolis，andaweekortwoatothertimes，andhewaspleasedtodiscoursetousofwhathehadseen。
FiftyyardsawayfromourcampwaspitchedtheteepeeofawanderingfamilyofIndiansthathadcomeupandsettledthereforthenight。Anold，oldIndianwomanwastryingtobuildafireunderanironpothunguponthreesticks。
Budwentovertoherassistance，andsoonhadherfiregoing。Whenhecamebackwecomplimentedhimplayfullyuponhisgallantry。
\"Oh，\"saidBud，\"don’tmentionit。It’sawayIhave。WheneverIseealadytryingtocookthingsinapotandhavingtroubleIalwaysgototherescue。Idonethesamethingonceinahigh-tonedhousein。NewYorkCity。HeapbigsocietyteepeeonFifthAvenue。ThatInjunladykindofrecalledittomymind。Yes，Iendeavourstobepoliteandhelptheladiesout。\"
Thecampdemandedtheparticulars。
\"IwasmanageroftheTriangleBRanchinthePanhandle，\"saidBud。\"ItwasownedatthattimebyoldmanSterling，ofNewYork。Hewantedtosellout，andhewroteformetocomeontoNewYorkandexplaintheranchtothesyndicatethatwantedtobuy。SoIsendstoFortWorthandhasafortydollarsuitofclothesmade，andhitsthetrailforthebigvillage。
\"Well，whenIgotthere，oldmanSterlingandhisoutfitcertainlylaidthemselvesouttobeagreeable。Wehadbusinessandpleasuresomixedupthatyoucouldn’ttellwhetheritwasatreatoratradehalfthetime。
Wehadtrolleyrides，andcigars，andtheatreround-ups，andrubberparties。\"
\"Rubberparties？\"saidalistener，inquiringly。
\"Sure，\"saidBud。\"Didn’tyouneverattend’em？Youwalkaroundandtrytolookatthetopsoftheskyscrapers。Well，wesoldtheranch，andoldmanSterlingasksme’roundtohishousetotakegrubonthenightbeforeIstartedback。Itwasn’tanyhigh-collaredaffair——justmeandtheoldmanandhiswifeanddaughter。Buttheywasafine-hairedoutfitallright，andtheliliesofthefieldwasn’tinit。TheymademyFortWorthclothescarpenterlooklikeadealerinhorseblanketsandgeestrings。
Andthenthetablewasallpompouswithflowers，andtherewasawholekitoftoolslaidoutbesideeverybody’splate。You’dhavethoughtyouwasfixedouttoburglarizearestaurantbeforeyoucouldgetyourgrub。ButI’dbeeninNewYorkoveraweekthen，andIwasgettingontostylishways。Ikindoftrailedbehindandwatchedtheothersusethehardwaresupplies，andthenItackledthechuckwiththesameweapons。Itain’tmuchtroubletotravelwiththehigh-flyersafteryoufindouttheirgait。
Igotalongfine。Iwasfeelingcoolandagreeable，andprettysoonI
wastalkingawayfluentasyouplease，allabouttheranchandtheWest，andtelling’emhowtheIndianseatgrasshopperstewandsnakes，andyouneversawpeoplesointerested。
\"ButtherealjoyofthatfeastwasthatMissSterling。Justalittletrickshewas，notbiggerthantwobitsworthofchewingplug；butshehadawayaboutherthatseemedtosayshewasthepeople，andyoubelievedit。Andyet，sheneverputonanyairs，andshesmiledatmethesameasifIwasamillionairewhileIwastellingaboutaCreekdogfeastandlistenedlikeitwasnewsfromhome。
\"Byandby，afterwehadeatoystersandsomewaterysoupandtruckthatneverwasinmyrepertory，aMethodistpreacherbringsinakindofcampstovearrangement，allsilver，onlonglegs，withalampunderit。
\"MissSterlinglightsupandbeginstodosomecookingrightonthesuppertable。IwonderedwhyoldmanSterlingdidn’thireacook，withallthemoneyhehad。Prettysoonshedishedoutsomecheesytastingtruckthatshesaidwasrabbit，butIsweartherehadneverbeenaMollycottontailinamileofit。
\"Thelastthingontheprogrammewaslemonade。Itwasbroughtaroundinlittleflatglassbowlsandsetbyyourplate。Iwasprettythirsty，andIpickedupmineandtookabigswigofit。Righttherewaswherethelittleladyhadmadeamistake。Shehadputinthelemonallright，butshe’dforgotthesugar。Thebesthousekeepersslipupsometimes。I
thoughtmaybeMissSterlingwasjustlearningtokeephouseandcook——
thatrabbitwouldsurelymakeyouthinkso——andIsaystomyself，’Littlelady，sugarornosugarI’llstandbyyou，’andIraisesupmybowlagainanddrinksthelastdropofthelemonade。Andthenallthebalanceof’empicksuptheirbowlsanddoesthesame。AndthenIgivesMissSterlingthelaughproper，justtocarryitofflikeajoke，soshewouldn’tfeelbadaboutthemistake。
\"Afterweallwentintothesittingroomshesatdownandtalkedtomequiteawhile。
\"’Itwassokindofyou，Mr。Kingsbury，’saysshe，tobringmyblunderoffsonicely。Itwassostupidofmetoforgetthesugar。’
\"’Neveryoumind，’saysI，’someluckymanwillthrowhisropeoveramightyelegantlittlehousekeepersomeday，notfarfromhere。’
\"’Ifyoumeanme，Mr。Kingsbury，’saysshe，laughingoutloud，’Ihopehewillbeaslenientwithmypoorhousekeepingasyouhavebeen。’
\"’Don’tmentionit，’saysI。’Anythingtoobligetheladies。’\"
Budceasedhisreminiscences。AndthensomeoneaskedhimwhatheconsideredthemoststrikingandprominenttraitofNewYorkers。
\"ThemostvisibleandpeculiartraitofNewYorkfolks，answeredBud，\"isNewYork。Mostof’emhasNewYorkonthebrain。Theyhaveheardofotherplaces，suchasWaco，andParis，andHotSprings，andLondon；buttheydon’tbelievein’em。TheythinkthattownisallMerino。NowtoshowyouhowmuchtheycarefortheirvillageI’lltellyouaboutoneof’emthatstrayedoutasfarastheTriangleBwhileIwasworkingthere。
\"ThisNewYorkercomeouttherelookingforajobontheranch。Hesaidhewasagoodhorsebackrider，andtherewaspiecesoftanbarkhangingonhisclothesyetfromhisridingschool。
\"Well，forawhiletheyputhimtokeepingbooksintheranchstore，forhewasadevilatfigures。Buthegottiredofthat，andaskedforsomethingmoreinthelineofactivity。Theboysontheranchlikedhimallright，buthemadeustiredshoutingNewYorkallthetime。Everynighthe’dtellusaboutEastRiverandJ。P。MorganandtheEdenMuseeandHettyGreenandCentralParktillweusedtothrowtinplatesandbrandingironsathim。
\"Onedaythischapgetsonapitchingpony，andtheponykindofsidleduphisbackandwenttoeatinggrasswhiletheNewYorkerwascomingdown。
\"Hecomedownonhisheadonachunkofmesquitwood，andhedidn’tshowanydesignstowardgettingupagain。Welaidhimoutinatent，andhebeguntolookprettydead。SoGideonPeasesaddlesupandburnsthewindforoldDocSleeper’sresidenceinDogtown，thirtymilesaway。
\"Thedoctorcomesoverandheinvestigatesthepatient。
\"’Boys，’sayshe，’youmightaswellgotoplayingseven-upforhissaddleandclothes，forhishead’sfracturedandifhelivestenminutesitwillbearemarkablecaseoflongevity。’
\"Ofcoursewedidn’tgambleforthepoorrooster’ssaddle——thatwasoneofDoc’sjokes。Butwestoodaroundfeelingsolemn，andallofusforgivehimforhavingtalkedustodeathaboutNewYork。
\"Ineversawanybodyabouttohandinhischecksactmorepeacefulthanthisfellow。Hiseyeswerefixed’wayupintheair，andhewasusingramblingwordstohimselfallaboutsweetmusicandbeautifulstreetsandwhite-robedforms，andhewassmilinglikedyingwasapleasure。
\"’He’saboutgonenow，’saidDoc。’Whenevertheybegintothinktheyseeheavenit’salloff。’
\"BlamedifthatNewYorkmandidn’tsitrightupwhenheheardtheDocsaythat。
\"’Say，’sayshe，kindofdisappointed，’wasthatheaven？Confounditall，IthoughtitwasBroadway。Someofyoufellowsgetmyclothes。I’mgoingtogetup。’
\"AndI’llbeblamed，\"concludedBud，\"ifhewasn’tonthetrainwithaticketforNewYorkinhispocketfourdaysafterward！\"
XVIIITHEADVENTURESOFSHAMROCKJOLNES
IamsofortunateastocountShamrockJolnes，thegreatNewYorkdetective，amongmymusteroffriends。Jolnesiswhatiscalledthe\"insideman\"ofthecitydetectiveforce。Heisanexpertintheuseofthetypewriter，anditishisduty，wheneverthereisa\"murdermystery\"
tobesolved，tositatadesktelephoneatheadquartersandtakedownthemessagesof\"cranks\"who’phoneintheirconfessionstohavingcommittedthecrime。
Butoncertain\"off\"dayswhenconfessionsarecominginslowlyandthreeorfournewspapershaveruntoearthasmanydifferentguiltypersons，Jolneswillknockaboutthetownwithme，exhibiting，tomygreatdelightandinstruction，hismarvellouspowersofobservationanddeduction。
TheotherdayIdroppedinatHeadquartersandfoundthegreatdetectivegazingthoughtfullyatastringthatwastiedtightlyaroundhislittlefinger。
\"Goodmorning，Whatsup，\"hesaid，withoutturninghishead。\"I’mgladtonoticethatyou’vehadyourhousefittedupwithelectriclightsatlast。\"
\"Willyoupleasetellme，\"Isaid，insurprise，\"howyouknewthat？IamsurethatInevermentionedthefacttoanyone，andthewiringwasarushordernotcompleteduntilthismorning。\"
\"Nothingeasier，\"saidJolnes，genially。\"AsyoucameinIcaughttheodourofthecigaryouaresmoking。Iknowanexpensivecigar；andIknowthatnotmorethanthreemeninNewYorkcanaffordtosmokecigarsandpaygasbillstooatthepresenttime。Thatwasaneasyone。ButIamworkingjustnowonalittleproblemofmyown。\"
\"Whyhaveyouthatstringonyourfinger？\"Iasked。
\"That’stheproblem，\"saidJolnes。\"MywifetiedthatonthismorningtoremindmeofsomethingIwastosenduptothehouse。Sitdown，Whatsup，andexcusemeforafewmoments。\"
Thedistinguisheddetectivewenttoawalltelephone，andstoodwiththereceivertohisearforprobablytenminutes。
\"Wereyoulisteningtoaconfession？\"Iasked，whenhehadreturnedtohischair。
\"Perhaps，\"saidJolnes，withasmile，\"itmightbecalledsomethingofthesort。Tobefrankwithyou，Whatsup，I’vecutoutthedope。I’vebeenincreasingthequantityforsolongthatmorphinedoesn’thavemucheffectonmeanymore。I’vegottohavesomethingmorepowerful。ThattelephoneIjustwenttoisconnectedwitharoomintheWaldorfwherethere’sanauthor’sreadinginprogress。Now，togetatthesolutionofthisstring。\"
Afterfiveminutesofsilentpondering，Jolneslookedatme，withasmile，andnoddedhishead。
\"Wonderfulman！\"Iexclaimed；\"already？\"
\"Itisquitesimple，\"hesaid，holdinguphisfinger。\"Youseethatknot？Thatistopreventmyforgetting。Itis，therefore，aforget-me-knot。Aforget-me-notisaflower。ItwasasackofflourthatIwastosendhome！\"
\"Beautiful！\"Icouldnothelpcryingoutinadmiration。
\"Supposewegooutforaramble，\"suggestedJolnes。