\"YOU，\"saidBrookspromptly。\"You\'reallstandinghere，croakinglikecrows，thisfinemorning。IpassedYOURfarm，Johnson，notanhourago；thewheatjustclimbingoutoftheblackadobemudasthickasrowsofpinsonpaper——whathaveYOUtogrumbleat？IsawYOURstock，Briggs，overonTwo-MileBottom，waddlingalong，fatastheadobetheywerestickingin，theircoatsshininglikefreshpaint——what\'sthematterwithYOU？And，\"turningtotheproprietor，\"there\'sYOURshed，Saunders，overonthecreek，justburstingwithlastyear\'sgrainthatyouknowhasgoneuptwohundredpercent。sinceyouboughtitatabargain——whatareYOU
growlingat？It\'senoughtoprovokeafireorafaminetohearyougroaning——andtakecareitdon\'t，someday，asalessontoyou。\"
Allthiswassoperfectlytrueoftheprosperousburghersthattheycouldnotforamomentreply。ButBriggshadrecoursetowhathebelievedtobearetaliatorytaunt。
\"Iheardyou\'vebeenaskin\'WidowWadetocometoyourdance，\"hesaid，withawinkattheothers。\"Ofcourseshesaid\'Yes。\'\"
\"Ofcourseshedid，\"returnedBrookscoolly。\"I\'vejustgothernote。\"
\"What？\"ejaculatedthethreementogether。\"Mrs。Wadecomin\'？\"
\"Certainly！Whyshouldn\'tshe？AnditwoulddoYOUgoodtocometoo，andshakethelimpdampnessouto\'you，\"returnedBrooks，ashequietlyremountedhishorseandcanteredaway。
\"DarnedefIdon\'tthinkhe\'sgothiseyeonthewidder，\"saidJohnsonfaintly。
\"Orthequartersection，\"addedBriggsgloomily。
Forallthat，theeventfuleveningcame，withmanylightsinthestaring，undrapedwindowsofthehotel，coldlybrightbuntingonthestilldampwallsofthelongdining-room，andagentledownpourfromthehiddenskiesabove。AclosecarryallwasespeciallyselectedtobringMrs。Wadeandherhousekeeper。Thewidowarrived，lookingalittleslimmerthanusualinhercloselybuttonedblackdress，whitecollarandcuffs，veryglisteningineyeandinhair，——whoseglossyblackringletswereperhapsmoreelaboratelyarrangedthanwashercustom，——andwithafaintcomingandgoingofcolor，dueperhapstoheragitationatthistentativereenteringintoworldlylife，whichwasneverthelessquitevirginalineffect。Avaguesolemnitypervadedtheintroductoryproceedings，andasingularwantofsociabilitywasvisibleinthe\"sociable\"
partoftheentertainment。Peopletalkedinwhispersorwiththatgraveprecisionwhichindicatesgoodmannersinruralcommunities；
conversedpainfullywithotherpeoplewhomtheydidnotwanttotalktoratherthanappeartobealone，orrushedaimlesslytogetherlikewaterdrops，andthenfloatedinbroken，adherentmassesoverthefloor。Thewidowbecameahelpless，religiouscentreofdeaconsandSunday-schoolteachers，whichBrooks，untiring，yetfruitless，inhisattempttoproducegayety，triedinvaintobreak。Tothisgloomtheuntrieddangersoftheimpendingdance，dulyprefiguredbyalonelycottagepianoandtwoviolinsinadesertofexpanse，addedanervouschill。Whenatlastthemusicstruckup——somewhathesitatinglyandprotestingly，fromthecircumstancethattheplayerwasthechurchorganist，andfumbledmechanicallyforhisstops，theattempttomakeupacotillonsetwaslefttotheheroicBrooks。
Yethebarelyescapeddisasterwhen，inposingthecouples，heincautiouslybeggedthemtolookalittlelessasiftheywerewaitingforthecoffintobebornedowntheaislebetweenthem，andwasrewardedbyaburstoftearsfromMrs。Johnson，whohadlostachildtwoyearsbefore，andwhohadtobeledaway，whileherplaceinthesetwastakenbyanother。Yetthecotillonpassedoff；aSpanishdancesucceeded；\"Moneymusk，\"withtheVirginiaReel，putaslightintoxicatingvibrationintotheair，andhealthyyouthatlastasserteditselfinascoreoffreckledbutbuxomgirlsinwhitemuslin，withrompingfiguresandlaughter，atthelowerendoftheroom。Stillarigiddecorumreignedamongtheelderdancers，andthefigureswerecalledoutingraveformality，asif，toBrooks\'sfancy，theywerehymnsgivenfromthepulpit，untilatthecloseoftheset，inhalf-real，half-mockdespair，heturneddesperatelytoMrs。Wade，hispartner：——
\"Doyouwaltz？\"
Mrs。Wadehesitated。SheHAD，beforemarriage，andwasagoodwaltzer。\"Ido，\"shesaidtimidly，\"butdoyouthinkthey\"——
Butbeforethepoorwidowcouldformulateherfearsastothereceptionof\"rounddances，\"Brookshaddartedtothepiano，andthenextmomentsheheardwitha\"fearfuljoy\"theopeningbarsofawaltz。ItwasanoldJulienwaltz，freshstillinthefifties，daring，provocativetofoot，swampingtointellect，arrestingtojudgment，irresistible，supreme！BeforeMrs。Wadecouldprotest，Brooks\'sarmhadgatheredupherslimfigure，andwithonequickbackwardsweepandswirltheywereoff！Thefloorwasclearedfortheminasuddenbewildermentofalarm——asuspenseofburningcuriosity。Thewidow\'slittlefeettrippedquickly，herlongblackskirtswungout；assheturnedthecornertherewasnotonlyasuddenrevelationofherprettyankles，but，whatwasmorestartling，adazzlingflashoffrilledandlacedpetticoat，whichatonceconvincedeverywomanintheroomthattheacthadbeenpremeditatedfordays！Yeteventhatcriticismwaspresentlyforgotteninthepervadingintoxicationofthemusicandthemovement。Theyoungerpeoplefellintoitwithwildrompings，whirlings，andclaspingofhandsandwaists。Andstrangerthanall，acorybanticenthusiasmseizedupontheemotionallyreligious，andthosepriestsandpriestessesofCybelewhowerefamousfortheirfrenzyandpassionincamp-meetingdevotionsseemedtofindanequalexpressionthatnightinthewaltz。Andwhen，flushedandpanting，Mrs。Wadeatlasthaltedonthearmofherpartner，theywerenearlyknockedoverbytherevolvingJohnsonandMrs。Stubbsinawhirlofgloomyexultation！DeaconsandSunday-schoolteacherswaltzedtogetheruntilthelongroomshook，andtheverybuntingonthewallswavedandflutteredwiththegyrationsofthosereligiousdervishes。Nobodyknew——nobodycaredhowlongthisfrenzylasted——itceasedonlywiththecollapseofthemusicians。
Then，withmuchvaguebewilderment，inwardtrepidation，awkwardandincoherentpartings，everybodywentdazedlyhome；therewasnootherdancingafterthat——thewaltzwastheoneeventofthefestivalandofthehistoryofSantaAna。Andlaterthatnight，whenthetimidMrs。Wade，intheseclusionofherownroomandthedisrobingofherslimfigure，glancedatherspotlessfrilledandlacedpetticoatlyingonachair，afaintsmile——thefirstofherwidowhood——curvedthecornersofherprettymouth。
AweekofominoussilenceregardingthefestivalsucceededinSantaAna。Thelocalpapergavethefullestparticularsoftheopeningofthehotel，butcontenteditselfwithsaying：\"Theentertainmentconcludedwithadance。\"Mr。Brooks，whofelthimselfcompelledtocalluponhislatecharmingpartnertwiceduringtheweek，characteristicallysoothedheranxietiesastotheresult。\"Thefactofitis，Mrs。Wade，there\'sreallynobodyinparticulartoblame——andthat\'swhatgetsthem。They\'reallmixedupinit，deaconsandSunday-schoolteachers；andwhenoldJohnsontriedtobenastytheothereveningandhopedyouhadn\'tsufferedfromyourexertionsthatnight，Itoldhimyouhadn\'tquiterecoveredyetfromthephysicalshockofhavingbeenrunintobyhimandMrs。
Stubbs，butthat，youbeingalady，youdidn\'ttelljusthowyoufeltattheexhibitionheandshemadeofthemselves。Thatshuthimup。\"
\"Butyoushouldn\'thavesaidthat，\"saidMrs。Wadewithafrightenedlittlesmile。
\"Nomatter，\"returnedBrookscheerfully。\"I\'lltaketheblameofitwiththeothers。Youseethey\'llhavetohaveascapegoat——andI\'mjusttheman，forIgotupthedance！AndasI\'mgoingaway，I
supposeIshallbearoffthesinwithmeintothewilderness。\"
\"You\'regoingaway？\"repeatedMrs。Wadeinmoregenuineconcern。
\"Notforlong，\"returnedBrookslaughingly。\"Icameheretolookupamillsite，andI\'vefoundit。MeantimeIthinkI\'veopenedtheireyes。\"
\"Youhaveopenedmine，\"saidthewidowwithtimidfrankness。
Theyweresoftprettyeyeswhenopened，inspiteoftheirheavyredlids，andMr。BrooksthoughtthatSantaAnawouldbenoworseiftheyremainedopen。Possiblyhelookedit，forMrs。Wadesaidhurriedly，\"Imean——thatis——I\'vebeenthinkingthatlifeneedn\'tALWAYSbeasgloomyaswemakeithere。AndevenHERE，youknow，Mr。Brooks，wehavesixmonths\'sunshine——thoughwealwaysforgetitintherainyseason。\"
\"That\'sso，\"saidBrookscheerfully。\"Ioncelostaheapofmoneythroughmyownfoolishness，andI\'vemanagedtoforgetit，andI
evenreckontogetitbackagainoutofSantaAnaifmymillspeculationholdsgood。Sogood-by，Mrs。Wade——butnotforlong。\"
Heshookherhandfranklyanddeparted，leavingthewidowconsciousofacertainsympatheticconfidenceandalittlegratefulfor——sheknewnotwhat。
Thisfeelingremainedwithhermostoftheafternoon，andevenimpartedacertaingayetytoherspirits，totheextentofcausinghertohumsoftlytoherself；theairbeingoddlyenoughtheJulienWaltz。Andwhen，laterintheday，theshadowswereclosinginwiththerain，wordwasbroughttoherthatastrangerwishedtoseeherinthesitting-room，shecarriedalessmournfulmindtothisfunctionofherexistence。ForMrs。Wadewasaccustomedtogiveaudiencetotravelingagents，tradesmen，working-handsandservants，aschatelaineofherranch，andtheoccasionwasnotnovel。Yetonenteringtheroom，whichsheusedpartlyasanoffice，shefoundsomedifficultyinclassifyingthestranger，whoatfirstglanceremindedherofthetrampingminershehadseenthatnightfromherwindow。Hewasratherincongruouslydressed，somearticlesofhisapparelbeingfinerthanothers；heworeadiamondpininascarffoldedoverarough\"hickory\"shirt；hislighttrousersweretuckedincommonminingbootsthatborestainsoftravelandasuggestionthathehadsleptinhisclothes。Whatshecouldseeofhisunshavenfaceinthatuncertainlightexpressedakindofdoggedconcentration，overlaidbyanassumptionofease。Hegotupasshecamein，andwithaslight\"Howdo，ma\'am，\"shutthedoorbehindherandglancedfurtivelyaroundtheroom。
\"WhatI\'vegottosaytoye，Mrs。Wade，——asIreckonyoube，——isstrictlyprivateandconfidential！Why，ye\'llseeaforeIgetthrough。ButIthoughtImightjustaswellcautionyeaginourbeingdisturbed。\"
Overcomingaslightinstinctofrepulsion，Mrs。Wadereturned，\"Youcanspeaktomehere；noonewillinterruptyou——unlessIcallthem，\"sheaddedwithalittlefemininecaution。
\"AndIreckonyewon\'tdothat，\"hesaidwithagrimsmile。\"Youarethewidowo\'PulaskiWade，lateo\'HeavyTreeHill，Ireckon？\"
\"Iam，\"saidMrs。Wade。
\"Andyourhusband\'sburieduptharinthegraveyard，withamonumentoverhimsettingforthhisvirtuesezaChristianandasquaremanandahigh-mindedcitizen？Andthathewasfoullymurderedbyhighwaymen？\"
\"Yes，\"saidMrs。Wade，\"thatistheinscription。\"
\"Well，ma\'am，abiggerpacko\'liesneverwascutonstone！\"
Mrs。Waderose，halfinindignation，halfinterror。
\"Keepyoursittin\'，\"saidthestranger，withawarningwaveofhishand。\"WaittillI\'mthrough，andthenyoucallinthehullStateo\'Californy，efyewant。\"
Thestranger\'smannerwassodoggedlyconfidentthatMrs。Wadesankbacktremblinglyinherchair。Themanputhisslouchhatonhisknee，twirleditroundonceortwice，andthensaidwiththesamestubborndeliberation：——
\"Thehighwaymaninthatbusinesswasyourhusband——PulaskiWade——
andhisgang，andhewaskilledbyoneo\'themenhewasrobbin\'。
Yesee，ma\'am，itusedtobeyourhusband\'slittlegametoropeinthreeorfourstrangersinapokerdealatSpanishJim\'ssaloon——I
seeyou\'veheardo\'theplace，\"heinterpolatedasMrs。Wadedrewbacksuddenly——\"andwhenhecouldn\'tclean\'emoutinthatway，ortheyshowedalittlemoremoneythantheyplayed，he\'dlayfor\'emwithhisganginalonepartofthetrail，andgothroughthemlikeanyroadagent。That\'swhathedidthatnight——andthat\'showhegotkilled。\"
\"Howdoyouknowthis？\"saidMrs。Wade，withquiveringlips。
\"Iwasoneo\'themenhewentthroughbeforehewaskilled。AndI\'dhevgotmymoneyback，buttheresto\'thegangcameup，andI
gotawayjestintimetosavemylifeandnothin\'else。Yemightremembertharwasonemangotawayandgiv\'thealarm，buthewasgoin\'ontotheStatesbytheoverlandcoachthatnightandcouldn\'tstaytobeawitness。Iwasthatman。Ihadpaidmypassagethrough，andIcouldn\'tloseTHATtoowithmyothermoney，soIwent。\"
Mrs。Wadesatstunned。Sherememberedthemissingwitness，andhowshehadlongedtoseethemanwhowaslastwithherhusband；sherememberedSpanishJim\'ssaloon——hiswell-knownhaunt；hisfrequentandunaccountableabsences，thesuddeninfluxofmoneywhichhealwayssaidhehadwonatcards；thediamondringhehadgivenherastheresultof\"abet；\"theforgottenrecurrenceofotherrobberiesbyasecretmaskedgang；ahundredotherthingsthathadworriedher，instinctively，vaguely。Sheknewnow，too，themeaningoftheunrestthathaddrivenherfromHeavyTreeHill——thestrangeunformulatedfearsthathadhauntedherevenhere。Yetwithallthisshefelt，too，herpresentweakness——knewthatthismanhadtakenheratadisadvantage，thatsheoughttoindignantlyassertherself，denyeverything，demandproof，andbrandhimaslanderer！
\"Howdid——you——knowitwasmyhusband？\"shestammered。
\"Hismaskfelloffinthefight；youknowanothermaskwasfound——
itwasHIS。IsawhimasplainlyasIseehimthere！\"hepointedtoadaguerreotypeofherhusbandwhichstooduponherdesk。
Mrs。Wadecouldonlystarevacantly，hopelessly。Afterapausethemancontinuedinalessaggressivemannerandmoreconfidentialtone，which，however，onlyincreasedherterror。\"Iain\'tsayin\'
thatYOUknowedanythingaboutthis，ma\'am，andwhateverotherfolksmightsaywhenTHEYknowofit，I\'llallerssaythatyoudidn\'t。\"
\"What，then，didyoucomeherefor？\"saidthewidowdesperately。
\"WhatdoIcomeherefor？\"repeatedthemangrimly，lookingaroundtheroom；\"whatdidIcometothisyercomfortablehome——thisyerbigranchandtoarichwomanlikeyourselffor？Well，Mrs。Wade，Icometogetthesixhundreddollarsyourhusbandrobbedmeof，that\'sall！Iain\'taskin\'more！Iain\'taskin\'interest！I
ain\'taskin\'compensationforhavin\'torunformylife——and，\"
againlookinggrimlyroundthewalls，\"Iain\'taskin\'morethanyouwillgive——orismyrights。\"
\"Butthishouseneverwashis；itwasmyfather\'s，\"gaspedMrs。
Wade；\"youhavenoright\"——
\"Mebbe\'yes\'andmebbe\'no，\'Mrs。Wade，\"interruptedtheman，withawaveofhishat；\"buthowaboutthemtwocheckstobearerfortwohundreddollarseachfoundamongyourhusband\'seffects，andcollectedbyyourlawyerforyou——MYCHECKS，Mrs。Wade？\"
Awaveofdreadfulrecollectionoverwhelmedher。Sherememberedthechecksfounduponherhusband\'sbody，knownonlytoherandherlawyer，believedtobegamblinggains，andcollectedatonceunderhislegaladvice。Yetshemadeonemoredesperateeffortinspiteoftheinstinctthattoldherhewasspeakingthetruth。
\"Butyoushallhavetoproveit——beforewitnesses。\"
\"DoyouWANTmetoproveitbeforewitnesses？\"saidtheman，comingnearerher。\"Doyouwanttotakemywordandkeepitbetweenourselves，ordoyouwanttocallinyoursuperintendentandhismen，andallSantyAny，tohearmeproveyourhusbandwasahighwayman，thief，andmurderer？DoyouwanttoknockoverthatmonumentonHeavyTreeHill，andupsetyourstandinghereamongthedeaconsandelders？Doyouwanttodoallthisandbeforced，evenbyyourneighbors，topaymeintheend，asyouwill？Efyoudo，callinyourwitnessesnowandlet\'shaveitover。MebbeitwouldlookbetterefIgotthemoneyoutofYOURFRIENDSthanye——
awoman！P\'rapsyou\'reright！\"
Hemadeasteptowardsthedoor，butshestoppedhim。
\"No！no！wait！It\'salargesum——Ihaven\'titwithme，\"shestammered，thoroughlybeaten。
\"Yekingetit。\"
\"Givemetime！\"sheimplored。\"Look！I\'llgiveyouahundreddownnow，——allIhavehere，——therestanothertime！\"Shenervouslyopenedadrawerofherdeskandtakingoutabuckskinbagofgoldthrustitinhishand。\"There！goawaynow！\"Sheliftedherthinhandsdespairinglytoherhead。\"Go！do！\"
Themanseemedstruckbyhermanner。\"Idon\'twanttobehardonawoman，\"hesaidslowly。\"I\'llgonowandcomebackagainatnineto-night。Youcangitthemoney，orwhat\'sasgood，achecktobearer，bythen。Andefye\'lltakemyadvice，youwon\'tasknoadvicefromothers，efyouwanttokeepyoursecret。Justnowit\'ssafewithme；I\'masquareman，efIseemtobeahardone。\"Hemadeagestureasiftotakeherhand，butasshedrewshrinkinglyaway，hechangedittoanawkwardbow，andthenextmomentwasgone。
Shestartedtoherfeet，buttheunwontedstrainuponhernervesandfrailbodyhadbeengreaterthansheknew。Shemadeastepforward，felttheroomwhirlroundherandthenseemtocollapsebeneathherfeet，and，clutchingatherchair，sankbackintoit，fainting。
Howlongshelaytheresheneverknew。Shewasatlastconsciousofsomeonebendingoverher，andavoice——thevoiceofMr。Brooks——
inherear，saying，\"Ibegyourpardon；youseemill。ShallI
callsomeone？\"
\"No！\"shegasped，quicklyrecoveringherselfwithaneffort，andstaringroundher。\"Whereis——whendidyoucomein？\"
\"Onlythismoment。Iwasleavingtonight，soonerthanIexpected，andthoughtI\'dsaygood-by。Theytoldmethatyouhadbeenengagedwithastranger，buthehadjustgone。Ibegyourpardon——
Iseeyouareill。Iwon\'tdetainyouanylonger。\"
\"No！no！don\'tgo！Iambetter——better，\"shesaidfeverishly。Assheglancedathisstrongandsympatheticfaceawildideaseizedher。Hewasastrangerhere，analientothesepeople，likeherself。Theadvicethatshedarenotseekfromothers，fromherhalf-estrangedreligiousfriends，fromevenhersuperintendentandhiswife，daresheaskfromhim？Perhapshesawthisfrighteneddoubt，thisimploringappeal，inhereyes，forhesaidgently，\"IsitanythingIcandoforyou？\"
\"Yes，\"shesaid，withthesuddendesperationofweakness；\"Iwantyoutokeepasecret。\"
\"Yours？——yes！\"hesaidpromptly。
WhereatpoorMrs。Wadeinstantlyburstintotears。Then，amidsthersobs，shetoldhimofthestranger\'svisit，ofhisterribleaccusations，ofhisdemands，hisexpectedreturn，andherownutterhelplessness。Toherterror，asshewentonshesawasingularchangeinhiskindface；hewasfollowingherwithhard，eagerintensity。Shehadhalfhoped，eventhroughherfatefulinstincts，thathemighthavelaughed，manlike，atherfears，orpooh-poohedthewholething。Buthedidnot。\"Yousayhepositivelyrecognizedyourhusband？\"herepeatedquickly。
\"Yes，yes！\"sobbedthewidow，\"andknewthatdaguerreotype！\"shepointedtothedesk。
Brooksturnedquicklyinthatdirection。Luckilyhisbackwastowardsher，andshecouldnotseehisface，andthequick，startledlookthatcameintohiseyes。Butwhentheyagainmethers，itwasgone，andeventheireagerintensityhadchangedtoagentlecommiseration。\"Youhaveonlyhiswordforit，Mrs。Wade，\"
hesaidgently，\"andintellingyoursecrettoanother，youhaveshorntherascalofhalfhispoweroveryou。Andheknewit。Now，dismissthematterfromyourmindandleaveitalltome。Iwillbehereafewminutesbeforenine——ANDALONEINTHISROOM。Letyourvisitorbeshowninhere，anddon\'tletusbedisturbed。
Don\'tbealarmed，\"headdedwithafainttwinkleinhiseye，\"therewillbenofussandnoexposure！\"
ItlackedafewminutesofninewhenMr。Brookswasusheredintothesitting-room。Assoonashewasalonehequietlyexaminedthedoorandthewindows，andhavingsatisfiedhimself，tookhisseatinachaircasuallyplacedbehindthedoor。Presentlyheheardthesoundofvoicesandaheavyfootstepinthepassage。Helightlyfelthiswaistcoatpocket——itcontainedaprettylittleweaponofpowerandprecision，withabarrelscarcelytwoincheslong。
Thedooropened，andthepersonoutsideenteredtheroom。InaninstantBrookshadshutthedoorandlockeditbehindhim。Themanturnedfiercely，butwasfacedbyBrooksquietly，withonefingercalmlyhookedinhiswaistcoatpocket。Themanslightlyrecoiledfromhim——notasmuchfromfearasfromsomevaguestupefaction。
\"What\'sthatfor？What\'syourlittlegame？\"hesaidhalfcontemptuously。
\"Nogameatall，\"returnedBrookscoolly。\"Youcameheretosellasecret。Idon\'tproposetohaveitgivenawayfirsttoanylistener。\"
\"YOUdon\'t——whoareYOU？\"
\"That\'saqueerquestiontoaskofthemanyouaretryingtopersonate——butIdon\'twonder！You\'redoingitd————dbadly。\"
\"Personate——YOU？\"saidthestranger，withstaringeyes。
\"Yes，ME，\"saidBrooksquietly。\"IamtheonlymanwhoescapedfromtherobberythatnightatHeavyTreeHillandwhowenthomebytheOverlandCoach。\"
Thestrangerstared，butrecoveredhimselfwithacoarselaugh。
\"Oh，well！we\'reonthesamelay，itappears！Bothafterthewidow——aforeweshowupherhusband。\"
\"Notexactly，\"saidBrooks，withhiseyesfixedintentlyonthestranger。\"YouareheretodenounceahighwaymanwhoisDEADandescapedjustice。IamheretodenounceonewhoisLIVING！——Stop！
dropyourhand；it\'snouse。Youthoughtyouhadtodealonlywithawomanto-night，andyourrevolverisn\'tquitehandyenough。
There！down！——down！So！That\'lldo。\"
\"Youcan\'tproveit，\"saidthemanhoarsely。
\"Fool！Inyourstorytothatwomanyouhavegivenyourselfaway。
Therewerebuttwotravelersattackedbythehighwaymen。Onewaskilled——Iamtheother。WheredoYOUcomein？Whatwitnesscanyoube——exceptasthehighwaymanthatyouare？WhoislefttoidentifyWadebut——hisaccomplice！\"
Theman\'ssuddenlywhitenedfacemadehisunshavenbeardseemtobristleoverhisfacelikesomewildanimal\'s。\"Well，efyoukalkilatetoblowme，you\'vegottoblowWadeandhiswiddertoo。
Jestyourememberthat，\"hesaidwhiningly。
\"I\'vethoughtofthat，\"saidBrookscoolly，\"andIcalculatethattopreventitisworthaboutthathundreddollarsyougotfromthatpoorwoman——andnomore！Now，sitdownatthattable，andwriteasIdictate。\"
Themanlookedathiminwonder，butobeyed。
\"Write，\"saidBrooks，\"\'IherebycertifythatmyaccusationsagainstthelatePulaskiWadeofHeavyTreeHillareerroneousandgroundless，andtheresultofmistakenidentity，especiallyinregardtoanycomplicityofhisintherobberyofJohnStubbs，deceased，andHenryBrooks，atHeavyTreeHill，onthenightofthe13thAugust，1854。\'\"
Themanlookedupwitharepulsivesmile。\"Who\'sthefoolnow，Cap\'n？What\'sbecomeofyourholdonthewidder，now？\"
\"Write！\"saidBrooksfiercely。
ThesoundofapenhurriedlyscratchingpaperfollowedthisfirstoutburstofthequietBrooks。
\"Signit，\"saidBrooks。
Themansignedit。
\"Nowgo，\"saidBrooks，unlockingthedoor，\"butremember，ifyoushouldeverbeinclinedtorevisitSantaAna，youwillfindME
livingherealso。\"
Themanslunkoutofthedoorandintothepassagelikeawildanimalreturningtothenightanddarkness。Brookstookupthepaper，rejoinedMrs。Wadeintheparlor，andlaiditbeforeher。
\"But，\"saidthewidow，tremblingeveninherjoy，\"doyou——doyouthinkhewasREALLYmistaken？\"
\"Positive，\"saidBrookscoolly。\"It\'strue，it\'samistakethathascostyouahundreddollars，buttherearesomemistakesthatareworththattobekeptquiet。\"……
Theyweremarriedayearlater；butthereisnorecordthatinafteryearsofconjugalrelationswithaweak，charming，butsometimestryingwoman，HenryBrookswasevertemptedtotellherthewholetruthoftherobberyofHeavyTreeHill。
THEMERMAIDOFLIGHTHOUSEPOINT
Somefortyyearsago，onthenortherncoastofCalifornia，neartheGoldenGate，stoodalighthouse。Ofaprimitiveclass，sincesupersededbyabuildingmoreinkeepingwiththegrowingmagnitudeoftheadjacentport，itattractedlittleattentionfromthedesolateshore，and，itwasalleged，stilllessfromthedesolateseabeyond。Agraystructureoftimber，stone，andglass，itwasbuffetedandharriedbytheconstanttradewinds，bakedbytheuncloudedsixmonths\'sun，lostforafewhoursintheafternoonsea-fog，andlaughedoverbycirclingguillemotsfromtheFarallones。
Itwaskeptbyarecluse——apreoccupiedmanofscientifictastes，who，inshamelesscontrasttohisfellowimmigrants，hadappliedtothegovernmentforthisscarcelylucrativepositionasameansofsecuringtheseclusionhevaluedmorethangold。Somebelievedthathewasthevictimofanearlydisappointmentinlove——aviewcharitablytakenbythosewhoalsobelievedthatthegovernmentwouldnothaveappointed\"acrank\"toapositionofresponsibility。
Howbeit，hefulfilledhisduties，and，withtheassistanceofanIndian，evencultivatedasmallpatchofgroundbesidethelighthouse。Hisisolationwascomplete！Therewaslittletoattractwanderershere：thenearestmineswerefiftymilesaway；thevirginforestonthemountainsinlandwerepenetratedonlybysawmillsandwoodmenfromtheBaysettlements，equallyremote。Althoughbytheshore-linethelightsofthegreatportweresometimesplainlyvisible，yetthesolitudearoundhimwaspeopledonlybyIndians，——abranchofthegreatnortherntribeof\"root-diggers，\"——peacefulandsimpleintheirhabits，asyetundisturbedbythewhiteman，norstirredintoantagonismbyaggression。Civilizationonlytouchedhimatstatedintervals，andthenbythemoreexpeditiousseafromthegovernmentboatthatbroughthimsupplies。Butforhiscontiguitytotheperpetualturmoilofwindandsea，hemighthavepassedarestfulArcadianlifeinhissurroundings；forevenhissolitudewassometimeshauntedbythisfaintreminderofthegreatporthardbythatpulsatedwithanequalunrest。Nevertheless，thesandsbeforehisdoorandtherocksbehindhimseemedtohavebeenuntroddenbyanyotherwhiteman\'sfootsincetheirupheavalfromtheocean。Itwastruethatthelittlebaybesidehimwasmarkedonthemapas\"SirFrancisDrake\'sBay，\"traditionhavinglocateditasthespotwherethatingeniouspirateandempire-makerhadoncelandedhisvesselsandscrapedthebarnaclesfromhisadventurouskeels。ButofthisEdgarPomfrey——or\"CaptainPomfrey，\"ashewascalledbyvirtueofhishalf-nauticaloffice——hadthoughtlittle。
Forthefirstsixmonthshehadthoroughlyenjoyedhisseclusion。
Inthecompanyofhisbooks，ofwhichhehadbroughtsuchafairstorethattheirshelveslinedhissnugcornerstotheexclusionofmorecomfortablefurniture，hefoundhisprincipalrecreation。
Evenhisunwontedmanuallabor，thetrimmingofhislampandcleaningofhisreflectors，andhispersonalhousekeeping，inwhichhisIndianhelpattimesassisted，hefoundanovelandinterestingoccupation。Foroutdoorexercise，arambleonthesands，aclimbtotherockyupland，orapullinthelighthouseboat，amplysufficedhim。\"Crank\"ashewassupposedtobe，hewassaneenoughtoguardagainstanyofthoseearlylapsesintobarbarismwhichmarkedthelivesofsomesolitarygold-miners。Hisowntaste，aswellasthedutyofhisoffice，kepthispersonandhabitationsweetandclean，andhishabitsregular。Eventhelittlecultivatedpatchofgroundontheleesideofthetowerwassymmetricalandwellordered。ThustheoutwardlightofCaptainPomfreyshoneforthoverthewildernessofshoreandwave，evenlikehisbeacon，whateverhisinwardilluminationmayhavebeen。
Itwasabrightsummermorning，remarkableeveninthemonotonousexcellenceoftheseason，withaslighttouchofwarmthwhichtheinvincibleNorthwestTradeshadnotyetchilled。Therewasstillafainthazeoffthecoast，asiflastnight\'sfoghadbeencaughtinthequicksunshine，andtheshiningsandswerehot，butwithouttheusualdazzlingglare。Afaintperfumefromaquaintlilac-coloredbeach-flower，whoseclusteringheadsdottedthesandlikebitsofblownspume，tooktheplaceofthatsmelloftheseawhichtheodorlessPacificlacked。Afewrocks，halfamileaway，liftedthemselvesabovetheebbtideatvaryingheightsastheylayonthetroughoftheswell，werecrestedwithfoambyastrikingsurge，orcleanlyerasedinthefullsweepofthesea。Beside，andpartlyupononeofthehigherrocks，asingularobjectwasmoving。
Pomfreywasinterestedbutnotstartled。Hehadonceortwiceseensealsdisportingontheserocks，andononeoccasionasea-lion，——
anestrayfromthefamiliarrocksontheothersideoftheGoldenGate。Butheceasedworkinhisgardenpatch，andcomingtohishouse，exchangedhishoeforatelescope。Whenhegotthemysteryinfocushesuddenlystoppedandrubbedtheobject-glasswithhishandkerchief。Butevenwhenheappliedtheglasstohiseyeforasecondtime，hecouldscarcelybelievehiseyesight。FortheobjectseemedtobeaWOMAN，thelowerpartofherfiguresubmergedinthesea，herlonghairdependingoverhershouldersandwaist。
Therewasnothinginherattitudetosuggestterrororthatshewasthevictimofsomeaccident。Shemovedslowlyandcomplacentlywiththesea，andeven——amorestaggeringsuggestion——appearedtobecombingoutthestrandsofherlonghairwithherfingers。Withherbodyhalfconcealedshemighthavebeenamermaid！
Heswepttheforeshoreandhorizonwithhisglass；therewasneitherboatnorship——noranythingthatmoved，exceptthelongswellofthePacific。Shecouldhavecomeonlyfromthesea；fortoreachtherocksbylandshewouldhavehadtopassbeforethelighthouse，whilethenarrowstripofshorewhichcurvednorthwardbeyondhisrangeofviewheknewwasinhabitedonlybyIndians。
ButthewomanwasunhesitatinglyandappallinglyWHITE，andherhairlighteventoagoldengleaminthesunshine。
Pomfreywasagentleman，andassuchwasamazed，dismayed，andcruellyembarrassed。Ifshewasasimplebatherfromsomevicinityhithertounknownandunsuspectedbyhim，itwasclearlyhisbusinesstoshutuphisglassandgobacktohisgardenpatch——
althoughthepropinquityofhimselfandthelighthousemusthavebeenasplainlyvisibletoherasshewastohim。Ontheotherhand，ifshewasthesurvivorofsomewreckandindistress——or，asheevenfanciedfromherrecklessmanner，bereftofhersenses，hisdutytorescueherwasequallyclear。Inhisdilemmahedetermineduponacompromiseandrantohisboat。Hewouldpullouttosea，passbetweentherocksandthecurvingsand-spit，andexaminethesandsandseamorecloselyforsignsofwreckage，orsomeoverlookedwaitingboatneartheshore。Hewouldbewithinhailifsheneededhim，orshecouldescapetoherboatifshehadone。
Inanothermomenthisboatwasliftingontheswelltowardstherocks。Hepulledquickly，occasionallyturningtonotethatthestrangefigure，whosemovementswerequitediscernibletothenakedeye，wasstillthere，butgazingmoreearnestlytowardsthenearestshoreforanysignoflifeoroccupation。Intenminuteshehadreachedthecurvewherethetrendopenednorthward，andthelonglineofshorestretchedbeforehim。Hesweptiteagerlywithasinglesearchingglance。Seaandshorewereempty。Heturnedquicklytotherock，scarcelyahundredyardsonhisbeam。Itwasemptytoo！Forgettinghispreviousscruples，hepulleddirectlyforituntilhiskeelgratedonitssubmergedbase。Therewasnothingtherebuttherock，slipperywiththeyellow-greenslimeofseaweedandkelp——neithertracenorsignofthefigurethathadoccupieditamomentago。Hepulledaroundit；therewasnocleftorhiding-place。Foraninstanthisheartleapedatthesightofsomethingwhite，caughtinajaggedtoothoftheoutlyingreef，butitwasonlythebleachedfragmentofabambooorange-crate，castfromthedeckofsomeSouthSeatrader，suchasoftenstrewedthebeach。Helayofftherock，keepingwayintheswell，andscrutinizingtheglitteringsea。Atlasthepulledbacktothelighthouse，perplexedanddiscomfited。
Wasitsimplyasportingseal，transformedbysometrickofhisvision？Buthehadseenitthroughhisglass，andnowrememberedsuchdetailsasthefaceandfeaturesframedintheircontourofgoldenhair，andbelievedhecouldevenhaveidentifiedthem。Heexaminedtherockagainwithhisglass，andwassurprisedtoseehowclearlyitwasoutlinednowinitsbarrenloneliness。Yethemusthavebeenmistaken。Hisscientificandaccuratemindallowedofnoerrantfancy，andhehadalwayssneeredatthemarvelousastheresultofhastyorsuperficialobservation。Hewasalittleworriedatthislapseofhishealthyaccuracy，——fearingthatitmightbetheresultofhisseclusionandloneliness，——akintothevisionsoftherecluseandsolitary。Itwasstrange，too，thatitshouldtaketheshapeofawoman；forEdgarPomfreyhadastory——
theusualoldandfoolishone。
Thenhisthoughtstookalighterphase，andheturnedtothememoryofhisbooks，andfinallytothebooksthemselves。Fromashelfhepickedoutavolumeofoldvoyages，andturnedtoarememberedpassage：\"InotherseasdoeaboundmarvellssocheasSeaSpydersofthebignessofapinnace，thewichtheyhavebeenknowntoattackanddestroy；SeaVyperswhichreachtothetopofagoodlymaste，wherebytheyareabletodrawmarinnersfromtheriggingbythesuctionoftheirbreathes；andDevillFyshe，whichvomitfirebynightwhichmakyththeseatoshineprodigiously，andmermaydes。
TheyarehalffysheandhalfmaydeofgrateBeauty，andhavebeenseenofdiversgodlyandcreditablewitnessesswymmingbesiderocks，hiddentotheirwaistinthesea，combingoftheirhayres，tothehelpofwhychtheycarryasmallmirroreofthebignessoftheirfingers。\"Pomfreylaidthebookasidewithafaintsmile。
Toeventhiscredulityhemightcome！
Nevertheless，heusedthetelescopeagainthatday。Buttherewasnorepetitionoftheincident，andhewasforcedtobelievethathehadbeenthevictimofsomeextraordinaryillusion。Thenextmorning，however，withhiscalmerjudgmentdoubtsbegantovisithim。TherewasnooneofwhomhecouldmakeinquiriesbuthisIndianhelper，andtheirconversationhadusuallybeenrestrictedtothelanguageofsignsortheuseofafewwordshehadpickedup。Hecontrived，however，toaskiftherewasa\"waugee\"（white）
womanintheneighborhood。TheIndianshookhisheadinsurprise。
Therewasno\"waugee\"nearerthantheremotemountain-ridgetowhichhepointed。Pomfreywasobligedtobecontentwiththis。
Evenhadhisvocabularybeenlarger，hewouldassoonhavethoughtofrevealingtheembarrassingsecretofthiswoman，whomhebelievedtobeofhisownrace，toamerebarbarianashewouldofaskinghimtoverifyhisownimpressionsbyallowinghimtolookatherthatmorning。Thenextday，however，somethinghappenedwhichforcedhimtoresumehisinquiries。Hewasrowingaroundthecurvingspotwhenhesawanumberofblackobjectsonthenorthernsandsmovinginandoutofthesurf，whichhepresentlymadeoutasIndians。Anearerapproachsatisfiedhimthattheywerewadingsquawsandchildrengatheringseaweedandshells。Hewouldhavepushedhisacquaintancestillnearer，butashisboatroundedthepoint，withoneaccordtheyallscuttledawaylikefrightenedsandpipers。Pomfrey，onhisreturn，askedhisIndianretaineriftheycouldswim。\"Oh，yes！\"\"Asfarastherock？\"\"Yes。\"YetPomfreywasnotsatisfied。Thecolorofhisstrangeapparitionremainedunaccountedfor，anditwasnotthatofanIndianwoman。
Triflingeventslingerlonginamonotonousexistence，anditwasnearlyaweekbeforePomfreygaveuphisdailytelescopicinspectionoftherock。Thenhefellbackuponhisbooksagain，and，oddlyenough，uponanothervolumeofvoyages，andsochancedupontheaccountofSirFrancisDrake\'soccupationofthebaybeforehim。Hehadalwaysthoughtitstrangethatthegreatadventurerhadleftnotraceorsignofhissojournthere；stillstrangerthatheshouldhaveoverlookedthepresenceofgold，knowneventotheIndiansthemselves，andhavelostadiscoveryfarbeyondhiswildestdreamsandatreasuretowhichthecargoesofthosePhilippinegalleonshehadmoreorlesssuccessfullyinterceptedweretrifles。Hadtherestlessexplorerbeencontenttopacethosedrearysandsduringthreeweeksofinactivity，withnothoughtofpenetratingtheinlandforestsbehindtherange，orofevenenteringthenoblerbaybeyond？
Orwasthelocationofthespotameretraditionaswildandunsupportedasthe\"marvells\"oftheothervolume？Pomfreyhadtheskepticismofthescientific，inquiringmind。
Twoweekshadpassedandhewasreturningfromalongclimbinland，whenhestoppedtorestinhisdescenttothesea。Thepanoramaoftheshorewasbeforehim，fromitsuttermostlimittothelighthouseonthenorthernpoint。Thesunwasstillonehourhigh，itwouldtakehimaboutthattimetoreachhome。Butfromthiscoignofvantagehecouldsee——whathehadnotbeforeobserved——
thatwhathehadalwaysbelievedwasalittlecoveonthenorthernshorewasreallytheestuaryofasmallstreamwhichrosenearhimandeventuallydescendedintotheoceanatthatpoint。Hecouldalsoseethatbesideitwasalonglowerectionofsomekind，coveredwiththatchedbrush，whichlookedlikea\"barrow，\"yetshowedsignsofhabitationintheslightsmokethatrosefromitanddriftedinland。Itwasnotfaroutofhisway，andheresolvedtoreturninthatdirection。OnhiswaydownheonceortwiceheardthebarkingofanIndiandog，andknewthathemustbeinthevicinityofanencampment。Acamp-fire，withtheashesyetwarm，provedthathewasonthetrailofoneofthenomadictribes，butthedecliningsunwarnedhimtohastenhometohisduty。Whenheatlastreachedtheestuary，hefoundthatthebuildingbesideitwaslittleelsethanalonghut，whosethatchedandmud-plasteredmound-likeroofgaveittheappearanceofacave。Itssingleopeningandentranceabuttedonthewater\'sedge，andthesmokehehadnoticedrolledthroughthisentrancefromasmoulderingfirewithin。Pomfreyhadlittledifficultyinrecognizingthepurposeofthisstrangestructurefromtheaccountshehadheardfrom\"loggers\"oftheIndiancustoms。Thecavewasa\"sweat-house\"——acalorificchamberinwhichtheIndianscloselyshutthemselves，naked，witha\"smudge\"orsmoulderingfireofleaves，until，perspiringandhalfsuffocated，theyrushedfromtheentranceandthrewthemselvesintothewaterbeforeit。Thestillsmoulderingfiretoldhimthatthehousehadbeenusedthatmorning，andhemadenodoubtthattheIndianswereencampednearby。Hewouldhavelikedtopursuehisresearchesfurther，buthefoundhehadalreadytrespasseduponhisremainingtime，andheturnedsomewhatabruptlyaway——soabruptly，infact，thatafigure，whichhadevidentlybeencautiouslyfollowinghimatadistance，hadnottimetogetaway。Hisheartleapedwithastonishment。Itwasthewomanhehadseenontherock。
Althoughhernativedressnowonlydisclosedherheadandhands，therewasnodoubtabouthercolor，anditwasdistinctlywhite，saveforthetanningofexposureandaslightredochremarkingonherlowforehead。Andherhair，longandunkemptasitwas，showedthathehadnoterredinhisfirstimpressionofit。Itwasatawnyflaxen，withfainterbleachingswherethesunhadtoucheditmost。HereyeswereofaclearNorthernblue。Herdress，whichwasquitedistinctiveinthatitwasneitherthecastofffineryofcivilizationnorthecheap\"government\"flannelsandcalicoesusuallywornbytheCaliforniantribes，waspurelynative，andoffringeddeerskin，andconsistedofalong，looseshirtandleggingsworkedwithbrightfeathersandcoloredshells。Anecklace，alsoofshellsandfancypebbles，hungroundherneck。Sheseemedtobeafullydevelopedwoman，inspiteofthegirlishnessofherflowinghair，andnotwithstandingtheshapelesslengthofhergaberdine-
likegarment，tallerthantheordinarysquaw。
Pomfreysawallthisinasingleflashofperception，forthenextinstantshewasgone，disappearingbehindthesweat-house。Heranafterher，catchingsightofheragain，halfdoubledup，inthecharacteristicIndiantrot，dodgingaroundrocksandlowbushesasshefledalongthebanksofthestream。Butforherdistinguishinghair，shelookedinherflightlikeanordinaryfrightenedsquaw。
This，whichgaveasenseofunmanlinessandridiculetohisownpursuitofher，withthefactthathishourofdutywasdrawingnearandhewasstillfarfromthelighthouse，checkedhiminfullcareer，andheturnedregretfullyaway。Hehadcalledafterheratfirst，andshehadnotheededhim。Whathewouldhavesaidtoherhedidnotknow。Hehastenedhomediscomfited，evenembarrassed——
yetexcitedtoadegreehehadnotdeemedpossibleinhimself。
Duringthemorninghisthoughtswerefullofher。Theoryaftertheoryforherstrangeexistencethereheexaminedanddismissed。
Hisfirstthought，thatshewasawhitewoman——somesettler\'swife——
masqueradinginIndiangarb，heabandonedwhenhesawhermoving；
nowhitewomancouldimitatethatIndiantrot，norwouldremembertoattemptitifshewerefrightened。Theideathatshewasacaptivewhite，heldbytheIndians，becameridiculouswhenhethoughtofthenearnessofcivilizationandthepeaceful，timidcharacterofthe\"digger\"tribes。Thatshewassomeunfortunatedementedcreaturewhohadescapedfromherkeeperandwanderedintothewilderness，aglanceatherclear，frank，intelligent，curiouseyeshadcontradicted。Therewasbutonetheoryleft——themostsensibleandpracticalone——thatshewastheoffspringofsomewhitemanandIndiansquaw。Yetthishefound，oddlyenough，theleastpalatabletohisfancy。Andthefewhalf-breedshehadseenwerenotatalllikeher。
ThenextmorninghehadrecoursetohisIndianretainer，\"Jim。\"
Withinfinitedifficulty，protraction，andnotalittleembarrassment，hefinallymadehimunderstandthathehadseena\"whitesquaw\"nearthe\"sweat-house，\"andthathewantedtoknowmoreabouther。WithequaldifficultyJimfinallyrecognizedthefactoftheexistenceofsuchaperson，butimmediatelyafterwardsshookhisheadinanemphaticnegation。WithgreaterdifficultyandgreatermortificationPomfreypresentlyascertainedthatJim\'snegativereferredtoasupposedabductionofthewomanwhichheunderstoodthathisemployerseriouslycontemplated。ButhealsolearnedthatshewasarealIndian，andthattherewerethreeorfourotherslikeher，maleandfemale，inthatvicinity；thatfroma\"skeenamowitch\"（littlebaby）theywerealllikethat，andthattheirparentswereofthesamecolor，butneverawhiteor\"waugee\"