第3章
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  ButDonJosewasnotdestinedtoremainlonginpeacefulstudyoftheAmericanConstitution。Hehadbarelytakenupthebookagainandrenewedhisseriouscontemplationofitsexcellenceswhentherewasanotherknockathisdoor。Thistime,inobediencetohisinvitationtoenter,thenewvisitorapproachedwithmoredeliberationandacertainformality。

  HewasayoungmanofapparentlythesameageasDonJose,handsomelydressed,andofaquietself—possessionandgravityalmostequaltohishost’s。

  \"IbelieveIamaddressingDonJoseSepulvida,\"hesaidwithafamiliaryetcourteousinclinationofhishandsomehead。DonJose,whohadriseninmarkedcontrasttohisreceptionofhisformerguest,answered,——

  \"Youaretrulymakingtohimagreathonor。\"

  \"Well,you’regoingitblindasfarasI’Mconcernedcertainly,\"

  saidtheyoungman,withaslightsmile,\"foryoudon’tknowME。\"

  \"Pardon,myfriend,\"saidDonJosegently,\"inthisbook,thisgreatTestamentofyourgloriousnation,Ihavereadthatyouareallequal,onenotabove,onenotbelowtheother。IsaluteinyoutheNation!Itisenough!\"

  \"Thankyou,\"returnedthestranger,withafacethat,savingthefaintesttwinkleinthecornerofhisdarkeyes,wasasimmovableashishost’s,\"butforthepurposesofmybusinessIhadbettersayIamJackHamlin,agambler,andamjustnowdealingfarointheFloridasaloonroundthecorner。\"

  Hepausedcarelessly,asiftoallowDonJosetheprotesthedidnotmake,andthencontinued,——

  \"Thematteristhis。Oneofyourvaqueros,whois,however,anAmerican,wasroundthereanhouragobuckingagainstfaro,andputupandLOST,notonlythemarehewasriding,butahorsewhichI

  havejustlearnedisyours。Nowwereckon,overthere,thatwecanmakeenoughmoneyplayingasquaregame,withoutbeingobligedtotakepropertyfromahowlingdrunkard,tosaynothingofitnotbelongingtohim,andI’vecomehere,DonJose,tosaythatifyou’llsendoverandbringawayyourmanandyourhorse,youcanhave’emboth。\"

  \"IfIhavecomprehended,honestHamlin,\"saidDonJoseslowly,\"thisRoberto,whowasmyvaqueroandismybrother,hasapproachedthisfarogamebyhimselfunsolicited?\"

  \"Hecertainlydidn’tseemshyofit,\"saidMr。Hamlinwithequalgravity。\"Tothebestofmyknowledgehelookedasifhe’dbeentherebefore。\"

  \"Andifhehadwon,excellentHamlin,youwouldhavegivenhimtheequalofhismareandhorse?\"

  \"Ahundreddollarsforeach,yes,certainly。\"

  \"ThenIseenotwhyIshouldsendforthepropertywhichistrulynolongermine,norformybrotherwhowillamusehimselfafterthefashionofhiscountryinthecompanyofsohonorableacaballeroasyourself?Stay!ohimbecilethatIam。Ihavenotremembered。

  Youwouldpossiblysaythathehasnolongerofhorses!Playhim;

  playhim,admirableyetprudentHamlin。Ihavetwothousandhorses!Ofasuretyhecannotexhausttheminfourhours。

  Thereforeplayhim,trusttomeforrecompensa,andhavenofear。\"

  Aquickflushcoveredthestranger’scheek,andhiseyebrowsmomentarilycontracted。Hewalkedcarelesslytothewindow,however,glancedout,andthenturnedtoDonJose。

  \"MayIask,then,\"hesaidwithalmostsepulchralgravity,\"isanybodytakingcareofyou?\"

  \"Truly,\"returnedDonJosecautiously,\"thereismybrotherandfriendRoberto。\"

  \"Ah!Roberto,certainly,\"saidMr。Hamlinprofoundly。

  \"Whydoyouask,consideratefriend?\"

  \"Oh!Ionlythought,withyourkindofopinions,youmustoftenfeellonelyinCalifornia。Good—bye。\"HeshookDonJose’shandheartily,tookuphishat,inclinedhisheadwithgracefulseriousness,andpassedoutoftheroom。Inthehallhemetthelandlord。

  \"Well,\"saidJenkinson,withasmilehalfanxious,halfinsinuating,\"yousawhim?Whatdoyouthinkofhim?\"

  Mr。HamlinpausedandregardedJenkinsonwithacalmlycontemplativeair,asifheweretryingtorememberfirstwhohewas,andsecondlywhyheshouldspeaktohimatall。\"Thinkofwhom?\"herepeatedcarelessly。

  \"Whyhim——youknow——DonJose。\"

  \"Ididnotseeanythingthematterwithhim,\"returnedHamlinwithfrigidsimplicity。

  \"What?nothingqueer?\"

  \"Well,no——exceptthathe’saguestinYOURhouse,\"saidHamlinwithgreatcheerfulness。\"Butthen,asyoukeepahotel,youcan’thelpoccasionallyadmittinga——gentleman。\"

  Mr。Jenkinsonsmiledtheuneasysmileofamanwhoknewthathisinterlocutor’splayfulnessoccasionallyextendedtotheuseofaderringer,inwhichhewassingularlypromptandproficient,andMr。Hamlin,equallyconsciousofthatknowledgeonthepartofhiscompanion,descendedthestaircasecomposedly。

  Butthedayhaddarkenedgraduallyintonight,andDonJosewasatlastcompelledtoputasidehisvolume。ThesoundofalargebellrungviolentlyalongthehallandpassagesadmonishedhimthattheAmericandinnerwasready,andalthoughtheviandsandthemodeofcookingwerenotentirelytohisfancy,hehad,inhisgraveenthusiasmforthenationalhabits,attendedthetabled’hoteregularlywithRoberto。Onreachingthelowerhallhewasinformedthathishenchmanhadearlysuccumbedtothepotencyofhislibations,andhadalreadybeencarriedbytwomentobed。

  Receivingthisinformationwithhisusualstoicalcomposure,heenteredthedining—room,butwassurprisedtofindthataseparatetablehadbeenpreparedforhimbythelandlord,andthatarudeattempthadbeenmadetoservehimwithhisownnativedishes。

  \"SenoresySenoritas,\"saidDonJose,turningfromitandwithgravepolitenessaddressingtheassembledcompany,\"ifIseemto—

  daytopartakealoneandinareservedfashionofcertainviandsthathavebeenpreparedforme,itistrulyfromnolackofcourtesytoyourdistinguishedcompany,butrather,Iprotest,toavoidtheappearanceofgreaterdiscourtesytoourexcellentJenkinson,whohastakensomepainsandtroubletocomporthisestablishmenttowhatheconceivestobemydesires。Wherefore,myfriends,inGod’snamefallto,thesameasifIwerenotpresent,andgracebewithyou。\"

  Afewstaredatthetall,gentle,melancholyfigurewithsomeastonishment;afewwhisperedtotheirneighbors;butwhen,attheconclusionofhisrepast,DonJosearoseandagainsalutedthecompany,oneortwostoodupandsmilinglyreturnedthecourtesy,andPollyJenkinson,thelandlord’syoungestdaughter,tothegreatdelightofhercompanions,blewhimakiss。

  Aftervisitingthevaqueroinhisroom,andwithhisownhandapplyingsomenativeointmenttothevariouscontusionsandscratcheswhichrecordedthelateengagementsoftheunconsciousRoberto,DonJoseplacedagoldcoininthehandsoftheIrishchamber—maid,andbiddingherlookafterthesleeper,hethrewhisserapeoverhisshouldersandpassedintotheroad。Theloungersontheverandagazedathimcuriously,yethalfacknowledgedhisusualserioussalutation,andmadewayforhimwithacertainrespect。Avoidingthefewnarrowstreetsofthelittletown,hepursuedhiswaymeditativelyalongthehighroad,returningtothehotelafteranhour’sramble,astheeveningstage—coachhaddepositeditspassengersanddeparted。

  \"There’saladywaitingtoseeyouupstairs,\"saidthelandlordwithapeculiarsmile。\"Sheratheralloweditwasn’ttheproperthingtoseeyoualone,orshewasn’tquiteekaltoit,Ireckon,forshegotmyPollytostandbyher。\"

  \"YourPolly,goodJenkinson?\"saidDonJoseinterrogatively。

  \"Mydarter,DonJose。\"

  \"Ah,truly!Iamtwiceblessed,\"saidDonJose,gravelyascendingthestaircase。

  Onenteringtheroomheperceivedatall,large—featuredwomanwithanextraordinaryquantityofblondhairpartedononesideofherbroadforehead,sittinguponthesofa。BesidehersatPollyJenkinson,herfresh,honest,andratherprettyfacebeamingwithdelightedexpectationandmischief。DonJosesalutedthemwithaformalcourtesy,which,however,hadnotraceofthefactthathereallydidnotrememberanythingofthem。

  \"Icalled,\"saidthelarge—featuredwomanwithavoiceequallypronounced,\"inreferencetoarequestfromyou,which,thoughperhapsunconventionalintheextreme,Ihavebeenabletomeetbytheinterventionofthisyounglady’scompany。Mynameonthiscardmaynotbefamiliartoyou——butIam’DorothyDewdrop。’\"

  AslightmovementofabstractionandsurprisepassedoverDonJose’sface,butasquicklyvanishedasheadvancedtowardsherandgracefullyraisedthetipsofherfingerstohislips。\"HaveI

  then,atlast,theprivilegeofbeholdingthatmostdistressedanddeeplyinjuredofwomen!Orisitbutadream!\"

  Itcertainlywasnot,asfarasconcernedthesubstantialpersonofthewomanbeforehim,who,however,seemedsomewhatuneasyunderhiswordsaswellasthedemurescrutinyofMissJenkinson。\"I

  thoughtyoumighthaveforgotten,\"shesaidwithslightacerbity,\"thatyoudesiredaninterviewwiththeauthoressof\"——

  \"Pardon,\"interruptedDonJose,standingbeforeherinanattitudeofthedeepestsympathizingdejection,\"Ihadnotforgotten。ItisnowthreeweekssinceIhavereadinthejournal’GoldenGate’theeloquentandtouchingpoemofyoursufferings,andyouraspirations,andyourmiscomprehensionsbythoseyoulove。I

  rememberasyesterdaythatyouhavesaid,thatcruelfatehavelinkedyoutoasoullessstate——that——butIspeaknotwellyourownbeautifullanguage——youareintearsatevenfall’becausethatyouarenotunderstoodofothers,andthatyoursoulrecoiledfromironbonds,until,asinadream,yousoughtsuccorandreleaseinsometrueKnightofequalplight。’\"

  \"Iamtold,\"saidthelarge—featuredwomanwithsomesatisfaction,\"thatthepoemtowhichyoualludehasbeengenerallyadmired。\"

  \"Admired!Senora,\"saidDonJose,withstilldarkersympathy,\"itisnottheword;itisFELT。Ihavefeltit。WhenIreadthosewordsofdistress,Iamtouchedofcompassion!Ihavesaid,Thiswoman,sodisconsolate,sooppressed,mustberelieved,protected!

  Ihavewrotetoyou,atthe’GoldenGate,’toseemehere。\"

  \"AndIhavecome,asyouperceive,\"saidthepoetess,risingwithaslightsmileofconstraint;\"andemboldenedbyyourappreciation,I

  havebroughtafewtriflesthrownoff\"——

  \"Pardon,unhappySenora,\"interruptedDonJose,liftinghishanddeprecatinglywithoutrelaxinghismelancholyprecision,\"buttoacavalierfurtherevidenceisnotrequired——andIhavenotyetmakefinish。IhavenotcontentmyselftoWRITEtoyou。IhavesentmytrustyfriendRobertotoinquireatthe’GoldenGate’ofyourcondition。Ihavefoundthere,mostunhappyandpersecutedfriend——

  thatwithtrulyangelicforbearanceyouhavenottoldALL——thatyouareMARRIED,andthatofanecessityitisyourhusbandthatiscoldandsoullessandunsympathizing——andallthatyoudescribe。\"

  \"Sir!\"saidthepoetess,risinginangryconsternation。

  \"Ihavewrittentohim,\"continuedDonJose,withunheedinggravity;\"haveappealedtohimasafriend,Ihaveconjuredhimasacaballero,IhavethreatenedhimevenasachampionoftheRight,Ihavesaidtohim,ineffect——thatthismustnotbeasitis。I

  haveinformedhimthatIhavemadeanappointmentwithyouevenatthishouse,andIchallengedhimtomeetyouhere——inthisroom——

  evenatthisinstant,and,withGod’shelp,weshouldmakegoodourchargesagainsthim。Itisyetearly;Ihaveallowedtimeforthelatenessofthestageandthefactthathewillcomebyanotherconveyance。Therefore,ODonaDewdrop,tremblenotlikethynamesakeasitwereontheleafofapprehensionandexpectancy。I,DonJose,amheretoprotectthee。Iwilltakethesecharges\"——

  gentlywithdrawingthemanuscriptsfromherastonishedgrasp——

  \"thougheven,asIrelatedtotheebefore,Iwantthemnot,yetwewilltogetherconfronthimwiththemandmakethemgoodagainsthim。\"

  \"Areyoumad?\"demandedtheladyinalmoststentoriousaccents,\"oristhisanunmanlyhoax?\"Suddenlyshestoppedinundeniableconsternation。\"Goodheavens,\"shemuttered,\"ifAbnershouldbelievethis。HeisSUCHafool!Hehaslatelybeenqueerandjealous。Ohdear!\"shesaid,turningtoPollyJenkinsonwiththefirstindicationoffeminineweakness,\"Ishetellingthetruth?ishecrazy?whatshallIdo?\"

  PollyJenkinson,whohadwitnessedtheinterviewwiththeintensestenjoyment,nowroseequaltotheoccasion。

  \"Youhavemadeamistake,\"shesaid,upliftingherdemureblueeyestoDonJose’sdarkandmelancholygaze。\"ThisladyisaPOETESS!

  Thesufferingsshedepicts,thesorrowsshefeels,areintheIMAGINATION,inherfancyonly。\"

  \"Ah!\"saidDonJosegloomily;\"thenitisallfalse。\"

  \"No,\"saidPollyquickly,\"onlytheyarenotherOWN,youknow。

  Theyaresomebodyelses。Sheonlydescribesthemforanother,don’tyousee?\"

  \"Andwho,then,isthisunhappyone?\"askedtheDonquickly。

  \"Well——a——friend,\"stammeredPolly,hesitatingly。

  \"Afriend!\"repeatedDonJose。\"Ah,Isee,ofpossibilityadearone,even,\"hecontinued,gazingwithtendermelancholyintotheuntroubledceruleandepthsofPolly’seyes,\"even,butno,child,itcouldnotbe!THOUarttooyoung。\"

  \"Ah,\"saidPolly,withanextraordinarygulpandafiercenudgeofthepoetess,\"butitWASme。\"

  \"You,Senorita,\"repeatedDonJose,fallingbackinanattitudeofmingledadmirationandpity。\"You,thechildofJenkinson!\"

  \"Yes,yes,\"joinedinthepoetesshurriedly;\"butthatisn’tgoingtostoptheconsequencesofyourwretchedblunder。Myhusbandwillbefurious,andwillbehereatanymoment。Goodgracious!whatisthat?\"

  Theviolentslammingofadistantdooratthatinstant,thesoundsofquickscufflingonthestaircase,andtheupliftingofaniratevoicehadreachedherearsandthrownherbackinthearmsofPollyJenkinson。Eventheyounggirlherselfturnedananxiousgazetowardsthedoor。DonJosealonewasunmoved。

  \"Possessyourselvesinpeace,Senoritas,\"hesaidcalmly。\"Wehavehereonlythecharacteristicconvalescenceofmyfriendandbrother,theexcellentRoberto。Hewilleverrecoverhimselffromdrinkwithviolence,evenasheprecipitateshimselfintoitwithfury。Hehasbeenprematurelyawakened。Iwilldiscoverthecause。\"

  Withanelaboratebowtothefrightenedwomen,helefttheroom。

  ScarcelyhadthedoorclosedwhenthepoetessturnedquicklytoPolly。\"Theman’sastarkstaringlunatic,but,thankHeaven,Abnerwillseeitatonce。Andnowlet’sgetawaywhilewecan。

  Tothink,\"shesaid,snatchingupherscatteredmanuscripts,\"thatTHATwasallthebeastwanted。\"

  \"I’msurehe’sverygentleandkind,\"saidPolly,recoveringherdimpleswithademurepout;\"butstop,he’scomingback。\"

  ItwasindeedDonJosere—enteringtheroomwiththecomposureofarelievedandself—satisfiedmind。\"ItisevenasIsaid,Senora,\"

  hebegan,takingthepoetess’shand,——\"andMORE。YouareSAVED!\"

  Asthewomenonlystaredateachother,hegravelyfoldedhisarmsandcontinued:\"Iwillexplain。FortheinstantIhavenotrememberthat,inimitationofyourowndelicacy,Ihavegiventoyourhusbandinmyletter,notthenameofmyself,but,asamereDonFulano,thenameofmybrotherRoberto——’BuckingBob。’Yourhusbandhavethismomentarrive!PenetratingthebedroomoftheexcellentRoberto,hehasindiscreetlyseizehiminhisbed,withoutexplanation,withoutintroduction,withoutfear!TheexcellentRoberto,everreadyforsuchdistractions,haverespond!

  Inaword,tousethelanguageofthegoodJenkinson——ourhost,ourfather——whowaspresent,hehave’wipedthefloorwithyourhusband,’andhaveevencarriedhimdownthestaircasetothestreet。Believeme,hewillnotreturn。Youarefree!\"

  \"Fool!Idiot!Crazybeast!\"saidthepoetess,dashingpasthimandoutofthedoor。\"Youshallpayforthis!\"

  DonJosedidnotchangehisimperturbableandmelancholycalm。

  \"Andnow,littleone,\"hesaid,droppingononekneebeforethehalf—frightenedPolly,\"childofJenkinson,nowthatthyperhapstooexcitablesponsorhas,inapoet’scaprice,abandonedtheeforsomenewerfantasy,confideinmethydistress,tome,thyKnight,andtellthestoryofthysorrows。\"

  \"But,\"saidPolly,risingtoherfeetandstrugglingbetweenalaughandacry。\"Ihaven’tanysorrows。Ohdear!don’tyousee,it’sonlyherFANCYtomakemeseemso。There’snothingthematterwithme。\"

  \"Nothingthematter,\"repeatedDonJoseslowly。\"Youhavenodistress?Youwantnosuccor,norelief,noprotector?This,then,isbutanotherdelusion!\"hesaid,risingsadly。

  \"Yes,no——thatis——oh,mygraciousgoodness!\"saidPolly,hopelesslydividedbetweenasenseoftheridiculousandsomestrangeattractioninthedark,gentleeyesthatwerefixeduponherhalfreproachfully。\"Youdon’tunderstand。\"

  DonJoserepliedonlywithamelancholysmile,andthengoingtothedoor,openeditwithabowedheadandrespectfulcourtesy。Attheact,Pollypluckedupcourageagain,andwithitaslightdashofheroldaudacity。

  \"I’msureI’mverysorrythatIain’tgotanylovesorrows,\"shesaiddemurely。\"AndIsupposeit’sverydreadfulinmenottohavebeenravingandbroken—heartedoversomebodyorotherasthatwomanhassaid。Only,\"shewaitedtillshehadgainedthesecurevantageofthethreshold,\"IneverknewagentlemantoOBJECTtoitbefore!\"

  WiththisParthianarrowfromherblueeyessheslippedintothepassageandvanishedthroughthedooroftheoppositeparlor。ForaninstantDonJoseremainedmotionlessandreflecting。Then,recoveringhimselfwithgraveprecision,hedeliberatelypickeduphisnarrowblackglovesfromthetable,drewthemon,tookhishatinhishand,andsolemnlystridingacrossthepassage,enteredthedoorthathadjustclosedbehindher。

  III。

  ItmustnotbesupposedthatinthemeantimetheflightofDonJoseandhisfollowerwasunattendedbyanycommotionattheranchooftheBlessedInnocents。Attheendofthreehours’deliberation,inwhichtheretainerswereseverallyexamined,thecorralsearched,andthewellinthecourtyardsounded,scoutsweredispatchedindifferentdirections,whoreturnedwiththesurprisinginformationthatthefugitiveswerenotinthevicinity。AtrustworthymessengerwassenttoMontereyfor\"custom—housepaper,\"onwhichtodrawupaformaldeclarationoftheaffair。ThearchbishopwassummonedfromSanLuis,andDonVictorandDonVincenteSepulvida,withtheDonasCarmenandInezAlvarado,andaformeralcalde,gatheredatafamilycouncilthenextday。InthisseriousconclavethegoodFatherFelipeoncemoreexpoundedthealienatedconditionandthedangerousreadingoftheabsentman。InthemidstofwhichtheordinarypostbroughtaletterfromDonJose,calmlyinvitingthefamilytodinewithhimandRobertoatSanMateoonthefollowingWednesday。Thedocumentwaspassedgravelyfromhandtohand。Wasitafreshevidenceofmentalaberration——

  anaudacityoffrenzy——oratrickofthevaquero?Thearchbishopandalcaldeshooktheirheads——itwaswithoutdoubtalawless,evenasacrilegiousandblasphemousfete。ButacertaincuriosityoftheladiesandofFatherFelipecarriedtheday。Withoutformallyacceptingtheinvitationitwasdecidedthatthefamilyshouldexaminetheafflictedman,withaviewoftakingactivemeasureshereafter。Onthedayappointed,thetravelingcarriageoftheSepulvidas,anequipagecoevalwiththebeginningofthecentury,drawnbytwowhitemulesgaudilycaparisoned,haltedbeforethehotelatSanMateoanddisgorgedFatherFelipe,theDonasCarmenandInezAlvaradoandMariaSepulvida,whileDonVictorandDonVincenteSepulvida,theirattendantcavaliersonfierymustangs,likeoutriders,drewreinatthesametime。Aslightthrillofexcitement,asoftheadventofapossiblecircus,hadprecededthemthroughthelittletown;afaintblendingofcigarettesmokeandgarlicannouncedtheirpresenceontheveranda。

  Usheredintotheparlorofthehotel,apparentlysetapartfortheirreception,theywereembarrassedatnotfindingtheirhostpresent。Buttheywerestillmoredisconcertedwhenatallfull—

  beardedstranger,withashrewdamused—lookingface,rosefromachairbythewindow,andsteppingforward,salutedtheminfluentSpanishwithaslightAmericanaccent。

  \"Ihavetoaskyou,gentlemenandladies,\"hebegan,withacertaininsinuatingeaseandfranknessthatalternatelyarousedandlulledtheirsuspicions,\"topardontheabsenceofourfriendDonJoseSepulvidaatthispreliminarygreeting。Fortobeperfectlyfrankwithyou,althoughtheultimateaimandobjectofourgatheringisasocialone,youaredoubtlessawarethatcertaininfelicitiesandmisunderstandings——commontomostfamilies——haveoccurred,andafree,dispassionate,unprejudiceddiscussionanddisposalofthematthebeginningwillonlytendtoaugmentthegoodwillofourgathering。\"

  \"TheSenorwithoutdoubtis\"——suggestedthepadre,withapoliteinterrogativepause。

  \"Pardonme!Iforgottointroducemyself。ColonelParker——

  entirelyatyourserviceandthatofthesecharmingladies。\"

  Theladiesreferredtoallowedtheireyestorestwithevidentprepossessionontheinsinuatingstranger。\"Ah,asoldier,\"saidDonVincente。

  \"Formerly,\"saidtheAmericanlightly;\"atpresentalawyer,thecounselofDonJose。\"

  Asuddenrigorofsuspicionstiffenedthecompany;theladieswithdrewtheireyes;thepriestandtheSepulvidasexchangedglances。

  \"Come,\"saidColonelParker,withapparentunconsciousnessoftheeffectofhisdisclosure,\"letusbeginfrankly。Youhave,I

  believe,someanxietyinregardtothementalconditionofDonJose。\"

  \"Webelievehimtobemad,\"saidPadreFelipepromptly,\"irresponsible,possessed!\"

  \"Thatisyouropinion;good,\"saidthelawyerquietly。

  \"Andourstoo,\"clamoredtheparty,\"withoutdoubt。\"

  \"Good,\"returnedthelawyerwithperfectcheerfulness。\"Ashisrelations,youhavenodoubthadsuperioropportunitiesforobservinghiscondition。Iunderstandalsothatyoumaythinkitnecessarytohavehimlegallydeclarednoncompos,aproceedingwhich,youareaware,mightresultintheincarcerationofourdistinguishedfriendinamad—house。\"

  \"Pardon,Senor,\"interruptedDonaMariaproudly,\"youdonotcomprehendthefamily。WhenaSepulvidaisvisitedofGodwedonotasktheGovernmenttoconfinehimlikeacriminal。Weprotecthiminhisownhousefromtheconsequencesofhisfrenzy。\"

  \"Fromthemachinationsoftheworldlyandheretical,\"brokeinthepriest,\"andfromthewasteanddispersionofinheritedpossessions。\"

  \"Verytrue,\"continuedColonelParker,withunalterablegood—humor;

  \"butIwasonlyabouttosaythattheremightbeconflictingevidenceofhiscondition。Forinstance,ourfriendhasbeenherethreedays。Inthattimehehashadthreeinterviewswiththreeindividualsundersingularcircumstances。\"ColonelParkerthenbrieflyrecountedtheepisodesofthelandlord,thegambler,MissJenkinsonandthepoetess,astheyhadbeenrelatedtohim。\"Yet,\"

  hecontinued,\"allbutoneoftheseindividualsarewillingtoswearthattheynotonlybelieveDonJoseperfectlysane,butendowedwithasingularlysoundjudgment。Infact,thetestimonyofMr。HamlinandMissJenkinsonisremarkablyclearonthatsubject。\"

  Thecompanyexchangedasupercilioussmile。\"Doyounotsee,O

  SenorAdvocate,\"saidDonVincentecompassionately,\"thatthisisbutaconspiracytoavailthemselvesofourrelative’sweakness。

  Ofanecessitytheyfindhimsanewhobenefitsthem。\"

  \"Ihavethoughtofthat,andamgladtohearyousayso,\"returnedthelawyerstillmorecheerfully,\"foryourpromptopinionemboldensmetobeatonceperfectlyfrankwithyou。Brieflythen,DonJosehassummonedmeheretomakeafinaldispositionofhisproperty。Inthecarryingoutofcertaintheoriesofhis,whichitisnotmyprovincetoquestion,hehasresolveduponcomparativepovertyforhimselfasbestfittedforhispurpose,andtoemployhiswealthsolelyforothers。Infact,ofallhisvastpossessionsheretainsforhimselfonlyanincomesufficientforthebarenecessariesoflife。\"

  \"Andyouhavedonethis?\"theyaskedinonevoice。

  \"Notyet,\"saidthelawyer。

  \"BlessedSanAntonio,wehavecomeintime!\"ejaculatedDonaCarmen。\"Anotherdayanditwouldhavebeentoolate;itwasaninspirationoftheBlessedInnocentsthemselves,\"saidDonaMaria,crossingherself。\"Canyoulongerdoubtthatthisisthewildestmadness?\"saidFatherFelipewithflashingeyes。

  \"Yet,\"returnedthelawyer,caressinghisheavybeardwithameditativesmile,\"theingeniousfellowactuallyinstancedthevowsofYOUROWNORDER,reverendsir,asanexampleinsupportofhistheory。Buttobebrief。Conceiving,then,thathisholdingofpropertywasamereaccidentofheritage,notadmittedbyhim,unworthyhisacceptance,andarelicofsuperstitiousignorance\"——

  \"ThisistheverysacrilegeofSatanicprepossession,\"brokeinthepriestindignantly。

  \"Hetherefore,\"continuedthelawyercomposedly,\"makesoverandrevertsthewholeofhispossessions,withtheexceptionsIhavestated,tohisfamilyandtheChurch。\"

  Abreathlessandstupefyingsilencefelluponthecompany。InthedeadhushthesoundofPollyJenkinson’spiano,playedinadistantroom,couldbedistinctlyheard。Withtheirvacanteyesstaringathimthespeakercontinued:

  \"ThatdeedofgiftIhavedrawnupashedictatedit。Idon’tmindsayingthatintheopinionofsomehemightbedeclarednoncomposupontheevidenceofthatalone。IneednotsayhowrelievedIamtofindthatyouropinioncoincideswithmyown。\"

  \"But,\"gaspedFatherFelipehurriedly,withaquickglanceattheothers,\"itdoesnotfollowthatitwillbenecessarytoresorttotheselegalmeasures。Care,counsel,persuasion——\"

  \"Thegeneralministeringofkinship——nursing,awoman’scare——theinstinctsofaffection,\"pipedDonaMariainbreathlesseagerness。

  \"Anylightsocialdistraction——aharmlessflirtation——apossibleattachment,\"suggestedDonaCarmenshyly。

  \"Changeofscene——activeexercise——experiences——evenasthoseyouhaverelated,\"brokeinDonVincente。

  \"IforonehaveeverbeenopposedtoLEGALmeasures,\"saidDonVictor。\"Amereconsultationoffriends——infact,afetelikethisissufficient。\"

  \"Goodfriends,\"saidFatherFelipe,whohadbythistimerecoveredhimself,takingouthissnuff—boxportentously,\"itwouldseemtruly,fromthedocumentwhichthisdiscreetcaballerohasspokenof,thattheerrorsofourdearDonJoseareratherofmethodthanintent,andthatwhilewemayfreelyaccepttheone\"——

  \"Pardon,\"interruptedColonelParkerwithblandpersistence,\"butI

  mustpointouttoyouthatwhatwecallinlaw’aconsideration’isnecessarytothelegalityofaconveyance,eventhoughthatconsiderationbefrivolousandcalculatedtoimpairthevalidityofthedocument。\"

  \"Truly,\"returnedthegoodpadreinsinuatingly;\"butifadiscreetadvocateweretosuggestthesubstitutionofsomemorepiousandreasonableconsideration\"——

  \"Butthatwouldbemakingitaperfectlysaneandgratuitousdocument,notonlyglaringlyinconsistentwithyourcharges,mygoodfriends,withDonJose’sattitudetowardsyouandhisflightfromhome,butopentothegravestsuspicioninlaw。Infact,itsapparentproprietyinthefaceofthesefactswouldimplyimproperinfluence。\"

  Thecountenancesofthecompanyfell。Thelawyer’sface,however,becamestillmoregood—humoredandsympathizing。\"Thecaseissimplythis。IfintheopinionofjudgeandjuryDonJoseisdeclaredinsane,thedocumentisworthlessexceptasaproofofthatfactorapossibleindicationoftheundueinfluenceofhisrelations,whichmightcompelthecourttoselecthisguardiansandtrusteeselsewherethanamongthem。\"

  \"FriendAbogado,\"saidFatherFelipewithextraordinarydeliberation,\"thedocumentthouhastjustdescribedsoeloquentlyconvincesmebeyondalldoubtthatDonJoseisnotonlyperfectlysanebutendowedwithasingulardiscretion。Iconsideritasadelicateandhigh—spiritedintimationtous,hisfriendsandkinsmen,ofhisunalterableandlogicallyjustdevotiontohisfamilyandreligion,whatevermayseemtobehispoeticalandimaginativemannerofdeclaringit。Ithinkthereisnotonehere,\"continuedthepadre,lookingaroundhimimpressively,\"whoisnotentirelysatisfiedofDonJose’sreasonandcompetencytoarrangehisownaffairs。\"

  \"Entirely,\"\"truly,\"\"perfectly,\"eagerlyrespondedtheotherswithaffectingspontaneity。

  \"Nay,more。Topreventanymisconception,weshalldeemitourdutytotakeeveryopportunityofmakingourbeliefpubliclyknown,\"addedFatherFelipe。

  ThepadreandColonelParkergazedlongandgravelyintoeachother’seyes。Itmayhavebeenaninnocenttouchofthesunlightthroughthewindow,butafaintgleamseemedtostealintothepupiloftheaffablelawyeratthesamemomentthat,probablyfromthelikecause,therewasaslightnervouscontractionofthelefteyelidofthepiousfather。Butitpassed,andthenextinstantthedooropenedtoadmitDonJoseSepulvida。

  Hewasatonceseizedandeffusivelyembracedbytheentirecompanywitheveryprotestofaffectionandrespect。notonlyMr。HamlinandMr。Jenkinson,whoaccompaniedhimasinvitedguests,butRoberto,inanewsuitofclothesandguiltlessofstainortraceofdissipation,sharedinthepronouncedfriendlinessofthekinsmen。PadreFelipetooksnuff,ColonelParkerblewhisnosegently。

  Norweretheylessdemonstrativeoftheirnewconvictionslateratthebanquet。DonJose,withJenkinsonandthepadreonhisrightandleft,preservedhisgentleandhalf—melancholydignityinthemidstofthenoisyfraternization。EvenPadreFelipe,inabriefspeechorexhortationproposingthehealthoftheirhost,lenthimselfinhisowntonguetothispolitecongeniality。\"Wehavehadalso,myfriendsandbrothers,\"hesaidinperoration,\"apleasingexampleofthecomplimentofimitationshownbyourbelovedDonJose。NoonewhohasknownhimduringhisfriendlysojourninthiscommunitybutwillbestruckwiththeconvictionthathehasacquiredthatmostmarvelousfacultyofyourgreatAmericannation,theexhibitionofhumorandofthepracticaljoke。\"

  EveryeyewasturnedupontheimperturbablefaceofDonJoseasheslowlyrosetoreply。\"Inbiddingyoutothisfete,myfriendsandkinsmen,\"hebegancalmly,\"itwaswiththeintentionofformallyembracingthehabits,customs,andspiritofAmericaninstitutionsbycertainmethodsofrenunciationofthepast,asbecameacaballeroofhonorandresolution。Thosemethodsmaypossiblybeknowntosomeofyou。\"Hepausedforamomentasiftoallowthemembersofhisfamilytolookunconscious。\"Sincethen,inthewisdomofGod,ithasoccurredtomethatmypurposemaybeashonorablyeffectedbyadiscreetblendingofthepastandthepresent——inaword,bythejudiciouscombinationoftheinterestsofmynativepeopleandtheAmericannation。Inconsiderationofthatpurpose,friendsandkinsmen,IaskyoutojoinmeindrinkingthegoodhealthofmyhostSenorJenkinson,myfuturefather—in—

  law,fromwhomIhaveto—dayhadthehonortodemandthehandofthepeerlessPolly,hisdaughter,asthefuturemistressoftheRanchooftheBlessedInnocents。\"

  Themarriagetookplaceshortlyafter。NorwasthefreewillandindependenceofDonJoseSepulvidaintheleastopposedbyhisrelations。Whethertheyfelttheyhadalreadycommittedthemselves,orhadhopesinthefuture,didnottranspire。Enoughthattheescapadeofaweekwastacitlyforgotten。Theonlyallusionevermadetothebridegroom’speculiaritieswasdrawnfromthedemurelipsofthebrideherselfonherinstallationatthe\"BlessedInnocents。\"

  \"Andwhat,littleone,didstthoufindinmetoadmire?\"DonJosehadaskedtenderly。

  \"Oh,youseemedtobesomuchlikethatdearoldDonQuixote,youknow,\"sheanswereddemurely。

  \"DonQuixote,\"repeatedDonJosewithgentlegravity。\"But,mychild,thatwasonlyamerefiction——aromance,ofoneCervantes。

  Believeme,ofatruththereneverwasanysuchperson!\"

  ASECRETOFTELEGRAPHHILL

  I。

  AsMr。HerbertBlyglancedforthefirsttimeatthehousewhichwastobehisfutureabodeinSanFrancisco,hewassomewhatstartled。Inthatearlyperiodoffeverishcivicimprovementthestreetbeforeithadbeenrepeatedlygradedandlowereduntilthedwelling——originallyapioneersuburbanvillapercheduponaslopeofTelegraphHill——nowstoodsixtyfeetabovethesidewalk,superposedlikesomeSwisschaletonsuccessivegalleriesbuiltinthesand—hill,andconnectedbyahalf—dozendistinctzigzagflightsofwoodenstaircase。Stimulated,however,bythethoughtthattheviewfromthetopwouldbeafineone,andthatexistencetherewouldhaveallthequaintoriginalityofRobinsonCrusoe’stree—dwelling,Mr。Blybegancheerfullytomountthesteps。Itshouldbepremisedthat,althougharecentlyappointedclerkinalargebankinghouse,Mr。Blywassomewhatyouthfulandimaginative,andregardedtheascentaspartofthat\"Excelsior\"climbingpointedoutbyagreatpoetasapraiseworthyfunctionofambitiousyouth。

  Reachingatlasttheleveloftheveranda,heturnedtotheview。

  ThedistantwoodedshoreofContraCosta,thetossingwhite—capsanddancingsailsofthebaybetween,andtheforegroundathisfeetofwharvesandpiers,withtheirreed—likejunglesofmastsandcordage,madeupabright,ifsomewhatmaterial,picture。Tohisrightrosethecrestofthehill,historicandmemorableasthesiteoftheoldsemaphorictelegraph,thetossingofwhosegauntarmsformerlythrilledthecitizenswithtidingsfromthesea。

  Turningtothehouse,herecognizedtheprevailingstyleoflightcottagearchitecture,althoughincongruouslyconfinedtonarrowbuildingplotsandthecivicregularityofaprecisestreetfrontage。Thusadozenothervillas,formerlyscatteredovertheslope,hadbeenlaboriouslydisplacedandmovedtotherigorousparadelinedrawnbythestreetsurveyor,nomatterhowirregularandindependenttheirdesignandstructure。Happily,thefewscrub—oaksandlowbusheswhichformedthescantvegetationofthisvastsandduneofferednoobstacleandsuggestednoincongruity。

  BesidethehousebeforewhichMr。Blynowstood,aprolificMadeiravine,quickenedbythesixmonths’sunshine,hadalonesurvivedthedisplacementofitsfoundations,andinitsuntrimmedluxuriancehalfhidtheupperverandafromhisview。

  Stillglowingwithhisexertion,theyoungmanrangthebellandwasadmittedintoafair—sizeddrawing—room,whosetastefulandwell—arrangedfurnitureatonceprepossessedhim。Anopenpiano,asheetofmusiccarelesslyleftonthestool,anovellyingfacedownwardsonthetablebesideaskeinofsilk,andthedistantrustleofavanishedskirtthroughaninnerdoor,gaveasuggestionofrefineddomesticitytotheroomthattouchedthefancyofthehomelessandnomadicBly。Hewasstillenjoying,inhalfembarrassment,thatvagueandindescribableatmosphereofarefinedwoman’shabitualpresence,whenthedooropenedandthemistressofthehouseformallypresentedherself。

  Shewasafadedbutstillhandsomewoman。Yetsheworethatpeculiarlong,limp,formlesshouse—shawlwhichincertainphasesofAnglo—Saxonspinsterandwidowhoodassumesthefunctionsoftherecluse’sveilandannouncestherenunciationofworldlyvanitiesandaresignedindifferencetoexternalfemininecontour。Themostaudaciousmasculinearmwouldshrinkfromclaspingthatshapelessvoidinwhichtheflatnessofasceticismortheheavingsofpassionmightalikelieburied。Shehadalsoinsomemysteriouswayimportedintothefreshandpleasantroomacertainbombazinyshadowofthepast,andasuggestionofthatappallingreminiscenceknownas\"betterdays。\"Thoughwhyitshouldbealwaysrepresentedbyashenmemories,orwhybetterdaysinthepastshouldbesupposedtofixtheirfittingsymbolindepressioninthepresent,Mr。Blywastooyoungandtoopreoccupiedatthemomenttodetermine。Heonlyknewthathewasalittlefrightenedofher,andfixedhisgazewithahopelessfascinationonaletterwhichshesomewhatportentouslycarriedundertheshawl,andwhichseemedalreadytohaveyellowedinitsarcticshade。

  \"Mr。Carstonehaswrittentomethatyouwouldcall,\"saidMrs。

  Brookswithlanguidformality。\"Mr。Carstonewasavaluedfriendofmylatehusband,andIsupposehastoldyouthecircumstances——

  theonlycircumstances——whichadmitofmyentertaininghispropositionoftakinganybody,eventemporarily,undermyroof。

  TheabsenceofmydearsonforsixmonthsatPortland,Oregon,enablesmetoplacehisroomatthedisposalofMr。Carstone’syoungprotege,who,Mr。Carstonetellsme,andIhaveeveryreasontobelieve,is,ifperhapsnotsoseriouslyinclinednoryetachurchcommunicant,stillofacharacterandreputationnotunworthytofollowmydearTappingtoninourlittlefamilycircleashehasathisdeskinthebank。\"

  ThesensitiveBly,strugglingpainfullyoutofanabstractionastohowhewasevertooffertheweeklyrentofhislodgingstosucharemoteandrespectableperson,andalsosomewhatembarrassedatbeingappealedtointhethirdperson,herestartedandbowed。

  \"ThenameofBlyisnotunfamiliartome,\"continuedMrs。Brooks,pointingtoachairandsinkingresignedlyintoanother,whereherbalefulshawlatonceassumedtheappearanceofadust—cover;\"someofmydearestfriendswereintimatewiththeBlysofPhiladelphia。

  TheywereabranchoftheMarylandBlysoftheeasternshore,ofwhommyUncleJamesmarried。Perhapsyouaredistantlyrelated?\"

  Mrs。BrookswasperfectlyawarethathervisitorwasofunknownWesternorigin,andapoorbutcleverprotegeoftherichbanker;

  butshewasoneofacertainclassofAmericanwomenwho,inthemidstofafiercedemocracy,aremoreorlesscat—likeconservatorsoffamilyprideandlineage,andmoreorlessfelinelyinconsistentandtreacheroustorepublicanprinciples。Bly,whohadjustsettledinhismindtosendhertherentanonymously——asaweeklyvalentine——recoveredhimselfandhisspiritsinhisusualboyishfashion。

  \"Iamafraid,Mrs。Brooks,\"hesaidgayly,\"Icannotlayclaimtoanydistinguishedrelationship,eventothat’NellyBly’who,youremember,’winkedhereyewhenshewenttosleep。’\"Hestoppedinconsternation。Theterribleconvictionflasheduponhimthatthisquotationfromapopularnegro—minstrelsongcouldnotpossiblyberememberedbyaladyasrefinedashishostess,orevenknowntohersuperiorson。TheconvictionwasintensifiedbyMrs。Brooksrisingwithasmilelessface,slightlysheddingthepossiblevulgaritywithashakeofhershawl,andremarkingthatshewouldshowhimherson’sroom,ledthewayupstairstotheapartmentrecentlyvacatedbytheperfectTappington。

  Precededbythesamedistantflutterofunseenskirtsinthepassagewhichhehadfirstnoticedonenteringthedrawing—room,andwhichevidentlydidnotproceedfromhiscompanion,whoseself—

  composedcerementswouldhaverepressedanysuchindecorousagitation,Mr。Blysteppedtimidlyintotheroom。Itwasaveryprettyapartment,suggestingthesametouchesoftastefulrefinementinitsfurnitureandappointments,andwithalsofeminineinitsneatnessandregularity,that,consciousofhisfrontierhabitsandexperience,hefeltatoncerepulsivelyincongruous。\"Icannotexpect,Mr。Bly,\"saidMrs。Brooksresignedly,\"thatyoucansharemyson’sextremesensitivenesstodisorderandirregularity;butImustbegyoutoavoidasmuchaspossibledisturbingthearrangementofthebook—shelves,which,youobserve,comprisehisbooksofseriousreference,theBiblicalcommentaries,andthesermonswhichwerehishabitualstudy。I

  mustbegyoutoexercisethesamecareinreferencetothevaluableofferingsfromhisSabbath—schoolscholarswhichareuponthemantel。Theembroideredbook—marker,thegiftoftheyoungladiesofhisBible—classinDr。Stout’schurch,isalso,youperceive,keptforornamentandaffectionateremembrance。Theharmonium——

  evenifyouarenotyourselfgiventosacredsong——Itrustyouwillnotfindinyourway,norobjecttomydaughtercontinuingherpracticeduringyourdailyabsence。Thankyou。Thedooryouarelookingatleadsbyaflightofstepstothesidestreet。\"

  \"Averyconvenientarrangement,\"saidBlyhopefully,whosawachanceforanoccasionalunostentatiousescapefromatooprotractedcontemplationofTappington’sperfections。\"Imean,\"headdedhurriedly,\"toavoiddisturbingyouatnight。\"

  \"Ibelievemysonhadneitherthenecessitynordesiretouseitforthatpurpose,\"returnedMrs。Brooksseverely;\"althoughhefounditsometimesaconvenientshortcuttochurchonSabbathwhenhewaslate。\"

  Bly,whoinhisboyishsensitivenesstoexternalimpressionshadbythistimeconcludedthatalifedividedbetweenthepastperfectionsofTappingtonandthepresentrenunciationsofMrs。

  Brookswouldbeintolerable,andwasagainabstractedlyinventingsomedelicateexcuseforwithdrawingwithoutcommittinghimselffurther,washeresuddenlyattractedbyarepetitionoftherustlingoftheunseenskirt。Thistimeitwasnearer,andthistimeitseemedtostrikeevenMrs。Brooks’sremotepreoccupation。

  \"Mydaughter,whoisdeeplydevotedtoherbrother,\"shesaid,slightlyraisinghervoice,\"willtakeuponherselfthecareoflookingafterTappington’spreciousmementoes,andspareyouthetrouble。Cherry,dear!thisway。ThisistheyounggentlemanspokenofbyMr。Carstone,yourpapa’sfriend。MydaughterCherubina,Mr。Bly。\"

  Thefairowneroftherustlingskirt,whichturnedouttobeaprettyFrenchprint,hadappearedatthedoorway。Shewasatall,slimblonde,withashy,startledmanner,asofapenitentnunwhowassufferingforsomeconventualtransgression——aresemblancethatwasheightenedbyhershort—cuthair,thatmighthavebeencroppedasifforpunishment。Acertainlikenesstohermothersuggestedthatshewasqualifyingforthatsaint’sasceticshawl——subject,however,torebelliousintervals,indicatedintheoccasionalsidelongfiresofhergrayeyes。Yetthevagueimpressionthatsheknewmoreoftheworldthanhermother,andthatshedidnotlookatallasifhernamewasCherubina,struckBlyinthesamemomentaryglance。

  \"Mr。BlyisnaturallypleasedwithwhathehasseenofourdearTappington’sappointments;andasIgatherfromMr。Carstone’sletterthatheisanxioustoenteratonceandmakethemostofthedearboy’sabsence,youwillsee,mydearCherry,thatEllenhaseverythingreadyforhim?\"

  BeforetheunfortunateBlycouldexplainorprotest,theyounggirlliftedhergrayeyestohis。Whethershehadperceivedandunderstoodhisperplexityhecouldnottell;buttheswiftshyglancewasatonceappealing,assuring,andintelligent。Shewascertainlyunlikehermotherandbrother。Actingwithhisusualimpulsiveness,heforgothispreviousresolution,andbeforehelefthadengagedtobeginhisoccupationoftheroomonthefollowingday。

  Thenextafternoonfoundhiminstalled。Yet,afterhehadunpackedhismodestpossessionsandputthemaway,afterhehadplacedhisfewbooksontheshelves,wheretheylookedglaringlytrivialandfrivolousbesidethelatetenant’sseverestudies;afterhehadsetouthisscantytreasuresinthewayofphotographsandsomecuriousmementoesofhiswanderinglife,andthenquicklyputthembackagainwithasuddenangryprideatexposingthemtotheunsympatheticincongruityoftheotherornaments,he,nevertheless,feltillatease。Heglancedinvainaroundtheprettyroom。Itwasnotthedelicatelyfloweredwall—paper;itwasnotthewhiteandbluemuslinwindow—curtainsgracefullytiedupwithblueandwhiteribbons;itwasnotthespotlessbed,withitsblueandwhitefestoonedmosquito—netandflouncedvalances,anditsmedallionportraitofanunknownbishopattheback;itwasnotthefewtastefullyframedengravingsofcertaincardinalvirtues,\"TheRockofAges,\"and\"TheGuardianAngel\";itwasnotthecastsinreliefof\"Night\"and\"Morning\";itwascertainlynotthecosydimity—

  coveredarm—chairsandsofa,noryettheclean—sweptpolishedgratewithitscheerfulfiresparklingagainstthechillafternoonsea—

  fogswithout;neitherwasitthemerefemininesuggestion,forthattouchedasympatheticchordinhisimpulsivenature;northereligiousandasceticinfluence,forhehadoccupiedamonasticcellinaschoolofthepadresatanoldmission,andsleptprofoundly;——itwasnoneofthose,andyetapartofall。Mosthabitationsretainacastorshelloftheirprevioustenantthat,fittingtightlyorloosely,isstillabletoadjustitselftothenewcomer;inmostoccupiedapartmentsthereisstillashadowysuggestionoftheowner’sindividuality;therewasnothingherethatfittedBly——norwasthereeither,strangetosay,anyevidenceofthepastproprietorinthisinhospitalityofsensation。ItdidnotstrikehimatthetimethatitwasthisveryLACKofindividualitywhichmadeitweirdandunreal,thatitwasstrangeonlybecauseitwasARTIFICIAL,andthataREALTappingtonhadneverinhabitedit。

  Hewalkedtothewindow——thatnever—failingresourceoftheunquietmind——andlookedout。Hewasalittlesurprisedtofind,that,owingtothegradingofthehouse,thescrub—oaksandbushesofthehillwerenearlyonthelevelofhiswindow,asalsowastheadjoiningsidestreetonwhichhisseconddooractuallygave。

  Openingthis,thesuddeninvasionofthesea—fogandthefigureofapedestriancasuallypassingalongthedisusedandabandonedpavementnotadozenfeetfromwherehehadbeencomfortablyseated,presentedsuchastrikingcontrasttothestudiousquietandcosinessofhissecludedapartmentthathehurriedlyclosedthedooragainwithasenseofindiscreetexposure。Returningtothewindow,heglancedtotheleft,andfoundthathewasoverlookedbythesideverandaofanothervillaintherear,evidentlyonitswaytotakepositiononthelineofthestreet。Althoughinactualanddeliberatetransitonrollersacrossthebackyardandstilloccultingapartoftheview,itremained,aftertherecklessfashionoftheperiod,inhabited。Certainly,withadoorfrontingathoroughfare,andaneighborgraduallyapproachinghim,hewouldnotfeellonelyorlackexcitement。

  Hedrewhisarm—chairtothefireandtriedtorealizetheall—

  pervadingyetevasiveTappington。Therewasnoportraitofhiminthehouse,andalthoughMrs。Brookshadsaidthathe\"favored\"hissister,Blyhad,withoutknowingwhy,instinctivelyresentedit。

  Hehadeventimidlyaskedhisemployer,andhadreceivedthevaguereplythathewas\"good—lookingenough,\"andthepracticalbutdiscomposingretort,\"Whatdoyouwanttoknowfor?\"Ashereallydidnotknowwhy,theinquiryhaddropped。Hestaredatthemonumentalcrystalink—standhalffullofink,yetspotlessandfreefromstains,thatstoodonthetable,andtriedtopictureTappingtondaintilydippingintoittothankthefairdonors——

  \"daughtersofRebecca。\"Whowerethey?andwhatsortofmanwouldtheynaturallyfeelgratefulto?

  Whatwasthat?

  Heturnedtothewindow,whichhadjustresoundedtoaslighttaporblow,asifsomethingsofthadstruckit。Withaninstinctivesuspicionofthepropinquityoftheadjoiningstreetherose,butasingleglancefromthewindowsatisfiedhimthatnomissilewouldhavereacheditfromthence。Hescannedthelowbushesonthelevelbeforehim;certainlynoonecouldbehidingthere。Heliftedhiseyestowardthehouseontheleft;thecurtainsofthenearestwindowappearedtobedrawnsuddenlyatthesamemoment。

  Couldithavecomefromthere?Lookingdownuponthewindow—ledge,therelaythemysteriousmissile——alittlemisshapenball。Heopenedthewindowandtookitup。Itwasasmallhandkerchieftiedintoasoftknot,anddampenedwithwatertogiveitthenecessaryweightasaprojectile。

  Wasitapparentlythetrickofamischievouschild?or——

  Buthereafaintknockonthedoorleadingintothehallcheckedhisinquiry。Heopeneditsharplyinhisexcitement,andwasembarrassedtofindthedaughterofhishostessstandingthere,shy,startled,andevidentlyequallyembarrassedbyhisabruptresponse。

  \"MotheronlywantedmetoaskyouifEllenhadputeverythingtorights,\"shesaid,makingastepbackwards。

  \"Oh,thankyou。Perfectly,\"saidHerbertwitheffusion。\"Nothingcouldbebetterdone。Infact\"——

  \"You’requitesureshehasn’tforgottenanything?orthatthereisn’tanythingyouwouldlikechanged?\"shecontinued,withhereyesleveledonthefloor。

  \"Nothing,Iassureyou,\"hesaid,lookingatherdowncastlashes。

  Asshestillremainedmotionless,hecontinuedcheerfully,\"Wouldyou——wouldyou——caretolookroundandsee?\"

  \"No;Ithankyou。\"

  Therewasanawkwardpause。Hestillcontinuedtoholdthedooropen。Suddenlyshemovedforwardwithaschool—girlstride,enteredtheroom,andgoingtotheharmonium,satdownuponthemusic—stoolbesideit,slightlybendingforward,withonelong,slim,whitehandontopoftheother,restingoverhercrossedknees。

  Herbertwasalittlepuzzled。Itwastheawkwardandbrusqueactofaveryyoungperson,andyetnothingnowcouldbemoregentleandself—composedthanherfigureandattitude。

  \"Yes,\"hecontinued,smilingly;\"IamonlyafraidthatImaynotbeabletolivequiteuptotheneatnessandregularityoftheexampleIfindhereeverywhere。YouknowIamdreadfullycarelessandnotatallorderly。Ishuddertothinkwhatmayhappen;butyouandyourmother,MissBrooks,Itrust,willmakeupyourmindstooverlookandforgiveagooddeal。IshalldomybesttobeworthyofMr。Tap——ofmypredecessor——buteventhenIamafraidyou’llfindmeagreatbother。\"

  Sheraisedhershyeyelids。Thefaintestghostofalong—burieddimplecameintoherpalecheekasshesaidsoftly,tohisutterconsternation:

  \"Rats!\"

  HadsheutteredanoathhecouldnothavebeenmorestartledthanhewasbythischoicegemofWesternsaloon—slangfromthepurelipsofthisEvangeline—likefigurebeforehim。Hesatgazingatherwithawildhystericdesiretolaugh。Sheliftedhereyesagain,swepthimwithaslightlyterrifiedglance,andsaid:

  \"Tapsaysyouallsaythatwhenanyonemakes—believepolitenesstoyou。\"

  \"Oh,yourBROTHERsaysthat,doeshe?\"saidHerbert,laughing。

  \"Yes,andsometimes’Oldrats。’But,\"shecontinuedhurriedly,\"HE

  doesn’tsayit;hesaysYOUalldo。Mybrotherisveryparticular,andverygood。DoctorStoutloveshim。HeisthoughtverymuchofinallChristiancircles。Thatbook—markwasgiventohimbyoneofhisclasses。\"

  Everytraceofherdimpleshadvanished。Shelookedsosweetlygrave,andwithalsomaidenly,sittingthereslightlysmoothingthelengthsofherpinkfingers,thatHerbertwassomewhatembarrassed。

  \"ButIassureyou,MissBrooks,Iwasnotmaking—believe。Iamreallyverycareless,andeverythingissoproper——Imeansoneatandpretty——here,thatI\"——hestopped,and,observingthesamebackwardwanderingofhereyeasofafillyabouttoshy,quicklychangedthesubject。\"Youhave,orareabouttohave,neighbors?\"

  hesaid,glancingtowardsthewindowsasherecalledtheincidentofamomentbefore。

  \"Yes;andthey’renotatallnicepeople。TheyarefromPikeCounty,andveryqueer。Theycameacrosstheplainsin’50。Theysay’Stranger’;themenarevulgar,andthegirlsveryforward。

  Tapforbidsmyevergoingtothewindowandlookingatthem。

  They’requitewhatyouwouldcall’offcolor。’\"

  Herbert,whodidnotdaretosaythatheneverwouldhavedreamedofusingsuchanexpressioninanyyounggirl’spresence,wasplungedinsilentconsternation。

  \"Thenyourbrotherdoesn’tapproveofthem?\"hesaid,atlast,awkwardly。

  \"Oh,notatall。Heeventalkedofhavingground—glassputinallthesewindows,onlyitwouldmakethelightbad。\"

  Herbertfeltveryembarrassed。Ifthemysteriousmissilecamefromtheseobjectionableyoungpersons,itwasevidentlybecausetheythoughttheyhaddetectedamoreaccessibleandsympathizingindividualinthestrangerwhonowoccupiedtheroom。Heconcludedhehadbetternotsayanythingaboutit。

  MissBrooks’sgoldeneyelasheswerebenttowardsthefloor。\"Doyouplaysacredmusic,Mr。Bly?\"shesaid,withoutraisingthem。

  \"Iamafraidnot。\"

  \"Perhapsyouknowonlynegro—minstrelsongs?\"

  \"Iamafraid——yes。\"

  \"Iknowone。\"Thedimplesfaintlycamebackagain。\"It’scalled’TheHam—fatMan。’Somedaywhenmotherisn’tinI’llplayitforyou。\"

  Thenthedimplesfledagain,andsheimmediatelylookedsodistressedthatHerbertcametoherassistance。

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