minginblackmolassesandporkgravy。
Hendersonlookedatitamoment；thenoverhisfacecamealookofutterdespair。
Hedroppedhisheadinhisarmsandbrokeintouncontrolledcrying。
\"Oh，myGod，Gillispie，\"hesobbed，\"I
shalldieouthereinthiswretchedhole!I
wantmymother。GreatGod，Gillispie，amIgoingtodiewithouteverseeingmymother？\"
Gillispie，maddenedatthisanguish，whichhecouldinnowayalleviate，soughtcomfortbyfirstlightinghispipeandthentakinghisrevolveroutofhiship-pocketandplayingwithit。Hendersoncontinuedtoshakewithsobs，andCatherine，whohadneverbeforeinherlifeheardamancry，leanedagainstthedoorforamomenttogathercourage。
Thensheranintothehousequickly，laugh-
ingasshecame。ShetookHenderson\'sarmsawayfromhisfaceandlaidhimbackonthepillow，andshestoopedoverhimandkissedhisforeheadinthemostmatter-
of-factway。
\"That\'swhatyourmotherwoulddoifshewerehere，\"shecried，merrily。\"Where\'sthewater？\"
Shewashedhisfaceandhandsalongtime，tilltheywerecoolandhisconvulsivesobshadceased。Thenshetookasliceofthinbreadfromherbasketandaspoonfulofamberjelly。Shebeataneggintosomemilkanddroppedalittleliquorwithinit，andservedthemtogetheronthefirstcleannapkinthathadbeeninthecabinofthethreeJohnssinceitwasbuiltAtthisthegreatfoolonthebedcriedagain，onlyquietly，tearsofweakhappi-
nessrunningfromhisfeverisheyes。AndCatherinestraightenedthedisorderlycabin。
Shecameeverydayfortwoweeks，andbythattimeHenderson，veryuncertainastothestrengthofhislegs，butoncemoreaccoutredinhisnativepluck，satupinachair，forwhichshehadmadecleansoftcushions，writingalettertohismother。Thefloorwasscrubbed；thecabinhadtakentoitselfcupboardsmadeofpacking-boxes；ithadclothes-pressesandshelves；curtainsatthewindows；boxesforallsortofnecessaries，fromflourtotobacco；andacook-bookonthewall，withaninscriptionwithinwhichwasmoreappropriatethanrespectful。
Thedaythatsheannouncedthatshewouldhavenofurthercalltocomeback，Waite，whowaslookingafterthehousewhileGillispiewasafield，madealittlespeech。
\"Afterthishere，\"hesaid，\"wefourstandserfallstogether。Nowlookhere，there\'slotsofthingscanhappentoapersononthiscussedpraira，andnoonebenoneth\'wiser。Soseehere，Mis\'Ford，everynightoneofusisa-goin\'toth\'roofofthisshack。Fromtherewecanseeyourplace。
Ifanythingisth\'matter——itdon\'tsignifyhowlittleerhowbig——youhangalanternonth\'stickthatI\'llputalongsideth\'houseto-morrow。Yehcanh\'istth\'lightupwithastring，andeverymornin\'beforewegooutwe\'lllooktoo，andawhiterag\'llbringusquickaswecangitthere。Wedon\'tsaynothin\'aboutwhatweoweyeh，furthatain\'tourway，butwestickstoeachotherfromthison。”
Catherine\'seyesweremoist。ShelookedatHenderson。Hisfacehadnoexpressioninitatall。Hedidnotevensaygood-bytoher，andsheturned，withthetearssud-
denlydriedunderherlids，andwalkeddowntheroadinthetwilight。
Weekswentby，andthoughGillispieandWaitewereoftenatCatherine\'s，Hendersonnevercame。GillispiegaveitoutashisopinionthatHendersonwasanungratefulpuppy；butWaitesaidnothing。Thisstrangeman，whoseemedlikeamereunto-
wardaccidentofnature，hadchangeddur-
ingthesummer。Hisbigill-shapedbodyhadgrownmoregaunt；hisdeep-setgrayeyeshadsunkdeeper；thegentlenesswhichhaddistinguishedhimevenonthewildrangesofMontanabecamemoremarked。
LateinAugusthevolunteeredtotakeonhimselftheentirechargeofthenightwatch。
\"It\'snicertobeoutatnight，\"hesaidtoCatherine。\"Thenyoudon\'tkeeplook-
ingoffatthings；youcanlookinside；\"andhestruckhisbreastwithhissplayhand。
Cattlearetimorousunderthestars。Thevastnessoftheplains，thesweepofthewindundertheunbrokenarch，frightenthem；
theyaremadefortheclosecomfortsofthebarn-yard；andtheapprehensioniscon-
tagious，aseveryranchmanknows。Waiterealizedtheneedofbecominggoodfriendswithhisanimals。Nightafternight，ridingupanddowninthetwilightofthestars，ordozing，rolledinhisblanket，intheshelterofaknoll，hewouldhearalowroar；itwasthecryofthealarmist。Thenfromeverydirectionthecattlewouldrisewithtremblingawkwardnessontheirknees，andanswer，givingoutsullenbellowings。Someofthemwouldbegintomovefromplacetoplace，spreadingthebaselessalarm，andthencamethetimeforaction，elseovertheplaininmerefruitlessfrenzywouldgothewholefranticband，lashedtomadnessbytheirownfears，tramplingeachother，heed-
lessofanyobstacle，inpitiable，deadlyrout。
Waiteknewthepremonitorysignswell，andatthefirstwarningbellowhewasonhisfeet，alertanddetermined，hisenergynervedforastruggleinwhichhealwaysconquered。
Waitehadasecretwhichhetoldtonone，knowing，inhisunanalyticalfashion，thatitwouldnotbebelievedin。Butsoonaseverthedarkheadsofthecattlebegantoliftthemselves，hesentaresonantvoiceoutintothestillness。Thesongshesangwerehymns，andhemadethemintoasortofimperativelullaby。Waitelethislungsandsoulfillwiththebreathofthenight；
hegavehimselfuptotheexaltationofmasteringthosetremblingbrutes。Mount-
ing，melodious，withevenandpowerfulswinghelethisfullnotesfallontheairintheconfidenceofpower，andonebyonethereassuredcattlewouldliedownagain，lowinginsoftcontentment，andsofallasleepwithnosesstretchedoutinmuteattention，tilltheirpresencecouldhardlybeguessedexceptforthesweetaromaoftheircuds。
Onenightintheearlydusk，hesawCath-
erineFordhasteningacrosstheprairiewithBillDeems。Hesentahallooouttothem，whichtheybothansweredastheyranon。
WaiteknewonwhaterrandofmercyCath-
erinewasbent，andhethoughtofthechil-
drenoveratthecabinalone。Thecattlewerequiet，thenightbeautiful，andhecon-
cludedthatitwassafeenough，sincehewasonhispony，toridedownthereaboutmid-
nightandseethatthelittleonesweresafe。
Thedarksky，prickedwithpointsofin-
tensestlight，hungoverhimsobeneficentlythatinhisheartthereleapedajoywhichevenhisever-presentsorrowcouldnotdis-
turb。ThissorrowWaiteopenlyadmittednotonlytohimself，buttoothers。HehadsaidtoCatherine:\"Yousee，I\'llalwayshevtoloveyeh。An\'yeh\'llnotgitcrosswithme；I\'mnotgoin\'tobeinth\'way。”AndCatherinehadtoldhim，withtearsinhereyes，thathislovecouldneverbebutacom-
forttoanywoman。Andthesewords，whichthepoorfellowhadinnosensemistaken，comfortedhimalways，becamepartofhisjoyasherodethere，underthosepiercingstars，tolookafterherlittleones。Hefoundthemsleepingintheirbunks，thebabytightinKitty\'sarms，thelittleboyabovethemintheupperbunk，withhishandinthelonghairofhisbrownspaniel。Waitesoftlykissedeachofthem，soKitty，whowashalfwaking，toldhermotherafterwards，andthen，bethinkinghimthatCatherinemightnotbeabletoreturnintimefortheirbreak-
fast，foundthemilkandbread，andsetitforthemonthetable。Catherinehadbeenwriting，andherunfinishedletterlayopenbesidetheink。Hetookupthepenandwrote，\"Thechilddrenwasallasleepattwelv。
\"J。W。”
Hehadnotmorethangotonhisponyagainbeforeheheardanominoussoundthatmadehisheartleap。Itwasafranticdullpoundingofhoofs。Heknewinasecondwhatitmeant。Therewasastam-
pedeamongthecattle。Iftheanimalshadallbeenhis，hewouldnothavelosthissenseofjudgment。Buttherealizationthathehadvoluntarilyundertakenthecareofthem，andthatthelargerpartofthembelongedtohisfriends，puthiminapassionofappre-
hensionthat，asaranchman，wasalmostin-
explicable。Hedidtheverythingofallothersthatnocattle-maninhisrightsenseswouldthinkofdoing。GillispieandHender-
son，talkingitoverafterward，wereneverabletounderstandit。Itispossible——justbarelypossible——thatWaite，stilldrunkonhissolitarydreams，knewwhathewasdoing，andchosetobringhislittlechaptertoanendwhilethelineswerepleasant。Atanyrate，herodestraightforward，shoutingandwavinghisarmsinaninsaneendeavortoheadoffthatfranticmob。Thenoisewokethechildren，andtheypeeredfromthewindowasthepawingandbellowingherdplungedby，tramplingtheyoungsteersundertheirfeet。
Intheearlymorning，CatherineFord，spentbothinmindandbody，camewalkingslowlyhome。Inherheartwasaprayerofthanks-
giving。MaryDeemslaysleepingbackinhercomfortlessshack，withherlittlesonbyherside。
\"ThewonderofGodisinit，\"saidCath-
erinetoherselfasshewalkedhome。\"AlltheministersofalltheworldcouldnothavepreachedmesuchasermonasI\'vehadto-night。”
Sodimhadbeenthelightandsoper-
turbedhermindthatshehadnotnoticedhowtornandtrampledwastheroad。Butsuddenlyabulkinherpathwaystartledher。
Itwasthedeadandmangledbodyofasteer。
Shestoopedoverittoreadthebrandonitsflank。\"It\'soneofthethreeJohns\'，\"shecriedout，lookinganxiouslyabouther。
\"Howcouldthathavehappened？\"
Thedirectionwhichthecattlehadtakenwastowardherhouse，andshehastenedhomeward。AndnotaquarterofamilefromherdoorshefoundthebodyofWaitebesidethatofhispony，crushedoutofitsfamiliarformintosomethingunspeakablyshapeless。Inherexcitementshehalfdragged，halfcarriedthatmutilatedbodyhome，andthenranuphersignalofalarmonthestickthatWaitehimselfhaderectedforherconvenience。Shethoughtitwouldbealongtimebeforeanyonereachedher，butshehadhardlyhadtimetobathethedisfiguredfaceandstraightenthedisfiguredbodybeforeHendersonwaspoundingatherdoor。Outsidestoodhisponypantingfromitsterrificexertions。Hendersonhadnotseenherbeforeforsixweeks。Nowhestaredatherwithfrightenedeyes。
\"Whatisit？Whatisit？\"hecried。
\"Whathashappenedtoyou，my——mylove？\"
Atleastafterward，thinkingitoverassheworkedbydayortossedinhernarrowbunkatnight，itseemedtoCatherinethatthosewerethewordshespoke。Yetshecouldneverfeelsure；nothinginhismannerafterthatjustifiedtheimpassionedanxietyofhismannerinthosefirstfewuncertainmoments；
forasecondlaterhesawthebodyofhisfriendandlearnedthelittlethatCatherineknew。Theyburiedhimthenextdayinalittlehollowwheretherewasaspringandsomewildaspens。
\"Heneverlikedtheprairie，\"Catherinesaid，whensheselectedthespot。\"AndI
wanthimtolieasshelteredaspossible。”
Afterhehadbeenlaidatrest，andshewasback，busywithtidyingherneglectedshack，shefelltocryingsothatthechildrenwerescared。
\"There\'snoonelefttocarewhatbecomesofus，\"shetoldthem，bitterly。\"Wemightstarveouthereforallthatanyonecares。”
Andallthroughthenighthertearsfell，andshetoldherselfthattheywereallforthemanwhoselastthoughtwasforherandherbabies；shetoldherselfoverandoveragainthathertearswereallforhim。Afterthistheautumnbegantohurryon，andthesnowfellcapriciously，daysofbitingcoldgivingplacetoretrospectiveglancesatsummer。
Thelastofthevegetablesweretakenoutofthegardenandburiedinthecellar；andafewtonsofcoal——dearalmostasdiamonds——werebroughtouttoprovideagainsttheseverestweather。Ordinarilybuffalochipswerethefuel。Catherinewasalarmedatthewayherwretchedlittlestoreofmoneybegantovanish。Thebabywasfretfulwithitsteething，andwasreallymorecarethanwhenshenursedit。Thedaysshortened，anditseemedtoherthatshewasforeverworkingbylamp-lightTheprairieswerebrownandforbidding，theskyoftenameregraypall。Themonotonyofthelifebegantoseemterrible。Sometimesherearsachedforasound。Foratimeinthesummersomanyhadseemedtoneedherthatshehadbeenhappyinspiteofherpovertyandherloneliness。Now，suddenly，noonewantedher。Shecouldfindnosourceofinspiration。
Shewonderedhowshewasgoingtolivethroughthewinter，andkeepherpatienceandhergood-nature。
\"You\'llloveme，\"shesaid，almostfiercely，onenighttothechildren——\"you\'lllovemamma，nomatterhowcrossandhomelyshegets，won\'tyou？\"
Thecoldgrewdaybyday。Astrongwinterwassettingin。Catherinetookupherstudyofmedicineagain，andsatoverherbookstillmidnight。Itoccurredtoherthatshemightfitherselffornursingbyspring，andthatthechildrencouldbeputwithsomeone——shedidnotdaretothinkwithwhom。Butthiswastheonlysolutionshecouldfindtoherproblemofexistence。
Novembersettleddowndrearily。Fewpassedtheshack。Catherine，whohadnoonetospeakwithexceptingthechildren，continuallydevisedamusementsforthem。
Theygottolivinginaworldoffantasy，andwereneverthemselves，butalwayswildIndians，orarcticexplorers，orRobinsonCrusoes。KittyandRoderick，youngastheywere，foundanever-endingsourceofamusementintheselittlegrotesquedreamsanddramas。Thefundofmoneywasget-
tingsolowthatCatherinewasobligedtoeconomizeeveninthenecessities。Ifithadnotbeenforhertwocows，shewouldhardlyhaveknownhowtofindfoodforherlittleones。Butshehadawonderfulwayofmak-
ingthingswitheggsandmilk，andshekeptherlittletablealwaysinviting。ThedaybeforeThanksgivingshedeterminedthattheyshouldallhaveafrolic。
\"ByChristmas，\"shesaidtoKitty，\"thesnowmaybesobadthatIcannotgettotown。We\'llhaveourhigholdtimenow。”
ThereisnodenyingthatCatherineusedslangevenintalkingtothechildren。Thelittleponyhadbeensoldlongago，andgoingtotownmeantawalkoftwelvemiles。
ButCatherinestartedoutearlyinthemorning，andwasbackbynightfall，notsoverymuchtheworse，andcarryinginherarmsbundleswhichmighthavefatiguedabronco。
Thenextmorningshewasupearly，andwasashappyandridiculouslyexcitedovertheprospectoftheday\'smerrymakingasifshehadbeenKitty。Busyasshewas，shenoticedapeculiaroppressionintheair，whichintensifiedasthedaywenton。Theskyseemedtohangbutalittlewayabovetherollingstretchoffrost-bittengrass。ButKittylaughingoverhernewdoll，Roderickstartlingthesullensilencewithhisdrum，thesmellofthechicken，slaughteredtomakeaprairieholiday，browningintheoven，droveallapprehensionsfromCath-
erine\'smind。Shewasacommoncreature。
Suchverylittlethingscouldmakeherhappy。
Shesangassheworked；andwhatwiththedrummingofherboy，andthelittleexultingshrieksofherbaby，theshackwasfilledwithadeafeningandexhilaratingdin。
Itwasalittlepastnoon，whenshebecameconsciousthattherewassweepingdownonheragraysheetofsnowandice，andnottillthendidsherealizewhatthoseloweringcloudshadsignified。Foronemomentshestoodhalfparalyzed。Shethoughtofevery-
thing，——ofthecattle，ofthechanceforbeingburiedinthisdrift，ofthestockofprovi-
sions，ofthepowerofenduranceofthechildren。Whileshewasstillthinking，thefirstice-needlesoftheblizzardcamepepper-
ingthewindows。Thecattleranbellowingtotheleesideofthehouseandcrouchedthere，andthechickensscurriedforthecoop。
Catherineseizedsuchblanketsandbitsofcarpetasshecouldfind，andcrammedthematwindowsanddoors。Thenshepiledcoalonthefire，andclothedthechildreninalltheyhadthatwaswarmest，theirout-doorgar-
mentsincluded；andwiththemcloseabouther，shesatandwaited。Thewindseemedtopushsteadilyatthewallsofthehouse。
Thehowlingbecamehorrible。Shecouldseethatthechildrenwerecryingwithfright，butshecouldnothearthem。Theairwasdusky；thecold，inspiteofthefire，intol-
erable。Ineverycreviceofthewretchedstructuretheiceandsnowmadetheirway。
Itcamethroughtheroof，andbeganpilingupinlittlepointedstripsunderthecrevices。
Catherineputthechildrenalltogetherinonebunk，coveredthemwithallthebed-
clothesshehad，andthenstoodbeforethemdefiantly，facingthewest，fromwhencethewindwasdriving。Notsuddenly，butbysteadypressure，atlengththewindow-sashyielded，andthenextmomentthatwhirlwindwasinthehouse，——amaddeningtumultoficeandwind，leavingnoroomforresistance；
akillingcold，againstwhichitwasfutiletofight。Catherinethrewthebedclothesovertheheadsofthechildren，andthenthrewherselfacrossthebunk，gaspingandchok-
ingforbreath。Herbodywouldnothaveyieldedtothesufferingyet，sostronglymadeandsustainedwasit；butherdismaystifledher。Shesawinonehorrifiedmomentthefrozenformsofherbabies，nowsopinkandpleasanttothesense；andoblivioncametosaveherfromfurthermisery。
Shewasalive——justbarelyalive——whenGillispieandHendersongotthere，threehourslater，theveryballsoftheireyesalmostfrozenintoblindness。Butforaninstinctstrongerthanreasontheywouldneverhavebeenabletohavefoundtheirwayacrossthattracklessstretch。Thechil-
drenlyingunconsciousundertheircoveringswereneitherdeadnoractuallyfrozen，al-
thoughthemenputtingtheirhandsontheirlittleheartscouldnotatfirstdiscoverthebeating。Stiffandsufferingastheseyoungfellowswere，itwasnoeasymattertogetthewindowbackintoplaceandre-lightthefire。Theyhadtiedflasksofliquorabouttheirwaists；andthisbeneficentfluidtheyusedwiththatsenseofappreciationwhichonlyapioneercanfeeltowardwhiskey。ItwashoursbeforeCatherinerewardedthemwithagleamofconsciousness。Herbodyhadbeenfrozeninmanyplaces。Herarms，outstretchedoverherchildrenandholdingtheclothesdownaboutthem，wererigid。
Butconsciousnesscameatlength，dimlystrugglingupthroughherbrain；andoverhershesawherfriendsrubbingandrubbingthosestrongfirmarmsofherswithsnow。
Shehalfraisedherhead，withahorrorofcomprehensioninhereyes，andlistened。A
cryansweredher，——acryofdullpainfromthebaby。Hendersondroppedonhiskneesbesideher。
\"Theyareallsafe，\"hesaid。\"Andwewillneverleaveyouagain。IhavebeenafraidtotellyouhowIloveyou。IthoughtImightoffendyou。IthoughtIoughttowait——youknowwhy。ButIwillneverletyouruntherisksofthisawfullifealoneagain。Youmustrenamethebaby。FromthisdayhisnameisJohn。AndwewillhavethethreeJohnsagainbackattheoldranch。Itdoesn\'tmatterwhetheryoulovemeornot，Catherine，Iamgoingtotakecareofyoujustthesame。Gillispieagreeswithme。”
\"Damme，yes，\"mutteredGillispie，feelingofhiship-pocketforconsolationinhisoldmanner。
Catherinestruggledtofindhervoice，butitwouldnotcome。
\"Donotspeak，\"whisperedJohn。\"Tellmewithyoureyeswhetheryouwillcomeasmywifeoronlyasoursister。”
Catherinetoldhim。
\"ThisisThanksgivingday，\"saidhe。
\"Andwedon\'tknowmuchaboutpraying，butIguessweallhavesomethinginourheartsthatdoesjustaswell。”
\"Damme，yes，\"saidGillispie，again，ashepensivelycockedanduncockedhisre-
volver。
AResuscitationAFTERbeingdeadtwentyyears，hewalkedoutintothesunshine。
Itwasasifthebonesofableachedskele-
tonshouldjointhemselvesonsomeforgottenplain，andlookaboutthemforthevanishedflesh。
Tobedeaditisnotnecessarytobeinthegrave。Thereareplaceswherethewormscreepabouttheheartinsteadofthebody。
Thepenitentiaryisoneofthese。
DavidCulrosshadbeeninthepenitentiarytwentyyears。Now，withthatworm-eatenheart，hecameoutintolibertyandlookedabouthimforthehabilimentswithwhichhehadformerlyclothedhimself，——forhope，self-respect，courage，pugnacity，andindustry。
Buttheyhadvanishedandleftnotrace，likethefleshofthedeadmenontheplains，andso，morallyunapparelled，inthehideousskeletonofhismanhood，hewalkedondownthestreetunderthemid-Junesunshine。
Youcanunderstand，canyounot，howaskeletonmightwishtogetbackintoitscomfortablegrave？DavidCulrosshadnotwalkedtwoblocksbeforehewasseizedwithanalmostuncontrollabledesiretobegtobeshieldedoncemoreinthatsafeandshamefulretreatfromwhichhehadjustbeenreleased。Ahorribleperceptionofthelargenessoftheworldsweptoverhim。
Spaceandeternitycouldseemnolargertotheusualmanthanearth——thatsnugandinsignificantplanet——lookedtoDavidCulross。
\"IfIgoback，\"hecried，despairingly，lookinguptothegreatbuildingthataroseabovethestonyhills，\"theywillnottakemein。”Hewasabsolutelywithoutarefuge，utterlywithoutadestination；hedidnothaveahope。Therewasnothinghedesiredexceptthesurroundingofthosefournarrowwallsbetweenwhichhehadlainatnightanddreamedthoseever-recurringdreams，——
dreamswhichwereneverpropheciesorpromises，butalwaysthehackneyedhistoryofwhathehadsacrificedbyhiscrime，andrelinquishedbyhispride。
Themenwhopassedhimlookedathimwithmingledamusementandpity。Theyknewthe\"prisonlook，\"andtheyknewtheprisonclothes。ForthoughtheStategivestoitsdischargedconvictsclotheswhicharelikethoseofothermen，itmakesahundredsuitsfromthesamesortofcloth。Thepoliceknowthefabric，andeventhecitizensrecognizeit。But，then，wereeachmandressedindifferentgarbhecouldnotbedisguised。Everyoneknowsinwhatdullschoolthatsidelongglanceislearned，thataimlessdroopingoftheshoulders，thatrhythmicliftingoftheheavyfoot。
DavidCulrosswonderedifhiswillweredead。Heputittothetest。Helifteduphisheadtoapositionwhichithadnotheldformanymiserableyears。Heputhishandsinhispocketsinapitifulattemptatnon-
chalance，andwalkeddownthestreetwithastepwhichwasmeanttobebrisk，butwhichwasinfactonlyuncertain。Inhispocketweretendollars。ThismuchtheStateequipsamanwithwhenitsendshimoutofitspenalhalls。Itgiveshimalsotransportationtoanypointwithinreasonabledistancethathemaydesiretoreach。Cul-
rosshadrequestedatickettoChicago。HenaturallysaidChicago。Inthelongcolor-
lessdaysithadbeeninChicagothatallthoseendlesslyrepeatedsceneshadbeenlaid。Walkingupthestreetnowwiththatwaveringineffectualgait，thesescenescamebacktosurgeinhisbrainlikewaterscease-
lesslytossedinawind-sweptbasin。
Therewastheoffice，bareandclean，wheretheyoungstoop-shoulderedclerkssatwrit-
ing。Intheirfaceswasastrangeresem-
blance，justastherewasinthebacksoftheledgers，andintheendlessbillsonthespindles。Ifoneofthemlaughed，itwasnotwithgayety，butwithgratificationatthediscomfitureofanother。Noneofthematewell。Noneofthemwererestedaftersleep。Allofthemrodeonthestuffyone-
horsecarstoandfromtheirwork。Sun-
daystheylayinbedverylate，andatemoredinnerthantheycoulddigest。Therewasacertainfellowshipamongthem，——suchfel-
lowshipasabandofcaptivesamongcanni-
balsmightfeel，eachofthemwaitingwithvitalcuriositytoseewhowasthenexttobeeaten。Butofthatfellowshipthatplansinunison，suffersinsympathy，enjoysvicari-
ously，strengthensintofriendshipandcom-
munionofsoultheyknewnothing。Indeed，suchcamaraderiewouldhavebeendisap-
provedofbytheHeadClerk。Hewouldhavelookedonanemotionwithexactlythesamedispleasurethathewouldonanerrorinthefootingoftheyear\'saccounts。ItwastacitlyunderstoodthatonereachedtheproudpositionofHeadClerkbyhavingnoemotionswhatever。
Culrossdidnotrememberhavingbeenbornwithapeninhishand，orevenwithonebehindhisear；butcertainlyfromthedayhehadbeenletoutofknickerbockershiscon-
stantcompanionhadbeenthatgreatlyover-
estimatedarticle。HisfatherdyingatatimethatcutshortDavid\'sschool-days，hewentoutarmedwithhisnewknowledgeofdouble-
entry，determinedtomakeafortuneandacommercialname。Meantime，helivedinasuiteofthreeroomsonWestMadisonStreetwithhismother，whowasagoodwoman，andlivedwhereshedidthatshemightbenearherfavoritemeeting-house。Sheprayed，andcookedbaddinners，principallycomposedofdispiritingpastry。Herideaofhouse-keepingwastokeeptheshadesdown，whateverhappened；andwhenDavidlefthomeintheeveningforanypurposeofpleasure，shewept。Davidpersuadedhim-
selfthathedespisedamusement，andwenttobedeachnightathalf-pastnineinafoldingbedsteadinthefrontroom，and，bybecomingabsolutelystolidfrommerevege-
tation，imaginedthathewasalmostfittobeaHeadClerk。
Walkingdownthestreetnowafterthetwentyyears，thinkingofthesedeadbutinno-
centdays，thiswasthepicturehesaw；andashereflecteduponit，eventhedespoiledanddesolateyearsjustpassedseemedricherbycontrast。
Hereachedthestationthusdreaming，andfound，ashehadbeentoldwhenthewardenbadehimgood-by，thatatrainwastobeathanddirectlyboundtothecity。Afewmomentslaterhewasonthattrain。Wellbackintheshadow，andoutofsightoftheotherpassengers，hegavehimselfuptotheenjoymentofthecomfortablecushion。Hewouldwillinglyhavelookedfromthewin-
dow，——greenfieldswerenewandwonderful；
driftingcloudsamarvel；men，houses，horses，farms，allarevelation，——butthosehauntingvisionswereathimagain，andwouldnotleavebrainoreyefreeforotherthings。
Butthenextscenehadwarmertints。Itwastheinteriorofarichroom，——crimsonandamberfabrics，flowers，thegleamofastatuebeyondthedrapings；thesoundofatenderpianounflingingafamiliarmelody，andawoman。Shewasjustapartofalltheluxury。
Hehimself，verytimidandconsciousofhisawkwardness，satnear，tryingbarrenlytogetsomeofhisthoughtsoutofhisbrainontohistongue。
\"Strange，isn\'tit，\"thewomanbrokeinonherownmusic，\"thatwehaveseeneachothersoveryoftenandneverspoken？I\'veoftenthoughtintroductionswereridiculous。
Fancyseeingapersonyearinandyearout，andreallyknowingallabouthim，andbeingperfectlyacquaintedwithhisname——atleasthisorhername，youknow——andthenneverspeaking!Someonecomesalong，andsays，\'MissLeBaron，thisisMr。
Culross，\'justasifonedidn\'tknowthatallthetime!Andthereyouare!Youceasetobedumbfolks，andfalltotalking，andsayalotofthingsneitherofyoucareabout，andafterfiveorsixweeksoftimeandsun-
drymeetings，getdowntohonestlysayingwhatyoumean。I\'msogladwe\'vegotthroughwiththatfirststage，andcansaywhatwethinkandtellwhatwereallylike。”
Thentheplayingbeganagain，——aharp-
likeinterminglingofsoftsounds。ZoeLeBaron\'shandswereverygirlish。Every-
thingaboutherwasunformed。Evenhermindwasso。Butallpromisedafullcom-
pletion。Thevoice，theshoulders，thesmile，thewords，thelips，thearms，thewholemindandbody，wereroundingtomaturity。
\"Whydoyounevercometochurchinthemorning？\"asksMissLeBaron，wheel-
ingaroundonherpiano-stoolsuddenly。
\"Youareonlythereatnight，withyourmother。”
\"Igoonlyonheraccount，\"repliesDavid，truthfully。\"InthemorningIamsotiredwiththeweek\'sworkthatIrestathome。
Ioughttogo，Iknow。”
\"Yes，youought，\"returnstheyoungwoman，gravely。\"Itdoesn\'treallyrestonetolieinbedlikethat。I\'vetrieditatboarding-school。Itwasnogoodwhatever。”
\"Shouldyouadviseme，\"asksDavid，inaconfidingtone，\"toariseearlyonSunday？\"
Thegirlblushesalittle。\"Byallmeans!\"
shecries，hereyestwinkling，\"and——andcometochurch。Ourmorningsermonsarereallyverymuchbetterthanthoseintheevening。”Andsheplaysawaltz，andwhatwiththemusicandthewarmthoftheroomandtheperfumeoftheroses，asomethingnamelessandmysticalstealsoverthepoorclerk，andswatheshimaboutlikethefumesofopium。Theyarealone。Thesilenceismadedeeperbythatrhythmicunswellingofsound。Asthepainterflushesthebarewallintosplendor，theseemotionsillumi-
natedhissoul，andgavetoitthathighcour-
agethatcomeswhenmenorwomensuddenlyrealizethateachlifehasitssignificance，——
theirownlivesnolessthanthelivesofothers。
Themansittingthereintheshadowinthatnoisytrainsawinhisvisionhowtheladaroseandmoved，likeoneunderaspell，towardthepiano。Hefeltagaintheen-
chantmentofthemusic-riddenquiet，oftheperfume，andthepresenceofthewoman。
\"Knowingyouandspeakingwithyouhavenotmademuchdifferencewithme，\"
hewhispers，drunkonthenewwineofpassion，\"forIhavelovedyousinceIsawyoufirst。Andthoughitissosweettohearyouspeak，yourvoiceisnomorebeautifulthanIthoughtitwouldbe。Ihavelovedyoualongtime，andIwanttoknow——\"
Thebrokenmanintheshadowremem-
beredhowtheladstopped，astonishedathisboldnessandhisfluency，overcomesuddenlyatthethoughtofwhathewassaying。Themusicstoppedwithadiscord。Thegirlarose，tremblingandscarlet。
\"Iwouldnothavebelieveditofyou，\"
shecries，\"totakeadvantageofmelikethis，whenIamalone——and——everything。
Youknowverywellthatnothingbuttroublecouldcometoeitherofusfromyourtellingmeathinglikethat。”
Heputshishandsuptohisfacetokeepoffheranger。Heistremblingwithconfusion。
Thenshebrokeinpenitently，tryingtopullhishandsawayfromhishotface:
\"Nevermind!Iknowyoudidn\'tmeananything。Begood，do，anddon\'tspoilthelovelytimeswehavetogether。Youknowverywellfatherandmotherwouldn\'tletusseeeachotheratallifthey——iftheythoughtyouweresayinganythingsuchasyousaidjustnow。”
\"Oh，butIcan\'thelpit!\"criestheboy，despairingly。\"Ihaveneverlovedanybodyatalltillnow。Idon\'tmeannotanothergirl，youknow。ButyouarethefirstbeingIevercaredfor。IsometimesthinkmothercaresformebecauseIpaytherent。Andtheoffice——youcan\'timaginewhatthatislike。Themeninitaremovingcorpses。
They\'reproudtobethatway，andsowasI
tillIknewyouandlearnedwhatlifewaslike。
AllthehappymomentsIhavehadhavebeenhere。Now，ifyoutellmethatwearenottocareforeachother——\"
Therewassomeonecomingdownthehall。Thecurtainlifted。Amiddle-agedmanstoodtherelookingathim。
\"Culross，\"saidhe，\"I\'mdisappointedinyou。Ididn\'tmeantolisten，butIcouldn\'thelphearingwhatyousaidjustnow。I
don\'tblameyouparticularly。Youngmenwillbefools。AndIdonotinanywaymeantoinsultyouwhenItellyoutostopyourcominghere。Idon\'twanttoseeyouinsidethisdooragain，andafterawhileyouwillthankmeforit。Youhavetakenaveryunfairadvantageofmyinvitation。I
makeallowancesforyouryouth。”
Heheldbackthecurtainfortheladtopassout。Davidthrewamiserableglanceatthegirl。ShewasstandinglookingatherfatherwithanexpressionthatDavidcouldnotfathom。Hewentintothehall，pickeduphishat，andwalkedoutinsilence。
Davidwonderedthatnight，walkingthechillystreetsafterhequittedthehouse，andoften，oftenafterward，ifthatcomfortableandprosperousgentleman，safebeyondtheperturbationsofyouth，hadanyideaofwhathehaddone。HowCOULDheknowanythingoftheblackmonotonyofthelifeofthemanheturnedfromhisdoor？The\"desk\'sdeadwood\"andallitshatefulslavery，thedulldarkenedroomswherehismotherprosedthroughendlessevenings，thebookless，joyless，hopelessexistencethathadcrampedhimallhisdaysroseupbeforehim，asastretchofunbrokenplainmayrisebeforealostmantillitmaddenshim。
Thebowedmaninthecar-seatremem-
beredwithaflushofreminiscentmiseryhowtheladturnedsuddenlyinhiswalkandenteredthedoorofadrinking-roomthatstoodopen。Itwasverycomfortablewithin。Thescreenskeptoutthechilloftheautumnnight，thesawdust-sprinkledfloorwasclean，thetablesplacedneartogether，thebarglittering，theattendantswhite-apronedandbrisk。
Davidlikedtheplace，andhelikedbetterstillthelaughterthatcamefromaroomwithin。Ithadanoteinitalittledifferentfromanythinghehadeverheardbeforeinhislife，andonethatechoedhismood。Heventuredtoaskifhemightgointothefartherroom。
Itdoesnotmeanmuchwhenmostyoungmengotoaplacelikethis。Theytaketheirbitofunwholesomedissipationquietlyenough，andarealittlecoarserandmorecarelesseachtimetheyindulgeinit，perhaps。
Butcertainlytheiracts，whatevergradualdeteriorationtheymayindicate，bespeaknosuddenmoralrevolution。Withthisyoungclerkitwasdifferent。Hewasaworsemanfromthemomentheenteredthedoor，forhedidviolencetohisprinciples；hekilledhisself-respect。
Hehadbeenpaidattheofficethatnight，andhehadthemoney——aweek\'smiserablepittance——inhispocket。Hiseveryactionrevealedthefactthathewasanoviceinrecklessness。Hisinnocentfacepiquedthemenwithin。Theygavehimawelcomethatamazedhim。Ofcoursetherestoftheeveningwasachaostohim。Thethroatdownwhichhepouredtheliquorwasastenderasachild\'s。Thementurnedhisheadwiththeirironicalcompliments。Theirboisterousgood-fellowshipwasasintoxicat-
ingtothispooryoungrecluseastheliquor。
Itwastherevulsionfromthisfeeling，whenhecametoaconsciousnessthatthemenwerelaughingathimandnotwithhim，thatwreckedhislife。Hehadgonefrombeertowhiskey，andfromwhiskeytobrandy，bythistime，atthesuggestionofthemen，andwasmakingawkwardlungeswithabilliardcue，spurredonbythemock-
ingapplauseoftheothers。Oneyoungfellowwasparticularlyhilariousathisexpense。Hisjokesbecameinsults，orsotheyseemedtoDavid。
Aquarrelfollowed，halfajestonthepartoftheother，allseriousasfarasDavidwasconcerned。Andthen——Well，whocouldtellhowithappened？ThebilliardcuewasinDavid\'shand，andtheskullofthejesterwassplit，ahorriblegapingthing，revolt-
inglyanimal。
Davidneversawhishomeagain。Hismothergaveitoutinchurchthatherheartwasbroken，andshewrotealettertoDavidbegginghimtoreform。Shesaidshewouldneverceasetoprayforhim，thathemightreturntograce。Hehadanattorney，animpecuniousandveryagedgentleman，whoselifewasavenerablefailure，andwhotalkedsomuchabouthispersonalinconveniencesfromindigestionthatheforgottotakeaverykeeninterestintheconcernsofhisclient。David\'strialmadenosensation。Hedidnotevenhavethecheapsympathyofthemorbid。Thecourt-roomwasalmostemptythedullspringdaywhentheeastwindbeatagainstthewindow，janglingtheloosepanesallthroughthereadingoftheverdict。
Twentyyears!