andbeyondthelevelofyellowingtulesappearedthefringedandraisedbanksoftheriver。Halftropicallookingcottageswithdeepverandas——thehomesofearlySouthernpioneers——tooktheplaceofincompleteblocksofmodernhouses，monotonouslyalike。InthesesylvansurroundingsMr。Hamlin\'spicturesquerusticitylookedlessincongruousandmoreArcadian；theyounggirlhadlostsomeofherrestraintwithherconfidences，andloungingtogethersidebyside，withouttheleastconsciousnessofanysentimentintheirwordsoractions，theyneverthelesscontrivedtoimpressthespectatorwiththeideathattheywereacharmingpairofpastorallovers。Sostrongwasthisimpressionthat，astheyapproachedAuntChloe\'slaundry，aprettyrose-coveredcottagewithanenormouswhitewashedbarn-likeextensionintherear，theblackproprietressherself，standingatthedoor，calledherhusbandtocomeandlookatthem，andflashedherwhiteteethinsuchunqualifiedcommendationandpatronagethatMr。Hamlin，withdrawinghimselffromSophy\'sside，instantlychargeddownuponthem。
\"Ifyoudon\'tslidethelidbackoverthatgrinningboxofdominoesofyoursandtakeitinside，I\'lljustcarryHannibaloffwithme，\"
hesaidinaquickwhisper，withahalf-wicked，half-mischievousglitterinhisbrowneyes。\"Thatyounglady\'s——ALADY——doyouunderstand？Noriffrafffriendofmine，butaregularNUN——asaint——doyouhear？Soyoujuststandbackandlethertakeagoodlookround，andrestherself，untilshewantsyou。”\"Twoblackidiots，MissBrown，\"hecontinuedcheerfullyinahighervoiceofexplanation，asSophyapproached，\"whothinkbecauseoneof\'emusedtoshavemeandtheothersavedmylifethey\'vegotarighttostandattheirhumblecottagedoorandfrightenhorses!\"
SogreatwasMr。Hamlin\'sascendencyoverhisformerservantsthateventhisingeniouspleasantrywasreceivedwitheverysignofaffectionandappreciationofthehumorist，andoftheprofoundrespectforhiscompanion。AuntChloeshowedthemeffusivelyintoherparlor，asmallbutscrupulouslyneatandsweet-smellingapartment，inordinatelyfurnishedwithahugemahoganycentre-tableandchairs，andthemostfragileandmeretriciouschinaandglassornamentsonthemantel。Butthethreejasmine-edgedlatticewindowsopeneduponahomelygardenofold-fashionedherbsandflowers，andtheirfragrancefilledtheroom。Thecleanestandstarchiestofcurtains，themostdazzlingandwhitestoftidiesandchair-covers，bespoketheadjacentlaundry；indeed，thewholecottageseemedtoexhaletheodorsoflavendersoapandfreshlyironedlinen。Yetthecottagewaslargeforthecoupleandtheirassistants。\"Darwastwofrontroomsondenextflo\'datdeyneverused，\"explainedAuntChloe；\"friendsalloweddatdeycouldlet\'emtowhitefolks，butdeyhadalwaysbeendonekep\'forMarseHamlin，efheeverwantedtobewidhisoldniggersagain。”Jacklookedupquicklywithabrightenedface，madeasigntoHannibal，andthetwolefttheroomtogether。
Whenhecamethroughthepassageafewmomentslater，therewasasoundoflaughterintheparlor。Herecognizedthefull，roundlazychuckleofAuntChloe，buttherewasahighergirlishripplethathedidnotknow。HehadneverheardSophylaughbefore。Nor，whenheentered，hadheeverseenhersoanimated。ShewashelpingChloesetthetable，tothatlady\'sintensedelightat\"Missy\'s\"
girlishhousewifery。Shewaspickingtheberriesfreshfromthegarden，butteringtheSallyLunn，makingthetea，andarrangingthedetailsoftherepastwithapparentlynotraceofherformerdiscontentandunhappinessineitherfaceormanner。Hedroppedquietlyintoachairbythewindow，and，withthehomelyscentsofthegardenmixingwiththehonestodorsofAuntChloe\'scookery，watchedherwithanamusementthatwasaspleasantandgratefulasitwasstrangeandunprecedented。
\"Nowden，\"saidAuntChloetoherhusband，assheputthefinishingtouchtotherepastinaplateofdoughnutsasexquisitelybrownandshiningasJack\'seyeswereatthatmoment，\"Hannibal，youjustcomeaway，andletdemtwowhitequalitychillenshavedeytea。
Dey\'sdonestarved，shuah。”AndwithanapprovingnodtoJack，shebundledherhusbandfromtheroom。
Thedoorclosed；theyounggirlbegantopouroutthetea，butJackremainedinhisseatbythewindow。Itwasasingularsensationwhichhedidnotcaretodisturb。ItwasnonewthingforMr。
Hamlintofindhimselfatatete-a-teterepastwiththeadmiringandcomplaisantfair；therewasa\'cabinetparticulier\'inacertainSanFranciscorestaurantwhichhadlistenedtotheirvariousvanitiesandprofessionsofundyingfaith；hemighthaverecalledcertainfestalrendezvouswithawidowwhosepietyandimpeccablereputationmadeitamoraldutyforhertocometohimonlyindisguise；itwasbutafewdaysagothathehadbeenletprivatelyintothepalatialmansionofahighofficialforamidnightsupperwithafoolishwife。Itwasnotstrange，therefore，thatheshouldbealonehere，secretly，withamemberofthatindiscreet，lovingsex。Butthatheshouldbesittingthereinacheapnegrolaundrywithabsolutelynosentimentofanykindtowardstheheavy-haired，freckle-facedcountryschoolgirloppositehim，fromwhomhesoughtandexpectednothing，andENJOYINGitwithoutscornofhimselforhiscompanion，tousehisownexpression，\"gothim。”Presentlyheroseandsaunteredtothetablewithshiningeyes。
\"Well，whatdoyouthinkofAuntChloe\'sshebang？\"heaskedsmilingly。
\"Oh，it\'ssosweetandcleanandhomelike，\"saidthegirlquickly。
Atanyothertimehewouldhavewincedatthelastadjective。Itstruckhimnowasexactlytheword。
\"Wouldyouliketolivehere，ifyoucould？\"
Herfacebrightened。SheputtheteapotdownandgazedfixedlyatJack。
\"Becauseyoucan。Lookhere。IspoketoHannibalaboutit。Youcanhavethetwofrontroomsifyouwantto。Oneof\'emisbigenoughandlightenoughforastudiotodoyourworkin。Youtellthatniggerwhatyouwanttoputin\'em，andhe\'sgotmyorderstodoit。Itoldhimaboutyourpainting；saidyouwerethedaughterofanoldfriend，youknow。Holdon，Sophy；d——nitall，I\'vegottodoalittlegilt-edgedlying；butIletyououtoftheniecebusinessthistime。Yes，fromthismomentI\'mnolongeryouruncle。Irenouncetherelationship。It\'shard，\"continuedtherascal，\"afteralltheseyearsandconsideringsisterMary\'sfeelings；but，asyouseemtowishit，itmustbedone。”
Sophy\'ssteel-blueeyessoftened。SheslidherlongbrownhandacrossthetableandgraspedJack\'s。Hereturnedthepressurequicklyandfraternally，eventothathalf-shamed，half-hurriedevasionofemotionpeculiartoallbrothers。Thiswasalsoanewsensation；buthelikedit。
\"Youaretoo——toogood，Mr。Hamlin，\"shesaidquietly。
\"Yes，\"saidJackcheerfully，\"that\'swhat\'sthematterwithme。Itisn\'tnatural，andifIkeepituptoolongitbringsonmycough。”
Nevertheless，theywerehappyinaboyandgirlfashion，eatingheartily，and，Ifear，notalwaysdecorously；scramblingsomewhatforthestrawberries，andsmackingtheirlipsovertheSallyLunn。
Meantime，itwasarrangedthatMr。HamlinshouldinformMissMixthatSophywouldleaveschoolattheendoftheterm，onlyafewdayshence，andthentransferherselftolodgingswithsomeoldfamilyservants，whereshecouldmoreeasilypursueherstudiesinherownprofession。Sheneednotmakeherplaceofabodeasecret，neitherneedshecourtpublicity。ShewouldwritetoJackregularly，informinghimofherprogress，andhewouldvisitherwheneverhecould。Jackassentedgravelytothefurtherpropositionthathewastokeepastrictaccountofallthemoneysheadvancedher，andthatshewastorepayhimoutoftheproceedsofherfirstpictures。Hehadpromisedalso，withaslightmentalreservation，nottobuythemallhimself，buttotrusttohersuccesswiththepublic。Theywerenevertotalkofwhathadhappenedbefore；shewastobeginlifeanew。Ofsuchweretheirconfidences，spokenoftentogetheratthesamemoment，andwiththeirmouthsfull。OnlyonethingtroubledJack；hehadnotyettoldherfranklywhohewasandwhatwashisreputation；hehadhithertocarelesslysupposedshewouldlearnit，andintruthhadcaredlittleifshedid；butitwasevidentfromherconversationthatdaythatbysomemiracleshewasstillinignorance。Unablenowtotellherhimself，hehadchargedHannibaltobreakittohercasuallyafterhewasgone。\"Youcanletmedowneasyifyoulike，butyou\'dbettermakeasquaredealofitwhileyou\'reaboutit。
And，\"Jackhadaddedcheerfully，\"ifshethinksafterthatshe\'dbetterdropmeentirely，youjustsaythatifshewishestoSTAY，you\'llseethatIdon\'tevercomehereagain。Andyoukeepyourwordaboutittoo，youblacknigger，orI\'llbethefirsttothrashyou。”
Nevertheless，whenHannibalandAuntChloereturnedtoclearawaytherepast，theywereaharmoniousparty；albeit，Mr。Hamlinseemedmorecontenttowatchthemsilentlyfromhischairbythewindow，acigarbetweenhislips，andthepleasantdistractionofthehomelyscentsandsoundsofthegardeninhissenses。Allusionhavingbeenmadeagaintothemorningperformanceoftheorgan，hewasimploredbyHannibaltodiversifyhistalentbyexercisingitonanoldguitarwhichhadpassedintothatretainer\'spossessionwithcertainclothesofhismaster\'swhentheyseparated。Mr。Hamlinaccepteditdubiously；ithadtwangedunderhisvolatilefingersinmorepretentiousbutlessinnocenthalls。Butpresentlyheraisedhistenorvoiceandsoftbrownlashestothehumbleceilingandsang。
\"WaydownupontheSwaneeRiver，\"
DiscoursedJackplaintively，——
\"Far，faraway，Thar\'swharmyheartisturningever，Thar\'swhartheoldfolksstay。”
Thetwoduskyscionsofanemotionalrace，thathadbeenwonttosweetenitstoilandcondoneitswrongswithmusic，satwraptandsilent，swayingwithJack\'svoiceuntiltheycouldburstinuponthechorus。Thejasminevinestrilledsoftlywiththeafternoonbreeze；aslenderyellow-hammer，perhapsemulousofJack，swunghimselffromanoutersprayandpeeredcuriouslyintotheroom；andafewneighbors，gatheringattheirdoorsandwindows，remarkedthat\"afterall，whenitcametorealsinging，noonecouldbeatthosed——dniggers。”
ThesunwasslowlysinkingintherollinggoldoftheriverwhenJackandSophystartedleisurelybackthroughthebrokenshaftsoflight，andacrossthefar-stretchingshadowsofthecottonwoods。
Inthemidstofalazysilencetheywerepresentlyconsciousofadistantmonotonousthrob，theboomingoftheupboatontheriver。
Thesoundcamenearer——passedthem，theboatitselfhiddenbythetrees；butatrailingcloudofsmokeabovecastamomentaryshadowupontheirpath。ThegirllookedupatJackwithatroubledface。
Mr。Hamlinsmiledreassuringly；butinthatinstanthehadmadeuphismindthatitwashismoraldutytokillMr。EdwardStratton。
IV。
ForthenexttwomonthsMr。HamlinwasprofessionallyengagedinSanFranciscoandMarysville，andthetransferofSophyfromtheschooltohernewhomewaseffectedwithouthissupervision。Fromlettersreceivedbyhimduringthatinterval，itseemedthattheyounggirlhadenteredenergeticallyuponhernewcareer，andthatherartisticeffortswerecrownedwithsuccess。TherewereafewIndian-inksketches，studiesmadeatschoolandexpandedinherown\"studio，\"whichwereeagerlyboughtassoonasexhibitedinthephotographer\'swindow，——notablybyafloridandinartisticbookkeeper，anoldnegrowoman，aslangystableboy，agorgeouslydressedandpaintedfemale，andthebeardedsecondofficerofariversteamboat，withouthesitationandwithoutcomment。This，asMr。HamlinintelligentlypointedoutinalettertoSophy，showedageneralanddiversifiedappreciationonthepartofthepublic。
Indeed，itemboldenedher，intheretouchingofphotographs，tooffersittingstothesubjects，andtoundertakeevenlargecrayoncopies，whichhadresultedinhergettingsomanyordersthatshewasnolongerobligedtosellherdrawings，butrestrictedherselfsolelytoprofitableportraiture。Thestudiobecameknown；evenitsquaintsurroundingsaddedtothepopularinterest，andtheoriginalityandindependenceoftheyoungpainterhelpedhertoagenuinesuccess。AllthisshewrotetoJack。MeantimeHannibalhadassuredhimthathehadcarriedouthisinstructionsbyinforming\"Missy\"ofhisoldmaster\'srealoccupationandreputation，butthattheyoungladyhadn\'t\"tooknonotice。”
Certainlytherewasnoallusiontoitinherletters，noranyindicationinhermanner。Mr。Hamlinwasgreatly，anditseemedtohimproperly，relieved。AndhelookedforwardwithconsiderablesatisfactiontoanearlyvisittooldHannibal\'slaundry。
Itmustbeconfessed，also，thatanothermatter，asimpleaffairofgallantry，wasgivinghimanequallyunusual，unexpected，andabsurdannoyance，whichhehadneverbeforepermittedtosuchtrivialities。Inarecentvisittoafashionablewatering-place，hehadattractedtheattentionofwhatappearedtobearespectable，matteroffactwoman，thewifeofarecentlyelectedruralSenator。Shewas，however，singularlybeautiful，andassingularlycold。Itwasperhapsthisquality，andherevidentannoyanceatsomeunreasoningprepossessionwhichJack\'sfascinationsexerciseduponher，thatheightenedthatrecklessdesireforriskandexcitementwhichreallymadeupthegreaterpartofhisgallantry。Nevertheless，aswashishabit，hehadtreatedheralwayswithacharmingunconsciousnessofhisownattentions，andafranknessthatseemedinconsistentwithanyinsidiousapproach。Infact，Mr。Hamlinseldommadelovetoanybody，butpermittedittobemadetohimwithgood-humoreddeprecationandcheerfulskepticism。Hehadonce，quiteaccidentally，whileriding，comeuponherwhenshehadstrayedfromherownridingparty，andhadbehavedwithsuchunexpectedcircumspectionandpropriety，nottomentionacertainthoughtfulabstraction，——itwasthedayhehadreceivedSophy\'sletter，——thatshewasconstrainedtomakethefirstadvances。Thisledtoalaterinnocentrendezvous，inwhichMrs。CamperlywasimpelledtoconfidetoMr。Hamlinthefactthatherhusbandhadreallyneverunderstoodher。Jacklistenedwithanunderstandingandsympathyquickenedbylongexperienceofsuchconfessions。Ifanythinghadeverkepthimfrommarriageitwasthisevidentincompatibilityoftheconjugalrelationswithajustconceptionofthefemininesoulanditsaspirations。
AndsoeventuallythisyearningforsympathydraggedMrs。
Camperly\'scleanskirtsandrusticpurityafterJack\'sheelsintovariousplacesandvarioussituationsnotsoclean，rural，orinnocent；madehermiserablyunhappyinhisabsence，andstillmoremiserablyhappyinhispresence；impelledhertolie，cheat，andbearfalsewitness；forcedhertolistenwithmingledshameandadmirationtonarrowcriticismofhisfaults，fromnaturessopalpablyinferiortohisownthathermoralsensewasconfusedandshaken；gavehertwodistinctlives，butsounrealandfeverishthat，witharecklessnessequaltohisown，shewasatlastreadytomergethembothintohis。ForthefirsttimeinhislifeMr。
Hamlinfoundhimselfboredatthebeginningofanaffair，actuallyhesitated，andsuddenlydisappearedfromSanFrancisco。
HeturnedupafewdayslateratAuntChloe\'sdoor，withvariouspackagesofpresentsandquitetheairofareturningfatherofafamily，totheintensedelightofthatladyandtoSophy\'sproudgratification。Forhewaslostinaprofuse，boyishadmirationofherprettystudio，andinwholesomereverenceforherartandherastoundingprogress。Theywerealsoamusedathisaweandevidentalarmattheportraitsoftwoladies，herlatestsitters，thatwerestillontheeasels，and，inconsiderationofhishalf-assumed，half-realbashfulness，theyturnedtheirfacestothewall。Thenhisquick，observanteyedetectedaphotographofhimselfonthemantel。
\"What\'sthat？\"heaskedsuddenly。
SophyandAuntChloeexchangedmeaningglances。Sophyhad，asasurprisetoJack，justcompletedahandsomecrayonportraitofhimselffromanoldphotographfurnishedbyHannibal，andthepicturewasatthatmomentinthewindowofherformerpatron，——
thephotographer。
\"Oh，dat!MissSophyjus\'putitdarfo\'deladysitterstolookattogib\'emapleasant\'spresshion，\"saidAuntChloe，chuckling。
Mr。Hamlindidnotlaugh，butquietlyslippedthephotographintohispocket。Yet，perhaps，ithadnotbeenrecognized。
ThenSophyproposedtohaveluncheoninthestudio；itwasquite\"Bohemian\"andfashionable，andmanyartistsdidit。ButtohergreatsurpriseJackgravelyobjected，preferringthelittleparlorofAuntChloe，thevine-fringedwindows，andtheheavyrespectablefurniture。Hethoughtitwasprofaningthestudio，andthen——
anybodymightcomein。Thisunusualcircumspectionamusedthem，andwasbelievedtobepartoftheboyishawewithwhichJackregardedthemodels，thedraperies，andthestudiesonthewalls。
Certainitwasthathewasmuchmoreathiseaseintheparlor，andwhenheandSophywereoncemorealoneattheirmeal，althoughheatenothing，hehadregainedallhisoldnaivete。Presentlyheleanedforwardandplacedhishandfraternallyonherarm。Sophylookedupwithanequallyfranksmile。
\"YouknowIpromisedtoletbygonesbebygones，eh？Well，I
intendedit，andmore，——Iintendedtomake\'emso。ItoldyouI\'dneverspeaktoyouagainofthatmanwhotriedtorunyouoff，andIintendedthatnooneelseshould。Well，ashewastheonlyonewhocouldtalk——thatmeanthim。Butthecardsareoutofmyhands；
thegame\'sbeenplayedwithoutme。Forhe\'sdead!\"
Thegirlstarted。Mr。Hamlin\'shandpassedcaressinglytwiceorthricealonghersleevewithapeculiargentlenessthatseemedtomagnetizeher。
\"Dead，\"herepeatedslowly。\"ShotinSanDiegobyanotherman，butnotbyme。Ihadhimtrackedasfarasthat，andhadmyeyesonhim，butitwasn\'tmydeal。Butthere，\"headded，givinghermagnetizedarmagentleandfinaltapasiftoawakenit，\"he\'sdead，andsoisthewholestory。Andnowwe\'lldropitforever。”
Thegirl\'sdowncasteyeswerefixedonthetable。\"Butthere\'smysister，\"shemurmured。
\"Didsheknowyouwentwithhim？\"askedJack。
\"No；butsheknowsIranaway。”
\"Well，youranawayfromhometostudyhowtobeanartist，don\'tyousee？Somedayshe\'llfindoutyouAREONE；thatsettlesthewholething。”
TheywerebothquitecheerfulagainwhenAuntChloereturnedtoclearthetable，especiallyJack，whowasinthebestspirits，withpreternaturallybrighteyesandasomewhatrarecoloronhischeeks。AuntChloe，whohadnoticedthathisbreathingwashurriedattimes，watchedhimnarrowly，andwhenlaterheslippedfromtheroom，followedhimintothepassage。Hewasleaningagainstthewall。Inaninstantthenegresswasathisside。
\"DeLawdyGawd，MarseJack，notAGIN？\"
Hetookhishandkerchief，slightlystreakedwithblood，fromhislipsandsaidfaintly，\"Yes，itcameon——ontheboat；butIthoughtthed——dthingwasover。Getmeoutofthis，quick，tosomehotel，beforesheknowsit。YoucantellherIwascalledaway。
Saythat\"——buthisbreathfailedhim，andwhenAuntChloecaughthimlikeachildinherstrongarmshecouldmakenoresistance。
Inanotherhourhewasunconscious，withtwodoctorsathisbedside，inthelittleroomthathadbeenoccupiedbySophy。Itwasasharpattack，butpromptattendanceandskillfulnursingavailed；heralliedthenextday，butitwouldbeweeks，thedoctorssaid，beforehecouldberemovedinsafety。Sophywastransferredtotheparlor，butspentmostofhertimeatJack\'sbedsidewithAuntChloe，orinthestudiowiththedooropenbetweenitandthebedroom。Inspiteofhisenforcedidlenessandweakness，itwasagainasingularlypleasantexperiencetoJack；itamusedhimtosometimesseeSophyatherworkthroughtheopendoor，andwhensitterscame，——forhehadinsistedonhercontinuingherdutiesasbefore，keepinghisinvalidpresenceinthehouseasecret，——hehadallthesatisfactionofamischievousboyinrehearsingtoSophysuchoftheconversationascouldbeoverheardthroughthecloseddoor，andspeculatingonthepossiblewonderandchagrinofthesittershadtheydiscoveredhim。Evenwhenhewasconvalescentandstrongenoughtobehelpedintotheparlorandgarden，hepreferredtoremainproppedupinSophy\'slittlebedroom。Itwasevident，however，thatthispredilectionwasconnectedwithnosuggestionnorreminiscenceofSophyherself。Itwastruethathehadonceaskedherifitdidn\'tmakeher\"feellikehome。”ThedecidednegativefromSophyseemedtomildlysurprisehim。\"That\'sodd，\"hesaid；\"nowallthesefixingsandthings，\"pointingtotheflowersinavase，thelittlehangingshelfofbooks，theknickknacksonthemantel-shelf，andthefewfeminineornamentsthatstillremained，\"lookratherlikehometome。”
Sothedaysslippedby，andalthoughMr。Hamlinwassoonabletowalkshortdistances，leaningonSophy\'sarm，intheeveningtwilight，alongtheriverbank，hewasstillmissedfromthehauntsofdissipatedmen。Agoodmanypeoplewondered，andothers，chieflyofthemoreirrepressiblesex，weresingularlyconcerned。
Apparentlyoneofthese，onesultryafternoon，stoppedbeforetheshadowedwindowofaphotographer\'s；shewasahandsome，well-
dressedwoman，yetbearingacertaincountrylikesimplicitythatwasunliketherestlesssmartnessofthemoreurbanpromenaderswhopassedher。NeverthelessshehadhaltedbeforeMr。Hamlin\'spicture，whichSophyhadnotyetdaredtobringhomeandpresenttohim，andwasgazingatitwithraptandbreathlessattention。
Suddenlysheshookdownherveilandenteredtheshop。Couldtheproprietorkindlytellherifthatportraitwastheworkofalocalartist？
TheproprietorwasbothproudandpleasedtosaythatITWAS!ItwastheworkofaMissBrown，ayounggirlstudent；infact，amereschoolgirlonemightsay。Hecouldshowherothersofherpictures。
Thanks。Butcouldhetellherifthisportraitwasfromlife？
Nodoubt；theyoungladyhadastudio，andhehimselfhadsenthersitters。
Andperhapsthiswastheportraitofonethathehadsenther？
No；butshewasverypopularandbecomingquitethefashion。Veryprobablythisgentleman，who，heunderstood，wasquiteapubliccharacter，hadheardofher，andselectedheronthataccount。
Thelady\'sfaceflushedslightly。Thephotographercontinued。Thepicturewasnotforsale；itwasonlythereonexhibition；infactitwastobereturnedto-morrow。
Tothesitter？
Hecouldn\'tsay。Itwastogobacktothestudio。Perhapsthesitterwouldbethere。
Andthisstudio？Couldshehaveitsaddress？
Themanwroteafewlinesonhiscard。Perhapstheladywouldbekindenoughtosaythathehadsenther。Thelady，thankinghim，partlyliftedherveiltoshowacharmingsmile，andgracefullywithdrew。Thephotographerwaspleased。MissBrownhadevidentlygotanothersitter，and，fromthatmomentaryglimpseofherface，itwouldbeapictureasbeautifulandattractiveastheman\'s。
Butwhatwastheoddideathatstruckhim？Shecertainlyremindedhimofsomeone!Therewasthesameheavyhair，onlythislady\'swasgolden，andshewasolderandmoremature。Andheremainedforamomentwithknittedbrowsmusingoverhiscounter。
Meantimethefairstrangerwasmakingherwaytowardstheriversuburb。WhenshereachedAuntChloe\'scottage，shepaused，withtheunfamiliarcuriosityofanewcomer，overitsquaintandincongruousexterior。ShehesitatedamomentalsowhenAuntChloeappearedinthedoorway，and，withapuzzledsurveyofherfeatures，wentupstairstoannounceavisitor。Therewasthesoundofhurriedshuttingofdoors，ofthemovingoffurniture，quickfootstepsacrossthefloor，andthenagirlishlaughthatstartledher。SheascendedthestairsbreathlesslytoAuntChloe\'ssummons，foundthenegressonthelanding，andknockedatadoorwhichboreacardmarked\"Studio。”Thedooropened；sheentered；thereweretwosuddenoutcriesthatmighthavecomefromonevoice。
\"Sophonisba!\"
\"Marianne!\"
\"Hush。”
ThewomanhadseizedSophybythewristanddraggedhertothewindow。TherewasahaggardlookofdesperationinherfaceakintothatwhichHamlinhadonceseeninhersister\'seyesontheboat，asshesaidhuskily:\"IdidnotknowYOUwerehere。IcametoseethewomanwhohadpaintedMr。Hamlin\'sportrait。IdidnotknowitwasYOU。Listen!Quick!answermeonequestion。Tellme——
Iimploreyou——forthesakeofthemotherwhoboreusboth!——tellme——isthisthemanforwhomyoulefthome？\"
\"No!No!Ahundredtimesno!\"
Thentherewasasilence。Mr。Hamlinfromthebedroomheardnomore。
Anhourlater，whenthetwowomenopenedthestudiodoor，palebutcomposed，theyweremetbytheanxiousandtearfulfaceofAuntChloe。
\"LawdyGawd，Missy，——butdeydonegone!——bofeof\'em!\"
\"Whoisgone？\"demandedSophy，asthewomanbesidehertrembledandgrewpalerstill。
\"MarseJackanddatfoolnigger，Hannibal。”
\"Mr。Hamlingone？\"repeatedSophyincredulously。\"When？Where？\"
\"Jessnow——ondedownboat。Suddenbusiness。Didn\'tliketodisturbyo\'andyo\'friend。Saidhe\'dwrite。”
\"Buthewasill——almosthelpless，\"gaspedSophy。
\"Dat\'swhyhetookdatoldnigger。Lawdy，Missy，bressyo\'heart。
Deybothknowsaichudder，shuah!It\'sallright。Darnow，dardeyare；listen。”
Sheheldupherhand。Aslowpulsation，thatmighthavebeenthedull，laboredbeatingoftheirownhearts，wasmakingitselffeltthroughoutthelittlecottage。Itcamenearer，——adeepregularinspirationthatseemedslowlytofillandpossessthewholetranquilsummertwilight。Itwasnearerstill——wasabreastofthehouse——passed——grewfainterandatlastdiedawaylikeadeep-drawnsigh。Itwasthedownboat，thatwasnowseparatingMr。Hamlinandhisprotegee，evenasithadoncebroughtthemtogether。
ANINGENUEOFTHESIERRAS。
I。
Weallheldourbreathasthecoachrushedthroughthesemi-
darknessofGalloper\'sRidge。Thevehicleitselfwasonlyahugelumberingshadow；itsside-lightswerecarefullyextinguished，andYubaBillhadjustpolitelyremovedfromthelipsofanoutsidepassengereventhecigarwithwhichhehadbeenostentatiouslyexhibitinghiscoolness。ForithadbeenrumoredthattheRamonMartinezgangof\"roadagents\"were\"laying\"forusonthesecondgrade，andwouldtimethepassageofourlightsacrossGalloper\'sinordertointerceptusinthe\"brush\"beyond。Ifwecouldcrosstheridgewithoutbeingseen，andsogetthroughthebrushbeforetheyreachedit，weweresafe。Iftheyfollowed，itwouldonlybeasternchasewiththeoddsinourfavor。
Thehugevehicleswayedfromsidetoside，rolled，dipped，andplunged，butBillkeptthetrack，asif，inthewhisperedwordsoftheExpressman，hecould\"feelandsmell\"theroadhecouldnolongersee。Weknewthatattimeswehungperilouslyovertheedgeofslopesthateventuallydroppedathousandfeetsheertothetopsofthesugar-pinesbelow，butweknewthatBillknewitalso。Thehalfvisibleheadsofthehorses，drawnwedge-wisetogetherbythetightenedreins，appearedtocleavethedarknesslikeaploughshare，heldbetweenhisrigidhands。Eventhehoof-beatsofthesixhorseshadfallenintoavague，monotonous，distantroll。Thentheridgewascrossed，andweplungedintothestillblackerobscurityofthebrush。Ratherwenolongerseemedtomove——itwasonlythephantomnightthatrushedbyus。ThehorsesmighthavebeensubmergedinsomeswiftLetheanstream；nothingbutthetopofthecoachandtherigidbulkofYubaBillaroseabovethem。Yeteveninthatawfulmomentourspeedwasunslackened；itwasasifBillcarednolongertoGUIDEbutonlytodrive，orasifthedirectionofhishugemachinewasdeterminedbyotherhandsthanhis。Anincautiouswhispererhazardedtheparalyzingsuggestionofour\"meetinganotherteam。”ToourgreatastonishmentBilloverheardit；toourgreaterastonishmenthereplied。\"It\'udbeonlyaneckandneckracewhichwouldgettoh-llfirst，\"hesaidquietly。Butwewererelieved——
forhehadSPOKEN!Almostsimultaneouslythewiderturnpikebegantoglimmerfaintlyasavisibletrackbeforeus；thewaysidetreesfelloutofline，openedup，anddroppedoffoneafteranother；wewereonthebroadertable-land，outofdanger，andapparentlyunperceivedandunpursued。
Neverthelessintheconversationthatbrokeoutagainwiththerelightingofthelamps，andthecomments，congratulations，andreminiscencesthatwerefreelyexchanged，YubaBillpreservedadissatisfiedandevenresentfulsilence。Themostgenerouspraiseofhisskillandcourageawokenoresponse。\"Ireckontheoldmanwazjustspilin\'forafight，andisfeelin\'disappointed，\"saidapassenger。ButthosewhoknewthatBillhadthetruefighter\'sscornforanypurelypurposelessconflictweremoreorlessconcernedandwatchfulofhim。Hewoulddrivesteadilyforfourorfiveminuteswiththoughtfullyknittedbrows，buteyesstillkeenlyobservantunderhisslouchedhat，andthen，relaxinghisstrainedattitude，wouldgivewaytoamovementofimpatience。\"Youain\'tuneasyaboutanything，Bill，areyou？\"askedtheExpressmanconfidentially。Billliftedhiseyeswithaslightlycontemptuoussurprise。\"NotaboutanythingterCOME。It\'swhatHEZhappenedthatIdon\'texacklysabe。Idon\'tseenosignsofRamon\'sgangeverhavin\'beenoutatall，andeftheywereoutIdon\'tseewhytheydidn\'tgoforus。”
\"Thesimplefactisthatourrusewassuccessful，\"saidanoutsidepassenger。\"Theywaitedtoseeourlightsontheridge，and，notseeingthem，missedusuntilwehadpassed。That\'smyopinion。”
\"Youain\'tputtin\'anypriceonthatopinion，airye？\"inquiredBillpolitely。
\"No。”
\"\'Costhar\'sacomicpaperin\'Friscopaysforthemthings，andI\'veseenworsethingsinit。”
\"Comeoff，Bill，\"retortedthepassenger，slightlynettledbythetitteringofhiscompanions。\"Thenwhatdidyouputoutthelightsfor？\"
\"Well，\"returnedBillgrimly，\"itmouthavebeenbecauseIdidn\'tkeertohevyouchapsblazin\'awayatthefirstbushyouTHOUGHT
yousawmoveinyourskeer，andbringin\'downtheirfireonus。”
Theexplanation，thoughunsatisfactory，wasbynomeansanimprobableone，andwethoughtitbettertoacceptitwithalaugh。
Bill，however，resumedhisabstractedmanner。
\"WhogotinattheSummit？\"heatlastaskedabruptlyoftheExpressman。
\"DerrickandSimpsonofColdSpring，andoneofthe\'Excelsior\'
boys，\"respondedtheExpressman。
\"AndthatPikeCountygirlfromDow\'sFlat，withherbundles。
Don\'tforgether，\"addedtheoutsidepassengerironically。
\"Doesanybodyhereknowher？\"continuedBill，ignoringtheirony。
\"You\'dbetteraskJudgeThompson；hewasmightyattentivetoher；
gettin\'heraseatbytheoffwindow，andlookin\'afterherbundlesandthings。”
\"Gettin\'heraseatbytheWINDOW？\"repeatedBill。
\"Yes，shewantedtoseeeverything，andwasn\'tafraidoftheshooting。”
\"Yes，\"brokeinathirdpassenger，\"andhewassod——dcivilthatwhenshedroppedherringinthestraw，hestruckamatchaginallyourrules，youknow，andhelditforhertofindit。Anditwasjustaswewerecrossin\'throughthebrush，too。Isawthehullthingthroughthewindow，forIwashangingoverthewheelswithmygunreadyforaction。Anditwasn\'tnofaultofJudgeThompson\'sifhisd——dfoolishnesshadn\'tshownusup，andgotusashotfromthegang。”
Billgaveashortgrunt，butdrovesteadilyonwithoutfurthercommentoreventurninghiseyestothespeaker。
Wewerenownotmorethanamilefromthestationatthecrossroadswhereweweretochangehorses。Thelightsalreadyglimmeredinthedistance，andtherewasafaintsuggestionofthecomingdawnonthesummitsoftheridgetothewest。Wehadplungedintoabeltoftimber，whensuddenlyahorsemanemergedatasharpcanterfromatrailthatseemedtobeparallelwithourown。Wewereallslightlystartled；YubaBillalonepreservinghismoodycalm。
\"Hullo!\"hesaid。
ThestrangerwheeledtooursideasBillslackenedhisspeed。Heseemedtobea\"packer\"orfreightmuleteer。
\"Yedidn\'tget\'heldup\'ontheDivide？\"continuedBillcheerfully。
\"No，\"returnedthepacker，withalaugh；\"Idon\'tcarrytreasure。
ButIseeyou\'reallright，too。Isawyoucrossin\'overGalloper\'s。”
\"SAWus？\"saidBillsharply。\"Wehadourlightsout。”
\"Yes，buttherewassuthin\'white——ahandkerchieforwoman\'sveil，Ireckon——hangin\'fromthewindow。Itwasonlyamovin\'spotaginthehillside，butezIwaslookin\'outforyeIknewitwasyoubythat。Good-night!\"
Hecanteredaway。Wetriedtolookateachother\'sfaces，andatBill\'sexpressioninthedarkness，butheneitherspokenorstirreduntilhethrewdownthereinswhenwestoppedbeforethestation。
Thepassengersquicklydescendedfromtheroof；theExpressmanwasabouttofollow，butBillpluckedhissleeve。
\"I\'mgoin\'totakealookoverthisyerstageandtheseyerpassengerswithye，aforewestart。”
\"Why，what\'sup？\"
\"Well，\"saidBill，slowlydisengaginghimselffromoneofhisenormousgloves，\"whenwewaltzeddownintothebrushupthereI
sawaman，ezplainezIseeyou，riseupfromit。Ithoughtourtimehadcomeandthebandwasgoin\'toplay，whenhesorterdrewback，madeasign，andwejustscootedpasthim。”
\"Well？\"
\"Well，\"saidBill，\"itmeansthatthisyercoachwasPASSEDTHROUGH
FREEto-night。”
\"Youdon\'tobjecttoTHAT——surely？Ithinkweweredeucedlylucky。”
Billslowlydrewoffhisotherglove。\"I\'vebeenriskin\'myeverlastin\'lifeonthisd——dlinethreetimesaweek，\"hesaidwithmockhumility，\"andI\'mallusthankfulforsmallmercies。
BUT，\"headdedgrimly，\"whenitcomesdowntobeingpassedfreebysomepalofahossthief，andthetcalledaspeshalProvidence，I
AIN\'TINIT!No，sir，Iain\'tinit!\"
II。
Itwaswithmixedemotionsthatthepassengersheardthatadelayoffifteenminutestotightencertainscrew-boltshadbeenorderedbytheautocraticBill。SomewereanxioustogettheirbreakfastatSugarPine，butotherswerenotaversetolingerforthedaylightthatpromisedgreatersafetyontheroad。TheExpressman，knowingtherealcauseofBill\'sdelay，wasneverthelessatalosstounderstandtheobjectofit。Thepassengerswereallwellknown；anyideaofcomplicitywiththeroadagentswaswildandimpossible，and，eveniftherewasaconfederateofthegangamongthem，hewouldhavebeenmorelikelytoprecipitatearobberythantocheckit。Again，thediscoveryofsuchaconfederate——towhomtheyclearlyowedtheirsafety——andhisarrestwouldhavebeenquiteagainsttheCaliforniansenseofjustice，ifnotactuallyillegal。ItseemedevidentthatBill\'squixoticsenseofhonorwasleadinghimastray。
Thestationconsistedofastable，awagonshed，andabuildingcontainingthreerooms。Thefirstwasfittedupwith\"bunks\"orsleepingberthsfortheemployees；thesecondwasthekitchen；andthethirdandlargerapartmentwasdining-roomorsitting-room，andwasusedasgeneralwaiting-roomforthepassengers。Itwasnotarefreshmentstation，andtherewasno\"bar。”ButamysteriouscommandfromtheomnipotentBillproducedademijohnofwhiskey，withwhichhehospitablytreatedthecompany。TheseductiveinfluenceoftheliquorloosenedthetongueofthegallantJudge
Thompson。HeadmittedtohavingstruckamatchtoenablethefairPikeCountiantofindherring，which，however，provedtohavefalleninherlap。Shewas\"afine，healthyyoungwoman——atypeoftheFarWest，sir；infact，quiteaprairieblossom!yetsimpleandguilelessasachild。”ShewasonherwaytoMarysville，hebelieved，\"althoughsheexpectedtomeetfriends——afriend，infact——lateron。”Itwasherfirstvisittoalargetown——infact，anycivilizedcentre——sinceshecrossedtheplainsthreeyearsago。
Hergirlishcuriositywasquitetouching，andherinnocenceirresistible。Infact，inacountrywhosetendencywastoproduce\"frivolityandforwardnessinyounggirls，hefoundheramostinterestingyoungperson。”Shewaseventhenoutinthestable-
yardwatchingthehorsesbeingharnessed，\"preferringtoindulgeapardonablehealthyyoungcuriositythantolistentotheemptycomplimentsoftheyoungerpassengers。”
ThefigurewhichBillsawthusengaged，withoutbeingotherwisedistinguished，certainlyseemedtojustifytheJudge\'sopinion。
Sheappearedtobeawell-maturedcountrygirl，whosefrankgrayeyesandlargelaughingmouthexpressedawholesomeandabidinggratificationinherlifeandsurroundings。Shewaswatchingthereplacingofluggageintheboot。Alittlefemininestart，asoneofherownparcelswasthrownsomewhatroughlyontheroof，gaveBillhisopportunity。\"Nowthere，\"hegrowledtothehelper，\"yeain\'tcartingstone!Lookout，willyer!Someofyourthings，miss？\"headded，withgruffcourtesy，turningtoher。\"Theseyertrunks，forinstance？\"
Shesmiledapleasantassent，andBill，pushingasidethehelper，seizedalargesquaretrunkinhisarms。Butfromexcessofzeal，orsomeothermischance，hisfootslipped，andhecamedownheavily，strikingthecornerofthetrunkonthegroundandlooseningitshingesandfastenings。Itwasacheap，common-
lookingaffair，buttheaccidentdiscoveredinitsyawninglidaquantityofwhite，lace-edgedfeminineapparelofanapparentlysuperiorquality。Theyoungladyutteredanothercryandcamequicklyforward，butBillwasprofuseinhisapologies，himselfgirdedthebrokenboxwithastrap，anddeclaredhisintentionofhavingthecompany\"makeitgood\"toherwithanewone。Thenhecasuallyaccompaniedhertothedoorofthewaiting-room，entered，madeaplaceforherbeforethefirebysimplyliftingthenearestandmostyouthfulpassengerbythecoatcollarfromthestoolthathewasoccupying，and，havinginstalledtheladyinit，displacedanothermanwhowasstandingbeforethechimney，and，drawinghimselfuptohisfullsixfeetofheightinfrontofher，glanceddownuponhisfairpassengerashetookhiswaybillfromhispocket。
\"YournameisdownhereasMissMullins？\"hesaid。