Hewasstayingatalargecountry-housemanymilesdistantfromthesceneofhislateexperiences。AlreadytheyhadfadedfromhismemorywiththedepartureofhiscompatriotsfromSt。Kentigern。
Hewassmokingbythefireinthebilliard-roomlateonenightwhenafellow-guestapproachedhim。
\"Sawyoudidn\'tremembermeatdinner。”
Thevoicewashesitating，pleasant，andnotquiteunfamiliar。Theconsullookedup，andidentifiedthefigurebeforehimasoneofthenewarrivalsthatday，whom，intheinformalandeasycourtesyofthehouse，hehadmetwithnofurtherintroductionthanavaguesmile。Heremembered，too，thatthestrangerhadglancedathimonceortwiceatdinner，withshybutengagingreserve。
\"Youmustseesuchalotofpeople，andthewaythingsarearrangedandsettledhereeverybodyexpectstolookandactlikeeverybodyelse，don\'tyouknow，soyoucan\'ttellonechapfromanother。
Deucedannoying，eh？That\'swhereyouAmericansaredifferent，andthat\'swhythosecountrywomenofyoursweresocharming，don\'tyouknow，sooriginal。WewerealltogetheronthetopofacoachinScotland，don\'tyouremember？Hadsuchajollytimeinthebeastlyrain。Youdidn\'tcatchmyname。It\'sDuncaster。”
Theconsulatoncerecalledhisformerfellow-traveler。Thetwomenshookhands。TheEnglishmantookapipefromhissmoking-
jacket，anddrewachairbesidetheconsul。
\"Yes，\"hecontinued，comfortablyfillinghispipe，\"thedaughter，MissKirkby，wasawfullygoodfun；sofresh，soperfectlynaturalandinnocent，don\'tyouknow，andyetsoextraordinarilysharpandclever。ShehadsomeawfullygoodchaffoverthatScotchscenerybeforethoseScotchtourists，doyouremember？Anditwasallsobeastlytrue，too。Perhapsshe\'swithyouhere？\"
TherewassomuchunexpectedandunaffectedinterestintheyoungEnglishman\'seyesthattheconsulwasquiteseriousinhisregretsthattheladieshadgonebacktoParis。
\"I\'dliketohavetakenthemovertoAudreyEdgefromhere。It\'snodistancebytrain。IdidasktheminScotland，butIsupposetheyhadsomethingbettertodo。ButyoumighttellthemI\'vegotsomesistersthere，andthatitisanoldplaceandnothalfbad，don\'tyouknow，whenyouwritetothem。Youmightgivemetheiraddress。”
Theconsuldidso，andaddedafewpleasantwordsregardingtheirposition，——barringthesyndicate，——whichhehadgatheredfromCuster。LordDuncaster\'slookofinterest，farfromabating，becamegentlyconfidential。
\"Isupposeyoumustseeagooddealofyourcountrymeninyourbusiness，andIsuppose，justlikeEnglishmen，theydiffer，byJove!Someofthem，don\'tyouknow，areratherpushingandanxiousforposition，andallthatsortofthing；andsomeof\'em，likeyourfriends，arequiteindependentandnatural。”
Hestopped，andpuffedslowlyathispipe。Presentlyhetookitfromhismouth，withalittlelaugh。\"I\'veamindtotellyouaratherqueerexperienceofmine。It\'snothingagainstyourpeoplegenerally，youknow，nordoIfancyit\'sevenanAmericantype；soyouwon\'tmindmyspeakingofit。I\'vegotsomepropertyinScotland，——ratherpoorstuffyou\'dcallit，——but，byJove!someAmericanshavebeenlayingclaimtoitundersomeobscurepleaofrelationship。Theremighthavebeensomethinginit，althoughnotalltheyclaim，butmybusinessman，acleverchapupinyourplace，——perhapsyoumayhaveheardofhim，SirJamesMacFen，——wrotetomethatwhattheyreallywantedweresomeancestrallandswiththerighttousethefamilynameandprivileges。Theoddestpartoftheaffairwasthattheclaimantwasanimpossiblesortoflunatic，andthewholethingwasrunbyasyndicateofshrewdWesternmen。AsIdon\'tcarefortheproperty，whichhasonlybeendroppingalotofmoneyeveryyearforupkeepandlitigation，SirJames，whoisanawfullyfar-sightedchapatmanaging，thoughthecouldeffectacompromise，andgetridofthepropertyatafairvaluation。And，byJove!hedid。Butwhatyourcountrymencangetoutofit，——fortheshootingisn\'thalfasgoodaswhattheycangetintheirowncountry，——orwhatusetheprivilegesaretothem，Ican\'tfancy。”
\"IthinkIknowthestory，\"saidtheconsul，eyinghisfellow-guestattentively；\"butifIrememberrightly，theyoungmanclaimedtobetherightfulandonlysurvivingheir。”
TheEnglishmanrose，and，bendingoverthehearth，slowlyknockedtheashesfromhispipe。\"That\'squiteimpossible，don\'tyouknow。
For，\"headded，ashestoodupinfrontofthefireinface，figure，andcarelessreposemoredecidedlyEnglishthanever，\"youseemytitleofDuncasteronlycametomethroughanuncle，butI
amthedirectandsoleheiroftheoldfamily，andtheScotchproperty。Idon\'tperhapslooklikeaScot，——we\'vebeensettledinEnglandsometime，——but，\"hecontinuedwithaninvincibleEnglishdrawlingdeliberation，\"I——am——really——you——know——whattheycallTheMcHulish。”
ANEPISODEOFWESTWOODLANDS。
I。
TherainwasdrippingmonotonouslyfromthescanteavesofthelittlechurchoftheSidonBrethrenatWestWoodlands。Hewnoutoftheveryheartofathicketofbuckeyespruceandalder，unsunnedandunblownuponbyanywind，itwassogreenandunseasonedinitssolitudethatitseemedapartofthearborealgrowth，andondampSundaystohavetakenrootagainandsprouted。Thereweremossandshiningspotsontheundersideoftheunplanedrafters，littlegreenpoolsofinfusoriastoodontheledgeofthewindowswhosepaneswereattimessuddenlycloudedbymysteriousunknownbreathsfromwithoutorwithin。Itwasoppressedwithanextravaganceofleavesatallseasons，whetherinsummer，whengreenandlimptheycrowdedtheporch，doorways，andshutters，orwhenpenetratingknot-holesandintersticesofshingleandclapboard，onsomecreepingvine，theyunexpectedlyburstandbourgeonedonthewallslikebanners；orlater，whentheyrottedinbrownheapsincorners，outlinedtheedgesofthefloorwithathinyellowborder，orinvadedtheranksofthehigh-backedbencheswhichservedaspews。
Therehadbeenacontinuousrustlingattheporchandtheshakingoutofwaterproofsandclosingofumbrellasuntilthehalf-filledchurchwasalreadyredolentofdampdyesandthesulphurofIndiarubber。Theeyesofthecongregationwereturnedtothedoorwithsomethingmorethantheusualcuriosityandexpectation。ForthenewrevivalistpreacherfromHorseShoeBaywascomingthatmorning。Alreadyvoicesofauthoritywereheardapproaching，andkeepinguptheirconversationtotheverydoorofthesacrededificeinmarkedcontrastwiththeawedandbashfulwhisperingsintheporchoftheordinarycongregation。TheworshipersrecognizedthevoicesofDeaconsShadwellandBradley；inthereverentialhushofthebuildingtheyseemedchargedwithundueimportance。
\"ItwassetbackintheroadforquietintheLord\'swork，\"saidBradley。
\"Yes，butitoughtn\'tbehidden!Letyourlightsoshinebeforemen，youknow，BrotherBradley，\"returnedadeepvoice，unrecognizedandunfamiliar——presumablythatofthenewcomer。
\"Itwouldn\'ttakemuchtomoveit——onskidsandrollers——nearertotheroad，\"suggestedShadwelltentatively。
\"No，butifyouleftitstrandedthereinthewindandsun，greenandsappyasitisnow，ye\'dhaveeveryseamandcrackstartin\'
tilltheribsshonethrough，andnoamountofcalkin\'wouldmakeitwatertightagin。No；myideais——clearoutthebrushandshadderaroundit!Letthelightshineinuponit!Makethewasteplacesgladaroundit，butkeepitTHERE!Andthat\'smyideao\'gen\'ralmissionarywork；that\'showthegospelorterberooted。”
Herethebell，whichfromtheplainopenfour-postedbelfryabovehadbeenclangingwithametallicsharpnessthathadanoddimpatientworldlinessaboutit，suddenlyceased。
\"Thatbell，\"saidBradley\'svoice，withthesamesuggestionofconveyingimportanttruthstothelisteningcongregationwithin，\"wastookfromthewreckoftheTamalpais。BrotherHorleyboughtitatauctionatHorseShoeBayandpresentedit。YouknowtheTamalpaisranashoreonSkinner\'sReef，jestoffhere。”
\"Yes，withplentyofsearoom，nothalfagaleo\'windblowing，andherrealcoursefiftymilestowestward!Thewholewatchmusthavedrunkorsunkinslothfulidleness，\"returnedthedeepvoiceagain。
Amomentarypausefollowed，andthenthetwodeaconsenteredthechurchwiththestranger。
Heappearedtobeapowerfully-builtman，withasquare，beardlesschin；afacethatcarriedoneortwoscarsofsmallpoxandadeeperoneofalesspeacefulsuggestion，setinacomplexionweather-
beatentothecolorofSpanishleather。Twosmall，moistgrayeyes，thatglistenedwitheveryemotion，seemedtocontradictthehardexpressionoftheotherfeatures。Hewasdressedincheapblack，likethetwodeacons，withtheexceptionofaloose，blackalpacacoatandtheusualblacksilkneckerchieftiedinalargebowunderaturndowncollar，——thegeneralsignandsymbolofaministerofhissect。Hewalkeddirectlytotheraisedplatformattheendofthechapel，wherestoodatableonwhichwasapitcherofwater，aglassandhymnbook，andatalluprightdeskholdingaBible。Glancingoverthesedetails，hesuddenlypaused，carefullyliftedsomehithertoundetectedobjectfromthedeskbesidetheBible，and，stoopinggently，placedituponthefloor。Asithoppedawaythecongregationsawthatitwasasmallgreenfrog。
Theintrusionwasbynomeansanunusualone，butsomeoddcontrastbetweenthispowerfulmanandthelittleanimalaffectedthemprofoundly。Noone——eventheyoungest——smiled；everyone——eventheyoungest——becamesuddenlyattentive。Turningovertheleavesofthehymnbook，hethengaveoutthefirsttwolinesofahymn。Thechoiraccordioninthefrontsidebenchawokelikeaninfantintowailinglife，andCissyAppleby，soprano，tookupalittlemoremusicallythelugubriouschant。Atthecloseoftheversethepreacherjoinedin，afterasailorfashion，withabreezybassthatseemedtofillthelittlebuildingwiththetroubleofthesea。
ThenfollowedprayerfromDeaconShadwell，brokenby\"Amens\"fromthepreacher，withanauticalsuggestionof\"Ay，ay，\"aboutthem，andhebeganhissermon。
Itwas，asthosewhoknewhismethodsmighthaveexpected，asuggestionoftheconversationtheyhadalreadyoverheard。Helikenedthelittlechapel，chokedwithumbrageandrottinginitsdampness，tothegospelseedsownincrowdedplaces，famishinginthemidstofplenty，andsterilefromtheabsorptionsofthemoreactivelifearoundit。Hepointedoutagainthetrueworkofthepioneermissionary；thecarefulpruningandeliminationofthoseforcesthatgrewupwiththeChristian\'slife，whichmanypeoplefoolishlybelievedwereapartofit。\"
TheWORLDmustliveandtheWORDmustlive，\"saidthey，andtherewereeasy-goingbrethrenwhothoughttheycouldlivetogether。ButhewarnedthemthattheWorldwasalwaysclosingupon——\"shaddering\"——andstranglingtheWord，unlesskeptdown，andthat\"fairseemin\'settlement，\"orcity，whichappearedtobe\"bustin\'andbloomin\'\"withlifeandprogress，wasreally\"hustlin\'andjostlin\'\"theWordofGod，eveninthemidstofthese\"fancyspiresandsteeples\"ithaderectedtoitsglory。Itwastheworkofthemissionarypioneertokeepdownorrootoutthiscarnal，worldlygrowthasmuchinthesettlementasinthewilderness。Somewereforgettingoverthedifficultybydraggingthemerewasted\"letteroftheWord，\"ortherottenandwitheredhusksofit，intothehighwaysandbyways，wherethe\"blazin\'\"scornoftheWorldwouldfinishit。Alow，penitentialgroanfromDeaconShadwellfollowedthisaccusingillustration。
ButthepreacherwouldtellthemthattheonlywaywastoboldlyattackthisranklygrowingWorldaroundthem；toclearoutfreshpathsfortheTruth，andletthesunlightofHeavenstreamamongthem。
Therewaslittledoubtthatthecongregationwasmoved。Whatevertheymighthavethoughtoftheapplication，thefactitselfwaspatent。TherheumaticBeaseleysfeltthetruthofitintheirachingbones；itcamehometothefeverandaguestrickenFilgeesintheirdampseatsagainstthesappywall；itechoedplainlyinthechroniccoughofSisterMaryStruttandWidowDoddridge；andCissyAppleby，withherroundbrowneyesfixeduponthespeaker，rememberinghowthestarchhadbeentakenoutofherSundayfrocks，howherlongringletshadbecomeuncurled，herfrillslimp，andevenherribbonslustreless，feltthatindeedaprophethadariseninIsrael!
Oneortwo，however，weredisappointedthathehadasyetgivennoindicationofthatpowerfulexhortatoryemotionforwhichhewasfamed，andwhichhadbeensaidtoexcitecertaincorrespondingcorybanticsymptomsamonghissensitivefemaleworshipers。Whentheservicewasover，andthecongregationcrowdedaroundhim，SisterMaryStrutt，ontheouterfringeoftheassembly，confidedtoSisterEvansthatshehad\"hearntellhowthatwhenhewasoveratSoquelheprayedthatpow\'fulthatallthewimmengotfitsandtremblin\'spells，andoleMrs。Jacksonhadtobehauledoffhislegsthatshewaskneelin\'andclaspin\'whilewrestlingwiththeSperit。”
\"Ireckonweseemedkinderstrangetohimthismorning，andhewantedtojestfeelhiswaytoourheartsfirst，\"exclaimedBrotherJonasSteerspolitely。\"He\'llbemoreathomeatevenin\'service。
It\'squeerthatsomeofthebestexhortin\'workisdonearterearlycandlelight。Ireckonhe\'sgoin\'tostopoverwithDeaconBradleytodinner。”
Butitappearedthatthenewpreacher，nowformallyintroducedasBrotherSeabright，wasintendingtowalkovertoHemlockMillstodinner。Heonlyaskedtobedirectedthenearestway；hewouldnottroubleBrotherShadwellorDeaconBradleytocomewithhim。
\"Buthere\'sCissyApplebyliveswithinamileo\'thar，andyoucouldgoalongwithher。She\'djestadmiretoshowyoutheway，\"
interruptedBrotherShadwell。\"Wouldn\'tyou，Cissy？\"
Thusappealedto，theyoungchorister——atallgirlofsixteenorseventeen——timidlyraisedhereyestoBrotherSeabrightashewasabouttorepeathisformerprotestation，andhestopped。
\"EftheyoungladyISgoin\'thatway，it\'sonlyfairtoacceptherkindnessinaChristiansperit，\"hesaidgently。
Cissyturnedwithaminglingofapologyandbashfulnesstowardsayoungfellowwhoseemedtobeactingasherescort，butwhowashesitatinginanequalbashfulness，whenSeabrightadded:\"Andperhapsouryoungfriendwillcometoo？\"
Buttheyoungfrienddrewbackwithaconfusedlaugh，andBrotherSeabrightandCissypassedoutfromtheporchtogether。Forafewmomentstheymingledwiththestreamandconversationofthedepartingcongregation，butpresentlyCissytimidlyindicatedadivergingbypath，andtheybothturnedintoit。
Itwasmuchwarmerintheopenthanithadbeeninthechapelandthicket，andCissy，bywayofrelievingacertainawkwardtensionofsilence，tookoffthewaterproofcloakandslungitonherarm。
Thisdisclosedherfivelongbrowncable-likecurlsthathungdownhershoulders，reachingbelowherwaistinsomeforgottenfashionofgirlhood。TheywereCissy\'speculiaradornment，remarkablefortheirlength，thickness，andtheextraordinaryyouthfulnessimpartedtoafigureotherwiseprecociouslymatured。
Insomewaveringdoubtofheractualyearsandprivileges，BrotherSeabrightofferedtocarryhercloakforher，butshedeclineditwitharusticandyouthfulpertinacitythatseemedtosettlethequestion。Infact，Cissywasasmuchembarrassedasshewasflatteredbythecompanyofthisdistinguishedstranger。However，itwouldbeknowntoallWestWoodlandthathehadwalkedhomewithher，whilenobodybutherselfwouldknowthattheyhadscarcelyexchangedaword。Shenoticedhowheloungedonwithaheavy，rollinggait，sometimesalittlebeforeorbehindherasthepathnarrowed。Atsuchtimeswhentheyaccidentallycameincontactinpassing，shefeltahalfuneasy，physicalconsciousnessofhim，whichshereferredtohissize，thescarsonhisface，orsomelatenthardnessofexpression，butwasrelievedtoseethathehadnotobservedit。Yetthiswasthemanthatmadegrownwomencry；
shethoughtofoldMrs。Jacksonferventlygraspingtheploddinganklesbeforeher，andahystericdesiretolaugh，withthefearthathemightseeitonherface，overcameher。Thenshewonderedifhewasgoingtowalkallthewayhomewithoutspeaking，yetsheknewshewouldbemoreembarrassedifhebegantotalktoher。
Suddenlyhestopped，andshebumpedupagainsthim。
\"Oh，excuseme!\"shestammeredhurriedly。
\"Eh？\"Heevidentlyhadnotnoticedthecollision。\"Didyouspeak？\"
\"No!——thatis——itwasn\'tanything，\"returnedthegirl，coloring。
Buthehadquiteforgottenher，andwaslookingintentlybeforehim。Theyhadcometoabreakinthefringeofwoodland，anduponasuddenviewoftheocean。Atthispointthelowlineofcoast-
rangewhichshelteredthevalleyofWestWoodlandswasabruptlyclovenbyagorgethatcrumbledandfellawayseawardtotheshoreofHorseShoeBay。OnitsnortherntrendstretchedthesettlementofHorseShoetothepromontoryofWhaleMouthPoint，withitsoutlyingreefofrockscurvedinwardslikethevastsubmergedjawofsomemarinemonster，throughwhoseblunt，tooth-likeprojectionstheship-longswellofthePacificstreamedandfell。OnthesouthernshorethelightyellowsandsofPuntadelasConcepcionglitteredlikesunshineallthewaytotheolive-gardensandwhitedomesoftheMission。Thetwoshoresseemedtotypifythetwodifferentclimatesandcivilizationsseparatedbythebay。
Theheavy，woodlandatmospherewasquickenedbythesaltbreathofthesea。Thestrangerinhaleditmeditatively。
\"That\'sthereefwheretheTamalpaisstruck，\"hesaid，\"andmore\'nfiftymilesoutofhercourse——yes，more\'nfiftymilesfromwheresheshouldhavebin!Itdon\'tlooknat\'ral。No——it——don\'t——look——
nat\'ral!\"
Asheseemedtobespeakingtohimself，theyounggirl，whohadbeengazingwithfargreaterinterestattheforeign-lookingsouthernshore，feltconfusedanddidnotreply。Then，asifrecallingherpresence，BrotherSeabrightturnedtoherandsaid:——
\"Yes，younglady；andwhenyouheartheoldbelloftheTamalpais，andthinkofhowitcamehere，youmayrejoiceinthegoodnessoftheLordthatmadeeventhosewhostrayedfromthestraightcourseandthetruereckoningthemeansoftestifyingontoHim。”
Buttheyoungarequickertodetectattitudesandaffectationthanweareapttoimagine；andCissycoulddistinguishacertainotherstrayinginthisafterthoughtormoralofthepreachercalledupbyherpresence，andknewthatitwasnottherealinterestwhichtheviewhadevoked。Shehadheardthathehadbeenasailor，and，withthetactofhersex，answeredwithwhatshethoughtwouldentertainhim:——
\"Iwasalittlegirlwhenithappened，andIheardthatsomesailorsgotashoredownthere，andclimbedupthisgullyfromtherocksbelow。Andtheycampedthatnight——fortherewerenohousesatWestWoodlandsthen——justinthewoodswhereourchapelnowstands。Itwasfunny，wasn\'tit？——Imean，\"shecorrectedherselfbashfully，\"itwasstrangetheychancedtocomejustthere？\"
Butshehadevidentlyhitthepointofinterest。
\"Whatbecameofthem？\"hesaidquickly。\"TheynevercametoHorseShoeSettlement，wheretheotherslandedfromthewreck。Ineverheardofthatboat\'screworofANYlandingHERE。”
\"No。TheykeptonovertherangesouthtotheMission。Ireckontheydidn\'tknowtherewasawaydownonthissidetoHorseShoe，\"
returnedCissy。
BrotherSeabrightmovedonandcontinuedhisslow，ploddingmarch。
ButhekeptalittlenearerCissy，andshewasconsciousthatheoccasionallylookedather。Presentlyhesaid:——
\"Youhaveaheavenlygift，MissAppleby。”
Cissyflushed，andherhandinvoluntarilywenttooneofherlong，distinguishingcurls。ItmightbeTHAT。Thepreachercontinued:——
\"Yes；avoicelikeyoursisaheavenlygift。AndyouhaveproperlydevotedittoHisservice。Haveyoubeensinginglong？\"
\"Abouttwoyears。ButI\'vegottostudyaheapyet。”
\"Thelittlebirdsdon\'tthinkitnecessarytostudytopraiseHim，\"
saidthepreachersententiously。
ItoccurredtoCissythatthiswasveryunfairargument。Shesaidquickly:——
\"Butthelittlebirdsdon\'thavetofollowwordsinthehymn-books。
Youdon\'tgiveoutlinestolarksandbobolinks，\"andblushed。
Thepreachersmiled。Itwasaveryengagingsmile，Cissythought，thatlightenedhishardmouth。Itenabledhertotakeheartofgrace，andpresentlytochatterliketheverybirdsshehaddisparaged。Ohyes；sheknewshehadtolearnagreatdealmore。
Shehadstudied\"some\"already。ShewastakinglessonsoveratPointConcepcion，whereheraunthadfriends，andshewentthreetimesaweek。ThegentlemanwhotaughtherwasnotaCatholic，and，ofcourse，heknewshewasaProtestant。Shewouldhavepreferredtolivethere，buthermotherandfatherwerebothdead，andhadleftherwithheraunt。Shelikeditbetterbecauseitwassunnierandbrighterthere。Shelovedthesunandwarmth。Shehadlistenedtowhathehadsaidaboutthedampnessandgloomofthechapel。Itwastrue。Thedampnesswasthatdreadfulsometimesitjustruinedherclothes，andevenmadeherhoarse。Didhethinktheywouldreallytakehisadviceandclearoutthewoodsroundthechapel？
\"Wouldyoulikeit？\"heaskedpleasantly。
\"Yes。”
\"Andyouthinkyouwouldn\'tpinesomuchforthesunshineandwarmthoftheMission？
\"I\'mnotpining，\"saidCissywithatossofhercurls，\"foranythingoranybody；butIthinkthewoodsoughttobeclearedout。
It\'sjustasitwaswhentherunawayshidthere。”
\"WhentheRUNAWAYSHIDTHERE!\"saidBrotherSeabrightquickly。
\"Whatrunaways？\"
\"Why，theboat\'screw，\"saidCissy。
\"Whydoyoucallthemrunaways？\"
\"Idon\'tknow。Didn\'tYOU？\"saidCissysimply。\"Didn\'tyousaytheynevercamebacktoHorseShoeBay。PerhapsIhaditfromaunty。ButIknowit\'sdampandcreepy；andwhenIwaslittlerI
usedtobefrightenedtobealonetherepracticing。”
\"Why？\"saidthepreacherquickly。
\"Oh，Idon\'tknow，\"hurriedonCissy，withavagueimpressionthatshehadsaidtoomuch。\"Onlymyfancy，Iguess。”
\"Well，\"saidBrotherSeabrightafterapause；\"we\'llseewhatcanbedonetomakeaclearingthere。Birdssingbestinthesunshine，andYOUoughttohavesomesayaboutit。”
Cissy\'sdimplesandblushescametogetherthistime。\"That\'sourhouse，\"shesaidsuddenly，withaslightaccentofrelief，pointingtoaweather-beatenfarmhouseontheedgeofthegorge。\"Iturnoffhere，butyoukeepstraightonfortheMills；they\'rebackinthewoodsapiece。But，\"shestammeredwithasuddensenseofshameofforgottenhospitality，\"won\'tyoucomeinandseeaunty？\"
\"No，thankyou，notnow。”Hestopped，turninghisgazefromthehousetoher。\"Howoldisyourhouse？Wasitthereatthetimeofthewreck？\"
\"Yes，\"saidCissy。
\"It\'soddthatthecrewdidnotcomethereforhelp，eh？\"
\"Maybetheyoverlookeditinthedarknessandthestorm，\"saidCissysimply。\"Good-by，sir。”
Thepreacherheldherhandforaninstantinhispowerful，butgentlygraduatedgrasp。\"Good-byuntileveningservice。”
\"Yes，sir，\"saidCissy。
Theyounggirltrippedontowardsherhousealittleagitatedandconscious，andyetalittleproudasshesawthefacesofheraunt，heruncle，hertwocousins，andevenherdiscardedescort，JoAdams，atthewindows，watchingher。
\"So，\"saidheraunt，assheenteredbreathlessly，\"yewalkedhomewiththepreacher!Itwasaspeshalprovidenceandmanifestationforye，Cissy。Ihopeyewasmannerlyandhumble——andprofitedbythewordsofgrace。”
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saidCissy，puttingasideherhatandcloaklistlessly。\"Hedidn\'ttalkmuchofanything——buttheoldwreckoftheTamalpais。”
\"What？\"saidherauntquickly。
\"ThewreckoftheTamalpais，andtheboat\'screwthatcameupthegorge，\"repeatedtheyounggirl。
\"AndwhatdidHEknowabouttheboat\'screw？\"saidheraunthurriedly，fixingherblackeyesonCissy。
\"NothingexceptwhatItoldhim。”
\"WhatYOUtoldhim!\"echoedheraunt，withanominouscolorfillingthesallowhollowsofhercheek。
\"Yes!Hehasbeenasailor，youknow——andIthoughtitwouldinteresthim；anditdid!Hethoughtitstrange。”
\"CeciliaJaneAppleby，\"saidherauntshrilly，\"doyoumeantosaythatyouthrewawayyourchancesofsalvationandsavinggracejusttotellgossipingtalesthatyouknewwaslies，andevilreport，andfalsewitnesses!\"
\"IonlytalkedofwhatI\'dheard，auntVashti，\"saidCeciliaindignantly。\"Andheafterwardstalkedof——of——myvoice，andsaidIhadaheavenlygift，\"sheadded，withaslightquiverofherlip。
AuntVashtiregardedthegirlsharply。
\"AndyoumaythanktheLordforthatheavenlygift，\"shesaid，inaslightlyloweredvoice；\"forefyehadn\'ttouseittonight，I\'dshutyeupinyourroom，tomakeitpayforyerfoolishgaddin\'
TONGUE!AndIreckonI\'llescortyetochapeltonightmyself，miss，andgetshuto\'someofthisfoolishness。”
II。
ThebroadplazaoftheMissiondelaConcepcionhadbeenbakingintheday-longsunlight。Shiningdriftsfromtheoutlyingsanddunes，blownacrosstheill-pavedroadway，radiatedtheheatinthefacesofthefewloungersliketheprickingofliliputianarrows，andinvadedeventhecactushedges。Thehotairvisiblyquiveredoverthedarkredtilesofthetiendaroofasiftheywereundergoingasecondburning。Theblackshadowofachimneyonthewhitewashedadobewallwaslikeadoororcavernousopeninginthewallitself；thetopsoftheoliveandpeartreesseenaboveitwererussetandserealreadyinthefiercelight。Eventhemoistbreathoftheseabeyondhadquiteevaporatedbeforeitcrossedtheplaza，andnowrustledtheleavesintheMissiongardenwithadry，crepitantsound。
Nevertheless，itseemedtoCissyAppleby，asshecrossedtheplaza，averywelcomechangefromWestWoodlands。Althoughthelatewinterrainshadceasedamonthago，——afewdaysaftertherevivalistpreacherhadleft，——thewoodsaroundthechapelwerestillsoddenandheavy，andthethreatenedimprovementinitssitehadnottakenplace。Neitherhadthepreacherhimselfalludedtoitagain；hiseveningsermon——theonlyotheronehepreachedthere——
wasunexciting，andhehad，infact，leftWestWoodlandswithoutanydisplayofthatextraordinaryexhortatoryfacultyforwhichhewasfamous。YetCissy，inspiteofherenjoymentofthedry，hotMission，rememberedhim，andalsorecalled，albeitpoutingly，hisbluntsuggestingthatshewas\"piningforit。”Nevertheless，shewouldliketohavesungforhimHERE——supposingitwaspossibletoconceiveofaSidonBrotherhoodChapelattheMission。Itwasagreatpity，shethought，thattheSidonBrotherhoodandtheFranciscanBrotherhoodwerenotmorebrotherlyTOWARDSEACHOTHER。
Cissybelongedtotheformerbyhereditaryright，locality，andcircumstance，butitistobefearedthathertheologywasimperfect。
SheenteredalanebetweentheMissionwallandalighterironfencedinclosure，onceapartofthegarden，butnowtheappurtenanceofaprivatedwellingthatwasreconstructedovertheheavyadobeshellofsomeforgottenstructureoftheoldecclesiasticalfounders。Itwaspiercedbymanywindowsandopenings，andthatsunlightandpublicitywhichtheformerpadreshadjealouslyexcludedwasnowwooedfromlongbalconiesandverandasbythenewproprietor，awelltodoAmerican。ElishaBraggs，whosenamewasgenerouslyandeuphoniouslytranslatedbyhisnativeneighborsinto\"DonEliseo，\"althoughaheretic，hadgivenlargesstothechurchinthewayofrestoringitsearthquake-
shakentower，andinpresentinganeworgantoitsdilapidatedchoir。HehadfurtherendearedhimselftotheconservativeSpanishpopulationbyintroducingnoobtrusiveimprovements；bydistributinghismeansthroughtheoldchannels；byapparentlyincitingnofurtheralienimmigration，butcontentinghimselftolivealoneamongthem，adoptingtheirhabits，customs，andlanguage。A
harmlessmusicaltaste，andadispositiontoinstructtheyoungboychoristers，wasequallybalancedbygreatskillinhorsemanshipandthepersonalmanagementofarancheofwildcattleontheinlandplains。
Consciouslypretty，andprettilyconsciousinherwhite-starched，rose-spriggedmuslin，herpinkparasol，beribbonedgypsyhat，andthelongmane-likecurlsthatswungoverhershoulders，Cissyenteredthehouseandwasshowntothelargelowdrawing-roomontheground-floor。Sheoncemoreinhaleditshotpotpourrifragrance，inwhichthespiceoftheCastilianrose-leavesofthegardenwasdominant。Afewboys，whomsherecognizedasthechoristersoftheMissionandherfellow-pupils，werealreadyawaitingherwithsomedegreeofanxietyandimpatience。Thisfact，andacertainquickanimationthatsprangtotheblueeyesofthemasterofthehouseastherose-spriggedfrockandlongcurlsappearedatthedoorway，showedthatCissywasclearlythefavoritepupil。
ElishaBraggswasamanofmiddleage，withafiguresomewhatroundedbytheadiposecurvesofacomfortablelife，andanairoffastidiousnesswhichwas，however，occasionallyatvariancewithwhatseemedtobehisoriginalcondition。HegreetedCissywithacertainnervousoverconsciousnessofhisdutiesashostandteacher，andthenplungedabruptlyintothelesson。Itlastedanhour，Cissytactfullydividinghissomewhatexclusiveinstructionwiththeothers，andeveninterpretingittotheirslowercomprehension。Whenitwasover，thechoristersshylydeparted，accordingtotheirusualcustom，leavingCissyandDonEliseo——andoccasionallyoneofthepadrestomoreinformalpracticingandperformance。NeithertheingenuousnessofCissynortheworldlycautionofauntVashtihadeverquestionedtheproprietyoftheseprolongedandsecludedseances；andtheyounggirlherself，althoughbynomeansunaccustomedtothebashfulattentionsoftheyouthofWestWoodlands，hadneverdreamedoftheselatermusicalinterviewsasbeinganythingbutanordinaryrecreationofherart。
ThefeelingofgratitudeandkindnessshehadforDonEliseo，heraunt\'sfriend，hadneverleftherconsciousorembarrassedwhenshewasalonewithhim。Butto-day，possiblyfromhisownnervousnessandpreoccupation，shewasawareofsomevagueuneasiness，andatanearlyopportunityrosetogo。ButDonEliseogentlylaidhishandonhersandsaid:——
\"Don\'tgoyet；Iwanttotalktoyou。”Histouchsuddenlyremindedherthatonceortwicebeforehehaddonethesamething，andshehadbeendisagreeablyimpressedbyit。Butsheliftedherbrowneyestohiswithanunconsciousnessthatwasmorecrushingthanawithdrawalofherhand，andwaitedforhimtogoon。
\"Itissuchalongwayforyoutocome，andyouhavesolittletimetostaywhenyouarehere，thatIamthinkingofaskingyouraunttoletyoulivehereattheMission，asapupil，inthehouseoftheSenoraHernandez，untilyourlessonsarefinished。PadreJosewillattendtotherestofyoureducation。Wouldyoulikeit？\"
PoorCissy\'seyesleapedupinunaffectedandsparklingaffirmationbeforehertonguereplied。Tobaskinthisbelovedsunshinefordaystogether；tohavethisquaintSpanishlifebeforehereyes，andthosesoftSpanishaccentsinherears；toforgetherselfinwanderingintheold-timeMissiongardenbeyond；tohavedailyaccesstoMr。Braggs\'spianoandtheorganofthechurch——thiswasindeedtherealizationofherfondestdreams!Yetshehesitated。
SomewhereinherinheritedPuritannaturewasavagueconvictionthatitwaswrong，anditseemedeventofindanechointhewarningofthepreacher:thiswaswhatshewas\"piningfor。”
\"Idon\'tknow，\"shestammered。\"Imustaskauntie；Ishouldn\'tliketoleaveher；andthere\'sthechapel。”
\"Isn\'tthatrevivalistpreacherenoughtorunitforawhile？\"saidhercompanion，half-sneeringly。
Theremarkwasnotatactfulone。
\"Mr。Seabrighthasn\'tbeenhereforamonth，\"sheansweredsomewhatquickly。\"Buthe\'scomingnextSunday，andI\'mgladofit。He\'saverygoodman。Andthere\'snothinghedon\'tnotice。Hesawhowsillyitwastostickthechapelintotheveryheartofthewoods，andhetoldthemso。”
\"AndIsupposehe\'llrunupabrand-newmeeting-houseoutontheroad，\"saidBraggs，smiling。
\"No，he\'sgoingtoopenupthewoods，andletthesunandlightin，andclearouttheunderbrush。”
\"Andwhat\'sthatfor？\"
Therewassuchanutterandabruptchangeinthespeaker\'svoiceandmanner——whichuntilthenhadbeenlazilyfastidiousandconfident——thatCissywasstartled。Andthechangebeingrudeanddictatorial，shewasstartledintoopposition。ShehadwantedtosaythattheimprovementhadbeensuggestedbyHER，butshetookamoreaggressiveattitude。
\"BrotherSeabrightsaysit\'saquestionofreligionandmorals。
It\'sascandalandawrong，andadisgracetotheWord，thatthechapelshouldhavebeenputthere。”
DonEliseo\'sfaceturnedsowhiteandwaxythatCissywouldhavenoticedithadshenotfemininelylookedawaywhiletakingthisattitude。
\"Isupposethat\'sapartofhissensationstyle，andveryeffective，\"hesaid，resuminghisformervoiceandmanner。\"Imusttrytohearhimsomeday。But，now，inregardtoyourcominghere，ofcourseIshallconsultyouraunt，althoughIimagineshewillhavenoobjection。IonlywantedtoknowhowYOUfeltaboutit。”
Heagainlaidhishandonhers。
\"Ishouldliketocomeverymuch，\"saidCissytimidly；\"andit\'sverykindofyou，I\'msure；butyou\'llseewhatauntiesays，won\'tyou？\"Shewithdrewherhandaftermomentarilygraspinghis，asifhisownacthadbeenonlyapartingsalutation，anddeparted。
AuntVashtireceivedCissy\'saccountofherinterviewwithagrimsatisfaction。Shedidnotknowwhatideasyounggalshadnowadays，butinHERtimeshe\'dbeenfittojumpouterherskinatsuchanofferfromsuchagoodmanasElishaBraggs。Andhewasarichman，too。Andefhewasgoin\'togiveheranedicationfree，itwasn\'tgoin\'tostopthere。Forherpart，shedidn\'tliketoputideasinyounggirls\'heads，——goodnessknowsthey\'denoughfoolishnessalready；butifCissymadeaChristianuseofhergifts，and\'tendedtoheredicationandprivileges，andmadeherselfafithelpmeetforanyman，shewouldsaythattherewerefewmeninthesepartsthatwasas\"comf\'bleketch\"asLishBraggs，orwouldmakeasgoodahusbandandprovider。
ThebloodsuddenlyleftCissy\'scheeksandthenreturnedwithuncomfortableheat。Heraunt\'swordshadsuddenlyrevealedtoherthemeaningoftheuneasinessshehadfeltinBraggs\'shousethatmorning——theoldrepulsionthathadcomeathistouch。Shehadneverthoughtofhimasasuitororabeaubefore，yetitnowseemedperfectlyplaintoherthatthiswastheulteriormeaningofhisgenerosity。Andyetshereceivedthatintelligencewiththesamemixedemotionswithwhichshehadreceivedhisoffertoeducateher。Shedidnotconcealfromherselftheprideandsatisfactionshefeltinthispresumptiveselectionofherashiswife；theworldlyadvantagesthatitpromised；northatitwasadestinyfarbeyondherdeserts。Yetshewasconsciousofexactlythesamesenseofwrong-doinginherpreferences——somethingthatseemedvaguelyakintothat\"convictionofsin\"ofwhichshehadheardsomuch——aswhenshereceivedhisofferofeducation。Itwasthismixtureoffearandsatisfactionthatcausedheralternatepalingandflushing，yetthistimeitwasthefearthatcamefirst。
Perhapsshewasbecomingundulysensitive。Thesecretivenessofhersexcametoheraidhere，andsheawkwardlychangedthesubject。AuntVashti，complacentlybelievingthatherwordshadfallenonfruitfulsoil，discreetlysaidnomore。
ItwasahotmorningwhenCissywalkedalonetochapelearlynextSunday。Therewasadryirritationintheairwhicheventhenorthwesttrades，blowingthroughtheseawardgorge，couldnottemper，andforthefirsttimeinherlifeshelookedforwardtotheleafyseclusionoftheburiedchapelwithafeelingoflonging。
Shehadavoidedheryouthfulescort，forshewishedtopracticealoneforanhourbeforetheservicewiththenewharmoniumthathadtakentheplaceoftheoldaccordionanditsunskillfulperformer。Perhaps，too，therewasatimiddesiretobeatherbestonthereturnofBrotherSeabright，andtoshowhim，withanewperformance，thatthe\"heavenlygift\"hadnotbeenneglected。
Sheopenedthechapelwiththekeyshealwayscarried，\"swished\"
awayanintrusivesquirrel，leftthedoorandwindowopenforamoment，untilthebeatingoffrightenedwingsagainsttheraftershadceased，and，aftercarefullyexaminingthefloorforspiders，mice，andothercreepingthings，brushedawayafewfallenleavesandtwigsfromthetopoftheharmonium。Then，withherlongcurlstossedoverhershouldersandhanginglimplydownthebackofhernewmaple-leafyellowfrock，——whichwasalsoatimidrecognitionofBrotherSeabright\'sreturn，——andherbrowneyesturnedtotherafters，thisrusticSt。CeciliaoftheCoastRangebegantosing。
Theshellofthelittlebuildingdilatedwiththemelody；thesashesofthewindowspulsated，thetwoejectedlinnetsjoinedintimidlyfromtheircoignofvantageinthebelfryoutside，andthelimpvinesabovetheporchswayedlikehercurls。Onceshethoughtsheheardstealthyfootstepswithout；onceshewasalmostcertainshefeltthebrushingofsomebodyoutsideagainstthethinwallsofthechapel，andonceshestoppedtoglancequicklyatthewindowwithastrangeinstinctthatsomeonewaslookingather。ButshequicklyreflectedthatBrotherSeabrightwouldcomethereonlywhenthedeaconsdid，andwiththem。WhysheshouldthinkthatitwasBrotherSeabright，orwhyBrotherSeabrightshouldcomethusandatsuchatime，shecouldnothaveexplained。
Hedidnot，infact，makehisappearanceuntillater，andafterthecongregationhadquitefilledthechapel；hedidnot，moreover，appeartonoticeherasshesatthere，andwhenhegaveoutthehymnheseemedtohavequietlyoverlookedthenewharmonium。Shesangherbest，however，andmorethanoneoftheaudiencethoughtthat\"littleSisterAppleby\"hadgreatlyimproved。Indeed，itwouldnothaveseemedstrangetosome——rememberingBrotherSeabright\'sdiscursiveoratory——ifhehadmadesomeallusiontoit。
Buthedidnot。Hisheavyeyesmovedslowlyoverthecongregation，andhebegan。
Asusualhedidnottakeatext。Buthewouldtalktothemthatmorningabout\"TheConvictionofSin\"andthesenseofwrong-doingthatwasinnateinthesinner。Thisincludedallformoftemptation，forwhatwastemptationbuttheinbornconsciousnessofsomethingtostruggleagainst，andthatwassin!AtthisapparentlyconciseexpositionofherownfeelingsinregardtoDonEliseo\'soffer，Cissyfeltherselfblushingtotherootsofhercurls。CoulditbepossiblethatBrotherSeabrighthadheardofhertemptationtoleaveWestWoodlands，andthatthiswarningwasintendedforher？Hedidnotevenlookinherdirection。Yethisnextsentenceseemedtobeananswertoherownmentalquery。
\"Folksmightask，\"hecontinued，\"ifeventheyoungandinexperiencedshouldfeelthis——orwasthereastateofinnocentguiltwithoutconsciousness？\"Hewouldanswerthatquestionbytellingthemwhathadhappenedtohimthatmorning。Hehadcometothechapel，notbytheroad，butthroughthetangledwoodsbehindthem(Cissystarted)——throughthethickbrushandundergrowththatwaschokingthelifeoutofthislittlechapel——thewildernessthathehadbelievedwasneverbeforetroddenbyhumanfeet，andwasknownonlytoroamingbeastsandvermin。Butthatwaswherehewaswrong。
Inthestillnessandlisteningsilence，asuddencoughfromsomeoneinoneofthebackbenchesproducedthatinstantaneousdiversionofattentioncommontohumanityonsuchoccasions。