Itcertainlywasveryrough——amereshellofunpaintedboardsthatscarcelyroseabovethelevelofthesurroundinggrain，andafewyardsdistantwasinvisible。Itsslightlyslopingroof，alreadywarpedandshrunkenintolongfissuresthatpermittedglimpsesofthesteel-blueskyabove，wasevidentlyintendedonlyasashelterfromthecloudlesssuninthosetwomonthsofrainlessdaysanddewlessnightswhenitwasinhabited。Throughtheopendoorsandwindowsshecouldseearowof\"bunks，\"orrudesleepingberthsagainstthewalls，furnishedwithcoarsemattressesandblankets。
Astheyounggirlhalted，themanwithaninstinctofdelicacyhurriedforward，enteredtheshanty，anddraggingarudebenchtothedoorway，placeditsothatshecouldsitbeneaththeshadeoftheroof，yetwithherbacktothesedomesticrevelations。Twoorthreemen，whohadbeenapparentlyloungingthere，rosequietly，andunobtrusivelywithdrew。Herguidebroughtheratincupofdeliciouslycoolwater，exchangedafewhurriedwordswithhiscompanions，andthendisappearedwiththem，leavingheralone。
Herfirstsenseofrelieffromtheircompanywas，Ifear，strongerthananyotherfeeling。Afterahurriedglancearoundthedesertedapartment，shearose，shookoutherdressandmantle，andthengoingintothedarkestcornersupportedherselfwithonehandagainstthewallwhilewiththeothershedrewoff，onebyone，herslippersfromherslim，striped-stockingedfeet，shookandblewoutthedustthathadpenetratedwithin，andputthemonagain。Then，perceivingatriangularfragmentoflooking-glassnailedagainstthewall，shesettledthestringsofherbonnetbytheaidofitsreflection，pattedthefringeofbrownhaironherforeheadwithherseparatedfivefingersasifplayinganimaginarytuneonherbrow，andcamebackwithmaidenlyabstractiontothedoorway。
Everythingwasquiet，andherseclusionseemedunbroken。Asmileplayedforaninstantinthesoftshadowsofhereyesandmouthassherecalledtheabruptwithdrawalofthemen。Thenhermouthstraightenedandherbrowsslightlybent。Itwascertainlyveryunmannerlyinthemtogooffinthatway。\"Goodheavens!couldn\'ttheyhavestayedaroundwithouttalking?Surelyitdidn\'trequirefourmentogoandbringupthatwagon!\"Shepickedupherparasolfromthebenchwithanimpatientlittlejerk。Thensheheldoutherunglovedhandintothehotsunshinebeyondthedoorwiththegestureshewouldhaveusedhaditbeenraining，andwithdrewitasquickly——herhandquitescorchedintheburningrays。Nevertheless，afteranotherimpatientpauseshedesperatelyputupherparasolandsteppedfromtheshanty。
Presentlyshewasconsciousofafaintsoundofhammeringnotfaraway。Perhapstherewasanothershed，buthidden，likeeverythingelse，inthismonotonous，ridiculousgrain。Somestalks，however，weretroddendownandbrokenaroundtheshanty；shecouldmovemoreeasilyandseewhereshewasgoing。Toherdelight，afewstepsfurtherbroughtherintoacurrentofthetrade-windandacooleratmosphere。Andashortdistancebeyondthem，certainly，wastheshedfromwhichthehammeringproceeded。Sheapproacheditboldly。
Itwassimplyaroofupheldbyrudeuprightsandcrossbeams，andopentothebreezethatsweptthroughit。Atoneendwasasmallblacksmith\'sforge，somemachinery，andwhatappearedtobepartofasmallsteam-engine。Midwayoftheshedwasaclosetorcupboardfastenedwithalargepadlock。Occupyingitswholelengthontheothersidewasawork-bench，andatthefurtherendstoodtheworkmanshehadheard。
Hewasapparentlyonlyayearortwoolderthanherself，andcladinbluejeanoveralls，blackenedandsmearedwithoilandcoal-
dust。Evenhisyouthfulface，whichheturnedtowardsher，hadablacksmudgerunningacrossitandalmostobliteratingasmallauburnmoustache。Thelookofsurprisethathegaveher，however，quicklypassed；heremainedpatientlyandinahalf-preoccupiedway，holdinghishammerinhishand，assheadvanced。Thiswasevidentlytheyoungfellowwhocould\"doanythingthatcouldbedonewithwoodandiron。\"
Shewasverysorrytodisturbhim，butcouldhetellherhowlongitwouldbebeforethewagoncouldbebroughtupandmended?Hecouldnotsaythatuntilhehimselfsawwhatwastobedone；ifitwasonlyamatterofthewheelhecouldfixitupinafewmoments；
if，ashehadbeentold，itwasacaseoftwistedorbentaxle，itwouldtakelonger，butitwouldbehereverysoon。Ah，then，wouldheletherwaithere，asshewasveryanxioustoknowatonce，anditwasmuchcoolerthanintheshed?Certainly；hewouldgooverandbringherabench。Buthereshebeggedhewouldn\'ttroublehimself，shecouldsitanywherecomfortably。
Thelowerendofthework-benchwascoveredwithcleanandodorousshavings；shelightlybrushedthemasideand，withayouthfulmovement，swungherselftoaseatuponit，supportingherselfononehandassheleanedtowardshim。Shecouldthusseethathiseyeswereofalight-yellowishbrown，likeclarifiedhoney，withasingularlookofclearconcentrationinthem，which，however，wasthesamewhetherturneduponhiswork，thesurroundinggrain，oruponher。This，andhissublimeunconsciousnessofthesmudgeacrosshisfaceandhisblackenedhands，madeherwonderifthemanwhocoulddoeverythingwithwoodandironwasabovedoinganythingwithwater。Shehadhalfamindtotellhimofit，particularlyasshenoticedalsothathisthroatbelowthelineofsunburndisclosedbyhisopencollarwasquitewhite，andhisgrimyhandswellmade。Shewaswonderingwhetherhewouldbeaffrontedifshesaidinherpolitestway，\"Ibegyourpardon，butdoyouknowyouhavequiteaccidentallygotsomethingonyourface，\"andofferherhandkerchief，which，ofcourse，hewoulddecline，whenhereyefellonthesteam-engine。
\"Howodd!Doyouusethatonthefarm?\"
\"No，\"——hesmiledhere，thesmudgeaccentingitandsettingoffhiswhiteteethinaChristyMinstrelfashionthatexasperatedher——no，althoughitCOULDbeused，andhadbeen。Butitwashisfirsteffort，madetwoyearsago，whenhewasyoungerandmoreinexperienced。Itwasaratherroughthing，shecouldsee——buthehadtomakeitatoddtimeswithwhatironhecouldpickuporpayfor，andatdifferentforgeswhereheworked。
Shebeggedhispardon——where——
WHEREHEWORKED。
Ah，thenhewasthemachinistorengineerhere?
No，heworkedherejustliketheothers，onlyhewasallowedtoputupaforgewhilethegrainwasgreen，andhavehisbenchinconsiderationoftheoddjobshecoulddointhewayofmendingtools，etc。Therewasaheapofmendingandweldingtodo——shehadnoideahowquicklyagriculturalmachinesgotoutoforder!Hehaddonemuchofhisworkonthesteam-engineonmoonlitnights。Yes；
shehadnoideahowperfectlyclearandlightitwashereinthevalleyonsuchnights；althoughofcoursetheshadowswereverydark，andwhenhedroppedascreworanutitwasdifficulttofind。Hehadworkedtherebecauseitsavedtimeandbecauseitdidn\'tcostanything，andhehadnobodytolookonorinterferewithhim。No，itwasnotlonely；thecoyotesandwildcatssometimescameverynear，butwerealwaysmoresurprisedandfrightenedthanhewas；andonceahorsemanwhohadstrayedoffthedistantroadyondermistookhimforananimalandshotathimtwice。
Hetoldallthiswithsuchfreedomfromembarrassmentandwithsuchapparentunconsciousnessoftheblueeyesthatwerefollowinghim，andthelight，gracefulfigure，——whichwassonearhisownthatinsomeofhisgestureshisgrimyhandsalmosttoucheditsdelicategarments，——that，accustomedasshewastoacertainmasculineaberrationinherpresence，shewasgreatlyamusedbyhisnaiveacceptanceofherasanequal。Suddenly，lookingfranklyinherface，hesaid:
\"I\'llshowyouasecret，ifyoucaretoseeit。\"
Nothingwouldpleasehermore。
Heglancedhurriedlyaround，tookakeyfromhispocket，andunlockedthepadlockthatsecuredtheclosetshehadnoticed。
Then，reachingwithin，withinfinitecarehebroughtoutasmallmechanicalmodel。
\"There\'saninventionofmyown。Areaperandthreshercombined。
I\'mgoingtohaveitpatentedandhaveabigonemadefromthismodel。Thiswillwork，asyousee。\"
Hethenexplainedtoherwithgreatprecisionhowasitmovedoverthefieldthedoubleoperationwasperformedbythesamemotivepower。Thatitwouldbeasavingofacertainamountoflaborandtimewhichshecouldnotremember。Shedidnotunderstandawordofhisexplanations；shesawonlyacleanandprettybutcomplicatedtoythatunderthemanipulationofhisgrimyfingersrattledanumberoffrail-likestavesandworkedanumberofwheelsanddrums，yettherewasnoindicationofherignoranceinhersparklingeyesandsmiling，breathlessattitude。Perhapsshewasinterestedinhisownabsorption；therevelationofhispreoccupationwiththismodelstruckherasifhehadmadeheraconfidanteofsomeboyishpassionforoneofherownsex，andsheregardedhimwiththesamesympathizingsuperiority。
\"Youwillmakeafortuneoutofit，\"shesaidpleasantly。
Well，hemightmakeenoughtobeabletogoonwithsomeotherinventionshehadinhismind。Theycostmoneyandtime，nomatterhowcarefulonewas。
Thiswasanotherinterestingrevelationtotheyounggirl。Henotonlydidnotseemtocarefortheprofithisdevotionbroughthim，butevenhisonebelovedidealmightbedisplacedbyanother。Solikeaman，afterall!
Herreflectionswerebrokenuponbythesoundofvoices。Theyoungmancarefullyreplacedthemodelinitsclosetwithapartingglanceasifhewasclosingashrine，andsaid，\"Therecomesthewagon。\"Theyounggirlturnedtofacethemenwhoweredraggingitfromtheroad，withthehalf-complacentairofhavingbeenvictoriousovertheirlaterudeabandonment，buttheydidnotseemtonoticeitortobesurprisedathercompanion，whoquicklysteppedforwardandexaminedthebrokenvehiclewithworkmanlikedeliberation。
\"Ihopeyouwillbeabletodosomethingwithit，\"shesaidsweetly，appealingdirectlytohim。\"IshouldthankyouSOMUCH。\"
Hedidnotreply。Presentlyhelookeduptothemanwhohadbroughthertotheshanty，andsaid，\"Theaxle\'sstrained，butit\'ssafeforfiveorsixmilesmoreofthisroad。I\'llputthewheeloneasily。\"Hepaused，andwithoutglancingather，continued，\"Youmightsendheronbythecart。\"
\"Praydon\'ttroubleyourselves，\"interruptedtheyounggirl，withapinkuprisinginhercheeks；\"Ishallbequitesatisfiedwiththebuggyasitstands。\"Sendheroninthecart，indeed!Really，theywerearudeset——ALLofthem。\"
Withouttakingtheslightestnoticeofherremark，themanrepliedgravelytotheyoungmechanic，\"Yes，butwe\'llbewantingthecartbeforeitcangetbackfromtakingher。\"
\"Her\"again。\"Iassureyouthebuggywillserveperfectlywell——
ifthis——gentleman——willonlybekindenoughtoputonthewheelagain，\"shereturnedhotly。
Theyoungmechanicatoncesettowork。Theyounggirlwalkedapartsilentlyuntilthewheelwasrestoredtoitsaxle。Buttohersurpriseadifferenthorsewasledforwardtobeharnessed。
\"Wethoughtyourhorsewasn\'tsafeincaseofanotheraccident，\"
saidthefirstman，withthesamesmilelessconsideration。\"Thisonewouldn\'tcutupifhewasharnessedtoanearthquakeoraworsedriverthanyou\'vegot。\"
Itoccurredtoherinstantlythatthemoreobviousremedyofsendinganotherdriverhadbeenalreadydiscussedandrejectedbythem。Yet，whenherowndriverappearedamomentafterwards，sheascendedtoherseatwithsomedignityandaslightincreaseofcolor。
\"Iamverymuchobligedtoyouall，\"shesaid，withoutglancingattheyounginventor。
\"Don\'tmentionit，miss。\"
\"Goodafternoon。\"
\"Goodafternoon。\"Theyalltookofftheirhatswiththesameformalgravityasthehorsemovedforward，butturnedbacktotheirworkagainbeforeshewasoutofthefield。
CHAPTERII
TheranchofMajorRandolphlayonarichfaldaoftheCoastRange，andoverlookedthegreatwheatplainsthattheyounggirlhadjustleft。Thehouseofwoodandadobe，buriedtoitsfirststoryinrose-treesandpassionvines，waslargeandcommodious。Yetitcontainedonlythemajor，hiswife，hersonanddaughter，andthefewoccasionalvisitorsfromSanFranciscowhomheentertained，andshetolerated。
Forthemajor\'shouseholdwasnotentirelyharmonious。WhileayounginfantrysubalternataGulfstation，hehadbeenattractedbythepiquantforeignaccentanddramaticgesturesofaFrenchCreolewidow，and——believingthem，inthefirstflushofhisyouthfulpassionmorethananoffsettotheencumbranceofhertwochildrenwho，withthememoryofvariousmaritalinfidelitieswereallherlatehusbandhadlefther——hadproposed，beenaccepted，andpromptlymarriedtoher。Beforeheobtainedhiscaptaincy，shehadpartlylostheraccent，andthosedramaticgestures，whichhadaccentedthepassionoftheirbriefcourtship，begantointensifydomesticaltercationandtheburstsofidlejealousytowhichshewassubject。Whethershewasrevengingherselfonhersecondhusbandforthefaultsofherfirstisnotknown，butitwascertainthatshebroughtanunhallowedknowledgeoftheweaknesses，cheapcynicism，andvanityofaforeignpredecessor，tositinjudgmentuponthesimple-mindedandchivalrousAmericansoldierwhohadsucceededhim，andwhowas，infact，themostloyalofhusbands。Thenaturalresultofherskepticismwasanespionageandcriticismofthewivesofthemajor\'sbrotherofficersthatcompelledafrequentchangeofquarters。Whentothiswasfinallyaddedaracialdivergenceandantipathy，thepublicdisparagementofthecustomsandeducationofherfemalecolleagues，andthesuddeninsistenceofaforeignandFrenchdominanceinherhouseholdbeyondanyordinaryCreolejustification，Randolph，presumablytoavoidlaterinternationalcomplications，resignedwhilehewasasyetamajor。LuckilyhislatestbanishmenttoanextremeWesternoutposthadplacedhiminCaliforniaduringthefloodofaspeculationepoch。HepurchasedavaluableSpanishgranttothreeleaguesoflandforlittleoverathreemonths\'pay。
Followingthatyearningwhichcompelsretiredship-captainsandroversofalldegreestobuyafarmintheirolddays，themajor，professionallyandsociallyinuredtoborderstrife，soughtsurceaseandArcadianreposeinranching。
ItwasherethatMrs。Randolph，laterelictofthelateScipionL\'Hommadieu，devotedherselftobringingupherchildrenaftertheextremestofFrenchmethods，andinresurrectinga\"de\"fromherownfamilytogiveadistinctandaristocraticcharactertotheirname。The\"deFontangesl\'Hommadieu\"were，however，onlyknowntotheirneighbors，aftertheWesternfashion，bytheirstepfather\'sname，——whentheywereknownatall——whichwasseldom。Fortheboywasunpleasantlyconceitedasaprecociousworldling，andthegirlasunpleasantlycomplacentinherroleofingenue。ThehouseholdwascompletelydominatedbyMrs。Randolph。ApunctiliousCatholic，sheattendedallthefunctionsoftheadjacentmission，andtheshadowofablacksoutaneattwilightglidingthroughthewildoat-
fieldsbehindtheranchhadoftenbeenmistakenforacoyote。Thepeace-lovingmajordidnotobjecttoapietywhich，whileitlefthisownconsciencefree，impartedarespectablereligiousairtohishousehold，andkepthimfromtheequallydistastefulapproachesofthePuritanismofhisneighbors，andwasblissfullyunconsciousthathewasstrengtheningtheantagonisticforeignelementinhisfamilywithanalienchurch。
Meantime，astherepairedbuggywasslowlymakingitswaytowardshishouse，MajorRandolphenteredhiswife\'sboudoirwithaletterwhichtheSanFranciscoposthadjustbroughthim。Alookofembarrassmentonhisgood-humoredfacestrengthenedthehardlinesofhers；shefeltsomemomentaryweaknessofhernaturalenemy，andpreparedtogivebattle。
\"I\'mafraidhere\'ssomethingofamuddle，Josephine，\"hebeganwithadeprecatingsmile。\"Mallory，whowascomingdownherewithhisdaughter，youknow\"——
\"ThisisthefirstintimationIhavehadthatanythinghasbeensettledupon，\"interruptedthelady，withappallingdeliberation。
\"However，mydear，youknowItoldyoulastweekthathethoughtofbringingherherewhilehewentSouthonbusiness。Youknow，beingawidower，hehasnoonetoleaveherwith。\"
\"AndIsupposeitistheAmericanfashiontointrustone\'sdaughterstoanyoldbooncompanions?\"
\"Malloryisanoldfriend，\"interruptedthemajor，impatiently。
\"HeknowsI\'mmarried，andalthoughhehasneverseenYOU，heisquitewillingtoleavehisdaughterhere。\"
\"Thankyou!\"
\"Come，youknowwhatImean。Themannaturallybelievesthatmywifewillbeaproperchaperoneforhisdaughter。Butthatisnotthepresentquestion。Heintendedtocallhere；IexpectedtotakeyouovertoSanJosetoseeherandallthat，youknow；butthefactofitis——thatis——itseemsfromthisletterthat——he\'sbeencalledawaysoonerthanheexpected，andthat——well——hangit!thegirlisactuallyonherwayherenow。\"
\"Alone?\"
\"Isupposeso。Youknowonethinksnothingofthathere。\"
\"Oranyotherpropriety，forthatmatter。\"
\"Forheaven\'ssake，Josephine，don\'tberidiculous!Ofcourseit\'sstupidhercominginthisway，andMalloryoughttohavebroughther——butshe\'scoming，andwemustreceiveher。ByJove!Heresheisnow!\"headded，startingupafterahurriedglancethroughthewindow。\"Butwhatkindofad——dturn-outisthat，anyhow?\"
Itcertainlywasanodd-lookingconveyancethathadenteredthegates，andwasnowslowlycomingupthedrivetowardsthehouse。
Alargedraughthorseharnessedtoadust-coveredbuggy，whosestrainedfore-axle，bentbythelastmileofheavyroad，hadslantedthetopsofthefore-wheelstowardseachotheratanalarmingangle。Thelight，gracefuldressandelegantparasoloftheyounggirl，whooccupiedhalfofitssingleseat，lookedludicrouslypronouncedbythesideoftheslouchingfigureandgrimydusterofthedriver，whooccupiedtheotherhalf。
Mrs。Randolphgaveagrittylaugh。\"Ithoughtyousaidshewasalone。Isthatanescortshehaspickedup，Americanfashion，ontheroad?\"
\"That\'sherhireddriver，nodoubt。Hangit!shecan\'tdriveherebyherself，\"retortedthemajor，impatiently，hurryingtothedooranddownthestaircase。Buthewasinstantlyfollowedbyhiswife。
Shehadnoideaofpermittingapossibleunderstandingtobeexchangedintheirfirstgreeting。ThelateM。l\'Hommadieuhadbeenabletoimpartawholeplanofintrigueinasinglewordandglance。
Happily，RoseMallory，alreadyinthehall，inafewwordsdetailedtheaccidentthathadbefallenher，tothehonestsympathyofthemajorandthecoldly-politeconcernofMrs。Randolph，who，indeliberatelychosensentences，managedtoconveytotheyounggirltheconvictionthataccidentsofanykindtoyoungladiesweretoberegardedasonlyashaderemovedfromindiscretions。Rosewasimpressed，andevenflattered，bythefastidiousnessofthisforeign-appearingwoman，andafterthefashionofyouthfulnatures，accordedtohertherespectduetorecognizedauthority。Whentothisauthority，whichwasevident，sheaddedadepreciationofthemajor，IfearthatsomecommoninstinctoffemininetyrannyrespondedinRose\'sbreast，andthatontheverythresholdofthehonestsoldier\'shomeshetacitlyagreedwiththewifetolookdownuponhim。Mrs。Randolphdepartedtoinformhersonanddaughteroftheirguest\'sarrival。Asamatteroffact，however，theyhadalreadyobservedherapproachtothehousethroughtheslitsoftheirdrawnwindow-blinds，andthoseevennarrowerprejudicesandlimitedcomprehensionswhichtheireducationhadfostered。Thegirl，Adele，hadonlygraspedthefactthatRosehadcometotheirhouseinfineclothes，alonewithaman，inabroken-downvehicle，andwasmovedtoeasymirthandrighteouswonder。Theyoungman，Emile，hadagreedwithher，withthementalreservationthattheguestwaspretty，andmusteventuallyfallinlovewithhim。Theyboth，however，welcomedherwithatrainedpolitenessandasuperficialattentionthat，whiletheindifferenceofherowncountrymeninthewheat-fieldwasstillfreshinherrecollection，struckherwithgratefulcontrast；themajor\'squietandunobtrusivekindlinessnaturallymadelessimpression，orwasacceptedasamatterofcourse。
\"Well，\"saidthemajor，cheerfullybuttentatively，tohiswifewhentheywerealoneagain，\"sheseemsanicegirl，afterall；andagooddealofpluckandcharacter，byJove!topushoninthatbrokenbuggyratherthanlingerorcomeinafarmcart，eh?\"
\"Shewasaloneinthatwheat-field，\"saidMrs。Randolph，withgrimdeliberation，\"forhalfanhour；sheconfessesitherself——TALKING
WITHAYOUNGMAN!\"
\"Yes，buttheothershadgoneforthebuggy。And，inthenameofHeaven，whatwouldyouhaveherdo——hideherselfinthegrain?\"
saidthemajor，desperately。\"Besides，\"headded，witharecklessnessheafterwardsregretted，\"thatmechanicalchapthey\'vegotthereisreallyintelligentandworthtalkingto。\"
\"IhavenodoubtSHEthoughtso，\"saidMrs。Randolph，withamirthlesssmile。\"Infact，IhaveobservedthattheAmericanfreedomgenerallymeansdoingwhatyouWANTtodo。Indeed，I
wondershedidn\'tbringhimwithher!OnlyIbeg，major，thatyouwillnotagain，inthepresenceofmydaughter，——andImayevensay，ofmyson，——talklightlyofthesolitarymeetingsofyoungladieswithmechanics，eventhoughtheirfacesweresmutty，andtheirclothescoveredwithoil。\"
Themajorheremutteredsomethingabouttherebeinglessdangerinayoungladylisteningtotheintelligenceofacoarsely-dressedlaborerthantothecomplimentsofarose-scentedfop，butMrs。
Randolphwalkedoutoftheroombeforehefinishedtheevidentplatitude。
ThatnightRoseMalloryretiredtoherroominastateofsell-
satisfactionthatsheevenfeltwastoacertainextentavirtue。
Shewasdelightedwithherreceptionandwithherhostessandfamily。ItwasstrangeherfatherhadnotspokenmoreofMRS。
Randolph，whowasclearlythesuperiorofhisoldfriend。Whatfinemannerstheyallhad，sodifferentfromotherpeopleshehadknown!TherewasquiteanOldWorldcivilizationaboutthem；
really，itwaslikegoingabroad!Shewouldmakethemostofheropportunityandprofitbyhervisit。ShewouldbeginbyimprovingherFrench；theyspokeitperfectly，andwithsuchapureaccent。
Shewouldcorrectcertainerrorsshewasconsciousofinherownmanners，andcopyMrs。Randolphasmuchaspossible。Certainly，therewasagreatdealtobesaidofMrs。Randolph\'swayoflookingatthings。Nowshethoughtofitcalmly，thereWAStoomuchinformalityandfreedominAmericanways!Therewasnotenoughrespectduetopositionandcircumstances。Takethosemeninthewheat-field，forexample。Yethereshefounditdifficulttoformulateanindictmentagainstthemfor\"freedom。\"ShewouldliketogotheresomedaywiththeRandolphsandletthemseewhatcompanymannerswere!Shewasthoroughlyconvincednowthatherfatherhaddonewronginsendingheralone；
itcertainlywasmostdisrespectfultothemandcarelessofhim(shehadquiteforgottenthatshehadherselfproposedtoherfathertogoaloneratherthanwaitatthehotel)，andshemusthavelookedveryridiculousinherfineclothesandthebroken-downbuggy。Whenhertrunkcamebyexpressto-morrowshewouldlookoutsomethingmoresober。ShemustrememberthatshewasinaCatholicandreligioushouseholdnow。Ah，yes!howveryfineitwastoseethatpriestatdinnerinhissoutane，sittingdownlikeoneofthefamily，andmakingthemallseemlikeapictureofsomehistoricalandaristocraticromance!Andthentheywereactually\"deFontangesl\'Hommadieu。\"
HowdifferenthewasfromthatshabbyMethodistministerwhousedtocometoseeherfatherinablackcravatwithahideousbow!
Reallytherewassomethingtosayforareligionthatcontainedsomuchpicturesquerefinement；andforherpart——butthatwilldo。I
begtosaythatIamnotwritingofanyparticularsnoborfemininemonstrosity，butofaverycharmingcreature，whowasquiteabletosayherprayersafterwardslikeagoodgirl，andlayherprettycheekuponherpillowwithoutablush。
Sheopenedherwindowandlookedout。Themoon，agreatsilverdome，wasupliftingitselffromabluish-graylevel，whichsheknewwasthedistantplainofwheat。Somewhereinitsmidstappearedadullstar，attimesbrighteningasifblownuponordrawnupwardsinacomet-liketrail。Bysomeoddinstinctshefeltthatitwasthesolitaryforgeoftheyounginventor，andpicturedhimstandingbeforeitwithhisabstractedhazeleyesandafacemorebegrimedinthemoonlightthanever。WhenDIDhewashhimself?PerhapsnotuntilSunday。Howlonelyitmustbeoutthere!Sheslightlyshiveredandturnedfromthewindow。Asshedidso，itseemedtoherthatsomethingknockedagainstherdoorfromwithout。Openingitquickly，shewasalmostcertainthatthesoundofarustlingskirtretreatedalongthepassage。Itwasverylate；perhapsshehaddisturbedthehousebyshuttingherwindow。NodoubtitwasthemotherlyinterestofMrs。Randolphthatimpelledhertocomesoftlyandlookafterher；andforoncehersimplesurmiseswerecorrect。Fornotonlytheinspectingeyesofherhostess，buttheamatoryglancesoftheyouthfulEmile，hadbeenfasteneduponherwindowuntilthelightdisappeared，andeventheHolyMissionChurchofSanJosehadassureditselfofthedearchild\'ssafetywithalargeandsuppleearatherkeyhole。
ThenextmorningMajorRandolphtookherwithAdeleinalightcarioleovertheranch。Althoughhisdomainwasnearlyaslargeastheadjoiningwheatplain，itwasnot，likethat，monopolizedbyoneenormouscharacteristicyield，butembracedamorediversifiedproduct。Therewereacresandacresofpotatoesinrowsofendlessandvaryingsuccession；thereweremilesofwildoatsandbarley，whichovertoppedthemastheydroveinnarrowlanesofdryanddustymonotony；therewereorchardsofpears，apricots，peaches，andnectarines，andvineyardsofgrapes，socomparativelydwarfedinheightthattheyscarcelyreachedtotheleveloftheireyes，yetladenandbreakingbeneaththeweightoftheirludicrouslydisproportionatefruit。Whatseemedtobeavastgreenplateaucoveredwithtinypatches，thatheadedthenorthernedgeoftheprospect，wasanenormousbedofstrawberryplants。Buteverywhere，crossingthetrack，boundingthefields，orchards，andvineyards，intersectingthepathsofthewholedomain，werenarrowirrigatingductsandchannelsofrunningwater。
\"Those，\"saidthemajor，poetically，\"aretheveinsandarteriesoftheranch。Comewithmenow，andI\'llshowyouitspulsatingheart。\"Descendingfromthewagonintopedestrianproseagain，heledRoseahundredyardsfurthertoashedthatcoveredawonderfulartesianwell。Inthecentreofabasinacolumnofwaterroseregularlywiththeevenflowandvolumeofabrook。\"ItisoneofthelargestintheState，\"saidthemajor，\"andisthelifeofallthatgrowshereduringsixmonthsoftheyear。\"
Pleasedastheyounggirlwaswiththoseevidencesoftheprosperityandpositionofherhost，shewasstruck，however，withthefactthatthefarm-laborers，wine-growers，nurserymen，andallfieldhandsscatteredonthevastestatewereapparentlyofthesameindependent，unpastoral，andunprofessionalcharacterasthemenofthewheat-field。Therewerenocottagesorfarmbuildingsthatshecouldsee，noranyapparentconnectionbetweenthehouseholdandtheestate；farfromsuggestingtenantryorretainers，themenwhowereworkinginthefieldsglancedatthemastheypassedwiththeindifferenceofstrangers，orrepliedtothemajor\'sgreetingsorquestioningswithperfectequalityofmanner，orevenbusinesslikereserveandcaution。Herhostexplainedthattheranchwasworkedbyacompany\"onshares；\"thatthoselaborerswere，infact，thebulkofthecompany；andthathe，themajor，onlyfurnishedtheland，theseed，andtheimplements。\"Thatmanwhowasdrivingthelongroller，andwithwhomyouwereindignantbecausehewouldn\'tgetoutofourway，isthepresidentofthecompany。\"
\"Thatneedn\'tmakehimsouncivil，\"saidRose，poutingly，\"forifitcomestothatyou\'retheLANDLORD，\"sheaddedtriumphantly。
\"No，\"saidthemajor，good-humoredly。\"Iamsimplythemandrivingthelighterandmoreeasily-managedteamforpleasure，andhe\'sthemandrivingtheheavierandmoredifficultmachineforwork。It\'sformetogetoutofhisway；andlookedatinthelightofmybeingTHELANDLORDitisstillworse，foraswe\'reworking\'onshares\'I\'minterruptingHISwork，andreducingHISprofitsmerelybecauseIchoosetosacrificemyown。\"
Ineednotsaythatthoseatrociouslylevelingsentimentswerereceivedbytheyoungladieswiththatfemininescornwhichisonlyqualifiedbymisconception。Rose，who，undertheinfluenceofherhostess，hadavagueimpressionthattheysoundedsomethingliketheFrenchRevolution，andthatAdelemustfeellikethePrincessElizabeth，rushedtoherrelieflikeagoodgirl。\"But，major，now，YOU\'REagentleman，andifYOUhadbeendrivingthatroller，youknowyouwouldhaveturnedoutforus。\"
\"Idon\'tknowaboutthat，\"saidthemajor，mischievously；\"butifIhad，Ishouldhaveknownthattheotherfellowwhoaccepteditwasn\'tagentleman。\"
ButRose，havingsufficientlyshownherpartisanshipinthediscussion，afterthefemininefashion，didnotcareparticularlyforthelogicalresult。Afteramoment\'ssilencesheresumed:
\"Andthewheatranchbelow——isthatcarriedoninthesameway?\"
\"Yes。Buttheirlandlordisabank，whoadvancesnotonlytheland，butthemoneytoworkit，anddoesn\'tridearoundinabuggywithacoupleofcharminglydistractingyoungladies。\"
\"Anddotheyallsharealike?\"continuedRose，ignoringthepleasantry，\"bigandlittle——thatyounginventorwiththerest?\"
Shestopped。Shefelttheingenue\'susuallycomplacenteyessuddenlyfixeduponherwithanunhallowedprecocity，andasquicklywithdrawn。Withoutknowingwhy，shefeltembarrassed，andchangedthesubject。
ThenextdaytheydrovetotheConventofSantaClaraandtheMissionCollegeofSanJose。TheirwelcomeatbothplacesseemedtoRosetobeaminglingofcastegreetingandspiritualzeal，andtheaustereseclusionandreserveofthosecloistersrepeatedthatsuggestionofanOldWorldcivilizationthathadalreadyfascinatedtheyoungWesterngirl。Theymadeotherexcursionsinthevicinity，butdidnotextendittoavisittotheirfewneighbors。
WiththeirreservedandexclusiveideasthisfactdidnotstrikeRoseaspeculiar，butonalatershoppingexpeditiontothetownofSanJose，acertainreticenceandaggressivesensitivenessonthepartoftheshopkeepersandtradespeopletowardstheRandolphsproducedanunpleasantimpressiononhermind。Shecouldnothelpnoticing，too，thatafterthefirststareofastonishmentwhichgreetedherappearancewithherhostess，sheherselfwasincludedintheantagonism。Withheryouthfulprepossessionforherfriends，thisdistinctionsheregardedasflatteringandaristocratic，andI
fearsheaccenteditstillmorebydiscussingwithMrs。Randolphthemeritsoftheshopkeepers\'waresinschoolgirlFrenchbeforethem。
Shewasunfortunateenough，however，todothisintheshopofapolyglotGerman。
\"Oxcoosme，mees，\"hesaidgravely，——\"butdotladyspeeksEngeleeshsogootmityourselluf，andvenyoudellstoherdotsilkishallfgottoninEnglish，sheonderstandyoumoochbetter，anditdon\'tmakenodingstome。\"Thelaughwhichwouldhavefollowedfromherowncountrywomendidnot，however，breakuponthetrainedfacesofthe\"deFontangesl\'Hommadieus，\"yetwhileRosewouldhavejoinedinit，albeitalittleruefully，shefeltforthefirsttimemortifiedattheircivilinsincerity。
Attheendoftwoweeks，MajorRandolphreceivedaletterfromMr。
Mallory。Whenhehadreadit，heturnedtohiswife:\"Hethanksyou，\"hesaid，\"foryourkindnesstohisdaughter，andexplainsthathissuddendeparturewasowingtothenecessityofhistakingadvantageofagreatopportunityforspeculationthathadoffered。\"
AsMrs。Randolphturnedawaywithaslightshrugoftheshoulders，themajorcontinued:\"Butyouhaven\'theardall!ThatopportunitywasthesecuringofahalfinterestinacinnabarlodeinSonora，whichhasalreadygoneupahundredthousanddollarsinhishands!
ByJove!amancanaffordtodropalittlesocialceremonyonthoseterms——eh，Josephine?\"heconcludedwithatriumphantchuckle。
\"He\'saslikelytolosehishundredthousandto-morrow，whilehismannerswillremain，\"saidMrs。Randolph。\"I\'venofaithinthesesuddenCaliforniafortunes!\"
\"You\'rewrongasregardsMallory，forhe\'sascarefulasheislucky。Hedon\'tthrowmoneyawayforappearancesake，orhe\'dhavearichhomeforthatdaughter。Hecouldaffordit。\"
Mrs。Randolphwassilent。\"Sheishisonlydaughter，Ibelieve，\"
shecontinuedpresently。
\"Yes——hehasnootherkithorkin，\"returnedthemajor。
\"SheseemstobeverymuchimpressedbyEmile，\"saidMrs。Randolph。
MajorRandolphfacedhiswifequickly。
\"Inthenameofallthat\'sridiculous，mydear，youarenotalreadythinkingof\"——hegasped。
\"IshouldbeverylothtogiveMYsanctiontoanythingofthekind，knowingthedifferenceofherbirth，education，andreligion，