TherainhadonlyceasedwiththegraystreaksofmorningatBlazingStar，andthesettlementawoketoamoralsenseofcleanliness，andthefindingofforgottenknives，tincups，andsmallercamputensils，wheretheheavyshowershadwashedawaythedebrisanddustheapsbeforethecabindoors。Indeed，itwasrecordedinBlazingStarthatafortunateearlyriserhadoncepickeduponthehighwayasolidchunkofgoldquartzwhichtherainhadfreedfromitsincumberingsoil，andwashedintoimmediateandglitteringpopularity。Possiblythismayhavebeenthereasonwhyearlyrisersinthatlocality，duringtherainyseason，adoptedathoughtfulhabitofbody，andseldomliftedtheireyestotheriftedorindia—inkwashedskiesabovethem。
\"Cass\"Beardhadrisenearlythatmorning，butnotwithaviewtodiscovery。Aleakinhiscabinroof，——quiteconsistentwithhiscareless，improvidenthabits，——hadrousedhimat4A。M。，withaflooded\"bunk\"andwetblankets。Thechipsfromhiswoodpilerefusedtokindleafiretodryhisbed—clothes，andhehadrecoursetoamoreprovidentneighbor’stosupplythedeficiency。
Thiswasnearlyopposite。Mr。Cassiuscrossedthehighway，andstoppedsuddenly。Somethingglitteredinthenearestredpoolbeforehim。Gold，surely！But，wonderfultorelate，notanirregular，shapelessfragmentofcrudeore，freshfromNature’scrucible，butabitofjeweler’shandicraftintheformofaplaingoldring。Lookingatitmoreattentively，hesawthatitboretheinscription，\"MaytoCass。\"
Likemostofhisfellowgold—seekers，Casswassuperstitious。
\"Cass！\"Hisownname！Hetriedthering。Itfittedhislittlefingerclosely。Itwasevidentlyawoman’sring。Helookedupanddownthehighway。Noonewasyetstirring。Littlepoolsofwaterintheredroadwerebeginningtoglitterandgrowrosyfromthefar—flushingeast，buttherewasnotraceoftheowneroftheshiningwaif。Heknewthattherewasnowomanincamp，andamonghisfewcomradesinthesettlementherememberedtohaveseennonewearinganornamentlikethat。Again，thecoincidenceoftheinscriptiontohisratherpeculiarnicknamewouldhavebeenaperennialsourceofplayfulcommentinacampthatmadenoallowanceforsentimentalmemories。Heslippedtheglitteringlittlehoopintohispocket，andthoughtfullyreturnedtohiscabin。
Twohourslater，whenthelong，stragglingprocession，whicheverymorningwendeditswaytoBlazingStarGulch，——theseatofminingoperationsinthesettlement，——begantomove，Casssawfittointerrogatehisfellows。\"Yedidn’tnoneonyehappentodropanythingroundyerlastnight？\"heasked，cautiously。
\"Idroppedapocketbookcontaininggovernmentbondsandsomeothersecurities，withbetweenfiftyandsixtythousanddollars，\"
respondedPeterDrummond，carelessly；\"butnomatter，ifanymanwillreturnafewautographlettersfromforeignpotentatesthathappenedtobeinit，——ofnovaluetoanybodybuttheowner，——hecankeepthemoney。Thar’snothin’meanaboutme，\"heconcluded，languidly。
Thisstatement，bearingeveryevidenceofthegrossestmendacity，waslightlypassedover，andthemenwalkedonwiththedeepestgravity。
\"Buthevyou？\"Casspresentlyaskedofanother。
\"IlostmypiletoJackHamlinatdraw—poker，overatWingdamlastnight，\"returnedtheother，pensively，\"butIdon’tcalkilatetofinditlyingroundloose。\"
Forcedatlastbythiskindofironyintomoredetailedexplanation，Cassconfidedtothemhisdiscovery，andproducedhistreasure。Theresultwasadozenvaguesurmises，——onlyoneofwhichseemedtobepopular，andtosuitthedyspepticdespondencyoftheparty，——adespondencybornofhastilymasticatedfriedporkandflapjacks。
Theringwasbelievedtohavebeendroppedbysomepassing\"roadagent\"ladenwithguiltyspoil。
\"EfIwasyou，\"saidDrummond，gloomily，\"Iwouldn’tflourishthatyerringaroundmuchaforefolks。I’veseenbettermennoryoustrungupatreebyVigilantesforhavingevenlessthanthatintheirpossession。\"
\"AndIwouldn’tsaymuchaboutbein’upsod————dearlythismorning，\"addedanevenmorepessimisticcomrade；\"itmightlookbadbeforeajury。\"
Withthisthemensadlydispersed，leavingtheinnocentCasswiththeringinhishand，andageneralimpressiononhismindthathewasalreadyanobjectofsuspiciontohiscomrades，——animpression，itishardlynecessarytosay，theyfullyintendedshouldbelefttorankleinhisguilelessbosom。
NotwithstandingCass’sfirsthopefulsuperstitiontheringdidnotseemtobringhimnorthecampanyluck。Dailythe\"cleanup\"
broughtthesamescantrewardstotheirlabors，anddeepenedthesardonicgravityofBlazingStar。But，ifCassfoundnomaterialresultfromhistreasure，itstimulatedhislazyimagination，and，albeitadangerousandseductivestimulant，atleastliftedhimoutofthemonotonousgroovesofhishalf—careless，half—slovenly，butalwaysself—contentedcamplife。Heedingthewisecautionofhiscomrades，hetookthehabitofwearingtheringonlyatnight。
Wrappedinhisblanket，hestealthilyslippedthegoldencircletoverhislittlefinger，and，asheaverred，\"sleptallthebetterforit。\"Whetheriteverevokedanywarmerdreamorvisionduringthosecalm，cold，virgin—likespringnights，wheneventhemoonandthegreaterplanetsretreatedintotheicyblue，steel—likefirmament，Icannotsay。Enoughthatthissuperstitionbegantobecoloredalittlebyfancy，andhisfatalismsomewhatmitigatedbyhope。Dreamsofthiskinddidnottendtopromotehisefficiencyinthecommunisticlaborsofthecamp，andbroughthimaself—
isolationthat，howevergratifyingatfirst，soondebarredhimthebenefitsofthathardpracticalwisdomwhichunderlaidthegrumblingofhisfellowworkers。
\"I’mdog—goned，\"saidonecommentator，\"efIdon’tbelievethatCassislooneyoverthatyerringhefound。Wearsitonastringunderhisshirt。\"
Meantime，theseasonsdidnotwaitthediscoveryofthesecret。
TheredpoolsinBlazingStarhighwayweresoondriedupintheferventJunesunandriotousnightwindofthosealtitudes。Theephemeralgrassesthathadquicklysupplantedthesepoolsandthechocolate—coloredmud，wereasquicklyparchedandwithered。Thefootprintsofspringbecamevagueandindefinite，andwerefinallylostintheimpalpabledustofthesummerhighway。
Inoneofhislong，aimlessexcursions，Casshadpenetratedathickundergrowthofbuckeyeandhazel，andfoundhimselfquiteunexpectedlyuponthehighroadtoRedChief’sCrossing。Cassknewbytheluridcloudofdustthathidthedistance，thattheupcoachhadpassed。Hehadalreadyreachedthatstageofsuperstitionwhenthemosttrivialoccurrenceseemedtopointinsomewaytoanelucidationofthemysteryofhistreasure。Hiseyeshadmechanicallyfallentothegroundagain，asifhehalfexpectedtofindinsomeotherwaifahintorcorroborationofhisimaginings。
Thusabstracted，thefigureofayounggirlonhorseback，intheroaddirectlybeforethebushesheemergedfrom，appearedtohavesprungdirectlyfromtheground。
\"Oh，comehere，pleasedo；quick！\"
Cassstared，andthenmovedhesitatinglytowardher。
\"Iheardsomeonecomingthroughthebushes，andIwaited，\"shewenton。\"Comequick。It’ssomethingtooawfulforanything。\"
Inspiteofthisappallingintroduction，Casscouldnotbutnoticethatthevoice，althoughhurriedandexcited，wasbynomeansagitatedorfrightened；thattheeyeswhichlookedintohissparkledwithacertainkindofpleasedcuriosity。
\"Itwasjusthere，\"shewentonvivaciously，\"justherethatIwentintothebushandcutaswitchformymare，——and，\"——leadinghimalongatabrisktrotbyherside，——\"justhere，look，see！thisiswhatIfound。\"
Itwasscarcelythirtyfeetfromtheroad。TheonlyobjectthatmetCass’seyewasaman’sstiff，tallhat，lyingemptilyandvacantlyinthegrass。Itwasnew，shiny，andofmodishshape。
Butitwassoincongruous，soperkilysmart，andyetsofeebleandhelplesslyingthere，soghastlyludicrousinitsveryappropriatenessandincapacitytoadjustitselftothesurroundinglandscape，thatitaffectedhimwithsomethingmorethanasenseofitsgrotesqueness，andhecouldonlystareatitblankly。
\"Butyou’renotlookingtherightway，\"thegirlwentonsharply；
\"lookthere！\"
Cassfollowedthedirectionofherwhip。Atlast，whatmighthaveseemedacoatthrowncarelesslyonthegroundmethiseye，butpresentlyhebecameawareofawhite，rigid，aimlessly—clinchedhandprotrudingfromtheflaccidsleeve；mingledwithitinsomeabsurdwayandhalfhiddenbythegrass，laywhatmighthavebeenapairofcast—offtrousersbutfortworigidbootsthatpointedinoppositeanglestothesky。Itwasadeadman。Sopalpablydeadthatlifeseemedtohavetakenflightfromhisveryclothes。Soimpotent，feeble，anddegradedbythemthatthenakedsubjectofadissectingtablewouldhavebeenlessinsultingtohumanity。Theheadhadfallenback，andwaspartlyhiddeninagopherburrow，butthewhite，upturnedfaceandclosedeyeshadlessofhelplessdeathinthemthanthosewretchedenwrappings。Indeed，onelimphandthatlayacrosstheswollenabdomenlentitselftothegrotesquelyhideoussuggestionofagentlemansleepingofftheexcessesofaheartydinner。
\"Ain’thehorrid？\"continuedthegirl；\"butwhatkilledhim？\"
Strugglingbetweenacertainfascinationatthegirl’scold—bloodedcuriosityandhorrorofthemurderedman，Casshesitatinglyliftedthehelplesshead。Abluishholeabovetherighttemple，andafewbrownpaint—likespotsontheforehead，shirtcellar，andmattedhairprovedtheonlyrecord。
\"Turnhimoveragain，\"saidthegirl，impatiently，asCasswasabouttorelinquishhisburden。\"Maybeyou’llfindanotherwound。\"
ButCasswasdimlyrememberingcertainformalitiesthatinoldercivilizationsattendthediscoveryofdeadbodies，andpostponedapresentinquest。
\"Perhapsyou’dbetterrideon，Miss，aforeyougetsummonedasawitness。I’llgivewarningatRedChief’sCrossing，andsendthecoronerdownhere。\"
\"Letmegowithyou，\"shesaid，earnestly，\"itwouldbesuchfun。
Idon’tmindbeingawitness。Or，\"sheadded，withoutheedingCass’slookofastonishment，\"I’llwaitheretillyoucomeback。\"
\"Butyousee，Miss，itwouldn’tseemright——\"beganCass。
\"ButIfoundhimfirst，\"interruptedthegirl，withapout。
Staggeredbythispreemptiveright，sacredtoallminers，Cassstopped。
\"Whoisthecoroner？\"sheasked。
\"JoeHornsby。\"
\"Thetall，lameman，whowashalfeatenbyagrizzly？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，looknow！I’llrideonandbringhimbackinhalfanhour。
There！\"
\"But，Miss——！\"
\"Oh，don’tmindME。Ineversawanythingofthiskindbefore，andIwanttoseeitALL。\"
\"DoyouknowHornsby？\"askedCass，unconsciouslyatrifleirritated。
\"No，butI’llbringhim。\"Shewheeledherhorseintotheroad。
InthepresenceofthislivingenergyCassquiteforgotthehelplessdead。\"Haveyoubeenlongintheseparts，Miss？\"heasked。
\"Abouttwoweeks，\"sheanswered，shortly。\"Good—by，justnow。
Lookaroundforthepistoloranythingelseyoucanfind，althoughIhavebeenoverthewholegroundtwicealready。\"
Alittlepuffofdustasthehorsesprangintotheroad，amuffledshuffle，struggle，thentheregularbeatofhoofs，andshewasgone。
Afterfiveminuteshadpassed，Cassregrettedthathehadnotaccompaniedher；waitinginsuchaspotwasanirksometask。Notthattherewasanythinginthesceneitselftoawakengloomyimaginings；thebright，truthfulCaliforniansunshinescoffedatanyillusionofcreepingshadowsorwavingbranches。Once，intherisingwind，theemptyhatrolledover——butonlyinaludicrous，drunkenway。Asearchforanyfurthersignortokenhadprovedfutile，andCassgrewimpatient。Hebegantohatehimselfforhavingstayed；hewouldhavefledbutforshame。Norwashisgoodhumorrestoredwhenatthecloseofawearyhalfhourtwogallopingfiguresemergedfromthedustyhorizon——Hornsbyandtheyounggirl。
Hisvagueannoyanceincreasedashefanciedthatbothseemedtoignorehim，thecoronerbarelyacknowledginghispresencewithanod。Assistedbytheyounggirl，whoseenergyandenthusiasmevidentlydelightedhim，Hornsbyraisedthebodyforamorecarefulexamination。Thedeadman’spocketswerecarefullysearched。A
fewcoins，asilverpencil，knife，andtobacco—boxwerealltheyfound。Itgavenoclewtohisidentity。Suddenlytheyounggirl，whohad，withunabashedcuriosity，kneltbesidetheexploringofficialhandsoftheRedChief，utteredacryofgratification。
\"Here’ssomething！Itdroppedfromthebosomofhisshirtontheground。Look！\"
Shewasholdingintheair，betweenherthumbandforefinger，afoldedbitofwell—wornnewspaper。Hereyessparkled。
\"ShallIopenit？\"sheasked。
\"Yes。\"
\"It’salittlering\"shesaid；\"lookslikeanengagementring。
Somethingiswrittenonit。Look！’MaytoCass。’\"
Cassdartedforward。\"It’smine，\"hestammered，\"mine！Idroppedit。It’snothing——nothing，\"hewenton，afterapause，embarrassedandblushing，asthegirlandhercompanionbothstaredathim——\"ameretrifle。I’lltakeit。\"
Butthecoroneropposedhisoutstretchedhand。\"Notmuch，\"hesaid，significantly。
\"Butit’sMINE，\"continuedCass，indignationtakingtheplaceofshameathisdiscoveredsecret。\"Ifounditsixmonthsagointheroad。I——pickeditup。\"
\"Withyournamealreadywrittenonit！Howhandy！\"saidthecoroner，grimly。
\"It’sanoldstory\"saidCass，blushingagainunderthehalf—
mischievous，half—searchingeyesofthegirl。\"AllBlazingStarknowsIfoundit。\"
\"Thenye’llhavenodifficultyinprovin’it，\"saidHornsby，coolly。\"Justnow，however，WE’VEfoundit，andweproposetokeepitfortheinquest。\"
Cassshruggedhisshoulders。Furtheraltercationwouldhaveonlyheightenedhisludicroussituationinthegirl’seyes。Heturnedaway，leavinghistreasureinthecoroner’shands。
Theinquest，adayortwolater，waspromptandfinal。Noclewtothedeadman’sidentity；noevidencesufficientlystrongtoprovemurderorsuicide；notraceofanykind，inculpatinganyparty，knownorunknown，werefound。Butmuchpublicityandinterestweregiventotheproceedingsbythepresenceoftheprincipalwitness，ahandsomegirl。\"Tothepluck，persistency，andintellectofMissPorter，\"saidthe\"RedChiefRecorder，\"\"TuolumneCountyowestherecoveryofthebody。\"
Noonewhowaspresentattheinquestfailedtobecharmedwiththeappearanceandconductofthisbeautifulyounglady。
\"MissPorterhasbutlatelyarrivedinthisdistrict，inwhich，itishoped，shewillbecomeanhonoredresident，andcontinuetosetanexampletoalllackadaisicalandsentimentalmembersoftheso—
called’sternersex。’\"AfterthisuniversallyrecognizedallusiontoCassBeard，the\"Recorder\"returnedtoitsrecord：\"Someinterestwasexcitedbywhatappearedtobeaclewtothemysteryinthediscoveryofasmallgoldengagementringonthebody。
EvidencewasafterwardofferedtoshowitwasthepropertyofaMr。
CassBeardofBlazingStar，whoappeareduponthesceneAFTERthediscoveryofthecorpsebyMissPorter。Heallegedhehaddroppeditinliftingtheunfortunateremainsofthedeceased。Muchamusementwascreatedincourtbythesentimentalconfusionoftheclaimant，andacertainpartisanspiritshownbyhisfellow—minersofBlazingStar。Itappearing，however，bytheadmissionofthissighingStrephonoftheFoothills，thathehadhimselfFOUNDthispledgeofaffectionlyinginthehighwaysixmonthsprevious，thecoronerwiselyplaceditinthesafe—keepingofthecountycourtuntiltheappearanceoftherightfulowner。\"
Thusonthe13thofSeptember，186—，thetreasurefoundatBlazingStarpassedoutofthehandsofitsfinder……
Autumnbroughtanabruptexplanationofthemystery。KanakaJoehadbeenarrestedforhorsestealing，buthadwithnoblecandorconfessedtothefineroffenseofmanslaughter。Thatswiftandsurejusticewhichovertookthehorsestealerinthesealtitudeswasstayedamomentandhesitated，forthevictimwasclearlythemysteriousunknown。Curiositygotthebetterofanextemporejudgeandjury。
\"Itwasafairfight，\"saidtheaccused，notwithoutsomehumanvanity，feelingthatthecamphunguponhiswords，\"andwassettledbythemanazwaspeartestandliveliestwithhisweapon。WehadasortofunpleasantnessoveratLagrangethenightafore，alongofourbothhevin’amonotonyoffouraces。Wehadaclinchandastamparound，andwhenwewasseparateditwasonlyaquestionofshootin’onsight。HeleftLagrangeatsunupthenextmorning，andIstruckacrossabito’buckeyeandunderbrushandcameuponhim，accidentallike，ontheRedChiefRoad。IdrawedwhenI
sightedhim，andcalledout。Heslippedfromhismareandcoveredhimselfwithherflanks，reachingforhisholster，butsheraredandbackeddownonhimacrosstheroadandintothegrass，whereI
gotinanothershotandfetchedhim。\"
\"Andyoustolehismare？\"suggestedtheJudge。
\"Igotaway，\"saidthegambler，simply。
FurtherquestioningonlyelicitedthefactthatJoedidnotknowthenameorconditionofhisvictim。HewasastrangerinLagrange。
Itwasabreezyafternoon，withsometurbulencyinthecamp，andmuchwindydiscussionoverthisunwonteddelayofjustice。ThesuggestionthatJoeshouldbefirsthangedforhorsestealingandthentriedformurderwasangrilydiscussed，butmildercounselswereoffered——thatthefactofthekillingshouldbeadmittedonlyasproofofthetheft。AlargepartyfromRedChiefhadcomeovertoassistinjudgment，amongthemthecoroner。
CassBeardhadavoidedtheseproceedings，whichonlyrecalledanunpleasantexperience，andwaswanderingwithpick，pan，andwalletfarfromthecamp。Theseaccoutrements，asIhavebeforeintimated，justifiedanyformofaimlessidlenessundertheequallyaimlesstitleof\"prospecting。\"Hehadattheendofthreehours’
relaxationreachedthehighwaytoRedChief，halfhiddenbyblindingcloudsofdusttornfromthecrumblingredroadateverygustwhichsweptdownthemountainside。ThespothadafamiliaraspecttoCass，althoughsomefreshly—dugholesnearthewayside，withscatteredearthbesidethem，showedthepresenceofarecentprospector。Hewasstrugglingwithhismemory，whenthedustwassuddenlydispersedandhefoundhimselfagainatthesceneofthemurder。Hestarted：hehadnotputfootontheroadsincetheinquest。Therelackedonlythehelplessdeadmanandthecontrastingfigureofthealertyoungwomantorestorethepicture。
Thebodywasgone，itwastrue，butasheturnedhebeheldMissPorter，atafewpacesdistant，sittingonherhorseasenergeticandobservantasonthefirstmorningtheyhadmet。Asuperstitiousthrillpassedoverhimandawokehisoldantagonism。
Shenoddedtohimslightly。\"Icameheretorefreshmymemory，\"
shesaid，\"asMr。HornsbythoughtImightbeaskedtogivemyevidenceagainatBlazingStar。\"
Casscarelesslystruckanaimlessblowwithhispickagainstthesodanddidnotreply。
\"Andyou？\"shequeried。
\"Istumbledupontheplacejustnowwhileprospecting，orI
shouldn’tbehere。\"
\"ThenitwasYOUmadetheseholes？\"
\"No，\"saidCass，withill—concealeddisgust。\"Nobodybutastrangerwouldgofoolin’roundsuchaspot。\"
Hestopped，astherudesignificanceofhisspeechstruckhim，andaddedsurlily，\"Imean——noonewoulddighere。\"
Thegirllaughedandshowedasetofverywhiteteethinhersquarejaw。Cassavertedhisface。
\"Doyoumeantosaythateveryminerdoesn’tknowthatit’sluckytodigwhereverhumanbloodhasbeenspilt？\"
Cassfeltareturnofhissuperstition，buthedidnotlookup。\"I
neverhearditbefore，\"hesaid，severely。
\"AndyoucallyourselfaCaliforniaminer？\"
\"Ido。\"
ItwasimpossibleforMissPortertomisunderstandhiscurtspeechandunsocialmanner。Shestaredathimandcoloredslightly。
Liftingherreinslightly，shesaid：\"YoucertainlydonotseemlikemostoftheminersIhavemet。\"
\"NoryoulikeanygirlfromtheEastIevermet，\"heresponded。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"sheasked，checkingherhorse。
\"WhatIsay，\"heanswered，doggedly。Reasonableasthisreplywas，itimmediatelystruckhimthatitwasscarcelydignifiedormanly。
ButbeforehecouldexplainhimselfMissPorterwasgone。
Hemetheragainthatveryevening。ThetrialhadbeensummarilysuspendedbytheappearanceoftheSheriffofCalaverasandhisposse，whotookJoefromthatself—constitutedtribunalofBlazingStarandsethisfacesouthwardandtowardauthoritativealthoughmorecautiousjustice。Butnotbeforetheevidenceofthepreviousinquesthadbeenread，andtheincidentoftheringagaindeliveredtothepublic。
Itissaidtheprisonerburstintoanincredulouslaughandaskedtoseethismysteriouswaif。Itwashandedtohim。Standingintheveryshadowofthegallowstree——whichmighthavebeenoneofthepinesthatshelteredthebilliardroominwhichtheVigilanceCommitteeheldtheirconclave——theprisonergavewaytoaburstofmerriment，sogenuineandhonestthatthejudgeandjuryjoinedinautomaticsympathy。WhensilencewasrestoredanexplanationwasaskedbytheJudge。Buttherewasnoresponsefromtheprisonerexceptasubduedchuckle。
\"Didthisringbelongtoyou？\"askedtheJudge，severely，thejuryandspectatorscraningtheirearsforwardwithanexpectantsmilealreadyontheirfaces。Buttheprisoner’seyesonlysparkledmaliciouslyashelookedaroundthecourt。
\"Tellus，Joe，\"saidasympatheticandlaughter—lovingjuror，underhisbreath。\"Letitoutandwe’llmakeiteasyforyou。\"
\"Prisoner，\"saidtheJudge，withareturnofofficialdignity，\"rememberthatyourlifeisinperil。Doyourefuse？\"
Joelazilylaidhisarmonthebackofhischairwith（toquotethewordsofananimatedobserver）\"theairofhavingaChristianhopeandasequenceflushinhishand，\"andsaid：\"Well，asIreckonI’mnotupyerforstealin’aringthatanothermanletsontohavefound，andasfurasIkinsee，heznothin’todowiththecase，I
do！\"AndasitwasherethattheSheriffofCalaverasmadeaprecipitateentryintotheroom，themysteryremainedunsolved。
Theeffectofthisfreshly—importantridiculeonthesensitivemindofCassmighthavebeenforetoldbyBlazingStarhaditevertakenthatsensitivenessintoconsideration。Hehadlostthegoodhumorandeasypliabilitywhichhadtemptedhimtofrankness，andhehadgraduallybecomebitterandhard。Hehadatfirstaffectedamusementoverhisownvanisheddaydream——hidinghisvirgindisappointmentinhisownbreast；butwhenhebegantoturnuponhisfeelingsheturneduponhiscomradesalso。Casswasforawhileunpopular。Thereisnoingratitudesorevoltingtothehumanmindasthatofthebuttwhorefusestobeoneanylonger。Themanwhorejectsthatimmunitywhichlaughtergenerallycastsuponhimanddemandstobeseriouslyconsidereddeservesnomercy。
ItwasunderthesehardconditionsthatCassBeard，convictedofovertsentimentalism，aggravatedbyinconsistency，steppedintotheRedChiefcoachthatevening。Itwashishabitusuallytoridewiththedriver，butthepresenceofHornsbyandMissPorterontheboxseatchangedhisintention。Yethehadthesatisfactionofseeingthatneitherhadnoticedhim，andastherewasnootherpassengerinside，hestretchedhimselfonthecushionofthebackseatandgavewaytomoodyreflections。HequitedeterminedtoleaveBlazingStar，tosettlehimselfseriouslytothetaskofmoneygetting，andtoreturntohiscomrades，someday，asarcastic，cynical，successfulman，andsooverwhelmthemwithconfusion。ForpoorCasshadnotyetreachedthatsuperiorityofknowingthatsuccesswoulddependuponhisabilitytoforegohispast。Indeed，partofhisboyhoodhadbeencastamongthesemen，andhewasnotoldenoughtohavelearnedthatsuccesswasnottobegaugedbytheirstandard。Themoonlitupthedarkinteriorofthecoachwithafaintpoeticlight。Thelazyswingingofthevehiclethatwasbearinghimaway——albeitonlyforanightandaday——thesolitude，theglimpsesfromthewindowofgreatdistancesfullofvaguepossibilities，madetheabusedringpotentasthatofGyges。Hedreamedwithhiseyesopen。FromanAlnascharvisionhesuddenlyawoke。Thecoachhadstopped。Thevoicesofmen，oneinentreaty，oneinexpostulation，camefromthebox。Cassmechanicallyputhishandtohispistolpocket。
\"Thankyou，butIINSISTupongettingdown。\"
ItwasMissPorter’svoice。Thiswasfollowedbyarapid，half—
restrainedinterchangeofwordsbetweenHornsbyandthedriver。
Thenthelattersaid，gruffly，——
\"Iftheladywantstorideinside，lether。\"
MissPorterflutteredtotheground。ShewasfollowedbyHornsby。
\"Justaminit，Miss，\"heexpostulated，halfshamedly，halfbrusquely，\"yedon’tonderstandme。Ionly——\"
ButMissPorterhadjumpedintothecoach。
Hornsbyplacedhishandonthehandleofthedoor。MissPortergraspeditfirmlyfromtheinside。Therewasaslightstruggle。
AllofwhichwaspartofadreamtotheboyishCass。Butheawokefromit——aman！\"Doyou，\"heasked，inavoicehescarcelyrecognizedhimself，——\"Doyouwantthismaninside？\"
\"No！\"
CasscaughtatHornsby’swristlikeayoungtiger。Butalas！whatavailedinstinctivechivalryagainstmainstrength？HeonlysucceededinforcingthedooropeninspiteofMissPorter’ssuperiorstrategy，and——IfearImustadd，musclealso——andthrewhimselfpassionatelyatHornsby’sthroat，wherehehungonandcalmlyawaiteddissolution。Buthehad，intheonset，drivenHornsbyoutintotheroadandthemoonlight。
\"Here！Somebodytakemylines。\"Thevoicewas\"MountainCharley’s，\"thedriver。Thefigurethatjumpedfromtheboxandseparatedthestrugglingmenbelongedtothissingularlydirectperson。
\"You’reridinginside？\"saidCharley，interrogatively，toCass。
BeforehecouldreplyMissPorter’svoicecamefromthewindow。
\"Heis！\"
CharleypromptlybundledCassintothecoach。
\"AndYOU？\"toHornsby，\"onlessyou’rekalkilatin’totakealittle’pasear’you’rebookedOUTSIDE。Getup。\"
ItisprobablethatCharleyassistedMr。Hornsbyaspromptlytohisseat，forthenextmomentthecoachwasrollingon。
MeanwhileCass，byreasonofhisforcedentry，hadbeendepositedinMissPorter’slap，whence，freeinghimself，hehadattemptedtoclimboverthemiddleseat，butinthestartingofthecoachwasagainthrownheavilyagainstherhatandshoulder；allofwhichwasinconsistentwiththeattitudeofdignifiedreservehehadintendedtodisplay。MissPorter，meanwhile，recoveredhergoodhumor。
\"Whatabrutehewas，ugh！\"shesaid，retyingtheribbonsofherbonnetunderhersquarechin，andsmoothingoutherlinenduster。
Casstriedtolookasifhehadforgottenthewholeaffair。\"Who？
Oh，yesIsee！\"heresponded，absently。
\"IsupposeIoughttothankyou，\"shewentonwithasmile，\"butyouknow，really，Icouldhavekepthimoutifyouhadn’tpulledhiswristfromoutside。I’llshowyou。Look！Putyourhandonthehandlethere！Now，I’llholdthelockinsidefirmly。Yousee，youcan’tturnthecatch！\"
Sheindeedheldthelockfast。Itwasafirmhand，yetsoft——theirfingershadtouchedoverthehandle——andlookedwhiteinthemoonlight。Hemadenoreply，butsankbackagaininhisseatwithasingularsensationinthefingersthathadtouchedhers。Hewasintheshadow，and，withoutbeingseen，couldabandonhisreserveandglanceatherface。Itstruckhimthathehadneverreallyseenherbefore。Shewasnotsotallasshehadappearedtobe。
Hereyeswerenotlarge，butherpupilswereblack，moist，velvety，andsoconvexastoseemembossedonthewhite。Shehadanindistinctivenose，arathercolorlessface——whiterattheanglesofthemouthandnosethroughthereliefoftinyfreckleslikegrainsofpepper。Hermouthwasstraight，dark，red，butmoistashereyes。Shehaddrawnherselfintothecornerofthebackseat，herwristputthroughandhangingovertheswingingstrap，theeasylinesofherplumpfigureswayingfromsidetosidewiththemotionofthecoach。Finally，forgetfulofanypresenceinthedarkcorneropposite，shethrewherheadalittlefartherback，slippedatriflelower，andplacingtwowell—bootedfeetuponthemiddleseat，completedacharmingandwholesomepicture。
Fiveminuteselapsed。Shewaslookingstraightatthemoon。CassBeardfelthisdignifiedreservebecomingverymuchlikeawkwardness。Heoughttobecoldlypolite。
\"Ihopeyou’renotflustered，Miss，bythe——bythe——\"hebegan。
\"I？\"Shestraightenedherselfupintheseat，castacuriousglanceintothedarkcorner，andthen，lettingherselfdownagain，said：\"Oh，dear，no！\"
Anotherfiveminuteselapsed。Shehadevidentlyforgottenhim。
Shemight，atleast，havebeencivil。Hetookrefugeagaininhisreserve。Butitwasnowmixedwithacertainpique。
Yethowmuchsofterherfacelookedinthemoonlight！Evenhersquarejawhadlostthathard，matter—of—fact，practicalindicationwhichwassodistastefultohim，andalwayshadsuggestedaharshcriticismofhisweakness。Howmoisthereyeswere——actuallyshininginthelight！Howthatlightseemedtoconcentrateinthecornerofthelashes，andthenslipped——aflash——away！Wasshe？
Yes，shewascrying。
Cassmelted。Hemoved。MissPorterputherheadoutofthewindowanddrewitbackinamoment，dry—eyed。
\"Onemeetsallsortsoffolkstraveling，\"saidCass，withwhathewishedtomakeappearacheerfulphilosophy。
\"Idaresay。Idon’tknow。Ineverbeforemetanyonewhowasrudetome。Ihavetraveledalloverthecountryalone，andwithallkindsofpeopleeversinceIwassohigh。Ihavealwaysgonemyownway，withouthindranceortrouble。Ialwaysdo。Idon’tseewhyIshouldn’t。Perhapsotherpeoplemayn’tlikeit。Ido。
Ilikeexcitement。Iliketoseeallthatthereistosee。
BecauseI’magirlIdon’tseewhyIcannotgooutwithoutakeeper，andwhyIcannotdowhatanymancandothatisn’twrong，doyou？Perhapsyoudo——perhapsyoudon’t。Perhapsyoulikeagirltobealwaysinthehousedawdlingorthumpingapianoorreadingnovels。PerhapsyouthinkI’mboldbecauseIdon’tlikeit，andwon’tlieandsayIdo。\"
Shespokesharplyandaggressively，andsoevidentlyinanswertoCass’sunspokenindictmentagainsther，thathewasnotsurprisedwhenshebecamemoredirect。
\"YouknowyouwereshockedwhenIwenttofetchthatHornsby，thecoroner，afterwefoundthedeadbody。\"
\"Hornsbywasn’tshocked，\"saidCass，alittleviciously。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"shesaid，abruptly。
\"Youweregoodfriendsenoughuntil——\"
\"Untilheinsultedmejustnow，isthatit？\"
\"Untilhethought，\"stammeredCass，\"thatbecauseyouwere——youknow——notso——so——socarefulasothergirls，hecouldbealittlefreer。\"
\"Andso，becauseIpreferredtorideamilewithhimtoseesomethingrealthathadhappened，andtriedtobeusefulinsteadoflookinginshopwindowsinMainStreetorpromenadingbeforethehotel——\"
\"Andbeingornamental，\"interruptedCass。Butthisfeebleandun—
Cass—likeattemptatplayfulgallantrymetwithasuddencheck。
MissPorterdrewherselftogether，andlookedoutofthewindow。
\"Doyouwishmetowalktherestofthewayhome？\"
\"No，\"saidCass，hurriedly，withacrimsonfaceandasenseofgratuitousrudeness。
\"Thenstopthatkindoftalk，rightthere！\"
Therewasanawkwardsilence。\"IwishIwasaman，\"shesaid，halfbitterly，halfearnestly。CassBeardwasnotoldandcynicalenoughtoobservethatthisdevoutaspirationisusuallyutteredbythosewhohaveleastreasontodeploretheirownfemininity；and，butfortherebuffhehadjustreceived，wouldhavemadetheusualemphaticdissentofoursex，whenthewishisutteredbywarmredlipsandtendervoices——adissent，itmayberemarked，generallywithheld，however，whenthemasculinespinsterdwellsontheperfectionofwoman。IdaresayMissPorterwassincere，foramomentlatershecontinued，poutingly：
\"AndyetIusedtogotofiresinSacramentowhenIwasonlytenyearsold。Isawthetheatreburntdown。Nobodyfoundfaultwithmethen。\"
SomethingmadeCassaskifherfatherandmotherobjectedtoherboyishtastes。Thereplywascharacteristicifnotsatisfactory，——
\"Object？I’dliketoseethemdoit。\"
Thedirectionoftheroadhadchanged。TheficklemoonnowabandonedMissPorterandsoughtoutCassonthefrontseat。Itcaressedtheyoungfellow’ssilkymoustacheandlongeyelashes，andtooksomeofthesunburnfromhischeek。
\"What’sthematterwithyourneck？\"saidthegirl，suddenly。
Casslookeddown，blushingtofindthatthecollarofhissmart\"duck\"sailorshirtwastornopen。Butsomethingmorethanhiswhite，soft，girlishskinwasexposed；theshirtfrontwasdyedquiteredwithbloodfromaslightcutontheshoulder。HerememberedtohavefeltascratchwhilestrugglingwithHornsby。
Thegirl’ssofteyessparkled。\"LetME，\"shesaid，vivaciously。