\"Do！I’mgoodatwounds。Comeoverhere。No——staythere。I’llcomeovertoyou。\"
Shedid，bestridingthebackofthemiddleseatanddroppingathisside。Themagneticfingersagaintouchedhis；hefeltherwarmbreathonhisneckasshebenttowardhim。
\"It’snothing，\"hesaid，hastily，moreagitatedbythetreatmentthanthewound。
\"Givemeyourflask，\"sheresponded，withoutheeding。Astingingsensationasshebathedtheedgesofthecutwiththespiritbroughthimbacktocommonsenseagain。\"There，\"shesaid，skillfullyextemporizingabandagefromherhandkerchiefandacompressfromhiscravat。\"Now，buttonyourcoatoveryourchest，so，anddon’ttakecold。\"Sheinsisteduponbuttoningitforhim；
greatereventhanthefemininedelightinaman’sstrengthistheministrationtohisweakness。Yet，whenthiswasfinished，shedrewalittleawayfromhiminsomeembarrassment——anembarrassmentshewonderedat，ashisskinwasfiner，histouchgentler，hisclothescleaner，and——nottoputtoofineapointuponit——heexhaledanatmospheremuchsweeterthanbelongedtomostofthemenherboyishhabitshadbroughtherincontactwith——notexceptingherownfather。Latersheevenexemptedhermotherfromthepossessionofthisdivineeffluence。Afteramomentsheasked，suddenly，\"WhatareyougoingtodowithHornsby？\"
Casshadnotthoughtofhim。Hisshort—livedragewaspastwiththeoccasionthatprovokedit。Withoutanyfearofhisadversaryhewouldhavebeencontentandquitewillingtomeethimnomore。
Heonlysaid，\"Thatwilldependuponhim。\"
\"Oh，youwon’thearfromhimagain，\"saidshe，confidently，\"butyoureallyoughttogetupalittlemoremuscle。You’venomorethanagirl。\"Shestopped，alittleconfused。
\"WhatshallIdowithyourhandkerchief？\"askedtheuneasyCass，anxioustochangethesubject。
\"Oh，keepit，ifyouwantto，onlydon’tshowittoeverybodyasyoudidthatringyoufound。\"Seeingsignsofdistressinhisface，sheadded：\"Ofcoursethatwasallnonsense。Ifyouhadcaredsomuchfortheringyoucouldn’thavetalkedaboutit，orshownit。Couldyou？\"
Itrelievedhimtothinkthatthismightbetrue；hecertainlyhadnotlookedatitinthatlightbefore。
\"Butdidyoureallyfindit？\"sheasked，withsuddengravity。
\"Really，now？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"AndtherewasnorealMayinthecase？\"
\"NotthatIknowof，\"laughedCass，secretlypleased。
ButMissPorter，aftereyinghimcriticallyforamomentjumpedupandclimbedbackagaintoherseat。\"Perhapsyouhadbettergivemethathandkerchiefback。\"
Cassbegantounbuttonhiscoat。
\"No！no！Doyouwanttotakeyourdeathofcold？\"shescreamed。
AndCass，toavoidthisdirefulpossibility，rebuttonedhiscoatagainoverthehandkerchiefandapeculiarlypleasingsensation。
Verylittlenowwassaiduntiltherattling，boundingdescentofthecoachdenotedtheapproachtoRedChief。Thestragglingmainstreetdiscloseditself，lightbylight。IntheflashofglitteringwindowsandthesoundofeagervoicesMissPorterdescended，withoutwaitingforCass’sprofferedassistance，andanticipatedMountainCharley’sdescentfromthebox。Afewundistinguishablewordspassedbetweenthem。
\"Youkinfreezetome，Miss，\"saidCharley；andMissPorter，turningherfranklaughandfranklyopenedpalmtoCass，halfreturnedthepressureofhishandandslippedaway。
Afewdaysafterthestagecoachincident，MountainCharleydrewupbesideCassontheBlazingStarturnpike，andhandedhimasmallpacket。\"IwastoldtogiveyethatbyMissPorter。Hush——listen！
It’sthatratherolddog—gonedringo’yoursthat’sbininallthepapers。She’sbamboozledthatsap—headedcountyjudge，Boompointer，intogivin’ittoher。Takemyadviceandslingitawayforsomeotherfellertopickupandgetlooneyover。That’sall！\"
\"Didshesayanything？\"askedCass，anxiously，ashereceivedhislosttreasuresomewhatcoldly。
\"Well，yes！Ireckon。SheaskedmetostandbetwixtHornsbyandyou。Sodon’tYOUtacklehim，andI’llseeHEdon’ttackleyou，\"
andwithaportentouswinkMountainCharleywhippeduphishorsesandwasgone。
Cassopenedthepacket。Itcontainednothingbutthering。
Unmitigatedbyanywordofgreeting，remembrance，orevenraillery，itseemedalmostaninsult。Hadsheintendedtoflaunthisfollyinhisface，orhadshebelievedhestillmournedforitanddeemeditsrecoveryasufficientrewardforhisslightservice？ForaninstanthefelttemptedtofollowCharley’sadvice，andcastthissymboloffollyandcontemptinthedustofthemountainroad。AndhadshenotmadehishumiliationcompletebybeggingCharley’sinterferencebetweenhimandhisenemy？Hewouldgohomeandsendherbackthehandkerchiefshehadgivenhim。Butheretheunromanticreflectionthatalthoughhehadwasheditthatveryafternooninthesolitudeofhisowncabin，hecouldnotpossiblyironit，butmustsendit\"roughdried，\"stayedhisindignantfeet。
Twoorthreedays，aweek，afortnighteven，ofthishopelessresentmentfilledCass’sbreast。ThenthenewsofKanakaJoe’sacquittalintheStateCourtmomentarilyrevivedthestoryofthering，andrevampedafewstalejokesinthecamp。Buttheinterestsoonflagged；thefortunesofthelittlecommunityofBlazingStarhadbeenforsomemonthsfailing；andwithearlysnowsinthemountainandwastedcapitalinfruitlessschemesontheriver，therewaslittleroomfortheindulgenceofthatlazyandoriginalhumorwhichbelongedtotheirlostyouthandprosperity。BlazingStartruly，inthegrimfigureoftheirslang，was\"playedout。\"
Notdugout，workedout，orwashedout，butdissipatedinayearofspeculationandchance。
AgainstthistideoffortuneCassstruggledmanfully，andevenevokedtheslowpraiseofhiscompanions。Betterstill，hewonacertainpraiseforhimself，inhimself，inaconsciousnessofincreasedstrength，health，power，andself—reliance。Hebegantoturnhisquickimaginationandperceptiontosomepracticalaccount，andmadeoneortwodiscoverieswhichquitestartledhismoreexperiencedbutmoreconservativecompanions。Nevertheless，Cass’sdiscoveriesandlaborswerenotofakindthatproducedimmediatepecuniaryrealization，andBlazingStar，whichconsumedsomanypoundsofporkandflourdaily，didnotunfortunatelyproducethedailyequivalentingold。BlazingStarlostitscredit。BlazingStarwashungry，dirty，andragged。BlazingStarwasbeginningtoset。
Participatinginthegeneralillluckofthecamp，Casswasnotwithouthisownindividualmischances。HehadresolutelydeterminedtoforgetMissPorterandallthattendedtorecalltheunluckyring，but，cruellyenough，shewastheonlythingthatrefusedtobeforgotten——whoseundulatingfigurereclinedoppositetohimintheweirdmoonlightofhisruinedcabin，whosevoicemingledwiththesongoftheriverbywhosebankshetoiled，andwhoseeyesandtouchthrilledhiminhisdreams。Partlyforthisreason，andpartlybecausehisclotheswerebeginningtobepatchedandtorn，heavoidedRedChiefandanyplacewherehewouldbelikelytomeether。Inspiteofthisprecautionhehadonceseenherdrivinginaponycarriage，butsosmartlyandfashionablydressedthathedrewbackinthecoverofawaysidewillowthatshemightpasswithoutrecognition。Helookeddownuponhisred—
splashedclothesandgrimy，soil—streakedhands，andforamomenthalfhatedher。Hiscomradesseldomspokeofher——instinctivelyfearingsometemptationthatmightbesethisSpartanresolutions，butheheardfromtimetotimethatshehadbeenseenatballsandparties，apparentlyenjoyingthoseveryfrivolitiesofhersexsheaffectedtocondemn。
ItwasaSabbathmorninginearlyspringthathewasreturningfromanineffectualattempttoenlistacapitalistatthecountytowntoredeemthefortunesofBlazingStar。Hewasponderingoverthenarrownessofthatcapitalist，whohadevidentlybutillogicallyconnectedCass’spresentappearancewiththefutureofthatstrugglingcamp，whenhebecamesofoot—sorethathewasobligedtoaccepta\"lift\"fromawayfaringteamster。Astheslowlylumberingvehiclepassedthenewchurchontheoutskirtsofthetown，thecongregationweresallyingforth。Itwastoolatetojumpdownandrunaway，andCassdarednotaskhisnew—foundfriendtowhipuphiscattle。Consciousofhisunshornbeardandraggedgarments，hekepthiseyesfixedupontheroad。Avoicethatthrilledhimcalledhisname。ItwasMissPorter，aresplendentvisionofsilk，laces，andEasterflowers——yetactuallyrunning，withsomethingofherolddashandfreedom，besidethewagon。Astheastonishedteamsterdrewupbeforethiselegantapparition，shepanted：——
\"Whydidyoumakemerunsofar，andwhydidn’tyoulookup？\"
Cass，tryingtohidethepatchesonhiskneesbeneathanewspaper，stammeredthathehadnotseenher。
\"Andyoudidnotholddownyourheadpurposely？\"
\"No，\"saidCass。
\"WhyhaveyounotbeentoRedChief？Whydidn’tyouanswermymessageaboutthering？\"sheasked，swiftly。
\"Yousentnothingbutthering，\"saidCass，coloring，asheglancedattheteamster。
\"Why，THATwasamessage，youbornidiot。\"
Cassstared。Theteamstersmiled。MissPortergazedanxiouslyatthewagon。\"IthinkI’dlikearideinthere；itlooksawfullygood。\"Sheglancedmischievouslyaroundatthelingeringandcuriouscongregation。
\"MayI？\"
ButCassdeprecatedthatproceedingstrongly。Itwasdirty；hewasnotsureitwasevenWHOLESOME；shewouldbeSOuncomfortable；he，himself，wasonlygoingafewrodsfarther，andinthattimeshemightruinherdress——
\"Oh，yes，\"shesaid，alittlebitterly，\"certainly，mydressmustbelookedafter。And——whatelse？\"
\"Peoplemightthinkitstrange，andbelieveIhadinvitedyou，\"
continuedCass，hesitatingly。
\"WhenIhadonlyinvitedmyself？Thankyou。Good—by。\"
Shewavedherhandandsteppedbackfromthewagon。Casswouldhavegivenworldstorecallher，buthesatstill，andthevehiclemovedoninmoodysilence。Atthefirstcrossroadhejumpeddown。
\"Thankyou，\"hesaidtotheteamster。\"You’rewelcome，\"returnedthatgentleman，regardinghimcuriously，\"butthenexttimeagallikethataskstorideinthisyerwagon，IreckonIwon’ttakethevoteofanydeadheadpassenger。Adios，youngfellow。Don’tstayoutlate；yemightberunoffbysomegal，andwhatwouldyourmothersay？\"Ofcoursetheyoungmancouldonlylookunutterablethingsandwalkaway，buteveninthatdignifiedactionhewasconsciousthatitseffectwassomewhatmitigatedbyalargepatchfromamaterialoriginallyusedasafloursack，whichhadrepairedhistrousers，butstillboretheironicallegend，\"BestSuperfine。\"
Thesummerbroughtwarmthandpromiseandsomeblossom，ifnotabsolutefruition，toBlazingStar。ThelongdaysdrewNatureintoclosercommunionwiththemen，andhopefulnessfollowedthediscontentoftheirwinterseclusion。Itwaseasier，too，forCapitaltobewooedandwonintomakingapicnicinthesemountainsolitudesthanwhenhighwaterstayedthefordsanddriftingsnowtheSierrantrails。AtthecloseofoneoftheseArcadiandaysCasswassmokingbeforethedoorofhislonelycabinwhenhewasastoundedbytheonsetofadozenofhiscompanions。PeterDrummond，farinthevan，waswavinganewspaperlikeavictoriousbanner。\"All’srightnow，Cass，oldman！\"hepantedashestoppedbeforeCassandshovedbackhiseagerfollowers。
\"What’sallright？\"askedCass，dubiously。
\"YOU！Youkinrakedownthepilenow。You’rehunky！You’reonvelvet。Listen！\"
Heopenedthenewspaperandread，withannoyingdeliberation，asfollows：——
\"LOST。——Ifthefinderofaplaingoldring，bearingtheengravedinscription，’MaytoCass，’allegedtohavebeenpickeduponthehighroadnearBlazingStaronthe4thMarch，186—，willapplytoBookham&Sons，bankers，1007YStreet，Sacramento，hewillbesuitablyrewardedeitherfortherecoveryofthering，orforsuchfactsasmayidentifyit，orthelocalitywhereitwasfound。\"
Cassroseandfrownedsavagelyonhiscomrades。\"No！no！\"criedadozenvoices，assuringly。\"It’sallright！HonestInjun！Trueasgospel！Nojoke，Cass！\"
\"Here’sthepaper，Sacramento’Union’ofyesterday。Lookforyourself，\"saidDrummond，handinghimthewell—wornjournal。\"Andyousee，\"headded，\"howdarnedluckyyouare。Itain’tnecessaryforyoutoproducethering，soifthatoldbiledowlofaBoompointerdon’tgiv’itbacktoye，it’sallthesame。\"
\"Andtheysaynobodybutthefinderneedapply，\"interruptedanother。\"ThatshutsoutBoompointerorKanakaJoe，forthemattero’that。\"
\"It’sclarthatitMEANSyou，Cass，ezmuchezifthey’dgivenyourname，\"addedathird。
ForMissPorter’ssakeandhisownCasshadnevertoldthemoftherestorationofthering，anditwasevidentthatMountainCharleyhadalsokeptsilent。Casscouldnotspeaknowwithoutviolatingasecret，andhewaspleasedthattheringitselfnolongerplayedanimportantpartinthemystery。Butwhatwasthatmystery，andwhywastheringsecondarytohimself？Whywassomuchstresslaiduponhisfindingit？
\"Yousee，\"saidDrummond，asifansweringhisunspokenthought，\"that’argal——foritisagalincourse——hezreadallaboutitinthepapers，andhezsorto’tookashinetoye。Itdon’tmakeabito’differencewhointhunderCassISorWAZ，forIreckonshe’skickedhimoverbythistime——\"
\"Sarvedhimright，too，forlosingthegirl’sringandthenlyinglowandkeepingdarkaboutit，\"interruptedasympathizer。
\"Andshe’sjustweakenedovertheromantic，high—tonedwayyoustucktoit，\"continuedDrummond，forgettingthesarcasmshehadpreviouslyhurledatthisromance。Indeed，thewholecamp，bythistime，hadbecomeconvincedthatithadfosteredanddevelopedachivalrousdevotionwhichwasnowonthepointofpecuniaryrealization。Itwasgenerallyacceptedthat\"she\"wasthedaughterofthisbanker，andalsofeltthatinthecircumstancesthehappyfathercouldnotdolessthandeveloptheresourcesofBlazingStaratonce。Eveniftherewerenorelationship，whatopportunitycouldbemorefitforpresentingtocapitalalocalitythatevenproducedengagementrings，and，asJimFauquierputit，\"themenezknewhowtokeep’em。\"ItwasthissympatheticVirginianwhotookCassasidewiththefollowinggeneroussuggestion：\"Ifyoufindthatyouandtheoldgalcouldn’thitchhosses，owin’toyournotlikin’redhairoragameleg\"（itmaybehererecordedthatBlazingStarhad，fornoreasonwhatever，attributedtheseunprepossessingqualitiestothemysteriousadvertiser），\"youmightletMEin。YoumightsayezhowIusedtojestworshipthatringwithyou，andallerswantedtoborrowitonSundays。Ifanythingcomesofit——why——WE’REPARDNERS！\"
AseriousquestionwastheoutfittingofCassforwhatnowwasfelttobeadiplomaticrepresentationofthecommunity。Hisgarments，ithardlyneedbesaid，wereinappropriatetoanywooingexceptthatofthe\"maidenallforlorn，\"whichtheadvertiserclearlywasnot。\"Hemight，\"suggestedFauquier，\"dropinjestasheis——
kinderasifhe’dgotkeerlessoftheworld，beinglovesick。\"ButCassobjectedstrongly，andwasborneoutinhisobjectionbyhisyoungercomrades。Atlastapairofwhiteducktrousers，aredshirt，aflowingblacksilkscarf，andaPanamahatwereprocuredatRedChief，oncredit，afterajudiciousexhibitionoftheadvertisement。Aheavyweddingring，thepropertyofDrummond（whowasnotmarried），wasalsolentasagracefulsuggestion，andatthelastmomentFauquieraffixedtoCass’sscarfanenormousspecimenpinofgoldandquartz。\"Itsorterindicatestheauriferouswealtho’thisyerregion，andtheoldman（theseniormemberofBookham&Sons）needn’tknowIwonitatdrawpokerinFrisco，\"saidFauquier。
\"Efyou’pass’onthegal，youkinhanditbacktomeandI’LLtryiton。\"FortydollarsforexpenseswasputintoCass’shands，andtheentirecommunityaccompaniedhimtothecrossroadswherehewastomeettheSacramentocoach，whicheventuallycarriedhimaway，followedbyabenedictionofwavinghatsandexplodingrevolvers。
ThatCassdidnotparticipateintheextravaganthopesofhiscomrades，andthatherejectedutterlytheirmatrimonialspeculationsinhisbehalf，neednotbesaid。Outwardly，hekepthisowncounselwithgood—humoredassent。Buttherewassomethingfascinatinginthesituation，andwhilehefelthehadforeverabandonedhisromanticdream，hewasnotdispleasedtoknowthatitmighthaveprovedareality。NorwasitdistastefultohimtothinkthatMissPorterwouldhearofitandregretherlateinabilitytoappreciatehissentiment。Ifhereallyweretheobjectofsomeopulentmaiden’spassion，hewouldshowMissPorterhowhecouldsacrificethemostbrilliantprospectsforhersake。
Alone，onthetopofthecoach，heprojectedoneofthosesatisfyingconversationsinwhichimaginativepeopledelight，butwhichunfortunatelynevercomequiteuptorehearsal。\"DearMissPorter，\"hewouldsay，addressingthebackofthedriver，\"ifI
couldremainfaithfultoadreamofmyyouth，howeverillusiveandunreal，canyoubelievethatforthesakeoflucreIcouldbefalsetotheonerealpassionthatalonesupplantedit。\"Inthecompositionanddeliveryofthiseloquentstatementanhourwashappilyforgotten：theonlydrawbacktoitscompleteeffectwasthatamisplaceofepithetsinrapidrepetitiondidnotseemtomaketheslightestdifference，andCassfoundhimselfsaying\"DearMissPorter，ifIcouldbefalsetoadreamofmyyouth，etc。，etc。，canyoubelieveIcouldbeFAITHFULtotheonerealpassion，etc。，etc。，\"withequalandperfectsatisfaction。AsMissPorterwasreputedtobewelloff，iftheunknownwerepoor，thatmightbeanotherdrawback。
ThebankinghouseofBookham&Sonsdidnotpresentanillusivenormysteriousappearance。Itwaseminentlypracticalandmatteroffact；itwasobtrusivelyopenandglassy；nobodywouldhavethoughtofleavingasecrettherethatwouldhavebeeninevitablycirculatedoverthecounter。Cassfeltanuncomfortablesenseofincongruityinhimself，inhisstory，inhistreasure，tothistempleofdisenchantingrealism。Withtheawkwardnessofanembarrassedmanhewasholdingprominentlyinhishandanenvelopecontainingtheringandadvertisementasavoucherforhisintrusion，whenthenearestclerktooktheenvelopefromhishand，openedit，tookoutthering，returnedit，saidbriskly，\"T’othershop，nextdoor，youngman，\"andturnedtoanothercustomer。
Casssteppedtothedoor，sawthat\"T’othershop\"wasapawnbroker’s，andreturnedagainwithaflashingeyeandheightenedcolor。\"It’sanadvertisementIhavecometoanswer，\"hebeganagain。
TheclerkcastaglanceatCass’sscarfandpin。\"Placetakenyesterday——noroomforanymore，\"hesaid，abruptly。
Cassgrewquitewhite。ButhisoldexperienceinBlazingStarreparteestoodhimingoodstead。\"Ifit’sYOURplaceyoumean，\"
hesaidcoolly，\"Ireckonyoumightputadozenmenintheholeyou’rerattlin’roundin——butit’sthisadvertisementI’mafter。
IfBookhamisn’tin，maybeyou’llsendmeoneofthegrown—upsons。\"Theproductionoftheadvertisementandsomelaughterfromthebystandershaditseffect。Thepertyoungclerkretired，andreturnedtoleadthewaytothebankparlor。Cass’sheartsankagainashewasconfrontedbyadark，iron—grayman——indress，features，speech，andaction——uncompromisinglyopposedtoCass——hisringandhisromance。Whentheyoungmanhadtoldhisstoryandproducedhistreasurehepaused。Thebankerscarcelyglancedatit，butsaid，impatiently，——
\"Well，yourpapers？\"
\"Mypapers？\"
\"Yes。Proofofyouridentity。YousayyournameisCassBeard。
Good！Whathaveyougottoproveit？HowcanItellwhoyouare？\"
Toasensitivemanthereisnoformofsuspicionthatisasbewilderinganddemoralizingatthemomentasthequestionofhisidentity。Cassfelttheinsultinthedoubtofhisword，andthepalpablesenseofhispresentinabilitytoproveit。Thebankerwatchedhimkeenlybutnotunkindly。
\"Come，\"hesaidatlength，\"thisisnotmyaffair；ifyoucanlegallysatisfytheladyforwhomIamonlyagent，wellandgood。
Ibelieveyoucan；Ionlywarnyouthatyoumust。Andmypresentinquirywastokeepherfromlosinghertimewithimpostors，aclassIdon’tthinkyoubelongto。There’shercard。Goodday。\"
\"MissMortimer。\"ItwasNOTthebanker’sdaughter。ThefirstillusionofBlazingStarwasrudelydispelled。Butthecaretakenbythecapitalisttoshieldherfromimpostureindicatedapersonofwealth。OfheryouthandbeautyCassnolongerthought。
Theaddressgivenwasnotdistant。Withabeatingheartherungthebellofarespectable—lookinghouse，andwasusheredintoaprivatedrawing—room。Instinctivelyhefeltthattheroomwasonlytemporarilyinhabited；anairpeculiartothebestlodgings，andwhenthedooropeneduponatallladyindeepmourning，hewasstillmoreconvincedofanincongruitybetweentheoccupantandhersurroundings。Withasmilethatvacillatedbetweenahabitoffamiliarityandease，andarecentrestraint，shemotionedhimtoachair。
\"MissMortimer\"wasstillyoung，stillhandsome，stillfashionablydressed，andstillattractive。FromherfirstgreetingtotheendoftheinterviewCassfeltthatsheknewallabouthim。Thisrelievedhimfromtheonusofprovinghisidentity，butseemedtoputhimvaguelyatadisadvantage。Itincreasedhissenseofinexperienceandyouthfulness。
\"Ihopeyouwillbelieve，\"shebegan，\"thatthefewquestionsI
havetoaskyouaretosatisfymyownheart，andfornootherpurpose。\"Shesmiledsadlyasshewenton。\"Haditbeenotherwise，Ishouldhaveinstitutedalegalinquiry，andleftthisinterviewtosomeonecooler，calmer，andlessinterestedthanmyself。ButIthink，IKNOWIcantrustyou。PerhapswewomenareweakandfoolishtotalkofanINSTINCT，andwhenyouknowmystoryyoumayhavereasontobelievethatbutlittledependencecanbeplacedonTHAT；butIamnotwronginsaying，——amI？\"（withasadsmile）\"thatYOUarenotabovethatweakness？\"Shepaused，closedherlipstightly，andgraspedherhandsbeforeher。\"Yousayyoufoundthatringintheroadsomethreemonthsbefore——the——the——youknowwhatImean——thebody——wasdiscovered？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Youthoughtitmighthavebeendroppedbysomeoneinpassing？\"
\"Ithoughtso，yes——itbelongedtonooneincamp。\"
\"Beforeyourcabinoronthehighway？\"
\"Beforemycabin。\"
\"YouareSURE？\"TherewassomethingsoverysweetandsadinhersmilethatitoddlymadeCasscolor。
\"Butmycabinisneartheroad，\"hesuggested。
\"Isee！Andtherewasnothingelse；nopapernorenvelope？\"
\"Nothing。\"
\"Andyoukeptitbecauseoftheoddresemblanceoneofthenamesboretoyours？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Fornootherreason\"None。\"YetCassfelthewasblushing。
\"You’llforgivemyrepeatingaquestionyouhavealreadyanswered，butIamsoanxious。Therewassomeattempttoproveattheinquestthattheringhadbeenfoundonthebodyof——theunfortunateman。Butyoutellmeitwasnotso？\"
\"Icanswearit。\"
\"GoodGod——thetraitor！\"Shetookahurriedstepforward，turnedtothewindow，andthencamebacktoCasswithavoicebrokenwithemotion。\"IhavetoldyouIcouldtrustyou。Thatringwasmine！\"
Shestopped，andthenwentonhurriedly。\"YearsagoIgaveittoamanwhodeceivedandwrongedme；amanwhoselifesincethenhasbeenashameanddisgracetoallwhoknewhim。Amanwho，once，agentleman，sanksolowastobecometheassociateofthievesandruffians；sanksolow，thatwhenhedied，byviolence——atraitoreventothem——hisownconfederatesshrunkfromhim，andlefthimtofillanamelessgrave。Thatman’sbodyyoufound！\"
Cassstarted。\"Andhisnamewas——？\"
\"Partofyoursurname。Cass——HenryCass。\"
\"YouseewhyProvidenceseemstohavebroughtthatringtoyou，\"
shewenton。\"Butyouaskmewhy，knowingthis，Iamsoeagertoknowiftheringwasfoundbyyouintheroad，orifitwerefoundonhisbody。Listen！Itispartofmymortificationthatthestorygoesthatthismanonceshowedthisring，boastedofit，staked，andlostitatagamblingtabletooneofhisvilecomrades。\"
\"KanakaJoe，\"saidCass，overcomebyavividrecollectionofJoe’smerrimentatthetrial。
\"Thesame。Don’tyousee，\"shesaid，hurriedly，\"iftheringhadbeenfoundonhimIcouldbelievethatsomewhereinhishearthestillkeptrespectforthewomanhehadwronged。Iamawoman——afoolishwoman，Iknow——butyouhavecrushedthathopeforever。\"
\"Butwhyhaveyousentforme？\"askedCass，touchedbyheremotion。
\"Toknowitforcertain，\"shesaid，almostfiercely。\"Canyounotunderstandthatawomanlikememustknowathingonceandforever？
ButyouCANhelpme。Ididnotsendforyouonlytopourmywrongsinyourears。Youmusttakemewithyoutothisplace——tothespotwhereyoufoundthering——tothespotwhereyoufoundthebody——tothespotwhere——whereHElies。Youmustdoitsecretly，thatnoneshallknowme。\"
Casshesitated。Hewasthinkingofhiscompanionsandthecollapseoftheirpaintedbubble。Howcouldhekeepthesecretfromthem？
\"Ifitismoneyyouneed，letnotthatstopyou。Ihavenorighttoyourtimewithoutrecompense。Donotmisunderstandme。TherehasbeenathousanddollarsawaitingmyorderatBookham’swhentheringshouldbedelivered。Itshallbedoubledifyouhelpmeinthislastmoment。\"
Itwaspossible。Hecouldconveyhersecretlythere，inventsomestoryofarewarddelayedforwantofproofs，andafterwardsharethatrewardwithhisfriends。Heansweredpromptly，\"Iwilltakeyouthere。\"
Shetookhishandsinbothofhers，raisedthemtoherlips，andsmiled。Theshadowofgriefandrestraintseemedtohavefallenfromherface，andahalf—mischievous，half—coquettishgleaminherdarkeyestouchedthesusceptibleCassinsosubtleafashionthatheregainedthestreetinsomeconfusion。HewonderedwhatMissPorterwouldhavethought。Butwashenotreturningtoher，afortunateman，withonethousanddollarsinhispocket！Whyshouldherememberhewashandicapped，byaprettywomanandapatheticepisode？Itdidnotmaketheproximitylesspleasantashehelpedherintothecoachthatevening，nordidtherecollectionofanotherridewithanotherwomanobtrudeitselfuponthoseconsolationswhichhefeltithisduty，fromtimetotime，tooffer。Itwasarrangedthatheshouldleaveheratthe\"RedChief\"
Hotel，whilehecontinuedontoBlazingStar，returningatnoontobringherwithhimwhenhecoulddoitwithoutexposinghertorecognition。Thegraydawncamesoonenough，andthecoachdrewupat\"RedChief\"whilethelightsinthebar—roomanddining—roomofthehotelwerestillstrugglingwiththefarflushingeast。Cassalighted，placedMissMortimerinthehandsofthelandlady，andreturnedtothevehicle。Itwasstillmusty，close，andfrowzy，withhalf—awakenedpassengers。Therewasavacatedseatonthetop，whichCassclimbedupto，andabstractedlythrewhimselfbesideafiguremuffledinshawlsandrugs。Therewasaslightmovementamongthemultitudinousenwrappings，andthenthefigureturnedtohimandsaid，dryly，\"Goodmorning！\"ItwasMissPorter！
\"Haveyoubeenlonghere？\"hestammered。
\"Allnight。\"
Hewouldhavegivenworldstoleaveheratthatmoment。Hewouldhavejumpedfromthestartingcoachtosavehimselfanyexplanationoftheembarrassmenthewasfuriouslyconsciousofshowing，without，ashebelieved，anyadequatecause。Andyet，likeallinexperienced，sensitivemen，hedashedblindlyintothatexplanation；worse，heeventoldhissecretatonce，thenandthere，andthensatabashedandconsciencestricken，withanaddedsenseofitsutterfutility。
\"Andthis，\"summeduptheyounggirl，withaslightshrugofherprettyshoulders，\"isYOURMAY？\"
Casswouldhaverecommencedhisstory。
\"No，don’t，pray！Itisn’tinteresting，nororiginal。DoYOU
believeit？\"
\"Ido，\"saidCass，indignantly。
\"Howlucky！Thenletmegotosleep。\"
Cass，stillfurious，butuneasy，didnotagainaddressher。WhenthecoachstoppedatBlazingStarsheaskedhim，indifferently：
\"Whendoesthissentimentalpilgrimagebegin？\"
\"Ireturnforheratoneo’clock，\"repliedCass，stiffly。
Hekepthisword。Heappeasedhiseagercompanionswithapromiseoffuturefortune，andexhibitedthepresentandtangiblereward。
Byacircuitousrouteknownonlytohimself，heledMissMortimertotheroadbeforethecabin。Therewasapinkflushofexcitementonhersomewhatfadedcheek。
\"Anditwashere？\"sheasked，eagerly。
\"Ifoundithere。\"
\"Andthebody？\"
\"Thatwasafterward。Overinthatdirection，beyondtheclumpofbuckeyes，ontheRedChiefturnpike。\"
\"Andanyonecomingfromtheroadweleftjustnowandgoingto——
to——thatplace，wouldhavetocrossjusthere？Tellme，\"shesaid，withastrangelaugh，layinghercoldnervoushandonhis，\"wouldn’tthey？\"
\"Theywould。\"
\"Letusgotothatplace。\"
Casssteppedoutbrisklytoavoidobservationandgainthewoodsbeyondthehighway。\"Youhavecrossedherebefore，\"shesaid。
\"Thereseemstobeatrail。\"
\"Imayhavemadeit：it’sashortcuttothebuckeyes。\"
\"Youneverfoundanythingelseonthetrail？\"
\"Youremember，Itoldyoubefore，theringwasallIfound。\"
\"Ah，true！\"shesmiledsweetly；\"itwasTHATwhichmadeitseemsooddtoyou。Iforgot。\"
Inhalfanhourtheyreachedthebuckeyes。Duringthewalkshehadtakenrapidrecognizanceofeverythinginherpath。WhentheycrossedtheroadandCasshadpointedoutthesceneofthemurder，shelookedanxiouslyaround。\"Youaresurewearenotseen？\"
\"Quite。\"
\"YouwillnotthinkmefoolishifIaskyoutowaitherewhileIgointhere\"——shepointedtotheominousthicketnearthem——\"alone？\"
Shewasquitewhite。
Cass’sheart，whichhadgrownsomewhatcoldsincehisinterviewwithMissPorter，meltedatonce。
\"Go；Iwillstayhere。\"
Hewaitedfiveminutes。Shedidnotreturn。
Whatifthepoorcreaturehaddetermineduponsuicideonthespotwhereherfaithlessloverhadfallen？Hewasreassuredinanothermomentbytherustleofskirtsintheundergrowth。
\"Iwasbecomingquitealarmed，\"hesaid，aloud。
\"Youhavereasontobe，\"returnedahurriedvoice。Hestarted。ItwasMissPorter，whosteppedswiftlyoutofthecover。\"Look，\"shesaid，\"lookatthatmandowntheroad。Hehasbeentrackingyoutwoeversinceyouleftthecabin。Doyouknowwhoheis？\"
\"No！\"
\"Thenlisten。Itisthree—fingeredDick，oneoftheescapedroadagents。Iknowhim！\"
\"Letusgoandwarnher，\"saidCass，eagerly。
MissPorterlaidherhanduponhisshoulder。
\"Idon’tthinkshe’llthankyou，\"shesaid，dryly。\"Perhapsyou’dbetterseewhatshe’sdoing，first。\"
Utterlybewildered，yetwithastrongsenseofthemasterfulnessofhiscompanion，hefollowedher。Shecreptlikeacatthroughthethicket。Suddenlyshepaused。\"Look！\"shewhispered，viciously，\"lookatthetendervigilsofyourheart—brokenMay！\"
Casssawthewomanwhohadlefthimamomentbeforeonherkneesonthegrass，withlongthinfingersdigginglikeaghoulintheearth。Hehadscarcetimetonoticehereagerfaceandeyes，castnowandthenbacktowardthespotwhereshehadlefthim，beforetherewasacrashinthebushes，andaman，——thestrangeroftheroad，——leapedtoherside。\"Run，\"hesaid；\"runforitnow。
You’rewatched！\"
\"Oh！thatman，Beard！\"shesaid，contemptuously。
\"No，anotherinawagon。Quick。Fool，youknowtheplacenow，——
youcancomelater；run！\"Andhalf—dragging，half—liftingher，heboreherthroughthebushes。ScarcelyhadtheyclosedbehindthepairthanMissPorterrantothespotvacatedbythewoman。
\"Look！\"shecried，triumphantly，\"look！\"
Casslooked，andsankonhiskneesbesideher。
\"ItWASworthathousanddollars，wasn’tit？\"sherepeated，maliciously，\"wasn’tit？Butyououghttoreturnit！REALLYyouought。\"
Casscouldscarcelyarticulate。\"ButhowdidYOUknowit？\"hefinallygasped。
\"Oh，Isuspectedsomething；therewasawoman，andyouknowyou’reSUCHafool！\"
Cassrose，stiffly。
\"Don’tbeagreaterfoolnow，butgoandbringmyhorseandwagonfromthehill，anddon’tsayanythingtothedriver。\"
\"Thenyoudidnotcomealone？\"
\"No；itwouldhavebeenboldandimproper。\"
\"Please！\"
\"AndtothinkitWASthering，afterall，thatpointedtothis，\"
shesaid。
\"TheringthatYOUreturnedtome。\"
\"Whatdidyousay？\"
\"Nothing。\"
\"Don’t，please，thewagoniscoming。\"……
Inthenextmorning’seditionofthe\"RedChiefChronicle\"appearedthefollowingstartlingintelligence：——
EXTRAORDINARYDISCOVERY
FINDINGOFTHESTOLENTREASUREOFWELLS，FARGO&CO。OVER$800，000
RECOVERED
OurreaderswillrememberthenotoriousrobberyofWells，Fargo&
Co。’streasurefromtheSacramentoandRedChiefPioneerCoachonthenightofSeptember1。Althoughmostofthegangwerearrested，itisknownthattwoescaped，who，itwaspresumed，cachedthetreasure，amountingtonearly$500，000ingold，drafts，andjewelry，asnotraceofthepropertywasfound。Yesterdayouresteemedfellowcitizen，Mr。CassBeard，longandfavorablyknowninthiscounty，succeededinexhumingthetreasureinacopseofhazelneartheRedChiefturnpike，——adjacenttothespotwhereanunknownbodywaslatelydiscovered。ThisbodyisnowstronglysuspectedtobethatofoneHenryCass，adisreputablecharacter，whohassincebeenascertainedtohavebeenoneoftheroadagentswhoescaped。Thematterisnowunderlegalinvestigation。ThesuccessfulresultofthesearchisduetoasystematicplanevolvedfromthegeniusofMr。Beard，whohasdevotedoverayeartothislabor。Itwasfirstsuggestedtohimbythefindingofaring，nowdefinitelyidentifiedaspartofthetreasurewhichwassupposedtohavebeendroppedfromWells，Fargo&Co’sboxesbytherobbersintheirmidnightflightthroughBlazingStar。
Inthesamejournalappearedthenolessimportantintelligence，whichexplains，whileitcompletesthisveraciouschronicle：——
\"ItisrumoredthatamarriageisshortlytotakeplacebetweentheheroofthelatetreasurediscoveryandayoungladyofRedChief，whosedevotedaidandassistancetothisimportantworkiswellknowntothiscommunity。\"