Theracewasabouthalfamileandreturn，thefirstandlastquartersbeingupontheice.Thecourse，afterleavingtheice，ledupfromtheriverbyalongeasyslopetothelevelabove;andatthefurtherendcurvedsomewhatsharplyroundtheOldFort.Theonlyconditionattachingtotheracewasthattheteamsshouldstartfromthescratch，maketheturnoftheFort，andfinishatthescratch.Therewerenovexingregulationsastofouls.Themanmakingthefoulwouldfinditnecessarytoreckonwiththecrowd，whichwasconsideredsufficientguaranteeforafairandsquarerace.Owingtothehazardsofthecourse，theresultwoulddependupontheskillofthedriversquiteasmuchasuponthespeedoftheteams.ThepointsofhazardwereattheturnroundtheOldFort，andatalittleravinewhichleddowntotheriver，overwhichtheroadpassedbymeansofalonglogbridgeorcauseway.
Fromapointuponthehighbankoftheriverthewholecourselayinopenview.Itwasascenefulloflifeandvividlypicturesque.
Therewereminersindarkclothesandpeakcaps;citizensinordinarygarb;ranchmeninwidecowboyhatsandbuckskinshirtsandleggings，somewithcartridge—beltsandpistols;afewhalf—breedsandIndiansinhalf—native，half—civiliseddress;andscatteringthroughthecrowdthelumbermenwithgayscarletandblueblanketcoats，andsomewithknittedtuquesofthesamecolours.Averygood—naturedbutextremelyuncertaincrowditwas.Attheheadofeachhorsestoodaman，butatthepintos’headsBaptistestoodalone，tryingtoholddowntheoffleader，thrownintoafrenzyoffearbytheyellingofthecrowd.
Graduallyallbecamequiet，till，inthemidstofabsolutestillness，camethewords，’Areyouready？’，thenthepistol—shotandthegreatracehadbegun.AbovetheroarofthecrowdcametheshrillcryofBaptiste，ashestruckhisbronchowiththepalmofhishand，andswunghimselfintothesleighbesideSandy，asitshotpast.
Likeaflashthebronchossprangtothefront，twolengthsbeforetheotherteams;but，terrifiedbytheyellingofthecrowd，insteadofbendingtotheleftbankupwhichtheroadwound，theywheeledtotherightandwerealmostacrosstheriverbeforeSandycouldswingthembackintothecourse.
Baptiste’scries，acuriousmixtureofFrenchandEnglish，continuedtostrikethroughallothersoundstilltheygainedthetopoftheslopetofindtheothersalmostahundredyardsinfront，thecitizens’teamleading，withtheminers’followingclose.Themomentthepintoscaughtsightoftheteamsbeforethemtheysetoffataterrificpaceandsteadilydevouredtheinterveningspace.Nearerandnearertheturncame，theeighthorsesinfront，runningstraightandwellwithintheirspeed.
Afterthemflewthepintos，runningsavagelywithearssetback，leadingwellthebigroans，thunderingalongandgainingateverybound.Andnowthecitizens’teamhadalmostreachedtheFort，runninghard，anddrawingawayfromthebays.ButNixonknewwhathewasabout，andwassimplysteadyinghisteamfortheturn.Theeventprovedhiswisdom，forintheturntheleadingteamleftthetrack，lostamomentortwointhedeepsnow，andbeforetheycouldregaintheroadthebayshadsweptsuperblypast，leavingtheirrivalstofollowintherear.Oncamethepintos，swiftlynearingtheFort.Surelyatthatpacetheycannotmaketheturn.ButSandyknowshisleaders.Theyhavetheireyesupontheteamsinfront，andneednotouchofrein.Withouttheslightestchangeinspeedthenimble—footedbronchosroundtheturn，haulingthebigroansafterthem，andfallinbehindthecitizens’team，whichisregainingsteadilythegroundlostintheturn.
Andnowthestruggleisforthebridgeovertheravine.Thebaysinfront，runningwithmouthswideopen，areevidentlydoingtheirbest;behindthem，andeverymomentnearingthem，butatthelimitoftheirspeedtoo，comethelighterandfleetercitizens’team;
whileoppositetheirdriverarethepintos，pullinghard，eagerandfresh.Theirtemperistoouncertaintosendthemtothefront;
theyrunwellfollowing，butwhenleadingcannotbetrusted，andbesides，abronchohatesabridge;soSandyholdsthemwheretheyare，waitingandhopingforhischanceafterthebridgeiscrossed.
Footbyfootthecitizens’teamcreepupupontheflankofthebays，withthepintosinturnhuggingthemclosely，tillitseemsasifthethree，ifnoneslackens，muststrikethebridgetogether;
andthiswillmeandestructiontooneatleast.ThisdangerSandyperceives，buthedarenotcheckhisleaders.Suddenly，withinafewyardsofthebridge，Baptistethrowshimselfuponthelines，wrenchesthemoutofSandy’shands，and，withaquickswing，facesthepintosdownthesteepsideoftheravine，whichisalmostsheericewithathincoatofsnow.Itisadaringcoursetotake，fortheravine，thoughnotdeep，isfullofundergrowth，andispartiallyclosedupbyabrushheapatthefurtherend.But，withayell，Baptistehurlshisfourhorsesdowntheslope，andintotheundergrowth.’Allons，mesenfants！Courage！vite，vite！’criestheirdriver，andnoblydothepintosrespond.Regardlessofbushesandbrushheaps，theyteartheirwaythrough;but，astheyemerge，thehindbob—sleighcatchesaroot，and，withacrash，thesleighishurledhighintheair.Baptiste’scriesringouthighandshrillasever，encouraginghisteam，andneverceasetill，withaplungeandascramble，theyclearthebrushheaplyingatthemouthoftheravine，andareoutontheiceontheriver，withBaptistestandingonthefrontbob，theboxtrailingbehind，andSandynowheretobeseen.
Threehundredyardsofthecourseremain.Thebays，perfectlyhandled，havegainedatthebridgeandinthedescenttotheice，andareleadingthecitizens’teambyhalfadozensleighlengths.
BehindbothcomesBaptiste.Itisnoworneverforthepintos.
Therattleofthetrailingbox，togetherwiththewildyellingofthecrowdrushingdownthebank，excitesthebronchostomadness，and，takingthebitsintheirteeth，theydotheirfirstfreerunningthatday.Pastthecitizens’teamlikeawhirlwindtheydash，cleartheinterveningspace，andgaintheflanksofthebays.
Canthebaysholdthem？Overthemleanstheirdriver，plyingforthefirsttimethehissinglash.Onlyfiftyyardsmore.Theminersbegintoyell.ButBaptiste，wavinghislineshighinonehandseizeshistuquewiththeother，whirlsitabouthisheadandflingsitwithafierceryellthaneveratthebronchos.Liketheburstingofahurricanethepintosleapforward，andwithasplendidrushcrossthescratch，winnersbytheirownlength.
Therewasawildquarterofanhour.Theshantymenhadtornofftheircoatsandwerewavingthemwildlyandtossingthemhigh，whiletheranchersaddedtotheuproarbyemptyingtheirrevolversintotheairinawaythatmadeonenervous.
WhenthecrowdwassomewhatquietedSandy’sstifffigureappeared，slowlymakingtowardsthem.Adozenlumbermenrantohim，eagerlyinquiringifhewerehurt.ButSandycouldonlycursethelittleFrenchmanforlosingtherace.
’Lost！Why，man，we’vewonit！’shoutedavoice，atwhichSandy’sragevanished，andheallowedhimselftobecarriedinupontheshouldersofhisadmirers.
’Where’sthelad？’washisfirstquestion.
Thebronchosareoffwithhim.He’sdownattherapidslikeenough.’
’Letmego，’shoutedSandy，settingoffataruninthetrackofthesleigh.HehadnotgonefarbeforehemetBaptistecomingbackwithhisteamfoaming，theroansgoingquietly，butthebronchosdancing，andeagertobeatitagain.
’Voila！bullyboy！tankthebonDieu，Sandy;younotkeel，heh？
Ah！youareonegrandchevalier，’exclaimedBaptiste，haulingSandyinandthrustingthelinesintohishands.Andsotheycameback，thesleighboxstilldraggingbehind，thepintosexecutingfantasticfiguresontheirhindlegs，andSandyholdingthemdown.
ThelittleFrenchmanstruckadramaticattitudeandcalledout——
’Voila！What’sthematterwizSandy，heh？’
Theroarthatansweredsetthebronchosoffagainplungingandkicking，andonlywhenBaptistegotthembytheheadscouldtheybeinducedtostandlongenoughtoallowSandytobeproclaimedwinneroftherace.SeveralofthelumbermensprangintothesleighboxwithSandyandBaptiste，amongthemKeefe，followedbyNelson，andthefirstpartofthegreatdaywasover.Slavincouldnotunderstandtheneworderofthings.Thatagreateventlikethefour—horseraceshouldnotbefollowedby’drinksallround’wastohimatoncedisgustingandincomprehensible;and，realisinghisdefeatforthemoment，hefellintothecrowdanddisappeared.Butheleftbehindhimhis’runners.’Hehadnotyetthrownupthegame.
Mr.Craigmeantimecametome，and，lookinganxiouslyafterSandyinhissleigh，withhisfranticcrowdofyellingadmirers，saidinagloomyvoice，’PoorSandy！Heiseasilycaught，andKeefehasthedevil’scunning.’
’Hewon’ttouchSlavin’swhiskyto—day，’Iansweredconfidently.
’There’llbetwentybottleswaitinghiminthestable，’herepliedbitterly，’andIcan’tgofollowinghimup.’
’Hewon’tstandthat，nomanwould.Godhelpusall.’Icouldhardlyrecognisemyself，forIfoundinmyheartanearnestechotothatprayerasIwatchedhimgotowardthecrowdagain，hisfacesetinstrongdetermination.Helookedlikethecaptainofaforlornhope，andIwasproudtobefollowinghim.
CHAPTERIII
WATERLOO.OURFIGHT——HISVICTORY
Thesportswereover，andthereremainedstillanhourtobefilledinbeforedinner.ItwasanhourfullofdangertoCraig’shopesofvictory，forthemenwerewildwithexcitement，andreadyforthemostrecklessmeansof’slingingtheirdust.’IcouldnotbutadmiretheskillwithwhichMr.Craigcaughttheirattention.
’Gentlemen，’hecalledout，’we’veforgottenthejudgeofthegreatrace.ThreecheersforMr.Connor！’
Twooftheshantymenpickedmeupandhoistedmeontheirshoulderswhilethecheersweregiven.
’AnnouncethePunchandJudy，’heentreatedme，inalowvoice.I
didsoinalittlespeech，andwasforthwithbornealoft，throughthestreettothebooth，followedbythewholecrowd，cheeringlikemad.
Theexcitementofthecrowdcaughtme，andforanhourIsqueakedandworkedthewiresoftheimmortalandunhappyfamilyinamannerhithertounapproachedbymeatleast.IwasgladenoughwhenGraemecametotellmetosendthemenintodinner.ThisMr.
Punchdidinthemostgraciousmanner，andagainwithcheersforPunch’smastertheytroopedtumultuouslyintothetent.
WehadonlywellbegunwhenBaptistecameinquietlybuthurriedlyandwhisperedtome——
’M’sieuCraig，he’sgonetoSlavin’s，andwouldlakyouandM’sieuGraemewouldfollowqueek.Sandyhe’stakeoneleeldrinkupatdestable，andhe’sgomadlakonediable.’
IsenthimforGraeme，whowaspresidingatdinner，andsetoffforSlavin’satarun.ThereIfoundMr.CraigandNelsonholdingSandy，morethanhalfdrunk，backfromSlavin，who，strippedtotheshirt，wascoollywaitingwithatauntingsmile.
’Letmego，Mr.Craig，’Sandywassaying，’IamagoodPresbyterian.
HeisaPapistthief;andhehasmymoney;andIwillhaveitoutofthesoulofhim.’
’Lethimgo，preacher，’sneeredSlavin，’I’llcoolhimoffforyez.
Butye’dbetterholdhimifyezwantshismugleftontohim.’
’Lethimgo！’Keefewasshouting.
’Handsoff！’Blaneywasechoing.
Ipushedmywayin.’What’sup？’Icried.
’Mr.Connor，’saidSandysolemnly，’itisagentlemanyouare，thoughyournameisagainstyou，andIamagoodPresbyterian，andIcangiveyoutheCommandmentsandReasonsannexedtothem;
butyon’sathief，aPapistthief，andIamjustifiedingettingmymoneyoutofhissoul.’
’But，’Iremonstrated，’youwon’tgetitinthisway.’
’Hehasmymoney，’reiteratedSandy.
’Heisablankliar，andhe’safraidtotakeitup，’saidSlavin，inalow，cooltone.
WitharoarSandybrokeawayandrushedathim;but，withoutmovingfromhistracks，Slavinmethimwithastraightleft—handerandlaidhimflat.
’Hooray，’yelledBlaney，’Irelandforever！’and，seizingtheironpoker，swungitaroundhishead，crying，’Back，or，bytheholyMoses，I’llkillthefirstmanthatinterfereswidthegame.’
’Giveittohim！’Keefesaidsavagely.
Sandyroseslowly，gazingroundstupidly.
’Hedon’tknowwhathithim，’laughedKeefe.
ThisrousedtheHighlander，andsaying，’I’llsettleyouafterwards，MisterKeefe，’herushedinagainatSlavin.AgainSlavinmethimagainwithhisleft，staggeredhim，and，beforehefell，tookastepforwardanddeliveredaterrificright—handblowonhisjaw.PoorSandywentdowninaheapamidtheyellsofBlaney，Keefe，andsomeothersofthegang.IwasindespairwhenincameBaptisteandGraeme.
OnelookatSandy，andBaptistetoreoffhiscoatandcap，slammedthemonthefloor，dancedonthem，andwithalong—drawn’sap—r—r—r—rie，’rushedatSlavin.ButGraemecaughthimbythebackoftheneck，saying，’Holdon，littleman，’andturningtoSlavin，pointedtoSandy，whowasrevivingunderNelson’scare，andsaid，’What’sthisfor？’
’Askhim，’saidSlavininsolently.’Heknows.’
’Whatisit，Nelson？’
NelsonexplainedthatSandy，afterdrinkingsomeatthestableandaglassattheBlackRockHotel，hadcomedownherewithKeefeandtheothers，hadlosthismoney，andwasaccusingSlavinofrobbinghim.
’Didyoufurnishhimwithliquor？’saidGraemesternly.
’Itisnoneofyourbusiness，’repliedSlavin，withanoath.
’Ishallmakeitmybusiness.Itisnotthefirsttimemymenhavelostmoneyinthissaloon.’
’Youlie，’saidSlavin，withdeliberateemphasis.
’Slavin，’saidGraemequietly，’it’sapityyousaidthat，because，unlessyouapologiseinoneminute，Ishallmakeyousorry.’
’Apologise？’roaredSlavin，’apologisetoyou？’callinghimavilename.
Graemegrewwhite，andsaidevenmoreslowly，’Nowyou’llhavetotakeit;noapologywilldo.’
Heslowlystrippedoffcoatandvest.Mr.Craiginterposed，beggingGraemetoletthematterpass.’Surelyheisnotworthit.’
’Mr.Craig，’saidGraeme，withaneasysmile，’youdon’tunderstand.Nomancancallmethatnameandwalkaroundafterwardsfeelingwell.’
Then，turningtoSlavin，hesaid，’Now，ifyouwantaminute’srest，Icanwait.’
Slavin，withacurse，badehimcome.
’Blaney，’saidGraemesharply，’yougetback.’BlaneypromptlysteppedbacktoKeefe’sside.’Nelson，youandBaptistecanseethattheystaythere.’TheoldmannoddedandlookedatCraig，whosimplysaid，’Dothebestyoucan.’
Itwasagoodfight.Slavinhadplentyofpluck，andforatimeforcedthefighting，Graemeguardingeasilyandtappinghimaggravatinglyaboutthenoseandeyes，drawingblood，butnotdisablinghim.GraduallytherecamealookoffearintoSlavin’seyes，andthebeadsstooduponhisface.Hehadmethismaster.
’Now，Slavin，you’rebeginningtobesorry;andnowIamgoingtoshowyouwhatyouaremadeof.’Graememadeoneortwolightningpasses，struckSlavinone，two，threeterrificblows，andlaidhimquiteflatandsenseless.KeefeandBlaneybothsprangforward，buttherewasasavagekindofgrowl.
’Hold，there！’ItwasoldmanNelsonlookingalongapistolbarrel.’Youknowme，Keefe，’hesaid.’Youwon’tdoanymurderthistime.’
Keefeturnedgreenandyellow，andstaggeredback，whileSlavinslowlyrosetohisfeet.
’Willyoutakesomemore？’saidGraeme.’Youhaven’tgotmuch;butmindIhavestoppedplayingwithyou.Putupyourgun，Nelson.Noonewillinterferenow.’
Slavinhesitated，thenrushed，butGraemesteppedtomeethim，andwesawSlavin’sheelsintheairashefellbackuponhisneckandshouldersandlaystill，withhistoesquivering.
’Bon！’yelledBaptiste.’Bullyboy！Dat’sdebonstuff.Dat’slarnhimonegoodlesson.’Butimmediatelyheshrieked，Gar—r—r—r—eavous！’
Hewastoolate，fortherewasacrashofbreakingglass，andGraemefelltothefloorwithalongdeepcutonthesideofhishead.Keefehadhurledabottlewithalltoosureanaim，andhadfled.Ithoughthewasdead;butwecarriedhimout，andinafewminuteshegroaned，openedhiseyes，andsankagainintoinsensibility.
’Wherecanwetakehim？’Icried.
’Tomyshack，’saidMr.Craig.
’Istherenoplacenearer？’
’Yes;Mrs.Mavor’s.Ishallrunontotellher.’
Shemetusatthedoor.Ihadinmindtosaysomewordsofapology，butwhenIlookeduponherfaceIforgotmywords，forgotmybusinessatherdoor，andstoodsimplylooking.
’Comein！Bringhimin！Pleasedonotwait，’shesaid，andhervoicewassweetandsoftandfirm.
WelaidhiminalargeroomatthebackoftheshopoverwhichMrs.
Mavorlived.Togetherwedressedthewound，herfirmwhitefingers，skilfulasifwithlongtraining.BeforethedressingwasfinishedIsentCraigoff，forthetimehadcomefortheMagicLanterninthechurch，andIknewhowcriticalthemomentwasinourfight.’Go，’Isaid;’heiscomingto，andwedonotneedyou.’
InafewmomentsmoreGraemerevived，and，gazingabout，asked，’What’s，allthisabout？’andthen，recollecting，’Ah！thatbruteKeefe’;thenseeingmyanxiousfacehesaidcarelessly，’Awfulbore，ain’tit？Sorrytotroubleyou，oldfellow.’
’Youbehanged！’Isaidshortly;forhisoldsweetsmilewasplayingabouthislips，andwasalmosttoomuchforme.’Mrs.
MavorandIareincommand，andyoumustkeepperfectlystill.’
’Mrs.Mavor？’hesaid，insurprise.Shecameforward，withaslightflushonherface.
’Ithinkyouknowme，Mr.Graeme.’
’Ihaveoftenseenyou，andwishedtoknowyou.Iamsorrytobringyouthistrouble.’
’Youmustnotsayso，’shereplied，’butletmedoallforyouthatIcan.Andnowthedoctorsaysyouaretoliestill.’
’Thedoctor？Oh！youmeanConnor.Heishardlythereyet.Youdon’tknoweachother.PermitmetopresentMr.Connor，Mrs.
Mavor.’
Asshebowedslightly，hereyeslookedintominewithseriousgaze，notinquiring，yetsearchingmysoul.AsIlookedintohereyesI
forgoteverythingaboutme，andwhenIrecalledmyselfitseemedasifIhadbeenawayinsomefarplace.Itwasnottheircolourortheirbrightness;Idonotyetknowtheircolour，andIhaveoftenlookedintothem;andtheywerenotbright;buttheywereclear，andonecouldlookfardownintothem，andintheirdepthsseeaglowing，steadylight.AsIwenttogetsomedrugsfromtheBlackRockdoctor，Ifoundmyselfwonderingaboutthatfar—downlight;
andabouthervoice，howitcouldgetthatsoundfromfaraway.
Ifoundthedoctorquitedrunk，asindeedMr.Craighadwarned;buthisdrugsweregood，andIgotwhatIwantedandquicklyreturned.
WhileGraemesleptMrs.Mavormademetea.AstheeveningworeonItoldhertheeventsoftheday，dwellingadmiringlyuponCraig’sgeneralship.Shesmiledatthis.
’Hegotmetoo，’shesaid.’Nixonwassenttomejustbeforethesports;andIdon’tthinkhewillbreakdownto—day，andIamsothankful.’Andhereyesglowed.
’Iamquitesurehewon’t，’Ithoughttomyself，butIsaidnoword.
Afteralongpause，shewenton，’IhavepromisedMr.Craigtosingto—night，ifIamneeded！’andthen，afteramoment’shesitation，’ItistwoyearssinceIhavebeenabletosing——twoyears，’sherepeated，’since’——andthenherbravevoicetrembled——’myhusbandwaskilled.’
’Iquiteunderstand，’Isaid，havingnootherwordonmytongue’And，’shewentonquietly，’IfearIhavebeenselfish.Itishardtosingthesamesongs.Wewereveryhappy.Buttheminersliketohearmesing，andIthinkperhapsithelpsthemtofeellesslonely，andkeepsthemfromevil.Ishalltryto—night，ifI
amneeded.Mr.Craigwillnotaskmeunlesshemust.’
IwouldhaveseeneveryminerandlumbermanintheplacehideouslydrunkbeforeIwouldhaveaskedhertosingonesongwhileherheartached.IwonderedatCraig，andsaid，ratherangrily——
’Hethinksonlyofthosewretchedminersandshantymenofhis.’
Shelookedatmewithwonderinhereyes，andsaidgently，’AndaretheynotChrist’stoo？’
AndIfoundnowordtoreply.
Itwasnearingteno’clock，andIwaswonderinghowthefightwasgoing，andhopingthatMrs.Mavorwouldnotbeneeded，whenthedooropened，andoldmanNelsonandSandy，thelattermuchbatteredandashamed，cameinwiththewordforMrs.Mavor.
’Iwillcome，’shesaidsimply.Shesawmepreparingtoaccompanyher，andasked，’Doyouthinkyoucanleavehim？’
’HewilldoquitewellinNelson’scare.’
’ThenIamglad;forImusttakemylittleonewithme.IdidnotputhertobedincaseIshouldneedtogo，andImaynotleaveher.’
Weenteredthechurchbythebackdoor，andsawatoncethatevenyetthebattlemighteasilybelost.
SomeminershadjustcomefromSlavin’s，evidentlybentonbreakingupthemeeting，inrevengeforthecollapseofthedance，whichSlavinwasunabletoenjoy，muchlessdirect.Craigwasgallantlyholdinghisground，findingithardworktokeephismeningoodhumour，andsopreventafight，fortherewerecriesof’Puthimout！Putthebeastout！’ataminerhalfdrunkandwhollyoutrageous.
ThelookofreliefthatcameoverhisfacewhenCraigcaughtsightofustoldhowanxioushehadbeen，andreconciledmetoMrs.
Mavor’ssinging.’ThankthegoodGod，’hesaid，withwhatcamenearbeingasob，’Iwasabouttodespair.’
Heimmediatelywalkedtothefrontandcalledout——
’Gentlemen，ifyouwishit，Mrs.Mavorwillsing.’
Therewasadeadsilence.Someonebegantoapplaud，butaminersaidsavagely，’Stopthat，youfool！’
Therewasafewmoments’delay，whenfromthecrowdavoicecalledout，’DoesMrs.Mavorwishtosing？’followedbycriesof’Ay，that’sit.’ThenShaw，theforemanatthemines，stoodupintheaudienceandsaid——
’Mr.Craigandgentlemen，youknowthatthreeyearsagoIwasknownas\"OldRicketts，\"andthatIoweallIamto—night，underGod，toMrs.Mavor，and’——withalittlequiverinhisvoice——’herbaby.
Andweallknowthatfortwoyearsshehasnotsung;andweallknowwhy.AndwhatIsayis，thatifshedoesnotfeellikesingingto—night，sheisnotgoingtosingtokeepanydrunkenbruteofSlavin’scrowdquiet.’
Thereweredeepgrowlsofapprovalalloverthechurch.IcouldhavehuggedShawthenandthere.Mr.CraigwenttoMrs.Mavor，andafterawordwithhercamebackandsaid——
’Mrs.Mavor，wishesmetothankherdearfriendMr.Shaw，butsaysshewouldliketosing.’
Theresponsewasperfectstillness.Mr.Craigsatdowntotheorganandplayedtheopeningbarsofthetouchingmelody，’OftintheStillyNight.’Mrs.Mavorcametothefront，and，withasmileofexquisitesweetnessuponhersadface，andlookingstraightatuswithhergloriouseyes，begantosing.
Hervoice，arichsoprano，evenandtrue，roseandfell，nowsoft，nowstrong，butalwaysfillingthebuilding，pouringaroundusfloodsofmusic.IhadheardPatti’s’Home，sweetHome，’andofallsingingthataloneaffectedmeasdidthis.
Attheendofthefirstversethefewwomeninthechurchandsomemenwereweepingquietly;butwhenshebeganthewords——
’WhenIrememberallThefriendsoncelinkedtogether，’
sobscameoneverysidefromthesetender—heartedfellows，andShawquitelosthisgrip.Butshesangsteadilyon，thetoneclearerandsweeterandfullerateverynote，andwhenthesoundofhervoicediedaway，shestoodlookingatthemenasifinwonderthattheyshouldweep.Noonemoved.Mr.Craigplayedsoftlyon，and，wanderingthroughmanyvariations，arrivedatlastat’Jesus，loverofmysoul.’
Asshesangtheappealingwords，herfacewasliftedup，andshesawnoneofus;butshemusthaveseensomeone，forthecryinhervoicecouldonlycomefromonewhocouldseeandfeelhelpcloseathand.Onandonwentthegloriousvoice，searchingmysoul’sdepths;butwhenshecametothewords——
’Thou，OChrist，artallIwant，’
shestretchedupherarms——shehadquiteforgottenus，hervoicehadbornehertootherworlds——andsangwithsuchapassionof’abandon’thatmysoulwasreadytosurrenderanything，everything.
AgainMr.Craigwanderedonthroughhischangingchordstillagainhecametofamiliarground，andthevoicebegan，inlow，thrillingtones，Bernard’sgreatsongofhome——
’Jerusalemthegolden.’
Everyword，withallitsweightofmeaning，camewingingtooursouls，tillwefoundourselvesgazingafarintothosestatelyhallsofZion，withtheirdaylightsereneandtheirjubilantthrongs.
Whenthesingercametothelastversetherewasapause.AgainMr.Craigsoftlyplayedtheinterlude，butstilltherewasnovoice.Ilookedup.Shewasverywhite，andhereyeswereglowingwiththeirdeeplight.Mr.Craiglookedquicklyabout，sawher，stopped，andhalfrose，asiftogotoher，when，inavoicethatseemedtocomefromafar—offland，shewenton——
’Osweetandblessedcountry！’
Thelonging，theyearning，inthesecond’O’wereindescribable.
Againandagain，assheheldthatword，andthendroppeddownwiththecadenceinthemusic，myheartachedforIknewnotwhat.
Theaudienceweresittingasinatrance.Thegrimyfacesoftheminers，fortheynevergetquitewhite，werefurrowedwiththetear—courses.Shaw，bythistime，hadhisfacetooliftedhigh，hiseyesgazingfarabovethesinger’shead，andIknewbytheraptureinhisfacethathewasseeing，asshesaw，thethrongingstatelyhallsandthewhite—robedconquerors.Hehadfelt，andwasstillfeeling，allthestressofthefight，andtohimthevisionoftheconquerorsintheirglorywassoul—drawingandsoul—
stirring.AndNixon，too——hehadhisvision;butwhathesawwasthefaceofthesinger，withtheshiningeyes，and，bythelookofhim，thatwasvisionenough.
ImmediatelyafterherlastnoteMrs.Mavorstretchedoutherhandstoherlittlegirl，whowassittingonmyknee，caughtherup，and，holdingherclosetoherbreast，walkedquicklybehindthecurtain.
Notasoundfollowedthesinging：noonemovedtillshehaddisappeared;andthenMr.Craigcametothefront，and，motioningtometofollowMrs.Mavor，beganinalow，distinctvoice——
’Gentlemen，itwasnoteasyforMrs.Mavortosingforus，andyouknowshesangbecausesheisaminer’swife，andherheartiswiththeminers.Butshesang，too，becauseherheartisHiswhocametoearththisdaysomanyyearsagotosaveusall;andshewouldmakeyouloveHimtoo.ForinlovingHimyouaresavedfromallbaseloves，andyouknowwhatImean.
’Andbeforewesaygood—night，men，Iwanttoknowifthetimeisnotcomewhenallofyouwhomeantobebetterthanyouareshouldjoininputtingfromusthisthingthathasbroughtsorrowandshametousandtothosewelove？YouknowwhatImean.Someofyouarestrong;willyoustandbyandseeweakermenrobbedofthemoneytheysaveforthosefaraway，androbbedofthemanhoodthatnomoneycanbuyorrestore？
’Willthestrongmenhelp？Shallwealljoinhandsinthis？Whatdoyousay？Inthistownwehaveoftenseenhell，andjustamomentagowewerealllookingintoheaven，\"thesweetandblessedcountry.\"Omen！’andhisvoiceranginanagonythroughthebuilding——’Omen！whichshallbeours？ForHeaven’sdearsake，letushelponeanother！Whowill？’
Iwaslookingoutthroughaslitinthecurtain.Themen，alreadywroughttointensefeelingbythemusic，werelisteningwithsetfacesandgleamingeyes，andasattheappeal’Whowill？’Craigraisedhighhishand，Shaw，Nixon，andahundredmensprangtotheirfeetandheldhightheirhands.
Ihavewitnessedsomethrillingscenesinmylife，butneveranythingtoequalthat：theonemanontheplatformstandingatfullheight，withhishandthrownuptoheaven，andthehundredmenbelowstandingstraight，witharmsupatfulllength，silent，andalmostmotionless.
ForamomentCraigheldthemso;andagainhisvoicerangout，louder，sternerthanbefore——
’Allwhomeanit，say，\"ByGod’shelpIwill.\"’Andbackfromahundredthroatscamedeepandstrongthewords，’ByGod’shelp，I
will.’
AtthispointMrs.Mavor，whomIhadquiteforgotten，putherhandonmyarm.’Goandtellhim，’shepanted，’IwantthemtocomeonThursdaynight，astheyusedtointheotherdays——go——quick，’andshealmostpushedmeout.IgaveCraighermessage.Hehelduphishandforsilence.
’Mrs.Mavorwishesmetosaythatshewillbegladtoseeyouall，asintheolddays，onThursdayevening;andIcanthinkofnobetterplacetogiveformalexpressiontoourpledgeofthisnight’
Therewasashoutofacceptance;andthen，atsomeone’scall，thelongpent—upfeelingsofthecrowdfoundventinthreemightycheersforMrs.Mavor.
’Nowforouroldhymn，’calledoutMr.Craig，’andMrs.Mavorwillleadus.’
Hesatdownattheorgan，playedafewbarsof’TheSweetByandBy，’andthenMrs.Mavorbegan.Butnotasouljoinedtilltherefrainwasreached，andthentheysangasonlymenwiththeirheartsonfirecansing.ButafterthelastrefrainMr.CraigmadeasigntoMrs.Mavor，andshesangalone，slowlyandsoftly，andwitheyeslookingfaraway——
’Inthesweetbyandby，Weshallmeetonthatbeautifulshore.’
Therewasnobenediction——thereseemednoneed;andthemenwentquietlyout.Butoverandoveragainthevoicekeptsinginginmyearsandinmyheart，’Weshallmeetonthatbeautifulshore.’Andafterthesleigh—loadsofmenhadgoneandleftthestreetempty，asIstoodwithCraigintheradiantmoonlightthatmadethegreatmountainsaboutcomenearus，fromSandy’ssleighweheardinthedistanceBaptiste’sFrench—Englishsong;butthesongthatfloateddownwiththesoundofthebellsfromtheminers’sleighwas——
’Weshallmeetonthatbeautifulshore.’
’PooroldShaw！’saidCraigsoftly.
WhenthelastsoundhaddiedawayIturnedtohimandsaid——
’Youhavewonyourfight.’
’Wehavewonourfight;Iwasbeaten，’herepliedquickly，offeringmehishand.Then，takingoffhiscap，andlookingupbeyondthemountain—topsandthesilentstars，headdedsoftly，’Ourfight，butHisvictory.’
And，thinkingitallover，Icouldnotsaybutperhapshewasright.
CHAPTERIV
MRS.MAVOR’SSTORY
ThedaysthatfollowedtheBlackRockChristmaswereanxiousdaysandweary，butnotforthebrightestofmylifewouldIchangethemnow;for，asaftertheburningheatorrockingstormthedyingdayliesbeautifulinthetenderglowoftheevening，sothesedayshavelosttheirwearinessandliebathedinamistyglory.Theyearsthatbringusmanyills，andthatpasssostormfullyoverus，bearawaywiththemtheugliness，theweariness，thepainthataretheirs，butthebeauty，thesweetness，theresttheyleaveuntouched，fortheseareeternal.Asthemountains，thatnearathandstandjaggedandscarred，inthefardistancereposeintheirsoftrobesofpurplehaze，sotheroughpresentfadesintothepast，softandsweetandbeautiful.
Ihavesetmyselftorecallthepainandanxietyofthosedaysandnightswhenwewaitedinfearfortheturnofthefever，butIcanonlythinkofthepatienceandgentlenessandcourageofherwhostoodbesideme，bearingmorethanhalfmyburden.AndwhileIcanseethefaceofLeslieGraeme，ghastlyorflushed，andhearhislowmoaningorthebrokenwordsofhisdelirium，Ithinkchieflyofthebrightfacebendingoverhim，andofthecool，firm，swift—movinghandsthatsoothedandsmoothedandrested，andthevoice，likethesoftsongofabirdinthetwilight，thatneverfailedtobringpeace.
Mrs.MavorandIweremuchtogetherduringthosedays.ImademyhomeinMr.Craig’sshack，butmostofmytimewasspentbesidemyfriend.WedidnotseemuchofCraig，forhewasheart—deepwiththeminers，layingplansforthemakingoftheLeaguethefollowingThursday;andthoughhesharedouranxietyandwaseverreadytorelieveus，histhoughtandhistalkhadmostlytodowiththeLeague.
Mrs.Mavor’seveningsweregiventotheminers，butherafternoonsmostlytoGraemeandtome，andthenitwasIsawanothersideofhercharacter.Wewouldsitinherlittledining—room，wherethepicturesonthewalls，thequaintoldsilver，andbitsofcuriouslycutglass，allspokeofotheranddifferentdays，andthencewewouldroamtheworldofliteratureandart.Keenlysensitivetoallthegoodandbeautifulinthese，shehadherfavouritesamongthemasters，forwhomshewasreadytodobattle;andwhenherargument，instinctwithfancyandvividimagination，failed，shesweptawayallopposingopinionwiththeswiftrushofherenthusiasm;sothat，thoughIfeltshewasbeaten，Iwasleftwithoutwordstoreply.ShakespeareandTennysonandBurnssheloved，butnotShelley，norByron，norevenWordsworth.Browningsheknewnot，andthereforecouldnotrankhimwithhernoblestthree;butwhenIreadtoher’ADeathintheDesert，’and，cametothenoblewordsattheendofthetale——
’ForallwasasIsay，andnowthemanLiesasheoncelay，breasttobreastwithGod，’
thelightshoneinhereyes，andshesaid，’Oh，thatisgoodandgreat;Ishallgetmuchoutofhim;Ihadalwaysfearedhewasimpossible.’And’Paracelsus，’too，stirredher;butwhenI
recitedthethrillingfragment，’Prospice，’ontothatclosingrapturouscry——
’Thenalight，thenthybreast，Othousoulofmysoul！Ishallclasptheeagain，AndwithGodbetherest！’——
theredcolourfadedfromhercheek，herbreathcameinasob，andsherosequicklyandpassedoutwithoutaword.Everafter，Browningwasamonghergods.Butwhenwetalkedofmusic，she，adoringWagner，soareduponthewingsofthemightyTannhauser，farabove，intoregionsunknown，leavingmetowalksoberlywithBeethovenandMendelssohn.Yetwithallourfree，franktalk，therewasallthewhilethatinhergentlecourtesywhichkeptmefromventuringintoanychamberofherlifewhosedoorshedidnotsetfreelyopentome.SoIvexedmyselfabouther，andwhenMr.
CraigreturnedthenextweekfromtheLandingwherehehadbeenforsomedays，myfirstquestionwas——
’WhoisMrs.Mavor？Andhowinthenameofallthatiswonderfulandunlikelydoesshecometobehere？Andwhydoesshestay？’
Hewouldnotanswerthen;whetheritwasthathismindwasfullofthecomingstruggle，orwhetherheshrankfromthetale，Iknownot;butthatnight，whenwesattogetherbesidehisfire，hetoldmethestory，whileIsmoked.Hewaswornwithhislong，harddrive，andwiththeburdenofhiswork，butashewentonwithhistale，lookingintothefireashetoldit，heforgotallhispresentwearinessandlivedagainthesceneshepaintedforme.
Thiswashisstory：——
’Irememberwellmyfirstsightofher，asshesprangfromthefrontseatofthestagetotheground，hardlytouchingherhusband’shand.Shelookedameregirl.Let’ssee——fiveyearsago——shecouldn’thavebeenadayovertwentythree.Shelookedbarelytwenty.Herswiftglancesweptoverthegroupofminersatthehoteldoor，andthenrestedonthemountainsstandinginalltheirautumnglory.
’Iwasproudofourmountainsthatevening.Turningtoherhusband，sheexclaimed：\"OLewis，aretheynotgrand？andlovely，too？\"Everyminerlosthisheartthenandthere，butallwaitedforAbethedrivertogivehisverdictbeforeventuringanopinion.
Abesaidnothinguntilhehadtakenapreliminarydrink，andthen，callingallhandstofillup，heliftedhisglasshigh，andsaidsolemnly——
’\"Boys，here’stoher.\"
’Likeaflasheveryglasswasemptied，andAbecalledout，\"Fillherupagain，boys！Mytreat！\"
’Hewasevidentlyquiteworkedup.Thenhebegan，withsolemnemphasis——
’\"Boys，youhearme！She’saNo.1，tripleX，thepurequillwithabeadonit：she’sa——，\"andforthefirsttimeinhisBlackRockhistoryAbewasstuckforaword.Someonesuggested\"angel.\"
’\"Angel！\"repeatedAbe，withinfinitecontempt.\"Angelbeblowed，\"
（Iparaphrasehere）;\"angelsain’tinthesamemonthwithher;I’dliketoseeanyblankedangelswingmyteamaroundthemcurveswithoutashiver.\"
’\"Heldthelinesherself，Abe？\"askedaminer.
’\"That’swhat，\"saidAbe;andthenhewentoffintoafusiladeofscientificprofanity，expressiveofhisesteemforthegirlwhohadswunghisteamroundthecurves;andtheminersnoddedtoeachother，andwinkedtheirentireapprovalofAbe’sperformance，forthiswashisspecialty.
’Verydecentfellow，Abe，buthistalkwouldn’tprint.’
HereCraigpaused，asifbalancingAbe’svirtuesandvices.
’Well，’Iurged，’whoisshe？’
’Ohyes，’hesaid，recallinghimself;’sheisanEdinburghyounglady——metLewisMayor，ayoungScotch—Englishman，inLondon——
wealthy，goodfamily，andallthat，butfast，andgoingtopiecesathome.Hispeople，whoownlargesharesinthesemineshere，asalastresortsenthimoutheretoreform.Curiouslyinnocentideasthoseoldcountrypeoplehaveofthereformingpropertiesofthisatmosphere！Theysendtheiryoungbloodsheretoreform.
Here！inthisdevil’scamp—ground，whereaman’slustishisonlylaw，andwhen，fromsheermonotony，amanmustbetakehimselftotheonlyexcitementoftheplace——thatofferedbythesaloon.Goodpeopleintheeastholdupholyhandsofhorroratthesegodlessminers;butItellyouit’saskingtheseboysagooddealtokeepstraightandcleaninaplacelikethis.Itakemyexcitementinfightingthedevilanddoingmyworkgenerally，andthatgivesmeenough;butthesepoorchaps——hardworked，homeless，withnobreakorchange——Godhelpthemandme！’andhisvoicesanklow.
’Well，’Ipersisted，’didMavorreform？’
Againherousedhimself.’Reform？Notexactly.Insix—monthshehadbrokenthroughallrestraint;and，mindyou，nottheminers’
fault——notaminerhelpedhimdown.ItwasasighttomakeangelsweepwhenMrs.Mavorwouldcometothesaloondoorforherhusband.
Everyminerwouldvanish;theycouldnotlookuponhershame，andtheywouldsendMavorforthinthechargeofBillyBreen，aqueerlittlechap，whohadbelongedtotheMavorsinsomewayintheoldcountry，andbetweenthemtheywouldgethimhome.Howshestooditpuzzlesmetothisday;butshenevermadeanysign，andhercourageneverfailed.Itwasalwaysabright，brave，proudfaceshehelduptotheworld——exceptinchurch;thereitwasdifferent.
Iusedtopreachmysermons，Ibelieve，mostlyforher——butneversothatshecouldsuspect——asbravelyandascheerilyasIcould.
Andasshelistened，andespeciallyasshesang——howsheusedtosinginthosedays！——therewasnotouchofprideinherface，thoughthecourageneverdiedout，butappeal，appeal！Icouldhavecursedaloudthecauseofhermisery，orweptforthepityofit.Beforeherbabywasbornheseemedtopullhimselftogether，forhewasquitemadabouther，andfromthedaythebabycame——
talkaboutmiracles！——fromthatdayheneverdrankadrop.Shegavethebabyovertohim，andthebabysimplyabsorbedhim.
’Hewasanewman.Hecouldnotdrinkwhiskyandkisshisbaby.
Andtheminers——itwasreallyabsurdifitwerenotsopathetic.
ItwasthefirstbabyinBlackRock，andtheyusedtocrowdMavor’sshopandpeepintotheroomatthebackofit——Iforgottotellyouthatwhenhelosthispositionasmanagerheopenedahardwareshop，forhispeoplechuckedhim，andhewastooproudtowritehomeformoney——justforachancetobeaskedintoseethebaby.
IcameuponNixonstandingatthebackoftheshopafterhehadseenthebabyforthefirsttime，sobbinghard，andtomyquestionhereplied：\"It’sjustlikemyown.\"Youcan’tunderstandthis.
Buttomenwhohavelivedsolonginthemountainsthattheyhaveforgottenwhatababylookslike，whohavehadexperienceofhumanityonlyinitsroughest，foulestform，thislittlemite，sweetandclean，waslikeanangelfreshfromheaven，theonelinkinallthatblackcampthatboundthemtowhatwaspurestandbestintheirpast.
’Andtoseethemotherandherbabyhandletheminers！
’Oh，itwasallbeautifulbeyondwords！IshallneverforgettheshockIgotonenightwhenIfound\"OldRicketts\"nursingthebaby.
Adrunkenoldbeasthewas;buttherehewassitting，soberenough，makingextraordinaryfacesatthebaby，whowasgrabbingathisnoseandwhiskersandcooinginblissfuldelight.Poor\"OldRicketts\"lookedasifhehadbeencaughtstealing，andmutteringsomethingabouthavingtogo，gazedwildlyroundforsomeplaceinwhichtolaythebaby，whenincamethemother，sayinginherownsweet，frankway：\"OMr.Ricketts\"（shedidn’tfindouttillafterwardshisnamewasShaw），\"wouldyoumindkeepingherjustalittlelonger？——Ishallbebackinafewminutes.\"And\"OldRicketts\"guessedhecouldwait.
’Butinsixmonthsmotherandbaby，betweenthem，transformed\"OldRicketts\"intoMr.Shaw，fire—bossofthemines.Andthenintheevenings，whenshewouldbesingingherbabytosleep，thelittleshopwouldbefullofminers，listeningindeadsilencetothebaby—songs，andtheEnglishsongs，andtheScotchsongsshepouredforthwithoutstint，forshesangmoreforthemthanforherbaby.
Nowondertheyadoredher.Shewassobright，sogay，shebroughtlightwithherwhenshewentintothecamp，intothepits——forshewentdowntoseethemenwork——orintoasickminer’sshack;andmanyaman，lonelyandsickforhomeorwife，orbabyormother，foundinthatbackroomcheerandcomfortandcourage，andtomanyapoorbrokenwretchthatroombecame，asoneminerputit，\"theanteroomtoheaven.\"’
Mr.Craigpaused，andIwaited.Thenhewentonslowly——
’Forayearandahalfthatwasthehappiesthomeinalltheworld，tilloneday——’
Heputhisfaceinhishands，andshuddered.
’Idon’tthinkIcaneverforgettheawfulhorrorofthatbrightfallafternoon，when\"OldRicketts\"camebreathlesstomeandgasped，\"Come！forthedearLord’ssake，\"andIrushedafterhim.
Atthemouthoftheshaftlaythreemendead.OnewasLewisMavor.
Hehadgonedowntosuperintendtherunningofanewdrift;thetwomen，halfdrunkwithSlavin’swhisky，setoffashotprematurely，totheirownandMavor’sdestruction.Theywerebadlyburned，buthisfacewasuntouched.Aminerwasspongingoffthebloodyfrothoozingfromhislips.Theotherswerestandingaboutwaitingformetospeak.ButIcouldfindnoword，formyheartwassick，thinking，astheywere，oftheyoungmotherandherbabywaitingathome.SoIstood，lookingstupidlyfromonetotheother，tryingtofindsomereason——cowardthatIwas——whyanothershouldbearthenewsratherthanI.Andwhilewestoodthere，lookingatoneanotherinfear，therebrokeuponusthesoundofavoicemountinghighabovethebirchtops，singing——
\"Willyeno’comebackagain？
Willyeno’comebackagain？
Betterlo’edyecannabe，Willyeno’comebackagain？\"
’Astrangeterrorseizedus.Instinctivelythemenclosedupinfrontofthebody，andstoodinsilence.Nearerandnearercametheclear，sweetvoice，ringinglikeasilverbellupthesteep——
\"Sweetthelav’rock’snoteandlang，Liltin’wildlyuptheglen，Butayetaemehesingsaesang，Willyeno’comebackagain？\"
’Beforetheversewasfinished\"OldRicketts\"haddroppedonhisknees，sobbingoutbrokenly，\"OGod！OGod！havepity，havepity，havepity！\"——andeverymantookoffhishat.Andstillthevoicecamenearer，singingsobrightlytherefrain，’\"Willyeno’comebackagain？’
’Itbecameunbearable.\"OldRicketts\"sprangsuddenlytohisfeet，and，grippingmebythearm，saidpiteously，\"Oh，gotoher！forHeaven’ssake，gotoher！\"Inextrememberstandinginherpathandseeingherholdingoutherhandsfullofredlilies，cryingout，\"Aretheynotlovely？Lewisissofondofthem！\"WiththepromiseofmuchfineronesIturnedherdownapathtowardtheriver，talkingIknownotwhatfolly，tillhergreateyesgrewgrave，thenanxious，andmytonguestammeredandbecamesilent.
Then，layingherhanduponmyarm，shesaidwithgentlesweetness，\"Tellmeyourtrouble，Mr.Craig，\"andIknewmyagonyhadcome，andIburstout，\"Oh，ifitwereonlymine！\"Sheturnedquitewhite，andwithherdeepeyes——you’venoticedhereyes——drawingthetruthoutofmine，shesaid，\"Isitmine，Mr.Craig，andmybaby’s？\"Iwaited，thinkingwithwhatwordstobegin.Sheputonehandtoherheart，andwiththeothercaughtalittlepoplar—treethatshiveredunderhergrasp，andsaidwithwhitelips，butevenmoregently，\"Tellme.\"IwonderedatmyvoicebeingsosteadyasIsaid，\"Mrs.Mavor，Godwillhelpyouandyourbaby.Therehasbeenanaccident——anditisallover.\"
’Shewasaminer’swife，andtherewasnoneedformore.Icouldseethepatternofthesunlightfallingthroughthetreesuponthegrass.Icouldhearthemurmuroftheriver，andthecryofthecat—birdinthebushes，butweseemedtobeinastrangeandunrealworld.Suddenlyshestretchedoutherhandstome，andwithalittlemoansaid，\"Takemetohim.\"
’\"Sitdownforamomentortwo，\"Ientreated.
’\"No，no！Iamquiteready.See，\"sheaddedquietly，\"Iamquitestrong.\"
’Isetoffbyashortcutleadingtoherhome，hopingthemenwouldbetherebeforeus;but，passingme，shewalkedswiftlythroughthetrees，andIfollowedinfear.AswecamenearthemainpathI
heardthesoundoffeet，andItriedtostopher，butshe，too，hadheardandknew.\"Oh，letmego！\"shesaidpiteously;\"youneednotfear.\"AndIhadnotthehearttostopher.Inalittleopeningamongthepineswemetthebearers.Whenthemensawher，theylaidtheirburdengentlydownuponthecarpetofyellowpine—
needles，andthen，fortheyhadtheheartsoftruemeninthem，theywentawayintothebushesandleftheralonewithherdead.
Shewentswiftlytohisside，makingnocry，butkneelingbesidehimshestrokedhisfaceandhands，andtouchedhiscurlswithherfingers，murmuringallthetimesoftwordsoflove.\"Omydarling，mybonnie，bonniedarling，speaktome！Willyenotspeaktomejustonelittleword？Omylove，mylove，myheart’slove！
Listen，mydarling！\"Andsheputherlipstohisear，whispering，andthentheawfulstillness.Suddenlysheliftedherheadandscannedhisface，andthen，glancingroundwithawildsurpriseinhereyes，shecried，\"Hewillnotspeaktome！Oh，hewillnotspeaktome！\"Isignedtothemen，andastheycameforwardIwenttoherandtookherhands.
’\"Oh，\"shesaidwithawailinhervoice;\"hewillnotspeaktome.\"Themenweresobbingaloud.Shelookedatthemwithwide—
openeyesofwonder.\"Whyaretheyweeping？Willheneverspeaktomeagain？Tellme，\"sheinsistedgently.Thewordswererunningthroughmyhead——
’\"There’salandthatisfairerthanday，\"