’Iwouldoftenbeacowardbutfortheshameofit.’
AndsotheLeaguewaitedforthemantocome，whowastobeResidentManagerandmakethenewenterpriseasuccess.Andcomehedid;butthemannerofhiscomingwassoextraordinary，thatI
havebelievedinthedoctrineofaspecialprovidenceeversince;
forasCraigsaid，’IfhehadcomestraightfromHeavenIcouldnothavebeenmoresurprised.’
WhiletheLeaguewasthuswaiting，itsinterestcentreduponSlavin，chieflybecauseherepresentedmorethananyothertheforcesoftheenemy;andthoughBillyBreenstoodbetweenhimandthevengeanceoftheangrymenwhowouldhavemadeshortworkofhimandhissaloon，nothingcouldsavehimfromhimself，andafterthefuneralSlavinwenttohisbaranddrankwhiskyashehadneverdrunkbefore.Butthemorehedrankthefiercerandgloomierhebecame，andwhenthemendrinkingwithhimchaffedhim，hesworedeeplyandwithsuchthreatsthattheylefthimalone.
ItdidnothelpSlavineithertohaveNixonstrideinthroughthecrowddrinkingathisbarandgivehimwordsofwarning.
’Itisnotyourfault，Slavin，’hesaidinslow，coolvoice，’thatyouandyourpreciouscrewdidn’tsentmetomydeath，too.You’vewonyourbet，butIwanttosay，thatnexttime，thoughyouareseventoone，ortentimesthat，whenanyofyouboysoffermeadrinkI’lltakeyoutomeanfight，andI’llnotdisappointyou，andsomeonewillbekilled，’andsosayinghestrodeoutagain，leavingamean—lookingcrowdofmenbehindhim.AllwhohadnotbeenconcernedinthebusinessatNixon’sshackexpressedapprovalofhisposition，andhopedhewould’seeitthrough.’
ButtheimpressionofNixon’swordsuponSlavinwasasnothingcomparedwiththatmadebyGeordieCrawford.Itwasnotwhathesaidsomuchasthemannerofawfulsolemnityhecarried.Geordiewasstrugglingconscientiouslytokeephispromiseto’notbe’ardontheboys，’andfoundconsiderablereliefinrememberingthathehadagreed’toleavethemtaetheAlmichty.’Butthemannerofleavingthemwassosolemnlyawful，thatIcouldnotwonderthatSlavin’ssuperstitiousIrishnaturesuppliedhimwithsupernaturalterrors.ItwastheseconddayafterthefuneralthatGeordieandIwerewalkingtowardsSlavin’s.Therewasagreatshoutoflaughteraswedrewnear.
Geordiestoppedshort，andsaying，’We’lljuistganginameenute，’
passedthroughthecrowdanduptothebar.
’MichaelSlavin，’beganGeordie，andthemenstaredindead，silence，withtheirglassesintheirhands.’MichaelSlavin，a’
promisedthelada’dbearyenaeillwull，butjuistleaveyetaetheAlmichty;an’Iwanttaetellyethata’mkeepin’mawur—r—d.
But’——andhereheraisedhishand，andhisvoicebecamepreternaturallysolemn——’hisbluidisuponyerhan’s.Doyeno’
seeit？’
Hisvoicerosesharply，andashepointed，Slavininstinctivelyglancedathishands，andGeordieadded——
’Ay，andtheLordwillrequireito’youandyerhoose.’
TheytoldmethatSlavinshiveredasiftakenwithagueafterGeordiewentout，andthoughhelaughedandswore，hedidnotstopdrinkingtillhesankintoadrunkenstuporandhadtobecarriedtobed.HislittleFrench—Canadianwifecouldnotunderstandthechangethathadcomeoverherhusband.
’He’slikeonebear，’sheconfidedtoMrs.Mavor，towhomshewasshowingherbabyofayearold.’He’snotkeesmeonetamdisday.
He’smoshawfulbad，he’snotevenlookatdebaby.’Andthisseemedsufficientproofthatsomethingwasseriouslywrong;forshewentontosay——
’He’stinkmorefordatleelbabydanfordewholeworl’;he’stinkmorefordatbabydanforme，’butsheshruggedherprettylittleshouldersindeprecationofherspeech.
’Youmustprayforhim，’saidMrs.Mavor，’andallwillcomeright.’
’Ah！madame！’sherepliedearnestly，’everyday，everyday，IpraylasainteViergeettouslessaintsforhim.’
’YoumustpraytoyourFatherinheavenforhim.’
’Ah！oui！Iweelpray，’andMrs.Mavorsentherawaybrightwithsmiles，andwithnewhopeandcourageinherheart.
Shehadverysoonneedofallhercourage，forattheweek’sendherbabyfelldangerouslyill.Slavin’sanxietyandfearwerenotrelievedmuchbythereportsthemenbroughthimfromtimetotimeofGeordie’sominousforebodings;forGeordiehadnodoubtbutthattheAvengerofBloodwashotuponSlavin’strail;andasthesicknessgrew，hebecameconfirmedinthisconviction.WhilehecouldnotbesaidtofindsatisfactioninSlavin’simpendingaffliction，hecouldhardlyhidehiscomplacencyinthepromptnessofProvidenceinvindicatinghistheoryofretribution.
ButGeordie’scomplacencywassomewhatrudelyshockedbyMr.
Craig’sanswertohistheoryoneday.
’YoureadyourBibletolittleprofit，itseemstome，Geordie：or，perhaps，youhaveneverreadtheMaster’steachingabouttheTowerofSiloam.Betterreadthatandtakethatwarningtoyourself.’
GeordiegazedafterMr.Craigasheturnedaway，andmuttered——
’Thetooro’Siloam，isit？Ay，a’kenfineabootthetooro’
Siloam，andabootthetooro’Babelasweel;an’a’veread，too，abouttheblaspheemiousHerod，an’siclike.Man，buthe’sahot—
heidedladdie，andlacksdiscreemeenation.’
’WhataboutHerod，Geordie？’Iasked.
’AbootHerod？’——withastrongtingeofcontemptinhistone.
’AbootHerod？Man，haeyeno’readintheScreeptursabootHerodan’thewur—r—msinthewameo’him？’
’Ohyes，Isee，’Ihastenedtoanswer.
’Ay，afulecanseewhat’sflappedinhisface，’withwhichbitofproverbialphilosophyhesuddenlyleftme.ButGeordiethenceforthcontentedhimself，inMr.Craig’spresenceatleast，withominoushead—shakings，equallyaggravating，andimpossibletoanswer.
Thatsamenight，however，Geordieshowedthatwithallhistheorieshehadaman’strueheart，forhecameinhastetoMrs.Mavortosay：
’Ye’llbeneededoweryonder，a’mthinkin’.’
’Why？Isthebabyworse？Haveyoubeenin？’
’Na，na，’repliedGeordiecautiously，’a’llnogangwherea’mnowanted.Butyonpuirthing，yecanhearootsideweepin’andmoanin’.’
’She’llmaybeneedyetae，’hewentondubiouslytome.’Ye’reakindo’doctor，a’hear，’notcommittinghimselftoanyopinionastomyprofessionalvalue.ButSlavinwouldhavenoneofme，havinggotthedoctorsoberenoughtoprescribe.
TheinterestofthecampinSlavinwasgreatlyincreasedbytheillnessofhisbaby，whichwastohimastheappleofhiseye.
Therewereafewwho，impressedbyGeordie’sprofoundconvictionsuponthematter，wereinclinedtofavourtheretributiontheory，andconnectthebaby’sillnesswiththevengeanceoftheAlmighty.
AmongthesefewwasSlavinhimself，andgoadedbyhisremorsefulterrorshesoughtreliefindrink.Butthisbroughthimonlydeeperandfiercergloom;sothatbetweenhersufferingchildandhersavagelydespairinghusband，thepoormotherwasdesperatewithterrorandgrief.
’Ah！madame，’shesobbedtoMrs.Mavor，’myheartisbrokeforhim.
He’sheetnotingfortreedays，butjisdreenk，dreenk，dreenk.’
Thenextdayamancameformeinhaste.Thebabywasdyingandthedoctorwasdrunk.IfoundthelittleoneinaconvulsionlyingacrossMrs.Mavor’sknees，themotherkneelingbesideit，wringingherhandsinadumbagony，andSlavinstandingnear，silentandsuffering.IglancedatthebottleofmedicineuponthetableandaskedMrs.Mavorthedose，andfoundthebabyhadbeenpoisoned.
MylookofhorrortoldSlavinsomethingwaswrong，andstridingtomehecaughtmyarmandasked——
’Whatisit？Isthemedicinewrong？’
Itriedtoputhimoff，buthisgriptightenedtillhisfingersseemedtoreachthebone.
’Thedoseiscertainlytoolarge;butletmego，Imustdosomething.’
Heletmegoatonce，sayinginavoicethatmademyheartsoreforhim，’Hehaskilledmybaby;hehaskilledmybaby.’Andthenhecursedthedoctorwithawfulcurses，andwithalookofsuchmurderousfuryonhisfacethatIwasgladthedoctorwastoodrunktoappear.
Hiswifehearinghiscurses，andunderstandingthecause，brokeoutintowailinghardtobear.
’Ah！monpetitange！Itisdatwheeskeydat’skeelmonbaby.Ah！
moncheri，monamour.Ah！monDieu！Ah，Michael，howoftenIsaythatwheeskeyhe’snotgoodting.’
ItwasmorethanSlavincouldbear，andwithawfulcurseshepassedout.Mrs.Mavorlaidthebabyinitscrib，fortheconvulsionhadpassedaway;andputtingherarmsaboutthewailinglittleFrenchwoman，comfortedandsoothedherasamothermightherchild.
’Andyoumusthelpyourhusband，’Iheardhersay.’Hewillneedyoumorethanever.Thinkofhim.’
’Ahoui！Iweel，’wasthequickreply，andfromthatmomenttherewasnomorewailing.
ItseemednomorethanaminutetillSlavincameinagain，sober，quiet，andsteady;thepassionwasallgonefromhisface，andonlythegriefremained.
Aswestoodleaningoverthesleepingchildthelittlethingopeneditseyes，sawitsfather，andsmiled.Itwastoomuchforhim.
Thebigmandroppedonhiskneeswithadrysob.
’Istherenochanceatall，atall？’hewhispered，butIcouldgivehimnohope.Heimmediatelyrose，andpullinghimselftogether，stoodperfectlyquiet.
Anewterrorseizeduponthemother.
’Mybabyisnot——whatyoucallit？’goingthroughtheformofbaptism.’An’hewillnotcometolasainteVierge，’shesaid，crossingherself.
’Donotfearforyourlittleone，’saidMrs.Mavor，stillwithherarmsabouther.’ThegoodSaviourwilltakeyourdarlingintoHisownarms.’
Butthemotherwouldnotbecomfortedbythis.AndSlavintoo，wasuneasy.
’WhereisFatherGoulet？’heasked.
’Ah！youwerenotgoodtotheholyperedelastam，Michael，’sherepliedsadly.’Thesaintsarenotpleaseforyou.’
’Whereisthepriest？’hedemanded.
’Iknownotforsure.AtdeLandin’，dat’slak.’
’I’llgoforhim，’hesaid.Buthiswifeclungtohim，beseechinghimnottoleaveher，andindeedhewaslothtoleavehislittleone.
IfoundCraigandtoldhimthedifficulty.Withhisusualpromptness，hewasreadywithasolution.
’Nixonhasateam.Hewillgo.’Thenheadded，’Iwonderiftheywouldnotlikemetobaptizetheirlittleone.FatherGouletandI
haveexchangedofficesbeforenow.Irememberhowhecametooneofmypeopleinmyabsence，whenshewasdying，readwithher，prayedwithher，comfortedher，andhelpedheracrosstheriver.
Heisagoodsoul，andhasnononsenseabouthim.Sendformeifyouthinkthereisneed.Itwillmakenodifferencetothebaby，butitwillcomfortthemother.’
Nixonwaswillingenoughtogo;butwhenhecametothedoorMrs.
Mavorsawthehardlookinhisface.Hehadnotforgottenhiswrong，fordaybydayhewasstillfightingthedevilwithinthatSlavinhadcalledtolife.ButMrs.Mavor，undercoverofgettinghiminstructions，drewhimintotheroom.Whilelisteningtoher，hiseyeswanderedfromonetotheotherofthegrouptilltheyresteduponthelittlewhitefaceinthecrib.Shenoticedthechangeinhisface.
’TheyfearthelittleonewillneverseetheSaviourifitisnotbaptized，’shesaid，inalowtone.
Hewaseagertogo.
’I’lldomybesttogetthepriest，’hesaid，andwasgoneonhissixtymiles’racewithdeath.
Thelongafternoonworeon，butbeforeitwashalfgoneIsawNixoncouldnotwin，andthatthepriestwouldbetoolate，soIsentforMr.Craig.Fromthemomentheenteredtheroomhetookcommandofusall.Hewassosimple，somanly，sotender，theheartsoftheparentsinstinctivelyturnedtohim.
Ashewasabouttoproceedwiththebaptism，themotherwhisperedtoMrs.Mavor，whohesitatinglyaskedMr.Craigifhewouldobjecttousingholywater.
’Tomeitisthesameasanyother，’herepliedgravely.
’An’willhemakethegoodsign？’askedthemothertimidly.
AndsothechildwasbaptizedbythePresbyterianministerwithholywaterandwiththesignofthecross.Idon’tsupposeitwasorthodox，anditrenderedchaoticsomeofmyreligiousnotions，butIthoughtmoreofCraigthatmomentthaneverbefore.Hewasmoremanthanminister，orperhapshewassogoodaministerthatdaybecausesomuchaman.AshereadabouttheSaviourandthechildrenandthediscipleswhotriedtogetinbetweenthem，andashetoldusthestoryinhisownsimpleandbeautifulway，andthenwentontopicturethehomeofthelittlechildren，andthesameSaviourinthemidstofthem，Ifeltmyheartgrowwarm，andI
couldeasilyunderstandthecryofthemother——
’Oh，monJesu，prenezmoiaussi，takemewizmonmignon.’
ThecrywakenedSlavin’sheart，andhesaidhuskily——
’Oh！Annette！Annette！’
’Ah，oui！an’Michaeltoo！’ThentoMr.Craig——
’YoutinkHe’stakmesomeday？Eh？’
’AllwholoveHim，’hereplied.
’An’Michaeltoo？’sheasked，hereyessearchinghisface，’An’
Michaeltoo？’
ButCraigonlyreplied：’AllwholoveHim.’
’Ah，Michael，youmustpraylebonJesu.He’sgardenotremignon.’
Andthenshebentoverthebabe，whispering——
’Ah，moncheri，monamour，adieu！adieu！monange！’tillSlavinputhisarmsaboutherandtookheraway，forasshewaswhisperingherfarewells，herbaby，withalittleansweringsigh，passedintotheHousewithmanyrooms.
’Whisht，Annettedarlin’;don’tcryforthebaby，’saidherhusband.’Shureit’sbetteroffthantherestavus，itis.An’
didn’tyehearwhattheministersaidaboutthebeautifulplaceitis？An’shurehewouldn’tlietousatall.’Butamothercannotbecomfortedforherfirst—bornson.
AnhourlaterNixonbroughtFatherGoulet.HewasalittleFrenchmanwithgentlemannersandthefaceofasaint.Craigwelcomedhimwarmly，andtoldhimwhathehaddone.
’Thatisgood，mybrother，’hesaid，withgentlecourtesy，and，turningtothemother，’Yourlittleoneissafe.’
BehindFatherGouletcameNixonsoftly，andgazeddownuponthelittlequietface，beautifulwiththemagicofdeath.Slavincamequietlyandstoodbesidehim.Nixonturnedandofferedhishand.
ButSlavinsaid，movingslowlyback——
’Ididyeawrong，Nixon，an’it’sasorrymanIamthisdayforit.’
’Don’tsayaword，Slavin，’answeredNixon，hurriedly.’Iknowhowyoufeel.I’vegotababytoo.Iwanttoseeitagain.That’swhythebreakhurtmeso.’
’AsGod’sabove，’repliedSlavinearnestly，’I’llhinderyenomore.’Theyshookhands，andwepassedout.
Welaidthebabyunderthepines，notfarfromBillyBreen，andthesweetspringwindblewthroughtheGap，andcamesoftlydownthevalley，whisperingtothepinesandthegrassandthehidingflowersoftheNewLifecomingtotheworld.Andthemothermusthaveheardthewhisperinherheart，for，asthePriestwassayingthewordsoftheService，shestoodwithMrs.Mavor’sarmsabouther，andhereyeswerelookingfarawaybeyondthepurplemountain—
tops，seeingwhatmadehersmile.AndSlavin，too，lookeddifferent.Hisveryfeaturesseemedfiner.Thecoarsenesswasgoneoutofhisface.WhathadcometohimIcouldnottell.
ButwhenthedoctorcameintoSlavin’shousethatnightitwastheoldSlavinIsaw，butwithalookofsuchdeadlyfuryonhisfacethatItriedtogetthedoctoroutatonce.Buthewashalfdrunkandafterhismannerwashideouslyhumorous.
’Howdo，ladies！Howdo，gentlemen！’washisloud—voicedsalutation.
’Quiteaprofessionalgathering，clergypredominating.LionandLambtoo，ha！ha！whichisthelamb，eh？ha！ha！verygood！awfullysorrytohearofyourloss，Mrs.Slavin;didourbestyouknow，can’thelpthissortofthing.’
Beforeanyonecouldmove，Craigwasathisside，andsayinginaclear，firmvoice，’Onemoment，doctor，’caughthimbythearmandhadhimoutoftheroombeforeheknewit.Slavin，whohadbeencrouchinginhischairwithhandstwitchingandeyesglaring，roseandfollowed，stillcrouchingashewalked.Ihurriedafterhim，callinghimback.Turningatmyvoice，thedoctorsawSlavinapproaching.Therewassomethingsoterrifyinginhisswiftnoiselesscrouchingmotion，thatthedoctor，cryingoutinfear’Keephimoff，’fairlyturnedandfled.Hewastoolate.LikeatigerSlavinleapeduponhimandwithoutwaitingtostrikehadhimbythethroatwithbothhands，andbearinghimtotheground，worriedhimthereasadogmightacat.
ImmediatelyCraigandIwereuponhim，butthoughweliftedhimclearoffthegroundwecouldnotloosenthattwo—handedstranglinggrip.Atwewerestrugglingtherealighthandtouchedmyshoulder.ItwasFatherGoulet.
’Pleaselethimgo，andstandawayfromus，’hesaid，wavingusback.Weobeyed.HeleanedoverSlavinandspokeafewwordstohim.Slavinstartedasifstruckaheavyblow，lookedupatthepriestwithfearinhisface，butstillkeepinghisgrip.
’Lethimgo，’saidthepriest.Slavinhesitated.’Lethimgo！
quick！’saidthepriestagain，andSlavinwithasnarlletgohisholdandstoodsullenlyfacingthepriest.
FatherGouletregardedhimsteadilyforsomesecondsandthenasked——
’Whatwouldyoudo？’Hisvoicewasgentleenough，evensweet，buttherewassomethinginitthatchilledmymarrow.’Whatwouldyoudo？’herepeated.
’Hemurderedmychild，’growledSlavin.
’Ah！how？’
’Hewasdrunkandpoisonedhim.’
’Ah！whogavehimdrink？Whomadehimadrunkardtwoyearsago？
Whohaswreckedhislife？’
Therewasnoanswer，andtheeven—tonedvoicewentrelentlesslyon——
’Whoisthemurdererofyourchildnow？’
Slavingroanedandshuddered.
’Go！’andthevoicegrewstern.’Repentofyoursinandaddnotanother.’
Slavinturnedhiseyesuponthemotionlessfigureonthegroundandthenuponthepriest.FatherGoulettookonesteptowardshim，and，stretchingouthishandandpointingwithhisfinger，said——
’Go！’
AndSlavinslowlybackedawayandwentintohishouse.Itwasanextraordinaryscene，anditisoftenwithmenow：thedarkfigureontheground，theslighterectformofthepriestwithoutstretchedarmandfinger，andSlavinbackingaway，fearandfurystrugglinginhisface.
Itwasanearthingforthedoctor，however，andtwominutesmoreofthatgripwouldhavedoneforhim.Asitwas，wehadthegreatestdifficultyinrevivinghim.
WhatthepriestdidwithSlavinaftergettinghiminsideIknownot;thathasalwaysbeenamysterytome.ButwhenwewerepassingthesaloonthatnightaftertakingMrs.Mavorhome，wesawalightandheardstrangesoundswithin.Entering，wefoundanotherwhiskyraidinprogress，Slavinhimselfbeingtheraider.
Westoodsomemomentswatchinghimknockingintheheadsofcasksandemptyingbottles.Ithoughthehadgonemad，andapproachedhimcautiously.
’Hello，Slavin！’Icalledout;’whatdoesthismean？’
Hepausedinhisstrangework，andIsawthathisface，thoughresolute，wasquietenough.
’ItmeansI’mdonewidthebusiness，Iam，’hesaid，inadeterminedvoice.’I’llhelpnomoretokillanyman，or，’inalowertone，’anyman’sbaby.’Thepriest’swordshadstruckhome.
’ThankGod，Slavin！’saidCraig，offeringhishand;’youaremuchtoogoodamanforthebusiness.’
’Goodorbad，I’mdonewidit，’hereplied，goingonwithhiswork.
’Youarethrowingawaygoodmoney，Slavin，’Isaid，astheheadofacaskcrashedin.
’It’smeselfthatknowsit，forthepriceofwhiskyhasrizintownthisweek，’heanswered，givingmealookoutofthecornerofhiseye.’Bedad！itwasararecleverjob，’referringtoourBlackRockHotelaffair.
’Butwon’tyoubesorryforthis？’askedCraig.
’BeloikeIwill;an’that’swhyI’mdoin’itbeforeI’msorryforit，’hereplied，withadelightfulbull.
’Lookhere，Slavin，’saidCraigearnestly;’ifIcanbeofusetoyouinanyway，countonme.’
’It’sgoodtomethebothofyezhavebeen，an’I’llnotforgetittoyez，’hereplied，withlikeearnestness.
AswetoldMrs.Mavorthatnight，forCraigthoughtittoogoodtokeep，hereyesseemedtogrowdeeperandthelightinthemtoglowmoreintenseasshelistenedtoCraigpouringouthistale.Thenshegavehimherhandandsaid——
’Youhaveyourmanatlast.’
’Whatman？’
’Themanyouhavebeenwaitingfor.’
’Slavin！’
’Whynot？’
’Ineverthoughtofit.’
’Nomoredidhe，noranyofus.’Then，afterapause，sheaddedgently，’Hehasbeensenttous？’
’Doyouknow，Ibelieveyouareright，’Craigsaidslowly，andthenadded，’Butyoualwaysare.’
’Ifearnot，’sheanswered;butIthoughtshelikedtohearhiswords.
ThewholetownwasastoundednextmorningwhenSlavinwenttoworkinthemines，anditsastonishmentonlydeepenedasthedayswenton，andhestucktohiswork.BeforethreeweekshadgonetheLeaguehadboughtandremodelledthesaloonandhadsecuredSlavinasResidentManager.
TheeveningofthereopeningofSlavin’ssaloon，asitwasstillcalled，waslongrememberedinBlackRock.Itwastheoccasionofthefirstappearanceof’TheLeagueMinstrelandDramaticTroupe，’
inwhatwasdescribedasa’hair—liftingtragedywithappropriatemusicalselections.’Thentherewasagrandsupperandspeechesandgreatenthusiasm，whichreacheditsclimaxwhenNixonrosetoproposethetoastoftheevening——’OurSaloon.’Hisspeechwassimplyaquiet，manlyaccountofhislongstrugglewiththedeadlyenemy.Whenhecametospeakofhisrecentdefeathesaid——
’AndwhileIamblamingnoonebutmyself，Iamgladto—nightthatthissaloonisonourside，formyownsakeandforthesakeofthosewhohavebeenwaitinglongtoseeme.ButbeforeIsitdownIwanttosaythatwhileIliveIshallnotforgetthatIowemylifetothemanthattookmethatnighttohisownshackandputmeinhisownbed，andmetmenextmorningwithanopenhand;forI
tellyouIhadsworntoGodthatthatmorningwouldbemylast.’
Geordie’sspeechwascharacteristic.Afterabriefreferencetothe’mysteeriouswayso’Providence，’whichheacknowledgedhemightsometimesfailtounderstand，hewentontoexpresshisunqualifiedapprovalofthenewsaloon.
’It’sacosyplace，an’there’snaesulphuraboot.Besidesa’
that，’hewentonenthusiastically，’it’llbeaterriblesavin’.
I’vejuistbeencoontin’.’
’Youbet！’ejaculatedavoicewithgreatemphasis.
’I’vejuistbeencoontin’，’wentonGeordie，ignoringtheremarkandthelaughwhichfollowed，’an’it’sanawfu’—likemoneyyepitowerwi’thewhusky.Yeseeyecannadaewi’anebitglass;yemaunhaetwaorthreeattheverraleast，forit’snoverraforrityegetwi’aneglass.Butwi’yoncoffeeyejuistgetasaxpence—
worthan’yewantnaemair.’
Therewasanothershoutoflaughter，whichpuzzledGeordiemuch.
’Idinnaseethejowk，butI’veslippitowerinwhuskymairnorahunnerdollars.’
Thenhepaused，lookinghardbeforehim，andtwistinghisfaceintoextraordinaryshapestillthemenlookedathiminwonder.
’I’mraleglado’thissaloon，butit’sowerlatefortheladthatcannabehelpitthenoo.He’llnotbeneedin’helpo’oors，I
doot，butthereareithers’——andhestoppedabruptlyandsatdown，withnoapplausefollowing.
ButwhenSlavin，oursaloon—keeper，rosetoreply，themenjumpedupontheseatsandyelledtilltheycouldyellnomore.Slavinstood，evidentlyintroublewithhimself，andfinallybrokeout——
’It’sspachelessIamentirely.What’scometomeIknownot，norhowit’scome.ButI’lldomybestforyez.’Andthentheyellingbrokeoutagain.
Ididnotyellmyself.IwastoobusywatchingthevaryinglightsinMrs.Mavor’seyesasshelookedfromCraigtotheyellingmenonthebenchesandtables，andthentoSlavin，andIfoundmyselfwonderingifsheknewwhatitwasthatcametoSlavin.
CHAPTERXI
THETWOCALLS
WiththecalltoMr.CraigIfancyIhadsomethingtodomyself.
Thecallcamefromayoungcongregationinaneasterncity，andwasbasedpartlyuponhiscollegerecordandmoreupontheadviceofthoseamongtheauthoritieswhoknewhisworkinthemountains.
ButIflattermyselfthatmyletterstofriendswhowereofimportanceinthatcongregationwerenotwithoutinfluence，forI
wasofthemindthatthemanwhocouldhandleBlackRockminersashecouldwasreadyforsomethinglargerthanamountainmission.
ThathewouldrefuseIhadnotimagined，thoughIoughttohaveknownhimbetter.Hewasbutlittletroubledoverit.HewentwiththecallandthelettersurginghisacceptancetoMrs.Mavor.
IwasputtingthelasttouchestosomeofmyworkintheroomatthebackofMrs.Mavor’shousewhenhecamein.Shereadthelettersandthecallquietly，andwaitedforhimtospeak.
\"Well？’hesaid;’shouldIgo？’
Shestarted，andgrewalittlepale.Hisquestionsuggestedapossibilitythathadnotoccurredtoher.ThathecouldleavehisworkinBlackRockshehadhithertoneverimagined;buttherewasotherwork，andhewasfitforgoodworkanywhere.Whyshouldhenotgo？Isawthefearinherface，butIsawmorethanfearinhereyes，asforamomentortwosheletthemrestuponCraig’sface.Ireadherstory，andIwasnotsorryforeitherofthem.
Butshewastoomuchawomantoshowherhearteasilytothemansheloved，andhervoicewasevenandcalmassheansweredhisquestion.
’Isthisaverylargecongregation？’
’OneofthefinestinalltheEast，’Iputinforhim.’ItwillbeagreatthingforCraig.’
Craigwasstudyinghercuriously.Ithinkshenoticedhiseyesuponher，forshewentonevenmorequietly——
’Itwillbeagreatchanceforwork，andyouareableforalargersphere，youknow，thanpoorBlackRockaffords.’
’WhowilltakeBlackRock？’heasked.
’Letsomeotherfellowhaveatryatit，’Isaid.’Whyshouldyouwasteyourtalentshere？’
’Waste？’criedMrs.Mavorindignantly.
’Well，\"bury，\"ifyoulikeitbetter，’Ireplied.
’Itwouldnottakemuchofagraveforthatfuneral，’saidCraig，smiling.
’Oh，’saidMrs.Mavor，’youwillbeagreatmanIknow，andperhapsyououghttogonow.’
Butheansweredcoolly：’TherearefiftymenwantingthatEasterncharge，andthereisonlyonewantingBlackRock，andIdon’tthinkBlackRockisanxiousforachange，soIhavedeterminedtostaywhereIamyetawhile.’
EvenmydeepdisgustanddisappointmentdidnotpreventmefromseeingthesuddenleapofjoyinMrs.Mavor’seyes，butshe，withagreateffort，answeredquietly——
’BlackRockwillbeveryglad，andsomeofusvery，veryglad.’
Nothingcouldchangehismind.Therewasnooneheknewwhocouldtakehisplacejustnow，andwhyshouldhequithiswork？Itannoyedmeconsiderablytofeelhewasright.Whyisitthattherightthingsaresofrequentlyunpleasant？
AndifIhadhadanydoubtaboutthematternextSabbatheveningwouldhaveremovedit.Forthemencameabouthimaftertheserviceandlethimfeelintheirownwayhowmuchtheyapprovedhisdecision，thoughtheself—sacrificeinvolveddidnotappealtothem.TheyweretootrulyWesterntoimaginethatanyinducementstheEastcouldoffercouldcompensateforhislossoftheWest.ItwasonlyfittingthattheWestshouldhavethebest，andsotheminerstookalmostasamatterofcourse，andcertainlyastheirright，thatthebestmantheyknewshouldstaywiththem.Buttherewerethosewhoknewhowmuchofwhatmostmenconsiderworthwhilehehadgivenup，andtheylovedhimnolessforit.
Mrs.Mavor’scallwasnotsoeasilydisposedof.Itcamecloseupontheother，andstirredBlackRockasnothingelsehadeverstirreditbefore.
Ifoundheroneafternoongazingvacantlyatsomelegaldocumentsspreadoutbeforeheronthetable，andevidentlyovercomebytheircontents.Therewasfirstalawyer’sletterinformingherthatbythedeathofherhusband’sfathershehadcomeintothewholeoftheMavorestates，andallthewealthpertainingthereto.Theletteraskedforinstructions，andurgedanimmediatereturnwithaviewtoapersonalsuperintendenceoftheestates.Aletter，too，fromadistantcousinofherhusbandurgedherimmediatereturnformanyreasons，butchieflyonaccountoftheoldmotherwhohadbeenleftalonewithnonenearerofkinthanhimselftocareforherandcheerheroldage.
Withthesetwocameanotherletterfromhermother—in—lawherself.
Thecrabbed，tremblingcharacterswereevenmoreeloquentthanthewordswithwhichtheletterclosed.
’Ihavelostmyboy，andnowmyhusbandisgone，andIamalonelywoman.Ihavemanyservants，andsomefriends，butnoneneartome，nonesonearanddearasmydeadson’swife.Mydaysarenottobemany.Cometome，mydaughter;IwantyouandLewis’schild.’
’MustIgo？’sheaskedwithwhitelips.
’Doyouknowherwell？’Iasked.
’Ionlysawheronceortwice，’sheanswered;’butshehasbeenverygoodtome.’
’Shecanhardlyneedyou.Shehasfriends.Andsurelyyouareneededhere.’
Shelookedatmeeagerly.
’Doyouthinkso？’shesaid.
’Askanymaninthecamp——Shaw，Nixon，youngWinton，Geordie.AskCraig，’Ireplied.
’Yes，hewilltellme，’shesaid.
EvenasshespokeCraigcameupthesteps.Ipassedintomystudioandwentonwithmywork，formydaysatBlackRockweregettingfew，andmanysketchesremainedtobefilledin.
ThroughmyopendoorIsawMrs.MavorlayherlettersbeforeMr.
Craig，saying，’Ihaveacalltoo.’Theythoughtnotofme.
Hewentthroughthepapers，carefullylaidthemdownwithoutawordwhileshewaitedanxiously，almostimpatiently，forhimtospeak.
’Well？’sheasked，usinghisownwordstoher;’shouldIgo？’
’Idonotknow，’hereplied;’thatisforyoutodecide——youknowallthecircumstances.’
’Theletterstellall.’Hertonecarriedafeelingofdisappointment.Hedidnotappeartocare.
’Theestatesarelarge？’heasked.
’Yes，largeenough——twelvethousandayear.’
’Andhasyourmother—in—lawanyonewithher？’
’Shehasfriends，but，asshesays，nonenearofkin.Hernephewlooksaftertheworks——ironworks，youknow——hehassharesinthem.’
’Sheisevidentlyverylonely，’heansweredgravely.
’WhatshallIdo？’sheasked，andIknewshewaswaitingtohearhimurgehertostay;buthedidnotsee，oratleastgavenoheed.
’Icannotsay，’herepeatedquietly.’Therearemanythingstoconsider;theestates——’
’Theestatesseemtotroubleyou，’shereplied，almostfretfully.
Helookedupinsurprise.Iwonderedathisslowness.
’Yes，theestates，’hewenton，’andtenants，Isuppose——yourmother—in—law，yourlittleMarjorie’sfuture，yourownfuture.’
’Theestatesareincapablehands，Ishouldsuppose，’sheurged，’andmyfuturedependsuponwhatIchoosemyworktobe.’
’Butonecannotshiftone’sresponsibilities，’herepliedgravely.
’Theseestates，thesetenants，havecometoyou，andwiththemcomeduties.’
’Idonotwantthem，’shecried.
’Thatlifehasgreatpossibilitiesofgood，’hesaidkindly.
’Ihadthoughtthatperhapstherewasworkformehere，’shesuggestedtimidly.
’Greatwork，’hehastenedtosay.’Youhavedonegreatwork.Butyouwilldothatwhereveryougo.Theonlyquestioniswhereyourworklies.’
’YouthinkIshouldgo，’shesaidsuddenlyandalittlebitterly.
’Icannotbidyoustay，’heansweredsteadily.
’HowcanIgo？’shecried，appealingtohim.’MustIgo？’
HowhecouldresistthatappealIcouldnotunderstand.Hisfacewascoldandhard，andhisvoicewasalmostharshashereplied——
’Ifitisright，youwillgo——youmustgo.’
Thensheburstforth——
’Icannotgo.Ishallstayhere.Myworkishere;myheartishere.HowcanIgo？Youthoughtitworthyourwhiletostayhereandwork，whyshouldnotI？’
Themomentarygleaminhiseyesdiedout，andagainhesaidcoldly——
’Thisworkwasclearlymine.Iamneededhere.’
’Yes，yes！’shecried，hervoicefullofpain;’youareneeded，butthereisnoneedofme.’
’Stop，stop！’hesaidsharply;’youmustnotsayso.’
’Iwillsayit，Imustsayit，’shecried，hervoicevibratingwiththeintensityofherfeeling.’Iknowyoudonotneedme;youhaveyourwork，yourminers，yourplans;youneednoone;youarestrong.But，’andhervoicerosetoacry，’Iamnotstrongbymyself;youhavemademestrong.Icamehereafoolishgirl，foolishandselfishandnarrow.Godsentmegrief.Threeyearsagomyheartdied.NowIamlivingagain.Iamawomannow，nolongeragirl.Youhavedonethisforme.Yourlife，yourwords，yourself——youhaveshowedmeabetter，ahigherlife，thanIhadeverknownbefore，andnowyousendmeaway.’
Shepausedabruptly.
’Blind，stupidfool！’Isaidtomyself.
Heheldhimselfresolutelyinhand，answeringcarefully，buthisvoicehadlostitscoldnessandwassweetandkind.
’HaveIdonethisforyou？ThensurelyGodhasbeengoodtome.
Andyouhavehelpedmemorethananywordscouldtellyou.’
’Helped！’sherepeatedscornfully.
’Yes，helped，’heanswered，wonderingatherscorn.
’Youcandowithoutmyhelp，’shewenton.’Youmakepeoplehelpyou.Youwillgetmanytohelpyou;butIneedhelp，too.’Shewasstandingbeforehimwithherhandstightlyclasped;herfacewaspale，andhereyesdeeperthanever.Hesatlookingupatherinakindofmazeasshepouredoutherwordshotandfast.
’Iamnotthinkingofyou.’Hiscoldnesshadhurtherdeeply.’I
amselfish;Iamthinkingofmyself.HowshallIdo？Ihavegrowntodependonyou，tolooktoyou.ItisnothingtoyouthatIgo，buttome——’Shedidnotdaretofinish.
BythistimeCraigwasstandingbeforeher，hisfacedeadlypale.
Whenshecametotheendofherwords，hesaid，inavoicelow，sweet，andthrillingwithemotion——
’Ah，ifyouonlyknew！Donotmakemeforgetmyself.Youdonotguesswhatyouaredoing.’
’WhatamIdoing？Whatistheretoknow，butthatyoutellmeeasilytogo？Shewasstrugglingwiththetearsshewastooproudtolethimsee.
Heputhishandsresolutelybehindhim，lookingatherasifstudyingherfaceforthefirsttime.Underhissearchinglookshedroppedhereyes，andthewarmcolourcameslowlyupintoherneckandface;then，asifwithasuddenresolve，sheliftedhereyestohis，andlookedbackathimunflinchingly.
Hestarted，surprised，drewslowlynear，puthishandsuponhershoulders，surprisegivingplacetowildjoy.Shenevermovedhereyes;theydrewhimtowardsher.Hetookherfacebetweenhishands，smiledintohereyes，kissedherlips.Shedidnotmove;hestoodbackfromher，threwuphishead，andlaughedaloud.Shecametohim，putherheaduponhisbreast，andliftingupherfacesaid，’Kissme.’Heputhisarmsabouther，bentdownandkissedherlipsagain，andthenreverentlyherbrow.Thenputtingherbackfromhim，butstillholdingbothherhands，hecried——
’Notyoushallnotgo.Ishallneverletyougo.’
Shegavealittlesighofcontent，and，smilingupathim，said——
’Icangonow’;butevenasshespoketheflushdiedfromherface，andsheshuddered.
’Never！’healmostshouted;’nothingshalltakeyouaway.Weshallworkheretogether.’
’Ah，ifwecould，ifweonlycould，’shesaidpiteously.
’Whynot？’hedemandedfiercely.
’Youwillsendmeaway.Youwillsayitisrightformetogo，’
sherepliedsadly.
’Dowenotloveeachother？’washisimpatientanswer.
’Ah！yes，love，’shesaid;’butloveisnotall.’
’No！’criedCraig;’butloveisthebest’
’Yes！’shesaidsadly;’loveisthebest，anditisforlove’ssakewewilldothebest.’
’Thereisnobetterworkthanhere.Surelythisisbest，’andhepicturedhisplansbeforeher.Shelistenedeagerly.
’Oh！ifitshouldberight，’shecried，’Iwilldowhatyousay.
Youaregood，youarewise，youshalltellme.’
Shecouldnothaverecalledhimbetter.Hestoodsilentsomemoments，thenburstoutpassionately——
’Whythenhaslovecometous？Wedidnotseekit.SurelyloveisofGod.DoesGodmockus？’
Hethrewhimselfintohischair，pouringouthiswordsofpassionateprotestation.Shelistened，smiling，thencametohimand，touchinghishairasamothermightherchild’s，said——
’Oh，Iamveryhappy！Iwasafraidyouwouldnotcare，andIcouldnotbeartogothatway.’
’Youshallnotgo，’hecriedaloud，asifinpain.’Nothingcanmakethatright.’
Butsheonlysaid，’Youshalltellmeto—morrow.Youcannotseeto—night，butyouwillsee，andyouwilltellme.’
Hestoodupand，holdingbothherhands，lookedlongintohereyes，thenturnedabruptlyawayandwentout.
Shestoodwhereheleftherforsomemoments，herfaceradiant，andherhandspresseduponherheart.Thenshecametowardmyroom.
Shefoundmebusywithmypainting，butasIlookedupandmethereyessheflushedslightly，andsaid——
’Iquiteforgotyou.’
’Soitappearedtome.’
’Youheard？’
’Andsaw，’Irepliedboldly.’Itwouldhavebeenrudetointerrupt，yousee.’
’Oh，Iamsogladandthankful.’
’Yes;itwasratherconsiderateofme.’
’Oh，Idon’tmeanthat，’theflushdeepening;’Iamgladyouknow.’
’Ihaveknownsometime.’
’Howcouldyou？Ionlyknewto—daymyself.’
’Ihaveeyes.’Sheflushedagain.
’Doyoumeanthatpeople——’shebegananxiously.
’No;Iamnot\"people.\"Ihaveeyes，andmyeyeshavebeenopened.’
’Opened？’
’Yes，bylove.’
ThenItoldheropenlyhow，weeksago，Istruggledwithmyheartandmasteredit，forIsawitwasvaintoloveher，becauseshelovedabettermanwholovedherinreturn.Shelookedatmeshylyandsaid——
’Iamsorry.’
’Don’tworry，’Isaidcheerfully.’Ididn’tbreakmyheart，youknow;Istoppeditintime.’
’Oh！’shesaid，slightlydisappointed;thenherlipsbegantotwitch，andshewentoffintoafitofhystericallaughter.
’Forgiveme，’shesaidhumbly;’butyouspeakasifithadbeenafever.’
’Feverisnothingtoit，’Isaidsolemnly.’Itwasanearthing.’
Atwhichshewentoffagain.Iwasgladtoseeherlaugh.Itgavemetimetorecovermyequilibrium，anditrelievedherintenseemotionalstrain.SoIrattledonsomenonsenseaboutCraigandmyselftillIsawshewasgivingnoheed，butthinkingherownthoughts：andwhatthesewereitwasnothardtoguess.
Suddenlyshebrokeinuponmytalk——
’HewilltellmethatImustgofromhim.’
’Ihopeheisnosuchfool，’Isaidemphaticallyandsomewhatrudely，Ifear;forIconfessIwasimpatientwiththeverypossibilityofseparationforthesetwo，towhomlovemeantsomuch.Somepeopletakethissortofthingeasilyandsomenotsoeasily;butloveforawomanlikethiscomesonceonlytoaman，andthenhecarriesitwithhimthroughthelengthofhislife，andwarmshisheartwithitindeath.Andwhenamansmilesorsneersatsuchloveasthis，Ipityhim，andsaynoword，formyspeechwouldbeinanunknowntongue.SomyheartwassoreasIsatlookingupatthiswomanwhostoodbeforeme，overflowingwiththejoyofhernewlove，anddullyconsciousofthecomingpain.ButI
soonfounditwasvaintourgemyopinionthatsheshouldremainandsharetheworkandlifeofthemansheloved.Sheonlyanswered——
’Youwillhelphimallyoucan，foritwillhurthimtohavemego.’
Thequiverinhervoicetookoutalltheangerfrommyheart，andbeforeIknewIhadpledgedmyselftodoallIcouldtohelphim.
ButwhenIcameuponhimthatnight，sittinginthelightofhisfire，Isawhemustbeletalone.Somebattleswefightsidebyside，withcomradescheeringusandbeingcheeredtovictory;buttherearefightswemaynotshare，andthesearedeadlyfightswherelivesarelostandwon.SoIcouldonlylaymyhanduponhisshoulderwithoutaword.Helookedupquickly，readmyface，andsaid，withagroan——
’Youknow？’
’Icouldnothelpit.Butwhygroan？’
’Shewillthinkitrighttogo，’hesaiddespairingly.
’Thenyoumustthinkforher;youmustbringsomecommon—sensetobearuponthequestion.’
’Icannotseeclearlyyet，’hesaid;’thelightwillcome.’
’MayIshowyouhowIseeit？’Iasked.
’Goon，’hesaid.
ForanhourItalked;eloquently，evenvehementlyurgingthereasonandrightofmyopinion.Shewouldbedoingnomorethaneverywomandoes，nomorethanshedidbefore;hermother—in—lawhadacomfortablehome，allthatwealthcouldprocure，goodservants，andfriends;theestatescouldbemanagedwithoutherpersonalsupervision;afterafewyears’workheretheywouldgoeastforlittleMajorie’seducation;whyshouldtwolivesbebroken？——andsoIwenton.
Helistenedcarefully，eveneagerly.
’Youmakeagoodcase，’hesaid，withaslightsmile.’Iwilltaketime.Perhapsyouareright.Thelightwillcome.Surelyitwillcome.But，’andherehesprangupandstretchedhisarmstofulllengthabovehishead，’Iamnotsorry;whatevercomesIamnotsorry.Itisgreattohaveherlove，butgreatertoloveherasI
do.ThankGod！nothingcantakethataway.Iamwilling，gladtosufferforthejoyoflovingher.’
Nextmorning，beforeIwasawake，hewasgone，leavinganoteforme：——
’MYDEARCONNOR，——IamdueattheLanding.WhenIseeyouagainI
thinkmywaywillbeclear.Nowallisdark.AttimesIamacoward，andoften，asyousometimeskindlyinformme，anass;butI
hopeImayneverbecomeamule.
Iamwillingtobeled，orwanttobe，atanyrate.Imustdothebest——notsecondbest——forher，forme.ThebestonlyisGod’swill.Whatelsewouldyouhave？Begoodtoherthesedays，dearoldfellow.——Yours，CRAIG.’
Howoftenthosewordshavebracedmehewillneverknow，butIamabettermanforthem：’ThebestonlyisGod’swill.Whatelsewouldyouhave？’IresolvedIwouldrageandfretnomore，andthatI
wouldworryMrs.Mavorwithnomoreargumentorexpostulation，but，asmyfriendhadasked，’Begoodtoher.’
CHAPTERXII
LOVEISNOTALL
ThosedayswhenwewerewaitingCraig’sreturnwespentinthewoodsoronthemountainsides，ordowninthecanyonbesidethestreamthatdanceddowntomeettheBlackRockriver，Italkingandsketchingandreading，andshelisteninganddreaming，withoftenahappysmileuponherface.Butthereweremomentswhenacloudofshudderingfearwouldsweepthesmileaway，andthenIwouldtalkofCraigtillthesmilecamebackagain.
Butthewoodsandthemountainsandtheriverwereherbest，herwisest，friendsduringthosedays.Howsweettheministryofthewoodstoher！Thetreeswereintheirnewsummerleaves，freshandfulloflife.Theyswayedandrustledaboveus，flingingtheirinterlacingshadowsuponus，andtheirswayingandtheirrustlingsoothedandcomfortedlikethevoiceandtouchofamother.Andthemountains，too，inallthegloryoftheirvaryingrobesofbluesandpurples，stoodcalmly，solemnlyaboutus，upliftingoursoulsintoregionsofrest.Thechanginglightsandshadowsflittedswiftlyovertheirruggedfronts，butleftthemeverasbeforeintheirsteadfastmajesty.’God’sinHisheaven.’Whatwouldyouhave？Andeverthelittleriversangitscheerfulcourage，fearingnotthegreatmountainsthatthreatenedtobaritspassagetothesea.Mrs.Mavorheardthesongandhercouragerose.
’Wetooshallfindourway，’shesaid，andIbelievedher.
ButthroughthesedaysIcouldnotmakeherout，andIfoundmyselfstudyingherasImightanewacquaintance.Yearshadfallenfromher;shewasagirlagain，fullofyoungwarmlife.Shewasassweetasbefore，buttherewasasoftshynessoverher，ahalf—
shamed，half—frankconsciousnessinherface，agladlightinhereyesthatmadeherallnewtome.HerperfecttrustinCraigwastouchingtosee.
’Hewilltellmewhattodo，’shewouldsay，tillIbegantorealisehowimpossibleitwouldbeforhimtobetraysuchtrust，andbeanythingbuttruetothebest.
SomuchdidIdreadCraig’shome—coming，thatIsentforGraemeandoldmanNelson，whowasmoreandmoreGraeme’strustedcounsellorandfriend.TheywerebothhighlyexcitedbythestoryIhadtotell，forIthoughtitbesttotellthemall;butIwasnotalittlesurprisedanddisgustedthattheydidnotseethematterinmylight.InvainIprotestedagainstthemadnessofallowinganythingtosendthesetwofromeachother.Graemesummedupthediscussioninhisownemphaticway，butwithanearnestnessinhiswordsnotusualwithhim.
’Craigwillknowbetterthananyofuswhatisrighttodo，andhewilldothat，andnomancanturnhimfromit;and，’headded，’I
shouldbesorrytotry.’
Thenmywrathrose，andIcried——
’It’satremendousshame！Theyloveeachother.Youaretalkingsentimentalhumbugandnonsense！’
’Hemustdotheright，’saidNelsoninhisdeep，quietvoice.
’Right！Nonsense！Bywhatrightdoeshesendfromhimthewomanheloves？’
’\"HepleasednotHimself，\"’quotedNelsonreverently.
’Nelsonisright，’saidGraeme.’Ishouldnotliketoseehimweaken.’
’Lookhere，’Istormed;’Ididn’tbringyoumentobackhimupinhisnonsense.Ithoughtyoucouldkeepyourheadslevel.’
’Now，Connor，’saidGraeme，’don’trage——leavethatfortheheathen;it’sbadform，anduselessbesides.Craigwillwalkhiswaywherehislightfalls;andbyallthat’sholy，Ishouldhatetoseehimfail;forifheweakensliketherestofusmyNorthStarwillhavedroppedfrommysky.’
’Niceselfishspirit，’Imuttered.
’Entirelyso.I’mnotasaint，butIfeellikesteeringbyonewhenIseehim.’
Whenafteraweekhadgone，Craigrodeuponeearlymorningtohisshackdoor，hisfacetoldmethathehadfoughthisfightandhadnotbeenbeaten.Hehadriddenallnightandwasreadytodropwithweariness.
’Connor，oldboy，’hesaid，puttingouthishand;’I’mratherplayed.TherewasabadrowattheLanding.IhavejustclosedpoorColley’seyes.Itwasawful.Imustgetsleep.LookafterDandy，willyou，likeagoodchap？’
’Oh，Dandybehanged，！’Isaid，forIknewitwasnotthefight，northewatching，northelongridethathadshakenhisironnerveandgivenhimthatface.’GoinandliedownI’llbringyousomething.’
’Wakemeintheafternoon，’hesaid;’sheiswaiting.Perhapsyouwillgotoher’——hislipsquivered——’mynerveisrathergone.’
Thenwithaverywansmileheadded，’Iamgivingyoualotoftrouble.’
’Yougotothunder！’Iburstout，formythroatwashotandsorewithgriefforhim.
’IthinkI’drathergotosleep，’hereplied，stillsmiling.I
couldnotspeak，andwasgladofthechanceofbeingalonewithDandy.
WhenIcameinIfoundhimsittingwithhisheadinhisarmsuponthetablefastasleep.Imadehimtea，forcedhimtotakeawarmbath，andsenthimtobed，whileIwenttoMrs.Mavor.Iwentwithafearfulheart，butthatwasbecauseIhadforgottenthekindofwomanshewas.
Shewasstandinginthelightofthewindowwaitingforme.Herfacewaspalebutsteady，therewasaproudlightinherfathomlesseyes，aslightsmilepartedherlips，andshecarriedherheadlikeaqueen.
’Comein，’shesaid.’Youneednotfeartotellme.Isawhimridehome.Hehasnotfailed，thankGod！Iamproudofhim;I
knewhewouldbetrue.Helovesme’——shedrewinherbreathsharply，andafaintcolourtingedhercheek——’butheknowsloveisnotall——ah，loveisnotall！Oh！Iamgladandproud！’
’Glad！’Igasped，amazed.
’Youwouldnothavehimprovefaithless！’shesaidwithprouddefiance.
’Oh，itishighsentimentalnonsense，’Icouldnothelpsaying.
’Youshouldnotsayso，’shereplied，andhervoicerangclear.
’Honour，faith，anddutyaresentiments，buttheyarenotnonsense.’
InspiteofmyrageIwaslostinamazedadmirationofthehighspiritofthewomanwhostoodupsostraightbeforeme.But，asI
toldhowwornandbrokenhewas，shelistenedwithchangingcolourandswellingbosom，herproudcourageallgone，andonlylove，anxiousandpitying，inhereyes.
’ShallIgotohim？’sheaskedwithtimideagernessanddeepeningcolour.
’Heissleeping.Hesaidhewouldcometoyou，’Ireplied.
’Ishallwaitforhim，’shesaidsoftly，andthetendernessinhertonewentstraighttomyheart，anditseemedtomeamanmightsuffermuchtobelovedwithlovesuchasthis.
IntheearlyafternoonGraemecametoher.Shemethimwithbothhandsoutstretched，sayinginalowvoice——
’Iamveryhappy.’
’Areyousure？’heaskedanxiously.
’Oh，yes，’shesaid，buthervoicewaslikeasob;’quite，quitesure.’
TheytalkedlongtogethertillIsawthatCraigmustsoonbecoming，andIcalledGraemeaway.Heheldherhands，lookingsteadilyintohereyesandsaid——
’YouarebettereventhanIthought;I’mgoingtobeabetterman.’
Hereyesfilledwithtears，buthersmiledidnotfadeassheanswered——
’Yes！youwillbeagoodman，andGodwillgiveyouworktodo.’
Hebenthisheadoverherhandsandsteppedbackfromherasfromaqueen，buthespokenowordtillwecametoCraig’sdoor.Thenhesaidwithhumilitythatseemedstrangeinhim，’Connor，thatisgreat，toconqueroneself.Itisworthwhile.Iamgoingtotry.’
IwouldnothavemissedhismeetingwithCraig.Nelsonwasbusywithtea.Craigwaswritingnearthewindow.HelookedupasGraemecamein，andnoddedaneasygood—evening;butGraemestrodetohimand，puttingonehandonhisshoulder，heldouthisotherforCraigtotake.