PROLOGUE
Therewasnomistakethistime：hehadstruckgoldatlast!
Ithadlaintherebeforehimamomentago——amisshapenpieceofbrown—stainedquartz，interspersedwithdullyellowmetal；yieldingenoughtohaveallowedthepointsofhispicktopenetrateitshoneycombedrecesses，yetheavyenoughtodropfromthepointofhispickasheendeavoredtoliftitfromtheredearth。
Hewasseeingallthisplainly，althoughhefoundhimself，heknewnotwhy，atsomedistancefromthesceneofhisdiscovery，hisheartfoolishlybeating，hisbreathimpotentlyhurried。Yethewaswalkingslowlyandvaguely；consciousofstoppingandstaringatthelandscape，whichnolongerlookedfamiliartohim。Hewashopingforsomeinstinctorforceofhabittorecallhimtohimself；yetwhenhesawaneighboratworkinanadjacentclaim，hehesitated，andthenturnedhisbackuponhim。Yetonlyamomentbeforehehadthoughtofrunningtohim，saying，\"ByJingo!I’vestruckit，\"or\"D——nit，oldman，I’vegotit\"；butthatmomenthadpassed，andnowitseemedtohimthathecouldscarceraisehisvoice，or，ifhedid，theejaculationwouldappearforcedandartificial。Neithercouldhegoovertohimcoollyandtellhisgoodfortune；and，partlyfromthisstrangeshyness，andpartlywithahopethatanothersurveyofthetreasuremightrestorehimtonaturalexpression，hewalkedbacktohistunnel。
Yes；itwasthere!Nomere\"pocket\"or\"deposit，\"butapartoftheactualveinhehadbeensolongseeking。Itwasthere，sureenough，lyingbesidethepickandthedebrisofthe\"face\"oftheveinthathehadexposedsufficiently，afterthefirstshockofdiscovery，toassurehimselfofthefactandthepermanenceofhisfortune。Itwasthere，andwithittherefutationofhisenemies’
sneers，thecorroborationofhisfriends’belief，thepracticaldemonstrationofhisowntheories，therewardofhispatientlabors。Itwasthere，sureenough。But，somehow，henotonlyfailedtorecallthefirstjoyofdiscovery，butwasconsciousofavaguesenseofresponsibilityandunrest。Itwas，nodoubt，anenormousfortunetoamaninhiscircumstances：perhapsitmeantacoupleofhundredthousanddollars，ormore，judgingfromthevalueoftheoldMartinlead，whichwasnotasrichasthis，butitrequiredtobeworkedconstantlyandjudiciously。Itwaswithadecidedsenseofuneasinessthatheagainsoughttheopensunlightofthehillside。Hisneighborwasstillvisibleontheadjacentclaim；buthehadapparentlystoppedworking，andwascontemplativelysmokingapipeunderalargepine—tree。Foraninstantheenviedhimhisapparentcontentment。Hehadasuddenfierceandinexplicabledesiretogoovertohimandexasperatehiseasypovertybyarevelationofhisownnew—foundtreasure。Buteventhatsensationquicklypassed，andlefthimstaringblanklyatthelandscapeagain。
Assoonashehadmadehisdiscoveryknown，andsettleditsvalue，hewouldsendforhiswifeandherchildrenintheStates。Hewouldbuildafinehouseontheoppositehillside，ifshewouldconsenttoit，unlessshepreferred，forthechildren’ssake，toliveinSanFrancisco。Asenseofalossofindependence——ofachangeofcircumstancesthatlefthimnolongerhisownmaster——
begantoperplexhim，inthemidstofhisbrightestprojects。
Certainotherrelationswithothermembersofhisfamily，whichhadlapsedbyabsenceandhisinsignificance，mustnowbetakenupanew。HemustdosomethingforhissisterJane，forhisbrotherWilliam，forhiswife’spoorconnections。Itwouldbeunfairtohimtosaythathecontemplatedthosethingswithanyotherinstinctthanthatofgenerosity；yethewasconsciousofbeingalreadyperplexedandpuzzled。
Meantime，however，theneighborhadapparentlyfinishedhispipe，and，knockingtheashesoutofit，rosesuddenly，andendedanyfurtheruncertaintyoftheirmeetingbywalkingoverdirectlytowardshim。Thetreasure—finderadvancedafewstepsonhisside，andthenstoppedirresolutely。
\"Hollo，Slinn!\"saidtheneighbor，confidently。
\"Hollo，Masters，\"respondedSlinn，faintly。Fromthesoundofthetwovoicesastrangermighthavemistakentheirrelativecondition。
\"Whatinthunderareyoumooningaboutfor？What’sup？\"Then，catchingsightofSlinn’spaleandanxiousface，headdedabruptly，\"Areyousick？\"
Slinnwasonthepointoftellinghimhisgoodfortune，butstopped。Theunluckyquestionconfirmedhisconsciousnessofhisphysicalandmentaldisturbance，andhedreadedthereadyridiculeofhiscompanion。Hewouldtellhimlater；MastersneednotknowWHENhehadmadethestrike。Besides，inhispresentvagueness，heshrankfromthebrusque，practicalquestioningthatwouldbesuretofollowtherevelationtoamanofMasters’temperament。
\"I’malittlegiddyhere，\"heanswered，puttinghishandtohishead，\"andIthoughtI’dknockoffuntilIwasbetter。\"
Mastersexaminedhimwithtwoverycriticalgrayeyes。\"Tellyewhat，oldman!——ifyoudon’tquitthisdog—gonedfoolin’ofyoursinthatGod—forsakentunnelyou’llgetloony!Timesyougetsotangledupinfollerin’thatblindleado’yoursyouain’tsensible!\"
Herewastheopportunitytotellhimall，andvindicatethejusticeofhistheories!Butheshrankfromitagain；andnow，addingtotheconfusion，wasasingularsenseofdreadatthementallaborofexplanation。Heonlysmiledpainfully，andbegantomoveaway。
\"Lookyou!\"saidMasters，peremptorily，\"yewantaboutthreefingersofstraightwhiskeytosetyouright，andyou’vegottotakeitwithme。D——nit，man，itmaybethelastdrinkwetaketogether!Don’tlooksoskeered!Imean——Imadeupmymindabouttenminutesagotocutthewholed——dthing，andlightoutforfreshdiggings。I’msickofgettingonlygrubwagesouto’thisbill。Sothat’swhatImeanbysayingit’sthelastdrinkyouandme’lltaketogether。Youknowmyways：sayin’anddoin’withme’sthesamething。\"
Itwastrue。SlinnhadoftenenviedMasters’promptnessofdecisionandresolution。Butheonlylookedatthegrimfaceofhisinterlocutorwithafeeblesenseofrelief。HewasGOING。Andhe，Slinn，wouldnothavetoexplainanything!
Hemurmuredsomethingabouthavingtogoovertothesettlementonbusiness。HedreadedlestMastersshouldinsistupongoingintothetunnel。
\"Isupposeyouwanttomailthatletter，\"saidMasters，drily。
\"Themaildon’tgotillto—morrow，soyou’vegottimetofinishit，andputitinanenvelope。\"
FollowingthedirectionofMasters’eyes，Slinnlookeddownandsaw，tohisuttersurprise，thathewasholdinganunfinishedpencillednoteinhishand。Howitcamethere，whenhehadwrittenit，hecouldnottell；hedimlyrememberedthatoneofhisfirstimpulseswastowritetohiswife，butthathehadalreadydonesohehadforgotten。Hehastilyconcealedthenoteinhisbreast—
pocket，withavacantsmile。Masterseyedhimhalfcontemptuously，halfcompassionately。
\"Don’tforgetyourselfanddropitinsomehollowtreeforaletter—box，\"besaid。\"Well——solong!——sinceyouwon’tdrink。
Takecareofyourself，\"and，turningonhisheel，Masterswalkedaway。
Slinnwatchedhimashecrossedovertohisabandonedclaim，sawhimgatherhisfewminingutensils，straphisblanketoverhisback，lifthishatonhislong—handledshovelasatokenoffarewell，andthenstridelight—heartedlyovertheridge。
Hewasalonenowwithhissecretandhistreasure。Theonlymanintheworldwhoknewoftheexactpositionofhistunnelhadgoneawayforever。Itwasnotlikelythatthischancecompanionofafewweekswouldeverrememberhimorthelocalityagain；hewouldnowleavehistreasurealone——forevenadayperhaps——untilhehadthoughtoutsomeplanandsoughtoutsomefriendinwhomtoconfide。Hissecludedlife，thesingularhabitsofconcentrationwhichhadatlastprovedsosuccessfulhad，atthesametime，lefthimfewacquaintancesandnoassociates。Andinallhiswell—laidplansandpatiently—digestedtheoriesforfindingthetreasure，themeansandmethodsofworkingitanddisposingofithadneverentered。
Andnow，atthehourwhenhemostneededhisfaculties，whatwasthemeaningofthisstrangebenumbingofthem!
Patience!Heonlywantedalittlerest——alittletimetorecoverhimself。Therewasalargeboulderunderatreeinthehighwayofthesettlement——ashelteredspotwherehehadoftenwaitedforthecomingofthestage—coach。Hewouldgothere，andwhenhewassufficientlyrestedandcomposedhewouldgoon。
Nevertheless，onhiswayhedivergedandturnedintothewoods，fornootherapparentpurposethantofindahollowtree。\"Ahollowtree。\"Yes!thatwaswhatMastershadsaid；heremembereditdistinctly；andsomethingwastobedonethere，butwhatitwas，orwhyitshouldbedone，hecouldnottell。However，itwasdone，andveryluckily，forhislimbscouldscarcelysupporthimfurther，andreachingthatboulderhedroppeduponitlikeanotherstone。
Andnow，strangetosay，theuneasinessandperplexitywhichhadpossessedhimeversincehehadstoodbeforehisrevealedwealthdroppedfromhimlikeaburdenlaiduponthewayside。A
measurelesspeacestoleoverhim，inwhichvisionsofhisnew—foundfortune，nolongeratroubleandperplexity，butcrownedwithhappinessandblessingtoallaroundhim，assumedproportionsfarbeyondhisownweak，selfishplans。Initseven—handedbenefaction，hiswifeandchildren，hisfriendsandrelations，evenhislatepoorcompanionofthehillside，metandmovedharmoniouslytogether；initsfar—reachingconsequencestherewasonlytheinfluenceofgood。Itwasnotstrangethatthispoorfinitemindshouldneverhaveconceivedthemeaningofthewealthextendedtohim；orthatconceivingitheshouldfaintandfalterundertherevelation。Enoughthatforafewminuteshemusthavetastedajoyofperfectanticipationthatyearsofactualpossessionmightneverbring。
Thesunseemedtogodowninarosydreamofhisownhappiness，ashestillsatthere。Later，theshadowsofthetreesthickenedandsurroundedhim，andstilllaterfellthecalmofaquieteveningskywithfar—spacedpassionlessstars，thatseemedaslittletroubledbywhattheylookeduponashewasbythestealthycreepinglifeinthegrassesandunderbrushathisfeet。Thedullpatterofsoftlittlefeetinthesoftdustoftheroad，thegentlegleamofmoistandwonderinglittleeyesonthebranchesandinthemossyedgesoftheboulder，didnotdisturbhim。Hesatpatientlythroughitall，asifhehadnotyetmadeuphismind。
Butwhenthestagecamewiththeflashingsunthenextmorning，andtheirresistibleclamoroflifeandaction，thedriversuddenlylaidhisfourspiritedhorsesontheirhaunchesbeforethequietspot。Theexpressmessengerclambereddownfromthebox，andapproachedwhatseemedtobeaheapofcast—offclothesupontheboulder。
\"Hedon’tseemtobedrunk，\"hesaid，inreplytoaquerulousinterrogationfromthepassengers。\"Ican’tmakehimout。Hiseyesareopen，buthecannotspeakormove。Takealookathim，Doc。\"
Aroughunprofessional—lookingmanheredescendedfromtheinsideofthecoach，and，carelesslythrustingasidetheothercuriouspassengers，suddenlyleantovertheheapofclothesinaprofessionalattitude。
\"Heisdead，\"saidoneofthepassengers。
Theroughmanletthepassiveheadsinksoftlydownagain。\"Nosuchluckforhim，\"hesaidcurtly，butnotunkindly。\"It’sastrokeofparalysis——andaboutasbigastheymake’em。It’satoss—upifheeverspeaksormovesagainaslongashelives。\"
CHAPTERI
WhenAlvinMulradyannouncedhisintentionofgrowingpotatoesandgarden\"truck\"onthegreenslopesofLosGatos，theminingcommunityofthatregion，andtheadjacenthamletof\"Rough—and—
Ready，\"regardeditwiththecontemptuousindifferenceusuallyshownbythoseadventurerstowardsallbucolicpursuits。Therewascertainlynoactiveobjectiontotheoccupationoftwohillsides，whichgavesolittlepromisetotheprospectorforgoldthatitwascurrentlyreportedthatasingleprospector，called\"Slinn，\"hadoncegonemadorimbecilethroughrepeatedfailures。Theonlyoppositioncame，incongruouslyenough，fromtheoriginalpastoralownerofthesoil，oneDonRamonAlvarado，whoseclaimforsevenleaguesofhillandvalley，includingthenowprosperoustownsofRough—and—ReadyandRedDog，wasmetwithsimplederisionfromthesquattersandminers。\"Looksezefwewozgoin’totravelthreethousandmilestoopenuphisd——doldwilderness，andthenpayfortheincreasedvaloowegiveit——don’tit？Oh，yes，certainly!\"wastheirironicalcommentary。Mulradymighthavebeenpardonedforadoptingthispopularopinion；butbyanequallyincongruoussentiment，peculiar，however，totheman，hecalleduponDonRamon，andactuallyofferedtopurchasetheland，or\"goshares\"withhimintheagriculturalprofits。ItwasallegedthattheDonwassostruckwiththisconcessionthathenotonlygrantedtheland，butstruckupaquaintreservedfriendshipforthesimple—mindedagriculturistandhisfamily。Itisscarcelynecessarytoaddthatthisintimacywasviewedbytheminerswiththecontemptthatitdeserved。Theywouldhavebeenmorecontemptuous，however，hadtheyknowntheopinionthatDonRamonentertainedoftheirparticularvocation，andwhichheearlyconfidedtoMulrady。
\"Theyaresavageswhoexpecttoreapwheretheyhavenotsown；totakeoutoftheearthwithoutreturninganythingtoitbuttheirpreciouscarcasses；heathens，whoworshipthemerestonestheydigup。\"\"AndwastherenoSpaniardwhoeverduggold？\"askedMulrady，simply。\"Ah，thereareSpaniardsandMoors，\"respondedDonRamon，sententiously。\"Goldhasbeendug，andbycaballeros；butnogoodevercameofit。TherewereAlvaradosinSonora，lookyou，whohadminesofSILVER，andworkedthemwithpeonsandmules，andlosttheirmoney——agoldminetoworkasilverone——likegentlemen!Butthisgrubbinginthedirtwithone’sfingers，thatalittlegoldmaysticktothem，isnotforcaballeros。Andthen，onesaysnothingofthecurse。\"
\"Thecurse!\"echoedMaryMulrady，withyouthfulfemininesuperstition。\"Whatisthat？\"
\"Youknewnot，friendMulrady，thatwhentheselandsweregiventomyancestorsbyCharlesV。，theBishopofMontereylaidacurseuponanywhoshoulddesecratethem。Good!Letussee!OfthethreeAmericanoswhofoundedyondertown，onewasshot，anotherdiedofafever——poisoned，youunderstand，bythesoil——andthelastgothimselfcrazyofaguardiente。Eventhescientifico，*whocamehereyearsagoandspiedintothetreesandtheherbs：hewasafterwardspunishedforhisprofanation，anddiedofanaccidentinotherlands。But，\"addedDonRamon，withgravecourtesy，\"thistouchesnotyourself。Throughme，YOUareofthesoil。\"
*DonRamonprobablyalludedtotheeminentnaturalistDouglas，whovisitedCaliforniabeforethegoldexcitement，anddiedofanaccidentintheSandwichIslands。
Indeed，itwouldseemasifasecureifnotarapidprosperitywastheresultofDonRamon’smanorialpatronage。Thepotatopatchandmarketgardenflourishedexceedingly；therichsoilrespondedwithmagnificentvagariesofgrowth；theevensunshinesettheseasonsatdefiancewithextraordinaryandprematurecrops。ThesaltporkandbiscuitconsumingsettlersdidnotallowtheircontemptofMulrady’soccupationtopreventtheirprofitingbythisopportunityforchangingtheirdiet。Thegoldtheyhadtakenfromthesoilpresentlybegantoflowintohispocketsinexchangeforhismoremodesttreasures。Thelittlecabin，whichbarelyshelteredhisfamily——awife，son，anddaughter——wasenlarged，extended，andrefitted，butinturnabandonedforamorepretentioushouseontheoppositehill。Awhitewashedfencereplacedtherudely—splitrails，whichhadkeptoutthewilderness。Bydegrees，thefirstevidencesofcultivation——thegashesofredsoil，thepilesofbrushandundergrowth，thebaredboulders，andheapsofstone——
meltedaway，andwerelostunderacarpetoflightergreen，whichmadeanoasisinthetawnydesertofwildoatsonthehillside。
WaterwastheonlyfreeboondeniedthisGardenofEden；whatwasnecessaryforirrigationhadtobebroughtfromaminingditchatgreatexpense，andwasofinsufficientquantity。InthisemergencyMulradythoughtofsinkinganartesianwellonthesunnyslopebesidehishouse；not，however，withoutseriousconsultationandmuchobjectionfromhisSpanishpatron。WithgreatausterityDonRamonpointedoutthatthistriflingwiththeentrailsoftheearthwasnotonlyanindignitytoNaturealmostequaltoshaft—sinkingandtunneling，butwasadisturbanceofvestedinterests。\"Iandmyfathers，SanDiegorestthem!\"saidDonRamon，crossinghimself，\"werecontentwithwellsandcisterns，filledbyHeavenatitsappointedseasons；thecattle，dumbbrutesthoughtheywere，knewwheretofindwaterwhentheywantedit。Butthousayesttruly，\"
headded，withasigh，\"thatwasbeforestreamsandrainwerechokedwithhellishengines，andpoisonedwiththeirspume。Goon，friendMulrady，digandboreifthouwilt，butinaseemlyfashion，andnotwithimpiousearthquakesofdevilishgunpowder。\"
WiththisconcessionAlvinMulradybegantosinkhisfirstartesianshaft。Beingdebarredtheauxiliariesofsteamandgunpowder，theworkwentonslowly。Themarketgardendidnotsuffermeantime，asMulradyhademployedtwoChinamentotakechargeoftherudertillage，whilehesuperintendedtheengineeringworkofthewell。
Thistriflingincidentmarkedanepochinthesocialconditionofthefamily。Mrs。Mulradyatonceassumedaconsciousimportanceamongherneighbors。Shespokeofherhusband’s\"men\"；shealludedtothewellas\"theworks\"；shecheckedtheeasyfrontierfamiliarityofhercustomerswithprettyMaryMulrady，herseventeen—year—olddaughter。SimpleAlvinMulradylookedwithastonishmentatthissuddendevelopmentofthegermplantedinallfemininenaturetoexpandintheslightestsunshineofprosperity。
\"Lookyer，Malviny；ain’tyeratherputtin’onairswiththeboysthatwanttobeciviltoMamie？Likeasnotoneof’emmaybemakin’uptoheralready。\"\"Youdon’tmeantosay，AlvinMulrady，\"
respondedMrs。Mulrady，withsuddenseverity，\"thatyoueverthoughtofgivin’yourdaughtertoacommonminer，orthatI’mgoin’toallowhertomarryoutofourownset？\"\"Ourownset!\"
echoedMulradyfeebly，blinkingatherinastonishment，andthenglancinghurriedlyacrossathisfreckle—facedsonandthetwoChinamenatworkinthecabbages。\"Oh，youknowwhatImean，\"saidMrs。Mulradysharply；\"thesetthatwemovein。TheAlvaradosandtheirfriends!Doesn’ttheoldDoncomehereeveryday，andain’thissontherightageforMamie？Andain’ttheytherealfirstfamilieshere——allthesameasiftheywerenoblemen？No，leaveMamietome，andkeeptoyourshaft；thereneverwasamanyethadtheleastsabeaboutthesethings，orknewwhatwasduetohisfamily。\"Likemostofhislargerminded，butfeeblerequippedsex，Mulradywastoogladtoacceptthetruthofthelatterproposition，whichleftthemeannessesoflifetofemininemanipulation，andwentofftohisshaftonthehillside。Butduringthatafternoonhewasperplexedandtroubled。Hewastooloyalahusbandnottobepleasedwiththisproofofanunexpectedandsuperiorforesightinhiswife，althoughhewas，likeallhusbands，alittlestartledbyit。Hetriedtodismissitfromhismind。Butlookingdownfromthehillsideuponhislittleventure，wheregradualincreaseandprosperityhadnotbeenbeyondhisfacultiestocontrolandunderstand，hefoundhimselfhauntedbythemoreambitiousprojectsofhishelpmate。Fromhisownknowledgeofmen，hedoubtedifDonRamon，anymorethanhimself，hadeverthoughtofthepossibilityofamatrimonialconnectionbetweenthefamilies。Hedoubtedifhewouldconsenttoit。Andunfortunatelyitwasthisverydoubtthat，touchinghisownprideasaself—mademan，madehimfirstseriouslyconsiderhiswife’sproposition。HewasasgoodasDonRamon，anyday!Withthissubtlefemininepoisoninstilledinhisveins，carriedcompletelyawaybythelogicofhiswife’sillogicalpremises，healmosthatedhisoldbenefactor。HelookeddownuponthelittleGardenofEden，wherehisEvehadjusttemptedhimwiththefatalfruit，andfeltacuriousconsciousnessthathewaslosingitssimpleandinnocentenjoymentforever。
Happily，aboutthistimeDonRamondied。ItisnotprobablethatheeverknewtheamiableintentionsofMrs。Mulradyinregardtohisson，whonowsucceededtothepaternalestate，sadlypartitionedbyrelativesandlawsuits。ThefeminineMulradysattendedthefuneral，inexpensivemourningfromSacramento；eventhegentleAlvinwasforcedintoready—madebroadcloth，whichaccentedhisgood—naturedbutunmistakablycommonpresence。Mrs。
Mulradyspokeopenlyofher\"loss\"；declaredthattheoldfamiliesweredyingout；andimpressedthewivesofafewnewarrivalsatRedDogwiththebeliefthatherownfamilywascontemporarywiththeAlvarados，andthatherhusband’shealthwasfarfromperfect。
SheextendedamotherlysympathytotheorphanedDonCaesar。
Reserved，likehisfather，innaturaldisposition，hewasstillmoregravelyceremoniousfromhisloss；and，perhapsfromtheshynessofanevidentpartialityforMamieMulrady，herarelyavailedhimselfofhermother’ssympathizinghospitality。ButhecarriedouttheintentionsofhisfatherbyconsentingtoselltoMulrady，forasmallsum，thepropertyhehadleased。TheideaofpurchasinghadoriginatedwithMrs。Mulrady。
\"It’llbeallinthefamily，\"hadobservedthatastutelady，\"andit’sbetterforthelooksofthethingsthatweshouldn’thehistenants。\"
Itwasonlyafewweekslaterthatshewasstartledbyhearingherhusband’svoicecallingherfromthehillsideasherapidlyapproachedthehouse。Mamiewasinherroomputtingonanewpinkcottongown，inhonorofanexpectedvisitfromyoungDonCaesar，andMrs。Mulradywastidyingthehouseinviewofthesameevent。
Somethinginthetoneofhergoodman’svoice，andtheunusualcircumstanceofhisreturntothehousebeforeworkwasdone，causedher，however，todropherdustingcloth，andruntothekitchendoortomeethim。Shesawhimrunningthroughtherowsofcabbages，hisfaceshiningwithperspirationandexcitement，alightinhiseyeswhichshehadnotseenforyears。Sherecalled，withoutsentiment，thathelookedlikethatwhenshehadcalledhim——apoorfarmhandofherfather’s——outofthebrushheapatthebackoftheirformerhome，inIllinois，tolearntheconsentofherparents。Therecollectionwasthemoreembarrassingashethrewhisarmsaroundher，andpressedaresoundingkissuponhersallowcheek。
\"Sakesalive!Mulrady!\"shesaid，exorcisingtheghostofablushthathadalsobeenrecalledfromthepastwithherhousewife’sapron，\"whatareyoudoin’，andcompanyexpectedeveryminit？\"
\"Malviny，I’vestruckit；andstruckitrich!\"
Shedisengagedherselffromhisarms，withoutexcitement，andlookedathimwithbrightbutshrewdlyobservanteyes。
\"I’vestruckitinthewell——theregularveinthattheboyshavebeenlookingfer。There’safortin’feryouandMamie：thousandsandtensofthousands!\"
\"Waitaminit。\"
Shelefthimquickly，andwenttothefootofthestairs。Hecouldhearherwonderinglyanddistinctly。\"Yecantakeoffthatnewfrock，Mamie，\"shecalledout。
TherewasasoundofundisguisedexpostulationfromMamie。
\"I’mspeaking，\"saidMrs。Mulrady，emphatically。
Themurmuringceased。Mrs。Mulradyreturnedtoherhusband。Theinterruptionseemedtohavetakenoffthekeenedgeofhisenjoyment。Heatonceabdicatedhismomentaryelevationasadiscoverer，andwaitedforhertospeak。
\"Yehaven’ttoldanyoneyet？\"sheasked。
\"No。Iwasalone，downintheshaft。Yesee，Malviny，Iwasn’texpectin’ofanything。\"Hebegan，withanattemptatfreshenjoyment，\"Iwasjustclearin’out，andhadn’treckonedonanythin’。\"
\"Yousee，IwasrightwhenIadvisedyoutakingtheland，\"shesaid，withoutheedinghim。
Mulrady’sfacefell。\"IhopeDonCaesarwon’tthink\"——hebegan，hesitatingly。\"Ireckon，perhaps，Ioughtermakesomesortercompensation——youknow。\"
\"Stuff!\"saidMrs。Mulrady，decidedly。\"Don’tbeafool。Anygolddiscovery，anyhow，wouldhavebeenyours——that’sthelaw。Andyouboughtthelandwithoutanyrestrictions。Besides，youneverhadanyideaofthis!\"——shestopped，andlookedhimsuddenlyintheface——\"hadyou？\"
Mulradyopenedhishonest，pale—grayeyeswidely。
\"Why，Malviny!YouknowIhadn’t。Icouldswear!\"
\"Don’tswear，anddon’tletontoanybodybutwhatyouDIDknowitwasthere。Now，AlvinMulrady，listentome。\"Hervoiceheretookthestridentformofaction。\"Knockoffworkattheshaft，andsendyourmanawayatonce。Putonyourthings，catchthenextstagetoSacramentoatfouro’clock，andtakeMamiewithyou。\"
\"Mamie!\"echoedMulrady，feebly。
\"YouwanttoseeLawyerColeandmybrotherJimatonce，\"shewenton，withoutheedinghim，\"andMamiewantsachangeandsomeproper。
clothes。LeavetheresttomeandAbner。I’llbreakittoMamie，andgetherready。\"
Mulradypassedhishandsthroughhistangledhair，wetwithperspiration。Hewasproudofhiswife’senergyandaction；hedidnotdreamofopposingher，butsomehowhewasdisappointed。Thecharmingglamourandjoyofhisdiscoveryhadvanishedbeforehecouldfairlydazzleherwithit；or，rather，shewasnotdazzledwithitatall。Ithadbecomelikebusiness，andtheexpression\"breakingit\"toMamiejarreduponhim。Hewouldhavepreferredtotellherhimself；towatchthecolorcomeintoherdelicateovalface，tohaveseenhersofteyeslightwithaninnocentjoyhehadnotseeninhiswife’s；andhefeltasinkingconvictionthathiswifewasthelastonetoawakenit。
\"Youain’tgotanytimetolose，\"shesaid，impatiently，ashehesitated。
Perhapsitwasherimpatiencethatstruckharshlyuponhim；
perhaps，ifshehadnotacceptedhergoodfortunesoconfidently，hewouldnothavespokenwhatwasinhismindatthetime；buthesaidgravely，\"Waitaminit，Malviny；I’vesuthin’totellyou’boutthisfindofminethat’ssing’lar。\"
\"Goon，\"shesaid，quickly。
\"Lyin’amongtherottenquartzoftheveinwasapick，\"hesaid，constrainedly；\"andthefaceoftheveinsorterlookedezifithadbeenworkedat。Folleringthelineoutsidetothebaseofthehilltherewassignsoftherehavingbeenanoldtunnel；butithadfallenin，andwasblockedup。\"
\"Well？\"saidMrs。Mulrady，contemptuously。
\"Well，\"returnedherhusband，somewhatdisconnectedly，\"itkinderlookedasifsomefellermighthavediscovereditbefore。\"
\"Andwentaway，andleftitforothers!That’slikely——ain’tit？\"
interruptedhiswife，withill—disguisedintolerance。\"Everybodyknowsthehillwasn’tworththatforprospectin’；anditwasabandonedwhenwecamehere。It’syourpropertyandyou’vepaidforit。Areyougoin’towaittoadvertisefortheowner，AlvinMulrady，orareyougoingtoSacramentoatfouro’clockto—day？\"
Mulradystarted。Hehadneverseriouslybelievedinthepossibilityofapreviousdiscovery；buthisconscientiousnaturehadpromptedhimtogiveitafairconsideration。Shewasprobablyright。Whathemighthavethoughthadshetreateditwithequalconscientiousnesshedidnotconsider。\"Allright，\"hesaidsimply。\"Ireckonwe’llgoatonce。\"
\"AndwhenyoutalktoLawyerColeandJim，keepthatsillystuffaboutthepicktoyourself。There’snouseofputtingqueerideasintootherpeople’sheadsbecauseyouhappentohave’emyourself。\"
Whenthehurriedarrangementswereatlastcompleted，andMr。
MulradyandMamie，accompaniedbyataciturnanddiscreetChinaman，carryingtheirscantluggage，wereontheirwaytothehighroadtomeettheupstage，thefathergazedsomewhatanxiouslyandwistfullyintohisdaughter’sface。HehadlookedforwardtothosefewmomentstoenjoythefreshnessandnaiveteofMamie’syouthfuldelightandenthusiasmasarelieftohiswife’spractical，far—
sightedrealism。Therewasaprettypinksuffusioninherdelicatecheek，thebreathlesshappinessofachildinherhalf—openedlittlemouth，andabeautifulabsorptioninherlargegrayeyesthatauguredwellforhim。
\"Well，Mamie，howdowelikebein’anheiress？Howdowelikelayin’overallthegalsbetweenthisand’Frisco？\"
\"Eh？\"
Shehadnotheardhim。Thetenderbeautifuleyeswereengagedinananticipatoryexaminationoftherememberedshelvesinthe\"FancyEmporium\"atSacramento；inreadingtheadmirationoftheclerks；
inglancingdownalittlecriticisinglyatthebroadcowhidebroguesthatstrodeatherside；inlookinguptheroadforthestage—coach；inregardingthefitofhernewgloves——everywherebutinthelovingeyesofthemanbesideher。
He，however，repeatedthequestion，touchedwithhercharmingpreoccupation，andpassinghisarmaroundherlittlewaist。
\"Ilikeitwellenough，pa，youknow!\"shesaid，slightlydisengaginghisarm，butaddingaperfunctorylittlesqueezetohiselbowtosoftentheseparation。\"IalwayshadanideaSOMETHING
wouldhappen。IsupposeI’mlookinglikeafright，\"sheadded；
\"butmamademehurrytogetawaybeforeDonCaesarcame。\"
\"Andyoudidn’twanttogowithoutseeinghim？\"headded，archly。
\"Ididn’twanthimtoseemeinthisfrock，\"saidMamie，simply。
\"Ireckonthat’swhymamademechange，\"sheadded，withaslightlaugh。
\"WellIreckonyou’reallusgoodenoughforhiminanydress，\"saidMulrady，watchingherattentively；\"andmorethanamatchforhimNOW，\"headded，triumphantly。
\"Idon’tknowaboutthat，\"saidMamie。\"He’sbeenrichallthetime，andhisfatherandgrandfatherbeforehim；whilewe’vebeenpoorandhistenants。\"
Hisfacechanged；thelookofbewilderment，withwhichhehadfollowedherwords，gavewaytooneofpain，andthenofanger。
\"Didhegetoffsuchstuffasthat？\"heasked，quickly。
\"No。I’dliketocatchhimatit，\"respondedMamie，promptly。
\"There’sbetternorhimtobehadfortheaskingnow。\"
Theyhadwalkedonafewmomentsinaggrievedsilence，andtheChinamanmighthaveimaginedsomemisfortunehadjustbefallenthem。ButMamie’steethshoneagainbetweenherpartedlips。\"La，pa!itain’tthat!Hecareseverythingforme，andIdoforhim；
andifmahadn’tgotnewideas——\"Shestoppedsuddenly。
\"Whatnewideas？\"queriedherfather，anxiously。
\"Oh，nothing!Iwish，pa，you’dputonyourotherboots!
Everybodycanseethesearemadeforthefarrows。Andyouain’tamarketgardeneranymore。\"
\"WhatamI，then？\"askedMulrady，withahalf—pleased，half—uneasylaugh。
\"You’reacapitalist，Isay；butmasaysalandedproprietor。\"
Nevertheless，thelandedproprietor，whenhereachedtheboulderontheRedDoghighway，satdowninsomewhatmoodycontemplation，withhisheadbowedoverthebroadcowhidebrogues，thatseemedtohavealreadygatheredenoughofthesoiltoindicatehisrighttothattitle。Mamie，whohadrecoveredherspirits，buthadnotlostherpreoccupation，wanderedoffbyherselfinthemeadow，orascendedthehillside，asheroccasionalimpatienceatthedelayofthecoach，orthefollowingofsomeambitiousfancy，alternatelypromptedher。Shewassofarawayatonetimethatthestage—
coach，whichfinallydrewupbeforeMulrady，wasobligedtowaitforher。
Whenshewasdepositedsafelyinside，andMulradyhadclimbedtotheboxbesidethedriver，thelatterremarked，curtly，——
\"Yegavemearightsmartskeer，aminitago，stranger。\"
\"Ezhow？\"
\"Well，aboutthreeyearsago，Iwascomin’downthisyergrade，atjustthistime，andsittin’rightonthatstone，injustyourattitude，wasamanaboutyourbuildandyears。Ipulleduptolethimin，when，darnmyskin!ifheevermoved，butsorterlookedatmewithoutspeakin’。Icalledtohim，andheneveranswered，’ceptwiththatidioticstare。Ithenlethimhavemyopinionofhim，inmightystrongEnglish，anddroveoff，leavin’himthere。Thenextmorning，whenIcamebyontheup—trip，darnmyskin!ifhewasn’tthar，butlyin’allofaheapontheboulder。Jimdropsdownandpickshimup。DoctorDuchesne，ezwasalong，allowstitwasaplayed—outprospector，withabigcaseofparalysis，andweexpressedhimthroughtotheCountyHospital，likesomuchdeadfreight。I’veallusbeenkindersuperstitiousaboutpassin’thatrock，andwhenIsawyoujistnow，sittin’thar，dazedlike，withyourheaddownliketheotherchap，itratherthrewmeoffmycentre。\"
Intheinexplicableandhalf—superstitiousuneasinessthatthiscoincidenceawakenedinMulrady’sunimaginativemind，hewasalmostonthepointofdisclosinghisgoodfortunetothedriver，inordertoprovehowpreposterouswastheparallel，butcheckedhimselfintime。
\"Didyoufindoutwhohewas？\"brokeinarashpassenger。\"Didyouevergetoverit？\"addedanotherunfortunate。
Withapauseofinsultingscornattheinterruption，thedriverresumed，pointedly，toMulrady：\"Thepintofthewholethingwasmycussin’ahelplessman，ezcouldneithercussbacknorshoot；andthenafterwardstakin’youforhisghostlayin’formetogeteven。\"Hepausedagain，andthenadded，carelessly，\"Theysayheneverkemtoenufftoletonwhohewasorwharhekemfrom；andhewaseventooallytakentoa’SylumforDodderingIdjitsandGin’ralandPermiskusImbecilesatSacramento。I’veheerdit’sconsideredafirst—classinstitooshun，notonlyforthemezisparalyzedandcan’ttalk，asforthemezisthereverseandistoochipper。
Now，\"headded，languidlyturningforthefirsttimetohismiserablequestioners，\"howdidYOUfindit？\"
CHAPTERII
WhenthenewsofthediscoveryofgoldinMulradyshaftwasfinallymadepublic，itcreatedanexcitementhithertounknowninthehistoryofthecountry。HalfofRedDogandallRough—and—ReadywereemptiedupontheyellowhillssurroundingMulrady’s，untiltheircirclingcampfireslookedlikeabesiegingarmythathadinvestedhispeacefulpastoralhome，preparatorytocarryingitbyassault。Unfortunatelyforthem，theyfoundthevariouspointsofvantagealreadygarrisonedwithnoticesof\"preemption\"forminingpurposesinthenameofthevariousmembersoftheAlvaradofamily。
ThisstrokeofbusinesswasduetoMrs。Mulrady，asameansofmollifyingtheconscientiousscruplesofherhusbandandofplacatingtheAlvarados，inviewofsomeremotecontingency。Itisbutfairtosaythatthisdegradationofhisfather’sCastilianprincipleswasopposedbyDonCaesar。\"Youneedn’tworkthemyourself，butsellouttothemthatwill；it’stheonlywaytokeeptheprospectorsfromtakingitwithoutpayingforitatall，\"
arguedMrs。Mulrady。DonCaesarfinallyassented；perhapslesstothebusinessargumentsofMulrady’swifethantothesimplesuggestionofMamie’smother。Enoughthatherealizedasuminmoneyforafewacresthatexceededthelasttenyears’incomeofDonRamon’ssevenleagues。
EquallyunprecedentedandextravagantwastherealizationofthediscoveryinMulrady’sshaft。Itwasallegedthatacompany，hastilyformedinSacramento，paidhimamillionofdollarsdown，leavinghimstillacontrollingtwo—thirdsinterestinthemine。
Withanobstinacy，however，thatamountedalmosttoamoralconviction，herefusedtoincludethehouseandpotato—patchintheproperty。Whenthecompanyhadyieldedthepoint，hedeclined，withequaltenacity，topartwithittooutsidespeculatorsoneventhemostextravagantoffers。InvainMrs。Mulradyprotested；invainshepointedouttohimthattheretentionoftheevidenceofhisformerhumbleoccupationwasagreenblotupontheirsocialescutcheon。
\"Ifyouwillkeeptheland，buildonit，androotupthegarden。\"
ButMulradywasadamant。
\"It’stheonlythingIevermademyself，andgotoutofthesoilwithmyownhands；it’sthebeginningofmyfortune，anditmaybetheendofit。MebbeeI’llbegladenoughtohaveittocomebacktosomeday，andbethankfulforthesquaremealIcandigoutofit。\"
Byrepeatedpressure，however，Mulradyyieldedthecompromisethataportionofitshouldbemadeintoavineyardandflower—garden，andbyasuitablecoloringofornamentandluxuryobliterateitsvulgarpart。Lesssuccessful，however，wasthatenergeticwomaninanotherefforttomitigatetheausteritiesoftheirearlierstate。
ItoccurredtohertoutilizethesofteraccentsofDonCaesarinthepronunciationoftheirfamilyname，andprivatelyhad\"Mulrade\"
taketheplaceofMulradyonhervisitingcard。\"ItmightbeSpanish，\"shearguedwithherhusband。\"LawyerColesaysmostAmericannamesarecorrupted，andhowdoyouknowthatyoursain’t？\"Mulrady，whowouldnotswearthathisancestorscamefromIrelandtotheCarolinasin’98，washelplesstorefutetheassertion。ButtheterribleNemesisofanun—Spanish，Americanprovincialspeechavengedtheorthographicaloutrageatonce。WhenMrs。Mulradybegantobeaddressedorally，aswellasbyletter，as\"Mrs。Mulraid，\"andwhensimpleamatoryeffusionstoherdaughterrhymedwith\"lovelymaid，\"shepromptlyrefusedtheoriginalvowel。
ButshefondlyclungtotheSpanishcourtesywhichtransformedherhusband’sbaptismalname，andusuallyspokeofhim——inhisabsence——
as\"DonAlvino。\"Butinthepresenceofhisshort，squarefigure，hisorangetawnyhair，histwinklinggrayeyes，andretroussenose，eventhatdominantwomanwithheldhistitle。ItwascurrentlyreportedatRedDogthatadistinguishedforeignerhadonedayapproachedMulradywiththeformula，\"IbelieveIhavethehonorofaddressingDonAlvinoMulrady？\"\"Youkinbetyourboots，stranger，that’sme，\"hadreturnedthatsimplehidalgo。
AlthoughMrs。MulradywouldhavepreferredthatMamieshouldremainatSacramentountilshecouldjoinher，preparatorytoatripto\"theStates\"andEurope，sheyieldedtoherdaughter’sdesiretoastonishRough—and—Ready，beforesheleft，withhernewwardrobe，andunfoldintheparentnestthedelicateandpaintedwingswithwhichshewastoflyfromthemforever。\"Idon’twantthemtoremembermeafterwardsinthosespottedprints，ma，andlikeasnotsayIneverhadadecentfrockuntilIwentaway。\"Therewassomethingsolikethedaughterofhermotherinthisdelicateforesightthatthetouchedandgratifiedparentkissedher，andassented。Theresultwasgratifyingbeyondherexpectation。Inthatfewweeks’sojournatSacramento，theyounggirlseemedtohaveadaptedandassimilatedherselftothelatestmodesoffashionwithevenmorethantheusualAmericangirl’spliancyandtaste。
Equaltoallemergenciesofstyleandmaterial，sheseemedtosupply，fromsomehithertounknownqualityshepossessed，thegraceandmannerpeculiartoeach。Untrammeledbytradition，education，orprecedent，shehadtheWesterngirl’sconfidenceinallthingsbeingpossible，whichmadethemsooftenprobable。Mr。Mulradylookedathisdaughterwithmingledsentimentsofprideandawe。
Wasitpossiblethatthisdelicatecreature，sosuperiortohimthatheseemedlikeadegeneratescionofherremoterrace，washisownfleshandblood？Wasshethedaughterofhermother，whoeveninherrememberedyouthwasneverequippedlikethis？Ifthethoughtbroughtnopleasuretohissimple，lovingnature，itatleastsparedhimthepainofwhatmighthaveseemedingratitudeinonemoreakintohimself。\"Thefactis，weain’tquiteuptoherstyle，\"washisexplanationandapology。Avaguebeliefthatinanotherandabetterworldthanthishemightapproximateandunderstandthisperfectionsomewhatsoothedandsustainedhim。
Itwasquiteconsistent，therefore，thattheembroideredcambricdresswhichMamieMulradyworeonesummerafternoononthehillsideatLosGatos，whiletothecriticalfeminineeyeatonceartisticandexpensive，shouldnotseemincongruoustohersurroundingsortoherselfintheeyesofageneralaudience。Itcertainlydidnotseemsotoonepairoffrank，humorousonesthatglancedatherfromtimetotime，astheirowner，ayoungfellowoffive—and—
twenty，walkedatherside。Hewastheneweditorofthe\"Rough—
and—ReadyRecord，\"and，havingbeenherfellow—passengerfromSacramento，hadalreadyonceortwiceavailedhimselfofherfather’sinvitationtocalluponthem。Mrs。Mulradyhadnotdiscouragedthismildflirtation。WhethershewishedtodisconcertDonCaesarforsomeoccultpurpose，orwhether，liketherestofhersex，shehadanoverweeningconfidenceintheunheroic，unseductive，andpurelyplatoniccharacterofmasculinehumor，didnotappear。
\"WhenIsayI’msorryyouaregoingtoleaveus，MissMulrady，\"
saidtheyoungfellow，lightly，\"youwillcomprehendmyunselfishness，sinceIfranklyadmityourdeparturewouldbeapositiverelieftomeasaneditorandaman。ThepressureinthePoet’sCornerofthe’Record’sinceitwasmistakinglydiscoveredthatapersonofyournamemightbeinducedtoseekthe’glade’and’shade’withoutbeing’afraid，’’dismayed，’or’betrayed，’hasbeensomethingenormous，and，unfortunately，Iamdebarredfromrejectinganything，onthejustgroundthatIammyselfaninterestedadmirer。\"
\"It’sdreadfultobeplacardedaroundthecountrybyone’sownfullname，isn’tit？\"saidMamie，without，however，expressingmuchhorrorinherface。
\"Theythinkitmuchmorerespectfulthantocallyou’Mamie，’\"heresponded，lightly；\"andmanyofyouradmirersaremiddle—agedmen，withamediaevalstyleofcompliment。I’vediscoveredthatamatoryversifyingwasn’tentirelyayouthfulpassion。ColonelCashisaboutasfatalwithacoupletaswithadouble—barreledgun，andscattersasterribly。JudgeButtsandDr。WilsonhavebothdiscernedtheresemblanceofyourgiftstothoseofVenus，andtheirowntoApollo。Butdon’tundervaluethosetributes，MissMulrady，\"headded，moreseriously。\"You’llhavethousandsofadmirerswhereyouaregoing；butyou’llbewillingtoadmitintheend，Ithink，thatnoneweremorehonestandrespectfulthanyoursubjectsatRough—and—ReadyandRedDog。\"Hestopped，andaddedinagravertone，\"DoesDonCaesarwritepoetry？\"
\"Hehassomethingbettertodo，\"saidtheyounglady，pertly。
\"Icaneasilyimaginethat，\"hereturned，mischievously；\"itmustbeapallidsubstituteforotheropportunities。\"
\"Whatdidyoucomeherefor？\"sheasked，suddenly。
\"Toseeyou。\"
\"Nonsense!YouknowwhatImean。WhydidyoueverleaveSacramentotocomehere？Ishouldthinkitwouldsuityousomuchbetterthanthisplace。\"
\"IsupposeIwasfiredbyyourfather’sexample，andwishedtofindagoldmine。\"
\"Menlikeyouneverdo，\"shesaid，simply。
\"Isthatacompliment，MissMulrady？\"
\"Idon’tknow。ButIthinkthatyouthinkthatitis。\"
Hegaveherthepleasedlookofonewhohadunexpectedlyfoundasympatheticintelligence。\"DoI？Thisisinteresting。Let’ssitdown。\"Intheirdesultoryramblingtheyhadreached，quiteunconsciously，thelargeboulderattheroadside。Mamiehesitatedamoment，lookedupanddowntheroad，andthen，withanalreadyopulentindifferencetothedamagingofherspotlessskirt，satherselfuponit，withherfurledparasolheldbyhertwolittlehandsthrownoverherhalf—drawn—upknee。Theyoungeditor，halfsitting，halfleaning，againstthestone，begantodrawfiguresinthesandwithhiscane。
\"Onthecontrary，MissMulrady，Ihopetomakesomemoneyhere。
YouareleavingRough—and—Readybecauseyouarerich。Wearecomingtoitbecausewearepoor。\"
\"We？\"echoedMamie，lazily，lookinguptheroad。
\"Yes。Myfatherandtwosisters。\"
\"Iamsorry。ImighthaveknownthemifIhadn’tbeengoingaway。\"
Atthesamemoment，itflashedacrosshermindthat，iftheywerelikethemanbeforeher，theymightprovedisagreeablyindependentandcritical。\"Isyourfatherinbusiness？\"sheasked。
Heshookhishead。Afterapause，hesaid，punctuatinghissentenceswiththepointofhisstickinthesoftdust，\"Heisparalyzed，andoutofhismind，MissMulrady。IcametoCaliforniatoseekhim，asallnewsofhimceasedthreeyearssince；andI
foundhimonlytwoweeksago，alone，friendless——anunrecognizedpauperinthecountyhospital。\"
\"Twoweeksago？ThatwaswhenIwenttoSacramento。\"
\"Veryprobably。\"
\"Itmusthavebeenveryshockingtoyou？\"
\"Itwas。\"
\"Ishouldthinkyou’dfeelrealbad？\"
\"Ido，attimes。\"Hesmiled，andlaidhisstickonthestone。
\"Younowsee，MissMulrady，hownecessarytomeisthisgoodfortunethatyoudon’tthinkmeworthyof。MeantimeImusttrytomakeahomeforthematRough—and—Ready。\"
MissMulradyputdownherkneeandherparasol。\"Wemustn’tstayheremuchlonger，youknow。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Why，thestage—coachcomesbyataboutthistime。\"
\"Andyouthinkthepassengerswillobserveussittinghere？\"
\"Ofcoursetheywill。\"
\"MissMulrady，Iimploreyoutostay。\"
Hewasleaningoverherwithsuchapparentearnestnessofvoiceandgesturethatthecolorcameintohercheek。Foramomentshescarcelydaredtoliftherconsciouseyestohis。Whenshedidso，shesuddenlyglancedherownasidewithaflashofanger。Hewaslaughing。
\"Ifyouhaveanypityforme，donotleavemenow，\"herepeated。
\"Stayamomentlonger，andmyfortuneismade。ThepassengerswillreportusalloverRedDogasengaged。Ishallbesupposedtobeinyourfather’ssecrets，andshallbesoughtafterasadirectorofallthenewcompanies。The’Record’willdoubleitscirculation；poetrywilldropoutofitscolumns，advertisingrushtofillitsplace，andIshallreceivefivedollarsaweekmoresalary，ifnotsevenandahalf。Nevermindtheconsequencestoyourselfatsuchamoment。Iassureyoutherewillbenone。Youcandenyitthenextday——Iwilldenyit——nay，more，the’Record’
itselfwilldenyitinanextraeditionofonethousandcopies，attencentseach。Lingeramomentlonger，MissMulrady。Fly，ohflynotyet。They’recoming——hark!oh!ByJove，it’sonlyDonCaesar!\"
Itwas，indeed，onlytheyoungscionofthehouseofAlvarado，blue—eyed，sallow—skinned，andhigh—shouldered，comingtowardsthemonafiery，half—brokenmustang，whoseveryspontaneouslawlessnessseemedtoaccentuateandbringoutthegraveanddecorouseaseofhisrider。Eveninhisburlesquepreoccupationtheeditorofthe\"Record\"didnotwithholdhisadmirationofthisperfecthorsemanship。Mamie，who，inherwoundedamourpropre，wouldliketohavemademuchofittoannoyhercompanion，wasthusestoppedanyostentatiouscompliment。