DonCaesarliftedhishatwithsweetseriousnesstothelady，withgravecourtesytothegentleman。WhilethelowerhalfofthisCentaurwasapparentlyquiveringwithfury，andstampingthegroundinhisevidentdesiretochargeuponthepair，theupperhalf，withnaturaldignity，lookedfromtheonetotheother，asiftoleavetheprivilegeofanexplanationwiththem。ButMamiewastoowise，andhercompaniontooindifferent，toofferone。AslightshadepassedoverDonCaesar’sface。Tocomplicatethesituationatthatmoment，theexpectedstagecoachcamerattlingby。Withquickfeminineintuition，Mamiecaughtinthefacesofthedriverandtheexpressman，andreflectedinthemischievouseyesofhercompanion，apeculiarinterpretationoftheirmeeting，thatwasnotremovedbythewhisperedassuranceoftheeditorthatthepassengerswereanxiouslylookingback\"toseetheshooting。\"
TheyoungSpaniard，equallyobliviousofhumororcuriosity，remainedimpassive。
\"YouknowMr。Slinn，ofthe’Record，\"saidMamie，\"don’tyou？\"
DonCaesarhadneverbeforemettheSenorEsslinn。HewasundertheimpressionthatitwasaSenorRobinsonthatwasofthe\"Record。\"
\"Oh，HEwasshot，\"saidSlinn。\"I’mtakinghisplace。\"
\"Bueno!Tobeshottoo？Itrustnot。\"
SlinnlookedquicklyandsharplyintoDonCaesar’sgraveface。Heseemedtobeincapableofanydoublemeaning。However，ashehadnoseriousreasonforawakeningDonCaesar’sjealousy，andverylittledesiretobecomeanembarrassingthirdinthisconversation，andpossiblyaburdentotheyounglady，heproceededtotakehisleaveofher。Fromasuddenfemininerevulsionofsympathy，orfromsomeunintelligibleinstinctofdiplomacy，Mamiesaid，assheextendedherhand，\"Ihopeyou’llfindahomeforyourfamilynearhere。Mammawantspatoletouroldhouse。Perhapsitmightsuityou，ifnottoofarfromyourwork。Youmightspeaktomaaboutit。\"
\"Thankyou；Iwill，\"respondedtheyoungman，pressingherhandwithunaffectedcordiality。
DonCaesarwatchedhimuntilhehaddisappearedbehindthewaysidebuckeyes。
\"Heisamanoffamily——thisone——yourcountryman？\"
Itseemedstrangetohertohaveamereacquaintancespokenofas\"hercountryman\"——notthefirsttimenorthelasttimeinhercareer。Asthereappearednotraceorsignofjealousyinherquestioner’smanner，sheansweredbrieflybutvaguely：
\"Yes；it’sashockingstory。Hisfatherdisappearedsomeyearsago，andhehasjustfoundhim——ahelplessparalytic——intheSacramentoHospital。He’llhavetosupporthim——andthey’reverypoor。\"
\"So，then，theyarenotindependentofeachotheralways——thesefathersandchildrenofAmericans!\"
\"No，\"saidMamie，shortly。Withoutknowingwhy，shefeltinclinedtoresentDonCaesar’smanner。Hisseriousgravity——gentleandhigh—bredasitwas，undoubtedly——wassomewhattryingtoherattimes，andseemedevenmoresoafterSlinn’sirreverenthumor。Shepickedupherparasol，alittleimpatiently，asiftogo。
ButDonCaesarhadalreadydismounted，andtiedhishorsetoatreewithastronglariatthathungathissaddle—bow。
\"Letuswalkthroughthewoodstowardsyourhome。Icanreturnaloneforthehorsewhenyoushalldismissme。\"
Theyturnedinamongthepinesthat，overcrowdingthehollow，creptpartlyupthesideofthehillofMulrady’sshaft。Adisusedtrail，almosthiddenbythewaxen—huedyerbabuena，ledfromthehighway，andfinallylostitselfintheundergrowth。Itwasalovers’walk；theywerelovers，evidently，andyetthemanwastooself—poisedinhisgravity，theyoungwomantooconsciousandcritical，tosuggestanabsorbingorobliviouspassion。
\"Ishouldnothavemademyselfsoobtrusiveto—daybeforeyourfriend，\"saidDonCaesar，withproudhumility，\"butIcouldnotunderstandfromyourmotherwhetheryouwerealoneorwhethermycompanywasdesirable。ItisofthisIhavenowtospeak，Mamie。
Latelyyourmotherhasseemedstrangetome；avoidinganyreferencetoouraffection；treatingitlightly，andevenasto—day，Ifancy，puttingobstaclesinthewayofourmeetingalone。ShewasdisappointedatyourreturnfromSacramentowhere，Ihavebeentold，sheintendedyoutoremainuntilyouleftthecountry；andsinceyourreturnIhaveseenyoubuttwice。Imaybewrong。
PerhapsIdonotcomprehendtheAmericanmother；Ihave——whoknows？——perhapsoffendedinsomepointofetiquette，omittedsomeceremonythatwasherdue。Butwhenyoutoldme，Mamie，thatitwasnotnecessarytospeaktoHERfirst，thatitwasnottheAmericanfashion——\"
Mamiestarted，andblushedslightly。
\"Yes，\"shesaidhurriedly，\"certainly；butmahasbeenquitequeeroflate，andshemaythink——youknow——thatsince——sincetherehasbeensomuchpropertytodisposeof，sheoughttohavebeenconsulted。\"
\"Thenletusconsultheratonce，dearchild!Andastotheproperty，inHeaven’sname，letherdisposeofitasshewill。
SaintsforbidthatanAlvaradoshouldeverinterfere。Andwhatisittous，mylittleone？EnoughthatDonaMametaAlvaradowillneverhavelessstatethantherichestbridethatevercametoLosGatos。\"
Mamiehadnotforgottenthat，scarcelyamonthago，evenhadshelovedthemanbeforehernomorethanshedidatpresent，shewouldstillhavebeenthrilledwithdelightatthesewords!Evennowshewasmoved——consciousasshehadbecomethatthe\"state\"ofabrideoftheAlvaradoswasnotallshehadimagined，andthatthebareadobecourtofLosGatoswasopentotheskyandthefreecriticismofSacramentocapitalists!
\"Yes，dear，\"shemurmuredwithahalfchildlikepleasure，thatlitupherfaceandeyessoinnocentlythatitstoppedanyminuteinvestigationintoitsoriginandrealmeaning。\"Yes，dear；butweneednothaveafussmadeaboutitatpresent，andperhapsputmaagainstus。Shewouldn’thearofourmarryingnow；andshemightforbidourengagement。\"
\"Butyouaregoingaway。\"
\"IshouldhavetogotoNewYorkorEuropeFIRST，youknow，\"sheanswered，naively，\"evenifitwereallsettled。Ishouldhavetogetthings!Onecouldn’tbedecenthere。\"
Withtherecollectionofthepinkcottongown，inwhichshehadfirstpledgedhertrothtohim，beforehiseyes，hesaid，\"Butyouarecharmingnow。Youcannotbemoresotome。IfIamsatisfied，littleone，withyouasyouare，letusgotogether，andthenyoucangetdressestopleaseothers。\"
Shehadnotexpectedthisimportunity。Really，ifitcametothis，shemighthaveengagedherselftosomeonelikeSlinn；heatleastwouldhaveunderstoodher。Hewasmuchcleverer，andcertainlymoreofamanoftheworld。WhenSlinnhadtreatedherlikeachild，itwaswiththehumoroustoleranceofanadmiringsuperior，andnotthedidacticimpulseofaguardian。Shedidnotsaythis，nordidherprettyeyesindicateit，asintheinstanceofherbriefangerwithSlinn。Sheonlysaidgently，——
\"Ishouldhavethoughtyou，ofallmen，wouldhavebeenparticularaboutyourwifedoingtheproperthing。Butnevermind!Don’tletustalkanymoreaboutit。Perhapsasitseemssuchagreatthingtoyou，andsomuchtrouble，theremaybenonecessityforitatall。\"
IdonotthinkthattheyoungladydeliberatelyplannedthischarminglyillogicaldeductionfromDonCaesar’sspeech，orthatshecalculateditseffectuponhim；butitwaspartofhernaturetosayit，andprofitbyit。Undertheunjustlashofit，hispridegaveway。
\"Ah，doyounotseewhyIwishtogowithyou？\"hesaid，withsuddenandunexpectedpassion。\"Youarebeautiful；youaregood；
ithaspleasedHeaventomakeyourichalso；butyouareachildinexperience，andknownotyourownheart。Withyourbeauty，yourgoodness，andyourwealth，youwillattractalltoyou——asyoudohere——becauseyoucannothelpit。Butyouwillbeequallyhelpless，littleone，ifTHEYshouldattractYOU，andyouhadnotietofallbackupon。\"
Itwasanunfortunatespeech。ThewordswereDonCaesar’s；butthethoughtshehadheardbeforefromhermother，althoughthedeductionhadbeenofaverydifferentkind。Mamiefollowedthespeakerwithbrightbutvisionaryeyes。Theremustbesometruthinallthis。Hermotherhadsaidit；Mr。Slinnhadlaughinglyadmittedit。SheHADabrilliantfuturebeforeher!Wassherightinmakingitimpossiblebyarashandfoolishtie？Hehimselfhadsaidshewasinexperienced。Sheknewit；andyet，whatwashedoingnowbuttakingadvantageofthatinexperience？Ifhereallylovedher，hewouldbewillingtosubmittothetest。Shedidnotaskasimilaronefromhim；andwaswilling，ifshecameoutofitfree，tomarryhimjustthesame。Therewassomethingsonobleinthisthoughtthatshefeltforamomentcarriedawaybyanimpulseofcompassionateunselfishness，andsmiledtenderlyasshelookedupinhisface。
\"Thenyouconsent，Mamie？\"hesaid，eagerly，passinghisarmaroundherwaist。
\"Notnow，Caesar，\"shesaid，gentlydisengagingherself。\"Imustthinkitover；wearebothtooyoungtoactuponitrashly；itwouldbeunfairtoyou，whoaresoquietandhaveseensofewgirls——ImeanAmericans——totieyourselftothefirstoneyouhaveknown。WhenIamgoneyouwillgomoreintotheworld。ThereareMr。Slinn’stwosisterscominghere——Ishouldn’twonderiftheywerefarclevererandtalkedfarbetterthanIdo——andthinkhowI
shouldfeelifIknewthatonlyawretchedpledgetomekeptyoufromlovingthem!\"Shestopped，andcastdownhereyes。
Itwasherfirstattemptatcoquetry，for，inherusualcharmingselfishness，shewasperfectlyfrankandopen；anditmightnothavebeenherlast，butshehadgonetoofaratfirst，andwasnotpreparedforarecoilofherownargument。
\"Ifyouadmitthatitispossible——thatitispossibletoyou!\"hesaid，quickly。
Shesawhermistake。\"Wemaynothavemanyopportunitiestomeetalone，\"sheanswered，quietly；\"andIamsurewewouldbehappierwhenwemeetnottoaccuseeachotherofimpossibilities。Letusratherseehowwecancommunicatetogether，ifanythingshouldpreventourmeeting。Remember，itwasonlybychancethatyouwereabletoseemenow。Ifmahasbelievedthatsheoughttohavebeenconsulted，ourmeetingtogetherinthissecretwaywillonlymakemattersworse。SheisevennowwonderingwhereIam，andmaybesuspicious。Imustgobackatonce。Atanymomentsomeonemaycomeherelookingforme。\"
\"ButIhavesomuchtosay，\"hepleaded。\"Ourtimehasbeensoshort。\"
\"Youcanwrite。\"
\"Butwhatwillyourmotherthinkofthat？\"hesaid，ingraveastonishment。
Shecoloredagainasshereturned，quickly，\"Ofcourse，youmustnotwritetothehouse。Youcanleavealettersomewhereforme——
say，somewhereabouthere。Stop!\"sheadded，withasuddengirlishgayety，\"see，here’stheveryplace。Lookthere!\"
Shepointedtothedecayedtrunkofablastedsycamore，afewfeetfromthetrail。Acavity，breasthigh，halffilledwithskeletonleavesandpine—nuts，showedthatithadformerlybeenasquirrel’shoard，butforsomereasonhadbeendeserted。
\"Look!it’saregularletter—box，\"shecontinued，gayly，risingontip—toetopeepintoitsrecesses。DonCaesarlookedatheradmiringly；itseemedlikeareturntotheirfirstidylliclove—
makingintheolddays，whensheusedtostealoutofthecabbagerowsinherbrownlinenapronandsun—bonnettowalkwithhiminthewoods。Herecalledthefacttoherwiththefatalityofaloveralreadyseekingtorestoreinpastrecollectionssomethingthatwaswantinginthepresent。Shereceiveditwiththeimpatienceofyouth，towhomthepresentisallsufficient。
\"Iwonderhowyoucouldeverhavecaredformeinthathollandapron，\"shesaid，lookingdownuponhernewdress。
\"ShallItellyouwhy？\"hesaid，fondly，passinghisarmaroundherwaist，anddrawingherprettyheadnearerhisshoulder。
\"No——notnow!\"shesaid，laughingly，butstrugglingtofreeherself。\"There’snottime。Writeit，andputitinthebox。
There，\"sheadded，hastily，\"listen!——what’sthat？\"
\"It’sonlyasquirrel，\"hewhisperedreassuringlyinherear。
\"No；it’ssomebodycoming!Imustgo!Please!Caesar，dear!
There，then——\"
Shemethiskisshalf—way，releasedherselfwithalithemovementofherwristandshoulder，andthenextmomentseemedtoslipintothewoods，andwasgone。
DonCaesarlistenedwithasighasthelastrustlingceased，castalookatthedecayedtreeasiftofixitinhismemory，andthenslowlyretracedhisstepstowardshistetheredmustang。
Hewasright，however，inhissurmiseofthecauseofthatinterruption。Apairofbrighteyeshadbeenwatchingthemfromtheboughofanadjacenttree。Itwasasquirrel，who，havinghadseriousandpriorintentionsofmakinguseofthecavitytheyhaddiscovered，hadonlywithheldexaminationbyanapparentcourteousdiscretiontowardstheintrudingpair。Nowthattheyweregoneheslippeddownthetreeandrantowardsthedecayedstump。
CHAPTERIII
Apparentlydissatisfiedwiththeresultofaninvestigation，whichprovedthatthecavitywasunfitasatreasurehoardforadiscreetsquirrel，whateveritsvalueasareceptacleforthelove—tokensofincautioushumanity，thelittleanimalatoncesetabouttoputthingsinorder。Hebeganbywhiskingoutanimmensequantityofdeadleaves，disturbedafamilyoftree—spiders，dissipatedadroveofpatientaphidesbrowsinginthebark，aswellastheirattendantdairymen，theants，andotherwiseruleditwiththehighhandofdispossessionandacontemptuousopinionofthepreviousincumbents。Itmustnotbesupposed，however，thathisproceedingswerealtogetherfreefromcontemporaneouscriticism；avenerablecrowsittingonabranchabovehimdisplayedgreatinterestinhisoccupation，and，hoppingdownafewmomentsafterwards，disposedofsomeworm—eatennuts，afewlarvae，andaninsectortwo，withlanguiddignityandwithoutprejudice。Certainincumbrances，however，stillresistedthesquirrel’sgeneraleviction；amongthemafoldedsquareofpaperwithsharplydefinededges，thatdeclinedinvestigation，and，owingtoanauseoussmelloftobacco，escapednibblingasithadapparentlyescapedinsectravages。This，owingtoitssharpangles，whichpersistedincatchinginthesoftdecayingwoodinhiswhirlwindofhouse—cleaning，heallowedtoremain。Havingthus，inageneralway，preparedforthecomingwinter，theself—satisfiedlittlerodentdismissedthesubjectfromhisactivemind。
Hisrageandindignationafewdayslatermaybereadilyconceived，whenhefound，onreturningtohisnew—madehome，anothersquareofpaper，foldedlikethefirst，butmuchfresherandwhiter，lyingwithinthecavity，ontopofsomemosswhichhadevidentlybeenplacedthereforthepurpose。Thishefeltwasreallymorethanhecouldbear，butitwassmaller，andwithafewenergetickicksandwhisksofhistailhemanagedtofinallydislodgeitthroughtheopening，whereitfellignominiouslytotheearth。Theeagereyesoftheever—attendantcrow，however，instantlydetectedit；heflewtotheground，and，turningitover，examineditgravely。Itwascertainlynotedible，butitwasexceedinglyrare，and，asanoldcollectorofcurios，hefelthecouldnotpassitby。Helifteditinhisbeak，and，withadesperatestruggleagainstthesuperincumbentweight，regainedthebranchwithhisprize。Here，byoneofthosedeliciousvagariesofanimalnature，heapparentlyatoncedischargedhismindofthewholeaffair，becameutterlyobliviousofit，allowedittodropwithouttheleastconcern，andeventuallyflewawaywithanabstractedair，asifhehadbeenanotherbirdentirely。Thepapergotintoamanzanitabush，whereitremainedsuspendeduntiltheevening，when，beingdislodgedbyapassingwild—catonitswaytoMulrady’shen—roost，itgavethatdelicatelysensitivemaraudersuchaturnthatshefledintotheadjacentcounty。
Butthetroublesofthesquirrelwerenotyetover。Onthefollowingdaytheyoungmanwhohadaccompaniedtheyoungwomanreturnedtothetrunk，andthesquirrelhadbarelytimetomakehisescapebeforetheimpatientvisitorapproachedtheopeningofthecavity，peeredintoit，andevenpassedhishandthroughitsrecesses。Thedelightvisibleuponhisanxiousandseriousfaceatthedisappearanceoftheletter，andtheapparentproofthatithadbeencalledfor，showedhimtohavebeenitsoriginaldepositor，andprobablyawakenedaremorsefulrecollectioninthedarkbosomoftheomnipresentcrow，whoutteredaconscious—strickencroakfromtheboughabovehim。Buttheyoungmanquicklydisappearedagain，andthesquirrelwasoncemoreleftinundisputedpossession。
Aweekpassed。Aweary，anxiousintervaltoDonCaesar，whohadneitherseennorheardfromMamiesincetheirlastmeeting。Tooconsciousofhisownself—respecttocallatthehouseaftertheequivocalconductofMrs。Mulrady，andtooproudtohauntthelanesandapproachesinthehopeofmeetingherdaughter，likeanordinarylover，hehidhisgloomythoughtsinthemonasticshadowsofthecourtyardatLosGatos，orfoundreliefinfuriousridingatnightandearlymorningonthehighway。Onceortwicetheup—stagehadbeenovertakenandpassedbyarushingfigureasshadowyasaphantomhorseman，withonlythestar—likepointofacigarettetoindicateitshumanity。Itwasinoneofthesefiercerecreationsthathewasobligedtostopinearlymorningattheblacksmith’sshopatRough—and—Ready，tohavealoosendhorseshoereplaced，andwhilewaitingpickedupanewspaper。DonCaesarseldomreadthepapers，butnoticingthatthiswasthe\"Record，\"heglancedatitscolumns。Afamiliarnamesuddenlyflashedoutofthedarktypelikeasparkfromtheanvil。Withabrainandheartthatseemedtobebeatinginunisonwiththeblacksmith’ssledge，hereadasfollows：——
\"Ourdistinguishedfellow—townsman，AlvinMulrady，Esq。，lefttowndaybeforeyesterdaytoattendanimportantmeetingofdirectorsoftheRedDogDitchCompany，inSanFrancisco。SocietywillregrettohearthatMrs。Mulradyandherbeautifulandaccomplisheddaughter，whoareexpectingtodepartforEuropeattheendofthemonth，anticipatedtheeventnearlyafortnight，bytakingthisopportunityofaccompanyingMr。MulradyasfarasSanFrancisco，ontheirwaytotheEast。Mrs。andMissMulradyintendtovisitLondon，Paris，andBerlin，andwillbeabsentthreeyears。ItispossiblethatMr。Mulradymayjointhemlateratoneorotherofthosecapitals。Considerabledisappointmentisfeltthatamoreextendedleave—takingwasnotpossible，andthat，underthecircumstances，noopportunitywasofferedfora’sendoff’suitabletotheconditionofthepartiesandtheesteeminwhichtheyareheldinRough—and—Ready。\"
Thepaperdroppedfromhishands。Gone!andwithoutaword!No，thatwasimpossible!Theremustbesomemistake；shehadwritten；
theletterhadmiscarried；shemusthavesentwordtoLosGatos，andthestupidmessengerhadblundered；shehadprobablyappointedanothermeeting，orexpectedhimtofollowtoSanFrancisco。\"Thedaybeforeyesterday!\"Itwasthemorning’spaper——shehadbeengonescarcelytwodays——itwasnottoolateyettoreceiveadelayedmessagebypost，bysomeforgetfulhand——by——ah——thetree!
Ofcourseitwasinthetree，andhehadnotbeenthereforaweek!
Whyhadhenotthoughtofitbefore？Thefaultwashis，nothers。
Perhapsshehadgoneaway，believinghimfaithless，oracountryboor。
\"InthenameoftheDevil，willyoukeepmeheretilleternity!\"
Theblacksmithstaredathim。DonCaesarsuddenlyrememberedthathewasspeaking，ashewasthinking——inSpanish。
\"Tendollars，myfriend，ifyouhavedoneinfiveminutes!\"
Themanlaughed。\"That’sgoodenoughAmerican，\"hesaid，beginningtoquickenhisefforts。DonCaesaragaintookupthepaper。TherewasanotherparagraphthatrecalledhislastinterviewwithMamie：——
\"Mr。HarrySlinn，Jr。，theeditorofthispaper，hasjustmovedintothepioneerhouseformerlyoccupiedbyAlvinMulrady，Esq。，whichhasalreadybecomehistoricintheannalsofthecounty。Mr。
Slinnbringswithhimhisfather——H。J。Slinn，Esq。，——andhistwosisters。Mr。Slinn，Sen。，whohasbeensufferingformanyyearsfromcompleteparalysis，weunderstandisslowlyimproving；anditisbytheadviceofhisphysiciansthathehaschosentheinvigoratingairofthefoothillsasachangetothedebilitatingheatofSacramento。\"
Theaffairhadbeenquicklysettled，certainly，reflectedDonCaesar，withaslightchillofjealousy，ashethoughtofMamie’sinterestintheyoungeditor。Butthenextmomenthedismisseditfromhismind；allexceptadullconsciousnessthat，ifshereallylovedhim——DonCaesar——ashelovedher，shecouldnothaveassistedinthrowingintohissocietytheyoungsistersoftheeditor，whosheexpectedmightbesoattractive。
Withinthefiveminutesthehorsewasready，andDonCaesarinthesaddleagain。Inlessthanhalfanhourhewasatthewaysideboulder。Herehepicketedhishorse，andtookthenarrowfoot—
trailthroughthehollow。Itdidnottakehimlongtoreachtheiroldtrysting—place。Withabeatingheartheapproachedthedecayingtrunkandlookedintothecavity。Therewasnoletterthere!
Afewblackenednutsandsomeofthedrymosshehadputtherewerelyingonthegroundatitsroots。Hecouldnotrememberwhethertheyweretherewhenhehadlastvisitedthespot。Hebegantogropeinthecavitywithbothhands。Hisfingersstruckagainstthesharpanglesofaflatpaperpacket：athrillofjoyranthroughthemandstoppedhisbeatingheart；hedrewoutthehiddenobject，andwaschilledwithdisappointment。
Itwasanordinary—sizedenvelopeofyellowish—brownpaper，bearing，besidestheusualgovernmentstamp，theofficiallegendofanexpresscompany，andshowingitsageasmuchbythisrecordofanowobsoletecarryingserviceasbythediscolorationoftimeandatmosphere。Itsweight，whichwasheavierthanthatofanyordinaryletterofthesamesizeandthickness，wasevidentlyduetosomelooseenclosures，thatslightlyrustledandcouldbefeltbythefingers，likeminutepiecesofmetalorgrainsofgravel。
ItwaswithinDonCaesar’sexperiencethatgoldspecimenswereoftensentinthatmanner。Itwasinastateofsingularpreservation，excepttheaddress，which，beingwritteninpencil，wasscarcelydiscernible，andevenwhendecipheredappearedtobeincoherentandunfinished。Theunknowncorrespondenthadwritten\"dearMary，\"andthen\"Mrs。MarySlinn，\"withanunintelligiblescrawlfollowingforthedirection。IfDonCaesar’smindhadnotbeenlatelypreoccupiedwiththenameoftheeditor，hewouldhardlyhaveguessedthesuperscription。
Inhiscrueldisappointmentandfullyarousedindignation，heatoncebegantosuspectaconnectionofcircumstanceswhichatanyothermomenthewouldhavethoughtpurelyaccidental，orperhapsnothaveconsideredatall。Thecavityinthetreehadevidentlybeenusedasasecretreceptacleforlettersbefore；didMamieknowitatthetime，andhowdidsheknowit？TheapparentageofthelettermadeitpreposteroustosupposethatitpointedtoanysecretcorrespondenceofherswithyoungMr。Slinn；andtheaddresswasnotinherhandwriting。Wasthereanysecretpreviousintimacybetweenthefamilies？TherewasbutonewayinwhichhecouldconnectthisletterwithMamie’sfaithlessness。Itwasaninfamous，agrotesquelyhorribleidea，athoughtwhichsprangasmuchfromhisinexperienceoftheworldandhishabitualsuspiciousnessofallhumorasanythingelse!ItwasthattheletterwasabrutaljokeofSlinn’s——ajokeperhapsconcoctedbyMamieandhimself——apartinginsultthatshouldatthelastmomentproclaimtheirtreacheryandhisowncredulity。Doubtlessitcontainedadeclarationoftheirshame，andthereasonwhyshehadfledfromhimwithoutawordofexplanation。Andtheenclosure，ofcourse，wassomesignificantanddegradingillustration。ThoseAmericansarefullofthoselowconceits；itwastheirnationalvulgarity。
Hehadtheletterinhisangryhand。Hecouldbreakitopenifhewishedandsatisfyhimself；butitwasnotaddressedtoHIM，andtheinstinctofhonor，strongeveninhisrage，wastheinstinctofanadversaryaswell。No；Slinnshouldopentheletterbeforehim。
Slinnshouldexplaineverything，andanswerforit。Ifitwasnothing——amereaccident——itwouldleadtosomegeneralexplanation，andperhapsevennewsofMamie。ButhewouldarraignSlinn，andatonce。Heputtheletterinhispocket，quicklyretracedhisstepstohishorse，and，puttingspurstotheanimal，followedthehighroadtothegateofMulrady’spioneercabin。
Heremembereditwellenough。Toacultivatedtaste，itwassuperiortothemorepretentious\"newhouse。\"DuringthefirstyearofMulrady’stenancy，theplainsquarelog—cabinhadreceivedthoseadditionsandattractionswhichonlyatenantcanconceiveandactualexperiencesuggest；andinthiswaythehideousrightangleswerebrokenwithsheds，\"lean—to\"extensions，untilacertainpicturesquenesswasgiventotheirregularityofoutline，andahome—likesecurityandcompanionshiptothecongregatedbuildings。Ittypifiedtheformerlifeofthegreatcapitalist，asthetallnewhouseillustratedthelonelinessandisolationthatwealthhadgivenhim。Buttherealpointsofvantageweretheyearsofcultivationandhabitationthathadwarmedandenrichedthesoil，andevokedtheclimbingvinesandrosesthatalreadyhiditsunpaintedboards，roundeditshardoutlines，andgaveprojectionandshadowfromthepitilessglareofasummer’slongsun，orbrokethesteadybeatingofthewinterrains。Itwastruethatpeaandbeanpolessurroundeditononeside，andtheonlyaccesstothehousewasthroughthecabbagerowsthatonceweretheprideandsustenanceoftheMulradys。Itwasthisfact，morethananyother，thathadimpelledMrs。Mulradytoabandonitssite；shedidnotliketoreadthehistoryoftheirhumbleoriginreflectedinthefacesoftheirvisitorsastheyentered。
DonCaesartiedhishorsetothefence，andhurriedlyapproachedthehouse。Thedoor，however，hospitablyopenedwhenhewasafewpacesfromit，andwhenhereachedthethresholdhefoundhimselfunexpectedlyinthepresenceoftwoprettygirls。TheywereevidentlySlinn’ssisters，whomhehadneitherthoughtofnorincludedinthemeetinghehadprepared。Inspiteofhispreoccupation，hefelthimselfsuddenlyembarrassed，notonlybytheactualdistinctionoftheirbeauty，butbyakindoflikenessthattheyseemedtobeartoMamie。
\"Wesawyoucoming，\"saidtheelder，unaffectedly。\"YouareDonCaesarAlvarado。Mybrotherhasspokenofyou。\"
ThewordsrecalledDonCaesartohimselfandasenseofcourtesy。
Hewasnotheretoquarrelwiththesefairstrangersattheirfirstmeeting；hemustseekSlinnelsewhere，andatanothertime。Thefranknessofhisreceptionandtheallusiontotheirbrothermadeitappearimpossiblethattheyshouldbeeitherapartytohisdisappointment，orevenawareofit。Hisexcitementmeltedawaybeforeacertainlazyease，whichtheconsciousnessoftheirbeautyseemedtogivethem。Hewasabletoputafewcourteousinquiries，and，thankstotheparagraphinthe\"Record，\"tocongratulatethemupontheirfather’simprovement。
\"Oh，paisagreatdealbetterinhishealth，andhaspickedupeveninthelastfewdays，sothatheisabletowalkroundwithcrutches，\"saidtheeldersister。\"Theairhereseemstoinvigoratehimwonderfully。\"
\"Andyouknow，Esther，\"saidtheyounger，\"Ithinkhebeginstotakemorenoticeofthings，especiallywhenheisout—of—doors。Helooksaroundonthescenery，andhiseyebrightens，asifheknewallaboutit；andsometimesheknitshisbrows，andlooksdownso，asifhewastryingtoremember。\"
\"Youknow，Isuppose，\"exclaimedEsther，\"thatsincehisseizurehismemoryhasbeenablank——thatis，threeorfouryearsofhislifeseemtohavebeendroppedoutofhisrecollection。\"
\"Itmightbeamercysometimes，Senora，\"saidDonCaesar，withagravesigh，ashelookedatthedelicatefeaturesbeforehim，whichrecalledthefaceoftheabsentMamie。
\"That’snotverycomplimentary，\"saidtheyoungergirl，laughingly；
\"forpadidn’trecognizeus，andonlyrememberedusaslittlegirls。\"
\"Vashti!\"interruptedEsther，rebukingly；then，turningtoDonCaesar，sheadded，\"Mysister，Vashti，meansthatfatherremembersmorewhathappenedbeforehecametoCalifornia，whenwewerequiteyoung，thanhedoesoftheintervalthatelapsed。Dr。Duchesnesaysit’sasingularcase。Hethinksthat，withhispresentprogress，hewillrecovertheperfectuseofhislimbs；thoughhismemorymaynevercomebackagain。\"
\"Unless——Youforgetwhatthedoctortoldusthismorning，\"
interruptedVashtiagain，briskly。
\"Iwasgoingtosayit，\"saidEsther，alittlecurtly。\"UNLESShehasanotherstroke。Thenhewilleitherdieorrecoverhismindentirely。\"
DonCaesarglancedatthebrightfaces，atrifleheightenedincolorbytheireagerrecitalandtheslightrivalryofnarration，andlookedgrave。Hewasalittleshockedatacertainlackofsympathyandtendernesstowardstheirunhappyparent。Theyseemedtohimnotonlytohavecaughtthatdry，curioustolerationofhelplessnesswhichcharacterizesevenrelationshipinitsattendanceuponchronicsufferingandweakness，buttohaveacquiredanunconscioushabitofturningittoaccount。Inhispresentsensitivecondition，heevenfanciedthattheyflirtedmildlyovertheirparent’sinfirmity。
\"MybrotherHarryhasgonetoRedDog，\"continuedEsther；\"he’llberightsorrytohavemissedyou。Mrs。Mulradyspoketohimaboutyou；youseemtohavebeengreatfriends。Is’poseyouknewherdaughter，Mamie；Ihearsheisverypretty。\"
AlthoughDonCaesarwasnowsatisfiedthattheSlinnsknewnothingofMamie’ssingularbehaviortohim，hefeltembarrassedbythisconversation。\"MissMulradyisverypretty，\"hesaid，withgravecourtesy；\"itisacustomofherrace。Sheleftsuddenly，\"headdedwithaffectedcalmness。
\"Ireckonshedidcalculatetostayherelonger——sohermothersaid；butthewholethingwassettledaweekago。IknowmybrotherwasquitesurprisedtohearfromMr。Mulradythatifweweregoingtodecideaboutthishousewemustdoitatonce；hehadanideahimselfaboutmovingoutofthebigoneintothiswhentheyleft。\"
\"MamieMulradyhadn’tmuchtokeepherhere，considerin’themoneyandthegoodlooksshehas，Ireckon，\"saidVashti。\"Sheisn’tthesortofgirltothrowherselfawayinthewilderness，whenshecanpickandchooseelsewhere。IonlywondersheevercomebackfromSacramento。TheytalkaboutpapaMulradyhavingBUSINESSatSanFrancisco，andTHAThurryingthemoff!Dependuponit，that’business’wasMamieherself。Herwishisgospeltothem。Ifshe’dwantedtostayandhaveafarewellparty，oldMulrady’sbusinesswouldhavebeennowhere。\"
\"Ain’tyoualittleroughonMamie，\"saidEsther，whohadbeenquietlywatchingtheyoungman’sfacewithherlargelanguideyes，\"consideringthatwedon’tknowher，andhaven’teventherightoffriendstocriticise？\"
\"Idon’tcallitrough，\"returnedVashti，frankly，\"forI’ddothesameifIwereinhershoes——andthey’refour—and—a—halves，forHarrytoldmeso。Givemehermoneyandherlooks，andyouwouldn’tcatchmehangingroundthesediggings——goin’tochoirmeetingsSaturdays，churchSundays，andbuggy—ridingonceamonth——
forsociety!No——Mamie’sheadwaslevel——youbet!\"
DonCaesarrosehurriedly。Theywouldpresenthiscomplimentstotheirfather，andhewouldendeavortofindtheirbrotheratRedDog。He，alas!hadneitherfather，mother，norsister，butiftheywouldreceivehisaunt，theDonaInezSepulvida，thenextSunday，whenshecamefrommass，sheshouldbehonoredandhewouldbedelighted。Itrequiredallhisself—possessiontodeliverhimselfofthisformalcourtesybeforehecouldtakehisleave，andonthebackofhismustanggivewaytotherage，disgustandhatredofeverythingconnectedwithMamiethatfilledhisheart。Consciousofhisdisturbance，butnotentirelyappreciatingtheirownshareinit，thetwogirlssomewhatwickedlyprolongedtheinterviewbyfollowinghimintothegarden。
\"Well，ifyouMUSTleavenow，\"saidEsther，atlast，languidly，\"itain’tmuchoutofyourwaytogodownthroughthegardenandtakealookatpaasyougo。He’ssomewheredownthere，nearthewoods，andwedon’tliketoleavehimalonetoolong。Youmightpassthetimeofdaywithhim；seeifhe’srightsideup。VashtiandIhavegotaheapofthingstofixhereyet；butifanything’swrongwithhim，youcancallus。So—long。\"
DonCaesarwasabouttoexcusehimselfhurriedly；butthatsuddenandacuteperceptionofallkindredsorrowwhichbelongstorefinedsuffering，checkedhisspeech。Thelonelinessofthehelplessoldmaninthisatmosphereofactiveandyouthfulselfishnesstouchedhim。Hebowedassent，andturnedasideintooneofthelongperspectivesofbean—poles。Thegirlswatchedhimuntiloutofsight。
\"Well，\"saidVashti，\"don’ttellME。Butiftherewasn’tsomethingbetweenhimandthatMamieMulrady，Idon’tknowajiltedmanwhenIseehim。\"
\"Well，youneedn’thavelethimSEEthatyouknewit，sothatanycivilityofourswouldlookasifwewerereadytotakeupwithherleavings，\"respondedEsther，astutely，asthegirlsreenteredthehouse。
Meantime，theunconsciousobjectoftheircriticismwalkedsadlydowntheoldmarket—garden，whoserudeoutlinesandhomelydetailsheonceclothedwiththepoetryofasensitiveman’sfirstlove。
Well，itwasacommoncabbagefieldandpotatopatchafterall。Inhisdisgusthefeltconsciousofeventhelossofthatsenseofpatronageandsuperioritywhichhadinvestedhisaffectionforagirlofmeanercondition。Hisself—respectwashumiliatedwithhislove。Thesoilanddirtofthosewretchedcabbageshadclungtohim，butnottoher。Itwasshewhohadgonehigher；itwashewhowasleftinthevulgarruinsofhismisplacedpassion。
Hereachedthebottomofthegardenwithoutobservinganysignofthelonelyinvalid。Helookedupanddownthecabbagerows，andthroughthelongperspectiveofpea—vines，withoutresult。Therewasanewertrailleadingfromagapinthepinestothewoodedhollow，whichundoubtedlyintersectedthelittlepaththatheandMamiehadoncefollowedfromthehighroad。Iftheoldmanhadtakenthistrailhehadpossiblyover—taskedhisstrength，andtherewasthemorereasonwhyheshouldcontinuehissearch，andrenderanyassistanceifrequired。Therewasanotherideathatoccurredtohim，whicheventuallydecidedhimtogoon。Itwasthatboththesetrailsledtothedecayedsycamorestump，andthattheolderSlinnmighthavesomethingtodowiththemysteriousletter。Quickeninghisstepsthroughthefield，heenteredthehollow，andreachedtheintersectingtrailasheexpected。Totherightitlostitselfinthedensewoodsinthedirectionoftheominousstump；totheleftitdescendedinnearlyastraightlinetothehighway，nowplainlyvisible，aswasequallytheboulderonwhichhehadlastdiscoveredMamiesittingwithyoungSlinn。Ifhewerenotmistaken，therewasafiguresittingtherenow；itwassurelyaman。Andbythathalf—bowed，helplessattitude，theobjectofhissearch!
Itdidnottakehimlongtodescendthetracktothehighwayandapproachthestranger。Hewasseatedwithhishandsuponhisknees，gazinginavague，absorbedfashionuponthehillside，nowcrownedwiththeengine—houseandchimneythatmarkedthesiteofMulrady’sshaft。Hestartedslightly，andlookedup，asDonCaesarpausedbeforehim。Theyoungmanwassurprisedtoseethattheunfortunatemanwasnotasoldashehadexpected，andthathisexpressionwasoneofquietandbeatifiedcontentment。
\"Yourdaughterstoldmeyouwerehere，\"saidDonCaesar，withgentlerespect。\"IamCaesarAlvarado，yournotveryfarneighbor；
veryhappytopayhisrespectstoyouashehastothem。\"
\"Mydaughters？\"saidtheoldman，vaguely。\"Oh，yes!nicelittlegirls。AndmyboyHarry。DidyouseeHarry？Finelittlefellow，Harry。\"
\"Iamgladtohearthatyouarebetter，\"saidDonCaesar，hastily，\"andthattheairofourcountrydoesyounoharm。Godbenefityou，senor，\"headded，withaprofoundlyreverentialgesture，droppingunconsciouslyintothereligioushabitofhisyouth。\"Mayheprotectyou，andbringyoubacktohealthandhappiness!\"
\"Happiness？\"saidSlinn，amazedly。\"Iamhappy——veryhappy!I
haveeverythingIwant：goodair，goodfood，goodclothes，prettylittlechildren，kindfriends——\"HesmiledbenignantlyatDonCaesar。\"Godisverygoodtome!\"
Indeed，heseemedveryhappy；andhisface，albeitcrownedwithwhitehair，unmarkedbycareandanydisturbingimpression，hadsomuchofsatisfiedyouthinitthatthegravefeaturesofhisquestionermadehimappeartheelder。Nevertheless，DonCaesarnoticedthathiseyes，whenwithdrawnfromhim，soughtthehillsidewiththesamevisionaryabstraction。
\"Itisafineview，SenorEsslinn，\"saidDonCaesar。
\"Itisabeautifulview，sir，\"saidSlinn，turninghishappyeyesuponhimforamoment，onlytorestthemagainonthegreenslopeopposite。
\"Beyondthathillwhichyouarelookingat——notfar，SenorEsslinn——
Ilive。Youshallcomeandseemethere——youandyourfamily。\"
\"You——you——livethere？\"stammeredtheinvalid，withatroubledexpression——thefirstandonlychangetothecompletehappinessthathadhithertosuffusedhisface。\"You——andyournameis——isMa——\"
\"Alvarado，\"saidDonCaesar，gently。CaesarAlvarado。\"
\"YousaidMasters，\"saidtheoldman，withsuddenquerulousness。
\"No，goodfriend。IsaidAlvarado，\"returnedDonCaesar，gravely。
\"Ifyoudidn’tsayMasters，howcouldIsayit？Idon’tknowanyMasters。\"
DonCaesarwassilent。InanothermomentthehappytranquillityreturnedtoSlinn’sface；andDonCaesarcontinued：——
\"Itisnotalongwalkoverthehill，thoughitisfarbytheroad。
Whenyouarebetteryoushalltryit。Yonderlittletrailleadstothetopofthehill，andthen——\"
Hestopped，fortheinvalid’sfacehadagainassumeditstroubledexpression。Partlytochangehisthoughts，andpartlyforsomeinexplicableideathathadsuddenlyseizedhim，DonCaesarcontinued：——
\"Thereisastrangeoldstumpnearthetrail，andinitahole。IntheholeIfoundthisletter。\"Hestoppedagain——thistimeinalarm。Slinnhadstaggeredtohisfeetwithashenanddistortedfeatures，andwasglancingattheletterwhichDonCaesarhaddrawnfromhispocket。Themusclesofhisthroatswelledasifhewasswallowing；hislipsmoved，butnosoundissuedfromthem。Atlast，withaconvulsiveeffort，heregainedadisjointedspeech，inavoicescarcelyaudible。
\"Myletter!myletter!It’smine!Giveitme!It’smyfortune——
allmine!Inthetunnel——hill!Mastersstoleit——stolemyfortune!Stoleitall!See，see!\"
HeseizedtheletterfromDonCaesarwithtremblinghands，andtoreitopenforcibly：afewdullyellowgrainsfellfromitheavily，likeshot，totheground。
\"See，it’strue!Myletter!Mygold!Mystrike!My——my——myGod!\"
Atremorpassedoverhisface。Thehandthatheldthelettersuddenlydroppedsheerandheavyasthegoldhadfallen。ThewholesideofhisfaceandbodynearestDonCaesarseemedtodropandsinkintoitselfassuddenly。Atthesamemoment，andwithoutaword，heslippedthroughDonCaesar’soutstretchedhandstotheground。DonCaesarbentquicklyoverhim，butnolongerthantosatisfyhimselfthathelivedandbreathed，althoughhelpless。Hethencaughtupthefallenletter，and，glancingoveritwithflashingeyes，thrustitandthefewspecimensinhispocket。Hethensprangtohisfeet，sotransformedwithenergyandintelligencethatheseemedtohaveaddedthelostvitalityofthemanbeforehimtohisown。Heglancedquicklyupanddownthehighway。Everymomenttohimwaspreciousnow；buthecouldnotleavethestrickenmaninthedustoftheroad；norcouldhecarryhimtothehouse；nor，havingalarmedhisdaughters，couldheabandonhishelplessnesstotheirfeeblearms。Herememberedthathishorsewasstilltiedtothegardenfence。Hewouldfetchit，andcarrytheunfortunatemanacrossthesaddletothegate。Heliftedhimwithdifficultytotheboulder，andranrapidlyuptheroadinthedirectionofhistetheredsteed。Hehadnotproceededfarwhenheheardthenoiseofwheelsbehindhim。Itwastheupstagecomingfuriouslyalong。Hewouldhavecalledtothedriverforassistance，buteventhroughthatfast—sweepingcloudofdustandmotionhecouldseethatthemanwasutterlyobliviousofanythingbutthespeedofhisrushingchariot，andhadevenriseninhisboxtolashtheinfuriatedandfrightenedanimalsforward。
Anhourlater，whenthecoachdrewupattheRedDogHotel，thedriverdescendedfromthebox，white，buttaciturn。Whenhehadswallowedaglassofwhiskeyatasinglegulp，heturnedtotheastonishedexpressagent，whohadfollowedhimin。
\"Oneoftwothings，Jim，hezgottohappen，\"hesaid，huskily。
\"Eitherthatthererockhezgottogetofftheroad，orIhave。
I’veseedHIMonitagin!\"
CHAPTERIV
Nofurtherparticularsoftheinvalid’ssecondattackwereknownthanthosefurnishedbyDonCaesar’sbriefstatement，thathehadfoundhimlyinginsensibleontheboulder。ThisseemedperfectlyconsistentwiththetheoryofDr。Duchesne；andastheyoungSpaniardleftLosGatosthenextday，heescapednotonlytheactivereporterofthe\"Record，\"buttheperusalofagratefulparagraphinthenextday’spaperrecordinghispromptkindnessandcourtesy。Dr。Duchesne’sprognosis，however，seemedatfault；theelderSlinndidnotsuccumbtothissecondstroke，nordidherecoverhisreason。Heapparentlyonlyrelapsedintohisformerphysicalweakness，losingthelittlegroundhehadgainedduringthelastmonth，andexhibitingnochangeinhismentalcondition，unlessthefactthatherememberednothingofhisseizureandthepresenceofDonCaesarcouldbeconsideredasfavorable。Dr。
Duchesne’sgravityseemedtogivethatsignificancetothissymptom，andhiscross—questioningofthepatientwascharacterizedbymorethanhisusualcurtness。
\"Youaresureyoudon’trememberwalkinginthegardenbeforeyouwereill？\"hesaid。\"Come，thinkagain。Youmustrememberthat。\"
Theoldman’seyeswanderedrestlesslyaroundtheroom，butheansweredbyanegativeshakeofhishead。\"Andyoudon’tremembersittingdownonastonebytheroad？\"
Theoldmankepthiseyesresolutelyfixedonthebedclothesbeforehim。\"No!\"hesaid，withacertainsharpdecisionthatwasnewtohim。
Thedoctor’seyebrightened。\"Allright，oldman；thendon’t。\"
OnhiswayouthetooktheeldestMissSlinnaside。\"He’lldo，\"hesaid，grimly：\"he’sbeginningtolie。\"
\"Why，heonlysaidhedidn’tremember，\"respondedEsther。
\"Thatwasbecausehedidn’twanttoremember，\"saidthedoctor，authoritatively。\"Thebrainisactingonsomeimpressionthatiseitherpainfulandunpleasant，orsovaguethathecan’tformulateit；heisconsciousofit，andwon’tattemptityet。It’saheapbetterthanhisoldself—satisfiedincoherency。\"
Afewdayslater，whenthefactofSlinn’sidentificationwiththeparalyticofthreeyearsagobythestage—driverbecamegenerallyknown，thedoctorcameinquitejubilant。
\"It’sallplainnow，\"hesaid，decidedly。\"Thatsecondstrokewascausedbythenervousshockofhiscomingsuddenlyupontheveryspotwherehehadthefirstone。Itprovedthathisbrainstillretainedoldimpressions，butasthisfirstactofhismemorywasapainfulone，thestrainwastoogreat。Itwasmightyunlucky；butitwasagoodsign。\"
\"Andyouthink，then——\"hesitatedHarrySlinn。
\"Ithink，\"saidDr。Duchesne，\"thatthisactivitystillexists，andtheproofofit，asIsaidbefore，isthatheistryingnowtoforgetit，andavoidthinkingofit。Youwillfindthathewillfightshyofanyallusiontoit，andwillbecunningenoughtododgeiteverytime。\"
Hecertainlydid。Whetherthedoctor’shypothesiswasfairlybasedornot，itwasafactthat，whenhewasfirsttakenouttodrivewithhiswatchfulphysician，heapparentlytooknonoticeoftheboulder——whichstillremainedontheroadside，thankstothelaterpracticalexplanationofthestage—driver’svision——andcurtlyrefusedtotalkaboutit。But，moresignificanttoDuchesne，andperhapsmoreperplexing，wasacertainmoroseabstraction，whichtooktheplaceofhisformervacuityofcontentment，andanintoleranceofhisattendants，whichsupplantedhisoldhabitualtrustfulnesstotheircare，thathadbeenvariedonlybytheoccasionalquerulousnessofaninvalid。Hisdaughterssometimesfoundhimregardingthemwithanattentionlittleshortofsuspicion，andevenhissondetectedahalf—suppressedaversioninhisinterviewswithhim。
Referringthisamongthemselvestohisunfortunatemalady，hischildren，perhaps，justifiedthisestrangementbypayingverylittleattentiontoit。Theyweremorepleasantlyoccupied。ThetwogirlssucceededtothepositionheldbyMamieMulradyinthesocietyoftheneighborhood，anddividedtheattentionsofRough—
and—Ready。Theyoungeditorofthe\"Record\"hadreallyachieved，throughhissupposedintimacywiththeMulradys，thegoodfortunehehadjestinglyprophesied。ThedisappearanceofDonCaesarwasregardedasavirtualabandonmentofthefieldtohisrival：andthegeneralopinionwasthathewasengagedtothemillionaire’sdaughteronacertainprobationofworkandinfluenceinhisprospectivefather—in—law’sinterests。Hebecamesuccessfulinoneortwospeculations，themagicoftheluckyMulrady’snamebefriendinghim。Inthesuperstitionoftheminingcommunity，muchofthisluckwasduetohishavingsecuredtheoldcabin。
\"Tothink，\"remarkedoneoftheaugursofRedDog，FrenchPete，apolyglotjester，\"thatwhileeveryfoolwenttotakingupclaimswherethegoldhadalreadybeenfoundnoonethoughtofsteppingintotheoldman’soldchouxinthecabbage—garden!\"Anydoubt，however，oftheallianceofthefamilieswasdissipatedbytheintimacythatsprangupbetweentheelderSlinnandthemillionaire，afterthelatter’sreturnfromSanFrancisco。
Itbeganinastrangekindofpityforthephysicalweaknessoftheman，whichenlistedthesympathiesofMulrady，whosegreatstrengthhadneverbeendeterioratedbytheluxuriesofwealth，andwhowasstillabletosethisworkmenanexampleofhardlabor；itwassustainedbyasingularandsuperstitiousreverenceforhismentalcondition，which，tothepaternalMulrady，seemedtopossessthatspiritualqualitywithwhichpopularignoranceinvestsdementedpeople。
\"Thenyoumeantosaythatduringthesethreeyearstheveino’
yourmind，sotospeak，wasalostlead，andsorterdroppedouto’
sightorfollerin’？\"queriedMulrady，withinfiniteseriousness。
\"Yes，\"returnedSlinn，withlessimpatiencethanheusuallyshowedtoquestions。
\"Anddurin’thattime，whenyouwasdriedupandwaitin’forrain，Ireckonyoukinderhadvisions？\"
AcloudpassedoverSlinn’sface。
\"Ofcourse，ofcourse!\"saidMulrady，alittlefrightenedathistenacityinquestioningtheoracle。\"Nat’rally，thiswasprivate，andnottobetalkedabout。Imeant，youhadplentyofroomfor’emwithoutcrowdin’；youkintellmesomedaywhenyou’rebetter，andkinsorterselectwhat’spointsandwhatain’t。\"
\"PerhapsImaysomeday，\"saidtheinvalid，gloomily，glancinginthedirectionofhispreoccupieddaughters；\"whenwe’realone。\"
Whenhisphysicalstrengthhadimproved，andhisleftarmandsidehadregainedafeeblebutslowlygatheringvitality，AlvinMulradyonedaysurprisedthefamilybybringingtheconvalescentapileoflettersandaccounts，andspreadingthemonaboardbeforeSlinn’sinvalidchair，withthesuggestionthatheshouldlookover，arrange，anddocketthem。Theideaseemedpreposterous，untilitwasfoundthattheoldmanwasactuallyabletoperformthisservice，andexhibitedadegreeofintellectualactivityandcapacityforthiskindofworkthatwasunsuspected。Dr。Duchesnewasdelighted，anddividedwithadmirationbetweenhispatient’sprogressandthemillionaire’ssagacity。\"Andthereareenviouspeople，\"saidtheenthusiasticdoctor，\"whobelievethatamanlikehim，whocouldconceiveofsuchaplanforoccupyingaweakintellectwithouttaxingitsmemoryorjudgment，ismerelyaluckyfool!Lookhere。Maybeitdidn’trequiremuchbrainstostumbleonagoldmine，anditisagiftofProvidence。But，inmyexperience，Providencedon’tgoroundbuyin’upd——dfools，orinvestin’indeadbeats。\"
WhenMr。Slinn，finally，withtheaidofcrutches，wasabletohobbleeverydaytotheimposingcounting—houseandtheofficeofMr。Mulrady，whichnowoccupiedthelowerpartofthenewhouse，andcontainedsomeofitsgorgeousfurniture，hewasinstalledatarosewooddeskbehindMr。Mulrady’schair，ashisconfidentialclerkandprivatesecretary。TheastonishmentofRedDogandRough—and—
Readyatthissingularinnovationknewnobounds；buttheboldnessandnoveltyoftheideacarriedeverythingbeforeit。JudgeButts，theoracleofRough—and—Ready，delivereditsdecision：\"He’sgotamanwho’sphysicallyincapableofrunningoffwithhismoney，andhasnomemorytorunoffwithhisideas。Howcouldhedobetter？\"
Evenhisownson，Harry，cominguponhisfatherthusinstalled，wasforamomentstruckwithacertainfilialrespect，andforadayortwopatronizedhim。
InthiscapacitySlinnbecametheconfidantnotonlyofMulrady’sbusinesssecrets，butofhisdomesticaffairs。HeknewthatyoungMulrady，fromafreckle—facedslowcountryboy，haddevelopedintoafreckle—facedfastcityman，withcoarsehabitsofdrinkandgambling。Itwasthroughtheoldman’shandsthatextravagantbillsandshamefulclaimspassedontheirwaytobecashedbyMulrady；itwashethatatlastlaidbeforethefatheronedayhissignatureperfectlyforgedbytheson。
\"Youreyesarenotezgoodezmine，youknow，Slinn，\"saidMulrady，gravely。\"It’sallright。IsometimesmakemyY’slikethat。I’dcleanforgottocashthatcheck。Youmustnotthinkyou’vegotthemonopolyofdisremembering，\"headded，withafaintlaugh。
EquallythroughSlinn’shandspassedtherecordofthelavishexpenditureofMrs。MulradyandthefairMamie，aswellasthechronicleoftheirmovementsandfashionabletriumphs。AsMulradyhadalreadynoticedthatSlinnhadnoconfidencewithhisownfamily，hedidnottrytowithholdfromthemthesedomesticdetails，possiblyasanoffsettothedrearycatalogueofhisson’smisdeeds，butmoreofteninthehopeofgainingfromthetaciturnoldmansomecommentthatmightsatisfyhisinnocentvanityasfatherandhusband，andperhapsdissipatesomedoubtsthatwerehauntinghim。
\"Twelvehundreddollarslookstobeagoodfiggerforadress，ain’tit？ButMalvinyknows，Ireckon，whatoughttobewornattheTooilleries，andshedon’twantourMamietotakeabackseatbeforethemfurrin’princessesandgran’dukes。It’saslap—upaffair，Ikalkilate。Let’ssee。Idisrememberwhetherit’sanemperororakingthat’srulin’overtharnow。Itmustbesuthin’
firstclassandA1，forMalvinyain’tthewomantothrowawaytwelvehundreddollarsonanyofthemsmall—potatodespots!ShesaysMamiespeaksFrenchalreadylikethemFrenchPetes。Idon’tquitemakeoutwhatshemeanshere。ShemetDonCaesarinParis，andshesays，’IthinkMamieisnearlyoffwithDonCaesar，whohasfollowedherhere。Idon’tcareaboutherdroppinghimTOO
suddenly；thereasonI’lltellyouhereafter。Ithinkthemanmightbeadangerousenemy。’Now，whatdoyoumakeofthis？I
allusthoughtMamierathercottonedtohim，anditwastheoldwomanwhofoughtshy，thinkin’Mamiewoulddobetter。Now，Iamagreeablethatmygalshouldmarryanyoneshelikes，whetherit’sadookorapoorman，aslongashe’sonthesquare。IwasreadytotakeDonCaesar；butnowthingsseemtohaveshiftedround。AstoDonCaesar’sbeingadangerousenemyifMamiewon’thavehim，that’salittletoohighandmightyforme，andIwondertheoldwomandon’tmakehimclimbdown。Whatdoyouthink？\"
\"WhoisDonCaesar？\"askedSlinn。
\"Themanwhatpickedyouupthatday。Imean，\"continuedMulrady，seeingthemarksofevidentignoranceontheoldman’sface，——\"I
meanasortofgrave，genteelchap，suthin’betweenaparsonandacircus—rider。Youmighthaveseenhimroundthehousetalkin’toyourgals。\"
ButSlinn’sentireforgetfulnessofDonCaesarwasevidentlyunfeigned。Whateversuddenaccessionofmemoryhehadatthetimeofhisattack，theincidentthatcausedithadnopartinhisrecollection。Withtheexceptionoftheserareintervalsofdomesticconfidenceswithhiscrippledprivatesecretary，Mulradygavehimselfuptomoney—getting。Withoutanyespecialfacultyforit——aneasypreyoftentounscrupulousfinanciers——hisunfailingluck，however，carriedhimsafelythrough，untilhisverymistakesseemedtobesimplyinsignificantmeanstoalargesignificantendandapartofhisoriginalplan。Hesankanothershaft，atagreatexpense，withaviewtofollowingtheleadhehadformerlyfound，againsttheopinionsofthebestminingengineers，andstrucktheartesianspringhedidNOTfindatthattime，withavolumeofwaterthatenabledhimnotonlytoworkhisownmine，buttofurnishsuppliestohislessfortunateneighborsatavastprofit。
AleagueoftangledforestandcanyonbehindRough—and—Ready，forwhichhehadpaidDonRamon’sheirsanextravagantpriceinthepresumptionthatitwasauriferous，furnishedthemostaccessibletimbertobuildthetown，atpriceswhichamplyremuneratedhim。
Thepracticalschemesofexperiencedmen，thewildestvisionsofdaringdreamsdelayedorabortiveforwantofcapital，eventuallyfellintohishands。Mensneeredathismethods，butboughthisshares。Somewhoaffectedtoregardhimsimplyasamanofmoneywerecontenttogetonlyhisnametoanyenterprise。Courtedbyhissuperiors，quotedbyhisequals，andadmiredbyhisinferiors，heborehiselevationequallywithoutostentationordignity。
Biddentobanquets，andforcedbyhispositionasdirectororpresidentintotheusualgastronomicfeatsofthatcivilizationandperiod，hepartookofsimplefood，andcontinuedhisoldhabitoftakingacupofcoffeewithmilkandsugaratdinner。Withoutprofessingtemperance，hedranksparinglyinacommunitywherealcoholicstimulationwasacustom。Withneitherrefinementnoranextendedvocabulary，hewasseldomprofane，andneverindelicate。
WithnothingofthePuritaninhismannerorconversation，heseemedtobeasstrangetothevicesofcivilizationashewastoitsvirtues。Thatsuchamanshouldofferlittletoandreceivelittlefromthecompanionshipofwomenofanykindwasaforegoneconclusion。Withoutthedignityofsolitude，hewaspatheticallyalone。
Meantime，thedayspassed；thefirstsixmonthsofhisopulenceweredrawingtoaclose，andinthatintervalhehadmorethandoubledtheamountofhisdiscoveredfortune。Therainyseasonsetinearly。AlthoughitdissipatedthecloudsofdustunderwhichNatureandArtseemedtobeslowlydisappearing，itbroughtlittlebeautytothelandscapeatfirst，andonlyappearedtolaybarethecrudenessesofcivilization。TheunpaintedwoodenbuildingsofRough—and—Ready，soakedanddrippingwithrain，tookuponthemselvesasleekandshiningugliness，asofsecond—handgarments；theabsenceofcornicesorprojectionstobreakthemonotonyofthelongstraightlinesofdownpourmadethetownappearasifithadbeenrecentlysubmerged，everyvestigeofornamentationsweptaway，andonlythebareoutlinesleft。Mudwaseverywhere；theoutersoilseemedtohaverisenandinvadedthehouseseventotheirmostsecretrecesses，asifoutragedNaturewastryingtorevengeherself。Mudwasbroughtintothesaloonsandbarroomsandexpressoffices，onboots，onclothes，onbaggage，andsometimesappearedmysteriouslyinsplashesofredcoloronthewalls，withoutvisibleconveyance。Thedustofsixmonths，closelypackedincorniceandcarving，yieldedunderthesteadyrainathinyellowpaint，thatdroppedonwayfarersorunexpectedlyoozedoutofceilingsandwallsonthewretchedinhabitantswithin。TheoutskirtsofRough—and—ReadyandthedriedhillsroundLosGatosdidnotappeartofaremuchbetter；thenewvegetationhadnotyetmademuchheadwayagainstthedeadgrassesofthesummer；thepinesinthehollowweptlugubriouslyintoasmallrivuletthathadsprungsuddenlyintolifeneartheoldtrail；everywherewasthesoundofdropping，splashing，gurgling，orrushingwaters。
Morehideousthanever，thenewMulradyhouselifteditselfagainsttheleadensky，andstaredwithallitslarge—framed，shutterlesswindowsblanklyontheprospect，untiltheyseemedtothewayfarertobecomemeremirrorssetinthewalls，reflectingonlythewaterylandscape，andunabletogivetheleastindicationoflightorheatwithin。Nevertheless，therewasafireinMulrady’sprivateofficethatDecemberafternoon，ofasmoky，intermittentvariety，thatsufficedmoretorecordthedefectsofhastyarchitecturethantocomfortthemillionaireandhisprivatesecretary，whohadlingeredaftertheearlywithdrawaloftheclerks。ForthenextdaywasChristmas，and，outofdeferencetothenearapproachofthisfestivity，ahalf—holidayhadbeengiventotheemployees。
\"They’llwant，someofthem，tospendtheirmoneybeforeto—morrow；
andotherswouldliketobeabletoriseupcomfortablydrunkChristmasmorning，\"thesuperintendenthadsuggested。Mr。Mulradyhadjustsignedanumberofchecksindicatinghislargesstothosedevotedadherentswiththesameunostentatious，undemonstrative，matter—of—factmannerthatdistinguishedhisordinarybusiness。
Themenhadreceiveditwithsomethingofthesamemanner。Ahalf—
humorous\"Thankyou，sir\"——asiftoshowthat，withtheirpatron，theytoleratedthisdeferencetoapopularcustom，butwerealittleashamedofgivingwaytoit——expressedtheirgratitudeandtheirindependence。
\"IreckonthattheoldladyandMamiearehavingahigholdtimeinsomeofthemgildedpallisesinSt。PetersburgorBerlinaboutthistime。ThemdiamondsthatIorderedatTiffanyoughttohavereached’emaboutnow，sothatMamiecouldcutaswellatChristmaswithherwar—paint。Isupposeit’sthestyletogivepresentsinfurrin’countriesezitishere，andIallowedtotheoldladythatwhateversheordersinthatwaysheistodoinCalifornystyle——nodollar—jewelryandgalvanized—watchesbusiness。Ifshewantstomakeapresenttoanyofthemnoblesezhasbeenpurlitetoher，it’sgottobesomethingthatRough—and—Readyain’tashamedof。I
showedyouthatpinMamieboughtmeinParis，didn’tI？It’sjustcomeformyChristmaspresent。No!IreckonIputitinthesafe，forthemkindo’thingsdon’tsuitmystyle：buts’poseIortersportitto—morrow。ItwasmightythoughtfulinMamie，anditmustcostalump；it’sgotnoslouchofapearlinit。IwonderwhatMamiegaveforit？\"
\"Youcaneasilytell；thebillishere。Youpaidityesterday，\"
saidSlinn。Therewasnosatireintheman’svoice，norwastheretheleastperceptionofironyinMulrady’smanner，ashereturnedquietly，——
\"That’sso；itwassuthin’likeathousandfrancs；butFrenchmoney，whenyoupanitoutasdollarsandcents，don’tmakesomuch，afterall。\"Therewasafewmoments’silence，whenhecontinued，inthesametoneofvoice，\"Talkin’o’themthings，Slinn，I’vegotsuthin’foryou。\"Hestoppedsuddenly。Everwatchfulofanyundueexcitementintheinvalid，hehadnoticedaslightflushofdisturbancepassoverhisface，andcontinuedcarelessly，\"Butwe’lltalkitoverto—morrow；adayortwodon’tmakemuchdifferencetoyouandmeinsuchthings，youknow。
P’rapsI’lldropinandseeyou。We’llbeshutuphere。\"
\"Thenyou’regoingoutsomewhere？\"askedSlinn，mechanically。
\"No，\"saidMulrady，hesitatingly。Ithadsuddenlyoccurredtohimthathehadnowheretogoifhewantedto，andhecontinued，halfinexplanation，\"Iain’treckonedmuchonChristmas，myself。
Abner’sattheSprings；itwouldn’tpayhimtocomehereforaday——
eveniftherewasanybodyherehecaredtosee。IreckonI’llhangroundtheshanty，andlookafterthingsgenerally。Ihaven’tbeenoverthehouseupstairstoputthingstorightssincethefolksleft。ButYOUneedn’tcomehere，youknow。\"
Hehelpedtheoldmantorise，assistedhiminputtingonhisovercoat，andthanhandedhimthecanewhichhadlatelyreplacedhiscrutches。
\"Good—by，oldman!Youmusn’ttroubleyourselftosay’MerryChristmas’now，butwaituntilyouseemeagain。Takecareofyourself。\"
Heslappedhimlightlyontheshoulder，andwentbackintohisprivateoffice。Heworkedforsometimeathisdesk，andthenlaidhispenaside，putawayhispapersmethodically，placingalargeenvelopeonhisprivatesecretary’svacanttable。Hethenopenedtheofficedoorandascendedthestaircase。Hestoppedonthefirstlandingtolistentothesoundofrainontheglassskylight，thatseemedtoechothroughtheemptyhalllikethegloomyrollofadrum。Itwasevidentthatthesearchingwaterhadfoundoutthesecretsinsofthehouse’sconstruction，forthereweregreatfissuresofdiscolorationinthewhiteandgoldpaperinthecornersofthewall。Therewasastrangeodorofthedankforestinthemirroreddrawing—room，asiftherainhadbroughtoutthesapagainfromtheunseasonedtimbers；theblueandwhitesatinfurniturelookedcold，andthemarblemantelsandcentretableshadtakenuponthemselvestheclamminessoftombstones。Mr。Mulrady，whohadalwaysretainedhisoldfarmer—likehabitoftakingoffhiscoatwithhishatonenteringhisownhouse，andappearinginhisshirt—sleeves，toindicatedomesticeaseandsecurity，wasobligedtoreplaceit，onaccountofthechill。Hehadneverfeltathomeinthisroom。ItsstrangenesshadlatelybeenheightenedbyMrs。
Mulrady’spurchaseofafamilyportraitofsomeoneshedidn’tknow，butwho，shehadalleged，resembledher\"UncleBob，\"whichhungonthewallbesidesomepaintingsinmassiveframes。Mr。
Mulradycastahurriedglanceattheportraitthat，onthestrengthofahighcoat—collarandhightopcurl——bothrolledwithequalprecisionandsingularsamenessofcolor——hadalwaysglaredatMulradyasifHEwastheintruder；and，passingthroughhiswife’sgorgeousbedroom，enteredthelittledressing—room，wherehestillsleptonthesmallestofcots，withhastilyimprovisedsurroundings，asifhewasabailiffin\"possession。\"Hedidn’tlingerherelong，but，takingakeyfromadrawer，continuedupthestaircase，totheominousfuneralmarchesofthebeatingrainontheskylight，andpausedonthelandingtoglanceintohisson’sanddaughter’sbedrooms，duplicatesofthebizarreextravagancebelow。Ifhewereseekingsomecharacteristictracesofhisabsentfamily，theycertainlywerenothereinthepaintedandstilldampblazoningoftheirlatersuccesses。Heascendedanotherstaircase，and，passingtothewingofthehouse，pausedbeforeasmalldoor，whichwaslocked。Alreadytheostentatiousdecorationsofwallandpassageswereleftbehind，andtheplainlath—and—plasterpartitionoftheatticlaybeforehim。Heunlockedthedoor，andthrewitopen。
CHAPTERV
Theapartmentheenteredwasreallyonlyalumber—roomorloftoverthewingofthehouse，whichhadbeenleftbareandunfinished，andwhichrevealedinitsmeagreskeletonofbeamsandjointsthehollowshamofthewholestructure。Butinmoreviolentcontrasttothefreshergloriesoftheotherpartofthehousewereitscontents，whichweretheheterogeneouscollectionofoldfurniture，oldluggage，andcast—offclothing，leftoverfromthepastlifeintheoldcabin。ItwasamuchplainerrecordofthesimplebeginningsofthefamilythanMrs。Mulradycaredtohaveremaininevidence，andforthatreasonithadbeenrelegatedtothehiddenrecessesofthenewhouse，inthehopethatitmightabsorbordigestit。Therewereoldcribs，inwhichtheinfantlimbsofMamieandAbnerhadbeentuckedup；oldlooking—glasses，thathadreflectedtheirshining，soapyfaces，andMamie’sbestchipSundayhat；anoldsewing—machine，thathadbeenwornoutinactiveservice；oldpatchworkquilts；anoldaccordion，towhoselongdrawninspirationsMamiehadsunghymns；oldpictures，books，andoldtoys。Therewereoneortwooldchromos，and，stuckinanoldframe，acoloredprintfromthe\"IllustratedLondonNews\"ofaChristmasgatheringinanoldEnglishcountryhouse。Hestoppedandpickedupthisprint，whichhehadoftenseenbefore，gazingatitwithanewandsingularinterest。HewonderedifMamiehadseenanythingofthiskindinEngland，andwhycouldn’thehavehadsomethinglikeithere，intheirownfinehouse，withthemselvesandafewfriends？HerememberedapastChristmas，whenhehadboughtMamiethatnowheadlessdollwiththefewcoinsthatwerelefthimafterbuyingtheirfrugalChristmasdinner。Therewasanoldspottedhobby—horsethatanotherChristmashadbroughttoAbner——Abner，whowouldbedrivingafasttrotterto—morrowattheSprings!Howeverythinghadchanged!Howtheyallhadgotupintheworld，andhowfarbeyondthiskindofthing——andyet——yetitwouldhavebeenrathercomfortabletohaveallbeentogetheragainhere。WouldTHEYhavebeenmorecomfortable？No!Yetthenhemighthavehadsomethingtodo，andbeenlesslonelyto—morrow。
Whatofthat？HeHADsomethingtodo：tolookafterthisimmensefortune。Whatmorecouldamanwant，orshouldhewant？Itwasrathermeaninhim，abletogivehiswifeandchildreneverythingtheywanted，tobewantinganythingmore。Helaiddowntheprintgently，afterdustingitsglassandframewithhissilkhandkerchief，andslowlylefttheroom。