Hehadsoughther；hehadliftedheraboveherownlife。Ifonehumanbeinghadeverputitshappinessinthehandsofanother，thathadbeendone。Ifhehadnotdeliberatelytaughthertolovehim，hehadnottriedtopreventit。Hecouldnotexcusehimself；
thethoughtofgainingheraffectionhadoccurredtohim，andhehadputitaside。Therewasnoexcuse；forwhenshegaveherlove，hehadacceptedit，and，asfarassheknew，hadgivenhisownunreservedly。Ah，thatfatalmomentofweakness，thatnightonthemountam—side!Couldhetellher，couldhetellRaines，thetruth，andasktobereleased？WhatcouldEasterwithherdevotion，andRaineswithhissinglenessofheart，knowofthissubstituteforlovewhichcivilizationhadtaughthim？Or，grantingthattheycouldunderstand，hemightreturnhome；butEaster—whatwasleftforher？
Itwasuselesstotrytopersuadehimselfthatherlovewouldfadeaway，perhapsquickly，andleavenoscar；thatRaineswouldintimewinherforhimself，hisfirstideaoftheirunionberealized，and，intheend，allhappenforthebest。Thatmighteasilybepossiblewithadifferentnatureunderdifferentconditions—anaturelesspassionate，incontactwiththeworldandresponsivetovariedinterests；butnotwithEaster—alonewithalovethathadshamedhim，withmountain，earth，andskyunchanged，andthevacantdaysmarkedonlybyadrearyroundofwearisometasks。HerememberedRainesslastwords—\"Airyegoin’toleavethepo’galtodiesorrowin’ferye？\"Whathappinesswouldbepossibleforhimwiththatlonelymountain—topandthewhite，drawnfaceforeverhauntinghim？
Thatverynightalettercame，witharudesuperscription—thefirstfromEaster。Withinitwasapoortintype，fromwhichEaster’seyeslookedshylyathim。Beforehelefthehadtriedinvaintogethertothetentofanitinerantphotographer。Duringhisabsence，shehadevidentlygoneofherownaccord。Thefacewasverybeautiful，andinitwasanexpressionofquestioning，modestpride。
\"Aren’tyousurprised？\"itseemedtosay—\"andpleased？Onlytheface，withitsdelicatelines，andthethroatandtheshoulderswerevisible。
Shelookedalmostrefined。Andthenote—itwasbadlyspelledandwrittenwithgreatdifficulty，butittouchedhim。Shewaslonely，shesaid，andshewantedhimtocomeback。Lonely—thatcrywasineachline。
Hisresponsetothiswasaninstantresolutiontogobackatonce，and，sensitiveandpliantashisnaturewas，therewasnohesitationforhimwhenhisdutywasclearandadecisiononcemade。Withgreatcareandperfectfranknesshehadtracedthehistoryofhisinfatuationinalettertohisfather，tobecommunicatedwhenthelatterchosetohismotherandsister。Nowhewasnearingthemountainsagain。
XI
THEjourneytothemountainswasmadewithaheavyheart。Inhisabsenceeverythingseemedtohavesufferedachange。Jellicohadneverseemedsosmall，socoarse，sowretchedaswhenhesteppedfromthedustytrainandsawitlyingdwarfedandshapelessintheafternoonsunlight。TheStatelinebisectsthestragglingstreetsofframe—houses。OntheKentuckysideanextraordinaryspasmofmoralityhadquietedintolocaloption。JustacrossthewayinTennesseewasarowofsaloons。Itwas\"pay—day\"fortheminers，andtheworstelementofallthemineswasdriftingintospendthefollowingSabbathinuncheckedvice。Severalrough，brawnyfellowswerealreadystaggeringfromTennesseeintoKentucky，andaroundonesaloonhungacrowdofslatternlynegroes，menandwomen。Heartsickwithdisgust，Claytonhurriedintothelanethatwoundthroughthevalley。Werethesehovels，heaskedhimselfinwonder，thecabinsheoncethoughtsopoetic，sopicturesque？Howwasitthattheysuggestednowonlyapitiablepovertyoflife？Fromeach，ashepassed，camearough，cordialshoutofgreeting。Whywashejarredsostrangely？Evennaturehadchanged。
Themountainsseemedstunted，lessbeautiful。Thelight，streamingthroughthewesterngapwithallthesplendorofamountainsunset，nolongerthrilledhim。Themoistfragranceoftheearthattwilight，thesadpipingsofbirdsbythewayside，thefaint，clearnotesofawood—thrush—hisfavorite—fromtheedgeoftheforest，eventhemid—airsongofameadow—larkabovehishead，wereunheededas，withfacehaggardwiththoughtandtravel，heturneddoggedlyfromtheroadandupthemountaintowardEaster’shome。Thenoveltyandethnologicalzealthathadblindedhimtothedisagreeablephasesofmountainlifeweregone；sowasthepedestalfromwhichhehaddescendedtomakeacloserstudyofthepeople。Forhefeltnowthathehadgoneamongthemwithanunconsciouscondescension；hisinterestseemednowtohavebeenlittlemorethancuriosity—apastimetoescapebroodingoverhisownchangeoffortune。AndwithEaster—ah，howpainfullyclearhismentalvisionhadgrown!Wasitthetragedyofwastingpossibilitiesthathaddrawnhimtoher—tohelpher—orwasithisownmiserableselfishness，afterall？
Noonewasvisiblewhenhereachedthecabin。Thecalmofmountainandskyenthralleditascompletelyasthecliffthattoweredbehindit。
Thedaystilllingered，andthesunlightrestedlightlyoneachneighboringcrest。
Ashesteppedupontheporchtherewasaslightnoisewithinthecabin，and，peeringintothedarkinterior，hecalledEaster’sname。Therewasnoanswer，andhesankwearilyintoachair，histhoughtsrevertinghomeward。
Bythistimehismotherandsistermustknowwhyhehadcomebacktothemountains。
Hecouldimaginetheirconsternationandgrief。Perhapsthatwasonlythebeginning；
hemightbeontheeveofcausingthemendlessunhappiness。Hehadthoughttoinvolvethemaslittleaspossiblebyremaininginthemountains；butthethoughtoflivingtherewasnowintolerableinthenewrelationshewouldsustaintothepeople。Whatshouldhedo？wherego？AshebentfQrwardinperplexity，therewasanoiseagaininthecabin—thistimethestealthytreadoffeet—andbeforehecouldturn，aroughvoicevibratedthreateninglyinhisears：
Saywhoyeair，andwhatyerbusinessis，mightyquick，eryehain’tgotaminutetolive。\"
Claytonlookedup，andtohishorrorsawthemuzzleofariflepointedstraightathishead。Attheotherendofit，andstandinginthedoor，wasashort，stockyfigure，aheadofbushyhair，andapairofsmall，craftyeyes。Thefiercenessandsuddennessofthevoice，inthegreatsilenceabouthim，anditsterribleearnestness，lefthimalmostparalyzed。
\"Come，whoairye？Sayquick，anddon’tmove，nother\"
Claytonspokehisnamewithdifficulty。Thebuttoftherifledroppedtothefloor，andwithaharshlaughitsholderadvancedtohimwithhandoutstretched：
SoyeairEaster’sfeller，airye？Well，I’myerdad—that’stobe。
Shake。\"
Claytonshuddered。Goodheavens!thiswasEaster’sfather!Morethanonceortwice，hisnamehadneverbeenmentionedatthecabin。
Itukyeferaraider，\"continuedtheoldmountaineer，notnoticingClayton’srepulsion，\"’n’efyehad’a’been，yewouldn’tbenobodynow。IreckonEasterhain’ttoldyemuchaboutme，’n’Ireckonshehevarighttobealeetleashamedofme。Ihadaleetletroubledowntharinthevalley—Is’poseyou’veheerdaboutit—’n’I’vehadtokeepkindo’quiet。Iseedyeonceafore，’n’Icomenearshootin’
ye，thinkin’yewasaraider。AmmightygladIdidn’t，ferEasterispowerfulsotonye。SherdthoughtIcouldreskcomm’downtothewed—din’。Theyhevkindo’giveupthes’arch，’n’noneo’theboyswon’ttellonme。We’llhaveanold—timer，Itellye。Yefolksfromthesettle—mintsairmightyhigh—heeled，butoldBillHicksdon’tallusgobar’footed。Hekinsteppurtyhigh，’n’he’sa—goin’
todoitatthatweddin’。Hevsomefin？\"heasked，suddenlypullingoutaflaskofcolorlessliquid。\"Ezyeairtobeoneo’thefambly，Idon’tmindtellin’yethar’stheverymoonshinethatcausedtheleetletroubledowninthevalley。\"
Forfearofgivingoffence，Claytontookaswallowoftheliquid，whichburnedhimlikefire。Hehadscarcelyrecoveredfromthefirstshock，andhehadlistenedtothemanandwatchedhimwithasortofenthrallingfascination。HewasEaster’sfather。HecouldevenseeafaintsuggestionofEaster’sfaceinthecastofthefeaturesbeforehim，coarseanddegradedastheywere。Hehadthesamenervous，impetuousquickness，and，horrifiedbythelikeness，Claytonwatchedhimsinkbackintoachair，pipeinmouth，andrelapseintoastoliditythatseemedincapableoftheenergyandfireshownscarcelyamomentbefore。Hislifeinthemountainshadmadehimasshaggyassomewildanimal。Hewascoatless，andhistrousersofjeanswereupheldbyasinglehome—madesuspender。
Hisbeardwasyetscarcelytouchedwithgray，andhisblack，lustrelesshairfellfromunderaroundhatoffeltwithraggedtdgesanduncertaincolor。Themountaineerdidnotspeakagainuntil，withgreatdeliberationandcare，hehadfilledacobpipe。
ThenhebenthissharpeyesuponClaytonsofixedlythatthelatterlethisownfall。
\"Mebbeyedon’tknowthatI’mag’in’fur—riners，\"hesaid，abruptly，\"
allo’ye；’n’eftheLordhisselfhed’a’tol’methetmygalwouldbea—marryin’one，Iwouldn’t’a’believedhim。ButSherdhevtoldmeyeairallright，’n’efSherdsaysyeair，why，yeair，Ireckon，’n’I
hevn’tgotnothin’tosay；thoughIhevgotaheapag’inye—allo’ye。\"
Hisvoicehadahintofgrowingangerunderthemomentarysenseofhiswrongs，and，notwishingtoincensehimfurther，Claytonsaidnothing。
Yeairbackalittlesoonerthanyeexpected，ain’tye？\"heasked，presently，withanawkwardeffortatgood—humor。\"Ireckonyeairgittin’anxious。Well，wehevbeengittin’readyferye，’n’you’n’
Easterkinhitchezsoonezyeplease。SherdRainesairgum’todothemarryin’。HeairthebestfriendIgot。Sherdwasa—courtin’thegal，too，buthehevn’tgotnogredgeag’inye，’n’hehevpromisedtotieye。Sherdairapreachernow。Hehevjustgothislicense。Hedidn’twanttodoit，butItoldhimhehadto。We’llhevthebiggestweddin’everseedinthesemountains，Itellye。Anyo’yo’folksbeonhand？\"
No，\"answeredClayton，soberly，\"Ithinknot。\"
\"Well，Ireckonwekinfillupthehouse。\"
Clayton’sheartsankattheordealofaweddingwithsuchamasterofceremonies。HewasabouttoaskwhereEasterandhermotherwere，when，tohisrelief，hesawthembothinthepathbelow，approachingthehouse。Thegirlwascarryingabucketofwateronherhead。Oncehewouldhavethoughtherpicturesque，butnowitpainedhimtoseeherdoingsuchroughwork。Whenshesawhim，shegaveacryofsurpriseanddelightthatmadeClaytontinglewithremorse。Thenrunningtohimwithglowingface，shestoppedsuddenly，and，withalookdownatherbarefeetandsoiledgown，fledintothecabin。Claytonfollowed，buttheroomwassodarkhecouldseenothing。
Easter!\"hecalled。Therewasnoanswer，buthewassuddenlyseizedabouttheneckbyapairofunseenarmsandkissedbyunseenlipstwiceinfiercesuccession，andbeforehecouldturnandclaspthegirlshewaslaughingsoftlyinthenextroom，withabarreddoorbetweenthem。Claytonwaitedpatientlyseveralminutes，andthenasked：
Easter，aren’tyouready？
Notyit—notyet!\"ShecorrectedherselfwithsuchvehemencethatClaytonlaughed。Shecameoutpresently，andblushedwhenClaytonlookedheroverfromheadtofootwithastonishment。Shewassimplyandprettilydressedinwhitemuslin；ablueribbonwasaboutherthroat，andherhairwasgatheredinaPsycheknotthataccentedtheclassicismofherprofile。Herappearancewasreallyrefinedandtasteful。Whentheywentoutontheporchhenoticedthatherhandshadlosttheirtannedappearance。Herfeetwereslippered，andsheworeblackstockings。Herememberedthebookoffashion—plateshehadoncesenther；itwasthatthathadquickenedherinstinctofdress。Hesaidnothing，butthehappylightinEaster’sfaceshonebrighterasshenotedhispleasedandpuzzledgaze。
Why，yelooklikeanotherman，\"saidEaster’smother，whohadbeenlookingClaytonoverwithaquizzicalsmile。\"Isthatthewayfolksdressoutinthesettlemints？’N’lookatthatgal。Efshehevdoneanythin’senceyehevbeengonebut____\"TherestofthesentencewassmotheredinthepalmofEaster’shand，andshetoobeganscrutinizingClaytonclosely。Themountaineersaidnothing，andafteracuriousglanceatEasterresumedhispipe。
Youlooklikeapairofbutterflies，\"saidthemotherwhenreleased。\"Sherdoughterbemightyproudofhisfirstmarryin’。I
s’poseyeknowheairapreachernow？YeoughterheerdhimpreachlastSunday。Itwashisfusttime。Thewayhelightedinterthefurrinerswasacaution。He’lowedhewasa—goin’tofightcyard—playin’anddancin’ezlongezhehedbreath。\"
Yes；’n’thar’swharSherdairafool。I’mag’infurriners，too，buttharhain’tnoharmindancin，n’thar’sgoin’tobedancin’atthisweddin’
efI’malive。\"
Eastershrankperceptiblywhenherfatherspoke，andlookedfurtivelyatClayton，whowinced，inspiteofhimself，astheroughvoicegratedinhisear。Instantlyherfacegrewunhappy，andcontainedanappealforpardonthathewasquicktounderstandandappreciate。Thereafterheconcealedhisrepulsion，andtreatedtheroughbearsoaffablythatEaster’seyesgrewmoistwithgratitude。
Darknesswasgatheringinthevalleybelowwhenherosetogo。
Easterhadscarcelyspokentohim，butherfaceandhereyes，fixedalwaysuponhim，wereeloquentwithjoy。Onceasshepassedbehindhimherhandrestedwithatimid，caressingtouchuponhisshoulder，andnow，ashewalkedawayfromtheporch，shecalledhimback。Heturned，andshehadgoneintothehouse。
Whatisit，Easter？\"heasked，steppingintothedarkroom。Hishandwasgraspedinbothherownandheldtremblingly。
Don’tminddad，\"shewhispered，softly。Somethingwarmandmoistfelluponhishandassheunloosedit，andshewasgone。
Thatnighthewrotehomeinabetterframeofmind。Thecharmofthegirl’spersonalityhadasserteditspoweragain，andhopesthathadalmostbeendestroyedbyhistriphomewererekindledbyhertastefulappearance，herdelicacyoffeeling，andbyherbeauty，whichhehadnotoverrated。HeaskedthathissistermightmeethiminLouisvilleafterthewedding—wheneverthatshouldbe。Theytwocoulddecidethenwhatshouldbedone。Hisownideawastotravel；andsogreatwashisconfidenceinEaster，hebelievedthat，intime，hecouldtakehertoNewYorkwithoutfear。
XII
ITwasplainthatRaines—toquiettheoldman’suneasiness，perhaps—hadtoldhimofhislastmeetingwithClayton，andthat，duringtheabsenceofthelatter，somearrangementsfortheweddinghadbeenmade，evenbyEaster，whoinhertrustinginnocencehadperhapsneverthoughtofanyotherendtotheirrelations。Inconsequence，therewasanunprecedentedstiramongthemountaineers。Themarriageofacitizenwitha\"furriner\"
wasanunprecedentedevent，andtheoldmountaineer，whobegantotakesomeprideinthealliance，emphasizeditateveryopportunity。
AttheminesClayton’sconstantvisitstothemountainwereknowntoeverybody，butlittleattentionhadbeenpaidtothem。
Now，however，whentherumoroftheweddingseemedconfirmedbyhisreturnandhissilence，everyonewasalertwithacuriositysofranklyshownthathesoonbecameeagertogetawayfromthemountains。Accordingly，hemadeknownhiswishtoEaster’sparentsthatthemarriageshouldtakeplaceassoonaspossible。
Bothreceivedthesuggestionwithsilentassent。Thenhadfollowedmanydifficulties。Onlyasagreatconcessiontotheideasandcustomsof\"fur—riners\"wouldtheself—willedoldmountaineeragreethattheceremonyshouldtakeplaceatnight，andthatafterthesupperandthedance，thetwoshouldleaveJellicoatdaybreak。
Mountainmarriagesweresolemnizedinthedaytime，andweddingjourneyswereunknown。TheoldmandidnotunderstandwhyClaytonshouldwishtoleavethemountains，andthehasteofthelatterseemedtogivehimgreatoffence。WhenClaytonhadventuredtosuggest，instead，thatthemarriageshouldbequiet，andthatheandEastershouldremainonthemountainafewdaysbeforeleaving，hefumedwithanger；
andthereafteranysuggestionfromtheyoungengineerwasmetwithasuspicionthatlookedominous。Raineswasawayonhiscircuit，andwouldnotreturnuntiljustbeforethewedding，sothatfromhimClaytoncouldgetnohelp。
Verywisely，then，heinterferednomore，butawaitedthedaywithdread。
Itwasnearingduskwhenheleftthecamponhiswedding—night。
Half—wayupthemountainhestoppedtoleanagainstthekindlybreastofabowlderblockingthepath。ItwasthespotwherehehadseenEasterforthefirsttime。Themountainsweregreenagain，astheywerethen，butthesceneseemedsadlychanged。Thesunwasgone；
theevening—starhadswungitswhitelightlikeacenseraboveDevil’sDen；
thecloudsweremovingswiftlythroughthedarkeningair，likeafrightenedflockseekingafold；andthenightwasclosingfastovertheclusteroffaintcamp—fires。Thespiritbroodingovermountainandskywasunspeakablysad，andwithasharppainathisheartClaytonturnedfromitandhurriedon。Mountain，sky，andvalleyweresoonlostinthenight。Whenhereachedthecabinraysofbrightlightwereflashingfromchinkandcreviceintothedarkness，andfromthekitchencamethesoundsofbusypreparation。Alreadymanyguestshadarrived。Agroupofmenwhostoodlazilytalkingintheporchbecamesilentasheapproached，but，recognizingnoneofthem，heenteredthecabin。A
dozenwomenwereseatedabouttheroom，andinstantlytheireyeswereglueduponhim。AsthekitchendoorswungopenhesawEaster’smotherbendingoverthefireplace，atablealreadyheavilyladen，andseveralwomenbustlingaboutit。Abovehisheadheheardlaughter，ahurriedtrampingoffeet，andoccasionalcriesofsurpriseanddelight。Hepausedatthethreshold，hardlyknowingwhattodo，andwhenheturnedatitterfromonecornershowedthathisembarrassmentwasseen。OntheporchhewasseizedbyEaster’sfather，whodrewhimbackintotheroom。Theoldmountaineer’sfacewasflushed，andhehadbeendrinkingheavily。
Oh，hyaryeair!\"heexclaimed。\"You’rerightonhand，hain’tye？
Hyar，Bill，\"hecalled，thrustinghisheadoutofthedoor，\"you\"n’
Jim’n’Miltcomeinhyar。\"Threeawkwardyoungmountaineersentered。\"Thesefellersairgoin’tohelpye。\"
Theyweretobehisushers。Claytonshookhandswiththemgravely。
Oh，weairaboutreadyferye，’n’weaironlywaitin’ferSherdandthefolkstocome，\"continuedthemountaineer，jubilantly，winkingsignificantlyatClaytonandhisattendants，whostoodabouthimatthefireplace。Claytonshookhisheadfirmly，buttherestfollowedHicks，whoturnedatthedoorandrepeatedtheinvitationwithafrowningface。Claytonwasleftthefocusoffeminineeyes，whoseunwaveringdirectnesskepthisowngazeonthefloor。Peoplebegantocomeinrapidly，mostofwhomhehadneverseenbefore。
Theroomwasfilled，saveforaspaceabouthim。Everyonegavehimalookofcuriositythatmadehimfeellikesomestrangeanimalonexhibition。Oncemorehetriedtoescapetotheporch，andagainhewasmetbyEaster’sfather，whothistimewasaccompaniedbyRaines。
Theyoungcircuit—riderwassmoothlyshaven，anddressedindarkclothes，andhiscalmfaceandsimplebutimpressivemannerseemedatoncetoaltertheatmosphereoftheroom。HegraspedClayton’shandwarmly，andwithoutatraceofself—consciousness。
Theroomhadgrowninstantlyquiet，andRainesbegantosharethecuriousinterestthatClaytonhadcaused；fortheyoungmountaineer’ssermonhadprovokeddiscussionfarandwide，and，moreover，thepeculiarrelationsofthetwotowardEasterwereknownandrudelyappreciated。Hickswassubduedintoquietrespect，andtriedtoconcealhisincipientintoxication。Theeffortdidnotlastlong。Whenthetwofiddlerscame，heledtheminwithadefiantair，andplacedtheminthecorner，bustlingaboutofficiouslybutwithoutlookingatRaines，whosefacebegantocloud。
Well，we’reallhyar，Ireckon!\"heexclaimed，inhisterriblevoice。
\"IsEasterready？\"heshoutedupthesteps。
Aconfusedchorusansweredhimaffirmatively，andheimmediatelyarrangedClaytoninonecorneroftheroomwithhisseriousattendantsononeside，andRaines，gravetosolemnity，ontheother。Easter’smotherandherassistantscameinfromthekitchen，andthedoorswerefilledwithfaces。Above，thetrampingoffeetbecamemorehurried；below，allstoodwithexpectantfacesturnedtotherudestaircase。Clayton’sheartbegantothrob，andastrangelightbrightenedunderRaines’sheavybrows。
\"Hurryup，thar!\"shoutedHicks，impatiently。
Amomentlatertwopairsofroughshoescamedownthesteps，andafterthemtwoslipperedfeetthatfixedeveryeyeintheroom，untilthefigureandfaceabovethemslowlydescendedintothelight。
Midwaythegirlpausedwithatimidair。Hadanangelbeenloweredtomortalview，thewaitingpeoplewouldnothavebeenstrickenwithmorewonder。Raines’sfacerelaxedintoalookalmostofawe，andevenHicksfortheinstantwasstunnedintoreverence。Mountaineyeshadneverbeheldsuchlovelinesssoarrayed。Itwassimpleenough—thegarment—allwhite，andofamistytexture，yetitformedamysteriousvisiontothem。Aboutthegirl’sbrowwasawreathofpinkandwhitelaurel。Aveilhadnotbeenused。Itwouldhideherface，shesaid，andshedidnotseewhythatshouldbedone。Foraninstantshestoodpoisedsolightlythatsheseemedtoswaylikeavision，asthecandle—lightsquiveredabouther，withherhandsclaspedinfrontofher，andhereyeswanderingabouttheroomtilltheylighteduponClaytonwithalookoflovethatseemedtomakeherconsciousonlyofhim。Then，withquickeningbreath，lipspartedslightly，cheeksslowlyflushing，andshiningeyesstilluponhim，shemovedslowlyacrosstheroomuntilshestoodathisside。
Rainesgatheredhimselftogetherasfromadream，andsteppedbeforethepair。Brokenandhuskyatfirst，hisvoicetrembledinspiteofhimself，butthereaftertherewasnohintofthepowerfulemotionsatplaywithinhim。Onlyashejoinedtheirhands，hiseyesrestedaninstantwithinfinitetendernessonEaster’sface—asthoughthelookwerealastfarewell—andhisvoicedeepenedwithsolemnearnestnesswhenhebadeClaytonprotectandcherishheruntildeath。Therewasastrangemixtureinthoselastwordsoftheofficeandtheman—ofdivineauthorityandpersonalappeal—andClay。tonwasdeeplystirred。Thebenedictionover4theyoungpreacherwasturningaway，whensomeonecalledhuskilyfromtherearofthecabin：
\"Whyn’tyekissthebride？
ItwasEaster’sfather，andthevoice，roughasitwas，broughtasensationofrelieftoall。Theyoungmountaineer’sfeaturescontractedwithswiftpain，andasEasterleanedtowardhim，withsubtledelicacy，hetouched，notherlips，butherforehead，asreverentlyasthoughshehadbeenasaint。
Instantlythefiddlesbegan，thefloorwascleared，thebridalpartyhurriedintothekitchen，andthecabinbegantoshakebeneathdancingfeet。Hickswasfulfillinghisword，andinthekitchenhiswifehaddoneherpart。Everythingknowntothemountaineerpalatewaspiledinprofusiononthetable，butClaytonandEasteratenothing。Tohimthewholeeveningwasanightmare，whichthesolemnmomentsofthemarriagehadmadethemorehideous。
Hewasrestlessandeagertogetaway。Thedancingwasbecomingmorefurious，andabovethenoiseroseHicks’svoicepromptingthedancers。Theruderonesstillhungaboutthedoors，regardingClaytoncuriously，orwitheagereyesuponthefeast。Easterwasvaguelytroubled，andconflictingwiththeinnocentprideandjoyinhereyeswerethequestioningglancessheturnedtoClayton’sdarkeningface。Atlasttheywerehurriedout，andincamethecrowdlikehungrywolves。
PlacingClaytonandEasterinacorneroftheroom，theattendantsthemselvestookpartinthedancing，andsuchdancingClaytonhadneverseen。Doorsandwindowswerefulloffaces，andtheroomwascrowded；fromthekitchencamecoarselaughterandtherattlingofdishes。
OccasionallyHickswoulddisappearwithseveralothers，andwouldreturnwithhisfaceredderthanever。
Easterbecameuneasy。OncesheleftClayton’ssideandexpostulatedwithherfather，butheshookherfromhisarmroughly。Rainessawthis，andamomentlaterheledtheoldmountaineerfromtheroom。Thereafterthelatterwasquieter，butonlyforalittlewhile。Severaltimesthekitchenwasfilledandemptied，andeverwasthecrowdunsteadier。SoonevenRaines’sinfluencewasofnoavail，andthebottlewaspassedopenlyfromguesttoguest。
\"Whyn’tyedance？\"
Claytonfelthisarmgrasped，andHicksstoodswayingbeforehim。
\"Whyn’tyedance？\"herepeated。\"Can’tyedance？Mebbeyeairtoogood—likeSherd。Well，Easterkin，Hyar，Mart，come’n’dancewiththegal。Sheairthebestdancerintheseparts。\"
ClaytonhadhishanduponEasterasthoughtoforbidher。Themountaineersawthemovement，andhisfaceflamed；butbeforehecouldspeak，thegirlpressedClayton’sarm，and，withanappealingglance，rosetoherfeet。
That’sright，\"saidherfather，approvingly，butwithalookofdrunkenmalignancytowardClayton。\"Now，\"hecalledout，inaloudvoice，\"Iwantthiscoupletohavethefloor，’n’everybodytolookon’n’seewhatisdancin’。Startthefiddles，boys。\"
Itwasdancing。Theyoungmountaineerwasaslender，activefellow，notwithoutgrace，andEasterseemedhardlytotouchthefloor。Theybeganveryslowlyatfirst，tillEaster，glancingasideatClaytonandseeinghisfacedeepenwithinterest，andurgedbytheremonstranceofhetfather，theremarksoftheonlookers，andtheincreasingabandonofthemusic，gaveherselfuptothedance。Theyoungmountaineerwasnomeanpartner。Forwardandbacktheyglided，theirswiftfeetbeatingeverynoteofthemusic；Fasterrecedingbeforeherpartner，andnowadvancingtowardhim，nowwhirlingawaywithadisdainfultossofherheadandarms，andnowgivinghimherhandandwhirlingtillherwhiteskirtsfloatedfromthefloor。Atlast，withheadbentcoquettishlytowardherpartner，shedancedaroundhim，andwhenitseemedthatshewouldbecaughtbyhisoutstretchedhandssheslippedfromhisclasp，and，withburningcheeks，flashingeyes，andbridalwreathshoweringitspink—fleckedpetalsabouther，flewtoClayton’sside。
Mebbeyedon’tlikethat，\"criedHicks，turningtoRaines，whohadbeengravelywatchingthescene。
Rainessaidnothinginreply，butonlylookedthedrunkenmanintheface。
\"Youtwo，\"hecontinued，indicatingClaytonwithanangryshakeofhishead，\"aira—tryin’tospileever’body’sfun。Bothofyeairtoohigh—heeledferusfolks。Y’uhevgotmightygoodnowthatyeairapreacher，\"headded，withadrunkensneer，irritatedbeyondendurancebyRaines’ssilenceandhissteadylook。\"IwantyetoknowBillHicksaira—runnin’thingshere，’n’Idon’twantnomeddlin’。I’lldrinkrighthereinfronto’ye\"—holdingabottledefiantlyabovehishead—\"’n’Imeantodance，too，Iwarnyenow，\"
headded，staggeringtowardthedoor，\"Idon’twantnomed—dlin’。\"
Easterhadburiedherfaceinherhands。Hermotherstoodnearherhusband，helplesslytryingtogethimaway，andfearingtoarousehimmore。Raineswasthemostcomposedmanintheroom，andafewmomentslater，whendancingwasresumed，Claytonheardhisvoiceathisear：
\"You’dbettergoupstairs’n’waittillit’stimetogo，\"hesaid。\"Hehevgotrousedag’inye，andag’inmetoo。I’llkeepouto’hiswaysoasnottoaggravatehim，butI’llstayhyarferfearsomethingwillhappen。Mebbehe’llsoberupalittle，butI’mafeardhe’lldrinkmore’never。\"
Amomentlater，unseenbytherest，thetwomountedthestairwaytothelittleroomwhereEaster’sgirlhoodhadbeenpassed。ToClaytonthepeaceoftheprimitivelittlechamberwasaninfiniterelief。Adimlightshowedarudebedinonecornerandapinetablecloseby，whereonlayafewbooksandapenandanink—bottle。Above，theroofrosetoasharpangle，andthelow，unplasteredwallswerecoveredwithpieturescutfromthebookshehadgivenher。Asinglewindowopenedintothenightoverthevalleyandtothemountainsbeyond。Twosmallcane—bottomchairswerenearthis，andinthesetheysatdown。Intheeastdarkcloudsweremovingswiftlyacrossthefaceofthemoon，checkingitslightanJgivingthedimvalleystartlingdepthandblackness。
Rain—dropsstrucktheroofatintervals，ashowerofapple—blossomsrustledagainstthewindowanddriftedon，andbelowthemuffledsoundofmusicandshufflingfeetwasnowandthenpiercedbytheshrillcallsoftheprompter。Therewassomethingominousinthepersistenttreadoffeetandthesteadyflightofthegloomyclouds，andquiveringwithvaguefears，EastersankdownfromherchairtoClayton’sfeet，andburstintotears，asheputhisarmstenderlyabouther。
Hasheevertreatedyoubadly？
\"No，no，\"sheanswered；\"it’sonlythewhiskey。\"
Itwasnotaloneofherfather’sbehaviorthatshewasthinking。
Memorieswerebusywithinher，andathousandthreadsoffeelingweretighteningherloveofhome，theonlyhomeshehadeverknown。Nowshewasleavingitforastrangeworldofwhichsheknewnothing，andthethoughtpiercedherlikeaphysicalpain。
\"Areweevercomingbackag’in？\"sheasked，withsuddenfear。
Yes，dear，\"answeredClayton，diviningherthoughts；\"wheneveryouwish。\"
Afterthatshegrewcalmer，andremainedquietsolongthatsheseemedtohavefallenasleeplikeatiredchildrelievedofitsfears。
Leaningforward，helookedintothedarkness。Itwasaftermidnight，surely。Thecloudshadbecomelighter，moreluminous，andgraduallythemoonbrokethroughthem，liftingthepallfromthevalley，playingabouttheedgeoftheforest，andquiveringatlastonthewindow。Ashebentbacktolookatthesleepinggirl，themoonlightfellsoftlyuponherface，revealingitspurityofcolor，andtouchingtheloosenedfoldsofherhair，andshiningthroughatear—dropwhichhadescapedfromherclosedlashes。
Howlovelythefacewas!Howpure!Howchild—likewithallitshiddenstrength!Howabsoluteherconfidenceinhim!Howgreatherlove!Itwasofherlovethathethought，notofhisown；
butwithanewrealizationofherdependenceuponhimforhappiness，hisclasptightenedaboutheralmostunconsciously。Shestirredslightly，and，bendinghisheadlower，Claytonwhisperedinherear：
Haveyoubeenasleep，dear？
Sheliftedherfaceandlookedtenderlyintohiseyes，shakingherheadslowly，andthen，ashebentoveragain，sheclaspedherarmsabouthisneckandstrainedhisfacetohers。
Notuntiltheopeningofthedooratthestair—waystirredthemdidtheynoticethatthemusicanddancingbelowhadceased。Thedoorwasinstantlyclosedagainafteraslightsoundofscuffling，andinthemomentofstillnessthatfollowed，theyheardRainessaycalmly：
\"No；youcan’tgoupthar。\"
Abrutaloathansweredhim，andEasterstartedtoherfeetwhensheheardherfather’svoice，terriblewithpassion；butClaytonheldherback，andhurrieddownthestairway。
\"Efyedon’tcomeawayfromthatdoor，\"hecouldhearHickssaying，\"’n’stopthismeddlin’，I’llkillyou’stido’thefurriner。\"
AsClaytonthrustthedooropen，Raineswasstandingafewfeetfromthestairway。Thedrunkenmanwasstrugglinginthegraspofseveralmountaineers，whowerecoaxinganddragginghimacrosstheroom。
Aboutthemwereseveralothermenscarcelyabletostand，andbehindtheseacrowdofshrinkingwomen。
Gitback!gitback!\"saidRaines，inlow，hurriedtones。
ButHickshadcaughtsightofClayton。Foramomenthestoodstill，glaringathim。Then，withafuriouseffort，hewrenchedhimselffromthemenwhoheldhim，andthrusthishandintohispocket，backingagainstthewall。ThecrowdfellawayfromhimasaweaponwasdrawnandlevelledwithunsteadyhandatClayton。
Rainessprangforward；Claytonfelthisarmclutched，andafiguredartedpasthim。Theflashcame，andwhenRaineswrenchedtheweaponfromthemountaineer’sgraspthelatterwasstandingrigid，withhorror—strickeneyesfixeduponthesmoke，inwhichEaster’swhitefaceshowedlikeanapparition。Asthesmokedriftedaside，thegirlwasseenwithbothhandsatherbreast。Then，whileasilentterrorheldeveryone，sheturned，and，withoutstretchedhands，totteredtowardClayton；andashecaughtherinhisarms，alowmoanbrokefromherlips。
Someonehurriedawayforaphysician，butthedeath—watchwasoverbeforehecame。
Foralongtimethewoundedgirllayapparentlyunconscious，herfacewhiteandquiet。Onlywhenawood—thrushcalledfromthewoodsclosebywereherlidshalfraised，andasClaytonpushedtheshutteropenaboveherandliftedhergently，sheopenedhereyeswithagratefullookandturnedherfaceeagerlytothecoolair。
Thedawnwasbreaking。Theeastwasalreadyaflamewithbarsofrosylight，graduallywidening。Abovethemasinglestarwaspoised，andinthevalleybelowgreatwhitemistswerestirringfromsleep。Foramomentsheseemedtobelistlesslywatchingthewhite，shapelessthings，tremblingaswithlife，andcreepingsilentlyintowoodandupglen；andthenherlashesdroopedwearilytogether。
ThedooropenedasClaytonlethersinkuponthebed，breathingasifasleep，andheturned，expectingthephysician。Raines，too，roseeagerly，stoppedsuddenly，andshrankbackwithashudderofrepulsionasthefigureofthewretchedfathercrept，halfcrouching，within。
Sherd!
Thegirl’stonewasfullofgentlereproach，andsosoftthatitreachedonlyClayton’sears。
Sherd!
Thistimehisnamewasutteredwithanappealeversogentle。
Poredad!Poredad!\"shewhispered。HerclasptightenedsuddenlyonClayton’shand，andhereyeswereheldtohis，evenwhilethelightinthemwasgoingout。
Aweeklatertwomenleftthecabinatdusk。
Half—waydowntheslopetheycametooneoftheunspeakablymournfullittleburying—groundswhereinthemountainpeoplerestaftertheirnarrowlives。Itwasunhedged，uncaredfor，andafewcrumblingboardsforheadstonestoldthelivinggenerationwherethedeadwereatrest。Foramomenttheypausedtolookataspotunderagreatbeechwheretheearthhadbeenlatelydisturbed。
\"Itairshorelyhardtosee，\"saidoneinalow，slowvoice，\"whyshewastaken，’n1himleft；whysheshouldhevtogiveherlifeferthelifehetook。ButHeknows，Heknows，\"themountaineercontinued，withunfalteringtrust；andthen，afteramoment’sstruggletoreconcilefactwithfaith：\"TheLordtookwhutHekeeredfermost，’n’shewasready，’n’hewasnt。
Theothermadenoreply，andtheykeptoninsilence。Uponaspurofthemountainbeneathwhichthelittlemining—townhadsunktoquietforthenighttheypartedwithahand—clasp。Nottillthenwasthesilencebroken。
\"Tharseemstobeapenaltyferlovin’too’’muchdownhyar，\"saidone；
\"’n’Ireckon，\"headded，slowly，\"thatbothofushevgothittopay。\"
Turning，thespeakerretracedhissteps。Theotherkeptontowardthelightsbelow。