I。
ItwasrainingandblowingatEldridge’sCrossing。Fromthestatelypine—treesonthehill—tops，whichweredignifiedlyprotestingthroughtheirrigidspinesupward，tothehystericalwillowsinthehollow，thathadwhippedthemselvesintoamaudlinfury，therewasageneraltumult。Whenthewindlulled，therainkeptupthedistraction，firinglongvolleysacrosstheroad，lettinglooseminiaturecataractsfromthehill—sidestobrawlintheditches，andbeatingdowntheheavyheadsofwildoatsonthelevels；whentherainceasedforamomentthewindchargedoverthealreadydefeatedfield，ruffledthegullies，scatteredthesprayfromtheroadsidepines，andaddedinsulttoinjury。Butbothwindandrainconcentratedtheirenergiesinamalevolentattempttoutterlydisperseandscatterthe\"Half—wayHouse，\"whichseemedtohavewhollylostitsway，andstrayedintotheopen，where，dazedandbewildered，unpreparedandunprotected，itwasexposedtothetauntingfuryoftheblast。Aloose，shambling，disjointed，hastilybuiltstructure——representingtheworstfeaturesofPioneerrenaissance——itrattleditsloosewindow—sasheslikechatteringteeth，bangeditsill—hungshutters，andadmittedsomuchoftheinvadingstorm，thatitmighthaveblownuporblowndownwithequalfacility。
JeffersonBriggs，proprietorandlandlordofthe\"Half—wayHouse，\"
hadjustgonethroughtheformalityofclosinghishouseforthenight，hangingdangerouslyoutofthewindowinthevainattempttosubduearebelliousshutterthathadevidentlyenteredintoconspiracywiththeinvaders，and，shuttingadoorasagainstasheriff’sposse，wasgoingtobed——i。e。，toreadhimselfasleep，aswashiscustom。Asheenteredhislittlebedroomintheatticwithahighlyexcitingnovelinhispocketandakerosenelampinhishand，thewind，lyinginwaitforhim，instantlyextinguishedhislampandslammedthedoorbehindhim。JeffersonBriggsrelightedthelamp，asifconfidentially，inacorner，and，shieldingitinthebosomofhisredflannelshirt，whichgavehimtheappearanceofanilluminatedshrine，hungaheavybear—skinacrossthewindow，andthencarefullydepositedhislampuponachairathisbedside。Thisdone，hekickedoffhisboots，flungthemintoacorner，and，rollinghimselfinablanket，laydownuponthebed。Ahabitofearlyrising，bringingwithit，presumably，theproverbialaccompanimentofhealth，wisdom，andpecuniaryemoluments，hadalsobroughtwithitcertainideasoftheeffeminacyofseparatetoilettesandthevirtueofreadiness。
Inafewmomentshewasdeepinachapter。
Avaguepeckingathisdoor——asofanunseasonablewoodpecker，finallyasserteditselftohisconsciousness。\"Comein，\"hesaid，withhiseyestillonthepage。
Thedooropenedtoagauntfigure，partlycomposedofbed—quiltandpartlyofplaidshawl。Apredominanceofthelatterandalongwispofiron—grayhairdeterminedhersex。Sheleanedagainstthepostwithanairoffatigue，halfmoralandhalfphysical。
\"Howyekinliethar，abed，Jeff，andreadandsmokeonsichanight!Thesperrito’theLordabroadovertheyearth——andupstagenotgonebyyet。Well，well!it’swelltharezSOMEEZCAN’T
SLEEP。\"
\"Theupcoach，likeasnot，isstoppedbyhighwaterontheNorthFork，tenmilesaway，aunty，\"respondedJeff，keepingtothefacts。
PossiblynotrecognizingthehandofthebeneficentCreatorintherebelliouswindowshutter，heavoidedtheology。
\"Well，\"respondedthefigure，withanairofdeliveringanunheededandthanklesswarning，\"itisnotforMEtosay。P’rapsit’sallHiswisdomthatsomewillkeeptotheirownmind。It’swellezsomehezn’tnarves，andkinluxuriateinterbackerinthenightwatches。ButHesays，’I’llcomelikeathiefinthenight!’——likeathiefinthenight，Jeff。\"
Totallyunabletoreconcilethisillustrationwiththedelayed\"Pioneer\"coachandYubaBill，itsdriver，Jefflaysilent。Inhisownway，perhaps，hewasuneasy——nottosayshocked——athisaunt’shabitualfreedomofscripturalquotation，asthatgoodladyherselfwaswithanoccasionaloathfromhislips；afact，bytheway，notgenerallyunderstoodbypurveyorsofScripture，licensedandunlicensed。
\"I’dtakeapullatthembitters，aunty，\"saidJefffeebly，withhiswanderingeyestillrecurringtohispage。\"They’lldoyeapowerofgoodinthewayo’calmin’yernarves。\"
\"EfIwaslikesomefolksIwouldn’twantbitters——thoughmadeouterthesimplestyarbsoftheyearth，withjestenoughsperrittobringoutthevartoos——ezDeaconStoer’sBalm’erGileadis——whatyermeaning？EfIwaslikesomefolksIcouldlietharandsmokeinthelapo’idleness——withfourteenbedsinthehouseempty，andnarylodgerforoneof’em。EfIwasthatindifferenttohavin’
investedmyfortininthegoodwillo’thishouse，andnotezmuchezasingletransientlookin’in，Icouldliedownandtakecomfortinprofaneliteratoor。Butitain’tinmetodoit。Anditwasn’tyourfather’sway，Jeff，neither!\"
AstheelderBriggs’swayhadbeentoseeksurceasefromsuchtroubleatthegamblingtable，andeventually，insuicide，Jeffcouldnotdenyit。Buthedidnotsaythatafullrealizationofhisunhappyventureovercamehimasheclosedtheblindsofthehotelthatnight；andthatthehalfdesperateideaofabandoningitthenandtheretothewarringelementsthathadresentedhistrespassonNatureseemedtohimanactofsimplereasonandjustice。Hedidnotsaythis，foreasy—goingnaturesarenotapttoexplaintheprocessesbywhichtheircontentorresignationisreached，andarethereforesupposedtohavenone。Keepingtothefacts，hesimplysuggestedtheweatherwasunfavorabletotravelers，andagainfoundhisplaceonthepagebeforehim。
Fixingitwithhisthumb，helookedupresignedly。Thefigurewearilydetacheditselffromthedoor—post，andJeff’seyesfellonhisbook。\"Youwon’tstop，aunty？\"heaskedmechanically，asifreadingaloudfromthepage；butshewasgone。
Alittleashamed，althoughmuchrelieved，Jefffellbackagaintoliterature，interruptedonlybythechargingofthewindandtheheavyvolleysofrain。Presentlyhefoundhimselfwonderingifacertainbangingwerereallyashutter，andthen，havingsettledinhismindthatitWAS，hewasstartledbyashout。Another，andintheroadbeforethehouse!
Jeffputdownthebook，andmarkedtheplacebyturningdowntheleaf，beingoneofthatlargeclassofreaderswhosementalfacultiesarebutter—fingered，andeasilysliptheirhold。Thenheresumedhisbootsandwasdulycaparisoned。Heextinguishedthekerosenelamp，andbravedtheouterair，andstrongcurrentsofthehallandstairwayinthedarkness。Lightingtwocandlesinthebar—room，heproceededtounlockthehalldoor。Atthesameinstantafuriousblastshookthehouse，thedooryieldedslightlyandimpelledathin，meek—lookingstrangerviolentlyagainstJeff，whostillstruggledwithit。
\"Anaccidenthasoccurred，\"beganthestranger，\"and\"——butherethewindchargedagain，blewopenthedoor，pinnedJeffbehinditbackagainstthewall，overturnedthedrippingstranger，dashedupthestaircase，andslammedeverydoorinthehouse，endingtriumphantlywithNo。14，andacrashofglassinthewindow。
\"’Come，rouseup!\"saidJeff，stillstrugglingwiththedoor，\"rouseupandlendahandyer!\"
Thusabjured，thestrangercreptalongthewalltowardsJeffandbeganagain，\"Wehavemetwithanaccident。\"Buthereanotherandmightiergustlefthimspeechless，coveredhimwithsprayofawildlydisorganizedwater—spoutthat，danglingfromtheroof，seemedtobeplayingonthefrontdoor，drovehimintoblackobscurityandagainsandwichedhishostbetweenthedoorandthewall。Thentherewasalull，andinthemidstofitYubaBill，driverofthe\"Pioneer\"coach，quietlyandcoolly，imperviousinwaterproof，walkedintothehall，enteredthebar—room，tookacandle，and，goingbehindthebar，selectedabottle，criticallyexaminedit，and，returning，pouredoutaquantityofwhiskeyinaglassandgulpeditinasingledraught。
AllthiswhileJeffwasclosingthedoor，andthemeek—lookingmanwascomingintothelightagain。
YubaBillsquaredhiselbowsbehindhimandrestedthemonthebar，crossedhislegseasilyandawaitedthem。InreplytoJeff’sinquiringbutrespectfullook，hesaidshortly——
\"Oh，you’rethar，areye？\"
\"Yes，Bill。\"
\"Well，thisyernew—fangledroado’yoursistenfeetdeepinthehollowwithbackwaterfromtheNorthFork!I’vetakenthatyarcoachinterfowerfeetofit，andthenIreckonedIcouldn’thevanymore。’I’llstandonthisyerhand，’sezI；Ibroughtthehorsesupyerandlanded’eminyourbarntoeattheirblessedheadsofftillthewatergoesdown。That’swot’sthematter，oldman，andjistaboutwotIkalkilatedonfromthosedurnedoldimprovementso’yours。\"
Coloringalittleatthisnewcountinthegeneralindictmentagainsttheuselessnessofthe\"Half—wayHouse，\"Jeffaskediftherewere\"anypassengers？\"
YubaBillindicatedthemeekstrangerwithajerkofhisthumb。
\"Andhiswifeanddarterinthecoach。They’reallrightandtight，eziftheywasintheFifthAvenueHotel。ButIreckonheallowstofetch’emupyer，\"addedBill，asifhestronglydoubtedthewisdomofthetransfer。
Themeekman，muchmeekerforthepresenceofBill，heresuggestedthatsuchindeedwashiswish，andfurtherprayedthatJeffwouldaccompanyhimtothecoachtoassistinbringingthemup。\"It’sratherwetanddark，\"saidthemanapologetically；\"mydaughterisnotstrong。Haveyousuchathingasawaterproof？\"
Jeffhadnot；butwouldabear—skindo？
Itwould。
Jeffran，toredownhisextemporewindowcurtain，andreturnedwithit。YubaBill，whohadquietlyanddisapprovinglysurveyedtheproceeding，heredisengagedhimselffromthebarwithevidentreluctance。
\"You’llwantanotherman，\"hesaidtoJeff，\"onlessyecancarrydouble。EzHE，\"indicatingthestranger，\"eznosorto’use，he’dbetterstayhereand’tendbar，’whileyouandmefetchthewimmenoff。’SpeciallyezIreckonwe’vegottodosometallwadin’bythistimetoreach’em。\"
ThemeekmansatdownhelplesslyinachairindicatedbyBill，whoatoncestrodeafterJeff。Inanothermomenttheywerebothfightingtheirway，stepbystep，againstthestorm，inthatpeculiar，drunken，spasmodicwaysoamusingtothespectatorandsoexasperatingtotheperformer。Itwasnotimeforconversation，eveninterjectionalprofanitywasdangerouslyexhaustive。
Thecoachwasscarcelyathousandyardsaway，butitsbrightlightswerereflectedinasheetofdarksilentwaterthatstretchedbetweenitandthetwomen。Wadingandsplashing，theysoonreachedit，andagullywherethesurpluswaterwaspouringintothevalleybelow。\"Fowerfeeto’waterroundher，butcan’tgetanyhigher。Soyeseeshe’sallrightforamontho’sichweather。\"Inwardlyadmiringtheperspicacityofhiscompanion，JeffwasabouttoopenthecoachdoorwhenBillinterrupted。
\"I’llpacktheoldwoman，ifyou’lllookarterthedarterandennylittletraps。\"
Afemaleface，anxiousandelderly，hereappearedatthewindow。
\"Thet’smylittlegame，\"saidBill，sottovoce。
\"Isthereanydanger？whereismyhusband？\"askedthewomanimpatiently。
\"Eztothedanger，ma’am，——tharain’tany。YerezsafeHEREezye’dbeinaSacramentosteamer；eztoyourhusband，heallowedI
wastocomeyerandfetchyeruptothehotel。That’shislook—
out!\"Withthischeeringspeech，Billproceededtomaketwoorthreeineffectualscoopsintothedarkinterior，manifestlywiththeideaofscoopingouttheladyinquestion。Inanotherinstanthehadcaughther，liftedhergentlybutfirmlyinhisarms，andwasturningaway。
\"Butmychild!——mydaughter!she’sasleep!\"——expostulatedthewoman；butBillwasalreadyswiftlysplashingthroughthedarkness。
Jeff，lefttohimself，hastilyexaminedthecoach：onthebackseataslightsmallfigure，envelopedinashawl，laymotionless。Jeffthrewthebear—skinoveritgently，lifteditononearm，andgatheringafewtravellingbagsandbasketswiththeother，preparedtofollowhisquicklydisappearingleader。Afewfeetfromthecoachthewaterappearedtodeepen，andthebear—skintodraggle。Jeffdrewthefigureuphigher，invain。
\"Sis，\"hesaidsoftly。
Noreply。
\"Sis，\"shakinghergently。
Therewasaslightmovementwithinthewrappings。
\"Couldn’tyeclimbuponmyshoulder，honey？that’sagoodchild!\"
Therewereoneortwospasmodicjerksofthebear—skin，and，aidedbyJeff，thebundlewaspresentlyseatedonhisshoulder。
\"Areyouallrightnow，Sis？\"
Somethinglikealaughcamefromthebear—skin。Thenachildishvoicesaid，\"Thankyou，IthinkIam!\"
\"Ain’tyouafraidyou’llfalloff？\"
\"Alittle。\"
Jeffhesitated。Itwasbeginningtoblowagain。
\"Youcouldn’treachdownandputyourarmroundmyneck，couldye，honey？\"
\"Iamafraidnot!\"——althoughthereWASaslightattempttodoso。
\"No？\"
\"No!\"
\"Well，then，takeagoodholt，afirmstrongholt，o’myhair!
Don’tbeafraid!\"
AsmallhandtimidlybegantorummageinJeff’sthickcurls。
\"Takeafirmholt；thar，justbacko’myneck!That’sright。\"
Thelittlehandclosedoverhalfadozencurls。Thelittlefigureshook，andgiggled。
\"Nowdon’tyousee，honey，ifI’mkeerlesswithyou，anddon’tkeepyouplumplevelupthar，youjistgivemeapullandfetchmeupallstanding!\"
\"Isee!\"
\"Ofcourseyoudo!That’sbecauseyou’realittlelady!\"
Jeffstrodeon。Itwaspleasanttofeelthesoftwarmfingersinhishair，pleasanttohearthefaintchildishvoice，pleasanttodrawthefeetoftheenwrappedfigureagainsthisbroadbreast。
Altogetherhewassorrywhentheyreachedthedrylandandtheleeofthe\"Half—wayHouse，\"whereaslightmovementofthefigureexpressedawishtodismount。
\"Notyet，missy，\"saidJeff；\"notyet!You’llgetblownaway，sure!Andthenwhat’lltheysay？No，honey!I’lltakeyourightintoyourpapa，justasyeare!\"
AfewstepsmoreandJeffstrodeintothehall，madehiswaytothesitting—room，walkedtothesofa，anddepositedhisburden。Thebear—skinfellback，theshawlfellback，andJeff——fellbacktoo!
Forbeforehimlayasmall，slight，butbeautifulandperfectlyformedwoman。
Hehadtimetoseethatthemeekman，nolongermeek，butapparentlyasternuncompromisingparent，wasstandingattheheadofthesofa；thattheelderlyandnervousfemalewashoveringatthefoot，thathisaunt，witheverysymptomofreligiousandmoraldisapprovalofhisconduct，satrigidlyinoneoftherigidchairs——
hehadtimetoseeallthisbeforethequick，hotblood，flyingtohisface，sentthewaterintohiseyes，andhecouldseenothing!
Thecauseofallthissmiled——adazzlingsmilethoughafaintone——
thatmomentarilylituptheausteregloomoftheroomanditsoccupants。\"Youmustthankthisgentleman，papa，\"saidshe，languidlyturningtoherfather，\"forhiskindnessandhistrouble。
HehascarriedmehereasgentlyandascarefullyasifIwereachild。\"SeeingsymptomsofareturnofJeff’sdistressinhiscoloringface，sheaddedsoftly，asiftoherself，\"It’sagreatthingtobestrong——agreaterthingtobestrongANDgentle。\"
ThevoicethrilledthroughJeff。Butintothisdangeroushumanvoicetwangedtheaccentsofspecialspiritualrevelation，andcalledhimtohimselfagain，\"Beyewiseassarpints，butharmlessasduvs，\"saidJeff’saunt，generally，\"andlet’embethankfulezdoesn’taboosthestren’ththeLordgives’em，butbeallersreadytoanswerforitatthebaro’theirMaker。\"PossiblysomesuggestioninherfigureofspeechremindedherofJeff’sforgottenduties，sosheaddedinthesamebreathandtone，\"especiallywhentransientcustomersiswaitingfortheirlicker，andYubaBillhammerin’onthecounterwithhisglass；andyeryestand，Jeff，nevereventakin’upthatwetbar—skin——enufftogivethatyoungwomanherdeath。\"
Stammeringoutanincoherentapology，addressedvaguelytotheoccupantsoftheroom，butlookingtowardthelanguidgoddessonthesofa，Jeffseizedthebear—skinandbackedoutthedoor。Thenheflewtohisroomwithit，andthenreturnedtothebar—room；buttheimpatientWilliamofYubahadcharacteristicallyhelpedhimselfandgoneofftothestable。ThenJeffstoleintothehallandhaltedbeforethecloseddoorofthesitting—room。Aboldideaofgoinginagain，asbecamealandlordofthe\"Half—wayHouse，\"withaninquiryiftheywishedanythingfurther，hadseizedhim，buttheremembrancethathehadalwaysmeeklyallowedthatdutytodevolveuponhisaunt，andthatshewouldprobablyresentitwithscripturalauthorityandbringhimtoshameagain，stayedhistimidknucklesatthedoor。Inthishesitationhestumbleduponhisauntcomingdownthestairswithanarmfulofblanketsandpillows，attendedbytheirsmallIndianservant，staggeringunderamattress。
\"Iseverythingallright，aunty？\"
\"YekinbethankfultotheLord，JeffBriggs，thatthisdidn’thappenlastweekwhenIwasdownonmybackwithrheumatiz。Butye’renevergrateful。\"
\"Theyounglady——isSHEcomfortable？\"saidJeff，acceptinghisaunt’spreviousremarkasconfirmatory。
\"EzwellezennycrittermarkedbythefingeroftheLordwithgallopin’consumptionkinbe，Ireckon。Andshe，ezoughterbeputtingoffairthlyvanities，askin’foralookin’—glass!Andyou!
trapesin’throughthehallwithheronyershoulder，anddancin’
andjouncin’herupanddownezifitwasaball—room!\"Aguiltyrecollectionthathehadskippedwithherthroughthepassagestruckhimwithremorseashisauntwenton：\"It’samercythatbetwixtyouandthewetbar—skinsheain’tgotherdeth!\"
\"Don’tyethink，aunty，\"stammeredJeff，\"that——that——mybein’thelandlord，yerknow，itwouldbethesquarething——justouto’
respect，yeknow——formetodropintharandask’emifthar’sanythin’theywanted？\"
Hisauntstopped，andresignedlyputdownthepillows。\"Sarah，\"
shesaidmeeklytothehandmaiden，\"yekinleavegothatmattress。
Yer’sMr。Jeffersonthinksweain’tgoodenoughtomakethebedsforthemtwocitywomenfolks，andheallowshe’lldoithimself!\"
\"No，no!aunty!\"beganthehorrifiedJeff；butfailingtoplacatehisinjuredrelative，tooksafetyinflight。
Oncesafeinhisownroomhiseyefellonthebear—skin。ItcertainlyWASwet。Perhapshehadbeencareless——perhapshehadimperiledherlife!Hischeeksflushedashethrewithastilyinthecorner。Somethingfellfromittothefloor。Jeffpickeditupandheldittothelight。Itwasasmall，averysmall，lady’sslipper。Holdingitwithinthepalmofhishandasifithadbeensomedelicateflowerwhichthepressureofafingermightcrush，hestrodetothedoor，butstopped。Shouldhegiveittohisaunt？
EvenifsheoverlookedthisevidentproofofHIScarelessness，whatwouldshethinkoftheyounglady’s？Oughthe——seductivethought!——
godownstairsagain，knockatthedoor，andgiveittoitsfairowner，withtheapologyhewaslongingtomake？Thenherememberedthathehadbutafewmomentsbeforebeendismissedfromtheroomverymuchasifheweretheoriginalproprietoroftheskinhehadtaken。Perhapstheywereright；perhapsheWASonlyafoolishclumsyanimal!YetSHEhadthankedhim——andhadsaidinhersweetchildlikevoice，\"Itisagreatthingtobestrong；agreaterthingtobestrongandgentle。\"Hewasstrong；strongmenhadsaidso。
Hedidnotknowifhewasgentletoo。HadshemeantTHAT，whensheturnedherstrangelysoftdarkeyesuponhim？Forsomemomentsheheldtheslipperhesitatinglyinhishand，thenheopenedhistrunk，anddisposingvariousarticlesarounditasifitweresomefragile，perishableobject，laiditcarefullytherein。
Thisdone，hedrewoffhisboots，androllinghimselfinhisblanket，laydownuponthebed。Hedidnotopenhisnovel——hedidnotfollowuptheexcitingloveepisodeofhisfavoritehero——soungratefulishumanitytouspoorromancers，inthefirststagesoftheirrealpassion。Ah，me!’tisthejongleursandtroubadourstheywantthen，notus!WhenMasterSlender，sickforsweetAnnePage，would\"ratherthanfortyshillings\"hehadhis\"bookofsongsandsonnets\"there，whatavaileditthattheItalianBoccacciohadcontemporaneouslydiscoursedwiselyandsweetlyofloveinprose？
IdoubtnotthatMasterJeffwouldhavemumbledsomeversetohimselfhadheknownany：knowingnone，helaythereandlistenedtothewind。
Didshehearit；diditkeepherawake？Hehadanuneasysuspicionthattheshutterthatwasbangingsooutrageouslywastheshutterofherroom。Filledwiththismiserablethought，hearosesoftly，stoledownthestaircase，andlistened。Thesoundwasrepeated。
ItwastrulytherefractoryshutterofNo。7——thebestbedroomadjoiningthesitting—room。Thenextroom，No。8，wasvacant。
Jeffentereditsoftly，assoftlyopenedthewindow，andleaningfaroutinthetempest，essayedtosecurethenocturnaldisturber。
Butinvain。Cordorropehehadnone，norcouldheprocureeitherwithoutalarminghisaunt——anextremitynottobeconsidered。Jeffwasamanofclumsybutforcefulexpedients。Hehungfaroutofthewindow，andwithonepowerfulhandliftedtheshutteroffitshingesanddraggeditsoftlyintoNo。8。Thenassoftlyhecreptupstairstobed。Thewindhowledandtoreroundthehouse；thecrazywater—pipebelowJeff’swindowcreaked，thechimneyswhistled，buttheshutterbangednomore。Jeffbegantodoze。
\"It’sagreatthingtobestrong，\"thewindseemedtosayasitchargeduponthedefenselesshouse，andthenanothervoiceseemedtoreply，\"Agreaterthingtobestrongandgentle；\"andhearingthishefellasleep。
II。
Itwasnotyetdaylightwhenheawokewithanideathatbroughthimhurriedlytohisfeet。Quicklydressinghimself，hebegantocountthemoneyinhispocket。Apparentlythetotalwasnotsatisfactory，asheendeavoredtoaugmentitbyloosecoinsfishedfromthepocketsofhisothergarments，andfromthecornerofhiswashstanddrawer。Thenhecautiouslycreptdownstairs，seizedhisgun，andstoleoutofthestillsleepinghouse。Thewindhadgonedown，therainhadceased，afewstarsshonesteadilyinthenorth，andtheshapelessbulkofthecoach，itslampsextinguished，loomedhighanddryabovethelesseningwater，inthetwilight。WithaswingingtreadJeffstrodeupthehillandwassoonuponthehighwayandstageroad。Ahalf—hour’sbriskwalkbroughthimtothesummit，andthefirstrosyflashesofmorninglight。Thisenabledhimtoknockoverhalf—a—dozenearlyquail，luredbytheproverb，whowereseekingtheirbreakfastinthechaparral，andgavehimcouragetocontinueonhismission，whichhisperplexedfaceandirresolutemannerhadforthelastfewmomentsshowntobeanembarrassingone。
Atlastthewhitefencesandimposingoutbuildingsofthe\"SummitHotel\"rosebeforehim，andheutteredadeepsigh。There，baskinginthefirstraysofthemorningsun，stoodhissuccessfulrival!
Jefflookedatthewell—built，comfortablestructure，thecommandingsite，andtheairofsereneindependencethatseemedtopossessit，andnolongerwonderedthatthegreatworldpassedhimbytolingerandrefreshitselfthere。
Hewasrelievedtofindthelandlordwasnotpresentinperson，andsoconfidedhisbusinesstothebar—keeper。Atfirstitappearedthatthatfunctionarydeclinedinterference，andwithmanyhead—
shakingsandaudiblemisgivingswasinclinedtoawaitthecomingofhisprincipal，butanearerviewofJeff’sperplexedface，andanexaminationofJeff’sgun，andthefewcoinsspreadbeforehim，finallyinducedhimtoproducecertainarticles，whichhepackedinabasketandhandedtoJeff，takingthegunandcoinsinexchange。
Thusrelieved，Jeffsethisfacehomewards，andranaracewiththemorningintothevalley，reachingthe\"Half—wayHouse\"asthesunlaidwasteitsbare，bleakoutlines，andrelentlesslypointedoutitsdefectsonebyone。ItwascrueltoJeffatthatmoment，buthehuggedhisbasketcloseandslippedtothebackdoorandthekitchen，wherehisauntwasalreadyatwork。
\"Ididn’tknowyewereupyet，aunty，\"saidJeffsubmissively。\"Itisn’tmorethansixo’clock。\"
\"Thar’sfourmoretofeedatbreakfast，\"saidhisauntseverely，\"andyer’sthetopblownoffthekitchenchimbly，andthefireonlyjustgottogo。\"
Jeffsawthathewasintime。Theordinarybreakfastofthe\"Half—
wayHouse，\"notyetprepared，consistedofcodfish，ham，yellow—
ochrebiscuit，madeafterapeculiarreceiptofhisaunt’s，andpotatoes。
\"Igotafewfancyfixin’supattheSummitthismorning，aunty，\"
hebeganapologetically，\"seein’wehadsickfolks，youknow——youandtheyounglady——andthinkin’itmightsaveyoutrouble。I’vegot’emhere，\"andheshylyproducedthebasket。
\"Ifyekinaffordit，Jeff，\"respondedhisauntresignedly，\"I’mthankful。\"
ThereplywassounexpectedlymildforAuntSally，thatJeffputhisarmsaroundherandkissedherhardcheek。\"AndI’vegotsomequail，aunty，knowin’youlikedem。\"
\"Ireckonedyouwasuptosomesuchfoolishness，\"saidAuntSally，wipinghercheekwithherapron，\"whenImissedyergunfromthehall。\"Buttheallusionwasadangerousone，andJeffslippedaway。
HebreakfastedearlywithYubaBillthatmorning；thelattergentleman’staciturnitybeingintensifiedatsuchmomentsthroughalonghabitofconfininghimselfstrictlytoeatinginthelimitedtimeallowedhisdailyrepasts，anditwasnotuntiltheyhadtakenthehorsesfromthestableandwereharnessingthemtothecoachthatJeffextractedfromhiscompanionsomefactsabouthisguests。TheywereMr。andMrs。Mayfield，Easterntourists，whohadbeentotheSandwichIslandsforthebenefitoftheirdaughter’shealth，andbeforereturningtoNewYork，intended，undertheadviceoftheirphysician，tofurthertrytheeffectsofmountainairatthe\"SummitHotel，\"ontheinvalid。Theywereapparentlyrichpeople，thecoachhadbeenengagedforthemsolely——eventhemailandexpresshadbeensentonbyaseparateconveyance，sothattheymightbemoreindependent。ItishardlynecessarytosaythatthisfactwasbynomeanspalatabletoBill——debarringhimnotonlythesocialcontactandattentionsofthe\"ExpressAgent，\"buttheselectionofabox—
seatedpassengerwhoalways\"actedlikeaman。\"
\"Yekinkalkilatewhatkindofapardnerthat’aryaller—liveredMayfieldwouldmakeuponthatbox，partik’lyezIheardbeforewestartedthathe’drequestedthekimpany’sagentinSacramentotoselectadriverezdidn’tcuss，smoke，ordrink。Hedid，sir，bygum!\"
\"Ireckonyouwereverycareful，then，Bill，\"saidJeff。
\"Incourse，\"returnedBill，withaperfectlydiabolicalwink。\"Incourse!Youknowthat’BlueGrass，’\"pointingoutaspiritedleader；
\"she’safairhorseezhorsesgo，butshe’sapttofeelheroatsonadowngrade，andtakesapow’fuldealo’soothin’andexplanationaforeshebucklesdowntoherreg’larwork。Well，sir，IexhortedandlaboredinaChristian—likewaywiththatmaretothatextentthatI’mcussedifthatchapdidn’twanttogetdownaforewegottothelevel!\"
\"Andtheladies？\"askedJeff，whoselaugh——possiblyfromhismorning’sexperience——wasnotasreadyasformerly。
\"Theladies!Efyoumeanthat’arlivin’skellingtonIpackeduptoyerhouse，\"saidBillpromptly，\"it’sapairoftheminsizeandcolor，andreadyforanyfirst—classundertaker’steaminthekintry。
Why，yourememberthatcurveonBreakNeckhill，wheretheleadersalluslookasiftheywasalongsideo’thecoachandfacedtheotherway？Well，thatwomansticksherskullouterthewindow，andsezshe，confidential—liketooldyaller—belly，sezshe，’WilliamHenry，’
sezshe，’tellthatmanhishorsesarerunningaway!’\"
\"Youdidn’tgettoseethe——the——daughter，Bill，didyou？\"askedJeff，whoselaughhadbecomequiteuneasy。
\"No，Ididn’t，\"saidBill，withsuddenandinexplicablevehemence，\"andthelessyouseeofher，JeffersonBriggs，thebetterforyou。\"
TooconfoundedandconfusedbyBill’smannertoquestionfurther，Jeffremainedsilentuntiltheydrewupatthedoorofthe\"Half—wayHouse。\"Buthereanothersurpriseawaitedhim。Mr。Mayfield，erectanddignified，stooduponthefrontporchasthecoachdroveup。
\"Driver!\"beganMr。Mayfield。
Therewasnoreply。
\"Driver，\"saidMr。Mayfield，slightlyweakeningunderBill’seye，\"I
shallwantyounolonger。Ihave\"——
\"Ishespeakingtome？\"saidBillaudiblytoJeff，\"’causetheycallme’YubaBill’yerabouts。\"
\"Heis，\"saidJeffhastily。
\"Mebbeehe’sdrunk，\"saidBillaudibly；\"adroportwoaforebreakfastsometimesupsetshiskind。\"
\"Iwassaying，Bill，\"saidMr。Mayfield，becomingutterlylimpandweakagainunderBill’scoldgrayeyes，\"thatI’vechangedmymind，andshallstophereawhile。Mydaughterseemsalreadybenefitedbythechange。Youcantakemytrapsfromthebootandleavethemhere。\"
Billlaiddownhislinesresignedly，coollysurveyedMr。Mayfield，thehouse，andthehalf—pleased，half—frightenedJeff，andthenproceededtoremovetheluggagefromtheboot，allthewhilewhistlingloudandoffensiveincredulity。Thenheclimbedbacktohisbox。Mr。Mayfield，completelydemoralizedunderthistreatment，asalastresortessayedpatronage。
\"YoucansaytotheSacramentoagents，Bill，thatIamentirelysatisfied，and\"——
\"Yeneedn’tfearbutI’llgiveyeagoodcharacter，\"interruptedBillcoolly，gatheringuphislines。Thewhipsnapped，thesixhorsesdashedforwardasone，thecoachplungeddowntheroadandwasgone。
Withitsdisappearance，Mr。Mayfieldstiffenedslightlyagain。\"I
havejusttoldyouraunt，Mr。Briggs，\"hesaid，turninguponJeff，\"thatmydaughterhasexpressedadesiretoremainhereafewdays；
shehassleptwell，seemstobeinvigoratedbytheair，andalthoughweexpectedtogoontothe’Summit，’Mrs。Mayfieldandmyselfarewillingtoaccedetoherwishes。Yourhouseseemstobenewandclean。Yourtable——judgingfromthebreakfastthismorning——isquitesatisfactory。\"
Jeff，inthefirstflushofdelightatthisnews，forgotwhatthatbreakfasthadcosthim——forgotallhismorning’sexperience，and，I
fear，whenhedidrememberit，wastoofullofavague，hopefulcouragetoappreciateit。Consciousofshowingtoomuchpleasure，heaffectedthenecessityofanimmediateinterviewwithhisaunt，inthekitchen。Buthisshortcutroundthehousewasarrestedbyavoiceandfigure。ItwasMissMayfield，wrappedinashawlandseatedinachair，baskinginthesunlightatoneofthebleakestandbarestanglesofthehouse。Jeffstoppedinadelicioustremor。
Aswearedealingwithfacts，however，itwouldbewelltolookatthecauseofthistremorwithourowneyesandnotJeff’s。Tobeplain，mydearmadam，asshebaskedinthatremorseless，matter—of—
factCaliforniasunshine，shelookedherfullage—twenty—five，ifaday!Therewerewrinklesinthecornersofherdarkeyes，contractedandfrowninginthatstrong，mercilesslight；therewasanervouspallorinhercomplexion；butbeingoneofthose\"fastcolored\"
brunettes，whosedyesareapartoftheirtemperament，nosicknessnorwearcouldbleachitout。Theredofhersmallmouthwasdarkerthanyours，Iwot，andtherewerecertainfaintlinesfromthecornersofherdelicatenostrilsindicatingalternaterepressionandexcitementundercertainexperiences，whicharenotfoundintheclassicideals。NowJeffknewnothingoftheclassicideal——didnotknowthatathousandyearsagocertainsensualidiotshad，withbrushandchisel，inflictedupontheworldthepersonificationofthestrongestandmostdelicate，mostcontrollingandmostsubtlepassionthathumanityiscapableof，inthelikenessofathick—waisted，idealess，expressionless，perfectlycontentedfemaleanimal；andthatthousandsofidiotshadsincetheninsisteduponperpetuatingthismodelforthebenefitofaworldthathadgoneonsighingfor，piningfor，fightingfor，andoccasionallyblowingitsbrainsoutovertypesfarremovedfromthatidioticstandard。
ConsequentlyJeffsawonlyafacefullofpossibilitiesandprobabilities，framedinasmalldelicateoval，sawaslightwoman’sform——morethanusuallysmall——andheardalowvoice，tohimfullofgentlepride，passion，pathos，andhumanweakness，andwashelpless。
\"Ionlysaid’Good—morning，’\"saidMissMayfield，withthatslight，archsatisfactionintheobservationofmasculinebashfulness，whichthebestofhersexcannotforego。
\"Thankyou，miss；good—morning。I’vebeenwantingtosaytoyouthatIhopeyouwasn’tmad，youknow，\"stammeredJeff，desperatelyintentupongettingoffhisapology。
\"Itissolovelythismorning——suchachange!\"continuedMissMayfield。
\"Yes，miss!YouknowIreckoned——atleastwhatyourfathersaid，mademekalkilatethatyou\"——
MissMayfield，stillsmiling，knittedherbrowsandwenton：\"Isleptsowelllastnight，\"shesaidgratefully，\"andfeelsomuchbetterthismorning，thatIventuredout。Iseemtobedrinkinginhealthinthisclearsunlight。\"
\"Certainlymiss。AsIwassayin’，yourfathersayshisdaughterisinthecoach；andBillsays，sayshetome，’I’llpack——I’llcarrytheold——I’llbringupMrs。Mayfield，ifyou’llbringupthedaughter；’andwhenwecometothecoachIsawyouasleep——likeinthecorner，andbein’small，whymiss，youknowhownat’ralitis，I\"——
\"Oh，Mr。Jeff!Mr。Briggs!\"saidMissMayfieldplaintively，\"don’t，please——don’tspoilthebestcomplimentI’vehadinmanyayear。YouthoughtIwasachild，Iknow，and——well，youfind，\"shesaidaudaciously，suddenlybringingherblackeyestobearonhimlikearifle，\"youfind——well？\"
WhatJeffthoughtwasinaudiblebutnotinvisible。MissMayfieldsawenoughofitinhiseyetoprotestwithafaintcolorinhercheek。
ThusdoesNaturebetrayitselftoNaturetheworldover。
Thecolorfaded。\"It’sadreadfulthingtobesoweakandhelpless，andtoputeverybodytosuchtrouble，isn’tit，Mr。Jeff？Ibegyourpardon——yourauntcallsyouJeff。\"
\"PleasecallmeJeff，\"saidJeff，tohisownsurpriserapidlygainingcourage。\"Everybodycallsmethat。\"
MissMayfieldsmiled。\"IsupposeImustdowhateverybodydoes。SoitseemsthatwearetogiveyouthetroubleofkeepingushereuntilIgetbetterorworse？\"
\"Yes，miss。\"
\"ThereforeIwon’tdetainyounow。Ionlywantedtothankyouforyourgentlenesslastnight，andtoassureyouthatthebear—skindidnotgivememydeath。\"
Shesmiledandnoddedhersmallhead，andwrappedhershawlagaincloselyaroundhershoulders，andturnedhereyesuponthemountains，gestureswhichthenowquick—mindedJeffinterpretedasagentledismissal，andflewtoseekhisaunt。
Herehegrewpractical。Readymoneywasneeded；forthe\"Half—wayHouse\"wassuchapublicmonumentofill—luck，thatJeffhadnocredit。Hemustkeepupthetabletothelevelofthatfortunatebreakfast——todowhichhehad$1。50inthetill，leftbyBill，and$2。50producedbyhisAuntSallyfromherwork—basket。
\"WhynotaskMr。Mayfieldtoadvanceyesuthin？\"saidAuntSally。
ThebloodflewtoJeff’sface。\"Never!Don’tsaythatagain，aunty。\"
ThetoneandmannerweresounlikeJeffthattheoldladysatdownhalffrightened，andtakingthecornersofheraproninherhandsbegantowhimper。
\"Tharnow，aunty!Ididn’tmeannothin’，——onlyifyoucaretohavemeabouttheplaceanylonger，andIreckonit’slittlegoodIamanyway，\"headded，withanew—foundbitternessinhistone，\"ye’llnotaskmetodothat。\"
\"What’sgoneo’ye，Jeff？\"saidhisauntlugubriously；\"yeain’tnat’rallike。\"
Jefflaughed。\"Seehere，aunty；I’mgoin’totakeyouradvice。YouknowRabbit？\"
\"Themare？\"
\"Yes；I’mgoingtosellher。Theblacksmithofferedmeahundreddollarsforherlastweek。\"
\"Efye’ddonethatamonthago，Jeff，ezIwantedyeto，insteado’
keepingthebrutetoeatyeouto’houseandhome，ye’dbebetteroff。\"AuntSallyneverletslipanopportunityto\"improvetheoccasion，\"butpreferredtoexhortovertheprostratebodyofthe\"improved。\"\"Well，Ihopehemayn’tchangehismind。\"
Jeffsmiledatsuchsuggestionregardingthebesthorsewithinfiftymilesofthe\"Half—wayHouse。\"Neverthelesshewentbrisklytothestable，ledoutandsaddledahandsomegreymare，pettingherthewhile，andkeepinguparunningcommentaryofcaressingepithetstowhichRabbitrespondedwithawhinnyandplayfulreachesafterJeff’sredflannelsleeve。WhereatJeff，havinglovedthehorseuntilitwasdisplacedbyanothermistress，grewgraveandsuddenlythrewhisarmsaroundRabbit’sneck，andthentakingRabbit’snose，thrustitinthebosomofhisshirtandheldittheresilentlyforamoment。
Rabbitbecominguneasy，Jeff’smoodchangedtoo，andhavingcaparisonedhimselfandchargerintruevaquerostyle，notwithoutalittleMexicandandyismastothesetofhisdoeskintrousers，andthetieofhisredsash，putasombrerorakishlyonhiscurlsandleapedintothesaddle。
Jeffwasafairriderinacountrywhereridingwasunderstoodasanaturalinstinct，andnotasapurelyartificialhabitofhorseandrider，consequentlyhewasnotperchedup，jockeyfashion，withaknee—gripforhisbody，andarein—restforhisarmsonthebeast’smouth，butrodewithlong，loosestirrups，hislegsclaspingthebarrelofhishorse，hissinglereinlyinglooseuponherneck，leavingherheadfreeasthewind。Afterthisfashionhehadoftenemergedfromacloudofdustontheredmountainroad，strikingadmirationintotheheartsofthewayfarersandcoach—passengers，andleavingatrailofpleasantincenseinthedustbehindhim。Itwasthereforewithconsiderableconfidenceinhimself，andalittlehumanvanity，thathedashedroundthehouse，andthrewhismareskilfullyonherhaunchesexactlyafootbeforeMissMayfield——himselfaresplendentvisionofflyingriata，crimsonscarf，fawn—coloredtrousers，andjinglingsilverspurs。
\"KinIdoanythin’forye，miss，attheForks？\"
MissMayfieldlookedupquietly。\"Ithinknot，\"shesaidindifferently，asiftheflaming—Jeffwasaverycommonoccurrence。
Jeffherepermittedthemaretoboltfiftyyards，caughtherupsharply，swungherroundonheroffhindheel，permittedhertopawtheaironceortwicewithherwhite—stockingedfore—feet，andthen，withanotherdashforward，pulledherupagainjustbeforesheapparentlytookMissMayfieldandherchairinarunningleap。
\"Areyousure，miss？\"askedJeff，withaflushedfaceandaratherlugubriousvoice。
\"Quiteso，thankyou，\"shesaidcoldly，lookingpastthiscentaurtothewoodedmountainbeyond。
Jeff，thoroughlycrushed，waspacingmeeklyawaywhenachildlikevoicestoppedhim。
\"Ifyouaregoingnearacarpenter’sshopyoumightgetanewshutterformywindow；itblewawaylastnight。\"
\"Itdid，miss？\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheshrillvoiceofAuntSally，fromthedoorway，\"incourseitdid!Yemustbecrazy，Jeff，fortharitstandsinNo。8，wharyemusthaveputitafteryepickeditupoutside。\"
Jeff，consciousthatMissMayfield’seyeswereonhissuffusedface，stammered\"thathewouldattendtoit，\"andputspurstothemare，eageronlytoescape。
Itwasnothisonlydiscomfiture；fortheblacksmith，seeingJeff’snervousnessandanxiety，wassuspiciousofsomethingwrong，astheworldisapttobe，andappeasedhisconscienceaftertheworldlyfashion，bydrivingahardbargainwiththedoubtfulbrotherinaffliction——themoralityofahorsetraderesidingalwayswiththeseller。WherebyMasterJeffreceivedonlyeightydollarsforhorseandoutfit——worthatleasttwohundred——andwasalsomulctedoffortydollars，principalandinterestforpastserviceoftheblacksmith。
Jeffwalkedhomewithfortydollarsinhispocket——capitaltoprosecutehishonestcallingofinnkeeper；theblacksmithretiredtoanadjoiningtaverntodiscussJeff’saffairs，andfurtherreducehiscredit。YetIdoubtwhichwasthehappier——theblacksmithestimatinghispossiblegains，anddoubtfulofsomeuncertainsequenceinhisluck，orJeff，temporarilyrelieved，boundlesslyhopeful，andfilledwiththevaguedelightsofafirstpassion。TheonlydiscontentedbruteinthewholetransactionwaspoorRabbit，who，missingcertainattentions，becameindignant，afterthemannerofhersex，bitapieceoutofhercrib，kickedaholeinherbox，andreceivingabadcharacterfromtheblacksmith，gaveaworseonetoherlatemaster。
Jeff’spurchaseswereofatemporaryandornamentalquality，butnotalwaysjudiciousasapermanentinvestment。OverhearingsomeremarkfromMissMayfieldconcerningthedangerouscharacterofthetwo—
tinedsteelfork，whichwaspartofthetableequipageofthe\"Half—
wayHouse，\"hepurchasedhalfadozenofwhathisauntwaspleasedtospecifyas\"splitspoons，\"andtherebylosthislategoodstandingwithher。Henotonlyrepairedthewindow—shutter，buttemperedtheglaringwindowitselfwithabitofcurtain；hehalfcarpetedMissMayfield’sbed—roomwithwild—catskinsandthenowhistoricalbear—
skin，andfelthimselfoverpaidwhenthatyounglady，passingthesofttabbyskinsacrosshercheek，declaredtheywere\"lovely。\"ForMissMayfield，deprecatingslaughterintheabstract，accepteditsresultsgratefully，liketherestofhersex，andwhilewillingto\"letthehartungalledplay，\"neverthelesswasabletoconsoleherselfwithitsvenison。Thewoods，besidesyieldingaidandcomfortofthiskindtothedistresseddamsel，wereflamboyantwithvividspringblossoms，andJefflitupthecold，whitewallsofhervirgincellwithdemonstrativecolor，andmade——whathisaunt，acleanlysoul，whoseideasofthatqualitywerebasedupontheabsenceofanycolorwhatever，called——\"alitter。\"
TheresultofwhichwastomakeMissMayfield，otherwiselanquidandennuye，welcomeJeff’spresencewithasmile；tomakeJeff，otherwiseanxious，eager，andkeenlyattentive，muteandsilentinherpresence。TwosymptomsbadforJeff。
MeantimeMr。Mayfield’ssmallconventionalspiritpinedforfellowship，onlytobefoundinlargercivilizations，andsought，underpleaofbusiness，avisittoSacramento，whereafewoftheMayfieldtype，stillsurviving，weretobefound。
ThiswasarelieftoJeff，whoonlythroughhisregardforthedaughter，waskeptfromopenquarrelwiththefather。HefanciedMissMayfieldfeltrelievedtoo，althoughJeffhadnoticedthatMayfieldhaddeferredtohisdaughtermoreoftenthanhiswife——overwhomyourconventionalsmallautocratisalwaysvictorious。Ittakesthelegalmatrimonialcontracttoproperlydevelopthefirst—classtyrant，maleorfemale。
OnoneofthesedaysJeffwasreturningthroughthewoodsfrommarketingattheForks，which，sincethesaleofRabbit，hadbecameafoot—soreandtediousbusiness。Hehadreachedtheedgeoftheforest，andthroughthewider—spacedtrees，thebleaksunlitplateauofhishousewasbeginningtoopenout，whenhestoppedinstantly。
IknownotwhatJeffhadbeenthinkingof，ashetrudgedalong，buthere，allatonce，hewasthrilledandpossessedwiththeodorofsomefaint，foreignperfume。Heflushedalittleatfirst，andthenturnedpale。Nowthewoodswereasfullofasdelicate，assubtle，asgrateful，and，Iwot，farhealthierandpurerodorsthanthis；butthisrepresentedtoJeffthephysicalcontiguityofMissMayfield，whohadtheknack——peculiartosomeofhersex——ofselectingaperfumethatideallyidentifiedher。Jefflookedaroundcautiously；
atthefootofatreehardbylayoneofherwraps，stillredolentofher。Jeffputdownthebagwhich，inlieuofamarketbasket，hewascarryingonhisshoulder，andwithablushingfacehiditbehindatree。Itcontainedherdinner!
Hetookafewstepsforwardswithanassumptionofeaseandunconsciousness。Thenhestopped，fornotahundredyardsdistantsat——MissMayfieldonamossyboulder，hercloakhangingfromhershoulders，herhandsclaspedroundhercrossedknees，andonelittlefootout——anexasperatingcombinationofEvangelineandlittleRedRidingHoodineverything，Ifear，butcredulousnessandself—
devotion。Shelookedupashewalkedtowardsher（nonconstatthatthelittlewitchhadnotalreadyseenhimhalfamileaway!）andsmiledsweetlyasshelookedathim。Sosweetly，indeed，thatpoorJefffeltlikethehulkingwolfoftheoldworldfable，andhesitated——asthatwolfdidnot。TheCaliforniafaunaehavepossiblydepreciated。
\"Comehere!\"shecried，inasmallheadvoice，notunlikeabird’stwitter。
Jefflumberedonclumsily。Hishighbootshadbecomesuddenlyveryheavy。
\"I’msogladtoseeyou。I’vejusttiredpoormotherout——I’malwaystiringpeopleout——andshe’sgonebacktothehousetowriteletters。
Sitdown，Mr。Jeff，do，please!\"
Jeff，feelinguncomfortablylargeinMissMayfield’spresence，painfullyseatedhimselfontheedgeofaverylowstone，whichhadtheeffectofbringinghiskneesuponalevelwithhischin，andaffectedaneaseglaringlysimulated。
\"Orliedown，there，Mr。Jeff——itissocomfortable。\"
Jeff，withadreadfulconvictionthathewascrashingdownlikeafallingpine—tree，managedatlasttoacquirearecumbentpositionatarespectfuldistancefromthelittlefigure。
\"There，isn’titnice？\"
\"Yes，MissMayfield。\"
\"But，perhaps，\"saidMissMayfield，nowthatshehadhimdown，\"perhapsyoutoohavegotsomethingtodo。Dearme!I’mlikethatnaughtyboyinthestory—book，whowentroundtoalltheanimals，inturn，askingthemtoplaywithhim。Hecouldonlyfindthebutterflywhohadnothingtodo。Idon’twonderhewasdisgusted。Ihatebutterflies。\"
Loveclarifiestheintellect!Jeff，astonishedathimself，burstout，\"Why，lookyer，MissMayfield，thebutterflyonlyhezadayortwoto——to——toliveand——behappy!\"
MissMayfieldcrossedherkneesagain，andinstantly，afterthesublimefashionofhersex，scatteredhisintellectbyaswifttransitionfromtheabstracttotheconcrete。\"Butyou’renotabutterfly，Mr。Jeff。You’realwaysdoingsomething。You’vebeenhunting。\"
\"No—o!\"saidJeff，scarlet，ashethoughtofhisguninpawnatthe\"Summit。\"
\"Butyoudohunt；Iknowit。\"
\"How？\"
\"YoushotthosequailformethemorningafterIcame。Iheardyougoout——early——veryearly。\"
\"Why，youallowedyousleptsowellthatnight，MissMayfield。\"
\"Yes；butthere’sakindofdelicioushalf—sleepthatsickpeoplehavesometimes，whentheyknowandaregratefullyconsciousthatotherpeoplearedoingthingsforthem，anditmakesthemrestallthesweeter。\"
Therewasadeadsilence。Jeff，thrillingallover，darednotsayanythingtodispelhisdeliciousdream。MissMayfield，alarmedathisreadinesswiththebutterflyillustration，stoppedshort。Theybothlookedattheprospect，atthedistant\"SummitHotel\"——ameresnow—driftonthemountain——attheclearsunlightonthebarrenplateau，atthebleak，uncompromising\"Half—wayHouse，\"andsaidnothing。
\"Ioughttobeverygrateful，\"atlastbeganMissMayfield，inquiteanothervoice，andasuggestionthatshewasnowapproachingrealandprofitableconversation，\"thatI’msomuchbetter。Thismountainairhasbeenlikebalmtome。IfeelIamgrowingstrongerdaybyday。
Idonotwonderthatyouaresohealthyandsostrongasyouare，Mr。Jeff。\"
Jeff，whoreallydidnotknowbeforethathewassohealthy，apologeticallyadmittedthefact。Atthesametime，hewasmiserablyconsciousthatMissMayfield’scondition，despiteherillhealth，wasverysuperiortohisown。
\"Amonthago，\"shecontinuedreflectively，\"mymotherwouldneverhavethoughtitpossibletoleavemeherealone。Perhapsshemaybegettingworriednow。\"
MissMayfieldhadcalculatedovermuchonJeff’srecumbentposition。
Tohersurpriseandslightmortification，heroseinstantlytohisfeet，andsaidanxiously\"Efyouthinkso，miss，p’rapsI’mkeepingyouhere。\"
\"Notatall，Mr。Jeff。Yourbeinghereisasufficientexcuseformystaying，\"shereplied，withthelargedignityofasmallbody。
Jeff，mentallyandphysicallycrushedagain，camedownalittleheavierthanbefore，andreclinedhumblyatherfeet。Secondknock—
downblowforMissMayfield。
\"Come，Mr。Jeff，\"saidthetriumphantgoddess，inherfirstvoice，\"tellmesomethingaboutyourself。Howdoyoulivehere——Imean；
whatdoyoudo？Youride，ofcourse——andverywelltoo，Icantellyou!Butyouknowthat。Andofcoursethatscarfandthesilverspursandthewholedashingequipagearenotintendedentirelyforyourself。No!Someyoungwomanismadehappybythatexhibition，ofcourse。Well，then，there’stheridingdowntoseeher，andperhapstheridingoutwithher，and——whatelse？\"
\"MissMayfield，\"saidJeff，suddenlyrisingabovehiselbowandhisgrammar，\"tharisn’tnoyoungwoman!Tharisn’tanothersoulexceptyourselfthatI’velaideyeson，orcaredtoseesinceI’vebeenyer。
Efmyaunthezbeentellingyethat——she’s——she——she——she——she——
lies。\"
Absolute，undilutedtruth，evenofacomplimentarynature，isconfoundingtomostwomen。MissMayfieldwasnoexceptiontohersex。Shefirstlaughed，asshefeltsheoughtto，andproperlymightwithanyothermanthanJeff；thenshegotfrightened，andsaidhurriedly，\"No，no!youmisunderstandme。Youraunthassaidnothing。\"Andthenshestoppedwithapinkspotonhercheek—bones。
FirstbloodforJeff!
Nowthiswouldneverdo；itwasworsethanthebutterflies!Sherosetoherfullheight——fourfeetelevenandahalf——anddrewhercloakoverhershoulders。\"IthinkIwillreturntothehouse，\"shesaidquietly；\"IsupposeIoughtnottoovertaskmystrength。\"
\"You’dbetterletmegowithyou，miss，\"saidJeffsubmissively。
\"Iwill，ononecondition，\"shesaid，recoveringherarchness，withalittlevenominit，Ifear。\"Youweregoinghome，too，whenIcalledtoyou。Now，Idonotintendtoletyouleavethatbagbehindthattree，andthenhavetocomebackforit，justbecauseyoufeelobligedtogowithme。Bringitwithyouononearm，andI’lltaketheother，orelse——I’llgoalone。Don’tbealarmed，\"sheaddedsoftly；\"I’mstrongerthanIwasthefirstnightIcame，whenyoucarriedmeandallmyworldlygoodsbesides。\"
Sheturneduponhimhersubtlemagneticeyes，andlookedathimasshehadthefirstnighttheymet。Jeffturnedawaybewildered，butpresentlyappearedagainwiththebagonhisshoulder，andherwraponhisarm。Assheslippedherlittlehandoverhissleeve，hebegan，apologeticallyandnervously\"WhenIsaidthataboutAuntSally，miss，I\"——
Thehandimmediatelybecamelimp，thegraspconventional。
\"Iwasmad，miss，\"Jeffblunderedon，\"andIdon’tseehowyoubelievedit——knowingeverythingezyoudo。\"
\"HowknowingeverythingasIdo？\"askedMissMayfieldcoldly。
\"Why，aboutthequail，andaboutthebag!\"
\"Oh，\"saidMissMayfield。
Fiveminuteslater，YubaBillnearlyditchedhiscoachinhisutteramazementatanapparentlysimplespectacle——atall，good—lookingyoungfellow，inaredshirtandhighboots，carryingabagonhisback，andbesidehim，hangingconfidentiallyonhisarm，asmall，slight，prettygirlinaredcloak。\"Nothingmeanabouther，eh，Bill？\"saidasadmiringbox—passenger。\"Youngcouple，Ireckon，justoutfromtheStates。\"
\"No!\"roaredBill。
\"Oh，well，hissweetheart，Ireckon？\"suggestedthebox—passenger。
\"Narytime!\"growledBill。\"Lookyer!Iknow’emboth，andtheyknowsme。Didyenotisssheneverdropshisarmwhensheseesthestagecomin’，butkindertrapesalongjistthesame？Hadtheybeencourtin’，she’dhevdroppedhisarmlikepizen，andwalkedont’othersidetheroad。\"
Nevertheless，forsomeoccultreason，Billwasevidentlyoutofhumor；andforthenextfewmilesexhortedtheimpenitentBlueGrasshorsewithconsiderablefervor。
Meanwhilethispair，outwardlythepictureofpastoralconjugality，slowlydescendedthehill。Inthatbrieftime，failingtogetatanyfurtherfactsregardingJeff’slife，orperhapsreadingthestoryquiteplainly，MissMayfieldhadtwitteredprettilyaboutherself。
ShepaintedhertropiclifeintheSandwichIslands——herdelicious\"laziness，\"asshecalledit；\"for，youknow，\"sheadded，\"althoughIhadtheexcuseofbeinganinvalid，andoflivinginthelaziestclimateintheworld，andofhavingmoney，Ithink，Mr。Jeff，thatI’mnaturallylazy。PerhapsifIlivedherelongenough，andgotwellagain，Imightdosomething，butIdon’tthinkIcouldeverbelikeyouraunt。Andtheresheisnow，Mr。Jeff，makingsignsforyoutohasten。No，don’tmindme，butrunonahead；elseIshallhaveherblamingmefordemoralizingyoutoo。Go；Iinsistuponit!
Icanwalktherestofthewayalone。Willyougo？Youwon’t？ThenIshallstophereandnotstiranotherstepforwarduntilyoudo。\"
Shestopped，halfjestingly，halfearnestly，inthemiddleoftheroad，andemphasizedherdeterminationwithanodofherhead——anactionthat，however，shookherhatfirstrakishlyoveroneeye，andthenontheground。AtwhichJefflaughed，pickeditup，presentedittoher，andthenranofftothehouse。
III。
Hisauntmethimangrilyontheporch。\"Tharyeareatlast，andyer’sastrangerwaitintoseeyou。He’sbeenaxinallsortso’questions，aboutthehouseandthebusiness，andkindersnoopin’
roundpermiskiss。Idon’tlikehislooks，Jeff，butthet’snoreasonwhyyeshouldbegallivantin’roundinbusinesshours。\"
Alarge，thick—setman，withamechanicalsmilethatwasanovertactoffalsepretense，waslounginginthebar—room。Jeffdimlyrememberedtohaveseenhimatthelastcountyelection，distributingticketsatthepolls。ThisgaveJeffaslightprejudiceagainsthim，butagreaterpresentimentofsomevagueevilintheaircausedhimtomotionthestrangertoanemptyroomintheangleofthehousebehindthebarroom，whichwastoonearthehallthroughwhichMissMayfieldmustpresentlypass。
Itwasaninfelicitousactofprecaution，foratthatverymomentMissMayfieldslowlypassedbeneathitsopenwindow，andseeingherchairinthesunnyangle，droppedintoitforrestandpossiblymeditation。Consequentlysheoverheardeverywordofthefollowingcolloquy。