I
OnOctober10，1856，aboutfourhundredpeoplewerecampedinTasajaraValley，California。Itcouldnothavebeenfortheprospect，sinceamorebarren，dreary，monotonous，anduninvitinglandscapeneverstretchedbeforehumaneye;itcouldnothavebeenforconvenienceorcontiguity，asthenearestsettlementwasthirtymilesaway;itcouldnothavebeenforhealthorsalubrity，asthebreathoftheague-hauntedtulesintheoutlyingStocktonmarshessweptthroughthevalley;itcouldnothavebeenforspaceorcomfort，for，encampedonanunlimitedplain，menandwomenwerehuddledtogetherascloselyasinanurbantenement-house，withoutthefreedomordecencyofruralisolation;itcouldnothavebeenforpleasantcompanionship，asdejection，mentalanxiety，tears，andlamentationwerethedominantexpression;itwasnotahurriedflightfrompresentorimpendingcalamity，forthecamphadbeendeliberatelyplanned，andforaweekpioneerwagonshadbeenslowlyarriving;itwasnotanirrevocableexodus，forsomehadalreadyreturnedtotheirhomesthatothersmighttaketheirplaces。Itwassimplyareligiousrevivalofoneortwodenominationalsects，knownasa\"camp-meeting。\"
Alargecentraltentservedfortheassemblingoftheprincipalcongregation;smallertentsservedforprayer-meetingsandclass-
rooms，knowntothefewunbelieversas\"side-shows\";whiletheactualdwellingsoftheworshiperswererudelyextemporizedshantiesofboardsandcanvas，sometimesmerecorralsorinclosuresopentothecloudlesssky，ormoreoftentheunhitchedcoveredwagonwhichhadbroughtthemthere。Thesingularresemblancetoacircus，alreadyprofanelysuggested，wascarriedoutbyastragglingfringeofboysandhalf-grownmenontheoutskirtsoftheencampment，acrimoniouswithdisappointedcuriosity，lazywithoutthecarelesseaseofvagrancy，andviciouswithouttheexcitementofdissipation。Forthecoarsepovertyandbrutaleconomyofthelargerarrangements，thedrearypanoramaofunlovelyandunwholesomedomesticdetailsalwaysbeforetheeyes，werehardlyexcitingtothesenses。Thecircusmighthavebeenmoredangerous，butscarcelymorebrutalizing。Theactorsthemselves，hardandaggressivethroughpracticalstruggles，oftenwarpedandtwistedwithchronicformsofsmallerdiseases，ormalformedandcrippledthroughcarelessnessandneglect，andrestlessanduneasythroughsomevaguementaldistressandinquietudethattheyhadaddedtotheirburdens，werescarcelyamusingperformers。TherheumaticParkinsons，fromGreenSprings;theophthalmicFilgees，fromAlderCreek;theague-strickenHarneys，fromMartinezBend;
andthefeeble-limbedSteptons，fromSugarMill，might，intheircombinedfamilies，havesuggestedahospital，ratherthananyothersocialassemblage。Eventheircompanionship，whichhadlittleofcheerfulfellowshipinit，wouldhavebeengrotesquebutforthepatheticinstinctofsomemutualvagueappealfromthehardnessoftheirlivesandthehelplessnessoftheirconditionsthathadbroughtthemtogether。NorwasthisappealtoaHigherPoweranythelesspatheticthatitborenoreferencewhatevertotheirrespectiveneedsordeficiencies，butwasalwaysaninvocationforalightwhich，whentheybelievedtheyhadfoundit，tounregenerateeyesscarcelyseemedtoilluminetheruggedpathinwhichtheirfeetwerecontinuallystumbling。Onemighthavesmiledattheideaofthevendetta-followingFergusesprayingfor\"justificationbyFaith，\"buttheactualspectacleofoldSimonFergus，whoseshot-gunwasstillinhiswagon，offeringupthatappealwithstreamingeyesandagonizedfeatureswaspainfulbeyondadoubt。Toseekandobtainanexaltationoffeelingvaguelyknownas\"It，\"orlessvaguelyveilingasacredname，wastheburdenofthegeneralappeal。
Thelargetenthadbeenfilled，andbetweentheexhortationsacertaingloomyenthusiasmhadbeenkeptupbysinging，whichhadtheeffectofcontinuinginaneasy，rhythmical，impersonal，andirresponsiblewaythesympathiesofthemeeting。Thiswasinterruptedbyayoungmanwhorosesuddenly，withthatspontaneityofimpulsewhichcharacterizedthespeakers，butunlikehispredecessors，heremainedforamomentmute，tremblingandirresolute。Thefatalhesitationseemedtochecktheunreasoning，monotonousflowofemotion，andtorecalltosomeextentthereasonandeventhecriticismoftheworshipers。Hestammeredaprayerwhoseearnestnesswasundoubted，whosehumilitywasbuttooapparent，buthiswordsfellonfacultiesalreadybenumbedbyrepetitionandrhythm。Aslightmovementofcuriosityintherearbenches，andawhisperthatitwasthemaideneffortofanewpreacher，helpedtoprolongtheinterruption。Aheavymanofstrongphysicalexpressionsprangtotherescuewithahystericalcryof\"Glory！\"andatumultuousfluencyofepithetandsacredadjuration。Stillthemeetingwavered。Withonefinalparoxysmalcry，thepowerfulmanthrewhisarmsaroundhisnearestneighborandburstintosilenttears。Ananxioushushfollowed;thespeakerstillcontinuedtosobonhisneighbor’sshoulder。Almostbeforethefactcouldbecommentedupon，itwasnoticedthattheentirerankofworshipersonthebenchbesidehimwerecryingalso;thesecondandthirdrowswerespeedilydissolvedintears，untileventheveryyouthfulscoffersinthelastbenchessuddenlyfoundtheirhalf-hystericallaughterturnedtosobs。Thedangerwasaverted，thereactionwascomplete;thesingingcommenced，andinafewmomentsthehaplesscauseoftheinterruptionandthemanwhohadretrievedthedisasterstoodtogetheroutsidethetent。Ahorsewaspicketednearthem。
Thevictorwasstillpantingfromhislateexertions，andwasmoreorlessdiluvialineyeandnostril，butneithereyenornostrilboretheslightesttremorofotherexpression。Hisfacewasstolidandperfectlyinkeepingwithhisphysique，——heavy，animal，andunintelligent。
\"YeoughtertrustedintheLord，\"hesaidtotheyoungpreacher。
\"ButIdid，\"respondedtheyoungman，earnestly。
\"That’sit。Justifyin’yourselfbyworksinsteado’leanin’ontoHim！FindHim，sezyou！GitHim，sezyou！Worksisvain。Glory！
glory！\"hecontinued，withfluentvacuityandwandering，dull，observanteyes。
\"ButifIhadalittlemorepracticeinclass，BrotherSilas，moreeducation？\"
\"Theletterkilleth，\"interruptedBrotherSilas。Herehiswanderingeyestookdullcognizanceoftwofemalefacespeeringthroughtheopeningofthetent。\"No，yermishun，BrotherGideon，istoseekHimintheby-ways，inthewilderness，——wherethefoxeshevholesandtheravenshevtheiryoung，——butnotintheTemplesofthepeople。WotsezSisterParsons？\"
Oneofthefemalefacesdetacheditselffromthetentflaps，whichitnearlyresembledincolor，andbroughtforwardanangularfigureclothedinfadedfustianthathadtakenthevariousshadesandodorsofhouseholdservice。
\"BrotherSilasspeakswell，\"saidSisterParsons，withstridulousfluency。\"It’sfore-ordained。Fore-ordinashunisbetternorordinashun，saiththeLord。Heshallgoforth，turnin’neithertotherighthandnorthelefthand，andseekHimamongthelosttribesandtheungodly。HeshallputasidethetemptashunofMammonandtheflesh。\"HereyesandthoseofBrotherSilasherebothsoughttheotherfemaleface，whichwasthatofayounggirlofseventeen。
\"WotsezlittleSisterMeely，——wotsezMeelyParsons？\"continuedBrotherSilas，asifrepeatinganunctuousformula。
Theyounggirlcamehesitatinglyforward，andwithanervouscryof\"Oh，Gideon！\"threwherselfonthebreastoftheyoungman。
Foramomenttheyremainedlockedineachother’sarms。Inthepromiscuousandfraternalembracingswhichwereapartofthedevotionalexercisesofthehour，theactpassedwithoutsignificance。Theyoungmangentlyraisedherface。Shewasyoungandcomely，albeitmarkedwithahalf-frightened，half-vacantsorrow。\"Amen，\"saidBrotherGideon，gravely。
Hemountedhishorseandturnedtogo。BrotherSilashadclaspedhispowerfularmsaroundbothwomenandwasholdingtheminaponderousembrace。
\"Goforth，youngman，intothewilderness。\"
Theyoungmanbowedhishead，andurgedhishorseforwardinthebleakandbarrenplain。Inhalfanhoureveryvestigeofthecampanditsunwholesomesurroundingswaslostinthedistance。Itwasasifthestrongdesiccatingwind，whichseemedtospringupathishorse’sfeet，hadcleanlyerasedtheflimsystructuresfromthefaceoftheplain，sweptawaythelighterbreathofpraiseandplaint，anddrieduptheeasy-flowingtears。Theairwasharshbutpure;thegrimeconomyofformandshadeandcolorinthelevelplainwascoarsebutnotvulgar;theskyabovehimwascoldanddistantbutnotrepellent;themoisturethathadbeendeniedhiseyesattheprayer-meetingoverflowedthemhere;thewordsthathadchokedhisutteranceanhouragonowrosetohislips。Hethrewhimselffromhishorse，andkneelinginthewitheredgrass——amereatomintheboundlessplain——liftedhispalefaceagainsttheirresponsiveblueandprayed。
Heprayedthattheunselfishdreamofhisbitterboyhood，hisdisappointedyouth，mightcometopass。Heprayedthathemightinhigherhandsbecomethehumbleinstrumentofgoodtohisfellow-
man。Heprayedthatthedeficienciesofhisscanteducation，hisself-taughtlearning，hishelplessisolation，andhisinexperiencemightbeoverlookedorreinforcedbygrace。HeprayedthattheInfiniteCompassionmightenlightenhisignoranceandsolitudewithamanifestationoftheSpirit;inhisveryweaknessheprayedforsomespecialrevelation，somesignortoken，somevisitationorgraciousunbendingfromthatcoldlyliftingsky。Thelowsunburnedtheblackedgeofthedistanttuleswithdulleatingfiresasheprayed，litthedwarfedhillswithabriefbutineffectualradiance，andthendiedout。Thelingeringtradewindsfiredafewvolleysoveritsgraveandthenlapsedintoachillysilence。Theyoungmanstaggeredtohisfeet;itwasquitedarknow，butthecomingnighthadadvancedafewstarryvedettessoneartheplaintheylookedlikehumanwatch-fires。Foraninstanthecouldnotrememberwherehewas。Thenalighttrembledfardownattheentranceofthevalley。BrotherGideonrecognizedit。ItwasinthelonelyfarmhouseofthewidowofthelastCircuitpreacher。
II
TheabodeofthelateReverendMarvinHilerremainedinthedisorganizedconditionhehadleftitwhenremovedfromhissphereofearthlyuselessnessandcontinuousaccident。Thestragglingfencethatonlyhalfinclosedthehouseandbarnhadstoppedatthatpointwherethetwodeaconswhohadeachvolunteeredtodoaday’sworkonithadcompletedtheirallottedtime。ThebuildingofthebarnhadbeenarrestedwhenthehalfloadoftimbercontributedbySugarMillbrethrenwasexhausted，andthreewindowsgivenby\"ChristianSeekers\"atMartinezpainfullyaccentedtheboardedspacesfortheotherthreethat\"UnknownFriends\"inTasajarahadpromisedbutnotyetsupplied。Intheclearingsometreesthathadbeenfelledbutnottakenawayaddedtothegeneralincompleteness。
SomethingofthisunfinishedcharacterclungtotheWidowHilerandasserteditselfinherthreechildren，oneofwhomwasconsistentlyposthumous。Prematurelyoldandprematurelydisappointed，shehadalltheinexperienceofgirlhoodwiththecaresofmaternity，andkeptinherfamilycirclethefreshnessofanoldmaid’smisogynisticantipathieswithacertainguiltyandremorsefulconsciousnessofwidowhood。Shesupportedthemeagrehouseholdtowhichherhusbandhadcontributedonlytheextramouthstofeedwithreproachfulastonishmentandwearyincapacity。Shehadlongsincegrowntiredoftryingtomakebothendsmeet，ofwhichshedeclared\"theLordhadtakenone。\"Duringhertwoyears’widowhoodshehadwaitedonProvidence，whobyapleasinglocalfictionhadbeenmaderesponsibleforthedisusedandcast-offfurnitureandclothingwhich，accompaniedwithscripturaltexts，foundtheirwaymysteriouslyintoherfewhabitablerooms。Theprovidentialmannawasnotalwaysfresh;theravenswhofedherandherlittleoneswithflourfromtheSugarMillsdidnotalwaysselectthebestquality。Smallwonderthat，sittingbyherlonelyhearthstone，——aborrowedstovethatsupplementedtheunfinishedfireplace，——
surroundedbyhermismatchedfurnitureandcladinmisfittinggarments，shehadcontractedahabitofsnifflingduringherdrearywatches。Inherweakermomentssheattributedittogrief;inherstrongerintervalssheknewthatitsprangfromdampanddraught。
Inherapathythesoundofhorses’hoofsatherunprotecteddoorevenatthathourneithersurprisednoralarmedher。SheliftedherheadasthedooropenedandthepalefaceofGideonDeanelookedintotheroom。Shemovedasidethecradleshewasrocking，and，takingasaucepanandtea-cupfromachairbesideher，absentlydusteditwithherapron，andpointingtothevacantseatsaid，\"Takeachair，\"asquietlyasifhehadsteppedfromthenextroominsteadoftheouterdarkness。
\"I’llputupmyhorsefirst，\"saidGideongently。
\"Sodo，\"respondedthewidowbriefly。
Gideonledhishorseacrosstheinclosure，stumblingovertheheapsofrubbish，driedchips，andweather-beatenshavingswithwhichitwasstrewn，untilhereachedtheunfinishedbarn，wherehetemporarilybestowedhisbeast。Thentakingarustyaxe，bythefaintlightofthestars，heattackedoneofthefallentreeswithsuchenergythatattheendoftenminuteshereappearedatthedoorwithanarmfulofcutboughsandchips，whichhequietlydepositedbehindthestove。Observingthathewasstillstandingasiflookingforsomething，thewidowliftedhereyesandsaid，\"Efit’sthebucket，Ireckonye’llfinditatthespring，whereoneofthemfoolishFilgeeboysleftit。I’vebeenthattuckeredoutsenssundown，Iain’thadtheambitiontogoandtoteitback。\"
WithoutawordGideonrepairedtothespring，filledthemissingbucket，replacedthehoopontheloosenedstavesofanotherhefoundlyinguselessbesideit，andagainreturnedtothehouse。
Thewidowoncemorepointedtothechair，andGideonsatdown。
\"It’squiteaspellsensyouwoshere，\"saidtheWidowHiler，returningherfoottothecradle-rocker;\"notsensyerwasordained。Be’npracticin’，Ireckon，atthemeetin’。\"
Aslightcolorcameintohischeek。\"Myplaceisnotthere，SisterHiler，\"hesaidgently;\"it’sforthosewiththegifto’tongues。
Igoforthonlyacommonlaborerinthevineyard。\"Hestoppedandhesitated;hemighthavesaidmore，butthewidow，whowasfamiliarwiththatkindofhumilityastheordinaryperfunctoryexpressionofherclass，suggestednosympatheticinterestinhismission。
\"Thar’sadealo’talkoverthere，\"shesaiddryly，\"andthar’sfolksezthinksthar’sadealo’moneyspentinpicnickingtheGospelthatmightbegiventothemezwishtospreadit，ortotheirwidowsandchildren。Butthatdon’tconsarnyou，BrotherGideon。SisterParsonshezmoneyenoughtosettleherdarterMeelycomfortablyonherownland;andI’veheardtellthatyouandMeelywasonlywaitin’tillyouwasordainedtobejinedtogether。
You’llhevaneasiertimeofit，BrotherGideon，thanpoorMarvinHilerhad，\"shecontinued，suppressinghertearswithacertainastringencythattooktheplaceofherlostpride;\"buttheLordwillsthatsomeshouldbetriedandsomenot。\"
\"ButIamnotgoingtomarryMeelyParsons，\"saidGideonquietly。
Thewidowtookherfootfromtherocker。\"NotmarryMeely！\"sherepeatedvaguely。Butrelapsingintoherdespondentmoodshecontinued：\"ThenIreckonit’struewhatotherfolkssezofBrotherSilasBraggleymakin’uptoherandhispowerfulexhortin’
influenceoverherma。FolkssezezSisterParsonshezjustresignedhersoulinterhiskeepin’。\"
\"BrotherSilashezaheavenlygift，\"saidtheyoungman，withgentleenthusiasm;\"andperhapsitmaybeso。Ifitis，itistheLord’swill。ButIdonotmarryMeelybecausemylifeandmywayshenceforthmustliefarbeyondhersphereofstrength。Ioughtn’ttodragayounginexperiencedsoulwithmetobattleandstruggleinthethornypathsthatImusttread。\"
\"Ireckonyouknowyourownmind，\"saidSisterHilergrimly。\"Butthar’sfolksezmightallowthatMeelyParsonsain’tanybetterthanothers，thatsheshouldn’thavehershareo’trialsandkeersandcrosses。Richesandbringin’updon’texemptfolksfromtheshadder。ImarriedMarvinHilerouterahouseezgoodezSisterParsons’，andatatimewhenoldCyrusParsonshadn’tarooftohisheadbutthecoveroftheemigrantwagonhekemacrosstheplainsin。ImightsayezMarvinknowedprettywellwotitwastohaveahelpmeetinhisministration，ifitwasn’tvanityofsperittosayitnow。Butthefleshisweak，BrotherGideon。\"Herinfluenzahereresolveditselfintounmistakabletears，whichshewipedawaywiththefirstarticlethatwasaccessibleinthework-bagbeforeher。AsitchancedtobeablacksilkneckerchiefofthedeceasedHiler，theresultwasfunereal，suggestive，butpracticallyineffective。
\"YouwereagoodwifetoBrotherHiler，\"saidtheyoungmangently。
\"Everybodyknowsthat。\"
\"It’ssuthin’tothinkofsincehe’sgone，\"continuedthewidow，bringingherworknearertohereyestoadjustittotheirtear-
dimmedfocus。\"It’ssuthin’tolaytoheartinthelonelydaysandnightswhenthar’snomanroundtofetchwaterandwoodandlendahandtodoin’chores;it’ssuthin’toremember，withhisthreechildrentofeed，andlittleSelby，theeldest，thatvainanduselessthathecan’teventotethebabyroundwhileIdotheworkofahiredman。\"
\"It’sahardtrial，SisterHiler，\"saidGideon，\"buttheLordhasHisappointedtime。\"
FamiliarasconsolationbyvaguequotationwastoSisterHiler，therewasanoccultsympathyinthetoneinwhichthiswasofferedthatliftedherforaninstantoutofhernarrowerself。Sheraisedhereyestohis。Thepersonalabstractionofthedevoteehadnoplaceinthedeepdarkeyesthatwereliftedfromthecradletoherswithasad，discriminating，andalmostwomanlysympathy。
Surprisedoutofherselfishpreoccupation，shewasremindedofherapparentcallousnesstowhatmightbehispresentdisappointment。
Perhapsitseemedstrangetoher，too，thatthosetendereyesshouldgoa-begging。
\"Yertakin’aChristianviewofyerowndisappointment，BrotherGideon，\"shesaid，withlessastringencyofmanner;\"buteveryheartknowethitsownsorrer。I’llbegettin’suppernowthatthebaby’ssleepin’sound，andye’llsitbyandeat。\"
\"Ifyouletmehelpyou，SisterHiler，\"saidtheyoungmanwithacheerfulnessthatbeliedanyoverwhelmingheartaffection，andawakenedinthewidowafemininecuriosityastohisrealfeelingstoMeely。Butherfurtherquestioningwasmetwithafrank，amiable，andsimplebrevitythatwasaspuzzlingasthemostartfulperiphraseoftact。Accustomedasshewastotheloquacityofgriefandtheconfidingprolixityofdisappointedlovers，shecouldnotunderstandherguest’squiescentattitude。Hercuriosity，however，soongavewaytothehabitualcontemplationofherownsorrows，andshecouldnotforegotheopportunepresenceofasympathizingauditortowhomshecouldrelieveherfeelings。Thepreparationsfortheeveningmealwerethereforeaccompaniedbyadrearymonotoneoflamentation。Shebewailedherlostyouth，herbriefcourtship，thestrugglesofherearlymarriedlife，herprematurewidowhood，herpenuriousandhelplessexistence，thedisruptionofallherpresentties，thehopelessnessofthefuture。
Sherehearsedtheunendingplaintofthoselongevenings，settothemusicoftherestlesswindaroundherbleakdwelling，withsomethingofitsstridulousreiteration。Theyoungmanlistened，andrepliedwithsoftlyassentingeyes，butwithoutpausinginthematerialaidthathewasquietlygivingher。Hehadremovedthecradleofthesleepingchildtothebedroom，quietedthesuddenwakefulnessof\"Pinkey，\"rearrangedthestragglingfurnitureofthesitting-roomwithmuchorderandtidiness，repairedthehingesofarebelliousshutterandthelockofanunyieldingdoor，andyethadapparentlyretainedanunabatedinterestinherspokenwoes。
Surprisedoncemoreintorecognizingthisdevotion，SisterHilerabruptlyarrestedhermonologue。
\"Well，ifyouain’tthehandiestmanIeverseedaboutahouse！\"
\"AmI？\"saidGideon，withsuddenlysparklingeyes。\"Doyoureallythinkso？\"
\"Ido。\"
\"Thenyoudon’tknowhowgladIam。\"Hisfrankfacesounmistakablyshowedhissimplegratificationthatthewidow，aftergazingathimforamoment，wassuddenlyseizedwithabewilderingfancy。Thefirsteffectofitwastheabruptwithdrawalofhereyes，thenasuddeneffusionofbloodtoherforeheadthatfinallyextendedtohercheekbones，andthenanintervalofforgetfulnesswheresheremainedwithaplateheldvaguelyinherhand。Whenshesucceededatlastinputtingitonthetableinsteadoftheyoungman’slap，shesaidinavoicequiteunlikeherown，——
\"Sho！\"
\"Imeanit，\"saidGideon，cheerfully。Afterapause，inwhichheunostentatiouslyrearrangedthetablewhichthewidowwasabstractedlydisorganizing，hesaidgently，\"Aftertea，whenyou’renotsomuchflusteredwithworkandworry，andmorecomposedinspirit，we’llhavealittletalk，SisterHiler。I’minnohurryto-night，andifyoudon’tmindI’llmakemyselfcomfortableinthebarnwithmyblanketuntilsun-upto-morrow。IcangetupearlyenoughtodosomeoddchoresroundthelotbeforeIgo。\"
\"Youknowbest，BrotherGideon，\"saidthewidow，faintly，\"andifyouthinkit’stheLord’swill，andnospeshaltroubletoyou，sodo。Butsakesalive！it’stimeItidiedmyselfalittle，\"shecontinued，liftingonehandtoherhair，whilewiththeothersheendeavoredtofastenabuttonlesscollar;\"leavin’alonethevanitieso’dress，it’sezmuchasonecandotokeepacleanragonwiththechildrenclimbin’overye。Sitby，andI’llbebackinaminit。\"Sheretiredtothebackroom，andinafewmomentsreturnedwithsmoothedhairandapalm-leafbrocheshawlthrownoverhershoulders，whichnotonlyconcealedtheravagesmadebytimeandmaternityonthegownbeneath，buttosomeextentgaveherthesuggestionofbeingacasualvisitorinherownhousehold。ItmustbeconfessedthatfortherestoftheeveningSisterHilerratherlentherselftothisidea，possiblyfromthefactthatittemporarilyobliteratedthechildren，andquiteremovedherfromanyresponsibilityintheunpicturesquehousehold。ThiseffectwasonlymarredbytheabsenceofanyimpressionuponGideon，whoscarcelyappearedtonoticethechange，andwhosesofteyesseemedrathertoidentifythemiserablewomanunderherforceddisguise。
Heprefacedthemealwithaferventgrace，towhichthewidowlistenedwithsomethingoftheconsciousattitudeshehadadoptedatchurchduringherlatehusband’sministration，andduringthemealsheatewithalikeconsciousnessof\"companymanners。\"
LaterthateveningSelbyHilerwokeupinhislittletrucklebed，listeningtotherisingmidnightwind，whichinhischildishfancyheconfoundedwiththesoundofvoicesthatcamethroughtheopendooroftheliving-room。Herecognizedthedeepvoiceoftheyoungminister，Gideon，andtheoccasionaltearfulresponsesofhismother，andhewasfancyinghimselfagainatchurchwhenheheardastep，andtheyoungpreacherseemedtoentertheroom，andgoingtothebedleanedoveritandkissedhimontheforehead，andthenbentoverhislittlebrotherandsisterandkissedthemtoo。Thenheslowlyre-enteredtheliving-room。Liftinghimselfsoftlyonhiselbow，Selbysawhimgouptowardshismother，whowascrying，withherheadonthetable，andkissheralsoontheforehead。
Thenhesaid\"Good-night，\"andthefrontdoorclosed，andSelbyheardhisfootstepscrossingthelottowardsthebarn。Hismotherwasstillsittingwithherfaceburiedinherhandswhenhefellasleep。
Shesatbythedyingembersofthefireuntilthehousewasstillagain;thensheroseandwipedhereyes。\"Et’sagoodthing，\"shesaid，goingtothebedroomdoor，andlookinginuponhersleepingchildren;\"et’samercyandablessingforthemand——for——me。But——
but——hemight——hev——said——he——lovedme！\"
III
AlthoughGideonDeanecontrivedtofindanestforhisblanketinthemouldystrawoftheunfinishedbarnloft，hecouldnotsleep。
Herestlesslywatchedthestarsthroughthecracksoftheboardedroof，andlistenedtothewindthatmadethehalf-openstructureasvocalasasea-shell，untilpastmidnight。Onceortwicehehadfanciedheheardthetrampofhorse-hoofsonthefar-offtrail，andnowitseemedtoapproachnearer，mingledwiththesoundofvoices。
Gideonraisedhisheadandlookedthroughthedoorwayoftheloft。
Hewasnotmistaken：twomenhadhaltedintheroadbeforethehouse，andwereexaminingitasifuncertainifitwerethedwellingtheywereseeking，andwerehesitatingiftheyshouldrousetheinmates。Thinkinghemightsparethewidowthisdisturbancetoherslumbers，andpossiblysomealarm，herosequickly，anddescendingtotheinclosurewalkedtowardsthehouse。
Asheapproachedthemenadvancedtomeethim，andbyaccidentordesignrangedthemselvesoneitherside。Aglanceshowedhimtheywerestrangerstothelocality。
\"We’relookin’ferthepreacherthatliveshere，\"saidone，whoseemedtobetheelder。\"Amanbythenameo’Hiler，Ireckon！\"
\"BrotherHilerhasbeendeadtwoyears，\"respondedGideon。\"Hiswidowandchildrenlivehere。\"
Thetwomenlookedateachother。Theyoungeronelaughed;theeldermumbledsomethingaboutitsbeing\"threeyearsago，\"andthenturningsuddenlyonGideon，said：
\"P’r’apsYOU’REapreacher？\"
\"Iam。\"
\"Canyoucometoadyingman？\"
\"Iwill。\"
Thetwomenagainlookedateachother。\"But，\"continuedGideon，softly，\"you’llpleasekeepquietsoasnottodisturbthewidowandherchildren，whileIgetmyhorse。\"Heturnedaway;theyoungermanmadeamovementasiftostophim，buttheelderquicklyrestrainedhishand。\"Heisn’tgoin’torunaway，\"hewhispered。\"Look，\"headded，asGideonamomentlaterreappearedmountedandequipped。
\"Doyouthinkwe’llbeintime？\"askedtheyoungpreacherastheyrodequicklyawayinthedirectionofthetules。
Theyoungerrepressedalaugh;theotheransweredgrimly，\"I
reckon。\"
\"Andisheconsciousofhisdanger？\"
\"Ireckon。\"
Gideondidnotspeakagain。Butastheonusofthatsilenceseemedtorestupontheothertwo，thelastspeaker，afterafewmoments’
silentandrapidriding，continuedabruptly，\"Youdon’tseemcurious？\"
\"Ofwhat？\"saidGideon，liftinghissofteyestothespeaker。\"Youtellmeofabrotheratthepointofdeath，whoseekstheLordthroughanhumblevessellikemyself。HEwilltellmetherest。\"
Asilencestillmoreconstrainedonthepartofthetwostrangersfollowed，whichtheyendeavoredtoescapefrombyfuriousriding;
sothatinhalfanhourthepartyhadreachedapointwherethetulesbegantosapthearidplain，whilebeyondthembroadenedthelagoonsofthedistantriver。Intheforeground，nearaclumpofdwarfedwillows，acamp-firewasburning，aroundwhichfifteenortwentyarmedmenwerecollected，theirhorsespicketedinanoutercircleguardedbytwomountedsentries。Ablastedcotton-woodwithasingleblackarmextendedoverthetulesstoodominouslyagainstthedarksky。
Thecircleopenedtoreceivethemandclosedagain。TheeldermandismountedandleadingGideontotheblastedcotton-wood，pointedtoapinionedmanseatedatitsfootwithanarmedguardoverhim。
HelookedupatGideonwithanamusedsmile。
\"Yousaiditwasadyingman，\"saidGideon，recoiling。
\"Hewillbeadeadmaninhalfanhour，\"returnedthestranger。
\"Andyou？\"
\"WearetheVigilantesfromAlamo。Thisman，\"pointingtotheprisoner，\"isagamblerwhokilledamanyesterday。Wehuntedhimhere，triedhimanhourago，andfoundhimguilty。Thelastmanwehunghere，threeyearsago，askedforaparson。Webroughthimthemanwhousedtolivewherewefoundyou。Sowethoughtwe’dgivethismanthesameshow，andbroughtyou。\"
\"AndifIrefuse？\"saidGideon。
Theleadershruggedhisshoulders。
\"That’sHISlookout，notours。We’vegivenhimthechance。Driveahead，boys，\"headded，turningtotheothers;\"theparsonallowshewon’ttakeahand。\"
\"Onemoment，\"saidGideon，indesperation，\"onemoment，forthesakeofthatGodyouhavebroughtmeheretoinvokeinbehalfofthiswretchedman。Onemoment，forthesakeofHiminwhosepresenceyoumuststandonedayashedoesnow。\"WithpassionateearnestnesshepointedoutthevindictiveimpulsetheyweremistakingforDivinejustice;withpatheticfervencyhefelluponhiskneesandimploredtheirmercyfortheculprit。Butinvain。
Asatthecamp-meetingofthedaybefore，hewaschilledtofindhiswordsseemedtofallonunheedingandunsympatheticears。Helookedaroundontheirabstractedfaces;intheirgloomysavageenthusiasmforexpiatorysacrifice，hewashorrifiedtofindthesameunreasoningexaltationthathadcheckedhisexhortationsthen。
Onlyonefacelookeduponhis，halfmischievously，halfcompassionately。Itwastheprisoner’s。
\"Yerwastin’timeonus，\"saidtheleader，dryly;\"wastin’HIS
time。Hadn’tyoubettertalktohim？\"
Gideonrosetohisfeet，paleandcold。\"Hemayhavesomethingtoconfess。MayIspeakwithhimalone？\"hesaidgently。
Theleadermotionedtothesentrytofallback。Gideonplacedhimselfbeforetheprisonersothatinthefaintlightofthecamp-
firetheman’sfigurewaspartlyhiddenbyhisown。\"Youmeantwellwithyourlittlebluff，pardner，\"saidtheprisoner，notunkindly，\"butthey’vegotthecardstowin。\"
\"Kneeldownwithyourbacktome，\"saidGideon，inalowvoice。
Theprisonerfellonhisknees。AtthesametimehefeltGideon’shandandtheglidingofsteelbehindhisback，andtheseveredcordshunglooselyonhisarmsandlegs。
\"WhenIliftmyvoicetoGod，brother，\"saidGideon，softly，\"droponyourfaceandcrawlasfarasyoucaninastraightlineinmyshadow，thenbreakforthetules。Iwillstandbetweenyouandtheirfirstfire。\"
\"Areyoumad？\"saidtheprisoner。\"Doyouthinktheywon’tfirelesttheyshouldhurtyou？Man！they’llkillYOU，thefirstthing。\"
\"Sobeit——ifyourchanceisbetter。\"
Stillonhisknees，themangraspedGideon’stwohandsinhisownanddevouredhimwithhiseyes。
\"Youmeanit？\"
\"Ido。\"
\"Then，\"saidtheprisoner，quietly，\"IreckonI’llstopandhearwhatyou’vegottosayaboutGoduntilthey’reready。\"
\"Yourefusetofly？\"
\"IreckonIwasneverbetterfittedtodiethannow，\"saidtheprisoner，stillgraspinghishand。Afterapauseheaddedinalowertone，\"Ican’tpray——but——Ithink，\"hehesitated，\"IthinkI
couldmanagetoringinahymn。\"
\"Willyoutry，brother？\"
\"Yes。\"
Withtheirhandstightlyclaspedtogether，Gideonliftedhisgentlevoice。Theairwasacommonone，familiarinthelocalreligiousgatherings，andafterthefirstverseoneortwoofthesullenlookers-onjoinedunkindlyintherefrain。But，ashewenton，theairandwordsseemedtoofferavagueexpressiontothedullloweringanimalemotionofthesavageconcourse，andattheendofthesecondversetherefrain，augmentedinvolumeandswelledbyeveryvoiceinthecamp，sweptoutoverthehollowplain。
Itwasmetinthedistancebyafar-offcry。Withanoathtakingtheplaceofhissupplication，theleadersprangtohisfeet。Buttoolate！Thecrywasrepeatedasanearersloganofdefiance——theplainshook——therewasthetempestuousonsetoffurioushoofs——adozenshots——thescatteringoftheembersofthecamp-fireintoathousandvanishingsparksevenastheluridgatheringofsavagehumanitywasdispersedanddissipatedovertheplain，andGideonandtheprisonerstoodalone。ButasthesheriffofContraCostawithhisrescuingpossesweptby，themantheyhadcometosavefellforwardinGideon’sarmswithabulletinhisbreast——theParthianshotoftheflyingVigilanteleader。
TheeagercrowdthatsurgedaroundhimwithoutstretchedhelpinghandswouldhavehustledGideonaside。Butthewoundedmanrousedhimself，andthrowinganarmaroundtheyoungpreacher’sneck，warnedthembackwiththeother。\"Standback！\"hegasped。\"Heriskedhislifeformine！Lookathim，boys！Wantedterstandup’twixtthemhoundsandmeanddrawtheirfireonhimself！Ain’thejusthell？\"hestopped;anapologeticsmilecrossedhislips。\"I
cleanforgot，pardner;butit’sallright。IsaidIwasreadytogo;andIam。\"HisarmslippedfromGideon’sneck;heslidtotheground;hehadfainted。
Adark，military-lookingmanpushedhiswaythroughthecrowd——thesurgeon，oneoftheposse，accompaniedbyayoungermanfastidiouslydressed。Theformerbentovertheunconsciousprisoner，andtoreopenhisshirt;thelatterfollowedhismovementswithaflushofanxiousinquiryinhishandsome，carelessface。Afteramoment’spausethesurgeon，withoutlookingup，answeredtheyoungman’smutequestioning。\"Bettersendthesheriffhereatonce，Jack。\"
\"Heishere，\"respondedtheofficial，joiningthegroup。
Thesurgeonlookedupathim。\"Iamafraidthey’veputthecaseoutofyourjurisdiction，Sheriff，\"hesaidgrimly。\"It’sonlyamatterofadayortwoatbest——perhapsonlyafewhours。Buthewon’tlivetobetakenbacktojail。\"
\"WillhelivetogoasfarasMartinez？\"askedtheyoungmanaddressedasJack。
\"Withcare，perhaps。\"
\"Willyouberesponsibleforhim，JackHamlin？\"saidthesheriff，suddenly。
\"Iwill。\"
\"Thentakehim。Stay，he’scomingto。\"
Thewoundedmanslowlyopenedhiseyes。TheyfelluponJackHamlinwithapleasedlookofrecognition，butalmostinstantlyandanxiouslyglancedaroundasifseekinganother。Leaningoverhim，Jacksaidgayly，\"They’vepassedyouovertome，oldman;areyouwilling？\"
Thewoundedman’seyesassented，butstillmovedrestlesslyfromsidetoside。
\"Isthereanyoneyouwanttogowithyou？\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheeyes。
\"Thedoctor，ofcourse？\"
Theeyesdidnotanswer。Gideondroppedonhiskneesbesidehim。
Arayoflightflashedinthehelplessman’seyesandtransfiguredhiswholeface。
\"YouwantHIM？\"saidJackincredulously。
\"Yes，\"saidtheeyes。
\"What——thepreacher？\"
Thelipsstruggledtospeak。Everybodybentdowntohearhisreply。
\"Youbet，\"hesaidfaintly。
IV
Itwasearlymorningwhenthewagoncontainingthewoundedman，Gideon，JackHamlin，andthesurgeoncreptslowlythroughthestreetsofMartinezandstoppedbeforethedoorofthe\"PalmettoShades。\"TheupperfloorofthissaloonandhostelrywasoccupiedbyMr。Hamlinashisprivatelodgings，andwasfittedupwiththeusualluxuryandmorethantheusualfastidiousnessofhisextravagantclass。Asthedustyandtravel-wornpartytrodthesoftcarpetsandbrushedasidetheirsilkenhangingsintheirslowprogresswiththeirhelplessburdentothelace-canopiedandsnowycouchoftheyounggambler，itseemedalmostaprofanationofsomefeminineseclusion。Gideon，towhomsuchluxurywasunknown，wasprofoundlytroubled。Thevoluptuouseaseandsensuousness，therefinementsofalifeofirresponsibleindulgence，affectedhimwithaphysicalterrortowhichinhislatemomentofrealperilhehadbeenastranger;thegildingandmirrorsblindedhiseyes;eventhefaintperfumeseemedtohimanunhallowedincense，andturnedhimsickandgiddy。Accustomedashehadbeentodiseaseandmiseryinitshumblestplacesandmeanestsurroundings，thewoundeddesperadolyinginlacesandfinelinenseemedtohimmonstrousandunnatural。Itrequiredallhisself-abnegation，allhissenseofduty，allhisdeeppity，andalltheinstinctivetactwhichwasbornofhisgentlethoughtfulnessforothers，torepressashrinking。ButwhenthemiserablecauseofallagainopenedhiseyesandsoughtGideon’shand，heforgotitall。Happily，Hamlin，whohadbeenwatchinghimwithwonderingbutcriticaleyes，mistookhisconcern。\"Don’tyouworryaboutthatgin-millandhash-
gymnasiumdownstairs，\"hesaid。\"I’vegiventheproprietorathousanddollarstoshutupshopaslongasthisthinglasts。\"
Thatthiswasdonefromsomedelicatesenseofrespecttothepreacher’sdomiciliarypresence，andnotentirelytosecurecompletequietandseclusionfortheinvalid，wasevidentfromthefactthatMr。Hamlin’sdrawinganddiningrooms，andeventhehall，werefilledwitheagerfriendsandinquirers。ItwasdiscomposingtoGideontofindhimselfalmostanequalsubjectofinterestandcuriositytothevisitors。Thestoryofhissimpledevotionhadlostnothingbyreport;hatsweredoffedinhispresencethatmighthavegrowntotheirwearers’heads;theboldesteyesdroppedashepassedby;hehadonlytoputhispalefaceoutofthebedroomdoorandtheloudestdiscussion，heatedbydrinkoraffection，felltoawhisper。Thesurgeon，whohadrecognizedtheonedominantwishofthehopelesslysinkingman，gravelyretired，leavingGideonafewsimpleinstructionsanddirectionsfortheiruse。\"He’lllastaslongashehasneedofyou，\"hesaidrespectfully。\"Myartisonlysecondhere。Godhelpyouboth！Whenhewakes，makethemostofyourtime。\"
Inafewmomentshedidwaken，andasbeforeturnedhisfadinglookalmostinstinctivelyonthefaithful，gentleeyesthatwerewatchinghim。HowGideonmadethemostofhistimedidnottranspire，butattheendofanhour，whenthedyingmanhadagainlapsedintounconsciousness，hesoftlyopenedthedoorofthesitting-room。
Hamlinstartedhastilytohisfeet。Hehadclearedtheroomofhisvisitors，andwasalone。HeturnedamomenttowardsthewindowbeforehefacedGideonwithinquiringbutcuriously-shiningeyes。
\"Well？\"hesaid，hesitatingly。
\"DoyouknowKateSomers？\"askedGideon。
Hamlinopenedhisbrowneyes。\"Yes。\"
\"Canyousendforher？\"
\"What，HERE？\"
\"Yes，here。\"
\"Whatfor？\"
\"Tomarryhim，\"saidGideon，gently。\"There’snotimetolose。\"
\"ToMARRYhim？\"
\"Hewishesit。\"
\"Butsay——oh，come，now，\"saidHamlinconfidentially，leaningbackwithhishandsonthetopofachair。\"Ain’tthisplayingitalittle——justaLITTLE——toolowdown？Ofcourseyoumeanwell，andallthat;butcome，now，say——couldn’tyoujustletuponhimthere？Why，she\"——Hamlinsoftlyclosedthedoor——\"she’sgotnocharacter。\"
\"Themorereasonheshouldgiveherone。\"
AcynicalknowledgeofmatrimonyimpartedtohimbythewivesofothersevidentlycoloredMr。Hamlin’sviews。\"Well，perhapsit’sallthesameifhe’sgoingtodie。Butisn’titratherroughonHER？Idon’tknow，\"headded，reflectively;\"shewassnivelingroundherealittlewhileago，untilIsentheraway。\"
\"Yousentheraway！\"echoedGideon。
\"Idid。\"
\"Why？\"
\"BecauseYOUwerehere。\"
NeverthelessMr。Hamlindeparted，andinhalfanhourreappearedwithtwobrilliantlydressedwomen。One，hysterical，tearful，frightened，andpallid，wasthedestinedbride;theother，highlycolored，excited，andpleasedlyobservant，washerfriend。Twomenhastilysummonedfromtheanteroomaswitnessescompletedthegroupthatmovedintothebedroomandgatheredroundthebed。
Theceremonywassimpleandbrief。Itwaswell，forofallwhotookpartinitnonewasmoreshakenbyemotionthantheofficiatingpriest。Thebrilliantdressesofthewomen，thecontrastoftheirpaintedfaceswiththewaxenpallorofthedyingman;theterribleincongruityoftheirvoices，inflections，expressions，andfamiliarity;themingledperfumeofcosmeticsandthefaintodorofwine;theeyesoftheyoungerwomanfollowinghismovementswithstrangeabsorption，soaffectedhimthathewasgladwhenhecouldfallonhiskneesatlastandburyhisfaceinthepillowofthesufferer。Thehandthathadbeenplacedinthebride’scoldfingersslippedfromthemandmechanicallysoughtGideon’sagain。Thesignificanceoftheunconsciousactbroughtthefirstspontaneoustearsintothewoman’seyes。Itwashislastact，forwhenGideon’svoicewasagainliftedinprayer，thespiritforwhomitwasofferedhadrisenwithit，asitwere，stilllovinglyhandinhand，fromtheearthforever。
Thefuneralwasarrangedfortwodayslater，andGideonfoundthathisserviceshadbeensoseriouslyyetsohumblycounteduponbythefriendsofthedeadmanthathecouldscarcefinditinhishearttotellthemthatitwasthefunctionofthelocalpreacher——
anolderandmoreexperiencedmanthanhimself。\"Ifitis，\"saidJackHamlin，coolly，\"I’mafraidhewon’tgetayallerdogtocometohischurch;butifyousayyou’llpreachatthegrave，thereain’taman，woman，orchildthatwillbekeptaway。Don’tyougobackonyourluck，now;it’ssomethingawfulandnigger-like。
You’vegotthiscrowdwherethehairisshort;excuseme，butit’sso。Talkofrevivals！Youcouldgivethatone-horseshowinTasajaraahundredpoints，andskunkthemeasily。\"Indeed，hadGideonbeenaccessibletovanity，thespontaneoushomagehemetwitheverywherewouldhavetouchedhimmoresympatheticallyandkindlythanitdid;butintheutterunconsciousnessofhisownpowerandthequalitytheyworshipedinhim，hefeltalarmedandimpatientofwhathebelievedtobetheirweaksympathywithhisownhumanweakness。Inthedepthofhisunselfishheart，lit，itmustbeconfessed，onlybythescant，inefficientlampofhisyouthfulexperience，hereallybelievedhehadfailedinhisapostolicmissionbecausehehadbeenunabletotouchtheheartsoftheVigilantesbyoralappealandargument。Feelingthusthereverenceoftheseirreligiouspeoplethatsurroundedhim，thefacileyieldingoftheirhabitsandprejudicestohishalf-utteredwish，appearedtohimonlyatemptationoftheflesh。Noonehadsoughthimafterthemannerofthecamp-meeting;hehadconvertedthewoundedmanthroughacommonweaknessoftheirhumanity。Morethanthat，hewasconsciousofagrowingfascinationforthetruthfulnessandsincerityofthatclass;particularlyofMr。JackHamlin，whoseconversionhefelthecouldneverattempt，yetwhosestrangefriendshipalternatelythrilledandfrightenedhim。
Itwastheeveningbeforethefuneral。Thecoffin，halfsmotheredinwreathsandflowers，stoodupontrestlesintheanteroom;alargesilverplatebearinganinscriptiononwhichforthesecondtimeGideonreadthenameofthemanhehadconverted。Itwasanameassociatedonthefrontiersooftenwithrecklesshardihood，dissipation，andblood，thatevennowGideontrembledathispresumption，andwaschilledbyamomentarydoubtoftheefficiencyofhislabor。Drawingunconsciouslynearertothemutesubjectofhisthoughts，hethrewhisarmsacrossthecoffinandburiedhisfacebetweenthem。
Astreamofsoftmusic，theechoofsomeforgottensong，seemedtoGideontosuddenlyfillandpossessthedarkenedroom，andthentoslowlydieaway，liketheopeningandshuttingofadooruponafloodofgoldenradiance。Helistenedwithhushedbreathandabeatingheart。Hehadneverheardanythinglikeitbefore。Againthestrainarose，thechordsswelledroundhim，untilfromtheirmidstatenorvoicebrokehighandsteadfast，likeastarintroubledskies。Gideonscarcelybreathed。Itwasahymn——butsuchahymn。Hehadneverconceivedtherecouldbesuchbeautifulwords，joinedtosuchexquisitemelody，andsungwithagracesotenderandtrue。Whatwereallotherhymnstothisineffableyearningforlight，forlove，andforinfiniterest？Thrilledandexalted，Gideonfelthisdoubtspiercedandscatteredbythatilluminatingcry。Suddenlyherose，andwithatroubledthoughtpushedopenthedoortothesitting-room。ItwasMr。JackHamlinsittingbeforeaparlororgan。Themusicceased。
\"ItwasYOU，\"stammeredGideon。
Jacknodded，struckafewchordsbywayoffinish，andthenwheeledroundonthemusic-stooltowardsGideon。Hisfacewasslightlyflushed。\"Yes。IusedtobetheorganistandtenorinourchurchintheStates。Iusedtosnatchthesinnersbald-headedwiththat。
DoyouknowIreckonI’llsingthatto-morrow，ifyoulike，andmaybeafterwardswe’ll——but\"——hestopped——\"we’lltalkofthatafterthefuneral。It’sbusiness。\"SeeingGideonstillglancingwithatroubledairfromtheorgantohimself，hesaid：\"Wouldyouliketotrythathymnwithme？Comeon！\"
Heagainstruckthechords。Asthewholeroomseemedtothrobwiththemusic，Gideonfelthimselfagaincarriedaway。GlancingoverJack’sshoulders，hecouldreadthewordsbutnotthenotes;yet，havingaquickearforrhythm，hepresentlyjoinedinwithadeepbutuncultivatedbaritone。Togethertheyforgoteverythingelse，andattheendofanhourwereonlyrecalledbythepresenceofasilentlyadmiringconcourseofvotive-offeringfriendswhohadgatheredroundthem。
Thefuneraltookplacethenextdayatthegraveduginthepubliccemetery——agreenareafencedinbythepalisadingtules。ThewordsofGideonwerebriefbuthumble;thestrongestpartisanofthedeadmancouldfindnofaultinaconfessionofhumanfrailtyinwhichthespeakerhumblyconfessedhisshare;andwhenthehymnwasstartedbyHamlinandtakenupbyGideon，thevastmultitude，drawnbyinterestandcuriosity，joinedasinasolemnAmen。
Later，whenthosetwostrangely-assortedfriendshadreturnedtoMr。Hamlin’sroomsprevioustoGideon’sdeparture，theformer，inamannermoreseriousthanhishabitualcynicalgood-humor，began：\"I
saidIhadtotalkbusinesswithyou。Theboysaboutherewanttobuildachurchforyou，andarereadytoplankthemoneydownifyou’llsayit’sago。Youunderstandtheyaren’taskingyoutoruninoppositiontothatGospelsharp——excuseme——that’sherenow，nordotheywantyoutorunasideshowinconnectionwithit。Theywantyoutobeindependent。Theydon’tpinyoudowntoanykindofreligion，youknow;whateveryoucaretogivethem——Methodist，RomanCatholic，Presbyterian——-ismightygoodenoughforthem，ifyou’llexpoundit。Youmightgivealittleofeach，oroneononedayandoneanother——they’llneverknowthedifferenceifyouonlymixthedrinksyourself。They’llgiveyouahouseandguaranteeyoufifteenhundreddollarsthefirstyear。\"
Hestoppedandwalkedtowardsthewindow。Thesunlightthatfelluponhishandsomefaceseemedtocallbackthecarelesssmiletohislipsandtherecklessfiretohisbrowneyes。\"Idon’tsupposethere’samanamongthemthatwouldn’ttellyouallthisinagreatdealbetterwaythanIdo。Butthedarnedfools——excuseme——wouldhaveMEbreakittoyou。Why，Idon’tknow。Ineedn’ttellyouI
likeyou——notonlyforwhatyoudidforGeorge——butIlikeyouforyourstyle——foryourself。AndIwantyoutoaccept。Youcouldkeeptheseroomstilltheygotahousereadyforyou。Together——
youandme——we’dmakethatorganhowl。ButbecauseIlikeit——
becauseit’severythingtous——andnothingtoyou，itdon’tseemsquareformetoaskit。Doesit？\"
GideonrepliedbytakingHamlin’shand。Hisfacewasperfectlypale，buthislookcollected。Hehadnotexpectedthisoffer，andyetwhenitwasmadehefeltasifhehadknownitbefore——asifhehadbeenwarnedofit——asifitwasthegreattemptationofhislife。Watchinghimwithanearnestnessonlyslightlyoverlaidbyhisusualmanner，Hamlinwenton。
\"Iknowitwouldbelonelyhere，andamanlikeyououghttohaveawifefor——\"heslightlyliftedhiseyebrows——\"forexample’ssake。
IheardtherewasayoungladyinthecaseoverthereinTasajara——
buttheoldpeopledidn’tseeitonaccountofyourposition。
They’djumpatitnow。Eh？No？Well，\"continuedJack，withadecentattempttoconcealhiscynicalrelief，\"perhapsthoseboyshavebeensoeagertofindoutalltheycoulddoforyouthatthey’vebeensold。Perhapswe’remakingequalfoolsofourselvesnowinaskingyoutostay。Butdon’tsaynojustyet——takeadayoraweektothinkofit。\"
Gideonstillpalebutcalm，casthiseyesaroundtheelegantroom，atthemagicorgan，thenupontheslighthandsomefigurebeforehim。\"IWILLthinkofit，\"hesaid，inalowvoice，ashepressedJack’shand。\"AndifIacceptyouwillfindmehereto-morrowafternoonatthistime;ifIdonotyouwillknowthatIkeepwithmewhereverIgothekindness，thebrotherlylove，andthegraceofGodthatpromptsyouroffer，eventhoughHewithholdsfrommeHisblessedlight，whichalonecanmakemeknowHiswish。\"Hestoppedandhesitated。\"Ifyouloveme，Jack，don’taskmetostay，butprayforthatlightwhichalonecanguidemyfeetbacktoyou，ortakemehenceforever。\"
Heoncemoretightlypressedthehandoftheembarrassedmanbeforehimandwasgone。
Passers-byontheMartinezroadthatnightrememberedamuteandghostlyriderwho，heedlessofhailorgreeting，movedbythemasinatranceorvision。ButtheWidowHilerthenextmorning，comingfromthespring，foundnoabstractionorpreoccupationinthesofteyesofGideonDeaneashesuddenlyappearedbeforeher，andgentlyrelievedherofthebucketshewascarrying。Aquickflashofcoloroverherbrowandcheek-bone，asifahotironhadpassedthere，andacertainastringentcoyness，wouldhaveembarrassedanyothermanthanhim。
\"Sho，it’sYOU。Ireck’nedI’dseenthelastofyou。\"
\"Youdon’tmeanthat，SisterHiler？\"saidGideon，withagentlesmile。
\"Well，whatwiththereportofyourgoin’sonatMartinezandimprovin’theoccasionofthatsinner’sdeath，andleadin’arevival，Ireckonedyou’ldhevforgottenlowfolksatTasajara。
Andifyourgoin’tobesettledthereinanewchurch，withnewhearers，Ireckonyou’llwantnewsurroundingstoo。Thingschangeandyoungfolkschangewith’em。\"
Theyhadreachedthehouse。HerbreathwasquickandshortasifsheandnotGideonhadbornetheburden。Heplacedthebucketinitsaccustomedplace，andthengentlytookherhandinhis。Theactprecipitatedthelastdropoffeeblecoquetryshehadretained，andtheoldtearstookitsplace。Letushopeforthelasttime。
ForasGideonstoopedandliftedherailingbabeinhisstrongarms，hesaidsoftly，\"WhateverGodhaswroughtformesinceweparted，IknownowHehascalledmetobutonework。\"
\"Andthatwork？\"sheasked，tremulously。
\"Towatchoverthewidowandfatherless。AndwithGod’sblessing，sister，andHisholyordinance，Iamheretostay。\"
SARAHWALKER
Itwasveryhot。NotabreathofairwasstirringthroughoutthewesternwingoftheGreyportHotel，andtheusualfeverishlifeofitsfourhundredinmateshadsuccumbedtotheweather。Thegreatverandawasdeserted;thecorridorsweredesolated;nofootfallechoedinthepassages;thelazyrustleofawanderingskirt，orapassingsighthatwashalfapant，seemedtointensifytheheatedsilence。Anintoxicatedbee，disgracefullyunsteadyinwingandleg，whohadbeenholdinganinebriatedconversationwithhimselfinthecornerofmywindowpane，hadgonetosleepatlastandwassnoring。Theerrantprincemighthaveenteredtheslumberoushallsunchallenged，andwalkedintoanyofthedarkenedroomswhoseopendoorsgapedformoreair，withoutawakeningtheveriestGreyportflirtwithhissalutation。Attimesadrowsyvoice，alazilyinterjectedsentence，anincoherentprotest，along-drawnphraseofsaccharinetenuitysuddenlybrokeoffwithagasp，camevaguelytotheear，asifindicatingahalf-suspended，half-articulatedexistencesomewhere，butnotdefiniteenoughtoindicateconversation。Inthemidstofthis，therewasthesuddencryingofachild。
Ilookedupfrommywork。ThroughthecameraofmyjealouslyguardedwindowIcouldcatchaglimpseofthevivid，quiveringblueofthesky，theglitteringintensityoftheocean，thelongmotionlessleavesofthehorse-chestnutintheroad，——allutterlyinconsistentwithanythingasactiveasthislamentation。I
steppedtotheopendoorandintothesilenthall。
Apparentlythenoisehadattractedtheequalattentionofmyneighbors。Avaguechorusof\"SarahWalker，\"inquerulousrecognition，of\"OLord！thatchildagain！\"inhopelessprotest，rosefaintlyfromthedifferentrooms。Asthelamentationsseemedtoapproachnearer，thevisitors’doorsweresuccessivelyshut，swiftfootstepshurriedalongthehall;pastmyopendoorcameamomentaryvisionofaheatednursemaidcarryingatumultuouschaosoffrilledskirts，flyingsash，rebelliousslippers，andtossingcurls;therewasamoment’srallyingstrugglebeforetheroomnearlyoppositemine，andthenadooropenedandshutuponthevision。ItwasSarahWalker！
Everybodyknewher;fewhadeverseenmoreofherthanthispassingvision。Inthegreathall，inthedining-room，inthevastparlors，inthegarden，intheavenue，onthebeach，asoundoflamentationhadalwaysbeenfollowedbythissamebriefapparition。
Wasthereasuddenpauseamongthedancersandasubjugationoftheloudestbassoonsintheearlyevening\"hop，\"theexplanationwasgiveninthewords\"SarahWalker。\"Wasthereawildconfusionamongthemorningbathersonthesands，peoplewhispered\"SarahWalker。\"Apanicamongthewaitersatdinner，aninterruptionintheSundaysacredconcert，adisorganizationoftheafter-dinnerpromenadeontheveranda，wasinstantlyreferredtoSarahWalker。