\"Thenyoumustnotbeginbywalkingsoclosetome，\"shesaid，movingslightlyaway;\"theymayseeyoufromthegate。Andyoumustnotgowithmebeyondthatcorner。IfIhavebeenmissedalreadytheywillsuspectyou。\"
\"ButhowshallIknow？\"hesaid，attemptingtotakeherhand。\"Letmewalkpastthegate。Icannotleaveyouinthisuncertainty。\"
\"Youwillknowsoonenough，\"shesaidgravely，evadinghishand。
\"Youmustnotgofurthernow。Good-night。\"
Shehadstoppedatthecornerofthewall。Heagainheldouthishand。Herlittlefingersslidcoldlybetweenhis。
\"Good-night，MissRivers。\"
\"Stop！\"shesaidsuddenly，withdrawingherveilandliftinghercleareyestohisinthemoonlight。\"YoumustnotsayTHAT——itisn’tthetruth。Ican’tbeartohearitfromYOURlips，inYOUR
voice。MynameisNOTRivers！\"
\"NotRivers——why？\"saidKey，astounded。
\"Oh，Idon’tknowwhy，\"shesaidhalfdespairingly;\"onlymybrotherdidn’twantmetousemynameandhishere，andIpromised。
Mynameis’Riggs’——there！It’sasecret——youmustn’ttellit;butIcouldnotbeartohearYOUsayalie。\"
\"Good-night，MissRiggs，\"saidKeysadly。
\"No，northateither，\"shesaidsoftly。\"SayAlice。\"
\"Good-night，Alice。\"
Shemovedonbeforehim。Shereachedthegate。Foramomentherfigure，initsaustere，formlessgarments，seemedtohimtoevenstoopandbendforwardinthehumilityofageandself-
renunciation，andshevanishedwithinasintoalivingtomb。
Forgettingallprecaution，hepressedeagerlyforward，andstoppedbeforethegate。Therewasnosoundfromwithin;therehadevidentlybeennochallengenorinterruption。Shewassafe。
CHAPTERVII。
ThereappearanceofChiversinthemillwithCollinson，andthebriefannouncementthattheprisonerhadconsentedtoasatisfactorycompromise，werereceivedatfirstwithahalfcontemptuoussmilebytheparty;butforthecommandsoftheirleaders，andpossiblyaconvictionthatCollinson’sfatuouscooperationwithChiverswouldbesaferthanhiswrath，whichmightnotexpenditselfonlyonChivers，butimperilthesafetyofall，itisprobablethattheywouldhaveinformedtheunfortunateprisonerofhisrealrelationstohiscaptor。Inthesecircumstances，Chivers’shalfsatiricalsuggestionthatCollinsonshouldbeaddedtothesentriesoutside，andguardhisownproperty，wassurlilyassentedtobyRiggs，andcomplacentlyacceptedbytheothers。Chiversofferedtoposthimhimself，——notwithoutaninterchangeofmeaningglanceswithRiggs，——Collinson’sowngunwasreturnedtohim，andthestrangelyassortedpairleftthemillamicablytogether。
ButhoweverhumanlyconfidentChiverswasinhiscompanion’sfaithfulness，hewasnotwithoutarascal’sprecaution，anddeterminedtoselectapositionforCollinsonwherehecoulddotheleastdamageinanyaberrationoftrust。Atthetopofthegrade，abovethemill，wastheonlytrailbywhichapartyinforcecouldapproachit。ThiswastoChiversobviouslytoostrategicapositiontointrusttohisprisoner，andthesentrywhoguardeditsapproach，fivehundredyardsaway，wasleftunchanged。Buttherewasanother\"blind\"trail，orcut-off，totheleft，throughthethickestundergrowthofthewoods，knownonlytohisparty。ToplaceCollinsontherewastoinsurehimperfectimmunityfromtheapproachofanenemy，aswellasfromanyconfidentialadvancesofhisfellowsentry。Thisdone，hedrewacigarfromhispocket，andhandingittoCollinson，lightedanotherforhimself，andleaningbackcomfortablyagainstalargeboulder，glancedcomplacentlyathiscompanion。
\"YoumaysmokeuntilIgo，Mr。Collinson，andevenafterwards，ifyoukeepthebowlofyourpipebehindarock，soastobeoutofsightofyourfellowsentry，whoseadvances，bytheway，ifIwereyou，Ishouldnotencourage。Yourpositionhere，yousee，isaratherpeculiarone。Youweresaying，Ithink，thatalingeringaffectionforyourwifeimpelledyoutokeepthisplaceforher，althoughyouwereconvincedofherdeath？\"
Collinson’sunaffecteddelightinChivers’skindlinesshadmadehiseyesshineinthemoonlightwithadoglikewistfulness。\"IreckonIdidsaythat，Mr。Chivers，\"hesaidapologetically，\"thoughitain’tgoin’tointerferewithyouusin’theshantyjestnow。\"
\"Iwasn’talludingtothat，Collinson，\"returnedChivers，withalargerhetoricalwaveofthehand，andanequalenjoymentinhiscompanion’sevidentadmirationofhim，\"butitstruckmethatyourremark，nevertheless，impliedsomedoubtofyourwife’sdeath，andIdon’tknowbutthatyourdoubtsareright。\"
\"Wot’sthat？\"saidCollinson，withadullglowinhisface。
Chiversblewthesmokeofhiscigarlazilyinthestillair。
\"Listen，\"hesaid。\"Sinceyourmiraculousconversionafewmomentsago，Ihavemadesomefriendlyinquiriesaboutyou，andIfindthatyoulostalltraceofyourwifeinTexasin’52，whereanumberofherfellowemigrantsdiedofyellowfever。Isthatso？\"
\"Yes，\"saidCollinsonquickly。
\"Well，itsohappensthatafriendofmine，\"continuedChiversslowly，\"wasinatrainwhichfollowedthatone，andpickedupandbroughtonsomeofthesurvivors。\"
\"Thatwasthetrainwotbroughtthenews，\"saidCollinson，relapsingintohisoldpatience。\"That’showIknowedshehadn’tcome。\"
\"Didyoueverhearthenamesofanyofitspassengers？\"saidChivers，withakeenglanceathiscompanion。
\"Naryone！Ionlygottoknowitwasasmalltrainofonlytwowagons，anditsortermeltedintoCalifornythroughasouthernpass，andkinderpeteredout，andnooneeverheardofitagin，andthatwasall。\"
\"ThatwasNOTall，Collinson，\"saidChiverslazily。\"IsawthetrainarriveatSouthPass。Iwasawaitingafriendandhiswife。
Therewasaladywiththem，oneofthesurvivors。Ididn’thearhername，butIthinkmyfriend’swifecalledher’Sadie。’I
rememberherasaratherprettywoman——tall，fair，withastraightnoseandafullchin，andsmallslimfeet。Isawheronlyamoment，forshewasonherwaytoLosAngeles，andwas，Ibelieve，goingtojoinherhusbandsomewhereintheSierras。\"
TherascalhadbeenenjoyingwithintensesatisfactionthereturnofthedullglowinCollinson’sface，thatevenseemedtoanimatethewholelengthofhisangularframeasitturnedeagerlytowardshim。Sohewenton，experiencingadevilishzestinthisdescriptionofhismistresstoherhusband，apartfromthepleasureofnotingtheslowawakeningofthisapatheticgiant，withasensationakintohavingwarmedhimintolife。Yethistriumphwasofshortduration。ThefiredroppedsuddenlyoutofCollinson’seyes，theglowfromhisface，andthedulllookofunweariedpatiencereturned。
\"That’sallverykindandpurtyofyer，Mr。Chivers，\"hesaidgravely;\"you’vegotallmywife’spintsthartoadot，anditseemstofitherjestlikeashoeIpickedupt’otherday。Butitwasn’tmySadie，forefshe’slivingorhadlived，she’dbinjustyere！\"
ThesamefearandrecognitionofsomeunknownreserveinthistrustfulmancameoverChiversasbefore。Inhisangryresentmentofithewouldhavelikedtoblurtouttheinfidelityofthewifebeforeherhusband，butheknewCollinsonwouldnotbelievehim，andhehadanotherpurposenow。Hisfulllipstwistedintoasuavesmile。
\"WhileIwouldnotgiveyoufalsehopes，Mr。Collinson，\"hesaid，withablandsmile，\"myinterestinyoucompelsmetosaythatyoumaybeoverconfidentandwrong。Thereareathousandthingsthatmayhavepreventedyourwifefromcomingtoyou，——illness，possiblytheresultofherexposure，poverty，misapprehensionofyourplaceofmeeting，and，aboveall，perhapssomefalsereportofyourowndeath。Hasiteveroccurredtoyouthatitisaspossibleforhertohavebeendeceivedinthatwayasforyou？\"
\"Wotyersay？\"saidCollinson，withavaguesuspicion。
\"WhatImean。Youthinkyourselfjustifiedinbelievingyourwifedead，becauseshedidnotseekyouhere;mayshenotfeelherselfequallyjustifiedinbelievingthesameofyou，becauseyouhadnotsoughtherelsewhere？\"
\"Butitwaswritthatshewascomin’yere，and——Iboardedeverytrainthatcomeinthatfall，\"saidCollinson，withanewirritation，unlikehisusualcalm。
\"Exceptone，mydearCollinson，——exceptone，\"returnedChivers，holdingupafatforefingersmilingly。\"Andthatmaybetheclue。
Now，listen！Thereisstillachanceoffollowingit，ifyouwill。
ThenameofmyfriendswereMr。andMrs。Barker。Iregret，\"headded，withaperfunctorycough，\"thatpoorBarkerisdead。Hewasnotsuchanexemplaryhusbandasyouare，mydearCollinson，andI
fearwasnotallthatMrs。Barkercouldhavewished;enoughthathesuccumbedfromvariousexcesses，anddidnotleavemeMrs。Barker’spresentaddress。Butshehasayoungfriend，award，livingattheconventofSantaLuisa，whosenameisMissRivers，whocanputyouincommunicationwithher。Now，onethingmore：Icanunderstandyourfeelings，andthatyouwouldwishatoncetosatisfyyourmind。Itisnot，perhaps，tomyinterestnortheinterestofmypartytoadviseyou，but，\"hecontinued，glancingaroundhim，\"youhaveanadmirablysecludedpositionhere，ontheedgeofthetrail，andifyouaremissingfromyourpostto-morrowmorning，Ishallrespectyourfeelings，trusttoyourhonortokeepthissecret，and——considerituselesstopursueyou！\"
Therewasneithershamenorpityinhisheart，asthedeceivedmanturnedtowardshimwithtremulouseagerness，andgraspedhishandinsilentgratitude。Buttheoldrageandfearreturned，asCollinsonsaidgravely：——
\"Youkinderputanewlifeinterme，Mr。Chivers，andIwishIhadyergifto’speechtotellyeso。ButI’vepassedmywordtotheCaptingtharandtotheresto’youfolksthatI’dstandguardoutyere，andIdon’tgobacko’myword。Imout，andImoutn’tfindmySadie;butshewouldn’tthinkthelesso’me，artertheseyearso’waitin’，efIstayedhereanothernight，toguardthehouseI
keepintrustforher，andthestrangersI’vetookinonheraccount。\"
\"Asyoulike，then，\"saidChivers，contractinghislips，\"butkeepyourowncounselto-night。Theremaybethosewhowouldliketodeteryoufromyoursearch。AndnowIwillleaveyoualoneinthisdelightfulmoonlight。IquiteenvyyouyourunrestrictedcommunionwithNature。Adios，amigo，adios！\"
Heleapedlightlyonalargerockthatoverhungtheedgeofthegrade，andwavedhishand。
\"Iwouldn’tdothat，Mr。Chivers，\"saidCollinson，withaconcernedface;\"themrocksaremightyticklish，andthatoneinpartiklar。
Atechsometimessends’emscooting。\"
Mr。Chiversleapedquicklytotheground，turned，wavedhishandagain，anddisappeareddownthegrade。
ButCollinsonwasnolongeralone。Hithertohischaracteristicreverieshadbeenofthepast，——reminiscencesinwhichtherewasonlyrecollection，noimagination，andverylittlehope。UnderthespellofChivers’swordshisfancyseemedtoexpand;hebegantothinkofhiswifeasshemightbenow，——perhapsill，despairing，wanderinghopelessly，evenraggedandfootsore，or——believingHIM
dead——relapsingintotheresignedpatiencethathadbeenhisown;
butalwaysanewSadie，whomhehadneverseenorknownbefore。A
faintdread，thelightestofmisgivings（perhapscomingfromhisveryignorance），forthefirsttimetouchedhissteadfastheart，andsentachillthroughit。Heshoulderedhisweapon，andwalkedbrisklytowardstheedgeofthethick-setwoods。Therewerethefragrantessencesofthelaurelandspruce——bakedinthelong-daysunshinethathadencompassedtheirrecesses——stillcomingwarmtohisface;therewerethestrangeshiftingsoftemperaturethroughouttheopenings，thatalternatelywarmedandchilledhimashewalked。Itseemedsooddthatheshouldnowhavetoseekherinsteadofhercomingtohim;itwouldneverbethesamemeetingtohim，awayfromthehousethathehadbuiltforher！Hestrolledback，andlookeddownuponit，nestlingontheledge。Thewhitemoonlightthatlayuponitdulledtheglitteroflightsinitswindows，butthesoundsoflaughterandsingingcametoevenhisunfastidiousearswithasenseofvaguediscord。Hewalkedbackagain，andbegantopacebeforethethick-setwood。Suddenlyhestoppedandlistened。
Toanyotherearsbutthoseaccustomedtomountainsolitudeitwouldhaveseemednothing。But，familiarashewaswithalltheinfinitedisturbancesofthewoodland，andeventhesimulationofintrusioncausedbyafallingbranchorlapsingpine-cone，hewasarrestednowbyarecurringsound，unlikeanyother。Itwasanoccasionalmuffledbeat——interruptedatuncertainintervals，butalwaysreturninginregularrhythm，wheneveritwasaudible。Heknewitwasmadebyacanteringhorse;thattheintervalswereduetothepatchesofdeadleavesinitscourse，andthatthevaryingmovementwastheeffectofitsprogressthroughobstaclesandunderbrush。Itwasthereforecomingthroughsome\"blind\"cutoffinthethick-setwood。Theshiftingofthesoundalsoshowedthattheriderwasunfamiliarwiththelocality，andsometimeswanderedfromthedirectcourse;buttheunfailingandacceleratingpersistencyofthesound，inspiteofthesedifficulties，indicatedhasteanddetermination。
Heswunghisgunfromhisshoulder，andexamineditscaps。Asthesoundcamenearer，hedrewupbesideayoungspruceattheentranceofthethicket。Therewasnonecessitytoalarmthehouse，orcalltheothersentry。Itwasasinglehorseandrider，andhewasequaltothat。Hewaitedquietly，andwithhisusualfatefulpatience。Eventhenhisthoughtsstillrevertedtohiswife;anditwaswithasingularfeelingthathe，atlast，sawthethickunderbrushgivewaybeforeawoman，mountedonasweatingbutstillspiritedhorse，whosweptoutintotheopen。Nevertheless，hestoppedinfrontofher，andcalled：——
\"Holdupthar！\"
Thehorserecoiled，nearlyunseatingher。Collinsoncaughtthereins。Sheliftedherwhipmechanically，yetremainedholdingitintheair，trembling，untilsheslipped，halfstruggling，halfhelplessly，fromthesaddletotheground。Hereshewouldhaveagainfallen，butCollinsoncaughthersharplybythewaist。Athistouchshestartedandutteredafrightened\"No！\"AthervoiceCollinsonstarted。
\"Sadie！\"hegasped。
\"Seth！\"shehalfwhispered。
Theystoodlookingateachother。ButCollinsonwasalreadyhimselfagain。Themanofsimpledirectnessandnoimaginationsawonlyhiswifebeforehim——alittlebreathless，alittleflurried，alittledisheveledfromrapidriding，ashehadsometimesseenherbefore，butotherwiseunchanged。NorhadHEchanged;hetookherupwherehehadleftheryearsago。Hisgravefaceonlybroadenedintoasmile，asheheldbothherhandsinhis。
\"Yes，it’sme——Lordy！Why，Iwascomin’onlyto-morrowtofindye，Sade！\"
Sheglancedhurriedlyaroundher，\"To——tofindme，\"shesaidincredulously。
\"Sartain！Thatez，Iwasgoin’toaskaboutye，——goin’toaskaboutyeattheconvent。\"
\"Attheconvent？\"sheechoedwithafrightenedamazement。
\"Yes，why，LordySade——don’tyousee？YouthoughtIwasdead，andIthoughtyouwasdead，——that’swhat’sthematter。ButIneverreckonedthatyou’dthinkmedeaduntilChiversallowedthatitmustbeso。\"
Herfacewhitenedinthemoonlight\"Chivers？\"shesaidblankly。
\"Incourse;butnat’rallyyoudon’tknowhim，honey。Heonlysawyouonc’t。Butitwasalongo’that，Sade，thathetoldmehereckonedyouwasn’tdead，andtoldmehowtofindyou。Hewasmightykindandconsarnedaboutit，andheevenallowedI’dbetterslipofftoyouthisverynight。\"
\"Chivers，\"sherepeated，gazingatherhusbandwithbloodlesslips。
\"Yes，anawfulpurty-spokenman。Ye’llhavetogettoknowhimSade。He’sherewithsomeofhisfolksazhezgotintertrouble——
I’mforgettin’totellye。Yousee\"——
\"Yes，yes，yes！\"sheinterruptedhysterically;\"andthisistheMill？\"
\"Yes，lovey，theMill——mymill——YOURmill——thehouseIbuiltforyou，dear。I’dshowittoyounow，butyousee，Sade，I’moutherestandin’guard。\"
\"AreYOUoneofthem？\"shesaid，clutchinghishanddesperately。
\"No，dear，\"hesaidsoothingly，——\"no;only，yousee，Igiv’mywordto’emasIgiv’myhouseto-night，andI’mboundtoprotectthemandsee’emthrough。Why，Lordy！Sade，you’dhavedonethesame——
forChivers。\"
\"Yes，yes，\"shesaid，beatingherhandstogetherstrangely，\"ofcourse。Hewassokindtobringmebacktoyou。Andyoumighthaveneverfoundmebutforhim。\"
Sheburstintoanhystericallaugh，whichthesimple-mindedmanmighthaveoverlookedbutforthetearsthatcourseddownherbloodlessface。
\"What’sgoneo’ye，Sadie，\"hesaidinasuddenfear，graspingherhands;\"thatlaughain’tyour’n——thatvoiceain’tyour’n。You’retheoldSadie，ain’tye？\"Hestopped。Foramomenthisfaceblanchedasheglancedtowardsthemill，fromwhichthefaintsoundofbacchanalianvoicescametohisquickear。\"Sadie，dear，yeain’tthinkin’anythingagin’me？Yeain’tallowin’I’mkeepinganythin’backfromye？\"
Herfacestiffenedintorigidity;shedashedthetearsfromhereyes。\"No，\"shesaidquickly。Thenafteramomentsheadded，withafaintlaugh，\"Youseewehaven’tseeneachotherforsolong——
it’sallsosudden——sounexpected。\"
\"Butyoukemhere，justnow，calkilatin’tofindme？\"saidCollinsongravely。
\"Yes，yes，\"shesaidquickly，stillgraspingbothhishands，butwithherheadslightlyturnedinthedirectionofthemill。
\"Butwhotoldyewheretofindthemill？\"hesaid，withgentlepatience。
\"Afriend，\"shesaidhurriedly。\"Perhaps，\"sheadded，withasingularsmile，\"afriendofthefriendwhotoldyou。\"
\"Isee，\"saidCollinson，witharelievedfaceandabroadeningsmile，\"it’sasortoffairystory。I’llbet，now，itwasthatoldBarkerwomanthatChiversknows。\"
Herteethgleamedrigidlytogetherinthemoonlight，likeadeath’s-head。\"Yes，\"shesaiddryly，\"itwasthatoldBarkerwoman。Say，Seth，\"shecontinued，moisteningherlipsslowly，\"you’reguardingthisplacealone？\"
\"Thar’sanotherfellerupthetrail，——asentry，——butdon’tyoubeafeard，hecan’thearus，Sade。\"
\"Onthissideofthemill？\"
\"Yes！Why，Lordloveye，Sadie！t’othersideo’themillitdropsdownstraighttothevalley;nobodycomesyerthatwaybutpoorlow-downemigrants。Andit’smilesroundtocomebythevalleyfromthesummit。\"
\"Youdidn’thearyourfriendChiverssaythatthesheriffwasoutwithhisposseto-nighthuntingthem？\"
\"No。Didyou？\"
\"IthinkIheardsomethingofthatkindatSkinner’s，butitmayhavebeenonlyawarningtome，travelingalone。\"
\"Thet’sso，\"saidCollinson，withatendersolicitude，\"butnoneo’
theseyerroad-agentswouldhavetechedawoman。AndthisyerChiversain’tthemantoinsultone，either。\"
\"No，\"shesaid，withareturnofherhystericlaugh。ButitwasoverlookedbyCollinson，whowastakinghisgunfrombesidethetreewherehehadplacedit，\"Whereareyougoing？\"shesaidsuddenly。
\"Ireckonthemfellersoughttobewarnedo’whatyouheard。I’llbebackinaminit。\"
\"Andyou’regoingtoleavemenow——when——whenwe’veonlyjustmetaftertheseyears，\"shesaid，withafaintattemptatasmile，which，however，didnotreachthecoldglitterofhereyes。
\"Justforalittle，honey。Besides，don’tyousee，I’vegottogetexcused;forwe’llhavetogoofftoSkinner’sorsomewhere，Sadie，forwecan’tstayintharalongo’them。\"
\"SoyouandyourwifeareturnedoutofyourhometopleaseChivers，\"shesaid，stillsmiling。
\"That’swharyouslipup，Sadie，\"saidCollinson，withatroubledface;\"forhe’sthatkindofamanthetifIjestasmuchashintedyouwashere，he’dturn’emallouto’thehouseforalady。
Thet’swhyIdon’tproposetoletonanythingaboutyoutillto-
morrow。\"
\"To-morrowwilldo，\"shesaid，stillsmiling，butwithasingularabstractioninherface。\"Praydon’tdisturbthemnow。Yousaythereisanothersentinelbeyond。Heisenoughtowarnthemofanyapproachfromthetrail。I’mtiredandill——veryill！Sitbymehere，Seth，andwait！Wecanwaitheretogether——wehavewaitedsolong，Seth，——andtheendhascomenow。\"
Shesuddenlylapsedagainstthetree，andslippedinasittingposturetotheground。Collinsoncasthimselfatherside，andputhisarmroundher。
\"Wot’sgoneo’ye，Sade？You’recoldandsick。Listen。Yourhossisjustovertharfeedin’。I’llputyoubackonhim，runinandtell’emI’moff，andbewithyeinajiffy，andtakeyebacktoSkinner’s。\"
\"Wait，\"shesaidsoftly。\"Wait。\"
\"OrtotheSilverHollow——it’snotsofar。\"
Shehadcaughthishandsagain，herrigidfaceclosetohis，\"Whathollow？——speak！\"shesaidbreathlessly。
\"Thehollowwharafriendo’minestrucksilver。He’lltakeyurin。\"
Herheadsankagainsthisshoulder。\"Letmestayhere，\"sheanswered，\"andwait。\"
Hesupportedhertenderly，feelingthegentlebrushingofherhairagainsthischeekasintheolddays。Hewascontenttowait，holdingherthus。Theywereverysilent;hereyeshalfclosed，asifinexhaustion，yetwiththestrangesuggestionoflisteninginthevacantpupils。
\"Yeain’thearin’anythin’，deary？\"hesaid，withatroubledface。
\"No;buteverythingissodeathlystill，\"shesaidinafrightenedwhisper。
Itcertainlywasverystill。Asingularhushseemedtohaveslidoverthelandscape;therewasnolongeranysoundfromthemill;
therewasanominousrestinthewoodland，soperfectthatthetinyrustleofanuneasywinginthetreeabovethemhadmadethemstart;eventhemoonlightseemedtohangsuspendedintheair。
\"It’slikethelullbeforethestorm，\"shesaidwithherstrangelaugh。
Butthenon-imaginativeCollinsonwasmorepractical。\"It’smightylikethatearthquakeweatherbeforethebigshakethetdrieduptheriverandstoppedthemill。ThatwasjustthetimeIgotthenewso’yourbein’deadwithyellowfever。Lord！honey，Iallusallowedtomyselfthetsuthin’washappenin’toyethen。\"
Shedidnotreply;buthe，holdingherfigureclosertohim，feltittremblingwithanervousexpectation。Suddenlyshethrewhimoff，androsetoherfeetwithacry。\"There！\"shescreamedfrantically，\"they’vecome！they’vecome！\"
Arabbithadrunoutintothemoonlightbeforethem，agrayfoxhaddashedfromthethicketintothewood，butnothingelse。
\"Who’scome？\"saidCollinson，staringather。
\"Thesheriffandhisposse！They’resurroundingthemnow。Don’tyouhear？\"shegasped。
Therewasastrangerattlinginthedirectionofthemill，adullrumble，withwildshoutsandoutcries，andthetramplingoffeetonitswoodenplatform。Collinsonstaggeredtohisfeet;butatthesamemomenthewasthrownviolentlyagainsthiswife，andtheybothclunghelplesslytothetree，withtheireyesturnedtowardtheledge。Therewasadensecloudofdustandhazehangingoverit。
Sheutteredanothercry，andranswiftlytowardstherockygrade。
Collinsonranquicklyafterher，butasshereachedthegradehesuddenlyshouted，withanawfulrevelationinhisvoice，\"Comeback！Stop，Sadie，forGod’ssake！\"Butitwastoolate。Shehadalreadydisappeared;andashereachedtherockonwhichChivershadleaped，hefeltitgivewaybeneathhim。
Buttherewasnosound，onlyarushofwindfromthevalleybelow。
Everythinglapsedagainintoitsawfulstillness。Asthecloudliftedfromwherethemillhadstood，themoonshoneonlyuponemptyspace。Therewasasingularmurmuringandwhisperingfromthewoodsbeyondthatincreasedinsound，andanhourlaterthedrybedoftheoldmill-streamwasfilledwitharushingriver。
CHAPTERVIII。
PrebleKeyreturnedtohishotelfromtheconvent，itistobefeared，withverylittleofthatrighteoussatisfactionwhichissupposedtofollowtheperformanceofagooddeed。Hewasbynomeanscertainthatwhathehaddonewasbestfortheyounggirl。
Hehadonlyshownhimselftoherasaworldlymonitorofdangers，ofwhichherinnocencewasprovidentiallyunconscious。Inhisfeverishhastetoavertascandal，hehadnochancetoexplainhisrealfeelings;hehad，perhaps，evenexposedherthwartedimpulsestoequallynaivebutmoredangerousexpression，whichhemightnothavetheopportunitytocheck。Hetossedwakefullythatnightuponhispillow，tormentedwithalternatevisionsofheradorablepresenceatthehotel，andherbowed，renunciatingfigureasshereenteredtheconventgate。Hewaitedexpectantlythenextdayforthemessageshehadpromised，andwhichhebelievedshewouldfindsomewaytosend。Butnomessagewasforthcoming。Thedaypassed，andhebecamealarmed。Thefearthatherescapadehadbeendiscoveredagainseizedhim。Ifshewereincloserestraint，shecouldneithersendtohim，norcouldheconveytoherthesolicitudeandsympathythatfilledhisheart。Inherchildishfranknessshemighthaveconfessedthewholetruth，andthiswouldnotonlyshutthedoorsoftheconventagainsthim，underhisformerpretext，butcompromiseherstillmoreifheboldlycalled。
Hewaylaidtheafternoonprocession;shewasnotamongthem。
Utterlydespairing，thewildestplansforseeingherpassedthroughhisbrain，——plansthatrecalledhishot-headedyouth，andafewmomentslatermadehimsmileathisextravagance，evenwhileithalffrightenedhimattherealityofhispassion。Hereachedthehotelheart-sickanddesperate。Theportermethimonthesteps。
Itwaswithathrillthatsentthebloodleapingtohischeeksthatheheardthemansay：——
\"SisterSeraphinaiswaitingforyouinthesitting-room。\"
TherewasnothoughtofdiscoveryorscandalinPrebleKey’smindnow;nodoubtorhesitationastowhathewoulddo，ashesprangupthestaircase。Heonlyknewthathehadfoundheragain，andwashappy！Heburstintotheroom，butthistimerememberedtoshutthedoorbehindhim。Helookedeagerlytowardsthewindowwhereshehadstoodthedaybefore，butnowsherosequicklyfromthesofainthecorner，whereshehadbeenseated，andthemissalshehadbeenreadingrolledfromherlaptothefloor。Herantowardshertopickitup。Hername——thenameshehadtoldhimtocallher——waspassionatelytremblingonhislips，whensheslowlyputherveilaside，anddisplayedapale，kindly，middle-agedface，slightlymarkedbyoldscarsofsmallpox。ItwasnotAlice;itwastherealSisterSeraphinawhostoodbeforehim。
Hisfirstrevulsionofbitterdisappointmentwassoquicklyfollowedbyarealizationthatallhadbeendiscovered，andhissacrificeofyesterdayhadgonefornaught，thathestoodbeforeher，stammering，butwithoutthepowertosayaword。Luckilyforhim，hisutterembarrassmentseemedtoreassureher，andtocalmthattimiditywhichhisbrusqueman-likeirruptionmightwellproduceintheinexperienced，contemplativemindoftherecluse。
Hervoicewasverysweet，albeitsad，asshesaidgently：——
\"IamafraidIhavetakenyoubysurprise;buttherewasnotimetoarrangeforameeting，andtheLadySuperiorthoughtthatI，whoknewallthefacts，hadbetterseeyouconfidentially。FatherCiprianogaveusyouraddress。\"
Amazedandwondering，Keybowedhertoaseat。
\"Youwillremember，\"shewentonsoftly，\"thattheLadySuperiorfailedtogetanyinformationfromyouregardingthebrotherofoneofourdearchildren，whomhecommittedtoourchargethrougha——acompanionoracquaintance——aMrs。Barker。Asshewasarmedwithhisauthoritybyletter，weacceptedthedearchildthroughher，permittedherashisrepresentativetohavefreeaccesstohissister，andevenallowedher，asanunattendedwoman，topassthenightattheconvent。Wewerethereforesurprisedthismorningtoreceivealetterfromhim，absolutelyforbiddinganyfurtherintercourse，correspondence，orassociationofhissisterwiththiscompanion，Mrs。Barker。Itwasnecessarytoinformthedearchildofthisatonce，asshewasonthepointofwritingtothiswoman;
butwewerepainedandshockedatherreceptionofherbrother’swishes。Ioughttosay，injusticetothedearchild，thatwhilesheisusuallydocile，intelligent，andtractabletodiscipline，andadevoteinherreligiousfeelings，sheissingularlyimpulsive。Butwewerenotpreparedfortherashandsuddenstepshehastaken。Atnoonto-daysheescapedfromtheconvent！\"
Key，whohadbeenfollowingherwithrelief，sprangtohisfeetatthisunexpectedculmination。
\"Escaped！\"hesaid。\"Impossible！Imean，\"headded，hurriedlyrecallinghimself，\"yourrules，yourdiscipline，yourattendantsaresoperfect。\"
\"Thepoorimpulsivecreaturehasaddedsacrilegetohermadness——asacrilegewearewillingtobelieveshedidnotunderstand，forsheescapedinareligioushabit——myown。\"
\"Butthiswouldsufficientlyidentifyher，\"hesaid，controllinghimselfwithaneffort。
\"Alas，notso！Therearemanyofuswhogoabroadonourmissionsinthesegarments，andtheyaremadeallalike，soastodivertratherthanattractattentiontoanyindividuality。Wehavesentprivatemessengersinalldirections，andsoughthereverywhere，butwithoutsuccess。Youwillunderstandthatwewishtoavoidscandal，whichamorepublicinquirywouldcreate。\"
\"Andyoucometome，\"saidKey，withareturnofhisfirstsuspicion，inspiteofhiseagernesstocutshorttheinterviewandbefreetoact，——\"tome，almostastranger？\"
\"Notastranger，Mr。Key，\"returnedthereligieusegently，\"buttoawell-knownman——amanofaffairsinthecountrywherethisunhappychild’sbrotherlives——afriendwhoseemstobesentbyHeaventofindoutthisbrotherforus，andspeedthisnewstohim。
WecometotheoldpupilofFatherCipriano，afriendoftheHolyChurch;tothekindlygentlemanwhoknowswhatitistohavedearrelationsofhisown，andwhoonlyyesterdaywasseekingtheconventto\"——
\"Enough！\"interruptedKeyhurriedly，withaslightcolor。\"Iwillgoatonce。Idonotknowthisman，butIwilldomybesttofindhim。Andthis——this——younggirl？Yousayyouhavenotraceofher？Mayshenotstillbehere？Ishouldhavesomecluebywhichtoseekher——ImeanthatIcouldgivetoherbrother。\"
\"Alas！wefearsheisalreadyfarawayfromhere。IfshewentatoncetoSanLuis，shecouldhaveeasilytakenatraintoSanFranciscobeforewediscoveredherflight。Webelievethatitwasthepoorchild’sintenttojoinherbrother，soastointercedeforherfriend——or，perhaps，alas！toseekher。\"
\"Andthisfriendleftyesterdaymorning？\"hesaidquickly，yetconcealingafeelingofrelief。\"Well，youmaydependonme！Andnow，asthereisnotimetobelost，Iwillmakemyarrangementstotakethenexttrain。\"Heheldouthishand，paused，andsaidinalmostboyishembarrassment：\"BidmeGodspeed，SisterSeraphina！\"
\"MaytheHolyVirginaidyou，\"shesaidgently。Yet，asshepassedoutofthedoor，withagratefulsmile，acharacteristicreactioncameoverKey。HisromanticbeliefintheinterpositionofProvidencewasnotwithoutatendencytoapplytheordinaryrulesofhumanevidencetosuchphenomena。SisterSeraphina’sapplicationtohimseemedlittleshortofmiraculousinterference;
butwhatifitwereonlyatricktogetridofhim，whilethegirl，whoseescapadehadbeendiscovered，waseitherunderrestraintintheconvent，orhidinginSantaLuisa？Yetthisdidnotpreventhimfrommechanicallycontinuinghisarrangementsfordeparture。
Whentheywerecompleted，andhehadbarelytimetogettothestationatSanLuis，heagainlingeredinvagueexpectationofsomedeterminingevent。
Theappearanceofaservantwithatelegraphicmessageatthismomentseemedtobeananswertothisinstinctivefeeling。Hetoreitopenhastily。Butitwasonlyasinglelinefromhisforemanatthemine，whichhadbeenrepeatedtohimfromthecompany’sofficeinSanFrancisco。Itread，\"Comeatonce——important。\"
Disappointedasitlefthim，itdeterminedhisaction;andasthetrainsteamedoutofSanLuis，itforawhiledivertedhisattentionfromtheobjectofhispursuit。Inanyevent，hisdestinationwouldhavebeenSkinner’sortheHollow，asthepointfromwhichtobeginhissearch。HebelievedwithSisterSeraphinathattheyounggirlwouldmakeherdirectappealtoherbrother;
butevenifshesoughtMrs。Barker，itwouldstillbeatsomeofthehauntsofthegang。ThelettertotheLadySuperiorhadbeenpostmarkedfrom\"BaldTop，\"whichKeyknewtobeanobscuresettlementlessfrequentedthanSkinner’s。Eventhenitwashardlypossiblethatthechiefoftheroadagentswouldpresenthimselfatthepost-office，andithadprobablybeenleftbysomelessknownofthegang。Avagueidea，thatwashardlyasuspicion，thatthegirlmighthaveasecretaddressofherbrother’s，withoutunderstandingthereasonsforitssecrecy，cameintohismind。A
stillmorevaguehope，thathemightmeetherbeforeshefoundherbrother，upheldhim。Itwouldbeanaccidentalmeetingonherpart，forhenolongerdaredtohopethatshewouldseekortrusthimagain。Anditwaswithverylittleofhisoldsanguinequalitythat，travel-wornandweary，heatlastalightedatSkinner’s。Buthishalfcarelessinquiryifanyladypassengershadlatelyarrivedthere，tohisembarrassmentproducedabroadsmileonthefaceofSkinner。
\"You’rethesecondmanthataskedthatquestion，Mr。Key，\"hesaid。
\"Thesecondman？\"ejaculatedKeynervously。
\"YesthefirstwasthesheriffofSierra。Hewantedtofindatall，good-lookingwoman，aboutthirty，withblackeyes。Ihopethatain’tthekindo’girlyou’relookingarter——isit？forI
reckonshe’sginyouboththeslip。\"
Keyprotestedwithaforcedlaughthatitwasnot，yetsuddenlyhesitatedtodescribeAlice;forheinstantlyrecognizedtheportraitofherfriend，theassumedMrs。Barker。Skinnercontinuedinlazyconfidence：——
\"Yeseetheysaythatthesheriffhadsortergotthedeadwoodonthatgango’roadagents，andhadhemmed’eminsomewharbetwixtBaldTopandCollinson’s。Butthatwomanwasoneo’theirspies，andspottedhislittlegame，andmanagedtogive’emthetip，sotheygotcleanaway。Anyhow，theyain’tbinheardfromsince。Butthebigshakehasmadescoutin’alongtheledgesratherstiffworkforthesheriff。TheysaythevalleynearLongCanyon’schockfullo’rockandslumgullionthat’sslippeddown。\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbythebigshake？\"askedKeyinsurprise。
\"GreatScott！youdidn’thearofit？Didn’thearofthe’arthquakethatshookusupallalongGalloper’stheothernight？Well，\"headdeddisgustedly，\"that’sjisttheconceitofthemfolksinthebay，thatcan’tallowthatANYTHIN’happensinthemountains！\"
TheurgenttelegramsofhisforemannowflashedacrossKey’spreoccupiedmind。PossiblySkinnersawhisconcern，\"Ireckonyourmineisallright，Mr。Key。Oneofyourmenwasoveryerelastnight，anddidn’tsaynothin’。\"
ButthisdidnotsatisfyKey;andinafewminuteshehadmountedhishorseandwasspeedingtowardstheHollow，witharemorsefulconsciousnessofhavingneglectedhiscolleagues’interests。Forhimself，intheutterprepossessionofhispassionforAlice，hecarednothing。AshedasheddowntheslopetotheHollow，hethoughtonlyofthetwomomentousdaysthatshehadpassedthere，andthefatethathadbroughtthemsonearlytogether。Therewasnothingtorecallitssylvanbeautyinthehideousworksthatnowpossessedit，orthesubstantialdwelling-housethathadtakentheplaceoftheoldcabin。Afewhurriedquestionstotheforemansatisfiedhimoftheintegrityoftheproperty。Therehadbeensomealarmintheshaft，buttherewasnosubsidenceofthe\"seam，\"
noranydifficultyintheworking。\"WhatItelegraphedyoufor，Mr。Key，wasaboutsomethingthathascroppedupwaybacko’theearthquake。Wewereservedheretheotherdaywithalegalnoticeofaclaimtothemine，onaccountofpreviousworkdoneontheledgebythelastoccupant。\"
\"Butthecabinwasbuiltbyagangofthieves，whouseditasahoardfortheirbooty，\"returnedKeyhotly，\"andeveryoneofthemareoutlaws，andhavenostandingbeforethelaw。\"HestoppedwithapangashethoughtofAlice。Andthebloodrushedtohischeeksastheforemanquietlycontinued：——
\"Buttheclaimain’tinanyo’theirnames。It’sallowedtobethegiftoftheirleadertohisyoungsister，aforetheoutlawry，andit’sinHERname——AliceRiggsorsomething。\"
Ofthehalf-dozentumultuousthoughtsthatpassedthroughKey’smind，onlyoneremained。Itwaspurelyanactofthebrother’stosecuresomepossiblefuturebenefitforhissister。Andofthisshewasperfectlyignorant！Herecoveredhimselfquickly，andsaidwithasmile：——
\"ButIdiscoveredtheledgeanditsauriferouscharactermyself。
Therewasnotraceorsignofpreviousdiscoveryorminingoccupation。\"
\"SoIjedged，andsoIsaid，andthetputsyeallright。ButI
thoughtI’dtellye;formininglawsismininglaws，andit’stheonethingyecan’tgetover，\"headded，withthepeculiarsuperstitiousreverenceoftheCalifornianminerforthatvestedauthority。
ButKeyscarcelylistened。Allthathehadheardseemedonlytolinkhimmorefatefullyandindissolublywiththeyounggirl。Hewasalreadyimpatientofeventhisslightdelayinhisquest。InhisperplexityhisthoughtshadrevertedtoCollinson’s：themillwasagoodpointtobeginhissearchfrom;itsgood-natured，stupidproprietormightbehisguide，hisally，andevenhisconfidant。
Whenhishorsewasbaited，hewasagaininthesaddle。\"IfyergoingCollinson’sway，yermightaskhimifhe’slostahorse，\"
saidtheforeman。\"Themorningaftertheshake，someoftheboyspickedupamustang，withamake-uplady’ssaddleon。\"Keystarted！WhileitwasimpossiblethatitcouldhavebeenriddenbyAlice，itmighthavebeenbythewomanwhohadprecededher。
\"Didyoumakeanysearch？\"heinquiredeagerly;\"theremayhavebeenanaccident。\"
\"Ireckonitwasn’tnoaccident，\"returnedtheforemancoolly，\"fortheriatawaslooseandtrailing，asifithadbeenstakedout，andbrokenaway。\"
Withoutanotherword，Keyputspurstohishorseandgallopedaway，leavinghiscompanionstaringafterhim。Herewasaclue：thehorsecouldnothavestrayedfar;thebrokentetherindicatedacamp;theganghadbeengatheredsomewhereinthevicinitywhereMrs。Barkerhadwarnedthem，——perhapsinthewoodbeyondCollinson’s。Hewouldpenetrateitalone。Heknewhisdanger;butasaSINGLEunarmedmanhemightbeadmittedtothepresenceoftheleader，andtheallegedclaimwasasufficientexcuse。Whathewouldsayordoafterwardsdependeduponchance。Itwasawildscheme——buthewasreckless。YethewouldgotoCollinson’sfirst。
Attheendoftwohourshereachedthethick-setwoodthatgaveupontheshelfatthetopofthegradewhichdescendedtothemill。
Asheemergedfromthewoodintotheburstingsunlightofthevalleybelow，hesharplyreinedinhishorseandstopped。Anotherboundwouldhavebeenhislast。Fortheshelf，therockygradeitself，theledgebelow，andthemilluponit，wereallgone！Thecrumblingouterwalloftherockygradehadslippedawayintoimmeasurabledepthsbelow，leavingonlythesharpedgeofacliff，whichincurvedtowardsthewoodsthathadoncestoodbehindthemill，butwhichnowbristledontheveryedgeofaprecipice。A
mistwashangingoveritsbrinkandrisingfromthevalley;itwasafull-fedstreamthatwascoursingthroughtheformerdrybedoftheriverandfallingdownthefaceofthebluff。Herubbedhiseyes，dismounted，creptalongtheedgeoftheprecipice，andlookedbelow：whateverhadsubsidedandmelteddownintoitsthousandfeetofdepth，therewasnotraceleftuponitssmoothface。Scarcelyanangleofdriftordebrismarredtheperpendicular;theburialofallruinwasdeepandcompact;theerasurehadbeenswiftandsure——
theobliterationcomplete。Itmighthavebeentheprecipitationofages，andnotofasinglenight。Atthatremotedistanceitevenseemedasifgrasswerealreadygrowingeverthisenormoussepulchre，butitwasonlythetopsoftheburiedpines。Theabsolutesilence，theutterabsenceofanymarkofconvulsivestruggle，eventhelullingwhimperoffallingwaters，gavethesceneapastoralrepose。
SoprofoundwastheimpressionuponKeyandhishumanpassionthatitatfirstseemedanironicalandeternalendingofhisquest。ItwaswithdifficultythathereasonedthatthecatastropheoccurredbeforeAlice’sflight，andthatevenCollinsonmighthavehadtimetoescape。Heslowlyskirtedtheedgeofthechasm，andmadehiswaybackthroughtheemptywoodsbehindtheoldmill-sitetowardstheplacewherehehaddismounted。Hishorseseemedtohavestrayedintotheshadowsofthiscovert;butasheapproachedhim，hewasamazedtoseethatitwasnothisown，andthatawoman’sscarfwaslyingoveritssidesaddle。Awildideaseizedhim，andfoundexpressioninanimpulsivecry：——
\"Alice！\"
Thewoodsechoedit;therewasanintervalofsilence，andthenafaintresponse。ButitwasHERvoice。Heraneagerlyforwardinthatdirection，andcalledagain;theresponsewasnearerthistime，andthenthetallfernsparted，andherlithe，gracefulfigurecamerunning，stumbling，andlimpingtowardshimlikeawoundedfawn。Herfacewaspaleandagitated，thetendrilsofherlighthairwerestrayingoverhershoulder，andoneofthesleevesofherschool-gownwasstainedwithbloodanddust。Hecaughtthewhiteandtremblinghandsthatwerethrustouttohimeagerly。
\"ItisYOU！\"shegasped。\"Iprayedforsomeonetocome，butIdidnotdreamitwouldbeYOU。AndthenIheardYOURvoice——andI
thoughtitcouldbeonlyadreamuntilyoucalledasecondtime。\"
\"Butyouarehurt，\"heexclaimedpassionately。\"Youhavemetwithsomeaccident！\"
\"No，no！\"shesaideagerly。\"NotI——butapoor，poormanIfoundlyingontheedgeofthecliff。Icouldnothelphimmuch，Ididnotcaretoleavehim。NooneWOULDcome！Ihavebeenwithhimalone，allthemorning！Comequick，hemaybedying。\"
Hepassedhisarmaroundherwaistunconsciously;shepermitteditasunconsciously，ashehalfsupportedherfigurewhiletheyhurriedforward。
\"Hehadbeencrushedbysomething，andwasjusthangingovertheledge，andcouldnotmovenorspeak，\"shewentonquickly。\"I
draggedhimawaytoatree，ittookmehourstomovehim，hewassoheavy，——andIgothimsomewaterfromthestreamandbathedhisface，andbloodedallmysleeve。\"
\"Butwhatwereyoudoinghere？\"heaskedquickly。
Afaintblushcrossedthepallorofherdelicatecheek。Shelookedawayquickly。\"I——wasgoingtofindmybrotheratBaldTop，\"sherepliedatlasthurriedly。\"Butdon’taskmenow——onlycomequick，do。\"
\"Isthewoundedmanconscious？Didyouspeakwithhim？Doesheknowwhoyouare？\"askedKeyuneasily。
\"No！heonlymoanedalittleandopenedhiseyeswhenIdraggedhim。Idon’tthinkheevenknewwhathadhappened。\"
Theyhurriedonagain。Thewoodlightenedsuddenly。\"Here！\"shesaidinahalfwhisper，andsteppedtimidlyintotheopenlight。
Onlyafewfeetfromthefatalledge，againsttherootsofabuckeye，withHERshawlthrownoverhim，laythewoundedman。
Keystartedback。ItwasCollinson！
Hisheadandshouldersseemeduninjured;butasKeyliftedtheshawl，hesawthatthelong，lankfigureappearedtomeltawaybelowthewaistintoamassofshapelessanddirtyrags。Keyhurriedlyreplacedtheshawl，and，bendingoverhim，listenedtohishurriedrespirationandthebeatingofhisheart。Thenhepressedadrinking-flasktohislips。Thespiritseemedtorevivehim;heslowlyopenedhiseyes。TheyfelluponKeywithquickrecognition。Butthelookchanged;onecouldseethathewastryingtorise，butthatnomovementofthelimbsaccompaniedthateffortofwill，andhisoldpatient，resignedlookreturned。Keyshuddered。Therewassomeinjurytothespine。Themanwasparalyzed。
\"Ican’tgetup，Mr。Key，\"hesaidinafaintbutuntroubledvoice，\"norseemtomovemyarms，butyou’lljustallowthatI’veshookhandswithye——allthesame。\"
\"Howdidthishappen？\"saidKeyanxiously。
\"Thet’swotgetsme！SometimesIreckonIknow，andsometimesI
don’t。Lyin’tharonthetledgealllastnight，andonlyjestabletolookdownintotheoldvalley，sometimesitseemedtomeezifI
felloverandgotcaughtintherockstryingtosavemywife;butthenwhenIkemtothinksensible，andknowmywifewasn’tthereatall，Igetmystified。SometimesIthinkIgotterthinkin’ofmywifeonlywhenthisyeryounggalthet’sbinlikeanangeltomekemhereanddraggedmeofftheledge，foryouseeshedon’tbelonghere，andhezdroppedontomelikeasperrit。\"
\"Thenyouwerenotinthehousewhentheshockcame？\"saidKey。
\"No。Youseethemillwasfilledwiththemfellersasthesheriffwasarter，anditwentoverwith’em——andI\"——
\"Alice，\"saidKey，withawhiteface，\"wouldyoumindgoingtomyhorse，whichyouwillfindsomewherenearyours，andbringingmeamedicinecasefrommysaddle-bags？\"
Theinnocentgirlglancedquicklyathercompanion，sawthechangeinhisface，and，attributingittotheimminentdangeroftheinjuredman，atonceglidedaway。Whenshewasoutofhearing，Keyleanedgravelyoverhim：——
\"Collinson，Imusttrustyouwithasecret。Iamafraidthatthispoorgirlwhohelpedyouisthesisteroftheleaderofthatgangthesheriffwasinpursuitof。Shehasbeenkeptinperfectignoranceofherbrother’scrimes。ShemustNEVERknowthem——norevenknowhisfate！Ifheperishedutterlyinthiscatastrophe，asitwouldseem——itwasGod’swilltospareherthatknowledge。I
tellyouthis，towarnyouinanythingyousaybeforeher。SheMUSTbelieve，asIshalltrytomakeherbelieve，thathehasgonebacktotheStates——whereshewillperhaps，hereafter，believethathedied。Betterthatsheshouldknownothing——andkeepherthoughtofhimunchanged。\"
\"Isee——Isee——Isee，Mr。Key，\"murmuredtheinjuredman。\"Thet’swotI’vebeensayin’tomyselflyin’hereallnight。Thet’swotI
binsayin’o’mywifeSadie，——herthatIactooallygottothinkkembacktomelastnight。YouseeI’dheerdfromoneo’thosefellarsthatawomanlikeuntoherhadbeenpickedupinTexasandbroughtonyere，andthatmebbeshewassomewharinCaliforny。Iwasthatfoolish——andthatontruetoher，allthewhileknowin’，asIoncetoldyou，Mr。Key，thatefshe’dbeenaliveshe’dbinyere——thatI
believedittrueforaminit！Andthatwaswhy，aforethishappened，Ihadadream，rightoutyer，anddreamedshekemtome，allwhiteandtroubled，throughthewoods。AtfirstIthoughtitwarmySadie;butwhenIseeshewarn’tlikeheroldself，andhervoicewasstrangeandherlaughwasstrange——thenIknoweditwasn’ther，andIwasdreamin’。You’reright，Mr。Key，inwotyougotoffjustnow——wotwasit？Bettertoknownothin’——andkeeptheoldthoughtsunchanged。\"
\"Haveyouanypain？\"askedKeyafterapause。
\"No;Ikinderfeeleasiernow。\"
Keylookedathischangingface。\"Tellme，\"hesaidgently，\"ifitdoesnottaxyourstrength，allthathashappenedhere，allyouknow。ItisforHERsake。\"
Thusadjured，withhiseyesfixedonKey，Collinsonnarratedhisstoryfromtheirruptionoftheoutlawstothefinalcatastrophe。
Eventhenhepalliatedtheiroutragewithhischaracteristicpatience，keepingstillhisstrangefascinationforChivers，andhisblindbeliefinhismiserablewife。Thestorywasattimesbrokenbylapsesoffaintness，byasingularreturnofhisoldabstractionandforgetfulnessinthemidstofasentence，andatlastbyafitofcoughingthatleftafewcrimsonbubblesonthecornersofhismonth。Keyliftedhiseyesanxiously;therewassomegraveinternalinjury，whichthedyingman’sresolutepatiencehadsuppressed。Yet，atthesoundofAlice’sreturningstep，Collinson’seyesbrightened，apparentlyasmuchathercomingasfromtheeffectofthepowerfulstimulantKeyhadtakenfromhismedicinecase。
\"Ithankye，Mr。Key，\"hesaidfaintly;\"forI’vegotanideaI
ain’tgotnogreattimebeforeme，andI’vegotsuthin’tosaytoyou，aforewitnesses\"——hiseyessoughtAlice’sinhalfapology——
\"aforewitnesses，youunderstand。Wouldyoumindstandin’outthar，aforeme，inthelight，soIkinseeyouboth，andyou，miss，rememberin’，ezawitness，suthin’Igottotelltohim？Youmighttakehishand，miss，tomakeitmoreregularandlawlike。\"
Thetwodidashebadethem，standingsidebyside，painfullyhumoringwhatseemedtothemtobewanderingsofadyingman。
\"Tharwasayoungfellow，\"saidCollinsoninasteadyvoice，\"ezkemtomyshantyanightagoonhiswaytothe——the——valley。Hewasasprightlyyoungfellow，gayandchipper-like，andheseztome，confidential-like，’Collinson，’sezhe，’I’mofftotheStatesthisverynightonbusinessofimportance;mebbeI’llbeawayalongtime——foryears！Youknow，’sezhe，’Mr。Key，intheHollow！
Gotohim，’sezhe，’andtellhimezhowIhadn’ttimetogettoseehim;tellhim，’sezhe，’thatRIVERS’——you’vegotthename，Mr。
Key？——you’vegotthename，miss？——’thatRIVERSwantshimtosaythistohislittlesisterfromherlovin’brother。Andtellhim，’
sezhe，thisyerRIVERS，’tolookarterher，beingalone。’Yourememberthat，Mr。Key？yourememberit，miss？Yousee，I
rememberedit，too，being，sotospeak，alonemyself\"——hepaused，andaddedinafaintwhisper——\"tillnow。\"
Thenhewassilent。Thatinnocentliewasthefirstandlastuponhishonestlips;forastheystoodthere，handinhand，theysawhisplain，hardfacetakeuponitself，atfirst，thegray，ashenhuesoftherocksaroundhim，andthenandthereaftersomethingoftheinfinitetranquillityandpeaceofthatwildernessinwhichhehadlivedanddied，andofwhichhewasapart。
Contemporaneoushistorywaslesskindly。The\"BaldTopSentinel\"
congratulateditsreadersthatthelateseismicdisturbancewasaccompaniedwithverylittlelossoflife，ifany。\"Itisreportedthattheproprietorofalowshebeenforemigrantsinanobscurehollowhadsuccumbedfrominjuries;but，\"addedtheeditor，withafinetouchofWesternhumor，\"whetherthiswastheresultofhisbeingforciblymixedupwithhisowntanglefootwhiskeyornot，weareunabletodeterminefromtheevidencebeforeus。\"Forallthat，asmallstoneshaftwasaddedlatertotherocksnearthesiteoftheoldmill，inscribedtothememoryofthisobscureproprietor，\"withthesingularlegend：\"Haveyefaithliketohim？\"
Andthosewhoknewonlyofthematerialcatastrophelookingarounduponthesceneofdesolationitcommemorated，thoughtgrimlythatitmustbefaithindeed，and——werewiserthantheyknew。
\"Yousmiled，DonPreble，\"saidtheLadySuperiortoKeyafewweekslater，\"whenItoldtoyouthatmanycaballerosthoughtitmostdiscreettointrusttheirfuturebridestothematernalguardianshipandtrainingoftheHolyChurch;yet，ofatruth，I
meantnotYOU。Andyet——eh！well，weshallsee。\"