Dunnlookedatherinsurprisenotunmixedwithadmiration。\"IfNellie，\"hethought，\"couldbutloveMElikethat！\"Butheonlysaid：
\"Forallthat，he’sanInjin。Why，lookathisname。Itain’tLow。It’sL’EauDormante，SleepingWater，anInjinname。\"
\"Andwhatdoesthatprove？\"returnedTeresa。\"OnlythatIndiansclapanick-nameonanystranger，whiteorred，whomaycampwiththem。Why，evenhisownfather，awhiteman，thewretchwhobegothimandabandonedhim，——HEhadanIndianname——LoupNoir。\"
\"Whatnamedidyousay？\"
\"LeLoupNoir，theBlackWolf。Isupposeyou’dcallhimanIndian，too？Eh！What’sthematter？We’rewalkingtoofast。
Stopamomentandrest。There——there，leanonme！\"
Shewasnonetoosoon;for，afterholdinghimuprightamoment，hislimbsfailed，andstoopinggentlyshewasobligedtosupporthimhalfrecliningagainstatree。
\"Itstheheat！\"hesaid。\"Givemesomewhiskyfrommyflask。
Nevermindthewater，\"headdedfaintly，withaforcedlaugh，afterhehadtakenadraughtatthestrongspirit。\"Tellmemoreabouttheotherwater——theSleepingWater——youknow。Howdoyouknowallthisabouthimandhis——father？\"
\"PartlyfromhimandpartlyfromCurson，whowrotetomeabouthim，\"sheansweredwithsomehesitation。
ButDunndidnotseemtonoticethisincongruityofcorrespondencewithaformerlover。\"AndHEtoldyou？\"
\"Yes;andIsawthenameonanoldmemorandumbookhehas，whichhesaysbelongedtohisfather。It’sfullofoldaccountsofsometradingpostonthefrontier。It’sbeenmissingforadayortwo，butitwillturnup。ButIcanswearIsawit。\"
Dunnattemptedtorisetohisfeet。\"Putyourhandinmypocket，\"hesaidinahurriedwhisper。\"No，there！——bringoutabook。There，Ihaven’tlookedatityet。Isthatit？\"headded，handingherthebookBracehadgivenhimafewhoursbefore。
\"Yes，\"saidTeresa，insurprise。\"Wheredidyoufindit？\"
\"Nevermind！Nowletmeseeit，quick。Openit，formysightisfailing。There——thankyou——that’sall！\"
\"Takemorewhisky，\"saidTeresa，withastrangeanxietycreepingoverher。\"Youarefaintagain。\"
\"Wait！Listen，Teresa——lower——putyourearlower。Listen！I
camenearkillingthatchapLowto-day。Wouldn’tithavebeenridiculous？\"
Hetriedtosmile，buthisheadfellback。Hehadfainted。
CHAPTERIX
ForthefirsttimeinherlifeTeresalostherpresenceofmindinanemergency。Shecouldonlysitstaringatthehelplessman，scarcelyconsciousofhiscondition，hermindfilledwithasuddenpropheticintuitionofthesignificanceofhislastwords。
Inthelightofthatnewrevelationshelookedintohispale，haggardfaceforsomeresemblancetoLow，butinvain。Yetherswiftfeminineinstinctmettheobjection。\"It’sthemother’sbloodthatwouldshow，\"shemurmured，\"notthisman’s。\"
Recoveringherself，shebegantochafehishandsandtemples，andmoistenedhislipswiththespirit。Whenhisrespirationreturnedwithafaintcolortohischeeks，shepressedhishandseagerlyandleanedoverhim。
\"Areyousure？\"sheasked。
\"Ofwhat？\"hewhisperedfaintly。
\"ThatLowisreallyyourson？\"
\"Whosaidso？\"heasked，openinghisroundeyesuponher。
\"Youdidyourself，amomentago，\"shesaidquickly。\"Don’tyouremember？\"
\"DidI？\"
\"Youdid。Isitnotso？\"
Hesmiledfaintly。\"Ireckon。\"
Sheheldherbreathinexpectation。Butonlytheludicrousnessofthediscoveryseemedparamounttohisweakenedfaculties。
\"Isn’titjustabouttheridiculousestthingallround？\"hesaid，withafeeblechuckle。\"FirstYOUnearlykillmebeforeyouknowIamLow’sfather;thenI’mjustspoilin’tokillhimbeforeI
knowhe’smyson;thenthatgod-forsakenfoolJackBracemistakesyouforNellieandNellieforyou。Ain’titjustthebiggestthingfortheboystogetholdof？ButwemustkeepitdarkuntilafterImarryNellie，don’tyousee？Thenwe’llhaveagoodtimeallround，andI’llstandthedrinks。Thinkofit，Teresha！Youdon’nome，Ido’noyou，nobodyknowshanybodyelsh。ItrykillLo’。Lo’wantskillNellie。Nothathnori——’\"
butthepotentliquor，overtakinghisexhaustedsenses，thickened，impeded，andatlaststoppedhisspeech。Hisheadslippedtohershoulder，andhebecameoncemoreunconscious。
Teresabreathedagain。Inthatbriefmomentshehadabandonedherselftoawildinspirationofhopewhichshecouldscarcelydefine。Notthatitwasentirelyawildinspiration;shetriedtoreasoncalmly。Whatifsherevealedthetruthtohim？Whatifshetoldthewretchedmanbeforeherthatshehaddeceivedhim;thatshehadoverheardhisconversationwithBrace;thatshehadstolenBrace’shorsetobringLowwarning;that，failingtofindLowinhisaccustomedhaunts，oratthecampfire，shehadleftanoteforhimpinnedtotheherbarium，imploringhimtoflywithhiscompanionfromthedangerthatwascoming;andthat，remainingonwatch，shehadseenthemboth——BraceandDunn——
approaching，andhadpreparedtomeetthematthecabin？Wouldthismiserableandmaddenedmanunderstandherself-abnegation？
WouldheforgiveLowandNellie？——shedidnotaskforherself。
Orwouldtherevelationturnhisbrain，ifitdidnotkillhimoutright？Shelookedatthesunkenorbitsofhiseyesandhecticonhischeek，andshuddered。
Whywasthisaddedtotheagonyshealreadysuffered？Shehadbeenwillingtostandbetweenthemwithherlife，herliberty，andeven——thehotblooddyedhercheekatthethought——withtheaddedshameofbeingthoughtthecast-offmistressofthatman’sson。Yetallthisshehadtakenuponherselfinexpiationofsomething——sheknewnotclearlywhat;no，fornothing——onlyforHIM。Andyetthisverysituationofferedherthatgleamofhopewhichhadthrilledher;ahopesowildinitsimprobability，sodegradinginitspossibility，thatatfirstsheknewnotwhetherdespairwasnotpreferabletoitsshame。Andyetwasitunreasonable？Shewasnolongerpassionate;shewouldbecalmandthinkitoutfairly。
ShewouldgotoLowatonce。Shewouldfindhimsomewhere——andevenifwiththatgirl，whatmattered？——andshewouldtellhimall。Whenheknewthatthelifeanddeathofhisfatherlayinthescale，wouldhelethisbrief，foolishpassionforNelliestandintheway？Evenifhewerenotinfluencedbyfilialaffectionormerecompassion，wouldhispridelethimstooptoarivalrywiththemanwhohaddesertedhisyouth？CouldhetakeDunn’spromisedbride，whomusthavecoquettedwithhimtohavebroughthimtothismiserableplight？Wasthislikethecalm，proudyounggodsheknew？Yetshehadanuneasyinstinctthatcalm，proudyounggodsandgoddessesdidthingslikethis，andfelttheweaknessofherreasoningflushherownconsciouscheek。
\"Teresa！\"
Shestarted。Dunnwasawake，andwasgazingathercuriously。
\"IwasreckoningitwastheonlysquarethingforLowtostopthispromiscuouspicnickinghereandmarryyououtandout。\"
\"Marryme！\"saidTeresainavoicethat，withallherefforts，shecouldnotmakecynical。
\"Yes，\"herepeated，\"afterI’vemarriedNellie;toteyoudowntoSanAngeles，andtheretakemynamelikeaman，andgiveittoyou。Nobody’llaskafterTERESA，sure——youbetyourlife。Andiftheydo，andhecan’tstoptheirjaw，justyoucallontheoldman。It’smightyqueer，ain’tit，Teresa，tothinkofyourbeingmydaughter-in-law？\"
Itseemedhereasifhewasabouttolapseagainintounconsciousnessoverthepurelyludicrousaspectofthesubject，buthehaplyrecoveredhisseriousness。\"He’llhaveasmuchmoneyfrommeashewantstogointobusinesswith。What’shislineofbusiness，Teresa？\"askedthisprospectivefather-in-law，inalarge，liberalway。
\"Heisabotanist！\"saidTeresa，withasuddenchildishanimationthatseemedtokeepupthegrimhumorofthepaternalsuggestion;
\"andoh，heistoopoortobuybooks！Isentforoneortwoforhimmyself，theotherday——\"shehesitated——\"itwasallthemoneyIhad，butitwasn’tenoughforhimtogoonwithhisstudies。\"
Dunnlookedathersparklingeyesandglowingcheeks，andbecamethoughtful。\"Cursonmusthavebeenad——dfool，\"hesaidfinally。
Teresaremainedsilent。Shewasbeginningtobeimpatientanduneasy，fearingsomemischancethatmightdelayherdreaded，yetlonged-formeetingwithLow。Yetshecouldnotleavethissickandexhaustedman，HISFATHER，nowboundtoherbymorethanmerehumanity。
\"Couldn’tyoumanage，\"shesaidgently，\"toleanonmeafewstepsfurther，untilIcouldbringyoutoacoolerspotandnearerassistance？\"
Henodded。Sheliftedhimalmostlikeachildtohisfeet。A
spasmofpainpassedoverhisface。\"Howfarisit？\"heasked。
\"Notmorethantenminutes，\"shereplied。
\"Icanmakeaspurtforthattime，\"hesaidcoolly，andbegantowalkslowlybutsteadilyon。Onlyhisface，whichwaswhiteandset，andtheconvulsivegripofhishandonherarmbetrayedtheeffort。Attheendoftenminutesshestopped。Theystoodbeforethesplintered，lightning-scarredshaftintheopeningofthewoods，whereLowhadbuiltherfirstcamp-fire。Shecarefullypickeduptheherbarium，butherquickeyehadalreadydetectedinthedistance，beforeshehadallowedDunntoentertheopeningwithher，thathernotewasgone。Lowhadbeentherebeforethem;hehadbeenwarned，ashisabsencefromthecabinshowed;hewouldnotreturnthere。Theywerefreefrominterruption——butwherehadhegone？
Thesickmandrewalongbreathofreliefassheseatedhimintheclover-grownhollowwhereshehadsleptthesecondnightofherstay。\"It’scoolerthanthosecursedwoods，\"hesaid。\"I
supposeit’sbecauseit’salittlelikeagrave。Whatareyougoingtodonow？\"headded，asshebroughtacupofwaterandplaceditathisside。
\"Iamgoingtoleaveyouhereforalittlewhile，\"shesaidcheerfully，butwithapalefaceandnervoushands。\"I’mgoingtoleaveyouwhileIseekLow。\"
Thesickmanraisedhishead。\"I’mgoodforaspurt，Teresa，likethatI’vejustgotthrough，butIdon’tthinkI’muptoafamilyparty。Couldn’tyouissuecardslateron？\"
\"Youdon’tunderstand，\"shesaid。\"I’mgoingtogetLowtosendsomeoneofyourfriendstoyouhere。Idon’tthinkhe’llbegrudgeleavingHERamomentforthat，\"sheaddedtoherselfbitterly。
\"What’sthatyou’resaying？\"hequeried，withthenervousquicknessofaninvalid。
\"Nothing——butthatI’mgoingnow。\"Sheturnedherfaceasidetohidehermoistenedeyes。\"Wishmegoodluck，won’tyou？\"sheasked，halfsadly，halfpettishly。
\"Comehere！\"
Shecameandbentoverhim。Hesuddenlyraisedhishands，and，drawingherfacedowntohisown，kissedherforehead。
\"GivethattoHIM，\"hewhispered，\"fromME。\"
Sheturnedandfled，happilyforhersentiment，nothearingthefeeblelaughthatfollowed，asDunn，insheerimbecility，againreferredtotheextravagantludicrousnessofthesituation。\"Itisaboutthebiggestthinginthewayofasellallround，\"herepeated，lyingonhisback，confidentiallytothespeckofsmoke-obscuredskyabovehim。Hepicturedhimselfrepeatingit，nottoNellie——hersevereproprietymightatlastoverlookthefact，butwouldnottoleratethejoke——buttoherfather！ItwouldbeoneofthosecharacteristicCalifornianjokesFatherWynnwouldadmire。
Tohisexhaustionfeverpresentlysucceeded，andhebegantogrowrestless。Theheattooseemedtoinvadehisretreat，andfromtimetotimethelittlepatchofblueskywastotallyobscuredbycloudsofsmoke。Heamusedhimselfwithwatchingalizardwhowasinvestigatingafoldedpieceofpaper，whoseelasticitygavethelittlecreaturelivelyapprehensionsofitsvitality。Atlasthecouldstandthestillnessofhisretreatandhissupinepositionnolonger，androlledhimselfoutofthebedofleavesthatTeresahadsocarefullypreparedforhim。Herosetohisfeetstiffandsore，and，supportinghimselfbythenearesttree，movedafewstepsfromthedeadashesofthecamp-fire。Themovementfrightenedthelizard，whoabandonedthepaperandfled。
WithasatiricalrecollectionofBraceandhis\"ridiculous\"
discoverythroughthemediumofthisanimal，hestoopedandpickedupthepaper。\"Likeasnot，\"hesaidtohimself，withgrimirony，\"theseyerlizardsareinthediscoverybusiness。
P’r’apsthismayleadtoanothermystery，\"andhebegantounfoldthepaperwithasmile。Butthesmileceasedashiseyesuddenlycaughthisownname。
Adozenlineswerewritteninpencilonwhatseemedtobeablankleaforiginallytornfromsomebook。Hetrembledsothathewasobligedtositdowntoreadthesewords：——
\"Whenyougetthiskeepawayfromthewoods。Dunnandanothermanareindeadlypursuitofyouandyourcompanion。Ioverheardtheirplantosurpriseyouinourcabin。DON’TGOTHERE，andI
willdelaythemandputthemoffthescent。Don’tmindme。Godblessyou，andifyouneverseemeagainthinksometimesof\"TERESA。\"
Histremblingceased;hedidnotstart，butroseinanabstractedway，andmadeafewdeliberatestepsinthedirectionTeresahadgone。Eventhenhewassoconfusedthathewasobligedtorefertothepaperagain，butwithsolittleeffectthathecouldonlyrepeatthelastwords，\"thinksometimesofTeresa。\"Hewasconsciousthatthiswasnotall;hehadafullconvictionofbeingdeceived，andknewthatheheldtheproofinhishand，buthecouldnotformulateitbeyondthatsentence。\"Teresa\"——yes，hewouldthinkofher。Shewouldexplainit。Andhereshewasreturning。
Inthatbriefintervalherfaceandmannerhadagainchanged。
Herfacewaspaleandquitebreathless。ShecastaswiftglanceatDunnandthepaperhemechanicallyheldout，walkeduptohim，andtoreitfromhishand。
\"Well，\"shesaidhoarsely，\"whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？\"
Heattemptedtospeak，buthisvoicefailedhim。Eventhenhewasconsciousthatifhehadspokenhewouldhaveonlyrepeated，\"thinksometimesofTeresa。\"Helookedlonginglybuthelplesslyatthespotwhereshehadthrownthepaper，asifithadcontainedhisunutteredwords。
\"Yes，\"shewentontoherself，asifhewasamute，indifferentspectator——\"yes，they’regone。Thatendsitall。Thegame’splayedout。Well！\"suddenlyturninguponhim，\"nowyouknowitall。YourNellieWASherewithhim，andiswithhimnow。Doyouhear？Makethemostofit;you’velostthem——buthereIam。\"
\"Yes，\"hesaideagerly——\"yes，Teresa。\"
Shestopped，staredathim;thentakinghimbythehandledhimlikeachildbacktohiscouch。\"Well，\"shesaid，inhalf-savageexplanation，\"ItoldyouthetruthwhenIsaidthegirlwasn’tatthecabinlastnight，andthatIdidn’tknowher。Whatareyouglowerin’at？No！Ihaven’tliedtoyou，IsweartoGod，exceptinonething。Didyouknowwhatthatwas？TosavehimItookuponmeashameIdon’tdeserve。IletyouthinkIwashismistress。Youthinksonow，don’tyou？Well，beforeGodto-day——
andHemaytakemewhenHelikes——I’mnomoretohimthanasister！IreckonyourNelliecan’tsayasmuch。\"
Sheturnedaway，andwiththequick，impatientstrideofsomecagedanimalmadethenarrowcircuitoftheopening，stoppingamomentmechanicallybeforethesickman，andagain，withoutlookingathim，continuinghermonotonousround。Theheathadbecomeexcessive，butsheheldhershawlwithbothhandsdrawntightlyoverhershoulders。Suddenlyawood-duckdartedoutofthecovertblindlyintotheopening，struckagainsttheblastedtrunk，fellhalfstunnednearherfeet，andthen，recovering，flutteredaway。Shehadscarcelycompletedanothercircuitbeforetheirruptionwasfollowedbyawhirringbevyofquail，aflightofjays，andasuddentumultofwingssweptthroughthewoodlikeatornado。SheturnedinquiringlytoDunn，whohadrisentohisfeet，butthenextmomentshecaughtconvulsivelyathiswrist;awolfhadjustdashedthroughtheunderbrushnotadozenyardsaway，andoneithersideofthemtheycouldhearthescamperandrustleofhurryingfeetliketheoutburstofasummershower。Acoldwindarosefromtheoppositedirection，asiftocontestthiswildexodus，butitwasfollowedbyablastofsickeningheat。TeresasankatDunn’sfeetinanagonyofterror。
\"Don’tletthemtouchme！\"shegasped;\"keepthemoff！Tellme，forGod’ssake，whathashappened！\"
Helaidhishandfirmlyonherarm，andliftedherinhisturntoherfeetlikeachild。Inthatsuprememomentofphysicaldanger，hisstrength，reason，andmanhoodreturnedintheirplenitudeofpower。Hepointedcoollytothetrailshehadquitted，andsaid，\"TheCarquinezWoodsareonfire！\"
CHAPTERX
ThenestofthetunefulBurnhams，althoughinthesuburbsofIndianSpring，wasnotinordinaryweatherandseasonshiddenfromthelongingeyesoftheyouthofthatsettlement。Thatnight，however，itwasveiledinthesmokethatencompassedthegreathighwayleadingtoExcelsior。ItispresumedthattheBurnhambroodhadlongsincefoldedtheirwings，fortherewasnosignoflifenormovementinthehouseasarapidly-drivenhorseandbuggypulledupbeforeit。Fortunately，thepaternalBurnhamwasanearlybird，inthehabitofpickingupthefirststirringminingworm，andaresoundingknockbroughthimhalfdressedtothestreetdoor。HewasstartledatseeingFatherWynnbeforehim，atrifleflushedandabstracted。
\"Ahha！upbetimes，Isee，andready。Nosluggardshere——ha，ha！\"hesaidheartily，slammingthedoorbehindhim，andbyaseriesofpokesintheribsgeniallybackinghishostintohisownsitting-room。\"I’mup，too，andamheretoseeNellie。
She’shere，eh——ofcourse？\"headded，dartingaquicklookatBurnham。
ButMr。Burnhamwasoneofthoselarge，liberalWesternhusbandswhoclassifiedhishouseholdunderthegeneraltitleof\"womanfolk，\"fortheintegersofwhichhewasnotresponsible。Hehesitated，andthenpropoundedoverthebalusterstotheupperstorythedirectquery——
\"Youdon’thappentohaveNellieWynnupthere，doye？\"
Therewasanintervalofinquiryproceedingfromhalfadozenreluctantthroats，moreorlesscottonyandmuffled，inthosevariousdegreesofgrievanceandmentaldistresswhichindicatetooearlyrousedyoungwomanhood。Theeventualreplyseemedtobeaffirmative，albeitaccompaniedwithasuppressedgiggle，asiftheyoungladyhadjustbeendiscoveredasananswertoanamusingconundrum。
\"Allright，\"saidWynn，withanapparentaccessionofboisterousgeniality。\"TellherImustseeher，andI’veonlygotafewminutestospare。Tellhertosliponanythingandcomedown;
there’snooneherebutmyself，andI’veshutthefrontdooronBrotherBurnham。Ha，ha！\"andsuitingtheactiontotheword，heactuallybundledtheadmiringBrotherBurnhamoutonhisowndoorstep。Therewasalightpatteringonthestaircase，andNellieWynn，pinkwithsleep，verytall，veryslim，hastilydrapedinawhitecounterpanewithablueborderandageneralclassicsuggestion，slippedintotheparlor。Atthesamemomentherfathershutthedoorbehindher，placedonehandontheknob，andwiththeotherseizedherwrist。
\"Wherewereyouyesterday？\"heasked。
Nellielookedathim，shruggedhershoulders，andsaid，\"Here。\"
\"YouwereintheCarquinezWoodswithLowDorman;youwentthereindisguise;you’vemethimtherebefore。Heisyourclandestinelover;youhavetakenpledgesofaffectionfromhim;youhave——\"
\"Stop！\"shesaid。
Hestopped。
\"Didhetellyouthis？\"sheasked，withanexpressionofdisdain。
\"No;Ioverheardit。DunnandBracewereatthehousewaitingforyou。Whenthecoachdidnotbringyou，Iwenttotheofficetoinquire。AsIleftourdoorIthoughtIsawsomebodylisteningattheparlorwindows。ItwasonlyadrunkenMexicanmuleteerleaningagainstthehouse;butifHEheardnothing，I
did。Nellie，IheardBracetellDunnthathehadtrackedyouinyourdisguisetothewoods——doyouhear？thatwhenyoupretendedtobeherewiththegirlsyouwerewithLow——alone;thatyouweararingthatLowgotofatraderhere;thattherewasacabininthewoods——\"
\"Stop！\"sherepeated。
Wynnagainpaused。
\"AndwhatdidYOUdo？\"sheasked。
\"Iheardtheywerestartingdowntheretosurpriseyouandhimtogether，andIharnessedupandgotaheadoftheminmybuggy。\"
\"Andfoundmehere，\"shesaid，lookingfullintohiseyes。
Heunderstoodherandreturnedthelook。Herecognizedthefullimportanceoftheculminatingfactconveyedinherwords，andwasobligedtocontenthimselfwithitslogicalandworldlysignificance。Itwastoolatenowtotakehertotaskformerefilialdisobedience;theymustbecomeallies。
\"Yes，\"hesaidhurriedly;\"butifyouvalueyourreputation，ifyouwishtosilenceboththesemen，answermefully。\"
\"Goon，\"shesaid。
\"Didyougotothecabininthewoodsyesterday？\"
\"No。\"
\"DidyouevergotherewithLow？\"
\"No;Idonotknowevenwhereitis。\"
Wynnfeltthatshewastellingthetruth。Nellieknewit;butasshewouldhavebeenequallysatisfiedwithanequallyefficaciousfalsehood，herfaceremainedunchanged。
\"Andwhendidheleaveyou？\"
\"Atnineo’clock，here。Hewenttothehotel。\"
\"Hesavedhislife，then，forDunnisonhiswaytothewoodstokillhim。\"
Thejeopardyofherloverdidnotseemtoaffecttheyounggirlwithalarm，althoughhereyesbetrayedsomeinterest。
\"ThenDunnhasgonetothewoods？\"shesaidthoughtfully。
\"Hehas，\"repliedWynn。
\"Isthatall？\"sheasked。
\"Iwanttoknowwhatyouaregoingtodo？\"
\"IWASgoingbacktobed。\"
\"Thisisnotimefortrifling，girl。\"
\"Ishouldthinknot，\"shesaid，withayawn;\"it’stooearly，ortoolate。\"
Wynngraspedherwristmoretightly。\"Hearme！Putwhateverfaceyoulikeonthisaffair，youarecompromised——andcompromisedwithamanyoucan’tmarry。\"
\"Idon’tknowthatIeverwantedtomarryLow，ifyoumeanhim，\"
shesaidquietly。
\"AndDunnwouldn’tmarryyounow。\"
\"I’mnotsosureofthat，either。\"
\"Nellie，\"saidWynnexcitedly，\"doyouwanttodrivememad？
Haveyounothingtosay——nothingtosuggest？\"
\"Oh，youwantmetohelpyou，doyou！Whydidn’tyousaythatfirst？Well，goandbringDunnhere。\"
\"Areyoumad？Themanhasgonealreadyinpursuitofyourlover，believingyouwithhim。\"
\"Thenhewillthemorereadilycomeandtalkwithmewithouthim。
Willyoutaketheinvitation——yesorno？\"
\"Yes，but——\"
\"Enough。OnyourwaythereyouwillstopatthehotelandgiveLowaletterfromme。\"
\"Nellie！\"
\"Youshallreadit，ofcourse，\"shesaidscornfully，\"foritwillbeyourtextfortheconversationyouwillhavewithhim。Willyoupleasetakeyourhandfromthelockandopenthedoor？\"
Wynnmechanicallyopenedthedoor。Theyounggirlflewup-
stairs。Inaveryfewmomentsshereturnedwithtwonotes：onecontainedafewlinesofformalinvitationtoDunn;theotherreadasfollows：
\"DEARMR。DORMAN，——MyfatherwilltellyouhowdeeplyIregretthatourrecentbotanicalexcursionsintheCarquinezWoodshavebeenasourceofseriousmisapprehensionstothosewhohadaclaimtomyconsideration，andthatIshallbeobligedtodiscontinuethemforthefuture。Atthesametimehewishesmetoexpressmygratitudeforyourvaluableinstructionandassistanceinthatpleasingstudy，eventhoughapproachingeventsmaycompelmetorelinquishitforotherduties。MayIbegyoutoaccepttheinclosedringasaslightrecognitionofmyobligationstoyou？
\"Yourgratefulpupil，\"NELLIEWYNN。\"
Whenhehadfinishedreadingtheletter，shehandedhimaring，whichhetookmechanically。Heraisedhiseyestoherswithperfectlygenuineadmiration。\"You’reagoodgirl，Nellie，\"hesaid，and，inamomentofparentalforgetfulness，unconsciouslyadvancedhislipstowardshercheek。Butshedrewbackintimetorecallhimtoasenseofthathumanweakness。
\"IsupposeI’llhavetimeforanapyet，\"shesaid，asagentlehinttoherembarrassedparent。Henoddedandturnedtowardsthedoor。
\"IfIwereyou，\"shecontinued，repressingayawn，\"I’dmanagetobeseenongoodtermswithLowatthehotel;soperhapsyouneednotgivethelettertohimuntilthelastthing。Good-by。\"
Thesitting-roomdooropenedandclosedbehindherassheslippedup-stairs，andherfather，withouttheformalityofleave-taking，quietlylethimselfoutbythefrontdoor。
Whenhedroveintothehighroadagain，however，anoverlookedpossibilitythreatenedforamomenttoindefinitelypostponehisamiableintentionsregardingLow。ThehotelwasatthefurtherendofthesettlementtowardstheCarquinezWoods，andasWynnhadnearlyreachedithewasrecalledtohimselfbythesoundsofhoofsandwheelsrapidlyapproachingfromthedirectionoftheExcelsiorturnpike。WynnmadenodoubtitwasthesheriffandBrace。Toavoidrecognitionatthatmoment，hewhippeduphishorse，intendingtokeeptheleaduntilhecouldturnintothefirstcross-road。Butthecomingtravelershadthefleetesthorse，andfindingitimpossibletodistancethemhedroveclosetotheditch，pullingupsuddenlyasthestrangevehiclewasabreastofhim，andforcingthemtopasshimatfullspeed，withtheresultalreadychronicled。Whentheyhadvanishedinthedarkness，Mr。Wynn，withaheartoverflowingwithChristianthankfulnessanduniversalbenevolence，wheeledround，anddrovebacktothehotelhehadalreadypassed。Topullupattheverandawithastentorianshout，tothumploudlyatthedesertedbar，tohilariouslybeatthepanelsofthelandlord’sdoor，andcommitajocoseassaultandbatteryuponthathalf-dresssedandhalf-awakenedman，waseminentlycharacteristicofWynn，andpartofhisamiableplansthatmorning。
\"Somethingtowashthiswoodsmokefrommythroat，BrotherCarter，andaboutasmuchagaintopropopenyoureyes，\"hesaid，draggingCarterbeforethebar，\"andglassesroundforasmanyoftheboysasareupandstirringafterahard-workingChristian’srest。Howgoesthehonestpublican’strade，andwhohavewehere？\"
\"Thar’sJudgeRobinsonandtwolawyersfromSacramento，DickCursonoverfromYolo，\"saidCarter，\"andthataryoungInjinyarbdoctorfromtheCarquinezWoods。Ireckonhe’sjistup——I
noticedalightunderhisdoorasIpassed。\"
\"He’smymanforafriendlychatbeforebreakfast，\"saidWynn。
\"Youneedn’tcomeup。I’llfindtheway。Idon’twantalight;
Ireckonmyeyesain’tasbrightnorasyoungashis，butthey’llseealmostasfarinthedark——he！he！\"And，noddingtoBrotherCarter，hestrodealongthepassage，andwithnootherintroductionthanaplayfulandpreliminary\"Boo！\"burstintooneoftherooms。
Low，whobythelightofasinglecandlewasbendingovertheplatesofalargequarto，merelyraisedhiseyesandlookedattheintruder。
Theyoungman’snaturalimperturbability，alwaysexasperatingtoWynn，seemedaccentedthatmorningbycontrastwithhisownover-actedanimation。
\"Ahha！——wastingthemidnightoilinsteadofimbibingthemorningdews，\"saidFatherWynnarchly，illustratinghismetaphorwithamovementofhishandtohislips。\"Whathavewehere？\"
\"Ananonymousgift，\"repliedLowsimply，recognizingthefatherofNelliebyrisingfromhischair。\"It’savolumeI’velongedtopossess，butnevercouldaffordtobuy。Icannotimaginewhosentittome。\"
Wynnwasforamomentstartledbythethoughtthatthisrecipientofvaluablegiftsmighthaveinfluentialfriends。Butaglanceatthebareroom，whichlookedlikeacamp，andthestrange，unconventionalgarbofitsoccupant，restoredhisformerconvictions。Theremightbeapromiseofintelligence，butscarcelyofprosperity，inthefigurebeforehim。
\"Ah！Wemustnotforgetthatwearewatchedoverinthenightseason，\"hesaid，layinghishandonLow’sshoulder，withanillustrationofcelestialguardianshipthatwouldhavebeenimpiousbutforitspalpablegrotesqueness。\"No，sir，weknownotwhatadaymaybringforth。\"
Unfortunately，Low’spracticalminddidnotgobeyondamerehumaninterpretation。Itwasenough，however，toputanewlightinhiseyeandafaintcolorinhischeek。
\"CouldithavebeenMissNellie？\"heasked，withhalf-boyishhesitation。
Mr。WynnwastoomuchofaChristiannottobowbeforewhatappearedtohimthepurelyprovidentialinterpositionofthissuggestion。SeizingitandLowatthesamemoment，heplayfullyforcedhimdownagaininhischair。
\"Ah，yourascal！\"hesaid，withinfinitearchness;\"that’syourgame，isit？YouwanttotrappoorFatherWynn。Youwanttomakehimsay’No。’Youwanttotempthimtocommithimself。No，sir！——never，sir！——no，no！\"
FirmlyconvincedthatthepresentwasNellie’s，andthatherfatheronlygood-humoredlyguessedit，theyoungman’ssimple，truthfulnaturewasembarrassed。Helongedtoexpresshisgratitude，butfearedtobetraytheyounggirl’strust。TheReverendMr。Wynnspeedilyrelievedhismind。
\"No\"hecontinued，bestridingachair，andfamiliarlyconfrontingLowoveritsback。\"No，sir——no！Andyouwantmetosay’No，’
don’tyou，regardingthelittlewalksofNellieandacertainyoungmanintheCarquinezWoods？——ha，ha！You’dlikemetosaythatIknewnothingofthebotanizings，andtheherbcollectings，andthepicknickingsthere——he，he！——youslydog！Perhapsyou’dliketotemptFatherWynnfurther，andmakehimswearheknowsnothingofhisdaughterdisguisingherselfinadusterandmeetinganotheryoungman——isn’titanotheryoungman？——allalone，eh？PerhapsyouwantpooroldFatherWynntosayNo。No，sir，nothingofthekindeveroccurred。Ah，youyoungrascal！\"
Slightlytroubled，inspiteofWynn’sheartymanner，Low，withhisusualdirectness，however，said，\"IdonotwantanyonetodenythatIhaveseenMissNellie。\"
\"Certainly，certainly，\"saidWynn，abandoninghismethod，considerablydisconcertedbyLow’ssimplicity，andacertainnaturalreservethatshookoffhisfamiliarity。\"Certainlyit’sanoblethingtobeabletoputyourhandonyourheartandsaytotheworld，’Comeon，allofyou！Observeme;Ihavenothingtoconceal。IwalkwithMissWynninthewoodsasherinstructor——herteacher，infact。Wecullaflowerhereandthere;wepluckanherbfreshfromthehandsoftheCreator。Welook，sotospeak，fromNaturetoNature’sGod。’Yes，myyoungfriend，weshouldbethefirsttorepelthefoulcalumnythatcouldmisinterpretourmostinnocentactions。\"
\"Calumny？\"repeatedLow，startingtohisfeet。\"Whatcalumny？\"
\"Myfriend，mynobleyoungfriend，Irecognizeyourindignation。
Iknowyourworth。WhenIsaidtoNellie，myonlychild，myperhapstoosimpleoffspring——amerewildflowerlikeyourself——
whenIsaidtoher，’Go，mychild，walkinthewoodswiththisyoungman，handinhand。Lethiminstructyoufromthehumblestroots，forhehastroddeninthewaysoftheAlmighty。Gatherwisdomfromhislips，andknowledgefromhissimplewoodman’scraft。Make，infact，acollectionnotonlyofherbs，butofmoralaxiomsandexperience’——IknewIcouldtrustyou，and，trustingyou，myyoungfriend，IfeltIcouldtrusttheworld。
PerhapsIwasweak，foolish。ButIthoughtonlyofherwelfare。
Ievenrecallhowthattopreservethepurityofhergarments，I
badeherdonasimpleduster;that，tosecureherfromthetriflingcompanionshipofothers，Ibadeherkeepherowncounsel，andseekyouatseasonsknownbuttoyourselves。\"
\"But……didNellie……understandyou？\"interruptedLowhastily。
\"Iseeyoureadhersimplenature。Understandme？No，notatfirst！Hermaidenlyinstinct——perhapsherdutytoanother——tookthealarm。Irememberherwords。’ButwhatwillDunnsay？’sheasked。’Willhenotbejealous？’\"
\"Dunn！jealous！Idon’tunderstand，\"saidLow，fixinghiseyesonWynn。
\"That’sjustwhatIsaidtoNellie。’Jealous！’Isaid。’What，Dunn，youraffiancedhusband，jealousofamerefriend——ateacher，aguide，aphilosopher。Itisimpossible。’Well，sir，shewasright。Heisjealous。And，morethanthat，hehasimpartedhisjealousytoothers！Inotherwords，hehasmadeascandal！\"
Low’seyesflashed。\"Whereisyourdaughternow？\"hesaidsternly。
\"Atpresentinbed，sufferingfromanervousattackbroughtonbytheseunjustsuspicions。Sheappreciatesyouranxiety，and，knowingthatyoucouldnotseeher，toldmetogiveyouthis。\"
HehandedLowtheringandtheletter。
Theclimaxhadbeenforced，and，itmustbeconfessed，wasbynomeanstheoneMr。Wynnhadfullyarrangedinhisowninnerconsciousness。HehadintendedtotakeanostentatiousleaveofLowinthebar-room，delivertheletterwitharchness，andescapebeforeapossibleexplosion。Heconsequentlybackedtowardsthedoorforanemergency。Buthewasagainatfault。Thatunaffectedstoicalfortitudeinacutesuffering，whichwastheoneremainingprideandgloryofLow’srace，wasyettoberevealedtoWynn’scivilizedeyes。
Theyoungmantooktheletter，andreaditwithoutchangingamuscle，foldedtheringinit，anddroppeditintohishaversack。
Thenhepickeduphisblanket，threwitoverhisshoulder，tookhistrustyrifleinhishand，andturnedtowardsWynnasifcoldlysurprisedthathewasstillstandingthere。
\"Areyou——areyou——going？\"stammeredWynn。
\"AreyouNOT？\"repliedLowdryly，leaningonhisrifleforamomentasifwaitingforWynntoprecedehim。Thepreacherlookedathimamoment，mumbledsomething，andthenshambledfeeblyandineffectivelydownthestaircasebeforeLow，withapainfulsuggestiontotheordinaryobserverofbeingoccasionallyurgedtheretobythemoccasinoftheyoungmanbehindhim。
Onreachingthelowerhall，however，heendeavoredtocreateadiversioninhisfavorbydashingintothebar-roomandclappingtheoccupantsonthebackwithindiscriminateplayfulness。Buthereagainheseemedtobedisappointed。Tohisgreatdiscomfiture，alargemannotonlyreturnedhissalutationwithpowerfullevity，butwithequalplayfulnessseizedhiminhisarms，andafteraningenioussimulationofdepositinghiminthehorse-troughsethimdowninaffectedamazement。\"Bleth’tifI
didn’tthinkfromtheweightofyourhanditwathmyoldfriend，ThacramentoBill，\"saidCursonapologetically，withawinkatthebystanders。\"That’ththewayBillalwaythuthedtotacklehithfriendth，tillhewathonedaybounthedbyaprithe-fighterinFrithco，whomhehadmithtakenforamithionary。\"AsMr。
Curson’sreputationwasofaqualitythatmadeanyformofapologyfromhiminstantlyacceptable，theamusedspectatorsmadewayforhimas，recognizingLow，whowasjustleavingthehotel，heturnedcoollyfromthemandwalkedtowardshim。
\"Halloo！\"hesaid，extendinghishand。\"You’rethemanI’mwaitingfor。Didyougetabookfromtheexthprethoffithelathtnight？\"
\"Idid。Why？\"
\"It’thallright。AthI’mrethponthibleforit，Ionlywantedtoknow。\"
\"DidYOUsendit？\"askedLow，quicklyfixinghiseyesonhisface。
\"Well，notexactlyME。Butit’thnotworthmakingamythteryofit。Terethagavemeacommithiontobuyitandthendittoyouanonymouthly。That’thawoman’thnonthenth，forhowcouldtheegetaretheiptforit？\"
\"ThenitwasHERpresent，\"saidLowgloomily。
\"Ofcourthe。Itwathn’tmine，myboy。I’dhavethentyouaTharp’thrifleinplatheofthatmuthleloaderyoucarry，orthomethingthenthible。But，Ithay！what’thup？Youlookathifyouhadbeenrunningallnight。\"
Lowgraspedhishand。\"Thankyou，\"hesaidhurriedly;\"butit’snothing。OnlyImustbebacktothewoodsearly。Good-by。\"
ButCursonretainedLow’shandinhisownpowerfulgrip。
\"I’llgowithyouabitfurther，\"hesaid。\"Infact，I’vegotthomethingtothaytoyou;onlydon’tbeinthuchahurry;thewoodthcanwaittillyougetthere。\"QuietlycompellingLowtoalterhisowncharacteristicIndianstridetokeeppacewithhis，hewenton：\"Idon’tmindthayingIrathercottonedtoyoufromthetimeyouactedlikeawhiteman——nooffenthe——toTeretha。
Shethaythyouwereleftwhenachildlyinground，juthtathpromithcuouthlyathshewath;andifIcandoanythingtowardthputtingyouonthetrailofyourpeople，I’lldoit。IknowthomeofthevoyageurthwhotradedwiththeCherokeeth，andyourfatherwathone-wathn’the？\"HeglancedatLow’sutterlyabstractedandimmobileface。\"Ithay，youdon’ttheemtotakeahandinthithgame，pardner。What’ththerow？Ithanythingwrongoverthere？\"andhepointedtotheCarquinezWoods，whichwerejustloomingoutofthemorninghorizoninthedistance。
Lowstopped。Thelastwordsofhiscompanionseemedtorecallhimtohimself。Heraisedhiseyesautomaticallytothewoodsandstarted。
\"ThereISsomethingwrongoverthere，\"hesaidbreathlessly。
\"Look！\"
\"Itheenothing，\"saidCurson，beginningtodoubtLow’ssanity;
\"nothingmorethanIthawanhourago。\"
\"Lookagain。Don’tyouseethatsmokerisingstraightup？Itisn’tblownovertherefromtheDivide;it’snewsmoke！Thefireisinthewoods！\"
\"Ireckonthat’thso，\"mutteredCurson，shadinghiseyeswithhishand。\"But，hullo！waitaminute！We’llgethortheth。Isay！\"
heshouted，forgettinghislispinhisexcitement——\"stop！\"ButLowhadalreadyloweredhisheadanddartedforwardlikeanarrow。
Inafewmomentshehadleftnotonlyhiscompanionbutthelaststragglinghousesoftheoutskirtsfarbehindhim，andhadstruckoutinalong，swingingtrotforthedisused\"cut-off。\"AlreadyhefanciedheheardthenoteofclamorinIndianSpring，andthoughthedistinguishedthesoundofhurryinghoofsonthegreathighway。Butthesunkentrailhiditfromhisview。Fromthecolumnofsmokenowplainlyvisibleinthegrowingmorninglighthetriedtolocatethesceneoftheconflagration。Itwasevidentlynotafireadvancingregularlyfromtheouterskirtofthewood，communicatedtoitfromtheDivide;itwasalocaloutburstnearitscentre。Itwasnotinthedirectionofhiscabininthetree。TherewasnoimmediatedangertoTeresa，unlessfeardroveherbeyondtheconfinesofthewoodintothehandsofthosewhomightrecognizeher。Thescreamingofjaysandravensabovehisheadquickenedhisspeed，asitheraldedtherapidadvanceoftheflames;andtheunexpectedapparitionofaboundingbody，flattenedandflyingovertheyellowplain，toldhimthateventhesecureretreatofthemountainwild-cathadbeeninvaded。AsuddenrecollectionofTeresa’suncontrollableterrorthatfirstnightsmotehimwithremorseandredoubledhisefforts。Aloneinthetrackofthesefranticandbewilderedbeasts，towhatmadnessmightshenotbedriven！
Thesharpcrackofariflefromthehighroadturnedhiscoursemomentarilyinthatdirection。Thesmokewascurlinglazilyovertheheadsofthepartyofmenintheroad，whilethehugehulkofagrizzlywasdisappearinginthedistance。Abattueoftheescapinganimalshadcommenced！Inthebitternessofhishearthecaughtatthehorriblesuggestion，andresolvedtosaveherfromthemordiewithherthere。
Howfastheran，orthetimeittookhimtoreachthewoods，hasneverbeenknown。Theiroutlineswerealreadyhiddenwhenheenteredthem。Toasenselesskeen，acouragelessdesperate，andapurposelessunalteredthanLow’s，thewoodwouldhavebeenimpenetrable。Thecentralfirewasstillconfinedtotheloftytreetops，butthedownwardrushofwindfromtimetotimedrovethesmokeintotheaislesinblindingandsuffocatingvolumes。
Tosimulatethecreepinganimals，andfalltothegroundonhandsandknees，feelhiswaythroughtheunderbrushwhenthesmokewasdensest，ortakeadvantageofitsmomentarylifting，andwithoutuncertainty，mistake，orhesitationglidefromtreetotreeinoneundeviatingcourse，waspossibleonlytoanexperiencedwoodsman。Tokeephisreasonandinsightsoclearastobeableinthemidstofthisbewilderingconfusiontoshapethatcoursesoastointersectthewildandunknowntractofaninexperienced，frightenedwandererbelongedtoLow，andLowalone。Hewasmakinghiswayagainstthewindtowardsthefire。Hehadreasonedthatshewaseitherincomparativesafetytowindwardofit，orheshouldmeetherbeingdriventowardshimbyit，orfindhersuccumbedandfaintingatitsfeet。Todothishemustpenetratetheburningbelt，andthenpassundertheblazingdome。Hewasalreadyuponit;hecouldseethefallingfiredroppinglikerainorblownlikegorgeousblossomsoftheconflagrationacrosshispath。Thespacewaslitupbrilliantly。Thevastshaftsofdullcoppercastnoshadowbelow，buttherewasnosignnortokenofanyhumanbeing。Foramomenttheyoungmanwasatfault。Itwastruethishiddenheartoftheforestborenoundergrowth;thecoolmattedcarpetoftheaislesseemedtoquenchtheglowingfragmentsastheyfell。Escapemightbedifficult，butnotimpossible，yeteverymomentwasprecious。Heleanedagainstatree，andsenthisvoicelikeaclarionbeforehim：\"Teresa！\"Therewasnoreply。Hecalledagain。Afaintcryathisbackfromthetrailhehadjusttraversedmadehimturn。Onlyafewpacesbehindhim，blindedandstaggering，butfollowinglikeabeatenandwoundedanimal，Teresa，halted，knelt，claspedherhands，anddumblyheldthemoutbeforeher。
\"Teresa！\"hecriedagain，andsprangtoherside。
Shecaughthimbytheknees，andliftedherfaceimploringlytohis。
\"Saythatagain！\"shecried，passionately。\"TellmeitwasTeresayoucalled，andnoother！Youhavecomebackforme！Youwouldnotletmedieherealone！\"
Heliftedhertenderlyinhisarms，andcastarapidglancearoundhim。Itmighthavebeenhisfancy，butthereseemedadullglowinthedirectionhehadcome。
\"Youdonotspeak！\"shesaid。\"Tellme！Youdidnotcomeheretoseekher？\"
\"Whom？\"hesaidquickly。
\"Nellie！\"
Withasharpcryhelethersliptotheground。Allthepent-upagony，rage，andmortificationofthelasthourbrokefromhiminthatinarticulateoutburst。Then，catchingherhandsagain，hedraggedhertohislevel。
\"Hearme！\"hecried，disregardingthewhirlingsmokeandthefierybaptismthatsprinkledthem——\"hearme！Ifyouvalueyourlife，ifyouvalueyoursoul，andifyoudonotwantmetocastyoutothebeastslikeJezebelofold，never——nevertakethataccursednameagainuponyourlips。Seekher——HER？Yes！Seekhertotieherlikeawitch’sdaughterofhelltothatblazingtree！\"Hestopped。\"Forgiveme，\"hesaidinachangedvoice。
\"I’mmad，andforgettingmyselfandyou。Come。\"
Withoutnoticingtheexpressionofhalf-savagedelightthathadpassedacrossherface，heliftedherinhisarms。
\"Whichwayareyougoing？\"sheasked，passingherhandsvaguelyacrosshisbreast，asiftoreassureherselfofhisidentity。
\"Toourcampbythescarredtree，\"hereplied。
\"Notthere，notthere，\"shesaid，hurriedly。\"Iwasdrivenfromtherejustnow。IthoughtthefirebeganthereuntilIcamehere。\"
Thenitwasashefeared。ObeyingthesamemysteriouslawthathadlaunchedthisfatalfirelikeathunderboltfromtheburningmountaincrestfivemilesawayintotheheartoftheCarquinezWoods，ithadagainleapedamilebeyond，andwashemmingthembetweentwonarrowinglinesoffire。ButLowwasnotdaunted。
Retracinghisstepsthroughtheblindingsmoke，hestrodeoffatrightanglestothetrailnearthepointwherehehadenteredthewood。ItwasthespotwherehehadfirstliftedNellieinhisarmstocarryhertothehiddenspring。Ifanyrecollectionofitcrossedhismindatthatmoment，itwasonlyshowninhisredoubledenergy。Hedidnotglidethroughthethickunderbrush，asonthatday，butseemedtotakeasavagepleasureinbreakingthroughitwithsheerbruteforce。OnceTeresainsisteduponrelievinghimoftheburdenofherweight，butafterafewstepsshestaggeredblindlyagainsthim，andwouldfainhaverecourseoncemoretohisstrongarms。Andso，alternatelystaggering，bending，crouching，orboundingandcrashingon，butalwaysinonedirection，theyburstthroughthejealousrampart，andcameuponthesylvanhauntofthehiddenspring。Thegreatangleofthehalf-fallentreeactedasaharriertothewindanddriftingsmoke，andthecoolspringsparkledandbubbledinthealmosttranslucentair。Helaidherdownbesidethewater，andbathedherfaceandhands。Ashedidsohisquickeyecaughtsightofawoman’shandkerchieflyingatthefootofthedisruptedroot。
DroppingTeresa’shand，hewalkedtowardsit，andwiththetoeofhismoccasingaveitonevigorouskickintotheoozeattheoverflowofthespring。HeturnedtoTeresa，butsheevidentlyhadnotnoticedtheact。
\"Whereareyou？\"sheasked，withasmile。
Somethinginhermovementstruckhim！Hecametowardsher，andbendingdownlookedintoherface。\"Teresa！GoodGod！——lookatme！Whathashappened？\"
Sheraisedhereyestohis。Therewasaslightfilmacrossthem;
thelidswereblackened;thebeautifullashesgoneforever！
\"Iseeyoualittlenow，Ithink，\"shesaid，withasmile，passingherhandsvaguelyoverhisface。\"Itmusthavehappenedwhenhefainted，andIhadtodraghimthroughtheblazingbrush;
bothmyhandswerefull，andIcouldnotcovermyeyes。\"
\"Dragwhom？\"saidLow，quickly。
\"Why，Dunn。\"
\"Dunn！Hehere？\"saidLow，hoarsely。
\"Yes;didn’tyoureadthenoteIleftontheherbarium？Didn’tyoucometothecamp-fire？\"sheaskedhurriedly，claspinghishands。\"Tellmequickly！\"
\"No！\"
\"Thenyouwerenotthere——thenyoudidn’tleavemetodie？\"
\"No！Iswearit，Teresa！\"thestoicismthathadupheldhisownagonybreakingdownbeforeherstrongemotion。
\"ThankGod！\"Shethrewherarmsaroundhim，andhidherachingeyesinhistroubledbreast。
\"Tellmeall，Teresa，\"hewhisperedinherlisteningear。\"Don’tmove;staythere，andtellmeall。\"
Withherfaceburiedinhisbosom，asifspeakingtohisheartalone，shetoldhimpart，butnotall。Withhereyesfilledwithtears，butasmileonherlips，radiantwithnew-foundhappiness，shetoldhimhowshehadoverheardtheplansofDunnandBrace，howshehadstolentheirconveyancetowarnhimintime。Buthereshestopped，dreadingtosayawordthatwouldshatterthehopeshewasbuildinguponhissuddenrevulsionoffeelingforNellie。Shecouldnotbringherselftorepeattheirinterview——
thatwouldcomelater，whentheyweresafeandoutofdanger;nownoteventhesecretofhisbirthmustcomebetweenthemwithitsdistraction，tomartheirperfectcommunion。ShefalteredthatDunnhadfaintedfromweakness，andthatshehaddraggedhimoutofdanger。\"Hewillneverinterferewithus——Imean，\"shesaidsoftly，\"withMEagain。Icanpromiseyouthataswellasifhehadswornit。\"
\"Lethimpass，now，\"saidLow;\"thatwillcomelateron，\"headded，unconsciouslyrepeatingherthoughtinatonethatmadeherheartsick。\"Buttellme，Teresa，whydidyougotoExcelsior？\"
Sheburiedherheadstilldeeper，asiftohideit。Hefeltherbrokenheartbeatagainsthisown;hewasconsciousofadepthoffeelingherrivalhadneverawakenedinhim。ThepossibilityofTeresalovinghimhadneveroccurredtohissimplenature。Hebenthisheadandkissedher。Shewasfrightened，andunloosedherclingingarms;butheretainedherhand，andsaid，\"Wewillleavethisaccursedplace，andyoushallgowithmeasyousaidyouwould;norneedyoueverleaveme，unlessyouwishit。\"
Shecouldhearthebeatingofherownheartthroughhiswords;
shelongedtolookattheeyesandlipsthattoldherthis，andreadthemeaninghisvoicealonecouldnotentirelyconvey。Forthefirsttimeshefeltthelossofhersight。Shedidnotknowthatitwas，inthismomentofhappiness，thelastblessingvouchsafedtohermiserablelife。
Afewmomentsofsilencefollowed，brokenonlybythedistantrumoroftheconflagrationandthecrashoffallingboughs。
\"Itmaybeanhouryet，\"hewhispered，\"beforethefirehassweptapathforustotheroadbelow。Wearesafehere，unlesssomesuddencurrentshoulddrawthefiredownuponus。Youarenotfrightened？\"Shepressedhishand;shewasthinkingofthepalefaceofDunn，lyinginthesecureretreatshehadpurchasedforhimatsuchasacrifice。Yetthepossibilityofdangertohimnowforamomentmarredherpresenthappinessandsecurity。\"Youthinkthefirewillnotgonorthofwhereyoufoundme？\"sheaskedsoftly。
\"Ithinknot，\"hesaid，\"butIwillreconnoitre。Staywhereyouare。\"
Theypressedhands，andparted。Heleapedupontheslantingtrunkandascendeditrapidly。Shewaitedinmuteexpectation。
Therewasasuddenmovementoftherootonwhichshesat，adeafeningcrash，andshewasthrownforwardonherface。
Thevastbulkoftheleaningtree，dislodgedfromitsaerialsupportbythegradualsappingofthespringatitsroots，orbythecrumblingofthebarkfromtheheat，hadslipped，madeahalfrevolution，and，falling，overborethelessertreesinitspath，andtore，initsresistlessmomentum，abroadopeningtotheunderbrush。
WithacrytoLow，Teresastaggeredtoherfeet。Therewasanintervalofhideoussilence，butnoreply。Shecalledagain。
Therewasasuddendeepeningroar，theblastofafieryfurnacesweptthroughtheopening，athousandluminouspointsaroundherburstintofire，andinaninstantshewaslostinawhirlwindofsmokeandflame！Fromtheonsetofitsfurytoitsculminationtwentyminutesdidnotelapse;butinthatintervalaradiusoftwohundredyardsaroundthehiddenspringwassweptoflifeandlightandmotion。
Fortherestofthatdayandpartofthenightapallofsmokehungabovethesceneofdesolation。Itliftedonlytowardsthemorning，whenthemoon，risinghigh，pickedoutinblackandsilvertheshrunkenandsilentcolumnsofthoserooflessvaults，shornofbaseandcapital。Itflickeredonthestill，overflowingpoolofthehiddenspring，andshoneuponthewhitefaceofLow，who，witharootletofthefallentreeholdinghimdownlikeanarmacrosshisbreast，seemedtobesleepingpeacefullyinthesleepingwater……
Contemporaneoushistorytouchedhimasbriefly，butnotasgently。\"Itisnowdefinitelyascertained，\"said\"TheSlumgullionMirror，\"\"thatSheriffDunnmethisfateintheCarquinezWoodsintheperformanceofhisduty;thatfearlessmanhavingreceivedinformationoftheconcealmentofabandofhorsethievesintheirrecesses。Thedesperadoesarepresumedtohaveescaped，astheonlyremainsfoundarethoseoftwowretchedtramps，oneofwhomissaidtohavebeenadigger，whosupportedhimselfuponrootsandherbs，andtheotheradegradedhalf-whitewoman。Itisnotunreasonabletosupposethatthefireoriginatedthroughtheircarelessness，althoughFatherWynnoftheFirstBaptistChurch，inhispowerfuldiscourseoflastSunday，pointedatthewarningandlessonofsuchcatastrophes。
Itmaynotbeoutofplaceheretosaythattherumorsregardinganengagementbetweenthepastor’saccomplisheddaughterandthelatelamentedsheriffareutterlywithoutfoundation，asithasbeenanonditforsometimeinallwell-informedcirclesthattheindefatigableMr。Brace，ofWells，FargoandCo。’sExpress，willshortlyleadtheladytothehymenealaltar。\"