CHAPTERI
JustwherethetrackoftheLosGatosroadstreamsonandupwardlikethesinuoustrailofafieryrocketuntilitisextinguishedintheblueshadowsoftheCoastRange，thereisanembayedterracenearthesummit，hedgedbydwarffirs。Ateverybendoftheheat-
ladenroadtheeyeresteduponitwistfully；allalongtheflankofthemountain，whichseemedtopantandquiverintheoven-likeair，throughrisingdust，theslowcreakingofdraggingwheels，themonotonouscryoftiredsprings，andthemuffledbeatofplunginghoofs，itheldoutapromiseofshelteredcoolnessandgreensilencesbeyond。Sunburnedandanxiousfacesyearnedtowarditfromthedizzy，swayingtopsofstagecoaches，fromlaggingteamsfarbelow，fromtheblindingwhitecanvascoversof\"mountainschooners，\"andfromscorchingsaddlesthatseemedtoweighdownthescrambling，sweatinganimalsbeneath。Butitwouldseemthatthehopewasvain，thepromiseillusive。Whentheterracewasreacheditappearednotonlytohavecaughtandgatheredalltheheatofthevalleybelow，buttohaveevolvedafireofitsownfromsomehiddencrater-likesourceunknown。Nevertheless，insteadofprostratingandenervatingmanandbeast，itwassaidtohaveinducedthewildestexaltation。Theheatedairwasfilledandstiflingwithresinousexhalations。Thedeliriousspicesofbalm，bay，spruce，juniper，yerbabuena，wildsyringa，andstrangearomaticherbsasyetunclassified，distilledandevaporatedinthatmightyheat，andseemedtofirewithamidsummermadnessallwhobreathedtheirfumes。Theystung，smarted，stimulated，intoxicated。Itwassaidthatthemostjadedandfoot-sorehorsesbecamefuriousandungovernableundertheirinfluence；weariedteamstersandmuleteers，whohadexhaustedtheirprofanityintheascent，drankfreshdraughtsofinspirationinthisfieryair，extendedtheirvocabulary，andcreatednewandstartlingformsofobjurgation。Itisrecordedthatonebibulousstage-driverexhausteddescriptionandcondenseditsvirtuesinasinglephrase：
\"Ginandginger。\"Thisfelicitousepithet，flungoutinagenerouscomparisonwithhisfavoritedrink，\"rumandgum，\"clungtoiteverafter。
Suchwasthecurrentcommentonthisvaleofspices。Likemosthumancriticismitwashastyandsuperficial。Nooneyethadbeenknowntohavepenetrateddeeplyitsmysteriousrecesses。Itwasstillfarbelowthesummitanditswaysideinn。Ithadescapedtheintrudingfootofhunterandprospector；andtheinquisitivepatrolofthecountysurveyorhadonlyskirteditsboundary。ItremainedforMr。LanceHarriotttocompleteitsexploration。Hisreasonsforsodoingweresimple。Hehadmadethejourneythitherunderneaththestage-coach，andclingingtoitsaxle。Hehadchosenthishazardousmodeofconveyanceatnight，asthecoachcreptbyhisplaceofconcealmentinthewaysidebrush，toeludethesheriffofMontereyCountyandhisposse，whowereafterhim。
Hehadnotmadehimselfknowntohisfellow-passengersastheyalreadyknewhimasagambler，anoutlaw，andadesperado；hedeemeditunwisetopresenthimselfinanewerreputationofamanwhohadjustslainabrothergamblerinaquarrel，andforwhomarewardwasoffered。Heslippedfromtheaxleasthestage-coachswirledpastthebrushingbranchesoffir，andforaninstantlayunnoticed，ascarcelydistinguishablemoundofdustinthebrokenfurrowsoftheroad。Then，morelikeabeastthanaman，hecreptonhishandsandkneesintothesteamingunderbrush。Herehelaystilluntiltheclatterofharnessandthesoundofvoicesfadedinthedistance。Hadhebeenfollowed，itwouldhavebeendifficulttodetectinthatinertmassofragsanysemblancetoaknownformorfigure。Ahideousreddishmaskofdustandclayobliteratedhisface；hishandswereshapelessstumpsexaggeratedinhistrailingsleeves。Andwhenherose，staggeringlikeadrunkenman，andplungedwildlyintotherecessesofthewood，acloudofdustfollowedhim，andpiecesandpatchesofhisfrayedandrottengarmentsclungtotheimpedingbranches。Twicehefell，but，maddenedandupheldbythesmartingspicesandstimulatingaromaoftheair，hekeptonhiscourse。
Graduallytheheatbecamelessoppressive；oncewhenhestoppedandleanedexhaustedlyagainstasapling，hefanciedhesawthezephyrhecouldnotyetfeelintheglitteringandtremblingofleavesinthedistancebeforehim。Againthedeepstillnesswasmovedwithafaintsighingrustle，andheknewhemustbenearingtheedgeofthethicket。Thespellofsilencethusbrokenwasfollowedbyafainter，moremusicalinterruption——theglassytinkleofwater！A
stepfurtherhisfoottrembledonthevergeofaslightravine，stillcloselycanopiedbytheinterlacingboughsoverhead。Atinystreamthathecouldhavedammedwithhishandyetlingeredinthisparchedredgashinthehillsideandtrickledintoadeep，irregular，well-likecavity，thatagainoverflowedandsentitsslightsurpluson。Ithadbeentheluxuriousretreatofmanyaspottedtrout；itwastobethebathofLanceHarriott。Withoutamoment’shesitation，withoutremovingasinglegarment，heslippedcautiouslyintoit，asiffearfuloflosingasingledrop。Hisheaddisappearedfromthelevelofthebank；thesolitudewasagainunbroken。Onlytwoobjectsremainedupontheedgeoftheravine，——
hisrevolverandtobaccopouch。
Afewminuteselapsed。Afearlessbluejayalightedonthebankandmadeaprospectingpeckatthetobaccopouch。Ityieldedinfavorofagopher，whoendeavoredtodrawittowardhishole，butinturngavewaytoaredsquirrel，whoseattentionwasdivided，however，betweenthepouchandtherevolver，whichheregardedwithmischievousfascination。Thentherewasasplash，agrunt，asuddendispersionofanimatednature，andtheheadofMr。LanceHarriottappearedabovethebank。Itwasastartlingtransformation。
Notonlythathehad，bythiswholesaleprocess，washedhimselfandhislight\"drill\"garmentsentirelyclean，butthathehad，apparentlybythesameoperation，morallycleansedHIMSELF，andlefteverystainanduglyblotofhislatemisdeedsandreputationinhisbath。Hisface，albeitscratchedhereandthere，wasrosy，round，shiningwithirrepressiblegoodhumorandyouthfullevity。Hislargeblueeyeswereinfantineintheirinnocentsurpriseandthoughtlessness。Drippingyetwithwater，andpanting，herestedhiselbowslazilyonthebank，andbecameinstantlyabsorbedwithaboy’sdelightinthemovementsofthegopher，who，afterthefirstalarm，returnedcautiouslytoabductthetobaccopouch。IfanyfamiliarhadfailedtodetectLanceHarriottinthishideousmasqueradeofdustandgrimeandtatters，stilllesswouldanypassingstrangerhaverecognizedinthisblondfaunthepossibleoutcastandmurderer。And，whenwithaswirlofhisspatteringsleeve，hedrovebackthegopherinashowerofsprayandleapedtothebank，heseemedtohaveacceptedhisfelonioushiding-placeasamerepicnickingbower。
Aslightbreezewasunmistakablypermeatingthewoodfromthewest。
Lookinginthatdirection，Lanceimaginedthattheshadowwaslessdark，andalthoughtheundergrowthwasdenser，hestruckoffcarelesslytowardit。Ashewenton，thewoodbecamelighterandlighter；branches，andpresentlyleaves，werepaintedagainstthevividblueofthesky。Heknewhemustbenearthesummit，stopped，feltforhisrevolver，andthenlightlyputthefewremainingbranchesaside。
Thefullglareofthenoondaysunatfirstblindedhim。Whenhecouldseemoreclearly，hefoundhimselfontheopenwesternslopeofthemountain，whichintheCoastRangewasseldomwooded。Thespicedthicketstretchedbetweenhimandthesummit，andagainbetweenhimandthestageroadthatplungesfromtheterrace，likeforkedlightningintothevalleybelow。Hecouldcommandalltheapproacheswithoutbeingseen。Notthatthisseemedtooccupyhisthoughtsorcausehimanyanxiety。Hisfirstactwastodisencumberhimselfofhistatteredcoat；hethenfilledandlightedhispipe，andstretchedhimselffull-lengthontheopenhillside，asiftobleachinthefiercesun。Whilesmokinghecarelesslyperusedthefragmentofanewspaperwhichhadenvelopedhistobacco，andbeingstruckwithsomeamusingparagraph，readithalfaloudagaintosomeimaginaryauditor，emphasizingitshumorwithanhilariousslapuponhisleg。
Possiblyfromtherelaxationoffatigueandthebath，whichhadbecomeavaporoneashealternatelyrolledanddriedhimselfinthebakinggrass，hiseyescloseddreamily。Hewasawakenedbythesoundofvoices。Theyweredistant；theywerevague；theyapproachednonearer。Herolledhimselftothevergeofthefirstprecipitousgrassydescent。Therewasanotherbankorplateaubelowhim，andthenaconfuseddepthofoliveshadows，piercedhereandtherebythespikedhelmetsofpines。
Therewasnotraceofhabitation，yetthevoiceswerethoseofsomemonotonousoccupation，andLancedistinctlyheardthroughthemtheclickofcrockeryandtheringofsomehouseholdutensil。Itappearedtobetheinterjectional，halflistless，halfperfunctory，domesticdialogueofanoldmanandagirl，ofwhichthewordswereunintelligible。Theirvoicesindicatedthesolitudeofthemountain，butwithoutsadness；theyweremysteriouswithoutbeingawe-inspiring。Theymighthaveutteredthedreariestcommonplaces，but，intheirvastisolation，theyseemedmusicalandeloquent。
Lancedrewhisfirstsigh，——theyhadsuggesteddinner。
Carelessashisnaturewas，hewastoocautioustoriskdetectioninbroaddaylight。Hecontentedhimselfforthepresentwithendeavoringtolocatethatparticularpartofthedepthsfromwhichthevoicesseemedtorise。Itwasmoredifficult，however，toselectsomeotherwayofpenetratingitthanbythestageroad。
\"They’reboundtohaveafireorshowalightwhenit’sdark，\"hereasoned，and，satisfiedwiththatreflection，laydownagain。
Presentlyhebegantoamusehimselfbytossingsomesilvercoinsintheair。ThenhisattentionwasdirectedtoaspuroftheCoastRangewhichhadbeensharplysilhouettedagainstthecloudlesswesternsky。Somethingintenselywhite，somethingsosmallthatitwasscarcelylargerthanthesilvercoininhishand，wasappearinginaslightcleftoftherange。
Whilehelookeditgraduallyfilledandobliteratedthecleft。Inanothermomentthewholeserratedlineofmountainhaddisappeared。
Thedense，dazzlingwhite，encompassinghostbegantopouroveranddowneveryravineandpassofthecoast。Lancerecognizedthesea-
fog，andknewthatscarcelytwentymilesawaylaytheocean——andsafety！Thedroopingsunwasnowcaughtandhiddeninitssoftembraces。Asuddenchillbreathedoverthemountain。Heshivered，rose，andplungedagainforverywarmthintothespice-ladenthicket。Theheatedbalsamicairbegantoaffecthimlikeapowerfulsedative；hishungerwasforgotteninthelanguoroffatigue；heslumbered。Whenheawokeitwasdark。Hegropedhiswaythroughthethicket。Afewstarswereshiningdirectlyabovehim，butbeyondandbelow，everythingwaslostinthesoft，white，fleecyveiloffog。Whateverlightorfiremighthavebetokenedhumanhabitationwashidden。Topushonblindlywouldbemadness；
hecouldonlywaitformorning。Itsuitedtheoutcast’slazyphilosophy。Hecreptbackagaintohisbedinthehollowandslept。Inthatprofoundsilenceandshadow，shutoutfromhumanassociationandsympathybytheghostlyfog，whattorturingvisionsconjuredupbyremorseandfearshouldhavepursuedhim？Whatspiritpassedbeforehim，orslowlyshapeditselfoutoftheinfiniteblacknessofthewood？None。Asheslippedgentlyintothatblacknessherememberedwithaslightregret，somebiscuitsthatweredroppedfromthecoachbyacarelessluncheon-consumingpassenger。Thatpangover，hesleptassweetly，asprofoundly，asdivinely，asachild。
CHAPTERII。
Heawokewiththearomaofthewoodsstillsteepinghissenses。
Hisfirstinstinctwasthatofallyounganimals；heseizedafewoftheyoung，tendergreenleavesoftheyerbabuenavinethatcreptoverhismossypillowandatethem，beingrewardedbyahalfberry-likeflavorthatseemedtosoothethecravingsofhisappetite。Thelanguorofsleepbeingstilluponhim，helazilywatchedthequiveringofasunbeamthatwascaughtinthecanopyingboughsabove。Thenhedozedagain。Hoveringbetweensleepingandwaking，hebecameconsciousofaslightmovementamongthedeadleavesonthebankbesidethehollowinwhichhelay。Themovementappearedtobeintelligent，anddirectedtowardhisrevolver，whichglitteredonthebank。Amusedatthisevidentreturnofhislarcenousfriendofthepreviousday，helayperfectlystill。Themovementandrustlecontinued，butitnowseemedlongandundulating。Lance’seyessuddenlybecameset；hewasintensely，keenlyawake。Itwasnotasnake，butthehandofahumanarm，halfhiddeninthemoss，gropingfortheweapon。Inthatflashofperceptionhesawthatitwassmall，bare，anddeeplyfreckled。Inaninstanthegraspeditfirmly，androsetohisfeet，draggingtohisownlevelashedidso，thestrugglingfigureofayounggirl。
\"Leavemego！\"shesaid，moreashamedthanfrightened。
Lancelookedather。Shewasscarcelymorethanfifteen，slightandlithe，withaboyishflatnessofbreastandback。Herflushedfaceandbarethroatwereabsolutelypepperedwithminutebrownfreckles，likegrainsofspentgunpowder。Hereyes，whichwerelargeandgray，presentedthesingularspectacleofbeingalsofreckled，——atleasttheywereshotthroughinpupilandcorneawithtinyspotslikepowderedallspice。Herhairwasevenmoreremarkableinitstawny，deer-skincolor，fulloflightershades，andbleachedtothefaintestofblondesonthecrownofherhead，asifbytheactionofthesun。Shehadevidentlyoutgrownherdress，whichwasmadeforasmallerchild，andthetoobriefskirtdisclosedabare，freckled，andsandydesertofshapelylimb，forwhichthedarnedstockingswereequallytooscant。Lancelethisgraspslipfromherthinwristtoherhand，andthenwithagood-
humoredgesturetosseditlightlybacktoher。
Shedidnotretreat，butcontinuedlookingathiminahalf-surlyembarrassment。
\"Iain’tabitfrightened，\"shesaid；\"I’mnotgoingtorunaway，——
don’tyoufear。\"
\"Gladtohearit，\"saidLance，withunmistakablesatisfaction，\"butwhydidyougoformyrevolver？\"
Sheflushedagainandwassilent。Presentlyshebegantokicktheearthattherootsofthetree，andsaid，asifconfidentiallytoherfoot，——
\"Iwantedtogetholdofitbeforeyoudid。\"
\"Youdid？——andwhy？\"
\"Oh，youknowwhy。\"
EverytoothinLance’sheadshowedthathedid，perfectly。Buthewasdiscreetlysilent。
\"Ididn’tknowwhatyouwerehidingtherefor，\"shewenton，stilladdressingthetree，\"and，\"lookingathimsidewaysunderherwhitelashes，\"Ididn’tseeyourface。\"
Thissubtlecomplimentwasthefirstsuggestionofherartfulsex。
Itactuallysentthebloodintothecarelessrascal’sface，andforamomentconfusedhim。Hecoughed。\"Soyouthoughtyou’dfreezeontothatsix-shooterofmineuntilyousawmyhand？\"
Shenodded。Thenshepickedupabrokenhazelbranch，fitteditintothesmallofherback，threwhertannedbarearmsovertheendsofit，andexpandedherchestandherbicepsatthesamemoment。Thissimpleactionwassupposedtoconveyanimpressionatonceofeaseandmuscularforce。
\"Perhapsyou’dliketotakeitnow，\"saidLance，handingherthepistol。
\"I’veseensix-shootersbeforenow，\"saidthegirl，evadingtheprofferedweaponanditssuggestion。\"Dadhasone，andmybrotherhadtwoderringersbeforehewashalfasbigasme。\"
Shestoppedtoobserveinhercompaniontheeffectofthiscapacityofherfamilytobeararms。Lanceonlyregardedheramusedly。
Presentlysheagainspokeabruptly：——
\"Whatmadeyoueatthatgrass，justnow？\"
\"Grass！\"echoedLance。
\"Yes，there，\"pointingtotheyerbabuena。
Lancelaughed。\"Iwashungry。Look！\"hesaid，gaylytossingsomesilverintotheair。\"Doyouthinkyoucouldgetmesomebreakfastforthat，andhaveenoughlefttobuysomethingforyourself？\"
Thegirleyedthemoneyandthemanwithhalf-bashfulcuriosity。
\"IreckonDadmightgiveyesuthingifhehadamindter，thoughezarulehe’sdownontrampseversincetheyrunoffhischickens。
Yemighttry。\"
\"ButIwantYOUtotry。Youcanbringittomehere。\"
Thegirlretreatedastep，droppedhereyes，and，withasmilethatwasacharminghesitationbetweenbashfulnessandimpudence，said：
\"SoyouAREhidin’，areye？\"
\"That’sjustit。Yourhead’slevel。Iam，\"laughedLanceunconcernedly。
\"Yurain’toneo’theMcCartygang——areye？\"
Mr。LanceHarriottfeltamomentarymoralexaltationindeclaringtruthfullythathewasnotoneofanotoriousbandofmountainfreebootersknowninthedistrictunderthatname。
\"Noryeain’toneofthemchickenliftersthatraidedHenderson’sranch？Wedon’tgomuchonthatkindo’cattleyer。\"
\"No，\"saidLance，cheerfully。
\"Noryeain’tthatchapezbeathiswifeuntodeathatSantaClara？\"
Lancehonestlyscornedtheimputation。Suchconjugalilltreatmentashehadindulgedinhadnotbeenphysical，andhadbeenwithothermen’swives。
Therewasamoment’sfurtherhesitationonthepartofthegirl。
Thenshesaidshortly：
\"Well，then，Ireckonyoukincomealongwithme。\"
\"Where？\"askedLance。
\"Totheranch，\"sherepliedsimply。
\"Thenyouwon’tbringmeanythingtoeathere？\"
\"Whatfor？Youkingetitdownthere。\"Lancehesitated。\"Itellyouit’sallright，\"shecontinued。\"I’llmakeitallrightwithDad。\"
\"ButsupposeIreckonI’dratherstayhere，\"persistedLance，withaperfectconsciousness，however，ofaffectationinhiscaution。
\"Stayawaythen，\"saidthegirlcoolly；\"onlyasDadperemptedthisyerwoods\"——
\"PRE-empted，\"suggestedLance。
\"Per-emptedorpre-emp-ted，asyoulike，\"continuedthegirlscornfully，——\"ezhe’sgotaholtonthisyerwoods，yemightezwellseehimdowntharezhere。Forherehe’sliketocomeanyminit。Youcanbetyourlifeonthat。\"
ShemusthavereadLance’samusementinhiseyes，forsheagaindroppedherownwithafrownofbrusqueembarrassment。\"Comealong，then；I’myourman，\"saidLance，gayly，extendinghishand。
Shewouldnotacceptit，eyingit，however，furtively，likeahorseabouttoshy。\"Handmeyourpistolfirst，\"shesaid。
Hehandedittoherwithanassumptionofgayety。Shereceiveditonherpartwithunfeignedseriousness，andthrewitoverhershoulderlikeagun。Thiscombinedactionofthechildandheroine，itisquiteunnecessarytosay，affordedLanceundilutedjoy。
\"Yougofirst，\"shesaid。
Lancesteppedpromptlyout，withabroadgrin。\"LookskinderasifIwasaprisoner，don’tit？\"hesuggested。
\"Goon，anddon’tfool，\"shereplied。
Thetwofaredonwardthroughthewood。Foronemomentheentertainedthefacetiousideaofappearingtorushfranticallyaway，\"justtoseewhatthegirlwoulddo，\"butabandonedit。
\"It’saneventhingifshewouldn’tspotmethefirstpop，\"hereflectedadmiringly。
Whentheyhadreachedtheopenhillside，Lancestoppedinquiringly。
\"Thisway，\"shesaid，pointingtowardthesummit，andinquiteanoppositedirectiontothevalleywherehehadheardthevoices，oneofwhichhenowrecognizedashers。Theyskirtedthethicketforafewmoments，andthenturnedsharplyintoatrailwhichbegantodiptowardaravineleadingtothevalley。
\"Whydoyouhavetogoallthewayround？\"heasked。
\"WEdon’t，\"thegirlrepliedwithemphasis；\"there’sashortercut。\"
\"Where？\"
\"That’stelling，\"sheansweredshortly。
\"What’syourname？\"askedLance，afterasteepscrambleandadropintotheravine。
\"Flip。\"
\"What？\"
\"Flip。\"
\"Imeanyourfirstname，——yourfrontname。\"
\"Flip。\"
\"Flip！Oh，shortforFelipa！\"
\"Itain’tFlipper，——it’sFlip。\"Andsherelapsedintosilence。
\"Youdon’taskmemine？\"suggestedLance。
Shedidnotvouchsafeareply。
\"Thenyoudon’twanttoknow？\"
\"MaybeDadwill。YoucanlietoHIM。\"
Thisdirectanswerapparentlysustainedtheagreeablehomicideforsomemoments。Hemovedonward，silentlyexudingadmiration。
\"Only，\"addedFlip，withasuddencaution，\"you’dbetteragreewithme。\"
Thetrailhereturnedagainabruptlyandre-enteredthecanyon。
Lancelookedup，andnoticedtheywerealmostdirectlybeneaththebaythicketandtheplateauthattoweredfarabovethem。Thetrailhereshowedsignsofclearing，andthewaywasmarkedbyfelledtreesandstumpsofpines。
\"Whatdoesyourfatherdohere？\"hefinallyasked。Flipremainedsilent，swingingtherevolver。Lancerepeatedhisquestion。
\"Burnscharcoalandmakesdiamonds，\"saidFlip，lookingathimfromthecornersofhereyes。
\"Makesdiamonds？\"echoedLance。
Flipnoddedherhead。
\"Manyof’em？\"hecontinuedcarelessly。
\"Lots。Butthey’renotbig，\"shereturned，withasidelongglance。
\"Oh，they’renotbig？\"saidLancegravely。
Theyhadbythistimereachedasmallstakedinclosure，whencethesuddenflutteringandcackleofpoultrywelcomedthereturnoftheevidentmistressofthissylvanretreat。Itwasscarcelyimposing。
Furtheron，acookingstoveunderatree，asaddleandbridle，afewhouseholdimplementsscatteredabout，indicatedthe\"ranch。\"
Likemostpioneerclearings，itwassimplyadisorganizedraiduponnaturethathadleftbehindadesolatebattlefieldstrewnwithwasteanddecay。Thefallentrees，thecrushedthicket，thesplinteredlimbs，therudelytorn-upsoil，weremadehideousbytheirgrotesquejuxtapositionwiththewreckedfragmentsofcivilization，inemptycans，brokenbottles，batteredhats，solelessboots，frayedstockings，cast-offrags，andthecrowningabsurdityofthetwisted-wireskeletonofahoopedskirthangingfromabranch。Thewildestdefile，thedensestthicket，themostvirginsolitude，waslessdrearyandforlornthanthisfirstfootprintofman。Theonlyredeemingfeatureofthisprolongedbivouacwasthecabinitself。Builtofthehalf-cylindricalstripsofpinebark，andthatchedwiththesamematerial，ithadacertainpicturesquerusticity。Butthiswasanaccidentofeconomyratherthantaste，forwhichFlipapologizedbysayingthatthebarkofthepinewas\"nogood\"forcharcoal。
\"IreckonDad’sinthewoods，\"sheadded，pausingbeforetheopendoorofthecabin。\"Oh，Dad！\"Hervoice，clearandhigh，seemedtofillthewholelongcanyon，andechoedfromthegreenplateauabove。Themonotonousstrokesofanaxeweresuddenlypretermitted，andsomewherefromthedepthsoftheclose-setpinesavoiceanswered\"Flip。\"Therewasapauseofafewmoments，withsomemuttering，stumbling，andcracklingintheunderbrush，andthenthesuddenappearanceof\"Dad。\"
HadLancefirstmethiminthethicket，hewouldhavebeenpuzzledtoassignhisracetoMongolian，Indian，orEthiopianorigin。
Perfunctorybutincompletewashingsofhishandsandface，aftercharcoalburning，hadgraduallygroundintohisskinagrayishslate-pencilpallor，grotesquelyrelievedattheedges，wherethewashinghadleftoff，withaborderofadarkercolor。HelookedlikeanoverworkedChristyminstrelwiththebriefestofintervalsbetweenhisperformances。Therewereblackrimsintheorbitsofhiseyes，asifhegazedfeeblyoutofunglazedspectacles，whichheightenedhissimianresemblance，alreadygrotesquelyexaggeratedbywhatappearedtoberepeatedandspasmodicexperimentsindyeinghisgrayhair。WithouttheslightestnoticeofLance，heinflictedhisprotestingandquerulouspresenceentirelyonhisdaughter。
\"Well，what’supnow？Yeryearecallingmefromworkanhourbeforenoon。Dogmyskin，efIevergetfairlylimberedupaforeit’s’Dad！’and’Oh，Dad！’\"
ToLance’sintensesatisfactionthegirlreceivedthisharanguewithanairofsupremeindifference，andwhen\"Dad\"hadrelapsedintoanunintelligible，and，asitseemedtoLance，ahalf-
frightenedmuttering，shesaidcoolly，——
\"Ye’dbetterdropthataxeandscootroundgetten’thisstrangersomebreakfastandsomegrubtotakewithhim。He’soneofthemSanFranciscosportsoutheretroutfishinginthebranch。He’sgotadriftfromhisparty，haslosthisrodandfixins，andhadtocampoutlastnightintheGinandGingerWoods。\"
\"That’sjustit；it’sallerssuthinlikethat，\"screamedtheoldman，dashinghisfistonhisleginafeeble，impotentpassion，butwithoutlookingatLance。\"Whyinblazesdon’thegouptothatthereblamedhotelonthesummit？Whyinthunder——\"Butherehecaughthisdaughter’slarge，freckledeyesfullinhisown。Heblinkedfeebly，hisvoicefellintoatoneofwhiningentreaty。
\"Now，lookyer，Flip，it’splayingitratherlowdownontheoldman，thisyerrunning’ino’trampsanddesartedemigrantsandcast-ashoresailorsandforlornwiddersandravin’lunatics，onthisyerranch。Iputittoyou，Mister，\"hesaidabruptly，turningtoLanceforthefirsttime，butasifhehadalreadytakenanactivepartintheconversation，——\"Iputitasagentlemanyourself，andafair-mindedsportin’man，ifthisisthesquarething？\"
BeforeLancecouldreply，Fliphadalreadybegun。\"That’sjustit！
D’yereckon，beingasportin’manandanA1feller，he’sgoin’towaltzdowninterthathotel，riggedoutezheis？D’yereckonhe’sgoin’tolethispartnersgetthelaughouterhim？D’yereckonhe’sgoin’toshowhisheadouterthisyerranchtillhecandoitsquare？Notmuch！Go’long。Dad，you’retalkingsilly！\"
Theoldmanweakened。Hefeeblytrailedhisaxebetweenhislegstoastumpandsatdown，wipinghisforeheadwithhissleeve，andimpartingtoittheappearanceofaslatewithadifficultsumpartlyrubbedout。HelookeddespairinglyatLance。\"Incourse，\"
hesaid，withadeepsigh，\"younaturallyain’tgotanymoney。Incourseyouleftyourpocketbook，containingfiftydollars，underastone，andcan’tfindit。Incourse，\"hecontinued，asheobservedLanceputhishandtohispocket，\"you’veonlygotablankcheckonWells，Fargo&Co。forahundreddollars，andyou’dlikemetogiveyouthedifference？\"
AmusedasLanceevidentlywasatthis，hisabsoluteadmirationforFlipabsorbedeverythingelse。Withhiseyesfixeduponthegirl，hebrieflyassuredtheoldmanthathewouldpayforeverythinghewanted。Hedidthiswithamannerquitedifferentfromthecareless，easyattitudehehadassumedtowardFlip；atleastthequick-wittedgirlnoticedit，andwonderedifhewasangry。Itwasquitetruethateversincehiseyehadfallenuponanotherofhisownsex，itsglancehadbeenlessfrankandcareless。Certaintraitsofpossibleimpatience，whichmightdevelopintoman-
slaying，werecomingtothefore。YetawordoragestureofFlip’swassufficienttochangethatmanner，andwhen，withthefretfulassistanceofherfather，shehadpreparedasomewhatsketchyandprimitiverepast，hequestionedtheoldmanaboutdiamond-making。TheeyeofDadkindled。
\"IwantterknowhowyeknewIwasmakingdiamonds，\"heasked，withacertainbashfulpettishnessnotunlikehisdaughter’s。
\"Hearditin’Frisco，\"repliedLance，withglibmendacity，glancingatthegirl。
\"Ireckonthey’regettin’sortofskeertdownthere——themjewelers，\"chuckledDad，\"yetit’sinnaterthattheirfiggerswillhavetocomedown。It’sonlyaquestionofthepriceofcharcoal。
Isupposetheydidn’ttellyouhowImadethediscovery？\"
Lancewouldhavestoppedtheoldman’snarrativebysayingthatheknewthestory，buthewishedtoseehowfarFliplentherselftoherfather’sdelusion。
\"Yesee，onenightabouttwoyearsagoIhadapito’charcoalburningoutthere，andtho’ithadbeenasmoulderingandasmokingandablazingfornighuntoamonth，somehowitdidn’tcharcoalworthacent。Andyet，dogmyskin，buttheheato’thaterpitwassuthinhidyusandfrightful；yecouldn’tstandwithinahundredyardsofit，andtheycouldfeelitonthestageroadthreemilesoveryon，t’othersidethemountain。TherewasnightswhenmeandFliphadtotakeourblanketsuptheravineandcampoutallnight，andthebackofthisyerhutshriveleduplikethatbacon。Itwasaboutasnighontohellasanysampleyekingethere。Now，mebbeyouthinkIbuiltthatairfire？Mebbeyou’llallowtheheatwasjustthenat’ralburningofthatpit？\"
\"Certainly，\"saidLance，tryingtoseeFlip’seyes，whichwereresolutelyaverted。
\"Thet’swharyou’dbelyin’！Thatyarheatkemoutofthebowelsoftheyearth，——kemuplikeoutofachimbleyorablast，andkepupthatyarfire。Andwhenshecoolsdownamonthafter，andIgottostripher，therewasaholeintheyearth，andaspringo’
bilin’，scaldin’waterpourin’outofitezbigasyourwaist。Andrightinthemiddleofitwasthisyer。\"Herosewiththeinstinctofaskillfulraconteur，andwhiskedfromunderhisbunkachamoisleatherbag，whichheemptiedonthetablebeforethem。Itcontainedasmallfragmentofnativerockcrystal，half-fuseduponapetrifiedbitofpine。Itwassoglaringlytruthful，soreallywhatitpurportedtobe，thatthemostunscientificwoodmanorpioneerwouldhaveunderstooditataglance。LanceraisedhismirthfuleyestoFlip。
\"Itwascooledsuddint，——stuntedbythewater，\"saidthegirl，eagerly。Shestopped，andasabruptlyturnedawayhereyesandherreddenedface。
\"That’sit，that’sjustit，\"continuedtheoldman。\"Thar’sFlip，thar，knowsit；sheain’tnofool！\"Lancedidnotspeak，butturnedahard，unsympathizinglookupontheoldman，androsealmostroughly。Theoldmanclutchedhiscoat。\"That’sit，yesee。Thecarbon’sjustturningtodi’mens。Andstunted。Andwhy？
’Costheheatwasn’tkepuplongenough。MebbeyerthinkIstoppedthar？Thatain’tme。Thar’sapitoutyarinthewoodsezhezbeenburningsixmonths；ithain’t，incourse，gottheadvantageso’theoldone，forit’snat’ralheat。ButI’mkeepingthatheatup。I’vegotaholewhereIkinwatchiteveryfourhours。Whenthetimecomes，I’mthar！Don’tyousee？That’sme！that’sDavidFairley，——that’stheoldman，——youbet！\"
\"That’sso，\"saidLance，curtly。\"Andnow，Mr。Fairley，ifyou’llhandmeoveracoatorajackettillIcangetpastthesefogsontheMontereyroad，Iwon’tkeepyoufromyourdiamondpit。\"Hethrewdownahandfulofsilveronthetable。
\"Ther’sadeerskinjacketyer，\"saidtheoldman，\"thatoneo’themvaquerosleftforthepriceofabottleofwhiskey。\"
\"Ireckonitwouldn’tsuitthestranger，\"saidFlip，dubiouslyproducingamuch-worn，slashed，andbraidedvaquero’sjacket。ButitdidsuitLance，whofounditwarm，andalsohadsuddenlyfoundacertainsatisfactioninopposingFlip。Whenhehadputiton，andnoddedcoldlytotheoldman，andcarelesslytoFlip，hewalkedtothedoor。
\"Ifyou’regoingtotaketheMontereyroad，Icanshowyouashortcuttoit，\"saidFlip，withacertainkindofshycivility。
ThepaternalFairleygroaned。\"That’sit；letthechickensandtheranchgotothunder，aslongasthere’sastrangertotrapseroundwith；goon！\"
Lancewouldhavemadesomesavagereply，butFlipinterrupted。
\"Youknowyourself，Dad，it’sablindtrail，andasthat’ereconstablethatkemoutherehuntingFrenchPete，couldn’tfindit，andhadtogoroundbythecanyon，likeeznotthestrangerwouldlosehisway，andhavetocomeback！\"Thisdangerousprospectsilencedtheoldman，andFlipandLancesteppedintotheroadtogether。Theywalkedonforsomemomentswithoutspeaking。
SuddenlyLanceturneduponhiscompanion。
\"Youdidn’tswallowallthatrotaboutthediamond，didyou？\"heasked，crossly。
Flipranalittleahead，asiftoavoidareply。
\"Youdon’tmeantosaythat’sthesortofhogwashtheoldmanservesouttoyouregularly？\"continuedLance，becomingmoreslangyinhisilltemper。
\"Idon’tknowthatit’sanyconsarno’yourswhatIthink，\"repliedFlip，hoppingfrombouldertoboulder，astheycrossedthebedofadrywatercourse。
\"AndIsupposeyou’vepilotedroundanddry-nussedeverytrampanddeadbeatyou’vemetsinceyoucamehere，\"continuedLance，withunmistakableillhumor。\"Howmanyhaveyouhelpedoverthisroad？\"
\"It’sayearsincetherewasaChinamanchasedbysomeIrishmenfromtheCrossingintothebrushaboutyer，andhewastooafeeredtocomeout，andnighmoststarvedtodeathinthar。Ihadtodraghimoutandstarthimonthemountain，foryoucouldn’tgethimbacktotheroad。HewasthelastonebutYOU。\"
\"Doyoureckonit’stherightthingforagirllikeyoutorunaboutwithtrashofthiskind，andmixherselfupwithallsortsofroughandbadcompany？\"saidLance。
Flipstoppedshort。\"Look！ifyou’regoin’totalklikeDad，I’llgoback。\"
Theridiculousnessofsucharesemblancestruckhimmorekeenlythanaconsciousnessofhisowningratitude。HehastenedtoassureFlipthathewasjoking。Whenhehadmadehispeacetheyfellintotalkagain，Lancebecomingunselfishenoughtoinquireintooneortwofactsconcerningherlifewhichdidnotimmediatelyaffecthim。
Hermotherhaddiedontheplainswhenshewasababy，andherbrotherhadrunawayfromhomeattwelve。Shefullyexpectedtoseehimagain，andthoughthemightsometimestrayintotheircanyon。\"Thatiswhy，then，youtakesomuchstockintramps，\"
saidLance。\"YouexpecttorecognizeHIM？\"
\"Well，\"repliedFlip，gravely，\"thereissuthinginTHAT，andthere’ssuthinginTHIS：someo’thesechapsmightrunacrossbrotheranddohimagoodturnforthesakeofme。\"
\"Likeme，forinstance？\"suggestedLance。
\"Likeyou。You’ddohimagoodturn，wouldn’tyou？\"
\"Youbet！\"saidLance，withasuddenemotionthatquitestartledhim；\"onlydon’tyougotothrowingyourselfroundpromiscuously。\"
Hewashalf-consciousofanirritatingsenseofjealousy，asheaskedifanyofherprotegeshadeverreturned。
\"No，\"saidFlip，\"nooneeverdid。Itshows，\"sheaddedwithsublimesimplicity，\"Ihaddone’emgood，andtheycouldgetonalone。Don’tit？\"
\"Itdoes，\"respondedLancegrimly。\"Haveyouanyotherfriendsthatcome？\"
\"OnlythePostmasterattheCrossing。\"
\"ThePostmaster？\"
\"Yes；he’sreckonin’tomarrymenextyear，ifI’mbigenough。\"
\"Andwhatdoyoureckon？\"askedLanceearnestly。
Flipbeganaseriesofdistortionswithhershoulders，ranonahead，pickedupafewpebblesandthrewthemintothewood，glancedbackatLancewithswimmingmottledeyes，thatseemedapiquantincarnationofeverythingsuggestiveandtantalizing，andsaid，\"That’stelling。\"
Theyhadbythistimereachedthespotwheretheyweretoseparate。
\"Look，\"saidFlip，pointingtoafaintdeflectionoftheirpath，whichseemed，however，toloseitselfintheunderbrushadozenyardsaway，\"ther’syourtrail。Itgetsplainerandbroaderthefurtheryougeton，butyoumustuseyoureyeshere，andgettoknowitwellaforeyougetintothefog。Good-by。\"
\"Good-by。\"Lancetookherhandanddrewherbesidehim。Shewasstillredolentofthespicesofthethicket，andtotheyoungman’sexcitedfancyseemedatthatmomenttopersonifytheperfumeandintoxicationofhernativewoods。Halflaughingly，halfearnestly，hetriedtokissher；shestruggledforsometimestrongly，butatthelastmomentyielded，withaslightreturnandtheexchangeofasubtlefirethatthrilledhim，andlefthimstandingconfusedandastoundedassheranaway。Hewatchedherlithe，nymph-likefiguredisappearinthecheckeredshadowsofthewood，andthenheturnedbrisklydownthehalf-hiddentrail。Hiseyesightwaskeen，hemadegoodprogress，andwassoonwellonhiswaytowardthedistantridge。
ButFlip’sreturnhadnotbeenasrapid。Whenshereachedthewoodshecrepttoitsbeetlingverge，and，lookingacrossthecanyon，watchedLance’sfigureasitvanishedandreappearedintheshadowsandsinuositiesoftheascent。Whenhereachedtheridgetheoutlyingfogcreptacrossthesummit，caughthiminitsembrace，andwrappedhimfromhergaze。Flipsighed，raisedherself，putheralternatefootonastump，andtookalongpullathertoo-
briefstockings。Whenshehadpulleddownherskirtandendeavoredoncemoretorenewtheintimacythathadexistedinpreviousyearsbetweentheedgeofherpetticoatandthetopofherstockings，shesighedagain，andwenthome。
CHAPTERIII。
ForsixmonthstheseafogsmonotonouslycameandwentalongtheMontereycoast；forsixmonthstheybeleagueredtheCoastRangewithafternoonsortiesofwhitehoststhatregularlysweptoverthemountaincrest，andwereasregularlybeatenbackagainbytheleveledlancesofthemorningsun。ForsixmonthsthatwhiteveilwhichhadoncehiddenLanceHarriottinitsfoldsreturnedwithouthim。Forthatamiableoutlawnolongerneededdisguiseorhiding-
place。Theswiftwaveofpursuitthathaddashedhimonthesummithadfallenback，andthenextdaywasbrokenandscattered。Beforetheweekhadpassed，aregularjudicialinquiryrelievedhiscrimeofpremeditation，andshowedittobearudedueloftwoarmedandequallydesperatemen。FromasecurevantageinaseacoasttownLancechallengedatrialbyhispeers，and，asanalreadyprejudgedmanescapingfromhisexecutioners，obtainedachangeofvenue。
Regularjustice，seatedbythecalmPacific，foundtheactionofaninterior，irregularjuryrashandhasty。Lancewasliberatedonbail。
ThePostmasteratFisher’sCrossinghadjustreceivedtheweeklymailandexpressfromSanFrancisco，andwasengagedinexaminingit。Itconsistedoffivelettersandtwoparcels。Ofthese，threeofthelettersandthetwoparcelsweredirectedtoFlip。Itwasnotthefirsttimeduringthelastsixmonthsthatthisextraordinaryeventhadoccurred，andthecuriosityoftheCrossingwasdulyexcited。AsFliphadnevercalledpersonallyforthelettersorparcels，buthadsentoneofherwild，irregularscoutsorhenchmentobringthem，andasshewasseldomseenattheCrossingoronthestageroad，thatcuriositywasneversatisfied。ThedisappointmenttothePostmaster——amanpastthemiddleage——partookofasentimentalnature。Helookedatthelettersandparcels；helookedathiswatch；itwasyetearly，hecouldreturnbynoon。Heagainexaminedtheaddresses；theywereinthesamehandwritingasthepreviousletters。Hismindwasmadeup，hewoulddeliverthemhimself。Thepoetic，soulfulsideofhismissionwasdelicatelyindicatedbyapalebluenecktie，acleanshirt，andasmallpackageofgingernuts，ofwhichFlipwasextravagantlyfond。
ThecommonroadtoFairley’sRanchwasbythestageturnpiketoapointbelowtheGinandGingerWoods，wheretheprudenthorsemanusuallylefthisbeastandfollowedtheintersectingtrailafoot。
ItwasherethatthePostmastersuddenlyobservedontheedgeofthewoodthefigureofanelegantly-dressedwoman；shewaswalkingslowly，andapparentlyatherease；onehandheldherskirtslightlygatheredbetweenherglovedfingers，theotherslowlyswungaridingwhip。WasitapicnicofsomepeoplefromMontereyorSantaCruz？Thespectaclewasnovelenoughtojustifyhiscomingnearer。Suddenlyshewithdrewintothewood；helostsightofher；
shewasgone。Heremembered，however，thatFlipwasstilltobeseen，andasthesteeptrailwasbeginningtotaxallhisenergies，hewasfaintohurryforward。Thesunwasnearlyverticalwhenheturnedintothecanyon，andsawthebarkroofofthecabinbeyond。
AtalmostthesamemomentFlipappeared，flushedandpanting，intheroadbeforehim。
\"You’vegotsomethingforme，\"shesaid，pointingtotheparcelandletters。Completelytakenbysurprise，thePostmastermechanicallyyieldedthemup，andasinstantlyregrettedit。\"They’repaidfor，\"continuedFlip，observinghishesitation。
\"That’sso，\"stammeredtheofficialoftheCrossing，seeinghislastchanceofknowingthecontentsoftheparcelvanish；\"butI
thoughtezit’savalooablepackage，maybeyemightwanttoexamineittoseethatitwasallrightaforeyereceiptedforit。\"
\"I’llriskit，\"saidFlip，coolly，\"andifitain’trightI’llletyeknow。\"
Asthegirlseemedinclinedtoretirewithherproperty，thePostmasterwasdriventootherconversation。\"Weain’thadthepleasureofseeingyoudownattheCrossingforamontho’
Sundays，\"hebegan，withairyyetpronouncedgallantry。\"Somefolksletonyouwaskeepin’companywithsomefellerlikeBijahBrown，andyouweregettingalittletoosetupfortheCrossing。\"
Theindividualherementionedbeingthecountybutcher，andsupposedtoexhibithishopelessaffectionforFlipbymakingalonganduselessdivergencefromhisweeklyroutetoenterthecanyonfor\"orders，\"Flipdidnotdeemitnecessarytoreply。
\"ThenIallowedhowezyoumighthavecompany，\"hecontinued；\"I
reckonthere’ssomecityfolksupatthesummit。Isawamightysmart，fash’n’blegalcavortinground。Hadnoendo’styleandfancyfixin’s。That’smykind，Itellyou。Ijustweakenonthatsorto’gal，\"hecontinued，inthefirmbeliefthathehadawakenedFlip’sjealousy，asheglancedatherwell-wornhomespunfrock，andfoundhereyessuddenlyfixedonhisown。
\"StrangeIain’tgottoseeheryet，\"sherepliedcoolly，shoulderingherparcel，andquiteignoringanysenseofobligationtohimforhisextra-officialact。
\"ButyoumightgettoseeherattheedgeoftheGinandGingerWoods，\"hepersistedfeebly，inalastefforttodetainher；\"ifyou’lltakeapaseartherewithme。\"Flip’sonlyresponsewastowalkontowardthecabin，whence，withavaguecomplimentarysuggestionof\"droppin’intopassthetimeo’day\"withherfather，thePostmastermeeklyfollowed。
ThepaternalFairley，onceconvincedthathisdaughter’snewcompanionrequirednopecuniaryormaterialassistancefromhishands，relaxedtotheextentofenteringintoaquerulousconfidencewithhim，duringwhichFliptooktheopportunityofslippingaway。AsFairleyhadthatinfelicitoustendencyofmostweaknatures，tounconsciouslyexaggerateunimportantdetailsintheirtalk，thePostmasterpresentlybecameconvincedthatthebutcherwasaconstantandassiduoussuitorofFlip’s。Theabsurdityofhissendingparcelsandlettersbypostwhenhemightbringthemhimselfdidnotstriketheofficial。Onthecontrary，hebelievedittobeamasterstrokeofcunning。FiredbyjealousyandFlip’sindifference，he\"deemedithisduty\"——usingthatfacileformofcowardlyoffensiveness——tobetrayFlip。
Ofwhichshewashappilyoblivious。Onceawayfromthecabin，sheplungedintothewoods，withtheparcelswungbehindherlikeaknapsack。Leavingthetrail，shepresentlystruckoffinastraightlinethroughcoverandunderbrushwiththeunerringinstinctofananimal，climbinghandoverhandthesteepestascent，orflutteringlikeabirdfrombranchtobranchdownthedeepestdeclivity。ShesoonreachedthatpartofthetrailwherethesusceptiblePostmasterhadseenthefascinatingunknown。Assuringherselfshewasnotfollowed，shecreptthroughthethicketuntilshereachedalittlewaterfallandbasinthathadservedthefugitiveLanceforabath。Thespotboresignsoflaterandmorefrequentoccupancy，andwhenFlipcarefullyremovedsomebarkandbrushwoodfromacavityintherockanddrewforthvariousfoldedgarments，itwasevidentshehaduseditasasylvandressing-room。
Heresheopenedtheparcel；itcontainedasmallanddelicateshawlofyellowChinacrepe。Flipinstantlythrewitoverhershouldersandsteppedhurriedlytowardtheedgeofthewood。Thenshebegantopassbackwardandforwardbeforethetrunkofatree。Atfirstnothingwasvisibleonthetree，butacloserinspectionshowedalargepaneofordinarywindowglassstuckintheforkofthebranches。Itwasplacedatsuchacunningangleagainstthedarknessoftheforestopeningthatitmadeasoftandmysteriousmirror，notunlikeaClaudeLorraineglass，whereinnotonlythepassingfigureoftheyounggirlwasseen，butthedazzlinggreenandgoldofthehillside，andthefar-offsilhouettedcrestsoftheCoastRange。
Butthiswasevidentlyonlyapreludetoasevererrehearsal。Whenshereturnedtothewaterfallsheunearthedfromherstoresalargepieceofyellowsoapandsomeyardsofroughcotton\"sheeting。\"
Theseshedepositedbesidethebasinandagaincrepttotheedgeofthewoodtoassureherselfthatshewasalone。Satisfiedthatnointrudingfoothadinvadedthatvirginbower，shereturnedtoherbathandbegantoundress。Aslightwindfollowedher，andseemedtowhispertothecircumjacenttrees。Itappearedtowakenhersisternaiadsandnymphs，who，joiningtheirleafyfingers，softlydrewaroundheragentlymovingbandoftremblinglightsandshadows，offleckedspraysandinextricablymingledbranches，andinvolvedherinachastesylvanobscurity，veiledalikefrompursuinggodorstumblingshepherd。Withinthesehallowedprecinctswasthemusicalrippleoflaughterandfallingwater，andattimestheglimpseofalithebrier-caughtlimb，orarayofsunlighttremblingoverbrightflanks，orthewhiteaustereoutlineofachildishbosom。
Whenshedrewagaintheleafycurtain，andoncemoresteppedoutofthewood，shewascompletelytransformed。ItwasthefigurethathadappearedtothePostmaster；theslight，erect，gracefulformofayoungwomanmodishlyattired。ItwasFlip，butFlipmadetallerbythelengthenedskirtandclinginghabilimentsoffashion。Flipfreckled，but，throughthecunningofareliefofyellowcolorinhergown，herpiquantbrown-shotfaceandeyesbrightenedandintensifieduntilsheseemedlikeaspicyodormadevisible。I
cannotaffirmthatthejudgmentofFlip’smysteriousmodistewasinfallible，orthatthetasteofMr。LanceHarriott，herpatron，wasfastidious；enoughthatitwaspicturesque，andperhapsnotmoreglaringandextravagantthanthecolorinwhichSpringherselfhadonceclothedtheserehillsidewhereFlipwasnowseated。Thephantommirrorinthetreeforkcaughtandheldherwiththesky，thegreenleaves，thesunlightandallthegraciousnessofhersurroundings，andthewindgentlytossedherhairandthegayribbonsofhergypsyhat。Suddenlyshestarted。Someremotesoundinthetrailbelow，inaudibletoanyearlessfinethanhers，arrestedherbreathing。Sheroseswiftlyanddartedintocover。
Tenminutespassed。Thesunwasdeclining；thewhitefogwasbeginningtocreepovertheCoastRange。FromtheedgeofthewoodCinderellaappeared，disenchanted，andinherhomespungarments。
Theclockhadstruck——thespellwaspast。Asshedisappeareddownthetraileventhemagicmirror，movedbythewind，slippedfromthetreetoptotheground，andbecameapieceofcommonglass。