CHAPTERIV。
Theeventsofthedayhadproducedaremarkableimpressiononthefacialaspectofthecharcoal-burningFairley。Extraordinaryprocessesofthought，indicatedbyrepeatedrubbingofhisforehead，hadproducedahighlightinthemiddleandacorrespondingdeepeningofshadowatthesides，untilitboretheappearanceofaperfectsphere。ItwasthisforeheadthatconfrontedFlipreproachfullyasbecameadeceivedcomrade，menacinglyasbecameanoutragedparentinthepresenceofathirdpartyand——aPostmaster！
\"Finedoin’sthis，yerreceivin’clandecentbundlesandletters，eh？\"hebegan。Flipsentoneswift，witheringlookofcontemptatthePostmaster，whoatoncebecominginvertebrateandgroveling，mumbledthathemust\"geton\"totheCrossing，androsetogo。Buttheoldman，whohadcountedonhispresenceformoralsupport，andwasclearlybeginningtohatehimforprecipitatingthisscenewithhisdaughter，whomhefeared，violentlyprotested。
\"Sitdown，can’tye？Don’tyouseeyou’reawitness？\"hescreamedhysterically。
Itwasafatalsuggestion。\"Witness，\"repeatedFlip，scornfully。
\"Yes，awitness！Hegaveyelettersandbundles。\"
\"Weren’ttheydirectedtome？\"askedFlip。
\"Yes，\"saidthePostmaster，hesitatingly；\"incourse，yes。\"
\"DoYOUlayclaimtothem？\"shesaid，turningtoherfather。
\"No，\"respondedtheoldman。
\"Doyou？\"sharply，tothePostmaster。
\"No，\"hereplied。
\"Then，\"saidFlip，coolly，\"ifyou’renotclaimin’’emforyourself，andyouhearfathersaytheyain’this，Ireckonthelessyouhavetosayabout’emthebetter。\"
\"Thar’ssuthin’inthat，\"saidtheoldman，shamelesslyabandoningthePostmaster。
\"Thenwhydon’tshesaywhosent’em，andwhattheyarelike，\"saidthePostmaster，\"ifthere’snothin’init？\"
\"Yes，\"echoedDad。\"Flip，whydon’tyou？\"
Withoutansweringthedirectquestion，Flipturneduponherfather。
\"Maybeyouforgethowyouusedtorowandtearroundherebecausetrampsandsuchlikecametotheranchforsuthin’，andIgaveitto’em？Maybeyou’llquittearin’roundandlettingyourselfbemadeafoolofnowbythatman，justbecauseoneofthosetrampsgetsupandsendsussomepresentsbackinturn？\"
\"’Twasn’tme，Flip，\"saidtheoldman，deprecatingly，butglaringattheastonishedPostmaster。\"Twasn’tmydoin’。Iallussaidifyoucastyourbreadonthewatersitwouldcomebacktoyoubyreturnmail。Thefactis，theGov’mentisgettin’toohigh-handed！
Someo’thesebloatedofficialshadbetterclimbdownbeforenextleckshen。\"
\"Maybe，\"continuedFliptoherfather，withoutlookingatherdiscomfitedvisitor，\"ye’dbetterfindoutwhetheroneofthoseofficialscomesuptothisyerranchtostealawayagalaboutmyownsize，ortogetpointsaboutdiamond-making。Ireckonhedon’ttravelroundtofindoutwhowritesallthelettersthatgothroughthePostOffice。\"
ThePostmasterhadseeminglymiscalculatedtheoldman’sinfirmtemperandthedaughter’sskillfuluseofit。HewasunpreparedforFlip’sboldnessandaudacity，andwhenhesawthatbothbarrelsoftheaccusationhadtakeneffectonthecharcoalburner，whowasrisingwithepilepticrage，hefairlyturnedandfled。Theoldmanwouldhavefollowedhimwithobjurgationbeyondthedoor，butfortherestraininghandofFlip。
Baffledandbeaten，neverthelessFatewasnotwhollyunkindtotheretreatingsuitor。NeartheGinandGingerWoodshepickedupaletterwhichhadfallenfromFlip’spocket。Herecognizedthewriting，anddidnotscrupletoreadit。Itwasnotaloveepistle，——atleast，notsuchaoneashewouldhavewritten，——itdidnotgivetheaddressnorthenameofthecorrespondent；buthereadthefollowingwithgreedyeyes：——
\"Perhapsit’sjustaswellthatyoudon’trigyourselfoutforthebenefitofthosedeadbeatsattheCrossing，oranytrampthatmighthangroundtheranch。KeepallyourstyleformewhenI
come。Ican’ttellyouwhen，it’smightyuncertainbeforetherainyseason。ButI’mcomingsoon。Don’tgobackonyourpromiseaboutlettinuponthetramps，andbeingalittlemorehigh-toned。
Anddon’tyougive’emsomuch。It’strueIsentyouhatsTWICE。
Icleanforgotallaboutthefirst；butIwouldn’thavegivenaten-dollarhattoaniggerwomanwhohadasickbabybecauseIhadanextrahat。I’dhaveletthatbabyslide。Iforgottoaskwhethertheskirtiswornseparately；Imustseethedressmakingsharpaboutit；butIthinkyou’llwantsomethingonbesidesajacketandskirt；atleast，itlookslikeituphere。Idon’tthinkyoucouldmanageapianodowntherewithouttheoldmanknowingit，andraisin’thedevilgenerally。IpromisedyouI’dletuponhim。Mindyoukeepallyourpromisestome。I’mgladyou’regettin’onwiththesix-shooter；tincansaregoodatfifteenyards，buttryitonsuthin’thatMOVES！IforgottosaythatIamonthetrackofyourbigbrother。It’sathreeyears’
oldtrack，andhewasinArizona。Thefriendwhotoldmedidn’texpatiatemuchonwhathedidthere，butIreckontheyhadahigholdtime。Ifhe’sabovetheearthI’llfindhim，youbet。Theyerbabuenaandthesouthernwoodcameallright，——theysmeltlikeyou。Say，Flip，doyourememberthelast——theVERYlast——thingthathappenedwhenyousaid’Good-by’onthetrail？Don’tletmeeverfindoutthatyou’veletanybodyelsekiss——\"
ButherethevirtuousindignationofthePostmasterfoundventinanoath。Hethrewtheletteraway。Heretainedofitonlytwofacts，——FlipHADabrotherwhowasmissing；shehadaloverpresentintheflesh。
HowmuchofthesubstanceofthisandpreviouslettersFliphadconfidedtoherfatherIcannotsay。IfshesuppressedanythingitwasprobablythatwhichaffectedLance’ssecretalone，anditwasdoubtfulhowmuchofthatsheherselfknew。Inherownaffairsshewasfrankwithoutbeingcommunicative，andneverlosthershyobstinacyevenwithherfather。Governingtheoldmanascompletelyasshedid，sheappearedmostembarrassedwhenshewasmostdominant；shehadherownwaywithoutliftinghervoiceorhereyes；sheseemedoppressedbymauvaisehontewhenshewasmosttriumphant；shewouldendadiscussionwithashymurmuraddressedtoherself，orasinglegestureofself-consciousness。
ThedisclosureofherstrangerelationswithanunknownmanandtheexchangeofpresentsandconfidencesseemedtosuddenlyawakeFairleytoavague，uneasysenseofsomeunfulfilleddutiesasaparent。Thefirsteffectofthisonhisweaknaturewasapeevishantagonismtothecauseofit。Hehadlong，fretfulmonologuesonthevanityofdiamond-making，ifaccompaniedwitha\"pestering\"by\"interlopers；\"onthewickednessofconcealmentandconspiracy，andtheireffectsoncharcoal-burning；onthenurturingofspiesand\"adders\"inthefamilycircle，andontheseditiousnessofdarkandmysteriouscouncilsinwhichagray-hairedfatherwasleftout。ItwastruethatawordorlookfromFlipgenerallybroughtthesemonologuestoaningloriousandabrupttermination，buttheywerenonethelesslugubriousaslongastheylasted。Intimetheyweresucceededbyanaffectationofcontriteapologyandself-
depreciation。\"Don’tgoouto’thewaytoasktheoldman，\"hewouldsay，referringtothequantityofbacontobeordered；\"it’snat’ralayounggalshouldhaveherownadvisers。\"Thestateoftheflourbarrelwouldalsoproducealikeself-abasement。\"Unlessye’realreadyincorrespondenceaboutmoreflour，yemighttaketheopiniono’thefirsttrampyemeeteztowhetherSantaCruzMillsisagoodbrand，butdon’tasktheoldman。\"IfFlipwasinconversationwiththebutcher，Fairleywouldobtrusivelyretirewiththehope\"hewasn’tintrudin’ontheirsecrets。\"
Thesephasesofherfather’sweaknesswerenotfrequentenoughtoexciteheralarm，butshecouldnothelpnoticingtheywereaccompaniedwithaseriousnessunusualtohim。Hebegantobetremulouslywatchfulofher，returningoftenfromworkatanearlierhour，andlingeringbythecabininthemorning。Hebroughtabsurdanduselesspresentsforher，andpresentedthemwithanervousanxiety，poorlyconcealedbyanassumptionofcareless，paternalgenerosity。\"Suthin’IpickedupattheCrossin’foryeto-day，\"hewouldsay，airily，andretiretowatchtheeffectofapairofshoestwosizestoolarge，orafurcapinSeptember。Hewouldhavehiredacheapparlororganforher，butfortheapparentlyunexpectedrevelationthatshecouldn’tplay。
Hehadreceivedthenewsofacluetohislong-lostsonwithoutemotion，butlatelyheseemedtolookuponitasaforegoneconclusion，andonethatnecessarilysolvedthequestionofcompanionshipforFlip。\"Incourse，whenyou’vegotyourownfleshandbloodwithye，yecan’tgofoolin’aroundwithstrangers。\"
Theseautumnalblossomsofaffection，Ifear，cametoolateforanyeffectuponFlip，precociouslymaturedbyherfather’sindifferenceandselfishness。Butshewasgoodhumored，and，seeinghimseriouslyconcerned，gavehimmoreofhertime，evenvisitedhiminthesacredseclusionofthe\"diamondpit，\"andlistenedwithfar-
offeyestohisfitfulindictmentofallthingsoutsidehisgrimylaboratory。Muchofthispatientindifferencecamewithacapriciouschangeinherownhabits；shenolongerindulgedintherehearsalofdress，shepackedawayhermosttreasuredgarments，andherleafyboudoirknewhernomore。Shesometimeswalkedonthehillside，andoftenfollowedthetrailshehadtakenwithLancewhensheledhimtotheranch。Sheonceortwiceextendedherwalktothespotwhereshehadpartedfromhim，andasoftencameshylyaway，hereyesdowncastandherfacewarmwithcolor。Perhapsbecausetheseexperiencesandsomemysteriousinstinctofmaturingwomanhoodhadleftastoryinhereyes，whichhertwoadorers，thePostmasterandtheButcher，readwithpassion，shebecamefamouswithoutknowingit。Extravagantstoriesofherfascinationsbroughtstrangersintothevalley。Theeffectuponherfathermaybeimagined。Lancecouldnothavedesiredamoreeffectiveguardianthanheprovedtobeinthisemergency。Thosewhohadbeentoldofthishiddenpearlweresurprisedtofinditsojealouslyprotected。
CHAPTERV。
Thelong，parchedsummerhaddrawntoitsdustyclose。Muchofitwasalreadyblownabroadanddissipatedontrailandturnpike，orcrackledinharsh，unelasticfibresonhillsideandmeadow。Someofithaddisappearedinthepalpablesmokebydayandfierycrestsbynightofburningforests。ThebesiegingfogsontheCoastRangedailythinnedtheirhosts，andatlastvanished。Thewindchangedfromnorthwesttosouthwest。Thesaltbreathoftheseawasonthesummit。Andthenonedaythestaring，unchangedskywasfaintlytouchedwithremotemysteriousclouds，andgrewtremulousinexpression。Thenextmorningdawneduponanewerfaceintheheavens，onchangedwoods，onalteredoutlines，onvanishedcrests，onforgottendistances。Itwasraining！
Fourweeksofthischange，withbrokenspacesofsunlightandintenseblueaerialislands，andthenastormsetin。Alldaythesummitpinesandredwoodsrockedintheblast。Attimestheonsetoftherainseemedtobeheldbackbythefuryofthegale，orwasvisiblyseeninsharpwavesonthehillside。Unknownandconcealedwatercoursessuddenlyoverflowedthetrails，poolsbecamelakesandbrooksrivers。Hiddenfromthestorm，thesylvansilenceofshelteredvalleyswasbrokenbytheimpetuousrushofwaters；eventhetinystreamletthattraversedFlip’sretreatintheGinandGingerWoodsbecameacascade。
ThestormdroveFairleyfromhiscouchearly。Thefallingofalargetreeacrossthetrail，andthesuddenoverflowofasmallstreambesideit，hastenedhissteps。Buthewasdoomedtoencounterwhatwastohimamoredisagreeableobject——ahumanfigure。Bythebedraggleddraperythatflappedandflutteredinthewind，bythelong，unkempthairthathidthefaceandeyes，andbythegrotesquelymisplacedbonnet，theoldmanrecognizedoneofhisoldtrespassers，——anIndiansquaw。
\"Clearout’erthat！Come，maketracks，willye？\"theoldmanscreamed；butherethewindstoppedhisvoice，anddrovehimagainstahazelbush。
\"Meheapsick，\"answeredthesquaw，shiveringthroughhermuddyshawl。
\"I’llmakeyeaheapsickerifyedon’tvamosetheranch，\"
continuedFairley，advancing。
\"MewanteeWangeegirl。Wangeegirlgivemeheapgrub，\"saidthesquaw，withoutmoving。
\"Youbetyourlife，\"groanedtheoldmantohimself。Neverthelessanideastruckhim。\"Yeain’tbroughtnopresents，hevye？\"heaskedcautiously。\"Yeain’tgotnopootythingsforpoorWangeegirl？\"hecontinued，insinuatingly。
\"Megotheapcachenutsandberries，\"saidthesquaw。
\"Oh，incourse！incourse！That’sjustit，\"screamedFairley；
\"you’vegot’emcachedonlytwomilefromyer，andyou’llgoandget’emforahalfdollar，cashdown。\"
\"MebringWangeegirltocache，\"repliedtheIndian，pointingtothewood。\"HonestInjin。\"
AnotherbrightideastruckMr。Fairley。Butitrequiredsomeelaboration。Hurryingthesquawwithhimthroughthepeltingrain，hereachedtheshelterofthecorral。Vainlytheshiveringaboriginedrewhertightlybandagedpapooseclosertohersquare，flatbreast，andlookedlonginglytowardthecabin；theoldmanbackedheragainstthepalisade。Herehecautiouslyimpartedhisdarkintentionstoemployhertokeepwatchandwardovertheranch，andespeciallyoveritsyoungmistress——\"clearoutallthetramps’ceptin’yourself，andI’llkeepyeingrubandrum。\"Manyanddeliberaterepetitionsofthisofferinvariousformsatlastseemedtoaffectthesquaw；shenoddedviolently，andechoedthelastword\"rum。\"\"Now，\"sheadded。Theoldmanhesitated；shewasinpossessionofhissecret；hegroaned，and，promisinganimmediateinstallmentofliquor，ledhertothecabin。
Thedoorwassosecurelyfastenedagainsttheimpactofthestormthatsomemomentselapsedbeforethebarwasdrawn，andtheoldmanhadbecomeimpatientandprofane。WhenitwaspartlyopenedbyFliphehastilyslippedin，draggingthesquawafterhim，andcastonesinglesuspiciousglancearoundtherudeapartmentwhichservedasasitting-room。Fliphadapparentlybeenwriting。Asmallinkstandwasstillontheboardtable，butherpaperhadevidentlybeenconcealedbeforesheallowedthemtoenter。Thesquawinstantlysquattedbeforetheadobehearth，warmedherbundledbaby，andlefttheceremonyofintroductiontohercompanion。Flipregardedthetwowithcalmpreoccupationandindifference。Theonlythingthattouchedherinterestwastheoldsquaw’sdraggledskirtandlimpneckerchief。TheywereFlip’sown，longsinceabandonedandcastoffintheGinandGingerWoods。\"Secretsagain，\"whinedFairley，stilleyingFlipfurtively。\"Secretsagain，incourse——incourse——jissso。Secretsthatmustbekepfromtheoleman。Darkdoin’sbyone’sownfleshandblood。Goon！goon！Don’tmindme。\"Flipdidnotreply。Shehadevenlosttheinterestinherolddress。Perhapsithadonlytouchedsomenoteinunisonwithherrevery。
\"Can’tyegetthepoorcrittersomewhiskey？\"hequeried，fretfully。
\"Yeusedtobepeartenuffbefore。\"AsFlipturnedtothecornertoliftthedemijohn，Fairleytookoccasiontokickthesquawwithhisfoot，andindicatebyextravagantpantomimethatthebargainwasnottobealludedtobeforethegirl。Flippouredoutsomewhiskeyinatincup，and，approachingthesquaw，handedittoher。\"It’slikeeznot，\"continuedFairleytohisdaughter，butlookingatthesquaw，\"thatshe’llbehuntin’thewoodsoffandon，andkinderlookingafterthelastpitneartheMadronos；ye’llgivehergrubandlickerezshelikes。Well，d’yehear，Flip？Areyemoonin’
aginwithyersecrets？What’sgonewithye？\"
Ifthechildweredreaming，itwasadeliciousdream。Hermagneticeyesweresuffusedbyastrangelight，asthoughtheeyeitselfhadblushed；herfullpulseshoweditselfmoreintheroundingoutlineofhercheekthaninanydeepeningofcolor；indeed，iftherewasanyheighteningoftint，itwasinherfreckles，whichfairlyglistenedliketinyspangles。Hereyesweredowncast，hershouldersslightlybent，buthervoicewaslowandclearandthoughtfulasever。
\"Oneo’thebigpinesabovetheMadronopithasblownoverintotherun，\"shesaid。\"It’schokedupthewater，andit’srisin’fast。
Likeeznotit’spourin’overintothepitbythistime。\"
Theoldmanrosewithafretfulcry。\"Andwhyinblamesdidn’tyousaysofirst？\"hescreamed，catchinguphisaxeandrushingtothedoor。
\"Yedidn’tgivemeachance，\"saidFlip，raisinghereyesforthefirsttime。Withanimpatientimprecation，Fairleydartedbyherandrushedintothewood。Inaninstantshehadshutthedoorandboltedit。Inthesameinstantthesquawarose，dashedthelonghairnotonlyfromhereyes，butfromherhead，toreawayhershawlandblanket，andrevealedthesquareshouldersofLanceHarriott！
Flipremainedleaningagainstthedoor；buttheyoungmaninrisingdroppedthebandagedpapoose，whichrolledfromhislapintothefire。Flip，withacry，sprangtowardit；butLancecaughtherbythewaistwithonearm，aswiththeotherhedraggedthebundlefromtheflames。
\"Don’tbealarmed，\"hesaid，gayly，\"it’sonly——\"
\"What？\"saidFlip，tryingtodisengageherself。
\"Mycoatandtrousers。\"
Fliplaughed，whichencouragedLancetoanotherattempttokissher。Sheevadeditbydivingherheadintohiswaistcoat，andsaying，\"There’sfather。\"
\"Buthe’sgonetoclearawaythattree？\"suggestedLance。
OneofFlip’ssignificantsilencesfollowed。
\"Oh，Isee，\"helaughed。\"Thatwasaplantogethimaway！Ah！\"
Shehadreleasedherself。
\"Whydidyoucomelikethat？\"shesaid，pointingtohiswigandblanket。
\"Toseeifyou’dknowme，\"heresponded。
\"No，\"saidFlip，droppinghereyes。\"It’stokeepotherpeoplefromknowingyou。You’rehidin’agin。\"
\"Iam，\"returnedLance；\"but，\"heinterrupted，\"it’sonlythesameoldthing。\"
\"ButyouwrotefromMontereythatitwasallover，\"shepersisted。
\"Soitwouldhavebeen，\"hesaidgloomily，\"butforsomedogdownherewhoishuntingupanoldscent。I’llspothimyet，and——\"Hestoppedsuddenly，withsuchutterabstractionofhatredinhisfixedandglitteringeyesthatshealmostfearedhim。Shelaidherhandquiteunconsciouslyonhisarm。Hegraspedit；hisfacechanged。
\"Icouldn’twaitanylongertoseeyou，Flip，soIcamehereanyway，\"hewenton。\"Ithoughttohangroundandgetachancetospeaktoyoufirst，whenIfellafouloftheoldman。Hedidn’tknowme，andtumbledrightinmylittlegame。Why，doyoubelievehewantstohiremeformygrubandliquor，toactasasortofsentryoveryouandtheranch？\"Andhereherelatedwithgreatgustothesubstanceofhisinterview。\"Ireckonashe’sthatsuspicious，\"heconcluded，\"I’dbetterplayitoutnowasI’vebegun，onlyit’smightyhardIcan’tseeyouherebeforethefireinyourfancytoggery，Flip，butmustdodgeinandoutofthewetunderbrushintheseyerdudsofyoursthatIpickedupintheoldplaceintheGinandGingerWoods。\"
\"Thenyoucameherejusttoseeme？\"askedFlip。
\"Idid。\"
\"Foronlythat？\"
\"Onlythat。\"
Flipdroppedhereyes。Lancehadgothisotherarmaroundherwaist，butherresistinglittlehandwasstillpotent。
\"Listen，\"shesaidatlastwithoutlookingup，butapparentlytalkingtotheintrudingarm，\"whenDadcomesI’llgethimtosendyoutowatchthediamondpit。Itisn’tfar；it’swarm，and\"——
\"What？\"
\"I’llcome，afterabit，andseeyou。Quitfoolin’now。Ifyou’donlyhavecomeherelikeyourself——like——like——awhiteman。\"
\"Theoldman，\"interruptedLance，\"wouldhavejustpassedmeontothesummit。Icouldn’thaveplayedthelostfishermanonhimatthistimeofyear。\"
\"YecouldhavebeenstoppedattheCrossingbyhighwater，yousilly，\"saidthegirl。\"Itwas。\"Thisgrammaticalobscurityreferredtothestagecoach。
\"Yes，butImighthavebeentrackedtothiscabin。Andlookhere，Flip，\"hesaid，suddenlystraighteninghimself，andliftingthegirl’sfacetoalevelwithhisown，\"Idon’twantyoutolieanymoreforme。Itain’tright。\"
\"Allright。Yeneedn’tgotothepit，then，andIwon’tcome。\"
\"Flip！\"
\"Andhere’sDadcoming。Quick！\"
Lancechosetoputhisowninterpretationonthislastadjuration。
Theresistinglittlehandwasnowlyingquitelimponhisshoulder，Hedrewherbrown，brightfacenearhisown，feltherspicedbreathonhislips，hischeeks，hishoteyelids，hisswimmingeyes，kissedher，hurriedlyreplacedhiswigandblanket，anddroppedbesidethefirewiththetremulouslaughofyouthandinnocentfirstpassion。
Fliphadwithdrawntothewindow，andwaslookingoutupontherockingpines。
\"Hedon’tseemtobecoming，\"saidLance，withahalf-shylaugh。
\"No，\"respondedFlipdemurely，pressingherhotovalcheekagainstthewetpanes；\"IreckonIwasmistaken。You’resure，\"sheadded，lookingresolutelyanotherway，butstilltremblinglikeamagneticneedletowardLance，ashemovedslightlybeforethefire，\"you’reSUREyou’dlikemetocometoyou？\"
\"Sure，Flip？\"
\"Hush！\"saidFlip，asthisreassuringqueryofreproachfulastonishmentappearedabouttobeemphasizedbyaforwardamatorydashofLance’s；\"hush！he’scomingthistime，sure。\"
Itwas，indeed，Fairley，exceedinglywet，exceedinglybedraggled，exceedinglyspongedoutastocolor，andexceedinglyprofane。Itappearedthattherewas，indeed，atreethathadfalleninthe\"run，\"butthat，farfromdivertingtheoverflowintothepit，ithadestablished\"backwater，\"whichhadforcedanotheroutlet。Allthismighthavebeendetectedatoncebyanyhumanintellectnotdistractedbycorrespondencewithstrangers，andenfeebledbyhabituallyscorningtheintellectofitsownprogenitor。Thisrecklessselfishnesshadfurtheronlyresultedingiving\"rheumatics\"tothatprogenitor，whonowrequiredtheexternaladministrationofopodeldoctohislimbs，andtheinternaladministrationofwhiskey。Havingthusspoken，Mr。Fairley，withgreatpromptitudeandinfantinesimplicity，atoncebaredtwolegsofentirelydifferentcolorsandmutelywaitedforhisdaughtertorubthem。IfFlipdidthisallunconsciously，andwiththemechanicaldexterityofprevioushabit，itwasbecauseshedidnotquiteunderstandthesavageeyesandimpatientgesturesofLanceinhisencompassingwigandblanket，andbecauseithelpedhertovoiceherthought。
\"Ye’llneverbeabletotakeyerwatchatthediamondpitto-night，Dad，\"shesaid；\"andI’vebeenreck’nin’youmightsetthesquawthereinstead。Icanshowherwhattodo。\"
ButtoFlip’smomentarydiscomfiture，herfatherpromptlyobjected。
\"MebbeeI’vegotsuthin’elseforhertodo。MebbeeImayhavemysecrets，too——eh？\"hesaid，withdarksignificance，atthesametimeadministeringasignificantnudgetoLance，whichkeptuptheyoungman’sexasperation。\"No，she’llrestyerabitjustnow。
I’llsethertowatchin’suthin’else，likeasnot，whenIwanther。\"Flipfellintooneofhersuggestivesilences。Lancewatchedherearnestly，mollifiedbyasinglefurtiveglancefromhersignificanteyes；theraindashedagainstthewindows，andoccasionallyspatteredandhissedinthehearthofthebroadchimney，andMr。DavidFairley，somewhatassuagedbytheinternaladministrationofwhiskey，grewmoreloquacious。Thegeniusofincongruityandinconsistencywhichgenerallyruledhisconductcameoutwithfreshenedvigorunderthegentlestimulationofspirit。\"Onaneveninglikethis，\"hebegan，comfortablysettlinghimselfonthefloorbesidethechimney，\"yemightrigyerselfoutinthemnewdudsandfancyfixin’sthatthatSacramentoshrimpsentye，andletyourownfleshandbloodseeye。Ifthat’stoomuchtodoforyourolddad，yemightdoittopleasethatdiggersquawasaChristianact。\"Whetherinthehiddendepthsoftheoldman’sconsciousnesstherewasafeelingofpaternalvanityinshowingthiswretchedaboriginethevalueandimportanceofthetreasureshewasabouttoguard，Icannotsay。FlipdartedaninterrogatorylookatLance，whonoddedaquietassent，andsheflewintotheinnerroom。Shedidnotlingeronthedetailsofhertoilet，butreappearedalmostthenextmomentinhernewfinery；buttoningtheneckofhergownassheenteredtheroom，andchastelystoppingatthewindowtocharacteristicallypullupherstocking。Thepeculiarityofhersituationincreasedherusualshyness；sheplayedwiththeblackandgoldbeadsofahandsomenecklace，——
Lance’slastgift，——asthemerestchildmight；herunbuckledshoegavethesquawanaturalopportunityofshowingheradmirationanddevotionbyinsistinguponbucklingit，andgaveLance，underthatdisguise，anopportunityofcovertlykissingthelittlefootandankleintheshadowofthechimney；aneventwhichprovokedslighthystericalsymptomsinFlip，andcausedhertositsuddenlydowninspiteoftheremonstrancesofherparent。\"Efyoucan’tquitgigglin’andsquirmin’likeanInjinbabyyourself，ye’dbettergitrido’themduds，\"heejaculatedwithpeevishscorn。
Yet，underthisperfunctoryrebuke，hisweakvanitycouldnotbehidden，andheenjoyedtheevidentadmirationofacreaturewhomhebelievedtobehalf-wittedanddegradedallthemorekeenlybecauseitdidnotmakehimjealous。ShecouldnottakeFlipfromhim。
Renderedgarrulousbyliquor，hewenttovoicehiscontemptforthosewhomightattemptit。Takingadvantageofhisdaughter’sabsencetoresumeherhomelygarments，hewhisperedconfidentiallytoLance，——
\"Yeseetheseyerfinedresses，yemightthinkispresents。Pr’apsFlipletsontheyare？Pr’apsshedon’tknowanybetter。Buttheyain’tpresents。They’reonlysampleso’dressmakingandjewelrythatavain，conceitedshrimpofafellerupinSacramentosendsdownheretogetcustomersfor。IncourseI’mtopayfor’em。IncoursehereckonsI’mtodoit。IncourseIcalkilatetodoit；
butheneedn’ttrytoplay’emoffaspresents。Hetalkssuthin’
o’comingdownhere，sportin’hisselfoffonFlipasafancybuck！
Notezlongeztheoldman’shere，youbet。\"Thoroughlycarriedawaybyhisfanciedwrongs，itwasperhapsfortunatethathedidnotobservetheflashingeyesofLancebehindhislankandlustrelesswig；butseeingonlythefigureofLance，ashehadconjuredhim，hewenton：\"That’swhyIwantyoutohangaroundher。Hangaroundherontilmyboy，——himthat’scomin’homeonavisit，——getshere，andIreckonhe’llclearoutthatyarSacramentocounter-jumper。Onlyletmegetasighto’himaforeFlipdoes。
eh？D’yehear？DogmyskinifIdon’tbelievethed————dInjin’sdrunk。\"ItwasfortunatethatatthatmomentFlipreappeared，and，droppingonthehearthbetweenherfatherandtheinfuriatedLance，letherhandslipinhiswithawarningpressure。Thelighttouchmomentarilyrecalledhimtohimselfandher，butnotuntilthequick-wittedgirlhadhadrevealedtoherinonestartledwaveofconsciousnessthefullextentofLance’sinfirmityoftemper。Withtheinstinctofawakenedtendernesscameasenseofresponsibility，andavaguepremonitionofdanger。Thecoyblossomofherheartwasscarceunfoldedbeforeitwaschilledbyapproachingshadows。
Fearfulof，sheknewnotwhat，shehesitated。EverymomentofLance’sstaywasimperiledbyasinglewordthatmightspringfromhissuppressedwhitelips；beyondandabovethesuspicionshissuddenwithdrawalmightawakeninherfather’sbreast，shewasdimlyconsciousofsomemysteriousterrorwithoutthatawaitedhim。
Shelistenedtothefuriousonslaughtofthewinduponthesycamoresbesidetheircabin，andthoughtshehearditthere；shelistenedtothesharpfusilladeofrainuponroofandpane，andtheturbulentroarandrushofleapingmountaintorrentsattheirveryfeet，andfancieditwasthere。Shesuddenlysprangtothewindow，and，pressinghereyestothepane，sawthroughthemistyturmoiloftossingboughsandswayingbranchesthescintillatingintermittentflamesoftorchesmovingonthetrailabove，andKNEW
itwasthere！
Inaninstantshewascollectedandcalm。\"Dad，\"shesaid，inherordinaryindifferenttone，\"there’storchesmovin’uptowardthediamondpit。Likelyit’stramps。I’lltakethesquawandsee。\"
AndbeforetheoldmancouldstaggertohisfeetshehaddraggedLancewithherintotheroad。
CHAPTERVI。
Thewindchargeddownuponthem，slammingthedoorattheirbacks，extinguishingthebroadshaftoflightthathadmomentarilyshotoutintothedarkness，andsweptthemadozenyardsaway。Gainingtheleeofamadronotree，Lanceopenedhisblanketedarms，enfoldedthegirl，andfeltherforonebriefmomenttrembleandnestleinhisbosomlikesomefrightenedanimal。\"Well，\"hesaid，gayly，\"whatnext？\"Fliprecoveredherself。\"You’resafenowanywhereoutsidethehouse。Butdidyouexpectthemtonight？\"
Lanceshruggedhisshoulders。\"Whynot？\"\"Hush！\"returnedthegirl；\"they’recomingthisway。\"
Thefourflickering，scatteredlightspresentlydroppedintoline。
Thetrailhadbeenfound；theywerecomingnearer。Flipbreathedquickly；thespicedaromaofherpresencefilledtheblanketashedrewhertightlybesidehim。Hehadforgottenthestormthatragedaroundthem，themysteriousfoethatwasapproaching，untilFlipcaughthissleevewithaslightlaugh。\"Why，it’sKennedyandBijah？\"
\"Who’sKennedyandBijah？\"askedLance，curtly。
\"Kennedy’sthePostmasterandBijah’stheButcher。\"
\"Whatdotheywant？\"continuedLance。
\"Me，\"saidFlip，coyly。
\"You？\"
\"Yes；let’srunaway。\"
Halfleading，halfdraggingherfriend，Flipmadeherwaywithunerringwoodcraftdowntheravine。Thesoundofvoicesandeventhetumultofthestormbecamefainter，anacridsmellofburninggreenwoodsmartedLance’slipsandeyes；inthemidstofthedarknessbeneathhimgraduallyafaint，giganticnimbuslikealurideyeglowedandsank，quiveredandfadedwiththespentbreathofthegaleasitpenetratedtheirretreat。\"Thepit，\"whisperedFlip；\"it’ssafeontheotherside，\"sheadded，cautiouslyskirtingtheorbitofthegreateye，andleadinghimtoashelterednestofbarkandsawdust。Itwaswarmandodorous。Nevertheless，theybothdeemeditnecessarytoenwrapthemselvesinthesingleblanket。Theeyebeamedfitfullyuponthem，occasionallyawaveoflambenttremulousnesspassedacrossit；itsweirdnesswasanexcusefortheirdrawingnearereachotherinplayfulterror。
\"Flip。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Whatdidtheothertwowant？Toseeyou，TOO？\"
\"Likely，\"saidFlip，withouttheleasttraceofcoquetry。\"There’sbeenalotofstrangersyer，offandon。\"
\"Perhapsyou’dliketogobackandseethem？\"
\"Doyouwantmeto？\"
Lance’sreplywasakiss。Neverthelesshewasvaguelyuneasy。
\"LooksalittleasifIwererunningaway，don’tit？\"hesuggested。
\"No，\"saidFlip；\"theythinkyou’reonlyasquaw；it’smethey’reafter。\"Lancesmartedalittleatthisinfelicitousspeech。A
strangeandirritatingsensationhadbeencreepingoverhim——itwashisfirstexperienceofshameandremorse。\"IreckonI’llgobackandsee，\"hesaid，risingabruptly。
Flipwassilent。Shewasthinking。Believingthatthemenwereseekingheronly，sheknewthattheirattentionwouldbedirectedfromhercompanionwhenitwasfoundouthewasnolongerwithher，andshedreadedtomeettheminhisirritablepresence。
\"Go，\"shesaid，\"tellDadsomething’sgonewronginthediamondpit，andsayI’mwatchingitforhimhere。\"
\"Andyou？\"
\"I’llgothereandwaitforhim。Ifhecan’tgetridofthem，andtheyfollowhimthere，I’llcomebackhereandmeetyou。Anyhow，I’llmanagetohaveDadwaitthereaspell。\"
Shetookhishandandledhimbackbyadifferentpathtothetrail。Hewassurprisedtofindthatthecabin，itswindowglowingfromthefire，wasonlyahundredyardsaway。\"Gointhebackway，bytheshed。Don’tgointheroom，nornearthelight，ifyoucan。
Don’ttalkinside，butcallorbeckontoDad。Remember，\"shesaid，withalaugh，\"you’rekeepingwatchofmeforhim。Pullyourhairdownonyoureyesso。\"Thisoperation，likemostfeminineembellishmentsofthemasculinetoiletwasattendedbyakiss，andFlip，steppingbackintotheshadow，vanishedinthestorm。
Lance’sfirstmovementswereinconsistentwithhisassumedsex。Hepickeduphisdraggledskirt，anddrewabowieknifefromhisboot。
Fromhisbosomhetookarevolver，turningthechambersnoiselesslyashefeltthecaps。Hethencrepttowardthecabinsoftlyandgainedtheshed。Itwasquitedarkbutforapenciloflightpiercingacrackoftherude，ill-fittingdoorthatopenedonthesitting-room。Asinglevoicenotunfamiliartohim，raisedinhalf-brutaltriumph，greetedhisears。
Anamewasmentioned——hisown！Hisangryhandwasonthelatch。
Onemomentmoreandhewouldhaveburstthedoor，butinthatinstantanothernamewasuttered——anamethatdroppedhishandfromthelatchandthebloodfromhischeeks。Hestaggeredbackward，passedhishandswiftlyacrosshisforehead，recoveredhimselfwithagestureofmingledrageanddespair，and，sinkingonhiskneesbesidethedoor，pressedhishottemplesagainstthecrack。
\"DoIknowLanceHarriott？\"saidthevoice。\"DoIknowthed————druffian？Didn’tIhunthimayearagointothebrushthreemilesfromtheCrossing？Didn’twelosesightofhimtheverydayheturnedupyeratthisranch，andgotsmuggledoverintoMonterey？
Ain’titthesamemanaskilledArkansawBob——BobRidley——thenamehewentbyinSonora？AndwhowasBobRidley，eh？Who？Why，youd————doldfool，itwasBobFairley——YOURSON！\"
Theoldman’svoicerosequerulousandindistinct。
\"Whatareyetalkin’about？\"interruptedthefirstspeaker。\"I
tellyouIKNOW。Lookatthesepictures。Ifound’emonhisbody。
Lookat’em。Picturesofyouandyourgirl。Pr’apsyou’lldenythem。Pr’apsyou’lltellmeIliewhenItellyouHEtoldmehewasyourson；toldmehowheranawayfromyou；howyouwerelivin’
somewhereinthemountainsmakin’gold，orsuthin’else，outercharcoal。Hetoldmewhohewasasasecret。Heneverletonhetoldittoanyoneelse。AndwhenIfoundthatthemanwhokilledhim，LanceHarriott，hadbeenhidin’here，hadbeensendin’spiesallaroundtofindoutallaboutyourson，hadbeenfoolin’youandtryin’toruinyourgalashehadkilledyourboy，IknewthatHE
knewit，too。\"
\"LIAR！\"
Thedoorfellinwithacrash。Therewasthesuddenapparitionofademoniacface，stillhalfhiddenbythelongtrailingblacklocksofhairthatcurledlikeMedusa’saroundit。Acryofterrorfilledtheroom。Threeofthemendashedfromthedoorandfledprecipitately。Themanwhohadspokensprangtowardhisrifleinthechimneycorner。Butthemovementwashislast；ablindingflashandshatteringreportinterposedbetweenhimandhisweapon。
Theimpulsecarriedhimforwardheadlongintothefire，thathissedandsplutteredwithhisblood，andLanceHarriottwithhissmokingpistol，strodepasthimtothedoor。Alreadyfardownthetrailtherewerehurriedvoices，thecrackandcracklingofimpendingbranchesgrowingfainterandfainterinthedistance。Lanceturnedbacktothesolitarylivingfigure——theoldman。
Yethemighthavebeendead，too，hesatsorigidandmotionless，hisfixedeyesstaringvacantlyatthebodyonthehearth。Beforehimonthetablelaythecheapphotographs，oneevidentlyofhimself，takeninsomeremoteepochofcomplexion，oneofachildwhichLancerecognizedasFlip。
\"Tellme，\"saidLancehoarsely，layinghisquiveringhandonthetable，\"wasBobRidleyyourson？\"
\"Myson，\"echoedtheoldmaninastrange，far-offvoice，withoutturninghiseyesfromthecorpse——\"Myson——is——is——isthere！\"
pointingtothedeadman。\"Hush！Didn’thetellyouso？Didn’tyouhearhimsayit？Dead——dead——shot——shot！\"
\"Silence！areyoucrazy，man？\"repeatedLance，tremblingly；\"thatisnotBobRidley，butadog，acoward，aliargonetohisreckoning。Hearme！IfyoursonWASBobRidley，IsweartoGodI
neverknewit，nowor——or——THEN。Doyouhearme？Tellme！Doyoubelieveme？Speak！Youshallspeak。\"
Helaidhishandalmostmenacinglyontheoldman’sshoulder。
Fairleyslowlyraisedhishead。Lancefellbackwithagroanofhorror。Theweaklipswerewreathedwithafeebleimploringsmile，buttheeyeswhereinthefretful，peevish，suspiciousspirithaddweltwereblankandtenantless；theflickeringintellectthathadlitthemwasblownoutandvanished。
Lancewalkedtowardthedoorandremainedmotionlessforamoment，gazingintothenight。Whenheturnedbackagaintowardthefirehisfacewasascolorlessasthedeadman’sonthehearth；thefireofpassionwasgonefromhisbeateneyes；hisstepwashesitatingandslow。Hewentuptothetable。
\"Isay，oldman，\"hesaid，withastrangesmileandanodd，prematuresuggestionoftheinfinitewearinessofdeathinhisvoice，\"youwouldn’tmindgivingmethis，wouldyou？\"andhetookupthepictureofFlip。Theoldmannoddedrepeatedly。\"Thankyou，\"saidLance。Hewenttothedoor，pausedamoment，andreturned。\"Good-by，oldman，\"hesaid，holdingouthishand。
Fairleytookitwithachildishsmile。\"He’sdead，\"saidtheoldmansoftly，holdingLance’shand，butpointingtothehearth。
\"Yes，\"saidLance，withthefaintestofsmilesonthepalestoffaces。\"Youfeelsorryforanyonethat’sdead，don’tyou？\"
Fairleynoddedagain。Lancelookedathimwitheyesasremoteashisown，shookhishead，andturnedaway。Whenhereachedthedoorhelaidhisrevolvercarefully，and，indeed，somewhatostentatiously，uponachair。Butwhenhesteppedfromthethresholdhestoppedamomentinthelightoftheopendoortoexaminethelockofasmallderringerwhichhedrewfromhispocket。Hethenshutthedoorcarefully，andwiththesameslow，hesitatingstep，felthiswayintothenight。
Hehadbutoneideainhismind，tofindsomelonelyspot；somespotwherethefootstepsofmanwouldneverpenetrate，somespotthatwouldyieldhimrest，sleep，obliteration，forgetfulness，and，aboveall，whereHEwouldbeforgotten。Hehadseensuchplaces；
surelythereweremany，——whereboneswerepickedupofdeadmenwhohadfadedfromtheearthandhadleftnootherrecord。Ifhecouldonlykeephissensesnowhemightfindsuchaspot，buthemustbecareful，forherlittlefeetwenteverywhere，andshemustneverseehimagainaliveordead。Andinthemidstofhisthoughts，andthedarkness，andthestorm，heheardavoiceathisside，\"Lance，howlongyouhavebeen！\"……
Lefttohimself，theoldmanagainfellintoavacantcontemplationofthedeadbodybeforehim，untilastrongerblastsweptdownlikeanavalancheuponthecabin，burstthroughtheill-fasteneddoorandbrokenchimney，and，dashingtheashesandlivingembersoverthefloor，filledtheroomwithblindingsmokeandflame。Fairleyrosewithafeeblecry，andthen，asifacteduponbysomedominantmemory，gropedunderthebeduntilhefoundhisbuckskinbagandhispreciouscrystal，andfledprecipitatelyfromtheroom。Liftedbythissecondshockfromhisapathy，hereturnedtothefixedideaofhislife，——thediscoveryandcreationofthediamond，——andforgotallelse。Thefeeblegraspthathisshakenintellectkeptoftheeventsofthenightrelaxed，thedisguisedLance，thestoryofhisson，themurder，slippedintonothingness；thereremainedonlytheoneidea，hisnightlywatchbythediamondpit。Theinstinctoflonghabitwasstrongerthanthedarknessortheonsetofthestorm，andhekepthistotteringwayoverstreamandfallentimberuntilhereachedthespot。Asuddentremorseemedtoshakethelambentflamethathadluredhimon。Hethoughtheheardthesoundofvoices；thereweresignsofrecentdisturbance，——
footprintsinthesawdust！Withacryofrageandsuspicion，Fairleyslippedintothepitandsprangtowardthenearestopening。
Tohisfrenziedfancyithadbeentamperedwith，hissecretdiscovered，thefruitofhislonglaborsstolenfromhimthatverynight。Withsuperhumanstrengthhebegantoopenthepit，scatteringthehalf-charredlogsrightandleft，andgivingventtothesuffocatinggasesthatrosefromthenowincandescentcharcoal。
Attimesthefuryofthegalewoulddriveitbackandholditagainstthesidesofthepit，leavingtheopeningfree；attimes，followingtheblindinstinctofhabit，thedementedmanwouldfalluponhisfaceandburyhisnoseandmouthinthewetbarkandsawdust。Atlast，theparoxysmpast，hesankbackagaininhisoldapatheticattitudeofwatching，theattitudehehadsooftenkeptbesidehissylvancrucible。Inthisattitudeandinsilencehewaitedforthedawn。
Itcamewithahushinthestorm；itcamewithblueopeningsinthebrokenupandtumbledheavens；itcamewithstarsthatglistenedfirst，andthenpaled，andatlastsankdrowninginthosedeepceruleanlakes；itcamewiththoseceruleanlakesbroadeningintovasterseas，whoseshoresexpandedatlastintooneillimitableocean，ceruleannomore，butfleckedwithcrimsonandopaldyes；itcamewiththelightlyliftedmistycurtainoftheday，tornandrentoncragandpinetop，butalwayslifting，lifting。Itcamewiththesparkleofemeraldinthegrasses，andtheflashofdiamondsineveryspray，withawhisperintheawakeningwoods，andvoicesinthetraveledroadsandtrails。
Thesoundofthesevoicesstoppedbeforethepit，andseemedtointerrogatetheoldman。Hecame，and，puttinghisfingeronhislips，madeasignofcaution。Whenthreeorfourmenhaddescendedhebadethemfollowhim，saying，weaklyanddisjointedly，butpersistently：\"Myboy——mysonRobert——camehome——camehomeatlast——
herewithFlip——bothofthem——comeandsee！\"
Hehadreachedalittlenicheornestinthehillside，andstoppedandsuddenlydrewasideablanket。Beneathit，sidebyside，layFlipandLance，dead，withtheircoldhandsclaspedineachother’s。
\"Suffocated！\"saidtwoorthree，turningwithhorrortowardthebrokenupandstillsmoulderingpit。
\"Asleep！\"saidtheoldman。\"Asleep！I’veseen’emlyingthatwaywhentheywerebabiestogether。Don’ttellme！Don’tsayIdon’tknowmyownfleshandblood！So！so！So，myprettyones！\"Hestoopedandkissedthem。Then，drawingtheblanketoverthemgently，heroseandsaidsoftly，\"Goodnight！\"