Hehadnearlymadethecircuitoftheroomwhenhewassurprisedbythefirststrainsofawaltz。WaltzingwasnotastrongfeatureofIndianSpringfestivity，partlythattheChurchpeoplehadseriousdoubtsifDavid’ssaltatoryperformancesbeforetheArkincluded\"rounddances，\"andpartlythattheyounghadnotyetmastereditsdifficulties。Whenheyieldedtohisimpulsetolookagainatthedancershefoundthatonlythreeorfourcoupleshadbeenboldenoughtotakethefloor。CressyMcKinstryandherformerpartnerwereoneofthem。Inhispresentexaltationhewasnotastonishedtofindthatshehadevidentlypickeduptheartinherlatevisit，andwasnowwaltzingwithquietgraceandprecision，buthewassurprisedthatherpartnerwasfarfrombeingequallyperfect，andthatafterafewturnsshestoppedandsmilinglydisengagedherwaistfromhisarm。Asshesteppedbacksheturnedwithunerringinstincttothatpartoftheroomwherethemasterstood，andraisedhereyesthroughthemultitudeofadmiringfacestohis。Theireyesmetinanisolationassupremeasiftheyhadbeenalone。Itwasanattractionthemoredangerousbecauseunformulated——apossessionwithoutpreviouspledge，promise，orevenintention——alovethatdidnotrequiretobe\"made。\"
Heapproachedherquietlyandevenmorecoollythanhethoughtpossible。\"Willyouallowmeatrial？\"heasked。
Shelookedinhisface，andasifshehadnotheardthequestionbutwasfollowingherownthought，said，\"Iknewyouwouldcome；I
sawyouwhenyoufirstcamein。\"Withoutanotherwordsheputherhandinhis，andasifitwerepartofaninstinctiveactionofdrawingclosertohim，caughtwithheradvancingfoottheaccentofthewaltz，andthenextmomenttheroomseemedtoslipawayfromthemintowhirlingspace。
Thewholethinghadpassedsorapidlyfromthemomentheapproachedhertothefirstgracefulswingofherfullskirtathisside，thatitseemedtohimalmostliketheembraceofalovers’meeting。Hehadoftenbeenasnearherbefore，hadstoodathersideatschool，andevenleanedoverherdesk，butalwayswithanirritatedinstinctofreservethathadequallyaffectedher，andwhichhenowunderstood。Withherconsciousbutpalefacesonearhisown，withthefaintodorofherhairclingingtoher，andwiththesweetconfusionofthehalflingering，halfwithheldcontactofherhandandarm，allhadchanged。Hedidnotdaretoreflectthathecouldneveragainapproachherexceptwiththisfeeling。Hedidnotdaretothinkofanything；heabandonedhimselftothesensethathadbegunwiththeinvasionofherhair-boundmyrtleinthesilentschool-room，andseemedtohaveatlastledhertohisarms。Theyweremovingnowinsuchperfectrhythmandunisonthattheyseemedscarcelyconsciousofmotion。Oncewhentheynearedtheopenwindowhecaughtaglimpseoftheroundmoonrisingabovethesolemnheightsoftheoppositeshore，andfeltthecoolbreathofmountainandriversweephischeekandmingleafewescapedthreadsofherfairhairwithhisown。Withthatglimpseandthatsensationthevulgarityandthetawdrinessoftheirsurroundings，thegutteringcandlesintheirsconces，thebizarrefigures，theunmeaningfacesseemedtobewhirledfarintodistantspace。Theywerealonewithnightandnature；itwastheywhowerestill；allelsehadrecededinavanishingperspectiveofdullreality，inwhichtheyhadnopart。
Playon，OwaltzofStrauss！Whirlon，Oloveandyouth！Foryoucannotwhirlsoswiftlybutthatthisrecedingworldwillreturnagainwithnarrowingcircletohemyouin。Faster，Ocrackedclarionet！Louder，Otoobrazenbassoon！Keepback，Odullandearthyenvironment，tillmasterandpupilhavedreamedtheirfoolishdream！
Theyareinfancyaloneontheriver-bank，onlytheroundmoonabovethemandtheirlinkedshadowsfaintlyflutteringinthestream。Theyhavedrawnsocloselytogethernowthatherarmisencirclinghisneck，hersofteyesupliftedlikethemoon’sreflectionanddrowningintohis；closerandclosertilltheirheartsstopbeatingandtheirlipshavemetinafirstkiss。
Faster，Olittlefeet！swingclear，OCressy’sskirtandkeepthenarrowingcircleback！……Theyareagainalone；thejudges’
daisandtheemblazoningoftheStatecaughtinasinglewhirlingflashofconsciousnessarechangedtoanaltar，seendimlythroughthebridalveilthatcoversherfairhead。Thereisthemurmurofvoicesminglingtwolivesinone。Theyturnandpassproudlydownbetweentheaislesofwonderingfestalfaces。Ah！thecircleisdrawingcloser。Onemorequickwhirltokeepthemback，Oflyingskirtanddainty-wingedfeet！Toolate！Themusicstops。Thetawdrywallsshutinagain，thevulgarcrowdsreturn，theystandpaleandquiet，thecentreofaringofbreathlessadmiring，frightened，orforbiddingfaces。Herarmsfoldlikewingsatherside。Thewaltzisover。
Ashrillfemininechorusassailherwithpraises，struckhereandtherewithametallicringofenvy；adozenall-daringcavaliers，maderecklessbyhergraceandbeauty，clamorforherhandinthenextwaltz。Shereplies，nottothem，buttohim，\"Notagain，\"andslipsawayinthecrowdwiththatstrangenewshynessthatofallhertransformationsseemsthemostdelicious。Yetsoconsciousaretheyoftheirmutualpassionthattheydonotmisseachother，andheturnsawayasiftheirnextmeetingwerealreadyanappointedtryst。Afewcongratulatehimonhisskill。Johnny’sparagonlooksafterhimcuriously；certaineldersshakehandswithhimperplexedly，asifnotquitesureoftheprofessionalconsistencyofhisperformance。Thosecharmingtide-waitersonsocialsuccess，thefair，artfullyminglingexpectationwithcompliment，onlyextractfromhimthelaughingstatementthatthisonewaltzwasthesingleexceptionallowedhimfromtheruleofhisprofessionalconduct，andherefersthemtohiseldercritics。Asingleface，loutish，looming，andvindictive，standsonamongthecrowd——thefaceofSethDavis。Hehadnotseenhimsincehelefttheschool；
hehadforgottenhisexistence；evennowheonlyrememberedhissuccessor，JoeMasters，andhelookedcuriouslyaroundtoseeifthatlatersuitorofCressy’swaspresent。ItwasnotuntilhereachedthedoorthathebegantothinkseriouslyofSethDavis’sjealousface，andwasrousedtoasingularindignation。\"Whyhadn’tthisgreatfoolventedhisjealousyontheopenlycompromisingMasters，\"hethought。Heeventurnedandwalkedbackwithsomevaguelyaggressiveinstinct，buttheyoungmanhaddisappeared。WiththisincidentstillinhismindhecameuponUncleBenandHiramMcKinstrystandingamongthespectatorsinthedoorway。WhymightnotUncleBenbejealoustoo？andifhissinglewaltzhadreallyappearedsocompromisingwhyshouldnotCressy’sfatherobject？Butbothmen——albeit，McKinstryusuallyexhibitedavagueunreasoningcontemptforUncleBen——wereunanimousintheircongratulationsandoutspokenadmiration。
\"WhenIsee’dyousailin，Mr。Ford，\"saidUncleBen，withabstractreflectiveness，\"Iseztothefellers，’lielow，boys，andyou’llseestyle。’Andwhenyouputonthemfirststeps，Isez，’that’sFrench——thelatesthigh-tonedFrenchstyle——outerthebestmasters，and——andouterthebestbooks。Forwhy？’sezI。’It’sthesamelong，slidingstrokeyouseeinhiscopies。There’sthatlongupsweep，andthateasycurvetotherightwithnohitch。That’sthesorterswinghehezinreadin’po’trytoo。That’swhyit’scalledthepo’tryofmotion，’sezI。’Andyoukenbetyourboots，boys，it’sallinthetrainin’o’education。’\"
\"Mr。Ford，\"saidMr。McKinstrygravely，slightlywavingalavender-
coloredkidglove，withwhichhehadelectedtoconcealhismaimedhand，andatthesamemomentindicateafestaloccasion：\"Ihevtothankyeforthewayyoutookoutthatchildo’mine，likeezshewozanontriedfilly，andputherthroughherpaces。Idon’tdancemyself，partiklyinthatgait——whichItaketobesuthin’betwixtalopeandacanterandIdon’tgettoseemuchdancin’nowadaysonaccounto’bein’worritedbystock，butseein’youtwotogetherjustnow，suthin’cameoverme，andIdon’tthinkIeverfeltsokaminmylife。\"
Thebloodrushedtothemaster’scheekwithanunexpectedconsciousnessofguiltandshame。\"But，\"hestammeredawkwardly，\"yourdaughterdancesbeautifullyherself；shehascertainlyhadpractice。\"
\"That，\"saidMcKinstry，layinghisglovedhandimpressivelyonthemaster’sshoulder，withtheemptylittlefingerstillmoreemphasizedbybeingturnedbackwardinthenet；\"thatmaybeezitez，butIwantedtosaythatitwasthesimple，easy，fammilytouchthatyougevit，thattookme。Towardtheend，whenyoukindergatheredherupandshesorterdroppedherheadintoyourbreast-
pocket，andseemedtogotosleep，likeezefshewasstillalittlegirl，itsoremindedmeofthetimeswhenIusedtototehermyselfwalkin’bythewagginatPlattRiver，thatitmademewishtheoldwomanwasheretoseeit。\"
Stillcoloring，themastercastarapid，sidelongglanceatMcKinstry’sdarkredfaceandbeard，butintheslowsatisfactionofhisfeaturestherewasnotraceofthatironywhichthemaster’sself-consciousnessknew。
\"Thenyourwifeisnothere？\"saidMr。Fordabstractedly。
\"Shewaratchurch。ShereckonedthatI’ddotolookarterCressy——
shebein’，sotospeak，underconviction。D’yemindwalkin’thiswayabit；Iwanttospeakawordwithye？\"Heputhismaimedhandthroughthemaster’sarm，afterhisformerfashion，andledhimtoacorner。
\"DidyehappentoseeSethDavisaboutyer？\"
\"IbelieveIsawhimamomentago，\"returnedMr。Fordhalfcontemptuously。
\"Didhegetoffanythin’roughonye？\"
\"Certainlynot，\"saidthemasterhaughtily。\"Whyshouldhedare？\"
\"That’sso，\"saidMcKinstrymeditatively。\"Youhadbetterkeeprightoninthatline。That’syourgait，remember。Leavehim——orhisfather——it’sthesamething——toME。Don’tYOUletyourselfberopedintothisyerrowbetwixtmeandtheDavises。Youain’tgotnocalltodoit。It’salreadybeenonmymindyourbringin’thatguntomeintheHarrisonrow。Theoldwomanhadn’toughterletyou——norCresseither。Harktome，Mr。Ford！IreckontostandbetweenyouandboththeDavisestillthecowscomehome——only——
mindYOUgivehimthego-bywhenhehappenstomeanderalongtowardsyou。\"
\"I’mverymuchobligedtoyou，\"saidFordwithdisproportionatelysuddencholer；\"butIdon’tproposetoaltermyhabitsforaridiculousschool-boywhomIhavedismissed。\"Theunjustandboyishpetulanceofhisspeechinstantlyflasheduponhim，andhefelthischeekburnagain。
McKinstryregardedhimwithdull，red，slumbrouseyes。\"Don’tyougotoloseyourbestholt，Mr。Ford——andthat’skam。Keepyourkam——andyou’veallusgotthedeadwoodonInjinSprings。Iain’tgotit，\"hecontinued，inhisslowest，mostpassionlessmanner，\"andarowmoreorlessain’tmuchaccounttome——butYOU，youkeepyourkam。\"Hepaused，steppedback，andregardingthemaster，withaslightwaveofhiscrippledhandoverhiswholeperson，asifindicatingsomepersonaladornment，said，\"Itsetsyouoff！\"
Henodded，turned，andre-enteredtheball-room。Mr。Ford，withouttrustinghimselftofurtherspeech，elbowedhiswaythroughthecrowdedstaircasetothestreet。Buteventherehisstrangeanger，aswellastheequallystrangeremorse，whichhadseizedhiminMcKinstry’spresence，seemedtoevaporateintheclearmoonlightandsoftsummerair。Therewastheriver-bank，withthetremulousriverglancingthroughthedreamymist，astheyhadseenitfromthewindowtogether。Heeventurnedtolookbackonthelightedball-room，asifSHEmighthavebeenlookingout，too。Butheknewheshouldseeheragainto-morrow，andhehurriedlyputasideallreserve，allthoughtofthefuture，allexaminationofhisconduct，towalkhomeenwrappedinthevaguerpleasureofthepast。RupertFilgee，towhomhehadnevergivenasecondthought，nowpeacefullyslumberingbesidehisbabybrother，hadnotgonehomeinmorefoolishormoredangerouscompany。
Whenhereachedthehotel，hewassurprisedtofinditonlyeleveno’clock。Noonehadreturned，thebuildingwasdesertedbyallbutthebar-keeperandaflirtingchambermaid，whoregardedhimwithaggrievedastonishment。Hebegantofeelveryfoolish，andhalfregrettedthathehadnotstayedtodancewithMrs。Tripp；or，atleast，remainedasaquietonlookerapartfromtheothers。Withahastyexcuseaboutreturningtowritelettersforthemorning’spost，hetookacandleandslowlyremountedthestairstohisroom。
Butonenteringhefoundhimselfunpreparedforthatsingularlackofsympathywithwhichfamiliarhauntsalwaysgreetournewexperiences；hecouldhardlybelievethathehadleftthatroomonlytwohoursbefore；itseemedsouncongenialandstrangetothesensationthatwasstillpossessinghim。Yettherewerehistable，hisbooks，hisarm-chair，hisbedashehadleftthem；evenastickyfragmentofgingerbreadthathadfallenfromJohnny’spocket。Hehadnotyetreachedthatstageofabsorbingpassionwherehewasabletoputthelovedoneinhisownsurroundings；sheasyethadnoplaceinthisquietroom；hecouldscarcelythinkofherhere，andheMUSTthinkofher，ifhehadtogoelsewhere。Anextravagantideaofwalkingthestreetuntilhisrestlessdreamwasoverseizedhim，buteveninhisfollythelackadaisical，moonstruckqualityofsuchaperformancewastooobvious。Theschool-house！
Hewouldgothere；itwasonlyapleasantwalk，thenightwaslovely，andhecouldbringthemyrtle-sprayfromhisdesk。Itwastoosignificantnow——ifnottooprecious——tobekeptthere。Perhapshehadnotexamineditclosely，northeplacewhereithadlain；
theremightbeanadditionalsign，word，ortokenhehadoverlooked。
Thethoughtthrilledhim，evenwhilehewascalmlyarguingtohimselfthatitwasaninstinctofcaution。
Theairwasquieterandwarmerthanusual，thoughstillcharacteristicofthelocalityinitsdry，dewlessclarity。Thegrasswasyetwarmfromtheday-longsun，andwhenheenteredthepinesthatsurroundedtheschoolhouse，theyhadscarcelyyetlosttheirspicyheat。Themoon，ridinghigh，filledthedarkaisleswithadelicioustwilightthatlentitselftohiswakingdreams。
Itwasnotlongbeforeto-morrow；hecouldeasilymanagetobringherhereinthegroveatrecess，andwouldspeakwithherthere。
Itdidnotoccurtohimwhatheshouldsay，orwhyheshouldsayit；itdidnotoccurtohimthathehadnootherprovocationthanhereyes，herconsciousmanner，hereloquentsilence，andheradmissionthatshehadexpectedhim。Itdidnotoccurtohimthatallthiswasinconsistentwithwhatheknewofherantecedents，hercharacter，andherhabits。Itwasthisveryinconsistencythatcharmedandconvincedhim。Wearealwaysonthelookoutforthesemiraclesofpassion。Wemaydoubtthegenuinenessofanaffectionthatisfirst-hand，butneverofonethatistransferred。
Heapproachedtheschool-houseandunlockingthedoorcloseditbehindhim，notsomuchtokeepouthumanintrusionastheinvasionofbatsandsquirrels。Thenearlyverticalmoon，whileitperfectlylittheplaygroundandopeningsinthepinesaroundthehouse，lefttheinteriorindarkness，exceptthereflectionupontheceilingfromtheshininggravelwithout。Partlyfromasenseofprecautionandpartlybecausehewasfamiliarwiththepositionofthebenches，hedidnotstrikealight，andreachedhisowndeskunerringly，drewhischairbeforeitandunlockedit，gropedinitsdarkrecessforthemyrtlespray，feltitssoftsilkenbindingwithanelectricalthrill，drewitout，andinthesecurityofthedarkness，raisedittohislips。
Tomakeroomforitinhisbreastpockethewasobligedtotakeouthisletters——amongthemthewell-wornonehehadtriedtoreadthatmorning。Aminglingofpleasureandremorsecameoverhimashefeltthatitwasalreadyofthepast，andashedroppeditcarelesslyintotheemptydeskitfellwithafaint，hollowsoundasifitwereashestoashes。
Whatwasthat？
Thenoiseofstepsuponthegravel，lightlaughter，themovingoftwoorthreeshadowsontheceiling，thesoundofvoices，aman’s，achild’s，andHERS！
Coulditbepossible？Wasnothemistaken？No！theman’svoicewasMasters’；thechild’s，Octavia’s；thewoman’s，HERS。
Heremainedsilentintheshadow。Theschool-roomwasnotfarfromthetrailwhereshewouldhavehadtopassgoinghomefromtheball。Butwhyhadshecomethere？hadtheyseenhimarrive？andweremischievouslywatchinghim？ThesoundofCressy’svoiceandtheliftingoftheunprotectedwindownearthedoorconvincedhimtothecontrary。
\"There，that’lldo。Nowyoutwocanstepaside。’Tave，takehimovertoyonfence，andkeephimtheretillIgetin。No——thankyou，sir——Icanassistmyself。I’vedoneitbefore。Itain’tthefirsttimeI’vebeenthroughthiswindow，isit，’Tave？\"
Ford’sheartstoppedbeating。Therewasamomentoflaughingexpostulation，thesoundofretreatingvoices，thesuddendarkeningofthewindow，thebillowysweepofaskirt，thefaintquickflashofalittleankle，andCressyMcKinstryswungherselfintotheroomanddroppedlightlyonthefloor。
Sheadvancedeagerlyupthemoonlitpassagebetweenthetworowsofbenches。Suddenlyshestopped；themasterroseatthesamemomentwithoutstretchedwarninghandtocheckthecryofterrorhefeltsurewouldrisetoherlips。Buthedidnotknowthelazynervesofthegirlbeforehim。Sheutterednooutcry。Andeveninthefaintdimlighthecouldseeonlythesameexpressionofconsciousunderstandingcomeoverherfacethathehadseenintheball-room，mingledwithavaguejoythatpartedherbreathlesslips。Ashemovedquicklyforwardtheirhandsmet；shecaughthiswithaquicksignificantpressureanddartedbacktothewindow。
\"Oh，’Tave！\"（verylanguidly。）
\"Yes。\"
\"Youtwohadbetterwaitformeattheedgeofthetrailyonder，andkeepalookoutforfolksgoingby。Don’tletthemseeyouhangingroundsonear。Doyouhear？I’mallright。\"
Withherhandstillmeaninglylifted，shestoodgazingatthetwofiguresuntiltheyslowlyrecededtowardsthedistanttrail。Thensheturnedasheapproachedher，thereflectionofthemoonlitroadstrikingupintohershiningeyesandeagerwaitingface。Adozenquestionswereuponhislips，adozenreplieswerereadyuponhers。
Buttheywereneveruttered，forthenextmomenthereyeshalfclosed，sheleanedforwardandfell——intoakiss。
Shewasthefirsttorecover，holdinghisfaceinherhands，turnedtowardsthemoonlight，herowninpassionateshadow。\"Listen，\"shesaidquickly。\"TheythinkIcameheretolookforsomethingIleftinmydesk。Theythoughtithighfuntocomewithme——thesetwo。
Ididcometolookforsomething——notinmydesk，butyours。\"
\"Wasitthis？\"hewhispered，takingthemyrtlefromhisbreast。
Sheseizeditwithalightcry，puttingitfirsttoherlipsandthentohis。Thenclaspinghisfaceagainbetweenhersoftpalms，sheturnedittothewindowandsaid：\"Lookatthemandnotatme。\"
Hedidso——seeingthetwofiguresslowlywalkinginthetrail。Andholdinghertherefirmlyagainsthisbreast，itseemedablasphemytoaskthequestionthathadbeenuponhislips。
\"That’snotall，\"shemurmured，movinghisfacebackwardsandforwardstoherlipsasifitweresomethingtowhichshewasgivingbreath。\"WhenwecametothewoodsIfeltthatyouwouldbehere。\"
\"Andfeelingthat，youbroughtHIM？\"saidFord，drawingback。
\"Whynot？\"sherepliedindolently。\"Evenifhehadseenyou，I
couldhavemanagedtohaveyouwalkhomewithme。\"
\"Butdoyouthinkit’squitefair？Wouldhelikeit？\"
\"WouldHElikeit？\"sheechoedlazily。
\"Cressy，\"saidtheyoungmanearnestly，gazingintohershadowedface。\"Haveyougivenhimanyrighttoobject？Doyouunderstandme？\"
Shestoppedasifthinking。\"Doyouwantmetocallhimin？\"shesaidquietly，butwithouttheleasttraceofarchnessorcoquetry。
\"Wouldyouratherhewerehere——orshallwegooutnowandmeethim？I’llsayyoujustcameasIwasgoingout。\"
Whatshouldhesay？\"Cressy，\"heaskedalmostcurtly，\"doyouloveme？\"
Itseemedsucharidiculousthingtoask，holdingherthusinhisarms，ifitweretrue；itseemedsuchavillainousquestion，ifitwerenot。
\"IthinkIlovedyouwhenyoufirstcame，\"shesaidslowly。\"Itmusthavebeenthatthatmademeengagemyselftohim，\"sheaddedsimply。\"IknewIlovedyou，andthoughtonlyofyouwhenIwasaway。IcamebackbecauseIlovedyou。IlovedyouthedayyoucametoseeMaw——evenwhenIthoughtyoucametotellherofMasters，andtosaythatyoucouldn’ttakemeback。\"
\"Butyoudon’taskmeifIloveyou？\"
\"Butyoudo——youcouldn’thelpitnow，\"shesaidconfidently。
Whatcouldhedobutreplyasillogicallywithacloserembrace，albeitaslighttremorasifacoldwindhadblownacrosstheopenwindow，passedoverhim。Shemayhavefeltittoo，forshepresentlysaid，\"Kissmeandletmego。\"
\"Butwemusthavealongertalk，darling——when——when——othersarenotwaiting。\"
\"Doyouknowthefarbarnneartheboundary？\"sheasked。
\"Yes。\"
\"Iusedtotakeyourbooksthere，afternoonsto——to——bewithyou，\"
shewhispered，\"andPawgaveordersthatnoonewastocomenighitwhileIwasthere。Cometo-morrow，justbeforesundown。\"
Alongembracefollowed，inwhichallthattheyhadnotsaidseemed，tothematleast，tobecomearticulateontheirtremulousandclinginglips。Thentheyseparated，heunlockingthedoorsoftlytogiveheregressthatway。Shecaughtupabookfromadeskinpassing，andthenslippedlikearosyshaftofthecomingdawnacrossthefadingmoonlight，andamomentafterherslowvoice，withoutatremorofexcitement，washeardcallingtohercompanions。
CHAPTERVII。
TheconversationwhichJohnnyFilgeehadoverheardbetweenUncleBenandthegorgeousstranger，althoughunintelligibletohisinfantmind，wasfraughtwithsomesignificancetotheadultsettlersofIndianSpring。Thetownitself，likemostinteriorsettlements，wasoriginallyaminingencampment，andassuchitsfoundersandsettlersderivedtheirpossessionofthesoilunderthemininglawsthattookprecedenceofallothertitles。Butalthoughthattitlewasheldtobegoodevenaftertheabandonmentoftheiroriginaloccupation，andtheestablishmentofshops，offices，anddwellingsonthesiteofthedesertedplaces，thesuburbsofthetownandoutlyingdistrictsweremoreprecariouslyheldbysquatters，underthepresumptionoftheirbeingpubliclandopentopreemption，orthesettlementofschool-landwarrantsuponthem。Fewofthesquattershadtakenthetroubletoperfecteventheseeasytitles，merelyholding\"possession\"foragriculturalordomiciliarypurposes，andsubjectonlytotheinvasionof\"jumpers，\"aclassofadventurerswho，intheabeyanceofrecognizedlegaltitle，\"jumped\"orforciblyseizedsuchportionsofasquatter’sdomainsaswerenotprotectedbyfencingorsuperiorforce。ItwasthereforewithsomeexcitementthatIndianSpringreceivedthenewsthataMexicangrantofthreesquareleagues，whichcoveredthewholedistrict，hadbeenlatelyconfirmedbytheGovernment，andthatactionwouldbetakentorecoverpossession。Itwasunderstoodthatitwouldnotaffecttheadversepossessionsheldbythetownunderthemininglaws，butitwouldcompeltheadjacentsquatterslikeMcKinstry，Davis，Masters，andFilgee，andjumpersliketheHarrisons，tobuythelegaltitle，ordefendaslowbutlosinglawsuit。Theholdersofthegrant——
richcapitalistsofSanFrancisco——wereopentocompromisetothoseinactualpossession，andinthebenefitsofthiscompromisetheunscrupulous\"jumper，\"whohadneithersownnorreaped，butsimplydispossessedthesquatterwhohaddoneboth，sharedequallywithhim。
Adiversityofopinionastotheeffectofthenewclaimnaturallyobtained；theoldersettlersstillclungtotheirexperiencesofaneasyaboriginalholdingofthesoil，andwerescepticalbothastothevalidityandjusticeoftheserevivedaliengrants；butthenewerarrivalshailedthiscertaintenureoflegaltitlesasaguaranteetocapitalandanincentivetoimprovement。TherewasalsoagrowingandinfluentialpartyofEasternandNorthernmen，whowerenotsorrytoseeafruitfulsourceofdissensionandbloodshedremoved。ThefeudsoftheMcKinstrysandHarrisons，keptaliveoveraboundarytowhichneitherhadanylegalclaim，wouldseemtobringthemhereafterwithinthestatutelawregardingordinaryassaultswithoutanyethicalmystification。OntheotherhandMcKinstryandHarrisonwouldeachbeabletoarrangeanycompromisewiththenewtitleholdersforthelandstheypossessed，ormakeoverthat\"actualpossession\"foraconsideration。Itwasfearedthatbothmen，beingnaturallylawless，wouldunitetorenderanylegalevictionalonganddangerousprocess，andthattheywouldeitherbeleftundisturbedtillthelast，orwouldforceaprofitableconcession。Butagreaterexcitementfollowedwhenitwasknownthatasectionofthelandhadalreadybeensoldbytheownersofthegrant，thatthissectionexactlycoveredthedebatablelandoftheMcKinstry-Harrisonboundaries，andthatthenewlandlordwouldatonceattemptitslegalpossession。TheinspirationofgeniusthathadthuseffectedadivisionoftheHarrison-McKinstrycombinationatitsoneweakspotexcitedeventheadmirationofthesceptics。NooneinIndianSpringknewitsrealauthor，forthesuitwasostensiblylaidinthenameofaSanFranciscobanker。ButtheintelligentreaderofJohnnyFilgee’slateexperienceduringthecelebrationwillhavealreadyrecognizedUncleBenastheman，anditbecomesapartofthisveraciouschronicleatthismomenttoallowhimtoexplain，notonlyhisintentions，butthemeansbywhichhecarriedthemout，inhisownwords。
Itwasoneafternoonattheendofhisusualsolitarylesson，andthemasterandUncleBenwereawaitingthearrivalofRupert。
UncleBen’seducationalprogresslately，throughdintofslowtenacity，hadsomewhatimproved，andhehadjustcompletedfromcertainformsandexamplesinabookbeforehima\"LettertoaConsignee\"informinghimthathe，UncleBen，hadjustshipped\"2
cwt。IvoryElephantTusks，80peculsofriceand400bbls。primemessporkfromIndianSpring；\"andanotherbeginning\"HonoredMadam，\"andconveyinginadmirablyartificialphraseologythe\"lamenteddecease\"ofthelady’shusbandfromyellowfever，contractedontheGoldCoast，andUncleBenwassurveyinghisworkwithcriticalsatisfactionwhenthemaster，somewhatimpatiently，consultedhiswatch。UncleBenlookedup。
\"IoughtertoldyethatRupedidn’tkalkilatetocometoday。\"
\"Indeed——whynot？\"
\"IreckonbecauseItoldhimheneedn’t。Iallowedto——tohevalittleprivatetalkwithye，Mr。Ford，ifyedidn’tmind。\"
Mr。Ford’sfacedidnotshinewithinvitation。\"Verywell，\"hesaid，\"onlyrememberIhaveanengagementthisafternoon。\"
\"Butthatain’tuntilaboutsundown，saidUncleBenquietly。\"I
won’tkeepyeezlongezthat。\"
Mr。FordglancedquicklyatUncleBenwitharisingcolor。\"Whatdoyouknowofmyengagements？\"hesaidsharply。
\"Nothin’，Mr。Ford，\"returnedUncleBensimply；\"buthevin’binlayin’round，lookin’foryehereandatthehotelforfourorfivedaysallusaboutthattimeandnotfindin’you，Iratherkalkilatedyoumighthevsuthin’reg’laronhand。\"
Therewascertainlynothinginhisfaceormannertoindicatetheleastevasionordeceit，orindeedanythingbuthisusualnaivete，perhapsalittleperturbedandpreoccupiedbywhathewasgoingtosay。\"Ihadanideaofwritin’youaletter，\"hecontinued，\"kindercombinin’practiceandconfidentialinformation，youknow。
Tobesquarewithyou，Mr。Ford，inpinto’fact，I’vegotitHERE。
Butezitdon’tseemtoentirelygibewiththefacts，andleavesaheapo’thingsonsaidandonseen，perhapsit’sjestezwallezI
readittoyoumyself——putten’inawordhereandthere，andexplainin’itgin’rally。Doyousabe？\"
Themasternodded，andUncleBendrewfromhisdeskarudeportfoliomadefromthetwocoversofadilapidatedatlas，andtookfrombetweenthemapieceofblotting-paper，whichthroughinordinateapplicationhadacquiredthecolorandconsistencyofaslate，andafewpagesofcopy-bookpaper，thattothecasualglancelookedlikesheetsofexceedinglydifficultmusic。
Surveyingthemwithablendingofchirographicpride，orthographicdoubt，andthebashfulconsciousnessofaliteraryamateur，hetracedeachlinewithaforefingerinkedtothesecondjoint，andslowlyreadaloudasfollows：——
\"’Mr。Ford，Teacher。
\"’DEARSIR，——Yoursofthe12threc’dandcontentsnoted。’\"（\"I
did’nt，\"explainedUncleBenparenthetically，\"receiveanyletterofyours，butIthoughtImightheaveinthatbeginningfromcopyforpractice。TherestisME。\"）\"’Inrefferencetomyhavingmunney，\"’continuedUncleBenreadingandpointingeachwordasheread，\"’andbeingabletobuyDitchStocksan’Land’\"——
\"Onemoment，\"saidMr。Fordinterrupting，\"Ithoughtyouweregoingtoleaveoutcopy。Cometowhatyouhavetosay。\"
\"ButIHEV——thisisallrealnow。Holdonandyou’llsee，\"saidUncleBen。Heresumedwithtriumphantemphasis：——
\"’Whenitweregin’rallyallowedthatIhaddentaredcent，IwanttoexplaintoyouMisterFordforthefirsttimeasecret。Thishereishowitwasdone。WhenIfirstcametoInjianSpring，I
settleddownintotheoldPalmettoclaim，nearaheapofoldtaillings。Knowin’itwereagainstrools，andreg’larChinyman’sbiznesstoworkthemIdiddn’tletontoenyboddywhatIdid——witchwostoturnoversomeofthequartswhatIthoughtwaslikelyandOrrifferus。DoingthisIkemupponsomepayorewhichthemPalmettofellershadoverlookt，ormorelikelyhadkavedinupponthemfromthebankonknown。Workin’atitinodtimesbyandlarge，sometimesaforesunupandsometimesaftersundown，andallthetimekeepingupaday’sworkontheclameforashowtotheboys，Iemassedahonistfortunin2yearsof50，000dolersandstillam。ButitwillbeaskdbytheincredjulosReederHowdidyouneverletoutanythingtoInjianSpring，andHowdidyougetridofyouryeald？MisterFord，theAnserisItookittwistamonthonhossbackovertoLaPortandsentitbyexpresstoabankinSacramento，givin’thenameofDaubigny，witchnooneinLaPorttookforme。TheDitchStokandtheLandwasalltookinthesamename，hensthesecretwasonreviledtotheGeneralEye——stopaminit，’\"heinterruptedhimselfquicklyasthemasterinanaccessionofimpatientscepticismwasabouttobreakinuponhim，\"itain’tall。\"Thendroppinghisvoicetoatremulousandalmostfunerealclimax，hewenton：——
\"’ThusweseethatpashentindurstryisRewardedinSpiteofMiningRoolsandReggylashuns，andPredgudissesaginFurrinLaborisplayedoutandfleethlikeashad-orcontenueyethnotlonginOneSpot，andthataManmayapeartobeoffnoAccountandyetEmassthatwitchisfarabovrublesandFadithnotAway。
\"’Hoppin’foracontinneyance\"’ofyourfevorsIremain，\"’Yourstocommand，\"’BENJD’AUBIGNY。\"’
ThegloomysatisfactionwithwhichUncleBenregardedthisperoration——asatisfactionthatactuallyappearedtobeequaltotherevelationitself——onlycorroboratedthemaster’sindignantdoubts。
\"Come，\"hesaid，impulsivelytakingthepaperfromUncleBen’sreluctanthand，\"howmuchofthisisaconcoctionofyoursandRupe’s——andhowmuchisatruestory？Doyoureallymean？\"——
\"Holdon，Mr。Ford！\"interruptedUncleBen，suddenlyfumblinginthebreast-pocketofhisredshirt，\"Ireckonedonyourbeingalittlehardwithme，rememberingourfirsttalk’boutthesethings——
soIallowedI’dbringyousomeproof。\"Slowlyextractingalonglegalenvelopefromhispocket，heopenedit，anddrewouttwoorthreecrispcertificatesofstock，andhandedthemtothemaster。
\"Ther’sonehundredsharesmadeouttoBenjDaubigny。I’dhevbroughtyouoverthedeedofthelandtoo，butezit’sratherhardtoreadoff-hand，onaccountofthelawpalaver，I’veleftitupattheshantytotackleatoddtimesbywayofpractising。Butefyoulikewe’llgoupthar，andI’llshowittoyou。\"
StillhauntedbyhisbeliefinUncleBen’ssmallduplicities，Mr。
Fordhesitated。Thesewerecertainlybonafidecertificatesofstockmadeoutto\"Daubigny。\"ButhehadneveractuallyacceptedUncleBen’sstatementofhisidentitywiththatperson，andnowitwasofferedasacorroborationofastillmoreimprobablestory。
HelookedatUncleBen’ssimplefaceslightlydeepeningincolorunderhisscrutiny——perhapswithconsciousguilt。
\"Haveyoumadeanybodyyourconfidant？Rupe，forinstance？\"heaskedsignificantly。
\"Incoursenot，\"repliedUncleBenwithaslightstiffeningofwoundedpride。\"On’yyourself，Mr。Ford，andtheyoungfellerStaceyfromthebank——ezwasobligatedtoknowit。Infact，Iwoskalkilatin’toaskyoutohelpmetalktohimaboutthatyerboundaryland。\"
Mr。Ford’sscepticismwasatlaststaggered。AnypracticaljokeorfoolishcomplicitybetweentheagentofthebankandamanlikeUncleBenwasoutofthequestion，andifthestorywerehisownsoleinvention，hewouldhavescarcelydaredtorisksoaccessibleanduncompromisingadenialastheagenthaditinhispowertogive。
HeheldouthishandtoUncleBen。\"Letmecongratulateyou，\"hesaidheartily，\"andforgivemeifyourstoryreallysoundedsowonderfulIcouldn’tquitegraspit。Nowletmeaskyousomethingmore。Haveyouhadanyreasonforkeepingthisasecret，otherthanyourfearofconfessingthatyouviolatedafewbigotedandidioticminingrules——which，afterall，arebindingonlyuponsentiment——andwhichyoursuccesshasprovedtobeutterlyimpractical？\"
\"ThereWASanotherreason，Mr。Ford，\"saidUncleBen，wipingawayanembarrassedsmilewiththebackofhishand，\"thatis，tobesquarewithyou，WHYIthoughtofconsultin’you。Ididn’tkeertohaveMcKinstry，and\"——headdedhurriedly，\"incourseHarrison，too，knowthatIboughtupthetitletothurboundary。\"
\"Iunderstand，\"noddedthemaster。\"Ishouldn’tthinkyouwould。\"
\"Whyshouldn’tye？\"askedUncleBenquickly。
\"Well——Idon’tsupposeyoucaretoquarrelwithtwopassionatemen。\"
UncleBen’sfacechanged。Presently，however，withhishandtohisface，hemanagedtomanipulateanothersmile，onlyitappearedforthepurposeofbeingasawkwardlywipedaway。
\"SayONEpassionateman，Mr。Ford。\"
\"Well，oneifyoulike，\"returnedthemastercheerfully。\"Butforthematterofthat，whyany？Come——doyoumindtellingmewhyyouboughtthelandatall？Youknowit’soflittlevaluetoanybutMcKinstryandHarrison。\"
\"Soppose，\"saidUncleBenslowly，withagreataffectationofwipinghisink-spotteddeskwithhissleeve，\"sopposethatIhadgotkindertiredofseein’McKinstryandHarrisonallusfightin’
andscrimmagin’overtheirboundaryline。SopposeIkalkilatedthatitwarn’tthesorto’thingtoinducefolkstosettlehere。
SopposeIreckonedthatbygettin’therealtitleinmyhandsI’dhavethedeadwoodonbotho’them，andsettlethethingmyownway，eh？\"
\"Thatcertainlywasaverylaudableintention，\"returnedMr。Ford，observingUncleBencuriously，\"andfromwhatyousaidjustnowaboutonepassionateman，IsupposeyouhavedeterminedalreadyWHO
tofavor。IhopeyourpublicspiritwillbeappreciatedbyIndianSpringatleast——ifitisn’tbythosetwomen。\"
\"Youlaylowandkeepdarkandyou’llsee，\"returnedhiscompanionwithahopefulnessofspeechwhichhissomewhatanxiouseagernesshoweverdidnotquitebearout。\"Butyou’renotgoin’yet，surely，\"headded，asthemasteragainabsentlyconsultedhiswatch。\"It’son’yhalfpastfour。It’struetharain’tanymoretotell，\"headdedsimply，\"butIhadanideathatyoumighthevtooktothisyerlittlestoryofminemorethanyou’peartobe，andmightbeaskin’questionsandkinderbedevlin’mewithjokeseztowhatIwasgoin’todo——andallthat。Butp’rapsitdon’tseemsowonderfultoyouarterall。Cometothinkofit——squarelynow，\"
hesaid，withasingulardespondency，\"I’mrathersickofitmyself——eh？\"
\"Mydearoldboy，\"saidFord，graspingbothhishands，withaswiftrevulsionofshameathisownutterlyselfishabstraction，\"Iamoverjoyedatyourgoodluck。Morethanthat，Icansayhonestly，oldfellow，thatitcouldn’thavefalleninmoreworthyhands，ortoanyonewhosegoodfortunewouldhavepleasedmemore。There！
AndifI’vebeenslowandstupidintakingitin，itisbecauseit’ssowonderful，solikeafairytaleofvirtuerewarded——asifyouwereakindofmaleCinderella，oldman！\"Hehadnointentionoflying——hehadnobeliefthathewas：hehadonlyforgottenthathispreviousimpressionsandhesitationshadarisenfromtheveryfactthatheDIDdoubttheconsistencyofthestorywithhisbeliefinUncleBen’sweakness。Buthethoughthimselfnowsosincerethatthegenerousreader，whonodoubtisreadytohailtheperfectequityofhisneighbor’sgoodluck，willreadilyforgivehim。
Intheplenitudeofthissincerity，Fordthrewhimselfatfulllengthononeofthelongbenches，andwithagestureinvitedUncleBentomakehimselfequallyathisease。\"Come，\"hesaidwithboyishgayety，\"let’shearyourplans，oldman。Tobeginwith，who’stosharethemwithyou？Ofcoursethereare’theoldfolksathome’first；thenyouhavebrothers——andperhapssisters？\"HestoppedandglancedwithasmileatUncleBen；theideaoftherebeingapossiblefemaleofhisspeciesstruckhisfancy。
UncleBen，whohadhithertoalwaysexercisedasevererestraint——
partlyfromrespectandpartlyfromcaution——overhislonglimbsintheschool-house，hereslowlyliftedonelegoveranotherbench，andsathimselfastrideofit，leaningforwardonhiselbow，hischinrestingbetweenhishands。
\"Asfarastheoldfolksgoes，Mr。Ford，I’makindofanorphan。\"
\"AKINDoforphan？\"echoedFord。
\"Yes，\"saidUncleBen，leaningheavilyonhischin，sothattheactionofhisjawswiththeenunciationofeachwordslightlyjerkedhisheadforwardasifhewereimpartingconfidentialinformationtothebenchbeforehim。\"Yes，thatis，yousee，I’mallrightezfarastheoldmangoes——HE’Sdead；diedwaybackinMizzouri。Buteztomymother，it’ssorterbetwixtandbetween——
kinderunsartain。Yousee，Mr。Ford，shewentoffwithacityfeller——anentirestrangertome——aforetheoldmandied，andthat’swotbrokeupmyschoolin’。Nowwhethershe’shere，there，oryon，can’tbefoundout，thoughSquireTompkinsallowed——andhewerealawyer——thattheoldmancouldgetadivorceifhewanted，andthatyouseewouldmakemeawholeorphan，efIkeerdtoprovetitle，ezthelawyerssay。Well——thutsorterletstheoldfolksout。Thenmybrotherwasonc’tdrownedintheNorthPlatt，andI
neverhadanysisters。Thatdon’tleavemuchfamilyforplannin’
about——doesit？\"
\"No，\"saidthemasterreflectively，gazingatUncleBen，\"unlessyouavailyourselfofyouradvantagesnowandhaveoneofyourown。
Isupposenowthatyouarerich，you’llmarry。\"
UncleBenslightlychangedhisposition，andthenwithhisfingerandthumbbegantoapparentlyfeedhimselfwithcertaincrumbswhichhadescapedfromthechildren’sluncheon-basketsandwerestilllyingonthebench。Intentonthisoccupationandwithoutraisinghiseyestothemaster，hereturnedslowly，\"Well，yousee，I’msortermarriedalready。\"
Themastersatupquickly。
\"What，YOUmarried——now？\"
\"Well，perhapsthat’saquestion。It’sagooddeallikemybeein’
anorphan——oncertainandonsettled。\"Hepausedtopursueanevasivecrumbtotheendofthebenchandhavingcapturedit，wenton：\"ItwaswhenIwasyoungerthanyoube，andshewarn’tveryoldneither。ButsheknewaheapmorethanIdid；andeztoreadin’
andwritin’，shewasthar，Itellyou，everytime。You’dhevadmiredtoseeher，Mr。Ford。\"Ashepausedhereasifhehadexhaustedthesubject，themastersaidimpatiently，\"Well，whereisshenow？\"
UncleBenshookhisheadslowly。\"Iain’tseenhersensIleftMizzouri，goin’onfiveyearsago。\"
\"Butwhyhaven’tyou？Whatwasthematter？\"persistedthemaster。
\"Well——yousee——Irunnedaway。NotSHE，youknow，butI——I
scooted，skedaddledouthere。\"
\"Butwhatfor？\"askedthemaster，regardingUncleBenwithhopelesswonder。\"Somethingmusthavehappened。Whatwasit？Wasshe\"——
\"SheWASagoodschollard，\"saidUncleBengravely，\"andallowedtobesech，byall。Shestoodaboutsohigh，\"hecontinued，indicatingwithhishandamediumheight。\"Warlittleanddarkcomplected。\"
\"Butyoumusthavehadsomereasonforleavingher？\"
\"I’vesometimeshadanidea，\"saidUncleBencautiously，\"thatmebbeerunnin’awayraninsomefam’lies。Now，therewarmymotherrunoffwithanentirestranger，andyer’smeezrunoffbymyself。
Andwhatmakesitthemoreone-likeisthatjestasdadallusallowedhecouldgetadevorceaginmother，somywifecouldhevgotoneaginmeforleavin’her。Andit’salmostanevenhandedgamethatshehez。It’stherewheretheoncertaintycomesin。\"
\"Butareyousatisfiedtoremaininthisdoubt？ordoyoupropose，nowthatyouareable，toinstituteathoroughsearchforher？\"
\"Iwaskalkilatin’tolookaroundalittle，\"saidUncleBensimply。
\"Andreturntoherifyoufindher？\"continuedthemaster。
\"Ididn’tsaythat，Mr。Ford。\"
\"Butifshehasn’tgotadivorcefromyouthat’swhatyou’llhavetodo，andwhatyououghttodo——ifIunderstandyourstory。Forbyyourownshowing，amorecauseless，heartless，andutterlyinexcusabledesertionthanyours，Ineverheardof。\"
\"Doyouthinkso？\"saidUncleBenwithexasperatingsimplicity。
\"DoIthinkso？\"repeatedMr。Ford，indignantly。\"Everybody’llthinkso。Theycan’tthinkotherwise。Yousayyoudesertedher，andyouadmitshedidnothingtoprovokeit。\"
\"No，\"returnedUncleBenquickly，\"nothin’。DidItellyou，Mr。
Ford，thatshecouldplaythepiannerandsing？\"
\"No，\"saidMr。Ford，curtly，risingimpatientlyandcrossingtheroom。HewasmorethanhalfconvincedthatUncleBenwasdeceivinghim。Eitherundertheveilofhishide-boundsimplicityhewasanutterlyselfish，heartless，secretiveman，orelsehewastellinganidioticfalsehood。
\"I’msorryIcanneithercongratulateyounorcondolewithyouonwhatyouhavejusttoldme。Icannotseethatyouhavetheleastexcusefordelayingasinglemomenttosearchforyourwifeandmakeamendsforyourconduct。Andifyouwantmyopinionitstrikesmeasbeingamuchmorehonorablewayofemployingyournewrichesthanmediatinginyourneighbors’squabbles。Butit’sgettinglateandI’mafraidwemustbringourtalktoanend。I
hopeyou’llthinkthisoverbeforewemeetagain——andthinkdifferently。\"
Nevertheless，astheybothlefttheschoolhouse，Mr。FordlingeredoverthelockingofthedoortogiveUncleBenafinalchanceforfurtherexplanation。Butnonecame。ThenewcapitalistofIndianSpringregardedhimwithanintensificationofhisusualhalfsad，halfembarrassedsmile，andonlysaid：\"Youunderstandthisyer’sasecret，Mr。Ford？\"
\"Certainly，\"saidFordwithill-concealedirritation。
\"’Boutmybein’sortermarried？\"
\"Don’tbealarmed，\"herespondeddryly；\"it’snotatakingstory。\"
Theyseparated；UncleBen，morethaneverinvolvedinhisusualunsatisfactorypurposes，wendinghiswaytowardshisriches；themasterlingeringtoobservehisdeparturebeforeheplunged，invirtuoussuperiority，intothewoodsthatfringedtheHarrisonandMcKinstryboundaries。