CHAPTERVIII。
ThereligiousattitudewhichMrs。McKinstryhadassumedtowardsherhusband’sweakcivilizedtendencieswasnotentirelyfreefromhumanrancor。Thatstrongloyalnaturewhichhadunsexeditselfintheoneideaofduty，nowthatdutyseemedtobenolongerappreciatedtookrefugeinherforgottenwomanhoodandintheinfinitesimallysmallarguments，resources，andmanoeuvresatitscommand。Shehadconceivedasingularjealousyofthisdaughterwhohadchangedherhusband’snature，andwhohadsupplantedthetraditionsofthehouseholdlife；shehadacquiredanexaggerateddepreciationofthosefemininecharmswhichhadneverbeenafactorinherowndomestichappiness。Shesawinherhusband’sdesiretomitigatethesavageausteritiesoftheirhabitsonlyaweakconcessiontothepowersofbeautyandadornment——degradingvanitiesshehadneverknownintheirlife-longstruggleforfrontiersupremacy——thathadneverbroughtthemvictoriousoutofthatstruggle。\"Frizzles，\"\"furblows，\"and\"fancyfixin’s\"hadneverhelpedthemintheirexodusacrosstheplains；hadnevertakentheplaceofswifteyes，quickears，stronghands，andendurance；hadnevernursedthesickorbandagedthewounded。Whenenvyorjealousyinvadesthefemaleheartafterfortyitisapttobringabitternesswhichknowsnoattenuatingcompensationinthatcoquetry，emulation，passionateappeal，orinnocenttenderness，whichmakestolerablethejealouscapricesoftheyoungerwoman。
Thestruggleforrivalryisfelttobehopeless，thepowerofimitationisgone。OfherforgottenwomanhoodMrs。McKinstryrevivedonlyacapacitytosuffermeanlyandinflictmeansufferinguponothers。Intheruinedcastleofheryouth，andthefallinginofbanquetinghallandbower，thedungeonandtorture-chamberappearedtohavebeenleft，or，touseherownmetaphor，shehadquerulouslycomplainedtotheparsonthat，\"Accordin’tosomefolks，shemouthevbinthebarrenfig-treee-lectedtobearpersimmums。\"
Hermethodswerenotentirelydifferentfromthoseemployedbyhersufferingsisterhoodinlikeemergencies。TheunluckyHiram，\"worritedbystock，\"washardlyplacatedorconsoledbylearningfromherthatitwasonlytheresultofhisownweakness，actinguponthe’cussednessofthestock-dispersingHarrisons；theperplexityintowhichhewasthrownbythenewsofthenewlegalclaimtohislandwasnotsoothedbythesuggestionthatitwasatrickofthatYankeecivilizationtowhichhewasmeanlysuccumbing。
Shewhohadalwaysbeenaroughbutdevotednurseinsicknesswasnowherselfovertakenbyvagueirregulardisorderswhichinvolvedthegreatestcareandtheabsenceofallexcitingcauses。TheattendanceofMcKinstryandCressyata\"crazyquiltingparty\"hadbroughton\"blindchills；\"theimportationofamelodeonforCressytoplayonhadsuperinducedan\"innerdrash，\"andathreatenedattackof\"palsycreeps\"hadonlybeenwardedoffbythetimelypostponementofaneveningpartysuggestedbyherdaughter。Theoldnomadicinstinct，morbidlyexcitedbyherdiscontent，causedhertolayartfulplansforafurtheremigration。Sheknewshehadthegermsof\"mashfever\"caughtfromtheadjacentriver；sherelatedmysteriousinformation，gatheredin\"classmeeting，\"ofthesuperiorfacilitiesforstockraisingonthehigherfoot-hills；sheresuscitatedherdeadandgoneMissourirelationsinherdailyspeech，toamanifestinvidiouscomparisonwiththeliving；sherevivedeventheincidentsofherearlymarriedlifewiththesamebalefulintent。Theacquisitionofafew\"biledshirts\"byHiramforfestiveappearanceswithCressypainfullyremindedherthathehadmarriedherin\"hickory；\"shefurtheraccentedthechangebyherselfappearinginheroldestclothes，onthehypothesisthatitwasnecessaryforsomeonetokeepupthetraditionsofthepast。
HerattitudetowardsCressywouldhavebeenmoredecidedhadsheeverpossessedtheslightestinfluenceoverher，orhadevenunderstoodherwiththeintuitivesympathiesofthematernalrelations。YetshewentsofarastoevenopenlyregretthebreakingoffofthematchwithSethDavis，whosefamily，atleast，stillretainedthehabitsandtraditionssherevered；butshewaspromptlysilencedbyherhusbandinformingherthatwords\"thathadtobetukback\"hadalreadypassedbetweenhimandSeth’sfather，andthat，accordingtothosesametraditions，bloodwasmorelikelytobespilledthanmingled。Whethershewasonlywithheldfromattemptingareconciliationherselfthroughlackoftactandopportunityremainstobeseen。ForthepresentsheencouragedMasters’sattentionsunderanewandvagueideathataflirtationwhichdistractedCressyfromherstudieswasdispleasingtoMcKinstryandinimicaltohisplans。BlindlyignorantofMr。
Ford’spossiblerelationstoherdaughter，andsuspectingnothing，shefelttowardshimonlyadullaversionasbeingthesenselesspivotofhertroubles。Seeingnoone，andhabituallyclosingherearstoanyfamilyallusiontoCressy’ssocialtriumphs，shewasunawareofeventhepopularadmirationtheirmemorablewaltzhadexcited。
OnthemorningofthedaythatUncleBenhadconfidedtothemasterhisingeniousplanforsettlingtheboundarydisputes，thebarkingofMcKinstry’syellowdogannouncedtheapproachofastrangertotheranch。ItprovedtobeMr。Stacey——notonlyasdazzlinglyarrayedaswhenhefirstroseaboveJohnnyFilgee’shorizon，butwearing，inadditiontohisjauntybusinessair，alookofcomplacentexpectationoftheprettygirlwhomhehadmetattheball。Hehadnotseenherforamonth。ItwasahappyinspirationofhisownthatenabledhimtopresenthimselfthatmorninginthetwinfunctionsofavictoriousMercuryandApollo。
McKinstryhadtobesummonedfromanadjacentmeadow，whileCressy，inthemeantime，undertooktoentertainthegallantstranger。
Thiswaseasilydone。Itwaspartofherfascinationsthat，disdainingtheordinaryrealorassumedignoranceoftheingenueofherclass，shegenerallyexhibitedtoheradmirers（withperhapsthesingleexceptionofthemaster）alaughingconsciousnessofthestateofmindintowhichhercharmshadthrownthem。Sheunderstoodtheirpassionifshecouldnotacceptit。Thistoabashfulrusticcommunitywashelpful，butinthemainunsatisfactory；withadvancessopromptlyunmasked，themoststrategicretreatwasapttobecomeanutterrout。Leaningagainstthelintelofthedoor，hercurvedhandshadingthesparklingdepthsofhereyes，andthesunlightstrikingdownupontheprettycurvesofherlanguidfigure，sheawaitedtheattack。
\"Ihaven’tseenyou，MissCressy，sincewedancedtogether——amonthago。\"
\"Thatwasmightyroughpapers，\"saidCressy，whowaspurposelydialecticaltostrangers，\"consideringthatyoutrapsedupanddownthelane，pastthehouse，twiceyesterday。\"
\"Thenyousawme？\"saidtheyoungman，withaslightlydiscomfitedlaugh。
\"Idid。Andsodidthehound，andso，Ireckon，didJoeMastersandthehiredman。Andwhenyouprancedbackonthehomestretch，therewasthehound，Masters，thehiredman，andMawallonyourtrail，andPawbringin’uptherearwithashot-gun。Therewasaboutahalfamileofyoualtogether。\"Sheremovedherhandfromhereyestoindicatewithalazilygracefulsweepthissomewhatimaginativeprocession，andlaughed。
\"Youarecertainlywellguarded，\"saidStaceyhesitatingly；\"andlookingatyou，MissCressy，\"headdedboldly，\"Idon’twonderatit。\"
\"Well，itISreckonedthatnexttoPaw’sboundariesI’mprettywellprotectedfromsquattersandjumpers。\"
Forcefulandquaintasherlanguagewas，thelazysweetnessofherintonation，andthedelicaterefinementofherface，morethanatonedforit。Itwasunconventionalandpicturesqueashergestures。SoatleastthoughtMr。Stacey，anditemboldenedhimtofurthergallantry。
\"Well，MissCressy，asmybusinesswithyourfatherto-daywastotrytoeffectacompromiseofhisboundaryclaims，perhapsyoumightacceptmyservicesinyourownbehalf。\"
\"Whichmeans，\"respondedtheyoungladypertly，\"thesamethingtoMEastoPaw。Notrespassersbutyourself。Thankyou，sir。\"Shetwirledlightlyonherheelanddroppedhimthatexaggeratedcurtseyknowntotheschool-childrenasa\"cheese。\"Itpermittedinitsprogresstheglimpseofaprettylittleslipperwhichcompletedhissubjugation。
\"Well，ifit’sonlyafaircompromise，\"hebeganlaughingly。
\"Compromisemeanssomebodygivingup。Whoisit？\"sheasked。
TheinfatuatedStaceyhadreachedthepointofthinkingthisreparteeifpossiblemorekillingthanhisown。
\"Ha！That’sforMissCressytosay。\"
Buttheyoungladyleaningbackagainstthelintelwiththecomfortableeaseofbeingirresponsiblydiverted，sagelypointedoutthatthatwasthefunctionofthearbitrator。
\"Ahwell，supposewebeginbygivingupSethDavis，eh？YouseethatI’mprettywellposted，MissCressy。\"
\"Youalarmme，\"saidCressysweetly。\"ButIreckonheHADgivenup。\"
\"Hewasintherunningthatnightattheball。LookedhalfsavagewhileIwasdancingwithyou。Wantedtoeatme。\"
\"PoorSeth！AndheusedtobeSOparticularinhisfood，\"saidthewittyCressy。
Mr。Staceywasconvulsed。\"Andthere’sMr。Dabney——UncleBen，\"hecontinued，\"eh？Veryquietbutverysly。Adarkhorse，eh？
Pretendstotakelessonsforthesakeofbeingnearsomeone，eh？
Wouldhewereaboyagainbecausesomebodyelseisagirl？\"
\"Ishouldbefrightenedofyouifyoulivedherealways，\"returnedCressywithinvinciblenaivete；\"butperhapsthenyouwouldn’tknowsomuch。\"
Staceysimplyacceptedthisasacompliment。\"Andthere’sMasters，\"hesaidinsinuatingly。
\"NotJoe？\"saidCressywithalowlaugh，turninghereyestothedoor。
\"Yes，\"saidStaceywithaquick，uneasysmile。\"Ah！Iseewemustn’tdropHIM。IsheoutTHERE？\"headded，tryingtofollowthedirectionofhereyes。
Buttheyounggirlkeptherfacestudiouslyaverted。\"Isthatall？\"sheaskedafterapause。
\"Well——there’sthatsolemnschool-master，whocutmeoutofthewaltzwithyou——thatMr。Ford。\"
HadhebeenaperfectlycoolandimpartialobserverhewouldhaveseentheslighttremorcrossCressy’ssofteyelidseveninprofile，followedbythatmomentaryarrestofherwholeface，mouth，dimples，andeyes，whichhadovertakenitthenightthemasterenteredtheball-room。Buthewasneither，anditpassedquicklyandunnoticed。Herusuallithebutlanguidplayofexpressionandcolorcameback，andsheturnedherheadlazilytowardsthespeaker。\"There’sPawcoming。Isupposeyouwouldn’tmindgivingmeasampleofyourstyleofarbitratingwithhim，beforeyoutryitonme？\"
\"Certainlynot，\"saidStacey，bynomeansdispleasedattheprospectofhavingsoprettyandintelligentawitnessinthedaughterofwhathebelievedwouldformanattractivedisplayofhisdiplomaticskillandgraciousnesstothefather。\"Don’tgoaway。I’vegotnothingtosayMissCressycouldnotunderstandandanswer。\"
Thejinglingofspurs，andtheshadowofMcKinstryandhisshot-gunfallingatthismomentbetweenthespeakerandCressy，sparedherthenecessityofareply。McKinstrycastanuneasyglancearoundtheapartment，andnotseeingMrs。McKinstrylookedrelieved，andeventhedeeptracesofthelossofavaluablesteerthatmorningpartlyfadedfromhisIndian-redcomplexion。Heplacedhisshot-
guncarefullyinthecorner，tookhissoftfelthatfromhishead，foldeditandputitinoneofthecapaciouspocketsofhisjacket，turnedtohisdaughter，andlayinghismaimedhandfamiliarlyonhershoulder，saidgravely，withoutlookingatStacey，\"Whatmightthestrangerbewantin’，Cress？\"
\"PerhapsI’dbetteranswerthatmyself，\"saidStaceybriskly。\"I’mactingforBenhamandCo。，ofSanFrancisco，whohaveboughttheSpanishtitletopartofthisproperty。I\"——
\"Stopthere！\"saidMcKinstry，inavoicedullbutdistinct。Hetookhishatfromhispocket，putiton，walkedtothecornerandtookuphisgun，lookedatStaceyforthefirsttimewithnarcoticeyesthatseemedtodrowsilyabsorbhisslightfigure，thenputthegunbackhalfcontemptuously，andwithawaveofhishandtowardsthedoor，said：\"We’llsettlethisyeroutside。Cress，youstopinhere。There’sman’stalkgoin’on。\"
\"But，Paw，\"saidCressy，layingherhandlanguidlyonherfather’ssleevewithouttheleastchangeofcolororamusedexpression。
\"Thisgentlemanhascomeoverhereonacompromise。\"
\"Ona——WHICH？\"saidMcKinstry，glancingscornfullyoutofthedoorforsomerarespeciesofmustangvaguelysuggestedtohiminthatunfamiliarword。
\"Toseeifwecouldn’tcometosomefairsettlement，\"saidStacey。
\"I’venoobjectiontogoingoutsidewithyou，butIthinkwecandiscussthismatterherejustaswell。\"Hisfinefeathershadnotmadehimacoward，althoughhishearthadbeatenalittlefasteratthissuddenrecollectionofthedangerousreputationofhishost。
\"Goon，\"saidMcKinstry。
\"Theplainfactsofthecasearethese，\"continuedStacey，withmoreconfidence。\"WehavesoldastripofthispropertycoveringthelandindisputebetweenyouandHarrison。Weareboundtoputourpurchaserinpeaceablepossession。Nowtosavetimewearewillingtobuythatpossessionofanymanwhocangiveit。Wearetoldthatyoucan。\"
\"Well，considerin’thatforthelastfouryearsI’vebeenfightin’
nightanddayaginthemlow-downHarrisonsforit，Ireckonyou’vebeenliedto，\"saidMcKinstrydeliberately。\"Why——excepttheclearingonthenorthside，wharIputupabarn，tharain’tanacreofitashasn’tbeenshiftedfirstthissideandthenthatasfastezIdruvboundarystakesandfences，andtheHarrisonspulled’emupagin。Tharain’tmorethanfiftyacresezI’vehedaclearholdon，andIwouldn’thevhadthatefithadn’tbinforthebarn，theraisin’aloneo’whichcostmeaman，twohorses，andthisyerlittlefinger。\"
\"Putusinpossessionofeventhatfiftyacres，andWE’LLundertaketoholdtherestandejectthoseHarrisonsfromit，\"returnedStaceycomplacently。\"Youunderstandthatthemomentwe’vemadeapeaceableentrancetoevenafootholdonyourside，theHarrisonsareonlytrespassers，andwiththetitletobackuswecancallonthewholesheriff’spossetoputthemoff。That’sthelaw。\"
\"Thatarthelaw？\"repeatedMcKinstrymeditatively。
\"Yes，\"saidStacey。\"So，\"hecontinued，withaself-satisfiedsmiletoCressy，\"farfrombeinghardonyou，Mr。McKinstry，we’reratherinclinedtoputyouonvelvet。Weofferyouafairpricefortheonlythingyoucangiveus——actualpossession；andwehelpyouwithyouroldgrudgeagainsttheHarrisons。Wenotonlyclearthemout，butwepayYOUforeventheparttheyheldadverselytoyou。\"
Mr。McKinstrypassedhisthreewholefingersoverhisforeheadandeyesasiftroubledbyadrowsyaching。\"Thenyoudon’treckontohevanythin’tosaytothemHarrisons？\"
\"Wedon’tproposetorecognizetheminthematteratall，\"returnedStacey。
\"Norallow’emanythin’？\"
\"Notacent！Soyousee，Mr。McKinstry，\"hecontinuedmagnanimously，yetwithamischievoussmiletoCressy，\"thereisnothinginthisamicablediscussionthatrequirestobesettledoutside。\"
\"Ain’tthere？\"saidMcKinstry，inadull，deliberatevoice，raisinghiseyesforthesecondtimetoStacey。Theywerebloodshot，withaheavy，hangingfurtiveness，notunlikeoneofhisownhuntedsteers。\"ButIain’tkamenuffinyer。\"Hemovedtothedoorwithabeckoningofhisfatefulhand。\"Outsideaminit——EFyouplease。\"
Staceystarted，shruggedhisshoulders，andhalfdefiantlysteppedbeyondthethreshold。Cressy，unchangedincolororexpression，lazilyfollowedtothedoor。
\"Wot，\"saidMcKinstry，slowlyfacingStacey；\"wotefIrefoose？
WotefIsayIdon’tallowanyman，oranybank，oranycompromise，totakeupmyquo’r’lls？WotefIsaythatlow-downandmeanasthemHarrisonsis，theydon’tbegintobeezmean，ezlow-down，ezunderhanded，ezsneakin’ezthatyercompromise？WotefIsaythatefthat’sthekindo’hogwashthatlawandsnivelizationoffersmeforpeaceandquietness，I’lltakethefightin’，andthelaw-
breakin’，andthesheriff，andallh-llforhisposseinstead？WotefIsaythat？\"
\"Itwillonlybemydutytorepeatit，\"saidStacey，withanaffectedcarelessnesswhich，however，didnotconcealhissurpriseandhisdiscomfiture。\"It’snoaffairofmine。\"
\"Unless，\"saidCressy，assumingheroldpositionagainstthelintelofthedoor，andsmoothingthewornbear-skinthatservedasamatwiththetoeofherslipper，\"unlessyou’vemixeditupwithyourotherarbitration，youknow。\"
\"Wototherarbitration？\"askedMcKinstrysuddenly，withmurkyeyes。
Staceycastarapid，halfindignantglanceattheyounggirl，whoreceiveditwithherhandstuckedbehindherback，herlovelyheadbentsubmissivelyforward，andaprolongedlittlelaugh。
\"Ohnothing，Paw，\"shesaid，\"onlyalittleprivatefoolishnessbetwixtmeandthegentleman。You’dadmiretohearhimtalk，Paw——
aboutotherthingsthanbusiness。He’sjustthatchipperandgay。\"
Nevertheless，aswithamuttered\"Good-morning\"theyoungfellowturnedaway，shequietlybrushedpastherfather，andfollowedhim——
withherhandsstillpenitentlybehindher，andtherosypalmsturnedupward——asfarasthegate。HersinglelongMargueritebraidofhairtrailingdownherbacknearlytothehemofherskirt，appearedtoaccentherdemurereserve。Atthegatesheshadedhereyeswithherhand，andglancedupward。
\"Itdon’tseemtobeagooddayforarbitrating。Atrifleearlyintheseason，ain’tit？\"
\"Good-morning，MissMcKinstry。\"
Sheheldoutherhand。Hetookitwithanaffectedeasebutcautiously，asifithadbeenthevelvetpawofayoungpantherwhohadscratchedhim。Afterall，whatwasshebutthecuboftheuntamedbeast，McKinstry？Hewaswelloutofit！Hewasnotrevengeful——butbusinesswasbusiness，andhehadgiventhemthefirstchance。
Ashisfiguredisappearedbehindthebuckeyesofthelane，Cressycastaglanceatthedecliningsun。Shere-enteredthehouse，andwentdirectlytoherroom。Asshepassedthewindow，shecouldseeherfatheralreadyremountedgallopingtowardsthetules，asifinsearchofthatriparian\"kam\"hislateinterviewhaddisturbed。A
fewstragglingbitsofcolorintheslopingmeadowswerethechildrencominghomefromschool。Shehastilytiedagirlishsun-
bonnetunderherchin，andslippingoutofthebackdoor，sweptlikealissomshadowalongthelineoffenceuntilsheseemedtomeltintotheumbrageofthewoodsthatfringedthedistantnorthboundary。
CHAPTERIX。
Meanwhile，unawareofherhusband’ssuddenrelapsetoheroldborderprinciplesandofthevisitthathadinducedit，Mrs。
McKinstrywasslowlyreturningfromalugubriousrecitalofhermoodsandfeelingsattheparson’s。Asshecrossedthebarrenflatandreachedthewoodeduplandmidwaybetweentheschool-houseandtheranch，shesawbeforehertheoldfamiliarfigureofSethDavisloungingonthetrail。Inherhabitualloyaltytoherhusband’sfeudsshewouldprobablyhavestalkeddefiantlypasthim，notwithstandingherlateregretsofthebrokenengagement，butSethbegantoadvanceawkwardlytowardsher。Infact，hehadnoticedthetall，gaunt，plaid-shawledandholland-bonnetedfigureapproaching，andhadwaitedforit。
Asheseemedintentupongettinginherwayshestoppedandraisedherrighthandwarninglybeforeher。Inspiteoftheshawlandthesun-bonnet，sufferinghadimplantedarudeRunicdignitytoherattitude。\"Wordsthathevtobetookback，SethDavis，\"shesaidhastily，\"hevpassedbetweenyouandmyman。Outofmyway，then，thatImaypass，too。\"
\"Notmuchbetwixtyouandme，AuntRachel，\"hesaidwithslouchingdeprecation，usingtheoldhouseholdtitlebywhichhehadfamiliarlyknownher。\"I’venothinaginyou——andIkinproveitbywotI’myertosay。AndIain’ttrucklin’toyerformyself，forezfarezmeandyour’nezconcerned，\"hecontinued，withamalevolentglance，\"tharain’tgoldenoughinCalefornytomaktheweddin’ringthatcouldhitchmeandCresstogether。Iwanttotellyouthatyou’rebein’played；thatyou’rebein’befooledandbamboozledandhoney-fogled。Thetwhileyou’regroanin’atclass-
meetin’andHiram’squo’llin’withDad，andJoeMasterswaitin’
roundtopickupanybonethat’sthrowedhim，thatsneakin’，hypocriticalYankeeschool-masterisdraggin’yourdaughtertoh-llwithhimonthesly。\"
\"Quitthat，SethDavis，\"saidMrs。McKinstrysternly，\"orbemanenoughtotellittoaman。That’sHiram’sbusinesstoknow。\"
\"Andwhatifheknowsitwellenoughandwinksatit？Whatifhe’swillin’enoughtotruckletoit，tocurryfavorwiththemsneakin’
Yanks？\"saidSethmalignantly。
AspasmofsavageconvictionseizedMrs。McKinstry。Butitwasmorefromherjealousfearsofherhusband’sdisloyaltythanconcernforherdaughter’stransgression。Nevertheless，shesaiddesperately，\"It’salie。Whereareyourproofs？\"
\"Proofs？\"returnedSeth。\"Whoisitsneaksaroundtheschool-housetohaveprivatetalkswiththeschool-master，andedgeshimonwithCressyaforefolks？Yourhusband。Whogoessneakin’offeveryarternoonwiththatsamecantin’houndofaschool-master？Yourdaughter。Who’sbeencarryin’ontogether，andhidin’thickenoughtoberiddenoutonarailtogether？Yourdaughterandtheschool-
master。Proofs？——askanybody。Askthechildren。Lookyar——you，Johnny——comehere。\"
Hehadsuddenlydirectedhisvoicetoablackberrybushnearthetrail，fromwhichthecurlyheadofJohnnyFilgeehadjustappeared。Thathome-returninginfantpainfullydisengagedhimself，hisslate，hisbooks，andhissmalldinner-pailhalffilledwithfruitasimmatureashimself，andcametowardsthemsideways。
\"Yer’sadime，Johnny，togitsomecandy，\"saidSeth，endeavoringtodistorthispassion-setfaceintoasmile。
JohnnyFilgee’ssmall，berry-stainedpalmpromptlyclosedoverthecoin。
\"Now，don’tlie。Where’sCressy？\"
\"Kithin’herbo。\"
\"Goodboy。Whatbo？\"
Johnnyhesitated。Hehadonceseentheschool-masterandCressytogether；hehadhearditwhisperedbytheotherchildrenthattheylovedeachother。ButlookingatSethandMrs。McKinstryhefeltthatsomethingmoretremendousthanthisstupidfactwasrequiredofhimforgrown-uppeople，andbeinghonestandimaginative，hedeterminedthatitshouldbeworththemoney。
\"Speakup，Johnny，don’tbeafeardtotell。\"
Johnnywasnot\"afeard\"——hewasonlythinking。Hehadit！Herememberedthathehadjustseenhisparagon，thebrilliantStacey，comingfromtheboundarywoods。WhatmorepoeticalandstartlinglyeffectivethantoconnecthimwithCressy？Herepliedpromptly：——
\"MithterThtathy。Hegivedherawatchandringoftrulygold。
Goin’tobemarriedatThacramento。\"
\"Youlyin’limb，\"saidSeth，seizinghimroughly。ButMrs。
McKinstryinterposed。
\"Letthatbratgo，\"shesaidwithgleamingeyes。\"Iwanttotalktoyou。\"SethreleasedJohnny。\"It’satrick，’hesaid，\"he’sbinputuptoitbythatFord。\"
ButJohnny，aftersecuringasafevantagebehindtheblackberrybush，determinedtogivethemanothertrial——withfacts。
\"Iknowmor’nthat，\"hecalledout。
\"Git——youmeaslypup，\"saidSethsavagely。
\"IknowTheriffBriggth，heridovertheboundarywithaloto’menandhorthes，\"saidJohnny，withthathurrieddeliverywithwhichhewasabletoestopinterruption。\"Theed’emgoby。MaurHarrithonthethhisdad’sgoin’tochuckoutoleMcKinthtry。Hooray！\"
Mrs。McKinstryturnedherdarkfacesharplyonSeth。\"What’sthathesez？\"
\"Nothin’butchildren’sgassin’，\"heanswered，meetinghereyeswithanevilconsciousnesshalfloutish，halfdefiant，\"andefitwartrue，itwouldonlysarveHiramMcKinstryright。\"
Shelaidherhanduponhisshoulderwithswiftsuspicion。\"Outo’
myway，SethDavis，\"shesaidsuddenly，pushinghimaside。\"Efthisezanyunderhandedworkofyours，you’llpayforit。\"
ShestrodepasthiminthedirectionofJohnny，butattheapproachofthetallwomanwiththeangryeyes，theboyflew。Shehesitatedamoment，turnedagainwithathreateningwaveofthehandtoSeth，andstartedoffrapidlyinthedirectionoftheboundary。
Shehadnotplacedsomuchfaithintheboy’sstoryasinthevaguerevelationofevilinDavis’smanner。Iftherewasany\"cussedness\"
afoot，Seth，convincedofCressy’sunfaithfulness，andwithnofurtherhopeofanymediationfromtheparents，wouldknowit。
UnlessHiramhadbeenwarned，hewasstilllulledinhisfatuousdreamofcivilization。Atthattimeheandhismenwereinthetuleswiththestock；tobesatisfied，sheherselfmustgototheboundary。
Shereachedtheridgeofthecottonwoodsandsycamores，andafewhundredyardsfurtherbroughthertotheedgeofthatgentlesouthernslopewhichatlastsankintothebroadmeadowofthedebatableground。InspiteofStacey’sinvidiouscriticismofitsintrinsicvalue，thistheatreofsavagedissension，violence，andbloodshedwasbysomeironyofnatureapastorallandscapeofsingularandpeacefulrepose。Thesoftglacisstretchingbeforeherwasinspringceruleanwithlupins，andlaterstarredwithmariposas。Themeadowwastransverselycrossedbyacurvinglineofaldersthatindicatedararewater-course，ofwhichinthedryseasononlyasinglepoolremainedtoflashbacktheunvaryingsky。
Therehadbeennoattemptatcultivationofthisbroadexpanse；
wildoats，mustard，andrankgrassesleftitatossingseaofturbulentandvariegatedcolorwhosewavesrodehighenoughtoengulfhorseandriderintheirchokingdepths。Eventhetracesofhumanstruggle，theuprootedstakes，scatteredfence-rails，andemptypost-holeswereforeverhiddenunderthesebillowsofverdure。Midwayofthefieldandnearthewater-coursearoseMcKinstry’sbarn——thesolitaryhumanstructurewhoserude，misshapen，bulgingsidesandswallow-hauntedeavesburstingwithhayfromtheneighboringpasture，seemedhoweveronlyanextravagantgrowthoftheprolificsoil。Mrs。McKinstrygazedatitanxiously。Therewasnosignoflifeormovementnearoraroundit；itstoodasithadalwaysstood，desertedandsolitary。Butturninghereyestotheright，beyondthewater-course，shecouldseeaslightregularundulationofthegrassyseaandwhatappearedtobethedriftingonitssurfaceofhalfadozenslouchedhatsinthedirectionofthealders。Therewasnolongeranydoubt；apartyfromtheothersidewasapproachingtheborder。
Ashoutandthequickgallopingofhoofsbehindhersentathrillofrelieftoherheart。Shehadbarelytimetodrawasideasherhusbandandhisfollowerssweptpastherdowntheslope。Butitneedednothisfuriouscry，\"TheHarrisonshevsoldusout，\"totellherthatthecrisishadcome。
Sheheldherbreathasthecavalcadediverged，andinopenorderfuriouslyapproachedthewater-course，andshecouldseeasuddencheckandhesitationinthemovementinthemeadowatthatunlooked-foronset。Thenshethoughtofthebarn。Itwouldbearallying-pointforthemifdrivenback——atowerofdefenceifbesieged。Therewerearmssecretedbeneaththehayforsuchanemergency。Shewouldrunthere，swing-toitsopendoors，andgetreadytobarricadethem。
Sherancrouchingly，seekingthehighergrassesandbramblesoftheridgetoescapeobservationfromthemeadowuntilshecoulddescenduponthebarnfromtherear。Shethrewasideherimpedingshawl；
herbrownhollandsun-bonnet，tornoffherheadandhangingbyitsstringsfromhershoulders，lethercoarsesilver-threadedhairstreamlikeamaneoverherback；herfaceandhandswerebleedingfromthornsandwhitenedbydust。Butshestruggledonfiercelylikesomehuntedanimaluntilshereachedthedescendingtrail，when，lettingherselfgoblindly，onlywithheldbythelonggrassessheclutchedatwildlyoneitherside，shehalffell，halfstumbleddowntheslopeandemergedbesidethebarn，breathlessandexhausted。
Butwhatacontrastwasthere！Foraninstantshecouldscarcelybelievethatshehadlefttheridgewithherhusband’ssavageoutcryinherears，andinhereyestheswiftvisionofhisfuriouscavalcade。Theboundarymeadowwashiddenbythesoftlinesofgracefulwillowsinwhosedimrecessesthefiguresofthepassionatehorsemenseemedtohavemeltedforever。Therewasnothingnowtointerruptthelongvistaofpeacefulbeautythatstretchedbeforeherthroughthislonelyhollowtothedistantsleepinghills。Theburstingbarnintheforeground，heapedwithgrainthatfringeditseavesandbristledfromitswindowsanddoorsuntilitsunlovelybulkwashiddenintrailingfeatheryoutlines；thegentleflutterofwingsandsoothingtwitterofswallowsandjaysarounditsopenrafters，andthedriftingshadowsofafewcirclingcrowsaboveit；thedrowsysongofbeesonthewildmustardthathalfhiditswallswithyellowbloom；thesoundoffaintly-tricklingwaterinoneofthoseoldIndian-hauntedspringsthathadgivenitsnametothelocality；alltheseforaninstanttouchedthesensesofthishard，fiercewomanasshehadnotbeentouchedsinceshewasagirl。Foronebriefmomentthejoysofpeaceandthatmaturedreposethatneverhadbeenhersflasheduponher；butwithitcamethesavageconsciousnessthatevennowitwasbeingwrestedaway，andthethoughtfiredherbloodagain。Shelistenedeagerlyforasecondinthedirectionofthemeadow；therewasnoreportoffire-arms——therewasyettimetopreparethebarnfordefence。Sherantothefrontofthebuildingandseizedthelatchofthehalf-closeddoor。Alittlefemininecrythatwashalfalaughcamefromwithin，withtherapidrustleofaskirtandasthedoorswungopenalightfigurevanishedthroughtherearwindow。Theslantingsunlightfallingintheshadowedinteriordisclosedonlythesingleerectfigureoftheschool-masterJohnFord。
ThefirstconfusionandembarrassmentofaninterruptedrendezvousthathadcoloredFord’scheeks，gavewaytoalookofalarmashecaughtsightofthebleedingfaceanddishevelledfigureofMrs。
McKinstry。Shesawit。Toherdistortedfancyitseemedonlyaproofofdeeperguilt。Withoutawordsheclosedtheheavydoorbehindherandswungthehugecross-barunaidedtoitsplace。Shethenturnedandconfrontedhim，wipingthedustfromherfaceandarmswithhertornanddanglingsun-bonnetinawaythatrecalledherattitudeonthefirstdayhehadmether。
\"ThatwasCresswithye？\"shesaid。
Hehesitated，stillgazingatherinwonder。
\"Don’tlie。\"
Hestarted。\"Idon’tproposeto，\"heretortedindignantly。\"Itwas\"——
\"Idon’taskyehowlongthisyer’sbingoin’on，\"shesaid，pointingtoCressy’ssun-bonnet，afewbooks，andascatterednosegayofwildflowerslyingonthehay；\"andIdon’twanttoknow。Infiveminuteseitherherfatherwillbehere，orthemhell-houndsofHarrison’swho’vesoldhimoutwillswarmroundthisbarntogitpossesshun。Efthisyer\"——sheagainpointedcontemptuouslytotheobjectsjustindicated——\"meansthatyou’vecastyourlotwithUSandkalkilatetotakeourbitterwithoursweet，ye’llliftupthatstackofhayandbringoutaguntohelpdefendit。Efyou’remeanin’anythin’else，Ford，you’llhideyourselfinthathaytillHiramcomesandhastimeenoughtoattendtoye。\"
\"AndifIchoosetodoneither？\"hesaidhaughtily。
Shelookedathiminunutterablescorn。\"There’sthewinder——takeitwhilethere’stime，aforeIbarit。EfyouseeHiram，tellhimyeleftanoldwomanbehindyetodefendtheplacewharyouusterhidewithherdarter。\"
Beforehecouldreplytherewasadistantreport，followedalmostdirectlybyanother。Withamovementofirritationhewalkedtothewindow，turnedandlookedather——boltedit，andcameback。
\"Where’sthatgun？\"hesaidalmostrudely。
\"Ireckon’sthatwouldfetchye，\"shesaid，draggingawaythehayanddisclosingalongtrough-likeboxcoveredwithtarpaulin。Itprovedtocontainpowder，shot，andtwoguns。Hetookone。
\"IsupposeImayknowwhatIamfightingfor？\"hesaiddryly。
\"Yemightsay’Cress’efthey\"——indicatingthedirectionofthereports——\"happentoaskye，\"shereturnedwithequalsobriety。
\"Jessnowyekintakeyourstanduptharintheloftandseewhat’scomin’。\"
Hedidnotlinger，butclimbedtotheplaceassignedhim，gladtoescapethecompanyofthewomanwhoatthatmomenthealmosthated。
InhisunreflectingpassionforCressyhehadalwaysevadedthethoughtofthisrelationshiporpropinquity；themotherhadrecalledittohiminawaythatimperilledevenhispassionforthedaughter；hismindwaswhollypreoccupiedwiththeidiotic，exasperating，andutterlyhopelesspositionthathadbeenforceduponhim。Inthebitternessofhisspirithissenseofpersonaldangerwassofarabsorbedthathespeculatedonthechancebulletinthemeleethatmightendhisfollyandrelievehimofresponsibility。Shutupinabarnwithafuriouswoman，inalawlessdefenceofquestionablerights——withtheaddedconsciousnessthatanequallyquestionablepassionhaddrawnhimintoit，andthatSHEknewit——deathseemedtooffertheonlyescapefromtheexplanationhecouldnevergive。IfanotherstingcouldhavebeenaddeditwastheabsurdconvictionthatCressywouldnotappreciatehissacrifice，butwasperhapsevenatthatmomentcalmlycongratulatingherselfonthefelicitousnessofthecomplicationinwhichshehadlefthim。
Suddenlyheheardashoutandthetrampingofhorse。Thesidesoftheloftwerescantilyboardedtoallowtheextensionofthepent-
upgrain，andbetweentheintersticesFord，withoutbeinghimselfseen，hadanuninterruptedviewoftheplainbetweenhimandthelineofwillows。Ashegazed，fivemenhurriedlyissuedfromtheextremeleftandrantowardsthebarn。McKinstryandhisfollowerssimultaneouslybrokefromthesamecovertfurthertotherightandgallopedforwardtointerceptthem。Butalthoughmounted，thegreaterdistancetheyhadtotraversebroughtthemtotherearofthebuildingonlyastheHarrisonpartycametoasuddenhaltbeforetheclosedandbarricadeddoorsoftheusuallydefencelessbarn。ThediscomfitureofthelatterwasgreetedbyaderisiveshoutfromtheMcKinstryparty——albeit，equallyastonished。ButinthatbriefmomentFordrecognizedintheleaderoftheHarrisonsthewell-knownfigureoftheSheriffofTuolumne。Itneededonlythistocaptheclimaxofthefatalitythatseemedtopursuehim。
Hewasnolongeralawlessopposerofequallylawlessforces，buthewasactuallyresistingthelawitself。Heunderstoodthesituationnow。ItwassomeidioticblunderofUncleBen’sthathadprecipitatedthisattack。
Thebelligerentshadalreadycockedtheirweapons，althoughthebarnwasstillarampartbetweentheparties。ButanadroitflankerofMcKinstry’s，creepingthroughthetallmustard，managedtotakeupanenfiladingpositionastheHarrisonsadvancedtobreakinthedoor。Athreateningshoutfromtheambuscadedpartisanscausedthemtohurriedlyfallbacktowardstherearofthebarn。Therewasapause，andthenbegantheusualHomericchaff，——withthisWesterndifferencethatitwascunninglyintendedtodrawtheother’sfire。
\"Whydon’tyoublazeawayatthedoor，you————————！Itwon’thurtye！\"
\"He’safraidtheboltwillshootback！\"LaughterfromtheMcKinstrys。
\"Comeouterthetallgrassandshowyourself，youblack，mud-eatinggopher。\"
\"Hecan’t。He’sdroppedhisgritandissarchin’forit。\"GoadinglaughterfromtheHarrisons。
Eachmanwaitedforthatsingleshotwhichwouldprecipitatethefight。Evenintheirlawlessnesstherudeinstinctoftheduelloswayedthem。Theofficerofthelawrecognizedtheprincipleaswellasitspracticaladvantageinacollision，buthehesitatedtosacrificeoneofhismeninanattackonthebarn，whichwoulddrawthefireofMcKinstryatthatnecessarilyfatalrange。Asabravemanhewouldhavetakentheriskhimself，butasaprudentone，hereflectedthathishurriedlycollectedpossewereallpartisans，andifhefelltheconflictwouldresolveitselfintoapurelypartisanstrugglewithoutasingleunprejudicedwitnesstojustifyhisconductinthepopulareye。Themasteralsoknewthis；ithadcheckedhisfirstimpulsetocomeforwardasamediator；hisonlyreliancenowwasonMrs。McKinstry’srestraintandthesheriff’sforbearance。Thenextinstantbothseemedtobeimperilled。
\"Well，whydon’tyouwadein？\"sneeredDickMcKinstry；\"whodoyoureckon’shiddeninthebarn？\"
\"I’lltellye，\"saidaharsh，passionatevoicefromthehill-side。
\"It’sCressyMcKinstryandtheschool-masterhidin’inthehay。\"
Bothpartiesturnedquicklytowardstheintruderwhohadapproachedthemunperceived。ButthespeechwasfollowedbyamorestartlingrevulsionofsentimentasMrs。McKinstry’svoicerangoutfromthebarn，\"Youlie，SethDavis！\"
ThebriefadvantageofferedtothesheriffinDavis’sadventasaneutralwitness，wasutterlylostbythisunlooked-forrevelationofMrs。McKinstry’spresenceinthebarn！Thefateswereclearlyagainsthim！Awomaninthefight，andanoldoneatthat！A
whitewomantobeforciblyejected！InthewholeunwrittencodeofSouthwesternchivalrytherewasnosuchprecedent。
\"Standback，\"hesaiddisgustedlytohisfollowers，\"standbackandletthed————dbarnslide。Butyou，HiramMcKinstry，I’llgiveYOU
fiveminutestoshakeyourselfclearofyourwife’spetticoatsandgit！\"Hisbloodwasupnow——thequickerfromhismomentaryweaknessandthetrickofwhichhethoughthimselfadupe。
Againthefatalsignalseemedimminent，againitwasdelayed。ForHiramMcKinstry，withclankingspursandrifleinhandsteppedfrombehindthebarn，fullinthepresenceofhisantagonists。
\"Eztomygitteninfiveminits，\"hebeganinhislaziest，drowsiestmanner，\"we’llseewhenthetime’sup。ButjestnowwordshevpassedbetwixtmywifeandSethDavis。Aforeanythin’
elsegoesonyer，he’sgottotakeHISback。Mywifeallowshelies；Iallowheliestoo，andIstan’heretosayit。\"
Therightofpersonalinsulttoprecedenceofredresswastoooldafrontierprincipletobegainsaidnow。BothpartiesheldbackandeveryeyewasturnedtowhereSethDavishadbeenstanding。Buthehaddisappeared。
Where？
WhenMrs。McKinstryhurledherdenialfromthebarn，hehadtakenadvantageofthegreatersurprisetoleaptooneofthetrussesofhaythatprojectedbeyondtheloft，andsecureafootingfromwhichhequicklyscrambledthroughtheopenscantlingtotheinterior。
Themasterwho，startledbyhisvoice，hadmadehiswaythroughtheloosegraintotherear，reacheditasSethhalfcrawled，halftumbledthrough。Theireyesmetinasingleflashofrage，butbeforeSethcouldutteranoutcry，themasterhaddroppedhisgun，seizedhimaroundtheneckandcrammedathickhandfulofthesofthayhehadhurriedlysnatchedupintohisfaceandgaspingmouth。
Afuriousbutsilentstruggleensued；theyieldinghayonwhichtheybothfelldeadenedallsoundofascuffleandconcealedthemfromview；massesofit，alreadyloosenedbytheintruder’sentrance，anddislodgedintheircontortionsbegantoslipthroughtheopeningtotheground。Themaster，stilluppermostandholdingSethfirmlydown，allowedhimselftoslipwiththem，shovinghisadversarybeforehim；themaddenedMissouriandetectinghispurpose，madeadesperateattempttochangehisposition，andsucceededinraisinghiskneeagainstthemaster’schest。Ford，guardingagainstwhatseemedtobeonlyawrestler’sstrategy，contentedhimselfbylockingthebentkneefirmlyinthatposition，andthusunwittinglygaveSeththelooked-foropportunityofdrawingthebowie-knifeconcealedinhisbootleg。HeknewhismistakeonlyasSethviolentlyfreedhisarm，andthrewitupwardfortheblow。Heheardthesteelslitherlikeascythethroughthehay，andunlockinghisholddesperatelythrewhimselfontheupliftedarm。Themovementsavedhim。ForthereleasedbodyofSethslippedrapidlythroughtheopening，upheldforasingleinstantonthevergebythegraspofthemaster’stwohandsonthearmthatstillheldtheknife，andthendroppedheavilydownward。
Eventhen，thehaythathadslippedbeforehimwouldhavebrokenhisfall，buthisheadcameinviolentcontactwithsomefarmingimplementsstandingagainstthewall，andwithoutacryhewasstretchedsenselessontheground。ThewholeoccurrencepassedsorapidlyandsonoiselesslythatnotonlydidMcKinstry’schallengefalluponhisalreadyunconsciousears，buttheloosenedhaywhichinthemaster’sstrugglestorecoverhimselfstillcontinuedtoslidegentlyfromtheloft，actuallyhidhimfromtheeyesofthespectatorswhosoughthimamomentafterwards。Amassofhayandwildoats，dislodgedapparentlybyMrs。McKinstryinsecuringherdefences，wasallthatmettheireyes；eventhewomanherselfwasunconsciousofthedeadlystrugglethathadtakenplaceaboveher。
Themasterstaggeredtoanuprightpositionhalfchokedandhalfblindedwithdust，turgidandburstingwiththerushofbloodtohishead，butclearandcollectedinmind，andunremorsefullytriumphant。UnconsciousoftherealextentofSeth’scatastrophehegropedforandseizedhisgun，examinedthecapandeagerlywaitedforarenewedattack。\"Hetriedtokillme；hewouldhavekilledme；ifhecomesagainImustkillhim，\"hekeptrepeatingtohimself。Itneveroccurredtohimthatthiswasinconsistentwithhispreviousthought——indeedwiththewholetenorofhisbelief。
Perhapsthemostpeacefulmanwhohasbeenonceputinperiloflifebyanadversary，whohasrecognizeddeaththreateninghimintheeyeofhisantagonist，isbysomestrangeparadoxnotlikelytoholdhisownlifeorthelifeofhisadversaryasdearlyasbefore。
Everythingwassilentnow。Thesuspenseirritatedhim，henolongerdreadedbutevenlongedfortheshotthatwouldprecipitatehostilities。Whatweretheydoing？GuidedbySeth，weretheyconcertingafreshattack？
Listeningmoreintentlyhebecameawareofadistantshouting，andevenmoredistinctly，ofthedull，heavytramplingofhoofs。A
suddenangryfearthattheMcKinstryshadbeenbeatenoffandwereflying——afearandangerthatnowforthefirsttimeidentifiedhimwiththeircause——cameoverhim，andhescrambledquicklytowardstheopeningbelow。Butthesoundwasapproachingandwithitcameavoice。
\"Holdonthere，sheriff！\"
ItwasthevoiceoftheagentStacey。