Thereposeofdeathhadsoftenedthehardlinesoftheoldman’smouthandbrowintoaresemblanceshenowmorethaneverunderstood。Shehadstoodthusonlyafewyearsbefore，lookingatthesamefaceinagorgeouslyinlaidmahoganycasket，smotheredamidstcostlyflowers，andsurroundedbyfriendsattiredinalltheluxurioustrappingsofwoe；yetitwasthesamefacethatwasnowrigidlyupturnedtothebarethatchandraftersofthatcrumblingcottage，herselfitsonlycompanion。Sheliftedherdelicateveilwithbothhands，and，stoopingdown，kissedthehard，coldforehead，withoutatremor。Thenshedroppedherveilagainoverherdryeyes，readjusteditinthelittle，cheap，black-framedmirrorthathungagainstthewall，andopenedthedoorasthegranddaughterreturned。Thegentlemanwasjustcomingfromthestation。
\"RemembertolookoutformeatYork，\"saidMissDesborough，extendingherglovedhand。\"Good-bytillthen。\"TheyounggirlrespectfullytouchedtheendsofMissDesborough’sfingers，droppedacurtsy，andMissDesboroughrejoinedtheconsul。
\"YouhavebarelytimetoreturntothePrioryandseetoyourluggage，\"saidtheconsul，\"ifyoumustgo。Butletmehopethatyouhavechangedyourmind。\"
\"Ihavenotchangedmymind，\"saidMissDesboroughquietly，\"andmybaggageisalreadypacked。\"Afterapause，shesaidthoughtfully，\"I’vebeenwondering\"——
\"What？\"saidtheconsuleagerly。
\"I’vebeenwonderingifpeoplebroughtuptospeakinacertaindialect，wherecertainwordshavetheirownsignificanceandcolor，andarepartoftheirownlivesandexperience——if，evenwhentheyunderstandanotherdialect，theyreallyfeelanysympathywithit，orthepersonwhospeaksit？\"
\"Aproposof\"——askedtheconsul。
\"ThesepeopleI’vejustleft！Idon’tthinkIquitefeltwiththem，andIguesstheydidn’tfeelwithme。\"
\"But，\"saidtheconsullaughingly，\"youknowthatweAmericansspeakwithadecideddialectofourown，andattachthesameoccultmeaningtoit。Yet，uponmyword，IthinkthatLordBeverdale——orshallIsayLordAlgernon？——wouldnotonlyunderstandthatAmericanword’guess’asyoumeanit，butwouldperfectlysympathizewithyou。\"
MissDesborough’seyessparkledeventhroughherveilassheglancedathercompanionandsaid，\"IGUESSNOT。\"
Asthe\"tea\"partyhadnotyetreturned，itfelltotheconsultoaccompanyMissDesboroughandhermaidtothestation。Butherehewasstartledtofindacollectionofvillagersupontheplatform，gatheredroundtwoyoungwomeninmourning，andanominous-lookingbox。Hemingledforamomentwiththecrowd，andthenreturnedtoMissDesborough’sside。
\"Really，\"hesaid，withaconcernthatwasscarcelyassumed，\"I
oughtnottoletyougo。Theomensaremostdisastrous！Youcameheretoadeath；youaregoingawaywithafuneral！\"
\"Thenit’shightimeItookmyselfoff！\"saidtheladylightly。
\"Unless，liketheghostlymonk，youcamehereonamission，andhavefulfilledit。\"
\"PerhapsIhave。Good-by！\"……
InspiteofthebrightandcharacteristicletterwhichMissDesboroughleftforherhost，——aletterwhichmingledherpeculiarshrewdsensewithherhumorousextravaganceofexpression，——theconsulspentasomewhatuneasyeveningunderthefireofquestionsthatassailedhiminreferencetothefairdeserter。Buthekeptloyalfaithwithher，adheringeventotheletterofherinstructions，andonlyoncewasgoadedintomoreactivemendacity。
Theconversationhadturnedupon\"Debs，\"andtheconsulhadremarkedonthesingularityofthename。Aguestfromthenorthobserved，however，thatthenamewasundoubtedlyacontraction。
\"Possiblyitmighthavebeen’Debborough，’oreventhesamenameasourfairfriend。\"
\"Butdidn’tMissDesboroughtellyoulastnightthatshehadbeenhuntingupherpeople，withafamilytree，orsomethinglikethat？\"
saidLordAlgernoneagerly。\"Ijustcaughtawordhereandthere，foryouwerebothlaughing。\"
Theconsulsmiledblandly。\"Youmaywellsayso，foritwasallthemostdelightfulpieceofpureinventionandutterextravagance。
Itwouldhaveamusedherstillmoreifshehadthoughtyouwerelisteningandtookitseriously！\"
\"Ofcourse；Isee！\"saidtheyoungfellow，withalaughandaslightriseofcolor。\"IknewshewastakingsomekindofariseoutofYOU，andthatremarkremindedmeofit。\"
Nevertheless，withinayear，LordAlgernonwashappilymarriedtothedaughterofaSouthAfricanmillionaire，whosebridalofferingsalonetouchedthesumofhalfamillion。Itwasalsosaidthatthemotherwas\"impossible\"andthefather\"unspeakable，\"therelations\"inextinguishable；\"buttheweddingwasan\"occasion，\"andinthesucceedingyearoffestivityitispresumedthatthenamesof\"Debs\"and\"Desborough\"werealikeforgotten。
Buttheyexistedstillinalittlehamletneartheedgeofableaknorthernmoor，wheretheyweresingularlyexaltedonasoaringshaftofpuremarbleabovethesubmergedandmoss-growntombstonesofasimplecountrychurchyard。Sogreatwasthecontrastbetweenthemodernandpretentiousmonumentandthegravesofthehumblerforefathersofthevillage，thateventheAmericanswhochancedtovisititwereshockedatwhattheybelievedwastheostentatiousandvulgarprideofoneoftheirowncountrywomen。Foronitspedestalwasinscribed：——
SacredtotheMemoryofJOHNDEBSDESBOROUGH，Formerlyofthisparish，WhodepartedthislifeOctober20th，1892，AtScroobyPriory，Attheageofeighty-twoyears。
Thismonumentwaserectedasalovingtestimonybyhisgranddaughter，SadieDesborough，ofNewYork，U。S。A。
\"Andeveningbringsushome。\"
SALOMYJANE’SKISS
Onlyoneshothadbeenfired。Ithadgonewideofitsmark，——theringleaderoftheVigilantes，——andhadleftRedPete，whohadfiredit，coveredbytheirriflesandattheirmercy。Forhishandhadbeencrampedbyhardriding，andhiseyedistractedbytheirsuddenonset，andsotheinevitableendhadcome。Hesubmittedsullenlytohiscaptors；hiscompanionfugitiveandhorse-thiefgaveuptheprotractedstrugglewithafeelingnotunlikerelief。Eventhehotandrevengefulvictorswerecontent。Theyhadtakentheirmenalive。Atanytimeduringthelongchasetheycouldhavebroughtthemdownbyarifleshot，butitwouldhavebeenunsportsmanlike，andhaveendedinafreefight，insteadofanexample。And，forthematterofthat，theirdoomwasalreadysealed。Theirend，byaropeandatree，althoughnotsanctifiedbylaw，wouldhaveatleastthedeliberationofjustice。ItwasthetributepaidbytheVigilantestothatorderwhichtheyhadthemselvesdisregardedinthepursuitandcapture。Yetthisstrangelogicofthefrontiersufficedthem，andgaveacertaindignitytotheclimax。
\"Efyou’vegotanythingtosaytoyourfolks，sayitNOW，andsayitquick，\"saidtheringleader。
RedPeteglancedaroundhim。Hehadbeenruntoearthathisowncabinintheclearing，whenceafewrelationsandfriends，mostlywomenandchildren，non-combatants，hadoutflowed，gazingvacantlyatthetwentyVigilanteswhosurroundedthem。Allwereaccustomedtoscenesofviolence，blood-feud，chase，andhardship；itwasonlythesuddennessoftheonsetanditsquickresultthathadsurprisedthem。Theylookedonwithdazedcuriosityandsomedisappointment；
therehadbeennofighttospeakof——nospectacle！Aboy，nephewofRedPete，gotupontherain-barreltoviewtheproceedingsmorecomfortably；atall，handsome，lazyKentuckygirl，avisitingneighbor，leanedagainstthedoorpost，chewinggum。Onlyayellowhoundwasactivelyperplexed。Hecouldnotmakeoutifahuntwerejustoverorbeginning，andraneagerlybackwardsandforwards，leapingalternatelyuponthecaptivesandthecaptors。
Theringleaderrepeatedhischallenge。RedPetegavearecklesslaughandlookedathiswife。
AtwhichMrs。RedPetecameforward。Itseemedthatshehadmuchtosay，incoherently，furiously，vindictively，totheringleader。
Hissoulwouldroastinhellforthatday’swork！Hecalledhimselfaman，skunkin’intheopenandafraidtoshowhimselfexceptwithacrowdofother\"Kiyi’s\"aroundahouseofwomenandchildren。Heapinginsultuponinsult，inveighingagainsthislowblood，hisancestors，hisdubiousorigin，sheatlastflungoutawildtauntofhisinvalidwife，theinsultofawomantoawoman，untilhiswhitefacegrewrigid，andonlythatWestern-Americanfetichofthesanctityofsexkepthistwitchingfingersfromthelockofhisrifle。Evenherhusbandnoticedit，andwithahalf-
authoritative\"Letuponthat，oldgal，\"andapatofhisfreedlefthandonherback，tookhislastparting。Theringleader，stillwhiteunderthelashofthewoman’stongue，turnedabruptlytothesecondcaptive。\"AndifYOU’VEgotanybodytosay’good-by’
to，now’syourchance。\"
Themanlookedup。Nobodystirredorspoke。Hewasastrangerthere，beingachanceconfederatepickedupbyRedPete，andknowntonoone。Stillyoung，butanoutlawfromhisabandonedboyhood，ofwhichfatherandmotherwereonlyaforgottendream，helovedhorsesandstolethem，fullyacceptingthefrontierpenaltyoflifefortheinterferencewiththatanimalonwhichaman’slifesooftendepended。Butheunderstoodthegoodpointsofahorse，aswasshownbytheoneshebestrode——untilafewdaysbeforethepropertyofJudgeBoompointer。Thiswashissoledistinction。
Theunexpectedquestionstirredhimforamomentoutoftheattitudeofrecklessindifference，forattitudeitwas，andapartofhisprofession。Butitmayhavetouchedhimthatatthatmomenthewaslessthanhiscompanionandhisviragowife。However，heonlyshookhishead。Ashedidsohiseyecasuallyfellonthehandsomegirlbythedoorpost，whowaslookingathim。Theringleader，too，mayhavebeentouchedbyhiscompleteloneliness，forHEhesitated。Atthesamemomenthesawthatthegirlwaslookingathisfriendlesscaptive。
Agrotesqueideastruckhim。
\"SalomyJane，yemightdoworsethancomeyereandsay’good-by’toadyingman，andhimastranger，\"hesaid。
Thereseemedtobeasubtlestrokeofpoetryandironyinthisthatequallystrucktheapatheticcrowd。ItwaswellknownthatSalomyJaneClaythoughtnosmallpotatoesofherself，andalwaysheldoffthelocalswainwithalazynymph-likescorn。Nevertheless，sheslowlydisengagedherselffromthedoorpost，and，toeverybody’sastonishment，loungedwithlanguidgraceandoutstretchedhandtowardstheprisoner。Thecolorcameintothegrayrecklessmaskwhichthedoomedmanworeasherrighthandgraspedhisleft，justloosedbyhiscaptors。Thenshepaused；hershy，fawn-likeeyesgrewbold，andfixedthemselvesuponhim。Shetookthechewing-gumfromhermouth，wipedherredlipswiththebackofherhand，byasuddenlithespringplacedherfootonhisstirrup，and，boundingtothesaddle，threwherarmsabouthisneckandpressedakissuponhislips。
Theyremainedthusforahushedmoment——themanonthethresholdofdeath，theyoungwomaninthefullnessofyouthandbeauty——linkedtogether。Thenthecrowdlaughed；intheaudaciouseffronteryofthegirl’sacttheultimatefateofthetwomenwasforgotten。Sheslippedlanguidlytotheground；SHEwasthefocusofalleyes，——
sheonly！Theringleadersawitandhisopportunity。Heshouted：
\"Time’sup——Forward！\"urgedhishorsebesidehiscaptives，andthenextmomentthewholecavalcadewassweepingovertheclearingintothedarkeningwoods。
TheirdestinationwasSawyer’sCrossing，theheadquartersofthecommittee，wherethecouncilwasstillsitting，andwherebothculpritsweretoexpiatetheoffenseofwhichthatcouncilhadalreadyfoundthemguilty。Theyrodeingreatandbreathlesshaste，——ahasteinwhich，strangelyenough，eventhecaptivesseemedtojoin。Thathastepossiblypreventedthemfromnoticingthesingularchangewhichhadtakenplaceinthesecondcaptivesincetheepisodeofthekiss。Hishighcolorremained，asifithadburnedthroughhismaskofindifference；hiseyeswerequick，alert，andkeen，hismouthhalfopenasifthegirl’skissstilllingeredthere。Andthathastehadmadethemcareless，forthehorseofthemanwholedhimslippedinagopher-hole，rolledover，unseatedhisrider，andevendraggedtheboundandhelplesssecondcaptivefromJudgeBoompointer’sfavoritemare。Inaninstanttheywereallontheirfeetagain，butinthatsuprememomentthesecondcaptivefeltthecordswhichboundhisarmshadslippedtohiswrists。Bykeepinghiselbowstohissides，andobligingtheotherstohelphimmount，itescapedtheirnotice。Byridingclosetohiscaptors，andkeepinginthecrushofthethrong，hefurtherconcealedtheaccident，slowlyworkinghishandsdownwardsoutofhisbonds。
Theirwaylaythroughasylvanwilderness，mid-legdeepinferns，whosetallfrondsbrushedtheirhorses’sidesintheirfuriousgallopandconcealedtheflappingofthecaptive’sloosenedcords。
Thepeacefulvista，moresuggestiveoftheofferingsofnymphandshepherdthanofhumansacrifice，wasinastrangecontrasttothiswhirlwindrushofstern，armedmen。Thewesteringsunpiercedthesubduedlightandthetremorofleaveswithyellowlances；birdsstartedintosongonblueanddove-likewings，andoneithersideofthetrailofthisvengefulstormcouldbeheardthemurmurofhiddenandtranquilwaters。Inafewmomentstheywouldbeontheopenridge，whenceslopedthecommonturnpiketo\"Sawyer’s，\"amileaway。Itwasthecustomofreturningcavalcadestotakethishillatheadlongspeed，withshoutsandcriesthatheraldedtheircoming。Theywithheldthelatterthatday，asinconsistentwiththeirdignity；but，emergingfromthewood，sweptsilentlylikeanavalanchedowntheslope。Theywerewellunderway，lookingonlytotheirhorses，whenthesecondcaptiveslippedhisrightarmfromthebondsandsucceededingraspingthereinsthatlaytrailingonthehorse’sneck。Asuddenvaquerojerk，whichthewell-trainedanimalunderstood，threwhimonhishauncheswithhisforelegsfirmlyplantedontheslope。Therestofthecavalcadeswepton；
themanwhowasleadingthecaptive’shorsebytheriata，thinkingonlyofanotheraccident，droppedthelinetosavehimselffrombeingdraggedbackwardsfromhishorse。Thecaptivewheeled，andthenextmomentwasgallopingfuriouslyuptheslope。
Itwastheworkofamoment；atrainedhorseandanexperiencedhand。Thecavalcadehadcoverednearlyfiftyyardsbeforetheycouldpullup；thefreedcaptivehadcoveredhalfthatdistanceuphill。Theroadwassonarrowthatonlytwoshotscouldbefired，andthesebrokedusttwoyardsaheadofthefugitive。Theyhadnotdaredtofirelow；thehorsewasthemorevaluableanimal。Thefugitiveknewthisinhisextremityalso，andwouldhavegladlytakenashotinhisownlegtosparethatofhishorse。Fivemenweredetachedtorecaptureorkillhim。Thelatterseemedinevitable。Buthehadcalculatedhischances；beforetheycouldreloadhehadreachedthewoodsagain；windinginandoutbetweenthepillaredtreetrunks，heofferednomark。Theyknewhishorsewassuperiortotheirown；attheendoftwohourstheyreturned，forhehaddisappearedwithouttrackortrail。Theendwasbrieflytoldinthe\"SierraRecord：\"——
\"RedPete，thenotorioushorse-thief，whohadsolongeludedjustice，wascapturedandhungbytheSawyer’sCrossingVigilanteslastweek；hisconfederate，unfortunately，escapedonavaluablehorsebelongingtoJudgeBoompointer。Thejudgehadrefusedonethousanddollarsforthehorseonlyaweekbefore。Asthethief，whoisstillatlarge，wouldfinditdifficulttodisposeofsovaluableananimalwithoutdetection，thechancesareagainsteitherofthemturningupagain。\"……
SalomyJanewatchedthecavalcadeuntilithaddisappeared。Thenshebecameawarethatherbriefpopularityhadpassed。Mrs。RedPete，instormyhysterics，hadincludedherinasweepingdenunciationofthewholeuniverse，possiblyforsimulatinganemotioninwhichsheherselfwasdeficient。Theotherwomenhatedherforhermomentaryexaltationabovethem；onlythechildrenstilladmiredherasonewhohadundoubtedly\"canoodled\"withaman\"a-goingtobehung\"——adaringflightbeyondtheirwildestambition。SalomyJaneacceptedthechangewithcharmingunconcern。
Sheputonheryellownankeensunbonnet，——ahideousaffairthatwouldhaveruinedanyotherwoman，butwhichonlyenhancedthepiquancyofherfreshbrunetteskin，——tiedthestrings，lettingtheblue-blackbraidsescapebelowitsfrilledcurtainbehind，jumpedonhermustangwithacasualdisplayofagileanklesinshapelywhitestockings，whistledtothehound，andwavingherhandwitha\"Solong，sonny！\"tothelatelybereftbutadmiringnephew，flappedandflutteredawayinhershortbrownhollandgown。
Herfather’shousewasfourmilesdistant。Contrastedwiththecabinshehadjustquitted，itwasasuperiordwelling，withalong\"lean-to\"attherear，whichbroughttheeavesalmosttothegroundandmadeitlooklikealowtriangle。Ithadalongbarnandcattlesheds，forMadisonClaywasa\"great\"stock-raiserandtheownerofa\"quartersection。\"Ithadasitting-roomandaparlororgan，whosetransportationthitherhadbeenamarvelof\"packing。\"
ThesethingsweresupposedtogiveSalomyJaneanundueimportance，butthegirl’sreserveandinaccessibilitytolocaladvanceswererathertheresultofacool，lazytemperamentandthepreoccupationofalarge，protectingadmirationforherfather，forsomeyearsawidower。ForMr。MadisonClay’slifehadbeenthreatenedinoneortwofeuds，——itwassaid，notwithoutcause，——anditispossiblethatthepatheticspectacleofherfatherdoinghisvisitingwithashotgunmayhavetouchedhercloselyandsomewhatprejudicedheragainsttheneighboringmasculinity。Thethoughtthatcattle，horses，and\"quartersection\"wouldonedaybehersdidnotdisturbhercalm。AsforMr。Clay，heacceptedherashousewifely，thoughsomewhat\"interfering，\"and，beingoneof\"hisownwomankind，\"
thereforenotwithoutsomedegreeofmerit。
\"Wot’sthisyerI’mhearin’ofyourdoin’soveratRedPete’s？
Honeyfoglin’withahorse-thief，eh？\"saidMr。Claytwodayslateratbreakfast。
\"Ireckonyouheardaboutthestraightthing，then，\"saidSalomyJaneunconcernedly，withoutlookinground。
\"WhatdoyoukalkilateRubewillsaytoit？Whatareyougoin’totellHIM？\"saidMr。Claysarcastically。
\"Rube，\"orReubenWaters，wasaswainsupposedtobefavoredparticularlybyMr。Clay。SalomyJanelookedup。
\"I’lltellhimthatwhenHE’Sonhiswaytobehung，I’llkisshim，——nottillthen，\"saidtheyoungladybrightly。
Thisdelightfulwitticismsuitedthepaternalhumor，andMr。Claysmiled；but，nevertheless，hefrownedamomentafterwards。
\"Butthisyerhoss-thiefgotawayarterall，andthat’sahossofadifferentcolor，\"hesaidgrimly。
SalomyJaneputdownherknifeandfork。Thiswascertainlyanewanddifferentphaseofthesituation。Shehadneverthoughtofitbefore，and，strangelyenough，forthefirsttimeshebecameinterestedintheman。\"Gotaway？\"sherepeated。\"Didtheylethimoff？\"
\"Notmuch，\"saidherfatherbriefly。\"Slippedhiscords，andgoingdownthegradepulledupshort，justlikeavaqueroaginalassoedbull，almostdraggin’themanleadin’himoffhishoss，andthenskyutedupthegrade。Forthatmatter，onthathosso’JudgeBoompointer’shemouthavedraggedthewholeposseof’emdownontheirkneesefheliked！Sarved’emright，too。Insteadofstringin’himupaforethedoor，orshootin’himonsight，theymustallowtotakehimdownaforethehullcommittee’foranexample。’’Example’beblowed！Ther’’sexampleenoughwhensomestrangercomesunbeknownstslaponteramanhangedtoatreeandpluggedfullofholes。THAT’Sanexample，andHEknowswhatitmeans。Wotmoredoyewant？ButthenthoseVigilantesisallusclingin’andhangin’ontersomemerescrapo’thelawthey’repretendin’todespise。Itmakesmesick！Why，whenJakeMyersshotyouroleAuntViney’ssecondhusband，andIlaidinwaitforJakeafterwardsintheButternutHollow，didItiehimtohishossandfetchhimdowntoyourAuntViney’scabin’foranexample’
beforeIpluggedhim？No！\"indeepdisgust。\"No！Why，Ijustmeanderedthroughthewood，careless-like，tillhecomesout，andI
justrodeuptohim，andIsaid\"——
ButSalomyJanehadheardherfather’sstorybefore。Evenone’sdearestrelativesareapttobecometiresomeinnarration。\"I
know，dad，\"sheinterrupted；\"butthisyerman，——thishoss-thief，——
didHEgetcleanawaywithoutgettin’hurtatall？\"
\"Hedid，andunlesshe’sfoolenoughtosellthehosshekinkeepaway，too。Soyesee，yecan’tladleoutpurpstuffabouta’dyin’
stranger’toRube。Hewon’tswallerit。\"
\"Allthesame，dad，\"returnedthegirlcheerfully，\"Ireckontosayit，andsayMORE；I’lltellhimthatefHEmanagestogetawaytoo，I’llmarryhim——there！Butyedon’tketchRubetakin’anysuchrisksingettin’ketched，oringettin’awayarter！\"
MadisonClaysmiledgrimly，pushedbackhischair，rose，droppedaperfunctorykissonhisdaughter’shair，and，takinghisshotgunfromthecorner，departedonapeacefulSamaritanmissiontoacowwhohaddroppedacalfinthefarpasture。InclinedashewastoReuben’swooingfromhiseligibilityastoproperty，hewasconsciousthathewassadlydeficientincertainqualitiesinherentintheClayfamily。Itcertainlywouldbeakindofmesalliance。
Lefttoherself，SalomyJanestaredalongwhileatthecoffee-pot，andthencalledthetwosquawswhoassistedherinherhouseholdduties，toclearawaythethingswhileshewentuptoherownroomtomakeherbed。Hereshewasconfrontedwithapossibleprospectofthatproverbialbedshemightbemakinginherwillfulness，andonwhichshemustlie，inthephotographofasomewhatseriousyoungmanofrefinedfeatures——ReubenWaters——stuckinherwindow-
frame。SalomyJanesmiledoverherlastwitticismregardinghimandenjoyed，it，likeyourtruehumorist，andthen，catchingsightofherownhandsomefaceinthelittlemirror，smiledagain。Butwasn’titfunnyaboutthathorse-thiefgettingoffafterall？GoodLordy！FancyReubenhearinghewasaliveandgoingroundwiththatkissofherssetonhislips！Shelaughedagain，alittlemoreabstractedly。Andhehadreturneditlikeaman，holdinghertightandalmostbreathless，andhegoingtobehungthenextminute！
SalomyJanehadbeenkissedatothertimes，byforce，chance，orstratagem。Inacertainingenuousforfeitgameofthelocalityknownas\"I’ma-pinin’，\"manyhad\"pined\"fora\"sweetkiss\"fromSalomyJane，whichshehadyieldedinasenseofhonorandfairplay。Shehadneverbeenkissedlikethisbefore——shewouldneveragain；andyetthemanwasalive！Andbehold，shecouldseeinthemirrorthatshewasblushing！
Sheshouldhardlyknowhimagain。Ayoungmanwithverybrighteyes，aflushedandsunburntcheek，akindoffixedlookintheface，andnobeard；no，nonethatshecouldfeel。YethewasnotatalllikeReuben，notabit。ShetookReuben’spicturefromthewindow，andlaiditonherworkbox。Andtothinkshedidnotevenknowthisyoungman’sname！Thatwasqueer。Tobekissedbyamanwhomshemightneverknow！Ofcourseheknewhers。Shewonderedifheremembereditandher。Butofcoursehewassogladtogetoffwithhislifethatheneverthoughtofanythingelse。Yetshedidnotgivemorethanfourorfiveminutestothesespeculations，and，likeasensiblegirl，thoughtofsomethingelse。Onceagain，however，inopeningthecloset，shefoundthebrownhollandgownshehadwornonthedaybefore；thoughtitveryunbecoming，andregrettedthatshehadnotwornherbestgownonhervisittoRedPete’scottage。Onsuchanoccasionshereallymighthavebeenmoreimpressive。
Whenherfathercamehomethatnightsheaskedhimthenews。No，theyhadNOTcapturedthesecondhorse-thief，whowasstillatlarge。JudgeBoompointertalkedofinvokingtheaidofthedespisedlaw。Itremained，then，toseewhetherthehorse-thiefwasfoolenoughtotrytogetridoftheanimal。RedPete’sbodyhadbeendeliveredtohiswidow。PerhapsitwouldonlybeneighborlyforSalomyJanetorideovertothefuneral。ButSalomyJanedidnottaketothesuggestionkindly，noryetdidsheexplaintoherfatherthat，astheothermanwasstillliving，shedidnotcaretoundergoaseconddiscipliningatthewidow’shands。
Nevertheless，shecontrastedhersituationwiththatofthewidowwithanewandsingularsatisfaction。ItmighthavebeenRedPetewhohadescaped。Buthehadnotthegritofthenamelessone。Shehadalreadysettledhisheroicquality。
\"Yeain’tharkenin’tome，Salomy。\"
SalomyJanestarted。
\"HereI’maskin’yeifye’veseethathoundPhilLarrabeesneakingbyyertoday？\"
SalomyJanehadnot。Butshebecameinterestedandself-reproachful，forsheknewthatPhilLarrabeewasoneofherfather’senemies。
\"Hewouldn’tdaretogobyhereunlessheknewyouwereout，\"shesaidquickly。
\"That’swhatgetsme，\"hesaid，scratchinghisgrizzledhead。
\"I’vebeenkindo’thinkin’o’himallday，andoneofthemChinamensaidhesawhimatSawyer’sCrossing。Hewasakindoffriendo’Pete’swife。That’swhyIthoughtyermightfindoutefhe’dbeenthere。\"SalomyJanegrewmoreself-reproachfulatherfather’sself-interestinher\"neighborliness。\"\"Butthatain’tall，\"continuedMr。Clay。\"Tharwastracksoverthefarpasturethatwarn’tmine。Ifollowedthem，andtheywentroundandroundthehousetwoorthreetimes，ezeftheymouthevbinprowlin’，andthenIlost’eminthewoodsagain。It’sjustlikethatsneakin’
houndLarrabeetohevbinlyin’inwaitformeandafraidtomeetamanfairandsquareintheopen。\"
\"Youjustlielow，dad，foradayortwomore，andletmedoalittleprowlin’，\"saidthegirl，withsympatheticindignationinherdarkeyes。\"Efit’sthatskunk，I’llspothimsoonenoughandletyouknowwharhe’shiding。\"
\"You’lljuststaywhereyeare，Salomy，\"saidherfatherdecisively。
\"Thisain’tnowoman’swork——thoughIain’tsayin’youhaven’tgotmoreheadforitthansomemenIknow。\"
Nevertheless，thatnight，afterherfatherhadgonetobed，SalomyJanesatbytheopenwindowofthesitting-roominanapparentattitudeoflanguidcontemplation，butalertandintentofeyeandear。Itwasafinemoonlitnight。Twopinesnearthedoor，solitarypicketsoftheserriedranksofdistantforest，castlongshadowslikepathstothecottage，andsighedtheirspicedbreathinthewindows。FortherewasnofrivolityofvineorflowerroundSalomyJane’sbower。Theclearingwastoorecent，thelifetoopracticalforvanitieslikethese。Butthemoonaddedavagueelusivenesstoeverything，softenedtherigidoutlinesofthesheds，gaveshadowstothelidlesswindows，andtouchedwithmercifulindirectnessthehideousdebrisofrefusegravelandthegauntscarsofburntvegetationbeforethedoor。EvenSalomyJanewasaffectedbyit，andexhaledsomethingbetweenasighandayawnwiththebreathofthepines。Thenshesuddenlysatupright。
Herquickearhadcaughtafaint\"click，click，\"inthedirectionofthewood；herquickerinstinctandrustictrainingenabledhertodeterminethatitwastheringofahorse’sshoeonflintyground；herknowledgeofthelocalitytoldheritcamefromthespotwherethetrailpassedoveranoutcropofflintscarcelyaquarterofamilefromwhereshesat，andwithintheclearing。Itwasnoerrant\"stock，\"forthefootwasshodwithiron；itwasamountedtrespasserbynight，andbodednogoodtoamanlikeClay。
Sherose，threwhershawloverherhead，morefordisguisethanshelter，andpassedoutofthedoor。Asuddenimpulsemadeherseizeherfather’sshotgunfromthecornerwhereitstood，——notthatshefearedanydangertoherself，butthatitwasanexcuse。
Shemadedirectlyforthewood，keepingintheshadowofthepinesaslongasshecould。Atthefringeshehalted；whoeverwastheremustpassherbeforereachingthehouse。
Thenthereseemedtobeasuspenseofallnature。Everythingwasdeadlystill——eventhemoonbeamsappearednolongertremulous；soontherewasarustleasofsomestealthyanimalamongtheferns，andthenadismountedmansteppedintothemoonlight。Itwasthehorse-thief——themanshehadkissed！
Forawildmomentastrangefancyseizedherusuallysaneintellectandstirredhertemperateblood。ThenewstheyhadtoldherwasNOTtrue；hehadbeenhung，andthiswashisghost！Helookedaswhiteandspirit-likeinthemoonlight，dressedinthesameclothes，aswhenshesawhimlast。Hehadevidentlyseenherapproaching，andmovedquicklytomeether。Butinhishastehestumbledslightly；shereflectedsuddenlythatghostsdidnotstumble，andafeelingofreliefcameoverher。Anditwasnoassassinofherfatherthathadbeenprowlingaround——onlythisunhappyfugitive。Amomentarycolorcameintohercheek；hercoolnessandhardihoodreturned；itwaswithatingeofsaucinessinhervoicethatshesaid：——
\"Ireckonedyouwereaghost。\"
\"Imouthavebeen，\"hesaid，lookingatherfixedly；\"butIreckonI’dhavecomebackhereallthesame。\"
\"It’salittleriskiercomin’backalive，\"shesaid，withalevitythatdiedonherlips，forasingularnervousness，halffearandhalfexpectation，wasbeginningtotaketheplaceofherreliefofamomentago。\"ThenitwasYOUwhowasprowlin’roundandmakin’
tracksinthefarpasture？\"
\"Yes；IcamestraightherewhenIgotaway。\"
Shefelthiseyeswereburningher，butdidnotdaretoraiseherown。\"Why，\"shebegan，hesitated，andendedvaguely。\"HOWdidyougethere？\"
\"Youhelpedme！\"
\"I？\"
\"Yes。Thatkissyougavemeputlifeintome——gavemestrengthtogetaway。IsworetomyselfI’dcomebackandthankyou，aliveordead。\"
Everywordhesaidshecouldhaveanticipated，soplainthesituationseemedtohernow。Andeverywordhesaidsheknewwasthetruth。Yethercoolcommonsensestruggledagainstit。
\"What’stheuseofyourescaping，efyou’recomin’backheretobeketchedagain？\"shesaidpertly。
Hedrewalittlenearertoher，butseemedtoherthemoreawkwardassheresumedherself-possession。Hisvoice，too，wasbroken，asifbyexhaustion，ashesaid，catchinghisbreathatintervals：——
\"I’lltellyou。Youdidmoreformethanyouthink。Youmadeanothermano’me。Ineverhadaman，woman，orchilddotomewhatyoudid。Ineverhadafriend——onlyapallikeRedPete，whopickedmeup’onshares。’Iwanttoquitthisyer——whatI’mdoin’。
Iwanttobeginbydoin’thesquarethingtoyou\"——Hestopped，breathedhard，andthensaidbrokenly，\"Myhossisoverthar，stakedout。Iwanttogivehimtoyou。JudgeBoompointerwillgiveyouathousanddollarsforhim。Iain’tlyin’；it’sGod’struth！Isawitonthehandbillaginatree。Takehim，andI’llgetawayafoot。Takehim。It’stheonlythingIcandoforyou，andIknowitdon’thalfpayforwhatyoudid。Takeit；yourfathercangetarewardforyou，ifyoucan’t。\"
Suchweretheethicsofthisstrangelocalitythatneitherthemanwhomadetheoffernorthegirltowhomitwasmadewasstruckbyanythingthatseemedillogicalorindelicate，oratallinconsistentwithjusticeorthehorse-thief’srealconversion。SalomyJaneneverthelessdissented，fromanotherandweakerreason。
\"Idon’twantyourhoss，thoughIreckondadmight；butyou’rejuststarvin’。I’llgetsuthin’。\"Sheturnedtowardsthehouse。
\"Sayyou’lltakethehossfirst，\"hesaid，graspingherhand。Atthetouchshefeltherselfcoloringandstruggled，expectingperhapsanotherkiss。Buthedroppedherhand。Sheturnedagainwithasaucygesture，said，\"Hol’on；I’llcomerightback，\"andslippedaway，themereshadowofacoyandflyingnymphinthemoonlight，untilshereachedthehouse。
Hereshenotonlyprocuredfoodandwhiskey，butaddedalongdust-
coatandhatofherfather’stoherburden。Theywouldserveasadisguiseforhimandhidethatheroicfigure，whichshethoughteverybodymustnowknowasshedid。Thensherejoinedhimbreathlessly。Butheputthefoodandwhiskeyaside。
\"Listen，\"hesaid；\"I’veturnedthehossintoyourcorral。You’llfindhimthereinthemorning，andnoonewillknowbutthathegotlostandjoinedtheotherhosses。\"
Thensheburstout。\"Butyou——YOU——whatwillbecomeofyou？
You’llbeketched！\"
\"I’llmanagetogetaway，\"hesaidinalowvoice，\"ef——ef\"——
\"Efwhat？\"shesaidtremblingly。\"Efyou’llputtheheartinmeagain，——asyoudid！\"hegasped。
Shetriedtolaugh——tomoveaway。Shecoulddoneither。Suddenlyhecaughtherinhisarms，withalongkiss，whichshereturnedagainandagain。Thentheystoodembracedastheyhadembracedtwodaysbefore，butnolongerthesame。Forthecool，lazySalomyJanehadbeentransformedintoanotherwoman——apassionate，clingingsavage。Perhapssomethingofherfather’sbloodhadsurgedwithinheratthatsuprememoment。Themanstooderectanddetermined。
\"Wot’syourname？\"shewhisperedquickly。Itwasawoman’squickestwayofdefiningherfeelings。
\"Dart。\"
\"Yerfirstname？\"
\"Jack。\"
\"Letmegonow，Jack。Lielowinthewoodstillto-morrowsunup。
I’llcomeagain。\"
Hereleasedher。Yetshelingeredamoment。\"Putonthosethings，\"shesaid，withasuddenhappyflashofeyesandteeth，\"andlieclosetillIcome。\"Andthenshespedawayhome。
Butmidwayupthedistanceshefeltherfeetgoingslower，andsomethingatherheartstringsseemedtobepullingherback。Shestopped，turned，andglancedtowherehehadbeenstanding。Hadsheseenhimthen，shemighthavereturned。Buthehaddisappeared。Shegaveherfirstsigh，andthenranquicklyagain。
Itmustbenearlyteno’clock！Itwasnotverylongtomorning！
Shewaswithinafewstepsofherowndoor，whenthesleepingwoodsandsilentairappearedtosuddenlyawakewithasharp\"crack！\"
Shestopped，paralyzed。Another\"crack！’followed，thatechoedovertothefarcorral。Sherecalledherselfinstantlyanddashedoffwildlytothewoodsagain。
Assheranshethoughtofonethingonly。Hehadbeen\"dogged\"byoneofhisoldpursuersandattacked。Butthereweretwoshots，andhewasunarmed。Suddenlysherememberedthatshehadleftherfather’sgunstandingagainstthetreewheretheyweretalking。
ThankGod！shemayagainhavesavedhim。Sherantothetree；thegunwasgone。Sheranhitherandthither，dreadingateverysteptofalluponhislifelessbody。Anewthoughtstruckher；sherantothecorral。Thehorsewasnotthere！Hemusthavebeenabletoregainit，andescaped，AFTERtheshotshadbeenfired。Shedrewalongbreathofrelief，butitwascaughtupinanapprehensionofalarm。Herfather，awakenedfromhissleepbytheshots，washurriedlyapproachingher。
\"What’supnow，SalomyJane？\"hedemandedexcitedly。
\"Nothin’，\"saidthegirlwithaneffort。\"Nothin’，atleast，thatIcanfind。\"Shewasusuallytruthfulbecausefearless，andaliestuckinherthroat；butshewasnolongerfearless，thinkingofHIM。\"Iwasn’tabed；soIranoutassoonasIheardtheshotsfired，\"sheansweredinreturntohiscuriousgaze。
\"Andyou’vehidmygunsomewherewhereitcan’tbefound，\"hesaidreproachfully。\"EfitwasthatsneakLarrabee，andhefiredthemshotstoluremeout，hemighthavepottedme，withoutashow，adozentimesinthelastfiveminutes。\"
Shehadnotthoughtsinceofherfather’senemy！ItmightindeedhavebeenhewhohadattackedJack。Butshemadeaquickpointofthesuggestion。\"Runin，dad，runinandfindthegun；you’vegotnoshowoutherewithoutit。\"Sheseizedhimbytheshouldersfrombehind，shieldinghimfromthewoods，andhurriedhim，halfexpostulating，halfstruggling，tothehouse。
Buttherenogunwastobefound。Itwasstrange；itmusthavebeenmislaidinsomecorner！Washesurehehadnotleftitinthebarn？Butnomatternow。Thedangerwasover；theLarrabeetrickhadfailed；hemustgotobednow，andinthemorningtheywouldmakeasearchtogether。Atthesametimeshehadinwardlyresolvedtorisebeforehimandmakeanothersearchofthewood，andperhaps——fearfuljoyassherecalledherpromise！——findJackaliveandwell，awaitingher！
SalomyJanesleptlittlethatnight，nordidherfather。Buttowardsmorninghefellintoatiredman’sslumberuntilthesunwaswellupthehorizon。Fardifferentwasitwithhisdaughter：
shelaywithherfacetothewindow，herheadhalfliftedtocatcheverysound，fromthecreakingofthesun-warpedshinglesaboveherheadtothefar-offmoanoftherisingwindinthepinetrees。
Sometimesshefellintoabreathless，half-ecstatictrance，livingovereverymomentofthestoleninterview；feelingthefugitive’sarmstillaroundher，hiskissesonherlips；hearinghiswhisperedvoiceinherears——thebirthofhernewlife！Thiswasfollowedagainbyaperiodofagonizingdread——thathemighteventhenbelying，hislifeebbingaway，inthewoods，withhernameonhislips，andsherestinghereinactive，untilshehalfstartedfromherbedtogotohissuccor。Andthiswentonuntilapaleopalglowcameintothesky，followedbyastillpalerpinkonthesummitofthewhiteSierras，whensheroseandhurriedlybegantodress。Stillsosanguinewasherhopeofmeetinghim，thatshelingeredyetamomenttoselectthebrownhollandskirtandyellowsunbonnetshehadwornwhenshefirstsawhim。Andshehadonlyseenhimtwice！OnlyTWICE！Itwouldbecruel，toocruel，nottoseehimagain！
Shecreptsoftlydownthestairs，listeningtothelong-drawnbreathingofherfatherinhisbedroom，andthen，bythelightofagutteringcandle，scrawledanotetohim，begginghimnottotrusthimselfoutofthehouseuntilshereturnedfromhersearch，andleavingthenoteopenonthetable，swiftlyranoutintothegrowingday。
ThreehoursafterwardsMr。MadisonClayawoketothesoundofloudknocking。Atfirstthisforceditselfuponhisconsciousnessashisdaughter’sregularmorningsummons，andwasrespondedtobyagruntofrecognitionandanestlingcloserintheblankets。Thenheawokewithastartandamutteredoath，rememberingtheeventsoflastnight，andhisintentiontogetupearly，androlledoutofbed。Becomingawarebythistimethattheknockingwasattheouterdoor，andhearingtheshoutofafamiliarvoice，hehastilypulledonhisboots，hisjeantrousers，andfasteningasinglesuspenderoverhisshoulderasheclattereddownstairs，stoodinthelowerroom。Thedoorwasopen，andwaitinguponthethresholdwashiskinsman，anoldallyinmanyablood-feud——BreckenridgeClay！
\"YouAREacoolone，Mad！\"saidthelatterinhalf-admiringindignation。
\"What’sup？\"saidthebewilderedMadison。
\"YOUoughttobe，andscootin’outo’this，\"saidBreckenridgegrimly。\"It’sallverywellto’knownothin’；’butherePhilLarrabee’sfriendshevjustpickedhimup，drilledthroughwithslugsanddeadernoracrow，andnowthey’relettin’looseLarrabee’stwohalf-brothersonyou。Andyoumustgolikeadernedfoolandleavetheseyerthingsbehindyouinthebresh，\"hewentonquerulously，liftingMadisonClay’sdust-coat，hat，andshotgunfromhishorse，whichstoodsaddledatthedoor。\"LuckilyIpickedthemupinthewoodscomin’here。Yeain’tgotmorethantimetogetoverthestatelineandamongyourfolkstharaforethey’llbedownonyou。Hustle，oldman！Whatareyougawkin’andstarin’
at？\"
MadisonClayhadstaredamazedandbewildered——horror-stricken。
Theincidentsofthepastnightforthefirsttimeflasheduponhimclearly——hopelessly！Theshot；hisfindingSalomyJanealoneinthewoods；herconfusionandanxietytoridherselfofhim；thedisappearanceoftheshotgun；andnowthisnewdiscoveryofthetakingofhishatandcoatforadisguise！SHEhadkilledPhilLarrabeeinthatdisguise，afterprovokinghisfirstharmlessshot！
She，hisownchild，SalomyJane，haddisgracedherselfbyaman’scrime；haddisgracedhimbyusurpinghisright，andtakingameanadvantage，bydeceit，ofafoe！
\"Gimmethatgun，\"hesaidhoarsely。
Breckenridgehandedhimtheguninwonderandslowlygatheringsuspicion。Madisonexaminednippleandmuzzle；onebarrelhadbeendischarged。Itwastrue！Thegundroppedfromhishand。
\"Lookhere，oldman，\"saidBreckenridge，withadarkeningface，\"there’sbinnofoulplayhere。Thar’sbinnohiringofmen，nodeputytodothisjob。YOUdiditfairandsquare——yourself？\"
\"Yes，byGod！\"burstoutMadisonClayinahoarsevoice。\"WhosaysIdidn’t？\"
Reassured，yetbelievingthatMadisonClayhadnervedhimselffortheactbyanover-draughtofwhiskey，whichhadaffectedhismemory，Breckenridgesaidcurtly，\"Thenwakeupand’lite’out，efyewantmetostandbyyou。\"
\"Gotothecorralandpickmeoutahoss，\"saidMadisonslowly，yetnotwithoutacertaindignityofmanner。\"I’vesuthin’tosaytoSalomyJaneaforeIgo。\"Hewasholdingherscribblednote，whichhehadjustdiscovered，inhisshakinghand。
Struckbyhiskinsman’smanner，andknowingthedependentrelationsoffatheranddaughter，Breckenridgenoddedandhurriedaway。Lefttohimself，MadisonClayranhisfingersthroughhishair，andstraightenedoutthepaperonwhichSalomyJanehadscrawledhernote，turneditover，andwroteontheback：——
Youmighthavetoldmeyoudidit，andnotleaveyourolefathertofinditouthowyoudisgracedyourselfandhim，too，byalow-down，underhanded，woman’strick！I’vesaidIdoneit，andtooktheblamemyself，andallthesneakinessofitthatfolkssuspect。IfIgetawayalive——andIdon’tcaremuchwhich——youneedn’tfoller。
Thehouseandstockareyours；butyouain’tanylongerthedaughterofyourdisgracedfather，MADISONCLAY。
Hehadscarcelyfinishedthenotewhen，withaclatterofhoofsandaledhorse，Breckenridgereappearedatthedoorelateandtriumphant。\"You’reinniggerluck，Mad！IfoundthatstolehossofJudgeBoompointer’shadgotawayandstrayedamongyourstockinthecorral。Takehimandyou’resafe；hecan’tbeoutrunthissideofthestateline。\"
\"Iain’tnohoss-thief，\"saidMadisongrimly。
\"Nobodysezyeare，butyou’dbewuss——afool——efyoudidn’ttakehim。I’mtestimonythatyoufoundhimamongyourhosses；I’lltellJudgeBoompointeryou’vegothim，andyekinsendhimbackwhenyou’resafe。Thejudgewillbemightygladtogethimback，andcallitquits。Soefyou’vewrittoSalomyJane，come。\"
MadisonClaynolongerhesitated。SalomyJanemightreturnatanymoment，——itwouldbepartofher\"foolwomanishness，\"——andhewasinnomoodtoseeherbeforeathirdparty。Helaidthenoteonthetable，gaveahurriedglancearoundthehouse，whichhegrimlybelievedhewasleavingforever，and，stridingtothedoor，leapedonthestolenhorse，andsweptawaywithhiskinsman。
Butthatnotelayforaweekundisturbedonthetableinfullviewoftheopendoor。Thehousewasinvadedbyleaves，pinecones，birds，andsquirrelsduringthehot，silent，emptydays，andatnightbyshy，stealthycreatures，butneveragain，dayornight，byanyoftheClayfamily。ItwasknowninthedistrictthatClayhadflownacrossthestateline，hisdaughterwasbelievedtohavejoinedhimthenextday，andthehousewassupposedtobelockedup。Itlayoffthemainroad，andfewpassedthatway。Thestarvingcattleinthecorralatlastbrokeboundsandspreadoverthewoods。Andonenightastrongerblastthanusualsweptthroughthehouse，carriedthenotefromthetabletothefloor，where，whirledintoacrackintheflooring，itslowlyrotted。
Butthoughthestingofherfather’sreproachwassparedher，SalomyJanehadnoneedofthelettertoknowwhathadhappened。
ForassheenteredthewoodsinthedimlightofthatmorningshesawthefigureofDartglidingfromtheshadowofapinetowardsher。Theunaffectedcryofjoythatrosefromherlipsdiedthereasshecaughtsightofhisfaceintheopenlight。
\"Youarehurt，\"shesaid，clutchinghisarmpassionately。
\"No，\"hesaid。\"ButIwouldn’tmindthatif\"——
\"You’rethinkin’IwasafeardtocomebacklastnightwhenIheardtheshootin’，butIDIDcome，\"shewentonfeverishly。\"IranbackherewhenIheardthetwoshots，butyouweregone。Iwenttothecorral，butyourhosswasn’tthere，andIthoughtyou’dgotaway。\"
\"IDIDgetaway，\"saidDartgloomily。\"Ikilledtheman，thinkin’
hewashuntin’ME，andforgettin’Iwasdisguised。HethoughtI
wasyourfather。\"
\"Yes，\"saidthegirljoyfully，\"hewasafterdad，andYOU——youkilledhim。\"Sheagaincaughthishandadmiringly。
Buthedidnotrespond。Possiblytherewerepointsofhonorwhichthishorse-thieffeltvaguelywithherfather。\"Listen，\"hesaidgrimly。\"Othersthinkitwasyourfatherkilledhim。WhenIdidit——forhefiredatmefirst——Irantothecorralagainandtookmyhoss，thinkin’Imightbefollered。Imadeaclearcircuitofthehouse，andwhenIfoundhewastheonlyone，andnoonewasfollerin’，Icomebackhereandtookoffmydisguise。ThenIheardhisfriendsfindhiminthewood，andIknowtheysuspectedyourfather。AndthenanothermancomethroughthewoodswhileIwashidin’andfoundtheclothesandtookthemaway。\"Hestoppedandstaredathergloomily。
Butallthiswasunintelligibletothegirl。\"Dadwouldhavegotthebetterofhimefyouhadn’t，\"shesaideagerly，\"sowhat’sthedifference？\"
\"Allthesame，\"hesaidgloomily，\"Imusttakehisplace。\"
Shedidnotunderstand，butturnedherheadtohermaster。\"Thenyou’llgobackwithmeandtellhimALL？\"shesaidobediently。
\"Yes，\"hesaid。
Sheputherhandinhis，andtheycreptoutofthewoodtogether。
Sheforesawathousanddifficulties，but，chiefestofall，thathedidnotloveasshedid。SHEwouldnothavetakentheserisksagainsttheirhappiness。
Butalasforethicsandheroism。Astheywereissuingfromthewoodtheyheardthesoundofgallopinghoofs，andhadbarelytimetohidethemselvesbeforeMadisonClay，onthestolenhorseofJudgeBoompointer，sweptpastthemwithhiskinsman。
SalomyJaneturnedtoherlover……
AndhereImight，asamoralromancer，pause，leavingtheguilty，passionategirlelopedwithherdisreputablelover，destinedtolifelongshameandmisery，misunderstoodtothelastbyacriminal，fastidiousparent。ButIamconfrontedbycertainfacts，onwhichthisromanceisbased。Amonthlaterahandbillwaspostedononeofthesentinelpines，announcingthatthepropertywouldbesoldbyauctiontothehighestbidderbyMrs。JohnDart，daughterofMadisonClay，Esq。，anditwassoldaccordingly。Stilllater——bytenyears——thechroniclerofthesepagesvisitedacertain\"stock\"
or\"breedingfarm，\"inthe\"BlueGrassCountry，\"famousforthepopularracersithasproduced。Hewastoldthattheownerwasthe\"bestjudgeofhorse-fleshinthecountry。\"\"Smallwonder，\"addedhisinformant，\"fortheysayasayoungmanoutinCaliforniahewasahorse-thief，andonlysavedhimselfbyelopingwithsomerichfarmer’sdaughter。Buthe’sastraight-outandrespectablemannow，whosewordabouthorsescan’tbebought；andasforhiswife，she’sabeauty！Toseeheratthe’Springs，’riggedoutinthelatestfashion，you’dneverthinkshehadeverlivedoutofNewYorkorwasn’tthewifeofoneofitsmillionaires。\"