CHAPTERIV
ThatnightFatherPedrodreamedastrangedream。Howmuchofitwasreality，howlongitlasted，orwhenheawokefromit，hecouldnottell。Themorbidexcitementofthepreviousdayculminatedinafebrileexaltationinwhichhelivedandmovedasinaseparateexistence。
Thisiswhatheremembered。Hethoughthehadrisenatnightinasuddenhorrorofremorse，andmakinghiswaytothedarkenedchurchhadfallenuponhiskneesbeforethehighaltar，whenallatoncetheacolyte’svoicebrokefromthechoir，butinaccentssodissonantandunnaturalthatitseemedasacrilege，andhetrembled。Hethoughthehadconfessedthesecretofthechild’ssextoCranch，butwhetherthenextmorningoraweeklaterhedidnotknow。Hefancied，too，thatCranchhadalsoconfessedsometriflingdeceptiontohim，butwhat，orwhy，hecouldnotremember;
somuchgreaterseemedtheenormityofhisowntransgression。HethoughtCranchhadputinhishandstheletterhehadwrittentotheFatherSuperior，sayingthathissecretwasstillsafe，andthathehadbeensparedtheavowalandthescandalthatmighthaveensued。Butthroughall，andaboveall，hewasconsciousofonefixedidea：toseektheseashorewithSanchicha，anduponthespotwhereshehadfoundFrancisco，meettheyounggirlwhohadtakenhisplace，andsopartfromherforever。Hehadadimrecollectionthatthiswasnecessarytosomelegalidentificationofher，asarrangedbyCranch，buthoworwhyhedidnotunderstand;enoughthatitwasapartofhispenance。
ItwasearlymorningwhenthefaithfulAntonio，accompaniedbySanchichaandJose，rodeforthwithhimfromtheMissionofSanCarmel。Exceptontheexpressionlessfeaturesoftheoldwoman，therewasanxietyandgloomuponthefacesofthelittlecavalcade。
Hedidnotknowhowheavilyhisstrangeabstractionandhallucinationsweighedupontheirhonesthearts。AstheywounduptheascentofthemountainhenoticedthatAntonioandJoseconversedwithbatedbreathandmanypiouscrossingsofthemselves，butwitheyesalwayswistfullyfixeduponhim。Hewonderedif，aspartofhispenance，heoughtnottoproclaimhissinandabasehimselfbeforethem;butheknewthathisdevotedfollowerswouldinsistuponsharinghispunishment;andherememberedhispromisetoCranch，thatforHERsakehewouldsaynothing。BeforetheyreachedthesummitheturnedonceortwicetolookbackupontheMission。Howsmallitlooked，lyingthereinthepeacefulvalley，contrastedwiththebroadsweepofthelandscapebeyond，stoppedatthefurthereastonlybythedim，ghost—likeoutlinesoftheSierras。Butthestrongbreathoftheseawasbeginningtobefelt;inafewmomentsmoretheywerefacingitwithloweredsombrerosandflyingserapes，andthevast，glittering，illimitablePacificopenedoutbeneaththem。
Dazedandblinded，asitseemedtohim，bytheshining，restlessexpanse，FatherPedrorodeforwardasifstillinadream。
Suddenlyhehalted，andcalledAntoniotohisside。
\"Tellme，child，didstthounotsaythatthiscoastwaswildanddesolateofman，beast，andhabitation？\"
\"TrulyIdid，reverendfather。\"
\"Thenwhatisthat？\"pointingtotheshore。
Almostattheirfeetnestledaclusterofhouses，attheheadofanarroyoreachingupfromthebeach。Theylookeddownuponthesmokeofamanufactorychimney，uponstrangeheapsofmaterialandcuriousenginesscatteredalongthesands，withhereandtheremovingspecksofhumanfigures。Inalittlebayaschoonerswungathercables。
Thevaquerocrossedhimselfinstupefiedalarm。\"Iknownot，yourreverence;itisonlytwoyearsago，beforetherodeo，thatIwashereforstrayedcolts，andIswearbytheblessedbonesofSanAntoniothatitwasasIsaid。\"
\"Ah！itisliketheseAmericanos，\"respondedthemuleteer。\"IhaveitfrommybrotherDiegothathewentfromSanJosetoPescaderotwomonthsago，acrosstheplains，withneverahutnorfondatohaltatalltheway。Hereturnedinsevendays，andinthemidstoftheplaintherewerethreehousesandamill，andmanypeople。
andwhywasit？Ah！MotherofGod！onehadpickedupinthecreekwherehedrankthatmuchofgold;\"andthemuleteertappedoneofthesilvercoinsthatfringedhisjacketsleevesinplaceofbuttons。
\"Andtheyarewashingthesandsforgoldtherenow，\"saidAntonio，eagerlypointingtosomemengatheredroundamachinelikeanenormouscradle。\"Letushastenon。\"
FatherPedro’smomentaryinteresthadpassed。Thewordsofhiscompanionsfelldullandmeaninglessuponhisdreamingears。Hewasconsciousonlythatthechildwasmoreastrangertohimasanoutcomeofthishard，bustlinglife，thanwhenhebelievedherbornetohimoverthemysterioussea。Itperplexedhisdazed，disturbedmindtothinkthatifsuchanantagonisticelementcouldexistwithinadozenmilesoftheMission，andhenotknowit，couldnotsuchanatmospherehavebeenaroundhim，eveninhismonasticisolation，andheremainblindtoit？Hadhereallylivedintheworldwithoutknowingit？Haditbeeninhisblood？Haditimpelledhimto——Heshudderedandrodeon。
Theywereatthelastslopeofthezigzagdescenttotheshore，whenhesawthefiguresofamanandwomanmovingslowlythroughafieldofwildoats，notfarfromthetrail。ItseemedtohisdistortedfancythatthemanwasCranch。Thewoman！Hisheartstoppedbeating。Ah！coulditbe？Hehadneverseenherinherpropergarb：wouldshelooklikethat？Wouldshebeastall？HethoughthebadeJoseandAntoniogoonslowlybeforewithSanchicha，anddismounted，walkingslowlybetweenthehighstalksofgrain，lestheshoulddisturbthem。Theyevidentlydidnothearhisapproach，butweretalkingearnestly。ItseemedtoFatherPedrothattheyhadtakeneachother’shands，andashelookedCranchslippedhisarmroundherwaist。Withonlyablindinstinctofsomedreadfulsacrilegeinthisact，FatherPedrowouldhaverushedforward，whenthegirl’svoicestruckhisear。Hestopped，breathless。ItwasnotFrancisco，butJuanita，thelittlemestiza。
\"Butareyousureyouarenotpretendingtolovemenow，asyoupretendedtothinkIwasthemuchachayouhadrunawaywithandlost？Areyousureitisnotpityforthedeceityoupracticeduponme——uponDonJuan——uponpoorFatherPedro？\"
ItseemedasifCranchhadtriedtoanswerwithakiss，forthegirldrewsuddenlyawayfromhimwithacoquettishflingoftheblackbraids，andwhippedherlittlebrownhandsbehindher。
\"Well，lookhere，\"saidCranch，withthesameeasy，good—natured，practicaldirectnesswhichthepriestremembered，andwhichwouldhavepassedforphilosophyinamorethoughtfulman，\"putitsquarely，then。Inthefirstplace，itwasDonJuanandthealcaldewhofirstsuggestedyoumightbethechild。\"
\"ButyouhavesaidyouknewitwasFranciscoallthetime，\"
interruptedJuanita。
\"Idid;butwhenIfoundthepriestwouldnotassistmeatfirst，andadmitthattheacolytewasagirl，IpreferredtolethimthinkIwasdeceivedingivingafortunetoanother，andleaveittohisownconsciencetopermititorfrustrateit。Iwasright。I
reckonitwasprettyhardontheoldman，athistimeoflife，andwrappedupashewasinthegirl;butatthemomenthecameuptothescratchlikeaman。\"
\"Andtosavehimyouhavedeceivedme？Thankyou，Senor，\"saidthegirlwithamockcurtsey。
\"IreckonIpreferredtohaveyouforawifethanadaughter，\"saidCranch，\"ifthat’swhatyoumean。Whenyouknowmebetter，Juanita，\"hecontinued，gravely，\"you’llknowthatIwouldneverhaveletyoubelieveIsoughtinyoutheoneifIhadnothopedtofindinyoutheother。\"
\"Bueno！Andwhendidyouhavethatprettyhope？\"
\"WhenIfirstsawyou。\"
\"Andthatwas——twoweeksago。\"
\"Ayearago，Juanita。WhenFranciscovisitedyouattherancho。I
followedandsawyou。\"
Juanitalookedathimamoment，andthensuddenlydartedathim，caughthimbythelapelsofhiscoatandshookhimlikeaterrier。
\"AreyousurethatyoudidnotlovethatFrancisco？Speak！\"（Sheshookhimagain。）\"Swearthatyoudidnotfollowher！\"
\"But——Idid，\"saidCranch，laughingandshakingbetweentheclenchingofthelittlehands。
\"JudasIscariot！Swearyoudonotloveherallthiswhile。\"
\"But，Juanita！\"
\"Swear！\"
Cranchswore。ThentoFatherPedro’sintenseastonishmentshedrewtheAmerican’sfacetowardsherownbytheearsandkissedhim。
\"Butyoumighthavelovedher，andmarriedafortune，\"saidJuanita，afterapause。
\"Wherewouldhavebeenmyreparation——myduty？\"returnedCranch，withalaugh。
\"Reparationenoughforhertohavehadyou，\"saidJuanita，withthatrapiddisloyaltyofonelovingwomantoanotherinanemergency。ThisprovokedanotherkissfromCranch，andthenJuanitasaiddemurely，——
\"Butwearefarfromthetrail。Letusreturn，orweshallmissFatherPedro。Areyousurehewillcome？\"
\"Aweekagohepromisedtobeheretoseetheproofsto—day。\"
Thevoicesweregrowingfainterandfainter;theywerereturningtothetrail。
FatherPedroremainedmotionless。Aweekago！Wasitaweekagosince——sincewhat？Andwhathadhebeendoinghere？Listening！
He！FatherPedro，listeninglikeanidlepeontotheconfidencesoftwolovers。Buttheyhadtalkedofhim，ofhiscrime，andthemanhadpitiedhim。Whydidhenotspeak？Whydidhenotcallafterthem？Hetriedtoraisehisvoice。Itsankinhisthroatwithahorriblechokingsensation。Thenearestheadsofoatsbegantonodtohim，hefelthimselfswayingbackwardsandforwards。Hefell——
heavily，down，down，down，fromthesummitofthemountaintotheflooroftheMissionchapel，andtherehelayinthedark……
\"Hemoves。\"
\"BlessedSaintAnthonypreservehim！\"
ItwasAntonio’svoice，itwasJose’sarm，itwasthefieldofwildoats，theskyabovehishead，——allunchanged。
\"Whathashappened？\"saidthepriestfeebly。
\"Agiddinessseizedyourreverencejustnow，aswewerecomingtoseekyou。\"
\"Andyoumetnoone？\"
\"Noone，yourreverence。\"
FatherPedropassedhishandacrosshisforehead。
\"Butwhoarethese？\"hesaid，pointingtotwofigureswhonowappeareduponthetrail。
Antonioturned。
\"ItistheAmericano，SenorCranch，andhisadopteddaughter，themestizaJuanita，seekingyourreverence，methinks。\"
\"Ah！\"saidFatherPedro。
Cranchcameforwardandgreetedthepriestcordially。\"Itwaskindofyou，FatherPedro，\"hesaid，meaningly，withasignificantglanceatJoseandAntonio，\"tocomesofartobidmeandmyadopteddaughterfarewell。Wedepartwhenthetideserves，butnotbeforeyoupartakeofourhospitalityinyondercottage。\"
FatherPedrogazedatCranchandthenatJuanita。
\"Isee，\"hestammered。\"Butshegoesnotalone。Shewillbestrangeatfirst。Shetakessomefriend，perhaps——somecompanion？\"
hecontinued，tremulously。
\"Averyoldanddearone，FatherPedro，whoiswaitingforusnow。\"
Heledthewaytoalittlewhitecottage，solittleandwhiteandrecent，thatitseemedamerefleckofseafoamcastonthesands。
DisposingofJoseandAntoniointheneighboringworkshopandoutbuildings，heassistedthevenerableSanchichatodismount，and，togetherwithFatherPedroandJuanita，enteredawhitepalisadedenclosurebesidethecottage，andhaltedbeforewhatappearedtobealarge，foldingtrap—door，coveringaslight，sandymound。Itwaslockedwithapadlock;besideitstoodtheAmericanalcaldeandDonJuanBriones。FatherPedrolookedhastilyaroundforanotherfigure，butitwasnotthere。
\"Gentlemen，\"beganCranch，inhispracticalbusinessway，\"Ireckonyouallknowwe’vecomeheretoidentifyayounglady，who\"——hehesitated——\"waslatelyunderthecareofFatherPedro，withafoundlingpickeduponthisshorefifteenyearsagobyanIndianwoman。Howthisfoundlingcamehere，andhowIwasconcernedinit，youallknow。I’vetoldeverybodyherehowIscrambledashore，leavingthatbabyinthedingy，supposingitwouldbepickedupbytheboatpursuingme。I’vetoldsomeofyou，\"helookedatFatherPedro，\"howIfirstdiscovered，fromoneofthemen，threeyearsago，thatthechildwasnotfoundbyitsfather。ButIhavenevertoldanyone，beforenow，IKNEWitwaspickeduphere。
\"InevercouldtelltheexactlocalitywhereIcameashore，forthefogwascomingonasitisnow。ButtwoyearsagoIcameupwithapartyofgoldhunterstoworkthesesands。Oneday，diggingnearthiscreek，Istrucksomethingembeddeddeepbelowthesurface。
Well，gentlemen，itwasn’tgold，butsomethingworthmoretomethangoldorsilver。Hereitis。\"
Atasignthealcaldeunlockedthedoorsandthrewthemopen。Theydisclosedanirregulartrench，inwhich，filledwithsand，laythehalf—excavatedsternofaboat。
\"ItwasthedingyoftheTrinidad，gentlemen;youcanstillreadhername。Ifoundhiddenaway，tuckedunderthesternsheets，mouldyandwater—worn，someclothesthatIrecognizedtobethebaby’s。Iknewthenthatthechildhadbeentakenawayaliveforsomepurpose，andtheclotheswereleftsothatsheshouldcarrynotracewithher。IrecognizedthehandofanIndian。Isettoworkquietly。IfoundSanchichahere，sheconfessedtofindingababy，butwhatshehaddonewithitshewouldnotatfirstsay。ButsincethenshehasdeclaredbeforethealcaldethatshegaveittoFatherPedro，ofSanCarmel，andthathereitstands——Franciscothatwas！Franciscathatitis！\"
Hesteppedasidetomakewayforatallgirl，whohadapproachedfromthecottage。
FatherPedrohadneithernoticedtheconcludingwordsnorthemovementofCranch。HiseyeswerefixedupontheimbecileSanchicha，——Sanchicha，onwhom，torenderhisrebukemorecomplete，theDeityseemedtohaveworkedamiracle，andrestoredintelligencetoeyeandlip。Hepassedhishandtremblinglyacrosshisforehead，andturnedaway，whenhiseyefelluponthelastcomer。
Itwasshe。Themomenthehadlongedforanddreadedhadcome。
Shestoodthere，animated，handsome，filledwithahurtfulconsciousnessinhernewcharms，herfreshfinery，andthepitiabletrinketsthathadsupplantedherscapulary，andwhichplayedunderherfoolishfingers。Thepasthadnoplaceinherpreoccupiedmind;herbrighteyeswerefullofeageranticipationofasubstantialfuture。Theincarnationofafrivolousworld，evenassheextendedonehandtohiminhalf—coquettishembarrassmentshearrangedthefoldsofherdresswiththeother。Atthetouchofherfingers，hefelthimselfgrowingoldandcold。Eventhepenanceofparting，whichhehadlookedforwardto，wasdeniedhim;
therewasnolongersympathyenoughforsorrow。Hethoughtoftheemptychorister’srobeinthelittlecell，butnotnowwithregret。
Heonlytrembledtothinkofthefleshthathehadoncecausedtoinhabitit。
\"That’sall，gentlemen，\"brokeinthepracticalvoiceofCranch。
\"WhetherthereareproofsenoughtomakeFranciscatheheiressofherfather’swealth，thelawyersmustsay。Ireckonit’senoughformethattheygivemethechanceofrepairingawrongbytakingherfather’splace。Afterall，itwasamerechance。\"
\"ItwasthewillofGod，\"saidFatherPedro，solemnly。
Theywerethelastwordsheaddressedthem。Forwhenthefoghadbeguntocreepinshore，hasteningtheirdeparture，heonlyansweredtheirfarewellsbyasilentpressureofthehand，mutelips，andfar—offeyes。
Whenthesoundoftheirlaboringoarsgrewfainter，hetoldAntoniotoleadhimandSanchichaagaintotheburiedboat。Therehebadeherkneelbesidehim。\"Wewilldopenancehere，thouandI，daughter，\"hesaidgravely。Whenthefoghaddrawnitscurtaingentlyaroundthestrangepair，andseaandshorewereblottedout，hewhispered，\"Tellme，itwasevenso，wasitnot，daughter，onthenightshecame？\"Whenthedistantclatterofblocksandrattleofcordagecamefromtheunseenvessel，nowstandingouttosea，hewhisperedagain，\"So，thisiswhatthoudidsthear，eventhen。\"
Andsoduringthenighthemarked，moreorlessaudiblytothehalf—consciouswomanathisside，thelowwhisperofthewaves，themurmurofthefar—offbreakers，thelighteningandthickeningofthefog，thephantomsofmovingshapes，andtheslowcomingofthedawn。Andwhenthemorningsunhadrenttheveiloverlandandsea，AntonioandJosefoundhim，haggard，buterect，besidethetremblingoldwoman，withablessingonhislips，pointingtothehorizonwhereasinglesailstillglimmered：——
\"VaUstedconDios。\"
ABLUEGRASSPENELOPE
CHAPTERI
Shewasbarelytwenty—threeyearsold。Itisprobablethatuptothatage，andthebeginningofthisepisode，herlifehadbeenuneventful。Borntotheeasymediocrityofsuchcompensatingextremesasasmallfarmhouseandlargelands，agoodpositionandnosociety，inthatvastgrazingdistrictofKentuckyknownasthe\"BlueGrass\"region，allthepossibilitiesofaWesternAmericangirl’sexistencelaybeforeher。Apianointhebare—walledhouse，thelatestpatentedmowerinthelimitlessmeadows，andasilkdresssweepingtheroughflooroftheunpainted\"meeting—house\"
werealreadythepromiseofthosepossibilities。Beautifulshewas，butthepowerofthatbeautywaslimitedbybeingequallysharedwithherfewneighbors。Thereweresmall，narrow，archedfeetbesidesherownthattrodtheuncarpetedfloorsofoutlyinglog—cabinswithequalgraceanddignity;bright，clearlyopenedeyesthatwereequallycapableoflookingunabasheduponprincesandpotentates，asafewlaterdid，andtheheiressofthecountyjudgereadherownbeautywithoutenvyinthefrankglancesandunloweredcrestoftheblacksmith’sdaughter。Eventuallyshehadmarriedthemaleofherspecies，ayoungstranger，who，asschoolmasterinthenearesttown，hadutilizedtosomelocalextentascantcapitalofeducation。InobediencetotheunwrittenlawoftheWest，afterthemarriagewascelebratedthedoorsoftheancestralhomecheerfullyopened，andbrideandbridegroomissuedforth，withoutregretandwithoutsentiment，toseekthefurtherpossibilitiesofalifebeyondthesealreadytoofamiliarvoices。
WiththeirdepartureforCaliforniaasMr。andMrs。SpencerTucker，theparentalnestintheBlueGrassmeadowsknewthemnomore。
Theysubmittedwithequalcheerfulnesstotheprivationsandexcessesoftheirnewconditions。Withinthreeyearstheschoolmasterdevelopedintoalawyerandcapitalist，theBlueGrassbridesupplyingagraceandeasetothesetransitionsthatwereallherown。Shesoftenedtheabruptnessofsuddenwealth，mitigatedtheausteritiesofnewlyacquiredpower，andmadethemostglaringincongruitypicturesque。Onlyonethingseemedtolimittheirprogressintheregionofthesepossibilities。Theywerechildless。Itwasasiftheyhadexhaustedthefutureintheirownyouth，leavinglittleornothingforanothergenerationtodo。
Asouthwesterlystormwasbeatingagainstthedressing—roomwindowsoftheirnewhouseinoneofthehillysuburbsofSanFrancisco，andthreateningtheunseasonablefrivolityofthestuccoornamentationofcorniceandbalcony。Mrs。Tuckerhadbeencalledfromthecontemplationofthedrearyprospectwithoutbythearrivalofavisitor。Onenteringthedrawing—roomshefoundhimengagedinahalf—admiring，half—resentfulexaminationofitsnewfurnitureandhangings。Mrs。TuckeratoncerecognizedMr。CalhounWeaver，aformerBlueGrassneighbor;withswiftfeminineintuitionshealsofeltthathisslightantagonismwaslikelytobetransferredfromherfurnituretoherself。WaivingitwiththelazyamiabilityofSouthernindifference，shewelcomedhimbythefamiliarityofaChristianname。
\"IreckonedthatmebbeeyouopinedoldBlueGrassfriendswouldn’tnaturallyhitchontothemfancydoins，\"hesaid，glancingaroundtheapartmenttoavoidhercleareyes，asifresolutelysettinghimselfagainsttheoldcharmofhermannerashehadagainstthemorerecentgloryofhersurroundings，\"butIthoughtI’djustdropinforthesakeofoldtimes。\"
\"Whyshouldn’tyou，Cal？\"saidMrs。Tuckerwithafranksmile。
\"EspeciallyasI’mgoinguptoSacramentoto—nightwithsomeinfluentialfriends，\"hecontinued，withanostentationcalculatedtoresisttheassumptionofhercharmsandherfurniture。\"SenatorDyceofKentucky，andhiscousinJudgeBriggs;perhapsyouknow’em，ormaybeSpencer——ImeanMr。Tucker——does。\"
\"Ireckon，\"saidMrs。Tuckersmiling;\"buttellmesomethingabouttheboysandgirlsatVineville，andaboutyourself。YOU’RE
lookingwell，andrightsmarttoo。\"Shepausedtogivedueemphasistothislatterrecognitionofahugegoldchainwithwhichhervisitorwassomewhatostentatiouslytrifling。
\"Ididn’tknowasyoucaredtohearanythingaboutBlueGrass，\"hereturned，alittleabashed。\"I’vebeenawayfromtheresometimemyself，\"headded，hisuneasyvanitytakingfreshalarmatthefaintsuspicionofpatronageonthepartofhishostess。\"They’redoin’well，though;perhapsaswellassomeothers。\"
\"Andyou’renotmarriedyet，\"continuedMrs。Tucker，obliviousoftheinnuendo。\"Ah，Cal，\"sheaddedarchly，\"Iamafraidyouareasfickleasever。WhatpoorgirlinVinevillehaveyouleftpining？\"
Thesimplefaceofthemanbeforeherflushedwithfoolishgratificationatthisold—fashioned，ambiguousflattery。\"Nowlookyer，Belle，\"hesaid，chuckling，\"ifyou’retalkingofoldtimesandyouthinkIbearmaliceaginSpencer，why——\"
ButMrs。Tuckerinterruptedwhatmighthavebeenaninopportunesentimentalretrospectwithafingerofarchbutlanguidwarning。
\"Thatwilldo！I’mdyingtoknowallaboutit，andyoumuststaytodinnerandtellme。It’srightmeanyoucan’tseeSpencertoo;
butheisn’tbackfromSacramentoyet。\"
Gratefulasatete—a—tetewithhisoldneighborinhermoreprosperoussurroundingswouldhavebeen，ifonlyforthesakeoflatergossipingaboutit，hefeltitwouldbeinconsistentwithhisprideandhisassumptionofpresentbusiness。Morethanthat，hewasuneasilyconsciousthatinMrs。Tucker’ssimpleandunaffectedmannertherewasagreatersuperioritythanhehadevernoticedduringtheirpreviousacquaintance。Hewouldhavefeltkindertoherhadsheshownany\"airsandgraces，\"whichhecouldhavecommenteduponandforgiven。Hestammeredsomevagueexcuseofpreoccupation，yetlingeredinthehopeofsayingsomethingwhich，ifnotaggressivelyunpleasant，mightatleasttransfertoherindolentserenitysomeofhisownirritation。\"Ireckon，\"hesaid，ashemovedhesitatinglytowardsthedoor，\"thatSpencerhasmadehimselfeasyandsecureinthembusinessriskshe’staking。That’ereAlamedaditchaffairthey’retalkingsomuchaboutisamightybigthing，ratherTOObigifitevergottofallingbackonhim。
ButIsupposehe’saccustomedtotakerisks？\"
\"Ofcourseheis，\"saidMrs。Tuckergayly。\"HemarriedME。\"
Thevisitorsmiledfeebly，butwasnotequaltotheopportunityofferedforgallantrepudiation。\"Butsupposeyouain’taccustomedtorisks？\"
\"Whynot？ImarriedHIM，\"saidMrs。Tucker。
Mr。CalhounWeaverwashuman，andsuccumbedtothislastcharmingaudacity。Hebrokeintoanoisybutgenuinelaugh，shookMrs。
Tucker’shandwitheffusion，said，\"Nowthat’sregularBlueGrassandnomistake！\"andretreatedundercoverofhishilarity。Inthehallhemadearallyingstandtorepeatconfidentiallytotheservantwhohadoverheardthem：\"BlueGrass，allover，youbetyourlife，\"and，openingthedoor，wasapparentlyswallowedupinthetempest。
Mrs。Tucker’ssmilekeptherlipsuntilshehadreturnedtoherroom，andeventhenlanguidlyshoneinhereyesforsomeminutesafter，asshegazedabstractedlyfromherwindowonthestorm—
tossedbayinthedistance。PerhapssomegirlishvisionofthepeacefulBlueGlassplainmomentarilyusurpedtheprospect;butitistobedoubtediftherewasmuchromanceinthatretrospect，orthatitwasmoreinterestingtoherthanthepositiveandsharplycutoutlinesofthepracticallifeshenowheld。Howbeitshesoonforgotthisfancyinlazilywatchingaboatthat，intheteethofthegale，wasbeatingroundAlcatrazIsland。Althoughattimesamereblankspeckonthegraywasteoffoam，acloserscrutinyshowedittobeoneofthoselateen—riggedItalianfishingboatsthatsooftenfleckedthedistantbay。Lostinthesuddendarkeningofrain，orreappearingbeneaththeliftedcurtainofthesquall，shewatcheditweathertheisland，andthenturnitslaboringbutpersistentcoursetowardstheopenchannel。ArentintheIndian—inkysky，thatshowedthenarrowingportalsoftheGoldenGatebeyond，revealed，asunexpectedly，thedestinationofthelittlecraft，atallshipthathithertolayhiddeninthemistoftheSaucelitoshore。Asthedistancelessenedbetweenboatandship，theywereagainlostinthedownwardswoopofanothersquall。
Whenitlifted，theshipwascreepingundertheheadlandtowardstheopensea，buttheboatwasgone。Mrs。Tuckerinvainrubbedthepanewithherhandkerchief;ithadvanished。Meanwhiletheship，asshenearedtheGate，drewoutfromtheprotectingheadland，stoodoutlinedforamomentwithsparsandcanvashearsedinblackagainsttheluridrentinthehorizon，andthenseemedtosinkslowlyintotheheavingobscuritybeyond。Asuddenonsetofrainagainstthewindowsobliteratedtheremainingprospect;theentranceofaservantcompletedthediversion。
\"CaptainPoindexter，ma’am！\"
Mrs。Tuckerliftedherprettyeyebrowsinterrogatively。CaptainPoindexterwasalegalfriendofherhusband，andhaddinedtherefrequently;neverthelesssheasked：\"DidyoutellhimMr。Tuckerwasnotathome？\"
\"Yes，’m。\"
\"DidheaskforME？\"
\"Yes，’m。\"
\"TellhimI’llbedowndirectly。\"
Mrs。Tucker’squietfacedidnotbetraythefactthatthissecondvisitorwasevenlessinterestingthanthefirst。InherheartshedidnotlikeCaptainPoindexter。Withacleverwoman’sinstinctshehadearlydetectedthefactthathehadasuperior，strongernaturethanherhusband;asaloyalwife，shesecretlyresentedtheoccasionalunconsciousexhibitionofthisfactonthepartofhisintimatefriendintheirfamiliarintercourse。Addedtothisslightjealousy，therewasacertainmoralantagonismbetweenherselfandthecaptainwhichnonebutthemselvesknew。Theywerebothphilosophers，butMrs。Tucker’ssereneandlanguidoptimismwouldnottoleratethecompassionateandkind—heartedpessimismsofthelawyer。\"KnowingwhatJackPoindexterdoesofhumannature，\"
herhusbandhadoncesaid，\"it’smightyfineinhimtobesokindandforgiving。Yououghttolikehimbetter，Belle。\"\"Andqualifymyselftobeforgiven，\"saidtheladypertly。\"Idon’tseewhatyou’redrivingat，Belle;Igiveitup，\"hadrespondedthepuzzledhusband。Mrs。Tuckerkissedhishighbutfoolishforeheadtenderly，andsaid：\"I’mgladyoudon’t，dear。\"
Meanwhilehersecondvisitorhad，likethefirst，employedtheintervalinacriticalsurveyofthegloriesofthenewfurniture，butwithapparentlymorecompassionthanresentmentinhismanner。
Onceonlyhadhisexpressionchanged。OverthefireplacehungalargephotographofMr。SpencerTucker。Itwasretouched，refined，andidealizedinthehigheststyleofthatpoliteanddiplomaticart。AsCaptainPoindexterlookeduponthefringedhazeleyes，thedroopingravenmoustache，theclusteringringlets，andtheByronicfullthroatandturned—downcollarofhisfriend，asmileofexhaustedhumoroustoleranceandaffectionateimpatiencecurvedhislips。\"Well，youAREafool，aren’tyou？\"heapostrophizedithalf—audibly。
Hewasstandingbeforethepictureassheentered。Eveninthetryingcontiguityofthatpeerlessworkhewouldhavebeencalledafine—lookingman。Asheadvancedtogreether，itwasevidentthathismilitarytitlewasnotoneofthemerefancifulsobriquetsofthelocality。InhiserectfigureandthedisciplinedcomposureoflimbandattitudetherewerestilltracesoftherefinedacademicrigorsofWestPoint。ThepliantadaptabilityofWesterncivilizationwhichenabledhim，threeyearsbefore，toleavethearmyandtransferhisexecutiveabilitytothemoreprofitableprofessionofthelaw，hadloosedsashandshoulder—strap，buthadnotentirelyremovedtherestraintoftheone，orthebearingoftheother。
\"SpencerisinSacramento，\"beganMrs。Tuckerinlanguidexplanation，afterthefirstgreetingswereover。
\"Iknewhewasnothere，\"repliedCaptainPoindextergently，ashedrewtheprofferedchairtowardsher，\"butthisisbusinessthatconcernsyouboth。\"Hestoppedandglancedupwardsatthepicture。
\"Isupposeyouknownothingofhisbusiness？Ofcoursenot，\"headdedreassuringly，\"nothing，absolutelynothing，certainly。\"Hesaidthissokindly，andyetsopositively，asiftopromptlydisposeofthatquestionbeforegoingfurther，thatsheassentedmechanically。\"Well，then，he’stakensomebigrisksinthewayofbusiness，and——well，thingshavegonebadwithhim，youknow。Verybad！Really，theycouldn’tbeworse！Ofcourseitwasdreadfullyrashandallthat，\"hewenton，asifcommentingupontheamusingwaywardnessofachild;\"buttheresultistheusualsmash—upofeverything，money，credit，andall！\"Helaughedandadded：\"Yes，he’sgotcutoff——mulesandbaggageregularlyroutedanddispersed！
I’minearnest。\"Heraisedhiseyebrowsandfrownedslightly，asiftodeprecateanycorrespondinghilarityonthepartofMrs。
Tucker，oranyattempttomakeTOOlightofthesubject，andthenrising，placedhishandsbehindhisback，beamedhalf—humorouslyuponherfrombeneathherhusband’spicture，andrepeated：\"That’sso。\"
Mrs。Tuckerinstinctivelyknewthathespokethetruth，andthatitwasimpossibleforhimtoconveyitinanyotherthanhisnaturalmanner;butbetweentheshockandthesingularinfluenceofthatmannershecouldatfirstonlysay，\"Youdon’tmeanit！\"fullyconsciousoftheutterinanityoftheremark，andthatitseemedscarcelylesscold—bloodedthanhisown。
Poindexter，stillsmiling，nodded。
Shearosewithaneffort。Shehadrecoveredfromthefirstshock，andpridelentheradeterminedcalmnessthatmorethanequaledPoindexter’seasyphilosophy。
\"Whereishe？\"sheasked。
\"Atsea，andIhopebythistimewherehecannotbefoundorfollowed。\"
Washermomentaryglimpseoftheoutgoingshipacoincidence，oronlyavision？Shewasconfusedandgiddy，but，masteringherweakness，shemanagedtocontinueinalowervoice：
\"Youhavenomessageformefromhim？Hetoldyounothingtotellme？\"
\"Nothing，absolutelynothing，\"repliedPoindexter。\"Itwasasmuchashecoulddo，Ireckon，togetfairlyawaybeforethecrashcame。\"
\"Thenyoudidnotseehimgo？\"
\"Well，no，\"saidPoindexter。\"I’dhardlyhavemanagedthingsinthisway。\"Hecheckedhimselfandadded，withaforgivingsmile，\"Buthewasthebestjudgeofwhatheneeded，ofcourse。\"
\"IsupposeIwillhearfromhim，\"shesaidquietly，\"assoonasheissafe。Hemusthavehadenoughelsetothinkabout，poorfellow。\"
ShesaidthissonaturallyandquietlythatPoindexterwasdeceived。Hehadnoideathatthecollectedwomanbeforehimwasthinkingonlyofsolitudeanddarkness，ofherownroom，andmadlylongingtobethere。Hesaid，\"Yes，Idaresay，\"inquiteanothervoice，andglancedatthepicture。Butassheremainedstanding，hecontinuedmoreearnestly，\"Ididn’tcomeheretotellyouwhatyoumightreadinthenewspapersto—morrowmorning，andwhateverybodymighttellyou。BeforethattimeIwantyoutodosomethingtosaveafragmentofyourpropertyfromtheruin;doyouunderstand？Iwantyoutomakearally，andbringoffsomethingingoodorder。\"
\"Forhim？\"saidMrs。Tucker，withbrighteningeyes。
\"Well，yes，ofcourse——ifyoulike——butasifforyourself。DoyouknowtheRanchodelosCuervos？\"
\"Ido。\"
\"It’salmosttheonlybitofrealpropertyyourhusbandhasn’tsold，mortgaged，orpledged。Whyitwasexempt，orwhetheronlyforgotten，Ican’tsay。\"
\"I’lltellyouwhy，\"saidMrs。Tucker，withaslightreturnofcolor。\"Itwasthefirstlandweeverbought，andSpenceralwayssaiditshouldbemineandhewouldbuildanewhouseonit。\"
CaptainPoindextersmiledandnoddedatthepicture。\"Oh，hedidsaythat，didhe？Well，THAT’Sevidence。Butyouseehenevergaveyouthedeed，andbysunriseto—morrowhiscreditorswillattachit——unless——\"
\"Unless——\"repeatedMrs。Tucker，withkindlingeyes。
\"Unless，\"continuedCaptainPoindexter，\"theyhappentofindYOUinpossession。\"
\"I’llgo，\"saidMrs。Tucker。
\"Ofcourseyouwill，\"returnedPoindexter，pleasantly;\"only，asit’sabigcontracttotake，supposeweseehowyoucanfillit。
It’sfortymilestoLosCuervos，andyoucan’ttrustyourselftosteamboatorstage—coach。Thesteamboatleftanhourago。\"
\"IfIhadonlyknownthisthen！\"ejaculatedMrs。Tucker。
\"Iknewit，butyouhadcompanythen，\"saidPoindexter，withironicalgallantry，\"andIwouldn’tdisturbyou。\"Withoutsayinghowheknewit，hecontinued，\"Inthestage—coachyoumightberecognized。Youmustgoinaprivateconveyanceandalone;evenI
cannotgowithyou，forImustgoonbeforeandmeetyouthere。
Canyoudrivefortymiles？\"
Mrs。Tuckerliftedupherabstractedprettylids。\"Ioncedrovefifty——athome，\"shereturnedsimply。
\"Good！andIdaresayyoudiditthenforfun。Doitnowforsomethingrealandpersonal，aswelawyerssay。Youwillhaverelaysandaplanoftheroad。It’sroughweatherforapasear，butallthebetterforthat。You’llhavelesscompanyontheroad。\"
\"HowsooncanIgo？\"sheasked。
\"Thesoonerthebetter。I’vearrangedeverythingforyoualready，\"
hecontinuedwithalaugh。\"Comenow，that’sacomplimenttoyou，isn’tit？\"Hesmiledamomentinhersteadfast，earnestface，andthensaid，moregravely，\"You’lldo。Nowlisten。\"
Hethencarefullydetailedhisplan。Therewassolittleofexcitementormysteryintheirmannerthattheservant，whoreturnedtolightthegas，neverknewthattheruinandbankruptcyofthehousewasbeingtoldbeforeher，orthatitsmistresswasplanninghersecretflight。
\"Goodafternoon;Iwillseeyouto—morrowthen，\"saidPoindexter，raisinghiseyestohersastheservantopenedthedoorforhim。
\"Goodafternoon，\"repeatedMrs。Tuckerquietlyansweringhislook。
\"Youneednotlightthegasinmyroom，Mary，\"shecontinuedinthesametoneofvoiceasthedoorcloseduponhim;\"Ishallliedownforafewmoments，andthenImayrunovertotheRobinsonsfortheevening。\"
Sheregainedherroomcomposedly。Thelongingdesiretoburyherheadinherpillowand\"thinkout\"herpositionhadgone。Shedidnotapostrophizeherfate，shedidnotweep;fewrealwomendointheaccessofcalamity，orwhenthereisanythingelsetobedone。
Shefeltthatsheknewitall;shebelievedshehadsoundedtheprofoundestdepthsofthedisaster，andseemedalreadysooldinherexperiencethatshealmostfanciedshehadbeenpreparedforit。Perhapsshedidnotfullyappreciateit;toalifelikehersitwasonlyanincident，themereturningofapageoftheillimitablebookofyouth;thebreakingupofwhatshenowfelthadbecomeamonotony。Infact，shewasnotquitesureshehadeverbeensatisfiedwiththeirpresentsuccess。Haditbroughtherallsheexpected？Shewantedtosaythistoherhusband，notonlytocomforthim，poorfellow，butthattheymightcometoabetterunderstandingoflifeinthefuture。Shewasnotperhapsdifferentfromotherlovingwomenwho，believinginthisunattainablegoalofmatrimony，havesoughtitinthevariousepisodesoffortuneorreverses，inthebearingofchildren，orthelossoffriends。Inherchildlessexperiencetherewasnootherlifethathadtakenrootinhercircumstancesandmightsuffertransplantation;onlysheandherhusbandcouldloseorprofitbythechange。The\"perfect\"understandingwouldcomeunderotherconditionsthanthese。
Shewouldhavegonesuperstitiouslytothewindowtogazeinthedirectionofthevanishedship，butanotherinstinctrestrainedher。Shewouldputasideallyearningforhimuntilshehaddonesomethingtohelphim，andearnedtheconfidenceheseemedtohavewithheld。Perhapsitwaspride——perhapssheneverreallybelievedhisexoduswasdistantorcomplete。
Withafullknowledgethatto—morrowthevariousornamentsandprettytriflesaroundherwouldbeinthehandsofthelaw，shegatheredonlyafewnecessariesforherflightandsomefamiliarpersonaltrinkets。Iamconstrainedtosaythatthisself—
abnegationwasmorefastidiousthanmoral。Shehadnomoreideaoftheethicsofbankruptcythananyothercharmingwoman;shesimplydidnotliketotakewithheranycontagiousmemoryofthechapterofthelifejustclosing。Sheglancedaroundthehomeshewasleavingwithoutalingeringregret;therewasnosentimentoftraditionorcustomthatmightbedestroyed;herrootslaytoonearthesurfacetosufferfromdislocation;thehappinessofherchildlessunionhaddependeduponnodomesticcentre，norwasitsflamesacredtoanylocalhearthstone。Itwaswithoutasighthat，whennighthadfullyfallen，sheslippedunnoticeddownthestaircase。Atthedoorofthedrawing—roomshepausedandthenenteredwiththefirstguiltyfeelingofshameshehadknownthatevening。Lookingstealthilyaroundshemountedachairbeforeherhusband’spicture，kissedtheirreproachablemoustachehurriedly，said，\"Youfoolishdarling，you！\"andslippedoutagain。Withthistouchingindorsementoftheviewsofarivalphilosopher，sheclosedthedoorsoftlyandleftherhomeforever。
CHAPTERII
Thewindandrainhadclearedtheunfrequentedsuburbofanyobservantlounger，andthedarkness，litonlybyfar—spaced，gustylamps，hidherhasteningfigure。Shehadbarelycrossedthesecondstreetwhensheheardthequickclatterofhoofsbehindher;abuggydroveuptothecurbstone，andPoindexterleapedout。Sheenteredquickly，butforamomenthestillheldthereinsoftheimpatienthorse。\"He’sratherfresh，\"hesaid，eyingherkeenly;
\"areyousureyoucanmanagehim？\"
\"Givemethereins，\"shesaidsimply。
Heplacedtheminthetwofirm，well—shapedhandsthatreachedfromthedepthsofthevehicle，andwassatisfied。Yethelingered。
\"It’sroughworkforalonewoman，\"hesaid，almostcurtly。\"I
can’tgowithyou，but，speakfrankly，isthereanymanyouknowwhomyoucantrustwellenoughtotake？It’snottoolateyet;
thinkamoment！\"
Hepausedoverthebuttoningoftheleatherapronofthevehicle。
\"No，thereisnone，\"answeredthevoicefromtheinterior;\"andit’sbetterso。Isallready？\"
\"Onemomentmore。\"Hehadrecoveredhishalf—banteringmanner。
\"YouHAVEafriendandcountrymanalreadywithyou，doyouknow？
YourhorseisBlueGrass。Goodnight。\"
Withthesewordsringinginherearsshebeganherjourney。Thehorse，asifeagertomaintainthereputationwhichhisnativedistricthadgivenhisrace，aswellastheraceoftheprettywomanbehindhim，leapedimpatientlyforward。Butpulledtogetherbythefineandfirmfingersthatseemedtoguideratherthancheckhisexuberance，hepresentlystruckintothelong，swingingpaceofhiskind，andkeptitthroughoutwithout\"break\"oracceleration。
Overthepavedstreetsthelightbuggyrattled，andtheslendershaftsdancedaroundhissmoothbarrel，butwhentheytouchedthelevelhigh—road，horseandvehicleslippedforwardthroughthenight，aswiftandnoiselessphantom。Mrs。Tuckercouldseehisgracefulbackdimlyrisingandfallingbeforeherwithtirelessrhythm，andcouldfeeltheintelligentpressureofhismouthuntilitseemedtheresponsivegraspofapowerfulbutkindlyhand。Thefaintglowofconquestcametohercoldcheek;theslightstirringsofpridemovedherpreoccupiedheart。Asoftlightfilledherhazeleyes。Adesolatewoman，bereftofhusbandandhome，andflyingthroughstormandnight，sheknewnotwhere，shestillleanedforwardtowardsherhorse。\"WasheBlueGrass，then，dearoldboy？\"shegentlycooedathiminthedarkness。HeevidentlyWAS，andrespondedbyblowingheranostentatiousequinekiss。
\"AndhewouldbegoodtohisownforsakenBelle，\"shemurmuredcaressingly，\"andwouldn’tletanyoneharmher？\"Buthere，overcomebythelazywitcheryofhervoice，heshookhisheadsoviolentlythatMrs。Tucker，afterthefashionofhersex，hadthedoublesatisfactionofdemurelyrestrainingthepassionshehadevoked。
Toavoidthemoretraveledthoroughfare，whiletheeveningwasstillearly，ithadbeenarrangedthatsheshouldatfirsttakealessdirectbutlessfrequentedroad。Thiswasafamouspleasure—
drivefromSanFrancisco，agraveledandsandedstretchofeightmilestotheseaandanultimate\"cocktail，\"ina\"statelypleasure—domedecreed\"amongthesurfandrocksofthePacificshore。Itwasdesertednow，andlefttotheunobstructedsweepofthewindandrain。Mrs。Tuckerwouldnothavechosenthisroad。
Withtheinstinctivejealousyofabucolicinlandracebornbygreatrivers，shedidnotlikethesea;andagainthedimanddrearywastetendedtorecallthevisionconnectedwithherhusband’sflight，uponwhichshehadresolutelyshuthereyes。Butwhenshehadreachedittheroadsuddenlyturned，followingthetrendofthebeach，andshewasexposedtothefullpowerofitsdreadfascinations。Thecombinedroarofseaandshorewasinherears;asthedirectforceofthegalehadcompelledhertofurltheprotectinghoodofthebuggytokeepthelightvehiclefromoversettingordriftingtoleeward，shecouldnolongershutouttheheavingchaosontherightfromwhichthepallidghostsofdeadanddyingbreakersdimlyroseandsankasifinawfulsalutation。
Attimesthroughthedarknessawhitesheetappearedspreadbeforethepathandbeneaththewheelsofthebuggy，which，whenwithdrawnwithareluctanthiss，seemedstrivingtodragtheexhaustedbeachseawardwithit。Buttheblindterrorofherhorse，whoswervedateverysweepofthesurge，shamedherownhalf—superstitiousfears，andwiththeefforttocontrolhisalarmsheregainedherownself—
possession，albeitwitheyelasheswetnotaltogetherwiththesaltsprayfromthesea。Thiswasfollowedbyareaction，perhapsstimulatedbyhervictoryoverthebeatenanimal，whenforatime，sheknewnothowlong，shefeltonlyamadsenseoffreedomandpower;obliviousofevenhersorrows，herlosthomeandhusband，andwithintensefeminineconsciousnessshelongedtobeaman。
Shewasscarcelyawarethatthetrackturnedagaininlanduntilthebeatofthehorse’shoofsonthefirmgroundandanaccelerationofspeedshowedhershehadleftthebeachandthemysteriousseabehindher，andsherememberedthatshewasneartheendofthefirststageofherjourney。Halfanhourlaterthetwinklinglightsoftheroadsideinnwhereshewastochangehorsesroseoutofthedarkness。
Happilyforher，theostlerconsideredthehorse，whohadalocalreputation，ofmoreimportancethantheunknownmuffledfigureintheshadowoftheunfurledhood，andconfinedhisattentiontotheanimal。Afteracarefulexaminationofhisfeetandafewcommentsaddressedsolelytothesuperiorcreation，heledhimaway。Mrs。
Tuckerwouldhavelikedtopartmoreaffectionatelyfromherfour—
footedcompatriot，andfeltasuddensenseoflonelinessatthelossofhernewfriend，butarecollectionofcertaincautionsofCaptainPoindexter’skepthermute。Nevertheless，theostler’sostentatiousadjurationof\"Nowthen，aren’tyougoingtobringoutthatmustangfortheSenora？\"puzzledher。Itwasnotuntilthefreshhorsewasputto，andshehadflungapieceofgoldintotheattendant’shand，thatthe\"Gracias\"ofhisunmistakableSaxonspeechrevealedtoherthereasonofthelawyer’scaution。
PoindexterhadevidentlyrepresentedhertothesepeopleasanativeCalifornianwhodidnotspeakEnglish。Inherinconsistencyherbloodtookfireatthisfirstsuggestionofdeceit，andburnedinherface。Whyshouldhetrytopassheroffasanybodyelse？
Whyshouldshenotuseherown，herhusband’sname？Shestoppedandbitherlip。
Itwasbutthebeginningofanuneasytrainofthought。Shesuddenlyfoundherselfthinkingofhervisitor，CalhounWeaver，andnotpleasantly。Hewouldhearoftheirruintomorrow，perhapsofherownflight。Hewouldrememberhisvisit，andwhatwouldhethinkofherdeceitfulfrivolity？Wouldhebelievethatshewasthenignorantofthefailure？Itwasherfirstsenseofanyaccountabilitytoothersthanherself，buteventhenitwasratherowingtoanuneasyconsciousnessofwhatherhusbandmustfeelifheweresubjectedtothecriticismsofmenlikeCalhoun。Shewonderedifothersknewthathehadkeptherinignoranceofhisflight。DidPoindexterknowit，orhadheonlyentrappedherintotheadmission？Whyhadshenotbeencleverenoughtomakehimthinkthatsheknewitalready？ForthemomentshehatedPoindexterforsharingthatsecret。Yetthiswasagainfollowedbyanewimpatienceofherhusband’swantofinsightintoherabilitytohelphim。Ofcoursethepoorfellowcouldnotbeartoworryher，couldnotbeartofacesuchmenasCalhoun，orevenPoindexter（sheaddedexultinglytoherself），buthemighthavesentheralineashefled，onlytopreparehertomeetandcombattheshamealone。Itdidnotoccurtoherunsophisticatedsinglenessofnaturethatshewasacceptingasanerroroffeelingwhattheworldwouldcallcowardlyselfishness。
Atmidnightthestormlulledandafewstarstrembledthroughtherentclouds。Hereyeshadbecomeaccustomedtothedarkness，andhercountryinstincts，alittleoverlaidbytheurbanexperiencesofthelastfewyears，cameagaintothesurface。Shefeltthefresh，coolradiationfromoutlying，upturnedfields，thefaint，sadodorsfromdimstretchesofprickinggrainandquickeningleaf，andwonderedifatLosCuervositmightbepossibletoreproducethepeculiarverdureofhernativedistrict。Shebeguiledherfancybyanambitiousplanofretrievingtheirfortunesbyfarming;
hercomfortabletasteshadlatelyrebelledagainstthehomelessmechanicalcultivationofthesedesolatebutteemingCalifornianacres，andforamomentindulgedinavisionofavine—cladcottagehomethatinanyotherwomanwouldhavebeensentimental。Hercrampedlimbsaching，shetookadvantageofthesecurityofthedarknessandthefamiliarcontiguityofthefieldstogetdownfromthevehicle，gatherherskirtstogether，andrunattheheadofthemustang，untilherchillbloodwasthawed，nightdrawingamodestveiloverthischarmingrevelationofthenymphandwoman。ButthesuddenshadowofacoyotecheckedthescouringfeetofthisswiftCamilla，andsentherbackprecipitatelytothebuggy。Nevertheless，shewasrefreshedandabletopursueherjourney，untilthecoldgrayofearlymorningfoundherattheendofhersecondstage。
Herroutewaschangedagainfromthemainhighway，rendereddangerousbytheapproachofdayandthecontiguityoftheneighboringrancheros。Theroadwasroughandhilly，hernewhorseandvehicleinkeepingwiththerudenessoftheroute——byfarthemostdifficultofherwholejourney。Therarewagontracksthatindicatedherroadwereoftenscarcelydiscernible;attimestheyledherthroughopeningsinthehalf—clearedwoods，skirtedsuspiciousmorasses，painfullyclimbedthesmooth，dome—likehills，orwoundalongperilousslopesatadangerousangle。Twiceshehadtoalightandclingtotheslidingwheelsononeofthosetreacherousinclines，ordragthemfromimpendingrutsorimmovablemire。Inthegrowinglightshecoulddistinguishthedistant，low—
lyingmarsheseatenbyencroachingsloughsandinsidiouschannels，andbeyondthemthefaintgraywasteoftheLowerBay。Adarkerpeninsulainthemarshsheknewtobetheextremeboundaryofherfuturehome：theRanchodelosCuervos。Inanotherhourshebegantodescendtotheplain，andoncemoretoapproachthemainroad，whichnowrannearlyparallelwithhertrack。Shescanneditcautiouslyforanyearlytraveler;itstretchednorthandsouthinapparentunendingsolitude。Shestruckintoitboldly，andurgedherhorsetothetopofhisspeed，untilshereachedthecrossroadthatledtotherancho。Buthereshepausedandallowedthereinstodropidlyonthemustang’sback。Asingularandunaccountableirresolutionseizedher。Thedifficultiesofherjourneywereover;therancholayscarcelytwomilesaway;shehadachievedthemostimportantpartofhertaskintheappointedtime，butshehesitated。Whathadshecomefor？ShetriedtorecallPoindexter’swords，evenherownenthusiasm，butinvain。Shewasgoingtotakepossessionofherhusband’sproperty，sheknew，thatwasall。Butthemeansshehadtakenseemednowsoexaggeratedandmysteriousforthatsimpleendthatshebegantodreadanimpendingsomething，orsomevaguedangershehadnotconsidered，thatshewasrushingblindlytomeet。Fullofthisstrangefeelingshealmostmechanicallystoppedherhorseassheenteredthecrossroad。
Fromthismomentaryhesitationasingularsoundarousedher。Itseemedatfirstliketheswifthurryingbyofsomeviewlesscourieroftheair，thevaguealarmofsomeinvisibleflyingherald，orliketheinarticulatecrythatprecedesastorm。Itseemedtoriseandfallaroundherasifwithsomechangingurgencyofpurpose。
Raisinghereyesshesuddenlyrecognizedthetwofar—stretchinglinesoftelegraphwireaboveherhead，andknewtheaeoliancryofthemorningwindalongitsvibratingchords。Butitbroughtanotherandmorepracticalfeartoheractivebrain。Perhapsevennowthetelegraphmightbeanticipatingher！HadPoindexterthoughtofthat？Shehesitatednolonger，butlayingthewhiponthebackofherjadedmustangagainhurriedforward。
Asthelevelhorizongrewmoredistinct，herattentionwasattractedbythewhitesailofasmallboatlazilythreadingthesinuouschanneloftheslough。ItmightbePoindexterarrivingbythemoredirectroutefromthesteamboatthatoccasionallylayofftheancientembarcaderooftheLosCuervosRancho。Butevenwhilewatchingitherquickearcaughtthesoundofgallopinghoofsbehindher。Sheturnedquicklyandsawshewasfollowedbyahorseman。ButhermomentaryalarmwassucceededbyafeelingofreliefassherecognizedtheerectfigureandsquareshouldersofPoindexter。Yetshecouldnothelpthinkingthathelookedmorelikeamilitantscout，andlesslikeacautiouslegaladviser，thanever。
Withunaffectedwomanlinesssherearrangedherslightlydisorderedhairashedrewupbesideher。\"Ithoughtyouwereinyonderboat，\"shesaid。
\"NotI，\"helaughed;\"Idistancedyoubythehighroadtwohours，andhavebeenreconnoitring，untilIsawyouhesitateatthecrossroads。\"
\"Butwhoisintheboat？\"askedMrs。Tucker，partlytohideherembarrassment。
\"OnlysomeearlyChinesemarketgardener，Idaresay。Butyouaresafenow。Youareonyourownland。Youpassedtheboundarymonumentoftheranchofiveminutesago。Look！AllyouseebeforeyouisyoursfromtheembarcaderotoyonderCoastRange。\"
Thetoneofhalf—raillerydidnot，however，cheerMrs。Tucker。Sheshudderedslightlyandcasthereyesoverthemonotonousseaoftuleandmeadow。
\"Itdoesn’tlookpretty，perhaps，\"continuedPoindexter，\"butit’stherichestlandintheState，andtheembarcaderowillsomedaybeatown。Isupposeyou’llcallitBlueGrassville。Butyouseemtired！\"hesaid，suddenlydroppinghisvoicetoatoneofhalf—
humoroussympathy。
Mrs。Tuckermanagedtogetridofanimpendingtearunderthepretenseofclearinghereyes。\"Arewenearlythere？\"sheasked。
\"Nearly。Youknow，\"headdedwiththesamehalf—mischievous，half—
sympathizinggayety，\"it’snotexactlyapalaceyou’recomingto。
Hardly。It’stheoldcasathathasbeendesertedforyears，butI
thoughtitbetteryoushouldgointopossessiontherethantakeupyourabodeattheshantywhereyourhusband’sfarm—handsare。Noonewillknowwhenyoutakepossessionofthecasa，whiletheveryhourofyourarrivalattheshantywouldbeknown;andiftheyshouldmakeanytrouble——\"
\"Iftheyshouldmakeanytrouble？\"repeatedMrs。Tucker，liftingherfrank，inquiringeyestoPoindexter。
Hishorsesuddenlyrearingfromanapparentlyaccidentalprickofthespur，itwasaminuteortwobeforehewasabletoexplain。\"I
meanifthisevercomesupasamatterofevidence，youknow。Buthereweare！\"
Whathadseemedtobeanovergrownmoundrisinglikeanislandoutofthedeadlevelofthegrassyseanowresolveditselfintoacollectionofadobewalls，eatenandincrustedwithshrubsandvines，thatboresomeresemblancetotheusualuninhabited—lookingexteriorofaSpanish—Americandwelling。Aperturesthatmighthavebeenlance—shapedwindowsoronlycracksandfissuresinthewallswerechokedupwithweedsandgrass，andgavenopassingglimpseoftheinterior。Enteringaruinouscorraltheycametoasecondentrance，whichprovedtobethepatioorcourtyard。Thedesertedwoodencorridor，withbeams，rafters，andfloorswhitenedbytheeternalsunandwind，containedafewwitheredleaves，drylyrottingskins，andthongsofleather，asifundisturbedbyhumancare。Butamongthesescattereddebrisofformerlifeandhabitationtherewasnonoisomeoruncleansuggestionofdecay。A
faint，spicedodorofdesiccationfilledthebarewalls。Therewasnoslimeonstoneorsun—driedbrick。Inplaceoffungusordiscoloredmoisturethedustofefflorescencewhitenedintheobscuredcorners。Theelementshadpickedcleanthebonesofthecrumblingtenementeretheyshouldfinallyabsorbit。
Awitheredoldpeonwoman，whoindress，complexion，andfibroushairmighthavebeenananimatedfragmentofthedebris，rustledoutofalowvaultedpassageandwelcomedthemwithafeeblecrepitation。FollowingherintothediminteriorMrs。Tuckerwassurprisedtofindsomeslightattemptatcomfortandevenadornmentinthetwoorthreehabitableapartments。Theywerescrupulouslycleananddry，twoqualitieswhichinherfeminineeyesatonedforpovertyofmaterial。
\"IcouldnotsendanythingfromSanBruno，thenearestvillage，withoutattractingattention，\"explainedPoindexter;\"butifyoucanmanagetopicnichereforadaylonger，I’llgetoneofourChinesefriendshere，\"hepointedtotheslough，\"tobringover，forhisreturncargofromacrossthebay，anynecessariesyoumaywant。Thereisnodangerofhisbetrayingyou，\"headded，withanironicalsmile;\"ChinamenandIndiansare，byaningeniousprovisionofthestatuteofCalifornia，incapableofgivingevidenceagainstawhiteperson。Youcantrustyourhandmaidenperfectly——evenifshecan’ttrustYOU。Thatisyoursacredprivilegeundertheconstitution。Andnow，asIexpecttocatchtheupboattenmilesfromhence，Imustsay’good—by’untilto—
morrownight。Ihopetobringyouthensomemoredefiniteplansforthefuture。Theworstisover。\"Heheldherhandforamoment，andwithagravervoicecontinued，\"Youhavedoneitverywell——doyouknow——verywell！\"
Intheslightembarrassmentproducedbyhissuddenchangeofmannershefeltthatherthanksseemedawkwardandrestrained。\"Don’tthankme，\"helaughed，withapromptreturnofhisformerlevity，\"that’smytrade。Ionlyadvised。Youhavesavedyourselflikeapluckywoman——shallIsaylikeBlueGrass？Good—by！\"Hemountedhishorse，but，asifstruckbyanafter—thought，wheeledanddrewupbyhersideagain。\"IfIwereyouIwouldn’tseemanystrangersforadayortwo，andlistentoaslittlenewsasawomanpossiblycan。\"Helaughedagain，wavedherahalf—gallant，half—militarysalute，andwasgone。Thequestionshehadbeentryingtoframe，regardingtheprobabilityofcommunicationwithherhusband，remainedunasked。Atleastshehadsavedherpridebeforehim。
Addressingherselftothecareofhernarrowhousehold，shemechanicallyputawaythefewthingsshehadbroughtwithher，andbegantoreadjustthescantfurniture。Shewasalittlediscomposedatfirstattheabsenceofbolts，locks，andevenwindow—fasteningsuntilassured，byConcha’sevidentinabilitytocomprehendherconcern，thattheywerequiteunknownatLosCuervos。HerslightknowledgeofSpanishwasbarelysufficienttomakeherwantsknown，sothatthereliefofconversationwithheronlycompanionwasdebarredher，andshewasobligedtocontentherselfwiththesapless，cracklingsmilesandwitheredgenuflexionsthattheoldwomandroppedlikedeadleavesinherpath。Itwasstaringnoonwhen，thehousesinginglikeanemptyshellinthemonotonouswind，shefeltshecouldstandthesolitudenolonger，and，crossingtheglaringpatioandwhistlingcorridor，madeherwaytotheopengateway。
Buttheviewwithoutseemedtointensifyherdesolation。ThebroadexpanseoftheshadowlessplainreachedapparentlytotheCoastRange，tracklessandunbrokensavebyoneortwoclustersofdwarfedoaks，whichatthatdistancewerebutmossyexcrescencesonthesurface，barelyraisedabovethedeadlevel。Ontheothersidethemarshtookupthemonotonyandcarriedit，scarcelyinterruptedbyundefinedwater—courses，tothefaintlymarkedouthorizonlineoftheremotebay。Scatteredandapparentlymotionlessblackspotsonthemeadowsthatgaveadrearysignificancetothetitleof\"theCrows\"whichtheranchobore，andsuddengraycloudsofsand—pipersonthemarshes，thatroseandvanisheddownthewind，weretheonlysignsoflife。Eventhewhitesailoftheearlymorningwasgone。
Shestoodthereuntiltheachingofherstrainingeyesandthestiffeningofherlimbsinthecoldwindcompelledhertoseektheshelteredwarmthofthecourtyard。Heresheendeavoredtomakefriendswithabright—eyedlizard，whowassunninghimselfinthecorridor;agracefullittlecreatureinblueandgold，fromwhomshefeltatothertimesshemighthavefled，butwhosebeautyandharmlessnesssolitudehadmadeknowntoher。Withmisplacedkindnessshetempteditwithbread—crumbs，withnoothereffectthantostiffenitintostonyastonishment。Shewonderedifsheshouldbecomeliketheprisonersshehadreadofinbooks，whopouredouttheirsolitaryaffectionsonnoisomecreatures，andsheregrettedeventhemustang，whichwiththebuggyhaddisappearedunderthechargeofsomeunknownretaineronherarrival。Wasshenotaprisoner？Theshutterlesswindows，yawningdoors，andopengaterefutedhersuggestion，buttheencompassingsolitudeandtracklesswastestillheldhercaptive。Poindexterhadtoldheritwasfourmilestotheshanty;shemightwalkthere。Whyhadshegivenherwordthatshewouldremainattheranchountilhereturned？
Thelongdaycreptmonotonouslyaway，andshewelcomedthenightwhichshutoutthedrearyprospect。Butitbroughtnocessationoftheharassingwindwithout，norsurceaseofthenervousirritationitsperpetualandevenactivitywroughtuponher。Ithauntedherpilloweveninherexhaustedsleep，andseemedtoimpatientlybeckonhertoriseandfollowit。Itbroughtherfeverishdreamsofherhusband，footsoreandweary，staggeringforwardunderitspitilesslashandclamorousoutcry;shewouldhavegonetohisassistance，butwhenshereachedhissideandheldoutherarmstohimithurriedherpastwithmercilesspower，and，bearingheraway，lefthimhopelesslybehind。Itwasbroaddaywhensheawoke。
Theusualnightshowersofthewaningrainyseasonhadleftnotraceinskyormeadow;thefervidmorningsunhadalreadydriedthepatio;onlytherestless，harryingwindremained。
Mrs。Tuckerarosewitharesolve。ShehadlearnedfromConchaonthepreviouseveningthatapartoftheshantywasusedasatiendaorshopforthelaborersandrancheros。Underthenecessityofpurchasingsomearticles，shewouldgothereandforamomentminglewiththosepeople，whowouldnotrecognizeher。Eveniftheydid，herinstincttoldheritwouldbelesstobefearedthanthehopelessuncertaintyofanotherday。Assheleftthehousethewindseemedtoseizeherasinherdream，andhurryheralongwithit，untilinafewmomentsthewallsofthelowcasasankintotheearthagainandshewasalone，butforthebreezeonthesolitaryplain。Theleveldistanceglitteredinthesharplight，afewcrowswithslantwingsdippedandrandownthewindbeforeher，andapassinggleamonthemarshwasexplainedbythefar—offcryofacurlew。
Shehadwalkedforanhour，upheldbythestimulusoflightandmorningair，whentheclusterofscruboaks，whichwasherdestination，openedenoughtoshowtworamblingsheds，beforeoneofwhichwasawoodenplatformcontainingafewbarrelsandbones。
Assheapproachednearer，shecouldseethatoneortwohorsesweretetheredunderthetrees，thattheirriderswereloungingbyahorse—trough，andthatoveranopendoorthewordTiendawasrudelypaintedonaboard，andasrudelyillustratedbythewaresdisplayedatdoorandwindow。Accustomedasshewastothepovertyoffrontierarchitecture，eventhecrumblingwallsoftheoldhaciendashehadjustleftseemedpicturesquetotherigidanglesofthethin，blank，unpaintedshellbeforeher。Oneoftheloungers，whowasreadinganewspaperaloudassheadvanced，putitasideandstaredather;therewasanevidentcommotionintheshopasshesteppedupontheplatform，andwhensheentered，withbreathlesslipsandbeatingheart，shefoundherselftheobjectofadozencuriouseyes。Herquickprideresentedthescrutinyandrecalledhercourage，anditwaswithaslightcoldnessinherusuallazyindifferencethatsheleanedoverthecounterandaskedforthearticlesshewanted。
Therequestwasfollowedbyadeadsilence。Mrs。Tuckerrepeateditwithsomehauteur。
\"Ireckonyoudon’tseemtoknowthisstoreisinthehandsofthesheriff，\"saidoneoftheloungers。
Mrs。Tuckerwasnotawareofit。
\"Well，Idon’tknowanyonewho’sabetterrighttoknowthanSpenceTucker’swife，\"saidanotherwithacoarselaugh。Thelaughwasechoedbytheothers。Mrs。Tuckersawthepitintowhichshehaddeliberatelywalked，butdidnotflinch。
\"Isthereanyonetoservehere？\"sheasked，turninghercleareyesfulluponthebystanders。
\"You’dbetteraskthesheriff。HewasthelastonetoSARVEhere。
Hesarvedanattachment，\"repliedtheinevitablehumoristofallCalifornianassemblages。
\"Ishehere？\"askedMrs。Tucker，disregardingtherenewedlaughterwhichfollowedthissubtlewitticism。
Theloungersatthedoormadewayforoneoftheirparty，whowashalfdragged，halfpushedintotheshop。\"Hereheis，\"saidhalfadozeneagervoices，inthefondbeliefthathispresencemightimpartadditionalhumortothesituation。HecastadeprecatingglanceatMrs。Tuckerandsaid，\"It’sso，madam！Thisyerplaceisattached;butifthere’sanythingyou’rewanting，whyIreckon，boys，\"——heturnedhalfappealinglytothecrowd，——\"wecouldobligealady。\"Therewasavaguesoundofangryoppositionandremonstrancefromthebackdooroftheshop，butthemajority，partlyovercomebyMrs。Tucker’sbeauty，assented。\"Only，\"
continuedtheofficerexplanatorily，\"eztheseyergoodsareinthehandsofthecreditors，theyoughttoberepresentedbyanequivalentinmoney。Ifyou’reexpectingtheyshouldbecharged——\"
\"ButIwishtoPAYforthem，\"interruptedMrs。Tucker，withaslightflushofindignation;\"Ihavethemoney。\"
\"Oh，Ibetyouhave！\"screamedavoice，as，overturningallopposition，themalcontentatthebackdoor，intheshapeofaninfuriatedwoman，forcedherwayintotheshop。\"I’llbetyouhavethemoney！Lookather，boys！Lookatthewifeofthethief，withthestolenmoneyindiamondsinherearsandringsonherfingers。
SHE’SgotmoneyifWE’VEnone。SHEcanpayforwhatshefancies，ifwehaven’tacenttoredeemthebedthat’sstolenfromunderus。
Ohyes，buyitall，Mrs。SpencerTucker！buythewholeshop，Mrs。