SpencerTucker，doyouhear？Andifyouain’tsatisfiedthen，buymyclothes，myweddingring，theonlythingsyourhusbandhasn’tstolen。\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou，\"saidMrs。Tuckercoldly，turningtowardsthedoor。Butwithaflyingleapacrossthecounterherrelentlessadversarystoodbetweenherandretreat。
\"Youdon’tunderstand！Perhapsyoudon’tunderstandthatyourhusbandnotonlystolethehardlaborofthesemen，buteventhelittlemoneytheybroughthereandtrustedtohisthievinghands。
Perhapsyoudon’tknowthathestolemyhusband’shardearnings，mortgagedtheseverygoodsyouwanttobuy，andthatheisto—dayaconvictedthief，aforger，andarunawaycoward。Perhaps，ifyoucan’tunderstandME，youcanreadthenewspaper。Look！\"Sheexultinglyopenedthepaperthesheriffhadbeenreadingaloud，andpointedtothedisplayedheadlines。\"Look！therearetheverywords，’Forgery，Swindling，Embezzlement！’Doyousee？Andperhapsyoucan’tunderstandthis。Look！’ShamefulFlight。
AbandonshisWife。RunsoffwithaNotorious——’\"
\"Easy，oldgal，easynow。D——nit！Willyoudryup？Isay。
STOP！\"
Itwastoolate！
Thesheriffhaddashedthepaperfromthewoman’shand，butnotuntilMrs。Tuckerhadreadasingleline，alinesuchasshehadsometimesturnedfromwithwearyscorninhercarelessperusalofthedailyshamefulchronicleofdomesticinfelicity。Thenshehadcoldlywonderediftherecouldbeanysuchmenandwomen;andnow！
Thecrowdfellbackbeforeher;eventheviragowassilencedasshelookedatherface。Thehumorist’sfacewasaswhite，butnotasimmobile，ashegasped，\"Christ！ifIdon’tbelievesheknewnothin’ofit！\"
Foramomentthefullforceofsuchasupposition，withallitspoignancy，itsdramaticintensity，anditspathos，possessedthecrowd。Inthemomentaryclairvoyanceofenthusiasmtheycaughtaglimpseofthetruth，andbyoneofthestrangereactionsofhumanpassiontheyonlywaitedforawordofappealorexplanationfromherlipstothrowthemselvesatherfeet。Hadshesimplytoldherstorytheywouldhavebelievedher;hadshecried，fainted，orgoneintohysterics，theywouldhavepitiedher。Shedidneither。
Perhapsshethoughtofneither，orindeedofanythingthatwasthenbeforehereyes。Shewalkederecttothedoorandturneduponthethreshold。\"ImeanwhatIsay，\"shesaidcalmly。\"Idon’tunderstandyou。Butwhateverjustclaimsyouhaveuponmyhusbandwillbepaidbyme，orbyhislawyer，CaptainPoindexter。\"
Shehadlostthesympathybutnottherespectofherhearers。Theymadewayforherwithsullendeferenceasshepassedoutontheplatform。Butheradversary，profitingbythelastopportunity，burstintoanironicallaugh。
\"CaptainPoindexter，isit？Well，perhapshe’ssafetopayYOUR
bill，butasforyourhusband’s——\"
\"That’sanothermatter，\"interruptedafamiliarvoicewiththegreatestcheerfulness;\"that’swhatyouweregoingtosay，wasn’tit？Ha！ha！Well，Mrs。Patterson，\"continuedPoindexter，steppingfromhisbuggy，\"youneverspokeatruerwordinyourlife。Onemoment，Mrs。Tucker。Letmesendyoubackinthebuggy。Don’tmindME。Icangetafreshhorseofthesheriff。I’mquiteathomehere。Isay，Patterson，stepafewpacesthisway，willyou？
Alittlefurtherfromyourwife，please。That’lldo。You’vegotaclaimoffivethousanddollarsagainsttheproperty，haven’tyou？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，thatwomanjustdrivingawayisyouronesolitarychanceofgettingacentofit。Ifyourwifeinsultsheragain，thatchanceisgone。AndifYOUdo——\"
\"Well？\"
\"AssureasthereisaGodinIsraelandaSupremeCourtoftheStateofCalifornia，I’llkillyouinyourtracks！……Stay！\"
Pattersonturned。TheirrepressiblelookofhumoroustoleranceofallhumanfrailtyhadsuffusedPoindexter’sblackeyeswithmischievousmoisture。\"Ifyouthinkitquitesafetoconfidetoyourwifethisprospectofherimprovementbywidowhood，youmay！\"
CHAPTERIII
Mr。Pattersondidnotinformhiswifeofthelawyer’spersonalthreattohimself。Buthemanaged，afterPoindexterhadleft，tomakeherconsciousthatMrs。Tuckermightbeapowertobeplacatedandfeared。\"You’veshotoffyourmouthather，\"hesaidargumentatively，\"andwhetheryou’vehitthemarkornotyou’vehadyoursay。Efyouthinkit’sworthapossiblefivethousanddollarsandinteresttokeepon，heaveahead。Efyouratherhavethechanceofgettingtherestincash，you’llletuponher。\"\"Youdon’tsuppose，\"returnedMrs。Pattersoncontemptuously，\"thatshe’sgotanythingbutwhatthatmanofhers——Poindexter——letsherhave？\"
\"Thesheriffsays，\"retortedPattersonsurlily，\"thatshe’snotifiedhimthatsheclaimstheranchoasagiftfromherhusbandthreeyearsago，andshe’sinPOSSESSIONnow，andwassowhentheexecutionwasout。Itdon’tmakenomatter，\"headded，withgloomyphilosophy，\"who’sgotafullhandaslongasWEain’tgotthecardstochipin。Iwouldn’t’a’mindedit，\"hecontinuedmeditatively，\"efSpenceTuckerhaddroppedahinttomeaforeheputout。\"\"AndIsuppose，\"saidMrs。Pattersonangrily，\"you’dhaveputouttoo？\"\"Ireckon，\"saidPattersonsimply。
Twiceorthriceduringtheeveninghereferred，moreorlessdirectly，tothislackofconfidenceshownbyhislatedebtorandemployer，andseemedtofeelitmorekeenlythanthelossofproperty。Heconfidedhissentimentsquiteopenlytothesheriffinpossession，overthewhiskeyandeuchrewithwhichthesegentlemenavoidedthedifficultiesoftheirdelicaterelations。Hebroodedoveritashehandedthekeysoftheshoptothesheriffwhentheypartedforthenight，andwasstillthinkingofitwhenthehousewasclosed，everybodygonetobed，andhewasfetchingafreshjugofwaterfromthewell。Themoonwasattimesobscuredbyflyingclouds，theavant—couriersoftheregulareveningshower。
Hewasstoopingoverthewell，whenhesprangsuddenlytohisfeetagain。\"Who’sthere？\"hedemandedsharply。
\"Hush！\"saidavoicesolowandfaintitmighthavebeenawhisperofthewindinthepalisadesofthecorral。But，indistinctasitwas，itwasthevoiceofthemanhewasthinkingofasfaraway，anditsentathrillofalternateaweandpleasurethroughhispulses。
Heglancedquicklyaround。Themoonwashiddenbyapassingcloud，andonlythefaintoutlinesofthehousehehadjustquittedwerevisible。\"Isthatyou，Spence？\"hesaidtremulously。
\"Yes，\"repliedthevoice，andafiguredimlyemergedfromthecornerofthecorral。
\"Laylow，laylow，forGod’ssake，\"saidPatterson，hurriedlythrowinghimselfupontheapparition。\"Thesheriffandhisposseareinthere。\"
\"ButImustspeaktoyouamoment，\"saidthefigure。
\"Wait，\"saidPatterson，glancingtowardsthebuilding。Itsblank，shutterlesswindowsrevealednoinnerlight;aprofoundsilenceencompassedit。\"Comequick，\"hewhispered。Lettinghisgraspslipdowntotheunresistinghandofthestranger，hehalf—dragged，half—ledhim，brushingagainstthewall，intotheopendoorofthedesertedbar—roomhehadjustquitted，lockedtheinnerdoor，pouredaglassofwhiskeyfromadecanter，gaveittohim，andthenwatchedhimdrainitatasingledraught。Themooncameout，and，fallingthroughthebarewindowsfulluponthestranger’sface，revealedtheartisticbutslightlydisheveledcurlsandmoustacheofthefugitive，SpencerTucker。
Whatevermayhavebeentherealinfluenceofthisunfortunatemanuponhisfellows，itseemedtofindexpressioninasingularunanimityofcriticism。Pattersonlookedathimwithahalf—
dismal，half—welcomingsmile。\"Well，youareah—llofafellow，ain’tyou？\"
SpencerTuckerpassedhishandthroughhishairandlifteditfromhisforehead，withagestureatonceemotionalandtheatrical。\"I
amamanwithapriceonme！\"hesaidbitterly。\"Givemeuptothesheriff，andyou’llgetfivethousanddollars。Helpme，andyou’llgetnothing。That’smyd————dluck，andyourstoo，Isuppose。\"
\"Ireckonyou’rerightthere，\"saidPattersongloomily。\"ButI
thoughtyougotcleanaway。Wentoffinaship——\"
\"Wentoffinaboattoaship，\"interruptedTuckersavagely;\"wentofftoashipthathadallmythingsonboard——everything。ThecursedboatcapsizedinasqualljustofftheHeads。Theship，d——nher，sailedaway，thementhinkingIwasdrowned，likely，andthatthey’dmakeagoodthingoffmygoods，Ireckon。\"
\"Butthegirl，Inez，whowaswithyou，didn’tshemakearow？\"
\"Quiensabe？\"returnedTucker，witharecklesslaugh。\"Well，I
hungonlikegrimdeathtothatboat’skeeluntiloneofthoseChinesefishermen，ina’dug—out，’hauledmeinoppositeSaucelito。
Icharteredhimandhisdug—outtobringmedownhere。\"
\"Whyhere？\"askedPatterson，withacertainostentatiouscautionthatill—concealedhispensivesatisfaction。
\"Youmaywellask，\"returnedTucker，withanequalostentationofbitterness，asheslightlywavedhiscompanionaway。\"ButI
reckonedIcouldtrustawhitemanthatI’dbeenkindto，andwhowouldn’tgobackonme。No，no，letmego！Handmeovertothesheriff！\"
Pattersonhadsuddenlygraspedboththehandsofthepicturesquescampbeforehim，withanaffectionthatforaninstantalmostshamedthemanwhohadruinedhim。ButTucker’segotismwhisperedthatthisaffectionwasonlyarecognitionofhisownsuperiority，andfeltflattered。Hewasbeginningtobelievethathewasreallytheinjuredparty。
\"WhatIHAVEandwhatIhaveHADisyours，Spence，\"returnedPatterson，withasadandsimpledirectnessthatmadeanyfurtherdiscussionagratuitousinsult。\"Ionlywantedtoknowwhatyoureckonedtodohere。\"
\"IwanttogetoveracrosstheCoastRangetoMonterey，\"saidTucker。\"Oncethere，oneofthosecoastingschoonerswillbringmedowntoAcapulco，wheretheshipwillputin。\"
Pattersonremainedsilentforamoment。\"There’samustanginthecorralyoucantake——leastways，Ishan’tknowthatit’sgone——untilto—morrowafternoon。Inanhourfromnow，\"headded，lookingfromthewindow，\"thesecloudswillsettledowntobusiness。Itwillrain;therewillbelightenoughforyoutofindyourwaybytheregulartrailoverthemountain，butnotenoughforanyonetoknowyou。Ifyoucan’tpushthroughto—night，youcanlieoverattheposadaonthesummit。Themgreasersthatkeepitwon’tknowyou，andiftheydidtheywon’tgobackonyou。Andiftheydidgobackonyou，nobodywouldbelievethem。It’smightycurious，\"headded，withgloomyphilosophy，\"butIreckonit’sthereasonwhyProvidenceallowsthiskindofcattletoliveamongwhitemenandothersmadeinhisimage。Takeapieceofpie，won’tyou？\"Hecontinued，abandoningthisabstractreflectionandproducinghalfaflatpumpkinpiefromthebar。SpencerTuckergraspedthepiewithonehandandhisfriend’sfingerswiththeother，andforafewmomentswassilentfromthehurrieddeglutitionofviandandsentiment。\"YOU’REawhiteman，Patterson，anyway，\"heresumed。
\"I’lltakeyourhorse，andputitdowninouraccount，atyourownfigure。Assoonasthiscursedthingisblownover，I’llbebackhereandseeyouthrough，youbet。Idon’tdesertmyfriends，howeverroughthingsgowithme。\"
\"Iseeyoudon’t，\"returnedPatterson，withanunconsciousandserioussimplicitythathadtheeffectofthemostexquisiteirony。
\"IwasonlyjustsayingtothesheriffthatiftherewasanythingI
couldhavedoneforyou，youwouldn’thavecutawaywithoutlettingmeknow。\"TuckerglanceduneasilyatPatterson，whocontinued，\"Yeain’twantinganythingelse？\"Thenobservingthathisformerfriendandpatronwasroughlybutnewlyclothed，andbetrayednotraceofhislastescapade，headded，\"Iseeyou’vegotafreshharness。\"
\"Thatd————dChinamanboughtmetheseatthelanding;they’renotmuchinstyleorfit，\"hecontinued，tryingtogetamoonlightviewofhimselfinthemirrorbehindthebar，\"butthatdon’tmatterhere。\"Hefilledanotherglassofspirits，jauntilysettledhimselfbackinhischair，andadded，\"Idon’tsupposethereareanygirlsaround，anyway。\"
\"’Ceptyourwife;shewasdownherethisafternoon，\"saidPattersonmeditatively。
Mr。Tuckerpausedwiththepieinhishand。\"Ah，yes！\"Heessayedarecklesslaugh，butthatevidentsimulationfailedbeforePatterson’smelancholy。Withanassumptionoffallinginwithhisfriend’smanner，ratherthanfromanypersonalanxiety，hecontinued，\"Well？\"
\"ThatmanPoindexterwasdownherewithher。Putherinthehaciendatoholdpossessionaforethenewscameout。\"
\"Impossible！\"saidTucker，risinghastily。\"Itdon’tbelong——thatis——\"hehesitated。
\"Yerthinkingthecreditors’llgetit，mebbe，\"returnedPatterson，gazingatthefloor。\"Notaslongasshe’sinit;nosir！Whetherit’sreallyhers，orshe’sonlykeepinghouseforPoindexter，she’safixture，youbet。They’reateamwhentheypulltogether，theyare！\"
ThesmileslowlyfadedfromTucker’sface，thatnowlookedquiterigidinthemoonlight。HeputdownhisglassandwalkedtothewindowasPattersongloomilycontinued，\"Butthat’snothingtoyou。
You’vegotaheadof’emboth，andhadyourrevengebygoingoffwiththegal。That’swhatIsaidallalong。Whenfolks——
especiallywomenfolks——wonderedhowyoucouldleaveawomanlikeyourwife，andgooffwithascallawaglikethatgal，Iallerssaidthey’dfindouttherewasareason。AndwhenyourwifecameflauntingdownherewithPoindexterbeforeshe’dquitegotquitofyou，Ireckontheybegantoseethewholelittlegame。Nosir！I
knewitwasn’tonaccountofthegal！Why，whenyoucamehereto—
nightandtoldmequitenat’ral—likeandeasyhowshewentoffintheship，andthencalmlyateyourpieanddrankyourwhiskeyafterit，Iknewyoudidn’tcareforher。There’smyhand，Spence;
you’reatrump，evenifyouarealittlelooney，eh？Why，what’sup？\"
ShallowandselfishasTuckerwas，Patterson’swordsseemedlikearevelationthatshockedhimasprofoundlyasitmighthaveshockedanoblernature。Thesimplevanityandselfishnessthatmadehimunabletoconceiveanyhigherreasonforhiswife’sloyaltythanhisownpersonalpopularityandsuccess，nowthathenolongerpossessedthateclat，madehimequallycapableofthelowestsuspicions。Hewasadishonoredfugitive，brokeninfortuneandreputation——whyshouldshenotdeserthim！Hehadbeenunfaithfultoherfromwildness，fromcaprice，fromtheeffectofthosefascinatingqualities;itseemedtohimnaturalthatsheshouldbedisloyalfrommoredeliberatemotives，andhehuggedhimselfwiththatbelief。Yettherewasenoughdoubt，enoughofhauntingsuspicionthathehadlostoralienatedapowerfulaffection，tomakehimthoroughlymiserable。Hereturnedhisfriend’sgraspconvulsivelyandburiedhisfaceuponhisshoulder。Buthewasnotabovefeelingacertainexultationintheeffectofhismiseryuponthedog—like，unreasoningaffectionofPatterson，norcouldheentirelyrefrainfromslightlyposinghisafflictionbeforethatsympatheticbutmelancholyman。Suddenlyheraisedhishead，drewback，andthrusthishandintohisbosomwithatheatricalgesture。
\"What’stokeepmefromkillingPoindexterinhistracks？\"hesaidwildly。
\"Nothin’butHISshootingfirst，\"returnedPatterson，withdismalpracticality。\"He’smightyquick，likeallthemarmymen。It’sabouteven，Ireckon，thathedon’tgetMEfirst，\"headdedinanominousvoice。
\"No！\"returnedTucker，graspinghishandagain。\"Thisisnotyouraffair，Patterson;leavehimtomewhenIcomeback。\"
\"Ifheevergetsthedroponme，Ireckonhewon’twait，\"continuedPattersonlugubriously。\"Heseemstoobjecttomypassin’
criticismonyourwife，asifshewasaqueenoranangel。\"
ThebloodcametoSpencer’scheek，andheturneduneasilytothewindow。\"It’sdarkenoughnowforastart，\"hesaidhurriedly，\"andifIcouldgetacrossthemountainwithoutlyingoveratthesummit，itwouldbeadaygained。\"
Pattersonarosewithoutaword，filledaflaskofspirit，handedittohisfriend，andsilentlyledthewaythroughtheslowlyfallingrainandthenowsettleddarkness。Themustangwasquicklysecuredandsaddled，aheavyponchoaffordedTuckeradisguiseaswellasaprotectionfromtherain。Withafewhurried，disconnectedwords，andanabstractedair，heoncemoreshookhisfriend’shandandissuedcautiouslyfromthecorral。Whenoutofearshotfromthehouseheputspurstothemustang，anddashedintoagallop。
Tointersectthemountainroadhewasobligedtotraversepartofthehighwayhiswifehadwalkedthatafternoon，andtopasswithinamileofthecasawhereshewas。Longbeforehereachedthatpointhiseyeswerestrainingthedarknessinthatdirectionforsomeindicationofthehousewhichwastohimfamiliar。Becomingnowaccustomedtotheevenobscurity，lesstryingtothevisionthanthealternatelightandshadowofcloudorthefullglareofthemoonlight，hefanciedhecoulddistinguishitslowwallsoverthemonotonouslevel。Oneofthoseimpulseswhichhadsooftentakentheplaceofresolutioninhischaractersuddenlypossessedhimtodivergefromhiscourseandapproachthehouse。Why，hecouldnothaveexplained。Itwasnotfromanyfeelingofjealoussuspicionorcontemplatedrevenge——thathadpassedwiththepresenceofPatterson;itwasnotfromanyvaguelingeringsentimentforthewomanhehadwronged——hewouldhaveshrunkfrommeetingheratthatmoment。Butitwasfulloftheseandmorepossibilitiesbywhichhemightormightnotbeguided，andwasatleastamovementtowardssomevagueend，andadistractionfromcertainthoughtshedarednotentertainandcouldnotentirelydismiss。Inconceivableandinexplicabletohumanreason，itmighthavebeenacceptabletotheDivineomniscienceforitspredestinedresult。
Helefttheroadatapointwherethemarshencroacheduponthemeadow，familiartohimalreadyasnearthespotwherehehadembarkedfromtheChinaman’sboatthedaybefore。Herememberedthatthewallsofthehaciendaweredistinctlyvisiblefromthetuleswherehehadhiddenallday，andhenowknewthatthefigureshehadobservednearthebuilding，whichhaddeterredhisfirstattemptsatlanding，musthavebeenhiswifeandhisfriend。Heknewthatalongtongueofthesloughfilledbytherisingtidefollowedthemarsh，andlaybetweenhimandthehacienda。Thesinkingofhishorse’shoofsinthespongysoildetermineditsproximity，andhemadeadetourtotherighttoavoidit。Indoingso，alightsuddenlyroseabovethedistanthorizonaheadofhim，trembledfaintly，andthenburnedwithasteadylustre。Itwasalightatthehacienda。Guidinghishorsehalfabstractedlyinthisdirection，hisprogresswaspresentlycheckedbythesplashingoftheanimal’shoofsinthewater。Buttheturfbelowwasfirm，andasaltdropthathadspatteredtohislipstoldhimthatitwasonlytheencroachingofthetideinthemeadow。Withhiseyesonthelight，heagainurgedhishorseforward。Therainlulled，thecloudsbegantobreak，thelandscapealternatelylightenedandgrewdark;theoutlinesofthecrumblinghaciendawallsthatenshrinedthelightgrewmorevisible。Astrangeanddreamyresemblancetothelongblue—grassplainbeforehiswife’spaternalhouse，asseenbyhimduringhiseveningridestocourtship，presseditselfuponhim。Heremembered，too，thatsheusedtoputalightinthewindowtoindicateherpresence。Followingthisretrospect，themooncameboldlyout，sparkledupontheoverflowofsilverathisfeet，seemedtoshowthedark，opaquemeadowbeyondforamoment，andthendisappeared。Itwasdarknow，butthelesserearthlystarstillshonebeforehimasaguide，andpushingtowardsit，hepassedintheall—embracingshadow。
CHAPTERIV
AsMrs。Tucker，erect，white，andrigid，droveawayfromthetienda，itseemedtohertosinkagainintothemonotonousplain，withallitshorriblerealities。Exceptthattherewasnowanewandheart—breakingsignificancetothesolitudeandlonelinessofthelandscape，allthathadpassedmighthavebeenadream。Butasthebloodcamebacktohercheek，andlittlebylittlehertinglingconsciousnessreturned，itseemedasifherlifehadbeenthedream，andthislastscenetheawakeningreality。Witheyessmartingwiththemoistureofshame，thescarletbloodattimesdyeingherveryneckandtemples，shemuffledherloweredcrestinhershawlandbentoverthereins。Bitbybitsherecalled，inPoindexter’smysteriouscautionandstrangeallusions，thecorroborationofherhusband’sshameandherowndisgrace。Thiswaswhyshewasbroughthither——thedesertedwife，andabandonedconfederate！Themockingglitteroftheconcavevaultaboveher，scouredbytheincessantwind，thecoldstareoftheshiningpoolsbeyond，thehardoutlinesoftheCoastRange，andthejarringaccompanimentofherhorse’shoofsandrattlingbuggywheelsalternatelygoadedanddistractedher。Shefoundherselfrepeating\"No！no！no！\"withthedoggedreiterationoffever。Shescarcelyknewwhenorhowshereachedthehacienda。Shewasonlyconsciousthatassheenteredthepatiothedustysolitudethathadbeforefilledherwithunrestnowcametoherlikebalm。Abenumbingpeaceseemedtofallfromthecrumblingwalls;thepeaceofutterseclusion，isolation，oblivion，death！Nevertheless，anhourlater，whenthejingleofspursandbridlewereagainheardintheroad，shestartedtoherfeetwithbentbrowsandakindlingeye，andconfrontedCaptainPoindexterinthecorridor。
\"Iwouldnothaveintrudeduponyousosoonagain，\"hesaidgravely，\"butIthoughtImightperhapsspareyouarepetitionofthesceneofthismorning。Hearmeout，please，\"headded，withagentle，half—deprecatinggesture，assheliftedthebeautifulscornofhereyestohis。\"Ihavejustheardthatyourneighbor，DonJoseSantierra，ofLosGatos，isonhiswaytothishouse。Heonceclaimedthisland，andhatedyourhusband，whoboughtoftherivalclaimant，whosegrantwasconfirmed。Itellyouthis，\"headded，slightlyflushingasMrs。Tuckerturnedimpatientlyaway，\"onlytoshowyouthatlegallyhehasnorights，andyouneednotseehimunlessyouchoose。Icouldnotstophiscomingwithoutperhapsdoingyoumoreharmthangood;butwhenhedoescome，mypresenceunderthisroofasyourlegalcounselwillenableyoutoreferhimtome。\"Hestopped。Shewaspacingthecorridorwithshort，impatientsteps，herarmsdropped，andherhandsclaspedrigidlybeforeher。\"HaveIyourpermissiontostay？\"
Shesuddenlystoppedinherwalk，approachedhimrapidly，andfixinghereyesonhis，said，——
\"DoIknowALL，now——everything？\"
Hecouldonlyreplythatshehadnotyettoldhimwhatshehadheard。
\"Well，\"shesaidscornfully，\"thatmyhusbandhasbeencruellyimposedupon——imposeduponbysomewretchedwoman，whohasmadehimsacrificehisproperty，hisfriends，hishonor——everythingbutme？\"
\"Everythingbutwhom？\"gaspedPoindexter。
\"ButME！\"
Poindextergazedatthesky，theair，thedesertedcorridor，thestonesofthepatioitself，andthenattheinexplicablewomanbeforehim。Thenhesaidgravely，\"Ithinkyouknoweverything。\"
\"Thenifmyhusbandhasleftmeallhecould——thisproperty，\"shewentonrapidly，twistingherhandkerchiefbetweenherfingers，\"I
candowithitwhatIlike，can’tI？\"
\"Youcertainlycan。\"
\"Thensellit，\"shesaid，withpassionatevehemence。\"Sellit——
all！everything！Andsellthese。\"Shedartedintoherbedroom，andreturnedwiththediamondringsshehadtornfromherfingersandearswhensheenteredthehouse。\"Sellthemforanythingthey’llbring，onlysellthematonce。\"
\"Butforwhat？\"askedPoindexter，withdemurelipsbuttwinklingeyes。
\"Topaythedebtsthatthis——this——womanhasledhiminto;toreturnthemoneyshehasstolen！\"shewentonrapidly，\"tokeephimfromsharingherinfamy！Can’tyouunderstand？\"
\"But，mydearmadam，\"beganPoindexter，\"evenifthiscouldbedone——\"
\"Don’ttellme’ifitcould’——itMUSTbedone。DoyouthinkI
couldsleepunderthisroof，proppedupbythetimbersofthatruinedtienda？DoyouthinkIcouldwearthosediamondsagain，whilethattermagantshop—womancansaythathermoneyboughtthem？
No。Ifyouaremyhusband’sfriendyouwilldothis——for——forhissake。\"Shestopped，lockedandinterlockedhercoldfingersbeforeher，andsaid，hesitatingandmechanically，\"Youmeantwell，CaptainPoindexter，inbringingmehere，Iknow！YoumustnotthinkthatIblameyouforit，orforthemiserableresultofitthatyouhavejustwitnessed。ButifIhavegainedanythingbyit，forGod’ssakeletmereapitquickly，thatImaygiveittothesepeopleandgo！IhaveafriendwhocanaidmetogettomyhusbandortomyhomeinKentucky，whereSpencerwillyetfindme，Iknow。
Iwantnothingmore。\"Shestoppedagain。Withanotherwomanthepausewouldhavebeenoneoftears。Butshekeptherheadabovethefloodthatfilledherheart，andthecleareyesfixeduponPoindexter，albeitpained，wereundimmed。
\"Butthiswouldrequiretime，\"saidPoindexter，withasmileofcompassionateexplanation;\"youcouldnotsellnow，nobodywouldbuy。Youaresafetoholdthispropertywhileyouareinactualpossession，butyouarenotstrongenoughtoguaranteeittoanother。Theremaystillbelitigation;yourhusbandhasothercreditorsthanthesepeopleyouhavetalkedwith。Butwhilenobodycouldoustyou——thewifewhowouldhavethesympathiesofjudgeandjury——itmightbeadifferentcasewithanyonewhoderivedtitlefromyou。Anypurchaserwouldknowthatyoucouldnotsell，orifyoudid，itwouldbeataridiculoussacrifice。\"
Shelistenedtohimabstractedly，walkedtotheendofthecorridor，returned，andwithoutlookingup，said，——
\"Isupposeyouknowher？\"
\"Ibegyourpardon？\"
\"Thiswoman。Youhaveseenher？\"
\"Never，tomyknowledge。\"
\"Andyouarehisfriend！That’sstrange。\"Sheraisedhereyestohis。\"Well，\"shecontinuedimpatiently，\"whoisshe？andwhatisshe？Youknowthatsurely？\"
\"IknownomoreofherthanwhatIhavesaid，\"saidPoindexter。
\"Sheisanotoriouswoman。\"
TheswiftcolorcametoMrs。Tucker’sfaceasiftheepithethadbeenappliedtoherself。\"Isuppose，\"shesaidinadryvoice，asifshewereaskingabusinessquestion，butwithaneyethatshowedherrisinganger，——\"Isupposethereissomelawbywhichcreaturesofthiskindcanbefollowedandbroughttojustice——somelawthatwouldkeepinnocentpeoplefromsufferingfortheircrimes？\"
\"Iamafraid，\"saidPoindexter，\"thatarrestingherwouldhardlyhelpthesepeopleoverinthetienda。\"
\"Iamnotspeakingofthem，\"respondedMrs。Tucker，withasuddensublimecontemptforthepeoplewhosecauseshehadespoused：\"Iamtalkingofmyhusband。\"
Poindexterbithislip。\"You’dhardlythinkofbringingbackthestrongestwitnessagainsthim，\"hesaidbluntly。
Mrs。Tuckerdroppedhereyesandwassilent。AsuddenshamesuffusedPoindexter’scheek;hefeltasifhehadstruckthatwomanablow。\"Ibegyourpardon，\"hesaidhastily，\"Iamtalkinglikealawyertoalawyer。\"Hewouldhavetakenanyotherwomanbythehandinthehonestfullnessofhisapology，butsomethingrestrainedhimhere。Heonlylookeddowngentlyonherloweredlashes，andrepeatedhisquestionifheshouldremainduringthecominginterviewwithDonJose：\"Imustbegyoutodeterminequickly，\"headded，\"forIalreadyhearhimenteringthegate。\"
\"Stay，\"saidMrs。Tucker，astheringingofspursandclatterofhoofscamefromthecorral。\"Onemoment。\"Shelookedupsuddenly，andsaid，\"Howlonghadheknownher？\"Butbeforehecouldreplytherewasastepinthedoorway，andthefigureofDonJoseSantierraemergedfromthearchway。
Hewasamanslightlypastmiddleage，fairandwellshaven，wearingablackbroadclothserape，thedeeplyembroideredopeningofwhichformedacollarofsilverraysaroundhisneck，whilearowofsilverbuttonsdownthesideseamsofhisridingtrousers，andsilverspurs，completedhissingularequipment。Mrs。Tucker’sswiftfeminineglancetookinthesedetails，aswellasthedeepsalutation，moreformalthantheexuberantfrontierpolitenessshewasaccustomedto，withwhichhegreetedher。Itwasenoughtoarrestherfirstimpulsetoretreat。ShehesitatedandstoppedasPoindextersteppedforward，partlyinterposingbetweenthem，acknowledgingDonJose’sdistantrecognitionofhimselfwithanironicalaccessionofhisusualhumoroustolerance。TheSpaniarddidnotseemtonoticeit，butremainedgravelysilentbeforeMrs。
Tucker，gazingatherwithanexpressionofintentandunconsciousabsorption。
\"Youarequiteright，DonJose，\"saidPoindexter，withironicalconcern，\"itisMrs。Tucker。YoureyesdoNOTdeceiveyou。Shewillbegladtodothehonorsofherhouse，\"hecontinued，withasimulationofappealingtoher，\"unlessyouvisitheronbusiness，whenIneednotsayIshallbeonlytoohappy，toattendyou，asbefore。\"
DonJose，withaslightliftingoftheeyebrows，allowedhimselftobecomeconsciousofthelawyer’smeaning。\"ItisnotofbusinessthatIcometokisstheSenora’shandto—day，\"hereplied，withamelancholysoftness;\"itisasherneighbor，toputmyselfatherdisposition。Ah！thewhathavewehereforalady？\"hecontinued，raisinghiseyesindeprecationofthesurroundings;\"ahouseofnothing，aplaceofwindsanddrybones，withoutrefreshments，orsatisfaction，ordelicacy。TheSenorawillnotrefusetomakeusproudthisdaytosendherofthatwhichwehaveinourpoorhomeatLosGatos，tomakehermorecomplete。Ofwhatshallitbe？Lethermakechoice。OrifshewouldcommemoratethisdaybyacceptingofourhospitalityatLosGatos，untilsheshallarrangeherselfthemoretoreceiveushere，weshallhavetoomuchhonor。\"
\"TheSenorawouldonlyfinditthemoredifficulttoreturntothishumbleroofagain，afteronceleavingitforDonJose’shospitality，\"
saidPoindexter，withademureglanceatMrs。Tucker。Buttheinnuendoseemedtolapseequallyunheededbyhisfairclientandthestranger。RaisinghereyeswithacertaintimiddignitywhichDonJose’spresenceseemedtohavecalledout，sheaddressedherselftohim。
\"Youareverykindandconsiderate，MisterSantierra，andIthankyou。Iknowthatmyhusband\"——shelettheclearbeautyofhertranslucenteyesrestfullonbothmen——\"wouldthankyoutoo。ButIshallnotbeherelongenoughtoacceptyourkindnessinthishouseorinyourown。Ihavebutonedesireandobjectnow。Itistodisposeofthisproperty，andindeedallIpossess，topaythedebtofmyhusband。Itisinyourpower，perhaps，tohelpme。I
amtoldthatyouwishtopossessLosCuervos，\"shewenton，equallyobliviousoftheconsciousnessthatappearedinDonJose’sface，andahumorousperplexityonthebrowofPoindexter。\"IfyoucanarrangeitwithMr。Poindexter，youwillfindmealiberalvendor。
Thatmuchyoucando，andIknowyouwillbelieveIshallbegrateful。Youcandonomore，unlessitbetosaytoyourfriendsthatMrs。BelleTuckerremainshereonlyforthatpurpose，andtocarryoutwhatsheknowstobethewishesofherhusband。\"Shepaused，bentherprettycrest，droppedaquaintcurtseytothesuperiorage，thesilverbraid，andthegentlemanlybearingofDonJose，andwiththepassingsunshineofasmiledisappearedfromthecorridor。
Thetwomenremainedsilentforamoment，DonJosegazingabstractedlyonthedoorthroughwhichshehadvanished，untilPoindexter，withareturnofhistolerantsmile，said，\"YouhaveheardtheviewsofMrs。Tucker。Youknowthesituationaswellasshedoes。\"
\"Ah，yes;possiblybetter。\"
Poindexterdartedaquickglanceatthegrave，sallowfaceofDonJose，butdetectingnounusualsignificanceinhismanner，continued，\"Asyousee，sheleavesthismatterinmyhands。Letustalklikebusinessmen。Haveyouanyideaofpurchasingthisproperty？\"
\"Ofpurchasing，ah，no。\"
Poindexterbenthisbrows，butquicklyrelaxedthemwithasmileofhumorousforgiveness。\"Ifyouhaveanyotheridea，DonJose，I
oughttowarnyou，asMrs。Tucker’slawyer，thatsheisinlegalpossessionhere，andthatnothingbutherownactcanchangethatposition。\"
\"Ah，so。\"
Irritatedattheshrugwhichaccompaniedthis，Poindextercontinuedhaughtily，\"IfIamtounderstand，youhavenothingtosay——\"
\"Tosay，ah，yes，possibly。But\"——heglancedtowardthedoorofMrs。Tucker’sroom——\"nothere。\"Hestopped，appearedtorecallhimself，andwithanapologeticsmileandastudiedbutgracefulgestureofinvitation，hemotionedtothegateway，andsaid，\"Willyouride？\"
\"Whatcanthefellowbeupto？\"mutteredPoindexter，aswithanassentingnodheproceededtoremounthishorse。\"Ifhewasn’tanoldhidalgo，I’dmistrusthim。Nomatter！heregoes！\"
TheDonalsoremountedhishalf—brokenmustang;theyproceededinsolemnsilencethroughthecorral，andsidebysideemergedontheopenplain。Poindexterglancedaround;nootherbeingwasinsight。ItwasnotuntilthelonelyhaciendahadalsosunkbehindthemthatDonJosebrokethesilence。
\"Yousayjustnowweshallspeakasbusinessmen。Isayno，DonMarco;Iwillnot。Ishallspeak，weshallspeak，asgentlemen。\"
\"Goon，\"saidPoindexter，whowasbeginningtobeamused。
\"IsayjustnowIwillnotpurchasetheranchofromtheSenora。
Andwhy？Lookyou，DonMarco;\"hereinedinhishorse，thrusthishandunderhisserape，anddrewoutafoldeddocument：\"thisiswhy。\"
Withasmile，Poindextertookthepaperfromhishandandopenedit。Butthesmilefadedfromhislipsasheread。WithblazingeyeshespurredhishorsebesidetheSpaniard，almostunseatinghim，andsaidsternly，\"Whatdoesthismean？\"
\"Whatdoesitmean？\"repeatedDonJose，withequallyflashingeyes，\"I’lltellyou。Itmeansthatyourclient，thismanSpencerTucker，isaJudas，atraitor！ItmeansthathegaveLosCuervostohismistressayearago，andthatshesoldittome——tome，youhear！——ME，JoseSantierra，thedaybeforesheleft！ItmeansthatthecoyoteofaSpencer，thethief，whoboughttheselandsofathief，andgavethemtoathief，hastrickedyouall。Look，\"hesaid，risinginhissaddle，holdingthepaperlikeabaton，anddefiningwithasweepofhisarmthewholelevelplain，\"alltheselandswereoncemine，theyaremineagainto—day。DoIwanttopurchaseLosCuervos？youask，foryouwillspeakoftheBUSINESS。
Well，listen。IHAVEpurchasedLosCuervos，andhereisthedeed。\"
\"Butithasneverbeenrecorded，\"saidPoindexter，withacarelessnesshewasfarfromfeeling。
\"Ofaverity，no。DoyouwishthatIshouldrecordit？\"askedDonJose，withareturnofhissimplegravity。
Poindexterbithislip。\"Yousaidweweretotalklikegentlemen，\"
hereturned。\"Doyouthinkyouhavecomeintopossessionofthisallegeddeedlikeagentleman？\"
DonJoseshruggedhisshoulders。\"Ifoundittossedinthelapofaharlot。Iboughtitforasong。Eh，whatwouldyou？\"
\"Wouldyousellitagainforasong？\"askedPoindexter。
\"Ah！whatisthis？\"saidDonJose，liftinghisiron—graybrows;
\"butamomentagowewouldselleverything，foranymoney。Nowwewouldbuy。Isitso？\"
\"Onemoment，DonJose，\"saidPoindexter，withabalefullightinhisdarkeyes。\"DoIunderstandthatyouaretheallyofSpencerTuckerandhismistress，thatyouintendtoturnthisdoublybetrayedwifefromtheonlyroofshehastocoverher？\"
\"Ah，Icomprehendnot。Youheardhersayshewishedtogo。
PerhapsitmaypleaseMEtodistributelargesstothesecattleyonder，Idonotsayno。Moreshedoesnotask。ButYOU，DonMarco，ofwhomareyouadvocate？Youabandonyourclient’smistressforthewife，isitso？\"
\"WhatImaydoyouwilllearnhereafter，\"saidPoindexter，whohadregainedhiscomposure，suddenlyreininguphishorse。\"Asourpathsseemlikelytodiverge，theyhadbetterbeginnow。Goodmorning。\"
\"Patience，myfriend，patience！Ah，blessedSt。Anthony，whattheseAmericansare！Listen。ForwhatYOUshalldo，Idonotinquire。ThequestionistomewhatI\"——heemphasizedthepronounbytappinghimselfonthebreast——\"I，JoseSantierra，willdo。
Well，Ishalltellyou。To—day，nothing。To—morrow，nothing。Foraweek，foramonth，nothing！After，weshallsee。\"
Poindexterpausedthoughtfully。\"Willyougiveyourword，DonJose，thatyouwillnotpresstheclaimforamonth？\"
\"Truly，ononecondition。Observe！Idonotaskyouforanequalpromise，thatyouwillnottakethistimetodefendyourself。\"Heshruggedhisshoulders。\"No！Itisonlythis。YoushallpromisethatduringthattimetheSenoraTuckershallremainignorantofthisdocument。\"
Poindexterhesitatedamoment。\"Ipromise，\"hesaidatlast。
\"Good。Adios，DonMarco。\"
\"Adios，DonJose。\"
TheSpaniardputspurstohismustangandgallopedoffinthedirectionofLosGatos。Thelawyerremainedforamomentgazingonhisretreatingbutvictoriousfigure。ForthefirsttimetheoldlookofhumoroustolerationwithwhichMr。Poindexterwasinthehabitofregardingallhumaninfirmitygavewaytosomethinglikebitterness。\"Imighthaveguessedit，\"hesaid，withaslightriseofcolor。\"He’sanoldfool;andshe——well，perhapsit’sallthebetterforher！\"HeglancedbackwardsalmosttenderlyinthedirectionofLosCuervos，andthenturnedhisheadtowardstheembarcadero。
Astheafternoonworeon，acreaking，antiquatedox—cartarrivedatLosCuervos，bearingseveralarticlesoffurniture，andsometastefulornamentsfromLosGatos，atthesametimethatayoungMexicangirlmysteriouslyappearedinthekitchen，asatemporaryassistanttothedecrepitConcha。ThesewerebothclearlyattributabletoDonJose，whosevisitwasnotsoremotebutthatthesedelicateattentionsmighthavebeenalreadyprojectedbeforeMrs。Tuckerhaddeclinedthem，andshecouldnot，withoutmarkeddiscourtesy，returnthemnow。Shedidnotwishtoseemdiscourteous;shewouldliketohavebeenmoreciviltothisoldgentleman，whostillretainedtheevidencesofapicturesqueanddecorouspast，andareposesodifferentfromthelifethatwasperplexingher。Reflectingthatifheboughttheestatethesethingswouldbereadytohishand，andwithawoman’sinstinctrecognizingtheirvalueinsettingoffthehousetootherpurchasers’eyes，shetookapleasureintastefullyarrangingthem，andevenfoundherselfspeculatinghowshemighthaveenjoyedthemherselfhadshebeenabletokeeppossessionoftheproperty。
Afterall，itwouldnothavebeensolonelyifrefinedandgentleneighbors，likethisoldman，wouldhavesympathizedwithher;shehadaninstinctivefeelingthat，intheirownhopelessdecayandhereditaryunfitnessforthisnewcivilization，theywouldhavebeenmoretolerantofherhusband’sfailurethanhisownkind。ShecouldnotbelievethatDonJosereallyhatedherhusbandforbuyingofthesuccessfulclaimant，astherewasnootherlegaltitle。
Allowingherselftobecomeinterestedintheguilelessgossipofthenewhandmaiden，proudofherbrokenEnglish，shewasdrawnintoasympathywiththegravesimplicityofDonJose’scharacter，arelicofthattruenobilitywhichplacedthisdescendantoftheCastiliansandthedaughterofafreepeopleonthesamelevel。
InthiswaytheseconddayofheroccupancyofLosCuervosclosed，withdumbcloudsalongthegrayhorizon，andtheparoxysmsofhystericalwindgrowingfainterandfainteroutsidethewalls;withthemoonrisingafternightfall，andlosingitselfinsilentandmysteriousconfidenceswithdriftingscud。Shewenttobedearly，butwokepastmidnight，hearing，asshethought，herownnamecalled。Theimpressionwassostronguponherthatsherose，and，hastilyenwrappingherself，wenttothedarkembrasuresoftheoven—shapedwindows，andlookedout。Thedwarfedoakbesidethewindowwasstilldroppingfromapastshower，butthelevelwasteofmarshandmeadowbeyondseemedtoadvanceandrecedewiththecomingandgoingofthemoon。Againsheheardhernamecalled，andthistimeinaccentssostrangelyfamiliarthatwithaslightcrysheranintothecorridor，crossedthepatio，andreachedtheopengate。Thedarknessthathad，eveninthisbriefinterval，againfallenupontheprospectshetriedinvaintopiercewitheyeandvoice。Ablanksilencefollowed。Thentheveilwassuddenlywithdrawn;thevastplain，stretchingfromthemountaintothesea，shoneasclearlyasinthelightofday;themovingcurrentofthechannelglitteredlikeblackpearls，thestagnantpoolslikemoltenlead;butnotasignoflifenormotionbrokethemonotonyofthebroadexpanse。Shemusthavesurelydreamedit。Achillwinddroveherbacktothehouseagain;sheenteredherbedroom，andinhalfanhourshewasinapeacefulsleep。
CHAPTERV
Thetwomenkepttheirsecret。Mr。PoindexterconvincedMrs。
TuckerthatthesaleofLosCuervoscouldnotbeeffecteduntilthenotorietyofherhusband’sflighthadbeenfairlyforgotten，andshewasforcedtoacceptherfate。Thesaleofherdiamonds，whichseemedtohertohaverealizedasingularlyextravagantsum，enabledhertoquietlyreinstatethePattersonsinthetiendaandtodischargeinfullherhusband’sliabilitiestotherancherosandhishumblerretainers。
Meanwhilethewinterrainshadceased。Itseemedtoherasifthecloudshadsuddenlyonenightstrucktheirwhitetentsandstolenaway，leavingtheunvanquishedsuntomountthevacantskythenextmorningalone，andpossessitthenceforwardunchallenged。Oneafternoonshethoughtthelongsadwastebeforeherwindowhadcaughtsometintofgayercolorfromthesunset;aweeklatershefounditablazinglandscapeofpoppies，brokenhereandtherebybluelagoonsoflupine，bypoolsofdaisies，bybanksofdog—roses，bybroadoutlyingshoresofdandelionsthatscatteredtheirlavishgoldtothefootofthehills，wherethegreenbillowsofwildoatscarrieditonandupwardstothedarkercrestofpines。Fortwomonthsshewasdazzledandbewilderedwithcolor。ShehadneverbeforebeenfacetofacewiththisspendthriftCalifornianFlora，inhervirginwastefulness，hermorethangoddess—likeprodigality。
Theteemingearthseemedtoquickenandthrobbeneathherfeet;thefewcircuitsofaplougharoundtheoutlyingcorralwereenoughtocalloutajunglegrowthofgiantgrainthatalmosthidthelowwallsofthehacienda。Inthisgloriousfecundityoftheearth，inthisjoyousrenewaloflifeandcolor，inthisopulentyouthandfreshnessofsoilandsky，italoneremained，thedeadandsterilePast，leftinthemidstofbuoyantrejuvenescenceandresurrection，likeanemptychurchyardskullupturnedonthespringingturf。Itsbronzedadobewallsmockedthegreenvinethatembracedthem，thecrumblingdustofitscourtyardremainedungerminatingandunfruitful;tothethousandstirringvoiceswithout，itsdrylipsaloneremainedmute，unresponsiveandunchanged。
DuringthistimeDonJosehadbecomeafrequentvisitoratLosCuervos，bringingwithhimatfirsthisnieceandsisterinastatelyprecisionofpolitenessthatwasnotlostontheproudBlueGrassstranger。ShereturnedtheirvisitatLosGatos，andtheremadetheformalacquaintanceofDonJose’sgrandmother，aladywhostillregardedthedecrepitConchaasagiddymuchacha，andwhoherselfglitteredaswiththephosphorescenceofrefineddecay。
ThroughthiscircumstanceshelearnedthatDonJosewasnotyetfifty，andthathisgravityofmannerandsedatenesswasmoretheresultoffastidiousisolationandtemperamentthanyears。Shecouldnottellwhytheinformationgaveherafeelingofannoyance，butitcausedhertoregrettheabsenceofPoindexter，andtowonder，alsosomewhatnervously，whyhehadlatelyavoidedherpresence。ThethoughtthathemightbedoingsofromarecollectionoftheinnuendoesofMrs。Pattersoncausedalittletremorofindignationinherpulses。\"Asif——\"butshedidnotfinishthesentenceeventoherself，andhereyesfilledwithbittertears。
Yetshehadthoughtofthehusbandwhohadsocruellywrongedherlessfeverishly，lessimpatientlythanbefore。Forshethoughtshelovedhimnowthemoredeeply，because，althoughshewasnotreconciledtohisabsence，itseemedtokeepalivethememoryofwhathehadbeenbeforehisonewildactseparatedthem。Shehadneverseenthereflectionofanotherwoman’seyesinhis;thepastcontainednohauntingrecollectionofwaningoralienatedaffection;shecouldmeethimagain，and，claspingherarmsaroundhim，awakenasiffromatroubleddreamwithoutreproachorexplanation。Herstrongbeliefinthismadeherpatient;shenolongersoughttoknowtheparticularsofhisflight，andneverdreamedthatherpassivesubmissiontohisabsencewaspartlyduetoafearthatsomethinginhisactualpresenceatthatmomentwouldhavedestroyedthatbeliefforever。
ForthisreasonthedelicatereticenceofthepeopleatLosGatos，andtheirseclusionfromtheworldwhichknewofherhusband’sfault，hadmadeherencouragethevisitsofDonJose，untilfromtheinstinctalreadyalludedtosheonedaysummonedPoindextertoLosCuervos，onthedaythatDonJoseusuallycalled。Buttohersurprisethetwomenmetmoreorlessawkwardlyandcoldly，andhertactashostesswastriedtotheutmosttokeeptheirevidentantagonismfrombeingtooapparent。Theefforttoreconciletheirmutualdiscontent，andsomeotherfeelingshedidnotquiteunderstand，producedanervousexcitementwhichcalledthebloodtohercheekandgaveadangerousbrilliancytohereyes，twocircumstancesnotunnoticednorunappreciatedbyhertwoguests。
Butinsteadofreunitingthem，theprettierMrs。Tuckerbecame，themoredistantandreservedgrewthemen，untilDonJoserosebeforetheusualhour，andwithmorethanusualceremoniousnessdeparted。
\"ThenmybusinessdoesnotseemtobewithHIM？\"saidPoindexter，withquietcoolness，asMrs。Tuckerturnedhersomewhatmystifiedfacetowardshim。\"Orhaveyouanythingtosaytomeabouthiminprivate？\"
\"IamsureIdon’tknowwhatyoubothmean，\"shereturnedwithaslighttremorofvoice。\"Ihadnoideayouwerenotongoodterms。
Ithoughtyouwere！It’sveryawkward。\"Withoutcoquetryandunconsciouslysheraisedherblueeyesunderherlidsuntiltheclearpupilscoylyandsoftlyhidthemselvesinthecornersofthebrownlashes，andadded，\"Youhavebothbeensokindtome。\"
\"Perhapsthatisthereason，\"saidPoindexter，gravely。ButMrs。
Tuckerrefusedtoacceptthesuggestionwithequalgravity，andbegantolaugh。Thelaugh，whichwasatfirstfrank，spontaneous，andalmostchild—like，wasbecominghystericalandnervousasshewenton，untilitwassuddenlycheckedbyPoindexter。
\"IhavehadnodifficultieswithDonJoseSantierra，\"hesaid，somewhatcoldlyignoringherhilarity，\"butperhapsheisnotinclinedtobeaspolitetothefriendofthehusbandasheistothewife。\"
\"Mr。Poindexter！\"saidMrs。Tuckerquickly，herfacebecomingpaleagain。
\"Ibegyourpardon！\"saidPoindexter，flushing;\"but——\"
\"Youwanttosay，\"sheinterruptedcoolly，\"thatyouarenotfriends，Isee。Isthatthereasonwhyyouhaveavoidedthishouse？\"shecontinuedgently。
\"IthoughtIcouldbeofmoreservicetoyouelsewhere，\"herepliedevasively。\"Ihavebeenlatelyfollowingupacertainclueratherclosely。IthinkIamonthetrackofaconfidanteof——of——thatwoman。\"
AquickshadowpassedoverMrs。Tucker’sface。\"Indeed！\"shesaidcoldly。\"ThenIamtobelievethatyouprefertospendyourleisuremomentsinlookingafterthatcreaturetocallinghere？\"
Poindexterwasstupefied。Wasthisthewomanwhoonlyfourmonthsagowasalmostvindictivelyeagertopursueherhusband’sparamour！
Therecouldbebutoneanswertoit——DonJose！Fourmonthsagohewouldhavesmiledcompassionatelyatitfromhiscynicalpre—
eminence。Nowhemanagedwithdifficultytostiflethebitternessofhisreply。
\"Ifyoudonotwishtheinquirycarriedon，\"hebegan，\"ofcourse——\"
\"I？Whatdoesitmattertome？\"shesaidcoolly。\"Doasyouplease。\"
Nevertheless，halfanhourlater，ashewasleaving，shesaid，withacertainhesitatingtimidity，\"Donotleavemesomuchalonehere，andletthatwomango。\"
Thiswasnottheonlyunlooked—forsequeltoherinnocentdesiretopropitiateherbestfriends。DonJosedidnotcallagainuponhisusualday，butinhisplacecameDonaClara，hisyoungersister。
WhenMrs。TuckerhadpolitelyaskedaftertheabsentDonJose，DonaClarawoundherswarthyarmsaroundthefairAmerican’swaistandreplied，\"ButwhydidyousendfortheabogadoPoindexterwhenmybrothercalled？\"
\"ButCaptainPoindextercallsasoneofmyfriends，\"saidtheamazedMrs。Tucker。\"Heisagentleman，andhasbeenasoldierandanofficer，\"sheaddedwithsomewarmth。
\"Ah，yes，asoldierofthelaw，whatyoucallanoficialdepolicia，achiefofgendarmes，mysister，butnotagentleman——acamarerotoprotectalady。\"
Mrs。Tuckerwouldhaveutteredahastyreply，buttheperfectandgood—naturedsimplicityofDonaClarawithheldher。Nevertheless，shetreatedDonJosewithacertainreserveattheirnextmeeting，untilitbroughtthesimple—mindedCastiliansodangerouslynearthepointofdemandinganexplanationwhichimpliedtoomuchthatshewasobligedtorestorehimtemporarilytohisoldfooting。
Meantimeshehadabrilliantidea。ShewouldwritetoCalhounWeaver，whomshehadavoidedsincethatmemorableday。Shewouldsayshewishedtoconsulthim。HewouldcometoLosCuervos;hemightsuggestsomethingtolightenthiswearywaiting;atleastshewouldshowthemallthatshehadstilloldfriends。YetshedidnotdreamofreturningtoherBlueGrasshome;herparentshaddiedsincesheleft;sheshrankfromthethoughtofdraggingherruinedlifebeforethehopefulyouthofhergirlhood’scompanions。
Mr。CalhounWeaverarrivedpromptly，ostentatiously，oracularly，andcordially，butalittlecoarsely。Hehad——didsheremember？——
expectedthisfromthefirst。Spencerhadlosthisheadthroughvanity，andhadattemptedtoomuch。Itrequiredforesightandfirmness，ashehimself——whohadlatelymadesuccessful\"combinations\"whichshemightperhapshaveheardof——wellknew。
ButSpencerhadgotthe\"bighead。\"\"Astothatwoman——adevilishhandsomewomantoo！——well，everybodyknewthatSpenceralwayshadaweaknessthatway，andhewouldsay——butifshedidn’tcaretohearanymoreabouther——well，perhapsshewasright。Thatwasthebestwaytotakeit。\"Sittingbeforeher，prosperous，weak，egotistical，incompetent，unavailable，andyetfilledwithavaguekindlinessofintent，Mrs。Tuckerloathedhim。Asickeningperceptionofherownweaknessinsendingforhim，anewandachingsenseofherutterisolationandhelplessness，seemedtoparalyzeher。
\"Nat’rallyyoufeelbad，\"hecontinued，withthelargeairofaprofoundstudentofhumannature。\"Nat’rally，nat’rallyyou’rekeptinanuncomfortablestate，notknowingjisthowyoustand。
Thereain’tbutonethingtodo。Jistriseup，quietlike，andgetadivorceaginSpencer。Holdon！Thereain’tajudgeorjuryinCaliforniathatwouldn’tgiveittoyourightoffthenail，withoutaskingquestions。Why，you’ldgetitbydefaultifyouwantedto;
you’ldjusthavetowalkoverthecourse！Andthen，Belle，\"hedrewhischairstillnearerher，\"whenyou’vesettleddownagain——
well！——Idon’tmindrenewingthatofferIoncemadeye，beforeSpencerevercameroundye——Idon’tmind，Belle，IswearIdon’t！
HonestInjin！I’minearnest，there’smyhand！\"
Mrs。Tucker’sreplyhasnotbeenrecorded。EnoughthathalfanhourlaterMr。Weaverappearedinthecourtyardwithtracesoftearsonhisfoolishface，abrokenfalsettovoice，andotherevidenceofmentalandmoraldisturbance。Hiscordialityandoracularpredispositionremainedsufficientlytoenablehimtosuggestthemagicalwords\"BlueGrass\"mysteriouslytoConcha，withanindicationofhishandtotheerectfigureofherpalemistressinthedoorway，whowavedtohimasilentbuthalf—compassionatefarewell。
Ataboutthistimeaslightchangeinhermannerwasnoticedbythefewwhosawhermorefrequently。Herapparentlyinvinciblegirlishnessofspirithadgivenwaytoacertainmatronlyseriousness。Sheappliedherselftoherhouseholdcaresandtheimprovementofthehaciendawithanewsenseofdutyandasettledearnestness，untilbydegreesshewroughtintoitnotonlyherinstinctivedelicacyandtaste，butpartofherownindividuality。
Eventheruderancherosandtradesmenwhowerepermittedtoenterthewallsintheexerciseoftheircallingbegantospeakmysteriouslyofthebeautyofthisgardenofthealmarjal。Shewentoutbutseldom，andthenaccompaniedbytheoneortheotherofherfemaleservants，inlongdrivesonunfrequentedroads。OnSundaysshesometimesdrovetothehalf—ruinedmissionchurchofSantaInez，andhidherself，duringmass，inthedimmonasticshadowsofthechoir。Graduallythepoorerpeoplewhomshemetinthesejourneysbegantoshowanalmostdevotionalreverenceforher，stoppingintheroadswithuncoveredheadsforhertopass，ormakingwayforherinthetiendaorplazaofthewretchedtownwithdumbcourtesy。Shebegantofeelastrangesenseofwidowhood，that，whileitattimesbroughttearstohereyes，was，notwithoutacertaintendersolace。Inthesympathyandsimplenessofthisimpulseshewentasfarastorevivethemourningshehadwornforherparents，butwithsuchafatalaccentingofherbeauty，anddangerousmisinterpretingofherconditiontoeligiblebachelorsstrangetothecountry，thatshewasobligedtoputitoffagain。
HerreserveanddignifiedmannercausedotherstomistakehernationalityforthatoftheSantierras，andin\"DonaBella\"thesimpleMrs。Tuckerwasforawhileforgotten。Attimessheevenforgotitherself。Accustomednowalmostentirelytotheaccentsofanotherlanguageandthefeaturesofanotherrace，shewouldsitforhoursinthecorridor，whosemassivebronzedinclosureevenhertastefulcarecouldonlymakeanemboweredmausoleumofthePast，orgazeabstractedlyfromthedarkembrasuresofherwindowsacrossthestretchingalmarjaltotheshininglagoonbeyondthatterminatedtheestuary。Shehadastrangefondnessforthistranquilmirror，whichundersunorstarsalwaysretainedthepassivereflexoftheskyabove，andseemedtorestherwearyeyes。
ShehadobjectedtooneoftheplansprojectedbyPoindextertoredeemthelandanddeepenthewaterattheembarcadero，asitwouldhavedrainedthelagoon，andthelawyerhadpostponedtheimprovementtogratifyherfancy。Soshekeptitthroughthelongsummerunchangedsavebytheshadowsofpassingwingsorthelazyfilesofsleepingsea—fowl。
Ononeoftheseafternoonsshenoticedaslowlymovingcarriageleavethehighroadandcrossthealmarjalskirtingtheedgeofthelagoon。IfitcontainedvisitorsforLosCuervostheyhadevidentlytakenashortercutwithoutwaitingtogoontotheregularroadwhichintersectedthehighwayatrightanglesamilefartheron。Itwaswithsomesenseofannoyanceandirritationthatshewatchedthetrespass，andfinallysawthevehicleapproachthehouse。AfewmomentslatertheservantinformedherthatMr。
Pattersonwouldliketoseeheralone。Whensheenteredthecorridor，whichinthedryseasonservedasareceptionhall，shewassurprisedtoseethatPattersonwasnotalone。Nearhimstoodawell—dressedhandsomewoman，gazingaboutherwithgood—humoredadmirationofMrs。Tucker’stasteandingenuity。
\"Itdon’tlookmuchlikeitdidtwoyearsago，\"saidthestrangercheerfully。\"You’veimproveditwonderfully。\"
Stiffeningslightly，Mrs。TuckerturnedinquiringlytoMr。
Patterson。Butthatgentleman’susualprofoundmelancholyappearedtobeintensifiedbythehilarityofhiscompanion。Heonlysigheddeeplyandrubbedhislegwiththebrimofhishatingloomyabstraction。
\"Well！goon，then，\"saidthewoman，laughingandnudginghim。\"Goon——introduceme——can’tyou？Don’tstandtherelikeatombstone。
Youwon’t？Well，I’llintroducemyself。\"Shelaughedagain，andthen，withanexcellentimitationofPatterson’slugubriousaccents，said，\"Mr。SpencerTucker’swifethatIS，allowmetointroduceyoutoMr。SpencerTucker’ssweetheartthatWAS！Holdon！IsaidTHATWAS。FortrueasIstandhere，ma’am——andI
reckonIwouldn’tstandhereifitwasn’ttrue——Ihaven’tseteyesonhimsincethedayheleftyou。\"
\"It’stheGospeltruth，everyword，\"saidPatterson，stirredintoasuddenactivitybyMrs。Tucker’swhiteandrigidface。\"It’sthefrozentruth，andIkinproveit。ForIkinswearthatwhenthatthereyoungwomanwassailin’outertheGoldenGate，SpencerTuckerwasinmybarroom;IkinswearthatIfedhim，lickeredhim，givehimahossandsethiminhisroadtoMontereythatverynight。\"
\"Then，whereishenow？\"saidMrs。Tucker，suddenlyfacingthem。
Theylookedateachother，andthenlookedatMrs。Tucker。Thenbothtogetherrepliedslowlyandinperfectunison，\"That’s——what——
we——want——to——know。\"Theyseemedsosatisfiedwiththiseffectthattheyasdeliberatelyrepeated，\"Yes——that’s——what——we——want——
to——know。\"
Betweentheshockofmeetingthepartnerofherhusband’sguiltandtheunexpectedrevelationtoherinexperience，thatinsuggestionandappearancetherewasnothingbeyondtherecollectionofthatguiltthatwasreallyshockinginthewoman——betweentheextravagantextremesofhopeandfearsuggestedbytheirwords，therewassomethingsogrotesquelyabsurdinthemelodramaticchorusthatshewithdifficultysuppressedahystericallaugh。
\"That’sthewaytotakeit，\"saidthewoman，puttingherowngood—
humoredinterpretationuponMrs。Tucker’sexpression。\"Now，lookhere！I’lltellyouallaboutit。\"Shecarefullyselectedthemostcomfortablechair，andsittingdown，lightlycrossedherhandsinherlap。\"Well，Ilefthereonthe13thoflastJanuaryontheshipArgo，calculatingthatyourhusbandwouldjointheshipjustinsidetheHeads。Thatwasourarrangement，butifanythinghappenedtopreventhim，hewastojoinmeinAcapulco。Well！Hedidn’tcomeaboard，andwesailedwithouthim。Butitappearsnowhedidattempttojointheship，buthisboatwascapsized。There，now，don’tbealarmed！hewasn’tdrowned，asPattersoncanswearto——no，catchHIM！notahairofhimwashurt;butI——IwasbundledofftotheendoftheearthinMexico，alone，withoutacenttoblessme。Fortrueasyoulive，thathoundofacaptain，whenhefound，ashethought，thatSpencerwasnabbed，hejustconfiscatedallhistrunksandvaluablesandleftmeinthelurch。IfIhadn’tmetamandowntherethatofferedtomarrymeandbroughtmehere，Imighthavediedthere，Ireckon。ButIdid，andhereIam。I
wentdownthereasyourhusband’ssweetheart，I’vecomebackasthewifeofanhonestman，andIreckonit’saboutsquare！\"
Therewassomethingsostartlinglyfrank，sohopelesslyself—
satisfied，socontagiouslygood—humoredinthewoman’sperfectmoralunconsciousness，thatevenifMrs。Tuckerhadbeenlesspreoccupiedherresentmentwouldhaveabated。ButhereyeswerefixedonthegloomyfaceofPatterson，whowasbeginningtounlockthesepulchresofhismemoryanddisinterhisdeeplyburiedthoughts。
\"YoukinbetyourwholepileonwhatthisMrs。CaptingBaxter——ezusedtobeFrenchInezofNewOrleans——heztoldye。Yekintakeeverythingshe’sunloaded。Andit’sonlydoin’thesquarethingtohertosay，shehain’tdoneitouto’nocussedness，butjusttosatisfyherself，nowshe’samarriedwomanandpastsuchfoolishness。Butthatain’tneitherherenorthere。ThegistofthewholematteristhatSpencerTuckerwasatthetiendathedayaftershesailedandafterhisboatcapsized。\"Hethengaveadetailedaccountoftheinterview，withtheunnecessarybuttruthfulminutiaeofhisclass，addingtotheparticularsalreadyknownthatthefollowingweekhevisitedtheSummitHouseandwassurprisedtofindthatSpencerhadneverbeenthere，norhadheeversailedfromMonterey。
\"Butwhywasthisnottoldtomebefore？\"saidMrs。Tucker，suddenly。\"Whynotatthetime？Why，\"shedemandedalmostfiercely，turningfromtheonetotheother，\"hasthisbeenkeptfromme？\"
\"I’lltellyewhy，\"saidPatterson，sinkingwithcrushedsubmissionintoachair。\"WhenIfoundhewasn’twhereheoughttobe，Igottolookin’elsewhere。IknewthetrackofthehossIlenthimbyalooseshoe。Iexamined;andfoundhehadturnedoffthehighroadsomewherebeyondthelagoon，jistasifhewasmakin’abeelinehere。\"
\"Well，\"saidMrs。Tucker，breathlessly。
\"Well，\"saidPatterson，withtheresignedtoneofanaccustomedmartyr，\"mebbeI’maGod—forsakenidiot，butIreckonheDIDcomeyer。AndmebbeI’mthatmuchofahabitooallunatic，butthinkingso，Icalkilatedyou’ldknowitwithouttellin’。\"
Withtheireyesfixeduponher，Mrs。Tuckerfeltthequickbloodrushtohercheeks，althoughsheknewnotwhy。Buttheywereapparentlysatisfiedwithherignorance，forPattersonresumed，yetmoregloomily：——
\"Thenifhewasn’thidin’herebeknownsttoyou，hemusthavechangedhismindaginandgotawaybytheembarcadero。Theonlythingwantin’toprovethatideaistoknowhowhegotaboat，andwhathedidwiththehoss。Andthar’sonemoreidea，andezthatcan’tbeproved，\"continuedPatterson，sinkinghisvoicestilllower，\"mebbeit’saccordin’toGod’slaws。\"
Unsympathetictoherasthespeakerhadalwaysbeenandstillwas，Mrs。Tuckerfeltavaguechillcreepoverherthatseemedtobetheresultofhismannermorethanhiswords。\"Andthatideais……？\"shesuggestedwithpalelips。
\"It’sthis！Fust，Idon’tsayitmeansmuchtoanybodybutme。
I’veheardofthesewarningsaforenow，ezcomin’onlytofolksezhearthemforthemselvesalone，andIreckonIkinstandit，ifit’sthewillo’God。Theideaisthen——that——SpencerTucker——WAS
DROWNDEDinthatboat;theideais\"——hisvoicewasalmostlostinahoarsewhisper——\"thatitwasnolivingmanthatkemtomethatnight，butaspiritthatkemoutofthedarknessandwentbackintoit！Noeyesawhimbutmine——noearsheardhimbutmine。Ireckonitweren’tintendeditshould。\"Hepaused，andpassedtheflapofhishatacrosshiseyes。\"Thepie，you’llsay，isaginit，\"hecontinuedinthesametoneofvoice，——\"thewhiskeyisaginit——afewcusswordsthatdroppedfromhim，accidentallike，mayhavebeenaginit。Allthesametheymouthavebeenonlythelittlesignsandtokensthatitwashim。\"
ButMrs。Baxter’sreadylaughsomewhatrudelydispelledtheinfectionofPatterson’sgloom。\"IreckontheonlyspiritwasthatwhichyouandSpencerconsumed，\"shesaid，cheerfully。\"Idon’twonderyou’realittlemixed。Likeasnotyou’vemisunderstoodhisplans。\"Pattersonshookhishead。\"He’llturnupyet，aliveandkicking！Likeasnot，then，Poindexterknowswhereheisallthetime。\"
\"Impossible！Hewouldhavetoldme，\"saidMrs。Tucker，quickly。
Mrs。BaxterlookedatPattersonwithoutspeaking。Pattersonrepliedbyalonglugubriouswhistle。
\"Idon’tunderstandyou，\"saidMrs。Tucker，drawingbackwithcolddignity。