\"WritetomeatPeyton’sranch，andI’llseeyouwhenIcomeback，andwe’llhuntupsomethingforyoutogether。\"AsJimreceivedthepropositionwithakindofgloomyembarrassment，headdedlightly，withaglanceatthefarmhouse，\"ItmightbenearHERE，youknow;
andyou’dhavepleasantneighbors，andeveneagerlistenerstoyouroldadventures。\"
\"You’dbettercomeinaminitbeforeyougo，\"saidJim，clumsilyevadingadirectreply。Clarencehesitatedamoment，andthenyielded。ForanequalmomentJimHookerwastornbetweensecretjealousyofhisoldcomrade’sgracesandadesiretopresentthemasfamiliarassociationsofhisown。Buthisvanitywasquicklyappeased。
Needitbesaidthatthetwowomenreceivedthisfleckandfoamofasuper—civilizationtheyknewlittleofasalmostanimpertinencecomparedtotherugged，gloomy，pathetic，andequallyyouthfulheroofanadventurouswildernessofwhichtheyknewstillless？WhatavailedthecourtesyandgentlemelancholyofClarenceBrantbesidethemysteriousgloomanddarksavageryofRedJim？Yettheyreceivedhimpatronizingly，asonewhowas，likethemselves，anadmirerofmanlygraceandpower，andtherecipientofJim’sfriendship。ThefarmeraloneseemedtopreferClarence，andyetthelatter’stacitindorsementofRedJim，throughhisevidentpreviousintimacywithhim，impressedthemaninJim’sfavor。AllofwhichClarencesawwiththatsensitiveperceptionwhichhadgivenhimanearlyinsightintohumanweakness，yetstillhadnevershakenhisyouthfuloptimism。Hesmiledalittlethoughtfully，butwasopenlyfraternaltoJim，courteoustohishostandfamily，and，asherodeawayinthefaintmoonlight，magnificentlyopulentinhislargesstothefarmer，——hisfirstandonlyassertionofhisposition。
Thefarmhouse，stragglingbarn，andfringeofdustywillows，thewhitedomeofthemotionlesswagon，withthehangingfryingpansandkettlesshowinginthemoonlightlikeblacksilhouettesagainstthestaringcanvas，allpresentlysankbehindClarencelikethedetailsofadream，andhewasalonewiththemoon，thehazymysteryofthelevel，grassyplain，andthemonotonyoftheunendingroad。Asherodeslowlyalonghethoughtofthatotherdrearyplain，whitewithalkalipatchesandbrownwithringsofdesertedcamp—fires，knowntohisboyhoodofdeprivation，dependency，danger，andadventure，oddlyenough，withastrangedelight;andhislateryearsofstudy，monasticseclusion，andfinaleaseandindependence，withaneasysenseofwastedexistenceanduselesswaiting。HerememberedhishomelesschildhoodintheSouth，whereservantsandslavestooktheplaceofthefatherhehadneverknown，andthemotherthatherarelysaw;herememberedhisabandonmenttoamysteriousfemalerelation，wherehisnaturalguardiansseemedtohaveoverlookedandforgottenhim，untilhewassent，analltooyoungadventurer，toworkhispassageonanoverlandemigranttrainacrosstheplains;heremembered，asyesterday，thefears，thehopes，thedreamsanddangersofthatmomentousjourney。Herecalledhislittleplaymate，Susy，andtheirstrangeadventures——thewholeincidentthattheimaginativeJimHookerhadtranslatedandrehearsedashisown——rosevividlybeforehim。Hethoughtofthecruelendofthatpilgrimage，whichagainlefthimhomelessandforgottenbyeventherelativehewasseekinginastrangeland。Herememberedhissolitaryjourneytothegoldmines，takenwithaboy’strustandaboy’sfearlessness，andthestrangeprotectorhehadfoundthere，whohadnewsofhismissingkinsman;herememberedhowthisprotector——whomhehadatonceinstinctivelyloved——transferredhimtothehouseofthisnew—foundrelation，whotreatedhimkindlyandsenthimtotheJesuitschool，butwhoneverawakenedinhimafeelingofkinship。
Hedreamedagainofhislifeatschool，hisaccidentalmeetingwithSusyatSantaClara，thekeenrevivalofhisboyishloveforhisoldplaymate，nowaprettyschoolgirl，thepettedadoptedchildofwealthyparents。Herecalledtheterribleshockthatinterruptedthisboyishepisode：thenewsofthedeathofhisprotector，andtherevelationthatthishard，silent，andmysteriousmanwashisownfather，whoserecklesslifeanddesperatereputationhadimpelledhimtoassumeadisguise。
Herememberedhowhissuddenaccessiontowealthandindependencehadhalffrightenedhim，andhadalwaysleftalurkingsensitivenessthathewasunfairlyfavored，bysomemereaccident，abovehislessluckycompanions。Therudevicesofhisoldassociateshadmadehimimpatientofthefeeblersensualindulgencesofthelatercompanionsofhisluxury，andexposedtheirhollowfascinations;hissensitivefastidiousnesskepthimcleanamongvulgartemptations;hisclearperceptionswereneverblindedbyselfishsophistry。MeantimehisfeelingforSusyremainedunchanged。PridehadkepthimfromseekingthePeytons。HispresentvisitwasasunpremeditatedasPeyton’sinvitationhadbeenunlookedforbyhim。Yethehadnotallowedhimselftobedeceived。Heknewthatthiscourtesywasprobablyduetothechangeinhisfortune，althoughhehadhopeditmighthavebeensomechangeintheiropinionbroughtaboutbySusy。
Buthewouldatleastseeheragain，notinthepretty，half—
clandestinewayshehadthoughtnecessary，butopenlyandasherequal。
Inhisrapidrideheseemedtohavesuddenlypenetratedthepeacefulcalmofthenight。Therestlessirritationoftheafternoontradewindshadsubsided;thetendermoonlighthadhushedandtranquillypossessedtheworriedplain;theunendingfilesofwildoats，farspacedanddistinct，stooderectandmotionlessastrees;somethingofthesedatesolemnityofagreatforestseemedtohavefallenupontheirgiantstalks。Therewasnodew。Inthatlight，dryair，theheavierdustnolongerrosebeneaththeheelsofhishorse，whoseflyingshadowpassedoverthefieldlikeacloud，leavingnotrailortrackbehindit。Inthepreoccupationofhisthoughtandhisbreathlessretrospect，theyoungmanhadriddenfasterthanheintended，andhenowcheckedhispantinghorse。Theinfluenceofthenightandthehushedlandscapestoleoverhim;histhoughtstookagentlerturn;inthatdim，mysterioushorizonlinebeforehim，hisfutureseemedtobedreamilypeopledwithairy，gracefulshapesthatmoreorlesstookthelikenessofSusy。Shewasbright，coquettish，romantic，ashehadlastseenher;shewasolder，graver，andthoughtfullywelcomeofhim;orshewascold，distant，andseverelyforgetfulofthepast。Howwouldheradoptedfatherandmotherreceivehim？Wouldtheyeverlookuponhiminthelightofasuitortotheyounggirl？HehadnofearofPeyton，——heunderstoodhisownsex，and，youngashewas，knewalreadyhowtomakehimselfrespected;buthowcouldheovercomethatinstinctiveaversionwhichMrs。Peytonhadsooftenmadehimfeelhehadprovoked？Yetinthisdreamyhushofearthandsky，whatwasnotpossible？Hisboyishheartbeathighwithdaringvisions。
HesawMrs。Peytonintheporch，welcominghimwiththatmaternalsmilewhichhischildishlonginghadsooftencravedtosharewithSusy。Peytonwouldbethere，too，——Peyton，whohadoncepushedbackhistornstrawhattolookapprovinglyinhisboyisheyes;andPeyton，perhaps，mightbeproudofhim。
Suddenlyhestarted。Avoiceinhisveryear！
\"Bah！Ayokeofvulgarcattlegrazingonlandsthatwerethinebyrightandlaw。Neithermorenorlessthanthat。AndItellthee，Pancho，likecattle，tobedrivenofforcaughtandbrandedforone’sown。Ha！TherearethosewhocouldsweartothetruthofthisontheCreed。Ay！andbringpapersstampedandsignedbythegovernor’srubrictoproveit。AndnotthatIhatethem，——bah！whatarethosehereticswinetome？Butthoudostcomprehendme？Itgallsandpricksmetoseethemswellingthemselveswithstolenhusks，andmenlikethee，Pancho，oustedfromtheirownland。\"
Clarencehadhaltedinutterbewilderment。Noonewasvisiblebeforehim，behindhim，oneitherside。Thewords，inSpanish，camefromtheair，thesky，thedistanthorizon，heknewnotwhich。Washestilldreaming？Astrangeshivercreptoverhisskinasiftheairhadgrownsuddenlychill。Thenanothermysteriousvoicearose，incredulous，halfmocking，butequallydistinctandclear。
\"Caramba！Whatisthis？Youarewandering，friendPancho。Youarestillsmartingfromhistongue。Hehasthegrantconfirmedbyhisbrigandgovernment;hehasthePOSSESSION，stolenbyathieflikehimself;andhehastheCorregidorswithhim。Forishenotoneofthemhimself，thisJudgePeyton？\"
Peyton！Clarencefeltthebloodrushbacktohisfaceinastonishmentandindignation。Hisheelsmechanicallypressedhishorse’sflanks，andtheanimalsprangforward。
\"Guarda！Mira！\"saidthevoiceagaininaquicker，lowertone。Butthistimeitwasevidentlyinthefieldbesidehim，andtheheadsandshouldersoftwohorsemenemergedatthesamemomentfromthetallranksofwildoats。Themysterywassolved。Thestrangershadbeenmakingtheirwayalongalowerleveloftheterracedplain，hiddenbythegrain，nottwentyyardsaway，andparallelwiththeroadtheywerenowascendingtojoin。Theirfigureswerealikeformlessinlongstripedserapes，andtheirfeaturesundistinguishableunderstiffblacksombreros。
\"Buenasnoches，senor，\"saidthesecondvoice，informalandcautiousdeliberation。
AsuddeninspirationmadeClarencerespondinEnglish，asifhehadnotcomprehendedthestranger’swords，\"Eh？\"
\"Gooda—nighta，\"repeatedthestranger。
\"Oh，good—night，\"returnedClarence。Theypassedhim。Theirspurstinkledtwiceorthrice，theirmustangssprangforward，andthenextmomenttheloosefoldsoftheirserapeswereflutteringattheirsideslikewingsintheirflight。
CHAPTERIV。
AfterthechillofadewlessnightthemorningsunwasapttolookardentlyupontheRoblesRancho，ifsostronganexpressioncoulddescribethedry，oven—likeheatofaCaliforniancoast—rangevalley。Beforeteno’clocktheadobewallofthepatiowaswarmenoughtopermitlingeringvacquerosandidlepeonstoleanagainstit，andtheexposedannexewasfilledwithsharp，resinousodorsfromtheoozingsapofunseasoned\"redwood\"boards，warpedanddryinginthehotsunshine。EvenatthatearlyhourtheclimbingCastilianrosesweredroopingagainstthewoodencolumnsofthenewveranda，scarcelyolderthanthemselves，andminglinganalreadyfadedspicewiththearomaofbakingwoodandthemorematerialfragranceofsteamingcoffee，thatseemeddominanteverywhere。
Infact，theprettybreakfast—room，whosethreebroadwindows，alwaysopentotheveranda，gaveanalfrescoeffecttoeverymeal，wasapatheticendeavoroftheSouthern—bredPeytontoemulatethesoft，luxurious，andopen—airindolenceofhisnativeSouth，inaclimatethatwasnotonlynottropical，butevenaustereinitsmostfervidmoments。Yet，althoughcolddraughtsinvadeditfromtherearthatmorning，JudgePeytonsatalone，betweentheopendoorsandwindows，awaitingtheslowcomingofhiswifeandtheyoungladies。Hewasnotinanentirelycomfortablemoodthatmorning。
ThingswerenotgoingonwellatRobles。Thattruculentvagabond，Pedro，had，thenightbefore，takenhimselfoffwithacursethathadfrightenedeventhevacqueros，whomosthatedhimasacompanion，butwhonowseemedinclinedtoregardhisabsenceasaninjurydonetotheirrace。Peyton，uneasilyconsciousthathisownangerhadbeenexcitedbyanexaggeratedconceptionoftheaccident，wasnow，likemostobstinatemen，inclinedtoexaggeratetheimportanceofPedro’sinsolence。Hewaswelloutofittogetridofthisquarrelsomehanger—on，whosepresumptionandill—humorthreatenedthedisciplineoftherancho，yethecouldnotentirelyforgetthathehademployedhimonaccountofhisfamilyclaims，andfromadesiretoplacateracialjealousyandsettlelocaldifferences。
FortheinferiorMexicansandIndianhalf—breedsstillregardedtheiroldmasterswithaffection;were，infact，moreconcernedfortheintegrityoftheircastethanthemasterswerethemselves，andtheoldSpanishfamilieswhohadmadeallianceswithAmericans，andsharedtheirlandwiththem，hadrarelysucceededinalienatingtheirretainerswiththeirlands。CertainexperiencesintheprovingofhisgrantbeforetheLandCommissionhadtaughtPeytonthattheywerenottobedependedupon。Andlatelytherehadbeenunpleasantrumorsofthediscoveryofsomeunlooked—forclaimantstoadivisionofthegrantitself，whichmightaffecthisowntitle。
Helookedupquicklyasvoicesandlightstepsontheverandaatlastheraldedtheapproachofhistardyhouseholdfromthecorridor。
But，inspiteofhispreoccupation，hewasstartledandevenawkwardlyimpressedwithachangeinSusy’sappearance。Shewaswearing，forthefirsttime，alongskirt，andthissuddenmaturingofherfigurestruckhim，asaman，muchmoreforciblythanitwouldprobablyhaveimpressedawoman，morefamiliarwithdetails。Hehadnotnoticedcertainindicationsofwomanhood，assignificant，perhaps，inhercarriageasheroutlines，whichhadbeenlatelyperfectlyapparenttohermotherandMary，butwhichweretohimnow，forthefirsttime，indicatedbyafewinchesofskirt。Shenotonlylookedtallertohismasculineeyes，butthesefewincheshadaddedtothemysteryaswellasthedraperyofthegoddess;theywerenotsomuchtherevelationofmaturityasthesuggestionthatitwasHIDDEN。Soimpressedwashe，thatahalf—seriouslectureonheryesterday’schildishness，theoutcomeofhisirritatedreflectionsthatmorning，dieduponhislips。Hefelthewasnolongerdealingwithachild。
Hewelcomedthemwiththatsmileofbanteringapprobation，supposedtokeepdowninordinatevanity，whichforsomeoccultreasononealwaysreservesforthemembersofone’sownfamily。HewasquiteconsciousthatSusywaslookingveryprettyinthisnewandmaturefrock，andthatasshestoodbesidehiswife，farfromageingMrs。
Peyton’sgoodlooksandfigure，sheappearedlikeanequalcompanion，andthattheymutually\"became\"oneanother。This，andthefactthattheywereall，includingMaryRogers，intheirfreshest，gayestmorningdresses，awakenedahalf—humorous，half—
realapprehensioninhismind，thathewasnowhopelesslysurroundedbyamaturedsex，andinaweakminority。
\"IthinkIoughttohavebeenprepared，\"hebegangrimly，\"forthisadditionto——to——theskirtsofmyfamily。\"
\"Why，John，\"returnedMrs。Peytonquickly;\"doyoumeantosayyouhaven’tnoticedthatthepoorchildhasforweeksbeenlookingpositivelyindecent？\"
\"Really，papa，I’vebeenasighttobehold。Haven’tI，Mary？\"
chimedinSusy。
\"Yes，dear。Why，Judge，I’vebeenwonderingthatSusystooditsowell，andnevercomplained。\"
Peytonglancedaroundhimatthiscompactfeminineembattlement。Itwasashefeared。Yetevenherehewasagainatfault。
\"And，\"saidMrs。Peytonslowly，withthereservedsignificanceofthefemininepostscriptinhervoice，\"ifthatMr。Brantiscominghereto—day，itwouldbejustaswellforhimtoseethatSHEISNO
LONGERACHILD，ASWHENHEKNEWHER。\"
Anhourlater，good—naturedMaryRogers，inhercharacterof\"adear，\"——whichwasusuallyindicatedbytheundertakingofsmallerrandsforherfriend，——wasgatheringrosesfromtheoldgardenforSusy’sadornment，whenshesawavisionwhichlingeredwithherformanyaday。Shehadstoppedtolookthroughtheirongrilleintheadobewall，acrosstheopenwind—sweptplain。Miniaturewaveswerepassingoverthewildoats，withglitteringdisturbanceshereandthereinthedepressionslikethesparklingofgreenfoam;thehorizonlinewassharplydefinedagainstthehard，steel—bluesky;
everywherethebrand—newmorningwasshiningwithalmostpaintedbrilliancy;thevigor，spirit，andevencrudenessofyouthwereoverall。Theyounggirlwasdazzledandbewildered。Suddenly，asifblownoutofthewavinggrain，oranincarnationofthevividmorning，thebrightandstrikingfigureofayouthfulhorsemanflashedbeforethegrille。ItwasClarenceBrant！MaryRogershadalwaysseenhim，intheloyaltyoffriendship，withSusy’sprepossessedeyes，yetshefanciedthatmorningthathehadneverlookedsohandsomebefore。Eventhefoppishfripperiesofhisriding—dressandsilvertrappingsseemedasmuchthenaturalexpressionofconqueringyouthastheinvinciblemorningsunshine。
PerhapsitmighthavebeenareactionagainstSusy’scapriceorsomelatentsusceptibilityofherown;butamomentaryantagonismtoherfriendstirredevenherkindlynature。WhatrighthadSusytotriflewithsuchanopportunity？WhowasSHEtohesitateoverthisgallantprince？
ButPrinceCharming’squickeyeshaddetectedher，andthenextmomenthisbeautifulhorsewasbesidethegrating，andhisreadyhandofgreetingextendedthroughthebars。
\"IsupposeIamearlyandunexpected，butIsleptatSantaInezlastnight，thatImightrideoverinthecoolofthemorning。Mythingsarecomingbythestage—coach，later。Itseemedsuchaslowwayofcomingone’sself。\"
MaryRogers’sblackeyesintimatedthatthewayhehadtakenwastherightone，butshegallantlyrecoveredherselfandrememberedherpositionasconfidante。AndherewastheopportunityofdeliveringSusy’swarningunobserved。ShewithdrewherhandfromClarence’sfrankgrasp，andpassingitthroughthegrating，pattedthesleek，shiningflanksofhishorse，withadiscreetdivisionofadmiration。
\"Andsuchalovelycreature，too！AndSusywillbesodelighted！
andoh，Mr。Brant，please，you’retosaynothingofhavingmetheratSantaClara。It’sjustaswellnottobeginwithTHAThere，for，yousee\"（withalarge，maternalmanner），\"youwerebothSOyoungthen。\"
Clarencedrewaquickbreath。Itwasthefirstchecktohisvisionofindependenceandequalfooting！ThenhisinvitationwasNOTtheoutcomeofacontinuousfriendshiprevivedbySusy，ashehadhoped;
thePeytonshadknownnothingofhismeetingwithher，orperhapstheywouldnothaveinvitedhim。Hewashereasanimpostor，——andallbecauseSusyhadchosentomakeamysteryofaharmlessencounter，whichmighthavebeenexplained，andwhichtheymighthaveevencountenanced。Hethoughtbitterlyofhisoldplaymateforabriefmoment，——asbriefasMary’santagonism。Theyounggirlnoticedthechangeinhisface，butmisinterpretedit。
\"Oh，there’snodangerofitscomingoutifyoudon’tsayanything，\"
shesaid，quickly。\"Rideontothehouse，anddon’twaitforme。
You’llfindtheminthepatioontheveranda。\"
Clarencemovedon，butnotasspiritedlyasbefore。Neverthelesstherewasstilldashenoughabouthimandtheanimalhebestrodetostirintoadmirationthefewloungingvacquerosofacountrywhichwasapttojudgethestatusofariderbythequalityofhishorse。
Norwasthefavorableimpressionconfinedtothemalone。Peyton’sgratificationrangoutcheerilyinhisgreeting：——
\"Bravo，Clarence！Youarehereintruecaballerostyle。Thanksforthecomplimenttotherancho。\"
Foramomenttheyoungmanwastransportedbackagaintohisboyhood，andoncemorefeltPeyton’sapprovinghandpushingbackthewornstrawhatfromhischildishforehead。Afaintcolorrosetohischeeks;hiseyesmomentarilydropped。Thehighestartcouldhavedonenomore！Theslightaggressivenessofhisyouthfulfineryandpicturesquegoodlookswascondonedatonce;hismodestyconqueredwhereself—assertionmighthaveprovokedopposition，andevenMrs。Peytonfeltherselfimpelledtocomeforwardwithanoutstretchedhandscarcelylessfrankthanherhusband’s。ThenClarenceliftedhiseyes。Hesawbeforehimthewomantowhomhischildishhearthadgoneoutwiththeinscrutablelongingandadorationofamotherless，homeless，companionlessboy;thewomanwhohadabsorbedtheloveofhisplaymatewithoutsharingitwithhim;whohadshoweredherprotectingandmaternalcaressesonSusy，awaiflikehimself，yethadnotonlylefthisheartlonelyanddesolate，buthadevenaddedtohischildishdistrustofhimselfthethoughtthathehadexcitedheraversion。Hesawhermorebeautifulthaneverinherrestoredhealth，freshnessofcoloring，andmatureroundnessofoutline。Hewasunconsciouslytouchedwithaman’sadmirationforherwithoutlosinghisboyishyearningsandhalf—
filialaffection;inhernewmaterialisticwomanhoodhisyouthfulimaginationhadliftedhertoaqueenandgoddess。Therewasallthisappealinhisstillboyisheyes，——eyesthathadneveryetknownshameorfearintheexpressionoftheiremotions;therewasallthisinthegesturewithwhichheliftedMrs。Peyton’sfingerstohislips。ThelittlegroupsawinthisactonlyaSpanishcourtesyinkeepingwithhisacceptedrole。Butathrillofsurprise，ofembarrassment，ofintensegratificationpassedoverher。ForhehadnotevenlookedatSusy！
Herrelentingwasgraceful。Shewelcomedhimwithawinningsmile。
ThenshemotionedpleasantlytowardsSusy。
\"Buthereisanolderfriend，Mr。Brant，whomyoudonotseemtorecognize，——Susy，whomyouhavenotseensinceshewasachild。\"
AquickflushrosetoClarence’scheek。Thegroupsmiledatthisevidentyouthfulconfessionofsomeboyishadmiration。ButClarenceknewthathistruthfulbloodwasmerelyresentingthedeceithislipsweresealedfromdivulging。HedidnotdaretoglanceatSusy;
itaddedtothegeneralamusementthattheyounggirlwasobligedtopresentherself。ButinthisintervalshehadexchangedglanceswithMaryRogers，whohadrejoinedthegroup，andsheknewshewassafe。ShesmiledwithgraciouscondescensionatClarence;observed，withthepatronizingsuperiorityofageandestablishedposition，thathehadGROWN，buthadnotgreatlychanged，and，itisneedlesstosay，againfilledhermother’sheartwithjoy。Clarence，stillintoxicatedwithMrs。Peyton’skindliness，and，perhaps，stillembarrassedbyremorse，hadnottimetoremarkthegirl’sstudiedattitude。Heshookhandswithhercordially，andthen，inthequickreactionofyouth，acceptedwithhumorousgravitytheelaborateintroductiontoMaryRogersbySusy，whichcompletedthislittlecomedy。Andif，withawoman’squickness，Mrs。PeytondetectedacertainlingeringglancewhichpassedbetweenMaryRogersandClarence，andmisinterpretedit，itwasonlyapartofthatmystificationintowhichtheseyouthfulactorsareapttothrowtheirmatureaudiences。
\"Confess，Ally，\"saidPeyton，cheerfully，asthethreeyoungpeoplesuddenlyfoundtheirtongueswithaimlessvivacityandinconsequentlaughter，andstartedwithunintelligiblespiritsforanexplorationofthegarden，\"confessnowthatyourbetenoirisreallyaverymanlyaswellasaverypresentableyoungfellow。ByJove！thepadreshavemadeaSpanishswelloutofhimwithoutspoilingtheBrantgrit，either！Come，now;you’renotafraidthatSusy’sstylewillsufferfromHIScompanionship。’Ponmysoul，shemightborrowalittleofhiscourtesytohiselderswithoutindelicacy。Ionlywishshehadassincereawayofshowingherrespectforyouashehas。Didyounoticethathereallydidn’tseemtoseeanybodyelsebutyouatfirst？Andyetyouneverwereafriendtohim，likeSusy。\"
Theladytossedherheadslightly，butsmiled。
\"Thisisthefirsttimehe’sseenMaryRogers，isn’tit？\"shesaidmeditatively。
\"Ireckon。Butwhat’sthattodowithhispolitenesstoyou？\"
\"Anddoherparentsknowhim？\"shecontinued，withoutreplying。
\"HowdoIknow？Isupposeeverybodyhasheardofhim。Why？\"
\"BecauseIthinkthey’vetakenafancytoeachother。\"
\"Whatinthenameoffolly，Ally\"——beganthedespairingPeyton。
\"Whenyouinviteahandsome，rich，andfascinatingyoungmanintothecompanyofyoungladies，John，\"returnedMrs。Peyton，inherseverestmanner，\"youmustnotforgetyouoweacertainresponsibilitytotheparents。IshallcertainlylookafterMissRogers。\"
CHAPTERV。
Althoughthethreeyoungpeoplehadlefttheverandatogether，whentheyreachedtheoldgardenClarenceandSusyfoundthemselvesconsiderablyinadvanceofMaryRogers，whohadbecomesuddenlyanddeeplyinterestedinthebeautyofapassionvinenearthegate。Atthefirstdiscoveryoftheirisolationtheirvolubleexchangeofinformationaboutthemselvesandtheiroccupationssincetheirlastmeetingstoppedsimultaneously。Clarence，whohadforgottenhismomentaryirritation，andhadrecoveredhisoldhappinessinherpresence，wasneverthelessconsciousofsomeotherchangeinherthanthatsuggestedbythelengthenedskirtandthelaterandmoredelicateaccentuationofherprettiness。Itwasnotheraffectationofsuperiorityandoldersocialexperience，forthatwasonlytheoutcomeofwhathehadfoundcharminginherasachild，andwhichhestillgood—humoredlyaccepted;norwasithercharacteristicexaggerationofspeech，whichhestillpleasantlyrecognized。Itwassomethingelse，vagueandindefinite，——somethingthathadbeenunnoticedwhileMarywaswiththem，buthadnowcomebetweenthemlikesomeunknownpresencewhichhadtakentheconfidante’splace。
Heremainedsilent，lookingatherhalf—brighteningcheekandconsciousprofile。Thenhespokewithawkwarddirectness。
\"Youarechanged，Susy，morethaninlooks。\"
\"Hush，\"saidthegirlinatragicwhisper，withawarninggesturetowardstheblandlyunconsciousMary。
\"But，\"returnedClarencewonderingly，\"she’syour——ourfriend，youknow。\"
\"IDON’Tknow，\"saidSusy，inastilldeepertone，\"thatis——oh，don’taskme！Butwhenyou’realwayssurroundedbyspies，whenyoucan’tsayyoursoulisyourown，youdoubteverybody！\"Therewassuchaprettydistressinhervioleteyesandcurvingeyebrows，thatClarence，albeitvagueastoitsoriginandparticulars，neverthelesspossessedhimselfofthelittlehandthatwasgesticulatingdangerouslynearhisown，andpresseditsympathetically。Perhapspreoccupiedwithheremotions，shedidnotimmediatelywithdrawit，asshewentonrapidly：\"Andifyouwerecoopeduphere，dayafterday，behindthesebars，\"pointingtothegrille，\"you’dknowwhatIsuffer。\"
\"But\"——beganClarence。
\"Hush！\"saidSusy，withastampofherlittlefoot。
Clarence，whohadonlywishedtopointoutthatthewholelowerendofthegardenwallwasinruinsandthegrillereallywasnoprevention，\"hushed。\"
\"Andlisten！Don’tpaymemuchattentionto—day，buttalktoHER，\"
indicatingthestilldiscreetanddistantMary，\"beforefatherandmother。Notawordtoherofthisconfidence，Clarence。To—morrowrideoutaloneonyourbeautifulhorse，andcomebackbywayofthewoods，beyondourturning，atfouro’clock。There’satrailtotherightofthebigmadronotree。Takethat。Becarefulandkeepagoodlookout，forshemustn’tseeyou。\"
\"Whomustn’tseeme？\"saidthepuzzledClarence。
\"Why，Mary，ofcourse，yousillyboy！\"returnedthegirlimpatiently。\"She’llbelookingforME。Gonow，Clarence！Stop！
Lookatthatlovelybigmaiden’s—blushupthere，\"pointingtoapink—suffusedspecimenofrosegrandiflorahangingonthewall。
\"Getit，Clarence，——thatone，——I’llshowyouwhere，——there！\"Theyhadalreadyplungedintotheleafybramble，and，standingontiptoe，withherhandonhisshoulderandheadupturned，Susy’scheekhadinnocentlyapproachedClarence’sown。AtthismomentClarence，possiblythroughsomeconfusionofcolor，fragrance，orsoftnessofcontact，seemedtohaveavailedhimselfoftheopportunity，inawaywhichcausedSusytoinstantlyrejoinMaryRogerswithaffecteddignity，leavinghimtofollowafewmomentslaterwiththecapturedflower。
Withouttryingtounderstandthereasonofto—morrow’srendezvous，andperhapsnotaltogetherconvincedoftherealityofSusy’stroubles，he，however，didnotfindthatdifficultyincarryingoutherothercommandswhichhehadexpected。Mrs。Peytonwasstillgracious，and，withfemininetact，inducedhimtotalkofhimself，untilshewaspresentlyinpossessionofhiswholehistory，barringtheepisodeofhismeetingwithSusy，sincehehadpartedwiththem。
Hefeltastrangesatisfactioninfamiliarlypouringouthisconfidencestothissuperiorwoman，whomhehadalwaysheldinawe。
Therewasanewdelightinherwomanlyinterestinhistrialsandadventures，andasubtlepleasureeveninherhalf—motherlycriticismandadmonitionofsomepassages。IamafraidheforgotSusy，wholistenedwiththecomplacencyofanexhibitor;Mary，whoseblackeyesdilatedalternatelywithsympathyfortheperformeranddeprecationofMrs。Peyton’scriticalglances;andPeyton，who，however，seemedlostinthought，andpreoccupied。Clarencewashappy。Thesoftlyshadedlightsinthebroad，spacious，comfortablyfurnisheddrawing—roomshoneonthegroupbeforehim。ItwasapictureofrefineddomesticitywhichthehomelessClarencehadneverknownexceptasavague，half—painful，boyishremembrance;itwasarealizationofwelcomethatfarexceededhiswildestboyishvisionoftheprecedingnight。Withthatrecollectioncameanother，——amoreuneasyone。Herememberedhowthatvisionhadbeeninterruptedbythestrangevoicesintheroad，andtheirvaguebutominousimporttohishost。Afeelingofself—reproachcameoverhim。Thethreatshadimpressedhimasonlymerebraggadocio，——heknewthecharacteristicexaggerationoftherace，——butperhapsheoughttoprivatelytellPeytonoftheincidentatonce。
Theopportunitycamelater，whentheladieshadretired，andPeyton，wrappedinaponchoinarocking—chair，onthenowchillyveranda，lookedupfromhisreverieandacigar。Clarencecasuallyintroducedtheincident，asifonlyforthesakeofdescribingthesupernaturaleffectofthehiddenvoices，buthewasconcernedtoseethatPeytonwasconsiderablydisturbedbytheirmorematerialimport。Afterquestioninghimastotheappearanceofthetwomen，hishostsaid：\"Idon’tmindtellingyou，Clarence，thatasfarasthatfellow’sintentionsgoheisquitesincere，althoughhisthreatsareonlyborrowedthunder。HeisamanwhomIhavejustdismissedforcarelessnessandinsolence，——twothingsthatrunindoubleharnessinthiscountry，——butIshouldbemoreafraidtofindhimatmybackonadarknight，aloneontheplains;thantoconfronthimindaylight，inthewitnessbox，againstme。Hewasonlyrepeatingasillyrumorthatthetitletothisranchoandtheninesquareleaguesbeyondwouldbeattackedbysomespeculators。\"
\"ButIthoughtyourtitlewasconfirmedtwoyearsago，\"saidClarence。
\"TheGRANTwasconfirmed，\"returnedPeyton，\"whichmeansthattheconveyanceoftheMexicangovernmentoftheselandstotheancestorofVictorRobleswasheldtobelegallyprovenbytheUnitedStatesLandCommission，andapatentissuedtoallthosewhoheldunderit。
IandmyneighborsholdunderitbypurchasefromVictorRobles，subjecttotheconfirmationoftheLandCommission。ButthatconfirmationwasonlyofVictor’sGREAT—GRANDFATHER’STITLE，anditisnowallegedthatasVictor’sfatherdiedwithoutmakingawill，VictorhasclaimedanddisposedofpropertywhichheoughttohavedividedwithhisSISTERS。Atleast，somespeculatingrascalsinSanFranciscohavesetupwhattheycall’theSisters’title，’andaresellingittoactualsettlersontheunoccupiedlandsbeyond。As，bythelaw，itwouldholdpossessionagainstthemereordinarysquatters，whoseonlyrightisbased，asyouknow，onthepresumptionthatthereisNOTITLECLAIMED，itgivesthepossessorimmunitytoenjoytheuseofthepropertyuntilthecaseisdecided，andevenshouldtheoriginaltitleholdgoodagainsthis，thesuccessfullitigantwouldprobablybewillingtopayforimprovementsandpossessiontosavetheexpensiveandtediousprocessofejectment。\"
\"ButthisdoesnotaffectYOU，whohavealreadypossession？\"saidClarencequickly。
\"No，notasfarasTHISHOUSEandthelandsIactuallyOCCUPYAND
CULTIVATEareconcerned;andtheyknowthatIamsafetofighttothelast，andcarrythecasetotheSupremeCourtinthatcase，untiltheswindleisexposed，ortheydropit;butImayhavetopaythemsomethingtokeepthesquattersoffmyUNOCCUPIEDland。\"
\"Butyousurelywouldn’trecognizethoserascalsinanyway？\"saidtheastonishedClarence。
\"Asagainstotherrascals？Whynot？\"returnedPeytongrimly。\"I
onlypayforthepossessionwhichtheirshamtitlegivesmetomyownland。Ifbyaccidentthattitleobtains，Iamstillonthesafeside。\"Afterapausehesaid，moregravely，\"Whatyouoverheard，Clarence，showsmethattheplanismoreforwardthanIhadimagined，andthatImayhavetofighttraitorshere。\"
\"Ihope，sir，\"saidClarence，withaquickglowinhisearnestface，\"thatyou’llletmehelpyou。YouthoughtIdidonce，youremember，——withtheIndians。\"
TherewassomuchoftheoldClarenceinhisboyishappealandeager，questioningfacethatPeyton，whohadbeentalkingtohimasayoungerbutequalmanofaffairs，wasstartledintoasmile，\"Youdid，Clarence，thoughtheIndiansbutcheredyourfriends，afterall。
Idon’tknow，though，butthatyourexperienceswiththoseSpaniards——youmusthaveknownalotofthemwhenyouwerewithDonJuanRobinsonandatthecollege——mightbeofserviceingettingatevidence，orsmashingtheirwitnessesifitcomestoafight。Butjustnow，MONEYiseverything。TheymustbeboughtOFFTHELANDifIhavetomortgageitforthepurpose。Thatstrikesyouasaratherheroicremedy，Clarence，eh？\"hecontinued，inhisold，half—
banteringattitudetowardsClarence’sinexperiencedyouth，\"don’tit？\"
ButClarencewasnotthinkingofthat。Anothermoreaudaciousbutequallyyouthfulandenthusiasticideahadtakenpossessionofhismind，andhelayawakehalfthatnightrevolvingit。ItwastruethatitwassomewhatimpracticallymixedwithhisvisionsofMrs。
PeytonandSusy，andevenincludedhispreviousschemeofrelieffortheimprovidentandincorrigibleHooker。Butitgaveawonderfulsincerityandhappinesstohisslumbersthatnight，whichthewiserandelderPeytonmighthaveenvied，andIwotnotwasinthelongrunascorrectandsagaciousasPeyton’ssleeplesscogitations。AndintheearlymorningMr。ClarenceBrant，theyoungcapitalist，satdowntohistraveling—deskandwrotetwoclear—headed，logical，andpracticalbusinessletters，——onetohisbanker，andtheothertohisformerguardian，DonJuanRobinson，ashisfirststepinaresolvethatwas，nevertheless，perhapsaswildlyquixoticandenthusiasticasanydreamhisboyishandunselfishhearthadeverindulged。
Atbreakfast，inthecharmedfreedomofthedomesticcircle，ClarenceforgotSusy’scapriciouscommandsofyesterday，andbegantoaddresshimselftoherinhisoldearnestfashion，untilhewaswarnedbyasignificantknittingoftheyounglady’sbrowsandmonosyllabicresponses。ButinhisyouthfulloyaltytoMrs。Peyton，hewasmorepainedtonoticeSusy’soccasionalunconsciousindifferencetoheradoptedmother’saffectionateexpression，andamoreconsciousdisregardofherwishes。Souneasydidhebecome，inhissensitiveconcernforMrs。Peyton’shalf—concealedmortification，thathegladlyacceptedPeyton’soffertogowithhimtovisitthefarmandcorral。Astheafternoonapproached，withanothertwingeofself—reproach，hewasobligedtoinventsomeexcusetodeclinecertainhospitableplansofMrs。Peyton’sforhisentertainment，andathalfpastthreestolesomewhatguiltily，withhishorse，fromthestables。Buthehadtopassbeforetheouterwallofthegardenandgrille，throughwhichhehadseenMarythedaybefore。Raisinghiseyesmechanically，hewasstartledtoseeMrs。Peytonstandingbehindthegrating，withherabstractedgazefixeduponthewind—tossed，levelgrainbeyondher。Shesmiledasshesawhim，butthereweretracesoftearsinherproud，handsomeeyes。
\"Youaregoingtoride？\"shesaidpleasantly。
\"Y—e—es，\"stammeredtheshamefacedClarence。
Sheglancedathimwistfully。
\"Youareright。Thegirlshavegoneawaybythemselves。Mr。PeytonhasriddenovertoSantaInezonthisdreadfullandbusiness，andI
supposeyou’dhavefoundhimadullridingcompanion。Itisratherstupidhere。Iquiteenvyyou，Mr。Brant，yourhorseandyourfreedom。\"
\"But，Mrs。Peyton，\"brokeinClarence，impulsively，\"youhaveahorse——Isawit，alovelylady’shorse——eatingitsheadoffinthestable。Won’tyouletmerunbackandorderit;andwon’tyou，please，comeoutwithmeforagood，longgallop？\"
Hemeantwhathesaid。Hehadspokenquickly，impulsively，butwiththeperfectunderstandinginhisownmindthathispropositionmeantthecompleteabandonmentofhisrendezvouswithSusy。Mrs。Peytonwasastoundedandslightlystirredwithhisearnestness，albeitunawareofallitimplied。
\"It’sagreattemptation，Mr。Brant，\"shesaid，withaplayfulsmile，whichdazzledClarencewithitsfirstfaintsuggestionofarefinedwoman’scoquetry;\"butI’mafraidthatMr。Peytonwouldthinkmegoingmadinmyoldage。No。Goonandenjoyyourgallop，andifyoushouldseethosegiddygirlsanywhere，sendthemhomeearlyforchocolate，beforethecoldwindgetsup。\"
Sheturned，wavedherslimwhitehandplayfullyinacknowledgmentofClarence’sbaredhead，andmovedaway。
Forthefirstfewmomentstheyoungmantriedtofindreliefinfuriousriding，andinbullyinghisspiritedhorse。Thenhepulledquicklyup。Whatwashedoing？Whatwashegoingtodo？Whatfoolish，vapiddeceitwasthisthathewasgoingtopracticeuponthatnoble，queenly，confiding，generouswoman？（Hehadalreadyforgottenthatshehadalwaysdistrustedhim。）Whatafoolhewasnottotellherhalf—jokinglythatheexpectedtomeetSusy！Butwouldhehavedaredtotalkhalf—jokinglytosuchawomanonsuchatopic？AndwouldithavebeenhonorablewithoutdisclosingtheWHOLEtruth，——thattheyhadmetsecretlybefore？AndwasitfairtoSusy？——dear，innocent，childishSusy！Yetsomethingmustbedone！
Itwassuchtrivial，purposelessdeceit，afterall;forthisnoblewoman，Mrs。Peyton，sokind，sogentle，wouldneverobjecttohislovingSusyandmarryingher。Andtheywouldalllivehappilytogether;andMrs。Peytonwouldneverbeseparatedfromthem，butalwaysbeamingtenderlyuponthemasshedidjustnowinthegarden。
Yes，hewouldhaveaseriousunderstandingwithSusy，andthatwouldexcusetheclandestinemeetingto—day。
Hisrapidpace，meantime，hadbroughthimtotheimperceptibleinclineoftheterrace，andhewasastonished，inturninginthesaddle，tofindthatthecasa，corral，andoutbuildingshadcompletelyvanished，andthatbehindhimrolledonlythelongseaofgrain，whichseemedtohaveswallowedtheminitsyellowingdepths。
Beforehimlaythewoodedravinethroughwhichthestagecoachpassed，whichwasalsotheentrancetotherancho，andthere，too，probably，wastheturningofwhichSusyhadspoken。Butitwasstillearlyfortherendezvous;indeed，hewasinnohurrytomeetherinhispresentdiscontentedstate，andhemadealistlesscircuitofthefield，inthehopeofdiscoveringthephenomenathathadcausedtherancho’smysteriousdisappearance。Whenhehadfoundthatitwastheeffectofthedifferentlevels，hisattentionwasarrestedbyamultitudeofmovingobjectsinastillmoredistantfield，whichprovedtobeabandofwildhorses。Inandoutamongthem，circlingaimlessly，asitseemedtohim，appearedtwohorsemenapparentlyperformingsomemysticevolution。Toaddtotheirsingularperformance，fromtimetotimeoneoftheflyingherd，drivenbythehorsemenfarbeyondthecircleofitscompanions，droppedsuddenlyandunaccountablyinfullcareer。Thefieldclosedoveritasifithadbeenswallowedup。Inafewmomentsitappearedagain，trottingpeacefullybehinditsformerpursuer。ItwassometimebeforeClarencegraspedthemeaningofthisstrangespectacle。Althoughtheclear，dryatmospheresharplyaccentedthesilhouette—likeoutlinesofthemenandhorses，sogreatwasthedistancethattheslenderforty—footlasso，whichintheskillfulhandsofthehorsemenhadeffectedthesecaptures，wasCOMPLETELY
INVISIBLE！ThehorsemenwerePeyton’svacqueros，makingaselectionfromtheyounghorsesforthemarket。HerememberednowthatPeytonhadtoldhimthathemightbeobligedtoraisemoneybysacrificingsomeofhisstock，andthethoughtbroughtbackClarence’suneasinessasheturnedagaintothetrail。Indeed，hewashardlyintheveinforagentletryst，asheenteredthewoodedravinetoseekthemadronotreewhichwastoserveasaguidetohislady’sbower。
Afewrodsfurther，underthecoolvaultfilledwithwoodlandspicing，hecameuponit。Initssummerharlequindressofscarletandgreen，withhangingbellsofpoly—tintedberries，likesomepersonifiedsylvanFolly，itseemedafittingsymbolofSusy’schildishmasqueradeofpassion。Itsbizarrebeauty，soopposedtothesobergravityofthesedatepinesandhemlocks，madeitanunmistakablelandmark。Herehedismountedandpicketedhishorse。
Andhere，besideit，totheright，ranthelittletrailcrawlingovermossyboulders;anarrowyellowtrackthroughthecarpetofpineneedlesbetweentheclosestfileoftrees;analmostimperceptiblestreakacrosspoolsofchickweedattheirroots，andabrownandraggedswaththroughtheferns。Ashewenton，theanxietyanduneasinessthathadpossessedhimgavewaytoalanguidintoxicationofthesenses;themysteriousseclusionofthesewoodlanddepthsrecoveredtheoldinfluencetheyhadexertedoverhisboyhood。HewasnotreturningtoSusy，asmuchastotheolderloveofhisyouth，ofwhichshewas，perhaps，onlyanincident。Itwasthereforewithanoddboyishthrillagainthat，comingsuddenlyuponalittlehollow，likeadesertednest，wherethelosttrailmadehimhesitate，heheardthecrackleofastarchedskirtbehindhim，wasconsciousofthesubtleodoroffreshlyironedandscentedmuslin，andfeltthegentlepressureofdelicatefingersuponhiseyes。
\"Susy！\"
\"Yousillyboy！Wherewereyoublunderingto？Whydidn’tyoulookaroundyou？\"
\"IthoughtIwouldhearyourvoices。\"
\"Whosevoices，idiot？\"
\"YoursandMary’s，\"returnedClarenceinnocently，lookingroundfortheconfidante。
\"Oh，indeed！ThenyouwantedtoseeMARY？Well，she’slookingformesomewhere。Perhapsyou’llgoandfindher，orshallI？\"
Shewasofferingtopasshimwhenhelaidhishandonherstodetainher。Sheinstantlyevadedit，anddrewherselfuptoherfullheight，incontestablydisplayingthedignityoftheaddedinchestoherskirt。AllthiswascharminglyliketheoldSusy，butitdidnotbidfairtohelphimtoaseriousinterview。And，lookingatthepretty，pink，mockingfacebeforehim，withthewitcheryofthewoodlandstilluponhim，hebegantothinkthathehadbetterputitoff。
\"NevermindaboutMary，\"hesaidlaughingly。\"Butyousaidyouwantedtoseeme，Susy;andhereIam。\"
\"SaidIwantedtoseeyou？\"repeatedSusy，withherblueeyesliftedincelestialscornandwonderment。\"SaidIwantedtoseeyou？Areyounotmistaken，Mr。Brant？Really，IimaginedthatyoucameheretoseeME。\"
Withherfairheadupturned，andtheleafofherscarletliptemptinglycurledover，Clarencebegantothinkthislatestphaseofherextravagancethemostfascinating。Hedrewnearertoherashesaidgently，\"YouknowwhatImean，Susy。Yousaidyesterdayyouweretroubled。Ithoughtyoumighthavesomethingtotellme。\"
\"IshouldthinkitwasYOUwhomighthavesomethingtotellmeafteralltheseyears，\"shesaidpoutingly，yetself—possessed。\"ButI
supposeyoucamehereonlytoseeMaryandmother。I’msureyouletthemknowthatplainlyenoughlastevening。\"
\"Butyousaid\"——beganthestupefiedClarence。
\"NevermindwhatIsaid。It’salwayswhatIsay，neverwhatYOU
say;andyoudon’tsayanything。\"
ThewoodlandinfluencemusthavebeenstillverystronguponClarencethathedidnotdiscoverinallthisthat，whileSusy’sgeneralcapriciousnesswasunchanged，therewasanewandsingularinsincerityinhermanifestacting。Shewaseitherconcealingtheexistenceofsomeotherrealemotion，orassumingonethatwasabsent。Buthedidnotnoticeit，andonlyrepliedtenderly：——
\"ButIwanttosayagreatdealtoyou，Susy。IwanttosaythatifyoustillfeelasIdo，andasIhavealwaysfelt，andyouthinkyoucouldbehappyasIwouldbeif——if——wecouldbealwaystogether，weneednotconcealitfromyourmotherandfatheranylonger。Iamoldenoughtospeakformyself，andIammyownmaster。Yourmotherhasbeenverykindtome，——sokindthatitdoesn’tseemquiterighttodeceiveher，——andwhenItellherthatIloveyou，andthatI
wantyoutobemywife，Ibelieveshewillgiveusherblessing。\"
Susyutteredastrangelittlelaugh，andwithanassumptionofcoyness，thatwas，however，stillaffected，stoopedtopickafewberriesfromamanzanitabush。
\"I’lltellyouwhatshe’llsay，Clarence。She’llsayyou’refrightfullyyoung，andsoyouare！\"
Theyoungfellowtriedtoechothelaugh，butfeltasifhehadreceivedablow。Forthefirsttimehewasconsciousofthetruth：
thisgirl，whomhehadfondlyregardedasachild，hadalreadypassedhimintherace;shehadbecomeawomanbeforehewasyetaman，andnowstoodbeforehim，maturerinherknowledge，andolderinherunderstanding，ofherselfandofhim。Thiswasthechangethathadperplexedhim;thiswasthepresencethathadcomebetweenthem，——aSusyhehadneverknownbefore。
Shelaughedathischangedexpression，andthenswungherselfeasilytoasittingpostureonthelowprojectingbranchofahemlock。Theactwasstillgirlish，but，nevertheless，shelookeddownuponhiminasuperior，patronizingway。\"Now，Clarence，\"shesaid，withahalf—abstractedmanner，\"don’tyoubeabigfool！Ifyoutalkthatwaytomother，she’llonlytellyoutowaittwoorthreeyearsuntilyouknowyourownmind，andshe’llpackmeofftothathorridschoolagain，besideswatchingmelikeacateverymomentyouarehere。Ifyouwanttostayhere，andseemesometimeslikethis，you’lljustbehaveasyouhavedone，andsaynothing。Doyousee？Perhapsyoudon’tcaretocome，oraresatisfiedwithMaryandmother。Sayso，then。Goodnessknows，Idon’twanttoforceyoutocomehere。\"
ModestandreservedasClarencewasgenerally，Ifearthatbashfulnessofapproachtotheothersexwasnotoneoftheseindications。HewalkeduptoSusywithappallingdirectness，andpassedhisarmaroundherwaist。Shedidnotmove，butremainedlookingathimandhisintrudingarmwithacertaincriticalcuriosity，asifawaitingsomenovelsensation。Atwhichhekissedher。Shethenslowlydisengagedhisarm，andsaid：——
\"Really，uponmyword，Clarence，\"inperfectlyleveltones，andslippedquietlytotheground。
Heagaincaughtherinhisarms，encirclingherdisarrangedhairandpartoftheberibbonedhathangingoverhershoulder，andremainedforaninstantholdingherthussilentlyandtenderly。Thenshefreedherselfwithanabstractedair，ahalfsmile，andanunchangedcolorexceptwherehersoftcheekhadbeenabradedbyhiscoatcollar。
\"You’reabold，rudeboy，Clarence，\"shesaid，puttingbackherhairquietly，andstraighteningthebrimofherhat。\"Heavenknowswhereyoulearnedmanners！\"andthen，fromasaferdistance，withthesamecriticallookinhervioleteyes，\"IsupposeyouthinkmotherwouldallowTHATifsheknewit？\"
ButClarence，nowcompletelysubjugated，withthememoryofthekissuponhimandaheightenedcolor，protestedthatheonlywantedtomaketheirintercourselessconstrained，andtohavetheirrelations，eventheirengagement，recognizedbyherparents;stillhewouldtakeheradvice。Onlytherewasalwaysthedangerthatiftheywerediscoveredshewouldbesentbacktotheconventallthesame，andhisbanishment，insteadofbeingtheprobationofafewyears，wouldbeaperpetualseparation。
\"Wecouldalwaysrunaway，Clarence，\"respondedtheyounggirlcalmly。\"There’snothingthematterwithTHAT。\"
Clarencewasstartled。Theideaofdesolatingthesad，proud，handsomeMrs。Peyton，whomheworshiped，andherkindhusband，whomhewasjustabouttoserve，wassogrotesqueandconfusing，thathesaidhopelessly，\"Yes。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"shecontinued，withthesameoddaffectationofcoyness，whichwas，however，distinctlyuncalledfor，assheeyedhimfromunderherbroadhat，\"youneedn’tcomewithmeunlessyoulike。Icanrunawaybymyself，——ifIwantto！I’vethoughtofitbefore。Onecan’tstandeverything！\"
\"But，Susy，\"saidClarence，withaswiftremorsefulrecollectionofherconfidenceyesterday，\"istherereallyanythingtroublesyou？
Tellme，dear。Whatisit？\"
\"Oh，nothing——EVERYTHING！It’snouse，——YOUcan’tunderstand！YOU
likeit，Iknowyoudo。Icanseeit;it’syourstyle。Butit’sstupid，it’sawful，Clarence！Withmammasnoopingoveryouandaroundyouallday，withher’dearchild，’’mamma’spet，’and’Whatisit，dear？’and’Tellitalltoyourownmamma，’asifIwould！
And’myownmamma，’indeed！AsifIdidn’tknow，Clarence，thatsheISN’T。Andpapa，caringfornothingbutthishideous，drearyrancho，andthehuge，emptyplains。It’sworsethanschool，forthere，atleast，whenyouwentout，youcouldseesomethingbesidescattleandhorsesandyellow—facedhalf—breeds！Buthere——Lord！
it’sonlyawonderIhaven’trunawaybefore！\"
StartledandshockedasClarencewasatthisrevelation，accompaniedasitwasbyahardnessofmannerthatwasnewtohim，theinfluenceoftheyounggirlwasstillsostronguponhimthathetriedtoevadeitasonlyanextravagance，andsaidwithafaintsmile，\"Butwherewouldyourunto？\"
Shelookedathimcunningly，withherheadononeside，andthensaid：——
\"Ihavefriends，and\"——
Shehesitated，pursingupherprettylips。
\"Andwhat？\"
\"Relations。\"
\"Relations？\"
\"Yes，——anauntbymarriage。ShelivesinSacramento。She’dbeoverjoyedtohavemecometoher。Hersecondhusbandhasatheatrethere。\"
\"But，Susy，whatdoesMrs。Peytonknowofthis？\"
\"Nothing。DoyouthinkI’dtellher，andhaveherbuythemupasshehasmyotherrelations？DoyousupposeIdon’tknowthatI’vebeenboughtuplikeanigger？\"
Shelookedindignant，compressingherdelicatelittlenostrils，andyet，somehow，Clarencehadthesamesingularimpressionthatshewasonlyacting。
Thecallingofafar—offvoicecamefaintlythroughthewood。
\"That’sMary，lookingforme，\"saidSusycomposedly。\"Youmustgo，now，Clarence。Quick！RememberwhatIsaid，——anddon’tbreatheawordofthis。Good—by。\"
ButClarencewasstandingstill，breathless，hopelesslydisturbed，andirresolute。Thenheturnedawaymechanicallytowardsthetrail。
\"Well，Clarence？\"
Shewaslookingathimhalfreproachfully，halfcoquettishly，withsmiling，partedlips。Hehastenedtoforgethimselfandhistroublesuponthemtwiceandthrice。Thenshequicklydisengagedherself，whispered，\"Go，now，\"and，asMary’scallwasrepeated，Clarenceheardhervoice，highandclear，answering，\"Here，dear，\"
ashewasplungingintothethicket。
Hehadscarcelyreachedthemadronotreeagainandremountedhishorse，beforeheheardthesoundofhoofsapproachingfromtheroad。
Inhispresentuneasinesshedidnotcaretobediscoveredsoneartherendezvous，anddrewbackintotheshadowuntilthehorsemanshouldpass。ItwasPeyton，withasomewhatdisturbedface，ridingrapidly。Stilllesswasheinclinedtojoinorimmediatelyfollowhim，buthewasrelievedwhenhishost，insteadoftakingthedirectroadtotherancho，throughthewildoats，turnedoffinthedirectionofthecorral。
AmomentlaterClarencewheeledintothedirectroad，andpresentlyfoundhimselfinthelongafternoonshadowsthroughthethickestofthegrain。Hewasridingslowly，immersedinthought，whenhewassuddenlystartledbyahissingnoiseathisear，andwhatseemedtobetheuncoilingstrokeofaleapingserpentathisside。
Instinctivelyhethrewhimselfforwardonhishorse’sneck，andastheanimalshiedintothegrain，feltthecrawlingscrapeandjerkofahorsehairlariatacrosshisbackanddownhishorse’sflanks。
Hereinedinindignantlyandstoodupinhisstirrups。Nothingwastobeseenabovethelevelofthegrain。Beneathhimthetrailingriatahadasnoiselesslyvanishedasifithadbeenindeedaglidingsnake。Hadhebeenthevictimofapracticaljoke，oroftheblunderofsomestupidvacquero？Forhemadenodoubtthatitwasthelassoofoneoftheperformershehadwatchedthatafternoon。
Buthispreoccupiedminddidnotdwelllonguponit，andbythetimehehadreachedthewalloftheoldgarden，theincidentwasforgotten。
CHAPTERVI。
RelievedofClarenceBrant’sembarrassingpresence，JimHookerdidnot，however，refusetoavailhimselfofthatopportunitytoexpoundtothefarmerandhisfamilytheimmensewealth，influence，andimportanceofthefriendwhohadjustlefthim。AlthoughClarence’splanhadsuggestedreticence，Hookercouldnotforegothepleasureofinformingthemthat\"Clar\"Branthadjustofferedtolethimintoanextensivelandspeculation。HehadpreviouslydeclinedalargeshareororiginallocationinamineofClarence’s，nowworthamillion，becauseitwasnot\"hisstyle。\"Butthelandspeculationinacountryofunsettledtitlesandlawlessmen，heneednotremindthem，requiredsomeexperienceofborderwarfare。Hewouldnotsaypositively，althoughheleftthemtodrawtheirownconclusionswithgloomysignificance，thatthiswaswhyClarencehadsoughthim。
Withthisdarksuggestion，hetookleaveofMr。andMrs。HopkinsandtheirdaughterPhoebethenextday，notwithoutsomenaturalhumanemotion，andpeacefullydrovehisteamandwagonintothesettlementofFairPlains。
Hewasnotprepared，however，forasuddenrealizationofhisimaginativeprospects。AfewdaysafterhisarrivalinFairPlains，hereceivedaletterfromClarence，explainingthathehadnottimetoreturntoHookertoconsulthim，buthad，nevertheless，fulfilledhispromise，bytakingadvantageofanopportunityofpurchasingtheSpanish\"Sisters’\"titletocertainunoccupiedlandsnearthesettlement。AstheselandsinpartjoinedthesectionalreadypreemptedandoccupiedbyHopkins，ClarencethoughtthatJimHookerwouldchoosethatpartforthesakeofhisneighbor’scompany。HeinclosedadraftonSanFrancisco，forasumsufficienttoenableJimtoputupacabinand\"stock\"theproperty，whichhebeggedhewouldconsiderinthelightofaloan，tobepaidbackininstallments，onlywhenthepropertycouldaffordit。Atthesametime，ifJimwasindifficulty，hewastoinformhim。TheletterclosedwithacharacteristicClarence—likeminglingofenthusiasmandolderwisdom。\"Iwishyouluck，Jim，butIseenoreasonwhyyoushouldtrusttoit。Idon’tknowofanythingthatcouldkeepyoufrommakingyourselfindependentofanyone，ifyougotoworkwithaLONGAIManddon’tfritterawayyourchancesonshortones。
IfIwereyou，oldfellow，I’ddropthePlainsandtheIndiansoutofmythoughts，oratleastoutofmyTALK，forawhile;theywon’thelpyouinthelongrun。Thepeoplewhobelieveyouwillbejealousofyou;thosewhodon’t，willlookdownuponyou，andiftheygettoquestioningyourlittleIndianromances，Jim，they’llbeapttoquestionyourcivilizedfacts。Thatwon’thelpyouintheranchingbusinessandthat’syouronlyrealgripnow。\"Forthespaceoftwoorthreehoursafterthis，Jimwasreasonablygratefulandevensubdued，——somuchsothathisemployer，towhomheconfidedhisgoodfortune，franklyconfessedthathebelievedhimfromthatunusualfactalone。Unfortunately，neitherthepracticallessonconveyedinthisgrimadmission，northesentimentofgratitude，remainedlongwithJim。Anotherideahadtakenpossessionofhisfancy。Althoughthelandnominatedinhisbillofsalehadbeen，exceptontheoccasionofhisowntemporaryhaltthere，alwaysunoccupied，unsought，andunclaimed，andalthoughhewasamplyprotectedbylegalcertificates，hegravelycollectedaposseofthreeorfouridlersfromFairPlains，armedthemathisownexpense，andinthedeadofnighttookbelligerentandforciblepossessionofthepeacefuldomainwhichtheweakgenerosityandunheroicdollarsofClarencehadpurchasedforhim！Amartialcamp—
firetemperedthechillnightwindstothepulsesoftheinvaders，andenabledthemtosleepontheirarmsinthefieldtheyhadwon。