Yettherewereleadendays，whenhalftheprospectseemedtobeseenthroughpalisadesofrain;whentheslightinclinebetweentheterracesbecameatumultuouscascade，andthesuresthoofsslippedontrailsofunctuousmud;whencattlewereboggedafewyardsfromthehighway，andthecrossingoftheturnpikeroadwasadangerousford。Thereweredaysofgaleandtempest，whentheshriveledstalksofgiantoatswerestrickenliketrees，andlayacrosseachotherinrigidangles，andaroarasoftheseacameupfromthewrithingtreetopsinthesunkenvalley。Therewerelongwearynightsofsteadydownpour，hammeringontheredtilesofthecasa，anddrummingontheshinglesofthenewveranda，whichwasmoreterribletobeborne。Alone，butfortheservants，andanoccasionalstorm—stayedtenantfromFairPlains，Clarencemighthave，atsuchtimes，questionedtheeffectofthisseclusionuponhisimpassionednature。ButhehadalreadybeenaccustomedtomonasticseclusioninhisboyishlifeatElRefugio，andhedidnotreflectthat，forthatveryreason，itsindulgencesmighthavebeendangerous。FromtimetotimelettersreachedhimfromtheouterworldofSanFrancisco，——afewpleasantlinesfromMrs。Peyton，inanswertohisownchronicleofhishalfstewardship，givingthenewsofthefamily，andbrieflyrecountingtheirmovements。ShewasafraidthatSusy’ssensitivenaturechafedundertherestrictionofmourninginthegaycity，butshetrustedtobringherbackforachangetoRobleswhentherainswereover。Thiswasapoorsubstituteforthosebrief，happyglimpsesofthehomecirclewhichhadsocharmedhim，butheaccepteditstoically。Hewanderedovertheoldhouse，fromwhichtheperfumeofdomesticityseemedtohaveevaporated，yet，notwithstandingMrs。Peyton’splayfulpermission，heneverintrudeduponthesanctityoftheboudoir，andkeptitjealouslylocked。
HewassittinginPeyton’sbusinessroomonemorning，whenIncarnacionentered。ClarencehadtakenafancytothisIndian，halfsteward，halfvacquero，whohadreciprocateditwithacertaindog—likefidelity，butalsoafelineindirectnessthatwaspartofhisnature。HehadbeenearlyprepossessedwithClarencethroughakinsmanatElRefugio，wheretheyoungAmerican’sgenerosityhadleftaromanticrecordamongthecommonpeople。Hehadbeenpleasedtoapproveofhisfolliesbeforetheknowledgeofhisprofitlessandlordlylandpurchasehadcommendeditselftohimascorroborativetestimony。\"Oftruehidalgoblood，markyou，\"hehadsaidoracularly。\"Whereforewashisfathersacrificedbymongrels！Astotheothers，believeme，——bah！\"
Hestoodthere，sombreroinhand，murkyandconfidential，steamingthroughhissoakedserapeandexhalingablendedodorofequineperspirationandcigarettesmoke。
\"Itwas，perhaps，asthemasterhadnoticed，abrigand’sownday！
Bullying，treacherous，andwicked！Itblewyouoffyourhorseifyousomuchasliftedyourarmsandletthewindgetinsideyourserape;andasforthemud，——caramba！infiftyvarasyourforelegswerelikebears，andyourhoofswereearthenplasters！\"
ClarenceknewthatIncarnacionhadnotsoughthimwithmeremeteorologicalinformation，andpatientlyawaitedfurtherdevelopments。Thevacquerowenton：——
\"Butoneofthethingsthisbeastofaweatherdidwastowashdownthestalksofthegrain，andtoclearoutthetroughandhollowsbetween，andtomakelevelthefields，and——lookyou！touncoverthestonesandrubbishandwhateverthesummerdusthadburied。Indeed，itwasevenasamiraclethatJoseMendezoneday，afterthefirstshowers，cameuponasilverbuttonfromhiscalzas，whichhehadlostintheearlysummer。Anditwasonlythatmorningthat，rememberinghowmuchandwithwhatfireDonClarenciohadsoughtthemissingbootfromthefootoftheSenorPeytonwhenhisbodywasfound，he，Incarnacion，hadthoughthewouldlookforitonthefaldaofthesecondterrace。Andbehold，MotherofGoditwasthere！Soakedwithmudandrain，butthesameaswhenthesenorwasalive。Totheveryspur！\"
HedrewthebootfrombeneathhisserapeandlaiditbeforeClarence。Theyoungmaninstantlyrecognizedit，inspiteofitsweather—beatenconditionanditsairofgrotesqueanddrunkeninconsistencytotheusuallytrimandcorrectappearanceofPeytonwhenalive。\"Itisthesame，\"hesaid，inalowvoice。
\"Good！\"saidIncarnacion。\"Now，ifDonClarenciowillexaminetheAmericanspur，hewillsee——what？Afewhorse—hairstwistedandcaughtinthesharppointsoftherowel。Good！IsitthehairofthehorsethatSenorrode？Clearlynot;andintruthnot。Itistoolongfortheflanksandbellyofthehorse;itisnotthesamecolorasthetailandthemane。Howcomesitthere？Itcomesfromthetwistedhorsehairropeofariata，andnotfromthebraidedcowhidethongsoftheregularlassoofavacquero。Thelassoslipsnotmuch，butholds;theriataslipsmuchandstrangles。\"
\"ButMr。Peytonwasnotstrangled，\"saidClarencequickly。
\"No，forthenooseoftheriatawasperhapslarge，——whoknows？Itmighthaveslippeddownhisarms，pinionedhim，andpulledhimoff。
Truly！——suchhasbeenknownbefore。Thenonthegrounditslippedagain，orheperhapsworkeditofftohisfeetwhereitcaughtonhisspur，andthenhewasdraggeduntilthebootcameoff，andbehold！hewasdead。\"
ThishadbeenClarence’sowntheoryofthemurder，buthehadonlyhalfconfidedittoIncarnacion。Hesilentlyexaminedthespurwiththeaccusinghorse—hair，andplaceditinhisdesk。Incarnacioncontinued：——
\"Thereisnotavacquerointhewholeranchowhohasahorse—hairriata。Weusethebraidedcowhide;itisheavierandstronger;itisforthebullandnottheman。Thehorse—hairriatacomesfromovertherange——south。\"
Therewasadeadsilence，brokenonlybythedrummingoftherainupontheroofoftheveranda。Incarnacionslightlyshruggedhisshoulders。
\"DonClarenciodoesnotknowthesoutherncounty？FranciscoRobles，cousinofthe’Sisters，’——hetheycall’Pancho，’——comesfromthesouth。SurelywhenDonClarencioboughtthetitlehesawFrancisco，forhewasthesteward？\"
\"IdealtonlywiththeactualownersandthroughmybankersinSanFrancisco，\"returnedClarenceabstractedly。
Incarnacionlookedthroughtheyellowcornersofhismurkyeyesathismaster。
\"PedroValdez，whowassentawaybySenorPeyton，isthefoster—
brotherofFrancisco。Theyweremuchtogether。NowthatFranciscoisrichfromthegoldDonClarenciopaidforthetitle，theycomenotmuchtogether。ButPedroisrich，too。MotherofGod！Hegamblesandisafinegentleman。Heholdshisheadhigh，——evenovertheAmericanoshegambleswith。Truly，theysayhecanshootwiththebestofthem。Heboastsandswellshimself，thisPedro！Hesaysifalltheoldfamilieswerelikehim，theywoulddrivethosewesternswinebackoverthemountainsagain。\"
Clarenceraisedhiseyes，caughtasubtleyellowflashfromIncarnacion’s，gazedathimsuddenly，androse。
\"Idon’tthinkIhaveeverseenhim，\"hesaidquietly。\"Thankyouforbringingmethespur。Butkeeptheknowledgeofittoyourself，goodNascio，forthepresent。\"
Nascioneverthelessstilllingered。Perceivingwhich，Clarencehandedhimacigaretteandproceededtolightonehimself。Heknewthatthevacquerowouldrerollhis，andthatthatalwaysdeliberateoccupationwouldcoverandbeanexcuseforfurtherconfidence。
\"TheSenoraPeytondoesnotperhapsmeetthisPedrointhesocietyofSanFrancisco？\"
\"Surelynot。Thesenoraisinmourningandgoesnotoutinsociety，norwouldsheprobablygoanywherewhereshewouldmeetadismissedservantofherhusband。\"
Incarnacionslowlylithiscigarette，andsaidbetweenthepuffs，\"Andthesenorita——shewouldnotmeethim？\"
\"Assuredlynot。\"
\"And，\"continuedIncarnacion，throwingdownthematchandputtinghisfootonit，\"ifthisboaster，thisturkey—cock，saysshedid，youcouldputhimoutlikethat？\"
\"Certainly，\"saidClarence，withaneasyconfidencehewas，however，farfromfeeling，\"ifhereallySAIDit——whichIdoubt。\"
\"Ah，truly，\"saidIncarnacion;\"whoknows？ItmaybeanotherSenoritaSilsbee。\"
\"Thesenora’sadopteddaughteriscalledMISSPEYTON，friendNascio。
Youforgetyourself，\"saidClarencequietly。
\"Ah，pardon！\"saidIncarnacionwitheffusiveapology;\"butshewasbornSilsbee。Everybodyknowsit;sheherselfhastoldittoPepita。TheSenorPeytonbequeathedhisestatetotheSenoraPeyton。Henamednotthesenorita！Eh，whatwouldyou？Itisthecommoncackleofthebarnyard。ButIsay’MeesSilsbee。’Forlookyou。ThereisaSilsbeeofSacramento，thedaughterofheraunt，whowritesletterstoher。Pepitahasseenthem！AndpossiblyitisonlythatMeesofwhomthebrigandPedroboasts。\"
\"Possibly，\"saidClarence，\"butasfarasthisranchoisconcerned，friendNascio，thouwiltunderstand——andIlooktotheetomaketheothersunderstand——thatthereisnoSenoritaSILSBEEhere，onlytheSenoritaPEYTON，therespecteddaughterofthesenorathymistress！\"
HespokewiththequaintminglingoffamiliarityandpaternalgravityoftheSpanishmaster——afacultyhehadacquiredatElRefugioinalikevicariousposition，andwhichneverfailedasasignofauthority。\"Andnow，\"headdedgravely，\"getoutofthis，friend，withGod’sblessing，andseethatthourememberestwhatI
toldthee。\"
Theretainer，withequalgravity，steppedbackwards，salutedwithhissombrerountilthestiffbrimscrapedthefloor，andthensolemnlywithdrew。
Lefttohimself，Clarenceremainedforaninstantsilentandthoughtfulbeforetheoven—likehearth。So！everybodyknewSusy’srealrelationstothePeytons，andeverybodybutMrs。Peyton，perhaps，knewthatshewassecretlycorrespondingwithsomeoneofherownfamily。Inothercircumstanceshemighthavefoundsomeexcuseforthisassertionofherindependenceandloveofherkindred，butinherattitudetowardsMrs。Peytonitseemedmonstrous。ItappearedimpossiblethatMrs。Peytonshouldnothaveheardofit，orsuspectedtheyounggirl’sdisaffection。Perhapsshehad，——itwasanotherburdenlaiduponhershoulders，——buttheproudwomanhadkeptittoherself。Afilmofmoisturecameacrosshiseyes。IfearhethoughtlessofthesuggestionofSusy’ssecretmeetingwithPedro，orIncarnacion’simpliedsuspicionsthatPedrowasconcernedinPeyton’sdeath，thanofthissentimentalpossibility。HeknewthatPedrohadbeenhatedbytheothersonaccountofhisposition;heknewtheinstinctivejealousiesoftheraceandtheirpredispositiontoextravagantmisconstruction。Fromwhathehadgathered，andparticularlyfromthevoiceshehadoverheardontheFairPlainsRoad，itseemedtohimthatPedrowasmorecapableofmercenaryintriguethanphysicalrevenge。HewasnotawareoftheirrevocableaffrontputuponPedrobyPeyton，andhehadconsequentlyattachednoimportancetoPeyton’sownhalf—
scornfulintimationoftheonlykindofretaliationthatPedrowouldbelikelytotake。Theunsuccessfulattemptuponhimselfhehadalwaysthoughtmighthavebeenanaccident，orifitwasreallyapremeditatedassault，itmighthavebeenintendedactuallyforHIMSELFandnotPeyton，ashehadfirstthought，andhisoldfriendhadsufferedforHIM，throughsomemistakeoftheassailant。Thepurpose，whichaloneseemedwanting，mighthavebeentoremoveClarenceasapossiblewitnesswhohadoverheardtheirconspiracy——
howmuchofittheydidnotknow——ontheFairPlainsRoadthatnight。Theonlyclueheheldtothemurdererinthespurlockedinhisdesk，merelyledhimbeyondtheconfinesoftherancho，butdefinitelynowhereelse。Itwas，however，somerelieftoknowthatthecrimewasnotcommittedbyoneofPeyton’sretainers，northeoutcomeofdomestictreachery。
AftersomeconsiderationheresolvedtoseekJimHooker，whomightbepossessedofsomeinformationrespectingSusy’srelations，eitherfromtheyounggirl’sownconfidencesorfromJim’spersonalknowledgeoftheoldfrontierfamilies。FromasenseofloyaltytoSusyandMrs。Peyton，hehadneveralludedtothesubjectbeforehim，butsincetheyounggirl’sownindiscretionhadmadeitamatterofcommonreport，howeverdistastefulitwastohisownfeelings，hefelthecouldnotpleadthesenseofdelicacyforher。
Hehadgreathopesinwhathehadalwaysbelievedwasonlyherexaggerationoffactaswellasfeeling。Andhehadaninstinctiverelianceonherfellowposeur’sabilitytodetectit。Afewdayslater，whenhefoundhecouldsafelyleavetheranchoalone，herodetoFairPlains。
Thefloodswereoutalongtheturnpikeroad，andevenseemedtohaveincreasedsincehislastjourney。Thefaceofthelandscapehadchangedagain。Oneofthelowerterraceshadbecomeawildmereofsedgeandreeds。Thedryanddustybedofaforgottenbrookhadreappeared，afull—bankedriver，crossingtheturnpikeandcompellingalongdetourbeforethetravelercouldfordit。ButasheapproachedtheHopkinsfarmandtheoppositeclearingandcabinofJimHooker，hewasquiteunpreparedforastillmoreremarkabletransformation。Thecabin，athree—roomedstructure，anditscattle—shedhadentirelydisappeared！Therewerenotracesorsignsofinundation。Thelandlayonagentleacclivityabovethefarmandsecurefromtheeffectsoftheflood，andapartoftheploughedandclearedlandaroundthesiteofthecabinshowednoevidenceofoverflowonitsblack，upturnedsoil。Butthehousewasgone！Onlyafewtimberstooheavytoberemoved，theblightingerasionsofafewmonthsofoccupation，andthedull，blackenedareaofthesiteitselfweretobeseen。Thefencealonewasintact。
Clarencehaltedbeforeit，perplexedandastonished。ScarcelytwoweekshadelapsedsincehehadlastvisiteditandsatbeneathitsroofwithJim，andalreadyitsfewruinshadtakenuponthemselvesthelookofyearsofabandonmentanddecay。Thewildlandseemedtohavethrownoffitsyokeofcultivationinanight，andnatureriotedagainwithallitsprimalforcesoverthefreedsoil。Wildoatsandmustardwerespringingalreadyinthebrokenfurrows，andlankvineswereslimilyspreadingoverafewscatteredbutstillunseasonedandsappyshingles。Somebatteredtincansandfragmentsofoldclothinglookedasremoteasiftheyhadbeenrelicsoftheearliestimmigration。
ClarenceturnedinquiringlytowardstheHopkinsfarmhouseacrosstheroad。Hisarrival，however，hadalreadybeennoticed，asthedoorofthekitchenopenedinananticipatoryfashion，andhecouldseetheslightfigureofPhoebeHopkinsinthedoorway，backedbytheoverlookingheadsandshouldersofherparents。Thefaceoftheyounggirlwaspaleanddrawnwithanxiety，atwhichClarence’ssimpleastonishmenttookashadeofconcern。
\"IamlookingforMr。Hooker，\"hesaiduneasily。\"AndIdon’tseemtobeabletofindeitherhimorhishouse。\"
\"Andyoudon’tknowwhat’sgoneofhim？\"saidthegirlquickly。
\"No;Ihaven’tseenhimfortwoweeks。\"
\"There，Itoldyouso！\"saidthegirl，turningnervouslytoherparents。\"Iknewit。Hehasn’tseenhimfortwoweeks。\"Then，lookingalmosttearfullyatClarence’sface，shesaid，\"Nomorehavewe。\"
\"But，\"saidClarenceimpatiently，\"somethingmusthavehappened。
Whereishishouse？\"
\"Takenawaybythemjumpers，\"interruptedtheoldfarmer;\"alotofroughsthatpulleditdownandcarteditoffinajiffybeforeourveryeyeswithoutanswerin’acivilquestiontomeorher。Buthewasn’tthere，norbefore，norsince。\"
\"No，\"addedtheoldwoman，withflashingeyes，\"orhe’dlet’emhavewhatther’wasinhissix—shooters。\"
\"No，hewouldn’t，mother，\"saidthegirlimpatiently，\"he’dCHANGED，andwasaginallthemideasofforceandriotin’。Hewasforpeaceandlawallthetime。Why，thedaybeforewemissedhimhewastellin’meCalifornianeverwouldbedecentuntilpeopleobeyedthelawsandthetitlesweresettled。Andforthatreason，becausehewouldn’tfightaginthelaw，orwithouttheconsentofthelaw，they’vekilledhim，orkidnappedhimaway。\"
Thegirl’slipsquivered，andhersmallbrownhandstwistedtheedgesofherbluecheckedapron。AlthoughthisnewpictureofJim’speacefulnesswasasastoundingandunsatisfactoryashisowndisappearance，therewasnodoubtofthesincerityofpoorPhoebe’simpression。
InvaindidClarencepointouttothemtheremustbesomemistake;
thatthetrespassers——theso—calledjumpers——reallybelongedtothesamepartyasHooker，andwouldhavenoreasontodispossesshim;
that，infact，theywereallHIS，Clarence’s，tenants。InvainheassuredthemofHooker’sperfectsecurityinpossession;thathecouldhavedriventheintrudersawaybythesimpleexhibitionofhislease，orthathecouldhaveevencalledaconstablefromthetownofFairPlainstoprotecthimfrommerelawlessness。Invaindidheassurethemofhisintentiontofindhismissingfriend，andreinstatehimatanycost。Theconvictionthattheunfortunateyoungmanhadbeenfoullydealtwithwasfixedinthemindsofthetwowomen。ForamomentClarencehimselfwasstaggeredbyit。
\"Yousee，\"saidtheyounggirl，withakindlingface，\"thedaybeforehecamebackfromRobles，ther’weresomequeermenhangin’
roundhiscabin，butastheywerethesamekindthatwentoffwithhimthedaytheSisters’titlewasconfirmed，wethoughtnothingofit。Butwhenhecamebackfromyouheseemedworriedandanxious，andwasn’tabitlikehimself。Wethoughtperhapshe’dgotintosometroublethere，orbeendisappointed。Hehadn’t，hadhe，Mr。
Brant？\"continuedPhoebe，withanappealinglook。
\"Bynomeans，\"saidClarencewarmly。\"Onthecontrary，hewasabletodohisfriendsgoodservicethere，andwassuccessfulinwhatheattempted。Mrs。Peytonwasverygrateful。Ofcoursehetoldyouwhathadhappened，andwhathedidforus，\"continuedClarence，withasmile。
HehadalreadyamusedhimselfonthewaywithafancifulconceptionoftheexaggeratedaccountJimhadgivenofhisexploits。Butthebewilderedgirlshookherhead。
\"No，hedidn’ttellusANYTHING。\"
Clarencewasreallyalarmed。ThisunprecedentedabstentionofHooker’swasportentous。
\"Hedidn’tsayanythingbutwhatItoldyouaboutlawandorder，\"
shewenton;\"butthatsamenightweheardagooddealoftalkingandshoutinginthecabinandaroundit。Andthenextdayhewastalkingwithfather，andwantingtoknowhowHEkepthislandwithouttroublefromoutsiders。\"
\"AndIsaid，\"brokeinHopkins，\"thatIguessedfolksdidn’tbotheramanwithwomenfolksaround，andthatIkalkilatedthatIwasn’tquiteasnotoriousforfightin’ashewas。\"
\"Andhesaid，\"alsointerruptedMrs。Hopkins，\"andquiteinhisnat’ralway，too，——gloomylike，youremember，Cyrus，\"appealinglytoherhusband，——\"thatthatwashiscurse。\"
ThesmilethatflickeredaroundClarence’smouthfaded，however，ashecaughtsightofPhoebe’spleading，interrogatingeyes。Itwasreallytoobad。Whateverchangehadcomeovertherascalitwastooevidentthathispreviousbelligerentpersonalityhadhaditsfulleffectuponthesimplegirl，andthat，hereafter，onepairofhonesteyeswouldbewistfullyfollowinghim。
Perplexedandindignant，Clarenceagaincloselyquestionedherastothepersonnelofthetrespassingpartywhohadbeenseenonceortwicesincepassingoverthefield。HehadatlastelicitedenoughinformationtoidentifyoneofthemasGilroy，theleaderofthepartythathadinvadedRoblesrancho。Hischeekflushed。EveniftheyhadwishedtotakeatheatricalandmomentaryrevengeonHookerforthepassingtreacherytothemwhichtheyhadjustdiscovered，althoughsuchretaliationwasonlytransitory，andtheycouldnotholdtheland，itwasaninsulttoClarencehimself，whosetenantJimwas，andsubversiveofalltheirlegallyacquiredrights。HewouldconfrontthisGilroyatonce;hishalf—wildencampmentwasonlyafewmilesaway，justovertheboundariesoftheRoblesestate。Withoutstatinghisintention，hetookleaveoftheHopkinsfamilywiththecheerfulassurancethathewouldprobablyreturnwithsomenewsofHooker，androdeaway。
Thetrailbecamemoreindistinctandunfrequentedasitdivergedfromthemainroad，andpresentlylostitselfintheslopetowardstheeast。Thehorizongrewlarger：therewerefaintbluishlinesuponitwhichheknewweredistantmountains;beyondthisastillfainterwhiteline——theSierransnows。Presentlyheintersectedatrailrunningsouth，andremarkedthatitcrossedthehighwaybehindhim，wherehehadoncemetthetwomysterioushorsemen。Theyhadevidentlyreachedtheterracethroughthewildoatsbythattrail。
Alittlefartheronwereafewgroupsofshedsandcanvastentsinabareandopenspace，withscatteredcattleandhorsemen，exactlylikeanencampment，orthegatheringofacountryfair。AsClarencerodedowntowardsthemhecouldseethathisapproachwasinstantlyobserved，andthatasimultaneousmovementwasmadeasiftoanticipatehim。Forthefirsttimeherealizedthepossibleconsequencesofhisvisit，single—handed，butitwastoolatetoretracehissteps。Withaglanceathisholster，herodeboldlyforwardtothenearestshed。Adozenmenhoverednearhim，butsomethinginhisquiet，determinedmannerheldthemaloof。Gilroywasonthethresholdinhisshirtsleeves。AsinglelookshowedhimthatClarencewasalone，andwithacarelessgestureofhishandhewarnedawayhisownfollowers。
\"You’vegotasortofeasywayofdroppin’inwharyouain’tinvited，Brant，\"hesaidwithagrimsmile，whichwasnot，however，withoutacertainairofapproval。\"Gotitfromyourfather，didn’tyou？\"
\"Idon’tknow，butIdon’tbelieveHEeverthoughtitnecessarytowarntwentymenoftheapproachofONE，\"repliedClarence，inthesametone。\"Ihadnotimetostandonceremony，forIhavejustcomefromHooker’squartersectionatFairPlains。\"
Gilroysmiledagain，andgazedabstractedlyatthesky。
\"YouknowaswellasIdo，\"saidClarence，controllinghisvoicewithaneffort，\"thatwhatyouhavedonetherewillhavetobeundone，ifyouwishtoholdeventhoselawlessmenofyourstogether，orkeepyourselfandthemfrombeingrunintothebrushlikehighwaymen。I’venofearforthat。NeitherdoIcaretoknowwhatwasyourmotiveindoingit;butIcanonlytellyouthatifitwasretaliation，IalonewasandstillamresponsibleforHooker’sactionattherancho。Icameheretoknowjustwhatyouhavedonewithhim，and，ifnecessary，totakehisplace。\"
\"You’rejustalittletoopreviousinyourtalk，Ireckon，Brant，\"
returnedGilroylazily，\"andastolegality，Ireckonwestandonthesamelevelwithyourself，justhere。Beginnin’withwhatyoucamefor：aswedon’tknowwhereyourJimHookeris，andasweain’tdoneanythin’toHIM，wedon’texacklyseewhatwecoulddowithYOU
inhisplace。Eztoourmotives，——well，we’vegotagooddealtosayaboutTHAT。Wereckonedthathewasn’texacklythekindofmanwewantedforaneighbor。Hispow’fulfightin’styledidn’tsuituspeacefulfolks，andwethoughtitratherworkedaginthisnew’lawandorder’rackettohavesuchamanabout，tosaynuthin’ofitprejudicin’quietsettlers。Hehadtoomanyrevolversforonemantokeephiseyeon，andwasaltogethertoomuchsteepedinblood，sotospeak，forordinarywashin’anddomesticpurposes！Hishullgetupwastoodeathlikeandclammy;sowepersuadedhimtoleave。Wejustwentthere，allofus，andexhortedhim。Westayedroundtheretwodaysandnights，takin’turns，talkin’withhim，nuthin’more，onlyselectingsubjectsinhisownstyletopleasehim，untilheleft！Andthen，aswedidn’tseeanyuseforhishousethere，wetookitaway。Them’sthecoldfacts，Brant，\"headded，withacertainconvincingindifferencethatleftnoroomfordoubt，\"andyoucanstandby’em。Now，workin’backtothefirstprincipleyoulaiddown，——thatwe’llhavetoUNDOwhatwe’veDONE，——wedon’tagreewithyou，forwe’vetakenaleafouteryourownbook。We’vegotithereinblackandwhite。We’vegotabillo’saleofHooker’shouseandpossession，andwe’reonthelandinplaceofhim，——ASYOUR
TENANTS。\"Hereenteredtheshanty，tookapieceofpaperfromasoap—boxontheshell，andhelditouttoClarence。\"Hereitis。
It’safairandsquaredeal，Brant。Wegavehim，asitsayshere，ahundreddollarsforit！Nohumbuggin’，butthehardcash，byJiminy！ANDHETOOKTHEMONEY。\"
Theringoftruthintheman’svoicewasasunmistakableasthesignatureinJim’sownhand。Hookerhadsoldout！Clarenceturnedhastilyaway。
\"Wedon’tknowwherehewent，\"continuedGilroygrimly，\"butI
reckonyouain’toveranxioustoseehimNOW。AndIkintellyesomethingtoeaseyourmind，——hedidn’trequiremuchpersuadin’。
AndIkintellyeanother，ifyeain’tabovetakin’advicefromfolksthatdon’tpertendtogiveit，\"headded，withthesamecuriouslookofinterestinhisface。\"You’vedonewelltogetshutofhim，andifyougotshutofafewmoreofhiskindthatyoutrustto，you’ddobetter。\"
Asiftoavoidnoticinganyangryreplyfromtheyoungman，hereenteredthecabinandshutthedoorbehindhim。Clarencefelttheuselessnessoffurtherparley，androdeaway。
ButGilroy’sParthianarrowrankledasherode。HewasnotgreatlyshockedatJim’sdefection，forhewasalwaysfullyconsciousofhisvanityandweakness;buthewasbynomeanscertainthatJim’sextravaganceandbraggadocio，whichhehadfoundonlyamusingand，perhaps，evenpathetic，mightnotbeasprovocativeandprejudicialtoothersasGilroyhadsaid。But，likeallsympatheticandunselfishnatures，hesoughttofindsomeexcuseforhisoldcompanion’sweaknessinhisownmistakenjudgment。HehadnobusinesstobringpoorJimontheland，tosubjecthissingulartemperamenttothetemptationsofsuchalifeandsuchsurroundings;
heshouldneverhavemadeuseofhisservicesattherancho。Hehaddonehimharmratherthangoodinhisill—advised，and，perhaps，SELFISHattemptstohelphim。IhavesaidthatGilroy’spartingwarningrankledinhisbreast，butnotignobly。Itwoundedthesurfaceofhissensitivenature，butcouldnottaintorcorruptthepure，wholesomebloodofthegentlemanbeneathit。ForinGilroy’swarninghesawonlyhisownshortcomings。Astrangefatalityhadmarkedhisfriendships。HehadbeennohelptoJim;hehadbroughtnohappinesstoSusyorMrs。Peyton，whosedisagreementhisvisitseemedtohaveaccented。Thinkingoverthemysteriousattackuponhimself，itnowseemedtohimpossiblethat，insomeobscureway，hispresenceattheranchohadprecipitatedthemoreseriousattackonPeyton。If，asithadbeensaid，therewassomecurseuponhisinheritancefromhisfather，heseemedtohavemadeothersshareitwithhim。Hewasridingonwardabstractedly，withhisheadsunkonhisbreastandhiseyesfixeduponsomevaguepointbetweenhishorse’ssensitiveears，whenasudden，intelligent，forwardprickingofthemstartledhim，andanapparitionarosefromtheplainbeforehimthatseemedtosweepallothersenseaway。
Itwasthefigureofahandsomeyounghorsemanasabstractedashimself，butevidentlyonbettertermswithhisownpersonality。Hewasdarkhaired，sallowcheeked，andblueeyed，——thetypeoftheoldSpanishCalifornian。Aburnt—outcigarettewasinhismouth，andhewasridingaroanmustangwiththelazygraceofhisrace。ButwhatarrestedClarence’sattentionmorethanhispicturesquepersonwasthenarrow，flexible，longcoilofgrayhorse—hairriatawhichhungfromhissaddle—bow，butwhoseknottedandsilver—beadedterminatinglashhewasswirlingidlyinhisnarrowbrownhand。Clarenceknewandinstantlyrecognizeditastheordinaryfancifulappendageofagentlemanrider，usedfortetheringhishorseonlonelyplains，andalwaysmadetheobjectofthemostlavishexpenditureofdecorationandartisticskill。Buthewasassuddenlyfilledwithablind，unreasoningsenseofrepulsionandfury，andliftedhiseyestothemanasheapproached。WhatthestrangersawinClarence’sblazingeyesnoonebuthimselfknew，forhisownbecamefixedandstaring;
hissallowcheeksgrewlankerandlivid;hiscareless，jauntybearingstiffenedintorigidity，andswervinghishorsetoonesidehesuddenlypassedClarenceatafuriousgallop。TheyoungAmericanwheeledquickly，andforaninstanthiskneesconvulsivelygrippedtheflanksofhishorsetofollow。Butthenextmomentherecalledhimself，andwithaneffortbegantocollecthisthoughts。Whatwasheintendingtodo，andforwhatreason！Hehadmethundredsofsuchhorsemenbefore，andcaparisonedandaccoutredlikethis，eventotheriata。Andhecertainlywasnotdressedlikeeitherofthemysterioushorsemenwhomhehadoverheardthatmoonlightevening。
Helookedback;thestrangerhadalreadyslackenedhispace，andwasslowlydisappearing。Clarenceturnedandrodeonhisway。
CHAPTERIX。
WithoutdisclosingthefullextentofJim’sdefectionanddesertion，ClarencewasabletotruthfullyassuretheHopkinsfamilyofhispersonalsafety，andtopromisethathewouldcontinuehisquest，andsendthemfurthernewsoftheabsentee。HebelieveditwouldbefoundthatJimhadbeencalledawayonsomeimportantbusiness，butthatnotdaringtoleavehisnewshantyexposedandtemptinglyunprotected，hehadmadeavirtueofnecessitybysellingittohisneighbors，intendingtobuildabetterhouseonitssiteafterhisreturn。HavingcomfortedPhoebe，andimpulsivelyconceivedfurtherplansforrestoringJimtoher，——happilywithoutanyrecurrenceofhispreviousdoubtsastohisownefficacyasaspecialProvidence，——
hereturnedtotherancho。IfhethoughtagainofJim’sdefectionandGilroy’swarning，itwasonlytostrengthenhimselftoaclearerperceptionofhisunselfishdutyandsinglenessofpurpose。Hewouldgiveupbrooding，applyhimselfmorepracticallytothemanagementoftheproperty，carryouthisplansforthefoundationofaLandlords’ProtectiveLeagueforthesoutherncounties，becomeacandidatefortheLegislature，and，inbrief，trytofillPeyton’splaceinthecountyashehadattherancho。Hewouldendeavortobecomebetteracquaintedwiththehalf—breedlaborersontheestateandavoidthefrictionbetweenthemandtheAmericans;hewasconsciousthathehadnotmadethatuseofhisearlyfamiliaritywiththeirwaysandlanguagewhichhemighthavedone。If，occasionally，thefigureoftheyoungSpaniardwhomhehadmetonthelonelyroadobtrudeditselfonhim，itwasalwayswiththeinstinctivepremonitionthathewouldmeethimagain，andthemysteryofthesuddenrepulsionbeinsomewayexplained。ThusClarence！ButthemomentaryimpulsethathaddrivenhimtoFairPlains，theeagernesstosethismindatrestregardingSusyandherrelatives，hehadutterlyforgotten。
Howbeitsomeoftheenergyandenthusiasmthathebreathedintothesevariousessaysmadetheirimpression。HesucceededinformingtheLandlords’League;underacommissionsuggestedbyhimthestragglingboundariesofRoblesandtheadjacentclaimswereresurveyed，defined，andmutuallyprotected;eventhelawlessGilroy，fromextendinganamusedtolerationtotheyoungadministrator，grewtorecognizeandaccepthim;thepeonsandvacquerosbegantohavefaithinamanwhoacknowledgedthemsufficientlytorebuildtheruinedMissionChapelontheestate，andsavethemthelongpilgrimagetoSantaInezonSundaysandsaints’days;theSanFranciscopriestimportedfromClarence’soldcollegeatSanJose，andanhabitualguestatClarence’shospitableboard，wasgratefulenoughtofillhisflockwithloyaltytotheyoungpadron。
Hehadreturnedfromalongdriveoneafternoon，andhadjustthrownhimselfintoaneasy—chairwiththecomfortableconsciousnessofarestfairlyearned。Thedullembersofafireoccasionallyglowedintheoven—likehearth，althoughtheopencasementofawindowletinthesoftbreathofthesouthwesttrades。Theangelushadjustrungfromtherestoredchapel，and，mellowedbydistance，seemedtoClarencetolendthatreposetothewind—sweptlandscapethatithadalwayslacked。
Suddenlyhisquickeardetectedthesoundofwheelsintherutsofthecarriageway。Usuallyhisvisitorstothecasacameonhorseback，andcartsandwagonsusedonlythelowerroad。Asthesoundapproachednearer，anoddfancyfilledhisheartwithunaccountablepleasure。CoulditbeMrs。Peytonmakinganunexpectedvisittotherancho？Heheldhisbreath。Thevehiclewasnowrollingonintothepatio。Theclatterofhoofsandahaltwerefollowedbytheaccentsofwomen’svoices。Oneseemedfamiliar。Herosequickly，aslightfootstepsranalongthecorridor，andthenthedooropenedimpetuouslytothelaughingfaceofSusy！
Hecametowardsherhastily，yetwithonlythesimpleimpulseofastonishment。Hehadnothoughtofkissingher，butasheapproached，shethrewhercharmingheadarchlytooneside，withamischievousknittingofherbrowsandasignificantgesturetowardsthepassage，thatindicatedtheproximityofastrangerandthepossibilityofinterruption。
\"Hush！Mrs。McClosky’shere，\"shewhispered。
\"Mrs。McClosky？\"repeatedClarencevaguely。
\"Yes，ofcourse，\"impatiently。\"MyAuntJane。Silly！Wejustcutawaydownheretosurpriseyou。Aunty’sneverseentheplace，andherewasagoodchance。\"
\"Andyourmother——Mrs。Peyton？Hasshe——doesshe？\"——stammeredClarence。
\"Hasshe——doesshe？\"mimickedSusy，withincreasingimpatience。
\"Why，ofcoursesheDOESN’Tknowanythingaboutit。ShethinksI’mvisitingMaryRogersatOakland。AndIam——AFTERWARDS，\"shelaughed。\"IjustwrotetoAuntJanetomeetmeatAlameda，andwetookthestagetoSantaInezanddroveonhereinabuggy。Wasn’titrealfun？Tellme，Clarence！Youdon’tsayanything！Tellme——
wasn’titrealfun？\"
Thiswasallsolikeherold，childlike，charming，irresponsibleself，thatClarence，troubledandbewilderedashewas，tookherhandsanddrewherlikeachildtowardshim。
\"Ofcourse，\"shewenton，yetstoppingtosmellarosebudinhisbuttonhole，\"Ihaveaperfectrighttocometomyownhome，goodnessknows！andifIbringmyownaunt，amarriedwoman，withme，——
although，\"loftily，\"theremaybeayoungunmarriedgentlemanalonethere，——stillIfailtoseeanyimproprietyinit！\"
Hewasstillholdingher;butinthatinstanthermannerhadcompletelychangedagain;theoldSusyseemedtohaveslippedawayandevadedhim，andhewasretainingonlyaconsciousactressinhisarms。
\"Releaseme，Mr。Brant，please，\"shesaid，withalanguidaffectedglancebehindher;\"wearenotalone。\"
Then，astherustlingofaskirtsoundednearerinthepassage，sheseemedtochangebacktoheroldselfoncemore，andwithalightningflashofsignificancewhispered，——
\"Sheknowseverything！\"
ToaddtoClarence’sconfusion，thewomanwhoenteredcastaquickglanceofplayfulmeaningontheseparatingyouthfulpair。Shewasanineffectiveblondewithacertainbeautythatseemedtobegraduallysuccumbingtotheravagesofpaintandpowderratherthanyears;herdressappearedtohavesufferedfromanequallyunwiseexcessofornamentationandtrimming，andshegavethegeneralimpressionofhavingbeenintendedforexhibitioninalmostanyotherlightthantheoneinwhichshehappenedtobe。Thereweretwoorthreemud—stainsonthelacesofhersleeveandunderskirtthatwereobtrusivelyincongruous。Hervoice，whichhad，however，aringofhonestintentioninit，wassomewhatover—strained，andevidentlyhadnotyetadjusteditselftothelow—ceilinged，conventual—likebuilding。
\"There，children，don’tmindme！IknowI’mnotoninthisscene，butIgotnervouswaitingthere，inwhatyoucallthe’salon，’withonlythoseGreaserservantsstaringroundmeinacircle，likearegularchorus。My！butit’santeekhere——regularanteek——Spanish。\"
Then，withaglanceatClarence，\"SothisisClarenceBrant，——yourClarence？Interduceme，Susy。\"
Inhisconfusionofindignation，pain，andevenacertainconceptionofthegrimludicrousnessofthesituation，ClarencegraspeddespairinglyatthesinglesentenceofSusy’s。\"Inmyownhome。\"
Surely，atleast，itwasHEROWNHOME，andashewasonlythebusinessagentofheradoptedmother，hehadnorighttodictatetoherunderwhatcircumstancessheshouldreturntoit，orwhomsheshouldintroducethere。InherindependenceandcapriceSusymighteasilyhavegoneelsewherewiththisastoundingrelative，andwouldMrs。Peytonlikeitbetter？Clingingtothisidea，hisinstinctofhospitalityasserteditself。HewelcomedMrs。McCloskywithnervouseffusion：——
\"IamonlyMrs。Peyton’smajordomohere，butanyguestofherDAUGHTER’Siswelcome。\"
\"Yes，\"saidMrs。McClosky，withostentatiousarchness，\"IreckonSusyandIunderstandyourpositionhere，andyou’vegotagoodberthofit。Butwewon’ttroubleyoumuchonMrs。Peyton’saccount，willwe，Susy？Andnowsheandmewilljusttakealookaroundtheshanty，——itisrealoldSpanishanteek，ain’tit？——andsortertakestockofit，andyouyoungfolkswillhavetotearyourselvesapartforawhile，andplayproprietybeforeme。You’vegottobeonyourgoodbehaviorwhileI’mhere，Icantellyou！I’maheavyold’doo—anna。’Ain’tI，Susy？School—ma’msandmothersuperiorsain’tinthegamewithMEfordiscipline。\"
Shethrewherarmsaroundtheyounggirl’swaistanddrewhertowardsheraffectionately，anactionthatslightlyprecipitatedsomepowderupontheblackdressofherniece。SusyglancedmischievouslyatClarence，butwithdrewhereyespresentlytoletthemrestwithunmistakableappreciationandadmirationonherrelative。ApangshotthroughClarence’sbreast。HehadneverseenherlookinthatwayatMrs。Peyton。Yetherewasthisstranger，provincial，overdressed，andextravagant，whosevulgaritywasonlymadetolerablethroughhergoodhumor，whohadawakenedthatinterestwhichtherefinedMrs。Peytonhadneveryetbeenabletotouch。AsMrs。McCloskysweptoutoftheroomwithSusyheturnedawaywithasinkingheart。
YetitwasnecessarythattheSpanishhouseservantsshouldnotsuspectthistreasontotheirmistress，andClarencestoppedtheirchildishcuriosityaboutthestrangerwithacarelessandeasyacceptanceofSusy’ssuddenvisitinthelightofanordinaryoccurrence，andwithafamiliaritytowardsMrs。McCloskywhichbecamethemoredistastefultohiminproportionashesawthatitwasevidentlyagreeabletoher。But，easilyresponsive，shebecamespeedilyconfidential。Withoutasinglequestionfromhimself，oracontributingremarkfromSusy，inhalfanhourshehadtoldhimherwholehistory。How，asJaneSilsbee，aneldersisterofSusy’smother，shehadearlyelopedfromthepaternalhomeinKansaswithMcClosky，astrollingactor。Howshehadmarriedhimandgoneonthestageunderhisstagename，effectivelypreventinganyrecognitionbyherfamily。How，comingtoCalifornia，whereherhusbandhadbecomemanagerofthetheatreatSacramento，shewasindignanttofindthatheronlysurvivingrelation，asister—in—law，livinginthesameplace，hadforamoneyconsiderationgivenupallclaimtotheorphanedSusy，andhowshehadresolvedtofindout\"ifthepoorchildwashappy。\"Howshesucceededinfindingoutthatshewasnothappy。Howshewrotetoher，andevenmethersecretlyatSanFranciscoandOakland，andhowshehadundertakenthisjourneypartlyfor\"alark，\"andpartlytoseeClarenceandtheproperty。Therewasnodoubtofthespeaker’ssincerity;withthisoutrageouscandortherewasanequalobliviousnessofanyindelicacyinherconducttowardsMrs。Peytonthatseemedhopeless。Yethemusttalkplainlytoher;hemustsaytoherwhathecouldnotsaytoSusy;uponHERMrs。Peyton’shappiness——hebelievedhewasthinkingofSusy’salso——depended。Hemusttakethefirstopportunityofspeakingtoheralone。
Thatopportunitycamesoonerthanhehadexpected。Afterdinner，Mrs。McCloskyturnedtoSusy，andplayfullytellingherthatshehad\"totalkbusiness\"withMr。Brant，badehergotothesalonandawaither。Whentheyounggirllefttheroom，shelookedatClarence，and，withthatassumptionofcurtnesswithwhichcoarsebutkindlynaturesbelievetheyovercomethedifficultyofdelicatesubjects，saidabruptly：——
\"Well，youngman，nowwhat’sallthisbetweenyouandSusy？I’mlookingafterherinterests——sameasifshewasmyowngirl。Ifyou’vegotanythingtosay，now’syourtime。Anddon’tyoushilly—
shallytoolongoverit，either，foryoumightaswellknowthatagirllikethatcanhaveherpickandchoice，andbebeholdentonoone;andwhenshedon’tcaretochoose，there’smeandmyhusbandreadytodoforherallthesame。Wemightn’tbeabletodotheanteekSpanishSquire，butwe’vegotourownlineofbusiness，andit’sacomfortableone。\"
TohavethissaidtohimundertheroofofMrs。Peyton，fromwhom，inhissensitiveness，hehadthusfarjealouslyguardedhisownsecret，wasevenmorethanClarence’sgentlenesscouldstand，andfixedhiswaveringresolution。
\"Idon’tthinkwequiteunderstandeachother，Mrs。McClosky，\"hesaidcoldly，butwithglitteringeyes。\"Ihavecertainlysomethingtosaytoyou;ifitisnotonasubjectaspleasantastheoneyoupropose，itis，nevertheless，onethatIthinkyouandIaremorecompetenttodiscusstogether。\"
Then，withquietbutunrelentingdirectness，hepointedouttoherthatSusywasalegallyadopteddaughterofMrs。Peyton，and，asaminor，utterlyunderhercontrol;thatMrs。Peytonhadnoknowledgeofanyopposingrelatives;andthatSusyhadnotonlyconcealedthefactfromher，butthathewassatisfiedthatMrs。PeytondidnotevenknowofSusy’sdiscontentandalienation;thatshehadtenderlyandcarefullybroughtupthehelplessorphanasherownchild，andevenifshehadnotgainedheraffectionwasatleastentitledtoherobedienceandrespect;thatwhileSusy’sgirlishcapriceandinexperienceexcusedHERconduct，Mrs。PeytonandherfriendswouldhavearighttoexpectmoreconsiderationfromapersonofMrs。
McClosky’smaturerjudgment。Thatforthesereasons，andasthefriendofMrs。Peyton，whomhecouldalonerecognizeasSusy’sguardianandthearbiterofheraffections，hemustdeclinetodiscusstheyounggirlwithanyreferencetohimselforhisownintentions。
Anunmistakableflushasserteditselfunderthelady’spowder。
\"Suityourself，youngman，suityourself，\"shesaid，withequallydirectresentmentandantagonism;\"onlymebbeeyou’llletmetellyouthatJimMcCloskyain’tnofool，andmebbeeknowswhatlawyersthinkofanarrangementwithasister—in—lawthatleavesarealsisterout！Mebbeethat’sa’Sister’stitle’youain’tthoughtof，Mr。Brant！Andmebbeeyou’llfindoutthatyourchanceo’gettin’
Mrs。Peyton’sconsentain’tassafetogambleonasyoureckonitis。Andmebbee，what’smoretothepurpose，ifyouDIDgetit，itmightnotbejustthetrumpcardtofetchSusywith！Andtowindup，Mr。Brant，whenyouDOhavetocomedowntothebed—rockandmeandJimMcClosky，youmayfindoutthathimandmehavediscoveredabettermatchforSusythanthesonofoldHamBrant，whoistryingtoplaytheSpanishgrandeeoffhisfather’smoneyonacoupleofwomen。Andwemayn’thavetogofartodoit——ortogetTHEREAL
THING，Mr。Brant！\"
Tooheartsickanddisgustedtoevennoticethesluruponhimselfortheimportofherlastwords，Clarenceonlyroseandbowedasshejumpedupfromthetable。Butasshereachedthedoorhesaid，halfappealingly：——
\"Whateverareyourotherintentions，Mrs。McClosky，aswearebothSusy’sguests，Ibegyouwillsaynothingofthistoherwhilewearehere，andparticularlythatyouwillnotallowhertothinkforamomentthatIhavediscussedMYrelationstoherwithanybody。\"
Sheflungherselfoutofthedoorwithoutareply;butonenteringthedarklow—ceilingeddrawing—roomshewassurprisedtofindthatSusywasnotthere。Shewasconsequentlyobligedtoreturntotheveranda，whereClarencehadwithdrawn，andtosomewhatostentatiouslydemandoftheservantsthatSusyshouldbesenttoherroomatonce。Buttheyounggirlwasnotinherownroom，andwasapparentlynowheretobefound。Clarence，whohadnowfullydeterminedasalastresourcetomakeadirectappealtoSusyherself，listenedtothisfruitlesssearchwithsomeconcern。Shecouldnothavegoneoutintherain，whichwasagainfalling。Shemightbehidingsomewheretoavoidarecurrenceofthesceneshehadperhapspartlyoverheard。HeturnedintothecorridorthatledtoMrs。Peyton’sboudoir。Asheknewthatitwaslocked，hewassurprisedtoseebythedimlightofthehanginglampthataduplicatekeytotheoneinhisdeskwasinthelock。ItmustbeSusy’s，andtheyounggirlhadprobablytakenrefugethere。Heknockedgently。Therewasarustleintheroomandthesoundofachairbeingmoved，butnoreply。Impelledbyasuddeninstinctheopenedthedoor，andwasmetbyacoolcurrentofairfromsomeopenwindow。AtthesamemomentthefigureofSusyapproachedhimfromthesemi—darknessoftheinterior。
\"Ididnotknowyouwerehere，\"saidClarence，muchrelieved，heknewnotwhy，\"butIamglad，forIwantedtospeakwithyoualoneforafewmoments。\"
Shedidnotreply，buthedrewamatchfromhispocketandlitthetwocandleswhichheknewstoodonthetable。Thewickofonewasstillwarm，asifithadbeenrecentlyextinguished。Asthelightslowlyradiated，hecouldseethatshewasregardinghimwithanairofaffectedunconcern，butasomewhatheightenedcolor。Itwaslikeher，andnotinconsistentwithhisideathatshehadcometheretoavoidanafterscenewithMrs。McCloskyorhimself，orperhapsboth。
Theroomwasnotdisarrangedinanyway。Thewindowthatwasopenedwasthecasementofthedeepembrasuredoneintherearwall，andthelightcurtainbeforeitstillswayedoccasionallyinthenightwind。
\"I’mafraidIhadarowwithyouraunt，Susy，\"hebeganlightly，inhisoldfamiliarway;\"butIhadtotellherIdidn’tthinkherconducttoMrs。Peytonwasexactlythesquarethingtowardsonewhohadbeenasdevotedtoyouasshehasbeen。\"
\"Oh，forgoodness’sake，don’tgooverallthatagain，\"saidSusyimpatiently。\"I’vehadenoughofit。\"
Clarenceflashed，butrecoveredhimself。
\"ThenyouoverheardwhatIsaid，andknowwhatIthink，\"hesaidcalmly。
\"IknewitBEFORE，\"saidtheyounggirl，withaslightsupercilioustossofthehead，andyetacertainabstractionofmannerasshewenttothewindowandclosedit。\"Anybodycouldseeit！IknowyoualwayswantedmetostayherewithMrs。Peyton，andbecoddledandmonitoredandcatechisedandshutupawayfromanyone，untilYOUhadbeencoddledandmonitoredandcatechisedbysomebodyelsesufficientlytosuitherideasofyourbeingafithusbandforme。
Itoldauntyitwasnouseourcominghereto——to\"——
\"Todowhat？\"askedClarence。
\"Toputsomespiritintoyou，\"saidtheyounggirl，turninguponhimsharply;\"tokeepyoufrombeingtiedtothatwoman’sapron—strings。
Tokeepherfrommakingaslaveofyouasshewouldofme。Butitisofnouse。MaryRogerswasrightwhenshesaidyouhadnowishtopleaseanybodybutMrs。Peyton，andnoeyesforanybodybuther。
Andifithadn’tbeentooridiculous，consideringherageandyours，she’dsayyouweredeadinlovewithher。\"
ForaninstantClarencefeltthebloodrushtohisfaceandthensinkaway，leavinghimpaleandcold。Theroom，whichhadseemedtowhirlaroundhim，andthenfadeaway，returnedwithappallingdistinctness，——thedistinctnessofmemory，——andavisionofthefirstdaythathehadseenMrs。Peytonsittingthere，asheseemedtoseehernow。Forthefirsttimethereflasheduponhimtheconvictionthattheyounggirlhadspokenthetruth，andhadbrusquelybrushedtheveilfromhisfoolisheyes。HeWASinlovewithMrs。Peyton！ThatwaswhathisdoubtsandhesitationregardingSusymeant。Thatalonewasthesource，secret，andlimitofhisvagueambition。
Butwiththeconvictioncameasingularcalm。Inthelastfewmomentsheseemedtohavegrownolder，tohaveloosedthebondsofoldcompanionshipwithSusy，andthelaterimpressionshehadgivenhimofhermatureknowledge，andmovedonfarbeyondheryearsandexperience。Anditwaswithanauthoritythatwashalfpaternal，andinavoicehehimselfscarcelyrecognized，thathesaid：——
\"IfIdidnotknowyouwereprejudicedbyafoolishandindiscreetwoman，Ishouldbelievethatyouweretryingtoinsultmeasyouhaveyouradoptedmother，andwouldsaveyouthepainofdoingbothinHERhousebyleavingitnowandforever。ButbecauseIbelieveyouarecontrolledagainstyourbestinstinctbythatwoman，IshallremainherewithyoutofrustrateherasbestIcan，oruntilIamabletolayeverythingbeforeMrs。Peytonexceptthefoolishspeechyouhavejustmade。\"
Theyounggirllaughed。\"WhynotTHATonetoo，whileyou’reaboutit？Seewhatshe’llsay。\"
\"Ishalltellher，\"continuedClarencecalmly，\"onlywhatYOU
yourselfhavemadeitnecessaryformetotellhertosaveyoufromfollyanddisgrace，andonlyenoughtospareherthemortificationofhearingitfirstfromherownservants。\"
\"HearingWHATfromherownservants？Whatdoyoumean？Howdareyou？\"demandedtheyounggirlsharply。
Shewasquiterealinheranxietynow，althoughherattitudeofvirtuousindignationstruckhimasbeinglikeallheremotionalexpression，namely，acting。
\"ImeanthattheservantsknowofyourcorrespondencewithMrs。
McClosky，andthatsheclaimstobeyouraunt，\"returnedClarence。
\"TheyknowthatyouconfidedtoPepita。TheybelievethateitherMrs。McCloskyoryouhaveseen\"——
Hehadstoppedsuddenly。Hewasabouttosaythattheservants（particularlyIncarnacion）knewthatPedrohadboastedofhavingmetSusy，when，forthefirsttime，thetremendoussignificanceofwhathehadhithertoconsideredasmerelyanidlefalsehoodflasheduponhim。
\"Seenwhom？\"repeatedSusyinahighervoice，impatientlystampingherfoot。
Clarencelookedather，andinherexcited，questioningfacesawaconfirmationofhisstillhalf—formedsuspicions。Inhisownabruptpauseandknittedeyebrowsshemusthavereadhisthoughtsalso。
Theireyesmet。Hervioletpupilsdilated，trembled，andthenquicklyshiftedasshesuddenlystiffenedintoanattitudeofscornfulindifference，almostgrotesqueinitsunreality。Hiseyesslowlyturnedtothewindow，thedoor，thecandlesonthetableandthechairbeforeit，andthencamebacktoherfaceagain。Thenhedrewadeepbreath。
\"Igivenoheedtotheidlegossipofservants，Susy，\"hesaidslowly。\"Ihavenobeliefthatyouhaveevercontemplatedanythingworsethananactofgirlishfolly，orthegratificationofapassingcaprice。NeitherdoIwanttoappealtoyouorfrightenyou，butImusttellyounow，thatIknowcertainfactsthatmightmakesuchasimpleactoffollymonstrous，inconceivableinYOU，andalmostaccessorytoacrime！Icantellyounomore。ButsosatisfiedamIofsuchapossibility，thatIshallnotscrupletotakeanymeans——thestrongest——topreventeventheremotestchanceofit。Youraunthasbeenlookingforyou;youhadbettergotohernow。Iwillclosetheroomandlockthedoor。Meantime，Ishouldadviseyounottositsonearanopenwindowwithacandleatnightinthislocality。Evenifitmightnotbedangerousforyou，itmightbefataltothefoolishcreaturesitmightattract。\"
Hetookthekeyfromthedoorashehelditopenforhertopassout。Sheutteredashrilllittlelaugh，likeanervous，mischievouschild，and，slippingoutofherpreviousartificialattitudeasifithadbeenamantle，ranoutoftheroom。
CHAPTERX。
AsSusy’sfootstepsdiedaway，Clarenceclosedthedoor，walkedtothewindow，andexamineditclosely。Thebarshadbeenrestoredsincehehadwrenchedthemofftogiveingresstothefamilyonthedayofrecapture。Heglancedaroundtheroom;nothingseemedtohavebeendisturbed。Neverthelesshewasuneasy。Thesuspicionsofafrank，trustfulnaturewhenoncearousedareapttobemoregeneralandfar—reachingthanthespecificdistrustsofthedisingenuous，fortheyimplytheoverthrowofawholeprincipleandnotameredetail。Clarence’sconvictionthatSusyhadseenPedrorecentlysincehisdismissalledhimintothewildestsurmisesofhermotives。ItwaspossiblethatwithoutherhavingreasontosuspectPedro’sgreatercrime，hemighthaveconfidedtoherhisintentionofreclaimingthepropertyandinstallingherasthemistressandchatelaineoftherancho。TheideawasonethatmighthaveappealedtoSusy’stheatricalimagination。HerecalledMrs。
McClosky’ssneerathisownpretensionsandhervaguethreatsofarivalofmorelinealdescent。ThepossibleinfidelityofSusytohimselftouchedhimlightlywhenthefirstsurprisewasover;
indeed，itscarcelycouldbecalledinfidelity，ifsheknewandbelievedMaryRogers’sdiscovery;andtheconvictionthatheandshehadreallyneverlovedeachothernowenabledhim，ashebelieved，tolookatherconductdispassionately。YetitwashertreacherytoMrs。Peytonandnottohimselfthatimpressedhimmost，andperhapsmadehimequallyunjust，throughhisaffections。
Heextinguishedthecandles，partlyfromsomevagueprecautionshecouldnotexplain，andpartlytothinkoverhisfearsintheabstractionandobscurityofthesemi—darkness。Thehigherwindowssuffusedafaintlightontheceiling，and，assistedbythedarklantern—likeglowcastontheoppositewallbythetunneloftheembrasuredwindow，thefamiliaroutlinesoftheroomanditsfurniturecamebacktohim。Somewhatinthisfashionalso，intheobscurityandquiet，camebacktohimtheeventshehadoverlookedandforgotten。Herecallednowsomegossipoftheservants，andhintsdroppedbySusyofaviolentquarrelbetweenPeytonandPedro，whichresultedinPedro’sdismissal，butwhichnowseemedclearlyattributabletosomegravercausethaninattentionandinsolence。
HerecalledMaryRogers’splayfulpleasantrieswithSusyaboutPedro，andSusy’smysteriousair，whichhehadhithertoregardedonlyaspartofherexaggeration。HerememberedMrs。Peyton’sunwarrantableuneasinessaboutSusy，whichhehadeitheroverlookedorreferredentirelytohimself;shemusthavesuspectedsomething。
Tohisquickenedimagination，inthisruinofhisfaithandtrust，hebelievedthatHooker’sdefectionwaseitherpartoftheconspiracy，orthathehadrunawaytoavoidbeingimplicatedwithSusyinitsdiscovery。This，too，wasthesignificanceofGilroy’spartingwarning。HeandMrs。Peytonalonehadbeenblindandconfidinginthemidstofthistreachery，andevenHEhadbeenblindtohisownrealaffections。
Thewindhadrisenagain，andthefaintlightontheoppositewallgrewtremulousandshiftingwiththemovementofthefoliagewithout。Butpresentlytheglowbecamequiteobliterated，asifbytheinterventionofsomeopaquebodyoutsidethewindow。Herosehurriedlyandwenttothecasement。Butatthesamemomenthefanciedheheardthejammingofadoororwindowinquiteanotherdirection，andhisexaminationofthecasementbeforehimshowedhimonlythesilverlightofthethinlycloudedskyfallinguninterruptedlythroughthebarsandfoliageontheinteriorofthewhitewashedembrasure。Thenaconceptionofhismistakeflashedacrosshim。Thelineofthecasawaslong，straggling，andexposedelsewhere;whyshouldtheattempttoenterorcommunicatewithanyonewithinbeconfinedonlytothissinglepoint？Andwhynotsatisfyhimselfatonceifanytrespasserswereloungingaroundthewalls，andthenconfrontthemboldlyintheopen？Theirdiscoveryandidentificationwasasimportantasthedefeatoftheirintentions。
Herelitthecandle，and，placingitonasmalltablebythewallbeyondthevisualrangeofthewindow，rearrangedthecurtainsothat，whileitpermittedthelighttopassout，itlefttheroominshadow。Hethenopenedthedoorsoftly，lockeditbehindhim，andpassednoiselesslyintothehall。Susy’sandMrs。McClosky’sroomswereatthefurtherendofthepassage，butbetweenthemandtheboudoirwastheopenpatio，andthelowmurmurofthevoicesofservants，whostilllingereduntilheshoulddismissthemforthenight。Turningback，hemovedsilentlydownthepassage，untilhereachedthenarrowarcheddoortothegarden。Thisheunlockedandopenedwiththesamestealthycaution。Therainhadrecommenced。
Notdaringtoriskareturntohisroom，hetookfromapegintherecessanoldwaterproofcloakand\"sou’wester\"ofPeyton’s，whichstillhungthere，andpassedoutintothenight，lockingthedoorbehindhim。Tokeeptheknowledgeofhissecretpatrolfromthestablemen，hedidnotattempttotakeouthisownhorse，buttrustedtofindsomevacquero’smustanginthecorral。Bygoodluckanold\"BlueGrass\"hackofPeyton’s，nearestthestockadeasheentered，alloweditselftobequicklycaught。Usingitsropeheadstallforabridle，Clarencevaultedonitsbareback，andpacedcautiouslyoutintotheroad。Herehekeptthecurveofthelonglineofstockadeuntilhereachedtheoutlyingfieldwhere，halfhiddeninthewithered，sapless，butstillstandingstalksofgrain，heslowlybeganacircuitofthecasa。