Canadian—born，city—bredScots，inafoolishmomenttheyhadresignedtheircounting—housedesks，drawnupontheirsavings，andgoneKlondiking。Andnowtheywerefeelingtheroughedgeofthecountry。Grubless，spiritless，withalustforhomeintheirhearts，theyhadbeenstakedbytheP。C。Companytocutwoodforitssteamers，withthepromiseattheendofapassagehome。
Disregardingthepossibilitiesoftheice—run，theyhadfittinglydemonstratedtheirinefficiencybytheirchoiceoftheislandonwhichtheylocated。MontanaKid，thoughpossessinglittleknowledgeofthebreak—upofagreatriver，lookedabouthimdubiously，andcastyearningglancesatthedistantbankwherethetoweringbluffspromisedimmunityfromalltheiceoftheNorthland。
Afterfeedinghimselfanddogs，helightedhispipeandstrolledouttogetabetterideaofthesituation。Theisland，likeallitsriverbrethren，stoodhigherattheupperend，anditwasherethatDonaldandDavyhadbuilttheircabinandpiledmanycordsofwood。Thefarshorewasafullmileaway，whilebetweentheislandandthenearshorelayaback—channelperhapsahundredyardsacross。Atfirstsightofthis，MontanaKidwastemptedtotakehisdogsandescapetothemainland，butoncloserinspectionhediscoveredarapidcurrentfloodingontop。Below，therivertwistedsharplytothewest，andinthisturnitsbreastwasstuddedbyamazeoftinyislands。
\"That’swhereshe’lljam，\"heremarkedtohimself。
Halfadozensleds，evidentlyboundup—streamtoDawson，weresplashingthroughthechillwatertothetailoftheisland。
Travelontheriverwaspassingfromtheprecarioustotheimpossible，anditwasnipandtuckwiththemtilltheygainedtheislandandcameupthepathofthewood—chopperstowardthecabin。
Oneofthem，snow—blind，towedhelplesslyattherearofasled。
Huskyyoungfellowstheywere，rough—garmentedandtrail—worn，yetMontanaKidhadmetthebreedbeforeandknewatoncethatitwasnothiskind。
\"Hello！How’sthingsupDawson—way？\"queriedtheforemost，passinghiseyeoverDonaldandDavyandsettlingitupontheKid。
Afirstmeetinginthewildernessisnotcharacterizedbyformality。Thetalkquicklybecamegeneral，andthenewsoftheUpperandLowerCountrieswasswappedequitablybackandforth。
Butthelittlethenewcomershadwassoonoverwith，fortheyhadwinteredatMinook，athousandmilesbelow，wherenothingwasdoing。MontanaKid，however，wasfreshfromSaltWater，andtheyannexedhimwhiletheypitchedcamp，swampinghimwithquestionsconcerningtheoutside，fromwhichtheyhadbeencutoffforatwelvemonth。
Ashriekingsplit，suddenlyliftingitselfabovethegeneraluproarontheriver，dreweverybodytothebank。Thesurfacewaterhadincreasedindepth，andtheice，assailedfromaboveandbelow，wasstrugglingtotearitselffromthegripoftheshores。
Fissuresreverberatedintolifebeforetheireyes，andtheairwasfilledwithmultitudinouscrackling，crispandsharp，likethesoundthatgoesuponacleardayfromthefiringline。
Fromuptherivertwomenwereracingadogteamtowardthemonanuncoveredstretchofice。Butevenastheylooked，thepairstruckthewaterandbegantoflounderthrough。Behind，wheretheirfeethadspedthemomentbefore，theicebrokeupandturnedturtle。Throughthisopeningtheriverrushedoutuponthemtotheirwaists，buryingthesledandswingingthedogsoffatrightanglesinadrowningtangle。Butthemenstoppedtheirflighttogivetheanimalsafightingchance，andtheygropedhurriedlyinthecoldconfusion，slashingatthedetainingtraceswiththeirsheath—knives。Thentheyfoughttheirwaytothebankthroughswirlingwaterandgrindingice，where，foremostinleapingtotherescueamongthejarringfragments，wastheKid。
\"Why，blimeme，ifitain’tMontanaKid！\"exclaimedoneofthemenwhomtheKidwasjustplacinguponhisfeetatthetopofthebank。HeworethescarlettunicoftheMountedPoliceandjocularlyraisedhisrighthandinsalute。
\"Gotawarrantforyou，Kid，\"hecontinued，drawingabedraggledpaperfromhisbreastpocket，\"an’I’opeasyou’llcomealongpeaceable。\"
MontanaKidlookedatthechaoticriverandshruggedhisshoulders，andthepoliceman，followinghisglance，smiled。
\"Wherearethedogs？\"hiscompanionasked。
\"Gentlemen，\"interruptedthepoliceman，\"this’eremateo’mineisJackSutherland，ownerofTwenty—TwoEldorado——\"
\"NotSutherlandof’92？\"brokeinthesnow—blindedMinookman，gropingfeeblytowardhim。
\"Thesame。\"Sutherlandgrippedhishand。
\"Andyou？\"
\"Oh，I’mafteryourtime，butIrememberyouinmyfreshmanyear，—
—youweredoingP。G。workthen。Boys，\"hecalled，turninghalfabout，\"thisisSutherland，JackSutherland，erstwhilefull—backonthe’Varsity。Comeup，yougold—chasers，andfalluponhim！
Sutherland，thisisGreenwich，——playedquartertwoseasonsback。\"
\"Yes，Ireadofthegame，\"Sutherlandsaid，shakinghands。\"AndI
rememberthatbigrunofyoursforthefirsttouchdown。\"
Greenwichflusheddarklyunderhistannedskinandawkwardlymaderoomforanother。
\"Andhere’sMatthews，——Berkeleyman。Andwe’vegotsomeEasterncracksknockingabout，too。Comeup，youPrincetonmen！Comeup！
ThisisSutherland，JackSutherland！\"
Thentheyfelluponhimheavily，carriedhimintocamp，andsuppliedhimwithdryclothesandnumerousmugsofblacktea。
DonaldandDavy，overlooked，hadretiredtotheirnightlygameofcrib。MontanaKidfollowedthemwiththepoliceman。
\"Here，getintosomedrytogs，\"hesaid，pullingthemfromouthisscantykit。\"Guessyou’llhavetobunkwithme，too。\"
\"Well，Isay，you’reagood’un，\"thepolicemanremarkedashepulledontheotherman’ssocks。\"SorryI’vegottotakeyoubacktoDawson，butIonly’opetheywon’tbe’ardonyou。\"
\"Notsofast。\"TheKidsmiledcuriously。\"Weain’tunderwayyet。WhenIgoI’mgoingdownriver，andIguessthechancesareyou’llgoalong。\"
\"NotifIknowmyself——\"
\"Comeonoutside，andI’llshowyou，then。Thesedamnfools，\"
thrustingathumboverhisshoulderatthetwoScots，\"playedsmashwhentheylocatedhere。Fillyourpipe，first——thisisprettygoodplug——andenjoyyourselfwhileyoucan。Youhaven’tmanysmokesbeforeyou。\"
Thepolicemanwentwithhimwonderingly，whileDonaldandDavydroppedtheircardsandfollowed。TheMinookmennoticedMontanaKidpointingnowuptheriver，nowdown，andcameover。
\"What’sup？\"Sutherlanddemanded。
\"Nothingmuch。\"NonchalancesatwellupontheKid。\"Justacaseofraisinghellandputtingachunkunder。Seethatbenddownthere？That’swhereshe’lljammillionsoftonsofice。Thenshe’lljaminthebendsupabove，millionsoftons。Upperjambreaksfirst，lowerjamholds，pouf！\"Hedramaticallyswepttheislandwithhishand。\"Millionsoftons，\"headdedreflectively。
\"Andwhatofthewoodpiles？\"Davyquestioned。
TheKidrepeatedhissweepinggesturesandDavywailed，\"Thelaborofmonths！Itcannabe！Na，na，lad，itcannabe。Idootnotit’sajowk。Ay，saythatitis，\"heappealed。
ButwhentheKidlaughedharshlyandturnedonhisheel，Davyflunghimselfuponthepilesandbeganfranticallytotossthecordwoodbackfromthebank。
\"Lendahand，Donald！\"hecried。\"Canyenolendahand？’Tisthelaborofmonthsandthepassagehome！\"
Donaldcaughthimbythearmandshookhim，buthetorefree。
\"Didyenohear，man？Millionsoftons，andtheislandshallbesweepitclean。\"
\"Straightenyersel’up，man，\"saidDonald。\"It’sabitfashedyeare。\"
ButDavyfelluponthecordwood。Donaldstalkedbacktothecabin，buckledonhismoneybeltandDavy’s，andwentouttothepointoftheislandwherethegroundwashighestandwhereahugepinetoweredaboveitsfellows。
Themenbeforethecabinheardtheringingofhisaxeandsmiled。
Greenwichreturnedfromacrosstheislandwiththewordthattheywerepennedin。Itwasimpossibletocrosstheback—channel。TheblindMinookmanbegantosing，andtherestjoinedinwith—
\"Wonderifit’strue？
Doesitseemsotoyou？
Seemstomehe’slying—
Oh，Iwonderifit’strue？\"
\"It’saysinfu’，\"Davymoaned，liftinghisheadandwatchingthemdanceintheslantingraysofthesun。\"Andmyguidwooda’goingtowaste。\"
\"Oh，Iwonderifit’strue，\"
wasflauntedback。
Thenoiseoftheriverceasedsuddenly。Astrangecalmwrappedaboutthem。Theicehadrippedfromtheshoresandwasfloatinghigheronthesurfaceoftheriver，whichwasrising。Upitcame，swiftandsilent，fortwentyfeet，tillthehugecakesrubbedsoftlyagainstthecrestofthebank。Thetailoftheisland，beinglower，wasoverrun。Then，withouteffort，thewhitefloodstarteddown—stream。Butthesoundincreasedwiththemomentum，andsoonthewholeislandwasshakingandquiveringwiththeshockofthegrindingbergs。Underpressure，themightycakes，weighinghundredsoftons，wereshotintotheairlikepeas。Thefrigidanarchyincreaseditsriot，andthemenhadtoshoutintooneanother’searstobeheard。Occasionallytheracketfromthebackchannelcouldbeheardabovethetumult。Theislandshudderedwiththeimpactofanenormouscakewhichdroveinsquarelyuponitspoint。Itrippedascoreofpinesoutbytheroots，thenswingingaroundandover，lifteditsmuddybasefromthebottomoftheriverandboredownuponthecabin，slicingthebankandtreesawaylikeagiganticknife。Itseemedbarelytograzethecornerofthecabin，butthecribbedlogstilteduplikematches，andthestructure，likeatoyhouse，fellbackwardinruin。
\"Thelaborofmonths！Thelaborofmonths，andthepassagehome！\"
Davywailed，whileMontanaKidandthepolicemandraggedhimbackwardfromthewoodpiles。
\"You’ll’aveplentyo’hoppertunityallingoodtimeforyerpassage’ome，\"thepolicemangrowled，cloutinghimalongsidetheheadandsendinghimflyingintosafety。
Donald，fromthetopofthepine，sawthedevastatingbergsweepawaythecordwoodanddisappeardown—stream。Asthoughsatisfiedwiththisdamage，theice—floodquicklydroppedtoitsoldlevelandbegantoslackenitspace。Thenoiselikewiseeaseddown，andtheotherscouldhearDonaldshoutingfromhiseyrietolookdown—
stream。Asforecast，thejamhadcomeamongtheislandsinthebend，andtheicewaspilingupinagreatbarrierwhichstretchedfromshoretoshore。Therivercametoastandstill，andthewaterfindingnooutletbegantorise。Itrusheduptilltheislandwasawash，themensplashingarounduptotheirknees，andthedogsswimmingtotheruinsofthecabin。Atthisstageitabruptlybecamestationary，withnoperceptibleriseorfall。
MontanaKidshookhishead。\"It’sjammedabove，andnomore’scomingdown。\"
\"Andthegambleis，whichjamwillbreakfirst，\"Sutherlandadded。
\"Exactly，\"theKidaffirmed。\"Iftheupperjambreaksfirst，wehaven’tachance。Nothingwillstandbeforeit。\"
TheMinookmenturnedawayinsilence，butsoon\"RumskyHo\"
floateduponthequietair，followedby\"TheOrangeandtheBlack。\"RoomwasmadeinthecircleforMontanaKidandthepoliceman，andtheyquicklycaughttheringingrhythmofthechorusesastheydriftedonfromsongtosong。
\"Oh，Donald，willyenolendahand？\"Davysobbedatthefootofthetreeintowhichhiscomradehadclimbed。\"Oh，Donald，man，willyenolendahand？\"hesobbedagain，hishandsbleedingfromvainattemptstoscaletheslipperytrunk。
ButDonaldhadfixedhisgazeupriver，andnowhisvoicerangout，vibrantwithfear：—
\"GodAlmichty，hereshecomes！\"
Standingknee—deepintheicywater，theMinookmen，withMontanaKidandthepoliceman，grippedhandsandraisedtheirvoicesintheterrible，\"BattleHymnoftheRepublic。\"Butthewordsweredrownedintheadvancingroar。
AndtoDonaldwasvouchsafedasightsuchasnomanmayseeandlive。Agreatwallofwhiteflungitselfupontheisland。Trees，dogs，men，wereblottedout，asthoughthehandofGodhadwipedthefaceofnatureclean。Thismuchhesaw，thenswayedaninstantlongerinhisloftyperchandhurtledfaroutintothefrozenhell。
THESCORNOFWOMEN
OnceFredaandMrs。Eppingwellclashed。
NowFredawasaGreekgirlandadancer。AtleastshepurportedtobeGreek;butthiswasdoubtedbymany，forherclassicfacehadover—muchstrengthinit，andthetidesofhellwhichroseinhereyesmadeatraremomentsherethnologythemoredubious。Toafew——men——thissighthadbeenvouchsafed，andthoughlongyearsmayhavepassed，theyhavenotforgotten，norwilltheyeverforget。Shenevertalkedofherself，sothatitwerewelltoletitgodownthatwheninrepose，expurgated，Greekshecertainlywas。HerfurswerethemostmagnificentinallthecountryfromChilcoottoSt。Michael’s，andhernamewascommononthelipsofmen。ButMrs。Eppingwellwasthewifeofacaptain;alsoasocialconstellationofthefirstmagnitude，thepathofherorbitmarkingthemostselectcoterieinDawson，——acoteriecaptionedbytheprofaneasthe\"officialclique。\"SitkaCharleyhadtravelledtrailwithheronce，whenfaminedrewtightandaman’slifewaslessthanacupofflour，andhisjudgmentplacedheraboveallwomen。SitkaCharleywasanIndian;hiscriteriawereprimitive;
buthiswordwasflat，andhisverdictahall—markineverycampunderthecircle。
Thesetwowomenwereman—conquering，man—subduingmachines，eachinherownway，andtheirwaysweredifferent。Mrs。Eppingwellruledinherownhouse，andattheBarracks，wherewereyoungersonsgalore，tosaynothingofthechiefsofthepolice，theexecutive，andthejudiciary。Fredaruleddowninthetown;butthemensheruledwerethesamewhofunctionedsociallyattheBarracksorwerefedteaandcannedpreservesatthehandofMrs。
Eppingwellinherhillsidecabinofrough—hewnlogs。Eachknewtheotherexisted;buttheirliveswereapartasthePoles，andwhiletheymusthaveheardstraybitsofnewsandwerecurious，theywereneverknowntoaskaquestion。Andtherewouldhavebeennotroublehadnotafreelanceintheshapeofthemodel—
womancomeintothelandonthefirstice，withaspankingdog—
teamandacosmopolitanreputation。LoraineLisznayi——
alliterative，dramatic，andHungarian——precipitatedthestrife，andbecauseofherMrs。EppingwellleftherhillsideandinvadedFreda’sdomain，andFredalikewisewentupfromthetowntospreadconfusionandembarrassmentattheGovernor’sball。
AllofwhichmaybeancienthistorysofarastheKlondikeisconcerned，butveryfew，eveninDawson，knowtheinnertruthofthematter;norbeyondthosefewarethereanyfittomeasurethewifeofthecaptainortheGreekdancer。Andthatallarenowpermittedtounderstand，lethonorbeaccordedSitkaCharley。
Fromhislipsfellthemainfactsinthescreedherewithpresented。ItillbefitsthatFredaherselfshouldhavewaxedconfidentialtoamerescribblerofwords，orthatMrs。Eppingwellmadementionofthethingswhichhappened。Theymayhavespoken，butitisunlikely。
II
FloydVanderlipwasastrongman，apparently。Hardworkandhardgrubhadnoterrorsforhim，ashisearlyhistoryinthecountryattested。Indangerhewasalion，andwhenheheldincheckhalfathousandstarvingmen，asheoncedid，itwasremarkedthatnocoolereyeevertooktheglintofsunshineonarifle—sight。Hehadbutoneweakness，andeventhat，risingfromouthisstrength，wasofanegativesort。Hispartswerestrong，buttheylackedco—ordination。Nowithappenedthatwhilehiscentreofamativenesswaspronounced，ithadlainmuteandpassiveduringtheyearshelivedonmooseandsalmonandchasedglowingEldoradosoverchilldivides。Butwhenhefinallyblazedthecorner—postandcentre—stakesononeoftherichestKlondikeclaims，itbegantoquicken;andwhenhetookhisplaceinsociety，afull—fledgedBonanzaKing，itawokeandtookchargeofhim。HesuddenlyrecollectedagirlintheStates，anditcametohimquiteforcibly，notonlythatshemightbewaitingforhim，butthatawifewasaverypleasantacquisitionforamanwholivedsomeseveraldegreesnorthof53。Sohewroteanappropriatenote，enclosedaletterofcreditgenerousenoughtocoverallexpenses，includingtrousseauandchaperon，andaddressedittooneFlossie。Flossie？Onecouldimaginetherest。However，afterthathebuiltacomfortablecabinonhisclaim，boughtanotherinDawson，andbrokethenewstohisfriends。
Andjusthereiswherethelackofco—ordinationcameintoplay。
Thewaitingwastedious，andhavingbeenlongdenied，theamativeelementcouldnotbrookfurtherdelay。Flossiewascoming;butLoraineLisznayiwashere。AndnotonlywasLoraineLisznayihere，buthercosmopolitanreputationwassomewhattheworseforwear，andshewasnotexactlysoyoungaswhensheposedinthestudiosofartistqueensandreceivedatherdoorthecardsofcardinalsandprinces。Also，herfinanceswereunhealthy。Havingrunthegamutinhertime，shewasnownotaversetotryingconclusionswithaBonanzaKingwhosewealthwassuchthathecouldnotguessitwithinsixfigures。Likeawisesoldiercastingaboutafteryearsofserviceforacomfortablebillet，shehadcomeintotheNorthlandtobemarried。So，oneday，hereyesflashedupintoFloydVanderlip’sashewasbuyingtablelinenforFlossieintheP。C。Company’sstore，andthethingwassettledoutofhand。
Whenamanisfreemuchmaygounquestioned，which，shouldheberashenoughtocumberhimselfwithdomesticties，societywillinstantlychallenge。ThusitwaswithFloydVanderlip。Flossiewascoming，andalowbuzzwentupwhenLoraineLisznayirodedownthemainstreetbehindhiswolf—dogs。Sheaccompaniedtheladyreporterofthe\"KansasCityStar\"whenphotographsweretakenofhisBonanzaproperties，andwatchedthegenesisofasix—columnarticle。AtthattimetheyweredinedroyallyinFlossie’scabin，onFlossie’stablelinen。Likewisetherewerecomingsandgoings，andjunketings，allperfectlyproper，bytheway，whichcausedthementosaysharpthingsandthewomentobespiteful。OnlyMrs。
Eppingwelldidnothear。Thedistanthumofwaggingtonguesrosefaintly，butshewaspronetobelievegoodofpeopleandtocloseherearstoevil;soshepaidnoheed。
NotsowithFreda。Shehadnocausetolovemen，but，bysomestrangealchemyofhernature，herheartwentouttowomen，——towomenwhomshehadlesscausetolove。AndherheartwentouttoFlossie，eventhentravellingtheLongTrailandfacingintothebitterNorthtomeetamanwhomightnotwaitforher。A
shrinking，clingingsortofagirl，Fredapicturedher，withweakmouthandprettypoutinglips，blow—awaysun—kissedhair，andeyesfullofthemerryshallowsandthelesserjoysoflife。ButshealsopicturedFlossie，facenose—strappedandfrost—rimed，stumblingwearilybehindthedogs。Whereforeshesmiled，dancingonenight，uponFloydVanderlip。
FewmenaresoconstitutedthattheymayreceivethesmileofFredaunmoved;noramongthemcanFloydVanderlipbeaccounted。
Thegracehehadfoundwiththemodel—womanhadcausedhimtore—
measurehimself，andbythefavorinwhichhenowstoodwiththeGreekdancerhefelthimselfdoublyaman。Therewereunknownqualitiesanddepthsinhim，evidently，whichtheyperceived。Hedidnotknowexactlywhatthosequalitiesanddepthswere，buthehadahazyideathattheyweretheresomewhere，andofthemwasbredagreatprideinhimself。Amanwhocouldforcetwowomensuchasthesetolookuponhimasecondtime，wascertainlyamostremarkableman。Someday，whenhehadthetime，hewouldsitdownandanalyzehisstrength;butnow，justnow，hewouldtakewhatthegodshadgivenhim。Andathinlittlethoughtbegantoliftitself，andhefelltowonderingwhateverunderthesunhehadseeninFlossie，andtoregretexceedinglythathehadsentforher。Ofcourse，Fredawasoutoftherunning。HisdumpsweretherichestonBonanzaCreek，andtheyweremany，whilehewasamanofresponsibilityandposition。ButLoraineLisznayi——shewasjustthewoman。Herlifehadbeenlarge;shecoulddothehonorsofhisestablishmentandgivetonetohisdollars。
ButFredasmiled，andcontinuedtosmile，tillhecametospendmuchtimewithher。Whenshe，too，rodedownthestreetbehindhiswolf—dogs，themodel—womanfoundfoodforthought，andthenexttimetheyweretogetherdazzledhimwithherprincesandcardinalsandpersonallittleanecdotesofcourtsandkings。Shealsoshowedhimdaintymissives，superscribed，\"MydearLoraine，\"
andended\"Mostaffectionatelyyours，\"andsignedbythegivennameofareallivequeenonathrone。Andhemarvelledinhisheartthatthegreatwomanshoulddeigntowastesomuchasamomentuponhim。Butsheplayedhimcleverly，makingflatteringcontrastsandcomparisonsbetweenhimandthenoblephantomsshedrewmainlyfromherfancy，tillhewentawaydizzywithself—
delightandsorrowingfortheworldwhichhadbeendeniedhimsolong。Fredawasamoremasterfulwoman。Ifsheflattered，nooneknewit。Shouldshestoop，thestoopwereunobserved。Ifamanfeltshethoughtwellofhim，sosubtlywasthefeelingconveyedthathecouldnotforthelifeofhimsaywhyorhow。SoshetightenedhergripuponFloydVanderlipandrodedailybehindhisdogs。
Andjusthereiswherethemistakeoccurred。Thebuzzroseloudlyandmoredefinitely，couplednowwiththenameofthedancer，andMrs。Eppingwellheard。She，too，thoughtofFlossieliftinghermoccasinedfeetthroughtheendlesshours，andFloydVanderlipwasinvitedupthehillsidetotea，andinvitedoften。Thisquitetookhisbreathaway，andhebecamedrunkenwithappreciationofhimself。Neverwasmansomaltreated。Hissoulhadbecomeathingforwhichthreewomenstruggled，whileafourthwasonthewaytoclaimit。Andthreesuchwomen！
ButMrs。Eppingwellandthemistakeshemade。Shespokeoftheaffair，tentatively，toSitkaCharley，whohadsolddogstotheGreekgirl。Butnonameswerementioned。ThenearestapproachtoitwaswhenMrs。Eppingwellsaid，\"This——er——horridwoman，\"andSitkaCharley，withthemodel—womanstronginhisthoughts，hadechoed，\"——er——horridwoman。\"Andheagreedwithher，thatitwasawickedthingforawomantocomebetweenamanandthegirlhewastomarry。\"Ameregirl，Charley，\"shesaid，\"Iamsuresheis。Andsheiscomingintoastrangecountrywithoutafriendwhenshegetshere。Wemustdosomething。\"SitkaCharleypromisedhishelp，andwentawaythinkingwhatawickedwomanthisLoraineLisznayimustbe，alsowhatnoblewomenMrs。EppingwellandFredaweretointerestthemselvesinthewelfareoftheunknownFlossie。
NowMrs。Eppingwellwasopenastheday。ToSitkaCharley，whotookheroncepasttheHillsofSilence，belongsthegloryofhavingmemorializedherclear—searchingeyes，herclear—ringingvoice，andherutterdownrightfrankness。Herlipshadawayofstiffeningtocommand，andshewasusedtocomingstraighttothepoint。HavingtakenFloydVanderlip’smeasurement，shedidnotdarethiswithhim;butshewasnotafraidtogodownintothetowntoFreda。Anddownshewent，inthebrightlightofday，tothehouseofthedancer。Shewasabovesillytongues，aswasherhusband，thecaptain。Shewishedtoseethiswomanandtospeakwithher，norwassheawareofanyreasonwhysheshouldnot。SoshestoodinthesnowattheGreekgirl’sdoor，withthefrostatsixtybelow，andparleyedwiththewaiting—maidforafullfiveminutes。Shehadalsothepleasureofbeingturnedawayfromthatdoor，andofgoingbackupthehill，wrothatheartfortheindignitywhichhadbeenputuponher。\"Whowasthiswomanthatsheshouldrefusetoseeher？\"sheaskedherself。Onewouldthinkittheotherwayaround，andsheherselfbutadancinggirldeniedatthedoorofthewifeofacaptain。Asitwas，sheknew，hadFredacomeupthehilltoher，——nomatterwhattheerrand，——shewouldhavemadeherwelcomeatherfire，andtheywouldhavesatthereastwowomen，andtalked，merelyastwowomen。Shehadoversteppedconventionandloweredherself，butshehadthoughtitdifferentwiththewomendowninthetown。Andshewasashamedthatshehadlaidherselfopentosuchdishonor，andherthoughtsofFredawereunkind。
NotthatFredadeservedthis。Mrs。Eppingwellhaddescendedtomeetherwhowaswithoutcaste，whileshe，stronginthetraditionsofherownearlierstatus，hadnotpermittedit。Shecouldworshipsuchawoman，andshewouldhaveaskednogreaterjoythantohavehadherintothecabinandsatwithher，justsatwithher，foranhour。ButherrespectforMrs。Eppingwell，andherrespectforherself，whowasbeyondrespect，hadpreventedherdoingthatwhichshemostdesired。ThoughnotquiterecoveredfromtherecentvisitofMrs。McFee，thewifeoftheminister，whohaddescendeduponherinawhirlwindofexhortationandbrimstone，shecouldnotimaginewhathadpromptedthepresentvisit。Shewasnotawareofanyparticularwrongshehaddone，andsurelythiswomanwhowaitedatthedoorwasnotconcernedwiththewelfareofhersoul。Whyhadshecome？Forallthecuriosityshecouldnothelpbutfeel，shesteeledherselfintheprideofthosewhoarewithoutpride，andtrembledintheinnerroomlikeamaidonthefirstcaressofalover。IfMrs。
Eppingwellsufferedgoingupthehill，shetoosuffered，lyingfacedownwardonthebed，dry—eyed，dry—mouthed，dumb。
Mrs。Eppingwell’sknowledgeofhumannaturewasgreat。Sheaimedatuniversality。Shehadfounditeasytostepfromthecivilizedandcontemplatethingsfromthebarbaricaspect。Shecouldcomprehendcertainprimalandanalogouscharacteristicsinahungrywolf—dogorastarvingman，andpredicatelinesofactiontobepursuedbyeitherunderlikeconditions。Toher，awomanwasawoman，whethergarbedinpurpleortheragsofthegutter;
Fredawasawoman。Shewouldnothavebeensurprisedhadshebeentakenintothedancer’scabinandencounteredoncommonground;
norsurprisedhadshebeentakeninandflauntedinpridelessarrogance。Buttobetreatedasshehadbeentreated，wasunexpectedanddisappointing。Ergo，shehadnotcaughtFreda’spointofview。Andthiswasgood。Therearesomepointsofviewwhichcannotbegainedsavethroughmuchtravailandpersonalcrucifixion，anditwerewellfortheworldthatitsMrs。
Eppingwellsshould，incertainways，fallshortofuniversality。
Onecannotunderstanddefilementwithoutlayinghandstopitch，whichisverysticky，whiletherebeplentywillingtoundertaketheexperiment。Allofwhichisofsmallconcern，beyondthefactthatitgaveMrs。Eppingwellgroundforgrievance，andbredforheragreaterloveintheGreekgirl’sheart。
III
Andinthiswaythingswentalongforamonth，——Mrs。EppingwellstrivingtowithholdthemanfromtheGreekdancer’sblandishmentsagainstthetimeofFlossie’scoming;Flossielesseningthemileseachdayonthedrearytrail;Fredapittingherstrengthagainstthemodel—woman;themodel—womanstrainingeverynervetolandtheprize;andthemanmovingthroughitalllikeaflyingshuttle，veryproudofhimself，whomhebelievedtobeasecondDonJuan。
Itwasnobody’sfaultexcepttheman’sthatLoraineLisznayiatlastlandedhim。Thewayofamanwithamaidmaybetoowonderfultoknow，butthewayofawomanwithamanpassethallconception;whencetheprophetwereindeedunwisewhowoulddareforecastFloydVanderlip’scoursetwenty—fourhoursinadvance。
Perhapsthemodel—woman’sattractionlayinthattotheeyeshewasahandsomeanimal;perhapsshefascinatedhimwithherold—
worldtalkofpalacesandprinces;leastwiseshedazzledhimwhoselifehadbeenworkedoutinunculturedroughness，andheatlastagreedtohersuggestionofarundowntheriverandamarriageatFortyMile。IntokenofhisintentionheboughtdogsfromSitkaCharley，——morethanonesledisnecessarywhenawomanlikeLoraineLisznayitakestothetrail，andthenwentupthecreektogiveordersforthesuperintendenceofhisBonanzaminesduringhisabsence。
Hehadgivenitout，rathervaguely，thatheneededtheanimalsforsleddinglumberfromthemilltohissluices，andrighthereiswhereSitkaCharleydemonstratedhisfitness。Heagreedtofurnishdogsonagivendate，butnosoonerhadFloydVanderlipturnedhistoesup—creek，thanCharleyhiedhimselfawayinperturbationtoLoraineLisznayi。DidsheknowwhereMr。
Vanderliphadgone？Hehadagreedtosupplythatgentlemanwithabigstringofdogsbyacertaintime;butthatshamelessone，theGermantraderMeyers，hadbeenbuyingupthebrutesandskimpedthemarket。ItwasverynecessaryheshouldseeMr。Vanderlip，becauseoftheshamelessonehewouldbeallofaweekbehindhandinfillingthecontract。Shedidknowwherehehadgone？Up—
creek？Good！Hewouldstrikeoutafterhimatonceandinformhimoftheunhappydelay。DidheunderstandhertosaythatMr。
VanderlipneededthedogsonFridaynight？thathemusthavethembythattime？Itwastoobad，butitwasthefaultoftheshamelessonewhohadbiduptheprices。Theyhadjumpedfiftydollarsperhead，andshouldhebuyontherisingmarkethewouldlosebythecontract。HewonderedifMr。Vanderlipwouldbewillingtomeettheadvance。Sheknewhewould？BeingMr。
Vanderlip’sfriend，shewouldevenmeetthedifferenceherself？
Andhewastosaynothingaboutit？Shewaskindtosolooktohisinterests。Fridaynight，didshesay？Good！Thedogswouldbeonhand。
Anhourlater，FredaknewtheelopementwastobepulledoffonFridaynight;also，thatFloydVanderliphadgoneup—creek，andherhandsweretied。OnFridaymorning，Devereaux，theofficialcourier，bearingdespatchesfromtheGovernor，arrivedovertheice。Besidesthedespatches，hebroughtnewsofFlossie。HehadpassedhercampatSixtyMile;humansanddogswereingoodcondition;andshewoulddoubtlessbeinonthemorrow。Mrs。
Eppingwellexperiencedagreatreliefonhearingthis;FloydVanderlipwassafeup—creek，anderetheGreekgirlcouldagainlayhandsuponhim，hisbridewouldbeontheground。ButthatafternoonherbigSt。Bernard，valiantlydefendingherfrontstoop，wasdownedbyaforagingpartyoftrail—starvedMalemutes。
Hewasburiedbeneaththehirsutemassforaboutthirtyseconds，whenrescuedbyacoupleofaxesandasmanystoutmen。Hadheremaineddowntwominutes，thechanceswerelargethathewouldhavebeenroughlyapportionedandcarriedawayintherespectivebelliesoftheattackingparty;butasitwas，itwasamerecaseofneatandexpeditiousmangling。SitkaCharleycametorepairthedamages，especiallyarightfore—pawwhichhadinadvertentlybeenleftafractionofasecondtoolonginsomeotherdog’smouth。Asheputonhismittenstogo，thetalkturneduponFlossieandinnaturalsequencepassedontothe——\"erhorridwoman。\"SitkaCharleyremarkedincidentallythatsheintendedjumpingoutdownriverthatnightwithFloydVanderlip，andfurtherventuredtheinformationthataccidentswereverylikelyatthattimeofyear。
SoMrs。Eppingwell’sthoughtsofFredawereunkinderthanever。
Shewroteanote，addressedittothemaninquestion，andintrustedittoamessengerwholayinwaitatthemouthofBonanzaCreek。Anotherman，bearinganotefromFreda，alsowaitedatthatstrategicpoint。SoithappenedthatFloydVanderlip，ridinghissledmerrilydownwiththelastdaylight，receivedthenotestogether。HetoreFreda’sacross。No，hewouldnotgotoseeher。Thereweregreaterthingsafootthatnight。Besides，shewasoutoftherunning。ButMrs。Eppingwell！
Hewouldobserveherlastwish，——orrather，thelastwishitwouldbepossibleforhimtoobserve，——andmeetherattheGovernor’sballtohearwhatshehadtosay。Fromthetoneofthewritingitwasevidentlyimportant;perhaps——Hesmiledfondly，butfailedtoshapethethought。Confounditall，whataluckyfellowhewaswiththewomenanyway！Scatteringherlettertothefrost，hemushedthedogsintoaswinginglopeandheadedforhiscabin。Itwastobeamasquerade，andhehadtodigupthecostumeusedattheOperaHouseacoupleofmonthsbefore。Also，hehadtoshaveandtoeat。Thusitwasthathe，aloneofallinterested，wasunawareofFlossie’sproximity。
\"Havethemdowntothewater—holeoffthehospital，atmidnight，sharp。Don’tfailme，\"hesaidtoSitkaCharley，whodroppedinwiththeadvicethatonlyonedogwaslackingtofillthebill，andthatthatonewouldbeforthcominginanhourorso。\"Here’sthesack。There’sthescales。Weighoutyourowndustanddon’tbotherme。I’vegottogetreadyfortheball。\"
SitkaCharleyweighedouthispayanddeparted，carryingwithhimalettertoLoraineLisznayi，thecontentsofwhichhecorrectlyimaginedtorefertoameetingatthewater—holeofthehospital，atmidnight，sharp。
IV
TwiceFredasentmessengersuptotheBarracks，wherethedancewasinfullswing，andasoftentheycamebackwithoutanswers。
ThenshedidwhatonlyFredacoulddo——putonherfurs，maskedherface，andwentupherselftotheGovernor’sball。Nowtherehappenedtobeacustom——notanoriginalonebyanymeans——towhichtheofficialcliquehadlongsincebecomeaddicted。Itwasaverywisecustom，foritfurnishedprotectiontothewomankindoftheofficialsandgavegreaterselectnesstotheirrevels。
Wheneveramasqueradewasgiven，acommitteewaschosen，thesolefunctionofwhichwastostandbythedoorandpeepbeneatheachandeverymask。Mostmendidnotclamortobeplaceduponthiscommittee，whiletheveryoneswholeastdesiredthehonorweretheoneswhoseservicesweremostrequired。Thechaplainwasnotwellenoughacquaintedwiththefacesandplacesofthetownspeopletoknowwhomtoadmitandwhomtoturnaway。Inlikeconditionweretheseveralotherworthygentlemenwhowouldhaveaskednothingbetterthantososerve。Tofillthecovetedplace，Mrs。McFeewouldhaveriskedherchanceofsalvation，anddid，onenight，whenacertaintriopassedinunderhergunsandmuddledthingsconsiderablybeforetheiridentitywasdiscovered。
Thereafteronlythefitwerechosen，andveryungracefullydidtheyrespond。
OnthisparticularnightPrincewasatthedoor。Pressurehadbeenbroughttobear，andhehadnotyetrecoveredfromamazeathishavingconsentedtoundertakeataskwhichbidfairtolosehimhalfhisfriends，merelyforthesakeofpleasingtheotherhalf。Threeorfourofthemenhehadrefusedweremenwhomhehadknownoncreekandtrail，——goodcomrades，butnotexactlyeligibleforsoselectanaffair。Hewascanvassingtheexpediencyofresigningthepostthereandthen，whenawomantrippedinunderthelight。Freda！Hecouldswearitbythefurs，didhenotknowthatpoiseofheadsowell。Thelastonetoexpectinalltheworld。Hehadgivenherbetterjudgmentthantothusventuretheignominyofrefusal，or，ifshepassed，thescornofwomen。Heshookhishead，withoutscrutiny;heknewhertoowelltobemistaken。Butshepressedcloser。Sheliftedtheblacksilkribbonandasquicklylowereditagain。Foroneflashing，eternalsecondhelookeduponherface。Itwasnotfornothing，thesayingwhichhadariseninthecountry，thatFredaplayedwithmenasachildwithbubbles。Notawordwasspoken。
Princesteppedaside，andafewmomentslatermighthavebeenseenresigning，withwarmincoherence，theposttowhichhehadbeenunfaithful。
Awoman，flexibleofform，slender，yetrhythmicofstrengthineverymovement，nowpausingwiththisgroup，nowscanningthat，urgedarestlessanddeviouscourseamongtherevellers。Menrecognizedthefurs，andmarvelled，——menwhoshouldhaveserveduponthedoorcommittee;buttheywerenotpronetospeech。Notsowiththewomen。Theyhadbettereyesforthelinesoffigureandtricksofcarriage，andtheyknewthisformtobeonewithwhichtheywereunfamiliar;likewisethefurs。Mrs。McFee，emergingfromthesupper—roomwhereallwasinreadiness，caughtoneflashoftheblazing，questingeyesthroughthesilkenmask—
slits，andreceivedastart。Shetriedtorecollectwhereshehadseenthelike，andavividpicturewasrecalledofacertainproudandrebellioussinnerwhomshehadonceencounteredonafruitlesserrandfortheLord。
Soitwasthatthegoodwomantookthetrailinhotandrighteouswrath，atrailwhichbroughtherultimatelyintothecompanyofMrs。EppingwellandFloydVanderlip。Mrs。Eppingwellhadjustfoundtheopportunitytotalkwiththeman。Shehaddetermined，nowthatFlossiewassonearathand，toproceeddirectlytothepoint，andanincisivelittleethicaldiscoursewastitillatingontheendofhertongue，whenthecouplebecamethree。Shenoted，andpleasurably，thefaintlyforeignaccentofthe\"Begpardon\"
withwhichthefurredwomanprefacedherimmediateappropriationofFloydVanderlip;andshecourteouslybowedherpermissionforthemtodrawalittleapart。
ThenitwasthatMrs。McFee’srighteoushanddescended，andaccompanyingitinitsdescentwasablackmasktornfromastartledwoman。Awonderfulfaceandbrillianteyeswereexposedtothequietcuriosityofthosewholookedthatway，andtheywereeverybody。FloydVanderlipwasratherconfused。Thesituationdemandedinstantactiononthepartofamanwhowasnotbeyondhisdepth，whileHEhardlyknewwherehewas。Hestaredhelplesslyabouthim。Mrs。Eppingwellwasperplexed。Shecouldnotcomprehend。Anexplanationwasforthcoming，somewhere，andMrs。McFeewasequaltoit。
\"Mrs。Eppingwell，\"andherCelticvoiceroseshrilly，\"itiswithgreatpleasureImakeyouacquaintedwithFredaMoloof，MISSFredaMoloof，asIunderstand。\"
Fredainvoluntarilyturned。Withherownfacebared，shefeltasinadream，naked，uponherturnedtheclothedfeaturesandgleamingeyesofthemaskedcircle。Itseemed，almost，asthoughahungrywolf—packgirdledher，readytodragherdown。Itmightchancethatsomefeltpityforher，shethought，andatthethought，hardened。Shewouldbyfarprefertheirscorn。Strongofheartwasshe，thiswoman，andthoughshehadhuntedthepreyintothemidstofthepack，Mrs。EppingwellornoMrs。Eppingwell，shecouldnotforegothekill。
ButhereMrs。Eppingwelldidastrangething。Sothis，atlast，wasFreda，shemused，thedancerandthedestroyerofmen;thewomanfromwhosedoorshehadbeenturned。Andshe，too，felttheimperiouscreature’snakednessasthoughitwereherown。Perhapsitwasthis，herSaxondisinclinationtomeetadisadvantagedfoe，perhaps，forsooth，thatitmightgivehergreaterstrengthinthestrugglefortheman，anditmighthavebeenalittleofboth;butbethatasitmay，shediddothisstrangething。WhenMrs。
McFee’sthinvoice，vibrantwithmalice，hadraised，andFredaturnedinvoluntarily，Mrs。Eppingwellalsoturned，removedhermask，andinclinedherheadinacknowledgment。
Itwasanotherflashing，eternalsecond，duringwhichthesetwowomenregardedeachother。Theone，eyesblazing，meteoric;atbay，aggressive;sufferinginadvanceandresentinginadvancethescornandridiculeandinsultshehadthrownherselfopento;abeautiful，burning，bubblinglavaconeoffleshandspirit。Andtheother，calm—eyed，cool—browed，serene;stronginherownintegrity，withfaithinherself，thoroughlyatease;
dispassionate，imperturbable;afigurechiselledfromsomecoldmarblequarry。Whatevergulftheremightexist，sherecognizeditnot。Nobridging，nodescending;herattitudewasthatofperfectequality。Shestoodtranquillyonthegroundoftheircommonwomanhood。AndthismaddenedFreda。Notso，hadshebeenoflesserbreed;buthersoul’splummetknewnotthebottomless，andshecouldfollowtheotherintothedeepsofherdeepestdepthsandreadheraright。\"Whydoyounotdrawbackyourgarment’shem？\"shewasfaintocryout，allinthatflashing，dazzlingsecond。\"Spituponme，revileme，anditweregreatermercythanthis！\"Shetrembled。Hernostrilsdistendedandquivered。Butshedrewherselfincheck，returnedtheinclinationofhead，andturnedtotheman。
\"Comewithme，Floyd，\"shesaidsimply。\"Iwantyounow。\"
\"Whatthe——\"hebeganexplosively，andquitassuddenly，discreetenoughtonotrounditoff。Wherethedeucehadhiswitsgone，anyway？Waseveramanmorefoolishlyplaced？Hegurgleddeepdowninhisthroatandhighupintheroofofhismouth，heavedasonehisbigshouldersandhisindecision，andglaredappealinglyatthetwowomen。
\"Ibegpardon，justamoment，butmayIspeakfirstwithMr。
Vanderlip？\"Mrs。Eppingwell’svoice，thoughflute—likeandlow，predicatedwillinitseverycadence。
Themanlookedhisgratitude。He，atleast，waswillingenough。
\"I’mverysorry，\"fromFreda。\"Thereisn’ttime。Hemustcomeatonce。\"Theconventionalphrasesdroppedeasilyfromherlips，butshecouldnotforbeartosmileinwardlyattheirinadequacyandweakness。Shewouldmuchratherhaveshrieked。
\"But，MissMoloof，whoareyouthatyoumaypossessyourselfofMr。Vanderlipandcommandhisactions？\"
Whereuponreliefbrightenedhisface，andthemanbeamedhisapproval。TrustMrs。Eppingwelltodraghimclear。Fredahadmethermatchthistime。
\"I——I——\"Fredahesitated，andthenherfemininemindputtingonitsharness——\"andwhoareyoutoaskthisquestion？\"
\"I？IamMrs。Eppingwell，and——\"
\"There！\"theotherbrokeinsharply。\"Youarethewifeofacaptain，whoisthereforeyourhusband。Iamonlyadancinggirl。
Whatdoyouwiththisman？\"
\"Suchunprecedentedbehavior！\"Mrs。McFeeruffledherselfandclearedforaction，butMrs。Eppingwellshuthermouthwithalookanddevelopedanewattack。
\"SinceMissMoloofappearstoholdclaimsuponyou，Mr。Vanderlip，andisintoogreathastetograntmeafewsecondsofyourtime，Iamforcedtoappealdirectlytoyou。MayIspeakwithyou，alone，andnow？\"
Mrs。McFee’sjawsbroughttogetherwithasnap。Thatsettledthedisgracefulsituation。
\"Why，er——thatis，certainly，\"themanstammered。\"Ofcourse，ofcourse，\"growingmoreeffusiveattheprospectofdeliverance。
Menareonlygregariousvertebrates，domesticatedandevolved，andthechancesarelargethatitwasbecausetheGreekgirlhadinhertimedealtwithwildermasculinebeastsofthehumansort;forsheturneduponthemanwithhell’stidesafloodinherblazingeyes，muchasabespangledladyuponalionwhichhassuddenlyimbibedthepernicioustheorythatheisafreeagent。Thebeastinhimfawnedtothelash。
\"Thatistosay，ah，afterward。To—morrow，Mrs。Eppingwell;yes，to—morrow。ThatiswhatImeant。\"Hesolacedhimselfwiththefact，shouldheremain，thatmoreembarrassmentawaited。Also，hehadanengagementwhichhemustkeepshortly，downbythewater—
holeoffthehospital。Yegods！hehadnevergivenFredacredit！
Wasn’tshemagnificent！
\"I’llthankyouformymask，Mrs。McFee。\"
Thatlady，forthenoncespeechless，turnedoverthearticleinquestion。
\"Good—night，MissMoloof。\"Mrs。Eppingwellwasroyalevenindefeat。
Fredareciprocated，thoughbarelydowningtheimpulsetoclasptheother’skneesandbegforgiveness，——no，notforgiveness，butsomething，sheknewnotwhat，butwhichshenonethelessgreatlydesired。
Themanwasforhertakinghisarm;butshehadmadeherkillinthemidstofthepack，andthatwhichledkingstodragtheirvanquishedatthechariot—tail，ledhertowardthedooralone，FloydVanderlipcloseatheelandstrivingtore—establishhismentalequilibrium。
V
Itwasbittercold。Asthetrailwound，aquarterofamilebroughtthemtothedancer’scabin，bywhichtimehermoistbreathhadcoatedherfacefrostily，whilehishadmassedhisheavymustachetillconversationwaspainful。Bythegreenishlightoftheauroraborealis，thequicksilvershoweditselffrozenhardinthebulbofthethermometerwhichhungoutsidethedoor。A
thousanddogs，inpitifulchorus，wailedtheirancientwrongsandclaimedmercyfromtheunheedingstars。Notabreathofairwasmoving。Forthemtherewasnoshelterfromthecold，noshrewdcrawlingtoleewardinsnugnooks。Thefrostwaseverywhere，andtheylayintheopen，everandanonstretchingtheirtrail—
stiffenedmusclesandliftingthelongwolf—howl。
Theydidnottalkatfirst，themanandthewoman。WhilethemaidhelpedFredaoffwithherwraps，FloydVanderlipreplenishedthefire;andbythetimethemaidhadwithdrawntoaninnerroom，hisheadoverthestove，hewasbusilythawingouthisburdenedupperlip。Afterthatherolledacigaretteandwatchedherlazilythroughthefragranteddies。Shestoleaglanceattheclock。Itlackedhalfanhourofmidnight。Howwasshetoholdhim？Washeangryforthatwhichshehaddone？Whatwashismood？Whatmoodofherscouldmeethisbest？Notthatshedoubtedherself。No，no。Holdhimshecould，ifneedbeatpistolpoint，tillSitkaCharley’sworkwasdone，andDevereaux’stoo。
Thereweremanyways，andwithherknowledgeofthishercontemptforthemanincreased。Assheleanedherheadonherhand，afleetingvisionofherowngirlhood，withitsmournfulclimactericandtragicebb，wasvouchsafedher，andforthemomentshewasmindedtoreadhimalessonfromit。God！itmustbelessthanhumanbrutewhocouldnotbeheldbysuchatale，toldasshecouldtellit，but——bah！Hewasnotworthit，norworththepaintoher。Thecandlewaspositionedjustright，andevenasshethoughtofthesethingssacredlyshamefultoher，hewaspleasuringinthetransparentpinkinessofherear。Shenotedhiseye，tookthecue，andturnedherheadtillthecleanprofileofthefacewaspresented。Nottheleastwasthatprofileamonghervirtues。Shecouldnothelpthelinesuponwhichshehadbeenbuilded，andtheywereverygood;butshehadlongsincelearnedthoselines，andthoughlittletheyneeded，wasnotaboveadvantagingthemtothebestofherability。Thecandlebegantoflicker。Shecouldnotdoanythingungracefully，butthatdidnotpreventherimprovinguponnatureabit，whenshereachedforthanddeftlysnuffedtheredwickfromthemidstoftheyellowflame。Againsherestedheadonhand，thistimeregardingthemanthoughtfully，andanymanispleasedwhenthusregardedbyaprettywoman。
Shewasinlittlehastetobegin。Ifdallianceweretohisliking，itwastohers。Tohimitwasverycomfortable，soothinghislungswithnicotineandgazinguponher。Itwassnugandwarmhere，whiledownbythewater—holebeganatrailwhichhewouldsoonbehittingthroughthechillyhours。HefeltheoughttobeangrywithFredaforthesceneshehadcreated，butsomehowhedidn’tfeelabitwrathful。Likeasnottherewouldn’thavebeenanysceneifithadn’tbeenforthatMcFeewoman。IfheweretheGovernor，hewouldputapolltaxofahundredouncesaquarteruponherandherkindandallgospelsharksandskypilots。AndcertainlyFredahadbehavedveryladylike，heldherownwithMrs。
Eppingwellbesides。Nevergavethegirlcreditforthegrit。Helookedlingeringlyoverher，comingbacknowandagaintotheeyes，behindthedeepearnestnessofwhichhecouldnotguesslayconcealedadeepersneer。And，Jove，wasn’tshewellputup！
Wonderwhyshelookedathimso？Didshewanttomarryhim，too？
Likeasnot;butshewasn’ttheonlyone。Herlookswereinherfavor，weren’tthey？Andyoung——youngerthanLoraineLisznayi。
Shecouldn’tbemorethantwenty—threeorfour，twenty—fiveatmost。Andshe’dnevergetstout。Anybodycouldguessthatthefirsttime。Hecouldn’tsayitofLoraine，though。SHEcertainlyhadputonfleshsincethedaysheservedasmodel。Huh！oncehegotherontrailhe’dtakeitoff。Putheronthesnowshoestobreakaheadofthedogs。Neverknewittofail，yet。ButhisthoughtleapedaheadtothepalaceunderthelazyMediterraneansky——andhowwoulditbewithLorainethen？Nofrost，notrail，nofaminenowandagaintocheerthemonotony，andshegettingolderandpilingitonwitheverysunrise。WhilethisgirlFreda—
—hesighedhisunconsciousregretthathehadmissedbeingbornundertheflagoftheTurk，andcamebacktoAlaska。
\"Well？\"Bothhandsoftheclockpointedperpendicularlytomidnight，anditwashightimehewasgettingdowntothewater—
hole。
\"Oh！\"Fredastarted，andshediditprettily，delightinghimashisfellowshaveeverbeendelightedbytheirwomankind。Whenamanismadetobelievethatawoman，lookinguponhimthoughtfully，haslostherselfinmeditationoverhim，thatmanneedsbeanextremelycold—bloodedindividualinordertotrimhissheets，setalookout，andsteerclear。
\"Iwasjustwonderingwhatyouwantedtoseemeabout，\"heexplained，drawinghischairuptohersbythetable。
\"Floyd，\"shelookedhimsteadilyintheeyes，\"Iamtiredofthewholebusiness。Iwanttogoaway。Ican’tliveitoutheretilltheriverbreaks。IfItry，I’lldie。Iamsureofit。Iwanttoquititallandgoaway，andIwanttodoitatonce。\"
Shelaidherhandinmuteappealuponthebackofhis，whichturnedoverandbecameaprison。Anotherone，hethought，justthrowingherselfathim。Guessitwouldn’thurtLorainetocoolherfeetbythewater—holealittlelonger。
\"Well？\"ThistimefromFreda，butsoftlyandanxiously。
\"Idon’tknowwhattosay，\"hehastenedtoanswer，addingtohimselfthatitwascomingalongquickerthanhehadexpected。
\"NothingI’dlikebetter，Freda。Youknowthatwellenough。\"Hepressedherhand，palmtopalm。Shenodded。Couldshewonderthatshedespisedthebreed？
\"Butyousee，I——I’mengaged。Ofcourseyouknowthat。Andthegirl’scomingintothecountrytomarryme。Don’tknowwhatwasupwithmewhenIaskedher，butitwasalongwhileback，andI
wasall—firedyoung——\"
\"Iwanttogoaway，outoftheland，anywhere，\"shewenton，disregardingtheobstaclehehadrearedupandapologizedfor。\"I
havebeenrunningoverthemenIknowandreachedtheconclusionthat——that——\"
\"Iwasthelikeliestofthelot？\"
Shesmiledhergratitudeforhishavingsavedhertheembarrassmentofconfession。Hedrewherheadagainsthisshoulderwiththefreehand，andsomehowthescentofherhairgotintohisnostrils。Thenhediscoveredthatacommonpulsethrobbed，throbbed，throbbed，wheretheirpalmswereincontact。
Thisphenomenoniseasilycomprehensiblefromaphysiologicalstandpoint，buttothemanwhomakesthediscoveryforthefirsttime，itisamostwonderfulthing。FloydVanderliphadcaressedmoreshovel—handlesthanwomen’shandsinhistime，sothiswasanexperiencequitenewanddelightfullystrange。AndwhenFredaturnedherheadagainsthisshoulder，herhairbrushinghischeektillhiseyesmethers，fullandatcloserange，luminouslysoft，ay，andtender——why，whosefaultwasitthathelosthisgriputterly？FalsetoFlossie，whynottoLoraine？Evenifthewomendidkeepbotheringhim，thatwasnoreasonheshouldmakeuphismindinahurry。Why，hehadslathersofmoney，andFredawasjustthegirltograceit。Awifeshe’dmakehimforothermentoenvy。Butgoslow。Hemustbecautious。
\"Youdon’thappentocareforpalaces，doyou？\"heasked。
Sheshookherhead。
\"Well，Ihadahankeringafterthemmyself，tillIgottothinking，awhileback，andI’veaboutsizeditupthatone’dgetfatlivinginpalaces，andsoftandlazy。\"
\"Yes，it’sniceforatime，butyousoongrowtiredofit，I
imagine，\"shehastenedtoreassurehim。\"Theworldisgood，butlifeshouldbemany—sided。Roughandknockaboutforawhile，andthenrestupsomewhere。OfftotheSouthSeasonayacht，thenanibbleofParis;awinterinSouthAmericaandasummerinNorway;
afewmonthsinEngland——\"
\"Goodsociety？\"
\"Mostcertainly——thebest;andthen，heigho！forthedogsandsledsandtheHudsonBayCountry。Change，youknow。Astrongmanlikeyou，fullofvitalityandgo，couldnotpossiblystandapalaceforayear。Itisallverywellforeffeminatemen，butyouweren’tmadeforsuchalife。Youaremasculine，intenselymasculine。\"
\"Thinkso？\"
\"Itdoesnotrequirethinking。Iknow。Haveyouevernoticedthatitwaseasytomakewomencareforyou？\"
Hisdubiousinnocencewassuperb。
\"Itisveryeasy。Andwhy？Becauseyouaremasculine。Youstrikethedeepestchordsofawoman’sheart。Youaresomethingtoclingto，——big—muscled，strong，andbrave。Inshort，becauseyouAREaman。\"
Sheshotaglanceattheclock。Itwashalfafterthehour。ShehadgivenamarginofthirtyminutestoSitkaCharley;anditdidnotmatter，now，whenDevereauxarrived。Herworkwasdone。Sheliftedherhead，laughedhergenuinemirth，slippedherhandclear，andrisingtoherfeetcalledthemaid。
\"Alice，helpMr。Vanderliponwithhisparka。Hismittensareonthesillbythestove。\"
Themancouldnotunderstand。
\"Letmethankyouforyourkindness，Floyd。Yourtimewasinvaluabletome，anditwasindeedgoodofyou。Theturningtotheleft，asyouleavethecabin，leadsthequickesttothewater—
hole。Good—night。Iamgoingtobed。\"
FloydVanderlipemployedstrongwordstoexpresshisperplexityanddisappointment。Alicedidnotliketohearmenswear，sodroppedhisparkaonthefloorandtossedhismittensontopofit。ThenhemadeabreakforFreda，andsheruinedherretreattotheinnerroombytrippingovertheparka。Hebroughtherupstandingwitharudegriponthewrist。Butsheonlylaughed。
Shewasnotafraidofmen。Hadtheynotwroughttheirworstwithher，anddidshenotstillendure？
\"Don’tberough，\"shesaidfinally。\"Onsecondthought，\"hereshelookedathisdetaininghand，\"I’vedecidednottogotobedyetawhile。Dositdownandbecomfortableinsteadofridiculous。Anyquestions？\"
\"Yes，mylady，andreckoning，too。\"Hestillkepthishold。
\"Whatdoyouknowaboutthewater—hole？Whatdidyoumeanby——no，nevermind。Onequestionatatime。\"
\"Oh，nothingmuch。SitkaCharleyhadanappointmenttherewithsomebodyyoumayknow，andnotbeinganxiousforamanofyourknowncharmtobepresent，fellbackuponmetokindlyhelphim。
That’sall。They’reoffnow，andagoodhalfhourago。\"
\"Where？Downriverandwithoutme？AndheanIndian！\"
\"There’snoaccountingfortaste，youknow，especiallyinawoman。\"
\"ButhowdoIstandinthisdeal？I’velostfourthousanddollars’worthofdogsandatidybitofawoman，andnothingtoshowforit。Exceptyou，\"headdedasanafterthought，\"andcheapyouareattheprice。\"
Fredashruggedhershoulders。
\"Youmightaswellgetready。I’mgoingouttoborrowacoupleofteamsofdogs，andwe’llstartinasmanyhours。\"
\"Iamverysorry，butI’mgoingtobed。\"
\"You’llpackifyouknowwhat’sgoodforyou。Gotobed，ornot，whenIgetmydogsoutside，sohelpme，ontothesledyougo。
Mebbeyoufooledwithme，butI’lljustseeyourbluffandtakeyouinearnest。Hearme？\"
Heclosedonherwristtillithurt，butonherlipsasmilewasgrowing，andsheseemedtolistenintentlytosomeoutsidesound。
Therewasajingleofdogbells，andaman’svoicecrying\"Haw！\"
asasledtooktheturninganddrewupatthecabin。
\"NOWwillyouletmegotobed？\"
AsFredaspokeshethrewopenthedoor。Intothewarmroomrushedthefrost，andonthethreshold，garbedintrail—wornfurs，knee—
deepintheswirlingvapor，againstabackgroundofflamingborealis，awomanhesitated。Sheremovedhernose—trapandstoodblinkingblindlyinthewhitecandlelight。FloydVanderlipstumbledforward。
\"Floyd！\"shecried，relievedandglad，andmethimwithatiredbound。
Whatcouldhebutkissthearmfuloffurs？Andaprettyarmfulitwas，nestlingagainsthimwearily，buthappy。
\"Itwasgoodofyou，\"spokethearmful，\"tosendMr。Devereauxwithfreshdogsafterme，elseIwouldnothavebeenintillto—
morrow。\"
ThemanlookedblanklyacrossatFreda，thenthelightbreakinginuponhim，\"Andwasn’titgoodofDevereauxtogo？\"
\"Couldn’twaitabitlonger，couldyou，dear？\"Flossiesnuggledcloser。
\"Well，Iwasgettingsortofimpatient，\"heconfessedglibly，atthesametimedrawingheruptillherfeetleftthefloor，andgettingoutsidethedoor。
ThatsamenightaninexplicablethinghappenedtotheReverendJamesBrown，missionary，wholivedamongthenativesseveralmilesdowntheYukonandsawtoitthatthetrailstheytrodledtothewhiteman’sparadise。HewasrousedfromhissleepbyastrangeIndian，whogaveintohischargenotonlythesoulbutthebodyofawoman，andhavingdonethisdrovequicklyaway。Thiswomanwasheavy，andhandsome，andangry，andinherwrathuncleanwordsfellfromhermouth。Thisshockedtheworthyman，buthewasyetyoungandherpresencewouldhavebeenpernicious（inthesimpleeyesofhisflock），hadshenotstruckoutonfootforDawsonwiththefirstgrayofdawn。
TheshocktoDawsoncamemanydayslater，whenthesummerhadcomeandthepopulationhonoredacertainroyalladyatWindsorbyliningtheYukon’sbankandwatchingSitkaCharleyriseupwithflashingpaddleanddrivethefirstcanoeacrosstheline。Onthisdayoftheraces，Mrs。Eppingwell，whohadlearnedandunlearnednumerousthings，sawFredaforthefirsttimesincethenightoftheball。\"Publicly，mindyou，\"asMrs。McFeeexpressedit，\"withoutregardorrespectforthemoralsofthecommunity，\"
shewentuptothedancerandheldoutherhand。Atfirst，itisrememberedbythosewhosaw，thegirlshrankback，thenwordspassedbetweenthetwo，andFreda，greatFreda，brokedownandweptontheshoulderofthecaptain’swife。ItwasnotgiventoDawsontoknowwhyMrs。EppingwellshouldcraveforgivenessofaGreekdancinggirl，butshediditpublicly，anditwasunseemly。
ItwerewellnottoforgetMrs。McFee。Shetookacabinpassageonthefirststeamergoingout。Shealsotookwithheratheorywhichshehadachievedinthesilentwatchesofthelongdarknights;anditisherconvictionthattheNorthlandisunregeneratebecauseitissocoldthere。Fearofhell—firecannotbebredinanice—box。Thismayappeardogmatic，butitisMrs。McFee’stheory。