第4章

minginblackmolassesandporkgravy。

Hendersonlookedatitamoment；thenoverhisfacecamealookofutterdespair。

Hedroppedhisheadinhisarmsandbrokeintouncontrolledcrying。

"Oh，myGod，Gillispie，"hesobbed，"I

shalldieouthereinthiswretchedhole!I

wantmymother。GreatGod，Gillispie，amIgoingtodiewithouteverseeingmymother？"

Gillispie，maddenedatthisanguish，whichhecouldinnowayalleviate，soughtcomfortbyfirstlightinghispipeandthentakinghisrevolveroutofhiship-pocketandplayingwithit。Hendersoncontinuedtoshakewithsobs，andCatherine，whohadneverbeforeinherlifeheardamancry，leanedagainstthedoorforamomenttogathercourage。

Thensheranintothehousequickly，laugh-

ingasshecame。ShetookHenderson"sarmsawayfromhisfaceandlaidhimbackonthepillow，andshestoopedoverhimandkissedhisforeheadinthemostmatter-

of-factway。

"That"swhatyourmotherwoulddoifshewerehere，"shecried，merrily。"Where"sthewater？"

Shewashedhisfaceandhandsalongtime，tilltheywerecoolandhisconvulsivesobshadceased。Thenshetookasliceofthinbreadfromherbasketandaspoonfulofamberjelly。Shebeataneggintosomemilkanddroppedalittleliquorwithinit，andservedthemtogetheronthefirstcleannapkinthathadbeeninthecabinofthethreeJohnssinceitwasbuiltAtthisthegreatfoolonthebedcriedagain，onlyquietly，tearsofweakhappi-

nessrunningfromhisfeverisheyes。AndCatherinestraightenedthedisorderlycabin。

Shecameeverydayfortwoweeks，andbythattimeHenderson，veryuncertainastothestrengthofhislegs，butoncemoreaccoutredinhisnativepluck，satupinachair，forwhichshehadmadecleansoftcushions，writingalettertohismother。Thefloorwasscrubbed；thecabinhadtakentoitselfcupboardsmadeofpacking-boxes；ithadclothes-pressesandshelves；curtainsatthewindows；boxesforallsortofnecessaries，fromflourtotobacco；andacook-bookonthewall，withaninscriptionwithinwhichwasmoreappropriatethanrespectful。

Thedaythatsheannouncedthatshewouldhavenofurthercalltocomeback，Waite，whowaslookingafterthehousewhileGillispiewasafield，madealittlespeech。

"Afterthishere，"hesaid，"wefourstandserfallstogether。Nowlookhere，there"slotsofthingscanhappentoapersononthiscussedpraira，andnoonebenoneth"wiser。Soseehere，Mis"Ford，everynightoneofusisa-goin"toth"roofofthisshack。Fromtherewecanseeyourplace。

Ifanythingisth"matter——itdon"tsignifyhowlittleerhowbig——youhangalanternonth"stickthatI"llputalongsideth"houseto-morrow。Yehcanh"istth"lightupwithastring，andeverymornin"beforewegooutwe"lllooktoo，andawhiterag"llbringusquickaswecangitthere。Wedon"tsaynothin"aboutwhatweoweyeh，furthatain"tourway，butwestickstoeachotherfromthison。”

Catherine"seyesweremoist。ShelookedatHenderson。Hisfacehadnoexpressioninitatall。Hedidnotevensaygood-bytoher，andsheturned，withthetearssud-

denlydriedunderherlids，andwalkeddowntheroadinthetwilight。

Weekswentby，andthoughGillispieandWaitewereoftenatCatherine"s，Hendersonnevercame。GillispiegaveitoutashisopinionthatHendersonwasanungratefulpuppy；butWaitesaidnothing。Thisstrangeman，whoseemedlikeamereunto-

wardaccidentofnature，hadchangeddur-

ingthesummer。Hisbigill-shapedbodyhadgrownmoregaunt；hisdeep-setgrayeyeshadsunkdeeper；thegentlenesswhichhaddistinguishedhimevenonthewildrangesofMontanabecamemoremarked。

LateinAugusthevolunteeredtotakeonhimselftheentirechargeofthenightwatch。

"It"snicertobeoutatnight，"hesaidtoCatherine。"Thenyoudon"tkeeplook-

ingoffatthings；youcanlookinside；"andhestruckhisbreastwithhissplayhand。

Cattlearetimorousunderthestars。Thevastnessoftheplains，thesweepofthewindundertheunbrokenarch，frightenthem；

theyaremadefortheclosecomfortsofthebarn-yard；andtheapprehensioniscon-

tagious，aseveryranchmanknows。Waiterealizedtheneedofbecominggoodfriendswithhisanimals。Nightafternight，ridingupanddowninthetwilightofthestars，ordozing，rolledinhisblanket，intheshelterofaknoll，hewouldhearalowroar；itwasthecryofthealarmist。Thenfromeverydirectionthecattlewouldrisewithtremblingawkwardnessontheirknees，andanswer，givingoutsullenbellowings。Someofthemwouldbegintomovefromplacetoplace，spreadingthebaselessalarm，andthencamethetimeforaction，elseovertheplaininmerefruitlessfrenzywouldgothewholefranticband，lashedtomadnessbytheirownfears，tramplingeachother，heed-

lessofanyobstacle，inpitiable，deadlyrout。

Waiteknewthepremonitorysignswell，andatthefirstwarningbellowhewasonhisfeet，alertanddetermined，hisenergynervedforastruggleinwhichhealwaysconquered。

Waitehadasecretwhichhetoldtonone，knowing，inhisunanalyticalfashion，thatitwouldnotbebelievedin。Butsoonaseverthedarkheadsofthecattlebegantoliftthemselves，hesentaresonantvoiceoutintothestillness。Thesongshesangwerehymns，andhemadethemintoasortofimperativelullaby。Waitelethislungsandsoulfillwiththebreathofthenight；

hegavehimselfuptotheexaltationofmasteringthosetremblingbrutes。Mount-

ing，melodious，withevenandpowerfulswinghelethisfullnotesfallontheairintheconfidenceofpower，andonebyonethereassuredcattlewouldliedownagain，lowinginsoftcontentment，andsofallasleepwithnosesstretchedoutinmuteattention，tilltheirpresencecouldhardlybeguessedexceptforthesweetaromaoftheircuds。

Onenightintheearlydusk，hesawCath-

erineFordhasteningacrosstheprairiewithBillDeems。Hesentahallooouttothem，whichtheybothansweredastheyranon。

WaiteknewonwhaterrandofmercyCath-

erinewasbent，andhethoughtofthechil-

drenoveratthecabinalone。Thecattlewerequiet，thenightbeautiful，andhecon-

cludedthatitwassafeenough，sincehewasonhispony，toridedownthereaboutmid-

nightandseethatthelittleonesweresafe。

Thedarksky，prickedwithpointsofin-

tensestlight，hungoverhimsobeneficentlythatinhisheartthereleapedajoywhichevenhisever-presentsorrowcouldnotdis-

turb。ThissorrowWaiteopenlyadmittednotonlytohimself，buttoothers。HehadsaidtoCatherine:"Yousee，I"llalwayshevtoloveyeh。An"yeh"llnotgitcrosswithme；I"mnotgoin"tobeinth"way。”AndCatherinehadtoldhim，withtearsinhereyes，thathislovecouldneverbebutacom-

forttoanywoman。Andthesewords，whichthepoorfellowhadinnosensemistaken，comfortedhimalways，becamepartofhisjoyasherodethere，underthosepiercingstars，tolookafterherlittleones。Hefoundthemsleepingintheirbunks，thebabytightinKitty"sarms，thelittleboyabovethemintheupperbunk，withhishandinthelonghairofhisbrownspaniel。Waitesoftlykissedeachofthem，soKitty，whowashalfwaking，toldhermotherafterwards，andthen，bethinkinghimthatCatherinemightnotbeabletoreturnintimefortheirbreak-

fast，foundthemilkandbread，andsetitforthemonthetable。Catherinehadbeenwriting，andherunfinishedletterlayopenbesidetheink。Hetookupthepenandwrote，"Thechilddrenwasallasleepattwelv。

"J。W。”

Hehadnotmorethangotonhisponyagainbeforeheheardanominoussoundthatmadehisheartleap。Itwasafranticdullpoundingofhoofs。Heknewinasecondwhatitmeant。Therewasastam-

pedeamongthecattle。Iftheanimalshadallbeenhis，hewouldnothavelosthissenseofjudgment。Buttherealizationthathehadvoluntarilyundertakenthecareofthem，andthatthelargerpartofthembelongedtohisfriends，puthiminapassionofappre-

hensionthat，asaranchman，wasalmostin-

explicable。Hedidtheverythingofallothersthatnocattle-maninhisrightsenseswouldthinkofdoing。GillispieandHender-

son，talkingitoverafterward，wereneverabletounderstandit。Itispossible——justbarelypossible——thatWaite，stilldrunkonhissolitarydreams，knewwhathewasdoing，andchosetobringhislittlechaptertoanendwhilethelineswerepleasant。Atanyrate，herodestraightforward，shoutingandwavinghisarmsinaninsaneendeavortoheadoffthatfranticmob。Thenoisewokethechildren，andtheypeeredfromthewindowasthepawingandbellowingherdplungedby，tramplingtheyoungsteersundertheirfeet。

Intheearlymorning，CatherineFord，spentbothinmindandbody，camewalkingslowlyhome。Inherheartwasaprayerofthanks-

giving。MaryDeemslaysleepingbackinhercomfortlessshack，withherlittlesonbyherside。

"ThewonderofGodisinit，"saidCath-

erinetoherselfasshewalkedhome。"AlltheministersofalltheworldcouldnothavepreachedmesuchasermonasI"vehadto-night。”

Sodimhadbeenthelightandsoper-

turbedhermindthatshehadnotnoticedhowtornandtrampledwastheroad。Butsuddenlyabulkinherpathwaystartledher。

Itwasthedeadandmangledbodyofasteer。

Shestoopedoverittoreadthebrandonitsflank。"It"soneofthethreeJohns"，"shecriedout，lookinganxiouslyabouther。

"Howcouldthathavehappened？"

Thedirectionwhichthecattlehadtakenwastowardherhouse，andshehastenedhomeward。AndnotaquarterofamilefromherdoorshefoundthebodyofWaitebesidethatofhispony，crushedoutofitsfamiliarformintosomethingunspeakablyshapeless。Inherexcitementshehalfdragged，halfcarriedthatmutilatedbodyhome，andthenranuphersignalofalarmonthestickthatWaitehimselfhaderectedforherconvenience。Shethoughtitwouldbealongtimebeforeanyonereachedher，butshehadhardlyhadtimetobathethedisfiguredfaceandstraightenthedisfiguredbodybeforeHendersonwaspoundingatherdoor。Outsidestoodhisponypantingfromitsterrificexertions。Hendersonhadnotseenherbeforeforsixweeks。Nowhestaredatherwithfrightenedeyes。

"Whatisit？Whatisit？"hecried。

"Whathashappenedtoyou，my——mylove？"

Atleastafterward，thinkingitoverassheworkedbydayortossedinhernarrowbunkatnight，itseemedtoCatherinethatthosewerethewordshespoke。Yetshecouldneverfeelsure；nothinginhismannerafterthatjustifiedtheimpassionedanxietyofhismannerinthosefirstfewuncertainmoments；

forasecondlaterhesawthebodyofhisfriendandlearnedthelittlethatCatherineknew。Theyburiedhimthenextdayinalittlehollowwheretherewasaspringandsomewildaspens。

"Heneverlikedtheprairie，"Catherinesaid，whensheselectedthespot。"AndI

wanthimtolieasshelteredaspossible。”

Afterhehadbeenlaidatrest，andshewasback，busywithtidyingherneglectedshack，shefelltocryingsothatthechildrenwerescared。

"There"snoonelefttocarewhatbecomesofus，"shetoldthem，bitterly。"Wemightstarveouthereforallthatanyonecares。”

Andallthroughthenighthertearsfell，andshetoldherselfthattheywereallforthemanwhoselastthoughtwasforherandherbabies；shetoldherselfoverandoveragainthathertearswereallforhim。Afterthistheautumnbegantohurryon，andthesnowfellcapriciously，daysofbitingcoldgivingplacetoretrospectiveglancesatsummer。

Thelastofthevegetablesweretakenoutofthegardenandburiedinthecellar；andafewtonsofcoal——dearalmostasdiamonds——werebroughtouttoprovideagainsttheseverestweather。Ordinarilybuffalochipswerethefuel。Catherinewasalarmedatthewayherwretchedlittlestoreofmoneybegantovanish。Thebabywasfretfulwithitsteething，andwasreallymorecarethanwhenshenursedit。Thedaysshortened，anditseemedtoherthatshewasforeverworkingbylamp-lightTheprairieswerebrownandforbidding，theskyoftenameregraypall。Themonotonyofthelifebegantoseemterrible。Sometimesherearsachedforasound。Foratimeinthesummersomanyhadseemedtoneedherthatshehadbeenhappyinspiteofherpovertyandherloneliness。Now，suddenly，noonewantedher。Shecouldfindnosourceofinspiration。

Shewonderedhowshewasgoingtolivethroughthewinter，andkeepherpatienceandhergood-nature。

"You"llloveme，"shesaid，almostfiercely，onenighttothechildren——"you"lllovemamma，nomatterhowcrossandhomelyshegets，won"tyou？"

Thecoldgrewdaybyday。Astrongwinterwassettingin。Catherinetookupherstudyofmedicineagain，andsatoverherbookstillmidnight。Itoccurredtoherthatshemightfitherselffornursingbyspring，andthatthechildrencouldbeputwithsomeone——shedidnotdaretothinkwithwhom。Butthiswastheonlysolutionshecouldfindtoherproblemofexistence。

Novembersettleddowndrearily。Fewpassedtheshack。Catherine，whohadnoonetospeakwithexceptingthechildren，continuallydevisedamusementsforthem。

Theygottolivinginaworldoffantasy，andwereneverthemselves，butalwayswildIndians，orarcticexplorers，orRobinsonCrusoes。KittyandRoderick，youngastheywere，foundanever-endingsourceofamusementintheselittlegrotesquedreamsanddramas。Thefundofmoneywasget-

tingsolowthatCatherinewasobligedtoeconomizeeveninthenecessities。Ifithadnotbeenforhertwocows，shewouldhardlyhaveknownhowtofindfoodforherlittleones。Butshehadawonderfulwayofmak-

ingthingswitheggsandmilk，andshekeptherlittletablealwaysinviting。ThedaybeforeThanksgivingshedeterminedthattheyshouldallhaveafrolic。

"ByChristmas，"shesaidtoKitty，"thesnowmaybesobadthatIcannotgettotown。We"llhaveourhigholdtimenow。”

ThereisnodenyingthatCatherineusedslangevenintalkingtothechildren。Thelittleponyhadbeensoldlongago，andgoingtotownmeantawalkoftwelvemiles。

ButCatherinestartedoutearlyinthemorning，andwasbackbynightfall，notsoverymuchtheworse，andcarryinginherarmsbundleswhichmighthavefatiguedabronco。

Thenextmorningshewasupearly，andwasashappyandridiculouslyexcitedovertheprospectoftheday"smerrymakingasifshehadbeenKitty。Busyasshewas，shenoticedapeculiaroppressionintheair，whichintensifiedasthedaywenton。Theskyseemedtohangbutalittlewayabovetherollingstretchoffrost-bittengrass。ButKittylaughingoverhernewdoll，Roderickstartlingthesullensilencewithhisdrum，thesmellofthechicken，slaughteredtomakeaprairieholiday，browningintheoven，droveallapprehensionsfromCath-

erine"smind。Shewasacommoncreature。

Suchverylittlethingscouldmakeherhappy。

Shesangassheworked；andwhatwiththedrummingofherboy，andthelittleexultingshrieksofherbaby，theshackwasfilledwithadeafeningandexhilaratingdin。

Itwasalittlepastnoon，whenshebecameconsciousthattherewassweepingdownonheragraysheetofsnowandice，andnottillthendidsherealizewhatthoseloweringcloudshadsignified。Foronemomentshestoodhalfparalyzed。Shethoughtofevery-

thing，——ofthecattle，ofthechanceforbeingburiedinthisdrift，ofthestockofprovi-

sions，ofthepowerofenduranceofthechildren。Whileshewasstillthinking，thefirstice-needlesoftheblizzardcamepepper-

ingthewindows。Thecattleranbellowingtotheleesideofthehouseandcrouchedthere，andthechickensscurriedforthecoop。

Catherineseizedsuchblanketsandbitsofcarpetasshecouldfind，andcrammedthematwindowsanddoors。Thenshepiledcoalonthefire，andclothedthechildreninalltheyhadthatwaswarmest，theirout-doorgar-

mentsincluded；andwiththemcloseabouther，shesatandwaited。Thewindseemedtopushsteadilyatthewallsofthehouse。

Thehowlingbecamehorrible。Shecouldseethatthechildrenwerecryingwithfright，butshecouldnothearthem。Theairwasdusky；thecold，inspiteofthefire，intol-

erable。Ineverycreviceofthewretchedstructuretheiceandsnowmadetheirway。

Itcamethroughtheroof，andbeganpilingupinlittlepointedstripsunderthecrevices。

Catherineputthechildrenalltogetherinonebunk，coveredthemwithallthebed-

clothesshehad，andthenstoodbeforethemdefiantly，facingthewest，fromwhencethewindwasdriving。Notsuddenly，butbysteadypressure，atlengththewindow-sashyielded，andthenextmomentthatwhirlwindwasinthehouse，——amaddeningtumultoficeandwind，leavingnoroomforresistance；

akillingcold，againstwhichitwasfutiletofight。Catherinethrewthebedclothesovertheheadsofthechildren，andthenthrewherselfacrossthebunk，gaspingandchok-

ingforbreath。Herbodywouldnothaveyieldedtothesufferingyet，sostronglymadeandsustainedwasit；butherdismaystifledher。Shesawinonehorrifiedmomentthefrozenformsofherbabies，nowsopinkandpleasanttothesense；andoblivioncametosaveherfromfurthermisery。

Shewasalive——justbarelyalive——whenGillispieandHendersongotthere，threehourslater，theveryballsoftheireyesalmostfrozenintoblindness。Butforaninstinctstrongerthanreasontheywouldneverhavebeenabletohavefoundtheirwayacrossthattracklessstretch。Thechil-

drenlyingunconsciousundertheircoveringswereneitherdeadnoractuallyfrozen，al-

thoughthemenputtingtheirhandsontheirlittleheartscouldnotatfirstdiscoverthebeating。Stiffandsufferingastheseyoungfellowswere，itwasnoeasymattertogetthewindowbackintoplaceandre-lightthefire。Theyhadtiedflasksofliquorabouttheirwaists；andthisbeneficentfluidtheyusedwiththatsenseofappreciationwhichonlyapioneercanfeeltowardwhiskey。ItwashoursbeforeCatherinerewardedthemwithagleamofconsciousness。Herbodyhadbeenfrozeninmanyplaces。Herarms，outstretchedoverherchildrenandholdingtheclothesdownaboutthem，wererigid。

Butconsciousnesscameatlength，dimlystrugglingupthroughherbrain；andoverhershesawherfriendsrubbingandrubbingthosestrongfirmarmsofherswithsnow。

Shehalfraisedherhead，withahorrorofcomprehensioninhereyes，andlistened。A

cryansweredher，——acryofdullpainfromthebaby。Hendersondroppedonhiskneesbesideher。

"Theyareallsafe，"hesaid。"Andwewillneverleaveyouagain。IhavebeenafraidtotellyouhowIloveyou。IthoughtImightoffendyou。IthoughtIoughttowait——youknowwhy。ButIwillneverletyouruntherisksofthisawfullifealoneagain。Youmustrenamethebaby。FromthisdayhisnameisJohn。AndwewillhavethethreeJohnsagainbackattheoldranch。Itdoesn"tmatterwhetheryoulovemeornot，Catherine，Iamgoingtotakecareofyoujustthesame。Gillispieagreeswithme。”

"Damme，yes，"mutteredGillispie，feelingofhiship-pocketforconsolationinhisoldmanner。

Catherinestruggledtofindhervoice，butitwouldnotcome。

"Donotspeak，"whisperedJohn。"Tellmewithyoureyeswhetheryouwillcomeasmywifeoronlyasoursister。”

Catherinetoldhim。

"ThisisThanksgivingday，"saidhe。

"Andwedon"tknowmuchaboutpraying，butIguessweallhavesomethinginourheartsthatdoesjustaswell。”

"Damme，yes，"saidGillispie，again，ashepensivelycockedanduncockedhisre-

volver。

AResuscitationAFTERbeingdeadtwentyyears，hewalkedoutintothesunshine。

Itwasasifthebonesofableachedskele-

tonshouldjointhemselvesonsomeforgottenplain，andlookaboutthemforthevanishedflesh。

Tobedeaditisnotnecessarytobeinthegrave。Thereareplaceswherethewormscreepabouttheheartinsteadofthebody。

Thepenitentiaryisoneofthese。

DavidCulrosshadbeeninthepenitentiarytwentyyears。Now，withthatworm-eatenheart，hecameoutintolibertyandlookedabouthimforthehabilimentswithwhichhehadformerlyclothedhimself，——forhope，self-respect，courage，pugnacity，andindustry。

Buttheyhadvanishedandleftnotrace，likethefleshofthedeadmenontheplains，andso，morallyunapparelled，inthehideousskeletonofhismanhood，hewalkedondownthestreetunderthemid-Junesunshine。

Youcanunderstand，canyounot，howaskeletonmightwishtogetbackintoitscomfortablegrave？DavidCulrosshadnotwalkedtwoblocksbeforehewasseizedwithanalmostuncontrollabledesiretobegtobeshieldedoncemoreinthatsafeandshamefulretreatfromwhichhehadjustbeenreleased。Ahorribleperceptionofthelargenessoftheworldsweptoverhim。

Spaceandeternitycouldseemnolargertotheusualmanthanearth——thatsnugandinsignificantplanet——lookedtoDavidCulross。

"IfIgoback，"hecried，despairingly，lookinguptothegreatbuildingthataroseabovethestonyhills，"theywillnottakemein。”Hewasabsolutelywithoutarefuge，utterlywithoutadestination；hedidnothaveahope。Therewasnothinghedesiredexceptthesurroundingofthosefournarrowwallsbetweenwhichhehadlainatnightanddreamedthoseever-recurringdreams，——

dreamswhichwereneverpropheciesorpromises，butalwaysthehackneyedhistoryofwhathehadsacrificedbyhiscrime，andrelinquishedbyhispride。

Themenwhopassedhimlookedathimwithmingledamusementandpity。Theyknewthe"prisonlook，"andtheyknewtheprisonclothes。ForthoughtheStategivestoitsdischargedconvictsclotheswhicharelikethoseofothermen，itmakesahundredsuitsfromthesamesortofcloth。Thepoliceknowthefabric，andeventhecitizensrecognizeit。But，then，wereeachmandressedindifferentgarbhecouldnotbedisguised。Everyoneknowsinwhatdullschoolthatsidelongglanceislearned，thataimlessdroopingoftheshoulders，thatrhythmicliftingoftheheavyfoot。

DavidCulrosswonderedifhiswillweredead。Heputittothetest。Helifteduphisheadtoapositionwhichithadnotheldformanymiserableyears。Heputhishandsinhispocketsinapitifulattemptatnon-

chalance，andwalkeddownthestreetwithastepwhichwasmeanttobebrisk，butwhichwasinfactonlyuncertain。Inhispocketweretendollars。ThismuchtheStateequipsamanwithwhenitsendshimoutofitspenalhalls。Itgiveshimalsotransportationtoanypointwithinreasonabledistancethathemaydesiretoreach。Cul-

rosshadrequestedatickettoChicago。HenaturallysaidChicago。Inthelongcolor-

lessdaysithadbeeninChicagothatallthoseendlesslyrepeatedsceneshadbeenlaid。Walkingupthestreetnowwiththatwaveringineffectualgait，thesescenescamebacktosurgeinhisbrainlikewaterscease-

lesslytossedinawind-sweptbasin。

Therewastheoffice，bareandclean，wheretheyoungstoop-shoulderedclerkssatwrit-

ing。Intheirfaceswasastrangeresem-

blance，justastherewasinthebacksoftheledgers，andintheendlessbillsonthespindles。Ifoneofthemlaughed，itwasnotwithgayety，butwithgratificationatthediscomfitureofanother。Noneofthematewell。Noneofthemwererestedaftersleep。Allofthemrodeonthestuffyone-

horsecarstoandfromtheirwork。Sun-

daystheylayinbedverylate，andatemoredinnerthantheycoulddigest。Therewasacertainfellowshipamongthem，——suchfel-

lowshipasabandofcaptivesamongcanni-

balsmightfeel，eachofthemwaitingwithvitalcuriositytoseewhowasthenexttobeeaten。Butofthatfellowshipthatplansinunison，suffersinsympathy，enjoysvicari-

ously，strengthensintofriendshipandcom-

munionofsoultheyknewnothing。Indeed，suchcamaraderiewouldhavebeendisap-

provedofbytheHeadClerk。Hewouldhavelookedonanemotionwithexactlythesamedispleasurethathewouldonanerrorinthefootingoftheyear"saccounts。ItwastacitlyunderstoodthatonereachedtheproudpositionofHeadClerkbyhavingnoemotionswhatever。

Culrossdidnotrememberhavingbeenbornwithapeninhishand，orevenwithonebehindhisear；butcertainlyfromthedayhehadbeenletoutofknickerbockershiscon-

stantcompanionhadbeenthatgreatlyover-

estimatedarticle。HisfatherdyingatatimethatcutshortDavid"sschool-days，hewentoutarmedwithhisnewknowledgeofdouble-

entry，determinedtomakeafortuneandacommercialname。Meantime，helivedinasuiteofthreeroomsonWestMadisonStreetwithhismother，whowasagoodwoman，andlivedwhereshedidthatshemightbenearherfavoritemeeting-house。Sheprayed，andcookedbaddinners，principallycomposedofdispiritingpastry。Herideaofhouse-keepingwastokeeptheshadesdown，whateverhappened；andwhenDavidlefthomeintheeveningforanypurposeofpleasure，shewept。Davidpersuadedhim-

selfthathedespisedamusement，andwenttobedeachnightathalf-pastnineinafoldingbedsteadinthefrontroom，and，bybecomingabsolutelystolidfrommerevege-

tation，imaginedthathewasalmostfittobeaHeadClerk。

Walkingdownthestreetnowafterthetwentyyears，thinkingofthesedeadbutinno-

centdays，thiswasthepicturehesaw；andashereflecteduponit，eventhedespoiledanddesolateyearsjustpassedseemedricherbycontrast。

Hereachedthestationthusdreaming，andfound，ashehadbeentoldwhenthewardenbadehimgood-by，thatatrainwastobeathanddirectlyboundtothecity。Afewmomentslaterhewasonthattrain。Wellbackintheshadow，andoutofsightoftheotherpassengers，hegavehimselfuptotheenjoymentofthecomfortablecushion。Hewouldwillinglyhavelookedfromthewin-

dow，——greenfieldswerenewandwonderful；

driftingcloudsamarvel；men，houses，horses，farms，allarevelation，——butthosehauntingvisionswereathimagain，andwouldnotleavebrainoreyefreeforotherthings。

Butthenextscenehadwarmertints。Itwastheinteriorofarichroom，——crimsonandamberfabrics，flowers，thegleamofastatuebeyondthedrapings；thesoundofatenderpianounflingingafamiliarmelody，andawoman。Shewasjustapartofalltheluxury。

Hehimself，verytimidandconsciousofhisawkwardness，satnear，tryingbarrenlytogetsomeofhisthoughtsoutofhisbrainontohistongue。

"Strange，isn"tit，"thewomanbrokeinonherownmusic，"thatwehaveseeneachothersoveryoftenandneverspoken？I"veoftenthoughtintroductionswereridiculous。

Fancyseeingapersonyearinandyearout，andreallyknowingallabouthim，andbeingperfectlyacquaintedwithhisname——atleasthisorhername，youknow——andthenneverspeaking!Someonecomesalong，andsays，"MissLeBaron，thisisMr。

Culross，"justasifonedidn"tknowthatallthetime!Andthereyouare!Youceasetobedumbfolks，andfalltotalking，andsayalotofthingsneitherofyoucareabout，andafterfiveorsixweeksoftimeandsun-

drymeetings，getdowntohonestlysayingwhatyoumean。I"msogladwe"vegotthroughwiththatfirststage，andcansaywhatwethinkandtellwhatwereallylike。”

Thentheplayingbeganagain，——aharp-

likeinterminglingofsoftsounds。ZoeLeBaron"shandswereverygirlish。Every-

thingaboutherwasunformed。Evenhermindwasso。Butallpromisedafullcom-

pletion。Thevoice，theshoulders，thesmile，thewords，thelips，thearms，thewholemindandbody，wereroundingtomaturity。

"Whydoyounevercometochurchinthemorning？"asksMissLeBaron，wheel-

ingaroundonherpiano-stoolsuddenly。

"Youareonlythereatnight，withyourmother。”

"Igoonlyonheraccount，"repliesDavid，truthfully。"InthemorningIamsotiredwiththeweek"sworkthatIrestathome。

Ioughttogo，Iknow。”

"Yes，youought，"returnstheyoungwoman，gravely。"Itdoesn"treallyrestonetolieinbedlikethat。I"vetrieditatboarding-school。Itwasnogoodwhatever。”

"Shouldyouadviseme，"asksDavid，inaconfidingtone，"toariseearlyonSunday？"

Thegirlblushesalittle。"Byallmeans!"

shecries，hereyestwinkling，"and——andcometochurch。Ourmorningsermonsarereallyverymuchbetterthanthoseintheevening。”Andsheplaysawaltz，andwhatwiththemusicandthewarmthoftheroomandtheperfumeoftheroses，asomethingnamelessandmysticalstealsoverthepoorclerk，andswatheshimaboutlikethefumesofopium。Theyarealone。Thesilenceismadedeeperbythatrhythmicunswellingofsound。Asthepainterflushesthebarewallintosplendor，theseemotionsillumi-

natedhissoul，andgavetoitthathighcour-

agethatcomeswhenmenorwomensuddenlyrealizethateachlifehasitssignificance，——

theirownlivesnolessthanthelivesofothers。

Themansittingthereintheshadowinthatnoisytrainsawinhisvisionhowtheladaroseandmoved，likeoneunderaspell，towardthepiano。Hefeltagaintheen-

chantmentofthemusic-riddenquiet，oftheperfume，andthepresenceofthewoman。

"Knowingyouandspeakingwithyouhavenotmademuchdifferencewithme，"

hewhispers，drunkonthenewwineofpassion，"forIhavelovedyousinceIsawyoufirst。Andthoughitissosweettohearyouspeak，yourvoiceisnomorebeautifulthanIthoughtitwouldbe。Ihavelovedyoualongtime，andIwanttoknow——"

Thebrokenmanintheshadowremem-

beredhowtheladstopped，astonishedathisboldnessandhisfluency，overcomesuddenlyatthethoughtofwhathewassaying。Themusicstoppedwithadiscord。Thegirlarose，tremblingandscarlet。

"Iwouldnothavebelieveditofyou，"

shecries，"totakeadvantageofmelikethis，whenIamalone——and——everything。

Youknowverywellthatnothingbuttroublecouldcometoeitherofusfromyourtellingmeathinglikethat。”

Heputshishandsuptohisfacetokeepoffheranger。Heistremblingwithconfusion。

Thenshebrokeinpenitently，tryingtopullhishandsawayfromhishotface:

"Nevermind!Iknowyoudidn"tmeananything。Begood，do，anddon"tspoilthelovelytimeswehavetogether。Youknowverywellfatherandmotherwouldn"tletusseeeachotheratallifthey——iftheythoughtyouweresayinganythingsuchasyousaidjustnow。”

"Oh，butIcan"thelpit!"criestheboy，despairingly。"Ihaveneverlovedanybodyatalltillnow。Idon"tmeannotanothergirl，youknow。ButyouarethefirstbeingIevercaredfor。IsometimesthinkmothercaresformebecauseIpaytherent。Andtheoffice——youcan"timaginewhatthatislike。Themeninitaremovingcorpses。

They"reproudtobethatway，andsowasI

tillIknewyouandlearnedwhatlifewaslike。

AllthehappymomentsIhavehadhavebeenhere。Now，ifyoutellmethatwearenottocareforeachother——"

Therewassomeonecomingdownthehall。Thecurtainlifted。Amiddle-agedmanstoodtherelookingathim。

"Culross，"saidhe，"I"mdisappointedinyou。Ididn"tmeantolisten，butIcouldn"thelphearingwhatyousaidjustnow。I

don"tblameyouparticularly。Youngmenwillbefools。AndIdonotinanywaymeantoinsultyouwhenItellyoutostopyourcominghere。Idon"twanttoseeyouinsidethisdooragain，andafterawhileyouwillthankmeforit。Youhavetakenaveryunfairadvantageofmyinvitation。I

makeallowancesforyouryouth。”

Heheldbackthecurtainfortheladtopassout。Davidthrewamiserableglanceatthegirl。ShewasstandinglookingatherfatherwithanexpressionthatDavidcouldnotfathom。Hewentintothehall，pickeduphishat，andwalkedoutinsilence。

Davidwonderedthatnight，walkingthechillystreetsafterhequittedthehouse，andoften，oftenafterward，ifthatcomfortableandprosperousgentleman，safebeyondtheperturbationsofyouth，hadanyideaofwhathehaddone。HowCOULDheknowanythingoftheblackmonotonyofthelifeofthemanheturnedfromhisdoor？The"desk"sdeadwood"andallitshatefulslavery，thedulldarkenedroomswherehismotherprosedthroughendlessevenings，thebookless，joyless，hopelessexistencethathadcrampedhimallhisdaysroseupbeforehim，asastretchofunbrokenplainmayrisebeforealostmantillitmaddenshim。

Thebowedmaninthecar-seatremem-

beredwithaflushofreminiscentmiseryhowtheladturnedsuddenlyinhiswalkandenteredthedoorofadrinking-roomthatstoodopen。Itwasverycomfortablewithin。Thescreenskeptoutthechilloftheautumnnight，thesawdust-sprinkledfloorwasclean，thetablesplacedneartogether，thebarglittering，theattendantswhite-apronedandbrisk。

Davidlikedtheplace，andhelikedbetterstillthelaughterthatcamefromaroomwithin。Ithadanoteinitalittledifferentfromanythinghehadeverheardbeforeinhislife，andonethatechoedhismood。Heventuredtoaskifhemightgointothefartherroom。

Itdoesnotmeanmuchwhenmostyoungmengotoaplacelikethis。Theytaketheirbitofunwholesomedissipationquietlyenough，andarealittlecoarserandmorecarelesseachtimetheyindulgeinit，perhaps。

Butcertainlytheiracts，whatevergradualdeteriorationtheymayindicate，bespeaknosuddenmoralrevolution。Withthisyoungclerkitwasdifferent。Hewasaworsemanfromthemomentheenteredthedoor，forhedidviolencetohisprinciples；hekilledhisself-respect。

Hehadbeenpaidattheofficethatnight，andhehadthemoney——aweek"smiserablepittance——inhispocket。Hiseveryactionrevealedthefactthathewasanoviceinrecklessness。Hisinnocentfacepiquedthemenwithin。Theygavehimawelcomethatamazedhim。Ofcoursetherestoftheeveningwasachaostohim。Thethroatdownwhichhepouredtheliquorwasastenderasachild"s。Thementurnedhisheadwiththeirironicalcompliments。Theirboisterousgood-fellowshipwasasintoxicat-

ingtothispooryoungrecluseastheliquor。

Itwastherevulsionfromthisfeeling，whenhecametoaconsciousnessthatthemenwerelaughingathimandnotwithhim，thatwreckedhislife。Hehadgonefrombeertowhiskey，andfromwhiskeytobrandy，bythistime，atthesuggestionofthemen，andwasmakingawkwardlungeswithabilliardcue，spurredonbythemock-

ingapplauseoftheothers。Oneyoungfellowwasparticularlyhilariousathisexpense。Hisjokesbecameinsults，orsotheyseemedtoDavid。

Aquarrelfollowed，halfajestonthepartoftheother，allseriousasfarasDavidwasconcerned。Andthen——Well，whocouldtellhowithappened？ThebilliardcuewasinDavid"shand，andtheskullofthejesterwassplit，ahorriblegapingthing，revolt-

inglyanimal。

Davidneversawhishomeagain。Hismothergaveitoutinchurchthatherheartwasbroken，andshewrotealettertoDavidbegginghimtoreform。Shesaidshewouldneverceasetoprayforhim，thathemightreturntograce。Hehadanattorney，animpecuniousandveryagedgentleman，whoselifewasavenerablefailure，andwhotalkedsomuchabouthispersonalinconveniencesfromindigestionthatheforgottotakeaverykeeninterestintheconcernsofhisclient。David"strialmadenosensation。Hedidnotevenhavethecheapsympathyofthemorbid。Thecourt-roomwasalmostemptythedullspringdaywhentheeastwindbeatagainstthewindow，janglingtheloosepanesallthroughthereadingoftheverdict。

Twentyyears!