第7章
"Theworldlooksprettybig。It"ssafeandcloseinth"gulch。”
Atthestationthemajorwenttolookafterthetrunks，andRoederputKateinherseat。
"Iwantedt"giveyousomething"hesaid，seatinghimselfbesideher，"butI
didn"tdare。”
"Oh，mydearfriend，"shecried，layingherlittleglovedhandonhisredandknottedone，"don"tgobackintotheshadow。Donotreturntothatterriblesilence。Wait。
Havepatience。Fatehasbroughtyouwealth。Itwillbringyoulove。”
"I"vesomethin"toask，"hesaid，payingnoattentiontoherappeal。"Youmustanswerit。Ifwe"a"metlongago，an"youhadn"tahusbandor——anythin"——doyouthinkyou"d"velovedmethen？"
Shefeltherselfturningwhite。
"No，"shesaidsoftly。"Icouldneverhavelovedyou，mydearfriend。Wearenotthesame。Believeme，thereisawomansomewherewhowillloveyou；butIamnotthatwoman——norcouldIhaveeverbeen。”
Thetrainwasstarting。Themajorcamebustlingin。
"Well，good-by，"saidRoeder，holdingouthishandtoKate。
"Good-by，"shecried。"Don"tgobackupthegulch。”
"Oh，"hesaid，reassuringly，"don"tyouworryaboutme，my——don"tworry。Thegulchisanice，quietplace。An"youknowwhatItoldyouaboutth"ranksallbein"
full。Good-by。”Thetrainwaswellunderway。Hesprangoff，andstoodontheplatformwavinghishandkerchief。
"Well，Kate，"saidthemajor，seatinghimselfdowncomfortablyandadjustinghistravellingcap，"didyoufindtheWesterntype？"
"Idon"tquiteknow，"saidshe，slowly。
"ButIhavemadethediscoverythatahumansoulismuchthesamewhereveryoumeetit。”
"Dearme!Youhaven"tbeenmeetingasoul，haveyou？"themajorsaid，face-
tiously，unbucklinghistravelling-bag。"I"lltellJack。”
"No，I"lltellJack。Andhe"llfeelquiteasbadlyasIdotothinkthatIcoulddonothingforitsproperadjustment。”
Themajor"sfacetookonalookofcom-
prehension。
"Wasthatthesoul，"heasked，"thatjustcamedowninthecarriagewithus？"
"Thatwasit，"assentedKate。"Itwasborn；ithashaditsmortalday；andithasgonebackupthegulch。”
AMichiganManAPINEforestisnature"sexpressionofsolemnityandsolitude。Sunlight，rivers，cascades，people，music，laughter，ordancingcouldnotmakeitgay。Withitsunceasingreverberationsanditseternalshadows，itisasawfulandasholyasacathedral。
Thirtygoodfellowsworkingtogetherbydayanddrinkingtogetherbynightcankeepupbutamoodyimitationofjollity。Spendtwenty-fiveofyourfortyyears，asLutherDallasdid，inthisperennialgloom，andyoursoul——thatwhichenjoys，aspires，competes——willbedruggedasdeepasifyouhadquaffedthecupofoblivion。
LutherDallaswascountedoneofthemostexperiencedaxe-meninthenortherncamps。
Hecouldfellatreewiththeswiftsuretyofanexecutioner，andinrevengeforhismanyarboralmurdersthewoodlandhadtakencaptivehismind，capturedandchaineditasProsperodidAriel。TheresoundingfootstepsofProgressdrivenonsomerci-
lesslyinthismadagecouldnotreachhisfastness。Itdidnotconcernhimthatmenwerethinking，investigating，inventing。
Hissensesrespondedonlytothesonorousmusicofthewoods；asteadfastwindring-
ingmetallicmelodyfromthepine-topscon-
tentedhimasthesoundoftheseadoesthesailor；anddearastheodorsoftheoceantothemarinerweretheresinousscentsoftheforesttohim。Likeasailor，too，hehadhissuperstitions。Hehadapresentimentthathewastodiebyoneofthesetrees，——
thatsomeday，inchopping，thetreewouldfalluponandcrushhimasitdidhisfatherthedaytheybroughthimbacktothecamponalitterofpineboughs。
Onedaythegang-bossnoticedatreethatDallashadleftstandinginamostunwood-
manlikemannerinthesectionwhichwasallottedtohim。
"Whatinthunderisthatstandingtherefor？"heasked。
Dallasraisedhiseyestothepine，tower-
inginsterndignityahundredfeetabovethem。
"Well，"hesaidfeebly，"Inoticedit，butkind-aleftitt"thelast。”
"Cutitdownto-morrow，"wastheresponse。
Thewindwasrising，andthetreemut-
teredsavagely。Lutherthoughtitsoundedlikeamenace，andturnedpale。Notrou-
blehasyetbeenfoundthatwillkeepamanawakeinthekeenairofthepineriesafterhehasbeenswinginghisaxeallday，butthesleepofthechopperwassobrokenwithdisturbingdreamsthatnightthatthebeadsgatheredonhisbrow，andtwicehecriedaloud。Heatehiscoarseflap-jacksinthemorningandescapedfromthesmokyshantyassoonashecould。
"It"llbringbadluck，I"mafraid，"hemutteredashewenttogethisaxefromtherack。Hewasasfondofhisaxeasasoldierofhismusket，butto-dayheshouldereditwithreluctance。Hefeltlikeamanwithhisdestinybeforehim。Thetreestoodlikeasentinel。Heraisedhisaxe，once，twice，adozentimes，butcouldnotbringhimselftomakeacutinthebark。Hewalkedbackwardsafewstepsandlookedup。
Thefunerealgreenseemedtogrowdarkeranddarkertillitbecameblack。Itwastheembodimentofsorrow。Wasitnotshakinggiantarmsathim？Diditnotcryoutinangrychallenge？Lutherdidnottrytolaughathisfears；hehadneverseenanyhumorinlife。Agustofwindhadsome-
waycreptthroughthedensebarricadeoffoliagethatflankedtheclearing，andstruckhimwithanicychill。Helookedatthesky；thedaywasadvancingrapidly。Hewentathisworkwithanenergyasdeter-
minedasdespair。Theaxeinhispractisedhandmadecleanstraightcutsinthetrunk，nowonthisside，nowonthat。Histaskwasnotaneasyone，buthefinisheditwithwonderfulexpedition。Afterthechoppingwasfinished，thetreestoodfirmamoment；
then，asthetensely-strainedfibresbeganaweirdmoaning，hesprangaside，andstoodwaiting。Inthedistancehesawtwomenhewingalog。Theaxe-mansentthemashoutandthrewuphisarmsforthemtolook。Thetreestoodoutclearandbeauti-
fulagainstthegraysky；themenceasedtheirworkandwatchedit。Thevibrationsbecamemoreviolent，andthesoundstheyproducedgrewlouderandloudertilltheyreachedashrillwildcry。Therecameapause，thenadeepshudderinggroan。Thetopmostbranchesbegantomoveslowly，thewholestatelybulkswayed，andthenshottowardstheground。Thegigantictrunkboundedfromthestump，recoiledlikeacannon，crasheddown，andlayconquered，witharoarasofanearthquake，inacloudofflyingtwigsandchips。
Whenthedusthadclearedaway，themenatthelogontheoutsideoftheclearingcouldnotseeLuther。Theyrantothespot，andfoundhimlyingonthegroundwithhischestcrushedin。Hisfearfuleyeshadnotrightlycalculatedthedistancefromthestumptothetopofthepine，norrightlyweighedthepowerofthemassedbranches，andso，standingspell-bound，watchingthedescendingtrunkasonemightwatchhisNemesis，thereboundcameandlefthimlyingworsethandead。
Threemonthslater，whenthelogs，loppedoftheirbranches，drifteddownthestreams，thewoodman，ahumanlogloppedofhisstrength，driftedtoagreatcity。A
change，thedoctorsaid，mightprolonghislife。Thelumbermenmadeupapurse，andhestartedout，notverydefinitelyknowinghisdestination。Hehadasister，muchyoungerthanhimself，whoattheageofsix-
teenhadmarriedandgone，hebelieved，toChicago。Thatwasyearsago，buthehadanideathathemightfindher。Hewasnottroubledbyhislackofresources；hedidnotbelievethatanymanwouldwantforamealunlesshewere"shiftless。”
Hehadalwaysbeenabletoturnhishandtosomething。
Hefelttooillfromthejostlingofthecarstonoticemuchofanythingonthejour-
ney。Thedizzysceneswhirlingpastmadehimfaint，andhewasgladtoliewithclosedeyes。Heimaginedthathislittlesisterinherpinkcalicofrockandbarefeet(asherememberedher)wouldbeatthesta-
tiontomeethim。"Oh，Lu!"shewouldcallfromsomehiding-place，andhewouldgoandfindher。
TheconductorstoppedbyLuther"sseatandsaidthattheywereinthecityatlast；
butitseemedtothesickmanasiftheywentmilesafterthat，withamultitudeoftwinklinglightsononesideandablankdarkness，thattheytoldhimwasthelake，ontheother。Theconductoragainstoppedbyhisseat。
"Well，myman，"saidhe，"howareyoufeeling？"
Luther，thepossessorofthetoughestmusclesin。thegang，feltasickman"sirri-
tationatthetoneofpity。
"Oh，I"mallright!"hesaid，gruffly，andshookofftheassistancetheconductortriedtoofferwithhisovercoat。"I"mgoingtomysister"s，"heexplained，inanswertotheinquiryastowherehewasgoing。Theman，somewhatpiquedatthespiritinwhichhisoverturesweremet，lefthim，andLuthersteppedontotheplatform。Therewasalongvistaofsemi-light，downwhichcrowdsofpeoplewalkedandbaggage-menrushed。Thebuilding，ifitdeservedthename，seemedaruin，andthroughthearcheddoorsLuthercouldseemen——hackmen——
dancingandhowlinglikedervishes。Trainswerecomingandgoing，andthewhistlesandbellskeptupaceaselessclangor。
Luther，withhissmallsatchelanduncouthdress，slouchedbythecrowdunnoticed，andreachedthestreet。Hewalkedamidsuchanilluminationashehadneverdreamedof，andpausedhalfblindedintheglareofabroadsheetofelectriclightthatfilledapillaredentranceintowhichmanypeoplepassed。Helookedabouthim。Aboveoneverysiderosegreat，many-windowedbuild-
ings；onthestreetthecarsandcarriagesthronged，andjostlingcrowdsdashedhead-
longamongthevehicles。Afteratimeheturneddownastreetthatseemedtohimapandemoniumfilledwithmadmen。Itwenttohisheadlikewine，andhardlylefthimthepresenceofmindtosustainaquietexterior。Thewindwasladenwithapene-
tratingmoisturethatchilledhimasthedryicybreezesfromHuronneverhaddone，andthepaininhislungsmadehimfaintanddizzy。Hewonderedifhisred-cheekedlittlesistercouldliveinoneofthosevast，impregnablebuildings。Hethoughtofstoppingsomeofthoseserious-lookingmenandaskingthemiftheyknewher；buthecouldnotmusterupthecourage。Thedistressingexperiencethatcomestoalmosteveryonesometimeinlife，oflosingallidentityintheuniversalhumanity，wasbecominghis。Thetearsbegantorolldownhiswastedfacefromlonelinessandexhaustion。Hegrewhungrywithlongingforthedirtybutfamiliarcabinsofthecamp，andstaggeredalongwitheyeshalfclosed，conjuringvisionsofthewarminte-
riors，theleapingfires，thegroupsoflaughingmenseendimlythroughcloudsoftobacco-smoke。
Adeliciousscentofcoffeemethishun-
grysenseandmadehimreallythinkhewastakingthesavoryblackdraughtfromhisfamiliartincup；butthemuddystreets，theblindinglights，thecruel，rushingpeo-
ple，werestillthere。Thebuildings，how-
ever，nowbecamedifferent。Theywerelowerandmeaner，withdirtywindows。
Womenlaughingloudlycrowdedaboutthedoors，andtheestablishmentsseemedtobeequallydividedbetweensaloon-keepers，pawnbrokers，anddealersinsecond-handclothes。Lutherwonderedwheretheyalldrewtheirsupportfrom。Upononesign-
boardheread，"Lodgings10centsto50
cents。ASquareMealfor15cents，"and，thankfulforsomehaven，entered。Herehespenthisfirstnightandothernights，whilehispursedwindledandhisstrengthwaned。
Atlasthegotamaninadrug-storetosearchthedirectoryforhissister"sresi-
dence。Theyfoundanamehetooktobehisbrother-in-law"s。Itwastwodayslaterwhenhefoundtheaddress，——agreat，many-
storiedmansionononeofthesouthernboulevards，——andfoundalsothathissearchhadbeeninvain。Soreandfaint，hestag-
geredbacktohismiserableshelter，onlytoarisefeverishandillinthemorning。Hefrequentedthegreatshopdoors，throngedwithbrilliantly-dressedladies，andwatchedtoseeifhislittlesistermightnotdashupinoneofthosesatin-linedcoachesandtakehimwherehewouldbewarmandsafeandwouldsleepundisturbedbydrunken，ribaldsongsandloathsomesurroundings。Thereweredayswhenhealmostforgothisname，and，strivingtoremember，wouldlosehissensesforamomentanddriftbacktotheharmonioussolitudesoftheNorthandbreathetheresin-scentedfrostyatmosphere。
Hegrewterrifiedatthebloodhecoughedfromhislaceratedlungs，andwonderedbit-
terlywhytheboysdidnotcometotakehimhome。
Oneday，ashepainfullydraggedhimselfdownaresidencestreet，hetriedtocollecthisthoughtsandformsomeplanforthefuture。Hehadnotrade，understoodnohandiwork；hecouldfelltrees。Helookedatthegaunt，scrawny，transplantedspeci-
mensthatmethiseye，andgavehimselfuptothehomesicknessthatfilledhissoul。
Hesleptthatnightintheshelterofasta-
ble，andspenthislastmoneyinthemorn-
ingforabiscuit。
Hetravelledmanymilesthatafternoonlookingforsomethingtowhichhemightturnhishand。Oncehegotpermissiontocarryahodforhalfanhour。Attheendofthattimehefainted。Whenherecovered，theforemanpaidhimtwenty-fivecents。
"ForGod"ssake，man，gohome，"hesaid。
Lutherstaredathimwithawhitefaceandwenton。
Therecamedayswhenhesoforgothisnativedignityastobeg。Heseldomreceivedanything；hewasreferredtovari-
ouscharitableinstitutionstheexistenceofwhichhehadneverheard。
Onemorning，whenapallofsmokeenve-
lopedthecityandtheodorsofcoal-gasrefusedtolifttheirnauseatingpoisonthroughtheheavyair，Luther，chilledwithdewandfamished，awoketoahappierlife。
Thelonelinessathisheartwasgone。Thefeelingofhopelessimprisonmentthatthemilesandmilesofstreetshadterrifiedhimwithgaveplacetooneoffreedomandexal-
tation。Abovehimheheardtheraspingofpineboughs；hisfeettrodonareboundingmatofdecay；theskywasascoldlyblueasthebosomofHuron。Hewalkedasifonether，singingasenselessjargonthewood-
menhadarousedtheechoeswith，——
"Hiyihalloo!
Theowlseesyou!
Lookwhatyoudo!
Hiyihalloo!"
Swungoverhisshoulderwasastickhehadusedtoassisthislimpinggait，butnowtransformedintothebelovedaxe。Hewouldreachtheclearingsoon，hethought，andstrodeonlikeagiant，whilepeoplehur-
riedfromhispath。Suddenlyasmoothtrunk，strippedofitsbarkandbleachedbyweather，arosebeforehim。
"Hiyihalloo!"Highwentthewastedarm——crash!——abrokenstaff，ajingleofwires，amaddened，shoutingmanthecentreofagroupofamusedspectators!Afewmomentslater，fourbroad-shoulderedmeninbluehadhimintheirgrasp，pinionedandguarded，clatteringoverthenoisystreetsbehindtwospiritedhorses。Theydrewafterthematroopofnoisy，jeeringboys，whodancedaboutthewagonlikeaswirlofautumnleaves。Thencameahalt，andLutherwasdraggedupthestepsofasquarebrickbuildingwithabelfryonthetop。
Theyenteredalargebareroomwithbenchesrangedaboutthewalls，andbroughthimbeforeamanatadesk。
"Whatisyourname？"askedthemanatthedesk。
"Hiyihalloo!"saidLuther。
"He"sdrunk，sergeant，"saidoneofthemeninblue，andtheaxe-manwasledintothebasement。Hewasconsciousofaninvoluntaryresistance，ashortstruggle，andafinalshockofpain，——thenoblivion。
Thechopperawoketotherealizationofthreestonewallsandanirongratinginfront。Throughthishelookedoutuponastoneflooringacrosswhichwasarowofsimilarapartments。Heneitherknewnorcaredwherehewas。Thefeelingofim-
prisonmentwasnogreaterthanhehadfeltontheendless，cheerlessstreets。Helaidhimselfonthebenchthatranalongasidewall，and，closinghiseyes，listenedtothebabbleoftheclearstreamandthethunderofthe"drive"onitsjourney。Howthelogshurriedandjostled!crushing，whirling，ducking，withthemerryladsleapingaboutthemwithshoutsandlaughter。Suddenlyhewasrecalledbyavoice。Someonehandedanarrowtincupfullofcoffeeandathicksliceofbreadthroughthegrating。
Acrossthewayhedimlysawamaneatingasimilarsliceofbread。Meninothercom-
partmentswereswearingandsinging。Heknewthesenowforthevoiceshehadheardinhisdreams。Hetriedtoforcesomeofthebreaddownhisparchedandswollenthroat，butfailed；thecoffeestrangledhim，andhethrewhimselfuponthebench。
Theforestagain，thenight-wind，thewhistleoftheaxethroughtheair。Oncewhenheopenedhiseyeshefounditdark。
Itwouldsoonbetimetogotowork。Hefanciedtherewouldbehoar-frostonthetreesinthemorning。Howclosethecabinseemed!Ha!——herecamehislittlesister。
Hervoicesoundedlikethewindonaspringmorning。Howlouditswellednow!
"Lu!Lu!"shecried。
Thenextmorningthelock-upkeeperopenedthecelldoor。Lutherlaywithhisheadinapoolofblood。Hissoulhadescapedfromthethralloftheforest。
"Well，well!"saidthelittlefatpolice-
justice，whenhewastoldofit。"Weoughttohaveadoctoraroundtolookaftersuchcases。”
ALadyofYesterday"ALIGHTwindblewfromthegatesofthesun，"themorningshefirstwalkeddownthestreetofthelittleIowatown。Notacloudfleckedtheblue；therewasahummingofhappyinsects；asmellofrichandmoistloamperfumedtheair，andintheduskofbeechesandofoaksstoodthequiethomes。Shepausednowandthen，lookinginthegardens，oratagroupofchildren，thenpassedon，smilingincontent。
Heraccentwassostrange，thattheagentforrealestate，whomshevisited，askedher，twiceandonceagain，whatitwasshesaid。
"Iwant，"shehadrepeatedsmilingly，"anuplandmeadow，wherecloverwillgrow，andmignonette。”
Atthetea-tablesthatnight，therewasamightychattering。Thebriskvillagemadeamysteryofthisladywiththeslowstep，theforeigntrickofspeech，thelongblackgown，andthegentlevoice。Themen，concealingtheircuriosityinpresenceofthewomen，gratifieditsecretly，bysaunteringtothetavernintheevening。Therethekeeperandhiswifestoodreadytoconveyanyneighborlyintelligence。
"ElizabethAstrado"waswrittenintheregister，——anameconveyinglittle，unaccom-
paniedbytitleorbyplaceofresidence。
"Sheeatsalone，"thetavern-keeper"swifeconfidedtotheireagerears，"andasksfornoservice。Oh，she"sacuriosity!
She"sgotherstory，——you"llsee!"
Inatownwhereeverymankneweveryotherman，andwhetherornothepaidhistaxesontime，andwhathisstandingwasinchurch，andalltheskeletonsofhishome，astrangeralientotheirwaysdisturbedtheirpeaceofmind。
"Anuplandmeadowwherecloverandmignonettewillgrow，"shehadsaid，andsuchanoneshefound，andplantedthickwithfinewhitecloverandwithmignonette。
Then，whilethecarpentersraisedhercabinattheborderofthemeadow，nearthestreet，shepassedamongthevillagers，minglingwiththemgently，winningtheirgood-will，inspiteofthemselves。
Thecabinwasofunbarkedmaplelogs，withfourroomsandarusticportico。Thenallthevillagersstaredinverytruth。They，livingintheirtrimanduglylittlehomes，accountedhousesoflogsasthemisfortuneoftheirpioneerparents。Ashedforwood，abarnfortheJerseycow，arusticfence，tall，withahighswinginggate，completedthedomain。Inthefrontroomofthecabinwasafireplaceofrudebrick。Inthebed-
rooms，cotsasbareandhardasanun"s，andinthekitchenthedomesticnecessaries；
thatwasall。Thepooresthouse-holderinthetownwouldnothaveconfessedtosuchscantfurnishing。YettherichestmanmightwellhavehesitatedbeforehesenttoFranceforhivesandhivesofbees，asshedid，settingthemupalongthesouthernborderofhermeadow。
Latertherecamestrongboxes，markedwithmanymarksofforeigntransportationlines，andtheneighbor-gossips，seeingthem，imaginedwealthofcuriousfurniture；
butthemanwhocartedthemtoldhiswife，whotoldherfriend，whotoldherfriend，thateveryboxtothelastonewasplacedinthedrycementedcellar，andleftthereinthedark。
"An"amightyridic"lousexpenseacellarlikethatis，t"putunderahouseofthatchar"cter，"saidthemantohiswife——whorepeatedittoherfriend。
"Butthatain"tall，"thecarpenter"swifehadsaidwhensheheardaboutitall，"Hanksaysthereisonelittleroom，notfitforbutterynoryetfurclosit，withawindowhighup——well，youkenseeyourself——
an"astrongdoor。Jus"inpassin"th"otherday，whenhewasthere，hangin"someshelves，hetriedit，an"itwaslocked!"
"Well!"saidthewomenwholistened。
However，theywerenotunfriendly，thesebriskgossips。Twoofthem，pluckinguptardycourage，didcalloneafternoon。Theirhostesswasoutamongherbees，crooningtothem，asitseemed，whiletheylightedallabouther，litontheflowerinherdarkhair，buzzedvivaciouslyabouthersnow-whitelinengown，lightedonherlong，darkhands。
Shecameinbrightlywhenshesawherguests，andplacedchairsforthem，courte-
ously，steepedthemacupofpaleandfra-
granttea，andservedthemwithlittlecakes。
Thoughhermannerwassoquietandsokind，thewomenwereshybeforeher。She，turningtooneandthentheother，askedquestionsinherquaintway。
"Youhavechildren，haveyounot？"
Bothofthemhad。
"Ah，"shecried，claspingthoseslenderhands，"butyouareveryfortunate!Yourlittleones，——whataretheirages？"
Theytoldher，shelisteningsmilingly。
"Andyounurseyourlittlebabes——younursethematthebreast？"
Themodestwomenblushed。Theywerenotusedtospeakingwithsuchfreedom。
Buttheyconfessedtheydid，notlikingarti-
ficialmeans。
"No，"saidthelady，lookingatthemwithasoftlightinhereyes，"asyousay，thereisnothinglikethegoodmotherNature。ThelittleonesGodsendsshouldlieatthebreast。"Tisnotthemilkalonethattheyimbibe；itisthebreathoflife，——
itisthehumanmagnetism，thepower，——
howshallIsay？Happythemotherwhohasalittlebabetohold!"
Theywantedtoaskaquestion，buttheydarednot——wantedtoaskahundredques-
tions。Butbackofthegentlenesswasahauteur，andtheywerestill。
"Tellme，"shesaid，breakingherreverie，"ofwhatyourhusbandsdo。Aretheycarpenters？Dotheybuildhousesformen，liketheblessedJesus？Oraretheytillersofthesoil？Dotheybringfruitsoutofthisbountifulvalley？"
Theyanswered，withareservationofap-
proval。"TheblessedJesus!"Itsoundedlikepopery。
Shehadgonefromthesebriefpersonalmatterstootherthings。
"Howverystrongyoupeopleseem，"shehadremarked。"Bothyourmenandyourwomenarelargeandstrong。Youshouldbe，beingappointedtosubdueacontinent。
Menthinktheychoosetheirdestinies，butindeed，goodneighbors，Ithinknotso。
MenaredrivenbythewindsofGod"swill。
Theyareasmuchbiddentobuildupthisvalley，thisstorehouseforthenations，ascoralinsectsarebiddentomakethereefswiththeirownlittlebodies，dyingastheybuild。Isitnotso？"
"WearethecreaturesofGod"swill，I
suppose，"saidoneofhervisitors，piously。
Shehadgiventhemlittleconfidencesinreturn。
"Imakemybread，"shesaid，withchild-
ishpride，"prayseeifyoudonotthinkitexcellent!"Andshecutaflakyloaftodis-
playitswhiteness。Oneguestsummonedthebravadotoinquire，——
"Thenyouarenotusedtodoinghouse-
work？"
"I？"shesaid，withaslowsmile，"Ihavenevergotusedtoanything，——notevenliv-
ing。”Andsoshebaffledthemall，yetwonthem。
Theweekswentby。ElizabethAstradoattendedtoherbees，milkedhercow，fedherfowls，baked，washed，andcleaned，likethesimplewomenabouther，savingthatasshediditalookofineffablecontentlightedupherface，andshesangforhappiness。
Sometimes，amidtheballadsthatshehummed，astrainslippedinofsomegreatmelody，whichshe，singingunaware，asitwere，corrected，shakingherfingerinself-
reproval，andreturningagaintotheballadsandthehymns。Norwassheremissinneighborlyoffices；butifanywereailing，orhadafestivity，shewasathandtoassist，condole，orcongratulate，carryingalwayssomesimplegiftinherhand，appropriatetotheoccasion。
Shehadherwidercharitiestoo，forallshekeptclosetoherhome。When，oneday，astorycametoherofalaborerstruckdownwithheatinputtinginaculvertontherailroad，andgossipsaidhecouldnotspeakEnglish，shehastenedtohim，caughtdyingwordsfromhislips，whisperedareply，andthenwhatseemedtobeaprayer，whileheheldfastherhand，andsanktocomawithwistfuleyesuponherface。
Moreover"twasshewhoburiedhim，rais-
ingacrossabovehisgrave，andshewhoplantedrose-bushesaboutthemound。
"HespokelikeanItalian，"saidthephy-
siciantoherwarily。
"Andsohewas，"shehadreplied。
"Afellow-countrymanofyours，nodoubt？"
"Arenotallmenourcountrymen，myfriend？"shesaid，gently。"Whatarelittlelinesdrawnintheimaginationofmen，dividingterritory，thattheyshoulddivideoursympathies？Theworldismycountry——andyours，Ihope。Isitnotso？"
Thentherehadalsobeenahaplesspairoflovers，shamedbeforetheircommunity，who，desperate，impoverished，andbewilderedatthewarbetweennatureandsociety，hadbeenhelpedbyherintoanewpartoftheworld。Therehadbeenawidowwithmanychildren，whohadfoundbasketsofcookedfoodandbundlesofwell-madeclothingonherstep。Andasthedayspassed，withthesepleasantoffices，thefaceofthestrangewomanglowedwithanever-increasingcon-
tent，andherdark，delicatebeautygrew。
JohnHartingtonspenthisvacationatDesMoines，havingalaudabledesiretoseesomethingoftheworldbeforereturningtohisnativetown，withhiscollegehonorsfreshuponhim。SwiftestofthecollegerunnerswasJohnHartington，famedforhisleapingtoo，andmeasuringwidestatthechestandwaistofalltheheartyfellowsattheuniversity。Hisblondcurlsclusteredaboveabrowalmostasinnocentasachild"s；hisfrankandbraveblueeyes，hisfreestep，hismellowlaugh，bespoketheperfectanimal，unharmedbycivilization，unperplexedbytheclosingcentury"sfalla-
ciesandpassions。Thewholesomeoakthatspreadsitsrootsdeepinthegeneroussoil，couldnotbemoreapartofnaturethanhe。Conscientious，unimaginative，direct，sincere，industrious，hewastheidealmanofhiskind，andhisreturntotowncausedaflutteramongthemaidenswhichtheydidnotevenattempttoconceal。
Theytoldhimallthechat，ofcourse，and，amongotherthings，mentionedthegreatsensationoftheyear，——thecomingofthewomanwithhermystery，thepurchaseofthesunnyupland，theplantingitwithcloverandwithmignonette，thebuildingofthehouseoflogs，thekeepingofthebees，thebarrenrooms，thebusy，silentlife，thecharities，thenever-endingwonderofitall。Andthenthewoman——kind，yetdifferentfromtherest，withtheforeigntrickoftongue，theslow，proudwalk，thedelicate，slighthands，thebeautiful，beau-
tifulsmile，theairasofacreaturefromanotherworld。
Hartington，strollingbeyondthevillagestreets，upwherethesunsetdiedindaffodilabovetheupland，sawthelittlecotoflogs，andoutbeforeit，amongblood-redpoppies，thewomanofwhomhehadheard。Hergownofwhitegleamedinthateerieradi-
ance，glorified，hersadgreateyesbentonhiminmagneticscrutiny。Apeaceandplenitudeofpowercameradiatingfromher，andreachedhimwherehestood，sud-
denly，andforthefirsttimeinhiscarelesslife，struckdumbandawed。She，too，seemedsuddenlyabashedatthisgreatbulkofyouthfulmanhood，innocentandstrong。
Shegazedonhim，andheonher，bothchainedwithsomemysteriousenchant-
ment。Yetneitherspoke，andhe，turninginbewildermentatlast，wentbacktotown，whilesheplacedonehandonherlipstokeepfromcallinghim。Andneithersleptthatnight，andinthemorningwhenshewentwithmilkingpailandstoolouttothegrassyfield，therehestoodatthebars，waiting。Againtheygazed，likecreaturesheldinthrallbysomemagician，tillsheheldoutherhandandsaid，——
"Wemustbefriends，althoughwehavenotmet。PerhapsweAREoldfriends。
Theysaytherehavebeenworldsbeforethisone。Ihavenotseenyouinthesehabili-
mentsoffleshandblood，andyet——wemaybefriends？"
JohnHartington，usedtothethinjestsofthevillagegirls，andalltheirsimpletalk，rose，nevertheless，enlightenedashewaswithsomestrangesympathywithher，tounderstandandanswerwhatshesaid。
"Ithinkperhapsitmaybeso。MayI
comeinbesideyouinthefield？Givemethepail。I"llmilkthecowforyou。”
Shethrewherheadbackandlaughedlikeagirlfromschool，andhelaughedtoo，andtheyshookhands。Thenshesatnearhimwhilehemilked，bothkeepingsilence，saveforthep-rringnoisehemadewithhislipstothepatientbeast。Beingthrough，sheservedhimwithacupfulofthefra-
grantmilk；buthebadeherdrinkfirst，thendrankhimself，andthentheylaughedagain，asiftheybothhadfoundsomethingnewandgoodinlife。
Thenshe，——
"Comeseehowwellmybeesaredoing。”
Andtheywent。Sheservedhimwiththelucentsyrupofthebees，perfumedwiththemignonette，——suchhoneyasthereneverwasbefore。Hesatonthebroaddoorstep，nearthescarletpoppies，sheonthegrass，andthentheytalked——wasitonegoldenhour——ortwo？Ah，well，"twaslongenoughforhertolearnallofhissimplelife，longenoughforhertoknowthathewasvictorattheracesattheschool，thathecouldplaythepipe，likeanyshepherdoftheancientdays，andwhenhewentheaskedherifhemightreturn。
"Well，"laughedshe，"sometimesIamlonely。Comeseeme——inaweek。”
Yethewastherethatdayattwilight，andhebroughthissilverpipe，andpipedtoherunderthestars，andshesungballadstohim，——songsofStrephonandtimeswhenthehillswereyoung，andflockswerefairerthantheyeverbethesedays。
"To-morrow，andto-morrow，andto-mor-
row，"andstilltheintercourse，stillherdarklovelinesswaxing，stilltheweavingofthemysticspell，stillhappinessasprimi-
tiveandassweetaseverEdenknew。
Thencameatwilightwhenthesweetrainfell，andontheheavyairtheperfumesofthefieldsfloated。Thewomanstoodbythewindowofthecot，lookingout。Tall，graceful，fullofthatsubtlepowerwhichdrewhissoul；clothedinwhitelinen，fra-
grantfromherfields，withbreathfreightedwithfreshmilk，witheyesofflame，shewastheretobeadored。Andhe，beingmanofmanliesttype，forgotallthatmighthavecheckedthewords，andpouredhissouloutatherfeet。Shedrewherselfuplikeaqueen，butonlythatshemightlookqueenlierforhissake，and，bending，kissedhisbrow，andwhisperedbackhisvows。
Andtheyweremarried。
ThevillagerspitiedHartington。
"She"smorethanamatchforhiminyears——an"insomeotherways，aslikeasnot，"theysaid。"Besides，sheain"tmuchinclinedtomentionanythingaboutherpast。"Twon"tbearthetellin"probably。”
Asforthelovers，theylaughedastheywentabouttheirhonesttasks，orsattogetherarmsencirclingeachatevening，nowunderthestars，andnowbeforetheirfireofwood。Theytalkedtogetheroftheirfarm，addedafieldforwinterwheat，boughtothercattle，andsomehorses，whichtheyrodeoutovertherollingprairiessidebyside。Heneverstoppedtochataboutthetown；sheneverventuredonthestreetwithouthimbyherside。Truthtotell，theirneighborsenviedthem，marvellinghowonecouldextractaheavenoutofearth，andwhatsuchperfectjoycouldmean。
Yet，foralltheirprosperity，notonead-
ditiondidtheymaketothatmostsimplehome。Itstoodthere，withitsbareneces-
sities，madebeautifulonlywiththeirlove。
Butwhenthewinterwasmostgone，hemadealittlecradleofhardwood，inwhichsheplacedpillowsofdown，andoverwhichshehunglinencurtainsembroideredbyherhand。
Inthelongevenings，bytheflickerofthefire，theysattogether，cheektocheek，andlookedatthislittlebed，singinglowsongstogether。
"Thishappinessisterrible，myJohn，"
shesaidtohimonenight，——awondrousnight，whentheeasternwindhadflungthetasselsoutonallthebuddingtreesofspring，andtheairwasthrobbingwithawakeninglife，andbalmypuffsofbreeze，andodorsoftheearth。"Andwearegrow-
ingyoung。Doyounotthinkthatweareveryyoungandstrong？"
Hekissedheronthelips。"Iknowthatyouarebeautiful，"hesaid。
"Oh，wehavelivedatNature"sheart，yousee，mylove。Thecattleandthefowls，thehoneyandthewheat，thecot——
thecradle，John，andyouandme!Thesethingsmakehappiness。Theyarenature。
Butthen，youcannotunderstand。Youhaveneverknowntheartificial——"
"Andyou，Elizabeth？"
"John，ifyouwish，youshallhearallI
havetotell。"Tisalong，long，wearytale。
Willyouhearitnow？Believeme，itwillmakeussad。”
Shegraspedhisarmtillheshrankwithpain。
"Tellwhatyouwillandwhenyouwill，Elizabeth。Perhaps，someday——when——"
hepointedtothelittlecrib。
"Asyousay。”Andsoitdropped。
TherecameadaywhenHartington，sit-
tingupontheportico，whereperfumesofthebuddingclovercametohim，hatedthehummingofthehappybees，hatedtherust-
lingofthetrees，hatedthesightofearth。
"Thechildisdead，"thenursehadsaid，"asforyourwife，perhaps——"butthatwasall。Finallyheheardthenurse"sstepuponthefloor。
"Come，"shesaid，motioninghim。Andhehadgone，laidcheekagainstthatdyingcheek，whisperedhisloveoncemore，sawitreturnedeventhen，inthosedeepeyes，andlaidherbackuponherpillow，dead。
Heburiedheramongthemignonette，levelledtheearth，sowedthicktheseedagain。
""Tisasshewished，"hesaid。
Withhisstronghandshewrenchedthelittlecrib，laiditpiecebypieceupontheirhearth，andscatteredthenthesacredashesonthewind。Then，withhard-comingbreath，brokeopenthelockeddoorofthatroomwhichhehadneverentered，thinkingtofindthere，perhaps，somesignofthatunguessablelifeofhers，butfoundthereonlyanaltar，withvotivelampsbeforetheBlessedVirgin，andliliesfadedandfallenfromtheirstems。
Thendownintothecellarwenthe，tothoseboxes，withtheforeignmarks。Andthen，indeed，hefoundahintofthatdeadlife。Gownsofvelvetandofsilk，suchasprincessesmightwear，wondersoflace，yellowedwithtime，greatcloaksofsnowyfur，lustrousrobes，jewelsofworth，——avastarrayofbrillianttrumpery。Thentherewerebooksinmanytongues，withricholdbindingsandilluminatedpage，andinthemwrittenthedeadwoman"sname，——anameofmanyparts，withtitlesofimpress，andinthemidstofallthename，"Eliza-
bethAstrado，"asshesaid。
Andthatwasall，orifthereweremorehemighthavelearned，followingtrailsthatfellwithinhisway，heneverlearnedit，beingcontent，andthankfulthathehadheldherforatimewithinhisarms，andlookedinhergreatsoul，which，weary-
ingoflife"ssadcomplexities，hadsim-
plifieditself，andmadehisloveitsbestadornment。