第7章

Hewasstayingatalargecountry-housemanymilesdistantfromthesceneofhislateexperiences。AlreadytheyhadfadedfromhismemorywiththedepartureofhiscompatriotsfromSt。Kentigern。

Hewassmokingbythefireinthebilliard-roomlateonenightwhenafellow-guestapproachedhim。

"Sawyoudidn"tremembermeatdinner。”

Thevoicewashesitating，pleasant，andnotquiteunfamiliar。Theconsullookedup，andidentifiedthefigurebeforehimasoneofthenewarrivalsthatday，whom，intheinformalandeasycourtesyofthehouse，hehadmetwithnofurtherintroductionthanavaguesmile。Heremembered，too，thatthestrangerhadglancedathimonceortwiceatdinner，withshybutengagingreserve。

"Youmustseesuchalotofpeople，andthewaythingsarearrangedandsettledhereeverybodyexpectstolookandactlikeeverybodyelse，don"tyouknow，soyoucan"ttellonechapfromanother。

Deucedannoying，eh？That"swhereyouAmericansaredifferent，andthat"swhythosecountrywomenofyoursweresocharming，don"tyouknow，sooriginal。WewerealltogetheronthetopofacoachinScotland，don"tyouremember？Hadsuchajollytimeinthebeastlyrain。Youdidn"tcatchmyname。It"sDuncaster。”

Theconsulatoncerecalledhisformerfellow-traveler。Thetwomenshookhands。TheEnglishmantookapipefromhissmoking-

jacket，anddrewachairbesidetheconsul。

"Yes，"hecontinued，comfortablyfillinghispipe，"thedaughter，MissKirkby，wasawfullygoodfun；sofresh，soperfectlynaturalandinnocent，don"tyouknow，andyetsoextraordinarilysharpandclever。ShehadsomeawfullygoodchaffoverthatScotchscenerybeforethoseScotchtourists，doyouremember？Anditwasallsobeastlytrue，too。Perhapsshe"swithyouhere？"

TherewassomuchunexpectedandunaffectedinterestintheyoungEnglishman"seyesthattheconsulwasquiteseriousinhisregretsthattheladieshadgonebacktoParis。

"I"dliketohavetakenthemovertoAudreyEdgefromhere。It"snodistancebytrain。IdidasktheminScotland，butIsupposetheyhadsomethingbettertodo。ButyoumighttellthemI"vegotsomesistersthere，andthatitisanoldplaceandnothalfbad，don"tyouknow，whenyouwritetothem。Youmightgivemetheiraddress。”

Theconsuldidso，andaddedafewpleasantwordsregardingtheirposition，——barringthesyndicate，——whichhehadgatheredfromCuster。LordDuncaster"slookofinterest，farfromabating，becamegentlyconfidential。

"Isupposeyoumustseeagooddealofyourcountrymeninyourbusiness，andIsuppose，justlikeEnglishmen，theydiffer，byJove!Someofthem，don"tyouknow，areratherpushingandanxiousforposition，andallthatsortofthing；andsomeof"em，likeyourfriends，arequiteindependentandnatural。”

Hestopped，andpuffedslowlyathispipe。Presentlyhetookitfromhismouth，withalittlelaugh。"I"veamindtotellyouaratherqueerexperienceofmine。It"snothingagainstyourpeoplegenerally，youknow，nordoIfancyit"sevenanAmericantype；soyouwon"tmindmyspeakingofit。I"vegotsomepropertyinScotland，——ratherpoorstuffyou"dcallit，——but，byJove!someAmericanshavebeenlayingclaimtoitundersomeobscurepleaofrelationship。Theremighthavebeensomethinginit，althoughnotalltheyclaim，butmybusinessman，acleverchapupinyourplace，——perhapsyoumayhaveheardofhim，SirJamesMacFen，——wrotetomethatwhattheyreallywantedweresomeancestrallandswiththerighttousethefamilynameandprivileges。Theoddestpartoftheaffairwasthattheclaimantwasanimpossiblesortoflunatic，andthewholethingwasrunbyasyndicateofshrewdWesternmen。AsIdon"tcarefortheproperty，whichhasonlybeendroppingalotofmoneyeveryyearforupkeepandlitigation，SirJames，whoisanawfullyfar-sightedchapatmanaging，thoughthecouldeffectacompromise，andgetridofthepropertyatafairvaluation。And，byJove!hedid。Butwhatyourcountrymencangetoutofit，——fortheshootingisn"thalfasgoodaswhattheycangetintheirowncountry，——orwhatusetheprivilegesaretothem，Ican"tfancy。”

"IthinkIknowthestory，"saidtheconsul，eyinghisfellow-guestattentively；"butifIrememberrightly，theyoungmanclaimedtobetherightfulandonlysurvivingheir。”

TheEnglishmanrose，and，bendingoverthehearth，slowlyknockedtheashesfromhispipe。"That"squiteimpossible，don"tyouknow。

For，"headded，ashestoodupinfrontofthefireinface，figure，andcarelessreposemoredecidedlyEnglishthanever，"youseemytitleofDuncasteronlycametomethroughanuncle，butI

amthedirectandsoleheiroftheoldfamily，andtheScotchproperty。Idon"tperhapslooklikeaScot，——we"vebeensettledinEnglandsometime，——but，"hecontinuedwithaninvincibleEnglishdrawlingdeliberation，"I——am——really——you——know——whattheycallTheMcHulish。”

ANEPISODEOFWESTWOODLANDS。

I。

TherainwasdrippingmonotonouslyfromthescanteavesofthelittlechurchoftheSidonBrethrenatWestWoodlands。Hewnoutoftheveryheartofathicketofbuckeyespruceandalder，unsunnedandunblownuponbyanywind，itwassogreenandunseasonedinitssolitudethatitseemedapartofthearborealgrowth，andondampSundaystohavetakenrootagainandsprouted。Thereweremossandshiningspotsontheundersideoftheunplanedrafters，littlegreenpoolsofinfusoriastoodontheledgeofthewindowswhosepaneswereattimessuddenlycloudedbymysteriousunknownbreathsfromwithoutorwithin。Itwasoppressedwithanextravaganceofleavesatallseasons，whetherinsummer，whengreenandlimptheycrowdedtheporch，doorways，andshutters，orwhenpenetratingknot-holesandintersticesofshingleandclapboard，onsomecreepingvine，theyunexpectedlyburstandbourgeonedonthewallslikebanners；orlater，whentheyrottedinbrownheapsincorners，outlinedtheedgesofthefloorwithathinyellowborder，orinvadedtheranksofthehigh-backedbencheswhichservedaspews。

Therehadbeenacontinuousrustlingattheporchandtheshakingoutofwaterproofsandclosingofumbrellasuntilthehalf-filledchurchwasalreadyredolentofdampdyesandthesulphurofIndiarubber。Theeyesofthecongregationwereturnedtothedoorwithsomethingmorethantheusualcuriosityandexpectation。ForthenewrevivalistpreacherfromHorseShoeBaywascomingthatmorning。Alreadyvoicesofauthoritywereheardapproaching，andkeepinguptheirconversationtotheverydoorofthesacrededificeinmarkedcontrastwiththeawedandbashfulwhisperingsintheporchoftheordinarycongregation。TheworshipersrecognizedthevoicesofDeaconsShadwellandBradley；inthereverentialhushofthebuildingtheyseemedchargedwithundueimportance。

"ItwassetbackintheroadforquietintheLord"swork，"saidBradley。

"Yes，butitoughtn"tbehidden!Letyourlightsoshinebeforemen，youknow，BrotherBradley，"returnedadeepvoice，unrecognizedandunfamiliar——presumablythatofthenewcomer。

"Itwouldn"ttakemuchtomoveit——onskidsandrollers——nearertotheroad，"suggestedShadwelltentatively。

"No，butifyouleftitstrandedthereinthewindandsun，greenandsappyasitisnow，ye"dhaveeveryseamandcrackstartin"

tilltheribsshonethrough，andnoamountofcalkin"wouldmakeitwatertightagin。No；myideais——clearoutthebrushandshadderaroundit!Letthelightshineinuponit!Makethewasteplacesgladaroundit，butkeepitTHERE!Andthat"smyideao"gen"ralmissionarywork；that"showthegospelorterberooted。”

Herethebell，whichfromtheplainopenfour-postedbelfryabovehadbeenclangingwithametallicsharpnessthathadanoddimpatientworldlinessaboutit，suddenlyceased。

"Thatbell，"saidBradley"svoice，withthesamesuggestionofconveyingimportanttruthstothelisteningcongregationwithin，"wastookfromthewreckoftheTamalpais。BrotherHorleyboughtitatauctionatHorseShoeBayandpresentedit。YouknowtheTamalpaisranashoreonSkinner"sReef，jestoffhere。”

"Yes，withplentyofsearoom，nothalfagaleo"windblowing，andherrealcoursefiftymilestowestward!Thewholewatchmusthavedrunkorsunkinslothfulidleness，"returnedthedeepvoiceagain。

Amomentarypausefollowed，andthenthetwodeaconsenteredthechurchwiththestranger。

Heappearedtobeapowerfully-builtman，withasquare，beardlesschin；afacethatcarriedoneortwoscarsofsmallpoxandadeeperoneofalesspeacefulsuggestion，setinacomplexionweather-

beatentothecolorofSpanishleather。Twosmall，moistgrayeyes，thatglistenedwitheveryemotion，seemedtocontradictthehardexpressionoftheotherfeatures。Hewasdressedincheapblack，likethetwodeacons，withtheexceptionofaloose，blackalpacacoatandtheusualblacksilkneckerchieftiedinalargebowunderaturndowncollar，——thegeneralsignandsymbolofaministerofhissect。Hewalkeddirectlytotheraisedplatformattheendofthechapel，wherestoodatableonwhichwasapitcherofwater，aglassandhymnbook，andatalluprightdeskholdingaBible。Glancingoverthesedetails，hesuddenlypaused，carefullyliftedsomehithertoundetectedobjectfromthedeskbesidetheBible，and，stoopinggently，placedituponthefloor。Asithoppedawaythecongregationsawthatitwasasmallgreenfrog。

Theintrusionwasbynomeansanunusualone，butsomeoddcontrastbetweenthispowerfulmanandthelittleanimalaffectedthemprofoundly。Noone——eventheyoungest——smiled；everyone——eventheyoungest——becamesuddenlyattentive。Turningovertheleavesofthehymnbook，hethengaveoutthefirsttwolinesofahymn。Thechoiraccordioninthefrontsidebenchawokelikeaninfantintowailinglife，andCissyAppleby，soprano，tookupalittlemoremusicallythelugubriouschant。Atthecloseoftheversethepreacherjoinedin，afterasailorfashion，withabreezybassthatseemedtofillthelittlebuildingwiththetroubleofthesea。

ThenfollowedprayerfromDeaconShadwell，brokenby"Amens"fromthepreacher，withanauticalsuggestionof"Ay，ay，"aboutthem，andhebeganhissermon。

Itwas，asthosewhoknewhismethodsmighthaveexpected，asuggestionoftheconversationtheyhadalreadyoverheard。Helikenedthelittlechapel，chokedwithumbrageandrottinginitsdampness，tothegospelseedsownincrowdedplaces，famishinginthemidstofplenty，andsterilefromtheabsorptionsofthemoreactivelifearoundit。Hepointedoutagainthetrueworkofthepioneermissionary；thecarefulpruningandeliminationofthoseforcesthatgrewupwiththeChristian"slife，whichmanypeoplefoolishlybelievedwereapartofit。"

TheWORLDmustliveandtheWORDmustlive，"saidthey，andtherewereeasy-goingbrethrenwhothoughttheycouldlivetogether。ButhewarnedthemthattheWorldwasalwaysclosingupon——"shaddering"——andstranglingtheWord，unlesskeptdown，andthat"fairseemin"settlement，"orcity，whichappearedtobe"bustin"andbloomin""withlifeandprogress，wasreally"hustlin"andjostlin""theWordofGod，eveninthemidstofthese"fancyspiresandsteeples"ithaderectedtoitsglory。Itwastheworkofthemissionarypioneertokeepdownorrootoutthiscarnal，worldlygrowthasmuchinthesettlementasinthewilderness。Somewereforgettingoverthedifficultybydraggingthemerewasted"letteroftheWord，"ortherottenandwitheredhusksofit，intothehighwaysandbyways，wherethe"blazin""scornoftheWorldwouldfinishit。Alow，penitentialgroanfromDeaconShadwellfollowedthisaccusingillustration。

ButthepreacherwouldtellthemthattheonlywaywastoboldlyattackthisranklygrowingWorldaroundthem；toclearoutfreshpathsfortheTruth，andletthesunlightofHeavenstreamamongthem。

Therewaslittledoubtthatthecongregationwasmoved。Whatevertheymighthavethoughtoftheapplication，thefactitselfwaspatent。TherheumaticBeaseleysfeltthetruthofitintheirachingbones；itcamehometothefeverandaguestrickenFilgeesintheirdampseatsagainstthesappywall；itechoedplainlyinthechroniccoughofSisterMaryStruttandWidowDoddridge；andCissyAppleby，withherroundbrowneyesfixeduponthespeaker，rememberinghowthestarchhadbeentakenoutofherSundayfrocks，howherlongringletshadbecomeuncurled，herfrillslimp，andevenherribbonslustreless，feltthatindeedaprophethadariseninIsrael!

Oneortwo，however，weredisappointedthathehadasyetgivennoindicationofthatpowerfulexhortatoryemotionforwhichhewasfamed，andwhichhadbeensaidtoexcitecertaincorrespondingcorybanticsymptomsamonghissensitivefemaleworshipers。Whentheservicewasover，andthecongregationcrowdedaroundhim，SisterMaryStrutt，ontheouterfringeoftheassembly，confidedtoSisterEvansthatshehad"hearntellhowthatwhenhewasoveratSoquelheprayedthatpow"fulthatallthewimmengotfitsandtremblin"spells，andoleMrs。Jacksonhadtobehauledoffhislegsthatshewaskneelin"andclaspin"whilewrestlingwiththeSperit。”

"Ireckonweseemedkinderstrangetohimthismorning，andhewantedtojestfeelhiswaytoourheartsfirst，"exclaimedBrotherJonasSteerspolitely。"He"llbemoreathomeatevenin"service。

It"squeerthatsomeofthebestexhortin"workisdonearterearlycandlelight。Ireckonhe"sgoin"tostopoverwithDeaconBradleytodinner。”

Butitappearedthatthenewpreacher，nowformallyintroducedasBrotherSeabright，wasintendingtowalkovertoHemlockMillstodinner。Heonlyaskedtobedirectedthenearestway；hewouldnottroubleBrotherShadwellorDeaconBradleytocomewithhim。

"Buthere"sCissyApplebyliveswithinamileo"thar，andyoucouldgoalongwithher。She"djestadmiretoshowyoutheway，"

interruptedBrotherShadwell。"Wouldn"tyou，Cissy？"

Thusappealedto，theyoungchorister——atallgirlofsixteenorseventeen——timidlyraisedhereyestoBrotherSeabrightashewasabouttorepeathisformerprotestation，andhestopped。

"EftheyoungladyISgoin"thatway，it"sonlyfairtoacceptherkindnessinaChristiansperit，"hesaidgently。

Cissyturnedwithaminglingofapologyandbashfulnesstowardsayoungfellowwhoseemedtobeactingasherescort，butwhowashesitatinginanequalbashfulness，whenSeabrightadded:"Andperhapsouryoungfriendwillcometoo？"

Buttheyoungfrienddrewbackwithaconfusedlaugh，andBrotherSeabrightandCissypassedoutfromtheporchtogether。Forafewmomentstheymingledwiththestreamandconversationofthedepartingcongregation，butpresentlyCissytimidlyindicatedadivergingbypath，andtheybothturnedintoit。

Itwasmuchwarmerintheopenthanithadbeeninthechapelandthicket，andCissy，bywayofrelievingacertainawkwardtensionofsilence，tookoffthewaterproofcloakandslungitonherarm。

Thisdisclosedherfivelongbrowncable-likecurlsthathungdownhershoulders，reachingbelowherwaistinsomeforgottenfashionofgirlhood。TheywereCissy"speculiaradornment，remarkablefortheirlength，thickness，andtheextraordinaryyouthfulnessimpartedtoafigureotherwiseprecociouslymatured。

Insomewaveringdoubtofheractualyearsandprivileges，BrotherSeabrightofferedtocarryhercloakforher，butshedeclineditwitharusticandyouthfulpertinacitythatseemedtosettlethequestion。Infact，Cissywasasmuchembarrassedasshewasflatteredbythecompanyofthisdistinguishedstranger。However，itwouldbeknowntoallWestWoodlandthathehadwalkedhomewithher，whilenobodybutherselfwouldknowthattheyhadscarcelyexchangedaword。Shenoticedhowheloungedonwithaheavy，rollinggait，sometimesalittlebeforeorbehindherasthepathnarrowed。Atsuchtimeswhentheyaccidentallycameincontactinpassing，shefeltahalfuneasy，physicalconsciousnessofhim，whichshereferredtohissize，thescarsonhisface，orsomelatenthardnessofexpression，butwasrelievedtoseethathehadnotobservedit。Yetthiswasthemanthatmadegrownwomencry；

shethoughtofoldMrs。Jacksonferventlygraspingtheploddinganklesbeforeher，andahystericdesiretolaugh，withthefearthathemightseeitonherface，overcameher。Thenshewonderedifhewasgoingtowalkallthewayhomewithoutspeaking，yetsheknewshewouldbemoreembarrassedifhebegantotalktoher。

Suddenlyhestopped，andshebumpedupagainsthim。

"Oh，excuseme!"shestammeredhurriedly。

"Eh？"Heevidentlyhadnotnoticedthecollision。"Didyouspeak？"

"No!——thatis——itwasn"tanything，"returnedthegirl，coloring。

Buthehadquiteforgottenher，andwaslookingintentlybeforehim。Theyhadcometoabreakinthefringeofwoodland，anduponasuddenviewoftheocean。Atthispointthelowlineofcoast-

rangewhichshelteredthevalleyofWestWoodlandswasabruptlyclovenbyagorgethatcrumbledandfellawayseawardtotheshoreofHorseShoeBay。OnitsnortherntrendstretchedthesettlementofHorseShoetothepromontoryofWhaleMouthPoint，withitsoutlyingreefofrockscurvedinwardslikethevastsubmergedjawofsomemarinemonster，throughwhoseblunt，tooth-likeprojectionstheship-longswellofthePacificstreamedandfell。OnthesouthernshorethelightyellowsandsofPuntadelasConcepcionglitteredlikesunshineallthewaytotheolive-gardensandwhitedomesoftheMission。Thetwoshoresseemedtotypifythetwodifferentclimatesandcivilizationsseparatedbythebay。

Theheavy，woodlandatmospherewasquickenedbythesaltbreathofthesea。Thestrangerinhaleditmeditatively。

"That"sthereefwheretheTamalpaisstruck，"hesaid，"andmore"nfiftymilesoutofhercourse——yes，more"nfiftymilesfromwheresheshouldhavebin!Itdon"tlooknat"ral。No——it——don"t——look——

nat"ral!"

Asheseemedtobespeakingtohimself，theyounggirl，whohadbeengazingwithfargreaterinterestattheforeign-lookingsouthernshore，feltconfusedanddidnotreply。Then，asifrecallingherpresence，BrotherSeabrightturnedtoherandsaid:——

"Yes，younglady；andwhenyouheartheoldbelloftheTamalpais，andthinkofhowitcamehere，youmayrejoiceinthegoodnessoftheLordthatmadeeventhosewhostrayedfromthestraightcourseandthetruereckoningthemeansoftestifyingontoHim。”

Buttheyoungarequickertodetectattitudesandaffectationthanweareapttoimagine；andCissycoulddistinguishacertainotherstrayinginthisafterthoughtormoralofthepreachercalledupbyherpresence，andknewthatitwasnottherealinterestwhichtheviewhadevoked。Shehadheardthathehadbeenasailor，and，withthetactofhersex，answeredwithwhatshethoughtwouldentertainhim:——

"Iwasalittlegirlwhenithappened，andIheardthatsomesailorsgotashoredownthere，andclimbedupthisgullyfromtherocksbelow。Andtheycampedthatnight——fortherewerenohousesatWestWoodlandsthen——justinthewoodswhereourchapelnowstands。Itwasfunny，wasn"tit？——Imean，"shecorrectedherselfbashfully，"itwasstrangetheychancedtocomejustthere？"

Butshehadevidentlyhitthepointofinterest。

"Whatbecameofthem？"hesaidquickly。"TheynevercametoHorseShoeSettlement，wheretheotherslandedfromthewreck。Ineverheardofthatboat"screworofANYlandingHERE。”

"No。TheykeptonovertherangesouthtotheMission。Ireckontheydidn"tknowtherewasawaydownonthissidetoHorseShoe，"

returnedCissy。

BrotherSeabrightmovedonandcontinuedhisslow，ploddingmarch。

ButhekeptalittlenearerCissy，andshewasconsciousthatheoccasionallylookedather。Presentlyhesaid:——

"Youhaveaheavenlygift，MissAppleby。”

Cissyflushed，andherhandinvoluntarilywenttooneofherlong，distinguishingcurls。ItmightbeTHAT。Thepreachercontinued:——

"Yes；avoicelikeyoursisaheavenlygift。AndyouhaveproperlydevotedittoHisservice。Haveyoubeensinginglong？"

"Abouttwoyears。ButI"vegottostudyaheapyet。”

"Thelittlebirdsdon"tthinkitnecessarytostudytopraiseHim，"

saidthepreachersententiously。

ItoccurredtoCissythatthiswasveryunfairargument。Shesaidquickly:——

"Butthelittlebirdsdon"thavetofollowwordsinthehymn-books。

Youdon"tgiveoutlinestolarksandbobolinks，"andblushed。

Thepreachersmiled。Itwasaveryengagingsmile，Cissythought，thatlightenedhishardmouth。Itenabledhertotakeheartofgrace，andpresentlytochatterliketheverybirdsshehaddisparaged。Ohyes；sheknewshehadtolearnagreatdealmore。

Shehadstudied"some"already。ShewastakinglessonsoveratPointConcepcion，whereheraunthadfriends，andshewentthreetimesaweek。ThegentlemanwhotaughtherwasnotaCatholic，and，ofcourse，heknewshewasaProtestant。Shewouldhavepreferredtolivethere，buthermotherandfatherwerebothdead，andhadleftherwithheraunt。Shelikeditbetterbecauseitwassunnierandbrighterthere。Shelovedthesunandwarmth。Shehadlistenedtowhathehadsaidaboutthedampnessandgloomofthechapel。Itwastrue。Thedampnesswasthatdreadfulsometimesitjustruinedherclothes，andevenmadeherhoarse。Didhethinktheywouldreallytakehisadviceandclearoutthewoodsroundthechapel？

"Wouldyoulikeit？"heaskedpleasantly。

"Yes。”

"Andyouthinkyouwouldn"tpinesomuchforthesunshineandwarmthoftheMission？

"I"mnotpining，"saidCissywithatossofhercurls，"foranythingoranybody；butIthinkthewoodsoughttobeclearedout。

It"sjustasitwaswhentherunawayshidthere。”

"WhentheRUNAWAYSHIDTHERE!"saidBrotherSeabrightquickly。

"Whatrunaways？"

"Why，theboat"screw，"saidCissy。

"Whydoyoucallthemrunaways？"

"Idon"tknow。Didn"tYOU？"saidCissysimply。"Didn"tyousaytheynevercamebacktoHorseShoeBay。PerhapsIhaditfromaunty。ButIknowit"sdampandcreepy；andwhenIwaslittlerI

usedtobefrightenedtobealonetherepracticing。”

"Why？"saidthepreacherquickly。

"Oh，Idon"tknow，"hurriedonCissy，withavagueimpressionthatshehadsaidtoomuch。"Onlymyfancy，Iguess。”

"Well，"saidBrotherSeabrightafterapause；"we"llseewhatcanbedonetomakeaclearingthere。Birdssingbestinthesunshine，andYOUoughttohavesomesayaboutit。”

Cissy"sdimplesandblushescametogetherthistime。"That"sourhouse，"shesaidsuddenly，withaslightaccentofrelief，pointingtoaweather-beatenfarmhouseontheedgeofthegorge。"Iturnoffhere，butyoukeepstraightonfortheMills；they"rebackinthewoodsapiece。But，"shestammeredwithasuddensenseofshameofforgottenhospitality，"won"tyoucomeinandseeaunty？"

"No，thankyou，notnow。”Hestopped，turninghisgazefromthehousetoher。"Howoldisyourhouse？Wasitthereatthetimeofthewreck？"

"Yes，"saidCissy。

"It"soddthatthecrewdidnotcomethereforhelp，eh？"

"Maybetheyoverlookeditinthedarknessandthestorm，"saidCissysimply。"Good-by，sir。”

Thepreacherheldherhandforaninstantinhispowerful，butgentlygraduatedgrasp。"Good-byuntileveningservice。”

"Yes，sir，"saidCissy。

Theyounggirltrippedontowardsherhousealittleagitatedandconscious，andyetalittleproudasshesawthefacesofheraunt，heruncle，hertwocousins，andevenherdiscardedescort，JoAdams，atthewindows，watchingher。

"So，"saidheraunt，assheenteredbreathlessly，"yewalkedhomewiththepreacher!Itwasaspeshalprovidenceandmanifestationforye，Cissy。Ihopeyewasmannerlyandhumble——andprofitedbythewordsofgrace。”

"Idon"tknow，"saidCissy，puttingasideherhatandcloaklistlessly。"Hedidn"ttalkmuchofanything——buttheoldwreckoftheTamalpais。”

"What？"saidherauntquickly。

"ThewreckoftheTamalpais，andtheboat"screwthatcameupthegorge，"repeatedtheyounggirl。

"AndwhatdidHEknowabouttheboat"screw？"saidheraunthurriedly，fixingherblackeyesonCissy。

"NothingexceptwhatItoldhim。”

"WhatYOUtoldhim!"echoedheraunt，withanominouscolorfillingthesallowhollowsofhercheek。

"Yes!Hehasbeenasailor，youknow——andIthoughtitwouldinteresthim；anditdid!Hethoughtitstrange。”

"CeciliaJaneAppleby，"saidherauntshrilly，"doyoumeantosaythatyouthrewawayyourchancesofsalvationandsavinggracejusttotellgossipingtalesthatyouknewwaslies，andevilreport，andfalsewitnesses!"

"IonlytalkedofwhatI"dheard，auntVashti，"saidCeciliaindignantly。"Andheafterwardstalkedof——of——myvoice，andsaidIhadaheavenlygift，"sheadded，withaslightquiverofherlip。

AuntVashtiregardedthegirlsharply。

"AndyoumaythanktheLordforthatheavenlygift，"shesaid，inaslightlyloweredvoice；"forefyehadn"ttouseittonight，I"dshutyeupinyourroom，tomakeitpayforyerfoolishgaddin"

TONGUE!AndIreckonI"llescortyetochapeltonightmyself，miss，andgetshuto"someofthisfoolishness。”

II。

ThebroadplazaoftheMissiondelaConcepcionhadbeenbakingintheday-longsunlight。Shiningdriftsfromtheoutlyingsanddunes，blownacrosstheill-pavedroadway，radiatedtheheatinthefacesofthefewloungersliketheprickingofliliputianarrows，andinvadedeventhecactushedges。Thehotairvisiblyquiveredoverthedarkredtilesofthetiendaroofasiftheywereundergoingasecondburning。Theblackshadowofachimneyonthewhitewashedadobewallwaslikeadoororcavernousopeninginthewallitself；thetopsoftheoliveandpeartreesseenaboveitwererussetandserealreadyinthefiercelight。Eventhemoistbreathoftheseabeyondhadquiteevaporatedbeforeitcrossedtheplaza，andnowrustledtheleavesintheMissiongardenwithadry，crepitantsound。

Nevertheless，itseemedtoCissyAppleby，asshecrossedtheplaza，averywelcomechangefromWestWoodlands。Althoughthelatewinterrainshadceasedamonthago，——afewdaysaftertherevivalistpreacherhadleft，——thewoodsaroundthechapelwerestillsoddenandheavy，andthethreatenedimprovementinitssitehadnottakenplace。Neitherhadthepreacherhimselfalludedtoitagain；hiseveningsermon——theonlyotheronehepreachedthere——

wasunexciting，andhehad，infact，leftWestWoodlandswithoutanydisplayofthatextraordinaryexhortatoryfacultyforwhichhewasfamous。YetCissy，inspiteofherenjoymentofthedry，hotMission，rememberedhim，andalsorecalled，albeitpoutingly，hisbluntsuggestingthatshewas"piningforit。”Nevertheless，shewouldliketohavesungforhimHERE——supposingitwaspossibletoconceiveofaSidonBrotherhoodChapelattheMission。Itwasagreatpity，shethought，thattheSidonBrotherhoodandtheFranciscanBrotherhoodwerenotmorebrotherlyTOWARDSEACHOTHER。

Cissybelongedtotheformerbyhereditaryright，locality，andcircumstance，butitistobefearedthathertheologywasimperfect。

SheenteredalanebetweentheMissionwallandalighterironfencedinclosure，onceapartofthegarden，butnowtheappurtenanceofaprivatedwellingthatwasreconstructedovertheheavyadobeshellofsomeforgottenstructureoftheoldecclesiasticalfounders。Itwaspiercedbymanywindowsandopenings，andthatsunlightandpublicitywhichtheformerpadreshadjealouslyexcludedwasnowwooedfromlongbalconiesandverandasbythenewproprietor，awelltodoAmerican。ElishaBraggs，whosenamewasgenerouslyandeuphoniouslytranslatedbyhisnativeneighborsinto"DonEliseo，"althoughaheretic，hadgivenlargesstothechurchinthewayofrestoringitsearthquake-

shakentower，andinpresentinganeworgantoitsdilapidatedchoir。HehadfurtherendearedhimselftotheconservativeSpanishpopulationbyintroducingnoobtrusiveimprovements；bydistributinghismeansthroughtheoldchannels；byapparentlyincitingnofurtheralienimmigration，butcontentinghimselftolivealoneamongthem，adoptingtheirhabits，customs，andlanguage。A

harmlessmusicaltaste，andadispositiontoinstructtheyoungboychoristers，wasequallybalancedbygreatskillinhorsemanshipandthepersonalmanagementofarancheofwildcattleontheinlandplains。

Consciouslypretty，andprettilyconsciousinherwhite-starched，rose-spriggedmuslin，herpinkparasol，beribbonedgypsyhat，andthelongmane-likecurlsthatswungoverhershoulders，Cissyenteredthehouseandwasshowntothelargelowdrawing-roomontheground-floor。Sheoncemoreinhaleditshotpotpourrifragrance，inwhichthespiceoftheCastilianrose-leavesofthegardenwasdominant。Afewboys，whomsherecognizedasthechoristersoftheMissionandherfellow-pupils，werealreadyawaitingherwithsomedegreeofanxietyandimpatience。Thisfact，andacertainquickanimationthatsprangtotheblueeyesofthemasterofthehouseastherose-spriggedfrockandlongcurlsappearedatthedoorway，showedthatCissywasclearlythefavoritepupil。

ElishaBraggswasamanofmiddleage，withafiguresomewhatroundedbytheadiposecurvesofacomfortablelife，andanairoffastidiousnesswhichwas，however，occasionallyatvariancewithwhatseemedtobehisoriginalcondition。HegreetedCissywithacertainnervousoverconsciousnessofhisdutiesashostandteacher，andthenplungedabruptlyintothelesson。Itlastedanhour，Cissytactfullydividinghissomewhatexclusiveinstructionwiththeothers，andeveninterpretingittotheirslowercomprehension。Whenitwasover，thechoristersshylydeparted，accordingtotheirusualcustom，leavingCissyandDonEliseo——andoccasionallyoneofthepadrestomoreinformalpracticingandperformance。NeithertheingenuousnessofCissynortheworldlycautionofauntVashtihadeverquestionedtheproprietyoftheseprolongedandsecludedseances；andtheyounggirlherself，althoughbynomeansunaccustomedtothebashfulattentionsoftheyouthofWestWoodlands，hadneverdreamedoftheselatermusicalinterviewsasbeinganythingbutanordinaryrecreationofherart。

ThefeelingofgratitudeandkindnessshehadforDonEliseo，heraunt"sfriend，hadneverleftherconsciousorembarrassedwhenshewasalonewithhim。Butto-day，possiblyfromhisownnervousnessandpreoccupation，shewasawareofsomevagueuneasiness，andatanearlyopportunityrosetogo。ButDonEliseogentlylaidhishandonhersandsaid:——

"Don"tgoyet；Iwanttotalktoyou。”Histouchsuddenlyremindedherthatonceortwicebeforehehaddonethesamething，andshehadbeendisagreeablyimpressedbyit。Butsheliftedherbrowneyestohiswithanunconsciousnessthatwasmorecrushingthanawithdrawalofherhand，andwaitedforhimtogoon。

"Itissuchalongwayforyoutocome，andyouhavesolittletimetostaywhenyouarehere，thatIamthinkingofaskingyouraunttoletyoulivehereattheMission，asapupil，inthehouseoftheSenoraHernandez，untilyourlessonsarefinished。PadreJosewillattendtotherestofyoureducation。Wouldyoulikeit？"

PoorCissy"seyesleapedupinunaffectedandsparklingaffirmationbeforehertonguereplied。Tobaskinthisbelovedsunshinefordaystogether；tohavethisquaintSpanishlifebeforehereyes，andthosesoftSpanishaccentsinherears；toforgetherselfinwanderingintheold-timeMissiongardenbeyond；tohavedailyaccesstoMr。Braggs"spianoandtheorganofthechurch——thiswasindeedtherealizationofherfondestdreams!Yetshehesitated。

SomewhereinherinheritedPuritannaturewasavagueconvictionthatitwaswrong，anditseemedeventofindanechointhewarningofthepreacher:thiswaswhatshewas"piningfor。”

"Idon"tknow，"shestammered。"Imustaskauntie；Ishouldn"tliketoleaveher；andthere"sthechapel。”

"Isn"tthatrevivalistpreacherenoughtorunitforawhile？"saidhercompanion，half-sneeringly。

Theremarkwasnotatactfulone。

"Mr。Seabrighthasn"tbeenhereforamonth，"sheansweredsomewhatquickly。"Buthe"scomingnextSunday，andI"mgladofit。He"saverygoodman。Andthere"snothinghedon"tnotice。Hesawhowsillyitwastostickthechapelintotheveryheartofthewoods，andhetoldthemso。”

"AndIsupposehe"llrunupabrand-newmeeting-houseoutontheroad，"saidBraggs，smiling。

"No，he"sgoingtoopenupthewoods，andletthesunandlightin，andclearouttheunderbrush。”

"Andwhat"sthatfor？"

Therewassuchanutterandabruptchangeinthespeaker"svoiceandmanner——whichuntilthenhadbeenlazilyfastidiousandconfident——thatCissywasstartled。Andthechangebeingrudeanddictatorial，shewasstartledintoopposition。ShehadwantedtosaythattheimprovementhadbeensuggestedbyHER，butshetookamoreaggressiveattitude。

"BrotherSeabrightsaysit"saquestionofreligionandmorals。

It"sascandalandawrong，andadisgracetotheWord，thatthechapelshouldhavebeenputthere。”

DonEliseo"sfaceturnedsowhiteandwaxythatCissywouldhavenoticedithadshenotfemininelylookedawaywhiletakingthisattitude。

"Isupposethat"sapartofhissensationstyle，andveryeffective，"hesaid，resuminghisformervoiceandmanner。"Imusttrytohearhimsomeday。But，now，inregardtoyourcominghere，ofcourseIshallconsultyouraunt，althoughIimagineshewillhavenoobjection。IonlywantedtoknowhowYOUfeltaboutit。”

Heagainlaidhishandonhers。

"Ishouldliketocomeverymuch，"saidCissytimidly；"andit"sverykindofyou，I"msure；butyou"llseewhatauntiesays，won"tyou？"Shewithdrewherhandaftermomentarilygraspinghis，asifhisownacthadbeenonlyapartingsalutation，anddeparted。

AuntVashtireceivedCissy"saccountofherinterviewwithagrimsatisfaction。Shedidnotknowwhatideasyounggalshadnowadays，butinHERtimeshe"dbeenfittojumpouterherskinatsuchanofferfromsuchagoodmanasElishaBraggs。Andhewasarichman，too。Andefhewasgoin"togiveheranedicationfree，itwasn"tgoin"tostopthere。Forherpart，shedidn"tliketoputideasinyounggirls"heads，——goodnessknowsthey"denoughfoolishnessalready；butifCissymadeaChristianuseofhergifts，and"tendedtoheredicationandprivileges，andmadeherselfafithelpmeetforanyman，shewouldsaythattherewerefewmeninthesepartsthatwasas"comf"bleketch"asLishBraggs，orwouldmakeasgoodahusbandandprovider。

ThebloodsuddenlyleftCissy"scheeksandthenreturnedwithuncomfortableheat。Heraunt"swordshadsuddenlyrevealedtoherthemeaningoftheuneasinessshehadfeltinBraggs"shousethatmorning——theoldrepulsionthathadcomeathistouch。Shehadneverthoughtofhimasasuitororabeaubefore，yetitnowseemedperfectlyplaintoherthatthiswastheulteriormeaningofhisgenerosity。Andyetshereceivedthatintelligencewiththesamemixedemotionswithwhichshehadreceivedhisoffertoeducateher。Shedidnotconcealfromherselftheprideandsatisfactionshefeltinthispresumptiveselectionofherashiswife；theworldlyadvantagesthatitpromised；northatitwasadestinyfarbeyondherdeserts。Yetshewasconsciousofexactlythesamesenseofwrong-doinginherpreferences——somethingthatseemedvaguelyakintothat"convictionofsin"ofwhichshehadheardsomuch——aswhenshereceivedhisofferofeducation。Itwasthismixtureoffearandsatisfactionthatcausedheralternatepalingandflushing，yetthistimeitwasthefearthatcamefirst。

Perhapsshewasbecomingundulysensitive。Thesecretivenessofhersexcametoheraidhere，andsheawkwardlychangedthesubject。AuntVashti，complacentlybelievingthatherwordshadfallenonfruitfulsoil，discreetlysaidnomore。

ItwasahotmorningwhenCissywalkedalonetochapelearlynextSunday。Therewasadryirritationintheairwhicheventhenorthwesttrades，blowingthroughtheseawardgorge，couldnottemper，andforthefirsttimeinherlifeshelookedforwardtotheleafyseclusionoftheburiedchapelwithafeelingoflonging。

Shehadavoidedheryouthfulescort，forshewishedtopracticealoneforanhourbeforetheservicewiththenewharmoniumthathadtakentheplaceoftheoldaccordionanditsunskillfulperformer。Perhaps，too，therewasatimiddesiretobeatherbestonthereturnofBrotherSeabright，andtoshowhim，withanewperformance，thatthe"heavenlygift"hadnotbeenneglected。

Sheopenedthechapelwiththekeyshealwayscarried，"swished"

awayanintrusivesquirrel，leftthedoorandwindowopenforamoment，untilthebeatingoffrightenedwingsagainsttheraftershadceased，and，aftercarefullyexaminingthefloorforspiders，mice，andothercreepingthings，brushedawayafewfallenleavesandtwigsfromthetopoftheharmonium。Then，withherlongcurlstossedoverhershouldersandhanginglimplydownthebackofhernewmaple-leafyellowfrock，——whichwasalsoatimidrecognitionofBrotherSeabright"sreturn，——andherbrowneyesturnedtotherafters，thisrusticSt。CeciliaoftheCoastRangebegantosing。

Theshellofthelittlebuildingdilatedwiththemelody；thesashesofthewindowspulsated，thetwoejectedlinnetsjoinedintimidlyfromtheircoignofvantageinthebelfryoutside，andthelimpvinesabovetheporchswayedlikehercurls。Onceshethoughtsheheardstealthyfootstepswithout；onceshewasalmostcertainshefeltthebrushingofsomebodyoutsideagainstthethinwallsofthechapel，andonceshestoppedtoglancequicklyatthewindowwithastrangeinstinctthatsomeonewaslookingather。ButshequicklyreflectedthatBrotherSeabrightwouldcomethereonlywhenthedeaconsdid，andwiththem。WhysheshouldthinkthatitwasBrotherSeabright，orwhyBrotherSeabrightshouldcomethusandatsuchatime，shecouldnothaveexplained。

Hedidnot，infact，makehisappearanceuntillater，andafterthecongregationhadquitefilledthechapel；hedidnot，moreover，appeartonoticeherasshesatthere，andwhenhegaveoutthehymnheseemedtohavequietlyoverlookedthenewharmonium。Shesangherbest，however，andmorethanoneoftheaudiencethoughtthat"littleSisterAppleby"hadgreatlyimproved。Indeed，itwouldnothaveseemedstrangetosome——rememberingBrotherSeabright"sdiscursiveoratory——ifhehadmadesomeallusiontoit。

Buthedidnot。Hisheavyeyesmovedslowlyoverthecongregation，andhebegan。

Asusualhedidnottakeatext。Buthewouldtalktothemthatmorningabout"TheConvictionofSin"andthesenseofwrong-doingthatwasinnateinthesinner。Thisincludedallformoftemptation，forwhatwastemptationbuttheinbornconsciousnessofsomethingtostruggleagainst，andthatwassin!AtthisapparentlyconciseexpositionofherownfeelingsinregardtoDonEliseo"soffer，Cissyfeltherselfblushingtotherootsofhercurls。CoulditbepossiblethatBrotherSeabrighthadheardofhertemptationtoleaveWestWoodlands，andthatthiswarningwasintendedforher？Hedidnotevenlookinherdirection。Yethisnextsentenceseemedtobeananswertoherownmentalquery。

"Folksmightask，"hecontinued，"ifeventheyoungandinexperiencedshouldfeelthis——orwasthereastateofinnocentguiltwithoutconsciousness？"Hewouldanswerthatquestionbytellingthemwhathadhappenedtohimthatmorning。Hehadcometothechapel，notbytheroad，butthroughthetangledwoodsbehindthem(Cissystarted)——throughthethickbrushandundergrowththatwaschokingthelifeoutofthislittlechapel——thewildernessthathehadbelievedwasneverbeforetroddenbyhumanfeet，andwasknownonlytoroamingbeastsandvermin。Butthatwaswherehewaswrong。

Inthestillnessandlisteningsilence，asuddencoughfromsomeoneinoneofthebackbenchesproducedthatinstantaneousdiversionofattentioncommontohumanityonsuchoccasions。