第4章

Good-by。Ifyou"reeverupmyway，dropinandseeme。"Hethenwalkedtothedoorway，passedout，andseemedtomeltintotheafternoonshadowsofthehall。

Heneveragainenteredtheofficeofthe"ExcelsiorMagazine，"

neitherwasanyfurthercontributioneverreceivedfromWhiteViolet。Toapoliteentreatyfromtheeditor，addressedfirstto"WhiteViolet"andthentoMrs。Delatour，therewasnoresponse。

ThethoughtofMr。Hamlin"scynicalprophecydisturbedhim，butthatgentleman，preoccupiedinfillingsomeprofessionalengagementsinSacramento，gavehimnochancetoacquirefurtherexplanationsastothepastorthefuture。Theyouthfuleditorwasatfirstindespairandfilledwithavagueremorseofsomeunfulfilledduty。But，tohissurprise，thereadersofthemagazineseemedtosurvivetheirtalentedcontributor，andthefeverishlifethathadbeenthrilledbyhersong，intwomonthshadapparentlyforgottenher。Norwashervoiceliftedfromanyalienquarter；thedomesticandforeignpressthathadechoedherlaysseemedtorespondnolongertoherutterance。

ItispossiblethatsomereadersofthesepagesmayrememberapreviouschroniclebythesamehistorianwhereinitwasrecordedthatthevolatilespiritofMr。Hamlin，slightlyassistedbycircumstances，passedbeyondthesevoicesattheRanchoftheBlessedFisherman，sometwoyearslater。Astheeditorstoodbesidethebodyofhisfriendonthemorningofthefuneral，henoticedamongtheflowerslaiduponhisbierbylovinghandsawreathofwhiteviolets。Touchedanddisturbedbyamemorylongsinceforgotten，hewasfurtherembarrassed，asthecortegedispersedintheMissiongraveyard，bytheapparitionofthetallfigureofMr。JamesBowersfrombehindamonumentalcolumn。Theeditorturnedtohimquickly。

"Iamgladtoseeyouhere，"hesaid，awkwardly，andheknewnotwhy；then，afterapause，"ItrustyoucangivemesomenewsofMrs。Delatour。Iwrotetohernearlytwoyearsago，buthadnoresponse。"

"Thar"sbinnoMrs。Delatourfortwoyears，"saidMr。Bowers，contemplativelystrokinghisbeard；"andmebbethat"swhy。She"sbinfortwoyearsMrs。Bowers。"

"Icongratulateyou，"saidtheeditor；"butIhopetherestillremainsaWhiteViolet，andthat，forthesakeofliterature，shehasnotgivenup"——

"Mrs。Bowers，"interruptedMr。Bowers，withsingulardeliberation，"foundthatmakin"po"tryandtendin"tothecaresofagrowin"-upfamerlywasirritatin"tothenarves。Theydidn"tjibe，sotospeak。WhatMrs。Bowerswanted——andwhat，po"tryornopo"try，I"vebintryin"togiveher——wasRest!She"sbinhavin"itcomfor"blyupatmyranchatMendocino，withherchildrenandme。

Yes，sir"——hiseyewanderedaccidentallytothenew-madegrave——

"you"llexcusemysayin"ittoamaninyourprofession，butit"swhatmostfolkswillfindisaheapbetterthanreadin"orwritin"

oractin"po"try——andthat"sRest!"

THECHATELAINEOFBURNTRIDGE

CHAPTERI

IthadgrowndarkonBurntRidge。Seenfrombelow，thewholeserratedcrestthathadglitteredinthesunsetasifitsintersticeswereeatenbyconsumingfires，now，closedupitsranksofblackenedshaftsandbecameagainharshandsombrechevauxdefriseagainstthesky。Afaintglowstilllingeredovertheredvalleyroad，asifitwereitsownreflection，ratherthananylightfrombeyondthedarkenedridge。Nightwasalreadycreepingupoutofremotecanyonsandalongthefurrowedflanksofthemountain，orsettlingonthenearerwoodswiththesoundofhome-

comingandinnumerablewings。Atapointwheretheroadbegantoencroachuponthemountain-sideinitsslowwindingascentthedarknesshadbecomesorealthatayounggirlcanteringalongtherisingterracefounddifficultyinguidingherhorse，witheyesstilldazzledbythesunsetfires。

Inspiteofherprecautions，theanimalsuddenlyshiedatsomeobjectintheobscuredroadway，andnearlyunseatedher。Theaccidentdisclosednotonlythefactthatshewasridinginaman"ssaddle，butalsoafootandanklethatherordinarywalking-dresswastooshorttohide。Itwasevidentthatherequestrianexercisewasextempore，andthatatthathourandonthatroadshehadnotexpectedtomeetcompany。Butshewasapparentlyagoodhorsewoman，forthemischancewhichmighthavethrownalesspracticalormoretimidriderseemedoflittlemomenttoher。Withastronghandanddeterminedgestureshewheeledherfrightenedhorsebackintothetrack，androdehimdirectlyattheobject。Butheresheherselfslightlyrecoiled，foritwasthebodyofamanlyingintheroad。

Assheleanedforwardoverherhorse"sshoulder，shecouldseebythedimlightthathewasaminer，andthat，thoughmotionless，hewasbreathingstertorously。Drunk，nodoubt!——anaccidentofthelocalityalarmingonlytoherhorse。Butalthoughshecanteredimpatientlyforward，shehadnotproceededahundredyardsbeforeshestoppedreflectively，andtrottedbackagain。Hehadnotmoved。Shecouldnowseethathisheadandshoulderswerecoveredwithbrokenclodsofearthandgravel，andsmallerfragmentslayathisside。Adozenfeetabovehimonthehillsidetherewasafoottrailwhichranparallelwiththebridle-road，andoccasionallyoverhungit。Itseemedpossiblethathemighthavefallenfromthetrailandbeenstunned。

Dismounting，shesucceededindragginghimtoasaferpositionbythebank。Theactdiscoveredhisface，whichwasyoung，andunknowntoher。Wipingitwiththesilkhandkerchiefwhichwaslooselyslungaroundhisneckafterthefashionofhisclass，shegaveaquickfeminineglancearoundherandthenapproachedherownandratherhandsomefacenearhislips。Therewasnoodorofalcoholinthethickandheavyrespiration。Mountingagain，sherodeforwardatanacceleratedpace，andintwentyminuteshadreachedahighertablelandofthemountain，aclearedopeningintheforestthatshowedsignsofcarefulcultivation，andalarge，rambling，yetpicturesque-lookingdwelling，whoseunpaintedred-

woodwallswerehiddeninrosesandcreepers。Pushingopenaswinginggate，sheenteredtheinclosureasabrown-facedman，dressedasavaquero，cametowardsherasiftoassisthertoalight。Butshehadalreadyleapedtothegroundandthrownhimthereins。

"Miguel，"shesaid，withamistress"squietauthorityinherboyishcontraltovoice，"putGloryinthecoveredwagon，anddrivedowntheroadasfarasthevalleyturning。There"samanlyingneartherightbank，drunk，orsick，maybe，orperhapscrippledbyafall。Bringhimuphere，unlesssomebodyhasfoundhimalready，oryouhappentoknowwhoheisandwheretotakehim。"

Thevaqueroraisedhisshoulders，halfindisappointedexpectationofsomeothercommand。"Andyourbrother，senora，hehasnothimselfarrived。"

Alightshadowofimpatiencecrossedherface。"No，"shesaid，bluntly。"Come，bequick。"

Sheturnedtowardsthehouseasthemanmovedaway。Alreadyagaunt-lookingoldmanhadappearedintheporch，andwasawaitingherwithhishandshadowinghisangry，suspiciouseyes，andhislipsmovingquerulously。

"Ofcourse，you"vegottostandoutthereandgiveordersand"tendtoyourownbusinessaforeyouthinko"speakingtoyourownfleshandblood，"hesaidaggrievedly。"That"sallYOUcare!"

"Therewasasickmanlyingintheroad，andI"vesentMigueltolookafterhim，"returnedthegirl，withacertaincontemptuousresignation。

"Oh，yes!"struckinanothervoice，whichseemedtobelongtothefemaleofthefirstspeaker"sspecies，andtobeitsequalinageandtemper，"andIreckonyousawajaybirdonatree，orasquirrelonthefence，andeitherof"emwasmoreimportanttoyouthanyourownbrother。"

"Stevedidn"tcomebythestage，anddidn"tsendanymessage，"

continuedtheyounggirl，withthesamecoldlyresignedmanner。

"Noonehadanynewsofhim，and，asItoldyoubefore，Ididn"texpectany。"

"Whydon"tyousayrightoutyoudidn"tWANTany?"saidtheoldman，sneeringly。"Muchyouinquired!No；Iorterhevgonemyself，andIwouldifIwasmasterhere，insteadofmeandyourmotherbein"thedustoftheyearthbeneathyourfeet。"

Theyounggirlenteredthehouse，followedbytheoldman，passinganoldwomanseatedbythewindow，whoseemedtobenursingherresentmentandalargeBiblewhichsheheldclaspedagainsthershawledbosomatthesamemoment。Goingtothewall，shehungupherlargehatandslightlyshookthereddustfromherskirtsasshecontinuedherexplanation，inthesamedeepvoice，withacertainmonotonyoflogicandpossiblyofpurposeandpracticealso。

"YouandmotherknowaswellasIdo，father，thatStephenisnomoretobedependeduponthanthewindthatblows。It"sthreeyearssincehehasbeenpromisingtocome，andevengettingmoneytocome，andyethehasnevershowedhisface，thoughhehasbeenadozentimeswithinfivemilesofthishouse。Hedoesn"tcomebecausehedoesn"twanttocome。AstoYOURgoingovertothestage-office，Iwenttheremyselfatthelastmomenttosaveyouthemortificationofaskingquestionsofstrangersthattheyknowhavebeenadozentimesansweredalready。"

Therewassucharingofabsolutetruthfulness，albeitwornbyrepetition，intheyounggirl"sdeephonestvoicethatforoneinstanthertwomoreemotionalrelativesquailedbeforeit；butonlyforamoment。

"That"sright!"shrilledtheoldwoman。"Goonandabuseyourownbrother。It"sonlythefearyouhavethathe"llmakehisfortuneyetandshameyoubeforethefatherandmotheryoudespise。"

Theyounggirlremainedstandingbythewindow，motionlessandapparentlypassive，asifreceivinganacceptedandusualpunishment。Butheretheelderwomangavewaytosobsandsomeincoherentsnuffling，atwhichtheyoungerwentaway。Whethersherecognizedinhermother"stearstheordinarydeliquescenceofemotion，orwhether，asawomanherself，sheknewthatthismerefeminineconventionalitycouldnotpossiblybedirectedather，andthattheactualconflictbetweenthemhadceased，shepassedslowlyontoaninnerhall，leavingthemalevictim，herunfortunatefather，tosuccumb，ashealwaysdidsoonerorlater，totheirinfluence。Crossingthehall，whichwasdecoratedwithafewelkhorns，Indiantrophies，andmountainpelts，sheenteredanotherroom，andclosedthedoorbehindherwithagestureofrelief。

Theroom，whichlookeduponaporch，presentedasingularcombinationofmasculinebusinessoccupationsandfemininetasteandadornment。Adeskcoveredwithpapers，ashelfdisplayingaledgerandaccount-books，anothercontainingworksofreference，atablewithavaseofflowersandalady"sriding-whipuponit，amapofCaliforniaflankedoneithersidebyanembroideredsilkenworkbagandanovalmirrordeckedwithgrasses，acalendarandinterest-tablehangingbelowtwoschool-girlcrayonsofclassicheadswiththelegend，"JosephineForsythfecit，"——werepartofitsincongruousaccessories。Theyounggirlwenttoherdesk，butpresentlymovedandturnedtowardsthewindowthoughtfully。Thelastgleamhaddiedfromthesteel-bluesky；afewlightslikestarpointsbegantoprickoutthelowervalley。Theexpressionofmonotonousrestraintandendurancehadnotyetfadedfromherface。

Yetshehadbeenaccustomedtoscenesliketheoneshehadjustpassedthoughsincehergirlhood。Fiveyearsago，AlexanderForsyth，heruncle，hadbroughthertothisspot——thenamerelogcabinonthehillside——asarefugefromtheimpoverishedandshiftlesshomeofhiselderbrotherThomasandhisill-temperedwife。HereAlexanderForsyth，byreasonofhismoredominantcharacterandbusinesscapacity，hadprospereduntilhebecamearichandinfluentialranchowner。Notwithstandingherfather"sjealousyofAlexander"sfortune，andtheopenrupturethatfollowedbetweenthebrothers，Josephineretainedherpositionintheheartandhomeofherunclewithoutespousingthecauseofeither；andherfatherwastooprudentnottorecognizethenearandprospectiveadvantagesofsuchamediator。Accustomedtoherparents"extravagantdenunciations，andheruncle"smorerepressedbutpracticalcontemptofthem，theunfortunategirlearlydevelopedacynicaldisbeliefinthevirtuesofkinshipintheabstract，andaphilosophicalresignationtoitseffectsuponherpersonally。Believingthatherfatherandunclefairlyrepresentedthefraternalprinciple，shewasquitepreparedfortheearlydefectionanddistrustofhervagabondanddissipatedbrotherStephen，andaccepteditcalmly。Truetoanoddstandardofjustice，whichshehaderectedfromthecrumblingruinsofherowndomesticlife，shewastolerantofeverythingbuthumanperfection。

Thisquality，howeverfataltoherhighergrowth，hadgivenherapeculiarcapacityforbusinesswhichendearedhertoheruncle。

Familiarwiththestrongpassionsandprejudicesofmen，shehadnoneofthosefemininemeannesses，awholesomedistrustofwhichhadkeptheruncleabachelor。Itwasnotstrange，therefore，thatwhenhediedtwoyearsagoitwasfoundthathehadleftherhisentireproperty，realandpersonal，limitedonlybyasinglecondition。Shewastoundertakethevocationofa"soletrader，"

andcarryonthebusinessunderthenameof"J。Forsyth。"Ifshemarried，theestateandpropertywastobehelddistinctfromherhusband"s，inalienableunderthe"MarriedWoman"sPropertyAct，"

andsubjectduringherlifeonlytoherowncontrolandpersonalresponsibilitiesasatrader。

Theintensedisgustanddiscomfitureofherparents，whohadexpectedtomoreactivelyparticipateintheirbrother"sfortune，maybeimagined。ButitwasnotequaltotheirfurywhenJosephine，insteadofprovidingforthemaseparatemaintenanceoutofherabundance，simplyofferedtotransferthemandherbrothertoherownhouseonadomesticbutnotabusinessequality。Therebeingnoalternativebuttheirformerprecariousshiftlesslifeintheir"played-out"claiminthevalley，theywiselyconsented，reservingthesacredrightofdailyprotestandobjurgation。IntheeconomyofBurntRidgeRanchtheyalonetookituponthemselvestorepresenttheshattereddomesticaltaranditsoutragedLaresandPenates。Andsoconscientiouslydidtheyperformtheirtaskasevenoccasionallytoimpedethebusinessvisitortotheranch，andtocausesomeofthemorepracticalneighborsseriouslytodoubttheyounggirl"scommercialwisdom。Butshewasfirm。Whethershethoughtherparentsanecessityofrespectabledomesticity，orwhethersheregardedtheirpresenceinthelightofapenitentialatonementforsomepreviousdisregardofthem，nooneknew。Publicopinioninclinedtothelatter。

Theblacklineofridgefadedoutwithherabstraction，andsheturnedfromthewindowandlitthelamponherdesk。Theyellowlightilluminatedherfaceandfigure。Intheirwomanlygracestherewasnotraceofwhatsomepeoplebelievedtobeamasculinecharacter，exceptasingularlyfranklookofcriticalinquiryandpatientattentioninherdarkeyes。Herlongbrownhairwassomewhatrigidlytwistedintoaknotonthetopofherhead，asifmoreforsecuritythanornament。Brownwasalsotheprevailingtintofhereyebrows，thickly-seteyelashes，andeyes，andwasevensuggestedintheslightsallownessofhercomplexion。Butherlipswerewell-cutandfresh-coloredandherhandsandfeetsmallandfinelyformed。Shewouldhavepassedforaprettygirl，hadshenotsuggestedsomethingmore。

Shesatdown，andbegantoexamineapileofpapersbeforeherwiththatconcentrationandattentiontodetailwhichwascharacteristicofhereyes，pausingattimeswithprettilyknitbrows，andherpenholderbetweenherlips，inthesemblanceofapoutthatwaspleasantenoughtosee。Suddenlytherattleofhoofsandwheelsstruckherwiththesenseofsomethingforgotten，andsheputdownherworkquicklyandstooduplistening。Thesoundofroughvoicesandherfather"squerulousaccentswasbrokenuponbyacultivatedandmorefamiliarutterance:"Allright；I"llspeaktoheratonce。

Waitthere，"andthedooropenedtothewell-knownphysicianofBurntRidge，Dr。Duchesne。

"Lookhere，"hesaid，withanabruptnessthatwasonlysavedfrombeingbrusquebyasofterintonationandareassuringsmile，"ImetMiguelhelpinganaccidentintoyourbuggy。Yourorders，eh?"

"Oh，yes，"saidJosephine，quietly。"AmanIsawontheroad。"

"Well，it"sabadcase，andwantspromptattention。AndasyourhouseisthenearestIcamewithhimhere。"

Certainly，"shesaidgravely。"Takehimtothesecondroombeyond——

Steve"sroom——it"sready，"sheexplainedtotwoduskyshadowsinthehallbehindthedoctor。

"Andlookhere，"saidthedoctor，partlyclosingthedoorbehindhimandregardingherwithcriticaleyes，"youalwayssaidyou"dliketoseesomeofmyqueercases。Well，thisisone——aseriousone，too；infact，it"sjusttouchandgowithhim。There"sapieceofthebonepressingonthebrainnobiggerthanthat，butasmuchasifallBurntRidgewasatopofhim!I"mgoingtoliftit。

Iwantsomebodyheretostandby，someonewhocanlendahandwithasponge，eh?——someonewhoisn"tgoingtofaintorscream，orevenshakeahair"s-breadth，eh?"

Thecolorrosequicklytothegirl"scheek，andhereyeskindled。

"I"llcome，"shesaidthoughtfully。"Whoishe?"

Thedoctorstaredslightlyattheunessentialquery。"Don"tknow，——

oneoftheriverminers，Ireckon。It"sanurgentcase。I"llgoandgeteverythingready。You"dbetter，"headded，withanominousglanceathergrayfrock，"putsomethingoveryourdress。"Thesuggestionmadehergrave，butdidnotalterhercolor。

Amomentlatersheenteredtheroom。Itwastheonethathadalwaysbeensetapartforherbrother:theverybedonwhichtheunconsciousmanlayhadbeenarrangedthatmorningwithherownhands。Somethingofthispassedthroughhermindasshesawthatthedoctorhadwheeleditbeneaththestronglightinthecentreoftheroom，strippeditsoutercoveringswithprofessionalthoughtfulness，andrearrangedthemattresses。Butitdidnotseemlikethesameroom。Therewasapungentodorintheairfromsomefreshly-openedphial；analmostfeminineneatnessandluxuryinanopenmoroccocaselikeajewelboxonthetable，shiningwithspotlesssteel。Attheheadofthebedoneofherownservants，thepowerfulmillforeman，wasassistingwiththemingledcuriosityandblaseexperienceofoneaccustomedtosmashedandlacerateddigits。Atfirstshedidnotlookatthecentralunconsciousfigureonthebed，whosesufferingsseemedtohertohavebeenvicariouslytransferredtotheconcerned，eager，anddrawnfacesthatlookeddownuponitsimmunity。Thenshefemininelyrecoiledbeforethebaredwhiteneckandshouldersdisplayedabovethequilt，until，forcingherselftolookuponthefacehalf-concealedbybandagesandtheheadfromwhichthedarktanglesofhairhadbeenruthlesslysheared，shebegantosharethedoctor"sunconcerninhispersonality。WhatmatteredwhoorwhatHEwas?Itwas——acase!

Theoperationbegan。Withthesameearnestintelligencethatshehadpreviouslyshown，shequicklyandnoiselesslyobeyedthedoctor"swhisperedorders，andevenhalfanticipatedthem。Shewasconsciousofasingularcuriositythat，farfrombeingmeanorignoble，seemedtolifthernotonlyabovetheordinaryweaknessesofherownsex，butmadehersuperiortothemenaroundher。

Almostbeforesheknewit，theoperationwasover，andsheregardedwithequalcuriositytheostentatioussolicitudewithwhichthedoctorseemedtobewipinghisfatefulinstrumentthatboreanoddresemblancetoasilver-handledcentre-bit。Thestertorousbreathingbelowthebandageshadgivenwaytoafainterbutmorenaturalrespiration。Therewasamomentofsuspense。Thedoctor"shandleftthepulseandliftedtheclosedeyelidofthesufferer。

Aslightmovementpassedoverthefigure。Thesluggishfacehadcleared；lifeseemedtostrugglebackintoitbeforeeventhedulleyesparticipatedintheglow。Dr。Duchesnewithasuddengesturewavedasidehiscompanions，butnotbeforeJosephinehadbentherheadeagerlyforward。

"Heiscomingto，"shesaid。

Atthesoundofthatdeepclearvoice——thefirsttobreakthehushoftheroom——thedulleyesleapedup，andtheheadturnedinitsdirection。Thelipsmovedandutteredasinglerapidsentence。

Thegirlrecoiled。

"You"reallrightnow，"saidthedoctor，cheerfully，intentonlyupontheformbeforehim。

Thelipsmovedagain，butthistimefeeblyandvacantly；theeyeswerestaringvaguelyaround。

"What"smatter?What"sallabout?"saidtheman，thickly。

"You"vehadafall。Thinkamoment。Wheredoyoulive?"

Againthelipsmoved，butthistimeonlytoemitaconfused，incoherentmurmur。Dr。Duchesnelookedgrave，butrecoveredhimselfquickly。

"Thatwilldo。Leavehimalonenow，"hesaidbrusquelytotheothers。

ButJosephinelingered。

"Hespokewellenoughjustnow，"shesaideagerly。"Didyouhearwhathesaid?"

"Notexactly，"saidthedoctor，abstractedly，gazingattheman。

"Hesaid，"You"llhavetokillmefirst，""saidJosephine，slowly。

"Humph；"saidthedoctor，passinghishandbackwardsandforwardsbeforetheman"seyestonoteanychangeinthestaringpupils。

"Yes，"continuedJosephine，gravely。"Isuppose，"sheadded，cautiously，"hewasthinkingoftheoperation——ofwhatyouhadjustdonetohim?"

"WhatIhaddonetohim?Oh，yes!"

CHAPTERII

BeforenoonthenextdayitwasknownthroughoutBurntRidgeValleythatDr。Duchesnehadperformedadifficultoperationuponanunknownman，whohadbeenpickedupunconsciousfromafall，andcarriedtoBurntRidgeRanch。Butalthoughtheunfortunateman"slifewassavedbytheoperation，hehadonlymomentarilyrecoveredconsciousness——relapsingintoasemi-idioticstate，whicheffectivelystoppedthediscoveryofanycluetohisfriendsorhisidentity。AsitwasevidentlyanACCIDENT，which，inthatrudecommunity——andeveninsomemorecivilizedones——conveyedavagueimpressionofsomecontributaryincapacityonthepartofthevictim，orsomeProvidentialinterferenceofaretributivecharacter，BurntRidgegaveitselflittletroubleaboutit。ItisunnecessarytosaythatMr。andMrs。ForsythgavethemselvesandJosephinemuchmore。Theyhadatheoryandagrievance。Satisfiedfromthefirstthattheallegedvictimwasadrunkentramp，whosubmittedtohaveaholeboredinhisheadinordertofoisthimselfupontheranch，theywereloudintheirprotests，evenhintingataconspiracybetweenJosephineandthestrangertosupplantherbrotherintheproperty，ashehadalreadyinthesparebedroom。"Didn"tallthatyerhappenTHEVERYNIGHTshepretendedtogoforStephen——eh?"saidMrs。Forsyth。"Tellmethat!Anddidn"tshehaveitallarrangedwiththebuggytobringhimhere，asthatsneakingdoctorletout——eh?Looksmightycurious，don"tit?"shemuttereddarklytotheoldman。Butalthoughthatgentleman，evenfromhisownselfishview，wouldscarcelyhavesubmittedtoasurgicaloperationandlateridiocyasthepriceofinsuringcomfortabledependency，hehadnodoubtotherswerebaseenoughtodoit；andlentawillingeartohiswife"ssuspicions。

Josephine"spersonalknowledgeofthestrangerwentlittlefurther。

DoctorDuchesnehadconfessedtoherhisprofessionaldisappointmentattheincompleteresultsoftheoperation。Hehadsavedtheman"slife，butasyetnothisreason。Therewasstillhope，however，forthediagnosisrevealednothingthatmightprejudiceafavorableprogress。Itwasamostinterestingcase。Hewouldwatchitcarefully，andassoonasthepatientcouldberemovedwouldtakehimtothecountyhospital，where，underhisowneyes，thepoorfellowwouldhavethebenefitofthelatestscienceandthehighestspecialists。Physically，hewasdoingremarkablywell；indeed，hemusthavebeenafineyoungchap，freefrombloodtaintorviciouscomplication，whosefleshhadhealedlikeaninfant"s。ItshouldberecordedthatitwasatthisjuncturethatMrs。ForsythfirstlearntthataSILVERPLATEletintotheartfulstranger"sskullwasanadjunctofthehealingprocess!Convincedthatthisinfamousextravagancewaspartandparceloftheconspiracy，andwasonlythebeginningofotherassimilationsoftheForsyths"metallicsubstance；thattheplatewasprobablypolishedandburnishedwithafulsomeinscriptiontothedoctor"sskill，andwouldpassintothepossessionandadornmentofaperfectstranger，herrageknewnobounds。Heorhisfriendsoughttobemadetopayforitorworkitout!Invainitwasdeclaredthatafewdollarswereallthatwasfoundintheman"spocket，andthatnomemorandagaveanyindicationofhisname，friends，orhistorybeyondthesuggestionthathecamefromadistance。Thiswasclearlyapartoftheconspiracy!EvenJosephine"spracticalgoodsensewasobligedtotakenoteofthissingularabsenceofallrecordregardinghim，andtheapparentobliterationofeverythingthatmightberesponsibleforhisultimatefate。

Homeless，friendless，helpless，andevennameless，theunfortunatemanoftwenty-fivewasthuslefttothetendermerciesofthemistressofBurntRidgeRanch，asifhehadbeenanew-bornfoundlinglaidatherdoor。Butthismereclaimofweaknesswasnotall；itwassupplementedbyasingularpersonalappealtoJosephine"snature。Fromthetimethatheturnedhisheadtowardshervoiceonthatfatefulnight，hiseyeshadalwaysfollowedheraroundtheroomwithawondering，yearning，caninehalf-

intelligence。Withoutbeingabletoconvinceherselfthatheunderstoodherbetterthanhisregularattendantfurnishedbythedoctor，shecouldnotfailtoseethatheobeyedherimplicitly，andthatwheneveranydifficultyarosebetweenhimandhisnurseshewasalwaysappealedto。HerprideinthisproofofherpracticalsovereigntyWASflattered；andwhenDoctorDuchesnefinallyadmittedthatalthoughthepatientwasnowphysicallyabletoberemovedtothehospital，yethewouldloseinthechangethatverystrongfactorwhichJosephinehadbecomeinhismentalrecovery，theyounggirlasfranklysuggestedthatheshouldstayaslongastherewasanyhopeofrestoringhisreason。DoctorDuchesnewasdelighted。Withallhisenthusiasmforscience，hehadaprofessionaldistrustofsomeofitsdisciples，andperhapswasnotsorrytokeepthismostinterestingcaseinhisownhands。

Tohimhersuggestionwasonlyawomanlykindness，temperedwithwomanlycuriosity。Buttheastonishmentandstupefactionofherparentsatthisevidentcorroborationofsuspicionstheyhadasyetonlyhalfbelievedwastingedwithsuperstitiousdread。Hadshefalleninlovewiththishelplessstranger?or，moreawfultocontemplate，washereallynostranger，butasurreptitiousloverthusstrategicallybroughtunderherroof?Foroncetheyrefrainedfromopencriticism。Theverymagnitudeoftheirsuspicionsleftthemdumb。

ItwasthusthatthevirginChatelaineofBurntRidgeRanchwaslefttogazeuntrammeleduponherpaleandhandsomeguest，whosesilken，beardedlipsandsad，childlikeeyesmighthavesuggestedamoreExaltedSuffererintheirabsenceofanysuggestionofagrossermaterialmanhood。Buteventhisimaginativeappealdidnotenterintoherfeelings。Shefeltforhergood-looking，helplesspatientaprofoundandhonestpity。Idonotknowwhethershehadeverheardthat"pitywasakintolove。"Shewouldprobablyhaveresentedthatutterlyuntenableandatrociouscommonplace。Therewasnosuggestion，realorillusive，ofanypreviousmasterfulqualityinthemanwhichmighthavemadehispresentdependentconditionpicturesquebycontrast。Hehadcometoherhandicappedbyanunromanticaccidentandapracticalwantofenergyandintellect。Hewouldhavetotouchherinterestanewif，indeed，hewouldeversucceedindispellingtheoldimpression。Hisbeauty，inacommunityofpicturesquelyhandsomemen，hadlittleweightwithher，excepttoaccentthecontrastwiththeirfullermanhood。

Herlifehadgivenhernoillusionsinregardtotheothersex。

Shehadfoundthem，however，morecongenialandsafercompanionsthanwomen，andmoreaccessibletoherownsenseofjusticeandhonor。Inreturn，theyhadrespectedandadmiredratherthanlovedher，inspiteofherwomanlygraces。Ifshehadattimescontemplatedeventualmarriage，itwasonlyasapossiblepracticalpartnershipinherbusiness；butasshelivedinacountrywherementhoughtitdishonorableandaproofofincompetencytorisebytheirwives"superiorfortune，shehadbeenfreefromthatkindofmercenarypersecution，evenfrommenwhomighthaveworshipedherinhopelessandsilenthonor。

Forthisreason，therewasnothinginthesituationthatsuggestedasinglecompromisingspeculationinthemindsoftheneighbors，ordisturbedherowntranquillity。Thereseemedtobenothinginthefutureexceptapossiblerelieftohercuriosity。Somedaytheunfortunateman"sreasonwouldberestored，andhewouldtellhissimplehistory。Perhapshemightexplainwhatwasinhismindwhenheturnedtoherthefirsteveningwiththatsingularsentencewhichhadoftenrecurredstrangelytoher，sheknewnotwhy。Itdidnotstrikeheruntillaterthatitwasbecauseithadbeenthesolitaryindicationofanenergyandcapacitythatseemedunlikehim。Nevertheless，afterthatexplanation，shewouldhavebeenquitewillingtohaveshakenhandswithhimandparted。

Andyet——fortherewasanunexpressedremainderinherthought——

shewasneverentirelyfreeoruninfluencedinhispresence。Theflickeringvacancyofhissadeyessometimesbecamefixedwitharesoluteimmobilityunderthegentlequestioningwithwhichshehadsoughttodrawouthisfaculties，thatbothpiquedandexasperatedher。Hecouldsay"Yes"and"No，"asshethoughtintelligently，buthecouldnotutteracoherentsentencenorwriteaword，exceptlikeachildinimitationofhiscopy。Shetaughthimtorepeatafterherthenamesoftheinanimateobjectsintheroom，thenthenamesofthedoctor，hisattendant，theservant，and，finally，herownunderherChristianprenomen，withfrontierfamiliarity；butwhenshepointedtohimselfhewaitedforHERtonamehim!Invainshetriedhimwithallthemasculinenamessheknew；hiswasnotoneofthem，orhewouldnotorcouldnotspeakit。Forattimessherejectedtheprofessionaldictumofthedoctorthatthefacultyofmemorywaswhollyparalyzedorheldinabeyance，eventothehalf-automaticrecollectionofhisletters，yetsheinconsistentlybegantoteachhimthealphabetwiththesamemethod，and——inhersublimeunconsciousnessofhismanhood——withthesamedisciplineasifhewereaverychild。Whenhehadrecoveredsufficientlytoleavehisroom，shewouldleadhimtotheporchbeforeherwindow，andmakehimcontentedandhappybyallowinghimtowatchheratworkatherdesk，occasionallyansweringhiswonderingeyeswithaword，orstirringhisfacultieswithaquestion。Igrievetosaythatherparentshadtakenadvantageofthispublicityandhissupposedhelplessconditiontoshowtheirdisgustofhisassumption，totheextremeofmakingfacesathim——anactwhichheresentedwithsuchafuriousglarethattheyretreatedhurriedlytotheirownveranda。Afreshthoughsomewhatinconsistentgrievancewasaddedtotheirpreviousindictmentofhim:"Ifweain"tfounddeadinourbedwithourthroatscutbythatwoman"scrazyhusband"(theyhadsettledbythistimethattherehadbeenaclandestinemarriage)，"we"llbelucky，"groanedMrs。Forsyth。

Meantime，themountainsummerwaxedtoitsfullnessoffireandfruition。Thereweredayswhenthecrowdedforestseemedchokedandimpededwithitsownfoliage，andpungentandstiflingwithitsownrankmaturity；whenthelonghillsideranksofwildoats，thicksetandimpassable，filledtheairwiththeheateddustofgermination。Inthisquickeningirritationoflifeitwouldbestrangeiftheunfortunateman"storpidintellectwasnothelpedinitsawakening，andhewasallowedtorambleatwillovertheranch；

butwiththeinstinctofadomesticanimalhealwaysreturnedtothehouse，andsatintheporch，whereJosephineusuallyfoundhimawaitingherwhensheherselfreturnedfromavisittothemill。

Comingthenceonedaysheespiedhimonthemountain-sideleaningagainstaprojectingledgeinanattitudesoraptandimmovablethatshefeltcompelledtoapproachhim。Heappearedtobedumblyabsorbedintheprospect，whichmighthaveintoxicatedasanermind。

Halfveiledbytheheatthatrosequiveringlyfromthefierycanyonbelow，thedomainofBurntRidgestretchedawaybeforehim，until，liftedinsuccessiveterraceshearsedandplumedwithpines，itwasatlastlostintheghostlysnow-peaks。ButthepracticalJosephineseizedtheopportunitytotryoncemoretoawakentheslumberingmemoryofherpupil。Followinghisgazewithsignsandquestions，shesoughttodrawfromhimsomeindicationoffamiliarrecollectionofcertainpointsofthemapthusunrolledbehindhim。

Butinvain。Sheevenpointedoutthefatefulshadowoftheoverhangingledgeontheroadwhereshehadpickedhimup——therewasnoresponseinhisabstractedeyes。Shebitherlips；shewasbecomingirritatedagain。Thenitoccurredtoherthat，insteadofappealingtohishopelessmemory，shehadbettertrusttosomeunreflectiveautomaticinstinctindependentofit，andsheputthequestionalittleforward:"Whenyouleaveus，wherewillyougofromhere?"Hestirredslightly，andturnedtowardsher。Sherepeatedherqueryslowlyandpatiently，withsignsandgesturesrecognizedbetweenthem。Afaintglowofintelligencestruggledintohiseyes:heliftedhisarmslowly，andpointed。

"Ah!thosewhitepeaks——theSierras?"sheasked，eagerly。Noreply。"Beyondthem?"

"Yes。"

"TheStates?"Noreply。"Furtherstill?"

Heremainedsopatientlyquietandstillpointingthatsheleanedforward，and，followingwithhereyesthedirectionofhishand，sawthathewaspointingtothesky!

Thenagreatquietfelluponthem。Thewholemountain-sideseemedtohertobehushed，asiftoallowhertograspandrealizeforthefirsttimethepathosoftheruinedlifeatherside，whichIT

hadknownsolong，butwhichshehadneverfelttillnow。Thetearscametohereyes；inherswiftrevulsionoffeelingshecaughtthethinupliftedhandbetweenherown。Itseemedtoherthathewasabouttoraisethemtohislips，butshewithdrewthemhastily，andmovedaway。Shehadastrangefearthatifhehadkissedthem，itmightseemasifsomedumbanimalhadtouchedthem——

or——ITMIGHTNOT。Thenextdayshefeltaconsciousnessofthisinhispresence，andawishthathewaswell-curedandaway。ShedeterminedtoconsultDr。Duchesneonthesubjectwhenhenextcalled。

Butthedoctor，secureinthewelfareofhispatient，hadnotvisitedhimlately，andshefoundherselfpresentlyabsorbedinthebusinessoftheranch，whichatthisseasonwasparticularlytrying。TherehadalsobeenaquarrelbetweenDickShipley，hermillforeman，andMiguel，herablestandmosttrustedvaquero，andinherstrictsenseofimpartialjusticeshewasobligedtosideonthemeritsofthecasewithShipleyagainstheroldestretainer。

Thistroubledher，assheknewthatwiththeMexicannature，fidelityandloyaltywerenotunmixedwithquickandunreasoningjealousy。Forthisreasonshewassomewhatwatchfulofthetwomenwhenworkwasover，andtherewasachanceoftheirbeingthrowntogether。OnceortwiceshehadremaineduplatetomeetMiguelreturningfromtheposadaatSanRamon，filledwithaguardienteandarecollectionofhiswrongs，andtoseehimsafelybestowedbeforesheherselfretired。Itwasononeofthoseoccasions，however，thatshelearnedthatDickShipley，hearingthatMiguelhaddisparagedhimfreelyattheposada，hadbrokenthedisciplineoftheranch，andabsentedhimselfthesamenightthatMiguel"hadleave，"withaviewoffacinghisantagonistonhisownground。Topreventthis，thefearlessgirlatoncesecretlysetoutalonetoovertakeandbringbackthedelinquent。

FortwoorthreehoursthehousewasthuslefttothesoleoccupancyofMr。andMrs。Forsythandtheinvalid——afactonlydimlysuspectedbythelatter，whohadbecomevaguelyconsciousofJosephine"sanxiety，andhadnoticedtheabsenceoflightandmovementinherroom。Forthisreason，therefore，havingrisenagainandmechanicallytakenhisseatintheporchtoawaitherreturn，hewasstartledbyhearingHERvoiceintheshadowofthelowerporch，accompaniedbyahurriedtappingagainstthedooroftheoldcouple。Thehalf-reasoningmanarose，andwouldhavemovedtowardsit，butsuddenlyhestoppedrigidly，withwhiteandpartedlipsandvacantlydistendedeyeballs。