第4章
Gentlemen:Ireceivedyourletterto-daybypost，inregardtotheransomyouaskforthereturnofmyson。
Ithinkyouarealittlehighinyourdemands，andIherebymakeyouacounter-proposition，whichIaminclinedtobelieveyouwillaccept。YoubringJohnnyhomeandpaymetwohundredandfiftydollarsincash，andIagreetotakehimoffyourhands。Youhadbettercomeatnight，fortheneighboursbelieveheislost，andIcouldn"tberesponsibleforwhattheywoulddotoanybodytheysawbringinghimback。Veryrespectfully，EBENEZERDORSET。
"GreatpiratesofPenzance!"saysI；"ofalltheimpudent——"
ButIglancedatBill，andhesitated。HehadthemostappealinglookinhiseyesIeversawonthefaceofadumboratalkingbrute。
"Sam，"sayshe，"what"stwohundredandfiftydollars，afterall？We"vegotthemoney。OnemorenightofthiskidwillsendmetoabedinBedlam。Besidesbeingathoroughgentleman，IthinkMr。Dorsetisaspend-
thriftformakingussuchaliberaloffer。Youain"tgoingtoletthechancego，areyou？"
"Tellyouthetruth，Bill，"saysI，"thislittleheewelambhassomewhatgotonmynervestoo。We"lltakehimhome，paytheransomandmakeourget-away。"
Wetookhimhomethatnight。Wegothimtogobytellinghimthathisfatherhadboughtasilver-mountedrifleandapairofmoccasinsforhim，andweweregoingtohuntbearsthenextday。
Itwasjusttwelveo"clockwhenweknockedatEbene-
zer"sfrontdoor。JustatthemomentwhenIshouldhavebeenabstractingthefifteenhundreddollarsfromtheboxunderthetree，accordingtotheoriginalproposition，BillwascountingouttwohundredandfiftydollarsintoDorset"shand。
WhenthekidfoundoutweweregoingtoleavehimathomehestartedupahowllikeacalliopeandfastenedhimselfastightasaleechtoBill"sleg。Hisfatherpeeledhimawaygradually，likeaporousplaster。
"Howlongcanyouholdhim？"asksBill。
"I"mnotasstrongasIusedtobe，"saysoldDorset，"butIthinkIcanpromiseyoutenminutes。"
"Enough，"saysBill。"IntenminutesIshallcrosstheCentral，SouthernandMiddleWesternStates，andbeleggingittrippinglyfortheCanadianborder。"
And，asdarkasitwas，andasfatasBillwas，andasgoodarunnerasIam，hewasagoodmileandahalfoutofSummitbeforeIcouldcatchupwithhim。
THEMARRYMONTHOFMAY
PRITHEE，smitethepoetintheeyewhenhewouldsingtoyoupraisesofthemonthofMay。Itisamonthpresidedoverbythespiritsofmischiefandmadness。
Pixiesandflibbertigibbetshauntthebuddingwoods:
Puckandhistrainofmidgetsarebusyintownandcountry。
InMaynatureholdsupatusachidingfinger，biddingusrememberthatwearenotgods，butoverconceitedmembersofherowngreatfamily。Sheremindsusthatwearebrotherstothechowder-doomedclamandthedonkey；linealscionsofthepansyandthechimpanzee，andbutcousins-germantothecooingdoves，thequackingducksandthehousemaidsandpolicemenintheparks。
InMayCupidshootsblindfolded——millionairesmarrystenographers；wiseprofessorswoowhite-apronedgum-
chewersbehindquick-lunchcounters；schoolma"amsmakebigbadboysremainafterschool；ladswithladderssteallightlyoverlawnswhereJulietwaitsinhertrellissedwindowwithhertelescopepacked；youngcouplesoutforawalkcomehomemarried；oldchapsputonwhitespatsandpromenadeneartheNormalSchool；evenmarriedmen，grownunwontedlytenderandsentimental，whacktheirspousesonthebackandgrowl:"Howgoesit，oldgirl:"
ThisMay，whoisnogoddess，butCirce，masqueradingatthedancegiveninhonourofthefaird閎utante，Sum-
mer，putsthekiboshonusall。
OldMr。Coulsongroanedalittle，andthensatupstraightinhisinvalid"schair。Hehadthegoutverybadinonefoot，ahousenearGramercyPark，halfamilliondollarsandadaughter。Andhehadahouse-
keeper，Mrs。Widdup。Thefactandthenamedeserveasentenceeach。Theyhaveit。
WhenMaypokedMr。Coulsonhebecameelderbrothertotheturtle-dove。Inthewindownearwhichhesatwereboxesofjonquils，ofhyacinths，geraniumsandpansies。Thebreezebroughttheirodourintotheroom。
Immediatelytherewasawell-contestedroundbetweenthebreathoftheflowersandtheableandactiveeffluviumfromgoutliniment。Thelinimentwoneasily；butnotbeforetheflowersgotanuppercuttooldMr。Coulson"snose。Thedeadlyworkoftheimplacable，falseenchant-
ressMaywasdone。
AcrosstheparktotheolfactoriesofMr。Coulsoncameotherunmistakable，characteristic，copyrightedsmellsofspringthatbelongtothe-big-city-above-the-Subway，alone。Thesmellsofhotasphalt，undergroundcaverns，gasoline，patchouli，orangepeel，sewergas，Albanygrabs，Egyptiancigarettes，mortarandtheundriedinkonnews-
papers。Theinblowingairwassweetandmild。Sparrowswrangledhappilyeverywhereoutdoors。NevertrustMay。
Mr。Coulsontwistedtheendsofhiswhitemustache，cursedhisfoot，andpoundedabellonthetablebyhisside。
IncameMrs。Widdup。Shewascomelytotheeye，fair，flustered，fortyandfoxy。
"Higginsisout，sir，"shesaid，withasmilesuggestiveofvibratorymassage。"Hewenttopostaletter。CanIdoanythingforyou，sir？"
"It"stimeformyaconite，"saidoldMr。Coulson。
"Dropitforme。Thebottle"sthere。Threedrops。
Inwater。D——thatis，confoundHiggins!There"snobodyinthishousecaresifIdiehereinthischairforwantofattention。"
Mrs。Widdupsigheddeeply。
"Don"tbesayingthat，sir，"shesaid。"There"sthemthatwouldcaremorethananyoneknows。Thirteendrops，yousaid，sir？"
"Three，"saidoldmanCoulson。
HetookhisdoseandthenMrs。Widdup"shand。Sheblushed。Oh，yes，itcanbedone。Justholdyourbreathandcompressthediaphragm。
"Mrs。Widdup，"saidMr。Coulson，"thespringtime"sfulluponus。"
"Ain"tthatright？"saidMrs。Widdup。"Theair"srealwarm。Andthere"sbock-beersignsoneverycorner。
Andthepark"sallyallerandpinkandbluewithflowers；
andIhavesuchshootingpainsupmylegsandbody。"
""Inthespring，""quotedMr。Coulson，curlinghismustache，""ay——thatis，aman"s——fancylightlyturnstothoughtsoflove。""
"Lawsy，now!"exclaimedMrs。Widdup；"ain"tthatright？Seemslikeit"sintheair。"
""Inthespring，""continuedoldMr。Coulson，""alivelieririsshinesupontheburnisheddove。""
"Theydobelively，theIrish，"sighedMrs。Widduppensively。
"Mrs。Widdup，"saidMr。Coulson，makingafaceatatwingeofhisgoutyfoot，"thiswouldbealonesomehousewithoutyou。I"man——thatis，I"manelderlyman——butI"mworthacomfortablelotofmoney。Ifhalfamilliondollars"worthofGovernmentbondsandthetrueaffectionofaheartthat，thoughnolongerbeatingwiththefirstardourofyouth，canstillthrobwithgenuine——"
Theloudnoiseofanoverturnedchairneartheporti鑢esoftheadjoiningroominterruptedthevenerableandscarcelysuspectingvictimofMay。
InstalkedMissVanMeekerConstantiaCoulson，bony，durable，tall，high-nosed，frigid，well-bred，thirty-five，in-the-neighbourhood-of-Gramercy-Parkish。Sheputupalorgnette。Mrs。WidduphastilystoopedandarrangedthebandagesonMr。Coulson"sgoutyfoot。
"IthoughtHigginswaswithyou，"saidMissVanMeekerConstantia。
"Higginswentout，"explainedherfather，"andMrs。
Widdupansweredthebell。Thatisbetternow，Mrs。
Widdup，thankyou。No；thereisnothingelseIrequire。"
Thehousekeeperretired，pinkunderthecool，inquiringstareofMissCoulson。
"Thisspringweatherislovely，isn"tit，daughter？"
saidtheoldman，consciouslyconscious。
"That"sjustit，"repliedMissVanMeekerConstantiaCoulson，somewhatobscurely。"WhendoesMrs。Wid-
dupstartonhervacation，papa？"
"Ibelieveshesaidaweekfromto-day，"saidMr。
Coulson。
MissVanMeekerConstantiastoodforaminuteatthewindowgazing，towardthelittlepark，floodedwiththemellowafternoonsunlight。Withtheeyeofabotanistsheviewedtheflowers——mostpotentweaponsofinsid-
iousMay。WiththecoolpulsesofavirginofCologneshewithstoodtheattackoftheetherealmildness。Thearrowsofthepleasantsunshinefellback，frostbitten，fromthecoldpanoplyofherunthrilledbosom。Theodouroftheflowerswakednosoftsentimentsintheunexploredrecessesofherdormantheart。Thechirpofthesparrowsgaveherapain。ShemockedatMay。
ButalthoughMissCoulsonwasproofagainsttheseason，shewaskeenenoughtoestimateitspower。Sheknewthatelderlymenandthick-waistedwomenjumpedaseducatedfleasintheridiculoustrainofMay，themerrymockerofthemonths。Shehadheardoffoolisholdgentlemenmarryingtheirhousekeepersbefore。Whatahumiliatingthing，afterall，wasthisfeelingcalledlove!
Thenextmorningat8o"clock，whentheicemancalled，thecooktoldhimthatMissCoulsonwantedtoseehiminthebasement。
"Well，ain"tItheOlcottandDepew；notmentioningthefirstnameatall？"saidtheiceman，admiringly，ofhimself。
Asaconcessionherolledhissleevesdown，droppedhisicehooksonasyringeandwentback。WhenMissVanMeekerConstantiaCoulsonaddressedhimhetookoffhisbat。
"Thereisarearentrancetothisbasement，"saidMissCoulson，"whichcanbereachedbydrivingintothevacantlotnextdoor，wheretheyareexcavatingforabuilding。Iwantyoutobringinthatwaywithintwohours1，000poundsofice。Youmayhavetobringanothermanortwotohelpyou。IwillshowyouwhereIwantitplaced。Ialsowant1，000poundsadaydeliveredthesamewayforthenextfourdays。Yourcompanymaychargetheiceonourregularbill。Thisisforyourextratrouble。"
MissCoulsontenderedaten-dollarbill。Theicemanbowed，andheldhishatinhistwohandsbehindhim。
"Notifyou"llexcuseme，lady。It"llbeapleasuretofixthingsupforyouanywayyouplease。"
AlasforMay!
AboutnoonMr。Coulsonknockedtwoglassesoffhistable，brokethespringofhisbellandyelledforHigginsatthesametime。
"Bringanaxe，"commandedMr。Coulson，sardoni-
cally，"orsendoutforaquartofprussicacid，orhaveapolicemancomeinandshootme。I"dratherthatthanbefrozentodeath。"
"Itdoesseemtobegettingcool，Sir，"saidHiggins。
"Ihadn"tnoticeditbefore。I"llclosethewindow，Sir。"
"Do，"saidMr。Coulson。"Theycallthisspring，dothey？IfitkeepsuplongI"llgobacktoPalmBeach。
Housefeelslikeamorgue。"
LaterMissCoulsondutifullycameintoinquirehowthegoutwasprogressing。
""Stantia，"saidtheoldman，"howistheweatherout-
doors？"
"Bright，"answeredMissCoulson，"butchilly。"
"Feelslikethedeadofwintertome，"saidMr。Coulson。
"Aninstance，"saidConstantia，gazingabstractedlyoutthewindow，"of"winterlingeringinthelapofspring，"
thoughthemetaphorisnotinthemostrefinedtaste。"
AlittlelatershewalkeddownbythesideofthelittleparkandonwestwardtoBroadwaytoaccomplishalittleshopping。
AlittlelaterthanthatMrs。Widdupenteredtheinvalid"sroom。
"Didyouring，Sir？"sheasked，dimplinginmanyplaces。"IaskedHigginstogotothedrugstore，andI
thoughtIheardyourbell。"
"Ididnot，"saidMr。Coulson。
"I"mafraid，"saidMrs。Widdup，"Iinterruptedyousir，yesterdaywhenyouwereabouttosaysomething。"
"Howcomesit，Mrs。Widdup，"saidoldmanCoulsonsternly，"thatIfinditsocoldinthishouse？"
"Cold，Sir？"saidthehousekeeper，"why，now，sinceyouspeakofititdoseemcoldinthisroom。But，out-
doorsit"saswarmandfineasJune，sir。Andhowthisweatherdoseemtomakeone"sheartjumpoutofone"sshirtwaist，sir。Andtheivyallleavedoutonthesideofthehouse，andthehand-organsplaying，andthechildrendancingonthesidewalk——"tisagreattimeforspeakingoutwhat"sintheheart。Youweresayingyesterday，sir——"
"Woman!"roaredMr。Coulson；"youareafool。I
payyoutotakecareofthishouse。Iamfreezingtodeathinmyownroom，andyoucomeinanddriveltomeaboutivyandhand-organs。Getmeanovercoatatonce。Seethatalldoorsandwindowsareclosedbelow。
Anold，fat，irresponsible，one-sidedobjectlikeyouprat-
ingaboutspringtimeandflowersinthemiddleofwinter!
WhenHigginscomesback，tellhimtobringmeahotrumpunch。Andnowgetout!"
ButwhoshallshamethebrightfaceofMay？Roguethoughshebeanddisturberofsanemen"speace，nowisevirginscunningnorcoldstorageshallmakeherbowherheadinthebrightgalaxyofmonths。
Oh，yes，thestorywasnotquitefinished。
Anightpassed，andHigginshelpedoldmanCoulsoninthemorningtohischairbythewindow。Thecoldoftheroomwasgone。Heavenlyodoursandfragrantmild-
nessentered。
InhurriedMrs。Widdup，andstoodbyhischair。Mr。
Coulsonreachedhisbonyhandandgraspedherplumpone。
"Mrs。Widdup，"hesaid，"thishousewouldbenohomewithoutyou。Ihavehalfamilliondollars。Ifthatandthetrueaffectionofaheartnolonoerinitsyouthfulprime，butstillnotcold，could——"
"Ifoundoutwhatmadeitcold，"saidMrs。Widdup，leanin"againsthischair。""Twasice——tonsofit——
inthebasementandinthefurnaceroom，everywhere。I
shutofftheregistersthatitwascomingthroughintoyourroom，Mr。Coulson，poorsoul!Andnowit"sMaytimeagain。"
"Atrueheart，"wentonoldmanCoulson，alittlewanderingly，"thatthespringtimehasbroughttolifeagain，and——butwhatwillmydaughtersay，Mrs。
Widdup？"
"Neverfear，sir，"saidMrs。Widdup，cheerfully。
"MissCoulson，sheranawaywiththeicemanlastnight，sir!"
ATECHNICALERROR
Inevercaredespeciallyforfeuds，believingthemtobeevenmoreoverratedproductsofourcountrythangrapefruit，scrapple，orhoneymoons。Nevertheless，ifImaybeallowed，IwilltellyouofanIndianTerritoryfeudofwhichIwaspress-agent，camp-follower，andinaccessoryduringthefact。
IwasonavisittoSamDurkee"sranch，whereIhadagreattimefallingoffunmanicuredponiesandwavingmybarehandatthelowerjawsofwolvesabouttwomilesaway。Samwasahardenedpersonofabouttwenty-
five，withareputationforgoinghomeinthedarkwithperfectequanimity，thoughoftenwithreluctance。
OverintheCreekNationwasafamilybearingthenameofTatum。IwastoldthattheDurkeesandTatumshadbeenfeudingforyears。Severalofeachfamilyhadbittenthegrass，anditwasexpectedthatmoreNebuchad-
nezzarswouldfollow。Ayoungergenerationofeachfamilywasgrowingup，andthegrasswaskeepingpacewiththem。
ButIgatheredthattheyhadfoughtfairly；thattheyhadnotlainincornfieldsandaimedatthedivisionoftheirenemies"suspendersintheback——partly，perhaps，becausetherewerenocornfields，andnobodyworemorethanonesuspender。Norhadanywomanorchildofeitherhouseeverbeenharmed。Inthosedays——andyouwillfinditsoyet——theirwomenweresafe。
SamDurkeehadagirl。(Ifitwereanall-fictionmagazinethatIexpecttosellthisstoryto，Ishouldsay，"Mr。Durkeerejoicedinafianc閑。")HernamewasEllaBaynes。Theyappearedtobedevotedtoeachother，andtohaveperfectconfidenceineachother，asallcouplesdowhoareandhaveoraren"tandhaven"t。Shewastolerablypretty，withaheavymassofbrownhairthathelpedheralong。Heintroducedmetoher，whichseemednottolessenherpreferenceforhim；soIreasonedthattheyweresurelysoul-mates。
MissBayneslivedinKingfisher，twentymilesfromtheranch。Samlivedonagallopbetweenthetwoplaces。
OnedaytherecametoKingfisheracourageousyoungman，rathersmall，withsmoothfaceandregularfeatures。
Hemademanyinquiriesaboutthebusinessofthetown，andespeciallyoftheinhabitantscognominally。HesaidhewasfromMuscogee，andhelookedit，withhisyellowshoesandcrochetedfour-in-hand。ImethimoncewhenIrodeinforthemail。HesaidhisnamewasBeverlyTravers，whichseemedratherimprobable。
Therewereactivetimesontheranch，justthen，andSamwastoobusytogototownoften。Asanincom-
petentandgenerallyworthlessguest，itdevolveduponmetorideinforlittlethingssuchaspostcards，barrelsofflour，baking-powder，smoking-tobacco，and——lettersfromElla。
Oneday，whenIwasmessengerforhalfagrossofcigarettepapersandacoupleofwagontires，IsawtheallegedBeverlyTraversinayellow-wheeledbuggywithEllaBaynes，drivingabouttownasostentatiouslyastheblack，waxymudwouldpermit。Iknewthatthisinfor-
mationwouldbringnobalmofGileadtoSam"ssoul，soIrefrainedfromincludingitinthenewsofthecitythatIretailedonmyreturn。Butonthenextafternoonanelongatedex-cowboyofthenameofSimmons，anold-
timepalofSam"s，whokeptafeedstoreinKingfisher，rodeouttotheranchandrolledandburnedmanycigar-
ettesbeforehewouldtalk。Whenhedidmakeoration，hiswordswerethese:
"Say，Sam，there"sbeenadescriptionofagalootmiscallin"himselfBevel-edgedTravelsimpairingtheatmosphericairofKingfisherforthepasttwoweeks。
Youknowwhohewas？HewasnototherwisethanBenTatum，fromtheCreekNation，sonofoldGopherTatumthatyourUncleNewtshotlastFebruary。Youknowwhathedonethismorning？HekilledyourbrotherLester——shothimintheco"t-houseyard。"
IwonderedifSamhadheard。Hepulledatwigfromamesquitebush，cheweditgravely，andsaid:
"Hedid，didhe？HekilledLester？"
"Thesame，"saidSimmons。"Andhedidmore。
Herunawaywithyourgirl，thesameastosayMissEllaBaynes。Ithoughtyoumightliketoknow，soIrodeouttoimparttheinformation。"
"Iammuchobliged，Jim，"saidSam，takingthechewedtwigfromhismouth。"Yes，I"mgladyourodeOut。Yes，I"mrightglad。"
"Well，I"llberidin"back，Ireckon。ThatboyIleftinthefeedstoredon"tknowhayfromoats。HeshotLesterintheback。"
"Shothimintheback？"
"Yes，whilehewashitchin"hishoss。"
"I"mmuchobliged，Jim。"
"Ikindofthoughtyou"dliketoknowassoonasyoucould。"
"Comeinandhavesomecoffeebeforeyourideback，Jim？"
"Why，no，Ireckonnot；Imustgetbacktothestore。"
"Andyousay——"
"Yes，Sam。Everybodyseen"emdriveawaytogetherinabuckboard，withabigbundle，likeclothes，tiedupinthebackofit。Hewasdrivin"theteamhebroughtoverwithhimfromMuscogee。They"llbehardtoover-
takerightaway。"
"Andwhich——"
"Iwasgoin"ontotellyou。TheyleftontheGuthrieroad；butthere"snotellin"whichforksthey"lltake——
youknowthat。"
"Allright，Jim；muchobliged。"
"You"rewelcome，Sam。"
Simmonsrolledacigaretteandstabbedhisponywithbothheels。Twentyyardsawayhereinedupandcalledback:
"Youdon"twantno——assistance，asyoumightsay？"
"Notany，thanks。"
"Ididn"tthinkyouwould。Well，solong!"
Samtookoutandopenedabone-handledpocket-knifeandscrapedadriedpieceofmudfromhisleftboot。I
thoughtatfirsthewasgoingtoswearavendettaonthebladeofit，orrecite"TheGipsy"sCurse。"ThefewfeudsIhadeverseenorreadaboutusuallyopenedthatway。Thisoneseemedtobepresentedwithanewtreat-
ment。Thusofferedonthestage，itwouldhavebeenhissedoff，andoneofBelasco"sthrillingmelodramasdemandedinstead。
"Iwonder，"saidSam，withaprofoundlythoughtfulexpression，"ifthecookhasanycoldbeansleftover!"
HecalledWash，theNegrocook，andfindingthathehadsome，orderedhimtoheatupthepotandmakesomestrongcoffee。ThenwewentintoSam"sprivateroom，whereheslept，andkepthisarmoury，dogs，andthesad-
dlesofhisfavouritemounts。Hetookthreeorfoursix-
shootersoutofabookcaseandbegantolookthemover，whistling"TheCowboy"sLament"abstractedly。After-
wardheorderedthetwobesthorsesontheranchsaddledandtiedtothehitching-post。
Now，inthefeudbusiness，inallsectionsofthecountry，Ihaveobservedthatinoneparticularthereisadelicatebutstrictetiquettebelonging。Youmustnotmentionthewordorrefertothesubjectinthepresenceofafeudist。
Itwouldbemorereprehensiblethancommentinguponthemoleonthechinofyourrichaunt。Ifound，lateron，thatthereisanotherunwrittenrule，butIthinkthatbelongssolelytotheWest。
Ityetlackedtwohourstosupper-time；butintwentyminutesSamandIwereplungingdeepintothereheatedbeans，hotcoffee，andcoldbeef。
Nothinglikeagoodmealbeforealongride，"saidSam。"Eathearty。"
Ihadasuddensuspicion。
"Whydidyouhavetwohorsessaddled？"Iasked。
"One，two——one，two，"saidSam。"Youcancount，can"tyou？"
Hismathematicscarriedwithitamomentaryqualmandalesson。Thethoughthadnotoccurredtohimthatthethoughtcouldpossiblyoccurtomenottorideathissideonthatredroadtorevengeandjustice。Itwasthehighercalculus。Iwasbookedforthetrail。Ibegantoeatmorebeans。
Inanhourwesetforthatasteadygallopeastward。
OurhorseswereKentucky-bred，strengthenedbythemesquitegrassofthewest。BenTatum"ssteedsmayhavebeenswifter，andhehadagoodlead；butifhehadheardthepunctualthudsofthehoofsofthosetrailersofours，bornintheheartoffeudland，hemighthavefeltthatretributionwascreepinguponthehoof-printsofhisdappernags。
IknewthatBenTatum"scardtoplaywasflight——
flightuntilhecamewithinthesaferterritoryofhisownhenchmenandsupporters。Heknewthatthemanpur-
suinghimwouldfollowthetrailtoanyendwhereitmightlead。
DuringtherideSamtalkedoftheprospectforrain，ofthepriceofbeef，andofthemusicalglasses。Youwouldhavethoughthehadneverhadabrotherorasweetheartoranenemyonearth。Therearesomesub-
jectstoobigevenforthewordsinthe"Unabridged。"
Knowingthisphaseofthefeudcode，butnothavingpractiseditsufficiently，Ioverdidthethingbytellingsomeslightlyfunnyanecdotes。Samlaughedatexactlytherightplace——laughedwithhismouth。WhenIcaughtsightofhismouth，IwishedIhadbeenblessedwithenoughsenseofhumourtohavesuppressedthoseanecdotes。
OurfirstsightofthemwehadinGuthrie。Tiredandhungry，westumbled，unwashed，intoalittleyellow-pinehotelandsatatatable。Intheoppositecornerwesawthefugitives。Theywerebentupontheirmeal，butlookedaroundattimesuneasily。
Thegirlwasdressedinbrown-oneofthesesmooth，half-shiny，silky-lookingaffairswithlacecollarandcuffs，andwhatIbelievetheycallanaccordion-plaitedskirt。
Sheworeathickbrownveildowntohernose，andabroad-brimmedstrawhatwithsomekindoffeathersadorningit。Themanworeplain，darkclothes，andhishairwastrimmedveryshort。Hewassuchamanasyoumightseeanywhere。
Theretheywere——themurdererandthewomanhehadstolen。Therewewere——therightfulavenger，accordingtothecode，andthesupernumerarywhowritesthesewords。
Foronetime，atleast，intheheartofthesupernumerarythererosethekillinginstinct。Foronemomenthejoinedtheforceofcombatants——orally。
"Whatareyouwaitingfor，Sam？"Isaidinawhisper。
"Lethimhaveitnow!"
Samgaveamelancholysigh。
"Youdon"tunderstand；buthedoes，"hesaid。"Heknows。Mr。Tenderfoot，there"saruleouthereamongwhitemenintheNationthatyoucan"tshootamanwhenhe"swithawoman。Ineverknewittobebrokeyet。
Youcan"tdoit。You"vegottogethiminagangofmenorbyhimself。That"swhy。Heknowsit，too。Weallknow。So，that"sMr。BenTatum!Oneofthe"prettymen"!I"llcuthimoutoftheherdbeforetheyleavethehotel，andregulatehisaccount!"
Aftersuppertheflyingpairdisappearedquickly-
AlthoughSamhauntedlobbyandstairwayandhallshalfthenight，insomemysteriouswaythefugitiveseludedhim；andinthemorningtheveiledladyinthebrowndresswiththeaccordion-plaitedskirtandthedapperyoungmanwiththeclose-clippedhair，andthebuckboardwiththeprancingnags，weregone。
Itisamonotonousstory，thatoftheride；soitshallbecurtailed。Onceagainweovertookthemonaroad。Wewereaboutfiftyyardsbehind。Theyturnedinthebuckboardandlookedatus；thendroveonwithoutwhippinguptheirhorses。Theirsafetynolongerlayinspeed。BenTatumknew。Heknewthattheonlyrockofsafetylefttohimwasthecode。Thereisnodoubtthat，hadhebeenalone，thematterwouldhavebeensettledquicklywithSamDurkeeintheusualway；
buthehadsomethingathissidethatkeptstillthetrigger-fingerofboth。Itseemedlikelythathewasnocoward。
So，youmayperceivethatwoman，onoccasions，maypostponeinsteadofprecipitatingconflictbetweenmanandman。Butnotwillinglyorconsciously。Sheisobliviousofcodes。
Fivemilesfarther，wecameuponthefuturegreatWesterncityofChandler。Thehorsesofpursuersandpursuedwerestarvedandweary。Therewasonehotelthatoffereddangertomanandentertainmenttobeast；
sothefourofusmetagaininthediningroomattheringingofabellsoresonantandlargethatithadcrackedthewelkinlongago。ThediningroomwasnotaslargeastheoneatGuthrie。
Justaswewereeatingapplepie——howBenDavisesandtragedyimpingeuponeachother!——InoticedSamlookingwithkeenintentnessatourquarrywheretheywereseatedatatableacrosstheroom。Thegirlstillworethebrowndresswithlacecollarandcuffs，andtheveildrawndowntohernose。Themanbentoverhisplate，withhisclosecroppedheadheldlow。
"There"sacode，"IheardSamsay，eithertomeortohimself，"thatwon"tletyoushootamaninthecompanyofawoman；but，bythunder，thereain"tonetokeepyoufromkillingawomaninthecompanyofaman!"
And，quickerthanmymindcouldfollowhisargument，hewhippedaColt"sautomaticfromunderhisleftarmandpumpedsixbulletsintothebodythatthebrowndresscovered——thebrowndresswiththelacecollarandcuffsandtheaccordion-plaitedskirt。
Theyoungpersoninthedarksacksuit，fromwhoseheadandfromwhoselifeawoman"sgloryhadbeenclipped，laidherheadonherarmsstretcheduponthetable；whilepeoplecamerunningtoraiseBenTatumfromthefloorinhisfemininemasqueradethathadgivenSamtheopportunitytosetaside，technically，theobliga-
tionsofthecode。
SUITEHOMESANDTHEIRROMANCE
FEWyoungcouplesintheBig-City-of-BluffbegantheirmarriedexistencewithgreaterpromiseofhappinessthandidMr。andMrs。ClaudeTurpin。Theyfeltnoespecialanimositytowardeachother；theywerecomfort-
ablyestablishedinahandsomeapartmenthousethathadanameandaccommodationslikethoseofasleeping-
car；theywerelivingasexpensivelyasthecoupleonthenextfloorabovewhohadtwicetheirincome；
andtheirmarriagehadoccurredonawager，aferry-
boatandfirstacquaintance，thussecuringasensationalnewspapernoticewiththeirnamesattachedtopicturesoftheQueenofRoumaniaandM。Santos-
Dumont。
Turpin"sincomewas$200permonth。Onpayday，aftercalculatingtheamountsdueforrent，instalmentsonfurnitureandpiano，gas，andbillsowedtotheflorist，confectioner，milliner，tailor，winemerchantandcabcompany，theTurpinswouldfindthattheystillhad$200
lefttospend。Howtodothisisoneofthesecretsofmetropolitanlife。
ThedomesticlifeoftheTurpinswasabeautifulpicturetosee。Butyoucouldn"tgazeuponitasyoucouldatanoleographof"Don"tWakeGrandma，"or"Brook-
lynbyMoonlight。"
Youhadtoblinkwhenlookedatit；andyouheardafizzingsoundjustlikethemachinewitha"scope"attheendofit。Yes；therewasn"tmuchreposeaboutthepictureoftheTurpins"domesticlife。Itwassomethinglike"SpearingSalmonintheColumbiaRiver，"or"Jap-
aneseArtilleryinAction。"
Everydaywasjustlikeanother；asthedaysareinNewYork。InthemorningTurpinwouldtakebromo-
seltzer，hispocketchangefromundertheclock，hishat，nobreakfastandhisdeparturefortheoffice。AtnoonMrs。Turpinwouldgetoutofbedandhumour，putonakimono，airs，andthewatertoboilforcoffee。
Turpinluncheddowntown。Hecamehomeat6
todressfordinner。Theyalwaysdinedout。Theystrayedfromthechop-housetochop-sueydom，fromterracetotabled"h魌e，fromrathskellertoroadhouse，fromcaf？tocasino，fromMaria"stotheMarthaWash-
ington。Suchisdomesticlifeinthegreatcity。Yourvineisthemistletoe；yourfigtreebearsdates。YourhouseholdgodsareMercuryandJohnHowardPayne。
Fortheweddingmarchyounowhearonly"ComewiththeGypsyBride。"Yourarelydineatthesameplacetwiceinsuccession。Youtireofthefood；and，besides，youwanttogivethemtimeforthequestionofthatsouve-
nirsilversugarbowltoblowover。
TheTurpinswerethereforehappy。Theymademanywarmanddelightfulfriends，someofwhomtheyremem-
beredthenextday。Theirhomelifewasanidealone，accordingtotherulesandregulationsoftheBookofBluff。
TherecameatimewhenitdawneduponTurpinthathiswifewasgettingawaywithtoomuchmoney。
Ifyoubelongtothenear-swellclassintheBigCity，andyourincomeis$200permonth，andyoufindattheendofthemonth，afterlookingoverthebillsforcurrentexpenses，thatyou，yourself，havespent$150，youverynaturallywonderwhathasbecomeoftheother$50。
Soyoususpectyourwife。Andperhapsyougiveherahintthatsomethingneedsexplanation。
"Isay，Vivien，"saidTurpin，oneafternoonwhentheywereenjoyinginraptsilencethepeaceandquietoftheircozyapartment，"you"vebeencreatingahiatusbigenoughforadogtocrawlthroughinthismonth"shon-
orarium。Youhaven"tbeenpayingyourdressmakeranythingonaccount，haveyou？"
Therewasamoment"ssilence。Nosoundscouldbeheardexceptthebreathingofthefoxterrier，andthesubdued，monotonoussizzlingofVivien"sfulvouslocksagainsttheinsensatecurlingirons。ClaudeTurpin，sittinguponapillowthathehadthoughtfullyplacedupontheconvolutionsoftheapartmentsofa，narrowlywatchedtheriante，lovelyfaceofhiswife。
"Claudie，dear，"saidshe，touchingherfingertoherrubytongueandtestingtheunresponsivecurlingirons，"youdomeaninjustice。Mme。Toinettehasnotseenacentofminesincethedayyoupaidyourtailortendollarsonaccount。"
Turpin"ssuspicionswereallayedforthetime。Butonedaysoontherecameananonymouslettertohimthatread:
"Watchyourwife。Sheisblowinginyourmoneysecretly。Iwasasuffererjustasyouare。TheplaceisNo。345BlankStreet。Awordtothewise，etc。
"AMANWHOKNOWS"
Turpintookthislettertothecaptainofpoliceoftheprecinctthathelivedin。
"Myprecinctisascleanasahound"stooth，"saidthecaptain。"Thelid"sshutdownasclosethereasitisovertheeyeofaWilliamsburggirlwhenshe"skissedataparty。Butifyouthinkthere"sanythingqueerattheaddress，I"llgotherewithye。"
Onthenextafternoonat3，TurpinandthecaptaincreptsoftlyupthestairsofNo。345BlankStreet。A
dozenplain-clothesmen，dressedinfullpoliceuniforms，soastoallaysuspicion，waitedinthehallbelow。
Atthetopofthestairswasadoor，whichwasfoundtobelocked。Thecaptaintookakeyfromhispocketandunlockedit。Thetwomenentered。
Theyfoundthemselvesinalargeroom，occupiedbytwentyortwenty-fiveelegantlyclothedladies。Racingchartshungagainstthewalls，atickerclickedinonecorner；withatelephonereceivertohisearamanwascallingoutthevariouspositionsofthehorsesinaveryexcitingrace。Theoccupantsoftheroomlookedupattheintruders；but，asifreassuredbythesightofthecaptain"suniform，theyrevertedtheirattentiontothemanatthetelephone。
"Yousee，"saidthecaptaintoTurpin，"thevalueofananonymousletter!Nohigh-mindedandself-respect-
inggentlemanshouldconsideroneworthyofnotice。
Isyourwifeamongthisassembly，Mr。Turpin？"
"Sheisnot，"saidTurpin。
"Andifshewas，"continuedthecaptain，"wouldshebewithinthereachofthetongueofslander？TheseladiesconstituteaBrowningSociety。Theymeettodiscussthemeaningofthegreatpoet。ThetelephoneisconnectedwithBoston，whencetheparentsocietytransmitsfrequentlyitsinterpretationsofthepoems。Beashamedofyersuspicions，Mr。Turpin。"
"Gosoakyourshield，"saidTurpin。"Vivienknowshowtotakecareofherselfinapool-room。She"snotdroppinganythingontheponies。Theremustbesome-
thingqueergoingonhere。"
"NothingbutBrowning，"saidthecaptain。"Hearthat？"
"Thanatopsisbyanose，"drawledthemanatthetelephone。
"That"snotBrowning；that"sLongfellow，"saidTurpin，whosometimesreadbooks。
"Backtothepasture!"exclaimedthecaptain。"long-
fellowmadethepacing-to-wagonrecordof7。53"waybackin1868。"
"Ibelievethere"ssomethingqueeraboutthisjoint，"
repeatedTurpin。
"Idon"tseeit，"saidthecaptain。
"Iknowitlookslikeapool-room，allright，"persistedTurpin，"butthat"sallablind。Vivienhasbeendroppingalotofcoinsomewhere。Ibelievethere"ssomeunder-
handedworkgoingonhere。"
Anumberofracingsheetsweretackedclosetogether，coveringalargespaceononeofthewalls。Turpin，suspicious，toreseveralofthemdown。Adoor，pre-
viouslyhidden，wasrevealed。Turpinplacedaneartothecrackandlistenedintently。Heheardthesofthumofmanyvoices，lowandguardedlaughter，andasharp，metallicclickingandscrapingasiffromamultitudeoftinybutbusyobjects。
"MyGod!ItisasIfeared!"whisperedTurpintohimself。"Summonyourmenatonce!"hecalledtothecaptain。"Sheisinthere，Iknow。"
Attheblowingofthecaptain"swhistletheuniformedplain-clothesmenrushedupthestairsintothepool-
room。Whentheysawthebettingparaphernaliadistrib-
utedaroundtheyhalted，surprisedandpuzzledtoknowwhytheyhadbeensummoned。
Butthecaptainpointedtothelock-eddoorandbadethembreakitdown。Inafewmomentstheydemolisheditwiththeaxestheycarried。IntotheotherroomsprangClaudeTurpin，withthecaptainathisheels。
ThescenewasonethatlingeredlonginTurpin"smind。Nearlyascoreofwomen——womenexpensivelyandfashionablyclothed，manybeautifulandofrefinedappearance——hadbeenseatedatlittlemarble-toppedtables。Whenthepoliceburstopenthedoortheyshriekedandranhereandtherelikegaylyplumedbirdsthathadbeendisturbedinatropicalgrove。Somebecamehysterical；oneortwofainted；severalkneltatthefeetoftheofficersandbesoughtthemformercyonaccountoftheirfamiliesandsocialposition。
AmanwhohadbeenseatedbehindadeskhadseizedarollofcurrencyaslargeastheankleofaParadiseRoofGardenschorusgirlandjumpedoutofthewindow。
Halfadozenattendantshuddledatoneendoftheroom，breathlessfromfear。
Uponthetablesremainedthedamningandincon-
trovertibleevidencesoftheguiltofthehabitu閑softhatsinisterroom——dishafterdishheapedhighwithicecream，andsurroundedbystacksofemptyones，scrapedtothelastspoonful。
"Ladies，"saidthecaptaintohisweepingcircleofprisoner"I"llnotholdanyofyez。SomeofyezIrecog-
nizeashavingfinehousesandgoodstandinginthecommunity，withhard-workinghusbandsandchilderathome。ButI"llreadyeabitofalecturebeforeyego。
Inthenextroomthere"sa20-to-1shotjustdroppedinunderthewirethreelengthsaheadofthefield。Isthisthewayyewasteyourhusbands"moneyinsteadofhelp-
ingearnit？Homewidyez!Thelid"sontheice-creamfreezerinthisprecinct。"
ClaudeTurpin"swifewasamongthepatronsoftheraidedroom。Heledhertotheirapartmentinstemsilence。Theresheweptsoremorsefullyandbesoughthisforgivenesssopleadinglythatheforgothisjustanger，andsoonhegatheredhispenitentgolden-hairedVivieninhisarmsandforgaveher。
"Darling，"shemurmured，halfsobbingly，asthemoon-
lightdriftedthroughtheopenwindow，glorifyinghersweet，upturnedface，"IknowIdonewrong。Iwillnevertouchicecreamagain。Iforgotyouwerenotamillionaire。Iusedtogothereeveryday。Butto-dayIfeltsomestrange，sadpresentimentofevil，andIwasnotmyself。Iateonlyelevensaucers。"
"Saynomore，"saidClaude，gentlyashefondlycaressedherwavingcurls。
"Andyouaresurethatyoufullyforgiveme？"askedVivien，gazingathimentreatinglywithdewyeyesofheavenlyblue。
"Almostsure，littleone，"answeredClaude，stoopingandlightlytouchinghersnowyforeheadwithhislips。
"I"llletyouknowlateron。I"vegotamonth"ssalarydownonVanillatowinthethree-year-oldsteeplechaseto-morrow；andiftheice-creamhunchistothegoodyouareItagain——see？"
THEWHIRLIGIGOFLIFE
JUSTICE-OF-THE-PEACEBenajaWiddupsatinthedoorofhisofficesmokinghiselder-stempipe。Half-
waytothezeniththeCumberlandrangeroseblue-grayintheafternoonhaze。Aspeckledhenswaggereddownthemainstreetofthe"settlement，"cacklingfoolishly。
Uptheroadcameasoundofcreakingaxles，andthenaslowcloudofdust，andthenabull-cartbearingRansieBilbroandhiswife。ThecartstoppedattheJustice"sdoor，andthetwoclimbeddown。Ransiewasanarrowsixfeetofsallowbrownskinandyellowhair。Theimperturbabilityofthemountainshunguponhimlikeasuitofarmour。Thewomanwascalicoed，angled，snuff-brushed，andwearywithunknowndesires。Throughitallgleamedafaintprotestofcheatedyouthunconsciousofitsloss。
TheJusticeofthePeaceslippedhisfeetintohisshoes，forthesakeofdignity，andmovedtoletthementer。
"We-all，"saidthewoman，inavoicelikethewindblowingthroughpineboughs，"wantsadivo"ce。"ShelookedatRansietoseeifhenotedanyflaworambiguityorevasionorpartialityorself-partisanshipinherstate-
mentoftheirbusiness。
"Adivo"ce，"repeatedRansie，withasolemnDod。
"We-allcan"tgitalongtogethernohow。It"slonesomeenoughfurtoliveinthemount"inswhenamanandawomankeersfuroneanother。Butwhenshe"sa-spittin"
likeawildcatora-sullenin"likeahoot-owlinthecabin，amanain"tgotnocalltolivewithher。"
"Whenhe"sano-"countvarmint，"saidthewoman，"withoutanyespecialwarmth，a-traipsin"alongofscalawagsandmoonshinersanda-layin"onhisbackpizen"ithco"nwhiskey，anda-pesterin"folkswithapacko"hungry，triflin"houn"stofeed!"
"Whenshekeepsa-throwin"skilletlids，"cameRansie"santiphony，"andslingsb"ilin"wateronthebestcoon-dogintheCumberlands，andsetsherselfagin"cookin"aman"svictuals，andkeepshimawakeo"nightsaccusin"himofasightofdoin"s!"
"Whenhe"sal"aysa-fightin"therevenues，andgitsahardnameinthemount"insfurameanman，who"sgwinetobeablefurtosleepo"nights？"
TheJusticeofthePeacestirreddeliberatelytohisduties。Heplacedhisonechairandawoodenstoolforhispetitioners。Heopenedhisbookofstatutesonthetableandscannedtheindex。Presentlyhewipedhisspectaclesandshiftedhisinkstand。
"Thelawandthestatutes，"saidhe，"airsilentonthesubjeckofdivo"ceasfurasthejurisdictionofthisco"tairconcerned。But，accordin"toequityandtheCon-
stitutionandthegoldenrule，it"sabadbarg"inthatcan"trunbothways。Ifajusticeofthepeacecanmarryacouple，it"splainthatheisboundtobeabletodivo"ce"em。Thishereofficewillissueadecreeofdivo"ceandabidebythedecisionoftheSupremeCo"ttoholditgood。"
RansieBilbrodrewasmalltobacco-bagfromhistrouserspocket。Outofthisheshookuponthetableafive-dollarnote。"Soldab"arskinandtwofoxesfurthat，"heremarked。"It"sallthemoneywegot。"
"Theregularpriceofadivo"ceinthisco"t，"saidtheJustice，"airfivedollars。"Hestuffedthebillintothepocketofhishomespunvestwithadeceptiveairofindiffer-
ence。Withmuchbodilytoilandmentaltravailhewrotethedecreeuponhalfasheetoffoolscap，andthencopieditupontheother。RansieBilbroandhiswifelistenedtohisreadingofthedocumentthatwastogivethemfreedom:
"KnowallmenbythesepresentsthatRansieBilbroandhiswife，ArielaBilbro，thisdaypersonallyappearedbeforemeandpromisesthathereinaftertheywillneitherlove，honour，norobeyeachother，neitherforbetternorworse，beingofsoundmindandbody，andacceptsummonsfordivorceaccordingtothepeaceanddignityoftheState。
Hereinfailnot，sohelpyouGod。BenajaWiddup，justiceofthepeaceinandforthecountyofPiedmont，StateofTennessee。"
TheJusticewasabouttohandoneofthedocumentstoRansie。ThevoiceofArieladelayedthetransfer。
Bothmenlookedather。Theirdullmasculinitywasconfrontedbysomethingsuddenandunexpectedinthewoman。
"Judge，don"tyougivehimthatairpaperyit。"Tain"tallsettled，nohow。Igottohavemyrightsfirst。I
gottohavemyali-money。"Tain"tnokindofawaytodofuramantodivo"cehiswife"thoutherhavin"acentfurtodowith。I"ma-layin"offtobea-goin"uptobrotherEd"suponHogbackMount"in。I"mboundfurtohevapa"rofshoesandsomesnuffandthingsbesides。EfRancekinaffo"dadivo"ce，lethimpaymeali-money。"
RansieBilbrowasstrickentodumbperplexity。Therehadbeennoprevioushintofalimony。Womenwerealwaysbringingupstartlingandunlooked-forissues。
JusticeBenajaWiddupfeltthatthepointdemandedjudicialdecision。Theauthoritieswerealsosilentonthesubjectofalimony。Butthewoman"sfeetwerebare。
ThetrailtoHogbackMountainwassteepandflinty。
"ArielaBilbro，"heasked，inofficialtones，"howmuchdidyou"lowwouldbegoodandsufficientali-moneyinthecasebefo"theco"t。"
"I"lowed，"sheanswered，"furtheshoesandall，tosayfivedollars。Thatain"tmuchfurali-money，butIreckonthat"llgitmetoupbrotherEd"s。"
"Theamount，"saidtheJustice，"airnotonreasonable。
RansieBilbro，youairorderedbytheco"ttopaytheplain-
tiffthesumoffivedollarsbefo"thedecreeofdivo"ceairissued。"
"Ihain"tnomo"money，"breathedRansie，heavily。
"IdonepaidyouallIhad。"
"Otherwise，"saidtheJustice，lookingseverelyoverhisspectacles，"youairincontemptofco"t。"
"Ireckonifyougimmetillto-morrow，"pleadedthehusband，"Imoutbeabletorakeorscrapeitupsomewhars。Ineverlookedfortobea-payin"noali-
money。"
"Thecaseairadjourned，"saidBenajaWiddup，"tillto-morrow，whenyou-allwillpresentyo"selvesandobeytheorderoftheco"t。Followin"ofwhichthedecreesofdivo"cewillbedelivered。"Hesatdowninthedoorandbegantoloosenashoestring。
"WemoutaswellgodowntoUncleZiah"s，"decidedRansie，"andspendthenight。"Heclimbedintothecartononeside，andArielaclimbedinontheother。
Obeyingtheflapofhisrope，thelittleredbullslowlycamearoundonatack，andthecartcrawledawayinthenimbusarisingfromitswheels。
Justice-of-the-peaceBenajaWiddupsmokedhiselder-
stempipe。Lateintheafternoonhegothisweeklypaper，andreadituntilthetwilightdimmeditslines。Thenhelitthetallowcandleonhistable，andreaduntilthemoonrose，markingthetimeforsupper。Helivedinthedoublelogcabinontheslopenearthegirdledpoplar。
Goinghometosupperhecrossedalittlebranchdarkenedbyalaurelthicket。Thedarkfigureofamansteppedfromthelaurelsandpointedarifleathisbreast。Hishatwaspulleddownlow，andsomethingcoveredmostofhisface。
"Iwantyo"money，"saidthefigure，""thoutanytalk。
I"mgettin"nervous，andmyfinger"sa-wabblin"onthisheretrigger。"
"I"veonlygotf-f-fivedollars，"saidtheJustice，pro-
ducingitfromhisvestpocket。
"Rollitup，"cametheorder，"andstickitintheendofthisheregun-bar"l。"
Thebillwascrispandnew。Evenfingersthatwereclumsyandtremblingfoundlittledifficultyinmakingaspillofitandinsertingit(thiswithlessease)intothemuzzleoftherifle。
"NowIreckonyoukinbegoin"along，"saidtherobber。
TheJusticelingerednotonhisway。
Thenextdaycamethelittleredbull，drawingthecarttotheofficedoor。JusticeBenajaWidduphadhisshoeson，forhewasexpectingthevisit。InhispresenceRansieBilbrohandedtohiswifeafive-dollarbill。Theofficial"seyesharplyviewedit。Itseemedtocurlupasthoughithadbeenrolledandinsertedintotheendofagun-barrel。
ButtheJusticerefrainedfromcomment。Itistruethatotherbillsmightbeinclinedtocurl。Hehandedeachoneadecreeofdivorce。Eachstoodawkwardlysilent，slowlyfoldingtheguaranteeoffreedom。ThewomancastashyglancefullofconstraintatRansie。
"Ireckonyou"llbegoin"backuptothecabin，"shesaid，along"iththebull-cart。There"sbreadinthetinboxsettin"ontheshelf。Iputthebaconintheb"ilin"-pottokeepthehoundsfromgittin"it。Don"tforgettowindtheclockto-night。"
"Youaira-goin"toyourbrotherEd"s？"askedRansie，withfineunconcern。
"Iwas"lowin"togetalonguptharaforenight。I
ain"tsayin"asthey"llpestertheyselvesanytomakemewelcome，butIhain"tnowharelsefurtogo。It"sarightsmartways，andIreckonIbetterbegoin"。I"llbea-sayin"
good-bye，Ranse-thatis，ifyoukeerfurtosayso。"
"Idon"tknowasanybody"sahounddog，"saidRansie，inamartyr"svoice，"furtonotwanttosaygood-bye——
"lessyouairsoanxioustogitawaythatyoudon"twantmetosayit。"
Arielawassilent。Shefoldedthefive-dollarbillandherdecreecarefully，andplacedtheminthebosomofherdress。BenajaWiddupwatchedthemoneydisappearwithmournfuleyesbehindhisspectacles。
Andthenwithhisnextwordsheachievedrank(ashisthoughtsran)witheitherthegreatcrowdoftheworld"ssympathizersorthelittlecrowdofitsgreatfinanciers。
"Bekindo"lonesomeintheoldcabinto-night，Ranse，"
hesaid。
RansieBilbrostaredoutattheCumberlands，clearbluenowinthesunlight。HedidnotlookatAriela。
"I"lowitmightbelonesome，"hesaid；"butwhenfolksgitsmadandwantsadivo"ce，youcan"tmakefolksstay。"
"There"sotherswantedadivo"ce，"saidAriela，speakingtothewoodenstool。"Besides，nobodydon"twantno-
bodytostay。"
"Nobodyneversaidtheydidn"t。"
"Nobodyneversaidtheydid。IreckonIbetterstartonnowtobrotherEd"s。"
"Nobodycan"twindthatoldclock。"
"Wantmetogobackalong"ithyouinthecartandwinditfuryou，Ranse？"
Themountaineer"scountenancewasproofagainstemotion。ButhereachedoutabighandandenclosedAriela"sthinbrownone。Hersoulpeepedoutoncethroughherimpassiveface，hallowingit。
"Themhoundsshan"tpesteryounomore，"saidRansie。"IreckonIbeenmeanandlowdown。Youwindthatclock，Ariela。"
"Myhearthit"sinthatcabin，Ranse，"shewhispered，"along"ithyou。Iai"nta-goin"togitmadnomore。Le"sbestartin"，Ranse，so"swekingithomebysundown。"
Justice-of-the-peaceBenajaWiddupinterposedastheystartedforthedoor，forgettinghispresence。
"InthenameoftheStateofTennessee，"hesaid，"I
forbidyou-alltobea-defyin"ofitslawsandstatutes。