第9章
Hiseye，accustomedtothedarkness，metfirstablind-
ingglare，andthenhemadeoutthefacesandformsofmanypeople，amidanextravagantdisplayofsplendidrobings——billowylaces，brilliant-huedfinery，ribbons，silksandmistydrapery。Andthenhecaughtthemean。
ingofthatjarringhum，andhesawthetired，pale，happyfaceofhiswife，bending，aswereascoreofothers，overhersewingmachine——toiling，toiling。Herewasthefollyshepursued，andtheendofhisquest。
Butnothisdeliverance，thougheventhenremorsestruckhim。Hisshamedsoulflutteredoncemorebeforeitretiredtomakeroomfortheotherandbetterone。
For，totemperhisthrillofjoy，theshineofthesatinandtheglimmerofornamentsrecalledthedisturbingfigureofthebespangledAmazon，andthebaseduplicatehistoriesitbytheglareoffootlightsandstolendiamonds。Itispastthewisdomofhimwhoonlysetsthescenes，eithertopraiseorblametheman。Butthistimehisloveover-
camehisscruples。Hetookaquickstep，andreachedouthishandforthedoorknob。FatherRoganwasquickertoarrestitanddrawhimback。
"Youusemytrustinyouqueerly，"saidtheprieststernly。"Whatareyouabouttodo？"
"Iamgoingtomywife，"saidLorison。"Letmepass。"
"Listen，"saidthepriest，holdinghimfirmlybythearm。"Iamabouttoputyouinpossessionofapieceofknowledgeofwhich，thusfar，youhavescarcelyproveddeserving。Idonotthinkyoueverwill；butIwillnotdwelluponthat。Youseeinthatroomthewomanyoumarried，workingforafrugallivingforherself，andagenerouscomfortforanidolizedbrother。Thisbuildingbelongstothechiefcostumerofthecity。FormonthstheadvanceordersforthecomingMardiGrasfestivalshavekepttheworkgoingdayandnight。ImyselfsecuredemploymenthereforNorah。Shetoilshereeachnightfromnineo"clockuntildaylight，and，besides，carrieshomewithhersomeofthefinercostumes，requiringmoredelicateneedlework，andworkstherepartoftheday。
Somehow，youtwohaveremainedstrangelyignorantofeachother"slives。Areyouconvincednowthatyourwifeisnotwalkingthestreets？"
"Letmegotoher，"criedLorison，againstruggling，"andbegherforgiveness!"
"Sir，"saidthepriest，"doyouowemenothing？Bequiet。ItseemssooftenthatHeavenletsfallitschoicestgiftsintohandsthatmustbetaughttoholdthem。Listenagain。Youforgotthatrepentantsinmustnotcomprom-
ise，butlookup，forredemption，tothepurestandbest。
Youwenttoherwiththefine-spunsophistrythatpeacecouldbefoundinamutualguilt；andshe，fearfuloflosingwhatherheartsocraved，thoughtitworththepricetobuyitwithadesperate，pure，beautifullie。Ihaveknownhersincethedayshewasborn；sheisasinnocentandunsulliedinlifeanddeedasaholysaint。Inthatlowlystreetwhereshedwellsshefirstsawthelight，andshehaslivedthereeversince，spendingherdaysingenerousself-sacrificeforothers。Och，yespalpeen!"continuedFatherRogan，raisinghisfingerinkindlyangeratLorison。
"Whatfor，Iwonder，couldshebeaftermakingafoolofhersilf，andshamin"herswatesoulwithlies，forthelikeofyou!"
"Sir，"saidLorison，trembling，"saywhatyoupleaseofme。Doubtitasyoumust，Iwillyetprovemygratitudetoyou，andmydevotiontoher。Butletmespeaktoheroncenow，letmekneelforjustonemomentatherfeet，and——"
"Tut，tut!"saidthepriest。"Howmanyactsofalovedramadoyouthinkanoldbookwormlikemecapableofwitnessing？Besides，whatkindoffiguresdowecut，spyinguponthemysteriesofmidnightmillinery!Gotomeetyourwifeto-morrow，assheorderedyou，andobeyherthereafter，andmaybesometimeIshallgetforgive-
nessforthepartIhaveplayedinthisnight"swork。Offwidyezdowntheshtairs，now!"Tislate，andanouldmanlikemeshouldbetakin"hisrest。"
MADAMEBO-PEEP，OFTHERANCHES
"AUNTELLEN，"saidOctavia，cheerfully，asshethrewherblackkidglovescarefullyatthedignifiedPersiancatonthewindow-seat，"I"mapauper。"
"Youaresoextremeinyourstatements，Octavia，dear，"saidAuntEllen，mildly，lookingupfromherpaper。
"Ifyoufindyourselftemporarilyinneedofsomesmallchangeforbonbons，youwillfindmypurseinthedrawerofthewritingdesk。"
OctaviaBeaupreeremovedherhatandseatedherselfonafootstoolnearheraunt"schair，claspingherhandsaboutherknees。Herslimandflexiblefigure，cladinamodishmourningcostume，accommodateditselfeasilyandgracefullytothetryingposition。Herbrightandyouthfulface，withitspairofsparkling，life-enamouredeyes，triedtocomposeitselftotheseriousnessthattheoccasionseemedtodemand。
"Yougoodauntie，itisn"tacaseofbonbons；itisabject，staring，unpicturesquepoverty，withready-madeclothes，gasolinedgloves，andprobablyoneo"clockdinnersallwaitingwiththetraditionalwolfatthedoor。I"vejustcomefrommylawyer，auntie，and，"Please，ma"am，I
ain"tgotnothink"tall。Flowers，lady？Buttonhole，gentleman？Pencils，sir，threeforfive，tohelpapoorwidow？"DoIdoitnicely，auntie，or，asabread-winneraccomplishment，weremylessonsinelocutionentirelywasted？"
"Dobeserious，mydear，"saidAuntEllen，lettingherpaperfalltothefloor，"longenoughtotellmewhatyoumean。ColonelBeaupree"sestate——"
"ColonelBeaupree"sestate，"interruptedOctavia，emphasizingherwordswithappropriatedramaticges-
tures，"isofSpanishcastellararchitecture。ColonelBeaupree"sresourcesare——wind。ColonelBeaupree"sstocksare——water。ColonelBeaupree"sincomeis——
allin。ThestatementlacksthelegaltechnicalitiestowhichIhavebeenlisteningforanhour，butthatiswhatitmeanswhentranslated。"
"Octavia!"AuntEllenwasnowvisiblypossessedbyconsternation。"Icanhardlybelieveit。Anditwastheimpressionthathewasworthamillion。AndtheDePeystersthemselvesintroducedhim!"
Octaviarippledoutalaugh，andthenbecameproperlygrave。
"Demortuisnil，auntie——noteventherestofit。Thedearoldcolonel——whatagoldbrickhewas，afterall!
Ipaidformybargainfairly——I"mallhere，amInot？——
items:eyes，fingers，toes，youth，oldfamily，unques-
tionablepositioninsocietyascalledforinthecontractnowild-catstockhere。"Octaviapickedupthemorningpaperfromthefloor。"ButI"mnotgoingto"squeal"——isn"tthatwhattheycallitwhenyourailatFortunebecauseyou"ve，lostthegame？"Sheturnedthepagesofthepapercalmly。""Stockmarket"——nouseforthat。"Society"sdoings"——that"sdone。Hereismypage——thewishcolumn。AVanDressercouldnotbesaidto"want"foranything，ofcourse。"Chamber-
maids，cooks，canvassers，stenographers-"
"Dear，"saidAuntEllen，withalittletremorinhervoice，"pleasedonottalkinthatway。Evenifyouraffairsareinsounfortunateacondition，thereismythreethousand——"
Octaviaspranguplithely，anddepositedasmartkissonthedelicatecheekoftheprimlittleelderlymaid。
"Blessedauntie，yourthreethousandisjustsufficienttoinsureyourHysontobefreefromwillowleavesandkeepthePersianinsterilizedcream。IknowI"dbewelcome，butIprefertostrikebottomlikeBeelzebubratherthanhangaroundlikethePerilisteningtothemusicfromthesideentrance。I"mgoingtoearnmyownliving。There"snothingelsetodo。I"ma——Oh，oh，oh!——
Ihadforgotten。There"sonethingsavedfromthewreck。It"sacorral——no，aranchin——letmesee——
Texas:anasset，dearoldMr。Bannistercalledit。Howpleasedhewastoshowmesomethinghecoulddescribeasunencumbered!I"veadescriptionofitamongthosestupidpapershemademebringawaywithmefromhisoffice。I"lltrytofindit。"
Octaviafoundhershopping-bag，anddrewfromitalongenvelopefilledwithtypewrittendocuments。
"AranchinTexas，"sighedAuntEllen。"Itsoundstomemorelikealiabilitythananasset。Thosearetheplaceswherethecentipedesarefound，andcowboys，andfandangos。"
""TheRanchodelasSombras，""readOctaviafromasheetofviolentlypurpletypewriting""issituatedonehundredandtenmilessoutheastofSanAntonio，andthirty-eightmilesfromitsnearestrailroadstation，Nopal，ontheI。andG。N。Ranch，consistsof7，680acresofwell-
wateredland，withtitleconferredbyStatepatents，andtwenty-twosections，or14，080acres，partlyunderyearlyrunningleaseandpartlyboughtunderState"stwenty-
year-purchaseact。Eightthousandgradedmerinosheep，withthenecessaryequipmentofhorses，vehiclesandgeneralranchparaphernalia。Ranch-housebuiltofbrick，withsixroomscomfortablyfurnishedaccordingtotherequirementsoftheclimate。Allwithinastrongbarbed-wirefence。
""Thepresentranchmanagerseemstobecompetentandreliable，andisrapidlyplacinguponapayingbasisabusinessthat，inotherhands，hadbeenallowedtosufferfromneglectandmisconduct。
""ThispropertywassecuredbyColonelBeaupreeinadealwithaWesternirrigationsyndicate，andthetitletoitseemstobeperfect。Withcarefulmanagementandthenaturalincreaseoflandvalues，itoughttobemadethefoundationforacomfortablefortuneforitsowner。""
WhenOctaviaceasedreading，AuntEllenutteredsomethingasnearasniffasherbreedingpermitted。
"Theprospectus，"shesaid，withuncompromisingmetropolitansuspicion，"doesn"tmentionthecentipedes，ortheIndians。Andyouneverdidlikemutton，Octavia。
Idon"tseewhatadvantageyoucanderivefromthis——
desert。"
ButOctaviawasinatrance。Hereyesweresteadilyregardingsomethingquitebeyondtheirfocus。Herlipswereparted，andherfacewaslightedbythekindlingfuroroftheexplorer，theardent，stirringdisquietoftheadventurer。Suddenlysheclaspedherhandstogetherexultantly。
"Theproblemsolvesitself，auntie，"shecried。"I"mgoingtothatranch。I"mgoingtoliveonit。I"mgoingtolearntolikemutton，andevenconcedethegoodqualitiesofcentipedes——atarespectfuldistance。It"sjustwhatIneed。It"sanewlifethatcomeswhenmyoldoneisjustending。It"sarelease，auntie；itisn"tanarrow-
ing。Thinkofthegallopsoverthoseleaguesofprairies，withthewindtuggingattherootsofyourhair，thecom-
ingclosetotheearthandlearningoveragainthestoriesofthegrowinggrassandthelittlewildflowerswithoutnames!Gloriousiswhatitwillbe。ShallIbeashepherdesswithaWatteauhat，andacrooktokeepthebadwolvesfromthelambs，oratypicalWesternranchgirl，withshorthair，likethepicturesofherintheSundaypapers？Ithinkthelatter。Andthey"llhavemypicture，too，withthewild-catsI"veslain，single-handed，hangingfrommysaddlehorn。"FromtheFourHundredtotheFlocks"isthewaythey"llheadlineit，andthey"llprintphotographsoftheoldVanDressermansionandthechurchwhereIwasmarried。Theywon"thavemypicture，butthey"llgetanartisttodrawit。I"llbewildandwoolly，andI"llgrowmyownwool。"
"Octavia!"AuntEllencondensedintotheonewordalltheprotestsshewasunabletoutter。
"Don"tsayaword，auntie。I"mgoing。I"llseetheskyatnightfitdownontheworldlikeabigbutter-dishcover，andI"llmakefriendsagainwiththestarsthatI
haven"thadachatwithsinceIwasaweechild。Iwishtogo。I"mtiredofallthis。I"mgladIhaven"tanymoney。IcouldblessColonelBeaupreeforthatranch，andforgivehimforallhisbubbles。Whatifthelifewillberoughandlonely!I——Ideserveit。Ishutmyhearttoeverythingexceptthatmiserableambition。I——oh，Iwishtogoaway，andforget——forget!"
Octaviaswervedsuddenlytoherknees，laidherflushedfaceinheraunt"slap，andshookwithturbulentsobs。
AuntEllenbentoverher，andsmoothedthecoppery-
brownhair。
"Ididn"tknow，"shesaid，gently；"Ididn"tknow——
that。Whowasit，dear？
WhenMrs。OctaviaBeaupree，n閑VanDresser，steppedfromthetrainatNopal，hermannerlost，forthemoment，someofthateasycertitudewhichhadalwaysmarkedhermovements。Thetownwasofrecentestab-
lishment，andseemedtohavebeenhastilyconstructedofundressedlumberandflappingcanvas。Theelementthathadcongregatedaboutthestation，thoughnotoffensivelydemonstrative，wasclearlycomposedofcitizensaccustomedtoandpreparedforrudealarms。
Octaviastoodontheplatform，againstthetelegraphoffice，andattemptedtochoosebyintuitionfromtheswaggering，stragglingstring，ofloungers，themanageroftheRanchodelasSombras，whohadbeeninstructedbyMr。Bannistertomeetherthere。Thattall，serious，looking，elderlymanintheblueflannelshirtandwhitetieshethoughtmustbehe。But，no；hepassedby，removinghisgazefromtheladyashersrestedonhim，accordingtotheSoutherncustom。Themanager，shethought，withsomeimpatienceatbeingkeptwaiting，shouldhavenodifficultyinselectingher。Youngwomenwearingthemostrecentthinginash-colouredtravellingsuitswerenotsoplentifulinNopal!
Thuskeepingaspeculativewatchonallpersonsofpossiblemanagerialaspect，Octavia，withacatchingbreathandastartofsurprise，suddenlybecameawareofTeddyWestlakehurryingalongtheplatforminthedirectionofthetrain——ofTeddyWestlakeorhissun-
brownedghostincheviot，bootsandleather-girdledhat——TheodoreWestlake，Jr。，amateurpolo(almost)
champion，all-roundbutterflyandcumbererofthesoil；
butabroader，surer，moreemphasizedanddeterminedTeddythantheoneshehadknownayearagowhenlastshesawhim。
HeperceivedOctaviaatalmostthesametime，deflectedhiscourse，andsteeredforherinhisold，straightforwardway。Somethinglikeawecameuponherasthestrange-
nessofhismetamorphosiswasbroughtintocloserrange；
therich，red-brownofhiscomplexionbroughtoutsovividlyhisstraw-colouredmustacheandsteel-grayeyes。
Heseemedmoregrown-up，and，somehow，fartheraway。
But，whenhespoke，theold，boyishTeddycamebackagain。Theyhadbeenfriendsfromchildhood。
"Why，"Tave!"heexclaimed，unabletoreducehisperplexitytocoherence。"How——what——when——
where？"
"Train，"saidOctavia；"necessity；tenminutesago；
home。Yourcomplexion"sgone，Teddy。Now，how——
what——when——where？"
"I"mworkingdownhere，"saidTeddy。Hecastsideglancesaboutthestationasonedoeswhotriestocombinepolitenesswithduty。
"Youdidn"tnoticeonthetrain，"heasked，"anoldladywithgraycurlsandapoodle，whooccupiedtwoseatswithherbundlesandquarrelledwiththeconductor，didyou？"
"Ithinknot，"answeredOctavia，reflecting。"Andyouhaven"t，byanychance，noticedabig，gray-mustachedmaninablueshirtandsix-shooters，withlittleflakesofmerinowoolstickinginhishair，haveyou？"
"Lotsof"em，"saidTeddy，withsymptomsofmentaldeliriumunderthestrain。Doyouhappentoknowanysuchindividual？"
"No；thedescriptionisimaginary。Isyourinterestintheoldladywhomyoudescribeapersonalone？"
"Neversawherinmylife。She"spaintedentirelyfromfancy。SheownsthelittlepieceofpropertywhereI
earnmybreadandbutter-theRanchodelasSombras。
Idroveuptomeetheraccordingtoarrangementwithherlawyer。"
Octavialeanedagainstthewallofthetelegraphoffice。
Wasthispossible？Anddidn"theknow？
"Areyouthemanagerofthatranch？"sheaskedweakly。
"Iam，"saidTeddy，withpride。
"IamMrs。Beaupree，"saidOctaviafaintly；"butmyhairneverwouldcurl，andIwaspolitetotheconductor。"
Foramomentthatstrange，grown-uplookcameback，andremovedTeddymilesawayfromher。
"Ihopeyou"llexcuseme，"hesaid，ratherawkwardly。
"Yousee，I"vebeendownhereinthechaparralayear。
Ihadn"theard。Givemeyourchecks，please，andI"llhaveyourtrapsloadedintothewagon。Jos？willfollowwiththem。Wetravelaheadinthebuckboard。"
SeatedbyTeddyinafeather-weightbuckboard，behindapairofwild，cream-colouredSpanishponies，Octaviaabandonedallthoughtfortheexhilarationofthepresent。
Theysweptoutofthelittletownanddownthelevelroadtowardthesouth。Soontheroaddwindledanddis-
appeared，andtheystruckacrossaworldcarpetedwithanendlessreachofcurlymesquitegrass。Thewheelsmadenosound。Thetirelessponiesboundedaheadatanunbrokengallop。Thetemperatewind，madefragrantbythousandsofacresofblueandyellowwildflowers，roaredgloriouslyintheirears。Themotionwasa雛ial，ecstatic，withathrillingsenseofperpetuityinitseffect。
Octaviasatsilent，possessedbyafeelingofelemental，sensualbliss。Teddyseemedtobewrestlingwithsomeinternalproblem。
"I"mgoingtocallyoumadama，"heannouncedastheresultofhislabours。"ThatiswhattheMexicanswillcallyou——they"renearlyallMexicansontheranch，youknow。Thatseemstomeabouttheproperthing。"
"Verywell，Mr。Westlake，"saidOctavia，primly。
"Oh，now，"saidTeddy，insomeconsternation，"that"scarryingthethingtoofar，isn"tit？"
"Don"tworrymewithyourbeastlyetiquette。I"mjustbeginningtolive。Don"tremindmeofanythingartificial。Ifonlythisaircouldbebottled!Thismuchaloneisworthcomingfor。Oh，lookItheregoesadeer!"
"Jack-rabbit，"saidTeddy，withoutturninghishead。
"CouldI——mightIdrive？"suggestedOctavia，pant-
ing，withrose-tintedcheeksandtheeyeofaneagerchild。
"Ononecondition。CouldI——mightIsmoke？"
"Forever!"criedOctavia，takingthelineswithsolemnjoy。"HowshallIknowwhichwaytodrive？"
"Keephersou"bysou"east，andallsailset。YouseethatblackspeckonthehorizonunderthatlowermostGulfcloud？That"sagroupoflive-oaksandaland-
mark。Steerhalfwaybetweenthatandthelittlehilltotheleft。I"llreciteyouthewholecodeofdrivingrulesfortheTexasprairies:keepthereinsfromunderthehorses"feet，andswearat"emfrequent。"
"I"mtoohappytoswear，Ted。Oh，whydopeoplebuyyachtsortravelinpalace-cars，whenabuckboardandapairofplugsandaspringmorninglikethiscansatisfyalldesire？"
"Now，I"llaskyou，"protestedTeddy，whowasfutilelystrikingmatchaftermatchonthedashboard，"nottocallthosedenizensoftheairplugs。Theycankickoutahundredmilesbetweendaylightanddark。"Atlasthesucceededinsnatchingalightforhiscigarfromtheflameheldinthehollowofhishands。
"Room!"saidOctavia，intensely。"That"swhatproducestheeffect。IknownowwhatI"vewanted——
scope——range——room!"
"Smoking-room，"saidTeddy，unsentimentally。"I
lovetosmokeinabuckboard。Thewindblowsthesmokeintoyouandoutagain。Itsavesexertion。"
Thetwofellsonaturallyintotheirold-timegoodfellow-
shipthatitwasonlybydegreesthatasenseofthestrange-
nessofthenewrelationsbetweenthemcametobefelt。
"Madama，"saidTeddy，wonderingly，"howeverdidyougetitintoyourbeadtocutthecrowdandcomedownhere？IsitafadnowamongtheupperclassestotrotofftosheepranchesinsteadoftoNewport？"
"Iwasbroke，Teddy，"saidOctavia，sweetly，withherinterestcentreduponsteeringsafelybetweenaSpanishdaggerplantandaclumpofchaparral；"Ihaven"tathingintheworldbutthisranch——notevenanyotherhometogoto。"
"Come，now，"saidTeddy，anxiouslybutineredu-
lously，"youdon"tmeanit？"
"Whenmyhusband，"saidOctavia，withashyslurringoftheword，"diedthreemonthsagoIthoughtIhadareasonableamountoftheworld"sgoods。Hislawyerexplodedthattheoryinasixty-minutefullyillustratedlecture。Itooktothesheepasalastresort。DoyouhappentoknowofanyfashionablecapriceamongthegildedyouthofManhattanthatinducesthemtoabandonpoloandclubwindowstobecomemanagersofsheepranches？"
"It"seasilyexplainedinmycase，"respondedTeddy，promptly。"Ihadtogotowork。Icouldn"thaveearnedmyboardinNewYork，soIchummedawhilewitholdSandford，oneofthesyndicatethatownedtheranchbeforeColonelBeaupreeboughtit，andgotaplacedownhere。
Iwasn"tmanageratfirst。Ijoggedaroundonponiesandstudiedthebusinessindetail，untilIgotallthepointsinmyhead。Isawwhereitwaslosingandwhatthereme-
dieswere，andthenSandfordputmeincharge。Igetahundreddollarsamonth，andIearnit。"
"PoorTeddy!"saidOctavia，withasmile。
"Youneedn"t。Ilikeit。Isavehalfmywages，andI"mashardasawaterplug。Itbeatspolo。"
"Willitfurnishbreadandteaandjamforanotherout-
castfromcivilization？"
"Thespringshearing，"saidthemanager，"justcleanedupadeficitinlastyear"sbusiness。Wastefulnessandinattentionhavebeentheruleheretofore。Theautumnclipwillleaveasmallprofitoverallexpenses。Nextyeartherewillbejam。"
When，aboutfouro"clockintheafternoon，theponiesroundedagentle，brush-coveredhill，andthenswooped，likeadoublecream-colouredcyclone，upontheRanchodelasSombras，Octaviagavealittlecryofdelight。A
lordlygroveofmagnificentlive-oakscastanareaofgrateful，coolshade，whencetheranchhaddrawnitsname，"delasSombras"——oftheshadows。Thehouse，ofredbrick，onestory，ranlowandlongbeneaththetrees。
Throughitsmiddle，dividingitssixroomsinhalf，extendedabroad，archedpassageway，picturesquewithfloweringcactusandhangingredearthernjars。A"gallery，"lowandbroad，encircledthebuilding。Vinesclimbedaboutit，andtheadjacentgroundwas，foraspace，coveredwithtransplantedgrassandshrubs。Alittlelake，longandnarrow，glimmeredinthesunattherear。FurtherawaystoodtheshacksoftheMexicanworkers，thecorrals，woolshedsandshearingpens。Totherightlaythelowhills，splatteredwithdarkpatchesofchaparral；tothelefttheunboundedgreenprairieblendingagainsttheblueheavens。
"It"sahome，Teddy，"saidOctavia，breathlessly；
that"swhatitis——it"sahome。"
"Notsobadforasheepranch，"admittedTeddy，withexcusablepride。"I"vebeentinkeringonitatoddtimes。"
AMexicanyouthsprangfromsomewhereinthegrass，andtookchargeofthecreams。Themistressandthemanagerenteredthehouse。
"Here"sMrs。MacIntyre，"saidTeddy，asaplacid，neat，elderlyladycameoutuponthegallerytomeetthem。"Mrs。Mac，here"stheboss。Verylikelyshewillbewantingahunkofhamandadishofbeansafterherdrive。"
Mrs。MacIntyre，thehousekeeper，asmuchafixtureontheplaceasthelakeorthelive-oaks，receivedtheimputationoftheranch"sresourcesofrefreshmentwithmildindignation，andwasabouttogiveitutterancewhenOctaviaspoke。
"Oh，Mrs。MacIntyre，don"tapologizeforTeddy。
Yes，IcallhimTeddy。Sodoeseveryonewhomhehasn"tdupedintotakinghimseriously。Yousee，weusedtocutpaperdollsandplayjackstrawstogetheragesago。Noonemindswhathesays。"
"No，"saidTeddy，"noonemindswhathesays，justsohedoesn"tdoitagain。"
Octaviacastoneofthosesubtle，sidelongglancestowardhimfrombeneathherloweredeyelids——aglancethatTeddyusedtodescribeasanupper-cut。Buttherewasnothinginhisingenuous，weather-tannedfacetowarrantasuspicionthathewasmakinganallusion——
nothing。Beyondadoubt，thoughtOctavia，hehadforgotten。
"Mr。Westlakelikeshisfun，"saidMrs。Maclntyre，assheconductedOctaviatoherrooms。"But，"sheadded，loyally，"peoplearoundhereusuallypayattentiontowhathesayswhenhetalksinearnest。Idon"tknowwhatwouldhavebecomeofthisplacewithouthim。"
Tworoomsattheeastendofthehousehadbeenarrangedfortheoccupancyoftheranch"smistress。Whensheenteredthemaslightdismayseizedherattheirbareappearanceandthescantinessoftheirfurniture；butshequicklyreflectedthattheclimatewasasemi-tropicalone，andwasmovedtoappreciationofthewell-conceivedeffortstoconformtoit。Thesasheshadalreadybeenremovedfromthebigwindows，andwhitecurtainswavedintheGulfbreezethatstreamedthroughthewidejalousies。
Thebarefloorwasamplystrewnwithcoolrugs；thechairswereinviting，deep，dreamywillows；thewallswerepaperedwithalight，cheerfulolive。Onewholesideofhersittingroomwascoveredwithbooksonsmooth，unpaintedpineshelves。Sheflewtotheseatonce。Beforeherwasawell-selectedlibrary。Shecaughtglimpsesoftitlesofvolumesoffictionandtravelnotyetseasonedfromthedampnessofthepress。
Presently，recollectingthatshewasnowinawildernessgivenovertomutton，centipedesandprivations，theincongruityoftheseluxuriesstruckher，and，withintuitivefemininesuspicion，shebeganturningtothefly-leavesofvolumeaftervolume。UponeachonewasinscribedinfluentcharactersthenameofTheodoreWestlake，Jr。
Octavia，fatiguedbyherlongjourney，retiredearlythatnight。Lyinguponherwhite，coolbed，sheresteddeliciously，butsleepcoquettedlongwithher。Shelistenedtofaintnoiseswhosestrangenesskeptherfacultiesonthealert——thefractiousyelpingofthecoyotes，theceaseless，lowsymphonyofthewind，thedistantboomingofthefrogsaboutthelake，thelamentationofaconcertinaintheMexicans"quarters。Thereweremanyconflictingfeelingsinherheart——thankfulnessandrebellion，peaceanddisquietude，lonelinessandasenseofprotectingcare，happinessandanold，hauntingpain。
Shedidwhatanyotherwomanwouldhavedone——
soughtreliefinawholesometideofunreasonabletears，andherlastwords，murmuredtoherselfbeforeslumber，capitulating，camesoftlytowooher，were"Hehasforgotten。"
ThemanageroftheRanchodelasSombraswasnodilettante。Hewasa"hustler。"Hewasgenerallyup，mounted，andawayofmorningsbeforetherestofthehouseholdwereawake，makingtheroundsoftheflocksandcamps。Thiswasthedutyofthemajordomo，astatelyoldMexicanwithaprincelyairandmanner，butTeddyseemedtohaveagreatdealofconfidenceinhisowneyesight。Exceptinthebusyseasons，henearlyalwaysreturnedtotheranchtobreakfastateighto"clock，withOctaviaandMrs。Maclntyre，atthelittletablesetinthecentralhallway，bringingwithhimatonicandbreezycheerfulnessfullofthehealthandflavouroftheprairies。
AfewdaysafterOctavia"sarrivalhemadehergetoutoneofherridingskirts，andcurtailittoashortnessdemandedbythechaparralbrakes。
Withsomemisgivingsshedonnedthisandthepairofbuckskinleggingsheprescribedinaddition，and，mounteduponadancingpony，rodewithhimtoviewherposses-
sions。Heshowedhereverything——theflocksofewes，muttonsandgrazinglambs，thedippingvats，theshearingpens，theuncouthmerinoramsintheirlittlepasture，thewater-tanksIpreparedagainstthesummerdrought——
givingaccountofhisstewardshipwithaboyishenthus-
siasmthatneverflagged。
WherewastheoldTeddythatsheknewsowell？Thissideofhimwasthesame，anditwasasidethatpleasedher；butthiswasallsheeversawofhimnow。Wherewashissentimentality——thoseold，varyingmoodsofimpetuouslove-making，offanciful，quixoticdevotion，ofheart-breakinggloom，ofalternating，absurdtendernessandhaughtydignity？Hisnaturehadbeenasensitiveone，histemperamentborderingcloselyontheartistic。
Sheknewthat，besidesbeingafolloweroffashionanditsfadsandsports，hehadcultivatedtastesofafinernature。
Hehadwrittenthings，hehadtamperedwithcolours，hewassomethingofastudentincertainbranchesofart，andonceshehadbeenadmittedtoallhisaspirationsandthoughts。Butnow——andshecouldnotavoidthecon-
clusion——Teddyhadbarricadedagainsthereverysideofhimselfexceptone——thesidethatshowedthemanageroftheRanchodelasSombrasandajollychumwhohadforgivenandforgotten。QueerlyenoughthewordsofMr。Bannister"sdescriptionofherpropertycameintohermind——"allinclosedwithinastrongbarbed-wirefence。"
"Teddy"sfenced，too，"saidOctaviatoherself。
Itwasnotdifficultforhertoreasonoutthecauseofhisfortifications。IthadoriginatedonenightattheHammersmiths"ball。ItoccurredatatimesoonaftershehaddecidedtoacceptColonelBeaupreeandhismillion，whichwasnomorethanherlooksandtheentr閑
sheheldtotheinnercircleswereworth。Teddyhadproposedwithallhisimpetuosityandfire，andshelookedhimstraightintheeyes，ansaid，coldlyandfinally:
"Neverletmehearanysuchsillynonsensefromyouagain。""Youwon"t，"saidTeddy，withanexpressionaroundhismouth，and——nowTeddywasinclosedwithinastrongbarbed-wirefence。
ItwasonthisfirstrideofinspectionthatTeddywasseizedbytheinspirationthatsuggestedthenameofMotherGoose"sheroine，andheatoncebestowedituponOctavia。Theidea，supportedbybothasimilarityofnamesandidentityofoccupations，seemedtostrikehimasapeculiarlyhappyone，andhenevertiredofusingit。
TheMexicansontheranchalsotookupthename，addinganothersyllabletoaccommodatetheirlingualincapacityforthefinal"p，"gravelyreferringtoheras"LaMadamaBo-Peepy。"Eventuallyitspread，and"MadameBo-
Peep"sranch"wasasoftenmentionedasthe"RanchodelasSombras。"
Camethelong，hotseasonfromMaytoSeptember，whenworkisscarceontheranches。Octaviapassedthedaysinakindoflotus-eater"sdream。Books，hammocks，correspondencewithafewintimatefriends，arenewedinterestinheroldwater-colourboxandeasel——thesedisposedofthesultryhoursofdaylight。Theeveningswerealwayssuretobringenjoyment。BestofallweretherapturoushorsebackrideswithTeddy，whenthemoongavelightoverthewind-sweptleagues，chaperonedbythewheelingnight-hawkandthestartledowl。OftentheMexicanswouldcomeupfromtheirshackswiththeirguitarsandsingtheweirdestofheart-breakingsongs。
Therewerelong，cosychatsonthebreezygallery，andaninterminablewarfareofwitsbetweenTeddyandMrs。
MacIntyre，whoseabundantScotchshrewdnessoftenmorethanovermatchedthelighterhumourinwhichshewaslacking。
Andthenightscame，oneafteranother，andwerefiledawaybyweeksandmonths——nightssoftandlanguorousandfragrant，thatshouldhavedrivenStrephontoChloeoverwireshoweverbarbed，thatmighthavedrawnCupidhimselftohunt，lassoinhand，amongthoseamorouspastures——butTeddykepthisfencesup。
OneJulynightMadameBo-Peepandherranchman-
agerweresittingontheeastgallerv。Teddyhadbeenexhaustingthescienceofprognosticationastotheproba-
bilitiesofapriceoftwenty-fourcentsfortheautumnclip，andhadthensubsidedintoananestheticcloudofHavanasmoke。OnlyasincompetentajudgeasawomanwouldhavefailedtonotelongagothatatleastathirdofhissalarymusthavegoneupinthefumesofthoseimportedRegalias。
"Teddy，"saidOctavia，suddenly，andrathersharply，"whatareyouworkingdownhereonaranchfor？"
"Onehundredper，"saidTeddy，glibly，"andfound。"
"I"veagoodmindtodischargeyou。"
"Can"tdoit，"saidTeddy，withagrin。
"Whynot？"demandedOctavia，withargumentativeheat。
"Undercontract。Termsofsalerespectallunexpiredcontracts。Minerunsuntil12P。m。，Decemberthirty-first。
Youmightgetupatmidnightonthatdateandfireme。
ifyoutryitsoonerI"llbeinapositiontobringlegalproceedings。"
Octaviaseemedtobeconsideringtheprospectsoflitigation。
"But，"continuedTeddycheerfully，"I"vebeenthink-
ingofresigninganyway。"
Octavia"srocking-chairceaseditsmotion。Therewerecentipedesinthiscountry，shefeltsure；andIndians，andvast，lonely，desolate，emptywastes；allwithinstrongbarbed-wirefence。TherewasaVanDresserpride，buttherewasalsoaVanDresserheart。Shemustknowforcertainwhetherornothehadforgotten。
"Ah，well，Teddy，"shesaid，withafineassumptionofpoliteinterest，"it"slonelydownhere；you"relongingtogetbacktotheoldlife——topoloandlobstersandtheatresandballs。"
"Nevercaredmuchforballs，"saidTeddyvirtuously。
"You"regettingold，Teddy。Yourmemoryisfailing。
Nobodyeverknewyoutomissadance，unlessitoccurredonthesamenightwithanotheronewhichyouattended。
Andyoushowedsuchshockingbadtaste，too，indancingtoooftenwiththesamepartner。Letmesee，whatwasthatForbesgirl"sname——theonewithwalleyes——
Mabel，wasn"tit？"
"No；Ad閘e。Mabelwastheonewiththebonyelbows。Thatwasn"twallinAd閘e"seyes。Itwassoul。
Weusedtotalksonnetstogether，andVerlaine。JustthenIwastryingtorunapipefromthePierianspring。"
"Youwereonthefloorwithher，"saidOctavia，unde-
flected，"fivetimesattheHammersmiths"。"
"Hammersmiths"what？"questionedTeddy，vacuously。
"Ball——ball，"saidOctavia，viciously。"Whatwerewetalkingof？"
"Eyes，Ithought，"saidTeddy，aftersomereflection；
"andelbows。"
"ThoseHammersmiths，"wentonOctavia，inhersweetestsocietyprattle，aftersubduinganintensedesiretoyankahandfulofsunburnt，sandyhairfromtheheadlyingbackcontentedlyagainstthecanvasofthesteamerchair，"hadtoomuchmoney。Mines，wasn"tit？Itwassomethingthatpaidsomethingtotheton。Youcouldn"tgetaglassofplainwaterintheirhouse。Everythingatthatballwasdreadfullyoverdone。"
"Itwas，"saidTeddy。
"Suchacrowdtherewas!"Octaviacontinued，con-
sciousthatshewastalkingtherapiddrivelofaschool-
girldescribingherfirstdance。"Thebalconieswereaswarmastherooms。I——lost——somethingatthatball。"
Thelastsentencewasutteredinatonecalculatedtoremovethebarbsfrommilesofwire。
"SodidI，"confessedTeddy，inalowervoice。
"Aglove，"saidOctavia，fallingbackastheenemyapproachedherditches。
"Caste，"saidTeddy，haltinghisfiringlinewithoutloss。"Ihobnobbed，halftheeveningwithoneofHammersmith"sminers，afellowwhokepthishandsinhispockets，andtalkedlikeanarchangelaboutreductionplantsanddriftsandlevelsandsluice-boxes。"
"Apearl-grayglove，nearlynew，"sighedOctavia，mournfully。
"Abang-upchap，thatMcArdle，"maintainedTeddyapprovingly。"Amanwhohatedolivesandelevators；
amanwhohandledmountainsascroquettes，andbuilttunnelsintheair；amanwhoneverutteredawordofsillynonsenseinhislife。Didyousignthoselease-
renewalapplicationsyet，madama？They"vegottobeonfileinthelandofficebythethirty-first。"
Teddyturnedhisheadlazily。Octavia"schairwasvacant。
Acertaincentipede，crawlingalongthelinesmarkedoutbyfate，expoundedthesituation。ItwasearlyonemorningwhileOctaviaandMrs。Maclntyreweretrim-
mingthehoneysuckleonthewestgallery。Teddyhadrisenanddepartedhastilybeforedaylightinresponsetowordthataflockofeweshadbeenscatteredfromtheirbeddinggroundduringthenightbyathunder-storm。
Thecentipede，drivenbydestiny，showedhimselfonthefloorofthegallery，andthen，thescreechesofthetwowomengivinghimhiscue，hescuttledwithallhisyellowlegsthroughtheopendoorintothefurthermostwestroom，whichwasTeddy"s。Armingthemselveswithdomesticutensilsselectedwithregardtotheirlength，OctaviaandMrs。Maclntyre，withmuchclutchingofskirtsandskirmishingforthepositionofrearguardintheattackingforce，followed。
Onceoutside，thecentipedeseemedtohavedisappeared，andhisprospectivemurderersbeganathoroughbutcautioussearchfortheirvictim。
EveninthemidstofsuchadangerousandabsorbingadventureOctaviawasconsciousofanawedcuriosityonfindingherselfinTeddy"ssanctum。Inthatroomhesatalone，silentlycommuningwiththosesecretthoughtsthathenowsharedwithnoone，dreamedtherewhateverdreamshenowcalledonnoonetointerpret。
ItwastheroomofaSpartanorasoldier。Inonecornerstoodawide，canvas-coveredcot；inanother，asmallbookcase；inanother，agrimstandofWinchestersandshotguns。Animmensetable，strewnwithletters，papersanddocumentsandsurmountedbyasetofpigeon-
holes，occupiedoneside。
Thecentipedeshowedgeniusinconcealinghimselfinsuchbarequarters。Mrs。Maclntyrewaspokingabroom-handlebehindthebookcase。OctaviaapproachedTeddy"scot。Theroomwasjustasthemanagerhadleftitinhishurry。TheMexicanmaidhadnotyetgivenitherattention。Therewashisbigpillowwiththeimprintofhisheadstillinthecentre。ShethoughtthehorridbeastmighthaveclimbedthecotandhiddenitselftobiteTeddy。Centipedeswerethuscruelandvindictivetowardmanagers。
Shecautiouslyoverturnedthepillow，andthenpartedherlipstogivethesignalforreinforcementsatsightofalong，slender，darkobjectlyingthere。But，repressingitintime，shecaughtupaglove，apearl-grayglove，flattened——itmightbeconceived——bymany，manymonthsofnightlypressurebeneaththepillowofthemanwhohadforgottentheHammersmiths"ball。Teddymusthaveleftsohurriedlythatmorningthathehad，foronce，forgottentotransferittoitsresting-placebyday。
Evenmanagers，whoarenotoriouslywilyandcunning，aresometimescaughtupwith。
Octaviaslidthegraygloveintothebosomofhersum-
merymorninggown。Itwashers。Menwhoputthem-
selveswithinastrongbarbed-wirefence，andrememberHammersmithballsonlybythetalkofminersaboutsluice-
boxes，shouldnotbeallowedtopossesssucharticles。
Afterall，whataparadisethisprairiecountrywas!
Howitblossomedliketherosewhenyoufoundthingsthatwerethoughttobelost!Howdeliciouswasthatmorningbreezecominginthewindows，freshandsweetwiththebreathoftheyellowratamablooms!Mightonenotstand，foraminute，withshining，far-gazingeyes，anddreamthatmistakesmightbecorrected？
WhywasMrs。Maclntyrepokingaboutsoabsurdlywithabroom？
"I"vefoundit，"saidMrs。MacIntyre，bangingthedoor。
"Hereitis。"
"Didyoulosesomething？askedOctavia，withsweetlypolitenon-interest。
"Thelittledevil!"saidMrs。Maclntyre，driventoviolence。"Ye"venoforgottenhimalretty？"
Betweenthemtheyslewthecentipede。ThuswasherewardedforhisagencytowardtherecoveryofthingslostattheHammersmiths"ball。
ItseemsthatTeddy，induecourse，rememberedtheglove，andwhenhereturnedtothehouseatsunsetmadeasecretbutexhaustivesearchforit。Notuntilevening，uponthemoonliteasterngallery，didhefindit。Itwasuponthehandthathehadthoughtlosttohimforever，andsohewasmovedtorepeatcertainnonsensethathehadbeencommandednever，nevertoutteragain。Teddy"sfencesweredown。
Thistimetherewasnoambitiontostandintheway，andthewooingwasasnaturalandsuccessfulasshouldbebetweenardentshepherdandgentleshepherdess。
Theprairieschangedtoagarden。TheRanchodelasSombrasbecametheRanchofLight。
AfewdayslaterOctaviareceivedaletterfromMr。
Bannister，inreplytooneshehadwrittentohimaskingsomequestionsaboutherbusiness。Aportionoftheletterranasfollows:
"Iamatalosstoaccountforyourreferencestothesheepranch。Twomonthsafteryourdeparturetotakeupyourresidenceuponit，itwasdiscoveredthatColonelBeaupree"stitlewasworthless。Adeedcametolightshowingthathedisposedofthepropertybeforehisdeath。
Thematterwasreportedtoyourmanager，Mr。Westlake，whoatoncerepurchadtheproperty。Itisentirelybeyondmypowersofconjecturetoimaginehowyouhaveremainedinignoranceofthisfact。Ibegyouthatwillatonceconferwiththatgentleman，whowill，atleast，corroboratemystatement。"
OctaviasoughtTeddy，withbattleinhereye。
"Whatareyouworkingonthisranchfor？"sheaskedoncemore。
"Onehundred——"hebegantorepeat，butsawinherfacethatsheknew。SheheldMr。Bannister"sletterinherhand。Heknewthatthegamewasup。
"It"smyranch，"saidTeddy，likeaschoolboydetectedinevil。"It"samightypoormanagerthatisn"tabletoabsorbtheboss"sbusinessifyougivehimtime。"
"Whywereyouworkingdownhere？"pursuedOctaviastillstrugglingafterthekeytotheriddleofTeddy。
"Totellthetruth，"Tave，"saidTeddy，withquietcandour，"itwasn"tforthesalary。Thataboutkeptmeincigarsandsunburnlotions。Iwassentsouthbymydoctor。"Twasthatrightlungthatwasgoingtothebadonaccountofover-exerciseandstrainatpoloandgym-
nastics。Ineededclimateandozoneandrestandthingsofthatsort。"
InaninstantOctaviawascloseagainstthevicinityoftheaffectedorgan。Mr。Bannister"sletterflutteredtothefloor。
"It"s——it"swellnow，isn"tit，Teddy？"
"Soundasamesquitechunk。Ideceivedyouinonething。IpaidfiftythousandforyourranchassoonasIfoundyouhadnotitle。Ihadjustaboutthatmuchincomeaccumulatedatmybanker"swhileI"vebeenherdingsheepdownhere，soitwasalmostlikepickingthethinguponabargain-counterforapenny。There"sanotherlittlesurplusofunearnedincrementpilingupthere，"Tave。I"vebeenthinkingofaweddingtripinayachtwithwhiteribbonstiedtothemast，throughtheMediterranean，andthenupamongtheHebridesanddownNorwaytotheZuyderZee。"
"AndIwasthinking，"saidOctavia，softly，"ofaweddinggallopwithmymanageramongtheflocksofsheepandbacktoaweddingbreakfastwithMrs。Mae-
Intyreonthegallery，with，maybe，asprigoforangeblossomfastenedtotheredjarabovethetable。"
Teddylaughed，andbegantochant:
"LittleBo-Peephaslosthersheep，Anddoesn"tknowwheretofind"em。
Let"emalone，andthey"llcomehome，And——"
Octaviadrewhisheaddown，andwhisperedinhisear，Butthatisoneofthetalestheybroughtbehindthem。