第7章
“Thenegrowhowaslynchedto-daymightneverhavecommittedthecrimehedidhadnotthewild，disturbingdreamofequalitybeenstirringinhisbrain。Everyspeech，everylook，everyactionwhichencouragesthatideaisacrime。Inthiscounty，wheretheblacksoutnumberus，wemusteitherruleasmastersorbesubmerged。
“Thismanisstillbelievedbythenegroestopossesssomemiraculouspower。Heisthereforedoublydangerous。Asasharpwarningtothemhemustdie。Hisdeathwilldomoretowardendingthetroublehehaspreparedthanthedeathofadozennegroes。
“AndasGodismywitness，Ispeakandactnotthroughpassion，butfromthedictatesofconscience。“
Hemeantit，Grimesdid。Andwhenhesetdowntheywasahush。AndthenWill，thechairman，beguntocalltheroll。
Ineverbeenmuchofapersontohavebaddreamsornightmaresorthingslikethat。Buteversincethatnightinthatschoolhouse，ifIdohaveanight-
mare，ittakestheshapeofthatrollbeingcalled。
Everywordwaslikeaspadegratingandgrittingindampgravelwhenagraveisdug。Itsoundedsotome。
“SamuelPalmour，howdoyouvote？”thatchair-
manwouldsay。
SamuelPalmour，orwhoeveritwas，wouldhisthimselftohisfeet，andhewouldsaysomethinglikethis：
“Death。“
Hewouldn"tsayitjoyous。Hewouldn"tsayitmad。Hewouldbepalewhenhesaidit，mebby——
andmebbytrembling。Buthewouldsayitlikeitwasadutyhehadtodo，thatcouldn"tbegotoutof。Thattheretrialhadlastedsolongtheywasn"thotbloodleftinnobodyjestthen——onlycoldblood，anddeterminationanddutyandprinciple。
“BuckHightower，“saysthechairman，“howdoyouvote？”
“Death，“saysBuck；“deathfortheman。Butsay，can"twejestLICKthekidandturnhimloose？”
Andsoitwent，uponesidetheroomanddowntheother。Grimeshadshowed"emalltheirduty。
NotbutwhattheyhadintendedtodoitbeforeGrimesspoke。ButhehadputitinsuchawaytheyseenitwassomethingwithevenMOREprincipletoitthantheyhadthoughtitwasbefore。
“BillyHarden，“saysthechairman，“howdoyouvote？”Billywasthelastofthebunch。Andmosthadvotedfurdeath。Billy，heopenedhismouthandhesquaredhimselfawaytooratesome。Butjestashedoneso，thedooropenedandOldDaddyWitherssteppedin。HehadbeengonesolongI
hadplumbforgothim。Rightbehindhimwasatall，sparefeller，withblackeyesandstraightiron-grayhair。
“Ivote，“saysBillyHarden，beginningofhisspeech，“Ivotefordeath。ThereasonuponwhichIbase——“
ButDoctorKirbyrizupandinterruptedhim。
“Youaregoingtokillme，“hesaid。Hewaspalebuthewasquiet，andhespokeascalmandsteadyasheeverdoneinhislife。“Youaregoingtokillmelikethecrowdofsneakingcowardsthatyouare。
AndyouAREsuchcowardsthatyou"vetalkedtwohoursaboutit，insteadofdoingit。AndI"lltellyouwhyyou"vetalkedsomuch：becausenoONE
ofyoualonewoulddaretodoit，andeverymanofyouintheendwantstogoawaythinkingthattheotherfellowhadthebiggestshareinit。AndnoONEofyouwillfirethegunorpulltherope——you"lldoitALLTOGETHER，inacrowd，becauseeachonewillwanttotellhimselfheonlytouchedtherope，orthatHISGUNmissed。
“Iknowyou，byGod！”heshouted，flushingupintoapassion——anditbroughtbloodintotheirfaces，too——“Iknowyourightdowntoyourroots，betterthanyouknowyourselves。“
Hewaslosingholdofhimself，androaringlikeabullandflingingouttauntsthatmade"emsquirm。
Ifhewantedthethingoverquick，hewastakingjestthewaytowarm"emuptoit。ButIdon"tthinkhewasfiggeringonanythingthen，orhadanyplanuphissleeve。Hehadmadeuphismindhewasgoingtodie，andhewassomadbecausehecouldn"tgetinonegoodlickfirstthathewasnighcrazy。Ilookedtoseehimloseallsenseinaminute，andrushamongstthemgunsandenditinawhirl。
ButjestasIfiggeredhewasonhistiptoesfurthat，andwasgettingupmyownsand，hethrowedalookmyway。Andsomethingsoberedhim。Hestoodtheredigginghisfingernailsintothepalmsofhishandsfuraminute，togethimselfback。Andwhenhespokehewassortofhusky。
“Thatboythere，“hesays。Andthenhestopsandkindofchokesup。Andinaminutehewasbeggingfurme。Hetells"emIwasn"tmixedupinnothing。Hewouldn"tofdoneitfurhimself，buthebeggedfurme。Nobodyhadpaidmuchattentiontomefromthefirst，exceptBuckHigh-
towerhadputinagoodwordfurme。Butsome-
howthedoctorhadgotthecrowdlisteningtohimagin，andtheyalllookedatme。Itgotnexttome。
Iseenbythewaytheywaslooking，andIfeltitintheair，thattheywasgoingtoletmeoff。
ButDoctorKirby，hehadalwaysbeenmyfriend。
ItmademesorefurtoseehimthinkingIwasn"twithhim。SoIsays：
“Youbettercanthatlineoftalk。Theydon"tgetyouwithouttheygetme，too。YouorterknowIain"taquitter。Yougivemeapain。“
Andthedoctorandmestoodandlookedateachotherfuraminute。Hegrinnedatme，andallofasuddenwewasneitheroneofusmuchgivingawhoop，furithadcometousbothatoncetwhatawfulgoodfriendswewaswitheachother。
Butjestthentheycomeaslow，easy-goingsortofavoicefromthebackpartoftheroom。
ThatfellerthathadcomeinalongwithOldDaddyWitherscomesaunteringdownthemiddleaisle，fumblinginhiscoatpocket，andspeakingashecome。
“I"vebeenhearingagreatdealoftalkaboutkillingpeopleinthelastfewminutes，“hesays。
Everybodyrubberedathim。
CHAPTERXXI
Therewassomethingsortofcarelessinhisvoice，likehehadjestdroppedintoseeashow，andithadcometohimsuddenthathewouldenjoyhimselffuraminuteortwotakingpartinit。Buthewasn"tgoingtogetTOOworkedupaboutit，either，furtheshowmightendbymak-
inghimtired，afterall。
Ashecomedowntheaislefumblinginhiscoat，hestoppedandbeguntoslapallhispockets。Thenhisfacecleared，andhedivedintoavestpocket。
Everybodylookedliketheythoughthewasgoingtopullsomethingimportantoutofit。Buthedidn"t。Allhepulledoutwasjestoneoftheseherelittleordinaryredbooksofcigarettepapers。Thenhedivedfursomeloosetobacco，andbeguntorollone。Inoticedhisfingerswaslongandwhiteandslimandquick。Butnotexcitedfingers；onlythekindthatseemstosayasmuchastalkingsays。
Helickedhiscigarette，andthenhesaunteredahead，lookingup。Ashelookedupthelightfellfullonhisfacefurthefirsttime。Hehadhighcheekbonesandiron-grayhairwhichheworeratherlong，andveryblackeyes。AsheliftedhisheadandlookedcloseatDoctorKirby，achangewentoverboththeirfaces。DoctorKirby"smouthopenedlikehewasgoingtospeak。Sodidtheotherfeller"s。Onesideofhismouthtwitchedintosomethingthatwastoosurprisedtobeagrin，andoneofhisblackeyebrowslifteditselfupatthesametime。ButneitherhimnorDoctorKirbyspoke。
HestuckhiscigaretteintohismouthandturnedsidewaysfromDoctorKirby，likehehadn"tnoticedhimpertic"ler。Andheturnstothechairman。
“Will，“hesays。Andeverybodylistens。Youcouldseetheyallknowedhim，andthattheyallrespectedhimtoo，bythewaytheywaswaitingtohearwhathewouldsaytoWill。Buttheywasallimpatientandeager，too，andtheywouldn"twaitverylong，althoughnowtheywashushingeachotherandleaningforward。
“Will，“hesays，verypoliteandquiet，“canI
troubleyouforamatch？”
Andeverybodyletgotheirbreath。Somewithasnort，liketheyknowedtheywasbeingtrifledwith，anditmade"emsore。Hiseyebrowsgoesupagin，likeitwasawfulimpoliteinfolkstosnortthat-a-
way，andheissurprisedtohearit。AndWill，hedigsfuramatchandfindsherandpassesherover。
Helightshiscigarette，andhedrawsagoodinhale，andheblowsthesmokeoutlikeitdonehimaheapofgood。Heseessomethingsointerestinginthatlittlecloudofsmokethateverybodyelselooksatit，too。
“DoIunderstand，“hesays，“thatsomeoneisgoingtolynchsomeone，orsomethingofthatsort？”
“That"saboutthesizeofit，colonel，“saysWill。
“Um！”hesays，“Whatfor？”
Theneverybodystartstotalkallatonce，halfofthemjumpingtotheirfeet，andmakingaperfecthullabalooofexplanationsyoucouldn"tgetnosenseoutof。Inthemidstofwhichthecoloneltakesachairandsetsdownandcrossesonelegovertheother，swingingtheloosefootandsmilingverypatient。WhichWillremembersheischairmanofthatmeetingandpoundsfurorder。
“Thankyou，Will，“saysthecolonel，likegettingorderwasapersonalfavourtohim。ThenBillyHardengetsthefloor，andsquaresawayfuralong-
windedspeechtellingwhy。ButBuckHightowerjumpsupimpatientandsays：
“We"vebeenthroughallthat，Billy。Thatmantherehasbeentriedandfoundguilty，colonel，andthere"sonlyonethingtodo——stringhimup。“
“Buck，_I_wouldn"t，“saysthecolonel，verymild。
ButthattheremanGrimesgetsupverysoberandsteadyandsays：
“Colonel，youdon"tunderstand。“Andhetellshimthehullthingashebelievedittobe——whytheyhasvotedthedoctormustdie，theroomwarm-
ingupaginashetalks，andthecolonellisteningveryinterested。Butyoucouldseebythelooksofhimthatcolonelwouldn"tneverbeinterestedsomuchinanythingbuthimself，andhisownwayofdoingthings。Inawayhewaslikeafellerthatenjoyshavingonepartofhimselfstandasideandwatchtheplay-actorgameanotherpartofhimselfisactingout。
“Grimes，“hesays，whenthepock-markedmanfinishes，“Iwouldn"t。Ireallywouldn"t。“
“Colonel，“saysGrimes，showinghisknowledgethattheyareallstandingsolidbehindhim，“WE
WILL！”
“Ah，“saysthecolonel，hiseyebrowsgoingup，andhisfacelightinguplikeheisreallybeginningtoenjoyhimselfandisgladhecome，“indeed！”
“Yes，“saysGrimes，“WEWILL！”
“Butnot，“saysthecolonel，“beforewehavetalkedthethingoverabit，Ihope？”
“There"sbeentoomuchtalkherenow，“yellsBuckHightower，“talk，talk，till，byGod，I"msickofit！Where"sthatROPE？”
“But，listentohim——listentothecolonel！”someoneelsesingsout。Andthentheywasanotherhullabaloo，someyelling“no！”Andthecolonel，verypatient，rollshimselfanothersmokeandlightsitfromthebuttofthefirstone。ButfinallytheyquietsdownenoughsoWillcanputittoavote。
Whichvotegoesfurthecoloneltospeak。
“Boys，“hebeginsveryquiet，“Iwouldn"tlynchthisman。Inthefirstplaceitwilllookbadinthenewspapers，and——“
“Thenewspapersbed——d！”sayssomeone。
“Andinthesecondplace，“goesonthecolonel，“itwouldbeagainstthelaw，and——“
“Thelawbed——d！”saysBuckHightower。
“There"sahigherlaw！”saysGrimes。
“Againstthelaw，“saysthecolonel，risingupandthrowingawayhiscigarette，andgettinginter-
ested。
“Iknowhowyoufeelaboutallthisnegrobusi-
ness。AndIfeelthesameway。Weallknowthatwemustbethenegros"masters。GrimestherefoundthatoutwhenhecameSouth，andtheideapleasedhimsohehasn"tbeenabletotalkaboutanythingelsesince。GrimeshasturnedintowhattheNorthernnewspapersthinkatypicalSoutherneris。
“Boys，thisthingoflynchinggetstobeahabit。
There"sbeenanegrolynchedto-day。He"sthethirdinthiscountyinfiveyears。Theyallneededkilling。IfthethingstoppedthereIwouldn"tcaresomuch。Butthehabitofillegalkillinggrowswhenitgetsstarted。
“It"sgrownonyou。You"refixingtolynchyourfirstwhitemannow。Ifyoudo，you"lllynchan-
othereasier。You"lllynchoneformurderandthenextforstealinghogsandthenextbecausehe"sunpopularandthenextbecausehehappenstodunyouforadebt。AndinfiveyearslifewillbeascheapinWatsonCountyasitisinaNewYorkslumwheretheyfeedimmigrantstothefactories。
You"llallbetotinggunsandgrudgesandtryingtolyncheachother。
“Theplacetostopthethingiswhereitstarts。
Youcan"thaveitbothways——you"vegottostandpatonthelaw，orelseseethelawspitonrightandleft，intheend，andNOBODYsafe。It"seitherlawor——“
“But，“saysGrimes，“there"sahigherlawthanthatonthestatutebooks。There"s——“
“There"salotofflub-dub，“saysthecolonel，“abouthigherlawsandunwrittenlaws。Butwe"vegothighenoughlawwrittenifweliveuptoit。
There"s——“
“ColonelTomBuckner，“saysBuckHightower，“whatkindoflawwasitwhenyoushotEdHowardfifteenyearsago？What——“
“You"reoutoforder，“saysthechairman，“ColonelBucknerhasthefloor。AndI"llremindyou，BuckHightower，that，ontheoccasionyoudragin，ColonelBucknerdidn"tdoanytalkingabouthigherlawsorunwrittenlaws。Hesentwordtothesherifftocomeandgethimifhedared。“
“Boys，“saysthecolonel，“I"mpreachingyouhigherdoctrinethanI"velivedby，andI"vemadenoclaimtobebetterormoremoralthananyofyou。I"mnot。I"minthesameboatwithallofyou，andItellyouit"suptoALLofustostoplynch-
ingsinthiscounty——tosetourfacesagainstit。
Itellyou——“
“Isthatallyou"vegottosaytous，colonel？”
Thequestioncomeoutofagroupthathaddrawednearertogetherwhilstthecolonelwastalking。
Theywastiredoflisteningtotalkandarguments，andshowedit。
Thecolonelstoppedspeakingshortwhentheyflungthatquestionathim。Hisfacechanged。
Heturnedseriousallover。Andheletloosejestoneword：
“NO！”
Notveryloud，butwitharinginitthatsoundedlikedanger。Andhegot"emwaitingagin，andhangingonhiswords。
“No！”herepeats，louder，“notall。Ihavethistosaytoyou——“
Andhepausedagin，pointingonelongwhitefingeratthecrowd——
“IFYOULYNCHTHISMANYOUMUSTKILLMEFIRST！”
Icouldn"tgetawayfromthinking，ashestoodtheremakingthemtakethatin，thattheywassome-
thinglikeaplay-actorabouthim。Buthewasinearnest，andhewouldplayittotheend，furhelikedthefeelingsitmadecirculatethroughhisframe。Andtheysawhewasinearnest。
“You"lllynchhim，willyou？”hesays，akindofpassiongettingintohisvoicefurthefirsttime，andhiseyesglittering。“Youthinkyouwill？
Well，youWON"T！
“Youwon"tbecause_I_sayNOT。Doyouhear？
Icamehereto-nighttosavehim。
“YoumightstringHIMupandnotbecalledtoaccountforit。ButhowaboutME？”
Hetookastepforward，and，lookingfromfacetofacewithadareinhiseyes，hewenton：
“IsthereamanamongyoufoolenoughtothinkyoucouldkillTomBucknerandnotpayforit？”
Helet"emallthinkofthatforjestanotherminutebeforehespokeagin。Hisfacewasaswhiteasapieceofpaper，andhisnostrilswasworking，buteverythingelseabouthimwasquiet。Helookedthemasterofthemallashestoodthere，ColonelTomBucknerdid——straightandsplendidandkeen。Andtheyfeltthedangerinhim，andtheyfeltjesthowfurhewouldgo，nowhewasstarted。
“Youdidn"twanttolistentomeabitago，“hesaid。“Nowyoumust。Listenandchoose。Youcan"tkillthatmanunlessyoukillmetoo。
“TRYIT，IFYOUTHINKYOUCAN！”
Hereachedoverandtookfromtheteacher"sdeskthesheetofpaperWillhadusedtocheckoffthenameofeachmanandhowhevoted。Hehelditupinfrontofhimandeverymanlookedatit。
“Youknowme，“hesays。“YouknowIdonotbreakmyword。AndIpromiseyouthatunlessyoudokillmeheretonight——yes，asGodismywitness，ITHREATENyou——IwillspendeverydollarIownandeveryatomofinfluenceIpossesstobringeachoneofyoutojusticeforthatman"smurder。“
Theyknowed，thatcrowddid，thatkillingamanlikeColonelBuckner——aleaderandabigmaninthatpartofthestate——wasadifferentpropositionfromkillingastrangerlikeDoctorKirby。ThesenseofwhatitwouldmeantokillColonelBucknerwassinkinginto"em，andshowingontheirfaces。
Andnoonecouldlookathimstandingthere，withhisdeterminationblazingoutofhim，andnotunder-
standthatunlesstheydidkillhimaswellasDoctorKirbyhe"ddojestwhathesaid。
“Itoldyou，“hesaid，notraisinghisvoice，butdroppingit，andmakingitsomehowcomecreepingnearertoeveryonebydoingthat，“Itoldyouthefirstwhitemanyoulynchedwouldleadtootherlynchings。Letmeshowyouwhatyou"reupagainstto-night。
“Killthemanandtheboyhere，andyoumustkillme。Killme，andyoumustkillOldManWithers，too。“
Everyoneturnedtowardthedoorashemen-
tionedOldManWithers。Hehadneverbeenveryfarintotheroom。
“Oh，he"sgone，“saidColonelTom，astheyturnedtowardthedoor，andthenlookedateachother。“Gonehome。Gonehomewiththenameofeverymanpresent。Don"tyouseeyou"dhavetokillOldManWitherstoo，ifyoukilledme？Andthen，HISWIFE！Andthen——howmanymore？
“Doyouseeitwiden——thatpoolofblood？Doyouseeitspreadandspread？”
Helookeddownatthefloor，likehereallyseenitthere。Hehad"emgoingnow。Theyshowedit。
“Ifyoushedonedrop，“hewenton，“youmustshedmore。Can"tyouseeit——wideninganddeep-
ening，wideninganddeepening，tillyou"rewadingkneedeepinit——tillitclimbstoyourwaists——tillitclimbstoyourthroatsandchokesyou？”
Itwasahorribleidea，thewayheplayedthattherepoolofbloodandheshudderedlikehefeltitclimbinguphimself。Andtheyfeltit。Afewmencan"tkillahull，derncountyandgetawaywithit。
Thewayheputitthat"swhattheywasupagainst。
“Now，“saysColonelTom，“whatmanamongyouwantstostartit？”
Nobodymoved。Hewaitedaminute。Stillnobodymoved。Theyalllookedathim。Itwasawfulplainjestwheretheywouldhavetobegin。
Itwasawfulplainjestwhatitwouldallendupin。
AndIguesswhentheylookedathimstandingthere，sofineandstraightandsplendid，itjestseemedplumbunpossibletomakeamove。Therewasaspiritinhimthatcouldn"tbekilled。DoctorKirbysaidafterwardthatwaswhatcomeofbeingreal“quality，“whichwaswhatColonelTomwas——
itwasthatinhimthatlicked"em。Itwasthebestpartoftheirownselves，andthebestpartoftheirowncountry，speakingoutofhimtothem，thatdoneit。Mebbyso。Anyhow，afteraminutemoreofthatstrain，afellerbythedoorpicksuphisgunoutofthecornerwithascrape，andhistsittohisshoulderandwalksout。AndthenColonelTomsaystoWill，withhiseyebrowgoingup，andthatone-sidedgrincomingontohisfaceagin：
“Will，perhapsamotiontoadjournwouldbeinorder？”
CHAPTERXXII
SomanydifferentkindsoffeelinghadbeenchasingaroundinsideofmethatIhadnumbspotsinmyemotionalornamentsandintellectualorgans。TheroomclearedoutofeverybodybutDoctorKirbyandColonelTomandme。Butthesoundofthecrowdgoingintotheroad，andtheirfootstepsdyingaway，andthenafterthattheirvoicesquitting，allmadebutverylittlesensetome。Icouldscarcelyrealizethatthedan-
gerwasover。
Ihadn"tbeenpayingmuchattentiontoDoctorKirbywhilethecolonelwasmakingthatgrand-
standplayofhis"n，andgettingawaywithit。Doc-
torKirbywassettinginhischairwithhisheadsortofsunkonhischest。Iguesshewashavingahardtimehimselftorealizethatallthedangerwaspast。
Butmebbyitwasn"tthat——helookedlikehemightreallyofforgotwherehewasfuraminute，andmightbethinkingofsomethingthathadhappenedalongtimeago。
Thecolonelwasleaningupagintheteacher"sdesk，smokingandlookingatDoctorKirby。
DoctorKirbyturnsaroundtowardthecolonel。
“Youhavesavedmylife，“hesays，gettingupoutofhischair，likehehadanotiontostepoverandthankhimfurit，butwassomehownotquitesurehowthatwouldbetook。
Thecolonellooksathimsilentfurasecond，andthenhesays，withoutsmiling：
“DoyouflatteryourselfitwasbecauseIthinkitworthanything？”
Thedoctordon"tanswer，andthenthecolonelsays：
“HasitoccurredtoyouthatImayhavesaveditbecauseIwantit？”
“WANTit？”
“DoyouknowofanyonewhohasabetterrighttoTAKEitthanIhave？PerhapsIsaveditbecauseitBELONGStome——doyousupposeIwantanyoneelsetokillwhatIhavethebestrighttokill？”
“Tom，“saysDoctorKirby，reallypuzzled，tojudgefromhisactions，“Idon"tunderstandwhatmakesyousayyouhavetherighttotakemylife。“
“Dave，whereismysisterburied？”astsColonelTom。
“Buried？”saysDoctorKirby。“MyGod，Tom，issheDEAD？”
“Iaskyou，“saysColonelTom。
“AndIaskyou，“saysDoctorKirby。
Andtheylookedateachother，bothwonderized，andtryingtounderstand。Anditbustedonmeallatoncetwhothemtwomenreallywas。
Iorterknoweditsooner。WhenthecolonelwasfirstcalledColonelTomBuckneritstruckmeI
knowedthename，andknowedsomethingaboutit。
Butthingswhichwasmyownconsarnswasattract-
ingmyattentionsohardIcouldn"trememberwhatitwasIorterknowaboutthatname。ThenIseenhimandDoctorKirbyknowedeachotherwhentheygotthatfirstsquarelook。Thatorterofputmeonthetrack，thatandalotofotherthingsthathadhappenedbefore。ButIdidn"tpiecethingstogetherlikeIorterdone。
Itwasn"tuntilColonelTomBucknercalledhim“Dave“andasthimabouthissisterthatIseenwhoDoctorKirbymustreallybe。
HEWASTHATTHEREDAVIDARMSTRONG！
Andthebrotherofthegirlhehadrunoffwithhadjestsavedhislife。Bythewayhewastalking，hehadsaveditsimplybecausehethoughthehadthefirstcallonwhattodowithit。
“Whereisshe？”astsColonelTom。
“Iaskyou，“saysDoctorKirby——orDavidArmstrong——agin。
Well，Ithinkstomyself，hereiswhereDanielputsoneacrosttheplate。AndIbreaksin：
“Youbothgotanotherguesscoming，“Isays。
“Sheain"tburiedanywheres。Sheain"tevendead。
She"slivinginalittletowninIndianycalledAthens——orshewasabouteighteenmonthsago。“
TheybothlooksatmeliketheythinksIamcrazy。
“Whatdoyouknowaboutit？”saysDoctorKirby。
“AreyouDavidArmstrong？”saysI。
“Yes，“sayshe。
“Well，“Isays，“youspentfourorfivedayswithinastone"sthrowofherayearagolastsummer，andsheknoweditwasyouandhidherselfawayfromyou。“
ThenItellsthemabouthowIfirsthappenedtohearofDavidArmstrong，andallIhadhearnfromMartha。AndhowIhadstayedattheDavisesinTennesseeandgotsomemoreofthesamestoryfromGeorge，theoldniggerthere。
“But，Danny，“saysthedoctor，“whydidn"tyoutellmeallthis？”
IwasjestgoingtosaythatnotknowinghewasthatthereDavidArmstrongIdidn"tthinkitanyofhisbusiness，whenColonelTom，hesaystoDoctorKirby——ImeantoDavidArmstrong：
“Whyshouldyoubeconcernedastoherwhere-
abouts？Youruinedherlifeandthendesertedher。“
DoctorKirby——ImeanDavidArmstrong——
standstherewiththebloodgoinguphisfaceintohisforeheadslowandred。
“Tom，“hesays，“youandIseemtobeworkingatcrosspurposes。MaybeitwouldhelpsomeifyouwouldtellmejusthowbadlyyouthinkI
treatedLucy。“
“Youruinedherlife，andthendesertedher，“
saysColonelTomagin，lookingathimhard。
“IDIDN"Tdeserther，“saidDoctorKirby。“ShegotdisgustedandleftME。Leftmewithoutachancetoexplainmyself。Asfarasruiningherlifeisconcerned，IsupposethatwhenImarriedher——“
“Marriedher！”criesoutthecolonel。AndDavidArmstrongstaresathimwithhismouthopen。
“MyGod！Tom，“hesays，“didyouthink——？”
Andtheybothcometoanotherstandstill。
Andthentheytalkedsomemoreandonlygotmoremixedupthanever。Furthedoctorthinksshehaslefthim，andColonelTomthinkshehaslefther。
“Tom，“saysthedoctor，“supposeyouletmetellmystory，andyou"llseewhyLucyleftme。“
HimandColonelTomhadbeenchumstogetherwhentheywentthroughPrinceton，itseems——I
pickedthatupfromthetalkandsomeofhisstoryIlearnedafterward。HehadcomefromOhiointhebeginning，andhisdadhadhadconsiderablemoney。Whichhehadenjoyedspendingofit，andwhenhewasayoungfellerneverlikedtoworkatnothingelse。Itsuitedhim。ColonelTom，hewasconsiderablelikehiminthatway。Sotheywasgoodpalswhentheywastothatschooltogether。
Theybothquitaboutthesametime。Acoupleofyearsafterthat，whentheywasbothabouttwenty-fiveorsixyearsold，theyrunacrosteachotheraccidentalinNewYorkoneautumn。
Thedoctor，hewastherefiggeringongoingtoworkatsomethingorother，buttheywassomanythingstodohewasfindingithardtomakeachoice。
Hisfatherwasdeadbythattime，andlookingfurajobinNewYork，thewayhehadbeendoingit，wasawfulexpensive，andhewasrunningshortofmoney。Hisfatherhadlethimspendsomuchwhilsthewasalivehewasverydisappointedtofindouthecouldn"tkeeponforeverlookingfurworkthat-a-way。
SoColonelTomsayswhynotcomedownhomeintoTennesseewithhimfurawhile，andtheywillbothtryandfiggeroutwhatheortergotoworkat。
Itwasthefalloftheyear，andtheywaspurtygoodhuntingaroundtherewhereColonelTomlived，andDavehadn"tneverbeenSouthany，andsohegoes。Hefiggershebettertakeagood，longvaca-
tion，anyhow。Furifhegoestoworkthatwinterorthenextspring，andtiesupwithsomejobthatkeepshiminanoffice，theremaybemonthsandmonthspassbybeforehehasanotherchanceatavacation。Thatistheworstpartofajob——I
foundthatoutmyself——younevercantellwhenyouaregoingtogetshutofit，onceyouarefoolenoughtostartin。
InTennesseehehadmetMissLucy。WhichherweddingtoPrentMcMakinwasbilledfurtocomeoffaboutthefirstofNovember，jestamonthaway。
“Idon"tknowwhetherIevertoldyouornot，“
saysthedoctor，“butIwasengagedtobemarriedmyself，Tom，whenIwentdowntoyourplace。
Thatwaswhatstartedallthetrouble。
“Youknowengagementsarelikevaccina-
tion——sometimestheytake，andsometimestheydon"t。Ofcourse，IhadthoughtatonetimeIwasinlovewiththisgirlIwasengagedto。WhenIfoundoutIwasn"t，Ishouldhavetoldhersorightaway。ButIdidn"t。I
thoughtthatshewouldgettiredofmeafterawhileandturnmeloose。Igaveherplentyofchancestoturnmeloose。Iwantedhertobreaktheengagementinsteadofme。Butshewouldn"ttakethehints。ShehungonlikeanOhioGrandArmyveterantoacountrypost-office。
AbouthalfthetimeIdidn"treadherletters，andaboutnineteentwentiethsofthetimeIdidn"tanswerthem。Theysayhellhathnofurylikeawomanscorned。Butitisn"tso——itmakesthemallthefonderofyou。Igotintothehabitofthink-
ingthatwhileEmmamightbeengagedtome，I
wasn"tengagedtoEmma。NotbutwhatEmmawasanicegirl，youknow，but——
“Well，ImetLucy。Wefellinlovewitheachother。Itjusthappened。Ikeptintendingtowritetotheothergirlandtellherplainlythateverythingwasoff。ButIkeptpostponingit。
Itseemedlikeadeuceofahardjobtotackle。
“But，finally，Ididwriteher。ThatwastheverydayLucypromisedtothrowPrentMcMakinoverandmarryme。YouknowhowdeterminedallyourpeoplewerethatLucyshouldmarryMcMakin，Tom。Theyhadbroughtherupwiththeideathatshewasgoingto，and，ofcourse，shewasboredwithhimforthatreason。
“Wedecidedthebestplanwouldbetoslipawayquietlyandgetmarried。Weknewitwouldraisearow。ButtherewasboundtobearowanyhowwhentheyfoundsheintendedtomarrymeinsteadofMcMakin。Sowefiguredwemightjustaswellbeawayfromthere。
“WeleftyourplaceearlyonthemorningofOctober31，1888——doyourememberthedate，Tom？WetookthetrainforClarksville，Tennessee，andgotthereabouttwoo"clockthatafternoon。
Isupposeyouhavebeeninthatinterestingcentreofthetobaccoindustry。IfyouhaveyoumayrememberthatthecourthouseofMontgomeryCountyisrightacrossthestreetfromthebesthotel。
Igotalicenseandapreacherwithoutanytrouble，andweweremarriedinthehotelparlourthatafternoon。Oneofthehotelclerksandthecountyclerkhimselfwerethewitnesses。
“WewenttoCincinnatiandfromtheretoChicago。TherewegotroomsoutontheSouthSide——HydePark，theycalledit。AndIgotmeajob。Ihadsomemoneyleft，butnotenoughtobuykohinoorsandrace-horseswith。Beside，Ireallywantedtogettowork——wanteditforthefirsttimeinmylife。YourememberyoungClaytoninourclass？Heandsomeotherenterprisingcitizenshadabuildingandloanassociation。Suchthingsarenodoubtimmoral，butIwenttoworkforhim。
“WehadbeeninChicagoaweekwhenLucywrotehomewhatshehaddone，andbeggedfor-
givenessforbeingsoabruptaboutit。Atleast，Isupposethatiswhatshewrote。Itwas——“
“Irememberexactlywhatshewrote，“saysColonelTom。
“Ineverknewexactly，“saysthedoctor。“Thesamemailthatbroughtwordfromyouthatyourgrandfatherhadhadsomesortofastroke，asaconsequenceofourelopement，broughtalsotwolettersfromEmma。TheyhadbeenforwardedfromNewYorktoTennessee，andyouhadfor-
wardedthemtoChicago。
“Thoselettersbeganthetrouble。Yousee，I
hadn"ttoldEmmawhenIwrotebreakingofftheengagementthatIwasgoingtogetmarriedthenextday。AndEmmahadn"treceivedmyletter，orelsehadmadeuphermindtoignoreit。Anyhow，thoseletterswereregularlove-letters。
“Ihadn"treallyreadoneofEmma"slettersformonths。ButsomehowIcouldn"thelpreadingthese。Ihadforgottenwhatagiftfortheexpres-
sionofsentimentEmmahad。Shefairlyrevelledinit，Tom。Thoselettersweresimplywrithingwithclingingfemaleadjectives。TheySQUIRMED
withaffection。
“YoumayrememberthatLucywasaratherjealoussortofaperson。Rightinthemidstofheralarmandgriefandself-reproachoverhergrand-
father，andinthemidstofmyeffortstocomforther，shespiedthefemininehandwritingonthosetwoletters。Ihadglancedthroughthemhurriedly，andlaidthemonthetable。
“Tom，Iwasinbad。Thedatesonthem，youknow，weresoRECENT。Ididn"twantLucytoreadthem。ButIdidn"tdaretoACTasifIdidn"twantherto。SoIhandedthemover。
“Isuppose——toabridewhohadonlybeenmarriedalittlemorethanaweek——andwhohadhurthergrandfathernearlytodeathinthemarry-
ing，thoselettersmusthavesoundedratherodd。
Itriedtoexplain。Butallmyexplanationsonlyseemedtomakethecaseworseforme。Lucywasfuriouslyjealous。Wereallyhadadevilofarowbeforewewerethroughwithit。ItriedtotellherthatIlovednoonebuther。ShepointedoutthatImusthavesaidmuchthesamesortofthingtoEmma。ShesaidshewasalmostassorryforEmmaasshewasforherself。WhenLucygotthroughwithme，Tom，Ilookedlikethirtycentsandfeltliketwenty-fiveofthatwasplugged。
“Ididn"thavesenseenoughtoknowthatitwasmostofitgriefoverhergrandfather，andnervesandhysteria，andthefactthatshewasonlyeighteenyearsoldandlonely，andthatbeingabridehadacertainamounttodowithit。ShehadtoldmethatIwasabeast，andmademefeellikeone；andI
tookthewholethinghardandbelievedher。I
madeafine，five-acttragedyoutofajealousfitImighthavesoftenedintocomedyifIhadhadthewit。
“Iwasn"tsoveryoldmyself，andIhadn"teverbeenmarriedbefore。Ishouldhavekeptmymouthshutuntilitwasallover，andthenwhenshebegantocryIshouldhavecoaxedherupandmadeherfeellikeIwastheonlysolidthingtohangontointhewholeworld。
“Butthebottomhaddroppedoutoftheuni-
verseforme。Shehadsaidshehatedme。Iwasfoolenoughtobelieveher。Iwentdowntownandbegantodrink。Icomehomelatethatnight。
Thepoorgirlhadbeenwaitingupforme——waitingforhours，andbecomingmoreandmorefrightenedwhenIdidn"tshowup。Shewasoverherjealousfit，Isuppose。IfIhadcomehomeingoodshape，orinanythinglikeit，wewouldhavemadeupthenandthere。Butmyconditionstoppedallthat。
Iwasn"tsodrunkbutthatIsawherfacechangewhensheletmein。Shewasdisgusted。
“InthemorningIwassickandfeverish。Iwasmorethandisgustedwithmyself。Iwasindespair。
Ifshehadhatedmebefore——andshehadsaidshedid——whatmustshedonow？ItseemedtomethatIhadsunksofarbeneathherthatitwouldtakeyearstogetback。Itdidn"tseemworthwhilemakinganypleaformyself。Yousee，Iwasyoungandhadseriousstreaksallthroughme。Sowhenshetoldmethatshehadwrittenhomeagain，andwasgoingback——wasgoingtoleaveme，Ididn"tseethatitwasonlyabluff。Ididn"tseethatshewasreallyonlywaitingtoforgiveme，ifIgaveherachance。Istarteddowntowntothebuildingandloanoffice，wonderingwhenshewouldleave，andiftherewasanythingIcoulddotomakeherchangehermind。ImustrepeatagainthatIwasafool——thatIneededonlytospeakoneword，hadIbutknownit。
“IfIhadgonestraighttowork，everythingmighthavecomearoundallrighteventhen。ButI
didn"t。Ihadthatwhat"s-the-usefeeling。AndI
stoppedinatthePalmerHousebartogetsome-
thingtosortofpullmetogether。
“WhileIwasthere，whoshouldcomeuptothebarandorderadrinkbutPrentMcMakin。“
“Yes！”saysColonelTom，asnearexcitedasheevergot。
“Yes，“saysArmstrong，“nobodyelse。Wesaweachotherinthemirrorbehindthebar。Idon"tknowwhetheryouevernoticeditornot，Tom，butMcMakin"seyeshadawayoflookingalmostlikecross-eyeswhenhewasstartledorexcited。Theywereagooddealtooneartogetheratanytime。
Hegavemesuchalookwhenoureyesmetinthemirrorthat，foraninstant，Ithoughtthathein-
tendedtodomesomemischief——shootme，youknow，fortakinghisbride-to-beawayfromhim，orsomefoolthinglikethat。ButasweturnedtowardeachotherIsawhehadnointentionofthatsort。“
“Hadn"the？”saysColonelTom，mightyin-
terested。
“No，“saysthedoctor，lookingatColonelTomverypuzzled，“didyouthinkhehad？”
“Yes，Idid，“saysthecolonel，rightthoughtful。
“Onthecontrary，“saysArmstrong，“wehadadrinktogether。Andhecongratulatedme。Mademequitealittlespeech，infact；oneoftheflowerykind，youknow，Tom，andsaidthatheboremenorancour，andallthat。“
“Thedeucehedid！”saysColonelTom，verylow，likehewastalkingtohimself。“Andthenwhat？”
“Then，“saysthedoctor，“then——letmesee——
it"sallalongtimeago，youknow，andMcMakin"spartinthewholethingisn"treallyimportant。“
“I"mnotsosureitisn"timportant，“saysthecolonel，“butgoon。“
“Then，“saysArmstrong，“wehadanotherdrinktogether。Infact，alotofthem。Wegotawfullyfriendly。AndlikeafoolItoldhimofmyquarrelwithLucy。“
“LIKEafool，“saysColonelTom，noddinghishead。“Goon。“
“Thereisn"tmuchmoretotell，“saysthedoctor，“exceptthatImadeaworseidiotofmyselfyet，andleftMcMakinabouttwoo"clockintheafter-
noon，asnearasIcanrecollect。Somewhereaboutteno"clockthatnightIwenthome。Lucywasgone。Ihaven"tseenhersince。“
“Dave，“saysColonelTom，“didMcMakinhappentomentiontoyou，thatday，justwhyhewasinChicago？”
“Isupposeso，“saysthedoctor。“Idon"tknow。
Maybenot。Thatwastwentyyearsago。Why？”
“Because，“saysColonelTom，verygrimandquiet，“becauseyourfirstthoughtastohisintentionwhenhemetyouinthebarwasMYideaalso。I
thoughthewenttoChicagotosettlewithyou。
Yousee，IgottoChicagothatsameafternoon。“
“Thesameday？”
“Yes。Weweretohavecometogether。ButImissedthetrain，andhegotthereadayaheadofme。Hewaswaitingatthehotelformetojoinhim，andthenweweregoingtolookyouuptogether。HefoundyoufirstandIneverdidfindyou。“
“ButIdon"texactlyunderstand，“saysthedoctor。“Yousayhehadtheideaofshootingme。“
“Idon"tunderstandeverythingmyself，“saysColonelTom。“ButIdounderstandthatPrentMcMakinmusthaveplayedsomesortofatwo-
facedgame。Heneversaidawordtomeabouthavingseenyou。
“Listen，“hegoeson。“WhenyouandLucyranawayitnearlykilledourgrandfather。Infact，itfinallydidkillhim。WhenwegotLucy"sletterthattoldyouwereinChicagoIwentuptobringherbackhome。Wedidn"tknowwhatweweregoingtodo，McMakinandI，butwewerebothagreedthatyouneededkilling。AndhesworethathewouldmarryLucyanyhow，even——“
“MARRYHER！”singsoutthedoctor，“butweWERE
married。“
“Dave，“ColonelTomsaysveryslowandsteady，“youkeepSAYINGyouweremarried。Butit"sstrange——it"srightSTRANGEaboutthatmarriage。“
Andhelookedatthedoctorhardandclose，likehewoulddragthetruthoutofhim，andthedoctormethislookfreeandopen。YouwouldofthoughtColonelTomwassayingwithhislook：“YouMUST
tellmethetruth。“Andthedoctorwithhiswasanswering：“IHAVEtoldyouthetruth。“
“But，Tom，“saysthedoctor，“thatlettershewroteyoufromChicagomust——“
“DoyouknowwhatLucywrote？”interruptsColonelTom。“Irememberexactly。Itwassim-
ply："FORGIVEME。ILOVEDHIMSO。IAMHAPPY。
IKNOWITISWRONG，BUTILOVEHIMSOYOUMUST
FORGIVEME。"“
“Butcouldn"tyoutellfromTHATweweremarried？”
criesoutthedoctor。
“Shedidn"tmentionit，“saysColonelTom。
“Shesupposedthatherownfamilyhadenoughfaithinhertotakeitforgranted，“saysthedoctor，veryscornful，hisfacegettingred。
“Butwait，Dave，“saysColonelTom，quietandcool。“Don"tblusterwithme。Therearestillalotofthingstobeexplained。Andthatmarriageisoneofthem。
“Togobackabit。Yousayyougottothehousesomewherearoundteno"clockthateveningandfoundLucygone。Doyourememberthedayofthemonth？”
“ItwasNovember14，1888。“
“Exactly，“saysColonelTom。“IgottoChicagoatsixo"clockofthatveryday。AndIwentatoncetotheaddressinLucy"sletter。Igottherebetweensevenandeighto"clock。Shewasgone。
Mythoughtwasthatyoumusthavegotwindofmycomingandpersuadedhertoleavewithyouinordertoavoidme——althoughIdidn"tseehowyoucouldknowwhenIwouldgetthere，either，whenIthoughtitover。“
“Andyouhaveneverseenhersince，“saysArm-
strong，pondering。
“IHAVEseenhersince，“saysColonelTom，“andthatisonethingthatmakesmesayyourstoryneedsfurtherexplanation。“
“Butwhere——when——didyouseeher？”aststhedoctor，mightyexcited。
“Iamcomingtothat。Iwentbackhomeagain。
AndinJulyofthenextyearIheardfromher。“
“Heardfromher？”
“Byletter。ShewasinGalesburg，Illinois，ifyouknowwherethatis。Shewaslivingtherealone。Andshewasalmostdestitute。Iwrotehertocomehome。Shewouldnot。Butshehadtolive。IgotridofsomeofourpropertyinTen-
nessee，andtookenoughcashuptherewithmetofixher，inadecentsortofway，fortherestofherlife，andputitinthebank。Iwaswithhertherefortendays；thenIwentbackhometogetAuntLucyDavistohelpmeinanotherefforttopersuadehertoreturn。ButwhenIgotbackNorthwithAuntLucyshehadgone。“
“Gone？”
“Yes，andwhenwereturnedwithouthertoTennesseetherewasalettertellingusnottotrytofindher。Wethought——Ithought——thatshemighthavetakenupwithyouonceagain。“
“But，myGod！Tom，“thedoctorbustsout，“youwerewithhertendaysthereinGalesburg！
Didn"tshetellyouthen——couldn"tyoutellfromthewaysheacted——thatshehadmarriedme？”
“That"stheoddthing，Dave，“saysthecolonel，veryslowandthoughtful。“That"swhatissoverystrangeaboutitall。Imerelyassumedbymyatti-
tudethatyouwerenotmarried，andsheletmeassumeitwithoutaprotest。“
“Butdidyouaskher？”
“Askher？No。Can"tyouseethattherewasnoreasonwhyIshouldaskher？Iwassure。Andbeingsureofit，naturallyIdidn"ttalkaboutittoher。YoucanunderstandthatIwouldn"t，can"tyou？Infact，Inevermentionedyoutoher。Shenevermentionedyoutome。“
“Youmusthavemistakenher，Tom。“
“Idon"tthinkit"spossible，Dave，“saidthecolonel。“Youcanmistakewordsandexplanationsagooddealeasierthanyoucanmistakeanatmos-
phere。No，Dave，Itellyouthatthere"ssomethingoddaboutit——marriedornot，Lucydidn"tBELIEVE
herselfmarriedthelasttimeIsawher。“
“ButsheMUSThaveknown，“saysthedoctor，asmuchtohimselfastothecolonel。“SheMUST
haveknown。“Anyonecouldoftoldbythewayhesaiditthathewasn"tlying。IcouldseethatColonelTombelievedinhim，too。TheywasbothsickingtheirintellectsontothejoboffiggeringouthowitwasLucydidn"tknow。Finallythedoctorsaysverythoughtful：
“WhateverbecameofPrentissMcMakin，Tom？”
“Dead，“saysColonelTom，“quiteawhileago。“
“H-m，“saysthedoctor，stillthinkinghard。
AndthenlooksatColonelTomliketheywasanideainhishead。Whichhedon"tspeakherout。
ButColonelTomseemstounderstand。
“Yes，“hesays，noddinghishead。“Ithinkyouareontherighttracknow。Yes——Ishouldn"twonder。“
Well，theyputsthisandthattogether，andtheyagreesthatwhateverhappenedtomakethingshardtoexplainmustofhappenedonthatdaythatPrentissMcMakinmetthedoctorinthebar-room，anddidn"tshoothim，ashehadmadehisbragshewould。MustofhappenedbetweenthetimethatafternoonwhenPrentissMcMakinleftthedoctorandthetimeColonelTomwentouttoseehissisterandfoundshehadwent。Mustofhappenedsome-
howthroughPrentMcMakin。
WegoeshomewithColonelTomthatnight。AndthenextdayallthreeofusisonourwaytoAthens，Indiany，whereIhadseenMissLucyat。
CHAPTERXXIII
Furmypart，asthetrainkeptgettingfurtherandfurthernorth，myfeelingskeptgettingmoreandmoremixed。ItcometomethatImightbesteeringstraightfurabunchoftrouble。Thefeelingthatsadnessandmelancholyandseriousnesswaslayingaheadofmekeptmefromreallyenjoyingthemdollar-apiecemealsonthetrain。ItwasMarthathatdoneit。AllthispastandgonelovestoryIhadbeenhearingaboutremindedmeofMartha。AndIwassteeringstraighttowardher，andnowayoutofit。HowdidIknowbutwhatthattheregirlmightbeexpect-
ingfurtomarryme，orsomethinglikethat？NotbutwhatIwasawfulinlovewithherwhilstwewastogether。Butithadn"treallysetinonmeverydeep。Ihadn"tforgotaboutherrightaway。ButpurtysoonIhadgottoforgettingheroftenerthanIrememberedher。Andnowitwasn"tnousetalk-
ing——Ijestwasn"tinlovewithMarthanomore，anddidn"thavenoambitiontobe。Ihadwentaroundthecountryagoodbit，andgotintrustedinotherthings，andsawseveralothergirlsIlikedpurtywell。
Keepingsteadyinlovewithjestonegirlismightyhardifyouaremovingaroundagoodbit。
ButIwasconsiderableworriedaboutMartha。
Shewasanawfulromancefulkindofgirl。Andeventhemostsensiblekindissaidtobefoolsaboutgettingtheirheartsbrokeandpiningawayanddyingoverafeller。IwouldhatetothinkMarthahadpinedherselfsick。
Icouldn"tshutmyeyestothefactwewasen-
gagedtoeachotherlegal，allright。Andifshewantedtoactmeanaboutitandtakeittoacourtitwouldlikelybebindingonme。ThenI
saystomyselfissheismeanenoughtodothatI"llbedernedifIdon"tgotojailbeforeImarryher，andstaythere。
Andthenmyconsciencegottoworkinginsideofmeagin。Andapictureofhergettingthinandnoteatinghervittlesregularandwaitingandwaitingfurmetoshowup，andmeneverdoingit，cometome。AndIfeltsorryfurpoorMartha，andthoughtmebbyIwouldmarryherjesttokeepherfromdying。Furyouwouldfeelpurtytoughifagirlwastogetsostuckonyouitkilledher。NotthatIeverseenthatreallyhappen，either；butfirstandlasttherehasbeenconsiderabletalkaboutit。
Itwasn"tbutwhatIlikedMarthawellenough。
Itwastheideaofgettingmarried，andstayingmarried，mademefeelsoanxious。Beingmarriedmayworkoutallrightfursomefolks。ButI
knoweditneverwouldworkanywithme。Ornotfurlong。BecausewhyshouldIwanttobetieddowntooneplace，orhaveasteadyjob？Thatwouldbeameanwaytolive。
Ofcourse，withapersonthatwasthedoctor"sageitwouldbedifferent。Hehaddonehisrunningaroundandwouldbewillingtosettledownnow，I
guessed。Thatis，ifhecouldgethisdifferenceswiththishereBucknerfamilypatchedupsatisfactory。
Iwonderedwhetherhewouldbeabletoornot。
HimandColonelTomweretalkingconstantonthetrainallthewayup。FromthelittlestretchesoftheirtalkIcouldn"thelphearing，Iguessedeachonewastellingtheotherallthathadhappenedtohiminthetimethathadpassedby。ColonelTomwhatkindofalifehehadlived，andhowhehadmarriedandhiswifehaddiedandlefthimawid-
owerwithoutanykids。Andthedoctor——itwasalwayshardfurmetogettocallinghimanythingbutDoctorKirby——howhehadhappenedtostartoutwithagoodchancetinlifeandturnintojestatravellingfakir。
Well，Ithinkstomyselfnowthathehasgottobethat，mebbyherandhimwon"tsuitsowellnow，eveniftheydoesgettheirdifferencespatchedup。
Furalltheforgivingintheworldain"tgoingtochangethings，ormakethemnodifferent。But，solongasthedoctorappearedtowanttofindhersodernedbad，IwasawfulgladIhadbeenthemeansofgettinghimandMissLucytogether。Hehaddonealotfurme，firstandlast，thedoctorhad，andIfeltlikeithelpedpayhimalittle。ThoughiftheywastosettledownlikemarriedfolksIwouldfeellikeagoodoldsportwasspoiledinthedoctor，too。
WehadtochangecarsatIndianapolistogettothattherelittletown。Wewasduetoreachitabouttwoo"clockintheafternoon。Andthenearerwegottotheplacethenervouserandnervouserallthreeofusbecome。Andnotowningwewas。Thelasthourbeforewehittheplace，Itookadrinkofwatereverythreeminutes，Iwassonervous。AndwhenwecomeintothetownIwasalreadystandingoutontotheplatform。Iwouldn"tofbeensur-
prisedtofindMarthaandMissLucydowntheretothestation。But，ofcourse，theywasn"t。FursomereasonIfeltgladtheywasn"t。
“Now，“Isaystothemtwo，aswegotoffthetrain，“follermeandIwillshowyouthehouse。“
Everybodyrubbersatstrangersinacountrytown，andwonderswhytheyhavecome，andwhattheyisselling，andiftheyaremebbygoingtostartanewgrainelevator，orbuyland，orwhat。Theusualonesaroundthedepotrubberedatus，andI
hearnonegeezersaytoanother：
“Seethatbigfellerthere？Hewasthroughhereayearortwoagosellingpatentmedicine。“
“Youdon"tsayso！”saystheotherone，likeitwassomethingimportant，likeapresidentoracircushadcome，andhiseyesa-buggingout。Andthedoctorhearnthem，too。FursomereasonorotherheflushedupandcutalookoutofthecornerofhiseyeatColonelTom。
Wewentrightthroughthemainstreetandouttowardtheedgeoftown，bythecrick，whereMissLucy"shousewas。And，ifanything，allofusfeel-
ingnervouseryet。Andsayingnothingandnotlookingateachother。AndColonelTomrollingcigarettesandfumblingfurmatchesandlightingthemandslingingthemaway。Furhowdoesany-
bodyknowhowwomenisgoingtotakeeventhemostordinarylittlethings？
Iknowedthewaywellenough，andwherethehousewas，butaswewentaroundtheturnintheroadIrunacrostasurprisedfeeling。Icomeontotheplacewhereourcampfirehadbeenthemnightswewasthere。Looeyhaddruganoldfencepostontothefireonenight，andtheposthadonlyburnedhalfup。Thebuttendofit，allcharredandflaked，wasstilllayinginthegrassandweedsthere。Ithitmewithaqueerfeeling——likeitwasonlyyester-
daythatfirehadbeenlitthere。AndyetIknowedithadbeenayearandahalfago。
Well，ithasalwaysbeenmylucktorunintothingswithouttherightkindofaliefixedupaheadoftime。TheywasthreeorfourpurtygoodstoriesIhadbeentryingoverinmyheadtotellMarthawhenIseenher。Anyoneofthemstoriesmightofdoneallright；butIhadn"tdecidedWHICHonetouse。And，ofcourse，IrunplumbintoMartha。
Shewasstandingbythegate，whichwasabouttwentyyardsfromtheveranda。Andallfourliespoppedintomyheadatoncet，andgotsomixedupwithoneanotherthere，Iseenrightoffitwasuselesstotrytotellanythingthatsoundedstraight。Be-
sides，whenyouareinthefixIwasin，whatcanyoutellagirlanyhow？
SoIjestsaystoher：
“Hullo！”