A Mountain Europa

第3章

Hehadsoughther；hehadliftedheraboveherownlife。Ifonehumanbeinghadeverputitshappinessinthehandsofanother，thathadbeendone。Ifhehadnotdeliberatelytaughthertolovehim，hehadnottriedtopreventit。Hecouldnotexcusehimself；

thethoughtofgainingheraffectionhadoccurredtohim，andhehadputitaside。Therewasnoexcuse；forwhenshegaveherlove，hehadacceptedit，and，asfarassheknew，hadgivenhisownunreservedly。Ah，thatfatalmomentofweakness，thatnightonthemountam—side!Couldhetellher，couldhetellRaines，thetruth，andasktobereleased？WhatcouldEasterwithherdevotion，andRaineswithhissinglenessofheart，knowofthissubstituteforlovewhichcivilizationhadtaughthim？Or，grantingthattheycouldunderstand，hemightreturnhome；butEaster—whatwasleftforher？

Itwasuselesstotrytopersuadehimselfthatherlovewouldfadeaway，perhapsquickly，andleavenoscar；thatRaineswouldintimewinherforhimself，hisfirstideaoftheirunionberealized，and，intheend，allhappenforthebest。Thatmighteasilybepossiblewithadifferentnatureunderdifferentconditions—anaturelesspassionate，incontactwiththeworldandresponsivetovariedinterests；butnotwithEaster—alonewithalovethathadshamedhim，withmountain，earth，andskyunchanged，andthevacantdaysmarkedonlybyadrearyroundofwearisometasks。HerememberedRainesslastwords—"Airyegoin’toleavethepo’galtodiesorrowin’ferye？"Whathappinesswouldbepossibleforhimwiththatlonelymountain—topandthewhite，drawnfaceforeverhauntinghim？

Thatverynightalettercame，witharudesuperscription—thefirstfromEaster。Withinitwasapoortintype，fromwhichEaster’seyeslookedshylyathim。Beforehelefthehadtriedinvaintogethertothetentofanitinerantphotographer。Duringhisabsence，shehadevidentlygoneofherownaccord。Thefacewasverybeautiful，andinitwasanexpressionofquestioning，modestpride。

"Aren’tyousurprised？"itseemedtosay—"andpleased？Onlytheface，withitsdelicatelines，andthethroatandtheshoulderswerevisible。

Shelookedalmostrefined。Andthenote—itwasbadlyspelledandwrittenwithgreatdifficulty，butittouchedhim。Shewaslonely，shesaid，andshewantedhimtocomeback。Lonely—thatcrywasineachline。

Hisresponsetothiswasaninstantresolutiontogobackatonce，and，sensitiveandpliantashisnaturewas，therewasnohesitationforhimwhenhisdutywasclearandadecisiononcemade。Withgreatcareandperfectfranknesshehadtracedthehistoryofhisinfatuationinalettertohisfather，tobecommunicatedwhenthelatterchosetohismotherandsister。Nowhewasnearingthemountainsagain。

THEjourneytothemountainswasmadewithaheavyheart。Inhisabsenceeverythingseemedtohavesufferedachange。Jellicohadneverseemedsosmall，socoarse，sowretchedaswhenhesteppedfromthedustytrainandsawitlyingdwarfedandshapelessintheafternoonsunlight。TheStatelinebisectsthestragglingstreetsofframe—houses。OntheKentuckysideanextraordinaryspasmofmoralityhadquietedintolocaloption。JustacrossthewayinTennesseewasarowofsaloons。Itwas"pay—day"fortheminers，andtheworstelementofallthemineswasdriftingintospendthefollowingSabbathinuncheckedvice。Severalrough，brawnyfellowswerealreadystaggeringfromTennesseeintoKentucky，andaroundonesaloonhungacrowdofslatternlynegroes，menandwomen。Heartsickwithdisgust，Claytonhurriedintothelanethatwoundthroughthevalley。Werethesehovels，heaskedhimselfinwonder，thecabinsheoncethoughtsopoetic，sopicturesque？Howwasitthattheysuggestednowonlyapitiablepovertyoflife？Fromeach，ashepassed，camearough，cordialshoutofgreeting。Whywashejarredsostrangely？Evennaturehadchanged。

Themountainsseemedstunted，lessbeautiful。Thelight，streamingthroughthewesterngapwithallthesplendorofamountainsunset，nolongerthrilledhim。Themoistfragranceoftheearthattwilight，thesadpipingsofbirdsbythewayside，thefaint，clearnotesofawood—thrush—hisfavorite—fromtheedgeoftheforest，eventhemid—airsongofameadow—larkabovehishead，wereunheededas，withfacehaggardwiththoughtandtravel，heturneddoggedlyfromtheroadandupthemountaintowardEaster’shome。Thenoveltyandethnologicalzealthathadblindedhimtothedisagreeablephasesofmountainlifeweregone；sowasthepedestalfromwhichhehaddescendedtomakeacloserstudyofthepeople。Forhefeltnowthathehadgoneamongthemwithanunconsciouscondescension；hisinterestseemednowtohavebeenlittlemorethancuriosity—apastimetoescapebroodingoverhisownchangeoffortune。AndwithEaster—ah，howpainfullyclearhismentalvisionhadgrown!Wasitthetragedyofwastingpossibilitiesthathaddrawnhimtoher—tohelpher—orwasithisownmiserableselfishness，afterall？

Noonewasvisiblewhenhereachedthecabin。Thecalmofmountainandskyenthralleditascompletelyasthecliffthattoweredbehindit。

Thedaystilllingered，andthesunlightrestedlightlyoneachneighboringcrest。

Ashesteppedupontheporchtherewasaslightnoisewithinthecabin，and，peeringintothedarkinterior，hecalledEaster’sname。Therewasnoanswer，andhesankwearilyintoachair，histhoughtsrevertinghomeward。

Bythistimehismotherandsistermustknowwhyhehadcomebacktothemountains。

Hecouldimaginetheirconsternationandgrief。Perhapsthatwasonlythebeginning；

hemightbeontheeveofcausingthemendlessunhappiness。Hehadthoughttoinvolvethemaslittleaspossiblebyremaininginthemountains；butthethoughtoflivingtherewasnowintolerableinthenewrelationshewouldsustaintothepeople。Whatshouldhedo？wherego？AshebentfQrwardinperplexity，therewasanoiseagaininthecabin—thistimethestealthytreadoffeet—andbeforehecouldturn，aroughvoicevibratedthreateninglyinhisears：

Saywhoyeair，andwhatyerbusinessis，mightyquick，eryehain’tgotaminutetolive。"

Claytonlookedup，andtohishorrorsawthemuzzleofariflepointedstraightathishead。Attheotherendofit，andstandinginthedoor，wasashort，stockyfigure，aheadofbushyhair，andapairofsmall，craftyeyes。Thefiercenessandsuddennessofthevoice，inthegreatsilenceabouthim，anditsterribleearnestness，lefthimalmostparalyzed。

"Come，whoairye？Sayquick，anddon’tmove，nother"

Claytonspokehisnamewithdifficulty。Thebuttoftherifledroppedtothefloor，andwithaharshlaughitsholderadvancedtohimwithhandoutstretched：

SoyeairEaster’sfeller，airye？Well，I’myerdad—that’stobe。

Shake。"

Claytonshuddered。Goodheavens!thiswasEaster’sfather!Morethanonceortwice，hisnamehadneverbeenmentionedatthecabin。

Itukyeferaraider，"continuedtheoldmountaineer，notnoticingClayton’srepulsion，"’n’efyehad’a’been，yewouldn’tbenobodynow。IreckonEasterhain’ttoldyemuchaboutme，’n’Ireckonshehevarighttobealeetleashamedofme。Ihadaleetletroubledowntharinthevalley—Is’poseyou’veheerdaboutit—’n’I’vehadtokeepkindo’quiet。Iseedyeonceafore，’n’Icomenearshootin’

ye，thinkin’yewasaraider。AmmightygladIdidn’t，ferEasterispowerfulsotonye。SherdthoughtIcouldreskcomm’downtothewed—din’。Theyhevkindo’giveupthes’arch，’n’noneo’theboyswon’ttellonme。We’llhaveanold—timer，Itellye。Yefolksfromthesettle—mintsairmightyhigh—heeled，butoldBillHicksdon’tallusgobar’footed。Hekinsteppurtyhigh，’n’he’sa—goin’

todoitatthatweddin’。Hevsomefin？"heasked，suddenlypullingoutaflaskofcolorlessliquid。"Ezyeairtobeoneo’thefambly，Idon’tmindtellin’yethar’stheverymoonshinethatcausedtheleetletroubledowninthevalley。"

Forfearofgivingoffence，Claytontookaswallowoftheliquid，whichburnedhimlikefire。Hehadscarcelyrecoveredfromthefirstshock，andhehadlistenedtothemanandwatchedhimwithasortofenthrallingfascination。HewasEaster’sfather。HecouldevenseeafaintsuggestionofEaster’sfaceinthecastofthefeaturesbeforehim，coarseanddegradedastheywere。Hehadthesamenervous，impetuousquickness，and，horrifiedbythelikeness，Claytonwatchedhimsinkbackintoachair，pipeinmouth，andrelapseintoastoliditythatseemedincapableoftheenergyandfireshownscarcelyamomentbefore。Hislifeinthemountainshadmadehimasshaggyassomewildanimal。Hewascoatless，andhistrousersofjeanswereupheldbyasinglehome—madesuspender。

Hisbeardwasyetscarcelytouchedwithgray，andhisblack，lustrelesshairfellfromunderaroundhatoffeltwithraggedtdgesanduncertaincolor。Themountaineerdidnotspeakagainuntil，withgreatdeliberationandcare，hehadfilledacobpipe。

ThenhebenthissharpeyesuponClaytonsofixedlythatthelatterlethisownfall。

"Mebbeyedon’tknowthatI’mag’in’fur—riners，"hesaid，abruptly，"

allo’ye；’n’eftheLordhisselfhed’a’tol’methetmygalwouldbea—marryin’one，Iwouldn’t’a’believedhim。ButSherdhevtoldmeyeairallright，’n’efSherdsaysyeair，why，yeair，Ireckon，’n’I

hevn’tgotnothin’tosay；thoughIhevgotaheapag’inye—allo’ye。"

Hisvoicehadahintofgrowingangerunderthemomentarysenseofhiswrongs，and，notwishingtoincensehimfurther，Claytonsaidnothing。

Yeairbackalittlesoonerthanyeexpected，ain’tye？"heasked，presently，withanawkwardeffortatgood—humor。"Ireckonyeairgittin’anxious。Well，wehevbeengittin’readyferye，’n’you’n’

Easterkinhitchezsoonezyeplease。SherdRainesairgum’todothemarryin’。HeairthebestfriendIgot。Sherdwasa—courtin’thegal，too，buthehevn’tgotnogredgeag’inye，’n’hehevpromisedtotieye。Sherdairapreachernow。Hehevjustgothislicense。Hedidn’twanttodoit，butItoldhimhehadto。We’llhevthebiggestweddin’everseedinthesemountains，Itellye。Anyo’yo’folksbeonhand？"

No，"answeredClayton，soberly，"Ithinknot。"

"Well，Ireckonwekinfillupthehouse。"

Clayton’sheartsankattheordealofaweddingwithsuchamasterofceremonies。HewasabouttoaskwhereEasterandhermotherwere，when，tohisrelief，hesawthembothinthepathbelow，approachingthehouse。Thegirlwascarryingabucketofwateronherhead。Oncehewouldhavethoughtherpicturesque，butnowitpainedhimtoseeherdoingsuchroughwork。Whenshesawhim，shegaveacryofsurpriseanddelightthatmadeClaytontinglewithremorse。Thenrunningtohimwithglowingface，shestoppedsuddenly，and，withalookdownatherbarefeetandsoiledgown，fledintothecabin。Claytonfollowed，buttheroomwassodarkhecouldseenothing。

Easter!"hecalled。Therewasnoanswer，buthewassuddenlyseizedabouttheneckbyapairofunseenarmsandkissedbyunseenlipstwiceinfiercesuccession，andbeforehecouldturnandclaspthegirlshewaslaughingsoftlyinthenextroom，withabarreddoorbetweenthem。Claytonwaitedpatientlyseveralminutes，andthenasked：

Easter，aren’tyouready？

Notyit—notyet!"ShecorrectedherselfwithsuchvehemencethatClaytonlaughed。Shecameoutpresently，andblushedwhenClaytonlookedheroverfromheadtofootwithastonishment。Shewassimplyandprettilydressedinwhitemuslin；ablueribbonwasaboutherthroat，andherhairwasgatheredinaPsycheknotthataccentedtheclassicismofherprofile。Herappearancewasreallyrefinedandtasteful。Whentheywentoutontheporchhenoticedthatherhandshadlosttheirtannedappearance。Herfeetwereslippered，andsheworeblackstockings。Herememberedthebookoffashion—plateshehadoncesenther；itwasthatthathadquickenedherinstinctofdress。Hesaidnothing，butthehappylightinEaster’sfaceshonebrighterasshenotedhispleasedandpuzzledgaze。

Why，yelooklikeanotherman，"saidEaster’smother，whohadbeenlookingClaytonoverwithaquizzicalsmile。"Isthatthewayfolksdressoutinthesettlemints？’N’lookatthatgal。Efshehevdoneanythin’senceyehevbeengonebut____"TherestofthesentencewassmotheredinthepalmofEaster’shand，andshetoobeganscrutinizingClaytonclosely。Themountaineersaidnothing，andafteracuriousglanceatEasterresumedhispipe。

Youlooklikeapairofbutterflies，"saidthemotherwhenreleased。"Sherdoughterbemightyproudofhisfirstmarryin’。I

s’poseyeknowheairapreachernow？YeoughterheerdhimpreachlastSunday。Itwashisfusttime。Thewayhelightedinterthefurrinerswasacaution。He’lowedhewasa—goin’tofightcyard—playin’anddancin’ezlongezhehedbreath。"

Yes；’n’thar’swharSherdairafool。I’mag’infurriners，too，buttharhain’tnoharmindancin，n’thar’sgoin’tobedancin’atthisweddin’

efI’malive。"

Eastershrankperceptiblywhenherfatherspoke，andlookedfurtivelyatClayton，whowinced，inspiteofhimself，astheroughvoicegratedinhisear。Instantlyherfacegrewunhappy，andcontainedanappealforpardonthathewasquicktounderstandandappreciate。Thereafterheconcealedhisrepulsion，andtreatedtheroughbearsoaffablythatEaster’seyesgrewmoistwithgratitude。

Darknesswasgatheringinthevalleybelowwhenherosetogo。

Easterhadscarcelyspokentohim，butherfaceandhereyes，fixedalwaysuponhim，wereeloquentwithjoy。Onceasshepassedbehindhimherhandrestedwithatimid，caressingtouchuponhisshoulder，andnow，ashewalkedawayfromtheporch，shecalledhimback。Heturned，andshehadgoneintothehouse。

Whatisit，Easter？"heasked，steppingintothedarkroom。Hishandwasgraspedinbothherownandheldtremblingly。

Don’tminddad，"shewhispered，softly。Somethingwarmandmoistfelluponhishandassheunloosedit，andshewasgone。

Thatnighthewrotehomeinabetterframeofmind。Thecharmofthegirl’spersonalityhadasserteditspoweragain，andhopesthathadalmostbeendestroyedbyhistriphomewererekindledbyhertastefulappearance，herdelicacyoffeeling，andbyherbeauty，whichhehadnotoverrated。HeaskedthathissistermightmeethiminLouisvilleafterthewedding—wheneverthatshouldbe。Theytwocoulddecidethenwhatshouldbedone。Hisownideawastotravel；andsogreatwashisconfidenceinEaster，hebelievedthat，intime，hecouldtakehertoNewYorkwithoutfear。

XII

ITwasplainthatRaines—toquiettheoldman’suneasiness，perhaps—hadtoldhimofhislastmeetingwithClayton，andthat，duringtheabsenceofthelatter，somearrangementsfortheweddinghadbeenmade，evenbyEaster，whoinhertrustinginnocencehadperhapsneverthoughtofanyotherendtotheirrelations。Inconsequence，therewasanunprecedentedstiramongthemountaineers。Themarriageofacitizenwitha"furriner"

wasanunprecedentedevent，andtheoldmountaineer，whobegantotakesomeprideinthealliance，emphasizeditateveryopportunity。

AttheminesClayton’sconstantvisitstothemountainwereknowntoeverybody，butlittleattentionhadbeenpaidtothem。

Now，however，whentherumoroftheweddingseemedconfirmedbyhisreturnandhissilence，everyonewasalertwithacuriositysofranklyshownthathesoonbecameeagertogetawayfromthemountains。Accordingly，hemadeknownhiswishtoEaster’sparentsthatthemarriageshouldtakeplaceassoonaspossible。

Bothreceivedthesuggestionwithsilentassent。Thenhadfollowedmanydifficulties。Onlyasagreatconcessiontotheideasandcustomsof"fur—riners"wouldtheself—willedoldmountaineeragreethattheceremonyshouldtakeplaceatnight，andthatafterthesupperandthedance，thetwoshouldleaveJellicoatdaybreak。

Mountainmarriagesweresolemnizedinthedaytime，andweddingjourneyswereunknown。TheoldmandidnotunderstandwhyClaytonshouldwishtoleavethemountains，andthehasteofthelatterseemedtogivehimgreatoffence。WhenClaytonhadventuredtosuggest，instead，thatthemarriageshouldbequiet，andthatheandEastershouldremainonthemountainafewdaysbeforeleaving，hefumedwithanger；

andthereafteranysuggestionfromtheyoungengineerwasmetwithasuspicionthatlookedominous。Raineswasawayonhiscircuit，andwouldnotreturnuntiljustbeforethewedding，sothatfromhimClaytoncouldgetnohelp。

Verywisely，then，heinterferednomore，butawaitedthedaywithdread。

Itwasnearingduskwhenheleftthecamponhiswedding—night。

Half—wayupthemountainhestoppedtoleanagainstthekindlybreastofabowlderblockingthepath。ItwasthespotwherehehadseenEasterforthefirsttime。Themountainsweregreenagain，astheywerethen，butthesceneseemedsadlychanged。Thesunwasgone；

theevening—starhadswungitswhitelightlikeacenseraboveDevil’sDen；

thecloudsweremovingswiftlythroughthedarkeningair，likeafrightenedflockseekingafold；andthenightwasclosingfastovertheclusteroffaintcamp—fires。Thespiritbroodingovermountainandskywasunspeakablysad，andwithasharppainathisheartClaytonturnedfromitandhurriedon。Mountain，sky，andvalleyweresoonlostinthenight。Whenhereachedthecabinraysofbrightlightwereflashingfromchinkandcreviceintothedarkness，andfromthekitchencamethesoundsofbusypreparation。Alreadymanyguestshadarrived。Agroupofmenwhostoodlazilytalkingintheporchbecamesilentasheapproached，but，recognizingnoneofthem，heenteredthecabin。A

dozenwomenwereseatedabouttheroom，andinstantlytheireyeswereglueduponhim。AsthekitchendoorswungopenhesawEaster’smotherbendingoverthefireplace，atablealreadyheavilyladen，andseveralwomenbustlingaboutit。Abovehisheadheheardlaughter，ahurriedtrampingoffeet，andoccasionalcriesofsurpriseanddelight。Hepausedatthethreshold，hardlyknowingwhattodo，andwhenheturnedatitterfromonecornershowedthathisembarrassmentwasseen。OntheporchhewasseizedbyEaster’sfather，whodrewhimbackintotheroom。Theoldmountaineer’sfacewasflushed，andhehadbeendrinkingheavily。

Oh，hyaryeair!"heexclaimed。"You’rerightonhand，hain’tye？

Hyar，Bill，"hecalled，thrustinghisheadoutofthedoor，"you"n’

Jim’n’Miltcomeinhyar。"Threeawkwardyoungmountaineersentered。"Thesefellersairgoin’tohelpye。"

Theyweretobehisushers。Claytonshookhandswiththemgravely。

Oh，weairaboutreadyferye，’n’weaironlywaitin’ferSherdandthefolkstocome，"continuedthemountaineer，jubilantly，winkingsignificantlyatClaytonandhisattendants，whostoodabouthimatthefireplace。Claytonshookhisheadfirmly，buttherestfollowedHicks，whoturnedatthedoorandrepeatedtheinvitationwithafrowningface。Claytonwasleftthefocusoffeminineeyes，whoseunwaveringdirectnesskepthisowngazeonthefloor。Peoplebegantocomeinrapidly，mostofwhomhehadneverseenbefore。

Theroomwasfilled，saveforaspaceabouthim。Everyonegavehimalookofcuriositythatmadehimfeellikesomestrangeanimalonexhibition。Oncemorehetriedtoescapetotheporch，andagainhewasmetbyEaster’sfather，whothistimewasaccompaniedbyRaines。

Theyoungcircuit—riderwassmoothlyshaven，anddressedindarkclothes，andhiscalmfaceandsimplebutimpressivemannerseemedatoncetoaltertheatmosphereoftheroom。HegraspedClayton’shandwarmly，andwithoutatraceofself—consciousness。

Theroomhadgrowninstantlyquiet，andRainesbegantosharethecuriousinterestthatClaytonhadcaused；fortheyoungmountaineer’ssermonhadprovokeddiscussionfarandwide，and，moreover，thepeculiarrelationsofthetwotowardEasterwereknownandrudelyappreciated。Hickswassubduedintoquietrespect，andtriedtoconcealhisincipientintoxication。Theeffortdidnotlastlong。Whenthetwofiddlerscame，heledtheminwithadefiantair，andplacedtheminthecorner，bustlingaboutofficiouslybutwithoutlookingatRaines，whosefacebegantocloud。

Well，we’reallhyar，Ireckon!"heexclaimed，inhisterriblevoice。

"IsEasterready？"heshoutedupthesteps。

Aconfusedchorusansweredhimaffirmatively，andheimmediatelyarrangedClaytoninonecorneroftheroomwithhisseriousattendantsononeside，andRaines，gravetosolemnity，ontheother。Easter’smotherandherassistantscameinfromthekitchen，andthedoorswerefilledwithfaces。Above，thetrampingoffeetbecamemorehurried；below，allstoodwithexpectantfacesturnedtotherudestaircase。Clayton’sheartbegantothrob，andastrangelightbrightenedunderRaines’sheavybrows。

"Hurryup，thar!"shoutedHicks，impatiently。

Amomentlatertwopairsofroughshoescamedownthesteps，andafterthemtwoslipperedfeetthatfixedeveryeyeintheroom，untilthefigureandfaceabovethemslowlydescendedintothelight。

Midwaythegirlpausedwithatimidair。Hadanangelbeenloweredtomortalview，thewaitingpeoplewouldnothavebeenstrickenwithmorewonder。Raines’sfacerelaxedintoalookalmostofawe，andevenHicksfortheinstantwasstunnedintoreverence。Mountaineyeshadneverbeheldsuchlovelinesssoarrayed。Itwassimpleenough—thegarment—allwhite，andofamistytexture，yetitformedamysteriousvisiontothem。Aboutthegirl’sbrowwasawreathofpinkandwhitelaurel。Aveilhadnotbeenused。Itwouldhideherface，shesaid，andshedidnotseewhythatshouldbedone。Foraninstantshestoodpoisedsolightlythatsheseemedtoswaylikeavision，asthecandle—lightsquiveredabouther，withherhandsclaspedinfrontofher，andhereyeswanderingabouttheroomtilltheylighteduponClaytonwithalookoflovethatseemedtomakeherconsciousonlyofhim。Then，withquickeningbreath，lipspartedslightly，cheeksslowlyflushing，andshiningeyesstilluponhim，shemovedslowlyacrosstheroomuntilshestoodathisside。

Rainesgatheredhimselftogetherasfromadream，andsteppedbeforethepair。Brokenandhuskyatfirst，hisvoicetrembledinspiteofhimself，butthereaftertherewasnohintofthepowerfulemotionsatplaywithinhim。Onlyashejoinedtheirhands，hiseyesrestedaninstantwithinfinitetendernessonEaster’sface—asthoughthelookwerealastfarewell—andhisvoicedeepenedwithsolemnearnestnesswhenhebadeClaytonprotectandcherishheruntildeath。Therewasastrangemixtureinthoselastwordsoftheofficeandtheman—ofdivineauthorityandpersonalappeal—andClay。tonwasdeeplystirred。Thebenedictionover4theyoungpreacherwasturningaway，whensomeonecalledhuskilyfromtherearofthecabin：

"Whyn’tyekissthebride？

ItwasEaster’sfather，andthevoice，roughasitwas，broughtasensationofrelieftoall。Theyoungmountaineer’sfeaturescontractedwithswiftpain，andasEasterleanedtowardhim，withsubtledelicacy，hetouched，notherlips，butherforehead，asreverentlyasthoughshehadbeenasaint。

Instantlythefiddlesbegan，thefloorwascleared，thebridalpartyhurriedintothekitchen，andthecabinbegantoshakebeneathdancingfeet。Hickswasfulfillinghisword，andinthekitchenhiswifehaddoneherpart。Everythingknowntothemountaineerpalatewaspiledinprofusiononthetable，butClaytonandEasteratenothing。Tohimthewholeeveningwasanightmare，whichthesolemnmomentsofthemarriagehadmadethemorehideous。

Hewasrestlessandeagertogetaway。Thedancingwasbecomingmorefurious，andabovethenoiseroseHicks’svoicepromptingthedancers。Theruderonesstillhungaboutthedoors，regardingClaytoncuriously，orwitheagereyesuponthefeast。Easterwasvaguelytroubled，andconflictingwiththeinnocentprideandjoyinhereyeswerethequestioningglancessheturnedtoClayton’sdarkeningface。Atlasttheywerehurriedout，andincamethecrowdlikehungrywolves。

PlacingClaytonandEasterinacorneroftheroom，theattendantsthemselvestookpartinthedancing，andsuchdancingClaytonhadneverseen。Doorsandwindowswerefulloffaces，andtheroomwascrowded；fromthekitchencamecoarselaughterandtherattlingofdishes。

OccasionallyHickswoulddisappearwithseveralothers，andwouldreturnwithhisfaceredderthanever。

Easterbecameuneasy。OncesheleftClayton’ssideandexpostulatedwithherfather，butheshookherfromhisarmroughly。Rainessawthis，andamomentlaterheledtheoldmountaineerfromtheroom。Thereafterthelatterwasquieter，butonlyforalittlewhile。Severaltimesthekitchenwasfilledandemptied，andeverwasthecrowdunsteadier。SoonevenRaines’sinfluencewasofnoavail，andthebottlewaspassedopenlyfromguesttoguest。

"Whyn’tyedance？"

Claytonfelthisarmgrasped，andHicksstoodswayingbeforehim。

"Whyn’tyedance？"herepeated。"Can’tyedance？Mebbeyeairtoogood—likeSherd。Well，Easterkin，Hyar，Mart，come’n’dancewiththegal。Sheairthebestdancerintheseparts。"

ClaytonhadhishanduponEasterasthoughtoforbidher。Themountaineersawthemovement，andhisfaceflamed；butbeforehecouldspeak，thegirlpressedClayton’sarm，and，withanappealingglance，rosetoherfeet。

That’sright，"saidherfather，approvingly，butwithalookofdrunkenmalignancytowardClayton。"Now，"hecalledout，inaloudvoice，"Iwantthiscoupletohavethefloor，’n’everybodytolookon’n’seewhatisdancin’。Startthefiddles，boys。"

Itwasdancing。Theyoungmountaineerwasaslender，activefellow，notwithoutgrace，andEasterseemedhardlytotouchthefloor。Theybeganveryslowlyatfirst，tillEaster，glancingasideatClaytonandseeinghisfacedeepenwithinterest，andurgedbytheremonstranceofhetfather，theremarksoftheonlookers，andtheincreasingabandonofthemusic，gaveherselfuptothedance。Theyoungmountaineerwasnomeanpartner。Forwardandbacktheyglided，theirswiftfeetbeatingeverynoteofthemusic；Fasterrecedingbeforeherpartner，andnowadvancingtowardhim，nowwhirlingawaywithadisdainfultossofherheadandarms，andnowgivinghimherhandandwhirlingtillherwhiteskirtsfloatedfromthefloor。Atlast，withheadbentcoquettishlytowardherpartner，shedancedaroundhim，andwhenitseemedthatshewouldbecaughtbyhisoutstretchedhandssheslippedfromhisclasp，and，withburningcheeks，flashingeyes，andbridalwreathshoweringitspink—fleckedpetalsabouther，flewtoClayton’sside。

Mebbeyedon’tlikethat，"criedHicks，turningtoRaines，whohadbeengravelywatchingthescene。

Rainessaidnothinginreply，butonlylookedthedrunkenmanintheface。

"Youtwo，"hecontinued，indicatingClaytonwithanangryshakeofhishead，"aira—tryin’tospileever’body’sfun。Bothofyeairtoohigh—heeledferusfolks。Y’uhevgotmightygoodnowthatyeairapreacher，"headded，withadrunkensneer，irritatedbeyondendurancebyRaines’ssilenceandhissteadylook。"IwantyetoknowBillHicksaira—runnin’thingshere，’n’Idon’twantnomeddlin’。I’lldrinkrighthereinfronto’ye"—holdingabottledefiantlyabovehishead—"’n’Imeantodance，too，Iwarnyenow，"

headded，staggeringtowardthedoor，"Idon’twantnomed—dlin’。"

Easterhadburiedherfaceinherhands。Hermotherstoodnearherhusband，helplesslytryingtogethimaway，andfearingtoarousehimmore。Raineswasthemostcomposedmanintheroom，andafewmomentslater，whendancingwasresumed，Claytonheardhisvoiceathisear：

"You’dbettergoupstairs’n’waittillit’stimetogo，"hesaid。"Hehevgotrousedag’inye，andag’inmetoo。I’llkeepouto’hiswaysoasnottoaggravatehim，butI’llstayhyarferfearsomethingwillhappen。Mebbehe’llsoberupalittle，butI’mafeardhe’lldrinkmore’never。"

Amomentlater，unseenbytherest，thetwomountedthestairwaytothelittleroomwhereEaster’sgirlhoodhadbeenpassed。ToClaytonthepeaceoftheprimitivelittlechamberwasaninfiniterelief。Adimlightshowedarudebedinonecornerandapinetablecloseby，whereonlayafewbooksandapenandanink—bottle。Above，theroofrosetoasharpangle，andthelow，unplasteredwallswerecoveredwithpieturescutfromthebookshehadgivenher。Asinglewindowopenedintothenightoverthevalleyandtothemountainsbeyond。Twosmallcane—bottomchairswerenearthis，andinthesetheysatdown。Intheeastdarkcloudsweremovingswiftlyacrossthefaceofthemoon，checkingitslightanJgivingthedimvalleystartlingdepthandblackness。

Rain—dropsstrucktheroofatintervals，ashowerofapple—blossomsrustledagainstthewindowanddriftedon，andbelowthemuffledsoundofmusicandshufflingfeetwasnowandthenpiercedbytheshrillcallsoftheprompter。Therewassomethingominousinthepersistenttreadoffeetandthesteadyflightofthegloomyclouds，andquiveringwithvaguefears，EastersankdownfromherchairtoClayton’sfeet，andburstintotears，asheputhisarmstenderlyabouther。

Hasheevertreatedyoubadly？

"No，no，"sheanswered；"it’sonlythewhiskey。"

Itwasnotaloneofherfather’sbehaviorthatshewasthinking。

Memorieswerebusywithinher，andathousandthreadsoffeelingweretighteningherloveofhome，theonlyhomeshehadeverknown。Nowshewasleavingitforastrangeworldofwhichsheknewnothing，andthethoughtpiercedherlikeaphysicalpain。

"Areweevercomingbackag’in？"sheasked，withsuddenfear。

Yes，dear，"answeredClayton，diviningherthoughts；"wheneveryouwish。"

Afterthatshegrewcalmer，andremainedquietsolongthatsheseemedtohavefallenasleeplikeatiredchildrelievedofitsfears。

Leaningforward，helookedintothedarkness。Itwasaftermidnight，surely。Thecloudshadbecomelighter，moreluminous，andgraduallythemoonbrokethroughthem，liftingthepallfromthevalley，playingabouttheedgeoftheforest，andquiveringatlastonthewindow。Ashebentbacktolookatthesleepinggirl，themoonlightfellsoftlyuponherface，revealingitspurityofcolor，andtouchingtheloosenedfoldsofherhair，andshiningthroughatear—dropwhichhadescapedfromherclosedlashes。

Howlovelythefacewas!Howpure!Howchild—likewithallitshiddenstrength!Howabsoluteherconfidenceinhim!Howgreatherlove!Itwasofherlovethathethought，notofhisown；

butwithanewrealizationofherdependenceuponhimforhappiness，hisclasptightenedaboutheralmostunconsciously。Shestirredslightly，and，bendinghisheadlower，Claytonwhisperedinherear：

Haveyoubeenasleep，dear？

Sheliftedherfaceandlookedtenderlyintohiseyes，shakingherheadslowly，andthen，ashebentoveragain，sheclaspedherarmsabouthisneckandstrainedhisfacetohers。

Notuntiltheopeningofthedooratthestair—waystirredthemdidtheynoticethatthemusicanddancingbelowhadceased。Thedoorwasinstantlyclosedagainafteraslightsoundofscuffling，andinthemomentofstillnessthatfollowed，theyheardRainessaycalmly：

"No；youcan’tgoupthar。"

Abrutaloathansweredhim，andEasterstartedtoherfeetwhensheheardherfather’svoice，terriblewithpassion；butClaytonheldherback，andhurrieddownthestairway。

"Efyedon’tcomeawayfromthatdoor，"hecouldhearHickssaying，"’n’stopthismeddlin’，I’llkillyou’stido’thefurriner。"

AsClaytonthrustthedooropen，Raineswasstandingafewfeetfromthestairway。Thedrunkenmanwasstrugglinginthegraspofseveralmountaineers，whowerecoaxinganddragginghimacrosstheroom。

Aboutthemwereseveralothermenscarcelyabletostand，andbehindtheseacrowdofshrinkingwomen。

Gitback!gitback!"saidRaines，inlow，hurriedtones。

ButHickshadcaughtsightofClayton。Foramomenthestoodstill，glaringathim。Then，withafuriouseffort，hewrenchedhimselffromthemenwhoheldhim，andthrusthishandintohispocket，backingagainstthewall。ThecrowdfellawayfromhimasaweaponwasdrawnandlevelledwithunsteadyhandatClayton。

Rainessprangforward；Claytonfelthisarmclutched，andafiguredartedpasthim。Theflashcame，andwhenRaineswrenchedtheweaponfromthemountaineer’sgraspthelatterwasstandingrigid，withhorror—strickeneyesfixeduponthesmoke，inwhichEaster’swhitefaceshowedlikeanapparition。Asthesmokedriftedaside，thegirlwasseenwithbothhandsatherbreast。Then，whileasilentterrorheldeveryone，sheturned，and，withoutstretchedhands，totteredtowardClayton；andashecaughtherinhisarms，alowmoanbrokefromherlips。

Someonehurriedawayforaphysician，butthedeath—watchwasoverbeforehecame。

Foralongtimethewoundedgirllayapparentlyunconscious，herfacewhiteandquiet。Onlywhenawood—thrushcalledfromthewoodsclosebywereherlidshalfraised，andasClaytonpushedtheshutteropenaboveherandliftedhergently，sheopenedhereyeswithagratefullookandturnedherfaceeagerlytothecoolair。

Thedawnwasbreaking。Theeastwasalreadyaflamewithbarsofrosylight，graduallywidening。Abovethemasinglestarwaspoised，andinthevalleybelowgreatwhitemistswerestirringfromsleep。Foramomentsheseemedtobelistlesslywatchingthewhite，shapelessthings，tremblingaswithlife，andcreepingsilentlyintowoodandupglen；andthenherlashesdroopedwearilytogether。

ThedooropenedasClaytonlethersinkuponthebed，breathingasifasleep，andheturned，expectingthephysician。Raines，too，roseeagerly，stoppedsuddenly，andshrankbackwithashudderofrepulsionasthefigureofthewretchedfathercrept，halfcrouching，within。

Sherd!

Thegirl’stonewasfullofgentlereproach，andsosoftthatitreachedonlyClayton’sears。

Sherd!

Thistimehisnamewasutteredwithanappealeversogentle。

Poredad!Poredad!"shewhispered。HerclasptightenedsuddenlyonClayton’shand，andhereyeswereheldtohis，evenwhilethelightinthemwasgoingout。

Aweeklatertwomenleftthecabinatdusk。

Half—waydowntheslopetheycametooneoftheunspeakablymournfullittleburying—groundswhereinthemountainpeoplerestaftertheirnarrowlives。Itwasunhedged，uncaredfor，andafewcrumblingboardsforheadstonestoldthelivinggenerationwherethedeadwereatrest。Foramomenttheypausedtolookataspotunderagreatbeechwheretheearthhadbeenlatelydisturbed。

"Itairshorelyhardtosee，"saidoneinalow，slowvoice，"whyshewastaken，’n1himleft；whysheshouldhevtogiveherlifeferthelifehetook。ButHeknows，Heknows，"themountaineercontinued，withunfalteringtrust；andthen，afteramoment’sstruggletoreconcilefactwithfaith："TheLordtookwhutHekeeredfermost，’n’shewasready，’n’hewasnt。

Theothermadenoreply，andtheykeptoninsilence。Uponaspurofthemountainbeneathwhichthelittlemining—townhadsunktoquietforthenighttheypartedwithahand—clasp。Nottillthenwasthesilencebroken。

"Tharseemstobeapenaltyferlovin’too’’muchdownhyar，"saidone；

"’n’Ireckon，"headded，slowly，"thatbothofushevgothittopay。"

Turning，thespeakerretracedhissteps。Theotherkeptontowardthelightsbelow。