第4章
Hehadnearlymadethecircuitoftheroomwhenhewassurprisedbythefirststrainsofawaltz。WaltzingwasnotastrongfeatureofIndianSpringfestivity，partlythattheChurchpeoplehadseriousdoubtsifDavid’ssaltatoryperformancesbeforetheArkincluded"rounddances，"andpartlythattheyounghadnotyetmastereditsdifficulties。Whenheyieldedtohisimpulsetolookagainatthedancershefoundthatonlythreeorfourcoupleshadbeenboldenoughtotakethefloor。CressyMcKinstryandherformerpartnerwereoneofthem。Inhispresentexaltationhewasnotastonishedtofindthatshehadevidentlypickeduptheartinherlatevisit，andwasnowwaltzingwithquietgraceandprecision，buthewassurprisedthatherpartnerwasfarfrombeingequallyperfect，andthatafterafewturnsshestoppedandsmilinglydisengagedherwaistfromhisarm。Asshesteppedbacksheturnedwithunerringinstincttothatpartoftheroomwherethemasterstood，andraisedhereyesthroughthemultitudeofadmiringfacestohis。Theireyesmetinanisolationassupremeasiftheyhadbeenalone。Itwasanattractionthemoredangerousbecauseunformulated——apossessionwithoutpreviouspledge，promise，orevenintention——alovethatdidnotrequiretobe"made。"
Heapproachedherquietlyandevenmorecoollythanhethoughtpossible。"Willyouallowmeatrial？"heasked。
Shelookedinhisface，andasifshehadnotheardthequestionbutwasfollowingherownthought，said，"Iknewyouwouldcome；I
sawyouwhenyoufirstcamein。"Withoutanotherwordsheputherhandinhis，andasifitwerepartofaninstinctiveactionofdrawingclosertohim，caughtwithheradvancingfoottheaccentofthewaltz，andthenextmomenttheroomseemedtoslipawayfromthemintowhirlingspace。
Thewholethinghadpassedsorapidlyfromthemomentheapproachedhertothefirstgracefulswingofherfullskirtathisside，thatitseemedtohimalmostliketheembraceofalovers’meeting。Hehadoftenbeenasnearherbefore，hadstoodathersideatschool，andevenleanedoverherdesk，butalwayswithanirritatedinstinctofreservethathadequallyaffectedher，andwhichhenowunderstood。Withherconsciousbutpalefacesonearhisown，withthefaintodorofherhairclingingtoher，andwiththesweetconfusionofthehalflingering，halfwithheldcontactofherhandandarm，allhadchanged。Hedidnotdaretoreflectthathecouldneveragainapproachherexceptwiththisfeeling。Hedidnotdaretothinkofanything；heabandonedhimselftothesensethathadbegunwiththeinvasionofherhair-boundmyrtleinthesilentschool-room，andseemedtohaveatlastledhertohisarms。Theyweremovingnowinsuchperfectrhythmandunisonthattheyseemedscarcelyconsciousofmotion。Oncewhentheynearedtheopenwindowhecaughtaglimpseoftheroundmoonrisingabovethesolemnheightsoftheoppositeshore，andfeltthecoolbreathofmountainandriversweephischeekandmingleafewescapedthreadsofherfairhairwithhisown。Withthatglimpseandthatsensationthevulgarityandthetawdrinessoftheirsurroundings，thegutteringcandlesintheirsconces，thebizarrefigures，theunmeaningfacesseemedtobewhirledfarintodistantspace。Theywerealonewithnightandnature；itwastheywhowerestill；allelsehadrecededinavanishingperspectiveofdullreality，inwhichtheyhadnopart。
Playon，OwaltzofStrauss！Whirlon，Oloveandyouth！Foryoucannotwhirlsoswiftlybutthatthisrecedingworldwillreturnagainwithnarrowingcircletohemyouin。Faster，Ocrackedclarionet！Louder，Otoobrazenbassoon！Keepback，Odullandearthyenvironment，tillmasterandpupilhavedreamedtheirfoolishdream！
Theyareinfancyaloneontheriver-bank，onlytheroundmoonabovethemandtheirlinkedshadowsfaintlyflutteringinthestream。Theyhavedrawnsocloselytogethernowthatherarmisencirclinghisneck，hersofteyesupliftedlikethemoon’sreflectionanddrowningintohis；closerandclosertilltheirheartsstopbeatingandtheirlipshavemetinafirstkiss。
Faster，Olittlefeet！swingclear，OCressy’sskirtandkeepthenarrowingcircleback！……Theyareagainalone；thejudges’
daisandtheemblazoningoftheStatecaughtinasinglewhirlingflashofconsciousnessarechangedtoanaltar，seendimlythroughthebridalveilthatcoversherfairhead。Thereisthemurmurofvoicesminglingtwolivesinone。Theyturnandpassproudlydownbetweentheaislesofwonderingfestalfaces。Ah！thecircleisdrawingcloser。Onemorequickwhirltokeepthemback，Oflyingskirtanddainty-wingedfeet！Toolate！Themusicstops。Thetawdrywallsshutinagain，thevulgarcrowdsreturn，theystandpaleandquiet，thecentreofaringofbreathlessadmiring，frightened，orforbiddingfaces。Herarmsfoldlikewingsatherside。Thewaltzisover。
Ashrillfemininechorusassailherwithpraises，struckhereandtherewithametallicringofenvy；adozenall-daringcavaliers，maderecklessbyhergraceandbeauty，clamorforherhandinthenextwaltz。Shereplies，nottothem，buttohim，"Notagain，"andslipsawayinthecrowdwiththatstrangenewshynessthatofallhertransformationsseemsthemostdelicious。Yetsoconsciousaretheyoftheirmutualpassionthattheydonotmisseachother，andheturnsawayasiftheirnextmeetingwerealreadyanappointedtryst。Afewcongratulatehimonhisskill。Johnny’sparagonlooksafterhimcuriously；certaineldersshakehandswithhimperplexedly，asifnotquitesureoftheprofessionalconsistencyofhisperformance。Thosecharmingtide-waitersonsocialsuccess，thefair，artfullyminglingexpectationwithcompliment，onlyextractfromhimthelaughingstatementthatthisonewaltzwasthesingleexceptionallowedhimfromtheruleofhisprofessionalconduct，andherefersthemtohiseldercritics。Asingleface，loutish，looming，andvindictive，standsonamongthecrowd——thefaceofSethDavis。Hehadnotseenhimsincehelefttheschool；
hehadforgottenhisexistence；evennowheonlyrememberedhissuccessor，JoeMasters，andhelookedcuriouslyaroundtoseeifthatlatersuitorofCressy’swaspresent。ItwasnotuntilhereachedthedoorthathebegantothinkseriouslyofSethDavis’sjealousface，andwasrousedtoasingularindignation。"Whyhadn’tthisgreatfoolventedhisjealousyontheopenlycompromisingMasters，"hethought。Heeventurnedandwalkedbackwithsomevaguelyaggressiveinstinct，buttheyoungmanhaddisappeared。WiththisincidentstillinhismindhecameuponUncleBenandHiramMcKinstrystandingamongthespectatorsinthedoorway。WhymightnotUncleBenbejealoustoo？andifhissinglewaltzhadreallyappearedsocompromisingwhyshouldnotCressy’sfatherobject？Butbothmen——albeit，McKinstryusuallyexhibitedavagueunreasoningcontemptforUncleBen——wereunanimousintheircongratulationsandoutspokenadmiration。
"WhenIsee’dyousailin，Mr。Ford，"saidUncleBen，withabstractreflectiveness，"Iseztothefellers，’lielow，boys，andyou’llseestyle。’Andwhenyouputonthemfirststeps，Isez，’that’sFrench——thelatesthigh-tonedFrenchstyle——outerthebestmasters，and——andouterthebestbooks。Forwhy？’sezI。’It’sthesamelong，slidingstrokeyouseeinhiscopies。There’sthatlongupsweep，andthateasycurvetotherightwithnohitch。That’sthesorterswinghehezinreadin’po’trytoo。That’swhyit’scalledthepo’tryofmotion，’sezI。’Andyoukenbetyourboots，boys，it’sallinthetrainin’o’education。’"
"Mr。Ford，"saidMr。McKinstrygravely，slightlywavingalavender-
coloredkidglove，withwhichhehadelectedtoconcealhismaimedhand，andatthesamemomentindicateafestaloccasion："Ihevtothankyeforthewayyoutookoutthatchildo’mine，likeezshewozanontriedfilly，andputherthroughherpaces。Idon’tdancemyself，partiklyinthatgait——whichItaketobesuthin’betwixtalopeandacanterandIdon’tgettoseemuchdancin’nowadaysonaccounto’bein’worritedbystock，butseein’youtwotogetherjustnow，suthin’cameoverme，andIdon’tthinkIeverfeltsokaminmylife。"
Thebloodrushedtothemaster’scheekwithanunexpectedconsciousnessofguiltandshame。"But，"hestammeredawkwardly，"yourdaughterdancesbeautifullyherself；shehascertainlyhadpractice。"
"That，"saidMcKinstry，layinghisglovedhandimpressivelyonthemaster’sshoulder，withtheemptylittlefingerstillmoreemphasizedbybeingturnedbackwardinthenet；"thatmaybeezitez，butIwantedtosaythatitwasthesimple，easy，fammilytouchthatyougevit，thattookme。Towardtheend，whenyoukindergatheredherupandshesorterdroppedherheadintoyourbreast-
pocket，andseemedtogotosleep，likeezefshewasstillalittlegirl，itsoremindedmeofthetimeswhenIusedtototehermyselfwalkin’bythewagginatPlattRiver，thatitmademewishtheoldwomanwasheretoseeit。"
Stillcoloring，themastercastarapid，sidelongglanceatMcKinstry’sdarkredfaceandbeard，butintheslowsatisfactionofhisfeaturestherewasnotraceofthatironywhichthemaster’sself-consciousnessknew。
"Thenyourwifeisnothere？"saidMr。Fordabstractedly。
"Shewaratchurch。ShereckonedthatI’ddotolookarterCressy——
shebein’，sotospeak，underconviction。D’yemindwalkin’thiswayabit；Iwanttospeakawordwithye？"Heputhismaimedhandthroughthemaster’sarm，afterhisformerfashion，andledhimtoacorner。
"DidyehappentoseeSethDavisaboutyer？"
"IbelieveIsawhimamomentago，"returnedMr。Fordhalfcontemptuously。
"Didhegetoffanythin’roughonye？"
"Certainlynot，"saidthemasterhaughtily。"Whyshouldhedare？"
"That’sso，"saidMcKinstrymeditatively。"Youhadbetterkeeprightoninthatline。That’syourgait，remember。Leavehim——orhisfather——it’sthesamething——toME。Don’tYOUletyourselfberopedintothisyerrowbetwixtmeandtheDavises。Youain’tgotnocalltodoit。It’salreadybeenonmymindyourbringin’thatguntomeintheHarrisonrow。Theoldwomanhadn’toughterletyou——norCresseither。Harktome，Mr。Ford！IreckontostandbetweenyouandboththeDavisestillthecowscomehome——only——
mindYOUgivehimthego-bywhenhehappenstomeanderalongtowardsyou。"
"I’mverymuchobligedtoyou，"saidFordwithdisproportionatelysuddencholer；"butIdon’tproposetoaltermyhabitsforaridiculousschool-boywhomIhavedismissed。"Theunjustandboyishpetulanceofhisspeechinstantlyflasheduponhim，andhefelthischeekburnagain。
McKinstryregardedhimwithdull，red，slumbrouseyes。"Don’tyougotoloseyourbestholt，Mr。Ford——andthat’skam。Keepyourkam——andyou’veallusgotthedeadwoodonInjinSprings。Iain’tgotit，"hecontinued，inhisslowest，mostpassionlessmanner，"andarowmoreorlessain’tmuchaccounttome——butYOU，youkeepyourkam。"Hepaused，steppedback，andregardingthemaster，withaslightwaveofhiscrippledhandoverhiswholeperson，asifindicatingsomepersonaladornment，said，"Itsetsyouoff！"
Henodded，turned，andre-enteredtheball-room。Mr。Ford，withouttrustinghimselftofurtherspeech，elbowedhiswaythroughthecrowdedstaircasetothestreet。Buteventherehisstrangeanger，aswellastheequallystrangeremorse，whichhadseizedhiminMcKinstry’spresence，seemedtoevaporateintheclearmoonlightandsoftsummerair。Therewastheriver-bank，withthetremulousriverglancingthroughthedreamymist，astheyhadseenitfromthewindowtogether。Heeventurnedtolookbackonthelightedball-room，asifSHEmighthavebeenlookingout，too。Butheknewheshouldseeheragainto-morrow，andhehurriedlyputasideallreserve，allthoughtofthefuture，allexaminationofhisconduct，towalkhomeenwrappedinthevaguerpleasureofthepast。RupertFilgee，towhomhehadnevergivenasecondthought，nowpeacefullyslumberingbesidehisbabybrother，hadnotgonehomeinmorefoolishormoredangerouscompany。
Whenhereachedthehotel，hewassurprisedtofinditonlyeleveno’clock。Noonehadreturned，thebuildingwasdesertedbyallbutthebar-keeperandaflirtingchambermaid，whoregardedhimwithaggrievedastonishment。Hebegantofeelveryfoolish，andhalfregrettedthathehadnotstayedtodancewithMrs。Tripp；or，atleast，remainedasaquietonlookerapartfromtheothers。Withahastyexcuseaboutreturningtowritelettersforthemorning’spost，hetookacandleandslowlyremountedthestairstohisroom。
Butonenteringhefoundhimselfunpreparedforthatsingularlackofsympathywithwhichfamiliarhauntsalwaysgreetournewexperiences；hecouldhardlybelievethathehadleftthatroomonlytwohoursbefore；itseemedsouncongenialandstrangetothesensationthatwasstillpossessinghim。Yettherewerehistable，hisbooks，hisarm-chair，hisbedashehadleftthem；evenastickyfragmentofgingerbreadthathadfallenfromJohnny’spocket。Hehadnotyetreachedthatstageofabsorbingpassionwherehewasabletoputthelovedoneinhisownsurroundings；sheasyethadnoplaceinthisquietroom；hecouldscarcelythinkofherhere，andheMUSTthinkofher，ifhehadtogoelsewhere。Anextravagantideaofwalkingthestreetuntilhisrestlessdreamwasoverseizedhim，buteveninhisfollythelackadaisical，moonstruckqualityofsuchaperformancewastooobvious。Theschool-house！
Hewouldgothere；itwasonlyapleasantwalk，thenightwaslovely，andhecouldbringthemyrtle-sprayfromhisdesk。Itwastoosignificantnow——ifnottooprecious——tobekeptthere。Perhapshehadnotexamineditclosely，northeplacewhereithadlain；
theremightbeanadditionalsign，word，ortokenhehadoverlooked。
Thethoughtthrilledhim，evenwhilehewascalmlyarguingtohimselfthatitwasaninstinctofcaution。
Theairwasquieterandwarmerthanusual，thoughstillcharacteristicofthelocalityinitsdry，dewlessclarity。Thegrasswasyetwarmfromtheday-longsun，andwhenheenteredthepinesthatsurroundedtheschoolhouse，theyhadscarcelyyetlosttheirspicyheat。Themoon，ridinghigh，filledthedarkaisleswithadelicioustwilightthatlentitselftohiswakingdreams。
Itwasnotlongbeforeto-morrow；hecouldeasilymanagetobringherhereinthegroveatrecess，andwouldspeakwithherthere。
Itdidnotoccurtohimwhatheshouldsay，orwhyheshouldsayit；itdidnotoccurtohimthathehadnootherprovocationthanhereyes，herconsciousmanner，hereloquentsilence，andheradmissionthatshehadexpectedhim。Itdidnotoccurtohimthatallthiswasinconsistentwithwhatheknewofherantecedents，hercharacter，andherhabits。Itwasthisveryinconsistencythatcharmedandconvincedhim。Wearealwaysonthelookoutforthesemiraclesofpassion。Wemaydoubtthegenuinenessofanaffectionthatisfirst-hand，butneverofonethatistransferred。
Heapproachedtheschool-houseandunlockingthedoorcloseditbehindhim，notsomuchtokeepouthumanintrusionastheinvasionofbatsandsquirrels。Thenearlyverticalmoon，whileitperfectlylittheplaygroundandopeningsinthepinesaroundthehouse，lefttheinteriorindarkness，exceptthereflectionupontheceilingfromtheshininggravelwithout。Partlyfromasenseofprecautionandpartlybecausehewasfamiliarwiththepositionofthebenches，hedidnotstrikealight，andreachedhisowndeskunerringly，drewhischairbeforeitandunlockedit，gropedinitsdarkrecessforthemyrtlespray，feltitssoftsilkenbindingwithanelectricalthrill，drewitout，andinthesecurityofthedarkness，raisedittohislips。
Tomakeroomforitinhisbreastpockethewasobligedtotakeouthisletters——amongthemthewell-wornonehehadtriedtoreadthatmorning。Aminglingofpleasureandremorsecameoverhimashefeltthatitwasalreadyofthepast，andashedroppeditcarelesslyintotheemptydeskitfellwithafaint，hollowsoundasifitwereashestoashes。
Whatwasthat？
Thenoiseofstepsuponthegravel，lightlaughter，themovingoftwoorthreeshadowsontheceiling，thesoundofvoices，aman’s，achild’s，andHERS！
Coulditbepossible？Wasnothemistaken？No！theman’svoicewasMasters’；thechild’s，Octavia’s；thewoman’s，HERS。
Heremainedsilentintheshadow。Theschool-roomwasnotfarfromthetrailwhereshewouldhavehadtopassgoinghomefromtheball。Butwhyhadshecomethere？hadtheyseenhimarrive？andweremischievouslywatchinghim？ThesoundofCressy’svoiceandtheliftingoftheunprotectedwindownearthedoorconvincedhimtothecontrary。
"There，that’lldo。Nowyoutwocanstepaside。’Tave，takehimovertoyonfence，andkeephimtheretillIgetin。No——thankyou，sir——Icanassistmyself。I’vedoneitbefore。Itain’tthefirsttimeI’vebeenthroughthiswindow，isit，’Tave？"
Ford’sheartstoppedbeating。Therewasamomentoflaughingexpostulation，thesoundofretreatingvoices，thesuddendarkeningofthewindow，thebillowysweepofaskirt，thefaintquickflashofalittleankle，andCressyMcKinstryswungherselfintotheroomanddroppedlightlyonthefloor。
Sheadvancedeagerlyupthemoonlitpassagebetweenthetworowsofbenches。Suddenlyshestopped；themasterroseatthesamemomentwithoutstretchedwarninghandtocheckthecryofterrorhefeltsurewouldrisetoherlips。Buthedidnotknowthelazynervesofthegirlbeforehim。Sheutterednooutcry。Andeveninthefaintdimlighthecouldseeonlythesameexpressionofconsciousunderstandingcomeoverherfacethathehadseenintheball-room，mingledwithavaguejoythatpartedherbreathlesslips。Ashemovedquicklyforwardtheirhandsmet；shecaughthiswithaquicksignificantpressureanddartedbacktothewindow。
"Oh，’Tave！"（verylanguidly。）
"Yes。"
"Youtwohadbetterwaitformeattheedgeofthetrailyonder，andkeepalookoutforfolksgoingby。Don’tletthemseeyouhangingroundsonear。Doyouhear？I’mallright。"
Withherhandstillmeaninglylifted，shestoodgazingatthetwofiguresuntiltheyslowlyrecededtowardsthedistanttrail。Thensheturnedasheapproachedher，thereflectionofthemoonlitroadstrikingupintohershiningeyesandeagerwaitingface。Adozenquestionswereuponhislips，adozenreplieswerereadyuponhers。
Buttheywereneveruttered，forthenextmomenthereyeshalfclosed，sheleanedforwardandfell——intoakiss。
Shewasthefirsttorecover，holdinghisfaceinherhands，turnedtowardsthemoonlight，herowninpassionateshadow。"Listen，"shesaidquickly。"TheythinkIcameheretolookforsomethingIleftinmydesk。Theythoughtithighfuntocomewithme——thesetwo。
Ididcometolookforsomething——notinmydesk，butyours。"
"Wasitthis？"hewhispered，takingthemyrtlefromhisbreast。
Sheseizeditwithalightcry，puttingitfirsttoherlipsandthentohis。Thenclaspinghisfaceagainbetweenhersoftpalms，sheturnedittothewindowandsaid："Lookatthemandnotatme。"
Hedidso——seeingthetwofiguresslowlywalkinginthetrail。Andholdinghertherefirmlyagainsthisbreast，itseemedablasphemytoaskthequestionthathadbeenuponhislips。
"That’snotall，"shemurmured，movinghisfacebackwardsandforwardstoherlipsasifitweresomethingtowhichshewasgivingbreath。"WhenwecametothewoodsIfeltthatyouwouldbehere。"
"Andfeelingthat，youbroughtHIM？"saidFord，drawingback。
"Whynot？"sherepliedindolently。"Evenifhehadseenyou，I
couldhavemanagedtohaveyouwalkhomewithme。"
"Butdoyouthinkit’squitefair？Wouldhelikeit？"
"WouldHElikeit？"sheechoedlazily。
"Cressy，"saidtheyoungmanearnestly，gazingintohershadowedface。"Haveyougivenhimanyrighttoobject？Doyouunderstandme？"
Shestoppedasifthinking。"Doyouwantmetocallhimin？"shesaidquietly，butwithouttheleasttraceofarchnessorcoquetry。
"Wouldyouratherhewerehere——orshallwegooutnowandmeethim？I’llsayyoujustcameasIwasgoingout。"
Whatshouldhesay？"Cressy，"heaskedalmostcurtly，"doyouloveme？"
Itseemedsucharidiculousthingtoask，holdingherthusinhisarms，ifitweretrue；itseemedsuchavillainousquestion，ifitwerenot。
"IthinkIlovedyouwhenyoufirstcame，"shesaidslowly。"Itmusthavebeenthatthatmademeengagemyselftohim，"sheaddedsimply。"IknewIlovedyou，andthoughtonlyofyouwhenIwasaway。IcamebackbecauseIlovedyou。IlovedyouthedayyoucametoseeMaw——evenwhenIthoughtyoucametotellherofMasters，andtosaythatyoucouldn’ttakemeback。"
"Butyoudon’taskmeifIloveyou？"
"Butyoudo——youcouldn’thelpitnow，"shesaidconfidently。
Whatcouldhedobutreplyasillogicallywithacloserembrace，albeitaslighttremorasifacoldwindhadblownacrosstheopenwindow，passedoverhim。Shemayhavefeltittoo，forshepresentlysaid，"Kissmeandletmego。"
"Butwemusthavealongertalk，darling——when——when——othersarenotwaiting。"
"Doyouknowthefarbarnneartheboundary？"sheasked。
"Yes。"
"Iusedtotakeyourbooksthere，afternoonsto——to——bewithyou，"
shewhispered，"andPawgaveordersthatnoonewastocomenighitwhileIwasthere。Cometo-morrow，justbeforesundown。"
Alongembracefollowed，inwhichallthattheyhadnotsaidseemed，tothematleast，tobecomearticulateontheirtremulousandclinginglips。Thentheyseparated，heunlockingthedoorsoftlytogiveheregressthatway。Shecaughtupabookfromadeskinpassing，andthenslippedlikearosyshaftofthecomingdawnacrossthefadingmoonlight，andamomentafterherslowvoice，withoutatremorofexcitement，washeardcallingtohercompanions。
CHAPTERVII。
TheconversationwhichJohnnyFilgeehadoverheardbetweenUncleBenandthegorgeousstranger，althoughunintelligibletohisinfantmind，wasfraughtwithsomesignificancetotheadultsettlersofIndianSpring。Thetownitself，likemostinteriorsettlements，wasoriginallyaminingencampment，andassuchitsfoundersandsettlersderivedtheirpossessionofthesoilunderthemininglawsthattookprecedenceofallothertitles。Butalthoughthattitlewasheldtobegoodevenaftertheabandonmentoftheiroriginaloccupation，andtheestablishmentofshops，offices，anddwellingsonthesiteofthedesertedplaces，thesuburbsofthetownandoutlyingdistrictsweremoreprecariouslyheldbysquatters，underthepresumptionoftheirbeingpubliclandopentopreemption，orthesettlementofschool-landwarrantsuponthem。Fewofthesquattershadtakenthetroubletoperfecteventheseeasytitles，merelyholding"possession"foragriculturalordomiciliarypurposes，andsubjectonlytotheinvasionof"jumpers，"aclassofadventurerswho，intheabeyanceofrecognizedlegaltitle，"jumped"orforciblyseizedsuchportionsofasquatter’sdomainsaswerenotprotectedbyfencingorsuperiorforce。ItwasthereforewithsomeexcitementthatIndianSpringreceivedthenewsthataMexicangrantofthreesquareleagues，whichcoveredthewholedistrict，hadbeenlatelyconfirmedbytheGovernment，andthatactionwouldbetakentorecoverpossession。Itwasunderstoodthatitwouldnotaffecttheadversepossessionsheldbythetownunderthemininglaws，butitwouldcompeltheadjacentsquatterslikeMcKinstry，Davis，Masters，andFilgee，andjumpersliketheHarrisons，tobuythelegaltitle，ordefendaslowbutlosinglawsuit。Theholdersofthegrant——
richcapitalistsofSanFrancisco——wereopentocompromisetothoseinactualpossession，andinthebenefitsofthiscompromisetheunscrupulous"jumper，"whohadneithersownnorreaped，butsimplydispossessedthesquatterwhohaddoneboth，sharedequallywithhim。
Adiversityofopinionastotheeffectofthenewclaimnaturallyobtained；theoldersettlersstillclungtotheirexperiencesofaneasyaboriginalholdingofthesoil，andwerescepticalbothastothevalidityandjusticeoftheserevivedaliengrants；butthenewerarrivalshailedthiscertaintenureoflegaltitlesasaguaranteetocapitalandanincentivetoimprovement。TherewasalsoagrowingandinfluentialpartyofEasternandNorthernmen，whowerenotsorrytoseeafruitfulsourceofdissensionandbloodshedremoved。ThefeudsoftheMcKinstrysandHarrisons，keptaliveoveraboundarytowhichneitherhadanylegalclaim，wouldseemtobringthemhereafterwithinthestatutelawregardingordinaryassaultswithoutanyethicalmystification。OntheotherhandMcKinstryandHarrisonwouldeachbeabletoarrangeanycompromisewiththenewtitleholdersforthelandstheypossessed，ormakeoverthat"actualpossession"foraconsideration。Itwasfearedthatbothmen，beingnaturallylawless，wouldunitetorenderanylegalevictionalonganddangerousprocess，andthattheywouldeitherbeleftundisturbedtillthelast，orwouldforceaprofitableconcession。Butagreaterexcitementfollowedwhenitwasknownthatasectionofthelandhadalreadybeensoldbytheownersofthegrant，thatthissectionexactlycoveredthedebatablelandoftheMcKinstry-Harrisonboundaries，andthatthenewlandlordwouldatonceattemptitslegalpossession。TheinspirationofgeniusthathadthuseffectedadivisionoftheHarrison-McKinstrycombinationatitsoneweakspotexcitedeventheadmirationofthesceptics。NooneinIndianSpringknewitsrealauthor，forthesuitwasostensiblylaidinthenameofaSanFranciscobanker。ButtheintelligentreaderofJohnnyFilgee’slateexperienceduringthecelebrationwillhavealreadyrecognizedUncleBenastheman，anditbecomesapartofthisveraciouschronicleatthismomenttoallowhimtoexplain，notonlyhisintentions，butthemeansbywhichhecarriedthemout，inhisownwords。
Itwasoneafternoonattheendofhisusualsolitarylesson，andthemasterandUncleBenwereawaitingthearrivalofRupert。
UncleBen’seducationalprogresslately，throughdintofslowtenacity，hadsomewhatimproved，andhehadjustcompletedfromcertainformsandexamplesinabookbeforehima"LettertoaConsignee"informinghimthathe，UncleBen，hadjustshipped"2
cwt。IvoryElephantTusks，80peculsofriceand400bbls。primemessporkfromIndianSpring；"andanotherbeginning"HonoredMadam，"andconveyinginadmirablyartificialphraseologythe"lamenteddecease"ofthelady’shusbandfromyellowfever，contractedontheGoldCoast，andUncleBenwassurveyinghisworkwithcriticalsatisfactionwhenthemaster，somewhatimpatiently，consultedhiswatch。UncleBenlookedup。
"IoughtertoldyethatRupedidn’tkalkilatetocometoday。"
"Indeed——whynot？"
"IreckonbecauseItoldhimheneedn’t。Iallowedto——tohevalittleprivatetalkwithye，Mr。Ford，ifyedidn’tmind。"
Mr。Ford’sfacedidnotshinewithinvitation。"Verywell，"hesaid，"onlyrememberIhaveanengagementthisafternoon。"
"Butthatain’tuntilaboutsundown，saidUncleBenquietly。"I
won’tkeepyeezlongezthat。"
Mr。FordglancedquicklyatUncleBenwitharisingcolor。"Whatdoyouknowofmyengagements？"hesaidsharply。
"Nothin’，Mr。Ford，"returnedUncleBensimply；"buthevin’binlayin’round，lookin’foryehereandatthehotelforfourorfivedaysallusaboutthattimeandnotfindin’you，Iratherkalkilatedyoumighthevsuthin’reg’laronhand。"
Therewascertainlynothinginhisfaceormannertoindicatetheleastevasionordeceit，orindeedanythingbuthisusualnaivete，perhapsalittleperturbedandpreoccupiedbywhathewasgoingtosay。"Ihadanideaofwritin’youaletter，"hecontinued，"kindercombinin’practiceandconfidentialinformation，youknow。
Tobesquarewithyou，Mr。Ford，inpinto’fact，I’vegotitHERE。
Butezitdon’tseemtoentirelygibewiththefacts，andleavesaheapo’thingsonsaidandonseen，perhapsit’sjestezwallezI
readittoyoumyself——putten’inawordhereandthere，andexplainin’itgin’rally。Doyousabe？"
Themasternodded，andUncleBendrewfromhisdeskarudeportfoliomadefromthetwocoversofadilapidatedatlas，andtookfrombetweenthemapieceofblotting-paper，whichthroughinordinateapplicationhadacquiredthecolorandconsistencyofaslate，andafewpagesofcopy-bookpaper，thattothecasualglancelookedlikesheetsofexceedinglydifficultmusic。
Surveyingthemwithablendingofchirographicpride，orthographicdoubt，andthebashfulconsciousnessofaliteraryamateur，hetracedeachlinewithaforefingerinkedtothesecondjoint，andslowlyreadaloudasfollows：——
"’Mr。Ford，Teacher。
"’DEARSIR，——Yoursofthe12threc’dandcontentsnoted。’"（"I
did’nt，"explainedUncleBenparenthetically，"receiveanyletterofyours，butIthoughtImightheaveinthatbeginningfromcopyforpractice。TherestisME。"）"’Inrefferencetomyhavingmunney，"’continuedUncleBenreadingandpointingeachwordasheread，"’andbeingabletobuyDitchStocksan’Land’"——
"Onemoment，"saidMr。Fordinterrupting，"Ithoughtyouweregoingtoleaveoutcopy。Cometowhatyouhavetosay。"
"ButIHEV——thisisallrealnow。Holdonandyou’llsee，"saidUncleBen。Heresumedwithtriumphantemphasis：——
"’Whenitweregin’rallyallowedthatIhaddentaredcent，IwanttoexplaintoyouMisterFordforthefirsttimeasecret。Thishereishowitwasdone。WhenIfirstcametoInjianSpring，I
settleddownintotheoldPalmettoclaim，nearaheapofoldtaillings。Knowin’itwereagainstrools，andreg’larChinyman’sbiznesstoworkthemIdiddn’tletontoenyboddywhatIdid——witchwostoturnoversomeofthequartswhatIthoughtwaslikelyandOrrifferus。DoingthisIkemupponsomepayorewhichthemPalmettofellershadoverlookt，ormorelikelyhadkavedinupponthemfromthebankonknown。Workin’atitinodtimesbyandlarge，sometimesaforesunupandsometimesaftersundown，andallthetimekeepingupaday’sworkontheclameforashowtotheboys，Iemassedahonistfortunin2yearsof50，000dolersandstillam。ButitwillbeaskdbytheincredjulosReederHowdidyouneverletoutanythingtoInjianSpring，andHowdidyougetridofyouryeald？MisterFord，theAnserisItookittwistamonthonhossbackovertoLaPortandsentitbyexpresstoabankinSacramento，givin’thenameofDaubigny，witchnooneinLaPorttookforme。TheDitchStokandtheLandwasalltookinthesamename，hensthesecretwasonreviledtotheGeneralEye——stopaminit，’"heinterruptedhimselfquicklyasthemasterinanaccessionofimpatientscepticismwasabouttobreakinuponhim，"itain’tall。"Thendroppinghisvoicetoatremulousandalmostfunerealclimax，hewenton：——
"’ThusweseethatpashentindurstryisRewardedinSpiteofMiningRoolsandReggylashuns，andPredgudissesaginFurrinLaborisplayedoutandfleethlikeashad-orcontenueyethnotlonginOneSpot，andthataManmayapeartobeoffnoAccountandyetEmassthatwitchisfarabovrublesandFadithnotAway。
"’Hoppin’foracontinneyance"’ofyourfevorsIremain，"’Yourstocommand，"’BENJD’AUBIGNY。"’
ThegloomysatisfactionwithwhichUncleBenregardedthisperoration——asatisfactionthatactuallyappearedtobeequaltotherevelationitself——onlycorroboratedthemaster’sindignantdoubts。
"Come，"hesaid，impulsivelytakingthepaperfromUncleBen’sreluctanthand，"howmuchofthisisaconcoctionofyoursandRupe’s——andhowmuchisatruestory？Doyoureallymean？"——
"Holdon，Mr。Ford！"interruptedUncleBen，suddenlyfumblinginthebreast-pocketofhisredshirt，"Ireckonedonyourbeingalittlehardwithme，rememberingourfirsttalk’boutthesethings——
soIallowedI’dbringyousomeproof。"Slowlyextractingalonglegalenvelopefromhispocket，heopenedit，anddrewouttwoorthreecrispcertificatesofstock，andhandedthemtothemaster。
"Ther’sonehundredsharesmadeouttoBenjDaubigny。I’dhevbroughtyouoverthedeedofthelandtoo，butezit’sratherhardtoreadoff-hand，onaccountofthelawpalaver，I’veleftitupattheshantytotackleatoddtimesbywayofpractising。Butefyoulikewe’llgoupthar，andI’llshowittoyou。"
StillhauntedbyhisbeliefinUncleBen’ssmallduplicities，Mr。
Fordhesitated。Thesewerecertainlybonafidecertificatesofstockmadeoutto"Daubigny。"ButhehadneveractuallyacceptedUncleBen’sstatementofhisidentitywiththatperson，andnowitwasofferedasacorroborationofastillmoreimprobablestory。
HelookedatUncleBen’ssimplefaceslightlydeepeningincolorunderhisscrutiny——perhapswithconsciousguilt。
"Haveyoumadeanybodyyourconfidant？Rupe，forinstance？"heaskedsignificantly。
"Incoursenot，"repliedUncleBenwithaslightstiffeningofwoundedpride。"On’yyourself，Mr。Ford，andtheyoungfellerStaceyfromthebank——ezwasobligatedtoknowit。Infact，Iwoskalkilatin’toaskyoutohelpmetalktohimaboutthatyerboundaryland。"
Mr。Ford’sscepticismwasatlaststaggered。AnypracticaljokeorfoolishcomplicitybetweentheagentofthebankandamanlikeUncleBenwasoutofthequestion，andifthestorywerehisownsoleinvention，hewouldhavescarcelydaredtorisksoaccessibleanduncompromisingadenialastheagenthaditinhispowertogive。
HeheldouthishandtoUncleBen。"Letmecongratulateyou，"hesaidheartily，"andforgivemeifyourstoryreallysoundedsowonderfulIcouldn’tquitegraspit。Nowletmeaskyousomethingmore。Haveyouhadanyreasonforkeepingthisasecret，otherthanyourfearofconfessingthatyouviolatedafewbigotedandidioticminingrules——which，afterall，arebindingonlyuponsentiment——andwhichyoursuccesshasprovedtobeutterlyimpractical？"
"ThereWASanotherreason，Mr。Ford，"saidUncleBen，wipingawayanembarrassedsmilewiththebackofhishand，"thatis，tobesquarewithyou，WHYIthoughtofconsultin’you。Ididn’tkeertohaveMcKinstry，and"——headdedhurriedly，"incourseHarrison，too，knowthatIboughtupthetitletothurboundary。"
"Iunderstand，"noddedthemaster。"Ishouldn’tthinkyouwould。"
"Whyshouldn’tye？"askedUncleBenquickly。
"Well——Idon’tsupposeyoucaretoquarrelwithtwopassionatemen。"
UncleBen’sfacechanged。Presently，however，withhishandtohisface，hemanagedtomanipulateanothersmile，onlyitappearedforthepurposeofbeingasawkwardlywipedaway。
"SayONEpassionateman，Mr。Ford。"
"Well，oneifyoulike，"returnedthemastercheerfully。"Butforthematterofthat，whyany？Come——doyoumindtellingmewhyyouboughtthelandatall？Youknowit’soflittlevaluetoanybutMcKinstryandHarrison。"
"Soppose，"saidUncleBenslowly，withagreataffectationofwipinghisink-spotteddeskwithhissleeve，"sopposethatIhadgotkindertiredofseein’McKinstryandHarrisonallusfightin’
andscrimmagin’overtheirboundaryline。SopposeIkalkilatedthatitwarn’tthesorto’thingtoinducefolkstosettlehere。
SopposeIreckonedthatbygettin’therealtitleinmyhandsI’dhavethedeadwoodonbotho’them，andsettlethethingmyownway，eh？"
"Thatcertainlywasaverylaudableintention，"returnedMr。Ford，observingUncleBencuriously，"andfromwhatyousaidjustnowaboutonepassionateman，IsupposeyouhavedeterminedalreadyWHO
tofavor。IhopeyourpublicspiritwillbeappreciatedbyIndianSpringatleast——ifitisn’tbythosetwomen。"
"Youlaylowandkeepdarkandyou’llsee，"returnedhiscompanionwithahopefulnessofspeechwhichhissomewhatanxiouseagernesshoweverdidnotquitebearout。"Butyou’renotgoin’yet，surely，"headded，asthemasteragainabsentlyconsultedhiswatch。"It’son’yhalfpastfour。It’struetharain’tanymoretotell，"headdedsimply，"butIhadanideathatyoumighthevtooktothisyerlittlestoryofminemorethanyou’peartobe，andmightbeaskin’questionsandkinderbedevlin’mewithjokeseztowhatIwasgoin’todo——andallthat。Butp’rapsitdon’tseemsowonderfultoyouarterall。Cometothinkofit——squarelynow，"
hesaid，withasingulardespondency，"I’mrathersickofitmyself——eh？"
"Mydearoldboy，"saidFord，graspingbothhishands，withaswiftrevulsionofshameathisownutterlyselfishabstraction，"Iamoverjoyedatyourgoodluck。Morethanthat，Icansayhonestly，oldfellow，thatitcouldn’thavefalleninmoreworthyhands，ortoanyonewhosegoodfortunewouldhavepleasedmemore。There！
AndifI’vebeenslowandstupidintakingitin，itisbecauseit’ssowonderful，solikeafairytaleofvirtuerewarded——asifyouwereakindofmaleCinderella，oldman！"Hehadnointentionoflying——hehadnobeliefthathewas：hehadonlyforgottenthathispreviousimpressionsandhesitationshadarisenfromtheveryfactthatheDIDdoubttheconsistencyofthestorywithhisbeliefinUncleBen’sweakness。Buthethoughthimselfnowsosincerethatthegenerousreader，whonodoubtisreadytohailtheperfectequityofhisneighbor’sgoodluck，willreadilyforgivehim。
Intheplenitudeofthissincerity，Fordthrewhimselfatfulllengthononeofthelongbenches，andwithagestureinvitedUncleBentomakehimselfequallyathisease。"Come，"hesaidwithboyishgayety，"let’shearyourplans，oldman。Tobeginwith，who’stosharethemwithyou？Ofcoursethereare’theoldfolksathome’first；thenyouhavebrothers——andperhapssisters？"HestoppedandglancedwithasmileatUncleBen；theideaoftherebeingapossiblefemaleofhisspeciesstruckhisfancy。
UncleBen，whohadhithertoalwaysexercisedasevererestraint——
partlyfromrespectandpartlyfromcaution——overhislonglimbsintheschool-house，hereslowlyliftedonelegoveranotherbench，andsathimselfastrideofit，leaningforwardonhiselbow，hischinrestingbetweenhishands。
"Asfarastheoldfolksgoes，Mr。Ford，I’makindofanorphan。"
"AKINDoforphan？"echoedFord。
"Yes，"saidUncleBen，leaningheavilyonhischin，sothattheactionofhisjawswiththeenunciationofeachwordslightlyjerkedhisheadforwardasifhewereimpartingconfidentialinformationtothebenchbeforehim。"Yes，thatis，yousee，I’mallrightezfarastheoldmangoes——HE’Sdead；diedwaybackinMizzouri。Buteztomymother，it’ssorterbetwixtandbetween——
kinderunsartain。Yousee，Mr。Ford，shewentoffwithacityfeller——anentirestrangertome——aforetheoldmandied，andthat’swotbrokeupmyschoolin’。Nowwhethershe’shere，there，oryon，can’tbefoundout，thoughSquireTompkinsallowed——andhewerealawyer——thattheoldmancouldgetadivorceifhewanted，andthatyouseewouldmakemeawholeorphan，efIkeerdtoprovetitle，ezthelawyerssay。Well——thutsorterletstheoldfolksout。Thenmybrotherwasonc’tdrownedintheNorthPlatt，andI
neverhadanysisters。Thatdon’tleavemuchfamilyforplannin’
about——doesit？"
"No，"saidthemasterreflectively，gazingatUncleBen，"unlessyouavailyourselfofyouradvantagesnowandhaveoneofyourown。
Isupposenowthatyouarerich，you’llmarry。"
UncleBenslightlychangedhisposition，andthenwithhisfingerandthumbbegantoapparentlyfeedhimselfwithcertaincrumbswhichhadescapedfromthechildren’sluncheon-basketsandwerestilllyingonthebench。Intentonthisoccupationandwithoutraisinghiseyestothemaster，hereturnedslowly，"Well，yousee，I’msortermarriedalready。"
Themastersatupquickly。
"What，YOUmarried——now？"
"Well，perhapsthat’saquestion。It’sagooddeallikemybeein’
anorphan——oncertainandonsettled。"Hepausedtopursueanevasivecrumbtotheendofthebenchandhavingcapturedit，wenton："ItwaswhenIwasyoungerthanyoube，andshewarn’tveryoldneither。ButsheknewaheapmorethanIdid；andeztoreadin’
andwritin’，shewasthar，Itellyou，everytime。You’dhevadmiredtoseeher，Mr。Ford。"Ashepausedhereasifhehadexhaustedthesubject，themastersaidimpatiently，"Well，whereisshenow？"
UncleBenshookhisheadslowly。"Iain’tseenhersensIleftMizzouri，goin’onfiveyearsago。"
"Butwhyhaven’tyou？Whatwasthematter？"persistedthemaster。
"Well——yousee——Irunnedaway。NotSHE，youknow，butI——I
scooted，skedaddledouthere。"
"Butwhatfor？"askedthemaster，regardingUncleBenwithhopelesswonder。"Somethingmusthavehappened。Whatwasit？Wasshe"——
"SheWASagoodschollard，"saidUncleBengravely，"andallowedtobesech，byall。Shestoodaboutsohigh，"hecontinued，indicatingwithhishandamediumheight。"Warlittleanddarkcomplected。"
"Butyoumusthavehadsomereasonforleavingher？"
"I’vesometimeshadanidea，"saidUncleBencautiously，"thatmebbeerunnin’awayraninsomefam’lies。Now，therewarmymotherrunoffwithanentirestranger，andyer’smeezrunoffbymyself。
Andwhatmakesitthemoreone-likeisthatjestasdadallusallowedhecouldgetadevorceaginmother，somywifecouldhevgotoneaginmeforleavin’her。Andit’salmostanevenhandedgamethatshehez。It’stherewheretheoncertaintycomesin。"
"Butareyousatisfiedtoremaininthisdoubt？ordoyoupropose，nowthatyouareable，toinstituteathoroughsearchforher？"
"Iwaskalkilatin’tolookaroundalittle，"saidUncleBensimply。
"Andreturntoherifyoufindher？"continuedthemaster。
"Ididn’tsaythat，Mr。Ford。"
"Butifshehasn’tgotadivorcefromyouthat’swhatyou’llhavetodo，andwhatyououghttodo——ifIunderstandyourstory。Forbyyourownshowing，amorecauseless，heartless，andutterlyinexcusabledesertionthanyours，Ineverheardof。"
"Doyouthinkso？"saidUncleBenwithexasperatingsimplicity。
"DoIthinkso？"repeatedMr。Ford，indignantly。"Everybody’llthinkso。Theycan’tthinkotherwise。Yousayyoudesertedher，andyouadmitshedidnothingtoprovokeit。"
"No，"returnedUncleBenquickly，"nothin’。DidItellyou，Mr。
Ford，thatshecouldplaythepiannerandsing？"
"No，"saidMr。Ford，curtly，risingimpatientlyandcrossingtheroom。HewasmorethanhalfconvincedthatUncleBenwasdeceivinghim。Eitherundertheveilofhishide-boundsimplicityhewasanutterlyselfish，heartless，secretiveman，orelsehewastellinganidioticfalsehood。
"I’msorryIcanneithercongratulateyounorcondolewithyouonwhatyouhavejusttoldme。Icannotseethatyouhavetheleastexcusefordelayingasinglemomenttosearchforyourwifeandmakeamendsforyourconduct。Andifyouwantmyopinionitstrikesmeasbeingamuchmorehonorablewayofemployingyournewrichesthanmediatinginyourneighbors’squabbles。Butit’sgettinglateandI’mafraidwemustbringourtalktoanend。I
hopeyou’llthinkthisoverbeforewemeetagain——andthinkdifferently。"
Nevertheless，astheybothlefttheschoolhouse，Mr。FordlingeredoverthelockingofthedoortogiveUncleBenafinalchanceforfurtherexplanation。Butnonecame。ThenewcapitalistofIndianSpringregardedhimwithanintensificationofhisusualhalfsad，halfembarrassedsmile，andonlysaid："Youunderstandthisyer’sasecret，Mr。Ford？"
"Certainly，"saidFordwithill-concealedirritation。
"’Boutmybein’sortermarried？"
"Don’tbealarmed，"herespondeddryly；"it’snotatakingstory。"
Theyseparated；UncleBen，morethaneverinvolvedinhisusualunsatisfactorypurposes，wendinghiswaytowardshisriches；themasterlingeringtoobservehisdeparturebeforeheplunged，invirtuoussuperiority，intothewoodsthatfringedtheHarrisonandMcKinstryboundaries。