第5章

"Orfetchedhisownambulance，"saidBriggs。

Nevertheless，afterapause，thewheelspresentlyrolledawayagain。

"We’dbettergoandmeethimatthegate，"saidRice，hitchinghisrevolverholsternearerhiship。"Thatwagonstoppedlongenoughtoputdownthreeorfourmen。"

Theywalkedleisurelybutsilentlytothegate。Itisprobablethatnoneofthembelievedinaseriouscollision，butnowtheprospecthadenoughpossibilityinittoquickentheirpulses。

Theyreachedthegate。Butitwasstillclosed；theroadbeyonditempty。

"Mebbethey’vesneakedroundtothecabin，"saidBriggs，"andareholdin’itinside。"

Theywereturningquicklyinthatdirection，whenWyngatesaid，"Hush！——someone’sthereinthebrushunderthebuckeyes。"

Theylistened；therewasafaintrustlingintheshadows。

"Comeouto’that，Brown——intotheopen。Don’tbeshy，"calledoutRiceincheerfulirony。"We’rewaitin’forye。"

ButBriggs，whowasnearestthewood，heresuddenlyutteredanexclamation，——"B’gosh！"andfellback，open-mouthed，uponhiscompanions。Theytoo，inanothermoment，brokeintoafeeblelaugh，andlapsedagainsteachotherinsheepishsilence。Foraveryprettygirl，handsomelydressed，sweptoutofthewoodandadvancedtowardsthem。

Evenatanytimeshewouldhavebeenanenchantingvisiontothesemen，butintheglowofexerciseandsparkleofangershewasbewildering。Herwonderfulhair，thecoloroffreshlyhewnredwood，hadescapedfromherhatinherpassagethroughtheunderbrush，andevenasshesweptdownupontheminhermajestyshewasjabbingahairpinintoitwithadexterousfemininehand。

Thethreepartnersturnedquitethecolorofherhair；JacksonWellsaloneremainedwhiteandrigid。Shecameon，herveryshortupperlipshowingherwhiteteethwithherpantingbreath。

Ricewasfirsttospeak。"Ibeg——yourpardon，Miss——IthoughtitwasBrown——youknow，"hestammered。

Butsheonlyturnedablightingbrowneyeontheculprit，curledhershortliptillitalmostvanishedinherscornfulnostrils，drewherskirtasidewithajerk，andcontinuedherwaystraighttoJacksonWells，whereshehalted。

"Wedidnotknowyouwere——herealone，"hesaidapologetically。

"ThoughtIwasafraidtocomealone，didn’tyou？Well，yousee，I’mnot。There！"Shemadeanotherdiveatherhatandhair，andbroughtthehatdownwickedlyoverhereyebrows。"Gimmemyplants。"

Jacksonhadbeenastonished。Hewouldhavescarcelyrecognizedinthiswillfulbeautythered-hairedgirlwhomhehadboyishlyhated，andwithwhomhehadoftenquarreled。Buttherewasarecollection——

andwiththatrecollectioncameaninstinctofhabit。Helookedhersquarelyintheface，and，tothehorrorofhispartners，said，"Sayplease！"

Theyhadexpectedtoseehimfall，smittenwiththehairpin！Butsheonlystopped，andtheninbitterironysaid，"Please，Mr。

JacksonWells。"

"Ihaven’tdugthemupyet——anditwouldserveyoujustrightifI

madeyougetthemforyourself。Butperhapsmyfriendsheremighthelpyou——ifyouwerecivil。"

Thethreepartnersseizedspadesandhoesandrushedforwardeagerly。"Onlyshowuswhatyouwant，"theysaidinonevoice。

Theyounggirlstaredatthem，andatJackson。Thenwithswiftdeterminationsheturnedherbackscornfullyuponhim，andwithadazzlingsmilewhichreducedthethreementoabsoluteidiocy，saidtotheothers，"I’llshowYOU，"andmarchedawaytothecabin。

"Yemustn’tmindJacksey，"saidRice，sycophanticallyedgingtoherside，"he’ssocutupwithlosin’yourfatherthathelovedlikeason，heisn’thimself，anddon’tseemtoknowwhethertoanteuporpassout。Andasforyourself，Miss——why——Whatwasithewassayin’onlyjustastheyoungladycame？"headded，turningabruptlytoWyngate。

"EverythingthatcousinJoseyplantedwithherownhandsmustbetookupcarefullyandsentback——eventhoughit’skillin’metopartwithit，"quotedWyngateunblushingly，asheslouchedalongontheotherside。

MissWells’seyesglaredatthem，thoughhermouthstillsmiledravishingly。"I’msureI’mtroublingyou。"

Inafewmomentstheplantsweredugupandcarefullylaidtogether；indeed，theservileBriggshadaddedafewthatshehadnotindicated。

"Wouldyoumindbringingthemasfarasthebuggythat’scomingdownthehill？"shesaid，pointingtoabuggydrivenbyasmallboywhichwasslowlyapproachingthegate。Thementenderlyliftedtheuprootedplants，andproceededsolemnly，MissWellsbringinguptherear，towardsthegate，whereJacksonWellswasstillsurlilylounging。

Theypassedoutfirst。MissWellslingeredforaninstant，andthenadvancingherbeautifulbutaudaciousfacewithinaninchofJackson’s，hissedout，"Make-believe！andhypocrite！"

"Cross-patchandsauce-box！"returnedJacksonreadily，stillunderthemaligninfluenceofhisboyishpast，assheflouncedaway。

Presentlyheheardthebuggyrattleawaywithhispersecutor。Buthispartnersstilllingeredontheroadinearnestconversation，andwhentheydidreturnitwaswithasingularawkwardnessandembarrassment，whichhenaturallyputdowntoaguiltyconsciousnessoftheirfoolishweaknessinsuccumbingtothegirl’sdemands。

ButhewasalittlesurprisedwhenDexterRiceapproachedhimgloomily。"Ofcourse，"hebegan，"itain’tnocallofourstointerfereinfamilyaffairs，andyou’vearighttokeep’emtoyourself，butifyou’dbeenfairandsquareandaboveboardinwhatyougotoffonusaboutthisper——"

"Whatdoyoumean？"demandedtheastonishedWells。

"Well——callin’hera’red-hairedgal。’"

"Well——sheisared-hairedgirl！"saidWellsimpatiently。

"Aman，"continuedRicepityingly，"thatissoprejudicedastoapplysuchlanguagetoabeautifulorphan——tornwithgriefatthelossofabelovedbutd————dmisconstruingparent——merelybecauseshebegsafewvegetablesoutofhispotatopatch，ain’ttobereasonedwith。Butwhenyoucometolookatthisthingbyandlarge，andasafa’r-mindedman，sonny，you’llagreewithusthatthesooneryoumaketermswithherthebetter。Considerin’yourinterest，Jacksey，——letalonetheclaimsofhumanity，——we’veconcludedtowithdrawfromhereuntilthisthingissettled。She’ssorto’mixedusupwithyourfeelingsaginher，andnaturallysupposedweobjecttothecolorofherhair！andbein’apennilessorphan，rejectedbyherrelations"——

"Whatstuffareyoutalking？"burstinJackson。"Why，YOUsawshetreatedyoubetterthanshedidme。"

"Steady！Thereyougowiththattemperofyoursthatfrightenedthegirl！OfcourseshecouldseethatWEwerefa’r-mindedmen，accustomedtothewaysofsociety，andnotupsetbythevisitofalady，orthegivin’upofafewgreensticks！Butletthatslide！

We’regoin’backhometo-night，sonny，andwhenyou’vethoughtthisthingoverandarestraightenedupandgetyourrightbearin’s，we’llstandbyyouasbefore。We’llputamanontodoyourworkontheLedge，soyeneedn’tworryaboutthat。"

Theywerequitefirminthisdecision，——howeverabsurdorobscuretheirconclusions，——andJackson，afterhisfirstflashofindignation，feltacertainreliefintheirdeparture。Butstrangelyenough，whilehehadhesitatedaboutkeepingthepropertywhentheywereviolentlyinfavorofit，henowfelthewasrightinretainingitagainsttheiradvicetocompromise。Thesentimentalideahadvanishedwithhisrecognitionofhishatefulcousinintheroleoftheinjuredorphan。Andforthesameoddreasonherprettinessonlyincreasedhisresentment。Hewasnotdeceived，——itwasthesamecapricious，willful，red-hairedgirl。

Thenextdayhesethimselftoworkwiththatdoggedsteadinessthatbelongedtohissimplenature，andwhichhadendearedhimtohispartners。HesethalfadozenChinamentowork，andfollowed，althoughapparentlydirecting，theirmethods。Thegreatdifficultywastorestrainandcontroltheexcessivevegetation，andhematchedthesmalleconomiesoftheChineseagainsttheopulenceoftheCaliforniansoil。The"gardenpatch"prospered；theneighborsspokewellofitandofhim。ButJacksonknewthatthisfierceharvestofearlyspringwastobefollowedbythesterilityofthedryseason，andthatirrigationcouldalonemakehisworkprofitableintheend。Hebroughtapumptoforcethewaterfromthelittlestreamatthefootoftheslopetothetop，andallowedittoflowbackthroughparalleltrenches。AgainBuckeyeapplauded！Onlythegloomybarkeepershookhishead。"Themomentyougetthatthingtopay，Mr。Wells，you’llfindthehandofBrown，somewhere，gettingreadytosqueezeitdry！"

ButJacksonWellsdidnottroublehimselfaboutBrown，whomhescarcelyknew。Onceindeed，whiletrenchingtheslope，hewasconsciousthathewaswatchedbytwomenfromtheoppositebank；

buttheywereapparentlysatisfiedbytheirscrutiny，andturnedaway。Stilllessdidheconcernhimselfwiththemovementsofhiscousin，whoonceortwicepassedhimsuperciliouslyinherbuggyontheroad。Again，shemethimasoneofacavalcadeofriders，mountedonahandsomebutill-temperedmustang，whichshewasmanagingwithanill-temperandgraceequaltothebrute’s，tothealternatedelightandterrorofhercavalier。Hecouldseethatshehadbeenpettedandspoiledbyhernewguardianandhisfriendsfarbeyondhisconception。Butwhysheshouldgrudgehimthelittlegardenandthepastorallifeforwhichshewassounsuited，puzzledhimgreatly。

Oneafternoonhewasworkingneartheroad，whenhewasstartledbyanoutcryfromhisChineselaborers，theirrapiddispersalfromthestrawberrybedswheretheywereworking，thesplinteringcrashofhisfencerails，andacommotionamongthebuckeyes。Furiousatwhatseemedtohimoneoftheusualwantonattacksuponcoolielabor，heseizedhispickandrantotheirassistance。ButhewassurprisedtofindJocelinda’smustangcaughtbythesaddleandstrugglingbetweentwotrees，anditsunfortunatemistresslyinguponthestrawberrybed。Shockedbutcool-headed，Jacksonreleasedthehorsefirst，whowaslashingoutanddestroyingeverythingwithinhisreach，andthenturnedtohiscousin。Butshehadalreadyliftedherselftoherelbow，andwithatrickleofbloodandmudononefaircheekwassurveyinghimscornfullyunderhertumbledhairandhanginghat。

"Youdon’tsupposeIwastrespassingonyourwretchedpatchagain，doyou？"shesaidinavoiceshewastryingtokeepfrombreaking。

"Itwasthatbrute——whobolted。"

"Idon’tsupposeyouwerebullyingMEthistime，"hesaid，"butyouwereYOURHORSE——oritwouldn’thavehappened。Areyouhurt？"

Shetriedtomove；heofferedherhishand，butsheshiedfromitandstruggledtoherfeet。Shetookastepforward——butlimped。

"Ifyoudon’twantmyarm，letmecallaChinaman，"hesuggested。

Sheglaredathim。"IfyoudoI’llscream！"shesaidinalowvoice，andheknewshewould。Butatthesamemomentherfacewhitened，atwhichheslippedhisarmunderhersinadexterous，business-likeway，soastosupportherweight。Thenherhatgotaskew，anddowncamealongbraidoverhisshoulder。Heremembereditofold，onlyitwasdarkerthanthenandtwoorthreefeetlonger。

"Ifyoucouldmanagetolimpasfarasthegateandsitdownonthebank，I’dgetyourhorseforyou，"hesaid。"Ihitchedittoasapling。"

"Isawyoudid——beforeyouevenofferedtohelpme，"shesaidscornfully。

"Thehorsewouldhavegotaway——YOUcouldn’t。"

"IfyouonlyknewhowIhatedyou，"shesaid，withawhiteface，butatremblinglip。

"Idon’tseehowthatwouldmakethingsanybetter，"hesaid。

"Betterwipeyourface；it’sscratchedandmuddy，andyou’vebeenrubbingyournoseinmystrawberrybed。"

Shesnatchedhisprofferedhandkerchiefsuddenly，appliedittoherface，andsaid："Isupposeitlooksdreadful。"

"Likeapig’s，"hereturnedcheerfully。

Shewalkedalittlemorefirmlyafterthis，untiltheyreachedthegate。Heseatedheronthebank，andwentbackforthemustang。

Thatbeautifulbrute，astoundedandsorefromitscontactwiththetoprailandbrambles，wascowedandsubduedasheleditback。

Shehadfinishedwipingherface，andwashurriedlydisentanglingtwostingingtearsfromherlonglashes，beforeshethrewbackhishandkerchief。Hersprainedankleobligedhimtoliftherintothesaddleandadjustherlittleshoeinthestirrup。Herememberedwhenitwasstillsmaller。"Youusedtorideastride，"hesaid，afloodofrecollectioncomingoverhim，"andit’smuchsaferwithyourtemperandthatbrute。"

"Andyou，"shesaidinalowervoice，"usedtobe"——Buttherestofhersentencewaslostintheswitchofthewhipandthejumpofherhorse，buthethoughtthewordwas"kinder。"

Perhapsthiswaswhy，afterhewatchedhercanteraway，hewentbacktothegarden，andfromthebruisedandtrampledstrawberrybedgatheredasmallbasketofthefinestfruit，coveredthemwithleaves，addedapaperwiththehighlyingeniouswitticism，"Pickedupwithyou，"andsentthemtoherbyoneoftheChinamen。HerforcibleentrymovedLiSing，hisforeman，alsochieflaundrymantothesettlement，toreminiscences：

"MeheapknewMissyWellsandoleman，whogodead。OlemanalleetimemakechinmusictoMissy。Alleetimejawjaw——alleetimemakelows——alleetimecutteeupMissy！PlentytimelockeeupMissytopsidehouse；nocanwalkee——nocantalkee——nohabgot——howcanget？——mustwasheewasheealleesameChinaman。Olemangodead——

Missyalllighteenow。Plentyfun。PlentystayinBlown’sbighouse，top-sidehill；Blownfirst-chopman。"

Hadheinquiredhemighthavefoundthispagantestimony，foronce，corroboratedbytheChristianneighbors。

Butanotherincidentdroveallthisfromhismind。Thelittlestream——thelifebloodofhisgarden——randry！InquiryshowedthatithadbeendivertedtwomilesawayintoBrown’sditch！Wells’sindignantprotestelicitedaformalreplyfromBrown，statingthatheownedtheadjacentminingclaims，andremindinghimthatminingrightstowatertookprecedenceoftheagriculturalclaim，butoffering，bywayofcompensation，topurchasethelandthusmadeuselessandsterile。Jacksonsuddenlyrecalledtheprophecyofthegloomybarkeeper。Theend，hadcome！Butwhatcouldtheschemingcapitalistwantwiththeland，equallyuseless——ashisunclehadproved——forminingpurposes？Coulditbesheermalignity，incitedbyhisvengefulcousin？Butherehepaused，rejectingtheideaasquicklyasitcame。No！hispartnerswereright！Hewasatrespasseronhiscousin’sheritage——therewasnoluckinit——hewaswrong，andthiswashispunishment！Insteadofyieldinggracefullyashemight，hemustbackdownnow，andshewouldneverknowhisfirstrealfeelings。Evennowhewouldmakeoverthepropertytoherasafreegift。Buthispartnershadadvancedhimmoneyfromtheirscantymeanstoplantandworkit。Hebelievedthatanappealtotheirfeelingswouldpersuadethemtoforegoeventhat，butheshrankevenmorefromconfessinghisdefeattoTHEM

thantoher。

Hehadlittleheartinhislaborsthatday，anddismissedtheChinamenearly。Heagainexaminedhisuncle’soldminingclaimonthetopoftheslope，butwassatisfiedthatithadbeenahopelessenterpriseandwiselyabandoned。Itwassunsetwhenhestoodunderthebuckeyes，gloomilylookingattheglowfadeoutofthewest，asithadoutofhisboyishhopes。Hehadgrowntoliketheplace。

Itwasthehour，too，whenthefewflowershehadcultivatedgavebacktheirpleasantodors，asifgratefulforhiscare。Andthenheheardhisnamecalled。

Itwashiscousin，standingafewyardsfromhiminevidenthesitation。Shewasquitepale，andforamomenthethoughtshewasstillsufferingfromherfall，untilhesawinhernervous，half-embarrassedmannerthatithadnophysicalcause。Heroldaudacityandangerseemedgone，yettherewasaqueerdeterminationinherprettybrows。

"Good-evening，"hesaid。

Shedidnotreturnhisgreeting，butpullinguneasilyatherglove，saidhesitatingly："Unclehasaskedyoutosellhimthisland？"

"Yes。"

"Well——don’t！"sheburstoutabruptly。

Hestaredather。

"Oh，I’mnottryingtokeepyouhere，"shewenton，flashingbackintoheroldtemper；"soyouneedn’tstarelikethat。Isay，’Don’t，’becauseitain’tright，itain’tfair。"

"Why，he’sleftmenoalternative，"hesaid。

"That’sjustit——that’swhyit’smeanandlow。Idon’tcareifheisouruncle。"

Jacksonwasbewilderedandshocked。

"Iknowit’shorridtosayit，"shesaid，withawhiteface；"butit’shorridertokeepitin！Oh，Jack！whenwewerelittle，andusedtofightandquarrel，Ineverwasmean——wasI？Ineverwasunderhanded——wasI？Ineverlied——didI？AndIcan’tlienow。

Jack，"shelookedhurriedlyaroundher，"HEwantstogetholdoftheland——HEthinksthere’sgoldintheslopeandbankbythestream。Hesaysdadwasafooltohavelocatedhisclaimsohighup。Jack！didyoueverprospectthebank？"

AdawningofintelligencecameuponJackson。"No，"hesaid；"but，"

headdedbitterly，"what’stheuse？Heownsthewaternow，——I

couldn’tworkit。"

"But，Jack，IFyoufoundthecolor，thiswouldbeaMININGclaim！

Youcouldclaimthewaterright；and，asit’syourland，yourclaimwouldbefirst！"

Jacksonwasstartled。"Yes，IFIfoundthecolor。"

"YouWOULDfindit。"

"WOULD？"

"Yes！IDID——onthesly！Yesterdaymorningonyourslopebythestream，whennoonewasup！Iwashedapanfulandgotthat。"Shetookapieceoftissuepaperfromherpocket，openedit，andshookintoherlittlepalmthreetinypinpointsofgold。

"Andthatwasyourownidea，Jossy？"

"Yes！"

"Yourveryown？"

"HonestInjin！"

"Wishyoumaydie？"

"True，OKing！"

Heopenedhisarms，andtheymutuallyembraced。Thentheyseparated，takingholdofeachother’shandssolemnly，andfallingbackuntiltheywereatarm’slength。Thentheyslowlyextendedtheirarmssidewaysatfulllength，untilthisactionnaturallybroughttheirfacesandlipstogether。Theydidthiswiththeutmostgravitythreetimes，andthenembracedagain，rockingonpivotedfeetlikeametronome。Alas！itwasnomomentaryinspiration。Themostcasualandindifferentobservercouldseethatitwastheresultoflongpreviouspracticeandshamelessexperience。Andassuch——itwasarevelationandanexplanation……

"IalwayssuspectedthatJacksonwasplayin’usaboutthatred-

hairedcousin，"saidRicetwoweekslater；"butIcan’tswallowthatpurpstuffaboutherputtin’himuptothatdodgeaboutanewgolddiscoveryonafreshclaim，justtoknockoutBrown。No，sir。

Hefoundthatgoldinopenin’theseirrigatin’trenches，——theusualniggerluck，findin’whatyou’renotlookin’arter。"

"Well，wecan’tcomplain，forhe’sofferedtoworkitonshareswithus，"saidBriggs。

"Yes——untilhe’sreadytotakeinanotherpartner。"

"Not——Brown？"saidhishorrifiedcompanions。

"No！——butBrown’sadopteddaughter——thatred-hairedcousin！"

THEREINCARNATIONOFSMITH

TheextravagantsupperpartybywhichMr。JamesFarendellcelebratedthelastdayofhisbachelorhoodwasprotractedsofarintothenight，thatthelastguestwhopartedfromhimatthedooroftheprincipalSacramentorestaurantwasforamomentimpressedwiththebeliefthatacertainruddyglowintheskywasalreadythedawn。

ButMr。Farendellhadkepthisheadclearenoughtorecognizeitasthelightofsomeburningbuildinginaremotebusinessdistrict，anotinfrequentoccurrenceinthedryseason。Whenhehaddismissedhisguestheturnedawayinthatdirectionforfurtherinformation。

Hisowncounting-housewasnotinthatimmediateneighborhood，butSacramentohadbeenoncebeforevisitedbyarapidandfar-sweepingconflagration，anditbehoovedhimtobeonthealertevenonthisnightoffestivity。

Perhapsalsoacertainanxietyaroseoutoftheoccasion。Hewastobemarriedto-morrowtothewidowofhislatepartner，andthemarriage，besidesbeinganattractiveone，wouldsettlemanybusinessdifficulties。Hehadbeenafortunateman，but，likemanymorefortunatemen，wasnotblindtothepossibilitiesofachangeofluck。Thedeathofhispartnerinasuccessfulbusinesshadatfirstseemedtobetokenthatchange，buthissuccessful，thoughhasty，courtshipoftheinexperiencedwidowhadrestoredhischanceswithoutgreatlyshockingthedecorumofapioneercommunity。

Nevertheless，hewasnotacontentedman，andhardlyadetermined——

althoughanenergeticone。

Awalkofafewmomentsbroughthimtotheleveeoftheriver，——afavoreddistrict，wherehiscounting-house，withmanyothers，wasconvenientlysituated。Intheseearlydaysonlyafewofthesebuildingscouldbesaidtobepermanent，——fireandfloodperpetuallythreatenedthem。Theyweremerelytemporarystructuresofwood，orinthecaseofMr。Farendell’soffice，ashellofcorrugatediron，sheathingaone-storiedwoodenframe，moreorlesselaborateinitsinteriordecorations。Bythetimehehadreachedit，thedistantfirehadincreased。Onhiswayhehadmetandrecognizedmanyofhisbusinessacquaintanceshurryingthither，——sometosavetheirownproperty，ortoassisttheimperfectlyequippedvolunteerfiredepartmentintheirunselfishlabors。ItwasprobablyMr。

Farendell’speculiarpreoccupationonthatparticularnightwhichhadpreventedhisjoiningintheirbrotherlyzeal。

Heunlockedtheirondoor，andlitthehanginglampthatwasusedinall-nightsittingsonsteamerdays。Itrevealedasmartlyfurnishedoffice，withahighdeskforhisclerks，andasmalleroneforhimselfinonecorner。Inthecentreofthewallstoodalargesafe。Thishealsounlockedandtookoutafewimportantbooks，aswellasasmalldrawercontaininggoldcoinanddusttotheamountofaboutfivehundreddollars，thelargebalancehavingbeendepositedinbankonthepreviousday。Theactwasonlyprecautionary，ashedidnotexhibitanyhasteinremovingthemtoaplaceofsafety，andremainedmeditativelyabsorbedinlookingoverapacketofpaperstakenfromthesamedrawer。Thecloselyshutteredbuilding，almosthermeticallysealedagainstlight，andperhapssound，preventedhisobservingthesteadilyincreasinglightoftheconflagration，orhearingthenearertumultofthefiremen，andtheinvasionofhisquietdistrictbyotherequallysolicitoustenants。Thepapersseemedalsotopossesssomeimportance，for，thestillnessbeingsuddenlybrokenbytheturningofthehandleoftheheavydoorhehadjustclosed，anditsopeningwithdifficulty，hisfirstactwastohurriedlyconcealthem，withoutapparentlypayingathoughttotheexposedgoldbeforehim。

Andhisexpressionandattitudeinfacingroundtowardsthedoorwasquiteasmuchofnervoussecretivenessasofindignationattheinterruption。

Yettheintruderappeared，thoughsingular，bynomeansformidable。

Hewasamanslightlypastthemiddleage，withathinface，hollowedatthecheeksandtemplesasifbyillnessorasceticism，andagrayishbeardthatencircledhisthroatlikeasoiledworsted"comforter"belowhisclean-shavenchinandmouth。Hismannerwasslowandmethodical，andevenwhenheshottheboltofthedoorbehindhim，theactdidnotseemaggressive。NeverthelessMr。

Farendellhalfrosewithhishandonhispistol-pocket，butthestrangermerelyliftedhisownhandwithagestureofindifferentwarning，and，drawingachairtowardshim，droppedintoitdeliberately。

Mr。Farendell’sangrystarechangedsuddenlytooneofsurprisedrecognition。"JoshScranton，"hesaidhesitatingly。

"Ireckon，"respondedthestrangerslowly。"That’sthenameI

allusbore，andYOUcalledyourselfFarendell。Well，weain’tseeneachothersensthespringo’’50，whenyeleftmelyingnighpeteredoutwithchillsandfeverontheStanislausRiver，andsoldtheclaimthatmeandDuffyworkedunderourveryfeet，andskedaddledfor’Frisco！"

"Ionlyexercisedmyrightasprincipalowner，andtosecuremyadvances，"beganthelateMr。Farendellsharply。

Butagainthethinhandwasraised，thistimewithaslow，scornfulwaivingofanyexplanations。"Itain’tthatinparticklerthatI’vekemtoseeyeforto-night，"saidthestrangerslowly，"noritain’taboutyourtakin’thenameo’’Farendell，’thatfriendo’

yourswhodiedonthepassageherewithye，andwhosepapersyeborrowed！Noritain’tonaccounto’thatwifeofyoursyeleftbehindinMissouri，andwhoselettersyouneveranswered。It’sthemthingsalltogether——andsuthin’else！"

"Whatthed——-ldoyouwant，then？"saidFarendell，withadesperatedirectnessthatwas，however，atacitconfessionofthetruthoftheseaccusations。

"Yerallowin’thatye’llgetmarriedtomorrow？"saidScrantonslowly。

"Yes，andbed————dtoyou，"saidFarendellfiercely。

"YerNOT，"returnedScranton。"NotifIknowsit。Yergoin’toclimbdown。Yergoin’togetupandget！Yergoin’tostepdownandout！Yergoin’toshutupyourdeskandyourbooksandthishullconsarninsideofanhour，andvamosetheranch。Arteranhourfromnowtharwon’tbeanyMr。Farendell，andnoweddin’

to-morrow。"

"Ifthat’syourgame——perhapsyou’dliketomurdermeatonce？"

saidFarendellwithashiftingeye，ashishandagainmovedtowardshisrevolver。

Butagainthethinhandofthestrangerwasalsolifted。"Weain’tinthebusinesso’murderin’orbein’murdered，orwemighthevkemheretogether，meandDuffy。NowifanythinghappenstomeDuffywillbeleft，andHE’Sgottheproofs。"

Farendellseemedtorecognizethefactwiththesamedirectness。

"That’sit，isit？"hesaidbluntly。"Well，howmuchdoyouwant？

Only，IwarnyouthatIhaven’tmuchtogive。"

"Woteveryou’vegot，ifitwasmillions，itain’tenoughtobuyusup，andyeoughttoknowthatbythistime，"respondedScranton，withamomentaryflashinhiseyes。Butthenextmomenthispreviouspassionlessdeliberationreturned，andleaninghisarmonthedeskofthemanbeforehimhepickedupapaperweightcarelesslyandturneditoverashesaidslowly，"Thefactis，Mr。

Farendell，you’vebeenmakingus，meandDuffy，tired。We’vebinwatchin’youandyourdoin’s，lyin’lowandsayin’nothin’，tillweconcludedthatitwasabouttimeyouhandedinyourchecksandlefttheboard。Weain’twantednothin’ofye，weain’tbegrudgedyenothin’，butwe’veallowedthatthisyerthingmuststop。"

"AndwhatifIrefuse？"saidFarendell。

"Thar’llbesomecussin’andabigrowfromYOU，Ikalkilate——andmaybesomefightin’allround，"saidScrantondispassionately。

"Butitwillbeallthesameintheend。Thehullthingwillcomeout，andyou’llhevtoslidejustthesame。T’otherwise，efyeslideoutNOW，it’swithoutarow。"

"Anddoyousupposeabusinessmanlikemecandisappearwithoutafussoverit？"saidFarendellangrily。"Areyoumad？"

"IreckontheholeYOU’LLmakekinbefilledup，"saidScrantondryly。"ButefyegoNOW，youwon’tbebotheredbythefuss，whileifyoustayyou’llhavetofacethemusic，andgotoo！"

Farendellwassilent。Possiblythetruthofthishadlongsincebeenborneuponhim。Noonebuthimselfknewtheincessantstrainoftheseyearsofevasionandconcealment，andhowheoftenhadbeenneartosomesuchdesperateculmination。Thesacrificeofferedtohimwasnot，therefore，sogreatasitmighthaveseemed。TheknowledgeofthismighthavegivenhimamomentarysuperiorityoverhisantagonisthadScranton’smotivebeenapurelyselfishormalignantone，butasitwasnot，andashemayhavehadsomeinstinctiveideaofFarendell’sfeelingalso，itmadehisultimatumappearthemorepassionlessandfateful。AnditwasthisqualitywhichperhapscausedFarendelltoburstoutwithdesperateabruptness，——

"Whatinh-lleverputyouuptothis！"

ScrantonfoldedhisarmsuponFarendell’sdesk，andslowlywipinghiscleanjawwithonehand，repeateddeliberately，"Wall——IreckonItoldyethatbefore！You’vebeenmakingus——meandDuffy——

tired！"Hepausedforamoment，andthen，risingabruptly，withacarelessgesturetowardstheuncoveredtrayofgold，said，"Come！

yekintakeenuffo’thattogetawaywith；thelessyetake，though，thelesslikelyyou’llbetobefollowed！"

Hewenttothedoor，unlockedandopenedit。Astrangelight，asofaluridstorminterspersedbysheet-likelightning，filledtheouterdarkness，andthesilencewasnowbrokenbydullcrashesandnearercriesandshouting。Afewfigureswerealsodimlyflittingaroundtheneighboringemptyoffices，someofwhich，likeFarendell’s，hadbeenenteredbytheirnowalarmedowners。

"You’vegotagoodchancenow，"continuedScranton；"yecouldn’thevabetter。It’sabigfire——ascorcher——andjestthetimeforamantowipehimselfoutandnotbemissed。Maketrackswherethecrowdisthickestandwharye’relikelytobeseen，ezefyewerehelpin’！Ther’’llbeothermenmissedtomorrowbesideyou，"headdedwithgrimsignificance；"butnobody’llknowthatyouwasonewhoreallygotaway。"

Wheretheimperturbablelogicofthestrangemanmighthavefailed，thenoise，thetumult，thesuggestionofswift-comingdisaster，andthenecessityforsomeimmediateactionofanykind，wasconvincing。

Farendellhastilystuffedhispocketswithgoldandthepapershehadfound，andmovedtothedoor。Alreadyhefanciedhefeltthehotbreathoftheleapingconflagrationbeyond。"Andyou？"hesaid，turningsuspiciouslytoScranton。

"Whenyou’reshutofthisandcleanoff，I’llfixthingsandleavetoo——butnotbefore。Ireckon，"headdedgrimly，withaglanceatthesky，nowstreamingwithsparkslikeameteoricshower，"tharwon’tbemuchlefthereinthemorning。"

Afewdullemberspatteredontheironroofofthelowbuildingandboundedoffinashes。Farendellcastafinalglancearoundhim，andthendartedfromthebuilding。Theirondoorclangedbehindhim——hewasgone。

Evidentlynottoosoon，fortheotherbuildingswerealreadydesertedbytheirwould-besalvors，whohadfilledthestreetswithpilesofbooksandvaluableswaitingtobecarriedaway。Thenoccurredaterriblephenomenon，whichhadoncebeforeinsuchdisastersparalyzedtheeffortsofthefiremen。Alargewoodenwarehouseinthecentreoftheblockofoffices，manyhundredfeetfromthesceneofactiveconflagration——whichhadhithertoremainedintact——suddenlybecameenvelopedincloudsofsmoke，andwithoutwarningburstassuddenlyfromroofandupperstoryintovividflame。Therewereeye-witnesseswhodeclaredthatastreamoflivingfireseemedtoleapuponitfromtheburningdistrict，andconnectedthespacebetweenthemwithanarchofluminousheat。Inanotherinstantthewholedistrictwasinvolvedinawhirlwindofsmokeandflame，outofwhoseseethingvortexthecorrugatedironbuildingsoccasionallyshowedtheirshrivelingorglowingoutlines。

Andthenthefiresweptonandaway。

Whenthesunagainaroseoverthepanic-strickenanddevastatedcity，allpersonalincidentanddisasterwasforgotteninthelargercalamity。Itwastwoorthreedaysbeforethefullparticularscouldbegathered——evenwhilethedominantandresistlessenergyofthepeoplewaserectingnewbuildingsuponthestill-smokingruins。ItwasonlyonthethirddayafterwardsthatJamesFarendell，onthedeckofacoastingsteamer，creepingoutthroughthefogsoftheGoldenGate，readthelatestnewsinaSanFranciscopaperbroughtbythepilot。Ashehurriedlycomprehendedthemagnitudeoftheloss，whichwasfarbeyondhispreviousconception，heexperiencedacertainsatisfactioninfindinghispositionnoworsemateriallythanthatofmanyofhisfellowworkers。THEYwereruinedlikehimself；THEYmustbegintheirlifeafresh——butthen！Ah！therewasstillthatterribledifference。

Hedrewhisbreathquickly，andreadon。Suddenlyhestopped，transfixedbyalaterparagraph。Foraninstanthefailedtograspitsfullsignificance。Thenhereaditagain，thewordsimprintingthemselvesonhissenseswithaslowdeliberationthatseemedtohimaspassionlessasScranton’sutterancesonthatfatefulnight。

"Thelossoflife，itisnowfeared，ismuchgreaterthanatfirstimagined。TothelistthathasbeenalreadypublishedwemustaddthenameofJamesFarendell，theenergeticcontractorsowellknowntoourcitizens，whowasmissingthemorningafterthefire。Hiscalcinedremainswerefoundthisafternooninthewarpedandtwistedironshellofhiscounting-house，thewoodenframehavingbeenreducedtocharcoalintheintenseheat。Theunfortunatemanseemstohavegonetheretoremovehisbooksandpapers，——aswasevidencedbytheironsafebeingfoundopen，——buttohavebeencaughtandimprisonedinthebuildingthroughtheheatcausingthemetalsheathingtohermeticallysealthedoorsandwindows。Hewasseenbysomeneighborstoenterthebuildingwhilethefirewasstilldistant，andhisremainswereidentifiedbyhiskeys，whichwerefoundbeneathhim。Apoignantinterestisaddedtohisuntimelyfatebythecircumstancethathewastohavebeenmarriedonthefollowingdaytothewidowofhislatepartner，andthathehad，atthecallofduty，thatveryeveningleftadinnerpartygiventocelebratethelastdayofhisbachelorhood——or，asithasindeedproved，ofhisearthlyexistence。Twofamiliesarethusplacedinmourning，anditisasingularsequelthatbythisuntowardcalamitythewell-knownfirmofFarendell&Cutlermaybesaidtohaveceasedtoexist。"

Mr。Farendellstartedtohisfeet。ButalurchoftheschoonerassheroseonthelongswellofthePacificsenthimstaggeringdizzilybacktohisseat，andcheckedhisfirstwildimpulsetoreturn。Hesawitallnow，——thefirehadavengedhimbywipingouthispersecutor，Scranton，butintheeyesofhiscontemporariesithadonlyerasedHIM！Hemightreturntorefutethestoryinhisownperson，butthedeadman’spartnerstilllivedwithhissecret，andhisownrehabilitationcouldonlyrevivehisformerperil……

FouryearselapsedbeforethelateMr。FarendellagainsetfootintheleveeofSacramento。ThesteamboatthatbroughthimfromSanFranciscowasamarveltohiminsize，elegance，andcomfort；sodifferentfromthelittle，crowded，tri-weeklypacketheremembered；anditmight，inamanner，havepreparedhimforthegreaterchangeinthecity。Buthewasastoundedtofindnothingtoremindhimofthepast，——nolandmark，norevenruin，oftheplacehehadknown。Blocksofbrickbuildings，withthoroughfareshavingstrangetitles，occupiedthedistrictwherehiscounting-

househadstood，andevenobliterateditssite；equallystrangenameswereupontheshopsandwarehouses。Inhisfouryears’

wanderingshehadscarcelyfoundaplaceasunfamiliar。Hehadtrustedtothegreatchangeinhisownappearance——thefullbeardthatheworeandthetanningofatropicalsun——topreventrecognition；buttheprecautionwasunnecessary，therewerenonetorecognizehiminthenewfaceswhichweretheonlyoneshesawinthetransformedcity。Acautiousallusiontothepastwhichhehadmadeontheboattoafellowpassengerhadbroughtonlythesurprisedrejoinder，"Oh，thatmusthavebeenbeforethebigfire，"

asifitwasanhistoricepoch。Therewassomethingofpaineveninthisassuredsecurityofhisloneliness。Hisobliterationwascomplete。

ForthelateMr。Farendellhadsufferedsomechangeofmindwithhisothermutations。Hehadbeensingularlylucky。TheschoonerinwhichhehadescapedbroughthimtoAcapulco，where，asareturningCalifornian，andapresumablysuccessfulone，hisservicesandexperiencewereeagerlysoughtbyanEnglishpartyengagedindevelopingcertaindisusedMexicanmines。Asthepost，however，wasperilouslyneartherouteofregularemigration，assoonashehadgainedasufficientsumheembarkedwithsomegoodstoCallao，wherehepresentlyestablishedhimselfinbusiness，resuminghisREALname——theunambitiousbutindistinctiveoneof"Smith。"Itishighlyprobablethatthisprudentialactwasalsohisfirststeptowardsrectitude。Forwhetherthechangewasaquestionofmoralethics，ormerelyasuperstitiousessayinluck，hewasthereafterstrictlyhonestinbusiness。Hebecameprosperous。Hehadbeensustainedinhisflightbytheintentionthat，ifheweresuccessfulelsewhere，hewouldendeavortocommunicatewithhisabandonedfiancee，andaskhertojoinhim，andsharenothisnamebutfortuneinexile。Butashegrewrich，thedifficultiesofcarryingoutthisintentionbecamemoreapparent；hewasbynomeanscertainofherloyaltysurvivingthedeceithehadpracticedandtherevelationhewouldhavetomake；

hewasdoubtfulofthesuccessofanystorywhichatothertimeshewouldhavegliblyinventedtotaketheplaceoftruth。Alreadyseveralmonthshadelapsedsincehissupposeddeath；couldheexpecthertobelessaccessibletoprematureadvancesnowthanwhenshehadbeenawidow？Perhapsthismadehimthinkofthewifehehaddesertedsolongago。Hehadbeenquitecontenttolivewithoutregretoraffection，forgettingandforgotten，butinhispresentprosperityhefelttherewassomeneedofputtinghisdomesticaffairsintoamoresecureandlegitimateshape，toavertanycatastrophelikethelast。HEREatleastwouldbenodifficulty；husbandshaddesertedtheirwivesbeforethisinCalifornianemigration，andhadbeenheardofonlyaftertheyhadmadetheirfortune。AnyplausiblestorywouldbeacceptedbyHER

inthejoyofhisreappearance；orif，indeed，ashereflectedwithequalcomplacency，shewasdeadordivorcedfromhimthroughhisdesertion——asufficientcauseinherownState——andre-married，hewouldatleastbemoresecure。Hebegan，withoutcommittinghimself，byinquiryandanonymouscorrespondence。Hiswife，helearnt，hadleftMissouriforSacramentoonlyamonthortwoafterhisowndisappearancefromthatplace，andheraddresswasunknown！

Acomplicationsounlookedfordisquietedhim，andyetwhettedhiscuriosity。TheonlypersonshemightmeetinCaliforniawhocouldpossiblyidentifyhimwiththelateMr。FarendellwasDuffy；hehadoftenwonderedifthatmysteriouspartnerofScranton’shadbeendeceivedwiththeothers，orhadeversuspectedthatthebodydiscoveredinthecounting-housewasScranton’s。Ifnot，hemusthaveacceptedthestrangecoincidencethatScrantonhaddisappearedalsothesamenight。InthefirstsixmonthsofhisexilehehadsearchedtheCalifornianpapersthoroughly，buthadfoundnorecordofanydoubthavingbeenthrownontheacceptedbelief。Itwasthesecircumstances，andperhapsavaguefascinationnotunlikethatwhichimpelsthemalefactortohauntthesceneofhiscrime，that，attheendoffouryears，hadbroughthim，amanofmiddleageandassuredoccupationandfortune，backtothecityhehadfledfrom。

Afewdaysatoneofthenewhotelsconvincedhimthoroughlythathewasinnodangerofrecognition，andgavehimtheassurancetotakeroomsmoreinkeepingwithhiscircumstancesandhisownfranklyavowedpositionastheheadofaSouthAmericanhouse。A

cautiousacquaintance——throughtheagencyofhisbanker——withafewbusinessmengavehimsomeoccupation，andthefactofhisSouthAmericanlettersbeingaddressedtoDonDiegoSmithgaveaforeignflavortohisindividuality，whichhistannedfaceanddarkbeardhadmateriallyhelped。Astrongertestconvincedhimhowcompletewastheobliterationofhisformeridentity。Onedayatthebankhewasstartledatbeingintroducedbythemanagertoamanwhomheatoncerecognizedasaformerbusinessacquaintance。Buttheshockwashisalone；theformalapproachandunfamiliarmannerofthemanshowedthathehadfailedtorecognizeevenaresemblance。

Butwouldheequallyescapedetectionbyhiswifeifhemetherasaccidentally，——anencounternottobethoughtofuntilheknewsomethingmoreofher？Hebecamemorecautiousingoingtopublicplaces，butluckilyforhimtheproportionofwomentomenwasstillsmallinCalifornia，andtheyweremoreobservedthanobserving。

Amonthelapsed；inthattimehehadthoroughlyexhaustedthelocalDirectoriesinhiscautiousresearchesamongthe"Smiths，"forinhisfearofprecipitatingaprematuredisclosurehehadgivenuphisformeranonymousadvertising。Andtherewasacertainoccupationinthispersonalquestthatfilledhisbusinesstime。