第6章

Hewasinnohurry。Hehadasingularfaiththathewouldeventuallydiscoverherwhereabouts，beabletomakeallnecessaryinquiriesintoherconductandhabits，andperhapsevenenjoyabriefseasonofunsuspectedpersonalobservationbeforerevealinghimself。Andthisfaithwasassingularlyrewarded。

Havingoccasiontogethiswatchrepairedonedayheenteredalargejeweler’sshop，andwhilewaitingitsexaminationhisattentionwasattractedbyanordinaryold-fashioneddaguerreotypecaseintheformofaheart-shapedlocketlyingonthecounterwithotherarticlesleftforrepairs。Somethinginitsappearancetouchedachordinhismemory；heliftedthehalf-openedcaseandsawamuchfadeddaguerreotypeportraitofhimselftakeninMissouribeforeheleftintheCalifornianemigration。Herecognizeditatonceasonehehadgiventohiswife；thefadedlikenesswassolittlelikehispresentselfthatheboldlyexamineditandaskedthejeweleroneortwoquestions。Themanwascommunicative。Yes，itwasanold-fashionedaffairwhichhadbeenleftforrepairsafewdaysagobyaladywhosenameandaddress，writtenbyherself，wereonthecardtiedtoit。

Mr。JamesSmithhadbythistimefullycontrolledtheemotionhefeltasherecognizedhiswife’snameandhandwriting，andknewthatatlastthecluewasfound！Helaiddownthecasecarelessly，gavethefinaldirectionsfortherepairsofhiswatch，andlefttheshop。Theaddress，ofwhichhehadtakenamentalnote，was，tohissurprise，verynearhisownlodgings；buthewentstraighthome。Hereafewinquiriesofhisjanitorelicitedtheinformationthatthebuildingindicatedintheaddresswasalargeoneoffurnishedapartmentsandofficeslikehisown，andthatthe"Mrs。

Smith"mustbesimplythehousekeeperofthelandlord，whosenameappearedintheDirectory，butnotherown。Yethewaiteduntileveningbeforeheventuredtoreconnoitrethepremises；withthepossessionofhiscluecameaslightcoolingofhisardorandextremecautioninhisfurtherproceedings。Thehouse——areconstructedwoodenbuilding——offerednoexternalindicationoftheroomssheoccupiedintheuniformlycurtainedwindowsthatfrontthestreet。Yethefeltanoddandpleasurableexcitementinpassingonceortwicebeforethosewallsthathidthegoalofhisquest。Asyethehadnotseenher，andtherewasnaturallytheaddedzestofexpectation。Henoticedthattherewasanewbuildingopposite，withvacantofficestolet。Aprojectsuddenlyoccurredtohim，whichbymorninghehadfullymatured。Hehiredafrontroominthefirstfloorofthenewbuilding，hadithurriedlyfurnishedasaprivateoffice，andonthesecondmorningofhisdiscoverywasinstalledbehindhisdeskatthewindowcommandingafullviewoftheoppositehouse。TherewasnothingstrangeintheSouthAmericancapitalistselectingaprivateofficeinsopopularalocality。

Twoorthreedayselapsedwithoutanyresultfromhisespionage。

Hecametoknowbysightthevarioustenants，thetwoChineseservants，andthesolitaryIrishhousemaid，butasyethadnoglimpseofthehousekeeper。Sheevidentlyledasecludedlifeamongherduties；itoccurredtohimthatperhapsshewentout，possiblytomarket，earlierthanhecame，orlater，afterhehadlefttheoffice。Inthisbeliefhearrivedonemorningafteranearlywalkinasmartspringshower，thelingeringstragglerofthewinterrains。Therewerefewpeopleastir，yethehadbeenprecededfortwoorthreeblocksbyatallwomanwhoseumbrellapartlyconcealedherheadandshouldersfromview。Hehadnoticed，however，eveninhisabstraction，thatshewalkedwell，andmanagedtheliftingofherskirtoverhertrimanklesandwell-bootedfeetwithsomegraceandcleverness。Yetitwasonlyonherunexpectedlyturningthecornerofhisownstreetthathebecameinterested。Shecontinuedonuntilwithinafewdoorsofhisoffice，whenshestoppedtogiveanordertoatradesman，whowasjusttakingdownhisshutters。Heheardhervoicedistinctly；inthequickemotionitgavehimhebrushedhurriedlypastherwithoutliftinghiseyes。

Gaininghisowndoorwayherushedupstairstohisoffice，hastilyunlockedit，andrantothewindow。Theladywasalreadycrossingthestreet。Hesawherpausebeforethedooroftheoppositehouse，openitwithalatchkey，andcaughtafullviewofherprofileinthesinglemomentthatsheturnedtofurlherumbrellaandenter。

Itwashiswife’svoicehehadheard；itwashiswife’sfacethathehadseeninprofile。

Yetshewaschangedfromthelankyyoungschoolgirlhehadweddedtenyearsago，or，atleast，comparedtowhathisrecollectionofherhadbeen。Hadheeverseenherasshereallywas？Surelysomewhereinthattimid，freckled，half-grownbridehehadknowninthefirstyearoftheirmarriagethegermofthisself-possessed，maturedwomanwashidden。Therewasthetoneofhervoice；hehadneverrecalleditbeforeasalovermight，yetnowittouchedhim；

herprofilehecertainlyremembered，butnotwiththefeelingitnowproducedinhim。Wouldhehaveeverabandonedherhadshebeenlikethat？OrhadHEchanged，andwasthisnolongerhisoldself？——perhapsevenaselfSHEwouldneverrecognizeagain？JamesSmithhadthesuperstitionsofagambler，andthatvagueideaoffatethatcomestoweakmen；asuddenfrightseizedhim，andhehalfwithdrewfromthewindowlestsheshouldobservehim，recognizehim，andbysomeactprecipitatethatfate。

Bylingeringbeyondtheusualhourforhisdeparturehesawheragain，andhadevenafullviewofherfaceasshecrossedthestreet。Theyearshadcertainlyimprovedher；hewonderedwithacertainnervousnessifshewouldthinktheyhaddonethesameforhim。Thecomplacencywithwhichhehadatfirstcontemplatedherprobablejoyatrecoveringhimhadbecomeseriouslyshakensincehehadseenher；awomanaswellpreservedandgood-lookingasthat，holdingacertainresponsibleand，nodoubt，lucrativeposition，musthavemanyadmirersandbeindependent。Helongedtotellhernowofhisfortune，andyetshrankfromthetestitsexposureimplied。Hewaitedforherreturnuntildarknesshadgathered，andthenwentbacktohislodgingsalittlechagrinedandillatease。

Itwasratherlateforhertobeoutalone！Afterall，whatdidheknowofherhabitsorassociations？HerecalledthefreedomofCalifornianlife，andtheoldscandalsrelatingtothelapsesofmanywomenwhohadpreviouslyledblamelesslivesintheAtlanticStates。Clearlyitbehoovedhimtobecautious。Yethewalkedlatethatnightbeforethehouseagain，eagertoseeifshehadreturned，andwithWHOM？Hewasrestrictedinhiseagernessbythefearofdetection，buthegatheredverylittleknowledgeofherhabits；singularlyenoughnobodyseemedtocare。Alittlepiquedatthis，hebegantowonderifhewerenotthinkingtoomuchofthiswomantowhomhestillhesitatedtorevealhimself。

Nevertheless，hefoundhimselfthatnightagainwanderingaroundthehouse，andevenwatchingwithsomeanxietytheshadowwhichhebelievedtobehersonthewindow-blindoftheroomwherehehadbydiscreetinquirylocatedher。Whetherhismemorywasstimulatedbyhisquestheneverknew，butpresentlyhewasabletorecallstepbystepandincidentbyincidenthisearlycourtshipofherandthebriefdaysoftheirmarriedlife。Heevenrememberedthedaysheacceptedhim，andevendweltuponitwithasentimentalthrillthatheprobablyneverfeltatthetime，anditwasadistinctfeatureofhisextraordinarystateofmindanditsconcentrationuponthisparticularsubjectthathepresentlybegantolookuponHIMSELFastheabandonedanddesertedconjugalpartner，andtonurseafeelingofdeepinjuryatherhands！Thefactthathewasthinkingofher，andshe，probably，contentedwithherlot，wasundisturbedbyanymemoryofhim，seemedtohimalogicaldeductionofhissuperioraffection。

Itwas，therefore，quiteasmuchintheattitudeofareproachfulandavenginghusbandasofamerelycuriousonethat，oneafternoon，seeingherissuefromherhouseatanearlyhour，heslippeddownthestairsandbegantofollowheratasecuredistance。Sheturnedintotheprincipalthoroughfare，andpresentlymadeoneofthecrowdwhowereenteringapopularplaceofamusementwheretherewasanafternoonperformance。Socompletewashisselfishhallucination，thathesmiledbitterlyatthisproofofheartlessindifference，andevensofarovercamehispreviouscautionastoactuallybrushbyhersomewhatrudelyasheenteredthebuildingatthesamemoment。Hewasconsciousthatsheliftedhereyesalittleimpatientlytothefaceoftheawkwardstranger；hewasequally，butmorebitterly，consciousthatshehadnotrecognizedhim！Hedroppedintoaseatbehindher；shedidnotlookathimagainwithevenasenseofdisturbance；themomentarycontacthadevidentlyleftnoimpressionuponher。Sheglancedcasuallyatherneighborsoneitherside，andpresentlybecameabsorbedintheperformance。Whenitwasoversherose，andonherwayoutrecognizedandexchangedafewwordswithoneortwoacquaintances。Againheheardherfamiliarvoice，almostathiselbow，raisedwithnomoreconsciousnessofhercontiguitytohimthanifhewereamereghost。Thethoughtstruckhimforthefirsttimewithahideousandappallingsignificance。Whatwashebutaghosttoher——toeveryone！Amandead，buried，andforgotten！

Hisvanityandself-complacencyvanishedbeforethiscrushingrealizationofthehopelessnessofhisexistence。Dazedandbewildered，hemingledblindlyandblunderinglywiththedepartingcrowd，tossedhereandthereasifhewereaninvisiblepresence，stumblingovertheimpedingskirtsofwomenwithavagueapologytheyheedednot，andwhichseemedinhisfrightenedearsashollowasavoicefromthegrave。

Whenheatlastreachedthestreethedidnotlookback，butwanderedabstractedlythroughby-streetsinthefallingrain，scarcelyrealizingwherehewas，untilhefoundhimselfdrenchedthrough，withhisclosedumbrellainhistremuloushand，standingatthehalf-submergedleveebesidetheoverflowedriver。Hereagainherealizedhowcompletelyhehadbeenabsorbedandconcentratedinhissearchforhiswifeduringthelastthreeweeks；hehadneverbeenontheleveesincehisarrival。Hehadtakennonoteoftheexcitementofthecitizensoverthealarmingreportsofterriblefloodsinthemountains，andthedailyandhourlyfearthattheyexperiencedofdisastrousinundationfromthesurchargedriver。Hehadneverthoughtofit，yethehadreadofit，andeventalked，andyetnowforthefirsttimeinhisselfish，blindabsorptionwascertainofit。Hestoodstillforsometime，watchingdoggedlytheenormousyellowstreamlaboringwithitsburdenanddriftfrommanyamountaintownandcamp，movingsteadilyandfatefullytowardsthedistantbay，andstillmoredistantandinevitableocean。Forafewmomentsitvaguelyfascinatedanddivertedhim；thenitasvaguelylentitselftohisonedominant，hauntingthought。Yes，itwaspointinghimtheonlywayout，——thepathtothedistantoceanandutterforgetfulnessagain！

Thechillofhissaturatedclothingbroughthimtohimselfoncemore，heturnedandhurriedhome。Hewenttiredlytohisbedroom，andwhilechanginghisgarmentstherecameaknockatthedoor。Itwastheportertosaythataladyhadcalled，andwaswaitingforhiminthesitting-room。Shehadnotgivenhername。

Thecloseddoorpreventedtheservantfromseeingtheextraordinaryeffectproducedbythissimpleannouncementuponthetenant。ForoneinstantJamesSmithremainedspellboundinhischair。Itwascharacteristicofhisweaknatureandsingularprepossessionthathepassedinaninstantfromtheextremeofdoubttotheextremeofcertaintyandconviction。Itwashiswife！Shehadrecognizedhiminthatmomentofencounterattheentertainment；hadfoundhisaddress，andhadfollowedhimhere！Hedressedhimselfwithfeverishhaste，not，however，withoutacertaincareofhisappearanceandsomeselectionofapparel，andquicklyforecasttheforthcominginterviewinhismind。Forthependulumhadswungback；Mr。JamesSmithwasoncemoretheself-satisfied，self-

complacent，anddiscreetlycautioushusbandthathehadbeenatthebeginningofhisquest，perhapswithacertainsenseofgrievancesuperadded。Heshouldrequirethefullestexplanationsandguaranteesbeforecommittinghimself，——indeed，herpresentcallmightbeanadvancethatitwouldbenecessaryforhimtocheck。

Heevenpicturedherpleadingathisfeet；averylittlestrongereffortofhisAlnascharimaginationwouldhavemadehimrejectherlikethefatuousPersianglasspeddler。

Heopenedthedoorofthesitting-roomdeliberately，andwalkedinwithacertainformalprecision。Butthefigureofawomanarosefromthesofa，andwithaslightoutcry，halfplayful，halfhysterical，threwherselfuponhisbreastwiththesingleexclamation，"Jim！"Hestartedbackfromthedoubleshock。ForthewomanwasNOThiswife！Awomanextravagantlydressed，stillyoung，butbearing，eventhroughherartificiallyheightenedcolor，afacewornwithexcitement，excess，andprematureage。Yetafacethatashedisengagedhimselffromherarmsgrewuponhimwithaterriblerecognition，afacethathehadoncethoughtpretty，inexperienced，andinnocent，——thefaceofthewidowofhisformerpartner，Cutler，thewomanhewastohavemarriedonthedayhefled。Thebitterrevulsionoffeelingandastonishmentwasevidentlyvisibleinhisface，forshe，too，drewbackforamomentastheyseparated。Butshehadevidentlybeenprepared，ifnotpatheticallyinuredtosuchexperiences。Shedroppedintoachairagainwithadrylaugh，andahardmetallicvoice，asshesaid，——

"Well，it’sYOU，anyway——andyoucan’tgetoutofit。"

Ashestillstaredather，inherinconsistentfinery，draggledandwetbythestorm，atherlimpribbonsandostentatiousjewelry，shecontinued，inthesamehardvoice，——

"IthoughtIspottedyouonceortwicebefore；butyoutooknonoticeofme，andIreckonedIwasmistaken。ButthisafternoonattheTempleofMusic"——

"Where？"saidJamesSmithharshly。

"AttheTemple——theSanFranciscoTroupeperformance——whereyoubrushedbyme，andIheardyourvoicesaying，’Begpardon！’I

says，’That’sJimFarendell。’"

"Farendell！"burstoutJamesSmith，halfinsimulatedastonishment，halfinrealalarm。

"Well！Smith，then，ifyoulikebetter，"saidthewomanimpatiently；

"thoughit’saboutthesickestandmostplayed-outdodgeofanameyoucouldhavepitchedupon。JamesSmith，DonDiegoSmith！"sherepeated，withahystericlaugh。"Why，itbeatstheniggerminstrelsallhollow！Well，whenIsawyouthere，Isaid，’That’sJimFarendell，orhistwinbrother；’Ididn’tsay’hisghost，’mindyou；for，fromthebeginning，evenbeforeIknewitall，Inevertookanystockinthatfoolyarnaboutyourburntbonesbeingfoundinyouroffice。"

"Knewall，knewwhat？"demandedtheman，withabravadowhichheneverthelessfeltwashopeless。

Sherose，crossedtheroom，and，standingbeforehim，placedonehanduponherhipasshelookedathimwithhalf-pityingeffrontery。

"Lookhere，Jim，"shebeganslowly，"doyouknowwhatyou’redoing？

Well，you’remakingmetired！"Inspiteofhimself，ahalf-

superstitiousthrillwentthroughhimasherwordsandattituderecalledthedeadScranton。"DoyousupposethatIdon’tknowthatyouranawaythenightofthefire？DoyousupposethatIdon’tknowthatyouwerenexttoruinedthatnight，andthatyoutookthatopportunityofskedaddlingoutofthecountrywithallthemoneyyouhadleft，andleavingfolkstoimagineyouwereburntupwiththebooksyouhadfalsifiedandtheaccountsyouhaddoctored！

Itwasameanthingforyoutodotome，Jim，forIlovedyouthen，andwouldhavebeenfoolenoughtorunoffwithyouifyou’dtoldmeall，andnotleftmetofindoutthatyouhadlostMYmoney——

everycentCutlerhadleftmeinthebusiness——withtherest。"

Withthefatuousnessofaweakmancornered，heclungtounimportantdetails。"Butthebodywasbelievedtobeminebyeveryone，"hestammeredangrily。"Mypapersandbookswereburnt，——therewasnoevidence。"

"Andwhywastherenot？"shesaidwitheringly，staringdoggedlyinhisface。"BecauseIstoppedit！BecausewhenIknewthosebonesandragsshutupinthatofficeweren’tyours，andwasbeginningtomakearowaboutit，astrangemancametomeandsaidtheyweretheremainsofafriendofhiswhoknewyourbankruptcyandhadcomethatnighttowarnyou，——amanwhomyouhadhalfruinedonce，amanwhohadprobablylosthislifeinhelpingyouaway。HesaidifIwentonmakingafusshe’dcomeoutwiththewholetruth——howyouwereathiefandaforger，and"——shestopped。

"Andwhatelse？"heaskeddesperately，dreadingtohearhiswife’snamenextfallfromherlips。

"Andthat——asitcouldbeprovedthathisfriendknewyoursecrets，"shewentoninafrightened，embarrassedvoice，"youmightbeaccusedofmakingawaywithhim。"

ForamomentJamesSmithwasappalled；hehadneverthoughtofthis。Asinallhispastvillainyhewastoocowardlytocontemplatemurder，hewasfrightenedatthemereaccusationofit。

"But，"hestammered，forgetfulofallsavethisnewterror，"heKNEWIwouldn’tbesuchafool，forthemanhimselftoldmeDuffyhadthepapers，andkillinghimwouldn’thavehelpedme。"

Mrs。Cutlerstaredathimamomentsearchingly，andthenturnedwearilyaway。"Well，"shesaid，sinkingintoherchairagain，"hesaidifI’dshutmymouthhe’dshuthis——and——Idid。Andthis，"

sheadded，throwingherhandsfromherlap，agesturehalfofreproachandhalfofcontempt，——"thisiswhatIgetforit。"

Morefrightenedthantouchedbythewoman’sdesperation，JamesSmithstammeredavagueapologeticdisclaimer，evenwhilehewasloathingwitharevulsionnewtohimherdraggledfinery，herstillmorefadedbeauty，andthehalf-distinctconsciousnessofguiltthatlinkedhertohim。Butshewaveditaway，awearygesturethatagainremindedhimofthedeadScranton。

"OfcourseIain’twhatIwas，butwho’stoblameforit？Whenyouleftmealonewithoutacent，facetofacewithalie，Ihadtodosomething。Iwasn’tbroughtuptowork；Ilikegoodclothes，andyouknowitbetterthananybody。Iain’toneofyourstageheroinesthatgooutasdependantsandgovernessesanddieofconsumption，butIthought，"shewentonwithashrill，hystericallaugh，morepainfulthanthewearinesswhichinevitablyfollowedit，"IthoughtImighttrainmyselftodoit，ONTHESTAGE！andI

joinedBarker’sCompany。TheysaidIhadafaceandfigureforthestage；thatfaceandfigureworeoutbeforeIhadanythingmoretoshow，andIwasn’tbigenoughtomakebettertermswiththemanager。Theykeptmenearlyayeardoingchambermaidsandfairyqueenstheothersideofthefootlights，whereIsawyoutoday。

ThenIkicked！IsupposeImighthavemarriedsomefoolforhismoney，butIwassoftenoughtothinkyoumightbesendingformewhenyouweresafe。Youseemtobemightycomfortablehere，"shecontinued，withabitterglancearoundhishandsomelyfurnishedroom，"as’DonDiegoSmith。’Ireckonskedaddlingpaysbetterthanstayingbehind。"

"Ihaveonlybeenhereafewweeks，"hesaidhurriedly。"Ineverknewwhathadbecomeofyou，orthatyouwerestillhere"——

"Oryouwouldn’thavecome，"sheinterrupted，withabitterlaugh。

"Speakout，Jim。"

"Ifthere——isanything——Icando——foryou，"hestammered，"I’msure"——

"Anythingyoucando？"sherepeated，slowlyandscornfully。

"AnythingyoucandoNOW？Yes！"shescreamed，suddenlyrising，crossingtheroom，andgraspinghisarmsconvulsively。"Yes！Takemeawayfromhere——anywhere——atonce！Look，Jim，"shewentonfeverishly，"letbygonesbebygones——Iwon’tpeach！Iwon’ttellonyou——thoughIhaditinmyheartwhenyougavemethego-byjustnow！I’lldoanythingyousay——gotoyourfarthesthiding-place——

workforyou——onlytakemeoutofthiscursedplace。"

Herpassionatepleadingstungeventhroughhisselfishnessandloathing。Hethoughtofhiswife’sindifference！Yes，hemightbedriventothis，andatleasthemustsecuretheonlywitnessagainsthispreviousmisconduct。"Wewillsee，"hesaidsoothingly，gentlylooseningherhands。"Wemusttalkitover。"Hestoppedashisoldsuspiciousnessreturned。"Butyoumusthavesomefriends，"

hesaidsearchingly，"someonewhohashelpedyou。"

"None！Onlyone——hehelpedmeatfirst，"shehesitated——"Duffy。"

"Duffy！"saidJamesSmith，recoiling。

"Yes，whenhehadtotellmeall，"shesaidinhalf-frightenedtones，"hewassorryforme。Listen，Jim！Hewasasquareman，forallhewasdevotedtohispartner——andyoucan’tblamehimforthat。IthinkhehelpedmebecauseIwasalone；fornothingelse，Jim。Iswearit！Hehelpedmefromtimetotime。Maybehemighthavewantedtomarrymeifhehadnotbeenwaitingforanotherwomanthatheloved，amarriedwomanthathadbeendesertedyearsagobyherhusband，justasyoumighthavedesertedmeifwe’dbeenmarriedthatday。Hehelpedherandpaidforherjourneyheretoseekherhusband，andsetherupinbusiness。"

"Whatareyoutalkingabout——whatwoman？"stammeredJamesSmith，withastrangepresentimentcreepingoverhim。

"AMrs。Smith。Yes，"shesaidquickly，ashestarted，"notashamnamelikeyours，butreallyandtrulySMITH——thatwasherhusband’sname！I’mnotlying，Jim，"shewenton，evidentlymistakingthecauseofthesuddencontractionoftheman’sface。"Ididn’tinventhernorhername；thereISsuchawoman，andDuffylovesher——andHERonly，andhenever，NEVERwasanythingmorethanafriendtome。Iswearit！"

Theroomseemedtoswimaroundhim。Shewasstaringathim，buthecouldseeinhervacanteyesthatshehadnoconceptionofhissecret，norknewtheextentofherrevelation。Duffyhadnotdaredtotellall！Heburstintoacoarselaugh。"WhatmattersDuffyorthesillywomanhe’dtrytostealawayfromothermen。"

"Buthedidn’ttrytostealher，andshe’sonlysillybecauseshewantstobetruetoherhusbandwhilehelives。ShetoldDuffyshe’dnevermarryhimuntilshesawherhusband’sdeadface。Morefoolshe，"sheaddedbitterly。

"Untilshesawherhusband’sdeadface，"wasallthatJamesSmithheardofthisspeech。Hiswife’sfaithfulnessthroughyearsofdesertion，herlongwaitingandtruthfulness，eventhebittercommentaryoftheequallyinjuredwomanbeforehim，weretohimasnothingtowhatthatsinglesentenceconjuredup。Helaughedagain，butthistimestrangelyandvacantly。"EnoughofthisDuffyandhisintrusioninmyaffairsuntilI’mabletosettlemyaccountwithhim。Come，"headdedbrusquely，"ifwearegoingtocutoutofthisatonceI’vegotmuchtodo。Comehereagainto-morrow，early。ThisDuffy——doeshelivehere？"

"No。InMarysville。"

"Good！Comeearlyto-morrow。"

Assheseemedtohesitate，heopenedadrawerofhistableandtookoutahandfulofgold，andhandedittoher。Sheglancedatitforamomentwithastrangeexpression，putitmechanicallyinherpocket，andthenlookingupathimsaid，withaforcedlaugh，"I

supposethatmeansIamtoclearout？"

"Untilto-morrow，"hesaidshortly。

"IftheSacramentodon’tsweepusawaybeforethen，"sheinterrupted，witharecklesslaugh；"theriver’sbrokenthroughthelevee——aclearsweepintwoplaces。WhereIlivethewater’suptothedoorstep。Theysayit’sgoingtobethebiggestfloodyet。You’reallrighthere；you’reonhigherground。"

Sheseemedtoutterthesesentencesabstractedly，disconnectedly，asiftogaintime。Hemadeanimpatientgesture。

"Allright，I’mgoing，"shesaid，compressingherlipsslowlytokeepthemfromtrembling。"Youhaven’tforgottenanything？"Asheturnedhalfangrilytowardshersheadded，hurriedlyandbitterly，"Anything——forto-morrow？"

"No！"

Sheopenedthedoorandpassedout。Helisteneduntilthetrailofherwetskirthaddescendedthestairs，andthestreetdoorhadclosedbehindher。Thenhewentbacktohistableandbegancollectinghispapersandputtingthemawayinhistrunks，whichhepackedfeverishly，yetwithasetanddeterminedface。Hewroteoneortwoletters，whichhesealedandleftuponhistable。Hethenwenttohisbedroomanddeliberatelyshavedoffhisdisguisingbeard。Hadhenotbeensopreoccupiedinonethought，hemighthavebeenconsciousofloudvoicesinthestreetandahurryingoffeetonthewetsidewalk。Buthewaspossessedbyonlyoneidea。

Hemustseehiswifethatevening！How，heknewnotyet，butthewaywouldappearwhenhehadreachedhisofficeinthebuildingoppositehers。Threehourshadelapsedbeforehehadfinishedhispreparations。Ongoingdownstairshestoppedtogivesomedirectionstotheporter，buthisroomwasempty；passingintothestreethewassurprisedtofinditquitedeserted，andtheshopsclosed；evenadrinkingsaloonatthecornerwasquiteempty。Heturnedthecornerofthestreet，andbegantheslightdescenttowardshisoffice。Tohisamazementthelowerendofthestreet，whichwascrossedbythethoroughfarewhichwashisdestination，wasblockedbyacrowdofpeople。Ashehurriedforwardtojointhemhesuddenlysaw，movingdownthatthoroughfare，whatappearedtohisstartledeyestobethesmokestacksofsomesmall，flat-

bottomedsteamer。Herubbedhiseyes；itwasnoillusion，forthenextmomenthehadreachedthecrowd，whowerestandinghalfablockawayfromthethoroughfare，andontheedgeofalagoonofyellowwater，whosemaincurrentwasthethoroughfarehewasseeking，andbetweenwhosehouses，submergedtotheirfirststories，asteamboatwasreallypaddling。Otherboatsandraftswereadriftonitssluggishwaters，andaboatmanhadjustlandedapassengerinthebackwaterofthelowerhalfofthestreetonwhichhestoodwiththecrowd。

Possessedofhisoneidea，hefoughthiswaydesperatelytothewateredgeandtheboat，anddemandedapassagetohisoffice。Theboatmanhesitated，butJamesSmithpromptlyofferedhimdoublethevalueofhiscraft。Theactwasnotdeemedsingularinthatextravagantepoch，andthesympathizingcrowdcheeredhissolitarydeparture，ashedeclinedeventheservicesoftheboatman。Thenextmomenthewasoffinmid-streamofthethoroughfare，paddlinghisboatwithadesperatebutinexperiencedhanduntilhereachedhisoffice，whichheenteredbythewindow。Thebuilding，whichwasnewandofbrick，showedverylittledamagefromtheflood，butinfardifferentcasewastheoneopposite，onwhichhiseyeswereeagerlybent，andwhosecheapandinsecurefoundationshecouldseethefloodwasalreadyundermining。Therewereboatsaroundthehouse，andmenhurriedlyremovingtrunksandvaluables，buttheonefigureheexpectedtoseewasnotthere。Hetiedhisownboattothewindow；therewasevidentlynochanceofaninterviewnow，butifshewereleavingtherewouldbestillthechanceoffollowingherandknowingherdestination。Ashegazedshesuddenlyappearedatawindow，andwashelpedbyaboatmanintoaflat-bottomedbargecontainingtrunksandfurniture。Shewasevidentlythelasttoleave。Theotherboatsputoffatonce，andnonetoosoon；fortherewasawarningcry，aquickswervingofthebarge，andtheendofthedwellingslowlydroppedintotheflood，seemingtosinkonitskneeslikeastrickenox。Agreatundulationofyellowwatersweptacrossthestreet，inundatinghisofficethroughtheopenwindowandhalfswampinghisboatbesideit。Atthesametimehecouldseethatthecurrenthadchangedandincreasedinvolumeandvelocity，and，fromthecriesandwarningoftheboatmen，heknewthattheriverhadburstitsbanksatitsupperbend。Hehadbarelytimetoleapintohisboatandcastitoffbeforetherewasafootofwateronhisfloor。

Butthenewcurrentwascarryingtheboatsawayfromthehigherlevel，whichtheyhadbeeneagerlyseeking，andtowardsthechanneloftheswollenriver。Thebargewasfirsttofeelitsinfluence，andwashurriedtowardstheriveragainstthestrongesteffortsofitsboatmen。Onebyonetheotherandsmallerboatscontrivedtogetintotheslackwaterofcrossingstreets，andonewasswampedbeforehiseyes。ButJamesSmithkeptonlythebargeinview。Hisdifficultyinfollowingitwasincreasedbyhisinexperienceinmanagingaboat，andthequantityofdriftwhichnowchargedthecurrent。Treestornbytheirrootsfromsomeuplandbank；sheds，logs，timber，andthebloatedcarcassesofcattlechokedthestream。Alltheruinworkedbythefloodseemedtobecompressedinthisdisastrouscurrent。Onceortwicehenarrowlyescapedcollisionwithaheavybeamorthebedofsomefarmer’swagon。

Oncehewasswampedbyatree，andrightedhisfrailboatwhileclingingtoitsbranches。

Andthenthosewhowatchedhimfromthebargeandshoresaidafterwardsthatagreatapathyseemedtofalluponhim。Henolongerattemptedtoguidetheboatorstrugglewiththedrift，butsatinthesternwithintentforwardgazeandmotionlesspaddles。

Oncetheystrovetowarnhim，calledtohimtomakeanefforttoreachthebarge，anddidwhattheycould，inspiteoftheirownperil，toaltertheircourseandhelphim。Butheneitheranswerednorheededthem。Andthensuddenlyagreatlogthattheyhadjustescapedseemedtoriseupunderthekeelofhisboat，anditwasgone。Afteramomenthisfaceandheadappearedabovethecurrent，andsoclosetothesternofthebargethattherewasaslightcryfromthewomaninit，butthenextmoment，andbeforetheboatmancouldreachhim，hewasdrawnunderitanddisappeared。Theylayontheiroarseagerlywatching，butthebodyofJamesSmithwassuckedunderthebarge，and，inthemid-channelofthegreatriver，wascarriedouttowardsthedistantsea……

Therewasastrangemeetingthatnightonthedeckofareliefboat，whichhadbeensentoutinsearchofthemissingbarge，betweenMrs。Smithandagraveandanxiouspassengerwhohadcharteredit。Whenhehadcomfortedher，andpointedout，as，indeed，hehadmanytimesbefore，thelonelinessandinsecurityofherunprotectedlife，sheyieldedtohisarguments。Butitwasnotuntilmanymonthsaftertheirmarriagethatsheconfessedtohimonthateventfulnightshethoughtshehadseeninamomentofgreatperilthevisionofthedeadfaceofherhusbandupliftedtoherthroughthewater。

LANTYFOSTER’SMISTAKE

LantyFosterwascrouchingonalowstoolbeforethedyingkitchenfire，thebettertogetitsfadingradianceonthebookshewasreading。Beyond，throughtheopenwindowanddoor，thefirewasalsoslowlyfadingfromtheskyandthemountainridgewhencethesunhaddroppedhalfanhourbefore。Theviewwasuphill，andthesky-lineofthehillwasmarkedbytwoorthreegibbet-likepolesfromwhich，onanowinvisiblelinebetweenthem，dependedcertainobjects——mereblacksilhouettesagainstthesky——whichboreweirdlikenesstohumanfigures。Absorbedasshewasinherbook，sheneverthelessoccasionallycastanimpatientglanceinthatdirection，asthesunlightfadedmorequicklythanherfire。Fortheflutteringobjectswerethe"week’swash"whichhadtobebroughtinbeforenightfellandthemountainwindarose。Itwasstrongatthataltitude，andbeforethishadravishedtheclothesfromtheline，andscatteredthemalongthehighroadleadingovertheridge，onceevenlashingtheshyschoolmasterwithapairofLanty’sownstockings，andblindingtheparsonwithareallytempestuouspetticoat。

Awhiffofwinddownthebig-throatedchimneystirredthelogembersonthehearth，andthegirljumpedtoherfeet，closingthebookwithanimpatientsnap。Sheknewhermother’svoicewouldfollow。Itwashardtoleaveherheroineatthecrucialmomentofreceivinganexplanationfromapresumedfaithlesslover，justtoclimbahillandtakeinalotofsoullesswashing，butsucharetheinfelicitiesofstolenromancereading。Shethrewtheclothes-

basketoverherheadlikeahood，thehandlerestingacrossherbosomandshoulders，andwithbothherhandsfreestartedoutofthecabin。Butthedarknesshadcomeupfromthevalleyinonestrideafteritsmountainfashion，hadoutstrippedher，andshewasinstantlyplungedinit。Stilltheoutlineoftheridgeaboveherwasvisible，withthewhite，steadfaststarsthatwerenotthereamomentago，andbythatsignsheknewshewaslate。Shehadtobattleagainsttherushingwindnow，whichsungthroughtheinvertedbasketoverherheadandheldherback，butwithbentshoulderssheatlastreachedthetopoftheridgeandthelevel。

Yethere，owingtotheshiftingofthelighterbackgroundaboveher，shenowfoundherselfagainencompassedwiththedarkness。

Theoutlinesofthepoleshaddisappeared，thewhiteflutteringgarmentsweredistinctapparitionswavinginthewind，likedancingghosts。Buttherecertainlywasaqueermisshapenbulkmovingbeyond，whichshedidnotrecognize，andassheatlastreachedoneofthepoles，ashockwascommunicatedtoit，throughtheclothes-

lineandthebulkbeyond。Thensheheardavoicesayimpatiently，——

"Whatinh-llamIrunningintonow？"

Itwasaman’svoice，and，fromitselevation，thevoiceofamanonhorseback。Sheansweredwithoutfearandwithslowdeliberation，——

"Interourclothes-line，Ireckon。"

"Oh！"saidthemaninahalf-apologetictone。Theninbriskeraccents，"TheverythingIwant！Isay，canyougivemeabitofit？Theringofmysaddlegirthhasfetchedloose。Icanfastenitwiththat。"

"Ireckon，"repliedLanty，withthesameunconcern，movingnearerthebulk，whichnowseparatedintotwopartsasthemandismounted。

"Howmuchdoyouwant？"

"Afootortwowilldo。"

Theywerenowinfrontofeachother，althoughtheirfaceswerenotdistinguishabletoeither。Lanty，whohadbeenfollowingthelineswithherhand，herecameupontheendknottedaroundthelastpole。

Thisshebegantountie。

"Whataplacetohangclothes，"hesaidcuriously。

"Mightydryin’，tho’，"returnedLantylaconically。

"Andyourhouse？Isitnearby？"hecontinued。

"Justdowntheridge——yekinseefromtheedge。Gotaknife？"Shehaduntiedtheknot。

"No——yes——wait。"Hehadhesitatedamomentandthenproducedsomethingfromhisbreastpocket，whichhehoweverkeptinhishand。Ashedidnotofferittohershesimplyheldoutasectionoftheropebetweenherhands，whichhedividedwithasinglecut。

Shesawonlythattheinstrumentwaslongandkeen。Thensheliftedtheflapofthesaddleforhimasheattemptedtofastenthelooseringwiththerope，butthedarknessmadeitimpossible。

Withanejaculation，hefumbledinhispockets。"Mylastmatch！"

hesaid，strikingit，ashecrouchedoverittoprotectitfromthewind。Lantyleanedoveralso，withherapronraisedbetweenitandtheblast。Theflameforaninstantlitupthering，theman’sdarkface，mustache，andwhiteteethsettogetherashetuggedatthegirth，andLanty’sbrown，velveteyesandsoft，roundcheekframedinthebasket。Thenitwentout，buttheringwassecured。

"Thankyou，"saidtheman，withashortlaugh，"butIthoughtyouwereahumpbackedwitchinthedarkthere。"

"AndIcouldn’tmakeoutwhetheryouwasacoworab’ar，"returnedtheyounggirlsimply。

Here，however，hequicklymountedhishorse，butintheactionsomethingslippedfromhisclothes，struckastone，andboundedawayintothedarkness。

"Myknife，"hesaidhurriedly。"Pleasehandittome。"Butalthoughthegirldroppedonherkneesandsearchedthegrounddiligently，itcouldnotbefound。Themanwitharestrainedejaculationagaindismounted，andjoinedinthesearch。

"Haven’tyougotanothermatch？"suggestedLanty。

"No——itwasmylast！"hesaidimpatiently。

"Justyouhol’onhere，"shesaidsuddenly，"andI’llrundowntothekitchenandfetchyoualight。Iwon’tbelong。"

"No！no！"saidthemanquickly；"don’t！Icouldn’twait。I’vebeenheretoolongnow。Lookhere。Youcomeindaylightandfindit，and——justkeepitforme，willyou？"Helaughed。"I’llcomeforit。Andnow，ifyou’llonlyhelptosetmeonthatroadagain，forit’ssoinfernalblackIcan’tseethemare’searsaheadofme，Iwon’tbotheryouanymore。Thankyou。"

Lantyhadquietlymovedtohishorse’sheadandtakenthebridleinherhand，andatonceseemedtobelostinthegloom。Butinafewmomentshefeltthemuffledthudofhishorse’shoofonthethickdustofthehighway，anditsstillhot，impalpablepowderrisingtohisnostrils。

"Thankyou，"hesaidagain，"I’mallrightnow，"andinthepausethatfolloweditseemedtoLantythathehadextendedapartinghandtoherinthedarkness。Sheputupherowntomeetit，butmissedhis，whichhadblunderedontohershoulder。Beforeshecouldgraspit，shefelthimstoopingoverher，thelightbrushofhissoftmustacheonhercheek，andthenthestartingforwardofhishorse。Buttheretaliatingboxontheearshehadpromptlyaimedathimspentitselfintheblackspacewhichseemedsuddenlytohaveswalloweduptheman，andevenhislightlaugh。

Foraninstantshestoodstill，andthen，swingingthebasketindignantlyfromhershoulder，tookuphersuspendedtask。Itwasnolightoneintheincreasingwind，andtheunfastenedclothes-

linehadprecipitatedapartofitsburdentothegroundthroughthelooseningoftherope。Butonpickingupthetrailinggarmentsherhandstruckanunfamiliarobject。Thestranger’slostknife！

Shethrustithastilyintothebottomofthebasketandcompletedherwork。Asshebegantodescendwithherburdenshesawthatthelightofthekitchenfire，seenthroughthewindows，wasaugmentedbyacandle。Hermotherwasevidentlyawaitingher。

"Prettytimetobefetchin’inthewash，"saidMrs。Fosterquerulously。"Butwhatcanyouexpectwhenfolksstandgossipin’

andphilanderin’ontheridgeinsteado’tendin’totheirwork？"

NowLantyknewthatshehadNOTbeen"gossipin’"nor"philanderin’，"

yetasthepartingsalutemighthavebeenopentothatimputation，andasshesurmisedthathermothermighthaveoverheardtheirvoices，shebrieflysaid，topreventfurtherquestioning，thatshehadshownastrangertheroad。Butforhermother’sunjustaccusationshewouldhavebeenmorecommunicative。AsMrs。Fosterwentbackgrumblinglyintothesitting-roomLantyresolvedtokeeptheknifeatpresentasecretfromhermother，andtothatpurposeremoveditfromthebasket。Butinthelightofthecandleshesawitforthefirsttimeplainly——andstarted。

Foritwasreallyadagger！jeweled-handledandrichlywrought——

suchasLantyhadneverlookeduponbefore。Thehiltwasstuddedwithgems，andtheblade，whichhadacuttingedge，wasdamascenedinblueandgold。Hersofteyesreflectedthebrilliantsetting，herlipspartedbreathlessly；then，ashermother’svoicearoseintheotherroom，shethrustitbackintoitsvelvetsheathandclappeditintoherpocket。Itsrarebeautyhadconfirmedherresolutionofabsolutesecrecy。Tohaveshownitnowwouldhavemade"noendoftalk。"Andshewasnotsurebutthatherparentswouldhavedemandeditscustody！AnditwasgiventoHERbyHIMtokeep。Thissettledthequestionofmoralethics。Shetookthefirstopportunitytorunuptoherbedroomandhideitunderthemattress。

Yetthethoughtofitfilledtherestofherevening。Whenherhouseholddutiesweredoneshetookuphernovelagain，partlyfromforceofhabitandpartlyasanattitudeinwhichshecouldthinkofITundisturbed。Forwhatwasfictiontohernow？True，itpossessedacertainreminiscentvalue。A"dagger"hadappearedinseveralromancesshehaddevoured，butsheneverhadaclearideaofonebefore。"TheCountsprangback，and，drawingfromhisbeltarichlyjeweleddagger，hissedbetweenhisteeth，"or，moretothepurpose："’Takethis，’saidOrlando，handinghertheruby-hiltedpoignardwhichhadgleameduponhisthigh，’andshouldthecaitiffattemptthyunguardedinnocence——’"

"Didyehearwhatyourfatherwassayin’？"Lantystarted。Itwashermother’svoiceinthedoorway，andshehadbeenvaguelyconsciousofanothervoicepitchedinthesamequerulouskey，which，indeed，wasthedominantexpressionofthesmallranchersofthatfertileneighborhood。PossiblyatoocomplaisantandunaggressiveNaturehadspoiledthem。

"Yes！——no！"saidLantyabstractedly，"whatdidhesay？"

"Ifyouwasn’ttakenupwiththatfoolbook，"saidMrs。Foster，glancingatherdaughter’sslightlyconsciouscolor，"ye’dknow！

Heallowedye’dbetternotleaveyerfillyinthefarpasturenights。Thatgango’Mexicanhorse-thievesisoutagain，andraidedMcKinnon’sstocklastnight。"

ThistouchedLantyclosely。Thefillywasherownproperty，andshewasbreakingitforherownriding。Butherdistrustofherparents’interferencewasgreaterthananyfearofhorse-stealers。

"She’smightyuneasyinthebarn；and，"sheadded，withaproudconsciousnessofthatbeautifulyetcarnalweaponupstairs，"I

reckonIkenprotectherandmyselfaginanyMexicanhorse-

thieves。"

"My！butwe’regettin’highandmighty，"respondedMrs。Foster，withdeepirony。"Didyougitallthatouteryourfoolbook？"

"Mebbe，"saidLantycurtly。

Nevertheless，herthoughtsthatnightwerenotentirelybasedonwrittenromance。Shewonderedifthestrangerknewthatshehadreallytriedtoboxhisearsinthedarkness，alsoifhehadbeenabletoseeherface。HISsheremembered，atleasttheflashofhiswhiteteethagainsthisdarkfaceanddarkermustache，whichwasquiteassoftasherownhair。Butifhethought"foraminnit"thatshewas"goin’toallowanentirestrangertokissher——hewasmightymistaken。"Sheshouldlethimknowit"prettyquick"！Sheshouldhandhimbackthedagger"quitecarelesslike，"

andneverletonthatshe’dthoughtanythingofit。Perhapsthatwasthereasonwhy，beforeshewenttobed，shetookagoodlookatit，andaftertakingoffherstraight，beltless，calicogownsheeventriedtheeffectofit，thrustinthestiffwaistbandofherpetticoat，withthejeweledhiltdisplayed，andthoughtitlookedcharming——asindeeditdid。Andthen，havingsaidherprayerslikeagoodgirl，andsupplicatedthatsheshouldbeless"tetchy"withherparents，shewenttosleepanddreamedthatshehadgoneouttotakeinthewashagain，butthattheclotheshadallchangedtothequeerestlotoffolks，whowereallfightingandstrugglingwitheachotheruntilshe，Lanty，drawingherdagger，rushedupsingle-

handedamongthem，crying，"Disperse，yecravencurs，——disperse，I

say。"Andtheydispersed。

YetevenLantywasobligedtoadmitthenextmorningthatallthiswassomewhatincongruouswiththebakingof"corndodgers，"thefryingoffish，themakingofbeds，andherotherhouseholdduties，anddismissedthestrangerfromherminduntilheshould"happenalong。"Inherfreerandmoreacceptableoutdoordutiessheeventoleratedtheadvancesofneighboringswainswhomadeapointofpassingby"Foster’sRanch，"andwhowerequiteawarethatAtalantaFoster，alias"Lanty，"wasoneoftheprettiestgirlsinthecountry。ButLanty’stolerationconsistedinthatsingularperformanceknowntoherselfas"givingthemasgoodastheysent，"

beingalazytraversing，qualifiedwithscorn，ofallthattheyadvanced。HowlongtheywouldhaveputupwiththisfromaplaingirlIdonotknow，butLanty’sshortupperlipseemedframedforindolentandfascinatingscorn，andherdreamyeyesusuallylookedbeyondthequestioner，orbluntedhisbolderglancesintheirvelvetysurfaces。Thelibrettoofthesesceneswasnotexhaustive，e。g。：——

TheSwain（withbold，badgayety）。"Sawthatshyschoolmasterhangin’roundyourridgeyesterday！Orterknowbythistimethatshynesswithagaldon’tpay。"

Lanty（decisively）。"Mebbeheallowsitdon’tgetleftasoftenasimpudence。"

TheSwain（ignoringthereplyandhispreviousattitudeandbecomingmoredirect）。"Iwascalkilatin’tosaythatwiththeseyerhoss-thievesabout，yerfillyain’tsafeinthepasture。I

tookaturnroundtheretwoorthreetimeslasteveningtoseeifshewasallright。"

Lanty（withaflatteringshowofinterest）。"No！DIDye，now？I

wasjestwonderin"’——

TheSwain（eagerly）。"Idid——quitelate，too！Why，that’snothin’，MissAtalanty，towhatI’ddoforyou。"