第8章

Theunsuspectedcontiguityofthe"menagerie"tothehousehaditsdrawbacks，andoncenearlyexposedher。Amountainwolfcub，broughtespeciallyforherfromthehighernorthernSierraswithgreattroubleandexpensebyJackRyder，oftheLoneStarLead，unfortunatelyescapedfromthemenageriejustasthechildseemedtobeinafairwayoftamingit。Yetithadbeenalreadyfamiliarizedenoughwithcivilizationtoinduceittostopinitsflightandcuriouslyexaminetheblacksmith’sshop。Ashoutfromtheblacksmithandahurledhammersentitflyingagain，withMr。

Bakerandhisassistantinfullpursuit。Butitquicklydistancedthemwithitslong，tirelessgallop，andtheywereobligedtoreturntotheforge，lostinwonderandconjecture。Fortheblacksmithhadrecognizeditasastrangertothelocality，andasamanoforacularpretensionhadastartlingtheorytoaccountforitspresence。Thisheconfidedtotheeditorofthelocalpaper，andthenextissuecontainedaneditorialparagraph："OurpresageofaseverewinterinthehigherSierras，andconsequentspringfloodsinthevalleys，hasbeenstartlinglyconfirmed！MountainwolveshavebeenseeninBlueCementRidge，andouresteemedfellowcitizen，Mr。EphraimBaker，yesterdayencounteredahalf-starvedcubenteringhispremisesinsearchoffood。Mr。Bakerisoftheopinionthatthemotherofthecub，drivendownbystressofweather，wasintheimmediatevicinity。"Nothingbutthedistressoftheonlyresponsiblemotherofthecub，Peggy，andloyaltytoher，keptJackRyderfromexposingtheabsurditypublicly，butforweeksthecampfiresofBlueCementRidgeshookwiththesuppressedandunhallowedjoyoftheminers，whowereintheguiltysecret。

But，fortunatelyforPeggy，themostfavoredofhercherishedpossessionswasnotobligedtobekeptsecret。ThatoneexceptionwasanIndiandog！Thiswasalsoagift，andhadbeenprocuredwithgreat"difficulty"bya"packer"fromanIndianencampmentontheOregonfrontier。The"difficulty"was，inplainEnglish，thatithadbeenstolenfromtheIndiansatsomeperiltothestealer’sscalp。Itwasamongreltoallappearances，ofnorecognizedbreedoroutwardsignificance，yetofaqualitydistinctlyitsown。Itwasabsolutelyandtotallyuncivilized。Whetherthiswasahereditarytrait，ortheresultofdegeneracy，nooneknew。Itrefusedtoenterahouse；itwouldnotstayinakennel。Itwouldnoteatinpublic，butgorgedravenouslyandstealthilyintheshadows。Ithadtheslinkofatramp，andinitspatchedandmottledhideseemedtosimulatetheragsofabeggar。Ithadthetirelessnesswithouttheaffectedlimpofacoyote。Yetithadnoneoftheferocityofbarbarians。Withteeththatcouldgnawthroughthestoutestropeandtoughestlariat，itneverbaredtheminanger。Itwascringingwithoutbeingamiableorsubmissive；itwasgentlewithoutbeingaffectionate。

YetalmostinsensiblyitbegantoyieldtoPeggy’sfaithandkindness。Graduallyitseemedtosingleheroutastheonebeinginthisvastwhite-facedandfullyclothedcommunitythatitcouldtrust。Itpresentlyallowedhertohalfdrag，halfleadittoandfrofromschool，althoughontheapproachofastrangeritwouldbitethroughtheropeorfranticallyendeavortoeffaceitselfinPeggy’spetticoats。Itwastrying，eventothechild’ssweetgravity，tofacetheridiculeexcitedbyitsappearanceontheroad；anditshabitofcarryingitstailbetweenitslegs——atsuchaninflexiblecurvethat，ontheauthorityofSamBedell，amisstepcauseditto"turnabacksomersault"——waspainfullydisconcerting。

ButPeggyenduredthis，asshedidthegreaterdangersoftheHighStreetinthesettlement，whereshehadoften，atherownrisk，absolutelytodragthedazedandbewilderedcreaturefromunderthewheelsofcartsandtheheelsofhorses。Butthisshynessworeoff——orratherwaseventuallylostinthedog’scompleteandutterabsorptioninPeggy。Hislimitedintelligenceandimperfectperceptionswereexcitedforheralone。Hissingularlykeenscentdetectedherwhereverorhowremoteshemightbe。Herpassagealonga"blindtrail，"herdeviationsfromtheschoolpath，hermoredistantexcursions，wereallmysteriouslyknowntohim。Itseemedasifhissenseswereconcentratedinthisonefaculty。Nomatterhowunexpectedorunfamiliartheitinerary，"Lo，thepoorIndian"——asthemenhadnicknamedhim（inpossibleallusiontohis"untutoredmind"）——alwaysarrivedpromptlyandsilently。

ItwastothissingularfacultythatPeggyowedoneofherstrangestexperiences。OneSaturdayafternoonshewasreturningfromanerrandtothevillagewhenshewasstartledbytheappearanceofLoinherpath。Forthereasonalreadygiven，shenolongertookhimwithhertotheseactivehauntsofcivilization，buthadtaughthimonsuchoccasionstoremainasaguardoutsidethestockadewhichcontainedhertreasures。Afterreadinghimaseverelectureonthisflagrantabandonmentofhistrust，enforcedwithgreatseriousnessandanadmonitoryforefinger，shewasconcernedtoseethattheanimalappearedlessagitatedbyherreproofthanbysomeotherdisturbance。Heranaheadofher，insteadofatherheels，aswashisusualcustom，andbarked——athingherarelydid。Presentlyshethoughtshediscoveredthecauseofthisintheappearancefromthewoodofadozenmenarmedwithguns。Theyseemedtobestrangers，butamongthemsherecognizedthedeputysheriffofthesettlement。Theleadernoticedher，and，afterawordortwowiththeothers，thedeputyapproachedher。

"YouandLohadbetterbescootinghomebythehighroad，outerthis——oryemightgethurt，"hesaid，halfplayfully，halfseriously。

Peggylookedfearlesslyatthemenandtheirguns。

"Lookezefyouwashuntin’？"shesaidcuriously。

"Weare！"saidtheleader。

"Wotyouhuntin’？"

Thedeputyglancedattheothers。"B’ar！"hereplied。

"Ba’r！"repeatedthechildwiththequickresentmentwhichapalpablefalsehoodalwaysprovokedinher。"Thereain’tnob’arintenmiles！Seeyourselfhuntin’b’ar！Ho！"

Themanlaughed。"Neveryoumind，missy，"saidthedeputy，"youtrotalong！"Helaidhishandverygentlyonherhead，facedhersunbonnettowardsthenearhighway，gavetheusualpartingpulltoherbrownpigtail，added，"Makeabee-linehome，"andturnedaway。

Loutteredthefirstgrowlknowninhishistory。WhereatPeggysaid，withloftyforbearance，"ServeyoujestrightefIsetmydogonyou。"

Butforceisnoargument，andPeggyfeltthistruthevenofherselfandLo。Soshetrottedaway。Nevertheless，Loshowedsignsofhesitation。AfterafewmomentsPeggyherselfhesitatedandlookedback。Themenhadspreadoutunderthetrees，andwerealreadylostinthewoods。Buttherewasmorethanonetrailthroughit，andPeggyknewit。

Andhereanalarmingoccurrencestartledher。Acuriouslystripedbrownandwhitesquirrelwhiskedpastherandranupatree。

Peggy’sroundeyesbecamerounder。TherewasbutonesquirrelofthatkindinallthelengthandbreadthofBlueCementRidge，andthatwasinthemenagerie！Evenasshelookeditvanished。Peggyfacedaboutandranbacktotheroadinthedirectionofthestockade，Loboundingbeforeher。Butanothersurpriseawaitedher。Therewastheclutterofshortwingsunderthebranches，andthesunlightflashedupontheiristhroatofawood-duckasitswungoutofsightpasther。ButinthissingleglancePeggyrecognizedoneofthelatestandmostpreciousofheracquisitions。

Therewasnomistakenow！WithadespairinglittlecrytoLo，"Themenagerie’sbrokeloose！"sheranlikethewindtowardsit。Shecarednolongerforthemandateofthemen；thetrailshehadtakenwasoutoftheirsight；theywereproceedingsoslowlyandcautiouslythatsheandLoquicklydistancedtheminthesamedirection。Shewouldhaveyettimetoreachthestockadeandsecurewhatwasleftofhertreasuresbeforetheycameupanddroveheraway。Yetshehadtomakealongcircuittoavoidtheblacksmith’sshopandcabin，beforeshesawthestockade，liftingitsfour-footwallsaroundaninclosureadozenfeetsquare，inthemidstofamanzanitathicket。Butshecouldseealsobrokencoops，pens，cages，andboxeslyingbeforeit，andstoppedonce，eveninhergriefandindignation，topickuparuby-throatedlizard，oneofitslateinmatesthathadstoppedinthetrail，stiffenedtostoneatherapproach。Thenextmomentshewasbeforetherooflesswalls，andthenstopped，stiffenedlikethelizard。Foroutofthatpeacefulruinwhichhadonceheldthewildanduntamedvagabondsofearthandsky，aroseatypeofsavageryandbarbarismthechildhadneverbeforelookedupon，——theheadandshouldersofahunted，desperateman！

Hisheadwasbare，andhishairmattedwithsweatoverhisforehead；hisfacewasunshorn，andtheblackrootsofhisbeardshowedagainstthedeadlypallorofhisskin，exceptwhereitwasscratchedbythorns，orwheretheredspotsoverhischeekbonesmadehischeekslookasifpainted。Hiseyeswereasinsanelybright，hepantedasquickly，heshowedhiswhiteteethasperpetually，hismovementswereasconvulsive，asthosecapturedanimalsshehadknown。Yethedidnotattempttofly，anditwasonlywhen，withasuddeneffortandgroanofpain，hehalfliftedhimselfabovethestockade，thatshesawthathisleg，bandagedwithhiscravatandhandkerchief，stainedadullred，draggedhelplesslybeneathhim。Hestaredathervacantlyforamoment，andthenlookedhurriedlyintothewoodbehindher。

Thechildwasmoreinterestedthanfrightened，andmorecuriousthaneither。Shehadgraspedthesituationataglance。Itwasthehuntedandthehunters。Suddenlyhestartedandreachedforhisrifle，whichhehadapparentlysetdownoutsidewhenheclimbedintothestockade。Hehadjustcaughtsightofafigureemergingfromthewoodatadistance。Buttheweaponwasoutofhisreach。

"Handmethatgun！"hesaidroughly。

ButPeggydidnotstir。Thefigurecamemoreplainlyandquiteunconsciouslyintofullview，aneasyshotatthatdistance。

Themanutteredahorriblecurse，andturnedathreateningfaceonthechild。ButPeggyhadseensomethinglikethatinanimalsSHE

hadcaptured。Sheonlysaidgravely，——

"Efyoushootthatgunyou’llbring’emalldownonyou！"

"All？"hedemanded。

"Yes！adozenfolkswithgunslikeyours，"saidPeggy。"Youjestcrouchdownandlielow。Don’tmove！Watchme。"

Themandroppedbelowthestockade。Peggyranswiftlytowardstheunsuspectingfigure，evidentlytheleaderoftheparty，butdeviatedslightlytosnatchatinysprayfromawhite-ashtree。

Sheneverknewthatinthatbriefintervalthewoundedman，afterasupremeeffort，hadpossessedhimselfofhisweapon，andforamomenthadcoveredHERwithitsdeadlymuzzle。Sheranonfearlesslyuntilshesawthatshehadattractedtheattentionoftheleader，whenshestoppedandbegantowavethewhite-ashwandbeforeher。Theleaderhalted，conferredwithsomeonebehindhim，whoprovedtobethedeputysheriff。SteppingoutheadvancedtowardsPeggy，andcalledsharply，"Itoldyoutogetoutofthis！Come，bequick！"

"You’dbettergetoutyourself，"saidPeggy，wavingherashspray，"andquicker，too。"

Thedeputystopped，staringatthespray。"Wot’sup？"

"Rattlers。"

"Where？"

"Everywhereroundye——areg’larnestof’em！That’syourwayround！"Shepointedtotheright，andagainbeganbeatingtheunderbrushwithherwand。Themenhad，meantime，huddledtogetherinconsultation。ItwasevidentthatthestoryofPeggyandherinfluenceonrattlesnakeswaswellknown，and，inallprobability，exaggerated。Afterapause，thewholepartyfiledofftotheright，makingalongcircuitoftheunseenstockade，andwerepresentlylostinthedistance。Peggyranbacktothefugitive。

Thefireofsavageryanddesperationinhiseyeshadgoneout，buthadbeensucceededbyaglazingfilmoffaintness。

"Canyou——getme——somewater？"hewhispered。

Thestockadewasnearaspring，——anecessityforthemenagerie。

Peggybroughthimwaterinadipper。Shesighedalittle；her"butcherbird"——nowlostforever——hadbeenthelasttodrinkfromit！

Thewaterseemedtorevivehim。"Therattlesnakesscaredthecowards，"hesaid，withanattempttosmile。"Weretheremanyrattlers？"

"Therewasn’tANY，"saidPeggy，alittlespitefully，"’ceptYOU——atwo-leggedrattler！"

Therascalgrinnedatthecompliment。

"ONE-legged，youmean，"hesaid，indicatinghishelplesslimb。

Peggy’sheartrelentedslightly。"Wotyougoin’todonow？"shesaid。"Youcan’tstayonTHERE，youknow。Itb’longstoME！"Shewasgenerous，butpractical。

"WerethosethingsIfiredoutyours？"

"Yes。"

"Mightyroughofme。"

Peggywasslightlysoftened。"Kinyouwalk？"

"No。"

"Kinyoucrawl？"

"Notasfarasarattler。"

"Ezfarezthatclearin’？"

"Yes。"

"There’sahosstetheredoutinthatclearin’。Ikinshifthimtothisend。"

"You’rewhiteallthrough，"saidthemangravely。

Peggyranofftotheclearing。ThehorsebelongedtoSamBedell，buthehadgivenPeggypermissiontorideitwhenevershewished。

Thiswasequivalent，inPeggy’smind，toapermissiontoPLACEhimwhereshewished。Sheconsequentlyledhimtoapointnearestthestockade，and，thoughtfully，closebesideastump。Butthistooksometime，andwhenshearrivedshefoundthefugitivealreadythere，verythinandweak，butstillsmiling。

"Yekinturnhimloosewhenyougetthroughwithhim；he’llfindhiswayback，"saidPeggy。"NowImustgo。"

Withoutagainlookingattheman，sheranbacktothestockade。

Thenshepauseduntilsheheardthesoundofhoofscrossingthehighwayintheoppositedirectionfromwhichthepursuershadcrossed，andknewthatthefugitivehadgotaway。Thenshetooktheastonishedandstillmotionlesslizardfromherpocket，andproceededtorestorethebrokencoopsandcagestotheemptystockade。

Butsheneverreconstructedhermenagerienorrenewedhercollection。Peoplesaidshehadtiredofherwhim，andthatreallyshewasgettingtoooldforsuchthings。Perhapsshewas。Butshenevergotoldenoughtorevealherstoryofthelastwildanimalshehadtamedbykindness。Norwasshequitesureofitherself，untilafewyearsafterwardsonCommencementDayataboarding-

schoolatSanJose，whentheypointedouttoheroneofthemostrespectabletrustees。Buttheysaidhewasonceagambler，whohadshotamanwithwhomhehadquarreled，andwasnearlycaughtandlynchedbyaVigilanceCommittee。

THEGODDESSOFEXCELSIOR

WhenthetwoisolatedminingcompaniesencampedonSycamoreCreekdiscoveredonthesamedaythegreat"ExcelsiorLead，"theymetaroundaneutralcampfirewiththatgraveandalmosttroubleddemeanorwhichdistinguishedthesuccessfulprospectorinthosedays。Perhapstheterm"prospectors"couldhardlybeusedformenwhohadlaboredpatientlyandlight-heartedlyintheonespotforoverthreeyearstogainadailyyieldfromthesoilwhichgavethembarelythenecessariesoflife。Perhapsthiswaswhy，nowthattheirrewardwasbeyondtheirmostsanguinehopes，theymingledwiththischaracteristicgravityanambitionandresolvepeculiarlytheirown。Unlikemostsuccessfulminers，theyhadnoideaofsimplyrealizingtheirwealthanddepartingtoinvestorspenditelsewhere，aswasthecommoncustom。Onthecontrary，thatnighttheyformedahighresolvetostandorfallbytheirclaims，todeveloptheresourcesofthelocality，tobuildupatown，andtodevotethemselvestoitsgrowthandwelfare。Andtothispurposetheyboundthemselvesthatnightbyasolemnandlegalcompact。

Manycircumstanceslentthemselvestosooriginaladetermination。

Thelocalitywashealthful，picturesque，andfertile。SycamoreCreek，aconsiderabletributaryoftheSacramento，furnishedthemagenerouswatersupplyatallseasons；itsbankswerewellwoodedandinterspersedwithundulatingmeadowland。Itsdistancefromstage-coachcommunication——ninemiles——couldeasilybeabridgedbyawagonroadoverapracticallylevelcountry。Indeed，alltheconditionsforathrivingsettlementwerealreadythere。Itwasnatural，therefore，thatthemostsanguineanticipationswereindulgedbythemoreyouthfulofthetwentymembersofthissacredcompact。Thesitesofahotel，abank，theexpresscompany’soffice，stageoffice，andcourt-house，withothernecessarybuildings，wereallmappedoutandsupplementedbyatheatre，apublicpark，andaterracealongtheriverbank！ItwasonlywhenClintonGrey，anintelligentbutyouthfulmember，onofferingaplanofthetownwithfiveavenueseightyfeetwide，radiatingfromacentralplazaandthecourt-house，explainedthat"itcouldbecommandedbyartilleryincaseofanarmedattackuponthebuilding，"thatitwasfeltthatalinemustbedrawninanticipatorysuggestion。Nevertheless，althoughtheirdeterminationwasunabated，attheendofsixmonthslittlehadbeendonebeyondthebuildingofawagonroadandtheimportationofnewmachineryfortheworkingofthelead。Thepeculiarityoftheirdesigndebarredanytentativeortemporaryefforts；theywishedthewholesettlementtospringupinequalperfection，sothatthefirststage-coachoverthenewroadcouldarriveuponthecompletedtown。"Wedon’twanttoshowupina’b’iledshirt’andaplughat，andourtrousersstuckinourboots，"saidafigurativespeaker。Nevertheless，practicalnecessitycompelledthemtobuildthehotelfirstfortheirownoccupation，pendingtheerectionoftheirprivatedwellingsonallottedsites。Thehotel，areallyelaboratestructureforthelocalityandperiod，wasamarveltotheworkmenandcasualteamsters。Itwasluxuriouslyfittedandfurnished。Yetitwasinconnectionwiththisoutlaythattheeventoccurredwhichhadasingulareffectuponthefancyofthemembers。

WashingtonTrigg，aWesternmember，whohadbroughtupthearchitectandbuilderfromSanFrancisco，hadreturnedinastateofexcitement。HehadseenatanartexhibitioninthatcityasmallreplicaofafamousstatueofCalifornia，and，withoutconsultinghisfellowmembers，hadorderedalargercopyforthenewsettlement。He，however，madeupforhisprecipitancybyanextravagantdescriptionofhispurchase，whichimpressedeventhemostcautious。"It’sthefiggerofamightyprettygirl，inthemspiritclothestheyalluswear，holdingadivinin’rodforfindin’

goldaforeherinonehand；allthewhileshe’shidin’behindher，intheotherhand，abrancho’thornsoutofsight。Theideabein’——don’tyousee？——thatblamedold’forty-ninerslikeus，orordinarygreenhorns，ain’tallowedtoseethedifficultiesthey’vegottogothroughbeforereachingastrike。Mightycute，ain’tit？

It’stobemadelife-size，——thatis，aboutthesizeofagirlofthatkind，don’tyousee？"heexplainedsomewhatvaguely，"andwilllookpowerfulfetchin’standin’ontoapedestalinthehallofthehotel。"Inreplytosomefurthercautiousinquiryastotheexactdetailsoftheraimentandofanypossibleshocktothemodestyofladyguestsatthehotel，herepliedconfidently，"Oh，THAT’Sallright！It’stheregulationuniformofgoddessesandangels，——

sorterasifthey’dcaughtupasheetoracloudtoflinground’embeforecomingintothisworldaforefolks；andbeinganallegory，sotospeak，itain’tasifitwasmeoryouprospectin’inhighwater。And，beingofbronze，it"——

"Lookslikeasquaw，eh？"interruptedacritic，"oracursedChinaman？"

"Andifit’sofmetal，itwillweighaton！Howarewegoingtogetituphere？"saidanother。

ButhereMr。Triggwasonsureground。"I’veordereditcastholler，and，ifnecessary，intwosections，"hereturnedtriumphantly。"Achildcouldtoteitroundandsetitup。"

ItsarrivalwasthereforelookedforwardtowithgreatexpectancywhenthehotelwasfinishedandoccupiedbythecombinedExcelsiorcompanies。ItwastocomefromNewYorkviaSanFrancisco，where，however，therewassomedelayinitstransshipment，andstillfurtherdelayatSacramento。Itfinallyreachedthesettlementoverthenewwagonroad，andwasamongthefirstfreightcarriedtherebythenewexpresscompany，anddeliveredintothenewexpressoffice。Thebox——apacking-case，nearlythreefeetsquarebyfivefeetlong——boresuperficialmarksoftravelandmisdirection，inasmuchastheoriginaladdresswasquiteobliteratedandtheoutsidelidcoveredwithcorrectedlabels。Itwascarriedtoaprivatesitting-roominthehotel，whereitsbeautywastobefirstdisclosedtothepresidentoftheunitedcompanies，threeofthecommittee，andtheexcitedandtriumphantpurchaser。Alessfavoredcrowdofmembersandworkmengatheredcuriouslyoutsidetheroom。Thenthelidwascarefullyremoved，revealingaquantityofshavingsandpackingpaperwhichstillhidtheoutlinesofthegoddess。Whenthiswaspromptlyliftedastareofblankastonishmentfixedthefacesoftheparty！Itwassucceededbyaquick，hystericlaugh，andthenadeadsilence。

Beforethemlayadressmaker’sdummy，thewireandpaddedmodelonwhichdressesarefittedandshown。Withitsarmlessandheadlessbust，abruptlyendinginahoopedwireskirt，itcompletelyfilledthesidesofthebox。

"Shutthedoor，"saidthepresidentpromptly。

Theorderwasobeyed。Thesinglehystericshriekoflaughterhadbeenfollowedbyadeadly，ironicalsilence。Thepresident，withsupernaturalgravity，lifteditoutandsetituponitssmall，round，disk-likepedestal。

"It’ssomecussedfoolblunderofthatconfoundedexpresscompany，"

burstouttheunluckypurchaser。Buttherewasnoechotohisoutburst。Helookedaroundwithatimid，tentativesmile。Butnoothersmilefollowedhis。

"Itlooks，"saidthepresident，withportentousgravity，"likethebeginningsofafinewoman，thatMIGHTshowup，ifyougavehertime，intoafirst-classgoddess。Ofcoursesheain’tallhere；

otherboxeswithsectionsofher，Ireckon，areunderwayfromherfactory，andwillmeanderalonginthecourseoftheyear。

Considerin’thisasasample——Ithink，gentlemen，"headded，withgloomyprecision，"wearepreparedtoacceptit，andsignifywe’lltakemore。"

"Itain’t，perhaps，exactlytheideethatwe’vebeenledtoexpectfrompreviousdescription，"saidDickFlint，withdeeperseriousness；"forinstance，thisyerbranchofthornsweheardofezbein’heldbehindheriswantin’，asisthearmsthatheldit；

buteveniftheyhadarrived，anybodycouldseethethornsthroughthemwires，andsogivethehullshowaway。"

"Jamitintoitsboxagain，andwe’llsenditbacktotheconfoundedexpresscompanywithacussin’letter，"againthunderedthewretchedpurchaser。

"No，sonny，"saidthepresidentwithgentlebutgloomydetermination，"we’llfastenontothislittleshowjestasitis，andseewhatfollows。Itain’teverydaythatafirst-classselllikethisisworkedoffonusACCIDENTALLY。"

Itwasquitetrue！Thesettlementhadlongsinceexhaustedeverypossibleformofpracticaljoking，andlanguishedforanewsensation。Andhereitwas！Itwasnotathingtobetreatedangrily，norlightly，nordismissedwiththatsinglehystericlaugh。Itwascapableofthegreatestpossibilities！Indeed，asWashingtonTrigglookedaroundontheimperturbablyironicalfacesofhiscompanions，heknewthattheyfeltmoretruejoyovertheblunderthantheywouldinthepossessionoftherealstatue。Butanexclamationfromthefifthmember，whowasexaminingthebox，arrestedtheirattention。

"There’ssuthin’elsehere！"

Hehadfoundundertheheavierwrappingalayeroftissue-paper，andunderthatafurtherenvelopeoflinen，lightlystitchedtogether。Aknifebladequicklyseparatedthestitches，andthelinenwascarefullyunfolded。Itdisplayedabeautifullytrimmedeveningdressofpalebluesatin，withadressing-gownofsomeexquisitewhitefabricarmedwithlace。Themengazedatitinsilence，andthentheonesingleexpressionbrokefromtheirlips，——

"Herduds！"

"Stop，boys，"said"Clint"Grey，asamovementwasmadetoliftthedresstowardsthemodel，"leavethattoamanwhoknows。What’stheuseofmyhavingleftfivegrown-upsistersintheStatesifI

haven’tbroughtalittleexperienceawaywithme？Thissortofthingain’ttobe’pulledon’liketrousers。No，sir！——THISisthewayshe’sworked。"

Withconsiderabledexterity，unexpectedgentleness，andsometaste，heshookoutthefoldsoftheskirtdelicatelyandlifteditoverthedummy，settlingitskillfullyuponthewirehoops，anddrawingthebodiceoverthepaddedshoulders。Thishethenproceededtofastenwithhooksandeyes，——aworkofsomepatience。Fortyeagerfingersstretchedouttoassisthim，butwerewavedaside，withalookofpaineddecorumashegravelycompletedhistask。Thenfallingback，hebadetheothersdothesame，andtheyformedacontemplativesemicirclebeforethefigure。

Uptothatmomentadelightedbutunsmilingconsciousnessoftheirownabsurdities，akeensenseofthehumorouspossibilitiesoftheoriginalblunder，andamischievousrecognitionofthemortificationofTrigg——whoseonlysafetynowlayinacceptingthemistakeinthesamespirit——haddeterminedthesegrown-upschoolboystoartfullyprotractajokethatseemedtobeprovidentiallydeliveredintotheirhands。ButNOWanoddchangecreptonthem。ThelightfromtheopenwindowthatgaveupontheenormouspinesandtherollingprospectuptothedimheightsoftheSierrasfelluponthisstrange，incongruous，yetperfectlyartisticfigure。ForthedresswastheskillfulcreationofagreatParisianartist，andinitsexquisiteharmonyofcolor，shape，andmaterialitnotonlyhidtheabsurdmodel，butclotheditwithanalarminggraceandrefinement！Aqueerfeelingofawe，ofshame，andofunwillingadmirationtookpossessionofthem。

Someofthem——fromremoteWesterntowns——hadneverseenthelikebefore；thosewhoHADhadforgottenitinthosefiveyearsofself-

exile，ofhealthyindependence，andofcontiguitytoNatureinherunaffectedsimplicity。Allhadbeenfamiliarwiththegarish，extravagant，anddazzlingfemininityoftheCaliforniantownsandcities，butneverhadtheyknownanythingapproachingtheidealgraceofthistypeofexalted，evenifartificial，womanhood。Andalthoughinthefiercefreedomoftheirlittlerepublictheyhadlaughedtoscornsuchartificiality，afewyardsofsatinandlacecunninglyfashioned，andthrownoveraframeofwoodandwire，touchedthemnowwithastrangesenseofitssuperiority。Thebettertoshowitsattractions，ClintonGreyhadplacedthefigurenearafull-length，gold-framedmirror，besideamarble-toppedtable。Yethowcheapandtawdrythesesplendorsshowedbesidethisworkofart！Howcruelwasthecontrastoftheirownroughworkingclothestothismiracleofadornmentwhichthatsamemirrorreflected！AndevenwhenClintonGrey，theenthusiast，lookedtowardshisbelovedwoodsforrelief，hecouldnothelpthinkingofthemasamorefittingframeforthisstrangegoddessthanthisnewhouseintowhichshehadstrayed。Theirgravitybecamereal；theirgibesinsomestrangewayhadvanished。

"Musthavecostapileofmoney，"saidone，merelytobreakanembarrassingsilence。

"MysisterhadafriendwhobroughtoveradressfromParis，notashigh-tonedasthat，thatcostfivehundreddollars，"saidClintonGrey。

"Howmuchdidyousaythatspirit-cladoldhagofyourscost——

thornsandall？"saidthepresident，turningsharplyonTrigg。

Triggswallowedthisdepreciationofhisownpurchasemeekly。

"Sevenhundredandfiftydollars，withouttheexpresscharges。"

"That’sonlytwo-fiftymore，"saidthepresidentthoughtfully，"ifwecallitquits。"

"But，"saidTrigginalarm，"wemustsenditback。"

"Notmuch，sonny，"saidthepresidentpromptly。"We’llhangontothisuntilwehearwherethatthornyoldchumpofyourshasfetchedupandisactin’herconundrums，andmebbewecanswapeven。"

"Buthowwillweexplainittotheboys？"queriedTrigg。"They’rewaitin’outsidetoseeit。"

"ThereWON’Tbeanyexplanation，"saidthepresident，inthesametoneofvoiceinwhichhehadorderedthedoorshut。"We’lljustsaythatthestatuehasn’tcome，whichisthefrozentruth；andthisboxonlycontainedsomesilkcurtaindecorationswe’dordered，whichisonlyhalfalie。And，"stillmorefirmly，"THISSECRET

DOESN’TGOOUTOFTHISROOM，GENTLEMEN——orIain’tyourpresident！

I’mnotgoingtoletyougiveyourselvesawaytothatcrowdoutside——youhearme？Haveyoueverallowedyourunfetteredintellecttoconsiderwhatthey’dsayaboutthis，——whatagodsenditwouldbetoeverymanwe’deverhada’pull’oninthiscamp？

Why，itwouldlast’emawholeyear；we’dneverheartheendofit！

No，gentlemen！Iprefertoliveherewithoutshootin’myfellowman，butIcan’tpromiseitiftheyoncestartthisjokeaginus！"

Therewasaswiftapprovalofthissentiment，andthefivemembersshookhandssolemnly。

"Now，"saidthepresident，"we’lljustfoldupthatdressagain，andputitwiththefigureinthiscloset"——heopenedalargedressing-chestinthesuiteofroomsinwhichtheystood——"andwe’lleachkeepakey。We’llretainthisroomforcommitteepurposes，sothatnooneneedseethecloset。See？Nowtakeoffthedress！Becarefulthere！You’renothandlin’paydirt，thoughit’saboutasexpensive！Steady！"

Yetitwaswonderfultoseethesolicitudeandcarewithwhichthedresswasre-coveredandfoldedinitslinenwrapper。

"Holdon，"exclaimedTrigg，——asthedummywasliftedintothechest，——"wehaven’ttriedontheotherdress！"

"Yes！yes！"repeatedtheotherseagerly；"there’sanother！"

"We’llkeepthatfornextcommitteemeeting，gentlemen，"saidthepresidentdecisively。"Lockherup，Trigg。"

ThethreefollowingmonthswroughtawonderfulchangeinExcelsior，——wonderfuleveninthatlandofrapidgrowthandprogress。Theirorganizedandmaturedplans，executedbyafullforceofworkmenfromthecountytown，completedthetwentycottagesforthemembers，thebank，andthetownhall。VisitorsandintendingsettlersflockedoverthenewwagonroadtoseethisnewUtopia，whosefounders，holdingthelandanditsimprovementsasacorporatecompany，exercisedtherightofdictatingthetermsonwhichsettlerswereadmitted。Thefeminineinvasionwasnotyetpotentenoughtoaffecttheirconsideration，eitherthroughanyrefinementorattractiveness，beingcomposedchieflyoftheindustriouswivesanddaughtersofsmalltradersortemporaryartisans。YetitwasfoundnecessarytoconfidethehoteltothemanagementofMr。DexterMarsh，hiswife，andoneintelligentbutsomewhatplaindaughter，wholookedaftertheaccounts。Therewereoccasionalladyvisitorsatthehotel，attractedfromtheneighboringtownsandsettlementsbyitspicturesquenessandavaguesuggestivenessofitsbeingawatering-place——andtherewastheoccasionalflashinthedecorousstreetofaSacramentoorSanFranciscogown。ItisneedlesstosaythattothefivemenwhoheldtheguiltysecretofCommitteeRoomNo。4itonlystrengthenedtheirbeliefinthesuper-eleganceoftheirhiddentreasure。Attheirlastmeetingtheyhadfittedtheseconddress——whichturnedouttobeavaporysummerhouse-frockormorningwrapper——overthedummy，andopinionsweredividedastoitsequalitywiththefirst。

However，thesamesubtleharmonyofdetailandgraceofproportioncharacterizedit。

"Andyousee，"saidClintGrey，"it’sjestthesorto’riginwhichamanwouldbemostlikelytoknowher——andnotinherwar-paint，whichwouldbeonlynowandthen。"

Already"SHE"hadbecomeanindividuality！

"Hush！"saidthepresident。Hehadturnedtowardsthedoor，atwhichsomeonewasknockinglightly。

"Comein。"

ThedooropeneduponMissMarsh，secretaryandhotelassistant。

Shehadabusinessaspect，andanopenletterinherhand，buthesitatedattheevidentconfusionshehadoccasioned。Twoofthegentlemenhadabsolutelyblushed，andtheothersregardedherwithinanesmilesoraffectedseriousness。Theyallcoughedslightly。

"Ibegyourpardon，"shesaid，notungracefully，aslightcolorcomingintohersallowcheek，which，inconjunctionwiththegoldeye-glasses，gaveher，atleastintheeyesoftheimpressibleClint，acertainpiquancy。"ButmyfathersaidyouwerehereincommitteeandImightconsultyou。Icancomeagain，ifyouarebusy。"

Shehadaddressedthepresident，partlyfromhisoffice，hiscomparativelyextremeage——hemusthavebeenatleastthirty！——andpossiblyforhisextremergoodlooks。Hesaidhurriedly，"It’sjustaninformalmeeting；"andthen，morepolitely，"Whatcanwedoforyou？"

"Wehaveanapplicationforasuiteofroomsnextweek，"shesaid，referringtotheletter，"andasweshallberatherfull，fatherthoughtyougentlemenmightbewillingtotakeanotherlargerroomforyourmeetings，andgiveupthese，whicharepartofasuite——

andperhapsnotexactlysuitable"——

"Quiteimpossible！""Quiteso！""Reallyoutofthequestion，"

saidthemembers，inarapidchorus。

Theyounggirlwasevidentlytakenabackatthisunanimityofopposition。Shestaredatthemcuriously，andthenglancedaroundtheroom。"We’requitecomfortablehere，"saidthepresidentexplanatorily，"and——infact——it’sjustwhatwewant。"

"Wecouldgiveyouaclosetlikethatwhichyoucouldlockup，andamirror，"shesuggested，withthefaintesttraceofasmile。

"Tellyourfather，MissMarsh，"saidthepresident，withdignifiedpoliteness，"thatwhilewecannotsubmittoanychange，wefullyappreciatehisbusinessforesight，andarequitepreparedtoseethatthehotelisproperlycompensatedforourretainingtheserooms。"Astheyounggirlwithdrewwithapuzzledcurtsyheclosedthedoor，placedhisbackagainstit，andsaid，——

"Whatthedeucedidshemeanbyspeakingofthatcloset？"

"Reckonsheallowedwekeptsomefancydrinksinthere，"saidTrigg；"andcalkilatedthatwewantedthemarblestandandmirrortoputourglassesonandmakeitlooklikeaswellprivatebar，that’sall！"

"Humph，"saidthepresident。

Theirnextmeeting，however，wasahurriedone，andasthepresidentarrivedlate，whenthedoorclosedsmartlybehindhimhewasmetbytheworriedfacesofhiscolleagues。

"Here’sago！"saidTriggexcitedly，producingafoldedpaper。

"Thegame’sup，thehullshowisbusted；thatcussedoldstatue——

thereg’laroldhagherself——isonherwayhere！There’sabillo’

ladingandtheexpresscompany’sletter，andshe’llbetrundleddownherebyexpressatanymoment。"

"Well？"saidthepresidentquietly。

"Well！"repliedthemembersaghast。"Doyouknowwhatthatmeans？"

"Thatwemustrigherupinthehallonapedestal，aswereckonedtodo，"returnedthepresidentcoolly。

"Butyoudon’tsabe，"saidClintonGrey；"that’sallverywellastothehag，butnowwemustgiveHERup，"withanadoringglancetowardsthecloset。

"Doesthelettersayso？"

"No，"saidTrigghesitatingly，"no！ButIreckonwecan’tkeepBOTH。"

"Whynot？"saidthepresidentimperturbably，"ifwepaidfor’em？"

Asthemenonlystaredinreplyhecondescendedtoexplain。

"Lookhere！Icalculatedalltheserisksafterourlastmeeting。

Whileyouboyswerejustfussin’round，doin’nothing，Iwrotetotheexpresscompanythataboxofwomen’sdamageddudshadarrivedhere，whilewewerelookingforourstatue；thatyouchapsweresoriledatbein’soldbythemthatyoudumpedthewholeblamedthinginthecreek。ButIadded，ifthey’dletmeknowwhatthedamagewas，I’dsend’emadrafttocoverit。Afteraspellofwaitin’

theysaidthey’dcallitsquarefortwohundreddollars，consideringourdisappointment。AndIsentthedraft。That’sspurredthemuptogetoverourstatue，Ireckon。And，nowthatit’scoming，itwillsetusrightwiththeboys。"

"AndSHE，"saidClintonGreyagain，pointingtothelockedchest，"belongstous？"

"Untilwecanfindsomeladyguestthatwilltakeherwiththerooms，"returnedthepresident，alittlecynically。

Butthearrivaloftherealstatueanditserectioninthehotelvestibulecreatedanewsensation。ThemembersoftheExcelsiorCompanywereloudinitspraisesexcepttheexecutivecommittee，whosecoolnesswaslookeduponbytheothersasanaffectationofsuperiority。Itawakenedthecriticismandjealousyofthenearesttown。

"Wehear，"saidthe"RedDogAdvertiser，""thatthelong-promisedstatuehasbeenputupinthathigh-tonedHashDispensarytheycallahotelatExcelsior。Itrepresentsanemaciatedsquawinascantyblanketgatheringroots，andcarryingabitofthorn-bushkindlingsbehindher。Thehigh-toned，closecorporationofExcelsiormayconsiderthisafairallegoryofCalifornia；WEshouldsayitlooksmightylikeapropheticforecastofahardwinteronSycamoreCreekandscarcityofprovisions。However，itisn’tourfuneral，thoughit’sratherdepressingtothecasualvisitoronhiswaytodinner。

Foralongtimethisworkofartwasmissingandsupposedtobelost，butbybeingsternlyandpersistentlyrejectedateveryexpressofficeontheroute，itwasatlasttakeninatExcelsior。"

Therewassomecriticismnearerhome。

"Whatdoyouthinkofit，MissMarsh？"saidthepresidentpolitelytothatactiveyoungsecretary，ashestoodbeforeitinthehall。

Theyoungwomanadjustedhereye-glassesoverheraquilinenose。

"Asanideaorawoman，sir？"

"Asawoman，madam，"saidthepresident，lettinghisbrowneyesslipforamomentfromMissMarsh’scorn-coloredcrestoverherstraightbutscantfiguredowntohersmartslippers。

"Well，sir，shecouldwearYOURboots，andthereisn’tacorsetinSacramentowouldgoroundher。"

"Thankyou！"hereturnedgravely，andmovedaway。Foramomentawildideaofsecuringpossessionofthefiguresomedarknight，and，incompanywithhisfellow-conspirators，oftryingthosebeautifulclothesuponher，passedthroughhismind，buthedismissedit。Andthenoccurredastrangeincident，whichstartledevenhiscool，Americansanity。

Itwasabeautifulmoonlightnight，andhewasreturningtoabedroomatthehotelwhichhetemporarilyoccupiedduringthepaintingofhishouse。Itwasquitelate，hehavingspenttheeveningwithaSanFranciscofriendafterabusinessconferencewhichassuredhimoftheremarkableprosperityofExcelsior。Itwasthereforewithsomehumanexaltationthathelookedaroundthesleepingsettlementwhichhadsprungupunderthemagicwandoftheirgoodfortune。Thefullmoonhadidealizedtheiryouthfuldesignswithsomethingoftheirownyouthfulcoloring，graciouslysofteningthegarishfreshnessofpaintandplaster，hidingwithdiscreetobscuritythedisruptedbanksandbrokenwoodsatthebeginningandendoftheirbroadavenues，pavingtheroughriverterracewithtessellatedshadows，andeventouchingtherapidstreamwhichwasthesourceoftheirwealthwithaPactoleanglitter。

Thewindowsofthehotelbeforehim，darkenedwithin，flashedinthemoonbeamslikethecasementsofAladdin’spalace。Mingledwithhisambition，to-night，weresomesofterfancies，rarelyindulgedbyhiminhisforecastofthefutureofExcelsior——adreamofsomefairpartnerinhislife，afterthistaskwasaccomplished，yetalwaysofsomeonemovinginalargerworldthanhisyouthhadknown。Rousingthehalfsleepingporter，hefound，however，onlythespectralgold-seekerinthevestibule，——theraysofhissolitarycandlefallinguponherdivining-rodwithaquaintpersistencythatseemedtopointtothestairshewasascending。

Whenhereachedthefirstlandingtherisingwindthroughanopenwindowputouthislight，but，althoughthestaircasewasindarkness，hecouldseethelongcorridoraboveilluminatedbythemoonlightthroughoutitswholelength。Hehadnearlyreacheditwhentheslowbutunmistakablerustleofadressinthedistancecaughthisear。Hepaused，notonlyintheinterestofdelicacy，butwithasuddennervousthrillhecouldnotaccountfor。Therustlecamenearer——hecouldhearthedistinctfrou-frouofsatin；

andthen，tohisbewilderedeyes，whatseemedtobethefigureofthedummy，arrayedinthepaleblueeveningdressheknewsowell，passedgracefullyandmajesticallydownthecorridor。Hecouldseetheshapelyfoldsoftheskirt，thesymmetryofthebodice，eventheharmonyofthetrimmings。Heraisedhiseyes，halfaffrightedly，preparedtoseetheheadlessshoulders，butthey——andwhatseemedtobeahead——wereconcealedinafloating"cloud"ornubiaofsomefleecytissue，asifforprotectionfromtheeveningair。Heremainedforaninstantmotionless，dazedbythisapparentmotionofaninanimatefigure；butastheabsurdityoftheideastruckhimhehurriedlybutstealthilyascendedtheremainingstairs，resolvedtofollowit。Buthewasonlyintimetoseeitturnintotheangleofanothercorridor，which，whenhehadreachedit，wasempty。Thefigurehadvanished！

Hisfirstthoughtwastogotothecommitteeroomandexaminethelockedcloset。Butthekeywasinhisdeskathome，hehadnolight，andtheroomwasontheothersideofthehouse。Besides，hereflectedthateventhedetectionofthefigurewouldinvolvetheexposureoftheverysecrettheyhadkeptintactsolong。Hesoughthisbedroom，andwentquietlytobed。Butnottosleep；acuriositymorepotentthananysenseofthetrespassdonehimkepthimtossinghalfthenight。Whowasthiswomanwhomtheclothesfittedsowell？Hereviewedinhismindtheguestsinthehouse，butheknewnonewhocouldhavecarriedoffthismasqueradesobravely。

Inthemorningearlyhemadehiswaytothecommitteeroom，butasheapproachedwasstartledtoobservetwopairsofboots，aman’sandawoman’s，conjugallyplacedbeforeitsdoor。Nowthoroughlyindignant，hehurriedtotheoffice，andwasconfrontedbythefaceofthefairsecretary。Shecoloredquicklyonseeinghim——butthereasonwasobvious。

"Youarecomingtoscoldme，sir！Butitisnotmyfault。WewerefullyesterdayafternoonwhenyourfriendfromSanFranciscocameherewithhiswife。WetoldhimthosewereYOURrooms，buthesaidhewouldmakeitrightwithyou——andmyfatherthoughtyouwouldnotbedispleasedforonce。Everythingofyourswasputintoanotherroom，andtheclosetremainslockedasyouleftit。"

Amazedandbewildered，thepresidentcouldonlymutteravagueapologyandturnaway。Hadhisfriend’swifeopenedthedoorwithanotherkeyinsomefitofcuriosityanddisportedherselfinthoseclothes？Ifso，sheDAREnotspeakofherdiscovery。

Anintroductiontotheladyatbreakfastdispelledthisfainthope。

Shewasaplumpwoman，whosegenerousproportionscouldhardlyhavebeenconfinedinthatpalebluebodice；shewasfrankandcommunicative，withnosuggestionofmischievousconcealment。

Nevertheless，hemadeafirmresolution。Assoonashisfriendslefthecalledameetingofthecommittee。Hebrieflyinformedthemoftheaccidentaloccupationoftheroom，butforcertainreasonsofhisownsaidnothingofhisghostlyexperience。Butheputittothemplainlythatnomorerisksmustberun，andthatheshouldremovethedressesanddummytohisownhouse。Tohisconsiderablesurprisethissuggestionwasreceivedwithgraveapprovalandacertainstrangerelief。

"Wekinderthoughtofsuggestingittoyoubefore，"saidMr。Triggslowly，"andthatmebbewe’veplayedthislittlegamelongenough——

forsuthin’shappenedthat’smakin’itanythingbutfunny。We’dhavetoldyoubefore，butwedassent！Speakout，Clint，andtellthepresidentwhatwesawtheothernight，anddon’tmincematters。"

Thepresidentglancedquicklyandwarninglyaroundhim。"I

thought，"hesaidsternly，"thatwe’ddroppedallfooling。It’snotimeforpracticaljokingnow！"

"HonestInjun——it’sgospeltruth！Speakup，Clint！"

Thepresidentlookedontheseriousfacesaroundhim，andwashimselfslightlyawed。

"It’samatteroftwoorthreenightsago，"saidGreyslowly，"thatTriggandIwerepassingthroughSycamoreWoods，justbelowthehotel。Itwasaftertwelve——brightmoonlight，sothatwecouldseeeverythingasplainasday，andweweredeadsober。JustaswepassedunderthesycamoresTrigggrabsmyarm，andsays，’Hi！’I

lookedup，andthere，nottenyardsaway，standingdeadinthemoonlight，wasthatdummy！Shewasallinwhite——thatdresswiththefairyfrills，youknow——andhad，what’smore，AHEAD！Atleast，somethingwhiteallwrappedaroundit，andoverhershoulders。Atfirstwethoughtyouorsomeoftheboyshaddressedherupandliftedheroutthereforajoke，andlefthertofrightenus！Sowestartedforward，andthen——it’sthegospeltruth！——sheMOVEDAWAY，glidinglikethemoonbeams，andvanishedamongthetrees！"

"Didyouseeherface？"askedthepresident。

"No；youbet！Ididn’ttryto——itwouldhavehauntedmeforever。"

"Whatdoyoumean？"

"This——ImeanitwasthatGIRLTHEBOXBELONGEDTO！She’sdeadsomewhere——asyou’llfindoutsoonerorlater——ANDHASCOMEBACK

FORHERCLOTHES！I’veoftenheardofsuchthingsbefore。"

Despitehiscoolness，atthiscorroborationofhisownexperience，andimpressedbyGrey’sunmistakableawe，athrillwentthroughthepresident。Foraninstanthewassilent。

"Thatwilldo，boys，"hesaidfinally。"It’saqueerstory；butremember，it’sallthemorereasonnowforourkeepingoursecret。

Asforthosethings，I’llremovethemquietlyandatonce。"

Buthedidnot。

Onthecontrary，prolonginghisstayatthehotelwithplausiblereasons，hemanagedtofrequentlyvisitthecommitteeroomoritsvicinity，atdifferentandunsuspectedhoursofthedayandnight。

Morethanthat，hefoundopportunitiestovisittheoffice，andunderpretextsofbusinessconnectedwiththeeconomyofthehotelmanagement，informedhimselfthroughMissMarshonmanypoints。A

fewofthesedetailsnaturallyhappenedtorefertoherself，herprospects，hertastes，andeducation。Helearnedincidentally，whathehadpartlyknown，thatherfatherhadbeeninbettercircumstances，andthatshehadbeengentlynurtured——thoughofthisshemadelittleaccountinherprideinherownindependenceanddevotiontoherduties。Butinhisownpersistentwayhealsomadeprivatenotesofthebreadthofhershoulders，thesizeofherwaist，herheight，lengthofherskirt，hermovementsinwalking，andotherapparentlyextraneouscircumstances。Itwasnaturalthatheacquiredsomesupplementalfacts，——thathereyes，underhereye-

glasses，wereatendergray，andtouchedwiththemelancholybeautyofnear-sightedness；thatherfacehadasensitivemobilitybeyondthemerecharmofcolor，andlikemostpeoplelackingthisprimitiveandstrikingelementofbeauty，whatwasreallyfineaboutherescapedthefirstsight。As，forinstance，itwasonlybybendingovertoexamineheraccountsthathefoundthatherindistinctivehairwasasdelicateasflosssilkandaselectrical。

Itwasonlybyfindingherrompingwiththechildrenofaguestoneeveningthathewasstartledbytheappallingfactofheryouth！

Butaboutthistimeheleftthehotelandreturnedtohishouse。

OnthefirstyearlyanniversaryofthegreatstrikeatExcelsiorthereweresomechangesinthesettlement，notablythepromotionofMr。Marshtoamoreimportantpositioninthecompany，andtheinstallationofMissCassieMarshasmanageressofthehotel。AsMissMarshreadtheofficialletter，signedbythepresident，conveyingincomplimentarybutformaltermsthistestimonyoftheirapprovalandconfidence，herliptrembledslightly，andateartricklingfromherlightlashesdimmedhereye-glasses，sothatshewasfaintogouptoherroomtorecoverherselfalone。Whenshedidsoshewasstartledtofindawiredummystandingnearthedoor，andneatlyfoldeduponthebedtwoelegantdresses。Anoteinthepresident’sownhandlaybesidethem。Aswiftblushstunghercheekassheread，——

DEARMISSMARSH，——Willyoumakemehappybykeepingthesecretthatnootherwomanbutyourselfknows，andbyacceptingtheclothesthatnootherwomanbutyourselfcanwear？

Thenextmoment，withthedressesoverherarmandtheridiculousdummyswingingbyitswiresfromherotherhand，shewasflyingdownthestaircasetoCommitteeRoomNo。4。Thedooropeneduponitssoleoccupant，thepresident。

"Oh，sir，howcruelofyou！"shegasped。"Itwasonlyajokeofmine……Ialwaysintendedtotellyou……Itwasveryfoolish，butitseemedsofunny……Yousee，Ithoughtitwas……thedressyouhadboughtforyourfutureintended——someyoungladyyouweregoingtomarry！"

"Itis！"saidthepresidentquietly，andheclosedthedoorbehindher。

Anditwas。