第6章

SoeverydaytheolddoctorandIhuntedthecure-allplantamongthemountainsandvalleysoftheBlueRidge。Togetherwetoiledupsteepheightssoslipperywithfallenautumnleavesthatwehadtocatcheverysaplingandbranchwithinourreachtosaveusfromfalling。Wewadedthroughgorgesandchasms，breast-deepwithlaurelandferns；wefollowedthebanksofmountainstreamsformiles；wewoundourwaylikeIndiansthroughbrakesofpine——roadside，hillside，riverside，mountainsideweexploredinoursearchforthemiraculousplant。

Astheolddoctorsaid，itmusthavegrownscarceandhardtofind。Butwefollowedourquest。Daybydayweplumbedthevalleys，scaledtheheights，andtrampedtheplateausinsearchofthemiraculousplant。

Mountain-bred，heneverseemedtotire。Ioftenreachedhometoofatiguedtodoanythingexceptfallintobedandsleepuntilmorning。Thiswekeptupforamonth。

OneeveningafterIhadreturnedfromasix-miletrampwiththeolddoctor，AmaryllisandItookalittlewalkunderthetreesneartheroad。

Welookedatthemountainsdrawingtheirroyal-purplerobesaroundthemfortheirnight’srepose。

"I’mgladyou’rewellagain，"shesaid。"Whenyoufirstcameyoufrightenedme。Ithoughtyouwerereallyill。"

"Wellagain！"Ialmostshrieked。"DoyouknowthatIhaveonlyonechanceinathousandtolive？"

Amaryllislookedatmeinsurprise。"Why，"saidshe，"youareasstrongasoneoftheplough-mules，yousleeptenortwelvehourseverynight，andyouareeatingusoutofhouseandhome。Whatmoredoyouwant？"

"Itellyou，"saidI，"thatunlesswefindthemagic——thatis，theplantwearelookingfor——intime，nothingcansaveme。Thedoctortellsmeso。"

"Whatdoctor？"

"DoctorTatum——theolddoctorwholiveshalfwayupBlackOakMountain。

Doyouknowhim？"

"IhaveknownhimsinceIwasabletotalk。Andisthatwhereyougoeveryday——isithewhotakesyouontheselongwalksandclimbsthathavebroughtbackyourhealthandstrength？Godblesstheolddoctor。"

Justthentheolddoctorhimselfdroveslowlydowntheroadinhisricketyoldbuggy。IwavedmyhandathimandshoutedthatIwouldbeonhandthenextdayattheusualtime。HestoppedhishorseandcalledtoAmaryllistocomeouttohim。TheytalkedforfiveminuteswhileIwaited。Thentheolddoctordroveon。

WhenwegottothehouseAmaryllisluggedoutanencyclopaediaandsoughtawordinit。"Thedoctorsaid，"shetoldme，"thatyouneedn’tcallanymoreasapatient，buthe’dbegladtoseeyouanytimeasafriend。Andthenhetoldmetolookupmynameintheencyclopaediaandtellyouwhatitmeans。Itseemstobethenameofagenusoffloweringplants，andalsothenameofacountrygirlinTheocritusandVirgil。Whatdoyousupposethedoctormeantbythat？"

"Iknowwhathemeant，"saidI。"Iknownow。"

AwordtoabrotherwhomayhavecomeunderthespelloftheunquietLadyNeurasthenia。

Theformulawastrue。Eventhoughgropinglyattimes，thephysiciansofthewalledcitieshadputtheirfingersuponthespecificmedicament。

AndsofortheexerciseoneisreferredtogoodDoctorTatumonBlackOakMountain——taketheroadtoyourrightattheMethodistmeetinghouseinthepine-grove。

Absoluterestandexercise！

WhatrestmoreremedialthantositwithAmaryllisintheshade，and，withasixthsense，readthewordlessTheocritanidylofthegold-banneredbluemountainsmarchingorderlyintothedormitoriesofthenight？

XVOCTOBERANDJUNE

TheCaptaingazedgloomilyathisswordthathunguponthewall。Intheclosetnearbywasstoredhisfadeduniform，stainedandwornbyweatherandservice。Whatalong，longtimeitseemedsincethoseolddaysofwar’salarms！

Andnow，veteranthathewasofhiscountry’sstrenuoustimes，hehadbeenreducedtoabjectsurrenderbyawoman’ssofteyesandsmilinglips。Ashesatinhisquietroomheheldinhishandtheletterhehadjustreceivedfromher——theletterthathadcausedhimtowearthatlookofgloom。Here-readthefatalparagraphthathaddestroyedhishope。

Indecliningthehonouryouhavedonemeinaskingmetobeyourwife，I

feelthatIoughttospeakfrankly。ThereasonIhaveforsodoingisthegreatdifferencebetweenourages。Ilikeyouvery，verymuch，butIamsurethatourmarriagewouldnotbeahappyone。Iamsorrytohavetorefertothis，butIbelievethatyouwillappreciatemyhonestyingivingyouthetruereason。

TheCaptainsighed，andleanedhisheaduponhishand。Yes，thereweremanyyearsbetweentheirages。Buthewasstrongandrugged，hehadpositionandwealth。Wouldnothislove，histendercare，andtheadvantageshecouldbestowuponhermakeherforgetthequestionofage？

Besides，hewasalmostsurethatshecaredforhim。

TheCaptainwasamanofpromptaction。Inthefieldhehadbeendistinguishedforhisdecisivenessandenergy。Hewouldseeherandpleadhiscauseagaininperson。Age！——whatwasittocomebetweenhimandtheoneheloved？

Intwohourshestoodready，inlightmarchingorder，forhisgreatestbattle。HetookthetrainfortheoldSoutherntowninTennesseewhereshelived。

TheodoraDemingwasonthestepsofthehandsome，porticoedoldmansion，enjoyingthesummertwilight，whentheCaptainenteredthegateandcameupthegravelledwalk。Shemethimwithasmilethatwasfreefromembarrassment。AstheCaptainstoodonthestepbelowher，thedifferenceintheiragesdidnotappearsogreat。Hewastallandstraightandclear-eyedandbrowned。Shewasinthebloomoflovelywomanhood。

"Iwasn’texpectingyou，"saidTheodora；"butnowthatyou’vecomeyoumaysitonthestep。Didn’tyougetmyletter？"

"Idid，"saidtheCaptain；"andthat’swhyIcame。Isay，now，Theo，reconsideryouranswer，won’tyou？"

Theodorasmiledsoftlyuponhim。Hecarriedhisyearswell。Shewasreallyfondofhisstrength，hiswholesomelooks，hismanliness——

perhaps，if——

"No，no，"shesaid，shakingherhead，positively；"it’soutofthequestion。Ilikeyouawholelot，butmarryingwon’tdo。Myageandyoursare——butdon’tmakemesayitagain——Itoldyouinmyletter。"

TheCaptainflushedalittlethroughthebronzeonhisface。Hewassilentforawhile，gazingsadlyintothetwilight。Beyondalineofwoodsthathecouldseewasafieldwheretheboysinbluehadoncebivouackedontheirmarchtowardthesea。Howlongagoitseemednow！

Truly，FateandFatherTimehadtrickedhimsorely。Justafewyearsinterposedbetweenhimselfandhappiness！

Theodora’shandcreptdownandrestedintheclaspofhisfirm，brownone。Shefelt，atleast，thatsentimentthatisakintolove。

"Don’ttakeitsohard，please，"shesaid，gently。"It’sallforthebest。I’vereasoneditoutverywiselyallbymyself。Somedayyou’llbegladIdidn’tmarryyou。Itwouldbeveryniceandlovelyforawhile——

but，justthink！Inonlyafewshortyearswhatdifferenttasteswewouldhave！Oneofuswouldwanttositbythefiresideandread，andmaybenurseneuralgiaorrheumatismofevenings，whiletheotherwouldbecrazyforballsandtheatresandlatesuppers。No，mydearfriend。Whileitisn’texactlyJanuaryandMay，it’saclearcaseofOctoberandprettyearlyinJune。"

"I’dalwaysdowhatyouwantedmetodo，Theo。Ifyouwantedto——"

"No，youwouldn’t。Youthinknowthatyouwould，butyouwouldn’t。

Pleasedon’taskmeanymore。"

TheCaptainhadlosthisbattle。Buthewasagallantwarrior，andwhenherosetomakehisfinaladieuhismouthwasgrimlysetandhisshouldersweresquared。

HetookthetrainfortheNorththatnight。Onthenexteveninghewasbackinhisroom，wherehisswordwashangingagainstthewall。Hewasdressingfordinner，tyinghiswhitetieintoaverycarefulbow。Andatthesametimehewasindulginginapensivesoliloquy。

"’Ponmyhonour，IbelieveTheowasright，afterall。Nobodycandenythatshe’sapeach，butshemustbetwenty-eight，attheverykindestcalculation。"

Foryousee，theCaptainwasonlynineteen，andhisswordhadneverbeendrawnexceptontheparadegroundatChattanooga，whichwasasnearasheevergottotheSpanish-AmericanWar。

XVITHECHURCHWITHANOVERSHOT-WHEEL

Lakelandsisnottobefoundinthecataloguesoffashionablesummerresorts。ItliesonalowspuroftheCumberlandrangeofmountainsonalittletributaryoftheClinchRiver。Lakelandsproperisacontentedvillageoftwodozenhousessituatedonaforlorn，narrow-gaugerailroadline。YouwonderwhethertherailroadlostitselfinthepinewoodsandranintoLakelandsfromfrightandloneliness，orwhetherLakelandsgotlostandhuddleditselfalongtherailroadtowaitfortheearstocarryithome。

YouwonderagainwhyitwasnamedLakelands。Therearenolakes，andthelandsaboutaretoopoortobeworthmentioning。

HalfamilefromthevillagestandstheEagleHouse，abig，roomyoldmansionrunbyJosiahRankinfortheaccommodationofvisitorswhodesirethemountainairatinexpensiverates。TheEagleHouseisdelightfullymismanaged。Itisfullofancientinsteadofmodernimprovements，anditisaltogetherascomfortablyneglectedandpleasinglydisarrangedasyourownhome。Butyouarefurnishedwithcleanroomsandgoodandabundantfare：yourselfandthepinywoodsmustdotherest。Naturehasprovidedamineralspring，grape-vineswings，andcroquet——eventhewicketsarewooden。YouhaveArttothankonlyforthefiddle-and-guitarmusictwiceaweekatthehopintherusticpavilion。

ThepatronsoftheEagleHousearethosewhoseekrecreationasanecessity，aswellasapleasure。Theyarebusypeople，whomaybelikenedtoclocksthatneedafortnight’swindingtoinsureayear’srunningoftheirwheels。Youwillfindstudentstherefromthelowertowns，nowandthenanartist，orageologistabsorbedinconstruingtheancientstrataofthehills。Afewquietfamiliesspendthesummersthere；andoftenoneortwotiredmembersofthatpatientsisterhoodknowntoLakelandsas"schoolmarms。"

AquarterofamilefromtheEagleHousewaswhatwouldhavebeendescribedtoitsguestsas"anobjectofinterest"inthecatalogue，hadtheEagleHouseissuedacatalogue。Thiswasanold，oldmillthatwasnolongeramill。InthewordsofJosiahRankin，itwas"theonlychurchintheUnitedStates，sah，withanovershot-wheel；andtheonlymillintheworld，sah，withpewsandapipeorgan。"TheguestsoftheEagleHouseattendedtheoldmillchurcheachSabbath，andheardthepreacherlikenthepurifiedChristiantoboltedflourgroundtousefulnessbetweenthemillstonesofexperienceandsuffering。

EveryyearaboutthebeginningofautumntherecametotheEagleHouseoneAbramStrong，whoremainedforatimeanhonouredandbelovedguest。InLakelandshewascalled"FatherAbram，"becausehishairwassowhite，hisfacesostrongandkindandflorid，hislaughsomerry，andhisblackclothesandbroadhatsopriestlyinappearance。Evennewguestsafterthreeorfourdays’acquaintancegavehimthisfamiliartitle。

FatherAbramcamealongwaytoLakelands。Helivedinabig，roaringtownintheNorthwestwhereheownedmills，notlittlemillswithpewsandanorganinthem，butgreat，ugly，mountain-likemillsthatthefreighttrainscrawledaroundalldaylikeantsaroundanant-heap。AndnowyoumustbetoldaboutFatherAbramandthemillthatwasachurch，fortheirstoriesruntogether。

Inthedayswhenthechurchwasamill，Mr。Strongwasthemiller。Therewasnojollier，dustier，busier，happiermillerinallthelandthanhe。

Helivedinalittlecottageacrosstheroadfromthemill。Hishandwasheavy，buthistollwaslight，andthemountaineersbroughttheirgraintohimacrossmanywearymilesofrockyroads。

Thedelightofthemiller’slifewashislittledaughter，Aglaia。Thatwasabravename，truly，foraflaxen-hairedtoddler；butthemountaineerslovesonorousandstatelynames。Themotherhadencountereditsomewhereinabook，andthedeedwasdone。InherbabyhoodAglaiaherselfrepudiatedthename，asfarascommonusewent，andpersistedincallingherself"Dums。"ThemillerandhiswifeoftentriedtocoaxfromAglaiathesourceofthismysteriousname，butwithoutresults。Atlasttheyarrivedatatheory。Inthelittlegardenbehindthecottagewasabedofrhododendronsinwhichthechildtookapeculiardelightandinterest。Itmayhavebeenthatsheperceivedin"Dums"akinshiptotheformidablenameofherfavouriteflowers。

WhenAglaiawasfouryearsoldsheandherfatherusedtogothroughalittleperformanceinthemilleveryafternoon，thatneverfailedtocomeoff，theweatherpermitting。Whensupperwasreadyhermotherwouldbrushherhairandputonacleanapronandsendheracrosstothemilltobringherfatherhome。Whenthemillersawhercominginthemilldoorhewouldcomeforward，allwhitewiththeflourdust，andwavehishandandsinganoldmiller’ssongthatwasfamiliarinthosepartsandransomethinglikethis：

"Thewheelgoesround，Thegristisground，Thedustymiller’smerry。

Hesingsallday，Hisworkisplay，Whilethinkingofhisdearie。"

ThenAglaiawouldruntohimlaughing，andcall：

"Da-da，cometakeDumshome；"andthemillerwouldswinghertohisshoulderandmarchovertosupper，singingthemiller’ssong。Everyeveningthiswouldtakeplace。

Oneday，onlyaweekafterherfourthbirthday，Aglaiadisappeared。Whenlastseenshewaspluckingwildflowersbythesideoftheroadinfrontofthecottage。Alittlewhilelaterhermotherwentouttoseethatshedidnotstraytoofaraway，andshewasalreadygone。

Ofcourseeveryeffortwasmadetofindher。Theneighboursgatheredandsearchedthewoodsandthemountainsformilesaround。Theydraggedeveryfootofthemillraceandthecreekforalongdistancebelowthedam。

Neveratraceofherdidtheyfind。Anightortwobeforetherehadbeenafamilyofwandererscampedinagrovenearby。Itwasconjecturedthattheymighthavestolenthechild；butwhentheirwagonwasovertakenandsearchedshecouldnotbefound。

Themillerremainedatthemillfornearlytwoyears；andthenhishopeoffindingherdiedout。HeandhiswifemovedtotheNorthwest。Inafewyearshewastheownerofamodernmillinoneoftheimportantmillingcitiesinthatregion。Mrs。StrongneverrecoveredfromtheshockcausedbythelossofAglaia，andtwoyearsaftertheymovedawaythemillerwaslefttobearhissorrowalone。

WhenAbramStrongbecameprosperoushepaidavisittoLakelandsandtheoldmill。Thescenewasasadoneforhim，buthewasastrongman，andalwaysappearedcheeryandkindly。Itwasthenthathewasinspiredtoconverttheoldmillintoachurch。Lakelandswastoopoortobuildone；

andthestillpoorermountaineerscouldnotassist。Therewasnoplaceofworshipnearerthantwentymiles。

Themilleralteredtheappearanceofthemillaslittleaspossible。Thebigovershot-wheelwasleftinitsplace。Theyoungpeoplewhocametothechurchusedtocuttheirinitialsinitssoftandslowlydecayingwood。Thedamwaspartlydestroyed，andtheclearmountainstreamrippleduncheckeddownitsrockybed。Insidethemillthechangesweregreater。

Theshaftsandmillstonesandbeltsandpulleyswere，ofcourse，allremoved。Thereweretworowsofbencheswithaislesbetween，andalittleraisedplatformandpulpitatoneend。Onthreesidesoverheadwasagallerycontainingseats，andreachedbyastairwayinside。Therewasalsoanorgan——arealpipeorgan——inthegallery，thatwastheprideofthecongregationoftheOldMillChurch。MissPhoebeSummerswastheorganist。TheLakelandsboysproudlytookturnsatpumpingitforherateachSunday’sservice。TheRev。Mr。Banbridgewasthepreacher，androdedownfromSquirrelGaponhisoldwhitehorsewithoutevermissingaservice。AndAbramStrongpaidforeverything。Hepaidthepreacherfivehundreddollarsayear；andMissPhoebetwohundreddollars。

Thus，inmemoryofAglaia，theoldmillwasconvertedintoablessingforthecommunityinwhichshehadoncelived。Itseemedthatthebrieflifeofthechildhadbroughtaboutmoregoodthanthethreescoreyearsandtenofmany。ButAbramStrongsetupyetanothermonumenttohermemory。

OutfromhismillsintheNorthwestcamethe"Aglaia"flour，madefromthehardestandfinestwheatthatcouldberaised。Thecountrysoonfoundoutthatthe"Aglaia"flourhadtwoprices。Onewasthehighestmarketprice，andtheotherwas——nothing。

Wherevertherehappenedacalamitythatleftpeopledestitute——afire，aflood，atornado，astrike，orafamine，therewouldgohurryingagenerousconsignmentofthe"Aglaia"atits"nothing"price。Itwasgivenawaycautiouslyandjudiciously，butitwasfreelygiven，andnotapennycouldthehungryonespayforit。Theregottobeasayingthatwhenevertherewasadisastrousfireinthepoordistrictsofacitythefirechief’sbuggyreachedthescenefirst，nextthe"Aglaia"flourwagon，andthenthefireengines。

SothiswasAbramStrong’sothermonumenttoAglaia。Perhapstoapoetthethememayseemtooutilitarianforbeauty；buttosomethefancywillseemsweetandfinethatthepure，white，virginflour，flyingonitsmissionofloveandcharity，mightbelikenedtothespiritofthelostchildwhosememoryitsignalized。

TherecameayearthatbroughthardtimestotheCumberlands。Graincropseverywherewerelight，andtherewerenolocalcropsatall。Mountainfloodshaddonemuchdamagetoproperty。Evengameinthewoodswassoscarcethatthehuntersbroughthardlyenoughhometokeeptheirfolkalive。EspeciallyaboutLakelandswastherigourfelt。

AssoonasAbramStrongheardofthishismessagesflew；andthelittlenarrow-gaugecarsbegantounload"Aglaia"flourthere。Themiller’sordersweretostoretheflourinthegalleryoftheOldMillChurch；andthateveryonewhoattendedthechurchwastocarryhomeasackofit。

TwoweeksafterthatAbramStrongcameforhisyearlyvisittotheEagleHouse，andbecame"FatherAbram"again。

ThatseasontheEagleHousehadfewergueststhanusual。AmongthemwasRoseChester。MissChestercametoLakelandsfromAtlanta，wheresheworkedinadepartmentstore。Thiswasthefirstvacationoutingofherlife。ThewifeofthestoremanagerhadoncespentasummerattheEagleHouse。ShehadtakenafancytoRose，andhadpersuadedhertogothereforherthreeweeks’holiday。Themanager’swifegaveheralettertoMrs。Rankin，whogladlyreceivedherinherownchargeandcare。

MissChesterwasnotverystrong。Shewasabouttwenty，andpaleanddelicatefromanindoorlife。ButoneweekofLakelandsgaveherabrightnessandspiritthatchangedherwonderfully。ThetimewasearlySeptemberwhentheCumberlandsareattheirgreatestbeauty。Themountainfoliagewasgrowingbrilliantwithautumnalcolours；onebreathedaerialchampagne，thenightsweredeliciouslycool，causingonetosnugglecosilyunderthewarmblanketsoftheEagleHouse。

FatherAbramandMissChesterbecamegreatfriends。TheoldmillerlearnedherstoryfromMrs。Rankin，andhisinterestwentoutquicklytotheslenderlonelygirlwhowasmakingherownwayintheworld。

ThemountaincountrywasnewtoMissChester。Shehadlivedmanyyearsinthewarm，flattownofAtlanta；andthegrandeurandvarietyoftheCumberlandsdelightedher。Shewasdeterminedtoenjoyeverymomentofherstay。Herlittlehoardofsavingshadbeenestimatedsocarefullyinconnectionwithherexpensesthatsheknewalmosttoapennywhatherverysmallsurpluswouldbewhenshereturnedtowork。

MissChesterwasfortunateingainingFatherAbramforafriendandcompanion。HekneweveryroadandpeakandslopeofthemountainsnearLakelands。Throughhimshebecameacquaintedwiththesolemndelightoftheshadowy，tiltedaislesofthepineforests，thedignityofthebarecrags，thecrystal，tonicmornings，thedreamy，goldenafternoonsfullofmysterioussadness。Soherhealthimproved，andherspiritsgrewlight。

ShehadalaughasgenialandheartyinitsfemininewayasthefamouslaughofFatherAbram。Bothofthemwerenaturaloptimists；andbothknewhowtopresentasereneandcheerfulfacetotheworld。

OnedayMissChesterlearnedfromoneofthegueststhehistoryofFatherAbram’slostchild。Quicklyshehurriedawayandfoundthemillerseatedonhisfavouriterusticbenchnearthechalybeatespring。Hewassurprisedwhenhislittlefriendslippedherhandintohis，andlookedathimwithtearsinhereyes。

"Oh，FatherAbram，"shesaid，"I’msosorry！Ididn’tknowuntilto-dayaboutyourlittledaughter。Youwillfindheryetsomeday——Oh，Ihopeyouwill。"

Themillerlookeddownatherwithhisstrong，readysmile。

"Thankyou，MissRose，"hesaid，inhisusualcheerytones。"ButIdonotexpecttofindAglaia。ForafewyearsIhopedthatshehadbeenstolenbyvagrants，andthatshestilllived；butIhavelostthathope。I

believethatshewasdrowned。"

"Icanunderstand，"saidMissChester，"howthedoubtmusthavemadeitsohardtobear。Andyetyouaresocheerfulandsoreadytomakeotherpeople’sburdenslight。GoodFatherAbram！"

"GoodMissRose！"mimickedthemiller，smiling。"Whothinksofothersmorethanyoudo？"

AwhimsicalmoodseemedtostrikeMissChester。

"Oh，FatherAbram，"shecried，"wouldn’titbegrandifIshouldprovetobeyourdaughter？Wouldn’titberomantic？Andwouldn’tyouliketohavemeforadaughter？"

"Indeed，Iwould，"saidthemiller，heartily。"IfAglaiahadlivedI

couldwishfornothingbetterthanforhertohavegrownuptobejustsuchalittlewomanasyouare。MaybeyouareAglaia，"hecontinued，fallinginwithherplayfulmood；"can’tyourememberwhenwelivedatthemill？"

MissChesterfellswiftlyintoseriousmeditation。Herlargeeyeswerefixedvaguelyuponsomethinginthedistance。FatherAbramwasamusedatherquickreturntoseriousness。Shesatthusforalongtimebeforeshespoke。

"No，"shesaidatlength，withalongsigh，"Ican’trememberanythingatallaboutamill。Idon’tthinkthatIeversawaflourmillinmylifeuntilIsawyourfunnylittlechurch。AndifIwereyourlittlegirlI

wouldrememberit，wouldn’tI？I’msosorry，FatherAbram。"

"SoamI，"saidFatherAbram，humouringher。"Butifyoucannotrememberthatyouaremylittlegirl，MissRose，surelyyoucanrecollectbeingsomeoneelse’s。Yourememberyourownparents，ofcourse。"

"Oh，yes；Irememberthemverywell——especiallymyfather。Hewasn’tabitlikeyou，FatherAbram。Oh，Iwasonlymakingbelieve：Come，now，you’verestedlongenough。Youpromisedtoshowmethepoolwhereyoucanseethetroutplaying，thisafternoon。Ineversawatrout。"

LateoneafternoonFatherAbramsetoutfortheoldmillalone。Heoftenwenttositandthinkoftheolddayswhenhelivedinthecottageacrosstheroad。Timehadsmoothedawaythesharpnessofhisgriefuntilhenolongerfoundthememoryofthosetimespainful。ButwheneverAbramStrongsatinthemelancholySeptemberafternoonsonthespotwhere"Dums"usedtorunineverydaywithheryellowcurlsflying，thesmilethatLakelandsalwayssawuponhisfacewasnotthere。

Themillermadehiswayslowlyupthewinding，steeproad。Thetreescrowdedsoclosetotheedgeofitthathewalkedintheirshade，withhishatinhishand。Squirrelsranplayfullyupontheoldrailfenceathisright。Quailswerecallingtotheiryoungbroodsinthewheatstubble。

Thelowsunsentatorrentofpalegolduptheravinethatopenedtothewest。EarlySeptember！——itwaswithinafewdaysonlyoftheanniversaryofAglaia’sdisappearance。

Theoldovershot-wheel，halfcoveredwithmountainivy，caughtpatchesofthewarmsunlightfilteringthroughthetrees。Thecottageacrosstheroadwasstillstanding，butitwoulddoubtlessgodownbeforethenextwinter’smountainblasts。Itwasoverrunwithmorninggloryandwildgourdvines，andthedoorhungbyonehinge。

FatherAbrampushedopenthemilldoor，andenteredsoftly。Andthenhestoodstill，wondering。Heheardthesoundofsomeonewithin，weepinginconsolably。Helooked，andsawMissChestersittinginadimpew，withherheadboweduponanopenletterthatherhandsheld。

FatherAbramwenttoher，andlaidoneofhisstronghandsfirmlyuponhers。Shelookedup，breathedhisname，andtriedtospeakfurther。

"Notyet，MissRose，"saidthemiller，kindly。"Don’ttrytotalkyet。

There’snothingasgoodforyouasanice，quietlittlecrywhenyouarefeelingblue。"

Itseemedthattheoldmiller，whohadknownsomuchsorrowhimself，wasamagicianindrivingitawayfromothers。MissChester’ssobsgreweasier。Presentlyshetookherlittleplain-borderedhandkerchiefandwipedawayadroportwothathadfallenfromhereyesuponFatherAbram’sbighand。Thenshelookedupandsmiledthroughhertears。MissChestercouldalwayssmilebeforehertearshaddried，justasFatherAbramcouldsmilethroughhisowngrief。Inthatwaythetwowereverymuchalike。

Themilleraskedhernoquestions；butbyandbyMissChesterbegantotellhim。

Itwastheoldstorythatalwaysseemssobigandimportanttotheyoung，andthatbringsreminiscentsmilestotheirelders。Lovewasthetheme，asmaybesupposed。TherewasayoungmaninAtlanta，fullofallgoodnessandthegraces，whohaddiscoveredthatMissChesteralsopossessedthesequalitiesaboveallotherpeopleinAtlantaoranywhereelsefromGreenlandtoPatagonia。SheshowedFatherAbramtheletteroverwhichshehadbeenweeping。Itwasamanly，tenderletter，alittlesuperlativeandurgent，afterthestyleofloveletterswrittenbyyoungmenfullofgoodnessandthegraces。HeproposedforMissChester’shandinmarriageatonce。Life，hesaid，sinceherdepartureforathree-weeks’visit，wasnottobeendured。Hebeggedforanimmediateanswer；andifitwerefavourablehepromisedtofly，ignoringthenarrow-gaugerailroad，atoncetoLakelands。

"Andnowwheredoesthetroublecomein？"askedthemillerwhenhehadreadtheletter。

"Icannotmarryhim，"saidMissChester。

"Doyouwanttomarryhim？"askedFatherAbram。

"Oh，Ilovehim，"sheanswered，"but——"Downwentherheadandshesobbedagain。

"Come，MissRose，"saidthemiller；"youcangivemeyourconfidence。I

donotquestionyou，butIthinkyoucantrustme。"

"Idotrustyou，"saidthegirl。"IwilltellyouwhyImustrefuseRalph。Iamnobody；Ihaven’tevenaname；thenameIcallmyselfisalie。Ralphisanobleman。Ilovehimwithallmyheart，butIcanneverbehis。"

"Whattalkisthis？"saidFatherAbram。"Yousaidthatyourememberyourparents。Whydoyousayyouhavenoname？Idonotunderstand。"

"Idorememberthem，"saidMissChester。"Irememberthemtoowell。MyfirstrecollectionsareofourlifesomewhereinthefarSouth。Wemovedmanytimestodifferenttownsandstates。Ihavepickedcotton，andworkedinfactories，andhaveoftengonewithoutenoughfoodandclothes。

Mymotherwassometimesgoodtome；myfatherwasalwayscruel，andbeatme。Ithinktheywerebothidleandunsettled。

"OnenightwhenwewerelivinginalittletownonarivernearAtlantatheyhadagreatquarrel。ItwaswhiletheywereabusingandtauntingeachotherthatIlearned——oh，FatherAbram，IlearnedthatIdidn’tevenhavetherighttobe——don’tyouunderstand？Ihadnorighteventoaname；Iwasnobody。

"Iranawaythatnight。IwalkedtoAtlantaandfoundwork。IgavemyselfthenameofRoseChester，andhaveearnedmyownlivingeversince。NowyouknowwhyIcannotmarryRalph——and，oh，Icannevertellhimwhy。"

Betterthananysympathy，morehelpfulthanpity，wasFatherAbram’sdepreciationofherwoes。

"Why，dear，dear！isthatall？"hesaid。"Fie，fie！Ithoughtsomethingwasintheway。Ifthisperfectyoungmanisamanatallhewillnotcareapinchofbranforyourfamilytree。DearMissRose，takemywordforit，itisyourselfhecaresfor。Tellhimfrankly，justasyouhavetoldme，andI’llwarrantthathewilllaughatyourstory，andthinkallthemoreofyouforit。"

"Ishallnevertellhim，"saidMissChester，sadly。"AndIshallnevermarryhimnoranyoneelse。Ihavenottheright。"

Buttheysawalongshadowcomebobbingupthesunlitroad。Andthencameashorteronebobbingbyitsside；andpresentlytwostrangefiguresapproachedthechurch。ThelongshadowwasmadebyMissPhoebeSummers，theorganist，cometopractise。TommyTeague，agedtwelve，wasresponsiblefortheshortershadow。ItwasTommy’sdaytopumptheorganforMissPhoebe，andhisbaretoesproudlyspurnedthedustoftheroad。

MissPhoebe，inherlilac-spraychintzdress，withheraccuratelittlecurlshangingovereachear，courtesiedlowtoFatherAbram，andshookhercurlsceremoniouslyatMissChester。Thensheandherassistantclimbedthesteepstairwaytotheorganloft。

Inthegatheringshadowsbelow，FatherAbramandMissChesterlingered。

Theyweresilent；anditislikelythattheywerebusywiththeirmemories。MissChestersat，leaningherheadonherhand，withhereyesfixedfaraway。FatherAbramstoodinthenextpew，lookingthoughtfullyoutofthedoorattheroadandtheruinedcottage。

Suddenlythescenewastransformedforhimbackalmostascoreofyearsintothepast。For，asTommypumpedaway，MissPhoebestruckalowbassnoteontheorganandheldittotestthevolumeofairthatitcontained。Thechurchceasedtoexist，sofarasFatherAbramwasconcerned。Thedeep，boomingvibrationthatshookthelittleframebuildingwasnonotefromanorgan，butthehummingofthemillmachinery。Hefeltsurethattheoldovershotwheelwasturning；thathewasbackagain，adusty，merrymillerintheoldmountainmill。Andnoweveningwascome，andsoonwouldcomeAglaiawithflyingcolours，toddlingacrosstheroadtotakehimhometosupper。FatherAbram’seyeswerefixeduponthebrokendoorofthecottage。

Andthencameanotherwonder。Inthegalleryoverheadthesacksofflourwerestackedinlongrows。Perhapsamousehadbeenatoneofthem；

anywaythejarofthedeeporgannoteshookdownbetweenthecracksofthegalleryfloorastreamofflour，coveringFatherAbramfromheadtofootwiththewhitedust。Andthentheoldmillersteppedintotheaisle，andwavedhisarmsandbegantosingthemiller’ssong：

"Thewheelgoesround，Thegristisground，Thedustymiller’smerry。"

——andthentherestofthemiraclehappened。MissChesterwasleaningforwardfromherpew，aspaleastheflouritself，herwide-openeyesstaringatFatherAbramlikeoneinawakingdream。Whenhebeganthesongshestretchedoutherarmstohim；herlipsmoved；shecalledtohimindreamytones："Da-da，cometakeDumshome！"

MissPhoebereleasedthelowkeyoftheorgan。Butherworkhadbeenwelldone。Thenotethatshestruckhadbeatendownthedoorsofaclosedmemory；andFatherAbramheldhislostAglaiacloseinhisarms。

WhenyouvisitLakelandstheywilltellyoumoreofthisstory。Theywilltellyouhowthelinesofitwereafterwardtraced，andthehistoryofthemiller’sdaughterrevealedafterthegipsywanderershadstolenheronthatSeptemberday，attractedbyherchildishbeauty。ButyoushouldwaituntilyousitcomfortablyontheshadedporchoftheEagleHouse，andthenyoucanhavethestoryatyourease。ItseemsbestthatourpartofitshouldclosewhileMissPhoebe’sdeepbassnotewasyetreverberatingsoftly。

Andyet，tomymind，thefinestthingofitallhappenedwhileFatherAbramandhisdaughterwerewalkingbacktotheEagleHouseinthelongtwilight，almosttoogladtospeak。

"Father，"shesaid，somewhattimidlyanddoubtfully，"haveyouagreatdealofmoney？"

"Agreatdeal？"saidthemiller。"Well，thatdepends。Thereisplentyunlessyouwanttobuythemoonorsomethingequallyexpensive。"

"Woulditcostvery，verymuch，"askedAglaia，whohadalwayscountedherdimessocarefully，"tosendatelegramtoAtlanta？"

"Ah，"saidFatherAbram，withalittlesigh，"Isee。YouwanttoaskRalphtocome。"

Aglaialookedupathimwithatendersmile。

"Iwanttoaskhimtowait，"shesaid。"Ihavejustfoundmyfather，andIwantittobejustwetwoforawhile。Iwanttotellhimhewillhavetowait。"

XVIINEWYORKBYCAMPFIRELIGHT

AwayoutintheCreekNationwelearnedthingsaboutNewYork。

Wewereonahuntingtrip，andwerecampedonenightonthebankofalittlestream。BudKingsburywasourskilledhunterandguide，anditwasfromhislipsthatwehadexplanationsofManhattanandthequeerfolksthatinhabitit。Budhadoncespentamonthinthemetropolis，andaweekortwoatothertimes，andhewaspleasedtodiscoursetousofwhathehadseen。

FiftyyardsawayfromourcampwaspitchedtheteepeeofawanderingfamilyofIndiansthathadcomeupandsettledthereforthenight。Anold，oldIndianwomanwastryingtobuildafireunderanironpothunguponthreesticks。

Budwentovertoherassistance，andsoonhadherfiregoing。Whenhecamebackwecomplimentedhimplayfullyuponhisgallantry。

"Oh，"saidBud，"don’tmentionit。It’sawayIhave。WheneverIseealadytryingtocookthingsinapotandhavingtroubleIalwaysgototherescue。Idonethesamethingonceinahigh-tonedhousein。NewYorkCity。HeapbigsocietyteepeeonFifthAvenue。ThatInjunladykindofrecalledittomymind。Yes，Iendeavourstobepoliteandhelptheladiesout。"

Thecampdemandedtheparticulars。

"IwasmanageroftheTriangleBRanchinthePanhandle，"saidBud。"ItwasownedatthattimebyoldmanSterling，ofNewYork。Hewantedtosellout，andhewroteformetocomeontoNewYorkandexplaintheranchtothesyndicatethatwantedtobuy。SoIsendstoFortWorthandhasafortydollarsuitofclothesmade，andhitsthetrailforthebigvillage。

"Well，whenIgotthere，oldmanSterlingandhisoutfitcertainlylaidthemselvesouttobeagreeable。Wehadbusinessandpleasuresomixedupthatyoucouldn’ttellwhetheritwasatreatoratradehalfthetime。

Wehadtrolleyrides，andcigars，andtheatreround-ups，andrubberparties。"

"Rubberparties？"saidalistener，inquiringly。

"Sure，"saidBud。"Didn’tyouneverattend’em？Youwalkaroundandtrytolookatthetopsoftheskyscrapers。Well，wesoldtheranch，andoldmanSterlingasksme’roundtohishousetotakegrubonthenightbeforeIstartedback。Itwasn’tanyhigh-collaredaffair——justmeandtheoldmanandhiswifeanddaughter。Buttheywasafine-hairedoutfitallright，andtheliliesofthefieldwasn’tinit。TheymademyFortWorthclothescarpenterlooklikeadealerinhorseblanketsandgeestrings。

Andthenthetablewasallpompouswithflowers，andtherewasawholekitoftoolslaidoutbesideeverybody’splate。You’dhavethoughtyouwasfixedouttoburglarizearestaurantbeforeyoucouldgetyourgrub。ButI’dbeeninNewYorkoveraweekthen，andIwasgettingontostylishways。Ikindoftrailedbehindandwatchedtheothersusethehardwaresupplies，andthenItackledthechuckwiththesameweapons。Itain’tmuchtroubletotravelwiththehigh-flyersafteryoufindouttheirgait。

Igotalongfine。Iwasfeelingcoolandagreeable，andprettysoonI

wastalkingawayfluentasyouplease，allabouttheranchandtheWest，andtelling’emhowtheIndianseatgrasshopperstewandsnakes，andyouneversawpeoplesointerested。

"ButtherealjoyofthatfeastwasthatMissSterling。Justalittletrickshewas，notbiggerthantwobitsworthofchewingplug；butshehadawayaboutherthatseemedtosayshewasthepeople，andyoubelievedit。Andyet，sheneverputonanyairs，andshesmiledatmethesameasifIwasamillionairewhileIwastellingaboutaCreekdogfeastandlistenedlikeitwasnewsfromhome。

"Byandby，afterwehadeatoystersandsomewaterysoupandtruckthatneverwasinmyrepertory，aMethodistpreacherbringsinakindofcampstovearrangement，allsilver，onlonglegs，withalampunderit。

"MissSterlinglightsupandbeginstodosomecookingrightonthesuppertable。IwonderedwhyoldmanSterlingdidn’thireacook，withallthemoneyhehad。Prettysoonshedishedoutsomecheesytastingtruckthatshesaidwasrabbit，butIsweartherehadneverbeenaMollycottontailinamileofit。

"Thelastthingontheprogrammewaslemonade。Itwasbroughtaroundinlittleflatglassbowlsandsetbyyourplate。Iwasprettythirsty，andIpickedupmineandtookabigswigofit。Righttherewaswherethelittleladyhadmadeamistake。Shehadputinthelemonallright，butshe’dforgotthesugar。Thebesthousekeepersslipupsometimes。I

thoughtmaybeMissSterlingwasjustlearningtokeephouseandcook——

thatrabbitwouldsurelymakeyouthinkso——andIsaystomyself，’Littlelady，sugarornosugarI’llstandbyyou，’andIraisesupmybowlagainanddrinksthelastdropofthelemonade。Andthenallthebalanceof’empicksuptheirbowlsanddoesthesame。AndthenIgivesMissSterlingthelaughproper，justtocarryitofflikeajoke，soshewouldn’tfeelbadaboutthemistake。

"Afterweallwentintothesittingroomshesatdownandtalkedtomequiteawhile。

"’Itwassokindofyou，Mr。Kingsbury，’saysshe，tobringmyblunderoffsonicely。Itwassostupidofmetoforgetthesugar。’

"’Neveryoumind，’saysI，’someluckymanwillthrowhisropeoveramightyelegantlittlehousekeepersomeday，notfarfromhere。’

"’Ifyoumeanme，Mr。Kingsbury，’saysshe，laughingoutloud，’Ihopehewillbeaslenientwithmypoorhousekeepingasyouhavebeen。’

"’Don’tmentionit，’saysI。’Anythingtoobligetheladies。’"

Budceasedhisreminiscences。AndthensomeoneaskedhimwhatheconsideredthemoststrikingandprominenttraitofNewYorkers。

"ThemostvisibleandpeculiartraitofNewYorkfolks，answeredBud，"isNewYork。Mostof’emhasNewYorkonthebrain。Theyhaveheardofotherplaces，suchasWaco，andParis，andHotSprings，andLondon；buttheydon’tbelievein’em。TheythinkthattownisallMerino。NowtoshowyouhowmuchtheycarefortheirvillageI’lltellyouaboutoneof’emthatstrayedoutasfarastheTriangleBwhileIwasworkingthere。

"ThisNewYorkercomeouttherelookingforajobontheranch。Hesaidhewasagoodhorsebackrider，andtherewaspiecesoftanbarkhangingonhisclothesyetfromhisridingschool。

"Well，forawhiletheyputhimtokeepingbooksintheranchstore，forhewasadevilatfigures。Buthegottiredofthat，andaskedforsomethingmoreinthelineofactivity。Theboysontheranchlikedhimallright，buthemadeustiredshoutingNewYorkallthetime。Everynighthe’dtellusaboutEastRiverandJ。P。MorganandtheEdenMuseeandHettyGreenandCentralParktillweusedtothrowtinplatesandbrandingironsathim。

"Onedaythischapgetsonapitchingpony，andtheponykindofsidleduphisbackandwenttoeatinggrasswhiletheNewYorkerwascomingdown。

"Hecomedownonhisheadonachunkofmesquitwood，andhedidn’tshowanydesignstowardgettingupagain。Welaidhimoutinatent，andhebeguntolookprettydead。SoGideonPeasesaddlesupandburnsthewindforoldDocSleeper’sresidenceinDogtown，thirtymilesaway。

"Thedoctorcomesoverandheinvestigatesthepatient。

"’Boys，’sayshe，’youmightaswellgotoplayingseven-upforhissaddleandclothes，forhishead’sfracturedandifhelivestenminutesitwillbearemarkablecaseoflongevity。’

"Ofcoursewedidn’tgambleforthepoorrooster’ssaddle——thatwasoneofDoc’sjokes。Butwestoodaroundfeelingsolemn，andallofusforgivehimforhavingtalkedustodeathaboutNewYork。

"Ineversawanybodyabouttohandinhischecksactmorepeacefulthanthisfellow。Hiseyeswerefixed’wayupintheair，andhewasusingramblingwordstohimselfallaboutsweetmusicandbeautifulstreetsandwhite-robedforms，andhewassmilinglikedyingwasapleasure。

"’He’saboutgonenow，’saidDoc。’Whenevertheybegintothinktheyseeheavenit’salloff。’

"BlamedifthatNewYorkmandidn’tsitrightupwhenheheardtheDocsaythat。

"’Say，’sayshe，kindofdisappointed，’wasthatheaven？Confounditall，IthoughtitwasBroadway。Someofyoufellowsgetmyclothes。I’mgoingtogetup。’

"AndI’llbeblamed，"concludedBud，"ifhewasn’tonthetrainwithaticketforNewYorkinhispocketfourdaysafterward！"

XVIIITHEADVENTURESOFSHAMROCKJOLNES

IamsofortunateastocountShamrockJolnes，thegreatNewYorkdetective，amongmymusteroffriends。Jolnesiswhatiscalledthe"insideman"ofthecitydetectiveforce。Heisanexpertintheuseofthetypewriter，anditishisduty，wheneverthereisa"murdermystery"

tobesolved，tositatadesktelephoneatheadquartersandtakedownthemessagesof"cranks"who’phoneintheirconfessionstohavingcommittedthecrime。

Butoncertain"off"dayswhenconfessionsarecominginslowlyandthreeorfournewspapershaveruntoearthasmanydifferentguiltypersons，Jolneswillknockaboutthetownwithme，exhibiting，tomygreatdelightandinstruction，hismarvellouspowersofobservationanddeduction。

TheotherdayIdroppedinatHeadquartersandfoundthegreatdetectivegazingthoughtfullyatastringthatwastiedtightlyaroundhislittlefinger。

"Goodmorning，Whatsup，"hesaid，withoutturninghishead。"I’mgladtonoticethatyou’vehadyourhousefittedupwithelectriclightsatlast。"

"Willyoupleasetellme，"Isaid，insurprise，"howyouknewthat？IamsurethatInevermentionedthefacttoanyone，andthewiringwasarushordernotcompleteduntilthismorning。"

"Nothingeasier，"saidJolnes，genially。"AsyoucameinIcaughttheodourofthecigaryouaresmoking。Iknowanexpensivecigar；andIknowthatnotmorethanthreemeninNewYorkcanaffordtosmokecigarsandpaygasbillstooatthepresenttime。Thatwasaneasyone。ButIamworkingjustnowonalittleproblemofmyown。"

"Whyhaveyouthatstringonyourfinger？"Iasked。

"That’stheproblem，"saidJolnes。"MywifetiedthatonthismorningtoremindmeofsomethingIwastosenduptothehouse。Sitdown，Whatsup，andexcusemeforafewmoments。"

Thedistinguisheddetectivewenttoawalltelephone，andstoodwiththereceivertohisearforprobablytenminutes。

"Wereyoulisteningtoaconfession？"Iasked，whenhehadreturnedtohischair。

"Perhaps，"saidJolnes，withasmile，"itmightbecalledsomethingofthesort。Tobefrankwithyou，Whatsup，I’vecutoutthedope。I’vebeenincreasingthequantityforsolongthatmorphinedoesn’thavemucheffectonmeanymore。I’vegottohavesomethingmorepowerful。ThattelephoneIjustwenttoisconnectedwitharoomintheWaldorfwherethere’sanauthor’sreadinginprogress。Now，togetatthesolutionofthisstring。"

Afterfiveminutesofsilentpondering，Jolneslookedatme，withasmile，andnoddedhishead。

"Wonderfulman！"Iexclaimed；"already？"

"Itisquitesimple，"hesaid，holdinguphisfinger。"Youseethatknot？Thatistopreventmyforgetting。Itis，therefore，aforget-me-knot。Aforget-me-notisaflower。ItwasasackofflourthatIwastosendhome！"

"Beautiful！"Icouldnothelpcryingoutinadmiration。

"Supposewegooutforaramble，"suggestedJolnes。