第5章

Theundisguisedamusement，mingledwithrelief，thathadoverspreadBarker’sfaceduringthislivelyrecitalmighthaveprickedtheconscienceofMrs。Horncastle，butforsomereasonIfearitdidnot。Butitemboldenedhertogoon。"IsaidIpromisedherthatIwouldseeshewasn’tdisturbed；but，ofcourse，nowthatYOU，herHUSBAND，havecome，if"——

"Notforworlds，"interruptedBarkerearnestly。"IknowpoorKitty’sheadaches，andIneverdisturbher，poorchild，exceptwhenI’mthoughtless。"Andhereoneofthemostthoughtfulmenintheworldinhissensitiveconsiderationofothersbeamedatherwithsuchfrankandwonderfuleyesthatthearchhypocritebeforehimwithdifficultysuppressedahystericaldesiretolaugh，andfelttheconsciousbloodflushhertotherootofherhair。"Youknow，"

hewenton，withasigh，halfofreliefandhalfofreminiscence，"thatIoftenthinkI’magreatbothertoaclear-headed，sensiblegirllikeKitty。SheknowspeoplesomuchbetterthanIdo。She’swonderfullyequippedfortheworld，and，yousee，I’monly’lucky，’

aseverybodysays，andIdaresaypartofmyluckwastohavegother。I’mverygladshe’safriendofyours，youknow，forsomehowIfanciedalwaysthatyouwerenotinterestedinher，orthatyoudidn’tunderstandeachotheruntilnow。It’soddthatnicewomendon’talwayslikenicewomen，isn’tit？I’mgladshewaswithyou；

Iwasquitestartledtolearnshewashere，andcouldn’tmakeitout。IthoughtatfirstshemighthavegotanxiousaboutourlittleSta，whoiswithmeandthenurseatHymettus。ButI’mgladitwasonlyalark。Ishouldn’twonder，"headded，withalaugh，"althoughshealwaysdeclaressheisn’toneofthose’doting，idioticmothers，’thatshefounditalittledullwithouttheboy，forallshethoughtitwasbetterforMEtotakehimsomewhereforachangeofair。"

ThesituationwasbecomingmoredifficultforMrs。Horncastlethanshehadconceived。Therehadbeenacertainexcitementinitsfirstdirectappealtohertactandcourage，andeven，shebelieved，anunselfishdesiretosavetherelationsbetweenhusbandandwifeifshecould。Butshehadnotcalculateduponhisunconsciousrevelations，norupontheireffectuponherself。ShehadconcludedtobelievethatKittyhad，inamomentoffolly，lentherselftothishare-brainedescapade，butitnowmightbepossiblethatithadbeendeliberatelyplanned。Kittyhadsentherhusbandandchildawaythreeweeksbefore。Hadshetoldthewholetruth？

Howlonghadthisbeengoingon？AndifthesoullessVanLoohaddesertedhernow，wasitnot，perhaps，themiserableendingofanintrigueratherthanitsbeginning？Hadshebeenasgreatadupeofthiswomanasthehusbandbeforeher？Anewanddoubleconsciousnesscameoverherthatforamomentpreventedherfrommeetinghishonesteyes。Shefelttheshameofbeinganaccomplicemingledwithafiercejoyattheideaofaclimaxthatmightseparatehimfromhiswifeforever。

Luckilyhedidnotnoticeit，butwithacontinuedsenseofreliefthrewhimselfbackinhischair，andglancingfamiliarlyroundthewallsbrokeintohisyouthfullaugh。"Lord！howIrememberthisroomintheolddays。ItwasKitty’sownprivatesitting-room，youknow，andIusedtothinkitlookedjustasfreshandprettyasshe。Iusedtothinkhercrayondrawingwonderful，andstillmorewonderfulthatsheshouldhavethatunnecessarytalentwhenitwasquiteenoughforhertobejust’Kitty。’Youknow，don’tyou，howyoufeelatthosetimeswhenyou’requitehappyinbeinginferior"——

HestoppedamomentwithasuddenrecollectionthatMrs。Horncastle’smarriagehadbeennotoriouslyunhappy。"Imean，"hewentonwithashylittlelaughandaninnocentattemptatgallantrywhichtheverydirectnessofhissimplenaturemadeatrociouslyobvious，——"Imeanwhatyou’vemadelotsofyoungfellowsfeel。ThereusedtobeapictureofColonelBriggonthemantelpiece，infulluniform，andsignedbyhimself’forKitty；’andLord！howjealousIwasofit，forKittynevertookpresentsfromgentlemen，andnobodyevenwasallowedinhere，thoughshehelpedherfatheralloverthehotel。

Shewasawfullystrictinthosedays，"heinterpolated，withathoughtfullookandahalf-sigh；"butthenshewasn’tmarried。I

proposedtoherinthisveryroom！Lord！IrememberhowfrightenedIwas。"Hestoppedforaninstant，andthensaidwithacertaintimidity，"Doyoumindmytellingyousomethingaboutit？"

Mrs。Horncastlewashardlypreparedtoheartheseingenuousdomesticdetails，butshesmiledvaguely，althoughshecouldnotsuppressasomewhatimpatientmovementwithherhands。EvenBarkernoticedit，buttohersurprisemovedalittlenearertoher，andinahalf-entreatingwaysaid，"IhopeIdon’tboreyou，butit’ssomethingconfidential。DoyouknowthatshefirstREFUSEDme？"

Mrs。Horncastlesmiled，butcouldnotresistaslighttossofherhead。"Ibelievetheyalldowhentheyaresureofaman。"

"No！"saidBarkereagerly，"youdon’tunderstand。IproposedtoherbecauseIthoughtIwasrich。InafoolishmomentIthoughtI

haddiscoveredthatsomeoldstocksIhadhadacquiredafabulousvalue。Shebelievedit，too，butbecauseshethoughtIwasnowarichmanandsheonlyapoorgirl——amereservanttoherfather’sguests——sherefusedme。RefusedmebecauseshethoughtImightregretitinthefuture，becauseshewouldnothaveitsaidthatshehadtakenadvantageofmyproposalonlywhenIwasrichenoughtomakeit。"

"Well？"saidMrs。Horncastleincredulously，gazingstraightbeforeher；"andthen？"

"InaboutanhourIdiscoveredmyerror，thatmystockswereworthless，thatIwasstillapoorman。Ithoughtitonlyhonesttoreturntoherandtellher，eventhoughIhadnohope。Andthenshepitiedme，andcried，andacceptedme。Itellittoyouasherfriend。"Hedrewalittlenearerandquitefraternallylaidhishanduponherown。"Iknowyouwon’tbetrayme，thoughyoumaythinkitwrongformetohavetoldit；butIwantedyoutoknowhowgoodshewasandtrue。"

ForamomentMrs。Horncastlewasamazedanddiscomfited，althoughshesaw，withtheinscrutableinstinctofhersex，noinconsistencybetweentheKittyofthosedaysandtheKittynowshamefullyhidingfromherhusbandinthesamehotel。NodoubtKittyhadsomegoodreasonforherchivalrousact。Butshecouldseetheunmistakableeffectofthatactuponthemorelogicallyreasoninghusband，andthatitmightleadhimtobemoremercifultothelaterwrong。Andtherewasakeenerironythathisfirstmovementofunconsciouskindlinesstowardsherwastheoutcomeofhisaffectionforhisundeservingwife。

"Yousaidjustnowshewasmorepracticalthanyou，"shesaiddryly。"Apartfromthisevidenceofit，whatotherreasonshaveyouforthinkingso？Doyourefertoherindependenceorherdealingsinthestockmarket？"sheadded，withalaugh。

"No，"saidBarkerseriously，"forIdonotthinkherquitepracticalthere；indeed，I’mafraidsheisaboutasbadasIam。

ButI’mgladyouhavespoken，forIcannowtalkconfidentiallywithyou，andasyouandshearebothinthesameventures，perhapsshewillfeellesscompunctioninhearingfromyou——asyourownopinion——whatIhavetotellyouthanifIspoketohermyself。I

amafraidshetrustsimplicitlytoVanLoo’sjudgmentasherbroker。Ibelieveheisstrictlyhonorable，butthegeneralopinionofhisbusinessinsightisnothigh。They——perhapsIoughttosayHE——havebeenatleastsounluckythattheymighthavelearnedprudence。Thelossoftwentythousanddollarsinthreemonths"——

"Twentythousand！"echoedMrs。Horncastle。

"Yes。Why，youknewthat；itwasinthemineyouandshevisited；

or，perhaps，"headdedhastily，asheflushedathisindiscretion，"shedidn’ttellyouthat。"

ButMrs。Horncastleashastilysaid，"Yes——yes——ofcourse，onlyI

hadforgottentheamount；"andhecontinued：——

"Thatlosswouldhavefrightenedanyman；butyouwomenaremoredaring。OnlyVanLoooughttohavewithdrawn。Don’tyouthinkso？

OfcourseIcouldn’tsayanythingtohimwithoutseemingtocondemnmyownwife；Icouldn’tsayanythingtoHERbecauseit’sherownmoney。"

"Ididn’tknowthatMrs。Barkerhadanymoneyofherown，"saidMrs。Horncastle。

"Well，Igaveittoher，"saidBarker，withsublimesimplicity，"andthatwouldmakeitalltheworseformetospeakaboutit。"

Mrs。Horncastlewassilent。Anewtheoryflasheduponherwhichseemedtoreconcileallthepreviousinconsistenciesofthesituation。VanLoo，undertheguiseofalover，wasreallypossessinghimselfofMrs。Barker’smoney。Thisaccountedfortheriskshewasrunninginthisescapade，whichweresoincongruoustotherascal’snature。Hewascalculatingthatthescandalofanintriguewouldrelievehimoftheperilsofcriminaldefalcation。

ItwascompatiblewithKitty’sinnocence，thoughitdidnotrelievehervanityofthepartitplayedinthisdespicablecomedyofpassion。AllthatMrs。Horncastlethoughtofnowwastheeffectofitseventfulrevelationuponthemanbeforeher。Ofcourse，hewouldoverlookhiswife’strustfulnessandbusinessignorance——itwouldseemsolikehisownunselfishfaith！Thatwasthefaultofallunselfishgoodness；iteventookthecolorofadjacentevil，withoutalteringthenatureofeither。Mrs。Horncastlesetherteethtightlytogether，butherbeautifulmouthsmileduponBarker，thoughhereyeswerebentuponthetableclothbeforeher。

"IshalldoallIcantoimpressyourviewsuponher，"shesaidatlast，"thoughIfeartheywillhavelittleweightifgivenasmyown。Andyouoverratemygeneralinfluencewithher。"

HerhandsomeheaddroopedinsuchathoughtfulhumilitythatBarkerinstinctivelydrewnearertoher。Besides，shehadnotliftedherdarklashesforsomemoments，andhehadthestillyouthfulhabitoflookingfranklyintotheeyesofthoseheaddressed。

"No，"hesaideagerly；"howcouldI？Shecouldnothelpbutloveyouanddoasyouwouldwish。Ican’ttellyouhowgladandrelievedIamtofindthatyouandshehavebecomesuchfriends。

YouknowIalwaysthoughtyoubeautiful，Ialwaysthoughtyousoclever——Iwasevenalittlefrightenedofyou；butIneveruntilnowknewyouweresoGOOD。No，stop！Yes，IDIDknowit。DoyourememberonceinSanFrancisco，whenIfoundyouwithStainyourlapinthedrawing-room？Iknewitthen。Youtriedtomakemethinkitwasawhim——thefancyofaboredandworriedwoman。ButI

knewbetter。AndIknewwhatyouwerethinkingthen。ShallItellyou？"

Ashereyeswerestillcastdown，althoughhermouthwasstillsmiling，inhisendeavorstolookintothemhisfacewasquitenearhers。Hefanciedthatitborethelookshehadwornoncebefore。

"Youwerethinking，"hesaidinavoicewhichhadgrownsuddenlyquitehesitatingandtremulous，——hedidnotknowwhy，——"thatthepoorlittlebabywasquitefriendlessandalone。Youwerepityingit——youknowyouwere——becausetherewasnoonetogiveitthelovingcarethatwasitsdue，andbecauseitwasintrustedtothathirednurseinthatgreathotel。Youwerethinkinghowyouwouldloveitifitwereyours，andhowcruelitwasthatLovewassentwithoutanobjecttowasteitselfupon。Youwere：Isawitinyourface。"

Shesuddenlyliftedhereyesandlookedfullintohiswithalookthatheldandpossessedhim。Foramomenthiswholesoulseemedtotrembleonthevergeoftheirlustrousdepths，andhedrewbackdizzyandfrightened。Whathesawthereheneverclearlyknew；

but，whateveritwas，itseemedtosuddenlychangehisrelationstoher，totheroom，tohiswife，totheworldwithout。Itwasaglimpseofaworldofwhichheknewnothing。Hehadlookedfranklyandadmiringlyintotheeyesofotherprettywomen；hehadevengazedintoherownbefore，butneverwiththisfeeling。Asuddensensethatwhathehadseentherehehadhimselfevoked，thatitwasananswertosomequestionhehadscarcelyyetformulated，andthattheywerebothnowlinkedbyanunderstandingandconsciousnessthatwasirretrievable，cameoverhim。Heroseawkwardlyandwenttothewindow。Sherosealso，butmoreleisurelyandeasily，movedoneofthebooksonthetable，smoothedoutherskirts，andchangedherseattoalittlesofa。Itisthewomanwhoalwayscomesoutofthesecrucialmomentsunruffled。

"IsupposeyouwillbegladtoseeyourfriendMr。Demorestwhenyougoback，"shesaidpleasantly；"forofcoursehewillbeatHymettusawaitingyou。"

Heturnedeagerly，ashealwaysdidatthename。ButeventhenhefeltthatDemorestwasnolongerofsuchimportancetohim。Hefelt，too，thathewasnotyetquitesureofhisvoiceorevenwhattosay。Ashehesitatedshewentonhalfplayfully："Itseemshardthatyouhadtocomeallthewayhereonsuchabootlesserrand。

Youhaven’tevenseenyourwifeyet。"

Thementionofhiswiferecalledhimtohimself，oddlyenough，whenDemorest’snamehadfailed。Butverydifferently。Outofhiswhirlingconsciousnesscametheinstinctivefeelingthathecouldnotseehernow。Heturned，crossedtheroom，satdownonthesofabesideMrs。Horncastle，andwithout，however，lookingather，said，withhiseyesonthefloor，"No；andI’vebeenthinkingthatit’shardlyworthwhiletodisturbhersoearlyto-morrowasIshouldhavetogo。SoIthinkit’sagooddealbettertoletherhaveagoodnight’srest，remainherequietlywithyouto-morrowuntilthestageleaves，andthatbothofyoucomeovertogether。Myhorseisstillsaddled，andIwillbebackatHymettusbeforeDemoresthasgonetobed。"

Hewasobligedtolookupatherasherose。Mrs。Horncastlewassittingerect，beautifulanddazzlingasevenhehadneverseenherbefore。Forhisresolutionhadsuddenlyliftedagreatweightfromhershoulders，——thedangerousmeetingofhusbandandwifethenextmorning，anditsresults，whatevertheymightbe，hadbeenquietlyaverted。Shefelt，too，ahalf-frightenedjoyevenintheconstrainedmannerinwhichhehadimpartedhisdetermination。

Thatfranknesswhichevenshehadsometimesfoundsocrushingwasgone。

"Ireallythinkyouarequiteright，"shesaid，risingalso，"and，besides，yousee，itwillgivemeachancetotalktoherasyouwished。"

"TotalktoherasIwished？"echoedBarkerabstractedly。

"Yes，aboutVanLoo，youknow，"saidMrs。Horncastle，smiling。

"Oh，certainly——aboutVanLoo，ofcourse，"hereturnedhurriedly。

"Andthen，"saidMrs。Horncastlebrightly，"I’lltellher。Stay！"

sheinterruptedherselfhurriedly。"WhyneedIsayanythingaboutyourhavingbeenhereATALL？Itmightonlyannoyher，asyouyourselfsuggest。"Shestoppedbreathlesslywithpartedlips。

"Why，indeed？"saidBarkervaguely。Yetallthiswassounlikehisusualtruthfulnessthatheslightlyhesitated。

"Besides，"continuedMrs。Horncastle，noticingit，"youknowyoucanalwaystellherlater，ifnecessary。"Andsheaddedwithacharmingmischievousness，"Asshedidn’ttellyoushewascoming，I

reallydon’tseewhyyouareboundtotellherthatyouwerehere。"

ThesophistrypleasedBarker，eventhoughitputhimintoacertainretaliatingattitudetowardshiswifewhichhewasnotawareoffeeling。But，asMrs。Horncastleputit，itwasonlyaplayfulattitude。

"Certainly，"hesaid。"Don’tsayanythingaboutit。"

Hemovedtothedoorwithhissoft，broad-brimmedhatswingingbetweenhisfingers。Shenoticedforthefirsttimethathelookedtallerinhislongblackserapeandriding-boots，and，oddlyenough，muchmoreliketheheroofanamoroustrystthanVanLoo。

"Iknow，"shesaidbrightly，"youareeagertogetbacktoyouroldfriend，anditwouldbeselfishformetotrytokeepyoulonger。

Youhavehadastupidevening，butyouhavemadeitpleasanttomebytellingmewhatyouthoughtofme。AndbeforeyougoIwantyoutobelievethatIshalltrytokeepthatgoodopinion。"ShespokefranklyincontrasttotheslightworldlyconstraintofBarker’smanner；itseemedasiftheyhadchangedcharacters。Andthensheextendedherhand。

Withalowbow，andwithoutlookingup，hetookit。Againtheirpulsesseemedtoleaptogetherwithoneaccordandthesamemysteriousunderstanding。Hecouldnottellifhehadunconsciouslypressedherhandorifshehadreturnedthepressure。Butwhentheirhandsunclaspeditseemedasifitwerethedivisionofonefleshandspirit。

Sheremainedstandingbytheopendooruntilhisfootstepspasseddownthestaircase。ThenshesuddenlyclosedandlockedthedoorwithaninstinctthatMrs。Barkermightatoncereturnnowthathewasgone，andshewishedtobeamomentalonetorecoverherself。

Butshepresentlyopeneditagainandlistened。Therewasanoiseinthecourtyard，butitsoundedliketherattleofwheelsmorethantheclatterofahorseman。Thenshewasovercome——asuddensenseofpityfortheunfortunatewomanstillhidingfromherhusband——andfeltamomentarychivalrousexaltationofspirit。

Certainlyshehaddone"good"tothatwretched"Kitty；"perhapsshehadearnedtheepithetthatBarkerhadappliedtoher。Perhapsthatwasthemeaningofallthishappinesstoher，andtheresultwastobeonlythehappinessandreconciliationofthewifeandhusband。Thiswastobeherreward。Igrievetosaythatthetearshadcomeintoherbeautifuleyesatthissatisfactoryconclusion，butshedashedthemawayandranoutintothehall。Itwasquitedark，buttherewasafaintglimmerontheoppositewallasifthedoorofMrs。Barker’sbedroomwereajartoaneagerlistener。Sheflewtowardstheglimmer，andpushedthedooropen：

theroomwasempty。EmptyofMrs。Barker，emptyofherdressing-

box，herreticuleandshawl。Shewasgone。

Still，Mrs。Horncastlelingered；thewomanmighthavegotfrightenedandretreatedtosomefurtherroomattheopeningofthedoorandthecomingoutofherhusband。Shewalkedalongthepassage，callinghernamesoftly。Sheevenpenetratedthedreary，half-litpublicparlor，expectingtofindhercrouchingthere。Thenasuddenwildideatookpossessionofher：themiserablewifehadrepentedofheractandofherconcealment，andhadcreptdownstairstoawaitherhusbandintheoffice。Shehadtoldhimsomenewlie，hadbeggedhimtotakeherwithhim，andBarker，ofcourse，hadassented。Yes，shenowknewwhyshehadheardtherattlingwheelsinsteadoftheclatteringhoofsshehadlistenedfor。Theyhadgonetogether，ashefirstproposed，inthebuggy。

Sheranswiftlydownthestairsandenteredtheoffice。Theoverworkedclerkwasbusyandquerulouslycurt。Thesewomenwerealwaysaskingsuchidioticquestions。Yes，Mr。Barkerhadjustgone。

"WithMrs。Barkerinthebuggy？"askedMrs。Horncastle。

"No，ashecame——onhorseback。Mrs。BarkerleftHALFANHOURAGO。"

"Alone？"

Thiswasapparentlytoomuchforthelong-sufferingclerk。Heliftedhiseyestotheceiling，andthen，withpainfulprecision，andaccentingeverywordwithhispencilonthedeskbeforehim，saiddeliberately，"Mrs。GeorgeBarker——left——here——withher——

escort——the——manshe——was——always——asking——for——in——the——buggy——atexactly——9。35。"Andheplungedintohisworkagain。

Mrs。Horncastleturned，ranupthestaircase，re-enteredthesitting-room，andslammingthedoorbehindher，haltedinthecentreoftheroom，panting，erect，beautiful，andmenacing。Andshewasaloneinthisemptyroom——thisdesertedhotel。Fromthisveryroomherhusbandhadleftherwithabrutalityonhislips。

Fromthisroomthefoolandliarshehadtriedtowarnhadgonetoherruinwithaswindlinghypocrite。Andfromthisroomtheonlymanintheworldsheevercaredforhadgoneforthbewildered，wronged，andabused，andsheknewnowshecouldhavekeptandcomfortedhim。

CHAPTERIV。

WhenPhilipDemorestleftthestagecoachatthecross-roadsheturnedintotheonlywaysidehouse，theblacksmith’sshop，and，declaringhisintentionofwalkingovertoHymettus，askedpermissiontoleavehishand-bagandwrapsuntiltheycouldbesentafterhim。Theblacksmithwassurprisedthatthis"likelymannered，"distinguished-looking"cityman"shouldWALKeightmileswhenhecouldride，andtriedtodissuadehim，offeringhisownbuggy。ButhewasstillmoresurprisedwhenDemorest，layingasidehisduster，tookoffhiscoat，and，slingingitonhisarm，preparedtosetforthwiththegood-humoredassurancethathewoulddothedistanceinacoupleofhoursandgetinintimeforsupper。

"Iwouldn’tbetoosureofthat，"saidtheblacksmithgrimly，"orevenofgettingaroom。They’reastuck-uplotoverthere，andtheyain’tgoin’tohumpthemselvesoverachapwhocomestraipsin’

alongtheroadlikeanytramp，withnarybaggage。"ButDemorestlaughinglyacceptedtherisk，andtakinghisstoutstickinonehand，pressedagoldcoinintotheblacksmith’spalm，whichwas，however，declinedwithsuchreddeningpromptnessthatDemorestaspromptlyreddenedandapologized。ThehabitsofEuropeantravelhadbeenstillstrongonhim，andhefeltaslightpatrioticthrillashesaid，withagravesmile，"Thankyou，then；andthankyoustillmoreforremindingmethatIamamongmyown’people，’"andsteppedlightlyoutintotheroad。

Theairwasstilldeliciouslycool，butwarmercurrentsfromtheheatedpinesbegantoalternatewiththewindfromthesummit。Hefoundhimselfsometimeswalkingthroughastratumofhotairwhichseemedtoexhalefromthewooditself，whilehisheadandbreastweresweptbythemountainbreeze。Hefelttheoldintoxicationofthebalmy-scentedairagain，andthefiveyearsofcareandhopelessnesslaiduponhisshoulderssincehehadlastbreatheditsfragranceslippedfromthemlikeaburden。Therehadbeenbutlittlechangehere；perhapstheroadwaswiderandthedustlaythicker，butthegreatpinesstillmountedinserriedranksontheslopesasbefore，withnogapsintheirunendingfiles。Herewasthespotwherethestagecoachhadpassedthemthateventfulmorningwhentheywerecomingoutoftheircamp-lifeintotheworldofcivilization；alittlefurtherback，thespotwhereJackHamlinhadforceduponhimthatgrimmementooftheattemptedrobberyoftheircabin，whichhehadkepteversince。Hehalfsmiledagainatthesuperstitiousinterestthathadmadehimkeepit，withtheintentionofsomedayreturningtoburyit，withallrecollectionsofthedeed，underthesiteoftheoldcabin。Ashewentoninthevivifyinginfluenceoftheairandscene，newlifeseemedtocoursethroughhisveins；hisstepseemedtogrowaselasticasintheolddaysoftheirbitterbuthopefulstruggleforfortune，whenhehadgaylyreturnedfromhisweeklytramptoBoomvilleladenwiththescantprovisionprocuredbytheirscantearningsanddyingcredit。

ThosewerethedayswhenHERlivingimagestillinspiredhisheartwithfaithandhope；wheneverythingwasyetpossibletoyouthandlove，andbeforetheironyoffatehadgivenhimfortunewithonehandonlytowithdrawHERwiththeother。Itwasstrangeandcruelthatcomingbackfromhisquestofrestandforgetfulnessheshouldfindonlytheseyouthfulandsanguinedreamsrevivewithhisrevivingvigor。Hewalkedonmorehurriedlyasiftoescapethem，andwasgladtobedivertedbyoneortwocarryallsandchar-a-

bancsfilledwithgaylydressedpleasureparties——evidentlyvisitorstoHymettus——whichpassedhimontheroad。Herewerethefirstsignsofchange。Herecalledthetrainofpack-mulesoftheolddays，thefileofpole-and-basketcarryingChinese，thesquawwiththepapoosestrappedtohershoulder，orthewanderingandfoot-soreprospector，whoweretheonlywayfarersheusedtomeet。

Hecontrastedtheirhaltsandfriendlygreetingswiththeinsolentcuriosityorundisguisedcontemptofthecarriagefolk，andsmiledashethoughtofthewarningoftheblacksmith。Butthisdidnotlongdiverthim；hefoundhimselfagainreturningtohispreviousthought。Indeed，thefaceofayounggirlinoneofthecarriageshadquitestartledhimwithitsresemblancetoanoldmemoryofhislostloveashesawher，——herfrail，paleeleganceencompassedinlacesassheleanedbackinherdrivethroughFifthAvenue，witheyesthatlitupandbecametransfiguredonlyashepassed。Hetriedtothinkofhisuselessquestinsearchofherlastresting-

placeabroad；howhehadbeenbaffledbytheoppositionofhersurvivingrelations，alreadyincensedbythethoughtthatherdeclinehadbeentheeffectofherhopelesspassion。Hetriedtorecallthefewfrigidlinesthatreconveyedtohimthelastletterhehadsenther，withtheannouncementofherdeathandthehopethat"hispersecutions"wouldnowcease。Awildideahadsometimescometohimoutoftheveryinsufficiencyofhisknowledgeofthisclimax，buthehadalwaysputitasideasaprecursorofthatmadnesswhichmightendhisceaselessthought。Andnowitwasreturningtohim，here，thousandsofmilesawayfromwhereshewaspeacefullysleeping，andevenfillinghimwiththevigorofyouthfulhope。

Thebriefmountaintwilightwasgivingwaynowtotheradianceoftherisingmoon。HeendeavoredtofixhisthoughtsuponhispartnerswhoweretomeethimatHymettusaftertheselongyearsofseparation。

Hymettus！Herecallednowtheoddcoincidencethathehadmischievouslyusedasagagtohisquestioningfellowtraveler；butnowhehadreallycomefromavillanearAthenstofindhisoldhousethusclassicallyrechristenedafterit，andthoughtofitwithagravityhehadnotfeltbefore。Hewonderedwhohadnamedit。Therewasnosuggestionofthesoft，sensuouseleganceofthelandhehadleftinthosegreatheroicsofnaturebeforehim。

Thoseenormoustreeswerenowoodsforfaunsordryads；theyhadtheirowngodlikemajestyofbulkandheight，andasheatlastclimbedthesummitandsawthedark-helmetedheadofBlackSpurbeforehim，andbeyonditthepallid，spiritualcloudoftheSierras，hedidnotthinkofOlympus。Yetforamomenthewasstartled，asheturnedtotheright，bytheDoric-columnedfacadeofatemplepaintedbythemoonbeamsandframedinanopeningofthedarkwoodsbeforehim。Itwasnotuntilhehadreacheditthathesawthatitwasthenewwoodenpost-officeofHeavyTreeHill。

Andnowthebuildingsofthenewsettlementbegantofaintlyappear。Buttheobscurityoftheshadowandtheequallydisturbingunrealityofthemoonlightconfusedhiminhisattemptstorecognizetheoldlandmarks。Abroadandwell-keptwindingroadhadtakentheplaceoftheoldsteep，butdirecttrailtohiscabin。Hehadwalkedforsomemomentsinuncertainty，whenasuddensweepoftheroadbroughtthefullcrestofthehillaboveandbeforehim，crownedwithatiaraoflights，overtoppingalongbaseofflashingwindows。ThatwasallthatwasleftofHeavyTreeHill。Theoldforegroundofbuckeyeandodorousceanothuswasgone。Eventhegreatgroveofpinesbehindithadvanished。

Therewasalreadyastiroflifeintheroad，andhecouldseefiguresmovingslowlyalongakindofsterile，formalterracespreadwithafewdrearymarblevasesandplasterstatueswhichhadreplacedthenaturalslopeandthegreatquartzbuttressesofoutcropthatsupportedit。Presentlyheenteredagate，andsoonfoundhimselfinthecarriagedriveleadingtothehotelveranda。

Anumberoffairpromenaderswerefacingthekeenmountainnightwindinwrapsandfurs。Demoresthadreplacedhiscoat，buthisbootswereredwithdust，andasheascendedthestepshecouldseethathewaseyedwithsomesuperciliousnessbytheguestsandwithconsiderablesuspicionbytheservants。Oneofthelatterwasapproachinghimwithaninsolentsmilewhenafiguredartedfromthevestibule，and，brushingthewaiteraside，seizedDemorest’stwohandsinhisandheldhimatarm’slength。

"Demorest，oldman！"

"Stacy，oldchap！"

"Butwhere’syourteam？I’vehadallthesparehostlersandhall-

boyslisteningforyouatthegate。Andwhere’sBarker？Whenhefoundyou’dgiventhedead-cuttotherailroad——HISrailroad，youknow——helopedovertoBoomvilleafteryou。"

Demorestbrieflyexplainedthathehadwalkedbytheoldroadandprobablymissedhim。Butbythistimethewaiters，crushedbythespectacleofthistravel-wornstranger’saffectionatereceptionbythegreatfinancialmagnate，werewildlyapplyingtheirbrushesandhandkerchiefstohistrousersandbootsuntilStacyagainsweptthemaway。

"Getoff，allofyou！Now，Phil，youcomewithme。Thehouseisfull，butI’vemadethemanagergiveyoualady’sdrawing-roomsuite。Whenyoutelegraphedyou’dmeetusHEREtherewasnochancetogetanythingelse。It’sreallyMrs。VanLoo’sfamilysuite；buttheyweresentfortogotoMarysvilleyesterday，andsowe’llrunyouinforthenight。"

"But"——protestedDemorest。

"Nonsense！"saidStacy，dragginghimaway。"We’llpayforit；andIreckontheoldladywon’tobjecttotakinghershareofthedamageeither，orsheisn’tVanLoo’smother。Come。"

DemorestfelthimselfhurriedforwardbytheenergeticStacy，precededbytheobsequiousmanager，throughacorridortoahandsomelyfurnishedsuite，intowhosebathroomStacyincontinentlythrusthim。

"There！Washup；andbythetimeyou’rereadyBarkeroughttobeback，andwe’llhavesupper。It’swaitingforusintheotherroom。"

"ButhowaboutBarker，thedearboy？"persistedDemorest，holdingopenthedoor。"Tellme，ishewellandhappy？"

"Aboutaswellasweallare，"saidStacyquickly，yetwithacertaindrysignificance。"Nevermindnow；waituntilyouseehim。"

Thedoorclosed。WhenDemoresthadfinishedwashing，andwipedawaythelastredstainofthemountainroad，hefoundStacyseatedbythewindowofthelargersitting-room。Inthecentreatablewasspreadforsupper。AbrightfireofhickorylogsburntonamarblehearthbetweentwolargewindowsthatgaveuponthedistantoutlineofBlackSpur。AsStacyturnedtowardshim，bythelightoftheshadedlampandflickeringfire，Demoresthadagoodlookatthefaceofhisoldfriendandpartner。Itwasaskeenandenergeticasever，withperhapsanevenmorehawk-likeactivityvisibleintheeyeandnostril；butitwasmorethoughtfulandreticentinthelinesofthemouthunderthecloselyclippedbeardandmustache，andwhenhelookedup，atfirstthereweretwodeeplinesorfurrowsacrosshislowbroadforehead。Demorestfancied，too，thattherewasalittleoftheoldfightinglookinhiseye，butitsoftenedquicklyashisfriendapproached，andheburstoutwithhiscurtbuthonestsingle-syllabledlaugh。"Ha！YoulookalittlelesslikearovingApachethanyoudidwhenyoucame。I

reallythoughtthewaitersweregoingtochuckyou。AndyouARE

tanned！Darnedifyoudon’tlookliketheprofilestampedonaContinentalpenny！Buthere’sluckandawelcomeback，oldman！"

Demorestpassedhisarmaroundtheneckofhisseatedpartner，andgraspinghisupraisedhandsaid，lookingdownwithasmile，"AndnowaboutBarker。"

"Oh，Parker，d——nhim！He’sthesameunshakable，unchangeable，ungrow-upableBarker！Withthedevil’sownluck，too！Waltzingintorisksandwaltzingoutof’em。Withfadsenoughtoputhimintheinsaneasylumifpeopledidnotprefertokeephimoutofittohelp’em。Alwaysbelievingineverybody，untiltheyactuallybelieveinthemselves，andshakehim！Andhe’sgotawifethat’smakingafoolofherself，andIshouldn’twonderintime——ofhim！"

Demorestpressedhishandoverhispartner’smouth。"Come，Jim！

Youknowyouneverreallylikedthatmarriage，simplybecauseyouthoughtthatoldmanCartermadeagoodthingofit。AndyouneverseemtohavetakenintoconsiderationthehappinessBarkergotoutofit，forheDIDlovethegirl。Andhestillishappy，ishenot？"headdedquickly，asStacyutteredagrunt。

"AshappyasamancanbewhohashischildherewithanursewhilehiswifeisgallivantinginSanFrancisco，andthrowinghermoney——

andLordknowswhatelse——awayatthebiddingofasmooth-tongued，shadyoperator。"

"DoesHEcomplainofit？"askedDemorest。

"Nothe；thefooltrustsher！"saidStacycurtly。

Demorestlaughed。"Thatishappiness！Come，Jim！don’tletusbegrudgehimthat。ButI’veheardthathisaffairshaveagainprospered。"

"Hebuiltthisrailroadandthishotel。Thebankownsbothnow。

Hedidn’tcaretokeepmoneyinthemaftertheywereasuccess；

saidhewasn’tanengineernorahotel-keeper，anddrewitouttofindsomethingnew。Butherehecomes，"headded，asahorsemandashedintothedrivebeforethehotel。"Questionhimyourself。

Youknowyouandhealwaysgetalongbestwithoutme。"

InanothermomentBarkerhadburstintotheroom，andinhisfirsttempestuousgreetingofDemorestthelattersawlittlechangeinhisyoungerpartnerasheheldhimatarm’slengthtolookathim。

"Why，Barkerboy，youhaven’tgotabitoldersincethedaywhen——

youremember——youwentovertoBoomvilletocashyourbonds，andthencamebackandburstuponuslikethistotellusyouwereabeggar。"

"Yes，"laughedBarker，"andallthewhileyoufellowswereholdingfouracesupyoursleeveintheshapeofthebigstrike。"

"Andyou，Georgy，oldboy，"returnedDemorest，swingingBarker’stwohandsbackwardsandforwards，"wereholdingaroyalflushupyoursintheshapeofyourengagementtoKitty。"

ThefreshcolordiedoutofBarker’scheekevenwhilethefranklaughwasstillonhismouth。Heturnedhisfaceforamomenttowardsthewindow，andaswiftandalmostinvoluntaryglancepassedbetweentheothers。ButhealmostasquicklyturnedhisglisteningeyesbacktoDemorestagain，andsaideagerly，"Yes，dearKitty！Youshallseeherandthebabyto-morrow。"

ThentheyfelluponthesupperwiththeappetitesofthePast，andforsomemomentstheyalltalkedeagerlyandevennoisilytogether，allatthesametime，witheventhespiritsofthePast。Theyrecalledeverydetailoftheiroldlife；eagerlyandimpetuouslyrecountedtheoldstruggles，hopes，anddisappointments，gavethestrangeimportanceofschoolboystounimportantevents，andamysticmeaningtoashibbolethoftheirown；roaredoveroldjokeswithadelighttheyhadneversincegiventonew；reawakenedidioticnicknamesandbywordswithintenseenjoyment；grewgrave，anxious，andagonizedoverforgottennames，triflingdates，uselessdistances，ineffectiverecords，andfeeblechroniclesoftheirdomesticeconomy。ItwasthethoughtfulandmelancholyDemorestwhorememberedtheexactcolorandpricepaidforacertainshirtboughtfromaGreaserpeddleramidsttheenvyofhiscompanions；itwasthefinancialmagnate，Stacy，whocouldinformthemwhatweretheexactdaystheyhadsaleratusbreadandwhenflapjacks；itwasthethoughtlessandmercurialBarkerwhorecalledwithunheard-ofaccuracy，amidsttheapplauseoftheothers，thefullnameoftheIndiansquawwhoassistedattheirwashing。Eventhentheywerealmostfeverishlyloathtoleavethesubject，asifthePast，atleast，wassecuretothemstill，andtheywereevendoubtfuloftheirownfreeandfullaccordinthePresent。Thentheyslippedratherreluctantlyintotheirlaterexperiences，butwithscarcelythesamefreedomorspontaneity；anditwasnoticeablethattheserecordswereelicitedfromBarkerbyStacyorfromStacybyBarkerfortheinformationofDemorest，oftenwithchaffingandonlyundergood-humoredprotest。"TellDemoresthowyoubrokethe’CopperRing，’"fromtheadmiringBarker，or，"TellDemoresthowyourd————dfoolishnessinbuyinguptherightandplantoftheDitchCompanygotyoucontroloftherailroad，"fromthemischievousStacy，werechallengesinpoint。Presentlytheyleftthetable，and，totheastonishmentofthewaiterswhoremovedthecloth，commonbrier-

woodpipes，thoughtfullyprovidedbyBarkerincommemorationofthePast，werelit，andtheyrangedthemselvesinarmchairsbeforethefirequiteunconsciouslyintheiroldattitudes。Thetwowindowsoneithersideofthehearthgavethemthesameviewthattheopendooroftheoldcabinhadmadefamiliartothem，theleague-longvalleybelowtheshadowybulkoftheBlackSpurrisinginthedistance，and，stillmoreremote，thepallidsnow-linethatsoaredevenbeyonditscrest。

Asintheoldtime，theywereformanymomentssilent；andthen，asintheoldtime，itwastheirrepressibleBarkerwhobrokethesilence。"ButStacydoesnottellyouanythingabouthisfriend，thebeautifulMrs。Horncastle。Youknowhe’stheguardianofoneofthefinestwomeninCalifornia——awomanasnobleandgenerousassheishandsome。Andthinkofit！He’sprotectingherfromherbruteofahusband，andlookingafterherproperty。Isn’titgoodandchivalrousofhim？"

TheirrepressiblelaughterofthetwomenbroughtonlywonderandreproachfulindignationintothewidelyopenedeyesofBarker。HE

wasperfectlysincere。HehadbeenthinkingofStacy’sadmirationforMrs。HorncastleinhisridefromBoomville，and，strangetosay，yetcharacteristicofhisnature，itwasequallythenaturaloutcomeofhisinterviewwithherandthesingulareffectshehaduponhim。Thathe（Barker）thoroughlysympathizedwithheronlyconvincedhimthatStacymustfeelthesameforher，andthat，nodoubt，shemustrespondtohimequally。Andhownobleitwasinhisoldpartner，withhisadvantagesofpositionintheworldandhisprotectingrelationstoher，nottoavailhimselfofthisinfluenceuponhergenerousnature。Ifhehimself——amarriedmanandthehusbandofKitty——wassoconsciousofhercharm，howmuchgreateritmustbetothefreeandINEXPERIENCEDStacy。

TheitalicswereinBarker’sthought；forinthosemattershefeltthatStacyandevenDemorest，occupiedinotherthings，hadnothisknowledge。TherewasnoideaorconsciousnessofheroicallysacrificinghimselforMrs。Horncastleinthis。Iamafraidtherewasnotevenanideaofasuperiormoralityinhimselfingivingupthepossibilityoflovingher。EversinceStacyhadfirstseenherhehadfanciedthatStacylikedher，——indeed，Kittyfanciedit，too，——anditseemedalmostprovidentialnowthatheshouldknowhowtoassisthisoldpartnertohappiness。ForitwasinconceivablethatStacyshouldnotbeabletorescuethiswomanfromhershamefulbonds，orthatsheshouldnotconsenttoitthroughhis（Barker’s）argumentsandentreaties。Toa"championofdames"thisseemedonlyrightandproper。InhisunfailingoptimismhetranslatedStacy’slaughasembarrassmentandDemorest’sasonlyignoranceoftherealquestion。ButDemoresthadnoticed，ifhehadnot，thatStacy’slaughwasalittlenervouslyprolongedforamanofhistemperament，andthathehadcastaverykeenglanceatBarker。AmessengerarrivingwithatelegrambroughtfromBoomvillecalledStacymomentarilyaway，andBarkerwasnotslowtotakeadvantageofhisabsence。

"Iwish，Phil，"hesaid，hitchinghischairclosertoDemorest，"thatyouwouldthinkseriouslyofthismatter，andtrytopersuadeStacy——who，Ibelieve，ismoreinterestedinMrs。Horncastlethanhecarestoshow——toputalittleofthatdeterminationinlovethathehasshowninbusiness。She’sanawfullyfinewoman，andineverywaysuitedtohim，andheislettinganabsurdsenseofprideandhonorkeephimfrominfluencinghertogetridofherimpossiblehusband。There’snoreason，"continuedBarkerinaburstofenthusiasticsimplicity，"thatBECAUSEshehasfoundsomeoneshelikesbetter，andwhowouldtreatherbetter，thatsheshouldcontinuetosticktothatbeastwhomallCaliforniawouldgladlyseeherdivorcedfrom。Inevercouldunderstandthatkindofargument，couldyou？"

Demorestlookedathiscompanion’sglowingcheekandkindlingeyewithasmile。"Agooddealdependsuponthesidefromwhichyouargue。But，frankly，Barkerboy，thoughIthinkIknowyouinallyourphases，Iamnotpreparedyettoacceptyouasamatch-maker！

However，I’llthinkitover，andfindoutsomethingmoreofthisfromyourgoddess，whoseemstohavebewitchedyouboth。ButwhatdoesMistressKittysaytoyouradmiration？"

Barker’sfaceclouded，butinstantlybrightened。"Oh，they’rethebestoffriends；they’requitelikeus，youknow，eventolarkstheyhavetogether。"Hestoppedandcoloredathisslip。ButDemorest，whohadnoticedhischangeofexpression，wasmoreconcernedatthelookofhalfincredulityandhalfsuspicionwithwhichStacy，whohadre-enteredtheroomintimetohearBarker’sspeech，wasregardinghisunconsciousyoungerpartner。

"Ididn’tknowthatMrs。HorncastleandMrs。Barkerweresuchfriends，"hesaiddrylyashesatdownagain。ButhisfacepresentlybecamesoabstractedthatDemorestsaidgayly：——

"Well，Jim，I’mgladI’mnotaNapoleonofFinance！Icouldn’tstandittohavemyprivacyormyrelaxationbrokeninuponatanymoment，asyourswasjustnow。Whatconfoundedsomersaultinstockshasputthatfaceonyou？"

Stacylookedupquicklywithhisbrieflaugh。"I’mafraidyou’dbenonethewiserifItoldyou。ThatwasaponyexpressmessengerfromNewYork。YourememberhowBarker，thatnightofthestrike，whenweweresittingtogetherhere，orverynearhere，proposedthatweoughttohaveapasswordorasymboltocallustogetherincaseofemergency，foreachother’shelp？Well，letussayIhavetwopartners，oneinEuropeandoneinNewYork。Thatwasmypassword。"

"And，Ihope，nomoreseriousthanours，"addedDemorest。

Stacylaughedhisshortlaugh。Nevertheless，theconversationdraggedagain。Thefeverishgayetyoftheearlypartoftheeveningwasgone，andtheyseemedtobesufferingfromthereaction。Theyfellintotheiroldattitudes，lookingfromthefirelighttothedistantbulkofBlackSpurwithoutaword。Theoccasionalsoundofthevoicesofpromenadersontheverandaatlastceased；therewasthenoiseoftheshuttingofheavydoorsbelow，andBarkerrose。

"You’llexcuseme，boys；butImustgoandsaygood-nighttolittleSta，andseethathe’sallright。Ihaven’tseenhimsinceIgotback。But"——toDemorest——"you’llseehimto-morrow，whenKittycomes。Itisasmuchasmylifeisworthtoshowhimbeforeshecertifieshimasbeingpresentable。"Hepaused，andthenadded：

"Don’twaitup，youfellows，forme；sometimesthelittlechapwon’tletmego。It’sasifhethought，nowKitty’saway，Iwasallhehad。ButI’llbeupearlyinthemorningandseeyou。I

daresayyouandStacyhaveaheaptosaytoeachotheronbusiness，andyouwon’tmissme。SoI’llsaygood-night。"Helaughedlightly，pressedthehandsofhispartnersinhisusualheartyfashion，andwentoutoftheroom，leavingthegloomalittledeeperthanbefore。ItwassounusualforBarkertobethefirsttoleaveanybodyoranythingintroublethattheybothnoticedit。"Butforthat，"saidDemorest，turningtoStacyasthedoorclosed，"Ishouldsaythedearfellowwasabsolutelyunchanged。Butheseemedalittleanxiousto-night。"

"Ishouldn’twonder。He’sgottwowomenonhismind，——asifonewasnotenough。"

"Idon’tunderstand。Yousayhiswifeisfoolish，andthisother"——

"Nevermindthatnow，"interruptedStacy，gettingupandputtingdownhispipe。"Let’stalkalittlebusiness。Thatotherstuffwillkeep。"

"Byallmeans，"saidDemorest，withasmile，settlingdownintohischairalittlewearily，however。"Iforgotbusiness。AndI

forgot，mydearJim，tocongratulateyou。I’veheardallaboutyou，eveninNewYork。You’rethemanwho，accordingtoeverybody，nowholdsthefinancesofthePacificSlopeinhishands。And，"headded，leaningaffectionatelytowardshisoldpartner，"Idon’tknowanyonebetterequippedinhonesty，straightforwardness，andcourageforsucharesponsibilitythanyou。"

"Ionlywish，"saidStacy，lookingthoughtfullyatDemorest，"thatIdidn’tholdnearlyamillionofyourmoneyincludedinthefinancesofthePacificSlope。"

"Why，"saidthesmilingDemorest，"aslongasIamsatisfied？"

"BecauseIamnot。Ifyou’resatisfied，I’mawretchedidiotandnotfitformyposition。Now，lookhere，Phil。WhenyouwrotemetoselloutyoursharesintheWheatTrustIwasalittlestaggered。Iknewyourgait，myboy，andIknew，too，that，whileyoudidn’tknowenoughtotrustyourownopinionsorfeeling，youknewtoomuchtotrustanyone’sopinionthatwasn’tfirst-class。

SoIreckonedyouhadthestraighttip；butIdidn’tseeit。Now，IoughtnottohavebeenstaggeredifIwasfitforyourconfidence，or，ifIwasstaggered，Ioughttohavehadenoughconfidenceinmyselfnottomindyou。See？"

"Iadmityourlogic，oldman，"saidDemorest，withanamusedface，"butIdon’tseeyourpremises。WHENdidItellyoutosellout？"

"Twodaysago。Youwrotejustafteryouarrived。"

"IhaveneverwrittentoyousinceIarrived。Ionlytelegraphedtoyoutoknowwhereweshouldmeet，andreceivedyourmessagetocomehere。"

"YouneverwrotemefromSanFrancisco？"

"Never。"

Stacylookedconcernedlyathisfriend。Washeinhisrightmind？

Hehadheardofcaseswheremelancholybroodingonafixedideahadaffectedthememory。Hetookfromhispocketaletter-case，andselectingaletterhandedittoDemorestwithoutspeaking。