第1章
CONTENTS
JIMMY"SBIGBROTHERFROMCALIFORNIA
THEYOUNGESTMISSPIPER
AWIDOWOFTHESANTAANAVALLEY
THEMERMAIDOFLIGHTHOUSEPOINT
UNDERTHEEAVES
HOWREUBENALLEN"SAWLIFE"INSANFRANCISCO
THREEVAGABONDSOFTRINIDAD
AVISIONOFTHEFOUNTAIN
AROMANCEOFTHELINE
BOHEMIANDAYSINSANFRANCISCO
UNDERTHEREDWOODS
JIMMY"SBIGBROTHERFROMCALIFORNIA
Asnightcreptupfromthevalleythatstormyafternoon，Sawyer"sLedgewasatfirstquiteblottedoutbywindandrain，butpresentlyreappearedinlittlenebulousstar-likepointsalongthemountainside，asthestragglingcabinsofthesettlementwereonebyonelitupbytheminersreturningfromtunnelandclaim。Thesestarswereofvaryingbrilliancythatevening，twonotablyso——onethateventuallyresolveditselfintoamany-candledilluminationofacabinofevidentfestivity；theotherintoaglimmeringtaperinthewindowofasilentone。Theymighthaverepresentedtheextrememutationsoffortuneinthesettlementthatnight：thecelebrationofastrikebyRobertFalloner，aluckyminer；andthesick-bedofDickLasham，anunluckyone。
Thelatterwas，however，notquitealone。HewasministeredtobyDaddyFolsom，aweakbutemotionalandaggressivelyhopefulneighbor，whowassittingbesidethewoodenbunkwhereontheinvalidlay。Yettherewassomethingperfunctoryinhisattitude：
hiseyeswerecontinuallystrayingtothewindow，whencetheilluminatedFallonerfestivitiescouldbeseenbetweenthetrees，andhisearsweremoreintentonthesongsandlaughterthatcamefaintlyfromthedistancethanonthefeverishbreathingandunintelligiblemoansofthesufferer。
Neverthelesshelookedtroubledequallybytheconditionofhischargeandbyhisownenforcedabsencefromtherevels。Amoreimpatientmoanfromthesickman，however，broughtachangetohisabstractedface，andheturnedtohimwithanexaggeratedexpressionofsympathy。
"Incourse！Lordy！Iknowjestwhatthosepainsare：kinderezefyouwashavin"atoothpulledthathadrootsbranchin"alloverye！
My！I"vejesthad"emsobadIcouldn"tkeepfromyellin"！That"shotrheumatics！Yes，sir，Ioughterknow！And"（confidentially）
"thesing"lerthingabout"emisthattheygetworsejestasthey"regoingoff——sorterwringin"yerhandandpunchin"yeinthebacktosay"Good-by。"There！"hecontinued，asthemansankexhaustedlybackonhisrudepillowofflour-sacks。"There！didn"tItellye？Ye"llbeallrightinaminit，andezchipperezajaybirdinthemornin"。Oh，don"ttellmeaboutrheumatics——I"vebinthar！On"yminewasthecoldkind——thathangsonlongest——yoursisthehot，thatburnsitselfupinnotime！"
IftheflushedfaceandbrighteyesofLashamwerenotenoughtocorroboratethissymptomofhighfever，thequick，wanderinglaughhegavewouldhaveindicatedthepointofdelirium。ButthetoooptimisticDaddyFolsomreferredthisacttoimprovement，andwentoncheerfully："Yes，sir，you"rebetternow，and"——hereheassumedanairofcautiousdeliberation，extravagant，asallhisassumptionswere——"Iain"tsayin"that——ef——you——was——to——rise——up"（veryslowly）"andheaveablanketortwooveryourshoulders——jestbywayo"caution，youknow——andleanin"onme，kindermeanderovertoBobFalloner"scabinandtheboys，itwouldn"tdoyouaheapo"good。
Changeso"thiskindisoftenprescribedbythefaculty。"Anothermoanfromthesufferer，however，hereapparentlycorrectedDaddy"stoofavorableprognosis。"Oh，allright！Well，perhapsyeknowbest；andI"lljestrunovertoBob"sandsayhowasyeain"tcomin"，andwillbebackinajiffy！"
"Theletter，"saidthesickmanhurriedly，"theletter，theletter！"
Daddyleanedsuddenlyoverthebed。ItwasimpossibleforevenhishopefulnesstoavoidthefactthatLashamwasdelirious。Itwasastrongfactorinthecase——onethatwouldcertainlyjustifyhisgoingovertoFalloner"swiththenews。Forthepresentmoment，however，thisaberrationwastobeacceptedcheerfullyandhumoredafterDaddy"sownfashion。"Ofcourse——theletter，theletter，"hesaidconvincingly；"that"swhattheboyshevbinsingin"jestnow——
"Good-by，Charley；whenyouareaway，Writemealetter，love；sendmealetter，love！"
That"swhatyouheard，andamightypurtysongitistoo，andkinderclingstoyou。It"swonderfulhowthesethingsgetsinyourhead。"
"Theletter——write——sendmoney——money——money，andthephotograph——
thephotograph——photograph——money，"continuedthesickman，intherapidreiterationofdelirium。
"Incourseyouwill——to-morrow——whenthemailgoes，"returnedDaddysoothingly；"plentyofthem。Jestnowyoutrytogetasnooze，willye？Hol"on！——takesomeo"this。"
Therewasananodynemixtureontherudeshelf，whichthedoctorhadleftonhismorningvisit。Daddyhadacomfortablebeliefthatwhatwouldrelievepainwouldalsocheckdelirium，andheaccordinglymeasuredoutadosewithaliberalmargintoallowofwastebythepatientinswallowinginhissemi-consciousstate。Ashelaymorequiet，mutteringstill，butnowunintelligibly，Daddy，waitingforamorecompleteunconsciousnessandtheopportunitytoslipawaytoFalloner"s，casthiseyesaroundthecabin。HenoticednowforthefirsttimesincehisentrancethatacrumpledenvelopebearingaWesternpost-markwaslyingatthefootofthebed。Daddyknewthatthetri-weeklyposthadarrivedanhourbeforehecame，andthatLashamhadevidentlyreceivedaletter。
Sureenoughtheletteritselfwaslyingagainstthewallbesidehim。Itwasopen。Daddyfeltjustifiedinreadingit。
Itwascurtandbusinesslike，statingthatunlessLashamatoncesentaremittanceforthesupportofhisbrotherandsister——twochildreninchargeofthewriter——theymustfindahomeelsewhere。
Thatthearrearswerelongstanding，andtherepeatedpromisesofLashamtosendmoneyhadbeenunfulfilled。Thatthewritercouldstanditnolonger。Thiswouldbehislastcommunicationunlessthemoneyweresentforthwith。
Itwasbynomeansanovelor，underthecircumstances，ashockingdisclosuretoDaddy。Hehadseensimilarmissivesfromdaughters，andevenwives，consequentonthevaryingfortunesofhisneighbors；nooneknewbetterthanhetheuncertaintiesofaminer"sprospects，andyettheinevitablehopefulnessthatbuoyedhimup。Hetosseditasideimpatiently，whenhiseyecaughtastripofpaperhehadoverlookedlyingupontheblanketneartheenvelope。Itcontainedafewlinesinanunformedboyishhandaddressedto"mybrother，"andevidentlyslippedintotheletterafteritwaswritten。BytheuncertaincandlelightDaddyreadasfollows：——
DearBrother，RitetomeandCissyriteoff。Whyaintyoudoneit？
It"ssolongsinceyouroteany。MisterReckettssesyoudontcareanymore。Wenyouritesendyourfotograff。FolksheresesIaintgotnobigbrutheranyway，asIdisrememberhislooks，andcantsaywotslikehim。Cissy"skryin"allalongofit。I"vegotahedake。WilliamWalkermakeitakebyablo。SonomoreatpresentfromyourlovinglittlebrutherJim。
Thequick，hystericlaughwithwhichDaddyreadthiswasquiteconsistentwithhisresponsive，emotionalnature；so，too，werethereadytearsthatsprangtohiseyes。Heputthecandledownunsteadily，withacasualglanceatthesickman。Itwasnotable，however，thatthislookcontainedlesssympathyfortheailing"bigbrother"thanhisemotionmighthavesuggested。ForDaddywascarriedquiteawaybyhisownmentalpictureofthehelplesschildren，andeageronlytorelatehisimpressionsoftheincident。
Hecastanotherglanceattheinvalid，thrustthepapersintohispocket，andclappingonhishatslippedfromthecabinandrantothehouseoffestivity。Yetitwascharacteristicoftheman，andsoengrossedwashebyhisoneidea，thattotheusualinquiriesregardinghispatientheanswered，"he"sallright，"andplungedatonceintotheincidentofthedunningletter，reserving——withtheinstinctofanemotionalartist——thechild"smissiveuntilthelast。Asheexpected，themoneydemandwasreceivedwithindignantcriticismsofthewriter。
"That"sjustlike"emintheStates，"saidCaptainFletcher；
"darnediftheydon"tbelievewe"veonlygottoboreaholeinthegroundandsnakeoutahundreddollars。Why，there"smywife——withaheapofhosssenseineverythingelse——isalluswonderin"whyI
can"trakeinacoolfiftybetwixtonesteamerdayandanother。"
"That"snothin"tomyolddad，"interruptedGusHouston，the"infant"ofthecamp，abright-eyedyoungfellowoftwenty；"why，hewrotetomeyesterdaythatifI"donlypickupasinglepieceofgoldeverydayandjustputitaside，sayin""That"sforpopperandmommer，"andnotfoolitaway——itwouldbeallthey"daskofme。"
"That"sso，"addedanother；"theseignorantrelationsisjusttheruino"theminingindustry。BobFallonerhezbinluckyinhisstriketo-day，buthe"sadarnedsightluckierinbeingwithoutkithorkinthatheknowsof。"
Daddywaiteduntilthemomentaryirritationhadsubsided，andthendrewtheotherletterfromhispocket。"Thatain"tall，boys，"hebeganinafalteringvoice，butgraduallyworkinghimselfuptoapitchofpathos；"justasIwasthinkingallthemverythings，I
kindernoticedthisyerpoorlittlebito"paperlyin"tharlonesomelikeandforgotten，andI——readit——andwell——gentlemen——
itjustchokedmerightup！"Hestopped，andhisvoicefaltered。
"Goslow，Daddy，goslow！"saidanauditorsmilingly。ItwasevidentthatDaddy"ssympatheticweaknesswaswellknown。
Daddyreadthechild"sletter。But，unfortunately，whatwithhisrealemotionandtheintoxicationofanaudience，hereaditextravagantly，andinterpolatedachild"slisp（onnoauthoritywhatever），andasimulatedinfantiledelivery，which，Ifear，atfirstprovokedthesmilesratherthanthetearsofhisaudience。
Nevertheless，atitsconclusionthelittlenotewashandedroundtheparty，andthentherewasamomentofthoughtfulsilence。
"Tellyouwhatitis，boys，"saidFletcher，lookingaroundthetable，"weoughttobedoin"suthin"forthemkidsrightoff！Didyou，"turningtoDaddy，"sayanythin"aboutthistoDick？"
"Nary——why，he"scleanoffhisheadwithfever——don"tunderstandaword——andjustbabbles，"returnedDaddy，forgetfulofhisroseatediagnosisamomentago，"andhasn"tgotacent。"
"Wemustmakeupwhatwecanamongstusaforethemailgoesto-
night，"saidthe"infant，"feelinghurriedlyinhispockets。
"Come，anteup，gentlemen，"headded，layingthecontentsofhisbuckskinpurseuponthetable。
"Holdon，boys，"saidaquietvoice。ItwastheirhostFalloner，whohadjustrisenandwasslippingonhisoilskincoat。"You"vegotenoughtodo，Ireckon，tolookafteryourownfolks。I"venone！Letthisbemyaffair。I"vegottogototheExpressOfficeanyhowtoseeaboutmypassagehome，andI"lljustgetadraftforahundreddollarsforthatoldskeesicks——what"shisblamedname？
Oh，Ricketts"——hemadeamemorandumfromtheletter——"andI"llsenditbyexpress。Meantime，youfellowssitdownthereandwritesomething——youknowwhat——sayingthatDick"shurthishandandcan"twrite——youknow；butaskedyoutosendadraft，whichyou"redoing。Sabe？That"sall！I"llskipovertotheexpressnowandgetthedraftoff，andyoucanmailtheletteranhourlater。SoputyourdustbackinyourpocketsandhelpyourselvestothewhiskeywhileI"mgone。"Heclappedhishatonhisheadanddisappeared。
"Theregoesawhiteman，youbet！"saidFletcheradmiringly，asthedoorclosedbehindtheirhost。"Now，boys，"headded，drawingachairtothetable，"let"sgetthisyerletteroff，andthengobacktoourgame。"
Pensandinkwereproduced，andananimateddiscussionensuedastothemattertobeconveyed。Daddy"spleaforanextendedexplanatoryandsympatheticcommunicationwasoverruled，andtheletterwaswrittentoRickettsonthesimplelinessuggestedbyFalloner。
"ButwhataboutpoorlittleJim"sletter？Thatoughttobeanswered，"saidDaddypathetically。
"IfDickhurthishandsohecan"twritetoRicketts，howinthunderishegoin"towritetoJim？"wasthereply。
"Butsuthin"oughterbesaidtothepoorkid，"urgedDaddypiteously。
"Well，writeityourself——youandGusHoustonmakeupsomethin"
together。I"mgoingtowinsomemoney，"retortedFletcher，returningtothecard-table，wherehewaspresentlyfollowedbyallbutDaddyandHouston。
"Yecan"twriteitinDick"sname，becausethatlittlebrotherknowsDick"shandwriting，evenifhedon"trememberhisface。
See？"suggestedHouston。
"That"sso，"saidDaddydubiously；"but，"headded，withelasticcheerfulness，wecanwritethatDick"says。"See？"
"Yourhead"slevel，oldman！Justyouwadeinonthat。"
Daddyseizedthepenand"wadedin。"Intosomewhatdeepanddifficultwater，Ifancy，forsomeofitsplashedintohiseyes，andhesniffledonceortwiceashewrote。"Suthin"likethis，"hesaid，afterapause：——
DEARLITTLEJIMMIE，——Yourbigbrotherhavin"hurthishand，wantsmetotellyouthatotherwaysheisallhunkyandA1。Hesayshedon"tforgetyouandlittleCissy，youbet！andhe"ssendin"moneytooldRickettsstraightoff。Hesaysdon"tyouandCissymindwhetherschoolkeepsornotaslongasbigBrotherDickholdsthelines。Hesayshe"dhavewrittenbefore，buthe"sbinfollerin"upaleadmightyclose，andexpectstostrikeitrichinafewdays。
"Youain"tgotnosabeaboutkids，"saidDaddyimperturbably；
"they"vegottobehumoredlikesickfolks。Andtheywanteverythin"big——theydon"ttakenostockinthingseztheyare——
eveneftheyhev"emworsethantheyare。"So，""continuedDaddy，readingtopreventfurtherinterruption，""hesaysyou"rejusttokeepyoureyesskinnedlookin"outforhimcomin"homeanytime——
dayornight。Allyou"vegottodoistositupandwait。Hemightcomeandevensnakeyououtofyourbeds！Hemightcomewithfourwhitehorsesandaniggerdriver，orhemightcomedisguisedasanornarytramp。Onlyyou"vegottobekeenonwatchin"。"（Yesee，"interruptedDaddyexplanatorily，"that"lljestkeepthemkidslively。）"HesaysCissy"stostopcryin"rightoff，andifWillieWalkerhitsyerontherightcheekyoujustslugoutwithyourleftfist，"cordin"toScripter。"Gosh，"ejaculatedDaddy，stoppingsuddenlyandgazinganxiouslyatHouston，"there"sthatblamedphotograph——Icleanforgotthat。"
"AndDickhasn"tgotoneintheshop，andneverhad，"returnedHoustonemphatically。"Golly！thatstumpsus！Unless，"headded，withdiabolicalthoughtfulness，"wetakeBob"s？Thekidsdon"trememberDick"sface，andBob"saboutthesameage。Andit"saregularstarpicture——youbet！BobhadittakeninSacramento——inallhiswarpaint。See！"Heindicatedaphotographpinnedagainstthewall——areallystrikinglikenesswhichdidfulljusticetoBob"slongsilkenmustacheandlarge，browndeterminedeyes。"I"llsnakeitoffwhiletheyain"tlookin"，andyoujamitintheletter。Bobwon"tmissit，andwecanfixitupwithDickafterhe"swell，andsendanother。"
Daddysilentlygraspedthe"infant"s"hand，whopresentlysecuredthephotographwithoutattractingattentionfromthecard-players。
Itwaspromptlyinclosedintheletter，addressedtoMasterJamesLasham。The"infant"startedwithittothepost-office，andDaddyFolsomreturnedtoLasham"scabintorelievethewatcherthathadbeendetachedfromFalloner"stotakehisplacebesidethesickman。
Meanwhiletherainfellsteadilyandtheshadowscrepthigherandhigherupthemountain。TowardsmidnightthestarpointsfadedoutonebyoneoverSawyer"sLedgeevenastheyhadcome，withthedifferencethattheilluminationofFalloner"scabinwasextinguishedfirst，whilethedimlightofLasham"sincreasedinnumber。Later，twostarsseemedtoshootfromthecentreoftheledge，trailingalongthedescent，untiltheywerelostintheobscurityoftheslope——thelightsofthestage-coachtoSacramentocarryingthemailandRobertFalloner。Theymetandpassedtwofainterlightstoilinguptheroad——thebuggylightsofthedoctor，hastilysummonedfromCartervilletothebedsideofthedyingDickLasham。
TheslowingupofhistraincausedBobFallonertostartfromahalfdozeinaWesternPullmancar。Asheglancedfromhiswindowhecouldseethattheblindingsnowstormwhichhadfollowedhimforthepastsixhourshadatlasthopelesslyblockedtheline。Therewasnoprospectbeyondtheinterminablesnowylevel，thewhirlingflakes，andthemonotonouspalisadesofleaflesstreesseenthroughittothedistantbanksoftheMissouri。Itwasaprospectthatthemountain-bredFallonerwasbeginningtoloathe，andalthoughitwasscarcelysixweekssinceheleftCalifornia，hewasalreadylookingbackregretfullytothedeepslopesandthefreesongoftheserriedranksofpines。
Theintensecoldhadchilledhistemperateblood，evenastherigorsandconventionsofEasternlifehadcheckedhissincerityandspontaneousflowofanimalspiritsbegotteninthefrankintercourseandbrotherhoodofcamps。HehadjustfledfromtheartificialitiesofthegreatAtlanticcitiestoseekoutsomeWesternfarminglandsinwhichhemightputhiscapitalandenergies。Theunlooked-forinterruptionofhisprogressbyalong-forgottenclimateonlydeepenedhisdiscontent。Andnow——thattrainwasactuallybacking！
Itappearedtheymustreturntothelaststationtowaitforasnow-ploughtocleartheline。Itwas，explainedtheconductor，barelyamilefromShepherdstown，wheretherewasagoodhotelandachanceofbreakingthejourneyforthenight。
Shepherdstown！ThenametouchedsomedimchordinBobFalloner"smemoryandconscience——yetonethatwasvague。ThenhesuddenlyrememberedthatbeforeleavingNewYorkhehadreceivedaletterfromHoustoninforminghimofLasham"sdeath，remindinghimofhispreviousbounty，andbegginghim——ifhewentWest——tobreakthenewstotheLashamfamily。Therewasalsosomeallusiontoajokeabouthis（Bob"s）photograph，whichhehaddismissedasunimportant，andevennowcouldnotrememberclearly。Forafewmomentshisconscienceprickedhimthatheshouldhaveforgottenitall，butnowhecouldmakeamendsbythisprovidentialdelay。Itwasnotatasktohisliking；inanyothercircumstanceshewouldhavewritten，buthewouldnotshirkitnow。
ShepherdstownwasonthemainlineoftheKansasPacificRoad，andashealightedatitsstation，thebigthroughtrainsfromSanFranciscosweptoutofthestormydistanceandstoppedalso。Heremembered，ashemingledwiththepassengers，hearingachildishvoiceaskifthiswastheCaliforniantrain。Herememberedhearingtheamusedandpatientreplyofthestation-master："Yes，sonny——
heresheisagain，andhere"sherpassengers，"ashegotintotheomnibusanddrovetothehotel。Hereheresolvedtoperformhisdisagreeabledutyasquicklyaspossible，andonhiswaytohisroomstoppedforamomentattheofficetoaskforRicketts"
address。Theclerk，afteraquickglanceofcuriosityathisnewguest，gaveittohimreadily，withasomewhatfamiliarsmile。ItstruckFalloneralsoasbeingoddthathehadnotbeenaskedtowritehisnameonthehotelregister，butthiswasasavingoftimehewasnotdisposedtoquestion，ashehadalreadydeterminedtomakehisvisittoRickettsatonce，beforedinner。Itwasstillearlyevening。
Hewaswashinghishandsinhisbedroomwhentherecamealighttapathissitting-roomdoor。Fallonerquicklyresumedhiscoatandenteredthesitting-roomastheporterusheredinayoungladyholdingasmallboybythehand。But，toFalloner"sutterconsternation，nosoonerhadthedoorclosedontheservantthantheboy，withahalf-apologeticglanceattheyounglady，utteredachildishcry，brokefromher，andcalling，"Dick！Dick！"ranforwardandleapedintoFalloner"sarms。
ThemereshockoftheonsetandhisownamazementleftBobwithoutbreathforwords。Theboy，witharmsconvulsivelyclaspinghisbody，wasimprintingkissesonBob"swaistcoatindefaultofreachinghisface。AtlastFallonermanagedgentlybutfirmlytofreehimself，andturnedahalf-appealing，half-embarrassedlookupontheyounglady，whoseownface，however，suddenlyflushedpink。Toaddtotheconfusion，theboy，insomereactionofinstinct，suddenlyranbacktoher，franticallyclutchedatherskirts，andtriedtoburyhisheadintheirfolds。
"Hedon"tloveme，"hesobbed。"Hedon"tcareformeanymore。"
Thefaceoftheyounggirlchanged。Itwasaprettyfaceinitsflushing；inthepalenessandthoughtfulnessthatovercastititwasastrikingface，andBob"sattentionwasforamomentdistractedfromthegrotesquenessofthesituation。Leaningovertheboyshesaidinacaressingyetauthoritativevoice，"Runawayforamoment，dear，untilIcallyou，"openingthedoorforhiminamaternalwaysoinconsistentwiththeyouthfulnessofherfigurethatitstruckhimeveninhisconfusion。Therewassomethingalsoinherdressandcarriagethatequallyaffectedhim：hergarmentsweresomewhatold-fashionedinstyle，yetofgoodmaterial，withanoddincongruitytotheclimateandseason。
Underherroughoutercloaksheworeapolkajacketandthethinnestofsummerblouses；andherhat，thoughdark，wasofroughstraw，plainlytrimmed。Nevertheless，thesepeculiaritieswerecarriedoffwithanairofbreedingandself-possessionthatwasunmistakable。Itwaspossiblethathercoolself-possessionmighthavebeenduetosomeinstinctiveantagonism，forasshecameastepforwardwithcoldlyandclearly-openedgrayeyes，hewasvaguelyconsciousthatshedidn"tlikehim。Nevertheless，hermannerwasformallypolite，even，ashefancied，tothepointofirony，asshebegan，inavoicethatoccasionallydroppedintothelazySouthernintonation，andaspeechthateasilyslippedattimesintoSoutherndialect：——
"Isentthechildoutoftheroom，asIcouldseethathisadvanceswereannoyingtoyou，andagooddeal，Ireckon，becauseIknewyourreceptionofthemwasstillmorepainfultohim。Itisquitenatural，Idaresay，youshouldfeelasyoudo，andIreckonconsistentwithyourattitudetowardshim。Butyoumustmakesomeallowanceforthedepthofhisfeelings，andhowhehaslookedforwardtothismeeting。WhenItellyouthateversincehereceivedyourlastletter，heandhissister——untilherillnesskeptherhome——havegoneeverydaywhenthePacifictrainwasduetothestationtomeetyou；thattheyhavetakenliterallyasGospeltrutheverywordofyourletter"——
"Myletter？"interruptedFalloner。
Theyounggirl"sscarletlipcurledslightly。"Ibegyourpardon——
Ishouldhavesaidtheletteryoudictated。Ofcourseitwasn"tinyourhandwriting——youhadhurtyourhand，youknow，"sheaddedironically。"Atallevents，theybelieveditall——thatyouwerecomingatanymoment；theylivedinthatbelief，andthepoorthingswenttothestationwithyourphotographintheirhandssothattheymightbethefirsttorecognizeandgreetyou。"
"Withmyphotograph？"interruptedFalloneragain。
Theyounggirl"scleareyesdarkenedominously。"Ireckon，"shesaiddeliberately，assheslowlydrewfromherpocketthephotographDaddyFolsomhadsent，"thatthatisyourphotograph。
Itcertainlyseemsanexcellentlikeness，"sheadded，regardinghimwithaslightsuggestionofcontemptuoustriumph。
Inaninstanttherevelationofthewholemysteryflasheduponhim！
TheforgottenpassageinHouston"sletteraboutthestolenphotographstoodclearlybeforehim；thecoincidenceofhisappearanceinShepherdstown，andthenaturalmistakeofthechildrenandtheirfairprotector，weremadeperfectlyplain。Butwiththisreliefandthecertaintythathecouldconfoundherwithanexplanationcameacertainmischievousdesiretoprolongthesituationandincreasehistriumph。Shecertainlyhadnotshownhimanyfavor。
"Haveyougottheletteralso？"heaskedquietly。
Shewhiskeditimpatientlyfromherpocketandhandedittohim。
AshereadDaddy"scharacteristicextravaganceandrecognizedthefamiliaridiosyncrasiesofhisoldcompanions，hewasunabletorestrainasmile。Heraisedhiseyes，tomeetwithsurprisethefairstranger"sleveledeyebrowsandbrightlyindignanteyes，inwhich，however，therainwasfastgatheringwiththelightning。
"Itmaybeamusingtoyou，andIreckonlikelyitwasallaCaliforniajoke，"shesaidwithslightlytremblinglips；"Idon"tknowNo"therngentlemenandtheirways，andyouseemtohaveforgottenourwaysasyouhaveyourkindred。Perhapsallthismayseemsofunnytothem：itmaynotseemfunnytothatboywhoisnowcryinghisheartoutinthehall；itmaynotbeveryamusingtothatpoorCissyinhersick-bedlongingtoseeherbrother。Itmaybesofarfromamusingtoher，thatIshouldhesitatetobringyouthereinherexcitedconditionandsubjecthertothepainthatyouhavecausedhim。ButIhavepromisedher；sheisalreadyexpectingus，andthedisappointmentmaybedangerous，andIcanonlyimploreyou——forafewmomentsatleast——toshowalittlemoreaffectionthanyoufeel。"Ashemadeanimpulsive，deprecatinggesture，yetwithoutchanginghislookofrestrainedamusement，shestoppedhimhopelessly。"Oh，ofcourse，yes，yes，Iknowitisyearssinceyouhaveseenthem；theyhavenorighttoexpectmore；only——only——
feelingasyoudo，"sheburstimpulsively，"why——oh，whydidyoucome？"
HerewasBob"schance。Heturnedtoherpolitely；begangravely，"Isimplycameto"——whensuddenlyhisfacechanged；hestoppedasifstruckbyablow。Hischeekflushed，andthenpaled！GoodGod！
Whathadhecomefor？Totellthemthatthisbrothertheywerelongingfor——livingfor——perhapsevendyingfor——wasdead！Inhiscrassstupidity，hiswoundedvanityoverthescornoftheyounggirl，hisanticipationoftriumph，hehadforgotten——totallyforgotten——whatthattriumphmeant！PerhapsifhehadfeltmorekeenlythedeathofLashamthethoughtofitwouldhavebeenuppermostinhismind；butLashamwasnothispartnerorassociate，onlyabrotherminer，andhissingleactofgenerositywasintheordinaryroutineofcamplife。Ifshecouldthinkhimcoldandheartlessbefore，whatwouldshethinkofhimnow？Theabsurdityofhermistakehadvanishedinthegrimtragedyhehadseemedtohavecruellypreparedforher。Thethoughtstruckhimsokeenlythathestammered，faltered，andsankhelplesslyintoachair。
Theshockthathehadreceivedwassoplaintoherthatherownindignationwentoutinthebreathofit。Herlipquivered。
"Don"tyoumind，"shesaidhurriedly，droppingintoherSouthernspeech；"Ididn"tgotohurtyou，butIwasjustthatmadwiththethoughtofthosepickaninnies，andtheeasywayyoutookit，thatI
cleanforgotI"dnocalltocatechiseyou！Andyoudon"tknowmefromtheQueenofSheba。Well，"shewenton，stillmorerapidly，andinodddistinctiontoherpreviousformalslowSoutherndelivery，"I"mthedaughterofColonelBoutelle，ofBayouSara，Louisiana；andhispaw，andhispawbeforehim，hadaplantationtheresincethetimeofAdam，buthelostitandsixhundredniggersduringtheWah！Wewerepoohaspohverty——pawandmawandwefourgirls——andnomoreideaofworkthanababy。ButIhadaneducationattheconventatNewOrleans，andcouldplay，andspeakFrench，andIgotaplaceasschool-teacherhere；IreckonthefirstSouthernwomanthathastaughtschoolintheNo"th！
Ricketts，whousedtobeourstewardatBayouSara，toldmeaboutthepickaninnies，andhowhelplesstheywere，withonlyabrotherwhooccasionallysentthemmoneyfromCalifornia。IsupposeI
cottonedtothepoohlittlethingsatfirstbecauseIknewwhatitwastobealoneamongststrangers，Mr。Lasham；Iusedtoteachthematoddtimes，andlookafterthem，andgowiththemtothetraintolookforyou。PerhapsRickettsmademethinkyoudidn"tcareforthem；perhapsIwaswronginthinkingitwastrue，fromthewayyoumetJimmyjustnow。ButI"vespokenmymindandyouknowwhy。"
Sheceasedandwalkedtothewindow。
Fallonerrose。Thestormthathadsweptthroughhimwasover。
Thequickdetermination，resolutepurpose，andinfinitepatiencewhichhadmadehimwhathewaswereallthere，andwithitaconscientiousnesswhichhisselfishindependencehadhithertokeptdormant。Heacceptedthesituation，notpassively——itwasnotinhisnature——butthrewhimselfintoitwithallhisenergy。
"Youwerequiteright，"hesaid，haltingamomentbesideher；"I
don"tblameyou，andletmehopethatlateryoumaythinkmelesstoblamethanyoudonow。Now，what"stobedone？Clearly，I"vefirsttomakeitrightwithTommy——ImeanJimmy——andthenwemustmakeastraightdashovertothegirl！Whoop！"Beforeshecouldunderstandfromhisfacethestrangechangeinhisvoice，hehaddashedoutoftheroom。Inamomenthereappearedwiththeboystrugglinginhisarms。"Thinkofthelittlescampnotknowinghisownbrother！"helaughed，givingtheboyareallyaffectionate，ifslightlyexaggeratedhug，andexpectingmetoopenmyarmstothefirstlittleboywhojumpsintothem！I"veagreatmindnottogivehimthepresentIfetchedallthewayfromCalifornia。Waitamoment。"Hedashedintothebedroom，openedhisvalise——whereheprovidentiallyrememberedhehadkept，withaminer"ssuperstition，thefirstlittlenuggetofgoldhehadeverfound——seizedthetinybitofquartzofgold，anddashedoutagaintodisplayitbeforeJimmy"seagereyes。
Iftheheartiness，sympathy，andcharmingkindnessoftheman"swholemannerandfaceconvinced，evenwhileitslightlystartled，theyounggirl，itwasstillmoreeffectivewiththeboy。Childrenarequicktodetectthefalseringofaffectedemotion，andBob"swassogenuine——whateveritscause——thatitmighthaveeasilypassedforafraternalexpressionwithhardercritics。Thechildtrustfullynestledagainsthimandwouldhavegraspedthegold，buttheyoungmanwhiskeditintohispocket。"Notuntilwe"veshownittoourlittlesister——wherewe"regoingnow！I"mofftoorderasleigh。"Hedashedoutagaintotheofficeasifhefoundsomereliefinaction，or，asitseemedtoMissBoutelle，toavoidembarrassingconversation。Whenhecamebackagainhewascarryinganimmensebearskinfromhisluggage。Hecastacriticallookatthegirl"sunseasonableattire。
"IshallwrapyouandJimmyinthis——youknowit"ssnowingfrightfully。"
MissBoutelleflushedalittle。"I"mwarmenoughwhenwalking，"
shesaidcoldly。BobglancedathersmartlittleFrenchshoes，andthoughtotherwise。Hesaidnothing，buthastilybundledhistwoguestsdownstairsandintothestreet。Thewhirlwinddanceofthesnowmadethesleighanindistinctbulkintheglitteringdarkness，andastheyounggirlforaninstantstooddazedlystill，Bobincontinentlyliftedherfromherfeet，depositedherinthevehicle，droppedJimmyinherlap，andwrappedthembothtightlyinthebearskin。Herweight，whichwasscarcelymorethanachild"s，struckhiminthatmomentasbeingtantalizinglyincongruoustothematronlyseverityofhermanneranditsstrangeeffectuponhim。
Hethenjumpedinhimself，takingthedirectionfromhiscompanion，anddroveoffthroughthestorm。
Thewindanddarknesswerenotfavorabletoconversation，andonlyoncedidhebreakthesilence。"Isthereanyonewhowouldbelikelytoremember——me——wherewearegoing？"heasked，inalullofthestorm。
MissBoutelleuncoveredenoughofherfacetoglanceathimcuriously。"Hardly！YouknowthechildrencameherefromtheNo"thafteryourmother"sdeath，whileyouwereinCalifornia。"
"Ofcourse，"returnedBobhurriedly；"Iwasonlythinking——youknowthatsomeofmyoldfriendsmighthavecalled，"andthencollapsedintosilence。
Afterapauseavoicecameicily，althoughunderthefurs："Perhapsyou"dpreferthatyourarrivalbekeptsecretfromthepublic？ButtheyseemtohavealreadyrecognizedyouatthehotelfromyourinquiryaboutRicketts，andthephotographJimmyhadalreadyshownthemtwoweeksago。"Bobrememberedtheclerk"sfamiliarmannerandtheomissiontoaskhimtoregister。"Butitneedgonofurther，ifyoulike，"sheadded，withaslightreturnofherpreviousscorn。
"I"venoreasonforkeepingitsecret，"saidBobstoutly。
Nootherwordswereexchangeduntilthesleighdrewupbeforeaplainwoodenhouseinthesuburbsofthetown。Bobcouldseeataglancethatitrepresentedtheincomeofsomecarefulartisanorsmallshopkeeper，andthatitpromisedlittleforaninvalid"sluxuriouscomfort。Theywereusheredintoachillysitting-roomandMissBoutelleranupstairswithJimmytopreparetheinvalidforBob"sappearance。Henoticedthataworddroppedbythewomanwhoopenedthedoormadetheyounggirl"sfacegraveagain，andpaledthecolorthatthestormhadbuffetedtohercheek。Henoticedalsothattheseplainsurroundingsseemedonlytoenhanceherownsuperiority，andthatthewomantreatedherwithadeferenceinoddcontrasttotheill-concealeddisfavorwithwhichsheregardedhim。Strangelyenough，thislatterfactwasarelieftohisconscience。Itwouldhavebeenterribletohavereceivedtheirkindnessunderfalsepretenses；totaketheirjustblameofthemanhepersonatedseemedtomitigatethedeceit。
Theyounggirlrejoinedhimpresentlywithtroubledeyes。Cissywasworse，andonlyintermittentlyconscious，buthadaskedtoseehim。Itwasashortflightofstairstothebedroom，butbeforehereacheditBob"sheartbeatfasterthanithadinanymountainclimb。Inonecorneroftheplainlyfurnishedroomstoodasmalltrucklebed，andinitlaytheinvalid。ItneededbutasingleglanceatherflushedfaceinitsaureoleofyellowhairtorecognizethelikenesstoJimmy，although，addedtothatstrangerefinementproducedbysuffering，therewasaspiritualexaltationinthechild"slook——possiblyfromdelirium——thatawedandfrightenedhim；anawfulfeelingthathecouldnotlietothishopelesscreaturetookpossessionofhim，andhisstepfaltered。
Butsheliftedhersmallarmspatheticallytowardshimasifshedivinedhistrouble，andhesankonhiskneesbesideher。Withatinyfingercurledaroundhislongmustache，shelaytheresilent。
Herfacewasfulloftrustfulness，happiness，andconsciousness——
butshespokenoword。
Therewasapause，andFalloner，slightlyliftinghisheadwithoutdisturbingthatfaintlyclaspingfinger，beckonedMissBoutelletohisside。"Canyoudrive？"hesaid，inalowvoice。
"Yes。"
"Takemysleighandgetthebestdoctorintowntocomehereatonce。Bringhimwithyouifyoucan；ifhecan"tcomeatonce，drivehomeyourself。Iwillstayhere。"
"But"——hesitatedMissBoutelle。
"Iwillstayhere，"herepeated。
Thedoorclosedontheyounggirl，andFalloner，stillbendingoverthechild，presentlyheardthesleigh-bellspassawayinthestorm。
Hestillsatwithhisbenthead，heldbythetinyclaspofthosethinfingers。Butthechild"seyeswerefixedsointentlyuponhimthatMrs。Rickettsleanedoverthestrangely-assortedpairandsaid——
"It"syourbrotherDick，dearie。Don"tyouknowhim？"
Thechild"slipsmovedfaintly。"Dick"sdead，"shewhispered。
"She"swandering，"saidMrs。Ricketts。"Speaktoher。"ButBob，withhiseyesonthechild"s，liftedaprotestinghand。Thelittlesufferer"slipsmovedagain。"Itisn"tDick——it"stheangelGodsenttotellme。"
Shespokenomore。AndwhenMissBoutellereturnedwiththedoctorshewasbeyondthereachoffinitevoices。Fallonerwouldhaveremainedallnightwiththem，buthecouldseethathispresenceinthecontractedhouseholdwasnotdesired。EvenhisoffertotakeJimmywithhimtothehotelwasdeclined，andatmidnighthereturnedalone。
Whathisthoughtswerethatnightmaybeeasilyimagined。Cissy"sdeathhadremovedtheonlycausehehadforconcealinghisrealidentity。TherewasnothingmoretopreventhisrevealingalltoMissBoutelleandtooffertoadopttheboy。Buthereflectedthiscouldnotbedoneuntilafterthefuneral，foritwasonlyduetoCissy"smemorythatheshouldstillkeepuptheroleofDickLashamaschiefmourner。IfitseemsstrangethatBobdidnotatthiscrucialmomenttakeMissBoutelleintohisconfidence，Ifearitwasbecausehedreadedthepersonaleffectofthedeceithehadpracticeduponhermorethananyethicalconsideration；shehadsoftenedconsiderablyinherattitudetowardshimthatnight；hewashuman，afterall，andwhilehefelthisconducthadbeenunselfishinthemain，hedarednotconfesstohimselfhowmuchheropinionhadinfluencedhim。Heresolvedthatafterthefuneralhewouldcontinuehisjourney，andwritetoher，enroute，afullexplanationofhisconduct，inclosingDaddy"sletterascorroborativeevidence。Butonsearchinghisletter-casehefoundthathehadlosteventhatevidence，andhemusttrustsolelyatpresenttoherfaithinhisimprobablestory。
Itseemedasifhisgreatestsacrificewasdemandedatthefuneral！
Foritcouldnotbedisguisedthattheneighborswerestronglyprejudicedagainsthim。Eventhepreacherimprovedtheoccasiontowarnthecongregationagainstthedangersofputtingoffdutyuntiltoolate。AndwhenRobertFalloner，pale，butself-restrained，leftthechurchwithMissBoutelle，equallypaleandreserved，onhisarm，hecouldwithdifficultyrestrainhisfuryatthepassingofasignificantsmileacrossthefacesofafewcuriousbystanders。
"ItwasAmyBoutelle，thatwasthe"penitence"thatfetchedhim，youbet！"heoverheard，abarelyconcealedwhisper；andthereply，"Andit"sagoodthingshe"smadeoutofittoo，forhe"smightyrich！"
Atthechurchdoorhetookhercoldhandintohis。"Iamleavingto-morrowmorningwithJimmy，"hesaid，withawhiteface。"Good-
by。"
"Youarequiteright；good-by，"sherepliedasbriefly，butwiththefaintestcolor。Hewonderedifshehadheardittoo。
Whethershehadhearditornot，shewenthomewithMrs。Rickettsinsomerighteousindignation，whichfound——aftertheyounglady"shabit——freeexpression。WhateverwereMr。Lasham"sfaultsofomissionitwasmostun-Christiantoalludetothemthere，andaninsulttothepoorlittledear"smemorywhohadforgiventhem。
Weresheinhisshoesshewouldshakethedustofthetownoffherfeet；andshehopedhewould。ShewasalittlesoftenedonarrivingtofindJimmyintears。HehadlostDick"sphotograph——orDickhadforgottentogiveitbackatthehotel，forthiswasallhehadinhispocket。Andheproducedaletter——themissingletterofDaddy，whichbymistakeFallonerhadhandedbackinsteadofthephotograph。MissBoutellesawthesuperscriptionandCalifornianpostmarkwithavaguecuriosity。
"Didyoulookinside，dear？Perhapsitslippedin。"
Jimmyhadnot。MissBoutelledid——andIgrievetosay，endedbyreadingthewholeletter。
BobFallonerhadfinishedpackinghisthingsthenextmorning，andwaswaitingforMr。RickettsandJimmy。Butwhenatapcameatthedoor，heopenedittofindMissBoutellestandingthere。"IhavesentJimmyintothebedroom，"shesaidwithafaintsmile，"tolookforthephotographwhichyougavehiminmistakeforthis。Ithinkforthepresentheprefershisbrother"spicturetothisletter，whichIhavenotexplainedtohimoranyone。"Shestopped，andraisinghereyestohis，saidgently："Ithinkitwouldhaveonlybeenapartofyourgoodnesstohavetrustedme，Mr。Falloner。"
"Thenyouwillforgiveme？"hesaideagerly。
Shelookedathimfrankly，yetwithafainttraceofcoquetrythattheangelsmighthavepardoned。"DoyouwantmetosaytoyouwhatMrs。RickettssayswerethelastwordsofpoorCissy？"
Ayearlater，whenthedarknessandrainwerecreepingupSawyer"sLedge，andHoustonandDaddyFolsomweresittingbeforetheirbrushwoodfireintheoldLashamcabin，thelatterdeliveredhimselforacularly。
"It"samightyqueerthing，thatnewsaboutBob！It"snotthathe"smarried，forthatmighthappentoanyone；butthisyeraccountinthepaperofhisweddingbeingattendedbyhis"littlebrother。"Thatgetsme！Tothinkallthewhilehewasherehewaslettin"ontousthathehadn"tkithorkin！Well，sir，thataccountstomeforonething，——thesing"lerwayhetumbledtothatletterofpoorDickLasham"slittlebrotherandsenthimthatdraft！Don"tyesee？Itwasafellerfeelin"！Knewhowitwashimself！IreckonyeallthoughtIwaskindersoftreadingthatlettero"DickLasham"slittlebrothertohim，butyeseewhatitdid。"
THEYOUNGESTMISSPIPER
IdonotthinkthatanyofuswhoenjoyedtheacquaintanceofthePipergirlsorthehospitalityofJudgePiper，theirfather，evercaredfortheyoungestsister。Notonaccountofherextremeyouth，fortheeldestMissPiperconfessedtotwenty-six——andtheyouthoftheyoungestsisterwasestablishedsolely，Ithink，byonebigbraiddownherback。Neitherwasitbecauseshewastheplainest，forthebeautyofthePipergirlswasarecognizedgeneraldistinction，andtheyoungestMissPiperwasnotentirelydevoidofthefamilycharms。Norwasitfromanylackofintelligence，norfromanydefectivesocialquality；forherprecocitywasastounding，andhergood-humoredfranknessalarming。