第5章

Canadian—born，city—bredScots，inafoolishmomenttheyhadresignedtheircounting—housedesks，drawnupontheirsavings，andgoneKlondiking。Andnowtheywerefeelingtheroughedgeofthecountry。Grubless，spiritless，withalustforhomeintheirhearts，theyhadbeenstakedbytheP。C。Companytocutwoodforitssteamers，withthepromiseattheendofapassagehome。

Disregardingthepossibilitiesoftheice—run，theyhadfittinglydemonstratedtheirinefficiencybytheirchoiceoftheislandonwhichtheylocated。MontanaKid，thoughpossessinglittleknowledgeofthebreak—upofagreatriver，lookedabouthimdubiously，andcastyearningglancesatthedistantbankwherethetoweringbluffspromisedimmunityfromalltheiceoftheNorthland。

Afterfeedinghimselfanddogs，helightedhispipeandstrolledouttogetabetterideaofthesituation。Theisland，likeallitsriverbrethren，stoodhigherattheupperend，anditwasherethatDonaldandDavyhadbuilttheircabinandpiledmanycordsofwood。Thefarshorewasafullmileaway，whilebetweentheislandandthenearshorelayaback—channelperhapsahundredyardsacross。Atfirstsightofthis，MontanaKidwastemptedtotakehisdogsandescapetothemainland，butoncloserinspectionhediscoveredarapidcurrentfloodingontop。Below，therivertwistedsharplytothewest，andinthisturnitsbreastwasstuddedbyamazeoftinyislands。

"That’swhereshe’lljam，"heremarkedtohimself。

Halfadozensleds，evidentlyboundup—streamtoDawson，weresplashingthroughthechillwatertothetailoftheisland。

Travelontheriverwaspassingfromtheprecarioustotheimpossible，anditwasnipandtuckwiththemtilltheygainedtheislandandcameupthepathofthewood—chopperstowardthecabin。

Oneofthem，snow—blind，towedhelplesslyattherearofasled。

Huskyyoungfellowstheywere，rough—garmentedandtrail—worn，yetMontanaKidhadmetthebreedbeforeandknewatoncethatitwasnothiskind。

"Hello！How’sthingsupDawson—way？"queriedtheforemost，passinghiseyeoverDonaldandDavyandsettlingitupontheKid。

Afirstmeetinginthewildernessisnotcharacterizedbyformality。Thetalkquicklybecamegeneral，andthenewsoftheUpperandLowerCountrieswasswappedequitablybackandforth。

Butthelittlethenewcomershadwassoonoverwith，fortheyhadwinteredatMinook，athousandmilesbelow，wherenothingwasdoing。MontanaKid，however，wasfreshfromSaltWater，andtheyannexedhimwhiletheypitchedcamp，swampinghimwithquestionsconcerningtheoutside，fromwhichtheyhadbeencutoffforatwelvemonth。

Ashriekingsplit，suddenlyliftingitselfabovethegeneraluproarontheriver，dreweverybodytothebank。Thesurfacewaterhadincreasedindepth，andtheice，assailedfromaboveandbelow，wasstrugglingtotearitselffromthegripoftheshores。

Fissuresreverberatedintolifebeforetheireyes，andtheairwasfilledwithmultitudinouscrackling，crispandsharp，likethesoundthatgoesuponacleardayfromthefiringline。

Fromuptherivertwomenwereracingadogteamtowardthemonanuncoveredstretchofice。Butevenastheylooked，thepairstruckthewaterandbegantoflounderthrough。Behind，wheretheirfeethadspedthemomentbefore，theicebrokeupandturnedturtle。Throughthisopeningtheriverrushedoutuponthemtotheirwaists，buryingthesledandswingingthedogsoffatrightanglesinadrowningtangle。Butthemenstoppedtheirflighttogivetheanimalsafightingchance，andtheygropedhurriedlyinthecoldconfusion，slashingatthedetainingtraceswiththeirsheath—knives。Thentheyfoughttheirwaytothebankthroughswirlingwaterandgrindingice，where，foremostinleapingtotherescueamongthejarringfragments，wastheKid。

"Why，blimeme，ifitain’tMontanaKid！"exclaimedoneofthemenwhomtheKidwasjustplacinguponhisfeetatthetopofthebank。HeworethescarlettunicoftheMountedPoliceandjocularlyraisedhisrighthandinsalute。

"Gotawarrantforyou，Kid，"hecontinued，drawingabedraggledpaperfromhisbreastpocket，"an’I’opeasyou’llcomealongpeaceable。"

MontanaKidlookedatthechaoticriverandshruggedhisshoulders，andthepoliceman，followinghisglance，smiled。

"Wherearethedogs？"hiscompanionasked。

"Gentlemen，"interruptedthepoliceman，"this’eremateo’mineisJackSutherland，ownerofTwenty—TwoEldorado——"

"NotSutherlandof’92？"brokeinthesnow—blindedMinookman，gropingfeeblytowardhim。

"Thesame。"Sutherlandgrippedhishand。

"Andyou？"

"Oh，I’mafteryourtime，butIrememberyouinmyfreshmanyear，—

—youweredoingP。G。workthen。Boys，"hecalled，turninghalfabout，"thisisSutherland，JackSutherland，erstwhilefull—backonthe’Varsity。Comeup，yougold—chasers，andfalluponhim！

Sutherland，thisisGreenwich，——playedquartertwoseasonsback。"

"Yes，Ireadofthegame，"Sutherlandsaid，shakinghands。"AndI

rememberthatbigrunofyoursforthefirsttouchdown。"

Greenwichflusheddarklyunderhistannedskinandawkwardlymaderoomforanother。

"Andhere’sMatthews，——Berkeleyman。Andwe’vegotsomeEasterncracksknockingabout，too。Comeup，youPrincetonmen！Comeup！

ThisisSutherland，JackSutherland！"

Thentheyfelluponhimheavily，carriedhimintocamp，andsuppliedhimwithdryclothesandnumerousmugsofblacktea。

DonaldandDavy，overlooked，hadretiredtotheirnightlygameofcrib。MontanaKidfollowedthemwiththepoliceman。

"Here，getintosomedrytogs，"hesaid，pullingthemfromouthisscantykit。"Guessyou’llhavetobunkwithme，too。"

"Well，Isay，you’reagood’un，"thepolicemanremarkedashepulledontheotherman’ssocks。"SorryI’vegottotakeyoubacktoDawson，butIonly’opetheywon’tbe’ardonyou。"

"Notsofast。"TheKidsmiledcuriously。"Weain’tunderwayyet。WhenIgoI’mgoingdownriver，andIguessthechancesareyou’llgoalong。"

"NotifIknowmyself——"

"Comeonoutside，andI’llshowyou，then。Thesedamnfools，"

thrustingathumboverhisshoulderatthetwoScots，"playedsmashwhentheylocatedhere。Fillyourpipe，first——thisisprettygoodplug——andenjoyyourselfwhileyoucan。Youhaven’tmanysmokesbeforeyou。"

Thepolicemanwentwithhimwonderingly，whileDonaldandDavydroppedtheircardsandfollowed。TheMinookmennoticedMontanaKidpointingnowuptheriver，nowdown，andcameover。

"What’sup？"Sutherlanddemanded。

"Nothingmuch。"NonchalancesatwellupontheKid。"Justacaseofraisinghellandputtingachunkunder。Seethatbenddownthere？That’swhereshe’lljammillionsoftonsofice。Thenshe’lljaminthebendsupabove，millionsoftons。Upperjambreaksfirst，lowerjamholds，pouf！"Hedramaticallyswepttheislandwithhishand。"Millionsoftons，"headdedreflectively。

"Andwhatofthewoodpiles？"Davyquestioned。

TheKidrepeatedhissweepinggesturesandDavywailed，"Thelaborofmonths！Itcannabe！Na，na，lad，itcannabe。Idootnotit’sajowk。Ay，saythatitis，"heappealed。

ButwhentheKidlaughedharshlyandturnedonhisheel，Davyflunghimselfuponthepilesandbeganfranticallytotossthecordwoodbackfromthebank。

"Lendahand，Donald！"hecried。"Canyenolendahand？’Tisthelaborofmonthsandthepassagehome！"

Donaldcaughthimbythearmandshookhim，buthetorefree。

"Didyenohear，man？Millionsoftons，andtheislandshallbesweepitclean。"

"Straightenyersel’up，man，"saidDonald。"It’sabitfashedyeare。"

ButDavyfelluponthecordwood。Donaldstalkedbacktothecabin，buckledonhismoneybeltandDavy’s，andwentouttothepointoftheislandwherethegroundwashighestandwhereahugepinetoweredaboveitsfellows。

Themenbeforethecabinheardtheringingofhisaxeandsmiled。

Greenwichreturnedfromacrosstheislandwiththewordthattheywerepennedin。Itwasimpossibletocrosstheback—channel。TheblindMinookmanbegantosing，andtherestjoinedinwith—

"Wonderifit’strue？

Doesitseemsotoyou？

Seemstomehe’slying—

Oh，Iwonderifit’strue？"

"It’saysinfu’，"Davymoaned，liftinghisheadandwatchingthemdanceintheslantingraysofthesun。"Andmyguidwooda’goingtowaste。"

"Oh，Iwonderifit’strue，"

wasflauntedback。

Thenoiseoftheriverceasedsuddenly。Astrangecalmwrappedaboutthem。Theicehadrippedfromtheshoresandwasfloatinghigheronthesurfaceoftheriver，whichwasrising。Upitcame，swiftandsilent，fortwentyfeet，tillthehugecakesrubbedsoftlyagainstthecrestofthebank。Thetailoftheisland，beinglower，wasoverrun。Then，withouteffort，thewhitefloodstarteddown—stream。Butthesoundincreasedwiththemomentum，andsoonthewholeislandwasshakingandquiveringwiththeshockofthegrindingbergs。Underpressure，themightycakes，weighinghundredsoftons，wereshotintotheairlikepeas。Thefrigidanarchyincreaseditsriot，andthemenhadtoshoutintooneanother’searstobeheard。Occasionallytheracketfromthebackchannelcouldbeheardabovethetumult。Theislandshudderedwiththeimpactofanenormouscakewhichdroveinsquarelyuponitspoint。Itrippedascoreofpinesoutbytheroots，thenswingingaroundandover，lifteditsmuddybasefromthebottomoftheriverandboredownuponthecabin，slicingthebankandtreesawaylikeagiganticknife。Itseemedbarelytograzethecornerofthecabin，butthecribbedlogstilteduplikematches，andthestructure，likeatoyhouse，fellbackwardinruin。

"Thelaborofmonths！Thelaborofmonths，andthepassagehome！"

Davywailed，whileMontanaKidandthepolicemandraggedhimbackwardfromthewoodpiles。

"You’ll’aveplentyo’hoppertunityallingoodtimeforyerpassage’ome，"thepolicemangrowled，cloutinghimalongsidetheheadandsendinghimflyingintosafety。

Donald，fromthetopofthepine，sawthedevastatingbergsweepawaythecordwoodanddisappeardown—stream。Asthoughsatisfiedwiththisdamage，theice—floodquicklydroppedtoitsoldlevelandbegantoslackenitspace。Thenoiselikewiseeaseddown，andtheotherscouldhearDonaldshoutingfromhiseyrietolookdown—

stream。Asforecast，thejamhadcomeamongtheislandsinthebend，andtheicewaspilingupinagreatbarrierwhichstretchedfromshoretoshore。Therivercametoastandstill，andthewaterfindingnooutletbegantorise。Itrusheduptilltheislandwasawash，themensplashingarounduptotheirknees，andthedogsswimmingtotheruinsofthecabin。Atthisstageitabruptlybecamestationary，withnoperceptibleriseorfall。

MontanaKidshookhishead。"It’sjammedabove，andnomore’scomingdown。"

"Andthegambleis，whichjamwillbreakfirst，"Sutherlandadded。

"Exactly，"theKidaffirmed。"Iftheupperjambreaksfirst，wehaven’tachance。Nothingwillstandbeforeit。"

TheMinookmenturnedawayinsilence，butsoon"RumskyHo"

floateduponthequietair，followedby"TheOrangeandtheBlack。"RoomwasmadeinthecircleforMontanaKidandthepoliceman，andtheyquicklycaughttheringingrhythmofthechorusesastheydriftedonfromsongtosong。

"Oh，Donald，willyenolendahand？"Davysobbedatthefootofthetreeintowhichhiscomradehadclimbed。"Oh，Donald，man，willyenolendahand？"hesobbedagain，hishandsbleedingfromvainattemptstoscaletheslipperytrunk。

ButDonaldhadfixedhisgazeupriver，andnowhisvoicerangout，vibrantwithfear：—

"GodAlmichty，hereshecomes！"

Standingknee—deepintheicywater，theMinookmen，withMontanaKidandthepoliceman，grippedhandsandraisedtheirvoicesintheterrible，"BattleHymnoftheRepublic。"Butthewordsweredrownedintheadvancingroar。

AndtoDonaldwasvouchsafedasightsuchasnomanmayseeandlive。Agreatwallofwhiteflungitselfupontheisland。Trees，dogs，men，wereblottedout，asthoughthehandofGodhadwipedthefaceofnatureclean。Thismuchhesaw，thenswayedaninstantlongerinhisloftyperchandhurtledfaroutintothefrozenhell。

THESCORNOFWOMEN

OnceFredaandMrs。Eppingwellclashed。

NowFredawasaGreekgirlandadancer。AtleastshepurportedtobeGreek;butthiswasdoubtedbymany，forherclassicfacehadover—muchstrengthinit，andthetidesofhellwhichroseinhereyesmadeatraremomentsherethnologythemoredubious。Toafew——men——thissighthadbeenvouchsafed，andthoughlongyearsmayhavepassed，theyhavenotforgotten，norwilltheyeverforget。Shenevertalkedofherself，sothatitwerewelltoletitgodownthatwheninrepose，expurgated，Greekshecertainlywas。HerfurswerethemostmagnificentinallthecountryfromChilcoottoSt。Michael’s，andhernamewascommononthelipsofmen。ButMrs。Eppingwellwasthewifeofacaptain;alsoasocialconstellationofthefirstmagnitude，thepathofherorbitmarkingthemostselectcoterieinDawson，——acoteriecaptionedbytheprofaneasthe"officialclique。"SitkaCharleyhadtravelledtrailwithheronce，whenfaminedrewtightandaman’slifewaslessthanacupofflour，andhisjudgmentplacedheraboveallwomen。SitkaCharleywasanIndian;hiscriteriawereprimitive;

buthiswordwasflat，andhisverdictahall—markineverycampunderthecircle。

Thesetwowomenwereman—conquering，man—subduingmachines，eachinherownway，andtheirwaysweredifferent。Mrs。Eppingwellruledinherownhouse，andattheBarracks，wherewereyoungersonsgalore，tosaynothingofthechiefsofthepolice，theexecutive，andthejudiciary。Fredaruleddowninthetown;butthemensheruledwerethesamewhofunctionedsociallyattheBarracksorwerefedteaandcannedpreservesatthehandofMrs。

Eppingwellinherhillsidecabinofrough—hewnlogs。Eachknewtheotherexisted;buttheirliveswereapartasthePoles，andwhiletheymusthaveheardstraybitsofnewsandwerecurious，theywereneverknowntoaskaquestion。Andtherewouldhavebeennotroublehadnotafreelanceintheshapeofthemodel—

womancomeintothelandonthefirstice，withaspankingdog—

teamandacosmopolitanreputation。LoraineLisznayi——

alliterative，dramatic，andHungarian——precipitatedthestrife，andbecauseofherMrs。EppingwellleftherhillsideandinvadedFreda’sdomain，andFredalikewisewentupfromthetowntospreadconfusionandembarrassmentattheGovernor’sball。

AllofwhichmaybeancienthistorysofarastheKlondikeisconcerned，butveryfew，eveninDawson，knowtheinnertruthofthematter;norbeyondthosefewarethereanyfittomeasurethewifeofthecaptainortheGreekdancer。Andthatallarenowpermittedtounderstand，lethonorbeaccordedSitkaCharley。

Fromhislipsfellthemainfactsinthescreedherewithpresented。ItillbefitsthatFredaherselfshouldhavewaxedconfidentialtoamerescribblerofwords，orthatMrs。Eppingwellmadementionofthethingswhichhappened。Theymayhavespoken，butitisunlikely。

II

FloydVanderlipwasastrongman，apparently。Hardworkandhardgrubhadnoterrorsforhim，ashisearlyhistoryinthecountryattested。Indangerhewasalion，andwhenheheldincheckhalfathousandstarvingmen，asheoncedid，itwasremarkedthatnocoolereyeevertooktheglintofsunshineonarifle—sight。Hehadbutoneweakness，andeventhat，risingfromouthisstrength，wasofanegativesort。Hispartswerestrong，buttheylackedco—ordination。Nowithappenedthatwhilehiscentreofamativenesswaspronounced，ithadlainmuteandpassiveduringtheyearshelivedonmooseandsalmonandchasedglowingEldoradosoverchilldivides。Butwhenhefinallyblazedthecorner—postandcentre—stakesononeoftherichestKlondikeclaims，itbegantoquicken;andwhenhetookhisplaceinsociety，afull—fledgedBonanzaKing，itawokeandtookchargeofhim。HesuddenlyrecollectedagirlintheStates，anditcametohimquiteforcibly，notonlythatshemightbewaitingforhim，butthatawifewasaverypleasantacquisitionforamanwholivedsomeseveraldegreesnorthof53。Sohewroteanappropriatenote，enclosedaletterofcreditgenerousenoughtocoverallexpenses，includingtrousseauandchaperon，andaddressedittooneFlossie。Flossie？Onecouldimaginetherest。However，afterthathebuiltacomfortablecabinonhisclaim，boughtanotherinDawson，andbrokethenewstohisfriends。

Andjusthereiswherethelackofco—ordinationcameintoplay。

Thewaitingwastedious，andhavingbeenlongdenied，theamativeelementcouldnotbrookfurtherdelay。Flossiewascoming;butLoraineLisznayiwashere。AndnotonlywasLoraineLisznayihere，buthercosmopolitanreputationwassomewhattheworseforwear，andshewasnotexactlysoyoungaswhensheposedinthestudiosofartistqueensandreceivedatherdoorthecardsofcardinalsandprinces。Also，herfinanceswereunhealthy。Havingrunthegamutinhertime，shewasnownotaversetotryingconclusionswithaBonanzaKingwhosewealthwassuchthathecouldnotguessitwithinsixfigures。Likeawisesoldiercastingaboutafteryearsofserviceforacomfortablebillet，shehadcomeintotheNorthlandtobemarried。So，oneday，hereyesflashedupintoFloydVanderlip’sashewasbuyingtablelinenforFlossieintheP。C。Company’sstore，andthethingwassettledoutofhand。

Whenamanisfreemuchmaygounquestioned，which，shouldheberashenoughtocumberhimselfwithdomesticties，societywillinstantlychallenge。ThusitwaswithFloydVanderlip。Flossiewascoming，andalowbuzzwentupwhenLoraineLisznayirodedownthemainstreetbehindhiswolf—dogs。Sheaccompaniedtheladyreporterofthe"KansasCityStar"whenphotographsweretakenofhisBonanzaproperties，andwatchedthegenesisofasix—columnarticle。AtthattimetheyweredinedroyallyinFlossie’scabin，onFlossie’stablelinen。Likewisetherewerecomingsandgoings，andjunketings，allperfectlyproper，bytheway，whichcausedthementosaysharpthingsandthewomentobespiteful。OnlyMrs。

Eppingwelldidnothear。Thedistanthumofwaggingtonguesrosefaintly，butshewaspronetobelievegoodofpeopleandtocloseherearstoevil;soshepaidnoheed。

NotsowithFreda。Shehadnocausetolovemen，but，bysomestrangealchemyofhernature，herheartwentouttowomen，——towomenwhomshehadlesscausetolove。AndherheartwentouttoFlossie，eventhentravellingtheLongTrailandfacingintothebitterNorthtomeetamanwhomightnotwaitforher。A

shrinking，clingingsortofagirl，Fredapicturedher，withweakmouthandprettypoutinglips，blow—awaysun—kissedhair，andeyesfullofthemerryshallowsandthelesserjoysoflife。ButshealsopicturedFlossie，facenose—strappedandfrost—rimed，stumblingwearilybehindthedogs。Whereforeshesmiled，dancingonenight，uponFloydVanderlip。

FewmenaresoconstitutedthattheymayreceivethesmileofFredaunmoved;noramongthemcanFloydVanderlipbeaccounted。

Thegracehehadfoundwiththemodel—womanhadcausedhimtore—

measurehimself，andbythefavorinwhichhenowstoodwiththeGreekdancerhefelthimselfdoublyaman。Therewereunknownqualitiesanddepthsinhim，evidently，whichtheyperceived。Hedidnotknowexactlywhatthosequalitiesanddepthswere，buthehadahazyideathattheyweretheresomewhere，andofthemwasbredagreatprideinhimself。Amanwhocouldforcetwowomensuchasthesetolookuponhimasecondtime，wascertainlyamostremarkableman。Someday，whenhehadthetime，hewouldsitdownandanalyzehisstrength;butnow，justnow，hewouldtakewhatthegodshadgivenhim。Andathinlittlethoughtbegantoliftitself，andhefelltowonderingwhateverunderthesunhehadseeninFlossie，andtoregretexceedinglythathehadsentforher。Ofcourse，Fredawasoutoftherunning。HisdumpsweretherichestonBonanzaCreek，andtheyweremany，whilehewasamanofresponsibilityandposition。ButLoraineLisznayi——shewasjustthewoman。Herlifehadbeenlarge;shecoulddothehonorsofhisestablishmentandgivetonetohisdollars。

ButFredasmiled，andcontinuedtosmile，tillhecametospendmuchtimewithher。Whenshe，too，rodedownthestreetbehindhiswolf—dogs，themodel—womanfoundfoodforthought，andthenexttimetheyweretogetherdazzledhimwithherprincesandcardinalsandpersonallittleanecdotesofcourtsandkings。Shealsoshowedhimdaintymissives，superscribed，"MydearLoraine，"

andended"Mostaffectionatelyyours，"andsignedbythegivennameofareallivequeenonathrone。Andhemarvelledinhisheartthatthegreatwomanshoulddeigntowastesomuchasamomentuponhim。Butsheplayedhimcleverly，makingflatteringcontrastsandcomparisonsbetweenhimandthenoblephantomsshedrewmainlyfromherfancy，tillhewentawaydizzywithself—

delightandsorrowingfortheworldwhichhadbeendeniedhimsolong。Fredawasamoremasterfulwoman。Ifsheflattered，nooneknewit。Shouldshestoop，thestoopwereunobserved。Ifamanfeltshethoughtwellofhim，sosubtlywasthefeelingconveyedthathecouldnotforthelifeofhimsaywhyorhow。SoshetightenedhergripuponFloydVanderlipandrodedailybehindhisdogs。

Andjusthereiswherethemistakeoccurred。Thebuzzroseloudlyandmoredefinitely，couplednowwiththenameofthedancer，andMrs。Eppingwellheard。She，too，thoughtofFlossieliftinghermoccasinedfeetthroughtheendlesshours，andFloydVanderlipwasinvitedupthehillsidetotea，andinvitedoften。Thisquitetookhisbreathaway，andhebecamedrunkenwithappreciationofhimself。Neverwasmansomaltreated。Hissoulhadbecomeathingforwhichthreewomenstruggled，whileafourthwasonthewaytoclaimit。Andthreesuchwomen！

ButMrs。Eppingwellandthemistakeshemade。Shespokeoftheaffair，tentatively，toSitkaCharley，whohadsolddogstotheGreekgirl。Butnonameswerementioned。ThenearestapproachtoitwaswhenMrs。Eppingwellsaid，"This——er——horridwoman，"andSitkaCharley，withthemodel—womanstronginhisthoughts，hadechoed，"——er——horridwoman。"Andheagreedwithher，thatitwasawickedthingforawomantocomebetweenamanandthegirlhewastomarry。"Ameregirl，Charley，"shesaid，"Iamsuresheis。Andsheiscomingintoastrangecountrywithoutafriendwhenshegetshere。Wemustdosomething。"SitkaCharleypromisedhishelp，andwentawaythinkingwhatawickedwomanthisLoraineLisznayimustbe，alsowhatnoblewomenMrs。EppingwellandFredaweretointerestthemselvesinthewelfareoftheunknownFlossie。

NowMrs。Eppingwellwasopenastheday。ToSitkaCharley，whotookheroncepasttheHillsofSilence，belongsthegloryofhavingmemorializedherclear—searchingeyes，herclear—ringingvoice，andherutterdownrightfrankness。Herlipshadawayofstiffeningtocommand，andshewasusedtocomingstraighttothepoint。HavingtakenFloydVanderlip’smeasurement，shedidnotdarethiswithhim;butshewasnotafraidtogodownintothetowntoFreda。Anddownshewent，inthebrightlightofday，tothehouseofthedancer。Shewasabovesillytongues，aswasherhusband，thecaptain。Shewishedtoseethiswomanandtospeakwithher，norwassheawareofanyreasonwhysheshouldnot。SoshestoodinthesnowattheGreekgirl’sdoor，withthefrostatsixtybelow，andparleyedwiththewaiting—maidforafullfiveminutes。Shehadalsothepleasureofbeingturnedawayfromthatdoor，andofgoingbackupthehill，wrothatheartfortheindignitywhichhadbeenputuponher。"Whowasthiswomanthatsheshouldrefusetoseeher？"sheaskedherself。Onewouldthinkittheotherwayaround，andsheherselfbutadancinggirldeniedatthedoorofthewifeofacaptain。Asitwas，sheknew，hadFredacomeupthehilltoher，——nomatterwhattheerrand，——shewouldhavemadeherwelcomeatherfire，andtheywouldhavesatthereastwowomen，andtalked，merelyastwowomen。Shehadoversteppedconventionandloweredherself，butshehadthoughtitdifferentwiththewomendowninthetown。Andshewasashamedthatshehadlaidherselfopentosuchdishonor，andherthoughtsofFredawereunkind。

NotthatFredadeservedthis。Mrs。Eppingwellhaddescendedtomeetherwhowaswithoutcaste，whileshe，stronginthetraditionsofherownearlierstatus，hadnotpermittedit。Shecouldworshipsuchawoman，andshewouldhaveaskednogreaterjoythantohavehadherintothecabinandsatwithher，justsatwithher，foranhour。ButherrespectforMrs。Eppingwell，andherrespectforherself，whowasbeyondrespect，hadpreventedherdoingthatwhichshemostdesired。ThoughnotquiterecoveredfromtherecentvisitofMrs。McFee，thewifeoftheminister，whohaddescendeduponherinawhirlwindofexhortationandbrimstone，shecouldnotimaginewhathadpromptedthepresentvisit。Shewasnotawareofanyparticularwrongshehaddone，andsurelythiswomanwhowaitedatthedoorwasnotconcernedwiththewelfareofhersoul。Whyhadshecome？Forallthecuriosityshecouldnothelpbutfeel，shesteeledherselfintheprideofthosewhoarewithoutpride，andtrembledintheinnerroomlikeamaidonthefirstcaressofalover。IfMrs。

Eppingwellsufferedgoingupthehill，shetoosuffered，lyingfacedownwardonthebed，dry—eyed，dry—mouthed，dumb。

Mrs。Eppingwell’sknowledgeofhumannaturewasgreat。Sheaimedatuniversality。Shehadfounditeasytostepfromthecivilizedandcontemplatethingsfromthebarbaricaspect。Shecouldcomprehendcertainprimalandanalogouscharacteristicsinahungrywolf—dogorastarvingman，andpredicatelinesofactiontobepursuedbyeitherunderlikeconditions。Toher，awomanwasawoman，whethergarbedinpurpleortheragsofthegutter;

Fredawasawoman。Shewouldnothavebeensurprisedhadshebeentakenintothedancer’scabinandencounteredoncommonground;

norsurprisedhadshebeentakeninandflauntedinpridelessarrogance。Buttobetreatedasshehadbeentreated，wasunexpectedanddisappointing。Ergo，shehadnotcaughtFreda’spointofview。Andthiswasgood。Therearesomepointsofviewwhichcannotbegainedsavethroughmuchtravailandpersonalcrucifixion，anditwerewellfortheworldthatitsMrs。

Eppingwellsshould，incertainways，fallshortofuniversality。

Onecannotunderstanddefilementwithoutlayinghandstopitch，whichisverysticky，whiletherebeplentywillingtoundertaketheexperiment。Allofwhichisofsmallconcern，beyondthefactthatitgaveMrs。Eppingwellgroundforgrievance，andbredforheragreaterloveintheGreekgirl’sheart。

III

Andinthiswaythingswentalongforamonth，——Mrs。EppingwellstrivingtowithholdthemanfromtheGreekdancer’sblandishmentsagainstthetimeofFlossie’scoming;Flossielesseningthemileseachdayonthedrearytrail;Fredapittingherstrengthagainstthemodel—woman;themodel—womanstrainingeverynervetolandtheprize;andthemanmovingthroughitalllikeaflyingshuttle，veryproudofhimself，whomhebelievedtobeasecondDonJuan。

Itwasnobody’sfaultexcepttheman’sthatLoraineLisznayiatlastlandedhim。Thewayofamanwithamaidmaybetoowonderfultoknow，butthewayofawomanwithamanpassethallconception;whencetheprophetwereindeedunwisewhowoulddareforecastFloydVanderlip’scoursetwenty—fourhoursinadvance。

Perhapsthemodel—woman’sattractionlayinthattotheeyeshewasahandsomeanimal;perhapsshefascinatedhimwithherold—

worldtalkofpalacesandprinces;leastwiseshedazzledhimwhoselifehadbeenworkedoutinunculturedroughness，andheatlastagreedtohersuggestionofarundowntheriverandamarriageatFortyMile。IntokenofhisintentionheboughtdogsfromSitkaCharley，——morethanonesledisnecessarywhenawomanlikeLoraineLisznayitakestothetrail，andthenwentupthecreektogiveordersforthesuperintendenceofhisBonanzaminesduringhisabsence。

Hehadgivenitout，rathervaguely，thatheneededtheanimalsforsleddinglumberfromthemilltohissluices，andrighthereiswhereSitkaCharleydemonstratedhisfitness。Heagreedtofurnishdogsonagivendate，butnosoonerhadFloydVanderlipturnedhistoesup—creek，thanCharleyhiedhimselfawayinperturbationtoLoraineLisznayi。DidsheknowwhereMr。

Vanderliphadgone？Hehadagreedtosupplythatgentlemanwithabigstringofdogsbyacertaintime;butthatshamelessone，theGermantraderMeyers，hadbeenbuyingupthebrutesandskimpedthemarket。ItwasverynecessaryheshouldseeMr。Vanderlip，becauseoftheshamelessonehewouldbeallofaweekbehindhandinfillingthecontract。Shedidknowwherehehadgone？Up—

creek？Good！Hewouldstrikeoutafterhimatonceandinformhimoftheunhappydelay。DidheunderstandhertosaythatMr。

VanderlipneededthedogsonFridaynight？thathemusthavethembythattime？Itwastoobad，butitwasthefaultoftheshamelessonewhohadbiduptheprices。Theyhadjumpedfiftydollarsperhead，andshouldhebuyontherisingmarkethewouldlosebythecontract。HewonderedifMr。Vanderlipwouldbewillingtomeettheadvance。Sheknewhewould？BeingMr。

Vanderlip’sfriend，shewouldevenmeetthedifferenceherself？

Andhewastosaynothingaboutit？Shewaskindtosolooktohisinterests。Fridaynight，didshesay？Good！Thedogswouldbeonhand。

Anhourlater，FredaknewtheelopementwastobepulledoffonFridaynight;also，thatFloydVanderliphadgoneup—creek，andherhandsweretied。OnFridaymorning，Devereaux，theofficialcourier，bearingdespatchesfromtheGovernor，arrivedovertheice。Besidesthedespatches，hebroughtnewsofFlossie。HehadpassedhercampatSixtyMile;humansanddogswereingoodcondition;andshewoulddoubtlessbeinonthemorrow。Mrs。

Eppingwellexperiencedagreatreliefonhearingthis;FloydVanderlipwassafeup—creek，anderetheGreekgirlcouldagainlayhandsuponhim，hisbridewouldbeontheground。ButthatafternoonherbigSt。Bernard，valiantlydefendingherfrontstoop，wasdownedbyaforagingpartyoftrail—starvedMalemutes。

Hewasburiedbeneaththehirsutemassforaboutthirtyseconds，whenrescuedbyacoupleofaxesandasmanystoutmen。Hadheremaineddowntwominutes，thechanceswerelargethathewouldhavebeenroughlyapportionedandcarriedawayintherespectivebelliesoftheattackingparty;butasitwas，itwasamerecaseofneatandexpeditiousmangling。SitkaCharleycametorepairthedamages，especiallyarightfore—pawwhichhadinadvertentlybeenleftafractionofasecondtoolonginsomeotherdog’smouth。Asheputonhismittenstogo，thetalkturneduponFlossieandinnaturalsequencepassedontothe——"erhorridwoman。"SitkaCharleyremarkedincidentallythatsheintendedjumpingoutdownriverthatnightwithFloydVanderlip，andfurtherventuredtheinformationthataccidentswereverylikelyatthattimeofyear。

SoMrs。Eppingwell’sthoughtsofFredawereunkinderthanever。

Shewroteanote，addressedittothemaninquestion，andintrustedittoamessengerwholayinwaitatthemouthofBonanzaCreek。Anotherman，bearinganotefromFreda，alsowaitedatthatstrategicpoint。SoithappenedthatFloydVanderlip，ridinghissledmerrilydownwiththelastdaylight，receivedthenotestogether。HetoreFreda’sacross。No，hewouldnotgotoseeher。Thereweregreaterthingsafootthatnight。Besides，shewasoutoftherunning。ButMrs。Eppingwell！

Hewouldobserveherlastwish，——orrather，thelastwishitwouldbepossibleforhimtoobserve，——andmeetherattheGovernor’sballtohearwhatshehadtosay。Fromthetoneofthewritingitwasevidentlyimportant;perhaps——Hesmiledfondly，butfailedtoshapethethought。Confounditall，whataluckyfellowhewaswiththewomenanyway！Scatteringherlettertothefrost，hemushedthedogsintoaswinginglopeandheadedforhiscabin。Itwastobeamasquerade，andhehadtodigupthecostumeusedattheOperaHouseacoupleofmonthsbefore。Also，hehadtoshaveandtoeat。Thusitwasthathe，aloneofallinterested，wasunawareofFlossie’sproximity。

"Havethemdowntothewater—holeoffthehospital，atmidnight，sharp。Don’tfailme，"hesaidtoSitkaCharley，whodroppedinwiththeadvicethatonlyonedogwaslackingtofillthebill，andthatthatonewouldbeforthcominginanhourorso。"Here’sthesack。There’sthescales。Weighoutyourowndustanddon’tbotherme。I’vegottogetreadyfortheball。"

SitkaCharleyweighedouthispayanddeparted，carryingwithhimalettertoLoraineLisznayi，thecontentsofwhichhecorrectlyimaginedtorefertoameetingatthewater—holeofthehospital，atmidnight，sharp。

IV

TwiceFredasentmessengersuptotheBarracks，wherethedancewasinfullswing，andasoftentheycamebackwithoutanswers。

ThenshedidwhatonlyFredacoulddo——putonherfurs，maskedherface，andwentupherselftotheGovernor’sball。Nowtherehappenedtobeacustom——notanoriginalonebyanymeans——towhichtheofficialcliquehadlongsincebecomeaddicted。Itwasaverywisecustom，foritfurnishedprotectiontothewomankindoftheofficialsandgavegreaterselectnesstotheirrevels。

Wheneveramasqueradewasgiven，acommitteewaschosen，thesolefunctionofwhichwastostandbythedoorandpeepbeneatheachandeverymask。Mostmendidnotclamortobeplaceduponthiscommittee，whiletheveryoneswholeastdesiredthehonorweretheoneswhoseservicesweremostrequired。Thechaplainwasnotwellenoughacquaintedwiththefacesandplacesofthetownspeopletoknowwhomtoadmitandwhomtoturnaway。Inlikeconditionweretheseveralotherworthygentlemenwhowouldhaveaskednothingbetterthantososerve。Tofillthecovetedplace，Mrs。McFeewouldhaveriskedherchanceofsalvation，anddid，onenight，whenacertaintriopassedinunderhergunsandmuddledthingsconsiderablybeforetheiridentitywasdiscovered。

Thereafteronlythefitwerechosen，andveryungracefullydidtheyrespond。

OnthisparticularnightPrincewasatthedoor。Pressurehadbeenbroughttobear，andhehadnotyetrecoveredfromamazeathishavingconsentedtoundertakeataskwhichbidfairtolosehimhalfhisfriends，merelyforthesakeofpleasingtheotherhalf。Threeorfourofthemenhehadrefusedweremenwhomhehadknownoncreekandtrail，——goodcomrades，butnotexactlyeligibleforsoselectanaffair。Hewascanvassingtheexpediencyofresigningthepostthereandthen，whenawomantrippedinunderthelight。Freda！Hecouldswearitbythefurs，didhenotknowthatpoiseofheadsowell。Thelastonetoexpectinalltheworld。Hehadgivenherbetterjudgmentthantothusventuretheignominyofrefusal，or，ifshepassed，thescornofwomen。Heshookhishead，withoutscrutiny;heknewhertoowelltobemistaken。Butshepressedcloser。Sheliftedtheblacksilkribbonandasquicklylowereditagain。Foroneflashing，eternalsecondhelookeduponherface。Itwasnotfornothing，thesayingwhichhadariseninthecountry，thatFredaplayedwithmenasachildwithbubbles。Notawordwasspoken。

Princesteppedaside，andafewmomentslatermighthavebeenseenresigning，withwarmincoherence，theposttowhichhehadbeenunfaithful。

Awoman，flexibleofform，slender，yetrhythmicofstrengthineverymovement，nowpausingwiththisgroup，nowscanningthat，urgedarestlessanddeviouscourseamongtherevellers。Menrecognizedthefurs，andmarvelled，——menwhoshouldhaveserveduponthedoorcommittee;buttheywerenotpronetospeech。Notsowiththewomen。Theyhadbettereyesforthelinesoffigureandtricksofcarriage，andtheyknewthisformtobeonewithwhichtheywereunfamiliar;likewisethefurs。Mrs。McFee，emergingfromthesupper—roomwhereallwasinreadiness，caughtoneflashoftheblazing，questingeyesthroughthesilkenmask—

slits，andreceivedastart。Shetriedtorecollectwhereshehadseenthelike，andavividpicturewasrecalledofacertainproudandrebellioussinnerwhomshehadonceencounteredonafruitlesserrandfortheLord。

Soitwasthatthegoodwomantookthetrailinhotandrighteouswrath，atrailwhichbroughtherultimatelyintothecompanyofMrs。EppingwellandFloydVanderlip。Mrs。Eppingwellhadjustfoundtheopportunitytotalkwiththeman。Shehaddetermined，nowthatFlossiewassonearathand，toproceeddirectlytothepoint，andanincisivelittleethicaldiscoursewastitillatingontheendofhertongue，whenthecouplebecamethree。Shenoted，andpleasurably，thefaintlyforeignaccentofthe"Begpardon"

withwhichthefurredwomanprefacedherimmediateappropriationofFloydVanderlip;andshecourteouslybowedherpermissionforthemtodrawalittleapart。

ThenitwasthatMrs。McFee’srighteoushanddescended，andaccompanyingitinitsdescentwasablackmasktornfromastartledwoman。Awonderfulfaceandbrillianteyeswereexposedtothequietcuriosityofthosewholookedthatway，andtheywereeverybody。FloydVanderlipwasratherconfused。Thesituationdemandedinstantactiononthepartofamanwhowasnotbeyondhisdepth，whileHEhardlyknewwherehewas。Hestaredhelplesslyabouthim。Mrs。Eppingwellwasperplexed。Shecouldnotcomprehend。Anexplanationwasforthcoming，somewhere，andMrs。McFeewasequaltoit。

"Mrs。Eppingwell，"andherCelticvoiceroseshrilly，"itiswithgreatpleasureImakeyouacquaintedwithFredaMoloof，MISSFredaMoloof，asIunderstand。"

Fredainvoluntarilyturned。Withherownfacebared，shefeltasinadream，naked，uponherturnedtheclothedfeaturesandgleamingeyesofthemaskedcircle。Itseemed，almost，asthoughahungrywolf—packgirdledher，readytodragherdown。Itmightchancethatsomefeltpityforher，shethought，andatthethought，hardened。Shewouldbyfarprefertheirscorn。Strongofheartwasshe，thiswoman，andthoughshehadhuntedthepreyintothemidstofthepack，Mrs。EppingwellornoMrs。Eppingwell，shecouldnotforegothekill。

ButhereMrs。Eppingwelldidastrangething。Sothis，atlast，wasFreda，shemused，thedancerandthedestroyerofmen;thewomanfromwhosedoorshehadbeenturned。Andshe，too，felttheimperiouscreature’snakednessasthoughitwereherown。Perhapsitwasthis，herSaxondisinclinationtomeetadisadvantagedfoe，perhaps，forsooth，thatitmightgivehergreaterstrengthinthestrugglefortheman，anditmighthavebeenalittleofboth;butbethatasitmay，shediddothisstrangething。WhenMrs。

McFee’sthinvoice，vibrantwithmalice，hadraised，andFredaturnedinvoluntarily，Mrs。Eppingwellalsoturned，removedhermask，andinclinedherheadinacknowledgment。

Itwasanotherflashing，eternalsecond，duringwhichthesetwowomenregardedeachother。Theone，eyesblazing，meteoric;atbay，aggressive;sufferinginadvanceandresentinginadvancethescornandridiculeandinsultshehadthrownherselfopento;abeautiful，burning，bubblinglavaconeoffleshandspirit。Andtheother，calm—eyed，cool—browed，serene;stronginherownintegrity，withfaithinherself，thoroughlyatease;

dispassionate，imperturbable;afigurechiselledfromsomecoldmarblequarry。Whatevergulftheremightexist，sherecognizeditnot。Nobridging，nodescending;herattitudewasthatofperfectequality。Shestoodtranquillyonthegroundoftheircommonwomanhood。AndthismaddenedFreda。Notso，hadshebeenoflesserbreed;buthersoul’splummetknewnotthebottomless，andshecouldfollowtheotherintothedeepsofherdeepestdepthsandreadheraright。"Whydoyounotdrawbackyourgarment’shem？"shewasfaintocryout，allinthatflashing，dazzlingsecond。"Spituponme，revileme，anditweregreatermercythanthis！"Shetrembled。Hernostrilsdistendedandquivered。Butshedrewherselfincheck，returnedtheinclinationofhead，andturnedtotheman。

"Comewithme，Floyd，"shesaidsimply。"Iwantyounow。"

"Whatthe——"hebeganexplosively，andquitassuddenly，discreetenoughtonotrounditoff。Wherethedeucehadhiswitsgone，anyway？Waseveramanmorefoolishlyplaced？Hegurgleddeepdowninhisthroatandhighupintheroofofhismouth，heavedasonehisbigshouldersandhisindecision，andglaredappealinglyatthetwowomen。

"Ibegpardon，justamoment，butmayIspeakfirstwithMr。

Vanderlip？"Mrs。Eppingwell’svoice，thoughflute—likeandlow，predicatedwillinitseverycadence。

Themanlookedhisgratitude。He，atleast，waswillingenough。

"I’mverysorry，"fromFreda。"Thereisn’ttime。Hemustcomeatonce。"Theconventionalphrasesdroppedeasilyfromherlips，butshecouldnotforbeartosmileinwardlyattheirinadequacyandweakness。Shewouldmuchratherhaveshrieked。

"But，MissMoloof，whoareyouthatyoumaypossessyourselfofMr。Vanderlipandcommandhisactions？"

Whereuponreliefbrightenedhisface，andthemanbeamedhisapproval。TrustMrs。Eppingwelltodraghimclear。Fredahadmethermatchthistime。

"I——I——"Fredahesitated，andthenherfemininemindputtingonitsharness——"andwhoareyoutoaskthisquestion？"

"I？IamMrs。Eppingwell，and——"

"There！"theotherbrokeinsharply。"Youarethewifeofacaptain，whoisthereforeyourhusband。Iamonlyadancinggirl。

Whatdoyouwiththisman？"

"Suchunprecedentedbehavior！"Mrs。McFeeruffledherselfandclearedforaction，butMrs。Eppingwellshuthermouthwithalookanddevelopedanewattack。

"SinceMissMoloofappearstoholdclaimsuponyou，Mr。Vanderlip，andisintoogreathastetograntmeafewsecondsofyourtime，Iamforcedtoappealdirectlytoyou。MayIspeakwithyou，alone，andnow？"

Mrs。McFee’sjawsbroughttogetherwithasnap。Thatsettledthedisgracefulsituation。

"Why，er——thatis，certainly，"themanstammered。"Ofcourse，ofcourse，"growingmoreeffusiveattheprospectofdeliverance。

Menareonlygregariousvertebrates，domesticatedandevolved，andthechancesarelargethatitwasbecausetheGreekgirlhadinhertimedealtwithwildermasculinebeastsofthehumansort;forsheturneduponthemanwithhell’stidesafloodinherblazingeyes，muchasabespangledladyuponalionwhichhassuddenlyimbibedthepernicioustheorythatheisafreeagent。Thebeastinhimfawnedtothelash。

"Thatistosay，ah，afterward。To—morrow，Mrs。Eppingwell;yes，to—morrow。ThatiswhatImeant。"Hesolacedhimselfwiththefact，shouldheremain，thatmoreembarrassmentawaited。Also，hehadanengagementwhichhemustkeepshortly，downbythewater—

holeoffthehospital。Yegods！hehadnevergivenFredacredit！

Wasn’tshemagnificent！

"I’llthankyouformymask，Mrs。McFee。"

Thatlady，forthenoncespeechless，turnedoverthearticleinquestion。

"Good—night，MissMoloof。"Mrs。Eppingwellwasroyalevenindefeat。

Fredareciprocated，thoughbarelydowningtheimpulsetoclasptheother’skneesandbegforgiveness，——no，notforgiveness，butsomething，sheknewnotwhat，butwhichshenonethelessgreatlydesired。

Themanwasforhertakinghisarm;butshehadmadeherkillinthemidstofthepack，andthatwhichledkingstodragtheirvanquishedatthechariot—tail，ledhertowardthedooralone，FloydVanderlipcloseatheelandstrivingtore—establishhismentalequilibrium。

V

Itwasbittercold。Asthetrailwound，aquarterofamilebroughtthemtothedancer’scabin，bywhichtimehermoistbreathhadcoatedherfacefrostily，whilehishadmassedhisheavymustachetillconversationwaspainful。Bythegreenishlightoftheauroraborealis，thequicksilvershoweditselffrozenhardinthebulbofthethermometerwhichhungoutsidethedoor。A

thousanddogs，inpitifulchorus，wailedtheirancientwrongsandclaimedmercyfromtheunheedingstars。Notabreathofairwasmoving。Forthemtherewasnoshelterfromthecold，noshrewdcrawlingtoleewardinsnugnooks。Thefrostwaseverywhere，andtheylayintheopen，everandanonstretchingtheirtrail—

stiffenedmusclesandliftingthelongwolf—howl。

Theydidnottalkatfirst，themanandthewoman。WhilethemaidhelpedFredaoffwithherwraps，FloydVanderlipreplenishedthefire;andbythetimethemaidhadwithdrawntoaninnerroom，hisheadoverthestove，hewasbusilythawingouthisburdenedupperlip。Afterthatherolledacigaretteandwatchedherlazilythroughthefragranteddies。Shestoleaglanceattheclock。Itlackedhalfanhourofmidnight。Howwasshetoholdhim？Washeangryforthatwhichshehaddone？Whatwashismood？Whatmoodofherscouldmeethisbest？Notthatshedoubtedherself。No，no。Holdhimshecould，ifneedbeatpistolpoint，tillSitkaCharley’sworkwasdone，andDevereaux’stoo。

Thereweremanyways，andwithherknowledgeofthishercontemptforthemanincreased。Assheleanedherheadonherhand，afleetingvisionofherowngirlhood，withitsmournfulclimactericandtragicebb，wasvouchsafedher，andforthemomentshewasmindedtoreadhimalessonfromit。God！itmustbelessthanhumanbrutewhocouldnotbeheldbysuchatale，toldasshecouldtellit，but——bah！Hewasnotworthit，norworththepaintoher。Thecandlewaspositionedjustright，andevenasshethoughtofthesethingssacredlyshamefultoher，hewaspleasuringinthetransparentpinkinessofherear。Shenotedhiseye，tookthecue，andturnedherheadtillthecleanprofileofthefacewaspresented。Nottheleastwasthatprofileamonghervirtues。Shecouldnothelpthelinesuponwhichshehadbeenbuilded，andtheywereverygood;butshehadlongsincelearnedthoselines，andthoughlittletheyneeded，wasnotaboveadvantagingthemtothebestofherability。Thecandlebegantoflicker。Shecouldnotdoanythingungracefully，butthatdidnotpreventherimprovinguponnatureabit，whenshereachedforthanddeftlysnuffedtheredwickfromthemidstoftheyellowflame。Againsherestedheadonhand，thistimeregardingthemanthoughtfully，andanymanispleasedwhenthusregardedbyaprettywoman。

Shewasinlittlehastetobegin。Ifdallianceweretohisliking，itwastohers。Tohimitwasverycomfortable，soothinghislungswithnicotineandgazinguponher。Itwassnugandwarmhere，whiledownbythewater—holebeganatrailwhichhewouldsoonbehittingthroughthechillyhours。HefeltheoughttobeangrywithFredaforthesceneshehadcreated，butsomehowhedidn’tfeelabitwrathful。Likeasnottherewouldn’thavebeenanysceneifithadn’tbeenforthatMcFeewoman。IfheweretheGovernor，hewouldputapolltaxofahundredouncesaquarteruponherandherkindandallgospelsharksandskypilots。AndcertainlyFredahadbehavedveryladylike，heldherownwithMrs。

Eppingwellbesides。Nevergavethegirlcreditforthegrit。Helookedlingeringlyoverher，comingbacknowandagaintotheeyes，behindthedeepearnestnessofwhichhecouldnotguesslayconcealedadeepersneer。And，Jove，wasn’tshewellputup！

Wonderwhyshelookedathimso？Didshewanttomarryhim，too？

Likeasnot;butshewasn’ttheonlyone。Herlookswereinherfavor，weren’tthey？Andyoung——youngerthanLoraineLisznayi。

Shecouldn’tbemorethantwenty—threeorfour，twenty—fiveatmost。Andshe’dnevergetstout。Anybodycouldguessthatthefirsttime。Hecouldn’tsayitofLoraine，though。SHEcertainlyhadputonfleshsincethedaysheservedasmodel。Huh！oncehegotherontrailhe’dtakeitoff。Putheronthesnowshoestobreakaheadofthedogs。Neverknewittofail，yet。ButhisthoughtleapedaheadtothepalaceunderthelazyMediterraneansky——andhowwoulditbewithLorainethen？Nofrost，notrail，nofaminenowandagaintocheerthemonotony，andshegettingolderandpilingitonwitheverysunrise。WhilethisgirlFreda—

—hesighedhisunconsciousregretthathehadmissedbeingbornundertheflagoftheTurk，andcamebacktoAlaska。

"Well？"Bothhandsoftheclockpointedperpendicularlytomidnight，anditwashightimehewasgettingdowntothewater—

hole。

"Oh！"Fredastarted，andshediditprettily，delightinghimashisfellowshaveeverbeendelightedbytheirwomankind。Whenamanismadetobelievethatawoman，lookinguponhimthoughtfully，haslostherselfinmeditationoverhim，thatmanneedsbeanextremelycold—bloodedindividualinordertotrimhissheets，setalookout，andsteerclear。

"Iwasjustwonderingwhatyouwantedtoseemeabout，"heexplained，drawinghischairuptohersbythetable。

"Floyd，"shelookedhimsteadilyintheeyes，"Iamtiredofthewholebusiness。Iwanttogoaway。Ican’tliveitoutheretilltheriverbreaks。IfItry，I’lldie。Iamsureofit。Iwanttoquititallandgoaway，andIwanttodoitatonce。"

Shelaidherhandinmuteappealuponthebackofhis，whichturnedoverandbecameaprison。Anotherone，hethought，justthrowingherselfathim。Guessitwouldn’thurtLorainetocoolherfeetbythewater—holealittlelonger。

"Well？"ThistimefromFreda，butsoftlyandanxiously。

"Idon’tknowwhattosay，"hehastenedtoanswer，addingtohimselfthatitwascomingalongquickerthanhehadexpected。

"NothingI’dlikebetter，Freda。Youknowthatwellenough。"Hepressedherhand，palmtopalm。Shenodded。Couldshewonderthatshedespisedthebreed？

"Butyousee，I——I’mengaged。Ofcourseyouknowthat。Andthegirl’scomingintothecountrytomarryme。Don’tknowwhatwasupwithmewhenIaskedher，butitwasalongwhileback，andI

wasall—firedyoung——"

"Iwanttogoaway，outoftheland，anywhere，"shewenton，disregardingtheobstaclehehadrearedupandapologizedfor。"I

havebeenrunningoverthemenIknowandreachedtheconclusionthat——that——"

"Iwasthelikeliestofthelot？"

Shesmiledhergratitudeforhishavingsavedhertheembarrassmentofconfession。Hedrewherheadagainsthisshoulderwiththefreehand，andsomehowthescentofherhairgotintohisnostrils。Thenhediscoveredthatacommonpulsethrobbed，throbbed，throbbed，wheretheirpalmswereincontact。

Thisphenomenoniseasilycomprehensiblefromaphysiologicalstandpoint，buttothemanwhomakesthediscoveryforthefirsttime，itisamostwonderfulthing。FloydVanderliphadcaressedmoreshovel—handlesthanwomen’shandsinhistime，sothiswasanexperiencequitenewanddelightfullystrange。AndwhenFredaturnedherheadagainsthisshoulder，herhairbrushinghischeektillhiseyesmethers，fullandatcloserange，luminouslysoft，ay，andtender——why，whosefaultwasitthathelosthisgriputterly？FalsetoFlossie，whynottoLoraine？Evenifthewomendidkeepbotheringhim，thatwasnoreasonheshouldmakeuphismindinahurry。Why，hehadslathersofmoney，andFredawasjustthegirltograceit。Awifeshe’dmakehimforothermentoenvy。Butgoslow。Hemustbecautious。

"Youdon’thappentocareforpalaces，doyou？"heasked。

Sheshookherhead。

"Well，Ihadahankeringafterthemmyself，tillIgottothinking，awhileback，andI’veaboutsizeditupthatone’dgetfatlivinginpalaces，andsoftandlazy。"

"Yes，it’sniceforatime，butyousoongrowtiredofit，I

imagine，"shehastenedtoreassurehim。"Theworldisgood，butlifeshouldbemany—sided。Roughandknockaboutforawhile，andthenrestupsomewhere。OfftotheSouthSeasonayacht，thenanibbleofParis;awinterinSouthAmericaandasummerinNorway;

afewmonthsinEngland——"

"Goodsociety？"

"Mostcertainly——thebest;andthen，heigho！forthedogsandsledsandtheHudsonBayCountry。Change，youknow。Astrongmanlikeyou，fullofvitalityandgo，couldnotpossiblystandapalaceforayear。Itisallverywellforeffeminatemen，butyouweren’tmadeforsuchalife。Youaremasculine，intenselymasculine。"

"Thinkso？"

"Itdoesnotrequirethinking。Iknow。Haveyouevernoticedthatitwaseasytomakewomencareforyou？"

Hisdubiousinnocencewassuperb。

"Itisveryeasy。Andwhy？Becauseyouaremasculine。Youstrikethedeepestchordsofawoman’sheart。Youaresomethingtoclingto，——big—muscled，strong，andbrave。Inshort，becauseyouAREaman。"

Sheshotaglanceattheclock。Itwashalfafterthehour。ShehadgivenamarginofthirtyminutestoSitkaCharley;anditdidnotmatter，now，whenDevereauxarrived。Herworkwasdone。Sheliftedherhead，laughedhergenuinemirth，slippedherhandclear，andrisingtoherfeetcalledthemaid。

"Alice，helpMr。Vanderliponwithhisparka。Hismittensareonthesillbythestove。"

Themancouldnotunderstand。

"Letmethankyouforyourkindness，Floyd。Yourtimewasinvaluabletome，anditwasindeedgoodofyou。Theturningtotheleft，asyouleavethecabin，leadsthequickesttothewater—

hole。Good—night。Iamgoingtobed。"

FloydVanderlipemployedstrongwordstoexpresshisperplexityanddisappointment。Alicedidnotliketohearmenswear，sodroppedhisparkaonthefloorandtossedhismittensontopofit。ThenhemadeabreakforFreda，andsheruinedherretreattotheinnerroombytrippingovertheparka。Hebroughtherupstandingwitharudegriponthewrist。Butsheonlylaughed。

Shewasnotafraidofmen。Hadtheynotwroughttheirworstwithher，anddidshenotstillendure？

"Don’tberough，"shesaidfinally。"Onsecondthought，"hereshelookedathisdetaininghand，"I’vedecidednottogotobedyetawhile。Dositdownandbecomfortableinsteadofridiculous。Anyquestions？"

"Yes，mylady，andreckoning，too。"Hestillkepthishold。

"Whatdoyouknowaboutthewater—hole？Whatdidyoumeanby——no，nevermind。Onequestionatatime。"

"Oh，nothingmuch。SitkaCharleyhadanappointmenttherewithsomebodyyoumayknow，andnotbeinganxiousforamanofyourknowncharmtobepresent，fellbackuponmetokindlyhelphim。

That’sall。They’reoffnow，andagoodhalfhourago。"

"Where？Downriverandwithoutme？AndheanIndian！"

"There’snoaccountingfortaste，youknow，especiallyinawoman。"

"ButhowdoIstandinthisdeal？I’velostfourthousanddollars’worthofdogsandatidybitofawoman，andnothingtoshowforit。Exceptyou，"headdedasanafterthought，"andcheapyouareattheprice。"

Fredashruggedhershoulders。

"Youmightaswellgetready。I’mgoingouttoborrowacoupleofteamsofdogs，andwe’llstartinasmanyhours。"

"Iamverysorry，butI’mgoingtobed。"

"You’llpackifyouknowwhat’sgoodforyou。Gotobed，ornot，whenIgetmydogsoutside，sohelpme，ontothesledyougo。

Mebbeyoufooledwithme，butI’lljustseeyourbluffandtakeyouinearnest。Hearme？"

Heclosedonherwristtillithurt，butonherlipsasmilewasgrowing，andsheseemedtolistenintentlytosomeoutsidesound。

Therewasajingleofdogbells，andaman’svoicecrying"Haw！"

asasledtooktheturninganddrewupatthecabin。

"NOWwillyouletmegotobed？"

AsFredaspokeshethrewopenthedoor。Intothewarmroomrushedthefrost，andonthethreshold，garbedintrail—wornfurs，knee—

deepintheswirlingvapor，againstabackgroundofflamingborealis，awomanhesitated。Sheremovedhernose—trapandstoodblinkingblindlyinthewhitecandlelight。FloydVanderlipstumbledforward。

"Floyd！"shecried，relievedandglad，andmethimwithatiredbound。

Whatcouldhebutkissthearmfuloffurs？Andaprettyarmfulitwas，nestlingagainsthimwearily，buthappy。

"Itwasgoodofyou，"spokethearmful，"tosendMr。Devereauxwithfreshdogsafterme，elseIwouldnothavebeenintillto—

morrow。"

ThemanlookedblanklyacrossatFreda，thenthelightbreakinginuponhim，"Andwasn’titgoodofDevereauxtogo？"

"Couldn’twaitabitlonger，couldyou，dear？"Flossiesnuggledcloser。

"Well，Iwasgettingsortofimpatient，"heconfessedglibly，atthesametimedrawingheruptillherfeetleftthefloor，andgettingoutsidethedoor。

ThatsamenightaninexplicablethinghappenedtotheReverendJamesBrown，missionary，wholivedamongthenativesseveralmilesdowntheYukonandsawtoitthatthetrailstheytrodledtothewhiteman’sparadise。HewasrousedfromhissleepbyastrangeIndian，whogaveintohischargenotonlythesoulbutthebodyofawoman，andhavingdonethisdrovequicklyaway。Thiswomanwasheavy，andhandsome，andangry，andinherwrathuncleanwordsfellfromhermouth。Thisshockedtheworthyman，buthewasyetyoungandherpresencewouldhavebeenpernicious（inthesimpleeyesofhisflock），hadshenotstruckoutonfootforDawsonwiththefirstgrayofdawn。

TheshocktoDawsoncamemanydayslater，whenthesummerhadcomeandthepopulationhonoredacertainroyalladyatWindsorbyliningtheYukon’sbankandwatchingSitkaCharleyriseupwithflashingpaddleanddrivethefirstcanoeacrosstheline。Onthisdayoftheraces，Mrs。Eppingwell，whohadlearnedandunlearnednumerousthings，sawFredaforthefirsttimesincethenightoftheball。"Publicly，mindyou，"asMrs。McFeeexpressedit，"withoutregardorrespectforthemoralsofthecommunity，"

shewentuptothedancerandheldoutherhand。Atfirst，itisrememberedbythosewhosaw，thegirlshrankback，thenwordspassedbetweenthetwo，andFreda，greatFreda，brokedownandweptontheshoulderofthecaptain’swife。ItwasnotgiventoDawsontoknowwhyMrs。EppingwellshouldcraveforgivenessofaGreekdancinggirl，butshediditpublicly，anditwasunseemly。

ItwerewellnottoforgetMrs。McFee。Shetookacabinpassageonthefirststeamergoingout。Shealsotookwithheratheorywhichshehadachievedinthesilentwatchesofthelongdarknights;anditisherconvictionthattheNorthlandisunregeneratebecauseitissocoldthere。Fearofhell—firecannotbebredinanice—box。Thismayappeardogmatic，butitisMrs。McFee’stheory。