第7章

Theteacher，glancingforamomentthroughtheopendooroftheschoolhouse，hadseenahandsomeyoungladystaringather，——MissLearyhadacuriouslyintentlookwhenshewasinterestedinanything，withnointentionwhatevertoberude，——

andbeyondtheladythebackandshoulderofaman，whosefacewasturnedtheotherway。Therewasavaguesuggestionofsomethingfamiliarabouttheequipage，butRenashrankfromthisclosescrutinyandwithdrewoutofsightbeforeshehadhadanopportunitytoidentifythevagueresemblancetosomethingshehadknown。

MissLearyhadmissedbyahair’s—breadththepsychologicalmoment，andfeltsomeresentmenttowardthelittlenegroeswhohadinterruptedherlover’strainofthought。Negroeshavecausedagreatdealoftroubleamongwhitepeople。HowdeeplytheshadowoftheEthiopianhadfallenuponherownhappiness，MissLearyofcoursecouldnotguess。

XXVII

ANINTERESTINGACQUAINTANCE

Afewdayslater，Renalookedoutofthewindownearherdeskandsawalowbasketphaeton，drawnbyasorrelpony，drivensharplyintotheclearinganddrawnupbesideanoaksapling。

Theoccupantofthephaeton，atall，handsome，well—preservedladyinmiddlelife，withslightlygrayhair，alightedbrisklyfromthephaeton，tiedtheponytothesaplingwithahitching—strap，andadvancedtotheschoolhousedoor。

Renawonderedwhotheladymightbe。Shehadabenevolentaspect，however，andcameforwardtothedeskwithasmile，notatallembarrassedbythewide—eyedinspectionoftheentireschool。

"Howdoyoudo？"shesaid，extendingherhandtotheteacher。"Iliveintheneighborhoodandaminterestedinthecoloredpeople——agoodmanyofthemoncebelongedtome。Iheardsomethingofyourschool，andthoughtIshouldliketomakeyouracquaintance。"

"Itisverykindofyou，indeed，"murmuredRenarespectfully。

"Yes，"continuedthelady，"Iamnotoneofthosewhositbackandblametheirformerslavesbecausetheywerefreed。Theyarefreenow，——itisalldecidedandsettled，——andtheyoughttobetaughtenoughtoenablethemtomakegooduseoftheirfreedom。Butreally，mydear，——youmustn’tfeeloffendedifImakeamistake，——Iamgoingtoaskyousomethingverypersonal。"Shelookedsuggestivelyatthegapingpupils。

"Theschoolmaytakethemorningrecessnow，"

announcedtheteacher。Thepupilsfiledoutinanorderlymanner，mostofthemstationingthemselvesaboutthegroundsinsuchplacesaswouldkeeptheteacherandthewhiteladyinview。Veryfewwhitepersonsapprovedofthecoloredschools；

nootherwhitepersonhadevervisitedthisone。

"Areyoureallycolored？"askedthelady，whenthechildrenhadwithdrawn。

Ayearandahalfearlier，Renawouldhavemetthequestionbysomedisplayofself—consciousness。

Now，sherepliedsimplyanddirectly。

"Yes，ma’am，Iamcolored。"

Thelady，whohadbeenstudyingherascloselyasgoodmannerswouldpermit，sighedregretfully。

"Well，it’sashame。Noonewouldeverthinkit。Ifyouchosetoconcealit，noonewouldeverbethewiser。Whatisyourname，child，andwherewereyoubroughtup？Youmusthavearomantichistory。"

Renagavehernameandafewfactsinregardtoherpast。Theladywassomuchinterested，andputsomanyandsuchsearchingquestions，thatRenareallyfounditmoredifficulttosuppressthefactthatshehadbeenwhite，thanshehadformerlyhadinhidingherAfricanorigin。Therewasaboutthegirlanairofrealrefinementthatpleasedthelady，——therefinementnotmerelyofafinenature，butofcontactwithculturedpeople；

acertainreserveofspeechandmannerquiteinconsistentwithMrs。Tryon’sexperienceofcoloredwomen。Theladywasinterestedandslightlymystified。Agenerous，impulsivespirit，——herson’sownmother，——shemademinuteinquiriesabouttheschoolandthepupils，severalofwhomsheknewbyname。Renastatedthatthetwomonths’termwasnearingitsend，andthatshewastrainingthechildreninvariousdeclamationsanddialoguesfortheexhibitionattheclose。

"Ishallattendit，"declaredtheladypositively。

"I’msureyouaredoingagoodwork，andit’sverynobleofyoutoundertakeitwhenyoumighthaveaverydifferentfuture。IfIcanserveyouatanytime，don’thesitatetocalluponme。I

liveinthebigwhitehousejustbeforeyouturnoutoftheClintonroadtocomethisway。I’monlyawidow，butmysonGeorgeliveswithmeandhassomeinfluenceintheneighborhood。Hedrovebyhereyesterdaywiththeladyheisgoingtomarry。Itwasshewhotoldmeaboutyou。"

Wasitthename，orsomesubtleresemblanceinspeechorfeature，thatrecalledTryon’simagetoRena’smind？Itwasnotsofaraway——theimageofthelovingTryon——thatanypowerfulwitchcraftwasrequiredtocallitup。Hismotherwasawidow；Renahadthought，inhappierdays，thatshemightbesuchakindladyasthis。ButthecruelTryonwhohadlefther——hismotherwouldbesomehard，cold，proudwoman，whowouldregardanegroasbutlittlebetterthanadog，andwhowouldnotsoilherlipsbyaddressingacoloredpersonuponanyothertermsthanasaservant。Sheknew，too，thatTryondidnotliveinSampsonCounty，thoughtheexactlocationofhishomewasnotcleartoher。

"Andwhereareyoustaying，mydear？"askedthegoodlady。

"I’mboardingatMrs。Wain’s，"answeredRena。

"Mrs。Wain’s？"

"Yes，theyliveintheoldCampbellplace。"

"Oh，yes——AuntNancy。She’sagoodenoughwoman，butwedon’tthinkmuchofhersonJeff。

HemarriedmyAmandaafterthewar——sheusedtobelongtome，andoughttohaveknownbetter。

Heabusedhermostshamefully，andhadtobethreatenedwiththelaw。Shelefthimayearorsoagoandwentaway；Ihaven’tseenherlately。

Well，good—by，child；I’mcomingtoyourexhibition。Ifyoueverpassmyhouse，comeinandseeme。"

Thegoodladyhadtalkedforhalfanhour，andhadbroughtarayofsunshineintotheteacher’smonotonouslife，heretoforelightedonlybytheuncertainlampofhighresolve。Shehadsatisfiedapardonablecuriosity，andhadgoneawaywithoutmentioninghername。

RenasawPlatountyingtheponyastheladyclimbedintothephaeton。

"Whowasthelady，Plato？"askedtheteacherwhenthevisitorhaddrivenaway。

"Dat’uzmyolemist’iss，ma’m，"returnedPlatoproudly，——"oleMis’’Liza。"

"Mis’’Lizawho？"askedRena。

"Mis’’LizaTryon。Iuse’terb’longterher。

Dat’uzherson，myyoungMarsGeo’ge，w’atdrivpas’hyuhyistiddywid’issweetheart。"

XXVIII

THELOSTKNIFE

Renahadfoundhertasknotadifficultonesofarasdisciplinewasconcerned。Herpupilswereofadocilerace，andschooltothemhadallthecharmofnovelty。Theteachercommandedsomeawebecauseshewasastranger，andsome，perhaps，becauseshewaswhite；forthetheoryofblacknessaspropoundedbyPlatocouldnotquitecounter—

balanceintheyoungAfricanmindtheevidenceoftheirownsenses。Shecombinedgentlenesswithfirmness；andifthesehadnotbeensufficient，shehadreservesofcharacterwhichwouldhavegivenherthemasteryovermuchlessplasticmaterialthantheseignorantbuteageryoungpeople。

Theworkofinstructionwassimpleenough，formostofthepupilsbeganwiththealphabet，whichtheyacquiredfromWebster’sblue—backedspelling—

book，thepalladiumofSoutherneducationatthatepoch。Themuchabusedcarpet—baggershadputthespelling—bookwithinreachofeverychildofschoolageinNorthCarolina，——afactwhichisoftenoverlookedwhenthecarpet—baggersarehelduptopublicodium。Eventhedevilshouldhavehisdue，andisnotsoblackasheispainted。

AtthetimewhenshelearnedthatTryonlivedintheneighborhood，Renahadalreadybeensubjectedforseveralweekstoatryingordeal。Wainhadbeguntopersecuteherwithmarkedattentions。

Shehadatfirstgonetoboardathishouse，——or，bycourtesy，withhismother。Foraweekortwoshehadconsideredhisattentionsinnootherlightthanthoseofamemberoftheschoolcommitteesharingherownzealandinterestedinseeingtheschoolsuccessfullycarriedon。InthischaracterWainhaddrivenhertothetownforherexamination；

hehadbusiedhimselfaboutputtingtheschoolhouseinorder，andinvariousmattersaffectingtheconductoftheschool。Hehadjocularlyofferedtocomeandwhipthechildrenforher，andhadfounditconvenienttodropinoccasionally，ostensiblytoseewhatprogresstheworkwasmaking。

"Desechild’en，"hewouldobservesonorously，inthepresenceoftheschool，"oughterbemonst’ousgladterhavedechanceersettin’underyo’instruction，MissRena。I’msho’eve’bodyindisneighbo’hood’preciatesdepriv’legeerhavin’

youinou’mids’。"

Thoughslightlyembarrassingtotheteacher，thesepublicdemonstrationswereendurablesolongastheycouldberegardedasmereofficialappreciationofherwork。Sincerelyinearnestaboutherundertaking，shehadplungedintoitwithalltheintensityofaseriousnaturewhichlovehadstirredtoactivity。Apessimistmighthavesighedsadlyorsmiledcynicallyatthenotionthatapoor，weakgirl，withadangerousbeautyandasensitivesoul，andtroublesenoughofherown，shouldhopetoaccomplishanythingappreciabletowardliftingtheblackmassstillflounderinginthemudwhereslaveryhadleftit，andwhereemancipationhadfoundit，——themudinwhich，foraughtthatcouldbeseentothecontrary，herlittlefeet，too，werehopelesslyentangled。Itmighthaveseemedlikeexpectingamantolifthimselfbyhisboot—straps。

ButRenawasnophilosopher，eithersadorcheerful。Shecouldnotevenhaverepliedtothisargument，thatracesmustliftthemselves，andthemostthatcanbedonebyothersistogivethemopportunityandfairplay。Herswasasimplerreasoning，——thelogicbywhichtheworldiskeptgoingonwardandupwardwhenphilosophersareatoddsandreformersarenotforthcoming。Sheknewthatforeverychildshetaughttoreadandwritesheopened，ifeversolittle，thedoorofopportunity，andshewashappyintheconsciousnessofperformingadutywhichseemedallthemoreimperativebecausenewlydiscovered。Herzeal，indeed，forthetimebeingwaslikethatofanearlyChristian，whowasmorewillingthannottodieforhisfaith。Renahadfullyandfirmlymadeuphermindtosacrificeherlifeuponthisaltar。Herabsorptionintheworkhadnotbeenwithoutitsreward，fortherebyshehadbeenabletokeepatadistancethespectreofherlostlove。Herdreamsshecouldnotcontrol，butshebanishedTryonasfaraspossiblefromherwakingthoughts。

WhenWain’sattentionsbecameobviouslypersonal，Rena’snewvestalinstincttookalarm，andshebegantoapprehendhischaractermoreclearly。

Shehadlongagolearnedthathispretensionstowealthwereasham。Hewasnominalownerofalargeplantation，itistrue；butthelandwaswornout，andmortgagedtothelimitofitssecurityvalue。Hisreputeddrovesofcattleandhogshaddwindledtoamerehandfulofleanandlistlessbrutes。

Hercleareye，whenoncesettotakeWain’smeasure，soonfathomedhisshallow，selfishsoul，anddetected，oratleastdivined，behindhismaskofgood—naturealurkingbrutalitywhichfilledherwithvaguedistrust，needingonlyoccasiontodevelopitintoactiveapprehension，——occasionwhichwasnotlongwanting。Sheavoidedbeingalonewithhimathomebykeepingcarefullywiththewomenofthehouse。Ifshewereleftalone，——andtheysoonshowedatendencytoleaveheronanypretextwheneverWaincamenear，——shewouldseekherownroomandlockthedoor。ShepreferrednottooffendWain；shewasfarawayfromhomeandinameasureinhispower，butshedreadedhiscomplimentsandsickenedathissmile。Shewasalsocompelledtohearhisrelationssinghispraises。

"MysonJeff，"oldMrs。Wainwouldsay，"isdebes’manyoueverseed。Hisfus’wifehaddeeasies’timean’dehappies’timeerarywomanindissettlement。He’sgrieve’ferheralongtime，butIreckonhe’sgittin’overit，an’denex’’omanw’atmarrieshim’llgitaboxerpyo’gol’，efIdoessayitasishisownmammy。"

RenahadthoughtWainratherharshwithhishousehold，exceptinherimmediatepresence。Hismotherandsisterseemedmoreorlessafraidofhim，andthechildrenoftenanxioustoavoidhim。

Oneday，hetimedhisvisittotheschoolhousesoastowalkhomewithRenathroughthewoods。

Whenshebecameawareofhispurpose，shecalledtooneofthechildrenwhowasloiteringbehindtheothers，"Waitaminute，Jenny。I’mgoingyourway，andyoucanwalkalongwithme。"

Wainwithdifficultyhidascowlbehindasmilingfront。Whentheyhadgonealittledistancealongtheroadthroughthewoods，heclappedhishanduponhispocket。

"Ideclaretergoodness，"heexclaimed，"efI

ain’tdroppedmypocket—knife！IthoughtIfeltsomethin’slipth’oughdatholeinmypocketjes’

bythebigpinestumpintheschoolhouseya’d。

Jinny，chile，runbackan’huntfermyknife，an’

I’llgiveyerfivecentsefyerfindit。Mean’

MissRena’llwalkonslow’telyouketchesus。"

Renadidnotdaretoobject，thoughshewasafraidtobealonewiththisman。Ifshecouldhavehadamomenttothink，shewouldhavevolunteeredtogobackwithJennyandlookfortheknife，which，althoughapalpablesubterfugeonherpart，wouldhavebeenonetowhichWaincouldnotobject；

butthechild，dazzledbytheprospectofreward，haddartedbacksoquicklythatthiswayofescapewascutoff。Shewasevidentlyinforadeclarationoflove，whichshehadtakeninfinitepainstoavoid。Justtheformitwouldassume，shecouldnotforesee。Shewasnotlongleftinsuspense。

NosoonerwasthechildwelloutofsightthanWainthrewhisarmssuddenlyaboutherwaistandsmilinglyattemptedtokissher。

Speechlesswithfearandindignation，shetoreherselffromhisgraspwithtotallyunexpectedforce，andfledincontinentlyalongtheforestpath。

Wain——who，todohimjustice，hadmerelymeanttodeclarehispassioninwhathehadhopedmightproveanotunacceptablefashion——followedinsomealarm，expostulatingandapologizingashewent。ButhewasheavyandRenawaslight，andfearlentwingstoherfeet。HefollowedheruntilhesawherenterthehouseofElderJohnson，thefatherofseveralofherpupils，afterwhichhesneakeduneasilyhomeward，somewhatapprehensiveoftheconsequencesofhisabruptwooing，whichwasevidentlyopentoanunfavorableconstruction。When，anhourlater，RenasentoneoftheJohnsonchildrenforsomeofherthings，withamessageexplainingthattheteacherhadbeeninvitedtospendafewdaysatElderJohnson’s，Wainfeltapronouncedmeasureofrelief。Foranhourhehadeventhoughtitmightbebettertorelinquishhispursuit。Withafatuousnessbornofvanity，however，nosoonerhadshesentherexcusethanhebegantolookuponhervisittoJohnson’sasamereexhibitionofcoyness，which，togetherwithherconductinthewoods，wasmerelyintendedtolurehimon。

RightupontheheelsoftheperturbationcausedbyWain’sconduct，RenadiscoveredthatTryonlivedintheneighborhood；thatnotonlymightshemeethimanydayuponthehighway，butthathehadactuallydrivenbytheschoolhouse。Thathekneworwouldknowofherproximitytherecouldbenopossibledoubt，sinceshehadfreelytoldhismotherhernameandherhome。AhotwaveofshamesweptoverheratthethoughtthatGeorgeTryonmightimagineshewerefollowinghim，throwingherselfinhisway，andatthethoughtoftheconstructionwhichhemightplaceuponheractions。

Caughtthusbetweentwoemotionalfires，attheverytimewhenherschoolduties，owingtotheapproachingexhibition，demandedallherenergies，Renawassubjectedtoaphysicalandmentalstrainthatonlyyouthandhealthcouldhaveresisted，andthenonlyforashorttime。

XXIX

PLATOEARNSHALFADOLLAR

Tryon’sfirstfeeling，whenhismotheratthedinner—tablegaveanaccountofhervisittotheschoolhouseinthewoods，wasoneofextremeannoyance。Why，ofallcreatedbeings，shouldthisparticularwomanbechosentoteachthecoloredschoolatSandyRun？Hadshelearnedthathelivedintheneighborhood，andhadshesoughttheplacehopingthathemightconsenttorenew，ondifferentterms，relationswhichcouldneverberesumedupontheirformerfooting？Sixweeksbefore，hewouldnothavebelievedhercapableoffollowinghim；buthislastvisittoPatesvillehadrevealedhercharacterinsuchalightthatitwasdifficulttopredictwhatshemightdo。Itwas，however，noaffairofhis。Hewasdonewithher；hehaddismissedherfromhisownlife，whereshehadneverproperlybelonged，andhehadfilledherplace，orwouldsoonfillit，withanotherandworthierwoman。Evenhismother，awomanofkeendiscernmentanddelicateintuitions，hadbeendeceivedbythisgirl’sspeciousexterior。ShehadbroughtawayfromherinterviewofthemorningtheimpressionthatRenawasafine，purespirit，bornoutofplace，throughsomefreakofFate，devotingherselfwithheroicself—sacrificetoanoblecause。Well，hehadimaginedherjustaspureandfine，andshehaddeliberately，withanegro’slowcunning，deceivedhimintobelievingthatshewasawhitegirl。Thepretendedconfessionofthebrother，inwhichhehadspokenofthehumbleoriginofthefamily，hadbeen，consciouslyorunconsciously，themostdisingenuousfeatureofthewholemiserableperformance。Theyhadtriedbyashowoffranknesstosatisfytheirownconsciences，——theydoubtlesshadenoughofwhitebloodtogivethemarudimentarytraceofsuchamoralorgan，——andbythesameacttodisarmhimagainstfuturerecriminations，intheeventofpossiblediscovery。Howwashetoimaginethatpersonsoftheirappearanceandpretensionsweretaintedwithnegroblood？Themorehedweltuponthesubject，themoreangryhebecamewiththosewhohadsurprisedhisvirginheartanddeflowereditbysuchlowtrickery。ThemanwhobroughtthefirstnegrointotheBritishcolonieshadcommittedacrimeagainsthumanityandaworsecrimeagainsthisownrace。Thefatherofthisgirlhadbeenguiltyofasinagainstsocietyforwhichothers——forwhichhe，GeorgeTryon——

mustpaythepenalty。Asslaves，negroesweretolerable。Asfreemen，theywereanexcrescence，analienelementincapableofabsorptionintothebodypoliticofwhitemen。HewouldliketosendthemallbacktotheAfricafromwhichtheirforefathershadcome，——unwillinglyenough，hewouldadmit，——andhewouldlikeespeciallytobanishthisgirlfromhisownneighborhood；notindeedthatherpresencewouldmakeanydifferencetohim，exceptasahumiliatingreminderofhisownfollyandweaknesswithwhichhecouldverywelldispense。

OfthisstateofmindTryongavenovisiblemanifestationbeyondacertaintaciturnity，somuchatvariancewithhisrecentlivelinessthattheladiescouldnotfailtonoticeit。Noeffortuponthepartofeitherwasabletoaffecthismood，andtheybothresignedthemselvestoawaithislordship’spleasuretobecompanionable。

Foradayortwo，TryonsedulouslykeptawayfromtheneighborhoodoftheschoolhouseatSandyRim。Hereallyhadbusinesswhichwouldhavetakenhiminthatdirection，butmadeadetouroffivemilesratherthangonearhisabandonedanddiscreditedsweetheart。

ButGeorgeTryonwaswiselydistrustfulofhisownimpulses。DrivingonedayalongtheroadtoClinton，heoverhauledadiminutiveblackfiguretrudgingalongtheroad，occasionallyturningahandspringbywayofdiversion。

"Hello，Plato，"calledTryon，"doyouwantalift？"

"Hoddy，MarsGeo’ge。KinIridewidyou？"

"Jumpup。"

Platomountedintothebuggywiththeagilitytobeexpectedfromaladofhisacrobaticaccomplishments。Thetwoalmostimmediatelyfellintoconversationuponperhapstheonlysubjectofcommoninterestbetweenthem。Beforethetownwasreached，Tryonknew，sofarasPlatocouldmakeitplain，theestimationinwhichtheteacherwasheldbypupilsandparents。Hehadlearnedthehoursofopeninganddismissaloftheschool，wheretheteacherlived，herhabitsofcomingtoandgoingfromtheschoolhouse，andtheroadshealwaysfollowed。

"DoesshegotochurchoranywhereelsewithJeffWain，Plato？"askedTryon。

"No，suh，shedon’gonowharwidnobodyexcep’n’oleElderJohnsonerMis’Johnson，an’dechild’en。Sheuse’terstopatMis’Wain’s，butshe’sstayin’widElderJohnsonnow。Shealluzmakessomeerdechild’engohomewiderf’mschool，"saidPlato，proudtofindinMarsGeo’geanappreciativelistener，——"sometimesonean’

sometimesanudder。I’sbe’nhomewid’ertwice，annit’llbemytu’nag’inbefo’long。"

"Plato，"remarkedTryonimpressively，astheydroveintothetown，"doyouthinkyoucouldkeepasecret？"

"Yas，MarsGeo’ge，efyousaysIshill。"

"Doyouseethisfifty—centpiece？"Tryondisplayedasmallpieceofpapermoney，crispandgreeninitsnewness。

"Yas，MarsGeo’ge，"repliedPlato，fixinghiseyesrespectfullyonthegovernment’spromisetopay。Fiftycentswasalargesumofmoney。HisacquaintancewithMarsGeo’gegavehimtheprivilegeoflookingatmoney。Whenhegrewup，hewouldbeable，ingoodtimes，toearnfiftycentsaday。

"Iamgoingtogivethistoyou，Plato。"

Plato’seyesopenedwideassaucers。"Me，MarsGeo’ge？"heaskedinamazement。

"Yes，Plato。I’mgoingtowritealetterwhileI’mintown，andwantyoutotakeit。Meetmehereinhalfanhour，andI’llgiveyoutheletter。

Meantime，keepyourmouthshut。"

"Yas，MarsGeo’ge，"repliedPlatowithagrinthatdistendedthatorganunduly。Thathedidnotkeepitshutmaybeinferredfromthefactthatwithinthenexthalfhourhehadeatenanddrunkfiftycents’worthofcandy，ginger—pop，andotheravailabledelicaciesthatappealedtotheyouthfulpalate。Havingnothingmoretospend，andthehighpricesprevailingforsometimeafterthewarhavinglefthimcapableoflocomotion，Platowaspromptlyonhandattheappointedtimeandplace。

TryonplacedaletterinPlato’shand，stillstickywithmolassescandy，——hehadincloseditinasecondcoverbywayofprotection。"Givethatletter，"hesaid，"toyourteacher；don’tsayawordaboutittoalivingsoul；bringmeananswer，andgiveitintomyownhand，andyoushallhaveanotherhalfdollar。"

TryonwasquiteawarethatbyasurreptitiouscorrespondenceheransomeriskofcompromisingRena。Buthehadfelt，assoonashehadindulgedhisfirstopportunitytotalkofher，anirresistibleimpulsetoseeherandspeaktoheragain。

Hecouldscarcelycallatherboarding—place，——

whatpossibleproperexcusecouldayoungwhitemanhaveforvisitingacoloredwoman？Attheschoolhouseshewouldbesurroundedbyherpupils，andaprivateinterviewwouldbeasdifficult，withmoreeyestoremarkandmoretonguestocommentuponit。Hemightaddressherbymail，butdidnotknowhowoftenshesenttothenearestpost—office。Alettermailedinthetownmustpassthroughthehandsofapostmasternotoriouslyinquisitiveandevil—minded，whowasfamiliarwithTryon’shandwritingandhadampletimetoattendtootherpeople’sbusiness。Tomeettheteacheraloneontheroadseemedscarcelyfeasible，accordingtoPlato’sstatement。Amessenger，then，wasnotonlytheleastofseveralevils，butreallytheonlypracticablewaytocommunicatewithRena。

HethoughthecouldtrustPlato，thoughmiserablyawarethathecouldnottrusthimselfwherethisgirlwasconcerned。

TheletterhandedbyTryontoPlato，andbythelatterdeliveredwithduesecrecyandprecaution，ranasfollows：——

DEARMISSWARWICK，——YoumaythinkitstrangethatIshouldaddressyouafterwhathaspassedbetweenus；butlearningfrommymotherofyourpresenceintheneighborhood，Iamconstrainedtobelievethatyoudonotfindmyproximityembarrassing，andIcannotresistthewishtomeetyouatleastoncemore，andtalkoverthecircumstancesofourformerfriendship。Fromapracticalpointofviewthismayseemsuperfluous，asthematterhasbeendefinitelysettled。Ihavenodesiretofindfaultwithyou；onthecontrary，Iwishtosetmyselfrightwithregardtomyownactions，andtoassureyouofmygoodwishes。Inotherwords，sincewemustpart，Iwouldratherwepartedfriendsthanenemies。Ifnatureandsociety——orFate，toputitanotherway——havedecreedthatwecannotlivetogether，itisneverthelesspossiblethatwemaycarryintothefutureapleasantthoughsomewhatsadmemoryofapastfriendship。

Willyounotgrantmeoneinterview？I

appreciatethedifficultyofarrangingit；Ihavefounditalmostashardtocommunicatewithyoubyletter。Iwillsuitmyselftoyourconvenienceandmeetyouatanytimeandplaceyoumaydesignate。Pleaseanswerbybearer，whoIthinkistrustworthy，andbelieveme，whateveryouranswermaybe，Respectfullyyours，G。T。

ThenextdaybutoneTryonreceivedthroughthemailthefollowingreplytohisletter：——

GEORGETRYON，ESQ。

DearSir，——IhaverequestedyourmessengertosaythatIwillansweryourletterbymail，whichIshallnowproceedtodo。IassureyouthatIwasentirelyignorantofyourresidenceinthisneighborhood，oritwouldhavebeenthelastplaceonearthinwhichIshouldhavesetfoot。

Astoourpastrelations，theywereendedbyyourownact。IfranklyconfessthatIdeceivedyou；Ihavepaidthepenalty，andhavenocomplainttomake。Iappreciatethedelicacywhichhasmadeyourespectmybrother’ssecret，andthankyouforit。Irememberthewholeaffairwithshameandhumiliation，andwouldwillinglyforgetit。

Astoafutureinterview，Idonotseewhatgooditwoulddoeitherofus。Youarewhite，andyouhavegivenmetounderstandthatIamblack。

Iaccepttheclassification，howeverunfair，andtheconsequences，howeverunjust，oneofwhichisthatwecannotmeetinthesameparlor，inthesamechurch，atthesametable，oranywhere，insocialintercourse；uponasteamboatwewouldnotsitatthesametable；wecouldnotwalktogetheronthestreet，ormeetpubliclyanywhereandconverse，withoutunkindremark。Asawhiteman，thismightnotmeanagreatdealtoyou；asawoman，shutoutalreadybymycolorfrommuchthatisdesirable，mygoodnameremainsmymostvaluablepossession。Ibegofyoutoletmealone。

Thebestpossibleproofyoucangivemeofyourgoodwishesistorelinquishanydesireorattempttoseeme。Ishallhavefinishedmyworkhereinafewdays。Ihaveothertroubles，ofwhichyouknownothing，andanymeetingwithyouwouldonlyaddtoaburdenwhichisalreadyasmuchasIcanbear。Tospeakofpartingissuperfluous——

wehavealreadyparted。Itwereidletodreamofafuturefriendshipbetweenpeoplesowidelydifferentinstation。Suchafriendship，ifpossibleinitself，wouldneverbetoleratedbytheladywhomyouaretomarry，withwhomyoudrovebymyschoolhousetheotherday。Agentlemansoloyaltohisraceanditstraditionsasyouhaveshownyourselfcouldnotbelessfaithfultotheladytowhomhehaslosthisheartandhismemoryinthreeshortmonths。

No，Mr。Tryon，ourromanceisended，andbetterso。Wecouldneverhavebeenhappy。IhavefoundaworkinwhichImaybeofservicetootherswhohavefeweropportunitiesthanminehavebeen。Leavemeinpeace，Ibeseechyou，andIshallsoonpassoutofyourneighborhoodasIhavepassedoutofyourlife，andhopetopassoutofyourmemory。

Yoursverytruly，ROWENAWALDEN。

XXX

ANUNUSUALHONOR

ToRena’shigh—strungandsensitivenature，alreadyunderverygreattensionfromherpastexperience，theordealofthenextfewdayswasasevereone。Ontheonehand，JeffWain’sinfatuationhadrapidlyincreased，inviewofherspeedydeparture。FromMrs。Tryon’sremarkaboutWain’swifeAmanda，andfromthingsRenahadsincelearned，shehadeveryreasontobelievethatthiswifewasliving，andthatWainmustbeawareofthefact。Inthelightofthisknowledge，Wain’sformerconducttookonablackersignificancethan，uponreflection，shehadcharitablyclotheditwithafterthefirstflushofindignation。Thathehadnotgivenuphisdesigntomakelovetoherwasquiteapparent，and，withAmandaalive，hisattentions，alwaysoffensivesinceshehadgatheredtheirimport，becameinhereyestheexpressionofavillainouspurpose，ofwhichshecouldnotspeaktoothers，andfromwhichshefeltsafeonlysolongasshetookproperprecautionsagainstit。Inaweekherschoolwouldbeover，andthenshewouldgetElderJohnson，orsomeoneelsethanWain，totakeherbacktoPatesville。True，shemightabandonherschoolandgoatonce；butherworkwouldbeincomplete，shewouldhaveviolatedhercontract，shewouldlosehersalaryforthemonth，explanationswouldbenecessary，andwouldnotbeforthcoming。Shemightfeignsickness，——indeed，itwouldscarcelybefeigning，forshefeltfarfromwell；shehadnever，sinceherillness，quiterecoveredherformervigor——buttheinconveniencetootherswouldbethesame，andherself—sacrificewouldhavehad，atitsveryfirsttrial，alameandimpotentconclusion。ShehadasyetnofearofpersonalviolencefromWain；but，underthecircumstances，hisattentionswereaninsult。Hewasevidentlybentuponconquest，andvainenoughtothinkhemightachieveitbyvirtueofhispersonalattractions。Ifhecouldhaveunderstoodhowsheloathedthesightofhisnarroweyes，withtheirpuffylids，histhick，tobacco—stainedlips，hisdoubtfulteeth，andhisunwieldyperson，Wain，amonumentofconceitthathewas，mighthaveshrunk，eveninhisownestimation，tosomethinglikehisrealproportions。Renabelievedthat，todefendherselffrompersecutionathishands，itwasonlynecessarythatsheneverlethimfindheralone。This，however，requiredconstantwatchfulness。

Relyinguponhisownpowers，anduponawoman’sweaknessandaversiontoscandal，fromwhichnoteventhepurestmayalwaysescapeunscathed，andconvincedbyherformersilencethathehadnothingserioustofear，Wainmadeitapointtobepresentateverypublicplacewhereshemightbe。Heassumed，inconversationwithherwhichshecouldnotavoid，andstatedtoothers，thatshehadlefthishousebecauseofapreviouspromisetodividethetimeofherstaybetweenElderJohnson’shouseandhisown。HevolunteeredtoteachaclassintheSunday—schoolwhichRenaconductedatthecoloredMethodistchurch，andwhensheremainedtoservice，occupiedaseatconspicuouslynearherown。Inadditiontothesepublicdemonstrations，whichitwasimpossibletoescape，or，itseemed，withsothick—

skinnedanindividualasWain，eventodiscourage，shewassecretlyanduncomfortablyconsciousthatshecouldscarcelystirabroadwithouttheriskofencounteringoneoftwomen，eachofwhomwasonthelookoutforanopportunitytofindheralone。

TheknowledgeofTryon’spresenceinthevicinityhadbeenalmostasmuchasRenacouldbear。Toitmustbeaddedtheconsciousnessthathe，too，waspursuingher，towhatendshecouldnottell。Afterhislettertoherbrother，andthefeelingthereindisplayed，shefounditnecessarytocrushonceortwiceawildhopethat，hersecretbeingstillunknownsavetoafriendlyfew，hemightreturnandclaimher。Now，suchanoutcomewouldbeimpossible。Hehadbecomeengagedtoanotherwoman，——thisinitselfwouldbeenoughtokeephimfromher，ifitwerenotanindexofavastlymoreseriousbarrier，aproofthathehadneverlovedher。Ifhehadlovedhertruly，hewouldneverhaveforgottenherinthreeshortmonths，——threelongmonthstheyhadheretoforeseemedtoher，forinthemshehadlivedalifetimeofexperience。Anotherimpassablebarrierlayinthefactthathismotherhadmether，andthatshewasknownintheneighborhood。Thuscutofffromanyhopethatshemightbeanythingtohim，shehadnowishtomeetherformerlover；

nopossiblegoodcouldcomeofsuchameeting；

andyetherflutteringhearttoldherthatifheshouldcome，ashisletterforeshadowedthathemight，——ifheshouldcome，thelovingGeorgeofold，withsoftwordsandtendersmilesandspecioustalkoffriendship——ah！then，herheartwouldbreak！Shemustnotmeethim——atanycostshemustavoidhim。

Butthisheapingupofcaresstrainedherendurancetothebreaking—point。Towardthemiddleofthelastweek，sheknewthatshehadalmostreachedthelimit，andwashauntedbyafearthatshemightbreakdownbeforetheweekwasover。Nowherreallyfinenaturerosetotheemergency，thoughshemusteredherforceswithagreateffort。IfshecouldkeepWainathisdistanceandavoidTryonforthreedayslonger，herschoollaborswouldbeendedandshemightretireinpeaceandhonor。

"MissRena，"saidPlatotoheronTuesday，"ain’tit’bouttimeIwuzgwinehomewidyouag’in？"

"Youmaygowithmeto—morrow，Plato，"

answeredtheteacher。

AfterschoolPlatometananxiouseyedyoungmaninthewoodsashortdistancefromtheschoolhouse。

"Well，Plato，whatnews？"

"I’sgwineterseeherhometer—morrer，MarsGeo’ge。"

"To—morrow！"repliedTryon；"howveryfortunate！Iwantedyoutogototownto—morrowtotakeanimportantmessageforme。I’msorry，Plato——youmighthaveearnedanotherdollar。"

Tolieisadisgracefulthing，andyettherearetimeswhen，toalover’smind，lovedwarfsallordinarylaws。Platoscratchedhisheaddisconsolately，butsuddenlyabrightthoughtstruckhim。

"Can’tIgotertownferyouatterI’veseedherhome，MarsGeo’ge？"

"N—o，I’mafraiditwouldbetoolate，"returnedTryondoubtfully。

"DenI’llhafterax’erterlemmegonex’day，"

saidPlato，withresignation。Thehonormightbepostponedor，ifnecessary，foregone；theopportunitytoearnadollarwasthechanceofalifetimeandmustnotbeallowedtoslip。

"No，Plato，"rejoinedTryon，shakinghishead，"Ishouldn’twanttodepriveyouofsogreatapleasure。"TryonwasentirelysincereinthischaracterizationofPlato’schance；hewouldhavegivenmanyadollartobesureofPlato’splaceandPlato’swelcome。Rena’sletterhadre—inflamedhissmoulderingpassion；onlyoppositionwasneededtofanittoawhiteheat。Whereinlaythegreatsuperiorityofhisposition，ifhewasdeniedtherighttospeaktotheonepersonintheworldwhomhemostcaredtoaddress？Hefeltsomedimrealizationofthetyrannyofcaste，whenhefounditnotmerelypressinguponaninferiorpeoplewhohadnorighttoexpectanythingbetter，butbarringhisownwaytosomethingthathedesired。Hemeanthernoharm——buthemustseeher。Hecouldnevermarryhernow——buthemustseeher。

HewasconsciousofacertainreliefatthethoughtthathehadnotaskedBlancheLearytobehiswife。Hishandwasunpledged。Hecouldnotmarrytheothergirl，ofcourse，buttheymustmeetagain。TheresthewouldleavetoFate，whichseemedreluctanttodisentanglethreadswhichithadwovensoclosely。

"Ithink，Plato，thatIseeaneasierwayoutofthedifficulty。Yourteacher，Iimagine，merelywantssomeonetoseehersafelyhome。Don’tyouthink，ifyoushouldgopartoftheway，thatImighttakeyourplacefortherest，whileyoudidmyerrand？"

"Why，sho’ly，MarsGeo’ge，youcouldtakekeererherbetter’nIcould——better’nanybodycould——co’seyoucould！"

MarsGeo’gewaswhiteandrich，andcoulddoanything。PlatowasproudofthefactthathehadoncebelongedtoMarsGeo’ge。HecouldnotconceiveofanyonesopowerfulasMarsGeo’ge，unlessitmightbeGod，ofwhomPlatohadheardmoreorless，andevenherethecomparisonmightnotbequitefairtoMarsGeo’ge，forMarsGeo’gewastheyoungerofthetwo。ItwouldundoubtedlybeagreathonorfortheteachertobeescortedhomebyMarsGeo’ge。Theteacherwasagreatwoman，nodoubt，andlookedwhite；

butMarsGeo’gewastherealarticle。MarsGeo’gehadneverbeenknowntogowithablackwomanbefore，andtheteacherwoulddoubtlessthankPlatoforarrangingthatsogreatanhonorshouldfalluponher。MarsGeo’gehadgivenhimfiftycentstwice，andwouldnowgivehimadollar。

NobleMarsGeo’ge！Fortunateteacher！HappyPlato！

"Verywell，Plato。Ithinkwecanarrangeitsothatyoucankillthetworabbitsatoneshot。

Supposethatwegoovertheroadthatshewilltaketogohome。"

Theysoonarrivedattheschoolhouse。Schoolhadbeenoutanhour，andtheclearingwasdeserted。Platoledthewaybytheroadthroughthewoodstoapointwhere，amidsomewhatthickunderbrush，anotherpathintersectedtheroadtheywerefollowing。

"Now，Plato，"saidTryon，pausinghere，"thiswouldbeagoodspotforyoutoleavetheteacherandformetotakeyourplace。Thispathleadstothemainroad，andwilltakeyoutotownveryquickly。Ishouldn’tsayanythingtotheteacheraboutitatall；butwhenyouandshegethere，dropbehindandrunalongthispathuntilyoumeetme，——I’llbewaitingafewyardsdowntheroad，——andthenruntotownasfastasyourlegswillcarryyou。Assoonasyouaregone，I’llcomeoutandtelltheteacherthatI’vesentyouawayonanerrand，andwillmyselftakeyourplace。Youshallhaveadollar，andI’llaskhertoletyougohomewithherthenextday。Butyoumustn’tsayawordaboutit，Plato，oryouwon’tgetthedollar，andI’llnotasktheteachertoletyougohomewithheragain。"

"Allright，MarsGeo’ge，Iain’tgwinetersaynomo’d’nefdecathadmytongue。"

XXXI

INDEEPWATERS

RenawasunusuallyfatiguedatthecloseofherschoolonWednesdayafternoon。Shehadbeentroubledalldaywithaheadache，which，beginningwithadullpain，hadgraduallyincreasedinintensityuntileverynervewasthrobbinglikeatrip—

hammer。Thepupilsseemedunusuallystupid。A

discouragingsenseoftheinsignificanceofanypartshecouldperformtowardstheeducationofthreemillionpeoplewithaschooltermoftwomonthsayearhungoverherspiritlikeapall。AstheobjectofWain’sattentions，shehadbeguntofeelsomewhatlikeawildcreaturewhohearsthepursuersonitstrack，andhasthefearofcaptureaddedtothefatigueofflight。ButwhenthisexcitementhadgonetoofarandhadnearedthelimitofexhaustioncameTryon’sletter，withtheresultingsurpriseandconsternation。Renahadkeyedherselfuptoaheroicpitchtoanswerit；butwhentheinevitablereactioncame，shewasoverwhelmedwithasickeningsenseofherownweakness。Thethingswhichinanotherspherehadconstitutedherstrengthandshieldwerenowherundoing，andexposedhertodangersfromwhichtheylenthernoprotection。Notonlywasthisherpositionintheory，butthepursuerswerealreadyatherheels。

Asthedayworeon，thesedarkthoughtstookonanaddedgloom，until，whenthehourtodismissschoolarrived，shefeltasthoughshehadnotafriendintheworld。Thisfeelingwasaccentuatedbyaletterwhichshehadthatmorningreceivedfromhermother，inwhichMis’MollyspokeveryhighlyofWain，andplainlyexpressedthehopethatherdaughtermightlikehimsowellthatshewouldprefertoremaininSampsonCounty。

Plato，bright—eyedandalert，waswaitingintheschool—yarduntiltheteachershouldbereadytostart。Havingwarnedawayseveralsmallerchildrenwhohadhungaroundafterschoolasthoughtosharehisprerogativeofaccompanyingtheteacher，Platohadswunghimselfintothelowbranchesofanoakattheedgeoftheclearing，fromwhichhewashangingbyhislegs，headdownward。Hedroppedfromthisreposefulattitudewhentheteacherappearedatthedoor，andtookhisplaceatherside。

Apremonitionofimpendingtroublecausedtheteachertohesitate。Shewishedthatshehadkeptmoreofthepupilsbehind。Somethingwhisperedthatdangerlurkedintheroadshecustomarilyfollowed。Platoseemedinsignificantlysmallandweak，andshefeltmiserablyunabletocopewithanydifficultoruntowardsituation。

"Plato，"shesuggested，"Ithinkwe’llgoroundtheotherwayto—night，ifyoudon’tmind。"

VisionsofMarsGeo’gedisappointed，ofadollarunearnedandunspent，flittedthroughthenarrowbrainwhichsomeone，withtheironyofignoranceorofknowledge，hadmockedwiththenameofagreatphilosopher。Platowasnotanuntruthfullad，butheseldomhadtheopportunitytoearnadollar。Hisimagination，spurredonbytheinstinctofself—interest，rosetotheemergency。

"I’sfearedyoumoughtgitsnake—bitgwineroun’datway，MissRena。MybrerJimkill’tawater—moccasindowndereyistiddy’bouttenfeetlong。"

Renahadahorrorofsnakes，withwhichtheswampbywhichtheotherroadranwasinfested。

Snakeswereavividreality；herpresentimentwasprobablyameredepressionofspiritsduetoherconditionofnervousexhaustion。Acloudhadcomeupandthreatenedrain，andthewindwasrisingominously。Theoldwaywastheshorter；

shewantedaboveallthingstogettoElderJohnson’sandgotobed。Perhapssleepwouldresthertiredbrain——shecouldnotimagineherselffeelingworse，unlesssheshouldbreakdownaltogether。

Sheplungedintothepathandhastenedforwardsoastoreachhomebeforetheapproachingstorm。SocompletelywassheabsorbedinherownthoughtsthatshescarcelynoticedthatPlatohimselfseemedpreoccupied。Insteadofcaperingalonglikeaplayfulkittenorpuppy，hewalkedbyhersideunusuallysilent。Whentheyhadgoneashortdistanceandwereapproachingapathwhichintersectedtheirroadatsomethingneararightangle，theteachermissedPlato。Hehaddroppedbehindamomentbefore；nowhehaddisappearedentirely。Hervaguealarmofafewmomentsbeforereturnedwithredoubledforce。

"Plato！"shecalled；"Plato！"

Therewasnoresponse，savethesoughingofthewindthroughtheswayingtreetops。Shesteppedhastilyforward，wonderingifthisweresomechildishprank。Ifso，itwasbadlytimed，andshewouldletPlatofeeltheweightofherdispleasure。

Herforwardstephadbroughthertothejunctionofthetwopaths，whereshepauseddoubtfully。Therouteshehadbeenfollowingwasthemostdirectwayhome，butledforquiteadistancethroughtheforest，whichshedidnotcaretotraversealone。Theintersectingpathwouldsoontakehertothemainroad，whereshemightfindshelterorcompany，orboth。Glancingaroundagaininsearchofhermissingescort，shebecameawarethatamanwasapproachingherfromeachofthetwopaths。InonesherecognizedtheeagerandexcitedfaceofGeorgeTryon，flushedwithanticipationoftheirmeeting，andyetgravewithuncertaintyofhisreception。AdvancingconfidentlyalongtheotherpathshesawthefaceofJeffWain，drawn，assheimaginedinheranguish，withevilpassionswhichwouldstopatnothing。

Whatshouldshedo？TherewasnosignofPlato——foraughtshecouldseeorhearofhim，theearthmighthaveswallowedhimup。Somedeadlyserpentmighthavestunghim。Somewanderingrabbitmighthavetemptedhimaside。

Anotherthoughtstruckher。Platohadbeenveryquiet——therehadbeensomethingonhisconscience——perhapshehadbetrayedher！Buttowhichofthetwomen，andtowhatend？

Theproblemwastoomuchforheroverwroughtbrain。Sheturnedandfled。Awiserinstinctmighthaveledherforward。Inthetwoconflictingdangersshemighthavefoundsafety。Theroadafterallwasapublicway。Anynumberofpersonsmightmeetthereaccidentally。Butshesawonlythedarkersideofthesituation。ToturntoTryonforprotectionbeforeWainhadbysomeovertactmanifestedtheevilpurposewhichsheasyetonlysuspectedwouldbe，sheimagined，toacknowledgeaprevioussecretacquaintancewithTryon，thusplacingherreputationatWain’smercy，andtochargeherselfwithaburdenofobligationtowardamanwhomshewishedtoavoidandhadrefusedtomeet。If，ontheotherhand，sheshouldgoforwardtomeetWain，hewouldundoubtedlyoffertoaccompanyherhomeward。

Tryonwouldinevitablyobservethemeeting，andsupposeitprearranged。Notfortheworldwouldshehavehimthinkso——whysheshouldcareforhisopinion，shedidnotstoptoargue。Sheturnedandfled，andtoavoidpossiblepursuit，struckintotheunderbrushatananglewhichshecalculatedwouldbringherinafewrodstoanotherpathwhichwouldleadquicklyintothemainroad。Shehadrunonlyafewyardswhenshefoundherselfinthemidstofaclumpofpricklyshrubsandbriars。Meantimethestormhadburst；therainfellintorrents。Extricatingherselffromthethorns，shepressedforward，butinsteadofcomingoutupontheroad，foundherselfpenetratingdeeperanddeeperintotheforest。

Thestormincreasedinviolence。Theairgrewdarkeranddarker。Itwasnearevening，thecloudsweredense，thethickwoodsincreasedthegloom。Suddenlyablindingflashoflightningpiercedthedarkness，followedbyasharpclapofthunder。Therewasacrashoffallingtimber。

Terror—stricken，Renaflewforwardthroughtheforest，theunderbrushgrowingcloserandcloserassheadvanced。Suddenlytheearthgavewaybeneathherfeetandshesankintoaconcealedmorass。Byclaspingthetrunkofaneighboringsaplingsheextricatedherselfwithaneffort，andrealizedwithahorriblecertaintythatshewaslostintheswamp。

Turning，shetriedtoretracehersteps。Aflashoflightningpenetratedthegloomaroundher，andbarringherpathshesawahugeblacksnake，——

harmlessenough，infact，buttoherexcitedimaginationfrightfulinappearance。Withawildshrieksheturnedagain，staggeredforwardafewyards，stumbledoveraprojectingroot，andfellheavilytotheearth。

WhenRenahaddisappearedintheunderbrush，TryonandWainhadeachinstinctivelysetoutinpursuitofher，butowingtothegatheringdarkness，thenoiseofthestorm，andthethicknessoftheunderbrush，theymissednotonlyRenabuteachother，andneitherwasawareoftheother’spresenceintheforest。Wainkeptupthechaseuntiltheraindrovehimtoshelter。Tryon，afterafewminutes，realizedthatshehadfledtoescapehim，andthattopursueherwouldbetodefeatratherthanpromotehispurpose。Hedesisted，therefore，andreturningtothemainroad，stationedhimselfatapointwherehecouldwatchElderJohnson’shouse，andhavingwaitedforawhilewithoutanysignsofRena，concludedthatshehadtakenrefugeinsomefriendlycabin。Turninghomewarddisconsolatelyasnightcameon，heinterceptedPlatoonhiswaybackfromtown，andpledgedhimtoinviolablesecrecysoeffectuallythatPlato，whensubsequentlyquestioned，merelyansweredthathehadstoppedamomenttogathersomechinquapins，andwhenhehadlookedaroundtheteacherwasgone。

Renanotappearingatsupper—timenorforanhourlater，theelder，somewhatanxious，madeinquiriesabouttheneighborhood，andfindinghisguestatnoplacewhereshemightbeexpectedtostop，becamesomewhatalarmed。Wain’shousewasthelasttowhichhewent。HehadsurmisedthattherewassomemysteryconnectedwithherleavingWain’s，buthadneverbeengivenanydefiniteinformationaboutthematter。Inresponsetohisinquiries，Wainexpressedsurprise，butbetrayedacertainself—consciousnesswhichdidnotescapetheelder’seye。Returninghome，heorganizedasearchpartyfromhisownfamilyandseveralnearneighbors，andsetoutwithdogsandtorchestoscourthewoodsforthemissingteacher。

Acoupleofhourslater，theyfoundherlyingunconsciousintheedgeoftheswamp，onlyafewrodsfromawell—definedpathwhichwouldsoonhaveledhertotheopenhighway。Strongarmsliftedhergentlyandboreherhome。Mrs。Johnsonundressedherandputhertobed，administeringahomelyremedy，ofwhichwhiskeywastheprincipalingredient，tocounteracttheeffectsoftheexposure。Therewasadoctorwithinfivemiles，butnoonethoughtofsendingforhim，norwasitatalllikelythatitwouldhavebeenpossibletogethimforsuchacaseatsuchanhour。

Rena’sillness，however，wasmoredeeplyseatedthanherfriendscouldimagine。Atiredbody，insympathywithanoverwroughtbrain，hadleftherpeculiarlysusceptibletothenervousshockofherforestexperience。Theexposureforseveralhoursinherwetclothingtothedampsandmiasmaoftheswamphadbroughtonanattackofbrainfever。Thenextmorning，shewasdelirious。Oneofthechildrentookwordtotheschoolhousethattheteacherwassickandtherewouldbenoschoolthatday。Anumberofcuriousandsympatheticpeoplecameinfromtimetotimeandsuggestedvariousremedies，severalofwhicholdMrs。Johnson，withcatholicimpartiality，administeredtothehelplessteacher，whofromdeliriumgraduallysunkintoaheavystuporscarcelydistinguishablefromsleep。Itwaspredictedthatshewouldprobablybewellinthemorning；ifnot，itwouldthenbetimetoconsiderseriouslythequestionofsendingforadoctor。

XXXII

THEPOWEROFLOVE

AfterTryon’sfailuretoobtainaninterviewwithRenathroughPlato’sconnivance，hedecideduponadifferentcourseofprocedure。Inafewdaysherschooltermwouldbefinished。Hewasnotlessdesiroustoseeher，wasindeedasmuchmoreeagerasoppositionwouldbelikelytomakeaveryyoungmanwhowasaccustomedtohavinghisownway，andwhoseheart，ashehaddiscovered，wasmoredeeplyandpermanentlyinvolvedthanhehadimagined。Hispresentplanwastowaituntiltheendoftheschool；then，whenRenawenttoClintonontheSaturdayorMondaytodrawhersalaryforthemonth，hewouldseeherinthetown，or，ifnecessary，wouldfollowhertoPatesville。Nopoweronearthshouldkeephimfromherlong，buthehadnodesiretointerfereinanywaywiththedutywhichsheowedtoothers。

Whentheschoolwasoverandherworkcompleted，thenhewouldhavehisinnings。Writingletterswastoounsatisfactoryamethodofcommunication——hemustseeherfacetoface。

Thefirstofhisthreedaysofwaitinghadpassed，when，aboutteno’clockonthemorningofthesecondday，whichseemedverylonginprospect，whiledrivingalongtheroadtowardClinton，hemetPlato，witharabbittrapinhishand。

"Well，Plato，"heasked，"whyareyouabsentfromtheclassicshadesoftheacademyto—day？"

"Hoddy，MarsGeo’ge。W’atwuzdatyousay？"

"Whyareyounotatschoolto—day？"

"Ain’gotnoteacher，MarsGeo’ge。Teacher’sgone！"

"Gone！"exclaimedTryon，withasuddenleapoftheheart。"Gonewhere？Whatdoyoumean？"

"Teachergotlos’indeswamp，nightbefo’las’，’causePlatowa’n’tderetershowherdewayout’ndewoods。ElderJohnsonfoun’’erwiddawgsandtawches，an’fotchherhomean’putherterbed。

Noschoolyistiddy。Shewuzout’nherhaidlas’

night，an’dismawnin’shewuzgone。"

"Gonewhere？"

"Deydon’nobodyknowwhar，suh。"

LeavingPlatoabruptly，TryonhasteneddowntheroadtowardElderJohnson’scabin。Thiswasnotimetostandonpunctilio。Thegirlhadbeenlostinthewoodsinthestorm，amidthethunderandlightningandthepouringrain。Shewassickwithfrightandexposure，andhewasthecauseofitall。Bribery，corruption，andfalsehoodhadbroughtpunishmentintheirtrain，andtheinnocenthadsufferedwhiletheguiltyescaped。

Hemustlearnatoncewhathadbecomeofher。

ReachingElderJohnson’shouse，hedrewupbythefrontfenceandgavethecustomaryhalloa，whichsummonedawomantothedoor。

"Good—morning，"hesaid，noddingunconsciously，withthecarelesspolitenessofagentlemantohisinferiors。"I’mMr。Tryon。Ihavecometoinquireaboutthesickteacher。"

"Why，suh，"thewomanrepliedrespectfully，"shegotlos’indewoodsnightbefo’las’，an’shewuzout’nhermin’mosterdetimeyistiddy。

Las’nightshemust’a’gotouterbedan’runawayw’eneve’ybodywuzsoun’asleep，ferdismawnin’shewuzgone，an’noneerusknowswharsheis。"

"Hasanysearchbeenmadeforher？"

"Yas，suh，myhusban’an’dechild’enhasbeenhuntin’roun’alldemawnin’，an’he’sgoneterborryahossnowtergofu’ther。ButLawdknowsdeyain’notellin’wharshe’dgo，’less’nshegothermin’backsenceshelef’。"

Tryon’smarewasingoodcondition。Hehadmoneyinhispocketandnothingtointerferewithhismovements。HesetoutimmediatelyontheroadtoPatesville，keepingalookoutbytheroadside，andstoppingeachpersonhemettoinquireifayoungwoman，apparentlyill，hadbeenseentravelingalongtheroadonfoot。Noonehadmetsuchatraveler。Whenhehadgonetwoorthreemiles，hedrovethroughashallowbranchthatcrossedtheroad。Thesplashingofhishorse’shoofsinthewaterpreventedhimfromhearingalowgroanthatcamefromthewoodsbytheroadside。

Hedroveon，makinginquiriesateachfarmhouseandofeverypersonwhomheencountered。

Shortlyaftercrossingthebranch，hemetayoungnegrowithacartloadoftubsandbucketsandpiggins，andaskedhimifhehadseenontheroadayoungwhitewomanwithdarkeyesandhair，apparentlysickordemented。Theyoungmanansweredinthenegative，andTryonpushedforwardanxiously。

Atnoonhestoppedatafarmhouseandswallowedahastymeal。Hisinquirieshereelicitednoinformation，andhewasjustleavingwhenayoungmancameinlatetodinnerandstated，inresponsetotheusualquestion，thathehadmet，sometwohoursbefore，ayoungwomanwhoansweredTryon’sdescription，ontheLillingtonroad，whichcrossedthemainroadtoPatesvilleashortdistancebeyondthefarmhouse。Hehadspokentothewoman。Atfirstshehadpaidnoheedtohisquestion。Whenaddressedasecondtime，shehadansweredinaramblinganddisconnectedway，whichindicatedtohismindthattherewassomethingwrongwithher。

TryonthankedhisinformantandhastenedtotheLillingtonroad。Stoppingasbeforetoinquire，hefollowedthewomanforseveralhours，eachmileofthedistancetakinghimfartherawayfromPatesville。Fromtimetotimeheheardofthewoman。Towardnightfallhefoundher。Shewaswhiteenough，withthesallownessofthesandhillpoorwhite。Shewasstillyoung，perhaps，butpovertyandahardlifemadeherlookolderthansheought。Shewasnotfair，andshewasnotRena。WhenTryoncameuptoher，shewassittingonthedoorsillofamiserablecabin，andheldinherhandabottle，thecontentsofwhichhadneverpaidanyrevenuetax。Shehadwalkedtwentymilesthatday，andhadbeguiledthetediumofthejourneybyoccasionalpotations，whichprobablyaccountedfortheincoherencyofspeechwhichseveralofthosewhometherhadobserved。WhenTryondrewnear，shetenderedhimthebottlewithtipsycordiality。HeturnedindisgustandretracedhisstepstothePatesvilleroad，whichhedidnotreachuntilnightfall。Asitwastoodarktoprosecutethesearchwithanychanceofsuccess，hesecuredlodgingforthenight，intendingtoresumehisquestearlyinthemorning。

XXXIII

AMULEANDACART

FrankFowler’sheartwasfilledwithlongingforasightofRena’sface。Whenshehadgoneawayfirst，ontheill—fatedtriptoSouthCarolina，herabsencehadleftanachingvoidinhislife；hehadmissedhercheerfulsmile，herpleasantwords，hergracefulfiguremovingaboutacrossthenarrowstreet。Hisworkhadgrownmonotonousduringherabsence；theclatterofhammerandmallet，thathadseemedsomerrywhenpunctuatednowandthenbythestrainsofhervoice，becameamerehumdrumrappingofwooduponwoodandironuponiron。HehadsoughtworkinSouthCarolinawiththehopethatbemightseeher。Hehadsatisfiedthishope，andhadtriedinvaintodoheraservice；butFatehadbeenagainsther；hercastleofcardshadcometumblingdown。Hefeltthathersorrowhadbroughthernearertohim。

Thedistancebetweenthemdependedverymuchupontheirwayoflookingatthings。Heknewthatherexperiencehaddraggedherthroughthevalleyofhumiliation。Hisunselfishdevotionhadreactedtorefineandelevatehisownspirit。Whenheheardthesuggestion，afterherseconddeparture，thatshemightmarryWain，hecouldnotbutcomparehimselfwiththisnewaspirant。He，Frank，wasaman，anhonestman——abettermanthantheshiftyscoundrelwithwhomshehadriddenaway。Shewasbutawoman，thebestandsweetestandloveliestofallwomen，butyetawoman。

Afterafewshortyearsofhappinessorsorrow，——

littleofjoy，perhaps，andmuchofsadness，whichhadbegunalready，——theywouldbothbefoodforworms。Whitepeople，withadeeperwisdomperhapsthantheyusedintheirowncase，regardedRenaandhimselfasverymuchalike。TheywerecertainlybothmadebythesameGod，inmuchthesamephysicalandmentalmould；theybreathedthesameair，atethesamefood，spokethesamespeech，lovedandhated，laughedandcried，livedandwoulddie，thesame。IfGodhadmeanttorearanyimpassablebarrierbetweenpeopleofcontrastingcomplexions，whydidHenotexpresstheprohibitionasHehaddonebetweenotherordersofcreation？

WhenRenahaddepartedforSampsonCounty，Frankhadreconciledhimselftoherabsencebythehopeofherspeedyreturn。HeoftensteppedacrossthestreettotalktoMis’Mollyabouther。

Severallettershadpassedbetweenmotheranddaughter，andinresponsetoFrank’sinquirieshisneighboruniformlystatedthatRenawaswellanddoingwell，andsentherlovetoallinquiringfriends。ButFrankobservedthatMis’Molly，whenpressedastothedateofRena’sreturn，grewmoreandmoreindefinite；andfinallythemother，inaburstofconfidentialfriendship，toldFrankofallherhopeswithreferencetothestrangerfromdownthecountry。

"Yas，Frank，"sheconcluded，"it’llbeherownfaultefshedon’tbecomealadyofproputty，ferMr。Wainisrich，an’ownsabigplantation，an’

hiresalotofhands，andisabigmaninthecounty。

He’scrazytogither，an’italllaysinherownhan’s。"

Frankdidnotfindthisnewsreassuring。HebelievedthatWainwasaliarandascoundrel。

Hehadnothingmorethanhisintuitionsuponwhichtofoundthisbelief，butitwasnonethelessfirm。Ifhisestimateoftheman’scharacterwerecorrect，thenhiswealthmightbeafiction，pureandsimple。Ifso，thetruthshouldbeknowntoMis’Molly，sothatinsteadofencouragingamarriagewithWain，shewouldseehiminhistruelight，andinterposetorescueherdaughterfromhisimportunities。Adayortwoafterthisconversation，FrankmetinthetownanegrofromSampsonCounty，madehisacquaintance，andinquiredifheknewamanbythenameofJeffWain。

"Oh，JeffWain！"returnedthecountrymanslightingly；"yas，Iknows’im，an’don’knownogoodof’im。Oneerdeseyerbiggity，braggin’

niggers——talkslackheowndewholecounty，an’

ain’twuthnomo’d’nIis——jes’abigbladderwidahandfulershotrattlin’roun’init。Hadawife，whenIwuzdere，an’beatheran’’busedhersoshehadterrunaway。"

Thiswasalarminginformation。Wainhadpassedinthetownasasingleman，andFrankhadhadnohintthathehadeverbeenmarried。Therewassomethingwrongsomewhere。Frankdeterminedthathewouldfindoutthetruthand，ifpossible，dosomethingtoprotectRenaagainsttheobviouslyevildesignsofthemanwhohadtakenheraway。Thebarrelfactoryhadsoaffectedthecooper’stradethatPeterandFrankhadturnedtheirattentionmoreorlesstothemanufactureofsmallwoodenwarefordomesticuse。Frank’smulewaseatingoffitsownhead，asthesayinggoes。ItrequiredbutlittleefforttopersuadePeterthathissonmighttakealoadofbucketsandtubsandpigginsintothecountryandsellthemortradethemforcountryproduceataprofit。

InafewdaysFrankhadhisstockprepared，andsetoutontheroadtoSampsonCounty。Hewentaboutthirtymilesthefirstday，andcampedbytheroadsideforthenight，resumingthejourneyatdawn。Afterdrivingforanhourthroughthetallpinesthatoverhungtheroadlikethestatelyarchofacathedralaisle，weavingacarpetfortheearthwiththeirbrownspinesandcones，andsoothingtheearwiththeirceaselessmurmur，Frankstoppedtowaterhismuleatapointwherethewhite，sandyroad，wideningasitwent，slopeddownwardtoaclear—runningbranch。Ontherightabay—treebendingoverthestreammingledtheheavyodorofitsflowerswiththedelicateperfumeofayellowjessaminevinethathadoverrunaclumpofsaplingsontheleft。Fromaneighboringtreeasilver—throatedmocking—birdpouredoutafloodofriotousmelody。Agroupofminnows；

startledbythesplashingofthemule’sfeet，dartedawayintotheshadowofthethicket，theirquickpassageleavingtheamberwaterfilledwithlaughinglight。

Themuledranklongandlazily，whileoverFrankstolethoughtsinharmonywiththepeacefulscene，——thoughtsofRena，youngandbeautiful，herfriendlysmile，herpensivedarkeyes。Hewouldsoonseehernow，andifshehadanycauseforfearorunhappiness，hewouldplacehimselfatherservice——foraday，aweek，amonth，ayear，alifetime，ifneedbe。

Hisreveriewasbrokenbyaslightnoisefromthethicketathisleft。"Iwonderwhodatis？"

hemuttered。"Itsoun’smightyquare，tersaydeleas’。"

Helistenedintentlyforamoment，butheardnothingfurther。"Itmust’a’be’narabbitersomethin’scamp’in’th’oughdewoods。G’longdere，Caesar！"

Asthemulesteppedforward，thesoundwasrepeated。Thistimeitwasdistinctlyaudible，thelong，lowmoanofsomeoneinsicknessordistress。

"Datain’tnorabbit，"saidFranktohimself。

"Dere’ssomethin’wrongdere。Stan’here，Caesar，tillIlookinterdismatter。"

Pullingoutfromthebranch，Franksprangfromthesaddleandpushedhiswaycautiouslythroughtheouteredgeofthethicket。

"GoodLawd！"heexclaimedwithastart，"it’sawoman——aw’itewoman！"

Theslenderformofayoungwomanlaystretcheduponthegroundinasmallopenspaceafewyardsinextent。Herfacewasturnedaway，andFrankcouldseeatfirstonlyatangledmassofdarkbrownhair，mattedwithtwigsandleavesandcockleburs，andhanginginwildprofusionaroundherneck。

Frankstoodforamomentirresolute，debatingtheseriousquestionwhetherheshouldinvestigatefurtherwithaviewtorenderingassistance，orwhetherheshouldputasgreatadistanceaspossiblebetweenhimselfandthisvictim，asshemighteasilybe，ofsomeviolentcrime，lestheshouldhimselfbesuspectedofit——anotunlikelycontingency，ifhewerefoundintheneighborhoodandthewomanshouldproveunabletodescribeherassailant。Whilehehesitated，thefiguremovedrestlessly，andavoicemurmured：——

"Mamma，oh，mamma！"

ThevoicethrilledFranklikeanelectricshock。

Tremblingineverylimb，hesprangforwardtowardtheprostratefigure。Thewomanturnedherhead，andhesawthatitwasRena。Hergownwastornanddusty，andfringedwithbursandbriars。

Whenshehadwanderedforth，halfdelirious，pursuedbyimaginaryfoes，shehadnotstoppedtoputonhershoes，andherlittlefeetwereblisteredandswollenandbleeding。Frankkneltbyhersideandliftedherheadonhisarm。Heputhishanduponherbrow；itwasburningwithfever。

"MissRena！Rena！don’tyouknowme？"

Sheturnedherwildeyesonhimsuddenly。

"Yes，Iknowyou，JeffWain。Goawayfromme！Goaway！"

Hervoicerosetoascream；shestruggledinhisgraspandstruckathimfiercelywithherclenchedfists。Hersleevefellbackanddisclosedthewhitescarmadebyhisownhandsomanyyearsbefore。

"You’reawickedman，"shepanted。"Don’ttouchme！Ihateyouanddespiseyou！"

Frankcouldonlysurmisehowshehadcomehere，insuchacondition。WhenshespokeofWaininthismanner，hedrewhisownconclusions。

SomedeadlyvillainyofWain’shadbroughthertothispass。Angerstirredhisnaturetothedepths，andfoundventincursesontheauthorofRena’smisfortunes。

"Damnhim！"hegroaned。"I’llhavehisheart’sbloodferdis，terdelas’drop！"

Renanowlaughedandputupherarmsappealingly。"George，"shecried，inmeltingtones，"dearGeorge，doyouloveme？Howmuchdoyouloveme？Ah，youdon’tloveme！"shemoaned；"I’mblack；youdon’tloveme；youdespiseme！"

Hervoicediedawayintoahopelesswail。

Frankkneltbyherside，hisfaithfulheartbreakingwithpity，greattearsrollinguntoucheddownhisduskycheeks。

"Oh，myhoney，mydarlin’，"hesobbed，"Franklovesyoubetter’nalldeworl’。"

Meantimethesunshoneonasbrightlyasbefore，themocking—birdsangyetmorejoyously。

Agentlebreezesprangupandwaftedtheodorofbayandjessaminepastthemonitswings。Thegrandtriumphalsweepofnature’sonwardmarchreckednothingoflife’slittletragedies。

Whenthefirstburstofhisgriefwasover，Frankbroughtwaterfromthebranch，bathedRena’sfaceandhandsandfeet，andforcedafewdropsbetweenherreluctantlips。Hethenpitchedthecartloadoftubs，buckets，andpigginsoutintotheroad，andgatheringdriedleavesandpine—

straw，spreadtheminthebottomofthecart。Hestooped，liftedherfrailforminhisarms，andlaiditontheleafybed。Cuttingacoupleofhickorywithes，hearchedthemoverthecart，andgatheringanarmfulofjessaminequicklywoveitintoanawningtoprotectherfromthesun。Shewasquieternow，andseemedtofallasleep。

"Gotersleep，honey，"hemurmuredcaressingly，"gotersleep，an’Frank’lltakeyouhometeryo’mammy！"

Towardnoonhewasmetbyayoungwhiteman，whopeeredinquisitivelyintothecanopiedcart。

"Hello！"exclaimedthestranger，"who’veyougotthere？"

"Asickwoman，suh。"

"Why，she’swhite，asI’masinner！"hecried，afteracloserinspection。"Looka—here，nigger，whatareyoudoin’withthiswhitewoman？"

"She’snotw’ite，boss，——she’sabrightmulatter。"

"Yas，mightybright，"continuedthestrangersuspiciously。"Whereareyougoin’withher？"

"I’mtakin’herterPatesville，terhermammy。"

Thestrangerpassedon。TowardeveningFrankheardhoundsbayinginthedistance。Afox，wearywithrunning，brushdrooping，crossedtheroadaheadofthecart。Presently，thehoundsstraggledacrosstheroad，followedbytwoorthreehuntersonhorseback，whostoppedatsightofthestrangelycanopiedcart。Theystaredatthesickgirlanddemandedwhoshewas。

"Idon’tb’lieveshe’sblackatall，"declaredone，afterFrank’sbriefexplanation。"Thisniggerhasabadeye，——he’suptersomesortofdevilment。Whatailsthegirl？"

"’Pearsterbesomekindofafever，"repliedFrank；addingdiplomatically，"Idon’tknowwhetherit’sketchin’erno——she’sbe’nouterherheadmosterdetime。"

Theydrewoffalittleatthis。"Ireckonit’sallright，"saidthechiefspokesman。Thehoundswerebayingclamorouslyinthedistance。Thehuntersfollowedthesoundanddisappearedmthewoods。

Frankdrovealldayandallnight，stoppingonlyforbriefperiodsofrestandrefreshment。Atdawn，fromthetopofthelongwhitehill，hesightedtheriverbridgebelow。AtsunriseherappedatMis’Molly’sdoor。

Uponrisingatdawn，Tryon’sfirststep，afterahastybreakfast，wastoturnbacktowardClinton。

HehadwastedhalfadayinfollowingthefalsescentontheLillingtonroad。Itseemed，afterreflection，unlikelythatawomanseriouslyillshouldhavebeenabletowalkanyconsiderabledistancebeforeherstrengthgaveout。Inherdelirium，too，shemighthavewanderedinawrongdirection，imagininganyroadtoleadtoPatesville。

Itwouldbeagoodplantodrivebackhome，continuinghisinquiriesmeantime，andascertainwhetherornotshehadbeenfoundbythosewhowereseekingher，includingmanywhomTryon’sinquirieshadplaceduponthealert。Ifsheshouldprovestillmissing，hewouldresumethejourneytoPatesvilleandcontinuethesearchinthatdirection。Shehadprobablynotwanderedfarfromthehighroad；evenindeliriumshewouldbelikelytoavoidthedeepwoods，withwhichherillnesswasassociated。

HehadretracedmorethanhalfthedistancetoClintonwhenheovertookacoveredwagon。

Thedriver，whenquestioned，saidthathehadmetayoungnegrowithamule，andacartinwhichlayayoungwoman，whitetoallappearance，butclaimedbythenegrotobeacoloredgirlwhohadbeentakensickontheroad，andwhomhewasconveyinghometohermotheratPatesville。

FromafurtherdescriptionofthecartTryonrecognizeditastheonehehadmetthedaybefore。

ThewomancouldbenootherthanRena。HeturnedhismareandsetoutswiftlyontheroadtoPatesville。

IfanythingcouldhavetakenmorecompletepossessionofGeorgeTryonattwenty—threethanlovesuccessfulandtriumphant，itwaslovethwartedanddenied。Neverinthefewbriefdeliriousweeksofhiscourtshiphadhefeltsostronglydrawntothebeautifulsisterofthepopularlawyer，ashewasnowdrivenbyanachinghearttowardthesamewomanstrippedofeveryadventitionsadvantageandplaced，bycustom，beyondthepaleofmarriagewithmenofhisownrace。Customwastyranny。Lovewastheonlylaw。WouldGodhavemadeheartstosoyearnforoneanotherifHehadmeantthemtostayforeverapart？Ifthisgirlshoulddie，itwouldbehewhohadkilledher，byhiscruelty，nolesssurelythanifwithhisownhandhehadstruckherdown。Hehadbeensodazzledbyhisownsuperiority，soblindedbyhisownglory，thathehadruthlesslyspurnedandspoiledtheimageofGodinthisfaircreature，whomhemighthavehadforhisowntreasure，——

whom，pleaseGod，hewouldyethave，atanycost，toloveandcherishwhiletheybothshouldlive。

Thereweredifficulties——theyhadseemedinsuperable，butlovewouldsurmountthem。Sacrificesmustbemade，butiftheworldwithoutlovewouldbenothing，thenwhynotgiveuptheworldforlove？HewouldhastentoPatesville。Hewouldfindher；hewouldtellherthathelovedher，thatshewasalltheworldtohim，thathehadcometomarryher，andtakeherawaywheretheymightbehappytogether。Hepicturedtohimselfthejoythatwouldlightupherface；hefelthersoftarmsaroundhisneck，hertremulouskissesuponhislips。Ifshewereill，hislovewouldwooherbacktohealth，——ifdisappointmentandsorrowhadcontributedtoherillness，joyandgladnessshouldleadtoherrecovery。

Heurgedthemareforward；ifshewouldbutkeepupherpresentpace，hewouldreachPatesvillebynightfall。

Dr。Greenhadjustgonedownthegardenpathtohisbuggyatthegate。Mis’Mollycameouttothebackpiazza，whereFrank，wearyandhaggard，satonthestepswithHomerPettifootandBillyOxendine，who，hearingofRena’sreturn，hadcomearoundaftertheirday’swork。

"Renawantstoseeyou，Frank，"saidMis’

Molly，withasob。

Hewalkedinsoftly，reverently，andstoodbyherbedside。Sheturnedhergentleeyesuponhimandputoutherslenderhand，whichhetookinhisownbroadpalm。

"Frank，"shemurmured，"mygoodfriend——

mybestfriend——youlovedmebestofthemall。"

Thetearsrolleduntoucheddownhischeeks。

"I’d’a’died，feryou，MissRena，"hesaidbrokenly。

MaryB。threwopenawindowtomakewayforthepassingspirit，andtheredandgoldengloryofthesettingsun，triumphantlyendinghisdailycourse，floodedthenarrowroomwithlight。

Betweensunsetanddarkatraveler，seatedinadustybuggydrawnbyatiredhorse，crossedthelongriverbridgeanddroveupFrontStreet。

Justasthebuggyreachedthegateinfrontofthehousebehindthecedars，awomanwastyingapieceofcrapeuponthedoor—knob。Palewithapprehension，Tryonsatasifpetrified，untilatall，side—whiskeredmulattocamedownthegardenwalktothefrontgate。

"Who’sdead？"demandedTryonhoarsely，scarcelyrecognizinghisownvoice。

"Ayoungcullud’oman，sah，"answeredHomerPettifoot，touchinghishat，"Mis’MollyWalden’sdaughterRena。"