Seethatfellowyonder，hesaidtoMagnus，indicatingacertainmiddle-agedman，flamboyantlydressed，whoworehishairlong，whowasafflictedwithsoreeyes，andthecollarofwhosevelvetcoatwassprinkledwithdandruff，that’sHartrath，theartist，amanabsolutelydevoidofeventhecommonestdecency。Howhegotinhereisamysterytome。
Yet，whenthisHartrathcameacrosstosayHowdoyoudotoLyman，Lymanwasaseagerinhiscordialityashiswarmestfriendcouldhaveexpected。
Whythedevilareyousochummywithhim，then？observedHarranwhenHartrathhadgoneaway。
Lyman’sexplanationwasvague。Thetruthofthematterwas，thatMagnus’soldestsonwasconsumedbyinordinateambition。
Politicalprefermentwashisdream，andtotherealisationofthisdreampopularitywasanessential。Everymanwhocouldvote，blackguardorgentleman，wastobeconciliated，ifpossible。Hemadeithisstudytobecomeknownthroughouttheentirecommunity——toputinfluentialmenunderobligationstohimself。Heneverforgotanameoraface。Witheverybodyhewasthehail-fellow-well-met。Hisambitionwasnottrivial。Inhisdisregardforsmallthings，heresembledhisfather。
Municipalofficehadnoattractionforhim。Hisgoalwashigher。
Hehadplannedhislifetwentyyearsahead。AlreadySheriff’sAttorney，AssistantDistrictAttorneyandRailroadCommissioner，hecould，ifhedesired，attaintheofficeofDistrictAttorneyitself。Justnow，itwasaquestionwithhimwhetherornotitwouldbepolitictofillthisoffice。Woulditadvanceorsidetrackhiminthecareerhehadoutlinedforhimself？LymanwantedtobesomethingbetterthanDistrictAttorney，betterthanMayor，thanStateSenator，oreventhanmemberoftheUnitedStatesCongress。Hewantedtobe，infact，whathisfatherwasonlyinname——tosucceedwhereMagnushadfailed。HewantedtobegovernoroftheState。Hehadputhisteethtogether，and，deaftoallotherconsiderations，blindtoallotherissues，heworkedwiththeinfiniteslowness，theunshakabletenacityofthecoralinsecttothisoneend。
Afterluncheonwasover，Lymanorderedcigarsandliqueurs，andwiththethreeothersreturnedtothemainroomoftheclub。
However，theirformerplaceintheroundwindowwasoccupied。A
middle-agedman，withirongreyhairandmoustache，whoworeafrockcoatandawhitewaistcoat，andinsomeindefinablemannersuggestedaretirednavalofficer，wassittingattheirtablesmokingalong，thincigar。Atsightofhim，Presleybecameanimated。Heutteredamildexclamation：
Why，isn’tthatMr。Cedarquist？
Cedarquist？repeatedLymanDerrick。Iknowhimwell。Yes，ofcourse，itis，hecontinued。Governor，youmustknowhim。Heisoneofourrepresentativemen。Youwouldenjoytalkingtohim。HewastheheadofthebigAtlasIronWorks。Theyhaveshutdownrecently，youknow。Notfailedexactly，butjustceasedtobeapayinginvestment，andCedarquistclosedthemout。
Hehasotherinterests，though。He’sarichman——acapitalist。
Lymanbroughtthegroupuptothegentlemaninquestionandintroducedthem。
Mr。MagnusDerrick，ofcourse，observedCedarquist，ashetooktheGovernor’shand。I’veknownyoubyreputeforsometime，sir。Thisisagreatpleasure，Iassureyou。Then，turningtoPresley，headded：Hello，Pres，myboy。Howisthegreat，theverygreatPoemgettingon？
It’snotgettingonatall，sir，answeredPresley，insomeembarrassment，astheyallsatdown。Infact，I’veaboutgivenuptheidea。There’ssomuchinterestinwhatyoumightcall’livingissues’downatLosMuertosnow，thatI’mgettingfurtherandfurtherfromiteveryday。
Ishouldsayasmuch，remarkedthemanufacturer，turningtowardsMagnus。I’mwatchingyourfightwithShelgrim，Mr。
Derrick，witheverydegreeofinterest。Heraisedhisdrinkofwhiskeyandsoda。Here’ssuccesstoyou。
Ashereplacedhisglass，theartistHartrathjoinedthegroupuninvited。Asapretext，heengagedLymaninconversation。
Lyman，hebelieved，wasamanwithapullattheCityHall。InconnectionwithaprojectedMillion-DollarFairandFlowerFestival，whichatthatmomentwasthetalkofthecity，certainstatuesweretobeerected，andHartrathbespokeLyman’sinfluencetofurtherthepretensionsofasculptorfriendofhis，whowishedtobeArtDirectoroftheaffair。InthematterofthisFairandFlowerFestival，Hartrathwasnotlackinginenthusiasm。Headdressedtheotherswithextravagantgestures，blinkinghisinflamedeyelids。
Amilliondollars，heexclaimed。Hey！thinkofthat。Why，doyouknowthatwehavefivehundredthousandpracticallypledgedalready？Talkaboutpublicspirit，gentlemen，thisisthemostpublic-spiritedcityonthecontinent。Andthemoneyisnotthrownaway。WewillhaveEasternvisitorsherebythethousands——capitalists——menwithmoneytoinvest。Themillionwespendonourfairwillbemoneyinourpockets。Ah，youshouldseehowthewomenofthiscityaretakingholdofthematter。
Theyaregivingallkindsoflittleentertainments，teas，’OldeTymeSingingSkules，’amateurtheatricals，gingerbreadfetes，allforthebenefitofthefund，andthebusinessmen，too——pouringouttheirmoneylikewater。Itissplendid，splendid，toseeacommunitysopatriotic。
Themanufacturer，Cedarquist，fixedtheartistwithaglanceofmelancholyinterest。
Andhowmuch，heremarked，willtheycontribute——yourgingerbreadwomenandpublic-spiritedcapitalists，towardstheblowingupoftheruinsoftheAtlasIronWorks？
Blowingup？Idon’tunderstand，murmuredtheartist，surprised。
WhenyougetyourEasterncapitalistsoutherewithyourMillion-DollarFair，continuedCedarquist，youdon’tpropose，doyou，toletthemseeaMillion-DollarIronFoundrystandingidle，becauseoftheindifferenceofSanFranciscobusinessmen？
Theymightaskpertinentquestions，yourcapitalists，andweshouldhavetoanswerthatourbusinessmenpreferredtoinvesttheirmoneyincornerlotsandgovernmentbonds，ratherthantobackupalegitimate，industrialenterprise。Wedon’twantfairs。Wewantactivefurnaces。Wedon’twantpublicstatues，andfountains，andparkextensionsandgingerbreadfetes。Wewantbusinessenterprise。Isn’titlikeus？Isn’titlikeus？
heexclaimedsadly。Whatamelancholycomment！SanFrancisco！
Itisnotacity——itisaMidwayPlaisance。Californialikestobefooled。DoyousupposeShelgrimcouldconvertthewholeSanJoaquinValleyintohisbackyardotherwise？Indifferencetopublicaffairs——absoluteindifference，itstampsusall。OurStateistheveryparadiseoffakirs。YouandyourMillion-
DollarFair！HeturnedtoHartrathwithaquietsmile。Itisjustsuchmenasyou，Mr。Hartrath，thataretheruinofus。Youorganiseashamoftinselandpasteboard，putonfool’scapandbells，beatagongatastreetcorner，andthecrowdcheersyouanddropsnickelsintoyourhat。Yourginger-breadfete。yes，I
sawitinfullblasttheothernightonthegroundsofoneofyourwomen’splacesonSutterStreet。IwasonmywayhomefromthelastboardmeetingoftheAtlasCompany。Agingerbreadfete，myGod！andtheAtlasplantshuttingdownforwantoffinancialbacking。AmilliondollarsspenttoattracttheEasterninvestor，inordertoshowhimanabandonedrollingmill，whereintheonlyactivityisthesaleofremnantmaterialandscrapsteel。
Lyman，however，interfered。Thesituationwasbecomingstrained。
Hetriedtoconciliatethethreemen——theartist，themanufacturer，andthefarmer，thewarringelements。ButHartrath，unwillingtofacetheenmitythathefeltaccumulatingagainsthim，tookhimselfaway。Apictureofhis——AStudyoftheContraCostaFoot-hills——wastoberaffledintheclubroomsforthebenefitoftheFair。He，himself，wasinchargeofthematter。Hedisappeared。
Cedarquistlookedafterhimwithcontemplativeinterest。Then，turningtoMagnus，excusedhimselffortheacridityofhiswords。
He’snoworsethanmanyothers，andthepeopleofthisStateandcityare，afterall，onlyalittlemoreaddle-headedthanotherAmericans。Itwashisfavouritetopic。Sureoftheinterestofhishearers，heunburdenedhimself。
IfIweretonametheonecryingevilofAmericanlife，Mr。
Derrick，hecontinued，itwouldbetheindifferenceofthebetterpeopletopublicaffairs。Itissoinallourgreatcentres。Thereareothergreattrusts，Godknows，intheUnitedStatesbesidesourowndearP。andS。W。Railroad。EveryStatehasitsowngrievance。Ifitisnotarailroadtrust，itisasugartrust，oranoiltrust，oranindustrialtrust，thatexploitsthePeople，BECAUSETHEPEOPLEALLOWIT。TheindifferenceofthePeopleistheopportunityofthedespot。Itisastrueasthatthewholeisgreaterthanthepart，andthemaximissooldthatitistrite——itislaughable。Itisneglectedanddisusedforthesakeofsomenewingeniousandcomplicatedtheory，somewonderfulschemeofreorganisation，butthefactremains，nevertheless，simple，fundamental，everlasting。
ThePeoplehavebuttosay’No，’andnotthestrongesttyranny，political，religious，orfinancial，thatwaseverorganised，couldsurviveoneweek。
Theothers，absorbed，attentive，approved，noddingtheirheadsinsilenceasthemanufacturerfinished。
That’sonereason，Mr。Derrick，theotherresumedafteramoment，whyIhavebeensogladtomeetyou。YouandyourLeaguearetryingtosay’No’tothetrust。Ihopeyouwillsucceed。
IfyourexamplewillrallythePeopletoyourcause，youwill。
Otherwise——heshookhishead。
Onestageofthefightistobepassedthisveryday，observedMagnus。MysonsandmyselfareexpectinghourlynewsfromtheCityHall，adecisioninourcaseispending。
Wearebothofusfighters，itseems，Mr。Derrick，saidCedarquist。Eachwithhisparticularenemy。Wearewellmet，indeed，thefarmerandthemanufacturer，bothinthesamegristbetweenthetwomillstonesofthelethargyofthePublicandtheaggressionoftheTrust，thetwogreatevilsofmodernAmerica。
Pres，myboy，thereisyourepicpoemreadytohand。
ButCedarquistwasfullofanotheridea。Rarelydidsofavourableanopportunitypresentitselfforexplaininghistheories，hisambitions。AddressinghimselftoMagnus，hecontinued：
Fortunatelyformyself，theAtlasCompanywasnotmyonlyinvestment。Ihaveotherinterests。Thebuildingofships——
steelsailingships——hasbeenanambitionofmine，——forthispurpose，Mr。Derrick，tocarryAmericanwheat。Foryears，IhavestudiedthisquestionofAmericanwheat，andatlast，Ihavearrivedatatheory。Letmeexplain。Atpresent，allourCaliforniawheatgoestoLiverpool，andfromthatportisdistributedovertheworld。Butachangeiscoming。Iamsureofit。Youyoungmen，heturnedtoPresley，Lyman，andHarran，willlivetoseeit。Ourcenturyisaboutdone。ThegreatwordofthisnineteenthcenturyhasbeenProduction。Thegreatwordofthetwentiethcenturywillbe——listentome，youyoungsters——
Markets。AsamarketforourProduction——orletmetakeaconcreteexample——asamarketforourWHEAT，Europeisplayedout。PopulationinEuropeisnotincreasingfastenoughtokeepupwiththerapidityofourproduction。Insomecases，asinFrance，thepopulationisstationary。WE，however，havegoneonproducingwheatatatremendousrate。
Theresultisover-production。WesupplymorethanEuropecaneat，anddowngotheprices。TheremedyisNOTinthecurtailingofourwheatareas，butinthis，weMUSTHAVENEWMARKETS，GREATERMARKETS。ForyearswehavebeensendingourwheatfromEasttoWest，fromCaliforniatoEurope。ButthetimewillcomewhenwemustsenditfromWesttoEast。Wemustmarchwiththecourseofempire，notagainstit。Imean，wemustlooktoChina。
RiceinChinaislosingitsnutritivequality。TheAsiatics，though，mustbefed。ifnotonrice，thenonwheat。Why，Mr。
Derrick，ifonlyone-halfthepopulationofChinaateahalfounceofflourpermanperdayallthewheatareasinCaliforniacouldnotfeedthem。Ah，ifIcouldonlyhammerthatintothebrainsofeveryrancheroftheSanJoaquin，yes，andofeveryownerofeverybonanzafarminDakotaandMinnesota。SendyourwheattoChina。handleityourselves。doawaywiththemiddleman。
breakuptheChicagowheatpitsandelevatorringsandmixinghouses。WheninfeedingChinayouhavedecreasedtheEuropeanshipments，theeffectisinstantaneous。PricesgoupinEuropewithouthavingtheleasteffectuponthepricesinChina。Weholdthekey，wehavethewheat，——infinitelymorethanweourselvescaneat。AsiaandEuropemustlooktoAmericatobefed。WhatfatuousneglectofopportunitytocontinuetodelugeEuropewithoursurplusfoodwhentheEasttremblesuponthevergeofstarvation！
Thetwomen，CedarquistandMagnus，continuedtheconversationalittlefurther。Themanufacturer’sideawasnewtotheGovernor。
Hewasgreatlyinterested。Hewithdrewfromtheconversation。
Thoughtful，heleanedbackinhisplace，strokingthebridgeofhisbeak-likenosewithacrookedforefinger。
CedarquistturnedtoHarranandbeganaskingdetailsastotheconditionsofthewheatgrowersoftheSanJoaquin。Lymanstillmaintainedanattitudeofpolitealoofness，yawningoccasionallybehindthreefingers，andPresleywaslefttothecompanyofhisownthoughts。
Therehadbeenadaywhentheaffairsandgrievancesofthefarmersofhisacquaintance——Magnus，Annixter，Osterman，andoldBroderson——hadfilledhimonlywithdisgust。Hismindfullofagreat，vagueepicpoemoftheWest，hehadkepthimselfapart，disdainfulofwhathechosetoconsidertheirpettysquabbles。
ButthesceneinAnnixter’sharnessroomhadthrilledandupliftedhim。Hewaspalpitatingwithexcitementallthroughthesucceedingmonths。Heabandonedtheideaofanepicpoem。Insixmonthshehadnotwrittenasingleverse。DayafterdayhetrembledwithexcitementastherelationsbetweentheTrustandLeaguebecamemoreandmorestrained。Hesawthematterinitstruelight。Itwastypical。Itwastheworld-oldwarbetweenFreedomandTyranny，andattimeshishatredoftherailroadshookhimlikeacrispandwitheredreed，whilethelanguidindifferenceofthepeopleoftheStatetothequarrelfilledhimwithablindexasperation。
But，ashehadonceexplainedtoVanamee，hemustfindexpression。Hefeltthathewouldsuffocateotherwise。Hehadbeguntokeepajournal。Astheinclinationspurredhim，hewrotedownhisthoughtsandideasinthis，sometimeseveryday，sometimesonlythreeorfourtimesamonth。Alsoheflungasidehisbooksofpoems——Milton，Tennyson，Browning，evenHomer——andaddressedhimselftoMill，Malthus，Young，Poushkin，HenryGeorge，Schopenhauer。HeattackedthesubjectofSocialInequalitywithunboundedenthusiasm。Hedevoured，ratherthanread，andemergedfromtheaffair，hismindaconfusedjumbleofconflictingnotions，sickwithover-effort，ragingagainstinjusticeandoppression，andwithnotonesanesuggestionastoremedyorredress。
Thebuttofhiscigarettescorchedhisfingersandrousedhimfromhisbrooding。Intheactoflightinganother，heglancedacrosstheroomandwassurprisedtoseetwoveryprettilydressedyoungwomeninthecompanyofanoldergentleman，inalongfrockcoat，standingbeforeHartrath’spainting，examiningit，theirheadsupononeside。
Presleyutteredamurmurofsurprise。He，himself，wasamemberoftheclub，andthepresenceofwomenwithinitsdoors，exceptonspecialoccasions，wasnottolerated。HeturnedtoLymanDerrickforanexplanation，butthisotherhadalsoseenthewomenandabruptlyexclaimed：
Ideclare，Ihadforgottenaboutit。Why，thisisLadies’Day，ofcourse。
Why，yes，interposedCedarquist，glancingatthewomenoverhisshoulder。Didn’tyouknow？Theylet’emintwiceayear，youremember，andthisisadoubleoccasion。TheyaregoingtoraffleHartrath’spicture，——forthebenefitoftheGingerbreadFair。Why，youarenotuptodate，Lyman。Thisisasacredandreligiousrite，——animportantpublicevent。
Ofcourse，ofcourse，murmuredLyman。HefoundmeanstosurveyHarranandMagnus。Certainly，neitherhisfathernorhisbrotherweredressedforthefunctionthatimpended。Hehadbeenstupid。
Magnusinvariablyattractedattention，andnowwithhistrousersstrappedunderhisboots，hiswrinkledfrockcoat——Lymantwistedhiscuffsintosightwithanimpatient，nervousmovementofhiswrists，glancingasecondtimeathisbrother’spinkface，forwardcurling，yellowhairandclothesofacountrycut。Buttherewasnohelpforit。HewonderedwhatweretheclubregulationsinthematterofbringinginvisitorsonLadies’Day。
Sureenough，Ladies’Day，heremarked，Iamverygladyoustruckit，Governor。Wecansitrightwhereweare。Iguessthisisasgoodaplaceasanytoseethecrowd。It’sagoodchancetoseeallthebiggunsofthecity。Doyouexpectyourpeoplehere，Mr。Cedarquist？
Mywifemaycome，andmydaughters，saidthemanufacturer。
Ah，murmuredPresley，somuchthebetter。Iwasgoingtogivemyselfthepleasureofcallinguponyourdaughters，Mr。
Cedarquist，thisafternoon。
Youcansaveyourcarfare，Pres，saidCedarquist，youwillseethemhere。
Nodoubt，theinvitationsfortheoccasionhadappointedoneo’clockasthetime，forbetweenthathourandtwo，theguestsarrivedinanalmostunbrokenstream。Fromtheirpointofvantageintheroundwindowofthemainroom，Magnus，histwosons，andPresleylookedonveryinterested。Cedarquisthadexcusedhimself，affirmingthathemustlookoutforhiswomenfolk。
Ofeverytenofthearrivals，seven，atleast，wereladies。Theyenteredtheroom——thisunfamiliarmasculinehaunt，wheretheirhusbands，brothers，andsonsspentsomuchoftheirtime——withacertainshowofhesitancyandlittle，nervous，obliqueglances，movingtheirheadsfromsidetosidelikeafileofhensventuringintoastrangebarn。Theycameingroups，usheredbyasinglememberoftheclub，doingthehonourswitheffusivebowsandpolitegestures，indicatingthevariousobjectsofinterest，pictures，busts，andthelike，thatdecoratedtheroom。
FreshfromhisrecollectionsofBonneville，Guadalajara，andthedanceinAnnixter’sbarn，Presleywasastonishedatthebeautyofthesewomenandtheeleganceoftheirtoilettes。Thecrowdthickenedrapidly。Amurmurofconversationarose，subdued，gracious，mingledwiththesoftrustleofsilk，grenadines，velvet。Thescentofdelicateperfumesspreadintheair，VioletdeParme，Peaud’Espagne。Coloursofthemostharmoniousblendsappearedanddisappearedatintervalsintheslowlymovingpress，touchesoflavender-tintedvelvets，palevioletcrepesandcream-
colouredappliquedlaces。
Thereseemedtobenoneedofintroductions。Everybodyappearedtobeacquainted。Therewasnoawkwardness，noconstraint。Theassemblydisengagedanimpressionofrefinedpleasure。Oneveryhand，innumerabledialoguesseemedtogoforwardeasilyandnaturally，withoutbreakorinterruption，witty，engaging，thecoupleneveratalossforrepartee。Athirdpartywasgracefullyincluded，thenafourth。Littlegroupswereformed，——
groupsthatdividedthemselves，ormeltedintoothergroups，ordisintegratedagainintoisolatedpairs，orlostthemselvesinthebackgroundofthemass，——allwithoutfriction，withoutembarrassment，——thewholeaffairgoingforwardofitself，decorous，tactful，well-bred。
Atadistance，andnottooloud，astringedorchestrasentupapleasinghum。Waiters，withbrassbuttonsontheirfulldresscoats，wentfromgrouptogroup，silent，unobtrusive，servingsaladsandices。
ButthefocusoftheassemblywasthelittlespacebeforeHartrath’spainting。ItwascalledAStudyoftheContraCostaFoothills，andwassetinaframeofnaturalredwood，thebarkstilladhering。Itwasconspicuouslydisplayedonaneaselattherightoftheentrancetothemainroomoftheclub，andwasverylarge。Intheforeground，andtotheleft，undertheshadeofalive-oak，stoodacoupleofreddishcows，knee-deepinapatchofyellowpoppies，whileintheright-handcorner，tobalancethecomposition，wasplacedagirlinapinkdressandwhitesunbonnet，inwhichtheshadowswereindicatedbybroaddashesofpalebluepaint。Theladiesandyounggirlsexaminedtheproductionwithlittlemurmursofadmiration，hazardingrememberedphrases，searchingfortheexactbalancebetweengenerouspraiseandcriticaldiscrimination，expressingtheiropinionsinthemildtechnicalitiesoftheArtBooksandpaintingclasses。Theyspokeofatmosphericeffects，ofmiddledistance，ofchiaro-oscuro，offore-shortening，ofthedecompositionoflight，ofthesubordinationofindividualitytofidelityofinterpretation。
Onetallgirl，withhairalmostwhiteinitsblondness，havingobservedthatthehandlingofthemassesremindedherstronglyofCorot，hercompanion，whocarriedagoldlorgnettebyachainaroundherneck，answered：
Ah！Millet，perhaps，butnotCorot。
Thisverdicthadanimmediatesuccess。Itwaspassedfromgrouptogroup。Itseemedtoimplyadelicatedistinctionthatcarriedconvictionatonce。ItwasdecidedformallythatthereddishbrowncowsinthepicturewerereminiscentofDaubigny，andthatthehandlingofthemasseswasaltogetherMillet，butthatthegeneraleffectwasnotquiteCorot。
Presley，curioustoseethepaintingthatwasthesubjectofsomuchdiscussion，hadleftthegroupintheroundwindow，andstoodclosebyHartrath，craninghisheadovertheshouldersofthecrowd，tryingtocatchaglimpseofthereddishcows，themilk-maidandthebluepaintedfoothills。HewassuddenlyawareofCedarquist’svoiceinhisear，and，turningabout，foundhimselffacetofacewiththemanufacturer，hiswifeandhistwodaughters。
Therewasameeting。Salutationswereexchanged，Presleyshakinghandsallaround，expressinghisdelightatseeinghisoldfriendsoncemore，forhehadknownthefamilyfromhisboyhood，Mrs。Cedarquistbeinghisaunt。Mrs。CedarquistandhertwodaughtersdeclaredthattheairofLosMuertosmustcertainlyhavedonehimaworldofgood。Hewasstouter，therecouldbenodoubtofit。Alittlepale，perhaps。Hewasfatiguinghimselfwithhiswriting，nodoubt。Ah，hemusttakecare。Healthwaseverything，afterall。Hadhebeenwritinganymoreverse？Everymonththeyscannedthemagazines，lookingforhisname。
Mrs。Cedarquistwasafashionablewoman，thepresidentorchairmanofascoreofclubs。Shewasforeverrunningafterfads，appearingcontinuallyinthesocietywhereinshemovedwithnewandastoundingproteges——fakirswhomsheunearthednooneknewwhere，discoveringthemlonginadvanceofhercompanions。
NowitwasaRussianCountess，withdirtyfingernails，whotravelledthroughoutAmericaandborrowedmoney。nowanAesthetewhopossessedawonderfulcollectionoftopazgems，whosubmitteddecorativeschemesfortheinteriorarrangementofhousesandwhoreceivedinMrs。Cedarquist’sdrawing-roomsdressedinawhitevelvetcassock。nowawidowofsomeMohammedanofBengalorRajputana，whohadabluespotinthemiddleofherforeheadandwhosolicitedcontributionsforhersistersinaffliction。nowacertainbeardedpoet，recentlybackfromtheKlondike。nowadecayedmusicianwhohadbeenejectedfromayoungladies’
musicalconservatoryofEuropebecauseofcertainsurprisingpamphletsonfreelove，andwhohadcometoSanFranciscotointroducethecommunitytothemusicofBrahms。nowaJapaneseyouthwhoworespectaclesandagreyflannelshirtandwho，atintervals，deliveredhimselfofthemostastonishingpoems，vague，unrhymed，unmetricallucubrations，incoherent，bizarre。
nowaChristianScientist，alean，greywoman，whosecreedwasneitherChristiannorscientific。nowauniversityprofessor，withthebristlingbeardofananarchistchief-of-section，andaroaring，gutturalvoice，whoseintensenesslefthimgaspingandapoplectic。nowacivilisedCherokeewithamission。nowafemaleelocutionist，whosefortewasByron’sSongsofGreece。nowahighcasteChinaman。nowaminiaturepainter。nowatenor，apianiste，amandolinplayer，amissionary，adrawingmaster，avirtuoso，acollector，anArmenian，abotanistwithanewflower，acriticwithanewtheory，adoctorwithanewtreatment。
Andallthesepeoplehadaveritablemaniafordeclamationandfancydress。TheRussianCountessgavetalksontheprisonsofSiberia，wearingtheheaddressandpinchbeckornamentsofaSlavbride。theAesthete，inhiswhitecassock，gavereadingsonobscurequestionsofartandethics。ThewidowofIndia，inthecostumeofhercaste，describedthesociallifeofherpeopleathome。Thebeardedpoet，perspiringinfursandbootsofreindeerskin，declaimedversesofhisowncompositionaboutthewildlifeoftheAlaskanminingcamps。TheJapaneseyouth，inthesilkrobesoftheSamuraitwo-swordednobles，readfromhisownworks——
Theflat-borderedearth，naileddownatnight，rustingunderthedarkness，Thebrave，uprightrainsthatcamedownlikeerrandsfromiron-bodiedyore-time。TheChristianScientist，infunereal，impressiveblack，discussedthecontra-willandpan-
psychichylozoism。TheuniversityprofessorputonafulldresssuitandlislethreadglovesatthreeintheafternoonandbeforeliteraryclubsandcirclesbellowedextractsfromGoetheandSchilerintheGerman，shakinghisfists，purplewithvehemence。
TheCherokee，arrayedinfringedbuckskinandbluebeads，rentedfromacostumer，intonedfolksongsofhispeopleinthevernacular。Theelocutionistincheese-clothtogaandtinbracelets，renderedTheIslesofGreece，whereburningSappholovedandsung。TheChinaman，intherobesofamandarin，lecturedonConfucius。TheArmenian，infezandbaggytrousers，spokeoftheUnspeakableTurk。Themandolinplayer，dressedlikeabullfighter，heldmusicalconversaziones，interpretingthepeasantsongsofAndalusia。
ItwastheFake，theeternal，irrepressibleSham。glib，nimble，ubiquitous，trickedoutinalltheparaphernaliaofimposture，anendlessdefileofcharlatansthatpassedinterminablybeforethegazeofthecity，marshalledbyladypresidents，exploitedbyclubsofwomen，byliterarysocieties，readingcircles，andcultureorganisations。TheattentiontheFakereceived，thetimedevotedtoit，themoneywhichitabsorbed，wereincredible。Itwasallonethatimpostorafterimpostorwasexposed。itwasallonethattheclubs，thecircles，thesocietieswereprovedbeyonddoubttohavebeenswindled。ThemorethePhilistinepressofthecityrailedandguyed，themorethewomenralliedtothedefenceoftheirprotegeofthehour。Thattheirfavouritewaspersecuted，wastothemaveritablerapture。Promptlytheyinvestedtheapostleofculturewiththeglamourofamartyr。
Thefakirsworkedthecommunityasshell-gametrickstersworkacountyfair，departingwithburstingpocket-books，passingonthewordtothenextinline，assuredthattheplacewasnotworkedout，knowingwellthattherewasenoughforall。
Morefrequentlythepublicofthecity，unabletothinkofmorethanonethingatonetime，prostrateditselfatthefeetofasingleapostle，butatothermoments，suchasthepresent，whenaFlowerFestivaloraMillion-DollarFairarousedenthusiasminallquarters，theoccasionwasoneofgalafortheentireFake。
Thedecayedprofessors，virtuosi，litterateurs，andartiststhrongedtotheplaceenmasse。Theirclamourfilledalltheair。
Oneveryhandoneheardthescrapingofviolins，thetinklingofmandolins，thesuaveaccentsofarttalks，theincoherenciesofpoets，thedeclamationofelocutionists，theinarticulatewanderingsoftheJapanese，theconfusedmutteringsoftheCherokee，thegutturalbellowingoftheGermanuniversityprofessor，allinthenameoftheMillion-DollarFair。Moneytotheextentofhundredsofthousandswassetinmotion。
Mrs。Cedarquistwasbusyfrommorninguntilnight。Oneafteranother，shewasintroducedtonewlyarrivedfakirs。Toeachpoet，toeachlitterateur，toeachprofessorsheaddressedthesamequestion：
Howlonghaveyouknownyouhadthispower？
Shespentherdaysinonequiverofexcitementandjubilation。
Shewasinthemovement。ThepeopleofthecitywereawakeningtoaRealisationoftheBeautiful，toasenseofthehigherneedsoflife。ThiswasArt，thiswasLiterature，thiswasCultureandRefinement。TheRenaissancehadappearedintheWest。
Shewasashort，ratherstout，red-faced，verymuchover-dressedlittlewomanofsomefiftyyears。Shewasrichinherownname，evenbeforehermarriage，beingarelativeofShelgrimhimselfandonfamiliartermswiththegreatfinancierandhisfamily。
Herhusband，whiledeploringthepolicyoftherailroad，sawnogoodreasonforquarrellingwithShelgrim，andonmorethanoneoccasionhaddinedathishouse。
Onthisoccasion，delightedthatshehadcomeuponaminorpoet，sheinsisteduponpresentinghimtoHartrath。
Youtwoshouldhavesomuchincommon，sheexplained。
Presleyshooktheflaccidhandoftheartist，murmuringconventionalities，whileMrs。Cedarquisthastenedtosay：
IamsureyouknowMr。Presley’sverse，Mr。Hartrath。Youshould，believeme。Youtwohavemuchincommon。Icanseesomuchthatisalikeinyourmodesofinterpretingnature。InMr。
Presley’ssonnet，’TheBetterPart，’thereisthesamenoteasinyourpicture，thesamesincerityoftone，thesamesubtletyoftouch，thesamenuances，——ah。
Oh，mydearMadame，murmuredtheartist，interruptingPresley’simpatientretort。Iamamerebungler。Youdon’tmeanquitethat，Iamsure。Iamtoosensitive。Itismycross。Beauty，
heclosedhissoreeyeswithalittleexpressionofpain，beautyunmansme。
ButMrs。Cedarquistwasnotlistening。Hereyeswerefixedontheartist’sluxurianthair，athickandglossymane，thatallbutcoveredhiscoatcollar。
Leonine！shemurmured——leonine！LikeSamsonofold。
However，abruptlybestirringherself，sheexclaimedasecondlater：
ButImustrunaway。Iamsellingticketsforyouthisafternoon，Mr。Hartrath。Iamhavingsuchsuccess。Twenty-fivealready。Mr。Presley，youwilltaketwochances，Iamsure，and，oh，bytheway，Ihavesuchgoodnews。YouknowIamoneoftheladymembersofthesubscriptioncommitteeforourFair，andyouknowweapproachedMr。Shelgrimforadonationtohelpalong。
Oh，suchaliberalpatron，arealLorenzodi’Medici。InthenameofthePacificandSouthwesternhehassubscribed，thinkofit，fivethousanddollars。andyettheywilltalkofthemeannessoftherailroad。
Possiblyitistohisinterest，murmuredPresley。Thefairsandfestivalsbringpeopletothecityoverhisrailroad。
Buttheothersturnedonhim，expostulating。
Ah，youPhilistine，declaredMrs。Cedarquist。AndthisfromYOU！，Presley。toattributesuchbasemotives——
Ifthepoetsbecomematerialised，Mr。Presley，declaredHartrath，whatcanwesaytothepeople？
AndShelgrimencouragesyourmillion-dollarfairsandfetes，
saidavoiceatPresley’selbow，becauseitisthrowingdustinthepeople’seyes。
ThegroupturnedaboutandsawCedarquist，whohadcomeupunobservedintimetocatchthedriftofthetalk。Buthespokewithoutbitterness。therewasevenagood-humouredtwinkleinhiseyes。
Yes，hecontinued，smiling，ourdearShelgrimpromotesyourfairs，notonlyasPressays，becauseitismoneyinhispocket，butbecauseitamusesthepeople，distractstheirattentionfromthedoingsofhisrailroad。WhenBeatricewasababyandhadlittlecolics，Iusedtojinglemykeysinfrontofhernose，andittookherattentionfromthepaininhertummy。soShelgrim。
Theotherslaughedgood-humouredly，protesting，nevertheless，andMrs。Cedarquistshookherfingerinwarningattheartistandexclaimed：
ThePhilistinesbeuponthee，Samson！
Bytheway，observedHartrath，willingtochangethesubject，IhearyouareontheFamineReliefCommittee。Doesyourworkprogress？
Oh，mostfamously，Iassureyou，shesaid。Suchamovementaswehavestarted。Thosepoorcreatures。Thephotographsofthemaresimplydreadful。Ihadthecommitteetoluncheontheotherdayandwepassedthemaround。WearegettingsubscriptionsfromallovertheState，andMr。Cedarquististoarrangefortheship。
TheReliefCommitteeinquestionwasoneofagreatnumberthathadbeenformedinCalifornia——andallovertheUnion，forthematterofthat——toprovidereliefforthevictimsofagreatfamineinCentralIndia。Thewholeworldhadbeenstruckwithhorroratthereportsofsufferingandmortalityintheaffecteddistricts，andhadhastenedtosendaid。CertainwomenofSanFrancisco，withMrs。Cedarquistattheirhead，hadorganisedanumberofcommittees，butthemanufacturer’swifeturnedthemeetingsofthesecommitteesintosocialaffairs——luncheons，teas，whereonediscussedthewaysandmeansofassistingthestarvingAsiaticsoverteacupsandplatesofsalad。
Shortlyafterwardamildcommotionspreadthroughouttheassemblageoftheclub’sguests。Thedrawingofthenumbersintherafflewasabouttobemade。Hartrath，inaflurryofagitation，excusedhimself。CedarquisttookPresleybythearm。
Pres，let’sgetoutofthis，hesaid。ComeintothewineroomandIwillshakeyouforaglassofsherry。
Theyhadsomedifficultyinextricatingthemselves。Themainroomwherethedrawingwastotakeplacesuddenlybecamedenselythronged。Alltheguestspressedeagerlyaboutthetablenearthepicture，uponwhichoneofthehallboyshadjustplacedaballotboxcontainingthenumbers。Theladies，holdingtheirticketsintheirhands，pushedforward。Astaccatochatterofexcitedmurmursarose。
WhatbecameofHarranandLymanandtheGovernor？inquiredPresley。
Lymanhaddisappeared，allegingabusinessengagement，butMagnusandhisyoungersonhadretiredtothelibraryoftheclubonthefloorabove。Itwasalmostdeserted。Theyweredeepinearnestconversation。
Harran，saidtheGovernor，withdecision，thereisadeal，there，inwhatCedarquistsays。OurwheattoChina，hey，boy？
Itiscertainlyworththinkingof，sir。
Itappealstome，boy。itappealstome。It’sbigandthere’safortuneinit。Bigchancesmeanbigreturns。andIknow——youroldfatherisn’tabacknumberyet，Harran——ImaynothavesowideanoutlookasourfriendCedarquist，butIamquicktoseemychance。Boy，thewholeEastisopening，disintegratingbeforetheAnglo-Saxon。Itistimethatbreadstuffs，aswell，shouldmakemarketsforthemselvesintheOrient。Justatthismoment，too，whenLymanwillscaledownfreightratessowecanhaultotidewateratlittlecost。
Magnuspausedagain，hisfrownbeetling，andinthesilencetheexcitedmurmurfromthemainroomoftheclub，thesopranochatterofamultitudeofwomen，founditswaytothedesertedlibrary。
Ibelieveit’sworthlookinginto，Governor，assertedHarran。
Magnusrose，and，hishandsbehindhim，pacedthefloorofthelibraryacoupleoftimes，hisimaginationallstimulatedandvivid。ThegreatgamblerperceivedhisChance，thekaleidoscopicshiftingofcircumstancesthatmadeaSituation。Ithadcomesilently，unexpectedly。Hehadnotseenitsapproach。Abruptlyhewokeonemorningtoseethecombinationrealised。Butalsohesawavision。AsuddenandabruptrevolutionintheWheat。A
newworldofmarketsdiscovered，thematterasimportantasthediscoveryofAmerica。Thetorrentofwheatwastobediverted，flowingbackuponitselfinasudden，colossaleddy，strandingthemiddleman，theENTRE-PRENEUR，theelevator-andmixing-housemendryanddespairing，theiroccupationgone。Hesawthefarmersuddenlyemancipated，theworld’sfoodnolongeratthemercyofthespeculator，thousandsuponthousandsofmensetfreeofthegripofTrustandringandmonopolyactingforthemselves，sellingtheirownwheat，organisingintoonegigantictrust，themselves，sendingtheiragentstoalltheentryportsofChina。
Himself，Annixter，BrodersonandOstermanwouldpooltheirissues。Hewouldconvincethemofthemagnificenceofthenewmovement。Theywouldbeitspioneers。HarranwouldbesenttoHongKongtorepresentthefour。Theywouldcharter——probablybuy——aship，perhapsoneofCedarquist’s，Americanbuilt，thenation’sflagatthepeak，andthesailingofthatship，gorgedwiththecropsfromBroderson’sandOsterman’sranches，fromQuienSabeandLosMuertos，wouldbelikethesailingofthecaravelsfromPalos。Itwouldmarkanewera。itwouldmakeanepoch。
Withthisvisionstillexpandingbeforetheeyeofhismind，Magnus，withHarranathiselbow，preparedtodepart。
Theydescendedtothelowerfloorandinvolvedthemselvesforamomentinthethrongoffashionablesthatblockedthehallwayandtheentrancetothemainroom，wherethenumbersoftherafflewerebeingdrawn。NeartheheadofthestairstheyencounteredPresleyandCedarquist，whohadjustcomeoutofthewineroom。
Magnus，stillonfirewiththenewidea，pressedafewquestionsuponthemanufacturerbeforebiddinghimgood-bye。Hewishedtotalkfurtheruponthegreatsubject，interestedastodetails，butCedarquistwasvagueinhisreplies。Hewasnofarmer，hehardlyknewwheatwhenhesawit，onlyheknewthetrendoftheworld’saffairs。hefeltthemtobesettinginevitablyeastward。
However，hisveryvaguenesswasafurtherinspirationtotheGovernor。Hesweptdetailsaside。Hesawonlythegrandcoup，thehugeresults，theEastconquered，themarchofempirerollingwestward，finallyarrivingatitsstartingpoint，thevague，mysteriousOrient。
Hesawhiswheat，likethecrestofanadvancingbillow，crossingthePacific，burstinguponAsia，floodingtheOrientinagoldentorrent。Itwasthenewera。Hehadlivedtoseethedeathoftheoldandthebirthofthenew。firstthemine，nowtheranch。
firstgold，nowwheat。Onceagainhebecamethepioneer，hardy，brilliant，takingcolossalchances，blazingtheway，graspingafortune——amillioninasingleday。Allthebignessofhisnatureleapedupagainwithinhim。Atthemagnitudeoftheinspirationhefeltyoungagain，indomitable，theleaderatlast，kingofhisfellows，wrestingfromfortuneatthiseleventhhour，beforehisoldage，theplaceofhighcommandwhichsolonghadbeendeniedhim。Atlasthecouldachieve。
AbruptlyMagnuswasawarethatsomeonehadspokenhisname。Helookedaboutandsawbehindhim，atalittledistance，twogentlemen，strangerstohim。Theyhadwithdrawnfromthecrowdintoalittlerecess。Evidentlyhavingnowomentolookafter，theyhadlostinterestintheafternoon’saffair。Magnusrealisedthattheyhadnotseenhim。Oneofthemwasreadingaloudtohiscompanionfromaneveningeditionofthatday’snewspaper。ItwasinthecourseofthisreadingthatMagnuscaughtthesoundofhisname。Hepaused，listening，andPresley，HarranandCedarquistfollowedhisexample。Soontheyallunderstood。Theywerelisteningtothereportofthejudge’sdecision，forwhichMagnuswaswaiting——thedecisioninthecaseoftheLeaguevs。theRailroad。Forthemoment，thepoliteclamouroftherafflehusheditself——thewinningnumberwasbeingdrawn。Theguestsheldtheirbreath，andintheensuingsilenceMagnusandtheothersheardthesewordsdistinctly：……Itfollowsthatthetitletothelandsinquestionisintheplaintiff——thePacificandSouthwesternRailroad，andthedefendantshavenotitle，andtheirpossessioniswrongful。
Theremustbefindingsandjudgmentfortheplaintiff，anditissoordered。
Inspiteofhimself，Magnuspaled。Harranshuthisteethwithanoath。Theirexaltationofthepreviousmomentcollapsedlikeapyramidofcards。Thevisionofthenewmovementofthewheat，theconquestoftheEast，theinvasionoftheOrient，seemedonlytheflimsiestmockery。Withabrusquewrench，theyweresnatchedbacktoreality。Betweenthemandthevision，betweenthefecundSanJoaquin，reekingwithfruitfulness，andthemillionsofAsiacrowdingtowardthevergeofstarvation，laytheiron-heartedmonsterofsteelandsteam，implacable，insatiable，huge——itsentrailsgorgedwiththelifebloodthatitsuckedfromanentirecommonwealth，itseverhungrymawgluttedwiththeharveststhatshouldhavefedthefamishedbelliesofthewholeworldoftheOrient。
Butabruptly，whilethefourmenstoodthere，gazingintoeachother’sfaces，avigoroushand-clappingbrokeout。TheraffleofHartrath’spicturewasover，andasPresleyturnedabouthesawMrs。Cedarquistandhertwodaughterssignallingeagerlytothemanufacturer，unabletoreachhimbecauseoftheinterveningcrowd。ThenMrs。Cedarquistraisedhervoiceandcried：
I’vewon。I’vewon。
Unnoticed，andwithbutabriefwordtoCedarquist，MagnusandHarranwentdownthemarblestepsleadingtothestreetdoor，silent，Harran’sarmtightaroundhisfather’sshoulder。
Atoncetheorchestrastruckintoalivelyair。Arenewedmurmurofconversationbrokeout，andCedarquist，ashesaidgood-byetoPresley，lookedfirstattheretreatingfiguresoftheranchers，thenatthegaylydressedthrongofbeautifulwomenanddebonairyoungmen，andindicatingthewholescenewithasinglegesture，said，smilingsadlyashespoke：
Notacity，Presley，notacity，butaMidwayPlaisance。
ChapterII
UnderneaththeLongTrestlewhereBrodersonCreekcutthelineoftherailroadandtheUpperRoad，thegroundwaslowandcoveredwithasecondgrowthofgreygreenwillows。Alongthebordersofthecreekwereoccasionalmarshyspots，andnowandthenHilmaTreecameheretogatherwater-cresses，whichshemadeintosalads。
Theplacewaspicturesque，secluded，anoasisofgreenshadeinallthelimitless，flatmonotonyofthesurroundingwheatlands。
Thecreekhaderodeddeepintothelittlegully，andnomatterhowhotitwasonthebaking，shimmeringlevelsoftheranchesabove，downhereonealwaysfoundone’sselfenvelopedinanodorous，moistcoolness。Fromtimetotime，theincessantmurmurofthecreek，pouringoverandaroundthelargerstones，wasinterruptedbythethunderoftrainsroaringoutuponthetrestleoverhead，passingonwiththefuriousgallopoftheirhundredsofironwheels，leavingintheairataintofhotoil，acridsmoke，andreekofescapingsteam。
Onacertainafternoon，inthespringoftheyear，HilmawasreturningtoQuienSabefromHooven’sbythetrailthatledfromLosMuertostoAnnixter’sranchhouses，underthetrestle。ShehadspenttheafternoonwithMinnaHooven，who，forthetimebeing，waskeptindoorsbecauseofawrenchedankle。AsHilmadescendedintothegravelflatsandthicketsofwillowsunderneaththetrestle，shedecidedthatshewouldgathersomecressesforhersupperthatnight。Shefoundaspotaroundthebaseofoneofthesupportsofthetrestlewherethecressesgrewthickest，andpluckedacoupleofhandfuls，washingtheminthecreekandpinningthemupinherhandkerchief。Itmadealittle，round，coldbundle，andHilma，warmfromherwalk，foundadeliciousenjoymentinpressingthedampballofittohercheeksandneck。
ForallthechangethatAnnixterhadnotedinherupontheoccasionofthebarndance，Hilmaremainedinmanythingsayoungchild。Shewasneveratlossforenjoyment，andcouldalwaysamuseherselfwhenleftalone。Justnow，shechosetodrinkfromthecreek，lyingproneontheground，herfacehalf-buriedinthewater，andthis，notbecauseshewasthirsty，butbecauseitwasanewwaytodrink。Sheimaginedherselfabelatedtraveller，apoorgirl，anoutcast，quenchingherthirstatthewaysidebrook，herlittlepacketofcressesdoingdutyforabundleofclothes。
Nightwascomingon。Perhapsitwouldstorm。Shehadnowheretogo。Shewouldapplyatahutforshelter。
Abruptly，thetemptationtodabbleherfeetinthecreekpresenteditselftoher。Alwaysshehadlikedtoplayinthewater。Whatadelightnowtotakeoffhershoesandstockingsandwadeoutintotheshallowsnearthebank！Shehadwornlowshoesthatafternoon，andthedustofthetrailhadfilteredinabovetheedges。Attimes，shefeltthegritandgreysandonthesolesofherfeet，andthesensationhadsetherteethonedge。Whatadeliciousalternativethecold，cleanwatersuggested，andhoweasyitwouldbetodoasshepleasedjustthen，ifonlyshewerealittlegirl。Intheend，itwasstupidtobegrownup。
Sittinguponthebank，onefingertuckedintotheheelofhershoe，Hilmahesitated。Supposeatrainshouldcome！Shefanciedshecouldseetheengineerleaningfromthecabwithagreatgrinonhisface，orthebrakemanshoutinggibesatherfromtheplatform。Abruptlysheblushedscarlet。Thebloodthrobbedinhertemples。Herheartbeat。
Sincethefamouseveningofthebarndance，Annixterhadspokentoherbuttwice。Hilmanolongerlookedaftertheranchhousethesedays。ThethoughtofsettingfootwithinAnnixter’sdining-roomandbed-roomterrifiedher，andintheendhermotherhadtakenoverthatpartofherwork。OfthetwomeetingswiththemasterofQuienSabe，onehadbeenamereexchangeofgoodmorningsasthetwohappenedtomeetoverbytheartesianwell。
theother，morecomplicated，hadoccurredinthedairy-houseagain，Annixter，pretendingtolookoverthenewcheesepress，askingaboutdetailsofherwork。Whenthishadhappenedonthatpreviousoccasion，endingwithAnnixter’sattempttokissher，Hilmahadbeentalkativeenough，chatteringonfromonesubjecttoanother，neveratalossforatheme。Butthislasttimewasaveritableordeal。NosoonerhadAnnixterappearedthanherheartleapedandquiveredlikethatofthehound-harrieddoe。
Herspeechfailedher。Throughoutthewholebriefinterviewshehadbeenmiserablytongue-tied，stammeringmonosyllables，confused，horriblyawkward，andwhenAnnixterhadgoneaway，shehadfledtoherlittleroom，andboltingthedoor，hadflungherselffacedownwardonthebedandweptasthoughherheartwerebreaking，shedidnotknowwhy。
ThatAnnixterhadbeenoverwhelmedwithbusinessallthroughthewinterwasaninexpressiblerelieftoHilma。Hisaffairstookhimawayfromtheranchcontinually。Hewasabsentsometimesforweeks，makingtripstoSanFrancisco，ortoSacramento，ortoBonneville。Perhapshewasforgettingher，overlookingher。andwhile，atfirst，shetoldherselfthatsheaskednothingbetter，theideaofitbegantooccupyhermind。Shebegantowonderifitwasreallyso。
Sheknewhistrouble。Everybodydid。ThenewsofthesuddenforwardmovementoftheRailroad’sforces，inauguratingthecampaign，hadflaredwhite-hotandblazingalloverthecountryside。ToHilma’snotion，Annixter’sattitudewasheroicbeyondallexpression。HiscourageinfacingtheRailroad，ashehadfacedDelaneyinthebarn，seemedtoherthepitchofsublimity。
Sherefusedtoseeanyauxiliariesaidinghiminhisfight。Toherimagination，thegreatLeague，whichalltherancherswerejoining，wasamereform。Single-handed，Annixterfrontedthemonster。ButforhimthecorporationwouldgobbleQuienSabe，asawhalewouldaminnow。Hewasaherowhostoodbetweenthemallanddestruction。Hewasaprotectorofherfamily。Hewasherchampion。Shebegantomentionhiminherprayerseverynight，addingafurtherpetitiontotheeffectthathewouldbecomeagoodman，andthatheshouldnotswearsomuch，andthatheshouldnevermeetDelaneyagain。
However，asHilmastilldebatedtheideaofbathingherfeetinthecreek，atraindidactuallythunderpastoverhead——theregulareveningOverland，——thethroughexpress，thatneverstoppedbetweenBakersfieldandFresno。Itstormedbywithadeafeningclamour，andaswirlofsmoke，inalongsuccessionofway-coaches，andchocolatecolouredPullmans，grimywiththedustofthegreatdesertsoftheSouthwest。Thequiveringofthetrestle’ssupportssetatrembleinthegroundunderfoot。Thethunderofwheelsdrownedallsoundoftheflowingofthecreek，andalsothenoiseofthebuckskinmare’shoofsdescendingfromthetrailuponthegravelaboutthecreek，sothatHilma，turningaboutafterthepassageofthetrain，sawAnnixtercloseathand，withtheabruptnessofavision。
Hewaslookingather，smilingasherarelydid，thefirmlineofhisout-thrustlowerliprelaxedgood-humouredly。Hehadtakenoffhiscampaignhattoher，andthoughhisstiff，yellowhairwastwistedintoabristlingmop，thelittlepersistenttuftonthecrown，usuallydefiantlyerectasanApache’sscalp-lock，wasnowhereinsight。
Hello，it’syou，isit，MissHilma？heexclaimed，gettingdownfromthebuckskin，andallowinghertodrink。
Hilmanodded，scramblingtoherfeet，dustingherskirtwithnervouspatsofbothhands。
Annixtersatdownonagreatrockclosebyand，theloopofthebridleoverhisarm，litacigar，andbegantotalk。Hecomplainedoftheheatoftheday，thebadconditionoftheLowerRoad，overwhichhehadcomeonhiswayfromacommitteemeetingoftheLeagueatLosMuertos。oftheslownessoftheworkontheirrigatingditch，and，asamatterofcourse，ofthegeneralhardtimes。
MissHilma，hesaidabruptly，neveryoumarryaranchman。
He’sneveroutoftrouble。
Hilmagasped，hereyeswideningtillthefullroundofthepupilwasdisclosed。Instantly，acertain，inexplicableguiltinessoverpoweredherwithincredibleconfusion。Herhandstrembledasshepressedthebundleofcressesintoahardballbetweenherpalms。
Annixtercontinuedtotalk。Hewasdisturbedandexcitedhimselfatthisunexpectedmeeting。Neverthroughallthepastwintermonthsofstrenuousactivity，thefeverofpoliticalcampaigns，theharrowingdelaysandultimatedefeatinonelawcourtafteranother，hadheforgottenthelookinHilma’sfaceashestoodwithonearmaroundheronthefloorofhisbarn，inperilofhislifefromthebuster’srevolver。ThatdumbconfessionofHilma’swide-openeyeshadbeenenoughforhim。Yet，somehow，heneverhadhadachancetoactuponit。DuringtheshortperiodwhenhecouldbeonhisranchHilmahadalwaysmanagedtoavoidhim。
Once，even，shehadspentamonth，aboutChristmastime，withhermother’sfather，whokeptahotelinSanFrancisco。
Now，to-day，however，hehadheralltohimself。Hewouldputanendtothesituationthattroubledhim，andvexedhim，dayafterday，monthaftermonth。Beyondquestion，themomenthadcomeforsomethingdefinite，hecouldnotsaypreciselywhat。Readjustinghiscigarbetweenhisteeth，heresumedhisspeech。Itsuitedhishumourtotakethegirlintohisconfidence，followinganinstinctwhichwarnedhimthatthiswouldbringaboutacertainclosenessoftheirrelations，acertainintimacy。
Whatdoyouthinkofthisrow，anyways，MissHilma，——thisrailroadfussingeneral？ThinkShelgrimandhisrushersaregoingtojumpQuienSabe——aregoingtorunusofftheranch？
Oh，no，sir，protestedHilma，stillbreathless。Oh，no，indeednot。
Well，whatthen？
Hilmamadealittleuncertainmovementofignorance。
Idon’tknowwhat。
Well，theLeagueagreedto-daythatifthetestcaseswerelostintheSupremeCourt——youknowwe’veappealedtotheSupremeCourt，atWashington——we’dfight。
Fight？
Yes，fight。
Fightlike——likeyouandMr。Delaneythattimewith——oh，dear——
withguns？
Idon’tknow，grumbledAnnixtervaguely。WhatdoYOUthink？
Hilma’slow-pitched，almosthuskyvoicetrembledalittleasshereplied，Fighting——withguns——that’ssoterrible。Oh，thoserevolversinthebarn！Icanhearthemyet。Everyshotseemedliketheexplosionoftonsofpowder。
Shallweclearout，then？ShallweletDelaneyhavepossession，andS。Behrman，andallthatlot？Shallwegiveintothem？
Never，never，sheexclaimed，hergreateyesflashing。
YOUwouldn’tliketobeturnedoutofyourhome，wouldyou，MissHilma，becauseQuienSabeisyourhomeisn’tit？You’velivedhereeversinceyouwereasbigasaminute。Youwouldn’tliketohaveS。Behrmanandtherestof’emturnyouout？
N-no，shemurmured。No，Ishouldn’tlikethat。There’smammaand——
Well，doyouthinkforonesecondI’mgoingtolet’em？criedAnnixter，histeethtighteningonhiscigar。Youstayrightwhereyouare。I’lltakecareofyou，rightenough。Lookhere，
hedemandedabruptly，you’venouseforthatroaringlush，Delaney，haveyou？
Ithinkheisawickedman，shedeclared。IknowtheRailroadhaspretendedtosellhimpartoftheranch，andheletsMr。S。
BehrmanandMr。Rugglesjustusehim。
Right。Ithoughtyouwouldn’tbekeenonhim。
Therewasalongpause。Thebuckskinbeganblowingamongthepebbles，nosingforgrass，andAnnixtershiftedhiscigartotheothercornerofhismouth。
Prettyplace，hemuttered，lookingaroundhim。Thenheadded：
MissHilma，seehere，Iwanttohaveakindoftalkwithyou，ifyoudon’tmind。Idon’tknowjusthowtosaythesesortofthings，andifIgetallballedupasIgoalong，youjustsetitdowntothefactthatI’veneverhadanyexperienceindealingwithfeemalegirls。understand？Yousee，eversincethebarndance——yes，andlongbeforethen——I’vebeenthinkingalotaboutyou。Straight，Ihave，andIguessyouknowit。You’reabouttheonlygirlthatIeverknewwell，andIguess，hedeclareddeliberately，you’reabouttheonlyoneIwanttoknow。It’smynature。Youdidn’tsayanythingthattimewhenwestoodtheretogetherandDelaneywasplayingthefool，but，somehow，Igottheideathatyoudidn’twantDelaneytodoformeonelittlebit。thatifhe’dgotmethenyouwouldhavebeensorrierthanifhe’dgotanyoneelse。Well，Ifeltjustthatwayaboutyou。I
wouldratherhavehadhimshootanyothergirlintheroomthanyou。yes，orinthewholeState。Why，ifanythingshouldhappentoyou，MissHilma——well，Iwouldn’tcaretogoonwithanything。
S。BehrmancouldjumpQuienSabe，andwelcome。AndDelaneycouldshootmefullofholeswheneverhegotgoodandready。I’dquit。
I’dlayrightdown。Iwouldn’tcareawhoopaboutanythinganymore。Youaretheonlygirlformeinthewholeworld。Ididn’tthinksoatfirst。Ididn’twantto。Butseeingyouaroundeveryday，andseeinghowprettyyouwere，andhowclever，andhearingyourvoiceandall，why，itjustgotallinsideofmesomehow，andnowIcan’tthinkofanythingelse。IhatetogotoSanFrancisco，orSacramento，orVisalia，orevenBonneville，foronlyaday，justbecauseyouaren’tthere，inanyofthoseplaces，andIjustrushwhatI’vegottodosoasIcangetbackhere。WhileyouwereawaythatChristmastime，why，Iwasaslonesomeas——oh，youdon’tknowanythingaboutit。Ijustscratchedoffthedaysonthecalendareverynight，onebyone，tillyougotback。Anditjustcomestothis，Iwantyouwithmeallthetime。Iwantyoushouldhaveahomethat’smyhome，too。
Iwanttotakecareofyou，andhaveyouallformyself，youunderstand。Whatdoyousay？
Hilma，standingupbeforehim，retiedaknotinherhandkerchiefbundlewithelaborateprecaution，blinkingatitthroughhertears。
Whatdoyousay，MissHilma？Annixterrepeated。Howaboutthat？Whatdoyousay？
Justaboveawhisper，Hilmamurmured：
I——Idon’tknow。
Don’tknowwhat？Don’tyouthinkwecouldhititofftogether？
Idon’tknow。
Iknowwecould，Hilma。Idon’tmeantoscareyou。Whatareyoucryingfor？
Idon’tknow。
Annixtergotup，castawayhiscigar，anddroppingthebuckskin’sbridle，cameandstoodbesideher，puttingahandonhershoulder。Hilmadidnotmove，andhefelthertrembling。Shestillpluckedattheknotofthehandkerchief。Ican’tdowithoutyou，littlegirl，Annixtercontinued，andIwantyou。
Iwantyoubad。Idon’tgetmuchfunoutoflifeever。It，sure，isn’tmynature，Iguess。I’mahardman。Everybodyistryingtodownme，andnowI’mupagainsttheRailroad。I’mfighting’emall，Hilma，nightandday，lock，stock，andbarrel，andI’mfightingnowformyhome，myland，everythingIhaveintheworld。IfIwinout，Iwantsomebodytobegladwithme。IfIdon’t——Iwantsomebodytobesorryforme，sorrywithme，——andthatsomebodyisyou。Iamdog-tiredofgoingitalone。Iwantsomeonetobackmeup。Iwanttofeelyoualongsideofme，togivemeatouchoftheshouldernowandthen。I’mtiredoffightingforTHINGS——land，property，money。IwanttofightforsomePERSON——somebodybesidemyself。Understand？wanttofeelthatitisn’tallselfishness——thatthereareotherintereststhanmineinthegame——thatthere’ssomeonedependentonme，andthat’sthinkingofmeasI’mthinkingofthem——someoneIcancomehometoatnightandputmyarmaround——likethis，andhaveherputhertwoarmsaroundme——like——Hepausedasecond，andonceagain，asithadbeeninthatmomentofimminentperil，whenhestoodwithhisarmaroundher，theireyesmet，——puthertwoarmsaroundme，promptedAnnixter，halfsmiling，like——likewhat，Hilma？
Idon’tknow。
Likewhat，Hilma？heinsisted。
Like——likethis？shequestioned。Withamovementofinfinitetendernessandaffectionsheslidherarmsaroundhisneck，stillcryingalittle。
Thesensationofherwarmbodyinhisembrace，thefeelingofhersmooth，roundarm，throughthethinnessofhersleeve，pressingagainsthischeek，thrilledAnnixterwithadelightsuchashehadneverknown。Hebenthisheadandkissedheruponthenapeofherneck，wherethedelicateambertintmeltedintothethick，sweetsmellingmassofherdarkbrownhair。Sheshiveredalittle，holdinghimcloser，ashamedasyettolookup。Withoutspeech，theystoodthereforalongminute，holdingeachotherclose。ThenHilmapulledawayfromhim，moppinghertear-stainedcheekswiththelittlemoistballofherhandkerchief。
Whatdoyousay？Isitago？demandedAnnixterjovially。
IthoughtIhatedyouallthetime，shesaid，andthevelvetyhuskinessofhervoiceneversoundedsosweettohim。
AndIthoughtitwasthatcrockerysmashinggoatofaloutofacow-puncher。
Delaney？Theidea！Oh，dear！Ithinkitmustalwayshavebeenyou。
Sincewhen，Hilma？heasked，puttinghisarmaroundher。Ah，butitisgoodtohaveyou，mygirl，heexclaimed，delightedbeyondwordsthatshepermittedthisfreedom。Sincewhen？Tellusallaboutit。
Oh，sincealways。ItwaseversolongbeforeIcametothinkofyou——to，well，tothinkabout——Imeantoremember——oh，youknowwhatImean。ButwhenIdid，oh，THEN！
Thenwhat？
Idon’tknow——Ihaven’tthought——thatwaylongenoughtoknow。
Butyousaidyouthoughtitmusthavebeenmealways。
Iknow。butthatwasdifferent——oh，I’mallmixedup。I’msonervousandtremblynow。Oh，shecriedsuddenly，herfaceovercastwithalookofearnestnessandgreatseriousness，bothherhandscatchingathiswrist，Oh，youWILLbegoodtome，now，won’tyou？I’monlyalittle，littlechildinsomanyways，andI’vegivenmyselftoyou，allinaminute，andIcan’tgobackofitnow，andit’sforalways。Idon’tknowhowithappenedorwhy。SometimesIthinkIdidn’twishit，butnowit’sdone，andIamgladandhappy。ButNOWifyouweren’tgoodtome——oh，thinkofhowitwouldbewithme。Youarestrong，andbig，andrich，andIamonlyaservantofyours，alittlenobody，butI’vegivenallIhadtoyou——myself——andyoumustbesogoodtomenow。Alwaysrememberthat。BegoodtomeandbegentleandkindtomeinLITTLEthings，——ineverything，oryouwillbreakmyheart。
Annixtertookherinhisarms。Hewasspeechless。Nowordsthathehadathiscommandseemedadequate。Allhecouldsaywas：
That’sallright，littlegirl。Don’tyoubefrightened。I’lltakecareofyou。That’sallright，that’sallright。
Foralongtimetheysatthereundertheshadeofthegreattrestle，theirarmsabouteachother，speakingonlyatintervals。
Anhourpassed。Thebuckskin，findingnofeedtohertaste，tookthetrailstablewards，thebridledragging。Annixterlethergo。
RatherthantotakehisarmfromaroundHilma’swaisthewouldhavelosthiswholestable。Atlast，however，hebestirredhimselfandbegantotalk。Hethoughtittimetoformulatesomeplanofaction。
Well，now，Hilma，whatarewegoingtodo？
Do？sherepeated。Why，mustwedoanything？Oh，isn’tthisenough？
There’sbetterahead，hewenton。Iwanttofixyouupsomewherewhereyoucanhaveabitofahomealltoyourself。
Let’ssee。Bonnevillewouldn’tdo。There’salwaysalotofyapsabouttherethatknowus，andtheywouldbegintocacklefirstoff。HowaboutSanFrancisco。Wemightgoupnextweekandhavealookaround。Iwouldfindroomsyoucouldtakesomewheres，andwewouldfix’emupaslovelyashow-do-you-do。
Oh，butwhygoawayfromQuienSabe？sheprotested。And，then，sosoon，too。Whymustwehaveaweddingtrip，nowthatyouaresobusy？Wouldn’titbebetter——oh，Itellyou，wecouldgotoMontereyafterweweremarried，foralittleweek，wheremamma’speoplelive，andthencomebackheretotheranchhouseandsettlerightdownwhereweareandletmekeephouseforyou。
Iwouldn’tevenwantasingleservant。
Annixterheardandhisfacegrewtroubled。
Hum，hesaid，Isee。
Hegatheredupahandfulofpebblesandbegansnappingthemcarefullyintothecreek。Hefellthoughtful。Herewasaphaseoftheaffairhehadnotplannedintheleast。HehadsupposedallthetimethatHilmatookhismeaning。Hisoldsuspicionthatshewastryingtogetaholdonhimstirredagainforamoment。
Therewasnogoodofsuchtalkasthat。Alwaysthesefeemalegirlsseemedcrazytogetmarried，bentoncomplicatingthesituation。
Isn’tthatbest？saidHilma，glancingathim。
Idon’tknow，hemutteredgloomily。
Well，then，let’snot。Let’scomerightbacktoQuienSabewithoutgoingtoMonterey。AnythingthatyouwantIwant。
Ihadn’tthoughtofitinjustthatway，heobserved。
Inwhatway，then？
Can’twe——can’twewaitaboutthismarryingbusiness？
That’sjustit，shesaidgayly。Isaiditwastoosoon。
Therewouldbesomuchtodobetweenwhiles。Whynotsayattheendofthesummer？
Saywhat？
Ourmarriage，Imean。
Whygetmarried，then？What’sthegoodofallthatfussaboutit？Idon’tgoanythinguponaministerpuddlingroundinmyaffairs。What’sthedifference，anyhow？Weunderstandeachother。Isn’tthatenough？Pshaw，Hilma，I’Mnomarryingman。
Shelookedathimamoment，bewildered，thenslowlyshetookhismeaning。Sherosetoherfeet，hereyeswide，herfacepalingwithterror。Hedidnotlookather，buthecouldhearthecatchinherthroat。
Oh！sheexclaimed，withalong，deepbreath，andagainOh！
thebackofherhandagainstherlips。
Itwasaquickgaspofaveritablephysicalanguish。Hereyesbrimmedover。Annixterrose，lookingather。
Well？hesaid，awkwardly，Well？