Askmesomethingeasy，heresponded。HemightbeatGuadalajara，orhemightbeupatOsterman’s，orhemightbeahundredmilesawayfromeitherplace。Iknowwhereheoughttobe，Mr。Presley，butthatain’tsayingwherethecrazygesabeis。
HeOUGHTtoberange-ridingovereastofFour，attheheadwatersofMissionCreek。
I’lltryforhimthere，atallevents，answeredPresley。IfyouseeHarranwhenhecomesin，tellhimImaynotbebackintimeforsupper。
Presleyfoundtheponyinthecorral，cinchedthesaddleuponhim，andwentoffovertheLowerRoad，goingeastwardatabriskcanter。
AtHooven’shecalledaHowdoyoudotoMinna，whomhesawlyinginaslathammockunderthemammothliveoak，herfootinbandages。andthengallopedonoverthebridgeacrosstheirrigatingditch，wonderingvaguelywhatwouldbecomeofsuchaprettygirlasMinna，andifintheendshewouldmarrythePortugueseforemaninchargeoftheditching-gang。Hetoldhimselfthathehopedshewould，andthatspeedily。TherewasnolackofcommentastoMinnaHoovenabouttheranches。Certainlyshewasagoodgirl，butshewasseenatallhourshereandthereaboutBonnevilleandGuadalajara，skylarkingwiththePortuguesefarmhandsofQuienSabeandLosMuertos。Shewasverypretty。
themenmadefoolsofthemselvesoverher。Presleyhopedtheywouldnotendbymakingafoolofher。
Justbeyondtheirrigatingditch，PresleylefttheLowerRoad，andfollowingatrailthatbranchedoffsoutheasterlyfromthispoint，heldonacrosstheFourthDivisionoftheranch，keepingtheMissionCreekonhisleft。Afewmilesfartheron，hewentthroughagateinabarbedwirefence，andatonceengagedhimselfinasystemoflittlearroyosandlowrollinghills，thatsteadilyliftedandincreasedinsizeasheproceeded。ThishighergroundwastheadvanceguardoftheSierrafoothills，andservedasthestockrangeforLosMuertos。Thehillswerehugerollinghummocksofbareground，coveredonlybywildoats。Atlongintervals，wereisolatedliveoaks。Inthecanyonsandarroyos，thechaparralandmanzanitagrewindarkolive-greenthickets。Thegroundwashoney-combedwithgopher-holes，andthegophersthemselveswereeverywhere。Occasionallyajackrabbitboundedacrosstheopen，fromonegrowthofchaparraltoanother，takinglongleaps，hisearserect。Highoverhead，ahawkortwoswungatanchor，andonce，withastartlingrushofwings，acoveyofquailflushedfromthebrushatthesideofthetrail。
Onthehillsides，inthinlyscatteredgroupswerethecattle，grazingdeliberately，workingslowlytowardthewater-holesfortheireveningdrink，thehorseskeepingtothemselves，thecoltsnuzzlingattheirmothers’bellies，whiskingtheirtails，stampingtheirunshodfeet。Butonceinaremoterfield，solitary，magnificent，enormous，theshorthaircurlingtightuponhisforehead，hissmallredeyestwinkling，hisvastneckheavywithmuscles，Presleycameuponthemonarch，theking，thegreatDurhambull，maintaininghislonelystate，unapproachable，austere。
Presleyfoundtheone-timeshepherdbyawater-hole，inafardistantcorneroftherange。Hehadmadehissimplecampforthenight。Hisblue-greyarmyblanketlayspreadunderaliveoak，hishorsegrazednearathand。Hehimselfsatonhisheelsbeforealittlefireofdeadmanzanitaroots，cookinghiscoffeeandbacon。NeverhadPresleyconceivedsokeenanimpressionoflonelinessashiscrouchingfigurepresented。Thebald，barelandscapewidenedabouthimtoinfinity。Vanameewasaspotinitall，atinydot，asingleatomofhumanorganisation，floatingendlesslyontheoceanofanillimitablenature。
Thetwofriendsatetogether，andVanamee，havingsnaredabraceofquails，dressedandthenroastedthemonasharpenedstick。
Aftereating，theydrankgreatrefreshingdraughtsfromthewater-hole。Then，atlength，Presleyhavinglithiscigarette，andVanameehispipe，theformersaid：
Vanamee，Ihavebeenwritingagain。
Vanameeturnedhisleanasceticfacetowardhim，hisblackeyesfixedattentively。
Iknow，hesaid，yourjournal。
No，thisisapoem。Youremember，Itoldyouaboutitonce。
’TheToilers，’Icalledit。
Oh，verse！Well，Iamgladyouhavegonebacktoit。Itisyournaturalvehicle。
Yourememberthepoem？askedPresley。Itwasunfinished。
Yes，Irememberit。Therewasbetterpromiseinitthananythingyoueverwrote。Now，Isuppose，youhavefinishedit。
Withoutreply，Presleybroughtitfromoutthebreastpocketofhisshootingcoat。Themomentseemedpropitious。Thestillnessofthevast，barehillswasprofound。Thesunwassettinginacloudlessbrazierofredlight。agoldendustpervadedallthelandscape。Presleyreadhispoemaloud。Whenhehadfinished，hisfriendlookedathim。
Whathaveyoubeendoinglately？hedemanded。Presley，wondering，toldofhisvariouscomingsandgoings。
Idon’tmeanthat，returnedtheother。Somethinghashappenedtoyou，somethinghasarousedyou。Iamright，amInot？Yes，Ithoughtso。Inthispoemofyours，youhavenotbeentryingtomakeasoundingpieceofliterature。Youwroteitundertremendousstress。Itsveryimperfectionsshowthat。Itisbetterthanamererhyme。ItisanUtterance——aMessage。ItisTruth。Youhavecomebacktotheprimalheartofthings，andyouhaveseenclearly。Yes，itisagreatpoem。
Thankyou，exclaimedPresleyfervidly。Ihadbeguntomistrustmyself。
Now，observedVanamee，Ipresumeyouwillrushitintoprint。
Tohaveformulatedagreatthought，simplytohaveaccomplished，isnotenough。
IthinkIamsincere，objectedPresley。Ifitisgooditwilldogoodtoothers。YousaidyourselfitwasaMessage。Ifithasanyvalue，Idonotthinkitwouldberighttokeepitbackfromevenaverysmallandmostindifferentpublic。
Don’tpublishitinthemagazinesatallevents，Vanameeanswered。YourinspirationhascomeFROMthePeople。ThenletitgostraightTOthePeople——nottheliteraryreadersofthemonthlyperiodicals，therich，whowouldonlybeindirectlyinterested。Ifyoumustpublishit，letitbeinthedailypress。Don’tinterrupt。Iknowwhatyouwillsay。Itwillbethatthedailypressiscommon，isvulgar，isundignified。andI
tellyouthatsuchapoemasthisofyours，calledasitis，’TheToilers，’mustbereadBYtheToilers。ItMUSTBEcommon。itmustbevulgarised。YoumustnotstanduponyourdignitywiththePeople，ifyouaretoreachthem。
Thatistrue，Isuppose，Presleyadmitted，butIcan’tgetridoftheideathatitwouldbethrowingmypoemaway。Thegreatmagazinegivesmesuch——a——background。givesmesuchweight。
GivesYOUsuchweight，givesyousuchbackground。IsitYOURSELFyouthinkof？Youhelperofthehelpless。Isthatyoursincerity？Youmustsinkyourself。mustforgetyourselfandyourowndesireoffame，ofadmittedsuccess。ItisyourPOEM，yourMESSAGE，thatmustprevail，——notYOU，whowroteit。Youpreachadoctrineofabnegation，ofself-obliteration，andyousignyournametoyourwordsashighonthetabletsasyoucanreach，sothatalltheworldmaysee，notthepoem，butthepoet。Presley，therearemanylikeyou。Thesocialreformerwritesabookontheiniquityofthepossessionofland，andoutoftheproceeds，buysacornerlot。Theeconomistwholamentsthehardshipsofthepoor，allowshimselftogrowrichuponthesaleofhisbook。
ButPresleywouldhearnofurther。
No，hecried，IknowIamsincere，andtoproveittoyou，I
willpublishmypoem，asyousay，inthedailypress，andIwillacceptnomoneyforit。
Theytalkedonforaboutanhour，whiletheeveningworeaway。
PresleyverysoonnoticedthatVanameewasagainpreoccupied。
Morethaneveroflate，hissilence，hisbroodinghadincreased。
Byandbyheroseabruptly，turninghisheadtothenorth，inthedirectionoftheMissionchurchofSanJuan。
Ithink，hesaidtoPresley，thatImustbegoing。
Going？Wheretoatthistimeofnight？
Offthere。Vanameemadeanuncertaingesturetowardthenorth。
Good-bye，andwithoutanotherwordhedisappearedinthegreyofthetwilight。Presleywasleftalonewondering。Hefoundhishorse，and，tighteningthegirths，mountedandrodehomeunderthesheenofthestars，thoughtful，hisheadbowed。BeforehewenttobedthatnighthesentTheToilerstotheSundayEditorofadailynewspaperinSanFrancisco。
UponleavingPresley，Vanamee，histhumbshookedintohisemptycartridgebelt，strodeswiftlydownfromthehillsoftheLosMuertosstock-rangeandonthroughthesilenttownofGuadalajara。Hislean，swarthyface，withitshollowcheeks，fine，black，pointedbeard，andsadeyes，wassettothenorthward。Aswashiscustom，hewasbareheaded，andtherapidityofhisstridemadeabreezeinhislong，blackhair。Heknewwherehewasgoing。Heknewwhathemustlivethroughthatnight。
Again，thedeathlessgriefthatneversleptleapedoutoftheshadows，andfasteneduponhisshoulders。Itwasscourginghimbacktothatsceneofavanishedhappiness，adeadromance，aperishedidyl，——theMissiongardenintheshadeofthevenerablepeartrees。
But，besidesthis，otherinfluencestuggedathisheart。Therewasamysteryinthegarden。Inthatspotthenightwasnotalwaysempty，thedarknessnotalwayssilent。Somethingfaroffstirredandlistenedtohiscry，attimesdrawingnearertohim。
Atfirstthispresencehadbeenamatterforterror。butoflate，ashefeltitgraduallydrawingnearer，theterrorhadatlongintervalsgivenplacetoafeelingofanalmostineffablesweetness。Butdistrustinghisownsenses，unwillingtosubmithimselftosuchtorturing，uncertainhappiness，aversetotheterribleconfusionofspiritthatfolloweduponanightspentinthegarden，Vanameehadtriedtokeepawayfromtheplace。
However，whenthesorrowofhislifereassailedhim，andthethoughtsandrecollectionsofAngelebroughttheacheintohisheart，andthetearstohiseyes，thetemptationtoreturntothegardeninvariablygrippedhimclose。Thereweretimeswhenhecouldnotresist。Ofthemselves，hisfootstepsturnedinthatdirection。Itwasalmostasifhehimselfhadbeencalled。
Guadalajarawassilent，dark。NoteveninSolotari’swastherealight。Thetownwasasleep。Onlytheinevitableguitarhummedfromanunseen’dobe。Vanameepushedon。Thesmellofthefieldsandopencountry，andadistantscentofflowersthatheknewwell，cametohisnostrils，asheemergedfromthetownbywayoftheroadthatledontowardstheMissionthroughQuienSabe。Oneithersideofhimlaythebrownearth，silentlynurturingtheimplantedseed。Twodaysbeforeithadrainedcopiously，andthesoil，stillmoist，disengagedapungentaromaoffecundity。
Vanamee，followingtheroad，passedthroughthecollectionofbuildingsofAnnixter’shomeranch。Everythingslept。Atintervals，theaer-motorontheartesianwellcreakedaudibly，asitturnedinalanguidbreezefromthenortheast。Acat，huntingfield-mice，creptfromtheshadowofthegiganticbarnandpauseduncertainlyintheopen，thetipofhertailtwitching。Fromwithinthebarnitselfcamethesoundofthefrictionofaheavybodyandastirofhoofs，asoneofthedozingcowslaydownwithalongbreath。
Vanameelefttheranchhousebehindhimandproceededonhisway。
Beyondhim，totherightoftheroad，hecouldmakeoutthehighergroundintheMissionenclosure，andthewatchingtoweroftheMissionitself。Theminutespassed。Hewentsteadilyforward。Thenabruptlyhepaused，hisheadintheair，eyeandearalert。Tothatstrangesixthsenseofhis，responsiveastheleavesofthesensitiveplant，hadsuddenlycometheimpressionofahumanbeingnearathand。Hehadneitherseennorheard，butforallthathestoppedaninstantinhistracks。then，thesensationconfirmed，wentonagainwithslowsteps，advancingwarily。
Atlast，hisswiftlyrovingeyeslighteduponanobject，justdarkerthanthegrey-brownofthenight-riddenland。Itwasatsomedistancefromtheroadside。Vanameeapproacheditcautiously，leavingtheroad，treadingcarefullyuponthemoistclodsofearthunderfoot。Twentypacesdistant，hehalted。
Annixterwasthere，seateduponaround，whiterock，hisbacktowardshim。Hewasleaningforward，hiselbowsonhisknees，hischininhishands。Hedidnotmove。Silent，motionless，hegazedoutupontheflat，sombreland。
ItwasthenightwhereinthemasterofQuienSabewroughtouthissalvation，strugglingwithSelffromdusktodawn。AtthemomentwhenVanameecameuponhim，theturmoilwithinhimhadonlybegun。Theheartofthemanhadnotyetwakened。Thenightwasyoung，thedawnfardistant，andallaroundhimthefieldsofupturnedclodslaybareandbrown，emptyofalllife，unbrokenbyasinglegreenshoot。
Foramoment，thelife-circlesofthesetwomen，ofsowidelydifferingcharacters，touchedeachother，thereinthesilenceofthenightunderthestars。ThensilentlyVanameewithdrew，goingonhisway，wonderingatthetroublethat，likehimself，drovethishardheadedmanofaffairs，untroubledbydreams，outintothenighttobroodoveranemptyland。
Thenspeedilyheforgotallelse。Thematerialworlddrewofffromhim。Realitydwindledtoapointandvanishedlikethevanishingofastaratmoonrise。Earthlythingsdissolvedanddisappeared，asastrange，unnamedessenceflowedinuponhim。A
newatmosphereforhimpervadedhissurroundings。HeenteredtheworldoftheVision，oftheLegend，oftheMiracle，whereallthingswerepossible。HestoodatthegateoftheMissiongarden。
AbovehimrosetheancienttoweroftheMissionchurch。Throughthearchesatitssummit，whereswungtheSpanishqueen’sbells，hesawtheslow-burningstars。Thesilentbats，withflickeringwings，threwtheirdancingshadowsonthepallidsurfaceofthevenerablefacade。
Notthefaintestchirringofacricketbrokethesilence。Thebeeswereasleep。Inthegrasses，inthetrees，deepinthecalixofpunkaflowerandmagnoliabloom，thegnats，thecaterpillars，thebeetles，allthemicroscopic，multitudinouslifeofthedaytimedrowsedanddozed。Noteventheminutescufflingofalizardoverthewarm，wornpavementofthecolonnadedisturbedtheinfiniterepose，theprofoundstillness。
Onlywithinthegarden，theintermittenttricklingofthefountainmadeitselfheard，flowingsteadily，markingoffthelapseofseconds，theprogressofhours，thecycleofyears，theinevitablemarchofcenturies。
Atonetime，thedoorwaybeforewhichVanameenowstoodhadbeenhermeticallyclosed。Buthe，himself，hadlongsincechangedthat。Hestoodbeforeitforamoment，steepinghimselfinthemysteryandromanceoftheplace，thenraisinghelatch，pushedopenthegate，entered，andcloseditsoftlybehindhim。Hewasinthecloistergarden。
Thestarswereout，strewnthickandcloseinthedeepblueofthesky，themilkywayglowinglikeasilverveil。UrsaMajorwheeledgiganticinthenorth。ThegreatnebulainOrionwasawhorlofshimmeringstardust。Venusflamedalambentdiskofpalesaffron，lowoverthehorizon。Fromedgetoedgeoftheworldmarchedtheconstellations，liketheprogressofemperors，andfromtheinnumerablegloryoftheircoursesamysterioussheenofdiaphanouslightdisengageditself，expandingoveralltheearth，serene，infinite，majestic。
Thelittlegardenrevealeditselfbutdimlybeneaththebroodinglight，onlyhalfemergingfromtheshadow。Thepolishedsurfacesoftheleavesofthepeartreeswinkedfaintlybackthereflectedlightasthetreesjuststirredintheuncertainbreeze。A
blurredshieldofsilvermarkedtheripplesofthefountain。
Underthefloodofdullbluelustre，thegravelledwalkslayvagueamidthegrasses，likewebsofwhitesatinonthebedofalake。Againsttheeasternwalltheheadstonesofthegraves，anindistinctprocessionofgreycowlsrangedthemselves。
Vanameecrossedthegarden，pausingtokisstheturfuponAngele’sgrave。Thenheapproachedthelineofpeartrees，andlaidhimselfdownintheirshadow，hischinproppeduponhishands，hiseyeswanderingovertheexpanseofthelittlevalleythatstretchedawayfromthefootofthehilluponwhichtheMissionwasbuilt。
OnceagainhesummonedtheVision。OnceagainheconjureduptheIllusion。Onceagain，torturedwithdoubt，rackedwithadeathlessgrief，hecravedanAnswerofthenight。Onceagain，mysticthathewas，hesenthismindoutfromhimacrosstheenchantedseaoftheSupernatural。Hope，ofwhathedidnotknow，rousedupwithinhim。Surely，onsuchanightasthis，thehallucinationmustdefineitself。Surely，theManifestationmustbevouchsafed。
Hiseyesclosed，hiswillgirdingitselftoasupremeeffort，hissensesexaltedtoastateofpleasingnumbness，hecalleduponAngeletocometohim，hisvoicelesscrypenetratingfaroutintothatseaoffaint，ephemerallightthatfloatedtidelessoverthelittlevalleybeneathhim。Thenmotionless，proneupontheground，hewaited。
Monthshadpassedsincethatfirstnightwhen，atlength，anAnswerhadcometoVanamee。Atfirst，startledoutofallcomposure，troubledandstirredtohislowestdepths，becauseoftheverythingforwhichhesought，heresolvedneveragaintoputhisstrangepowerstothetest。Butforallthat，hehadcomeasecondnighttothegarden，andathird，andafourth。Atlast，hisvisitswerehabitual。Nightafternighthewasthere，surrenderinghimselftotheinfluencesoftheplace，graduallyconvincedthatsomethingdidactuallyanswerwhenhecalled。Hisfaithincreasedasthewintergrewintospring。Asthespringadvancedandthenightsbecameshorter，itcrystallisedintocertainty。Wouldhehaveheragain，hislove，longdead？Wouldshecometohimoncemoreoutofthegrave，outofthenight？Hecouldnottell。hecouldonlyhope。Allthatheknewwasthathiscryfoundananswer，thathisoutstretchedhands，gropinginthedarkness，metthetouchofotherfingers。Patientlyhewaited。Thenightsbecamewarmerasthespringdrewon。Thestarsshoneclearer。Thenightsseemedbrighter。Fornearlyamonthaftertheoccasionofhisfirstanswernothingnewoccurred。Somenightsitfailedhimentirely。uponothersitwasfaint，illusive。
Then，atlast，themostsubtle，thebarestofperceptiblechangesbegan。Hisgropingmindfar-offthere，wanderinglikealostbirdoverthevalley，toucheduponsomethingagain。touchedandhelditandthistimedrewitasinglestepclosertohim。Hisheartbeating，thebloodsurginginhistemples，hewatchedwiththeeyesofhisimagination，thisgradualapproach。Whatwascomingtohim？Whowascomingtohim？Shroudedintheobscurityofthenight，whosewasthefacenowturnedtowardshis？Whosethefootstepsthatwithsuchinfiniteslownessdrewnearertowherehewaited？Hedidnotdaretosay。
HismindwentbackmanyyearstothattimebeforethetragedyofAngele’sdeath，beforethemysteryoftheOther。Hewaitedthenashewaitednow。Butthenhehadnotwaitedinvain。Then，asnow，hehadseemedtofeelherapproach，seemedtofeelherdrawingnearerandnearertotheirrendezvous。Now，whatwouldhappen？Hedidnotknow。Hewaited。Hewaited，hopingallthings。Hewaited，believingallthings。Hewaited，enduringallthings。HetrustedintheVision。
Meanwhile，asspringadvanced，theflowersintheSeedranchbegantocometolife。Overthefivehundredacreswhereontheflowerswereplanted，thewideninggrowthofvinesandbushesspreadlikethewavesofagreensea。Then，timidly，coloursofthefaintesttintsbegantoappear。Underthemoonlight，Vanameesawthemexpanding，delicatepink，faintblue，tenderestvariationsoflavenderandyellow，whiteshimmeringwithreflectionsofgold，allsubduedandpallidinthemoonlight。
Bydegrees，thenightbecameimpregnatedwiththeperfumeoftheflowers。Illusiveatfirst，evanescentasfilamentsofgossamer。
thenasthebudsopened，emphasisingitself，breathingdeeper，stronger。AnexquisiteminglingofmanyodourspassedcontinuallyovertheMission，fromthegardenoftheSeedranch，meetingandblendingwiththearomaofitsmagnoliabudsandpunkablossoms。
AsthecoloursoftheflowersoftheSeedranchdeepened，andastheirodourspenetrateddeeperandmoredistinctly，asthestarlightofeachsucceedingnightgrewbrighterandtheairbecamewarmer，theillusiondefineditself。Byimperceptibledegrees，asVanameewaitedundertheshadowsofthepeartrees，theAnswergrewnearerandnearer。Hesawnothingbutthedistantglimmeroftheflowers。Heheardnothingbutthedripofthefountain。Nothingmovedabouthimbuttheinvisible，slow-
passingbreathsofperfume。yethefelttheapproachoftheVision。
ItcamefirsttoaboutthemiddleoftheSeedranchitself，somehalfamileaway，wherethevioletsgrew。shrinking，timidflowers，hidingclosetotheground。Thenitpassedforwardbeyondtheviolets，anddrewnearerandstoodamidthemignonette，hardierbloomsthatdaredlookheavenwardfromouttheleaves。Afewnightslateritleftthemignonettebehind，andadvancedintothebedsofwhiteiristhatpushedmoreboldlyforthfromtheearth，theirwaxenpetalsclaimingtheattention。
Itadvancedthenalongstepintotheproud，challengingbeautyofthecarnationsandroses。andatlast，aftermanynights，Vanameefeltthatitpaused，asiftremblingatitshardihood，fullinthesuperbgloryoftheroyalliliesthemselves，thatgrewontheextremeborderoftheSeedranchnearesttohim。
Afterthis，therewasacertainlongwait。Then，uponadarkmidnight，itadvancedagain。Vanameecouldscarcelyrepressacry。Now，theillusionemergedfromtheflowers。Itstood，notdistant，butunseen，almostatthebaseofthehilluponwhosecresthewaited，inadepressionofthegroundwheretheshadowslaythickest。Itwasnearlywithinearshot。
Thenightspassed。Thespringgrewwarmer。Inthedaytimeintermittentrainsfreshenedalltheearth。TheflowersoftheSeedranchgrewrapidly。Budafterbudburstforth，whilethosealreadyopenedexpandedtofullmaturity。ThecolouroftheSeedranchdeepened。
Onenight，afterhoursofwaiting，Vanameefeltuponhischeekthetouchofaprolongedpuffofwarmwind，breathingacrossthelittlevalleyfromouttheeast。ItreachedtheMissiongardenandstirredthebranchesofthepeartrees。Itseemedveritablytobecompoundedoftheveryessenceoftheflowers。Neverhadthearomabeensosweet，sopervasive。Itpassedandfaded，leavinginitswakeanabsolutesilence。Then，atlength，thesilenceofthenight，thatsilencetowhichVanameehadsolongappealed，wasbrokenbyatinysound。Alert，half-risenfromtheground，helistened。fornow，atlength，heheardsomething。Thesoundrepeateditself。Itcamefromnearathand，fromthethickshadowatthefootofthehill。Whatitwas，hecouldnottell，butitdidnotbelongtoasingleoneoftheinfinitesimilarnoisesoftheplacewithwhichhewassofamiliar。Itwasneithertherustleofaleaf，thesnapofapartedtwig，thedroneofaninsect，thedroppingofamagnoliablossom。Itwasavibrationmerely，faint，elusive，impossibleofdefinition。aminutenotchinthefine，keenedgeofstillness。
Againthenightspassed。Thesummerstarsbecamebrighter。Thewarmthincreased。TheflowersoftheSeedranchgrewstillmore。
Thefivehundredacresoftheranchwerecarpetedwiththem。
Atlength，uponacertainmidnight，anewlightbegantospreadinthesky。Thethinscimitarofthemoonrose，veiledanddimbehindtheearth-mists。Thelightincreased。Distantobjects，untilnowhidden，cameintoview，andastheradiancebrightened，Vanamee，lookingdownuponthelittlevalley，sawaspectacleofincomparablebeauty。AllthebudsoftheSeedranchhadopened。
Thefainttintsoftheflowershaddeepened，hadassertedthemselves。Theychallengedtheeye。Pinkbecamearoyalred。
Blueroseintopurple。Yellowflamedintoorange。Orangeglowedgoldenandbrilliant。Theearthdisappearedundergreatbandsandfieldsofresplendentcolour。Then，atlength，themoonabruptlysoaredzenithwardfromouttheveilingmist，passingfromonefilmyhazetoanother。Foramomenttherewasagleamofagoldenlight，andVanamee，hiseyessearchingtheshadeatthefootofthehill，felthisheartsuddenlyleap，andthenhangpoised，refusingtobeat。Inthatinstantofpassinglight，somethinghadcaughthiseye。Somethingthatmoved，downthere，halfinandhalfoutoftheshadow，atthehill’sfoot。Ithadcomeandgoneinaninstant。Thehazeoncemorescreenedthemoonlight。Theshadeagainengulfedthevision。Whatwasithehadseen？Hedidnotknow。Sobriefhadbeenthatmovement，thedrowsybrainhadnotbeenquickenoughtointerprettheciphermessageoftheeye。Nowitwasgone。Butsomethinghadbeenthere。Hehadseenit。Wasittheliftingofastrandofhair，thewaveofawhitehand，theflutterofagarment’sedge？Hecouldnottell，butitdidnotbelongtoanyofthosesightswhichhehadseensoofteninthatplace。Itwasneithertheglancingofamoth’swing，thenoddingofawind-touchedblossom，northenoiselessflittingofabat。Itwasagleammerely，faint，elusive，impossibleofdefinition，anintangibleagitation，inthevast，dimblurofthedarkness。
Andthatwasall。Untilnownosinglerealthinghadoccurred，nothingthatVanameecouldreducetotermsofactuality，nothinghecouldputintowords。Themanifestation，whennotrecognisabletothatstrangesixthsenseofhis，appealedonlytothemostrefined，themostdelicateperceptionofeyeandear。
Itwasallephemeral，filmy，dreamy，themysticformingoftheVision——theinvisibledevelopingaconcretenucleus，thestarlightcoagulating，theradianceoftheflowersthickeningtosomethingactual。perfume，themostdeliciousfragrance，becomingatangiblepresence。
Butintothatgardentheserpentintruded。Thoughcradledintheslowrhythmofthedream，lulledbythisbeautyofasummer’snight，heavywiththescentofflowers，thesilencebrokenonlybyaripplingfountain，thedarknessilluminatedbyaworldofradiantblossoms，VanameecouldnotforgetthetragedyoftheOther。thatterrorofmanyyearsago，——thatprowlerofthenight，thatstrange，fearfulfigurewiththeunseenface，swoopingintherefromoutthedarkness，goneinaninstant，yetleavingbehindthetrailandtraceofdeathandofpollution。
NeverhadVanameeseenthismoreclearlythanwhenleavingPresleyonthestockrangeofLosMuertos，hehadcomeacrosstotheMissiongardenbywayoftheQuienSaberanch。
ItwasthesamenightinwhichAnnixterout-watchedthestars，coming，atlast，tohimself。
Asthehourspassed，thetwomen，farapart，ignoringeachother，waitedfortheManifestation，——Annixterontheranch，Vanameeinthegarden。
Proneuponhisface，underthepeartrees，hisforeheadburiedinthehollowofhisarm，Vanameelaymotionless。Forthelasttime，raisinghishead，hesenthisvoicelesscryoutintothenightacrossthemulti-colouredlevelsofthelittlevalley，callinguponthemiracle，summoningthedarknesstogiveAngelebacktohim，resigninghimselftothehallucination。Hebowedhisheaduponhisarmagainandwaited。Theminutespassed。Thefountaindrippedsteadily。Overthehillsahazeofsaffronlightforetoldtherisingofthefullmoon。Nothingstirred。
Thesilencewasprofound。
Then，abruptly，Vanamee’srighthandshuttightuponhiswrist。
There——thereitwas。Itbeganagain，hisinvocationwasanswered。Faroffthere，therippleformedagainuponthestill，blackpoolofthenight。Nosound，nosight。vibrationmerely，appreciablebysomesublimatedfacultyofthemindasyetunnamed。Rigid，hisnervestaut，motionless，proneontheground，hewaited。
Itadvancedwithinfiniteslowness。Nowitpassedthroughthebedsofviolets，nowthroughthemignonette。Amomentlater，andheknewitstoodamongthewhiteiris。Thenitleftthosebehind。Itwasinthesplendouroftheredrosesandcarnations。
Itpassedlikeamovingstarintothesuperbabundance，theimperialopulenceoftheroyallilies。Itwasadvancingslowly，buttherewasnopause。Heheldhisbreath，notdaringtoraisehishead。ItpassedbeyondthelimitsoftheSeedranch，andenteredtheshadeatthefootofthehillbelowhim。Woulditcomefartherthanthis？Hereithadalwaysstoppedhitherto，stoppedforamoment，andthen，inspiteofhisefforts，hadslippedfromhisgraspandfadedbackintothenight。Butnowhewonderedifhehadbeenwillingtoputforthhisutmoststrength，afterall。Hadtherenotalwaysbeenanelementofdreadinthethoughtofbeholdingthemysteryfacetoface？HadhenotevenallowedtheVisiontodissolve，theAnswertorecedeintotheobscuritywhenceitcame？
Butneveranighthadbeensobeautifulasthis。Itwasthefullperiodofthespring。Theairwasaveritablecaress。Theinfinitereposeofthelittlegarden，sleepingunderthenight，wasdeliciousbeyondexpression。Itwasatinycorneroftheworld，shutoff，discreet，distillingromance，agardenofdreams，ofenchantments。
Below，inthelittlevalley，theresplendentcolourationsofthemillionflowers，roses，lilies，hyacinths，carnations，violets，glowedlikeincandescenceinthegoldenlightoftherisingmoon。
Theairwasthickwiththeperfume，heavywithit，cloggedwithit。Thesweetnessfilledtheverymouth。Thethroatchokedwithit。Overheadwheeledtheillimitableprocessionoftheconstellations。Underfoot，theearthwasasleep。Theveryflowersweredreaming。Acathedralhushoverlayalltheland，andasenseofbenedictionbroodedlow，——adivinekindlinessmanifestingitselfinbeauty，inpeace，inabsoluterepose。
Itwasatimeforvisions。Itwasthehourwhendreamscometrue，andlyingdeepinthegrassesbeneaththepeartrees，Vanamee，dizziedwithmysticism，reachingupandouttowardthesupernatural，felt，asitwere，hismindbegintoriseupwardfromouthisbody。Hepassedintoastateofbeingthelikeofwhichhehadnotknownbefore。Hefeltthathisimaginationwasreshapingitself，preparingtoreceiveanimpressionneverexperienceduntilnow。Hisbodyfeltlighttohim，thenitdwindled，vanished。Hesawwithneweyes，heardwithnewears，feltwithanewheart。
Cometome，hemurmured。
ThenslowlyhefelttheadvanceoftheVision。Itwasapproaching。Everyinstantitdrewgraduallynearer。Atlast，hewastosee。Ithadlefttheshadowatthebaseofthehill。
itwasonthehillitself。Slowly，steadily，itascendedtheslope。justbelowhimthere，heheardafaintstirring。Thegrassesrustledunderthetouchofafoot。Theleavesofthebushesmurmured，asahandbrushedagainstthem。aslendertwigcreaked。Thesoundsofapproachweremoredistinct。Theycamenearer。Theyreachedthetopofthehill。Theywerewithinwhisperingdistance。
Vanamee，trembling，kepthisheadburiedinhisarm。Thesounds，atlength，pauseddefinitely。TheVisioncouldcomenonearer。
Heraisedhisheadandlooked。
Themoonhadrisen。Itsgreatshieldofgoldstoodovertheeasternhorizon。WithinsixfeetofVanamee，clearanddistinct，againstthediskofthemoon，stoodthefigureofayounggirl。
Shewasdressedinagownofscarletsilk，withflowingsleeves，suchasJapanesewear，embroideredwithflowersandfiguresofbirdsworkedingoldthreads。Oneithersideofherface，makingthree-corneredherround，whiteforehead，hungthesoftmassesofherhairofgold。Herhandshunglimplyathersides。Butfrombetweenherpartedlips——lipsofalmostanEgyptianfulness——herbreathcameslowandregular，andhereyes，heavylidded，slantingupwardstowardthetemples，perplexing，oriental，wereclosed。Shewasasleep。
Fromoutthislifeofflowers，thisworldofcolour，thisatmosphereoppressivewithperfume，thisdarknesscloggedandcloyed，andthickenedwithsweetodours，shecametohim。Shecametohimfromoutoftheflowers，thesmelloftherosesinherhairofgold，thearomaandtheimperialredofthecarnationsinherlips，thewhitenessofthelilies，theperfumeofthelilies，andthelilies’slender，balancinggraceinherneck。Herhandsdisengagedthescentoftheheliotrope。Thefoldsofherscarletgowngaveofftheenervatingsmellofpoppies。Herfeetwereredolentofhyacinth。Shestoodbeforehim，aVisionrealised——adreamcometrue。Sheemergedfromouttheinvisible。Hebeheldher，afigureofgoldandpalevermilion，redolentofperfume，poisedmotionlessinthefaintsaffronsheenofthenew-risenmoon。She，acreationofsleep，washerselfasleep。She，adream，washerselfdreaming。
Calledforthfromoutthedarkness，fromthegripoftheearth，theembraceofthegrave，fromoutthememoryofcorruption，sheroseintolightandlife，divinelypure。Acrossthatwhiteforeheadwasnosmudge，notraceofanearthlypollution——nomarkofaterrestrialdishonour。Hesawinherthesamebeautyofuntaintedinnocencehehadknowninhisyouth。Yearshadmadenodifferencewithher。Shewasstillyoung。Itwastheoldpuritythatreturned，thedeathlessbeauty，theever-renascentlife，theeternalconsecratedandimmortalyouth。Forafewseconds，shestoodtherebeforehim，andhe，uponthegroundatherfeet，lookedupather，spellbound。Then，slowlyshewithdrew。Stillasleep，hereyelidsclosed，sheturnedfromhim，descendingtheslope。Shewasgone。
Vanameestartedup，coming，asitwere，tohimself，lookingwildlyabouthim。Sarriawasthere。
Isawher，saidthepriest。ItwasAngele，thelittlegirl，yourAngele’sdaughter。Sheislikehermother。
ButVanameescarcelyheard。Hewalkedasifinatrance，pushingbySarria，goingforthfromthegarden。AngeleorAngele’sdaughter，itwasallonewithhim。ItwasShe。Deathwasovercome。Thegravevanquished。Life，ever-renewed，aloneexisted。Timewasnaught。changewasnaught。allthingswereimmortalbutevil。allthingseternalbutgrief。
Suddenly，thedawncame。theeastburnedroseatetowardthezenith。Vanameewalkedon，heknewnotwhere。Thedawngrewbrighter。Atlength，hepauseduponthecrestofahilloverlookingtheranchos，andcasthiseyebelowhimtothesouthward。Then，suddenlyflinginguphisarms，heutteredagreatcry。
Thereitwas。TheWheat！TheWheat！Inthenightithadcomeup。Itwasthere，everywhere，frommargintomarginofthehorizon。Theearth，longempty，teemedwithgreenlife。Oncemorethependulumoftheseasonsswunginitsmightyarc，fromdeathbacktolife。Lifeoutofdeath，eternityrisingfromoutdissolution。Therewasthelesson。Angelewasnotthesymbol，butthePROOFofimmortality。Theseeddying，rottingandcorruptingintheearth。risingagaininlifeunconquerable，andinimmaculatepurity，——Angeledyingasshegavebirthtoherlittledaughter，lifespringingfromherdeath，——thepure，unconquerable，comingforthfromthedefiled。WhyhadhenothadtheknowledgeofGod？Thoufool，thatwhichthousowestisnotquickenedexceptitdie。Sotheseedhaddied。SodiedAngele。
Andthatwhichthousowest，thousowestnotthatbodythatshallbe，butbaregrain。Itmaychanceofwheat，orofsomeothergrain。Thewheatcalledforthfromoutthedarkness，fromoutthegripoftheearth，ofthegrave，fromoutcorruption，rosetriumphantintolightandlife。SoAngele，solife，soalsotheresurrectionofthedead。Itissownincorruption。Itisraisedinincorruption。Itissownindishonour。Itisraisedinglory。Itissowninweakness。Itisraisedinpower。DeathwasswallowedupinVictory。
Thesunrose。Thenightwasover。Thegloryoftheterrestrialwasone，andthegloryofthecelestialwasanother。Then，asthegloryofsunbanishedthelessergloryofmoonandstars，Vanamee，fromhismountaintop，beholdingtheeternalgreenlifeofthegrowingWheat，burstingitsbonds，andinhisheartexultinginhistriumphoverthegrave，flungouthisarmswithamightyshout：
Oh，Death，whereisthysting？Oh，Grave，whereisthyvictory？
ChapterIV
Presley’sSocialisticpoem，TheToilers，hadanenormoussuccess。TheeditoroftheSundaysupplementoftheSanFranciscopapertowhichitwassent，printeditinGothictype，withascare-headtitlesodecorativeastobealmostillegible，andfurthermorecausedthepoemtobeillustratedbyoneofthepaper’sstaffartistsinamostimpressivefashion。Thewholeaffairoccupiedanentirepage。Thusadvertised，thepoemattractedattention。ItwaspromptlycopiedinNewYork，Boston，andChicagopapers。Itwasdiscussed，attacked，defended，eulogised，ridiculed。Itwaspraisedwiththemostfulsomeadulation。assailedwiththemostviolentcondemnation。
Editorialswerewrittenuponit。Specialarticles，inliterarypamphlets，dissecteditsrhetoricandprosody。Thephraseswerequoted，——wereusedastextsforrevolutionarysermons，reactionaryspeeches。Itwasparodied。itwasdistortedsoastoreadasanadvertisementforpatentedcerealsandinfants’foods。
Finally，theeditorofanenterprisingmonthlymagazinereprintedthepoem，supplementingitbyaphotographandbiographyofPresleyhimself。
Presleywasstunned，bewildered。Hebegantowonderathimself。
WasheactuallythegreatestAmericanpoetsinceBryant？HehadhadnothoughtoffamewhilecomposingTheToilers。Hehadonlybeenmovedtohisheart’sfoundations，——thoroughlyinearnest，seeingclearly，——andhadaddressedhimselftothepoem’scompositioninahappymomentwhenwordscameeasilytohim，andtheelaborationoffinesentenceswasnotdifficult。Wasitthusfamewasachieved？ForawhilehewastemptedtocrossthecontinentandgotoNewYorkandtherecomeuntohisown，enjoyingthetriumphthatawaitedhim。Butsoonhedeniedhimselfthischeapreward。Nowhewastoomuchinearnest。HewantedtohelphisPeople，thecommunityinwhichhelived——thelittleworldoftheSanJoaquin，atgrappleswiththeRailroad。
Thestrugglehadfounditspoet。Hetoldhimselfthathisplacewashere。Onlythewordsofthemanagerofalecturebureautroubledhimforamoment。Torangetheentirenation，tellingallhiscountrymenofthedramathatwasworkingitselfoutonthisfringeofthecontinent，thisignoredanddistantPacificCoast，rousingtheirinterestandstirringthemuptoaction——
appealedtohim。Itmightdogreatgood。TodevotehimselftotheCause，acceptingnopennyofremuneration。togivehislifetoloosingthegripoftheiron-heartedmonsterofsteelandsteamwouldbebeyondquestionheroic。OtherStatesthanCaliforniahadtheirgrievances。Alloverthecountrythefamilyofcyclopswasgrowing。HewoulddeclarehimselfthechampionofthePeopleintheiroppositiontotheTrust。Hewouldbeanapostle，aprophet，amartyrofFreedom。
ButPresleywasessentiallyadreamer，notamanofaffairs。Hehesitatedtoactatthisprecisepsychologicalmoment，strikingwhiletheironwasyethot，andwhilehehesitated，otheraffairsnearathandbegantoabsorbhisattention。
Onenight，aboutanhourafterhehadgonetobed，hewasawakenedbythesoundofvoicesontheporchoftheranchhouse，and，descending，foundMrs。DyketherewithSidney。Theex-
engineer’smotherwastalkingtoMagnusandHarran，andcryingasshetalked。ItseemedthatDykewasmissing。Hehadgoneintotownearlythatafternoonwiththewagonandteam，andwastohavebeenhomeforsupper。Bynowitwasteno’clockandtherewasnonewsofhim。Mrs。DyketoldhowshefirsthadgonetoQuienSabe，intendingtotelephonefromtheretoBonneville，butAnnixterwasinSanFrancisco，andinhisabsencethehousewaslockedup，andtheover-seer，whohadaduplicatekey，washimselfinBonneville。ShehadtelegraphedthreetimesfromGuadalajaratoBonnevillefornewsofherson，butwithoutresult。Then，atlast，torturedwithanxiety，shehadgonetoHooven’s，takingSidneywithher，andhadprevaileduponBismarcktohitchupanddriveheracrossLosMuertostotheGovernor’s，tobeghimtotelephoneintoBonneville，toknowwhathadbecomeofDyke。
WhileHarranrangupCentralintown，Mrs。DyketoldPresleyandMagnusofthelamentablechangeinDyke。
Theyhavebrokenmyson’sspirit，Mr。Derrick，shesaid。Ifyouwereonlytheretosee。Hourafterhour，hesitsontheporchwithhishandslyingopeninhislap，lookingatthemwithoutaword。Hewon’tlookmeinthefaceanymore，andhedon’tsleep。Nightafternight，hehaswalkedtheflooruntilmorning。Andhewillgoonthatwayfordaystogether，verysilent，withoutaword，andsittingstillinhischair，andthen，allofasudden，hewillbreakout——oh，Mr。Derrick，itisterrible——intoanawfulrage，cursing，swearing，grindinghisteeth，hishandsclenchedoverhishead，stampingsothatthehouseshakes，andsayingthatifS。Behrmandon’tgivehimbackhismoney，hewillkillhimwithhistwohands。Butthatisn’ttheworst，Mr。Derrick。HegoestoMr。Caraher’ssaloonnow，andstaysthereforhours，andlistenstoMr。Caraher。Thereissomethingonmyson’smind。Iknowthereis——somethingthatheandMr。Caraherhavetalkedovertogether，andIcan’tfindoutwhatitis。Mr。Caraherisabadman，andmysonhasfallenunderhisinfluence。Thetearsfilledhereyes。Bravely，sheturnedtohidethem，turningawaytotakeSidneyinherarms，puttingherheaduponthelittlegirl’sshoulder。
I——Ihaven’tbrokendownbefore，Mr。Derrick，shesaid，butafterwehavebeensohappyinourlittlehouse，justusthree——
andthefutureseemedsobright——oh，Godwillpunishthegentlemenwhoowntherailroadforbeingsohardandcruel。
Harrancameoutontheporch，fromthetelephone，andsheinterruptedherself，fixinghereyeseagerlyuponhim。
Ithinkitisallright，Mrs。Dyke，hesaid，reassuringly。Weknowwhereheis，Ibelieve。Youandthelittletadstayhere，andHoovenandIwillgoafterhim。
Abouttwohourslater，HarranbroughtDykebacktoLosMuertosinHooven’swagon。HehadfoundhimatCaraher’ssaloon，verydrunk。
TherewasnothingmaudlinaboutDyke’sdrunkenness。Inhimthealcoholmerelyrousedthespiritofevil，vengeful，reckless。
Asthewagonpassedoutfromundertheeucalyptustreesabouttheranchhouse，takingMrs。Dyke，Sidney，andtheone-timeengineerbacktothehopranch，Presleyleaningfromhiswindowheardthelatterremark：
Caraherisright。Thereisonlyonethingtheylistento，andthat’sdynamite。
ThefollowingdayPresleydroveMagnusovertoGuadalajaratotakethetrainforSanFrancisco。Butafterhehadsaidgood-byetotheGovernor，hewasmovedtogoontothehopranchtoseetheconditionofaffairsinthatquarter。HereturnedtoLosMuertosoverwhelmedwithsadnessandtremblingwithanger。Thehopranchthathehadlastseeninthefulltideofprosperitywasalmostaruin。Workhadevidentlybeenabandonedlongsince。
Weedswerealreadychokingthevines。Everywherethepolessaggedanddrooped。Manyhadevenfallen，draggingthevineswiththem，spreadingthemoverthegroundinaninextricabletangleofdeadleaves，decayingtendrils，andsnarledstring。
Thefencewasbroken。theunfinishedstorehouse，whichneverwastoseecompletion，wasalamentablespectacleofgapingdoorsandwindows——amelancholyskeleton。Lastofall，PresleyhadcaughtaglimpseofDykehimself，seatedinhisrockingchairontheporch，hisbeardandhairunkempt，motionless，lookingwithvagueeyesuponhishandsthatlaypalmupwardsandidleinhislap。
MagnusonhiswaytoSanFranciscowasjoinedatBonnevillebyOsterman。UponseatinghimselfinfrontofthemasterofLosMuertosinthesmoking-carofthetrain，thislatter，pushingbackhishatandsmoothinghisbaldhead，observed：
Governor，youlookallfrazeledout。Anythingwrongthesedays？
Theotheransweredinthenegative，but，forallthat，Ostermanwasright。TheGovernorhadagedsuddenly。Hisformererectnesswasgone，thebroadshouldersstoopedalittle，thestronglinesofhisthin-lippedmouthwererelaxed，andhishand，asitclaspedovertheyellowedivoryknobofhiscane，hadanunwontedtremulousnessnothithertonoticeable。ButthechangeinMagnuswasmorethanphysical。Atlast，inthefulltideofpower，PresidentoftheLeague，knownandtalkedofineverycountyoftheState，leaderinagreatstruggle，consulted，deferredtoastheProminentMan，atlengthattainingthatposition，solongandvainlysoughtfor，heyetfoundnopleasureinhistriumph，andlittlebutbitternessinlife。Hissuccesshadcomebydeviousmethods，hadbeenreachedbyobscuremeans。
Hewasabriber。Hecouldneverforgetthat。Tofurtherhisends，disinterested，public-spirited，evenphilanthropicasthosewere，hehadconnivedwithknavery，he，thepoliticianoftheoldschool，ofsuchrigorousintegrity，whohadabandonedacareer
ratherthancompromisewithhonesty。Atthiseleventhhour，involvedandentrappedinthefine-spunwebofaneworderofthings，bewilderedbyOsterman’sdexterity，byhisvolubilityandglibness，goadedandharassedbeyondthepointofreasonbytheaggressionoftheTrusthefought，hehadatlastfailed。Hehadfallenhehadgivenabribe。Hehadthoughtthat，afterall，thiswouldmakebutlittledifferencewithhim。TheaffairwasknownonlytoOsterman，Broderson，andAnnixter。theywouldnotjudgehim，beingthemselvesinvolved。Hecouldstillpreserveaboldfront。couldstillholdhisheadhigh。Astimewentontheaffairwouldloseitspoint。
Butthiswasnotso。Somesubtleelementofhischaracterhadforsakenhim。Hefeltit。Heknewit。Somecertainstiffnessthathadgivenhimallhisrigidity，thathadlentforcetohisauthority，weighttohisdominance，tempertohisfine，inflexiblehardness，wasdiminishingdaybyday。Inthedecisionswhichhe，asPresidentoftheLeague，wascalledupontomakesooften，henowhesitated。Hecouldnolongerbearrogant，masterful，actinguponhisownjudgment，independentofopinion。Hebegantoconsulthislieutenants，askingtheiradvice，distrustinghisownopinions。Hemademistakes，blunders，andwhenthosewerebroughttohisnotice，tookrefugeinbluster。Heknewittobebluster——knewthatsoonerorlaterhissubordinateswouldrecogniseitassuch。Howlongcouldhemaintainhisposition？Soonlyhecouldkeephisgripupontheleverofcontroltillthebattlewasover，allwouldbewell。Ifnot，hewouldfall，and，oncefallen，heknewthatnow，briberthathewas，hewouldneverriseagain。
HewasonhiswayatthismomenttothecitytoconsultwithLymanastoacertainissueofthecontestbetweentheRailroadandtheranchers，which，oflate，hadbeenbroughttohisnotice。
WhenappealhadbeentakentotheSupremeCourtbytheLeague’sExecutiveCommittee，certaintestcaseshadbeenchosen，whichshouldrepresentallthelandsinquestion。NeitherMagnusnorAnnixterhadsoappealed，believing，ofcourse，thattheircaseswerecoveredbythetestcasesontrialatWashington。Magnushadhereblunderedagain，andtheLeague’sagentsinSanFranciscohadwrittentowarnhimthattheRailroadmightbeabletotakeadvantageofatechnicality，andbypretendingthatneitherQuienSabenorLosMuertoswereincludedintheappeal，attempttoputitsdummybuyersinpossessionofthetworanchesbeforetheSupremeCourthandeddownitsdecision。TheninetydaysallowedfortakingthisappealwerenearlyatanendandafterthentheRailroadcouldact。OstermanandMagnusatoncedecidedtogouptothecity，therejoiningAnnixterwhohadbeenabsentfromQuienSabeforthelasttendays，andtalkthematteroverwithLyman。Lyman，becauseofhispositionasCommissioner，mightbecognisantoftheRailroad’splans，and，atthesametime，couldgivesoundlegaladviceastowhatwastobedoneshouldthenewrumourprovetrue。
Say，remarkedOsterman，asthetrainpulledoutoftheBonnevillestation，andthetwomensettledthemselvesforthelongjourney，sayGovernor，what’sallupwithBuckAnnixterthesedays？He’sgotabeanaboutsomething，sure。
Ihadnotnoticed，answeredMagnus。Mr。Annixterhasbeenawaysometimelately。IcannotimaginewhatshouldkeephimsolonginSanFrancisco。
That’sit，saidOsterman，winking。Havethreeguesses。Guessrightandyougetacigar。Iguessg-i-r-lspellsHilmaTree。
AndalittlewhileagoshequitQuienSabeandhikedoutto’Frisco。SodidBuck。DoIdrawthecigar？It’suptoyou。
Ihavenoticedher，observedMagnus。Afinefigureofawoman。Shewouldmakesomemanagoodwife。
Hoh！Wife！BuckAnnixtermarry！Notmuch。He’sgonea-
girlingatlast，oldBuck！It’sasfunnyastwins。HavetojoshhimaboutitwhenIseehim，sure。
ButwhenOstermanandMagnusatlastfellinwithAnnixterinthevestibuleoftheLickHouse，onMontgomeryStreet，nothingcouldbegotoutofhim。Hewasinanexecrablehumour。WhenMagnushadbroachedthesubjectofbusiness，hehaddeclaredthatallbusinesscouldgotopot，andwhenOsterman，histongueinhischeek，hadpermittedhimselfamostdistantallusiontoafeemalegirl，Annixterhadcursedhimforabusy-facesovociferouslyandtersely，thatevenOstermanwascowed。
Well，insinuatedOsterman，whatareyoudallying’round’Friscosomuchfor？
Catfur，tomakekitten-breeches，retortedAnnixterwithoracularvagueness。
Twoweeksbeforethistime，AnnixterhadcomeuptothecityandhadgoneatoncetoacertainhotelonBushStreet，behindtheFirstNationalBank，thatheknewwaskeptbyafamilyconnectionoftheTrees。InhisconjecturethatHilmaandherparentswouldstophere，hewasright。Theirnameswereontheregister。
Ignoringcustom，Annixtermarchedstraightuptotheirrooms，andbeforehewaswellawareofit，waseatingcrowbeforeoldmanTree。
Hilmaandhermotherwereoutatthetime。Lateron，Mrs。Treereturnedalone，leavingHilmatospendthedaywithoneofhercousinswholivedfaroutonStanyanStreetinalittlehousefacingthepark。
BetweenAnnixterandHilma’sparents，areconciliationhadbeeneffected，AnnixterconvincingthembothofhissincerityinwishingtomakeHilmahiswife。Hilma，however，refusedtoseehim。AssoonassheknewhehadfollowedhertoSanFranciscoshehadbeenunwillingtoreturntothehotelandhadarrangedwithhercousintospendanindefinitetimeatherhouse。
Shewaswretchedlyunhappyduringallthistime。wouldnotsetfootoutofdoors，andcriedherselftosleepnightafternight。
Shedetestedthecity。Alreadyshewasmiserablyhomesickfortheranch。Sherememberedthedaysshehadspentinthelittledairy-house，happyinherwork，makingbutterandcheese。
skimmingthegreatpansofmilk，scouringthecoppervesselsandvats，plungingherarms，elbowdeep，intothewhitecurds。comingandgoinginthatatmosphereoffreshness，cleanliness，andsunlight，gay，singing，supremelyhappyjustbecausethesunshone。SherememberedherlongwalkstowardtheMissionlateintheafternoons，herexcursionsforcressesunderneaththeLongTrestle，thecrowingofthecocks，thedistantwhistleofthepassingtrains，thefaintsoundingoftheAngelus。Sherecalledwithinfinitelongingthesolitaryexpanseoftheranches，thelevelreachesbetweenthehorizons，fulloflightandsilence。
theheatatnoon，thecloudlessiridescenceofthesunriseandsunset。Shehadbeensohappyinthatlife！Now，allthosedayswerepassed。Thiscrude，rawcity，withitscrowdinghousesallofwoodandtin，itsblottingfogs，itsuproarioustradewinds，disturbedandsaddenedher。Therewasnooutlookforthefuture。
Atlength，oneday，aboutaweekafterAnnixter’sarrivalinthecity，shewasprevailedupontogoforawalkinthepark。Shewentalone，puttingonforthefirsttimethelittlehatofblackstrawwithitspuffofwhitesilkhermotherhadboughtforher，apinkshirtwaist，herbeltofimitationalligatorskin，hernewskirtofbrowncloth，andherlowshoes，setoffwiththeirlittlesteelbuckles。
Shefoundatinysummerhouse，builtinJapanesefashion，aroundadiminutivepond，andsatthereforawhile，herhandsfoldedinherlap，amusedwithwatchingthegoldfish，wishing——sheknewnotwhat。
Withoutanywarning，Annixtersatdownbesideher。Shewastoofrightenedtomove。Shelookedathimwithwideeyesthatbegantofillwithtears。
Oh，shesaid，atlast，oh——Ididn’tknow。
Well，exclaimedAnnixter，hereyouareatlast。I’vebeenwatchingthatblamedhousetillIwasafraidthepolicemanwouldmovemeon。BytheLord，hesuddenlycried，you’repale。You——
you，Hilma，doyoufeelwell？
Yes——Iamwell，shefaltered。
No，you’renot，hedeclared。Iknowbetter。YouarecomingbacktoQuienSabewithme。Thisplacedon’tagreewithyou。
Hilma，what’sallthematter？Whyhaven’tyouletmeseeyouallthistime？Doyouknow——howthingsarewithme？Yourmothertoldyou，didn’tshe？DoyouknowhowsorryIam？DoyouknowthatIseenowthatImadethemistakeofmylifethere，thattime，undertheLongTrestle？Ifounditoutthenightafteryouwentaway。IsatallnightonastoneoutontheranchsomewhereandIdon’tknowexactlywhathappened，butI’vebeenadifferentmansincethen。Iseethingsalldifferentnow。Why，I’veonlybeguntolivesincethen。Iknowwhatlovemeansnow，andinsteadofbeingashamedofit，I’mproudofit。IfIneverwastoseeyouagainIwouldbegladI’dlivedthroughthatnight，justthesame。Ijustwokeupthatnight。I’dbeenabsolutelyandcompletelyselfishuptothemomentIrealisedIreallylovedyou，andnow，whetheryou’llletmemarryyouornot，Imeantolive——Idon’tknow，inadifferentway。I’veGOTtolivedifferent。I——well——oh，Ican’tmakeyouunderstand，butjustlovingyouhaschangedmylifeallaround。It’smadeiteasiertodothestraight，cleanthing。Iwanttodoit，it’sfundoingit。Remember，onceIsaidIwasproudofbeingahardman，adriver，ofbeinggladthatpeoplehatedmeandwereafraidofme？
Well，sinceI’velovedyouI’mashamedofitall。Idon’twanttobehardanymore，andnobodyisgoingtohatemeifIcanhelpit。I’mhappyandIwantotherpeopleso。Iloveyou，hesuddenlyexclaimed。Iloveyou，andifyouwillforgiveme，andifyouwillcomedowntosuchabeastasIam，Iwanttobetoyouthebestamancanbetoawoman，Hilma。Doyouunderstand，littlegirl？Iwanttobeyourhusband。
Hilmalookedatthegoldfishesthroughhertears。
Haveyougotanythingtosaytome，Hilma？heasked，afterawhile。
Idon’tknowwhatyouwantmetosay，shemurmured。
Yes，youdo，heinsisted。I’vefollowedyou’wayupheretohearit。I’vewaitedaroundinthesebeastly，draughtypicnicgroundsforoveraweektohearit。YouknowwhatIwanttohear，Hilma。
Well——Iforgiveyou，shehazarded。
Thatwilldoforastarter，heanswered。Butthat’snotIT。
Then，Idon’tknowwhat。
ShallIsayitforyou？
Shehesitatedalongminute，then：
Youmightn’tsayitright，shereplied。
Trustmeforthat。ShallIsayitforyou，Hilma？
Idon’tknowwhatyou’llsay。
I’llsaywhatyouarethinkingof。ShallIsayit？
Therewasaverylongpause。Agoldfishrosetothesurfaceofthelittlepond，withasharp，ripplingsound。Thefogdriftedoverhead。Therewasnobodyabout。
No，saidHilma，atlength。I——I——Icansayitformyself。I——
Allatoncesheturnedtohimandputherarmsaroundhisneck。Oh，DOyouloveme？shecried。Isitreallytrue？Doyoumeaneverywordofit？AndyouaresorryandyouWILLbegoodtomeifIwillbeyourwife？Youwillbemydear，dearhusband？
ThetearssprangtoAnnixter’seyes。Hetookherinhisarmsandheldherthereforamoment。Neverinhislifehadhefeltsounworthy，soundeservingofthisclean，puregirlwhoforgavehimandtrustedhisspokenwordandbelievedhimtobethegoodmanhecouldonlywishtobe。Shewassofarabovehim，soexalted，sonoblethatheshouldhavebowedhisforeheadtoherfeet，andinstead，shetookhiminherarms，believinghimtobegood，tobeherequal。Hecouldthinkofnowordstosay。Thetearsoverflowedhiseyesandrandownuponhischeeks。Shedrewawayfromhimandheldhimasecondatarm’slength，lookingathim，andhesawthatshe，too，hadbeencrying。
Ithink，hesaid，weareacoupleofsofties。
No，no，sheinsisted。Iwanttocryandwantyoutocry，too。
Oh，dear，Ihaven’tahandkerchief。
Here，takemine。
Theywipedeachother’seyesliketwochildrenandforalongtimesatinthedesertedlittleJapanesepleasurehouse，theirarmsabouteachother，talking，talking，talking。
OnthefollowingSaturdaytheyweremarriedinanuptownPresbyterianchurch，andspenttheweekoftheirhoneymoonatasmall，familyhotelonSutterStreet。Asamatterofcourse，theysawthesightsofthecitytogether。TheymadetheinevitablebridaltriptotheCliffHouseandspentanafternooninthegrewsomeandmade-to-orderbeautiesofSutro’sGardens。
theywentthroughChinatown，thePalaceHotel，theparkmuseum——
whereHilmaresolutelyrefusedtobelieveintheEgyptianmummy——
andtheydroveoutinahiredhacktothePresidioandtheGoldenGate。
Onthesixthdayoftheirexcursions，Hilmaabruptlydeclaredtheyhadhadenoughofplayingout，andmustbeseriousandgettowork。
ThisworkwasnothinglessthanthebuyingofthefurnitureandappointmentsfortherejuvenatedranchhouseatQuienSabe，wheretheyweretolive。Annixterhadtelegraphedtohisoverseertohavethebuildingrepainted，replastered，andreshingledandtoemptytheroomsofeverythingbutthetelephoneandsafe。Healsosentinstructionstohavethedimensionsofeachroomnoteddownandtheresultforwardedtohim。ItwasthearrivalofthesememorandathathadrousedHilmatoaction。
Thenensuedamostdeliciousweek。Armedwithformidablelists，writtenbyAnnixteronhotelenvelopes，theytwodescendeduponthedepartmentstoresofthecity，thecarpetstores，thefurniturestores。Rightandlefttheyboughtandbargained，sendingeachconsignmentassoonaspurchasedtoQuienSabe。
Nearlyanentirecarloadofcarpets，curtains，kitchenfurniture，pictures，fixtures，lamps，strawmatting，chairs，andthelikeweresentdowntotheranch，AnnixtermakingapointthattheirnewhomeshouldbeentirelyequippedbySanFranciscodealers。
Thefurnishingsofthebedroomandsitting-roomwerelefttotheverylast。Fortheformer，Hilmaboughtasetofpurewhiteenamel，threechairs，awashstandandbureau，amarvellousbargainofthirtydollars，discoveredbywonderfulaccidentataFridaySale。Thebedwasapiecebyitself，boughtelsewhere，butnonethelessawonder。Itwasofbrass，verybraveandgay，andactuallyboastedacanopy！Theyboughtitcomplete，justasitstoodinthewindowofthedepartmentstoreandHilmawasinanecstasyoveritscrisp，clean，muslincurtains，spread，andshams。Neverwastheresuchabed，theluxuryofaprincess，suchabedasshehaddreamedaboutherwholelife。
Nexttheappointmentsofthesitting-roomoccupiedher——sinceAnnixter，himself，bewilderedbythisastonishingdisplay，unabletoofferasinglesuggestionhimself，merelyapprovedofallshebought。Inthesitting-roomwastobeabeautifulblueandwhitepaper，coolstrawmatting，setoffwithwhitewoolrugs，astandofflowersinthewindow，aglobeofgoldfish，rockingchairs，asewingmachine，andagreat，roundcentretableofyellowoakwhereonshouldstandalampcoveredwithadeepshadeofcrinklyredtissuepaper。Onthewallsweretohangseveralpictures——
lovelyaffairs，photographsfromlife，allproperlytinted——ofchoirboysinrobes，withbeautifuleyes。pensiveyounggirlsinpinkgowns，withflowingyellowhair，droopingovergoldenharps。
acolouredreproductionofRougetdeLisle，SingingtheMarseillaise，andtwopiecesofwoodcarving，representingaquailandawildduck，hungbyoneleginthemidstofgamebagsandpowderhorns，——quitemasterpieces，both。
Atlasteverythinghadbeenbought，allarrangementsmade，Hilma’strunkspackedwithhernewdresses，andtheticketstoBonnevillebought。
We’llgobytheOverland，byJingo，declaredAnnixteracrossthetabletohiswife，attheirlastmealinthehotelwheretheyhadbeenstopping。nowaytrainsorlocalsforus，hey？
ButwereachBonnevilleatSUCHanhour，protestedHilma。
Fiveinthemorning！
Nevermind，hedeclared，we’llgohomeinPULLMAN’S，Hilma。
I’mnotgoingtohaveanyofthoseslobsinBonnevillesayI
didn’tknowhowtodothethinginstyle，andwe’llhaveVaccameetuswiththeteam。No，sir，itisPullman’sornothing。
Whenitcomestobuyingfurniture，Idon’tshine，perhaps，butI
knowwhat’sduemywife。
Hewasobdurate，andlateoneafternoonthecoupleboardedtheTranscontinentalthecrackOverlandFlyerofthePacificandSouthwesternattheOaklandmole。OnlyHilma’sparentsweretheretosaygood-bye。AnnixterknewthatMagnusandOstermanwereinthecity，buthehadlaidhisplanstoeludethem。
Magnus，hecouldtrusttobedignified，butthatgoatOsterman，onecouldnevertellwhathewoulddonext。Hedidnotproposetostarthisjourneyhomeinashowerofrice。
Annixtermarcheddownthelineofcars，hishandsencumberedwithwickertelescopebaskets，satchels，andvalises，histicketsinhismouth，hishatonwrongsideforemost，Hilmaandherparentshurryingonbehindhim，tryingtokeepup。Annixterwasinaturmoilofnerveslestsomethingshouldgowrong。catchingatrainwasalwaysforhimalittlecrisis。HerushedaheadsofuriouslythatwhenhehadfoundhisPullmanhehadlosthisparty。Hesetdownhisvalisestomarktheplaceandchargedbackalongtheplatform，wavinghisarms。
Comeon，hecried，when，atlength，heespiedtheothers。
We’venomoretime。
Heshoulderedandurgedthemforwardtowherehehadsethisvalises，onlytofindoneofthemgone。Instantlyheraisedanoutcry。Aha，afinewaytotreatpassengers！TherewasP。andS。W。managementforyou。Hewould，bytheLord，hewould——buttheporterappearedinthevestibuleofthecartoplacatehim。
Hehadalreadytakenhisvalisesinside。
AnnixterwouldnotpermitHilma’sparentstoboardthecar，declaringthatthetrainmightpulloutanymoment。Soheandhiswife，followingtheporterdownthenarrowpassagebythestateroom，tooktheirplacesand，raisingthewindow，leanedouttosaygood-byetoMr。andMrs。Tree。TheselatterwouldnotreturntoQuienSabe。OldmanTreehadfoundabusinesschanceawaitinghiminthematterofsupplyinghisrelative’shotelwithdairyproducts。ButBonnevillewasnottoofarfromSanFrancisco。theseparationwasbynomeansfinal。
Theportersbegantakingupthestepsthatstoodbythevestibuleofeachsleeping-car。
Well，haveagoodtime，daughter，observedherfather。andcomeuptoseeuswheneveryoucan。
Frombeyondtheenclosureofthedepot’sreverberatingroofcamethemeasuredclangofabell。
Iguesswe’reoff，criedAnnixter。Good-bye，Mrs。Tree。
Rememberyourpromise，Hilma，hermotherhastenedtoexclaim，towriteeverySundayafternoon。
Therecameaprolongedcreakingandgroanofstrainingwoodandironwork，allalongthelengthofthetrain。Theyallbegantocrytheirgood-byesatonce。Thetrainstirred，movedforward，andgatheringslowheadway，rolledslowlyoutintothesunlight。
Hilmaleanedoutofthewindowandaslongasshecouldkeephermotherinsightwavedherhandkerchief。Thenatlengthshesatbackinherseatandlookedatherhusband。
Well，shesaid。
Well，echoedAnnixter，happy？forthetearsroseinhereyes。
Shenoddedenergetically，smilingathimbravely。
Youlookalittlepale，hedeclared，frowninguneasily。feelwell？
Prettywell。
Promptlyhewasseizedwithuneasiness。
ButnotALLwell，hey？Isthatit？