IncommonwithmanyotherswhohavebeenwithRichardHardingDavisascorrespondents，Ifinditdifficulttorealizethathehascoveredhislaststoryandthathewillnotbeseenagainwiththemenwhofollowthewargame，rushingtodistantplacesuponwhichthespotlightofnewsinterestsuddenlycentres。
Itseemsasortofbitterironythathewhohadcoveredsomanybigeventsofworldimportanceinthepasttwentyyearsshouldbeabruptlytornawayinthemidstofthegreatesteventofthemall，whilethestoryisstillunfinishedanditsoutcomeundetermined。Ifthereisacompensatingthought，itliesinthereflectionthathehadalifeofalmostunparalleledfulness，crowdedtothebrim，uptothelastmoment，withthoseexperiencesandachievementswhichheparticularlyaspiredtohave。Heleftwhilethetidewasatitsflood，andwhilehestillheldsupremehisplaceasthebestreporterinhiscountry。Heescapedthebitternessofseeingtheebbsetin，whentheyouthtowhichheclunghadslippedaway，andwhenhewouldhavetositimpatientintheaudience，whileyoungermenwereinthethickofgreat，world-stirringdramasonthestage。
Thiswouldhavebeenarealtragedyin\"Dick\"Davis\'scase，for，whilehisbodywouldhaveaged，itisdoubtfulifhisspiriteverwouldhavelostitsyouthfulfreshnessorboyishenthusiasm。
ItwasmyprivilegetoseeagooddealofDavisinthelasttwoyears。
HearrivedinVeraCruzamongthefirstofthesixtyorseventycorrespondentswhoflockedtothatnewscentrewhenthesituationwassofullofsensationalpossibilities。ItwasatimewhentheAmericannewspaper-readingpublicwaseagerforthrills，andtheingenuityandresourcefulnessofthecorrespondentsinVeraCruzweretriedtotheuttermosttosupplythedemand。
InthefaceofthefiercestcompetitionitfelltoDavis\'slottolandthebiggeststoryofthosedaysofmarkingtime。
Thestory\"broke\"whenitbecameknownthatDavis，MedillMcCormick，andFrederickPalmerhadgonethroughtheMexicanlinesinanefforttoreachMexicoCity。DavisandMcCormick，withletterstotheBrazilianandBritishministers，gotthroughandreachedthecapitalonthestrengthofthoseletters，butPalmer，havingonlyanAmericanpassport，wasturnedback。
AfteranominoussilencewhichfurnishedAmericannewspaperswithalivelyperiodofsuspense，thetwomenreturnedsafelywithwonderfulstoriesoftheirexperienceswhileunderarrestinthehandsoftheMexicanauthorities。McCormick，inrecentlyspeakingofDavisatthattime，saidthat，\"asacorrespondentindifficultanddangeroussituations，hewasincomparable——cheerful，ingenious，andundiscouraged。Whenthetimecametochoosebetweensafetyandleavinghiscompanionhestuckbyhisfellowcaptiveeventhough，astheybothsaid，afiring-squadandablankwallwerebynomeansaremotepossibility。\"
ThisMexicoCityadventurewasaspectacularachievementwhichgaveDavisandMcCormickadistinctionwhichnoothercorrespondentsofalltheambitiousandablecorpshadmanagedtoattain。
Davisusually\"hunted\"alone。Hedependedentirelyuponhisowningenuityandwonderfulinstinctfornewssituations。Hehadtheenergyandenthusiasmofabeginner，withtheexperienceandtrainingofaveteran。Hisinterestinthingsremainedaskeenasthoughhehadnotbeenyearsatagamewhichoftenleavesamanjadedandblase。HisacquaintanceshipintheAmericanarmyandnavywaswide，andforthisreason，aswellasfortheprestigewhichhisfameandpositionasanationalcharactergavehim，hefounditeasytoestablishvaluableconnectionsinthechannelsfromwhichnewsemanates。Andyet，inspiteofthefactthathewas\"onhisown\"insteadofhavingaworkingpartnershipwithothermen，hewasgenerousinhelpingattimeswhenhewasabletodoso。
DaviswasaconspicuousfigureinVeraCruz，asheinevitablyhadbeeninallsuchsituations。Whereverhewent，hewaspointedout。Hisdistinctionofappearance，togetherwithadistinctionindress，which，whetherfromhabitorpolicy，wasavaluableassetinhiswork，madehimamarkedman。Hedressedandlookedthe\"warcorrespondent，\"suchaoneashewoulddescribeinoneofhisstories。Hefulfilledthepopularidealofwhatamemberofthatfascinatingprofessionshouldlooklike。HiscodeoflifeandhabitswasasfixedasthatoftheBritonwhotakeshishabitsandcustomsandgamesandteawhereverhegoes，nomatterhowbenightedorremotethespotmaybe。
HewasjustasloyaltohiscodeasistheBriton。Hecarriedhisbath-tub，hisimmaculatelinen，hiseveningclothes，hiswarequipment——inwhichhehadtheprideofaconnoisseur——whereverhewent，and，whatismore，hehadthecouragetousetheeveningclothesattimeswhentheirusewasconspicuous。HewastheonlymanwhoworeadinnercoatinVeraCruz，andeachnight，athisparticulartableinthecrowded\"Portales，\"attheHotelDiligencia，hewastobeseen，asfreshandcleanasthoughhewereinaNewYorkorLondonrestaurant。
Eachdayhewasupearlytotakethetrainouttothe\"gap，\"
acrosswhichcamearrivalsfromMexicoCity。Sometimesagood\"story\"wouldcomedown，aswhenthelong-heraldedandlong-
expectedarrivalofConsulSillimangaveafirst-page\"feature\"
toalltheAmericanpapers。
Intheafternoonhewouldplaywaterpolooveratthenavyaviationcamp，andalwaysatacertaintimeofthedayhis\"striker\"wouldbringhimhishorseandforanhourormorehewouldrideoutalongthebeachroadswithintheAmericanlines。
AfterthefirstfewdaysitwasdifficulttoextractrealthrillsfromtheVeraCruzsituation，butweusedtorideouttoElTejarwiththecavalrypatrolandimaginethatwemightbefiredonatsomepointinthelongridethroughunoccupiedterritory；orelsegoouttothe\"front，\"atLegarto，wherealittleAmericanforceoccupiedasun-bakedrowoffreight-cars，surroundedbymalarialswamps。Fromthetopoftherailroadwater-tank，wecouldlookacrosstotheMexicanoutpostsamileorsoaway。Itwasnotveryexciting，andwhatthrillswegotlaychieflyinourimagination。
BeforemyacquaintanceshipwithDavisatVeraCruzIhadnotknownhimwell。Ourtrailsdidn\'tcrosswhileIwasinJapanintheJapanese-RussianWar，andintheTransvaalImissedhimbyafewdays，butinVeraCruzIhadmanyenjoyableopportunitiesofbecomingwellacquaintedwithhim。
Theprivilegewasapleasantone，foritservedtodispelapreconceivedandnotanentirelyfavorableimpressionofhischaracter。ForyearsIhadheardstoriesaboutRichardHardingDavis——storieswhichemphasizedanegotismandself-assertivenesswhich，iftheyeverexisted，hadhappilyceasedtobeobtrusivebythetimeIgottoknowhim。
HewasadifferentDavisfromtheDaviswhomIhadexpectedtofind；andIcanimaginenomorecharminganddelightfulcompanionthanhewasinVeraCruz。TherewasnoevidenceofthosequalitieswhichIfearedtofind，andhisattitudewasoneofunfailingkindness，considerateness，andgenerosity。
InthemanytalksIhadwithhim，Iwasalwaysstruckbyhisevidentdevotiontoafixedcodeofpersonalconduct。Inhiswritingshewastheinterpreterofchivalrous，well-bredyouth，andhisheroeswereyoung，clean-thinkingcollegemen，heroicbig-gamehunters，warcorrespondents，andidealizedmenabouttown，whoalwaysdidthenoblething，disdainingtheunworthyinactormotive。Itseemedtomethathewasmodellinghisownlife，perhapsunconsciously，afterthefavoredtypeswhichhisimaginationhadcreatedforhisstories。Inacertainsensehewaslivingalifeofmake-believe，whereinhewastheheroofthestory，andinwhichhewasboundbyhisidealsalwaystoactashewouldhavetheheroofhisstoryact。Itwasaqualitywhichonlyonecouldhavewhohadpreservedafreshyouthfulnessofoutlookinspiteofthehardeningprocessesofmaturity。
Hispowerofobservationwasextraordinarilykeen，andhenotonlyhadtheraregiftofsensingthevitalelementsofasituation，butalsohad，toanunrivalleddegree，theabilitytodescribethemvividly。Idon\'tknowhowmanyofthosemenatVerzCruztriedtodescribethekaleidoscopiclifeofthecityduringtheAmericanoccupation，butIknowthatDavis\'sstorywasfarandawaythemostfaithfulandsatisfyingpicture。Thestorywasphotographic，eventothesoundsandsmells。
ThelastIsawofhiminVeraCruzwaswhen，ontheUtah，hesteamedpasttheflagshipWyoming，uponwhichIwasquartered，andstartedforNewYork。TheBattenbergcupracehadjustbeenrowed，andtheUtahandFloridacrewshadtied。AstheUtahwassailingimmediatelyaftertherace，therewasnotimeinwhichtorowoffthetie。Soitwasdecidedthatthenamesofbothshipsshouldbeengravedonthecup，andthattheFloridacrewshoulddefendthetitleagainstachallengingcrewfromtheBritishAdmiralCraddock\'sflagship。
BytheendofJune，thepublicinterestinVeraCruzhadwaned，andthecorpsofcorrespondentsdwindleduntiltherewereonlyafewleft。
FrederickPalmerandIwentuptojoinCarranzaandVilla，andonthe26thofJulywewereinMontereywaitingtostartwiththetriumphalmarchofCarranza\'sarmytowardMexicoCity。Therewasnosignofserioustroubleabroad。Thatnightominoustelegramscame，andatteno\'clockonthefollowingmorningwewereonatrainheadedfortheStates。
PalmerandDaviscaughttheLusitania，sailingAugust4fromNewYork，andIfollowedontheSaintPaul，leavingthreedayslater。
Onthe17thofAugustIreachedBrussels，anditseemedthemostnaturalthingintheworldtofindDavisalreadythere。HewasatthePalaceHotel，whereanumberofAmericanandEnglishcorrespondentswerequartered。
Thingsmovedquickly。Onthe19thIrvinCobb，WillIrwin，ArnoDosch，andIwerecaughtbetweentheBelgianandGermanlinesinLouvain；ourretreattoBrusselswascut，andforthreedays，whilethevastGermanarmymovedthroughthecity，weweredetained。Then，thearmyhavingpassed，wewereallowedtogobacktothecapital。
InthemeantimeDaviswasinBrussels。TheGermansreachedtheoutskirtsofthecityonthemorningofthe20th，andthecorrespondentswhohadremainedinBrusselswerefeverishlywritingdespatchesdescribingtheimminentfallofthecity。Oneofthem，HarryHansen，oftheChicagoDailyNews，tellsthefollowingstory，whichIgiveinhiswords：
\"Whilewewerewriting，\"saysHansen，\"RichardHardingDaviswalkedintothewriting-roomofthePalaceHotelwithabunchofmanuscriptinhishand。Withanamusedexpressionhesurveyedthethreecorrespondentsfillingwhitepaper。
\"\'Isay，men，\'saidDavis，\'doyouknowwhenthenexttrainleaves？\'
\"\'Thereisoneatthreeo\'clock，\'saidacorrespondent，lookingup。
\"\'Thatlookslikeouronlychancetogetastoryout，\'saidDavis。\'Well，we\'lltrusttothat。\'
\"ThestorywastheGermaninvasionofBrussels，andthetrainmentionedwasconsideredtheforlornhopeofthecorrespondentstoconnectwiththeoutsideworld——thatis，everycorrespondentthoughtittobetheotherman\'shope。Secretlyeachhadpreparedtooutwittheother，andsecretlyDavishadalreadysenthisstorytoOstend。HemeanttoemulateArchibaldForbes，whodespatchedacourierwithhisrealmanuscript，andnextdaypubliclydroppedabulkypackageinthemail-bag。
\"DavishadsensedthenewsintheoccupationofBrusselslongbeforeithappened。WithdawnhewentouttotheLouvainroad，wheretheGermanarmystood，preparedtosmashthecapitalifnegotiationsfailed。Hisobservanteyetookinallthedetails。
Beforenoonhehadwrittenacomprehensivesketchoftheoccupation，andwhenwordwasreceivedthatitwasunderway，hetrustedhiscopytoanoldFlemishwoman，whospokenotawordofEnglish，andsawhersafelyonboardthetrainthatpulledoutunderBelgianauspicesforOstend。\"
WithpasseswhichtheGermancommandantinBrusselsgaveusthecorrespondentsimmediatelystartedouttoseehowfarthosepasseswouldcarryus。AnumberofusleftontheafternoonofAugust23forWaterloo，whereitwasexpectedthatthegreatclashbetweentheGermanandtheAnglo-Frenchforceswouldoccur。
Wehadplannedtobebackthesameevening，andwentpreparedonlyforanafternoon\'sdriveinacoupleofhiredstreetcarriages。ItwassevenweeksbeforeweagainsawBrussels。
OnthefollowingdayAugust24DavisstartedforMons。Heworethekhakiuniformwhichhehadworninmanycampaigns。Acrosshisbreastwasanarrowbarofsilkribbonindicatingthecampaignsinwhichhehadservedasacorrespondent。HesomuchresembledaBritishofficerthathewasarrestedasaBritishderelictandwasinformedthathewouldbeshotatonce。
HeescapedonlybyofferingtowalktoBrandWhitlock，inBrussels，reportingtoeachofficerhemetontheway。Hisplanwasapproved，andasahostageonparoleheappearedbeforetheAmericanminister，whoquicklyestablishedhisidentityasanAmericanofgoodstanding，tothesatisfactionoftheGermans。
Inthefollowingfewmonthsourtrailswerewidelyseparated。IreadofhisarrestbyGermanofficersontheroadtoMons；laterI
readthestoryofhisdeparturefromBrusselsbytraintoHolland——atripwhichcarriedhimthroughLouvainwhilethetownstillwasburning；andstilllaterIreadthathewaswiththefewluckymenwhowereinRheimsduringoneoftheearlybombardmentsthatdamagedthecathedral。Byamazingluck，combinedwithanaturalnewssensewhichdrewhiminstinctivelytocriticalplacesatthepsychologicalmoment，hehadbeenawitnessofthetwomostwidelyfeaturedstoriesoftheearlyweeksofthewar。
ArrestedbytheGermansinBelgium，andlaterbytheFrenchinFrance，hewasconvincedthattherestrictionsoncorrespondentsweretoogreattopermitofgoodwork。
SohelefttheEuropeanwarzonewiththewidelyquotedremark：
\"Thedayofthewarcorrespondentisover。\"
AndyetIwasnotsurprisedwhen，oneevening，lateinNovemberoflastyear，hesuddenlywalkedintotheroominSalonikawhereWilliamG。Shepherd，oftheUnitedPress，\"JimmyHare，\"theveteranwarphotographer，andIhadestablishedourselvesseveralweeksbefore。
Thehotelwasjammed，andthecity，withanormalcapacityofaboutonehundredandseventy-fivethousand，wasstrugglingtoaccommodateatleastahundredthousandmore。Therewasnotaroomtobehadinanyofthebetterhotels，andforseveraldayswelodgedDavisinourroom，avastchamberwhichformerlyhadbeenthemaindining-roomoftheestablishment，andwhichnowwasconvertedintoabedroom。Therewasroomforadozenmen，ifnecessary，andwheneverstrandedAmericansarrivedandcouldfindnohotelaccommodationswesimplyriggedupemergencycotsfortheirtemporaryuse。
TheweatherinSalonikaatthistime，lateNovember，waspenetratinglycold。Inthemorningsthesteamcoilsstruggledfeeblytodispelthechillintheroom。
EarlyinthemorningafterDavishadarrived，wewerearousedbythesoundofviolentsplashing，accompaniedbyshudderinggasps，andwelookedoutfromthesnugwarmthofourbedstoseeDavisstandinginhisportablebath-tubanddrenchinghimselfwithice-coldwater。Asanexhibitionofcourageousdevotiontoanestablishedcustomoflifeitwasadmirable，butI\'mnotsurethatitwasprudent。
Forsomereason，perhapsadefectivecirculationoraweakenedheart，hissystemfailedtoreactfromthesecold-waterbaths。
Allthroughthedayshecomplainedoffeelingchilled。Heneverseemedtogetthoroughlywarmed，andofusallhewastheonewhosufferedmostkeenlyfromthecold。Itwasallthemoresurprising，forhisappearancewasalwaysthatofamaninthepinkofathleticfitness——ruddy-faced，clear-eyed，andfulloftirelessenergy。
OnoneoccasionwereturnedfromtheFrenchfrontinSerbiatoSalonikainaboxcarlightedonlybycandles，bitterlycold，andfrightfullyexhausting。Weweresevenhoursintravellingfifty-fivemiles，andwearrivedatourdestinationatthreeo\'clockinthemorning。Severalofthemencontracteddesperatecolds，whichclungtothemforweeks。Daviswaschilledthrough，andsaidthatofallthecoldhehadeverexperiencedthatwhichsweptacrosstheMacedonianplainfromtheBalkanhighlandswasthemostpenetrating。Evenhisheavyclothingcouldnotaffordhimadequateprotection。
Whenhewassettledinhisownroominourhotelheinstalledanoil-stovewhichburnedbesidehimashesatathisdeskandwrotehisstories。Theroomwaslikeanoven，buteventhenhestillcomplainedofthecold。
Whenhelefthegaveusthestove，andwhenweleft，sometimelater，itwaspresentedtooneofourdoctorfriendsoutinaBritishhospital，whereI\'msureitisdoingitsbesttothawtheBalkanchilloutofsickandwoundedsoldiers。
Daviswasalwaysupearly，andhisenergyandinterestwereaskeenasaboy\'s。Wehadourmealstogether，sometimesinthecrowdedandrathersmartBastasini\'s，butmoreofteninthemaelstromofhumanitythatnightlypackedtheOlymposPalacerestaurant。Davis，Shepherd，Hare，andI，withsometimesMr。andMrs。JohnBass，madeuptheseparties，which，foraperiodofabouttwoweeksorso，werethemostenjoyabledailyeventsofourlives。
Undertheglaringlightsoftherestaurant，andsurroundedbyBritish，French，Greek，andSerbianofficers，German，Austrian，andBulgariancivilians，withasprinklingofAmerican，English，andScotchnursesanddoctors，packedsosolidlyinthehuge，high-ceilingedroomthatthewaiterscouldbarelypicktheirwayamongthetables，wehungforhoursoverourdinners，andleftonlywhenthelandlordandhisAustrianwifecountedtheday\'sreceiptsandpaidthewaitersattheendoftheevening。
OnecouldnotimagineamorecharminganddelightfulcompanionthanDavisduringthesedays。Whilehealwaysassertedthathecouldnotmakeaspeech，andwasterrifiedatthethoughtofstandingupatabanquet-table，yet，sittingatadinner-tablewithafewfriendswhowereonlytooeagertolistenratherthantotalk，hisstories，coveringpersonalexperiencesinallpartsoftheworld，wereintenselyvivid，withthatremarkable\"holding\"qualityofdescriptionwhichcharacterizeshiswritings。
Hebroughthisownbread——acoarse，brownsort，whichhepreferredtothebetterwhitebread——andwithitheategreatquantitiesofbutter。Aswesatdownatthetablehisfirstdemandwasfor\"Mastika，\"apeculiarGreekdrinkdistilledfrommasticgum，andhisseconddemandinvariablywas\"Dubeurre！\"withthe\"r\'s\"assilentasthestars；andifitfailedtocomeatoncethewaiterwasmadetofeeltheenormityofhistardiness。
ThereminiscencesrangedfromhisearlynewspaperdaysinPhiladelphia，andskippingfromManchuriatoCubaandCentralAmerica，tohisearlySundaysunderArthurBrisbane；theyrangedthroughanendlessvarietyofpersonalexperienceswhichverynearlycoveredthewholecourseofAmericanhistoryinthepasttwentyyears。
Perhapstohimitwaspleasanttogooverhisremarkableadventures，butitcouldnothavebeenhalfaspleasantasitwastohearthem，toldastheywerewithakeennessofdescriptionandbrilliancyofhumorouscommentthatmadethemgemsofnarrative。
Attimes，inourwork，wealltriedourhandsatdescribingtheSalonikaofthoseearlydaysoftheAlliedoccupation，foritwasreallywhatonewidelytravelledBritishofficercalledit——\"themostamazinglyinterestingsituationI\'veeverseen\"——butDavis\'sdescriptionwasfarandawaythebest，justashisdescriptionofVeraCruzwasthebest，andhiswonderfulstoryoftheentryoftheGermanarmyintoBrusselswasmatchlessasoneofthegreatpiecesofreportinginthepresentwar。
InthinkingofDavis，IshallalwaysrememberhimforthedelightfulqualitieswhichheshowedinSalonika。Hewasunfailinglyconsiderateandthoughtful。Throughhisnarrativesonecouldseethepridewhichhetookinthewidthandbreadthofhispersonalrelationtothegreateventsofthepasttwentyyears。Hisvastscopeofexperiencesandequallywideacquaintanceshipwiththebigfiguresofourtime，wereamazing，anditwasequallyamazingthatoneofsucharichandinterestinghistorycouldtellhisstoriesinsuchasimplewaythatthepersonalelementwasneverobtrusive。
WhenheleftSalonikaheendeavoredtoobtainpermissionfromtheBritishstafftovisitMoudros，but，failinginthis，hebookedhispassageonacrowdedlittleGreeksteamer，wheretheonlyobtainableaccommodationwasaloungeinthediningsaloon。
Wegavehimafarewelldinner，atwhichtheAmericanconsulandhisfamily，withalltheotherAmericanstheninSalonika，werepresent，andafterthedinnerwerowedouttohisshipandsawhimveryuncomfortablyinstalledforhisvoyage。
Hecamedownthesealadderandwavedhishandaswerowedaway。
ThatwasthelastIsawofRichardHardingDavis。
JOHNT。MCCUTCHEON。
THELOSTROAD
DuringthewarwithSpain，ColtonLeecameintotheserviceasavolunteer。Forayoungman，healwayshadtakenlifealmosttooseriously，andwhen，afterthecampaigninCuba，heelectedtomakesoldieringhisprofession，theseriousnesswithwhichheattackedhisnewworksurprisednoone。Findingtheyhadlosthimforever，hisformerintimateswerebored，buthiscolonelwasenthusiastic，andthemenofhistroopnotonlyloved，butrespectedhim。
Fromthestarthedeterminedinhisnewlifewomenshouldhavenopart——adeterminationthatpuzzlednoonesomuchasthewomen，fortoLeenowoman，oldoryoung，hadfoundcausetobeunfriendly。Buthehadreadthatthearmyisajealousmistresswhobrooksnorival，that\"redlipstarnishthescabbardsteel，\"
that\"hetravelsthefastestwhotravelsalone。\"
So，whenwhitehandsbeckonedandprettyeyessignalled，hedidnotlook。Forfiveyears，untiljustbeforehesailedforhisthreeyearsofdutyinthePhilippines，hesucceedednotonlyinnotlooking，butinbuildingupforhimselfsuchafinereputationasawoman-haterthatallwomenwerecrazyabouthim。
HadhenotbeenorderedtoAgawamsettthatfactwouldnothaveaffectedhim。ButattheOfficers\'Schoolhehadindulgedinhardstudyratherthaninhardriding，hadoverworked，hadbroughtbackhisCubanfever，andwasinpoorshapetofacethetropics。
So，fortwomonthsbeforethetransportwastosail，theyorderedhimtoCapeCodtofillhislungswiththebracingairofaNewEnglandautumn。
HeselectedAgawamsett，because，whenatHarvard，itwastherehehadspenthissummervacations，andheknewhewouldfindsailboatsandtennisand，throughthepinewoodsbackofthelittlewhalingvillage，manymilesofuntravelledroads。Hepromisedhimselfthatoverthesehewouldgallopanimaginarytroopinroutemarches，wouldmanoeuvreitagainstpossibleambush，and，incombatpatrols，groundscouts，andcossackoutposts，chargewithit\"asforagers。\"Buthedidnoneofthesethings。ForatAgawamsetthemetFrancesGardner，andhisexperiencewithherwassodisastrousthat，inhisdeterminationtoavoidallwomen，hewasconvincedhewasright。
WhenlaterhereachedManilahevowednootherwomanwouldeveragainfindaplaceinhisthoughts。Nootherwomandid。
Notbecausehehadthestrengthtokeephisvow，butbecausehesocontinuallythoughtofFrancesGardnerthatnootherwomanhadachance。
MissGardnerwasaremarkablegirl。Hercharmappealedtoallkindsofmen，and，unfortunatelyforLee，severalkindsofmenappealedtoher。Herfortuneandherrelationswereboundupinthepersonofarichauntwithwhomshelived，andwho，itwasunderstood，somedaywouldleaveherallthemoneyintheworld。
But，inspiteofhercharm，certainlyinspiteoftherichaunt，Lee，truetohisdetermination，mightnothavenoticedthegirlhadnotsheriddensoextremelywell。
Itwastothecaptainofcavalryshefirstappealed。Butevenacavalrycaptain，whosedutyinlifeistoinstructsixtymenintheartoftakingthelifeofasmanyothermenaspossible，mayturnhisheadinthedirectionofagood-lookinggirl。Andwhenforweeksamanridesatthesideofonethroughpineforestsasdimandmysteriousastheaislesofagreatcathedral，whenheguidesheracrossthewetmarsheswhenthesunissettingcrimsoninthepoolsandthewindblowssaltfromthesea，whenhelosesthembothbymoonlightinwood-roadswherethehoofsofthehorsessinksilentlyintodustypineneedles，hethinksmorefrequentlyofthegirlathissidethanofthefaithfultrooperswaitingforhiminSanFrancisco。Thegirlathissidethoughtfrequentlyofhim。
Withthe\"surfaceindications\"ofayoungmanabouttoaskhertomarryhimshewaspainfullyfamiliar；butthistimethepossibilitywasthereverseofpainful。Whatshemeanttodoaboutitshedidnotknow，butshedidknowthatshewasstrangelyhappy。Betweenlivingonasthedependentofasomewhatexactingrelativeandbecomingthefullpartnerofthisyoungstranger，whowithmenhadprovedhimselfsomasterful，andwhowithherwassogentle，thereseemedbutlittlechoice。Butshedidnotasyetwishtomakethechoice。Shepreferredtobelieveshewasnotcertain。Sheassuredhimthatbeforehisleaveofabsencewasovershewouldtellhimwhethershewouldremainondutywiththequerulousaunt，whohadbefriendedher，orashiswifeaccompanyhimtothePhilippines。
Itwasnottheanswerhewanted；butinherhappiness，whichwasevidenttoeveryone，hecouldnothelpbuttakehope。Andinthequestionssheputtohimoflifeinthetropics，ofthelifeofthe\"officers\'ladies，\"hesawthatwhatwasinhermindwasapossiblelifewithhim，andhewascontent。
Shebecametohimawonderful，gloriousperson，andeachdayshegrewinloveliness。IthadbeenfiveyearsofsoldieringinCuba，China，andontheMexicanbordersincehehadtalkedtoawomanwithinterest，andnowinallshesaid，inallherthoughtsandwordsanddelights，hefoundfresherandstrongerreasonsfordiscardinghisdeterminationtoremainweddedonlytotheUnitedStatesArmy。Hedidnotneedreasons。Hewasfartoomuchinlovetoseeinanywordoractofhersanythingthatwasnotfineandbeautiful。
Intheirridestheyhadonedaystumbleduponalong-lostandlong-forgottenroadthroughthewoods，whichshehadclaimedastheirownbyrightofdiscovery，and，nomattertowhatpointtheysetfortheachday，theyalwaysreturnedbyit。Theirwaythroughthewoodsstretchedformiles。Itwasconcealedinaforestofstuntedoaksandblackpines，withnosignofhumanhabitation，savehereandthereaclearingnowlongneglectedandaliveonlywithgoldenrod。Trunksoftrees，moss-grownandcrumblingbeneaththetouchoftheponies\'hoofs，layintheirpath，andaboveitthebranchesofayoungergenerationhadclaspedhands。Attheirapproachsquirrelsracedforshelter，woodcockandpartridgeshotdeeperintothenetworkofvinesandsaplings，andtheclickofthesteelastheponiestossedtheirbits，andtheirownwhispers，alonedisturbedthesilence。
\"Itisanenchantedroad，\"saidthegirl；\"ormaybeweareenchanted。\"
\"NotI，\"criedtheyoungmanloyally。\"Iwasneversosane，neversosure，neversohappyinknowingjustwhatIwanted！Ifonlyyoucouldbeassure！\"
Onedayshecametohiminhighexcitementwithabookofverse。
\"Hehaswrittenapoem，\"shecried，\"aboutourownwoods，aboutourlostroad！Listen\"shecommanded，andshereadtohim：
\"\'TheyshuttheroadthroughthewoodsSeventyyearsago。
Weatherandrainhaveundoneitagain，AndnowyouwouldneverknowTherewasoncearoadthroughthewoodsBeforetheyplantedthetrees。
Itisunderneaththecoppiceandheath，Andthethinanemones。
OnlythekeeperseesThat，wheretheringdovebroods，Andthebadgersrollatease，Therewasoncearoadthroughthewoods。
\"\'Yet，ifyouenterthewoodsOfasummereveninglate，Whenthenightaircoolsonthetrout-ringedpoolsWheretheotterwhistleshismateTheyfearnotmeninthewoodsBecausetheyseesofew，Youwillhearthebeatofahorse\'sfeet，Andtheswishofaskirtinthedew，SteadilycanteringthroughThemistysolitudes，AsthoughtheyperfectlyknewTheoldlostroadthroughthewoods……
Butthereisnoroadthroughthewoods。\'\"
\"Idon\'tlikethatatall，\"criedthesoldierman。\"It\'stoo——toosad——itdoesn\'tgiveyouanyencouragement。Thewayitends，I
mean：\'Butthereisnoroadthroughthewoods。\'Ofcoursethere\'saroad！Forustherealwayswillbe。I\'mgoingtomakesure。I\'mgoingtobuythosewoods，andkeepthelostroadwherewecanalwaysfindit。\"
\"Idon\'tthink，\"saidthegirl，\"thathemeansarealroad。\"
\"Iknowwhathemeans，\"criedthelover，\"andhe\'swrong！Thereisaroad，andyouandIhavefoundit，andwearegoingtofollowitforalways。\"
Thegirlshookherhead，buthereyesweresmilinghappily。
The\"season\"atAgawamsettclosedwiththetennistournament，anditwasgenerallyconcededfitandproper，fromeverypointofview，thatinmixeddoublesLeeandMissGardnershouldbepartners。YoungStedman，theBostonartist，wastheonlyonewhomadeobjection。Upinthesail-loftthathehadturnedintoastudiohewaspaintingaportraitofthelovelyMissGardner，andheprotestedthatthethreedays\'tournamentwouldsadlyinterrupthiswork。AndFrances，whowasverymuchinterestedintheportrait，wasinclinedtoagree。
ButLeebeatdownherobjections。Hewasnotatallinterestedintheportrait。Hedisapprovedofitentirely。ForthesittingsrobbedhimofFrancesduringthebetterpartofeachmorning，andheurgedthatwhenhemustsosoonleaveher，betweenthemanwhowantedherportraitandthemanwhowantedher，itwouldbekindtogivehertimetothelatter。
\"ButIhadnoidea，\"protestedFrances，\"hewouldtakesolong。
Hetoldmehe\'dfinishitinthreesittings。Buthe\'ssocriticalofhisownworkthathegoesoveritagainandagain。HesaysthatIamamostdifficultsubject，butthatIinspirehim。Andhesays，ifIwillonlygivehimtime，hebelievesthiswillbethebestthinghehasdone。\"
\"That\'sanawfulthought，\"saidthecavalryofficer。
\"Youdon\'tlikehim，\"reprovedMissGardner。\"Heisalwaysverypolitetoyou。\"
\"He\'spolitetoeverybody，\"saidLee；\"that\'swhyIdon\'tlikehim。He\'snotarealartist。He\'sacourtier。Godgavehimatalent，andhemakesameanuseofit。Usesittoflatterpeople。
He\'sliketheselong-hairedviolinistswhoplayanythingyouaskthemtointhelobsterpalaces。\"
MissGardnerlookedawayfromhim。Hercolorwashighandhereyesverybright。
\"Ithink，\"shesaidsteadily，\"thatMr。Stedmanisagreatartist，andsomedayalltheworldwillthinkso，too！\"
Leemadenoanswer。NotbecausehedisagreedwithherestimateofMr。Stedman\'sgenius-hemadenopretenseofbeinganartcritic——butbecausehervehementadmirationhadfilledhimwithsuddenpanic。Hewasnotjealous。Forthathewasfartoohumble。
Indeed，hethoughthimselfsoutterlyunworthyofFrancesGardnerthatthefactthattohimshemightprefersomeoneelsewasinnowayasurprise。HeonlyknewthatifsheshouldprefersomeoneelsenotallhistroophorsesnorallhismencouldputHumptyDumptybackagain。
Butif，inregardtoMr。Stedman，MissGardnerhadforamomentbeenatoddswiththemanwholovedher，shemadeupforitthedayfollowingonthetenniscourt。Thereshewasinaccordwithhiminheart，soul，andbody，andhersharp\"Wellplayed，partner！\"thrilledhimlikeoneofhisownbuglecalls。Fortwodaysagainstvisitingandlocalteamstheyfoughttheirwaythroughthetournament，andthestrugglewithherathissidefilledLeewithagreathappiness。NotthatthechampionshipofAgawamsettcountedgreatlytooneexiledforthreeyearstoliveamongtheMoros。Hewantedtowinbecauseshewantedtowin。
Buthishappinesscameindoingsomethingincommonwithher，inhelpingherandinhavingherhelphim，inbeing，ifonlyinplay，ifonlyforthreedays，her\"partner。\"
Aftertheywontheywalkedhometogether，eachswingingafat，heavyloving-cup。Oneachwasengraved：
\"Mixeddoubles，Agawamsett，1910。\"
Leeheldhisupsothatthesettingsunflashedonthesilver。
\"Iamgoingtokeepthat，\"hesaid，\"aslongasIlive。Itmeansyouwereoncemy\'partner。\'It\'sasignthatoncewetwoworkedtogetherforsomethingandwon。\"Inthewordsthemanshowedsuchfeelingthatthegirlsaidsoberly：
\"Minemeansthattome，too。Iwillneverpartwithmine，either。\"
Leeturnedtoherandsmiled，appealingwistfully。
\"Itseemsapitytoseparatethem，\"hesaid。\"They\'dlookwelltogetheroveranopenfireplace。\"
Thegirlfrownedunhappily。\"Idon\'tknow，\"sheprotested。\"I
don\'tknow。\"
ThenextdayLeereceivedfromtheWarDepartmentatelegramdirectinghimto\"proceedwithoutdelay\"toSanFrancisco，andtheretoembarkforthePhilippines。
Thatnightheputthequestiontoherdirectly，butagainsheshookherheadunhappily；againshesaid：\"Idon\'tknow！\"
Sohesailedwithouther，andeacheveningatsunset，asthegreattransportheavedherwayacrosstheswellofthePacific，hestoodattherailandlookedback。Withtheaidofthefirstofficerhecalculatedthedifferenceintimebetweenawhalingvillagesituatedatforty-fourdegreesnorthandanarmytransportdroppingrapidlytowardtheequator，andso，eachday，keptinstepwiththegirlheloved。
\"Now，\"hewouldtellhimself，\"sheisinhercartinfrontofthepost-office，andwhiletheysortthemorningmailshegossipswiththefisherfolks，thesummerfolks，thegrooms，andchauffeurs。NowsheissittingforherportraittoStedman\"hedidnotdwelllongonthatpartofherday，\"andnowsheisattennis，or，asshepromised，ridingaloneatsunsetdownourlostroadthroughthewoods。\"
ButthatpartofherdayfromwhichLeehurriedwasthatpartoverwhichthegirlherselflingered。Asheturnedhiseyesfromhiscanvastomeethers，Stedman，thecharming，thedeferential，theadroit，whoneverallowedhispaintingtointerrupthistalk，toldherofwhathewaspleasedtocallhisdreamsandambitions，ofthegreatandbeautifulladieswhohadsatbeforehiseasel，andoftheonlyoneofthemwhohadgivenhiminspiration。
Especiallyoftheonlyonewhohadgivenhiminspiration。Withheralwaystouplifthim，hecouldbecomeoneoftheworld\'smostfamousartists，andshewouldgodownintohistoryasthebeautifulwomanwhohadhelpedhim，asthewifeofRembrandthadinspiredRembrandt，as\"MonaLisa\"hadmadeLeonardo。
Gilbertwrote：\"Itisnottheloverwhocomestowoo，butthelover\'swayofwooing！\"Hissuccessfulloverwastheonewhothrewthegirlacrosshissaddleandrodeawaywithher。Butonekindofwomandoesnotliketohaveherloverapproachshouting：
\"Atthegallop！Charge！\"
Sheprefersamannotbecauseheismasterful，butbecauseheisnot。Shelikestobelievethemanneedshermorethansheneedshim，thatshe，andonlyshe，cansteadyhim，cheerhim，keephimtruetotheworkheisintheworldtoperform。Itiscalledthe\"mothering\"instinct。
Francesfeltthismotheringinstincttowardthesensitive，imaginative，charmingStedman。Shebelievedhehadbuttwothoughts，hisartandherself。Shewascontenttoplacehisartfirst。
Shecouldnotguessthattoonesounworldly，toonesowrappedupinhisart，thefortuneofarichauntmightprovealluring。
WhenthetransportfinallypickedupthelandfallsofCaviteHarbor，Lee，withtheinstinctofasoldier，didnotexclaim：
\"ThisiswhereDeweyranthefortsandsanktheSpanishfleet！\"
Onthecontrary，hewassaying：\"Whenshecomestojoinme，itwillbehereIwillfirstseehersteamer。Iwillbewaitingwithafield-glassontheendofthatwharf。No，Iwillbeouthereinashore-boatwavingmyhat。Andofallthosealongtherail，myheartwilltellmewhichisshe！\"
ThenabarefootedFilipinoboyhandedhimanunsignedcablegram。
Itread：\"IfIwroteathousandwordsIcouldnotmakeiteasierforeitherofus。IamtomarryArthurStedmaninDecember。\"
LeewasgratefulforthefactthathewasnotpermittedtolingerinManila。Instead，hewasatonceorderedup-country，whereataone-trooppostheadministeredtheaffairsofasomewhathecticprovince，andundertheguidanceofthelocalconstabularychasedwill-o\'-the-wispbrigands。Onashelfinhisquartersheplacedthesilverloving-cup，andatnight，whenthevillageslept，hewouldsitfacingit，fillingonepipeafteranother，andthroughthesmokestaringattheevidencetothefactthatonceFrancesGardnerandhehadbeenpartners。
Inthesepost-mortemshesawnothingmorbid。Withhispresentactivitiestheyinnowayinterfered，andinthinkingofthedayswhentheyhadbeentogether，inthinkingofwhathehadlost，hefounddeepcontent。Anotherman，havinglostthewomanheloved，wouldhavetriedtoforgetherandallshemeanttohim。ButLeewasfartoohonestwithhimselftosubstituteotherthoughtsforthosethatwereglorious，thatstillthrilledhim。Thegirlcouldtakeherselffromhim，butshecouldnottakehisloveforherfromhim。Andforthathewasgrateful。Heneverhadconsideredhimselfworthy，andsocouldnotbelievehehadbeenillused。Inhisthoughtsofhertherewasnobitterness：forthatalsohewasgrateful。And，asheknewhewouldnotcareforanyotherwomaninthewayhecaredforher，hepreferredtocareinthatway，evenforonewhowaslost，thaninalesserwayforapossibleshewhosomedaymightgreatlycareforhim。Soshestillremainedinhisthoughts，andwassoconstantlywithhimthatheledadualexistence，inwhichbydayhedirectedtheaffairsofanalienandhostilepeopleandbynightagainlivedthroughthewonderfulmomentswhenshehadthoughtshelovedhim，whenhefirsthadlearnedtoloveher。Attimessheseemedactuallyathisside，andhecouldnottellwhetherhewaspretendingthatthisweresoorwhethertheforceofhislovehadprojectedherimagehalfaroundtheworld。
Often，wheninsinglefileheledthementhroughtheforest，heseemedagaintobebackonCapeCodpickinghiswayovertheirownlostroadthroughthewood，andheheard\"thebeatofahorse\'sfeetandtheswishofaskirtinthedew。\"Andthenacarbinewouldrattle，orahorsewouldstumbleandatrooperswear，andhewasagaininthesweatingjungle，wheremen，intentuponhislife，crouchedinambush。
Shesparedhimthemockeryofwedding-cards；buttheannouncementoftheweddingcametohiminathree-months-oldnewspaper。Hopingtheywouldspeakofherintheirletters，hekeptupasomewhatone-sidedcorrespondencewithfriendsofMrs。Stedman\'sinBoston，whereshenowlived。Butforayearinnoneoftheirlettersdidhernameappear。WhenamutualfrienddidwriteofherLeeunderstoodthesilence。
Fromthefirst，themutualfriendwrote，thelifeofMrs。Stedmanandherhusbandwasthoroughlymiserable。Stedmanblamedherbecauseshecametohimpenniless。Therichaunt，whohadheartilydisapprovedoftheartist，hadspokenofhimsofranklythatFranceshadquarrelledwithher，andfromhernolongerwouldacceptmoney。InhisangeratthisStedmanshowedhimselftoFrancesashewas。Andonlytwomonthsaftertheirmarriageshewasfurtherenlightened。
AniratehusbandmadehimthecentralfigureinascandalthatfilledthefriendsofFranceswithdisgust，andthatforherwasanawakeningcruelandhumiliating。MennolongerpermittedtheirwomenfolktosittoStedmanforaportrait，andtheneedofmoneygrewimperative。HethemoreblamedFrancesforhavingquarrelledwithheraunt，toldheritwasforhermoneyhehadmarriedher，thatshehadruinedhiscareer，andthatshewastoblameforhisostracism——aconditionthathisownmisconducthadbroughtuponhim。Finally，aftertwelvemonthsofthis，onemorningheleftanotesayinghenolongerwouldallowhertobeadraguponhim，andsailedforEurope。
Theylearnedthat，inParis，hehadreturnedtothatlifewhichbeforehismarriage，eveninthateasy-goingcity，hadmadehimnotorious。\"AndFrances，\"continuedLee\'scorrespondent，\"hasleftBoston，andnowlivesinNewYork。Shewouldn\'tletanyofushelpher，norevenknowwheresheis。Thelastweheardofhershewasinchargeofthecomplaintdepartmentofamillineryshop，forwhichworkshewasreceivingaboutthesamewagesI
givemycook。\"
Leedidnotstoptowonderwhythesamewoman，whotoonemanwasa\"drag，\"wastoanother，eventhoughseparatedfromherbyhalftheworld，ajoyandablessing。Instead，hepromptlywrotehislawyerstofindMrs。Stedman，and，insuchawayastokeepherignorantoftheirgoodoffices，seethatsheobtainedapositionmorecongenialthanherpresentone，andonethatwouldpayherasmuchas，withoutarousinghersuspicions，theyfounditpossibletogive。
Threemonthshadpassed，andthisletterhadnotbeenanswered，wheninManila，wherehehadbeenorderedtomakeareport，heheardofheragain。Oneevening，whenthebandplayedontheLuneta，hemetanewlymarriedcouplewhohadknownhiminAgawamsett。Theynowwereonaninety-daycruisearoundtheworld。ClosefriendsofFrancesGardner，theyrememberedhimasoneofhermanydevoteesandatoncespokeofher。
\"Thatblackguardshemarried，\"thebridegroomtoldhim，\"waskilledthreemonthsagoracingwithanothercarfromVersaillesbacktoParisafteradinneratwhich，itseems，allpresentdrank\'burgundyoutofthefingerbowls。\'ComingdownthatsteephillintoSaintCloud，thecarscollided，andStedmanandawoman，whosehusbandthoughtshewassomewhereelse，werekilled。
Hecouldn\'tevendiewithoutmakingascandalofit。\"
\"Buttheworst，\"addedthebride，\"isthat，inspiteofthewaythelittlebeasttreatedher，IbelieveFrancesstillcaresforhim，andalwayswill。That\'stheworstofit，isn\'tit？\"shedemanded。
Inwords，Leedidnotanswer，butinhisheartheagreedthatwasmuchtheworstofit。ThefactthatFranceswasfreefilledhimwithhope；butthatshestillcaredforthemanshehadmarried，andwouldcontinuetothinkonlyofhim，madehimillwithdespair。
Hecabledhislawyersforheraddress。Hedeterminedthat，atonce，onlearningit，hewouldtellherthatwithhimnothingwaschanged。Hehadforgottennothing，andhadlearnedmuch。Hehadlearnedthathisloveforherwasasplendidandinspiringpassion，thatevenwithoutherithadliftedhimup，helpedandcheeredhim，madethewholeworldkindandbeautiful。Withherhecouldnotpictureaworldsocompletewithhappiness。
Sinceenteringthearmyhehadnevertakenaleaveofabsence，andhewassure，ifnowheaskedforone，itwouldnotberefused。Hedetermined，iftheanswertohiscablegavehimtheaddress，hewouldreturnatonce，andagainofferherhislove，whichhenowknewwasdeeper，finer，andinfinitelymoretenderthanthelovehefirsthadfeltforher。Butthecablebalkedhim。\"Addressunknown，\"itread；\"believedtohavegoneabroadincapacityofgoverness。Haveemployedforeignagents。Willcabletheirreport。\"
Whethertowaitforandbeguidedbythereportofthedetectives，ortoproceedtoEuropeandsearchforherhimself，Leedidnotknow。Hefinallydeterminedthattoseekforherwithnoclewtoherwhereaboutswouldbebutawasteofpreciousmoments，while，ifintheirsearchtheagentsweresuccessful，hewouldbeabletogodirectlytoher。Meanwhile，bycable，heaskedforprotractedleaveofabsenceand，whilewaitingforhisanswer，returnedtohispost。There，withinaweek，hereceivedhisleaveofabsence，butinafashionthatthreatenedtoremovehimforeverfromthearmy。
Theconstabularyhadlocatedthewill-o\'-the-wispbrigandsbehindastockadebuiltaboutanextinctvolcano，andLeeandhistroopandamountainbatteryattemptedtodislodgethem。InthefightthatfollowedLeecoveredhisbrowswithlaurelwreathsandreceivedtwobulletwoundsinhisbody。
Foramonthdeathstoodatthesideofhiscot；andthen，stillweakandattimesdeliriouswithfever，byslowstageshewasremovedtothehospitalinManila。Inoneofhissanemomentsacablewasshownhim。Itread：\"Whereaboutsstillunknown。\"Leeatoncerebelledagainsthisdoctors。Hemustrise，hedeclared，andproceedtoEurope。Itwasuponamatteroflifeanddeath。Thesurgeonsassuredhimhisremainingexactlywherehewasalsowasamatterofasgreatconsequence。Lee\'sknowledgeofhisownlackofstrengthtoldhimtheywereright。
Then，fromheadquarters，hewasinformedthat，asarewardforhisservicesandinrecognitionofhisapproachingconvalescence，hewasorderedtoreturntohisownclimateandthataneasybillethadbeenfoundforhimasarecruitingofficerinNewYorkCity。BelievingthewomanhelovedtobeinEurope，thisplanforhiscomfortonlysucceededinbringingonarelapse。Butthedayfollowingtherecameanothercablegram。Itputanabruptendtohismutiny，andbroughthimandtheWarDepartmentintocompleteaccord。
\"SheisinNewYork，\"itread，\"actingasagentforacharitableinstitution，whichonenotknown，buthopeinafewdaystocablecorrectaddress。\"
Inalltheworldtherewasnomansohappy。Thenextmorningatransportwassailing，and，probablybecausetheyhadreadthecablegram，thesurgeonsagreedwithLeethataseavoyagewoulddohimnoharm。Hewascarriedonboard，andwhenthepropellersfirstchurnedthewaterandheknewhewasmovingtowardher，theheroofthefightaroundthecratershedunmanlytears。Hewouldseeheragain，hearhervoice；thesamegreatcitywouldshelterthem。Itwasworthadozenbullets。
HereachedNewYorkinasnow-storm，aweekbeforeChristmas，andwentstraighttotheofficeofhislawyers。Theyreceivedhimwithembarrassment。Sixweeksbefore，ontheverydaytheyhadcabledhimthatMrs。StedmanwasinNewYork，shehadleftthecharitableinstitutionwhereshehadbeenemployed，andhadagaindisappeared。
LeesenthistrunkstotheArmyandNavyClub，whichwasimmediatelyaroundthecornerfromtherecruitingofficeinSixthAvenue，andbegandischargingtelegramsateveryonewhohadeverknownFrancesGardner。Thenetresultwasdiscouraging。Intheyearandahalfinwhichhehadbeenabsenteveryfriendofthegirlhesoughthadtemporarilychangedhisplaceofresidenceorwaspermanentlydead。
Meanwhilehisarrivalbythetransportwasannouncedintheafternoonpapers。Atthewharfanadmiringtrooperhadtoldafinetaleofhisconductatthebattleofthecrater，andreporterscalledattheclubtoseehim。Hedidnotdiscouragethem，ashehopedthroughthemthefactofhisreturnmightbemadeknowntoFrances。Shemightsendhimalineofwelcome，andhewoulddiscoverherwhereabouts。But，thoughmanyotherssenthimheartygreetings，fromhertherewasnoword。
OntheseconddayafterhisarrivaloneofthetelegramswasansweredinpersonbyafriendofMrs。Stedman。HeknewonlythatshehadbeeninNewYork，thatshewasverypoorandinillhealth，thatsheshunnedallofherfriends，andwasearningherlivingasthematronofsomesortofaclubforworkinggirls。Hedidnotknowthenameofit。
Onthethirddaytherestillwasnonews。OnthefourthLeedecidedthatthenextmorninghewouldadvertise。Hewouldsayonly：\"WillMrs。ArthurStedmancommunicatewithMessrs。Fuller&
Fuller？\"Fuller&Fullerwerehislawyers。Thatafternoonheremaineduntilsixo\'clockattherecruitingoffice，andwhenheleftittheelectricstreetlightswereburningbrightly。Aheavydampsnowwasfalling，andthelightsandthefallingflakesandtheshoutsofdriversandthetootsoftaxicabsmadeforthemanfromthetropicsawelcomehomecoming。
Insteadofreturningatoncetohisclub，heslackenedhissteps。
TheshopwindowsofSixthAvenuehungwithChristmasgarlands，andcoloredlampsglowedlikeopenfireplaces。Leepassedslowlybeforethem，gladthathehadbeenabletogetbackatsuchaseason。Forthemomenthehadforgottenthewomanhesought，andwasconsciousonlyofhissurroundings。Hehadpausedinfrontofthewindowofapawn-shop。Overthearrayofcheapjewelry，ofbanjos，shot-guns，andrazors，hiseyesmovedidly。Andthentheybecametransfixedandstaring。Intheveryfrontofthewindow，directlyunderhisnose，wasatarnishedsilverloving-cup。Onitwasengraved，\"MixedDoubles。Agawamsett，1910。\"Inalltheworldtherewereonlytwosuchcups，andasthoughheweredodgingtheslashofabolo，Leeleapedintotheshop。ManyprecioussecondswerewastedinpersuadingMrs。Cohenthathedidnotbelievethecuphadbeenstolen；thathewasnotfromtheCentralOffice；
thathebelievedtheladywhohadpawnedthecuphadcomebyithonestly；thathemeantnoharmtothelady；thathemeantnoharmtoMrs。Cohen；that，muchastheyoungladymayhaveneededthemoneyMrs。Cohenhadloanedheronthecup，heneededtheaddressoftheyoungladystillmore。
Mrs。Cohenretiredbehindascreen，andLeewasconsciousthatfromtheothersideofitthewholefamilyofCohensweretakinghismeasurements。Heapprovedoftheireffortstoprotecttheownerofthecup，butnotfromhim。
Heoffered，ifoneoftheyoungerCohenswouldtakehimtotheyounglady，tolethimfirstaskherifshewouldreceiveCaptainLee，andforhisservicehewouldgivetheyoungCohenuntoldgold。
Heexhibitedtheuntoldgold。TheyoungCohenchokedatthesightandsprangintotheseatbesidethedriverofataxicab。
\"TotheWorkingGirls\'Home，onTenthStreet！\"hecommanded。
Throughthefallingsnowandtheflashinglightstheyslid，skidded，andleaped。InsidethecabLeeshiveredwithexcitement，withcold，withfearthatitmightnotbetrue。Hecouldnotrealizeshewasnear。Itwaseasiertoimaginehimselfstillinthejungle，withmonthsoftimeandsixteenthousandmilesoflandandwaterseparatingthem；orinthehospital，onawhite-enamelcot，watchingtheshadowcreepacrossthewhitewashedwall；orlyingbeneathanawningthatdidnotmove，staringataburning，brazenseathatdidnotmove，onatransportthat，timedbythebeatingofhisheart，stoodstill。
Thosedayswerewithintheradiusofhisexperience。Separation，absence，theimmutablegiantsoftimeandspace，heknew。Withthemhehadfoughtandcouldwithstandthem。Buttobenearher，tohearhervoice，tobringhisloveintoheractualpresence，thatwasanattackuponhisfeelingswhichfoundhimwithoutweapons。Thatforaveryfewdollarsshehadtradedthecupfromwhichshehadswornnevertopartdidnotconcernhim。Havingpartedfromhim，whatshedidwithasilvermugwasoflittleconsequence。Itwasofsignificanceonlyinthatitmeantshewaspoor。Andthatshewaseitheraninmateoramatronofalodging-houseforworkinggirlsalsoshowedshewaspoor。
Hehadbeentoldthatwashercondition，andthatshewasinillhealth，andthatfromallwholovedhershehadrefusedtoaccepthelp。Atthethoughthisjawslockedpugnaciously。Therewasonewholovedher，who，shouldsherefusehisaid，waspreparedtomakeherlifeintolerable。
Heplannedinsuccessionatlightningspeedallhemightdoforher。AmongotherthingshewouldmakethisChristmasthehappiestsheorhewouldeverknow。Notforaninstantdidhequestionthatshewhohadrefusedhelpfromallwholovedhercouldrefuseanythingheoffered。Forheknewitwasofferedwithalovethatdemandednothinginreturn，withalovethataskedonlytobeallowedtolove，andtoserve。Torefusehelpinspiredbysuchafeelingashiswouldbemorbid，wicked，ridiculous，asthoughaflowerrefusedtoturnitsfacetothesun，andshutitslipstothedew。
Thecabstoppedinfrontofabrickbuildingadornedwithmanyfire-
escapes。Afterwardherememberedabare，brilliantlylithallhungwithphotographsoftheAcropolis，andastout，capablewomaninacap，wholookedhimoverandsaid：
\"YouwillfindMrs。Stedmaninthewriting-room。\"
AndherememberedenteringaroomfilledwithMissionfurnitureandreading-lampsundergreenshades。Itwasempty，exceptforayounggirlindeepblack，whowasseatedfacinghim，herheadbentaboveawriting-desk。Ashecameintothecircleofthelampsthegirlraisedhereyesandasthoughliftedtoherfeetbywhatshesaw，andthroughnoeffortofherown，stooderect。
Andtheyoungmanwhohadpersuadedhimselfhislovedemandednothing，whoaskedonlytoworshipathergate，foundhisarmsreachingout，andheardhisvoiceasthoughitcamefromagreatdistance，cry，\"Frances！\"
Andthegirlwhohadrefusedthehelpofallwholovedher，likeahomingpigeonwalkedstraightintotheoutstretchedarms。
Afterfiveminutes，whenhewasalmostabletobelieveitwastrue，hesaidinhiscommanding，masterfulway：\"AndnowI\'mgoingtotakeyououtofhere。I\'mgoingtobuyyouaring，andasablecoat，andahousetolivein，andadinner。Whichshallwebuyfirst？\"
\"First，\"saidFrances，frowninghappily，\"IamafraidwemustgototheRitz，totellAuntEmily。Shealwayslovedyou，anditwillmakehersohappy。\"
\"TotheRitz！\"stammeredtheyoungman。\"ToAuntEmily！Ithoughttheytoldmeyourauntand-you-\"
\"Wequarrelled，yes，\"saidFrances，\"andshehasforgivenme；butshehasnotforgivenherself，soshespoilsme，andalreadyIhaveahousetolivein，andseveralsablecoats，and，oh！everything，everythingbutthering。\"
\"Iamsosorry！\"criedLee。\"Ithoughtyouwerepoor。Ihopedyouwerepoor。Butyouarejoking！\"heexclaimeddelightedly。\"Youarehereinaworkinggirls\'home-\"
\"ItisoneofAuntEmily\'scharities。Shebuiltit，\"saidFrances。\"I
comeheretotalktothegirls。\"
\"But，\"persistedLeetriumphantly，\"ifyouarenotpoor，whydidyoupawnoursilverloving-cup？\"
Thefaceofthegirlbecamealovelycrimson，andtearsrosetohereyes。
Asthoughataconfessional，sheliftedherhandspenitently。
\"Trytounderstand，\"shebegged；\"Iwantedyoutoloveme，notformymoney-\"
\"Butyouknew！\"criedLee。
\"Ihadtobesure，\"beggedthegirl；\"andIwantedtobelieveyoulovedmeevenifIdidnotloveyou。WhenitwastoolateIknewyoulovedmeasnowomaneverdeservedtobeloved；andIwantedthatlove。Icouldnotlivewithoutit。SowhenIreadinthepapersyouhadreturnedI
wouldn\'tletmyselfwriteyou；Iwouldn\'tletmyselfbegyoutocometoseeme。Isetatestforyou。IknewfromthepapersyouwereattheArmyandNavyClub，andthataroundthecornerwastherecruitingoffice。I\'doftenseenthesergeantthere，inuniform，atthedoor。Iknewyoumustpassfromyourclubtotheofficemanytimeseachday，soI
thoughtoftheloving-cupandthepawn-shop。Iplanteditthere。Itwasatrick，atest。Ithoughtifyousawitinapawn-shopyouwouldbelieveI
nolongercaredforyou，andthatIwasverypoor。Ifyoupasseditby，thenIwouldknowyouyourselfhadstoppedcaring，butifyouaskedaboutit，ifyouinquiredforme，thenIwouldknowyoucametomeofyourownwish，becauseyou-\"
Leeshookhishead。
\"Youdon\'thavetotellme，\"hesaidgently，\"whyIcame。I\'veacaboutside。Youwillgetinit，\"hecommanded，\"andwewillrescueourcup。Ialwaystoldyoutheywouldlookwelltogetheroveranopenfireplace。\"
THEMIRACLEOFLASPALMAS
Thisisthestoryofagallantofficerwholovedhisprofession，hisregiment，hiscountry，butaboveall，whiskey；ofhismiraculousconversiontototalabstinence，andofthehumbleinstrumentthatworkedthemiracle。Atthetimeitwasworked，abattalionoftheThirty-thirdInfantryhadbeenleftbehindtoguardtheZone，andwasoccupyingimpromptubarracksonthehillaboveLasPalmas。ThatwaswhenLasPalmaswasoneofthefourthousandstationsalongthefortymilesofthePanamaRailroad。
Whentherailroadwas\"reconstructed\"thenameofLasPalmasdidnotappearonthenewtime-table，andwhenthisstoryappearsLasPalmaswillbeeightyfeetunderwater。Soifanyonewishestodisputethemiraclehewillhavetoconducthisinvestigationinadiving-bell。
OnthisparticulareveningyoungMajorAintree，incommandofthebattalion，hadgoneupthelinetoPanamatodineattheHotelTivoli，andhaddinedwell。TopreventhisdoingthisapaternalgovernmenthadorderedthatattheTivolinoalcoholicliquorsmaybesold；butonlytwohundredyardsfromthehotel，outsidethezoneoftemperance，liesPanamaandAngelina\'s，andduringthedinner，betweentheTivoliandAngelina\'s，theJamaicanwaiter-boysranrelayraces。
Afterthedinner，theJamaicanwaiter-boysprovingtooslow，thedinner-partyinabodyadjournedtoAngelina\'s，andwhenlater，MajorAintreemovedacrossthestreettothenighttraintoLasPalmas，hemovedunsteadily。
YoungStandishoftheCanalZonepolice，who，thoughbuttwenty-
six，wasafullcorporal，wasforthatnightondutyas\"trainguard，\"andwaswaitingattherearstepsofthelastcar。AsAintreeapproachedthestepshesawindistinctlyaboyishfigureinkhaki，and，mistakingitforoneofhisownmen，heclaspedthehandrailforsupport，andhaltedfrowning。
Observingtheconditionoftheofficerthepolicemanalsofrowned，butindeferencetotheuniform，slowlyandwithreluctanceraisedhishandtohissombrero。Thereluctancewasmoreapparentthanthesalute。Itwaslessofasalutethananimpertinence。
Partlyoutofregardforhisrank，partlyfromtemper，chieflyfromwhiskey，Aintreesawscarlet。
\"Whenyous\'luteyours\'periorofficer，\"heshouted，\"yous\'lutehimquick。Youunnerstan\'，yous\'lutehimquick！S\'lutemeagain，\"hecommanded，\"ands\'lutemedamnquick。\"
Standishremainedmotionless。Asisthehabitofpolicemenoveralltheworld，histhumbswerestuckinhisbelt。Heansweredwithoutoffense，intonesmatter-of-factandcalm。
\"Youarenotmysuperiorofficer，\"hesaid。
ItwasthecalmnessthatirritatedAintree。Hiseyessoughtfortheinfantryman\'scapandfoundasombrero。
\"Youdamnedleatherneck，\"hebegan，\"I\'llreport——\"
\"I\'mnotamarine，either，\"interruptedStandish。\"I\'mapoliceman。
Moveon，\"heordered，\"you\'rekeepingthesepeoplewaiting。\"
Othersofthedinner-partyformedaflyingwedgearoundAintreeandcrowdedhimupthestepsandintoaseatandsatuponhim。
Tenminuteslater，whenStandishmadehisroundsofthecars，Aintreesawhimapproaching。Hehadavaguerecollectionthathehadbeeninsulted，andbyapoliceman。
\"You！\"hecalled，andsoloudlythatallinthecarturned，\"I\'mgoingtoreportyou，goingtoreportyouforinsolence。What\'syourname？\"
LookingneitheratAintreenoratthefacesturnedtowardhim，StandishrepliedasthoughAintreehadaskedhimwhattimeitwas。
\"Standish，\"hesaid，\"corporal，shieldnumber226，ontrainguard。\"Hecontinueddowntheaisle。
\"I\'llrememberyou，\"Aintreeshouted。
Butinthehot，glaringdawnofthemorningafter，Aintreeforgot。
ItwasStandishwhoremembered。
ThemenoftheZonepolicearehand-picked。Theyhavebeensoldiers，marines，cowboys，sheriffs，\"BlackHussars\"ofthePennsylvaniaStateconstabulary，roughriderswithRoosevelt，mountedpoliceinCanada，irregularhorseinSouthAfrica；theyformoneofthebest-organized，best-disciplined，mostefficient，mostpicturesquesemi-militarybodiesintheworld。StandishjoinedthemfromthePhilippineconstabularyinwhichhehadbeenasecondlieutenant。ThereareseverallikehimintheZonepolice，andinEnglandtheywouldbecalledgentlemenrankers。OntheIsthmus，becauseofhisyouth，hisfellowpolicemencalledStandish\"Kid。\"Andsmartaseachofthemwas，eachofthemadmittedtheKidworehisuniformwithadifference。
WithhimitalwayslookedasthoughithadcomefreshlyironedfromtheColonlaundry；hisleatherleggingsshonelikemeerschaumpipes；thebrimofhissombrerorestedimpudentlyonthebridgeofhisnose。
\"He\'sbeenanofficer，\"theyusedtosayinextenuation。\"Youcantellwhenhesalutes。Heshowsthebackofhishand。\"Secretly，theywereproudofhim。Standishcameofalongchainofsoldiers，andthattheweakestlinkinthechainhadprovedtobehimselfwasasorrownooneelsebuthimselfcouldfathom。Sincehewasthreeyearsoldhehadbeentrainedtobeasoldier，ascarefully，withthesamesinglenessofpurpose，asthecrownprinceistrainedtobeaking。Andwhen，afterthreehappy，gloriousyearsatWestPoint，hewasfoundnotcleverenoughtopasstheexaminationsandwasdropped，hedidnotcursethegodsanddie，butbeganagaintoworkhiswayup。Hewasdeterminedhestillwouldwearshoulder-straps。
Heowedittohisancestors。Itwasthetraditionofhisfamily，theonethinghewanted；itwashisreligion。Hewouldgetintothearmyevenifbythesidedoor，ifonlyaftermanyyearsofroughandpatientservice。Heknewthatsomeday，throughhisrecord，throughtheopportunityofawar，hewouldcomeintohisinheritance。Meanwhileheofficeredhissoul，disciplinedhisbody，anddailytriedtolearnthelessonthathewhohopestocontrolothersmustfirstcontrolhimself。
Heallowedhimselfbutonedissipation，oneexcess。ThatwastohateMajorAintree，commandingtheThirty-thirdInfantry。Ofalltheworldcouldgive，AintreepossessedeverythingthatStandishconsideredthemosttobedesired。HewasagraduateofWestPoint，hehadseenserviceinCuba，intheBoxerbusiness，andinthePhilippines。ForanactofconspicuouscourageatBatangas，hehadreceivedthemedalofhonor。Hehadhadtheluckofthedevil。Whereverheheldcommandturnedouttobetheplacewherethingsbrokeloose。AndAintreealwaysattackedandroutedthem，alwayswasthemanonthejob。Itwashisnamethatappearedinthenewspapers，itwashisnamethatheadedthelistofthejuniorofficersmentionedfordistinguishedconduct。