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。
Standishhadfollowedhiscareerwithanadmirationandajoythatwaswithouttaintofenvyordetraction。HegloriedinAintree，hedelightedtoknowthearmyheldsuchaman。HewasgratefultoAintreeforupholdingthetraditionsofaprofessiontowhichhehimselfgaveallthedevotionofafanatic。Hemadeagodofhim。ThiswastheattitudeofmindtowardAintreebeforehecametotheIsthmus。Uptothattimehehadneverseenhisidol。Aintreehadbeenonlyanamesignedtobrilliantarticlesintheservicemagazines，amanofwhomthosewhohadservedwithhimorunderhim，whenaskedconcerninghim，spokewithloyaltyandawe，themanthenewspaperscalled\"theheroofBatangas。\"
Andwhenatlasthesawhishero，hebelievedhisworshipwasjustified。ForAintreelookedthepart。Hewasbuiltlikeagreyhoundwiththeshouldersofastevedore。Hischinwasasprojecting，andashard，asthepointedendofaflat-iron。Hiseverymovementshowedphysicalfitness，andhiseveryglanceandtoneaconfidenceinhimselfthatapproachedinsolence。Hewasthirty-
eight，twelveyearsolderthantheyouthwhohadfailedtomakehiscommission，andwho，asAintreestrodepast，lookedafterhimwithwistful，hero-worshippingeyes。Therevulsion，whenitcame，wasextreme。Thehero-worshipgavewaytocontempt，toindignantcondemnation，inwhichtherewasnopity，noexcuse。Thatoneuponwhomsomuchhadbeenlavished，whoforhimselfhadaccomplishedsuchgoodthings，shouldbringdisgraceuponhisprofession，shouldbyhisexampledemoralizehismen，shouldrisklosingallhehadattained，allthathadbeengiven，wasintolerable。WhenStandishlearnedhisherowasadrunkard，whendayafterdayAintreefurnishedvisibleevidencesofthatfact，StandishfeltAintreehadbetrayedhimandthearmyandthegovernmentthathadeducated，trained，clothed，andfedhim。HeregardedAintreeasworsethanBenedictArnold，becauseArnoldhadturnedtraitorforpowerandmoney；Aintreewasatraitorthroughmereweakness，becausehecouldnotsay\"no\"toabottle。
OnlyinsecretStandishrailedagainstAintree。Whenhisbrotherpolicemengossipedandjestedabouthim，outofloyaltytothearmyheremainedsilent。Butinhishearthecouldnotforgive。
Themanhehadsogenerouslyenvied，themanafterwhosecareerhehadwishedtomodelhisown，hadvoluntarilysteppedfromhispedestalandmadeaswineofhimself。Andnotonlycouldhenotforgive，butasdayafterdayAintreefurnishedfreshfoodforhisindignationhefeltafiercedesiretopunish。
Meanwhile，oftheconductofAintree，menolderandwiser，iflessintolerantthanStandish，werebeginningtotakenotice。ItwasafteradinneronAnconHill，andthewomenhadleftthementothemselves。TheywerethemenwhowereplacingthePanamaCanalonthemap。Theywereofficersofthearmywhoforfiveyearshadnotwornauniform。Butforfiveyearstheyhadbeenatwarwithanenemythatneverslept。Dailytheyhadengagedinbattlewithmountains，rivers，swamps，twooceans，anddisease。WhereAintreecommandedfivehundredsoldiers，theycommandedabodyofmenbetterdrilled，betterdisciplined，andinnumberhalfasmanyasthosewhoformedtheentirearmyoftheUnitedStates。Themindofeachwasoccupiedwithaworldproblem。Theythoughtandtalkedinmillions——ofmillionsofcubicyardsofdirt，ofmillionsofbarrelsofcement，ofmillionsoftonsofsteel，ofhundredsofmillionsofdollars，ofwhichlattereachreceivedenoughtokeephimselfandhisfamilyjustbeyondthereachofnecessity。Tothesemenwiththeworldwaitingupontheoutcomeoftheirendeavor，withresponsibilitiesthatneverrelaxed，Aintree\'sbehaviorwasanincident，anannoyanceoflessimportancethananoverturneddirttrainthatforfiveminutesdaredtoblockthecompletionoftheirwork。Buttheywerehumanandloyaltothearmy，andinsuchaninfrequentmomentasthis，overthecoffeeandcigars，theycouldaffordtorememberthejuniorofficer，tofeelsorryforhim，forthesakeofthearmy，tosavehimfromhimself。
\"HetakeshisordersdirectfromtheWarDepartment，\"saidthechief。\"I\'venoauthorityoverhim。Ifhe\'dbeenoneofmyworkmenI\'dhaveshippedhimnorththreemonthsago。\"
\"That\'sit，\"saidthesurgeon，\"he\'snotaworkman。Hehasnothingtodo，andidlenessisthecurseofthearmy。Andinthisclimate——\"
\"Nothingtodo！\"snortedtheciviladministrator。\"Keepinghismeninhandiswhathehastodo！They\'rerunningamuckalloverPanama，gettingintofightswiththeSpiggotypolice，bringingtheuniformintocontempt。Asfortheclimate，it\'sthesameclimateforallofus。LookatButler\'smarinesandBarber\'sZonepolice。Theclimatehasn\'thurtthem。They\'reassmartmenaseverworekhaki。It\'snottheclimateorlackofworkthatailstheThirty-third，it\'stheircommandingofficer。\'Sothecolonel，sotheregiment。\'That\'sasoldasthehills。UntilAintreetakesabrace，hismenwon\'t。Someoneoughttotalktohim。It\'sashametoseeafinefellowlikethatgoingtothedogsbecausenoonehasthecouragetotellhimthetruth。\"
Thechiefsmiledmockingly。
\"Thenwhydon\'tyou？\"heasked。
\"I\'macivilian，\"protestedtheadministrator。\"IfItoldhimhewasgoingtothedogshe\'dtellmetogotothedevil。No，oneofyouarmymenmustdoit。He\'lllistentoyou。\"
YoungCaptainHaldaneofthecavalrywasatthetable；hewasvisitingPanamaonleaveasatourist。Thechiefturnedtohim。
\"Haldane\'stheman，\"hesaid。\"You\'rehisfriendandyou\'rehisjuniorinrank，sowhatyousaywon\'tsoundofficial。Tellhimpeoplearetalking；tellhimitwon\'tbelongbeforethey\'llbetalkinginWashington。Scarehim！\"
Thecaptainofcavalrysmileddubiously。
\"Aintree\'sahardmantoscare，\"hesaid。\"Butifit\'sasbadasyouallseemtothink，I\'llriskit。But，whyisit，\"hecomplained，\"thatwheneveramanhastobetoldanythingparticularlyunpleasanttheyalwayspickonhisbestfriendtotellhim？Itmakesthembothmiserable。Whynotlethisbitterestenemytryit？Theenemyatleastwouldhaveafinetime。\"
\"Because，\"saidthechief，\"Aintreehasn\'tanenemyintheworld-
exceptAintree。\"
Thenextmorning，ashehadpromised，Haldanecalleduponhisfriend。WhenhearrivedatLasPalmas，althoughthemorningwaswelladvancedtowardnoon，hefoundAintreestillunderhismosquitobarsandawakeonlytocommandadrink。ThesituationfurnishedHaldanewithhistext。Heexpressedhisopinionofanyindividual，friendornofriend，officerorcivilian，whoontheZone，whereallmenbeginworkatsunrise，couldbefoundatnoonstillinhispajamasandpreparingtofacethedutiesofthedayonanabsinthcocktail。HesaidfurtherthatsincehehadarrivedontheisthmushehadheardonlyofAintree\'smisconduct，thatsoontheWarDepartmentwouldhearofit，thatAintreewouldlosehiscommission，wouldbreakthebackboneofasplendidcareer。
\"It\'safriendtalking，\"continuedHaldane，\"andyouknowit！It\'sbecauseIamyourfriendthatI\'veriskedlosingyourfriendship！
And，whetheryoulikeitornot，it\'sthetruth。You\'regoingdown-hill，goingfast，goinglikeamotor-busrunningaway，andunlessyouputonthebrakesyou\'llsmash！\"
Aintreewasnotevenannoyed。
\"That\'sgoodadvicefortherightman，\"hegranted，\"butwhywasteitonme？Icandothingsothermencan\'t。Icanstopdrinkingthisminute，anditwillmeansolittletomethatIwon\'tknowI\'vestopped。\"
\"Thenstop，\"saidHaldane。
\"Why？\"demandedAintree。\"Ilikeit。WhyshouldIstopanythingIlike？Becausealotofoldwomenaregossiping？Becauseoldmenwhocan\'tdrinkgreenmintwithoutdancingturkey-trotsthinkI\'mgoingtothedevilbecauseIcandrinkwhiskey？I\'mnotafraidofwhiskey，\"helaughedtolerantly。\"Itamusesme，that\'sallitdoestome；itamusesme。\"Hepulledbackthecoatofhispajamasandshowedhisgiantchestandshoulder。Withhisfisthestruckhisbarefleshanditglowedinstantlyahealthy，splendidpink。
\"Seethat！\"commandedAintree。\"Ifthere\'samanontheisthmusinanybetterphysicalshapethanIam，I\'ll——\"Heinterruptedhimselftobeginagaineagerly。\"I\'llmakeyouasportingproposition，\"
heannounced\"I\'llfightanymanontheisthmustenrounds——
nomatterwhoheis，awoplaborer，shovelman，Barbadiannigger，marine，anybody——andifhecanknockmeoutI\'llstopdrinking。Yousee，\"heexplainedpatiently，\"I\'mnomollycoddleorjelly-fish。Icanaffordaheadache。Andbesides，it\'smyownhead。IfIdon\'tgiveanybodyelseaheadache，Idon\'tseethatit\'sanybodyelse\'sdamnedbusiness。\"
\"Butyoudo，\"retortedHaldanesteadily。\"You\'regivingyourownmenworsethanaheadache，you\'resettingthemarottenexample，you\'regivingtheThirty-thirdabadname-\"
Aintreevaultedoffhiscotandshookhisfistathisfriend。
\"Youcan\'tsaythattome，\"hecried。
\"Idosayit，\"protestedHaldane。\"WhenyouwereinManilayourmenweremodels；herethey\'reunshaven，sloppy，undisciplined。
Theylooklikebell-hops。Andit\'syourfault。Andeverybodythinksso。\"
SlowlyandcarefullyAintreesnappedhisfingers。
\"Andyoucantelleverybody，fromme，\"hecried，\"that\'sallIcarewhattheythink！Andnow，\"hecontinued，smilinghospitably，\"letmecongratulateyouonyoursuccessasamissionary，and，toshowyouthere\'snotatraceofhardfeeling，wewillhaveadrink。\"
InformallyHaldanereportedbacktothecommission，andthewifeofoneofthemmusthavetalked，foritwassoonknownthatabrotherofficerhadappealedtoAintreetoreform，andAintreehadrefusedtolisten。
Whensheheardthis，GraceCarter，thewifeofMajorCarter，oneofthesurgeonsattheAnconHospital，wasgreatlyperturbed。
AintreewasengagedtobemarriedtoHelenScott，whowasherbestfriendandwhowasarrivingbythenextsteamertospendthewinter。WhenshehadHelensafelyunderherroof，Mrs。Carterhadplannedtomarryofftheyoungcoupleoutofhandontheisthmus。
Butshehadbeguntowonderifitwouldnotbebettertheyshoulddelay，orbestthattheyshouldnevermarry。
\"TheawakeningisgoingtobeaterribleblowtoHelen，\"shesaidtoherhusband。\"Sheissoproudofhim。\"
\"Onthecontrary，\"heprotested，\"itwillbetheawakeningofAintree——ifHelenwillstandforthewayhe\'sacting，sheisnotthegirlIknow。Andwhenhefindsshewon\'t，andthathemayloseher，he\'llpullupshort。He\'stalkedHelentomenightafternightuntilhe\'sboredmesoIcouldstranglehim。Hecaresmoreforherthanhedoesforanything，forthearmy，orforhimself，andthat\'ssayingagreatdeal。Onewordfromherwillbeenough。\"
Helenspokethewordthreeweeksaftershearrived。Ithadnotbeennecessarytotellherofthemannerinwhichherloverwasmisconductinghimself。Atvariousdinnersgivenintheirhonorhehadmadeanuisanceofhimself；onanotheroccasion，whileinuniform，hehadcreatedasceneinthedining-roomoftheTivoliunderthepryingeyesofthreehundredseeing-the-Canaltourists；
andonenighthehadsobadlybeatenupacabmanwhohadlaughedathisconditionthatthemanwenttothehospital。MajorCarter，largelywithmoney，hadhealedtheinjuriesofthecabman，butHelen，whohadwitnessedtheassault，hadsufferedaninjurythatmoneycouldnotheal。
ShesentforAintree，andatthehomeofherfrienddeliveredherultimatum。
\"Ihithimbecausehewasoffensivetoyou，\"saidAintree。\"That\'swhyIhithim。IfI\'dnothadadrinkinayear，I\'dhavehithimjustasquickandjustashard。\"
\"Can\'tyousee，\"saidthegirl，\"thatinbeingnotyourselfwhenIwasinyourcareyouweremuchmoreinsultingtomethananycabmancouldpossiblybe？Whenyouarelikethatyouhavenorespectforme，orforyourself。Partofmyprideinyouisthatyouaresostrong，thatyoucontrolyourself，thatcommonpleasuresnevergetaholdonyou。Ifyoucouldn\'tcontrolyourtemperIwouldn\'tblameyou，becauseyou\'veavillainoustemperandyouwerebornwithit。Butyouweren\'tbornwithatasteforliquor。Noneofyourpeopledrank。Youneverdrankuntilyouwentintothearmy。IfIwereaman，\"declaredthegirl，\"I\'dbeashamedtoadmitanythingwasstrongerthanIwas。Youneverletpainbeatyou。I\'veseenyouplaypolowithabrokenarm，butinthisyougivepaintoothers，youshameandhumiliatetheoneyoupretendtolove，justbecauseyouareweak，justbecauseyoucan\'tsay\'no。\'\"
Aintreelaughedangrily。
\"Drinkhasnoholdonme，\"heprotested。\"Itaffectsmeasmuchasthelightsandthemusicaffectagirlatherfirstdance，andnomore。But，ifyouaskmetostop——\"
\"Idonot！\"saidthegirl。\"Ifyoustop，you\'llstopnotbecauseIhaveanyinfluenceoveryou，butbecauseyoudon\'tneedmyinfluence。Ifit\'swrong，ifit\'shurtingyou，ifit\'stakingawayyourusefulnessandyourpowerforgood，that\'swhyyou\'llstop。
Notbecauseagirlbegsyou。Oryou\'renotthemanIthinkyou。\"
Aintreeretortedwarmly。\"I\'menoughofamanforthis，\"heprotested：\"I\'menoughofamannottoconfessIcan\'tdrinkwithoutmakingabeastofmyself。It\'seasynottodrinkatall。
Buttostopaltogetherisaconfessionofweakness。I\'dlookonmydoingthatascowardly。Igiveyoumyword——notthatI\'llswearoff，thatI\'llneverdo——butIpromiseyouyou\'llhavenofurtherreasontobewhatyoucallhumiliated，orashamed。Youhavemywordforit。\"
AweeklaterAintreerodehisponyintoarailwaycuttingandrolledwithittothetracksbelow，and，ifatthetimehehadnotbeenextremelydrunk，wouldhavebeenkilled。Thepony，beingquitesober，brokealegandwasdestroyed。
WhenwordofthiscametoHelenshewastoosickathearttoseeAintree，andbyothersitwasmadeknowntohimthatonthefirststeamerMissScottwouldreturnNorth。Aintreeknewwhyshewasgoing，knewshehadlostfaithandpatience，knewthewomanhelovedhadbrokenwithhimandputhimoutofherlife。Appalledatthiscalamity，heproceededtogetdrunkinearnest。
Thenightwasveryhotandthehumidityveryheavy，andatLasPalmasinsidethebungalowthatservedasapolice-stationthelampsoneithersideofthelieutenant\'sdeskburnedliketinyfurnaces。Betweenthem，pantinginthemoistheatandwiththesweatfromhisforeheadandhanddrippinguponanotherwiseimmaculatereport，satStandish。Twoweeksbefore，thechiefhadmadehimoneofhissixlieutenants。Withtheforcethepromotionhadbeenmostpopular。
SincehispromotionStandishhadbeeninchargeofthepolice-
stationatLasPalmasanddailyhadseenAintreeas，onhiswaydownthehillfromthebarrackstotherailroad，theheroofBatangaspassedthedoorofthestation-house。Also，onthemorningAintreehadjumpedhishorseovertheembankment，Standishhadseenhimcarriedupthehillonastretcher。Atthesightthelieutenantofpolicehadtakenfromhispocketanotebook，andonaflyleafmadeacross。Ontheflyleafweremanyotherdatesandoppositeeachacross。ItwasAintree\'srecordandasthenumberofblackcrossesgrew，thegreaterhadgrowntheresentmentofStandish，themoregreatlyithadincreasedhisangeragainstthemanwhohadputthisaffrontuponthearmy，thegreaterbecamehisdesiretopunish。
Inpolicecirclesthenighthadbeenquiet，thecellsintheyardwereempty，thetelephoneathiselbowhadremainedsilent，andStandish，aloneinthestation-house，hademployedhimselfincramming\"Moss\'sManualforSubalterns。\"Hefounditafascinatingexercise。Thehopethatsoonhemighthimselfbeasubalternalwaysburnedbrightly，andtobepreparedseemedtomakethecomingofthatdaymorecertain。Itwasteno\'clockandLasPalmaslaysunkinslumber，andafterthedowntrainwhichwasnowduehadpassed，therewasnothinglikelytodisturbherslumberuntilatsunrisethegreatarmyofdirt-diggerswithshrieksofwhistles，withroarsofdynamite，withtherumblingofdirt-trainsandsteam-shovels，againsprangtotheattack。Downthehill，ahundredyardsbelowStandish，thenighttrainhaltedatthestation，withcreakingsandgroaningscontinuedtowardColon，andagainLasPalmasreturnedtosleep。
And，then，quicklyandviciously，likethecrackofamule-whip，camethereportsofapistol；andoncemorethehotanddrippingsilence。
Onpostattherailroad-station，whencetheshotscame，wasMeehan，oneoftheZonepolice，anex-sergeantofmarines。Ontopofthehill，outsidetheinfantrybarracks，wasanotherpoliceman，Bullard，onceacowboy。
StandishrantotheverandaandheardthepebblesscatteringasBullardleapeddownthehill，andwhen，inthelightfromtheopendoor，hepassed，thelieutenantshoutedathimtofindMeehanandreportback。Thenthedesktelephonerang，andStandishreturnedtohischair。
\"ThisisMeehan，\"saidavoice。\"ThoseshotsjustnowwerefiredbyMajorAintree。Hecamedownonthenighttrainandjumpedoffafterthetrainwaspullingoutandstumbledintoanegro，andfell。He\'sbeendrinkingandhesworetheniggerpushedhim；andthemancalledAintreealiar。Aintreepulledhisgunandtheniggerran。Aintreefiredtwice；thenIgottohimandknockedthegunoutofhishandwithmynightstick。\"
Therewasapause。Untilhewassurehisvoicewouldbesteadyandofficial，theboylieutenantdidnotspeak。
\"Didhehitthenegro？\"heasked。
\"Idon\'tknow，\"Meehananswered。\"Themanjumpedforthedarkestspothecouldfind。\"ThevoiceofMeehanlostitsprofessionalcalmandbecamepersonalandaggrieved。
\"Aintree\'sonhiswaytoseeyounow，lieutenant。He\'sgoingtoreportme。\"
\"Forwhat？\"
Thevoiceoverthetelephoneroseindignantly。
\"Forknockingthegunoutofhishand。Hesaysit\'sanassault。
He\'sgoingtobreakme！\"
Standishmadenocomment。
\"Reporthere，\"heordered。
HeheardBullardhurryingupthehillandmethimatthefootofthesteps。
\"There\'sanigger，\"beganBullard，\"lyingundersomebushes——\"
\"Hush！\"commandedStandish。
Fromthepathbelowcamethesoundoffootstepsapproachingunsteadily，andthevoiceofamanswearingandmutteringtohimself。Standishpulledtheex-cowboyintotheshadowofthedarknessandspokeineagerwhispers。
\"Youunderstand，\"heconcluded，\"youwillnotreportuntilyouseemepickupacigarfromthedeskandlightit。Youwillwaitouthereinthedarkness。Whenyouseemelightthecigar，youwillcomeinandreport。\"
Thecowboypolicemannodded，butwithoutenthusiasm。\"I
understand，lieutenant，\"hesaid，\"but，\"heshookhisheaddoubtfully，\"itsizesuptomelikewhatthosepoliceupinNewYorkcalla\'frame-up。\'\"
Standishexclaimedimpatiently。
\"It\'snotmyframe-up！\"hesaid。\"Theman\'sframedhimselfup。
AllI\'mgoingtodoistonailhimtothewall！\"
StandishhadonlytimetoreturntohisdeskwhenAintreestumbledupthepathandintothestation-house。Hewas\"fightingdrunk，\"
ugly，offensive，allbutincoherentwithanger。
\"Youincharge？\"hedemanded。Hedidnotwaitforananswer。
\"I\'vebeen\'saulted！\"heshouted。\"\'Saultedbyoneofyourdamnedpolicemen。Hestruckme——struckmewhenIwasprotectingmyself。
Hehadaniggerwithhim。Firsttheniggertrippedme；then，whenItriedtoprotectmyself，thisthugofyourshitsme，clubsme，youunnerstan\'，clubsme！Iwanthim——\"
HewasinterruptedbytheentranceofMeehan，whomovedintothelightfromthelampsandsalutedhislieutenant。
\"That\'stheman！\"roaredAintree。ThesightofMeehanwhippedhimintogreaterfury。
\"Iwantthatmanbroke。Iwanttoseeyoustriphisshieldoffhim——now，youunnerstan\'，now——for\'saultingme，for\'saultinganofficerintheUnitedStatesarmy。And，ifyoudon\'t，\"hethrewhimselfintoapositionoftheprize-ring，\"I\'llbeathimupandyou，too。\"Throughwantofbreath，hestopped，andpanted。Againhisvoicebrokeforthhysterically。\"I\'mnotafraidofyourdamnednight-sticks，\"hetaunted。\"Igotfivehundredmenontopthishill，allI\'vegottodoistosaytheword，andthey\'llrough-housethisplaceandthrowitintothecut——andyouwithit。\"
Standishrosetohisfeet，andacrossthedesklookedsteadilyatAintree。ToAintreethesteadinessofhiseyesandthequietnessofhisvoicewereanaddedaggravation。
\"Supposeyoudid，\"saidStandish，\"thatwouldnotsaveyou。\"
\"Fromwhat？\"roaredAintree。\"ThinkI\'mafraidofyournight-
sticks？\"
\"Fromarrest！\"
\"Arrestme！\"yelledAintree。\"Doyouknowwho\'stalkingtoyou？
DoyouknowwhoIam？I\'mMajorAintree，damnyou，commandingtheinfantry。An\'I\'mheretochargethatthug——\"
\"Youareherebecauseyouareunderarrest，\"saidStandish。\"Youarearrestedforthreateningthepolice，drunkenness，andassaultingacitizenwithintenttokill——\"Thevoiceoftheyoungmanturnedshrillandrasping。\"Andifthemanshoulddie——\"
Aintreeburstintoabellowofmockinglaughter。
Standishstruckthedeskwithhisopenpalm。
\"Silence！\"hecommanded。
\"Silencetome！\"roaredAintree，\"youimpertinentpup！\"Heflunghimselfforward，shakinghisfist。\"I\'mMajorAintree。I\'myoursuperiorofficer。I\'manofficeran\'agentleman——\"
\"Youarenot！\"repliedStandish。\"Youareadrunkenloafer！\"
Aintreecouldnotbreakthesilence。Amazement，rage，stupefactionheldhiminincredulouswonder。EvenMeehanmoveduneasily。
Betweentheofficercommandingtheinfantryandanofficerofpolice，hefearedthelieutenantwouldnotsurvive。
Butheheardthevoiceofhislieutenantcontinuing，evenly，coldly，likethevoiceofajudgedeliveringsentence。
\"Youareadrunkenloafer，\"repeatedtheboy。\"Andyouknowit。
AndImeanthatto-morrowmorningeveryoneontheZoneshallknowit。AndImeanto-morrownighteveryoneintheStatesshallknowit。You\'vekilledaman，ortriedto，andI\'mgoingtobreakyou。\"
WithhisarmhepointedtoMeehan。\"Breakthatman？\"hedemanded。
\"Fordoinghisduty，fortryingtostopamurder？Striphimofhisshield？\"Theboylaughedsavagely。\"It\'syouIamgoingtostrip，Aintree，\"hecried，\"you\'heroofBatangas\'；I\'mgoingtostripyounaked。I\'mgoingto\'cutthebuttonsoffyourcoat，andtearthestripesaway。\'I\'mgoingtodegradeyouanddisgraceyou，anddriveyououtofthearmy！\"Hethrewhisnote-bookonthetable。\"There\'syourdossier，Aintree，\"hesaid。\"Forthreemonthsyou\'vebeendrunk，andthere\'syourrecord。Thepolicegotitforme；it\'swrittentherewithdatesandthenamesofwitnesses。I\'llsweartoit。I\'vebeenafteryoutogetyou，andI\'vegotyou。
Withthatbook，withwhatyoudidto-night，you\'llleavethearmy。Youmayresign，youmaybecourt-martialled，youmaybehung。Idon\'tgiveadamnwhattheydotoyou，butyouwillleavethearmy！\"
HeturnedtoMeehan，andwithajerkofthehandsignifiedAintree。
\"Puthiminacell，\"hesaid。\"Ifheresists——\"
Aintreegavenosignofresisting。Hestoodmotionless，hisarmshanginglimp，hiseyesprotruding。Theliquorhaddiedinhim，andhisangerhadturnedchill。Hetriedtomoistenhislipstospeak，buthisthroatwasbaked，andnosoundissued。Hetriedtofocushiseyesuponthemenacinglittlefigurebehindthedesk，butbetweenthetwolampsitswayed，andshrankandswelled。Ofonethingonlywashesure，thatsomegravedisasterhadovertakenhim，somethingthatwhenhecamefullytohissensesstillwouldoverwhelmhim，somethinghecouldnotconquerwithhisfists。
Hisbrain，evenbefuddledasitwas，toldhimhehadbeencaughtbytheheels，thathewasinatrap，thatsmashingthisboywhothreatenedhimcouldnotsethimfree。Herecognized，anditwasthisknowledgethatstirredhimwithalarm，thatthiswasnoordinaryofficerofjustice，butapersonalenemy，anavengingspiritwho，forsomeunknownreason，hadspreadatrap；who，forsomeprivatepurposeofrevenge，woulddraghimdown。
Frowningpainfully，hewavedMeehanfromhim。
\"Wait，\"hecommanded。\"Idon\'unnerstan\'。Whatgood\'sitgoin\'todoyoutolockmeupan\'disgraceme？WhatharmhaveIdoneyou？
Whoaskedyoutorunthearmy，anyway？Whoareyou？\"
\"MynameisStandish，\"saidthelieutenant。\"MyfatherwascoloneloftheThirty-thirdwhenyoufirstjoineditfromtheAcademy。\"
Aintreeexclaimedwithsurpriseandenlightenment。Hebrokeintohurriedspeech，butStandishcuthimshort。
\"AndGeneralStandishoftheMexicanWar，\"hecontinued，\"wasmygrandfather。SinceWashingtonallmypeoplehavebeenofficersoftheregulararmy，andI\'dbeenone，too，ifI\'dbeenbrightenough。
That\'swhyIrespectthearmy。That\'swhyI\'mgoingtothrowyououtofit。You\'vedoneharmfiftymenasgoodasyoucan\'tundo。
You\'vemadedrunkardsofawholebattalion。You\'vetaughtboyswholookeduptoyou，asIlookeduptoyouonce，tolaughatdiscipline，tomakeswineofthemselves。You\'vesetthemanexample。
I\'mgoingtomakeanexampleofyou。That\'sallthereistothis。I\'vegotnogrudgeagainstyou。I\'mnotvindictive；I\'msorryforyou。But，\"
hepausedandpointedhishandatAintreeasthoughitheldagun，\"youaregoingtoleavethearmy！\"
Likeamancomingoutofanuglydream，Aintreeopenedandshuthiseyes，shivered，andstretchedhisgreatmuscles。Theywatchedhimwithaneffortofthewillforcehimselfbacktoconsciousness。
Whenagainhespoke，histonewassane。
\"Seehere，Standish，\"hebegan，\"I\'llnotbegofyouoranyman。
Ionlyaskyoutothinkwhatyou\'redoing。Thismeansmyfinish。
Ifyouforcethisthroughto-nightitmeanscourt-martial，itmeansIlosemycommission，Ilose——losethingsyouknownothingabout。
And，ifI\'vegotarecordfordrinking，I\'vegotarecordforotherthings，too。Don\'tforgetthat！\"
Standishshookhishead。\"Ididn\'tforgetit，\"hesaid。
\"Well，supposeIdid，\"demandedAintree。\"SupposeIdidgoontheloose，justtopassthetime，justbecauseI\'msickofthisdamnedditch？Isitfairtowipeoutallthatwentbefore，forthat？I\'mtheyoungestmajorinthearmy，Iservedinthreecampaigns，I\'mamedal-of-honorman，I\'vegotacareeraheadofme，and——andI\'mgoingtobemarried。Ifyougivemeachance-\"
Standishstruckthetablewithhisfist。
\"Iwillgiveyouachance，\"hecried。\"Ifyou\'llgiveyourwordtothismanandtome，that，sohelpyouGod，you\'llneverdrinkagain——I\'llletyougo。\"
IfwhatStandishproposedhadbeensomethingbase，Aintreecouldnothaveaccepteditwithmorecontempt。
\"I\'llseeyouinhellfirst，\"hesaid。
Asthoughtheinterviewwasatanend，Standishdroppedintohischairandleaningforward，fromthetablepickedupacigar。Ashelitit，hemotionedMeehantowardhisprisoner，butbeforethepolicemancouldadvancethesoundoffootstepshaltedhim。
Bullard，hiseyesfilledwithconcern，leapedupthesteps，andrantothedesk。
\"Lieutenant！\"hestammered，\"thatman——theniggerthatofficershot——he\'sdead！\"
Aintreegaveagaspthatwaspartlyagroan，partlyacryofprotest，andBullard，asthoughforthefirsttimeawareofhispresence，sprangbacktotheopendoorandplacedhimselfbetweenitandAintree。
\"It\'smurder！\"hesaid。
Noneofthethreemenspoke；andwhenMeehancrossedtowhereAintreestood，staringfearfullyatnothing，hehadonlytotouchhissleeve，andAintree，stillstaring，fellintostepbesidehim。
FromtheyardoutsideStandishheardtheirondoorofthecellswingshut，heardthekeygrateinthelock，andthefootstepsofMeehanreturning。
Meehanlaidthekeyuponthedesk，andwithBullardstoodatattention，waiting。
\"Givehimtime，\"whisperedStandish。\"Letitsinkin！\"
AttheendofhalfanhourStandishheardAintreecalling，and，withMeehancarryingalantern，steppedintotheyardandstoppedatthecelldoor。
Aintreewasquitesober。Hisfacewassetandwhite，hisvoicewasdullwithsuffering。Hestooderect，claspingthebarsinhishands。
\"Standish，\"hesaid，\"yougavemeachanceawhileago，andI
refusedit。Iwasroughaboutit。I\'msorry。ItmademehotbecauseIthoughtyouwereforcingmyhand，blackmailingmeintodoingsomethingIoughttodoasafreeagent。Now，Iamafreeagent。Youcouldn\'tgivemeachancenow，youcouldn\'tletmegonow，notifIsworeonathousandBibles。Idon\'tknowwhatthey\'llgiveme——Leavenworthforlife，orhanging，orjustdismissal。
But，you\'vegotwhatyouwanted——I\'mleavingthearmy！\"BetweenthebarshestretchedouthisarmsandheldahandtowardMeehanandStandish。Inthesamedull，numbedvoicehecontinued。
\"So，now，\"hewenton，\"thatI\'venothingtogainbyit，Iwanttosweartoyouandtothismanhere，thatwhetherIhang，orgotojail，oramturnedloose，Iwillnever，sohelpmeGod，takeanotherdrink。\"
Standishwasholdingthehandofthemanwhooncehadbeenhishero。Heclutchedittight。
\"Aintree，\"hecried，\"supposeIcouldworkamiracle；supposeI\'veplayedatrickonyou，toshowyouyourdanger，toshowyouwhatmightcometoyouanyday——doesthatoathstillstand？\"
Thehandthatheldhisgroundthebonestogether。
\"I\'vegivenmyword！\"criedAintree。\"FortheloveofGod，don\'ttortureme。Isthemanalive？\"
AsStandishswungopenthecelldoor，theheroofBatangas，hewhocouldthrashanymanontheisthmus，crumpleduplikeachilduponhisshoulder。
AndMeehan，asheranforwater，shoutedjoyfully。
\"Thatnigger，\"hecalledtoBullard，\"cangohomenow。Thelieutenantdon\'twanthimnomore。
\"
EVILTOHIMWHOEVILTHINKS
Asarule，theinstanttheseasonclosedAlineProctorsailedonthefirststeamerforLondon，whereawaitedhermanyfriends，bothEnglishandAmerican——andtoParis，wheresheselectedthosegownsthatonandoffthestagehelpedtomakeherfamous。ButthisparticularsummershehadspentwiththeEndicottsatBarHarbor，anditwasattheirhouseHerbertNelsonmether。AfterHerbertmetherveryfewothermenenjoyedthatprivilege。Thiswasherwishaswellashis。
Theybehaveddisgracefully。Everymorningafterbreakfasttheydisappearedandspentthedayatoppositeendsofacanoe。She，knowingnothingofacanoe，washappyinstabbingthewaterswithherpaddlewhilehetoldherhowhelovedherandatthesametime，withanxiouseyesonhisownpaddle，skilfullyfrustratedhereffortstodrownthemboth。Whiletheaffairlasteditwasidealandbeautiful，butunfortunatelyitlastedonlytwomonths。
ThenLordAlbany，temporarilyinAmericaashonoraryattachetotheBritishembassy，hisadoringglances，hisaccent，andthewayhebrushedhishair，provedtoomuchforthesusceptibleheartofAline，andshechuckedHerbertandaskedherselfhowawomanofheragecouldhaveseriouslyconsideredmarryingayouthjustoutofHarvard！Atthattimeshewasawomanofnineteen；but，asshehadbeenbeforethepubliceversinceshewaseleven，thewomendeclaredshewasnotadayundertwenty-six；andthemenknewshecouldnotpossiblybeoversixteen！
Aline\'sownideaofherselfwasthatwithoutsomeoneinlovewithhershecouldnotexist——that，unlesssheknewsomemancaredforherandforheralone，shewouldwitheranddie。Asamatteroffact，whetheranyonelovedherornotdidnotintheleastinteresther。Therewereseveraldozenmenwhocouldtestifytothat。Theyknew！Whatshereallywantedwastobeheadoverearsinlove——toadoresomeone，toworshiphim，toimagineherselfstarvingforhimandmakingsacrificehitsforhim；butwhenthemomentcametomakethesacrificehitandmarrytheman，sheinvariablyfoundthatagreater，truerlovehadarisen——forsomeoneelse。
Thisgreaterandtruerlovealwaysmadeherbehaveabominablytotheyouthshehadjustjilted。Shewastednotimeonpost-mortems。
Shewassoeagertoshowherabsoluteloyaltytothenewmonarchthatshegrudgedeverythoughtsheeverhadgiventheoneshehadcastintoexile。Sheresentedhimbitterly。Shecouldnotforgivehimforhavingallowedhertobedesperatelyinlovewithhim。Heshouldhaveknownhewasnotworthyofsuchaloveashers。Heshouldhaveknownthattherealprincewaswaitingonlyjustroundthecorner。
Asaruletherejectedonesbehavedwell。EachdecidedAlinewasmuchtoowonderfulacreatureforhim，andcontinuedtolovehercautiouslyandfromadistance。Noneofthemeverspokeorthoughtillofherandwouldgladlyhavepunchedanyonewhodid。ItwasonlythewomenwhoseyoungmenAlinehadtemporarilyconfiscated，andthenreturnedsaddenedandchastened，whowerespiteful。AndtheydaredsaynomorethanthatAlinewouldprobablyhaveknownhermindbetterifshehadhadamothertolookafterher。This，comingtotheearsofAline，causedhertoreplythatagirlwhocouldnotkeepstraightherself，butneededamothertohelpher，wouldnotkeepstraighthadsheadozenmothers。Assheputitcheerfully，agirlwhogoeswrongandthenpleads\"nomothertoguideher\"islikeajockeywhopullsaraceandthenblamesthehorse。
EachoftheyoungmenAlinerejectedmarriedsomeoneelseand，exceptwhenthenameofAlineProctorinthetheatricaladvertisementsorinelectriclightsonBroadwaygavehimastart，forgotthatforamonthhernameandhisownhadbeenlinkedtogetherfromPortlandtoSanFrancisco。Butthegirlhemarrieddidnotforget。SheneverunderstoodwhatthepublicsawinAlineProctor。ThatAlinewasthequeenofmusicalcomedysheattributedtothefactthatAlineknewtherightpeopleandgotherselfwrittenaboutintherightway。Butthatshecouldsing，dance，act；thatshepossessedcompellingcharm；thatshe\"gotacross\"notonlytothetiredbusinessman，thewineagent，thecollegeboy，butalsotothechildrenandtheoldladies，wastoherneverapparent。
JustasAlinecouldnotforgivetherejectedsuitorforallowinghertolovehim，sothegirlhemarriedneverforgaveAlineforhavinglovedherhusband。LeastofallcouldSallyWinthrop，whotwoyearsafterthesummeratBarHarbormarriedHerbertNelson，forgiveher。AndsheletHerbertknowit。HerbertwasproperlyinlovewithSallyWinthrop，buthelikedtothinkthathisengagementtoAline，thoughbriefandabruptlyterminated，hadprovedhimtobeamanfatallyattractivetoallwomen。AndthoughhewashypnotizinghimselfintobelievingthathisfeelingforAlinehadbeenthegrandpassion，thetruthwasthatallthatkeptherinhisthoughtswashisownvanity。Hewasnotdiscontentedwithhislot——hislotbeingSallyWinthrop，hermillions，andherestateofthreehundredacresnearWestbury。
NorwashestilllongingforAline。Itwasonlythathisvanitywasflatteredbytherecollectionthatoneoftheyoungwomenmostbelovedbythepublichadoncelovedhim。
\"IoncewasakinginBabylon，\"heusedtomisquotetohimself，\"andshewasaChristianslave。\"
Hewasasyoungasthat。
Hadhebeencontentinsecrettoassurehimselfthatheoncehadbeenareigningmonarch，hisvanitywouldhaveharmednoone；
but，unfortunately，hepossessedcertaindocumentaryevidencetothatfact。Andhewassufficientlyfoolishnottowishtodestroyit。TheevidenceconsistedofadozenphotographshehadsnappedofAlineduringthehappydaysatBarHarbor，andonwhichshehadwrittenphrasessomewhatexuberantandsentimental。
FromthesephotographsNelsonwasloathtopart——especiallywithonethatshowedAlineseatedonarockthatranintothewatersoftheharbor，andonwhichshehadwritten：\"Aslongasthisrocklasts！\"EachtimeshewasinloveAlinebelieveditwouldlast。
Thatinthepastitneverhadlasteddidnotdiscourageher。
WhattodowiththesephotographsthatsovividlyrecalledthemosttumultuousperiodofhislifeNelsoncouldnotdecide。IfhehidthemawayandSallyfoundthem，heknewshewouldmakehislifemiserable。IfhediedandSallythenfoundthem，whenhenolongerwasabletoexplainthattheymeantnothingtohim，shewouldbelievehealwayshadlovedtheotherwoman，anditwouldmakehermiserable。Hefelthecouldnotsafelykeeptheminhisownhouse；hisvanitydidnotpermithimtoburnthem，and，accordingly，hedecidedtounloadthemonsomeoneelse。
TheyoungmantowhomheconfidedhiscollectionwasCharlesCochran。CochranwasacharmingpersonfromtheWest。HehadstudiedintheBeauxArtsandonfoothadtravelledoverEnglandandEurope，preparinghimselftotryhisfortuneinNewYorkasanarchitect。HewasnowintheofficeofthearchitectsPost&
Constant，andlivedaloneinatinyfarmhousehehadmadeoverforhimselfnearHerbertNelson，atWestbury，LongIsland。
Post&ConstantwereafashionablefirmandwereresponsibleformanyoftheFrenchchateauxandEnglishcountryhousesthatwererisingnearWestbury，Hempstead，andRoslyn；anditwasCochran\'sdutytodriveoverthatterritoryinhisrunabout，keepaneyeonthecontractors，anddissuadeclientsfromgraftingmansardroofsonItalianvillas。HehadbuiltthesummerhomeoftheHerbertNelsons，andHerbertandCharleswereverywarmfriends。CharleswasofthesamelackofyearsaswasHerbert，ofanenthusiasticandsentimentalnature；and，likemanyotheryoungmen，thestoryofhislifealsowasthelovelyandmuch-desiredAlineProctor。
ItwasthiscoincidencethathadmadethemfriendsandthathadledHerberttoselectCharlesasthecustodianofhistreasure。
AsacustodianandconfidantCharlesespeciallyappealedtohisnewfriend，because，exceptuponthestageandinrestaurants，CharleshadneverseenAlineProctor，didnotknowher——andconsideredhersofarabovehim，sounattainable，thathehadnowishtoseekherout。Unknown，hepreferredtoworshipatadistance。InthisdeterminationHerbertstronglyencouragedhim。
WhenheturnedoverthepicturestoCharles，Herbertcouldnotresistshowingthemtohim。Theywereinmanywayscharming。
Theypresentedthequeenofmusicalcomedyinseveralnewroles。
Inoneshewasinasailorsuit，givinganimitationofagirlpaddlingacanoe。Inanothershewasinariding-habitmounteduponaponyofwhichsheseemedverymuchafraid。
Insomeshesatlikeasirenamongtherockswiththewavesandseaweedsnatchingatherfeet，andinanothershecrouchedbeneaththewheelofHerbert\'stouringcar。Allofthephotographswereunprofessionalandintimate，andthelegendsscrawledacrossthemwereevenmoreintimate。
\"\'Aslongasthisrocklasts！\'\"readHerbert。Atarm\'slengthheheldthepictureforCochrantosee，andlaughedbitterlyandunmirthfullyashehadheardleadingmenlaughinproblemplays。
\"Thatiswhatshewrote，\"hemocked——\"buthowlongdiditlast？
Untilshesawthatlittlered-headedAlbanyplayingpolo。Thatlasteduntilhismotherheardofit。Shethoughtherpreciouslambwasintheclutchesofadesigningactress，andmadetheForeignOfficecablehimhome。ThenAlinetookuponeofthosearmyaviators，andchuckedhimforthatfellowwhopaintedherportrait，andthrewhimoverforthelawn-tennischampion。Nowshe\'sengagedtoChesterGriswold，andHeavenpityher！Ofcoursehe\'sthegreatestcatchinAmerica；buthe\'saprigandasnob，andhe\'ssogenerouswithhismoneythathe\'llgiveyoufivepenniesforanickelanytimeyouaskhim。He\'sgotaheartlikethemetreofataxicab，andhe\'sjealousasacat。AlinewillhaveafinetimewithChester！IknewhimatSt。Paul\'sandatHarvard，andhe\'sgotasmuchredbloodinhimasaneel！\"
Cochransprangtothedefenseoftheladyofhisdreams。
\"Theremustbesomegoodintheman，\"heprotested，\"orMissProctor-\"
\"Oh，thosesolemnsnobs，\"declaredHerbert，\"impresswomenbyjustkeepingstill。Griswoldpretendsthereasonhedoesn\'tspeaktoyouisbecausehe\'stoosuperior，buttherealreasonisthatheknowswheneverheopenshismouthheshowsheisanass。\"
ReluctantlyHerbertturnedovertoCharlesthepreciouspictures。
\"Itwouldbeasintodestroythem，wouldn\'tit？\"heprompted。
Cochranagreedheartily。
\"Youmighteven，\"suggestedHerbert，\"leaveoneortwoofthemabout。YouhavesomanyofAlinealreadythatonemorewouldn\'tbenoticed。ThenwhenIdropinIcouldseeit。\"Hesmiledingratiatingly。
\"ButthoseIhaveIbought，\"Cochranpointedout。\"Anybodycanbuythem，butyoursarepersonal。Andthey\'resigned。\"
\"Noonewillnoticethatbutme，\"protestedHerbert。\"Justoneortwo，\"hecoaxed-\"stuckroundamongtheothers。They\'dgivemeaheapofmelancholypleasure。\"
Charlesshookhisheaddoubtfully。
\"Yourwifeoftencomesherewithyou，\"hesaid。\"Idon\'tbelievethey\'dgivehermelancholypleasure。Thequestionis，areyoumarriedtoSallyortoAlineProctor？\"
\"Oh，ofcourse，\"exclaimedHerbert——\"ifyourefuse！\"
WithsuspicioushasteCharlessurrendered。
\"Idon\'trefuse，\"heexplained；\"Ionlyaskifit\'swise。SallyknowsyouwereonceveryfondofMissProctor——knowsyouwereengagedtoher。\"
\"But，\"protestedHerbert，\"SallyseesyourphotographsofAline。
Whatdifferencecanafewmoremake？Aftershe\'sseenadozenshegetsusedtothem。\"
NosoonerhadHerbertlefthimthanthecustodianofthetreasurehimselfselectedthephotographshewoulddisplay。Inthemtheyoungwomanhehad——fromthefrontrowoftheorchestra——soardentlyadmiredappearedinanewlight。ToCochrantheyseemedatoncetorenderhermorekindly，moreapproachable；toshowherasshereallywas，thesortofgirlanyyouthwouldfinditextremelydifficultnottolove。Cochranfounditextremelyeasy。Thephotographsgavehisimaginationalltheroomitwanted。Hebelievedtheyalsogavehimaninsightintoherrealcharacterthatwasdeniedtoanybodyelse。
Hehadalwayscreditedherwithallthevirtues；henowendowedherwitheverycharmofmindandbody。InaweektothetwophotographshehadselectedfromtheloancollectionforpurposesofdisplayandtogiveHerbertmelancholypleasurehehadaddedthreemore。Intwoweekstherewerehalfadozen。Inamonth，noblyframedinsilver，inleatherofred，green，andblue，theentirecollectionsmileduponhimfromeverypartofhisbedroom。Forhenowkeptthemwherenoonebuthimselfcouldseethem。Nolongerwasheofamindtosharehisborrowedtreasurewithothers——notevenwiththerightfulowner。
ChesterGriswold，spurredonbyAlineProctor，whowantedtobuildasummerhomeonLongIsland，wasmotoringwithPost，ofPost&Constant，intheneighborhoodofWestbury。Posthadpointedoutseveralhousesdesignedbyhisfirm，whichhehopedmightassistGriswoldinmakinguphismindastothekindofhousehewanted；butnonetheyhadseenhadsatisfiedhisclient。
\"WhatIwantisacheaphouse，\"explainedtheyoungmillionaire。
\"Idon\'treallywantahouseatall，\"hecomplained。\"It\'sMissProctor\'sidea。WhenwearemarriedIintendtomoveintomymother\'stownhouse，butMissProctorwantsoneforherselfinthecountry。I\'veagreedtothat；butitmustbesmallanditmustbecheap。\"
\"Cheap\"wasawordthattheclientsofPost&Constantneverused；butPostknewtheweaknessesofsomeofthetrulyrich，andheknewalsothatnohouseeverbuiltcostonlywhatthearchitectsaiditwouldcost。
\"Iknowtheveryhouseyouwant！\"heexclaimed。\"Oneofouryoungmenownsit。Hemadeitoverfromanoldfarmhouse。It\'sverywellarranged；we\'veusedhisground-planseveraltimesanditworksoutsplendidly。Ifhe\'snotathome，I\'11showyouovertheplacemyself。Andifyoulikethehousehe\'sthemantobuildyouone。\"
WhentheyreachedCochran\'shomehewasatGardenCityplayinggolf，buttheservantknewMr。Post，andtohimandhisclientthrewopeneveryroominthehouse。
\"Now，this，\"exclaimedthearchitectenthusiastically，\"isthemaster\'sbedroom。Inyourcaseitwouldprobablybeyourwife\'sroomandyouwouldoccupytheoneadjoining，whichCochrannowusesasaguest-room。Asyousee，theyareentirelycutofffrom-\"
Mr。Griswolddidnotsee。Uptothatmomenthehadgiveneveryappearanceofbeingbothboredandsulky。Nowhisattentionwasentirelyengaged——butnotupontheadmirablesimplicityofMr。
Cochran\'sground-plan，asMr。Posthadhoped。Instead，theeyesofthegreatestcatchinAmericawereintentlyregardingadisplayofphotographsthatsmiledbackathimfromeverycorneroftheroom。Notonlydidheregardthesephotographswithasavageglare，butheapproachedthemandcarefullystudiedtheinscriptionsscrawledacrossthefaceofeach。
Posthimselfcastaglanceatthenearestphotographs，andthenhastilymanoeuvredhisclientintothehallandclosedthedoor。
\"Wewillnow，\"heexclaimed，\"visitthebutler\'spantry，whichopensuponthedining-roomandkitchen，thussaving——\"
ButGriswolddidnothearhim。Withoutgivinganotherglanceatthehousehestampedoutofitand，plumpinghimselfdowninthemotor-car，bangedthedoor。NotuntilPosthaddrivenhimwellintoNewYorkdidhemakeanycomment。
\"Whatdidyousay，\"hethendemanded，\"isthenameofthemanwhoownsthatlasthousewesaw？\"
Posttoldhim。
\"Ineverheardofhim！\"saidGriswoldasthoughheweredeliveringyoungCochran\'sdeathsentence。\"Whoishe？\"
\"He\'sanarchitectinouroffice，\"saidPost。\"Wethinkalotofhim。He\'llleaveussoon，ofcourse。Thebestonesalwaysdo。Hisworkisverypopular。Soishe。\"
\"Ineverheardofhim，\"repeatedGriswold。Then，withsuddenheat，headdedsavagely：\"ButImeantoto-night。\"
WhenGriswoldhadfirstpersuadedAlineProctortoengageherselftohimhehadsuggestedthat，toavoidembarrassment，sheshouldtellhimthenamesoftheothermentowhomshehadbeenengaged。
\"Whatkindofembarrassmentwouldthatavoid？\"
\"IfIamtalkingtoaman，\"saidGriswold，\"andheknowsthewomanI\'mgoingtomarrywasengagedtohimandIdon\'tknowthat，hehasmeatadisadvantage。\"
\"Idon\'tseethathehas，\"saidAline。\"Ifwesuppose，forthesakeofargument，thattomarrymeisdesirable，IwouldsaythatthemanwhowasgoingtomarrymehadtheadvantageovertheoneIhaddeclinedtomarry。\"
\"Iwanttoknowwhothosemenare，\"explainedGriswold，\"becauseIwanttoavoidthem。Idon\'twanttotalktothem。Idon\'twanteventoknowthem。\"
\"Idon\'tseehowIcanhelpyou，\"saidAline。\"Ihaven\'ttheslightestobjectiontotellingyouthenamesofthemenIhavecaredfor，ifIcanrememberthem，butIcertainlydonotintendtotellyouthenameofanymanwhocaredformeenoughtoaskmetomarryhim。That\'shissecret，notmine——certainlynotyours。\"
Griswoldthoughthewasveryproud。Hereallywasveryvain；andasjealousyisonlyvanityinitsnastiestdevelopmenthewasextremelyjealous。Sohepersisted。
\"Willyoudothis？\"hedemanded。\"IfIeveraskyou，\'Isthatoneofthemenyoucaredfor？\'willyoutellme？\"
\"Ifyouwishit，\"saidAline；\"butIcan\'tseeanyhealthinit。
Itwillonlymakeyouuncomfortable。SolongasyouknowIhavegivenyouthegreatestandtruestloveIamcapableof，whyshouldyouconcernyourselfwithmymistakes？\"
\"SothatIcanavoidmeetingwhatyoucallyourmistakes，\"saidGriswold——\"andbeingfriendlywiththem。\"
\"Iassureyou，\"laughedAline，\"itwouldn\'thurtyouabittobeasfriendlywiththemasthey\'dletyou。Maybetheyweren\'tasproudoftheirfamiliesasyouare，buttheymadeupforthatbybeingadarnedsightprouderofme！\"
Later，undismayedbythisandunashamed，ontwooccasionsGriswoldactuallydiddemandofAlineifagenialyouthshehadjustgreetedjoyfullywasoneofthoseforwhomsheoncehadcared。
AndAlinehadrepliedpromptlyandtruthfullythathewas。ButinthecaseofCharlesCochran，GriswolddidnotaskAlineifhewasoneofthoseforwhomsheoncehadcared。HeconsideredtheaffairwithCochransoseriousthat，inregardtothatman，headoptedadifferentcourse。
Indiggingrivalsoutofthepasthisjealousyhadmadehimindefatigable，butinallhisresearchesheneverhadheardthenameofCharlesCochran。ThatfactandtheaddedcircumstancethatAlineherselfneverhadmentionedthemanwasinhiseyessosuspiciousastobealmostadamningevidenceofdeception。AndhearguedthatifinthepastAlinehaddeceivedhimastoCharlesCochranshewouldcontinuetodoso。Accordingly，insteadofaskingherfranklyforthetruthheproceededtolaytrapsforit。AndifthereisonethingTruthcannotabide，itisbeinghuntedbytraps。
ThateveningAlineandhewereinvitedtoasupperinherhonor，andashedroveherfromthetheatretothehomeoftheirhostesshetoldherofhissearchearlierintheday。
TheelectriclightinthelimousineshowedAline\'sfaceasclearlyasthoughitwereheldinaspotlight，andashepreparedhistrapGriswoldregardedherjealously。
\"Posttellsme，\"hesaid，\"hehastheverymanyouwantforyourarchitect。He\'ssureyou\'llfindhimmostunderstandingand——and——
sympathetic。He\'sayoungmanwhoisjustcomingtothefront，andhe\'sverypopular，especiallywithwomen。\"
\"What\'shisbeingpopularwithwomen，\"askedAline，\"gottodowithhiscarryingoutmyideasofahouse？\"
\"That\'sjustit，\"saidGriswold——\"it\'sthewomanwhogenerallyhasthemosttosayastohowherhouseshallbebuilt，andthismanunderstandswoman。Ihavereasonsforbelievinghewillcertainlyunderstandyou！\"
\"Ifheunderstandsmewellenoughtogivemeallthelinen-closetsIwant，\"saidAline，\"hewillbeperfectlysatisfactory。\"
BeforedeliveringhisblowGriswoldsankbackintohiscornerofthecar，drewhishatbrimoverhisforehead，andfixedspyingeyesupontheverylovelyfaceofthegirlhehadaskedtomarryhim。
\"Hisname，\"hesaidinfatefultones，\"isCharlesCochran！\"
Itwassupposedtobeabodyblow；but，tohisdistress，Alineneitherstartednorturnedpale。Neither，fortryingtotrickher，didsheturnuponhiminreproofandanger。Instead，withalerteyes，shecontinuedtopeeroutofthewindowattheelectric-lightadvertisementsandherbelovedBroadway。
\"Well？\"demandedGriswold；histonewashoarseandheavywithmeaning。
\"Wellwhat？\"askedAlinepleasantly。
\"How，\"demandedGriswold，\"doyoulikeCharlesCochranforanarchitect？\"
\"HowshouldIknow？\"askedAline。\"I\'venotmethimyet！\"
Shehadsaidit！Andshehadsaiditwithoutthewaverofoneofherlovelyeyelashes。Nowonderthepublicalreadyhailedherasafinishedactress！Griswoldfeltthathisworstfearswerejustified。Shehadliedtohim。And，asheknewshehadneverbeforeliedtohim，thatnowshedidsoprovedbeyondhopeofdoubtthatthereasonforitwasvital，imperative，andcompelling。
ButofhissuspicionsGriswoldgavenosign。Hewouldnotatonceexposeher。Hehadtrappedher，butasyetshemustnotknowthat。Hewouldwaituntilhehadstillfurtherentangledher——untilshecouldnotescape；andthen，withcompleteproofofherdeceit，hewouldconfrontandoverwhelmher。
WiththisamiablepurposeinmindhecalledearlythenextmorninguponPost&ConstantandaskedtoseeMr。Cochran。Hewished，hesaid，toconsulthimaboutthenewhouse。Posthadnotyetreachedtheoffice，andofGriswold\'svisitwithPosttohishouseCochranwasstillignorant。HereceivedGriswoldmostcourteously。
Hefeltthatthemanwhowaslovedbythegirlhealsohadlongandhopelesslyworshippedwasdeservingofthehighestconsideration。
Griswoldwaslessmagnanimous。Whenhefoundhisrival——forassuchhebeheldhim——wasofcharmingmannersandgallantappearanceheconsideredthatfactanadditionalinjury；butheconcealedhisresentment，forhewasgoingtotrapCochran，too。
Hefoundthearchitectatworkleaningoveradrawing-board，andastheytalkedCochrancontinuedtostand。Hewasinhisshirt-sleeves，whichwererolledtohisshoulders；andthebreadthofthoseshouldersandthemusclesofhissunburnedarmsweremuchinevidence。
Griswoldconsidereditavulgarexhibition。
Forovertenminutestheytalkedsolelyoftheproposedhouse，butnotoncedidGriswoldexposethefactthathehadseenanymoreofitthananyonemightseefromthepublicroad。Whenherosetotakehisleavehesaid：
\"HowwoulditdoifImotoredoutSundayandshowedyourhousetoMissProctor？Sundayistheonlydayshehasoff，andifitwouldnotinconvenienceyou——\"
ThetenderheartofCochranleapedinwildtumult；hecouldnotconcealhisdelight，nordidheattempttodoso；andhisexpressionmadeitentirelyunnecessaryforhimtoassureGriswoldthatsuchavisitwouldbeentirelywelcomeandthattheymightcountonfindinghimathome。Asthoughitwereanafterthought，Griswoldhaltedatthedoorandsaid：
\"IbelieveyouarealreadyacquaintedwithMissProctor。\"
Cochran，consciousoffiveyearsofdevotion，foundthathewasblushing，andlongedtostranglehimself。NorwastheblushlostuponGriswold。
\"I\'msorry，\"saidCochran，\"butI\'venothadthathonor。Onthestage，ofcourse——\"
Heshruggedthebroadshouldersdeprecatingly，asthoughtosuggestthatnottoknowMissProctorasanartistarguesoneselfunknown。
Griswoldpretendedtobepuzzled。Asthoughendeavoringtorecallapastconversationhefrowned。
\"ButAline，\"hesaid，\"toldmeshehadmetyou-metyouatBarHarbor。\"InthefatalphotographsthefamiliarlandfallsofBarHarborhadbeeneasilyrecognized。
Theyoungarchitectshookhishead。
\"ItmustbeanotherCochran，\"hesuggested。\"IhaveneverbeeninBarHarbor。\"
Withtheevidenceofthephotographsbeforehimthislaststatementwasaverdictofguilty，andGriswold，notwiththeideaofgivingCochranalastchancetobehonest，buttocausehimtodigthepitstilldeeper，continuedtoleadhimon。\"MaybeshemeantYorkHarbor？\"
AgainCochranshookhisheadandlaughed。
\"Believeme，\"hesaid，\"ifI\'devermetMissProctoranywhereI
wouldn\'tforgetit！\"
TenminuteslaterGriswoldwastalkingtoAlineoverthetelephone。
Heintendedtoforcematters。HewouldshowAlineshecouldneithertriflewithnordeceiveChesterGriswold；butthethoughtthathehadbeendeceivedwasnotwhatmosthurthim。WhathurthimwastothinkthatAlinehadpreferredamanwholookedlikeanadvertisementforready-madeclothesandwhoworkedinhisshirt-sleeves。
Griswoldtookitforgrantedthatanywomanwouldbegladtomarryhim。
Somanyhadbeenwillingtodosothathewasconvinced，whenoneofthemwasnot，itwasnotbecausetherewasanythingwrongwithhim，butbecausethegirlherselflackedtasteandperception。
Thattheothershadbeeninanydegreemovedbyhismanymillionshadneversuggesteditself。Hewasconvincedeachhadlovedhimforhimselfalone；andifAline，aftermeetinghim，wouldstillconsideranyoneelse，itwasevidentsomethingwasverywrongwithAline。Hewasdeterminedthatshemustbechastened——mustbebroughttoaproperappreciationofhergoodfortuneandofhiscondescension。
Onbeingcalledtothetelephoneatteninthemorning，AlinedemandedtoknowwhatcouldexcuseGriswoldforrousingherinthemiddleofthenight！
Griswoldrepliedthat，thoughthedaywasyoung，italsowascharming；thatonSundaytheremightberain；andthatifshedesiredtoseethehouseheandPostthoughtwouldmostsuither，heandhiscarwouldbedelightedtoconveyhertoit。Theycouldmaketheruninanhour，lunchwithfriendsatWestbury，andreturninplentyoftimeforthetheatre。AlinewasdelightedatthesuddeninterestGriswoldwasshowinginthenewhouse。
Withoutamoment\'shesitationshewalkedintothetrap。Shewouldgo，shedeclared，withpleasure。Inanhourheshouldcallforher。
ExactlyanhourlaterPostarrivedathisoffice。HewentdirectlytoCochran。
\"Charles，\"hesaid，\"I\'mafraidIgotyouintotroubleyesterday。
Itookaclienttoseeyourhouse。Youhaveoftenletusdoitbefore；
butsinceIwastherelastyou\'vemadesomechanges。Inyourbedroom——\"
Poststopped。
Cochran\'snaivehabitofblushingtoldhimitwasnotnecessarytoproceed。IntonesofrageandmortificationCochransworeexplosively；Postwasrelievedtofindhewasswearingathimself。
\"Ioughttobehorsewhipped！\"roaredCochran。\"I\'llneverforgivemyself！Who，\"hedemanded，\"sawthepictures？Wasitamanorawoman？\"
Postlaughedunhappily。
\"ItwasChesterGriswold。\"
AremarkablechangecameoverCochran。Insteadofsoberinghim，asPostsupposeditwould，theinformationmadehimevenmoreangry——onlynowhisangerwastransferredfromhimselftoGriswold。
\"Theblankety-blankbounder！\"yelledCochran。\"Thatwaswhathewanted！That\'swhyhecamehere！\"
\"Here！\"demandedPost。
\"Notanhourago，\"criedCochran。\"HeaskedmeaboutBarHarbor。
HesawthosepicturesweretakenatBarHarbor！\"
\"Ithink，\"saidPostsoothingly，\"he\'darighttoaskquestions。
Thereweresomanypictures，andtheywerevery——well——very！\"
\"I\'dhaveansweredhisquestions，\"roaredCochran，\"ifhe\'daskedthemlikeaman，buthecamesnoopingdownheretospyonme。
Hetriedtotrickme。Heinsultedme！Heinsultedher！\"Heemittedahowlofdismay。\"AndItoldhimI\'dneverbeentoBarHarbor——
thatI\'dnevermetAlineProctor！\"
Cochranseizedhiscoatandhat。Heshoutedtooneoftheofficeboystotelephonethegarageforhiscar。
\"Whatareyou——whereareyougoing？\"demandedPost。
\"I\'mgoinghomefirst，\"criedCochran，\"toputthosepicturesinasafe，asIshouldhavedonethreemonthsago。AndthenI\'mgoingtofindChesterGriswoldandtellhimhe\'sanassandapuppy！\"
\"Ifyoudothat，\"protestedPost，\"you\'relikelytoloseusaveryvaluableclient。\"
\"Andyourclient，\"roaredCharles，\"islikelytolosesomeveryvaluableteeth！\"