Atnightfallitbegantorain。Thewindarosetoo，andalsobegantobuffetasmall，struggling，nondescriptfigure，creepingalongthetrailovertherockyuplandmeadowtowardsRylands\'srancho。
Attimesitsheadwashiddeninwhatappearedtobewingsthrownupwardfromitsshoulders；attimesitsbroad-brimmedhatwascockedjauntilyononeside，andagainthebrimwasfixedoverthefacelikeavisor。Atonemomentadriftingmisshapenmassofdrapery，atthenextitsvaguegarments，beatenbackhardagainstthefigure，revealedoutlinesfartoodelicateforthatrudeenwrapping。ForitwasMrs。Rylandsherself，inherhusband\'shatandher“hiredman\'s“oldbluearmyovercoat，returningfromthepost-officetwomilesaway。Thewindcontinueditsaggressionuntilshereachedthefrontdoorofhernewlyplasteredfarmhouse，andthenaheavierblastshookthepinesabovethelow-pitched，shingledroof，andsentashowerofarrowydropsafterherlikeaParthianparting，assheentered。Shethrewasidetheovercoatandhat，andsomewhatinconsistentlyenteredthesitting-room，towalktothewindowandlookbackuponthepathshehadjusttraversed。
Thewindandtherainsweptdownaslope，halfmeadow，halfclearing，——amileaway，——toafringeofsycamores。Amilefurtherlaythestageroad，where，threehourslater，herhusbandwouldalightonhisreturnfromSacramento。ItwouldbealongwetwalkforJoshuaRylands，astheironlyhorsehadbeenborrowedbyaneighbor。
InthatfadinglightMrs。Rylands\'sovalcheekwasshiningstillfromtheraindrops，buttherewassomethingintheexpressionofherworriedfacethatmighthaveasreadilysuggestedtears。Shewasstrikinglyhandsome，yetquiteasincongruousanornamenttohersurroundingsasshehadbeentoherouterwrappingsamomentago。Eventheclothesshenowstoodinhintedaninadaptibilitytotheweather——thehouse——thepositionsheoccupiedinit。Afiguredsilkdress，spoiledratherthanoverworn，wasstillofaqualityinconsistentwithherevidenthabits，andthelace-edgedpetticoatthatpeepedbeneathitwasdraggledwithmudandunaccustomedusage。Herglossyblackhair，whichhadbeentossedintocurlsinsomeforeignfashion，wasnowwind-blownintoaburlesqueofit。
Thisincongruitywasstillfurtheraccentedbytheappearanceoftheroomshehadentered。Itwascoldlyandseverelyfurnished，makingthechilloftheyetdampwhiteplasterunpleasantlyobvious。Ablackharmoniumorganstoodinonecorner，setoutwithblackandwhitehymn-books；atrestle-liketablecontainedalargeBible；halfadozenblack，horsehair-cushionedchairsstood，geometricallydistant，againstthewalls，fromwhichhungfourengravingsof“ParadiseLost“inblackmourningframes；somedriedfernsandautumnleavesstoodinavaseonthemantelpiece，asifthechilloftheroomhadprematurelyblightedthem。Thecoldlyglitteringgratebelowwasalsodecoratedwithwitheredsprays，asifanattempthadbeenmadetoburnthem，butwasfrustratedthroughdamp。Suddenlyrecalledtoasenseofherwetbootsandthenewcarpet，shehurriedlyturnedaway，crossedthehallintothedining-room，andthencepassedintothekitchen。The“hiredgirl，“alarge-bonedMissourian，adaughterofaneighboringwoodman，waspeelingpotatoesatthetable。Mrs。Rylandsdrewachairbeforethekitchenstove，andputherwetfeetonthehob。
“I\'llbetacooky，MessRylands，you\'vedoneforgotthevanillar，“
saidthegirl，withacertaindomesticandconfidentialfamiliarity。
Mrs。Rylandsstartedguiltily。Shemadeamiserablefeintoflookinginherlapandonthetable。“I\'mafraidIdid，Jane，ifI
didn\'tbringitinHERE。“
“Thatyoudidn\'t，“returnedJane。“AndIreckonyeforgotthat\'arpepper-sauceforyerhusband。“
Mrs。Rylandslookedupwithpiteouscontrition。“Ireallydon\'tknowwhat\'sthematterwithme。Icertainlywentintotheshop，andhaditonmylist，——and——really“——
Janeevidentlyknewhermistress，andsmiledwithsuperiortoleration。“It\'skinderbewilderin\'goin\'inthembigshops，andlookin\'roundthemstuffedshelves。“Theshopatthecrossroadsandpost-officewas14x14，butJanewasnurturedontheplains。
“Anyhow，“sheaddedgood-humoredly，“theexpressmanissuretolookinashegoesby，andyou\'vetimetogivehimtheorder。“
“ButisheSUREtocome？“askedMrs。Rylandsanxiously。“Mr。
Rylandswillbesoputoutwithouthispepper-sauce。“
“He\'ssuretocomeefheknowsyou\'rehere。Yekinalwayskalkilateonthat。“
“Why？“saidMrs。Rylandsabstractedly。
“Why？\'causehejustcan\'tkeephiseyesoffye！That\'swhyhecomeseveryday，——\'tain\'tjestfortrade！“
Thiswasquitetrue，notonlyoftheexpressman，butofthebutcherandbaker，andthe“candlestick-maker，“hadtherebeensoadvancedavocationatthecrossroads。Allwereequallyandcuriouslyattractedbyherpicturesquenovelty。Mrs。Rylandsknewthisherself，butwithoutvanityorcoquettishness。Possiblythatwaswhytheotherwomantoldher。Sheonlyslightlydeepenedthelinesofdiscontentinhercheekandsaidabstractedly，“Well，whenhecomes，YOUaskhim。“
Shedriedhershoes，putonapairofslippersthathadafadedsplendoraboutthem，andwentuptoherbedroom。Hereshehesitatedforsometimebetweenthesewing-machineandherknitting-needles，butfinallysettleduponthelatter，andapairofsocksforherhusbandwhichshehadbegunayearago。Butshepresentlydespairedoffinishingthembeforehereturned，threehourshence，andsoappliedherselftothesewing-machine。Foralittlewhileitssinginghumwasheardbetweentheblaststhatshookthehouse，butthethreadpresentlysnapped，andthemachinewasputasidesomewhatimpatiently，withadiscontenteddrawingofthelinesaroundherhandsomemouth。Thenshebeganto“tidy“theroom，puttingagreatmanythingsawayandbringingoutagreatmanymore，aprocessthatwasnecessarilyslow，owingtoherfallingintoattitudesofminuteinspectionofcertainarticlesofdress，withintervalsoftryingthemon，andobservingtheireffectinhermirror。Thiskindofinterruptionalsooccurredwhileshewasputtingawaysomebooksthatwerelyingaboutonchairsandtables，stoppingmidwaytoopentheirpages，becominginterested，andquitefinishingonechapter，withthebookheldcloseagainstthewindowtocatchthefadinglightofday。ThefemininereaderwillgatherfromthisthatMrs。Rylands，thoughcharming，wasnotfacileindomesticduties。Shehadjustglancedattheclock，andlitthecandletoagainsetherselftowork，andthusbridgeoverthetwohoursmoreofwaiting，whentherecameatapatthedoor。
SheopenedittoJane。
“There\'sanentirestrangerdownstairs，ezhezgotalamehossandwantstoborryafreshone。“
“Wehavenone，youknow，“saidMrs。Rylands，alittleimpatiently。
“Thet\'swhatItoldhim。Thenhewantedtoknowefhecouldliebyheretillhecouldgetoneorfixuphisownhoss。“
“Asyoulike；youknowifyoucanmanageit，“saidMrs。Rylands，alittleuneasily。“WhenMr。Rylandscomesyoucanarrangeitbetweenyou。Whereishenow？“
“Inthekitchen。“
“Thekitchen！“echoedMrs。Rylands。
“Yes，ma\'am，Ishowedhimintotheparlor，buthekindershiveredhisshoulders，andreckonedezhowhe\'dgointerthekitchen。Yesee，ma\'am，hewasallwet，andhisshinybigbootswassloppy。
Butheain\'toneo\'thestuck-upkind，andhe\'swillin\'tomakehisselfcowf\'blebeforethekitchenstove。“
“Well，then，hedon\'twantME，“saidMrs。Rylands，witharelievedvoice。
“Yes\'m，“saidJane，apparentlyequallyrelieved。“Only，IthoughtI\'djusttellyou。“
Afewminuteslater，incrossingtheupperhall，Mrs。RylandsheardJane\'svoicefromthekitchenraisedinrusticlaughter。Hadshebeensatiricallyinclined，shemighthaveunderstoodJane\'swillingnesstorelievehermistressofthedutyofentertainingthestranger；hadshebeenphilosophical，shemighthaveconsideredthegirl\'sdreary，monotonouslifeattherancho，andmadeallowanceforherjoyatthisrareinterruptionofit。ButIfearthatMrs。
Rylandswasneithersatiricalnorphilosophical，andpresently，whenJanereentered，withcolorinheralkalineface，andlightinherhuckleberryeyes，andsaidshewasgoingovertothecattle-
shedsinthe“farpasture，“toseeifthehiredmandidn\'tknowofsomehorsethatcouldbegotforthestranger，Mrs。RylandsfeltalittlebitternessinthethoughtthatthegirlwouldhavescarcelyvolunteeredtogoallthatdistanceintherainforHER。Yet，inafewmomentssheforgotallaboutit，andeventhepresenceofherguestinthehouse，andinoneofherfitfulabstractedemploymentspassedthroughthedining-roomintothekitchen，andhadopenedthedoorwithan“Oh，Jane！“beforesherememberedherabsence。
Thekitchen，litbyasinglecandle，couldbeonlypartlyseenbyherasshestoodwithherhandonthelock，althoughsheherselfwasplainlyvisible。Therewasapause，andthenaquiet，self-
possessed，yetamused，voiceanswered:——
“Mynameisn\'tJane，andifyou\'retheladyofthehouse，Ireckonyourswasn\'tALWAYSRylands。“
AtthesoundofthevoiceMrs。Rylandsthrewthedoorwideopen，andashereyesfelluponthespeaker——herunknownguest——sherecoiledwithalittlecry，andawhite，startledface。Yetthestrangerwasyoungandhandsome，dressedwithascrupulousnessandelegancewhicheventhestressoftravelhadnotderanged，andhewaslookingatherwithasmileofrecognition，mingledwiththatcarelessaudacityandself-possessionwhichseemedtobethecharacteristicofhisface。
“JackHamlin！“shegasped。
“That\'sme，allthetime，“herespondedeasily，“andYOU\'RENellMontgomery！“
“HowdidyouknowIwashere？Whotoldyou？“shesaidimpetuously。
“Nobody！neverwassosurprisedinmylife！Whenyouopenedthatdoorjustnowyoumighthaveknockedmedownwithafeather。“Yethespokelazily，withanamusedface，andlookedatherwithoutchanginghisposition。
“ButyouMUSThaveknownSOMETHING！Itwasnomereaccident，“shewentonvehemently，glancingaroundtheroom。
“That\'swhereyouslipup，Nell，“saidHamlinimperturbably。“ItWASanaccidentandabadone。Myhorselamedhimselfcomingdownthegrade。Isightedthenearestshanty，whereIthoughtImightgetanotherhorse。Ithappenedtobethis。“Forthefirsttimehechangedhisattitude，andleanedbackcontemplativelyinhischair。
Shecametowardshimquickly。“Youdidn\'tusetolie，Jack，“shesaidhesitatingly。
“Couldn\'tafforditinmybusiness，——andcan\'tnow，“saidJackcheerfully。“But，“headdedcuriously，asifrecognizingsomethinginhiscompanion\'sagitation，andliftinghisbrownlashestoher，thewindow，andtheceiling，“what\'sallthisabout？What\'syourlittlegamehere？“
“I\'mmarried，“shesaid，withnervousintensity，——“married，andthisismyhusband\'shouse！“
“Notmarriedstraightout！——regularlyfixed？“
“Yes，“shesaidhurriedly。
“Oneoftheboys？Don\'trememberanyRylands。SPELTERusedtobeverysweetonyou，——butSpeltermightn\'thavebeenhisrealname？“
“Noneofourlot！Nooneyoueverknew；a——astraightout，squareman，“shesaidquickly。
“Isay，Nell，lookhere！Yououghttohaveshownupyourcardswithoutevenacall。YououghttohavetoldhimthatyoudancedattheCasino。“
“Idid。“
“Beforeheaskedyoutomarryhim？“
“Before。“
Jackgotupfromhischair，puthishandsinhispockets，andlookedathercuriously。ThisNellMontgomery，thismusic-hall“danceandsonggirl，“thisgirlofwhomsomuchhadbeenSAIDandsolittlePROVED！Well，thiswasbecominginteresting。
“Youdon\'tunderstand，“shesaid，withnervousfeverishness；“yourememberafterthatrowIhadwithJim，thatnightthemanagergaveusasupper，——whenhetreatedmelikeadog？“
“Hedidthat，“interruptedJack。
“Ifeltfitforanything，“shesaid，withahalf-hystericallaugh，thatseemedvoiced，however，tochecksomeslumberingmemory。“I\'dhavecutmythroatorhis，itdidn\'tmatterwhich“——
“Itmatteredsomethingtous，Nell，“putinJackagain，withpoliteparenthesis；“don\'tleaveUSoutinthecold。“
“Istartedfrom\'Friscothatnightontheboatreadytoflingmyselfintoanything——ortheriver！“shewentonhurriedly。“Therewasamaninthecabinwhonoticedme，andbegantohangaround。I
thoughtheknewwhoIwas，——hadseenmeontheposters；andasI
didn\'tfeellikefoolin\'，Itoldhimso。Buthewasn\'tthatkind。
HesaidhesawIwasintroubleandwantedmetotellhimall。“
Mr。Hamlinregardedhercheerfully。“Andyoutoldhim，“hesaid，“howyouhadoncerunawayfromyourchildhood\'shappyhometogoonthestage！Howyoualwaysregrettedit，andwouldhavegonebackbutthatthedoorswereshutforeveragainstyou！Howyoulongedtoleave，butthewickedmenandwomenaroundyoualways“——
“Ididn\'t！“sheburstout，withsuddenpassion；“youknowIdidn\'t。
Itoldhimeverything:whoIwas，whatIhaddone，whatIexpectedtodoagain。Ipointedoutthemen——whoweresittingthere，whisperingandgrinningatus，asiftheywereinthefrontrowofthetheatre——andsaidIknewthemall，andtheyknewme。Ineversparedmyselfathing。Isaidwhatpeoplesaidofme，anddidn\'tevencaretosayitwasn\'ttrue！“
“Oh，come！“protestedJack，inperfunctorypoliteness。
“Hesaidhelikedmefortellingthetruth，andnotbeingashamedtodoit！Hesaidthesinwasinthefalseshameandthehypocrisy；
forthat\'sthesortofmanheis，yousee，andthat\'slikehimalways！HeaskedifIwouldmarryhim——outofhand——anddomybesttobehislawfulwife。Hesaidhewantedmetothinkitoverandsleeponit，andto-morrowhewouldcomeandseemeforananswer。
Islippedofftheboatat\'Frisco，andwentalonetoahotelwhereI
wasn\'tknown。InthemorningIdidn\'tknowwhetherhe\'dkeephiswordorI\'dkeepmine。Buthecame！Hesaidhe\'dmarrymethatveryday，andtakemetohisfarminSantaClara。Iagreed。I
thoughtitwouldtakemeoutofeverybody\'sknowledge，andthey\'dthinkmedead！Weweremarriedthatday，beforearegularclergyman。Iwasmarriedundermyownname，“——shestoppedandlookedatJack，withahystericallaugh，——“buthemademewriteunderneathit，\'knownasNellMontgomery；\'forhesaidHEwasn\'tashamedofit，norshouldIbe。“
“Doeshewearlonghairandstickstrawsinit？“saidHamlingravely。“Doeshe\'hearvoices\'andhave\'visions\'？“
“He\'sashrewd，sensible，hard-workingman，——nomoremadthanyouare，norasmadasIwasthedayImarriedhim。He\'sliveduptoeverythinghe\'ssaid。“Shestopped，hesitatedinherquick，nervousspeech；herlipquiveredslightly，butsherecalledherself，andlookingimploringly，yethopelessly，atJack，gasped，“Andthat\'swhat\'sthematter！“
Jackfixedhiseyeskeenlyuponher。“Andyou？“hesaidcurtly。
“I？“sherepeatedwonderingly。
“Yes，whathaveYOUdone？“hesaid，withsuddensharpness。
Thewonderwassoapparentinhereyesthathiskeenglancesoftened。“Why，“shesaidbewilderingly，“Ihavebeenhisdog，hisslave，——asfarashewouldletme。Ihavedoneeverything；Ihavenotbeenoutofthehouseuntilhealmostdrovemeout。Ihaveneverwantedtogoanywhereorseeanyone；buthehasalwaysinsisteduponit。Iwouldhavebeenwillingtoslavehere，dayandnight，andhavebeenhappy。ButhesaidImustnotseemtobeashamedofmypast，whenheisnot。Iwouldhaveworncommonhomespunclothesandcalicofrocks，andbeengladofit，butheinsistsuponmywearingmybestthings，evenmytheatrethings；andashecan\'taffordtobuymore，IwearthesethingsIhad。Iknowtheylookbeastlyhere，andthatI\'malaughing-stock，andwhenI
gooutIwearalmostanythingtotryandhidethem；but，“herlipquivereddangerouslyagain，“hewantsmetodoit，anditpleaseshim。“
Jacklookeddown。Afterapauseheliftedhislashestowardsherdraggledskirt，andsaidinaneasier，conversationaltone，“Yes！
IthoughtIknewthatdress。Igaveittoyouforthatwalkingscenein\'HighLife，\'didn\'tI？“
“No，“shesaidquickly，“itwastheblueonewithsilvertrimming，——
don\'tyouremember？ItriedtoturnitthefirstyearIwasmarried，butitneverlookedthesame。“
“Itwassweetlypretty，“saidJackencouragingly，“andwiththatbluehatlinedwithsilver，itwasjustfetching！SomehowIdon\'tquiterememberthisone，“andhelookedatitcritically。
“Ihaditattheracesin\'58，andthatsupperJudgeBoompointergaveusat\'FriscowhereColonelFishupsetthetabletryingtogetatJim。Doyouknow，“shesaid，withalittlelaugh，“it\'sgotthestainsofthechampagneonityet；itneverwouldcomeoff。See！“
andsheheldthecandlewithgreatanimationtothebreadthofsilkbeforeher。
“Andthere\'smoreofitonthesleeve，“saidJack；“isn\'tthere？“
Mrs。RylandslookedreproachfullyatJack。
“Thatisn\'tchampagne；don\'tyouknowwhatitis？“
“No！“
“It\'sblood，“shesaidgravely；“whenthatMexicancutpoorNedsobad，——don\'tyouremember？Iheldhisheaduponmyarmwhileyoubandagedhim。“Sheheavedalittlesigh，andthenadded，withafaintlaugh，“That\'stheworstthingabouttheclothesofagirlintheprofession，theygetspoiledorstainedbeforetheywearout。“
ThislargetruthdidnotseemtoimpressMr。Hamlin。“WhydidyouleaveSantaClara？“hesaidabruptly，inhispreviouscriticaltone。
“Becauseofthefolksthere。Theywerestandoffishandugly。Yousee，Josh“——
“Who？“
“JoshRylands！——HIM！HetoldeverybodywhoIwas，eventhosewhohadneverseenmeinthebills，——howgoodIwastomarryhim，howhehadfaithinmeandwasn\'tashamed，——untiltheydidn\'tbelieveweweremarriedatall。Sotheylookedanotherwaywhentheymetus，anddidn\'tcall。AndallthewhileIwasgladtheydidn\'t，buthewouldn\'tbelieveit，andallowedIwaspiningonaccountofit。“
“Andwereyou？“
“IsweartoGod，Jack，I\'dhavebeencontent，andmore，tohavebeenjusttherewithhim，seein\'nobody，lettingeveryonebelieveIwasdeadandgone，buthesaiditwaswrong，andweak！Maybeitwas，“sheadded，withashy，interrogatinglookatJack，ofwhich，however，hetooknonotice。“Thenwhenhefoundtheywouldn\'tcall，whatdoyouthinkhedid？“
“Beatyou，perhaps，“suggestedJackcheerfully。
“Heneverdidathingtomethatwasn\'tstraightout，square，andkind，“shesaid，halfindignantly，halfhopelessly。“HethoughtifHISkindofpeoplewouldn\'tseeme，Imightliketoseemyownsort。Sowithoutsayinganythingtome，hebroughtdown，ofallthings！TinkieClifford，shethatusedtodanceinthecheapvarietyshowsat\'Frisco，andherparticularfriend，CaptainSykes。
Itwouldhavejustkilledyou，Jack，“shesaid，withasuddenhystericburstoflaughter，“tohaveseenJosh，inhissquare，straight-outway，tryingtobecivilandhelpthingsalong。But，“
shewenton，assuddenlyrelapsingintoherformerattitudeofworriedappeal，“Icouldn\'tstandit，andwhenshegottotalkingfreeandeasybeforeJosh，andCaptainSykestoguzzlingchampagne，sheandmehadarow。SheallowedIwasputtingonairs，andI
madeherwalk，inspiteofJosh。“
“AndJoshseemedtolikeit，“saidHamlincarelessly。“Hasheseenhersince？“
“No；Ireckonhe\'scuredofaskingthatkindofcompanyforme。
Andthenwecamehere。ButIpersuadedhimnottobeginbygoingroundtellingpeoplewhoIwas，——ashedidthelasttime，——buttoleaveittofolkstofindoutiftheywantedto，andhegavein。
Thenheletmefixupthishouseandfurnishitmyownway，andI
did！“
“DoyoumeantosaythatYOUfixedupthatfamilyvaultofasitting-room？“saidJack，inhorror。
“Yes，Ididn\'twantanyfancyfurnitureorlooking-glasses，andsuchlike，toattractfolks，noranythingtolookliketheoldtimes。Idon\'tthinkanyoftheboyswouldcaretocomehere。AndIgotridofalotofsportingtravelers，\'wild-cat\'managers，andthatkindoftrampinthisway。But“——Shehesitated，andherfacefellagain。
“Butwhat？“saidJack。
“Idon\'tthinkthatJoshlikesiteither。Hebroughthometheotherday\'MyJohnnyisaShoemakiyure，\'andwantedmetotryitontheorgan。Butitremindedmehowweusedtogetjustsickofsingingitonandofftheboards，andIcouldn\'ttouchit。Hewantedmetogotothecircusthatwastouringoveratthecrossroads，butitwastheoldFlanigin\'scircus，youknow，theoneGussieRiggsusedtoridein，withitsoldclownanditsoldringmasterandtheold\'wheezes，\'andIchuckedit。“
“Lookhere，“saidJack，risingandsurveyingMrs。Rylandscritically。“Ifyougoonatthisgait，I\'lltellyouwhatthatmanofyourswilldo。He\'llboltwithsomeofyouroldfriends！“
Sheturnedaquick，scaredfaceuponhimforaninstant。Butonlyforaninstant。Herhystericlittlelaughreturned，atonce，followedbyherweary，worriedlook。“No，Jack，youdon\'tknowhim！Ifitwasonlythat！Hecaresonlyformeinhisownway，——
and，“shestammeredasshewenton，“I\'venoluckinmakinghimhappy。“
Shestopped。Thewindshookthehouseandfiredavolleyofrainagainstthewindows。Shetookadvantageofittodrawatornlace-
edgedhandkerchieffromherpocketbehind，andkeepingthetailofhereyesinafrightenedfashiononJack，appliedthehandkerchieffurtively，firsttohernose，andthentohereyes。
“Don\'tdothat，“saidJackfastidiously，“it\'swetenoughoutside。“
Nevertheless，hestoodupandgazedather。
“Well，“hebegan。
Shetimidlydrewnearertohim，andtookaseatonthekitchentable，lookingupwistfullyintohiseyes。
“Well，“resumedJackargumentatively，“ifhewon\'t\'chuck\'you，whydon\'tyou\'chuck\'HIM？“
Sheturnedquitewhite，andsuddenlydroppedhereyes。“Yes，“shesaid，almostinaudibly，“lotsofgirlswoulddothat。“
“Idon\'tmeangobacktoyouroldlife，“continuedJack。“Ireckonyou\'vehadenoughofthat。Butgetintosomebusiness，youknow，likeotherwomen。Abonnetshop，oracandyshopforchildren，see？I\'llhelpstartyou。I\'vegotacoupleofhundred，ifnotinmyownpocketinsomebody\'selse，justburningtobeused！Andthenyoucanlookaboutyou；andperhapssomesquarebusinessmanwillturnupandyoucanmarryhim。Youknowyoucan\'tlivethisway，nohow。It\'skillingyou；itain\'tfaironyou，noronRylandseither。“
“No，“shesaidquickly，“itain\'tfaironHIM。Iknowit，Iknowitisn\'t，Iknowitisn\'t，“sherepeated，“only“——Shestopped。
“Onlywhat？“saidJackimpatiently。
Shedidnotspeak。Afterapauseshepickeduptherolling-pinfromthetableandbeganabsentlyrollingitdownherlaptoherknee，asifpressingoutthestainedsilkskirt。“Only，“shestammered，slowlyrollingthepinhandlesinheropenpalms，“I——I
can\'tleaveJosh。“
“Whycan\'tyou？“saidJackquickly。
“Because——because——I，“shewenton，withaquiveringlip，workingtherolling-pinheavilydownherkneeasifshewerecrushingheransweroutofit，——“because——I——lovehim！“
Therewasapause，adashofrainagainstthewindow，andanotherdashfromhereyesuponherhands，therolling-pin，andtheskirtsshehadgathereduphastily，asshecried，“OJack！Jack！Ineverlovedanybodylikehim！Ineverknewwhatlovewas！Ineverknewamanlikehimbefore！ThereneverWASonebefore！“
Tothislarge，comprehensive，andpassionatestatementMr。JackHamlinmadenoreply。Anaudacitysosupremehadconqueredhis。
Hewalkedtothewindow，lookedoutuponthedark，rain-filmedpanethat，however，reflectednoequalchangeinhisowndarkeyes，andthenreturnedandwalkedroundthekitchentable。Whenhewasatherback，withoutlookingather，hereachedouthishand，tookherpassiveonethatlayonthetableinhis，graspeditheartilyforasinglemoment，laiditgentlydown，andreturnedaroundthetable，whereheagainconfrontedhercheerfullyfacetoface。
“You\'llmaketheriffleyet，“hesaidquietly。“JustnowIdon\'tseewhatIcoulddo，orwhereIcouldchipinyourlittlegame；butifIDO，oryoudo，countmeinandletmeknow。Youknowwheretowrite，——myoldaddressatSacramento。“Hewalkedtothecorner，tookuphisstillwetserape，threwitoverhisshoulders，andpickeduphisbroad-brimmedriding-hat。
“You\'renotgoing，Jack？“shesaidhesitatingly，assherubbedherweteyesintoaconsciousnessofhismovements。“You\'llwaittoseeHIM？He\'llbehereinanhour。“
“I\'vebeenheretoolongalready，“saidJack。“Andthelessyousayaboutmycalling，evenaccidentally，thebetter。Nobodywillbelieveit，——YOUdidn\'tyourself。Infact，unlessyouseehowI
canhelpyou，thesooneryouconsiderusalldeadandburied，thesooneryourluckwillchange。TellyourgirlI\'vefoundmyownhorsesomuchbetterthatIhavepushedonwithhim，andgiveherthat。“
Hethrewagoldcoinonthetable。
“Butyourhorseisstilllame，“shesaidwonderingly。“Whatwillyoudointhisstorm？“
“Getintothecoverofthenextwoodandcampout。I\'vedoneitbefore。“
“But，Jack！“
Hesuddenlymadeaslightgestureofwarning。Hisquickearhadcaughttheapproachoffootstepsalongthewetgraveloutside。A
mischievouslightslidintohisdarkeyesashecoollymovedbackwardtothedoorand，holdingitopen，said，inaremarkablyclearanddistinctvoice:——
“Yes，asyousay，societyisbecomingverymixedandfrivolouseverywhere，andyou\'dscarcelyknowSanFrancisconow。Sodelighted，however，tohavemadeyouracquaintance，andregretmybusinesspreventsmywaitingtoseeyourgoodhusband。SooddthatIshouldhaveknownyourAuntJemima！But，asyousay，theworldisverysmall，afterall。Ishalltellthedeaconhowwellyouarelooking，——inspiteofthekitchensmokeinyoureyes。Good-by！A
thousandthanksforyourhospitality。“
AndJack，bowingprofoundlytotheground，backedoutuponJane，thehiredman，andtheexpressman，treading，Igrievetosay，withsomedeliberationuponthetoesofthetwolatter，inorder，possibly，thatintheirmomentarypainanddiscomposuretheymightnotscantoocloselythefaceofthisingeniousgentleman，ashemeltedintothenightandthestorm。
Janeentered，withaslighttossofherhead。
“Here\'syourexpressman，——efyou\'rewantin\'himNOW。“
Mrs。Rylandswastoopreoccupiedtonoticeherhandmaiden\'ssignificantemphasis，assheindicatedafresh-looking，bashfulyoungfellow，whoseconfusionwasevidentlyheightenedbytheunexpectedegressofMr。Hamlin，andthepoint-blankpresenceofthehandsomeMrs。Rylands。
“Oh，certainly，“saidMrs。Rylandsquickly。“Sokindofhimtoobligeus。Givehimtheorder，Jane，please。“
Sheturnedtoescapefromthekitchenandthesenewintruders，whenhereyefelluponthecoinleftbyMr。Hamlin。“Thegentlemanwishedyoutotakethatforyourtrouble，Jane，“shesaidhastily，pointingtoit，andpassedout。
Janecastawitheringlookafterherretreatingskirts，andpickingthecoinfromthetable，turnedtothehiredman。“Runtothestableafterthatdandifiedyoungfeller，Dick，andhandthatbacktohim。YekinsaythatJaneMackinnondon\'trunarrantsfurmoney，norplaygooseberrytootherfolksfurfun。“
PARTII
Mr。JoshuaRylandshad，accordingtothevocabularyofhisclass，“foundgrace“attheageofsixteen，whilestillinthespiritualstateof“originalsin“andthepoliticaloneofMissouri。Hehadnotindeedfounditbypersistentyouthfulseekingorspiritualinsight，butsomewhatviolentlyandturbulentlyatacamp-meeting。
Avillageboy，naturallygentleandimpressible，withanoriginalcharacter，——limited，however，ineducationandexperience，——hehad，afterhisfirstrusticdebauchwithsomevulgarcompanions，fallenuponthecamp-meetinginrecklessaudacity；andinsteadofbeinghandedovertothedistrictconstable，wastakeninandplacedupon“theanxiousbench，““rastledwith，“andexhortedbyastrongrevivalistpreacher，“convictedofsin，“and——converted！Itisdoubtfuliftheshameofapublicarrestandlegalpunishmentwouldhaveimpressedhisyouthfulspiritasmuchasdidthisspiritualexaminationandtrial，inwhichhehimselfbecameaccuser。
Howbeit，itseffect，thoughpunitive，wasalsoexemplary。Heatoncecastoffhisevilcompanions；remainingfaithfultohisconversion，inspiteoftheirlater“backslidings。“When，aftertheWesternfashion，thetimecameforhimtoforsakehisfather\'sfarmandseekanew“quartersection“onsomemoreremotefrontier，hecarriedintothatsecluded，lonely，half-monkishcelibacyofpioneerlife——whichhasbeenthefoundationofsomuchstrongWesterncharacter——morethantheusualreligiousfeeling。Atonceindustriousandadventurous，helivedby“theWord，“ashecalledit，andNatureasheknewit，——temptedbynoneofthevicesorsentimentsofcivilization。WhenhefinallyjoinedtheCalifornianemigration，itwasnotasagold-seeker，butasadiscovererofnewagriculturalfields；ifthehardshipwasasgreatandtherewardsfewer，heneverthelessknewthatheretainedhissaferisolationandindependenceofspirit。Viceandcivilizationweretohimsynonymousterms；itwasthenaturalconditionoftheworldlyandunregenerate。Suchwasthemanwhochancedtomeet“NellMontgomery，thePearloftheVarietyStage，“ontheSacramentoboat，inoneofhisforcedvisitstocivilization。Withoutknowingherinherprofession，herfrankexpositionofherselfdidnotstartlehim；herecognizedit，acceptedit，andstrovetoconvertit。AndaslongasthisdaughterofFollyforsookherevilwaysforhim，itwasatriumphinwhichtherewasnoshame，andmightbeproclaimedfromthehousetop。Whenhisneighborsthoughtdifferently，andavoidedthem，hesawnoinconsistencyinbringinghiswife\'soldfriendstodiverther:shemightintimeconvertTHEM。Hehadnomorefearofherreturningtotheirwaysthanhehadofhimself“backsliding。“Narrowaswashiscreed，hehadnoneoftheharshnessnorpessimismofthebigot。Withthekeenestself-scrutiny，hiscredulityregardingotherswastouching。
Thestormwasstillragingwhenhealightedthateveningfromtheupcoachatthetrailnearesthishouse。Althoughincumberedwithaheavycarpet-bag，hestartedresignedlyonhistwo-miletrampwithoutbegrudgingtheneighborlyactofhiswifewhichhaddeprivedhimofhishorse。Itwas“likeher“todothesethingsinhergood-humoredabstraction，anabstraction，however，thatsometimesworriedhim，fromthefearthatitindicatedsomeunhappinesswithherpresentlot。Hewaslongingtorejoinherafterhisabsenceofthreedays，thelongesttimetheyhadbeenseparatedsincetheirmarriage，andhehurriedonwithacertainlover-likeexcitement，quitenewtohisusuallycalmandtemperateblood。
Strugglingwiththestormanddarkness，butalwayswiththehappyconsciousnessofdrawingnearertoherinthatstruggle，helaboredon，findinghisperilouswayovertheindistinguishabletrailbycertainlandmarksinthedistance，visibleonlytohispioneereye。
Thatheaviershadowtotherightwasnotthehillside，buttheSLOPEtothedistanthill；thatlow，regularlineimmediatelybeforehimwasnotafenceorwall，butthelineofdistantgiganticwoods，amilefromhishome。Yetashebegantodescendtheslopetowardsthewood，hestoppedandrubbedhiseyes。Therewasdistinctlyalightinit。HisfirstideawasthathehadlostthetrailandwasnearingthewoodmanMackinnon\'scabin。Butamorecarefulscrutinyrevealedtohimthatitwasreallythewood，andthelightwasacamp-fire。Itwasaroughnightforcampingout，buttheywereprobablysomebelatedprospectors。
Whenhehadreachedthefringeofwoodland，hecouldseequiteplainlythatthefirewasbuiltbesideoneofthelargepines，andthatthelittleencampment，whichlookedquitecomfortableandsecludedfromthestorm-beatentrail，wasoccupiedapparentlybyasinglefigure。Bythegoodglowoftheleapingfire，thatfigurestandingerectbeforeit，elegantlyshaped，inthegracefulfoldsofaserape，lookedsingularlyromanticandpicturesque，andremindedJoshuaRylands——whoseideasofartwerepurelyreminiscentofboyishreading——ofsomepictureinanovel。Theheavyblackcolumnsofthepines，glancingoutoftheconcaveshadow，alsoseemedafittingbackgroundtowhatmighthavebeenasceneinaplay。Sostronglywasheimpressedbyitthatbutforhisanxietytoreachhishome，stillamiledistant，andthefactthathewasalreadylate，hewouldhavepenetratedthewoodandtheseclusionofthestrangerwithanofferofhospitalityforthenight。Theman，however，wasevidentlycapableoftakingcareofhimself，andtheoutlineofatetheredhorsewasfaintlyvisibleunderanothertree。Itmightbeasurveyororengineer，——theonlymenofabetterclasswhowereitinerant。
Butanotherandevengreatersurprisegreetedhimashetoileduptherockyslopetowardshisfarmhouse。Thewindowsofthesitting-
room，whichwereusuallyblankandblackbynight，wereglitteringwithunfamiliarlight。Likemostfarmers，heseldomusedtheroomexceptforformalcompany，hiswifeusuallyavoidingit，andevenhehimselfnowpreferredthedining-roomorthekitchen。Hisfirstsuggestionthathiswifehadvisitorsgavehimasenseofpleasureonheraccount，mingled，however，withaslightuneasinessofhisownwhichhecouldnotaccountfor。Morethanthat，asheapproachednearerhecouldheartheswelloftheorganabovetheroaroftheswayingpines，andthecadenceswerenotofadevotionalcharacter。Hehesitatedforamoment，ashehadhesitatedatthefireinthewoods；yetitwassurelyhisownhouse！Hehurriedtothedoor，openedit；notonlythelightofthesitting-roomstreamedintothehall，buttheruddierglowofanactualfireinthedisusedgrate！Thefamiliardarkfurniturehadbeenrearrangedtocatchsomeoftheglowandrelieveitssombreness。Andhiswife，risingfromthemusic-stool，wastheroom\'sonlyoccupant！
Mrs。Rylandsgazedanxiouslyandtimidlyatherhusband\'sastonishedface，ashethrewoffhiswaterproofandlaiddownhiscarpet-bag。Herownfacewasalittleflurriedwithexcitement，andhis，halfhiddeninhistawnybeard，and，possiblyowingtohisself-introspectivenature，neverspontaneouslysympathetic，stillexpressedonlywonder！Mrs。Rylandswasalittlefrightened。Itissometimesdangeroustomeddlewithaman\'shabits，evenwhenhehasgrownwearyofthem。
“Ithought，“shebeganhesitatingly，“thatitwouldbemorecheerfulforyouinhere，thisstormyevening。Ithoughtyoumightliketoputyourwetthingstodryinthekitchen，andwecouldsitheretogether，aftersupper，alone。“
IamafraidthatMrs。Rylandsdidnotofferallherthoughts。EversinceMr。Hamlin\'sdepartureshehadbeenuneasyandexcited，sometimesfallingintofitsofdejection，andagainlightingupintohystericallevity；atothertimescarefullyexaminingherwardrobe，andthenwithasuddenimpulserushingdownstairsagaintogiveordersforherhusband\'ssupper，andtomaketheextraordinarychangesinthesitting-roomalreadynoted。Onlyafewmomentsbeforehearrived，shehadcovertlybroughtdownapieceofmusic，andputasidethehymn-books，andtaken，withalittlelaugh，apackofcardsfromherpocket，whichsheplacedbehindthealreadydismantledvaseonthechimney。
“Ireckonedyouhadcompany，Ellen，“hesaidgravely，kissingher。
“No，“shesaidquickly。“Thatis，“shestoppedwithasuddensurgeofcolorinherfacethatstartledher，“therewas——aman——here，inthekitchen——whohadalamehorse，andwhowantedtogetafreshone。Buthewentawayanhourago。Andhewasn\'tinthisroom——atleast，afteritwasfixedup。SoI\'vehadnocompany。“
Shefeltherselfagainblushingathavingblushed，andalittleterrified。Therewasnoreasonforit。ButforJack\'swarning，shewouldhavebeenquitereadytotellherhusbandall。Shehadneverblushedbeforehimoverherpastlife；whysheshouldnowblushoverseeingJack，ofallpeople！madeherutteralittlehystericallaugh。IamafraidthatthisexperiencedlittlewomantookitforgrantedthatherhusbandknewthatifJackoranymanhadbeenthereasaclandestinelover，shewouldnothaveblushedatall。Yetwithallherexperience，shedidnotknowthatshehadblushedsimplybecauseitwastoJackthatshehadconfessedthatshelovedthemanbeforeher。Herhusbandnotedtheblushaspartofhergeneralexcitement。Hepermittedhertodraghimintotheroomandseathimbeforethehearth，whereshesankdownononekneetopulloffhisheavyrubberboots。Buthewavedherasideatthis，pulledthemoffwithhisownhands，andlethertakethemtothekitchenandbringbackhisslippers。Bythistimeasmilehadlighteduphishardface。Theroomwascertainlymorecomfortableandcheerful。Stillhewasalittleworried；wastherenotinthesechangesafallingawayfromthegraceofself-abnegationwhichshehadsosedulouslypracticed？
WhensupperwasservedbyJane，inthedulldining-room，Mr。
Rylands，hadhenotbeenmoreengagedintheselatedomesticchanges，mighthavenoticedthattheMissourigirlwaiteduponhimwithacertaincommiseratingairthatwasremarkablebyitscontrastwiththefrigidceremoniouspolitenesswithwhichsheattendedhermistress。IthadnotescapedMrs。Rylands，however，whoeversinceJack\'sabruptdeparturehadnoticedthischangeinthegirl\'sdemeanortoherself，andwithawoman\'sintuitiveinsightofanotherwoman，hadfathomedit。Thecomfortabletete-a-
tetewithJack，whichJanehadlookedforwardto，Mrs。Rylandshadanticipatedherself，andthensenthimoff！WhenJoshuathankedhiswifeforrememberingthepepper-sauce，andMrs。Rylandspatheticallyadmittedherforgetfulness，thehead-tosswhichJanegaveasshelefttheroomwastoomarkedtobeoverlookedbyhim。
Mrs。Rylandsgaveahystericallittlelaugh。“IamafraidJanedoesn\'tlikemysendingawaytheexpressmanjustafterIhadalsodismissedthestrangerwhomshehadtakenafancyto，andleftherwithoutcompany，“shesaidunwisely。
Mr。Rylandsdidnotlaugh。“Ireckon，“hereturnedslowly，“thatJanemustfeelkinderlonely；shebearsalltheburdenofourbein\'
outertheworld，withoutanyofourgloryinthecauseofit。“
Nevertheless，whensupperwasover，andthepairwereseatedinthesitting-roombeforethefire，thisepisodewasforgotten。Mrs。
Rylandsproducedherhusband\'spipeandtobacco-pouch。Helookedaroundtheformalwallsandhesitated。Hehadbeeninthehabitofsmokinginthekitchen。
“Whynothere？“saidMrs。Rylands，withasuddenlittlenoteofdecision。“Whyshouldwekeepthisroomonlyforcompanythatdon\'tcome？Icallitsilly。“
ThisstruckMr。Rylandsaslogical。Besides，undoubtedlythefirehadmellowedtheroom。Afterapuffortwohelookedathiswifemusingly。“Couldn\'tyoumakeyourselfoneofthemcigarettys，astheycall\'em？Here\'sthetobacco，andI\'llgetyouthepaper。“
“ICOULD，“shesaidtentatively。Thensuddenly，“Whatmadeyouthinkofit？YouneversawMEsmoke！“
“No，“saidRylands，“butthatlady，youroldfriend，MissClifford，does，andIthoughtyoumightbehankeringafterit。“
“HowdoyouknowTinkieCliffordsmokes？“saidMrs。Rylandsquickly。
“Shelitacigarettythatdayshecalled。“
“Ihateit，“saidMrs。Rylandsshortly。
Mr。Rylandsnoddedapproval，andpuffedmeditatively。
“Josh，haveyouseenthatgirlsince？“
“No，“saidJoshua。
“Noranyothergirllikeher？“
“No，“saidJoshuawonderingly。“YouseeIonlygottoknowheronyouraccount，Ellen，thatshemightseeyou。“
“Well，don\'tyoudoitanymore！Noneof\'em！Promiseme！“Sheleanedforwardeagerlyinherchair。
“ButEllen，“——herhusbandbegangravely。
“Iknowwhatyou\'regoingtosay，buttheycan\'tdomeanygood，andyoucan\'tdothemanygoodasyoudidME，sothere！“
Mr。Rylandswassilent，andsmiledmeditatively。
“Josh！“
“Yes。“
“WhenyoumetmethatnightontheSacramentoboat，andlookedatme，didyou——didI，“shehesitated，——“didyoulookatmebecauseI
hadbeencrying？“
“Ithoughtyouweretroubledinspirit，andlookedso。“
“IsupposeIlookedworried，ofcourse；Ihadnotimetochangeorevenfixmyhair；Ihadonthatgreendress，anditNEVERwasbecoming。Andyouonlyspoketomeonaccountofmyawfullooks？“
“Isawonlyyourwrestlingsoul，Ellen，andIthoughtyouneededcomfortandhelp。“
Shewassilentforamoment，andthen，leaningforward，pickedupthepokerandbegantothrustitabsentlybetweenthebars。
“Andifithadbeensomeothergirlcryingandlookingawful，you\'dhavespokentoherallthesame？“
ThiswasanewideatoMr。Rylands，butwithmostmenlogicissupreme。“IsupposeIwould，“hesaidslowly。
“Andmarriedher？“Sherattledthebarsofthegratewiththepokerasiftodrowntheinevitablereply。
Mr。Rylandslovedthewomanbeforehim，butitpleasedhimtothinkthathelovedtruthbetter。“Ifithadbeennecessarytohersalvation，yes，“hesaid。
“NotTinkie？“shesaidsuddenly。
“SHEneverwouldhavebeeninyourcontritecondition。“
“Muchyouknow！Girlslikethatcancryaswellaslaugh，justastheywantto。Well！IsupposeIDIDlookhorrid。“Nevertheless，sheseemedtogainsomegratificationfromherhusband\'sreply，andchangedthesubjectasiffearfuloflosingthatsatisfactionbyfurtherquestioning。
“Itriedsomeofthosesongsyoubrought，butIdon\'tthinktheygowellwiththeharmonium，“shesaid，pointingtosomemusiconitsrack，“exceptone。Justlisten。“Sherose，andwiththesamenervousquicknessshehadshownbefore，wenttotheinstrumentandbegantosingandplay。Therewasahopelessincongruitybetweenthecharacteroftheinstrumentandthespiritofthesong。Mrs。
Rylands\'svoicewasratherforcedandcrudelytrained，butJoshuaRylands，sittingtherecomfortablyslipperedbythefireandconsciousofthesheetedrainagainstthewindow，feltitgood。
Presentlyhearose，andloungingheavilyovertothefairperformer，leaneddownandimprintedakissonthelabyrinthinefringesofherhair。AtwhichMrs。Rylandscaughtblindlyathishandnearesther，andwithoutliftingherotherhandfromthekeys，orhereyesfromthemusic，saidtentatively:——
“Youknowthere\'sachorusjusthere！Whycan\'tyoutryitwithme？“
Mr。Rylandshesitatedamoment，then，withapreliminarycough，liftedavoiceascrudeashers，butpowerfulthroughmuchcamp-
meetingexercise，androaredachoruswhichwasremarkablechieflyforrequiringthatarchnessandplayfulnessinexecutionwhichhelacked。Asthewholehouseseemedtodilatewiththesound，andthewindoutsidetowithholditsfury，Mr。Rylandsfeltthatphysicaldelightwhichchildrenfeelinpersonaloutcry，andwasgratefultohiswifefortheopportunity。Layinghishandaffectionatelyonhershoulder，henoticedforthefirsttimethatshewasinakindofevening-dress，andthatherdelicatewhiteshouldershonethroughtheblacklacethatenvelopedit。
ForaninstantMr。Rylandswasshockedatthisunwontedexposure。
Hehadneverseenhiswifeinevening-dressbefore。Itwastruetheywerealone，andintheirownsitting-room，buttheroomwasstillinvestedwiththatformalityandpublicitywhichseemedtoaccentthisindiscretion。Thesimple-mindedfrontierman\'smindwentbacktoJane，tothehiredman，totheexpressman，thestranger，allofwhommighthavenoticeditalso。
“Youhaveanewdress，“hesaidslowly，“haveyouwornitallday？“
“No，“shesaid，withatimidsmile。“Ionlyputitonjustbeforeyoucame。It\'stheoneIusedtowearintheballroomscenein\'GayTimesin\'Frisco。\'Youdon\'tknowit，Iknow。IthoughtI
wouldwearittonight，andthen，“shesuddenlygraspedhishand，“you\'llletmeputallthesethingsawayforever！Won\'tyou，Josh？
I\'veseensuchniceprettycalicoatthestoreto-day，andIcanmakeuponeortwohomedresses，likeJane\'s，onlybetterfitting，ofcourse。Infact，Iaskedthemtosendtherolluphereto-
morrowforyoutosee。“
Mr。Rylandsfeltrelieved。Perhapshisviewshadchangedaboutthemoraleffectofherretainingthesesymbolsofherpast，forheconsentedtothecalicodresses，not，however，withoutaninwardsuspicionthatshewouldnotlooksowellinthem，andthattheoneshehadonwasmorebecoming。
Meantimeshetriedanotherpieceofmusic。ItwasequallyincongruousandslightlyBacchantic。
“Thereusedtobeamightyprettydancewenttothat，“shesaid，noddingherheadintimewiththemusic，andassistingtheheavilyspasmodicattemptsoftheinstrumentwiththepleasantlevityofhervoice。“Iusedtodoit。“
“Yemighttryitnow，Ellen，“suggestedherhusband，withahalf-
frightened，half-amusedtolerance。
“YOUplay，then，“saidMrs。Rylandsquickly，offeringherseattohim。
Mr。Rylandssatdowntotheharmonium，asMrs。Rylandsbrisklymovedthetableandchairsagainstthewall。Mr。Rylandsplayedslowlyandstrenuously，asfromaconscientiousregardoftheinstrument。Mrs。Rylandsstoodinthecentreofthefloor，makingaratherpretty，animatedpicture，assheagainstimulatedtheheavyharmoniumswellnotonlywithhervoicebutherhandsandfeet。Presentlyshebegantoskip。
Ishouldwarnthereaderherethatthiswasbeforethe“shawl“or“skirt“dancingwasinvogue，andIamafraidthatprettyMrs。
Rylands\'sperformanceswouldnowbevotedslow。Hersilkskirtandfrilledpetticoatwereliftedjustoverhersmallanklesandtinybronze-kidshoes。Inthecourseofapirouetteortwo，therewasaslightfurtherrevelationofbluesilkstockingsandsomedelicateembroidery，butreallynothingmorethanmaybeseeninthesweepofamodernwaltz。Suddenlythemusicceased。Mr。Rylandshadlefttheharmoniumandwalkedovertothehearth。Mrs。Rylandsstopped，andcametowardshimwithaflushed，anxiousface。
“Itdon\'tseemtogoright，doesit？“shesaid，withhernervouslaugh。“IsupposeI\'mgettingtoooldnow，andIdon\'tquiterememberit。“
“Betterforgetitaltogether，“herepliedgravely。Hestoppedatseeingasingularchangeinherface，andaddedawkwardly，“WhenI
toldyouIdidn\'twantyoutobeashamedofyourpast，nortotrytoforgetwhatyouwere，Ididn\'tmeansuchthingsasthat！“
“Whatdidyoumean？“shesaidtimidly。
ThetruthwasthatMr。Rylandsdidnotknow。Hehadknownthissortofthingonlyintheabstract。Hehadneverhadtheleastacquaintancewiththeclasstowhichhiswifehadbelonged，norknownanythingoftheirmethods。Itwasarevelationtohimnow，inthewomanheloved，andwhowashiswife。Hewasnotshockedsomuchashewasfrightened。
“Youshallhavethedressto-morrow，Ellen，“hesaidgently，“andyoucanputawaythesegewgaws。Youdon\'tneedtolooklikeTinkieClifford。“
Hedidnotseethelookoftriumphthatlituphereye，butadded，“Goonandplay。“
Shesatdownobedientlytotheinstrument。Hewatchedherforafewmomentsfromthetoeofherkidslipperonthepedalstotheswellofhershouldersabovethekeyboard，withastrange，abstractedface。Presentlyshestoppedandcameovertohim。
“AndwhenI\'vegotthesenicecalicofrocks，andyoucan\'ttellmefromJane，andI\'magoodhousekeeper，andsettledowntobeafarmer\'swife，maybeI\'llhaveasecrettotellyou。“
“Asecret？“herepeatedgravely。“Whynotnow？“
Herfacewasquiteaglowwithexcitementandacertaintimidmischiefasshelaughed:“Notwhileyouaresosolemn。Itcanwait。“
Helookedathiswatch。“ImustgivesomeorderstoJimaboutthestockbeforeheturnsin，“hesaid。
“He\'sgonetothestablesalready，“saidMrs。Rylands。
“Nomatter；Icangothereandfindhim。“
“ShallIbringyourboots？“shesaidquickly。
“I\'llputthemonwhenIpassthroughthekitchen。Iwon\'tbelongaway。Nowgotobed。Youarelookingtired，“hesaidgently，ashegazedatthedrawnlinesabouthereyesandmouth。Herformerprettycolorstruckhimalsoashavingchangedoflate，andasbeingirregularandinharmonious。
AsMrs。Rylandsobedientlyascendedthestairssheheavedafaintsigh，heronlyrecognitionofherhusband\'scriticism。Heturnedandpassedquicklyintothekitchen。Hewantedtobealonetocollecthisthoughts。ButhewassurprisedtofindJanestillthere，sittingboltuprightinachairinthecorner。Apparentlyshehadbeenexpectinghim，forasheenteredshestoodup，andwipedhercheekandmouthwithonehand，asiftocompressherlipsthemoretightly。
“Ireckoned，“shebegan，“thatunlessyouwarforforgettin\'
everythin\'intheseyergoingson，ye\'dbepassin\'throughheretotendtoyourstock。I\'vegotawordtosaytoye，Mr。Rylands。
WhenIfirstkemoverheretohelp，Igotwordfromthefolksaroundthatyourwifeaforeyoumarriedherwasjustoneo\'themballydancers。Well，thatwasYOURlookout，notmine！JaneMackinnonain\'tthekindtotakeeverybody\'ssayin\'asgospil，butshekalkilatestotreatfolksezshefinds\'em。Whenshefinds\'emlyin\'anddeceivin\'；whenshefindsempurtendin\'onethinganddoin\'another；whenshefinds\'emmakin\'foolstumbleto\'em；
playingsootsontheirownhusbands，andturnin\'anhonesthouseintoamusic-hallandafandangoshop，shekicks！Youhearme！
JaneMackinnonkicks！“
“Whatdoyoumean？“saidMr。Rylandssternly。
“Imean，“saidMissMackinnon，strikingherhipswiththebackofherhandssmartly，andaccentingeachwordthatdroppedlikeabulletfromhermouthwithanadditionalblow，——“I——mean——that——
your——wife——had——one——of——her——old——hangers-on——from——\'Frisco——
here——in——this——very——kitchen——all——the——arternoon；there！Imeanthatwhilesshewaswaitin\'hereforyou，shewascanoodlin\'andcryin\'overoldtimeswithhim！Isawhermyselfthroughthewinder。That\'swhatImean，Mr。JoshuaRylands。“
“It\'sfalse！Shehadsomepoorstrangerherewithalamehorse。
Shetoldmesoherself。“
JaneMackinnonlaughedshrilly。
“Didshetellyouthatthepoorstrangerwasyoungandpretty-
faced，withblackmoustarches？thathisstoreclothesmusthavecostafortin，sayingnothingofhisgold-lined，broadclothsarrapper？DidshesaythathishorsewassolamethatwhenIwenttogetanotherhewouldn\'tWAITforit？DidshetellyouWHOhewas？“
“No，shedidnotknow，“saidRylandssternly，butwithawhiteningface。
“Well，I\'lltellyou！Thegambler，theshooter！——themanwhosenameisblackenoughtostainanywomanheknows。Jimrecognizedhimlikeashot；hesez，themomentheclappedeyesonhimatthedoor，\'Dodblasted，ifitain\'tJackHamlin！\'“
LittleasMr。Rylandsknewoftheworld，hehadheardthatname。
ButitwasnotTHAThewasthinkingof。Hewasthinkingofthecamp-fireinthewood，thehandsomefigurebeforeit，thetetheredhorse。Hewasthinkingofthelightedsitting-room，thefire，hiswife\'sbareshoulders，herslippers，stockings，andthedance。Hesawitall，——alightning-flashtohisdullimagination。Theroomseemedtoexpandandthengrowsmaller，thefigureofJanetoswaybackwardsandforwardsbeforehim。HemurmuredthenameofGodwithlipsthatwerevoiceless，caughtatthekitchentabletosteadyhimself，heldittillhefelthisarmsgrowrigid，andthenrecoveredhimself，——white，cold，andsane。
“SpeakawordofthistoHER，“hesaiddeliberately，“enterherroomwhileI\'mgone，evenleavethekitchenbeforeIcomeback，andI\'llthrowyouintotheroad。Tellthathiredman，ifhedarestobreatheittoasoulI\'llstranglehim。“
Theunlooked-forrageofthisquiet，God-fearingman，anddupe，asshebelieved，wasterrible，butconvincing。Sheshrankbackintothecornerashecoollydrewonhisbootsandwaterproof，andwithoutanotherwordleftthehouse。
Heknewwhathewasgoingtodoaswellasifithadbeenordainedforhim。Heknewhewouldfindtheyoungmaninthewood；forwhateverwerethetruthoftheotherstories，heandthevisitorwereidentical；hehadseenhimwithhisowneyes。Hewouldconfronthimfacetofaceandknowall；anduntilthen，hecouldnotseehiswifeagain。Hewalkedonrapidly，butwithoutfeverishnessormentalconfusion。Hesawhisdutyplainly，——ifEllenhad“backslidden，“hemustgiveheranothertrial。Thesewerehisarticlesoffaith。Heshouldnotputheraway；butsheshouldnevermorebewifetohim。ItwasHEwhohadtemptedher，itwastrue；perhapsGodwouldforgiveherforthatreason，butHE
couldneverloveheragain。
Thefuryofthestormhadsomewhatabatedashereachedthewood。
Thefirewasstillthere，butnolongeraleapingflame。Adullglowinthedarknessoftheforestaisleswasallthatindicateditsposition。Rylandsatonceplungedinthatdirection；hewasnearenoughtoseetheredemberswhenheheardasharpclick，andavoicecalled:——
“Holdup！“
Mr。Hamlinwasalightsleeper。Thecrackleofunderbrushhadbeenenoughtodisturbhim。Thevoicewashis；theclickwasthecockingofhisrevolver。
Rylandswasnocoward，buthalteddiplomatically。
“Now，then，“saidMr。Hamlin\'svoice，“alittlemorethisway，IN
THELIGHT，ifyouplease！“
Rylandsmovedasdirected，andsawMr。Hamlinlyingbeforethefire，restingeasilyononehand，withhisrevolverintheother。
“Thankyou！“saidJack。“Excusemyprecautions，butitisnight，andthisis，forthepresent，mybedroom。“
“MynameisRylands；youcalledatmyhousethisafternoonandsawmywife，“saidRylandsslowly。
“Idid，“saidHamlin。“Itwasmightykindofyoutoreturnmycallsosoon，butIdidn\'texpectit。“
“Ireckonnot。ButIknowwhoyouare，andthatyouareanoldassociateofhers，inthedaysofhersinandunregeneration。I
wantyoutoanswerme，beforeGodandman，whatwasyourpurposeincomingthereto-day？“
“Lookhere！Idon\'tthinkit\'snecessarytodraginstrangerstohearmyanswer，“saidJack，lyingdownagain，“butIcametoborrowahorse。“
“Isthatthetruth？“
Jackgotuponhisfeetverysolemnly，putonhishat，drewdownhiswaistcoat，andapproachedMr。Rylandswithhishandsinhispockets。
“Mr。Rylands，“hesaid，withgreatsuavityofmanner，“thisisthesecondtimetodaythatIhavehadthehonorofhavingmyworddoubtedbyyourfamily。YourwifewasgoodenoughtoquestionmyassertionthatIdidn\'tknowthatshewaslivinghere，butthatwasawoman\'svanity。Youhavenosuchexcuse。Thereismyhorseyonder，lame，asyoumaysee。Ididn\'tlamehimforthesakeofseeingyourwifenoryou。“
TherewasthatinMr。Hamlin\'saudacityandperfectself-possessionwhich，evenwhileitirritated，neversuggesteddeceit。Hewastoorecklessofconsequencetolie。Mr。Rylandswasstaggeredandhalfconvinced。Nevertheless，hehesitated。
“Dareyoutellmeeverythingthathappenedbetweenmywifeandyou？“
“Dareyoulisten？“saidMr。Hamlinquietly。
Mr。Rylandsturnedalittlewhite。Afteramomenthesaid:——
“Yes。“
“Good！“saidMr。Hamlin。“Ilikeyourgrit，thoughIdon\'tmindtellingyouit\'stheONLYthingIlikeaboutyou。Sitdown。Well，Ihaven\'tseenNellMontgomeryforthreeyearsuntilImetherasyourwife，atyourhouse。ShewassurprisedasIwas，andfrightenedasIwasn\'t。Shespentthewholeinterviewintellingmethehistoryofhermarriageandherlifewithyou，andnothingmore。Icannotsaythatitwasremarkablyentertaining，orthatshewasasamusingasyourwifeasshewasasNellMontgomery，thevarietyactress。Whenshehadfinished，Icameaway。“
Mr。Rylands，whohadseatedhimself，madeamovementasiftorise。
ButMr。Hamlinlaidhishandonhisknee。
“Iaskedyouifyoudaredtolisten。Ihavesomethingmyselftosayofthatinterview。Ifoundyourwifewearingtheolddressesthatothermenhadgivenher，andshesaidsheworethembecauseshethoughtitpleasedyou。Ifoundthatyou，whoarequestioningmycallinguponher，hadalreadygottheworstofheroldchumstovisitherwithoutaskingherconsent；Ifoundthatinsteadofbeingthefirstonetolieforherandhideher，youwerethefirstonetotellanybodyherhistory，justbecauseyouthoughtitwastothegloryofGodgenerally，andofJoshuaRylandsinparticular。“
“Aman\'smotivesarehisown，“stammeredRylands。
“Sorryyoudidn\'tseeitwhenyouquestionedminejustnow，“saidJackcoolly。
“Thenshecomplainedtoyou？“saidRylandshesitatingly。
“Ididn\'tsaythat，“saidJackshortly。
“Butyoufoundherunhappy？“
“Damnably。“
“Andyouadvisedher“——saidRylandstentatively。
“Iadvisedhertochuckyouandtrytogetabetterhusband。“Hepaused，andthenadded，withadisgustedlaugh，“butshedidn\'ttumbletoit，forad——dsillyreason。“
“Whatreason？“saidRylandshurriedly。
“SaidsheLOVEDyou，“returnedJack，kickingabrandbackintothefire。Mr。Rylands\'swhitecheeksflamedoutsuddenlylikethebrand。Seeingwhich，Jackturneduponhimdeliberately。
“Mr。JoshuaRylands，I\'veseenmanyfoolsinmytime。I\'veseenmenholdingfouracesbackeddownbecausetheythoughttheyKNEW
theothermanhadaroyalflush！I\'veseenamansellhisclaimforawild-catshare，withthegoldlyingafootbelowhiminthegroundhewalkedon。I\'veseenadeadshotshootwildbecauseheTHOUGHThesawsomethingintheotherman\'seye。I\'veseenaheapofGod-forsakenfools，butIneversawonebeforewhoclaimedGodasapal。You\'vegotawifead——dsighttruertoyouforwhatyoucallher\'sin，\'thanyou\'veeverbeentoher，withallyourd——dsalvation！Andasyoucouldn\'tmakeherotherwise，thoughyou\'vetriedtohardenough，itseemstomethatforsquaredownrightchuckle-headedness，youcantakethecake！Good-night！
Now，runawayandplay！You\'remakingmetired。“
“Onemoment，“saidMr。Rylandsawkwardlyandhurriedly。“Imayhavewrongedyou；Iwasmistaken。Won\'tyoucomebackwithmeandacceptmy——our——hospitality？“
“Notmuch，“saidJack。“IleftyourhousebecauseIthoughtitbetterforyouandherthatnooneshouldknowofmybeingthere。“
“Butyouwerealreadyrecognized，“saidMr。Rylands。“ItwasJanewholiedaboutyou，andyourreturnwithmewillconfuteherslanders。“
“Who？“askedJack。
“Jane，ourhiredgirl。“
Mr。Hamlinutteredanindescribablelaugh。
“That\'sjustaswell！YousimplytellJaneyouSAWme；thatIwasgreatlyshockedatwhatshesaid，butthatIforgiveher。Idon\'tthinkshe\'llsayanymore。“
Strangetoadd，Mr。Hamlin\'ssurmisewascorrect。Mr。RylandsfoundJanestillinthekitchenalone，terrified，remorseful，yeteveraftersilentonthesubject。Strangerstill，thehiredmanbecameequallyuncommunicative。Mrs。Rylands，attributingherhusband\'sabsenceonlytocareofthestock，hadgonetobedinafeverishcondition，andMr。Rylandsdidnotdeemitprudenttotellherofhisinterview。Thenextdayshesentforthedoctor，anditwasdeemednecessaryforhertokeepherbedforafewdays。Herhusbandwassingularlyattentiveandconsiderateduringthattime，anditwasprobablethatMrs。Rylandsseizedthatopportunitytotellhimthesecretshespokeofthenightbefore。Whateveritwas，——foritwasnotgenerallyknownforafewmonthslater，——itseemedtodrawthemclosertogether，impartedaprotectingdignitytoJoshuaRylands，whichtooktheplaceofhisformerselfishausterity，gavethemafuturetotalkofconfidentially，hopefully，andsometimesfoolishly，whichtooktheplaceoftheirmorefoolishpast，andwhentherollofcalicocamefromthecrossroads，itcontainedalsoaquantityoffinelinen，laces，smallcaps，andothertrifles，somewhatincontrasttothemorehomelymaterialsordered。
Andwhenthreemonthswerepast，thesitting-roomwasoftenlitupandmadecheerful，particularlyonthatsupremeoccasionwhen，withagreatdealofenthusiasm，allthewomenofthecountrysideflockedtoseeMrs。Rylandsandherfirstbaby。Andamoreconsiderateanddevotedcouplethanthefatherandmothertheyhadneverknown。
THEMANATTHESEMAPHORE
IntheearlydaysoftheCalifornianimmigration，ontheextremestpointofthesandypeninsula，wherethebayofSanFranciscodebouchesintothePacific，therestoodasemaphoretelegraph。
Tossingitsblackarmsagainstthesky，——withitsbacktotheGoldenGateandthatvastexpanseofseawhosenearestshorewasJapan，——itsignifiedtoanothersemaphorefurtherinlandthe“rigs“
ofincomingvessels，bycertainuncouthsigns，whichwereagainpassedontoTelegraphHill，SanFrancisco，wheretheyreappearedonathirdsemaphore，andreadtotheinitiated“schooner，““brig“
“ship，“or“steamer。“ButallhomesickSanFranciscohadlearnedthelastsign，andoncertaindaysofthemontheveryeyewasturnedtowelcomethosegauntarmswidelyextendedatrightangles，whichmeant“sidewheelsteamer“theonlysteamerwhichcarriedthemailsand“lettersfromhome。“Inthejoyfulreceptionaccordedtothatheraldofgladtidings，veryfewthoughtofthelonelywatcheronthesandduneswhodispatchedthem，orevenknewofthatdesolateStation。
Fordesolateitwasbeyonddescription。ThePresidio，withitsvoiceless，dismountedcannonandemptyembrasureshiddeninahollow，andtheMissionDolores，withitscrumblingwallsandbelfrytowerlostinanother，madetheultimathuleofallSanFranciscowandering。TheCliffhouseandFortPointdidnotthenexist；fromBlackPointthecurvinglineofshoreof“YerbaBuena“——
orSanFrancisco——showedonlyastretchofglitteringwind-sweptsanddunes，interspersedwithstragglinggulliesofhalf-buriedblack“scruboak。“Thelongsixmonths\'summersunfiercelybeatuponitfromthecloudlessskyabove；thelongsixmonths\'tradewindsfiercelybeatuponitfromthewest；themonotonousroll-callofthelongPacificsurgesregularlybeatuponitfromthesea。
Almostimpossibletofacebydaythroughslidingsandsandbuffetingwinds，atnightitwasimpracticablethroughthedensesea-fogthatstolesoftlythroughtheGoldenGateatsunset。