Thegirlsidledupagainstthecabin，keepinghereyesfixedonJarmanwithacertainyouthfulshrewdness。
“Oh，youknow！“shesaid。
“Ireallydonot。Tellmewhy。“
Shedrewherselfupagainstthewallalittleproudly，thoughstillyouthfully，withherhandsbehindher。
“Iain\'tthatkindofgirl，“shesaidsimply。
ThebloodrushedtoJarman\'schecks。Dissipatedandabandonedashislifehadbeen，smallrespecterofwomenashewas，hewasshockedandshamed。Knowingtoo，ashedid，howabsorbedhewasinotherthings，hewasindignant，becausenotguilty。
“Doasyouplease，then，“hesaidshortly，andreenteredthecabin。
Butthenextmomenthesawhiserrorinbetrayinganirritationthatwasopentomisconstruction。Hecameoutagain，scarcelylookingatthegirl，whowasloungingaway。
“Doyouwantmetoexplaintoyouhowthethingworks？“hesaidindifferently。“Ican\'tshowyouunlessashipcomesin。“
Thegirl\'seyesbrightenedsoftlyassheturnedtohim。
“Dotellme，“shesaid，withananticipatorysmileandflashofwhiteteeth。“Won\'tyou？“
Shecertainlywasveryprettyandsimple，inspiteofherlatespeech。Jarmanbrieflyexplainedtoherthemovementsofthesemaphorearmsandtheirdifferentsignificance。Shelistenedwithhercappedheadalittleononesidelikeanattentivebird，andherarmsunconsciouslyimitatingthesigns。Certainly，forallthatsheSPOKElikeanAmerican，hergesticulationwasItalian。
“Andthen，“shesaidtriumphantlywhenhepaused，“whenthesailorsseethatsignuptheyknowtheyarecomingintheharbor。“
Jarmansmiled，ashehadnotsmiledsincehehadbeenthere。Hecorrectedthismistakeofhereagerhastetoshowherintelligence，and，takingthetelescope，pointedouttheothersemaphore，——athinblackoutlineonadistantinlandhill。HethenexplainedhowHIS
signswererepeatedbythatinstrumenttoSanFrancisco。
“My！Why，IalwaysallowedthatwasonlythecrossstuckupintheLoneMountainCemetery，“shesaid。
“YouareaCatholic？“
“Ireckon。“
“AndyouareanItalian？“
“Fatheris，butmotherwasa\'Merikan，sameasme。Mother\'sdead。“
“Andyourfatheristhefishermanyonder？“
“Yes，——but，“withalookofpride，“he\'sgotthebiggestboatofany。“
“Andonlyyouandyourfamilyareashorehere？“
“Yes，andsometimesMark。“Shelaughedanoddlittlelaugh。
“Mark？Who\'she？“heaskedquickly。
Hehadnotnoticedthesuddencoquettishposeandhalf-affectedbashfulnessofthegirl；hewasthinkingonlyofthepossibilityofdetectionbystrangers。
“Oh，heisMarcoFranti，butIcallhim\'Mark。\'It\'sthesamename，youknow，anditmakeshimmad，“saidthegirl，withthesamesuggestionofarchnessandcoquetry。
ButallthiswaslostonJarman。
“Oh，anotherItalian，“hesaid，relieved。Sheturnedawayalittleawkwardlywhenheadded，“Butyouhaven\'ttoldmeYOURname，youknow。“
“Cara。“
“Cara，——that\'s\'dear\'inItalian，isn\'tit？“hesaid，withareminiscenceoftheoperaandahalfsmile。
“Yes，“shesaidalittlescornfully，“butitmeansCarlotta，——
Charlotte，youknow。SomegirlscallmeCharley，“shesaidhurriedly。
“Isee——Cara——orCarlottaFranti。“
Tohissurprisesheburstintoapealoflaughter。
“IreckonnotYET。FrantiisMark\'sname，notmine。MineisMurano，——CarlottaMurano。Good-by。“Shemovedaway，thenstoppedsuddenlyandsaid，“I\'mcomin\'againsometimewhenthethingisworking，“andwithanodofherhead，ranaway。Helookedafterher；couldseetheoutlinesofheryouthfulfigureinherslimcottongown，——limpandclinginginthedampseaair，andthesuddenrevelationofherbareanklesthruststockinglessintocanvasshoes。
Hewentbackintohiscabin，whenpresentlyhisattentionwasengrossedbyanincomingvessel。Hemadethesignals，halfexpecting，almosthoping，thatthegirlwouldreturntowatchhim。
Butherfigurewasalreadylostinthesanddunes。Yethefanciedhestillheardtheechoesofhervoiceandhisowninthiscabinwhichhadsolongbeendumbandvoiceless，andhenowstartedateverysound。Forthefirsttimehebecameawareofthedreadfuldisorderanduntidinessofitsuninvadedprivacy。Hecouldscarcelybelievehehadbeenlivingwithhisstove，hisbed，andcookingutensilsallinonecornerofthebarnlikeroom，andhebegantoputthem“torights“inarough，hardformality，stronglysuggestiveofhisconvictexperience。Herolleduphisblanketsintoahardcylinderattheheadofhiscot。Hescrapedouthiskettlesandsaucepans，andeven“washeddown“thefloor，afterwardssprinklingcleandrysand，hotwiththenoondaysunshine，onitshalf-driedboards。Inarrangingthesedomesticdetailshehadtochangethepositionofalittlemirror；andglancingatitforthefirsttimeinmanydays，hewasdissatisfiedwithhisstragglingbeard，——grownduringhisvoyagefromAustralia，——andalthoughhehadretaineditasadisguise，heatonceshaveditoff，leavingonlyamustache，andrevealingafacefromwhichahealthierlifeandout-of-doorexistencehadremovedthelasttracesofviceanddissipation。Buthedidnotknowit。
Allthenextdayhethoughtofhisfairvisitor，andfoundhimselfoftenrepeatingheroddremarkthatshewas“notthatkindofgirl，“withasmilethatwasalternatelysignificantorvacant。
Evidentlyshecouldtakecareofherself，hethought，althoughherverygoodlooksnodoubthadexposedhertotherudeattentionsoffishermenorthecommondriftofSanFranciscowharves。Perhapsthiswaswhyherfatherbroughtherhere。Whenthedaypassedandshecamenot，hebeganvaguelytowonderifhehadbeenrudetoher。Perhapshehadtakenhersimpleremarktooseriously；perhapsshehadexpectedhewouldonlylaugh，andhadfoundhimdullandstupid。Perhapshehadthrownawayanopportunity。Anopportunityforwhat？Torenewhisoldlifeandhabits？No，no！Thehorrorsofhisrecentimprisonmentandescapewerestilltoofreshinhismemory；hewasnotsafeyet。Thenhewonderedifhehadnotgrownspiritlessandpigeon-liveredinhissolitudeandloneliness。Thenextdayhesearchedforherwithhisglass，andsawherplayingwithoneofthechildrenonthebeach，——averypictureofchildornymphlikeinnocence。Perhapsitwasbecauseshewasnot“thatkindofgirl“thatshehadattractedhim。Helaughedbitterly。Yes；
thatwasveryfunny；he，anescapedconvict，drawntowardshonest，simpleinnocence！Yetheknew——hewaspositive——hehadnotthoughtofanyillwhenhespoketoher。Hetookasingular，aridiculousprideinandcredittohimselfforthat。Herepeateditincessantlytohimself。Thenwhatmadeherangry？Himself！Thedevil！Didhecarry，then，therecordofhispastlifeforeverinhisface——inhisspeech——inhismanners？Thethoughtmadehimsullen。Thenextdayhewouldnotlooktowardstheshore；itwaswonderfulwhatexcitementandsatisfactionhegotoutofthatstrangeactofself-denial；itmadethedayseemfullthathadbeensovacantbefore；yethecouldnottellwhyorwherefore。Hefeltinjured，butheratherlikedit。YetinthenighthewasstruckwiththeideathatshemighthavegonebacktoSanFrancisco，andhelayawakelongingforthemorninglighttosatisfyhim。Yetwhenthefogcleared，andfromanearerpoint，behindasanddune，hediscovered，bytheaidofhisglass，thatshewasseatedonthesun-warmedsandscombingoutherlonghairlikeamermaid，heimmediatelyreturnedtothecabin，andthatmorninglookednomorethatway。Intheafternoon，therebeingnosailsinsight，heturnedasidefromthebayandwalkedwestwardtowardstheocean，haltingonlyattheleague-longlineoffoamwhichmarkedthebreakingPacificsurges。Herehewassurprisedtoseealittlechild，half-naked，followingbarefootedthecreepinglineofspume，orrunningafterthedetachedandquiveringscrapsoffoamthatchasedeachotheroverthewetsand，andonlyalittlefurtheron，tocomeuponCaraherself，sittingwithherelbowsonherkneesandherroundchininherhands，apparentlygazingoverthewasteofwatersbeforeher。Asuddenandinexplicableshynessovertookhim。
Hehesitated，andsteppedhalf-hiddeninagullybetweenthesanddunes。
Asyethehadnotbeenobserved；theyounggirlcalledtothechildand，suddenlyrising，threwoffherredcapandshawlandquietlybegantodisrobeherself。Acoupleofcoarsetowelswereatherfeet。Jarmaninstantlycomprehendedthatshewasgoingtobathewiththechild。Sheundoubtedlyknewaswellashedidthatshewassafeinthatsolitude；thatnoonecouldintrudeuponherprivacyfromthebayshore，norfromthedesolateinlandtrailtothesea，withoutherknowledge。Ofhisowncontiguityshehadevidentlytakennothought，believinghimsafelyhousedinhiscabinbesidethesemaphore。Sheliftedherhands，andwithasuddenmovementshookoutherlonghairandletitfalldownherbackatthesamemomentthatherunloosenedblousebegantoslipfromhershoulders。RichardJarmanturnedquicklyandwalkednoiselesslyandrapidlyaway，untilthelittlehillockhadshutoutthebeach。
Hisretreatwasassudden，unreasoning，andunpremeditatedashisintrusion。Itwasnotlikehimself，heknew，andyetitwasasperfectlyinstinctiveandnaturalasifhehadintrudeduponasister。IntheSouthSeashehadseennativegirlsdivingbesidethevesselsforcoins，buttheyhadprovokednosuchinstinctasthatwhichpossessedhimnow。Morethanthat，hesweptaquick，wrathfulglancealongthehorizononeitherside，andthen，mountingaremotehillockwhichstillhidhimfromthebeach，hesatthereandkeptwatchandward。Fromtimetotimethestrongsea-breezebroughthimthesoundofinfantinescreamsandshoutsofgirlishlaughterfromtheunseenshore；heonlylookedthemorekeenlyandsuspiciouslyforanywanderingtrespasser，anddidnotturnhishead。Helaytherenearlyhalfanhour，andwhenthesoundshadceased，roseandmadehiswayslowlybacktothecabin。
Hehadnotgonemanyyardsbeforeheheardthetwitterofvoicesandsmotheredlaughterbehindhim。Heturned；itwasCaraandthechild，——agirlofsixorseven。Cara\'sfacewasrosy，——possiblyfromherbath，andpossiblyfromsomeshame-facedconsciousness。
Heslackenedhispace，andastheyrangedbesidehimsaid，“Good-
morning！“
“Lord！“saidCara，stiflinganotherlaugh，“wedidn\'tknowyouwerearound；wethoughtyouwerealways\'tendingyourtelegraph，didn\'twe，Lucy？“tothechild，whowasconvulsedwithmirthandsheepishness。“Why，we\'vebeentakingawashinthesea。“Shetriedtogatherupherlonghair，whichhadbeenlefttostrayoverhershouldersanddryinthesunlight，andevenmadeaslightpretenseoftryingtoconcealthewettowelstheywerecarrying。
Jarmandidnotlaugh。“Ifyouhadtoldme，“hesaidgravely，“I
couldhavekeptwatchforyouwithmyglasswhileyouwerethere。
Icouldseefurtherthanyou。“
“TouldyouseeUS？“askedthelittlegirl，withhopefulvivacity。
“No！“saidJarman，withmasterlyevasion。“Therearelittlesandhillsbetweenthisandthebeach。“
“Thenhowtouldotherpeopleseeus？“persistedthechild。
Jarmancouldseethattheoldergirlwasevidentlyembarrassed，andchangedthesubject。“Isometimesgoout，“hesaid，“whenIcanseetherearenovesselsinsight，andItakerayglasswithme。I
canalwaysgetbackintimetomakesignals。Ithought，infact，“
hesaid，glancingatCara\'sbrighteningface，“thatImightgetasfarasyourhouseontheshoresomeday。“Tohissurprise，herembarrassmentsuddenlyseemedtoincrease，althoughshehadlookedrelievedbefore，andshedidnotreply。Afteramomentshesaidabruptly:——
“Didyoueverseethesea-lions？“
“No，“saidJarman。
“NotthebigonesonSealRock，beyondthecliffs？“continuedthegirl，inrealastonishment。
“No，“repeatedJarman。“Ineverwalkedinthatdirection。“Hevaguelyrememberedthattheywereacuriositywhichsometimesattractedpartiesthither，andforthatreasonhehadavoidedthespot。
“Why，Ihavesailedallaroundtherockinfather\'sboat，“
continuedCara，withimportance。“That\'sthebestwaytosee\'em，andfolksfromFriscosometimestakesasailouttherejustonpurpose，——it\'stoosandytowalkordrivethere。Butit\'sonlyastepfromhere。Lookhere！“shesaidsuddenly，andfranklyopeningherfineeyesuponhim。“I\'mgoingtotakeLucythereto-morrow，andI\'llshowyou。“Jarmanfelthischeeksflushquicklywithapleasurethatembarrassedhim。“Itwon\'ttakelong，“addedCara，mistakinghismomentaryhesitation，“andyoucanleaveyourtelegraphalone。Nobodywillbethere，sonoonewillseeyouandnobodyknowit。“
Hewouldhavegonethen，anyway，heknew，yetinhisabsurdself-
consciousnesshewasgladthatherlastsuggestionhadrelievedhimofasenseofrecklesscompliance。Heassentedeagerly，whenwithawaveofherhand，aflashofherwhiteteeth，andthesameabruptnessshehadshownattheirlastparting，shecaughtLucybythearmanddartedawayinarompingracetoherdwelling。Jarmanstartedafterher。Hehadnotwantedtogotoherfather\'shouseparticularly，butwhywasSHEevidentlyasaversetoit？Withthesubtlepleasurethatthisadmissiongavehimtherewasafaintstirringofsuspicion。
ItwasgonewhenhefoundherandLucythenextmorning，radiantwiththesunshine，beforehisdoor。Therestraintoftheirpreviousmeetingshadbeenremovedinsomemysteriousway，andtheychattedgaylyastheywalkedtowardsthecliffs。Sheaskedhimfranklymanyquestionsabouthimself，whyhehadcomethere，andifhe“wasn\'tlonely；“sheansweredfrankly——Ifearmuchmorefranklythanheansweredher——themanyquestionsheaskedheraboutherselfandherfriends。Whentheyreachedthecliffstheydescendedtothebeach，whichtheyfounddeserted。Beforethem——itseemedscarceapistolshotfromtheshorearoseahigh，broadrock，beatenatitsbasebythelongPacificsurf，onwhichanumberofshapelessanimalswereuncouthlydisporting。ThiswasSealRock，thegoaloftheirjourney。
Yetafterafewmomentstheynolongerlookedatit，butseatedonthesand，withLucygatheringshellsatthewater\'sedge，theycontinuedtheirtalk。Presentlythetalkbecameeagerconfidences，andthen，——therewerelonganddangerouslapsesofsilence，whenbothwerefaintomakeperfunctorytalkwithLucyonthebeach。
AfteroneofthosesilencesJarmansaid:——
“DoyouknowIratherthoughtyesterdayyoudidn\'twantmetocometoyourfather\'shouse。Whywasthat？“
“BecauseMarcowasthere，“saidthegirlfrankly。
“WhathadHEtodowithit？“saidJarmanabruptly。
“Hewantstomarryme。“
“AnddoyouwanttomarryHIM？“saidJarmanquickly。
“No，“saidthegirlpassionately。
“Whydon\'tyougetridofhim，then？“
“Ican\'t，he\'shidinghere，——he\'sfather\'sfriend。“
“Hiding？What\'shebeendoing？“
“Stealing。Stealinggold-dustfromminers。Inevercaredforhimanyway。AndIhateathief！“
Shelookedupquickly。Jarmanhadrisentohisfeet，hisfaceturnedtosea。
“Whatareyoulookingat？“shesaidwonderingly。
“Aship，“saidJarman，inastrange，hoarsevoice。“Imusthurrybackandsignal。I\'mafraidIhaven\'teventimetowalkwithyou，——
Imustrunforit。Good-by！“
Heturnedwithoutofferinghishandandranhurriedlyinthedirectionofthesemaphore。
Cara，discomfited，turnedherblackeyestothesea。Butitseemedemptyasbefore，nosail，noshiponthehorizonline，onlyalittleschoonerslowlybeatingoutoftheGate。Ah，well！Itnodoubtwasthere，——thatsail，——thoughshecouldnotseeit；howkeenandfar-seeinghishandsome，honesteyeswere！Sheheavedalittlesigh，and，callingLucytoherside，begantomakeherwayhomeward。
Butshekepthereyesonthesemaphore；itseemedtoherthenextthingtoseeinghim，——thismanshewasbeginningtolove。Shewaitedforthegauntarmstomovewiththesignalofthevesselhehadseen。But，strangetosay，itwasmotionless。Hemusthavebeenmistaken。
Allthis，however，wasdrivenfromhermindintheexcitementthatshefoundonherreturnthrillingherownfamily。TheyhadbeenwarnedthatapoliceboatwithdetectivesonboardhadbeendispatchedfromSanFranciscotothecove。Luckily，theyhadmanagedtoconveythefugitiveFrantionboardacoastwiseschooner，——CarastartedassherememberedtheoneshehadseenbeatingoutoftheGate，——andhewasnowsafefrompursuit。Carafeltrelieved；atthesametimeshefeltastrangejoyatherheart，whichsenttheconsciousbloodtohercheek。ShewasnotthinkingoftheescapedMarco，butofJarman。Later，whenthepoliceboatarrived，——whetherthedetectiveshadbeenforewarnedofMarco\'sescapeornot，——theycontentedthemselveswithaformalsearchofthelittlefishing-hutanddeparted。Buttheirboatremainedlyingofftheshore。
ThatnightCaratossedsleeplesslyonherbed；shewassorryshehadeverspokenofMarcotoJarman。Itwasunnecessarynow；
perhapshedisbelievedherandthoughtshelovedMarco；perhapsthatwasthereasonofhisstrangeandabruptleave-takingthatafternoon。Shelongedforthenextday，shecouldtellhimeverythingnow。
Towardsmorningshesleptfitfully，butwasawakenedbythesoundofvoicesonthesandsoutsidethehut。Itsflimsystructure，alreadywarpedbythefierceday-longsun，allowedherthroughchinksandcrevicesnotonlytorecognizethevoicesofthedetectives，buttoheardistinctlywhattheysaid。SuddenlythenameofJarmanstruckuponherear。Shesatuprightinbed，breathless。
“Areyousureit\'sthesameman？“askedasecondvoice。
“Perfectly，“answeredthefirst。“Hewastrackedto\'Frisco，butdisappearedthedayhelanded。Weknewfromouragentsthatheneverleftthebay。Andwhenwefoundthatsomebodyansweringhisdescriptiongotthepostoftelegraphoperatorouthere，weknewthatwehadspottedourmanandtheL250sterlingofferedforhiscapture。“
“Butthatwasfivemonthsago。Whydidn\'tyoutakehimthen？“
“Couldn\'t！Forwecouldn\'tholdhimwithouttheextraditionpapersfromAustralia。Wesentfor\'em；they\'redueto-dayorto-morrowonthemailsteamer。“
“Buthemighthavegotawayatanytime？“
“Hecouldn\'twithoutourknowingit。Don\'tyousee？Everytimethesignalswentup，weinSanFranciscoknewhewasathispost。
Wehadhimsafe，outhereonthesesandhills，asifhe\'dbeenunderlockandkeyin\'Frisco。Hewashisownkeeper，andreportedtous。“
“Butsinceyou\'rehereandexpectthepapersto-morrow，whydon\'tyou\'cop\'himnow？“
“Becausethereisn\'tajudgeinSanFranciscothatwouldholdhimamomentunlesshehadthoseextraditionpapersbeforehim。He\'dbedischarged，andescape。“
“Thenwhatareyougoingtodo？“
“Assoonasthesteamerissignaledin\'Frisco，we\'llboardherinthebay，getthepapers，anddropdownuponhim。“
“Isee；andasHE\'Sthesignalman，thedarnedfool“——
“Willgivethesignalhimself。“
Thelaughthatfollowedwassocruelthattheyounggirlshuddered。
Butthenextmomentsheslippedfromthebed，erect，pale，anddetermined。
Thevoicesseemedgraduallytoretreat。Shedressedherselfhurriedly，andpassednoiselesslythroughtheroomofherstillsleepingparent，andpassedout。Agrayfogwasliftingslowlyoverthesandsandsea，andthepoliceboatwasgone。Shenolongerhesitated，butranquicklyinthedirectionofJarman\'scabin。Assheran，hermindseemedtobesweptclearofallillusionandfancy；shesawplainlyeverythingthathadhappened；
sheknewthemysteryofJarman\'spresencehere，——thesecretofhislife，——thedreadfulcrueltyofherremarktohim，——themanthatsheknewnowsheloved。Thesunwaspaintingtheblackarmsofthesemaphoreasshetoiledoverthelaststretchofsandandknockedloudlyatthedoor。Therewasnoreply。Sheknockedagain；thecabinwassilent。Hadhealreadyfled？——andwithoutseeingherandknowingall！Shetriedthehandleofthedoor；ityielded；shesteppedboldlyintotheroom，withhisnameuponherlips。Hewaslyingfullydresseduponhiscouch。Sheraneagerlytohissideandstopped。Itneededonlyasingleglanceathiscongestedface，hislipspartedwithhisheavybreath，toseethatthemanwashopelessly，helplesslydrunk！
Yeteventhen，withoutknowingthatitwasherthoughtlessspeechwhichhaddrivenhimtoseekthisfoolishoblivionofremorseandsorrow，shesawonlyhisHELPLESSNESS。Shetriedinvaintorousehim；heonlymutteredafewincoherentwordsandsankbackagain。
Shelookeddespairinglyaround。Somethingmustbedone；thesteamermightbevisibleatanymoment。Ah，yes，——thetelescope！
Sheseizeditandsweptthehorizon。Therewasafaintstreakofhazeagainstthelineofseaandsky，abreasttheGoldenGate。Hehadoncetoldherwhatitmeant。ItWASthesteamer！Asuddenthoughtleapedintoherclearandactivebrain。Ifthepoliceboatshouldchancetoseethathazetoo，andsawnowarningsignalfromthesemaphore，theywouldsuspectsomething。Thatsignalmustbemade，BUTNOTTHERIGHTONE！Sherememberedquicklyhowhehadexplainedtoherthedifferencebetweenthesignalsforacoastingsteamerandtheonethatbroughtthemails。Atthatdistancethepoliceboatcouldnotdetectwhetherthesemaphore\'sarmswereextendedtoperfectrightanglesforthemailsteamer，oriftheleftarmslightlydeflectedforacoastingsteamer。Sheranouttothewindlassandseizedthecrank。Foramomentitdefiedherstrength；sheredoubledherefforts:itbegantocreakandgroan，thegreatarmswereslowlyuplifted，andthesignalmade。
ButthefamiliarsoundsofthemovingmachineryhadpiercedthroughJarman\'ssluggishconsciousnessasnoothersoundinheavenorearthcouldhavedone，andawakenedhimtotheonedominantsensehehadleft，——thehabitofduty。Sheheardhimrollfromthebedwithanoath，stumbletothedoor，andsawhimdashforwardwithanaffrightedface，andplungehisheadintoabucketofwater。Heemergedfromitpaleanddripping，butwiththefulllightofreasonandconsciousnessinhiseyes。Hestartedwhenhesawher；
eventhenshewouldhavefled，buthecaughtherfirmlybythewrist。
Thenwithahurried，tremblingvoiceshetoldhimallandeverything。Helistenedinsilence，andonlyattheendraisedherhandgravelytohislips。
“Andnow，“sheaddedtremulously，“youmustfly——quick——atonce；oritwillbetoolate！“
ButRichardJarmanwalkedslowlytothedoorofhiscabin，stillholdingherhand，andsaidquietly，pointingtohisonlychair:——
“Sitdown；wemusttalkfirst。“
Whattheysaidwasneverknown，butafewmomentslatertheyleftthecabin，Jarmancarryinginasmallbagallhispossessions，andCaraleaningonhisarm。AnhourlaterthepriestoftheMissionDoloreswascalledupontouniteinmatrimonyafrank，honest-
lookingsailorandanItaliangypsy-lookinggirl。Thereweremanyhastyunionsinthosedays，andtheHolyChurchwasonlytoogladtobeabletogivethemitslegalindorsement。ButthegoodPadrewasalittlesorryforthehonestsailor，andgavethegirlsomeseriousadvice。
TheSanFranciscopapersthenextmorningthrewsomedubiouslightuponthematterinaparagraphheaded，“AnotherPoliceFiasco。“
“WeunderstandthattheindefatigablepoliceofSanFrancisco，afterascertainingthatMarcoFranti，thenotedgold-dustthief，washidingontheshorenearthePresidio，proceededtherewithgreatsolemnity，andarrived，asusual，afewhoursaftertheirmanhadescaped。Buttheclimaxofincapacitywasreachedwhen，asitisalleged，thesweetheartoftheabscondingFranti，anddaughterofabrotherfisherman，elopedstilllater，andjoinedherloverundertheverynosesofthepolice。TheattemptofthedetectivestoexcusethemselvesatheadquartersbyreportingthattheywerealsoonthetrackofanallegedescapedSydneyDuckwasreceivedwiththederisionandskepticismitdeserved，asitseemedthattheseworthiesmistookthemailsteamer，whichtheyshouldhaveboardedtogetcertainextraditionpapers，foracoastingsteamer。“……
ItwasnotuntilfouryearslaterthatMuranowasdelightedtorecognizeinthehusbandofhislong-lostdaughteraveryrichcattle-ownerinSouthernCalifornia，calledJarman；butheneverknewthathehadbeenanescapedconvictfromSydney，whohadlatelyreceivedafullpardonthroughtheinstrumentalityofdiversdistinguishedpeopleinAustralia。
ANESMERALDAOFROCKYCANYON
Itistobefearedthattheheroofthischroniclebeganlifeasanimpostor。HewasofferedtothecredulousandsympatheticfamilyofaSanFranciscocitizenasalamb，who，unlessboughtasaplaymateforthechildren，wouldinevitablypassintothebutcher\'shands。Acombinationofrefinedsensibilityandurbanignoranceofnaturepreventedthemfromdiscerningcertainglaringfactsthatbetrayedhiscapridorigin。Soaribbonwasdulytiedroundhisneck，andinpleasingemulationofthelegendary“Mary，“hewastakentoschoolbytheconfidingchildren。Here，alasthefraudwasdiscovered，andhistorywasreversedbyhisbeingturnedoutbytheteacher，becausehewasNOT“alambatschool。“Nevertheless，thekind-heartedmotherofthefamilypersistedinretaininghim，onthepleathathemightyetbecome“useful。“Toherhusband\'sfeeblesuggestionof“gloves，“shereturnedascornfulnegative，andspokeoftheweaklyinfantofaneighbor，whomightlaterreceivenourishmentfromthisprovidentialanimal。Buteventhishopewasdestroyedbytheeventualdiscoveryofhissex。Nothingremainednowbuttoaccepthimasanordinarykid，andtofindamusementinhisaccomplishments，——eating，climbing，andbutting。
Itmustbeconfessedthatthesewereofasuperiorquality；acapacitytoeateverythingfromacambrichandkerchieftoanelectionposter，anagilitywhichbroughthimeventotheroofsofhouses，andapowerofoverturningbyasinglepushthechubbiestchildwhoopposedhim，madehimafearfuljoytothenursery。Thislastqualitywasincautiouslydevelopedinhimbyanegroboy-
servant，who，later，washurriedlypropelleddownaflightofstairsbyhistooproficientscholar。Havingoncetastedvictory，“Billy“needednofurtherincitementtohisperformances。Thesmallwagonwhichhesometimesconsentedtodrawforthebenefitofthechildrenneverhinderedhisattemptstobuttthepasser-by。Onthecontrary，onwell-knownscientificprinciplesheaddedtheimpactofthebodiesofthechildrenprojectedoverhisheadinhischarge，andtheinfelicitouspedestrianfoundhimselfnotonlyknockedoffhislegsbyBilly，butbombardedbythewholenursery。
Delightfulaswasthisrecreationtojuvenilelimbs，itwasfelttobedangeroustotheadultpublic。Indignantprotestationsweremade，andasBillycouldnotbekeptinthehouse，hemaybesaidtohaveatlastbuttedhimselfoutofthatsympatheticfamilyandintoahardandunfeelingworld。Onemorninghebrokehistetherinthesmallbackyard。Forseveraldaysthereafterhedisplayedhimselfinguiltyfreedomonthetopsofadjacentwallsandouthouses。TheSanFranciscosuburbwherehiscredulousprotectorslivedwasstillinavolcanicstateofdisruption，causedbythegradingofnewstreetsthroughrocksandsandhills。Inconsequencetheroofsofsomehouseswereonthelevelofthedoorstepsofothers，andwereespeciallyadaptedtoBilly\'sperformances。Oneafternoon，totheadmiringandperplexedeyesofthenursery，hewasdiscoveredstandingontheapexofaneighbor\'snewElizabethanchimney，onaspacescarcelylargerthanthecrownofahat，calmlysurveyingtheworldbeneathhim。Highinfantilevoicesappealedtohiminvain；babyarmswereoutstretchedtohiminhopelessinvitation；heremainedexaltedandobdurate，likeMilton\'shero，probablybyhisownmerit“raisedtothatbademinence。“Indeed，therewasalreadysomethingSatanicinhisbuddinghornsandpointedmaskasthesmokecurledsoftlyaroundhim。Thenheappropriatelyvanished，andSanFranciscoknewhimnomore。Atthesametime，however，oneOwenM\'Ginnis，aneighboringsandhillsquatter，alsodisappeared，leavingSanFranciscoforthesouthernmines，andhewassaidtohavetakenBillywithhim，——fornoconceivablereasonexceptforcompanionship。Howbeit，itwastheturning-pointofBilly\'scareer；suchrestraintaskindness，civilization，orevenpolicemenhadexerciseduponhisnaturewasgone。Heretained，Ifear，acertainwickedintelligence，pickedupinSanFranciscowiththenewspapersandtheatricalandelectionpostershehadconsumed。HereappearedatRockyCanyonamongtheminersasanexceedinglyagilechamois，withthelowcunningofasatyr。Thatwasallthatcivilizationhaddoneforhim！
IfMr。M\'GinnishadfondlyconceivedthathewouldmakeBilly“useful，“aswellascompanionable，hewassingularlymistaken。
HorsesandmuleswerescarceinRockyCanyon，andheattemptedtoutilizeBillybymakinghimdrawasmallcart，ladenwithauriferousearth，fromhisclaimtotheriver。Billy，rapidlygainingstrength，wasquiteequaltothetask，butalas！nothisinbornpropensity。AnincautiousgesturefromthefirstpassingminerBillychosetoconstrueintotheusualchallenge。Loweringhishead，fromwhichhisbuddinghornshadbeenalreadyprunedbyhismaster，heinstantlywentforhischallenger，cartandall。
Againthescientificlawalreadypointedoutprevailed。Withtheshockoftheonsettheentirecontentsofthecartaroseandpouredovertheastonishedminer，buryinghimfromsight。InanyotherbutaCalifornianmining-campsuchapropensityinadraughtanimalwouldhavebeencondemned，onaccountofthedamageandsufferingitentailed，butinRockyCanyonitprovedunprofitabletotheownerfromtheveryamusementandinterestitexcited。MinerslayinwaitforBillywitha“greenhorn，“ornew-comer，whomtheywouldputuptochallengetheanimalbysomeindiscreetgesture。Inthiswayhardlyacartloadof“pay-gravel“everarrivedsafelyatitsdestination，andtheunfortunateM\'GinniswascompelledtowithdrawBillyasabeastofburden。Itwaswhisperedthatsogreathadhispropensitybecome，underrepeatedprovocation，thatM\'Ginnishimselfwasnolongersafe。Goingaheadofhiscartonedaytoremoveafallenboughfromthetrail，Billyconstruedtheactofstoopingintoaplayfulchallengefromhismaster，——withtheinevitableresult。
ThenextdayM\'Ginnisappearedwithawheelbarrow，butwithoutBilly。Fromthatdayhewasrelegatedtotherockycragsabovethecamp，fromwhencehewasonlyluredoccasionallybythemischievousminers，whowishedtoexhibithispeculiarperformances。ForalthoughBillyhadamplefoodandsustenanceamongthecrags，hehadstillacivilizedlongingforposters；andwheneveracircus，aconcert，orapoliticalmeetingwas“billed“inthesettlement，hewasonhandwhilethepastewasyetfreshandsucculent。Inthiswayitwasaverredthatheonceremovedagigantictheatrebillsettingforththecharmsofthe“SacramentoPet，“andbeingcaughtintheactbytheadvanceagent，waspursuedthroughthemainstreet，carryingthedampbillonhishorns，eventuallyaffixingit，afterhisownpeculiarfashion，onthebackofJudgeBoompointer，whowasstandinginfrontofhisowncourt-house。
InconnectionwiththevisitsofthisyoungladyanotherstoryconcerningBillysurvivesinthelegendsofRockyCanyon。ColonelStarbottlewasatthattimepassingthroughthesettlementonelectionbusiness，anditwaspartofhischivalrousadmirationforthesextopayavisittotheprettyactress。Thesinglewaiting-
roomofthelittlehotelgaveupontheveranda，whichwasalsolevelwiththestreet。Afterabriefyetgallantinterview，inwhichheoratoricallyexpressedthegratitudeofthesettlementwithold-fashionedSoutherncourtesy，ColonelStarbottleliftedthechubbylittlehandofthe“Pet“tohislips，and，withalowbow，backedoutupontheveranda。ButthePetwasastoundedbyhisinstantreappearance，andbyhisapparentlycastinghimselfpassionatelyandhurriedlyatherfeet！ItisneedlesstosaythathewasfollowedcloselybyBilly，whofromthestreethadcasuallynoticedhim，andconstruedhisnovelexitintoanungentlemanlychallenge。
Billy\'svisits，however，becamelessfrequent，andasRockyCanyonunderwentthechangesincidentaltominingsettlements，hewaspresentlyforgottenintheinvasionofafewSouthwesternfamilies，andtheadoptionofamusementslesspracticalandturbulentthanhehadafforded。Itwasallegedthathewasstillseeninthemoresecludedfastnessesofthemountains，havingrevertedtoawildstate，anditwassuggestedbyoneortwoofthemoreadventurousthathemightyetbecomeedible，andafairobjectofchase。A
travelerthroughtheUpperPassofthecanyonrelatedhowhehadseenasavage-looking，hairyanimallikeasmallelkpercheduponinaccessiblerocks，butalwaysoutofgunshot。Buttheseandotherlegendsweresetatnaughtandoverthrownbyanunexpectedincident。
ThePioneerCoachwastoilingupthelonggradetowardsSkinnersPasswhenYubaBillsuddenlypulledup，withhisfeetonthebrake。
“Jimminy！“heejaculated，drawingadeepbreath。
Thestartledpassengerbesidehimontheboxfollowedthedirectionofhiseyes。Throughanopeninginthewaysidepineshecouldsee，afewhundredyardsaway，acuplikehollowinthehillsideofthevividestgreen。Inthecentreayounggirloffifteenorsixteenwasdancingandkeepingsteptothecastanet“click“ofapairof“bones，“suchasnegrominstrelsuse，heldinherhandsaboveherhead。But，moresingularstill，afewpacesbeforeheralargegoat，withitsneckroughlywreathedwithflowersandvines，wastakingungainlyboundsandleapsinimitationofitscompanion。
ThewildbackgroundoftheSierras，thepastoralhollow，theincongruousnessofthefigures，andthevividcolorofthegirl\'sredflannelpetticoatshowingbeneathhercalicoskirt，thathadbeenpinnedaroundherwaist，madeastrikingpicture，whichbythistimehadattractedalleyes。Perhapsthedancingofthegirlsuggestedanegro“break-down“ratherthananyknownsylvanmeasure；butallthis，andeventheclatterofthebones，wasmadegraciousbythedistance。
“Esmeralda！bythelivingHarry！“shoutedtheexcitedpassengeronthebox。
YubaBilltookhisfeetoffthebrake，andturnedalookofdeepscornuponhiscompanionashegatheredthereinsagain。
“It\'sthatblankedgoat，outerRockyCanyonbeyond，andPollyHarkness！HowdidsheevercometotakeupwithHIM？“
Nevertheless，assoonasthecoachreachedRockyCanyon，thestorywasquicklytoldbythepassengers，corroboratedbyYubaBill，andhighlycoloredbytheobserveronthebox-seat。Harknesswasknowntobeanew-comerwholivedwithhiswifeandonlydaughterontheothersideofSkinnersPass。Hewasa“logger“andcharcoal-
burner，whohadeatenhiswayintotheserriedranksofpinesbelowthepass，andestablishedintheseeffortsanalmostinsurmountablecordonoffallentrees，strippedbark，andcharcoalpitsaroundtheclearingwherehisrudeloghutstood，——whichkepthisseclusionunbroken。Hewassaidtobeahalf-savagemountaineerfromGeorgia，inwhoserudefastnesseshehaddistilledunlawfulwhiskey，andthathistastesandhabitsunfittedhimforcivilization。Hiswifechewedandsmoked；hewasbelievedtomakeafierybrewofhisownfromacornsandpinenuts；heseldomcametoRockyCanyonexceptforprovisions；hislogswereslippeddowna“shoot“orslidetotheriver，wheretheyvoyagedonceamonthtoadistantmill，butHEdidnotaccompanythem。Thedaughter，seldomseenatRockyCanyon，wasahalf-growngirl，brownasautumnfern，wild-eyed，disheveled，inahomespunskirt，sunbonnet，andboy\'sbrogans。SuchweretheplainfactswhichskepticalRockyCanyonopposedtothepassengers\'
legends。Nevertheless，someoftheyoungerminersfounditnotoutoftheirwaytogooverSkinnersPassonthejourneytotheriver，butwithwhatsuccesswasnottold。Itwassaid，however，thatacelebratedNewYorkartist，makingatourofCalifornia，wasonthecoachonedaygoingthroughthepass，andpreservedthememoryofwhathesawthereinawell-knownpictureentitled“DancingNymphandSatyr，“saidbycompetentcriticstobe“repletewiththestudyofGreeklife。“ThisdidnotaffectRockyCanyon，wherethestudyofmythologywaspresumablydisplacedbyanexperienceofmorewonderfulflesh-and-bloodpeople，butlateritwasrememberedwithsomesignificance。
Amongtheimprovementsalreadynoted，azincandwoodenchapelhadbeenerectedinthemainstreet，whereacertainpopularrevivalistpreacherofapeculiarSouthwesternsectregularlyheldexhortatoryservices。Hisrudeemotionalpoweroverhisignorantfellow-
sectarianswaswellknown，whilecuriositydrewothers。Hiseffectuponthefemalesofhisflockwashystericalandsensational。
Womenprematurelyagedbyfrontierdrudgeryandchild-bearing，girlswhohadknownonlytherigorsandpainsofahalf-equipped，ill-nourishedyouthintheirbattlingwiththehardrealitiesofnaturearoundthem，allfoundastrangefascinationintheextravagantgloriesandprivilegesoftheunseenworldhepicturedtothem，whichtheymighthavefoundinthefairytalesandnurserylegendsofcivilizedchildren，hadtheyknownthem。Personallyhewasnotattractive；histhinpointedface，andbushyhairrisingoneithersideofhissquareforeheadintworoundedknots，andhislong，straggling，wirybearddroppingfromastrongneckandshoulders，wereindeedofacommonSouthwesterntype；yetinhimtheysuggestedsomethingmore。Thiswasvoicedbyaminerwhoattendedhisfirstservice，andastheReverendMr。Withholderroseinthepulpit，theformerwasheardtoaudiblyejaculate，“Dodblasted！——ifitain\'tBilly！“ButwhenonthefollowingSunday，toeverybody\'sastonishment，PollyHarkness，inanewwhitemuslinfrockandbroad-brimmedLeghornhat，appearedbeforethechurchdoorwiththerealBilly，andexchangedconversationwiththepreacher，thelikenesswasappalling。
IgrievetosaythatthegoatwasatoncechristenedbyRockyCanyonas“TheReverendBilly，“andtheministerhimselfwasBilly\'s“brother。“Morethanthat，whenanattemptwasmadebyoutsiders，duringtheservice，toinveiglethetetheredgoatintohisoldbuttingperformances，andhetooknottheleastnoticeoftheirinsultsandchallenges，theepithet“blankedhypocrite“wasaddedtohistitle。
Hadhereallyreformed？Hadhispastorallifewithhisnymph-likemistresscompletelycuredhimofhispugnaciouspropensity，orhadhesimplyfounditwasinconsistentwithhisdancing，andseriouslyinterferedwithhis“fancysteps“？Hadhefoundtractsandhymn-
bookswereasedibleastheatreposters？ThesewerequestionsthatRockycanyondiscussedlightly，althoughtherewasalwaysthemoreseriousmysteryoftherelationsoftheReverendMr。Withholder，PollyHarkness，andthegoattowardseachother。TheappearanceofPollyatchurchwasnodoubtduetotheminister\'sactivecanvassofthedistricts。ButhadheeverheardofPolly\'sdancingwiththegoat？Andwhereinthisplain，angular，badlydressedPollywashiddenthatbeautifulvisionofthedancingnymphwhichhadenthralledsomany？AndwhenhadBillyevergivenanysuggestionofhisTerpsichoreanabilities——beforeorsince？Werethereany“points“ofthekindtobediscernedinhimnow？None！WasitnotmoreprobablethattheReverendMr。WithholderhadhimselfbeendancingwithPolly，andbeenmistakenforthegoat？PassengerswhocouldhavebeensodeceivedwithregardtoPolly\'sbeautymighthaveaseasilymistakentheministerforBilly。Aboutthistimeanotherincidentoccurredwhichincreasedthemystery。
TheonlymaleinthesettlementwhoapparentlydissentedfromthepopularopinionregardingPollywasanew-comer，JackFilgee。
Whilediscreditingherperformancewiththegoat，——whichhehadneverseen，——hewasevidentlygreatlyprepossessedwiththegirlherself。Unfortunately，hewasequallyaddictedtodrinking，andashewasexceedinglyshyandtimidwhensober，andquiteunpresentableatothertimes，hiswooing，ifitcouldbesocalled，progressedbutslowly。YetwhenhefoundthatPollywenttochurch，helistenedsofartotheexhortationsoftheReverendMr。
Withholderastopromisetocometo“Bibleclass“immediatelyaftertheSundayservice。Itwasahotafternoon，andJack，whohadkeptsoberfortwodays，incautiouslyfortifiedhimselffortheordealbytakingadrinkbeforearriving。Hewasnervouslyearly，andimmediatelytookaseatintheemptychurchneartheopendoor。
Thequietofthebuilding，thedrowsybuzzingofflies，andperhapsthesoporificeffectoftheliquorcausedhiseyestocloseandhisheadtofallforwardonhisbreastrepeatedly。Hewasrecoveringhimselfforthefourthtimewhenhesuddenlyreceivedaviolentcuffontheear，andwasknockedbackwardoffthebenchonwhichhewassitting。Thatwasallheknew。
Hepickedhimselfupwithacertaindignity，partlynewtohim，andpartlytheresultofhiscondition，andstaggered，somewhatbruisedanddisheveled，tothenearestsaloon。Hereafewfrequenterswhohadseenhimpass，whoknewhiserrandandthedevotiontoPollywhichhadinducedit，exhibitedanaturalconcern。
“How\'sthingsdownatthegospelshop？“saidone。“Lookasefyou\'dbeenwrastlin\'withtheSperit，Jack！“
“Oldmanmusthevexhortedpow\'ful，“saidanother，glancingathisdisorderedSundayattire。
“Ain\'tbe\'nhevin\'arowwithPolly？I\'mtoldsheslingsanawfulleft。“
Jack，insteadofreplying，pouredoutadramofwhiskey，drankit，andputtingdownhisglass，leanedheavilyagainstthecounterashesurveyedhisquestionerswithasorrowchastenedbyreproachfuldignity。
“I\'mastrangerhere，gentlemen，“hesaidslowly“ye\'veknownmeonlyalittle；butezye\'veseenmebothblinddrunkandsober，I
reckonye\'vecaughtontomygin\'ralgait！NowIwanterputittoyou，ezfair-mindedmen，efyoueversawmestrikeaparson？“
“No，“saidachorusofsympatheticvoices。Thebarkeeper，however，withaswiftrecollectionofPollyandtheReverendWithholder，andsomepossiblecontingentjealousyinJack，addedprudently，“Notyet。“
Thechorusinstantlyaddedreflectively，“Well，nonotyet。“
“Didyeever，“continuedJacksolemnly，“knowmetocuss，sass，bully-rag，orsayanythingaginparsons，orthechurch？“
“No，“saidthecrowd，overthrowingprudenceincuriosity，“yeneverdid，——weswearit！Andnow，what\'sup？“
“Iain\'twhatyoucall\'amemberingoodstandin\'，\'“hewenton，artisticallyprotractinghisclimax。“Iain\'tbe\'nconvictedo\'
sin；Iain\'t\'ameekan\'lowlyfollower；\'Iain\'tbe\'nexactlywhatIorterbe\'n；Ihevn\'tlivedanywhereuptomylights；butisthetareasonwhyaparsonshouldstrikeme？“
“Why？What？Whendidhe？Whodid？“askedtheeagercrowd，withonevoice。
JackthenpainfullyrelatedhowhehadbeeninvitedbytheReverendMr。WithholdertoattendtheBibleclass。Howhehadarrivedearly，andfoundthechurchempty。Howhehadtakenaseatnearthedoortobehandywhentheparsoncame。Howhejustfelt“kinderkamandgood，“listenin\'tothefliesbuzzing，andmusthavefallenasleep，——onlyhepulledhimselfupeverytime，——though，afterall，itwarn\'tnocrimetofallasleepinanemptychurch！
How“allofasuddent“theparsoncamein，“givehimaclipsideo\'
thehead，“andknockedhimoffthebench，andlefthimthere！
“ButwhatdidheSAY？“queriedthecrowd。
“Nuthin\'。AforeIcouldgetup，hegotaway。“
“Areyousureitwashim？“theyasked。“YouknowyouSAYyouwasasleep。“
“AmIsure？“repeatedJackscornfully。“Don\'tIknowthetfaceandbeard？Didn\'tIfeelithangin\'overme？“
“Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？“continuedthecrowdeagerly。
“Waittillhecomesout——andyou\'llsee，“saidJack，withdignity。
Thiswasenoughforthecrowd；theygatheredexcitedlyatthedoor，whereJackwasalreadystanding，lookingtowardsthechurch。Themomentsdraggedslowly；itmightbealongmeeting。Suddenlythechurchdooropenedandafigureappeared，lookingupanddownthestreet。Jackcolored——herecognizedPolly——andsteppedoutintotheroad。Thecrowddelicately，butsomewhatdisappointedly，drewbackinthesaloon。TheydidnotcaretointerfereinTHATsortofthing。
Pollysawhim，andcamehurriedlytowardshim。Shewasholdingsomethinginherhand。
“Ipickedthisuponthechurchfloor，“shesaidshyly，“soI
reckonedyouHADbe\'nthere，——thoughtheparsonsaidyouhadn\'t，——
andIjustexcusedmyselfandranouttogiveitye。It\'syourn，ain\'tit？“Sheheldupagoldspecimenpin，whichhehadputoninhonoroftheoccasion。“Ihadahardertime，though，togitthisyer，——it\'syourntoo，——forBillywaslayingdownintheyard，backo\'thechurch，andjustcomf\'blyswallerin\'it。“
“Who？“saidJackquickly。
“Billy，——mygoat。“
Jackdrewalongbreath，andglancedbackatthesaloon。“Yeain\'tgoin\'backtoclassnow，areye？“hesaidhurriedly。“Efyouain\'t，I\'ll——I\'llseeyehome。
“Idon\'tmind，“saidPollydemurely，“ifitain\'ttakin\'yeoutery\'urway。“
Jackofferedhisarm，andhurryingpastthesaloon，thehappypairweresoonontheroadtoSkinnersPass。
Jackdidnot，Iregrettosay，confesshisblunder，butlefttheReverendMr。Withholdertoremainundersuspicionofhavingcommittedanunprovokedassaultandbattery。ItwascharacteristicofRockyCanyon，however，thatthissuspicion，farfrominjuringhisclericalreputation，incitedarespectthathadbeenhithertodeniedhim。Amanwhocouldhitoutstraightfromtheshoulderhad，inthelanguageofthecritics，“suthin\'inhim。“Oddlyenough，thecrowdthathadatfirstsympathizedwithJacknowbegantoadmitprovocations。Hissubsequentsilence，adispositionwhenquestionedonthesubjecttosmileinanely，and，later，wheninsidiouslyaskedifhehadeverseenPollydancingwiththegoat，hisburstingintouproariouslaughtercompletelyturnedthecurrentofopinionagainsthim。Thepublicmind，however，soonbecameengrossedbyamoreinterestingincident。
TheReverendMr。WithholderhadorganizedaseriesofBiblicaltableauxatSkinnerstownforthebenefitofhischurch。
Illustrationsweretobegivenof“RebeccaattheWell，““TheFindingofMoses，““JosephandhisBrethren；“butRockyCanyonwasmoreparticularlyexcitedbytheannouncementthatPollyHarknesswouldpersonate“Jephthah\'sDaughter。“Ontheeveningoftheperformance，however，itwasfoundthatthistableauhadbeenwithdrawnandanothersubstituted，forreasonsnotgiven。RockyCanyon，naturallyindignantatthisomissiontorepresentnativetalent，indulgedinahundredwildsurmises。ButitwasgenerallybelievedthatJackFilgee\'srevengefulanimositytotheReverendMr。Withholderwasatthebottomofit。Jack，asusual，smiledinanely，butnothingwastobegotfromhim。Itwasnotuntilafewdayslater，whenanotherincidentcrownedtheclimaxofthesemysteries，thatafulldisclosurecamefromhislips。
OnemorningaflamingposterwasdisplayedatRockyCanyon，withacharmingpictureofthe“SacramentoPet“inthebriefestofskirts，disportingwithatambourinebeforeagoatgarlandedwithflowers，whobore，however，anundoubtedlikenesstoBilly。Thetextinenormousletters，andbristlingwithpointsofadmiration，statedthatthe“Pet“wouldappearas“Esmeralda，“assistedbyaperforminggoat，especiallytrainedbythegiftedactress。Thegoatwoulddance，playcards，andperformthosetricksofmagicfamiliartothereadersofVictorHugo\'sbeautifulstoryofthe“HunchbackofNotreDame，“andfinallyknockdownandoverthrowthedesigningseducer，CaptainPhoebus。ThemarvelousspectaclewouldbeproducedunderthepatronageoftheHon。ColonelStarbottleandtheMayorofSkinnerstown。
AsallRockyCanyongatheredopen-mouthedaroundtheposter，Jackdemurelyjoinedthegroup。Everyeyewasturneduponhim。
“Itdon\'tlookasifyerPollywasinTHISshow，anymorethanshewasinthetablows，“saidone，tryingtoconcealhiscuriosityunderaslightsneer。“Shedon\'tseemtobedoin\'anydancin\'！“
“SheneverDIDanydancin\'，“saidJack，withasmile。
“NeverDID！Thenwhatwasalltheseyarnsaboutherdancin\'upatthepass？“
“ItwastheSacramentoPetwhodidallthedancin\'；PollyonlyLENT
thegoat。Yesee，thePetkindertookashinetoBillyarterhebowledStarbottleoverthetdayatthehotel，andshethoughtshemightteachhimtricks。SosheDID，doingallherteachin\'andstage-rehearsin\'upthereatthepass，so\'stobeoutersight，andkeepthisthingdark。ShebribedPollytolendherthegoatandkeephersecret，andPollyneverletonawordtoanybodybutme。“
“ThenitwasthePetthatYubaBillsawdancin\'fromthecoach？“
“Yes。“
“AndthatyerartistfromNewYorkpaintedasan\'ImpandSatire\'？“
“Yes。“
“Thenthat\'showPollydidn\'tshowupinthemtablowsatSkinnerstown？ItwasWithholderwhokindersmeltarat，eh？andfoundoutitwasonlyatheaytergalallalongthatdidthedancin\'？“
“Well，yousee，“saidJack，withaffectedhesitation，“thet\'sanotheryarn。Idon\'tknowmebbeezIoughtertellit。Etain\'tgotanythingtodowiththisadvertisemento\'thePet，andmightberoughonoldmanWithholder！Yemustn\'taskme，boys。“
Buttherewasthatinhiseye，andaboveallinthislazyprocrastinationofthetruehumoristwhenheisapproachinghisclimax，whichrenderedthecrowdclamorousandunappeasable。TheyWOULDhavethestory！
Seeingwhich，Jackleanedbackagainstarockwithgreatgravity，puthishandsinhispockets，lookeddiscontentedlyattheground，andbegan:“Yousee，boys，oldParsonWithholderhadheardalltheseyarnsaboutPollyandthettrick-goat，andhekinderreckonedthatshemightdoforsomeoneofhistablows。Soheaxedherifshe\'dmindstandin\'withthegoatandatambourineforJephthah\'sDaughter，ataboutthetimewhenoldJephcomeshome，sailin\'inandvowin\'he\'llkillthefirstthinghesees，——jestasitisintheBiblestory。Well，Pollydidn\'tliketosayitwasn\'tHERthatperformedwiththegoat，butthePet，forthetwouldgivethePetdeadaway；soPollyagreestocometharwiththegoatandrehearsethetablow。Well，Polly\'sthar，alittleshy；andBilly，——youbetHE\'Sallthere，andreadyforthefun；butthedarnedfoolwhoplaysJephthahain\'tworthshucks，andwhenHEcomesinhedoesnothin\'butgrinatPollyandseemskeertatthegoat。ThismakesoldWithholderjestwild，andatlasthegoesontheplatformhisselftoshowthemhowthethingoughterbedone。Sohecomesbustlin\'andprancin\'in，andketchessighto\'Pollydancin\'inwiththegoattowelcomehim；andthenheclaspshishands——so——anddropsonhisknees，andhangsdownhishead——so——andsez，\'Mechyld！mevow！Oh，heavens！\'ButjestthenBilly——who\'sgettin\'
rathertiredo\'allthisfoolishness——kindersluesroundonhishindlegs，andketchessighto\'theparson！“Jackpausedamoment，andthrustinghishandsstilldeeperinhispockets，saidlazily，“Idon\'tknowifyoufellershavenoticedhowmucholdWithholderlookslikeBilly？“
Therewasarapidandimpatientchorusof“Yes！yes！“and“Goon！“
“Well，“continuedJack，“whenBillyseesWithholderkneelin\'tharwithhisheaddown，hegivesakindo\'joyousleapandclapshishoofstogether，ezmucheztosay，\'I\'moninthisscene，\'dropshisownhead，andjestlightsoutfortheparson！“
“Andbuttshimcleanthroughthesidescenesintothestreet，“
interruptedadelightedauditor。
ButJack\'sfaceneverchanged。“Yethinkso？“hesaidgravely。
“Butthet\'sjestwharyeslipup；andthet\'sjestwharBillyslippedup！“headdedslowly。“Mebbeye\'venoticed，too，thettheparson\'sbuiltkindersolidabouttheheadandshoulders。Itmoughthevbe\'nthet，orthetBillydidn\'tgetafairstart，butthetgoatwentdownonhisforelegslikeashot，andtheparsongaveoneheave，andjestscootedhimofftheplatform！Thentheparsonreckonedthetthisyer\'tablow\'hadbetterbeleftout，asthardidn\'tseemtobeanyothermanwhocouldplayJephthah，anditwasn\'tdignifiedforHIMtotakethepart。ButtheparsonallowedthetitmightbeagreatmorallessontoBilly！“
AnditWAS，forfromthatmomentBillyneverattemptedtobuttagain。HeperformedwithgreatdocilitylateroninthePet\'sengagementatSkinnerstown；heplayedadistinguishedrolethroughouttheprovinces；hehadhadtheadvantagesofArtfrom“thePet，“andofSimplicityfromPolly，butonlyRockyCanyonknewthathisrealeducationhadcomewithhisfirstrehearsalwiththeReverendMr。Withholder。
DICKSPINDLER\'SFAMILYCHRISTMAS
TherewassurpriseandsometimesdisappointmentinRoughandReady，whenitwasknownthatDickSpindlerintendedtogivea“family“
Christmaspartyathisownhouse。Thatheshouldtakeanearlyopportunitytocelebratehisgoodfortuneandshowhospitalitywasonlyexpectedfromthemanwhohadjustmadeahandsome“strike“onhisclaim；butthatitshouldassumesoconservative，old-
fashioned，andrespectableaformwasquiteunlooked-forbyRoughandReady，andwasthoughtbysomeatriflepretentious。Therewerenothalf-a-dozenfamiliesinRoughandReady；nobodyeverknewbeforethatSpindlerhadanyrelations，andthis“ringingin“ofstrangerstothesettlementseemedtoindicateatleastalackofpublicspirit。“Hemight，“urgedoneofhiscritics，“hevgiventheboys，——thathadworkedalongsideo\'himintheditchesbyday，andslunglieswithhimaroundthecamp-firebynight，——hemighthevgiventhemasquare\'blowout，\'andkep\'theleavin\'sforhisoldSpindlercrew，justasotherfamiliesdo。Why，whenoldmanScudderhadhishouse-raisin\'lastyear，hisfamilylivedforaweekonwhatwasleftover，artertheboyshadwaltzedthroughthehousethatnight，——andtheScudderswarn\'tstrangers，either。“ItwasalsoevidentthattherewasanuneasyfeelingthatSpindler\'sactionindicatedanunhallowedleaningtowardstheminorityofrespectabilityandexclusiveness，andadesertion——withouttheexcuseofmatrimony——oftheconvivialandindependentbachelormajorityofRoughandReady。
“Efhewasstuckaftersomegalandwaskinderlookingahead，I\'dhevunderstoodit，“arguedanothercritic。
“Don\'tyebetoosureheain\'t，“saidUncleJimStarbuckgloomily。
“Ye\'llfindthatsomeblamedwomanisatthebottomofthisyer\'family\'gathering。Thatandtroubleezalmostallthey\'remadefor！“
Therehappenedtobesometruthinthisdarkprophecy，butnoneofthekindthatthemisogynistsupposed。Infact，SpindlerhadcalledafeweveningsbeforeatthehouseoftheRev。Mr。Saltover，andMrs。Saltover，havingoneofher“Saleratusheadaches，“hadturnedhimovertoherwidowsister，Mrs。HuldyPrice，whoobedientlybestoweduponhimthatpracticalandcriticalattentionwhichshedividedwiththestockingshewasdarning。Shewasawomanofthirty-five，ofsingularnerveandpracticalwisdom，whohadoncesmuggledherwoundedhusbandhomefromaborderaffray，calmlymadecoffeeforhisdeceivedpursuerswhilehelayhiddenintheloft，walkedfourmilesforthatmedicalassistancewhicharrivedtoolatetosavehim，buriedhimsecretlyinhisown“quartersection，“withonlyoneotherwitnessandmourner，andsosavedherpositionandpropertyinthatwildcommunity，whobelievedhehadfled。Therewasverylittleofthisexperiencetobetracedinherround，fresh-coloredbrunettecheek，hercalmblackeyes，setinapricklyhedgeofstifflashes，herplumpfigure，orherfrank，courageouslaugh。ThelatterappearedasasmilewhenshewelcomedMr。Spindler。“Shehadn\'tseenhimforacoon\'sage，“but“reckonedhewasbusyfixin\'uphisnewhouse。“
“Well，yes，“saidSpindler，withaslighthesitation，“yesee，I\'mreckonin\'tohevakinderChristmasgatherin\'ofmy“——hewasabouttosay“folks，“butdismisseditfor“relations，“andfinallysettledupon“relatives“asbeingmorecorrectinapreacher\'shouse。
Mrs。Pricethoughtitaverygoodidea。Christmaswasthenaturalseasonforthefamilytogatherto“seewho\'shereandwho\'sthere，who\'sgettin\'onandwhoisn\'t，andwho\'sdeadandburied。Itwasluckyforthemwhoweresoplacedthattheycoulddosoandbejoyful。“HerinvinciblephilosophyprobablycarriedherpastanydangerousrecollectionsofthelonelygraveinKansas，andholdingupthestockingtothelight，sheglancedcheerfullyalongitsleveltoMr。Spindler\'sembarrassedfacebythefire。
“Well，Ican\'tsaymucheztothat，“respondedSpindler，stillawkwardly，“foryouseeIdon\'tknowmuchaboutitanyway。“
“Howlongsinceyou\'veseen\'em？“askedMrs。Price，apparentlyaddressingherselftothestocking。
Spindlergaveaweaklaugh。“Well，yousee，efitcomestothat，I\'veneverseen\'em！“
Mrs。PriceputthestockinginherlapandopenedherdirecteyesonSpindler。“Neverseen\'em？“sherepeated。“Then，they\'renotnearrelations？
“Therearethreecousins，“saidSpindler，checkingthemoffonhisfingers，“ahalf-uncle，akindofbrother-in-law，——thatis，thebrotherofmysister-in-law\'ssecondhusband，——andaniece。That\'ssix。“
“Butifyou\'venotseenthem，Isupposethey\'vecorrespondedwithyou？“saidMrs。Price。
“They\'venearlyallof\'emwrittentomeformoney，seeingmynameinthepaperezhevin\'madeastrike，“returnedSpindlersimply；
“andhevin\'sentit，Ijestknowtheiraddresses。“
“Oh！“saidMrs。Price，returningtothestocking。
SomethinginthetoneofherejaculationincreasedSpindler\'sembarrassment，butitalsomadehimdesperate。“Yousee，Mrs。
Price，“heblurtedout，“IoughtertellyethatIreckontheyarethefolksthat\'hevn\'tgoton，\'don\'tyousee，andsoitseemedonlythesquarethingforme，ezhad\'goton，\'togivethemasorto\'Christmasfestival。Suthin\'，don\'tyeknow，likewhatyourbrother-in-lawwassayin\'lastSundayinthepulpitaboutthisyerpeaceandgoodwill\'twixtmanandman。“
Mrs。Pricelookedagainatthemanbeforeher。Hissallow，perplexedfaceexhibitedsomedoubt，yetacertaindetermination，regardingtheprospectthequotationhadopenedtohim。“Averygoodidea，Mr。Spindler，andonethatdoesyougreatcredit，“shesaidgravely。
“I\'mmightygladtohearyousayso，Mrs。Price，“hesaid，withanaccentofgreatrelief，“forIreckonedtoaskyouagreatfavor！
Yousee，“hefellintohisformerhesitation，“thatis——thefactis——thatthissorto\'thingisrathersuddenttome，——alittleoutermyline，don\'tyousee，andIwasgoin\'toaskyeefyou\'dmindtakin\'thehullthinginhandandrunninitforme。“
“Runningitforyou，“saidMrs。Price，withaquickeye-shotfromundertheedgeofherlashes。“Manalive！Whatareyouthinkingof？“
“Bossin\'thewholejobforme，“hurriedonSpindler，withnervousdesperation。“Gettin\'togetherallthethingsandmakin\'readyfor\'em，——orderin\'ineverythin\'that\'swanted，andfixin\'uptherooms，——Ikinstepoutwhileyou\'redoin\'it，——andthenhelpin\'mereceivin\'\'em，andsittin\'attheheado\'thetable，youknow，——
likeezefyouwasthemistress。“
“But，“saidMrs。Price，withherfranklaugh，“that\'sthedutyofoneofyourrelations，——yourniece，forinstance，——orcousin，ifoneofthemisawoman。“
“But，“persistedSpindler，“yousee，they\'restrangerstome；I
don\'tknow\'em，andIdoyou。You\'dmakeiteasyfor\'em，——andforme，——don\'tyousee？Kinderintroduce\'em，——don\'tyouknow？A
womanofyourgin\'ralexperiencewouldsmoothdownallthemlittledifficulties，“continuedSpindler，withavaguerecollectionoftheKansasstory，“andputeverybodyonvelvet。Don\'tsay\'No，\'Mrs。
Price！I\'mjustkalkilatin\'onyou。“
Sincerityandpersistencyinamangoesagreatwaywitheventhebestofwomen。Mrs。Price，whohadatfirstreceivedSpindler\'srequestasanamusingoriginality，nowbegantoinclinesecretlytowardsit。And，ofcourse，begantosuggestobjections。
“I\'mafraiditwon\'tdo，“shesaidthoughtfully，awakeningtothefactthatitwoulddoandcouldbedone。“Yousee，I\'vepromisedtospendChristmasatSacramentowithmyniecesfromBaltimore。
Andthenthere\'sMrs。Saltoverandmysistertoconsult。“
ButhereSpindler\'ssimplefaceshowedsuchsignsofdistressthatthewidowdeclaredshewould“thinkitover，“——aprocesswhichthesanguineSpindlerseemedtoconsidersonearlyakintotalkingitoverthatMrs。Pricebegantobelieveitherself，ashehopefullydeparted。
She“thoughtitover“sufficientlytogotoSacramentoandexcuseherselftohernieces。Buthereshepermittedherselfto“talkitover，“totheinfinitedelightofthoseBaltimoregirls，whothoughtthisextravaganzaofSpindler\'s“soCalifornianandeccentric！“SothatitwasnotstrangethatpresentlythenewscamebacktoRoughandReady，andhisoldassociateslearnedforthefirsttimethathehadneverseenhisrelatives，andthattheywouldbedoublystrangers。Thisdidnotincreasehispopularity；
neither，Igrievetosay，didtheintelligencethathisrelativeswereprobablypoor，andthattheReverendMr。Saltoverhadapprovedofhiscourse，andhadlikenedittotherichman\'sfeast，towhichthehaltandblindwereinvited。Indeed，theallusionwassupposedtoaddhypocrisyandabidforpopularitytoSpindler\'sdefection，foritwasarguedthathemighthavefeasted“Wall-eyedJoe“or“Tangle-footBilly，“——whohadoncebeen“chawed“byabearwhileprospecting，——ifhehadbeensincere。Howbeit，Spindler\'sfaithwasoblivioustothesecriticisms，inhisjoyatMr。Saltover\'sadhesiontohisplansandtheloanofMrs。Priceasahostess。Infact，heproposedtoherthattheinvitationshouldalsoconveythatinformationintheexpression，“bythekindpermissionoftheRev。Mr。Saltover，“asaguaranteeofgoodfaith，butthewidowwouldhavenoneofit。Theinvitationsweredulywrittenanddispatched。
“Suppose，“suggestedSpindler，withasuddenlugubriousapprehension，——“supposetheyshouldn\'tcome？“
“Havenofearofthat，“saidMrs。Price，withafranklaugh。
“Oreftheywasdead，“continuedSpindler。
“Theycouldn\'tallbedead，“saidthewidowcheerfully。
“I\'vewrittentoanothercousinbymarriage，“saidSpindlerdubiously，“incaseofaccident；Ididn\'tthinkofhimbefore，becausehewasrich。“
“Andhaveyoueverseenhimeither，Mr。Spindler？“askedthewidow，withaslightmischievousness。
“Lordy！No！“heresponded，withunaffectedconcern。