Sheheldherbreath——thefootstepscamenearer——werebeforeherdoor——andPASSED！
Thenitwasthatthebloodrushedbacktohercheekwithaflushofindignation。Herroomwasattheendofthepassage；therewasnothingbeyondbutaprivatestaircase，longdisused，exceptbyherself，asashortcutthroughtheoldpatiotothegarden。Nooneelseknewofit，andnooneelsehadtherightofaccesstoit！
Thisinsolenthumanintrusion——asshewassatisfieditwasnow——
overcameherfear，andsheglidedtothedoor。Openingitsoftly，shecouldhearthestealthyfootstepsdescending。Shedartedback，threwashawloverherheadandshoulders，andtakingthesmallDerringerpistolwhichithadalwaysbeenpartofherostentatiousindependencetoplaceatherbed-head，sheasstealthilyfollowedtheintruder。Butthefootstepshaddiedawaybeforeshereachedthepatio，andshesawonlythesmalldeserted，grass-growncourtyard，halfhiddeninshadows，inwhosecentrestoodthefatefulandlongsealed-upwell！Ashuddercameoverheratagainbeingbroughtintocontactwiththecauseofherfrightfulvision，butashereyesbecameaccustomedtothedarkness，shesawsomethingmorerealandappalling！Thewellwasnolongersealed！
Fragmentsofbricksandboardslayaroundit！Oneendofarope，coiledarounditlikeahugesnake，descendeditsfouldepths；andasshegazedwithstaringeyes，theheadandshouldersofamanemergedslowlyfromit！ButitwasNOTtheghostlyapparitionoflastevening，andherterrorchangedtoscornandindignationassherecognizedthefaceofStarbuck！
Theireyesmet；anoathbrokefromhislips。Hemadeamovementtospringfromthewell，butasthegirlstartedback，thepistolheldinherhandwasdischargedaimlesslyintheair，andthereportechoedthroughoutthecourtyard。WithacurseStarbuckdrewback，instantlydisappearedinthewell，andPollyfellfaintingonthesteps。Whenshecameto，herfatherandLarrywereatherside。
Theyhadbeenalarmedatthereport，andhadrushedquicklytothepatio，butnotintimetopreventtheescapeofStarbuckandhisaccomplice。Bythetimeshehadrecoveredherconsciousness，theyhadlearnedthefullextentofthatextraordinaryrevelationwhichshehadsoinnocentlyprecipitated。Sobriente\'swellhadreallyconcealedarichgoldledge，——actuallytunneledandgalleriedbyhimsecretlyinthepast，——anditsonlyotheroutletwasanopeninginthegardenhiddenbyastonewhichturnedonaswivel。ItsexistencehadbeenunknowntoSobriente\'ssuccessor，butwasknowntotheKanakawhohadworkedwithSobriente，whofledwithhisdaughterafterthemurder，butwhonodoubtwasafraidtoreturnandworkthemine。HehadimpartedthesecrettoStarbuck，anotherhalf-breed，sonofaYankeemissionaryandHawaiianwife，whohadevidentlyconceivedthisplanofseekingBuenaVistawithanaccomplice，andsecretlyremovingsuchgoldaswasstillaccessible。Theaccomplice，afterwardsidentifiedbyLarryasthewanderingtramp，failedtodiscoverthesecretentranceFROMthegarden，andStarbuckwasconsequentlyobligedtoattemptitfromthehotel——forwhichpurposehehadintroducedhimselfasaboarder——byopeningthedisusedwellsecretlyatnight。Thesefactswereobtainedfrompapersfoundintheotherwisevaluelesstrunks，weightedwithstonesforballast，whichStarbuckhadbroughttothehoteltotakeawayhisstolentreasurein，butwhichhewasobligedtoleaveinhishurriedflight。TheattemptwouldhavedoubtlesssucceededbutforPolly\'scourageousandtimelyinterference！
AndnowthattheyhadtoldherALL，theyonlywantedtoknowwhathadfirstexcitedHERsuspicions，anddrivenhertoseekthewellastheobjectofStarbuck\'smachinations？THEYhadnoticedhermannerwhensheenteredthehousethatnight，andStarbuck\'sevidentannoyance。Hadshetaxedhimwithhersuspicions，andsodiscoveredaclue？
ItwasaterribletemptationtoPollytoposeasamoreperfectheroine，andonemaynotblameherifshedidnotriseentirelysuperiortoit。Herpreviousbelief，thattheheadoftheaccompliceattheopeningofthegardenwasthatofaGHOST，shenowfeltwascertainlyintheway，aswasalsoherconducttoStarbuck，whomshebelievedtobeequallyfrightened，andwhomsheneveroncesuspected！Soshesaid，withacertainloftysimplicity，thattherewereSOMETHINGSwhichshereallydidnotcaretotalkabout，andLarryandherfatherleftherthatnightwiththefirmconvictionthattherascalStarbuckhadtriedtotempthertoflywithhimandhisriches，andhadbeencrushinglyfoiled。Pollyneverdeniedthis，andonce，inlaterdays，whenadmiringlytaxedwithitbyLarry，sheadmittedwithdove-likesimplicitythatsheMAYhavebeentoofoolishlypolitetoherfather\'sguestforthesakeofherfather\'shotel。
However，allthiswasofsmallaccounttothethrillingnewsofanewdiscoveryandworkingofthe“oldgoldledge“atBuenaVista！
Asthethreekepttheirsecretfromtheworld，thediscoverywasacceptedintheneighborhoodastheresultofcarefulexaminationandprospectingonthepartofColonelSwingerandhispartnerLarryHawkins。AndwhenthelattergentlemanafterwardsboldlyproposedtoPollySwinger，shemischievouslydeclaredthatsheacceptedhimonlythatthesecretmightnotgo“outofthefamily。“
LIBERTYJONES\'SDISCOVERY
ItwasatbestmerelyarockytrailwindingalongashelfoftheeasternslopeoftheSantaCruzrange，yettheonlyroadbetweentheseaandtheinlandvalley。Thehoof-printsofawholecenturyofzigzaggingmuleswereimpressedonthesoil，regularlysoakedbywinterrainsanddriedbysummersunsduringthatperiod；theoccasionalrutsofheavy，rude，woodenwheels——longobsolete——werestillpreservedandvisible。Weather-wornbouldersandledges，lyingintheuncloudedglareofanAugustsky，radiatedaquiveringheatthatwasintolerable，evenwhileabovethemthemastsofgiganticpinesrockedtheirtopsinthecoldsouthwesterntradesfromtheunseenoceanbeyond。Ared，burningdustlayeverywhere，asiftheheatwereslowlyandvisiblyprecipitatingitself。
Thecreakingofwheelsandaxles，themuffledplungeofhoofs，andthecoughofahorseinthedustthusstirredpresentlybroketheprofoundwoodlandsilence。Thenadirtywhitecanvas-coveredemigrantwagonslowlyarosewiththedustalongtheascent。Itwastravel-stainedandworn，andwithitsrawbonedhorsesseemedtohavereachedthelaststageofitsjourneyandfitness。Theonlyoccupants，amanandagirl，appearedtobeequallyjadedandexhausted，withtheaddedquerulousnessofdiscontentintheirsallowandbadlynourishedfaces。Theirvoices，too，werenotunlikethecreakingtheyhadbeenpitchedtoovercome，andtherewasanabsenceofreserveandconsciousnessintheirspeech，whichtoldpatheticallyofanequalabsenceofsociety。
“It\'snousertalkin\'！Itellye，yehain\'tgotnomoresensethanacoyote！I\'msickandtiredofit，doggonedifIain\'t！Yeain\'tnomoreusenorahossfly，——andjestezhinderin\'！Itwasalongo\'
youthatwelostthestockatLaramie，andefye\'dbinatalldecentandtakin\'，we\'dhevhadkempanythathelped，insteadoflaggin\'onyerealone！“
“Whatdidyebringmefor？“retortedthegirlshrilly。“ImighthevstayedwithAuntMarty。Iwasn\'thankerin\'tocome。“
“Bringyefor？“repeatedherfathercontemptuously；“Ireckonedyemightheo\'someaccounthere，wharwimminfolksisskeerce，inthewayo\'helpin\'，——andmebbegettin\'yermarriedtosomelikelyfeller。Mightymuchchanceo\'that，withyeryallerfaceandskinandbones。“
“Yecan\'tblamemefortakin\'arteryou，dad，“shesaid，withashrilllaugh，butnootherresentmentofhisbrutality。
“Yewantsomebodytotakearteryou——withaclub，“heretortedangrily。“Yehear！Wot\'sthatye\'redoin\'now？“
Shehadrisenandwalkedtothetailofthewagon。“Goin\'togetoutandwalk。I\'mtiredo\'bein\'jawedat。“
Shejumpedintotheroad。Theactwasneitherindignantnorvengeful；thefrequencyofsuchsceneshadbluntedtheirsting。
Shewasprobably“tired“ofthequarrel，andendeditrudely。Herfather，however，letflyaParthianarrow。
“Yeneedn\'tthinkI\'mgoin\'towaitforye，ezIhev！Ye\'vegottokeeptetchwiththeteam，orgetleft。Andagoodriddanceofbadrubbidge。“
Inreplythegirldivedintotheunderwoodbesidethetrail，pickedawildberryortwo，strippedawandofyounghazelshehadbrokenoff，andswitchingitatherside，skippedalongontheoutskirtsofthewoodandambledafterthewagon。Seeninthefull，mercilessglareofaCaliforniansky，shejustifiedherfather\'sdescription；thinandbony，herlankframeoutstrippedthebodyofherraggedcalicodress，whichwasonlykeptonhershouldersbystraps，——possiblyherfather\'scast-offbraces。Aboy\'ssoftfelthatcoveredherhead，andshadowedheronlynotablefeature，apairoflargedarkeyes，lookinglargerforthehollowtempleswhichnarrowedtheframeinwhichtheywereset。
Solongasthewagoncrawleduptheascentthegirlknewshecouldeasilykeepupwithit，orevendistancethetiredhorses。Shemadeoneortwoincursionsintothewood，returninglikeananimalfromquestoffood，withsomethinginhermouth，whichshewastentativelychewing，andonceonlywithsomeinediblemandronoberries，pluckedsolelyfortheirbrilliantcoloring。Itwasveryhotandsingularlyclose；thehighercurrentofairhadsubsided，and，lookingup，asingularhazeseemedtohavetakenitsplacebetweenthetreetops。Suddenlysheheardastrange，rumblingsound；anoddgiddinessovertookher，andshewasobligedtoclutchatasaplingtosupportherself；shelaughedvacantly，thoughalittlefrightened，andlookedvaguelytowardsthesummitoftheroad；butthewagonhadalreadydisappeared。Astrangefeelingofnauseathenovercameher；shespatouttheleavesshehadbeenchewing，disgustedly。Butthesensationasquicklypassed，andsheoncemoresoughtthetrailandbeganslowlytofollowthetracksofthewagon。Theairblewfreshly，thetreetopsbeganagaintorockoverherhead，andtheincidentwasforgotten。
Presentlyshepaused；shemusthavemissedthetrail，forthewagontrackshadendedabruptlybeforealargeboulderthatlayacrossthemountaintrail。Shedippedintothewoodsagain；heretherewereotherwagontracksthatconfusedher。Itwaslikeherdogged，stupidfathertomissthetrail；shefeltagleamofmalicioussatisfactionathisdiscomfiture。Soonerorlater，hewouldhavetoretracehisstepsandvirtuallycomebackforher！Shetookupapositionwheretworoughwheelrutsandtracksintersectedeachother，oneofwhichmustbethemissingtrail。Shenoticed，too，thebroaderhoof-printsofcattlewithoutthefollowingwheelruts，andinsteadoftraces，thelongsmoothtrailsmadebythedraggingoflogs，andknewbythesetokensthatshemustbenearthehighwayorsomewoodman\'shutorranch。Shebegantobethirsty，andwasglad，presently，whenherquick，rusticearcaughtthetinklingofwater。Yetitwasnotsoeasytodiscover，andshewasgettingfootsoreandtiredagainbeforeshefoundit，somedistanceaway，inagullycomingfromafissureinadislocatedpieceofoutcrop。
Itwasbeautifullyclear，cold，andsparkling，withaslightlysweetishtaste，yetunlikethebrackish“alkali“oftheplains。Itrefreshedandsoothedhergreatly，somuchthat，recliningagainstatree，butwhereshewouldbequitevisiblefromthetrail，hereyescloseddreamily，andpresentlysheslept。
Whensheawoke，theshaftsofsunlightwerestrikingalmostlevelintohereyes。Shemusthaveslepttwohours。Herfatherhadnotreturned；sheknewthepassageofthewagonwouldhaveawakenedher。Shebegantofeelstrange，butnotyetalarmed；itwasonlytheuncertaintythatmadeheruneasy。Hadherfatherreallygoneonbysomeothertrail？Orhadhereallyhurriedonandlefther，ashesaidhewould？Thethoughtbroughtanoddexcitementtoherratherthananyfear。Asuddensenseoffreedom，asifsomegallingchainhaddroppedfromher，sentasingularthrillthroughherframe。Yetshefeltconfusedwithherindependence，notknowingwhattodowithit，andmomentarilydazzledwiththepossiblegift。
Atthismomentsheheardvoices，andthefiguresoftwomenappearedonthetrail。
Theyweretalkingearnestly，andwalkingasiffamiliarwiththespot，yetgazingaroundthemasifatsomenoveltyoftheaspect。
“Andlookthere，“saidone；“therehasbeensomeseriousdisturbanceofthatoutcrop，“pointinginthedirectionofthespring；“thelowerparthasdistinctlysubsided。“Hespokewithacertainauthority，anddominanceofposition，andwasevidentlythesuperior，ashewastheelderofthetwo，althoughbothwereroughlydressed。
“Yes，itdoeskinderlookasifithadlostitsholt，liketheledgeyonder。“
“AndyouseeIamright；themovementwasfromeasttowest，“
continuedtheelderman。
Thegirlcouldnotcomprehendwhattheysaid，andeventhoughtthemalittlesilly。Butsheadvancedtowardsthem；atwhichtheystoppedshort，staringather。Withfeminineinstinctsheaddressedthemoreimportantone:——
“Yeain\'tpassednowagonnorteamgoin\'on，hevye？“
“Whatsortofwagon？“saidtheman。
“Em\'grantwagon，twoyallerhosses。Oldman——mydad——drivin\'。“
Sheaddedthelatterkinshipasaprotectinginfluenceagainststrangers，inspiteofherpreviousindependence。
Themenglancedateachother。
“Howlongago？“
Thegirlsuddenlyrememberedthatshehadslepttwohours。
“Sensnoon，“shesaidhesitatingly。
“Sincetheearthquake？“
“Wot\'sthat？“
Themancameimpatientlytowardsher。“Howdidyoucomehere？“
“Gotouterthewagontowalk。Ireckondadmissedthetrail，andhezgotoffsomewherewhereIcan\'tfindhim。“
“Whattrailwasheon，——wherewashegoing？“
“SankHozay，*Ireckon。Hewasgoin\'upthegrade——sideo\'thehill；hemusthevturnedoffwherethere\'sabigrockhangin\'
over。“
*SanJose。
“DidyouSEEhimturnoff？“
“No。“
Thesecondman，whowasinhearingdistance，hadturnedaway，andwasostentatiouslyexaminingtheskyandthetreetops；themanwhohadspokentoherjoinedhim，andtheysaidsomethinginalowvoice。Theyturnedagainandcameslowlytowardsher。She，fromsomeobscuresenseofimitation，staredatthetreetopsandtheskyasthesecondmanhaddone。Butthefirstmannowlaidhishandkindlyonhershoulderandsaid，“Sitdown。“
Thentheytoldhertherehadbeenanearthquakesostrongthatithadthrowndownapartofthehillside，includingthewagontrail。
Thatawagonteamanddriver，suchasshehaddescribed，hadbeencarrieddownwithit，crushedtofragments，andburiedunderahundredfeetofrockinthegulchbelow。Apartyhadgonedowntoexamine，butitwouldbeweeksperhapsbeforetheyfoundit，andshemustbepreparedfortheworst。Shelookedatthemvaguelyandwithtearlesseyes。
“Thenyereckondad\'sdead？“
“Wefearit。“
“Thenwot\'sa-goin\'tobecomeo\'me？“shesaidsimply。
Theyglancedagainateachother。“HaveyounofriendsinCalifornia？“saidtheelderman。
“Naryone。“
“Whatwasyourfathergoingtodo？“
“Dunno。IreckonHEdidn\'teither。“
“Youmaystayhereforthepresent，“saidtheeldermanmeditatively。
“Canyoumilk？“
Thegirlnodded。“AndIsupposeyouknowsomethingaboutlookingafterstock？“hecontinued。
Thegirlrememberedthatherfatherthoughtshedidn\'t，butthiswasnotimeforcriticism，andsheagainnodded。
“Comewithme，“saidtheolderman，rising。“Isuppose，“headded，glancingatherraggedfrock，“everythingyouhaveisinthewagon。“
Shenodded，addingwiththesamecoldnaivete，“Itain\'tmuch！“
Theywalkedon，thegirlfollowing；attimesstrayingfurtivelyoneitherside，asifmeditatinganescapeinthewoods，——whichindeedhadonceortwicebeenvaguelyinherthoughts，——butchieflytoavoidfurtherquestioningandnottohearwhatthemensaidtoeachother。Fortheywereevidentlyspeakingofher，andshecouldnothelphearingtheyoungerrepeatherwords，“Wot\'sagoin\'tobecomeo\'me？“withconsiderableamusement，andtheaddition:“She\'lltakecareofherself，youbet！Icallthatremarko\'herstherichestthingout。“
“AndIcallthestateofthingsthatprovokedit——monstrous！“saidtheeldermangrimly。“Youdon\'tknowthelivesofthesepeople。“
Presentlytheycametoanopenclearingintheforest，yetsoincompletethatmanyofthefelledtrees，partlyloppedoftheirboughs，stilllaywheretheyhadfallen。Therewasacabinordwellingofunplaned，unpaintedboards；verysimpleinstructure，yetmadeinaworkmanlikefashion，quiteunliketheusuallogcabinshehadseen。Thismadeherthinkthattheeldermanwasa“towny，“andnotafrontiersmanliketheother。
Astheyapproachedthecabintheeldermanstopped，andturningtoher，said:——
“DoyouknowIndians？“
Thegirlstarted，andthenrecoveringherselfwithaquicklaugh:
“G\'lang！——thereain\'tanyInjinshere！“
“NotthekindYOUmean；theseareverypeaceful。There\'sasquawherewhomyouwill“——hestopped，hesitatedashelookedcriticallyatthegirl，andthencorrectedhimself——“whowillhelpyou。“
Hepushedopenthecabindoorandshowedaninterior，equallysimplebutwelljoinedandfitted，——amarvelofneatnessandfinishtothefrontiergirl\'seye。Therewereshelvesandcupboardsandotherconveniences，yetwithnoostentationofrefinementtofrightenherrusticsensibilities。
Thenhepushedopenanotherdoorleadingintoashedandcalled“Waya。“Astout，undersizedIndianwoman，fittedwithacoarsecottongown，butcleanerandmorepresentablethanthegirl\'sonefrock，appearedinthedoorway。“ThisisWaya，whoattendstothecookingandcleaning，“hesaid；“andbytheway，whatisyourname？“
“LibbyJones。“
Hetookasmallmemorandumbookanda“stub“ofpencilfromhispocket。“ElizabethJones，“hesaid，writingitdown。Thegirlinterposedalongredhand。
“No，“sheinterruptedsharply，“notElizabeth，butLibby，shortforLib\'rty。“
“Liberty？“
“Yes。“
“LibertyJones，then。Well，Waya，thisisMissJones，whowilllookafterthecowsandcalves——andthedairy。“Thenglancingathertorndress，headded:“You\'llfindsomecleanthingsinthere，untilIcansendupsomethingfromSanJose。Wayawillshowyou。“
Withoutfurtherspeechheturnedawaywiththeotherman。Whentheyweresomedistancefromthecabin，theyoungerremarked:——
“Morelikeaboythanagirl，ain\'tshe？“
“Somuchthebetterforherwork，“returnedtheeldergrimly。
“Ireckon！Iwasonlythinkin\'shedidn\'than\'somemucheitherasaboyorgirl，eh，doctor？“hepursued。
“Well！asTHATwon\'tmakemuchdifferencetothecows，calves，orthedairy，itneedn\'ttroubleUS，“returnedthedoctordryly。Buthereasuddenoutburstoflaughterfromthecabinmadethembothturninthatdirection。TheywereintimetoseeLibertyJonesdancingoutofthecabindoorinalargecottonpinafore，evidentlybelongingtothesquaw，whowasfollowingherwithhalf-laughing，half-frightenedexpostulations。Thetwomenstoppedandgazedatthespectacle。
“Don\'tseemtobetakin\'theoldman\'sdeathverypow\'fully，“saidtheyounger，withalaugh。
“Quiteasmuchashedeserved，Idaresay，“saidthedoctorcurtly。
“IftheaccidenthadhappenedtoHER，hewouldhavewhinedandwhimperedtousforthesakeofgettingsomething，buthavebeenasmuchrelieved，youmaybecertain。SHE\'Stooyoungandtoonaturaltobeahypocriteyet。“
SuddenlythelaughterceasedandLibertyJones\'svoicearose，shrillbutmasterful:“Thar，that\'lldo！Quitnow！Youjestgetbacktoyourscrubbin\'——d\'yehear？I\'mbosso\'thisshanty，youbet！“
Thedoctorturnedwithagrimsmiletohiscompanion。“That\'stheonlythingthatbotheredme，andI\'vebeenwaitingfor。She\'ssettledit。She\'lldo。Come。“
Theyturnedawaybrisklythroughthewood。Attheendofhalfanhour\'swalktheyfoundtheteamthathadbroughtthemthereinwaiting，anddrovetowardsSanJose。Itwasnearlytenmilesbeforetheypassedanotherhabitationortraceofclearing。Andbythistimenighthadfallenuponthecabintheyhadleft，anduponthenewlymadeorphanandherIndiancompanion，aloneandcontentedinthattracklesssolitude……
LibertyJoneshadbeenayearatthecabin。Inthattimeshehadlearnedthatheremployer\'snamewasDoctorRuysdael，thathehadalucrativepracticeinSanJose，buthadalso“takenup“aleagueortwoofwildforestlandintheSantaCruzrange，whichhepreservedandheldafterafashionofhisown，whichgavehimthereputationofbeinga“crank“amongtheveryfewneighborshisvastpossessionspermitted，andtheequallyfewfriendshissingulartastesallowedhim。Itwasbelievedthatamanowningsuchanenormousquantityoftimberland，whoshouldrefusetosetupasawmillandabsolutelyforbidthefellingoftrees；whoshoulddeclinetoconnectitwiththehighwaytoSantaCruz，andcloseitagainstimprovementandspeculation，hadgivensufficientevidenceofhisinsanity；butwhentothiswasaddedtherumorthathehimselfwasnotonlydevoidofthehumaninstinctofhuntingthewildanimalswithwhichhisdomainabounded，butthathehelditsosacredtotheiruseastoforbidthefiringofagunwithinhislimits，andthattheserestrictionswerefurtherpreservedand“policed“bythescatteredremnantsofabandofaborigines，——knownas“diggerInjins，“——itwasseriouslyhintedthathiseccentricityhadacquiredapoliticalandmoralsignificance，anddemandedlegislativeinterference。Butthedoctorwasarichman，anecessitytohispatients，agoodmarksman，and，itwasrumored，didnotincludehisfellowmenamongtheanimalshehadadistasteforkilling。
Ofallthis，however，Libertyknewlittleandcaredless。Thesolitudeappealedtohersenseoffreedom；shedidnot“hanker“
afterasocietyshehadneverknown。Attheendofthefirstweek，whenthedoctorcommunicatedtoherbriefly，byletter，theconvincingproofsofthedeathofherfatherandhisentombmentbeneaththesunkencliff，sheacceptedthefactwithoutcommentorapparentemotion。Twomonthslater，whenheronlysurvivingrelative，“AuntMarty，“ofMissouri，acknowledgedthenews——
communicatedbyDoctorRuysdael——withScripturalquotationsandthecheerfulhopethatit“wouldbealessontoher“andshewould“profitinhernewplace，“sheleftheraunt\'sletterunanswered。
Shelookedafterthecowsandcalveswithaninterestthatwasalmostpossessory，patronizedandplayedwiththesquaw，——yetmadeherfeelherinferiority，——andmovedamongthepeacefulaborigineswiththedominationofawhitewomanandasuperior。Shetoleratedthehalf-monthlyvisitsof“JimHoskins，“theyoungcompanionofthedoctor，whoshelearnedwasthedoctor\'sfactorandoverseeroftheproperty，wholivedsevenmilesawayonanagriculturalclearing，andwhosecontrolofheractionswasevidentlylimitedbythedoctor，——forthedoctor\'ssakealone。NorwasMr。Hoskinsinclinedtoexceedthoselimits。Helookeduponherassomethingabnormal，——a“crank“asremarkableinherwayasherpatronwasinhis，neuterofsexandvagueofrace，andhesimplyrestrictedhissupervisiontothebringingandtakingofmessages。Sheremainedsolequeenofthedomain。Ararestragglerfromthemainroad，penetratingthisseclusion，mighthavescarcelydistinguishedherfromWaya，inhercoarsecottongownandslouchedhat，exceptforthefreestridewhichcontrastedwithhercompanion\'swaddle。
Once，infollowinganestrayedcalf，shehadcrossedthehighwayandbeensalutedbyapassingteamsterinthediggerdialect；yetthemistakeleftnostinginhermemory。And，likethedigger，sheshrankfromthatcivilizationwhichhadonlyprovedahardtaskmaster。
Thesoletouchofhumaninterestshehadinhersurroundingswasintherarevisitsofthedoctorandhisbriefbutsincerecommendationofherrudeandrusticwork。Itispossiblethatthestrange，middle-aged，gray-haired，intellectualman，whoseverylanguagewasattimesmysteriousandunintelligibletoher，andwhosesuggestionofpowerawedher，mighthavetouchedsomeuntriedfilialchordinherbeing。Althoughshefeltthat，saveforabsolutefreedom，shewaslittlemoretohimthanshehadbeentoherfather，yethehadnevertoldhershehad“nosense，“thatshewas“ahindrance，“andhehadevenpraisedherperformanceofherduties。Eagerlyasshelookedforhiscoming，inhisactualpresenceshefeltasingularuneasinessofwhichshewasnotentirelyashamed，andifshewasrelievedathisdeparture，itnonethelesslefthertoadelightfulmemoryofhim，awarmsenseofhisapproval，andafierceambitiontobeworthyofit，forwhichshewouldhavesacrificedherselfortheothermiserableretainersabouther，asamatterofcourse。ShehaddrivenWayaandtheothersquawsfaralongthesparsetablelandpastureinsearchofmissingstock；sheherselfhadlainoutallnightontherocksbesideanailingheifer。Yet，whilesatisfiedtoearnhispraisefortheperformanceofherduty，forsomefemininereasonshethoughtmorefrequentlyofacasualremarkhehadmadeonhislastvisit:“Youarestrongerandmorehealthyinthisair，“hehadsaid，lookingcriticallyintoherface。“Wehavegotthatabominablealkalioutofyoursystem，andwholesomefoodwilldotherest。“Shewasnotsureshehadquiteunderstoodhim，butsherememberedthatshehadfeltherfacegrowhotwhenhespoke，——
perhapsbecauseshehadnotunderstoodhim。
Hisnextvisitwasadayortwodelayed，andinheranxietyshehadventuredasfarasthehighwaytoearnestlywatchforhiscoming。
Fromherhiding-placeintheunderwoodshecouldseetheteamandJimHoskinsalreadywaitingforhim。Presentlyshesawhimdriveuptothetrailinacarryallwithapartyofladiesandgentlemen。
Healighted，bade“Good-by“totheparty，andtheteamturnedtoretraceitscourse。Butinthatsinglemomentshehadbeenstruckandbewilderedbywhatseemedtoherthedazzlinglybeautifulapparelofthewomen，andtheirprettiness。Shefeltasuddenconsciousnessofherowncoarse，shapelesscalicogown，herstragglinghair，andherfelthat，andarevulsionoffeelingseizedher。Shecreptlikeawoundedanimaloutoftheunderwood，andthenranswiftlyandalmostfiercelybacktowardsthecabin。
SheransofastthatforatimeshealmostkeptpacewiththedoctorandHoskinsinthewagononthedistanttrail。Thenshedivedintotheunderwoodagain，andmakingashortcutthroughtheforest，cameattheendoftwohourswithinhailingdistanceofthecabin，——footsoreandexhausted，inspiteofthestrangeexcitementthathaddrivenherback。Hereshethoughtsheheardvoices——hisvoiceamongtherest——callingher，butthesamesingularrevulsionoffeelinghurriedhervaguelyonagain，evenwhilesheexperiencedafoolishsavagedelightinnotansweringthesummons。Inthiserraticwanderingshecameuponthespringshehadfoundonherfirstentranceintheforestayearago，anddrankfeverishlyasecondtimeatitstricklingsource。Shecouldseethatsinceherfirstvisitithadwornagreathollowbelowthetreerootsandnowformedashining，placidpool。Asshestoopedtolookatit，shesuddenlyobservedthatitreflectedherwholefigureasinacruelmirror，——herslouchedhatandloosenedhair，hercoarseandshapelessgown，herhollowcheeksanddryyellowskin，——inalltheirhopeless，uncompromisingdetails。Sheutteredaquick，angry，half-reproachfulcry，andturnedagaintofly。ButshehadnotgonefarbeforeshecameuponthehurryingfiguresandanxiousfacesofthedoctorandHoskins。Shestopped，tremblingandirresolute。
“Ah，“saidthedoctor，inatoneoffrankrelief。“Hereyouare！
Iwasgettingworriedaboutyou。Wayasaidyouhadbeengonesincemorning！“Hestoppedandlookedatherattentively。“Isanythingthematter？“
Hisevidentconcernsentawarmglowoverherchillyframe，andyetthestrangesensationremained。“No——no！“shestammered。
DoctorRuysdaelturnedtoHoskins。“GobackandtellWayaI\'vefoundher。“
Libbyfeltthatthedoctoronlywantedtogetridofhiscompanion，andbecameawedagain。
“Hasanybodybeenbotheringyou？“
“No。“
“Havethediggersfrightenedyou？“
“No“——withagestureofcontempt。
“HaveyouandWayaquarreled？“
“Nary“——withafaint，tremuloussmile。
Hestillstaredather，andthendroppedhisblueeyesmusingly。
“Areyoulonelyhere？WouldyourathergotoSanJose？“
Likeaflashthefiguresofthetwosmartlydressedwomenstartedupbeforeheragain，witheverydetailoftheirfreshandwholesomefineryascruellydistinctashadbeenherownshapelessuglinessinthemirrorofthespring。“No！NO！“shebrokeoutvehementlyandpassionately。“Never！“
Hesmiledgently。“Lookhere！I\'llsendyouupsomebooks。Youread——don\'tyou？“Shenoddedquickly。“Somemagazinesandpapers。
OddIneverthoughtofitbefore，“headdedhalfmusingly。“Comealongtothecabin。And，“hestoppedagainandsaiddecisively，“thenexttimeyouwantanything，don\'twaitformetocome，butwrite。“
Afewdaysafterheleftshereceivedapackageofbooks，——anoddcollectionofnovels，magazines，andillustratedjournalsoftheperiod。Shereceivedthemeagerlyasanevidenceofhisconcernforher，butitistobefearedthatheryouthfulnaturefoundlittlesatisfactioninthegratificationoffancy。Manyofthepeopleshereadofwerestrangetoher；manyoftheincidentsrelatedseemedtohermerelies；sometaleswhichtreatedofpeopleinherownsphereshefoundprofoundlyuninteresting。Inoneofthecheapermagazinesshechanceduponafashionplate；sheglancedeagerlythroughalltheothersforalikerevelationuntilshegotadozentogether，whenshepromptlyrelegatedtheremainingliteraturetoacornerandoblivion。Thetextaccompanyingtheplateswasinajargonnotalwaysclear，butherinstinctsuppliedtherest。ShedispatchedbyHoskinsanotetoDoctorRuysdael:
“Pleasesendmesomebritekalikersandthingsforsewing。Youtoldmetoask。“Afewdayslaterbroughttheresponseinagood-
sizedparcel。
Yetthisdidnotkeepherfromhercareofthestocknorherramblesintheforest；shewasquicktoutilizeherrediscoveryofthespringforwateringthecattle；itwasnotsofarafieldasthehalf-driedcreekinthecanyon，andwasaquietsylvanspot。Sheateherfrugalmiddaymealthereanddrankofitswaters，and，secureinherseclusion，bathedthereandmadeherrudetoiletwhenthecowsweredrivenhome。Butshedidnotagainlookintoitsmirroredsurfacewhenitwastranquil！
Andsoamonthpassed。ButwhenDoctorRuysdaelwasagaindueatthecabin，aletterwasbroughtbyHoskins，withthenewsthathewascalledawayonprofessionalbusinessdownthecoast，andcouldnotcomeuntiltwoweekslater。Inthedisappointmentthatovercameher，shedidnotatfirstnoticethatHoskinswasgazingatherwithasingularexpression，whichwasreallyoneofundisguisedadmiration。Neverhavingseenthisbeforeintheeyesofanymanwholookedather，shereferredittosomevague“larking“orjocularity，forwhichshewasinnomood。
“Say，Libby！you\'regettin\'tobearightsmart-lookin\'gal。Seemstoagreewithyeuphere，“saidHoskinswithanawkwardlaugh。
“Darnedefyeain\'tlookin\'awfulpurty！“
“G\'long！“saidLibertyJones，morethaneverconvincedofhisbadinage。
“Fact，“saidHoskinsenergetically。“Why，Docwouldtellyeso，too。Seeefhedon\'t！“
AtthisLibertyJonesfeltherfacegrowhot。“Youjessget！“shesaid，turningawayinasmuchembarrassmentasanger。Yethehoverednearherwithawkwardattentionsthatpleasedwhileitstillangeredher。Heofferedtogowithhertolookupthecows；
sheflatlydeclined，yetwithastrangesatisfactioninhisevidentembarrassment。Thismayhavelentsomeanimationtoherface，forhedrewalongbreathandsaid:——
“Don\'tgopertendin\'yedon\'tknowyerpurty。Say，letmeandyouwalkabitandhaveatalktogether。“ButLibbyhadanotherideainhermindandcurtlydismissedhim。Thensheranswiftlytothespring，forthewords“TheDocwilltellyeso，too“wereringinginherears。Thedoctorwhocamewiththetwobeautifullydressedwomen！HE——wouldtellhershewaspretty！Shehadnotdaredtolookatherselfinthatcrystalmirrorsincethatdreadfuldaytwomonthsago。Shewouldnow。
Itwasaprettyplaceinthecoolshadeofthegianttrees，andthehoof-marksofcattledrinkingfromtherunbeneaththepoolhadnotdisturbedthemarginofthattranquilsylvanbasin。Foramomentshestoodtremulousanduncertain，andthengoinguptotheshiningmirror，droppedonherkneesbeforeitwithherthinredhandsclaspedonherlap。Unconsciouslyshehadtakentheattitudeofprayer；perhapstherewassomethinglikeitinhermind。
Andthenthelightglancedfullonthefigurethatshesawthere！
Itfellonafullovalfaceandthroatguilelessoffleckorstain，smoothasachild\'sandglowingwithhealth；onlargedarkeyes，nolongersunkintheirorbits，butfilledwithaneager，happylight；
onbaredarmsnowshapelyincontourandcushionedwithfirmflesh；
onadazzlingsmile，thelikeofwhichhadneverbeenonthefaceofLibertyJonesbefore！
Sherosetoherfeet，andyetlingeredasifloathtopartfromthisdelightfulvision。Thenafearovercameherthatitwassometrickofthewater，andshespedswiftlybacktothehousetoconsultthelittlemirrorwhichhunginhersleeping-room，butwhichshehadneverglancedatsincethemomentousdayofthespring。Shetookitshylyintothesunshine，andfoundthatitcorroboratedthereflectionofthespring。ThatnightsheworkeduntillateatthecalicoDoctorRuysdaelhadsenther，andwenttobedhappy。ThenextdaybroughtherHoskinsagainwithafeebleexcuseofinquiringifshehadaletterforthedoctor，andshewassurprisedtofindthathewasreinforcedbyastrangerfromHoskins\'sfarm，whowasequallyawkwardandvaguelyadmiring。ButtheappearanceoftheTWOmenproducedasingularphaseinherimpressionsandexperience。ShewasnolongerindignantatHoskins，butshefoundreliefinacceptingthecomplimentsofthestrangerinpreference，andfeltadelightinHoskins\'sdiscomfiture。
Waya，promotedtotheburlesqueofachaperone，grinnedwithinfinitedelightandunderstanding。
Whenatlastthedaycameforthedoctor\'sarrival，hewasdulymetbyHoskins，andasdulyinformedbythatimpressiblesubordinateofthegreatchangeinLiberty\'sappearance。Butthedoctorwasfarfrombeingequallyimpressedwithhisfactor\'sstory，andindeedshowedmuchmoreinterestintheappearanceofthestockwhichtheymetalongtheroad。Oncethedoctorgotoutofthewagontoinspectacow，andparticularlythecoatofaroughdraughthorsethathadbeenturnedoutandputunderLiberty\'scare。“Hisskinislikevelvet，“saidthedoctor。“Thegirlevidentlyunderstandsstock，andknowshowtokeepthemincondition。“
“Ireckonshe\'sbeginningtounderstandherself，too，“saidHoskins。“Golly！waittillyeseeHER。“
ThedoctorDIDseeher，butwithwhatfeelingshedidnotasfranklyexpress。Shewasnotatthecabinwhentheyarrived，butpresentlyappearedfromthedirectionofthespringwhere，forreasonsofherown，shehadevidentlymadehertoilet。DoctorRuysdaelwasastounded；Hoskins\'spraisewasnotexaggerated；andtherewasanaddedcharmthatHoskinswasnotpreparedfor。Shehadputonagownofherownmaking，——thesecrettoilofmanyalongnight，——amateurishlyfashionedfromsomecheapyellowcalicothedoctorhadsenther，yetfittingherwonderfully，andshowingeverycurveofhergracefulfigure。Unaccentedbyacorset，——anarticleshehadneverknown，——eventhelinesofthestiff，unyieldingcalicohadafashionthatwasnymph-likeandsuitedherunfetteredlimbs。DoctorRuysdaelwasprofoundlymoved。Thoughaphilosopher，hewaspractical。Hefoundhimselfsuddenlyconfrontednotonlybyabeautifulgirl，butaproblem！Itwasimpossibletokeeptheexistenceofthiswoodlandnymphfromtheknowledgeofhisdistantneighbors；itwasequallyimpossibleforhimtoassumetheresponsibilityofkeepingagoddesslikethisinherpresentposition。Hehadnoticedherpreviousimprovement，buthadneverdreamedthatpureandwholesomelivingcouldintwomonthsworksuchamiracle。Andhewastoacertaindegreeresponsible，HEhadcreatedher，——abeautifulFrankenstein，whoselustrous，appealingeyeswereevennowmenacinghissecurityandposition。
Perhapsshesawtroubleandperplexityinthefacewhereshehadexpectedadmirationandpleasure，foraslightchillwentoverherashequicklypraisedtheappearanceofthestockandspokeofherownimprovement。Butwhentheywerealone，heturnedtoherabruptly。
“YousaidyouhadnowishtogotoSanJose？“
“No。“Yetshewasconsciousthathergreatestobjectionhadbeenremoved，andshecoloredfaintly。
“Listentome，“hesaiddryly。“Youdeserveabetterpositionthanthis，——abetterhomeandsurroundingsthanyouhavehere。Youareolder，too，——awomanalmost，——andyoumustlookahead。“
Alookofmingledfright，reproach，andappealcameintohereloquentface。“Yerwantin\'tosendmeaway？“shestammered。
“No，“hesaidfrankly。“ItisyouwhoareGROWINGaway。Thisisnolongertheplaceforyou。“
“ButIwanttostay。Idon\'twantergo。Iam——IWAShappyhere。“
“ButI\'mthinkingofgivingupthisplace。Ittakesuptoomuchofmytime。Youmustbeprovided“——
“YOUaregoingaway？“shesaidpassionately。
“Yes。“
“Takemewithyou。I\'llgoanywhere！——toSanJose——whereveryougo。Don\'tturnmeoffasdaddid，forI\'llfolleryouasIneverfolloweddad。I\'llgowithyou——orI\'lldie！“
Therewasneitherfearnorshameinherwords；itwastheoutspokeninstinctoftheanimalhehadbeenrearing；bewasconvincedandappalledbyit。
“IamreturningtoSanJoseatonce，“hesaidgravely。“Youshallgowithme——FORTHEPRESENT！Getyourselfready！“
HetookhertoSanJose，andtemporarilytothehouseofapatient，——
awidowlady，——whilehetried，alone，tograpplewiththeproblemthatnowconfrontedhim。Butthatproblembecamemorecomplicatedattheendofthethirdday，byLibertyJonesfallingsuddenlyandalarminglyill。Thesymptomsweresogravethatthedoctor，inhisanxiety，calledinabrotherphysicianinconsultation。Whentheexaminationwasover，thetwomenwithdrewandstaredateachother。
“Ofcoursethereisnodoubtthatthesymptomsallpointtoslowarsenicalpoisoning，“saidtheconsultingdoctor。
“Yes，“saidRuysdaelquickly，“yetitisutterlyinexplicable，bothastomotiveandopportunity。“
“Humph！“saidtheothergrimly，“youngladiestakearsenicinminutedosestoimprovethecomplexionandpromotetissue，forgettingthattheeffectsarecumulativewhentheystopsuddenly。
Youryoungfriendhas\'swornoff\'tooquickly。“
“Butitisimpossible，“saidDoctorRuysdaelimpatiently。“Sheisamerechild——acountrygirl——ignorantofsuchhabits。“
“Humph！thepeasantsintheTyroltryitonthemselvesafternoticingtheeffectonthecoatsofcattle。“
DoctorRuysdaelstarted。Arecollectionofthesleekdraughthorseflasheduponhim。Heroseandhastilyre-enteredthepatient\'sroom。Inafewmomentshereturned。“DoyouthinkIcouldremoveheratoncetothemountains？“hesaidgravely。
“Yes，withcareandareturntograduateddosesofthesamepoison；
youknowit\'stheonlyremedyjustnow，“answeredtheother。
Bynoonthenextdaythedoctorandhispatienthadreturnedtothecabin，butRuysdaelhimselfcarriedthehelplessLibertyJonestothespringanddepositedhergentlybesideit。“Youmaydrinknow，“hesaidgravely。
Thegirldidsoeagerly，apparentlyimbibingnewstrengthfromthesparklingwater。Thedoctormeanwhilecoollyfilledaphialfromthesamesource，andmadeahastytestofthecontentsbytheaidofsomeotherphialsfromhiscase。Theresultseemedtosatisfyhim。Thenhesaidgravely:
“AndTHISisthespringyouhaddiscovered？“
Thegirlnodded。
“Andyouandthecattlehavedailyusedit？“
Shenoddedagainwonderingly。Thenshecaughthishandappealingly。
“Youwon\'tsendmeaway？“
Hesmiledoddlyasheglancedfromthewatersofthehilltothebrimmingeyes。“No。“
“No-r，“tremulously，“goaway——yourself？“
Thedoctorlookedthistimeonlyintohereyes。Therewasatremendousideainhisown，whichseemedinsomewaytohavesolvedthatdreadfulproblem。
“No！WewillstayhereTOGETHER。“……
SixmonthslatertherewasaparagraphintheSanFranciscopress:
“ThewonderfulArsenicalSpringintheSantaCruzMountain，knownas\'LibertySpring，\'discoveredbyDoctorRuysdael，hasprovedsucharemarkablesuccessthatweunderstandthetemporaryhutsforpatientsaretobeshortlyreplacedbyamagnificentSpaHotelworthyofthespot，andtheeligiblevillasitesithasbroughtintothemarket。Itwillbeasourceofpleasuretoalltoknowthatthebeautifulnymph——aworthysuccessortothefar-famed\'Elise\'oftheGerman\'Brunnen\'——whohasadministeredthewaterstosomanygratefulpatientswillstillbeinattendance，althoughitisrumoredthatsheisshortlytobecomethewifeofthedistinguisheddiscoverer。“
End