\"He’llgetit,andnobodyelse,sure。\"
\"Thankyou;IhopeMrs。Sledgeisgettingroundagain。\"
\"Pow’fully,MissSally。\"
Havingthus,asshehoped,stoppedthearrivaloftheunhappyCorbin,MissSallyreturnedhometoconsiderthebestmeansoffinallydisposingofhim。ShehadinsisteduponhisstoppingatKirbyandholdingnocommunicationwiththeJeffcourtsuntilheheardfromher,andhadstronglypointedoutthehopelessinfelicityofhisplan。ShedarenottellherAuntMiranda,knowingthatshewouldbetoohappytoprecipitateaninterviewthatwouldterminatedisastrouslytoboththeJeffcourtsandCorbin。Shemighthavetotakeherfatherintoherconfidence,——
adreadfulcontingency。
Shewasdressedfortheeveningparty,whichwasprovinciallyearly;indeed,itwasscarcelypastnineo’clockwhenshehadfinishedhertoilet,whentherecamearapatherdoor。ItwasoneofMammyJudy’schildren。
\"Deyisagemplum,MissSally。\"
\"Yes,yes,\"saidMissSally,impatiently,thinkingonlyofherescort。\"I’llbethereinaminute。Runaway。Hecanwait。\"
\"AndhesaidIwastoguvyo’disyer,\"continuedthelittlenegrowithportentousgravity,presentingacard。
MissSallytookitwithasmile。Itwasaplaincardonwhichwaswrittenwithapencilinahandshehurriedlyrecognized,\"JosephCorbin。\"
MissSally’ssmilebecamehystericallyrigid,andpushingtheboyasidewithalittlecry,shedartedalongtheverandaandenteredtheparlorfromasidedoorandvestibule。Tohermomentaryreliefshesawthatherfriendshadnotyetarrived:asinglefigure——astranger’s——roseassheentered。
Eveninherconsternationshehadtimetofeeltheaddedshockofdisappointment。Shehadalwayspresentinhermindanidealpictureofthismanwhomshehadneverseenorevenhearddescribed。JosephCorbinhadbeentall,dark,withflowinghairandlongmustache。Hehadflashingfieryeyeswhichwerecapableofbeingsubduedbyasingleglanceofgentleness——herown。Hewastempestuous,quick,andpassionate,butinquarrelwouldbeledbyasmile。HewasacombinationofanItalianbrigandandapokerplayerwhomshehadoncemetonaMississippisteamboat。Hewouldwearabroad-brimmedsofthat,aredshirt,showinghismassivethroatandneck——andhighboots!Alas!themanbeforeherwasofmediumheight,withlightclose-cuthair,hollowcheeksthatseemedtohavebeenlatelyscrapedwitharazor,andlightgraytroubledeyes。Asuitofcheapblack,illfitting,hastilyacquired,andprovincialevenforPineville,painfullysetofftheseimperfections,towhichawhitecravatinahopelesslytiedbowwassuperadded。A
terribleideathatthiscombinationofacountryundertakerandanill-paidcircuitpreacheronprobationwashisbestholidaytributetoher,andnotafuneralofferingtoMr。Jeffcourt,tookpossessionofher。Andwhen,withfemininequickness,shesawhiseyeswanderoverherownfineclothesandfestalfigure,andsinkagainuponthefloorinakindofhopelessdisappointmentequaltoherown,shefeltreadytocry。Butthemoreterriblesoundoflaughterapproachingthehousefromthegardenrecalledher。Herfriendswerecoming。
\"ForHeaven’ssake,\"shebrokeoutdesperately,\"didn’tyougetmynoteatthestationtellingyounottocome?\"
Hisfacegrewdarker,andthentookupitslookofhopelessresignation,asifthislastmisfortunewasonlyanacceptedpartofhisgreatertrouble,ashesatdownagain,andtoMissSally’shorror,listlesslyswunghishattoandfrounderhischair。
\"No,\"hesaid,gloomily,\"Ididn’tgotonostation。IwalkedhereallthewayfromShelbyville。Ithoughtitmightseemmorelikethesquarethingtoherformetodo。IsentHIMbyexpressaheadinthebox。It’sbeenatthestageofficeallday。\"
Withasickeningconvictionthatshehadbeensittingonhercousin’sbodywhileshewrotethatill-fatedcard,theyounggirlmanagedtogaspoutimpatiently:\"Butyoumustgo——yes——gonow,atonce!Don’ttalknow,butgo。\"
\"Ididn’tcomehere,\"hesaid,risingwithakindofslowdignity,\"tointerferewiththingsIdidn’tkalkilatetosee,\"glancingagainatherdress,asthevoicescamenearer,\"andthatIain’tintouchwith,——buttoknowifyouthinkI’dbetterbringhim——or\"——
Hedidnotfinishthesentence,forthedoorhadopenedsuddenly,andahalf-dozenlaughinggirlsandtheirescortsburstintotheroom。Butamongthem,alittlehaughtyandstillirritatedfromherlastinterview,washercousinJuliaJeffcourt,erectandbeautifulinasombresilk。
\"Go,\"repeatedMissSally,inanagonizedwhisper。\"Youmustnotbeknownhere。\"
ButtheattentionofJuliahadbeenarrestedbyhercousin’sagitation,andhereyefellonCorbin,whereitwasfixedwithsomefatalfascinationthatseemedinturntoenthrallandpossesshimalso。ToMissSally’sinfinitedismaytheothersfellbackandallowedthesetwoblackfigurestostandout,thentomovetowardseachotherwiththesameterriblemagnetism。Theyweresonearshecouldnotrepeatherwarningtohimwithouttheothershearingit。
AndallhopediedwhenCorbin,turningdeliberatelytowardsherwithagravegestureinthedirectionofJulia,saidquietly:——
\"Interduceme。\"
MissSallyhesitated,andthengaspedhastily,\"MissJeffcourt。\"
\"Yerdon’tsayMYname。TellherI’mJosephCorbinof’Frisco,California,whokilledherbrother。\"Hestoppedandturnedtowardsher。\"Icameheretotryandfixthingsagain——andI’vebroughtHIM。\"
Inthewonderingsilencethatensuedtheotherssmiledvacantly,breathlessly,andexpectantly,untilCorbinadvancedandheldouthishand,whenJuliaJeffcourt,drawinghersbacktoherbosomwiththepalmsoutward,utteredaninarticulatecryand——andspatinhisface!
Withthatactshefoundtongue——revilinghim,thehousethatharboredhim,theinsolencethatpresentedhim,theinsultthathadbeenputuponher!\"Areyoumen!\"sheaddedpassionately,\"whostandherewiththemanbeforeyouthatkilledmybrother,andseehimoffermehisfilthyvillainoushand——anddarenotstrikehimdown!\"
Andtheydarednot。Violently,blindly,stupidlymovedthoughalltheirinstincts,thoughtheygatheredhystericallyaroundhim,therewassomethinginhisdullself-containmentthatwasunassailableandawful。Forhewipedhisfaceandbreastwithhishandkerchiefwithoutatremor,andturnedtothemwithevenasuggestionofrelief。
\"She’sright,gentlemen,\"hesaidgravely。\"She’sright。Itmighthavebeenotherwise。Imighthaveallowedthatitmightbeotherwise,——butshe’sright。I’maSoth’nmanmyself,gentlemen,andIreckontounderstandwhatshehasdone。Ikilledtheonlymanthathadarighttostandupforher,andshehasnowtostandupforherself。Butifshewants——andyouseesheallowsshewants——topassthatontosomeofyou,orallofyou,I’mwilling。
Asmanyasyoulike,andinwhatwayyoulike——Iwaiveanychyceofweapon——I’mready,gentlemen。Icamehere——withHIM——forthatpurpose。\"
Perhapsitmayhavebeenhisfatefulresignation;perhapsitmayhavebeenhisexceedingreadiness,——buttherewasnoresponse。Hesatdownagain,andagainswunghishatslowlyandgloomilytoandfrounderhischair。
\"I’vegothiminaboxatthestageoffice,\"hewenton,apparentlytothecarpet。\"IhadhimdugupthatImightbringhimhere,andmebbeburysomeofthetroubleanddifferencealongwithhisfriends。Itmightbe,\"headded,withaslightlygloweringupwardglance,astoanoverruling,butoccasionallymisdirectingProvidence,——\"itmightbefromthewaythingsarepilinguponmethatsomeonemighthaverunginanothercorpseinsteado’HIM,butsofarasIcanjudge,allowin’forthespaceoftimeandnat’ralwearandtear——it’sHIM!\"
Heroseslowlyandmovedtowardsthedoorinasilencethatwasasmuchtheresultofsomeconvictionthatanyviolentdemonstrationagainsthimwouldbeasgrotesqueandmonstrousasthesituation,asofanythinghehadsaid。EventheflashingindignationofJuliaJeffcourtseemedtobecomesuddenlyasunnaturalandincongruousasherbrother’schiefmournerhimself,andalthoughsheshrankfromhispassingfiguresheutterednoword。ChesterBrooks’syouthfulemotions,followingtheexpressionofMissSally’sface,lostthemselvesinavaguehystericsmile,andtheothergentlemenlookedsheepish。JosephCorbinhaltedatthedoor。
\"Whatever,\"hesaid,turningtothecompany,\"yemakeupyourmindtodoaboutme,Ireckonye’dbetterdoitAFTERthefuneral。I’M
alwaysready。ButHE,whatwithbeinginaboxandchangingclimate,hadbettergoFIRST。\"Hepaused,andwithasuggestionofdelicacyinthemomentarydroppingofhiseyelids,added,——\"forREASONS。\"
Hepassedoutthroughthedoor,ontotheporticoandthenceintothegarden。Itwasnoticedatthetimethatthehalf-dozenhoundslingeringthererushedafterhimwiththeirusualnoisydemonstrations,butthattheyassuddenlystopped,retreatedviolentlytothesecurityofthebasement,andtheregaverelieftotheirfeelingsinasuccessionofprolongedhowls。
CHAPTERIV。
ItmustnotbesupposedthatMissSallydidnotfeelsomecontritionovertheineffectivepartshehadplayedinthislastepisode。ButJosephCorbinhadcommittedtheunpardonablesintoawomanofdestroyingherownillogicalideasofhim,whichwasworsethanifhehadaffrontedthepreconceivedideasofothers,inwhichcaseshemightstilldefendhim。Then,too,shewasnolongerreligious,andhadno\"call\"toactaspeacemaker。NeverthelesssheresentedJuliaJeffcourt’sinsinuationsbitterly,andthecousinsquarreled——notthefirsttimeintheirintercourse——anditwasreservedforthelattertobreakthenewsofCorbin’sarrivalwiththebodytoMrs。Jeffcourt。
Howthiswasdoneandwhatoccurredatthatinterviewhasnotbeenrecorded。Butitwasknownthenextdaythat,whileMrs。JeffcourtacceptedthebodyatCorbin’shands,——anditispresumedthefuneralexpensesalso,——hewaspositivelyforbiddentoappeareitherattheservicesatthehouseoratthechurch。Therehadbeensomewildtalkamongtheyoungerandmanyofthelowermembersofthecommunity,notablythe\"poor\"non-slave-holdingwhites,oftarringandfeatheringJosephCorbin,andridinghimonarailoutofthetownonthedayofthefuneral,asapropitiatorysacrificetothemanesofThomasJeffcourt;butitbeingpointedoutbytheundertakerthatitmightinvolvesomeuncertaintyinthesettlementofhisbill,togetherwithsomereasonabledoubtofthethoroughresignationofCorbin,whosepreviousmomentaryaberrationinthatrespecttheywerecelebrating,theprojectwaspostponeduntilAFTERTHEFUNERAL。Andhereanunlooked-forincidentoccurred。
TherewastobeapoliticalmeetingatKirbyonthatday,whencertaindistinguishedSouthernleadershadgatheredfromtheremoterSouthernStates。AttheinstigationofCaptainDowsitwasadjournedatthehourofthefuneraltoenablememberstoattend,anditwasevenrumored,tothegreatdelightofPineville,thatadistinguishedspeakerortwomightcomeoverto\"improvetheoccasion\"withsomeslightallusiontotheengrossingtopicof\"SouthernRights。\"ThiscombinedappealtothedomesticandpoliticalemotionsofPinevillewasirresistible。TheSecondBaptistChurchwascrowded。Afterthereligiousservicetherewasapause,andJudgeReed,steppingforwardamidabreathlesssilence,saidthattheywerepeculiarlyhonoredbytheunexpectedpresenceintheirmidst\"ofthatfamoussonoftheSouth,ColonelStarbottle,\"whohadlatelyreturnedtohisnativesoilfromhisadoptedhomeinCalifornia。Everyeyewasfixedonthedistinguishedstrangerasherose。
Jauntyandgallantasever,femininelysmooth-faced,yetpolishedandhighcoloredasayouthfulmask;pectorallyexpansive,andunfoldingthewhitepetalsofhiswaistcoatthroughtheswollenlapelsofhiscoat,likeaburstingmagnoliabud,ColonelStarbottlebegan。Thepresentassociationswere,hemightsay,singularlyhallowedtohim;notonlywasPineville——aSoutherncentre——therecognizednurseryofSouthernchivalry,Southernbeauty(astatelyinclinationtothepewinwhichMissSallyandJuliaJeffcourtsat),Southernintelligence,andSouthernindependence,butitwasthehomeofthelamenteddeadwhohadbeen,likehimselfandanotherheshouldrefertolater,anadoptedcitizenoftheGoldenState,aseekeroftheGoldenFleece,acompanionofJason。Itwasthehome,fellow-citizensandfriends,ofthesorrowingsisterofthedeceased,ayoungladywhomhe,thespeaker,hadasyetknownonlythroughthechivalrousblazonofhervirtuesandgracesbyherattendantknights(acourteouswavetowardsthegallerywhereJoyceMasterton,ChesterBrooks,CalhounBungstarter,andtheembattledyouthgenerallyofPinevillebecameempurpledandidiotic);itwasthehomeoftheafflictedwidowedmother,alsopersonallyunknowntohim,butwithwhomhemightsayhehadhad——er——er——professionalcorrespondence。Butitwasnotthisalonethathallowedtheoccasion,itwasasentimentthatshouldspeakintrumpet-liketonesthroughouttheSouthinthisuprisingofanunitedsection。Itwastheforgetfulnessofpettystrife,offamilyfeud,ofpersonalwrongsintheclaimsofparty!
Itmightnotbeknownthathe,thespeaker,wasprofessionallycognizantofoneoftheseregrettable——shouldhesayaccidents?——
arisingfromthechivalrouschallengeandequallychivalrousresponseoftwofierySouthernspirits,towhichtheyprimarilyowetheircomingherethatday。Andheshouldtakeitashisduty,hissolemnduty,inthatsacrededificetoproclaimtotheworldthatinhisknowledgeasaprofessionalman——asamanofhonor,asaSoutherner,asagentleman,thatthe——er——circumstanceswhichthreeyearsagoledtotheearlydemiseofourlamentedfriendandbrother,reflectedonlythehighestcreditequallyonbothoftheparties。Hesaidthisonhisownresponsibility——inoroutofthissacrededifice——andinoroutofthatsacrededificehewaspersonallyresponsible,andpreparedtogivethefullestsatisfactionforit。Hewasalsoawarethatitmightnotbeknown——orunderstood——thatsincethatboyishepisodethesurvivorhadtakentheplaceofthedepartedinthebereavedfamilyandministeredtotheirneedswithcounseland——er——er——pecuniaryaid,andhadfollowedthebodyafootacrossthecontinentthatitmightrestwithitskindreddust。Hewasawarethatanunchristian——hewouldsaybutforthatsacrededifice——aDASTARDLYattempthadbeenmadetoimpugnthesurvivor’smotives——tosuggestanunseemlydiscordbetweenhimandthefamily,buthe,thespeaker,wouldneverforgettheletterbreathingwithChristianforgivenessandrepletewithangelicsimplicitysentbyamemberofthatfamilytohisclient,whichcameunderhisprofessionaleye(heretheprofessionaleyeforamomentlingeredonthehystericfaceofMissSally);hedidnotenvytheheadorheartofamanwhocouldperusetheselines——ofwhichthemererecollection——er——er——chokedtheutteranceofevenaprofessionalmanlike——er——himself——withoutemotion。\"Andwhat,myfriendsandfellow-citizens,\"suddenlycontinuedtheColonel,replacinghiswhitehandkerchiefinhiscoat-tail,\"wasthereasonwhymyclient,Mr。JosephCorbin——whosedelicacykeepshimfromappearingamongthesemourners——comesheretoburyalldifferences,allanimosities,allpettypassions?BecauseheisasonoftheSouth;becauseasasonoftheSouth,astherepresentative,andadistantconnection,Ibelieve,ofmyoldpoliticalfriend,MajorCorbin,ofNashville,hewisheshereandeverywhere,atthismomentouscrisis,tosinkeverythingintheoneall-pervading,all-absorbing,oneandindivisibleUNITYoftheSouthinitsresistancetotheNorthernUsurper!That,myfriends,isthegreat,thesolemn,theChristianlessonofthismostremarkableoccasioninmyprofessional,political,andsocialexperience。\"
Whatevermighthavebeenthecalmeropinion,therewasnodoubtthatthegallantColonelhadchangedtheprevailingillogicalemotionofPinevillebythesubstitutionofanotherequallyillogical,andMissSallywasnotsurprisedwhenherfather,touchedbytheColonel’sallusiontohisdaughter’sepistolarypowers,insisteduponbringingJosephCorbinhomewithhim,andofferinghimthehospitalityoftheDowsmansion。AlthoughthestrangerseemedtoyieldratherfromthefactthattheDowswererelationsoftheJeffcourtsthanfromanypersonalpreference,whenhewasfairlyinstalledinoneoftheappropriatelygloomyguestchambers,MissSallysetaboutthedelayedworkofreconciliation——
theoreticallyacceptedbyherfather,andcynicallytoleratedbyherAuntMiranda。Buthereadifficultyarosewhichshehadnotforeseen。AlthoughCorbinhadevidentlyforgivenherdefectiononthatmemorableevening,hehadnotapparentlygotovertherevelationofhergiddyworldliness,andwasresignedlyapatheticanddistrustfulofherendeavors。Shewasatfirstamused,andthenangry。AndherpatiencewasexhaustedwhenshediscoveredthatheactuallyseemedmoreanxioustoconciliateJuliaJeffcourtthanhermother。
\"Butshespatinyourface,\"shesaid,indignantly。
\"That’sso,\"hereplied,gloomily;\"butIreckonedyousaidsomethinginoneofyourlettersaboutturningtheothercheekwhenyouweresmitten。Ofcourse,asyoudon’tbelieveitnow,\"headdedwithhisupwardglance,\"IsupposeTHAT’Sbeenplayedonme,too。\"
ButhereMissSally’sspiritlazilyrebelled。
\"Lookhere,Mr。JosephJEREMIAHCorbin,\"shereturnedwithlanguidimpertinence,\"ifinsteadofcavortin’roundonyo’kneestryingtoconciliateanoldwomanwhoneverhadastrokeoflucktillyoukilledherson,andayounggirlwhowon’tbeabovelettingonaforeyouthinkitthatyourconciliatin’hermeansSPARKIN’her;
ifinsteadofthatfoolishnessyou’dturnyourhandtotryingtoconciliatethefolkshereandkeep’emfromgoingintothatfool’sactofbreakinguptheseUnitedStates;ifinsteadofdiggingupsecond-handcorpsesthat’salreadybeenputoutofsightonceyou’dsettoworktotryandpreventthefolksaboutherefromdigginguptheiroldcranksandtheiroldwhims,andtheiroldwomenfancies,you’dbedoingsomethinglikeaChristianandaman!What’syo’
blood-guiltiness——I’dliketoknow——alongsideoftheblood-
guiltinessofthosefoolswhoarejustwildtorushintoit,ledbysuchturkey-cocksasyo’friendColonelStarbottle?Andyou’vebeenfiveyearsinCalifornia——afreeState——andthat’sallyo’’vetotedoutofit——adeadbody!Therenow,don’tsitthereandswingyo’hatunderthatchyar,butrouseoutandcomealongwithmetothepawtyifyoucanshakeafoot,andshowMissPinkneyandthegyrlsyo’fitforsomethingmo’thantoskirmishroundasablackjapannedspittoonforJuliaJeffcourt!\"ItisnotrecordedthatCorbinacceptedthischeerfulinvitation,butforafewdaysafterwardshewasmoredarklyobservantof,andrespectfulto,MissSally。Strangeindeedifhehadnotnoticed——althoughalwaysinhisresignedfashion——thedullgreenstagnationofthelifearoundhim,orwhennotacceptingitaspartofhistroublehehadnotchafedatthearrestedyouthandsenilechildishnessofthepeople。
Strangerstillifhehadnotattimesbeenstartledtoheartheoutgrownsuperstitionsandfolliesofhisyouthvoicedagainbygrown-upmen,andperhapsstrangestofallifhehadnotvaguelyaccepteditallasthehereditarycurseofthatbarbarismunderwhichhehimselfhadsurvivedandsuffered。
ThereconciliationbetweenhimselfandMrs。Jeffcourtwassuperficiallyeffected,sofarasadailyvisitbyhimtothehouseindicatedittothecommunity,butitwasalsoknownthatJuliawasinvariablyabsentontheseoccasions。Whathappenedatthoseinterviewsdidnottranspire,butitmaybesurmisedthatMrs。
Jeffcourt,perhapsrecognizingthefactthatCorbinwasreallygivingherallthathehadtogive,orpossiblyhavingsomelurkingfearofColonelStarbottle,wassofarplacatedastoexhibitonlytheaverageingratitudeofherspeciestowardsaregularbenefactor。
Sheconsentedtotheerectionofasmallobeliskoverherson’sgrave,andpermittedCorbintoplantafewfloweringshrubs,whichhedailyvisitedandtookcareof。ItissaidthatononeofthesepilgrimagesheencounteredMissJulia,apparentlyonthesameerrand,whohaughtilyretired。Itwasfurtheralleged,ontheauthorityofoneofMammyJudy’slittleniggers,thatthosetwoblackmourningfigureshadbeenseenatnightfallsittingoppositetoeachotherattheheadandfootofthegrave,and\"glowerin’\"atoneanother\"liketwohants。\"Butwhenitwasassertedonthesameauthoritythattheirvoiceshadbeenlateroverheardupliftedinsomevehementdiscussionoverthegraveoftheimpassivedead,greatcuriositywasaroused。BeingpressedbytheeagerMissSallytorepeatsomewordsoranywordshehadheardthemsay,thelittlewitnessgliblyreplied,\"MarseLinkum\"(Lincoln),and\"TheSouf,\"
andso,forthetime,shipwreckedhistestimony。Butitwasrecalledsixmonthsafterwards。ItwasthenthatapleasantspringdaybroughtmadnessandenthusiasmtoamajorityofPineville,andbatedbreathandawetoafew,anditwasknownwiththetidingsthattheSouthhadappealedtoarms,thatamongthosewhohadfirstrespondedtothecallwasJosephCorbin,analleged\"Unionman,\"whohad,however,volunteeredtotakethatplaceinherrankswhichmightHAVEBEENFILLEDBYTHEMANHEHADKILLED。Andthenpeopleforgotallabouthim……
Ayearpassed。Itwasthesameplace;theoldfamiliaroutlinesofhomeandgardenandlandscape。Butseennow,inthechokingbreathlessnessofhaste,inthefitfulchangingflashesoflifeandmotionaroundit,inintervalsofsharpsuspenseordazedbewilderment,itseemedtoberecognizednolonger。Menwhohadknownitalltheirlives,hurryingtothefrontincompactmasses,scurryingtotherearinstragglingline,oropeningtheirrankstoletartillerygallopby,staredatitvaguely,andclatteredorscrambledonagain。Thesmokeofamaskedbatteryinthewoodsstruggledandwrithedtofreeitselffromtheclingingtreetopsbehindit,andsankbackintoagrayencompassingcloud。Thedustthrownupbyacolumnofpassinghorsepouredoverthewallinonelongwave,andwhitenedthegardenwithitsashes。Throughoutthedimemptyhouseonenolongerheardthesoundofcannon,onlyadullintermittentconcussionwasfelt,silentlybringingflakesofplasterfromthewalls,orslidingfragmentsofglassfromtheshatteredwindows。Ashell,liftedfromtheominousdistance,hunguncertainintheairandthendescendedswiftlythroughtheroof;
thewholehousedilatedwithflameforaninstant,smokerolledslowlyfromthewindows,andeventhedesolatechimneysstartedintoahideousmockeryoflife,andthenallwasstillagain。Atsuchawfulintervalsthesunshoneoutbrightly,touchedthegreenofthestillsleepingwoodsandtheredandwhiteofaflowerinthegarden,andsomethinginagrayuniformwrithedoutofthedustoftheroad,staggeredtothewall,anddied。
Amiledownthisroad,growingmoreandmoreobscurewiththoserisingandfallingapparitionsortheshapelessandruggedheapsterribleintheirhelplessinertiabyhedgeandfence,arosethecemeteryhill。Takenandretakenthricethatafternoon,thedeadaboveitfaroutnumberedthedeadbelow;andwhenatlastthetideofbattlesweptarounditsbaseintothedull,reverberatingwoods,anditemergedfromthesmoke,silencedandabandoned,onlyafewstragglersremained。Oneofthem,leaningonhismusket,wasstillgloomilyfacingthewoods。
\"JosephCorbin,\"saidalow,hurriedvoice。
Hestartedandglancedquicklyatthetombsaroundhim。Perhapsitwasbecausehehadbeenthinkingofthedead,——butthevoicesoundedlikeHIS。YetitwasonlytheSISTER,whohadglided,paleandhaggard,fromthethicket。
\"Theyarecomingthroughthewoods,\"shesaidquickly。\"Run,oryou’llbetaken。Whydoyoulinger?\"
\"Youknowwhy,\"hesaidgloomily。
\"Yes,butyouhavedoneyo’duty。Youhavedonehiswork。Thetaskisfinishednow,andyo’free。\"
Hedidnotreply,butremainedgazingatthewoods。
\"Joseph,\"shesaidmoregently,layinghertremblinghandonhisarm,\"Joseph,fly——and——takemewithyou。ForIwaswrong,andI
wantyoutoforgiveme。Iknewyourheartwasnotinthis,andI
oughtnottohaveaskedyou。Joseph——listen!IneverwantedtoavengemyselfnorHIMwhenIspatonyourface。IwantedtoavengemyselfonHER。Ihatedher,becauseIthoughtshewantedtoworkuponyouanduseyouforherself。\"
\"Yourmother,\"hesaid,lookingather。
\"No,\"shesaid,withwidelyopenedeyes,\"youknowwhoImean——MissSally。\"
Helookedatherwonderinglyforamoment,butquicklybenthisheadagaininthedirectionoftheroad。\"Theyarecoming,\"hesaid,starting。\"YOUmustgo。Thisisnoplaceforyou。Stop!
it’stoolate;youcannotgonowuntiltheyhavepassed。Comehere——crouchdownhere——overthisgrave——so。\"
Healmostforcedher——kneelingdown——uponthemoundbelowtheleveloftheshrubs,andthenranquicklyhimselfafewpaceslowerdownthehilltoamoreexposedposition。Sheunderstoodit。Hewishedtoattractattentiontohimself。Hewassuccessful——afewhurriedshotsfollowedfromtheroad,butstruckabovehim。
Heclamberedbackquicklytowhereshewasstillcrouching。
\"Theywerethevedettes,\"hesaid,\"buttheyhavefallenbackonthemainskirmishlineandwillbehereinforceinamoment。Go——
whileyoucan。\"Shehadnotmoved。Hetriedtoraiseher——herhatfelloff——-hesawbloodoozingfromwherethevedette’sbulletthathadmissedhimhadpiercedherbrain。
Andyethesawinthatpaledeadfaceonlytheotherfacewhichherememberednowhadbeenturnedlikethistowardshisown。Itwasverystrange。Andthiswastheend,andthiswashisexpiation!
Heraisedhisownfacehumbly,blindly,despairinglytotheinscrutablesky;itlookedbackuponhimfromaboveascoldlyasthedeadfacehadfrombelow。
YetoutofthishestruckafaintideathathevoicedaloudinnearlythesamewordswhichhehadusedtoColonelStarbottleonlythreeyearsago。\"Itwaswithhisownpistoltoo,\"hesaid,andtookuphismusket。
Hewalkeddeliberatelydownthehill,occasionallytryingthestockofhismusketinthelooseearth,andatlastsuddenlyremainedmotionless,intheattitudeofleaningoverit。Atthesamemomenttherewasadistantshout;twothinparallelstreamsofblueandsteelcameissuingthroughthewoodslikeariver,appearedtojointumultuouslyintheopenbeforethehill,andoutofthetumultamountedofficercalleduponhimtosurrender。
Hedidnotreply。
\"Comedownfromthere,JohnnyReb,Iwanttospeaktoyou,\"calledayoungcorporal。
Hedidnotmove。
\"It’stimetogohome,Johnny。\"
Noresponse。
Theofficer,whohadbeenholdingdownhismenwithanunswordedbutmasterfulhand,raiseditsuddenly。Adozenshotsfollowed。
Themenleapedforward,anddashingCorbincontemptuouslyasidestreamedupthehillpasthim。
Buthehadneitherheardnorcared。Fortheyfoundhehadalreadydeliberatelytransfixedhimselfthroughtheheartonhisownbayonet。
THEPOSTMISTRESSOFLAURELRUN。
CHAPTERI。
ThemailstagehadjustpassedLaurelRun,——sorapidlythatthewhirlingcloudofdustdraggedwithitdownthesteepgradefromthesummithungoverthelevellongafterthestagehadvanished,andthen,driftingaway,slowlysiftedaredprecipitateoverthehotplatformoftheLaurelRunpost-office。
Outofthiscloudpresentlyemergedtheneatfigureofthepostmistresswiththemailbagwhichhadbeendexterouslyflungatherfeetfromthetopofthepassingvehicle。Adozenloungerseagerlystretchedouttheirhandstoassisther,butthewarning:
\"It’sagintherules,boys,foranybuthertotouchit,\"fromabystander,andacoquettishshakeoftheheadfromthepostmistressherself——muchmoreeffectivethananyofficialinterdict——withheldthem。Thebagwasnotheavy,——LaurelRunwastoorecentasettlementtohaveattractedmuchcorrespondence,——andtheyoungwoman,havingpounceduponherpreywithacertainfelineinstinct,draggedit,notwithoutdifficulty,behindthepartitionedinclosureintheoffice,andlockedthedoor。Herprettyface,momentarilyvisiblethroughthewindow,wasslightlyflushedwiththeexertion,andthelooseendsofherfairhair,wetwithperspiration,curledthemselvesoverherforeheadintotantalizinglittlerings。Butthewindowshutterwasquicklyclosed,andthismomentarybutcharmingvisionwithdrawnfromthewaitingpublic。
\"Guv’mentoughterhavemoresensethantomakeawomanpickmail-
bagsoutertheroad,\"saidJoSimmonssympathetically。\"’Tain’tinherday’sworkanyhow;Guv’montoughterhand’emovertoherlikealady;it’srichenoughanduglyenough。\"
\"’Tain’tGuv’ment;it’sthatstagecompany’sairsandgraces,\"
interruptedanewcomer。\"Theythinkitmightyfinetogobeltin’
by,makin’everybodytaketheirdust,justbecauseSTOPPIN’ain’tintheircontract。Why,ifthatexpressmanwhochuckeddownthebaghadanyfeelin’sforalady\"——buthestoppedhereattheamusedfacesofhisauditors。
\"Guessyoudon’tknowmucho’thatexpressman’sfeelin’s,stranger,\"saidSimmonsgrimly。\"Why,yououghterseehimjustnussin’thatbaglikeababyashecomestearin’downthegrade,andthenriseupandsorterheaveittoMrs。Bakerezifitwasafive-dollarbokay!Hisfeelin’sforher!Why,he’sgivehimselfsodeadawaytoherthatwe’relookingforhimtoforgetwhathe’sdoin’next,andjustcomesailin’downhisselfatherfeet。\"
Meanwhile,ontheothersideofthepartition,Mrs。Bakerhadbrushedthereddustfromthepadlockedbag,andremovedwhatseemedtobeasupplementarypackageattachedtoitbyawire。
Openingitshefoundahandsomescent-bottle,evidentlyasuperaddedgiftfromthedevotedexpressman。Thissheputasidewithaslightsmileandthemurmuredword,\"Foolishness。\"Butwhenshehadunlockedthebag,evenitssacredinteriorwasalsoprofanedbyacovertparcelfromtheadjacentpostmasteratBurntRidge,containingagold\"specimen\"broochandsomecircustickets。
Itwaslaidasidewiththeother。Thisalsowasvanityand——
presumably——vexationofspirit。
Therewereseventeenlettersinall,ofwhichfivewereforherself——andyettheproportionwassmallthatmorning。Twoofthemweremarked\"OfficialBusiness\"andwerepromptlyputbywithfemininediscernment;butinanothercompartmentthanthatholdingthepresents。Thentheshutterwasopened,andthetaskofdeliverycommenced。
ItwasaccompaniedwithasocialpeculiaritythathadintimebecomeahabitofLaurelRun。Astheyoungwomandeliveredtheletters,inturn,tothemenwhowerepatientlydrawnupinIndianfile,shemadethatsimpleactamediumofprivilegedbutlimitedconversationonspecialorgeneraltopics,——gayorseriousasthecasemightbe,orthetemperamentofthemansuggested。Thatitwasalmostalwaysofacomplimentarycharacterontheirpartmaybereadilyimagined;butitwasinvariablycharacterizedbyanelementofrefinedrestraint,and,whetherfromsomeimpliedunderstandingorindividualsenseofhonour,itneverpassedtheboundsofconventionalityoracertaindelicacyofrespect。Thedeliverywasconsequentlymoreorlessprotracted,butwheneachmanhadexchangedhisthreeorfourminutes’conversationwiththefairpostmistress,——aconversationattimesimpededbybashfulnessortimidity,onhispartsolely,orrestrictedoftentovaguesmiling,——heresignedlymadewayforthenext。Itwasaformallevee,mitigatedbytheinformalityofrustictact,greatgood-
humor,andinfinitepatience,andwouldhavebeenamusinghaditnotalwaysbeenterriblyinearnestandattimestouching。Foritwaspeculiartotheplaceandtheepoch,andindeedimpliedthewholehistoryofMrs。Baker。
ShewasthewifeofJohnBaker,foremanof\"TheLastChance,\"nowforayearlyingdeadunderhalfamileofcrushedandbeaten-intunnelatBurntRidge。Therehadbeenasuddenoutcryfromthedepthsathighhotnoontideoneday,andJohnhadrushedfromhiscabin——hisyoung,foolish,flirtingwifeclingingtohim——toanswerthatdespairingcryofhisimprisonedmen。Therewasoneexitthathealoneknewwhichmightbeyetheldopen,amongfallingwallsandtotteringtimbers,longenoughtosetthemfree。Foronemomentonlythestrongmanhesitatedbetweenherentreatingarmsandhisbrothers’despairingcry。Butsherosesuddenlywithapaleface,andsaid,\"Go,John;Iwillwaitforyouhere。\"Hewent,themenwerefreed——butshehadwaitedforhimeversince!
Yetintheshockofthecalamityandintheafterstrugglesofthatpovertywhichhadcometotheruinedcamp,shehadscarcelychanged。Butthemenhad。Althoughshewastoallappearancesthesamegiddy,prettyBetsyBaker,whohadbeensodisturbingtotheyoungermembers,theyseemedtobenolongerdisturbedbyher。A
certainsubduedaweandrespect,asifthemartyredspiritofJohnBakerstillheldhisarmaroundher,appearedtohavecomeuponthemall。Theyheldtheirbreathasthisprettywoman,whosebriefmourninghadnotseemedtoaffecthercheerfulnessorevenplayfulnessofspirit,passedbeforethem。Butshestoodbyhercabinandthecamp——theonlywomaninasettlementoffortymen——
duringthedarkesthoursoftheirfortune。Helpingthemtowashandcook,andministeringtotheirdomesticneeds,thesanctityofhercabinwas,however,alwayskeptasinviolableasifithadbeenHIStomb。Nooneexactlyknewwhy,foritwasonlyatacitinstinct;butevenoneortwowhohadnotscrupledtopaycourttoBetsyBakerduringJohnBaker’slife,shrankfromevenasuggestionoffamiliaritytowardsthewomanwhohadsaidthatshewould\"waitforhimthere。\"
Whenbrighterdayscameandthesettlementhadincreasedbyoneortwofamilies,andlaggardcapitalhadbeenhurrieduptorelievethestillbeleagueredandlocked-upwealthofBurntRidge,theneedsofthecommunityandtheclaimsofthewidowofJohnBakerweresowelltoldinpoliticalquartersthatthepost-officeofLaurelRunwascreatedexpresslyforher。Everymanparticipatedinthebuildingoftheprettyyetsubstantialedifice——theonlypublicbuildingofLaurelRun——thatstoodinthedustofthegreathighway,halfamilefromthesettlement。Thereshewasinstalledforcertainhoursoftheday,forshecouldnotbeprevailedupontoabandonJohn’scabin,andhere,withalltheaddedrespectduetoapublicfunctionary,shewassecureinherprivacy。
ButtheblinddevotionofLaurelRuntoJohnBaker’srelictdidnotstophere。InitszealtoassuretheGovernmentauthoritiesofthenecessityforapost-office,andtosecureapermanentcompetencytothepostmistress,therewasmuchembarrassingextravagance。
DuringthefirstweekthesaleofstampsatLaurelRunpost-officewasunprecedentedintheannalsoftheDepartment。Fancypricesweregivenforthefirstissue;thentheywereboughtwildly,recklessly,unprofitably,andonalloccasions。Complimentarycongratulationatthelittlewindowinvariablyendedwith\"andadollar’sworthofstamps,Mrs。Baker。\"Itwasfelttobesupremelydelicatetobuyonlythehighestpricedstamps,withoutreferencetotheiradequacy;thenmereQUANTITYwassought;thenoutgoingletterswereallover-paidandstampedinoutrageousproportiontotheirweightandevensize。Theimbecilityofthis,anditsprobableeffectonthereputationofLaurelRunattheGeneralPost-office,beingpointedoutbyMrs。Baker,stampswereadoptedaslocalcurrency,andevenfordecorativepurposesonmirrorsandthewallsofcabins。Everybodywroteletters,withtheresult,however,thatthoseSENTwereludicrouslyandsuspiciouslyinexcessofthosereceived。Toobviatethis,selectpartiesmadeforcedjourneystoHickoryHill,thenextpost-office,withlettersandcircularsaddressedtothemselvesatLaurelRun。Howlongtheextravagancewouldhavecontinuedisnotknown,butitwasnotuntilitwasrumoredthat,inconsequenceofthisexcessiveflowofbusiness,theDepartmenthadconcludedthatapostMASTERwouldbebetterfittedfortheplacethatitabated,andacompromisewaseffectedwiththeGeneralOfficebyapermanentsalarytothepostmistress。
SuchwasthehistoryofMrs。Baker,whohadjustfinishedherafternoonlevee,noddedasmiling\"good-by\"toherlastcustomer,andclosedhershutteragain。Thenshetookupherownletters,but,beforereadingthem,glanced,withaprettyimpatience,atthetwoofficialenvelopesaddressedtoherself,whichshehadshelved。
Theyweregenerallya\"lotofnewrules,\"ornotifications,or\"absurd\"questionswhichhadnothingtodowithLaurelRunandonlybotheredherand\"madeherheadache,\"andshehadusuallyreferredthemtoheradmiringneighboratHickoryHillforexplanation,whohadgenerallyreturnedthemtoherwiththebriefindorsement,\"Purpstuff,don’tbother,\"or,\"Hogwash,letitslide。\"Sherememberednowthathehadnotreturnedthelasttwo。Withknittedbrowsandaslightpoutsheputasideherprivatecorrespondenceandtoreopenthefirstone。Itreferredwithofficialcurtnesstoanunansweredcommunicationofthepreviousweek,andwas\"compelledtoremindherofrule47。\"Againthosehorridrules!
Sheopenedtheother;thefrowndeepenedonherbrow,andbecamefixed。
Itwasasummaryofcertainvaluablemoneylettersthathadmiscarriedontheroute,andofwhichtheyhadgivenherpreviousinformation。Foramomenthercheeksblazed。Howdarethey;whatdidtheymean!Herwaybillsandregisterwerealwaysright;sheknewthenamesofeveryman,woman,andchildinherdistrict;nosuchnamesasthosebornebythemissinglettershadeverexistedatLaurelRun;nosuchaddresseshadeverbeensentfromLaurelRunpost-office。Itwasameaninsinuation!Shewouldsendinherresignationatonce!Shewouldget\"theboys\"towriteaninsultinglettertoSenatorSlocumb,——Mrs。BakerhadthefeminineideaofGovernmentasapurelypersonalinstitution,——andshewouldfindoutwhoitwasthathadputthemuptothisprying,crawlingimpudence!Itwasprobablythatwall-eyedoldwifeofthepostmasteratHeavyTreeCrossing,whowasjealousofher。\"Remindheroftheirpreviousunansweredcommunication,\"indeed!Wherewasthatcommunication,anyway?SherememberedshehadsentittoheradmireratHickoryHill。Oddthathehadn’tansweredit。Ofcourse,heknewaboutthismeanness——couldhe,too,havedaredtosuspecther!Thethoughtturnedhercrimsonagain。He,StantonGreen,wasanold\"LaurelRunner,\"afriendofJohn’s,alittle\"triflin’\"and\"presoomin’,\"butstillanoldloyalpioneerofthecamp!\"Whyhadn’thespokeup?\"
Therewasthesoft,muffledfallofahorse’shoofinthethickdustofthehighway,thejingleofdismountingspurs,andafirmtreadontheplatform。Nodoubtoneoftheboysreturningforafewsupplementalremarksunderthefeeblepretenseofforgottenstamps。Ithadbeendonebefore,andshehadresenteditas\"cayotin’round;\"butnowshewaseagertopouroutherwrongstothefirstcomer。Shehadherhandimpulsivelyonthedoorofthepartition,whenshestoppedwithanewsenseofherimpaireddignity。Couldsheconfessthistoherworshipers?Butherethedooropenedinherveryface,andastrangerentered。
Hewasamanoffifty,compactlyandstronglybuilt。Asquarely-
cutgoatee,slightlystreakedwithgray,fellstraightfromhisthin-lippedbuthandsomemouth;hiseyesweredark,humorous,yetsearching。ButthedistinctivequalitythatstruckMrsBakerwastheblendingofurbaneasewithfrontierfrankness。Hewasevidentlyamanwhohadseencitiesandknewcountriesaswell。
AndwhilehewasdressedwiththecomfortablesimplicityofaCalifornianmountedtraveler,herinexperiencedbutfeminineeyedetectedthekeynoteofhisrespectabilityinthecarefully-tiedbowofhiscravat。TheSierreanthroatwasapttobeopen,free,andunfettered。
\"Good-morning,Mrs。Baker,\"hesaid,pleasantly,withhishatalreadyinhishand,\"I’mHarryHome,ofSanFrancisco。\"Ashespokehiseyesweptapprovinglyovertheneatinclosure,theprimly-tiedpapers,andwell-keptpigeon-holes;thepotofflowersonherdesk;herchina-silkmantle,andkillinglittlechiphatandribbonshangingagainstthewall;thencetoherownpink,flushedface,brightblueeyes,tendriledclinginghair,andthen——fellupontheleathernmailbagstilllyingacrossthetable。Hereitbecamefixedontheunfortunatewireoftheamorousexpressmanthatyetremainedhangingfromthebrasswardsofthelock,andhereachedhishandtowardit。
ButlittleMrs。Bakerwasbeforehim,andhadseizeditinherarms。Shehadbeentoopreoccupiedandbewilderedtoresenthisfirstintrusionbehindthepartition,butthislastfamiliaritywithhersacredofficialproperty——albeitempty——cappedtheclimaxofherwrongs。
\"Howdareyoutouchit!\"shesaidindignantly。\"Howdareyoucomeinhere!Whoareyou,anyway?Gooutside,atonce!\"
Thestrangerfellbackwithanamused,deprecatorygesture,andalongsilentlaugh。\"I’mafraidyoudon’tknowme,afterall!\"hesaidpleasantly。\"I’mHarryHome,theDepartmentAgentfromtheSanFranciscooffice。Mynoteofadvice,No。201,withmynameontheenvelope,seemstohavemiscarriedtoo。\"
EveninherfrightandastonishmentitflasheduponMrs。Bakerthatshehadsentthatnotice,too,toHickoryHill。Butwithitallthefemininesecretiveinstinctwithinherwasnowthoroughlyaroused,andshekeptsilent。
\"Ioughttohaveexplained,\"hewentonsmilingly;\"butyouarequiteright,Mrs。Baker,\"headded,noddingtowardsthebag。\"Asfarasyouknew,Ihadnobusinesstogonearit。GladtoseeyouknowhowtodefendUncleSam’spropertysowell。Iwasonlyabitpuzzledtoknow\"(pointingtothewire)\"ifthatthingwasonthebagwhenitwasdeliveredtoyou?\"
Mrs。Bakersawnoreasontoconcealthetruth。Afterall,thisofficialwasamanliketheothers,anditwasjustaswellthatheshouldunderstandherpower。\"It’sonlytheexpressman’sfoolishness,\"shesaid,withaslightlycoquettishtossofherhead。\"Hethinksitsmarttotiesomenonsenseonthatbagwiththewirewhenheflingsitdown。\"
Mr。Home,withhiseyesonherprettyface,seemedtothinkitanotinhumanorunpardonablefolly。\"Aslongashedoesn’tmeddlewiththeinsideofthebag,Isupposeyoumustputupwithit,\"hesaidlaughingly。Adreadfulrecollection,thattheHickoryHillpostmasterhadusedtheinsideofthebagtoconveyHISfoolishness,cameacrossher。Itwouldneverdotoconfessitnow。Herfacemusthaveshownsomeagitation,fortheofficialresumedwithahalf-paternal,half-reassuringair:\"Butenoughofthis。Now,Mrs。
Baker,tocometomybusinesshere。Briefly,then,itdoesn’tconcernyouintheleast,exceptsofarasitmayrelieveyouandsomeothers,whomtheDepartmentknowsequallywell,fromacertainresponsibility,and,perhaps,anxiety。WeareprettywellposteddownthereinallthatconcernsLaurelRun,andIthink\"(withaslightbow)\"we’veknownallaboutyouandJohnBaker。Myonlybusinesshereistotakeyourplaceto-nightinreceivingthe\"OmnibusWayBag,\"thatyouknowarriveshereat9。30,doesn’tit?\"
\"Yes,sir,\"saidMrs。Bakerhurriedly;\"butitneverhasanythingforus,except\"——(shecaughtherselfupquickly,withastammer,assherememberedthesighingGreen’soccasionalofferings)\"exceptanotificationfromHickoryHillpost-office。Itleavesthere,\"shewentonwithanaffectationofprecision,athalfpasteightexactly,andit’saboutanhour’srun——sevenmilesbyroad。\"
\"Exactly,\"saidMr。Home。\"Well,Iwillreceivethebag,openit,anddispatchitagain。Youcan,ifyouchoose,takeaholiday。\"
\"But,\"saidMrs。Baker,assherememberedthatLaurelRunalwaysmadeapointofattendinghereveningleveeonaccountofthesuperiorleisureitoffered,\"therearethepeoplewhocomeforletters,youknow。\"
\"Ithoughtyousaidtherewerenolettersatthattime,\"saidMr。
Homequickly。
\"No——but——but\"——(withaslighthystericalstammer)\"theboyscomeallthesame。\"
\"Oh!\"saidMr。Homedryly。
\"And——OLord!\"——ButherethespectacleofthepossiblediscomfitureofLaurelRunatmeetingthebeardedfaceofMr。Home,insteadofherownsmoothcheeks,atthewindow,combinedwithhernervousexcitement,overcamehersothat,throwingherlittlefrilledapronoverherhead,shegavewaytoaparoxymofhystericallaughter。
Mr。Homewaitedwithamusedtolerationforittostop,and,whenshehadrecovered,resumed。\"Now,Ishouldliketoreferaninstanttomyfirstcommunicationtoyou。Haveyougotithandy?\"
Mrs。Baker’sfacefell。\"No;IsentitovertoMr。Green,ofHickoryHill,forinformation。\"
\"What!\"
Terrifiedatthesuddenseriousnessoftheman’svoice,shemanagedtogaspout,however,that,afterherusualhabit,shehadnotopenedtheofficialletters,buthadsentthemtohermoreexperiencedcolleagueforadviceandinformation;thatshenevercouldunderstandthemherself,——theymadeherheadache,andinterferedwithherotherduties,——butHEunderstoodthem,andsentherwordwhattodo。Rememberingalsohisusualstyleofindorsement,shegrewredagain。
\"Andwhatdidhesay?\"
\"Nothing;hedidn’treturnthem。\"
\"Naturally,\"saidMr。Home,withapeculiarexpression。Afterafewmoments’silentstrokingofhisbeard,hesuddenlyfacedthefrightenedwoman。
\"Youobligeme,Mrs。Baker,tospeakmorefranklytoyouthanIhadintended。Youhave——unwittingly,Ibelieve——giveninformationtoamanwhomtheGovernmentsuspectsofpeculation。Youhave,withoutknowingit,warnedthepostmasteratHickoryHillthatheissuspected;and,asyoumighthavefrustratedourplansfortracingaseriesofembezzlementstotheirpropersource,youwillseethatyoumighthavealsodonegreatwrongtoyourselfashisonlyneighborandthenextresponsibleperson。Inplainwords,wehavetracedthedisappearanceofmoneyletterstoapointwhenitliesbetweenthesetwooffices。Now,IhavenottheleasthesitationintellingyouthatwedonotsuspectLaurelRun,andneverhavesuspectedit。Eventheresultofyourthoughtlessact,althoughitwarnedhim,confirmsoursuspicionofhisguilt。Astothewarning,ithasfailed,orhehasgrownreckless,foranotherletterhasbeenmissedsince。To-night,however,willsettlealldoubtinthematter。WhenIopenthatbaginthisofficeto-night,anddonotfindacertaindecoyletterinit,whichwaslastcheckedatHeavyTreeCrossing,IshallknowthatitremainsinGreen’spossessionatHickoryHill。\"
Shewassittingbackinherchair,whiteandbreathless。Heglancedatherkindly,andthentookuphishat。\"Come,Mrs。
Baker,don’tletthisworryyou。AsItoldyouatfirst,YOUhavenothingtofear。Evenyourthoughtlessnessandignoranceofruleshavecontributedtoshowyourowninnocence。Nobodywilleverbethewiserforthis;wedonotadvertiseouraffairsintheDepartment。Notasoulbutyourselfknowstherealcauseofmyvisithere。Iwillleaveyouherealoneforawhile,soastodivertanysuspicion。Youwillcome,asusual,thisevening,andbeseenbyyourfriends;Iwillonlybeherewhenthebagarrives,toopenit。Good-by,Mrs。Baker;it’sanastybitofbusiness,butit’sallintheday’swork。I’veseenworse,and,thankGod,you’reoutofit。\"
Sheheardhisfootstepsretreatintotheouterofficeanddieoutoftheplatform;thejingleofhisspurs,andthehollowbeatofhishorse’shoofsthatseemedtofindadullechoinherownheart,andshewasalone。
Theroomwasveryhotandveryquiet;shecouldhearthewarpingandcreakingoftheshinglesundertherelaxingofthenearlylevelsunbeams。Theofficeclockstruckseven。Inthebreathlesssilencethatfollowed,awoodpeckertookuphisinterruptedworkontheroof,andseemedtobeatoutmonotonouslyonherearthelastwordsofthestranger:StantonGreen——athief!StantonGreen,oneofthe\"boys\"Johnhadhelpedoutofthefallingtunnel!StantonGreen,whoseoldmotherintheStatesstillwroteletterstohimatLaurelRun,inafewhourstobeadisgracedandruinedmanforever!Sherememberednow,asathoughtlesswomanremembers,talesofhisextravaganceandfastliving,ofwhichshehadtakennoheed,and,withasenseofshame,ofpresentssenther,thatshenowclearlysawmusthavebeenfarbeyondhismeans。Whatwouldtheboyssay?WhatwouldJohnhavesaid?Ah!whatwouldJohnhaveDONE!
Shestartedsuddenlytoherfeet,whiteandcoldasonthatdaythatshehadpartedfromJohnBakerbeforethetunnel。Sheputonherhatandmantle,andgoingtothatlittleironsafethatstoodinthecorner,unlockeditandtookoutitsentirecontentsofgoldandsilver。Shehadreachedthedoorwhenanotherideaseizedher,andopeningherdeskshecollectedherstampstothelastsheet,andhurriedlyrolledthemupunderhercape。Thenwithaglanceattheclock,andarapidsurveyoftheroadfromtheplatform,sheslippedfromit,andseemedtobeswallowedupinthewaitingwoodsbeyond。