\"I’masgoodamanasheisanyday，whoeverIam，\"saidthestranger，withhumorousdefiance，\"andcanlickhimoutofhisboots，whoeverHEis。Thatoughttosatisfyyou。Butifyouwantmycertificate，here’syourownletter，oldman，\"hesaid，producingLeonidas’slastscrawlfromhispocket。
\"AndHERS？\"saidtheboycautiously。
Thestranger’sfacechangedalittle。\"AndHERS，\"herepeatedgravely，showingalittlepinknotewhichLeonidasrecognizedasoneofMrs。Burroughs’sinclosures。Theboywassilentuntiltheyreachedthelaurels，wherethestrangertetheredhishorseandthenthrewhimselfinaneasyattitudebeneaththetree，withthebackofhisheaduponhisclaspedhands。Leonidascouldseehiscurvedbrownmustachesandsilkylashesthatwerealmostaslong，andthoughthimthehandsomestmanhehadeverbeheld。
\"Well，Leon，\"saidthestranger，stretchinghimselfoutcomfortablyandpullingtheboydownbesidehim，\"howarethingsgoingontheCasket？Allserene，eh？\"
TheinquirysodismallyrecalledLeonidas’slatefeelingsthathisfaceclouded，andheinvoluntarilysighed。Thestrangerinstantlyshiftedhisheadandgazedcuriouslyathim。Thenhetooktheboy’ssunburnthandinhisown，andhelditamoment。\"Well，goon，\"hesaid。
\"Well，Mr。——Mr。——Ican’tgoon——Iwon’t！\"saidLeonidas，withasuddenfitofobstinacy。\"Idon’tknowwhattocallyou。\"
\"Callme’Jack’——’JackHamlin’whenyou’renotinahurry。Everheardofmebefore？\"headded，suddenlyturninghisheadtowardsLeonidas。
Theboyshookhishead。\"No。\"
Mr。JackHamlinliftedhislashesinaffectedexpostulationtotheskies。\"AndthisisFame！\"hemurmuredaudibly。
ButthisLeonidasdidnotcomprehend。Norcouldheunderstandwhythestranger，whoclearlymusthavecometoseeHER，shouldnotaskabouther，shouldnotrushtoseekher，butshouldliebackthereallthewhilesocontentedlyonthegrass。HEwouldn’t。Hehalfresentedit，andthenitoccurredtohimthatthisfinegentlemanwaslikehimself——shy。Whocouldhelpbeingsobeforesuchanangel？HEwouldhelphimon。
Andso，shylyatfirst，butbitbybitemboldenedbyawordortwofromJack，hebegantotalkofher——ofherbeauty——ofherkindness——
ofhisownunworthiness——ofwhatshehadsaidanddone——until，findinginthisgraciousstrangertheventhispent-upfeelingssolonghadsought，hesangthenandtherethelittleidylofhisboyishlife。Hetoldofhisdeclineinheraffectionsafterhisunpardonablesininkeepingherwaitingwhilehewentforthetrout，andaddedthemiserablemistakeoftherattlesnakeepisode。
\"Foritwasamistake，Mr。Hamlin。Ioughtn’ttohaveletaladylikethatknowanythingaboutsnakes——justbecauseIhappentoknowthem。\"
\"ItWASanawfulslump，Lee，\"saidHamlingravely。\"Getawomanandasnaketogether——andwhereareyou？ThinkofAdamandEveandtheserpent，youknow。\"
\"Butitwasn’tthatway，\"saidtheboyearnestly。\"AndIwanttotellyousomethingelsethat’sjustmakin’mesick，Mr。Hamlin。
YouknowItoldyouWilliamHenrylivesdownatthebottomofBurroughs’sgarden，andhowIshowedMrs。Burroughshistricks！
Well，onlytwodaysagoIwasdowntherelookingforhim，andcouldn’tfindhimanywhere。There’sasortofnarrowtrailfromthegardentothehill，ashortcutuptotheRidge，insteado’
goingbytheirgate。It’sjustthetrailanyonewouldtakeinahurry，oriftheydidn’twanttobeseenfromtheroad。Well！I
waslookingthiswayandthatforWilliamHenry，andwhistlin’forhim，whenIslippedontothetrail。There，inthemiddleofit，wasanoldbucketturnedupsidedown——justthethingamanwouldkickawayorawomanliftup。Well，Mr。Hamlin，Ikickeditaway，and\"——theboystopped，withroundedeyesandbatedbreath，andadded——\"Ijusthadtimetogiveonejumpandsavemyself！Forunderthatpail，crampeddownsohecouldn’tgetout，andjustbilin’overwithrage，andchockfulofpizen，wasWilliamHenry！
Ifithadbeenanybodyelselessspry，they’dhavegotbitten，——andthat’sjustwhatthesneakwhoputitthereknew。\"
Mr。Hamlinutteredanexclamationunderhisbreath，androsetohisfeet。
\"Whatdidyousay？\"askedtheboyquickly。
\"Nothing，\"saidMr。Hamlin。
ButithadsoundedtoLeonidaslikeanoath。
Mr。Hamlinwalkedafewsteps，asifstretchinghislimbs，andthensaid：\"AndyouthinkBurroughswouldhavebeenbitten？\"
\"Why，no！\"saidLeonidasinastonishedindignation；\"ofcoursenot——
notBURROUGHS。ItwouldhavebeenpoorMRS。Burroughs。For，ofcourse，HEsetthattrapforher——don’tyousee？Whoelsewoulddoit？\"
\"Ofcourse，ofcourse！Certainly，\"saidMr。Hamlincoolly。\"Ofcourse，asyousay，HEsetthetrap——yes——youjusthangontothatidea。\"
ButsomethinginMr。Hamlin’smanner，andapeculiarlookinhiseye，didnotsatisfyLeonidas。\"Areyougoingtoseehernow？\"hesaideagerly。\"Icanshowyouthehouse，andthenruninandtellheryou’reoutsideinthelaurels。\"
\"Notjustyet，\"saidMr。Hamlin，layinghishandontheboy’sheadafterhavingrestoredhisownhat。\"Yousee，Ithoughtofgivingherasurprise。Abigsurprise！\"headdedslowly。Afterapause，hewenton：\"Didyoutellherwhatyouhadseen？\"
\"OfcourseIdid，\"saidLeonidasreproachfully。\"DidyouthinkI
wasgoingtolethergetbit？Itmighthavekilledher。\"
\"AnditmightnothavebeenanunmixedpleasureforWilliamHenry。
Imean，\"saidMr。Hamlingravely，correctinghimself，\"YOUwouldneverhaveforgivenhim。Butwhatdidshesay？\"
Theboy’sfaceclouded。\"Shethankedmeandsaiditwasverythoughtful——andkind——thoughitmighthavebeenonlyanaccident\"——
hestammered——\"andthenshesaidperhapsIwashangingroundandcomingtherealittletoomuchlately，andthatasBurroughswasverywatchful，I’dbetterquitfortwoorthreedays。\"Thetearswererisingtohiseyes，butbyputtinghistwoclenchedfistsintohispockets，hemanagedtoholdthemdown。PerhapsMr。Hamlin’ssofthandonhisheadassistedhim。Mr。Hamlintookfromhispocketanotebook，andtearingoutaleaf，satdownagainandbegantowriteonhisknee。Afterapause，Leonidassaid，——
\"Wasyoueverinlove，Mr。Hamlin？\"
\"Never，\"saidMr。Hamlin，quietlycontinuingtowrite。\"But，nowyouspeakofit，it’salong-feltwantinmynaturethatIintendtosupplysomeday。ButnotuntilI’vemademypile。Anddon’tYOUeither。\"Hecontinuedwriting，foritwasthisgentleman’speculiaritytotalkwithoutapparentlytheslightestconcernwhetheranybodyelsespoke，whetherhewaslistenedto，orwhetherhisremarkswereatallrelevanttothecase。Yethewasalwayslistenedtoforthatreason。Whenhehadfinishedwriting，hefoldedupthepaper，putitinanenvelope，andaddressedit。
\"ShallItakeittoher？\"saidLeonidaseagerly。
\"It’snotforHER；it’sforhim——Mr。Burroughs，\"saidMr。Hamlinquietly。
Theboydrewback。\"Togethimoutoftheway，\"addedHamlinexplanatorily。\"Whenhegetsit，lightningwouldn’tkeephimhere。
Now，howtosendit，\"hesaidthoughtfully。
\"Youmightleaveitatthepost-office，\"saidLeonidastimidly。
\"Healwaysgoestheretowatchhiswife’sletters。\"
ForthefirsttimeintheirinterviewMr。Hamlindistinctlylaughed。
\"Yourheadislevel，Leo，andI’lldoit。NowthebestthingyoucandoistofollowMrs。Burroughs’sadvice。Quitgoingtothehouseforadayortwo。\"Hewalkedtowardshishorse。Theboy’sfacesank，buthekeptupbravely。\"AndwillIseeyouagain？\"hesaidwistfully。
Mr。Hamlinloweredhisfacesoneartheboy’sthatLeonidascouldseehimselfinthebrowndepthsofMr。Hamlin’seyes。\"Ihopeyouwill，\"hesaidgravely。Hemounted，shooktheboy’shand，androdeawayinthelengtheningshadows。ThenLeonidaswalkedsadlyhome。
Therewasnoneedforhimtokeephispromise；forthenextmorningthefamilywerestirredbytheannouncementthatMr。andMrs。
BurroughshadleftCasketRidgethatnightbythedownstageforSacramento，andthatthehousewasclosed。Therewerevariousrumorsconcerningthereasonofthissuddendeparture，butonlyonewaspersistent，andborneoutbythepostmaster。ItwasthatMr。
BurroughshadreceivedthatafternoonananonymousnotethathiswifewasabouttoelopewiththenotoriousSanFranciscogambler，JackHamlin。
ButLeonidasBoone，albeithalfunderstanding，kepthismiserablesecretwithastillhopefulandtrustfulheart。ItgrievedhimalittlethatWilliamHenrywasfoundafewdayslaterdead，withhisheadcrushed。Yetitwasnotuntilyearslater，whenhehadmadeasuccessful\"prospect\"onCasketRidge，thathemetMr。HamlininSanFrancisco，andknewhowhehadplayedthepartofMercuryuponthat\"heaven-kissinghill。\"
COLONELSTARBOTTLEFORTHEPLAINTIFF
IthadbeenadayoftriumphforColonelStarbottle。First，forhispersonality，asitwouldhavebeendifficulttoseparatetheColonel’sachievementsfromhisindividuality；second，forhisoratoricalabilitiesasasympatheticpleader；andthird，forhisfunctionsastheleadinglegalcounselfortheEurekaDitchCompanyversustheStateofCalifornia。OnhisstrictlylegalperformancesinthisissueIprefernottospeak；therewerethosewhodeniedthem，althoughthejuryhadacceptedtheminthefaceoftherulingofthehalfamused，halfcynicalJudgehimself。ForanhourtheyhadlaughedwiththeColonel，weptwithhim，beenstirredtopersonalindignationorpatrioticexaltationbyhispassionateandloftyperiods，——whatelsecouldtheydothangivehimtheirverdict？IfitwasallegedbysomethattheAmericaneagle，ThomasJefferson，andtheResolutionsof’98hadnothingwhatevertodowiththecontestofaditchcompanyoveradoubtfullywordedlegislativedocument；thatwholesaleabuseoftheStateAttorneyandhispoliticalmotiveshadnottheslightestconnectionwiththelegalquestionraised——itwas，nevertheless，generallyacceptedthatthelosingpartywouldhavebeenonlytoogladtohavetheColonelontheirside。AndColonelStarbottleknewthis，as，perspiring，florid，andpanting，herebuttonedthelowerbuttonsofhisbluefrock-coat，whichhadbecomeloosedinanoratoricalspasm，andreadjustedhisold-fashioned，spotlessshirtfrillaboveitashestruttedfromthecourt-roomamidstthehandshakingsandacclamationsofhisfriends。
Andhereanunprecedentedthingoccurred。TheColonelabsolutelydeclinedspirituousrefreshmentattheneighboringPalmettoSaloon，anddeclaredhisintentionofproceedingdirectlytohisofficeintheadjoiningsquare。Nevertheless，theColonelquittedthebuildingalone，andapparentlyunarmed，exceptforhisfaithfulgold-headedstick，whichhungasusualfromhisforearm。Thecrowdgazedafterhimwithundisguisedadmirationofthisnewevidenceofhispluck。Itwasrememberedalsothatamysteriousnotehadbeenhandedtohimattheconclusionofhisspeech，——evidentlyachallengefromtheStateAttorney。ItwasquiteplainthattheColonel——apracticedduelist——washasteninghometoanswerit。
Buthereintheywerewrong。Thenotewasinafemalehand，andsimplyrequestedtheColoneltoaccordaninterviewwiththewriterattheColonel’sofficeassoonasheleftthecourt。ButitwasanengagementthattheColonel——asdevotedtothefairsexashewastothe\"code\"——wasnolesspromptinaccepting。Heflickedawaythedustfromhisspotlesswhitetrousersandvarnishedbootswithhishandkerchief，andsettledhisblackcravatunderhisByroncollarashenearedhisoffice。Hewassurprised，however，onopeningthedoorofhisprivateoffice，tofindhisvisitoralreadythere；hewasstillmorestartledtofindhersomewhatpastmiddleageandplainlyattired。ButtheColonelwasbroughtupinaschoolofSouthernpoliteness，alreadyantiqueintherepublic，andhisbowofcourtesybelongedtotheepochofhisshirtfrillandstrappedtrousers。Noonecouldhavedetectedhisdisappointmentinhismanner，albeithissentenceswereshortandincomplete。ButtheColonel’scolloquialspeechwasapttobefragmentaryincoherenciesofhislargeroratoricalutterances。
\"Athousandpardons——for——er——havingkeptaladywaiting——er！
But——er——congratulationsoffriends——and——er——courtesyduetothem——er——interferedwith——thoughperhapsonlyheightened——byprocrastination——thepleasureof——ha！\"AndtheColonelcompletedhissentencewithagallantwaveofhisfatbutwhiteandwell-kepthand。
\"Yes！Icametoseeyoualongo’thatspeechofyours。Iwasincourt。WhenIheardyougettin’itoffonthatjury，Isaystomyself，’That’sthekindo’lawyerIwant。Amanthat’sfloweryandconvincin’！Justthemantotakeupourcase。\"
\"Ah！It’samatterofbusiness，Isee，\"saidtheColonel，inwardlyrelieved，butexternallycareless。\"And——er——mayIaskthenatureofthecase？\"
\"Well！it’sabreach-o’-promisesuit，\"saidthevisitorcalmly。
IftheColonelhadbeensurprisedbefore，hewasnowreallystartled，andwithanaddedhorrorthatrequiredallhispolitenesstoconceal。Breach-of-promisecaseswerehispeculiaraversion。
Hehadalwaysheldthemtobeakindoflitigationwhichcouldhavebeenobviatedbythepromptkillingofthemasculineoffender——inwhichcasehewouldhavegladlydefendedthekiller。Butasuitfordamages，——DAMAGES！——withthereadingoflove-lettersbeforeahilariousjuryandcourt，wasagainstallhisinstincts。Hischivalrywasoutraged；hissenseofhumorwassmall，andinthecourseofhiscareerhehadlostoneortwoimportantcasesthroughanunexpecteddevelopmentofthisqualityinajury。
Thewomanhadevidentlynoticedhishesitation，butmistookitscause。\"Itain’tme——butmydarter。\"
TheColonelrecoveredhispoliteness。\"Ah！Iamrelieved，mydearmadam！Icouldhardlyconceiveamanignorantenoughto——er——er——
throwawaysuchevidentgoodfortune——orbaseenoughtodeceivethetrustfulnessofwomanhood——maturedandexperiencedonlyinthechivalryofoursex，ha！\"
Thewomansmiledgrimly。\"Yes！——it’smydarter，ZaideeHooker——soyemightsparesomeofthemprettyspeechesforHER——beforethejury。\"
TheColonelwincedslightlybeforethisdoubtfulprospect，butsmiled。\"Ha！Yes！——certainly——thejury。But——er——mydearlady，needwegoasfarasthat？Cannotthisaffairbesettled——er——outofcourt？Couldnotthis——er——individual——beadmonished——toldthathemustgivesatisfaction——personalsatisfaction——forhisdastardlyconduct——to——er——nearrelative——orevenvaluedpersonalfriend？
The——er——arrangementsnecessaryforthatpurposeImyselfwouldundertake。\"
Hewasquitesincere；indeed，hissmallblackeyesshonewiththatfirewhichaprettywomanoran\"affairofhonor\"couldalonekindle。Thevisitorstaredvacantlyathim，andsaidslowly，\"Andwhatgoodisthatgoin’todoUS？\"
\"Compelhimto——er——performhispromise，\"saidtheColonel，leaningbackinhischair。
\"Ketchhimdoin’it！\"sheexclaimedscornfully。\"No——thatain’twotwe’reafter。WemustmakehimPAY！Damages——andnothin’shorto’THAT。\"
TheColonelbithislip。\"Isuppose，\"hesaidgloomily，\"youhavedocumentaryevidence——writtenpromisesandprotestations——er——er——
love-letters，infact？\"
\"No——naryaletter！Yesee，that’sjestit——andthat’swhereYOU
comein。You’vegottoconvincethatjuryyourself。You’vegottoshowwhatitis——tellthewholestoryyourownway。Lord！toamanlikeyouthat’snothin’。\"
Startlingasthisadmissionmighthavebeentoanyotherlawyer，Starbottlewasabsolutelyrelievedbyit。Theabsenceofanymirth-provokingcorrespondence，andtheappealsolelytohisownpowersofpersuasion，actuallystruckhisfancy。Helightlyputasidethecomplimentwithawaveofhiswhitehand。
\"Ofcourse，\"hesaidconfidently，\"thereisstronglypresumptiveandcorroborativeevidence？Perhapsyoucangiveme——er——abriefoutlineoftheaffair？\"
\"Zaideekindothatstraightenough，Ireckon，\"saidthewoman；
\"whatIwanttoknowfirstis，kinyoutakethecase？\"
TheColoneldidnothesitate；hiscuriositywaspiqued。\"I
certainlycan。Ihavenodoubtyourdaughterwillputmeinpossessionofsufficientfactsanddetails——toconstitutewhatwecall——er——abrief。\"
\"Shekinbebriefenough——orlongenough——forthematterofthat，\"
saidthewoman，rising。TheColonelacceptedthisimpliedwitticismwithasmile。
\"AndwhenmayIhavethepleasureofseeingher？\"heaskedpolitely。
\"Well，IreckonassoonasIcantrotoutandcallher。She’sjustoutside，meanderin’intheroad——kindershy，yeknow，atfirst。\"
Shewalkedtothedoor。TheastoundedColonelneverthelessgallantlyaccompaniedherasshesteppedoutintothestreetandcalledshrilly，\"YouZaidee！\"
Ayounggirlhereapparentlydetachedherselffromatreeandtheostentatiousperusalofanoldelectionposter，andsauntereddowntowardstheofficedoor。Likehermother，shewasplainlydressed；
unlikeher，shehadapale，ratherrefinedface，withademuremouthanddowncasteyes。ThiswasalltheColonelsawashebowedprofoundlyandledthewayintohisoffice，forsheacceptedhissalutationswithoutliftingherhead。Hehelpedhergallantlytoachair，onwhichsheseatedherselfsideways，somewhatceremoniously，withhereyesfollowingthepointofherparasolasshetracedapatternonthecarpet。Asecondchairofferedtothemotherthatlady，however，declined。\"IreckontoleaveyouandZaideetogethertotalkitout，\"shesaid；turningtoherdaughter，sheadded，\"Jestyoutellhimall，Zaidee，\"andbeforetheColonelcouldriseagain，disappearedfromtheroom。Inspiteofhisprofessionalexperience，Starbottlewasforamomentembarrassed。Theyounggirl，however，brokethesilencewithoutlookingup。
\"AdoniramK。Hotchkiss，\"shebegan，inamonotonousvoice，asifitwerearecitationaddressedtothepublic，\"firstbegantotakenoticeofmeayearago。Arterthat——offandon\"——
\"Onemoment，\"interruptedtheastoundedColonel；\"doyoumeanHotchkissthePresidentoftheDitchCompany？\"Hehadrecognizedthenameofaprominentcitizen——arigid，ascetic，taciturn，middle-agedman——adeacon——andmorethanthat，theheadofthecompanyhehadjustdefended。Itseemedinconceivable。
\"That’shim，\"shecontinued，witheyesstillfixedontheparasolandwithoutchanginghermonotonoustone——\"offandoneversince。
MostofthetimeattheFree-WillBaptistChurch——atmorningservice，prayer-meetings，andsuch。Andathome——outside——er——intheroad。\"
\"Isitthisgentleman——Mr。AdoniramK。Hotchkiss——who——er——promisedmarriage？\"stammeredtheColonel。
\"Yes。\"
TheColonelshifteduneasilyinhischair。\"Mostextraordinary！
for——yousee——mydearyounglady——thisbecomes——a——er——mostdelicateaffair。\"
\"That’swhatmawsaid，\"returnedtheyoungwomansimply，yetwiththefaintestsmileplayingaroundherdemurelipsanddowncastcheek。
\"Imean，\"saidtheColonel，withapainedyetcourteoussmile，\"thatthis——er——gentleman——isinfact——er——oneofmyclients。\"
\"That’swhatmawsaidtoo，andofcourseyourknowinghimwillmakeitalltheeasierforyou。\"
AslightflushcrossedtheColonel’scheekashereturnedquicklyandalittlestiffly，\"Onthecontrary——er——itmaymakeitimpossibleformeto——er——actinthismatter。\"
Thegirlliftedhereyes。TheColonelheldhisbreathasthelonglasheswereraisedtohislevel。Eventoanordinaryobserverthatsuddenrevelationofhereyesseemedtotransformherfacewithsubtlewitchery。Theywerelarge，brown，andsoft，yetfilledwithanextraordinarypenetrationandprescience。Theyweretheeyesofanexperiencedwomanofthirtyfixedinthefaceofachild。WhatelsetheColonelsawthereHeavenonlyknows！Hefelthisinmostsecretspluckedfromhim——hiswholesoullaidbare——hisvanity，belligerency，gallantry——evenhismediaevalchivalry，penetrated，andyetilluminated，inthatsingleglance。Andwhentheeyelidsfellagain，hefeltthatagreaterpartofhimselfhadbeenswallowedupinthem。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"hesaidhurriedly。\"Imean——thismattermaybearranged——er——amicably。Myinterestwith——andasyouwiselysay——my——er——knowledgeofmyclient——er——Mr。Hotchkiss——mayeffect——
acompromise。\"
\"AndDAMAGES，\"saidtheyounggirl，readdressingherparasol，asifshehadneverlookedup。
TheColonelwinced。\"And——er——undoubtedlyCOMPENSATION——ifyoudonotpressafulfillmentofthepromise。Unless，\"hesaid，withanattemptedreturntohisformereasygallantry，which，however，therecollectionofhereyesmadedifficult，\"itisaquestionof——er——
theaffections。\"
\"Which？\"askedhisfairclientsoftly。
\"Ifyoustilllovehim？\"explainedtheColonel，actuallyblushing。
Zaideeagainlookedup；againtakingtheColonel’sbreathawaywitheyesthatexpressednotonlythefullestperceptionofwhathehadSAID，butofwhathethoughtandhadnotsaid，andwithanaddedsubtlesuggestionofwhathemighthavethought。\"That’stellin’，\"
shesaid，droppingherlonglashesagain。
TheColonellaughedvacantly。Thenfeelinghimselfgrowingimbecile，heforcedanequallyweakgravity。\"Pardonme——I
understandtherearenoletters；mayIknowthewayinwhichheformulatedhisdeclarationandpromises？\"
\"Hymn-books。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"saidthemystifiedlawyer。
\"Hymn-books——markedwordsinthemwithpencil——andpassed’emontome，\"repeatedZaidee。\"Like’love，’’dear，’’precious，’’sweet，’
and’blessed，’\"sheadded，accentingeachwordwithapushofherparasolonthecarpet。\"SometimesawholelineouterTateandBrady——andSolomon’sSong，youknow，andsich。\"
\"Ibelieve，\"saidtheColonelloftily，\"thatthe——er——phrasesofsacredpsalmodylendthemselvestothelanguageoftheaffections。
Butinregardtothedistinctpromiseofmarriage——wasthere——er——
noOTHERexpression？\"
\"MarriageServiceintheprayer-book——linesandwordsouterthat——
allmarked，\"Zaideereplied。
TheColonelnoddednaturallyandapprovingly。\"Verygood。Wereotherscognizantofthis？Werethereanywitnesses？\"
\"Ofcoursenot，\"saidthegirl。\"Onlymeandhim。Itwasgenerallyatchurch-time——orprayer-meeting。Once，inpassingtheplate，heslippedoneo’thempeppermintlozengeswiththelettersstampedonit’Iloveyou’formetotake。\"
TheColonelcoughedslightly。\"Andyouhavethelozenge？\"
\"Iateit。\"
\"Ah，\"saidtheColonel。Afterapauseheaddeddelicately，\"Butweretheseattentions——er——confinedto——er——sacredprecincts？Didhemeetyouelsewhere？\"
\"Useterpassourhouseontheroad，\"returnedthegirl，droppingintohermonotonousrecital，\"andusetersignal。\"
\"Ah，signal？\"repeatedtheColonelapprovingly。
\"Yes！He’dsay’Keerow，’andI’dsay’Keeree。’Suthinglikeabird，youknow。\"
Indeed，assheliftedhervoiceinimitationofthecall，theColonelthoughtitcertainlyverysweetandbirdlike。AtleastasSHEgaveit。WithhisremembranceofthegrimdeaconhehaddoubtsastothemelodiousnessofHISutterance。Hegravelymadeherrepeatit。
\"Andafterthatsignal？\"headdedsuggestively。
\"He’dpasson。\"
TheColonelagaincoughedslightly，andtappedhisdeskwithhispenholder。
\"Werethereanyendearments——er——caresses——er——suchastakingyourhand——er——claspingyourwaist？\"hesuggested，withagallantyetrespectfulsweepofhiswhitehandandbowingofhishead；\"er——
slightpressureofyourfingersinthechangesofadance——Imean，\"
hecorrectedhimself，withanapologeticcough——\"inthepassingoftheplate？\"
\"No；hewasnotwhatyou’dcall’fond，’\"returnedthegirl。
\"Ah！AdoniramK。Hotchkisswasnot’fond’intheordinaryacceptanceoftheword，\"notedtheColonel，withprofessionalgravity。
Sheliftedherdisturbingeyes，andagainabsorbedhisinherown。
Shealsosaid\"Yes，\"althoughhereyesintheirmysteriousprescienceofallhewasthinkingdisclaimedthenecessityofanyansweratall。Hesmiledvacantly。Therewasalongpause。Onwhichsheslowlydisengagedherparasolfromthecarpetpattern，andstoodup。
\"Ireckonthat’saboutall，\"shesaid。
\"Er——yes——butonemoment，\"begantheColonelvaguely。Hewouldhavelikedtokeepherlonger，butwithherstrangepremonitionofhimhefeltpowerlesstodetainher，orexplainhisreasonfordoingso。Heinstinctivelyknewshehadtoldhimall；hisprofessionaljudgmenttoldhimthatamorehopelesscasehadnevercometohisknowledge。Yethewasnotdaunted，onlyembarrassed。
\"Nomatter，\"hesaid。\"OfcourseIshallhavetoconsultwithyouagain。\"
Hereyesagainansweredthatsheexpectedhewould，andsheaddedsimply，\"When？\"
\"Inthecourseofadayortwo；\"herepliedquickly。\"Iwillsendyouword。\"
Sheturnedtogo。Inhiseagernesstoopenthedoorforher，heupsethischair，andwithsomeconfusion，thatwasactuallyyouthful，healmostimpededhermovementsinthehall，andknockedhisbroad-brimmedPanamahatfromhisbowinghandinafinalgallantsweep。Yetashersmall，trim，youthfulfigure，withitssimpleLeghornstrawhatconfinedbyabluebowunderherroundchin，passedawaybeforehim，shelookedmorelikeachildthanever。
TheColonelspentthatafternooninmakingdiplomaticinquiries。
Hefoundhisyouthfulclientwasthedaughterofawidowwhohadasmallranchonthecross-roads，nearthenewFree-WillBaptistChurch——theevidenttheatreofthispastoral。Theyledasecludedlife，thegirlbeinglittleknowninthetown，andherbeautyandfascinationapparentlynotyetbeingarecognizedfact。TheColonelfeltapleasurablereliefatthis，andageneralsatisfactionhecouldnotaccountfor。HisfewinquiriesconcerningMr。Hotchkissonlyconfirmedhisownimpressionsoftheallegedlover，——aserious-minded，practicallyabstractedman，abstentiveofyouthfulsociety，andthelastmanapparentlycapableoflevityoftheaffectionsorseriousflirtation。TheColonelwasmystified，butdeterminedofpurpose，whateverthatpurposemighthavebeen。
Thenextdayhewasathisofficeatthesamehour。Hewasalone——
asusual——theColonel’sofficebeingreallyhisprivatelodgings，disposedinconnectingrooms，asingleapartmentreservedforconsultation。Hehadnoclerk，hispapersandbriefsbeingtakenbyhisfaithfulbody-servantandex-slave\"Jim\"toanotherfirmwhodidhisofficeworksincethedeathofMajorStryker，theColonel’sonlylawpartner，whofellinaduelsomeyearsprevious。WithafineconstancytheColonelstillretainedhispartner’snameonhisdoorplate，and，itwasallegedbythesuperstitious，keptacertaininvincibilityalsothroughthe’manes’ofthatlamentedandsomewhatfearedman。
TheColonelconsultedhiswatch，whoseheavygoldcasestillshowedthemarksofaprovidentialinterferencewithabulletdestinedforitsowner，andreplaceditwithsomedifficultyandshortnessofbreathinhisfob。Atthesamemomentheheardastepinthepassage，andthedooropenedtoAdoniramK。Hotchkiss。TheColonelwasimpressed；hehadaduelist’srespectforpunctuality。
Themanenteredwithanodandtheexpectantinquiringlookofabusyman。AshisfeetcrossedthatsacredthresholdtheColonelbecameallcourtesy；heplacedachairforhisvisitor，andtookhishatfromhishalfreluctanthand。Hethenopenedacupboardandbroughtoutabottleofwhiskeyandtwoglasses。
\"A——er——slightrefreshment，Mr。Hotchkiss，\"hesuggestedpolitely。
\"Ineverdrink，\"repliedHotchkiss，withthesevereattitudeofatotalabstainer。
\"Ah——er——notthefinestBourbonwhiskey，selectedbyaKentuckyfriend？No？Pardonme！Acigar，then——themildestHavana。\"
\"Idonotusetobacconoralcoholinanyform，\"repeatedHotchkissascetically。\"Ihavenofoolishweaknesses。\"
TheColonel’smoist，beadyeyessweptsilentlyoverhisclient’ssallowface。Heleanedbackcomfortablyinhischair，andhalfclosinghiseyesasindreamyreminiscence，saidslowly：\"Yourreply，Mr。Hotchkiss，remindsmeof——er——sing’larcircumstancethat——er——occurred，inpointoffact——attheSt。CharlesHotel，NewOrleans。PinkeyHornblower——personalfriend——invitedSenatorDoolittletojoinhiminsocialglass。Received，sing’larlyenough，replysimilartoyours。’Don’tdrinknorsmoke？’saidPinkey。’Gad，sir，youmustbemightysweetontheladies。’Ha！\"
TheColonelpausedlongenoughtoallowthefaintflushtopassfromHotchkiss’scheek，andwenton，halfclosinghiseyes：\"’I
allownoman，sir，todiscussmypersonalhabits，’declaredDoolittle，overhisshirtcollar。’ThenIreckonshootin’mustheoneofthosehabits，’saidPinkeycoolly。BothmendroveoutontheShellRoadbackofcemeterynextmorning。PinkeyputbulletattwelvepacesthroughDoolittle’stemple。PoorDooneverspokeagain。Leftthreewivesandsevenchildren，theysay——twoof’emblack。\"
\"Igotanotefromyouthismorning，\"saidHotchkiss，withbadlyconcealedimpatience。\"Isupposeinreferencetoourcase。Youhavetakenjudgment，Ibelieve。\"
TheColonel，withoutreplying，slowlyfilledaglassofwhiskeyandwater。Foramomenthehelditdreamilybeforehim，asifstillengagedingentlereminiscencescalledupbytheact。Thentossingitoff，hewipedhislipswithalargewhitehandkerchief，andleaningbackcomfortablyinhischair，said，withawaveofhishand，\"TheinterviewIrequested，Mr。Hotchkiss，concernsasubject——whichImaysayis——er——er——atpresentNOTofapublicorbusinessnature——althoughLATERitmightbecome——er——er——both。Itisanaffairofsome——er——delicacy。\"
TheColonelpaused，andMr。Hotchkissregardedhimwithincreasedimpatience。TheColonel，however，continued，withunchangeddeliberation：\"Itconcerns——er——er——ayounglady——abeautiful，high-souledcreature，sir，who，apartfromherpersonalloveliness——
er——er——ImaysayisofoneofthefirstfamiliesofMissouri，and——er——notremotelyconnectedbymarriagewithoneof——er——er——myboyhood’sdearestfriends。\"Thelatter，Igrievetosay，wasapureinventionoftheColonel’s——anoratoricaladditiontothescantyinformationhehadobtainedthepreviousday。\"Theyounglady，\"hecontinuedblandly，\"enjoysthefurtherdistinctionofbeingtheobjectofsuchattentionfromyouaswouldmakethisinterview——really——aconfidentialmatter——er——eramongfriendsand——
er——er——relationsinpresentandfuture。IneednotsaythattheladyIrefertoisMissZaideeJunoHooker，onlydaughterofAlmiraAnnHooker，relictofJeffersonBrownHooker，formerlyofBooneCounty，Kentucky，andlatterlyof——er——PikeCounty，Missouri。\"
Thesallow，ascetichueofMr。Hotchkiss’sfacehadpassedthroughalividandthenagreenishshade，andfinallysettledintoasullenred。\"What’sallthisabout？\"hedemandedroughly。
TheleasttouchofbelligerentfirecameintoStarbottle’seye，buthisblandcourtesydidnotchange。\"Ibelieve，\"hesaidpolitely，\"Ihavemademyselfclearasbetween——er——gentlemen，thoughperhapsnotasclearasIshouldto——er——er——jury。\"
Mr。Hotchkisswasapparentlystruckwithsomesignificanceinthelawyer’sreply。\"Idon’tknow，\"hesaid，inalowerandmorecautiousvoice，\"whatyoumeanbywhatyoucall’myattentions’
to——anyone——orhowitconcernsyou。Ihavenotexchangedhalfadozenwordswith——thepersonyouname——haveneverwrittenheraline——norevencalledatherhouse。\"
Herosewithanassumptionofease，pulleddownhiswaistcoat，buttonedhiscoat，andtookuphishat。TheColoneldidnotmove。
\"IbelieveIhavealreadyindicatedmymeaninginwhatIhavecalled’yourattentions，’\"saidtheColonelblandly，\"andgivenyoumy’concern’forspeakingas——er——er——mutualfriend。AstoYOUR
statementofyourrelationswithMissHooker，Imaystatethatitisfullycorroboratedbythestatementoftheyoungladyherselfinthisveryofficeyesterday。\"
\"Thenwhatdoesthisimpertinentnonsensemean？WhyamIsummonedhere？\"demandedHotchkissfuriously。
\"Because，\"saidtheColoneldeliberately，\"thatstatementisinfamously——yes，damnablytoyourdiscredit，sir！\"
Mr。Hotchkisswashereseizedbyoneofthoseimpotentandinconsistentrageswhichoccasionallybetraythehabituallycautiousandtimidman。HecaughtuptheColonel’sstick，whichwaslyingonthetable。AtthesamemomenttheColonel，withoutanyapparenteffort，graspeditbythehandle。ToMr。Hotchkiss’sastonishment，thestickseparatedintwopieces，leavingthehandleandabouttwofeetofnarrowglitteringsteelintheColonel’shand。Themanrecoiled，droppingtheuselessfragment。TheColonelpickeditup，fittedtheshiningbladeinit，clickedthespring，andthenrisingwithafaceofcourtesyyetofunmistakablygenuinepain，andwithevenaslighttremorinhisvoice，saidgravely，——
\"Mr。Hotchkiss，Ioweyouathousandapologies，sir，that——er——aweaponshouldbedrawnbyme——eventhroughyourowninadvertence——
underthesacredprotectionofmyroof，anduponanunarmedman。I
begyourpardon，sir，andIevenwithdrawtheexpressionswhichprovokedthatinadvertence。Nordoesthisapologypreventyoufromholdingmeresponsible——personallyresponsible——ELSEWHEREforanindiscretioncommittedinbehalfofalady——my——er——client。\"
\"Yourclient？Doyoumeanyouhavetakenhercase？You，thecounselfortheDitchCompany？\"askedMr。Hotchkiss，intremblingindignation。
\"HavingwonYOURcase，sir，\"repliedtheColonelcoolly，\"the——er——
usagesofadvocacydonotpreventmefromespousingthecauseoftheweakandunprotected。\"
\"Weshallsee，sir，\"saidHotchkiss，graspingthehandleofthedoorandbackingintothepassage。\"Thereareotherlawyerswho\"——
\"Permitmetoseeyouout，\"interruptedtheColonel，risingpolitely。
——\"willbereadytoresisttheattacksofblackmail，\"continuedHotchkiss，retreatingalongthepassage。
\"AndthenyouwillbeabletorepeatyourremarkstomeINTHE
STREET，\"continuedtheColonel，bowing，ashepersistedinfollowinghisvisitortothedoor。
ButhereMr。Hotchkissquicklyslammeditbehindhim，andhurriedaway。TheColonelreturnedtohisoffice，andsittingdown，tookasheetofletter-paperbearingtheinscription\"StarbottleandStryker，AttorneysandCounselors，\"andwrotethefollowinglines：——
HOOKERversusHOTCHKISS。
DEARMADAM，——Havinghadavisitfromthedefendantinabove，weshouldbepleasedtohaveaninterviewwithyouattwoP。M。
to-morrow。
Yourobedientservants，STARBOTTLEANDSTRYKER。
ThishesealedanddispatchedbyhistrustedservantJim，andthendevotedafewmomentstoreflection。ItwasthecustomoftheColoneltoactfirst，andjustifytheactionbyreasonafterwards。
HeknewthatHotchkisswouldatoncelaythematterbeforerivalcounsel。HeknewthattheywouldadvisehimthatMissHookerhad\"nocase\"——thatshewouldbenonsuitedonherownevidence，andheoughtnottocompromise，butbereadytostandtrial。Hebelieved，however，thatHotchkissfearedsuchexposure，andalthoughhisowninstinctshadbeenatfirstagainstthisremedy，hewasnowinstinctivelyinfavorofit。Herememberedhisownpowerwithajury；hisvanityandhischivalryalikeapprovedofthisheroicmethod；hewasboundbynoprosaicfacts——hehadhisowntheoryofthecase，whichnomereevidencecouldgainsay。Infact，Mrs。
Hooker’sadmissionthathewasto\"tellthestoryinhisownway\"
actuallyappearedtohimaninspirationandaprophecy。
Perhapstherewassomethingelse，duepossiblytothelady’swonderfuleyes，ofwhichhehadthoughtmuch。Yetitwasnothersimplicitythataffectedhimsolely；onthecontrary，itwasherapparentintelligentreadingofthecharacterofherrecreantlover——andofhisown！OfalltheColonel’sprevious\"light\"or\"serious\"loves，nonehadeverbeforeflatteredhiminthatway。
Anditwasthis，combinedwiththerespectwhichhehadheldfortheirprofessionalrelations，thatprecludedhishavingamorefamiliarknowledgeofhisclient，throughseriousquestioningorplayfulgallantry。Iamnotsureitwasnotpartofthecharmtohavearusticfemmeincompriseasaclient。
Nothingcouldexceedtherespectwithwhichhegreetedherassheenteredhisofficethenextday。Heevenaffectednottonoticethatshehadputonherbestclothes，andhemadenodoubtappearedaswhenshehadfirstattractedthematureyetfaithlessattentionsofDeaconHotchkissatchurch。Awhitevirginalmuslinwasbeltedaroundherslimfigurebyablueribbon，andherLeghornhatwasdrawnaroundherovalcheekbyabowofthesamecolor。ShehadaSoutherngirl’snarrowfeet，encasedinwhitestockingsandkidslippers，whichwerecrossedprimlybeforeherasshesatinachair，supportingherarmbyherfaithfulparasolplantedfirmlyonthefloor。Afaintodorofsouthernwoodexhaledfromher，and，oddlyenough，stirredtheColonelwithafar-offrecollectionofapine-shadedSunday-schoolonaGeorgiahillside，andofhisfirstlove，agedten，inashortstarchedfrock。Possiblyitwasthesamerecollectionthatrevivedsomethingoftheawkwardnesshehadfeltthen。
He，however，smiledvaguely，andsittingdown，coughedslightly，andplacedhisfinger-tipstogether。\"Ihavehadan——er——interviewwithMr。Hotchkiss，but——I——er——regrettosaythereseemstobenoprospectof——er——compromise。\"
Hepaused，andtohissurpriseherlistless\"company\"facelitupwithanadorablesmile。\"Ofcourse！——ketchhim！\"shesaid。\"Washemadwhenyoutoldhim？\"Sheputherkneescomfortablytogetherandleanedforwardforareply。
Forallthat，wildhorsescouldnothavetornfromtheColonelawordaboutHotchkiss’sanger。\"Heexpressedhisintentionofemployingcounsel——anddefendingasuit，\"returnedtheColonel，affablybaskinginhersmile。
Shedraggedherchairnearerhisdesk。\"Thenyou’llfighthimtoothandnail？\"sheaskedeagerly；\"you’llshowhimup？You’lltellthewholestoryyourownway？You’llgivehimfits？——andyou’llmakehimpay？Sure？\"shewentonbreathlessly。
\"I——er——will，\"saidtheColonel，almostasbreathlessly。
Shecaughthisfatwhitehand，whichwaslyingonthetable，betweenherownandliftedittoherlips。Hefelthersoftyoungfingerseventhroughthelisle-threadglovesthatencasedthem，andthewarmmoistureofherlipsuponhisskin。Hefelthimselfflushing——butwasunabletobreakthesilenceorchangehisposition。Thenextmomentshehadscuttledbackwithherchairtoheroldposition。
\"I——er——certainlyshalldomybest，\"stammeredtheColonel，inanattempttorecoverhisdignityandcomposure。
\"That’senough！You’lldoit，\"saidsheenthusiastically。\"Lordy！
JustyoutalkforMEasyedidforHISoldDitchCompany，andyou’llfetchit——everytime！Why，whenyoumadethatjurysituptheotherday——whenyougotthatoffabouttheMerrikanflagwavingequallyovertherightsofhonestcitizensbandedtogetherinpeacefulcommercialpursuits，aswellasoverthefortressofofficialproflig——\"
\"Oligarchy，\"murmuredtheColonelcourteously。
——\"oligarchy，\"repeatedthegirlquickly，\"mybreathwasjusttookaway。Isaidtomaw，’Ain’thetoosweetforanything！’Idid，honestInjin！Andwhenyourolleditalloffattheend——nevermissingaword（youdidn’tneedtomark’eminalesson-book，buthad’emallreadyonyourtongue）——andwalkedout——Well！I
didn’tknowyounortheDitchCompanyfromAdam，butIcouldhavejustrunoverandkissedyoutherebeforethewholecourt！\"
Shelaughed，withherfaceglowing，althoughherstrangeeyeswerecastdown。Alack！theColonel’sfacewasequallyflushed，andhisownbeadyeyeswereonhisdesk。Toanyotherwomanhewouldhavevoicedthebanalgallantrythatheshouldnow，himself，lookforwardtothatreward，butthewordsneverreachedhislips。Helaughed，coughedslightly，andwhenhelookedupagainshehadfallenintothesameattitudeasonherfirstvisit，withherparasolpointonthefloor。
\"Imustaskyouto——er——directyourmemoryto——er——anotherpoint：
thebreakingoffofthe——er——er——er——engagement。Didhe——er——giveanyreasonforit？Orshowanycause？\"
\"No；heneversaidanything，\"returnedthegirl。
\"Notinhisusualway？——er——noreproachesoutofthehymn-book？——orthesacredwritings？\"
\"No；hejustQUIT。\"
\"Er——ceasedhisattentions，\"saidtheColonelgravely。\"Andnaturallyyou——er——werenotconsciousofanycauseforhisdoingso。\"
ThegirlraisedherwonderfuleyessosuddenlyandsopenetratinglywithoutreplyinginanyotherwaythattheColonelcouldonlyhurriedlysay：\"Isee！None，ofcourse！\"
Atwhichsherose，theColonelrisingalso。\"We——shallbeginproceedingsatonce。Imust，however，cautionyoutoanswernoquestions，norsayanythingaboutthiscasetoanyoneuntilyouareincourt。\"
Sheansweredhisrequestwithanotherintelligentlookandanod。
Heaccompaniedhertothedoor。Ashetookherprofferedhand，heraisedthelisle-threadfingerstohislipswithold-fashionedgallantry。Asifthatacthadcondonedforhisfirstomissionsandawkwardness，hebecamehisold-fashionedselfagain，buttonedhiscoat，pulledouthisshirtfrill，andstruttedbacktohisdesk。