\"Orfetchedhisownambulance，\"saidBriggs。
Nevertheless，afterapause，thewheelspresentlyrolledawayagain。
\"We’dbettergoandmeethimatthegate，\"saidRice，hitchinghisrevolverholsternearerhiship。\"Thatwagonstoppedlongenoughtoputdownthreeorfourmen。\"
Theywalkedleisurelybutsilentlytothegate。Itisprobablethatnoneofthembelievedinaseriouscollision，butnowtheprospecthadenoughpossibilityinittoquickentheirpulses。
Theyreachedthegate。Butitwasstillclosed；theroadbeyonditempty。
\"Mebbethey’vesneakedroundtothecabin，\"saidBriggs，\"andareholdin’itinside。\"
Theywereturningquicklyinthatdirection，whenWyngatesaid，\"Hush！——someone’sthereinthebrushunderthebuckeyes。\"
Theylistened；therewasafaintrustlingintheshadows。
\"Comeouto’that，Brown——intotheopen。Don’tbeshy，\"calledoutRiceincheerfulirony。\"We’rewaitin’forye。\"
ButBriggs，whowasnearestthewood，heresuddenlyutteredanexclamation，——\"B’gosh！\"andfellback，open-mouthed，uponhiscompanions。Theytoo，inanothermoment，brokeintoafeeblelaugh，andlapsedagainsteachotherinsheepishsilence。Foraveryprettygirl，handsomelydressed，sweptoutofthewoodandadvancedtowardsthem。
Evenatanytimeshewouldhavebeenanenchantingvisiontothesemen，butintheglowofexerciseandsparkleofangershewasbewildering。Herwonderfulhair，thecoloroffreshlyhewnredwood，hadescapedfromherhatinherpassagethroughtheunderbrush，andevenasshesweptdownupontheminhermajestyshewasjabbingahairpinintoitwithadexterousfemininehand。
Thethreepartnersturnedquitethecolorofherhair；JacksonWellsaloneremainedwhiteandrigid。Shecameon，herveryshortupperlipshowingherwhiteteethwithherpantingbreath。
Ricewasfirsttospeak。\"Ibeg——yourpardon，Miss——IthoughtitwasBrown——youknow，\"hestammered。
Butsheonlyturnedablightingbrowneyeontheculprit，curledhershortliptillitalmostvanishedinherscornfulnostrils，drewherskirtasidewithajerk，andcontinuedherwaystraighttoJacksonWells，whereshehalted。
\"Wedidnotknowyouwere——herealone，\"hesaidapologetically。
\"ThoughtIwasafraidtocomealone，didn’tyou？Well，yousee，I’mnot。There！\"Shemadeanotherdiveatherhatandhair，andbroughtthehatdownwickedlyoverhereyebrows。\"Gimmemyplants。\"
Jacksonhadbeenastonished。Hewouldhavescarcelyrecognizedinthiswillfulbeautythered-hairedgirlwhomhehadboyishlyhated，andwithwhomhehadoftenquarreled。Buttherewasarecollection——
andwiththatrecollectioncameaninstinctofhabit。Helookedhersquarelyintheface，and，tothehorrorofhispartners，said，\"Sayplease！\"
Theyhadexpectedtoseehimfall，smittenwiththehairpin！Butsheonlystopped，andtheninbitterironysaid，\"Please，Mr。
JacksonWells。\"
\"Ihaven’tdugthemupyet——anditwouldserveyoujustrightifI
madeyougetthemforyourself。Butperhapsmyfriendsheremighthelpyou——ifyouwerecivil。\"
Thethreepartnersseizedspadesandhoesandrushedforwardeagerly。\"Onlyshowuswhatyouwant，\"theysaidinonevoice。
Theyounggirlstaredatthem，andatJackson。Thenwithswiftdeterminationsheturnedherbackscornfullyuponhim，andwithadazzlingsmilewhichreducedthethreementoabsoluteidiocy，saidtotheothers，\"I’llshowYOU，\"andmarchedawaytothecabin。
\"Yemustn’tmindJacksey，\"saidRice，sycophanticallyedgingtoherside，\"he’ssocutupwithlosin’yourfatherthathelovedlikeason，heisn’thimself，anddon’tseemtoknowwhethertoanteuporpassout。Andasforyourself，Miss——why——Whatwasithewassayin’onlyjustastheyoungladycame？\"headded，turningabruptlytoWyngate。
\"EverythingthatcousinJoseyplantedwithherownhandsmustbetookupcarefullyandsentback——eventhoughit’skillin’metopartwithit，\"quotedWyngateunblushingly，asheslouchedalongontheotherside。
MissWells’seyesglaredatthem，thoughhermouthstillsmiledravishingly。\"I’msureI’mtroublingyou。\"
Inafewmomentstheplantsweredugupandcarefullylaidtogether；indeed，theservileBriggshadaddedafewthatshehadnotindicated。
\"Wouldyoumindbringingthemasfarasthebuggythat’scomingdownthehill？\"shesaid，pointingtoabuggydrivenbyasmallboywhichwasslowlyapproachingthegate。Thementenderlyliftedtheuprootedplants，andproceededsolemnly，MissWellsbringinguptherear，towardsthegate，whereJacksonWellswasstillsurlilylounging。
Theypassedoutfirst。MissWellslingeredforaninstant，andthenadvancingherbeautifulbutaudaciousfacewithinaninchofJackson’s，hissedout，\"Make-believe！andhypocrite！\"
\"Cross-patchandsauce-box！\"returnedJacksonreadily，stillunderthemaligninfluenceofhisboyishpast，assheflouncedaway。
Presentlyheheardthebuggyrattleawaywithhispersecutor。Buthispartnersstilllingeredontheroadinearnestconversation，andwhentheydidreturnitwaswithasingularawkwardnessandembarrassment，whichhenaturallyputdowntoaguiltyconsciousnessoftheirfoolishweaknessinsuccumbingtothegirl’sdemands。
ButhewasalittlesurprisedwhenDexterRiceapproachedhimgloomily。\"Ofcourse，\"hebegan，\"itain’tnocallofourstointerfereinfamilyaffairs，andyou’vearighttokeep’emtoyourself，butifyou’dbeenfairandsquareandaboveboardinwhatyougotoffonusaboutthisper——\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"demandedtheastonishedWells。
\"Well——callin’hera’red-hairedgal。’\"
\"Well——sheisared-hairedgirl！\"saidWellsimpatiently。
\"Aman，\"continuedRicepityingly，\"thatissoprejudicedastoapplysuchlanguagetoabeautifulorphan——tornwithgriefatthelossofabelovedbutd————dmisconstruingparent——merelybecauseshebegsafewvegetablesoutofhispotatopatch，ain’ttobereasonedwith。Butwhenyoucometolookatthisthingbyandlarge，andasafa’r-mindedman，sonny，you’llagreewithusthatthesooneryoumaketermswithherthebetter。Considerin’yourinterest，Jacksey，——letalonetheclaimsofhumanity，——we’veconcludedtowithdrawfromhereuntilthisthingissettled。She’ssorto’mixedusupwithyourfeelingsaginher，andnaturallysupposedweobjecttothecolorofherhair！andbein’apennilessorphan，rejectedbyherrelations\"——
\"Whatstuffareyoutalking？\"burstinJackson。\"Why，YOUsawshetreatedyoubetterthanshedidme。\"
\"Steady！Thereyougowiththattemperofyoursthatfrightenedthegirl！OfcourseshecouldseethatWEwerefa’r-mindedmen，accustomedtothewaysofsociety，andnotupsetbythevisitofalady，orthegivin’upofafewgreensticks！Butletthatslide！
We’regoin’backhometo-night，sonny，andwhenyou’vethoughtthisthingoverandarestraightenedupandgetyourrightbearin’s，we’llstandbyyouasbefore。We’llputamanontodoyourworkontheLedge，soyeneedn’tworryaboutthat。\"
Theywerequitefirminthisdecision，——howeverabsurdorobscuretheirconclusions，——andJackson，afterhisfirstflashofindignation，feltacertainreliefintheirdeparture。Butstrangelyenough，whilehehadhesitatedaboutkeepingthepropertywhentheywereviolentlyinfavorofit，henowfelthewasrightinretainingitagainsttheiradvicetocompromise。Thesentimentalideahadvanishedwithhisrecognitionofhishatefulcousinintheroleoftheinjuredorphan。Andforthesameoddreasonherprettinessonlyincreasedhisresentment。Hewasnotdeceived，——itwasthesamecapricious，willful，red-hairedgirl。
Thenextdayhesethimselftoworkwiththatdoggedsteadinessthatbelongedtohissimplenature，andwhichhadendearedhimtohispartners。HesethalfadozenChinamentowork，andfollowed，althoughapparentlydirecting，theirmethods。Thegreatdifficultywastorestrainandcontroltheexcessivevegetation，andhematchedthesmalleconomiesoftheChineseagainsttheopulenceoftheCaliforniansoil。The\"gardenpatch\"prospered；theneighborsspokewellofitandofhim。ButJacksonknewthatthisfierceharvestofearlyspringwastobefollowedbythesterilityofthedryseason，andthatirrigationcouldalonemakehisworkprofitableintheend。Hebroughtapumptoforcethewaterfromthelittlestreamatthefootoftheslopetothetop，andallowedittoflowbackthroughparalleltrenches。AgainBuckeyeapplauded！Onlythegloomybarkeepershookhishead。\"Themomentyougetthatthingtopay，Mr。Wells，you’llfindthehandofBrown，somewhere，gettingreadytosqueezeitdry！\"
ButJacksonWellsdidnottroublehimselfaboutBrown，whomhescarcelyknew。Onceindeed，whiletrenchingtheslope，hewasconsciousthathewaswatchedbytwomenfromtheoppositebank；
buttheywereapparentlysatisfiedbytheirscrutiny，andturnedaway。Stilllessdidheconcernhimselfwiththemovementsofhiscousin，whoonceortwicepassedhimsuperciliouslyinherbuggyontheroad。Again，shemethimasoneofacavalcadeofriders，mountedonahandsomebutill-temperedmustang，whichshewasmanagingwithanill-temperandgraceequaltothebrute’s，tothealternatedelightandterrorofhercavalier。Hecouldseethatshehadbeenpettedandspoiledbyhernewguardianandhisfriendsfarbeyondhisconception。Butwhysheshouldgrudgehimthelittlegardenandthepastorallifeforwhichshewassounsuited，puzzledhimgreatly。
Oneafternoonhewasworkingneartheroad，whenhewasstartledbyanoutcryfromhisChineselaborers，theirrapiddispersalfromthestrawberrybedswheretheywereworking，thesplinteringcrashofhisfencerails，andacommotionamongthebuckeyes。Furiousatwhatseemedtohimoneoftheusualwantonattacksuponcoolielabor，heseizedhispickandrantotheirassistance。ButhewassurprisedtofindJocelinda’smustangcaughtbythesaddleandstrugglingbetweentwotrees，anditsunfortunatemistresslyinguponthestrawberrybed。Shockedbutcool-headed，Jacksonreleasedthehorsefirst，whowaslashingoutanddestroyingeverythingwithinhisreach，andthenturnedtohiscousin。Butshehadalreadyliftedherselftoherelbow，andwithatrickleofbloodandmudononefaircheekwassurveyinghimscornfullyunderhertumbledhairandhanginghat。
\"Youdon’tsupposeIwastrespassingonyourwretchedpatchagain，doyou？\"shesaidinavoiceshewastryingtokeepfrombreaking。
\"Itwasthatbrute——whobolted。\"
\"Idon’tsupposeyouwerebullyingMEthistime，\"hesaid，\"butyouwereYOURHORSE——oritwouldn’thavehappened。Areyouhurt？\"
Shetriedtomove；heofferedherhishand，butsheshiedfromitandstruggledtoherfeet。Shetookastepforward——butlimped。
\"Ifyoudon’twantmyarm，letmecallaChinaman，\"hesuggested。
Sheglaredathim。\"IfyoudoI’llscream！\"shesaidinalowvoice，andheknewshewould。Butatthesamemomentherfacewhitened，atwhichheslippedhisarmunderhersinadexterous，business-likeway，soastosupportherweight。Thenherhatgotaskew，anddowncamealongbraidoverhisshoulder。Heremembereditofold，onlyitwasdarkerthanthenandtwoorthreefeetlonger。
\"Ifyoucouldmanagetolimpasfarasthegateandsitdownonthebank，I’dgetyourhorseforyou，\"hesaid。\"Ihitchedittoasapling。\"
\"Isawyoudid——beforeyouevenofferedtohelpme，\"shesaidscornfully。
\"Thehorsewouldhavegotaway——YOUcouldn’t。\"
\"IfyouonlyknewhowIhatedyou，\"shesaid，withawhiteface，butatremblinglip。
\"Idon’tseehowthatwouldmakethingsanybetter，\"hesaid。
\"Betterwipeyourface；it’sscratchedandmuddy，andyou’vebeenrubbingyournoseinmystrawberrybed。\"
Shesnatchedhisprofferedhandkerchiefsuddenly，appliedittoherface，andsaid：\"Isupposeitlooksdreadful。\"
\"Likeapig’s，\"hereturnedcheerfully。
Shewalkedalittlemorefirmlyafterthis，untiltheyreachedthegate。Heseatedheronthebank，andwentbackforthemustang。
Thatbeautifulbrute，astoundedandsorefromitscontactwiththetoprailandbrambles，wascowedandsubduedasheleditback。
Shehadfinishedwipingherface，andwashurriedlydisentanglingtwostingingtearsfromherlonglashes，beforeshethrewbackhishandkerchief。Hersprainedankleobligedhimtoliftherintothesaddleandadjustherlittleshoeinthestirrup。Herememberedwhenitwasstillsmaller。\"Youusedtorideastride，\"hesaid，afloodofrecollectioncomingoverhim，\"andit’smuchsaferwithyourtemperandthatbrute。\"
\"Andyou，\"shesaidinalowervoice，\"usedtobe\"——Buttherestofhersentencewaslostintheswitchofthewhipandthejumpofherhorse，buthethoughtthewordwas\"kinder。\"
Perhapsthiswaswhy，afterhewatchedhercanteraway，hewentbacktothegarden，andfromthebruisedandtrampledstrawberrybedgatheredasmallbasketofthefinestfruit，coveredthemwithleaves，addedapaperwiththehighlyingeniouswitticism，\"Pickedupwithyou，\"andsentthemtoherbyoneoftheChinamen。HerforcibleentrymovedLiSing，hisforeman，alsochieflaundrymantothesettlement，toreminiscences：
\"MeheapknewMissyWellsandoleman，whogodead。OlemanalleetimemakechinmusictoMissy。Alleetimejawjaw——alleetimemakelows——alleetimecutteeupMissy！PlentytimelockeeupMissytopsidehouse；nocanwalkee——nocantalkee——nohabgot——howcanget？——mustwasheewasheealleesameChinaman。Olemangodead——
Missyalllighteenow。Plentyfun。PlentystayinBlown’sbighouse，top-sidehill；Blownfirst-chopman。\"
Hadheinquiredhemighthavefoundthispagantestimony，foronce，corroboratedbytheChristianneighbors。
Butanotherincidentdroveallthisfromhismind。Thelittlestream——thelifebloodofhisgarden——randry！InquiryshowedthatithadbeendivertedtwomilesawayintoBrown’sditch！Wells’sindignantprotestelicitedaformalreplyfromBrown，statingthatheownedtheadjacentminingclaims，andremindinghimthatminingrightstowatertookprecedenceoftheagriculturalclaim，butoffering，bywayofcompensation，topurchasethelandthusmadeuselessandsterile。Jacksonsuddenlyrecalledtheprophecyofthegloomybarkeeper。Theend，hadcome！Butwhatcouldtheschemingcapitalistwantwiththeland，equallyuseless——ashisunclehadproved——forminingpurposes？Coulditbesheermalignity，incitedbyhisvengefulcousin？Butherehepaused，rejectingtheideaasquicklyasitcame。No！hispartnerswereright！Hewasatrespasseronhiscousin’sheritage——therewasnoluckinit——hewaswrong，andthiswashispunishment！Insteadofyieldinggracefullyashemight，hemustbackdownnow，andshewouldneverknowhisfirstrealfeelings。Evennowhewouldmakeoverthepropertytoherasafreegift。Buthispartnershadadvancedhimmoneyfromtheirscantymeanstoplantandworkit。Hebelievedthatanappealtotheirfeelingswouldpersuadethemtoforegoeventhat，butheshrankevenmorefromconfessinghisdefeattoTHEM
thantoher。
Hehadlittleheartinhislaborsthatday，anddismissedtheChinamenearly。Heagainexaminedhisuncle’soldminingclaimonthetopoftheslope，butwassatisfiedthatithadbeenahopelessenterpriseandwiselyabandoned。Itwassunsetwhenhestoodunderthebuckeyes，gloomilylookingattheglowfadeoutofthewest，asithadoutofhisboyishhopes。Hehadgrowntoliketheplace。
Itwasthehour，too，whenthefewflowershehadcultivatedgavebacktheirpleasantodors，asifgratefulforhiscare。Andthenheheardhisnamecalled。
Itwashiscousin，standingafewyardsfromhiminevidenthesitation。Shewasquitepale，andforamomenthethoughtshewasstillsufferingfromherfall，untilhesawinhernervous，half-embarrassedmannerthatithadnophysicalcause。Heroldaudacityandangerseemedgone，yettherewasaqueerdeterminationinherprettybrows。
\"Good-evening，\"hesaid。
Shedidnotreturnhisgreeting，butpullinguneasilyatherglove，saidhesitatingly：\"Unclehasaskedyoutosellhimthisland？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well——don’t！\"sheburstoutabruptly。
Hestaredather。
\"Oh，I’mnottryingtokeepyouhere，\"shewenton，flashingbackintoheroldtemper；\"soyouneedn’tstarelikethat。Isay，’Don’t，’becauseitain’tright，itain’tfair。\"
\"Why，he’sleftmenoalternative，\"hesaid。
\"That’sjustit——that’swhyit’smeanandlow。Idon’tcareifheisouruncle。\"
Jacksonwasbewilderedandshocked。
\"Iknowit’shorridtosayit，\"shesaid，withawhiteface；\"butit’shorridertokeepitin！Oh，Jack！whenwewerelittle，andusedtofightandquarrel，Ineverwasmean——wasI？Ineverwasunderhanded——wasI？Ineverlied——didI？AndIcan’tlienow。
Jack，\"shelookedhurriedlyaroundher，\"HEwantstogetholdoftheland——HEthinksthere’sgoldintheslopeandbankbythestream。Hesaysdadwasafooltohavelocatedhisclaimsohighup。Jack！didyoueverprospectthebank？\"
AdawningofintelligencecameuponJackson。\"No，\"hesaid；\"but，\"
headdedbitterly，\"what’stheuse？Heownsthewaternow，——I
couldn’tworkit。\"
\"But，Jack，IFyoufoundthecolor，thiswouldbeaMININGclaim！
Youcouldclaimthewaterright；and，asit’syourland，yourclaimwouldbefirst！\"
Jacksonwasstartled。\"Yes，IFIfoundthecolor。\"
\"YouWOULDfindit。\"
\"WOULD？\"
\"Yes！IDID——onthesly！Yesterdaymorningonyourslopebythestream，whennoonewasup！Iwashedapanfulandgotthat。\"Shetookapieceoftissuepaperfromherpocket，openedit，andshookintoherlittlepalmthreetinypinpointsofgold。
\"Andthatwasyourownidea，Jossy？\"
\"Yes！\"
\"Yourveryown？\"
\"HonestInjin！\"
\"Wishyoumaydie？\"
\"True，OKing！\"
Heopenedhisarms，andtheymutuallyembraced。Thentheyseparated，takingholdofeachother’shandssolemnly，andfallingbackuntiltheywereatarm’slength。Thentheyslowlyextendedtheirarmssidewaysatfulllength，untilthisactionnaturallybroughttheirfacesandlipstogether。Theydidthiswiththeutmostgravitythreetimes，andthenembracedagain，rockingonpivotedfeetlikeametronome。Alas！itwasnomomentaryinspiration。Themostcasualandindifferentobservercouldseethatitwastheresultoflongpreviouspracticeandshamelessexperience。Andassuch——itwasarevelationandanexplanation……
\"IalwayssuspectedthatJacksonwasplayin’usaboutthatred-
hairedcousin，\"saidRicetwoweekslater；\"butIcan’tswallowthatpurpstuffaboutherputtin’himuptothatdodgeaboutanewgolddiscoveryonafreshclaim，justtoknockoutBrown。No，sir。
Hefoundthatgoldinopenin’theseirrigatin’trenches，——theusualniggerluck，findin’whatyou’renotlookin’arter。\"
\"Well，wecan’tcomplain，forhe’sofferedtoworkitonshareswithus，\"saidBriggs。
\"Yes——untilhe’sreadytotakeinanotherpartner。\"
\"Not——Brown？\"saidhishorrifiedcompanions。
\"No！——butBrown’sadopteddaughter——thatred-hairedcousin！\"
THEREINCARNATIONOFSMITH
TheextravagantsupperpartybywhichMr。JamesFarendellcelebratedthelastdayofhisbachelorhoodwasprotractedsofarintothenight，thatthelastguestwhopartedfromhimatthedooroftheprincipalSacramentorestaurantwasforamomentimpressedwiththebeliefthatacertainruddyglowintheskywasalreadythedawn。
ButMr。Farendellhadkepthisheadclearenoughtorecognizeitasthelightofsomeburningbuildinginaremotebusinessdistrict，anotinfrequentoccurrenceinthedryseason。Whenhehaddismissedhisguestheturnedawayinthatdirectionforfurtherinformation。
Hisowncounting-housewasnotinthatimmediateneighborhood，butSacramentohadbeenoncebeforevisitedbyarapidandfar-sweepingconflagration，anditbehoovedhimtobeonthealertevenonthisnightoffestivity。
Perhapsalsoacertainanxietyaroseoutoftheoccasion。Hewastobemarriedto-morrowtothewidowofhislatepartner，andthemarriage，besidesbeinganattractiveone，wouldsettlemanybusinessdifficulties。Hehadbeenafortunateman，but，likemanymorefortunatemen，wasnotblindtothepossibilitiesofachangeofluck。Thedeathofhispartnerinasuccessfulbusinesshadatfirstseemedtobetokenthatchange，buthissuccessful，thoughhasty，courtshipoftheinexperiencedwidowhadrestoredhischanceswithoutgreatlyshockingthedecorumofapioneercommunity。
Nevertheless，hewasnotacontentedman，andhardlyadetermined——
althoughanenergeticone。
Awalkofafewmomentsbroughthimtotheleveeoftheriver，——afavoreddistrict，wherehiscounting-house，withmanyothers，wasconvenientlysituated。Intheseearlydaysonlyafewofthesebuildingscouldbesaidtobepermanent，——fireandfloodperpetuallythreatenedthem。Theyweremerelytemporarystructuresofwood，orinthecaseofMr。Farendell’soffice，ashellofcorrugatediron，sheathingaone-storiedwoodenframe，moreorlesselaborateinitsinteriordecorations。Bythetimehehadreachedit，thedistantfirehadincreased。Onhiswayhehadmetandrecognizedmanyofhisbusinessacquaintanceshurryingthither，——sometosavetheirownproperty，ortoassisttheimperfectlyequippedvolunteerfiredepartmentintheirunselfishlabors。ItwasprobablyMr。
Farendell’speculiarpreoccupationonthatparticularnightwhichhadpreventedhisjoiningintheirbrotherlyzeal。
Heunlockedtheirondoor，andlitthehanginglampthatwasusedinall-nightsittingsonsteamerdays。Itrevealedasmartlyfurnishedoffice，withahighdeskforhisclerks，andasmalleroneforhimselfinonecorner。Inthecentreofthewallstoodalargesafe。Thishealsounlockedandtookoutafewimportantbooks，aswellasasmalldrawercontaininggoldcoinanddusttotheamountofaboutfivehundreddollars，thelargebalancehavingbeendepositedinbankonthepreviousday。Theactwasonlyprecautionary，ashedidnotexhibitanyhasteinremovingthemtoaplaceofsafety，andremainedmeditativelyabsorbedinlookingoverapacketofpaperstakenfromthesamedrawer。Thecloselyshutteredbuilding，almosthermeticallysealedagainstlight，andperhapssound，preventedhisobservingthesteadilyincreasinglightoftheconflagration，orhearingthenearertumultofthefiremen，andtheinvasionofhisquietdistrictbyotherequallysolicitoustenants。Thepapersseemedalsotopossesssomeimportance，for，thestillnessbeingsuddenlybrokenbytheturningofthehandleoftheheavydoorhehadjustclosed，anditsopeningwithdifficulty，hisfirstactwastohurriedlyconcealthem，withoutapparentlypayingathoughttotheexposedgoldbeforehim。
Andhisexpressionandattitudeinfacingroundtowardsthedoorwasquiteasmuchofnervoussecretivenessasofindignationattheinterruption。
Yettheintruderappeared，thoughsingular，bynomeansformidable。
Hewasamanslightlypastthemiddleage，withathinface，hollowedatthecheeksandtemplesasifbyillnessorasceticism，andagrayishbeardthatencircledhisthroatlikeasoiledworsted\"comforter\"belowhisclean-shavenchinandmouth。Hismannerwasslowandmethodical，andevenwhenheshottheboltofthedoorbehindhim，theactdidnotseemaggressive。NeverthelessMr。
Farendellhalfrosewithhishandonhispistol-pocket，butthestrangermerelyliftedhisownhandwithagestureofindifferentwarning，and，drawingachairtowardshim，droppedintoitdeliberately。
Mr。Farendell’sangrystarechangedsuddenlytooneofsurprisedrecognition。\"JoshScranton，\"hesaidhesitatingly。
\"Ireckon，\"respondedthestrangerslowly。\"That’sthenameI
allusbore，andYOUcalledyourselfFarendell。Well，weain’tseeneachothersensthespringo’’50，whenyeleftmelyingnighpeteredoutwithchillsandfeverontheStanislausRiver，andsoldtheclaimthatmeandDuffyworkedunderourveryfeet，andskedaddledfor’Frisco！\"
\"Ionlyexercisedmyrightasprincipalowner，andtosecuremyadvances，\"beganthelateMr。Farendellsharply。
Butagainthethinhandwasraised，thistimewithaslow，scornfulwaivingofanyexplanations。\"Itain’tthatinparticklerthatI’vekemtoseeyeforto-night，\"saidthestrangerslowly，\"noritain’taboutyourtakin’thenameo’’Farendell，’thatfriendo’
yourswhodiedonthepassageherewithye，andwhosepapersyeborrowed！Noritain’tonaccounto’thatwifeofyoursyeleftbehindinMissouri，andwhoselettersyouneveranswered。It’sthemthingsalltogether——andsuthin’else！\"
\"Whatthed——-ldoyouwant，then？\"saidFarendell，withadesperatedirectnessthatwas，however，atacitconfessionofthetruthoftheseaccusations。
\"Yerallowin’thatye’llgetmarriedtomorrow？\"saidScrantonslowly。
\"Yes，andbed————dtoyou，\"saidFarendellfiercely。
\"YerNOT，\"returnedScranton。\"NotifIknowsit。Yergoin’toclimbdown。Yergoin’togetupandget！Yergoin’tostepdownandout！Yergoin’toshutupyourdeskandyourbooksandthishullconsarninsideofanhour，andvamosetheranch。Arteranhourfromnowtharwon’tbeanyMr。Farendell，andnoweddin’
to-morrow。\"
\"Ifthat’syourgame——perhapsyou’dliketomurdermeatonce？\"
saidFarendellwithashiftingeye，ashishandagainmovedtowardshisrevolver。
Butagainthethinhandofthestrangerwasalsolifted。\"Weain’tinthebusinesso’murderin’orbein’murdered，orwemighthevkemheretogether，meandDuffy。NowifanythinghappenstomeDuffywillbeleft，andHE’Sgottheproofs。\"
Farendellseemedtorecognizethefactwiththesamedirectness。
\"That’sit，isit？\"hesaidbluntly。\"Well，howmuchdoyouwant？
Only，IwarnyouthatIhaven’tmuchtogive。\"
\"Woteveryou’vegot，ifitwasmillions，itain’tenoughtobuyusup，andyeoughttoknowthatbythistime，\"respondedScranton，withamomentaryflashinhiseyes。Butthenextmomenthispreviouspassionlessdeliberationreturned，andleaninghisarmonthedeskofthemanbeforehimhepickedupapaperweightcarelesslyandturneditoverashesaidslowly，\"Thefactis，Mr。
Farendell，you’vebeenmakingus，meandDuffy，tired。We’vebinwatchin’youandyourdoin’s，lyin’lowandsayin’nothin’，tillweconcludedthatitwasabouttimeyouhandedinyourchecksandlefttheboard。Weain’twantednothin’ofye，weain’tbegrudgedyenothin’，butwe’veallowedthatthisyerthingmuststop。\"
\"AndwhatifIrefuse？\"saidFarendell。
\"Thar’llbesomecussin’andabigrowfromYOU，Ikalkilate——andmaybesomefightin’allround，\"saidScrantondispassionately。
\"Butitwillbeallthesameintheend。Thehullthingwillcomeout，andyou’llhevtoslidejustthesame。T’otherwise，efyeslideoutNOW，it’swithoutarow。\"
\"Anddoyousupposeabusinessmanlikemecandisappearwithoutafussoverit？\"saidFarendellangrily。\"Areyoumad？\"
\"IreckontheholeYOU’LLmakekinbefilledup，\"saidScrantondryly。\"ButefyegoNOW，youwon’tbebotheredbythefuss，whileifyoustayyou’llhavetofacethemusic，andgotoo！\"
Farendellwassilent。Possiblythetruthofthishadlongsincebeenborneuponhim。Noonebuthimselfknewtheincessantstrainoftheseyearsofevasionandconcealment，andhowheoftenhadbeenneartosomesuchdesperateculmination。Thesacrificeofferedtohimwasnot，therefore，sogreatasitmighthaveseemed。TheknowledgeofthismighthavegivenhimamomentarysuperiorityoverhisantagonisthadScranton’smotivebeenapurelyselfishormalignantone，butasitwasnot，andashemayhavehadsomeinstinctiveideaofFarendell’sfeelingalso，itmadehisultimatumappearthemorepassionlessandfateful。AnditwasthisqualitywhichperhapscausedFarendelltoburstoutwithdesperateabruptness，——
\"Whatinh-lleverputyouuptothis！\"
ScrantonfoldedhisarmsuponFarendell’sdesk，andslowlywipinghiscleanjawwithonehand，repeateddeliberately，\"Wall——IreckonItoldyethatbefore！You’vebeenmakingus——meandDuffy——
tired！\"Hepausedforamoment，andthen，risingabruptly，withacarelessgesturetowardstheuncoveredtrayofgold，said，\"Come！
yekintakeenuffo’thattogetawaywith；thelessyetake，though，thelesslikelyyou’llbetobefollowed！\"
Hewenttothedoor，unlockedandopenedit。Astrangelight，asofaluridstorminterspersedbysheet-likelightning，filledtheouterdarkness，andthesilencewasnowbrokenbydullcrashesandnearercriesandshouting。Afewfigureswerealsodimlyflittingaroundtheneighboringemptyoffices，someofwhich，likeFarendell’s，hadbeenenteredbytheirnowalarmedowners。
\"You’vegotagoodchancenow，\"continuedScranton；\"yecouldn’thevabetter。It’sabigfire——ascorcher——andjestthetimeforamantowipehimselfoutandnotbemissed。Maketrackswherethecrowdisthickestandwharye’relikelytobeseen，ezefyewerehelpin’！Ther’’llbeothermenmissedtomorrowbesideyou，\"headdedwithgrimsignificance；\"butnobody’llknowthatyouwasonewhoreallygotaway。\"
Wheretheimperturbablelogicofthestrangemanmighthavefailed，thenoise，thetumult，thesuggestionofswift-comingdisaster，andthenecessityforsomeimmediateactionofanykind，wasconvincing。
Farendellhastilystuffedhispocketswithgoldandthepapershehadfound，andmovedtothedoor。Alreadyhefanciedhefeltthehotbreathoftheleapingconflagrationbeyond。\"Andyou？\"hesaid，turningsuspiciouslytoScranton。
\"Whenyou’reshutofthisandcleanoff，I’llfixthingsandleavetoo——butnotbefore。Ireckon，\"headdedgrimly，withaglanceatthesky，nowstreamingwithsparkslikeameteoricshower，\"tharwon’tbemuchlefthereinthemorning。\"
Afewdullemberspatteredontheironroofofthelowbuildingandboundedoffinashes。Farendellcastafinalglancearoundhim，andthendartedfromthebuilding。Theirondoorclangedbehindhim——hewasgone。
Evidentlynottoosoon，fortheotherbuildingswerealreadydesertedbytheirwould-besalvors，whohadfilledthestreetswithpilesofbooksandvaluableswaitingtobecarriedaway。Thenoccurredaterriblephenomenon，whichhadoncebeforeinsuchdisastersparalyzedtheeffortsofthefiremen。Alargewoodenwarehouseinthecentreoftheblockofoffices，manyhundredfeetfromthesceneofactiveconflagration——whichhadhithertoremainedintact——suddenlybecameenvelopedincloudsofsmoke，andwithoutwarningburstassuddenlyfromroofandupperstoryintovividflame。Therewereeye-witnesseswhodeclaredthatastreamoflivingfireseemedtoleapuponitfromtheburningdistrict，andconnectedthespacebetweenthemwithanarchofluminousheat。Inanotherinstantthewholedistrictwasinvolvedinawhirlwindofsmokeandflame，outofwhoseseethingvortexthecorrugatedironbuildingsoccasionallyshowedtheirshrivelingorglowingoutlines。
Andthenthefiresweptonandaway。
Whenthesunagainaroseoverthepanic-strickenanddevastatedcity，allpersonalincidentanddisasterwasforgotteninthelargercalamity。Itwastwoorthreedaysbeforethefullparticularscouldbegathered——evenwhilethedominantandresistlessenergyofthepeoplewaserectingnewbuildingsuponthestill-smokingruins。ItwasonlyonthethirddayafterwardsthatJamesFarendell，onthedeckofacoastingsteamer，creepingoutthroughthefogsoftheGoldenGate，readthelatestnewsinaSanFranciscopaperbroughtbythepilot。Ashehurriedlycomprehendedthemagnitudeoftheloss，whichwasfarbeyondhispreviousconception，heexperiencedacertainsatisfactioninfindinghispositionnoworsemateriallythanthatofmanyofhisfellowworkers。THEYwereruinedlikehimself；THEYmustbegintheirlifeafresh——butthen！Ah！therewasstillthatterribledifference。
Hedrewhisbreathquickly，andreadon。Suddenlyhestopped，transfixedbyalaterparagraph。Foraninstanthefailedtograspitsfullsignificance。Thenhereaditagain，thewordsimprintingthemselvesonhissenseswithaslowdeliberationthatseemedtohimaspassionlessasScranton’sutterancesonthatfatefulnight。
\"Thelossoflife，itisnowfeared，ismuchgreaterthanatfirstimagined。TothelistthathasbeenalreadypublishedwemustaddthenameofJamesFarendell，theenergeticcontractorsowellknowntoourcitizens，whowasmissingthemorningafterthefire。Hiscalcinedremainswerefoundthisafternooninthewarpedandtwistedironshellofhiscounting-house，thewoodenframehavingbeenreducedtocharcoalintheintenseheat。Theunfortunatemanseemstohavegonetheretoremovehisbooksandpapers，——aswasevidencedbytheironsafebeingfoundopen，——buttohavebeencaughtandimprisonedinthebuildingthroughtheheatcausingthemetalsheathingtohermeticallysealthedoorsandwindows。Hewasseenbysomeneighborstoenterthebuildingwhilethefirewasstilldistant，andhisremainswereidentifiedbyhiskeys，whichwerefoundbeneathhim。Apoignantinterestisaddedtohisuntimelyfatebythecircumstancethathewastohavebeenmarriedonthefollowingdaytothewidowofhislatepartner，andthathehad，atthecallofduty，thatveryeveningleftadinnerpartygiventocelebratethelastdayofhisbachelorhood——or，asithasindeedproved，ofhisearthlyexistence。Twofamiliesarethusplacedinmourning，anditisasingularsequelthatbythisuntowardcalamitythewell-knownfirmofFarendell&Cutlermaybesaidtohaveceasedtoexist。\"
Mr。Farendellstartedtohisfeet。ButalurchoftheschoonerassheroseonthelongswellofthePacificsenthimstaggeringdizzilybacktohisseat，andcheckedhisfirstwildimpulsetoreturn。Hesawitallnow，——thefirehadavengedhimbywipingouthispersecutor，Scranton，butintheeyesofhiscontemporariesithadonlyerasedHIM！Hemightreturntorefutethestoryinhisownperson，butthedeadman’spartnerstilllivedwithhissecret，andhisownrehabilitationcouldonlyrevivehisformerperil……
FouryearselapsedbeforethelateMr。FarendellagainsetfootintheleveeofSacramento。ThesteamboatthatbroughthimfromSanFranciscowasamarveltohiminsize，elegance，andcomfort；sodifferentfromthelittle，crowded，tri-weeklypacketheremembered；anditmight，inamanner，havepreparedhimforthegreaterchangeinthecity。Buthewasastoundedtofindnothingtoremindhimofthepast，——nolandmark，norevenruin，oftheplacehehadknown。Blocksofbrickbuildings，withthoroughfareshavingstrangetitles，occupiedthedistrictwherehiscounting-
househadstood，andevenobliterateditssite；equallystrangenameswereupontheshopsandwarehouses。Inhisfouryears’
wanderingshehadscarcelyfoundaplaceasunfamiliar。Hehadtrustedtothegreatchangeinhisownappearance——thefullbeardthatheworeandthetanningofatropicalsun——topreventrecognition；buttheprecautionwasunnecessary，therewerenonetorecognizehiminthenewfaceswhichweretheonlyoneshesawinthetransformedcity。Acautiousallusiontothepastwhichhehadmadeontheboattoafellowpassengerhadbroughtonlythesurprisedrejoinder，\"Oh，thatmusthavebeenbeforethebigfire，\"
asifitwasanhistoricepoch。Therewassomethingofpaineveninthisassuredsecurityofhisloneliness。Hisobliterationwascomplete。
ForthelateMr。Farendellhadsufferedsomechangeofmindwithhisothermutations。Hehadbeensingularlylucky。TheschoonerinwhichhehadescapedbroughthimtoAcapulco，where，asareturningCalifornian，andapresumablysuccessfulone，hisservicesandexperiencewereeagerlysoughtbyanEnglishpartyengagedindevelopingcertaindisusedMexicanmines。Asthepost，however，wasperilouslyneartherouteofregularemigration，assoonashehadgainedasufficientsumheembarkedwithsomegoodstoCallao，wherehepresentlyestablishedhimselfinbusiness，resuminghisREALname——theunambitiousbutindistinctiveoneof\"Smith。\"Itishighlyprobablethatthisprudentialactwasalsohisfirststeptowardsrectitude。Forwhetherthechangewasaquestionofmoralethics，ormerelyasuperstitiousessayinluck，hewasthereafterstrictlyhonestinbusiness。Hebecameprosperous。Hehadbeensustainedinhisflightbytheintentionthat，ifheweresuccessfulelsewhere，hewouldendeavortocommunicatewithhisabandonedfiancee，andaskhertojoinhim，andsharenothisnamebutfortuneinexile。Butashegrewrich，thedifficultiesofcarryingoutthisintentionbecamemoreapparent；hewasbynomeanscertainofherloyaltysurvivingthedeceithehadpracticedandtherevelationhewouldhavetomake；
hewasdoubtfulofthesuccessofanystorywhichatothertimeshewouldhavegliblyinventedtotaketheplaceoftruth。Alreadyseveralmonthshadelapsedsincehissupposeddeath；couldheexpecthertobelessaccessibletoprematureadvancesnowthanwhenshehadbeenawidow？Perhapsthismadehimthinkofthewifehehaddesertedsolongago。Hehadbeenquitecontenttolivewithoutregretoraffection，forgettingandforgotten，butinhispresentprosperityhefelttherewassomeneedofputtinghisdomesticaffairsintoamoresecureandlegitimateshape，toavertanycatastrophelikethelast。HEREatleastwouldbenodifficulty；husbandshaddesertedtheirwivesbeforethisinCalifornianemigration，andhadbeenheardofonlyaftertheyhadmadetheirfortune。AnyplausiblestorywouldbeacceptedbyHER
inthejoyofhisreappearance；orif，indeed，ashereflectedwithequalcomplacency，shewasdeadordivorcedfromhimthroughhisdesertion——asufficientcauseinherownState——andre-married，hewouldatleastbemoresecure。Hebegan，withoutcommittinghimself，byinquiryandanonymouscorrespondence。Hiswife，helearnt，hadleftMissouriforSacramentoonlyamonthortwoafterhisowndisappearancefromthatplace，andheraddresswasunknown！
Acomplicationsounlookedfordisquietedhim，andyetwhettedhiscuriosity。TheonlypersonshemightmeetinCaliforniawhocouldpossiblyidentifyhimwiththelateMr。FarendellwasDuffy；hehadoftenwonderedifthatmysteriouspartnerofScranton’shadbeendeceivedwiththeothers，orhadeversuspectedthatthebodydiscoveredinthecounting-housewasScranton’s。Ifnot，hemusthaveacceptedthestrangecoincidencethatScrantonhaddisappearedalsothesamenight。InthefirstsixmonthsofhisexilehehadsearchedtheCalifornianpapersthoroughly，buthadfoundnorecordofanydoubthavingbeenthrownontheacceptedbelief。Itwasthesecircumstances，andperhapsavaguefascinationnotunlikethatwhichimpelsthemalefactortohauntthesceneofhiscrime，that，attheendoffouryears，hadbroughthim，amanofmiddleageandassuredoccupationandfortune，backtothecityhehadfledfrom。
Afewdaysatoneofthenewhotelsconvincedhimthoroughlythathewasinnodangerofrecognition，andgavehimtheassurancetotakeroomsmoreinkeepingwithhiscircumstancesandhisownfranklyavowedpositionastheheadofaSouthAmericanhouse。A
cautiousacquaintance——throughtheagencyofhisbanker——withafewbusinessmengavehimsomeoccupation，andthefactofhisSouthAmericanlettersbeingaddressedtoDonDiegoSmithgaveaforeignflavortohisindividuality，whichhistannedfaceanddarkbeardhadmateriallyhelped。Astrongertestconvincedhimhowcompletewastheobliterationofhisformeridentity。Onedayatthebankhewasstartledatbeingintroducedbythemanagertoamanwhomheatoncerecognizedasaformerbusinessacquaintance。Buttheshockwashisalone；theformalapproachandunfamiliarmannerofthemanshowedthathehadfailedtorecognizeevenaresemblance。
Butwouldheequallyescapedetectionbyhiswifeifhemetherasaccidentally，——anencounternottobethoughtofuntilheknewsomethingmoreofher？Hebecamemorecautiousingoingtopublicplaces，butluckilyforhimtheproportionofwomentomenwasstillsmallinCalifornia，andtheyweremoreobservedthanobserving。
Amonthelapsed；inthattimehehadthoroughlyexhaustedthelocalDirectoriesinhiscautiousresearchesamongthe\"Smiths，\"forinhisfearofprecipitatingaprematuredisclosurehehadgivenuphisformeranonymousadvertising。Andtherewasacertainoccupationinthispersonalquestthatfilledhisbusinesstime。