Theunsuspectedcontiguityofthe\"menagerie\"tothehousehaditsdrawbacks，andoncenearlyexposedher。Amountainwolfcub，broughtespeciallyforherfromthehighernorthernSierraswithgreattroubleandexpensebyJackRyder，oftheLoneStarLead，unfortunatelyescapedfromthemenageriejustasthechildseemedtobeinafairwayoftamingit。Yetithadbeenalreadyfamiliarizedenoughwithcivilizationtoinduceittostopinitsflightandcuriouslyexaminetheblacksmith’sshop。Ashoutfromtheblacksmithandahurledhammersentitflyingagain，withMr。
Bakerandhisassistantinfullpursuit。Butitquicklydistancedthemwithitslong，tirelessgallop，andtheywereobligedtoreturntotheforge，lostinwonderandconjecture。Fortheblacksmithhadrecognizeditasastrangertothelocality，andasamanoforacularpretensionhadastartlingtheorytoaccountforitspresence。Thisheconfidedtotheeditorofthelocalpaper，andthenextissuecontainedaneditorialparagraph：\"OurpresageofaseverewinterinthehigherSierras，andconsequentspringfloodsinthevalleys，hasbeenstartlinglyconfirmed！MountainwolveshavebeenseeninBlueCementRidge，andouresteemedfellowcitizen，Mr。EphraimBaker，yesterdayencounteredahalf-starvedcubenteringhispremisesinsearchoffood。Mr。Bakerisoftheopinionthatthemotherofthecub，drivendownbystressofweather，wasintheimmediatevicinity。\"Nothingbutthedistressoftheonlyresponsiblemotherofthecub，Peggy，andloyaltytoher，keptJackRyderfromexposingtheabsurditypublicly，butforweeksthecampfiresofBlueCementRidgeshookwiththesuppressedandunhallowedjoyoftheminers，whowereintheguiltysecret。
But，fortunatelyforPeggy，themostfavoredofhercherishedpossessionswasnotobligedtobekeptsecret。ThatoneexceptionwasanIndiandog！Thiswasalsoagift，andhadbeenprocuredwithgreat\"difficulty\"bya\"packer\"fromanIndianencampmentontheOregonfrontier。The\"difficulty\"was，inplainEnglish，thatithadbeenstolenfromtheIndiansatsomeperiltothestealer’sscalp。Itwasamongreltoallappearances，ofnorecognizedbreedoroutwardsignificance，yetofaqualitydistinctlyitsown。Itwasabsolutelyandtotallyuncivilized。Whetherthiswasahereditarytrait，ortheresultofdegeneracy，nooneknew。Itrefusedtoenterahouse；itwouldnotstayinakennel。Itwouldnoteatinpublic，butgorgedravenouslyandstealthilyintheshadows。Ithadtheslinkofatramp，andinitspatchedandmottledhideseemedtosimulatetheragsofabeggar。Ithadthetirelessnesswithouttheaffectedlimpofacoyote。Yetithadnoneoftheferocityofbarbarians。Withteeththatcouldgnawthroughthestoutestropeandtoughestlariat，itneverbaredtheminanger。Itwascringingwithoutbeingamiableorsubmissive；itwasgentlewithoutbeingaffectionate。
YetalmostinsensiblyitbegantoyieldtoPeggy’sfaithandkindness。Graduallyitseemedtosingleheroutastheonebeinginthisvastwhite-facedandfullyclothedcommunitythatitcouldtrust。Itpresentlyallowedhertohalfdrag，halfleadittoandfrofromschool，althoughontheapproachofastrangeritwouldbitethroughtheropeorfranticallyendeavortoeffaceitselfinPeggy’spetticoats。Itwastrying，eventothechild’ssweetgravity，tofacetheridiculeexcitedbyitsappearanceontheroad；anditshabitofcarryingitstailbetweenitslegs——atsuchaninflexiblecurvethat，ontheauthorityofSamBedell，amisstepcauseditto\"turnabacksomersault\"——waspainfullydisconcerting。
ButPeggyenduredthis，asshedidthegreaterdangersoftheHighStreetinthesettlement，whereshehadoften，atherownrisk，absolutelytodragthedazedandbewilderedcreaturefromunderthewheelsofcartsandtheheelsofhorses。Butthisshynessworeoff——orratherwaseventuallylostinthedog’scompleteandutterabsorptioninPeggy。Hislimitedintelligenceandimperfectperceptionswereexcitedforheralone。Hissingularlykeenscentdetectedherwhereverorhowremoteshemightbe。Herpassagealonga\"blindtrail，\"herdeviationsfromtheschoolpath，hermoredistantexcursions，wereallmysteriouslyknowntohim。Itseemedasifhissenseswereconcentratedinthisonefaculty。Nomatterhowunexpectedorunfamiliartheitinerary，\"Lo，thepoorIndian\"——asthemenhadnicknamedhim（inpossibleallusiontohis\"untutoredmind\"）——alwaysarrivedpromptlyandsilently。
ItwastothissingularfacultythatPeggyowedoneofherstrangestexperiences。OneSaturdayafternoonshewasreturningfromanerrandtothevillagewhenshewasstartledbytheappearanceofLoinherpath。Forthereasonalreadygiven，shenolongertookhimwithhertotheseactivehauntsofcivilization，buthadtaughthimonsuchoccasionstoremainasaguardoutsidethestockadewhichcontainedhertreasures。Afterreadinghimaseverelectureonthisflagrantabandonmentofhistrust，enforcedwithgreatseriousnessandanadmonitoryforefinger，shewasconcernedtoseethattheanimalappearedlessagitatedbyherreproofthanbysomeotherdisturbance。Heranaheadofher，insteadofatherheels，aswashisusualcustom，andbarked——athingherarelydid。Presentlyshethoughtshediscoveredthecauseofthisintheappearancefromthewoodofadozenmenarmedwithguns。Theyseemedtobestrangers，butamongthemsherecognizedthedeputysheriffofthesettlement。Theleadernoticedher，and，afterawordortwowiththeothers，thedeputyapproachedher。
\"YouandLohadbetterbescootinghomebythehighroad，outerthis——oryemightgethurt，\"hesaid，halfplayfully，halfseriously。
Peggylookedfearlesslyatthemenandtheirguns。
\"Lookezefyouwashuntin’？\"shesaidcuriously。
\"Weare！\"saidtheleader。
\"Wotyouhuntin’？\"
Thedeputyglancedattheothers。\"B’ar！\"hereplied。
\"Ba’r！\"repeatedthechildwiththequickresentmentwhichapalpablefalsehoodalwaysprovokedinher。\"Thereain’tnob’arintenmiles！Seeyourselfhuntin’b’ar！Ho！\"
Themanlaughed。\"Neveryoumind，missy，\"saidthedeputy，\"youtrotalong！\"Helaidhishandverygentlyonherhead，facedhersunbonnettowardsthenearhighway，gavetheusualpartingpulltoherbrownpigtail，added，\"Makeabee-linehome，\"andturnedaway。
Loutteredthefirstgrowlknowninhishistory。WhereatPeggysaid，withloftyforbearance，\"ServeyoujestrightefIsetmydogonyou。\"
Butforceisnoargument，andPeggyfeltthistruthevenofherselfandLo。Soshetrottedaway。Nevertheless，Loshowedsignsofhesitation。AfterafewmomentsPeggyherselfhesitatedandlookedback。Themenhadspreadoutunderthetrees，andwerealreadylostinthewoods。Buttherewasmorethanonetrailthroughit，andPeggyknewit。
Andhereanalarmingoccurrencestartledher。Acuriouslystripedbrownandwhitesquirrelwhiskedpastherandranupatree。
Peggy’sroundeyesbecamerounder。TherewasbutonesquirrelofthatkindinallthelengthandbreadthofBlueCementRidge，andthatwasinthemenagerie！Evenasshelookeditvanished。Peggyfacedaboutandranbacktotheroadinthedirectionofthestockade，Loboundingbeforeher。Butanothersurpriseawaitedher。Therewastheclutterofshortwingsunderthebranches，andthesunlightflashedupontheiristhroatofawood-duckasitswungoutofsightpasther。ButinthissingleglancePeggyrecognizedoneofthelatestandmostpreciousofheracquisitions。
Therewasnomistakenow！WithadespairinglittlecrytoLo，\"Themenagerie’sbrokeloose！\"sheranlikethewindtowardsit。Shecarednolongerforthemandateofthemen；thetrailshehadtakenwasoutoftheirsight；theywereproceedingsoslowlyandcautiouslythatsheandLoquicklydistancedtheminthesamedirection。Shewouldhaveyettimetoreachthestockadeandsecurewhatwasleftofhertreasuresbeforetheycameupanddroveheraway。Yetshehadtomakealongcircuittoavoidtheblacksmith’sshopandcabin，beforeshesawthestockade，liftingitsfour-footwallsaroundaninclosureadozenfeetsquare，inthemidstofamanzanitathicket。Butshecouldseealsobrokencoops，pens，cages，andboxeslyingbeforeit，andstoppedonce，eveninhergriefandindignation，topickuparuby-throatedlizard，oneofitslateinmatesthathadstoppedinthetrail，stiffenedtostoneatherapproach。Thenextmomentshewasbeforetherooflesswalls，andthenstopped，stiffenedlikethelizard。Foroutofthatpeacefulruinwhichhadonceheldthewildanduntamedvagabondsofearthandsky，aroseatypeofsavageryandbarbarismthechildhadneverbeforelookedupon，——theheadandshouldersofahunted，desperateman！
Hisheadwasbare，andhishairmattedwithsweatoverhisforehead；hisfacewasunshorn，andtheblackrootsofhisbeardshowedagainstthedeadlypallorofhisskin，exceptwhereitwasscratchedbythorns，orwheretheredspotsoverhischeekbonesmadehischeekslookasifpainted。Hiseyeswereasinsanelybright，hepantedasquickly，heshowedhiswhiteteethasperpetually，hismovementswereasconvulsive，asthosecapturedanimalsshehadknown。Yethedidnotattempttofly，anditwasonlywhen，withasuddeneffortandgroanofpain，hehalfliftedhimselfabovethestockade，thatshesawthathisleg，bandagedwithhiscravatandhandkerchief，stainedadullred，draggedhelplesslybeneathhim。Hestaredathervacantlyforamoment，andthenlookedhurriedlyintothewoodbehindher。
Thechildwasmoreinterestedthanfrightened，andmorecuriousthaneither。Shehadgraspedthesituationataglance。Itwasthehuntedandthehunters。Suddenlyhestartedandreachedforhisrifle，whichhehadapparentlysetdownoutsidewhenheclimbedintothestockade。Hehadjustcaughtsightofafigureemergingfromthewoodatadistance。Buttheweaponwasoutofhisreach。
\"Handmethatgun！\"hesaidroughly。
ButPeggydidnotstir。Thefigurecamemoreplainlyandquiteunconsciouslyintofullview，aneasyshotatthatdistance。
Themanutteredahorriblecurse，andturnedathreateningfaceonthechild。ButPeggyhadseensomethinglikethatinanimalsSHE
hadcaptured。Sheonlysaidgravely，——
\"Efyoushootthatgunyou’llbring’emalldownonyou！\"
\"All？\"hedemanded。
\"Yes！adozenfolkswithgunslikeyours，\"saidPeggy。\"Youjestcrouchdownandlielow。Don’tmove！Watchme。\"
Themandroppedbelowthestockade。Peggyranswiftlytowardstheunsuspectingfigure，evidentlytheleaderoftheparty，butdeviatedslightlytosnatchatinysprayfromawhite-ashtree。
Sheneverknewthatinthatbriefintervalthewoundedman，afterasupremeeffort，hadpossessedhimselfofhisweapon，andforamomenthadcoveredHERwithitsdeadlymuzzle。Sheranonfearlesslyuntilshesawthatshehadattractedtheattentionoftheleader，whenshestoppedandbegantowavethewhite-ashwandbeforeher。Theleaderhalted，conferredwithsomeonebehindhim，whoprovedtobethedeputysheriff。SteppingoutheadvancedtowardsPeggy，andcalledsharply，\"Itoldyoutogetoutofthis！Come，bequick！\"
\"You’dbettergetoutyourself，\"saidPeggy，wavingherashspray，\"andquicker，too。\"
Thedeputystopped，staringatthespray。\"Wot’sup？\"
\"Rattlers。\"
\"Where？\"
\"Everywhereroundye——areg’larnestof’em！That’syourwayround！\"Shepointedtotheright，andagainbeganbeatingtheunderbrushwithherwand。Themenhad，meantime，huddledtogetherinconsultation。ItwasevidentthatthestoryofPeggyandherinfluenceonrattlesnakeswaswellknown，and，inallprobability，exaggerated。Afterapause，thewholepartyfiledofftotheright，makingalongcircuitoftheunseenstockade，andwerepresentlylostinthedistance。Peggyranbacktothefugitive。
Thefireofsavageryanddesperationinhiseyeshadgoneout，buthadbeensucceededbyaglazingfilmoffaintness。
\"Canyou——getme——somewater？\"hewhispered。
Thestockadewasnearaspring，——anecessityforthemenagerie。
Peggybroughthimwaterinadipper。Shesighedalittle；her\"butcherbird\"——nowlostforever——hadbeenthelasttodrinkfromit！
Thewaterseemedtorevivehim。\"Therattlesnakesscaredthecowards，\"hesaid，withanattempttosmile。\"Weretheremanyrattlers？\"
\"Therewasn’tANY，\"saidPeggy，alittlespitefully，\"’ceptYOU——atwo-leggedrattler！\"
Therascalgrinnedatthecompliment。
\"ONE-legged，youmean，\"hesaid，indicatinghishelplesslimb。
Peggy’sheartrelentedslightly。\"Wotyougoin’todonow？\"shesaid。\"Youcan’tstayonTHERE，youknow。Itb’longstoME！\"Shewasgenerous，butpractical。
\"WerethosethingsIfiredoutyours？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Mightyroughofme。\"
Peggywasslightlysoftened。\"Kinyouwalk？\"
\"No。\"
\"Kinyoucrawl？\"
\"Notasfarasarattler。\"
\"Ezfarezthatclearin’？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"There’sahosstetheredoutinthatclearin’。Ikinshifthimtothisend。\"
\"You’rewhiteallthrough，\"saidthemangravely。
Peggyranofftotheclearing。ThehorsebelongedtoSamBedell，buthehadgivenPeggypermissiontorideitwhenevershewished。
Thiswasequivalent，inPeggy’smind，toapermissiontoPLACEhimwhereshewished。Sheconsequentlyledhimtoapointnearestthestockade，and，thoughtfully，closebesideastump。Butthistooksometime，andwhenshearrivedshefoundthefugitivealreadythere，verythinandweak，butstillsmiling。
\"Yekinturnhimloosewhenyougetthroughwithhim；he’llfindhiswayback，\"saidPeggy。\"NowImustgo。\"
Withoutagainlookingattheman，sheranbacktothestockade。
Thenshepauseduntilsheheardthesoundofhoofscrossingthehighwayintheoppositedirectionfromwhichthepursuershadcrossed，andknewthatthefugitivehadgotaway。Thenshetooktheastonishedandstillmotionlesslizardfromherpocket，andproceededtorestorethebrokencoopsandcagestotheemptystockade。
Butsheneverreconstructedhermenagerienorrenewedhercollection。Peoplesaidshehadtiredofherwhim，andthatreallyshewasgettingtoooldforsuchthings。Perhapsshewas。Butshenevergotoldenoughtorevealherstoryofthelastwildanimalshehadtamedbykindness。Norwasshequitesureofitherself，untilafewyearsafterwardsonCommencementDayataboarding-
schoolatSanJose，whentheypointedouttoheroneofthemostrespectabletrustees。Buttheysaidhewasonceagambler，whohadshotamanwithwhomhehadquarreled，andwasnearlycaughtandlynchedbyaVigilanceCommittee。
THEGODDESSOFEXCELSIOR
WhenthetwoisolatedminingcompaniesencampedonSycamoreCreekdiscoveredonthesamedaythegreat\"ExcelsiorLead，\"theymetaroundaneutralcampfirewiththatgraveandalmosttroubleddemeanorwhichdistinguishedthesuccessfulprospectorinthosedays。Perhapstheterm\"prospectors\"couldhardlybeusedformenwhohadlaboredpatientlyandlight-heartedlyintheonespotforoverthreeyearstogainadailyyieldfromthesoilwhichgavethembarelythenecessariesoflife。Perhapsthiswaswhy，nowthattheirrewardwasbeyondtheirmostsanguinehopes，theymingledwiththischaracteristicgravityanambitionandresolvepeculiarlytheirown。Unlikemostsuccessfulminers，theyhadnoideaofsimplyrealizingtheirwealthanddepartingtoinvestorspenditelsewhere，aswasthecommoncustom。Onthecontrary，thatnighttheyformedahighresolvetostandorfallbytheirclaims，todeveloptheresourcesofthelocality，tobuildupatown，andtodevotethemselvestoitsgrowthandwelfare。Andtothispurposetheyboundthemselvesthatnightbyasolemnandlegalcompact。
Manycircumstanceslentthemselvestosooriginaladetermination。
Thelocalitywashealthful，picturesque，andfertile。SycamoreCreek，aconsiderabletributaryoftheSacramento，furnishedthemagenerouswatersupplyatallseasons；itsbankswerewellwoodedandinterspersedwithundulatingmeadowland。Itsdistancefromstage-coachcommunication——ninemiles——couldeasilybeabridgedbyawagonroadoverapracticallylevelcountry。Indeed，alltheconditionsforathrivingsettlementwerealreadythere。Itwasnatural，therefore，thatthemostsanguineanticipationswereindulgedbythemoreyouthfulofthetwentymembersofthissacredcompact。Thesitesofahotel，abank，theexpresscompany’soffice，stageoffice，andcourt-house，withothernecessarybuildings，wereallmappedoutandsupplementedbyatheatre，apublicpark，andaterracealongtheriverbank！ItwasonlywhenClintonGrey，anintelligentbutyouthfulmember，onofferingaplanofthetownwithfiveavenueseightyfeetwide，radiatingfromacentralplazaandthecourt-house，explainedthat\"itcouldbecommandedbyartilleryincaseofanarmedattackuponthebuilding，\"thatitwasfeltthatalinemustbedrawninanticipatorysuggestion。Nevertheless，althoughtheirdeterminationwasunabated，attheendofsixmonthslittlehadbeendonebeyondthebuildingofawagonroadandtheimportationofnewmachineryfortheworkingofthelead。Thepeculiarityoftheirdesigndebarredanytentativeortemporaryefforts；theywishedthewholesettlementtospringupinequalperfection，sothatthefirststage-coachoverthenewroadcouldarriveuponthecompletedtown。\"Wedon’twanttoshowupina’b’iledshirt’andaplughat，andourtrousersstuckinourboots，\"saidafigurativespeaker。Nevertheless，practicalnecessitycompelledthemtobuildthehotelfirstfortheirownoccupation，pendingtheerectionoftheirprivatedwellingsonallottedsites。Thehotel，areallyelaboratestructureforthelocalityandperiod，wasamarveltotheworkmenandcasualteamsters。Itwasluxuriouslyfittedandfurnished。Yetitwasinconnectionwiththisoutlaythattheeventoccurredwhichhadasingulareffectuponthefancyofthemembers。
WashingtonTrigg，aWesternmember，whohadbroughtupthearchitectandbuilderfromSanFrancisco，hadreturnedinastateofexcitement。HehadseenatanartexhibitioninthatcityasmallreplicaofafamousstatueofCalifornia，and，withoutconsultinghisfellowmembers，hadorderedalargercopyforthenewsettlement。He，however，madeupforhisprecipitancybyanextravagantdescriptionofhispurchase，whichimpressedeventhemostcautious。\"It’sthefiggerofamightyprettygirl，inthemspiritclothestheyalluswear，holdingadivinin’rodforfindin’
goldaforeherinonehand；allthewhileshe’shidin’behindher，intheotherhand，abrancho’thornsoutofsight。Theideabein’——don’tyousee？——thatblamedold’forty-ninerslikeus，orordinarygreenhorns，ain’tallowedtoseethedifficultiesthey’vegottogothroughbeforereachingastrike。Mightycute，ain’tit？
It’stobemadelife-size，——thatis，aboutthesizeofagirlofthatkind，don’tyousee？\"heexplainedsomewhatvaguely，\"andwilllookpowerfulfetchin’standin’ontoapedestalinthehallofthehotel。\"Inreplytosomefurthercautiousinquiryastotheexactdetailsoftheraimentandofanypossibleshocktothemodestyofladyguestsatthehotel，herepliedconfidently，\"Oh，THAT’Sallright！It’stheregulationuniformofgoddessesandangels，——
sorterasifthey’dcaughtupasheetoracloudtoflinground’embeforecomingintothisworldaforefolks；andbeinganallegory，sotospeak，itain’tasifitwasmeoryouprospectin’inhighwater。And，beingofbronze，it\"——
\"Lookslikeasquaw，eh？\"interruptedacritic，\"oracursedChinaman？\"
\"Andifit’sofmetal，itwillweighaton！Howarewegoingtogetituphere？\"saidanother。
ButhereMr。Triggwasonsureground。\"I’veordereditcastholler，and，ifnecessary，intwosections，\"hereturnedtriumphantly。\"Achildcouldtoteitroundandsetitup。\"
ItsarrivalwasthereforelookedforwardtowithgreatexpectancywhenthehotelwasfinishedandoccupiedbythecombinedExcelsiorcompanies。ItwastocomefromNewYorkviaSanFrancisco，where，however，therewassomedelayinitstransshipment，andstillfurtherdelayatSacramento。Itfinallyreachedthesettlementoverthenewwagonroad，andwasamongthefirstfreightcarriedtherebythenewexpresscompany，anddeliveredintothenewexpressoffice。Thebox——apacking-case，nearlythreefeetsquarebyfivefeetlong——boresuperficialmarksoftravelandmisdirection，inasmuchastheoriginaladdresswasquiteobliteratedandtheoutsidelidcoveredwithcorrectedlabels。Itwascarriedtoaprivatesitting-roominthehotel，whereitsbeautywastobefirstdisclosedtothepresidentoftheunitedcompanies，threeofthecommittee，andtheexcitedandtriumphantpurchaser。Alessfavoredcrowdofmembersandworkmengatheredcuriouslyoutsidetheroom。Thenthelidwascarefullyremoved，revealingaquantityofshavingsandpackingpaperwhichstillhidtheoutlinesofthegoddess。Whenthiswaspromptlyliftedastareofblankastonishmentfixedthefacesoftheparty！Itwassucceededbyaquick，hystericlaugh，andthenadeadsilence。
Beforethemlayadressmaker’sdummy，thewireandpaddedmodelonwhichdressesarefittedandshown。Withitsarmlessandheadlessbust，abruptlyendinginahoopedwireskirt，itcompletelyfilledthesidesofthebox。
\"Shutthedoor，\"saidthepresidentpromptly。
Theorderwasobeyed。Thesinglehystericshriekoflaughterhadbeenfollowedbyadeadly，ironicalsilence。Thepresident，withsupernaturalgravity，lifteditoutandsetituponitssmall，round，disk-likepedestal。
\"It’ssomecussedfoolblunderofthatconfoundedexpresscompany，\"
burstouttheunluckypurchaser。Buttherewasnoechotohisoutburst。Helookedaroundwithatimid，tentativesmile。Butnoothersmilefollowedhis。
\"Itlooks，\"saidthepresident，withportentousgravity，\"likethebeginningsofafinewoman，thatMIGHTshowup，ifyougavehertime，intoafirst-classgoddess。Ofcoursesheain’tallhere；
otherboxeswithsectionsofher，Ireckon，areunderwayfromherfactory，andwillmeanderalonginthecourseoftheyear。
Considerin’thisasasample——Ithink，gentlemen，\"headded，withgloomyprecision，\"wearepreparedtoacceptit，andsignifywe’lltakemore。\"
\"Itain’t，perhaps，exactlytheideethatwe’vebeenledtoexpectfrompreviousdescription，\"saidDickFlint，withdeeperseriousness；\"forinstance，thisyerbranchofthornsweheardofezbein’heldbehindheriswantin’，asisthearmsthatheldit；
buteveniftheyhadarrived，anybodycouldseethethornsthroughthemwires，andsogivethehullshowaway。\"
\"Jamitintoitsboxagain，andwe’llsenditbacktotheconfoundedexpresscompanywithacussin’letter，\"againthunderedthewretchedpurchaser。
\"No，sonny，\"saidthepresidentwithgentlebutgloomydetermination，\"we’llfastenontothislittleshowjestasitis，andseewhatfollows。Itain’teverydaythatafirst-classselllikethisisworkedoffonusACCIDENTALLY。\"
Itwasquitetrue！Thesettlementhadlongsinceexhaustedeverypossibleformofpracticaljoking，andlanguishedforanewsensation。Andhereitwas！Itwasnotathingtobetreatedangrily，norlightly，nordismissedwiththatsinglehystericlaugh。Itwascapableofthegreatestpossibilities！Indeed，asWashingtonTrigglookedaroundontheimperturbablyironicalfacesofhiscompanions，heknewthattheyfeltmoretruejoyovertheblunderthantheywouldinthepossessionoftherealstatue。Butanexclamationfromthefifthmember，whowasexaminingthebox，arrestedtheirattention。
\"There’ssuthin’elsehere！\"
Hehadfoundundertheheavierwrappingalayeroftissue-paper，andunderthatafurtherenvelopeoflinen，lightlystitchedtogether。Aknifebladequicklyseparatedthestitches，andthelinenwascarefullyunfolded。Itdisplayedabeautifullytrimmedeveningdressofpalebluesatin，withadressing-gownofsomeexquisitewhitefabricarmedwithlace。Themengazedatitinsilence，andthentheonesingleexpressionbrokefromtheirlips，——
\"Herduds！\"
\"Stop，boys，\"said\"Clint\"Grey，asamovementwasmadetoliftthedresstowardsthemodel，\"leavethattoamanwhoknows。What’stheuseofmyhavingleftfivegrown-upsistersintheStatesifI
haven’tbroughtalittleexperienceawaywithme？Thissortofthingain’ttobe’pulledon’liketrousers。No，sir！——THISisthewayshe’sworked。\"
Withconsiderabledexterity，unexpectedgentleness，andsometaste，heshookoutthefoldsoftheskirtdelicatelyandlifteditoverthedummy，settlingitskillfullyuponthewirehoops，anddrawingthebodiceoverthepaddedshoulders。Thishethenproceededtofastenwithhooksandeyes，——aworkofsomepatience。Fortyeagerfingersstretchedouttoassisthim，butwerewavedaside，withalookofpaineddecorumashegravelycompletedhistask。Thenfallingback，hebadetheothersdothesame，andtheyformedacontemplativesemicirclebeforethefigure。
Uptothatmomentadelightedbutunsmilingconsciousnessoftheirownabsurdities，akeensenseofthehumorouspossibilitiesoftheoriginalblunder，andamischievousrecognitionofthemortificationofTrigg——whoseonlysafetynowlayinacceptingthemistakeinthesamespirit——haddeterminedthesegrown-upschoolboystoartfullyprotractajokethatseemedtobeprovidentiallydeliveredintotheirhands。ButNOWanoddchangecreptonthem。ThelightfromtheopenwindowthatgaveupontheenormouspinesandtherollingprospectuptothedimheightsoftheSierrasfelluponthisstrange，incongruous，yetperfectlyartisticfigure。ForthedresswastheskillfulcreationofagreatParisianartist，andinitsexquisiteharmonyofcolor，shape，andmaterialitnotonlyhidtheabsurdmodel，butclotheditwithanalarminggraceandrefinement！Aqueerfeelingofawe，ofshame，andofunwillingadmirationtookpossessionofthem。
Someofthem——fromremoteWesterntowns——hadneverseenthelikebefore；thosewhoHADhadforgottenitinthosefiveyearsofself-
exile，ofhealthyindependence，andofcontiguitytoNatureinherunaffectedsimplicity。Allhadbeenfamiliarwiththegarish，extravagant，anddazzlingfemininityoftheCaliforniantownsandcities，butneverhadtheyknownanythingapproachingtheidealgraceofthistypeofexalted，evenifartificial，womanhood。Andalthoughinthefiercefreedomoftheirlittlerepublictheyhadlaughedtoscornsuchartificiality，afewyardsofsatinandlacecunninglyfashioned，andthrownoveraframeofwoodandwire，touchedthemnowwithastrangesenseofitssuperiority。Thebettertoshowitsattractions，ClintonGreyhadplacedthefigurenearafull-length，gold-framedmirror，besideamarble-toppedtable。Yethowcheapandtawdrythesesplendorsshowedbesidethisworkofart！Howcruelwasthecontrastoftheirownroughworkingclothestothismiracleofadornmentwhichthatsamemirrorreflected！AndevenwhenClintonGrey，theenthusiast，lookedtowardshisbelovedwoodsforrelief，hecouldnothelpthinkingofthemasamorefittingframeforthisstrangegoddessthanthisnewhouseintowhichshehadstrayed。Theirgravitybecamereal；theirgibesinsomestrangewayhadvanished。
\"Musthavecostapileofmoney，\"saidone，merelytobreakanembarrassingsilence。
\"MysisterhadafriendwhobroughtoveradressfromParis，notashigh-tonedasthat，thatcostfivehundreddollars，\"saidClintonGrey。
\"Howmuchdidyousaythatspirit-cladoldhagofyourscost——
thornsandall？\"saidthepresident，turningsharplyonTrigg。
Triggswallowedthisdepreciationofhisownpurchasemeekly。
\"Sevenhundredandfiftydollars，withouttheexpresscharges。\"
\"That’sonlytwo-fiftymore，\"saidthepresidentthoughtfully，\"ifwecallitquits。\"
\"But，\"saidTrigginalarm，\"wemustsenditback。\"
\"Notmuch，sonny，\"saidthepresidentpromptly。\"We’llhangontothisuntilwehearwherethatthornyoldchumpofyourshasfetchedupandisactin’herconundrums，andmebbewecanswapeven。\"
\"Buthowwillweexplainittotheboys？\"queriedTrigg。\"They’rewaitin’outsidetoseeit。\"
\"ThereWON’Tbeanyexplanation，\"saidthepresident，inthesametoneofvoiceinwhichhehadorderedthedoorshut。\"We’lljustsaythatthestatuehasn’tcome，whichisthefrozentruth；andthisboxonlycontainedsomesilkcurtaindecorationswe’dordered，whichisonlyhalfalie。And，\"stillmorefirmly，\"THISSECRET
DOESN’TGOOUTOFTHISROOM，GENTLEMEN——orIain’tyourpresident！
I’mnotgoingtoletyougiveyourselvesawaytothatcrowdoutside——youhearme？Haveyoueverallowedyourunfetteredintellecttoconsiderwhatthey’dsayaboutthis，——whatagodsenditwouldbetoeverymanwe’deverhada’pull’oninthiscamp？
Why，itwouldlast’emawholeyear；we’dneverheartheendofit！
No，gentlemen！Iprefertoliveherewithoutshootin’myfellowman，butIcan’tpromiseitiftheyoncestartthisjokeaginus！\"
Therewasaswiftapprovalofthissentiment，andthefivemembersshookhandssolemnly。
\"Now，\"saidthepresident，\"we’lljustfoldupthatdressagain，andputitwiththefigureinthiscloset\"——heopenedalargedressing-chestinthesuiteofroomsinwhichtheystood——\"andwe’lleachkeepakey。We’llretainthisroomforcommitteepurposes，sothatnooneneedseethecloset。See？Nowtakeoffthedress！Becarefulthere！You’renothandlin’paydirt，thoughit’saboutasexpensive！Steady！\"
Yetitwaswonderfultoseethesolicitudeandcarewithwhichthedresswasre-coveredandfoldedinitslinenwrapper。
\"Holdon，\"exclaimedTrigg，——asthedummywasliftedintothechest，——\"wehaven’ttriedontheotherdress！\"
\"Yes！yes！\"repeatedtheotherseagerly；\"there’sanother！\"
\"We’llkeepthatfornextcommitteemeeting，gentlemen，\"saidthepresidentdecisively。\"Lockherup，Trigg。\"
ThethreefollowingmonthswroughtawonderfulchangeinExcelsior，——wonderfuleveninthatlandofrapidgrowthandprogress。Theirorganizedandmaturedplans，executedbyafullforceofworkmenfromthecountytown，completedthetwentycottagesforthemembers，thebank，andthetownhall。VisitorsandintendingsettlersflockedoverthenewwagonroadtoseethisnewUtopia，whosefounders，holdingthelandanditsimprovementsasacorporatecompany，exercisedtherightofdictatingthetermsonwhichsettlerswereadmitted。Thefeminineinvasionwasnotyetpotentenoughtoaffecttheirconsideration，eitherthroughanyrefinementorattractiveness，beingcomposedchieflyoftheindustriouswivesanddaughtersofsmalltradersortemporaryartisans。YetitwasfoundnecessarytoconfidethehoteltothemanagementofMr。DexterMarsh，hiswife，andoneintelligentbutsomewhatplaindaughter，wholookedaftertheaccounts。Therewereoccasionalladyvisitorsatthehotel，attractedfromtheneighboringtownsandsettlementsbyitspicturesquenessandavaguesuggestivenessofitsbeingawatering-place——andtherewastheoccasionalflashinthedecorousstreetofaSacramentoorSanFranciscogown。ItisneedlesstosaythattothefivemenwhoheldtheguiltysecretofCommitteeRoomNo。4itonlystrengthenedtheirbeliefinthesuper-eleganceoftheirhiddentreasure。Attheirlastmeetingtheyhadfittedtheseconddress——whichturnedouttobeavaporysummerhouse-frockormorningwrapper——overthedummy，andopinionsweredividedastoitsequalitywiththefirst。
However，thesamesubtleharmonyofdetailandgraceofproportioncharacterizedit。
\"Andyousee，\"saidClintGrey，\"it’sjestthesorto’riginwhichamanwouldbemostlikelytoknowher——andnotinherwar-paint，whichwouldbeonlynowandthen。\"
Already\"SHE\"hadbecomeanindividuality！
\"Hush！\"saidthepresident。Hehadturnedtowardsthedoor，atwhichsomeonewasknockinglightly。
\"Comein。\"
ThedooropeneduponMissMarsh，secretaryandhotelassistant。
Shehadabusinessaspect，andanopenletterinherhand，buthesitatedattheevidentconfusionshehadoccasioned。Twoofthegentlemenhadabsolutelyblushed，andtheothersregardedherwithinanesmilesoraffectedseriousness。Theyallcoughedslightly。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"shesaid，notungracefully，aslightcolorcomingintohersallowcheek，which，inconjunctionwiththegoldeye-glasses，gaveher，atleastintheeyesoftheimpressibleClint，acertainpiquancy。\"ButmyfathersaidyouwerehereincommitteeandImightconsultyou。Icancomeagain，ifyouarebusy。\"
Shehadaddressedthepresident，partlyfromhisoffice，hiscomparativelyextremeage——hemusthavebeenatleastthirty！——andpossiblyforhisextremergoodlooks。Hesaidhurriedly，\"It’sjustaninformalmeeting；\"andthen，morepolitely，\"Whatcanwedoforyou？\"
\"Wehaveanapplicationforasuiteofroomsnextweek，\"shesaid，referringtotheletter，\"andasweshallberatherfull，fatherthoughtyougentlemenmightbewillingtotakeanotherlargerroomforyourmeetings，andgiveupthese，whicharepartofasuite——
andperhapsnotexactlysuitable\"——
\"Quiteimpossible！\"\"Quiteso！\"\"Reallyoutofthequestion，\"
saidthemembers，inarapidchorus。
Theyounggirlwasevidentlytakenabackatthisunanimityofopposition。Shestaredatthemcuriously，andthenglancedaroundtheroom。\"We’requitecomfortablehere，\"saidthepresidentexplanatorily，\"and——infact——it’sjustwhatwewant。\"
\"Wecouldgiveyouaclosetlikethatwhichyoucouldlockup，andamirror，\"shesuggested，withthefaintesttraceofasmile。
\"Tellyourfather，MissMarsh，\"saidthepresident，withdignifiedpoliteness，\"thatwhilewecannotsubmittoanychange，wefullyappreciatehisbusinessforesight，andarequitepreparedtoseethatthehotelisproperlycompensatedforourretainingtheserooms。\"Astheyounggirlwithdrewwithapuzzledcurtsyheclosedthedoor，placedhisbackagainstit，andsaid，——
\"Whatthedeucedidshemeanbyspeakingofthatcloset？\"
\"Reckonsheallowedwekeptsomefancydrinksinthere，\"saidTrigg；\"andcalkilatedthatwewantedthemarblestandandmirrortoputourglassesonandmakeitlooklikeaswellprivatebar，that’sall！\"
\"Humph，\"saidthepresident。
Theirnextmeeting，however，wasahurriedone，andasthepresidentarrivedlate，whenthedoorclosedsmartlybehindhimhewasmetbytheworriedfacesofhiscolleagues。
\"Here’sago！\"saidTriggexcitedly，producingafoldedpaper。
\"Thegame’sup，thehullshowisbusted；thatcussedoldstatue——
thereg’laroldhagherself——isonherwayhere！There’sabillo’
ladingandtheexpresscompany’sletter，andshe’llbetrundleddownherebyexpressatanymoment。\"
\"Well？\"saidthepresidentquietly。
\"Well！\"repliedthemembersaghast。\"Doyouknowwhatthatmeans？\"
\"Thatwemustrigherupinthehallonapedestal，aswereckonedtodo，\"returnedthepresidentcoolly。
\"Butyoudon’tsabe，\"saidClintonGrey；\"that’sallverywellastothehag，butnowwemustgiveHERup，\"withanadoringglancetowardsthecloset。
\"Doesthelettersayso？\"
\"No，\"saidTrigghesitatingly，\"no！ButIreckonwecan’tkeepBOTH。\"
\"Whynot？\"saidthepresidentimperturbably，\"ifwepaidfor’em？\"
Asthemenonlystaredinreplyhecondescendedtoexplain。
\"Lookhere！Icalculatedalltheserisksafterourlastmeeting。
Whileyouboyswerejustfussin’round，doin’nothing，Iwrotetotheexpresscompanythataboxofwomen’sdamageddudshadarrivedhere，whilewewerelookingforourstatue；thatyouchapsweresoriledatbein’soldbythemthatyoudumpedthewholeblamedthinginthecreek。ButIadded，ifthey’dletmeknowwhatthedamagewas，I’dsend’emadrafttocoverit。Afteraspellofwaitin’
theysaidthey’dcallitsquarefortwohundreddollars，consideringourdisappointment。AndIsentthedraft。That’sspurredthemuptogetoverourstatue，Ireckon。And，nowthatit’scoming，itwillsetusrightwiththeboys。\"
\"AndSHE，\"saidClintonGreyagain，pointingtothelockedchest，\"belongstous？\"
\"Untilwecanfindsomeladyguestthatwilltakeherwiththerooms，\"returnedthepresident，alittlecynically。
Butthearrivaloftherealstatueanditserectioninthehotelvestibulecreatedanewsensation。ThemembersoftheExcelsiorCompanywereloudinitspraisesexcepttheexecutivecommittee，whosecoolnesswaslookeduponbytheothersasanaffectationofsuperiority。Itawakenedthecriticismandjealousyofthenearesttown。
\"Wehear，\"saidthe\"RedDogAdvertiser，\"\"thatthelong-promisedstatuehasbeenputupinthathigh-tonedHashDispensarytheycallahotelatExcelsior。Itrepresentsanemaciatedsquawinascantyblanketgatheringroots，andcarryingabitofthorn-bushkindlingsbehindher。Thehigh-toned，closecorporationofExcelsiormayconsiderthisafairallegoryofCalifornia；WEshouldsayitlooksmightylikeapropheticforecastofahardwinteronSycamoreCreekandscarcityofprovisions。However，itisn’tourfuneral，thoughit’sratherdepressingtothecasualvisitoronhiswaytodinner。
Foralongtimethisworkofartwasmissingandsupposedtobelost，butbybeingsternlyandpersistentlyrejectedateveryexpressofficeontheroute，itwasatlasttakeninatExcelsior。\"
Therewassomecriticismnearerhome。
\"Whatdoyouthinkofit，MissMarsh？\"saidthepresidentpolitelytothatactiveyoungsecretary，ashestoodbeforeitinthehall。
Theyoungwomanadjustedhereye-glassesoverheraquilinenose。
\"Asanideaorawoman，sir？\"
\"Asawoman，madam，\"saidthepresident，lettinghisbrowneyesslipforamomentfromMissMarsh’scorn-coloredcrestoverherstraightbutscantfiguredowntohersmartslippers。
\"Well，sir，shecouldwearYOURboots，andthereisn’tacorsetinSacramentowouldgoroundher。\"
\"Thankyou！\"hereturnedgravely，andmovedaway。Foramomentawildideaofsecuringpossessionofthefiguresomedarknight，and，incompanywithhisfellow-conspirators，oftryingthosebeautifulclothesuponher，passedthroughhismind，buthedismissedit。Andthenoccurredastrangeincident，whichstartledevenhiscool，Americansanity。
Itwasabeautifulmoonlightnight，andhewasreturningtoabedroomatthehotelwhichhetemporarilyoccupiedduringthepaintingofhishouse。Itwasquitelate，hehavingspenttheeveningwithaSanFranciscofriendafterabusinessconferencewhichassuredhimoftheremarkableprosperityofExcelsior。Itwasthereforewithsomehumanexaltationthathelookedaroundthesleepingsettlementwhichhadsprungupunderthemagicwandoftheirgoodfortune。Thefullmoonhadidealizedtheiryouthfuldesignswithsomethingoftheirownyouthfulcoloring，graciouslysofteningthegarishfreshnessofpaintandplaster，hidingwithdiscreetobscuritythedisruptedbanksandbrokenwoodsatthebeginningandendoftheirbroadavenues，pavingtheroughriverterracewithtessellatedshadows，andeventouchingtherapidstreamwhichwasthesourceoftheirwealthwithaPactoleanglitter。
Thewindowsofthehotelbeforehim，darkenedwithin，flashedinthemoonbeamslikethecasementsofAladdin’spalace。Mingledwithhisambition，to-night，weresomesofterfancies，rarelyindulgedbyhiminhisforecastofthefutureofExcelsior——adreamofsomefairpartnerinhislife，afterthistaskwasaccomplished，yetalwaysofsomeonemovinginalargerworldthanhisyouthhadknown。Rousingthehalfsleepingporter，hefound，however，onlythespectralgold-seekerinthevestibule，——theraysofhissolitarycandlefallinguponherdivining-rodwithaquaintpersistencythatseemedtopointtothestairshewasascending。
Whenhereachedthefirstlandingtherisingwindthroughanopenwindowputouthislight，but，althoughthestaircasewasindarkness，hecouldseethelongcorridoraboveilluminatedbythemoonlightthroughoutitswholelength。Hehadnearlyreacheditwhentheslowbutunmistakablerustleofadressinthedistancecaughthisear。Hepaused，notonlyintheinterestofdelicacy，butwithasuddennervousthrillhecouldnotaccountfor。Therustlecamenearer——hecouldhearthedistinctfrou-frouofsatin；
andthen，tohisbewilderedeyes，whatseemedtobethefigureofthedummy，arrayedinthepaleblueeveningdressheknewsowell，passedgracefullyandmajesticallydownthecorridor。Hecouldseetheshapelyfoldsoftheskirt，thesymmetryofthebodice，eventheharmonyofthetrimmings。Heraisedhiseyes，halfaffrightedly，preparedtoseetheheadlessshoulders，butthey——andwhatseemedtobeahead——wereconcealedinafloating\"cloud\"ornubiaofsomefleecytissue，asifforprotectionfromtheeveningair。Heremainedforaninstantmotionless，dazedbythisapparentmotionofaninanimatefigure；butastheabsurdityoftheideastruckhimhehurriedlybutstealthilyascendedtheremainingstairs，resolvedtofollowit。Buthewasonlyintimetoseeitturnintotheangleofanothercorridor，which，whenhehadreachedit，wasempty。Thefigurehadvanished！
Hisfirstthoughtwastogotothecommitteeroomandexaminethelockedcloset。Butthekeywasinhisdeskathome，hehadnolight，andtheroomwasontheothersideofthehouse。Besides，hereflectedthateventhedetectionofthefigurewouldinvolvetheexposureoftheverysecrettheyhadkeptintactsolong。Hesoughthisbedroom，andwentquietlytobed。Butnottosleep；acuriositymorepotentthananysenseofthetrespassdonehimkepthimtossinghalfthenight。Whowasthiswomanwhomtheclothesfittedsowell？Hereviewedinhismindtheguestsinthehouse，butheknewnonewhocouldhavecarriedoffthismasqueradesobravely。
Inthemorningearlyhemadehiswaytothecommitteeroom，butasheapproachedwasstartledtoobservetwopairsofboots，aman’sandawoman’s，conjugallyplacedbeforeitsdoor。Nowthoroughlyindignant，hehurriedtotheoffice，andwasconfrontedbythefaceofthefairsecretary。Shecoloredquicklyonseeinghim——butthereasonwasobvious。
\"Youarecomingtoscoldme，sir！Butitisnotmyfault。WewerefullyesterdayafternoonwhenyourfriendfromSanFranciscocameherewithhiswife。WetoldhimthosewereYOURrooms，buthesaidhewouldmakeitrightwithyou——andmyfatherthoughtyouwouldnotbedispleasedforonce。Everythingofyourswasputintoanotherroom，andtheclosetremainslockedasyouleftit。\"
Amazedandbewildered，thepresidentcouldonlymutteravagueapologyandturnaway。Hadhisfriend’swifeopenedthedoorwithanotherkeyinsomefitofcuriosityanddisportedherselfinthoseclothes？Ifso，sheDAREnotspeakofherdiscovery。
Anintroductiontotheladyatbreakfastdispelledthisfainthope。
Shewasaplumpwoman，whosegenerousproportionscouldhardlyhavebeenconfinedinthatpalebluebodice；shewasfrankandcommunicative，withnosuggestionofmischievousconcealment。
Nevertheless，hemadeafirmresolution。Assoonashisfriendslefthecalledameetingofthecommittee。Hebrieflyinformedthemoftheaccidentaloccupationoftheroom，butforcertainreasonsofhisownsaidnothingofhisghostlyexperience。Butheputittothemplainlythatnomorerisksmustberun，andthatheshouldremovethedressesanddummytohisownhouse。Tohisconsiderablesurprisethissuggestionwasreceivedwithgraveapprovalandacertainstrangerelief。
\"Wekinderthoughtofsuggestingittoyoubefore，\"saidMr。Triggslowly，\"andthatmebbewe’veplayedthislittlegamelongenough——
forsuthin’shappenedthat’smakin’itanythingbutfunny。We’dhavetoldyoubefore，butwedassent！Speakout，Clint，andtellthepresidentwhatwesawtheothernight，anddon’tmincematters。\"
Thepresidentglancedquicklyandwarninglyaroundhim。\"I
thought，\"hesaidsternly，\"thatwe’ddroppedallfooling。It’snotimeforpracticaljokingnow！\"
\"HonestInjun——it’sgospeltruth！Speakup，Clint！\"
Thepresidentlookedontheseriousfacesaroundhim，andwashimselfslightlyawed。
\"It’samatteroftwoorthreenightsago，\"saidGreyslowly，\"thatTriggandIwerepassingthroughSycamoreWoods，justbelowthehotel。Itwasaftertwelve——brightmoonlight，sothatwecouldseeeverythingasplainasday，andweweredeadsober。JustaswepassedunderthesycamoresTrigggrabsmyarm，andsays，’Hi！’I
lookedup，andthere，nottenyardsaway，standingdeadinthemoonlight，wasthatdummy！Shewasallinwhite——thatdresswiththefairyfrills，youknow——andhad，what’smore，AHEAD！Atleast，somethingwhiteallwrappedaroundit，andoverhershoulders。Atfirstwethoughtyouorsomeoftheboyshaddressedherupandliftedheroutthereforajoke，andlefthertofrightenus！Sowestartedforward，andthen——it’sthegospeltruth！——sheMOVEDAWAY，glidinglikethemoonbeams，andvanishedamongthetrees！\"
\"Didyouseeherface？\"askedthepresident。
\"No；youbet！Ididn’ttryto——itwouldhavehauntedmeforever。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"This——ImeanitwasthatGIRLTHEBOXBELONGEDTO！She’sdeadsomewhere——asyou’llfindoutsoonerorlater——ANDHASCOMEBACK
FORHERCLOTHES！I’veoftenheardofsuchthingsbefore。\"
Despitehiscoolness，atthiscorroborationofhisownexperience，andimpressedbyGrey’sunmistakableawe，athrillwentthroughthepresident。Foraninstanthewassilent。
\"Thatwilldo，boys，\"hesaidfinally。\"It’saqueerstory；butremember，it’sallthemorereasonnowforourkeepingoursecret。
Asforthosethings，I’llremovethemquietlyandatonce。\"
Buthedidnot。
Onthecontrary，prolonginghisstayatthehotelwithplausiblereasons，hemanagedtofrequentlyvisitthecommitteeroomoritsvicinity，atdifferentandunsuspectedhoursofthedayandnight。
Morethanthat，hefoundopportunitiestovisittheoffice，andunderpretextsofbusinessconnectedwiththeeconomyofthehotelmanagement，informedhimselfthroughMissMarshonmanypoints。A
fewofthesedetailsnaturallyhappenedtorefertoherself，herprospects，hertastes，andeducation。Helearnedincidentally，whathehadpartlyknown，thatherfatherhadbeeninbettercircumstances，andthatshehadbeengentlynurtured——thoughofthisshemadelittleaccountinherprideinherownindependenceanddevotiontoherduties。Butinhisownpersistentwayhealsomadeprivatenotesofthebreadthofhershoulders，thesizeofherwaist，herheight，lengthofherskirt，hermovementsinwalking，andotherapparentlyextraneouscircumstances。Itwasnaturalthatheacquiredsomesupplementalfacts，——thathereyes，underhereye-
glasses，wereatendergray，andtouchedwiththemelancholybeautyofnear-sightedness；thatherfacehadasensitivemobilitybeyondthemerecharmofcolor，andlikemostpeoplelackingthisprimitiveandstrikingelementofbeauty，whatwasreallyfineaboutherescapedthefirstsight。As，forinstance，itwasonlybybendingovertoexamineheraccountsthathefoundthatherindistinctivehairwasasdelicateasflosssilkandaselectrical。
Itwasonlybyfindingherrompingwiththechildrenofaguestoneeveningthathewasstartledbytheappallingfactofheryouth！
Butaboutthistimeheleftthehotelandreturnedtohishouse。
OnthefirstyearlyanniversaryofthegreatstrikeatExcelsiorthereweresomechangesinthesettlement，notablythepromotionofMr。Marshtoamoreimportantpositioninthecompany，andtheinstallationofMissCassieMarshasmanageressofthehotel。AsMissMarshreadtheofficialletter，signedbythepresident，conveyingincomplimentarybutformaltermsthistestimonyoftheirapprovalandconfidence，herliptrembledslightly，andateartricklingfromherlightlashesdimmedhereye-glasses，sothatshewasfaintogouptoherroomtorecoverherselfalone。Whenshedidsoshewasstartledtofindawiredummystandingnearthedoor，andneatlyfoldeduponthebedtwoelegantdresses。Anoteinthepresident’sownhandlaybesidethem。Aswiftblushstunghercheekassheread，——
DEARMISSMARSH，——Willyoumakemehappybykeepingthesecretthatnootherwomanbutyourselfknows，andbyacceptingtheclothesthatnootherwomanbutyourselfcanwear？
Thenextmoment，withthedressesoverherarmandtheridiculousdummyswingingbyitswiresfromherotherhand，shewasflyingdownthestaircasetoCommitteeRoomNo。4。Thedooropeneduponitssoleoccupant，thepresident。
\"Oh，sir，howcruelofyou！\"shegasped。\"Itwasonlyajokeofmine……Ialwaysintendedtotellyou……Itwasveryfoolish，butitseemedsofunny……Yousee，Ithoughtitwas……thedressyouhadboughtforyourfutureintended——someyoungladyyouweregoingtomarry！\"
\"Itis！\"saidthepresidentquietly，andheclosedthedoorbehindher。
Anditwas。