\"Oh，thatwasprobablybychance。\"
\"No，suh！\"shecried，vehemently。\"An’demgelmunwouldn’playt’-night，noway；mos’on`emgoin’widyouto-morreran’deysayin’goodbytode’rfolksdisevenin’，notgamblin’！MizTanberry’llbeinastateermineontelshehyuhf’umme，an’Igoin’hurryback。Youwon’comedah，suh？
Ikintellherdatyousayyousutneyain’comin’nighourneighborhooddisnight？\"
\"Ihadnotdreamedofcoming，tellher，please。ProbablyIshallnotgooutatallthisevening。Butitwaskindofyoutocome。Good-night。\"
Hestoodwithacandletolightherdownthestairs，butaftershehadgonehedidnotreturntotheoffice。Instead，hewentslowlyuptohisownroom，glancingfirstintoCrailey’s——thedoorsofneitherwereoftenlocked——tobeholdachaosofdisorderandunfinishedpacking。Inhisownchamberitonlyremainedforhimtoclosethelidsofafewbigboxes，andtopackasmalltrunkwhichhemeanttotakewithhimtothecampoftheStatetroops，andhewouldbereadyfordeparture。Hesetaboutthistask，arid，concludingthattherewasnonecessitytowearhisuniformonthesteamboat，decidedtoplaceitinthetrunk，andwenttothebedwherehehadfoldedandleftit。Itwasnotthere。Nordidathoroughsearchrevealitanywhereintheroom。Yetnoonecouldhavestolenit，forwhenhehadgonedowntotheofficeCraileyhadremainedonthisfloor。MamiehadcomewithinafewminutesafterCraileywentout，andduringhisconversationwithhertheoffice-doorhadbeenopen；noonecouldhavepassedwithoutbeingseen。Also，athiefwouldhavetakenotherthingsaswellastheuniform；andsurelyCraileymusthaveheard；Craileywould——
Crailey——！
ThenTomrememberedthefigureinthelongcloakandthemilitarycap，and，withasickheart，begantounderstand。HehadreadtheJournal，andheknewwhyCraileymightwishtomasqueradeinamajor’suniformthatnight。IfMissCarewereadittoo，andastrangewonderroseinhermind，thisandawordwouldconvinceher。Tomconsidereditimprobablethatthewonderwouldrise，forcircumstanceshadtoowellestablishedherinamistake，trivialandordinaryenoughatfirst，merelytheconfusingoftwonamesbyagirlnewtothetown，butsostrengthenedbyeveryconfirmationCrailey’switcouldcompassthatshewould，nodoubt，onlysetCummings’sparagraphasideasanewspapererror。Still，Craileyhadwishedtobeonthesafeside！
Tomsighedratherbitterly。Hewasconvincedthattheharlequinwouldcomehomesoon，replacetheuniform（whichwasprobablyextremelybecomingtohim，astheywereofaheightandfiguremuchthesame），andafterward，inhisordinarydress，wouldsallyforthtospendhislasteveningwithFanchon。TomwonderedhowCraileywouldfeelandwhathewouldthinkabouthimselfwhilehewaschanginghisclothes，butherememberedhispartner’sextraordinarypowersofmentaladjustment——andforthefirsttimeinhislifeVanrevelmadenoallowancefortheother’stemperament，andtherecametohimamomentwhenhefeltthathecouldalmostdislikeCraileyGrayAtallevents，hewouldgooutuntilCraileyhadcomeandleftagain，forhehadnodesiretobeholdthemasquerader’sreturn。Soheexchangedhisdressing-gownforacoat，fastenedhiscollar，andhadbeguntoarrangehiscravatatthemirror，when，suddenly，thevoiceoftheoldnegressseemedtosoundclosebesidehimintheroom\"He’ssettin’dah——waitin’！\"
Thecravatwasnevertied；Tom’shandsdropped，tohissidesashestartedbackfromthestaringfaceinthemirror。RobertCarewewaswaiting——andCrailey——AllatoncetherewasbutonevitalnecessityintheworldforTomVanrevel，thatwastofindCrailey；hemustgotoCrailey——eveninCarewe’sownhouse——hemustgotoCrailey！
Hedasheddownthestairsandintothestreet。Thepeopleweremakingagreatuproarinfrontofthehotel，explodingbombs，firingmusketsintheair，sendinguprockets；andrapidlycrossingtheoutskirtsofthecrowd，hepassedintoCareweStreet，unnoticed。Herethedetonationswerenotsodeafening，thoughthelittlesteamboatatthewharfwascontributingtotheconfusionwithallinherpower，screechingsimultaneouslyapprovalofthecelebrationandherlastsignalsofdeparture。
AtthefirstcornerTomhadnomorethanleftthesidewalkwhenhecamewithinafootofbeingriddendownbytwohorsemenwhorodeatsodes-
perateagallopthat（thesoundoftheirhoof-beatsbeinglostintheuproarfromMainStreet）theywereuponhimbeforehewasawareofthem。
Heleapedbackwithanangryshouttoknowwhotheywerethattheyrodesowildly。Atthesametimeasharpexplosionatthefootofthestreetsentaredflareoverthescene，aflash，gonewithsuchincredibleswiftnessintoreneweddarknessthathesawtheflyinghorsemenalmostasequestrianstatuesilluminedbyaflickeroflightning，buthesawthemwiththesamedistinctnessthatlightninggives，andrecognizedtheforemostasRobertCarewe。Andintheinstantofthatrecognition，TomknewwhathadhappenedtoCraileyGray，forhesawthetruthintheghastlyfaceofhisenemy。
Carewerodestiffly，likeamanfrozenuponhishorse，andhisfacewaslikethatofafrozenman；hiseyesglassyandnotfixeduponhiscourse，sothatitwasadeathlythingtosee。Once，longago，Tomhadseenamanridingforhislife，andheworethissamelook。TheanimalboundedandswervedunderVanrevel’senemyinthemadrushdownthestreet，buthesatrigid，boltuprightinthesaddle，hisfacesettothatlookofcoldness。
ThesecondriderwasoldNelson，whorodewithbodycrouchedforward，hiseyeballslikeshiningporcelainsetinebony，andhisarmlikeaflail，cruellylashinghisownhorseandhismaster’swithaheavywhip。\"Desteamboat！\"beshouted，hoarsely，bringingdownthelashononeandthenontheother。\"Desteamboat，desteamboat——fo’God’ssake，honey，desteamboat！\"
TheysweptintoMainStreet，Nelsonleaningfaracrosstotheother’sbridle，andturningbothhorsestowardtheriver，butbeforetheyhadmadethecorner，TomVanrevelwasrunningwithallthespeedthatwasinhimtowardhisenemy’shouse。Theoneblockbetweenhimandthatforbiddengroundseemedtohimmileslong，andhefeltthathewasrunningasamaninadream，and，atthehighestpitchofagonizedexertion，coveringnospace，butonlyworkingtheairinoneplace，likeatreadmill。Allthatwasinhismind，heart，andsoulwastoreachCrailey。HehadknownbytherevelationofCarewe’sfaceinwhatcasehewouldfindhisfriend；butasheranheputtheknowledgefromhimwithagreatshudder，andresolveduponincredulityinspiteofhiscertainty。Allhelethimselffeelwastheneedtorun，torununtilhefoundCrailey，whowassomewhereinthedarknessofthetreesaboutthelong，lowhouseonthecorner。Whenhereachedtheborderinghedge，hedidnotstayforgateorpath，but，withaloudshout，hurledhimselfhalfover，halfthrough，thehedge，likeaboltfromacatapult。
Lightsshonefromonlyoneroominthehouse，thelibrary；butasherantowardtheporchacandleflickeredinthehall，andtherecamethesoundofavoiceweepingwithterror。
Atthathecalledmoredesperatelyuponhisincredulitytoaidhim，forthevoicewasMrs。Tan-berry’s。Ifithadbeenanyotherthanshe，whosobbedsohopelessly——shewhowasalwayssteadyandstrong！Ifhecould，hewouldhavestoppedtopray，now，beforehefacedherandthetruth；buthisflyingfeetcarriedhimon。
\"Whoisit？\"shegasped，brokenly，fromthehall。\"Mamie？Haveyoubroughthim？\"
\"It’sI，\"hecried，asheplungedthroughthedoorway。\"It’sVanrevel。\"
Mrs。Tanberrysettheironcandlestickdownuponthetablewithacrash。
\"You’vecometoolate！\"shesobbed。\"Anothermanhastakenyourdeathonhimself。\"
Hereeledbackagainstthewall。\"Oh，God！\"hesaid。\"Oh，God，God，God！
Crailey！\"
\"Yes，\"sheanswered。\"It’sthepoorvagabondthatyoulovedsowell。\"
Togethertheyranthroughthehalltothelibrary。Craileywaslyingonthelongsofa，hiseyesclosed，hisheadlikeapieceofcarvenmarble，thegayuniform，inwhichhehadtrickedhimselfoutsogallantly，openatthethroat，andhiswhitelinenstainedwithafewlittlesplotchesofred。
BesidehimkneltMissBetty，holdingherlacehandkerchiefuponhisbreast；shewasaswhiteashe，andasmotionless；sothat，asshekneltthere，immovablebesidehim，herarmlikealabasteracrosshisbreast，theymighthavebeenasculptor’sgroup。Thehandkerchiefwasstainedalittle，likethelinen，andlikeit，too，stainedbutalittle。Nearby，onthefloor，stoodaflaskofbrandyandapitcherofwater。
\"You！\"MissBetty’sfaceshowednochange，norevenafaintsurprise，ashereyesfelluponTomVanrevel，butherlipssoundlesslyframedtheword。
\"You！\"
Tomflunghimselfonhiskneesbesideher。
\"Crailey！\"hecried，inasharpvoicethathadaterribleshakeinit。
\"Crailey！Crailey，Iwantyoutohearme！\"Hetookoneofthelimphandsinhisandbegantochafeit，whileMrs。Tanberrygraspedtheother。
\"There’sstillamovementinthepulse，\"shefaltered。……
\"Still！\"echoedTom，roughly。\"You’remad！YoumademethinkCraileywasdead！DoyouthinkCraileyGrayisgoingtodie？Hecouldn’t，Itellyou——hecouldn’t；youdon’tknowhim！Who’sgoneforthedoctor？\"Hedashedsomebrandyuponhishandkerchiefandsetittothewhitelips。
\"Mamie。Shewashereintheroomwithmewhenithappened。\"
\"`Happened’！`Happened’！\"hemockedher，furiously。\"`Happened’isabeautifulword！\"
\"Godforgiveme！\"sobbedMrs。Tanberry。\"Iwassittinginthelibrary，andMamiehadjustcomefromyou，whenweheardMr。Careweshoutfromthecupolaroom：`Standawayfrommydaughter，Vanrevel，andtakethislikeadog！’Onlythat；——andMamieandIrantothewindow，andwesawthroughtheduskamaninuniformleapbackfromMissBetty——theywereinthatlittleopenspacenearthehedge。Hecalledoutsomethingandwavedhishand，buttheshotcameatthesametime，andhefell。EventhenIwassure，inspiteofwhatMamiehadsaid，IwasassureasRobertCarewewas，thatitwasyou。Hecameandtookonelook——andsaw——andthenNelsonbroughtthehorsesandmadehimmountandgo。Mamieranforthedoctor，andBettyandIcarriedCraileyin。Itwashardwork。\"
MissBetty’shandhadfallenfromCrailey’sbreastwhereTom’stookitsplace。Sheroseunsteadilytoherfeetandpushedbackthehairfromherforehead，shiveringconvulsivelyasshelookeddownatthemotionlessfigureonthesofa。
\"Crailey！\"saidTom，inthesameangry，shakingvoice。\"Crailey，you’vegottorouseyourself！Thiswon’tdo；you’vegottobeaman！Crailey！\"
Hewastryingtoforcethebrandythroughthetightlyclenchedteeth。\"
Crailey！\"
\"Crailey！\"whisperedMissBetty，leaning。heavilyonthebackofachair。
\"Crailey？\"ShelookedatMrs。Tanberrywithvagueinterrogation，butMrs。
Tanberrydidnotunderstand。
\"Crailey！\"
ItwasthenthatCrailey’seyelidsflutteredandslowlyopened；andhiswanderingglance，dullatfirst，slowlygrewclearandtwinklingasitrestedontheashy，strickenfaceofhisbestfriend。
\"Tom，\"hesaid，feebly，\"itwasworththeprice，towearyourclothesjustonce！\"
Andthen，atlast，MissBettysawandunderstood。Fornotthehonestgentleman，whomeveryoneexceptRobertCareweheldinesteemandaf-
fection，notherfather’senemy，Vanrevel，laybeforeherwiththedeath-
woundinhisbreastforhersake，butthatother——CraileyGray，thene’er-
do-weelandlight-o’-love，CraileyGray，wit，poet，andscapegrace，thewell-belovedtownscamp。
Hesawthatsheknew，and，ashisbrighteningeyeswandereduptoher，hesmiledfaintly。\"Evenabaddoglikestohavehisday，\"hewhispered。
CHAPTERXIX
TheFlagGoesMarchingByWillCummingshadabandonedthepenforthesworduntilsuchtimeasSantaAnnashouldcryforquarter，andhadlefttheofficeinchargeofanimportedsubstitute；butlatethatnighthecametohisdeskoncemore，towritethestoryoftheaccidenttoCorporalGray；andthetalethathewrotehadbeenalreadyputintowritingbyTomVanrevelasitfellfromCrailey’slips，afterthedoctorhad，come，sothatnonemightdoubtit。
Noonediddoubtit。WhatreasonhadMr。CarewetoinjureCraileyGray？
OnlyfiveinRouenknewthetruth；forNelsonhadgonewithhismaster，and，exceptMamie，theotherservantsoftheCarewehouseholdhadbeenamongthecrowdinfrontoftheRouenHousewhentheshotwasfired。
Sothestorywentoverthetown：howCraileyhadcalledtosaygood-bytoMrs。Tanberry；howMr。Carewehappenedtobeexaminingthemuskethisfatherhadcarriedin1812，whentheweaponwasaccidentallydischarged，theballenteringCrailey’sbreast；howMr。Carewe，strickenwithremorseandhorroroverthisfrightfulmisfortune，andsufferingtoosevereanguishofmindtoremainuponthescene，ofthetragedywhichhiscarelessnesshadmade，hadfled，attendedbyhisservant；andhowtheyhadleapedaboardtheeveningboatasitwaspullingout，andwerenowontheirwaydowntheriver。
Andthiswasthestory，too，thatTomtoldFanchon；foritwashewhobroughthertoCrailey。ThroughthelongnightshekneltatCrailey’sside，hishandalwayspressedtoherbreastorcheek，hereyesalwaysupward，andherlipsmovingwithherprayers，notforCraileytobespared，butthattheFatherwouldtakegoodcareofhiminheaventillshecame。\"Ihadalreadygivenhimup，\"shesaidtoTom，meekly，inasmallvoice。\"Iknewitwastocome，andperhapsthiswayisbetterthanthat——
Ithoughtitwouldbefarawayfromme。NowIcanbewithhim，andperhapsIshallhavehimalittlelonger，forhewastohavegoneawaybeforenoon。\"
Themorningsunroseuponafairworld，gaywithbird-chatteringsfromthebigtreesoftheCareweplace，andpleasantwiththeodorsofMissBetty’sgarden，andCrailey，lyinguponthebedofthemanwhohadshothim，hearkenedandsmiledgood-bytothesummerheloved；and，whenthedaybroke，askedthatthebedbemovedsothathemightlieclosebythewindow。ItwasTomwhohadbornehimtothatroom。\"Ihavecarriedhimbeforethis，\"hesaid，wavingtheothersaside。
Notlongaftersunrise，whenthebedhadbeenmovednearthewindow，CraileybeggedFanchontobringhimaminiatureofhismotherwhichhehadgivenher，andurgedhertogoforitherself；hewantednohandsbutherstotouchit，hesaid。AndwhenshehadgoneheaskedtobeleftalonewithTom。
\"Givemeyourhand，Tom，\"hesaid，faintly。\"I’dliketokeepholdofitaminuteorso。Icouldn’thavesaidthatyesterday，couldI，withoutcausingusbothhorribleembarrassment？ButIfancyIcannow，becauseI’mdonefor。That’stoobad，isn’tit？I’mveryyoung，afterall。DoyourememberwhatpoorAndreCheniersaidashewentuptobeguillotined？——’Therewerethingsinthisheadofmine！’ButIwanttotellyouwhat’sbeenthematterwithme。Itwasjustmybeingabadsortofpoet。IsupposethatI’veneverlovedanyone；yetI’vecaredmoredeeplythanothermenforeverylovelythingIeversaw，andthere’ssolittlethathasn’tlovelinessinit。I’dbeashamednottohavecaredforthebeautyinallthewomenI’vemadeloveto——butaboutthisone——themostbeautifulofall——I————————\"
\"Shewillunderstand！\"saidTom，quickly。
\"Shewill——yes——she’swiseandgood。IfFanchonknew，therewouldn’tbeevenamemorylefttoher——andIdon’tthinkshe’dlive。Anddoyouknow，IbelieveI’vedoneafavorforMissBettyingettingmyselfshot；Carewewillnevercomeback。Tom，waseveraman’sknaverysoexactlythearchitectofhisowndestructionasmine？Andforwhatgain？Justtheexcitementofthecomedyfromdaytoday！——forshewassuretodespisemeassoonassheknew——andthedesiretohearhervoicesayanotherkindlythingtome——andtheeverlastingperhapsineverywoman，andthisonetheHeart’sDesireofalltheworld！Ah，well！Tellme——Iwanttohearitfromyou——howmanyhoursdoesthedoctorsay？\"
\"Hours，Crailey？\"Tom’shandtwitchedpitifullyintheother’sfeeblegrasp。
\"Iknowit’sonlyafew。\"
\"They’reallfools，doctors！\"exclaimedVanrevel，fiercely。
\"No，no。AndIknowthatnothingcanbedone。Youallseeit，andyouwantmetogoeasily——oryouwouldn’tletmehavemyownwaysomuch！Itfrightensme，Iownup，tothinkthatsosoonI’llbewiserthanthewisestintheworld。YetIalwayswantedtoknow。I’vesoughtandI’vesought——butnowtogooutaloneonthesearch——itmustbethesearch，fortheHolyGrail——I————\"
\"Pleasedon’ttalk，\"beggedTom，inabrokenwhisper。\"Formercy’ssake，lad。Itwearsonyouso。\"
Craileylaughedweakly。\"DoyouthinkIcoulddiepeacefullywithouttalkingagreatdeal？There’sonethingIwant，Tom。Iwanttoseeallofthemoncemore，alltheoldfriendsthataregoingdowntheriveratnoon。Whatharmcoulditdo？Iwantthemtocomebyhereontheirwaytotheboat，withthebandandthenewflag。ButIwantthebandtoplaycheerfully！Ask`emtoplay`RosintheBow，’willyou？I’veneverbe-
lievedinmournfulness，andIdon’twanttoseeanyofitnow。It’stherankestimpietyofall！Andbesides，Iwanttoseethemasthey’llbewhentheycomemarchinghome——theymustlookgay！\"
\"Ah，don’t，lad，don’t！\"Tomflungonearmabouttheother’sshoulderandCraileywassilent，butrestedhishandgentlyonhisfriend’shead。InthatattitudeFanchonfoundthemwhenshecame。
Thevolunteersgatheredatthecourt-housetwohoursbeforenoon。Theymeteachotherdismally，speakinginundertonesastheyformedinlinesoffour，whiletheirdispiritedfacesshowedthattheheartwasoutofthem。
Notsowiththecrowdsofcountryfolkandtownspeoplewholinedthestreetstoseethelastofthem。Forthese，whenthebandcamemarchingdownthestreetandtookitsplace，setuparoyalcheeringthatgrewlouderasJeffersonBareaud，thecolor-bearer，carriedtheflagtotheheadoftheprocession。Withtherecruitsmarchedtheveteransof1812
andtheIndianwars，theone-leggedcobblerstumpingalongbesideGeneralTrumble，wholookedverydejectedandold。Thelinesstoodinsilence，andrespondedtothecheeringbyquietlyremovingtheirhats；sothatthepeoplewhisperedthatitwasmorelikeanOddFellows’Sundayfuneralthanthedepartureofenthusiasticpatriotsfortheseatofwar。GeneralTrumble’swasnottheonlysadfaceintheranks；allweredowncastandnervous，eventhoseoftheladsfromthecountry，whohadnotknownthecomradetheyweretoleavebehind。
Jeffersonunfurledtheflag；Marshgavethewordofcommand，thebandbegantoplayaquick-step，andtheprocessionmovedforwarddownthecheeringlaneofpeople，whowavedlittleflagsandhandkerchiefsandthrewtheirhatsintheairastheyshouted。But，contrarytoexpectation，theparadewasnotdirectlyalongMainStreettotheriver。
\"Rightwheel！March！\"commandedTappingham，hoarsely，wavinghissword，andJeffersonledthewayintoCareweStreet。
\"ForGod’ssake，don’tcrynow！\"andTappingham，withalargedropstreakingdownhisowncheek，turnedsavagelyuponLieutenantCummings。
\"Thatisn’twhathewants。Hewantstoseeuslookingcheeryandsmiling。
Wecandoitforhimthisonce，Iguess！Ineversawhimanyotherway。\"
\"Youlookdamnsmilingyourself！\"snuffledWill。
\"Iwillwhenweturninatthegates，\"retortedhisCaptain。\"Onmysoul，IswearI’llkilleverysnifflingidiotthatdoesn’t！——Inline，there！\"bestormedferociouslyatabigrecruit。
ThelivelystrainsofthebandandtheshoutingofthepeoplegrewlouderandlouderintheroomwhereCraileylay。Hiseyesglistenedasheheard，andhesmiled，nottheoldsmileoftheworldlyprelate，butmerrily，likeachildwhenmusicisheard。Theroomwasdarkened，saveforthelightoftheonewindowwhichfellsoftlyuponhisheadandbreastanduponanotherfairheadclosetohis，whereFanchonknelt。IntheshadowsatoneendoftheroomwereMissBettyandMrs。TanberryandMrs。Bareaudandthewhite-
haireddoctorwhohadsaid，\"Lethimhavehisownwayinallheasks。\"
Tomstoodalone，closebytheheadofthecouch。
\"Hailtotheband！\"Craileychuckled，softly。\"Howtherogueskeepthetime！It’s`RosintheBow，’allright！Ah，thatisasitshouldbe。
Mrs。Tanberry，youandIhaveonethingincommon，ifyou’llletmeflattermyselfsofar：we’vealwaysbelievedingoodcheerinspiteofthedevilandall，youandI，eh？Thebestofthings，evenifthingsarebad，dearlady，eh？\"
\"Youdarlingvagabond！\"Mrs。Tanberrymurmured，tryingtosmilebacktohim。
\"Harkto`em！\"saidCrailey。\"They’reverynear！Onlyhearthepeoplecheerthem！They’ll`marchawaysogaily，’won’tthey？——andhowrightthatis！\"Thevanguardappearedinthestreet，andoverthehedgegleamedtheoncomingbanner，thefreshcolorsflyingoutonastrongbreeze。
Craileygreeteditwithabreathlesscry。\"There’stheflag——look，Fanchon，yourflag！——。wavingabovethehedge；andit’sJeffwhocarriesit。Doesn’titalwaysmakeyouwanttodance！Bravo，bravo！\"
Theprocessionhaltedforamomentinthestreetandthemusicceased。
Then，withajubilantflourishofbrassandtherollofdrums，thebandstruckup\"TheStarSpangledBanner，\"andJeffersonBareaudproudlyledthewaythroughthegatesanddownthedriveway，thebrightsilkstreamingoverhead。Behindhimbrisklymarchedthevolunteers，withheadserectandcheerfulfaces，astheyknewCorporalGraywishedtoseethem，theirCaptainflourishinghisswordintheair。
\"Heretheycome！Doyousee，Fanchon？\"criedCrailey，excitedly。\"Theyareallthere，JeffandTappingham，andthetwoMadrillonsandWill，thedearoldfellow——he’llneverwriteadecentparagraphaslongashelives，Godblesshim！——andyoungFrank——whatdeviltriesI’veledtheboyinto！——
andthere’stheoldGeneral，forgettingallthetiffswe’vehad。Godblessthemallandgrantthemallasafereturn！Whatoneartharetheytakingofftheirhatsfor？——Ah，good-by，boys，good-by！\"
Theysawthewhitefaceatthewindow，andtheslenderhandflutteringitsfarewell，andTappinghamhaltedhismen。
\"ThreetimesthreeforCorporalGray！\"heshouted，managing，somehow，tokeepthesmileuponhislips。\"Threetimesthree，andmayherejoinhiscompanybeforeweentertheMexicancapital！\"
Hebeatthetimeforthethunderouscheersthattheygave；theprocessiondescribedacircleonthelawn，andthen，withthebandplayingandcolorsflying，passedoutofthegatesandtookupthemarchtothewharf。
\"theflag，theflag！\"whisperedCrailey，followingitwithhiseyes。\"Itshowsthatyouhelpedmakeit，Fanchon，it’ssobeautiful。Ah，Tom，they’vesaidweabusedit，sometimes——itwasonlythatweloveditsowellwedidn’tliketoseeanyonemakeitlooksillyormean。But，afterall，nomancandothat——no，nornogroupofmen，norparty！Hisvoicegrewlouderasthelaststrainsofthemusiccamemorefaintlyfromthestreet。
\"They’lltakeyourbanneracrosstheRioGrande，Fanchon，butthatisnotall——somedayitsstarsmustspreadovertheworld！Don’tyouallseethattheywill？\"
Afteralittlewhile，heclosedhiseyeswithasigh；thedoctorbentoverhimquickly，andMissBettystartedforwardunconsciouslyandcriedout。
Butthebrighteyesopenedagainandfixedthemselvesuponherwithalltheirold，gayinscrutability。
\"Notyet，\"saidCrailey。\"MissCarewe，mayItellyouthatIamsorryI
couldnothaveknownyousooner？PerhapsyoumighthavelikedmeforFanchon’ssake——Iknowyoucareforher。\"
\"Ido——Ido！\"shefaltered。\"Iloveher，and——ah！——Idolikeyou，Mr。
Gray，forIknowyou，thoughInever——metyouuntil——lastnight。Godblessyou——Godblessyou！\"
Shewaveredamoment，likealilyinthewind，andputoutahandblindly。
\"Notyou！\"shesaidsharply，asTomVanrevelstartedtowardher。Mrs。
Tanberrycamequicklyandputanarmabouther，andtogethertheywentoutoftheroom。
\"Youmustbegoodtoher，Tom，\"saidCraileythen，inaverylowvoice。
\"I！\"answeredTom，gently。\"Therewasneverachanceofthat，lad。\"
\"Listen，\"whisperedCrailey。\"Leandown——no——closer。\"HecastaquickglanceatFanchon，kneelingattheothersideofthebed，hergoldenheadonthewhitecoverlet，heroutstretchedhandclutchinghis；andhespokesoclosetoTom’searandinsolowatonethatonlyTomcouldhear。\"Shenevercaredforme。Shefeltthatsheoughtto——butthatwasonlybecauseImasqueradedinyourhistory。ShewantedtotellmebeforeIwentawaythattherewasnochanceforme。Shewastellingmethat，whenhecalledfromthewindow。Itwasatthedance，thenightbefore，thatsheknew。I
thinktherehasbeensomeoneelsefromthefirst——Godsendit’syou！Didyouspeaktoherthatnightorshetoyou？\"
\"Ah，no，\"saidTomVanrevel。\"Alltheothers。\"
Mrs。TanberryandBettyandMr。Bareaudwaitedinthelibrary，thetwowomenhuddledtogetheronasofa，withtheirarmsroundeachother，andallthehousewasverystill。Byandby，theyheardaprolonged，far-awaycheeringandthesteamer’swhistle，andknewthattheboatwasoff。Halfanhourlater，WillCummingscamebackalone，enteredtheroomontip-toe，andsilentlysankintoachairnearMr。Bareaud，withhisfaceawayfromMissBetty。HewastoremaininRouenanotherweek，andjoinhisregimentwithTom。Noneofthethreeappearedtonoticehiscomingmorethandimly，andhesatwithhisfacebowedinhishands，anddidnotmove。
Thusperhapsanhourpassed，withonlyasoundoffootstepsonthegravelofthedriveway，nowandthen，andalowmurmurofvoicesintherearofthehousewherepeoplecametoaskafterCrailey；andwhenthedooroftheroomwherehelaywasopened，thefourwatchersstartedasataloudexplosion。ItwasMrs。Bareaudandtheolddoctor，andtheyclosedthedooragain，softly，andcameintotheothers。TheyhadleftCraileyalonewithFanchonandTomVanrevel，thetwowholovedhimbest。
ThewarmdaybeyondthewindowsbecamelikeSunday，novoicessoundedfromwithoutinthenoonhush，thoughsometimesalittlegroupofpeoplewouldgatheracrossthestreettoeyethehousecuriouslyandnodandwhisper。
Thestrong，blueshadowsoftheverandapillarsstoleslowlyacrossthewhiteflooroftheporchinalesseningslant，andfinallylayallinaline，asthetallclockinacornerofthelibraryasthmaticallycoughedthehourofnoon。InthisjarringdiscordancetherewassomethingfrightfultoMissBetty。Sheroseabruptly，and，imperiouslywavingbackMrs。Tanberry，whowouldhavedetainedher——fortherewasinherfaceandmannertheincipientwildnessofcontroloverstrainedtothebreaking-
point——shewenthurriedlyoutoftheroomandoutofthehouse，totheoldbenchinthegarden。Thereshesankdown，herfacehiddeninherarms；
thereonthespotwhereshehadfirstseenCraileyGray。
>Fromthere，too，hadrisentheserenadeofthemanshehadspurnedandinsulted；andthereshehadcometoworshipthestarswhenCraileybadeherlooktothem。Andnowthestrangeyoungteacherwaspayingthebitterpriceforhisfooleries——andwhocoulddoubtthatthepricewasabitterone？Tohavethespiritsosuddenly，cruellyrivenfromthesprightlybodythatwas，butafewhoursago，haleandalert，obedienttoevery，pettywish，coulddance，run，andleap；tobeforcedwithsuchhideousprecipitationtoleavethewarmbreathofJuneandundergothelonelychange，mergingwiththeshadow；tobeflungfromtheexquisiteandcommonplacedayofsunshineintotheappallingadventurethatshouldnothavebeenhisforyears——andhurledintoitbywhathand！——ah，bitter，bitterpriceforaharlequinade！And，alas，alas！forthebraveharlequin！
Agentletouchfelluponhershoulder，andMissBettysprangtoherfeetandscreamed。ItwasNelsonwhostoodbeforeher，hatinhand，hisheaddeeplybowed。
\"Ishewithyou？\"shecried，clutchingatthebenchforsupport。
\"No’m，\"answeredtheoldman，humbly。\"Ireckonweallain’goin’seedatmannomo`。\"
\"Whereishe？\"
\"Ondeway，honey，ondeway。\"
\"Theway——toRouen！\"shegasped。
\"No’m；hegoin’crossdebigwater。\"Hestretchedouthishandandpointedsolemnlytotheeast。\"Himan’mewecotchdeboat，an’yo’pamek`emtakendehossesonbode。DenwegitoffatLeeville，fivemile’
downderivuh，an’yo’pahol’deboatwhilesIridbackalonean’gitdenews，an’whatdetaleisyouallistole，f’umoleMist’Chen’eth；an’
Mist’Chen’eth，heridbackwidmean’seeyo’paatLeeville，an’deytalkindeshedbydelandin’，an’yo’patellMist’Chen’ethwhat`rangementshegoin’makewiddeproprety。`Denhegitondeboatag’inan’deysto’theragoin’；an’heain’wavenogood-by，nersaynomo’
wu’ds。Mist’Chen’ethridbackwhensdelightcome；butIres’dehossesan’comebackslow，`caseIponduhondeworl’，an’Imightysorryferyo’
pa，Missy。Heam’comin’backnomo’，honey，an’MizTanberryan’mean’
Mamie，wegoin’takekeereryou。Yo’pagonebackdahtodeF’enchmun，whuhhe`uzayoungman。Hemightysick，an’hescairt，honey；an’heain’goin’gitovahdat，neider。`Peahtome，Missy，likehedonehadavizhumerheownsoul，whenhecomean’lookdownatdatyoungmanlayin’
ondegrass，las’night！\"
Theoldfellowbenthisbackbeforeherinasolemnbow，asafeudalretainerinallegiancetotheheir，butmoreindeferencetothesorrowwrittenuponher，andrespectingitsmagnitude。Withnowordsofcomfort，forheknewshewantedonlytobealone，hemovedaway，withinfirmstepsandshakinghead，towardtherearofthehouse。
MissBettythrewherselfuponthebenchagain，facedownwardinherarms。
Andstillthehouselayinsilenceunderthesunshine。
Anhourhadpassed，andtheshadowsslantedstronglytotheeast，whenthestillnesswasbrokenbyasound，lowandsmallatfirst，thenrisingfearfully，along，quaveringwailofsupremeanguish，thatclutchedandshookthelistener’sheart。NoonecouldhaverecognizedthevoiceasFanchon’s，yeteveryonewhohearditknewthatitwashers；andthatthesoulofCraileyGrayhadgoneoutuponthequestfortheHolyGrail。
MissBetty’shandsclenchedconvulsivelyroundthearmofthebenchandafitofshudderingseizedherasifwiththegripofaviolentchill，thoughhereyesweredry。Thenshelayquiet。
Alongtimeafterward，shebecameawareofastepthatpacedthegardenpathbehindher，andturnedherfaceuponherarmsothatshesaw，butmadenoothermotion。ItwasTomVanrevel，walkingslowlyupanddown，hishandsbehindhisbackandhishatpulledfardownoverhiseyes。Hehadnotseenher。
Sheroseandspokehisname。
Heturnedandcametoher。\"Almostattheverylast，\"hesaid，\"Craileywhisperedtomethatbeknewyouthoughthimagreatscamp，buttotellyoutobesuretorememberthatitwasalltrueaboutthestars。\"
CHAPTERXX
\"Goodby\"
Itwasbetweentwilightandcandlelight，thegentlehalf-hourwhenthekindoldSandManstealsupthestairsofhouseswherechildrenare；whenrusticloversstrollwithslowandquietstepsdowncountrylanes，andoldbachelorsareloneliestanddreamofthethingsthatmighthavebeen。
ThroughthesilenceoftheclearduskcamethewhistleoftheeveningboatthatwastobearTomVanrevelthroughthefirststageofhislongjourneytothefrontofwar，andthesoundfellcheerlesslyuponMissBetty’sear，asshestoodleaningagainstthesun-dialamongthelilacbushes。Herattitudewasnotoneofreverie；yetshestoodverystill，sostillthat，inthewanshimmerofthefadedafterglow，onemighthavepassedclosebyherandnothaveseenher。Thelong，darkfoldsofhergownshowedfaintlyagainstthegraystone，andherarms，barefromtheelbow，layacrossthefaceofthedialwithunrelaxedfingersclenchingthecornice；
herheaddrooping，notlanguidlybutwithtension，hereyeshalf-closed，showingthelashesagainstapalecheek；andthus，motionless，leaningonthestoneinthedusk，shemighthavebeenSorrow’sself。
Shedidnotmove，therewasnotevenaflickeroftheeyelashes，whenastepsoundedonthegravelofthedriveway，andVanrevelcameslowlyfromthehouse。Hestoppedatalittledistancefromher，hatinhand。Hewasverythin，wornandold-looking，andinthefailinglightmighthavebeentakenforatall，gentleghost；yethisshouldersweresquaredandheheldhimselfasstraightashehadthefirsttimeshehadeverseenhim。
\"Mrs。TanberrytoldmeIshouldfindyouhere，\"hesaid，hesitatingly。\"I
havecometosaygood-by。\"
Shedidnotturntowardhim，nordidmorethanherlipsmoveassheanswered，\"Good-by，\"andhertonewasneitherkindnorcold，butheldnomeaningwhatever，notevenindifference。
Therewasanintervalofsilence；then，withoutsurprise，hewalkedsadlytothegate，paused，wheeledaboutsuddenly，andreturnedwithaquick，firmstep。
\"IwillnotgountilIknowthatIdonotmisunderstandyou，\"hesaid，\"notevenifthereisonlytheslightestchancethatIdo。Iwanttosaysomethingtoyou，ifyouwillletme，thoughnaturallyIrememberyouonceaskedmenevertospeaktoyouagain。ItisonlythatIhavethoughtyoudidthatunderamisconception，orelseIshouldstillobeyyou。Ifyou——\"
\"Whatisitthatyouwishtosay？\"Hertonewasunchanged。
\"OnlythatIthinkthehardesttimeforyouhaspassed，andthat——\"
\"Doyou？\"sheinterrupted。
\"Yes，\"hereturned，\"thesaddestofyourlife。Ithinkithasgoneforever。AndIthinkthatwhatwillcometoyouwillbeallyouwishfor。
Therewillbealittletimeofwaiting——\"
\"Waitingforwhat？\"
Hedrewastepnearer，andhisvoicebecameverygentle。\"CummingsandI
reachourregimenttomorrownight；andthereinthecampisagroupofmenonthewaytothewar，andtheyallgothemorebravelybecauseeachoneofthemhasyouinhisheart；——notonebutwillbeabettersoldierbecauseofyou。Iwantyoutobelievethatifallofthemdon’tcomeback，yettheonewhosesafetyyouthinkofandfearforwillreturn。
For，yousee，Craileytoldmewhatyousaidtohimwhen——whenhemetyouherethelasttime。Ihavenowaytoknowwhichofthemyoumeant；but——
hewillcomebacktoyou！Iamsureofit，becauseIbelieveyouaretobehappy。Ah，you’vehadyourallotmentofpain！Afterall，thereissolittletoregret：thetownseemsemptywithoutitsyoungmen，yetyoumayrejoice，rememberinghowbravelytheywentandhowgaily！TheywillsinghalfthewaytoVeraCruz！YouthinkitstrangeIshouldsaythereissolittletoregret，whenI’vejustlaidawaymybestfriend。Itwashisowndoctrine，andtheselfishpersonalgriefandsorenessgrowslesswhenI
thinkofthegallantendhemade，foritwashewhowentawaymostbravelyandjauntilyofall。Craileywasnofailure，unlessIletwhathetaughtmegotonoeffect。AndbesurehewouldhavetoldyouwhatItellyounow，thatalliswellwithallintheworld。\"
\"Please！\"shecried，withaquickintakeofbreaththroughclosedteeth。
\"Iwilldoanythingintheworldtopleaseyou，\"heanswered，sorrowfully。
\"Doyoumeanthat——\"
Sheturnedatlastandfacedhim，butwithoutliftinghereyes。\"Whydidyoucometosaygood-bytome？\"
\"Idon’tunderstand。\"
\"Ithinkyoudo。\"Hervoicewascoldandsteady，butitwassuddenlygiventohimtoperceivethatshewastremblingfromheadtoheel。
Anexclamationofremorsebrokefromhim。
\"Ah！Youcameheretobealone。I——\"
\"Stop，\"shesaid。\"Yousaidgood-bytomeoncebefore。Didyoucometosee——whatyousawthen？\"
Hefellbackinutteramazement，butsheadvanceduponhimswiftly。\"Wasitthat？\"shecried。
Theunfortunateyoungmancouldmakenoreply，andremainedunabletodefendhimselffromherinexplicableattack。
\"Youhavenotforgotten，\"shewenton，impetuously。\"Itwasinthecrowd，justbeforetheygaveyoutheflag。Yousaw——Iknowyousaw——anditkilledmewiththeshameofit！Nowyoucometometolookatthesamethingagain——andtheboatwaitingforyou！IsitinrevengeforthatnightattheBareauds’？Perhapsthissoundswildtoyou——Ican’thelpthat——butwhyshouldyoutrytomakeitharderforme？\"
>Fromtheporchcameastrongvoice：\"Vanrevel！\"
\"GodknowsIhaven’tmeantto，\"saidTom，inbitterpain。\"Idon’tunderstand。It’sCummingscallingforme；I’llgoatonce。I’dhoped，stupidlyenough，thatyouwouldtellmewhomitwasyoumeantwhenyouspoketoCrailey，sothatIcouldhelptomakeitsurerthathe’dcomebacktoyou。ButI’veonlyannoyedyou。Andyouwerehere——awayfromthehouse————avoidingme，andfearingthatI——\"
\"Vanrevel！\"shoutedWilliam。（Mrs。TanberryhadnottoldLieutenantCummingswheretofindMissBetty。）
\"Fearing？Yes？\"
\"FearingthatImightdiscoveryou。\"Helethiseyesrestonherlovelinessoncemore，andashesawthatshestilltrembled，heextendedhishandtowardherinagestureofinfinitegentleness，likeablessing，heavedonegreatsigh，and，withheaderectandbodystraight，sethisfacemanfullytowardthehouse。
Hehadtakenthreestrideswhenhisheartstoppedbeatingatanineffabletouchonhissleeve。For，withasharpcry，shesprangtohim；andthen，oncemore，amongthelilacbusheswherehehadcaughtthewhitekitten，hishandwasseizedandheldbetweentwosmallpalms，andtheeyesofMissBettyCarewelookedintotheverysoulofhim。
\"No！\"shecried。\"No！Fearingwithasickheartthatyoumightnotcome！\"
Herpaleface，mistywithsweetness，waveredbeforehiminthedusk，andheliftedhisshakinghandtohisforehead；herownwentwithit，andthetouchofthatsteadiedhim。
\"Youmean，\"hewhispered，brokenly，\"youmeanthatyou——\"
\"Yes，always，\"sheanswered，rushingthroughthewords，halfintears。
\"TherewasalittletimewhenIlovedwhatyourlifehadbeenmorethanyou。Ah，itwasyouthatIsawinhim。Yetitwasnotwhatyouhaddoneafterall，butjustyou！Iknewtherecouldnotbeanyoneelse——thoughI
thoughtitcouldneverbeyou——thatnight，justbeforetheygavetheflag。\"
\"We’velittletime，Vanrevel！\"calledthevoicefromtheporch。
Tom’seyesfilledslowly。Heraisedthemandlookedatthenewlycomestars。\"Crailey，Crailey！\"hemurmured。
Hergazefollowedhis。\"Ah，it’she——andthey——thatmakemeknowyouwillcomebacktome！\"shesaid。