\"Theworldlooksprettybig。It\'ssafeandcloseinth\'gulch。”
Atthestationthemajorwenttolookafterthetrunks，andRoederputKateinherseat。
\"Iwantedt\'giveyousomething\"hesaid，seatinghimselfbesideher，\"butI
didn\'tdare。”
\"Oh，mydearfriend，\"shecried，layingherlittleglovedhandonhisredandknottedone，\"don\'tgobackintotheshadow。Donotreturntothatterriblesilence。Wait。
Havepatience。Fatehasbroughtyouwealth。Itwillbringyoulove。”
\"I\'vesomethin\'toask，\"hesaid，payingnoattentiontoherappeal。\"Youmustanswerit。Ifwe\'a\'metlongago，an\'youhadn\'tahusbandor——anythin\'——doyouthinkyou\'d\'velovedmethen？\"
Shefeltherselfturningwhite。
\"No，\"shesaidsoftly。\"Icouldneverhavelovedyou，mydearfriend。Wearenotthesame。Believeme，thereisawomansomewherewhowillloveyou；butIamnotthatwoman——norcouldIhaveeverbeen。”
Thetrainwasstarting。Themajorcamebustlingin。
\"Well，good-by，\"saidRoeder，holdingouthishandtoKate。
\"Good-by，\"shecried。\"Don\'tgobackupthegulch。”
\"Oh，\"hesaid，reassuringly，\"don\'tyouworryaboutme，my——don\'tworry。Thegulchisanice，quietplace。An\'youknowwhatItoldyouaboutth\'ranksallbein\'
full。Good-by。”Thetrainwaswellunderway。Hesprangoff，andstoodontheplatformwavinghishandkerchief。
\"Well，Kate，\"saidthemajor，seatinghimselfdowncomfortablyandadjustinghistravellingcap，\"didyoufindtheWesterntype？\"
\"Idon\'tquiteknow，\"saidshe，slowly。
\"ButIhavemadethediscoverythatahumansoulismuchthesamewhereveryoumeetit。”
\"Dearme!Youhaven\'tbeenmeetingasoul，haveyou？\"themajorsaid，face-
tiously，unbucklinghistravelling-bag。\"I\'lltellJack。”
\"No，I\'lltellJack。Andhe\'llfeelquiteasbadlyasIdotothinkthatIcoulddonothingforitsproperadjustment。”
Themajor\'sfacetookonalookofcom-
prehension。
\"Wasthatthesoul，\"heasked，\"thatjustcamedowninthecarriagewithus？\"
\"Thatwasit，\"assentedKate。\"Itwasborn；ithashaditsmortalday；andithasgonebackupthegulch。”
AMichiganManAPINEforestisnature\'sexpressionofsolemnityandsolitude。Sunlight，rivers，cascades，people，music，laughter，ordancingcouldnotmakeitgay。Withitsunceasingreverberationsanditseternalshadows，itisasawfulandasholyasacathedral。
Thirtygoodfellowsworkingtogetherbydayanddrinkingtogetherbynightcankeepupbutamoodyimitationofjollity。Spendtwenty-fiveofyourfortyyears，asLutherDallasdid，inthisperennialgloom，andyoursoul——thatwhichenjoys，aspires，competes——willbedruggedasdeepasifyouhadquaffedthecupofoblivion。
LutherDallaswascountedoneofthemostexperiencedaxe-meninthenortherncamps。
Hecouldfellatreewiththeswiftsuretyofanexecutioner，andinrevengeforhismanyarboralmurdersthewoodlandhadtakencaptivehismind，capturedandchaineditasProsperodidAriel。TheresoundingfootstepsofProgressdrivenonsomerci-
lesslyinthismadagecouldnotreachhisfastness。Itdidnotconcernhimthatmenwerethinking，investigating，inventing。
Hissensesrespondedonlytothesonorousmusicofthewoods；asteadfastwindring-
ingmetallicmelodyfromthepine-topscon-
tentedhimasthesoundoftheseadoesthesailor；anddearastheodorsoftheoceantothemarinerweretheresinousscentsoftheforesttohim。Likeasailor，too，hehadhissuperstitions。Hehadapresentimentthathewastodiebyoneofthesetrees，——
thatsomeday，inchopping，thetreewouldfalluponandcrushhimasitdidhisfatherthedaytheybroughthimbacktothecamponalitterofpineboughs。
Onedaythegang-bossnoticedatreethatDallashadleftstandinginamostunwood-
manlikemannerinthesectionwhichwasallottedtohim。
\"Whatinthunderisthatstandingtherefor？\"heasked。
Dallasraisedhiseyestothepine，tower-
inginsterndignityahundredfeetabovethem。
\"Well，\"hesaidfeebly，\"Inoticedit，butkind-aleftitt\'thelast。”
\"Cutitdownto-morrow，\"wastheresponse。
Thewindwasrising，andthetreemut-
teredsavagely。Lutherthoughtitsoundedlikeamenace，andturnedpale。Notrou-
blehasyetbeenfoundthatwillkeepamanawakeinthekeenairofthepineriesafterhehasbeenswinginghisaxeallday，butthesleepofthechopperwassobrokenwithdisturbingdreamsthatnightthatthebeadsgatheredonhisbrow，andtwicehecriedaloud。Heatehiscoarseflap-jacksinthemorningandescapedfromthesmokyshantyassoonashecould。
\"It\'llbringbadluck，I\'mafraid，\"hemutteredashewenttogethisaxefromtherack。Hewasasfondofhisaxeasasoldierofhismusket，butto-dayheshouldereditwithreluctance。Hefeltlikeamanwithhisdestinybeforehim。Thetreestoodlikeasentinel。Heraisedhisaxe，once，twice，adozentimes，butcouldnotbringhimselftomakeacutinthebark。Hewalkedbackwardsafewstepsandlookedup。
Thefunerealgreenseemedtogrowdarkeranddarkertillitbecameblack。Itwastheembodimentofsorrow。Wasitnotshakinggiantarmsathim？Diditnotcryoutinangrychallenge？Lutherdidnottrytolaughathisfears；hehadneverseenanyhumorinlife。Agustofwindhadsome-
waycreptthroughthedensebarricadeoffoliagethatflankedtheclearing，andstruckhimwithanicychill。Helookedatthesky；thedaywasadvancingrapidly。Hewentathisworkwithanenergyasdeter-
minedasdespair。Theaxeinhispractisedhandmadecleanstraightcutsinthetrunk，nowonthisside，nowonthat。Histaskwasnotaneasyone，buthefinisheditwithwonderfulexpedition。Afterthechoppingwasfinished，thetreestoodfirmamoment；
then，asthetensely-strainedfibresbeganaweirdmoaning，hesprangaside，andstoodwaiting。Inthedistancehesawtwomenhewingalog。Theaxe-mansentthemashoutandthrewuphisarmsforthemtolook。Thetreestoodoutclearandbeauti-
fulagainstthegraysky；themenceasedtheirworkandwatchedit。Thevibrationsbecamemoreviolent，andthesoundstheyproducedgrewlouderandloudertilltheyreachedashrillwildcry。Therecameapause，thenadeepshudderinggroan。Thetopmostbranchesbegantomoveslowly，thewholestatelybulkswayed，andthenshottowardstheground。Thegigantictrunkboundedfromthestump，recoiledlikeacannon，crasheddown，andlayconquered，witharoarasofanearthquake，inacloudofflyingtwigsandchips。
Whenthedusthadclearedaway，themenatthelogontheoutsideoftheclearingcouldnotseeLuther。Theyrantothespot，andfoundhimlyingonthegroundwithhischestcrushedin。Hisfearfuleyeshadnotrightlycalculatedthedistancefromthestumptothetopofthepine，norrightlyweighedthepowerofthemassedbranches，andso，standingspell-bound，watchingthedescendingtrunkasonemightwatchhisNemesis，thereboundcameandlefthimlyingworsethandead。
Threemonthslater，whenthelogs，loppedoftheirbranches，drifteddownthestreams，thewoodman，ahumanlogloppedofhisstrength，driftedtoagreatcity。A
change，thedoctorsaid，mightprolonghislife。Thelumbermenmadeupapurse，andhestartedout，notverydefinitelyknowinghisdestination。Hehadasister，muchyoungerthanhimself，whoattheageofsix-
teenhadmarriedandgone，hebelieved，toChicago。Thatwasyearsago，buthehadanideathathemightfindher。Hewasnottroubledbyhislackofresources；hedidnotbelievethatanymanwouldwantforamealunlesshewere\"shiftless。”
Hehadalwaysbeenabletoturnhishandtosomething。
Hefelttooillfromthejostlingofthecarstonoticemuchofanythingonthejour-
ney。Thedizzysceneswhirlingpastmadehimfaint，andhewasgladtoliewithclosedeyes。Heimaginedthathislittlesisterinherpinkcalicofrockandbarefeet(asherememberedher)wouldbeatthesta-
tiontomeethim。\"Oh，Lu!\"shewouldcallfromsomehiding-place，andhewouldgoandfindher。
TheconductorstoppedbyLuther\'sseatandsaidthattheywereinthecityatlast；
butitseemedtothesickmanasiftheywentmilesafterthat，withamultitudeoftwinklinglightsononesideandablankdarkness，thattheytoldhimwasthelake，ontheother。Theconductoragainstoppedbyhisseat。
\"Well，myman，\"saidhe，\"howareyoufeeling？\"
Luther，thepossessorofthetoughestmusclesin。thegang，feltasickman\'sirri-
tationatthetoneofpity。
\"Oh，I\'mallright!\"hesaid，gruffly，andshookofftheassistancetheconductortriedtoofferwithhisovercoat。\"I\'mgoingtomysister\'s，\"heexplained，inanswertotheinquiryastowherehewasgoing。Theman，somewhatpiquedatthespiritinwhichhisoverturesweremet，lefthim，andLuthersteppedontotheplatform。Therewasalongvistaofsemi-light，downwhichcrowdsofpeoplewalkedandbaggage-menrushed。Thebuilding，ifitdeservedthename，seemedaruin，andthroughthearcheddoorsLuthercouldseemen——hackmen——
dancingandhowlinglikedervishes。Trainswerecomingandgoing，andthewhistlesandbellskeptupaceaselessclangor。
Luther，withhissmallsatchelanduncouthdress，slouchedbythecrowdunnoticed，andreachedthestreet。Hewalkedamidsuchanilluminationashehadneverdreamedof，andpausedhalfblindedintheglareofabroadsheetofelectriclightthatfilledapillaredentranceintowhichmanypeoplepassed。Helookedabouthim。Aboveoneverysiderosegreat，many-windowedbuild-
ings；onthestreetthecarsandcarriagesthronged，andjostlingcrowdsdashedhead-
longamongthevehicles。Afteratimeheturneddownastreetthatseemedtohimapandemoniumfilledwithmadmen。Itwenttohisheadlikewine，andhardlylefthimthepresenceofmindtosustainaquietexterior。Thewindwasladenwithapene-
tratingmoisturethatchilledhimasthedryicybreezesfromHuronneverhaddone，andthepaininhislungsmadehimfaintanddizzy。Hewonderedifhisred-cheekedlittlesistercouldliveinoneofthosevast，impregnablebuildings。Hethoughtofstoppingsomeofthoseserious-lookingmenandaskingthemiftheyknewher；buthecouldnotmusterupthecourage。Thedistressingexperiencethatcomestoalmosteveryonesometimeinlife，oflosingallidentityintheuniversalhumanity，wasbecominghis。Thetearsbegantorolldownhiswastedfacefromlonelinessandexhaustion。Hegrewhungrywithlongingforthedirtybutfamiliarcabinsofthecamp，andstaggeredalongwitheyeshalfclosed，conjuringvisionsofthewarminte-
riors，theleapingfires，thegroupsoflaughingmenseendimlythroughcloudsoftobacco-smoke。
Adeliciousscentofcoffeemethishun-
grysenseandmadehimreallythinkhewastakingthesavoryblackdraughtfromhisfamiliartincup；butthemuddystreets，theblindinglights，thecruel，rushingpeo-
ple，werestillthere。Thebuildings，how-
ever，nowbecamedifferent。Theywerelowerandmeaner，withdirtywindows。
Womenlaughingloudlycrowdedaboutthedoors，andtheestablishmentsseemedtobeequallydividedbetweensaloon-keepers，pawnbrokers，anddealersinsecond-handclothes。Lutherwonderedwheretheyalldrewtheirsupportfrom。Upononesign-
boardheread，\"Lodgings10centsto50
cents。ASquareMealfor15cents，\"and，thankfulforsomehaven，entered。Herehespenthisfirstnightandothernights，whilehispursedwindledandhisstrengthwaned。
Atlasthegotamaninadrug-storetosearchthedirectoryforhissister\'sresi-
dence。Theyfoundanamehetooktobehisbrother-in-law\'s。Itwastwodayslaterwhenhefoundtheaddress，——agreat，many-
storiedmansionononeofthesouthernboulevards，——andfoundalsothathissearchhadbeeninvain。Soreandfaint，hestag-
geredbacktohismiserableshelter，onlytoarisefeverishandillinthemorning。Hefrequentedthegreatshopdoors，throngedwithbrilliantly-dressedladies，andwatchedtoseeifhislittlesistermightnotdashupinoneofthosesatin-linedcoachesandtakehimwherehewouldbewarmandsafeandwouldsleepundisturbedbydrunken，ribaldsongsandloathsomesurroundings。Thereweredayswhenhealmostforgothisname，and，strivingtoremember，wouldlosehissensesforamomentanddriftbacktotheharmonioussolitudesoftheNorthandbreathetheresin-scentedfrostyatmosphere。
Hegrewterrifiedatthebloodhecoughedfromhislaceratedlungs，andwonderedbit-
terlywhytheboysdidnotcometotakehimhome。
Oneday，ashepainfullydraggedhimselfdownaresidencestreet，hetriedtocollecthisthoughtsandformsomeplanforthefuture。Hehadnotrade，understoodnohandiwork；hecouldfelltrees。Helookedatthegaunt，scrawny，transplantedspeci-
mensthatmethiseye，andgavehimselfuptothehomesicknessthatfilledhissoul。
Hesleptthatnightintheshelterofasta-
ble，andspenthislastmoneyinthemorn-
ingforabiscuit。
Hetravelledmanymilesthatafternoonlookingforsomethingtowhichhemightturnhishand。Oncehegotpermissiontocarryahodforhalfanhour。Attheendofthattimehefainted。Whenherecovered，theforemanpaidhimtwenty-fivecents。
\"ForGod\'ssake，man，gohome，\"hesaid。
Lutherstaredathimwithawhitefaceandwenton。
Therecamedayswhenhesoforgothisnativedignityastobeg。Heseldomreceivedanything；hewasreferredtovari-
ouscharitableinstitutionstheexistenceofwhichhehadneverheard。
Onemorning，whenapallofsmokeenve-
lopedthecityandtheodorsofcoal-gasrefusedtolifttheirnauseatingpoisonthroughtheheavyair，Luther，chilledwithdewandfamished，awoketoahappierlife。
Thelonelinessathisheartwasgone。Thefeelingofhopelessimprisonmentthatthemilesandmilesofstreetshadterrifiedhimwithgaveplacetooneoffreedomandexal-
tation。Abovehimheheardtheraspingofpineboughs；hisfeettrodonareboundingmatofdecay；theskywasascoldlyblueasthebosomofHuron。Hewalkedasifonether，singingasenselessjargonthewood-
menhadarousedtheechoeswith，——
\"Hiyihalloo!
Theowlseesyou!
Lookwhatyoudo!
Hiyihalloo!\"
Swungoverhisshoulderwasastickhehadusedtoassisthislimpinggait，butnowtransformedintothebelovedaxe。Hewouldreachtheclearingsoon，hethought，andstrodeonlikeagiant，whilepeoplehur-
riedfromhispath。Suddenlyasmoothtrunk，strippedofitsbarkandbleachedbyweather，arosebeforehim。
\"Hiyihalloo!\"Highwentthewastedarm——crash!——abrokenstaff，ajingleofwires，amaddened，shoutingmanthecentreofagroupofamusedspectators!Afewmomentslater，fourbroad-shoulderedmeninbluehadhimintheirgrasp，pinionedandguarded，clatteringoverthenoisystreetsbehindtwospiritedhorses。Theydrewafterthematroopofnoisy，jeeringboys，whodancedaboutthewagonlikeaswirlofautumnleaves。Thencameahalt，andLutherwasdraggedupthestepsofasquarebrickbuildingwithabelfryonthetop。
Theyenteredalargebareroomwithbenchesrangedaboutthewalls，andbroughthimbeforeamanatadesk。
\"Whatisyourname？\"askedthemanatthedesk。
\"Hiyihalloo!\"saidLuther。
\"He\'sdrunk，sergeant，\"saidoneofthemeninblue，andtheaxe-manwasledintothebasement。Hewasconsciousofaninvoluntaryresistance，ashortstruggle，andafinalshockofpain，——thenoblivion。
Thechopperawoketotherealizationofthreestonewallsandanirongratinginfront。Throughthishelookedoutuponastoneflooringacrosswhichwasarowofsimilarapartments。Heneitherknewnorcaredwherehewas。Thefeelingofim-
prisonmentwasnogreaterthanhehadfeltontheendless，cheerlessstreets。Helaidhimselfonthebenchthatranalongasidewall，and，closinghiseyes，listenedtothebabbleoftheclearstreamandthethunderofthe\"drive\"onitsjourney。Howthelogshurriedandjostled!crushing，whirling，ducking，withthemerryladsleapingaboutthemwithshoutsandlaughter。Suddenlyhewasrecalledbyavoice。Someonehandedanarrowtincupfullofcoffeeandathicksliceofbreadthroughthegrating。
Acrossthewayhedimlysawamaneatingasimilarsliceofbread。Meninothercom-
partmentswereswearingandsinging。Heknewthesenowforthevoiceshehadheardinhisdreams。Hetriedtoforcesomeofthebreaddownhisparchedandswollenthroat，butfailed；thecoffeestrangledhim，andhethrewhimselfuponthebench。
Theforestagain，thenight-wind，thewhistleoftheaxethroughtheair。Oncewhenheopenedhiseyeshefounditdark。
Itwouldsoonbetimetogotowork。Hefanciedtherewouldbehoar-frostonthetreesinthemorning。Howclosethecabinseemed!Ha!——herecamehislittlesister。
Hervoicesoundedlikethewindonaspringmorning。Howlouditswellednow!
\"Lu!Lu!\"shecried。
Thenextmorningthelock-upkeeperopenedthecelldoor。Lutherlaywithhisheadinapoolofblood。Hissoulhadescapedfromthethralloftheforest。
\"Well，well!\"saidthelittlefatpolice-
justice，whenhewastoldofit。\"Weoughttohaveadoctoraroundtolookaftersuchcases。”
ALadyofYesterday\"ALIGHTwindblewfromthegatesofthesun，\"themorningshefirstwalkeddownthestreetofthelittleIowatown。Notacloudfleckedtheblue；therewasahummingofhappyinsects；asmellofrichandmoistloamperfumedtheair，andintheduskofbeechesandofoaksstoodthequiethomes。Shepausednowandthen，lookinginthegardens，oratagroupofchildren，thenpassedon，smilingincontent。
Heraccentwassostrange，thattheagentforrealestate，whomshevisited，askedher，twiceandonceagain，whatitwasshesaid。
\"Iwant，\"shehadrepeatedsmilingly，\"anuplandmeadow，wherecloverwillgrow，andmignonette。”
Atthetea-tablesthatnight，therewasamightychattering。Thebriskvillagemadeamysteryofthisladywiththeslowstep，theforeigntrickofspeech，thelongblackgown，andthegentlevoice。Themen，concealingtheircuriosityinpresenceofthewomen，gratifieditsecretly，bysaunteringtothetavernintheevening。Therethekeeperandhiswifestoodreadytoconveyanyneighborlyintelligence。
\"ElizabethAstrado\"waswrittenintheregister，——anameconveyinglittle，unaccom-
paniedbytitleorbyplaceofresidence。
\"Sheeatsalone，\"thetavern-keeper\'swifeconfidedtotheireagerears，\"andasksfornoservice。Oh，she\'sacuriosity!
She\'sgotherstory，——you\'llsee!\"
Inatownwhereeverymankneweveryotherman，andwhetherornothepaidhistaxesontime，andwhathisstandingwasinchurch，andalltheskeletonsofhishome，astrangeralientotheirwaysdisturbedtheirpeaceofmind。
\"Anuplandmeadowwherecloverandmignonettewillgrow，\"shehadsaid，andsuchanoneshefound，andplantedthickwithfinewhitecloverandwithmignonette。
Then，whilethecarpentersraisedhercabinattheborderofthemeadow，nearthestreet，shepassedamongthevillagers，minglingwiththemgently，winningtheirgood-will，inspiteofthemselves。
Thecabinwasofunbarkedmaplelogs，withfourroomsandarusticportico。Thenallthevillagersstaredinverytruth。They，livingintheirtrimanduglylittlehomes，accountedhousesoflogsasthemisfortuneoftheirpioneerparents。Ashedforwood，abarnfortheJerseycow，arusticfence，tall，withahighswinginggate，completedthedomain。Inthefrontroomofthecabinwasafireplaceofrudebrick。Inthebed-
rooms，cotsasbareandhardasanun\'s，andinthekitchenthedomesticnecessaries；
thatwasall。Thepooresthouse-holderinthetownwouldnothaveconfessedtosuchscantfurnishing。YettherichestmanmightwellhavehesitatedbeforehesenttoFranceforhivesandhivesofbees，asshedid，settingthemupalongthesouthernborderofhermeadow。
Latertherecamestrongboxes，markedwithmanymarksofforeigntransportationlines，andtheneighbor-gossips，seeingthem，imaginedwealthofcuriousfurniture；
butthemanwhocartedthemtoldhiswife，whotoldherfriend，whotoldherfriend，thateveryboxtothelastonewasplacedinthedrycementedcellar，andleftthereinthedark。
\"An\'amightyridic\'lousexpenseacellarlikethatis，t\'putunderahouseofthatchar\'cter，\"saidthemantohiswife——whorepeatedittoherfriend。
\"Butthatain\'tall，\"thecarpenter\'swifehadsaidwhensheheardaboutitall，\"Hanksaysthereisonelittleroom，notfitforbutterynoryetfurclosit，withawindowhighup——well，youkenseeyourself——
an\'astrongdoor。Jus\'inpassin\'th\'otherday，whenhewasthere，hangin\'someshelves，hetriedit，an\'itwaslocked!\"
\"Well!\"saidthewomenwholistened。
However，theywerenotunfriendly，thesebriskgossips。Twoofthem，pluckinguptardycourage，didcalloneafternoon。Theirhostesswasoutamongherbees，crooningtothem，asitseemed，whiletheylightedallabouther，litontheflowerinherdarkhair，buzzedvivaciouslyabouthersnow-whitelinengown，lightedonherlong，darkhands。
Shecameinbrightlywhenshesawherguests，andplacedchairsforthem，courte-
ously，steepedthemacupofpaleandfra-
granttea，andservedthemwithlittlecakes。
Thoughhermannerwassoquietandsokind，thewomenwereshybeforeher。She，turningtooneandthentheother，askedquestionsinherquaintway。
\"Youhavechildren，haveyounot？\"
Bothofthemhad。
\"Ah，\"shecried，claspingthoseslenderhands，\"butyouareveryfortunate!Yourlittleones，——whataretheirages？\"
Theytoldher，shelisteningsmilingly。
\"Andyounurseyourlittlebabes——younursethematthebreast？\"
Themodestwomenblushed。Theywerenotusedtospeakingwithsuchfreedom。
Buttheyconfessedtheydid，notlikingarti-
ficialmeans。
\"No，\"saidthelady，lookingatthemwithasoftlightinhereyes，\"asyousay，thereisnothinglikethegoodmotherNature。ThelittleonesGodsendsshouldlieatthebreast。\'Tisnotthemilkalonethattheyimbibe；itisthebreathoflife，——
itisthehumanmagnetism，thepower，——
howshallIsay？Happythemotherwhohasalittlebabetohold!\"
Theywantedtoaskaquestion，buttheydarednot——wantedtoaskahundredques-
tions。Butbackofthegentlenesswasahauteur，andtheywerestill。
\"Tellme，\"shesaid，breakingherreverie，\"ofwhatyourhusbandsdo。Aretheycarpenters？Dotheybuildhousesformen，liketheblessedJesus？Oraretheytillersofthesoil？Dotheybringfruitsoutofthisbountifulvalley？\"
Theyanswered，withareservationofap-
proval。\"TheblessedJesus!\"Itsoundedlikepopery。
Shehadgonefromthesebriefpersonalmatterstootherthings。
\"Howverystrongyoupeopleseem，\"shehadremarked。\"Bothyourmenandyourwomenarelargeandstrong。Youshouldbe，beingappointedtosubdueacontinent。
Menthinktheychoosetheirdestinies，butindeed，goodneighbors，Ithinknotso。
MenaredrivenbythewindsofGod\'swill。
Theyareasmuchbiddentobuildupthisvalley，thisstorehouseforthenations，ascoralinsectsarebiddentomakethereefswiththeirownlittlebodies，dyingastheybuild。Isitnotso？\"
\"WearethecreaturesofGod\'swill，I
suppose，\"saidoneofhervisitors，piously。
Shehadgiventhemlittleconfidencesinreturn。
\"Imakemybread，\"shesaid，withchild-
ishpride，\"prayseeifyoudonotthinkitexcellent!\"Andshecutaflakyloaftodis-
playitswhiteness。Oneguestsummonedthebravadotoinquire，——
\"Thenyouarenotusedtodoinghouse-
work？\"
\"I？\"shesaid，withaslowsmile，\"Ihavenevergotusedtoanything，——notevenliv-
ing。”Andsoshebaffledthemall，yetwonthem。
Theweekswentby。ElizabethAstradoattendedtoherbees，milkedhercow，fedherfowls，baked，washed，andcleaned，likethesimplewomenabouther，savingthatasshediditalookofineffablecontentlightedupherface，andshesangforhappiness。
Sometimes，amidtheballadsthatshehummed，astrainslippedinofsomegreatmelody，whichshe，singingunaware，asitwere，corrected，shakingherfingerinself-
reproval，andreturningagaintotheballadsandthehymns。Norwassheremissinneighborlyoffices；butifanywereailing，orhadafestivity，shewasathandtoassist，condole，orcongratulate，carryingalwayssomesimplegiftinherhand，appropriatetotheoccasion。
Shehadherwidercharitiestoo，forallshekeptclosetoherhome。When，oneday，astorycametoherofalaborerstruckdownwithheatinputtinginaculvertontherailroad，andgossipsaidhecouldnotspeakEnglish，shehastenedtohim，caughtdyingwordsfromhislips，whisperedareply，andthenwhatseemedtobeaprayer，whileheheldfastherhand，andsanktocomawithwistfuleyesuponherface。
Moreover\'twasshewhoburiedhim，rais-
ingacrossabovehisgrave，andshewhoplantedrose-bushesaboutthemound。
\"HespokelikeanItalian，\"saidthephy-
siciantoherwarily。
\"Andsohewas，\"shehadreplied。
\"Afellow-countrymanofyours，nodoubt？\"
\"Arenotallmenourcountrymen，myfriend？\"shesaid，gently。\"Whatarelittlelinesdrawnintheimaginationofmen，dividingterritory，thattheyshoulddivideoursympathies？Theworldismycountry——andyours，Ihope。Isitnotso？\"
Thentherehadalsobeenahaplesspairoflovers，shamedbeforetheircommunity，who，desperate，impoverished，andbewilderedatthewarbetweennatureandsociety，hadbeenhelpedbyherintoanewpartoftheworld。Therehadbeenawidowwithmanychildren，whohadfoundbasketsofcookedfoodandbundlesofwell-madeclothingonherstep。Andasthedayspassed，withthesepleasantoffices，thefaceofthestrangewomanglowedwithanever-increasingcon-
tent，andherdark，delicatebeautygrew。
JohnHartingtonspenthisvacationatDesMoines，havingalaudabledesiretoseesomethingoftheworldbeforereturningtohisnativetown，withhiscollegehonorsfreshuponhim。SwiftestofthecollegerunnerswasJohnHartington，famedforhisleapingtoo，andmeasuringwidestatthechestandwaistofalltheheartyfellowsattheuniversity。Hisblondcurlsclusteredaboveabrowalmostasinnocentasachild\'s；hisfrankandbraveblueeyes，hisfreestep，hismellowlaugh，bespoketheperfectanimal，unharmedbycivilization，unperplexedbytheclosingcentury\'sfalla-
ciesandpassions。Thewholesomeoakthatspreadsitsrootsdeepinthegeneroussoil，couldnotbemoreapartofnaturethanhe。Conscientious，unimaginative，direct，sincere，industrious，hewastheidealmanofhiskind，andhisreturntotowncausedaflutteramongthemaidenswhichtheydidnotevenattempttoconceal。
Theytoldhimallthechat，ofcourse，and，amongotherthings，mentionedthegreatsensationoftheyear，——thecomingofthewomanwithhermystery，thepurchaseofthesunnyupland，theplantingitwithcloverandwithmignonette，thebuildingofthehouseoflogs，thekeepingofthebees，thebarrenrooms，thebusy，silentlife，thecharities，thenever-endingwonderofitall。Andthenthewoman——kind，yetdifferentfromtherest，withtheforeigntrickoftongue，theslow，proudwalk，thedelicate，slighthands，thebeautiful，beau-
tifulsmile，theairasofacreaturefromanotherworld。
Hartington，strollingbeyondthevillagestreets，upwherethesunsetdiedindaffodilabovetheupland，sawthelittlecotoflogs，andoutbeforeit，amongblood-redpoppies，thewomanofwhomhehadheard。Hergownofwhitegleamedinthateerieradi-
ance，glorified，hersadgreateyesbentonhiminmagneticscrutiny。Apeaceandplenitudeofpowercameradiatingfromher，andreachedhimwherehestood，sud-
denly，andforthefirsttimeinhiscarelesslife，struckdumbandawed。She，too，seemedsuddenlyabashedatthisgreatbulkofyouthfulmanhood，innocentandstrong。
Shegazedonhim，andheonher，bothchainedwithsomemysteriousenchant-
ment。Yetneitherspoke，andhe，turninginbewildermentatlast，wentbacktotown，whilesheplacedonehandonherlipstokeepfromcallinghim。Andneithersleptthatnight，andinthemorningwhenshewentwithmilkingpailandstoolouttothegrassyfield，therehestoodatthebars，waiting。Againtheygazed，likecreaturesheldinthrallbysomemagician，tillsheheldoutherhandandsaid，——
\"Wemustbefriends，althoughwehavenotmet。PerhapsweAREoldfriends。
Theysaytherehavebeenworldsbeforethisone。Ihavenotseenyouinthesehabili-
mentsoffleshandblood，andyet——wemaybefriends？\"
JohnHartington，usedtothethinjestsofthevillagegirls，andalltheirsimpletalk，rose，nevertheless，enlightenedashewaswithsomestrangesympathywithher，tounderstandandanswerwhatshesaid。
\"Ithinkperhapsitmaybeso。MayI
comeinbesideyouinthefield？Givemethepail。I\'llmilkthecowforyou。”
Shethrewherheadbackandlaughedlikeagirlfromschool，andhelaughedtoo，andtheyshookhands。Thenshesatnearhimwhilehemilked，bothkeepingsilence，saveforthep-rringnoisehemadewithhislipstothepatientbeast。Beingthrough，sheservedhimwithacupfulofthefra-
grantmilk；buthebadeherdrinkfirst，thendrankhimself，andthentheylaughedagain，asiftheybothhadfoundsomethingnewandgoodinlife。
Thenshe，——
\"Comeseehowwellmybeesaredoing。”
Andtheywent。Sheservedhimwiththelucentsyrupofthebees，perfumedwiththemignonette，——suchhoneyasthereneverwasbefore。Hesatonthebroaddoorstep，nearthescarletpoppies，sheonthegrass，andthentheytalked——wasitonegoldenhour——ortwo？Ah，well，\'twaslongenoughforhertolearnallofhissimplelife，longenoughforhertoknowthathewasvictorattheracesattheschool，thathecouldplaythepipe，likeanyshepherdoftheancientdays，andwhenhewentheaskedherifhemightreturn。
\"Well，\"laughedshe，\"sometimesIamlonely。Comeseeme——inaweek。”
Yethewastherethatdayattwilight，andhebroughthissilverpipe，andpipedtoherunderthestars，andshesungballadstohim，——songsofStrephonandtimeswhenthehillswereyoung，andflockswerefairerthantheyeverbethesedays。
\"To-morrow，andto-morrow，andto-mor-
row，\"andstilltheintercourse，stillherdarklovelinesswaxing，stilltheweavingofthemysticspell，stillhappinessasprimi-
tiveandassweetaseverEdenknew。
Thencameatwilightwhenthesweetrainfell，andontheheavyairtheperfumesofthefieldsfloated。Thewomanstoodbythewindowofthecot，lookingout。Tall，graceful，fullofthatsubtlepowerwhichdrewhissoul；clothedinwhitelinen，fra-
grantfromherfields，withbreathfreightedwithfreshmilk，witheyesofflame，shewastheretobeadored。Andhe，beingmanofmanliesttype，forgotallthatmighthavecheckedthewords，andpouredhissouloutatherfeet。Shedrewherselfuplikeaqueen，butonlythatshemightlookqueenlierforhissake，and，bending，kissedhisbrow，andwhisperedbackhisvows。
Andtheyweremarried。
ThevillagerspitiedHartington。
\"She\'smorethanamatchforhiminyears——an\'insomeotherways，aslikeasnot，\"theysaid。\"Besides，sheain\'tmuchinclinedtomentionanythingaboutherpast。\'Twon\'tbearthetellin\'probably。”
Asforthelovers，theylaughedastheywentabouttheirhonesttasks，orsattogetherarmsencirclingeachatevening，nowunderthestars，andnowbeforetheirfireofwood。Theytalkedtogetheroftheirfarm，addedafieldforwinterwheat，boughtothercattle，andsomehorses，whichtheyrodeoutovertherollingprairiessidebyside。Heneverstoppedtochataboutthetown；sheneverventuredonthestreetwithouthimbyherside。Truthtotell，theirneighborsenviedthem，marvellinghowonecouldextractaheavenoutofearth，andwhatsuchperfectjoycouldmean。
Yet，foralltheirprosperity，notonead-
ditiondidtheymaketothatmostsimplehome。Itstoodthere，withitsbareneces-
sities，madebeautifulonlywiththeirlove。
Butwhenthewinterwasmostgone，hemadealittlecradleofhardwood，inwhichsheplacedpillowsofdown，andoverwhichshehunglinencurtainsembroideredbyherhand。
Inthelongevenings，bytheflickerofthefire，theysattogether，cheektocheek，andlookedatthislittlebed，singinglowsongstogether。
\"Thishappinessisterrible，myJohn，\"
shesaidtohimonenight，——awondrousnight，whentheeasternwindhadflungthetasselsoutonallthebuddingtreesofspring，andtheairwasthrobbingwithawakeninglife，andbalmypuffsofbreeze，andodorsoftheearth。\"Andwearegrow-
ingyoung。Doyounotthinkthatweareveryyoungandstrong？\"
Hekissedheronthelips。\"Iknowthatyouarebeautiful，\"hesaid。
\"Oh，wehavelivedatNature\'sheart，yousee，mylove。Thecattleandthefowls，thehoneyandthewheat，thecot——
thecradle，John，andyouandme!Thesethingsmakehappiness。Theyarenature。
Butthen，youcannotunderstand。Youhaveneverknowntheartificial——\"
\"Andyou，Elizabeth？\"
\"John，ifyouwish，youshallhearallI
havetotell。\'Tisalong，long，wearytale。
Willyouhearitnow？Believeme，itwillmakeussad。”
Shegraspedhisarmtillheshrankwithpain。
\"Tellwhatyouwillandwhenyouwill，Elizabeth。Perhaps，someday——when——\"
hepointedtothelittlecrib。
\"Asyousay。”Andsoitdropped。
TherecameadaywhenHartington，sit-
tingupontheportico，whereperfumesofthebuddingclovercametohim，hatedthehummingofthehappybees，hatedtherust-
lingofthetrees，hatedthesightofearth。
\"Thechildisdead，\"thenursehadsaid，\"asforyourwife，perhaps——\"butthatwasall。Finallyheheardthenurse\'sstepuponthefloor。
\"Come，\"shesaid，motioninghim。Andhehadgone，laidcheekagainstthatdyingcheek，whisperedhisloveoncemore，sawitreturnedeventhen，inthosedeepeyes，andlaidherbackuponherpillow，dead。
Heburiedheramongthemignonette，levelledtheearth，sowedthicktheseedagain。
\"\'Tisasshewished，\"hesaid。
Withhisstronghandshewrenchedthelittlecrib，laiditpiecebypieceupontheirhearth，andscatteredthenthesacredashesonthewind。Then，withhard-comingbreath，brokeopenthelockeddoorofthatroomwhichhehadneverentered，thinkingtofindthere，perhaps，somesignofthatunguessablelifeofhers，butfoundthereonlyanaltar，withvotivelampsbeforetheBlessedVirgin，andliliesfadedandfallenfromtheirstems。
Thendownintothecellarwenthe，tothoseboxes，withtheforeignmarks。Andthen，indeed，hefoundahintofthatdeadlife。Gownsofvelvetandofsilk，suchasprincessesmightwear，wondersoflace，yellowedwithtime，greatcloaksofsnowyfur，lustrousrobes，jewelsofworth，——avastarrayofbrillianttrumpery。Thentherewerebooksinmanytongues，withricholdbindingsandilluminatedpage，andinthemwrittenthedeadwoman\'sname，——anameofmanyparts，withtitlesofimpress，andinthemidstofallthename，\"Eliza-
bethAstrado，\"asshesaid。
Andthatwasall，orifthereweremorehemighthavelearned，followingtrailsthatfellwithinhisway，heneverlearnedit，beingcontent，andthankfulthathehadheldherforatimewithinhisarms，andlookedinhergreatsoul，which，weary-
ingoflife\'ssadcomplexities，hadsim-
plifieditself，andmadehisloveitsbestadornment。
