ThenfollowedtoClarencethreeuneventfulyears。DuringthatintervalhelearntthatJacksonBrant，orDonJuanRobinson——forthetieofkinshipwastheleastfactorintheirrelationstoeachother，andafterthedepartureofFlynnwastacitlyignoredbyboth——wasmoreSpanishthanAmerican。AnearlyresidenceinLowerCalifornia，marriagewitharichMexicanwidow，whosedyingchildlesslefthimsoleheir，andsomestrangerestrainingidiosyncrasyoftemperamenthadquitedenationalizedhim。A
bookishrecluse，somewhatsuperfastidioustowardshisowncountrymen，themoreClarenceknewhimthemoresingularappearedhisacquaintancewithFlynn；butashedidnotexhibitmorecommunicativenessonthispointthanupontheirownkinship，Clarencefinallyconcludedthatitwasduetothedominantcharacterofhisformerfriend，andthoughtnomoreaboutit。HeentereduponthenewlifeatElRefugiowithnodisturbingpast。
Quicklyadaptinghimselftothelazyfreedomofthishaciendaexistence，hespentthemorningsonhorsebackrangingthehillsamonghiscousin\'scattle，andtheafternoonsandeveningsbusiedamonghiscousin\'sbookswithequallylawlessandundisciplinedindependence。Theeasy-goingDonJuan，itistrue，attemptedtomakegoodhisrashpromisetoteachtheboySpanish，andactuallysethimafewtasks；butinafewweeksthequick-wittedClarenceacquiredsuchacolloquialproficiencyfromhiscasualacquaintancewithvaquerosandsmalltradersthathewasgladtoleavethematterinhisyoungkinsman\'shands。Again，byoneofthoseillogicalsequenceswhichmakealifelongreputationdependuponasingletrivialact，Clarence\'ssocialstatuswassettledforeveratElRefugioRanchobyhispicturesquediversionofFlynn\'spartinggift。Thegratefulpeontowhomtheboyhadscornfullytossedthecoinrepeatedtheact，gesture，andspiritofthescenetohiscompanion，andDonJuan\'sunknownandyouthfulrelationwasatoncerecognizedashijodelafamilia，andundeniablyahidalgobornandbred。ButinthemorevividimaginationoffeminineElRefugiotheincidentreacheditshighestpoeticform。\"Itistrue，MotherofGod，\"saidChuchaoftheMill；\"itwasDomingowhohimselfrelatesitasitweretheCreed。WhentheAmericanescorthadarrivedwiththeyounggentleman，thisescort，lookyou，beingnotofthesamequality，heisdepartingagainwithoutawordofpermission。Comestohimatthismomentmylittlehidalgo。\'Youhaveyourselfforgottentotakefrommeyourdemission，\'hesaid。Thisescort，thinkingtomakehispeacewithameremuchacho，givestohimagoldpieceoftwentypesos。ThelittlehidalgohastakenitSO，andwiththewords，\'Ah!youwouldmakeofmeyouralmonertomycousin\'speople，\'hasgivenitatthemomenttoDomingo，andwithagraceandfireadmirable。\"ButitiscertainthatClarence\'ssingularsimplicityandtruthfulness，afacultyofbeingpicturesquelyindolentinawaythatsuggestedadreamyabstractionofmindratherthananyvulgartendencytobodilyeaseandcomfort，andpossiblythefactthathewasagoodhorseman，madehimapopularheroatElRefugio。AttheendofthreeyearsDonJuanfoundthatthisinexperiencedandapparentlyidleboyoffourteenknewmoreofthepracticalrulingoftheranchothanhedidhimself；alsothatthisunletteredyoungrustichaddevourednearlyallthebooksinhislibrarywithboyishrecklessnessofdigestion。
Hefound，too，thatinspiteofhissingularindependenceofaction，Clarencewaspossessedofaninvincibleloyaltyofprinciple，andthat，askingnosentimentalaffection，andindeedyieldingnone，hewas，withoutpresumingonhisrelationship，devotedtohiscousin\'sinterest。Itseemedthatfrombeingaglancingrayofsunshineinthehouse，evasivebutneverobtrusive，hehadbecomeadailynecessityofcomfortandsecuritytohisbenefactor。
Clarencewas，however，astonished，when，onemorning，DonJuan，withthesameembarrassedmannerhehadshownattheirfirstmeeting，suddenlyaskedhim，\"whatbusinessheexpectedtofollow。\"
Itseemedthemoresingular，asthespeaker，likemostabstractedmen，hadhithertoalwaysstudiouslyignoredthefuture，intheirdailyintercourse。Yetthismighthavebeeneitherthehabitofsecurityorthecautionofdoubt。Whateveritwas，itwassomesuddendisturbanceofDonJuan\'sequanimity，asdisconcertingtohimselfasitwastoClarence。Soconsciouswastheboyofthisthat，withoutreplyingtohiscousin\'squestion，butstrivinginvaintorecallsomedelinquencyofhisown，heasked，withhisusualboyishdirectness——
\"Hasanythinghappened?HaveIdoneanythingwrong?\"
\"No，no，\"returnedDonJuanhurriedly。\"But，yousee，it\'stimethatyoushouldthinkofyourfuture——oratleastprepareforit。
Imeanyououghttohavesomemoreregulareducation。Youwillhavetogotoschool。It\'stoobad，\"headdedfretfully，withacertainimpatientforgetfulnessofClarence\'spresence，andasiffollowinghisownthought。\"Justasyouarebecomingofservicetome，andjustifyingyourridiculouspositionhere——andallthisd——dnonsensethat\'sgonebefore——Imean，ofcourse，Clarence，\"heinterruptedhimself，catchingsightoftheboy\'swhiteningcheekanddarkeningeye，\"Imean，youknow——thisridiculousnessofmykeepingyoufromschoolatyourage，andtryingtoteachyoumyself——don\'tyousee。\"
\"Youthinkitis——ridiculous，\"repeatedClarence，withdoggedpersistency。
\"ImeanIamridiculous，\"saidDonJuanhastily。\"There!there!
let\'ssaynomoreaboutit。To-morrowwe\'llrideovertoSanJoseandseetheFatherSecretaryattheJesuits\'Collegeaboutyourenteringatonce。It\'sagoodschool，andyou\'llalwaysbeneartherancho!\"Andsotheinterviewended。
IamafraidthatClarence\'sfirstideawastorunaway。Therearefewexperiencesmorecrushingtoaningenuousnaturethanthesuddenrevelationoftheaspectinwhichitisregardedbyothers。
TheunfortunateClarence，consciousonlyofhisloyaltytohiscousin\'sinterestandwhathebelievedwerethedutiesofhisposition，awoketofindthatposition\"ridiculous。\"Inanafternoon\'sgloomyridethroughthelonelyhills，andlaterinthesleeplesssolitudeofhisroomatnight，heconcludedthathiscousinwasright。Hewouldgotoschool；hewouldstudyhard——sohardthatinalittle，averylittlewhile，hecouldmakealivingforhimself。Heawokecontented。Itwastheblessingofyouththatthisresolveandexecutionseemedasoneandthesamething。
Thenextdayfoundhiminstalledasapupilandboarderinthecollege。DonJuan\'spositionandSpanishpredilectionsnaturallymadehisrelationacceptabletothefaculty；butClarencecouldnothelpperceivingthatFatherSobriente，thePrincipal，regardedhimattimeswithathoughtfulcuriositythatmadehimsuspectthathiscousinhadespeciallybespokenthatattention，andthatheoccasionallyquestionedhimonhisantecedentsinawaythatmadehimdreadarenewaloftheoldquestioningabouthisprogenitor。
Fortherest，hewasapolished，cultivatedman；yet，inthecharacteristic，materialcriticismofyouth，IamafraidthatClarencechieflyidentifiedhimasapriestwithlargehands，whosesoftpalmsseemedtobecushionedwithkindness，andwhoseequallylargefeet，encasedinextraordinaryshapelessshoesofundyedleather，seemedtotreaddownnoiselessly——ratherthantoostentatiouslycrush——theobstaclesthatbesetthepathoftheyoungstudent。Inthecloisteredgalleriesofthecourt-yardClarencesometimesfelthimselfbornedownbytheprotectingweightofthispaternalhand；inthemidnightsilenceofthedormitoryhefanciedhewasoftenconsciousofthesoftbrowsingtreadandsnufflymuffledbreathingofhiselephantine-footedmentor。
Hisrelationswithhisschool-fellowswereatfirstfarfrompleasant。Whethertheysuspectedfavoritism；whethertheyresentedthatoldandunsympatheticmannerwhichsprangfromhishabitsofassociationwithhiselders；orwhethertheyrestedtheirobjectionsonthebroadergroundsofhisbeingastranger，Idonotknow，buttheypresentlypassedfromcruelsneerstophysicalopposition。Itwasthenfoundthatthisgentleandreservedyouthhadretainedcertainobjectionable，rude，direct，rusticqualitiesoffistandfoot，andthat，violatingallrulesanddisdainingthepompandcircumstanceofschool-boywarfare，ofwhichheknewnothing，hesimplythrashedafewofhisequalsoutofhand，withorwithoutceremony，astheoccasionortheinsulthappened。Inthisemergencyoneoftheseniorswasselectedtoteachthisyouthfulsavagehisproperposition。Achallengewasgiven，andacceptedbyClarencewithafeverishalacritythatsurprisedhimselfasmuchashisadversary。Thiswasayouthofeighteen，hissuperiorinsizeandskill。
ThefirstblowbathedClarence\'sfaceinhisownblood。Butthesanguinarychrism，tothealarmofthespectators，effectedaninstantaneousandunhallowedchangeintheboy。Instantlyclosingwithhisadversary，hesprangathisthroatlikeananimal，andlockinghisarmaroundhisneckbegantostranglehim。Blindtotheblowsthatraineduponhim，heeventuallyborehisstaggeringenemybysheeronsetandsurprisetotheearth。Amidstthegeneralalarm，thestrengthofhalfadozenhastilysummonedteacherswasnecessarytounlockhishold。Eventhenhestruggledtorenewtheconflict。Buthisadversaryhaddisappeared，andfromthatdayforwardClarencewasneveragainmolested。
SeatedbeforeFatherSobrienteintheinfirmary，withswollenandbandagedface，andeyesthatstillseemedtoseeeverythinginthemurkylightofhisownblood，Clarencefeltthesoftweightofthefather\'shanduponhisknee。
\"Myson，\"saidthepriestgently，\"youarenotofourreligion，orIshouldclaimasarighttoaskaquestionofyourownheartatthismoment。Butastoagoodfriend，Claro，agoodfriend，\"hecontinued，pattingtheboy\'sknee，\"youwilltellme，oldFatherSobriente，franklyandtruthfully，asisyourhabit，onelittlething。Wereyounotafraid?\"
\"No，\"saidClarencedoggedly。\"I\'lllickhimagainto-morrow。\"
\"Softly，myson!ItwasnotofHIMIspeak，butofsomethingmoreterribleandawful。Wereyounotafraidof——of——\"hepaused，andsuddenlydartinghiscleareyesintotheverydepthsofClarence\'ssoul，added——\"ofYOURSELF?\"
Theboystarted，shuddered，andburstintotears。
\"So，so，\"saidthepriestgently，\"wehavefoundourrealenemy。
Good!Now，bythegraceofGod，mylittlewarrior，weshallfightHIMandconquer。\"
WhetherClarenceprofitedbythislesson，orwhetherthisbriefexhibitionofhisqualitypreventedanyrepetitionofthecause，theepisodewassoonforgotten。Ashisschool-fellowshadneverbeenhisassociatesorconfidants，itmatteredlittletohimwhethertheyfearedorrespectedhim，orwerehypocriticallyobsequious，afterthefashionoftheweaker。Hisstudies，atallevents，profitedbythislackofdistraction。Alreadyhistwoyearsofdesultoryandomnivorousreadinghadgivenhimafacilefamiliaritywithmanythings，whichlefthimutterlyfreeofthetimidity，awkwardness，ornon-interestofabeginner。Hisusuallyreservedmanner，whichhadbeenlackofexpressionratherthanofconviction，haddeceivedhistutors。Theaudacityofamindthathadneverbeendominatedbyothers，andowednoallegiancetoprecedent，madehismerelysuperficialprogresssomethingmarvelous。
Attheendofthefirstyearhewasaphenomenalscholar，whoseemedcapableofanything。Nevertheless，FatherSobrientehadaninterviewwithDonJuan，andasaresultClarencewasslightlykeptbackinhisstudies，alittlemorefreedomfromtheruleswasconcededtohim，andhewasevenencouragedtotakesomediversion。
OfsuchwastheprivilegetovisittheneighboringtownofSantaClaraunrestrictedandunattended。Hehadalwaysbeenliberallyfurnishedwithpocket-money，forwhich，inhiscompanionlessstateandSpartanhabits，hehadasingularandunboyishcontempt。
Nevertheless，healwaysappeareddressedwithscrupulousneatness，andwasratherdistinguished-lookinginhisolderreserveandmelancholyself-reliance。
LoungingoneafternoonalongtheAlameda，aleafyavenuesetoutbytheearlyMissionFathersbetweenthevillageofSanJoseandtheconventofSantaClara，hesawadoublefileofyounggirlsfromtheconventapproaching，ontheirusualpromenade。AviewofthisprocessionbeingthefondestambitionoftheSanJosecollegian，andespeciallyinterdictedandcircumventedbythegoodFathersattendingthecollegeexcursions，Clarencefeltforittheprofoundindifferenceofaboywho，intheintermediatetemperatezoneoffifteenyears，thinksthatheisnolongeryoungandromantic!Hewaspassingthemwithacarelessglance，whenapairofdeepvioleteyescaughthisownunderthebroadshadeofacoquettishlyberibbonedhat，evenasithadoncelookedathimfromthedepthsofacalicosunbonnet。Susy!Hestarted，andwouldhavespoken；
butwithaquicklittlegestureofcautionandameaningglanceatthetwonunswhowalkedattheheadandfootofthefile，sheindicatedhimtofollow。Hedidsoatarespectfuldistance，albeitwondering。AlittlefurtheronSusydroppedherhandkerchief，andwasobligedtodartoutandrunbacktotheendofthefiletorecoverit。Butshegaveanotherswiftglanceofherblueeyesasshesnatcheditupanddemurelyranbacktoherplace。Theprocessionpassedon，butwhenClarencereachedthespotwhereshehadpausedhesawathree-corneredbitofpaperlyinginthegrass。Hewastoodiscreettopickitupwhilethegirlswerestillinsight，butcontinuedon，returningtoitlater。
Itcontainedafewwordsinaschoolgirl\'shand，hastilyscrawledinpencil:\"Cometothesouthwallnearthebigpear-treeatsix。\"
DelightedasClarencefelt，hewasatthesametimeembarrassed。
Hecouldnotunderstandthenecessityofthismysteriousrendezvous。Heknewthatifshewasascholarshewasundercertainconventualrestraints；butwiththeprivilegesofhispositionandfriendshipwithhisteachers，hebelievedthatFatherSobrientewouldeasilyprocurehimaninterviewwiththisoldplay-
fellow，ofwhomhehadoftenspoken，andwhowas，withhimself，thesolesurvivorofhistragicalpast。AndtrustedashewasbySobriente，therewassomethinginthisclandestinethoughinnocentrendezvousthatwentagainsthisloyalty。Nevertheless，hekepttheappointment，andatthestatedtimewasatthesouthwalloftheconvent，overwhichthegnarledboughsofthedistinguishingpear-treehung。Hardbyinthewallwasagratedwicketdoorthatseemedunused。
Wouldsheappearamongtheboughsorontheedgeofthewall?
EitherwouldbeliketheoldSusy。Buttohissurpriseheheardthesoundofthekeyturninginthelock。Thegrateddoorsuddenlyswungonitshinges，andSusyslippedout。Graspinghishand，shesaid，\"Let\'srun，Clarence，\"andbeforehecouldreplyshestartedoffwithhimatarapidpace。Downthelanetheyflew——verymuch，asitseemedtoClarence\'sfancy，astheyhadflownfromtheoldemigrantwagonontheprairie，fouryearsbefore。Heglancedatthefluttering，fairy-likefigurebesidehim。Shehadgrowntallerandmoregraceful；shewasdressedinexquisitetaste，withaminutenessofluxuriousdetailthatbespokethespoiltchild；buttherewasthesameprodigaloutburstofrippling，goldenhairdownherbackandshoulders，violeteyes，capriciouslittlemouth，andthesamedelicatehandsandfeethehadremembered。Hewouldhavepreferredamoredeliberatesurvey，butwithashakeofherheadandanhystericlittlelaughsheonlysaid，\"Run，Clarence，run，\"
andagaindartedforward。Arrivingatthecross-street，theyturnedthecorner，andhaltedbreathlessly。
\"Butyou\'renotrunningawayfromschool，Susy，areyou?\"saidClarenceanxiously。
\"Onlyalittlebit。Justenoughtogetaheadoftheothergirls，\"
shesaid，rearrangingherbrowncurlsandtiltedhat。\"Yousee，Clarence，\"shecondescendedtoexplain，withasuddenassumptionofoldersuperiority，\"mother\'shereatthehotelallthisweek，andI\'mallowedtogohomeeverynight，likeadayscholar。Onlythere\'sthreeorfourothergirlsthatgooutatthesametimewithme，andoneoftheSisters，andto-dayIgotaheadof\'emjusttoseeYOU。\"
\"But\"beganClarence。
\"Oh，it\'sallright；theothergirlsknewit，andhelpedme。Theydon\'tstartoutforhalfanhouryet，andthey\'llsayI\'vejustrunahead，andwhentheyandtheSistergettothehotelI\'llbetherealready——don\'tyousee?\"
\"Yes，\"saidClarencedubiously。
\"Andwe\'llgotoanice-creamsaloonnow，shan\'twe?There\'saniceonenearthehotel。I\'vegotsomemoney，\"sheaddedquickly，asClarencelookedembarrassed。
\"SohaveI，\"saidClarence，withafaintaccessionofcolor。
\"Let\'sgo!\"Shehadrelinquishedhishandtosmoothoutherfrock，andtheywerewalkingsidebysideatamoremoderatepace。\"But，\"
hecontinued，clingingtohisfirstideawithmasculinepersistence，andanxioustoassurehiscompanionofhispower，ofhisposition，\"I\'minthecollege，andFatherSobriente，whoknowsyourladysuperior，isagoodfriendofmineandgivesmeprivileges；and——and——whenheknowsthatyouandIusedtoplaytogether——why，he\'llfixitthatwemayseeeachotherwheneverwewant。\"
\"Oh，yousilly!\"saidSusy。\"WHAT!——whenyou\'re——\"
\"WhenI\'mWHAT?\"
Theyounggirlshotavioletbluerayfromunderherbroadhat。
\"Why——whenwe\'regrownupnow?\"Thenwithacertainprecision，\"Why，they\'reVERYparticularaboutyounggentlemen!Why，Clarence，iftheysuspectedthatyouandIwere——\"Anothervioletrayfromunderthehatcompletedthisunfinishedsentence。
Pleasedandyetconfused，Clarencelookedstraightaheadwithdeepeningcolor。\"Why，\"continuedSusy，\"MaryRogers，thatwaswalkingwithme，thoughtyouwereeversoold——andadistinguishedSpaniard!AndI，\"shesaidabruptly——\"haven\'tIgrown?Tellme，Clarence，\"withheroldappealingimpatience，\"haven\'tIgrown?Dotellme!\"
\"Verymuch，\"saidClarence。
\"Andisn\'tthisfrockpretty——it\'sonlymysecondbest——butI\'veaprettieronewithlacealldowninfront；butisn\'tthisonepretty，Clarence，tellme?\"
Clarencethoughtthefrockanditsfairownerperfection，andsaidso。WhereatSusy，asifsuddenlyawareofthepresenceofpassers-
by，assumedanairofseverepropriety，droppedherhandsbyherside，andwithanaffectedconscientiousnesswalkedon，alittlefurtherfromClarence\'sside，untiltheyreachedtheice-creamsaloon。
\"Getatableneartheback，Clarence，\"shesaid，inaconfidentialwhisper，\"wheretheycan\'tseeus——andstrawberry，youknow，forthelemonandvanillaherearejusthorrid!\"
Theytooktheirseatsinakindofrusticarborintherearoftheshop，whichgavethemtheappearanceoftwoyouthfulbutsomewhatover-dressedandover-consciousshepherds。Therewasanintervalofslightawkwardness，whichSusyendeavoredtodisplace。\"Therehasbeen，\"sheremarked，witheasyconversationallightness，\"quiteanexcitementaboutourFrenchteacherbeingchanged。Thegirlsinourclassthinkitmostdisgraceful。\"
Andthiswasallshecouldsayafteraseparationoffouryears!
Clarencewasdesperate，butasyetidealessandvoiceless。Atlast，withaneffortoverhisspoon，hegaspedafloatingrecollection:\"Doyoustilllikeflapjacks，Susy?\"
\"Oh，yes，\"withalaugh，\"butwedon\'thavethemnow。\"
\"AndMose\"(ablackpointer，whousedtoyelpwhenSusysang)，\"doeshestillsingwithyou?\"
\"Oh，HE\'Sbeenlosteversolong，\"saidSusycomposedly；\"butI\'vegotaNewfoundlandandaspanielandablackpony；\"andhere，witharapidinventoryofherotherpersonaleffects，shedriftedintosomedesultorydetailsofthedevotionofheradoptedparents，whomshenowreadilyspokeofas\"papa\"and\"mamma，\"withevidentlynodisturbingrecollectionofthedead。FromwhichitappearedthatthePeytonswereveryrich，and，inadditiontotheirpossessionsinthelowercountry，ownedaranchoinSantaClaraandahouseinSanFrancisco。Likeallchildren，herstrongestimpressionswerethemostrecent。Inthevainhopetoleadherbacktothismaterialyesterday，hesaid——
\"YourememberJimHooker?\"
\"Oh，HEranaway，whenyouleft。Butjustthinkofit!Theotherday，whenpapaandIwentintoabigrestaurantinSanFrancisco，whoshouldbethereWAITINGonthetable——yes，Clarence，arealwaiter——butJimHooker!Papaspoketohim；butofcourse，\"withaslightelevationofherprettychin，\"Icouldn\'t，youknow；fancy——
awaiter!\"
ThestoryofhowJimHookerhadpersonatedhimstoppedshortuponClarence\'slips。Hecouldnotbringhimselfnowtoaddthatrevelationtothecontemptofhissmallcompanion，which，inspiteofitsnaivete，somewhatgratedonhissensibilities。
\"Clarence，\"shesaid，suddenlyturningtowardshimmysteriously，andindicatingtheshopmanandhisassistants，\"Ireallybelievethesepeoplesuspectus。\"
\"Ofwhat?\"saidthepracticalClarence。
\"Don\'tbesilly!Don\'tyouseehowtheyarestaring?\"
Clarencewasreallyunabletodetecttheleastcuriosityonthepartoftheshopman，orthatanyoneexhibitedtheslightestconcerninhimorhiscompanion。Buthefeltareturnoftheembarrassedpleasurehewasconsciousofamomentbefore。
\"Thenyou\'relivingwithyourfather?\"saidSusy，changingthesubject。
\"YoumeanmyCOUSIN，\"saidClarence，smiling。\"YouknowmyfatherdiedlongbeforeIeverknewyou。\"
\"Yes；that\'swhatYOUusedtosay，Clarence，butpapasaysitisn\'tso。\"Butseeingtheboy\'swonderingeyesfixedonherwithatroubledexpression，sheaddedquickly，\"Oh，then，heISyourcousin!\"
\"Well，IthinkIoughttoknow，\"saidClarence，withasmile，thatwas，however，farfromcomfortable，andaquickreturnofhisoldunpleasantrecollectionsofthePeytons。\"Why，Iwasbroughttohimbyoneofhisfriends。\"AndClarencegavearapidboyishsummaryofhisjourneyfromSacramento，andFlynn\'sdiscoveryoftheletteraddressedtoSilsbee。ButbeforehehadconcludedhewasconsciousthatSusywasbynomeansinterestedinthesedetails，norintheleastaffectedbythepassingallusiontoherdeadfatherandhisrelationtoClarence\'smisadventures。Withherroundedchininherhand，shewasslowlyexamininghisface，withacertainmischievousyetdemureabstraction。\"Itellyouwhat，Clarence，\"shesaid，whenhehadfinished，\"yououghttomakeyourcousingetyouoneofthosesombreros，andanicegold-braidedserape。They\'djustsuityou。Andthen——thenyoucouldrideupanddowntheAlamedawhenwearegoingby。\"
\"ButI\'mcomingtoseeyouat——atyourhouse，andattheconvent，\"
hesaideagerly。\"FatherSobrienteandmycousinwillfixitallright。\"
ButSusyshookherhead，withsuperiorwisdom。\"No；theymustneverknowoursecret!——neitherpapanormamma，especiallymamma。
Andtheymustn\'tknowthatwe\'vemetagain——AFTERTHESEYEARS!\"ItisimpossibletodescribethedeepsignificancewhichSusy\'sblueeyesgavetothisexpression。Afterapauseshewenton——
\"No!Wemustnevermeetagain，Clarence，unlessMaryRogershelps。
Sheismybest，myONLIESTfriend，andolderthanI；havinghadtroubleherself，andbeingexpresslyforbiddentoseehimagain。
YoucanspeaktoheraboutSuzette——that\'smynamenow；IwasrechristenedSuzetteAlexandraPeytonbymamma。Andnow，Clarence，\"droppinghervoiceandglancingshylyaroundthesaloon，\"youmaykissmejustonceundermyhat，forgood-by。\"Sheadroitlyslantedherbroad-brimmedhattowardsthefrontoftheshop，andinitsshadowadvancedherfreshyoungcheektoClarence。
Coloringandlaughing，theboypressedhislipstoittwice。ThenSusyarose，withthefaintestaffectationofasigh，shookoutherskirt，drewonhergloveswiththegreatestgravity，andsaying，\"Don\'tfollowmefurtherthanthedoor——they\'recomingnow，\"walkedwithsuperciliousdignitypastthepreoccupiedproprietorandwaiterstotheentrance。Hereshesaid，withmarkedcivility，\"Good-afternoon，Mr。Brant，\"andtrippedawaytowardsthehotel。
Clarencelingeredforamomenttolookafterthelitheandelegantlittlefigure，withitsshiningundulationsofhairthatfelloverthebackandshouldersofherwhitefrocklikeagoldenmantle，andthenturnedawayintheoppositedirection。
Hewalkedhomeinastate，asitseemedtohim，ofabsurdperplexity。ThereweremanyreasonswhyhisencounterwithSusyshouldhavebeenofunmixedpleasure。Shehadrememberedhimofherownfreewill，and，inspiteofthechangeinherfortune，hadmadethefirstadvances。Herdoubtsaboutherfutureinterviewshadaffectedhimbutlittle；stillless，Ifear，didhethinkoftheotherchangesinhercharacteranddisposition，forhewasofthatagewhentheyaddedonlyapiquancyandfascinationtoher——asofonewho，inspiteofherweaknessofnature，wasstilldevotedtohim!Buthewaspainfullyconsciousthatthismeetinghadrevivedinhimallthefears，vagueuneasiness，andsenseofwrongthathadhauntedhisfirstboyhood，andwhichhethoughthehadburiedatElRefugiofouryearsago。Susy\'sallusiontohisfatherandthereiterationofPeyton\'sskepticismawokeinhisolderintellectthefirstfeelingofsuspicionthatwascompatiblewithhisopennature。Wasthisrecurringreticenceandmysteryduetoanyactofhisfather\'s?But，lookingbackuponitinafter-years，heconcludedthattheincidentofthatdaywasapremonitionratherthanarecollection。
CHAPTERXI
WhenhereachedthecollegetheAngelushadlongsincerung。InthecorridorhemetoneoftheFathers，who，insteadofquestioninghim，returnedhissalutationwithagravegentlenessthatstruckhim。HehadturnedintoFatherSobriente\'squietstudywiththeintentionofreportinghimself，whenhewasdisturbedtofindhiminconsultationwiththreeorfourofthefaculty，whoseemedtobethrownintosomeslightconfusionbyhisentrance。ClarencewasabouttoretirehurriedlywhenFatherSobriente，breakingupthecouncilwithasignificantglanceattheothers，calledhimback。
Confusedandembarrassed，withadreadofsomethingimpending，theboytriedtoavertitbyahurriedaccountofhismeetingwithSusy，andhishopesofFatherSobriente\'scounselandassistance。
TakinguponhimselftheideaofsuggestingSusy\'sescapade，heconfessedthefault。Theoldmangazedintohisfrankeyeswithathoughtful，half-compassionatesmile。\"Iwasjustthinkingofgivingyouaholidaywith——withDonJuanRobinson。\"Theunusualsubstitutionofthisfinaltitleforthehabitual\"yourcousin\"
struckClarenceuneasily。\"Butwewillspeakofthatlater。Sitdown，myson；Iamnotbusy。Weshalltalkalittle。FatherPedrosaysyouaregettingonfluentlywithyourtranslations。Thatisexcellent，myson，excellent。\"
Clarence\'sfacebeamedwithreliefandpleasure。Hisvaguefearsbegantodissipate。
\"Andyoutranslateevenfromdictation!Good!Wehaveanhourtospare，andyoushallgivetomeaspecimenofyourskill。Eh?
Good!IwillwalkhereanddictatetoyouinmypoorEnglish，andyoushallsitthereandrenderittomeinyourgoodSpanish。Eh?
Soweshallamuseandinstructourselves。\"
Clarencesmiled。ThesesporadicmomentsofinstructionandadmonitionwerenotunusualtothegoodFather。HecheerfullyseatedhimselfatthePadre\'stablebeforeablanksheetofpaper，withapeninhishand。FatherSobrientepacedtheapartment，withhisusualheavybutnoiselesstread。Tohissurprise，thegoodpriest，afteranexhaustivepinchofsnuff，blewhisnose，andbegan，inhismostlugubriousstyleofpulpitexhortation:——
\"Ithasbeenwrittenthatthesinsofthefathershallbevisiteduponthechildren，andtheunthinkingandworldlyhavesoughtrefugefromthislawbydeclaringitharshandcruel。Miserableandblind!Fordowenotseethatthewickedman，whointheprideofhispowerandvaingloryiswillingtoriskpunishmenttoHIMSELF——andbelievesittobecourage——mustpausebeforetheawfulmandatethatcondemnsanequalsufferingtothoseheloves，whichhecannotwithholdorsufferfor?Inthespectacleoftheseinnocentsstrugglingagainstdisgrace，perhapsdisease，poverty，ordesertion，whatavailshishaughty，all-defyingspirit?Letusimagine，Clarence。\"
\"Sir?\"saidtheliteralClarence，pausinginhisexercise。
\"Imean，\"continuedthepriest，withaslightcough，\"letthethoughtfulmanpictureafather:adesperate，self-willedman，whoscornedthelawsofGodandsociety——keepingonlyfaithwithamiserablesubterfugehecalled\'honor，\'andrelyingonlyonhisowncourageandhisknowledgeofhumanweakness。Imaginehimcruelandbloody——agamblerbyprofession，anoutlawamongmen，anoutcastfromtheChurch；voluntarilyabandoningfriendsandfamily，——thewifeheshouldhavecherished，thesonheshouldhaverearedandeducated——forthegratificationofhisdeadlypassions。Yetimaginethatmansuddenlyconfrontedwiththethoughtofthatheritageofshameanddisgustwhichhehadbroughtuponhisinnocentoffspring——towhomhecannotgiveevenhisowndesperaterecklessnesstosustainitsvicarioussuffering。Whatmustbethefeelingsofaparent——\"
\"FatherSobriente，\"saidClarencesoftly。
Totheboy\'ssurprise，scarcelyhadhespokenwhenthesoftprotectingpalmofthepriestwasalreadyuponhisshoulder，andthesnuffybutkindlyupperlip，tremblingwithsomestrangeemotion，closebesidehischeek。
\"Whatisit，Clarence?\"hesaidhurriedly。\"Speak，myson，withoutfear!Youwouldask——\"
\"Ionlywantedtoknowif\'padre\'takesamasculineverbhere，\"
repliedClarencenaively。
FatherSobrienteblewhisnoseviolently。\"Truly——thoughusedforeithergender，bythecontextmasculine，\"herespondedgravely。
\"Ah，\"headded，leaningoverClarence，andscanninghisworkhastily，\"Good，verygood!Andnow，possibly，\"hecontinued，passinghishandlikeadampspongeoverhisheatedbrow，\"weshallreverseourexercise。IshalldelivertoyouinSpanishwhatyoushallrenderbackinEnglish，eh?And——letusconsider——weshallmakesomethingmorefamiliarandnarrative，eh?\"
TothisClarence，somewhatboredbythesepresentsolemnabstractions，assentedgladly，andtookuphispen。FatherSobriente，resuminghisnoiselesspacing，began:
\"OnthefertileplainsofGuadalajaralivedacertaincaballero，possessedofflocksandlands，andawifeandson。But，beingalsopossessedofafieryandrovingnature，hedidnotvaluethemashedidperilousadventure，featsofarms，andsanguinaryencounters。
Tothismaybeaddedriotousexcesses，gamblinganddrunkenness，whichintimedecreasedhispatrimony，evenashisrebelliousandquarrelsomespirithadalienatedhisfamilyandneighbors。Hiswife，bornedownbyshameandsorrow，diedwhilehersonwasstillaninfant。Inafitofequalremorseandrecklessnessthecaballeromarriedagainwithintheyear。Butthenewwifewasofatemperandbearingasbitterasherconsort。Violentquarrelsensuedbetweenthem，endinginthehusbandabandoninghiswifeandson，andleavingSt。Louis——IshouldsayGuadalajara——forever。
Joiningsomeadventurersinaforeignland，underanassumedname，hepursuedhisrecklesscourse，until，byoneortwoactsofoutlawry，hemadehisreturntocivilizationimpossible。Thedesertedwifeandstep-motherofhischildcoldlyacceptedthesituation，forbiddinghisnametobespokenagaininherpresence，announcedthathewasdead，andkepttheknowledgeofhisexistencefromhisownson，whomsheplacedunderthechargeofhersister。
Butthesistermanagedtosecretlycommunicatewiththeoutlawedfather，and，underapretext，arrangedbetweenthem，ofsendingtheboytoanotherrelation，actuallydispatchedtheinnocentchildtohisunworthyparent。Perhapsstirredbyremorse，theinfamousman——\"
\"Stop!\"saidClarencesuddenly。
Hehadthrowndownhispen，andwasstandingerectandrigidbeforetheFather。
\"Youaretryingtotellmesomething，FatherSobriente，\"hesaid，withaneffort。\"Speakout，Iimploreyou。Icanstandanythingbutthismystery。Iamnolongerachild。Ihavearighttoknowall。Thisthatyouaretellingmeisnofable——Iseeitinyourface，FatherSobriente；itisthestoryof——of——\"
\"Yourfather，Clarence!\"saidthepriest，inatremblingvoice。
Theboydrewback，withawhiteface。\"Myfather!\"herepeated。
\"Living，ordead?\"
\"Living，whenyoufirstleftyourhome，\"saidtheoldmanhurriedly，seizingClarence\'shand，\"foritwashewhointhenameofyourcousinsentforyou。Living——yes，whileyouwerehere，foritwashewhoforthepastthreeyearsstoodintheshadowofthisassumedcousin，DonJuan，andatlastsentyoutothisschool。
Living，Clarence，yes；butlivingunderanameandreputationthatwouldhaveblastedyou!AndnowDEAD——deadinMexico，shotasaninsurgentandinastilldesperatecareer!MayGodhavemercyonhissoul!\"
\"Dead!\"repeatedClarence，trembling，\"onlynow?\"
\"Thenewsoftheinsurrectionandhisfatecameonlyanhoursince，\"continuedthePadrequickly；\"hiscomplicitywithitandhisidentitywereknownonlytoDonJuan。Hewouldhavesparedyouanyknowledgeofthetruth，evenasthisdeadmanwould；butIandmybrothersthoughtotherwise。Ihavebrokenittoyoubadly，myson，butforgiveme?\"
AnhystericallaughbrokefromClarenceandthepriestrecoiledbeforehim。\"ForgiveYOU!Whatwasthismantome?\"hesaid，withboyishvehemence。\"HeneverLOVEDme!Hedesertedme；hemademylifealie。Heneversoughtme，camenearme，orstretchedahandtomethatIcouldtake?\"
\"Hush!hush!\"saidthepriest，withahorrifiedlook，layinghishugehandupontheboy\'sshoulderandbearinghimdowntohisseat。
\"Youknownotwhatyousay。Think——think，Clarence!Wastherenoneofallthosewhohavebefriendedyou——whowerekindtoyouinyourwanderings——towhomyourheartturnedunconsciously?Think，Clarence!Youyourselfhavespokentomeofsuchaone。Letyourheartspeakagain，forhissake——forthesakeofthedead。\"
Agentlerlightsuffusedtheboy\'seyes，andhestarted。Catchingconvulsivelyathiscompanion\'ssleeve，hesaidinaneager，boyishwhisper，\"Therewasone，awicked，desperateman，whomtheyallfeared——Flynn，whobroughtmefromthemines。Yes，Ithoughtthathewasmycousin\'sloyalfriend——morethanalltherest；andItoldhimeverything——all，thatInevertoldthemanIthoughtmycousin，oranyone，orevenyou；andIthink，Ithink，Father，Ilikedhimbestofall。Ithoughtsinceitwaswrong，\"hecontinued，withatremblingsmile，\"forIwasfoolishlyfondevenofthewaytheothersfearedhim，hethatIfearednot，andwhowassokindtome。
Yethe，too，leftmewithoutaword，andwhenIwouldhavefollowedhim——\"Buttheboybrokedown，andburiedhisfaceinhishands。
\"No，no，\"saidFatherSobriente，witheagerpersistence，\"thatwashisfoolishpridetospareyoutheknowledgeofyourkinshipwithonesofeared，andpartoftheblindandmistakenpenancehehadlaiduponhimself。Forevenatthatmomentofyourboyishindignation，heneverwassofondofyouasthen。Yes，mypoorboy，thisman，towhomGodledyourwanderingfeetatDeadman\'sGulch；themanwhobroughtyouhere，andbysomesecrethold——I
knownotwhat——onDonJuan\'spast，persuadedhimtoassumetobeyourrelation；thismanFlynn，thisJacksonBrantthegambler，thisHamiltonBranttheoutlaw——WASYOURFATHER!Ah，yes!Weepon，myson；eachtearofloveandforgivenessfromtheehathvicariouspowertowashawayhissin。\"
WithasinglesweepofhisprotectinghandhedrewClarencetowardshisbreast，untiltheboyslowlysankuponhiskneesathisfeet。
Then，liftinghiseyestowardstheceiling，hesaidsoftlyinanoldertongue，\"AndTHOU，too，unhappyandperturbedspirit，rest!\"……
ItwasnearlydawnwhenthegoodPadrewipedthelasttearsfromClarence\'sclearereyes。\"Andnow，myson，\"hesaid，withagentlesmile，asherosetohisfeet，\"letusnotforgettheliving。
Althoughyourstep-motherhas，throughherownact，nolegalclaimuponyou，farbeitfrommetoindicateyourattitudetowardsher。
EnoughthatYOUareindependent。\"Heturned，and，openingadrawerinhissecretaire，tookoutabank-book，andplaceditinthehandsofthewonderingboy。
\"ItwasHISwish，Clarence，thatevenafterhisdeathyoushouldneverhavetoproveyourkinshiptoclaimyourrights。TakingadvantageoftheboyishdeposityouhadleftwithMr。Cardenatthebank，withhisconnivanceandinyournameheaddedtoit，monthbymonthandyearbyyear；Mr。Cardencheerfullyacceptingthetrustandmanagementofthefund。Theseedthussownhasproducedathousandfold，Clarence，beyondallexpectations。Youarenotonlyfree，myson，butofyourselfandinwhatevernameyouchoose——yourownmaster。\"
\"Ishallkeepmyfather\'sname，\"saidtheboysimply。
\"Amen!\"saidFatherSobriente。
HereclosesthechronicleofClarenceBrant\'sboyhood。Howhesustainedhisnameandindependenceinafteryears，andwho，ofthosealreadymentionedinthesepages，helpedhimtomakeormarit，maybeamatterforfuturerecord。
