OtherwisedustanddirtandageandlongusestampedthisGrassValleystoreanditsimmediateenvironment。
Jeanthrewhisbridle，and，gettingdown，mountedthelowporchandsteppedintothewideopendoor。Aface，grayagainstthebackgroundofgloominside，passedoutofsightjustasJeanentered。Heknewhehadbeenseen。Infrontofthelong，ratherlow—ceiledstorewerefourmen，allabsorbed，apparently，inagameofcheckers。Twowereplayingandtwowerelookingon。Oneofthese，agaunt—facedmanpastmiddleage，casuallylookedupasJeanentered。ButthemomentofthatcasualglanceaffordedJeantimeenoughtomeeteyesheinstinctivelydistrusted。
Theymaskedtheirpenetration。Theyseemedneithercuriousnorfriendly。
Theysawhimasifhehadbeenmerelythinair。
\"Goodevenin’，\"saidJean。
AfterwhatappearedtoJeanalapseoftimesufficienttoimpresshimwithapossibledeafnessofthesemen，thegaunt—facedonesaid，\"Howdy，Isbel！\"
Thetonewasimpersonal，dry，easy，cool，laconic，andyetitcouldnothavebeenmorepregnantwithmeaning。Jean’ssharpsensibilitiesabsorbedmuch。Noneoftheslouch—sombreroed，long—mustachedTexans——forsoJeanatonceclassedthem——hadeverseenJean，buttheyknewhimandknewthathewasexpectedinGrassValley。Allbuttheonewhohadspokenhappenedtohavetheirfacesinshadowunderthewide—brimmedblackhats。Motley—garbed，gun—belted，dusty—booted，theygaveJeanthesameimpressionoflatentforcethathehadencounteredinColter。
\"Willsomebodypleasetellmewheretofindmyfather，GastonIsbel？\"
inquiredJean，withascivilatongueashecouldcommand。
Nobodypaidtheslightestattention。ItwasthesameasifJeanhadnotspoken。Waiting，halfamused，halfirritated，Jeanshotarapidglancearoundthestore。Theplacehadfeltbare;andJean，peeringbackthroughgloomyspace，sawthatitdidnotcontainmuch。Drygoodsandsackslitteredalongrudecounter;longroughshelvesdividedtheirlengthintostacksofcannedfoodsandemptysections;alowshelfbackofthecounterheldagenerousburdenofcartridgeboxes，andnexttoitstoodarackofrifles。Onthecounterlayopencasesofplugtobacco，theodorofwhichwassecondinstrengthonlytothatofrum。
Jean’sswift—rovingeyerevertedtothemen，threeofwhomwereabsorbedinthegreasycheckerboard。ThefourthmanwastheonewhohadspokenandhenowdeignedtolookatJean。Notmuchfleshwastherestretchedoverhisbony，powerfulphysiognomy。Hestrokedaleanchinwithabigmobilehandthatsuggestedmoreofbridleholdingthanfamiliaritywithabucksawandplowhandle。Itwasalazyhand。Themanlookedlazy。Ifhespokeatallitwouldbewithlazyspeech。yetJeanhadnotencounteredmanymentowhomhewouldhaveaccordedmorepotencytostirinhimtheinstinctofself—preservation。
\"Shore，\"drawledthisgaunt—facedTexan，\"oldGasslivesabootamiledownheah。\"Withslowsweepofthebighandheindicatedageneraldirectiontothesouth;then，appearingtoforgethisquestioner，heturnedhisattentiontothegame。
Jeanmutteredhisthanksand，stridingout，hemountedagain，anddrovethepackmuledowntheroad。\"ReckonI’veranintothewrongfoldsto—day，\"hesaid。\"IfIrememberdadrighthewasamantomakean’keepfriends。SomehowI’llbetthere’sgoin’tobehell。\"Beyondthestoreweresomeratherprettyandcomfortablehomes，littleranchhousesbackinthecovesofthehills。TheroadturnedwestandJeansawhisfirstsunsetintheTontoBasin。Itwasapageantofpurplecloudswithsilveredges，andbackgroundofdeeprichgold。PresentlyJeanmetaladdrivingacow。\"Hello，Johnny！\"hesaid，genially，andwithadoublepurpose。\"Myname’sJeanIsbel。ByGolly！I’mlostinGrassValley。Willyoutellmewheremydadlives？\"
\"Yep。Keeprighton，an’y’ucain’tmisshim，\"repliedthelad，withabrightsmile。\"He’slookin’fery’u。\"
\"Howdoyouknow，boy？\"queriedJean，warmedbythatsmile。
\"Aw，Iknow。It’salloverthevalleythety’u’drideinter—day。
ShoreIwustheonethettoleyerdadan’hegivemeadollar。\"
\"Washegladtohearit？\"askedJean，withaqueersensationinhisthroat。
\"Wal，heplumbwas。\"
\"An’whotoldyouIwasgoin’torideinto—day？\"
\"Iheerditatthestore，\"repliedthelad，withanairofconfidence。
\"Somesheepmenwastalkin’toGreaves。He’sthestorekeeper。Iwassettin’outside，butIheerd。AMexicancomedownofftheRimter—dayan’hefetchedthenews。\"Heretheladlookedfurtivelyaround，thenwhispered。\"An’thetgreaserwassentbysomebody。Ineverheerdnomore，butthemsheepmenlookedprettyplumbsour。An’oneofthem，comin’out，givemeakick，darnhim。Itshoreistheluckedestdayferuscowmen。\"
\"How’sthat，Johnny？\"
\"Wal，that’sshoreabigfightcomin’toGrassValley。Mydadsayssoan’heridesferyerdad。An’ifitcomesnowy’u’llbeheah。\"
\"Ahuh！\"laughedJean。\"An’whatthen，boy？\"
Theladturnedbrighteyesupward。\"Aw，now，yu’allcain’tcomethetonme。Ain’ty’uanInjun，JeanIsbel？Ain’ty’uahosstrackerthetrustlerscain’tfool？Ain’ty’uaplumbdeadshot？Ain’ty’uwuss’ernagrizzlybearinarough—an’—tumble？……Nowain’ty’u，shore？\"
Jeanbadetheflatteringladarathersobergooddayandrodeonhisway。ManifestlyareputationsomewhatdifficulttoliveuptohadprecededhisentryintoGrassValley。
Jean’sfirstsightofhisfuturehomethrilledhimthrough。Itwasabig，low，ramblinglogstructurestandingwelloutfromawoodedknollattheedgeofthevalley。Corralsandbarnsandshedslayoffattheback。Totheforestretchedbroadpastureswherenumberlesscattleandhorsesgrazed。Atsunsetthescenewasoneofrichcolor。
Prosperityandabundanceandpeaceseemedattendantuponthatranch;
lustyvoicesofburrosbrayingandcowsbawlingseemedwelcomingJean。
Ahoundbayed。ThefirstcooltouchofwindfannedJean’scheekandbroughtafragranceofwoodsmokeandfryingham。
HorsesinthePasturerompedtothefenceandwhistledatthesenewcomers。Jeanespiedawhite—facedblackhorsethatgladdenedhissight。\"Hello，Whiteface！I’llsurestraddleyou，\"calledJean。
Thenupthegentleslopehesawthetallfigureofhisfather——thesameashehadseenhimthousandsoftimes，bareheaded，shirtsleeved，stridingwithlongstep。Jeanwavedandcalledtohim。
\"Hi，YouProdigal！\"cametheanswer。Yes，thevoiceofhisfather——
andJean’sboyhoodmemoriesflashed。Hehurriedhishorsethoselastfewrods。No——dadwasnotthesame。Hishairshonegray。
\"HereIam，dad，\"calledJean，andthenhewasdismounting。Adeep，quietemotionsettledoverhim，stillingthehurry，theeagerness，thepanginhisbreast。
\"Son，Ishoreamgladtoseeyou，\"saidhisfather，andwrunghishand。
\"Wal，wal，thesizeofyou！Shoreyou’vegrown，anyhowyoufavoryourmother。\"
Jeanfeltintheironclaspofhand，intheupliftingofthehandsomehead，inthestrong，finelightofpiercingeyesthattherewasnodifferenceinthespiritofhisfather。ButtheoldsmilecouldnothidelinesandshadesstrangetoJean。
\"Dad，I’masgladasyou，\"repliedJean，heartily。\"Itseemslongwe’vebeenparted，nowIseeyou。AreYouwell，dad，an’allright？\"
\"Notcomplainin’，son。Icanridealldaysameasever，\"hesaid。
\"Come。Nevermindyourhosses。They’llbelookedafter。
Comemeetthefolks……Wal，wal，yougotheahatlast。\"
OntheporchofthehouseagroupawaitedJean’scoming，rathersilently，hethought。Wide—eyedchildrenwerethere，veryshyandwatchful。Thedarkfaceofhissistercorrespondedwiththeimageofherinhismemory。Sheappearedtaller，morewomanly，assheembracedhim。\"Oh，Jean，Jean，I’mgladyou’vecome！\"shecried，andpressedhimclose。Jeanfeltinherawoman’sanxietyforthepresentaswellasaffectionforthepast。HerememberedhisauntMary，thoughhehadnotseenherforyears。Hishalfbrothers，BillandGuy，hadchangedbutlittleexceptperhapstogrowleanandrangy。Billresembledhisfather，thoughhisaspectwasjocularratherthanserious。Guywassmaller，wiry，andhardasrock，withsnappingeyesinabrown，stillface，andhehadthebow—legsofacattleman。BothhadmarriedinArizona。Bill’swife，Kate，wasastout，comelylittlewoman，motherofthreeofthechildren。Theotherwifewasyoung，astrappinggirl，redheadedandfreckled，withwonderfullinesofpainandstrengthinherface。Jeanremembered，ashelookedather，thatsomeonehadwrittenhimaboutthetragedyinherlife。WhenshewasonlyachildtheApacheshadmurderedallherfamily。ThennexttogreetJeanwerethelittlechildren，allshy，yetallmanifestlyimpressedbytheoccasion。AwarmthandintimacyofforgottenhomeemotionsfloodedoverJean。Sweetitwastogethometotheserelativeswholovedhimandwelcomedhimwithquietgladness。Butthereseemedmore。Jeanwasquicktoseetheshadowintheeyesofthewomeninthathouseholdandtosenseastrangereliancewhichhispresencebrought。
\"Son，thisheahTontoisalandofmilkan’honey，\"saidhisfather，asJeangazedspellboundatthebounteoussupper。
Jeancertainlyperformedgastronomicfeatsonthisoccasion，tothedelightofAuntMaryandthewonderofthechildren。\"Oh，he’sstarv—vedtodeath，\"whisperedoneofthelittleboystohissister。
Theyhadbeguntowarmtothisstrangeruncle。Jeanhadnochancetotalk，evenhadhebeenableto，forthemeal—timeshowedarelaxationofrestraintandtheyalltriedtotellhimthingsatonce。InthebrightlamplighthisfatherlookedeasierandhappierashebeameduponJean。
Aftersupperthemenwentintoanadjoiningroomthatappearedmostcomfortableandattractive。Itwaslong，andthewidthofthehouse，withahugestonefireplace，lowceilingofhewntimbersandwallsofthesame，smallwindowswithinsideshuttersofwood，andhome—madetableandchairsandrugs。
\"Wal，Jean，doyourecollectthemshootin’—irons？\"inquiredtherancher，pointingabovethefireplace。Twogunshungonthespreadingdeerantlersthere。OnewasamusketJean’sfatherhadusedinthewaroftherebellionandtheotherwasalong，heavy，muzzle—loadingflintlockKentucky，riflewithwhichJeanhadlearnedtoshoot。
\"ReckonIdo，dad，\"repliedJean，andwithreverenthandsandarushofmemoryhetooktheoldgundown。
\"Jean，youshorehandlethetoldarmsomeclumsy，\"saidGuyIsbel，dryly。AndBilladdedaremarktotheeffectthatperhapsJeanhadbeenleadingaluxuriousandtamelifebackthereinOregon，andthenadded，\"ButIreckonhe’spackin’thatsix—shooterlikeaTexan。\"
\"Say，Ifetchedagunortwoalongwithme，\"repliedJean，jocularly。
\"ReckonInearbrokemypoormule’sbackwiththeloadofshellsan’
guns。Dad，whatwastheideaaskin’metopackoutanarsenal？\"
\"Son，shoreallshootin’armsan’suchareatapremiumintheTonto，\"
repliedhisfather。\"An’Iwasgivin’youahunchtocomeloaded。\"
Hiscool，drawlingvoiceseemedtoputadamperuponthepleasantries。
RightthereJeansensedthechargedatmosphere。Hisbrotherswereburstingwithutteranceabouttobreakforth，andhisfathersuddenlyworealookthatrecalledtoJeancriticaltimesofdayslongpast。
Buttheentranceofthechildrenandthewomenfolkputanendtoconfidences。Evidentlytheyoungsterswerelaboringundersubduedexcitement。Theyprecededtheirmother，thesmallestboyinthelead。
Forhimthismusthavebeenbothadreadfulandawonderfulexperience，forheseemedtobepushedforwardbyhissisterandbrotherandmother，anddrivenbyyearningsofhisown。\"Therenow，Lee。Say，’UncleJean，whatdidyoufetchus？’Theladhesitatedforashy，frightenedlookatJean，andthen，gainingsomethingfromhisscrutinyofhisuncle，hetoddledforwardandbravelydeliveredthequestionoftremendousimportance。
\"WhatdidIfetchyou，hey？\"criedJean，indelight，ashetooktheladuponhisknee。\"Wouldn’tyouliketoknow？Ididn’tforget，Lee。
Irememberedyouall。Oh！thejobIhadpackin’yourbundleofpresents……Now，Lee，makeaguess。\"
\"Idessyoufetchedadun，\"repliedLee。
\"Adun！——I’llbetyoumeanagun，\"laughedJean。\"Well，youfour—year—oldTexasgunman！Makeanotherguess。\"
Thatappearedtoomomentousandentrancingfortheothertwoyoungsters，and，addingtheirshrillandjoyousvoicestoLee’s，theybesiegedJean。
\"Dad，where’smypack？\"criedJean。\"TheseyoungApachesareaftermyscalp。\"
\"Reckontheboysfetcheditontotheporch，\"repliedtherancher。
GuyIsbelopenedthedoorandwentout。\"Bygolly！heah’sthreepacks，\"hecalled。\"Whichonedoyouwant，Jean？\"
\"It’salong，heavybundle，alltiedup，\"repliedJean。
Guycamestaggeringinunderaburdenthatbroughtawhoopfromtheyoungstersandbrightgleamstotheeyesofthewomen。Jeanlostnothingofthis。HowgladhewasthathehadtarriedinSanFranciscobecauseofamentalpictureofthisveryreceptioninfar—offwildArizona。
WhenGuydepositedthebundleontheflooritjarredtheroom。
Itgaveforthmetallicandrattlingandcracklingsounds。
\"Everybodystandbackan’givemeelbowroom，\"orderedJean，majestically。\"Mygoodfolks，Iwantyoualltoknowthisissomethin’thatdoesn’thappenoften。ThebundleyouseehereweighedaboutahundredpoundswhenIpackeditonmyshoulderdownMarketStreetinFrisco。Itwasstolenfrommeonshipboard。
IgotitbackinSanDiegoan’lickedthethief。ItrodeonaburrofromSanDiegotoYumaan’onceIthoughttheburrowaslostforkeeps。
ItcameuptheColoradoRiverfromYumatoEhrenbergan’therewentontopofastage。Wegotchasedbybanditsan’oncewhenthehorsesweregallopin’harditnearrolledoff。Thenitwentonthebackofapackhorsean’helpedwearhimout。An’IreckonitwouldbesomewhereelsenowifIhadn’tfalleninwithafreightergoin’northfromPhoenixtotheSantaFeTrail。Thelastlapwhenitsaggedthebackofamulewastheriskiestan’fullofthenarrowestescapes。
Twicemymulebuckedoffhispackan’leftmyoutfitscattered。
Worstofall，mypreciousbundlemadethemuletopheavycomin’downthatplacebackherewherethetrailseemstodropofftheearth。
ThereIwashardputtokeepsightofmypack。Sometimesitwasontopan’othertimesthemule。Butitgothereatlast……
An’nowI’llopenit。\"
Afterthislongandimpressiveharangue，whichatleastaugmentedthesuspenseofthewomenandworkedthechildrenintoafrenzy，Jeanleisurelyuntiedthemanyknotsroundthebundleandunrolledit。
Hehadpackedthatbundleforjustsuchtravelasithadsustained。
Threecloth—boundrifleshelaidaside，andwiththemalong，veryheavypackagetiedbetweentwothinwideboards。Fromthiscamethe，metallicclink。\"Oo，Iknowwhatdemis！\"criedLee，breakingthesilenceofsuspense。ThenJean，tearingopenalongflatparcel，spreadbeforethemute，rapt—eyedyoungsterssuchmagnificentthings，astheyhadneverdreamedof——picturebooks，mouth—harps，dolls，atoygunandatoypistol，awonderfulwhistleandafoxhorn，andlastofallaboxofcandy。Beforethesetreasuresonthefloor，toomagicaltobetouchedatfirst，thetwolittleboysandtheirsistersimplyknelt。Thatwasasweet，fullmomentforJean;yeteventhatwascloudedbythesomethingwhichshadowedtheseinnocentchildrenfatefullyborninawildplaceatawildtime。NextJeangavetohissisterthepresentshehadbroughther——beautifulclothforadress，ribbonsandabitoflace，handkerchiefsandbuttonsandyardsoflinen，asewingcaseandawholeboxofspoolsofthread，acombandbrushandmirror，andlastlyaSpanishbroochinlaidwithgarnets。\"There，Ann，\"saidJean，\"IconfessIaskedagirlfriendinOregontotellmesomethingsmysistermightlike。\"Manifestlytherewasnotmuchdifferenceingirls。Annseemedstunnedbythismunificence，andthenawakening，shehuggedJeaninawaythattookhisbreath。Shewasnotachildanymore，thatwascertain。AuntMaryturnedknowingeyesuponJean。\"Reckonyoucouldn’thavepleasedAnnmore。She’sengaged，Jean，an’wheregirlsareinthatstatethesethingsmeanaheap……Ann，you’llbemarriedinthat！\"AndshepointedtothebeautifulfoldsofmaterialthatAnnhadspreadout。
\"What’sthis？\"demandedJean。Hissister’sblusheswereenoughtoconvicther，andtheyweremightilybecoming，too。
\"Here，AuntMary，\"wentonJean，\"here’syours，an’here’ssomethin’
foreachofmynewsisters。\"Thisdistributionleftthewomenashappyandoccupied，almost，asthechildren。Itleftalsoanotherpackage，thelastoneinthebundle。Jeanlaidholdofitand，liftingit，hewasabouttospeakwhenhesustainedalittleshockofmemory。
Quitedistinctlyhesawtwolittlefeet，withbaretoespeepingoutofworn—outmoccasins，andthenround，bare，symmetricalanklesthathadbeenscratchedbybrush。NexthesawEllenJorth’spassionatefaceasshelookedwhenshehadmadetheviolentactionsodisconcertingtohim。Inthishappymomentthememoryseemedfartheroffthanafewhours。Ithadcrystallized。Itannoyedwhileitdrewhim。Asaresultheslowlylaidthispackageasideanddidnotspeakashehadintendedto。
\"Dad，IreckonIdidn’tfetchalotforyouan’theboys，\"continuedJean。\"Someknives，somepipesan’tobacco。An’suretheguns。\"
\"Shore，you’rearegularSantaClaus，Jean，\"repliedhisfather。
\"Wal，wal，lookatthekids。An’lookatMary。An’fortheland’ssakelookatAnn！Wal，wal，I’mgettin’old。I’dforgottentheprettystuffan’gimcracksthatmeansomuchtowomen。We’reoutoftheworldheah。It’sjustaswellyou’velivedapartfromus，Jean，forcomin’backthisway，withallthatstuff，doesusalotofgood。Icain’tsay，son，howobligedIam。Mymindhasbeensetonthehardsideoflife。An’it’sshoregoodtoforget——toseethesmilesofthewomenan’thejoyofthekids。\"
Atthisjunctureatallyoungmanenteredtheopendoor。Helookedarider。Allabouthim，evenhisface，excepthiseyes，seemedold，buthiseyeswereyoung，fine，soft，anddark。
\"Howdo，y’u—all！\"hesaid，evenly。
Annrosefromherknees。ThenJeandidnotneedtobetoldwhothisnewcomerwas。
\"Jean，thisismyfriend，AndrewColmor。\"
JeanknewwhenhemetColmor’sgripandthekeenflashofhiseyesthathewasgladAnnhadsetherheartupononeoftheirkind。Andhissecondimpressionwassomethingakintotheonegivenhimintheroadbytheadmiringlad。Colmor’sestimateofhimmusthavebeenamonumentbuiltofAnn’seulogies。Jean’sheartsufferedmisgivings。
CouldheliveuptothecharacterthatsomehowhadforestalledhisadventinGrassValley？SurelylifewasmeasureddifferentlyhereintheTontoBasin。
Thechildren，bundlingtheirtreasurestotheirbosoms，weredraggedofftobedinsomeremotepartofthehouse，fromwhichtheirlaughterandvoicescamebackwithhappysignificance。Jeanforthwithhadaninterestedaudience。Howeagerlytheselonelypioneerpeoplelistenedtonewsoftheoutsideworld！Jeantalkeduntilhewashoarse。
IntheirturnhishearerstoldhimmuchthathadneverfoundplaceinthefewandshortlettershehadreceivedsincehehadbeenleftinOregon。Notawordaboutsheepmenoranyhintofrustlers！
Jeanmarkedtheomissionandthoughtallthemoreseriouslyofprobabilitiesbecausenothingwassaid。Altogethertheeveningwasahappyreunionofafamilyofwhichalllivingmembersweretherepresent。Jeangraspedthatthisfactwasoneofsignificantsatisfactiontohisfather。
\"Shorewe’reallgoin’tolivetogetherheah，\"hedeclared。\"Istartedthisrange。Icallmostofthisvalleymine。We’llrunupacabinforAnnsoonasshesaystheword。An’you，Jean，where’syourgirl？
Ishoretoldyoutofetchher。\"
\"Dad，Ididn’thaveone，\"repliedJean。
\"Wal，Iwishyouhad，\"returnedtherancher。\"You’llgocourtin’oneoftheseTontohussiesthatImightobjectto。\"
\"Why，father，there’snotagirlinthevalleyJeanwouldlooktwiceat，\"
interposedAnnIsbel，withspirit。
Jeanlaughedthematteraside，buthehadanuneasymemory。AuntMaryaverred，afterthemannerofrelatives，thatJeanwouldplayhavocamongthewomenofthesettlement。AndJeanretortedthatatleastonememberoftheIsbels;shouldholdoutagainstfollyandfightandloveandmarriage，theagentswhichhadreducedthefamilytothesefewpresent。\"I’llbethelastIsbeltogounder，\"heconcluded。
\"Son，you’retalkin’wisdom，\"saidhisfather。\"An’shorethatremindsmeoftheuncleyou’renamedafter。JeanIsbel！……Wal，hewasmyyoungestbrotheran’shoreafire—eater。OurmotherwasaFrenchcreolefromLouisiana，an’Jeanmusthaveinheritedsomeofhisfightin’naturefromher。WhenthewaroftherebellionstartedJeanan’Ienlisted。
Iwascrippledbeforeweevergottothefront。ButJeanwentthroughthreeYearsbeforehewaskilled。Hiscompanyhadorderstofighttothelastman。An’Jeanfoughtan’livedlongenoughjusttobethatlastman。\"
AtlengthJeanwasleftalonewithhisfather。
\"Reckonyou’reusedtobunkin’outdoors？\"queriedtherancher，ratherabruptly。
\"Mostofthetime，\"repliedJean。
\"Wal，there’sroominthehouse，butIwantyoutosleepout。
Comegetyourbeddin’an’gun。I’llshowyou。\"
Theywentoutsideontheporch，whereJeanshoulderedhisrolloftarpaulinandblankets。Hisrifle，initssaddlesheath，leanedagainstthedoor。Hisfathertookitupand，halfpullingitout，lookedatitbythestarlight。\"Forty—four，eh？Wal，wal，there’sshorenobetter，ifamancanholdstraight。\"AtthemomentabiggraydogtrotteduptosniffatJean。\"An’heah’syourbunkmate，Shepp。He’spartlofer，Jean。Hismotherwasafavoriteshepherddogofmine。Hisfatherwasabigtimberwolfthattookustwoyearstokill。Somebadwolfpacksrunnin’thisBasin。\"
Thenightwascoldandstill，darklybrightundermoonandstars;
thesmellofhayseemedtominglewiththatofcedar。Jeanfollowedhisfatherroundthehouseandupagentleslopeofgrasstotheedgeofthecedarline。Hereseveraltreeswithlow—sweepingthickbranchesformedadense，impenetrableshade。
\"Son，youruncleJeanwasscoutforLiggett，oneofthegreatestrebelstheSouthhad，\"saidtherancher。\"An’you’regoin’tobescoutfortheIsbelsofTonto。Reckonyou’llfindit’mostashotasyouruncledid……Spreadyourbedinside。Youcanseeout，butnoonecanseeyou。Reckonthere’sbeensomequeerhappenin’s’roundheahlately。IfSheppcouldtalkhe’dshorehavelotstotellus。Billan’Guyhavebeensleepin’out，trailin’strangehosstracks，an’allthat。Butshorewhoever’sbeenprowlin’aroundheahwastoosharpforthem。Somebad，crafty，light—steppin’woodsmen’roundheah，Jean……Threemawnin’sago，justafterdaylight，Isteppedoutthebackdooran’someoneofthesesneaksI’mtalkin’
aboottookashotatme。Missedmyheadaquarterofaninch！
To—morrowI’llshowyouthebulletholeinthedoorpost。An’someofmygrayhairsthat’restickin’init！\"
\"Dad！\"ejaculatedJean，withahandoutstretched。That’sawful！
Youfrightenme。\"
\"Notimetobescared，\"repliedhisfather，calmly。\"They’reshoregoin’tokillme。That’swhyIwantedyouhome……Intherewithyou，now！Gotosleep。YoushorecantrustShepptowakeyouifhegetsscentorsound……An’goodnight，myson。I’msayin’thatI’llresteasyto—night。\"
Jeanmumbledagoodnightandstoodwatchinghisfather’sshiningwhiteheadmoveawayunderthestarlight。Thenthetall，darkformvanished，adoorclosed，andallwasstill。ThedogShepplickedJean’shand。Jeanfeltgratefulforthatwarmtouch。Foramomenthesatonhisrollofbedding，histhoughtstilllockedontheshudderingrevelationofhisfather’swords，\"They’reshoregoin’
tokillme。\"Theshockofinactionpassed。Jeanpushedhispackinthedarkopeningand，crawlinginside，heunrolleditandmadehisbed。
Whenatlengthhewascomfortablysettledforthenighthebreathedalongsighofrelief。Whatblisstorelax！Athrobbingandburningofhismusclesseemedtobeginwithhisrest。Thecoolstarlitnight，thesmellofcedar，themoanofwind，thesilence——anwererealtohissenses。Afterlongweeksoflong，arduoustravelhewashome。Thewarmthofthewelcomestilllingered，butitseemedtohavebeenpiercedbyanicythrust。Whatlaybeforehim？Theshadowintheeyesofhisaunt，intheyounger，freshereyesofhissister——Jeanconnectedthatwiththemeaningofhisfather’stragicwords。Farpastwasthemorningthathadbeensokeen，thebreakingofcampinthesunlitforest，theridingdownthebrownaislesunderthepines，themusicofbleatinglambsthathadcalledhimnottopassby。
ThoughtofEllenJorthrecurred。Hadhemetheronlythatmorning？
Shewasupthereintheforest，asleepunderthestarlitpines。
Whowasshe？Whatwasherstory？Thatsavageflingofherskirt，herbitterspeechandpassionateflamingface——theyhauntedJean。
Theywerecrystallizingintosimplermemories，growingawayfromhisbewilderment，andthereforeatoncesweeterandmoredoubtful。
\"MaybeshemeantdifferentlyfromwhatIthought，\"Jeansoliloquized。
\"Anyway，shewashonest。\"Bothshameandthrillpossessedhimattherecallofaninsidiousidea——darehegobackandfindherandgiveherthelastpackageofgiftshehadbroughtfromthecity？Whatmighttheymeantopoor，ragged，untidy，beautifulEllenJorth？TheideagrewonJean。Itcouldnotbedispelled。Heresistedstubbornly。
Itwasboundtogotoitsfruition。Deepintohismindhadsunkanimpressionofherneed——amaterialneedthatbroughtspiritandpridetoabasement。Fromonepicturetoanotherhismemorywandered，fromonespeechandactofherstoanother，choosing，selecting，castingaside，untilclearandsharpasthestarsshonethewords，\"Oh，I’vebeenkissedbefore！\"Thatstunghimnow。Bywhom？Notbyoneman，butbyseveral，bymany，shehadmeant。Pshaw！hehadonlybeensympatheticanddrawnbyastrangegirlinthewoods。To—morrowhewouldforget。WorktherewasforhiminGrassValley。Andhereverteduneasilytotheremarksofhisfatheruntilatlastsleepclaimedhim。
Acoldnoseagainsthischeek，alowwhine，awakenedJean。ThebigdogSheppwasbesidehim，keen，wary，intense。Thenightappearedfaradvancedtowarddawn。Farawayacockcrowed;thenear—at—handoneansweredinclarionvoice。\"Whatisit，Shepp？\"whisperedJean，andhesatup。Thedogsmelledorheardsomethingsuspicioustohisnature，butwhethermanoranimalJeancouldnottell。
