第5章

’Iwouldoftenbeacowardbutfortheshameofit.’ AndsotheLeaguewaitedforthemantocome，whowastobeResidentManagerandmakethenewenterpriseasuccess.Andcomehedid;butthemannerofhiscomingwassoextraordinary，thatI havebelievedinthedoctrineofaspecialprovidenceeversince; forasCraigsaid，’IfhehadcomestraightfromHeavenIcouldnothavebeenmoresurprised.’ WhiletheLeaguewasthuswaiting，itsinterestcentreduponSlavin，chieflybecauseherepresentedmorethananyothertheforcesoftheenemy;andthoughBillyBreenstoodbetweenhimandthevengeanceoftheangrymenwhowouldhavemadeshortworkofhimandhissaloon，nothingcouldsavehimfromhimself，andafterthefuneralSlavinwenttohisbaranddrankwhiskyashehadneverdrunkbefore.Butthemorehedrankthefiercerandgloomierhebecame，andwhenthemendrinkingwithhimchaffedhim，hesworedeeplyandwithsuchthreatsthattheylefthimalone. ItdidnothelpSlavineithertohaveNixonstrideinthroughthecrowddrinkingathisbarandgivehimwordsofwarning. ’Itisnotyourfault，Slavin，’hesaidinslow，coolvoice，’thatyouandyourpreciouscrewdidn’tsentmetomydeath，too.You’vewonyourbet，butIwanttosay，thatnexttime，thoughyouareseventoone，ortentimesthat，whenanyofyouboysoffermeadrinkI’lltakeyoutomeanfight，andI’llnotdisappointyou，andsomeonewillbekilled，’andsosayinghestrodeoutagain，leavingamean—lookingcrowdofmenbehindhim.AllwhohadnotbeenconcernedinthebusinessatNixon’sshackexpressedapprovalofhisposition，andhopedhewould’seeitthrough.’ ButtheimpressionofNixon’swordsuponSlavinwasasnothingcomparedwiththatmadebyGeordieCrawford.Itwasnotwhathesaidsomuchasthemannerofawfulsolemnityhecarried.Geordiewasstrugglingconscientiouslytokeephispromiseto’notbe’ardontheboys，’andfoundconsiderablereliefinrememberingthathehadagreed’toleavethemtaetheAlmichty.’Butthemannerofleavingthemwassosolemnlyawful，thatIcouldnotwonderthatSlavin’ssuperstitiousIrishnaturesuppliedhimwithsupernaturalterrors.ItwastheseconddayafterthefuneralthatGeordieandIwerewalkingtowardsSlavin’s.Therewasagreatshoutoflaughteraswedrewnear. Geordiestoppedshort，andsaying，’We’lljuistganginameenute，’ passedthroughthecrowdanduptothebar. ’MichaelSlavin，’beganGeordie，andthemenstaredindead，silence，withtheirglassesintheirhands.’MichaelSlavin，a’ promisedthelada’dbearyenaeillwull，butjuistleaveyetaetheAlmichty;an’Iwanttaetellyethata’mkeepin’mawur—r—d. But’——andhereheraisedhishand，andhisvoicebecamepreternaturallysolemn——’hisbluidisuponyerhan’s.Doyeno’ seeit？’ Hisvoicerosesharply，andashepointed，Slavininstinctivelyglancedathishands，andGeordieadded—— ’Ay，andtheLordwillrequireito’youandyerhoose.’ TheytoldmethatSlavinshiveredasiftakenwithagueafterGeordiewentout，andthoughhelaughedandswore，hedidnotstopdrinkingtillhesankintoadrunkenstuporandhadtobecarriedtobed.HislittleFrench—Canadianwifecouldnotunderstandthechangethathadcomeoverherhusband. ’He’slikeonebear，’sheconfidedtoMrs.Mavor，towhomshewasshowingherbabyofayearold.’He’snotkeesmeonetamdisday. He’smoshawfulbad，he’snotevenlookatdebaby.’Andthisseemedsufficientproofthatsomethingwasseriouslywrong;forshewentontosay—— ’He’stinkmorefordatleelbabydanfordewholeworl’;he’stinkmorefordatbabydanforme，’butsheshruggedherprettylittleshouldersindeprecationofherspeech. ’Youmustprayforhim，’saidMrs.Mavor，’andallwillcomeright.’ ’Ah！madame！’sherepliedearnestly，’everyday，everyday，IpraylasainteViergeettouslessaintsforhim.’ ’YoumustpraytoyourFatherinheavenforhim.’ ’Ah！oui！Iweelpray，’andMrs.Mavorsentherawaybrightwithsmiles，andwithnewhopeandcourageinherheart. Shehadverysoonneedofallhercourage，forattheweek’sendherbabyfelldangerouslyill.Slavin’sanxietyandfearwerenotrelievedmuchbythereportsthemenbroughthimfromtimetotimeofGeordie’sominousforebodings;forGeordiehadnodoubtbutthattheAvengerofBloodwashotuponSlavin’strail;andasthesicknessgrew，hebecameconfirmedinthisconviction.WhilehecouldnotbesaidtofindsatisfactioninSlavin’simpendingaffliction，hecouldhardlyhidehiscomplacencyinthepromptnessofProvidenceinvindicatinghistheoryofretribution. ButGeordie’scomplacencywassomewhatrudelyshockedbyMr. Craig’sanswertohistheoryoneday. ’YoureadyourBibletolittleprofit，itseemstome，Geordie：or，perhaps，youhaveneverreadtheMaster’steachingabouttheTowerofSiloam.Betterreadthatandtakethatwarningtoyourself.’ GeordiegazedafterMr.Craigasheturnedaway，andmuttered—— ’Thetooro’Siloam，isit？Ay，a’kenfineabootthetooro’ Siloam，andabootthetooro’Babelasweel;an’a’veread，too，abouttheblaspheemiousHerod，an’siclike.Man，buthe’sahot— heidedladdie，andlacksdiscreemeenation.’ ’WhataboutHerod，Geordie？’Iasked. ’AbootHerod？’——withastrongtingeofcontemptinhistone. ’AbootHerod？Man，haeyeno’readintheScreeptursabootHerodan’thewur—r—msinthewameo’him？’ ’Ohyes，Isee，’Ihastenedtoanswer. ’Ay，afulecanseewhat’sflappedinhisface，’withwhichbitofproverbialphilosophyhesuddenlyleftme.ButGeordiethenceforthcontentedhimself，inMr.Craig’spresenceatleast，withominoushead—shakings，equallyaggravating，andimpossibletoanswer. Thatsamenight，however，Geordieshowedthatwithallhistheorieshehadaman’strueheart，forhecameinhastetoMrs.Mavortosay： ’Ye’llbeneededoweryonder，a’mthinkin’.’ ’Why？Isthebabyworse？Haveyoubeenin？’ ’Na，na，’repliedGeordiecautiously，’a’llnogangwherea’mnowanted.Butyonpuirthing，yecanhearootsideweepin’andmoanin’.’ ’She’llmaybeneedyetae，’hewentondubiouslytome.’Ye’reakindo’doctor，a’hear，’notcommittinghimselftoanyopinionastomyprofessionalvalue.ButSlavinwouldhavenoneofme，havinggotthedoctorsoberenoughtoprescribe. TheinterestofthecampinSlavinwasgreatlyincreasedbytheillnessofhisbaby，whichwastohimastheappleofhiseye. Therewereafewwho，impressedbyGeordie’sprofoundconvictionsuponthematter，wereinclinedtofavourtheretributiontheory，andconnectthebaby’sillnesswiththevengeanceoftheAlmighty. AmongthesefewwasSlavinhimself，andgoadedbyhisremorsefulterrorshesoughtreliefindrink.Butthisbroughthimonlydeeperandfiercergloom;sothatbetweenhersufferingchildandhersavagelydespairinghusband，thepoormotherwasdesperatewithterrorandgrief. ’Ah！madame，’shesobbedtoMrs.Mavor，’myheartisbrokeforhim. He’sheetnotingfortreedays，butjisdreenk，dreenk，dreenk.’ Thenextdayamancameformeinhaste.Thebabywasdyingandthedoctorwasdrunk.IfoundthelittleoneinaconvulsionlyingacrossMrs.Mavor’sknees，themotherkneelingbesideit，wringingherhandsinadumbagony，andSlavinstandingnear，silentandsuffering.IglancedatthebottleofmedicineuponthetableandaskedMrs.Mavorthedose，andfoundthebabyhadbeenpoisoned. MylookofhorrortoldSlavinsomethingwaswrong，andstridingtomehecaughtmyarmandasked—— ’Whatisit？Isthemedicinewrong？’ Itriedtoputhimoff，buthisgriptightenedtillhisfingersseemedtoreachthebone. ’Thedoseiscertainlytoolarge;butletmego，Imustdosomething.’ Heletmegoatonce，sayinginavoicethatmademyheartsoreforhim，’Hehaskilledmybaby;hehaskilledmybaby.’Andthenhecursedthedoctorwithawfulcurses，andwithalookofsuchmurderousfuryonhisfacethatIwasgladthedoctorwastoodrunktoappear. Hiswifehearinghiscurses，andunderstandingthecause，brokeoutintowailinghardtobear. ’Ah！monpetitange！Itisdatwheeskeydat’skeelmonbaby.Ah！ moncheri，monamour.Ah！monDieu！Ah，Michael，howoftenIsaythatwheeskeyhe’snotgoodting.’ ItwasmorethanSlavincouldbear，andwithawfulcurseshepassedout.Mrs.Mavorlaidthebabyinitscrib，fortheconvulsionhadpassedaway;andputtingherarmsaboutthewailinglittleFrenchwoman，comfortedandsoothedherasamothermightherchild. ’Andyoumusthelpyourhusband，’Iheardhersay.’Hewillneedyoumorethanever.Thinkofhim.’ ’Ahoui！Iweel，’wasthequickreply，andfromthatmomenttherewasnomorewailing. ItseemednomorethanaminutetillSlavincameinagain，sober，quiet，andsteady;thepassionwasallgonefromhisface，andonlythegriefremained. Aswestoodleaningoverthesleepingchildthelittlethingopeneditseyes，sawitsfather，andsmiled.Itwastoomuchforhim. Thebigmandroppedonhiskneeswithadrysob. ’Istherenochanceatall，atall？’hewhispered，butIcouldgivehimnohope.Heimmediatelyrose，andpullinghimselftogether，stoodperfectlyquiet. Anewterrorseizeduponthemother. ’Mybabyisnot——whatyoucallit？’goingthroughtheformofbaptism.’An’hewillnotcometolasainteVierge，’shesaid，crossingherself. ’Donotfearforyourlittleone，’saidMrs.Mavor，stillwithherarmsabouther.’ThegoodSaviourwilltakeyourdarlingintoHisownarms.’ Butthemotherwouldnotbecomfortedbythis.AndSlavintoo，wasuneasy. ’WhereisFatherGoulet？’heasked. ’Ah！youwerenotgoodtotheholyperedelastam，Michael，’sherepliedsadly.’Thesaintsarenotpleaseforyou.’ ’Whereisthepriest？’hedemanded. ’Iknownotforsure.AtdeLandin’，dat’slak.’ ’I’llgoforhim，’hesaid.Buthiswifeclungtohim，beseechinghimnottoleaveher，andindeedhewaslothtoleavehislittleone. IfoundCraigandtoldhimthedifficulty.Withhisusualpromptness，hewasreadywithasolution. ’Nixonhasateam.Hewillgo.’Thenheadded，’Iwonderiftheywouldnotlikemetobaptizetheirlittleone.FatherGouletandI haveexchangedofficesbeforenow.Irememberhowhecametooneofmypeopleinmyabsence，whenshewasdying，readwithher，prayedwithher，comfortedher，andhelpedheracrosstheriver. Heisagoodsoul，andhasnononsenseabouthim.Sendformeifyouthinkthereisneed.Itwillmakenodifferencetothebaby，butitwillcomfortthemother.’ Nixonwaswillingenoughtogo;butwhenhecametothedoorMrs. Mavorsawthehardlookinhisface.Hehadnotforgottenhiswrong，fordaybydayhewasstillfightingthedevilwithinthatSlavinhadcalledtolife.ButMrs.Mavor，undercoverofgettinghiminstructions，drewhimintotheroom.Whilelisteningtoher，hiseyeswanderedfromonetotheotherofthegrouptilltheyresteduponthelittlewhitefaceinthecrib.Shenoticedthechangeinhisface. ’TheyfearthelittleonewillneverseetheSaviourifitisnotbaptized，’shesaid，inalowtone. Hewaseagertogo. ’I’lldomybesttogetthepriest，’hesaid，andwasgoneonhissixtymiles’racewithdeath. Thelongafternoonworeon，butbeforeitwashalfgoneIsawNixoncouldnotwin，andthatthepriestwouldbetoolate，soIsentforMr.Craig.Fromthemomentheenteredtheroomhetookcommandofusall.Hewassosimple，somanly，sotender，theheartsoftheparentsinstinctivelyturnedtohim. Ashewasabouttoproceedwiththebaptism，themotherwhisperedtoMrs.Mavor，whohesitatinglyaskedMr.Craigifhewouldobjecttousingholywater. ’Tomeitisthesameasanyother，’herepliedgravely. ’An’willhemakethegoodsign？’askedthemothertimidly. AndsothechildwasbaptizedbythePresbyterianministerwithholywaterandwiththesignofthecross.Idon’tsupposeitwasorthodox，anditrenderedchaoticsomeofmyreligiousnotions，butIthoughtmoreofCraigthatmomentthaneverbefore.Hewasmoremanthanminister，orperhapshewassogoodaministerthatdaybecausesomuchaman.AshereadabouttheSaviourandthechildrenandthediscipleswhotriedtogetinbetweenthem，andashetoldusthestoryinhisownsimpleandbeautifulway，andthenwentontopicturethehomeofthelittlechildren，andthesameSaviourinthemidstofthem，Ifeltmyheartgrowwarm，andI couldeasilyunderstandthecryofthemother—— ’Oh，monJesu，prenezmoiaussi，takemewizmonmignon.’ ThecrywakenedSlavin’sheart，andhesaidhuskily—— ’Oh！Annette！Annette！’ ’Ah，oui！an’Michaeltoo！’ThentoMr.Craig—— ’YoutinkHe’stakmesomeday？Eh？’ ’AllwholoveHim，’hereplied. ’An’Michaeltoo？’sheasked，hereyessearchinghisface，’An’ Michaeltoo？’ ButCraigonlyreplied：’AllwholoveHim.’ ’Ah，Michael，youmustpraylebonJesu.He’sgardenotremignon.’ Andthenshebentoverthebabe，whispering—— ’Ah，moncheri，monamour，adieu！adieu！monange！’tillSlavinputhisarmsaboutherandtookheraway，forasshewaswhisperingherfarewells，herbaby，withalittleansweringsigh，passedintotheHousewithmanyrooms. ’Whisht，Annettedarlin’;don’tcryforthebaby，’saidherhusband.’Shureit’sbetteroffthantherestavus，itis.An’ didn’tyehearwhattheministersaidaboutthebeautifulplaceitis？An’shurehewouldn’tlietousatall.’Butamothercannotbecomfortedforherfirst—bornson. AnhourlaterNixonbroughtFatherGoulet.HewasalittleFrenchmanwithgentlemannersandthefaceofasaint.Craigwelcomedhimwarmly，andtoldhimwhathehaddone. ’Thatisgood，mybrother，’hesaid，withgentlecourtesy，and，turningtothemother，’Yourlittleoneissafe.’ BehindFatherGouletcameNixonsoftly，andgazeddownuponthelittlequietface，beautifulwiththemagicofdeath.Slavincamequietlyandstoodbesidehim.Nixonturnedandofferedhishand. ButSlavinsaid，movingslowlyback—— ’Ididyeawrong，Nixon，an’it’sasorrymanIamthisdayforit.’ ’Don’tsayaword，Slavin，’answeredNixon，hurriedly.’Iknowhowyoufeel.I’vegotababytoo.Iwanttoseeitagain.That’swhythebreakhurtmeso.’ ’AsGod’sabove，’repliedSlavinearnestly，’I’llhinderyenomore.’Theyshookhands，andwepassedout. Welaidthebabyunderthepines，notfarfromBillyBreen，andthesweetspringwindblewthroughtheGap，andcamesoftlydownthevalley，whisperingtothepinesandthegrassandthehidingflowersoftheNewLifecomingtotheworld.Andthemothermusthaveheardthewhisperinherheart，for，asthePriestwassayingthewordsoftheService，shestoodwithMrs.Mavor’sarmsabouther，andhereyeswerelookingfarawaybeyondthepurplemountain— tops，seeingwhatmadehersmile.AndSlavin，too，lookeddifferent.Hisveryfeaturesseemedfiner.Thecoarsenesswasgoneoutofhisface.WhathadcometohimIcouldnottell. ButwhenthedoctorcameintoSlavin’shousethatnightitwastheoldSlavinIsaw，butwithalookofsuchdeadlyfuryonhisfacethatItriedtogetthedoctoroutatonce.Buthewashalfdrunkandafterhismannerwashideouslyhumorous. ’Howdo，ladies！Howdo，gentlemen！’washisloud—voicedsalutation. ’Quiteaprofessionalgathering，clergypredominating.LionandLambtoo，ha！ha！whichisthelamb，eh？ha！ha！verygood！awfullysorrytohearofyourloss，Mrs.Slavin;didourbestyouknow，can’thelpthissortofthing.’ Beforeanyonecouldmove，Craigwasathisside，andsayinginaclear，firmvoice，’Onemoment，doctor，’caughthimbythearmandhadhimoutoftheroombeforeheknewit.Slavin，whohadbeencrouchinginhischairwithhandstwitchingandeyesglaring，roseandfollowed，stillcrouchingashewalked.Ihurriedafterhim，callinghimback.Turningatmyvoice，thedoctorsawSlavinapproaching.Therewassomethingsoterrifyinginhisswiftnoiselesscrouchingmotion，thatthedoctor，cryingoutinfear’Keephimoff，’fairlyturnedandfled.Hewastoolate.LikeatigerSlavinleapeduponhimandwithoutwaitingtostrikehadhimbythethroatwithbothhands，andbearinghimtotheground，worriedhimthereasadogmightacat. ImmediatelyCraigandIwereuponhim，butthoughweliftedhimclearoffthegroundwecouldnotloosenthattwo—handedstranglinggrip.Atwewerestrugglingtherealighthandtouchedmyshoulder.ItwasFatherGoulet. ’Pleaselethimgo，andstandawayfromus，’hesaid，wavingusback.Weobeyed.HeleanedoverSlavinandspokeafewwordstohim.Slavinstartedasifstruckaheavyblow，lookedupatthepriestwithfearinhisface，butstillkeepinghisgrip. ’Lethimgo，’saidthepriest.Slavinhesitated.’Lethimgo！ quick！’saidthepriestagain，andSlavinwithasnarlletgohisholdandstoodsullenlyfacingthepriest. FatherGouletregardedhimsteadilyforsomesecondsandthenasked—— ’Whatwouldyoudo？’Hisvoicewasgentleenough，evensweet，buttherewassomethinginitthatchilledmymarrow.’Whatwouldyoudo？’herepeated. ’Hemurderedmychild，’growledSlavin. ’Ah！how？’ ’Hewasdrunkandpoisonedhim.’ ’Ah！whogavehimdrink？Whomadehimadrunkardtwoyearsago？ Whohaswreckedhislife？’ Therewasnoanswer，andtheeven—tonedvoicewentrelentlesslyon—— ’Whoisthemurdererofyourchildnow？’ Slavingroanedandshuddered. ’Go！’andthevoicegrewstern.’Repentofyoursinandaddnotanother.’ Slavinturnedhiseyesuponthemotionlessfigureonthegroundandthenuponthepriest.FatherGoulettookonesteptowardshim，and，stretchingouthishandandpointingwithhisfinger，said—— ’Go！’ AndSlavinslowlybackedawayandwentintohishouse.Itwasanextraordinaryscene，anditisoftenwithmenow：thedarkfigureontheground，theslighterectformofthepriestwithoutstretchedarmandfinger，andSlavinbackingaway，fearandfurystrugglinginhisface. Itwasanearthingforthedoctor，however，andtwominutesmoreofthatgripwouldhavedoneforhim.Asitwas，wehadthegreatestdifficultyinrevivinghim. WhatthepriestdidwithSlavinaftergettinghiminsideIknownot;thathasalwaysbeenamysterytome.ButwhenwewerepassingthesaloonthatnightaftertakingMrs.Mavorhome，wesawalightandheardstrangesoundswithin.Entering，wefoundanotherwhiskyraidinprogress，Slavinhimselfbeingtheraider. Westoodsomemomentswatchinghimknockingintheheadsofcasksandemptyingbottles.Ithoughthehadgonemad，andapproachedhimcautiously. ’Hello，Slavin！’Icalledout;’whatdoesthismean？’ Hepausedinhisstrangework，andIsawthathisface，thoughresolute，wasquietenough. ’ItmeansI’mdonewidthebusiness，Iam，’hesaid，inadeterminedvoice.’I’llhelpnomoretokillanyman，or，’inalowertone，’anyman’sbaby.’Thepriest’swordshadstruckhome. ’ThankGod，Slavin！’saidCraig，offeringhishand;’youaremuchtoogoodamanforthebusiness.’ ’Goodorbad，I’mdonewidit，’hereplied，goingonwithhiswork. ’Youarethrowingawaygoodmoney，Slavin，’Isaid，astheheadofacaskcrashedin. ’It’smeselfthatknowsit，forthepriceofwhiskyhasrizintownthisweek，’heanswered，givingmealookoutofthecornerofhiseye.’Bedad！itwasararecleverjob，’referringtoourBlackRockHotelaffair. ’Butwon’tyoubesorryforthis？’askedCraig. ’BeloikeIwill;an’that’swhyI’mdoin’itbeforeI’msorryforit，’hereplied，withadelightfulbull. ’Lookhere，Slavin，’saidCraigearnestly;’ifIcanbeofusetoyouinanyway，countonme.’ ’It’sgoodtomethebothofyezhavebeen，an’I’llnotforgetittoyez，’hereplied，withlikeearnestness. AswetoldMrs.Mavorthatnight，forCraigthoughtittoogoodtokeep，hereyesseemedtogrowdeeperandthelightinthemtoglowmoreintenseasshelistenedtoCraigpouringouthistale.Thenshegavehimherhandandsaid—— ’Youhaveyourmanatlast.’ ’Whatman？’ ’Themanyouhavebeenwaitingfor.’ ’Slavin！’ ’Whynot？’ ’Ineverthoughtofit.’ ’Nomoredidhe，noranyofus.’Then，afterapause，sheaddedgently，’Hehasbeensenttous？’ ’Doyouknow，Ibelieveyouareright，’Craigsaidslowly，andthenadded，’Butyoualwaysare.’ ’Ifearnot，’sheanswered;butIthoughtshelikedtohearhiswords. ThewholetownwasastoundednextmorningwhenSlavinwenttoworkinthemines，anditsastonishmentonlydeepenedasthedayswenton，andhestucktohiswork.BeforethreeweekshadgonetheLeaguehadboughtandremodelledthesaloonandhadsecuredSlavinasResidentManager. TheeveningofthereopeningofSlavin’ssaloon，asitwasstillcalled，waslongrememberedinBlackRock.Itwastheoccasionofthefirstappearanceof’TheLeagueMinstrelandDramaticTroupe，’ inwhatwasdescribedasa’hair—liftingtragedywithappropriatemusicalselections.’Thentherewasagrandsupperandspeechesandgreatenthusiasm，whichreacheditsclimaxwhenNixonrosetoproposethetoastoftheevening——’OurSaloon.’Hisspeechwassimplyaquiet，manlyaccountofhislongstrugglewiththedeadlyenemy.Whenhecametospeakofhisrecentdefeathesaid—— ’AndwhileIamblamingnoonebutmyself，Iamgladto—nightthatthissaloonisonourside，formyownsakeandforthesakeofthosewhohavebeenwaitinglongtoseeme.ButbeforeIsitdownIwanttosaythatwhileIliveIshallnotforgetthatIowemylifetothemanthattookmethatnighttohisownshackandputmeinhisownbed，andmetmenextmorningwithanopenhand;forI tellyouIhadsworntoGodthatthatmorningwouldbemylast.’ Geordie’sspeechwascharacteristic.Afterabriefreferencetothe’mysteeriouswayso’Providence，’whichheacknowledgedhemightsometimesfailtounderstand，hewentontoexpresshisunqualifiedapprovalofthenewsaloon. ’It’sacosyplace，an’there’snaesulphuraboot.Besidesa’ that，’hewentonenthusiastically，’it’llbeaterriblesavin’. I’vejuistbeencoontin’.’ ’Youbet！’ejaculatedavoicewithgreatemphasis. ’I’vejuistbeencoontin’，’wentonGeordie，ignoringtheremarkandthelaughwhichfollowed，’an’it’sanawfu’—likemoneyyepitowerwi’thewhusky.Yeseeyecannadaewi’anebitglass;yemaunhaetwaorthreeattheverraleast，forit’snoverraforrityegetwi’aneglass.Butwi’yoncoffeeyejuistgetasaxpence— worthan’yewantnaemair.’ Therewasanothershoutoflaughter，whichpuzzledGeordiemuch. ’Idinnaseethejowk，butI’veslippitowerinwhuskymairnorahunnerdollars.’ Thenhepaused，lookinghardbeforehim，andtwistinghisfaceintoextraordinaryshapestillthemenlookedathiminwonder. ’I’mraleglado’thissaloon，butit’sowerlatefortheladthatcannabehelpitthenoo.He’llnotbeneedin’helpo’oors，I doot，butthereareithers’——andhestoppedabruptlyandsatdown，withnoapplausefollowing. ButwhenSlavin，oursaloon—keeper，rosetoreply，themenjumpedupontheseatsandyelledtilltheycouldyellnomore.Slavinstood，evidentlyintroublewithhimself，andfinallybrokeout—— ’It’sspachelessIamentirely.What’scometomeIknownot，norhowit’scome.ButI’lldomybestforyez.’Andthentheyellingbrokeoutagain. Ididnotyellmyself.IwastoobusywatchingthevaryinglightsinMrs.Mavor’seyesasshelookedfromCraigtotheyellingmenonthebenchesandtables，andthentoSlavin，andIfoundmyselfwonderingifsheknewwhatitwasthatcametoSlavin. CHAPTERXI THETWOCALLS WiththecalltoMr.CraigIfancyIhadsomethingtodomyself. Thecallcamefromayoungcongregationinaneasterncity，andwasbasedpartlyuponhiscollegerecordandmoreupontheadviceofthoseamongtheauthoritieswhoknewhisworkinthemountains. ButIflattermyselfthatmyletterstofriendswhowereofimportanceinthatcongregationwerenotwithoutinfluence，forI wasofthemindthatthemanwhocouldhandleBlackRockminersashecouldwasreadyforsomethinglargerthanamountainmission. ThathewouldrefuseIhadnotimagined，thoughIoughttohaveknownhimbetter.Hewasbutlittletroubledoverit.HewentwiththecallandthelettersurginghisacceptancetoMrs.Mavor. IwasputtingthelasttouchestosomeofmyworkintheroomatthebackofMrs.Mavor’shousewhenhecamein.Shereadthelettersandthecallquietly，andwaitedforhimtospeak. \"Well？’hesaid;’shouldIgo？’ Shestarted，andgrewalittlepale.Hisquestionsuggestedapossibilitythathadnotoccurredtoher.ThathecouldleavehisworkinBlackRockshehadhithertoneverimagined;buttherewasotherwork，andhewasfitforgoodworkanywhere.Whyshouldhenotgo？Isawthefearinherface，butIsawmorethanfearinhereyes，asforamomentortwosheletthemrestuponCraig’sface.Ireadherstory，andIwasnotsorryforeitherofthem. Butshewastoomuchawomantoshowherhearteasilytothemansheloved，andhervoicewasevenandcalmassheansweredhisquestion. ’Isthisaverylargecongregation？’ ’OneofthefinestinalltheEast，’Iputinforhim.’ItwillbeagreatthingforCraig.’ Craigwasstudyinghercuriously.Ithinkshenoticedhiseyesuponher，forshewentonevenmorequietly—— ’Itwillbeagreatchanceforwork，andyouareableforalargersphere，youknow，thanpoorBlackRockaffords.’ ’WhowilltakeBlackRock？’heasked. ’Letsomeotherfellowhaveatryatit，’Isaid.’Whyshouldyouwasteyourtalentshere？’ ’Waste？’criedMrs.Mavorindignantly. ’Well，\"bury，\"ifyoulikeitbetter，’Ireplied. ’Itwouldnottakemuchofagraveforthatfuneral，’saidCraig，smiling. ’Oh，’saidMrs.Mavor，’youwillbeagreatmanIknow，andperhapsyououghttogonow.’ Butheansweredcoolly：’TherearefiftymenwantingthatEasterncharge，andthereisonlyonewantingBlackRock，andIdon’tthinkBlackRockisanxiousforachange，soIhavedeterminedtostaywhereIamyetawhile.’ EvenmydeepdisgustanddisappointmentdidnotpreventmefromseeingthesuddenleapofjoyinMrs.Mavor’seyes，butshe，withagreateffort，answeredquietly—— ’BlackRockwillbeveryglad，andsomeofusvery，veryglad.’ Nothingcouldchangehismind.Therewasnooneheknewwhocouldtakehisplacejustnow，andwhyshouldhequithiswork？Itannoyedmeconsiderablytofeelhewasright.Whyisitthattherightthingsaresofrequentlyunpleasant？ AndifIhadhadanydoubtaboutthematternextSabbatheveningwouldhaveremovedit.Forthemencameabouthimaftertheserviceandlethimfeelintheirownwayhowmuchtheyapprovedhisdecision，thoughtheself—sacrificeinvolveddidnotappealtothem.TheyweretootrulyWesterntoimaginethatanyinducementstheEastcouldoffercouldcompensateforhislossoftheWest.ItwasonlyfittingthattheWestshouldhavethebest，andsotheminerstookalmostasamatterofcourse，andcertainlyastheirright，thatthebestmantheyknewshouldstaywiththem.Buttherewerethosewhoknewhowmuchofwhatmostmenconsiderworthwhilehehadgivenup，andtheylovedhimnolessforit. Mrs.Mavor’scallwasnotsoeasilydisposedof.Itcamecloseupontheother，andstirredBlackRockasnothingelsehadeverstirreditbefore. Ifoundheroneafternoongazingvacantlyatsomelegaldocumentsspreadoutbeforeheronthetable，andevidentlyovercomebytheircontents.Therewasfirstalawyer’sletterinformingherthatbythedeathofherhusband’sfathershehadcomeintothewholeoftheMavorestates，andallthewealthpertainingthereto.Theletteraskedforinstructions，andurgedanimmediatereturnwithaviewtoapersonalsuperintendenceoftheestates.Aletter，too，fromadistantcousinofherhusbandurgedherimmediatereturnformanyreasons，butchieflyonaccountoftheoldmotherwhohadbeenleftalonewithnonenearerofkinthanhimselftocareforherandcheerheroldage. Withthesetwocameanotherletterfromhermother—in—lawherself. Thecrabbed，tremblingcharacterswereevenmoreeloquentthanthewordswithwhichtheletterclosed. ’Ihavelostmyboy，andnowmyhusbandisgone，andIamalonelywoman.Ihavemanyservants，andsomefriends，butnoneneartome，nonesonearanddearasmydeadson’swife.Mydaysarenottobemany.Cometome，mydaughter;IwantyouandLewis’schild.’ ’MustIgo？’sheaskedwithwhitelips. ’Doyouknowherwell？’Iasked. ’Ionlysawheronceortwice，’sheanswered;’butshehasbeenverygoodtome.’ ’Shecanhardlyneedyou.Shehasfriends.Andsurelyyouareneededhere.’ Shelookedatmeeagerly. ’Doyouthinkso？’shesaid. ’Askanymaninthecamp——Shaw，Nixon，youngWinton，Geordie.AskCraig，’Ireplied. ’Yes，hewilltellme，’shesaid. EvenasshespokeCraigcameupthesteps.Ipassedintomystudioandwentonwithmywork，formydaysatBlackRockweregettingfew，andmanysketchesremainedtobefilledin. ThroughmyopendoorIsawMrs.MavorlayherlettersbeforeMr. Craig，saying，’Ihaveacalltoo.’Theythoughtnotofme. Hewentthroughthepapers，carefullylaidthemdownwithoutawordwhileshewaitedanxiously，almostimpatiently，forhimtospeak. ’Well？’sheasked，usinghisownwordstoher;’shouldIgo？’ ’Idonotknow，’hereplied;’thatisforyoutodecide——youknowallthecircumstances.’ ’Theletterstellall.’Hertonecarriedafeelingofdisappointment.Hedidnotappeartocare. ’Theestatesarelarge？’heasked. ’Yes，largeenough——twelvethousandayear.’ ’Andhasyourmother—in—lawanyonewithher？’ ’Shehasfriends，but，asshesays，nonenearofkin.Hernephewlooksaftertheworks——ironworks，youknow——hehassharesinthem.’ ’Sheisevidentlyverylonely，’heansweredgravely. ’WhatshallIdo？’sheasked，andIknewshewaswaitingtohearhimurgehertostay;buthedidnotsee，oratleastgavenoheed. ’Icannotsay，’herepeatedquietly.’Therearemanythingstoconsider;theestates——’ ’Theestatesseemtotroubleyou，’shereplied，almostfretfully. Helookedupinsurprise.Iwonderedathisslowness. ’Yes，theestates，’hewenton，’andtenants，Isuppose——yourmother—in—law，yourlittleMarjorie’sfuture，yourownfuture.’ ’Theestatesareincapablehands，Ishouldsuppose，’sheurged，’andmyfuturedependsuponwhatIchoosemyworktobe.’ ’Butonecannotshiftone’sresponsibilities，’herepliedgravely. ’Theseestates，thesetenants，havecometoyou，andwiththemcomeduties.’ ’Idonotwantthem，’shecried. ’Thatlifehasgreatpossibilitiesofgood，’hesaidkindly. ’Ihadthoughtthatperhapstherewasworkformehere，’shesuggestedtimidly. ’Greatwork，’hehastenedtosay.’Youhavedonegreatwork.Butyouwilldothatwhereveryougo.Theonlyquestioniswhereyourworklies.’ ’YouthinkIshouldgo，’shesaidsuddenlyandalittlebitterly. ’Icannotbidyoustay，’heansweredsteadily. ’HowcanIgo？’shecried，appealingtohim.’MustIgo？’ HowhecouldresistthatappealIcouldnotunderstand.Hisfacewascoldandhard，andhisvoicewasalmostharshashereplied—— ’Ifitisright，youwillgo——youmustgo.’ Thensheburstforth—— ’Icannotgo.Ishallstayhere.Myworkishere;myheartishere.HowcanIgo？Youthoughtitworthyourwhiletostayhereandwork，whyshouldnotI？’ Themomentarygleaminhiseyesdiedout，andagainhesaidcoldly—— ’Thisworkwasclearlymine.Iamneededhere.’ ’Yes，yes！’shecried，hervoicefullofpain;’youareneeded，butthereisnoneedofme.’ ’Stop，stop！’hesaidsharply;’youmustnotsayso.’ ’Iwillsayit，Imustsayit，’shecried，hervoicevibratingwiththeintensityofherfeeling.’Iknowyoudonotneedme;youhaveyourwork，yourminers，yourplans;youneednoone;youarestrong.But，’andhervoicerosetoacry，’Iamnotstrongbymyself;youhavemademestrong.Icamehereafoolishgirl，foolishandselfishandnarrow.Godsentmegrief.Threeyearsagomyheartdied.NowIamlivingagain.Iamawomannow，nolongeragirl.Youhavedonethisforme.Yourlife，yourwords，yourself——youhaveshowedmeabetter，ahigherlife，thanIhadeverknownbefore，andnowyousendmeaway.’ Shepausedabruptly. ’Blind，stupidfool！’Isaidtomyself. Heheldhimselfresolutelyinhand，answeringcarefully，buthisvoicehadlostitscoldnessandwassweetandkind. ’HaveIdonethisforyou？ThensurelyGodhasbeengoodtome. Andyouhavehelpedmemorethananywordscouldtellyou.’ ’Helped！’sherepeatedscornfully. ’Yes，helped，’heanswered，wonderingatherscorn. ’Youcandowithoutmyhelp，’shewenton.’Youmakepeoplehelpyou.Youwillgetmanytohelpyou;butIneedhelp，too.’Shewasstandingbeforehimwithherhandstightlyclasped;herfacewaspale，andhereyesdeeperthanever.Hesatlookingupatherinakindofmazeasshepouredoutherwordshotandfast. ’Iamnotthinkingofyou.’Hiscoldnesshadhurtherdeeply.’I amselfish;Iamthinkingofmyself.HowshallIdo？Ihavegrowntodependonyou，tolooktoyou.ItisnothingtoyouthatIgo，buttome——’Shedidnotdaretofinish. BythistimeCraigwasstandingbeforeher，hisfacedeadlypale. Whenshecametotheendofherwords，hesaid，inavoicelow，sweet，andthrillingwithemotion—— ’Ah，ifyouonlyknew！Donotmakemeforgetmyself.Youdonotguesswhatyouaredoing.’ ’WhatamIdoing？Whatistheretoknow，butthatyoutellmeeasilytogo？Shewasstrugglingwiththetearsshewastooproudtolethimsee. Heputhishandsresolutelybehindhim，lookingatherasifstudyingherfaceforthefirsttime.Underhissearchinglookshedroppedhereyes，andthewarmcolourcameslowlyupintoherneckandface;then，asifwithasuddenresolve，sheliftedhereyestohis，andlookedbackathimunflinchingly. Hestarted，surprised，drewslowlynear，puthishandsuponhershoulders，surprisegivingplacetowildjoy.Shenevermovedhereyes;theydrewhimtowardsher.Hetookherfacebetweenhishands，smiledintohereyes，kissedherlips.Shedidnotmove;hestoodbackfromher，threwuphishead，andlaughedaloud.Shecametohim，putherheaduponhisbreast，andliftingupherfacesaid，’Kissme.’Heputhisarmsabouther，bentdownandkissedherlipsagain，andthenreverentlyherbrow.Thenputtingherbackfromhim，butstillholdingbothherhands，hecried—— ’Notyoushallnotgo.Ishallneverletyougo.’ Shegavealittlesighofcontent，and，smilingupathim，said—— ’Icangonow’;butevenasshespoketheflushdiedfromherface，andsheshuddered. ’Never！’healmostshouted;’nothingshalltakeyouaway.Weshallworkheretogether.’ ’Ah，ifwecould，ifweonlycould，’shesaidpiteously. ’Whynot？’hedemandedfiercely. ’Youwillsendmeaway.Youwillsayitisrightformetogo，’ sherepliedsadly. ’Dowenotloveeachother？’washisimpatientanswer. ’Ah！yes，love，’shesaid;’butloveisnotall.’ ’No！’criedCraig;’butloveisthebest’ ’Yes！’shesaidsadly;’loveisthebest，anditisforlove’ssakewewilldothebest.’ ’Thereisnobetterworkthanhere.Surelythisisbest，’andhepicturedhisplansbeforeher.Shelistenedeagerly. ’Oh！ifitshouldberight，’shecried，’Iwilldowhatyousay. Youaregood，youarewise，youshalltellme.’ Shecouldnothaverecalledhimbetter.Hestoodsilentsomemoments，thenburstoutpassionately—— ’Whythenhaslovecometous？Wedidnotseekit.SurelyloveisofGod.DoesGodmockus？’ Hethrewhimselfintohischair，pouringouthiswordsofpassionateprotestation.Shelistened，smiling，thencametohimand，touchinghishairasamothermightherchild’s，said—— ’Oh，Iamveryhappy！Iwasafraidyouwouldnotcare，andIcouldnotbeartogothatway.’ ’Youshallnotgo，’hecriedaloud，asifinpain.’Nothingcanmakethatright.’ Butsheonlysaid，’Youshalltellmeto—morrow.Youcannotseeto—night，butyouwillsee，andyouwilltellme.’ Hestoodupand，holdingbothherhands，lookedlongintohereyes，thenturnedabruptlyawayandwentout. Shestoodwhereheleftherforsomemoments，herfaceradiant，andherhandspresseduponherheart.Thenshecametowardmyroom. Shefoundmebusywithmypainting，butasIlookedupandmethereyessheflushedslightly，andsaid—— ’Iquiteforgotyou.’ ’Soitappearedtome.’ ’Youheard？’ ’Andsaw，’Irepliedboldly.’Itwouldhavebeenrudetointerrupt，yousee.’ ’Oh，Iamsogladandthankful.’ ’Yes;itwasratherconsiderateofme.’ ’Oh，Idon’tmeanthat，’theflushdeepening;’Iamgladyouknow.’ ’Ihaveknownsometime.’ ’Howcouldyou？Ionlyknewto—daymyself.’ ’Ihaveeyes.’Sheflushedagain. ’Doyoumeanthatpeople——’shebegananxiously. ’No;Iamnot\"people.\"Ihaveeyes，andmyeyeshavebeenopened.’ ’Opened？’ ’Yes，bylove.’ ThenItoldheropenlyhow，weeksago，Istruggledwithmyheartandmasteredit，forIsawitwasvaintoloveher，becauseshelovedabettermanwholovedherinreturn.Shelookedatmeshylyandsaid—— ’Iamsorry.’ ’Don’tworry，’Isaidcheerfully.’Ididn’tbreakmyheart，youknow;Istoppeditintime.’ ’Oh！’shesaid，slightlydisappointed;thenherlipsbegantotwitch，andshewentoffintoafitofhystericallaughter. ’Forgiveme，’shesaidhumbly;’butyouspeakasifithadbeenafever.’ ’Feverisnothingtoit，’Isaidsolemnly.’Itwasanearthing.’ Atwhichshewentoffagain.Iwasgladtoseeherlaugh.Itgavemetimetorecovermyequilibrium，anditrelievedherintenseemotionalstrain.SoIrattledonsomenonsenseaboutCraigandmyselftillIsawshewasgivingnoheed，butthinkingherownthoughts：andwhatthesewereitwasnothardtoguess. Suddenlyshebrokeinuponmytalk—— ’HewilltellmethatImustgofromhim.’ ’Ihopeheisnosuchfool，’Isaidemphaticallyandsomewhatrudely，Ifear;forIconfessIwasimpatientwiththeverypossibilityofseparationforthesetwo，towhomlovemeantsomuch.Somepeopletakethissortofthingeasilyandsomenotsoeasily;butloveforawomanlikethiscomesonceonlytoaman，andthenhecarriesitwithhimthroughthelengthofhislife，andwarmshisheartwithitindeath.Andwhenamansmilesorsneersatsuchloveasthis，Ipityhim，andsaynoword，formyspeechwouldbeinanunknowntongue.SomyheartwassoreasIsatlookingupatthiswomanwhostoodbeforeme，overflowingwiththejoyofhernewlove，anddullyconsciousofthecomingpain.ButI soonfounditwasvaintourgemyopinionthatsheshouldremainandsharetheworkandlifeofthemansheloved.Sheonlyanswered—— ’Youwillhelphimallyoucan，foritwillhurthimtohavemego.’ Thequiverinhervoicetookoutalltheangerfrommyheart，andbeforeIknewIhadpledgedmyselftodoallIcouldtohelphim. ButwhenIcameuponhimthatnight，sittinginthelightofhisfire，Isawhemustbeletalone.Somebattleswefightsidebyside，withcomradescheeringusandbeingcheeredtovictory;buttherearefightswemaynotshare，andthesearedeadlyfightswherelivesarelostandwon.SoIcouldonlylaymyhanduponhisshoulderwithoutaword.Helookedupquickly，readmyface，andsaid，withagroan—— ’Youknow？’ ’Icouldnothelpit.Butwhygroan？’ ’Shewillthinkitrighttogo，’hesaiddespairingly. ’Thenyoumustthinkforher;youmustbringsomecommon—sensetobearuponthequestion.’ ’Icannotseeclearlyyet，’hesaid;’thelightwillcome.’ ’MayIshowyouhowIseeit？’Iasked. ’Goon，’hesaid. ForanhourItalked;eloquently，evenvehementlyurgingthereasonandrightofmyopinion.Shewouldbedoingnomorethaneverywomandoes，nomorethanshedidbefore;hermother—in—lawhadacomfortablehome，allthatwealthcouldprocure，goodservants，andfriends;theestatescouldbemanagedwithoutherpersonalsupervision;afterafewyears’workheretheywouldgoeastforlittleMajorie’seducation;whyshouldtwolivesbebroken？——andsoIwenton. Helistenedcarefully，eveneagerly. ’Youmakeagoodcase，’hesaid，withaslightsmile.’Iwilltaketime.Perhapsyouareright.Thelightwillcome.Surelyitwillcome.But，’andherehesprangupandstretchedhisarmstofulllengthabovehishead，’Iamnotsorry;whatevercomesIamnotsorry.Itisgreattohaveherlove，butgreatertoloveherasI do.ThankGod！nothingcantakethataway.Iamwilling，gladtosufferforthejoyoflovingher.’ Nextmorning，beforeIwasawake，hewasgone，leavinganoteforme：—— ’MYDEARCONNOR，——IamdueattheLanding.WhenIseeyouagainI thinkmywaywillbeclear.Nowallisdark.AttimesIamacoward，andoften，asyousometimeskindlyinformme，anass;butI hopeImayneverbecomeamule. Iamwillingtobeled，orwanttobe，atanyrate.Imustdothebest——notsecondbest——forher，forme.ThebestonlyisGod’swill.Whatelsewouldyouhave？Begoodtoherthesedays，dearoldfellow.——Yours，CRAIG.’ Howoftenthosewordshavebracedmehewillneverknow，butIamabettermanforthem：’ThebestonlyisGod’swill.Whatelsewouldyouhave？’IresolvedIwouldrageandfretnomore，andthatI wouldworryMrs.Mavorwithnomoreargumentorexpostulation，but，asmyfriendhadasked，’Begoodtoher.’ CHAPTERXII LOVEISNOTALL ThosedayswhenwewerewaitingCraig’sreturnwespentinthewoodsoronthemountainsides，ordowninthecanyonbesidethestreamthatdanceddowntomeettheBlackRockriver，Italkingandsketchingandreading，andshelisteninganddreaming，withoftenahappysmileuponherface.Butthereweremomentswhenacloudofshudderingfearwouldsweepthesmileaway，andthenIwouldtalkofCraigtillthesmilecamebackagain. Butthewoodsandthemountainsandtheriverwereherbest，herwisest，friendsduringthosedays.Howsweettheministryofthewoodstoher！Thetreeswereintheirnewsummerleaves，freshandfulloflife.Theyswayedandrustledaboveus，flingingtheirinterlacingshadowsuponus，andtheirswayingandtheirrustlingsoothedandcomfortedlikethevoiceandtouchofamother.Andthemountains，too，inallthegloryoftheirvaryingrobesofbluesandpurples，stoodcalmly，solemnlyaboutus，upliftingoursoulsintoregionsofrest.Thechanginglightsandshadowsflittedswiftlyovertheirruggedfronts，butleftthemeverasbeforeintheirsteadfastmajesty.’God’sinHisheaven.’Whatwouldyouhave？Andeverthelittleriversangitscheerfulcourage，fearingnotthegreatmountainsthatthreatenedtobaritspassagetothesea.Mrs.Mavorheardthesongandhercouragerose. ’Wetooshallfindourway，’shesaid，andIbelievedher. ButthroughthesedaysIcouldnotmakeherout，andIfoundmyselfstudyingherasImightanewacquaintance.Yearshadfallenfromher;shewasagirlagain，fullofyoungwarmlife.Shewasassweetasbefore，buttherewasasoftshynessoverher，ahalf— shamed，half—frankconsciousnessinherface，agladlightinhereyesthatmadeherallnewtome.HerperfecttrustinCraigwastouchingtosee. ’Hewilltellmewhattodo，’shewouldsay，tillIbegantorealisehowimpossibleitwouldbeforhimtobetraysuchtrust，andbeanythingbuttruetothebest. SomuchdidIdreadCraig’shome—coming，thatIsentforGraemeandoldmanNelson，whowasmoreandmoreGraeme’strustedcounsellorandfriend.TheywerebothhighlyexcitedbythestoryIhadtotell，forIthoughtitbesttotellthemall;butIwasnotalittlesurprisedanddisgustedthattheydidnotseethematterinmylight.InvainIprotestedagainstthemadnessofallowinganythingtosendthesetwofromeachother.Graemesummedupthediscussioninhisownemphaticway，butwithanearnestnessinhiswordsnotusualwithhim. ’Craigwillknowbetterthananyofuswhatisrighttodo，andhewilldothat，andnomancanturnhimfromit;and，’headded，’I shouldbesorrytotry.’ Thenmywrathrose，andIcried—— ’It’satremendousshame！Theyloveeachother.Youaretalkingsentimentalhumbugandnonsense！’ ’Hemustdotheright，’saidNelsoninhisdeep，quietvoice. ’Right！Nonsense！Bywhatrightdoeshesendfromhimthewomanheloves？’ ’\"HepleasednotHimself，\"’quotedNelsonreverently. ’Nelsonisright，’saidGraeme.’Ishouldnotliketoseehimweaken.’ ’Lookhere，’Istormed;’Ididn’tbringyoumentobackhimupinhisnonsense.Ithoughtyoucouldkeepyourheadslevel.’ ’Now，Connor，’saidGraeme，’don’trage——leavethatfortheheathen;it’sbadform，anduselessbesides.Craigwillwalkhiswaywherehislightfalls;andbyallthat’sholy，Ishouldhatetoseehimfail;forifheweakensliketherestofusmyNorthStarwillhavedroppedfrommysky.’ ’Niceselfishspirit，’Imuttered. ’Entirelyso.I’mnotasaint，butIfeellikesteeringbyonewhenIseehim.’ Whenafteraweekhadgone，Craigrodeuponeearlymorningtohisshackdoor，hisfacetoldmethathehadfoughthisfightandhadnotbeenbeaten.Hehadriddenallnightandwasreadytodropwithweariness. ’Connor，oldboy，’hesaid，puttingouthishand;’I’mratherplayed.TherewasabadrowattheLanding.IhavejustclosedpoorColley’seyes.Itwasawful.Imustgetsleep.LookafterDandy，willyou，likeagoodchap？’ ’Oh，Dandybehanged，！’Isaid，forIknewitwasnotthefight，northewatching，northelongridethathadshakenhisironnerveandgivenhimthatface.’GoinandliedownI’llbringyousomething.’ ’Wakemeintheafternoon，’hesaid;’sheiswaiting.Perhapsyouwillgotoher’——hislipsquivered——’mynerveisrathergone.’ Thenwithaverywansmileheadded，’Iamgivingyoualotoftrouble.’ ’Yougotothunder！’Iburstout，formythroatwashotandsorewithgriefforhim. ’IthinkI’drathergotosleep，’hereplied，stillsmiling.I couldnotspeak，andwasgladofthechanceofbeingalonewithDandy. WhenIcameinIfoundhimsittingwithhisheadinhisarmsuponthetablefastasleep.Imadehimtea，forcedhimtotakeawarmbath，andsenthimtobed，whileIwenttoMrs.Mavor.Iwentwithafearfulheart，butthatwasbecauseIhadforgottenthekindofwomanshewas. Shewasstandinginthelightofthewindowwaitingforme.Herfacewaspalebutsteady，therewasaproudlightinherfathomlesseyes，aslightsmilepartedherlips，andshecarriedherheadlikeaqueen. ’Comein，’shesaid.’Youneednotfeartotellme.Isawhimridehome.Hehasnotfailed，thankGod！Iamproudofhim;I knewhewouldbetrue.Helovesme’——shedrewinherbreathsharply，andafaintcolourtingedhercheek——’butheknowsloveisnotall——ah，loveisnotall！Oh！Iamgladandproud！’ ’Glad！’Igasped，amazed. ’Youwouldnothavehimprovefaithless！’shesaidwithprouddefiance. ’Oh，itishighsentimentalnonsense，’Icouldnothelpsaying. ’Youshouldnotsayso，’shereplied，andhervoicerangclear. ’Honour，faith，anddutyaresentiments，buttheyarenotnonsense.’ InspiteofmyrageIwaslostinamazedadmirationofthehighspiritofthewomanwhostoodupsostraightbeforeme.But，asI toldhowwornandbrokenhewas，shelistenedwithchangingcolourandswellingbosom，herproudcourageallgone，andonlylove，anxiousandpitying，inhereyes. ’ShallIgotohim？’sheaskedwithtimideagernessanddeepeningcolour. ’Heissleeping.Hesaidhewouldcometoyou，’Ireplied. ’Ishallwaitforhim，’shesaidsoftly，andthetendernessinhertonewentstraighttomyheart，anditseemedtomeamanmightsuffermuchtobelovedwithlovesuchasthis. IntheearlyafternoonGraemecametoher.Shemethimwithbothhandsoutstretched，sayinginalowvoice—— ’Iamveryhappy.’ ’Areyousure？’heaskedanxiously. ’Oh，yes，’shesaid，buthervoicewaslikeasob;’quite，quitesure.’ TheytalkedlongtogethertillIsawthatCraigmustsoonbecoming，andIcalledGraemeaway.Heheldherhands，lookingsteadilyintohereyesandsaid—— ’YouarebettereventhanIthought;I’mgoingtobeabetterman.’ Hereyesfilledwithtears，buthersmiledidnotfadeassheanswered—— ’Yes！youwillbeagoodman，andGodwillgiveyouworktodo.’ Hebenthisheadoverherhandsandsteppedbackfromherasfromaqueen，buthespokenowordtillwecametoCraig’sdoor.Thenhesaidwithhumilitythatseemedstrangeinhim，’Connor，thatisgreat，toconqueroneself.Itisworthwhile.Iamgoingtotry.’ IwouldnothavemissedhismeetingwithCraig.Nelsonwasbusywithtea.Craigwaswritingnearthewindow.HelookedupasGraemecamein，andnoddedaneasygood—evening;butGraemestrodetohimand，puttingonehandonhisshoulder，heldouthisotherforCraigtotake.