CONTENTS
I。THETWINSOFTABLEMOUNTAIN
II。ANHEIRESSOFREDDOG
III。THEGREATDEADWOODMYSTERY
IV。ALEGENDOFSAMMTSTADT
V。VIEWSFROMAGERMANSPION
THETWINSOFTABLEMOUNTAIN。
CHAPTERI。
ACLOUDONTHEMOUNTAIN。
Theylivedonthevergeofavaststonylevel，upheavedsofarabovethesurroundingcountrythatitsvagueoutlines，viewedfromthenearestvalley，seemedamerecloud-streakrestinguponthelesserhills。Therushandroaroftheturbulentriverthatwasheditseasternbasewerelostatthatheight;thewindsthatstrovewiththegiantpinesthathalfwayclimbeditsflanksspenttheirfurybelowthesummit;for，atvariancewithmostmeteorologicalspeculation，aneternalcalmseemedtoinvestthisserenealtitude。
ThefewAlpineflowersseldomthrilledtheirpetalstoapassingbreeze;rainandsnowfellalikeperpendicularly，heavily，andmonotonouslyoverthegranitebowldersscatteredalongitsbrownexpanse。AlthoughbyactualmeasurementaninconsiderableelevationoftheSierranrange，andamereshoulderofthenearestwhite-facedpeakthatglimmeredinthewest，itseemedtoliesonearthequiet，passionlessstars，thatatnightitcaughtsomethingoftheircalmremoteness。
Thearticulateutteranceofsuchalocalityshouldhavebeenawhisper;alaughorexclamationwasdiscordant;andtheordinarytonesofthehumanvoiceonthenightofthe15thofMay，1868，hadagrotesqueincongruity。
Inthethickdarknessthatclothedthemountainthatnight，thehumanfigurewouldhavebeenlost，orconfoundedwiththeoutlinesofoutlyingbowlders，whichatsuchtimestookuponthemselvesthevaguesemblanceofmenandanimals。Hencethevoicesinthefollowingcolloquyseemedthemoregrotesqueandincongruousfrombeingtheapparentexpressionofanuprightmonolith，tenfeethigh，ontheright，andanothermassofgranite，that，reclining，peepedovertheverge。
\"Hello！\"
\"Helloyourself！\"
\"You’relate。\"
\"Ilostthetrail，andclimbeduptheslide。\"
Herefollowedastumble，theclatterofstonesdownthemountain-
side，andanoathsoveryhumanandundignifiedthatitatoncerelievedthebowldersofanycomplicityofexpression。Thevoices，too，wereclosetogethernow，andunexpectedlyinquiteanotherlocality。
\"Anythingup？\"
\"LooeyNapoleon’sdeclaredwaraginGermany。\"
\"Sho-o-o！\"
Notwithstandingthisexclamation，theinterestofthelatterspeakerwasevidentlyonlypoliteandperfunctory。What，indeed，werethepoliticalconvulsionsoftheOldWorldtothedwellersonthisserene，isolatedeminenceoftheNew？
\"Ireckonit’sso，\"continuedthefirstvoice。\"FrenchPeteandthattharfellerthatkeepstheDutchgroceryhevhedarowoverit;emptiedtheirsix-shootersintoeachother。TheDutchman’sgottwoballsinhisleg，andtheFrenchman’sgotanonnessarybuttonholeinhisshirt-buzzum，andhezcavedin。\"
Thisconcise，localcorroborationoftheconflictofremotenations，howeverconfirmatory，didnotappeartoexciteanyfurtherinterest。Eventhelastspeaker，nowthathewasinthiscalm，dispassionateatmosphere，seemedtolosehisownconcerninhistidings，andtohaveabandonedeverythingofasensationalandlower-worldlycharacterinthepinesbelow。Therewereafewmomentsofabsolutesilence，andthenanotherstumble。Butnowthevoicesofbothspeakerswerequitepatientandphilosophical。
\"Holdon，andI’llstrikealight，\"saidthesecondspeaker。\"I
broughtalanternalong，butIdidn’tlightup。Ikemoutaforesundown，andyouknowhowitallersisupyer。Ididn’twantit，anddidn’tkeertolightup。Iforgotyou’realwaysalittledazedandstrange-likewhenyoufirstcomeup。\"
Therewasacrackle，aflash，andpresentlyasteadyglow，whichthesurroundingdarknessseemedtoresent。Thefacesofthetwomenthusrevealedweresingularlyalike。Thesamethin，narrowoutlineofjawandtemple;thesamedark，graveeyes;thesamebrowngrowthofcurlybeardandmustache，whichconcealedthemouth，andhidwhatmighthavebeenanyindividualidiosyncrasyofthoughtorexpression，——showedthemtobebrothers，orbetterknownasthe\"TwinsofTableMountain。\"Acertainanimationinthefaceofthesecondspeaker，——thefirst-comer，——acertainlightinhiseye，mighthaveatfirstdistinguishedhim;buteventhisfadedoutinthesteadyglowofthelantern，andhadnovalueasapermanentdistinction，for，bythetimetheyhadreachedthewesternvergeofthemountain，thetwofaceshadsettledintoahomogeneouscalmnessandmelancholy。
Thevaguehorizonofdarkness，thatafewfeetfromthelanternstillencompassedthem，gavenoindicationoftheirprogress，untiltheirfeetactuallytrodtherudeplanksandthatchthatformedtheroofoftheirhabitation;fortheircabinhalfburrowedinthemountain，andhalfclung，likeaswallow’snest，tothesideofthedeepdeclivitythatterminatedthenorthernlimitofthesummit。
Haditnotbeenforthewindlassofashaft，acoilofrope，andafewheapsofstoneandgravel，whichweretheonlyindicationsofhumanlaborinthatstonyfield，therewasnothingtointerruptitsmonotonousdeadlevel。And，whentheydescendedadozenwell-wornstepstothedooroftheircabin，theyleftthesummit，asbefore，lonely，silent，motionless，itslongleveluninterrupted，baskinginthecoldlightofthestars。
Thesimileofa\"nest\"asappliedtothecabinofthebrotherswasnomerefigureofspeechasthelightofthelanternfirstflasheduponit。Thenarrowledgebeforethedoorwasstrewnwithfeathers。Asuggestionthatitmightbethehomeandhauntofpredatorybirdswaspromptlycheckedbythespectacleofthenailed-upcarcassesofadozenhawksagainstthewalls，andtheoutspreadwingsofanextendedeagleemblazoningthegableabovethedoor，likeanarmorialbearing。Withinthecabinthewallsandchimney-pieceweredazzlinglybedeckedwiththeparty-coloredwingsofjays，yellow-birds，woodpeckers，kingfishers，andthepoly-
tintedwood-duck。Yetinthatdry，highly-rarefiedatmosphere，therewasnottheslightestsuggestionofodorordecay。
Thefirstspeakerhungthelanternuponahookthatdangledfromtherafters，and，goingtothebroadchimney，kickedthehalf-deadembersintoasuddenresentfulblaze。Hethenopenedarudecupboard，and，withoutlookingaround，called，\"Ruth！\"
Thesecondspeakerturnedhisheadfromtheopendoorwaywherehewasleaning，asiflisteningtosomethinginthedarkness，andansweredabstractedly，——
\"Rand！\"
\"Idon’tbelieveyouhavetouchedgrubto-day！\"
Ruthgruntedoutsomeindifferentreply。
\"Tharhezen’tbeenaslicecutoffthatbaconsinceIleft，\"
continuedRand，bringingasideofbaconandsomebiscuitsfromthecupboard，andapplyinghimselftothediscussionofthematthetable。\"You’regettin’offyerfeet，Ruth。What’sup？\"
Ruthrepliedbytakinganuninvitedseatbesidehim，andrestinghischinonthepalmsofhishands。Hedidnoteat，butsimplytransferredhisinattentionfromthedoortothetable。
\"You’reworkin’toomanyhoursintheshaft，\"continuedRand。
\"You’realwaysuptosomesuchd——nfoolbusinesswhenI’mnotyer。\"
\"Idippedalittlewestto-day，\"Ruthwenton，withoutheedingthebrotherlyremonstrance，\"andstruckquartzandpyrites。\"
\"Thet’syou！——allersdippin’westoreastforquartzandthecolor，insteadofkeepingonplumbdowntothe’cement’！\"*
*Thelocalnameforgold-bearingalluvialdrift，——thebedofaprehistoricriver。
\"We’vebeenthreeyearsdiggingforcement，\"saidRuth，moreinabstractionthaninreproach，——\"threeyears！\"
\"Andwemaybethreeyearsmore，——maybeonlythreedays。Why，youcouldn’tbemoreimpatientif——if——ifyoulivedinavalley。\"
Deliveringthistremendouscomparisonasanunanswerableclimax，Randappliedhimselfoncemoretohisrepast。Ruth，afteramoment’spause，withoutspeakingorlookingup，disengagedhishandfromunderhischin，andsliditalong，palmuppermost，onthetablebesidehisbrother。ThereuponRandslowlyreachedforwardhislefthand，therightbeingengagedinconveyingvictualtohismouth，andlaiditonhisbrother’spalm。Theactwasevidentlyanhabitual，halfmechanicalone;forinafewmomentsthehandswereasgentlydisengaged，withoutcommentorexpression。AtlastRandleanedbackinhischair，laiddownhisknifeandfork，and，complacentlylooseningthebeltthatheldhisrevolver，threwitandtheweapononhisbed。Takingouthispipe，andchippingsometobaccoonthetable，hesaidcarelessly，\"IcameapiecethroughthewoodswithMorniejustnow。\"
ThefacethatRuthturneduponhisbrotherwasverydistinctinitsexpressionatthatmoment，andquitebeliedthepopulartheorythatthetwinscouldnotbetoldapart。\"Thetgal，\"continuedRand，withoutlookingup，\"iseitherflighty，or——orsuthin’，\"headdedinvaguedisgust，pushingthetablefromhimasifitweretheladyinquestion。\"Don’ttellme！\"
Ruth’seyesquicklysoughthisbrother’s，andwereasquicklyaverted，asheaskedhurriedly，\"How？\"
\"Whatgetsme，\"continuedRandinapetulantnonsequitur，\"isthatYOU，myowntwin-brother，neverletsonabouthercomin’yer，permiskuslike，whenIain’tyer，andyouandhergallivantin’andpromanadin’，andswoppin’sentimentsandmottoes。\"
Ruthtriedtocontradicthisblushingfacewithalaughofworldlyindifference。
\"Shecameupyeronasortofpasear。\"
\"Oh，yes！——ashortcuttothecreek，\"interpolatedRandsatirically。
\"LastTuesdayorWednesday，\"continuedRuth，withaffectedforgetfulness。
\"Oh，incourse，Tuesday，orWednesday，orThursday！You’vesomanyfolksclimbingupthisyermountaintocallonye，\"continuedtheironicalRand，\"thatyoudisremember;onlyyourememberedenoughnottotellme。SHEdid。Shetookmeforyou，orpretendedto。\"
ThecolordroppedfromRuth’scheek。
\"Tookyouforme？\"heasked，withanawkwardlaugh。
\"Yes，\"sneeredRand;\"chirpedandchatteredawayaboutOURpicnic，OURnose-gays，andlordknowswhat！Saidshe’dkeepthemblue-
jay’swings，andwear’eminherhat。Spoutedpoetry，too，——thesamesorto’rotyougetoffnowandthen。\"
Ruthlaughedagain，butratherostentatiouslyandnervously。
\"Ruth，lookyer！\"
Ruthfacedhisbrother。
\"What’syourlittlegame？Doyoumeantosayyoudon’tknowwhatthetgalis？Doyoumeantosayyoudon’tknowthetshe’sthelaughing-stockoftheFerry;thetherfather’sad————doldfool，andhermother’sadrunkardandworse;thetshe’sgotanyrighttobehangingroundyer？Youcan’tmeantomarryher，evenifyoukalkilatetoturnmeouttodoit，forshewouldn’tlivealonewithyeuphere。’Tain’therkind。AndifIthoughtyouwasthinkingof——\"
\"What？\"saidRuth，turninguponhisbrotherquickly。
\"Oh，thet’sright！holler;swearandyell，andbreakthings，do！
Tearround！\"continuedRand，kickinghisbootsoffinacorner，\"justbecauseIaskyouacivilquestion。That’sbrotherly，\"headded，jerkinghischairawayagainstthesideofthecabin，\"ain’tit？\"
\"She’snottoblamebecausehermotherdrinks，andherfather’sashyster，\"saidRuthearnestlyandstrongly。\"Themenwhomakeherthelaughing-stockoftheFerrytriedtomakehersomethingworse，andfailed，andtakethissneak’srevengeonher。’Laughing-
stock！’Yes，theyknewshecouldturnthetablesonthem。\"
\"Ofcourse;goon！She’sbetterthanme。IknowI’mafratricide，that’swhatIam，\"saidRand，throwinghimselfontheupperofthetwoberthsthatformedthebedsteadofthecabin。
\"I’veseenherthreetimes，\"continuedRuth。
\"Andyou’veknownmetwentyyears，\"interruptedhisbrother。
Ruthturnedonhisheel，andwalkedtowardsthedoor。
\"That’sright;goon！Whydon’tyougetthechalk？\"
Ruthmadenoreply。Randdescendedfromthebed，and，takingapieceofchalkfromtheshelf，drewalineonthefloor，dividingthecabinintwoequalparts。
\"Youcanhavetheeasthalf，\"hesaid，asheclimbedslowlybackintobed。
Thismysteriousritewastheusualterminationofaquarrelbetweenthetwins。Eachmankepthishalfofthecabinuntilthefeudwasforgotten。Itwasthemarkofsilenceandseparation，overwhichnowordsofrecrimination，argument，orevenexplanation，weredelivered，untilitwaseffacedbyoneortheother。Thiswasconsideredequivalenttoapologyorreconciliation，whicheachwereequallyboundinhonortoaccept。
Itmayberemarkedthatthefloorwasmuchwhiteratthislineofdemarcation，andunderthefreshchalk-lineappearedthefaintevidencesofonerecentlyeffaced。
Withoutapparentlyheedingthispotentialceremony，Ruthremainedleaningagainstthedoorway，lookinguponthenight，thebulkofwhoseprofundityandblacknessseemedtobegatheredbelowhim。
Thevaultabovewassereneandtranquil，withafewlargefar-
spacedstars;theabyssbeneath，untroubledbysightorsound。
Steppingoutupontheledge，heleanedfarovertheshelfthatsustainedtheircabin，andlistened。Afaintrhythmicalroll，risingandfallinginlongundulationsagainsttheinvisiblehorizon，tohisaccustomedearstoldhimthewindwasblowingamongthepinesinthevalley。Yet，minglingwiththisfamiliarsound，hisear，nowmorbidlyacute，seemedtodetectastrangerinarticulatemurmur，asofconfusedandexcitedvoices，swellingupfromthemysteriousdepthstothestarsabove，andagainswallowedupinthegulfsofsilencebelow。Hewasrousedfromaconsiderationofthisphenomenonbyafaintglowtowardstheeast，whichatlastbrightened，untilthedarkoutlineofthedistantwallsofthevalleystoodoutagainstthesky。Werehisothersensesparticipatinginthedelusionofhisears？forwiththebrighteninglightcamethefaintodorofburningtimber。
Hisfacegrewanxiousashegazed。Atlastherose，andre-enteredthecabin。Hiseyesfelluponthefaintchalk-mark，and，takinghissoftfelthatfromhishead，withafewpracticalsweepsofthebrimhebrushedawaytheominousrecordoftheirlateestrangement。
GoingtothebedwhereonRandlaystretched，open-eyed，hewouldhavelaidhishanduponhisarmlightly;butthebrother’sfingerssoughtandclaspedhisown。\"Getup，\"hesaidquietly;\"there’sastrangefireintheCanyonheadthatIcan’tmakeout。\"
Randslowlyclamberedfromhisshelf，andhandinhandthebrothersstoodupontheledge。\"It’sarightsmartchancebeyondtheFerry，andapiecebeyondtheMill，too，\"saidRand，shadinghiseyeswithhishand，fromforceofhabit。\"It’sinthewoodswhere——\"HewouldhaveaddedwherehemetMornie;butitwasapointofhonorwiththetwins，afterreconciliation，nottoalludetoanytopicoftheirrecentdisagreement。
Ruthdroppedhisbrother’shand。\"Itdoesn’tsmelllikethewoods，\"hesaidslowly。
\"Smell！\"repeatedRandincredulously。\"Why，it’stwentymilesinabee-lineyonder。Smell，indeed！\"
Ruthwassilent，butpresentlyfelltolisteningagainwithhisformerabstraction。\"Youdon’thearanything，doyou？\"heaskedafterapause。
\"It’sblowin’inthepinesontheriver，\"saidRandshortly。
\"Youdon’thearanythingelse？\"
\"No。\"
\"Nothinglike——like——like——\"
Rand，whohadbeenlisteningwithanintensitythatdistortedtheleftsideofhisface，interruptedhimimpatiently。
\"Likewhat？\"
\"Likeawomansobbin’？\"
\"Ruth，\"saidRand，suddenlylookingupinhisbrother’sface，\"what’sgoneofyou？\"
Ruthlaughed。\"Thefire’sout，\"hesaid，abruptlyre-enteringthecabin。\"I’mgoin’toturnin。\"
Rand，followinghisbrotherhalfreproachfully，sawhimdivesthimselfofhisclothing，androllhimselfintheblanketsofhisbed。
\"Good-night，Randy！\"
Randhesitated。Hewouldhavelikedtoaskhisbrotheranotherquestion;buttherewasclearlynothingtobedonebutfollowhisexample。
\"Good-night，Ruthy！\"hesaid，andputoutthelight。Ashedidso，theglowintheeasternhorizonfaded，too，anddarknessseemedtowellupfromthedepthsbelow，and，flowingintheopendoor，wrappedthemindeeperslumber。
CHAPTERII。
THECLOUDSGATHER。
Twelvemonthshadelapsedsincethequarrelandreconciliation，duringwhichintervalnoreferencewasmadebyeitherofthebrotherstothecausewhichhadprovokedit。Randwasatworkintheshaft，Ruthhavingthatmorningundertakenthereplenishmentofthelarderwithgamefromthewoodedskirtofthemountain。Randhadtakenadvantageofhisbrother’sabsenceto\"prospect\"inthe\"drift，\"——aproceedingutterlyatvariancewithhispreviouscondemnationofallsuchspeculativeessay;butRand，despitehisassumptionofasuperiorpracticalnature，wasnotabovecertainlocalsuperstitions。Havingthatmorningputonhisgrayflannelshirtwrongsideout，——anabstractionrecognizedamongtheminersasthesureforerunnerofdivinationandtreasure-discovery，——hecouldnotforegothatopportunityoftryinghisluck，withouthazardingadangerousexample。Hewasalsoconsciousoffeeling\"chipper，\"——anotherlocalexpressionforbuoyancyofspirit，notcommontomenwhoworkfiftyfeetbelowthesurface，withoutthestimulusofairandsunshine，andnottobeoverlookedasanimportantfactorinfortunateadventure。Nevertheless，nooncamewithoutthediscoveryofanytreasure。Hehadattackedthewallsoneithersideofthelateral\"drift\"skilfully，soastoexposetheirqualitywithoutdestroyingtheircohesiveintegrity，buthadfoundnothing。Onceortwice，returningtotheshaftforrestandair，itsgrimsilencehadseemedtohimpervadedwithsomevagueechoofcheerfulholidayvoicesabove。Thissethimtothinkingofhisbrother’sequallyextravagantfancyofthewailingvoicesintheaironthenightofthefire，andofhisattributingittoalover’sabstraction。
\"Ilaidittohisbeingstruckafterthatgal;andyet，\"Randcontinuedtohimself，\"here’sme，whohaven’tbeenfoolin’roundnogal，anddogmyskinifIdidn’tthinkIheardonesingin’upthar！\"Heputhisfootonthelowerroundoftheladder，paused，andslowlyascendedadozensteps。Herehepausedagain。Allatoncethewholeshaftwasfilledwiththemusicalvibrationsofawoman’ssong。Seizingtheropethathungidlyfromthewindlass，hehalfclimbed，halfswunghimself，tothesurface。
Thevoicewasthere;butthesuddentransitiontothedazzlinglevelbeforehimatfirstblindedhiseyes，sothathetookinonlybydegreestheunwontedspectacleofthesinger，——aprettygirl，standingontiptoeonabowldernotadozenyardsfromhim，utterlyabsorbedintyingagayly-stripedneckerchief，evidentlytakenfromherownplumpthroat，tothehalliardsofafreshly-cuthickory-
polenewlyrearedasaflag-staffbesideher。Thehickory-pole，thehalliards，theflutteringscarf，theyoungladyherself，wereallglaringinnovationsonthefamiliarlandscape;butRand，withhishandstillontherope，silentlyanddemurelyenjoyedit。
Forthebetterunderstandingofthegeneralreader，whodoesnotliveonanisolatedmountain，itmaybeobservedthattheyounglady’spositionontherockexhibitedsomestudyofPOSE，andacertainexaggerationofattitude，thatbetrayedthehabitofanaudience;alsothathervoicehadanartificialaccentthatwasnotwhollyunconscious，eveninthisloftysolitude。Yettheverynextmoment，whensheturned，andcaughtRand’seyefixeduponher，shestartednaturally，coloredslightly，utteredthatfeminineadjuration，\"GoodLord！gracious！goodnessme！\"whichisseldomusedinreferencetoitseffectuponthehearer，andskippedinstantlyfromthebowldertotheground。Here，however，shealightedinaPOSE，broughttherightheelofherneatly-fittingleftbootcloselyintothehollowedsideofherrightinstep，atthesamemomentdeftlycaughtherflyingskirt，whippeditaroundherankles，and，slightlyraisingitbehind，permittedthechastedisplayofaninchortwooffrilledwhitepetticoat。Themostirreverentcriticofthesexwill，Ithink，admitthatithassomemovementsthatareautomatic。
\"HopeIdidn’tdisturbye，\"saidRand，pointingtotheflag-staff。
Theyoungladyslightlyturnedherhead。\"No，\"shesaid;\"butI
didn’tknowanybodywashere，ofcourse。OurPARTY\"——sheemphasizedtheword，andaccompanieditwithalooktowardthefurtherextremityoftheplateau，toshowshewasnotalone——\"ourpartyclimbedthisridge，andputupthispoleasasigntoshowtheydidit。\"Theridiculousself-complacencyofthisrecordinthefaceofamanwhowasevidentlyadwelleronthemountainapparentlystruckherforthefirsttime。\"Wedidn’tknow，\"shestammered，lookingattheshaftfromwhichRandhademerged，\"that——
that——\"Shestopped，and，glancingagaintowardsthedistantrangewhereherfriendshaddisappeared，begantoedgeaway。
\"Theycan’tbefaroff，\"interposedRandquietly，asifitwerethemostnaturalthingintheworldfortheladytobethere。\"TableMountainain’tasbigasallthat。Don’tyoubescared！Soyouthoughtnobodyliveduphere？\"
Sheturneduponhimapairofhonesthazeleyes，whichnotonlycontradictedthesomewhatmeretricioussmartnessofherdress，butwasutterlyinconsistentwiththepalpableartificialcolorofherhair，——anobviousimitationofacertainpopularfashionthenknowninartisticcirclesasthe\"BritishBlonde，\"——andbegantoostentatiouslyresumeapairoflemon-coloredkidgloves。Having，asitwere，thusindicatedherstandingandrespectability，andputanimmeasurabledistancebetweenherselfandherboldinterlocutor，shesaidimpressively，\"Weevidentlymadeamistake：Iwillrejoinourparty，whowill，ofcourse，apologize。\"
\"What’syourhurry？\"saidtheimperturbableRand，disengaginghimselffromtherope，andwalkingtowardsher。\"Aslongasyou’reuphere，youmightstopaspell。\"
\"Ihavenowishtointrude;thatis，ourpartycertainlyhasnot，\"
continuedtheyounglady，pullingthetightgloves，andsmoothingtheplump，almostburstingfingers，withanaffectationoffashionableease。
\"Oh！Ihaven’tanythingtodojustnow，\"saidRand，\"andit’saboutgrubtime，Ireckon。Yes，Ilivehere，Ruthandme，——righthere。\"
Theyoungwomanglancedattheshaft。
\"No，notdownthere，\"saidRand，followinghereye，withalaugh。
\"Comehere，andI’llshowyou。\"
Astrongdesiretokeepupanappearanceofgenteelreserve，andanequallystronginclinationtoenjoytheadventurouscompanyofthisgood-looking，heartyyoungfellow，madeherhesitate。Perhapssheregrettedhavingundertakenaroleofsuchdignityatthebeginning：shecouldhavebeensoperfectlynaturalwiththisperfectlynaturalman，whereasanyrelaxationnowmightincreasehisfamiliarity。Andyetshewasnotwithoutavaguesuspicionthatherdignityandhergloveswerealikethrownawayonhim，——afactmadethemoreevidentwhenRandsteppedtoherside，and，withoutanyapparentconsciousnessofdisrespectorgallantry，laidhislargehand，halfpersuasively，halffraternally，uponhershoulder，andsaid，\"Oh，comealong，do！\"
Thesimpleacteitherexceededthelimitsofherforbearance，ordecidedthecourseofhersubsequentbehavior。Sheinstantlysteppedbackasinglepace，anddrewherleftfootslowlyanddeliberatelyafterher;thenshefixedhereyesandupliftedeyebrowsuponthedaringhand，and，takingitbytheendsofherthumbandforefinger，liftedit，anddroppeditinmid-air。Shethenfoldedherarms。Itwastheindignantgesturewithwhich\"Alice，\"thePrideofDumballinVillage，receivedtheloathsomeadvancesofthebloatedaristocrat，SirParkynsParkyn，andhadatMarysville，afewnightsbefore，broughtdownthehouse。
Thiseffectwas，Ithink，however，lostuponRand。Theslightcolorthatrosetohischeekashelookeddownuponhisclay-soiledhandswasduetothebeliefthathehadreallycontaminatedheroutwardsuperfineperson。Buthiscolorquicklypassed：hisfrank，boyishsmilereturned，ashesaid，\"It’llruboff。Lord，don’tmindthat！Thar，now——comeon！\"
Theyoungwomanbitherlip。Thennaturetriumphed;andshelaughed，althoughalittlescornfully。AndthenProvidenceassistedherwiththesuddenpresentationoftwofigures，amanandwoman，slowlyclimbingupoverthemountainverge，notfarfromthem。Withacryof\"There’sSol，now！\"sheforgotherdignityandherconfusion，andrantowardsthem。
Randstoodlookingafterherneatfigure，lessconcernedintheadventofthestrangersthaninhersuddencaprice。Hewasnotsoyoungandinexperiencedbutthathenotedcertainambiguitiesinherdressandmanner：hewasbynomeansimpressedbyherdignity。
Buthecouldnothelpwatchingherassheappearedtobevolublyrecountingherlateinterviewtohercompanions;and，stillunconsciousofanyimproprietyorobtrusiveness，heloungeddownlazilytowardsher。Herhumorhadevidentlychanged;forsheturnedanhonest，pleasedfaceuponhim，asshegirlishlyattemptedtodragthestrangersforward。
Themanwasplumpandshort;unlikethenativesofthelocality，hewascloselycroppedandshaven，asiftokeepdownthestrongblue-
blacknessofhisbeardandhair，whichneverthelessasserteditselfoverhisroundcheeksandupperliplikeatattooingofIndianink。
Thewomanathissidewasreservedandindistinctive，withthatappearanceofbeinganunenthusiasticfamilyservantpeculiartosomemen’swives。WhenRandwaswithinafewfeetofhim，hestarted，struckatheatricalattitude，and，shadinghiseyeswithhishand，cried，\"What，domeeyesdeceiveme！\"burstintoaheartylaugh，dartedforward，seizedRand’shand，andshookitbriskly。
\"Pinkney，Pinkney，myboy！howareyou？Andthisisyourlittle’prop’？yourquarter-section，yourcountry-seat，thatwe’vebeentrespassingon，eh？Anicelittlespot，cool，sequestered，remote，——atrifleunimproved;carriage-roadasyetunfinished。Ha，ha！Buttothinkofourmakingadiscoveryofthisinaccessiblemountain，climbingit，sir，fortwomortalhours，christeningit’Sol’sPeak，’gettingupaflag-pole，unfurlingourstandardtothebreeze，sir，andthen，byGad，windingupbyfindingPinkney，thefestivePinkney，livingonitathome！\"
Completelysurprised，butstillperfectlygood-humored，Randshookthestranger’srighthandwarmly，andreceivedonhisbroadshouldersawelcomingthwackfromtheleft，withoutquestion。\"Shedon’tmindherfriendsmakingfreewithMEevidently，\"saidRandtohimself，ashetriedtosuggestthatfacttotheyoungladyinameaningglance。
Thestrangernotedhisglance，andsuddenlypassedhishandthoughtfullyoverhisshavencheeks。\"No，\"hesaid——\"yes，surely，Iforget——yes，Isee;ofcourseyoudon’t！Rosy，\"turningtohiswife，\"ofcoursePinkneydoesn’tknowPhemie，eh？\"
\"No，norMEeither，Sol，\"saidthatladywarningly。
\"Certainly！\"continuedSol。\"It’shismisfortune。Youweren’twithmeatGoldHill。——Allowme，\"hesaid，turningtoRand，\"topresentMrs。SolSaunders，wifeoftheundersigned，andMissEuphemiaNeville，otherwiseknownasthe’MarysvillePet，’thebestvarietyactressknownontheprovincialboards。PlayedOpheliaatMarysville，Friday;domesticdramaatGoldHill，Saturday;Sundaynight，foursongsincharacter，differentdresseachtime，andaclog-dance。Thebestclog-danceonthePacificSlope，\"headdedinastageaside。\"Theminstrelsarecrazytogetherin’Frisco。
Butmoneycan’tbuyher——prefersthelegitimatedramatothissortofthing。\"Herehetookafewstepsofajig，towhichthe\"MarysvillePet\"beattimewithherfeet，andconcludedwithalaughandawink——thecombinedexpressionofanartist’sadmirationforherability，andamanoftheworld’sscepticismoffeminineambition。
MissEuphemiarespondedtotheformalintroductionbyextendingherhandfranklywithare-assuringsmiletoRand，andanutterobliviousnessofherformerhauteur。Randshookitwarmly，andthendroppedcarelesslyonarockbesidethem。
\"Andyounevertoldmeyouliveduphereintheattic，yourascal！\"
continuedSolwithalaugh。
\"No，\"repliedRandsimply。\"HowcouldI？Ineversawyoubefore，thatIremember。\"
MissEuphemiastaredatSol。Mrs。Sollookedupinherlord’sface，andfoldedherarmsinaresignedexpression。Solrosetohisfeetagain，andshadedhiseyeswithhishand，butthistimequiteseriously，andgazedatRand’ssmilingface。
\"GoodLord！Doyoumeantosayyournameisn’tPinkney？\"heasked，withahalfembarrassedlaugh。
\"ItISPinkney，\"saidRand;\"butInevermetyoubefore。\"
\"Didn’tyoucometoseeayoungladythatjoinedmytroupeatGoldHilllastmonth，andsayyou’dmeetmeatKeeler’sFerryinadayortwo？\"
\"No-o-o，\"saidRand，withagood-humoredlaugh。\"Ihaven’tleftthismountainfortwomonths。\"
Hemighthaveaddedmore;buthisattentionwasdirectedtoMissEuphemia，whoduringthisshortdialogue，havingstuffedalternatelyherhandkerchief，thecornerofhermantle，andhergloves，intohermouth，restrainedherselfnolonger，butgavewaytoanuncontrollablefitoflaughter。\"OSol！\"shegaspedexplanatorily，asshethrewherselfalternatelyagainsthim，Mrs。
Sol，andabowlder，\"you’llkillmeyet！OLord！firstwetakepossessionofthisman’sproperty，thenweclaimHIM。\"Thecontemplationofthishumorousclimaxaffectedhersothatshewasfainatlasttowalkaway，andconfidetherestofherspeechtospace。
Soljoinedinthelaughuntilhiswifepluckedhissleeve，andwhisperedsomethinginhisear。Inaninstanthisfacebecameatoncemysteriousanddemure。\"Ioweyouanapology，\"hesaid，turningtoRand，butinavoiceostentatiouslypitchedhighenoughforMissEuphemiatooverhear：\"IseeIhavemadeamistake。A
resemblance——onlyamereresemblance，asIlookatyounow——ledmeastray。Ofcourseyoudon’tknowanyyoungladyintheprofession？\"
\"Ofcoursehedoesn’t，Sol，\"saidMissEuphemia。\"Icouldhavetoldyouthat。Hedidn’tevenknowME！\"
Thevoiceandmock-heroicattitudeofthespeakerwasenoughtorelievethegeneralembarrassmentwithalaugh。Rand，nowpleasantlyconsciousofonlyMissEuphemia’spresence，againofferedthehospitalityofhiscabin，withthepoliterecognitionofherfriendsinthesentence，\"andyoumightaswellcomealongtoo。\"
\"Butwon’tweincommodetheladyofthehouse？\"saidMrs。Solpolitely。
\"Whatladyofthehouse\"？saidRandalmostangrily。
\"Why，Ruth，youknow！\"
ItwasRand’sturntobecomehilarious。\"Ruth，\"hesaid，\"isshortforRutherford，mybrother。\"Hislaugh，however，wasechoedonlybyEuphemia。
\"Thenyouhaveabrother？\"saidMrs。Solbenignly。
\"Yes，\"saidRand：\"hewillbeheresoon。\"Asuddenthoughtdroppedthecolorfromhischeek。\"Lookhere，\"hesaid，turningimpulsivelyuponSol。\"Ihaveabrother，atwin-brother。Itcouldn’tbeHIM——\"
Solwasconsciousofasignificantfemininepressureonhisrightarm。Hewasequaltotheemergency。\"Ithinknot，\"hesaiddubiously，\"unlessyourbrother’shairismuchdarkerthanyours。
Yes！nowIlookatyou，yoursisbrown。Hehasamoleonhisrightcheekhasn’the？\"
TheredcamequicklybacktoRand’sboyishface。Helaughed。\"No，sir：mybrother’shairis，ifanything，ashadelighterthanmine，andnarymole。Comealong！\"
Andleadingtheway，Randdisclosedthenarrowstepswindingdowntotheshelfonwhichthecabinhung。\"Becareful，\"saidRand，takingthenowunresistinghandofthe\"MarysvillePet\"astheydescended：\"astepthatway，anddownyougotwothousandfeetonthetopofapine-tree。\"
Butthegirl’sslightcryofalarmwaspresentlychangedtooneofunaffectedpleasureastheystoodontherockyplatform。\"Itisn’tahouse：it’saNEST，andtheloveliest！\"saidEuphemiabreathlessly。
\"It’sascene，aperfectscene，sir！\"saidSol，enraptured。\"I
shalltakethelibertyofbringingmyscene-paintertosketchitsomeday。Itwoulddofor’TheMountaineer’sBride’superbly，or，\"
continuedthelittleman，warmingthroughtheblue-blackborderofhisfacewithprofessionalenthusiasm，\"it’senoughtomakeaplayitself。’TheCotontheCrags。’Lastscene——moonlight——thestruggleontheledge！TheLadyoftheCragsthrowsherselffromthebeetlingheights！——Ashriekfromthedepths——awoman’swail！\"
\"Dryup！\"sharplyinterruptedRand，towhomthisspeechrecalledhisbrother’shalf-forgottenstrangeness。\"Lookattheprospect。\"
Inthefullnoonofacloudlessday，beneaththematumultuousseaofpinessurged，heaved，rodeingiantcrests，stretchedandlostitselfintheghostly，snow-peakedhorizon。Thethrongingwoodschokedeverydefile，swepteverycrest，filledeveryvalleywithitsdark-greentiltingspears，andleftonlyTableMountainsunlitandbare。Hereandtherewereprofoundolivedepths，overwhichthegrayhawkhunglazily，andintowhichbluejaysdipped。A
faint，dullyellowishstreakmarkedanoccasionalwatercourse;adeeperreddishribbon，themountainroadanditsoverhangingmurkycloudofdust。
\"Isitquitesafehere？\"askedMrs。Sol，eyingthelittlecabin。
\"Imeanfromstorms？\"
\"Itneverblowsuphere，\"repliedRand，\"andnothinghappens。\"
\"Itmustbelovely，\"saidEuphemia，claspingherhands。
\"ItISthat，\"saidRandproudly。\"It’sfouryearssinceRuthandI
tookupthisyerclaim，andraisedthisshanty。Inthatfouryearswehaven’tleftitaloneanight，orcaredto。It’sonlybigenoughfortwo，andthemtwomustbebrothers。Itwouldn’tdoformerepardnerstoliveherealone，——theycouldn’tdoit。Itwouldn’tbeexactlythethingformanandwifetoshutthemselvesupherealone。ButRuthandmeknoweachother’sways，andherewe’llstayuntilwe’vemadeapile。Wesometimes——oneofus——takesapaseartotheFerrytobuyprovisions;butwe’regladtocrawluptothebackofold’Table’atnight。\"
\"You’requiteoutoftheworldhere，then？\"suggestedMrs。Sol。
\"That’sit，justit！We’reoutoftheworld，——outofrows，outofliquor，outofcards，outofbadcompany，outoftemptation。
Cussednessandfoolishnesshezgottofollowusupheretofindus，andthere’stoomanyreadytoclimbdowntothemthingstotempt’emtocomeuptous。\"
Therewasalittleboyishconceitinhistone，ashestoodthere，notaltogetherunbecominghisfreshcolorandsimplicity。Yet，whenhiseyesmetthoseofMissEuphemia，hecolored，hehardlyknewwhy，andtheyoungladyherselfblushedrosily。
Whentheneatcabin，withitsdecoratedwalls，andsquirrelandwild-catskins，wasdulyadmired，theluncheon-basketoftheSaunderspartywasre-enforcedbyprovisionsfromRand’slarder，andspreadupontheledge;thedimensionsofthecabinnotadmittingfour。Underthepotentinfluenceofabottle，Solbecamehilariousandprofessional。The\"Pet\"wasinducedtofavorthecompanywitharecitation，and，underthepleaofteachingRand，toperformtheclog-dancewithbothgentlemen。Thentherewasaninterval，inwhichRandandEuphemiawanderedalittlewaydownthemountain-sidetogatherlaurel，leavingMr。Soltohissiestaonarock，andMrs。Soltotakesomeknittingfromthebasket，andsitbesidehim。
WhenRandandhiscompanionhaddisappeared，Mrs。Solnudgedhersleepingpartner。\"DoyouthinkthatWASthebrother？\"
Solyawned。\"Sureofit。They’reaslikeastwopeas，inlooks。\"
\"Whydidn’tyoutellhimso，then？\"
\"Willyoutellme，mydear，whyyoustoppedmewhenIbegan？\"
\"BecausesomethingwassaidaboutRuthbeinghere;andIsupposedRuthwasawoman，andperhapsPinkney’swife，andknewyou’dbeputtingyourfootinitbytalkingofthatotherwoman。Isupposeditwasforfearofthathedeniedknowingyou。\"
\"Well，whenHE——thisRand——toldmehehadatwin-brother，helookedsofrightenedthatIknewheknewnothingofhisbrother’sdoingswiththatwoman，andIthrewhimoffthescent。He’sagoodfellow，butawfullygreen，andIdidn’twanttoworryhimwithtales。Ilikehim，andIthinkPhemiedoestoo。\"
\"Nonsense！He’saconceitedprig！Didyouhearhissermonontheworldanditstemptations？Iwonderifhethoughttemptationhadcomeuptohiminthepersonofusprofessionalsoutonapicnic。
Ithinkitwaspositivelyrude。\"
\"Mydearwoman，you’realwaysseeingslightsandinsults。Itellyouhe’stakenashinetoPhemie;andhe’sasgoodasfourseatsandabouquettothatchildnextWednesdayevening，tosaynothingoftheeclatofgettingthisSt。Simeon——whatdoyoucallhim？——
Stalactites？\"
\"Stylites，\"suggestedMrs。Sol。
\"Stylites，offfromhispillarhere。I’llhaveaparagraphinthepaper，thatthehermitcrabsofTableMountain——\"
\"Don’tbeafool，Sol！\"
\"ThehermittwinsofTableMountainbespokethechasteperformance。\"
\"Oneofthembeingtheprotectorofthewell-knownMornieNixon，\"
respondedMrs。Sol，viciouslyaccentingthenamewithherknitting-
needles。
\"Rosy，you’reunjust。You’reprejudicedbythereportsofthetown。Mr。Pinkney’sinterestinhermaybeapurelyartisticone，althoughmistaken。She’llnevermakeagoodvariety-actress：she’stooheavy。Andtheboysdon’tgiveherafairshow。Nowomancanmakeadebutinmyversionof’Somnambula，’andhavethefrontrowinthepitsaytoherinthesleepwalkingscene，’You’reoutratherlate，Mornie。Kinderforgottoputonyourthings，didn’tyou？
Mothersick，Isuppose，andyou’regoin’formoregin？Hurryalong，oryou’llketchitwhenyegethome。’Why，youcouldn’tdoityourself，Rosy！\"
TowhichMrs。Sol’sillogicalclimaxwas，that，\"badasRutherfordmightbe，thisSunday-schoolsuperintendent，Rand，wasworse。\"
Randandhiscompanionreturnedlate，butinhighspirits。TherewasanunnecessaryeffusivenessinthewayinwhichEuphemiakissedMrs。Sol，——theonewomanpresent，whoUNDERSTOOD，andwastobepropitiated，——whichdidnottendtoincreaseMrs。Sol’sgoodhumor。
Shehadherbasketpackedallreadyfordeparture;andeventheearnestsolicitationofRand，thattheywoulddefertheirgoinguntilsunset，producednoeffect。
\"Mr。Rand——Mr。Pinkney，Imean——saysthesunsetsherearesolovely，\"pleadedEuphemia。
\"Thereisarehearsalatseveno’clock，andwehavenotimetolose，\"saidMrs。Solsignificantly。
\"Iforgottosay，\"saidthe\"MarysvillePet\"timidly，glancingatMrs。Sol，\"thatMr。RandsayshewillbringhisbrotheronWednesdaynight，andwantsfourseatsinfront，soasnottobecrowded。\"
Solshooktheyoungman’shandwarmly。\"You’llnotregretit，sir：
it’sasurprising，aremarkableperformance。\"
\"I’dliketogoapiecedownthemountainwithyou，\"saidRand，withevidentsincerity，lookingatMissEuphemia;\"butRuthisn’thereyet，andwemakearulenevertoleavetheplacealone。I’llshowyoutheslide：it’sthequickestwaytogodown。Ifyoumeetanyonewholookslikeme，andtalkslikeme，callhim’Ruth，’andtellhimI’mwaitin’forhimyer。\"
MissPhemia，thelasttogo，standingonthevergeofthedeclivity，hereremarked，withadangeroussmile，that，ifshemetanyonewhoborethatresemblance，shemightbetemptedtokeephimwithher，——aplayfulnessthatbroughtthereadycolortoRand’scheek。Whensheaddedtothisthegreateraudacityofkissingherhandtohim，theyounghermitactuallyturnedawayinsheerembarrassment。Whenhelookedaroundagain，shewasgone，andforthefirsttimeinhisexperiencethemountainseemedbarrenandlonely。
ThetoosympatheticreaderwhowouldrashlydeducefromthisanynewlyawakenedsentimentinthevirginheartofRandwouldquitemisapprehendthatpeculiaryoungman。Thatsingularmixtureofboyishinexperienceandmaturedoubtanddisbelief，whichwaspartlytheresultofhistemperament，andpartlyofhiscloisteredlifeonthemountain，madehimregardhislatecompanions，nowthattheyweregone，andhisintimacywiththem，withremorsefuldistrust。Themountainwasbarrenandlonely，becauseitwasnolongerHIS。Ithadbecomeapartofthegreatworld，whichfouryearsagoheandhisbrotherhadputaside，andinwhich，astwoself-devotedmen，theywalkedalone。Morethanthat，hebelievedhehadacquiredsomeunderstandingofthetemptationsthatassailedhisbrother，andthepoorlittlevanitiesofthe\"MarysvillePet\"
weretransformedintotheblandishmentsofaCirce。Rand，whowouldhavesuccumbedtoawicked，superiorwoman，believedhewasasaintinwithstandingthefoolishweaknessofasimpleone。
Hedidnotresumehisworkthatday。Hepacedthemountain，anxiouslyawaitinghisbrother’sreturn，andeagertorelatehisexperiences。Hewouldgowithhimtothedramaticentertainment;
fromhisexampleandwisdom，Ruthshouldlearnhoweasilytemptationmightbeovercome。But，firstofall，thereshouldbethefullestexchangeofconfidencesandexplanations。Theoldruleshouldberescindedforonce，theolddiscussioninregardtoMorniere-opened，andRand，havingconvincedhisbrotheroferror，wouldgenerouslyextendhisforgiveness。
Thesunsankredly。Lingeringlongupontheledgebeforetheircabin，itatlastslippedawayalmostimperceptibly，leavingRandstillwrappedinrevery。Darkness，thesmokeofdistantfiresinthewoods，andthefainteveningincenseofthepines，creptslowlyup;butRuthcamenot。Themoonrose，asilvergleamonthefartherridge;andRand，becominguneasyathisbrother’sprolongedabsence，resolvedtobreakanothercustom，andleavethesummit，toseekhimonthetrail。Hebuckledonhisrevolvers，seizedhisgun，whenacryfromthedepthsarrestedhim。Heleanedovertheledge，andlistened。Againthecryarose，andthistimemoredistinctly。Heheldhisbreath：thebloodsettledaroundhisheartinsuperstitiousterror。Itwasthewailingvoiceofawoman。
\"Ruth，Ruth！forGod’ssakecomeandhelpme！\"
ThebloodflewbackhotlytoRand’scheek。ItwasMornie’svoice。
Byleaningovertheledge，hecoulddistinguishsomethingmovingalongthealmostprecipitousfaceofthecliff，whereanabandonedtrail，longsincebrokenoffanddisruptedbythefallofaportionoftheledge，stoppedabruptlyahundredfeetbelowhim。Randknewthetrail，adangerousonealways：initspresentconditionasinglemis-stepwouldbefatal。Wouldshemakethatmis-step？Heshookoffahorribletemptationthatseemedtobesealinghislips，andparalyzinghislimbs，andalmostscreamedtoher，\"Droponyourface，hangontothechaparral，anddon’tmove！\"
Inanotherinstant，withacoilofropearoundhisarm，hewasdashingdownthealmostperpendicular\"slide。\"Whenhehadnearlyreachedtheleveloftheabandonedtrail，hefastenedoneendoftheropetoajuttingsplinterofgranite，andbeganto\"layout，\"
andworkhiswaylaterallyalongthefaceofthemountain。
Presentlyhestrucktheregulartrailatthepointfromwhichthewomanmusthavediverged。
\"ItisRand，\"shesaid，withoutliftingherhead。
\"Itis，\"repliedRandcoldly。\"Passtheropeunderyourarms，andI’llgetyoubacktothetrail。\"
\"WhereisRuth？\"shedemandedagain，withoutmoving。Shewastrembling，butwithexcitementratherthanfear。
\"Idon’tknow，\"returnedRandimpatiently。\"Come！theledgeisalreadycrumblingbeneathourfeet。\"
\"Letitcrumble！\"saidthewomanpassionately。
Randsurveyedherwithprofounddisgust，thenpassedtheropearoundherwaist，andhalflifted，halfswungherfromherfeet。
Inafewmomentsshebegantomechanicallyhelpherself，andpermittedhimtoguidehertoaplaceofsafety。Thatreached，shesankdownagain。
Therisingmoonshonefulluponherfaceandfigure。ThroughhisgrowingindignationRandwasstillimpressedandevenstartledwiththechangethefewlastmonthshadwroughtuponher。Inplaceofthesilly，fanciful，half-hystericalhoydenwhomhehadknown，amaturedwoman，stronginpassionateself-will，fascinatinginakindofwild，savagebeauty，lookedupathimasiftoreadhisverysoul。
\"Whatareyoustaringat？\"shesaidfinally。\"Whydon’tyouhelpmeon？\"
\"Wheredoyouwanttogo？\"saidRandquietly。
\"Where！Upthere！\"——shepointedsavagelytothetopofthemountain，——\"toHIM！WhereelseshouldIgo？\"shesaid，withabitterlaugh。
\"I’vetoldyouhewasn’tthere，\"saidRandroughly。\"Hehasn’treturned。\"
\"I’llwaitforhim——doyouhear？——waitforhim;staytheretillhecomes。Ifyouwon’thelpme，I’llgoalone。\"
Shemadeastepforwardbutfaltered，staggered，andwasobligedtoleanagainstthemountainforsupport。Stainsoftravelwereonherdress;linesoffatigueandpain，andtracesofburningpassionatetears，wereonherface;herblackhairflowedfrombeneathhergaudybonnet;and，shamedoutofhisbrutality，Randplacedhisstrongarmroundherwaist，andhalfcarrying，halfsupportingher，begantheascent。Herheaddroppedwearilyonhisshoulder;herarmencircledhisneck;herhair，asifcaressingly，layacrosshisbreastandhands;hergratefuleyeswereclosetohis;herbreathwasuponhischeek：andyethisonlyconsciousnesswasofthepossiblyludicrousfigurehemightpresenttohisbrother，shouldhemeethimwithMornieNixoninhisarms。Notawordwasspokenbyeithertilltheyreachedthesummit。Relievedatfindinghisbrotherstillabsent，heturnednotunkindlytowardthehelplessfigureonhisarm。\"Idon’tseewhatmakesRuthsolate，\"hesaid。\"He’salwaysherebysundown。Perhaps——\"
\"PerhapsheknowsI’mhere，\"saidMornie，withabitterlaugh。
\"Ididn’tsaythat，\"saidRand，\"andIdon’tthinkit。WhatI
meantwas，hemighthavemetapartythatwaspicnickinghereto-
day，——Sol。Saundersandwife，andMissEuphemia——\"
Mornieflunghisarmawayfromherwithapassionategesture。
\"THEYhere！——picnickingHERE！——thosepeopleHERE！\"
\"Yes，\"saidRand，unconsciouslyalittleashamed。\"Theycamehereaccidentally。\"
Mornie’squickpassionhadsubsided：shehadsunkagainwearilyandhelplesslyonarockbesidehim。\"Isuppose，\"shesaid，withaweaklaugh——\"Isuppose，theytalkedofME。Isupposetheytoldyouhow，withtheirliesandfairpromises，theytrickedmeout，andsetmebeforeanaudienceofbrutesandlaughinghyenastomakemerryover。DidtheytellyouoftheinsultsthatIreceived？——howthesinsofmyparentswereflungatmeinsteadofbouquets？Didtheytellyoutheycouldhavesparedmethis，buttheywantedthefewextradollarstakeninatthedoor？No！\"
\"Theysaidnothingofthekind，\"repliedRandsurlily。
\"Thenyoumusthavestoppedthem。YouwerehorrifiedenoughtoknowthatIhaddaredtotaketheonlyhonestwayleftmetomakealiving。Iknowyou，RandolphPinkney！You’dratherseeJoaquinMuriatta，theMexicanbandit，standingbeforeyouto-nightwitharevolver，thanthehelpless，shamed，miserableMornieNixon。Andyoucan’thelpyourself，unlessyouthrowmeoverthecliff。
Perhapsyou’dbetter，\"shesaid，withabitterlaughthatfadedfromherlipsassheleaned，paleandbreathless，againstthebowlder。
\"Ruthwilltellyou——\"beganRand。
\"D——nRuth！\"
Randturnedaway。
\"Stop！\"shesaidsuddenly，staggeringtoherfeet。\"I’msick——forallIknow，dying。Godgrantthatitmaybeso！But，ifyouareaman，youwillhelpmetoyourcabin——tosomeplacewhereIcanliedownNOW，andbeatrest。I’mvery，verytired。\"
Shepaused。Shewouldhavefallenagain;butRand，seeingmoreinherfacethanhervoiceinterpretedtohissullenears，tookhersullenlyinhisarms，andcarriedhertothecabin。Hereyesglancedaroundthebrightparty-coloredwalls，andafaintsmilecametoherlipsassheputasideherbonnet，adornedwithacompanionpinionofthebrightwingsthatcoveredit。
\"WhichisRuth’sbed？\"sheasked。
Randpointedtoit。
\"Laymethere！\"
Randwouldhavehesitated，but，withanotherlookatherface，complied。
Shelayquitestillamoment。Presentlyshesaid，\"Givemesomebrandyorwhiskey！\"
Randwassilentandconfused。
\"Iforgot，\"sheaddedhalfbitterly。\"Iknowyouhavenotthatcommonestandcheapestofvices。\"
Shelayquitestillagain。Suddenlysheraisedherselfpartlyonherelbow，andinastrong，firmvoice，said，\"Rand！\"
\"Yes，Mornie。\"
\"Ifyouarewiseandpractical，asyouassumetobe，youwilldowhatIaskyouwithoutaquestion。IfyoudoitATONCE，youmaysaveyourselfandRuthsometrouble，somemortification，andperhapssomeremorseandsorrow。Doyouhearme？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Gotothenearestdoctor，andbringhimherewithyou。\"
\"ButYOU！\"
Hervoicewasstrong，confident，steady，andpatient。\"Youcansafelyleavemeuntilthen。\"
InanothermomentRandwasplungingdownthe\"slide。\"Butitwaspastmidnightwhenhestruggledoverthelastbowlderuptheascent，draggingthehalf-exhaustedmedicalwisdomofBrown’sFerryonhisarm。
\"I’vebeengonelong，doctor，\"saidRandfeverishly，\"andshelookedSOdeath-likewhenIleft。Ifweshouldbetoolate！\"
Thedoctorstoppedsuddenly，liftedhishead，andprickedhisearslikeahoundonapeculiarscent。\"WeAREtoolate，\"hesaid，withaslightprofessionallaugh。
Indignantandhorrified，Randturneduponhim。
\"Listen，\"saidthedoctor，liftinghishand。
Randlistened，sointentlythatheheardthefamiliarmoanoftheriverbelow;butthegreatstonyfieldlaysilentbeforehim。Andthen，borneacrossitsbarebarrenbosom，likeitsownarticulation，camefaintlythefeeblewailofanew-bornbabe。
III。
STORM。
Thedoctorhurriedaheadinthedarkness。Rand，whohadstoppedparalyzedattheominoussound，startedforwardagainmechanically;
butasthecryaroseagainmoredistinctly，andthefullsignificanceofthedoctor’swordscametohim，hefaltered，stopped，and，withcheeksburningwithshameandhelplessindignation，sankuponastonebesidetheshaft，and，buryinghisfaceinhishands，fairlygavewaytoaburstofboyishtears。Yeteventhentherecollectionthathehadnotcriedsince，yearsago，hismother’sdyinghandshadjoinedhisandRuth’schildishfingerstogether，stunghimfiercely，anddriedhistearsinangryheatuponhischeeks。
Howlonghesatthere，herememberednot;whathethought，herecallednot。Butthewildestandmostextravagantplansandresolvesavailedhimnothinginthefaceofthisforeverdesecratedhome，andthisshamefulculminationofhisambitiouslifeonthemountain。Oncehethoughtofflight;butthereflectionthathewouldstillabandonhisbrothertoshame，perhapsaself-contentedshame，checkedhimhopelessly。Couldheavertthefuture？HeMUST;buthow？Yethecouldonlysitandstareintothedarknessindumbabstraction。
Sittingthere，hiseyesfelluponapeculiarobjectinacreviceoftheledgebesidetheshaft。Itwasthetinpailcontaininghisdinner，which，accordingtotheircustom，itwasthedutyofthebrotherwhostaidabovegroundtoprepareandplaceforthebrotherwhoworkedbelow。Ruthmust，consequently，haveputittherebeforeheleftthatmorning，andRandhadoverlookeditwhilesharingtherepastofthestrangersatnoon。Atthesightofthisdumbwitnessoftheirmutualcaresandlabors，Randsighed，halfinbrotherlysorrow，halfinaselfishsenseofinjurydonehim。
Hetookupthepailmechanically，removeditscover，and——started;
forontopofthecarefullybestowedprovisionslayalittlenote，addressedtohiminRuth’speculiarscrawl。
Heopeneditwithfeverishhands，helditinthelightofthepeacefulmoon，andreadasfollows：
DEAR，DEARBROTHER，——Whenyoureadthis，Ishallbefaraway。IgobecauseIshallnotstaytodisgraceyou，andbecausethegirlthatIbroughttroubleuponhasgoneawaytoo，tohideherdisgraceandmine;andwhereshegoes，Rand，Ioughttofollowher，and，pleaseGod，Iwill！Iamnotaswiseorasgoodasyouare，butitseemsthebestIcando;andGodblessyou，dearoldRandy，boy！TimesandtimesagainI’vewantedtotellyouall，andreckonedtodoso;
butwhetheryouwassittingbeforemeinthecabin，orworkingbesidemeinthedrift，Icouldn’tgettolookuponyourhonestface，dearbrother，andsaywhatthingsI’dbeenkeepingfromyousolong。I’llstayawayuntilI’vedonewhatIoughttodo，andifyoucansay，\"Come，Ruth，\"Iwillcome;but，untilyoucansayit，themountainisyours，Randy，boy，themineisyours，thecabinisyours，ALLisyours。Rubouttheoldchalk-marks，Rand，asIrubthemouthereinmy——[Afewwordsherewereblurredandindistinct，asifthemoonhadsuddenlybecomedim-eyedtoo]。Godblessyou，brother！
P。S。——YouknowImeanMornieallthetime。It’ssheI’mgoingtoseek;butdon’tyouthinksobadofherasyoudo，Iamsomuchworsethanshe。Iwantedtotellyouthatallalong，butIdidn’tdare。She’srunawayfromtheFerryhalfcrazy;saidshewasgoingtoSacramento，andIamgoingtheretofindheraliveordead。
Forgiveme，brother！Don’tthrowthisdownrightaway;holditinyourhandamoment，Randy，boy，andtryhardtothinkit’smyhandinyours。Andsogood-by，andGodblessyou，oldRandy！
Fromyourlovingbrother，RUTH。
AdeepsenseofreliefoverpoweredeveryotherfeelinginRand’sbreast。ItwasclearthatRuthhadnotyetdiscoveredthetruthofMornie’sflight：hewasonhiswaytoSacramento，andbeforehecouldreturn，Morniecouldberemoved。Oncedespatchedinsomeotherdirection，withRuthoncemorereturnedandunderhisbrother’sguidance，theseparationcouldbemadeeasyandfinal。
Therewasevidentlynomarriageasyet;andnow，thefearofanimmediatemeetingover，thereshouldbenone。ForRandhadalreadyfearedthis;hadrecalledthefewinfelicitousrelations，legalandillegal，whichwerecommontotheadjoiningcamp，——theflagrantlymiserablelifeofthehusbandofaSanFranciscoanonymawholivedinstyleattheFerry，theshamefulcarousalsandmoreshamefulquarrelsoftheFrenchmanandMexicanwomanwho\"kepthouse\"at\"theCrossing，\"theawfulspectacleofthethreehalf-bredIndianchildrenwhoplayedbeforethecabinofafellowminerandtownsman。ThankHeaven，theEagle’sNestonTableMountainshouldneverbepointedatfromthevalleyasanother——
Aheavyhanduponhisarmbroughthimtremblingtohisfeet。Heturned，andmetthehalf-anxious，half-contemptuousglanceofthedoctor。
\"I’msorrytodisturbyou，\"hesaiddryly;\"butit’sabouttimeyouorsomebodyelseputinanappearanceatthatcabin。LuckilyforHER，she’sonewomaninathousand;hashadherwitsaboutherbetterthansomefolksIknow，andhasleftmelittletodobutmakehercomfortable。Butshe’sgonethroughtoomuch，——foughtherlittlefighttoogallantly，——isaltogethertoomuchofatrumptobeplayedoffuponnow。Soriseupoutofthat，youngman，pickupyourscatteredfaculties，andfetchawoman——somesensiblecreatureofherownsex——tolookafterher;for，withoutwishingtobepersonal，I’md————difItrusthertothelikesofyou。\"
TherewasnomistakingDr。Duchesne’svoiceandmanner;andRandwasaffectedbyit，asmostpeoplewerethroughoutthevalleyoftheStanislaus。Butheturneduponhimhisfrankandboyishface，andsaidsimply，\"ButIdon’tknowanywoman，orwheretogetone。\"
Thedoctorlookedathimagain。\"Well，I’llfindyousomeone，\"hesaid，softening。
\"Thankyou！\"saidRand。
Thedoctorwasdisappearing。WithaneffortRandrecalledhim。
\"Onemoment，doctor。\"Hehesitated，andhischeekswereglowing。
\"You’llpleasesaynothingaboutthisdownthere\"——hepointedtothevalley——\"foratime。Andyou’llsaytothewomanyousend——\"
Dr。Duchesne，whoseresolutelipsweresealeduponthesecretsofhalfTuolumneCounty，interruptedhimscornfully。\"Icannotanswerforthewoman——youmusttalktoheryourself。Asforme，generallyIkeepmyprofessionalvisitstomyself;but——\"helaidhishandonRand’sarm——\"ifIfindoutyou’reputtingonanyairstothatpoorcreature，if，onmynextvisit，herlipsorherpulsetellmeyouhaven’tbeenactingonthesquaretoher，I’lldropahinttodrunkenoldNixonwherehisdaughterishidden。Ireckonshecouldstandhisbrutalitybetterthanyours。Good-night！\"
Inanothermomenthewasgone。Rand，whohadheldbackhisquicktongue，feelinghimselfinthepowerofthisman，oncemorealone，sankonarock，andburiedhisfaceinhishands。Recallinghimselfinamoment，herose，wipedhishoteyelids，andstaggeredtowardthecabin。Itwasquitestillnow。Hepausedonthetopmoststep，andlistened：therewasnosoundfromtheledge，ortheEagle’sNestthatclungtoit。Halftimidlyhedescendedthewindingsteps，andpausedbeforethedoorofthecabin。\"Mornie，\"
hesaid，inadry，metallicvoice，whoseonlyindicationofthepresenceofsicknesswasinthelownessofitspitch，——\"Mornie！\"
Therewasnoreply。\"Mornie，\"herepeatedimpatiently，\"it’sme，——
Rand。Ifyouwantanything，you’retocallme。Iamjustoutside。\"Stillnoanswercamefromthesilentcabin。Hepushedopenthedoorgently，hesitated，andsteppedoverthethreshold。
Achangeintheinteriorofthecabinwithinthelastfewhoursshowedanewpresence。Theguns，shovels，picks，andblanketshaddisappeared;thetwochairsweredrawnagainstthewall，thetableplacedbythebedside。Theswinging-lanternwasshadedtowardsthebed，——theobjectofRand’sattention。Onthatbed，hisbrother’sbed，layahelplesswoman，palefromthelongblackhairthatmattedherdampforehead，andclungtoherhollowcheeks。Herfacewasturnedtothewall，sothatthesoftenedlightfelluponherprofile，whichtoRandatthatmomentseemedevennobleandstrong。
