CONTENTS
JIMMY\'SBIGBROTHERFROMCALIFORNIA
THEYOUNGESTMISSPIPER
AWIDOWOFTHESANTAANAVALLEY
THEMERMAIDOFLIGHTHOUSEPOINT
UNDERTHEEAVES
HOWREUBENALLEN\"SAWLIFE\"INSANFRANCISCO
THREEVAGABONDSOFTRINIDAD
AVISIONOFTHEFOUNTAIN
AROMANCEOFTHELINE
BOHEMIANDAYSINSANFRANCISCO
UNDERTHEREDWOODS
JIMMY\'SBIGBROTHERFROMCALIFORNIA
Asnightcreptupfromthevalleythatstormyafternoon，Sawyer\'sLedgewasatfirstquiteblottedoutbywindandrain，butpresentlyreappearedinlittlenebulousstar-likepointsalongthemountainside，asthestragglingcabinsofthesettlementwereonebyonelitupbytheminersreturningfromtunnelandclaim。Thesestarswereofvaryingbrilliancythatevening，twonotablyso——onethateventuallyresolveditselfintoamany-candledilluminationofacabinofevidentfestivity；theotherintoaglimmeringtaperinthewindowofasilentone。Theymighthaverepresentedtheextrememutationsoffortuneinthesettlementthatnight：thecelebrationofastrikebyRobertFalloner，aluckyminer；andthesick-bedofDickLasham，anunluckyone。
Thelatterwas，however，notquitealone。HewasministeredtobyDaddyFolsom，aweakbutemotionalandaggressivelyhopefulneighbor，whowassittingbesidethewoodenbunkwhereontheinvalidlay。Yettherewassomethingperfunctoryinhisattitude：
hiseyeswerecontinuallystrayingtothewindow，whencetheilluminatedFallonerfestivitiescouldbeseenbetweenthetrees，andhisearsweremoreintentonthesongsandlaughterthatcamefaintlyfromthedistancethanonthefeverishbreathingandunintelligiblemoansofthesufferer。
Neverthelesshelookedtroubledequallybytheconditionofhischargeandbyhisownenforcedabsencefromtherevels。Amoreimpatientmoanfromthesickman，however，broughtachangetohisabstractedface，andheturnedtohimwithanexaggeratedexpressionofsympathy。
\"Incourse！Lordy！Iknowjestwhatthosepainsare：kinderezefyouwashavin\'atoothpulledthathadrootsbranchin\'alloverye！
My！I\'vejesthad\'emsobadIcouldn\'tkeepfromyellin\'！That\'shotrheumatics！Yes，sir，Ioughterknow！And\"（confidentially）
\"thesing\'lerthingabout\'emisthattheygetworsejestasthey\'regoingoff——sorterwringin\'yerhandandpunchin\'yeinthebacktosay\'Good-by。\'There！\"hecontinued，asthemansankexhaustedlybackonhisrudepillowofflour-sacks。\"There！didn\'tItellye？Ye\'llbeallrightinaminit，andezchipperezajaybirdinthemornin\'。Oh，don\'ttellmeaboutrheumatics——I\'vebinthar！On\'yminewasthecoldkind——thathangsonlongest——yoursisthehot，thatburnsitselfupinnotime！\"
IftheflushedfaceandbrighteyesofLashamwerenotenoughtocorroboratethissymptomofhighfever，thequick，wanderinglaughhegavewouldhaveindicatedthepointofdelirium。ButthetoooptimisticDaddyFolsomreferredthisacttoimprovement，andwentoncheerfully：\"Yes，sir，you\'rebetternow，and\"——hereheassumedanairofcautiousdeliberation，extravagant，asallhisassumptionswere——\"Iain\'tsayin\'that——ef——you——was——to——rise——up\"（veryslowly）\"andheaveablanketortwooveryourshoulders——jestbywayo\'caution，youknow——andleanin\'onme，kindermeanderovertoBobFalloner\'scabinandtheboys，itwouldn\'tdoyouaheapo\'good。
Changeso\'thiskindisoftenprescribedbythefaculty。\"Anothermoanfromthesufferer，however，hereapparentlycorrectedDaddy\'stoofavorableprognosis。\"Oh，allright！Well，perhapsyeknowbest；andI\'lljestrunovertoBob\'sandsayhowasyeain\'tcomin\'，andwillbebackinajiffy！\"
\"Theletter，\"saidthesickmanhurriedly，\"theletter，theletter！\"
Daddyleanedsuddenlyoverthebed。ItwasimpossibleforevenhishopefulnesstoavoidthefactthatLashamwasdelirious。Itwasastrongfactorinthecase——onethatwouldcertainlyjustifyhisgoingovertoFalloner\'swiththenews。Forthepresentmoment，however，thisaberrationwastobeacceptedcheerfullyandhumoredafterDaddy\'sownfashion。\"Ofcourse——theletter，theletter，\"hesaidconvincingly；\"that\'swhattheboyshevbinsingin\'jestnow——
\'Good-by，Charley；whenyouareaway，Writemealetter，love；sendmealetter，love！\'
That\'swhatyouheard，andamightypurtysongitistoo，andkinderclingstoyou。It\'swonderfulhowthesethingsgetsinyourhead。\"
\"Theletter——write——sendmoney——money——money，andthephotograph——
thephotograph——photograph——money，\"continuedthesickman，intherapidreiterationofdelirium。
\"Incourseyouwill——to-morrow——whenthemailgoes，\"returnedDaddysoothingly；\"plentyofthem。Jestnowyoutrytogetasnooze，willye？Hol\'on！——takesomeo\'this。\"
Therewasananodynemixtureontherudeshelf，whichthedoctorhadleftonhismorningvisit。Daddyhadacomfortablebeliefthatwhatwouldrelievepainwouldalsocheckdelirium，andheaccordinglymeasuredoutadosewithaliberalmargintoallowofwastebythepatientinswallowinginhissemi-consciousstate。Ashelaymorequiet，mutteringstill，butnowunintelligibly，Daddy，waitingforamorecompleteunconsciousnessandtheopportunitytoslipawaytoFalloner\'s，casthiseyesaroundthecabin。HenoticednowforthefirsttimesincehisentrancethatacrumpledenvelopebearingaWesternpost-markwaslyingatthefootofthebed。Daddyknewthatthetri-weeklyposthadarrivedanhourbeforehecame，andthatLashamhadevidentlyreceivedaletter。
Sureenoughtheletteritselfwaslyingagainstthewallbesidehim。Itwasopen。Daddyfeltjustifiedinreadingit。
Itwascurtandbusinesslike，statingthatunlessLashamatoncesentaremittanceforthesupportofhisbrotherandsister——twochildreninchargeofthewriter——theymustfindahomeelsewhere。
Thatthearrearswerelongstanding，andtherepeatedpromisesofLashamtosendmoneyhadbeenunfulfilled。Thatthewritercouldstanditnolonger。Thiswouldbehislastcommunicationunlessthemoneyweresentforthwith。
Itwasbynomeansanovelor，underthecircumstances，ashockingdisclosuretoDaddy。Hehadseensimilarmissivesfromdaughters，andevenwives，consequentonthevaryingfortunesofhisneighbors；nooneknewbetterthanhetheuncertaintiesofaminer\'sprospects，andyettheinevitablehopefulnessthatbuoyedhimup。Hetosseditasideimpatiently，whenhiseyecaughtastripofpaperhehadoverlookedlyingupontheblanketneartheenvelope。Itcontainedafewlinesinanunformedboyishhandaddressedto\"mybrother，\"andevidentlyslippedintotheletterafteritwaswritten。BytheuncertaincandlelightDaddyreadasfollows：——
DearBrother，RitetomeandCissyriteoff。Whyaintyoudoneit？
It\'ssolongsinceyouroteany。MisterReckettssesyoudontcareanymore。Wenyouritesendyourfotograff。FolksheresesIaintgotnobigbrutheranyway，asIdisrememberhislooks，andcantsaywotslikehim。Cissy\'skryin\'allalongofit。I\'vegotahedake。WilliamWalkermakeitakebyablo。SonomoreatpresentfromyourlovinglittlebrutherJim。
Thequick，hystericlaughwithwhichDaddyreadthiswasquiteconsistentwithhisresponsive，emotionalnature；so，too，werethereadytearsthatsprangtohiseyes。Heputthecandledownunsteadily，withacasualglanceatthesickman。Itwasnotable，however，thatthislookcontainedlesssympathyfortheailing\"bigbrother\"thanhisemotionmighthavesuggested。ForDaddywascarriedquiteawaybyhisownmentalpictureofthehelplesschildren，andeageronlytorelatehisimpressionsoftheincident。
Hecastanotherglanceattheinvalid，thrustthepapersintohispocket，andclappingonhishatslippedfromthecabinandrantothehouseoffestivity。Yetitwascharacteristicoftheman，andsoengrossedwashebyhisoneidea，thattotheusualinquiriesregardinghispatientheanswered，\"he\'sallright，\"andplungedatonceintotheincidentofthedunningletter，reserving——withtheinstinctofanemotionalartist——thechild\'smissiveuntilthelast。Asheexpected，themoneydemandwasreceivedwithindignantcriticismsofthewriter。
\"That\'sjustlike\'emintheStates，\"saidCaptainFletcher；
\"darnediftheydon\'tbelievewe\'veonlygottoboreaholeinthegroundandsnakeoutahundreddollars。Why，there\'smywife——withaheapofhosssenseineverythingelse——isalluswonderin\'whyI
can\'trakeinacoolfiftybetwixtonesteamerdayandanother。\"
\"That\'snothin\'tomyolddad，\"interruptedGusHouston，the\"infant\"ofthecamp，abright-eyedyoungfellowoftwenty；\"why，hewrotetomeyesterdaythatifI\'donlypickupasinglepieceofgoldeverydayandjustputitaside，sayin\'\'That\'sforpopperandmommer，\'andnotfoolitaway——itwouldbeallthey\'daskofme。\"
\"That\'sso，\"addedanother；\"theseignorantrelationsisjusttheruino\'theminingindustry。BobFallonerhezbinluckyinhisstriketo-day，buthe\'sadarnedsightluckierinbeingwithoutkithorkinthatheknowsof。\"
Daddywaiteduntilthemomentaryirritationhadsubsided，andthendrewtheotherletterfromhispocket。\"Thatain\'tall，boys，\"hebeganinafalteringvoice，butgraduallyworkinghimselfuptoapitchofpathos；\"justasIwasthinkingallthemverythings，I
kindernoticedthisyerpoorlittlebito\'paperlyin\'tharlonesomelikeandforgotten，andI——readit——andwell——gentlemen——
itjustchokedmerightup！\"Hestopped，andhisvoicefaltered。
\"Goslow，Daddy，goslow！\"saidanauditorsmilingly。ItwasevidentthatDaddy\'ssympatheticweaknesswaswellknown。
Daddyreadthechild\'sletter。But，unfortunately，whatwithhisrealemotionandtheintoxicationofanaudience，hereaditextravagantly，andinterpolatedachild\'slisp（onnoauthoritywhatever），andasimulatedinfantiledelivery，which，Ifear，atfirstprovokedthesmilesratherthanthetearsofhisaudience。
Nevertheless，atitsconclusionthelittlenotewashandedroundtheparty，andthentherewasamomentofthoughtfulsilence。
\"Tellyouwhatitis，boys，\"saidFletcher，lookingaroundthetable，\"weoughttobedoin\'suthin\'forthemkidsrightoff！Didyou，\"turningtoDaddy，\"sayanythin\'aboutthistoDick？\"
\"Nary——why，he\'scleanoffhisheadwithfever——don\'tunderstandaword——andjustbabbles，\"returnedDaddy，forgetfulofhisroseatediagnosisamomentago，\"andhasn\'tgotacent。\"
\"Wemustmakeupwhatwecanamongstusaforethemailgoesto-
night，\"saidthe\"infant，\"feelinghurriedlyinhispockets。
\"Come，anteup，gentlemen，\"headded，layingthecontentsofhisbuckskinpurseuponthetable。
\"Holdon，boys，\"saidaquietvoice。ItwastheirhostFalloner，whohadjustrisenandwasslippingonhisoilskincoat。\"You\'vegotenoughtodo，Ireckon，tolookafteryourownfolks。I\'venone！Letthisbemyaffair。I\'vegottogototheExpressOfficeanyhowtoseeaboutmypassagehome，andI\'lljustgetadraftforahundreddollarsforthatoldskeesicks——what\'shisblamedname？
Oh，Ricketts\"——hemadeamemorandumfromtheletter——\"andI\'llsenditbyexpress。Meantime，youfellowssitdownthereandwritesomething——youknowwhat——sayingthatDick\'shurthishandandcan\'twrite——youknow；butaskedyoutosendadraft，whichyou\'redoing。Sabe？That\'sall！I\'llskipovertotheexpressnowandgetthedraftoff，andyoucanmailtheletteranhourlater。SoputyourdustbackinyourpocketsandhelpyourselvestothewhiskeywhileI\'mgone。\"Heclappedhishatonhisheadanddisappeared。
\"Theregoesawhiteman，youbet！\"saidFletcheradmiringly，asthedoorclosedbehindtheirhost。\"Now，boys，\"headded，drawingachairtothetable，\"let\'sgetthisyerletteroff，andthengobacktoourgame。\"
Pensandinkwereproduced，andananimateddiscussionensuedastothemattertobeconveyed。Daddy\'spleaforanextendedexplanatoryandsympatheticcommunicationwasoverruled，andtheletterwaswrittentoRickettsonthesimplelinessuggestedbyFalloner。
\"ButwhataboutpoorlittleJim\'sletter？Thatoughttobeanswered，\"saidDaddypathetically。
\"IfDickhurthishandsohecan\'twritetoRicketts，howinthunderishegoin\'towritetoJim？\"wasthereply。
\"Butsuthin\'oughterbesaidtothepoorkid，\"urgedDaddypiteously。
\"Well，writeityourself——youandGusHoustonmakeupsomethin\'
together。I\'mgoingtowinsomemoney，\"retortedFletcher，returningtothecard-table，wherehewaspresentlyfollowedbyallbutDaddyandHouston。
\"Yecan\'twriteitinDick\'sname，becausethatlittlebrotherknowsDick\'shandwriting，evenifhedon\'trememberhisface。
See？\"suggestedHouston。
\"That\'sso，\"saidDaddydubiously；\"but，\"headded，withelasticcheerfulness，wecanwritethatDick\'says。\'See？\"
\"Yourhead\'slevel，oldman！Justyouwadeinonthat。\"
Daddyseizedthepenand\"wadedin。\"Intosomewhatdeepanddifficultwater，Ifancy，forsomeofitsplashedintohiseyes，andhesniffledonceortwiceashewrote。\"Suthin\'likethis，\"hesaid，afterapause：——
DEARLITTLEJIMMIE，——Yourbigbrotherhavin\'hurthishand，wantsmetotellyouthatotherwaysheisallhunkyandA1。Hesayshedon\'tforgetyouandlittleCissy，youbet！andhe\'ssendin\'moneytooldRickettsstraightoff。Hesaysdon\'tyouandCissymindwhetherschoolkeepsornotaslongasbigBrotherDickholdsthelines。Hesayshe\'dhavewrittenbefore，buthe\'sbinfollerin\'upaleadmightyclose，andexpectstostrikeitrichinafewdays。
\"Youain\'tgotnosabeaboutkids，\"saidDaddyimperturbably；
\"they\'vegottobehumoredlikesickfolks。Andtheywanteverythin\'big——theydon\'ttakenostockinthingseztheyare——
eveneftheyhev\'emworsethantheyare。\'So，\'\"continuedDaddy，readingtopreventfurtherinterruption，\"\'hesaysyou\'rejusttokeepyoureyesskinnedlookin\'outforhimcomin\'homeanytime——
dayornight。Allyou\'vegottodoistositupandwait。Hemightcomeandevensnakeyououtofyourbeds！Hemightcomewithfourwhitehorsesandaniggerdriver，orhemightcomedisguisedasanornarytramp。Onlyyou\'vegottobekeenonwatchin\'。\'（Yesee，\"interruptedDaddyexplanatorily，\"that\'lljestkeepthemkidslively。）\'HesaysCissy\'stostopcryin\'rightoff，andifWillieWalkerhitsyerontherightcheekyoujustslugoutwithyourleftfist，\'cordin\'toScripter。\'Gosh，\"ejaculatedDaddy，stoppingsuddenlyandgazinganxiouslyatHouston，\"there\'sthatblamedphotograph——Icleanforgotthat。\"
\"AndDickhasn\'tgotoneintheshop，andneverhad，\"returnedHoustonemphatically。\"Golly！thatstumpsus！Unless，\"headded，withdiabolicalthoughtfulness，\"wetakeBob\'s？Thekidsdon\'trememberDick\'sface，andBob\'saboutthesameage。Andit\'saregularstarpicture——youbet！BobhadittakeninSacramento——inallhiswarpaint。See！\"Heindicatedaphotographpinnedagainstthewall——areallystrikinglikenesswhichdidfulljusticetoBob\'slongsilkenmustacheandlarge，browndeterminedeyes。\"I\'llsnakeitoffwhiletheyain\'tlookin\'，andyoujamitintheletter。Bobwon\'tmissit，andwecanfixitupwithDickafterhe\'swell，andsendanother。\"
Daddysilentlygraspedthe\"infant\'s\"hand，whopresentlysecuredthephotographwithoutattractingattentionfromthecard-players。
Itwaspromptlyinclosedintheletter，addressedtoMasterJamesLasham。The\"infant\"startedwithittothepost-office，andDaddyFolsomreturnedtoLasham\'scabintorelievethewatcherthathadbeendetachedfromFalloner\'stotakehisplacebesidethesickman。
Meanwhiletherainfellsteadilyandtheshadowscrepthigherandhigherupthemountain。TowardsmidnightthestarpointsfadedoutonebyoneoverSawyer\'sLedgeevenastheyhadcome，withthedifferencethattheilluminationofFalloner\'scabinwasextinguishedfirst，whilethedimlightofLasham\'sincreasedinnumber。Later，twostarsseemedtoshootfromthecentreoftheledge，trailingalongthedescent，untiltheywerelostintheobscurityoftheslope——thelightsofthestage-coachtoSacramentocarryingthemailandRobertFalloner。Theymetandpassedtwofainterlightstoilinguptheroad——thebuggylightsofthedoctor，hastilysummonedfromCartervilletothebedsideofthedyingDickLasham。
TheslowingupofhistraincausedBobFallonertostartfromahalfdozeinaWesternPullmancar。Asheglancedfromhiswindowhecouldseethattheblindingsnowstormwhichhadfollowedhimforthepastsixhourshadatlasthopelesslyblockedtheline。Therewasnoprospectbeyondtheinterminablesnowylevel，thewhirlingflakes，andthemonotonouspalisadesofleaflesstreesseenthroughittothedistantbanksoftheMissouri。Itwasaprospectthatthemountain-bredFallonerwasbeginningtoloathe，andalthoughitwasscarcelysixweekssinceheleftCalifornia，hewasalreadylookingbackregretfullytothedeepslopesandthefreesongoftheserriedranksofpines。
Theintensecoldhadchilledhistemperateblood，evenastherigorsandconventionsofEasternlifehadcheckedhissincerityandspontaneousflowofanimalspiritsbegotteninthefrankintercourseandbrotherhoodofcamps。HehadjustfledfromtheartificialitiesofthegreatAtlanticcitiestoseekoutsomeWesternfarminglandsinwhichhemightputhiscapitalandenergies。Theunlooked-forinterruptionofhisprogressbyalong-forgottenclimateonlydeepenedhisdiscontent。Andnow——thattrainwasactuallybacking！
Itappearedtheymustreturntothelaststationtowaitforasnow-ploughtocleartheline。Itwas，explainedtheconductor，barelyamilefromShepherdstown，wheretherewasagoodhotelandachanceofbreakingthejourneyforthenight。
Shepherdstown！ThenametouchedsomedimchordinBobFalloner\'smemoryandconscience——yetonethatwasvague。ThenhesuddenlyrememberedthatbeforeleavingNewYorkhehadreceivedaletterfromHoustoninforminghimofLasham\'sdeath，remindinghimofhispreviousbounty，andbegginghim——ifhewentWest——tobreakthenewstotheLashamfamily。Therewasalsosomeallusiontoajokeabouthis（Bob\'s）photograph，whichhehaddismissedasunimportant，andevennowcouldnotrememberclearly。Forafewmomentshisconscienceprickedhimthatheshouldhaveforgottenitall，butnowhecouldmakeamendsbythisprovidentialdelay。Itwasnotatasktohisliking；inanyothercircumstanceshewouldhavewritten，buthewouldnotshirkitnow。
ShepherdstownwasonthemainlineoftheKansasPacificRoad，andashealightedatitsstation，thebigthroughtrainsfromSanFranciscosweptoutofthestormydistanceandstoppedalso。Heremembered，ashemingledwiththepassengers，hearingachildishvoiceaskifthiswastheCaliforniantrain。Herememberedhearingtheamusedandpatientreplyofthestation-master：\"Yes，sonny——
heresheisagain，andhere\'sherpassengers，\"ashegotintotheomnibusanddrovetothehotel。Hereheresolvedtoperformhisdisagreeabledutyasquicklyaspossible，andonhiswaytohisroomstoppedforamomentattheofficetoaskforRicketts\'
address。Theclerk，afteraquickglanceofcuriosityathisnewguest，gaveittohimreadily，withasomewhatfamiliarsmile。ItstruckFalloneralsoasbeingoddthathehadnotbeenaskedtowritehisnameonthehotelregister，butthiswasasavingoftimehewasnotdisposedtoquestion，ashehadalreadydeterminedtomakehisvisittoRickettsatonce，beforedinner。Itwasstillearlyevening。
Hewaswashinghishandsinhisbedroomwhentherecamealighttapathissitting-roomdoor。Fallonerquicklyresumedhiscoatandenteredthesitting-roomastheporterusheredinayoungladyholdingasmallboybythehand。But，toFalloner\'sutterconsternation，nosoonerhadthedoorclosedontheservantthantheboy，withahalf-apologeticglanceattheyounglady，utteredachildishcry，brokefromher，andcalling，\"Dick！Dick！\"ranforwardandleapedintoFalloner\'sarms。
ThemereshockoftheonsetandhisownamazementleftBobwithoutbreathforwords。Theboy，witharmsconvulsivelyclaspinghisbody，wasimprintingkissesonBob\'swaistcoatindefaultofreachinghisface。AtlastFallonermanagedgentlybutfirmlytofreehimself，andturnedahalf-appealing，half-embarrassedlookupontheyounglady，whoseownface，however，suddenlyflushedpink。Toaddtotheconfusion，theboy，insomereactionofinstinct，suddenlyranbacktoher，franticallyclutchedatherskirts，andtriedtoburyhisheadintheirfolds。
\"Hedon\'tloveme，\"hesobbed。\"Hedon\'tcareformeanymore。\"
Thefaceoftheyounggirlchanged。Itwasaprettyfaceinitsflushing；inthepalenessandthoughtfulnessthatovercastititwasastrikingface，andBob\'sattentionwasforamomentdistractedfromthegrotesquenessofthesituation。Leaningovertheboyshesaidinacaressingyetauthoritativevoice，\"Runawayforamoment，dear，untilIcallyou，\"openingthedoorforhiminamaternalwaysoinconsistentwiththeyouthfulnessofherfigurethatitstruckhimeveninhisconfusion。Therewassomethingalsoinherdressandcarriagethatequallyaffectedhim：hergarmentsweresomewhatold-fashionedinstyle，yetofgoodmaterial，withanoddincongruitytotheclimateandseason。
Underherroughoutercloaksheworeapolkajacketandthethinnestofsummerblouses；andherhat，thoughdark，wasofroughstraw，plainlytrimmed。Nevertheless，thesepeculiaritieswerecarriedoffwithanairofbreedingandself-possessionthatwasunmistakable。Itwaspossiblethathercoolself-possessionmighthavebeenduetosomeinstinctiveantagonism，forasshecameastepforwardwithcoldlyandclearly-openedgrayeyes，hewasvaguelyconsciousthatshedidn\'tlikehim。Nevertheless，hermannerwasformallypolite，even，ashefancied，tothepointofirony，asshebegan，inavoicethatoccasionallydroppedintothelazySouthernintonation，andaspeechthateasilyslippedattimesintoSoutherndialect：——
\"Isentthechildoutoftheroom，asIcouldseethathisadvanceswereannoyingtoyou，andagooddeal，Ireckon，becauseIknewyourreceptionofthemwasstillmorepainfultohim。Itisquitenatural，Idaresay，youshouldfeelasyoudo，andIreckonconsistentwithyourattitudetowardshim。Butyoumustmakesomeallowanceforthedepthofhisfeelings，andhowhehaslookedforwardtothismeeting。WhenItellyouthateversincehereceivedyourlastletter，heandhissister——untilherillnesskeptherhome——havegoneeverydaywhenthePacifictrainwasduetothestationtomeetyou；thattheyhavetakenliterallyasGospeltrutheverywordofyourletter\"——
\"Myletter？\"interruptedFalloner。
Theyounggirl\'sscarletlipcurledslightly。\"Ibegyourpardon——
Ishouldhavesaidtheletteryoudictated。Ofcourseitwasn\'tinyourhandwriting——youhadhurtyourhand，youknow，\"sheaddedironically。\"Atallevents，theybelieveditall——thatyouwerecomingatanymoment；theylivedinthatbelief，andthepoorthingswenttothestationwithyourphotographintheirhandssothattheymightbethefirsttorecognizeandgreetyou。\"
\"Withmyphotograph？\"interruptedFalloneragain。
Theyounggirl\'scleareyesdarkenedominously。\"Ireckon，\"shesaiddeliberately，assheslowlydrewfromherpocketthephotographDaddyFolsomhadsent，\"thatthatisyourphotograph。
Itcertainlyseemsanexcellentlikeness，\"sheadded，regardinghimwithaslightsuggestionofcontemptuoustriumph。
Inaninstanttherevelationofthewholemysteryflasheduponhim！
TheforgottenpassageinHouston\'sletteraboutthestolenphotographstoodclearlybeforehim；thecoincidenceofhisappearanceinShepherdstown，andthenaturalmistakeofthechildrenandtheirfairprotector，weremadeperfectlyplain。Butwiththisreliefandthecertaintythathecouldconfoundherwithanexplanationcameacertainmischievousdesiretoprolongthesituationandincreasehistriumph。Shecertainlyhadnotshownhimanyfavor。
\"Haveyougottheletteralso？\"heaskedquietly。
Shewhiskeditimpatientlyfromherpocketandhandedittohim。
AshereadDaddy\'scharacteristicextravaganceandrecognizedthefamiliaridiosyncrasiesofhisoldcompanions，hewasunabletorestrainasmile。Heraisedhiseyes，tomeetwithsurprisethefairstranger\'sleveledeyebrowsandbrightlyindignanteyes，inwhich，however，therainwasfastgatheringwiththelightning。
\"Itmaybeamusingtoyou，andIreckonlikelyitwasallaCaliforniajoke，\"shesaidwithslightlytremblinglips；\"Idon\'tknowNo\'therngentlemenandtheirways，andyouseemtohaveforgottenourwaysasyouhaveyourkindred。Perhapsallthismayseemsofunnytothem：itmaynotseemfunnytothatboywhoisnowcryinghisheartoutinthehall；itmaynotbeveryamusingtothatpoorCissyinhersick-bedlongingtoseeherbrother。Itmaybesofarfromamusingtoher，thatIshouldhesitatetobringyouthereinherexcitedconditionandsubjecthertothepainthatyouhavecausedhim。ButIhavepromisedher；sheisalreadyexpectingus，andthedisappointmentmaybedangerous，andIcanonlyimploreyou——forafewmomentsatleast——toshowalittlemoreaffectionthanyoufeel。\"Ashemadeanimpulsive，deprecatinggesture，yetwithoutchanginghislookofrestrainedamusement，shestoppedhimhopelessly。\"Oh，ofcourse，yes，yes，Iknowitisyearssinceyouhaveseenthem；theyhavenorighttoexpectmore；only——only——
feelingasyoudo，\"sheburstimpulsively，\"why——oh，whydidyoucome？\"
HerewasBob\'schance。Heturnedtoherpolitely；begangravely，\"Isimplycameto\"——whensuddenlyhisfacechanged；hestoppedasifstruckbyablow。Hischeekflushed，andthenpaled！GoodGod！
Whathadhecomefor？Totellthemthatthisbrothertheywerelongingfor——livingfor——perhapsevendyingfor——wasdead！Inhiscrassstupidity，hiswoundedvanityoverthescornoftheyounggirl，hisanticipationoftriumph，hehadforgotten——totallyforgotten——whatthattriumphmeant！PerhapsifhehadfeltmorekeenlythedeathofLashamthethoughtofitwouldhavebeenuppermostinhismind；butLashamwasnothispartnerorassociate，onlyabrotherminer，andhissingleactofgenerositywasintheordinaryroutineofcamplife。Ifshecouldthinkhimcoldandheartlessbefore，whatwouldshethinkofhimnow？Theabsurdityofhermistakehadvanishedinthegrimtragedyhehadseemedtohavecruellypreparedforher。Thethoughtstruckhimsokeenlythathestammered，faltered，andsankhelplesslyintoachair。
Theshockthathehadreceivedwassoplaintoherthatherownindignationwentoutinthebreathofit。Herlipquivered。
\"Don\'tyoumind，\"shesaidhurriedly，droppingintoherSouthernspeech；\"Ididn\'tgotohurtyou，butIwasjustthatmadwiththethoughtofthosepickaninnies，andtheeasywayyoutookit，thatI
cleanforgotI\'dnocalltocatechiseyou！Andyoudon\'tknowmefromtheQueenofSheba。Well，\"shewenton，stillmorerapidly，andinodddistinctiontoherpreviousformalslowSoutherndelivery，\"I\'mthedaughterofColonelBoutelle，ofBayouSara，Louisiana；andhispaw，andhispawbeforehim，hadaplantationtheresincethetimeofAdam，buthelostitandsixhundredniggersduringtheWah！Wewerepoohaspohverty——pawandmawandwefourgirls——andnomoreideaofworkthanababy。ButIhadaneducationattheconventatNewOrleans，andcouldplay，andspeakFrench，andIgotaplaceasschool-teacherhere；IreckonthefirstSouthernwomanthathastaughtschoolintheNo\'th！
Ricketts，whousedtobeourstewardatBayouSara，toldmeaboutthepickaninnies，andhowhelplesstheywere，withonlyabrotherwhooccasionallysentthemmoneyfromCalifornia。IsupposeI
cottonedtothepoohlittlethingsatfirstbecauseIknewwhatitwastobealoneamongststrangers，Mr。Lasham；Iusedtoteachthematoddtimes，andlookafterthem，andgowiththemtothetraintolookforyou。PerhapsRickettsmademethinkyoudidn\'tcareforthem；perhapsIwaswronginthinkingitwastrue，fromthewayyoumetJimmyjustnow。ButI\'vespokenmymindandyouknowwhy。\"
Sheceasedandwalkedtothewindow。
Fallonerrose。Thestormthathadsweptthroughhimwasover。
Thequickdetermination，resolutepurpose，andinfinitepatiencewhichhadmadehimwhathewaswereallthere，andwithitaconscientiousnesswhichhisselfishindependencehadhithertokeptdormant。Heacceptedthesituation，notpassively——itwasnotinhisnature——butthrewhimselfintoitwithallhisenergy。
\"Youwerequiteright，\"hesaid，haltingamomentbesideher；\"I
don\'tblameyou，andletmehopethatlateryoumaythinkmelesstoblamethanyoudonow。Now，what\'stobedone？Clearly，I\'vefirsttomakeitrightwithTommy——ImeanJimmy——andthenwemustmakeastraightdashovertothegirl！Whoop！\"Beforeshecouldunderstandfromhisfacethestrangechangeinhisvoice，hehaddashedoutoftheroom。Inamomenthereappearedwiththeboystrugglinginhisarms。\"Thinkofthelittlescampnotknowinghisownbrother！\"helaughed，givingtheboyareallyaffectionate，ifslightlyexaggeratedhug，andexpectingmetoopenmyarmstothefirstlittleboywhojumpsintothem！I\'veagreatmindnottogivehimthepresentIfetchedallthewayfromCalifornia。Waitamoment。\"Hedashedintothebedroom，openedhisvalise——whereheprovidentiallyrememberedhehadkept，withaminer\'ssuperstition，thefirstlittlenuggetofgoldhehadeverfound——seizedthetinybitofquartzofgold，anddashedoutagaintodisplayitbeforeJimmy\'seagereyes。
Iftheheartiness，sympathy，andcharmingkindnessoftheman\'swholemannerandfaceconvinced，evenwhileitslightlystartled，theyounggirl，itwasstillmoreeffectivewiththeboy。Childrenarequicktodetectthefalseringofaffectedemotion，andBob\'swassogenuine——whateveritscause——thatitmighthaveeasilypassedforafraternalexpressionwithhardercritics。Thechildtrustfullynestledagainsthimandwouldhavegraspedthegold，buttheyoungmanwhiskeditintohispocket。\"Notuntilwe\'veshownittoourlittlesister——wherewe\'regoingnow！I\'mofftoorderasleigh。\"Hedashedoutagaintotheofficeasifhefoundsomereliefinaction，or，asitseemedtoMissBoutelle，toavoidembarrassingconversation。Whenhecamebackagainhewascarryinganimmensebearskinfromhisluggage。Hecastacriticallookatthegirl\'sunseasonableattire。
\"IshallwrapyouandJimmyinthis——youknowit\'ssnowingfrightfully。\"
MissBoutelleflushedalittle。\"I\'mwarmenoughwhenwalking，\"
shesaidcoldly。BobglancedathersmartlittleFrenchshoes，andthoughtotherwise。Hesaidnothing，buthastilybundledhistwoguestsdownstairsandintothestreet。Thewhirlwinddanceofthesnowmadethesleighanindistinctbulkintheglitteringdarkness，andastheyounggirlforaninstantstooddazedlystill，Bobincontinentlyliftedherfromherfeet，depositedherinthevehicle，droppedJimmyinherlap，andwrappedthembothtightlyinthebearskin。Herweight，whichwasscarcelymorethanachild\'s，struckhiminthatmomentasbeingtantalizinglyincongruoustothematronlyseverityofhermanneranditsstrangeeffectuponhim。
Hethenjumpedinhimself，takingthedirectionfromhiscompanion，anddroveoffthroughthestorm。
Thewindanddarknesswerenotfavorabletoconversation，andonlyoncedidhebreakthesilence。\"Isthereanyonewhowouldbelikelytoremember——me——wherewearegoing？\"heasked，inalullofthestorm。
MissBoutelleuncoveredenoughofherfacetoglanceathimcuriously。\"Hardly！YouknowthechildrencameherefromtheNo\'thafteryourmother\'sdeath，whileyouwereinCalifornia。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"returnedBobhurriedly；\"Iwasonlythinking——youknowthatsomeofmyoldfriendsmighthavecalled，\"andthencollapsedintosilence。
Afterapauseavoicecameicily，althoughunderthefurs：\"Perhapsyou\'dpreferthatyourarrivalbekeptsecretfromthepublic？ButtheyseemtohavealreadyrecognizedyouatthehotelfromyourinquiryaboutRicketts，andthephotographJimmyhadalreadyshownthemtwoweeksago。\"Bobrememberedtheclerk\'sfamiliarmannerandtheomissiontoaskhimtoregister。\"Butitneedgonofurther，ifyoulike，\"sheadded，withaslightreturnofherpreviousscorn。
\"I\'venoreasonforkeepingitsecret，\"saidBobstoutly。
Nootherwordswereexchangeduntilthesleighdrewupbeforeaplainwoodenhouseinthesuburbsofthetown。Bobcouldseeataglancethatitrepresentedtheincomeofsomecarefulartisanorsmallshopkeeper，andthatitpromisedlittleforaninvalid\'sluxuriouscomfort。Theywereusheredintoachillysitting-roomandMissBoutelleranupstairswithJimmytopreparetheinvalidforBob\'sappearance。Henoticedthataworddroppedbythewomanwhoopenedthedoormadetheyounggirl\'sfacegraveagain，andpaledthecolorthatthestormhadbuffetedtohercheek。Henoticedalsothattheseplainsurroundingsseemedonlytoenhanceherownsuperiority，andthatthewomantreatedherwithadeferenceinoddcontrasttotheill-concealeddisfavorwithwhichsheregardedhim。Strangelyenough，thislatterfactwasarelieftohisconscience。Itwouldhavebeenterribletohavereceivedtheirkindnessunderfalsepretenses；totaketheirjustblameofthemanhepersonatedseemedtomitigatethedeceit。
Theyounggirlrejoinedhimpresentlywithtroubledeyes。Cissywasworse，andonlyintermittentlyconscious，buthadaskedtoseehim。Itwasashortflightofstairstothebedroom，butbeforehereacheditBob\'sheartbeatfasterthanithadinanymountainclimb。Inonecorneroftheplainlyfurnishedroomstoodasmalltrucklebed，andinitlaytheinvalid。ItneededbutasingleglanceatherflushedfaceinitsaureoleofyellowhairtorecognizethelikenesstoJimmy，although，addedtothatstrangerefinementproducedbysuffering，therewasaspiritualexaltationinthechild\'slook——possiblyfromdelirium——thatawedandfrightenedhim；anawfulfeelingthathecouldnotlietothishopelesscreaturetookpossessionofhim，andhisstepfaltered。
Butsheliftedhersmallarmspatheticallytowardshimasifshedivinedhistrouble，andhesankonhiskneesbesideher。Withatinyfingercurledaroundhislongmustache，shelaytheresilent。
Herfacewasfulloftrustfulness，happiness，andconsciousness——
butshespokenoword。
Therewasapause，andFalloner，slightlyliftinghisheadwithoutdisturbingthatfaintlyclaspingfinger，beckonedMissBoutelletohisside。\"Canyoudrive？\"hesaid，inalowvoice。
\"Yes。\"
\"Takemysleighandgetthebestdoctorintowntocomehereatonce。Bringhimwithyouifyoucan；ifhecan\'tcomeatonce，drivehomeyourself。Iwillstayhere。\"
\"But\"——hesitatedMissBoutelle。
\"Iwillstayhere，\"herepeated。
Thedoorclosedontheyounggirl，andFalloner，stillbendingoverthechild，presentlyheardthesleigh-bellspassawayinthestorm。
Hestillsatwithhisbenthead，heldbythetinyclaspofthosethinfingers。Butthechild\'seyeswerefixedsointentlyuponhimthatMrs。Rickettsleanedoverthestrangely-assortedpairandsaid——
\"It\'syourbrotherDick，dearie。Don\'tyouknowhim？\"
Thechild\'slipsmovedfaintly。\"Dick\'sdead，\"shewhispered。
\"She\'swandering，\"saidMrs。Ricketts。\"Speaktoher。\"ButBob，withhiseyesonthechild\'s，liftedaprotestinghand。Thelittlesufferer\'slipsmovedagain。\"Itisn\'tDick——it\'stheangelGodsenttotellme。\"
Shespokenomore。AndwhenMissBoutellereturnedwiththedoctorshewasbeyondthereachoffinitevoices。Fallonerwouldhaveremainedallnightwiththem，buthecouldseethathispresenceinthecontractedhouseholdwasnotdesired。EvenhisoffertotakeJimmywithhimtothehotelwasdeclined，andatmidnighthereturnedalone。
Whathisthoughtswerethatnightmaybeeasilyimagined。Cissy\'sdeathhadremovedtheonlycausehehadforconcealinghisrealidentity。TherewasnothingmoretopreventhisrevealingalltoMissBoutelleandtooffertoadopttheboy。Buthereflectedthiscouldnotbedoneuntilafterthefuneral，foritwasonlyduetoCissy\'smemorythatheshouldstillkeepuptheroleofDickLashamaschiefmourner。IfitseemsstrangethatBobdidnotatthiscrucialmomenttakeMissBoutelleintohisconfidence，Ifearitwasbecausehedreadedthepersonaleffectofthedeceithehadpracticeduponhermorethananyethicalconsideration；shehadsoftenedconsiderablyinherattitudetowardshimthatnight；hewashuman，afterall，andwhilehefelthisconducthadbeenunselfishinthemain，hedarednotconfesstohimselfhowmuchheropinionhadinfluencedhim。Heresolvedthatafterthefuneralhewouldcontinuehisjourney，andwritetoher，enroute，afullexplanationofhisconduct，inclosingDaddy\'sletterascorroborativeevidence。Butonsearchinghisletter-casehefoundthathehadlosteventhatevidence，andhemusttrustsolelyatpresenttoherfaithinhisimprobablestory。
Itseemedasifhisgreatestsacrificewasdemandedatthefuneral！
Foritcouldnotbedisguisedthattheneighborswerestronglyprejudicedagainsthim。Eventhepreacherimprovedtheoccasiontowarnthecongregationagainstthedangersofputtingoffdutyuntiltoolate。AndwhenRobertFalloner，pale，butself-restrained，leftthechurchwithMissBoutelle，equallypaleandreserved，onhisarm，hecouldwithdifficultyrestrainhisfuryatthepassingofasignificantsmileacrossthefacesofafewcuriousbystanders。
\"ItwasAmyBoutelle，thatwasthe\'penitence\'thatfetchedhim，youbet！\"heoverheard，abarelyconcealedwhisper；andthereply，\"Andit\'sagoodthingshe\'smadeoutofittoo，forhe\'smightyrich！\"
Atthechurchdoorhetookhercoldhandintohis。\"Iamleavingto-morrowmorningwithJimmy，\"hesaid，withawhiteface。\"Good-
by。\"
\"Youarequiteright；good-by，\"sherepliedasbriefly，butwiththefaintestcolor。Hewonderedifshehadheardittoo。
Whethershehadhearditornot，shewenthomewithMrs。Rickettsinsomerighteousindignation，whichfound——aftertheyounglady\'shabit——freeexpression。WhateverwereMr。Lasham\'sfaultsofomissionitwasmostun-Christiantoalludetothemthere，andaninsulttothepoorlittledear\'smemorywhohadforgiventhem。
Weresheinhisshoesshewouldshakethedustofthetownoffherfeet；andshehopedhewould。ShewasalittlesoftenedonarrivingtofindJimmyintears。HehadlostDick\'sphotograph——orDickhadforgottentogiveitbackatthehotel，forthiswasallhehadinhispocket。Andheproducedaletter——themissingletterofDaddy，whichbymistakeFallonerhadhandedbackinsteadofthephotograph。MissBoutellesawthesuperscriptionandCalifornianpostmarkwithavaguecuriosity。
\"Didyoulookinside，dear？Perhapsitslippedin。\"
Jimmyhadnot。MissBoutelledid——andIgrievetosay，endedbyreadingthewholeletter。
BobFallonerhadfinishedpackinghisthingsthenextmorning，andwaswaitingforMr。RickettsandJimmy。Butwhenatapcameatthedoor，heopenedittofindMissBoutellestandingthere。\"IhavesentJimmyintothebedroom，\"shesaidwithafaintsmile，\"tolookforthephotographwhichyougavehiminmistakeforthis。Ithinkforthepresentheprefershisbrother\'spicturetothisletter，whichIhavenotexplainedtohimoranyone。\"Shestopped，andraisinghereyestohis，saidgently：\"Ithinkitwouldhaveonlybeenapartofyourgoodnesstohavetrustedme，Mr。Falloner。\"
\"Thenyouwillforgiveme？\"hesaideagerly。
Shelookedathimfrankly，yetwithafainttraceofcoquetrythattheangelsmighthavepardoned。\"DoyouwantmetosaytoyouwhatMrs。RickettssayswerethelastwordsofpoorCissy？\"
Ayearlater，whenthedarknessandrainwerecreepingupSawyer\'sLedge，andHoustonandDaddyFolsomweresittingbeforetheirbrushwoodfireintheoldLashamcabin，thelatterdeliveredhimselforacularly。
\"It\'samightyqueerthing，thatnewsaboutBob！It\'snotthathe\'smarried，forthatmighthappentoanyone；butthisyeraccountinthepaperofhisweddingbeingattendedbyhis\'littlebrother。\'Thatgetsme！Tothinkallthewhilehewasherehewaslettin\'ontousthathehadn\'tkithorkin！Well，sir，thataccountstomeforonething，——thesing\'lerwayhetumbledtothatletterofpoorDickLasham\'slittlebrotherandsenthimthatdraft！Don\'tyesee？Itwasafellerfeelin\'！Knewhowitwashimself！IreckonyeallthoughtIwaskindersoftreadingthatlettero\'DickLasham\'slittlebrothertohim，butyeseewhatitdid。\"
THEYOUNGESTMISSPIPER
IdonotthinkthatanyofuswhoenjoyedtheacquaintanceofthePipergirlsorthehospitalityofJudgePiper，theirfather，evercaredfortheyoungestsister。Notonaccountofherextremeyouth，fortheeldestMissPiperconfessedtotwenty-six——andtheyouthoftheyoungestsisterwasestablishedsolely，Ithink，byonebigbraiddownherback。Neitherwasitbecauseshewastheplainest，forthebeautyofthePipergirlswasarecognizedgeneraldistinction，andtheyoungestMissPiperwasnotentirelydevoidofthefamilycharms。Norwasitfromanylackofintelligence，norfromanydefectivesocialquality；forherprecocitywasastounding，andhergood-humoredfranknessalarming。
