Theteacher，glancingforamomentthroughtheopendooroftheschoolhouse，hadseenahandsomeyoungladystaringather，——MissLearyhadacuriouslyintentlookwhenshewasinterestedinanything，withnointentionwhatevertoberude，——
andbeyondtheladythebackandshoulderofaman，whosefacewasturnedtheotherway。Therewasavaguesuggestionofsomethingfamiliarabouttheequipage，butRenashrankfromthisclosescrutinyandwithdrewoutofsightbeforeshehadhadanopportunitytoidentifythevagueresemblancetosomethingshehadknown。
MissLearyhadmissedbyahair’s—breadththepsychologicalmoment，andfeltsomeresentmenttowardthelittlenegroeswhohadinterruptedherlover’strainofthought。Negroeshavecausedagreatdealoftroubleamongwhitepeople。HowdeeplytheshadowoftheEthiopianhadfallenuponherownhappiness，MissLearyofcoursecouldnotguess。
XXVII
ANINTERESTINGACQUAINTANCE
Afewdayslater，Renalookedoutofthewindownearherdeskandsawalowbasketphaeton，drawnbyasorrelpony，drivensharplyintotheclearinganddrawnupbesideanoaksapling。
Theoccupantofthephaeton，atall，handsome，well—preservedladyinmiddlelife，withslightlygrayhair，alightedbrisklyfromthephaeton，tiedtheponytothesaplingwithahitching—strap，andadvancedtotheschoolhousedoor。
Renawonderedwhotheladymightbe。Shehadabenevolentaspect，however，andcameforwardtothedeskwithasmile，notatallembarrassedbythewide—eyedinspectionoftheentireschool。
\"Howdoyoudo？\"shesaid，extendingherhandtotheteacher。\"Iliveintheneighborhoodandaminterestedinthecoloredpeople——agoodmanyofthemoncebelongedtome。Iheardsomethingofyourschool，andthoughtIshouldliketomakeyouracquaintance。\"
\"Itisverykindofyou，indeed，\"murmuredRenarespectfully。
\"Yes，\"continuedthelady，\"Iamnotoneofthosewhositbackandblametheirformerslavesbecausetheywerefreed。Theyarefreenow，——itisalldecidedandsettled，——andtheyoughttobetaughtenoughtoenablethemtomakegooduseoftheirfreedom。Butreally，mydear，——youmustn’tfeeloffendedifImakeamistake，——Iamgoingtoaskyousomethingverypersonal。\"Shelookedsuggestivelyatthegapingpupils。
\"Theschoolmaytakethemorningrecessnow，\"
announcedtheteacher。Thepupilsfiledoutinanorderlymanner，mostofthemstationingthemselvesaboutthegroundsinsuchplacesaswouldkeeptheteacherandthewhiteladyinview。Veryfewwhitepersonsapprovedofthecoloredschools；
nootherwhitepersonhadevervisitedthisone。
\"Areyoureallycolored？\"askedthelady，whenthechildrenhadwithdrawn。
Ayearandahalfearlier，Renawouldhavemetthequestionbysomedisplayofself—consciousness。
Now，sherepliedsimplyanddirectly。
\"Yes，ma’am，Iamcolored。\"
Thelady，whohadbeenstudyingherascloselyasgoodmannerswouldpermit，sighedregretfully。
\"Well，it’sashame。Noonewouldeverthinkit。Ifyouchosetoconcealit，noonewouldeverbethewiser。Whatisyourname，child，andwherewereyoubroughtup？Youmusthavearomantichistory。\"
Renagavehernameandafewfactsinregardtoherpast。Theladywassomuchinterested，andputsomanyandsuchsearchingquestions，thatRenareallyfounditmoredifficulttosuppressthefactthatshehadbeenwhite，thanshehadformerlyhadinhidingherAfricanorigin。Therewasaboutthegirlanairofrealrefinementthatpleasedthelady，——therefinementnotmerelyofafinenature，butofcontactwithculturedpeople；
acertainreserveofspeechandmannerquiteinconsistentwithMrs。Tryon’sexperienceofcoloredwomen。Theladywasinterestedandslightlymystified。Agenerous，impulsivespirit，——herson’sownmother，——shemademinuteinquiriesabouttheschoolandthepupils，severalofwhomsheknewbyname。Renastatedthatthetwomonths’termwasnearingitsend，andthatshewastrainingthechildreninvariousdeclamationsanddialoguesfortheexhibitionattheclose。
\"Ishallattendit，\"declaredtheladypositively。
\"I’msureyouaredoingagoodwork，andit’sverynobleofyoutoundertakeitwhenyoumighthaveaverydifferentfuture。IfIcanserveyouatanytime，don’thesitatetocalluponme。I
liveinthebigwhitehousejustbeforeyouturnoutoftheClintonroadtocomethisway。I’monlyawidow，butmysonGeorgeliveswithmeandhassomeinfluenceintheneighborhood。Hedrovebyhereyesterdaywiththeladyheisgoingtomarry。Itwasshewhotoldmeaboutyou。\"
Wasitthename，orsomesubtleresemblanceinspeechorfeature，thatrecalledTryon’simagetoRena’smind？Itwasnotsofaraway——theimageofthelovingTryon——thatanypowerfulwitchcraftwasrequiredtocallitup。Hismotherwasawidow；Renahadthought，inhappierdays，thatshemightbesuchakindladyasthis。ButthecruelTryonwhohadlefther——hismotherwouldbesomehard，cold，proudwoman，whowouldregardanegroasbutlittlebetterthanadog，andwhowouldnotsoilherlipsbyaddressingacoloredpersonuponanyothertermsthanasaservant。Sheknew，too，thatTryondidnotliveinSampsonCounty，thoughtheexactlocationofhishomewasnotcleartoher。
\"Andwhereareyoustaying，mydear？\"askedthegoodlady。
\"I’mboardingatMrs。Wain’s，\"answeredRena。
\"Mrs。Wain’s？\"
\"Yes，theyliveintheoldCampbellplace。\"
\"Oh，yes——AuntNancy。She’sagoodenoughwoman，butwedon’tthinkmuchofhersonJeff。
HemarriedmyAmandaafterthewar——sheusedtobelongtome，andoughttohaveknownbetter。
Heabusedhermostshamefully，andhadtobethreatenedwiththelaw。Shelefthimayearorsoagoandwentaway；Ihaven’tseenherlately。
Well，good—by，child；I’mcomingtoyourexhibition。Ifyoueverpassmyhouse，comeinandseeme。\"
Thegoodladyhadtalkedforhalfanhour，andhadbroughtarayofsunshineintotheteacher’smonotonouslife，heretoforelightedonlybytheuncertainlampofhighresolve。Shehadsatisfiedapardonablecuriosity，andhadgoneawaywithoutmentioninghername。
RenasawPlatountyingtheponyastheladyclimbedintothephaeton。
\"Whowasthelady，Plato？\"askedtheteacherwhenthevisitorhaddrivenaway。
\"Dat’uzmyolemist’iss，ma’m，\"returnedPlatoproudly，——\"oleMis’’Liza。\"
\"Mis’’Lizawho？\"askedRena。
\"Mis’’LizaTryon。Iuse’terb’longterher。
Dat’uzherson，myyoungMarsGeo’ge，w’atdrivpas’hyuhyistiddywid’issweetheart。\"
XXVIII
THELOSTKNIFE
Renahadfoundhertasknotadifficultonesofarasdisciplinewasconcerned。Herpupilswereofadocilerace，andschooltothemhadallthecharmofnovelty。Theteachercommandedsomeawebecauseshewasastranger，andsome，perhaps，becauseshewaswhite；forthetheoryofblacknessaspropoundedbyPlatocouldnotquitecounter—
balanceintheyoungAfricanmindtheevidenceoftheirownsenses。Shecombinedgentlenesswithfirmness；andifthesehadnotbeensufficient，shehadreservesofcharacterwhichwouldhavegivenherthemasteryovermuchlessplasticmaterialthantheseignorantbuteageryoungpeople。
Theworkofinstructionwassimpleenough，formostofthepupilsbeganwiththealphabet，whichtheyacquiredfromWebster’sblue—backedspelling—
book，thepalladiumofSoutherneducationatthatepoch。Themuchabusedcarpet—baggershadputthespelling—bookwithinreachofeverychildofschoolageinNorthCarolina，——afactwhichisoftenoverlookedwhenthecarpet—baggersarehelduptopublicodium。Eventhedevilshouldhavehisdue，andisnotsoblackasheispainted。
AtthetimewhenshelearnedthatTryonlivedintheneighborhood，Renahadalreadybeensubjectedforseveralweekstoatryingordeal。Wainhadbeguntopersecuteherwithmarkedattentions。
Shehadatfirstgonetoboardathishouse，——or，bycourtesy，withhismother。Foraweekortwoshehadconsideredhisattentionsinnootherlightthanthoseofamemberoftheschoolcommitteesharingherownzealandinterestedinseeingtheschoolsuccessfullycarriedon。InthischaracterWainhaddrivenhertothetownforherexamination；
hehadbusiedhimselfaboutputtingtheschoolhouseinorder，andinvariousmattersaffectingtheconductoftheschool。Hehadjocularlyofferedtocomeandwhipthechildrenforher，andhadfounditconvenienttodropinoccasionally，ostensiblytoseewhatprogresstheworkwasmaking。
\"Desechild’en，\"hewouldobservesonorously，inthepresenceoftheschool，\"oughterbemonst’ousgladterhavedechanceersettin’underyo’instruction，MissRena。I’msho’eve’bodyindisneighbo’hood’preciatesdepriv’legeerhavin’
youinou’mids’。\"
Thoughslightlyembarrassingtotheteacher，thesepublicdemonstrationswereendurablesolongastheycouldberegardedasmereofficialappreciationofherwork。Sincerelyinearnestaboutherundertaking，shehadplungedintoitwithalltheintensityofaseriousnaturewhichlovehadstirredtoactivity。Apessimistmighthavesighedsadlyorsmiledcynicallyatthenotionthatapoor，weakgirl，withadangerousbeautyandasensitivesoul，andtroublesenoughofherown，shouldhopetoaccomplishanythingappreciabletowardliftingtheblackmassstillflounderinginthemudwhereslaveryhadleftit，andwhereemancipationhadfoundit，——themudinwhich，foraughtthatcouldbeseentothecontrary，herlittlefeet，too，werehopelesslyentangled。Itmighthaveseemedlikeexpectingamantolifthimselfbyhisboot—straps。
ButRenawasnophilosopher，eithersadorcheerful。Shecouldnotevenhaverepliedtothisargument，thatracesmustliftthemselves，andthemostthatcanbedonebyothersistogivethemopportunityandfairplay。Herswasasimplerreasoning，——thelogicbywhichtheworldiskeptgoingonwardandupwardwhenphilosophersareatoddsandreformersarenotforthcoming。Sheknewthatforeverychildshetaughttoreadandwritesheopened，ifeversolittle，thedoorofopportunity，andshewashappyintheconsciousnessofperformingadutywhichseemedallthemoreimperativebecausenewlydiscovered。Herzeal，indeed，forthetimebeingwaslikethatofanearlyChristian，whowasmorewillingthannottodieforhisfaith。Renahadfullyandfirmlymadeuphermindtosacrificeherlifeuponthisaltar。Herabsorptionintheworkhadnotbeenwithoutitsreward，fortherebyshehadbeenabletokeepatadistancethespectreofherlostlove。Herdreamsshecouldnotcontrol，butshebanishedTryonasfaraspossiblefromherwakingthoughts。
WhenWain’sattentionsbecameobviouslypersonal，Rena’snewvestalinstincttookalarm，andshebegantoapprehendhischaractermoreclearly。
Shehadlongagolearnedthathispretensionstowealthwereasham。Hewasnominalownerofalargeplantation，itistrue；butthelandwaswornout，andmortgagedtothelimitofitssecurityvalue。Hisreputeddrovesofcattleandhogshaddwindledtoamerehandfulofleanandlistlessbrutes。
Hercleareye，whenoncesettotakeWain’smeasure，soonfathomedhisshallow，selfishsoul，anddetected，oratleastdivined，behindhismaskofgood—naturealurkingbrutalitywhichfilledherwithvaguedistrust，needingonlyoccasiontodevelopitintoactiveapprehension，——occasionwhichwasnotlongwanting。Sheavoidedbeingalonewithhimathomebykeepingcarefullywiththewomenofthehouse。Ifshewereleftalone，——andtheysoonshowedatendencytoleaveheronanypretextwheneverWaincamenear，——shewouldseekherownroomandlockthedoor。ShepreferrednottooffendWain；shewasfarawayfromhomeandinameasureinhispower，butshedreadedhiscomplimentsandsickenedathissmile。Shewasalsocompelledtohearhisrelationssinghispraises。
\"MysonJeff，\"oldMrs。Wainwouldsay，\"isdebes’manyoueverseed。Hisfus’wifehaddeeasies’timean’dehappies’timeerarywomanindissettlement。He’sgrieve’ferheralongtime，butIreckonhe’sgittin’overit，an’denex’’omanw’atmarrieshim’llgitaboxerpyo’gol’，efIdoessayitasishisownmammy。\"
RenahadthoughtWainratherharshwithhishousehold，exceptinherimmediatepresence。Hismotherandsisterseemedmoreorlessafraidofhim，andthechildrenoftenanxioustoavoidhim。
Oneday，hetimedhisvisittotheschoolhousesoastowalkhomewithRenathroughthewoods。
Whenshebecameawareofhispurpose，shecalledtooneofthechildrenwhowasloiteringbehindtheothers，\"Waitaminute，Jenny。I’mgoingyourway，andyoucanwalkalongwithme。\"
Wainwithdifficultyhidascowlbehindasmilingfront。Whentheyhadgonealittledistancealongtheroadthroughthewoods，heclappedhishanduponhispocket。
\"Ideclaretergoodness，\"heexclaimed，\"efI
ain’tdroppedmypocket—knife！IthoughtIfeltsomethin’slipth’oughdatholeinmypocketjes’
bythebigpinestumpintheschoolhouseya’d。
Jinny，chile，runbackan’huntfermyknife，an’
I’llgiveyerfivecentsefyerfindit。Mean’
MissRena’llwalkonslow’telyouketchesus。\"
Renadidnotdaretoobject，thoughshewasafraidtobealonewiththisman。Ifshecouldhavehadamomenttothink，shewouldhavevolunteeredtogobackwithJennyandlookfortheknife，which，althoughapalpablesubterfugeonherpart，wouldhavebeenonetowhichWaincouldnotobject；
butthechild，dazzledbytheprospectofreward，haddartedbacksoquicklythatthiswayofescapewascutoff。Shewasevidentlyinforadeclarationoflove，whichshehadtakeninfinitepainstoavoid。Justtheformitwouldassume，shecouldnotforesee。Shewasnotlongleftinsuspense。
NosoonerwasthechildwelloutofsightthanWainthrewhisarmssuddenlyaboutherwaistandsmilinglyattemptedtokissher。
Speechlesswithfearandindignation，shetoreherselffromhisgraspwithtotallyunexpectedforce，andfledincontinentlyalongtheforestpath。
Wain——who，todohimjustice，hadmerelymeanttodeclarehispassioninwhathehadhopedmightproveanotunacceptablefashion——followedinsomealarm，expostulatingandapologizingashewent。ButhewasheavyandRenawaslight，andfearlentwingstoherfeet。HefollowedheruntilhesawherenterthehouseofElderJohnson，thefatherofseveralofherpupils，afterwhichhesneakeduneasilyhomeward，somewhatapprehensiveoftheconsequencesofhisabruptwooing，whichwasevidentlyopentoanunfavorableconstruction。When，anhourlater，RenasentoneoftheJohnsonchildrenforsomeofherthings，withamessageexplainingthattheteacherhadbeeninvitedtospendafewdaysatElderJohnson’s，Wainfeltapronouncedmeasureofrelief。Foranhourhehadeventhoughtitmightbebettertorelinquishhispursuit。Withafatuousnessbornofvanity，however，nosoonerhadshesentherexcusethanhebegantolookuponhervisittoJohnson’sasamereexhibitionofcoyness，which，togetherwithherconductinthewoods，wasmerelyintendedtolurehimon。
RightupontheheelsoftheperturbationcausedbyWain’sconduct，RenadiscoveredthatTryonlivedintheneighborhood；thatnotonlymightshemeethimanydayuponthehighway，butthathehadactuallydrivenbytheschoolhouse。Thathekneworwouldknowofherproximitytherecouldbenopossibledoubt，sinceshehadfreelytoldhismotherhernameandherhome。AhotwaveofshamesweptoverheratthethoughtthatGeorgeTryonmightimagineshewerefollowinghim，throwingherselfinhisway，andatthethoughtoftheconstructionwhichhemightplaceuponheractions。
Caughtthusbetweentwoemotionalfires，attheverytimewhenherschoolduties，owingtotheapproachingexhibition，demandedallherenergies，Renawassubjectedtoaphysicalandmentalstrainthatonlyyouthandhealthcouldhaveresisted，andthenonlyforashorttime。
XXIX
PLATOEARNSHALFADOLLAR
Tryon’sfirstfeeling，whenhismotheratthedinner—tablegaveanaccountofhervisittotheschoolhouseinthewoods，wasoneofextremeannoyance。Why，ofallcreatedbeings，shouldthisparticularwomanbechosentoteachthecoloredschoolatSandyRun？Hadshelearnedthathelivedintheneighborhood，andhadshesoughttheplacehopingthathemightconsenttorenew，ondifferentterms，relationswhichcouldneverberesumedupontheirformerfooting？Sixweeksbefore，hewouldnothavebelievedhercapableoffollowinghim；buthislastvisittoPatesvillehadrevealedhercharacterinsuchalightthatitwasdifficulttopredictwhatshemightdo。Itwas，however，noaffairofhis。Hewasdonewithher；hehaddismissedherfromhisownlife，whereshehadneverproperlybelonged，andhehadfilledherplace，orwouldsoonfillit，withanotherandworthierwoman。Evenhismother，awomanofkeendiscernmentanddelicateintuitions，hadbeendeceivedbythisgirl’sspeciousexterior。ShehadbroughtawayfromherinterviewofthemorningtheimpressionthatRenawasafine，purespirit，bornoutofplace，throughsomefreakofFate，devotingherselfwithheroicself—sacrificetoanoblecause。Well，hehadimaginedherjustaspureandfine，andshehaddeliberately，withanegro’slowcunning，deceivedhimintobelievingthatshewasawhitegirl。Thepretendedconfessionofthebrother，inwhichhehadspokenofthehumbleoriginofthefamily，hadbeen，consciouslyorunconsciously，themostdisingenuousfeatureofthewholemiserableperformance。Theyhadtriedbyashowoffranknesstosatisfytheirownconsciences，——theydoubtlesshadenoughofwhitebloodtogivethemarudimentarytraceofsuchamoralorgan，——andbythesameacttodisarmhimagainstfuturerecriminations，intheeventofpossiblediscovery。Howwashetoimaginethatpersonsoftheirappearanceandpretensionsweretaintedwithnegroblood？Themorehedweltuponthesubject，themoreangryhebecamewiththosewhohadsurprisedhisvirginheartanddeflowereditbysuchlowtrickery。ThemanwhobroughtthefirstnegrointotheBritishcolonieshadcommittedacrimeagainsthumanityandaworsecrimeagainsthisownrace。Thefatherofthisgirlhadbeenguiltyofasinagainstsocietyforwhichothers——forwhichhe，GeorgeTryon——
mustpaythepenalty。Asslaves，negroesweretolerable。Asfreemen，theywereanexcrescence，analienelementincapableofabsorptionintothebodypoliticofwhitemen。HewouldliketosendthemallbacktotheAfricafromwhichtheirforefathershadcome，——unwillinglyenough，hewouldadmit，——andhewouldlikeespeciallytobanishthisgirlfromhisownneighborhood；notindeedthatherpresencewouldmakeanydifferencetohim，exceptasahumiliatingreminderofhisownfollyandweaknesswithwhichhecouldverywelldispense。
OfthisstateofmindTryongavenovisiblemanifestationbeyondacertaintaciturnity，somuchatvariancewithhisrecentlivelinessthattheladiescouldnotfailtonoticeit。Noeffortuponthepartofeitherwasabletoaffecthismood，andtheybothresignedthemselvestoawaithislordship’spleasuretobecompanionable。
Foradayortwo，TryonsedulouslykeptawayfromtheneighborhoodoftheschoolhouseatSandyRim。Hereallyhadbusinesswhichwouldhavetakenhiminthatdirection，butmadeadetouroffivemilesratherthangonearhisabandonedanddiscreditedsweetheart。
ButGeorgeTryonwaswiselydistrustfulofhisownimpulses。DrivingonedayalongtheroadtoClinton，heoverhauledadiminutiveblackfiguretrudgingalongtheroad，occasionallyturningahandspringbywayofdiversion。
\"Hello，Plato，\"calledTryon，\"doyouwantalift？\"
\"Hoddy，MarsGeo’ge。KinIridewidyou？\"
\"Jumpup。\"
Platomountedintothebuggywiththeagilitytobeexpectedfromaladofhisacrobaticaccomplishments。Thetwoalmostimmediatelyfellintoconversationuponperhapstheonlysubjectofcommoninterestbetweenthem。Beforethetownwasreached，Tryonknew，sofarasPlatocouldmakeitplain，theestimationinwhichtheteacherwasheldbypupilsandparents。Hehadlearnedthehoursofopeninganddismissaloftheschool，wheretheteacherlived，herhabitsofcomingtoandgoingfromtheschoolhouse，andtheroadshealwaysfollowed。
\"DoesshegotochurchoranywhereelsewithJeffWain，Plato？\"askedTryon。
\"No，suh，shedon’gonowharwidnobodyexcep’n’oleElderJohnsonerMis’Johnson，an’dechild’en。Sheuse’terstopatMis’Wain’s，butshe’sstayin’widElderJohnsonnow。Shealluzmakessomeerdechild’engohomewiderf’mschool，\"saidPlato，proudtofindinMarsGeo’geanappreciativelistener，——\"sometimesonean’
sometimesanudder。I’sbe’nhomewid’ertwice，annit’llbemytu’nag’inbefo’long。\"
\"Plato，\"remarkedTryonimpressively，astheydroveintothetown，\"doyouthinkyoucouldkeepasecret？\"
\"Yas，MarsGeo’ge，efyousaysIshill。\"
\"Doyouseethisfifty—centpiece？\"Tryondisplayedasmallpieceofpapermoney，crispandgreeninitsnewness。
\"Yas，MarsGeo’ge，\"repliedPlato，fixinghiseyesrespectfullyonthegovernment’spromisetopay。Fiftycentswasalargesumofmoney。HisacquaintancewithMarsGeo’gegavehimtheprivilegeoflookingatmoney。Whenhegrewup，hewouldbeable，ingoodtimes，toearnfiftycentsaday。
\"Iamgoingtogivethistoyou，Plato。\"
Plato’seyesopenedwideassaucers。\"Me，MarsGeo’ge？\"heaskedinamazement。
\"Yes，Plato。I’mgoingtowritealetterwhileI’mintown，andwantyoutotakeit。Meetmehereinhalfanhour，andI’llgiveyoutheletter。
Meantime，keepyourmouthshut。\"
\"Yas，MarsGeo’ge，\"repliedPlatowithagrinthatdistendedthatorganunduly。Thathedidnotkeepitshutmaybeinferredfromthefactthatwithinthenexthalfhourhehadeatenanddrunkfiftycents’worthofcandy，ginger—pop，andotheravailabledelicaciesthatappealedtotheyouthfulpalate。Havingnothingmoretospend，andthehighpricesprevailingforsometimeafterthewarhavinglefthimcapableoflocomotion，Platowaspromptlyonhandattheappointedtimeandplace。
TryonplacedaletterinPlato’shand，stillstickywithmolassescandy，——hehadincloseditinasecondcoverbywayofprotection。\"Givethatletter，\"hesaid，\"toyourteacher；don’tsayawordaboutittoalivingsoul；bringmeananswer，andgiveitintomyownhand，andyoushallhaveanotherhalfdollar。\"
TryonwasquiteawarethatbyasurreptitiouscorrespondenceheransomeriskofcompromisingRena。Buthehadfelt，assoonashehadindulgedhisfirstopportunitytotalkofher，anirresistibleimpulsetoseeherandspeaktoheragain。
Hecouldscarcelycallatherboarding—place，——
whatpossibleproperexcusecouldayoungwhitemanhaveforvisitingacoloredwoman？Attheschoolhouseshewouldbesurroundedbyherpupils，andaprivateinterviewwouldbeasdifficult，withmoreeyestoremarkandmoretonguestocommentuponit。Hemightaddressherbymail，butdidnotknowhowoftenshesenttothenearestpost—office。Alettermailedinthetownmustpassthroughthehandsofapostmasternotoriouslyinquisitiveandevil—minded，whowasfamiliarwithTryon’shandwritingandhadampletimetoattendtootherpeople’sbusiness。Tomeettheteacheraloneontheroadseemedscarcelyfeasible，accordingtoPlato’sstatement。Amessenger，then，wasnotonlytheleastofseveralevils，butreallytheonlypracticablewaytocommunicatewithRena。
HethoughthecouldtrustPlato，thoughmiserablyawarethathecouldnottrusthimselfwherethisgirlwasconcerned。
TheletterhandedbyTryontoPlato，andbythelatterdeliveredwithduesecrecyandprecaution，ranasfollows：——
DEARMISSWARWICK，——YoumaythinkitstrangethatIshouldaddressyouafterwhathaspassedbetweenus；butlearningfrommymotherofyourpresenceintheneighborhood，Iamconstrainedtobelievethatyoudonotfindmyproximityembarrassing，andIcannotresistthewishtomeetyouatleastoncemore，andtalkoverthecircumstancesofourformerfriendship。Fromapracticalpointofviewthismayseemsuperfluous，asthematterhasbeendefinitelysettled。Ihavenodesiretofindfaultwithyou；onthecontrary，Iwishtosetmyselfrightwithregardtomyownactions，andtoassureyouofmygoodwishes。Inotherwords，sincewemustpart，Iwouldratherwepartedfriendsthanenemies。Ifnatureandsociety——orFate，toputitanotherway——havedecreedthatwecannotlivetogether，itisneverthelesspossiblethatwemaycarryintothefutureapleasantthoughsomewhatsadmemoryofapastfriendship。
Willyounotgrantmeoneinterview？I
appreciatethedifficultyofarrangingit；Ihavefounditalmostashardtocommunicatewithyoubyletter。Iwillsuitmyselftoyourconvenienceandmeetyouatanytimeandplaceyoumaydesignate。Pleaseanswerbybearer，whoIthinkistrustworthy，andbelieveme，whateveryouranswermaybe，Respectfullyyours，G。T。
ThenextdaybutoneTryonreceivedthroughthemailthefollowingreplytohisletter：——
GEORGETRYON，ESQ。
DearSir，——IhaverequestedyourmessengertosaythatIwillansweryourletterbymail，whichIshallnowproceedtodo。IassureyouthatIwasentirelyignorantofyourresidenceinthisneighborhood，oritwouldhavebeenthelastplaceonearthinwhichIshouldhavesetfoot。
Astoourpastrelations，theywereendedbyyourownact。IfranklyconfessthatIdeceivedyou；Ihavepaidthepenalty，andhavenocomplainttomake。Iappreciatethedelicacywhichhasmadeyourespectmybrother’ssecret，andthankyouforit。Irememberthewholeaffairwithshameandhumiliation，andwouldwillinglyforgetit。
Astoafutureinterview，Idonotseewhatgooditwoulddoeitherofus。Youarewhite，andyouhavegivenmetounderstandthatIamblack。
Iaccepttheclassification，howeverunfair，andtheconsequences，howeverunjust，oneofwhichisthatwecannotmeetinthesameparlor，inthesamechurch，atthesametable，oranywhere，insocialintercourse；uponasteamboatwewouldnotsitatthesametable；wecouldnotwalktogetheronthestreet，ormeetpubliclyanywhereandconverse，withoutunkindremark。Asawhiteman，thismightnotmeanagreatdealtoyou；asawoman，shutoutalreadybymycolorfrommuchthatisdesirable，mygoodnameremainsmymostvaluablepossession。Ibegofyoutoletmealone。
Thebestpossibleproofyoucangivemeofyourgoodwishesistorelinquishanydesireorattempttoseeme。Ishallhavefinishedmyworkhereinafewdays。Ihaveothertroubles，ofwhichyouknownothing，andanymeetingwithyouwouldonlyaddtoaburdenwhichisalreadyasmuchasIcanbear。Tospeakofpartingissuperfluous——
wehavealreadyparted。Itwereidletodreamofafuturefriendshipbetweenpeoplesowidelydifferentinstation。Suchafriendship，ifpossibleinitself，wouldneverbetoleratedbytheladywhomyouaretomarry，withwhomyoudrovebymyschoolhousetheotherday。Agentlemansoloyaltohisraceanditstraditionsasyouhaveshownyourselfcouldnotbelessfaithfultotheladytowhomhehaslosthisheartandhismemoryinthreeshortmonths。
No，Mr。Tryon，ourromanceisended，andbetterso。Wecouldneverhavebeenhappy。IhavefoundaworkinwhichImaybeofservicetootherswhohavefeweropportunitiesthanminehavebeen。Leavemeinpeace，Ibeseechyou，andIshallsoonpassoutofyourneighborhoodasIhavepassedoutofyourlife，andhopetopassoutofyourmemory。
Yoursverytruly，ROWENAWALDEN。
XXX
ANUNUSUALHONOR
ToRena’shigh—strungandsensitivenature，alreadyunderverygreattensionfromherpastexperience，theordealofthenextfewdayswasasevereone。Ontheonehand，JeffWain’sinfatuationhadrapidlyincreased，inviewofherspeedydeparture。FromMrs。Tryon’sremarkaboutWain’swifeAmanda，andfromthingsRenahadsincelearned，shehadeveryreasontobelievethatthiswifewasliving，andthatWainmustbeawareofthefact。Inthelightofthisknowledge，Wain’sformerconducttookonablackersignificancethan，uponreflection，shehadcharitablyclotheditwithafterthefirstflushofindignation。Thathehadnotgivenuphisdesigntomakelovetoherwasquiteapparent，and，withAmandaalive，hisattentions，alwaysoffensivesinceshehadgatheredtheirimport，becameinhereyestheexpressionofavillainouspurpose，ofwhichshecouldnotspeaktoothers，andfromwhichshefeltsafeonlysolongasshetookproperprecautionsagainstit。Inaweekherschoolwouldbeover，andthenshewouldgetElderJohnson，orsomeoneelsethanWain，totakeherbacktoPatesville。True，shemightabandonherschoolandgoatonce；butherworkwouldbeincomplete，shewouldhaveviolatedhercontract，shewouldlosehersalaryforthemonth，explanationswouldbenecessary，andwouldnotbeforthcoming。Shemightfeignsickness，——indeed，itwouldscarcelybefeigning，forshefeltfarfromwell；shehadnever，sinceherillness，quiterecoveredherformervigor——buttheinconveniencetootherswouldbethesame，andherself—sacrificewouldhavehad，atitsveryfirsttrial，alameandimpotentconclusion。ShehadasyetnofearofpersonalviolencefromWain；but，underthecircumstances，hisattentionswereaninsult。Hewasevidentlybentuponconquest，andvainenoughtothinkhemightachieveitbyvirtueofhispersonalattractions。Ifhecouldhaveunderstoodhowsheloathedthesightofhisnarroweyes，withtheirpuffylids，histhick，tobacco—stainedlips，hisdoubtfulteeth，andhisunwieldyperson，Wain，amonumentofconceitthathewas，mighthaveshrunk，eveninhisownestimation，tosomethinglikehisrealproportions。Renabelievedthat，todefendherselffrompersecutionathishands，itwasonlynecessarythatsheneverlethimfindheralone。This，however，requiredconstantwatchfulness。
Relyinguponhisownpowers，anduponawoman’sweaknessandaversiontoscandal，fromwhichnoteventhepurestmayalwaysescapeunscathed，andconvincedbyherformersilencethathehadnothingserioustofear，Wainmadeitapointtobepresentateverypublicplacewhereshemightbe。Heassumed，inconversationwithherwhichshecouldnotavoid，andstatedtoothers，thatshehadlefthishousebecauseofapreviouspromisetodividethetimeofherstaybetweenElderJohnson’shouseandhisown。HevolunteeredtoteachaclassintheSunday—schoolwhichRenaconductedatthecoloredMethodistchurch，andwhensheremainedtoservice，occupiedaseatconspicuouslynearherown。Inadditiontothesepublicdemonstrations，whichitwasimpossibletoescape，or，itseemed，withsothick—
skinnedanindividualasWain，eventodiscourage，shewassecretlyanduncomfortablyconsciousthatshecouldscarcelystirabroadwithouttheriskofencounteringoneoftwomen，eachofwhomwasonthelookoutforanopportunitytofindheralone。
TheknowledgeofTryon’spresenceinthevicinityhadbeenalmostasmuchasRenacouldbear。Toitmustbeaddedtheconsciousnessthathe，too，waspursuingher，towhatendshecouldnottell。Afterhislettertoherbrother，andthefeelingthereindisplayed，shefounditnecessarytocrushonceortwiceawildhopethat，hersecretbeingstillunknownsavetoafriendlyfew，hemightreturnandclaimher。Now，suchanoutcomewouldbeimpossible。Hehadbecomeengagedtoanotherwoman，——thisinitselfwouldbeenoughtokeephimfromher，ifitwerenotanindexofavastlymoreseriousbarrier，aproofthathehadneverlovedher。Ifhehadlovedhertruly，hewouldneverhaveforgottenherinthreeshortmonths，——threelongmonthstheyhadheretoforeseemedtoher，forinthemshehadlivedalifetimeofexperience。Anotherimpassablebarrierlayinthefactthathismotherhadmether，andthatshewasknownintheneighborhood。Thuscutofffromanyhopethatshemightbeanythingtohim，shehadnowishtomeetherformerlover；
nopossiblegoodcouldcomeofsuchameeting；
andyetherflutteringhearttoldherthatifheshouldcome，ashisletterforeshadowedthathemight，——ifheshouldcome，thelovingGeorgeofold，withsoftwordsandtendersmilesandspecioustalkoffriendship——ah！then，herheartwouldbreak！Shemustnotmeethim——atanycostshemustavoidhim。
Butthisheapingupofcaresstrainedherendurancetothebreaking—point。Towardthemiddleofthelastweek，sheknewthatshehadalmostreachedthelimit，andwashauntedbyafearthatshemightbreakdownbeforetheweekwasover。Nowherreallyfinenaturerosetotheemergency，thoughshemusteredherforceswithagreateffort。IfshecouldkeepWainathisdistanceandavoidTryonforthreedayslonger，herschoollaborswouldbeendedandshemightretireinpeaceandhonor。
\"MissRena，\"saidPlatotoheronTuesday，\"ain’tit’bouttimeIwuzgwinehomewidyouag’in？\"
\"Youmaygowithmeto—morrow，Plato，\"
answeredtheteacher。
AfterschoolPlatometananxiouseyedyoungmaninthewoodsashortdistancefromtheschoolhouse。
\"Well，Plato，whatnews？\"
\"I’sgwineterseeherhometer—morrer，MarsGeo’ge。\"
\"To—morrow！\"repliedTryon；\"howveryfortunate！Iwantedyoutogototownto—morrowtotakeanimportantmessageforme。I’msorry，Plato——youmighthaveearnedanotherdollar。\"
Tolieisadisgracefulthing，andyettherearetimeswhen，toalover’smind，lovedwarfsallordinarylaws。Platoscratchedhisheaddisconsolately，butsuddenlyabrightthoughtstruckhim。
\"Can’tIgotertownferyouatterI’veseedherhome，MarsGeo’ge？\"
\"N—o，I’mafraiditwouldbetoolate，\"returnedTryondoubtfully。
\"DenI’llhafterax’erterlemmegonex’day，\"
saidPlato，withresignation。Thehonormightbepostponedor，ifnecessary，foregone；theopportunitytoearnadollarwasthechanceofalifetimeandmustnotbeallowedtoslip。
\"No，Plato，\"rejoinedTryon，shakinghishead，\"Ishouldn’twanttodepriveyouofsogreatapleasure。\"TryonwasentirelysincereinthischaracterizationofPlato’schance；hewouldhavegivenmanyadollartobesureofPlato’splaceandPlato’swelcome。Rena’sletterhadre—inflamedhissmoulderingpassion；onlyoppositionwasneededtofanittoawhiteheat。Whereinlaythegreatsuperiorityofhisposition，ifhewasdeniedtherighttospeaktotheonepersonintheworldwhomhemostcaredtoaddress？Hefeltsomedimrealizationofthetyrannyofcaste，whenhefounditnotmerelypressinguponaninferiorpeoplewhohadnorighttoexpectanythingbetter，butbarringhisownwaytosomethingthathedesired。Hemeanthernoharm——buthemustseeher。Hecouldnevermarryhernow——buthemustseeher。
HewasconsciousofacertainreliefatthethoughtthathehadnotaskedBlancheLearytobehiswife。Hishandwasunpledged。Hecouldnotmarrytheothergirl，ofcourse，buttheymustmeetagain。TheresthewouldleavetoFate，whichseemedreluctanttodisentanglethreadswhichithadwovensoclosely。
\"Ithink，Plato，thatIseeaneasierwayoutofthedifficulty。Yourteacher，Iimagine，merelywantssomeonetoseehersafelyhome。Don’tyouthink，ifyoushouldgopartoftheway，thatImighttakeyourplacefortherest，whileyoudidmyerrand？\"
\"Why，sho’ly，MarsGeo’ge，youcouldtakekeererherbetter’nIcould——better’nanybodycould——co’seyoucould！\"
MarsGeo’gewaswhiteandrich，andcoulddoanything。PlatowasproudofthefactthathehadoncebelongedtoMarsGeo’ge。HecouldnotconceiveofanyonesopowerfulasMarsGeo’ge，unlessitmightbeGod，ofwhomPlatohadheardmoreorless，andevenherethecomparisonmightnotbequitefairtoMarsGeo’ge，forMarsGeo’gewastheyoungerofthetwo。ItwouldundoubtedlybeagreathonorfortheteachertobeescortedhomebyMarsGeo’ge。Theteacherwasagreatwoman，nodoubt，andlookedwhite；
butMarsGeo’gewastherealarticle。MarsGeo’gehadneverbeenknowntogowithablackwomanbefore，andtheteacherwoulddoubtlessthankPlatoforarrangingthatsogreatanhonorshouldfalluponher。MarsGeo’gehadgivenhimfiftycentstwice，andwouldnowgivehimadollar。
NobleMarsGeo’ge！Fortunateteacher！HappyPlato！
\"Verywell，Plato。Ithinkwecanarrangeitsothatyoucankillthetworabbitsatoneshot。
Supposethatwegoovertheroadthatshewilltaketogohome。\"
Theysoonarrivedattheschoolhouse。Schoolhadbeenoutanhour，andtheclearingwasdeserted。Platoledthewaybytheroadthroughthewoodstoapointwhere，amidsomewhatthickunderbrush，anotherpathintersectedtheroadtheywerefollowing。
\"Now，Plato，\"saidTryon，pausinghere，\"thiswouldbeagoodspotforyoutoleavetheteacherandformetotakeyourplace。Thispathleadstothemainroad，andwilltakeyoutotownveryquickly。Ishouldn’tsayanythingtotheteacheraboutitatall；butwhenyouandshegethere，dropbehindandrunalongthispathuntilyoumeetme，——I’llbewaitingafewyardsdowntheroad，——andthenruntotownasfastasyourlegswillcarryyou。Assoonasyouaregone，I’llcomeoutandtelltheteacherthatI’vesentyouawayonanerrand，andwillmyselftakeyourplace。Youshallhaveadollar，andI’llaskhertoletyougohomewithherthenextday。Butyoumustn’tsayawordaboutit，Plato，oryouwon’tgetthedollar，andI’llnotasktheteachertoletyougohomewithheragain。\"
\"Allright，MarsGeo’ge，Iain’tgwinetersaynomo’d’nefdecathadmytongue。\"
XXXI
INDEEPWATERS
RenawasunusuallyfatiguedatthecloseofherschoolonWednesdayafternoon。Shehadbeentroubledalldaywithaheadache，which，beginningwithadullpain，hadgraduallyincreasedinintensityuntileverynervewasthrobbinglikeatrip—
hammer。Thepupilsseemedunusuallystupid。A
discouragingsenseoftheinsignificanceofanypartshecouldperformtowardstheeducationofthreemillionpeoplewithaschooltermoftwomonthsayearhungoverherspiritlikeapall。AstheobjectofWain’sattentions，shehadbeguntofeelsomewhatlikeawildcreaturewhohearsthepursuersonitstrack，andhasthefearofcaptureaddedtothefatigueofflight。ButwhenthisexcitementhadgonetoofarandhadnearedthelimitofexhaustioncameTryon’sletter，withtheresultingsurpriseandconsternation。Renahadkeyedherselfuptoaheroicpitchtoanswerit；butwhentheinevitablereactioncame，shewasoverwhelmedwithasickeningsenseofherownweakness。Thethingswhichinanotherspherehadconstitutedherstrengthandshieldwerenowherundoing，andexposedhertodangersfromwhichtheylenthernoprotection。Notonlywasthisherpositionintheory，butthepursuerswerealreadyatherheels。
Asthedayworeon，thesedarkthoughtstookonanaddedgloom，until，whenthehourtodismissschoolarrived，shefeltasthoughshehadnotafriendintheworld。Thisfeelingwasaccentuatedbyaletterwhichshehadthatmorningreceivedfromhermother，inwhichMis’MollyspokeveryhighlyofWain，andplainlyexpressedthehopethatherdaughtermightlikehimsowellthatshewouldprefertoremaininSampsonCounty。
Plato，bright—eyedandalert，waswaitingintheschool—yarduntiltheteachershouldbereadytostart。Havingwarnedawayseveralsmallerchildrenwhohadhungaroundafterschoolasthoughtosharehisprerogativeofaccompanyingtheteacher，Platohadswunghimselfintothelowbranchesofanoakattheedgeoftheclearing，fromwhichhewashangingbyhislegs，headdownward。Hedroppedfromthisreposefulattitudewhentheteacherappearedatthedoor，andtookhisplaceatherside。
Apremonitionofimpendingtroublecausedtheteachertohesitate。Shewishedthatshehadkeptmoreofthepupilsbehind。Somethingwhisperedthatdangerlurkedintheroadshecustomarilyfollowed。Platoseemedinsignificantlysmallandweak，andshefeltmiserablyunabletocopewithanydifficultoruntowardsituation。
\"Plato，\"shesuggested，\"Ithinkwe’llgoroundtheotherwayto—night，ifyoudon’tmind。\"
VisionsofMarsGeo’gedisappointed，ofadollarunearnedandunspent，flittedthroughthenarrowbrainwhichsomeone，withtheironyofignoranceorofknowledge，hadmockedwiththenameofagreatphilosopher。Platowasnotanuntruthfullad，butheseldomhadtheopportunitytoearnadollar。Hisimagination，spurredonbytheinstinctofself—interest，rosetotheemergency。
\"I’sfearedyoumoughtgitsnake—bitgwineroun’datway，MissRena。MybrerJimkill’tawater—moccasindowndereyistiddy’bouttenfeetlong。\"
Renahadahorrorofsnakes，withwhichtheswampbywhichtheotherroadranwasinfested。
Snakeswereavividreality；herpresentimentwasprobablyameredepressionofspiritsduetoherconditionofnervousexhaustion。Acloudhadcomeupandthreatenedrain，andthewindwasrisingominously。Theoldwaywastheshorter；
shewantedaboveallthingstogettoElderJohnson’sandgotobed。Perhapssleepwouldresthertiredbrain——shecouldnotimagineherselffeelingworse，unlesssheshouldbreakdownaltogether。
Sheplungedintothepathandhastenedforwardsoastoreachhomebeforetheapproachingstorm。SocompletelywassheabsorbedinherownthoughtsthatshescarcelynoticedthatPlatohimselfseemedpreoccupied。Insteadofcaperingalonglikeaplayfulkittenorpuppy，hewalkedbyhersideunusuallysilent。Whentheyhadgoneashortdistanceandwereapproachingapathwhichintersectedtheirroadatsomethingneararightangle，theteachermissedPlato。Hehaddroppedbehindamomentbefore；nowhehaddisappearedentirely。Hervaguealarmofafewmomentsbeforereturnedwithredoubledforce。
\"Plato！\"shecalled；\"Plato！\"
Therewasnoresponse，savethesoughingofthewindthroughtheswayingtreetops。Shesteppedhastilyforward，wonderingifthisweresomechildishprank。Ifso，itwasbadlytimed，andshewouldletPlatofeeltheweightofherdispleasure。
Herforwardstephadbroughthertothejunctionofthetwopaths，whereshepauseddoubtfully。Therouteshehadbeenfollowingwasthemostdirectwayhome，butledforquiteadistancethroughtheforest，whichshedidnotcaretotraversealone。Theintersectingpathwouldsoontakehertothemainroad，whereshemightfindshelterorcompany，orboth。Glancingaroundagaininsearchofhermissingescort，shebecameawarethatamanwasapproachingherfromeachofthetwopaths。InonesherecognizedtheeagerandexcitedfaceofGeorgeTryon，flushedwithanticipationoftheirmeeting，andyetgravewithuncertaintyofhisreception。AdvancingconfidentlyalongtheotherpathshesawthefaceofJeffWain，drawn，assheimaginedinheranguish，withevilpassionswhichwouldstopatnothing。
Whatshouldshedo？TherewasnosignofPlato——foraughtshecouldseeorhearofhim，theearthmighthaveswallowedhimup。Somedeadlyserpentmighthavestunghim。Somewanderingrabbitmighthavetemptedhimaside。
Anotherthoughtstruckher。Platohadbeenveryquiet——therehadbeensomethingonhisconscience——perhapshehadbetrayedher！Buttowhichofthetwomen，andtowhatend？
Theproblemwastoomuchforheroverwroughtbrain。Sheturnedandfled。Awiserinstinctmighthaveledherforward。Inthetwoconflictingdangersshemighthavefoundsafety。Theroadafterallwasapublicway。Anynumberofpersonsmightmeetthereaccidentally。Butshesawonlythedarkersideofthesituation。ToturntoTryonforprotectionbeforeWainhadbysomeovertactmanifestedtheevilpurposewhichsheasyetonlysuspectedwouldbe，sheimagined，toacknowledgeaprevioussecretacquaintancewithTryon，thusplacingherreputationatWain’smercy，andtochargeherselfwithaburdenofobligationtowardamanwhomshewishedtoavoidandhadrefusedtomeet。If，ontheotherhand，sheshouldgoforwardtomeetWain，hewouldundoubtedlyoffertoaccompanyherhomeward。
Tryonwouldinevitablyobservethemeeting，andsupposeitprearranged。Notfortheworldwouldshehavehimthinkso——whysheshouldcareforhisopinion，shedidnotstoptoargue。Sheturnedandfled，andtoavoidpossiblepursuit，struckintotheunderbrushatananglewhichshecalculatedwouldbringherinafewrodstoanotherpathwhichwouldleadquicklyintothemainroad。Shehadrunonlyafewyardswhenshefoundherselfinthemidstofaclumpofpricklyshrubsandbriars。Meantimethestormhadburst；therainfellintorrents。Extricatingherselffromthethorns，shepressedforward，butinsteadofcomingoutupontheroad，foundherselfpenetratingdeeperanddeeperintotheforest。
Thestormincreasedinviolence。Theairgrewdarkeranddarker。Itwasnearevening，thecloudsweredense，thethickwoodsincreasedthegloom。Suddenlyablindingflashoflightningpiercedthedarkness，followedbyasharpclapofthunder。Therewasacrashoffallingtimber。
Terror—stricken，Renaflewforwardthroughtheforest，theunderbrushgrowingcloserandcloserassheadvanced。Suddenlytheearthgavewaybeneathherfeetandshesankintoaconcealedmorass。Byclaspingthetrunkofaneighboringsaplingsheextricatedherselfwithaneffort，andrealizedwithahorriblecertaintythatshewaslostintheswamp。
Turning，shetriedtoretracehersteps。Aflashoflightningpenetratedthegloomaroundher，andbarringherpathshesawahugeblacksnake，——
harmlessenough，infact，buttoherexcitedimaginationfrightfulinappearance。Withawildshrieksheturnedagain，staggeredforwardafewyards，stumbledoveraprojectingroot，andfellheavilytotheearth。
WhenRenahaddisappearedintheunderbrush，TryonandWainhadeachinstinctivelysetoutinpursuitofher，butowingtothegatheringdarkness，thenoiseofthestorm，andthethicknessoftheunderbrush，theymissednotonlyRenabuteachother，andneitherwasawareoftheother’spresenceintheforest。Wainkeptupthechaseuntiltheraindrovehimtoshelter。Tryon，afterafewminutes，realizedthatshehadfledtoescapehim，andthattopursueherwouldbetodefeatratherthanpromotehispurpose。Hedesisted，therefore，andreturningtothemainroad，stationedhimselfatapointwherehecouldwatchElderJohnson’shouse，andhavingwaitedforawhilewithoutanysignsofRena，concludedthatshehadtakenrefugeinsomefriendlycabin。Turninghomewarddisconsolatelyasnightcameon，heinterceptedPlatoonhiswaybackfromtown，andpledgedhimtoinviolablesecrecysoeffectuallythatPlato，whensubsequentlyquestioned，merelyansweredthathehadstoppedamomenttogathersomechinquapins，andwhenhehadlookedaroundtheteacherwasgone。
Renanotappearingatsupper—timenorforanhourlater，theelder，somewhatanxious，madeinquiriesabouttheneighborhood，andfindinghisguestatnoplacewhereshemightbeexpectedtostop，becamesomewhatalarmed。Wain’shousewasthelasttowhichhewent。HehadsurmisedthattherewassomemysteryconnectedwithherleavingWain’s，buthadneverbeengivenanydefiniteinformationaboutthematter。Inresponsetohisinquiries，Wainexpressedsurprise，butbetrayedacertainself—consciousnesswhichdidnotescapetheelder’seye。Returninghome，heorganizedasearchpartyfromhisownfamilyandseveralnearneighbors，andsetoutwithdogsandtorchestoscourthewoodsforthemissingteacher。
Acoupleofhourslater，theyfoundherlyingunconsciousintheedgeoftheswamp，onlyafewrodsfromawell—definedpathwhichwouldsoonhaveledhertotheopenhighway。Strongarmsliftedhergentlyandboreherhome。Mrs。Johnsonundressedherandputhertobed，administeringahomelyremedy，ofwhichwhiskeywastheprincipalingredient，tocounteracttheeffectsoftheexposure。Therewasadoctorwithinfivemiles，butnoonethoughtofsendingforhim，norwasitatalllikelythatitwouldhavebeenpossibletogethimforsuchacaseatsuchanhour。
Rena’sillness，however，wasmoredeeplyseatedthanherfriendscouldimagine。Atiredbody，insympathywithanoverwroughtbrain，hadleftherpeculiarlysusceptibletothenervousshockofherforestexperience。Theexposureforseveralhoursinherwetclothingtothedampsandmiasmaoftheswamphadbroughtonanattackofbrainfever。Thenextmorning，shewasdelirious。Oneofthechildrentookwordtotheschoolhousethattheteacherwassickandtherewouldbenoschoolthatday。Anumberofcuriousandsympatheticpeoplecameinfromtimetotimeandsuggestedvariousremedies，severalofwhicholdMrs。Johnson，withcatholicimpartiality，administeredtothehelplessteacher，whofromdeliriumgraduallysunkintoaheavystuporscarcelydistinguishablefromsleep。Itwaspredictedthatshewouldprobablybewellinthemorning；ifnot，itwouldthenbetimetoconsiderseriouslythequestionofsendingforadoctor。
XXXII
THEPOWEROFLOVE
AfterTryon’sfailuretoobtainaninterviewwithRenathroughPlato’sconnivance，hedecideduponadifferentcourseofprocedure。Inafewdaysherschooltermwouldbefinished。Hewasnotlessdesiroustoseeher，wasindeedasmuchmoreeagerasoppositionwouldbelikelytomakeaveryyoungmanwhowasaccustomedtohavinghisownway，andwhoseheart，ashehaddiscovered，wasmoredeeplyandpermanentlyinvolvedthanhehadimagined。Hispresentplanwastowaituntiltheendoftheschool；then，whenRenawenttoClintonontheSaturdayorMondaytodrawhersalaryforthemonth，hewouldseeherinthetown，or，ifnecessary，wouldfollowhertoPatesville。Nopoweronearthshouldkeephimfromherlong，buthehadnodesiretointerfereinanywaywiththedutywhichsheowedtoothers。
Whentheschoolwasoverandherworkcompleted，thenhewouldhavehisinnings。Writingletterswastoounsatisfactoryamethodofcommunication——hemustseeherfacetoface。
Thefirstofhisthreedaysofwaitinghadpassed，when，aboutteno’clockonthemorningofthesecondday，whichseemedverylonginprospect，whiledrivingalongtheroadtowardClinton，hemetPlato，witharabbittrapinhishand。
\"Well，Plato，\"heasked，\"whyareyouabsentfromtheclassicshadesoftheacademyto—day？\"
\"Hoddy，MarsGeo’ge。W’atwuzdatyousay？\"
\"Whyareyounotatschoolto—day？\"
\"Ain’gotnoteacher，MarsGeo’ge。Teacher’sgone！\"
\"Gone！\"exclaimedTryon，withasuddenleapoftheheart。\"Gonewhere？Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Teachergotlos’indeswamp，nightbefo’las’，’causePlatowa’n’tderetershowherdewayout’ndewoods。ElderJohnsonfoun’’erwiddawgsandtawches，an’fotchherhomean’putherterbed。
Noschoolyistiddy。Shewuzout’nherhaidlas’
night，an’dismawnin’shewuzgone。\"
\"Gonewhere？\"
\"Deydon’nobodyknowwhar，suh。\"
LeavingPlatoabruptly，TryonhasteneddowntheroadtowardElderJohnson’scabin。Thiswasnotimetostandonpunctilio。Thegirlhadbeenlostinthewoodsinthestorm，amidthethunderandlightningandthepouringrain。Shewassickwithfrightandexposure，andhewasthecauseofitall。Bribery，corruption，andfalsehoodhadbroughtpunishmentintheirtrain，andtheinnocenthadsufferedwhiletheguiltyescaped。
Hemustlearnatoncewhathadbecomeofher。
ReachingElderJohnson’shouse，hedrewupbythefrontfenceandgavethecustomaryhalloa，whichsummonedawomantothedoor。
\"Good—morning，\"hesaid，noddingunconsciously，withthecarelesspolitenessofagentlemantohisinferiors。\"I’mMr。Tryon。Ihavecometoinquireaboutthesickteacher。\"
\"Why，suh，\"thewomanrepliedrespectfully，\"shegotlos’indewoodsnightbefo’las’，an’shewuzout’nhermin’mosterdetimeyistiddy。
Las’nightshemust’a’gotouterbedan’runawayw’eneve’ybodywuzsoun’asleep，ferdismawnin’shewuzgone，an’noneerusknowswharsheis。\"
\"Hasanysearchbeenmadeforher？\"
\"Yas，suh，myhusban’an’dechild’enhasbeenhuntin’roun’alldemawnin’，an’he’sgoneterborryahossnowtergofu’ther。ButLawdknowsdeyain’notellin’wharshe’dgo，’less’nshegothermin’backsenceshelef’。\"
Tryon’smarewasingoodcondition。Hehadmoneyinhispocketandnothingtointerferewithhismovements。HesetoutimmediatelyontheroadtoPatesville，keepingalookoutbytheroadside，andstoppingeachpersonhemettoinquireifayoungwoman，apparentlyill，hadbeenseentravelingalongtheroadonfoot。Noonehadmetsuchatraveler。Whenhehadgonetwoorthreemiles，hedrovethroughashallowbranchthatcrossedtheroad。Thesplashingofhishorse’shoofsinthewaterpreventedhimfromhearingalowgroanthatcamefromthewoodsbytheroadside。
Hedroveon，makinginquiriesateachfarmhouseandofeverypersonwhomheencountered。
Shortlyaftercrossingthebranch，hemetayoungnegrowithacartloadoftubsandbucketsandpiggins，andaskedhimifhehadseenontheroadayoungwhitewomanwithdarkeyesandhair，apparentlysickordemented。Theyoungmanansweredinthenegative，andTryonpushedforwardanxiously。
Atnoonhestoppedatafarmhouseandswallowedahastymeal。Hisinquirieshereelicitednoinformation，andhewasjustleavingwhenayoungmancameinlatetodinnerandstated，inresponsetotheusualquestion，thathehadmet，sometwohoursbefore，ayoungwomanwhoansweredTryon’sdescription，ontheLillingtonroad，whichcrossedthemainroadtoPatesvilleashortdistancebeyondthefarmhouse。Hehadspokentothewoman。Atfirstshehadpaidnoheedtohisquestion。Whenaddressedasecondtime，shehadansweredinaramblinganddisconnectedway，whichindicatedtohismindthattherewassomethingwrongwithher。
TryonthankedhisinformantandhastenedtotheLillingtonroad。Stoppingasbeforetoinquire，hefollowedthewomanforseveralhours，eachmileofthedistancetakinghimfartherawayfromPatesville。Fromtimetotimeheheardofthewoman。Towardnightfallhefoundher。Shewaswhiteenough，withthesallownessofthesandhillpoorwhite。Shewasstillyoung，perhaps，butpovertyandahardlifemadeherlookolderthansheought。Shewasnotfair，andshewasnotRena。WhenTryoncameuptoher，shewassittingonthedoorsillofamiserablecabin，andheldinherhandabottle，thecontentsofwhichhadneverpaidanyrevenuetax。Shehadwalkedtwentymilesthatday，andhadbeguiledthetediumofthejourneybyoccasionalpotations，whichprobablyaccountedfortheincoherencyofspeechwhichseveralofthosewhometherhadobserved。WhenTryondrewnear，shetenderedhimthebottlewithtipsycordiality。HeturnedindisgustandretracedhisstepstothePatesvilleroad，whichhedidnotreachuntilnightfall。Asitwastoodarktoprosecutethesearchwithanychanceofsuccess，hesecuredlodgingforthenight，intendingtoresumehisquestearlyinthemorning。
XXXIII
AMULEANDACART
FrankFowler’sheartwasfilledwithlongingforasightofRena’sface。Whenshehadgoneawayfirst，ontheill—fatedtriptoSouthCarolina，herabsencehadleftanachingvoidinhislife；hehadmissedhercheerfulsmile，herpleasantwords，hergracefulfiguremovingaboutacrossthenarrowstreet。Hisworkhadgrownmonotonousduringherabsence；theclatterofhammerandmallet，thathadseemedsomerrywhenpunctuatednowandthenbythestrainsofhervoice，becameamerehumdrumrappingofwooduponwoodandironuponiron。HehadsoughtworkinSouthCarolinawiththehopethatbemightseeher。Hehadsatisfiedthishope，andhadtriedinvaintodoheraservice；butFatehadbeenagainsther；hercastleofcardshadcometumblingdown。Hefeltthathersorrowhadbroughthernearertohim。
Thedistancebetweenthemdependedverymuchupontheirwayoflookingatthings。Heknewthatherexperiencehaddraggedherthroughthevalleyofhumiliation。Hisunselfishdevotionhadreactedtorefineandelevatehisownspirit。Whenheheardthesuggestion，afterherseconddeparture，thatshemightmarryWain，hecouldnotbutcomparehimselfwiththisnewaspirant。He，Frank，wasaman，anhonestman——abettermanthantheshiftyscoundrelwithwhomshehadriddenaway。Shewasbutawoman，thebestandsweetestandloveliestofallwomen，butyetawoman。
Afterafewshortyearsofhappinessorsorrow，——
littleofjoy，perhaps，andmuchofsadness，whichhadbegunalready，——theywouldbothbefoodforworms。Whitepeople，withadeeperwisdomperhapsthantheyusedintheirowncase，regardedRenaandhimselfasverymuchalike。TheywerecertainlybothmadebythesameGod，inmuchthesamephysicalandmentalmould；theybreathedthesameair，atethesamefood，spokethesamespeech，lovedandhated，laughedandcried，livedandwoulddie，thesame。IfGodhadmeanttorearanyimpassablebarrierbetweenpeopleofcontrastingcomplexions，whydidHenotexpresstheprohibitionasHehaddonebetweenotherordersofcreation？
WhenRenahaddepartedforSampsonCounty，Frankhadreconciledhimselftoherabsencebythehopeofherspeedyreturn。HeoftensteppedacrossthestreettotalktoMis’Mollyabouther。
Severallettershadpassedbetweenmotheranddaughter，andinresponsetoFrank’sinquirieshisneighboruniformlystatedthatRenawaswellanddoingwell，andsentherlovetoallinquiringfriends。ButFrankobservedthatMis’Molly，whenpressedastothedateofRena’sreturn，grewmoreandmoreindefinite；andfinallythemother，inaburstofconfidentialfriendship，toldFrankofallherhopeswithreferencetothestrangerfromdownthecountry。
\"Yas，Frank，\"sheconcluded，\"it’llbeherownfaultefshedon’tbecomealadyofproputty，ferMr。Wainisrich，an’ownsabigplantation，an’
hiresalotofhands，andisabigmaninthecounty。
He’scrazytogither，an’italllaysinherownhan’s。\"
Frankdidnotfindthisnewsreassuring。HebelievedthatWainwasaliarandascoundrel。
Hehadnothingmorethanhisintuitionsuponwhichtofoundthisbelief，butitwasnonethelessfirm。Ifhisestimateoftheman’scharacterwerecorrect，thenhiswealthmightbeafiction，pureandsimple。Ifso，thetruthshouldbeknowntoMis’Molly，sothatinsteadofencouragingamarriagewithWain，shewouldseehiminhistruelight，andinterposetorescueherdaughterfromhisimportunities。Adayortwoafterthisconversation，FrankmetinthetownanegrofromSampsonCounty，madehisacquaintance，andinquiredifheknewamanbythenameofJeffWain。
\"Oh，JeffWain！\"returnedthecountrymanslightingly；\"yas，Iknows’im，an’don’knownogoodof’im。Oneerdeseyerbiggity，braggin’
niggers——talkslackheowndewholecounty，an’
ain’twuthnomo’d’nIis——jes’abigbladderwidahandfulershotrattlin’roun’init。Hadawife，whenIwuzdere，an’beatheran’’busedhersoshehadterrunaway。\"
Thiswasalarminginformation。Wainhadpassedinthetownasasingleman，andFrankhadhadnohintthathehadeverbeenmarried。Therewassomethingwrongsomewhere。Frankdeterminedthathewouldfindoutthetruthand，ifpossible，dosomethingtoprotectRenaagainsttheobviouslyevildesignsofthemanwhohadtakenheraway。Thebarrelfactoryhadsoaffectedthecooper’stradethatPeterandFrankhadturnedtheirattentionmoreorlesstothemanufactureofsmallwoodenwarefordomesticuse。Frank’smulewaseatingoffitsownhead，asthesayinggoes。ItrequiredbutlittleefforttopersuadePeterthathissonmighttakealoadofbucketsandtubsandpigginsintothecountryandsellthemortradethemforcountryproduceataprofit。
InafewdaysFrankhadhisstockprepared，andsetoutontheroadtoSampsonCounty。Hewentaboutthirtymilesthefirstday，andcampedbytheroadsideforthenight，resumingthejourneyatdawn。Afterdrivingforanhourthroughthetallpinesthatoverhungtheroadlikethestatelyarchofacathedralaisle，weavingacarpetfortheearthwiththeirbrownspinesandcones，andsoothingtheearwiththeirceaselessmurmur，Frankstoppedtowaterhismuleatapointwherethewhite，sandyroad，wideningasitwent，slopeddownwardtoaclear—runningbranch。Ontherightabay—treebendingoverthestreammingledtheheavyodorofitsflowerswiththedelicateperfumeofayellowjessaminevinethathadoverrunaclumpofsaplingsontheleft。Fromaneighboringtreeasilver—throatedmocking—birdpouredoutafloodofriotousmelody。Agroupofminnows；
startledbythesplashingofthemule’sfeet，dartedawayintotheshadowofthethicket，theirquickpassageleavingtheamberwaterfilledwithlaughinglight。
Themuledranklongandlazily，whileoverFrankstolethoughtsinharmonywiththepeacefulscene，——thoughtsofRena，youngandbeautiful，herfriendlysmile，herpensivedarkeyes。Hewouldsoonseehernow，andifshehadanycauseforfearorunhappiness，hewouldplacehimselfatherservice——foraday，aweek，amonth，ayear，alifetime，ifneedbe。
Hisreveriewasbrokenbyaslightnoisefromthethicketathisleft。\"Iwonderwhodatis？\"
hemuttered。\"Itsoun’smightyquare，tersaydeleas’。\"
Helistenedintentlyforamoment，butheardnothingfurther。\"Itmust’a’be’narabbitersomethin’scamp’in’th’oughdewoods。G’longdere，Caesar！\"
Asthemulesteppedforward，thesoundwasrepeated。Thistimeitwasdistinctlyaudible，thelong，lowmoanofsomeoneinsicknessordistress。
\"Datain’tnorabbit，\"saidFranktohimself。
\"Dere’ssomethin’wrongdere。Stan’here，Caesar，tillIlookinterdismatter。\"
Pullingoutfromthebranch，Franksprangfromthesaddleandpushedhiswaycautiouslythroughtheouteredgeofthethicket。
\"GoodLawd！\"heexclaimedwithastart，\"it’sawoman——aw’itewoman！\"
Theslenderformofayoungwomanlaystretcheduponthegroundinasmallopenspaceafewyardsinextent。Herfacewasturnedaway，andFrankcouldseeatfirstonlyatangledmassofdarkbrownhair，mattedwithtwigsandleavesandcockleburs，andhanginginwildprofusionaroundherneck。
Frankstoodforamomentirresolute，debatingtheseriousquestionwhetherheshouldinvestigatefurtherwithaviewtorenderingassistance，orwhetherheshouldputasgreatadistanceaspossiblebetweenhimselfandthisvictim，asshemighteasilybe，ofsomeviolentcrime，lestheshouldhimselfbesuspectedofit——anotunlikelycontingency，ifhewerefoundintheneighborhoodandthewomanshouldproveunabletodescribeherassailant。Whilehehesitated，thefiguremovedrestlessly，andavoicemurmured：——
\"Mamma，oh，mamma！\"
ThevoicethrilledFranklikeanelectricshock。
Tremblingineverylimb，hesprangforwardtowardtheprostratefigure。Thewomanturnedherhead，andhesawthatitwasRena。Hergownwastornanddusty，andfringedwithbursandbriars。
Whenshehadwanderedforth，halfdelirious，pursuedbyimaginaryfoes，shehadnotstoppedtoputonhershoes，andherlittlefeetwereblisteredandswollenandbleeding。Frankkneltbyhersideandliftedherheadonhisarm。Heputhishanduponherbrow；itwasburningwithfever。
\"MissRena！Rena！don’tyouknowme？\"
Sheturnedherwildeyesonhimsuddenly。
\"Yes，Iknowyou，JeffWain。Goawayfromme！Goaway！\"
Hervoicerosetoascream；shestruggledinhisgraspandstruckathimfiercelywithherclenchedfists。Hersleevefellbackanddisclosedthewhitescarmadebyhisownhandsomanyyearsbefore。
\"You’reawickedman，\"shepanted。\"Don’ttouchme！Ihateyouanddespiseyou！\"
Frankcouldonlysurmisehowshehadcomehere，insuchacondition。WhenshespokeofWaininthismanner，hedrewhisownconclusions。
SomedeadlyvillainyofWain’shadbroughthertothispass。Angerstirredhisnaturetothedepths，andfoundventincursesontheauthorofRena’smisfortunes。
\"Damnhim！\"hegroaned。\"I’llhavehisheart’sbloodferdis，terdelas’drop！\"
Renanowlaughedandputupherarmsappealingly。\"George，\"shecried，inmeltingtones，\"dearGeorge，doyouloveme？Howmuchdoyouloveme？Ah，youdon’tloveme！\"shemoaned；\"I’mblack；youdon’tloveme；youdespiseme！\"
Hervoicediedawayintoahopelesswail。
Frankkneltbyherside，hisfaithfulheartbreakingwithpity，greattearsrollinguntoucheddownhisduskycheeks。
\"Oh，myhoney，mydarlin’，\"hesobbed，\"Franklovesyoubetter’nalldeworl’。\"
Meantimethesunshoneonasbrightlyasbefore，themocking—birdsangyetmorejoyously。
Agentlebreezesprangupandwaftedtheodorofbayandjessaminepastthemonitswings。Thegrandtriumphalsweepofnature’sonwardmarchreckednothingoflife’slittletragedies。
Whenthefirstburstofhisgriefwasover，Frankbroughtwaterfromthebranch，bathedRena’sfaceandhandsandfeet，andforcedafewdropsbetweenherreluctantlips。Hethenpitchedthecartloadoftubs，buckets，andpigginsoutintotheroad，andgatheringdriedleavesandpine—
straw，spreadtheminthebottomofthecart。Hestooped，liftedherfrailforminhisarms，andlaiditontheleafybed。Cuttingacoupleofhickorywithes，hearchedthemoverthecart，andgatheringanarmfulofjessaminequicklywoveitintoanawningtoprotectherfromthesun。Shewasquieternow，andseemedtofallasleep。
\"Gotersleep，honey，\"hemurmuredcaressingly，\"gotersleep，an’Frank’lltakeyouhometeryo’mammy！\"
Towardnoonhewasmetbyayoungwhiteman，whopeeredinquisitivelyintothecanopiedcart。
\"Hello！\"exclaimedthestranger，\"who’veyougotthere？\"
\"Asickwoman，suh。\"
\"Why，she’swhite，asI’masinner！\"hecried，afteracloserinspection。\"Looka—here，nigger，whatareyoudoin’withthiswhitewoman？\"
\"She’snotw’ite，boss，——she’sabrightmulatter。\"
\"Yas，mightybright，\"continuedthestrangersuspiciously。\"Whereareyougoin’withher？\"
\"I’mtakin’herterPatesville，terhermammy。\"
Thestrangerpassedon。TowardeveningFrankheardhoundsbayinginthedistance。Afox，wearywithrunning，brushdrooping，crossedtheroadaheadofthecart。Presently，thehoundsstraggledacrosstheroad，followedbytwoorthreehuntersonhorseback，whostoppedatsightofthestrangelycanopiedcart。Theystaredatthesickgirlanddemandedwhoshewas。
\"Idon’tb’lieveshe’sblackatall，\"declaredone，afterFrank’sbriefexplanation。\"Thisniggerhasabadeye，——he’suptersomesortofdevilment。Whatailsthegirl？\"
\"’Pearsterbesomekindofafever，\"repliedFrank；addingdiplomatically，\"Idon’tknowwhetherit’sketchin’erno——she’sbe’nouterherheadmosterdetime。\"
Theydrewoffalittleatthis。\"Ireckonit’sallright，\"saidthechiefspokesman。Thehoundswerebayingclamorouslyinthedistance。Thehuntersfollowedthesoundanddisappearedmthewoods。
Frankdrovealldayandallnight，stoppingonlyforbriefperiodsofrestandrefreshment。Atdawn，fromthetopofthelongwhitehill，hesightedtheriverbridgebelow。AtsunriseherappedatMis’Molly’sdoor。
Uponrisingatdawn，Tryon’sfirststep，afterahastybreakfast，wastoturnbacktowardClinton。
HehadwastedhalfadayinfollowingthefalsescentontheLillingtonroad。Itseemed，afterreflection，unlikelythatawomanseriouslyillshouldhavebeenabletowalkanyconsiderabledistancebeforeherstrengthgaveout。Inherdelirium，too，shemighthavewanderedinawrongdirection，imagininganyroadtoleadtoPatesville。
Itwouldbeagoodplantodrivebackhome，continuinghisinquiriesmeantime，andascertainwhetherornotshehadbeenfoundbythosewhowereseekingher，includingmanywhomTryon’sinquirieshadplaceduponthealert。Ifsheshouldprovestillmissing，hewouldresumethejourneytoPatesvilleandcontinuethesearchinthatdirection。Shehadprobablynotwanderedfarfromthehighroad；evenindeliriumshewouldbelikelytoavoidthedeepwoods，withwhichherillnesswasassociated。
HehadretracedmorethanhalfthedistancetoClintonwhenheovertookacoveredwagon。
Thedriver，whenquestioned，saidthathehadmetayoungnegrowithamule，andacartinwhichlayayoungwoman，whitetoallappearance，butclaimedbythenegrotobeacoloredgirlwhohadbeentakensickontheroad，andwhomhewasconveyinghometohermotheratPatesville。
FromafurtherdescriptionofthecartTryonrecognizeditastheonehehadmetthedaybefore。
ThewomancouldbenootherthanRena。HeturnedhismareandsetoutswiftlyontheroadtoPatesville。
IfanythingcouldhavetakenmorecompletepossessionofGeorgeTryonattwenty—threethanlovesuccessfulandtriumphant，itwaslovethwartedanddenied。Neverinthefewbriefdeliriousweeksofhiscourtshiphadhefeltsostronglydrawntothebeautifulsisterofthepopularlawyer，ashewasnowdrivenbyanachinghearttowardthesamewomanstrippedofeveryadventitionsadvantageandplaced，bycustom，beyondthepaleofmarriagewithmenofhisownrace。Customwastyranny。Lovewastheonlylaw。WouldGodhavemadeheartstosoyearnforoneanotherifHehadmeantthemtostayforeverapart？Ifthisgirlshoulddie，itwouldbehewhohadkilledher，byhiscruelty，nolesssurelythanifwithhisownhandhehadstruckherdown。Hehadbeensodazzledbyhisownsuperiority，soblindedbyhisownglory，thathehadruthlesslyspurnedandspoiledtheimageofGodinthisfaircreature，whomhemighthavehadforhisowntreasure，——
whom，pleaseGod，hewouldyethave，atanycost，toloveandcherishwhiletheybothshouldlive。
Thereweredifficulties——theyhadseemedinsuperable，butlovewouldsurmountthem。Sacrificesmustbemade，butiftheworldwithoutlovewouldbenothing，thenwhynotgiveuptheworldforlove？HewouldhastentoPatesville。Hewouldfindher；hewouldtellherthathelovedher，thatshewasalltheworldtohim，thathehadcometomarryher，andtakeherawaywheretheymightbehappytogether。Hepicturedtohimselfthejoythatwouldlightupherface；hefelthersoftarmsaroundhisneck，hertremulouskissesuponhislips。Ifshewereill，hislovewouldwooherbacktohealth，——ifdisappointmentandsorrowhadcontributedtoherillness，joyandgladnessshouldleadtoherrecovery。
Heurgedthemareforward；ifshewouldbutkeepupherpresentpace，hewouldreachPatesvillebynightfall。
Dr。Greenhadjustgonedownthegardenpathtohisbuggyatthegate。Mis’Mollycameouttothebackpiazza，whereFrank，wearyandhaggard，satonthestepswithHomerPettifootandBillyOxendine，who，hearingofRena’sreturn，hadcomearoundaftertheirday’swork。
\"Renawantstoseeyou，Frank，\"saidMis’
Molly，withasob。
Hewalkedinsoftly，reverently，andstoodbyherbedside。Sheturnedhergentleeyesuponhimandputoutherslenderhand，whichhetookinhisownbroadpalm。
\"Frank，\"shemurmured，\"mygoodfriend——
mybestfriend——youlovedmebestofthemall。\"
Thetearsrolleduntoucheddownhischeeks。
\"I’d’a’died，feryou，MissRena，\"hesaidbrokenly。
MaryB。threwopenawindowtomakewayforthepassingspirit，andtheredandgoldengloryofthesettingsun，triumphantlyendinghisdailycourse，floodedthenarrowroomwithlight。
Betweensunsetanddarkatraveler，seatedinadustybuggydrawnbyatiredhorse，crossedthelongriverbridgeanddroveupFrontStreet。
Justasthebuggyreachedthegateinfrontofthehousebehindthecedars，awomanwastyingapieceofcrapeuponthedoor—knob。Palewithapprehension，Tryonsatasifpetrified，untilatall，side—whiskeredmulattocamedownthegardenwalktothefrontgate。
\"Who’sdead？\"demandedTryonhoarsely，scarcelyrecognizinghisownvoice。
\"Ayoungcullud’oman，sah，\"answeredHomerPettifoot，touchinghishat，\"Mis’MollyWalden’sdaughterRena。\"
