Good-by。Ifyou\'reeverupmyway，dropinandseeme。\"Hethenwalkedtothedoorway，passedout，andseemedtomeltintotheafternoonshadowsofthehall。
Heneveragainenteredtheofficeofthe\"ExcelsiorMagazine，\"
neitherwasanyfurthercontributioneverreceivedfromWhiteViolet。Toapoliteentreatyfromtheeditor，addressedfirstto\"WhiteViolet\"andthentoMrs。Delatour，therewasnoresponse。
ThethoughtofMr。Hamlin\'scynicalprophecydisturbedhim，butthatgentleman，preoccupiedinfillingsomeprofessionalengagementsinSacramento，gavehimnochancetoacquirefurtherexplanationsastothepastorthefuture。Theyouthfuleditorwasatfirstindespairandfilledwithavagueremorseofsomeunfulfilledduty。But，tohissurprise，thereadersofthemagazineseemedtosurvivetheirtalentedcontributor，andthefeverishlifethathadbeenthrilledbyhersong，intwomonthshadapparentlyforgottenher。Norwashervoiceliftedfromanyalienquarter；thedomesticandforeignpressthathadechoedherlaysseemedtorespondnolongertoherutterance。
ItispossiblethatsomereadersofthesepagesmayrememberapreviouschroniclebythesamehistorianwhereinitwasrecordedthatthevolatilespiritofMr。Hamlin，slightlyassistedbycircumstances，passedbeyondthesevoicesattheRanchoftheBlessedFisherman，sometwoyearslater。Astheeditorstoodbesidethebodyofhisfriendonthemorningofthefuneral，henoticedamongtheflowerslaiduponhisbierbylovinghandsawreathofwhiteviolets。Touchedanddisturbedbyamemorylongsinceforgotten，hewasfurtherembarrassed，asthecortegedispersedintheMissiongraveyard，bytheapparitionofthetallfigureofMr。JamesBowersfrombehindamonumentalcolumn。Theeditorturnedtohimquickly。
\"Iamgladtoseeyouhere，\"hesaid，awkwardly，andheknewnotwhy；then，afterapause，\"ItrustyoucangivemesomenewsofMrs。Delatour。Iwrotetohernearlytwoyearsago，buthadnoresponse。\"
\"Thar\'sbinnoMrs。Delatourfortwoyears，\"saidMr。Bowers，contemplativelystrokinghisbeard；\"andmebbethat\'swhy。She\'sbinfortwoyearsMrs。Bowers。\"
\"Icongratulateyou，\"saidtheeditor；\"butIhopetherestillremainsaWhiteViolet，andthat，forthesakeofliterature，shehasnotgivenup\"——
\"Mrs。Bowers，\"interruptedMr。Bowers，withsingulardeliberation，\"foundthatmakin\'po\'tryandtendin\'tothecaresofagrowin\'-upfamerlywasirritatin\'tothenarves。Theydidn\'tjibe，sotospeak。WhatMrs。Bowerswanted——andwhat，po\'tryornopo\'try，I\'vebintryin\'togiveher——wasRest!She\'sbinhavin\'itcomfor\'blyupatmyranchatMendocino，withherchildrenandme。
Yes，sir\"——hiseyewanderedaccidentallytothenew-madegrave——
\"you\'llexcusemysayin\'ittoamaninyourprofession，butit\'swhatmostfolkswillfindisaheapbetterthanreadin\'orwritin\'
oractin\'po\'try——andthat\'sRest!\"
THECHATELAINEOFBURNTRIDGE
CHAPTERI
IthadgrowndarkonBurntRidge。Seenfrombelow，thewholeserratedcrestthathadglitteredinthesunsetasifitsintersticeswereeatenbyconsumingfires，now，closedupitsranksofblackenedshaftsandbecameagainharshandsombrechevauxdefriseagainstthesky。Afaintglowstilllingeredovertheredvalleyroad，asifitwereitsownreflection，ratherthananylightfrombeyondthedarkenedridge。Nightwasalreadycreepingupoutofremotecanyonsandalongthefurrowedflanksofthemountain，orsettlingonthenearerwoodswiththesoundofhome-
comingandinnumerablewings。Atapointwheretheroadbegantoencroachuponthemountain-sideinitsslowwindingascentthedarknesshadbecomesorealthatayounggirlcanteringalongtherisingterracefounddifficultyinguidingherhorse，witheyesstilldazzledbythesunsetfires。
Inspiteofherprecautions，theanimalsuddenlyshiedatsomeobjectintheobscuredroadway，andnearlyunseatedher。Theaccidentdisclosednotonlythefactthatshewasridinginaman\'ssaddle，butalsoafootandanklethatherordinarywalking-dresswastooshorttohide。Itwasevidentthatherequestrianexercisewasextempore，andthatatthathourandonthatroadshehadnotexpectedtomeetcompany。Butshewasapparentlyagoodhorsewoman，forthemischancewhichmighthavethrownalesspracticalormoretimidriderseemedoflittlemomenttoher。Withastronghandanddeterminedgestureshewheeledherfrightenedhorsebackintothetrack，androdehimdirectlyattheobject。Butheresheherselfslightlyrecoiled，foritwasthebodyofamanlyingintheroad。
Assheleanedforwardoverherhorse\'sshoulder，shecouldseebythedimlightthathewasaminer，andthat，thoughmotionless，hewasbreathingstertorously。Drunk，nodoubt!——anaccidentofthelocalityalarmingonlytoherhorse。Butalthoughshecanteredimpatientlyforward，shehadnotproceededahundredyardsbeforeshestoppedreflectively，andtrottedbackagain。Hehadnotmoved。Shecouldnowseethathisheadandshoulderswerecoveredwithbrokenclodsofearthandgravel，andsmallerfragmentslayathisside。Adozenfeetabovehimonthehillsidetherewasafoottrailwhichranparallelwiththebridle-road，andoccasionallyoverhungit。Itseemedpossiblethathemighthavefallenfromthetrailandbeenstunned。
Dismounting，shesucceededindragginghimtoasaferpositionbythebank。Theactdiscoveredhisface，whichwasyoung，andunknowntoher。Wipingitwiththesilkhandkerchiefwhichwaslooselyslungaroundhisneckafterthefashionofhisclass，shegaveaquickfeminineglancearoundherandthenapproachedherownandratherhandsomefacenearhislips。Therewasnoodorofalcoholinthethickandheavyrespiration。Mountingagain，sherodeforwardatanacceleratedpace，andintwentyminuteshadreachedahighertablelandofthemountain，aclearedopeningintheforestthatshowedsignsofcarefulcultivation，andalarge，rambling，yetpicturesque-lookingdwelling，whoseunpaintedred-
woodwallswerehiddeninrosesandcreepers。Pushingopenaswinginggate，sheenteredtheinclosureasabrown-facedman，dressedasavaquero，cametowardsherasiftoassisthertoalight。Butshehadalreadyleapedtothegroundandthrownhimthereins。
\"Miguel，\"shesaid，withamistress\'squietauthorityinherboyishcontraltovoice，\"putGloryinthecoveredwagon，anddrivedowntheroadasfarasthevalleyturning。There\'samanlyingneartherightbank，drunk，orsick，maybe，orperhapscrippledbyafall。Bringhimuphere，unlesssomebodyhasfoundhimalready，oryouhappentoknowwhoheisandwheretotakehim。\"
Thevaqueroraisedhisshoulders，halfindisappointedexpectationofsomeothercommand。\"Andyourbrother，senora，hehasnothimselfarrived。\"
Alightshadowofimpatiencecrossedherface。\"No，\"shesaid，bluntly。\"Come，bequick。\"
Sheturnedtowardsthehouseasthemanmovedaway。Alreadyagaunt-lookingoldmanhadappearedintheporch，andwasawaitingherwithhishandshadowinghisangry，suspiciouseyes，andhislipsmovingquerulously。
\"Ofcourse，you\'vegottostandoutthereandgiveordersand\'tendtoyourownbusinessaforeyouthinko\'speakingtoyourownfleshandblood，\"hesaidaggrievedly。\"That\'sallYOUcare!\"
\"Therewasasickmanlyingintheroad，andI\'vesentMigueltolookafterhim，\"returnedthegirl，withacertaincontemptuousresignation。
\"Oh，yes!\"struckinanothervoice，whichseemedtobelongtothefemaleofthefirstspeaker\'sspecies，andtobeitsequalinageandtemper，\"andIreckonyousawajaybirdonatree，orasquirrelonthefence，andeitherof\'emwasmoreimportanttoyouthanyourownbrother。\"
\"Stevedidn\'tcomebythestage，anddidn\'tsendanymessage，\"
continuedtheyounggirl，withthesamecoldlyresignedmanner。
\"Noonehadanynewsofhim，and，asItoldyoubefore，Ididn\'texpectany。\"
\"Whydon\'tyousayrightoutyoudidn\'tWANTany?\"saidtheoldman，sneeringly。\"Muchyouinquired!No；Iorterhevgonemyself，andIwouldifIwasmasterhere，insteadofmeandyourmotherbein\'thedustoftheyearthbeneathyourfeet。\"
Theyounggirlenteredthehouse，followedbytheoldman，passinganoldwomanseatedbythewindow，whoseemedtobenursingherresentmentandalargeBiblewhichsheheldclaspedagainsthershawledbosomatthesamemoment。Goingtothewall，shehungupherlargehatandslightlyshookthereddustfromherskirtsasshecontinuedherexplanation，inthesamedeepvoice，withacertainmonotonyoflogicandpossiblyofpurposeandpracticealso。
\"YouandmotherknowaswellasIdo，father，thatStephenisnomoretobedependeduponthanthewindthatblows。It\'sthreeyearssincehehasbeenpromisingtocome，andevengettingmoneytocome，andyethehasnevershowedhisface，thoughhehasbeenadozentimeswithinfivemilesofthishouse。Hedoesn\'tcomebecausehedoesn\'twanttocome。AstoYOURgoingovertothestage-office，Iwenttheremyselfatthelastmomenttosaveyouthemortificationofaskingquestionsofstrangersthattheyknowhavebeenadozentimesansweredalready。\"
Therewassucharingofabsolutetruthfulness，albeitwornbyrepetition，intheyounggirl\'sdeephonestvoicethatforoneinstanthertwomoreemotionalrelativesquailedbeforeit；butonlyforamoment。
\"That\'sright!\"shrilledtheoldwoman。\"Goonandabuseyourownbrother。It\'sonlythefearyouhavethathe\'llmakehisfortuneyetandshameyoubeforethefatherandmotheryoudespise。\"
Theyounggirlremainedstandingbythewindow，motionlessandapparentlypassive，asifreceivinganacceptedandusualpunishment。Butheretheelderwomangavewaytosobsandsomeincoherentsnuffling，atwhichtheyoungerwentaway。Whethersherecognizedinhermother\'stearstheordinarydeliquescenceofemotion，orwhether，asawomanherself，sheknewthatthismerefeminineconventionalitycouldnotpossiblybedirectedather，andthattheactualconflictbetweenthemhadceased，shepassedslowlyontoaninnerhall，leavingthemalevictim，herunfortunatefather，tosuccumb，ashealwaysdidsoonerorlater，totheirinfluence。Crossingthehall，whichwasdecoratedwithafewelkhorns，Indiantrophies，andmountainpelts，sheenteredanotherroom，andclosedthedoorbehindherwithagestureofrelief。
Theroom，whichlookeduponaporch，presentedasingularcombinationofmasculinebusinessoccupationsandfemininetasteandadornment。Adeskcoveredwithpapers，ashelfdisplayingaledgerandaccount-books，anothercontainingworksofreference，atablewithavaseofflowersandalady\'sriding-whipuponit，amapofCaliforniaflankedoneithersidebyanembroideredsilkenworkbagandanovalmirrordeckedwithgrasses，acalendarandinterest-tablehangingbelowtwoschool-girlcrayonsofclassicheadswiththelegend，\"JosephineForsythfecit，\"——werepartofitsincongruousaccessories。Theyounggirlwenttoherdesk，butpresentlymovedandturnedtowardsthewindowthoughtfully。Thelastgleamhaddiedfromthesteel-bluesky；afewlightslikestarpointsbegantoprickoutthelowervalley。Theexpressionofmonotonousrestraintandendurancehadnotyetfadedfromherface。
Yetshehadbeenaccustomedtoscenesliketheoneshehadjustpassedthoughsincehergirlhood。Fiveyearsago，AlexanderForsyth，heruncle，hadbroughthertothisspot——thenamerelogcabinonthehillside——asarefugefromtheimpoverishedandshiftlesshomeofhiselderbrotherThomasandhisill-temperedwife。HereAlexanderForsyth，byreasonofhismoredominantcharacterandbusinesscapacity，hadprospereduntilhebecamearichandinfluentialranchowner。Notwithstandingherfather\'sjealousyofAlexander\'sfortune，andtheopenrupturethatfollowedbetweenthebrothers，Josephineretainedherpositionintheheartandhomeofherunclewithoutespousingthecauseofeither；andherfatherwastooprudentnottorecognizethenearandprospectiveadvantagesofsuchamediator。Accustomedtoherparents\'extravagantdenunciations，andheruncle\'smorerepressedbutpracticalcontemptofthem，theunfortunategirlearlydevelopedacynicaldisbeliefinthevirtuesofkinshipintheabstract，andaphilosophicalresignationtoitseffectsuponherpersonally。Believingthatherfatherandunclefairlyrepresentedthefraternalprinciple，shewasquitepreparedfortheearlydefectionanddistrustofhervagabondanddissipatedbrotherStephen，andaccepteditcalmly。Truetoanoddstandardofjustice，whichshehaderectedfromthecrumblingruinsofherowndomesticlife，shewastolerantofeverythingbuthumanperfection。
Thisquality，howeverfataltoherhighergrowth，hadgivenherapeculiarcapacityforbusinesswhichendearedhertoheruncle。
Familiarwiththestrongpassionsandprejudicesofmen，shehadnoneofthosefemininemeannesses，awholesomedistrustofwhichhadkeptheruncleabachelor。Itwasnotstrange，therefore，thatwhenhediedtwoyearsagoitwasfoundthathehadleftherhisentireproperty，realandpersonal，limitedonlybyasinglecondition。Shewastoundertakethevocationofa\"soletrader，\"
andcarryonthebusinessunderthenameof\"J。Forsyth。\"Ifshemarried，theestateandpropertywastobehelddistinctfromherhusband\'s，inalienableunderthe\"MarriedWoman\'sPropertyAct，\"
andsubjectduringherlifeonlytoherowncontrolandpersonalresponsibilitiesasatrader。
Theintensedisgustanddiscomfitureofherparents，whohadexpectedtomoreactivelyparticipateintheirbrother\'sfortune，maybeimagined。ButitwasnotequaltotheirfurywhenJosephine，insteadofprovidingforthemaseparatemaintenanceoutofherabundance，simplyofferedtotransferthemandherbrothertoherownhouseonadomesticbutnotabusinessequality。Therebeingnoalternativebuttheirformerprecariousshiftlesslifeintheir\"played-out\"claiminthevalley，theywiselyconsented，reservingthesacredrightofdailyprotestandobjurgation。IntheeconomyofBurntRidgeRanchtheyalonetookituponthemselvestorepresenttheshattereddomesticaltaranditsoutragedLaresandPenates。Andsoconscientiouslydidtheyperformtheirtaskasevenoccasionallytoimpedethebusinessvisitortotheranch，andtocausesomeofthemorepracticalneighborsseriouslytodoubttheyounggirl\'scommercialwisdom。Butshewasfirm。Whethershethoughtherparentsanecessityofrespectabledomesticity，orwhethersheregardedtheirpresenceinthelightofapenitentialatonementforsomepreviousdisregardofthem，nooneknew。Publicopinioninclinedtothelatter。
Theblacklineofridgefadedoutwithherabstraction，andsheturnedfromthewindowandlitthelamponherdesk。Theyellowlightilluminatedherfaceandfigure。Intheirwomanlygracestherewasnotraceofwhatsomepeoplebelievedtobeamasculinecharacter，exceptasingularlyfranklookofcriticalinquiryandpatientattentioninherdarkeyes。Herlongbrownhairwassomewhatrigidlytwistedintoaknotonthetopofherhead，asifmoreforsecuritythanornament。Brownwasalsotheprevailingtintofhereyebrows，thickly-seteyelashes，andeyes，andwasevensuggestedintheslightsallownessofhercomplexion。Butherlipswerewell-cutandfresh-coloredandherhandsandfeetsmallandfinelyformed。Shewouldhavepassedforaprettygirl，hadshenotsuggestedsomethingmore。
Shesatdown，andbegantoexamineapileofpapersbeforeherwiththatconcentrationandattentiontodetailwhichwascharacteristicofhereyes，pausingattimeswithprettilyknitbrows，andherpenholderbetweenherlips，inthesemblanceofapoutthatwaspleasantenoughtosee。Suddenlytherattleofhoofsandwheelsstruckherwiththesenseofsomethingforgotten，andsheputdownherworkquicklyandstooduplistening。Thesoundofroughvoicesandherfather\'squerulousaccentswasbrokenuponbyacultivatedandmorefamiliarutterance:\"Allright；I\'llspeaktoheratonce。
Waitthere，\"andthedooropenedtothewell-knownphysicianofBurntRidge，Dr。Duchesne。
\"Lookhere，\"hesaid，withanabruptnessthatwasonlysavedfrombeingbrusquebyasofterintonationandareassuringsmile，\"ImetMiguelhelpinganaccidentintoyourbuggy。Yourorders，eh?\"
\"Oh，yes，\"saidJosephine，quietly。\"AmanIsawontheroad。\"
\"Well，it\'sabadcase，andwantspromptattention。AndasyourhouseisthenearestIcamewithhimhere。\"
Certainly，\"shesaidgravely。\"Takehimtothesecondroombeyond——
Steve\'sroom——it\'sready，\"sheexplainedtotwoduskyshadowsinthehallbehindthedoctor。
\"Andlookhere，\"saidthedoctor，partlyclosingthedoorbehindhimandregardingherwithcriticaleyes，\"youalwayssaidyou\'dliketoseesomeofmyqueercases。Well，thisisone——aseriousone，too；infact，it\'sjusttouchandgowithhim。There\'sapieceofthebonepressingonthebrainnobiggerthanthat，butasmuchasifallBurntRidgewasatopofhim!I\'mgoingtoliftit。
Iwantsomebodyheretostandby，someonewhocanlendahandwithasponge，eh?——someonewhoisn\'tgoingtofaintorscream，orevenshakeahair\'s-breadth，eh?\"
Thecolorrosequicklytothegirl\'scheek，andhereyeskindled。
\"I\'llcome，\"shesaidthoughtfully。\"Whoishe?\"
Thedoctorstaredslightlyattheunessentialquery。\"Don\'tknow，——
oneoftheriverminers，Ireckon。It\'sanurgentcase。I\'llgoandgeteverythingready。You\'dbetter，\"headded，withanominousglanceathergrayfrock，\"putsomethingoveryourdress。\"Thesuggestionmadehergrave，butdidnotalterhercolor。
Amomentlatersheenteredtheroom。Itwastheonethathadalwaysbeensetapartforherbrother:theverybedonwhichtheunconsciousmanlayhadbeenarrangedthatmorningwithherownhands。Somethingofthispassedthroughhermindasshesawthatthedoctorhadwheeleditbeneaththestronglightinthecentreoftheroom，strippeditsoutercoveringswithprofessionalthoughtfulness，andrearrangedthemattresses。Butitdidnotseemlikethesameroom。Therewasapungentodorintheairfromsomefreshly-openedphial；analmostfeminineneatnessandluxuryinanopenmoroccocaselikeajewelboxonthetable，shiningwithspotlesssteel。Attheheadofthebedoneofherownservants，thepowerfulmillforeman，wasassistingwiththemingledcuriosityandblaseexperienceofoneaccustomedtosmashedandlacerateddigits。Atfirstshedidnotlookatthecentralunconsciousfigureonthebed，whosesufferingsseemedtohertohavebeenvicariouslytransferredtotheconcerned，eager，anddrawnfacesthatlookeddownuponitsimmunity。Thenshefemininelyrecoiledbeforethebaredwhiteneckandshouldersdisplayedabovethequilt，until，forcingherselftolookuponthefacehalf-concealedbybandagesandtheheadfromwhichthedarktanglesofhairhadbeenruthlesslysheared，shebegantosharethedoctor\'sunconcerninhispersonality。WhatmatteredwhoorwhatHEwas?Itwas——acase!
Theoperationbegan。Withthesameearnestintelligencethatshehadpreviouslyshown，shequicklyandnoiselesslyobeyedthedoctor\'swhisperedorders，andevenhalfanticipatedthem。Shewasconsciousofasingularcuriositythat，farfrombeingmeanorignoble，seemedtolifthernotonlyabovetheordinaryweaknessesofherownsex，butmadehersuperiortothemenaroundher。
Almostbeforesheknewit，theoperationwasover，andsheregardedwithequalcuriositytheostentatioussolicitudewithwhichthedoctorseemedtobewipinghisfatefulinstrumentthatboreanoddresemblancetoasilver-handledcentre-bit。Thestertorousbreathingbelowthebandageshadgivenwaytoafainterbutmorenaturalrespiration。Therewasamomentofsuspense。Thedoctor\'shandleftthepulseandliftedtheclosedeyelidofthesufferer。
Aslightmovementpassedoverthefigure。Thesluggishfacehadcleared；lifeseemedtostrugglebackintoitbeforeeventhedulleyesparticipatedintheglow。Dr。Duchesnewithasuddengesturewavedasidehiscompanions，butnotbeforeJosephinehadbentherheadeagerlyforward。
\"Heiscomingto，\"shesaid。
Atthesoundofthatdeepclearvoice——thefirsttobreakthehushoftheroom——thedulleyesleapedup，andtheheadturnedinitsdirection。Thelipsmovedandutteredasinglerapidsentence。
Thegirlrecoiled。
\"You\'reallrightnow，\"saidthedoctor，cheerfully，intentonlyupontheformbeforehim。
Thelipsmovedagain，butthistimefeeblyandvacantly；theeyeswerestaringvaguelyaround。
\"What\'smatter?What\'sallabout?\"saidtheman，thickly。
\"You\'vehadafall。Thinkamoment。Wheredoyoulive?\"
Againthelipsmoved，butthistimeonlytoemitaconfused，incoherentmurmur。Dr。Duchesnelookedgrave，butrecoveredhimselfquickly。
\"Thatwilldo。Leavehimalonenow，\"hesaidbrusquelytotheothers。
ButJosephinelingered。
\"Hespokewellenoughjustnow，\"shesaideagerly。\"Didyouhearwhathesaid?\"
\"Notexactly，\"saidthedoctor，abstractedly，gazingattheman。
\"Hesaid，\'You\'llhavetokillmefirst，\'\"saidJosephine，slowly。
\"Humph；\"saidthedoctor，passinghishandbackwardsandforwardsbeforetheman\'seyestonoteanychangeinthestaringpupils。
\"Yes，\"continuedJosephine，gravely。\"Isuppose，\"sheadded，cautiously，\"hewasthinkingoftheoperation——ofwhatyouhadjustdonetohim?\"
\"WhatIhaddonetohim?Oh，yes!\"
CHAPTERII
BeforenoonthenextdayitwasknownthroughoutBurntRidgeValleythatDr。Duchesnehadperformedadifficultoperationuponanunknownman，whohadbeenpickedupunconsciousfromafall，andcarriedtoBurntRidgeRanch。Butalthoughtheunfortunateman\'slifewassavedbytheoperation，hehadonlymomentarilyrecoveredconsciousness——relapsingintoasemi-idioticstate，whicheffectivelystoppedthediscoveryofanycluetohisfriendsorhisidentity。AsitwasevidentlyanACCIDENT，which，inthatrudecommunity——andeveninsomemorecivilizedones——conveyedavagueimpressionofsomecontributaryincapacityonthepartofthevictim，orsomeProvidentialinterferenceofaretributivecharacter，BurntRidgegaveitselflittletroubleaboutit。ItisunnecessarytosaythatMr。andMrs。ForsythgavethemselvesandJosephinemuchmore。Theyhadatheoryandagrievance。Satisfiedfromthefirstthattheallegedvictimwasadrunkentramp，whosubmittedtohaveaholeboredinhisheadinordertofoisthimselfupontheranch，theywereloudintheirprotests，evenhintingataconspiracybetweenJosephineandthestrangertosupplantherbrotherintheproperty，ashehadalreadyinthesparebedroom。\"Didn\'tallthatyerhappenTHEVERYNIGHTshepretendedtogoforStephen——eh?\"saidMrs。Forsyth。\"Tellmethat!Anddidn\'tshehaveitallarrangedwiththebuggytobringhimhere，asthatsneakingdoctorletout——eh?Looksmightycurious，don\'tit?\"shemuttereddarklytotheoldman。Butalthoughthatgentleman，evenfromhisownselfishview，wouldscarcelyhavesubmittedtoasurgicaloperationandlateridiocyasthepriceofinsuringcomfortabledependency，hehadnodoubtotherswerebaseenoughtodoit；andlentawillingeartohiswife\'ssuspicions。
Josephine\'spersonalknowledgeofthestrangerwentlittlefurther。
DoctorDuchesnehadconfessedtoherhisprofessionaldisappointmentattheincompleteresultsoftheoperation。Hehadsavedtheman\'slife，butasyetnothisreason。Therewasstillhope，however，forthediagnosisrevealednothingthatmightprejudiceafavorableprogress。Itwasamostinterestingcase。Hewouldwatchitcarefully，andassoonasthepatientcouldberemovedwouldtakehimtothecountyhospital，where，underhisowneyes，thepoorfellowwouldhavethebenefitofthelatestscienceandthehighestspecialists。Physically，hewasdoingremarkablywell；indeed，hemusthavebeenafineyoungchap，freefrombloodtaintorviciouscomplication，whosefleshhadhealedlikeaninfant\'s。ItshouldberecordedthatitwasatthisjuncturethatMrs。ForsythfirstlearntthataSILVERPLATEletintotheartfulstranger\'sskullwasanadjunctofthehealingprocess!Convincedthatthisinfamousextravagancewaspartandparceloftheconspiracy，andwasonlythebeginningofotherassimilationsoftheForsyths\'metallicsubstance；thattheplatewasprobablypolishedandburnishedwithafulsomeinscriptiontothedoctor\'sskill，andwouldpassintothepossessionandadornmentofaperfectstranger，herrageknewnobounds。Heorhisfriendsoughttobemadetopayforitorworkitout!Invainitwasdeclaredthatafewdollarswereallthatwasfoundintheman\'spocket，andthatnomemorandagaveanyindicationofhisname，friends，orhistorybeyondthesuggestionthathecamefromadistance。Thiswasclearlyapartoftheconspiracy!EvenJosephine\'spracticalgoodsensewasobligedtotakenoteofthissingularabsenceofallrecordregardinghim，andtheapparentobliterationofeverythingthatmightberesponsibleforhisultimatefate。
Homeless，friendless，helpless，andevennameless，theunfortunatemanoftwenty-fivewasthuslefttothetendermerciesofthemistressofBurntRidgeRanch，asifhehadbeenanew-bornfoundlinglaidatherdoor。Butthismereclaimofweaknesswasnotall；itwassupplementedbyasingularpersonalappealtoJosephine\'snature。Fromthetimethatheturnedhisheadtowardshervoiceonthatfatefulnight，hiseyeshadalwaysfollowedheraroundtheroomwithawondering，yearning，caninehalf-
intelligence。Withoutbeingabletoconvinceherselfthatheunderstoodherbetterthanhisregularattendantfurnishedbythedoctor，shecouldnotfailtoseethatheobeyedherimplicitly，andthatwheneveranydifficultyarosebetweenhimandhisnurseshewasalwaysappealedto。HerprideinthisproofofherpracticalsovereigntyWASflattered；andwhenDoctorDuchesnefinallyadmittedthatalthoughthepatientwasnowphysicallyabletoberemovedtothehospital，yethewouldloseinthechangethatverystrongfactorwhichJosephinehadbecomeinhismentalrecovery，theyounggirlasfranklysuggestedthatheshouldstayaslongastherewasanyhopeofrestoringhisreason。DoctorDuchesnewasdelighted。Withallhisenthusiasmforscience，hehadaprofessionaldistrustofsomeofitsdisciples，andperhapswasnotsorrytokeepthismostinterestingcaseinhisownhands。
Tohimhersuggestionwasonlyawomanlykindness，temperedwithwomanlycuriosity。Buttheastonishmentandstupefactionofherparentsatthisevidentcorroborationofsuspicionstheyhadasyetonlyhalfbelievedwastingedwithsuperstitiousdread。Hadshefalleninlovewiththishelplessstranger?or，moreawfultocontemplate，washereallynostranger，butasurreptitiousloverthusstrategicallybroughtunderherroof?Foroncetheyrefrainedfromopencriticism。Theverymagnitudeoftheirsuspicionsleftthemdumb。
ItwasthusthatthevirginChatelaineofBurntRidgeRanchwaslefttogazeuntrammeleduponherpaleandhandsomeguest，whosesilken，beardedlipsandsad，childlikeeyesmighthavesuggestedamoreExaltedSuffererintheirabsenceofanysuggestionofagrossermaterialmanhood。Buteventhisimaginativeappealdidnotenterintoherfeelings。Shefeltforhergood-looking，helplesspatientaprofoundandhonestpity。Idonotknowwhethershehadeverheardthat\"pitywasakintolove。\"Shewouldprobablyhaveresentedthatutterlyuntenableandatrociouscommonplace。Therewasnosuggestion，realorillusive，ofanypreviousmasterfulqualityinthemanwhichmighthavemadehispresentdependentconditionpicturesquebycontrast。Hehadcometoherhandicappedbyanunromanticaccidentandapracticalwantofenergyandintellect。Hewouldhavetotouchherinterestanewif，indeed，hewouldeversucceedindispellingtheoldimpression。Hisbeauty，inacommunityofpicturesquelyhandsomemen，hadlittleweightwithher，excepttoaccentthecontrastwiththeirfullermanhood。
Herlifehadgivenhernoillusionsinregardtotheothersex。
Shehadfoundthem，however，morecongenialandsafercompanionsthanwomen，andmoreaccessibletoherownsenseofjusticeandhonor。Inreturn，theyhadrespectedandadmiredratherthanlovedher，inspiteofherwomanlygraces。Ifshehadattimescontemplatedeventualmarriage，itwasonlyasapossiblepracticalpartnershipinherbusiness；butasshelivedinacountrywherementhoughtitdishonorableandaproofofincompetencytorisebytheirwives\'superiorfortune，shehadbeenfreefromthatkindofmercenarypersecution，evenfrommenwhomighthaveworshipedherinhopelessandsilenthonor。
Forthisreason，therewasnothinginthesituationthatsuggestedasinglecompromisingspeculationinthemindsoftheneighbors，ordisturbedherowntranquillity。Thereseemedtobenothinginthefutureexceptapossiblerelieftohercuriosity。Somedaytheunfortunateman\'sreasonwouldberestored，andhewouldtellhissimplehistory。Perhapshemightexplainwhatwasinhismindwhenheturnedtoherthefirsteveningwiththatsingularsentencewhichhadoftenrecurredstrangelytoher，sheknewnotwhy。Itdidnotstrikeheruntillaterthatitwasbecauseithadbeenthesolitaryindicationofanenergyandcapacitythatseemedunlikehim。Nevertheless，afterthatexplanation，shewouldhavebeenquitewillingtohaveshakenhandswithhimandparted。
Andyet——fortherewasanunexpressedremainderinherthought——
shewasneverentirelyfreeoruninfluencedinhispresence。Theflickeringvacancyofhissadeyessometimesbecamefixedwitharesoluteimmobilityunderthegentlequestioningwithwhichshehadsoughttodrawouthisfaculties，thatbothpiquedandexasperatedher。Hecouldsay\"Yes\"and\"No，\"asshethoughtintelligently，buthecouldnotutteracoherentsentencenorwriteaword，exceptlikeachildinimitationofhiscopy。Shetaughthimtorepeatafterherthenamesoftheinanimateobjectsintheroom，thenthenamesofthedoctor，hisattendant，theservant，and，finally，herownunderherChristianprenomen，withfrontierfamiliarity；butwhenshepointedtohimselfhewaitedforHERtonamehim!Invainshetriedhimwithallthemasculinenamessheknew；hiswasnotoneofthem，orhewouldnotorcouldnotspeakit。Forattimessherejectedtheprofessionaldictumofthedoctorthatthefacultyofmemorywaswhollyparalyzedorheldinabeyance，eventothehalf-automaticrecollectionofhisletters，yetsheinconsistentlybegantoteachhimthealphabetwiththesamemethod，and——inhersublimeunconsciousnessofhismanhood——withthesamedisciplineasifhewereaverychild。Whenhehadrecoveredsufficientlytoleavehisroom，shewouldleadhimtotheporchbeforeherwindow，andmakehimcontentedandhappybyallowinghimtowatchheratworkatherdesk，occasionallyansweringhiswonderingeyeswithaword，orstirringhisfacultieswithaquestion。Igrievetosaythatherparentshadtakenadvantageofthispublicityandhissupposedhelplessconditiontoshowtheirdisgustofhisassumption，totheextremeofmakingfacesathim——anactwhichheresentedwithsuchafuriousglarethattheyretreatedhurriedlytotheirownveranda。Afreshthoughsomewhatinconsistentgrievancewasaddedtotheirpreviousindictmentofhim:\"Ifweain\'tfounddeadinourbedwithourthroatscutbythatwoman\'scrazyhusband\"(theyhadsettledbythistimethattherehadbeenaclandestinemarriage)，\"we\'llbelucky，\"groanedMrs。Forsyth。
Meantime，themountainsummerwaxedtoitsfullnessoffireandfruition。Thereweredayswhenthecrowdedforestseemedchokedandimpededwithitsownfoliage，andpungentandstiflingwithitsownrankmaturity；whenthelonghillsideranksofwildoats，thicksetandimpassable，filledtheairwiththeheateddustofgermination。Inthisquickeningirritationoflifeitwouldbestrangeiftheunfortunateman\'storpidintellectwasnothelpedinitsawakening，andhewasallowedtorambleatwillovertheranch；
butwiththeinstinctofadomesticanimalhealwaysreturnedtothehouse，andsatintheporch，whereJosephineusuallyfoundhimawaitingherwhensheherselfreturnedfromavisittothemill。
Comingthenceonedaysheespiedhimonthemountain-sideleaningagainstaprojectingledgeinanattitudesoraptandimmovablethatshefeltcompelledtoapproachhim。Heappearedtobedumblyabsorbedintheprospect，whichmighthaveintoxicatedasanermind。
Halfveiledbytheheatthatrosequiveringlyfromthefierycanyonbelow，thedomainofBurntRidgestretchedawaybeforehim，until，liftedinsuccessiveterraceshearsedandplumedwithpines，itwasatlastlostintheghostlysnow-peaks。ButthepracticalJosephineseizedtheopportunitytotryoncemoretoawakentheslumberingmemoryofherpupil。Followinghisgazewithsignsandquestions，shesoughttodrawfromhimsomeindicationoffamiliarrecollectionofcertainpointsofthemapthusunrolledbehindhim。
Butinvain。Sheevenpointedoutthefatefulshadowoftheoverhangingledgeontheroadwhereshehadpickedhimup——therewasnoresponseinhisabstractedeyes。Shebitherlips；shewasbecomingirritatedagain。Thenitoccurredtoherthat，insteadofappealingtohishopelessmemory，shehadbettertrusttosomeunreflectiveautomaticinstinctindependentofit，andsheputthequestionalittleforward:\"Whenyouleaveus，wherewillyougofromhere?\"Hestirredslightly，andturnedtowardsher。Sherepeatedherqueryslowlyandpatiently，withsignsandgesturesrecognizedbetweenthem。Afaintglowofintelligencestruggledintohiseyes:heliftedhisarmslowly，andpointed。
\"Ah!thosewhitepeaks——theSierras?\"sheasked，eagerly。Noreply。\"Beyondthem?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"TheStates?\"Noreply。\"Furtherstill?\"
Heremainedsopatientlyquietandstillpointingthatsheleanedforward，and，followingwithhereyesthedirectionofhishand，sawthathewaspointingtothesky!
Thenagreatquietfelluponthem。Thewholemountain-sideseemedtohertobehushed，asiftoallowhertograspandrealizeforthefirsttimethepathosoftheruinedlifeatherside，whichIT
hadknownsolong，butwhichshehadneverfelttillnow。Thetearscametohereyes；inherswiftrevulsionoffeelingshecaughtthethinupliftedhandbetweenherown。Itseemedtoherthathewasabouttoraisethemtohislips，butshewithdrewthemhastily，andmovedaway。Shehadastrangefearthatifhehadkissedthem，itmightseemasifsomedumbanimalhadtouchedthem——
or——ITMIGHTNOT。Thenextdayshefeltaconsciousnessofthisinhispresence，andawishthathewaswell-curedandaway。ShedeterminedtoconsultDr。Duchesneonthesubjectwhenhenextcalled。
Butthedoctor，secureinthewelfareofhispatient，hadnotvisitedhimlately，andshefoundherselfpresentlyabsorbedinthebusinessoftheranch，whichatthisseasonwasparticularlytrying。TherehadalsobeenaquarrelbetweenDickShipley，hermillforeman，andMiguel，herablestandmosttrustedvaquero，andinherstrictsenseofimpartialjusticeshewasobligedtosideonthemeritsofthecasewithShipleyagainstheroldestretainer。
Thistroubledher，assheknewthatwiththeMexicannature，fidelityandloyaltywerenotunmixedwithquickandunreasoningjealousy。Forthisreasonshewassomewhatwatchfulofthetwomenwhenworkwasover，andtherewasachanceoftheirbeingthrowntogether。OnceortwiceshehadremaineduplatetomeetMiguelreturningfromtheposadaatSanRamon，filledwithaguardienteandarecollectionofhiswrongs，andtoseehimsafelybestowedbeforesheherselfretired。Itwasononeofthoseoccasions，however，thatshelearnedthatDickShipley，hearingthatMiguelhaddisparagedhimfreelyattheposada，hadbrokenthedisciplineoftheranch，andabsentedhimselfthesamenightthatMiguel\"hadleave，\"withaviewoffacinghisantagonistonhisownground。Topreventthis，thefearlessgirlatoncesecretlysetoutalonetoovertakeandbringbackthedelinquent。
FortwoorthreehoursthehousewasthuslefttothesoleoccupancyofMr。andMrs。Forsythandtheinvalid——afactonlydimlysuspectedbythelatter，whohadbecomevaguelyconsciousofJosephine\'sanxiety，andhadnoticedtheabsenceoflightandmovementinherroom。Forthisreason，therefore，havingrisenagainandmechanicallytakenhisseatintheporchtoawaitherreturn，hewasstartledbyhearingHERvoiceintheshadowofthelowerporch，accompaniedbyahurriedtappingagainstthedooroftheoldcouple。Thehalf-reasoningmanarose，andwouldhavemovedtowardsit，butsuddenlyhestoppedrigidly，withwhiteandpartedlipsandvacantlydistendedeyeballs。
