Gentlemen:Ireceivedyourletterto-daybypost，inregardtotheransomyouaskforthereturnofmyson。
Ithinkyouarealittlehighinyourdemands，andIherebymakeyouacounter-proposition，whichIaminclinedtobelieveyouwillaccept。YoubringJohnnyhomeandpaymetwohundredandfiftydollarsincash，andIagreetotakehimoffyourhands。Youhadbettercomeatnight，fortheneighboursbelieveheislost，andIcouldn\'tberesponsibleforwhattheywoulddotoanybodytheysawbringinghimback。Veryrespectfully，EBENEZERDORSET。
\"GreatpiratesofPenzance!\"saysI；\"ofalltheimpudent——\"
ButIglancedatBill，andhesitated。HehadthemostappealinglookinhiseyesIeversawonthefaceofadumboratalkingbrute。
\"Sam，\"sayshe，\"what\'stwohundredandfiftydollars，afterall？We\'vegotthemoney。OnemorenightofthiskidwillsendmetoabedinBedlam。Besidesbeingathoroughgentleman，IthinkMr。Dorsetisaspend-
thriftformakingussuchaliberaloffer。Youain\'tgoingtoletthechancego，areyou？\"
\"Tellyouthetruth，Bill，\"saysI，\"thislittleheewelambhassomewhatgotonmynervestoo。We\'lltakehimhome，paytheransomandmakeourget-away。\"
Wetookhimhomethatnight。Wegothimtogobytellinghimthathisfatherhadboughtasilver-mountedrifleandapairofmoccasinsforhim，andweweregoingtohuntbearsthenextday。
Itwasjusttwelveo\'clockwhenweknockedatEbene-
zer\'sfrontdoor。JustatthemomentwhenIshouldhavebeenabstractingthefifteenhundreddollarsfromtheboxunderthetree，accordingtotheoriginalproposition，BillwascountingouttwohundredandfiftydollarsintoDorset\'shand。
WhenthekidfoundoutweweregoingtoleavehimathomehestartedupahowllikeacalliopeandfastenedhimselfastightasaleechtoBill\'sleg。Hisfatherpeeledhimawaygradually，likeaporousplaster。
\"Howlongcanyouholdhim？\"asksBill。
\"I\'mnotasstrongasIusedtobe，\"saysoldDorset，\"butIthinkIcanpromiseyoutenminutes。\"
\"Enough，\"saysBill。\"IntenminutesIshallcrosstheCentral，SouthernandMiddleWesternStates，andbeleggingittrippinglyfortheCanadianborder。\"
And，asdarkasitwas，andasfatasBillwas，andasgoodarunnerasIam，hewasagoodmileandahalfoutofSummitbeforeIcouldcatchupwithhim。
THEMARRYMONTHOFMAY
PRITHEE，smitethepoetintheeyewhenhewouldsingtoyoupraisesofthemonthofMay。Itisamonthpresidedoverbythespiritsofmischiefandmadness。
Pixiesandflibbertigibbetshauntthebuddingwoods:
Puckandhistrainofmidgetsarebusyintownandcountry。
InMaynatureholdsupatusachidingfinger，biddingusrememberthatwearenotgods，butoverconceitedmembersofherowngreatfamily。Sheremindsusthatwearebrotherstothechowder-doomedclamandthedonkey；linealscionsofthepansyandthechimpanzee，andbutcousins-germantothecooingdoves，thequackingducksandthehousemaidsandpolicemenintheparks。
InMayCupidshootsblindfolded——millionairesmarrystenographers；wiseprofessorswoowhite-apronedgum-
chewersbehindquick-lunchcounters；schoolma\'amsmakebigbadboysremainafterschool；ladswithladderssteallightlyoverlawnswhereJulietwaitsinhertrellissedwindowwithhertelescopepacked；youngcouplesoutforawalkcomehomemarried；oldchapsputonwhitespatsandpromenadeneartheNormalSchool；evenmarriedmen，grownunwontedlytenderandsentimental，whacktheirspousesonthebackandgrowl:\"Howgoesit，oldgirl:\"
ThisMay，whoisnogoddess，butCirce，masqueradingatthedancegiveninhonourofthefaird閎utante，Sum-
mer，putsthekiboshonusall。
OldMr。Coulsongroanedalittle，andthensatupstraightinhisinvalid\'schair。Hehadthegoutverybadinonefoot，ahousenearGramercyPark，halfamilliondollarsandadaughter。Andhehadahouse-
keeper，Mrs。Widdup。Thefactandthenamedeserveasentenceeach。Theyhaveit。
WhenMaypokedMr。Coulsonhebecameelderbrothertotheturtle-dove。Inthewindownearwhichhesatwereboxesofjonquils，ofhyacinths，geraniumsandpansies。Thebreezebroughttheirodourintotheroom。
Immediatelytherewasawell-contestedroundbetweenthebreathoftheflowersandtheableandactiveeffluviumfromgoutliniment。Thelinimentwoneasily；butnotbeforetheflowersgotanuppercuttooldMr。Coulson\'snose。Thedeadlyworkoftheimplacable，falseenchant-
ressMaywasdone。
AcrosstheparktotheolfactoriesofMr。Coulsoncameotherunmistakable，characteristic，copyrightedsmellsofspringthatbelongtothe-big-city-above-the-Subway，alone。Thesmellsofhotasphalt，undergroundcaverns，gasoline，patchouli，orangepeel，sewergas，Albanygrabs，Egyptiancigarettes，mortarandtheundriedinkonnews-
papers。Theinblowingairwassweetandmild。Sparrowswrangledhappilyeverywhereoutdoors。NevertrustMay。
Mr。Coulsontwistedtheendsofhiswhitemustache，cursedhisfoot，andpoundedabellonthetablebyhisside。
IncameMrs。Widdup。Shewascomelytotheeye，fair，flustered，fortyandfoxy。
\"Higginsisout，sir，\"shesaid，withasmilesuggestiveofvibratorymassage。\"Hewenttopostaletter。CanIdoanythingforyou，sir？\"
\"It\'stimeformyaconite，\"saidoldMr。Coulson。
\"Dropitforme。Thebottle\'sthere。Threedrops。
Inwater。D——thatis，confoundHiggins!There\'snobodyinthishousecaresifIdiehereinthischairforwantofattention。\"
Mrs。Widdupsigheddeeply。
\"Don\'tbesayingthat，sir，\"shesaid。\"There\'sthemthatwouldcaremorethananyoneknows。Thirteendrops，yousaid，sir？\"
\"Three，\"saidoldmanCoulson。
HetookhisdoseandthenMrs。Widdup\'shand。Sheblushed。Oh，yes，itcanbedone。Justholdyourbreathandcompressthediaphragm。
\"Mrs。Widdup，\"saidMr。Coulson，\"thespringtime\'sfulluponus。\"
\"Ain\'tthatright？\"saidMrs。Widdup。\"Theair\'srealwarm。Andthere\'sbock-beersignsoneverycorner。
Andthepark\'sallyallerandpinkandbluewithflowers；
andIhavesuchshootingpainsupmylegsandbody。\"
\"\'Inthespring，\'\"quotedMr。Coulson，curlinghismustache，\"\'ay——thatis，aman\'s——fancylightlyturnstothoughtsoflove。\'\"
\"Lawsy，now!\"exclaimedMrs。Widdup；\"ain\'tthatright？Seemslikeit\'sintheair。\"
\"\'Inthespring，\'\"continuedoldMr。Coulson，\"\'alivelieririsshinesupontheburnisheddove。\'\"
\"Theydobelively，theIrish，\"sighedMrs。Widduppensively。
\"Mrs。Widdup，\"saidMr。Coulson，makingafaceatatwingeofhisgoutyfoot，\"thiswouldbealonesomehousewithoutyou。I\'man——thatis，I\'manelderlyman——butI\'mworthacomfortablelotofmoney。Ifhalfamilliondollars\'worthofGovernmentbondsandthetrueaffectionofaheartthat，thoughnolongerbeatingwiththefirstardourofyouth，canstillthrobwithgenuine——\"
Theloudnoiseofanoverturnedchairneartheporti鑢esoftheadjoiningroominterruptedthevenerableandscarcelysuspectingvictimofMay。
InstalkedMissVanMeekerConstantiaCoulson，bony，durable，tall，high-nosed，frigid，well-bred，thirty-five，in-the-neighbourhood-of-Gramercy-Parkish。Sheputupalorgnette。Mrs。WidduphastilystoopedandarrangedthebandagesonMr。Coulson\'sgoutyfoot。
\"IthoughtHigginswaswithyou，\"saidMissVanMeekerConstantia。
\"Higginswentout，\"explainedherfather，\"andMrs。
Widdupansweredthebell。Thatisbetternow，Mrs。
Widdup，thankyou。No；thereisnothingelseIrequire。\"
Thehousekeeperretired，pinkunderthecool，inquiringstareofMissCoulson。
\"Thisspringweatherislovely，isn\'tit，daughter？\"
saidtheoldman，consciouslyconscious。
\"That\'sjustit，\"repliedMissVanMeekerConstantiaCoulson，somewhatobscurely。\"WhendoesMrs。Wid-
dupstartonhervacation，papa？\"
\"Ibelieveshesaidaweekfromto-day，\"saidMr。
Coulson。
MissVanMeekerConstantiastoodforaminuteatthewindowgazing，towardthelittlepark，floodedwiththemellowafternoonsunlight。Withtheeyeofabotanistsheviewedtheflowers——mostpotentweaponsofinsid-
iousMay。WiththecoolpulsesofavirginofCologneshewithstoodtheattackoftheetherealmildness。Thearrowsofthepleasantsunshinefellback，frostbitten，fromthecoldpanoplyofherunthrilledbosom。Theodouroftheflowerswakednosoftsentimentsintheunexploredrecessesofherdormantheart。Thechirpofthesparrowsgaveherapain。ShemockedatMay。
ButalthoughMissCoulsonwasproofagainsttheseason，shewaskeenenoughtoestimateitspower。Sheknewthatelderlymenandthick-waistedwomenjumpedaseducatedfleasintheridiculoustrainofMay，themerrymockerofthemonths。Shehadheardoffoolisholdgentlemenmarryingtheirhousekeepersbefore。Whatahumiliatingthing，afterall，wasthisfeelingcalledlove!
Thenextmorningat8o\'clock，whentheicemancalled，thecooktoldhimthatMissCoulsonwantedtoseehiminthebasement。
\"Well，ain\'tItheOlcottandDepew；notmentioningthefirstnameatall？\"saidtheiceman，admiringly，ofhimself。
Asaconcessionherolledhissleevesdown，droppedhisicehooksonasyringeandwentback。WhenMissVanMeekerConstantiaCoulsonaddressedhimhetookoffhisbat。
\"Thereisarearentrancetothisbasement，\"saidMissCoulson，\"whichcanbereachedbydrivingintothevacantlotnextdoor，wheretheyareexcavatingforabuilding。Iwantyoutobringinthatwaywithintwohours1，000poundsofice。Youmayhavetobringanothermanortwotohelpyou。IwillshowyouwhereIwantitplaced。Ialsowant1，000poundsadaydeliveredthesamewayforthenextfourdays。Yourcompanymaychargetheiceonourregularbill。Thisisforyourextratrouble。\"
MissCoulsontenderedaten-dollarbill。Theicemanbowed，andheldhishatinhistwohandsbehindhim。
\"Notifyou\'llexcuseme，lady。It\'llbeapleasuretofixthingsupforyouanywayyouplease。\"
AlasforMay!
AboutnoonMr。Coulsonknockedtwoglassesoffhistable，brokethespringofhisbellandyelledforHigginsatthesametime。
\"Bringanaxe，\"commandedMr。Coulson，sardoni-
cally，\"orsendoutforaquartofprussicacid，orhaveapolicemancomeinandshootme。I\'dratherthatthanbefrozentodeath。\"
\"Itdoesseemtobegettingcool，Sir，\"saidHiggins。
\"Ihadn\'tnoticeditbefore。I\'llclosethewindow，Sir。\"
\"Do，\"saidMr。Coulson。\"Theycallthisspring，dothey？IfitkeepsuplongI\'llgobacktoPalmBeach。
Housefeelslikeamorgue。\"
LaterMissCoulsondutifullycameintoinquirehowthegoutwasprogressing。
\"\'Stantia，\"saidtheoldman，\"howistheweatherout-
doors？\"
\"Bright，\"answeredMissCoulson，\"butchilly。\"
\"Feelslikethedeadofwintertome，\"saidMr。Coulson。
\"Aninstance，\"saidConstantia，gazingabstractedlyoutthewindow，\"of\'winterlingeringinthelapofspring，\'
thoughthemetaphorisnotinthemostrefinedtaste。\"
AlittlelatershewalkeddownbythesideofthelittleparkandonwestwardtoBroadwaytoaccomplishalittleshopping。
AlittlelaterthanthatMrs。Widdupenteredtheinvalid\'sroom。
\"Didyouring，Sir？\"sheasked，dimplinginmanyplaces。\"IaskedHigginstogotothedrugstore，andI
thoughtIheardyourbell。\"
\"Ididnot，\"saidMr。Coulson。
\"I\'mafraid，\"saidMrs。Widdup，\"Iinterruptedyousir，yesterdaywhenyouwereabouttosaysomething。\"
\"Howcomesit，Mrs。Widdup，\"saidoldmanCoulsonsternly，\"thatIfinditsocoldinthishouse？\"
\"Cold，Sir？\"saidthehousekeeper，\"why，now，sinceyouspeakofititdoseemcoldinthisroom。But，out-
doorsit\'saswarmandfineasJune，sir。Andhowthisweatherdoseemtomakeone\'sheartjumpoutofone\'sshirtwaist，sir。Andtheivyallleavedoutonthesideofthehouse，andthehand-organsplaying，andthechildrendancingonthesidewalk——\'tisagreattimeforspeakingoutwhat\'sintheheart。Youweresayingyesterday，sir——\"
\"Woman!\"roaredMr。Coulson；\"youareafool。I
payyoutotakecareofthishouse。Iamfreezingtodeathinmyownroom，andyoucomeinanddriveltomeaboutivyandhand-organs。Getmeanovercoatatonce。Seethatalldoorsandwindowsareclosedbelow。
Anold，fat，irresponsible，one-sidedobjectlikeyouprat-
ingaboutspringtimeandflowersinthemiddleofwinter!
WhenHigginscomesback，tellhimtobringmeahotrumpunch。Andnowgetout!\"
ButwhoshallshamethebrightfaceofMay？Roguethoughshebeanddisturberofsanemen\'speace，nowisevirginscunningnorcoldstorageshallmakeherbowherheadinthebrightgalaxyofmonths。
Oh，yes，thestorywasnotquitefinished。
Anightpassed，andHigginshelpedoldmanCoulsoninthemorningtohischairbythewindow。Thecoldoftheroomwasgone。Heavenlyodoursandfragrantmild-
nessentered。
InhurriedMrs。Widdup，andstoodbyhischair。Mr。
Coulsonreachedhisbonyhandandgraspedherplumpone。
\"Mrs。Widdup，\"hesaid，\"thishousewouldbenohomewithoutyou。Ihavehalfamilliondollars。Ifthatandthetrueaffectionofaheartnolonoerinitsyouthfulprime，butstillnotcold，could——\"
\"Ifoundoutwhatmadeitcold，\"saidMrs。Widdup，leanin\'againsthischair。\"\'Twasice——tonsofit——
inthebasementandinthefurnaceroom，everywhere。I
shutofftheregistersthatitwascomingthroughintoyourroom，Mr。Coulson，poorsoul!Andnowit\'sMaytimeagain。\"
\"Atrueheart，\"wentonoldmanCoulson，alittlewanderingly，\"thatthespringtimehasbroughttolifeagain，and——butwhatwillmydaughtersay，Mrs。
Widdup？\"
\"Neverfear，sir，\"saidMrs。Widdup，cheerfully。
\"MissCoulson，sheranawaywiththeicemanlastnight，sir!\"
ATECHNICALERROR
Inevercaredespeciallyforfeuds，believingthemtobeevenmoreoverratedproductsofourcountrythangrapefruit，scrapple，orhoneymoons。Nevertheless，ifImaybeallowed，IwilltellyouofanIndianTerritoryfeudofwhichIwaspress-agent，camp-follower，andinaccessoryduringthefact。
IwasonavisittoSamDurkee\'sranch，whereIhadagreattimefallingoffunmanicuredponiesandwavingmybarehandatthelowerjawsofwolvesabouttwomilesaway。Samwasahardenedpersonofabouttwenty-
five，withareputationforgoinghomeinthedarkwithperfectequanimity，thoughoftenwithreluctance。
OverintheCreekNationwasafamilybearingthenameofTatum。IwastoldthattheDurkeesandTatumshadbeenfeudingforyears。Severalofeachfamilyhadbittenthegrass，anditwasexpectedthatmoreNebuchad-
nezzarswouldfollow。Ayoungergenerationofeachfamilywasgrowingup，andthegrasswaskeepingpacewiththem。
ButIgatheredthattheyhadfoughtfairly；thattheyhadnotlainincornfieldsandaimedatthedivisionoftheirenemies\'suspendersintheback——partly，perhaps，becausetherewerenocornfields，andnobodyworemorethanonesuspender。Norhadanywomanorchildofeitherhouseeverbeenharmed。Inthosedays——andyouwillfinditsoyet——theirwomenweresafe。
SamDurkeehadagirl。(Ifitwereanall-fictionmagazinethatIexpecttosellthisstoryto，Ishouldsay，\"Mr。Durkeerejoicedinafianc閑。\")HernamewasEllaBaynes。Theyappearedtobedevotedtoeachother，andtohaveperfectconfidenceineachother，asallcouplesdowhoareandhaveoraren\'tandhaven\'t。Shewastolerablypretty，withaheavymassofbrownhairthathelpedheralong。Heintroducedmetoher，whichseemednottolessenherpreferenceforhim；soIreasonedthattheyweresurelysoul-mates。
MissBayneslivedinKingfisher，twentymilesfromtheranch。Samlivedonagallopbetweenthetwoplaces。
OnedaytherecametoKingfisheracourageousyoungman，rathersmall，withsmoothfaceandregularfeatures。
Hemademanyinquiriesaboutthebusinessofthetown，andespeciallyoftheinhabitantscognominally。HesaidhewasfromMuscogee，andhelookedit，withhisyellowshoesandcrochetedfour-in-hand。ImethimoncewhenIrodeinforthemail。HesaidhisnamewasBeverlyTravers，whichseemedratherimprobable。
Therewereactivetimesontheranch，justthen，andSamwastoobusytogototownoften。Asanincom-
petentandgenerallyworthlessguest，itdevolveduponmetorideinforlittlethingssuchaspostcards，barrelsofflour，baking-powder，smoking-tobacco，and——lettersfromElla。
Oneday，whenIwasmessengerforhalfagrossofcigarettepapersandacoupleofwagontires，IsawtheallegedBeverlyTraversinayellow-wheeledbuggywithEllaBaynes，drivingabouttownasostentatiouslyastheblack，waxymudwouldpermit。Iknewthatthisinfor-
mationwouldbringnobalmofGileadtoSam\'ssoul，soIrefrainedfromincludingitinthenewsofthecitythatIretailedonmyreturn。Butonthenextafternoonanelongatedex-cowboyofthenameofSimmons，anold-
timepalofSam\'s，whokeptafeedstoreinKingfisher，rodeouttotheranchandrolledandburnedmanycigar-
ettesbeforehewouldtalk。Whenhedidmakeoration，hiswordswerethese:
\"Say，Sam，there\'sbeenadescriptionofagalootmiscallin\'himselfBevel-edgedTravelsimpairingtheatmosphericairofKingfisherforthepasttwoweeks。
Youknowwhohewas？HewasnototherwisethanBenTatum，fromtheCreekNation，sonofoldGopherTatumthatyourUncleNewtshotlastFebruary。Youknowwhathedonethismorning？HekilledyourbrotherLester——shothimintheco\'t-houseyard。\"
IwonderedifSamhadheard。Hepulledatwigfromamesquitebush，cheweditgravely，andsaid:
\"Hedid，didhe？HekilledLester？\"
\"Thesame，\"saidSimmons。\"Andhedidmore。
Herunawaywithyourgirl，thesameastosayMissEllaBaynes。Ithoughtyoumightliketoknow，soIrodeouttoimparttheinformation。\"
\"Iammuchobliged，Jim，\"saidSam，takingthechewedtwigfromhismouth。\"Yes，I\'mgladyourodeOut。Yes，I\'mrightglad。\"
\"Well，I\'llberidin\'back，Ireckon。ThatboyIleftinthefeedstoredon\'tknowhayfromoats。HeshotLesterintheback。\"
\"Shothimintheback？\"
\"Yes，whilehewashitchin\'hishoss。\"
\"I\'mmuchobliged，Jim。\"
\"Ikindofthoughtyou\'dliketoknowassoonasyoucould。\"
\"Comeinandhavesomecoffeebeforeyourideback，Jim？\"
\"Why，no，Ireckonnot；Imustgetbacktothestore。\"
\"Andyousay——\"
\"Yes，Sam。Everybodyseen\'emdriveawaytogetherinabuckboard，withabigbundle，likeclothes，tiedupinthebackofit。Hewasdrivin\'theteamhebroughtoverwithhimfromMuscogee。They\'llbehardtoover-
takerightaway。\"
\"Andwhich——\"
\"Iwasgoin\'ontotellyou。TheyleftontheGuthrieroad；butthere\'snotellin\'whichforksthey\'lltake——
youknowthat。\"
\"Allright，Jim；muchobliged。\"
\"You\'rewelcome，Sam。\"
Simmonsrolledacigaretteandstabbedhisponywithbothheels。Twentyyardsawayhereinedupandcalledback:
\"Youdon\'twantno——assistance，asyoumightsay？\"
\"Notany，thanks。\"
\"Ididn\'tthinkyouwould。Well，solong!\"
Samtookoutandopenedabone-handledpocket-knifeandscrapedadriedpieceofmudfromhisleftboot。I
thoughtatfirsthewasgoingtoswearavendettaonthebladeofit，orrecite\"TheGipsy\'sCurse。\"ThefewfeudsIhadeverseenorreadaboutusuallyopenedthatway。Thisoneseemedtobepresentedwithanewtreat-
ment。Thusofferedonthestage，itwouldhavebeenhissedoff，andoneofBelasco\'sthrillingmelodramasdemandedinstead。
\"Iwonder，\"saidSam，withaprofoundlythoughtfulexpression，\"ifthecookhasanycoldbeansleftover!\"
HecalledWash，theNegrocook，andfindingthathehadsome，orderedhimtoheatupthepotandmakesomestrongcoffee。ThenwewentintoSam\'sprivateroom，whereheslept，andkepthisarmoury，dogs，andthesad-
dlesofhisfavouritemounts。Hetookthreeorfoursix-
shootersoutofabookcaseandbegantolookthemover，whistling\"TheCowboy\'sLament\"abstractedly。After-
wardheorderedthetwobesthorsesontheranchsaddledandtiedtothehitching-post。
Now，inthefeudbusiness，inallsectionsofthecountry，Ihaveobservedthatinoneparticularthereisadelicatebutstrictetiquettebelonging。Youmustnotmentionthewordorrefertothesubjectinthepresenceofafeudist。
Itwouldbemorereprehensiblethancommentinguponthemoleonthechinofyourrichaunt。Ifound，lateron，thatthereisanotherunwrittenrule，butIthinkthatbelongssolelytotheWest。
Ityetlackedtwohourstosupper-time；butintwentyminutesSamandIwereplungingdeepintothereheatedbeans，hotcoffee，andcoldbeef。
Nothinglikeagoodmealbeforealongride，\"saidSam。\"Eathearty。\"
Ihadasuddensuspicion。
\"Whydidyouhavetwohorsessaddled？\"Iasked。
\"One，two——one，two，\"saidSam。\"Youcancount，can\'tyou？\"
Hismathematicscarriedwithitamomentaryqualmandalesson。Thethoughthadnotoccurredtohimthatthethoughtcouldpossiblyoccurtomenottorideathissideonthatredroadtorevengeandjustice。Itwasthehighercalculus。Iwasbookedforthetrail。Ibegantoeatmorebeans。
Inanhourwesetforthatasteadygallopeastward。
OurhorseswereKentucky-bred，strengthenedbythemesquitegrassofthewest。BenTatum\'ssteedsmayhavebeenswifter，andhehadagoodlead；butifhehadheardthepunctualthudsofthehoofsofthosetrailersofours，bornintheheartoffeudland，hemighthavefeltthatretributionwascreepinguponthehoof-printsofhisdappernags。
IknewthatBenTatum\'scardtoplaywasflight——
flightuntilhecamewithinthesaferterritoryofhisownhenchmenandsupporters。Heknewthatthemanpur-
suinghimwouldfollowthetrailtoanyendwhereitmightlead。
DuringtherideSamtalkedoftheprospectforrain，ofthepriceofbeef，andofthemusicalglasses。Youwouldhavethoughthehadneverhadabrotherorasweetheartoranenemyonearth。Therearesomesub-
jectstoobigevenforthewordsinthe\"Unabridged。\"
Knowingthisphaseofthefeudcode，butnothavingpractiseditsufficiently，Ioverdidthethingbytellingsomeslightlyfunnyanecdotes。Samlaughedatexactlytherightplace——laughedwithhismouth。WhenIcaughtsightofhismouth，IwishedIhadbeenblessedwithenoughsenseofhumourtohavesuppressedthoseanecdotes。
OurfirstsightofthemwehadinGuthrie。Tiredandhungry，westumbled，unwashed，intoalittleyellow-pinehotelandsatatatable。Intheoppositecornerwesawthefugitives。Theywerebentupontheirmeal，butlookedaroundattimesuneasily。
Thegirlwasdressedinbrown-oneofthesesmooth，half-shiny，silky-lookingaffairswithlacecollarandcuffs，andwhatIbelievetheycallanaccordion-plaitedskirt。
Sheworeathickbrownveildowntohernose，andabroad-brimmedstrawhatwithsomekindoffeathersadorningit。Themanworeplain，darkclothes，andhishairwastrimmedveryshort。Hewassuchamanasyoumightseeanywhere。
Theretheywere——themurdererandthewomanhehadstolen。Therewewere——therightfulavenger，accordingtothecode，andthesupernumerarywhowritesthesewords。
Foronetime，atleast，intheheartofthesupernumerarythererosethekillinginstinct。Foronemomenthejoinedtheforceofcombatants——orally。
\"Whatareyouwaitingfor，Sam？\"Isaidinawhisper。
\"Lethimhaveitnow!\"
Samgaveamelancholysigh。
\"Youdon\'tunderstand；buthedoes，\"hesaid。\"Heknows。Mr。Tenderfoot，there\'saruleouthereamongwhitemenintheNationthatyoucan\'tshootamanwhenhe\'swithawoman。Ineverknewittobebrokeyet。
Youcan\'tdoit。You\'vegottogethiminagangofmenorbyhimself。That\'swhy。Heknowsit，too。Weallknow。So，that\'sMr。BenTatum!Oneofthe\'prettymen\'!I\'llcuthimoutoftheherdbeforetheyleavethehotel，andregulatehisaccount!\"
Aftersuppertheflyingpairdisappearedquickly-
AlthoughSamhauntedlobbyandstairwayandhallshalfthenight，insomemysteriouswaythefugitiveseludedhim；andinthemorningtheveiledladyinthebrowndresswiththeaccordion-plaitedskirtandthedapperyoungmanwiththeclose-clippedhair，andthebuckboardwiththeprancingnags，weregone。
Itisamonotonousstory，thatoftheride；soitshallbecurtailed。Onceagainweovertookthemonaroad。Wewereaboutfiftyyardsbehind。Theyturnedinthebuckboardandlookedatus；thendroveonwithoutwhippinguptheirhorses。Theirsafetynolongerlayinspeed。BenTatumknew。Heknewthattheonlyrockofsafetylefttohimwasthecode。Thereisnodoubtthat，hadhebeenalone，thematterwouldhavebeensettledquicklywithSamDurkeeintheusualway；
buthehadsomethingathissidethatkeptstillthetrigger-fingerofboth。Itseemedlikelythathewasnocoward。
So，youmayperceivethatwoman，onoccasions，maypostponeinsteadofprecipitatingconflictbetweenmanandman。Butnotwillinglyorconsciously。Sheisobliviousofcodes。
Fivemilesfarther，wecameuponthefuturegreatWesterncityofChandler。Thehorsesofpursuersandpursuedwerestarvedandweary。Therewasonehotelthatoffereddangertomanandentertainmenttobeast；
sothefourofusmetagaininthediningroomattheringingofabellsoresonantandlargethatithadcrackedthewelkinlongago。ThediningroomwasnotaslargeastheoneatGuthrie。
Justaswewereeatingapplepie——howBenDavisesandtragedyimpingeuponeachother!——InoticedSamlookingwithkeenintentnessatourquarrywheretheywereseatedatatableacrosstheroom。Thegirlstillworethebrowndresswithlacecollarandcuffs，andtheveildrawndowntohernose。Themanbentoverhisplate，withhisclosecroppedheadheldlow。
\"There\'sacode，\"IheardSamsay，eithertomeortohimself，\"thatwon\'tletyoushootamaninthecompanyofawoman；but，bythunder，thereain\'tonetokeepyoufromkillingawomaninthecompanyofaman!\"
And，quickerthanmymindcouldfollowhisargument，hewhippedaColt\'sautomaticfromunderhisleftarmandpumpedsixbulletsintothebodythatthebrowndresscovered——thebrowndresswiththelacecollarandcuffsandtheaccordion-plaitedskirt。
Theyoungpersoninthedarksacksuit，fromwhoseheadandfromwhoselifeawoman\'sgloryhadbeenclipped，laidherheadonherarmsstretcheduponthetable；whilepeoplecamerunningtoraiseBenTatumfromthefloorinhisfemininemasqueradethathadgivenSamtheopportunitytosetaside，technically，theobliga-
tionsofthecode。
SUITEHOMESANDTHEIRROMANCE
FEWyoungcouplesintheBig-City-of-BluffbegantheirmarriedexistencewithgreaterpromiseofhappinessthandidMr。andMrs。ClaudeTurpin。Theyfeltnoespecialanimositytowardeachother；theywerecomfort-
ablyestablishedinahandsomeapartmenthousethathadanameandaccommodationslikethoseofasleeping-
car；theywerelivingasexpensivelyasthecoupleonthenextfloorabovewhohadtwicetheirincome；
andtheirmarriagehadoccurredonawager，aferry-
boatandfirstacquaintance，thussecuringasensationalnewspapernoticewiththeirnamesattachedtopicturesoftheQueenofRoumaniaandM。Santos-
Dumont。
Turpin\'sincomewas$200permonth。Onpayday，aftercalculatingtheamountsdueforrent，instalmentsonfurnitureandpiano，gas，andbillsowedtotheflorist，confectioner，milliner，tailor，winemerchantandcabcompany，theTurpinswouldfindthattheystillhad$200
lefttospend。Howtodothisisoneofthesecretsofmetropolitanlife。
ThedomesticlifeoftheTurpinswasabeautifulpicturetosee。Butyoucouldn\'tgazeuponitasyoucouldatanoleographof\"Don\'tWakeGrandma，\"or\"Brook-
lynbyMoonlight。\"
Youhadtoblinkwhenlookedatit；andyouheardafizzingsoundjustlikethemachinewitha\"scope\"attheendofit。Yes；therewasn\'tmuchreposeaboutthepictureoftheTurpins\'domesticlife。Itwassomethinglike\"SpearingSalmonintheColumbiaRiver，\"or\"Jap-
aneseArtilleryinAction。\"
Everydaywasjustlikeanother；asthedaysareinNewYork。InthemorningTurpinwouldtakebromo-
seltzer，hispocketchangefromundertheclock，hishat，nobreakfastandhisdeparturefortheoffice。AtnoonMrs。Turpinwouldgetoutofbedandhumour，putonakimono，airs，andthewatertoboilforcoffee。
Turpinluncheddowntown。Hecamehomeat6
todressfordinner。Theyalwaysdinedout。Theystrayedfromthechop-housetochop-sueydom，fromterracetotabled\'h魌e，fromrathskellertoroadhouse，fromcaf？tocasino，fromMaria\'stotheMarthaWash-
ington。Suchisdomesticlifeinthegreatcity。Yourvineisthemistletoe；yourfigtreebearsdates。YourhouseholdgodsareMercuryandJohnHowardPayne。
Fortheweddingmarchyounowhearonly\"ComewiththeGypsyBride。\"Yourarelydineatthesameplacetwiceinsuccession。Youtireofthefood；and，besides，youwanttogivethemtimeforthequestionofthatsouve-
nirsilversugarbowltoblowover。
TheTurpinswerethereforehappy。Theymademanywarmanddelightfulfriends，someofwhomtheyremem-
beredthenextday。Theirhomelifewasanidealone，accordingtotherulesandregulationsoftheBookofBluff。
TherecameatimewhenitdawneduponTurpinthathiswifewasgettingawaywithtoomuchmoney。
Ifyoubelongtothenear-swellclassintheBigCity，andyourincomeis$200permonth，andyoufindattheendofthemonth，afterlookingoverthebillsforcurrentexpenses，thatyou，yourself，havespent$150，youverynaturallywonderwhathasbecomeoftheother$50。
Soyoususpectyourwife。Andperhapsyougiveherahintthatsomethingneedsexplanation。
\"Isay，Vivien，\"saidTurpin，oneafternoonwhentheywereenjoyinginraptsilencethepeaceandquietoftheircozyapartment，\"you\'vebeencreatingahiatusbigenoughforadogtocrawlthroughinthismonth\'shon-
orarium。Youhaven\'tbeenpayingyourdressmakeranythingonaccount，haveyou？\"
Therewasamoment\'ssilence。Nosoundscouldbeheardexceptthebreathingofthefoxterrier，andthesubdued，monotonoussizzlingofVivien\'sfulvouslocksagainsttheinsensatecurlingirons。ClaudeTurpin，sittinguponapillowthathehadthoughtfullyplacedupontheconvolutionsoftheapartmentsofa，narrowlywatchedtheriante，lovelyfaceofhiswife。
\"Claudie，dear，\"saidshe，touchingherfingertoherrubytongueandtestingtheunresponsivecurlingirons，\"youdomeaninjustice。Mme。Toinettehasnotseenacentofminesincethedayyoupaidyourtailortendollarsonaccount。\"
Turpin\'ssuspicionswereallayedforthetime。Butonedaysoontherecameananonymouslettertohimthatread:
\"Watchyourwife。Sheisblowinginyourmoneysecretly。Iwasasuffererjustasyouare。TheplaceisNo。345BlankStreet。Awordtothewise，etc。
\"AMANWHOKNOWS\"
Turpintookthislettertothecaptainofpoliceoftheprecinctthathelivedin。
\"Myprecinctisascleanasahound\'stooth，\"saidthecaptain。\"Thelid\'sshutdownasclosethereasitisovertheeyeofaWilliamsburggirlwhenshe\'skissedataparty。Butifyouthinkthere\'sanythingqueerattheaddress，I\'llgotherewithye。\"
Onthenextafternoonat3，TurpinandthecaptaincreptsoftlyupthestairsofNo。345BlankStreet。A
dozenplain-clothesmen，dressedinfullpoliceuniforms，soastoallaysuspicion，waitedinthehallbelow。
Atthetopofthestairswasadoor，whichwasfoundtobelocked。Thecaptaintookakeyfromhispocketandunlockedit。Thetwomenentered。
Theyfoundthemselvesinalargeroom，occupiedbytwentyortwenty-fiveelegantlyclothedladies。Racingchartshungagainstthewalls，atickerclickedinonecorner；withatelephonereceivertohisearamanwascallingoutthevariouspositionsofthehorsesinaveryexcitingrace。Theoccupantsoftheroomlookedupattheintruders；but，asifreassuredbythesightofthecaptain\'suniform，theyrevertedtheirattentiontothemanatthetelephone。
\"Yousee，\"saidthecaptaintoTurpin，\"thevalueofananonymousletter!Nohigh-mindedandself-respect-
inggentlemanshouldconsideroneworthyofnotice。
Isyourwifeamongthisassembly，Mr。Turpin？\"
\"Sheisnot，\"saidTurpin。
\"Andifshewas，\"continuedthecaptain，\"wouldshebewithinthereachofthetongueofslander？TheseladiesconstituteaBrowningSociety。Theymeettodiscussthemeaningofthegreatpoet。ThetelephoneisconnectedwithBoston，whencetheparentsocietytransmitsfrequentlyitsinterpretationsofthepoems。Beashamedofyersuspicions，Mr。Turpin。\"
\"Gosoakyourshield，\"saidTurpin。\"Vivienknowshowtotakecareofherselfinapool-room。She\'snotdroppinganythingontheponies。Theremustbesome-
thingqueergoingonhere。\"
\"NothingbutBrowning，\"saidthecaptain。\"Hearthat？\"
\"Thanatopsisbyanose，\"drawledthemanatthetelephone。
\"That\'snotBrowning；that\'sLongfellow，\"saidTurpin，whosometimesreadbooks。
\"Backtothepasture!\"exclaimedthecaptain。\"long-
fellowmadethepacing-to-wagonrecordof7。53\'waybackin1868。\"
\"Ibelievethere\'ssomethingqueeraboutthisjoint，\"
repeatedTurpin。
\"Idon\'tseeit，\"saidthecaptain。
\"Iknowitlookslikeapool-room，allright，\"persistedTurpin，\"butthat\'sallablind。Vivienhasbeendroppingalotofcoinsomewhere。Ibelievethere\'ssomeunder-
handedworkgoingonhere。\"
Anumberofracingsheetsweretackedclosetogether，coveringalargespaceononeofthewalls。Turpin，suspicious，toreseveralofthemdown。Adoor，pre-
viouslyhidden，wasrevealed。Turpinplacedaneartothecrackandlistenedintently。Heheardthesofthumofmanyvoices，lowandguardedlaughter，andasharp，metallicclickingandscrapingasiffromamultitudeoftinybutbusyobjects。
\"MyGod!ItisasIfeared!\"whisperedTurpintohimself。\"Summonyourmenatonce!\"hecalledtothecaptain。\"Sheisinthere，Iknow。\"
Attheblowingofthecaptain\'swhistletheuniformedplain-clothesmenrushedupthestairsintothepool-
room。Whentheysawthebettingparaphernaliadistrib-
utedaroundtheyhalted，surprisedandpuzzledtoknowwhytheyhadbeensummoned。
Butthecaptainpointedtothelock-eddoorandbadethembreakitdown。Inafewmomentstheydemolisheditwiththeaxestheycarried。IntotheotherroomsprangClaudeTurpin，withthecaptainathisheels。
ThescenewasonethatlingeredlonginTurpin\'smind。Nearlyascoreofwomen——womenexpensivelyandfashionablyclothed，manybeautifulandofrefinedappearance——hadbeenseatedatlittlemarble-toppedtables。Whenthepoliceburstopenthedoortheyshriekedandranhereandtherelikegaylyplumedbirdsthathadbeendisturbedinatropicalgrove。Somebecamehysterical；oneortwofainted；severalkneltatthefeetoftheofficersandbesoughtthemformercyonaccountoftheirfamiliesandsocialposition。
AmanwhohadbeenseatedbehindadeskhadseizedarollofcurrencyaslargeastheankleofaParadiseRoofGardenschorusgirlandjumpedoutofthewindow。
Halfadozenattendantshuddledatoneendoftheroom，breathlessfromfear。
Uponthetablesremainedthedamningandincon-
trovertibleevidencesoftheguiltofthehabitu閑softhatsinisterroom——dishafterdishheapedhighwithicecream，andsurroundedbystacksofemptyones，scrapedtothelastspoonful。
\"Ladies，\"saidthecaptaintohisweepingcircleofprisoner\"I\'llnotholdanyofyez。SomeofyezIrecog-
nizeashavingfinehousesandgoodstandinginthecommunity，withhard-workinghusbandsandchilderathome。ButI\'llreadyeabitofalecturebeforeyego。
Inthenextroomthere\'sa20-to-1shotjustdroppedinunderthewirethreelengthsaheadofthefield。Isthisthewayyewasteyourhusbands\'moneyinsteadofhelp-
ingearnit？Homewidyez!Thelid\'sontheice-creamfreezerinthisprecinct。\"
ClaudeTurpin\'swifewasamongthepatronsoftheraidedroom。Heledhertotheirapartmentinstemsilence。Theresheweptsoremorsefullyandbesoughthisforgivenesssopleadinglythatheforgothisjustanger，andsoonhegatheredhispenitentgolden-hairedVivieninhisarmsandforgaveher。
\"Darling，\"shemurmured，halfsobbingly，asthemoon-
lightdriftedthroughtheopenwindow，glorifyinghersweet，upturnedface，\"IknowIdonewrong。Iwillnevertouchicecreamagain。Iforgotyouwerenotamillionaire。Iusedtogothereeveryday。Butto-dayIfeltsomestrange，sadpresentimentofevil，andIwasnotmyself。Iateonlyelevensaucers。\"
\"Saynomore，\"saidClaude，gentlyashefondlycaressedherwavingcurls。
\"Andyouaresurethatyoufullyforgiveme？\"askedVivien，gazingathimentreatinglywithdewyeyesofheavenlyblue。
\"Almostsure，littleone，\"answeredClaude，stoopingandlightlytouchinghersnowyforeheadwithhislips。
\"I\'llletyouknowlateron。I\'vegotamonth\'ssalarydownonVanillatowinthethree-year-oldsteeplechaseto-morrow；andiftheice-creamhunchistothegoodyouareItagain——see？\"
THEWHIRLIGIGOFLIFE
JUSTICE-OF-THE-PEACEBenajaWiddupsatinthedoorofhisofficesmokinghiselder-stempipe。Half-
waytothezeniththeCumberlandrangeroseblue-grayintheafternoonhaze。Aspeckledhenswaggereddownthemainstreetofthe\"settlement，\"cacklingfoolishly。
Uptheroadcameasoundofcreakingaxles，andthenaslowcloudofdust，andthenabull-cartbearingRansieBilbroandhiswife。ThecartstoppedattheJustice\'sdoor，andthetwoclimbeddown。Ransiewasanarrowsixfeetofsallowbrownskinandyellowhair。Theimperturbabilityofthemountainshunguponhimlikeasuitofarmour。Thewomanwascalicoed，angled，snuff-brushed，andwearywithunknowndesires。Throughitallgleamedafaintprotestofcheatedyouthunconsciousofitsloss。
TheJusticeofthePeaceslippedhisfeetintohisshoes，forthesakeofdignity，andmovedtoletthementer。
\"We-all，\"saidthewoman，inavoicelikethewindblowingthroughpineboughs，\"wantsadivo\'ce。\"ShelookedatRansietoseeifhenotedanyflaworambiguityorevasionorpartialityorself-partisanshipinherstate-
mentoftheirbusiness。
\"Adivo\'ce，\"repeatedRansie，withasolemnDod。
\"We-allcan\'tgitalongtogethernohow。It\'slonesomeenoughfurtoliveinthemount\'inswhenamanandawomankeersfuroneanother。Butwhenshe\'sa-spittin\'
likeawildcatora-sullenin\'likeahoot-owlinthecabin，amanain\'tgotnocalltolivewithher。\"
\"Whenhe\'sano-\'countvarmint，\"saidthewoman，\"withoutanyespecialwarmth，a-traipsin\'alongofscalawagsandmoonshinersanda-layin\'onhisbackpizen\'ithco\'nwhiskey，anda-pesterin\'folkswithapacko\'hungry，triflin\'houn\'stofeed!\"
\"Whenshekeepsa-throwin\'skilletlids，\"cameRansie\'santiphony，\"andslingsb\'ilin\'wateronthebestcoon-dogintheCumberlands，andsetsherselfagin\'cookin\'aman\'svictuals，andkeepshimawakeo\'nightsaccusin\'himofasightofdoin\'s!\"
\"Whenhe\'sal\'aysa-fightin\'therevenues，andgitsahardnameinthemount\'insfurameanman，who\'sgwinetobeablefurtosleepo\'nights？\"
TheJusticeofthePeacestirreddeliberatelytohisduties。Heplacedhisonechairandawoodenstoolforhispetitioners。Heopenedhisbookofstatutesonthetableandscannedtheindex。Presentlyhewipedhisspectaclesandshiftedhisinkstand。
\"Thelawandthestatutes，\"saidhe，\"airsilentonthesubjeckofdivo\'ceasfurasthejurisdictionofthisco\'tairconcerned。But，accordin\'toequityandtheCon-
stitutionandthegoldenrule，it\'sabadbarg\'inthatcan\'trunbothways。Ifajusticeofthepeacecanmarryacouple，it\'splainthatheisboundtobeabletodivo\'ce\'em。Thishereofficewillissueadecreeofdivo\'ceandabidebythedecisionoftheSupremeCo\'ttoholditgood。\"
RansieBilbrodrewasmalltobacco-bagfromhistrouserspocket。Outofthisheshookuponthetableafive-dollarnote。\"Soldab\'arskinandtwofoxesfurthat，\"heremarked。\"It\'sallthemoneywegot。\"
\"Theregularpriceofadivo\'ceinthisco\'t，\"saidtheJustice，\"airfivedollars。\"Hestuffedthebillintothepocketofhishomespunvestwithadeceptiveairofindiffer-
ence。Withmuchbodilytoilandmentaltravailhewrotethedecreeuponhalfasheetoffoolscap，andthencopieditupontheother。RansieBilbroandhiswifelistenedtohisreadingofthedocumentthatwastogivethemfreedom:
\"KnowallmenbythesepresentsthatRansieBilbroandhiswife，ArielaBilbro，thisdaypersonallyappearedbeforemeandpromisesthathereinaftertheywillneitherlove，honour，norobeyeachother，neitherforbetternorworse，beingofsoundmindandbody，andacceptsummonsfordivorceaccordingtothepeaceanddignityoftheState。
Hereinfailnot，sohelpyouGod。BenajaWiddup，justiceofthepeaceinandforthecountyofPiedmont，StateofTennessee。\"
TheJusticewasabouttohandoneofthedocumentstoRansie。ThevoiceofArieladelayedthetransfer。
Bothmenlookedather。Theirdullmasculinitywasconfrontedbysomethingsuddenandunexpectedinthewoman。
\"Judge，don\'tyougivehimthatairpaperyit。\'Tain\'tallsettled，nohow。Igottohavemyrightsfirst。I
gottohavemyali-money。\'Tain\'tnokindofawaytodofuramantodivo\'cehiswife\'thoutherhavin\'acentfurtodowith。I\'ma-layin\'offtobea-goin\'uptobrotherEd\'suponHogbackMount\'in。I\'mboundfurtohevapa\'rofshoesandsomesnuffandthingsbesides。EfRancekinaffo\'dadivo\'ce，lethimpaymeali-money。\"
RansieBilbrowasstrickentodumbperplexity。Therehadbeennoprevioushintofalimony。Womenwerealwaysbringingupstartlingandunlooked-forissues。
JusticeBenajaWiddupfeltthatthepointdemandedjudicialdecision。Theauthoritieswerealsosilentonthesubjectofalimony。Butthewoman\'sfeetwerebare。
ThetrailtoHogbackMountainwassteepandflinty。
\"ArielaBilbro，\"heasked，inofficialtones，\"howmuchdidyou\'lowwouldbegoodandsufficientali-moneyinthecasebefo\'theco\'t。\"
\"I\'lowed，\"sheanswered，\"furtheshoesandall，tosayfivedollars。Thatain\'tmuchfurali-money，butIreckonthat\'llgitmetoupbrotherEd\'s。\"
\"Theamount，\"saidtheJustice，\"airnotonreasonable。
RansieBilbro，youairorderedbytheco\'ttopaytheplain-
tiffthesumoffivedollarsbefo\'thedecreeofdivo\'ceairissued。\"
\"Ihain\'tnomo\'money，\"breathedRansie，heavily。
\"IdonepaidyouallIhad。\"
\"Otherwise，\"saidtheJustice，lookingseverelyoverhisspectacles，\"youairincontemptofco\'t。\"
\"Ireckonifyougimmetillto-morrow，\"pleadedthehusband，\"Imoutbeabletorakeorscrapeitupsomewhars。Ineverlookedfortobea-payin\'noali-
money。\"
\"Thecaseairadjourned，\"saidBenajaWiddup，\"tillto-morrow，whenyou-allwillpresentyo\'selvesandobeytheorderoftheco\'t。Followin\'ofwhichthedecreesofdivo\'cewillbedelivered。\"Hesatdowninthedoorandbegantoloosenashoestring。
\"WemoutaswellgodowntoUncleZiah\'s，\"decidedRansie，\"andspendthenight。\"Heclimbedintothecartononeside，andArielaclimbedinontheother。
Obeyingtheflapofhisrope，thelittleredbullslowlycamearoundonatack，andthecartcrawledawayinthenimbusarisingfromitswheels。
Justice-of-the-peaceBenajaWiddupsmokedhiselder-
stempipe。Lateintheafternoonhegothisweeklypaper，andreadituntilthetwilightdimmeditslines。Thenhelitthetallowcandleonhistable，andreaduntilthemoonrose，markingthetimeforsupper。Helivedinthedoublelogcabinontheslopenearthegirdledpoplar。
Goinghometosupperhecrossedalittlebranchdarkenedbyalaurelthicket。Thedarkfigureofamansteppedfromthelaurelsandpointedarifleathisbreast。Hishatwaspulleddownlow，andsomethingcoveredmostofhisface。
\"Iwantyo\'money，\"saidthefigure，\"\'thoutanytalk。
I\'mgettin\'nervous，andmyfinger\'sa-wabblin\'onthisheretrigger。\"
\"I\'veonlygotf-f-fivedollars，\"saidtheJustice，pro-
ducingitfromhisvestpocket。
\"Rollitup，\"cametheorder，\"andstickitintheendofthisheregun-bar\'l。\"
Thebillwascrispandnew。Evenfingersthatwereclumsyandtremblingfoundlittledifficultyinmakingaspillofitandinsertingit(thiswithlessease)intothemuzzleoftherifle。
\"NowIreckonyoukinbegoin\'along，\"saidtherobber。
TheJusticelingerednotonhisway。
Thenextdaycamethelittleredbull，drawingthecarttotheofficedoor。JusticeBenajaWidduphadhisshoeson，forhewasexpectingthevisit。InhispresenceRansieBilbrohandedtohiswifeafive-dollarbill。Theofficial\'seyesharplyviewedit。Itseemedtocurlupasthoughithadbeenrolledandinsertedintotheendofagun-barrel。
ButtheJusticerefrainedfromcomment。Itistruethatotherbillsmightbeinclinedtocurl。Hehandedeachoneadecreeofdivorce。Eachstoodawkwardlysilent，slowlyfoldingtheguaranteeoffreedom。ThewomancastashyglancefullofconstraintatRansie。
\"Ireckonyou\'llbegoin\'backuptothecabin，\"shesaid，along\'iththebull-cart。There\'sbreadinthetinboxsettin\'ontheshelf。Iputthebaconintheb\'ilin\'-pottokeepthehoundsfromgittin\'it。Don\'tforgettowindtheclockto-night。\"
\"Youaira-goin\'toyourbrotherEd\'s？\"askedRansie，withfineunconcern。
\"Iwas\'lowin\'togetalonguptharaforenight。I
ain\'tsayin\'asthey\'llpestertheyselvesanytomakemewelcome，butIhain\'tnowharelsefurtogo。It\'sarightsmartways，andIreckonIbetterbegoin\'。I\'llbea-sayin\'
good-bye，Ranse-thatis，ifyoukeerfurtosayso。\"
\"Idon\'tknowasanybody\'sahounddog，\"saidRansie，inamartyr\'svoice，\"furtonotwanttosaygood-bye——
\'lessyouairsoanxioustogitawaythatyoudon\'twantmetosayit。\"
Arielawassilent。Shefoldedthefive-dollarbillandherdecreecarefully，andplacedtheminthebosomofherdress。BenajaWiddupwatchedthemoneydisappearwithmournfuleyesbehindhisspectacles。
Andthenwithhisnextwordsheachievedrank(ashisthoughtsran)witheitherthegreatcrowdoftheworld\'ssympathizersorthelittlecrowdofitsgreatfinanciers。
\"Bekindo\'lonesomeintheoldcabinto-night，Ranse，\"
hesaid。
RansieBilbrostaredoutattheCumberlands，clearbluenowinthesunlight。HedidnotlookatAriela。
\"I\'lowitmightbelonesome，\"hesaid；\"butwhenfolksgitsmadandwantsadivo\'ce，youcan\'tmakefolksstay。\"
\"There\'sotherswantedadivo\'ce，\"saidAriela，speakingtothewoodenstool。\"Besides，nobodydon\'twantno-
bodytostay。\"
\"Nobodyneversaidtheydidn\'t。\"
\"Nobodyneversaidtheydid。IreckonIbetterstartonnowtobrotherEd\'s。\"
\"Nobodycan\'twindthatoldclock。\"
\"Wantmetogobackalong\'ithyouinthecartandwinditfuryou，Ranse？\"
Themountaineer\'scountenancewasproofagainstemotion。ButhereachedoutabighandandenclosedAriela\'sthinbrownone。Hersoulpeepedoutoncethroughherimpassiveface，hallowingit。
\"Themhoundsshan\'tpesteryounomore，\"saidRansie。\"IreckonIbeenmeanandlowdown。Youwindthatclock，Ariela。\"
\"Myhearthit\'sinthatcabin，Ranse，\"shewhispered，\"along\'ithyou。Iai\'nta-goin\'togitmadnomore。Le\'sbestartin\'，Ranse，so\'swekingithomebysundown。\"
Justice-of-the-peaceBenajaWiddupinterposedastheystartedforthedoor，forgettinghispresence。
\"InthenameoftheStateofTennessee，\"hesaid，\"I
forbidyou-alltobea-defyin\'ofitslawsandstatutes。
