Thisco\'tismo\'thanwillin\'andfullofjoytoseethecloudsofdiscordandmisunderstandin\'rollin\'awayfromtwolovin\'hearts，butitairthedutyoftheco\'ttop\'eservethemoralsandintegrityoftheState。Theco\'tremindsyouthatyouairnolongermanandwife，butairdivo\'cedbyregulardecree，andassuchairnotentitledtothebenefitsand\'purtenancesofthemattermonalestate。\"
ArielacaughtRansie\'sarm。Didthosewordsmeanthatshemustlosehimnowwhentheyhadjustlearnedthelessonoflife？
\"Buttheco\'tairprepared，\"wentontheJustice，\"furtoremovethedisabilitiessetupbythedecreeofdivo\'ce。
Theco\'taironhandtoperformthesolemnceremonyofmarri\'ge，thusfixin\'thingsupandenablin\'thepartiesinthecasetoresumethehonour\'bleandelevatin\'stateofmattermonywhichtheydesires。Thefeefurper-
formin\'saidceremonywillbe，inthiscase，towit，fivedollars。\"
Ariclacaughtthegleamofpromiseinhiswords。
Swiftlyherhandwenttoherbosom。FreelyasanalightingdovethebillflutteredtotheJustice\'stable。
HersallowcheekcolouredasshestoodhandinhandwithRansieandlistenedtothereunitingwords。
Ransiehelpedherintothecart，andclimbedinbesideher。Thelittleredbullturnedoncemore，andtheysetout，hand-clasped，forthemountains。
Justice-of-the-peaceBenajaWiddupsatinhisdoorandtookoffhisshoes。Onceagainhefingeredthebilltuckeddowninhisvestpocket。Onceagainhesmokedhiselder-stempipe。Onceagainthespeck-ledhenswag-
gereddownthemainstreetofthe\"settlement，\"cacklingfoolishly。
ASACRIFICEHIT
TheeditoroftheHearthstoneMagazinehisownideasabouttheselectionofmanuscriptforhispublication。
Histheoryisnosecret；infact，hewillexpoundittoyouwillinglysittingathismahoganydesk，smilingbenignantlyandtappinghiskneegentlywithhisgold-rimmedeye-
glasses。
\"TheHearthstone，\"hewillsay，\"doesnotemployastaffofreaders。Weobtainopinionsofthemanuscriptssubmittedtousdirectlyfromtypesofthevariousclassesofourreaders。\"
Thatistheeditor\'stheory；andthisisthewayhecarriesitout:
WhenabatchofMSS。isreceivedtheeditorstuffseveryoneofhispocketsfullofthemanddistributesthemashegoesaboutduringtheday。Theofficeemployees，thehallporter，thejanitor，theelevatorman，messengerboys，thewaitersatthecaf？wheretheeditorhasluncheon，themanatthenews-standwherehebuyshiseveningpaper，thegrocerandmilkman，theguardonthe5。30uptownelevatedtrain，theticket-chopperatSixty——thstreet，thecookandmaidathishome——
thesearethereaderswhopassuponMSS。sentintotheHearthstoneMagazine。Ifhispocketsarenotentirelyemptiedbythetimehereachesthebosomofhisfamilytheremainingonesarehandedovertohiswifetoreadafterthebabygoestosleep。AfewdayslatertheeditorgathersintheMSS。duringhisregularroundsandcon-
siderstheverdictofhisassortedreaders。
Thissystemofmakingupamagazinehasbeenverysuccessful；andthecirculation，pacedbytheadvertisingrates，ismakingawonderfulrecordofspeed。
TheHearthstoneCompanyalsopublishesbooks，anditsimprintistobefoundonseveralsuccessfulworks——allrecommended，saystheeditor，bytheHearthstone\'8
armyofvolunteerreaders。Nowandthen(accordingtotalkativemembersoftheeditorialstaff)theHearthstonehasallowedmanuscriptstoslipthroughitsfingersontheadviceofitsheterogeneousreaders，thatafterwardprovedtobefamoussellerswhenbroughtoutbyotherhouses。
Forinstance(thegossipssay)，\"TheRiseandFallofSilasLatham\"wasunfavourablypasseduponbytheelevator-man；theoffice-boyunanimouslyrejected\"TheBoss\"；\"IntheBishop\'sCarriage\"wascontemptuouslylookeduponbythestreet-carconductor；\"TheDeliver-
ance\"wasturneddownbyaclerkinthesubscriptiondepartmentwhosewife\'smotherhadjustbegunatwo-
months\'visitathishome；\"TheQueen\'sQuair\"camebackfromthejanitorwiththecomment:\"Soisthebook。\"
ButneverthelesstheHearthstoneadherestoitstheoryandsystem，anditwillneverlackvolunteerreaders；
foreachoneofthewidelyscatteredstaff，fromtheyoungladystenographerintheeditorialofficetothemanwhoshovelsincoal(whoseadversedecisionlosttotheHearth-
stoneCompanythemanuscriptof\"TheUnderWorld\")，hasexpectationsofbecomingeditorofthemagazinesomeday。
ThismethodoftheHearthstonewaswellknowntoAllenSlaytonwhenhewrotehisnoveletteentitled\"LoveIsAll。\"SlaytonhadhungabouttheeditorialofficesofallthemagazinessopersistentlythathewasacquaintedwiththeinnerworkingsofeveryoneinGotham。
HeknewnotonlythattheeditoroftheHearthstonehandedhisMSS。aroundamongdifferenttypesofpeopleforreading，butthatthestoriesofsentimentallove-
interestwenttoMissPuffkin，theeditor\'sstenographer。
Anotheroftheeditor\'speculiarcustomswastoconcealinvariablythenameofthewriterfromhisreadersofMSS。sothataglitteringnamemightnotinfluencethesincerityoftheirreports。
Slaytonmade\"LoveIsAll\"theeffortofhislife。Hegaveitsixmonthsofthebestworkofhisheartandbrain。Itwasapurelove-story，fine，elevated，romantic，passionate——aprosepoemthatsetthedivineblessingoflove(Iamtransposingfromthemanuscript)highaboveallearthlygiftsandhonours，andlisteditinthecatalogueofheaven\'schoicestrewards。Slayton\'sliteraryambitionwasintense。Hewouldhavesacrificedallotherworldlypossessionstohavegainedfameinhischosenart。Hewouldalmosthavecutoffhisrighthand，orhaveofferedhimselftotheknifeoftheappendi-
citisfanciertohaverealizedhisdreamofseeingoneofhiseffortspublishedintheHearthstone。
Slaytonfinished\"LoveIsAll，\"andtookittothyHearthstoneinperson。Theofficeofthemagazinewasinalarge，conglomeratebuilding，presidedunderbyajanitor。
Asthewritersteppedinsidethedooronhiswaytotheelevatorapotatomasherflewthroughthehall，wreck-
ing，Slayton\'shat，andsmashingtheglassofthedoor。
Closelyfollowinginthewakeoftheutensilflewthejanitor，abulky，unwholesomeman，suspenderlessandsordid，panic-strickenandbreathless。Afrowsy，tallwomanwithflyinghairfollowedthemissile。Thejanitor\'sfootslippedonthetiledfloor，hefellinaheapwithanexclamationofdespair。Thewomanpounceduponhimandseizedhishair。Themanbellowedlustily。
Hervengeancewreaked，theviragoroseandstalkedtriumphantasMinerva，backtosomecrypticdomesticretreatattherear。Thejanitorgottohisfeet，blownandhumiliated。
\"Thisismarriedlife，\"hesaidtoSlayton，withacertainbruisedhumour。\"That\'sthegirlIusedtolayawakeofnightsthinkingabout。Sorryaboutyourhat，mister。
Say，don\'tsnitchtothetenantsaboutthis，willyer？
Idon\'twanttolosemejob。\"
SlaytontooktheelevatorattheendofthehallandwentuptotheofficesoftheHearthstone。HelefttheMS。of\"LoveIsAll\"withtheeditor，whoagreedtogive，himananswerastoitsavailabilityattheendofaweek。
Slaytonformulatedhisgreatwinningschemeonhiswaydown。Itstruckhimwithonebrilliantflash，andhecouldnotrefrainfromadmiringhisowngeniusinconceivingtheidea。Thatverynighthesetaboutcarry-
ingitintoexecution。
MissPuffkin，theHearthstonestenographer，boardedinthesamehousewiththeauthor。Shewasanoldish，thin，exclusive，languishing，sentimentalmaid；andSlaytonhadbeenintroducedtohersometimebefore。
Thewriter\'sdaringandself-sacrificingprojectwasthis:HeknewthattheeditoroftheHearthstonereliedstronglyuponMissPuffkin\'sjudgmentinthemanuscriptofromanticandsentimentalfiction。Hertasterepresentedtheimmenseaverageofmediocrewomenwhodevournovelsandstoriesofthattype。Thecentralideaandkeynoteof\"LoveIsAll\"wasloveatfirstsight——theenrapturing，irresistible，soul-thrilling，feelingthatcom-
pelsamanorawomantorecognizehisorherspirit-mateassoonasheartspeakstoheart。SupposeheshouldimpressthisdivinetruthuponMissPuffkinpersonally!——
wouldshenotsurelyindorsehernewandrapturoussensationsbyrecommendinghighlytotheeditoroftheHearthstonethenovelette\"LoveIsAll\"？
Slaytonthoughtso。AndthatnighthetookMissPuffkintothetheatre。Thenextnighthemadevehementlovetoherinthedimparlouroftheboarding-house。Hequotedfreelyfrom\"LoveIsAll\"；andhewoundupwithMissPuffkin\'sheadonhisshoulder，andvisionsofliteraryfamedancinginhishead。
ButSlaytondidnotstopatlove-making。This，hesaidtohimself，wastheturningpointofhislife；and，likeatruesportsman，he\"wentthelimit。\"OnThursdaynightheandMissPuffkinwalkedovertotheBigChurchintheMiddleoftheBlockandweremarried。
BraveSlayton!Chateaubrianddiedinagarret，Byroncourtedawidow，Keatsstarvedtodeath，Poemixedhisdrinks，DeQuinceyhitthepipe，AdelivedinChica-o，Jameskeptondoingit，DicKensworewhitesocks，DeMaupassantworeastrait-jacket，TomWatsonbecameaPopulist，Jeremiahwept，alltheseauthorsdidthesethingsforthesakeofliterature，butthoudidstcapthemall；thoumarriedstawifefortocarveforthyselfanicheinthetempleoffame!
OnFridaymorningMrs。SlaytonsaidshewouldgoovertotheHearthstoneoffice，handinoneortwomanu-
riptsthattheeditorhadgiventohertoread，andresignherpositionasstenographer。
\"Wasthereanything——er——that——er——youparticu-
larlyfanciedinthestoriesyouaregoingtoturnin？\"
askedSlaytonwithathumpingheart。
\"Therewasoneanovelette，thatIlikedsomuch，\"
saidhiswife。\"Ihaven\'treadanythinginyearsthatIthoughtwashalfasniceandtruetolife。\"
ThatafternoonSlaytonhurrieddowntotheHearth-
stoneoffice。Hefeltthathisrewardwascloseathand。
WithanoveletteintheHearthstone，literaryreputationwouldsoonbehis。
Theofficeboymethimattherailingintheouteroffice。Itwasnotforunsuccessfulauthorstoholdpersonalcolloquywiththeeditorexceptatrareintervals。
Slayton，hugginghimselfinternally，wasnursinginhishearttheexquisitehopeofbeingabletocrushtheofficeboywithhisforthcomingsuccess。
Heinquiredconcerninghisnovelette。Theofficeboywentintothesacredprecinctsandbroughtforthalargeenvelope，thickwithmorethanthebulkofathousanddiecks。
\"Thebosstoldmetotellyouhe\'ssorry，\"saidtheboy，\"butyourmanuscriptain\'tavailableforthemagazine。\"
Slaytonstood，dazed。\"Canyoutellme，\"hestammered，\"whetherornoMissPuff——thatismy——ImeanMissruffkin——handedinanovelettethismorningthatshehadbeenaskedtoread？\"
\"Sureshedid，\"answeredtheofficeboywisely。\"I
heardtheoldmansaythatMissPuffkinsaiditwasadaisy。Thenameofitwas，\'MarriedfortheMazuma，oraWorkingGirl\'sTriumph。\'\"
\"Say，you!\"saidtheofficeboyconfidentially，\"yourname\'sSlayton，ain\'tit？IguessImixedcasesonvouwithoutmeanin\'todoit。Thebossgivemesomemanu-
scripttohandaroundtheotherdayandIgottheonesforMissPuffkinandthejanitormixed。Iguessit\'sallright，though。\"
AndthenSlaytonlookedcloserandsawonthecoverofhismanuscript，underthetitle\"LoveIsAll，\"thejanitor\'scommentscribbledwithapieceofcharcoal:
\"The——yousay!\"
THEROADSWETAKE
TWIENTYmilesWestofTucson，the\"SunsetExpress\"
stoppedatatanktotakeonwater。Besidestheaqueous，additiontheengineofthatfamousflyeracquiredsomeotherthingsthatwerenotgoodforit。
Whilethefiremanwasloweringthefeedinghose，BobTidball，\"Shark\"Dodsonandaquarter-bredCreekIndiancalledJohnBigDogclimbedontheengineandshowedtheengineerthreeroundorificesinpiecesofordnancethatthecarried。Theseorificessoimpressedtheengineerwiththeirpossibilitiesthatheraisedbothhandsinagesturesuchasaccompaniestheejaculation\"Dotell!\"
AtthecrispcommandofSharkDodson，whowasleaderoftheattackingforcetheengineerdescendedtothegroundanduncoupledtheengineandtender。
ThenJohnBigDog，percheduponthecoal，sportivelyheldtwogunsupontheenginedriverandthefireman，andsuggestedthattheyruntheenginefiftyyardsawayandthereawaitfurtherorders。
SharkDodsonandBobTidball，scorningtoputsuchlow-gradeoreasthepassengersthroughthemill，struckoutfortherichpocketoftheexpresscar。Theyfoundthemessengersereneinthebeliefthatthe\"SunsetExpress\"wastakingonnothingmorestimulatinganddangerousthanaquapura。WhileBobwasknockingthisideaoutofhisheadwiththebutt-endofhissix-shooterSharkDodsonwasalreadydosingtheexpress-carsafewithdynamite。
Thesafeexplodedtothetuneof$30，000，allgoldandcurrency。Thepassengersthrusttheirheadscasuallyoutofthewindowstolookforthethunder-cloud。Theconductorjerkedatthebell-rope，whichsaggeddownlooseandunresisting，athistug。SharkDodsonandBobTidball，withtheirbootyinastoutcanvasbag，tumbledoutoftheexpresscarandranawkwardlyintheirhigh-heeledbootstotheengine。
Theengineer，sullenlyangrybutwise，rantheengine，accordingtoorders，rapidlyawayfromtheinerttrain。
Butbeforethiswasaccomplishedtheexpressmessenger，recoveredfromBobTidball\'spersuadertoneutrality，jumpedoutofhiscarwithaWinchesterrifleandtookatrickinthegame。Mr。JohnBigDog，sittingonthecoaltender，unwittinglymadeawrongleadbygivinganimitationofatarget，andthemessengertrumpedhim。
WithaballexactlybetweenhisshoulderbladestheCreekchevalierofindustryrolledofftotheground，thusincreasingtheshareofhiscomradesinthelootbyone-sixtheach。
Twomilesfromthetanktheengineerwasorderedtostop。
Therobberswavedadefiantadieuandplungeddownthesteepslopeintothethickwoodsthatlinedthetrack。
Fiveminutesofcrashingthroughathicketofchapparalbroughtthemtoopenwoods，wherethreehorsesweretiedtolow-hangingbranches。OnewaswaitingforJohnBigDog，whowouldneverridebynightordayagain。
Thisanimaltherobbersdivestedofsaddleandbridleandsetfree。Theymountedtheothertwowiththebagacrossonepommel，androdefastandwithdiscre-
tionthroughtheforestandupaprimeval，lonelygorge。
HeretheanimalthatboreBobTidballslippedonamossyboulderandbrokeaforeleg。Theyshothimthroughtheheadatonceandsatdowntoholdacouncilofflight。
Madesecureforthepresentbythetortuoustrailthey-
hadtravelled，thequestionoftimewasnolongersobig。
Manymilesandhourslaybetweenthemandthespryestpossethatcouldfollow。SharkDodson\'shorse，withtrailingropeanddroppedbridle，pantedandcroppedthankfullyofthegrassalongthestreaminthegorge。
BobTidballopenedthesack，drewoutdoublehandfulsoftheneatpackagesofcurrencyandtheonesackofgoldandchuckledwiththegleeofachild。
\"Say，youolddouble-deckedpirate，\"hecalledjoyfullytoDodson，\"yousaidwecoulddoit——yougotaheadforfinancingthatknocksthehornsoffofanythinginArizona。\"
\"Whatarewegoingtodoaboutahossforyou，Bob？
Weain\'tgotlongtowaithere。They\'llbeonourtrailbeforedaylightinthemornin\'。\"
\"Oh，Iguessthatcayuseofyourn\'llcarrydoubleforawhile，\"answeredthesanguineBob。\"We\'llannexthefirstanimalwecomeacross。Byjingoes，wemadeahaul，didn\'twe？Accordin\'tothemarksonthismoneythere\'s$30，000——$15，000apiece!\"
\"It\'sshortofwhatIexpected，\"saidSharkDodson，kickingsoftlyatthepackageswiththetoeofhisbootandthenhelookedpensivelyatthewetsidesofhistiredhorse。
\"OldBolivar\'smightynighplayedout，\"hesaid，slowly。\"Iwishthatsorrelofyourshadn\'tgothurt。\"
\"SodoI，\"saidBob，heartily，\"butitcan\'tbehelped。
Bolivar\'sgotplentyofbottom——he\'llgetusbothfarenoughtogetfreshmounts。Dangit，Shark，Ican\'tbelpthinkin\'howfunnyitisthatanEasternerlikeyoucancomeouthereandgiveusWesternfellowscardsandspadesinthedesperadobusiness。WhatpartoftheEastwasyoufrom，anyway？\"
\"NewYorkState，\"saidSharkDodson，sittingdownonaboulderandchewingatwig。\"IwasbornonafarminUlsterCounty。IranawayfromhomewhenIwasseventeen。ItwasanaccidentmycomingWest。Iwaswalkin\'alongtheroadwithmyclothesinabundle，makin\'forNewYorkCity。Ihadanideaofgoin\'thereandmakin\'lotsofmoney。IalwaysfeltlikeIcoulddoit。Icametoaplaceoneevenin\'wheretheroadforkedandIdidn\'tknowwhichforktotake。I
studiedaboutitforhalfanhour，andthenItooktheleft-
hand。ThatnightIrunintothecampofaWildWestshowthatwastravellin\'amongthelittletowns，andIwentWestwithit。I\'veoftenwonderedifI
wouldn\'thaveturnedoutdifferentifI\'dtooktheotherroad。\"
\"Oh，Ireckonyou\'dhaveendedupaboutthesame，\"
saidBobTidball，cheerfullyphilosophical。\"Itain\'ttheroadswetake；it\'swhat\'sinsideofusthatmakesusturnoutthewaywedo。\"
SharkDodsongotupandleanedagainstatree。
\"I\'dagooddealratherthatsorrelofyournhadn\'thurthimself，Bob，\"hesaidagain，almostpathetically。
\"Samehere，\"agreedBob；\"hewassureafirst-ratekindofacrowbait。ButBolivar，he\'llpullusthroughallright。Reckonwe\'dbetterbemovin\'on，hadn\'twe，Shark？I\'llbagthisboodleag\'inandwe\'llhitthetrailforhighertimber。\"
BobTidballreplacedthespoilinthebagandtiedthemouthofittightlywithacord。WhenhelookedupthemostprominentobjectthathesawwasthemuzzleofSharkDodson\'s。45helduponhimwithoutawaver。
\"Stopyourfunnin\'，\"saidBob，withagrin。\"Wegottobehittin\'thebreeze。\"
\"Setstill，\"saidShark。\"Youain\'tgoin\'tohitnobreeze，Bob。Ihatetotellyou，butthereain\'tanychanceforbutoneofus。Bolivar，he\'splentytired，andhecan\'tcarrydouble。\"
\"Webeenpards，meandyou，SharkDodson，forthreeyear，\"Bobsaidquietly。\"We\'veriskedourlivestogethertimeandagain。I\'vealwaysgiveyouasquaredeal，andIthoughtyouwasaman。I\'veheardsomequeerstoriesaboutyoushootin\'oneortwomeninapeculiarway，butIneverbelieved\'em。Nowifyou\'rejusthavin\'
alittlefunwithme，Shark，putyourgunup，andwe\'llgetonBolivarandvamose。Ifyoumeantoshoot——
shoot，youblackheartedsonofatarantula!\"
SharkDodson\'sfaceboreadeeplysorrowfullook。
\"Youdon\'tknowhowbadIfeel，\"hesighed，\"aboutthatsorrelofyournbreakin\'hisleg，Bob。\"
TheexpressiononDodson\'sfacechangedinaninstanttooneofcoldferocitymingledwithinexorablecupidity。
Thesoulofthemanshoweditselfforamomentlikeanevilfaceinthewindowofareputablehouse。
TrulyBobTidballwasneverto\"hitthebreeze\"again。
Thedeadly。45ofthefalsefriendcrackedandfilledthegorgewitharoarthatthewallshurledbackwithindignantechoes。AndBolivar，unconsciousaccomplice，swiftlyboreawaythelastoftheholders-upofthe\"SunsetExpress，\"notputtothestressof\"carryingdouble。\"
Butas\"Shark\"Dodsongallopedawaythewoodsseemedtofadefromhisview；therevolverinhisrighthandturnedtothecurvedarmofamahoganychair；hissaddlewasstrangelyupholstered，andheopenedhiseyesandsawhisfeet，notinstirrups，butrestingquietlyontheedgeofaquartered-oakdesk。
IamtellingyouthatDodson，ofthefirmofDodson&Decker，WallStreetbrokers，openedhiseyes。Peabody，theconfidentialclerk，wasstandingbyhischair，hesitatingtospeak。Therewasaconfusedhumofwheelsbelow，andthesedativebuzzofanelectricfan。
\"Ahem!Peabody，\"saidDodson，blinking。\"Imusthavefallenasleep。Ihadamostremarkabledream。
Whatisit，Peabody？\"
\"Mr。Williams，sir，ofTracy&Williams，isoutside。
HehascometosettlehisdealinX。Y。Z。Themarketcaughthimshort，sir，ifyouremember。\"
\"Yes，Iremember。WhatisX。Y。Z。quotedatto-day，Peabody？\"
\"Oneeighty-five，sir。\"
\"Thenthat\'shisprice。\"
\"Excuseme，\"saidPeabody，rathernervously\"forspeakingofit，butI\'vebeentalkingtoWilliams。He\'sanoldfriendofyours，Mr。Dodson，andyoupracticallyhaveacornerinX。Y。Z。Ithoughtyoumight——thatis，Ithoughtyoumightnotrememberthathesoldyouthestockat98。Ifhesettlesatthemarketpriceitwilltakeeverycenthehasintheworldandhishometootodelivertheshares。\"
TheexpressiononDodson\'sfacechangedinaninstanttooneofcoldferocitymingledwithinexorablecupidity。
Thesoulofthemanshoweditselfforamomentlikeanevilfaceinthewindowofareputablehouse。
\"Hewillsettleatoneeighty-five，\"saidDodson。
\"Bolivarcannotcarrydouble。\"
ABLACKJACKBARGAINER
ThemostdisreputablethinginYanceyGoree\'slawofficewasGoreehimself，sprawledinhiscreakvoldarm-
chair。Thericketylittleoffice，builtofredbrick，wassetflushwiththestreet——themainstreetofthetownofBethel。
Bethelresteduponthefoot-hillsoftheBlueRidge。
Aboveitthemountainswerepiledtothesky。FarbelowittheturbidCatawbagleamedyellowalongitsdisconsolatevalley。
TheJunedaywasatitssultriesthour。Betheldozedinthetepidshade。Tradewasnot。ItwassostillthatGoree，reclininginhischair，distinctlyheardtheclickingofthechipsinthegrand-juryroom，wherethe\"court-
housegang\"wasplayingpoker。Fromtheopenbackdooroftheofficeawell-wornpathmeanderedacrossthegrassylottothecourt-house。ThetreadingoutofthatpathhadcostGoreeallheeverhad——firstinheritanceofafewthousanddollars，nexttheoldfamilyhome，and，latterlythelastshredsofhisself-respectandmanhood。
The\"gang\"hadcleanedhimout。Thebrokengamblerhadturneddrunkardandparasite；hehadlivedtoseethisdaycomewhenthemenwhohadstrippedhimdeniedhimaseatatthegame。Hiswordwasnolongertobetaken。Thedailyboutsatcardshadarrangeditselfaccordingly，andtohimwasassignedtheignoblepartoftheonlooker。Thesheriff，thecountyclerk，asportivedeputy，agayattorney，andachalk-facedmanhailing\"fromthevalley，\"satattable，andtheshearedonewasthustacitlyadvisedtogoandgrowmorewool。
Soonwearyingofhisostracism，Goreehaddepartedforhisoffice，mutteringtohimselfasheunsteadilytra-
versedtheunluckypathway。Afteradrinkofcornwhiskeyfromademijohnunderthetable，hehadflunghimselfintothechair，staring，inasortofmaudlinapathy，outatthemountainsimmersedinthesummerhaze。
ThelittlewhitepatchhesawawayuponthesideofBlackjackwasLaurel，thevillagenearwhichhehadbeenbornandbred。There，also，wasthebirthplaceofthefeudbetweentheGoreesandtheColtranes。NownodirectheiroftheGoreessurvivedexceptthispluckedandsingedbirdofmisfortune。TotheColtranes，also，butonemalesupporterwasleft——ColonelAbnerCol-
trane，amanofsubstanceandstanding，amemberoftheStateLegislature，andacontemporarywithGoree\'sfather。Thefeudhadbeenatypicaloneoftheregion；
ithadleftaredrecordofhate，wrongandslaughter。
ButYanceyGoreewasnotthinkingoffeuds。Hisbefuddledbrainwashopelesslyattackingtheproblemofthefuturemaintenanceofhimselfandhisfavouritefollies。Oflate，oldfriendsofthefamilyhadseentoitthathehadwhereoftoeatandaplacetosleep——butwhiskeytheywouldnotbuyforhim，andhemusthavewhiskey。
Hislawbusinesswasextinct；nocasehadbeenintrustedtohimintwoyears。Hehadbeenaborrowerandasponge，anditseemedthatifhefellnoloweritwouldbefromlackofopportunity。Onemorechance——hewassayingtohimself——ifhehadonemorestakeatthegame，hethoughthecouldwin；buthehadnothinglefttosell，andhiscreditwasmorethanexhausted。
Hecouldnothelpsmiling，eveninhismisery，ashethoughtofthemantowhom，sixmonthsbefore，hehadsoldtheoldGoreehomestead。Therehadcomefrom\"backyan\'\"inthemountainstwoofthestrangestcreatures，amannamedPikeGarveyandhiswife。\"Backyan\'，\"withawaveofthehandtowardthehills，wasunderstoodamongthemountaineerstodesignatetheremotestfastnesses，theunplumbedgorges，thehauntsoflawbreakers，thewolf\'sden，andtheboudoirofthebear。
InthecabinfaruponBlackjack\'sshoulder，inthewildestpartoftheseretreats，thisoddcouplehadlivedfortwentyyears。Theyhadneitherdognorchildrentomitigatetheheavysilenceofthehills。PikeGarveywaslittleknowninthesettlements，butallwhohaddealtwithhimpronouncedhim\"crazyasaloon。\"Heacknowledgednooccupationsavethatofasquirrelhunter，buthe\"moonshined\"occasionallybywayofdiversion。Oncethe\"revenues\"haddraggedhimfromhislair，fightingsilentlyanddesperatelylikeaterrier，andhehadbeensenttostate\'sprisonfortwoyears。Released，hepoppedbackintohisholelikeanangryweasel。
Fortune，passingovermanyanxiouswooers，madeafreakishflightintoBlackjack\'sboskypocketstosmileuponPikeandhisfaithfulpartner。
Onedayapartyofspectacled，knickerbockered，andaltogetherabsurdprospectorsinvadedthevicinityoftheGarvey\'scabin。Pikeliftedhissquirrelrifleoffthehooksandtookashotatthematlongrangeonthechanceoftheirbeingrevenues。Happilyhemissed，andtheunconsciousagentsofgoodluckdrewnearer，disclosingtheirinnocenceofanythingresemblinglaworjustice。
Lateron，theyofferedtheGarveysanenormousquantityofready，green，crispmoneyfortheirthirty-acrepatchofclearedland，mentioning，asanexcuseforsuchamadaction，someirrelevantandinadequatenonsenseaboutabedofmicaunderlyingthesaidproperty。
WhentheGarveysbecamepossessedofsomanydol-
larsthattheyfalteredincomputingthem，thedeficienciesoflifeonBlackjackbegantogrowprominent。Pikebegantotalkofnewshoes，ahogsheadoftobaccotosetinthecorner，anewlocktohisrifle；and，leadingMartellatoacertainspotonthemountain-side，hepointedouttoherhowasmallcannon——doubtlessathingnotbeyondthescopeoftheirfortuneinprice——
mightbeplantedsoastocommandanddefendthesoleaccessibletrailtothecabin，totheconfusionofrevenuesandmeddlingstrangersforever。
ButAdamreckonedwithouthisEve。Thesethingsrepresentedtohimtheappliedpowerofwealth，butthereslumberedinhisdingycabinanambitionthatsoaredfarabovehisprimitivewants。SomewhereinMrs。Garvey\'sbosomstillsurvivedaspotoffemininityunstarvedbytwentyyearsofBlackjack。Forsolongatimethesoundsinherearshadbeenthescaly-barksdroppinginthewoodsatnoon，andthewolvessingingamongtherocksatnight，anditwasenoughtohavepurgedherofvanities。Shehadgrownfatandsadandyellowanddull。Butwhenthemeanscame，shefeltarekindleddesiretoassumetheperquisitesofhersex——
tositatteatables；tobuyfutilethings；towhitewashthehideousveracityoflifewithalittleformandceremony。
SoshecoldlyvetoedPike\'sproposedsystemoffortifica-
tions，andannouncedthatthevwoulddescendupontheworld，andgyratesocially。
Andthus，atlength，itwasdecided，andthethingdone。ThevillageofLaurelwastheircompromisebetweenMrs。Garvey\'spreferenceforoneofthelargevalleytownsandPike\'shankeringforprimevalsolitudes。
LaurelyieldedahaltingroundoffeeblesocialdistractionsomportablewithMartella\'sambitions，andwasnotentirelywithoutrecommendationtoPike，itscontiguitytothemountainspresentingadvantagesforsuddenretreatincasefashionablesocietyshouldmakeitadvisable。
TheirdescentuponLaurelhadbeencoincidentwithYanceyGoree\'sfeverishdesiretoconvertpropertyintocash，andtheyboughttheoldGoreehomestead，payingfourthousanddollarsreadymoneyintothespendthrift\'sshakinghands。
ThusithappenedthatwhilethedisreputablelastoftheGoreessprawledinhisdisreputableoffice，attheendofhisrow，spurnedbythecronieswhomhehadgorged，strangersdweltinthehallsofhisfathers。
Acloudofdustwasrolling，slowlyuptheparchedstreet，withsomethingtravellinginthemidstofit。A
littlebreezewaftedthecloudtooneside，andanew，brightlypaintedcarryall，drawnbyaslothfulgrayhorse，becamevisible。ThevehicledeflectedfromthemiddleofthestreetasitnearedGoree\'soffice，andstoppedinthegutterdirectlyinfrontofhisdoor。
Onthefrontseatsatagaunt，tallman，dressedinblackbroadcloth，hisrigidhandsincarceratedinyellowkidgloves。OnthebackseatwasaladywhotriumphedovertheJuneheat。Herstoutformwasarmouredinaskintightsilkdressofthedescriptionknownas\"change-
able，\"beingagorgeouscombinationofshiftinghues。
Shesaterect，wavingamuch-omamentedfan，withhereyesfixedstonilyfardownthestreet。HoweverMartellaGarvey\'sheartmightberejoicingatthepleasuresofhernewlife，Blackjackhaddonehisworkwithherexterior。
Hehadcarvedhercountenancetotheimageofemptinessandinanity；hadimbuedherwiththestolidityofhiscrags，andthereserveofhishushedinteriors。Shealwaysseemedtohear，whateverhersurroundingswere，thescaly-barksfallingandpatteringdownthemountain-
side。ShecouldalwaysheartheawfulsilenceofBlack-
jacksoundingthroughthestillestofnights。
Goreewatchedthissolemnequipage，asitdrovetohisdoor，withonlyfaintinterest；butwhenthelankdriverwrappedthereinsabouthiswhip，awkwardlydescended，andsteppedintotheoffice，heroseunsteadilytoreceivehim，recognizingPikeGarvey，thenew，thetransformed，therecentlycivilized。
ThemountaineertookthechairGoreeofferedhim。
TheywhocastdoubtsuponGarvey\'ssoundnessofmindhadastrongwitnessintheman\'scountenance。Hisfacewastoolong，adullsaffroninhue，andimmobileasastatue\'s。Pale-blue，unwinkingroundeyeswithoutlashesaddedtothesingularityofhisgruesomevisage。
Goreewasatalosstoaccountforthevisit。
\"EverythingallrightatLaurel，Mr。Garvey？\"heinquired。
\"Everythingallright，sir，andmightypleasedisMissisGarveyandmewiththeproperty。MissisGarveylikesyo\'oldplace，andshelikestheneighbourhood。Societyiswhatshe\'lowsshewants，andsheisgettin\'ofit。TheRogerses，theHapgoods，thePrattsandtheTroyshevbeentoseeMissisGarvey，andshehevetmealstomostoftharhouses。Thebestfolkshevaxedhertodiffer\'ntkindsofdoin\'s。Icyan\'tsay，Mr。Goree，thatsechthingssuitsme——furme，givemethemthar。\"Garvey\'shuge，yellow-glovedhandflourishedinthedirectionofthemountains。\"That\'swharIb\'long，\'mongstthewildhoneybeesandtheb\'ars。Butthatain\'twhatI
comefurtosay，Mr。Goree。Thar\'ssomethin\'yougotwhatmeandMissisGarveywantstobuy。\"
\"Buy!\"echoedGoree。\"Fromme？\"Thenhelaughedharshly。\"Ireckonyouaremistakenaboutthat。Ireckonyouaremistakenaboutthat。Isoldouttoyou，asyouyourselfexpressedit，\'lock，stockandbarrel。\'Thereisn\'tevenaramrodlefttosell。\"
\"You\'vegotit；andwe\'unswantit。\'Takethemoney，\'saysMissisGarvey，\'andbuyitfa\'randsquared\'。\'\"
Goreeshookhishead。\"Thecupboard\'sbare，\"hesaid。
\"We\'veriz，\"pursuedthemountaineer，undetectedfromhisobject，\"aheap。Wewasporeaspossums，andnowwecouldhevfolkstodinnereveryday。Webeenrecognized，MissisGarveysays，bythebestsociety。
Butthere\'ssomethin\'weneedweain\'tgot。Shesaysitoughttobeenputinthe\'ventoryovthesale，butittain\'tthar。\'Takethemoney，then，\'saysshe，\'andbuyitfa\'randsquar\'。\"\'
\"Outwithit，\"saidGoree，hisrackednervesgrowingimpatient。
Garveythrewhisslouchbatuponthetable，andleanedforward，fixinghisunblinkingevesuponGoree\'s。
\"There\'saoldfeud，\"hesaiddistinctlyandslowly，\"\'tweenyou\'unsandtheColtranes。\"
Goreefrownedominously。Tospeakofhisfeudtoafeudistisaseriousbreachofthemountainetiquette。
Themanfrom\"backyan\'\"knewitaswellasthelawyerdid。
\"Naoffense，\"hewenton\"butpurelyinthewayofbusiness。MissisGarveyhevstudiedallaboutfeuds。
Mostofthequalityfolksinthemountainshev\'em。TheSettlesandtheGoforths，theRankinsandtheBoyds，theSilersandtheGalloways，hevallbeencyarin\'onfeudsf\'omtwentytoahundredyear。Thelastmantodrapwaswhenyo\'uncle，JedgePaisleyGoree，\'journedco\'tandshotLenColtranef\'omthebench。MissisGarveyandme，wecomef\'omthepo\'whitetrash。Nobodywouldn\'tpickafeudwithwe\'uns，nomo\'nwithafam\'lyoftree-toads。Qualitypeopleeverywhar，saysMissisGarvey，hasfeuds。We\'unsain\'tquality，butwe\'reuyin\'intoitasfuraswecan。\'Takethemoney，then，\'
saysMissisGarvey，\'andbuyMr。Goree\'sfeud，fa\'randsquar\'。\'\"
Thesquirrelhunterstraightenedaleghalfacrosstheroom，drewarollofbillsfromhispocket，andthrewthemonthetable。
\"Thar\'stwohundreddollars，Mr。Goree；whatyouwouldcallafa\'rpriceforafeudthat\'sbeen\'lowedtorundownlikeyournhev。Thar\'sonlyyoulefttocyar\'
onyo\'sideofit，andyou\'dmakemightypo\'killin\'。I\'lltakeitoffyo\'hands，andit\'llsetmeandMissisGarveyupamongthequality。Thar\'sthemoney。\"
Thelittlerollofcurrencyonthetableslowlyuntwisteditself，writhingandjumpingasitsfoldsrelaxed。InthesilencethatfollowedGarvey\'slastspeechtherattlingofthepokerchipsinthecourt-housecouldbeplainlyheard。
Goreeknewthatthesheriffhadjustwonapot，forthesubduedwhoopwithwhichhealwaysgreetedavictoryfloatedacrossthesqquareuponthecrinklyheatwaves。
BeadsofmoisturestoodonGoree\'sbrow。Stooping，hedrewthewicker-covereddemijohnfromunderthetable，andfilledatumblerfromit。
\"Alittlecornliquor，Mr。Garvey？Ofcourseyouarejokingaboutwhatyouspokeof？Opensquiteanewmarket，doesn\'tit？Feuds。Prime，two-fiftytothree。Feuds，slightlydamaged——twohundred，I
believeyousaid，Mr。Garvey？\"
Goreelaughedself-consciously。
ThemountaineertooktheglassGoreehandedhim，anddrankthewhiskywithoutatremorofthelidsofhisstaringeyes。Thelawyerapplaudedthefeatbyalookofenviousadmiration。Hepouredhisowndrink，andtookitlikeadrunkard，bygulps，andwithshuddersatthesmellandtaste。
\"Twohundred，\"repeatedGarvey。\"Thar\'sthemoney。\"
AsuddenpassionflaredupinGoree\'sbrain。Hestruckthetablewithhisfist。Oneofthebillsflippedoverandtouchedhishand。Heflinchedasifsomethinghadstunghim。
\"Doyoucometome，\"heshouted，\"seriouslywithsucharidiculous，insulting，darned-foolproposition？\"
\"It\'sfa\'randsquar\'，\"saidthesquirrelhunter，buthereachedouthishandasiftotakebackthemoney；andthenGoreeknewthathisownflurryofragehadnotbeenfromprideorresentment，butfromangerathimself，knowingthathewouldsetfootinthedeeperdepthsthatwerebeingopenedtohim。Heturnedinaninstantfromanoutragedgentlemantoananxiouschaffererrecom-
mendinghisgoods。
\"Don\'tbeinahurry，Garvey，\"hesaid，hisfacecrimsonandhisspeechthick。\"Iacceptyourp-p-proposition，thoughit\'sdirtcheapattwohundred。At-trade\'sallrightwhenbothp-purchaserandb-buyerares-satisfied。
ShallIw-wrapitupforyou，Mr。Garvey？\"
Garveyrose，andshookouthisbroadcloth。\"MissisGarvevwillbepleased。Youairoutofit，anditstandsColtraneandGarvey。Justascrapovwritin\'，Mr。
Goree，youbein\'alawyer，toshowwetraded。\"
Goreeseizedasheetofpaperandapen。Themoneywasclutchedinhismoisthand。Everythingelsesud-
denlyseemedtogrowtrivialandlight。
\"Billofsale，byallmeans。\'Right，title，andinterestinandto\'……\'foreverwarrantand——\'No，Garvey，we\'llhavetoleaveoutthat\'defend，\'\"saidGoreewithaloudlaugh。\"You\'llhavetodefendthistitleyourself。\"
Themountaineerreceivedtheamazingscreedthatthelawyerhandedhim，foldeditwithimmenselabour，andlaceditcarefullyinhispocket。
Goreewasstandingnearthewindow。\"Stephere，said，raisinghisfinger，\"andI\'llshowyouyourrecentlypurchasedenemy。Therehegoes，downtheothersideofthestreet。\"
Themountaineercrookedhislongframetolookthroughthewindowinthedirectionindicatedbytheother。
ColonelAbnerColtrane，anerect，portlygentlemanofaboutfifty，wearingtheinevitablelong，double-breastedfrockcoatoftheSouthernlawmaker，andanoldhighsilkhat，waspassingontheoppositesidewalk。AsGarveylooked，Goreeglancedathisface。Iftherebesuchathingasayellowwolf，herewasitscounterpart。
Garveysnarledashisunhumaneyesfollowedthemovingfigure，disclosinglong，amber-colouredfangs。
\"Isthathim？Why，that\'sthemanwhosentmetothepenitentiaryonce!\"
\"Heusedtobedistrictattorney，\"saidGoreecare-
lessly。\"And，bytheway，he\'safirst-classshot。\"
\"Ikinhitasquirrel\'seyeatahundredyard，\"saidGarvey。\"Sothatthar\'sColtrane!ImadeabettertradethanIwasthinkin\'。I\'lltakekeerovthisfeud，Mr。Goree，better\'nyoueverdid!\"
Hemovedtowardthedoor，butlingeredthere，betray-
ingaslightperplexity。
\"Anythingelseto-day？\"inquiredGoreewithfrothysarcasm。\"Anyfamilytraditions，ancestralghosts，orskeletonsinthecloset？Pricesaslowasthelowest。\"
\"Tharwasanotherthing，\"repliedtheunmovedsquirrelhunter，\"thatMissisGarveywasthinkin\'of。\'Tain\'tsomuchinmylineast\'other，butshewantedpartic\'larthatIshouldinquire，andefyouwaswillin\'，\'payfurit，\'
shesays，\'fa\'randsquar\'。\'Thar\'saburyin\'groun\'，asyouknow，Mr。Goree，intheyardofyo\'oldplace，underthecedars。Themthatliestharisyo\'folkswhatwaskilledbytheColtranes。Themonymentshasthenameson\'em。MissisGarvevsaysafam\'lyburyin\'
groun\'-isasho\'signofquality。Shesaysefwegitthefeudthar\'ssomethin\'elseoughttogowithit。Thenamesonthemmoiivmentsis\'Goree，\'buttheycanbechangedtoournby——\"
\"Go。Go!\"screamedGoree，hisfaceturningpurple。
Hestretchedoutbothhandstowardthemountaineer，hisfingershookedandshaking。\"Go，youghoul!EvenaCh-Chinamanprotectstheg-gravesofhisancestors——go!\"
Thesquirrelhunterslouchedoutofthedoortohiscarryall。WhilehewasclimbingoverthewheelGoreewascollecting，withfeverishcelerity，themoneythathadfallenfromhishandtothefloor。Asthevehicleslowlyturnedabout，thesheep，withacoatofnewlygrownwool，washurrying，inindecenthaste，alongthepathtothecourt-house。
Atthreeo\'clockinthemorningtheybroughthimbacktohisoffice，shornandunconscious。Thesheriff，thesportivedeputy，thecountyclerk，andthegayattorneycarriedhim，thechalk-facedman\"fromthevalley\"
actingasescort。
\"Onthetable，\"saidoneofthem，andtheydepositedhimthereamongthelitterofhisunprofitablebooksandpapers。
\"Yancethinksalotofapairofdeuceswhenhe\'sliquoredup，\"sighedthesheriffreflectively。
\"Toomuch，\"saidthegayattorney。\"Amanhasnobusinesstoplaypokerwhodrinksasmuchashedoes。I
wonderhowmuchhedroppedto-night。\"
\"Closetotwohundred。WhatIwonderiswharhegotit。Yanceain\'thadacentfuroveramonth，I
know。\"
\"Struckaclient，maybe。Well，let\'sgethomebeforedaylight。He\'llbeallrightwhenhewakesup，exceptforasortofbeehiveaboutthecranium。\"
Thegangslippedawaythroughtheearlymorningtwilight。ThenexteyetogazeuponthemiserableGoreewastheorbofday。Hepeeredthroughtheuncurtainedwindow，firstdelugingthesleeperinafloodoffaintgold，butsoonpouringuponthemottledredofhisfleshasearching，white，summerheat。Goreestirred，halfunconsciously，amongthetable\'sd閎ris，andturnedhisfacefromthewindow。Hismovementdislodgedaheavylawbook，whichcrasheduponthefloor。Openinghiseyes，hesaw，bendingoverhim，amaninablackfrockcoat。Lookinghigher，hediscoveredawell-wornsilkhat，andbeneathitthekindly，smoothfaceofColonelAbnerColtrane。
Alittleuncertainoftheoutcome，thecolonelwaitedfortheothertomakesomesignofrecognition。Notintwentyyearshadmalemembersofthesetwofamiliesfacedeachotherinpeace。Goree\'seyelidspuckeredashestrainedhisblurredsighttowardthisvisitor，andthenhesmiledserenely。
\"HaveyoubroughtStellaandLucyovertoplay？\"
hesaidcalmly。
\"Doyouknowme，Yancey？\"askedColtrane。
\"OfcourseIdo。Youbroughtmeawhipwithawhistleintheend。\"
Sohehad——twenty-fouryearsago；whenYancey\'sfatherwashisbestfriend。
Goree\'seyeswanderedabouttheroom。Thecolonelunderstood。\"Liestill，andI\'llbringyousome，\"saidhe。
Therewasapumpintheyardattherear，andGoreeclosedhiseyes，listeningwithrapturetotheclickofitshandle，andthebubblingofthefallingstream。Col-
tranebroughtapitcherofthecoolwater，andhelditforhimtodrink。PresentlyGoreesatup——amostforlornobject，hissummersuitofflaxsoiledandcrumpled，hisdiscreditableheadtousledandunsteady。Hetriedtowaveoneofhishandstowardthecolonel。
\"Ex-excuse-everything，willyou？\"hesaid。\"I
musthavedrunktoomuchwhiskeylastnight，andgonetobedonthetable。\"Hisbrowsknittedintoapuzzledfrown。
\"Outwiththeboysawhile？\"askedColtranekindly。
\"No，Iwentnowhere。Ihaven\'thadadollartospendinthelasttwomonths。Struckthedemijohntoooften。
Ireckon，asusual。\"
ColonelColtranetouchedhimontheshoulder。
\"Alittlewhileago，Yancey，\"hebegan，\"youaskedmeifIhadbroughtStellaandLucyovertoplay。Youweren\'tquiteawakethen，andmusthavebeendreamingyouwereaboyagain。Youareawakenow，andIwantyoutolistentome。IhavecomefromStellaandLucytotheiroldplaymate，andtomyoldfriend\'sson。TheyknowthatIamgoingtobringyouhomewithme，andyouwillfindthemasreadywithawelcomeastheywereintheolddays。Iwantyoutocometomyhouseandstayuntilyouareyourselfaain，andasmuchlongerasyouwill。Weheardofyourbeingdownintheworld，andinthemidstoftemptation，andweagreedthatyoushouldcomeoverandplayatourhouseoncemore。Willyoucome，myboy？Willyoudropouroldfamilytroubleandcomewithme？\"
\"Trouble!\"saidGoree，openinghiseyeswide。\"TherewasneveranytroublebetweenusthatIknowof。I\'msurewe\'vealwaysbeenthebestfriends。But，goodLord，Colonel，howcouldIgotoyourhomeasIam——adrunkenwretch，amiserable，degradedspendthriftandgambler——\"
Helurchedfromthetableintohisarmchair，andbegantoweepmaudlintears，mingledwithgenuinedropsofremorseandshame。Coltranetalkedtohimpersist-
entlyandreasonably，remindinghimofthesimplemoun-
tainpleasuresofwhichhehadoncebeensofond，andinsistinguponthegenuinenessoftheinvitation。
