Hadtheyreallycloseduponherinsomepantheisticembracethatmadeherapartofthem？Hadshebeenbaptizedinthatmoonlightasachildofthegreatforest？Itwaseasytobelieveinthemythsofthepoetsofanidylliclifeunderthosetrees，where，freefromconventionalrestrictions，onelovedandwasloved。Ifshe，withherownworldlyexperience，couldthinkofthisnow，whymightnotGeorgeKearneyhavethought？……Shestopped，andfoundherselfblushingeveninthedarkness。Asthethoughtandblushweretheusualsequelofherreflections，itistobefearedthattheymayhavebeenattimestheimpellingcause。
Mr。Carr，however，madeupforhisdaughters’wantofsympathywithmetropolitanlife。Totheirastonishment，henotonlyplungedintothefashionablegayetiesandamusementsofthetown，butindressandmannerassumedtheroleofaleaderofsociety。Theinvariableanswertotheirhalf—humorouscommentwasthenecessitiesofthemine，andthepolicyoffrequentingthecompanyofcapitalists，toenlisttheirsupportandconfidence。Therewassomethinginthissounliketheirfather，thatwhatatanyothertimetheywouldhavehailedasarelieftohishabitualabstractionnowhalfalarmedthem。Yethewasnotdissipated——hedidnotdrinknorgamble。
Therecertainlydidnotseemanyharminhisfrequentingthesocietyofladies，withagallantrythatappearedtobeforcedandapleasurethattotheircriticaleyeswascertainlyapocryphal。
Hedidnotdraghisdaughtersintothemixedsocietyofthatperiod；hedidnotpressuponthemthecompanyofthosehemostfrequented，andwhoseacceptedpositioninthatlittleworldoffashionwasconsideredequaltotheirown。WhenJessiestronglyobjectedtothepronouncedmannersofacertainwidow，whoseactualpresentwealthandpecuniaryinfluencecondonedforamoreuncertainprehistoricpast，Mr。Carrdidnoturgeafurtheracquaintance。\"Aslongasyou’renotthinkingofmarryingagain，papa，\"Jessiehadsaidfinally，\"Idon’tseethenecessityofourknowingher。\"\"ButsupposeIwere，\"hadrepliedMr。Carrwithaffectedhumor。\"Thenyoucertainlywouldn’tcareforanyonelikeher，\"hisdaughterhadrespondedtriumphantly。Mr。Carrsmiled，anddroppedthesubject，butitisprobablethathisdaughters’
wantofsympathywithhisacquaintancesdidnotintheleastinterferewithhissocialprestige。Agentlemaninallhisrelationsandunderallcircumstances，evenhiscoldscientificabstractionwasprovocative；richmenenviedhisloftyignoranceofthesmallerdetailsofmoney—making，evenwhiletheymistrustedhisjudgment。Amanstillwellpreserved，andfreefromweakeningvices，hewasadangerousrivaltoyoungerandfasterSanFrancisco，intheeyesofthesex，whoknewhowtovalueareposetheydidnotthemselvespossess。
SuddenlyMr。CarrannouncedhisintentionofproceedingtoSacramento，onfurtherbusinessofthemine，leavinghistwodaughtersinthefamilyofawealthyfrienduntilheshouldreturnforthem。HeopposedtheirreadysuggestiontoreturntoDevil’sFordwithanewandunnecessaryinflexibility：heevenmettheircompromisetoaccompanyhimtoSacramentowithequaldecision。
\"Youwillbeonlyinmyway，\"hesaidcurtly。\"Enjoyyourselvesherewhileyoucan。\"
Thuslefttothemselves，theytriedtoaccepthisadvice。Possiblysomeslightreactiontotheirpreviousdisappointmentmayhavealreadysetin；perhapstheyfeltanydistractiontobearelieftotheiranxietyabouttheirfather。Theywentoutmore；theyfrequentedconcertsandparties；theyaccepted，withtheirhostandhisfamily，aninvitationtooneofthoseopulentandbarbaricentertainmentswithwhichanotedSanFranciscomillionairedistractedhisraremomentsofreflectioninhisgorgeouspalaceonthehills。Heretheycouldatleastbeoncemoreinthecountrytheyloved，albeitofamilderandlessheroictype，andalittledegradedbytheoverlappingtinselandscatteredspanglesofthepalace。
Itwasathreedays’fete；thestyleandchoiceofamusementslefttotheguests，andanequalandactiveparticipationbynomeansnecessaryorindispensable。Consequently，whenChristieandJessieCarrproposedaridethroughtheadjacentcanyononthesecondmorning，theyhadnodifficultyinfindinghorsesinthewell—
furnishedstablesoftheiropulententertainers，norcavaliersamongtheotherguests，whoweretoohappytofindfavorintheeyesofthetwoprettygirlswhoweresupposedtobeabnormallyfastidiousandrefined。Christie’sescortwasagood—naturedyoungbanker，shrewdenoughtoavoiddemonstrativeattentions，andluckyenoughtointerestherduringtheridewithhisclearandhalf—
humorousreflectionsonsomeofthebusinessspeculationsoftheday。Ifhisideaswereoccasionallytooclever，andnotalwaysconsistentwithahighsenseofhonor，shewasnonethelessinterestedtoknowtheethicsofthatworldofspeculationintowhichherfatherhadplunged，andthemoreconvinced，withmingledsenseofprideandanxiety，thathisstilldominantgentlemanhoodwouldpreventhiscopingwithitonequalterms。Norcouldshehelpcontrastingtheconversationofthesharp—wittedmanathersidewithwhatshestillrememberedofthevague，touching，boyishenthusiasmofthemillionairesofDevil’sFord。Hadherescortguessedtheresultofthiscontrast，hewouldhardlyhavebeenasgratifiedashewaswiththegraveattentionofherbeautifuleyes。
Thefascinationofagraciousdayandtheleafysolitudeofthecanyonledthemtoprolongtheirridebeyondtheproposedlimit，anditbecamenecessarytowardssunsetforthemtoseeksomeshortercuthome。
\"There’savaqueroinyonderfield，\"saidChristie’sescort，whowasridingwithheralittleinadvanceoftheothers，\"andthosefellowsknoweverytrailthatahorsecanfollow。I’llrideon，intercepthim，andtrymySpanishonhim。IfImisshim，ashe’sgallopingon，youmighttryyourhandonhimyourself。He’llunderstandyoureyes，MissCarr，inanylanguage。\"
Ashedashedaway，tocoverhisfirstaudacityofcompliment，Christieliftedtheeyesthusapostrophizedtotheoppositefield。
Thevaquero，whowaschasingsomecattle，wasevidentlytoopreoccupiedtoheedtheshoutsofhercompanion，andwheelingroundsuddenlytointerceptoneofthedeviatingfugitives，permittedChristie’sescorttodashpasthimbeforethatgentlemancouldreininhisexcitedsteed。Thisbroughtthevaquerodirectlyinherpath。Perceivingher，hethrewhishorsebackonitshaunches，topreventacollision。Christierodeuptohim，suddenlyutteredacry，andhalted。Forbeforeher，sunburntincheekandthroat，darkerinthefreegrowthofmoustacheandcurlinghair，cladinthecoarse，picturesquefineryofhisclass，undisguisedonlyinhisboyishbeauty，satGeorgeKearney。
Theblood，thathadforsakenherastonishedface，rushedasquicklyback。Hiseyes，whichhadsuddenlysparkledwithanelectricalglow，sankbeforehers。Hishanddropped，andhischeekflushedwithadarkembarrassment。
\"Youhere，Mr。Kearney？Howstrange!——buthowgladIamtomeetyouagain!\"
Shetriedtosmile；hervoicetrembled，andherlittlehandshookassheextendedittohim。
Heraisedhisdarkeyesquickly，andimpulsivelyurgedhishorsetoherside。But，asifsuddenlyawakeningtotherealityofthesituation，heglancedatherhurriedly，downathisbarbaricfinery，andthrewasearchinglooktowardsherescort。
InaninstantChristiesawtheinfelicityofherposition，anditsdangers。ThewordsofWhiskeyDick，\"Hewouldn’tstandthat，\"
flashedacrosshermind。Therewasnotimetolose。Thebankerhadalreadygainedcontroloverhishorse，andwasapproachingthem，allunconsciousofthefixedstarewithwhichGeorgewasregardinghim。Christiehastilyseizedthehandwhichhehadallowedtofallathisside，andsaidquickly：——
\"Willyouridewithmealittleway，Mr。Kearney？\"
Heturnedthesamesearchinglookuponher。Shemetitclearlyandsteadily；heeventhoughtreproachfully。
\"Do!\"shesaidhurriedly。\"Iaskitasafavor。Iwanttospeaktoyou。JessieandIareherealone。Fatherisaway。YOUareoneofouroldestfriends。\"
Hehesitated。Sheturnedtotheastonishedyoungbanker，whorodeup。
\"Ihavejustmetanoldfriend。Willyoupleaseridebackasquicklyasyoucan，andtellJessiethatMr。Kearneyishere，andaskhertojoinus？\"
Shewatchedherdazedescort，stillspeechlessfromthespectacleofthefastidiousMissCarrtete—a—tetewithacommonMexicanvaquero，gallopoffinthedirectionofthecanyon，andthenturnedtoGeorge。
\"Nowtakemehome，theshortestway，asquickasyoucan。\"
\"Home？\"echoedGeorge。
\"ImeantoMr。Prince’shouse。Quick!beforetheycancomeuptous。\"
Hemechanicallyputspurstohishorse；shefollowed。Theypresentlystruckintoatrailthatsoondivergedagainintoadisusedloggingtrackthroughthewoods。
\"ThisistheshortcuttoPrince’s，bytwomiles，\"hesaid，astheyenteredthewoods。
Astheywerestillgalloping，withoutexchangingaword，Christiebegantoslackenherspeed；Georgedidthesame。Theyweresafefromintrusionatthepresent，eveniftheothershadfoundtheshortcut。Christie，boldandself—reliantamomentago，suddenlyfoundherselfgrowingweakandembarrassed。Whathadshedone？
Shecheckedherhorsesuddenly。
\"Perhapswehadbetterwaitforthem，\"shesaidtimidly。
Georgehadnotraisedhiseyestohers。
\"Yousaidyouwantedtohurryhome，\"herepliedgently，passinghishandalonghismustang’svelvetyneck，\"and——andyouhadsomethingtosaytome。\"
\"Certainly，\"sheanswered，withafaintlaugh。\"I’msoastonishedatmeetingyouhere。I’mquitebewildered。Youarelivinghere；
youhaveforsakenustobuyaranche？\"shecontinued，lookingathimattentively。
Hisbrowcoloredslightly。
\"No，I’mlivinghere，butIhaveboughtnoranche。I’monlyahiredmanonsomebodyelse’sranche，tolookafterthecattle。\"
Hesawherbeautifuleyesfillwithastonishmentand——somethingelse。Hisbrowcleared；hewenton，withhisoldboyishlaugh：
\"No，MissCarr。Thefactis，I’mdeadbroke。I’velosteverythingsinceIsawyoulast。ButasIknowhowtoride，andI’mnotafraidofwork，Imanagetokeepalong。\"
\"Youhavelostmoneyin——inthemines？\"saidChristiesuddenly。
\"No\"——herepliedquickly，evadinghereyes。\"Mybrotherhasmyinterest，youknow。I’vebeenfoolishonmyownaccountsolely。
YouknowI’mratherinclinedtothatsortofthing。Butaslongasmyfollydon’taffectothers，Icanstandit。\"
\"Butitmayaffectothers——andTHEYmaynotthinkofitasfolly——\"
Shestoppedshort，confusedbyhisbrighteningcolorandeyes。\"I
mean——Oh，Mr。Kearney，Iwantyoutobefrankwithme。Iknownothingofbusiness，butIknowtherehasbeentroubleaboutthemineatDevil’sFord。Tellmehonestly，hasmyfatheranythingtodowithit？IfIthoughtthatthroughanyimprudenceofhis，youhadsuffered——ifIbelievedthatyoucouldtraceanymisfortuneofyourstohim——toUS——Ishouldneverforgivemyself\"——shestoppedandflashedasinglelookathim——\"IshouldneverforgiveYOUforabandoningus。\"
Thelookofpainwhichhadatfirstshownitselfinhisface，whichneverconcealedanything，passed，andaquicksmilefollowedherfeminineanticlimax。
\"MissCarr，\"hesaid，withboyisheagerness，\"ifanymansuggestedtomethatyourfatherwasn’tthebrightestandbestofhiskind——
toowiseandcleverforthefoolsabouthimtounderstand——I’d——I’dshoothim。\"
ConfusedbyhisreadyandgraciousdisclaimerofwhatshehadNOT
intendedtosay，therewasnothingleftforherbuttorushuponwhatshereallyintendedtosay，withwhatshefeltwasshamefulprecipitation。
\"Onewordmore，Mr。Kearney，\"shebegan，lookingdown，butfeelingthecolorcometoherfaceasshespoke。\"Whenyouspoketomethedayyouleft，youmusthavethoughtmehardandcruel。WhenItellyouthatIthoughtyouwerealludingtoJessieandsomefeelingyouhadforher——\"
\"ForJessie!\"echoedGeorge。
\"Youwillunderstandthat——that——\"
\"Thatwhat？\"saidGeorge，drawingnearertoher。
\"ThatIwasonlyspeakingasshemighthavespokenhadyoutalkedtoherofme，\"addedChristiehurriedly，slightlybackingherhorseawayfromhim。
Butthiswasnotsoeasy，asGeorgewasthebetterrider，andbyanimperceptiblemovementofhiswristandfoothadgluedhishorsetoherside。\"Hewillgonow，\"shehadthought，buthedidn’t。
\"Wemustrideon，\"shesuggestedfaintly。
\"No，\"hesaidwithasuddendroppingofhisboyishmannerandaslightliftingofhishead。\"Wemustridetogethernofurther，MissCarr。ImustgobacktotheworkIamhiredtodo，andyoumustgoonwithyourparty，whomIhearcoming。Butwhenweparthereyoumustbidmegood—by——notasJessie’ssister——butasChristie——theone——theonlywomanthatIlove，orthatIeverhaveloved。\"
Heheldouthishand。Withtherecollectionoftheirpreviousparting，shetremblinglyadvancedherown。Hetookit，butdidnotraiseittohislips。Anditwasshewhofoundherselfhalfconfusedlyretaininghishandinhers，untilshedroppeditwithablush。
\"ThenisthisthereasonyougivefordesertingusasyouhavedesertedDevil’sFord？\"shesaidcoldly。
Heliftedhiseyestoherwithastrangesmile，andsaid，\"Yes，\"
wheeledhishorse，anddisappearedintheforest。
Hehadleftherthusabruptlyoncebefore，kissed，blushing，andindignant。Hewasleavinghernow，unkissed，butwhiteandindignant。Yetshewassoself—possessedwhenthepartyjoinedher，thatthesingularrencontreandherexplanationofthestranger’ssuddendepartureexcitednofurthercomment。OnlyJessiemanagedtowhisperinherear，——
\"Ihopeyouaresatisfiednowthatitwasn’tmehemeant？\"
\"Notatall，\"saidChristiecoldly。
CHAPTERVII
AfewdaysafterthegirlshadreturnedtoSanFrancisco，theyreceivedaletterfromtheirfather。Hisbusiness，hewrote，woulddetainhiminSacramentosomedayslonger。TherewasnoreasonwhytheyshouldreturntoDevil’sFordintheheatofthesummer；theirhosthadwrittentobeghimtoallowthemamoreextendedvisit，and，iftheywereenjoyingthemselves，hethoughtitwouldbewellnottodisobligeanoldfriend。HehadheardtheyhadapleasantvisittoMr。Prince’splace，andthatacertainyoungbankerhadbeenveryattentivetoChristie。
\"Doyouknowwhatallthismeans，dear？\"askedJessie，whohadbeenwatchinghersisterwithanunusuallygraveface。
Christiewhosethoughtshadwanderedfromtheletter，repliedcarelessly，——
\"Isupposeitmeansthatwearetowaithereuntilfathersendsforus。\"
\"Itmeansagooddealmore。Itmeansthatpapahashadanotherreverse；itmeansthattheassayhasturnedoutbadlyforthemine——
thatthefurthertheygofromtheflattheworseitgets——thatallthegoldtheywillprobablyeverseeatDevil’sFordiswhattheyhavealreadyfoundorwillfindontheflat；itmeansthatallDevil’sFordisonlya’pocket，’andnota’lead。’\"Shestopped，withunexpectedtearsinhereyes。
\"Whotoldyouthis？\"askedChristiebreathlessly。
\"Fairfax——Mr。Munroe，\"stammeredhersister，\"writestomeasifwealreadyknewit——tellsmenottobealarmed，thatitisn’tsobad——
andallthat。\"
\"Howlonghasthishappened，Jessie？\"saidChristie，takingherhand，withawhitebutcalmface。
\"Nearlyeversincewe’vebeenhere，Isuppose。Itmustbeso，forhesayspoorpapaisstillhopefulofdoingsomethingyet。\"
\"AndMr。Munroewritestoyou？\"saidChristieabstractedly。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidJessiequickly。\"Hefeelsinterestedin——us。\"
\"NobodytellsMEanything，\"saidChristie。
\"Didn’t——\"
\"No，\"saidChristiebitterly。
\"WhatonearthDIDyoutalkabout？Butpeopledon’tconfideinyoubecausethey’reafraidofyou。You’reso——\"
\"Sowhat？\"
\"Sogentlypatronizing，andso’I—don’t—suppose—you—can—help—it，—
poor—thing，’inyourgeneralstyle，\"saidJessie，kissingher。
\"There!IonlywishIwaslikeyou。Whatdoyousayifwewritetofatherthatwe’llgobacktoDevil’sFord？Mr。Munroethinkswewillbeofservicetherejustnow。Ifthemenaredissatisfied，andthinkwe’respendingmoney——\"
\"I’mafraidMr。Munroeishardlyadisinterestedadviser。Atleast，Idon’tthinkitwouldlookquitedecentforyoutoflybackwithoutyourfather，athissuggestion，\"saidChristiecoldly。\"Heisnottheonlypartner。Wearespendingnomoney。Besides，wehaveengagedtogotoMr。Prince’sagainnextweek。\"
\"Asyoulike，dear，\"saidJessie，turningawaytohideafaintsmile。
Nevertheless，whentheyreturnedfromtheirvisittoMr。Prince’s，andoneortwouneventfulrides，Christielookedgrave。ItwasonlyafewdayslaterthatJessieburstuponheronemorning。
\"Youweresayingthatnobodyevertellsyouanything。Well，here’syourchance。WhiskeyDickisbelow。\"
\"WhiskeyDick？\"repeatedChristie。\"Whatdoeshewant？\"
\"YOU，love。Whoelse？Youknowhealwaysscornsmeasnotbeinghigh—tonedandelegantenoughforhissocialconfidences。Heaskedforyouonly。\"
Withanuneasysenseofsomeimpendingrevelation，Christiedescendedtothedrawing—room。Assheopenedthedoor，astrongflavorofthattoiletsoapandeaudeColognewithwhichWhiskeyDickwasinthehabitofgracefullyeffacingthetracesofdissipationmadeknownhispresence。Inspiteofanewsuitofclothes，whosepristinefoldsrefusedtoadaptthemselvesentirelytothecontourofhisfigure，hewassomewhatsubduedbytheunexpectedeleganceofthedrawing—roomofChristie’shost。ButaglanceatChristie’ssadbutgraciousfacequicklyreassuredhim。
Takingfromhishatathree—corneredparcel，heunfoldedahandsomesaffronarose，whichhegravelypresentedtoher。Havingthusreestablishedhisposition，hesankelegantlyintoatete—a—teteottoman。FindingthepositioninconvenienttofaceChristie，whohadseatedherselfonachair，hetransferredhimselftotheothersideoftheottoman，andaddressedheroveritsbackasfromapulpit。
\"Isthisreallyafortunateaccident，Mr。Hall，ordidyoutrytofindus？\"saidChristiepleasantly。
\"Partlypromiskuss，andpartlycoincident，MissChristie，oneupandt’otherdown，\"saidDicklightly。\"WorkbeingslackatpresentatDevil’sFord，Ireck’nedI’dtakeapaseardownto’Frisco，anddipintothevortexo’fash’nablesocietyandoutagain。\"Helightlywavedanewhandkerchieftoillustratehisswallow—likeintrusion。\"Thisyerminglin’withthebo—tongisapttobewearisome，ezyouandmeknows，unlesscombinedwithexperienceandjudgment。Sowhenthemboysupthereallowsthatthere’salittletoomuchfash’nablesocietyandSanFranciscocapitalandhigh—
falutin’aboutthefuturegoin’onfersquaresurfacemining，I
sez，’Lookyere，gentlemen，’sezI，’youdon’tseethepint。Thepintistogetthepop’lareyefixed，sotospeak，onDevil’sFord。
Whenafash’nablestarrisesabovethe’Friscohorizon——likeMissCarr——and，sotospeak，dazzlesthegineraleye，peoplewanttoknowwhosheis。Andwhenpeoplesaythat’stheaccomplisheddaughtero’theaccomplishedsuperintendentoftheDevil’sFordclaim——otherwiseknownastheStar—eyedGoddesso’Devil’sFord——
everyeyeisfixedonthemine，andCapital，sotospeak，tumblestoher。’Andwhentheysezthattheoldman——excusemyfreedom，butthat’sthewaytheboystalkofyourfather，meaningnoharm——
theoldman，insteado’tryingtocorralrichwidders——grassorotherwise——tospendtheirmoneyonthebigworksforthegoldthatain’tthereyet——shouldstayinDevil’sFordandputallhissabeandgeniusintogrindin’outthelittlegoldthatisthere，Iseztothemthatitain’tyourfather’sstyle。’Hisstyle，’sezI，’eztogoinandbuildthemworks。’Whenthey’redoneheturnsroundtoCapital，andsezhe——’Lookyer，’sezhe，’thar’salltheworksyouwant，firstquality——costamillion；thar’sallthewateryouwant，onlimited——costanothermillion；thar’sallthepaygravelyouwantinandoutertheground——callittwomillionsmore。Nowmytime’stoovally’ble；myprofesshun’stoohigh—tonedtoWORK
mines。IMAKE’em。Handmeoveracheckfortenmillionsandcallitsquare，andworkitforyourself。’SoCapitalhandsoverthemoneyandwaltzesdowntorunthemine，andyouoriginallocatorswalksroundwithyerhandsinyerpocketsa—topofyoursixmillionprofit，andyoulet’sCapitaltaketheworkandtheresponsibility。\"
PreposterousasthisseemedfromthelipsofWhiskeyDick，Christiehadahauntingsuspicionthatitwasnotgreatlyunlikethetheoriesexpoundedbythecleveryoungbankerwhohadbeenherescort。Shedidnotinterrupthisflowofreminiscentcriticism；
whenhepausedforbreath，shesaid，quietly：
\"ImetMr。GeorgeKearneytheotherdayinthecountry。\"
WhiskeyDickstoppedawkwardly，glancedhurriedlyatChristie，andcoughedbehindhishandkerchief。
\"Mr。Kearney——eh——er——certengly——yes——er——methim，yousay。Washe——er——er——well？\"
\"Inhealth，yes；butotherwisehehaslosteverything，\"saidChristie，fixinghereyesontheembarrassedDick。
\"Yes——er——incourse——incourse——\"continuedDick，nervouslyglancingroundtheapartmentasifendeavoringtofindanopeningtosomelessabruptstatementofthefact。
\"Andactuallyreducedtotakesomemenialemployment，\"addedChristie，stillregardingDickwithherclearglance。
\"That’sit——that’sjustit，\"saidDick，beamingashesuddenlyfoundhisdelicateandconfidentialopportunity。\"That’sit，MissChristie；that’sjustwhatIwassayin’totheboys。’Ezitthesquarething，’sezI，’jestbecauseGeorgehezhappenedtohypothecateeverydollarhehas，orexpectstohev，toputintothemworks，onlytopleaseMr。Carr，andjustbecausehedon’twanttodistressthatintelligentgentlemanbylettinghimseehe’sdeadbroke——forhimtogoanddemeanhimselfandDevil’sFordbyrushingawayandhiringoutasaMexicanvaqueroonMexicanwages？Look，’
sezI，’atthedisgracehebringsuponahigh—toned，fash’nablegirl，atwhosesidehe’swalkedanddanced，andpassedrings，andsentiments，andbokaysinthechangeso’thecotillionandthemizzourka。Andwot，’sezI，’ifsomeday，prancingalonginafash’nablecavalcade，sheallofasuddentscomesacrosshimdrivin’aMexicansteer？’That’swhatIsaidtotheboys。Andsoyoumethim，MissChristie，asusual，\"continuedDick，endeavoringundertheappearanceofalargesocialexperiencetoconcealaneageranxietytoknowthedetails——\"soyoumethim；and，incourse，youdidn’tletonyerknewhim，sotospeak，nat’rally，orp’rapsyoukinderlikeaskedhimtofixyoursaddle—girth，andgivehimafive—dollarpiece——eh？\"
Christie，whohadrisenandgonetothewindow，suddenlyturnedaverypalefaceandshiningeyesonDick。
\"Mr。Hall，\"shesaid，withafaintattemptatasmile，\"weareoldfriends，andIfeelIcanaskyouafavor。Youoncebeforeactedasourescort——itwasforashortbutahappytime——willyouacceptalargertrust？MyfatherisbusyinSacramentoforthemine：willyou，withoutsayinganythingtoanybody，takeJessieandmebackatoncetoDevil’sFord？\"
\"WillI？MissChristie，\"saidDick，chokingbetweenanintensegratificationandadesiretokeepbackitsvulgarexhibition，\"I
shallbeproud!\"
\"WhenIsaykeepitasecret\"——shehesitated——\"Idon’tmeanthatI
objecttoyourlettingMr。Kearney，ifyouhappentoknowwhereheis，understandthatwearegoingbacktoDevil’sFord。\"
\"Cert’nly——nat’rally，\"saidDick，wavinghishandgracefully；
\"sorterdrophimaline，sayingthatbiznessofasocialanddelicatenature——beingtheescortofMissChristieandJessieCarrtoDevil’sFord——preventsmyhavingthepleasureofcalling。\"
\"Thatwilldoverywell，Mr。Hall，\"saidChristie，faintlysmilingthroughhermoisteyelashes。\"Thenwillyougoatonceandsecureticketsforto—night’sboat，andbringthemhere？JessieandI
willarrangeeverythingelse。\"
\"Cert’nly，\"saidDickimpulsively，andpreparingtotakeagracefulleave。
\"We’llbeimpatientuntilyoureturnwiththetickets，\"saidChristiegraciously。
Dickshookhandsgravely，gotasfarasthedoor，andpaused。
\"Youthinkitbettertotaketheticketsnow？\"hesaiddubiously。
\"Byallmeans，\"saidChristieimpetuously。\"I’vesetmyheartongoingto—night——andunlessyousecureberthsearly——\"
\"Incourse——incourse，\"interruptedDicknervously。\"But——\"
\"Butwhat？\"saidChristieimpatiently。
Dickhesitated，shutthedoorcarefully，and，lookingroundtheroom，lightlyshookouthishandkerchief，apparentlyflickedawayanembarrassingsuggestion，andsaid，withalittlelaugh：
\"It’sridiklous，perfectlyridiklous，MissChristie；butnotbein’
inthehabitofcarryin’readymoney，andhavin’omittedtocashadraftonWells，Fargo&Co。——\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidChristierapidly。\"HowforgetfulIam!Prayforgiveme，Mr。Hall。Ididn’tthink。I’llrunupandgetitfromourhost；hewillbegladtobeourbanker。\"
\"Onemoment，MissChristie，\"saidDicklightly，ashisthumbandfingerrelaxedinhiswaistcoatpocketovertheonlypieceofmoneyintheworldthathadremainedtohimafterhisextravagantpurchaseofChristie’ssaffronarose，\"onemoment：inthisyermonetarytransaction，ifyoulike，youareatlibertytouseMY
name。\"
CHAPTERVIII
AsChristieandJessieCarrlookedfromthewindowsofthecoach，whosedust—cloggedwheelswereslowlydraggingthem，asifreluctant，nearerthelaststageoftheirjourneytoDevil’sFord，theywereconsciousofachangeinthelandscape，whichtheycouldnotentirelychargeupontheirchangedfeelings。Thefewbaredopenspacesontheupland，thelongstretchofrockyridgenearthesummit，sovividandsovelvetyduringtheirfirstjourney，werenowburntandyellow；eventhebriefopeningsintheforestweresearedasifbyahotironinthescorchingraysofahalfyear’ssun。Thepastoralslopesofthevalleybelowwerecloakedinlustre—leather：therarewatercoursesalongtheroadhadfadedfromthewaitingeyeandear；itseemedasifthelonganddrysummerhadeveninvadedtheclose—setranksofpines，andhadblownasimoombreaththroughthedensestwoods，leavingitscharredredashesoneveryleafandsprayalongthetunnelledshade。Astheyleanedoutofthewindowandinhaledthehalf—deadspicesoftheevergreens，theyseemedtohaveenteredtheatmosphereofsomeexhaustedpassion——ofsomefierceexcitementthatwasevennowslowlyburningitselfout。
ItwasareliefatlasttoseethestragglinghousesofDevil’sFordfarbelowcomeoncemoreintoview，astheyroundedtheshoulderofDevil’sSpurandbeganthelongdescent。Butastheyenteredthetownachangemoreominousandstartlingthanthedesiccationofthelandscapeforceditselfuponthem。Thetownwasstillthere，butwhereweretheinhabitants？Fourmonthsagotheyhadleftthestragglingstreetthrongedwithbusycitizens——groupsateverycorner，andachaosofmerchandiseandtradersintheopenplazaorsquarebesidethePresbyterianchurch。Nowallwaschanged。Onlyafewwayfarersliftedtheirheadslazilyasthecoachrattledby，crossingthedesertedsquarelitteredwithemptyboxes，andglidingpastemptycabinsorvacantshopwindows，fromwhichnotonlyfamiliarfaces，buteventhewindowsashesthemselves，weregone。Thegreatunfinishedserpent—likeflume，crossingtheriverongigantictrestles，hadadvancedasfarasthetown，stoopingoveritlikesomeenormousreptilethathadsuckeditslifebloodandwasgorgedwithitsprey。
WhiskeyDick，whohadleftthestageonthesummittoavailhimselfofashorterfoottrailtothehouse，thatwouldgivehimhalfanhour’sgracetomakepreparations，metthematthestageofficewithabuggy。Aglanceattheyounggirls，perhaps，convincedhimthatthegracesofelegantworldlyconversationwereoutofplacewiththerevelationhereadontheirfaces。Perhaps，he，too，wasatrifleindisposed。Theshortjourneytothehousewasmadeinprofoundsilence。
Thevillahadbeenrepaintedanddecorated，anditlookedfresher，andeven，totheirpreoccupiedminds，appearedmoreattractivethanever。Thoughtfulhandshadtakencareofthevinesandrose—bushesonthetrellises；water——thatpreciouselementinDevil’sFord——hadnotbeensparedinkeepinggreenthroughthelongdroughttheplantswhichthegirlshadsotenderlynurtured。Itwastheoneoasisinwhichthesummerstilllingered；andyetasingularsenseoflosscameoverthegirlsastheyoncemorecrosseditsthreshold。Itseemednolongertheirown。
\"EfIwasyou，MissChristie，I’dkeepclosetothehouseforadayortwo，until——until——thingsissettled，\"saidDick；\"there’saheapo’trampsandsichcattletrapsin’round。P’rapsyouwouldn’tfeelsolonesomeifyouwasnearertown——forinstance，’boutwher’
youuseterlive。\"
\"Inthedearoldcabin，\"saidChristiequickly；\"Irememberit；I
wishweweretherenow。\"
\"Doyoureally？Doyou？\"saidWhiskeyDick，withsuddenlytwinklingeyes。\"That’slikeyoutosayit。That’swhatIallussaid，\"continuedDick，addressingspacegenerally；\"ifthere’sanyoneezknowshowtocomesquaredowntothebottomrockwithoutflinchin’，it’syourhigh—toned，fash’nablegals。ButImustmeanderbacktotown，andlettheboysknowyou’reinpossession，safeandsound。It’srightmeanthatFairfaxandMattinglyhadtogodowntoLagrangeonsomelowbusinessyesterday，butthey’llbebackto—morrow。Solong。\"
Leftalone，thegirlsbegantorealizetheirstrangeposition。
Theyhadconceivednosettledplan。ThenighttheyleftSanFranciscotheyhadwrittenanearnestlettertotheirfather，tellinghimthatonlearningthetruthaboutthereversesofDevil’sFord，theythoughtittheirdutytoreturnandsharethemwithothers，withoutobliginghimtoprefertherequest，andwithaslittleworrytohimaspossible。Hewouldfindthemreadytosharehistrials，andinwhatmustbethesceneoftheirworkhereafter。
\"Itwillbringfatherback，\"saidChristie；\"hewon’tleaveusherealone；andthentogetherwemustcometosomeunderstandingwithhim——withTHEM——forsomehowIfeelasifthishousebelongedtousnolonger。\"
Hersurmisewasnotfarwrong。WhenMr。CarrarrivedhurriedlyfromSacramentothenextevening，hefoundthehousedeserted。Hisdaughtersweregone；therewereindicationsthattheyhadarrived，and，forsomereason，suddenlydeparted。Thevaguefearthathadhauntedhisguiltysoulafterreceivingtheirletter，andduringhisbreathlessjourney，nowseemedtoberealized。Hewasturningfromtheemptyhouse，whosereproachfulsolitudefrightenedhim，whenhewasconfrontedonthethresholdbythefigureofFairfaxMunroe。
\"Icametothestageofficetomeetyou，\"hesaid；\"youmusthaveleftthestageatthesummit。\"
\"Idid，\"saidCarrangrily。\"Iwasanxioustomeetmydaughtersquickly，toknowthereasonoftheirfoolishalarm，andtoknowalsowhohadbeenfrighteningthem。Wherearethey？\"
\"Theyaresafeintheoldcabinbeyond，thathasbeenputupreadytoreceivethemagain，\"saidFairfaxquietly。
\"Butwhatisthemeaningofthis？Whyaretheynothere？\"demandedCarr，hidinghisagitationinaburstofquerulousrage。
\"DoYOUask，Mr。Carr？\"saidFairfaxsadly。\"Didyouexpectthemtoremainhereuntilthesherifftookpossession？Nooneknowsbetterthanyourselfthatthemoneyadvancedyouonthedeedsofthishomesteadhasneverbeenrepaid。\"
Carrstaggered，butrecoveredhimselfwithfeebleviolence。
\"Sinceyouknowsomuchofmyaffairs，howdoyouknowthatthisclaimwilleverbepressedforpayment？Howdoyouknowitisnottheadvanceofa——a——friend？\"
\"BecauseIhaveseenthewomanwhoadvancedit，\"saidFairfaxhopelessly。\"Shewasheretolookatthepropertybeforeyourdaughterscame。\"
\"Well？\"saidCarrnervously。
\"Well!YouforcemetotellyousomethingIshouldliketoforget。
YouforcemetoanticipateadisclosureIexpectedtomaketoyouonlywhenIcametoaskpermissiontowooyourdaughterJessie；andwhenItellyouwhatitis，youwillunderstandthatIhavenorighttocriticiseyourconduct。Iamonlyexplainingmyown。\"
\"Goon，\"saidCarrimpatiently。
\"WhenIfirstcametothiscountry，therewasawomanIlovedpassionately。Shetreatedmeaswomenofherkindonlytreatmenlikeme；sheruinedme，andleftme。Thatwasfouryearsago。I
loveyourdaughter，Mr。Carr，butshehasneverhearditfrommylips。IwouldnotwooheruntilIhadtoldyouall。Ihavetriedtodoiterethis，andfailed。PerhapsIshouldnotnow，but——\"
\"Butwhat？\"saidCarrfuriously；\"speakout!\"
\"Butthis。Look!\"saidFairfax，producingfromhispocketthepacketoflettersJessiehadfound；\"perhapsyouknowthehandwriting？\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"gaspedCarr。
\"Thatwoman——mymistress——isthewomanwhoadvancedyoumoney，andwhoclaimsthishouse。\"
Theinterview，andwhatevercameofit，remainedasecretwiththetwomen。WhenMr。Carracceptedthehospitalityoftheoldcabinagain，itwasunderstoodthathehadsacrificedthenewhouseanditsfurnituretosomeofthemorepressingdebtsofthemine，andtheactwentfartorestorehiswaningpopularity。ButamoregenuinefeelingofreliefwasexperiencedbyDevil’sFordwhenitwasrumoredthatFairfaxMunroehadaskedforthehandofJessieCarr，andthatsomepromisecontingentupontheequitableadjustmentoftheaffairsoftheminehadbeengivenbyMr。Carr。
TothesuperstitiousmindofDevil’sFordanditsfewremaininglocators，thisnewpartnershipseemedtopromisethatunityofinterestandstabilityoffortunethatDevil’sFordhadlacked。
Butnothingcouldbedoneuntiltherainyseasonhadfairlysetin；
untilthelong—looked—forelementthatwastomagicallyseparatethegoldfromthedrossinthosedullmoundsofdustandgravelhadcomeofitsownfreewill，andinitsownappointedchannels，independentofthefeebleauxiliariesthathadhopelesslyriventherocksonthehillside，orhungincompleteandunfinishedinloftyscaffoldingsabovethesettlement。
Therainyseasoncameearly。Atfirstingatheredmistsonthehigherpeaksthatwereliftedinthemorningsunonlytoshowafresherfieldofdazzlingwhitebelow；inwhitecloudsthatatfirstseemedtobemeredriftsblownacrossfromthosefreshsnowfields，andobscuringtheclearblueabove；infar—offmurmursinthehollowhillsandgulches；innearertinklingmelodyandbabyprattlingintheleaves。Itcamewithbrightflashesofsunlightbyday，withdeep，monotonousshadowatnight；withtheonsetofheavywinds，theroarofturbulentwoods，thetumultuoustossingofleafyarms，andwithwhatseemedthesilentdissolutionofthewholelandscapeindaysofsteadyanduninterrupteddownfall。Itcameextravagantly，foreverycanyonhadgrownintoatorrent，everygulchawaterspout，everywatercourseariver，andallpouringintotheNorthFork，that，rushingpastthesettlement，seemedtothreatenitwithliftedcrestandflyingmane。Itcamedangerously，foronenighttheriver，leapingthefeeblebarrierofDevil’sFord，sweptawayhousesandbanks，scatteredwithunconsciousironythelaboriouslycollectedheapsofgravelleftforhydraulicmachinery，andspreadoutavastandsilentlakeacrossthesubmergedflat。
Inthehurryandconfusionofthatnightthegirlshadthrownopentheircabintotheescapingminers，whohurriedalongtheslopethatwasnowthebankoftheriver。SuddenlyChristiefeltherarmgrasped，andshewashalf—led，half—dragged，intotheinnerroom。
Herfatherstoodbeforeher。
\"WhereisGeorgeKearney？\"heaskedtremulously。
\"GeorgeKearney!\"echoedChristie，foramomentbelievingtheexcitementhadturnedherfather’sbrain。\"Youknowheisnothere；heisinSanFrancisco。\"
\"Heishere——Itellyou，\"saidCarrimpatiently；\"hehasbeenhereeversincethehighwater，tryingtosavetheflumeandreservoir。\"
\"George——here!\"Christiecouldonlygasp。
\"Yes!Hepassedhereafewmomentsago，toseeifyouwereallsafe，andhehasgoneontowardstheflume。Butwhatheistryingtodoismadness。Ifyouseehim，implorehimtodonomore。Lethimabandontheaccursedflumetoitsfate。Ithasworkedalreadytoomuchwoeuponusall；whyshoulditcarryhisbraveandyouthfulsouldownwithit？\"
Thewordswerestillringinginherears，whenhesuddenlypassedaway，withthehurryingcrowd。Scarcelyknowingwhatshedid，sheranout，vaguelyintentonlyononethought，seekingonlytheoneface，latelysodearinrecollectionthatshefeltshewoulddieifsheneversawitagain。Perplexedbyconfusedvoicesinthewoods，shelosttrackofthecrowd，untilthevoicessuddenlywereraisedinoneloudoutcry，followedbythecrashingoftimber，thesplashingofwater，asilence，andthenadull，continuousroar。
Sheranvaguelyoninthedirectionofthereservoir，withherfather’sinjunctionstillinhermind，untilaterribleideadisplacedit，andsheturnedatrightanglessuddenly，andrantowardstheslopeleadingdowntothesubmergedflat。Shehadbarelylefttheshelterofthetreesbehindherbeforetheroarofwaterseemedtoriseatherveryfeet。Shestopped，dazed，bewildered，andhorror—stricken，ontheedgeoftheslope。Itwastheslopenolonger，butthebankoftheriveritself!
Eveninthegraylightofearlymorning，andwithinexperiencedeyes，shesawalltooclearlynow。Thetrestle—workhadgivenway；
thecurvingmileofflume，fallenintothestream，and，crushedanddammedagainsttheoppositeshore，hadabsolutelyturnedthewholeriverthroughthehalf—finishedditchandpartlyexcavatedmineinitsway，afewrodsfurtherontojointheoldfamiliarchannel。
Thebankoftheriverwaschanged；theflathadbecomeanisland，betweenwhichandtheslopewhereshestoodtheNorthForkwasrollingitsresistlessyellowtorrent。Asshegazedspellbound，aportionoftheslopebeneathhersuddenlyseemedtosinkandcrumble，andwasswallowedupintherushingstream。Sheheardacryofwarningbehindher，but，rootedtothespotbyafearfulfascination，sheheededitnot。
Againtherewasasuddendisruption，andanotherpartoftheslopesanktorisenomore；butthistimeshefeltherselfseizedbythewaistanddraggedback。Itwasherfatherstandingbyherside。
Hewasflushedandexcited，gazingatthewaterwithastrangeexultation。
\"Doyouseeit？Doyouknowwhathashappened？\"heaskedquickly。
\"Theflumehasfallenandturnedtheriver，\"saidChristiehurriedly。\"But——haveyouseenhim——ishesafe？\"
\"He——who？\"heansweredvacantly。
\"GeorgeKearney!\"
\"Heissafe，\"hesaidimpatiently。\"But，doyousee，Christie？Doyouknowwhatthismeans？\"
Hepointedwithhistremuloushandtothestreambeforethem。
\"Itmeansweareruined，\"saidChristiecoldly。
\"Nothingofthekind!Itmeansthattheriverisdoingtheworkoftheflume。Itissluicingoffthegravel，deepeningtheditch，andalteringtheslopewhichwastheoldbendoftheriver。Itwilldointenminutestheworkthatwouldtakeusayear。Ifwecanstopitintime，orcontrolit，wearesafe；butifwecannot，itwillcarryawaythebedanddepositwiththerest，andweareruinedagain。\"
Withagestureofimpotentfury，hedashedawayinthedirectionofanequallyexcitedcrowd，thatonapointoftheslopenearertheislandweregesticulatingandshoutingtoasecondgroupofmen，whoontheoppositeshorewereclamberingonoverthechokeddebrisoftheflumethathaddammedanddivertedthecurrent。Itwasevidentthatthesameideahadoccurredtothem，andtheywereriskingtheirlivesintheattempttosetfreetheimpediments。
ShockedandindignantasChristiehadbeenatthedegradingabsorptionofmaterialinterestsatsuchamoment，theelementofdangerliftedthelaborsofthesemenintoheroism，andshebegantofeelastrangeexultationasshewatchedthem。Undertheskilfulblowsoftheiraxes，inafewmomentsthevastbodyofdriftbegantodisintegrate，andthentoswingroundandmovetowardstheoldchannel。Acheerwentup，butassuddenlydiedawayagain。Anoverlappingfringeofwreckagehadcaughtonthepointoftheislandandarrestedthewholemass。
Themen，whohadgainedtheshorewithdifficulty，lookedbackwithacryofdespair。Butthenextmomentfromamongthemleapedafigure，alert，buoyant，invincible，and，axeinhand，oncemoreessayedthepassage。Springingfromtimbertotimber，heatlastreachedthepointofobstruction。Afewstrokesoftheaxeweresufficienttoclearit；butatthefirststrokeitwasapparentthatthestrikerwasalsolosinghisholdupontheshore，andthathemustinevitablybecarriedawaywiththetossingdebris。Butthisconsiderationdidnotseemtoaffecthim；thelastblowwasstruck，andasthefreedtimbersrolledon，overandover，heboldlyplungedintotheflood。Christiegavealittlecry——herhearthadboundedwithhim；itseemedasifhisplungehadsplashedthewaterinhereyes。Hedidnotcometothesurfaceuntilhehadpassedthepointbelowwhereherfatherstood，andthenstrugglingfeebly，asifstunnedordisabledbyablow。Itseemedtoherthathewastryingtoapproachthesideoftheriverwhereshewas。
Wouldhedoit？Couldshehelphim？Shewasalone；hewashiddenfromtheviewofthemenonthepoint，andnosuccorcouldcomefromthem。Therewasafringeofaldernearlyoppositetheircabinthatalmostoverhungthestream。Sherantoit，clutcheditwithafrantichand，and，leaningovertheboilingwater，utteredforthefirsttimehisname：
\"George!\"
Asifcalledtothesurfacebythemagicofhervoice，heroseafewyardsfromherinmid—current，andturnedhisfadingeyestowardsthebank。Inanothermomenthewouldhavebeensweptbeyondherreach，butwithasupremeeffortheturnedononeside；
thecurrent，strikinghimsideways，threwhimtowardsthebank，andshecaughthimbyhissleeve。Foraninstantitseemedasifshewouldbedraggeddownwithhim。Foronedangerousmomentshedidnotcare，andalmostyieldedtothespell；butastherushofwaterpressedhimagainstthebank，sherecoveredherself，andmanagedtolifthimbeyonditsreach。Andthenshesatdown，half—fainting，withhiswhitefaceanddampcurlsuponherbreast。
\"George，darling，speaktome!Onlyoneword!Tellme，haveI
savedyou？\"
Hiseyesopened。Afainttwinkleoftheolddayscametothem——aboyishsmileplayeduponhislips。
\"Foryourself——orJessie？\"
Shelookedaroundherwithalittlefrightenedair。Theywerealone。Therewasbutonewayofsealingthosemischievouslips，andshefoundit!
\"That’swhatIallussaid，gentlemen，\"lazilyremarkedWhiskeyDick，afewweekslater，leaningbackagainstthebar，withhisglassinhishand。\"’George，’sezI，’itain’twhatyouSAYtoafash’nable，high—tonedyounglady；it’swhatyouDOESezmakesorbreaksyou。’Andthat’swhatIsezgin’rallyo’thingsintheFord。Itain’twhatCarrandyouboysallowstodo；it’sthegin’ralaverageo’thingsezISdonethatgivestonetothehull，andhezbroughtthisyernewlucktoyouall!\"
