\"He’llgetit，andnobodyelse，sure。\"
\"Thankyou；IhopeMrs。Sledgeisgettingroundagain。\"
\"Pow’fully，MissSally。\"
Havingthus，asshehoped，stoppedthearrivaloftheunhappyCorbin，MissSallyreturnedhometoconsiderthebestmeansoffinallydisposingofhim。ShehadinsisteduponhisstoppingatKirbyandholdingnocommunicationwiththeJeffcourtsuntilheheardfromher，andhadstronglypointedoutthehopelessinfelicityofhisplan。ShedarenottellherAuntMiranda，knowingthatshewouldbetoohappytoprecipitateaninterviewthatwouldterminatedisastrouslytoboththeJeffcourtsandCorbin。Shemighthavetotakeherfatherintoherconfidence，——
adreadfulcontingency。
Shewasdressedfortheeveningparty，whichwasprovinciallyearly；indeed，itwasscarcelypastnineo’clockwhenshehadfinishedhertoilet，whentherecamearapatherdoor。ItwasoneofMammyJudy’schildren。
\"Deyisagemplum，MissSally。\"
\"Yes，yes，\"saidMissSally，impatiently，thinkingonlyofherescort。\"I’llbethereinaminute。Runaway。Hecanwait。\"
\"AndhesaidIwastoguvyo’disyer，\"continuedthelittlenegrowithportentousgravity，presentingacard。
MissSallytookitwithasmile。Itwasaplaincardonwhichwaswrittenwithapencilinahandshehurriedlyrecognized，\"JosephCorbin。\"
MissSally’ssmilebecamehystericallyrigid，andpushingtheboyasidewithalittlecry，shedartedalongtheverandaandenteredtheparlorfromasidedoorandvestibule。Tohermomentaryreliefshesawthatherfriendshadnotyetarrived：asinglefigure——astranger’s——roseassheentered。
Eveninherconsternationshehadtimetofeeltheaddedshockofdisappointment。Shehadalwayspresentinhermindanidealpictureofthismanwhomshehadneverseenorevenhearddescribed。JosephCorbinhadbeentall，dark，withflowinghairandlongmustache。Hehadflashingfieryeyeswhichwerecapableofbeingsubduedbyasingleglanceofgentleness——herown。Hewastempestuous，quick，andpassionate，butinquarrelwouldbeledbyasmile。HewasacombinationofanItalianbrigandandapokerplayerwhomshehadoncemetonaMississippisteamboat。Hewouldwearabroad-brimmedsofthat，aredshirt，showinghismassivethroatandneck——andhighboots！Alas！themanbeforeherwasofmediumheight，withlightclose-cuthair，hollowcheeksthatseemedtohavebeenlatelyscrapedwitharazor，andlightgraytroubledeyes。Asuitofcheapblack，illfitting，hastilyacquired，andprovincialevenforPineville，painfullysetofftheseimperfections，towhichawhitecravatinahopelesslytiedbowwassuperadded。A
terribleideathatthiscombinationofacountryundertakerandanill-paidcircuitpreacheronprobationwashisbestholidaytributetoher，andnotafuneralofferingtoMr。Jeffcourt，tookpossessionofher。Andwhen，withfemininequickness，shesawhiseyeswanderoverherownfineclothesandfestalfigure，andsinkagainuponthefloorinakindofhopelessdisappointmentequaltoherown，shefeltreadytocry。Butthemoreterriblesoundoflaughterapproachingthehousefromthegardenrecalledher。Herfriendswerecoming。
\"ForHeaven’ssake，\"shebrokeoutdesperately，\"didn’tyougetmynoteatthestationtellingyounottocome？\"
Hisfacegrewdarker，andthentookupitslookofhopelessresignation，asifthislastmisfortunewasonlyanacceptedpartofhisgreatertrouble，ashesatdownagain，andtoMissSally’shorror，listlesslyswunghishattoandfrounderhischair。
\"No，\"hesaid，gloomily，\"Ididn’tgotonostation。IwalkedhereallthewayfromShelbyville。Ithoughtitmightseemmorelikethesquarethingtoherformetodo。IsentHIMbyexpressaheadinthebox。It’sbeenatthestageofficeallday。\"
Withasickeningconvictionthatshehadbeensittingonhercousin’sbodywhileshewrotethatill-fatedcard，theyounggirlmanagedtogaspoutimpatiently：\"Butyoumustgo——yes——gonow，atonce！Don’ttalknow，butgo。\"
\"Ididn’tcomehere，\"hesaid，risingwithakindofslowdignity，\"tointerferewiththingsIdidn’tkalkilatetosee，\"glancingagainatherdress，asthevoicescamenearer，\"andthatIain’tintouchwith，——buttoknowifyouthinkI’dbetterbringhim——or\"——
Hedidnotfinishthesentence，forthedoorhadopenedsuddenly，andahalf-dozenlaughinggirlsandtheirescortsburstintotheroom。Butamongthem，alittlehaughtyandstillirritatedfromherlastinterview，washercousinJuliaJeffcourt，erectandbeautifulinasombresilk。
\"Go，\"repeatedMissSally，inanagonizedwhisper。\"Youmustnotbeknownhere。\"
ButtheattentionofJuliahadbeenarrestedbyhercousin’sagitation，andhereyefellonCorbin，whereitwasfixedwithsomefatalfascinationthatseemedinturntoenthrallandpossesshimalso。ToMissSally’sinfinitedismaytheothersfellbackandallowedthesetwoblackfigurestostandout，thentomovetowardseachotherwiththesameterriblemagnetism。Theyweresonearshecouldnotrepeatherwarningtohimwithouttheothershearingit。
AndallhopediedwhenCorbin，turningdeliberatelytowardsherwithagravegestureinthedirectionofJulia，saidquietly：——
\"Interduceme。\"
MissSallyhesitated，andthengaspedhastily，\"MissJeffcourt。\"
\"Yerdon’tsayMYname。TellherI’mJosephCorbinof’Frisco，California，whokilledherbrother。\"Hestoppedandturnedtowardsher。\"Icameheretotryandfixthingsagain——andI’vebroughtHIM。\"
Inthewonderingsilencethatensuedtheotherssmiledvacantly，breathlessly，andexpectantly，untilCorbinadvancedandheldouthishand，whenJuliaJeffcourt，drawinghersbacktoherbosomwiththepalmsoutward，utteredaninarticulatecryand——andspatinhisface！
Withthatactshefoundtongue——revilinghim，thehousethatharboredhim，theinsolencethatpresentedhim，theinsultthathadbeenputuponher！\"Areyoumen！\"sheaddedpassionately，\"whostandherewiththemanbeforeyouthatkilledmybrother，andseehimoffermehisfilthyvillainoushand——anddarenotstrikehimdown！\"
Andtheydarednot。Violently，blindly，stupidlymovedthoughalltheirinstincts，thoughtheygatheredhystericallyaroundhim，therewassomethinginhisdullself-containmentthatwasunassailableandawful。Forhewipedhisfaceandbreastwithhishandkerchiefwithoutatremor，andturnedtothemwithevenasuggestionofrelief。
\"She’sright，gentlemen，\"hesaidgravely。\"She’sright。Itmighthavebeenotherwise。Imighthaveallowedthatitmightbeotherwise，——butshe’sright。I’maSoth’nmanmyself，gentlemen，andIreckontounderstandwhatshehasdone。Ikilledtheonlymanthathadarighttostandupforher，andshehasnowtostandupforherself。Butifshewants——andyouseesheallowsshewants——topassthatontosomeofyou，orallofyou，I’mwilling。
Asmanyasyoulike，andinwhatwayyoulike——Iwaiveanychyceofweapon——I’mready，gentlemen。Icamehere——withHIM——forthatpurpose。\"
Perhapsitmayhavebeenhisfatefulresignation；perhapsitmayhavebeenhisexceedingreadiness，——buttherewasnoresponse。Hesatdownagain，andagainswunghishatslowlyandgloomilytoandfrounderhischair。
\"I’vegothiminaboxatthestageoffice，\"hewenton，apparentlytothecarpet。\"IhadhimdugupthatImightbringhimhere，andmebbeburysomeofthetroubleanddifferencealongwithhisfriends。Itmightbe，\"headded，withaslightlygloweringupwardglance，astoanoverruling，butoccasionallymisdirectingProvidence，——\"itmightbefromthewaythingsarepilinguponmethatsomeonemighthaverunginanothercorpseinsteado’HIM，butsofarasIcanjudge，allowin’forthespaceoftimeandnat’ralwearandtear——it’sHIM！\"
Heroseslowlyandmovedtowardsthedoorinasilencethatwasasmuchtheresultofsomeconvictionthatanyviolentdemonstrationagainsthimwouldbeasgrotesqueandmonstrousasthesituation，asofanythinghehadsaid。EventheflashingindignationofJuliaJeffcourtseemedtobecomesuddenlyasunnaturalandincongruousasherbrother’schiefmournerhimself，andalthoughsheshrankfromhispassingfiguresheutterednoword。ChesterBrooks’syouthfulemotions，followingtheexpressionofMissSally’sface，lostthemselvesinavaguehystericsmile，andtheothergentlemenlookedsheepish。JosephCorbinhaltedatthedoor。
\"Whatever，\"hesaid，turningtothecompany，\"yemakeupyourmindtodoaboutme，Ireckonye’dbetterdoitAFTERthefuneral。I’M
alwaysready。ButHE，whatwithbeinginaboxandchangingclimate，hadbettergoFIRST。\"Hepaused，andwithasuggestionofdelicacyinthemomentarydroppingofhiseyelids，added，——\"forREASONS。\"
Hepassedoutthroughthedoor，ontotheporticoandthenceintothegarden。Itwasnoticedatthetimethatthehalf-dozenhoundslingeringthererushedafterhimwiththeirusualnoisydemonstrations，butthattheyassuddenlystopped，retreatedviolentlytothesecurityofthebasement，andtheregaverelieftotheirfeelingsinasuccessionofprolongedhowls。
CHAPTERIV。
ItmustnotbesupposedthatMissSallydidnotfeelsomecontritionovertheineffectivepartshehadplayedinthislastepisode。ButJosephCorbinhadcommittedtheunpardonablesintoawomanofdestroyingherownillogicalideasofhim，whichwasworsethanifhehadaffrontedthepreconceivedideasofothers，inwhichcaseshemightstilldefendhim。Then，too，shewasnolongerreligious，andhadno\"call\"toactaspeacemaker。NeverthelesssheresentedJuliaJeffcourt’sinsinuationsbitterly，andthecousinsquarreled——notthefirsttimeintheirintercourse——anditwasreservedforthelattertobreakthenewsofCorbin’sarrivalwiththebodytoMrs。Jeffcourt。
Howthiswasdoneandwhatoccurredatthatinterviewhasnotbeenrecorded。Butitwasknownthenextdaythat，whileMrs。JeffcourtacceptedthebodyatCorbin’shands，——anditispresumedthefuneralexpensesalso，——hewaspositivelyforbiddentoappeareitherattheservicesatthehouseoratthechurch。Therehadbeensomewildtalkamongtheyoungerandmanyofthelowermembersofthecommunity，notablythe\"poor\"non-slave-holdingwhites，oftarringandfeatheringJosephCorbin，andridinghimonarailoutofthetownonthedayofthefuneral，asapropitiatorysacrificetothemanesofThomasJeffcourt；butitbeingpointedoutbytheundertakerthatitmightinvolvesomeuncertaintyinthesettlementofhisbill，togetherwithsomereasonabledoubtofthethoroughresignationofCorbin，whosepreviousmomentaryaberrationinthatrespecttheywerecelebrating，theprojectwaspostponeduntilAFTERTHEFUNERAL。Andhereanunlooked-forincidentoccurred。
TherewastobeapoliticalmeetingatKirbyonthatday，whencertaindistinguishedSouthernleadershadgatheredfromtheremoterSouthernStates。AttheinstigationofCaptainDowsitwasadjournedatthehourofthefuneraltoenablememberstoattend，anditwasevenrumored，tothegreatdelightofPineville，thatadistinguishedspeakerortwomightcomeoverto\"improvetheoccasion\"withsomeslightallusiontotheengrossingtopicof\"SouthernRights。\"ThiscombinedappealtothedomesticandpoliticalemotionsofPinevillewasirresistible。TheSecondBaptistChurchwascrowded。Afterthereligiousservicetherewasapause，andJudgeReed，steppingforwardamidabreathlesssilence，saidthattheywerepeculiarlyhonoredbytheunexpectedpresenceintheirmidst\"ofthatfamoussonoftheSouth，ColonelStarbottle，\"whohadlatelyreturnedtohisnativesoilfromhisadoptedhomeinCalifornia。Everyeyewasfixedonthedistinguishedstrangerasherose。
Jauntyandgallantasever，femininelysmooth-faced，yetpolishedandhighcoloredasayouthfulmask；pectorallyexpansive，andunfoldingthewhitepetalsofhiswaistcoatthroughtheswollenlapelsofhiscoat，likeaburstingmagnoliabud，ColonelStarbottlebegan。Thepresentassociationswere，hemightsay，singularlyhallowedtohim；notonlywasPineville——aSoutherncentre——therecognizednurseryofSouthernchivalry，Southernbeauty（astatelyinclinationtothepewinwhichMissSallyandJuliaJeffcourtsat），Southernintelligence，andSouthernindependence，butitwasthehomeofthelamenteddeadwhohadbeen，likehimselfandanotherheshouldrefertolater，anadoptedcitizenoftheGoldenState，aseekeroftheGoldenFleece，acompanionofJason。Itwasthehome，fellow-citizensandfriends，ofthesorrowingsisterofthedeceased，ayoungladywhomhe，thespeaker，hadasyetknownonlythroughthechivalrousblazonofhervirtuesandgracesbyherattendantknights（acourteouswavetowardsthegallerywhereJoyceMasterton，ChesterBrooks，CalhounBungstarter，andtheembattledyouthgenerallyofPinevillebecameempurpledandidiotic）；itwasthehomeoftheafflictedwidowedmother，alsopersonallyunknowntohim，butwithwhomhemightsayhehadhad——er——er——professionalcorrespondence。Butitwasnotthisalonethathallowedtheoccasion，itwasasentimentthatshouldspeakintrumpet-liketonesthroughouttheSouthinthisuprisingofanunitedsection。Itwastheforgetfulnessofpettystrife，offamilyfeud，ofpersonalwrongsintheclaimsofparty！
Itmightnotbeknownthathe，thespeaker，wasprofessionallycognizantofoneoftheseregrettable——shouldhesayaccidents？——
arisingfromthechivalrouschallengeandequallychivalrousresponseoftwofierySouthernspirits，towhichtheyprimarilyowetheircomingherethatday。Andheshouldtakeitashisduty，hissolemnduty，inthatsacrededificetoproclaimtotheworldthatinhisknowledgeasaprofessionalman——asamanofhonor，asaSoutherner，asagentleman，thatthe——er——circumstanceswhichthreeyearsagoledtotheearlydemiseofourlamentedfriendandbrother，reflectedonlythehighestcreditequallyonbothoftheparties。Hesaidthisonhisownresponsibility——inoroutofthissacrededifice——andinoroutofthatsacrededificehewaspersonallyresponsible，andpreparedtogivethefullestsatisfactionforit。Hewasalsoawarethatitmightnotbeknown——orunderstood——thatsincethatboyishepisodethesurvivorhadtakentheplaceofthedepartedinthebereavedfamilyandministeredtotheirneedswithcounseland——er——er——pecuniaryaid，andhadfollowedthebodyafootacrossthecontinentthatitmightrestwithitskindreddust。Hewasawarethatanunchristian——hewouldsaybutforthatsacrededifice——aDASTARDLYattempthadbeenmadetoimpugnthesurvivor’smotives——tosuggestanunseemlydiscordbetweenhimandthefamily，buthe，thespeaker，wouldneverforgettheletterbreathingwithChristianforgivenessandrepletewithangelicsimplicitysentbyamemberofthatfamilytohisclient，whichcameunderhisprofessionaleye（heretheprofessionaleyeforamomentlingeredonthehystericfaceofMissSally）；hedidnotenvytheheadorheartofamanwhocouldperusetheselines——ofwhichthemererecollection——er——er——chokedtheutteranceofevenaprofessionalmanlike——er——himself——withoutemotion。\"Andwhat，myfriendsandfellow-citizens，\"suddenlycontinuedtheColonel，replacinghiswhitehandkerchiefinhiscoat-tail，\"wasthereasonwhymyclient，Mr。JosephCorbin——whosedelicacykeepshimfromappearingamongthesemourners——comesheretoburyalldifferences，allanimosities，allpettypassions？BecauseheisasonoftheSouth；becauseasasonoftheSouth，astherepresentative，andadistantconnection，Ibelieve，ofmyoldpoliticalfriend，MajorCorbin，ofNashville，hewisheshereandeverywhere，atthismomentouscrisis，tosinkeverythingintheoneall-pervading，all-absorbing，oneandindivisibleUNITYoftheSouthinitsresistancetotheNorthernUsurper！That，myfriends，isthegreat，thesolemn，theChristianlessonofthismostremarkableoccasioninmyprofessional，political，andsocialexperience。\"
Whatevermighthavebeenthecalmeropinion，therewasnodoubtthatthegallantColonelhadchangedtheprevailingillogicalemotionofPinevillebythesubstitutionofanotherequallyillogical，andMissSallywasnotsurprisedwhenherfather，touchedbytheColonel’sallusiontohisdaughter’sepistolarypowers，insisteduponbringingJosephCorbinhomewithhim，andofferinghimthehospitalityoftheDowsmansion。AlthoughthestrangerseemedtoyieldratherfromthefactthattheDowswererelationsoftheJeffcourtsthanfromanypersonalpreference，whenhewasfairlyinstalledinoneoftheappropriatelygloomyguestchambers，MissSallysetaboutthedelayedworkofreconciliation——
theoreticallyacceptedbyherfather，andcynicallytoleratedbyherAuntMiranda。Buthereadifficultyarosewhichshehadnotforeseen。AlthoughCorbinhadevidentlyforgivenherdefectiononthatmemorableevening，hehadnotapparentlygotovertherevelationofhergiddyworldliness，andwasresignedlyapatheticanddistrustfulofherendeavors。Shewasatfirstamused，andthenangry。AndherpatiencewasexhaustedwhenshediscoveredthatheactuallyseemedmoreanxioustoconciliateJuliaJeffcourtthanhermother。
\"Butshespatinyourface，\"shesaid，indignantly。
\"That’sso，\"hereplied，gloomily；\"butIreckonedyousaidsomethinginoneofyourlettersaboutturningtheothercheekwhenyouweresmitten。Ofcourse，asyoudon’tbelieveitnow，\"headdedwithhisupwardglance，\"IsupposeTHAT’Sbeenplayedonme，too。\"
ButhereMissSally’sspiritlazilyrebelled。
\"Lookhere，Mr。JosephJEREMIAHCorbin，\"shereturnedwithlanguidimpertinence，\"ifinsteadofcavortin’roundonyo’kneestryingtoconciliateanoldwomanwhoneverhadastrokeoflucktillyoukilledherson，andayounggirlwhowon’tbeabovelettingonaforeyouthinkitthatyourconciliatin’hermeansSPARKIN’her；
ifinsteadofthatfoolishnessyou’dturnyourhandtotryingtoconciliatethefolkshereandkeep’emfromgoingintothatfool’sactofbreakinguptheseUnitedStates；ifinsteadofdiggingupsecond-handcorpsesthat’salreadybeenputoutofsightonceyou’dsettoworktotryandpreventthefolksaboutherefromdigginguptheiroldcranksandtheiroldwhims，andtheiroldwomenfancies，you’dbedoingsomethinglikeaChristianandaman！What’syo’
blood-guiltiness——I’dliketoknow——alongsideoftheblood-
guiltinessofthosefoolswhoarejustwildtorushintoit，ledbysuchturkey-cocksasyo’friendColonelStarbottle？Andyou’vebeenfiveyearsinCalifornia——afreeState——andthat’sallyo’’vetotedoutofit——adeadbody！Therenow，don’tsitthereandswingyo’hatunderthatchyar，butrouseoutandcomealongwithmetothepawtyifyoucanshakeafoot，andshowMissPinkneyandthegyrlsyo’fitforsomethingmo’thantoskirmishroundasablackjapannedspittoonforJuliaJeffcourt！\"ItisnotrecordedthatCorbinacceptedthischeerfulinvitation，butforafewdaysafterwardshewasmoredarklyobservantof，andrespectfulto，MissSally。Strangeindeedifhehadnotnoticed——althoughalwaysinhisresignedfashion——thedullgreenstagnationofthelifearoundhim，orwhennotacceptingitaspartofhistroublehehadnotchafedatthearrestedyouthandsenilechildishnessofthepeople。
Strangerstillifhehadnotattimesbeenstartledtoheartheoutgrownsuperstitionsandfolliesofhisyouthvoicedagainbygrown-upmen，andperhapsstrangestofallifhehadnotvaguelyaccepteditallasthehereditarycurseofthatbarbarismunderwhichhehimselfhadsurvivedandsuffered。
ThereconciliationbetweenhimselfandMrs。Jeffcourtwassuperficiallyeffected，sofarasadailyvisitbyhimtothehouseindicatedittothecommunity，butitwasalsoknownthatJuliawasinvariablyabsentontheseoccasions。Whathappenedatthoseinterviewsdidnottranspire，butitmaybesurmisedthatMrs。
Jeffcourt，perhapsrecognizingthefactthatCorbinwasreallygivingherallthathehadtogive，orpossiblyhavingsomelurkingfearofColonelStarbottle，wassofarplacatedastoexhibitonlytheaverageingratitudeofherspeciestowardsaregularbenefactor。
Sheconsentedtotheerectionofasmallobeliskoverherson’sgrave，andpermittedCorbintoplantafewfloweringshrubs，whichhedailyvisitedandtookcareof。ItissaidthatononeofthesepilgrimagesheencounteredMissJulia，apparentlyonthesameerrand，whohaughtilyretired。Itwasfurtheralleged，ontheauthorityofoneofMammyJudy’slittleniggers，thatthosetwoblackmourningfigureshadbeenseenatnightfallsittingoppositetoeachotherattheheadandfootofthegrave，and\"glowerin’\"atoneanother\"liketwohants。\"Butwhenitwasassertedonthesameauthoritythattheirvoiceshadbeenlateroverheardupliftedinsomevehementdiscussionoverthegraveoftheimpassivedead，greatcuriositywasaroused。BeingpressedbytheeagerMissSallytorepeatsomewordsoranywordshehadheardthemsay，thelittlewitnessgliblyreplied，\"MarseLinkum\"（Lincoln），and\"TheSouf，\"
andso，forthetime，shipwreckedhistestimony。Butitwasrecalledsixmonthsafterwards。ItwasthenthatapleasantspringdaybroughtmadnessandenthusiasmtoamajorityofPineville，andbatedbreathandawetoafew，anditwasknownwiththetidingsthattheSouthhadappealedtoarms，thatamongthosewhohadfirstrespondedtothecallwasJosephCorbin，analleged\"Unionman，\"whohad，however，volunteeredtotakethatplaceinherrankswhichmightHAVEBEENFILLEDBYTHEMANHEHADKILLED。Andthenpeopleforgotallabouthim……
Ayearpassed。Itwasthesameplace；theoldfamiliaroutlinesofhomeandgardenandlandscape。Butseennow，inthechokingbreathlessnessofhaste，inthefitfulchangingflashesoflifeandmotionaroundit，inintervalsofsharpsuspenseordazedbewilderment，itseemedtoberecognizednolonger。Menwhohadknownitalltheirlives，hurryingtothefrontincompactmasses，scurryingtotherearinstragglingline，oropeningtheirrankstoletartillerygallopby，staredatitvaguely，andclatteredorscrambledonagain。Thesmokeofamaskedbatteryinthewoodsstruggledandwrithedtofreeitselffromtheclingingtreetopsbehindit，andsankbackintoagrayencompassingcloud。Thedustthrownupbyacolumnofpassinghorsepouredoverthewallinonelongwave，andwhitenedthegardenwithitsashes。Throughoutthedimemptyhouseonenolongerheardthesoundofcannon，onlyadullintermittentconcussionwasfelt，silentlybringingflakesofplasterfromthewalls，orslidingfragmentsofglassfromtheshatteredwindows。Ashell，liftedfromtheominousdistance，hunguncertainintheairandthendescendedswiftlythroughtheroof；
thewholehousedilatedwithflameforaninstant，smokerolledslowlyfromthewindows，andeventhedesolatechimneysstartedintoahideousmockeryoflife，andthenallwasstillagain。Atsuchawfulintervalsthesunshoneoutbrightly，touchedthegreenofthestillsleepingwoodsandtheredandwhiteofaflowerinthegarden，andsomethinginagrayuniformwrithedoutofthedustoftheroad，staggeredtothewall，anddied。
Amiledownthisroad，growingmoreandmoreobscurewiththoserisingandfallingapparitionsortheshapelessandruggedheapsterribleintheirhelplessinertiabyhedgeandfence，arosethecemeteryhill。Takenandretakenthricethatafternoon，thedeadaboveitfaroutnumberedthedeadbelow；andwhenatlastthetideofbattlesweptarounditsbaseintothedull，reverberatingwoods，anditemergedfromthesmoke，silencedandabandoned，onlyafewstragglersremained。Oneofthem，leaningonhismusket，wasstillgloomilyfacingthewoods。
\"JosephCorbin，\"saidalow，hurriedvoice。
Hestartedandglancedquicklyatthetombsaroundhim。Perhapsitwasbecausehehadbeenthinkingofthedead，——butthevoicesoundedlikeHIS。YetitwasonlytheSISTER，whohadglided，paleandhaggard，fromthethicket。
\"Theyarecomingthroughthewoods，\"shesaidquickly。\"Run，oryou’llbetaken。Whydoyoulinger？\"
\"Youknowwhy，\"hesaidgloomily。
\"Yes，butyouhavedoneyo’duty。Youhavedonehiswork。Thetaskisfinishednow，andyo’free。\"
Hedidnotreply，butremainedgazingatthewoods。
\"Joseph，\"shesaidmoregently，layinghertremblinghandonhisarm，\"Joseph，fly——and——takemewithyou。ForIwaswrong，andI
wantyoutoforgiveme。Iknewyourheartwasnotinthis，andI
oughtnottohaveaskedyou。Joseph——listen！IneverwantedtoavengemyselfnorHIMwhenIspatonyourface。IwantedtoavengemyselfonHER。Ihatedher，becauseIthoughtshewantedtoworkuponyouanduseyouforherself。\"
\"Yourmother，\"hesaid，lookingather。
\"No，\"shesaid，withwidelyopenedeyes，\"youknowwhoImean——MissSally。\"
Helookedatherwonderinglyforamoment，butquicklybenthisheadagaininthedirectionoftheroad。\"Theyarecoming，\"hesaid，starting。\"YOUmustgo。Thisisnoplaceforyou。Stop！
it’stoolate；youcannotgonowuntiltheyhavepassed。Comehere——crouchdownhere——overthisgrave——so。\"
Healmostforcedher——kneelingdown——uponthemoundbelowtheleveloftheshrubs，andthenranquicklyhimselfafewpaceslowerdownthehilltoamoreexposedposition。Sheunderstoodit。Hewishedtoattractattentiontohimself。Hewassuccessful——afewhurriedshotsfollowedfromtheroad，butstruckabovehim。
Heclamberedbackquicklytowhereshewasstillcrouching。
\"Theywerethevedettes，\"hesaid，\"buttheyhavefallenbackonthemainskirmishlineandwillbehereinforceinamoment。Go——
whileyoucan。\"Shehadnotmoved。Hetriedtoraiseher——herhatfelloff——-hesawbloodoozingfromwherethevedette’sbulletthathadmissedhimhadpiercedherbrain。
Andyethesawinthatpaledeadfaceonlytheotherfacewhichherememberednowhadbeenturnedlikethistowardshisown。Itwasverystrange。Andthiswastheend，andthiswashisexpiation！
Heraisedhisownfacehumbly，blindly，despairinglytotheinscrutablesky；itlookedbackuponhimfromaboveascoldlyasthedeadfacehadfrombelow。
YetoutofthishestruckafaintideathathevoicedaloudinnearlythesamewordswhichhehadusedtoColonelStarbottleonlythreeyearsago。\"Itwaswithhisownpistoltoo，\"hesaid，andtookuphismusket。
Hewalkeddeliberatelydownthehill，occasionallytryingthestockofhismusketinthelooseearth，andatlastsuddenlyremainedmotionless，intheattitudeofleaningoverit。Atthesamemomenttherewasadistantshout；twothinparallelstreamsofblueandsteelcameissuingthroughthewoodslikeariver，appearedtojointumultuouslyintheopenbeforethehill，andoutofthetumultamountedofficercalleduponhimtosurrender。
Hedidnotreply。
\"Comedownfromthere，JohnnyReb，Iwanttospeaktoyou，\"calledayoungcorporal。
Hedidnotmove。
\"It’stimetogohome，Johnny。\"
Noresponse。
Theofficer，whohadbeenholdingdownhismenwithanunswordedbutmasterfulhand，raiseditsuddenly。Adozenshotsfollowed。
Themenleapedforward，anddashingCorbincontemptuouslyasidestreamedupthehillpasthim。
Buthehadneitherheardnorcared。Fortheyfoundhehadalreadydeliberatelytransfixedhimselfthroughtheheartonhisownbayonet。
THEPOSTMISTRESSOFLAURELRUN。
CHAPTERI。
ThemailstagehadjustpassedLaurelRun，——sorapidlythatthewhirlingcloudofdustdraggedwithitdownthesteepgradefromthesummithungoverthelevellongafterthestagehadvanished，andthen，driftingaway，slowlysiftedaredprecipitateoverthehotplatformoftheLaurelRunpost-office。
Outofthiscloudpresentlyemergedtheneatfigureofthepostmistresswiththemailbagwhichhadbeendexterouslyflungatherfeetfromthetopofthepassingvehicle。Adozenloungerseagerlystretchedouttheirhandstoassisther，butthewarning：
\"It’sagintherules，boys，foranybuthertotouchit，\"fromabystander，andacoquettishshakeoftheheadfromthepostmistressherself——muchmoreeffectivethananyofficialinterdict——withheldthem。Thebagwasnotheavy，——LaurelRunwastoorecentasettlementtohaveattractedmuchcorrespondence，——andtheyoungwoman，havingpounceduponherpreywithacertainfelineinstinct，draggedit，notwithoutdifficulty，behindthepartitionedinclosureintheoffice，andlockedthedoor。Herprettyface，momentarilyvisiblethroughthewindow，wasslightlyflushedwiththeexertion，andthelooseendsofherfairhair，wetwithperspiration，curledthemselvesoverherforeheadintotantalizinglittlerings。Butthewindowshutterwasquicklyclosed，andthismomentarybutcharmingvisionwithdrawnfromthewaitingpublic。
\"Guv’mentoughterhavemoresensethantomakeawomanpickmail-
bagsoutertheroad，\"saidJoSimmonssympathetically。\"’Tain’tinherday’sworkanyhow；Guv’montoughterhand’emovertoherlikealady；it’srichenoughanduglyenough。\"
\"’Tain’tGuv’ment；it’sthatstagecompany’sairsandgraces，\"
interruptedanewcomer。\"Theythinkitmightyfinetogobeltin’
by，makin’everybodytaketheirdust，justbecauseSTOPPIN’ain’tintheircontract。Why，ifthatexpressmanwhochuckeddownthebaghadanyfeelin’sforalady\"——buthestoppedhereattheamusedfacesofhisauditors。
\"Guessyoudon’tknowmucho’thatexpressman’sfeelin’s，stranger，\"saidSimmonsgrimly。\"Why，yououghterseehimjustnussin’thatbaglikeababyashecomestearin’downthegrade，andthenriseupandsorterheaveittoMrs。Bakerezifitwasafive-dollarbokay！Hisfeelin’sforher！Why，he’sgivehimselfsodeadawaytoherthatwe’relookingforhimtoforgetwhathe’sdoin’next，andjustcomesailin’downhisselfatherfeet。\"
Meanwhile，ontheothersideofthepartition，Mrs。Bakerhadbrushedthereddustfromthepadlockedbag，andremovedwhatseemedtobeasupplementarypackageattachedtoitbyawire。
Openingitshefoundahandsomescent-bottle，evidentlyasuperaddedgiftfromthedevotedexpressman。Thissheputasidewithaslightsmileandthemurmuredword，\"Foolishness。\"Butwhenshehadunlockedthebag，evenitssacredinteriorwasalsoprofanedbyacovertparcelfromtheadjacentpostmasteratBurntRidge，containingagold\"specimen\"broochandsomecircustickets。
Itwaslaidasidewiththeother。Thisalsowasvanityand——
presumably——vexationofspirit。
Therewereseventeenlettersinall，ofwhichfivewereforherself——andyettheproportionwassmallthatmorning。Twoofthemweremarked\"OfficialBusiness\"andwerepromptlyputbywithfemininediscernment；butinanothercompartmentthanthatholdingthepresents。Thentheshutterwasopened，andthetaskofdeliverycommenced。
ItwasaccompaniedwithasocialpeculiaritythathadintimebecomeahabitofLaurelRun。Astheyoungwomandeliveredtheletters，inturn，tothemenwhowerepatientlydrawnupinIndianfile，shemadethatsimpleactamediumofprivilegedbutlimitedconversationonspecialorgeneraltopics，——gayorseriousasthecasemightbe，orthetemperamentofthemansuggested。Thatitwasalmostalwaysofacomplimentarycharacterontheirpartmaybereadilyimagined；butitwasinvariablycharacterizedbyanelementofrefinedrestraint，and，whetherfromsomeimpliedunderstandingorindividualsenseofhonour，itneverpassedtheboundsofconventionalityoracertaindelicacyofrespect。Thedeliverywasconsequentlymoreorlessprotracted，butwheneachmanhadexchangedhisthreeorfourminutes’conversationwiththefairpostmistress，——aconversationattimesimpededbybashfulnessortimidity，onhispartsolely，orrestrictedoftentovaguesmiling，——heresignedlymadewayforthenext。Itwasaformallevee，mitigatedbytheinformalityofrustictact，greatgood-
humor，andinfinitepatience，andwouldhavebeenamusinghaditnotalwaysbeenterriblyinearnestandattimestouching。Foritwaspeculiartotheplaceandtheepoch，andindeedimpliedthewholehistoryofMrs。Baker。
ShewasthewifeofJohnBaker，foremanof\"TheLastChance，\"nowforayearlyingdeadunderhalfamileofcrushedandbeaten-intunnelatBurntRidge。Therehadbeenasuddenoutcryfromthedepthsathighhotnoontideoneday，andJohnhadrushedfromhiscabin——hisyoung，foolish，flirtingwifeclingingtohim——toanswerthatdespairingcryofhisimprisonedmen。Therewasoneexitthathealoneknewwhichmightbeyetheldopen，amongfallingwallsandtotteringtimbers，longenoughtosetthemfree。Foronemomentonlythestrongmanhesitatedbetweenherentreatingarmsandhisbrothers’despairingcry。Butsherosesuddenlywithapaleface，andsaid，\"Go，John；Iwillwaitforyouhere。\"Hewent，themenwerefreed——butshehadwaitedforhimeversince！
Yetintheshockofthecalamityandintheafterstrugglesofthatpovertywhichhadcometotheruinedcamp，shehadscarcelychanged。Butthemenhad。Althoughshewastoallappearancesthesamegiddy，prettyBetsyBaker，whohadbeensodisturbingtotheyoungermembers，theyseemedtobenolongerdisturbedbyher。A
certainsubduedaweandrespect，asifthemartyredspiritofJohnBakerstillheldhisarmaroundher，appearedtohavecomeuponthemall。Theyheldtheirbreathasthisprettywoman，whosebriefmourninghadnotseemedtoaffecthercheerfulnessorevenplayfulnessofspirit，passedbeforethem。Butshestoodbyhercabinandthecamp——theonlywomaninasettlementoffortymen——
duringthedarkesthoursoftheirfortune。Helpingthemtowashandcook，andministeringtotheirdomesticneeds，thesanctityofhercabinwas，however，alwayskeptasinviolableasifithadbeenHIStomb。Nooneexactlyknewwhy，foritwasonlyatacitinstinct；butevenoneortwowhohadnotscrupledtopaycourttoBetsyBakerduringJohnBaker’slife，shrankfromevenasuggestionoffamiliaritytowardsthewomanwhohadsaidthatshewould\"waitforhimthere。\"
Whenbrighterdayscameandthesettlementhadincreasedbyoneortwofamilies，andlaggardcapitalhadbeenhurrieduptorelievethestillbeleagueredandlocked-upwealthofBurntRidge，theneedsofthecommunityandtheclaimsofthewidowofJohnBakerweresowelltoldinpoliticalquartersthatthepost-officeofLaurelRunwascreatedexpresslyforher。Everymanparticipatedinthebuildingoftheprettyyetsubstantialedifice——theonlypublicbuildingofLaurelRun——thatstoodinthedustofthegreathighway，halfamilefromthesettlement。Thereshewasinstalledforcertainhoursoftheday，forshecouldnotbeprevailedupontoabandonJohn’scabin，andhere，withalltheaddedrespectduetoapublicfunctionary，shewassecureinherprivacy。
ButtheblinddevotionofLaurelRuntoJohnBaker’srelictdidnotstophere。InitszealtoassuretheGovernmentauthoritiesofthenecessityforapost-office，andtosecureapermanentcompetencytothepostmistress，therewasmuchembarrassingextravagance。
DuringthefirstweekthesaleofstampsatLaurelRunpost-officewasunprecedentedintheannalsoftheDepartment。Fancypricesweregivenforthefirstissue；thentheywereboughtwildly，recklessly，unprofitably，andonalloccasions。Complimentarycongratulationatthelittlewindowinvariablyendedwith\"andadollar’sworthofstamps，Mrs。Baker。\"Itwasfelttobesupremelydelicatetobuyonlythehighestpricedstamps，withoutreferencetotheiradequacy；thenmereQUANTITYwassought；thenoutgoingletterswereallover-paidandstampedinoutrageousproportiontotheirweightandevensize。Theimbecilityofthis，anditsprobableeffectonthereputationofLaurelRunattheGeneralPost-office，beingpointedoutbyMrs。Baker，stampswereadoptedaslocalcurrency，andevenfordecorativepurposesonmirrorsandthewallsofcabins。Everybodywroteletters，withtheresult，however，thatthoseSENTwereludicrouslyandsuspiciouslyinexcessofthosereceived。Toobviatethis，selectpartiesmadeforcedjourneystoHickoryHill，thenextpost-office，withlettersandcircularsaddressedtothemselvesatLaurelRun。Howlongtheextravagancewouldhavecontinuedisnotknown，butitwasnotuntilitwasrumoredthat，inconsequenceofthisexcessiveflowofbusiness，theDepartmenthadconcludedthatapostMASTERwouldbebetterfittedfortheplacethatitabated，andacompromisewaseffectedwiththeGeneralOfficebyapermanentsalarytothepostmistress。
SuchwasthehistoryofMrs。Baker，whohadjustfinishedherafternoonlevee，noddedasmiling\"good-by\"toherlastcustomer，andclosedhershutteragain。Thenshetookupherownletters，but，beforereadingthem，glanced，withaprettyimpatience，atthetwoofficialenvelopesaddressedtoherself，whichshehadshelved。
Theyweregenerallya\"lotofnewrules，\"ornotifications，or\"absurd\"questionswhichhadnothingtodowithLaurelRunandonlybotheredherand\"madeherheadache，\"andshehadusuallyreferredthemtoheradmiringneighboratHickoryHillforexplanation，whohadgenerallyreturnedthemtoherwiththebriefindorsement，\"Purpstuff，don’tbother，\"or，\"Hogwash，letitslide。\"Sherememberednowthathehadnotreturnedthelasttwo。Withknittedbrowsandaslightpoutsheputasideherprivatecorrespondenceandtoreopenthefirstone。Itreferredwithofficialcurtnesstoanunansweredcommunicationofthepreviousweek，andwas\"compelledtoremindherofrule47。\"Againthosehorridrules！
Sheopenedtheother；thefrowndeepenedonherbrow，andbecamefixed。
Itwasasummaryofcertainvaluablemoneylettersthathadmiscarriedontheroute，andofwhichtheyhadgivenherpreviousinformation。Foramomenthercheeksblazed。Howdarethey；whatdidtheymean！Herwaybillsandregisterwerealwaysright；sheknewthenamesofeveryman，woman，andchildinherdistrict；nosuchnamesasthosebornebythemissinglettershadeverexistedatLaurelRun；nosuchaddresseshadeverbeensentfromLaurelRunpost-office。Itwasameaninsinuation！Shewouldsendinherresignationatonce！Shewouldget\"theboys\"towriteaninsultinglettertoSenatorSlocumb，——Mrs。BakerhadthefeminineideaofGovernmentasapurelypersonalinstitution，——andshewouldfindoutwhoitwasthathadputthemuptothisprying，crawlingimpudence！Itwasprobablythatwall-eyedoldwifeofthepostmasteratHeavyTreeCrossing，whowasjealousofher。\"Remindheroftheirpreviousunansweredcommunication，\"indeed！Wherewasthatcommunication，anyway？SherememberedshehadsentittoheradmireratHickoryHill。Oddthathehadn’tansweredit。Ofcourse，heknewaboutthismeanness——couldhe，too，havedaredtosuspecther！Thethoughtturnedhercrimsonagain。He，StantonGreen，wasanold\"LaurelRunner，\"afriendofJohn’s，alittle\"triflin’\"and\"presoomin’，\"butstillanoldloyalpioneerofthecamp！\"Whyhadn’thespokeup？\"
Therewasthesoft，muffledfallofahorse’shoofinthethickdustofthehighway，thejingleofdismountingspurs，andafirmtreadontheplatform。Nodoubtoneoftheboysreturningforafewsupplementalremarksunderthefeeblepretenseofforgottenstamps。Ithadbeendonebefore，andshehadresenteditas\"cayotin’round；\"butnowshewaseagertopouroutherwrongstothefirstcomer。Shehadherhandimpulsivelyonthedoorofthepartition，whenshestoppedwithanewsenseofherimpaireddignity。Couldsheconfessthistoherworshipers？Butherethedooropenedinherveryface，andastrangerentered。
Hewasamanoffifty，compactlyandstronglybuilt。Asquarely-
cutgoatee，slightlystreakedwithgray，fellstraightfromhisthin-lippedbuthandsomemouth；hiseyesweredark，humorous，yetsearching。ButthedistinctivequalitythatstruckMrsBakerwastheblendingofurbaneasewithfrontierfrankness。Hewasevidentlyamanwhohadseencitiesandknewcountriesaswell。
AndwhilehewasdressedwiththecomfortablesimplicityofaCalifornianmountedtraveler，herinexperiencedbutfeminineeyedetectedthekeynoteofhisrespectabilityinthecarefully-tiedbowofhiscravat。TheSierreanthroatwasapttobeopen，free，andunfettered。
\"Good-morning，Mrs。Baker，\"hesaid，pleasantly，withhishatalreadyinhishand，\"I’mHarryHome，ofSanFrancisco。\"Ashespokehiseyesweptapprovinglyovertheneatinclosure，theprimly-tiedpapers，andwell-keptpigeon-holes；thepotofflowersonherdesk；herchina-silkmantle，andkillinglittlechiphatandribbonshangingagainstthewall；thencetoherownpink，flushedface，brightblueeyes，tendriledclinginghair，andthen——fellupontheleathernmailbagstilllyingacrossthetable。Hereitbecamefixedontheunfortunatewireoftheamorousexpressmanthatyetremainedhangingfromthebrasswardsofthelock，andhereachedhishandtowardit。
ButlittleMrs。Bakerwasbeforehim，andhadseizeditinherarms。Shehadbeentoopreoccupiedandbewilderedtoresenthisfirstintrusionbehindthepartition，butthislastfamiliaritywithhersacredofficialproperty——albeitempty——cappedtheclimaxofherwrongs。
\"Howdareyoutouchit！\"shesaidindignantly。\"Howdareyoucomeinhere！Whoareyou，anyway？Gooutside，atonce！\"
Thestrangerfellbackwithanamused，deprecatorygesture，andalongsilentlaugh。\"I’mafraidyoudon’tknowme，afterall！\"hesaidpleasantly。\"I’mHarryHome，theDepartmentAgentfromtheSanFranciscooffice。Mynoteofadvice，No。201，withmynameontheenvelope，seemstohavemiscarriedtoo。\"
EveninherfrightandastonishmentitflasheduponMrs。Bakerthatshehadsentthatnotice，too，toHickoryHill。Butwithitallthefemininesecretiveinstinctwithinherwasnowthoroughlyaroused，andshekeptsilent。
\"Ioughttohaveexplained，\"hewentonsmilingly；\"butyouarequiteright，Mrs。Baker，\"headded，noddingtowardsthebag。\"Asfarasyouknew，Ihadnobusinesstogonearit。GladtoseeyouknowhowtodefendUncleSam’spropertysowell。Iwasonlyabitpuzzledtoknow\"（pointingtothewire）\"ifthatthingwasonthebagwhenitwasdeliveredtoyou？\"
Mrs。Bakersawnoreasontoconcealthetruth。Afterall，thisofficialwasamanliketheothers，anditwasjustaswellthatheshouldunderstandherpower。\"It’sonlytheexpressman’sfoolishness，\"shesaid，withaslightlycoquettishtossofherhead。\"Hethinksitsmarttotiesomenonsenseonthatbagwiththewirewhenheflingsitdown。\"
Mr。Home，withhiseyesonherprettyface，seemedtothinkitanotinhumanorunpardonablefolly。\"Aslongashedoesn’tmeddlewiththeinsideofthebag，Isupposeyoumustputupwithit，\"hesaidlaughingly。Adreadfulrecollection，thattheHickoryHillpostmasterhadusedtheinsideofthebagtoconveyHISfoolishness，cameacrossher。Itwouldneverdotoconfessitnow。Herfacemusthaveshownsomeagitation，fortheofficialresumedwithahalf-paternal，half-reassuringair：\"Butenoughofthis。Now，Mrs。
Baker，tocometomybusinesshere。Briefly，then，itdoesn’tconcernyouintheleast，exceptsofarasitmayrelieveyouandsomeothers，whomtheDepartmentknowsequallywell，fromacertainresponsibility，and，perhaps，anxiety。WeareprettywellposteddownthereinallthatconcernsLaurelRun，andIthink\"（withaslightbow）\"we’veknownallaboutyouandJohnBaker。Myonlybusinesshereistotakeyourplaceto-nightinreceivingthe\"OmnibusWayBag，\"thatyouknowarriveshereat9。30，doesn’tit？\"
\"Yes，sir，\"saidMrs。Bakerhurriedly；\"butitneverhasanythingforus，except\"——（shecaughtherselfupquickly，withastammer，assherememberedthesighingGreen’soccasionalofferings）\"exceptanotificationfromHickoryHillpost-office。Itleavesthere，\"shewentonwithanaffectationofprecision，athalfpasteightexactly，andit’saboutanhour’srun——sevenmilesbyroad。\"
\"Exactly，\"saidMr。Home。\"Well，Iwillreceivethebag，openit，anddispatchitagain。Youcan，ifyouchoose，takeaholiday。\"
\"But，\"saidMrs。Baker，assherememberedthatLaurelRunalwaysmadeapointofattendinghereveningleveeonaccountofthesuperiorleisureitoffered，\"therearethepeoplewhocomeforletters，youknow。\"
\"Ithoughtyousaidtherewerenolettersatthattime，\"saidMr。
Homequickly。
\"No——but——but\"——（withaslighthystericalstammer）\"theboyscomeallthesame。\"
\"Oh！\"saidMr。Homedryly。
\"And——OLord！\"——ButherethespectacleofthepossiblediscomfitureofLaurelRunatmeetingthebeardedfaceofMr。Home，insteadofherownsmoothcheeks，atthewindow，combinedwithhernervousexcitement，overcamehersothat，throwingherlittlefrilledapronoverherhead，shegavewaytoaparoxymofhystericallaughter。
Mr。Homewaitedwithamusedtolerationforittostop，and，whenshehadrecovered，resumed。\"Now，Ishouldliketoreferaninstanttomyfirstcommunicationtoyou。Haveyougotithandy？\"
Mrs。Baker’sfacefell。\"No；IsentitovertoMr。Green，ofHickoryHill，forinformation。\"
\"What！\"
Terrifiedatthesuddenseriousnessoftheman’svoice，shemanagedtogaspout，however，that，afterherusualhabit，shehadnotopenedtheofficialletters，buthadsentthemtohermoreexperiencedcolleagueforadviceandinformation；thatshenevercouldunderstandthemherself，——theymadeherheadache，andinterferedwithherotherduties，——butHEunderstoodthem，andsentherwordwhattodo。Rememberingalsohisusualstyleofindorsement，shegrewredagain。
\"Andwhatdidhesay？\"
\"Nothing；hedidn’treturnthem。\"
\"Naturally，\"saidMr。Home，withapeculiarexpression。Afterafewmoments’silentstrokingofhisbeard，hesuddenlyfacedthefrightenedwoman。
\"Youobligeme，Mrs。Baker，tospeakmorefranklytoyouthanIhadintended。Youhave——unwittingly，Ibelieve——giveninformationtoamanwhomtheGovernmentsuspectsofpeculation。Youhave，withoutknowingit，warnedthepostmasteratHickoryHillthatheissuspected；and，asyoumighthavefrustratedourplansfortracingaseriesofembezzlementstotheirpropersource，youwillseethatyoumighthavealsodonegreatwrongtoyourselfashisonlyneighborandthenextresponsibleperson。Inplainwords，wehavetracedthedisappearanceofmoneyletterstoapointwhenitliesbetweenthesetwooffices。Now，IhavenottheleasthesitationintellingyouthatwedonotsuspectLaurelRun，andneverhavesuspectedit。Eventheresultofyourthoughtlessact，althoughitwarnedhim，confirmsoursuspicionofhisguilt。Astothewarning，ithasfailed，orhehasgrownreckless，foranotherletterhasbeenmissedsince。To-night，however，willsettlealldoubtinthematter。WhenIopenthatbaginthisofficeto-night，anddonotfindacertaindecoyletterinit，whichwaslastcheckedatHeavyTreeCrossing，IshallknowthatitremainsinGreen’spossessionatHickoryHill。\"
Shewassittingbackinherchair，whiteandbreathless。Heglancedatherkindly，andthentookuphishat。\"Come，Mrs。
Baker，don’tletthisworryyou。AsItoldyouatfirst，YOUhavenothingtofear。Evenyourthoughtlessnessandignoranceofruleshavecontributedtoshowyourowninnocence。Nobodywilleverbethewiserforthis；wedonotadvertiseouraffairsintheDepartment。Notasoulbutyourselfknowstherealcauseofmyvisithere。Iwillleaveyouherealoneforawhile，soastodivertanysuspicion。Youwillcome，asusual，thisevening，andbeseenbyyourfriends；Iwillonlybeherewhenthebagarrives，toopenit。Good-by，Mrs。Baker；it’sanastybitofbusiness，butit’sallintheday’swork。I’veseenworse，and，thankGod，you’reoutofit。\"
Sheheardhisfootstepsretreatintotheouterofficeanddieoutoftheplatform；thejingleofhisspurs，andthehollowbeatofhishorse’shoofsthatseemedtofindadullechoinherownheart，andshewasalone。
Theroomwasveryhotandveryquiet；shecouldhearthewarpingandcreakingoftheshinglesundertherelaxingofthenearlylevelsunbeams。Theofficeclockstruckseven。Inthebreathlesssilencethatfollowed，awoodpeckertookuphisinterruptedworkontheroof，andseemedtobeatoutmonotonouslyonherearthelastwordsofthestranger：StantonGreen——athief！StantonGreen，oneofthe\"boys\"Johnhadhelpedoutofthefallingtunnel！StantonGreen，whoseoldmotherintheStatesstillwroteletterstohimatLaurelRun，inafewhourstobeadisgracedandruinedmanforever！Sherememberednow，asathoughtlesswomanremembers，talesofhisextravaganceandfastliving，ofwhichshehadtakennoheed，and，withasenseofshame，ofpresentssenther，thatshenowclearlysawmusthavebeenfarbeyondhismeans。Whatwouldtheboyssay？WhatwouldJohnhavesaid？Ah！whatwouldJohnhaveDONE！
Shestartedsuddenlytoherfeet，whiteandcoldasonthatdaythatshehadpartedfromJohnBakerbeforethetunnel。Sheputonherhatandmantle，andgoingtothatlittleironsafethatstoodinthecorner，unlockeditandtookoutitsentirecontentsofgoldandsilver。Shehadreachedthedoorwhenanotherideaseizedher，andopeningherdeskshecollectedherstampstothelastsheet，andhurriedlyrolledthemupunderhercape。Thenwithaglanceattheclock，andarapidsurveyoftheroadfromtheplatform，sheslippedfromit，andseemedtobeswallowedupinthewaitingwoodsbeyond。
