Hewasinnohurry。Hehadasingularfaiththathewouldeventuallydiscoverherwhereabouts，beabletomakeallnecessaryinquiriesintoherconductandhabits，andperhapsevenenjoyabriefseasonofunsuspectedpersonalobservationbeforerevealinghimself。Andthisfaithwasassingularlyrewarded。
Havingoccasiontogethiswatchrepairedonedayheenteredalargejeweler’sshop，andwhilewaitingitsexaminationhisattentionwasattractedbyanordinaryold-fashioneddaguerreotypecaseintheformofaheart-shapedlocketlyingonthecounterwithotherarticlesleftforrepairs。Somethinginitsappearancetouchedachordinhismemory；heliftedthehalf-openedcaseandsawamuchfadeddaguerreotypeportraitofhimselftakeninMissouribeforeheleftintheCalifornianemigration。Herecognizeditatonceasonehehadgiventohiswife；thefadedlikenesswassolittlelikehispresentselfthatheboldlyexamineditandaskedthejeweleroneortwoquestions。Themanwascommunicative。Yes，itwasanold-fashionedaffairwhichhadbeenleftforrepairsafewdaysagobyaladywhosenameandaddress，writtenbyherself，wereonthecardtiedtoit。
Mr。JamesSmithhadbythistimefullycontrolledtheemotionhefeltasherecognizedhiswife’snameandhandwriting，andknewthatatlastthecluewasfound！Helaiddownthecasecarelessly，gavethefinaldirectionsfortherepairsofhiswatch，andlefttheshop。Theaddress，ofwhichhehadtakenamentalnote，was，tohissurprise，verynearhisownlodgings；buthewentstraighthome。Hereafewinquiriesofhisjanitorelicitedtheinformationthatthebuildingindicatedintheaddresswasalargeoneoffurnishedapartmentsandofficeslikehisown，andthatthe\"Mrs。
Smith\"mustbesimplythehousekeeperofthelandlord，whosenameappearedintheDirectory，butnotherown。Yethewaiteduntileveningbeforeheventuredtoreconnoitrethepremises；withthepossessionofhiscluecameaslightcoolingofhisardorandextremecautioninhisfurtherproceedings。Thehouse——areconstructedwoodenbuilding——offerednoexternalindicationoftheroomssheoccupiedintheuniformlycurtainedwindowsthatfrontthestreet。Yethefeltanoddandpleasurableexcitementinpassingonceortwicebeforethosewallsthathidthegoalofhisquest。Asyethehadnotseenher，andtherewasnaturallytheaddedzestofexpectation。Henoticedthattherewasanewbuildingopposite，withvacantofficestolet。Aprojectsuddenlyoccurredtohim，whichbymorninghehadfullymatured。Hehiredafrontroominthefirstfloorofthenewbuilding，hadithurriedlyfurnishedasaprivateoffice，andonthesecondmorningofhisdiscoverywasinstalledbehindhisdeskatthewindowcommandingafullviewoftheoppositehouse。TherewasnothingstrangeintheSouthAmericancapitalistselectingaprivateofficeinsopopularalocality。
Twoorthreedayselapsedwithoutanyresultfromhisespionage。
Hecametoknowbysightthevarioustenants，thetwoChineseservants，andthesolitaryIrishhousemaid，butasyethadnoglimpseofthehousekeeper。Sheevidentlyledasecludedlifeamongherduties；itoccurredtohimthatperhapsshewentout，possiblytomarket，earlierthanhecame，orlater，afterhehadlefttheoffice。Inthisbeliefhearrivedonemorningafteranearlywalkinasmartspringshower，thelingeringstragglerofthewinterrains。Therewerefewpeopleastir，yethehadbeenprecededfortwoorthreeblocksbyatallwomanwhoseumbrellapartlyconcealedherheadandshouldersfromview。Hehadnoticed，however，eveninhisabstraction，thatshewalkedwell，andmanagedtheliftingofherskirtoverhertrimanklesandwell-bootedfeetwithsomegraceandcleverness。Yetitwasonlyonherunexpectedlyturningthecornerofhisownstreetthathebecameinterested。Shecontinuedonuntilwithinafewdoorsofhisoffice，whenshestoppedtogiveanordertoatradesman，whowasjusttakingdownhisshutters。Heheardhervoicedistinctly；inthequickemotionitgavehimhebrushedhurriedlypastherwithoutliftinghiseyes。
Gaininghisowndoorwayherushedupstairstohisoffice，hastilyunlockedit，andrantothewindow。Theladywasalreadycrossingthestreet。Hesawherpausebeforethedooroftheoppositehouse，openitwithalatchkey，andcaughtafullviewofherprofileinthesinglemomentthatsheturnedtofurlherumbrellaandenter。
Itwashiswife’svoicehehadheard；itwashiswife’sfacethathehadseeninprofile。
Yetshewaschangedfromthelankyyoungschoolgirlhehadweddedtenyearsago，or，atleast，comparedtowhathisrecollectionofherhadbeen。Hadheeverseenherasshereallywas？Surelysomewhereinthattimid，freckled，half-grownbridehehadknowninthefirstyearoftheirmarriagethegermofthisself-possessed，maturedwomanwashidden。Therewasthetoneofhervoice；hehadneverrecalleditbeforeasalovermight，yetnowittouchedhim；
herprofilehecertainlyremembered，butnotwiththefeelingitnowproducedinhim。Wouldhehaveeverabandonedherhadshebeenlikethat？OrhadHEchanged，andwasthisnolongerhisoldself？——perhapsevenaselfSHEwouldneverrecognizeagain？JamesSmithhadthesuperstitionsofagambler，andthatvagueideaoffatethatcomestoweakmen；asuddenfrightseizedhim，andhehalfwithdrewfromthewindowlestsheshouldobservehim，recognizehim，andbysomeactprecipitatethatfate。
Bylingeringbeyondtheusualhourforhisdeparturehesawheragain，andhadevenafullviewofherfaceasshecrossedthestreet。Theyearshadcertainlyimprovedher；hewonderedwithacertainnervousnessifshewouldthinktheyhaddonethesameforhim。Thecomplacencywithwhichhehadatfirstcontemplatedherprobablejoyatrecoveringhimhadbecomeseriouslyshakensincehehadseenher；awomanaswellpreservedandgood-lookingasthat，holdingacertainresponsibleand，nodoubt，lucrativeposition，musthavemanyadmirersandbeindependent。Helongedtotellhernowofhisfortune，andyetshrankfromthetestitsexposureimplied。Hewaitedforherreturnuntildarknesshadgathered，andthenwentbacktohislodgingsalittlechagrinedandillatease。
Itwasratherlateforhertobeoutalone！Afterall，whatdidheknowofherhabitsorassociations？HerecalledthefreedomofCalifornianlife，andtheoldscandalsrelatingtothelapsesofmanywomenwhohadpreviouslyledblamelesslivesintheAtlanticStates。Clearlyitbehoovedhimtobecautious。Yethewalkedlatethatnightbeforethehouseagain，eagertoseeifshehadreturned，andwithWHOM？Hewasrestrictedinhiseagernessbythefearofdetection，buthegatheredverylittleknowledgeofherhabits；singularlyenoughnobodyseemedtocare。Alittlepiquedatthis，hebegantowonderifhewerenotthinkingtoomuchofthiswomantowhomhestillhesitatedtorevealhimself。
Nevertheless，hefoundhimselfthatnightagainwanderingaroundthehouse，andevenwatchingwithsomeanxietytheshadowwhichhebelievedtobehersonthewindow-blindoftheroomwherehehadbydiscreetinquirylocatedher。Whetherhismemorywasstimulatedbyhisquestheneverknew，butpresentlyhewasabletorecallstepbystepandincidentbyincidenthisearlycourtshipofherandthebriefdaysoftheirmarriedlife。Heevenrememberedthedaysheacceptedhim，andevendweltuponitwithasentimentalthrillthatheprobablyneverfeltatthetime，anditwasadistinctfeatureofhisextraordinarystateofmindanditsconcentrationuponthisparticularsubjectthathepresentlybegantolookuponHIMSELFastheabandonedanddesertedconjugalpartner，andtonurseafeelingofdeepinjuryatherhands！Thefactthathewasthinkingofher，andshe，probably，contentedwithherlot，wasundisturbedbyanymemoryofhim，seemedtohimalogicaldeductionofhissuperioraffection。
Itwas，therefore，quiteasmuchintheattitudeofareproachfulandavenginghusbandasofamerelycuriousonethat，oneafternoon，seeingherissuefromherhouseatanearlyhour，heslippeddownthestairsandbegantofollowheratasecuredistance。Sheturnedintotheprincipalthoroughfare，andpresentlymadeoneofthecrowdwhowereenteringapopularplaceofamusementwheretherewasanafternoonperformance。Socompletewashisselfishhallucination，thathesmiledbitterlyatthisproofofheartlessindifference，andevensofarovercamehispreviouscautionastoactuallybrushbyhersomewhatrudelyasheenteredthebuildingatthesamemoment。Hewasconsciousthatsheliftedhereyesalittleimpatientlytothefaceoftheawkwardstranger；hewasequally，butmorebitterly，consciousthatshehadnotrecognizedhim！Hedroppedintoaseatbehindher；shedidnotlookathimagainwithevenasenseofdisturbance；themomentarycontacthadevidentlyleftnoimpressionuponher。Sheglancedcasuallyatherneighborsoneitherside，andpresentlybecameabsorbedintheperformance。Whenitwasoversherose，andonherwayoutrecognizedandexchangedafewwordswithoneortwoacquaintances。Againheheardherfamiliarvoice，almostathiselbow，raisedwithnomoreconsciousnessofhercontiguitytohimthanifhewereamereghost。Thethoughtstruckhimforthefirsttimewithahideousandappallingsignificance。Whatwashebutaghosttoher——toeveryone！Amandead，buried，andforgotten！
Hisvanityandself-complacencyvanishedbeforethiscrushingrealizationofthehopelessnessofhisexistence。Dazedandbewildered，hemingledblindlyandblunderinglywiththedepartingcrowd，tossedhereandthereasifhewereaninvisiblepresence，stumblingovertheimpedingskirtsofwomenwithavagueapologytheyheedednot，andwhichseemedinhisfrightenedearsashollowasavoicefromthegrave。
Whenheatlastreachedthestreethedidnotlookback，butwanderedabstractedlythroughby-streetsinthefallingrain，scarcelyrealizingwherehewas，untilhefoundhimselfdrenchedthrough，withhisclosedumbrellainhistremuloushand，standingatthehalf-submergedleveebesidetheoverflowedriver。Hereagainherealizedhowcompletelyhehadbeenabsorbedandconcentratedinhissearchforhiswifeduringthelastthreeweeks；hehadneverbeenontheleveesincehisarrival。Hehadtakennonoteoftheexcitementofthecitizensoverthealarmingreportsofterriblefloodsinthemountains，andthedailyandhourlyfearthattheyexperiencedofdisastrousinundationfromthesurchargedriver。Hehadneverthoughtofit，yethehadreadofit，andeventalked，andyetnowforthefirsttimeinhisselfish，blindabsorptionwascertainofit。Hestoodstillforsometime，watchingdoggedlytheenormousyellowstreamlaboringwithitsburdenanddriftfrommanyamountaintownandcamp，movingsteadilyandfatefullytowardsthedistantbay，andstillmoredistantandinevitableocean。Forafewmomentsitvaguelyfascinatedanddivertedhim；thenitasvaguelylentitselftohisonedominant，hauntingthought。Yes，itwaspointinghimtheonlywayout，——thepathtothedistantoceanandutterforgetfulnessagain！
Thechillofhissaturatedclothingbroughthimtohimselfoncemore，heturnedandhurriedhome。Hewenttiredlytohisbedroom，andwhilechanginghisgarmentstherecameaknockatthedoor。Itwastheportertosaythataladyhadcalled，andwaswaitingforhiminthesitting-room。Shehadnotgivenhername。
Thecloseddoorpreventedtheservantfromseeingtheextraordinaryeffectproducedbythissimpleannouncementuponthetenant。ForoneinstantJamesSmithremainedspellboundinhischair。Itwascharacteristicofhisweaknatureandsingularprepossessionthathepassedinaninstantfromtheextremeofdoubttotheextremeofcertaintyandconviction。Itwashiswife！Shehadrecognizedhiminthatmomentofencounterattheentertainment；hadfoundhisaddress，andhadfollowedhimhere！Hedressedhimselfwithfeverishhaste，not，however，withoutacertaincareofhisappearanceandsomeselectionofapparel，andquicklyforecasttheforthcominginterviewinhismind。Forthependulumhadswungback；Mr。JamesSmithwasoncemoretheself-satisfied，self-
complacent，anddiscreetlycautioushusbandthathehadbeenatthebeginningofhisquest，perhapswithacertainsenseofgrievancesuperadded。Heshouldrequirethefullestexplanationsandguaranteesbeforecommittinghimself，——indeed，herpresentcallmightbeanadvancethatitwouldbenecessaryforhimtocheck。
Heevenpicturedherpleadingathisfeet；averylittlestrongereffortofhisAlnascharimaginationwouldhavemadehimrejectherlikethefatuousPersianglasspeddler。
Heopenedthedoorofthesitting-roomdeliberately，andwalkedinwithacertainformalprecision。Butthefigureofawomanarosefromthesofa，andwithaslightoutcry，halfplayful，halfhysterical，threwherselfuponhisbreastwiththesingleexclamation，\"Jim！\"Hestartedbackfromthedoubleshock。ForthewomanwasNOThiswife！Awomanextravagantlydressed，stillyoung，butbearing，eventhroughherartificiallyheightenedcolor，afacewornwithexcitement，excess，andprematureage。Yetafacethatashedisengagedhimselffromherarmsgrewuponhimwithaterriblerecognition，afacethathehadoncethoughtpretty，inexperienced，andinnocent，——thefaceofthewidowofhisformerpartner，Cutler，thewomanhewastohavemarriedonthedayhefled。Thebitterrevulsionoffeelingandastonishmentwasevidentlyvisibleinhisface，forshe，too，drewbackforamomentastheyseparated。Butshehadevidentlybeenprepared，ifnotpatheticallyinuredtosuchexperiences。Shedroppedintoachairagainwithadrylaugh，andahardmetallicvoice，asshesaid，——
\"Well，it’sYOU，anyway——andyoucan’tgetoutofit。\"
Ashestillstaredather，inherinconsistentfinery，draggledandwetbythestorm，atherlimpribbonsandostentatiousjewelry，shecontinued，inthesamehardvoice，——
\"IthoughtIspottedyouonceortwicebefore；butyoutooknonoticeofme，andIreckonedIwasmistaken。ButthisafternoonattheTempleofMusic\"——
\"Where？\"saidJamesSmithharshly。
\"AttheTemple——theSanFranciscoTroupeperformance——whereyoubrushedbyme，andIheardyourvoicesaying，’Begpardon！’I
says，’That’sJimFarendell。’\"
\"Farendell！\"burstoutJamesSmith，halfinsimulatedastonishment，halfinrealalarm。
\"Well！Smith，then，ifyoulikebetter，\"saidthewomanimpatiently；
\"thoughit’saboutthesickestandmostplayed-outdodgeofanameyoucouldhavepitchedupon。JamesSmith，DonDiegoSmith！\"sherepeated，withahystericlaugh。\"Why，itbeatstheniggerminstrelsallhollow！Well，whenIsawyouthere，Isaid，’That’sJimFarendell，orhistwinbrother；’Ididn’tsay’hisghost，’mindyou；for，fromthebeginning，evenbeforeIknewitall，Inevertookanystockinthatfoolyarnaboutyourburntbonesbeingfoundinyouroffice。\"
\"Knewall，knewwhat？\"demandedtheman，withabravadowhichheneverthelessfeltwashopeless。
Sherose，crossedtheroom，and，standingbeforehim，placedonehanduponherhipasshelookedathimwithhalf-pityingeffrontery。
\"Lookhere，Jim，\"shebeganslowly，\"doyouknowwhatyou’redoing？
Well，you’remakingmetired！\"Inspiteofhimself，ahalf-
superstitiousthrillwentthroughhimasherwordsandattituderecalledthedeadScranton。\"DoyousupposethatIdon’tknowthatyouranawaythenightofthefire？DoyousupposethatIdon’tknowthatyouwerenexttoruinedthatnight，andthatyoutookthatopportunityofskedaddlingoutofthecountrywithallthemoneyyouhadleft，andleavingfolkstoimagineyouwereburntupwiththebooksyouhadfalsifiedandtheaccountsyouhaddoctored！
Itwasameanthingforyoutodotome，Jim，forIlovedyouthen，andwouldhavebeenfoolenoughtorunoffwithyouifyou’dtoldmeall，andnotleftmetofindoutthatyouhadlostMYmoney——
everycentCutlerhadleftmeinthebusiness——withtherest。\"
Withthefatuousnessofaweakmancornered，heclungtounimportantdetails。\"Butthebodywasbelievedtobeminebyeveryone，\"hestammeredangrily。\"Mypapersandbookswereburnt，——therewasnoevidence。\"
\"Andwhywastherenot？\"shesaidwitheringly，staringdoggedlyinhisface。\"BecauseIstoppedit！BecausewhenIknewthosebonesandragsshutupinthatofficeweren’tyours，andwasbeginningtomakearowaboutit，astrangemancametomeandsaidtheyweretheremainsofafriendofhiswhoknewyourbankruptcyandhadcomethatnighttowarnyou，——amanwhomyouhadhalfruinedonce，amanwhohadprobablylosthislifeinhelpingyouaway。HesaidifIwentonmakingafusshe’dcomeoutwiththewholetruth——howyouwereathiefandaforger，and\"——shestopped。
\"Andwhatelse？\"heaskeddesperately，dreadingtohearhiswife’snamenextfallfromherlips。
\"Andthat——asitcouldbeprovedthathisfriendknewyoursecrets，\"shewentoninafrightened，embarrassedvoice，\"youmightbeaccusedofmakingawaywithhim。\"
ForamomentJamesSmithwasappalled；hehadneverthoughtofthis。Asinallhispastvillainyhewastoocowardlytocontemplatemurder，hewasfrightenedatthemereaccusationofit。
\"But，\"hestammered，forgetfulofallsavethisnewterror，\"heKNEWIwouldn’tbesuchafool，forthemanhimselftoldmeDuffyhadthepapers，andkillinghimwouldn’thavehelpedme。\"
Mrs。Cutlerstaredathimamomentsearchingly，andthenturnedwearilyaway。\"Well，\"shesaid，sinkingintoherchairagain，\"hesaidifI’dshutmymouthhe’dshuthis——and——Idid。Andthis，\"
sheadded，throwingherhandsfromherlap，agesturehalfofreproachandhalfofcontempt，——\"thisiswhatIgetforit。\"
Morefrightenedthantouchedbythewoman’sdesperation，JamesSmithstammeredavagueapologeticdisclaimer，evenwhilehewasloathingwitharevulsionnewtohimherdraggledfinery，herstillmorefadedbeauty，andthehalf-distinctconsciousnessofguiltthatlinkedhertohim。Butshewaveditaway，awearygesturethatagainremindedhimofthedeadScranton。
\"OfcourseIain’twhatIwas，butwho’stoblameforit？Whenyouleftmealonewithoutacent，facetofacewithalie，Ihadtodosomething。Iwasn’tbroughtuptowork；Ilikegoodclothes，andyouknowitbetterthananybody。Iain’toneofyourstageheroinesthatgooutasdependantsandgovernessesanddieofconsumption，butIthought，\"shewentonwithashrill，hystericallaugh，morepainfulthanthewearinesswhichinevitablyfollowedit，\"IthoughtImighttrainmyselftodoit，ONTHESTAGE！andI
joinedBarker’sCompany。TheysaidIhadafaceandfigureforthestage；thatfaceandfigureworeoutbeforeIhadanythingmoretoshow，andIwasn’tbigenoughtomakebettertermswiththemanager。Theykeptmenearlyayeardoingchambermaidsandfairyqueenstheothersideofthefootlights，whereIsawyoutoday。
ThenIkicked！IsupposeImighthavemarriedsomefoolforhismoney，butIwassoftenoughtothinkyoumightbesendingformewhenyouweresafe。Youseemtobemightycomfortablehere，\"shecontinued，withabitterglancearoundhishandsomelyfurnishedroom，\"as’DonDiegoSmith。’Ireckonskedaddlingpaysbetterthanstayingbehind。\"
\"Ihaveonlybeenhereafewweeks，\"hesaidhurriedly。\"Ineverknewwhathadbecomeofyou，orthatyouwerestillhere\"——
\"Oryouwouldn’thavecome，\"sheinterrupted，withabitterlaugh。
\"Speakout，Jim。\"
\"Ifthere——isanything——Icando——foryou，\"hestammered，\"I’msure\"——
\"Anythingyoucando？\"sherepeated，slowlyandscornfully。
\"AnythingyoucandoNOW？Yes！\"shescreamed，suddenlyrising，crossingtheroom，andgraspinghisarmsconvulsively。\"Yes！Takemeawayfromhere——anywhere——atonce！Look，Jim，\"shewentonfeverishly，\"letbygonesbebygones——Iwon’tpeach！Iwon’ttellonyou——thoughIhaditinmyheartwhenyougavemethego-byjustnow！I’lldoanythingyousay——gotoyourfarthesthiding-place——
workforyou——onlytakemeoutofthiscursedplace。\"
Herpassionatepleadingstungeventhroughhisselfishnessandloathing。Hethoughtofhiswife’sindifference！Yes，hemightbedriventothis，andatleasthemustsecuretheonlywitnessagainsthispreviousmisconduct。\"Wewillsee，\"hesaidsoothingly，gentlylooseningherhands。\"Wemusttalkitover。\"Hestoppedashisoldsuspiciousnessreturned。\"Butyoumusthavesomefriends，\"
hesaidsearchingly，\"someonewhohashelpedyou。\"
\"None！Onlyone——hehelpedmeatfirst，\"shehesitated——\"Duffy。\"
\"Duffy！\"saidJamesSmith，recoiling。
\"Yes，whenhehadtotellmeall，\"shesaidinhalf-frightenedtones，\"hewassorryforme。Listen，Jim！Hewasasquareman，forallhewasdevotedtohispartner——andyoucan’tblamehimforthat。IthinkhehelpedmebecauseIwasalone；fornothingelse，Jim。Iswearit！Hehelpedmefromtimetotime。Maybehemighthavewantedtomarrymeifhehadnotbeenwaitingforanotherwomanthatheloved，amarriedwomanthathadbeendesertedyearsagobyherhusband，justasyoumighthavedesertedmeifwe’dbeenmarriedthatday。Hehelpedherandpaidforherjourneyheretoseekherhusband，andsetherupinbusiness。\"
\"Whatareyoutalkingabout——whatwoman？\"stammeredJamesSmith，withastrangepresentimentcreepingoverhim。
\"AMrs。Smith。Yes，\"shesaidquickly，ashestarted，\"notashamnamelikeyours，butreallyandtrulySMITH——thatwasherhusband’sname！I’mnotlying，Jim，\"shewenton，evidentlymistakingthecauseofthesuddencontractionoftheman’sface。\"Ididn’tinventhernorhername；thereISsuchawoman，andDuffylovesher——andHERonly，andhenever，NEVERwasanythingmorethanafriendtome。Iswearit！\"
Theroomseemedtoswimaroundhim。Shewasstaringathim，buthecouldseeinhervacanteyesthatshehadnoconceptionofhissecret，norknewtheextentofherrevelation。Duffyhadnotdaredtotellall！Heburstintoacoarselaugh。\"WhatmattersDuffyorthesillywomanhe’dtrytostealawayfromothermen。\"
\"Buthedidn’ttrytostealher，andshe’sonlysillybecauseshewantstobetruetoherhusbandwhilehelives。ShetoldDuffyshe’dnevermarryhimuntilshesawherhusband’sdeadface。Morefoolshe，\"sheaddedbitterly。
\"Untilshesawherhusband’sdeadface，\"wasallthatJamesSmithheardofthisspeech。Hiswife’sfaithfulnessthroughyearsofdesertion，herlongwaitingandtruthfulness，eventhebittercommentaryoftheequallyinjuredwomanbeforehim，weretohimasnothingtowhatthatsinglesentenceconjuredup。Helaughedagain，butthistimestrangelyandvacantly。\"EnoughofthisDuffyandhisintrusioninmyaffairsuntilI’mabletosettlemyaccountwithhim。Come，\"headdedbrusquely，\"ifwearegoingtocutoutofthisatonceI’vegotmuchtodo。Comehereagainto-morrow，early。ThisDuffy——doeshelivehere？\"
\"No。InMarysville。\"
\"Good！Comeearlyto-morrow。\"
Assheseemedtohesitate，heopenedadrawerofhistableandtookoutahandfulofgold，andhandedittoher。Sheglancedatitforamomentwithastrangeexpression，putitmechanicallyinherpocket，andthenlookingupathimsaid，withaforcedlaugh，\"I
supposethatmeansIamtoclearout？\"
\"Untilto-morrow，\"hesaidshortly。
\"IftheSacramentodon’tsweepusawaybeforethen，\"sheinterrupted，witharecklesslaugh；\"theriver’sbrokenthroughthelevee——aclearsweepintwoplaces。WhereIlivethewater’suptothedoorstep。Theysayit’sgoingtobethebiggestfloodyet。You’reallrighthere；you’reonhigherground。\"
Sheseemedtoutterthesesentencesabstractedly，disconnectedly，asiftogaintime。Hemadeanimpatientgesture。
\"Allright，I’mgoing，\"shesaid，compressingherlipsslowlytokeepthemfromtrembling。\"Youhaven’tforgottenanything？\"Asheturnedhalfangrilytowardshersheadded，hurriedlyandbitterly，\"Anything——forto-morrow？\"
\"No！\"
Sheopenedthedoorandpassedout。Helisteneduntilthetrailofherwetskirthaddescendedthestairs，andthestreetdoorhadclosedbehindher。Thenhewentbacktohistableandbegancollectinghispapersandputtingthemawayinhistrunks，whichhepackedfeverishly，yetwithasetanddeterminedface。Hewroteoneortwoletters，whichhesealedandleftuponhistable。Hethenwenttohisbedroomanddeliberatelyshavedoffhisdisguisingbeard。Hadhenotbeensopreoccupiedinonethought，hemighthavebeenconsciousofloudvoicesinthestreetandahurryingoffeetonthewetsidewalk。Buthewaspossessedbyonlyoneidea。
Hemustseehiswifethatevening！How，heknewnotyet，butthewaywouldappearwhenhehadreachedhisofficeinthebuildingoppositehers。Threehourshadelapsedbeforehehadfinishedhispreparations。Ongoingdownstairshestoppedtogivesomedirectionstotheporter，buthisroomwasempty；passingintothestreethewassurprisedtofinditquitedeserted，andtheshopsclosed；evenadrinkingsaloonatthecornerwasquiteempty。Heturnedthecornerofthestreet，andbegantheslightdescenttowardshisoffice。Tohisamazementthelowerendofthestreet，whichwascrossedbythethoroughfarewhichwashisdestination，wasblockedbyacrowdofpeople。Ashehurriedforwardtojointhemhesuddenlysaw，movingdownthatthoroughfare，whatappearedtohisstartledeyestobethesmokestacksofsomesmall，flat-
bottomedsteamer。Herubbedhiseyes；itwasnoillusion，forthenextmomenthehadreachedthecrowd，whowerestandinghalfablockawayfromthethoroughfare，andontheedgeofalagoonofyellowwater，whosemaincurrentwasthethoroughfarehewasseeking，andbetweenwhosehouses，submergedtotheirfirststories，asteamboatwasreallypaddling。Otherboatsandraftswereadriftonitssluggishwaters，andaboatmanhadjustlandedapassengerinthebackwaterofthelowerhalfofthestreetonwhichhestoodwiththecrowd。
Possessedofhisoneidea，hefoughthiswaydesperatelytothewateredgeandtheboat，anddemandedapassagetohisoffice。Theboatmanhesitated，butJamesSmithpromptlyofferedhimdoublethevalueofhiscraft。Theactwasnotdeemedsingularinthatextravagantepoch，andthesympathizingcrowdcheeredhissolitarydeparture，ashedeclinedeventheservicesoftheboatman。Thenextmomenthewasoffinmid-streamofthethoroughfare，paddlinghisboatwithadesperatebutinexperiencedhanduntilhereachedhisoffice，whichheenteredbythewindow。Thebuilding，whichwasnewandofbrick，showedverylittledamagefromtheflood，butinfardifferentcasewastheoneopposite，onwhichhiseyeswereeagerlybent，andwhosecheapandinsecurefoundationshecouldseethefloodwasalreadyundermining。Therewereboatsaroundthehouse，andmenhurriedlyremovingtrunksandvaluables，buttheonefigureheexpectedtoseewasnotthere。Hetiedhisownboattothewindow；therewasevidentlynochanceofaninterviewnow，butifshewereleavingtherewouldbestillthechanceoffollowingherandknowingherdestination。Ashegazedshesuddenlyappearedatawindow，andwashelpedbyaboatmanintoaflat-bottomedbargecontainingtrunksandfurniture。Shewasevidentlythelasttoleave。Theotherboatsputoffatonce，andnonetoosoon；fortherewasawarningcry，aquickswervingofthebarge，andtheendofthedwellingslowlydroppedintotheflood，seemingtosinkonitskneeslikeastrickenox。Agreatundulationofyellowwatersweptacrossthestreet，inundatinghisofficethroughtheopenwindowandhalfswampinghisboatbesideit。Atthesametimehecouldseethatthecurrenthadchangedandincreasedinvolumeandvelocity，and，fromthecriesandwarningoftheboatmen，heknewthattheriverhadburstitsbanksatitsupperbend。Hehadbarelytimetoleapintohisboatandcastitoffbeforetherewasafootofwateronhisfloor。
Butthenewcurrentwascarryingtheboatsawayfromthehigherlevel，whichtheyhadbeeneagerlyseeking，andtowardsthechanneloftheswollenriver。Thebargewasfirsttofeelitsinfluence，andwashurriedtowardstheriveragainstthestrongesteffortsofitsboatmen。Onebyonetheotherandsmallerboatscontrivedtogetintotheslackwaterofcrossingstreets，andonewasswampedbeforehiseyes。ButJamesSmithkeptonlythebargeinview。Hisdifficultyinfollowingitwasincreasedbyhisinexperienceinmanagingaboat，andthequantityofdriftwhichnowchargedthecurrent。Treestornbytheirrootsfromsomeuplandbank；sheds，logs，timber，andthebloatedcarcassesofcattlechokedthestream。Alltheruinworkedbythefloodseemedtobecompressedinthisdisastrouscurrent。Onceortwicehenarrowlyescapedcollisionwithaheavybeamorthebedofsomefarmer’swagon。
Oncehewasswampedbyatree，andrightedhisfrailboatwhileclingingtoitsbranches。
Andthenthosewhowatchedhimfromthebargeandshoresaidafterwardsthatagreatapathyseemedtofalluponhim。Henolongerattemptedtoguidetheboatorstrugglewiththedrift，butsatinthesternwithintentforwardgazeandmotionlesspaddles。
Oncetheystrovetowarnhim，calledtohimtomakeanefforttoreachthebarge，anddidwhattheycould，inspiteoftheirownperil，toaltertheircourseandhelphim。Butheneitheranswerednorheededthem。Andthensuddenlyagreatlogthattheyhadjustescapedseemedtoriseupunderthekeelofhisboat，anditwasgone。Afteramomenthisfaceandheadappearedabovethecurrent，andsoclosetothesternofthebargethattherewasaslightcryfromthewomaninit，butthenextmoment，andbeforetheboatmancouldreachhim，hewasdrawnunderitanddisappeared。Theylayontheiroarseagerlywatching，butthebodyofJamesSmithwassuckedunderthebarge，and，inthemid-channelofthegreatriver，wascarriedouttowardsthedistantsea……
Therewasastrangemeetingthatnightonthedeckofareliefboat，whichhadbeensentoutinsearchofthemissingbarge，betweenMrs。Smithandagraveandanxiouspassengerwhohadcharteredit。Whenhehadcomfortedher，andpointedout，as，indeed，hehadmanytimesbefore，thelonelinessandinsecurityofherunprotectedlife，sheyieldedtohisarguments。Butitwasnotuntilmanymonthsaftertheirmarriagethatsheconfessedtohimonthateventfulnightshethoughtshehadseeninamomentofgreatperilthevisionofthedeadfaceofherhusbandupliftedtoherthroughthewater。
LANTYFOSTER’SMISTAKE
LantyFosterwascrouchingonalowstoolbeforethedyingkitchenfire，thebettertogetitsfadingradianceonthebookshewasreading。Beyond，throughtheopenwindowanddoor，thefirewasalsoslowlyfadingfromtheskyandthemountainridgewhencethesunhaddroppedhalfanhourbefore。Theviewwasuphill，andthesky-lineofthehillwasmarkedbytwoorthreegibbet-likepolesfromwhich，onanowinvisiblelinebetweenthem，dependedcertainobjects——mereblacksilhouettesagainstthesky——whichboreweirdlikenesstohumanfigures。Absorbedasshewasinherbook，sheneverthelessoccasionallycastanimpatientglanceinthatdirection，asthesunlightfadedmorequicklythanherfire。Fortheflutteringobjectswerethe\"week’swash\"whichhadtobebroughtinbeforenightfellandthemountainwindarose。Itwasstrongatthataltitude，andbeforethishadravishedtheclothesfromtheline，andscatteredthemalongthehighroadleadingovertheridge，onceevenlashingtheshyschoolmasterwithapairofLanty’sownstockings，andblindingtheparsonwithareallytempestuouspetticoat。
Awhiffofwinddownthebig-throatedchimneystirredthelogembersonthehearth，andthegirljumpedtoherfeet，closingthebookwithanimpatientsnap。Sheknewhermother’svoicewouldfollow。Itwashardtoleaveherheroineatthecrucialmomentofreceivinganexplanationfromapresumedfaithlesslover，justtoclimbahillandtakeinalotofsoullesswashing，butsucharetheinfelicitiesofstolenromancereading。Shethrewtheclothes-
basketoverherheadlikeahood，thehandlerestingacrossherbosomandshoulders，andwithbothherhandsfreestartedoutofthecabin。Butthedarknesshadcomeupfromthevalleyinonestrideafteritsmountainfashion，hadoutstrippedher，andshewasinstantlyplungedinit。Stilltheoutlineoftheridgeaboveherwasvisible，withthewhite，steadfaststarsthatwerenotthereamomentago，andbythatsignsheknewshewaslate。Shehadtobattleagainsttherushingwindnow，whichsungthroughtheinvertedbasketoverherheadandheldherback，butwithbentshoulderssheatlastreachedthetopoftheridgeandthelevel。
Yethere，owingtotheshiftingofthelighterbackgroundaboveher，shenowfoundherselfagainencompassedwiththedarkness。
Theoutlinesofthepoleshaddisappeared，thewhiteflutteringgarmentsweredistinctapparitionswavinginthewind，likedancingghosts。Buttherecertainlywasaqueermisshapenbulkmovingbeyond，whichshedidnotrecognize，andassheatlastreachedoneofthepoles，ashockwascommunicatedtoit，throughtheclothes-
lineandthebulkbeyond。Thensheheardavoicesayimpatiently，——
\"Whatinh-llamIrunningintonow？\"
Itwasaman’svoice，and，fromitselevation，thevoiceofamanonhorseback。Sheansweredwithoutfearandwithslowdeliberation，——
\"Interourclothes-line，Ireckon。\"
\"Oh！\"saidthemaninahalf-apologetictone。Theninbriskeraccents，\"TheverythingIwant！Isay，canyougivemeabitofit？Theringofmysaddlegirthhasfetchedloose。Icanfastenitwiththat。\"
\"Ireckon，\"repliedLanty，withthesameunconcern，movingnearerthebulk，whichnowseparatedintotwopartsasthemandismounted。
\"Howmuchdoyouwant？\"
\"Afootortwowilldo。\"
Theywerenowinfrontofeachother，althoughtheirfaceswerenotdistinguishabletoeither。Lanty，whohadbeenfollowingthelineswithherhand，herecameupontheendknottedaroundthelastpole。
Thisshebegantountie。
\"Whataplacetohangclothes，\"hesaidcuriously。
\"Mightydryin’，tho’，\"returnedLantylaconically。
\"Andyourhouse？Isitnearby？\"hecontinued。
\"Justdowntheridge——yekinseefromtheedge。Gotaknife？\"Shehaduntiedtheknot。
\"No——yes——wait。\"Hehadhesitatedamomentandthenproducedsomethingfromhisbreastpocket，whichhehoweverkeptinhishand。Ashedidnotofferittohershesimplyheldoutasectionoftheropebetweenherhands，whichhedividedwithasinglecut。
Shesawonlythattheinstrumentwaslongandkeen。Thensheliftedtheflapofthesaddleforhimasheattemptedtofastenthelooseringwiththerope，butthedarknessmadeitimpossible。
Withanejaculation，hefumbledinhispockets。\"Mylastmatch！\"
hesaid，strikingit，ashecrouchedoverittoprotectitfromthewind。Lantyleanedoveralso，withherapronraisedbetweenitandtheblast。Theflameforaninstantlitupthering，theman’sdarkface，mustache，andwhiteteethsettogetherashetuggedatthegirth，andLanty’sbrown，velveteyesandsoft，roundcheekframedinthebasket。Thenitwentout，buttheringwassecured。
\"Thankyou，\"saidtheman，withashortlaugh，\"butIthoughtyouwereahumpbackedwitchinthedarkthere。\"
\"AndIcouldn’tmakeoutwhetheryouwasacoworab’ar，\"returnedtheyounggirlsimply。
Here，however，hequicklymountedhishorse，butintheactionsomethingslippedfromhisclothes，struckastone，andboundedawayintothedarkness。
\"Myknife，\"hesaidhurriedly。\"Pleasehandittome。\"Butalthoughthegirldroppedonherkneesandsearchedthegrounddiligently，itcouldnotbefound。Themanwitharestrainedejaculationagaindismounted，andjoinedinthesearch。
\"Haven’tyougotanothermatch？\"suggestedLanty。
\"No——itwasmylast！\"hesaidimpatiently。
\"Justyouhol’onhere，\"shesaidsuddenly，\"andI’llrundowntothekitchenandfetchyoualight。Iwon’tbelong。\"
\"No！no！\"saidthemanquickly；\"don’t！Icouldn’twait。I’vebeenheretoolongnow。Lookhere。Youcomeindaylightandfindit，and——justkeepitforme，willyou？\"Helaughed。\"I’llcomeforit。Andnow，ifyou’llonlyhelptosetmeonthatroadagain，forit’ssoinfernalblackIcan’tseethemare’searsaheadofme，Iwon’tbotheryouanymore。Thankyou。\"
Lantyhadquietlymovedtohishorse’sheadandtakenthebridleinherhand，andatonceseemedtobelostinthegloom。Butinafewmomentshefeltthemuffledthudofhishorse’shoofonthethickdustofthehighway，anditsstillhot，impalpablepowderrisingtohisnostrils。
\"Thankyou，\"hesaidagain，\"I’mallrightnow，\"andinthepausethatfolloweditseemedtoLantythathehadextendedapartinghandtoherinthedarkness。Sheputupherowntomeetit，butmissedhis，whichhadblunderedontohershoulder。Beforeshecouldgraspit，shefelthimstoopingoverher，thelightbrushofhissoftmustacheonhercheek，andthenthestartingforwardofhishorse。Buttheretaliatingboxontheearshehadpromptlyaimedathimspentitselfintheblackspacewhichseemedsuddenlytohaveswalloweduptheman，andevenhislightlaugh。
Foraninstantshestoodstill，andthen，swingingthebasketindignantlyfromhershoulder，tookuphersuspendedtask。Itwasnolightoneintheincreasingwind，andtheunfastenedclothes-
linehadprecipitatedapartofitsburdentothegroundthroughthelooseningoftherope。Butonpickingupthetrailinggarmentsherhandstruckanunfamiliarobject。Thestranger’slostknife！
Shethrustithastilyintothebottomofthebasketandcompletedherwork。Asshebegantodescendwithherburdenshesawthatthelightofthekitchenfire，seenthroughthewindows，wasaugmentedbyacandle。Hermotherwasevidentlyawaitingher。
\"Prettytimetobefetchin’inthewash，\"saidMrs。Fosterquerulously。\"Butwhatcanyouexpectwhenfolksstandgossipin’
andphilanderin’ontheridgeinsteado’tendin’totheirwork？\"
NowLantyknewthatshehadNOTbeen\"gossipin’\"nor\"philanderin’，\"
yetasthepartingsalutemighthavebeenopentothatimputation，andasshesurmisedthathermothermighthaveoverheardtheirvoices，shebrieflysaid，topreventfurtherquestioning，thatshehadshownastrangertheroad。Butforhermother’sunjustaccusationshewouldhavebeenmorecommunicative。AsMrs。Fosterwentbackgrumblinglyintothesitting-roomLantyresolvedtokeeptheknifeatpresentasecretfromhermother，andtothatpurposeremoveditfromthebasket。Butinthelightofthecandleshesawitforthefirsttimeplainly——andstarted。
Foritwasreallyadagger！jeweled-handledandrichlywrought——
suchasLantyhadneverlookeduponbefore。Thehiltwasstuddedwithgems，andtheblade，whichhadacuttingedge，wasdamascenedinblueandgold。Hersofteyesreflectedthebrilliantsetting，herlipspartedbreathlessly；then，ashermother’svoicearoseintheotherroom，shethrustitbackintoitsvelvetsheathandclappeditintoherpocket。Itsrarebeautyhadconfirmedherresolutionofabsolutesecrecy。Tohaveshownitnowwouldhavemade\"noendoftalk。\"Andshewasnotsurebutthatherparentswouldhavedemandeditscustody！AnditwasgiventoHERbyHIMtokeep。Thissettledthequestionofmoralethics。Shetookthefirstopportunitytorunuptoherbedroomandhideitunderthemattress。
Yetthethoughtofitfilledtherestofherevening。Whenherhouseholddutiesweredoneshetookuphernovelagain，partlyfromforceofhabitandpartlyasanattitudeinwhichshecouldthinkofITundisturbed。Forwhatwasfictiontohernow？True，itpossessedacertainreminiscentvalue。A\"dagger\"hadappearedinseveralromancesshehaddevoured，butsheneverhadaclearideaofonebefore。\"TheCountsprangback，and，drawingfromhisbeltarichlyjeweleddagger，hissedbetweenhisteeth，\"or，moretothepurpose：\"’Takethis，’saidOrlando，handinghertheruby-hiltedpoignardwhichhadgleameduponhisthigh，’andshouldthecaitiffattemptthyunguardedinnocence——’\"
\"Didyehearwhatyourfatherwassayin’？\"Lantystarted。Itwashermother’svoiceinthedoorway，andshehadbeenvaguelyconsciousofanothervoicepitchedinthesamequerulouskey，which，indeed，wasthedominantexpressionofthesmallranchersofthatfertileneighborhood。PossiblyatoocomplaisantandunaggressiveNaturehadspoiledthem。
\"Yes！——no！\"saidLantyabstractedly，\"whatdidhesay？\"
\"Ifyouwasn’ttakenupwiththatfoolbook，\"saidMrs。Foster，glancingatherdaughter’sslightlyconsciouscolor，\"ye’dknow！
Heallowedye’dbetternotleaveyerfillyinthefarpasturenights。Thatgango’Mexicanhorse-thievesisoutagain，andraidedMcKinnon’sstocklastnight。\"
ThistouchedLantyclosely。Thefillywasherownproperty，andshewasbreakingitforherownriding。Butherdistrustofherparents’interferencewasgreaterthananyfearofhorse-stealers。
\"She’smightyuneasyinthebarn；and，\"sheadded，withaproudconsciousnessofthatbeautifulyetcarnalweaponupstairs，\"I
reckonIkenprotectherandmyselfaginanyMexicanhorse-
thieves。\"
\"My！butwe’regettin’highandmighty，\"respondedMrs。Foster，withdeepirony。\"Didyougitallthatouteryourfoolbook？\"
\"Mebbe，\"saidLantycurtly。
Nevertheless，herthoughtsthatnightwerenotentirelybasedonwrittenromance。Shewonderedifthestrangerknewthatshehadreallytriedtoboxhisearsinthedarkness，alsoifhehadbeenabletoseeherface。HISsheremembered，atleasttheflashofhiswhiteteethagainsthisdarkfaceanddarkermustache，whichwasquiteassoftasherownhair。Butifhethought\"foraminnit\"thatshewas\"goin’toallowanentirestrangertokissher——hewasmightymistaken。\"Sheshouldlethimknowit\"prettyquick\"！Sheshouldhandhimbackthedagger\"quitecarelesslike，\"
andneverletonthatshe’dthoughtanythingofit。Perhapsthatwasthereasonwhy，beforeshewenttobed，shetookagoodlookatit，andaftertakingoffherstraight，beltless，calicogownsheeventriedtheeffectofit，thrustinthestiffwaistbandofherpetticoat，withthejeweledhiltdisplayed，andthoughtitlookedcharming——asindeeditdid。Andthen，havingsaidherprayerslikeagoodgirl，andsupplicatedthatsheshouldbeless\"tetchy\"withherparents，shewenttosleepanddreamedthatshehadgoneouttotakeinthewashagain，butthattheclotheshadallchangedtothequeerestlotoffolks，whowereallfightingandstrugglingwitheachotheruntilshe，Lanty，drawingherdagger，rushedupsingle-
handedamongthem，crying，\"Disperse，yecravencurs，——disperse，I
say。\"Andtheydispersed。
YetevenLantywasobligedtoadmitthenextmorningthatallthiswassomewhatincongruouswiththebakingof\"corndodgers，\"thefryingoffish，themakingofbeds，andherotherhouseholdduties，anddismissedthestrangerfromherminduntilheshould\"happenalong。\"Inherfreerandmoreacceptableoutdoordutiessheeventoleratedtheadvancesofneighboringswainswhomadeapointofpassingby\"Foster’sRanch，\"andwhowerequiteawarethatAtalantaFoster，alias\"Lanty，\"wasoneoftheprettiestgirlsinthecountry。ButLanty’stolerationconsistedinthatsingularperformanceknowntoherselfas\"givingthemasgoodastheysent，\"
beingalazytraversing，qualifiedwithscorn，ofallthattheyadvanced。HowlongtheywouldhaveputupwiththisfromaplaingirlIdonotknow，butLanty’sshortupperlipseemedframedforindolentandfascinatingscorn，andherdreamyeyesusuallylookedbeyondthequestioner，orbluntedhisbolderglancesintheirvelvetysurfaces。Thelibrettoofthesesceneswasnotexhaustive，e。g。：——
TheSwain（withbold，badgayety）。\"Sawthatshyschoolmasterhangin’roundyourridgeyesterday！Orterknowbythistimethatshynesswithagaldon’tpay。\"
Lanty（decisively）。\"Mebbeheallowsitdon’tgetleftasoftenasimpudence。\"
TheSwain（ignoringthereplyandhispreviousattitudeandbecomingmoredirect）。\"Iwascalkilatin’tosaythatwiththeseyerhoss-thievesabout，yerfillyain’tsafeinthepasture。I
tookaturnroundtheretwoorthreetimeslasteveningtoseeifshewasallright。\"
Lanty（withaflatteringshowofinterest）。\"No！DIDye，now？I
wasjestwonderin\"’——
TheSwain（eagerly）。\"Idid——quitelate，too！Why，that’snothin’，MissAtalanty，towhatI’ddoforyou。\"
