CONTENTS
SALLYDOWS
THECONSPIRACYOFMRS。BUNKER
THETRANSFORMATIONOFBUCKEYECAMP
THEIRUNCLEFROMCALIFORNIA
SALLYDOWS。
PROLOGUE。
THELASTGUNATSNAKERIVER。
Whathadbeeninthecoolgrayofthatsummermorningadewycountrylane，markedonlybyafewwagontracksthatneverencroacheduponitsgrassyborder，andindentedonlybythefaintfootprintsofacrossingfoxorcoon，wasnow，beforehighnoon，alreadycrushed，beatendown，andtrampledoutofallsemblanceofitsformergraciousness。Theheavyspringlessjoltofgun—carriageandcaissonhadcutdeeplythroughthemiddletrack;thehoofsofcrowdingcavalryhadstruckdownandshreddedthewaysidevinesandbushestoburythemunderacloudoffollowingdust，andtheshort，plungingdouble—quickofinfantryhadtroddenoutthishideousruinintoonedustylevelchaos。Alongthatrudelywidenedhighwayuselessmuskets，tornaccoutrements，knapsacks，caps，andarticlesofclothingwerescattered，withhereandtherethelargerwrecksofbroken—downwagons，roughlythrownasideintotheditchtomakewayforthelivingcurrent。Fortwohoursthegreaterpartofanarmycorpshadpassedandrepassedthatway，but，comingorgoing，alwayswithfacesturnedeagerlytowardsanopenslopeontherightwhichranparalleltothelane。Andyetnothingwastobeseenthere。Fortwohoursagrayandbluishcloud，rentandshakenwithexplosionafterexplosion，butalwaysclosingandthickeningaftereachdischarge，wasallthathadmettheireyes。Nevertheless，intothisominouscloudsolidmovingmassesofmeningrayorbluehadthatmorningmeltedaway，oremergedfromitonlyasscatteredfragmentsthatcrept，crawled，ran，orclungtogetheringroups，tobefollowed，andovertakenintherollingvapor。
Butforthelasthalfhourthedesolatedtrackhadstretchedemptyanddeserted。Whiletherewasnocessationoftherattling，crackling，anddetonationsonthefatefulslopebeyond，ithadstillbeensilent。Onceortwiceithadbeencrossedbytimid，hurryingwings，andfrightenedandhesitatinglittlefeet，orlaterbyskulkersandstragglersfromthemaincolumnwhoweretemptedtoenteritfromthehedgesandbusheswheretheyhadbeencreepingandhiding。Suddenlyaprolongedyellfromthehiddenslopebeyond——thenearestsoundthathadyetbeenheardfromthatominousdistance——sentthemtocoveragain。Itwasfollowedbythefuriousgallopingofhorsesinthelane，andahandsome，red—cappedofficer，accompaniedbyanorderly，dasheddownthetrack，wheeled，leapedthehedge，rodeoutontheslopeandhalted。Inanotherinstantacloudofdustcamewhirlingdownthelaneafterhim。Outofitstrainedtheheavyshouldersandtightenedchain—tracesofsixfrantichorsesdraggingtheswayinggunthatinthistempestofmotionaloneseemedpassiveandhelplesswithanawfulforeknowledgeofitspower。Asinobediencetoasignalfromtheofficertheycrashedthroughthehedgeafterhim，asuddenjoltthrewanartillerymanfromthelimberbeforethewheel。Adriverglancedbackonthetensechainandhesitated。\"Goon！\"yelledtheprostrateman，andthewheelwentoverhim。Anotherandanothergunfollowedoutofthedustcloud，untilthewholebatteryhaddeployedontheslope。Beforethedriftingdusthadfairlysettled，thefallingbackofthepantinghorseswiththeirdriversgaveamomentaryglimpseofthenearestgunalreadyinpositionandofthefourerectfiguresbesideit。Theyellthatseemedtohaveevokedthissuddenapparitionagainsoundednearer;ablindingflashbrokefromthegun，whichwasinstantlyhiddenbytheclosinggrouparoundit，andadeafeningcrashwiththehighringingofmetalrandownthelane。Acolumnofwhite，woollysmokearoseasanotherflashbrokebesideit。Thiswasquicklyfollowedbyanotherandanother，witharesponsefromthegunfirstfired，untilthewholeslopeshookandthundered。Andthesmoke，nolongerwhiteandwoolly，butdarkeningandthickeningaswithunburntgrainsofgunpowder，mingledintotheoneominousvapor，anddrivingalongthelanehideventheslopefromview。
Theyellinghadceased，butthegrindingandrattlingheardthroughthedetonationofcannoncamenearerstill，andsuddenlytherewasashowerofleavesandtwigsfromthelowerbranchesofachestnut—
treenearthebrokenhedge。Asthesmokethinnedagainarisingandfallingmedleyofflappinghats，tossinghorses’headsandshiningsteelappearedforaninstant，advancingtumultuouslyuptheslope。Buttheapparitionwasasinstantlyclovenbyflamefromthetwonearestguns，andwentdowninagushofsmokeandroarofsound。Solevelwasthedeliveryandsoclosetheimpactthataspaceseemedsuddenlyclearedbetween，inwhichthewhirlingoftheshatteredremnantsofthechargingcavalrywasdistinctlyseen，andtheshoutsandoathsoftheinextricablystrugglingmassbecameplainandarticulate。Thenagunnerservingthenearestpiecesuddenlydroppedhisswabandseizedacarbine，foroutofthewhirlingconfusionbeforethemasingleriderwasseengallopingfuriouslytowardsthegun。
Thered—cappedyoungofficerrodeforwardandknockedupthegunner’sweaponwithhissword。Forinthatrapidglancehehadseenthattherider’sreinswerehanginglooselyontheneckofhishorse，whowasstilldashingforwardswiththefranticimpetusofthecharge，andthattheyouthfulfigureoftherider，wearingthestripesofalieutenant，——althoughstillerect，exercisednocontrolovertheanimal。Thefacewasboyish，blond，andghastly;
theeyesweresetandglassy。ItseemedasifDeathitselfwerechargingthegun。
Withinafewfeetofitthehorseswervedbeforeabrandishedrammer，andstrikingthecheeksofthegun—carriagepitchedhisinanimaterideracrossthegun。Thehotbloodofthedeadmansmokedonthehotterbrasswiththereekoftheshambles，andbe—
spatteredthehandofthegunnerwhostillmechanicallyservedthevent。Astheyliftedthedeadbodydowntheordercameto\"ceasefiring。\"Fortheyellsfrombelowhadceasedtoo;therattlingandgrindingwererecedingwiththesmokefarthertotheleft。Theominouscentralcloudpartedforabriefmomentandshowedtheunexpectedsunglitteringdowntheslopeuponanearandpeacefulriver。
Theyoungartilleryofficerhaddismountedandwasnowgentlyexaminingthedeadman。Hisbreasthadbeencrushedbyafragmentofshell;hemusthavediedinstantly。Thesamemissilehadcutthechainofalocketwhichslippedfromhisopenedcoat。Theofficerpickeditupwithastrangefeeling——perhapsbecausehewasconscioushimselfofwearingasimilarone，perhapsbecauseitmightgivehimsomecluetotheman’sidentity。Itcontainedonlythephotographofaprettygirl，atendriloffairhair，andtheword\"Sally。\"Inthebreast—pocketwasasealedletterwiththeinscription，\"ForMissSallyDows。TobedeliveredifIfallbythemudsill’shand。\"Afaintsmilecameovertheofficer’sface;
hewasabouttohandthearticlestoasergeant，butchangedhismindandputtheminhispocket。
Meantimethelaneandwoodsbeyond，andeventheslopeitself，werecrowdingwithsupportsandwaitingtroops。Hisownbatterywasstillunlimbered，waitingorders。Therewasaslightcommotioninthelane。
\"Verywelldone，captain。Smartlytakenandgallantlyheld。\"
Itwasthevoiceofageneralofficerpassingwithhisstaff。
Therewasanoteofpleasantreliefinitstone，andthemiddle—
aged，care—drawnfaceofitsownerwasrelaxedinapaternalsmile。
Theyoungcaptainflushedwithpleasure。
\"Andyouseemtohavehadcloseworktoo，\"addedthegeneral，pointingtothedeadman。
Theyoungofficerhurriedlyexplained。Thegeneralnodded，saluted，andpassedon。Butayouthfulaideairilylingered。
\"Theoldman’sfeelinggood，Courtland，\"hesaid。\"We’verolled’emupallalongtheline。It’sallovernow。Inpointoffact，I
reckonyou’vefiredthelastroundinthisparticularfratricidalengagement。\"
Thelastround！Courtlandremainedsilent，lookingabstractedlyatthemanithadcrushedandbrokenathisfeet。
\"AndIshouldn’twonderifyougotyourgold—leafforto—day’swork。Butwho’syoursunnySouthernfriendhere？\"headded，followinghiscompanion’seyes。
Courtlandrepeatedhisstoryalittlemoreseriously，which，however，failedtosubduetheyoungaide’slevity。\"Soheconcludedtostopover，\"heinterruptedcheerfully。\"But，\"lookingattheletterandphotograph，\"Isay——lookhere！’SallyDows？’
Why，therewasanothermanpickedupyesterdaywithalettertothesamegirl！DocMurphyhasit。And，byJove！thesamepicturetoo！——eh？Isay，Sallymusthavegatheredintheboys，andrakeddownthewholepile！Lookhere，Courty！youmightgetDocMurphy’sletterandhuntherupwhenthiscruelwarisover。Sayyou’re’fulfillingasacredtrust！’See？Goodidea，oldman！Ta—ta！\"
andhetrottedquicklyafterhissuperior。
Courtlandremainedwiththeletterandphotographinhishand，gazingabstractedlyafterhim。Thesmokehadrolledquiteawayfromthefieldsontheleft，butstillhungheavilydownthesouthontheheelsoftheflyingcavalry。Alongbuglecallswelledupmusicallyfrombelow。Thefreedsuncaughtthewhiteflagsoftwofieldhospitalsinthewoodsandglancedtranquillyonthebroad，cypress—fringed，lazy—flowing，andcruelbutbeautifulSouthernriver，whichhadallunseencreptsosmilinglythatmorningthroughtheveryheartofthebattle。
CHAPTERI。
Thetwoo’clockexpressfromRedlandstoForestville，Georgia，hadbeenproceedingwiththelanguidplacidityoftheriverwhosebanksitskirtedformorethantwohours。But，unliketheriver，ithadstoppedfrequently;sometimesatrecognizedstationsandvillages，sometimesattheapparitionofstraw—hattedandlinen—coatednativesinthesolitudeofpinewoods，where，afteradecentintervalofcheeryconversationwiththeconductorandengineer，iteithertookthestrangeronboard，orrelievedhimofhisparcel，letter，basket，oreventheverbalmessagewithwhichhewascharged。Muchofthewaylaythroughpine—barrenandswampywoodswhichhadneverbeenclearedorcultivated;muchthroughdecayedsettlementsandruinedvillagesthathadremainedunchangedsincetheWaroftheRebellion，nowthreeyearspast。Therewerevestigesoftheseverityofaformermilitaryoccupation;theblackenedtimbersofrailwaybridgesstillunrepaired;andalongthelineofacertainmemorablemarch，sectionsofironrailstakenfromthetorn—uptrack，roastedinbonfiresandbentwhilered—hotaroundthetrunksoftrees，werestilltobeseen。Thesemementosofdefeatseemedtoexciteneitherrevengenortheenergytoremovethem;thedullapathywhichhadsucceededthedaysofhystericalpassionandconvulsionstilllingered;eventheslowimprovementthatcouldbedetectedwasmarkedbythelanguorofconvalescence。
Thehelplessnessofarace，hithertodependentuponcertainbarbaricconditionsorpoliticalplaceandpower，unskilledininvention，andsuddenlyconfrontedwiththenecessityofpersonallabor，wasvisibleeverywhere。EyesthatbutthreeshortyearsbeforehadturnedvindictivelytotheNorth，nowgazedwistfullytothatquarterforhelpanddirection。Theyscannedeagerlythefacesoftheirenergeticandprosperousneighbors——andquondamfoes——upontheverandasofSouthernhotelsandthedecksofSouthernsteamboats，andwereevennowwatchingfromagroupinthewoodsthewindowsofthehaltedtrain，wherethefacesappearedoftwomenofmanifestlydifferenttypes，butstillalientothecountryindress，features，andaccent。
Twonegroeswereslowlyloadingtheenginetenderfromawoodpile。
Therichbrownsmokeoftheturpentineknotswasfillingthetrainwithitsstingingfragrance。TheelderofthetwoNorthernpassengers，withsharpNewEnglandanglesinhisface，impatientlyglancedathiswatch。
\"Ofallcreatedshiftlessness，thisbeatseverything！Whycouldn’twehavetakeninenoughwoodtolastthetenmilesfarthertotheterminuswhenwelaststopped？Andwhyinthunder，withallthisfiringup，can’twegofaster？\"
Theyoungerpassenger，whosequiet，well—bredfaceseemedtoindicatemoredisciplineofcharacter，smiled。
\"Ifyoureallywishtoknowandaswe’veonlytenmilesfarthertogo——I’llshowyouWHY。Comewithme。\"
Heledthewaythroughthecartotheplatformandleapeddown。
Thenhepointedsignificantlytotherailsbelowthem。Hiscompanionstarted。Themetalwasscalingoffinthinstripsfromtherails，andinsomeplacesitsthicknesshadbeenreducedaquarterofaninch，whileinotherstheprojectingedgesweretornoff，orhanginginironshreds，sothatthewheelsactuallyranonthenarrowcentralstrip。Itseemedmarvelousthatthetraincouldkeepthetrack。
\"NOWyouknowwhywedon’tgomorethanfivemilesanhour，and——
arethankfulthatwedon’t，\"saidtheyoungtravelerquietly。
\"Butthisisdisgraceful！——criminal！\"ejaculatedtheothernervously。
\"Notattheirrateofspeed，\"returnedtheyoungerman。\"Thecrimewouldbeingoingfaster。AndnowyoucanunderstandwhyagooddealoftheotherprogressinthisStateisobligedtogoasslowlyovertheirequallydecayingandrottenfoundations。Youcan’trushthingshereaswedointheNorth。\"
Theotherpassengershruggedhisshouldersastheyremountedtheplatform，andthetrainmovedon。Itwasnotthefirsttimethatthetwofellow—travelershaddiffered，althoughtheirmissionwasacommonone。Theelder，Mr。CyrusDrummond，wasthevice—presidentofalargeNorthernlandandmillcompany，whichhadboughtextensivetractsoflandinGeorgia，andtheyounger，ColonelCourtland，wastheconsultingsurveyorandengineerforthecompany。Drummond’sopinionswereagooddealaffectedbysectionalprejudice，andaself—satisfiedandrighteousignoranceoftheactualconditionsandlimitationsofthepeoplewithwhomhewastodeal;whiletheyoungerman，whohadservedthroughthewarwithdistinction，retainedasoldier’srespectandesteemforhislateantagonists，withaconscientiousandthoughtfulobservationoftheircharacter。Althoughhehadresignedfromthearmy，thefactthathehadpreviouslygraduatedatWestPointwithhighhonorshadgivenhimprefermentinthistechnicalappointment，andhisknowledgeofthecountryanditspeoplemadehimavaluablecounselor。Anditwasafactthatthecountrypeoplehadpreferredthissoldierwithwhomtheyhadoncepersonallygrappledtothecapitalisttheyhadneverknownduringthestruggle。
Thetrainrolledslowlythroughthewoods，soslowlythatthefragrantpinesmokefromtheenginestillhungroundthewindowsofthecars。Graduallythe\"clearings\"becamelarger;theysawthedistantwhitewoodencolonnadesofsomeplanter’shouse，lookingstillopulentandpretentious，althoughthefenceofitsinclosurehadbrokengaps，andthegatesaggedonitssinglehinge。
Mr。Drummondsniffedatthisdamningrecordofneglectandindifference。\"Eveniftheywereruined，theymightstillhavespentafewcentsfornailsandslatstoenablethemtolookdecentbeforefolks，andnotparadetheirpovertybeforetheirneighbors，\"
hesaid。
\"Butthat’sjustwhereyoumisunderstandthem，Drummond，\"saidCourtland，smiling。\"Theyhavenoreasontokeepupanattitudetowardstheirneighbors，whostillknowthemas’Squire’so—and—so，’Colonel’thisandthat，andthe’Judge，’——ownersoftheirvastbutcrippledestates。Theyarenotashamedofbeingpoor，whichisanaccident。\"
\"Buttheyareofworking，whichisDELIBERATION，\"interruptedDrummond。\"Theyareashamedtomendtheirfencesthemselves，nowthattheyhavenoslavestodoitforthem。\"
\"Idoubtverymuchifsomeofthemknowhowtodriveanail，forthematterofthat，\"saidCourtland，stillgood—humoredly，\"butthat’sthefaultofasystemolderthanthemselves，whichthefoundersoftheRepublicretained。Wecannotgivethemexperienceintheirnewconditioninoneday，andinfact，Drummond，Iamverymuchafraidthatforourpurposes——andIhonestlybelieveforTHEIR
good——wemusthelptokeepthemforthepresentastheyare。\"
\"Perhaps，\"saidDrummondsarcastically，\"youwouldliketoreinstateslavery？\"
\"No。ButIshouldliketoreinstatetheMASTER。AndnotforHIS
sakealone，butforfreedom’ssakeandOURS。Tobeplain：sinceI
havetakenupthismatterforthecompany，Ihavesatisfiedmyselffrompersonalobservationthatthenegro——evenmorethanhismaster——cannothandlehisnewcondition。Heisaccustomedtohisoldtraditionaltask—master，andIdoubtifhewillworkfairlyforanyother——particularlyforthosewhodon’tunderstandhim。Don’tmistakeme：Idon’tproposetogobacktothewhip;tothatbrutalinstitution，theirresponsibleoverseer;tothebuyingandselling，andseparationofthefamily，noranyoftheoldwrongs;butI
proposetomaketheoldmasterOUROVERSEER，andresponsibletoUS。
Heisnotafool，andhasalreadylearnedthatitismoreprofitabletopaywagestohisoldslavesandhavethepowerofdismissal，likeanyotheremployer，thanbeobliged，undertheoldsystemofenforcedlaborandlifeservitude，toundergothecostofmaintainingincompetenceandidleness。Theoldsentimentofslave—owninghasdisappearedbeforenaturalcommon—senseandselfishness。Iamsatisfiedthatbysomesuchprocessasthisutilizingoftheoldmasterandthenewfreedomwewillbebetterabletocultivateourlandsthanbybuyinguptheirestates，andsettingtheoldownersadrift，withalittlemoneyintheirpockets，asanidle，discontentedclasstoreviveoldpoliticaldogmas，andfomentnewissues，orperhapssetupadangerousoppositiontous。
\"Youdon’tmeantosaythatthoseinfernalniggerswouldgivethepreferencetotheiroldoppressors？\"
\"Dollarfordollarinwages——yes！Andwhyshouldn’tthey？Theiroldmastersunderstandthembetter——andtreatthemgenerallybetter。Theyknowourinterestinthemisonlyanabstractsentiment，notarealliking。Weshowitateveryturn。ButwearenearingRedlands，andMajorReedwill，Ihavenodoubt，corroboratemyimpressions。Heinsistsuponourstayingathishouse，althoughthepooroldfellow，Iimagine，canillaffordtoentertaincompany。Buthewillbeoffendedifwerefuse。\"
\"Heisafriendofyours，then？\"askedDrummond。
\"IfoughtagainsthisdivisionatStonyCreek，\"saidCourtlandgrimly。\"Henevertiresoftalkingofittome——soIsupposeI
am。\"
AfewmomentslaterthetrainglidedbesidetheRedlandsplatform。
AsthetwotravelersdescendedahandwaslaidonCourtland’sshoulder，andastoutfigureintheblackestandshiniestofalpacajackets，andthewhitestandbroadestofPanamahats，welcomedhim。
\"Gladtoseeyo’，cun’nel。IreckonedI’dwaltzoverandbringalongtheboy，\"pointingtoagrizzlednegroservantofsixtywhowasbowingbeforethem，\"tototeyo’rthingsoverinsteadofusingahack。Ihaven’trunmuchonhorsefleshsincethewah——ha！ha！
WhatIdidn’tuseupforremountsIreckonyo’rcommissarygobbledupwiththeotherlivestock，eh？\"Helaughedheartily，asiftherecollectionswerepurelyhumorous，andagainclappedCourtlandontheback。
\"Letmeintroducemyfriend，Mr。Drummond，MajorReed，\"saidCourtland，smiling。
\"Yo’wereinthewah，sir？\"
\"No——I\"——returnedDrummond，hesitating，heknewnotwhy，andangryathisownembarrassment。
\"Mr。Drummond，thevice—presidentofthecompany，\"interposedCourtlandcheerfully，\"wasengagedinfurnishingtousthesinewsofwar。\"
MajorReedbowedalittlemoreformally。\"Mostofusheah，sir，wereinthewahsometimeorother，andifyougentlemenwillhonahmebyjoininginasocialglassatthehotelacrosstheway，I’llintroduceyoutoCaptainPrendergast，wholeftalegatFairOaks。\"
Drummondwouldhavedeclined，butasignificantpressureonhisarmfromCourtlandchangedhisdetermination。Hefollowedthemtothehotelandintothepresenceoftheone—leggedwarrior（whoturnedouttobethelandlordandbarkeeper），towhomCourtlandwashilariouslyintroducedbyMajorReedas\"theman，sir，whohadpoundedmydivisionforthreehoursatStonyCreek！\"
MajorReed’shousewasbutafewminutes’walkdownthedustylane，andwaspresentlyheraldedbythebayingofthreeorfourfoxhoundsandforeshadowedbyadilapidatedconditionofpicket—fenceandstuccoedgatefront。BeyonditstretchedthewoodenDoriccolumnsoftheusualSouthernmansion，dimlyseenthroughthebroadleavesofthehorse—chestnut—treesthatshadedit。Thereweretheusuallistlessblackshadowshauntingtheverandaandouteroffices——
formerslavesandstillattachedhouse—servants，arrestedlikelizardsinbreathlessattitudesattheapproachofstrangefootsteps，andstillholdingthebrush，broom，duster，orhomeimplementtheyhadbeenlazilyusing，intheirfixedhands。Fromthedoorwayofthedetachedkitchen，connectedbyagallerytothewingofthemansion，\"AuntMartha，\"thecook，gazedalso，withasaucepanclaspedtoherbosom，andherrevolvinghandwiththescrubbingclothinitapparentlystoppedonadeadcentre。
Drummond，whosegorgehadrisenattheseevidencesofhopelessincapacityanduttershiftlessness，wasnotrelievedbythepresenceofMrs。Reed——asoured，disappointedwomanofforty，whostillcarriedinhersmalldarkeyesandthinhandsomelipssomethingofthebitternessandantagonismofthetypical\"Southernrights\"woman;norofhertwodaughters，OctaviaandAugusta，whoselanguidatrabiliousnessseemedapartofthemourningtheystillwore。Theoptimisticgallantryandgoodfellowshipofthemajorappearedthemoreremarkablebycontrastwithhiscypress—shadowedfamilyandtheirvenomouspossibilities。PerhapstheremighthavebeenalightveinofSoutherninsincerityinhisgoodhumor。
\"Paw，\"saidMissOctavia，withgloomyconfidencetoCourtland，butwithaprettycurlofthehereditarylip，\"isabouttheonly’reconstructed’oneoftheentirefamily。Wedon’tmake’emmuchaboutyer。ButI’dadviseyo’friend，Mr。Drummond，ifhe’scomingherecarpet—bagging，nottotrusttoomuchtopaw’s’reconstruction。’
Itwon’twash。\"ButwhenCourtlandhastenedtoassureherthatDrummondwasnota\"carpet—bagger，\"wasnotonlyfreefromanyofthepoliticalintrigueimpliedunderthatbalefultitle，butwasawealthyNortherncapitalistsimplyseekinginvestment，theyoungladywasscarcelymorehopeful。\"Isupposehereckonstopaypawforthoseniggersyo’stole？\"shesuggestedwithgloomysarcasm。
\"No，\"saidCourtland，smiling;\"butwhatifhereckonedtopaythoseniggersforworkingforyourfatherandhim？\"
\"Ifpawisgoingintotradingbusinesswithhim;ifMajorReed——aSo’th’ngentleman——isgoingtokeepshop，heain’tsuchafoolastobelieveniggerswillworkwhentheyain’tobligedto。THAT’S
beentriedoveratMirandyDows’s，notfivemilesfromhere，andtheniggersarehalfthetimehangin’roundheretakin’holiday。
Sheputupnewquartersfor’em，andtriedtomake’emeattogetheratalongtablelikethoselow—downfolksupNorth，anddidawaywiththeircabinsandtheirmelonpatches，andalloweditwouldget’emoutoflyingroundtoomuch，andwanted’emtoworkover—timeandgetmo’pay。Andtheresultwasthatsheandherniece，andalotofpoorwhites，IrishandScotch，thatshehadtopickup’’longtheriver，’doallthework。AndhernieceSallywasmo’
thanhalfUnionwomanduringthewah，anduptoallNo’th’ntricksanddodges，andswearin’bythem;andyet，forallthat——thethingwon’twork。\"
\"Butisn’tthatpartlythereason？Isn’therfailureagreatdealduetothislackofsympathyfromherneighbors？Discontentiseasilysown，andthenegroisstillweighteddownbysuperstition;
theFifteenthAmendmentdidnotquiteknockoffALLhischains。\"
\"Yes，butthatisnothingtoHER。Forifthereeverwasapersoninthisworldwhoreckonedshewasjustborntomanageeverythingandeverybody，itisSallyDows！\"
\"SallyDows！\"repeatedCourtland，withaslightstart。
\"Yes，SallyDows，ofPineville。\"
\"YousayshewashalfUnion，butdidshehaveanyrelationsor——
or——friends——inthewar——onyourside？Any——who——werekilledinbattle？\"
\"Theywereallkilled，Ireckon，\"returnedMissReeddarkly。
\"Therewashercousin，JuleJeffcourt，shotinthecemeterywithherbeau，who，theysay，wasSally’stoo;therewereChetBrooksandJoyceMasterton，whowerebothgoneonherandbothkilledtoo;
andtherewasoldCaptainDowshimself，whoneverliftedhisheadagainafterRichmondwastaken，anddrankhimselftodeath。Itwasn’tconsideredhealthytobeMissSally’srelationsinthosetimes，ortobeevenwantin’tobeone。\"
ColonelCourtlanddidnotreply。Thefaceofthedeadyoungofficercomingtowardshimoutofthebluesmokeroseasvividlyasonthatmemorableday。Thepictureandletterhehadtakenfromthedeadman’sbreast，whichhehadretainedeversince;theromanticandfruitlessquesthehadmadeforthefairoriginalinafterdays;andthestrangeandfatefulinterestinherwhichhadgrownupinhisheartsincethen，henowknewhadonlybeenlulledtosleepinthebusypreoccupationofthelastsixmonths，foritallcamebacktohimwithredoubledforce。Hispresentmissionanditspracticalobject，hishonestzealinitspursuit，andthecautiousskillandexperiencehehadbroughttoit，allseemedtobesuddenlydisplacedbythisromanticandunrealfantasy。Oddlyenoughitappearednowtobetheonlyrealityinhislife，therestwasanincoherent，purposelessdream。
\"Is——is——MissSallymarried？\"heasked，collectinghimselfwithaneffort。
\"Married？Yes，tothatfarmofheraunt’s！Ireckonthat’stheonlythingshecaresfor。\"
Courtlandlookedup，recoveringhisusualcheerfulcalm。\"Well，I
thinkthatafterluncheonI’llpaymyrespectstoherfamily。Fromwhatyouhavejusttoldmethefarmiscertainlyanexperimentworthseeing。IsupposeyourfatherwillhavenoobjectiontogivemealettertoMissDows？\"
CHAPTERII。
Nevertheless，asColonelCourtlandrodedeliberatelytowardsDows’
Folly，asthenewexperimentwaslocallycalled，althoughhehadnotabatedhisromanticenthusiasmintheleast，hewasnotsorrythathewasabletovisititunderapracticalpretext。ItwasratherlatenowtoseekoutMissSallyDowswiththeavowedintentofbringingheraletterfromanadmirerwhohadbeendeadthreeyears，andwhosememoryshehadprobablyburied。Neitherwasittactfultorecallasentimentwhichmighthavebeenaweaknessofwhichshewasashamed。Yet，clear—headedandlogicalasCourtlandwasinhisordinaryaffairs，hewasneverthelessnotentirelyfreefromthatpeculiarsuperstitionwhichsurroundseveryman’sromance。Hebelievedtherewassomethingmorethanamerecoincidenceinhisunexpectedlyfindinghimselfinsuchfavorableconditionsformakingheracquaintance。Fortherest——iftherewasanyrest——hewouldsimplytrusttofate。Andso，believinghimselfacool，sagaciousreasoner，butbeingactually，asfarasMissDowswasconcerned，asblind，fatuous，andunreasoningasanyofherpreviousadmirers，herodecomplacentlyforwarduntilhereachedthelanethatledtotheDowsplantation。
Hereabetterkeptroadwayandfence，whosecarefulrepairwouldhavedelightedDrummond，seemedtoaugurwellforthenewenterprise。Presently，eventheold—fashionedlocalformofthefence，aslantingzigzag，gavewaytothemoredirectlineofpostandrailintheNorthernfashion。Beyonditpresentlyappearedalonglowfrontageofmodernbuildingswhich，toCourtland’ssurprise，wereentirelynewinstructureanddesign。TherewasnoreminiscenceoftheusualSouthernporticoedgableorcolumnedveranda。YetitwasnotNortherneither。Thefactory—likeoutlineoffacadewaspartlyhiddeninCherokeeroseandjessamine。
Alongroofedgalleryconnectedthebuildingsandbecameaverandatoone。Abroad，well—rolledgraveldriveledfromtheopengatetothenewestbuilding，whichseemedtobetheoffice;asmallerpathdivergedfromittothecornerhouse，which，despiteitsseveresimplicity，hadamoreresidentialappearance。UnlikeReed’shouse，therewerenoloungingservantsorfieldhandstobeseen;theywereevidentlyattendingtotheirrespectiveduties。
Dismounting，Courtlandtiedhishorsetoapostattheofficedoorandtookthesmallerpathtothecornerhouse。
Thedoorwasopentothefragrantafternoonbreezewaftedthroughtheroseandjessamine。Soalsowasasidedooropeningfromthehallintoalongparlororsitting—roomthatranthewholewidthofthehouse。Courtlandenteredit。Itwasprettilyfurnished，buteverythinghadtheairoffreshnessandofbeinguncharacteristicallynew。Itwasempty，butafainthammeringwasaudibleontherearwallofthehouse，throughthetwoopenFrenchwindowsattheback，curtainedwithtrailingvines，whichgaveuponasunlitcourtyard。
Courtlandwalkedtothewindow。Justbeforeit，ontheground，stoodasmalllightladder，whichhegentlyputasidetogainabetterviewofthecourtyardasheputonhishat，andsteppedoutoftheopenwindow。
Inthisattitudehesuddenlyfelthishattippedfromhishead，followedalmostinstantaneouslybyafallingslipper，andthedistinctimpressionofaverysmallfootonthecrownofhishead。
Anindescribablesensationpassedoverhim。Hehurriedlysteppedbackintotheroom，justasasmallstriped—stockingedfootwasashastilydrawnupabovethetopofthewindowwiththefeminineexclamation，\"Goodgraciousme！\"
Lingeringforaninstant，onlytoassurehimselfthatthefairspeakerhadsecuredherfootholdandwasinnodangeroffalling，Courtlandsnatcheduphishat，whichhadprovidentiallyfalleninsidetheroom，andretreatedingloriouslytotheotherendoftheparlor。Thevoicecameagainfromthewindow，andstruckhimasbeingverysweetandclear：——
\"Sophy，isthatYOU？\"
Courtlanddiscreetlyretiredtothehall。Tohisgreatreliefavoicefromtheoutsideanswered，\"Whar，MissSally？\"
\"Whatdidyo’movetheladderfor？Yo’mighthavekilledme。\"
\"Fo’God，MissSally，Ididn’tmovenoladder！\"
\"Don’ttellme，butgodownandgetmyslipper。Andbringupsomemorenails。\"
Courtlandwaitedsilentlyinthehall。Inafewmomentsheheardaheavyfootstepoutsidetherearwindow。Thiswashisopportunity。
Re—enteringtheparlorsomewhatostentatiously，heconfrontedatallnegrogirlwhowaspassingthroughtheroomcarryingatinyslipperinherhand。\"Excuseme，\"hesaidpolitely，\"butIcouldnotfindanyonetoannounceme。IsMissDowsathome？\"
Thegirlinstantlywhippedtheslipperbehindher。\"Isyo’wantingMissMirandyDows，\"sheaskedwithgreatdignity，\"oahMissSallyDows——herniece？MissMirandy’sbingonetoAtlantaforaweek。\"
\"IhavealetterforMissMiranda，butIshallbeverygladifMissSallyDowswillreceiveme，returnedCourtland，handingtheletterandhiscardtothegirl。
Shereceiveditwithastillgreateraccessofdignityandmarkeddeliberation。\"It’scleangoneoutermymind，sah，efMissSallyisinderesumptionofvisitahsatdishouah。Infac’，sah，\"shecontinued，withintensifiedgravityandanexaggerationofthoughtfulnessasthesoundsofMissSally’shammeringcameshamelesslyfromthewall，\"Idoahnknowexac’lyefshe’sengagedplayin’deharp，practicin’delanguages，orpaintin’inoilandwatahcolors，o’givin’audiencestooffishalsfromdeCourtHouse。
Itmightbedehouahfordeoneordeodder。ButI’llcommunicatewidher，sah，indebudwohondeuppahflo’。\"Shebackeddexterously，soastokeeptheslipperbehindher，butwithnodiminutionofdignity，outofasidedoor。Inanothermomentthehammeringceased，followedbythesoundofrapidwhisperingwithout;afewtinytwigsandleavesslowlyrustledtotheground，andthentherewascompletesilence。Heventuredtowalktothefatefulwindowagain。
Presentlyheheardafaintrustleattheotherendoftheroom，andheturned。Asuddentremulousnesssweptalonghispulses，andthentheyseemedtopause;hedrewadeepbreaththatwasalmostasigh，andremainedmotionless。
HehadnopreconceivedideaoffallinginlovewithMissSallyatfirstsight，norhadhedreamedsuchathingpossible。Eventhegirlishfacethathehadseeninthelocket，althoughithadstirredhimwithasingularemotion，hadnotsuggestedthat。Andtheidealhehadevolvedfromitwasneverapotentpresence。Buttheexquisitelyprettyfaceandfigurebeforehim，althoughitmighthavebeenpaintedfromhisownfancyofher，wasstillsomethingmoreandsomethingunexpected。Allthathadgonebeforehadneverpreparedhimforthebeautifulgirlwhonowstoodthere。
ItwasapoorexplanationtosaythatMissSallywasfourorfiveyearsolderthanherpicture，andthatlaterexperiences，enlargedcapacity，adifferentlife，andnewambitionhadimpressedheryouthfulfacewitharefinedmobility;itwasaweirdfancytoimaginethatthebloodofthosewhohaddiedforherhadinsomevague，mysteriouswayimpartedanactualfascinationtoher，andhedismissedit。Buteventhemostfamiliarspectator，likeSophy，couldseethatMissSallyhadthesoftestpinkcomplexion，thesilkiesthair，thatlookedastheflossoftheIndiancornmightlookifcurled，orgoldenspiderthreadsifmaterialized，andeyesthatwereinbrightgrayharmonywithboth;thatthefrockofIndiamuslin，albeithome—made，fittedherfigureperfectly，fromtheazurebowsonhershoulderstotheribbonaroundherwaist;andthatthehemofitsbillowyskirtshowedafootwhichhadthereputationofbeingthesmallestfootsouthofMasonandDixon’sLine！ButitwassomethingmoreintangiblethanthiswhichkeptCourtlandbreathlessandsilent。
\"I’mnotMissMirandaDows，\"saidthevisionwithafranknessthatwashalfchildlikeandhalfpractical，assheextendedalittlehand，\"butIcantalk’fahm’withyo’aboutaswellasaunty，andI
reckonfromwhatMajorReedsaysheah，\"holdinguptheletterbetweenherfingers，\"aslongasyo’getthepersimmonsyo’don’tmindwhatkindo’poleyo’knock’emdownwith。\"
Thevoicethatcarriedthisspeechwassofresh，clear，andsweetthatIamafraidCourtlandthoughtlittleofitsbluntnessoritsconventionaltransgressions。Butitbroughthimhisowntonguequiteunemotionallyandquietly。\"Idon’tknowwhatwasinthatnote，MissDows，butIcanhardlybelievethatMajorReedeverputmypresentfelicityquiteinthatway。\"
MissSallylaughed。Thenwithacharmingexaggerationshewavedherlittlehandtowardsthesofa。
\"There！Yo’naturallywantedalittleroomforthat，co’nnle，butnowthatyo’’vegotitoff，——andmightypootyitwas，too，——yo’
cansitdown。\"Andwiththatshesankdownatoneendofthesofa，prettilydrewasideawhitebillowofskirtsoastoleaveampleroomforCourtlandattheother，andclaspingherfingersoverherknees，lookeddemurelyexpectant。
\"ButletmehopethatIamnotdisturbingyouunseasonably，\"saidCourtland，catchingsightofthefatefullittleslipperbeneathherskirt，andrememberingthewindow。\"IwassopreoccupiedinthinkingofyourauntasthebusinessmanageroftheseestatesthatIquiteforgetthatshemighthavealady’shoursforreceiving。\"
\"Wehaven’tgotanycompanyhours，\"saidMissSally，\"andwehaven’tjustnowanyservantsforcompanymanners，forwe’reshort—
handedinthefieldsandbarns。Whenyo’cameIwasnailingupthelathsforthevinesoutside，becausewecouldn’tsparecarpentersfromthefactory。But，\"sheadded，withafaintaccessionofmischiefinhervoice，\"yo’cametotalkaboutthefahm？\"
\"Yes，\"saidCourtland，rising，\"butnottointerrupttheworkonit。Willyouletmehelpyounailupthelathsonthewall？I
havesomeexperiencethatway，andwecantalkaswework。Doobligeme！\"
Theyounggirllookedathimbrightly。
\"Well，now，there’snothingmeanaboutTHAT。Yo’meanitforsure？\"
\"Perfectly。IshallfeelsomuchlessasifIwasenjoyingyourcompanyunderfalsepretenses。\"
\"Yo’justwaithere，then。\"
Shejumpedfromthesofa，ranoutoftheroom，andreturnedpresently，tyingthestringofalongstripedcottonblouse——
evidentlyanextraoneofSophy’s——behindherbackasshereturned。
Itwasgatheredunderherovalchinbyatapealsotiedbehindher，whileherfairhairwastuckedundertheusualredbandanahandkerchiefofthenegrohousemaid。Itisscarcelynecessarytoaddthattheeffectwasbewitching。
\"But，\"saidMissSally，eyingherguest’ssmartlyfittingfrock—
coat，\"yo’’llspoilyo’rpootyclothes，sure！Takeoffyo’rcoat——
don’tmindme——andworkinyo’rshirtsleeves。\"
CourtlandobedientlyflungasidehiscoatandfollowedhisactivehostessthroughtheFrenchwindowtotheplatformoutside。Abovethemawoodenledgeorcornice，projectingseveralinches，ranthewholelengthofthebuilding。ItwasonthisthatMissSallyhadevidentlyfoundafootholdwhileshewasnailingupatrellis—workoflathsbetweenitandthewindowsofthesecondfloor。Courtlandfoundtheladder，mountedtotheledge，followedbytheyounggirl，whosmilinglywaivedhisprofferedhandtohelpherup，andthetwogravelysettowork。ButintheintervalsofhammeringandtyingupthevinesMissSally’stonguewasnotidle。Hertalkwasasfresh，asquaint，asoriginalasherself，andyetsopracticalandtothepurposeofCourtland’svisitastoexcusehisdelightinitandherownfascinatingpropinquity。Whethershestoppedtotakeanailfrombetweenherprettylipswhenshespoketohim，orwhetherholdingonperilouslywithonehandtothetrelliswhileshegesticulatedwiththehammer，pointingoutthedivisionsoftheplantationfromhercoignofvantage，hethoughtshewasasclearandconvincingtohisintellectasshewasdistractingtohissenses。
ShetoldhimhowthewarhadbrokenuptheiroldhomeinPineville，sendingherfathertoserveintheConfederatecouncilsofRichmond，andleavingherauntandherselftomanagethepropertyalone;howtheestatehadbeendevastated，thehousedestroyed，andhowtheyhadbarelytimetoremoveafewvaluables;how，althoughSHEhadalwaysbeenopposedtosecessionandthewar，shehadnotgoneNorth，preferringtostaywithherpeople，andtakewiththemthepunishmentofthefollyshehadforeseen。Howafterthewarandherfather’sdeathsheandheraunthaddeterminedto\"reconstructTHEMSELVES\"aftertheirownfashiononthisbitofproperty，whichhadsurvivedtheirfortunesbecauseithadalwaysbeenconsideredvaluelessandunprofitablefornegrolabor。Howatfirsttheyhadundergoneseriousdifficulty，throughtheincompetenceandignoranceofthefreedlaborer，andtheequalapathyandprejudiceoftheirneighbors。Howtheyhadgraduallysucceededwiththeadoptionofnewmethodsandideasthatsheherselfhadconceived，whichshenowbrieflyandclearlystated。
Courtlandlistenedwithanew，breathless，andalmostsuperstitiousinterest：theywereHISOWNTHEORIES——perfectedanddemonstrated！
\"Butyoumusthavehadcapitalforthis？\"
Ah，yes！thatwaswheretheywerefortunate。ThereweresomeFrenchcousinswithwhomshehadoncestayedinParis，whoadvancedenoughtostocktheestate。ThereweresomeEnglishfriendsofherfather’s，oldblockaderunners，whohadtakenshares，providedthemwithmorecapital，andimportedsomeskilledlaborersandakindofstewardoragenttorepresentthem。Buttheyweregettingon，andperhapsitwasbetterfortheirreputationwiththeirneighborsthattheyhadnotbeenBEHOLDENtothe\"No’th。\"SeeingacloudpassoverCourtland’sface，theyoungladyaddedwithanaffectedsigh，andthefirsttouchoffemininecoquetrywhichhadinvadedtheirwholesomecamaraderie：——
\"Yo’oughttohavefoundusoutBEFORE，co’nnle。\"
ForanimpulsivemomentCourtlandfeltliketellingherthenandtherethestoryofhisromanticquest;butthereflectionthattheywerestandingonanarrowledgewithnoroomfortheemotions，andthatMissSallyhadjustputanailinhermouthandastartmightbedangerous，checkedhim。Tothismaybeaddedanewjealousyofherpreviousexperiences，whichhehadnotfeltbefore。
Nevertheless，hemanagedtosaywithsomeeffusion：——
\"ButIhopewearenottoolateNOW。IthinkmyprincipalsarequitereadyandabletobuyupanyEnglishorFrenchinvestornowortocome。\"
\"Yo’mighttryyo’handonthatone，\"saidMissSally，pointingtoayoungfellowwhohadjustemergedfromtheofficeandwascrossingthecourtyard。\"He’stheEnglishagent。\"
Hewassquare—shoulderedandround—headed，freshandcleanlookinginhiswhiteflannels，butwithanairofbeingutterlydistinctandalientoeverythingaroundhim，andmentallyandmorallyirreconcilabletoit。Ashepassedthehouseheglancedshylyatit;hiseyebrightenedandhismannerbecameself—consciousashecaughtsightoftheyounggirl，butchangedagainwhenhesawhercompanion。Courtlandlikewisewasconsciousofacertainuneasiness;itwasonethingtobehelpingMissSallyALONE，butcertainlyanotherthingtobedoingsoundertheeyeofastranger;
andIamafraidthathemetthestonyobservationoftheEnglishmanwithanequallycoldstare。MissSallyaloneretainedherlanguideaseandself—possession。Shecalledout，\"Waitamoment，Mr。
Champney，\"slippedlightlydowntheladder，andleaningagainstitwithonefootonitslowestrungawaitedhisapproach。
\"Ireckonedyo’mightbepassingby，\"shesaid，ashecameforward。
\"Co’nnleCourtland，\"withanexplanatorywaveofthehammertowardshercompanion，whoremainederectandslightlystiffenedonthecornice，\"isnorelationtothosefiguresalongthefriezeoftheRedlandsCourtHouse，butaNo’th’nofficer，afriendofMajorReed’s，who’scomedownheretolookafterSo’th’npropertyforsomeNo’th’ncapitalists。Mr。Champney，\"shecontinued，turningandliftinghereyestoCourtlandassheindicatedChampneywithherhammer，\"whenheisn’ttalkingEnglish，seeingEnglish，thinkingEnglish，dressingEnglish，andwonderingwhyGoddidn’tmakeeverythingEnglish，istryingtodothesameforHISfolks。
Mr。Champney，Co’nnleCourtland。Co’nnleCourtland，Mr。Champney！\"
Thetwomenbowedformally。\"Andnow，Co’nnle，ifyo’llcomedown，Mr。Champneywillshowyo’roundthefahm。Whenyo’’vegotthroughyo’llfindmehereatwork。\"
Courtlandwouldhavepreferred，andhalflookedforhercompanyandcommentaryonthisroundofinspection，butheconcealedhisdisappointmentanddescended。ItdidnotexactlypleasehimthatChampneyseemedrelieved，andappearedtoaccepthimasabonafidestrangerwhocouldnotpossiblyinterferewithanyconfidentialrelationsthathemighthavewithMissSally。Nevertheless，hemettheEnglishman’soffertoaccompanyhimwithpolitegratitude，andtheyleftthehousetogether。
Inlessthananhourtheyreturned。IthadnoteventakenthattimeforCourtlandtodiscoverthattherealimprovementsandthenewmethodshadoriginatedwithMissSally;thatshewasvirtuallythecontrollinginfluencethere，andthatshewasprobablyretardedratherthanassistedbytheold—fashionedandtraditionalconservatismofthecompanyofwhichChampneywassteward。Itwasequallyplain，however，thattheyoungfellowwasdimlyconsciousofthis，andwasfranklycommunicativeaboutit。
\"Yousee，overtheretheyworkthingsinadifferentway，and，byJove！theycan’tunderstandthatthereisanyother，don’tyouknow？They’realwayswiggingmeasifIcouldhelpit，althoughI’vetriedtoexplaintheniggerbusiness，andallthat，don’tyouknow？TheywantMissDowstoreferherplanstome，andexpectmetoreportonthem，andthenthey’llsubmitthemtotheBoardandwaitforitsdecision。FancyMissDowsdoingthat！But，byJove！
theycan’tconceiveofherATALLoverthere，don’tyouknow？\"
\"WhichMissDowsdoyoumean？\"askedCourtlanddryly。
\"MissSally，ofcourse，\"saidtheyoungfellowbriskly。\"SHE
manageseverything——herauntincluded。Shecanmakethoseniggersworkwhennooneelsecan，awordorsmilefromherisenough。Shecanmaketermswithdealersandcontractors——herownterms，too——
whentheywon’tlookatMYfigures。ByJove！sheevengetspointsoutofthosetravelingagentsandinventors，don’tyouknow，whocomealongtheroadwithpatentsandsamples。Shegotoneofthoselightning—rodandwire—fencementoshowherhowtoputupanarborforhertrailingroses。Why，whenIfirstsawYOUuponthecornice，Ithoughtyouweresomeotherchapthatshe’dasked——don’tyouknow——thatis，atfirst，ofcourse！——youknowwhatImean——ha，byJove！——beforewewereintroduced，don’tyouknow。\"
\"IthinkIOFFEREDtohelpMissDows，\"saidCourtlandwithaquicknessthatheatonceregretted。
\"SodidHE，don’tyouknow？MissSallydoesnotASKanybody。
Don’tyousee？afellowdon’tliketostandbyandseeayoungladylikeherdoingsuchwork。\"Vaguelyawareofsomeinfelicityinhisspeech，heawkwardlyturnedthesubject：\"Idon’tthinkIshallstayherelong，myself。\"
\"YouexpecttoreturntoEngland？\"askedCourtland。
\"Oh，no！ButIshallgooutofthecompany’sserviceandtrymyownhand。There’sagoodbitoflandaboutthreemilesfromherethat’sinthemarket，andIthinkIcouldmakesomethingoutofit。
Afellowoughttosettledownandbehisownmaster，\"heansweredtentatively，\"eh？\"
\"ButhowwillMissDowsbeabletospareyou？\"askedCourtland，uneasilyconsciousthathewasassuminganindifference。
\"Oh，I’mnotmuchusetoher，don’tyouknow——atleastnotHERE。
ButImight，ifIhadmyownlandandifwewereneighbors。ItoldyouSHErunstheplace，nomatterwho’shere，orwhosemoneyisinvested。\"
\"IpresumeyouarespeakingnowofyoungMissDows？\"saidCourtlanddryly。
\"MissSally——ofcourse——always，\"saidChampneysimply。\"Sherunstheshop。\"
\"WeretherenotsomeFrenchinvestors——relationsofMissDows？
DoesanybodyrepresentTHEM？\"askedCourtlandpointedly。
Yethewasnotquitepreparedforthenaivechangeinhiscompanion’sface。\"No。TherewasasortofFrenchcousinwhousedtobeagooddealtothefore，don’tyouknow？ButIratherfancyhedidn’tcomeheretolookafterthePROPERTY，\"returnedChampneywithaquicklaugh。\"Ithinktheauntmusthavewrittentohisfriends，forthey’calledhimoff，’andIdon’tthinkMissSallybrokeherheartabouthim。She’snotthatsortofgirl——eh？ShecouldhaveherpickoftheStateifshewentinforthatsortofthing——eh？\"
AlthoughthiswasexactlywhatCourtlandwasthinking，itpleasedhimtoanswerinadistraitsortoffashion，\"Certainly，Ishouldthinkso，\"andtorelapseintoanapparentlybusinessabstraction。
\"IthinkIwon’tgoin，\"continuedChampneyastheynearedthehouseagain。\"Isupposeyou’llhavesomethingmoretosaytoMissDows。Ifthere’sanythingelseyouwantofME，cometotheoffice。
ButSHE’LLknow。And——er——er——ifyou’re——er——stayinglonginthispartofthecountry，rideoverandlookmeup，don’tyouknow？andhaveasmokeandajulep;Ihaveaboywhoknowshowtomixthem，andI’vesomeoldbrandysentmefromtheotherside。Good—by。\"
Moreawkwardinhiskindlinessthaninhissimplebusinessconfidences，butapparentlyequallyhonestinboth，heshookCourtland’shandandwalkedaway。Courtlandturnedtowardsthehouse。Hehadseenthefarmanditsimprovements;hehadfoundsomeofhisownideaspracticallydiscounted;clearlytherewasnothingleftforhimtodobuttothankhishostessandtakehisleave。Buthefeltfarmoreuneasythanwhenhehadarrived;andtherewasasingularsenseofincompletenessinhisvisitthathecouldnotentirelyaccountfor。HisconversationwithChampneyhadcomplicated——heknewnotwhy——hisprevioustheoriesofMissDows，andalthoughhewashalfconsciousthatthishadnothingtodowiththebusinessthatbroughthimthere，hetriedtothinkthatithad。
