Directlybeforeit，however，tohisconsternation，werethemassive，buttimeworn，irongatesofapark，whichDickdidnotdoubtwastheoneinwhichhehadspentthepreviousnight。Butitwasimpossibletogofurtherinhispresentplight，andheboldlyapproachedtherestaurant。Ashewaspreparingtomakehisusualexplanatorysigns，tohisgreatdelighthewasaddressedinaquaint，brokenEnglish，mixedwithforgottenAmericanslang，bythewhite—trousered，black—alpacacoatedproprietor。Morethanthat——
hewasaSocialDemocratandanenthusiasticloverofAmerica——hadhenotbeento\"Bos—town\"andNewYork，andpenetratedasfarwestas\"Booflo，\"andhadmuchpleasureinthatbeautifulandfreecountry？Yes！itwasa\"go—a—’ed\"country——you\"bet—your—lif’。\"
Onehadreasontosayso：therewasyourelectricity——yourstreetcars——your\"steambots\"——ah！suchsteambots——andyour\"r—rail—r—
roads。\"Ah！observe！compareyourr—rail—r—roadsandthebuffetofthePullmanwiththelinefromParis，forexample——andwhereisone？Nowhere！Actually，positively，withoutdoubt，nowhere！
Later，atanappetizingbreakfast——atwhich，toDick’sgreatsatisfaction，thegoodmanhadpermittedandcongratulatedhimselftositattablewithafree—bornAmerican——hewasevenmoreloquacious。Forwhatthen，hewouldask，wasthisincompetence，thisimbecility，ofFrance？Hewouldtell。ItwasthevilecorruptionofParis，thegraspingofcapitalandcompanies，thefatalinfluenceofthestillclingingnoblesse，andtheinsidiousJesuiticalpowerofthepriests。Asforexample，Monsieur\"theBooflo—bil\"haddoubtlessnoticedthegreatgatesoftheparkbeforethecafe？Itwasthepreserve，——thehunting—parkofoneoftheoldgrandseigneurs，stillkeptupbyhisdescendants，theComtesdeFontonelles——hundredsofacresthathadneverbeentilled，andkeptaswildwastewilderness，——keptforaday’spleasureinayear！And，lookyou！thepeasantsstarvingarounditswallsintheirsmallgardenpatchesandpinchedfarms！AndthepresentComtedeFontonellescascadinggoldonhismistressesinParis；andtheComtesse，hismother，andherdaughterlivingtheretofeedandfattenandpensionabroodofplotting，black—cowledpriests。Ah，bah！wherewasyourRepublicanFrance，then？Butatimewouldcome。The\"Booflo—bil\"had，withoutdoubt，noticed，ashecamealongtheroad，thebreachesinthewallofthepark？
Dick，withaslightdryreserve，\"reckonedthathehad。\"
\"TheyweremadebythescythesandpitchforksofthepeasantsintheRevolutionof’93，whenthecountwasemigre，asonesayswithreason’skedadelle，’toEngland。Letthemlookthenexttimethattheyburnnotthechateau，——’betyourlif’！’\"
\"Thechateau，\"saidDick，withaffectedcarelessness。\"Wot’stheblamedthinglike？\"
Itwasanoldaffair，——witharmorandapicture—gallery，——andbricabrac。Hehadneverseenit。Notevenasaboy，——itwaskeptverysecludedthen。Asaman——youunderstand——hecouldnotaskthefavor。TheComtesdeFontonellesandhimselfwerenotfriends。
Thefamilydidnotlikeacafeneartheirsacredgates，——wherehadstoodonlythehutsoftheirretainers。TheAmericanwouldobservethathehadnotcalledit\"CafedeChateau，\"nor\"CafedeFontonelles，\"——thegoldofCaliforniawouldnotinducehim。Whydidheremainthere？Naturally，togoadthem！Itwasaprinciple，oneunderstood。ToGOADthemandholdthemincheck！Onekeptacafe，——whynot？Onehadone’sprinciples，——one’sconviction，——thatwasanotherthing！Thatwasthekindof\"’air—pin\"——wasitnot？——
thatHE，GustavRibaud，waslike！
Yetforallhistruculentsocialism，hewasquick，obliging，andcharminglyattentivetoDickandhisneeds。AstoDick’shorse，heshouldhavethebestveterinarysurgeon——therewasanincomparableoneinthepersonoftheblacksmith——seetohim，andifitwereanaffairofdays，andDickmustgo，hehimselfwouldbegladtopurchasethebeast，hissaddle，andaccoutrements。Itwasanaffairofbusiness，——anadvertisementforthecafe！Hewouldridethehorsehimselfbeforethegatesofthepark。Itwouldpleasehiscustomers。Ha！hehadlearnedatrickortwoinfreeAmerica。
Dick’sfirstacthadbeentoshaveoffhischaracteristicbeardandmustache，andeventosubmithislongcurlstothevillagebarber’sshears，whileastrawhat，whichheboughttotaketheplaceofhisslouchedsombrero，completedhistransformation。Hishostsawinthechangeonlythenaturalpreparationofavoyager，butDickhadreallymadethesacrifice，notfromfearofdetection，forhehadrecoveredhisoldswaggeringaudacity，butfromaquickdistastehehadtakentohisresemblancetotheportrait。HewastoogenuineaWesterner，andtoovainaman，tofeelflatteredathisresemblancetoanaristocraticbully，ashebelievedtheancestralDeFontonellestobe。EvenhismomentarysensationashefacedtheCureinthepicture—gallerywasmorefromavaguesensethatlibertieshadbeentakenwithhis，Dick’s，personality，thanthathehadborrowedanythingfromtheportrait。
Buthewasnotsoclearabouttheyounggirl。Hertender，appealingvoice，althoughheknewithadbeenaddressedonlytoavision，stillthrilledhisfancy。Thepluckthathadmadeherwithstandherfearsolong——untilhehadutteredthatdreadfulword——stillexcitedhisadmiration。Hiscuriositytoknowwhatmistakehehadmade——forheknewitmusthavebeensomefrightfulblunder——wasallthemorekeen，ashehadnochancetorectifyit。
Whatabruteshemusthavethoughthim——orDIDshereallythinkhimabruteeventhen？——forherlookwasonemoreofdespairandpity！
Yetshewouldrememberhimonlybythatlastword，andneverknowthathehadriskedinsultandejectionfromherfriendstocarryhertoherplaceofsafety。Hecouldnotbeartogoacrosstheseascarryingthepale，unsatisfiedfaceofthatgentlegirleverbeforehiseyes！Asenseofdelicacy——newtoDick，butalwaystheaccompanimentofdeepfeeling——kepthimfromevenhintinghisstorytohishost，thoughheknew——perhapsBECAUSEheknew——thatitwouldgratifyhisenmitytothefamily。AsuddenthoughtstruckDick。
Heknewherhouse，andhername。Hewouldwriteheranote。
Somebodywouldbesuretotranslateitforher。
Heborrowedpen，ink，andpaper，andinthecleansolitudeofhisfreshchintzbedroom，inditedthefollowingletter：——
DEARMISSFONTONELLES，——Pleaseexcusemeforhavingskeertyou。I
hadn’tanycalltodoit，Ineverreckonedtodoit——itwasalljestmydernedluck；IonlyreckonedtotellyouIwaslost——inthemblamedwoods——don’tyouremember？——\"lost\"——PERDOO！——andthenyouupandfainted！Iwouldn’thavecomeintoyourgarden，only，yousee，I’djustskeeredbyaccidenttwoofyourhelps，reg’larsofties，andIwantedtoexplain。IreckontheyallowedIwasthatmanthatthatpictureinthehallwaspaintedafter。IreckontheytookMEforhim——see？Butheain’tMYstyle，nohow，andIneversawthepictureatalluntilafterI’dtotedyou，whenyoufainted，uptoyourhouse，orI’dhavemademykalkilationsandactedaccording。I’dhavelaidlowinthewoods，andgotawaywithoutskeerin’you。YouseewhatImean？Itwasmightymeanofme，I
suppose，tohavetetchedyouatall，withoutsaying，\"Excuseme，miss，\"andtotedyououtofthegardenandupthestepsintoyourownparlorwithoutaskingyourleave。Butthewholethingtumbledsosuddent。Anditdidn’tseemthesquarethingformetoliteoutandleaveyoulyingthereonthegrass。That’swhy！I’msorryI
skeertthatoldpreacher，buthecameuponmeinthepicturehallsosuddent，thatitwasamightyclosecall，Itellyou，togetoffwithoutashindy。Pleaseforgiveme，MissFontonelles。Whenyougetthis，IshallbegoingbackhometoAmerica，butyoumightwritetomeatDenverCity，sayingyou’reallright。Ilikedyourstyle；Ilikedyourgritinstandinguptomeinthegardenuntilyouhadyoursay，whenyouthoughtIwastheLordknowswhat——
thoughIneverunderstoodawordyougotoff——notknowingFrench。
Butit’sallthesamenow。Say！I’vegotyourrose！
Yoursveryrespectfully，RICHARDFOUNTAINS。
Dickfoldedtheepistleandputitinhispocket。Hewouldpostithimselfonthemorningbeforeheleft。Whenhecamedownstairshefoundhisindefatigablehostawaitinghim，withthereportoftheveterinaryblacksmith。Therewasnothingseriouslywrongwiththemustang，butitwouldbeunfittotravelforseveraldays。Thelandlordrepeatedhisformeroffer。Dick，whosemoneywasprettywellexhausted，wasfaintoaccept，reflectingthatSHEhadneverseenthemustangandwouldnotrecognizeit。Buthedrewthelineatthesombrero，towhichhishosthadtakenagreatfancy。HehadwornitbeforeHER！
LaterintheeveningDickwassittingonthelowverandaofthecafe，overlookingthewhiteroad。Aroundwhitetablewasbesidehim，hisfeetwereontherailing，buthiseyeswererestingbeyondonthehigh，mouldyirongatesofthemysteriouspark。Whathewasthinkingofdidnotmatter，buthewasalittleimpatientatthesuddenappearanceofhishost——whomhehadevadedduringtheafternoon——athisside。Theman’smannerwasfullofburstingloquacityandmysteriouslevity。
Truly，itwasagoodhourwhenDickhadarrivedatFontonelles，——
\"justintime。\"HecouldseenowwhataworldofimbecileswasFrance。Whatstupidignoranceruled，whatlowcunningandlowtactcouldachieve，——ineffect，whatjugglersandmountebanks，hypocriticalpriestsandlicentiousandlyingnoblessewenttomakeupexistingsociety。Ah，therehadbeenafineexcitement，aregularcoupd’theatreatFontonelles，——thechateauyonder；hereatthevillage，wherethenewswasbroughtbyfrightenedgroomsandsillywomen！Hehadbeeninthethickofitalltheafternoon！Hehadexaminedit，——interrogatedthemlikeajuged’instruction，——
winnowedit，siftedit。Andwhatwasitall？Anattemptbythesewretchedpriestsandnoblessetoreviveinthenineteenthcentury——
theageofelectricityandPullmancars——amiserablemediaevallegendofanapparition，amiracle！Yes；oneisaskedtobelievethatatthechateauyonderwasseenlastnightthreetimestheapparitionofArmanddeFontonelles！
Dickstarted。\"ArmanddeFontonelles！\"Herememberedthatshehadrepeatedthatname。
\"Who’she？\"hedemandedabruptly。
\"ThefirstComtedeFontonelles！Whenmonsieurknowsthatthefirstcomtehasbeendeadthreehundredyears，hewillseetheimbecilityoftheaffair！\"
\"Wotdidhecomebackfor？\"growledDick。
\"Ah！itwasalegend。Consideritsartfulness！TheComteArmandhadbeenahardliver，adissipatedscoundrel，arecklessbeast，butamightyhunterofthestag。ItwassaidthatononeoftheseoccasionshehadbeenwarnedbytheapparitionofSt。Hubert；buthehadlaughed，——for，observe，HEalwaysjeeredattheprieststoo；
hencethisstory！——andhaddeclaredthattheflamingcrossseenbetweenthehornsofthesacredstagwasonlythetorchofapoacher，andhewouldshootit！Good！thebodyofthecomte，dead，butwithoutawound，wasfoundinthewoodthenextday，withhisdischargedarquebusinhishand。TheArchbishopofRouenrefusedhisbodytheritesoftheChurchuntilanumberofmassesweresaideveryyearand——paidfor！Oneunderstands！oneseestheir’littlegame；’thecountnowappears，——heisinpurgatory！Moremasses，——
moremoney！Thereyouare。Bah！Oneunderstands，too，thattheaffairtakesplace，notinacafelikethis，——notinapublicplace，——butatachateauofthenoblesse，andisseenby\"——theproprietorcheckedthecharactersonhisfingers——TWOretainers；
oneyoungdemoiselleofthenoblesse，daughterofthechatelaineherself；and，myfaith，itgoeswithoutsaying，byafatpriest，theCure！Ineffect，twointerestedones！Andthepriest，——hislieismagnificent！Superb！Forhesawthecomteinthepicture—
gallery，——ineffect，steppingintohisframe！\"
\"Oh，comeofftheroof，\"saidDickimpatiently；\"theymusthaveseenSOMETHING，youknow。Theyoungladywouldn’tlie！\"
MonsieurRibaudleanedover，withamysterious，cynicalsmile，andloweringhisvoicesaid：——
\"Youhavereasontosayso。Youhavehitit，myfriend。ThereWAS
asomething！Andifweregardtheyounglady，youshallhear。ThestoryofMademoiselledeFontonellesisthatshehaswalkedbyherselfaloneinthegarden，——youobserve，ALONE——inthemoonlight，neartheedgeofthewood。Youcomprehend？ThemotherandtheCureareinthehouse，——forthetimeeffaced！Hereattheedgeofthewood——thoughwhyshecontinues，ayoungdemoiselle，totheedgeofthewooddoesnotmakeitselfclear——shebeholdsherancestor，asonapedestal，young，pale，butveryhandsomeandexalte，——
pardon！\"
\"Nothing，\"saidDickhurriedly；\"goon！\"
\"Shebeseecheshimwhy！Hesaysheislost！Shefaintsaway，ontheinstant，there——regardme！——ONTHEEDGEOFTHEWOOD，shesays。
ButhermotherandMonsieurleCurefindherpale，agitated，distressed，ONTHESOFAINTHESALON。Oneisaskedtobelievethatsheistransportedthroughtheair——likeanangel——bythespiritofArmanddeFontonelles。Incredible！\"
\"Well，wotdoYOUthink？\"saidDicksharply。
Thecafeproprietorlookedaroundhimcarefully，andthenloweredhisvoicesignificantly：——
\"Alover！\"
\"Awhat？\"saidDick，withagasp。
\"Alover！\"repeatedRibaud。\"Youcomprehend！Mademoisellehasnodot，——thepropertyisnothing，——thebrotherhaseverything。A
MademoiselledeFontonellescannotmarryoutofherclass，andthenoblesseareallpoor。Mademoiselleisyoung，——pretty，theysay，ofherkind。Itisanintolerablelifeattheoldchateau；
mademoiselleconsolesherself！\"
MonsieurRibaudneverknewhownearhewastothewhiteroadbelowtherailingatthatparticularmoment。Luckily，Dickcontrolledhimself，andwisely，asMonsieurRibaud’snextsentenceshowedhim。
\"Aromance，——aninnocent，foolishliaison，ifyoulike，——but，allthesame，ifknownofaMademoiselledeFontonelles，acompromising，afatalentanglement。Thereyouare。Look！forthis，then，allthisstoryofcockandbullsandspirits！Mademoisellehasbeendiscoveredwithherloverbysomeone。Thisprettystoryshallstoptheirmouths！\"
\"Butwot，\"saidDickbrusquely，\"wotifthegirlwasreallyskeertatsomethingshe’dseen，andfainteddeadaway，asshesaidshedid，——and——and\"——hehesitated——\"somestrangercamealongandpickedherup？\"
MonsieurRibaudlookedathimpityingly。
\"AMademoiselledeFontonelleispickedupbyherservants，byherfamily，butnotbytheyoungmaninthewoods，alone。Itisevenmorecompromising！\"
\"Doyoumeantosay，\"saidDickfuriously，\"thattheragpickersandsneaksthatwadearoundintheslumgallionofthiscountrywoulddaretospatterthatyounggal？\"
\"Imeantosay，yes，——assuredly，positivelyyes！\"saidRibaud，rubbinghishandswithacertainsatisfactionatDick’sfury。\"ForyoucomprehendnotthepositionoflajeunefilleinallFrance！
Ah！inAmericatheyoungladyshegoeverywherealone；Ihaveseenher——pretty，charming，fascinating——alonewiththeyoungman。Buthere，no，never！Regardme，myfriend。TheFrenchmother，shesaytoherdaughter’sfiance，’Look！thereismydaughter。Shehasneverbeenalonewithayoungmanforfiveminutes，——notevenwithyou。Takeherforyourwife！’Itismonstrous！itisimpossible！
itisso！\"
Therewasasilenceofafewminutes，andDicklookedblanklyattheirongatesoftheparkofFontonelles。Thenhesaid：\"Givemeacigar。\"
MonsieurRibaudinstantlyproducedhiscigarcase。Dicktookacigar，butwavedasidetheprofferedmatch，andenteringthecafe，tookfromhispocketthelettertoMademoiselledeFontonelles，twisteditinaspiral，lighteditatacandle，lithiscigarwithit，andreturningtotheverandahelditinhishanduntilthelastashesdroppedonthefloor。Thenhesaid，gravely，toRibaud：——
\"You’vetreatedmelikeawhiteman，Frenchy，andIain’tgoin’
backonyer——thoughyourwaysain’tmyways——nohow；butIreckoninthisyermatterattheshottoyou’realittletooprevious！ForthoughIdon’tasagin’ralthingtakestockinghosts，IBELIEVE
EVERYWORDTHATTHEMFOLKSAIDUPTHAR。And，\"headded，leaninghishandsomewhatheavilyonRibaud’sshoulder，\"ifyou’rethemanItakeyoufor，you’llbelieveittoo！Andifthatchap，ArmanddeFontonelles，hadn’thevpickedupthatgalatthatmoment，hewouldhevdeservedtoroastinhellanotherthreehundredyears！That’swhyIbelieveherstory。Soyou’lllettheseyerFontonelleskeeptheirghostsforallthey’reworth；andwhenyounextfeelinclinedtotalkaboutthatgirl’sLOVER，you’llthinkofme，andshutyourhead！Youhearme，Frenchy，I’mshoutin’！Anddon’tyouforgetit！\"
Nevertheless，earlythenextmorning，MonsieurRibaudaccompaniedhisguesttotherailwaystation，andpartedfromhimwithgreateffusion。Onhiswaybackanold—fashionedcarriagewithapostilionpassedhim。Atasignfromitsoccupant，thepostilionpulledup，andMonsieurRibaud，bowingtothedust，approachedthewindow，andthepale，sternfaceofadignified，white—hairedwomanofsixtythatlookedfromit。
\"Hashegone？\"saidthelady。
\"Assuredly，madame；Iwaswithhimatthestation。\"
\"Andyouthinknoonesawhim？\"
\"Noone，madame，butmyself。\"
\"And——whatkindofamanwashe？\"
MonsieurRibaudliftedhisshoulders，threwouthishandsdespairingly，yetwithaworldofsignificance，andsaid：——
\"AnAmerican。\"
\"Ah！\"
Thecarriagedroveonandenteredthegatesofthechateau。AndMonsieurRibaud，cafeproprietorandSocialDemocrat，straightenedhimselfinthedustandshookhisfistafterit。
ANIGHTONTHEDIVIDE
Withthelullingofthewindtowardseveningitcameontosnow——
heavily，instraight，quicklysucceedingflakes，droppinglikewhitelancesfromthesky。ThiswasfollowedbytheusualSierranphenomenon。Thedeepgorge，which，asthesunwentdown，hadlapsedintodarkness，presentlybegantoreappear；atfirstthevanishedtrailcamebackasavividlywhiteningstreakbeforethem；
thenthelarchesandpinesthatascendedfromitlikebuttressesagainstthehillsidesglimmeredinghostlydistinctness，untilatlastthetwoslopescurvedoutofthedarknessasifhewninmarble。Forthesuddenstorm，whichextendedscarcelytwomiles，hadleftnotraceuponthesteepgranitefaceofthehighcliffsabove；thesnow，slippingsilentlyfromthem，leftthemstillhiddenintheobscurityofnight。Inthevanishedlandscapethegorgealonestoodout，setinachaosofcloudandstormthroughwhichthemoonbeamsstruggledineffectually。
Itwasthisunexpectedsightwhichburstupontheoccupantsofalargecovered\"stationwagon\"whohadchanceduponthelowerendofthegorge。Comingfromastillloweraltitude，theyhadknownnothingofthestorm，whichhadmomentarilyceased，buthadleftarecordofitsintensityinnearlytwofeetofsnow。Forsomemomentsthehorsesflounderedandstruggledon，inwhatthetravelersbelievedtobesomeoldforgottendriftoravalanche，untiltheextentandfreshnessofthefallbecameapparent。Toaddtotheirdifficulties，thestormrecommenced，andnotcomprehendingitsrealcharacterandlimit，theydidnotdaretoattempttoreturnthewaytheycame。Togoon，however，wasimpossible。Inthisquandarytheylookedabouttheminvainforsomeotherexitfromthegorge。Thesidesofthatgiganticwhitefurrowterminatedindarkness。Hemmedinfromtheworldinalldirections，itmighthavebeentheirtomb。
ButalthoughTHEYcouldseenothingbeyondtheirprisonwalls，theythemselveswereperfectlyvisiblefromtheheightsabovethem。AndJackTenbrook，quartzminer，whowassinkingatunnelintherockyledgeofshelfabovethegorge，steppingoutfromhiscabinatteno’clocktotakealookattheweatherbeforeturningin，couldobservequitedistinctlytheoutlineoftheblackwagon，theflounderinghorses，andthecrouchingfiguresbytheirside，scarcelylargerthanpygmiesonthewhitesurfaceofthesnow，sixhundredfeetbelowhim。Jackhadcourageandstrength，andthegoodhumorthataccompaniesthem，buthecontentedhimselfforafewmomentswithlazilyobservingthetravelers’discomfiture。Hehadtakeninthesituationwithaglance；hewouldhavehelpedabrotherminerormountaineer，althoughheknewthatitcouldonlyhavebeendrinkorbravadothatbroughtHIMintothegorgeinasnowstorm，butitwasveryevidentthatthesewere\"greenhorns，\"oreasterntourists，anditservedtheirstupidityandarroganceright！Herememberedalsohowhe，havingoncehelpedanEasternvisitorcatchthemustangthathad\"bucked\"him，hadbeencalled\"myman，\"andpresentedwithfivedollars；herecalledhowhehadoncespreadthehumbleresourcesofhiscabinbeforesomestrayingmembersoftheSanFranciscopartywhowere\"opening\"thenewrailroad，andheardtheaudiblewonderofaladythatacivilizedbeingcouldliveso\"coarsely\"？Withtheserecollectionsinhismind，hemanagedtosurveythedistantstrugglinghorseswithafinesenseofhumor，notunmixedwithself—righteousness。Therewasnorealdangerinthesituation；itmeantattheworstadelayandacampinginthesnowtillmorning，whenhewouldgodowntotheirassistance。Theyhadaspacioustravelingequipage，andwere，nodoubt，wellsuppliedwithfurs，robes，andprovisionsforaseveralhours’journey；hisownporkbarrelwasquiteempty，andhisblanketsworn。Hehalfsmiled，extendedhislongarmsinadecidedyawn，andturnedbackintohiscabintogotobed。Thenhecastafinalglancearoundtheinterior。Everythingwasallright；
hisloadedriflestoodagainstthewall；hehadjustrakedashesovertheembersofhisfiretokeepitintacttillmorning。Onlyonethingslightlytroubledhim；agrizzlybear，two—thirdsgrown，butonlyhalftamed，whichhadbeengiventohimbyayoungladynamed\"Miggles，\"whenthatcharmingandhistoricgirlhaddecidedtoaccompanyherparalyticlovertotheSanFranciscohospital，wasmissingthatevening。Ithadbeenitsregularhabittocometothedooreverynightforsomesweetbiscuitorsugarbeforegoingtoitslairintheunderbrushbehindthecabin。EverybodyknewitalongthelengthandbreadthofHemlockRidge，aswellasthefactofitsbeingalegacyfromthefairexile。Noriflehadeveryetbeenraisedagainstitslazybulkorthestupid，small—eyedheadandruffofcirclinghairsmademoreerectbyitswell—wornleathercollar。Consolinghimselfwiththethoughtthatthestormhadprobablydelayeditsreturn，Jacktookoffhiscoatandthrewitonhisbunk。Butfromthinkingofthestormhisthoughtsnaturallyreturnedagaintotheimpededtravelersbelowhim，andhehalfmechanicallysteppedoutinhisshirt—sleevesforafinallookatthem。
Butheresomethingoccurredthatchangedhisresolutionentirely。
Hehadpreviouslynoticedonlythethreeforeshortened，crawlingfiguresaroundthenowstationarywagonbulk。Theywerenowapparentlymakingarrangementstocampforthenight。Butanotherfigurehadbeenaddedtothegroup，andasitstoodpercheduponawagonseatlaidonthesnowJackcouldseethatitsoutlinewasnotbifurcatedliketheothers。Buteventhatgeneralsuggestionwasnotneeded！thelittlehead，thesymmetricalcurvesvisibleevenatthatdistance，werequiteenoughtoindicatethatitwasawoman！
TheeasysmilefadedfromJack’sface，andwassucceededbyalookofconcernandthenofresignation。Hehadnochoicenow；heMUST
go！Therewasawomanthere，andthatsettledit。Yethehadarrivedatthisconclusionfromnosenseofgallantry，nor，indeed，ofchivalroustransport，butasamatterofsimpledutytothesex。
Hewasgivinguphissleep，wasgoingdownsixhundredfeetofsteeptrailtoofferhisservicesduringtherestofthenightasmuchasamatterofcourseasanEasternmanwouldhaveofferedhisseatinanomnibustoawoman，andwithaslittleexpectationofreturnforhiscourtesy。
Havingresumedhiscoat，withabottleofwhiskeythrustintoitspocket，heputonapairofindia—rubberbootsreachingtohisthighs，and，catchingtheblanketfromhisbunk，startedwithanaxeandshovelonhisshoulderonhisdownwardjourney。Whenthedistancewashalfcompletedheshoutedtothetravelersbelow；thecrywasjoyouslyansweredbythethreemen；hesawthefourthfigure，nowunmistakablythatofaslenderyouthfulwoman，inacloak，helpedbackintothewagon，asifdeliverancewasnowsureandimmediate。ButJackonarrivingspeedilydissipatedthatillusivehope；theycouldonlygetthroughthegorgebytakingoffthewheelsofthewagon，placingtheaxleonrudesledge—runnersofsplitsaplings，which，withtheirassistance，hewouldfashioninacoupleofhoursathiscabinandbringdowntothegorge。Theonlyotheralternativewouldbeforthemtocometohiscabinandremaintherewhilehewentforassistancetotheneareststation，butthatwouldtakeseveralhoursandnecessitateadoublejourneyforthesledgeifhewasluckyenoughtofindone。ThepartyquicklyacquiescedinJack’sfirstsuggestion。
\"Verywell，\"saidJack，\"thenthere’snotimetobelost；unhitchyourhorsesandwe’lldigaholeinthatbankforthemtostandinoutofthesnow。\"Thiswasspeedilydone。\"Now，\"continuedJack，\"you’lljustfollowmeuptomycabin；it’saprettytoughclimb，butI’llwantyourhelptobringdowntherunners。\"
Herethemanwhoseemedtobetheheadoftheparty——ofmiddleageandasuperior，professionaltype——forthefirsttimehesitated。
\"Iforgottosaythatthereisaladywithus，——mydaughter，\"hebegan，glancingtowardsthewagon。
\"Ireckonedasmuch，\"interruptedJacksimply，\"andIallowedtocarryherupmyselftheroughestpartoftheway。Shekinmakeherselfwarmandcomf’bleinthecabinuntilwe’vegottherunnersready。\"
\"Youhearwhatourfriendsays，Amy？\"suggestedthegentleman，appealingly，totheclosedleathercurtainsofthewagon。
Therewasapause。Thecurtainwassuddenlydrawnaside，andacharminglittleheadandshoulders，furredtothethroatandtoppedwithabewitchingvelvetcap，werethrustout。Intheobscuritylittlecouldbeseenofthegirl’sfeatures，buttherewasacertainwillfulnessandimpatienceinherattitude。Beingintheshadow，shehadtheadvantageoftheothers，particularlyofJack，ashisfigurewasfullyrevealedinthemoonlightagainstthesnowbank。Hereyesrestedforamomentonhishighboots，hisheavymustache，solongastominglewiththeunkemptlockswhichfelloverhisbroadshoulders，onhishugeredhandsstreakedwithblackgreasefromthewagonwheels，andsomeblood，stanchedwithsnow，drawnfrombruisesincuttingoutbramblesinthebrush；on——
moreawfulthanall——amonstrous，shiny\"specimen\"goldringencirclingoneofhisfingers，——onthewhiskeybottlethatshamelesslybulgedfromhissidepocket，andthen——slowlydroppedherdissatisfiedeyelids。
\"Whycan’tIstayHERE？\"shesaidlanguidly。\"It’squiteniceandcomfortable。\"
\"Becausewecan’tleaveyoualone，andwemustgowiththisgentlemantohelphim。\"
MissAmyletthetailofhereyeagaincreepshudderinglyoverthisimpossibleJack。\"Ithoughtthe——thegentlemanwasgoingtohelpUS，\"shesaiddryly。
\"Nonsense，Amy，youdon’tunderstand，\"saidherfatherimpatiently。
\"Thisgentlemaniskindenoughtooffertomakesomesledge—runnersforusathiscabin，andwemusthelphim。\"
\"ButIcanstayherewhileyougo。I’mnotafraid。\"
\"Yes，butyou’reALONEhere，andsomethingmighthappen。\"
\"Nothingcouldhappen，\"interruptedJack，quicklyandcheerfully。
Hehadflushedatfirst，buthewasnowconsideringthatthecarryingofaladyasexpensivelyattiredandapparentlyasdelicateandparticularasthisonemightbesomewhatdifficult。
\"There’snothin’thatwouldhurtyehere，\"hecontinued，addressingthevelvetcapandfurredthroatinthedarkness，\"andiftherewasitcouldn’tgetatye，bein’，sotospeak，inthesamesorto’fixasyou。Soyou’reallright，\"headdedpositively。
Inconsistentlyenough，theyoungladydidnotacceptthisasgratefullyasmighthavebeenimagined，butJackdidnotseetheslightflashofhereyeas，ignoringhim，sherepliedmarkedlytoherfather，\"I’dmuchratherstophere，papa。\"
\"And，\"continuedJack，turningalsotoherfather，\"youcankeepthewagonandthewholegorgeinsightfromthetrailallthewayup。Soyoucanseethateverything’sallright。Why，IsawYOU
fromthefirst。\"Hestoppedawkwardly，andadded，\"Comealong；thesoonerwe’reoffthequickerthejob’sover。\"
\"Praydon’tdelaythegentlemanand——thejob，\"saidMissAmysweetly。
ReassuredbyJack’slastsuggestion，herfatherfollowedhimwiththedriverandthesecondmanoftheparty，ayoungishandsomewhatundistinctiveindividual，buttowhosegallantanxietiesMissAmyrespondedeffusively。Nevertheless，theyoungladyhadespeciallynotedJack’sconfessionthathehadseenthemwhentheyfirstenteredthegorge。\"AndIsuppose，\"sheaddedtoherselfmentally，\"thathesattherewithhisboozingcompanions，laughingandjeeringatourstruggles。\"
Butwhenthesoundofhercompanions’voicesdiedaway，andtheirfigureswereswallowedupinthedarknessbehindthesnow，sheforgotallthis，andmuchelsethatwasmundaneandfrivolous，intheimpressiveandmajesticsolitudewhichseemedtodescenduponherfromtheobscurityabove。
Atfirstitwasaccompaniedwithaslightthrillofvaguefear，butthispassedpresentlyintothatprofoundpeacewhichthemountainsalonecangivetheirlonelyorperturbedchildren。ItseemedtoherthatNaturewasneverthesame，onthegreatplainswheremenandcitiesalwaysloomedintosuchridiculousproportions，aswhentheGreatMotherraisedherselftocomfortthemwithsmilinghillsides，orencompassedthemanddrewthemcloserinthelovingarmsofhermountains。Thelongwhitecanadastretchedbeforeherinapuritythatdidnotseemoftheearth；thevaguebulkofthemountainsroseoneithersideofherinamysterythatwasnotofthislife。Yetitwasnotoppressive；neitherwasitsrestfulnessandquietsuggestiveofobliviousnessandslumber；onthecontrary，thehighlyrarefiedairseemedtogiveadditionalkeennesstohersenses；herhearinghadbecomesingularlyacute；hereyesightpiercedtheuttermostextremityofthegorge，litbythefullmoonthatoccasionallyshonethroughslowlydriftingclouds。Hernervesthrilledwithadelicioussenseoffreedomandastrangedesiretorunorclimb。Itseemedtoher，inherexaltedfancy，thatthesesolitudesshouldbepeopledonlybyakinglyrace，andnotbysuchgrossandmaterialchurlsasthismountaineerwhohelpedthem。
And，Igrievetosay，——writingofanidealistthatWAS，andaheroinethatIStobe，——shewasgettingoutrageouslyhungry。
Therewereafewbiscuitsinhertraveling—bag，andsherememberedthatshehadbeenpresentedwithasmalljarofCaliforniahoneyatSanJose。Thisshetookoutandopenedontheseatbeforeher，andspreadingthehoneyonthebiscuits，atethemwithakeenschoolgirlrelishandapleasantsuggestionofasylvanpicnicinspiteofthecold。Itwasallverystrange；quiteanexperienceforhertospeakofafterwards。Peoplewouldhardlybelievethatshehadspentanhourortwo，allalone，inadesertedwagoninamountainsnowpass。
Itwasanadventuresuchasonereadsofinthemagazines。Onlysomethingwaslackingwhichthemagazinesalwayssupplied，——somethingheroic，somethingdonebysomebody。Ifthatawful—lookingmountaineer——thatmanwiththelonghairandmustache，andthathorriblegoldring，——whysucharing？——wasonlydifferent！ButhewasprobablygorgingbeefsteakorvenisonwithherfatherandMr。
Waterhouse，——menwerealwayssuchselfishcreatures！——andhadquiteforgottenallabouther。Itwouldhavebeenonlydecentforthemtohavebroughtherdownsomethinghot；biscuitsandhoneywerecertainlycloying，andsomehowdidn’tagreewiththetemperature。
Shewasreallyhalfstarved！Andmuchtheycared！ItwouldjustservethemrightifsomethingDIDhappentoher，——orSEEMtohappentoher，——ifonlytofrightenthem。Andtheprettyfacethatwasturnedupinthemoonlightworeacharmingbutdecidedpout。
Goodgracious，whatwasthat？Thehorseswereeitherstrugglingorfightingintheirsnowshelters。Thenonewithafrightenedneighbrokefromitshalteranddashedintotheroad，onlytobeplungedsnortingandhelplessintothedrifts。Thentheotherfollowed。
Howsilly！Somethinghadfrightenedthem。Perhapsonlyarabbitoramole；horsesweresuchabsurdlynervouscreatures！However，itisjustaswell；somebodywouldseethemorhearthem，——thatneighwasquitehumanandawful，——andtheywouldhurrydowntoseewhatwasthematter。SHEcouldn’tbeexpectedtogetoutandlookafterthehorsesinthesnow。Anyhow，sheWOULDN’T！Shewasagooddealsaferwhereshewas；itmighthavebeenratsormiceaboutthatfrightenedthem！Goodness！
Shewasstillwatchingwithcuriouswonderthecontinuedfrightoftheanimals，whensuddenlyshefeltthewagonhalfbumped，halfliftedfrombehind。Itwassuchalazy，deliberatemovementthatforamomentshethoughtitcamefromtheparty，whohadreturnednoiselesslywiththerunners。Shescrambledovertothebackseat，unbuttonedtheleathercurtain，liftedit，butnothingwastobeseen。Consequently，withfemininequickness，shesaid，\"Iseeyouperfectly，Mr。Waterhouse——don’tbesilly！\"Butatthismomenttherewasanothershocktothewagon，andfrombeneathitarosewhatatfirstseemedtohertobeanupliftingofthedriftitself，but，asthesnowwasshakenawayfromitsheavybulk，provedtobetheenormousheadandshouldersofabear！
YeteventhenshewasnotWHOLLYfrightened，forthesnoutthatconfrontedherhadafeebleinoffensiveness；thesmalleyeswerebrightwithaneager，almostchildishcuriosityratherthanasavageardor，andthewholeattitudeofthecreaturelifteduponitshindlegswascircus—likeandludicrousratherthanaggressive。
Shewasenabledtosaywithsomedignity，\"Goaway！Shoo！\"andtowaveherluncheonbasketatitwithexemplaryfirmness。Butherethecreaturelaidonepawonthebackseatasiftosteadyitself，withthesingulareffectofcollapsingthewholesideofthewagon，andthenopeneditsmouthasifinsomesortofinarticulatereply。
Buttherevelationofitsredtongue，itsglisteningteeth，and，aboveall，thehot，suggestivefumeofitsbreath，broughtthefirstscreamfromthelipsofMissAmy。Itwasrealandconvincing；thehorsesjoinedinit；thethreescreamedtogether！
Thebearhesitatedforaninstant，then，catchingsightofthehoney—potonthefrontseat，whichtheshrinking—backoftheyounggirlhaddisclosed，heslowlyreachedforwardhisotherpawandattemptedtograspit。Thisexceedinglysimplemovement，however，atoncedoubledupthefrontseat，sentthehoney—potadozenfeetintotheair，anddroppedMissAmyuponherkneesinthebedofthewagon。Thecombinedmentalandphysicalshockwastoomuchforher；sheinstantlyandsincerelyfainted；thelastthinginherearsamidstthiswreckofmatterbeingthe\"wheep\"ofabulletandthesharpcrackofarifle……
Sherecoveredherconsciousnessintheflickeringlightofafireofbark，thatplayedupontheraftersofaroofthatchedwithbarkanduponafloorofstrewnandshreddedbark。Sheevensuspectedshewaslyinguponamattressofbarkunderneaththeheavybearskinshecouldfeelandtouch。Shehadadelicioussenseofwarmth，and，mingledwiththisstrangespicingofwoodlandfreedom，evenasenseofhomeprotection。Andsurelyenough，lookingaround，shesawherfatheratherside。
Hebrieflyexplainedthesituation。Theyhadbeenatfirstattractedbythecryofthefrightenedhorsesandtheirplunging，whichtheycouldseedistinctly，althoughtheysawnothingelse。
\"But，Mr。Tenbrook\"——
\"Mr。Who？\"saidAmy，staringattherafters。
\"Theownerofthiscabin——themanwhohelpedus——caughtuphisgun，and，callingustofollow，ranlikelightningdownthetrail。Atfirstwefollowedblindly，andunknowingly，forwecouldonlyseethestrugglinghorses，who，however，seemedtobeALONE，andthewagonfromwhichyoudidnotseemtohavestirred。Then，forthefirsttime，mydearchild，wesuddenlysawyourdanger。Imaginehowwefeltasthathideousbruteroseupintheroadandbeganattackingthewagon。WecalledonTenbrooktofire，butforsomeinconceivablereasonhedidnot，althoughhestillkeptrunningatthetopofhisspeed。Thenweheardyoushriek——\"
\"Ididn’tshriek，papa；itwasthehorses。\"
\"Mychild，Iknewyourvoice。\"
\"Well，itwasonlyaVERYLITTLEscream——becauseIhadtumbled。\"
Thecolorwascomingbackrapidlytoherpinkcheeks。
\"And，then，atyourscream，Tenbrookfired！——itwasawonderfulshotforthedistance，soeverybodysays——andkilledthebear，thoughTenbrooksaysitoughtn’tto。Ibelievehewantedtocapturethecreaturealive。They’vequeernotions，thosehunters。
Andthen，asyouwereunconscious，hebroughtyouuphere。\"
\"WHObroughtme？\"
\"Tenbrook；he’sasstrongasahorse。Slungyouuponhisshoulderslikeafeatherpillow。\"
\"Oh！\"
\"Andthen，asthewagonrequiredsomerepairingfromthebrute’sattack，weconcludedtotakeitleisurely，andletyouresthereforawhile。\"
\"Andwhereis——whereareTHEY？\"
\"Atworkonthewagon。Ideterminedtostaywithyou，thoughyouareperfectlysafehere。\"
\"IsupposeIought——tothank——thisman，papa？\"
\"Mostcertainly，thoughofcourse，Ihavealreadydoneso。Buthewasrathercurtinreply。Thesehalf—savagemenhavesuchsingularideas。Hesaidthebeastwouldneverhaveattackedyouexceptforthehoney—potwhichitscented。That’sabsurd。\"
\"Thenit’sallmyfault？\"
\"Nonsense！HowcouldYOUknow？\"
\"AndI’vemadeallthistrouble。Andfrightenedthehorses。Andspoiltthewagon。Andmadethemanrundownandbringmeupherewhenhedidn’twantto！\"
\"Mydearchild！Don’tbeidiotic！Amy！Well，really！\"
Fortheidioticonewasreallywipingtwolargetearsfromherlovelyblueeyes。Shesubsidedintoanominoussilence，brokenbyasinglesniffle。\"Trytogotosleep，dear；you’vehadquiteashocktoyournerves，addedherfathersoothingly。Shecontinuedsilent，butnotsleeping。
\"Ismellcoffee。\"
\"Yes，dear。\"
\"You’vebeenhavingcoffee，papa？\"
\"WeDIDhavesome，Ithink，\"saidthewretchedmanapologetically，thoughwhyhecouldnotdetermine。
\"BeforeIcameup？whilethebearwastryingtoeatme？\"
\"No，after。\"
\"I’veahorridtasteinmymouth。It’sthehoney。I’llnevereathoneyagain。Never！\"
\"Perhapsit’sthewhiskey。\"
\"What？\"
\"Thewhiskey。Youwerequitefaintandchilled，youknow。Wegaveyousome。\"
\"Outof——that——black——bottle？\"
\"Yes。\"
Anothersilence。
\"I’dlikesomecoffee。Idon’tthinkhe’dbegrudgemethat，ifhedidsavemylife。\"
\"Idaresaythere’ssomeleft。\"Herfatheratoncebestirredhimselfandpresentlybroughthersomecoffeeinatincup。ItwaspartofMissAmy’srapidconvalescence，orequallyofherdebilitatedcondition，thatshemadenocommentonthevessel。Shelayforsomemomentslookingcuriouslyaroundthecabin；shehadnodoubtithadaworselookinthedaylight，butsomehowthefirelightbroughtoutawondrousluxuryofcolorinthebarkfloorandthatching。Besides，itwasnot\"smelly，\"asshefeareditwouldbe；onthecontrarythespicyaromaofthewoodswasalwaysdominant。Sherememberedthatitwasthisthatalwaysmadeagreasy，oilypicnictolerable。Sheraisedherselfonherelbow，seeingwhichherfathercontinuedconfidently，\"Perhaps，dear，ifyousatupforafewmomentsyoumightbestrongenoughpresentlytowalkdownwithmetothewagon。Itwouldsavetime。\"
Amyinstantlylaydownagain。\"Idon’tknowwhatyoucanbethinkingof，papa。AfterthisshockreallyIdon’tfeelasifI
couldSTANDalone，muchlessWALK。But，ofcourse，\"withpatheticresignation，\"ifyouandMr。Waterhousesupportedme，perhapsI
mightcrawlafewstepsatatime。\"
\"Nonsense，Amy。Ofcourse，thismanTenbrookwillcarryyoudownashebroughtyouup。OnlyIthought，——buttherearesteps，they’recomingnow。No！——onlyHE。\"
Thesoundofcracklingintheunderbrushwasfollowedbyamomentarydarkeningoftheopendoorofthecabin。Itwasthetallfigureofthemountaineer。Buthedidnotevenmakethepretenseofentering；standingatthedoorhedeliveredhisnewstotheinteriorgenerally。Itwastotheeffectthateverythingwasready，andthetwoothermenwereeventhenharnessingthehorses。
Thenhedrewbackintothedarkness。
\"Papa，\"saidAmy，inasuddenfrightenedvoice，\"I’velostmybracelet。\"
\"Haven’tyoudroppeditsomewherethereinthebunk？\"askedherfather。
\"No。It’sonthefloorofthewagon。IremembernowitfelloffwhenItumbled！Anditwillbetroddenuponandcrushed！Couldn’tyourundown，aheadofme，andwarnthem，papa，dear？Mr。Tenbrookwillhavetogososlowlywithme。\"Shetumbledoutofthebunkwithsingularalacrity，shookherselfandherskirtsintoinstantaneousgracefulness，andfittedthevelvetcaponherstrayinghair。Thenshesaidhurriedly，\"Runquick，papadear，andasyougo，callhiminandsayIamquiteready。\"
Thusadjured，theobedientparentdisappearedinthedarkness。
WithhimalsodisappearedMissAmy’ssingularalacrity。Sittingdowncarefullyagainontheedgeofthebunk，sheleanedagainstthepostwithacertainindefinablelanguorthatwasastouchingasitwasgraceful。Ineednottellanyfemininereadersthattherewasnodissimulationinallthis，——nocoquetry，noostentation，——
andthattheyounggirlwasperfectlysincere！Butthemasculinereadermightliketoknowthatthesimplefactwasthat，sinceshehadregainedconsciousness，shehadbeenfilledwithremorseforhercapriciousandungenerousrejectionofTenbrook’sprofferedservice。Morethanthat，shefeltshehadperiledherlifeinthatmomentoffolly，andthatthisman——thishero——hadsavedher。Forherohewas，evenifhedidnotfulfillherideal，——itwasonlySHE
thatwasnotaheroine。Perhapsifhehadbeenmorelikewhatshewishedshewouldhavefeltthislesskeenly；loveleaveslittleroomfortheexerciseofmoralethics。SoMissAmyForester，beingagoodgirlatbottom，andnotexactlylovingthisman，felttowardshimafrankandtenderconsiderationwhichamoreromanticpassionwouldhaveshrunkfromshowing。Consequently，whenTenbrookenteredamomentlater，hefoundAmypalerandmorethoughtful，but，ashefancied，muchprettierthanbefore，lookingupathimwitheyesofthesincerestsolicitude。
Nevertheless，heremainedstandingnearthedoor，asifindicatingapossibleintrusion，hisfacewearingalookofloweringabstraction。Itstruckherthatthismightbetheeffectofhislonghairandgeneraluncouthness，andthisonlyspurredhertoafullerrecognitionofhisotherqualities。
\"Iamafraid，\"shebegan，withacharmingembarrassment，\"thatinsteadofrestingsatisfiedwithyourkindnessincarryingmeuphere，Iwillhavetoburdenyouagainwithmydreadfulweakness，andaskyoutocarrymedownalso。ButallthisseemssolittleafterwhatyouhavejustdoneandforwhichIcannever，NEVERhopetothankyou！\"Sheclaspedhertwolittlehandstogether，holdingherglovesbetween，andbroughtthemdownuponherlapinagestureasprettilyhelplessasitwasunaffected。
\"Ihavedonescarcelyanything，\"hesaid，glancingawaytowardsthefire，\"and——yourfatherhasthankedme。\"
\"Youhavesavedmylife！\"
\"No！no！\"hesaidquickly。\"Notthat！Youwereinnodanger，exceptfrommyrifle，hadImissed。\"
\"Isee，\"shesaideagerly，withalittleposthumousthrillathavingbeenafterallakindofheroine，\"anditwasawonderfulshot，foryouweresocarefulnottotouchme。\"
\"Pleasedon’tsayanymore，\"hesaid，withaslightmovementofhalfawkwardness，halfimpatience。\"Itwasaroughjob，butit’sovernow。\"
Hestoppedandchafedhisredhandsabstractedlytogether。Shecouldseethathehadevidentlyjustwashedthem——andtheglaringringwasmoreinevidencethanever。Butthethoughtgaveheraninspiration。
\"You’llatleastletmeshakehandswithyou！\"shesaid，extendingbothherownwithchildishfrankness。
\"Holdon，MissForester，\"hesaid，withsuddendesperation。\"Itain’tthesquarething！Lookhere！Ican’tplaythisthingonyou！——Ican’tletyouplayitonmeanylonger！Youweren’tinanydanger，——youNEVERwere！Thatbearwasonlyahalf—wildthingI
helpedtora’rmyself！It’stakensugarfrommyhandnightafternightatthedoorofthiscabinasitmighthavetakenitfromyourshereifitwasalivenow。Itsleptnightafternightinthebrush，notfiftyyardsaway。Themorning’snevercomeyet——tillnow，\"hesaidhastily，tocoveranoddbreakinhisvoice，\"whenitdidn’tbrushalongthewholesideofthiscabintokinderwakemeupandsay’Solong，’aforeitbrowsedawayintothecanyon。Tharain’tamanalongthewholeDividewhodidn’tknowit；tharain’tamanalongthewholeDividethatwouldhavedrawnabeadorpulledatriggeronittillnow。Itneverhadanenemybutthebees；itneverevenknewwhyhorsesandcattlewerefrightenedofit。Itwasn’tmuchofapet，you’dsay，MissForester；itwasn’tmuchtomeetalady’seye；butweofthewoodsmusttakeourfriendswherewefind’emandofourownkind。Itain’tnofaultofyours，Miss，thatyoudidn’tknowit；itain’tnofaultofyourswhathappened；
butwhenitcomestoyourTHANKINGmeforit，why——it’s——it’sratherrough，yousee——andgetsme。\"Hestoppedshortasdesperatelyandasabruptlyashehadbegun，andstaredblanklyatthefire。
Awaveofpityandshamesweptovertheyounggirlandleftitshightideonhercheek。Buteventhenitwascloselyfollowedbythefeminineinstinctofdefenceanddefiance。TheREALhero——theGENTLEMAN——shereasonedbitterly，wouldhavesparedherallthisknowledge。
\"Butwhy，\"shesaid，withknittedbrows，\"why，ifyouknewitwassopreciousandsoharmless——whydidyoufireuponit？\"
\"Because，\"hesaidalmostfiercely，turninguponher，\"becauseyouSCREAMED，andTHENIKNEWITHADFRIGHTENEDYOU！\"Hestoppedinstantlyasshemomentarilyrecoiledfromhim，buttheverybrusquenessofhisactionhaddislodgedatearfromhisdarkeyesthatfellwarmonthebackofherhand，andseemedtoblotouttheindignity。\"Listen，Miss，\"hewentonhurriedly，asiftocoveruphismomentaryunmanliness。\"Iknewthebearwasmissingto—night，andwhenIheardthehorsesscurryingaboutIreckonedwhatwasup。
Iknewnoharmcouldcometoyou，forthehorseswereunharnessedandawayfromthewagon。Ipelteddownthattrailaheadofthemalllikegrimdeath，calkilatin’togettherebeforethebear；theywouldn’thaveunderstoodme；Iwastoohighuptocalltothecreaturewhenhedidcomeout，andIkinderhopedyouwouldn’tseehim。Evenwhenheturnedtowardsthewagon，Iknewitwasn’tYOU
hewasafter，butsuthin’else，andIkinderhoped，Miss，thatyou，beingdifferentandquicker—mindedthantherest，wouldseeittoo。
Allthewhilethemfolkswereyellin’behindmetofire——asifI
didn’tknowmywork。Iwashalf—waydown——andthenyouscreamed！
AndthenIforgoteverything，——everythingbutstandingclearofhittingyou，——andIfired。IwasthatsavagethatIwantedtobelievethathe’dgonemad，andwouldhavetouchedyou，tillIgotdownthereandfoundthehoney—potlyingalongsideofhim。Butthere，——it’sallovernow！Iwouldn’thaveletonawordtoyouonlyIcouldn’tbeartotakeYOURTHANKSforit，andIcouldn’tbeartohaveyouthinkingmeabrutefordodgin’them。\"Hestopped，walkedtothefire，leanedagainstthechimneyundertheshallowpretextofkickingthedullembersintoablaze，which，however，hadonlytheeffectofrevealinghistwoglisteningeyesasheturnedbackagainandcametowardsher。\"Well，\"hesaid，withanineffectuallaugh，\"it’sallovernow，it’sallintheday’swork，Ireckon，——andnow，Miss，ifyou’reready，andwilljustfixyourselfyourownwaysoastorideeasy，I’llcarryyoudown。\"Andslightlybendinghisstrongfigure，hedroppedononekneebesideherwithextendedarms。
