Twentyyearsinthepenitentiary!
Davidlookedupatthejudgeandsmiled。
Menhavebeenknowntosmilethatwaywhenthecar-wheelcrashesovertheirlegs，orabulletletstheairthroughtheirlungs。
Allthatfollowedwouldhaveseemedmoreterribleifithadnotappearedtobesoremote。Davidhadtoassurehimselfoverandoverthatitwasreallyhewhowasputinthatdisgracefuldress，andlockedinthatshamefulwalkfromcorridortowork-
room，fromwork-roomtochapel。Theworkwasnotmuchmoremonotonousthanthattowhichhehadbeenaccustomedintheoffice。Here，asthere，onewasreprovedfornotdoingtherequiredamount，butneverpraisedforextraordinaryefforts。Here，asthere，theworkersregardedeachotherwithdislikeandsuspicion。Here，asthere，workwasapenaltyandnotapleasure。
Itisthenightsthataretobedreadedinapenitentiary。Speecheasesthebrainoffreemen；butthemancondemnedtoeter-
nalsilenceisboundtoenduretorments。
Thought，whichmightbeadiversion，be-
comesacurse；itisapainfuldiseasewhichbecomeschronic。Itdoesnottakelongtoforgetthedaysoftheweekandthemonthsoftheyearwhentimebringsnovariance。
Daviddruggedhimselfondreams。Heknewitwasweakness，butitwasthewineofforgetfulness，andheindulgedinit。Hewentoverandover，inendlessrepetition，everysceneinwhichZoeLeBaronhadfigured。
HelearnedbyapaperthatshehadgonetoEurope。Hewasgladofthat。Fortherewerehoursinwhichheimaginedthathisfatemighthavecausedherdistress——notmuch，ofcourse，butperhapsanoccasionalhourofsympatheticregret。Butitwaspleasanternottothinkofthat。Hepre-
ferredtorememberthehourstheyhadspenttogetherwhileshewasteachinghimthejoyoflife。
Howlovelyhergrayeyeswere!Deep，yetbright，andfullofsilentlittlespeeches。
Theroomsinwhichheimaginedherasmovingwerealwayssplendid；thegownssheworewereofrustlingsilk。Heneverinanydream，wakingorsleeping，associatedherwithpovertyorsorroworpain。Gayandbeautiful，shemovedfromcitytocity，inthesevisionsofDavid's，lookingalwaysatwonderfulthings，andfindinglaughterineveryhappening。
Itwassixmonthsafterhisentranceintohissilentabodethatalettercameforhim。
"Byrights，Culross，"saidthewarden，"I
shouldnotgivethislettertoyou。Itisn'tthesortweapproveof。Butyou'reinforagoodspell，andifthereisanythingthatcanmakelifeseemmoretolerable，Idon'tknowbutyou'reentitledtoit。Atleast，I'mnotthemantodenyittoyou。”
Thiswastheletter:——
"MYDEARFRIEND，——Ihopeyoudonotthinkthatallthesemonths，whenyouhavebeensufferingsoterribly，Ihavebeenthink-
ingofotherthings!ButIamsureyouknowthetruth。YouknowthatIcouldnotsendyouwordorcometoseeyou，orIwouldhavedoneit。WhenIfirstheardofwhatyouhaddone，Isawitallasithap-
pened，——thatdreadfulscene，Imean，inthesaloon。IamsureIhaveimaginedevery-
thingjustasitwas。Ibeggedpapatohelpyou，buthewasveryangry。Yousee，papawassopeculiar。Hethoughtmoreoftheappearancesofthings，perhaps，thanoffacts。Itinfuriatedhimtothinkofmeasbeingconcernedaboutyouorwithyou。
Ididnotknowhecouldbesoangry，andhisangerdidnotdie，butfordaysitcastsuchashadowovermethatIusedtowishIwasdead。OnlyIwouldnotdisobeyhim，andnowIamgladofthat。WewereinFrancethreemonths，andthen，cominghome，papadied。Itwasonthevoyage。Iwishhehadaskedmetoforgivehim，forthenIthinkIcouldhaverememberedhimwithmoretenderness。Buthedidnothingofthekind。Hedidnotseemtothinkhehaddonewronginanyway，thoughIfeelthatsomewaywemighthavesavedyou。IambackhereinChicagointheoldhome。ButIshallnotstayinthishouse。Itissolargeandlonesome，andIalwaysseeyouandfatherfacingeachotherangrilythereintheparlorwhenIenterit。SoIamgoingtogetmesomecoseyroomsinanotherpartofthecity，andtakemyaunt，whoisasweetoldlady，tolivewithme；andIamgoingtodevotemytime——allofit——andallofmybrainstogettingyououtofthatterribleplace。Whatistheuseoftellingmethatyouareamurderer？DoInotknowyoucouldnotbebroughttohurtanything？
Isupposeyoumusthavekilledthatpoorman，butthenitwasnotyou，itwasthatdreadfuldrink——itwasMe!Thatiswhatcontinuallyhauntsme。IfIhadbeenabravergirl，andspokenthewordsthatwereinmyheart，youwouldnothavegoneintothatplace。Youwouldbeinnocentto-day。
ItwasIwhowasresponsibleforitall。I
letfatherkillyourheartrighttherebeforeme，andneversaidaword。YetIknewhowitwaswithyou，and——thisiswhatI
oughttohavesaidthen，andwhatImustsaynow——andallthetimeIfeltjustasyoudid。IthoughtIshoulddiewhenI
sawyougoaway，andknewyouwouldnevercomebackagain。OnlyIwassoselfish，Iwassowicked，Iwouldsaynothing。
"Ihavenorighttobecomfortableandhopeful，andtohavefriends，withyoushutupfromlibertyandhappiness。Iwillnothavethosecomfortablerooms，afterall。
Iwillliveasyoudo。Iwilllivealoneinabareroom。ForitisIwhoamguilty!
AndthenIwillfeelthatIalsoambeingpunished。
"Doyouhateme？Perhapsmytellingyounowallthesethings，andthatIfelttowardyoujustasyoudidtowardme，willnotmakeyouhappy。Foritmaybethatyoudespiseme。
"Anyway，Ihavetoldyouthetruthnow。
IwillgoassoonasIhearfromyoutoalawyer，andtrytofindouthowyoumaybeliberated。Iamsureitcanbedonewhenthefactsareknown。
"Poorboy!HowIdohopeyouhaveknowninyourheartthatIwasnotfor-
gettingyou。Indeed，dayornight，Ihavethoughtofnothingelse。NowIamfreetohelpyou。Andbesure，whateverhappens，thatIamworkingforyou。
"ZOELEBARON。”
Thatwasall。Justagirlish，constrainedletter，hardlyhintingatthehottearsthathadbeenshedformanywearynights，coylytellingoftheimpatientyoungloveandallthemaidenlyshame。
Davidpermittedhimselftoreaditonlyonce。Thenasuddenresolutionwasborn——
aheroicone。Beforehegottheletterhewasacrushedandunsophisticatedboy；
whenhehadreadit，andabsorbeditsfullsignificance，hebecamesuddenlyaman，capableofagreatsacrifice。
"Ireturnyourletter，"hewrote，withoutsuperscription，"andthankyouforyouranxietyaboutme。Butthetruthis，Ihadforgottenallaboutyouinmytrouble。Youwerenotintheleasttoblameforwhathap-
pened。ImighthaveknownIwouldcometosuchanend。YouthoughtIwasgood，ofcourse；butitisnoteasytofindoutthelifeofayoungman。Itisrathermortifyingtohaveaprivatelettersenthere，becausethewardenreadsthemall。Ihopeyouwillenjoyyourselfthiswinter，andhastentoforgetonewhohadcertainlyforgottenyoutillremindedbyyourletter，whichIreturn。
"Respectfully，"DAVIDCULROSS。”
Thatnightsomedeeplinescameintohisfacewhichneverleftit，andwhichmadehimlooklikeamanofmiddleage。
Heneverdoubtedthathisplanwouldsucceed；that，piquedandindignantathisingratitude，shewouldhatehim，andinalittletimeforgetheeverlived，orrememberhimonlytoblushwithshameatherpastassociationwithhim。Hesawherhappy，loved，livingtheusuallifeofwomen，withallthosethingsthatmakeliferich。
Forthereinthesolitudeanunderstand-
ingofdeepthingscametohim。Hewhothoughtnevertohaveawifegrewtoknowwhatthejoyofitmustbe。Heperceivedallthesubtleraptureofweddedsouls。Helearnedwhattheloveofchildrenwas，theprideofhome，theunselfishambitionforsuccessthatspursmenon。Alltheemo-
tionspassedinprocessionatnightbeforehim，trickedoutinpalpableforms。
AburstofgirlishtearswoulddissipatewhateverlingeringpityZoefeltforhim。
Howoftenhesaidthat!Withhersensi-
tivenessshewouldbesuretohateamanwhohadmortifiedher。
Sohefelltodreamingofheragainasmovingamonghappyandluxuriousscenes，exquisitelyclothed，withflowersonherbosomandjewelsonherneck；andhesawmenlovingher，andwasglad，andsawheratlastlovingthebestofthem，andtoldhimselfinthesilenceofthenightthatitwasashewished。
Yetalways，always，fromwearyweektowearyweek，herehearsedthescenes。Theywerehistheatre，hisopera，hislibrary，hislecturehall。
Herehearsedthemagainthereonthecars。Heneverweariedofthem。Tobesure，otherthoughtshadcometohimatnight。Muchthattomostmenseemscom-
plexandpuzzlinghadgrowntoappearsimpletohim。Inawayhisbrainhadquickenedanddeepenedthroughtheyearsofsolitude。Hehadthoughtoutagreatmanythings。Hehadreadafewgoodbooksanddigestedthem，andthevisionsinhishearthadkepthimfrombeingbitter。
Yet，suddenlyconfrontedwithliberty，turnedlooselikeapasturedcolt，withoutmasterorrein，hefeltonlyconfusionanddismay。Hemightbeexpectedtofeelex-
ultation。Heexperiencedonlyfright。Itispreciselythesamewiththeliberatedcolt。
Thetrainpulledintoabustlingstation，inwhichthemultitudinousnoiseswerethrownbackagainfromthearchedironroof。Therelentlesshasteofallthepeoplewasinexpressiblycrueltothemanwholookedfromthewindowwonderingwhitherhewouldgo，andif，amongallthethousandsthatmadeupthatvastandthrobbingcity，hewouldeverfindafriend。
ForamomentDavidlongedevenforthatunmaternalmotherwhohadforgottenhiminthehourofhisdistress；butshehadbeendeadformanyyears。
Thetrainstopped。Everyonegotout。
Davidforcedhimselftohisfeetandfollowed。
Hehadbeendrivenbackintotheworld。
Itwouldhaveseemedlessterribletohavebeendrivenintoadesert。Hewalkedtowardthegreatirongates，seeingthepeopleandhearingthenoisesconfusedly。
Asheenteredthespacebeyondthegrat-
ingsomeonecaughthimbythearm。Itwasalittlemiddle-agedwomaninplainclothes，andwithsadgrayeyes。
"IsthisDavid？"saidshe。
Hedidnotspeak，buthisfaceansweredher。
"Iknewyouwerecomingto-day。I'vewaitedalltheseyears，David。Youdidn'tthinkIbelievedwhatyousaidinthatletterdidyou？Thisway，David，——thisisthewayhome。”
TwoPioneersITwastheyearofthesmall-pox。ThePawneeshaddiedintheircoldtepeesbythefifties，thesoldierslaydeadinthetrencheswithoutthefort，andmanyagayFrenchvoyageur，whohadthoughttogosingingdowntheMissourionhisfur-ladenraftinthespringtime，wouldneveragainseethelightsofSt。Louis，orthecoinofthemightyChoteaucompany。
Ithadbeenawinteroftragedies。TherigorsoftheweatherandthescourgeofthediseasehadbeenfoughtwithIndiancharmandwithCatholicprayer。Bothwereequallyunavailing。Ifamanwastakensickattheforttheyputhiminawarmroom，broughthimajugofwateronceaday，andlefthimtofindoutwhathisconstitutionwasworth。Generallyhere-
covered；forthesurgeon'ssupplieshadbeenexhaustedearlyintheyear。ButtheIndians，intheirtorment，rushedintotheriverthroughtheice，andreturnedtorollthemselvesintheirblanketsanddieinungroaningstoicism。
Everyonehadgrownbitterandhard。
Theknivesofthetrappersweresharp，andnotonewhitsharperthantheirtempers。
SomeonesaidthatthefriendlyPawneeswereconspiringwiththeSioux，whowerealwaystreacherous，tosackthesettlement。
Thetrappersdoubtedthis。TheyandthePawneeshadbeenfriendsmanyyears，andtheyhadtogetherkilledtheSiouxinfourfamousbattlesonthePlatte。Yet——whoknows？Therewaspestilenceintheair，andithadsomehowgotintomen'ssoulsaswellastheirbodies。
So，atleast，FatherdeSmetsaid。Healonedidnotdespair。Healonetriedneithercharmnorcurse。Hedressedhimanaltarinthewilderness，andheprayedatit——butnotforimpossiblethings。Wheninaday'sjourneyyoucomeacrosstwolodgesofIndians，sixtysoulsineach，lyingdeadanddistortedfromtheplagueintheirdesolatetepees，youdonotpray，ifyouareamanlikeFatherdeSmet。Yougoontothenextlodgewherethelivingyetare，andteachthemhowtoavoiddeath。
Besides，whenyouareyoung，itismucheasiertoactthantopray。Whenthechil-
drencriedforfood，FatherdeSmettookdowntheriflefromthewallandwentoutwithit，comingbackonlywhenhecouldfeedthehungry。Therewereplaceswheretheprairiewasblackwithbuffalo，andtheshydeershowedtheirdelicateheadsamongtheleaflesswillowsofthePapillion。Whenthey——thechildren——werecold，thisyoungmanbroughtinbasketsofbuffalochipsfromtheprairieandbuiltthemafire，orhehungmoreskinsupattheentrancetothetepees。Ifhewantedtocrossariverandhadnoboatathand，heleapedtheuncertainice，or，inclearcurrent，swam，withhisclothesonhisheadinabundle。
AwonderfultravellerforthetimewasFatherdeSmet。TwicehehadgoneasfarasthelandoftheFlatheadnation，andhecouldclimbmountainpassesaswellasanyguideoftheRockies。Hehadbuiltadozenmissions，lyingallthewayfromtheColum-
biatotheKaw。Hehadalwaysajestathistongue'send，andserveditoutwithasmuchreadinessasaprayer；andhehad，withal，anarmtrainedtodoexecution。
Everymanontheplainsunderstoodtheartofself-preservation。EveninCainsville，overbythecouncilgroundofthewesterntribes，whichwasquitethemostcivilizedplaceforhundredsofmiles，lifewasuncer-
tainwhentheboatscamefromSt。Louiswithbadwhiskeyintheirholds。Butnoonedaredtakelibertieswiththeholyfather。
Thethrustfromhisshoulderwasstraightandsure，andhisfistwashard。
YetitwasnotthesinnerthatFatherdeSmetmeanttocrush。Healwayssupple-
mentedhisactsofphysicalprowesswiththatexplanation。Itwasthesinthathestruckatfromtheshoulder——andmaynotevenananointedonestrikeatsin？
FatherdeSmetcoulddrawafineline，too，betweenthethingswhichwerebadinthemselves，andthethingswhichwereonlyextrinsicallybad。Forexample，therewerethesoupsofMademoiselleNinon。Mam'selleherselfwasnotabovereproach，buthersoupswere。MademoiselleNinonwastheonlyParisianthinginthesettlement。Andshewascertainlytobeavoided——whichwasper-
hapsthereasonthatnooneavoidedher。ItwasfouryearssinceshehadseenParis。Shewassixteenthen，andshefollowedthefor-
tunesofacertainadventurerwhofounditadvisabletosailforMontreal。NinonhadbeenboredbackinParis，itbeingdullinthemantua-makingshopofMadameGuittar。Ifshehadbeenamanshewouldhavetakentonavigation，andmighthavemadeherselffamousbysailingtosomeunknownpartoftheNewWorld。Beingawoman，shetookaloverwhowasgoingtoNewFrance，andfor-
gottoweepwhenhefoundanearlyandvio-
lentdeath。Andtherewereothersathand，andNinonsailedaroundthecoldbluelakes，pastSaultSt。Marie，andmadeherwayacrosstheportagestotheMississippi，andsodowntothesacredrockofSt。Louis。
Thatwasamerryplace。Ninonhadfaulttofindneitherwiththewinenorthedances。
Theywereallthatonecouldhavedesired，andtherewasnolimittoeitherofthem。
Butstill，afteratime，eventhisgrewtire-
sometooneofNinon'sspirit，andshetookthefirstopportunitytosailuptheMissouriwithacertainyoungtrapperconnectedwiththegreatfurcompany，andsofoundher-
selfatCainsville，withthebluebluffsrisingtotheeastofher，andthelowwhitestretchesoftheriverflatsundulatingdowntowherethesluggishstreamwounditswaysouthwardcapriciously。
Ninonsoontiredofhertrapper。Foronethingshefoundoutthathewasacoward。Shesawhimrunonceinabuffalofight。ThatwaswhenthePawneestoodstillwithablanketstretchedwideinagaudysquare，andcaughttheheadofthemadanimalfairlyinthetoughfabric；hismus-
tang'slegstrembledunderhim，buthedidnotmove，——foramustangisthesoulofanIndian，andobeyseachthought；theIndianhimselffelthisheartpoundingathisribs；
butoncewiththatgarmentfastoverthebaffledeyesofthestrugglingbrute，therestwasonlyamatterofjudiciousknife-
thrusts。Ninonsawthis。Sherodepastherlover，andsnatchedthetwistedbullioncordfromhishatthatshehadbraidedandputthere，andthatnightshetieditonthehatofthePawneewhohadkilledthebuffalo。
ThePawneeswereratherproudoftheepisode，andasfortheFrenchmen，theydidnotmind。TheFrenchhavealwaysbeenveryadaptableinAmerica。Ninonwasuniversallypopular。
Andsowerehersoups。
Everymanhashisprice。FatherdeSmet'swasthesoupsofMademoiselleNinon。
Fancy!Ifyouhaveaneducatedpalateandareobligedtoeatthestrongdistillationofbuffalomeat，cookedinapotwhichhasbeenwipedoutwiththegreasypetticoatofasquaw!WhenNinoncamedownfromSt。Louisshebroughtwithheragreatboxcontainingneitherclothes，furniture，nortrinkets，butsomethingmuchmorewonderful!Itwasamarvellouscompound-
ingofspicesandseasonings。ThearomaticliquidsshesetbeforetheenchantedmenofthesettlementborenomorerelationtoordinarybuffalosoupthanChateaubrand'sIndianmaidensdidtooneofthePaw-
neegirls，whoslouchedaboutthesettle-
mentwithnoxioustressesandsullenslavishcoquetries。
FatherdeSmetwouldnotatanytimehavecalledNinonascarletwoman。Butwhenheatethedishofsouportastedthehotcorn-cakesthatsheinvariablyinvitedhimtopartakeofashepassedherlittlehouse，herefrainedwithallthecharityofatrueChristianandanaccomplishedepicurefromeventhinkinghersuch。Andhere-
memberedthewordsoftheSaviour，"Lethimwhoiswithoutsinamongyoucastthefirststone。”
ToFatherdeSmet'shealthynaturenothingseemedmoresuperfluousthansin。
Andhewasaversetothinkingthatanycommitteddeedsofwhichheneedbeashamed。Soitwashishabit，especiallyifthedaywaspleasantandhisownthoughtshappy，tosaytohimselfwhenhesawoneofthewildyoungtrappersleavingthecabinofMademoiselleNinon:"Hehasbeenforsomeofthegoodwoman'shotcakes，"
tillhegrewquitetobelievethattheonlyattractionsthattheadroitFrenchwomanpossessedwereofagastronomicnature。
Totellthetruth，theattractionsofMade-
moiselleNinonwerevaried。Tobeginwith，shewastheonlythinginthatwilder-
nesstosuggesthome。Ninonhadageniusforhome-making。Hercabin，inwhichshecooked，slept，ate，lived，hadbecomeaboudoir。
Thewallswerehungwithrareandbeau-
tifulskins；theveryfloormaderichwithhugebearrobes，theirpermeatingodorssubduedbyheavyperfumesbrought，likethespices，fromSt。Louis。Thebed，inday-
time，wasacouchofbeaver-skins；thefire-
placehadbranchingantlersaboveit，onwhichwerehungsomeoftheevidencesofthefairNinon'scoquetry，suchassilkenscarves，ofthesortthevoyageursfromthefarnorthwore；andnecklacesmadebytheIndiansofthePacificcoastandbroughttoNinonby——butitisnotpolitetoinquireintothesematters。Therewerelittlemoc-
casinsalso，muchdecoratedwithporcupine-
quills，onepairofwhichFatherdeSmethadbroughtfromtheFlatheadnation，andpresentedtoNinonthattimewhenshenursedhimthroughafrightfulrunoffever。
Shewouldtakenomoneyforherpatientservices。
"Father，"saidshe，gravely，whenheofferedittoher，"Iamnotmyselfvirtuous。
ButIhavethedistinctionofhavingpre-
servedtheonlyvirtuouscreatureinthesettlementforfurtherusefulness。Some-
times，perhaps，youwillprayforNinon。”
FatherdeSmetneverforgotthoseprayers。
Thesewerewildtimes，mindyou。Nousetokeepyourskirtscoldlycleanifyouwishedtobeofhelp。Thesemenweresub-
duingacontinent。Theirprimitivequalitiescameout。Courage，endurance，sacrifice，sufferingwithoutcomplaint，friendshiptothedeath，indomitablehatred，unfalteringhope，deep-seatedgreed，splendidgayety——ittakesthesethingstosubdueaconti-
nent。Viceisalsoanincidental，——thatistosay，whatonecallsvice。Thisisbecauseitisthecustomtomeasurethesemenasiftheyweregovernedbythelawsofcivili-
zation，wherethereisneitherlawnorcivilization。
Thismuchiscertain:gentlemencannotconqueracountry。TheytriedgentlemenbackinVirginia，andtheydied，partlyfromlackofintellect，butmostlyfromlackofenergy。Aftertheyeomenhavefoughttheconqueringfight，itiswellenoughtobringingentlemen，whoaresometimescleverlawmakers，andwholookwellonthronesorinpresidentialchairs。
Buttoreturntothewinterofthesmall-
pox。ItwasthenthatthepriestandNinongrewtoknoweachotherwell。Theybe-
cameacquaintedfirstinthecabinwherefourofthetrapperslaytossingindelirium。
Thehorriblesmellofdiseaseweightedtheair。Outsidewetsnowfellcontinuouslyandthecloudsseemedtorestonlyafewfeetabovethesullenbluffs。Theroomwasbareofcomforts，andverydirty。Ninonlookedaboutwithdisgust。
"Youpray，"saidshetothepriest，"andIwillcleantheroom。”
"Notso，"returnedthebroad-shoulderedfather，smilingly，"wewillbothcleantheroom。”Thusitcamethattheyscrubbedthefloortogether，andmadethechimneysothatitwouldnotsmoke，andwashedtheblanketsonthebeds，andkeptthewood-
pilehigh。Theyalsodevisedventilators，andletinfreshairwithoutexposingthepatients。Theyhadnomedicine，buttheycontinuallyrubbedthesufferingmenwithbear'sgrease。
"It'sbetterthanmedicine，"saidNinon，afterthetenthday，as，wanwithwatching，sheheldthecoolhandofoneoftherecoveringmeninherown。"Ifwehadhadmedicinesweshouldhavekilledthesemen。”
"Youareawomanofremarkablesense，"
saidtheholyfather，whowaseatingadishofcorn-mealandmilkthatNinonhadjustprepared，"andawomanalsoofChristiancourage。”
"Christiancourage？"echoedNinon；"doyouthinkthatiswhatyoucallit？Iamnotafraid，no，notI；butitisnotChristiancourage。Youmistakeincallingitthat。”
Thereweretearsinhereyes。Thepriestsawthem。
"Godleadyouatlastintopeacefulways，"
saidhe，softly，liftingonehandinblessing。
"Yourvigilisended。Gotoyourhomeandsleep。YouknowthevalueofthetemporallifethatGodhasgiventoman。
Inthehoursofthenight，Ninon，thinkofthevalueofeternallife，whichitisalsoHistogive。”
Ninonstaredathimamomentwithadawninghorrorinhereyes。
Thenshepointedtothetable。
"Whateveryoudo，"saidshe，"don'tforgetthebear'sgrease。”Andshewentoutlaughing。Thepriestdidnotpausetorecommendhersoultofurtherblessing。
Heobeyedherdirections。
Marchwaswearingawaytediously。Theriverwasnotyetopen，andthebelatedboatswithneededsuppliesweremooredfardowntheriver。ManyofthereducedsettlersweredependentonthemeattheIndiansbroughtthemforsustenance。Themudmadetheroadsalmostimpassable；forthefrostlayinasolidbedsixinchesbelowthesurface，andallabovethatwassemi-
liquidmuck。Snowandrainalternated，andthefrightfuldiseasedidnotceaseitsravages。
Thepriestgotlittlesleep。Nowhewasatthebedofalittlehalf-breedchild，smoothingthestraightblacklocksfromthenarrowbrow；nowatthecotofsomehulkingtrapper，whoweptatthepain，butdiedfinallywithagrinofbravadoonhislips；nowinafoultepee，wheresomegravePawneewrappedhismantleabouthim，andgazedwithpropheticandunflinchingeyesintothelandofthehereafter。
Thelittleschoolthattheprieststartedhadbeenlongsinceabandoned。Itwasonlythepreservationoflifethatonethoughtofinthesedays。Andrecklessnesshadmadethemendesperate。Totheravagesofdis-
easewereaddedhorriblemurders。Moralhealthisalwayslowwhenphysicalhealthisso。
Giveanationtwowintersofgrippe，anditwillhaveanepidemicofsuicide。Giveitstarvationandsmall-pox，anditwillhaveacontagionofmurders。Therearesubtlelawsunderlyingthesethings，——lawswhichthephysiciansthinktheycanexplain；buttheyaremistaken。Thereasonisnotsomaterialasitseems。
Butspringwasnearinspiteoffallingsnowandthedirtyiceintheriver。Therewasnotevenaflushingofthewillowtwigstotellitby，noraclearingoftheleadensky，——onlythealmanac。YetallmenwerelookingforwardtoitThetrappersputinthefeebledaysofconvalescence，makinglongraftsonwhichtopiletheskinsdriedoverwinter，——afinevariety，worthallbuttheirweightingold。Moneywaseasilygotinthosedays；buttherearecircumstancesunderwhichmoneyisvalueless。
FatherdeSmetthoughtofthisthedaybeforeEaster，asheplungedthroughthemudofthewindingstreetinhisbearskingaiters。Stoutwerehislegs，firmhislungs，asheturnedtobreatheinthewestwind；
clearhissharpandhumorouseyes。Hewasgoingtothelittlechapelwherethemissionschoolhadpreviouslybeenheld。
Herewasarudepulpit，andbackofitamuch-disfiguredvirgin，dressedinturkey-
redcalico。Twocheapcandlesintheirtinsticksguardedthisfigure，andbeneath，onthefloor，wasspreadanotter-skinofperfectbeauty。Theseatswereofpine，withoutbacks，andthewindwhistledthroughthechinksbetweenthelogs。Moreover，theplacewasdirty。Lentenservicehadbeenoutofthequestion。Thelivinghadneithertimenorstrengthtocometoworship；andthedeadwerenotgiventhehonorofaburialfromchurchinthesetimesofterror。
Thepriestlookedabouthimindismay，theplacewassoutterlyforsaken；yettoletEastergobywithoutrecognitionwasnottohisliking。Hehadbeenthenightbeforetoeveryhouseinthesettlement，biddingthepeopletocometodevotionsonSundaymorning。Heknewthatnotoneofthemwouldrefusehisinvitation。Therewasnoherolargerintheeyesoftheseunfortunatesthanthesimplepriestwhowalkedamongthemwithhisunpretentiouspiety。Thepromisesweregivenwithwhisperedbless-
ings，andtherewerevoicesthatbrokeinmakingthem，andhandsthatshookwithhonestgratitude。Thepriest，rememberingthesethings，andalltheawfulsufferingofthewinter，determinedtomaketheser-
vicesymbolic，indeed，oftheresurrectionandthelife，——theannualresurrectionandlifethatcomeseachyear，apalpablemiracle，toteachthedullestthatGodreigns。
"Howareyougoingtotrimthealtar？"
criedavoicebehindhim。
Heturned，startled，andinthedoorwaystoodMademoiselleNinon，hershortskirtbeltedwitharedsilkscarf，——thetokenofsometrapper，——heranklesprotectedwithfringedleggins，herheadcoveredwithabe-
ribbonedhatoffelt，suchasthevoyageurswore。
"Ourdevotionswillbetheonlydecora-
tionswecanhangonit。Butgratitudeisbetterthanblossoms，andhumanitymorebeautifulthangreenwreaths，"saidthefather，gently。
Itwasacuriousthing，andonethathehadoftennoticedhimself；hegavethiswoman——unworthyasshewas——thebestofhissimplethoughts。
Ninontiptoedtowardthepriestwithonefingercoquettishlyraisedtoinsuresecrecy。
"Youwillneverbelieveit，"shewhis-
pered，"noonewouldbelieveit!Butthefactis，father，Ihavetwolilies。”
"Lilies，"criedthepriest，incredulously，"twolilies？"
"That'swhatIsay，father——twomarvel-
louslyfairlilieswithlittlesceptresofgoldinthem，andleavesaswhiteassnow。Thebulbswerebroughtmelastautumnby——；thatistosay，theywerebroughtfromSt。Louis。
Onlynowhavetheyblossomed。Heavens，howIhavewatchedthebuds!Ihavesaidtomyselfeverymorningforafortnight:
'Willtheyopenintimeforthegoodfather'sEastermorningservice？'ThenI
said:'Theywillopentoosoon。Buds，'I
havecriedtothem，'donotdaretoopenyet，oryouwillbehorriblypassé；ebyEaster。
Havethekindness，willyou，tosaveyour-
selvesforagreatevent。'Andtheydidit；
yes，father，youmaynotbelieve，butnolaterthanthismorningthesesensibleflowersopeneduptheirleavesboldly，quiteconsciousthattheyweredoingtherightthing，andto-morrow，ifyouplease，theywillbehere。Andtheywillperfumethewholeplace；yes。”
Shestoppedsuddenly，andrelaxedhervivaciousexpressionforoneofpain。
"Youarecertainlyill，"criedthepriest。
"Restyourself。”Hetriedtopushherontooneoftheseats；butasortofconvulsiverigiditycameoverher，veryalarmingtolookat。
"Youarewornout，"hercompanionsaidgravely。"Andyouarechilled。”
"Yes，I'mcold，"confessedNinon。"ButIhadtocometotellyouaboutthelilies。
But，doyousee，Inevercouldbringmyselftoputtheminthisroomasitisnow。Itwouldbetooabsurdtoplacethemamongthisdirt。Wemustcleantheplace。”
"Theplacewillbecleaned。Iwillseetoit。Butasforyou，gohomeandcareforyourself。”Ninonstartedtowardthedoorwithanuncertainstep。Suddenlyshecameback。
"Itistoofunny，"shesaid，"thatredcalicothereontheVirgin。Father，Ihavesomelaceswhichweremymother's，whowasagoodwoman，andwhichhaveneverbeenwornbyme。TheyareallIhavetorememberFrancebyandthedayswhenI
was——different。IfImightbepermitted——"
shehesitatedandlookedtimidlyatthepriest。
"'Shehathdonewhatshecould，'"mur-
muredFatherdeSmet，softly。"Bringyourlaces，Ninon。”Hewouldhaveadded:
"Thysinsbeforgiventhee。”Butun-
fortunately，atthismoment，Pierrecameloungingdownthestreet，throughthemud，freshfromFortLaramie。Hisriflewasslungacrosshisback，andafullgame-bagrevealedthefactthathehadamusedhim-
selfonhisway。Hiscurlyandwind-bleachedhairblewoutintime-tornbannersfromtheedgeofhiswidehat。Hispiercing，blackeyeswerethoseofamanwhodrinksdeep，fightshard，andlivesalwaysintheopenair。
Wildanimalshavesucheyes，onlythereisthisdifference:theviciousnessofananimalisnatural；atleastone-halfoftheviciousnessofmanisartificialanddevised。
WhenNinonsawthefrost-reddenedfaceofthisgallantoftheplains，shegavealittlecryofdelight，andthecolorrushedbackintoherface。Thetrappersawher，andgavearudeshoutofwelcome。Thenextmoment，hehadswungherclearofthechapelsteps；andthenthetwowentdownthestreettogether，Pierrepausingonlylongenoughtodoffhishattothepriest。
"TheVirginwillwearnofreshlaces，"
saidthepriest，withsomebitterness；buthewasmistaken。Anhourlater，Ninonwasback，notonlywithaboxoflaces，butalsowithacollectionofcosmetics，withwhichsheproceededtomakestartlingthescratchedandfadedfaceofthewoodenVirgin，whowore，afterthecompletionofNinon'slabors，adecidedlypiquantandsaucyexpression。
TheverymannerinwhichthelacesweredrapedhadasuggestionofNinon'sstillunforgottenartasamakerofmillinery，andwasreallyaverygoodpresentmentofParisfashionsfouryearspast。Pierre，meantime，amusedhimselfbyfillingupthechinksinthelogswithfreshmud，——acommodityofwhichtherewasnolack，——andothersoftheneighbors，incitedbytheseextraordinaryefforts，washedthedirtfromseats，floor，andwindows，andbroughtfurswithwhichtomakepresentabletheflooraboutthepulpit。
FatherdeSmetworkedharderthananyofthem。Inhishappyenthusiasmhechosetothinkthisenergyonthepartoftheotherswaspromptedbypiety，thoughwellheknewitwasonlyarefugefromtheinsuffer-
ableennuithatpervadedtheplace。Ninonsuddenlycameuptohimwithawhiteface。
"Iamnotwell，"shesaid。Herteethwerechattering，andhereyeshadalittleblueglazeoverthem。"Iamgoinghome。
InthemorningIwillsendthelilies。”
Thepriestcaughtherbythehand。
"Ninon，"hewhispered，"itisonmysoulnottoletyougoto-night。Somethingtellsmethatthehourofyoursalvationiscome。
Womenworsethanyou，Ninon，havecometoleadholylives。Pray，Ninon，praytotheMotherofSorrows，whoknowsthesuf-
feringsandsinsoftheheart。”HepointedtothebefrilledandhighlyfashionableVirginwithherrouge-stainedcheeks。
Ninonshrankfromhim，andthesameconvulsiverigidityhehadnoticedbefore，heldherimmovable。Amomentlater，shewasonthestreetagain，andthepriest，watchingherdownthestreet，sawherenterhercabinwithPierre