Good-by。Ifyou'reeverupmyway，dropinandseeme。"Hethenwalkedtothedoorway，passedout，andseemedtomeltintotheafternoonshadowsofthehall。
　　Heneveragainenteredtheofficeofthe"ExcelsiorMagazine，"
　　neitherwasanyfurthercontributioneverreceivedfromWhiteViolet。Toapoliteentreatyfromtheeditor，addressedfirstto"WhiteViolet"andthentoMrs。Delatour，therewasnoresponse。
　　ThethoughtofMr。Hamlin'scynicalprophecydisturbedhim，butthatgentleman，preoccupiedinfillingsomeprofessionalengagementsinSacramento，gavehimnochancetoacquirefurtherexplanationsastothepastorthefuture。Theyouthfuleditorwasatfirstindespairandfilledwithavagueremorseofsomeunfulfilledduty。But，tohissurprise，thereadersofthemagazineseemedtosurvivetheirtalentedcontributor，andthefeverishlifethathadbeenthrilledbyhersong，intwomonthshadapparentlyforgottenher。Norwashervoiceliftedfromanyalienquarter；thedomesticandforeignpressthathadechoedherlaysseemedtorespondnolongertoherutterance。
　　ItispossiblethatsomereadersofthesepagesmayrememberapreviouschroniclebythesamehistorianwhereinitwasrecordedthatthevolatilespiritofMr。Hamlin，slightlyassistedbycircumstances，passedbeyondthesevoicesattheRanchoftheBlessedFisherman，sometwoyearslater。Astheeditorstoodbesidethebodyofhisfriendonthemorningofthefuneral，henoticedamongtheflowerslaiduponhisbierbylovinghandsawreathofwhiteviolets。Touchedanddisturbedbyamemorylongsinceforgotten，hewasfurtherembarrassed，asthecortegedispersedintheMissiongraveyard，bytheapparitionofthetallfigureofMr。JamesBowersfrombehindamonumentalcolumn。Theeditorturnedtohimquickly。
　　"Iamgladtoseeyouhere，"hesaid，awkwardly，andheknewnotwhy；then，afterapause，"ItrustyoucangivemesomenewsofMrs。Delatour。Iwrotetohernearlytwoyearsago，buthadnoresponse。"
　　"Thar'sbinnoMrs。Delatourfortwoyears，"saidMr。Bowers，contemplativelystrokinghisbeard；"andmebbethat'swhy。She'sbinfortwoyearsMrs。Bowers。"
　　"Icongratulateyou，"saidtheeditor；"butIhopetherestillremainsaWhiteViolet，andthat，forthesakeofliterature，shehasnotgivenup"——
　　"Mrs。Bowers，"interruptedMr。Bowers，withsingulardeliberation，"foundthatmakin'po'tryandtendin'tothecaresofagrowin'-upfamerlywasirritatin'tothenarves。Theydidn'tjibe，sotospeak。WhatMrs。Bowerswanted——andwhat，po'tryornopo'try，I'vebintryin'togiveher——wasRest!She'sbinhavin'itcomfor'blyupatmyranchatMendocino，withherchildrenandme。
　　Yes，sir"——hiseyewanderedaccidentallytothenew-madegrave——
　　"you'llexcusemysayin'ittoamaninyourprofession，butit'swhatmostfolkswillfindisaheapbetterthanreadin'orwritin'
　　oractin'po'try——andthat'sRest!"
　　THECHATELAINEOFBURNTRIDGE
　　CHAPTERI
　　IthadgrowndarkonBurntRidge。Seenfrombelow，thewholeserratedcrestthathadglitteredinthesunsetasifitsintersticeswereeatenbyconsumingfires，now，closedupitsranksofblackenedshaftsandbecameagainharshandsombrechevauxdefriseagainstthesky。Afaintglowstilllingeredovertheredvalleyroad，asifitwereitsownreflection，ratherthananylightfrombeyondthedarkenedridge。Nightwasalreadycreepingupoutofremotecanyonsandalongthefurrowedflanksofthemountain，orsettlingonthenearerwoodswiththesoundofhome-
　　comingandinnumerablewings。Atapointwheretheroadbegantoencroachuponthemountain-sideinitsslowwindingascentthedarknesshadbecomesorealthatayounggirlcanteringalongtherisingterracefounddifficultyinguidingherhorse，witheyesstilldazzledbythesunsetfires。
　　Inspiteofherprecautions，theanimalsuddenlyshiedatsomeobjectintheobscuredroadway，andnearlyunseatedher。Theaccidentdisclosednotonlythefactthatshewasridinginaman'ssaddle，butalsoafootandanklethatherordinarywalking-dresswastooshorttohide。Itwasevidentthatherequestrianexercisewasextempore，andthatatthathourandonthatroadshehadnotexpectedtomeetcompany。Butshewasapparentlyagoodhorsewoman，forthemischancewhichmighthavethrownalesspracticalormoretimidriderseemedoflittlemomenttoher。Withastronghandanddeterminedgestureshewheeledherfrightenedhorsebackintothetrack，androdehimdirectlyattheobject。Butheresheherselfslightlyrecoiled，foritwasthebodyofamanlyingintheroad。
　　Assheleanedforwardoverherhorse'sshoulder，shecouldseebythedimlightthathewasaminer，andthat，thoughmotionless，hewasbreathingstertorously。Drunk，nodoubt!——anaccidentofthelocalityalarmingonlytoherhorse。Butalthoughshecanteredimpatientlyforward，shehadnotproceededahundredyardsbeforeshestoppedreflectively，andtrottedbackagain。Hehadnotmoved。Shecouldnowseethathisheadandshoulderswerecoveredwithbrokenclodsofearthandgravel，andsmallerfragmentslayathisside。Adozenfeetabovehimonthehillsidetherewasafoottrailwhichranparallelwiththebridle-road，andoccasionallyoverhungit。Itseemedpossiblethathemighthavefallenfromthetrailandbeenstunned。
　　Dismounting，shesucceededindragginghimtoasaferpositionbythebank。Theactdiscoveredhisface，whichwasyoung，andunknowntoher。Wipingitwiththesilkhandkerchiefwhichwaslooselyslungaroundhisneckafterthefashionofhisclass，shegaveaquickfeminineglancearoundherandthenapproachedherownandratherhandsomefacenearhislips。Therewasnoodorofalcoholinthethickandheavyrespiration。Mountingagain，sherodeforwardatanacceleratedpace，andintwentyminuteshadreachedahighertablelandofthemountain，aclearedopeningintheforestthatshowedsignsofcarefulcultivation，andalarge，rambling，yetpicturesque-lookingdwelling，whoseunpaintedred-
　　woodwallswerehiddeninrosesandcreepers。Pushingopenaswinginggate，sheenteredtheinclosureasabrown-facedman，dressedasavaquero，cametowardsherasiftoassisthertoalight。Butshehadalreadyleapedtothegroundandthrownhimthereins。
　　"Miguel，"shesaid，withamistress'squietauthorityinherboyishcontraltovoice，"putGloryinthecoveredwagon，anddrivedowntheroadasfarasthevalleyturning。There'samanlyingneartherightbank，drunk，orsick，maybe，orperhapscrippledbyafall。Bringhimuphere，unlesssomebodyhasfoundhimalready，oryouhappentoknowwhoheisandwheretotakehim。"
　　Thevaqueroraisedhisshoulders，halfindisappointedexpectationofsomeothercommand。"Andyourbrother，senora，hehasnothimselfarrived。"
　　Alightshadowofimpatiencecrossedherface。"No，"shesaid，bluntly。"Come，bequick。"
　　Sheturnedtowardsthehouseasthemanmovedaway。Alreadyagaunt-lookingoldmanhadappearedintheporch，andwasawaitingherwithhishandshadowinghisangry，suspiciouseyes，andhislipsmovingquerulously。
　　"Ofcourse，you'vegottostandoutthereandgiveordersand'tendtoyourownbusinessaforeyouthinko'speakingtoyourownfleshandblood，"hesaidaggrievedly。"That'sallYOUcare!"
　　"Therewasasickmanlyingintheroad，andI'vesentMigueltolookafterhim，"returnedthegirl，withacertaincontemptuousresignation。
　　"Oh，yes!"struckinanothervoice，whichseemedtobelongtothefemaleofthefirstspeaker'sspecies，andtobeitsequalinageandtemper，"andIreckonyousawajaybirdonatree，orasquirrelonthefence，andeitherof'emwasmoreimportanttoyouthanyourownbrother。"
　　"Stevedidn'tcomebythestage，anddidn'tsendanymessage，"
　　continuedtheyounggirl，withthesamecoldlyresignedmanner。
　　"Noonehadanynewsofhim，and，asItoldyoubefore，Ididn'texpectany。"
　　"Whydon'tyousayrightoutyoudidn'tWANTany?"saidtheoldman，sneeringly。"Muchyouinquired!No；Iorterhevgonemyself，andIwouldifIwasmasterhere，insteadofmeandyourmotherbein'thedustoftheyearthbeneathyourfeet。"
　　Theyounggirlenteredthehouse，followedbytheoldman，passinganoldwomanseatedbythewindow，whoseemedtobenursingherresentmentandalargeBiblewhichsheheldclaspedagainsthershawledbosomatthesamemoment。Goingtothewall，shehungupherlargehatandslightlyshookthereddustfromherskirtsasshecontinuedherexplanation，inthesamedeepvoice，withacertainmonotonyoflogicandpossiblyofpurposeandpracticealso。
　　"YouandmotherknowaswellasIdo，father，thatStephenisnomoretobedependeduponthanthewindthatblows。It'sthreeyearssincehehasbeenpromisingtocome，andevengettingmoneytocome，andyethehasnevershowedhisface，thoughhehasbeenadozentimeswithinfivemilesofthishouse。Hedoesn'tcomebecausehedoesn'twanttocome。AstoYOURgoingovertothestage-office，Iwenttheremyselfatthelastmomenttosaveyouthemortificationofaskingquestionsofstrangersthattheyknowhavebeenadozentimesansweredalready。"
　　Therewassucharingofabsolutetruthfulness，albeitwornbyrepetition，intheyounggirl'sdeephonestvoicethatforoneinstanthertwomoreemotionalrelativesquailedbeforeit；butonlyforamoment。
　　"That'sright!"shrilledtheoldwoman。"Goonandabuseyourownbrother。It'sonlythefearyouhavethathe'llmakehisfortuneyetandshameyoubeforethefatherandmotheryoudespise。"
　　Theyounggirlremainedstandingbythewindow，motionlessandapparentlypassive，asifreceivinganacceptedandusualpunishment。Butheretheelderwomangavewaytosobsandsomeincoherentsnuffling，atwhichtheyoungerwentaway。Whethersherecognizedinhermother'stearstheordinarydeliquescenceofemotion，orwhether，asawomanherself，sheknewthatthismerefeminineconventionalitycouldnotpossiblybedirectedather，andthattheactualconflictbetweenthemhadceased，shepassedslowlyontoaninnerhall，leavingthemalevictim，herunfortunatefather，tosuccumb，ashealwaysdidsoonerorlater，totheirinfluence。Crossingthehall，whichwasdecoratedwithafewelkhorns，Indiantrophies，andmountainpelts，sheenteredanotherroom，andclosedthedoorbehindherwithagestureofrelief。
　　Theroom，whichlookeduponaporch，presentedasingularcombinationofmasculinebusinessoccupationsandfemininetasteandadornment。Adeskcoveredwithpapers，ashelfdisplayingaledgerandaccount-books，anothercontainingworksofreference，atablewithavaseofflowersandalady'sriding-whipuponit，amapofCaliforniaflankedoneithersidebyanembroideredsilkenworkbagandanovalmirrordeckedwithgrasses，acalendarandinterest-tablehangingbelowtwoschool-girlcrayonsofclassicheadswiththelegend，"JosephineForsythfecit，"——werepartofitsincongruousaccessories。Theyounggirlwenttoherdesk，butpresentlymovedandturnedtowardsthewindowthoughtfully。Thelastgleamhaddiedfromthesteel-bluesky；afewlightslikestarpointsbegantoprickoutthelowervalley。Theexpressionofmonotonousrestraintandendurancehadnotyetfadedfromherface。
　　Yetshehadbeenaccustomedtoscenesliketheoneshehadjustpassedthoughsincehergirlhood。Fiveyearsago，AlexanderForsyth，heruncle，hadbroughthertothisspot——thenamerelogcabinonthehillside——asarefugefromtheimpoverishedandshiftlesshomeofhiselderbrotherThomasandhisill-temperedwife。HereAlexanderForsyth，byreasonofhismoredominantcharacterandbusinesscapacity，hadprospereduntilhebecamearichandinfluentialranchowner。Notwithstandingherfather'sjealousyofAlexander'sfortune，andtheopenrupturethatfollowedbetweenthebrothers，Josephineretainedherpositionintheheartandhomeofherunclewithoutespousingthecauseofeither；andherfatherwastooprudentnottorecognizethenearandprospectiveadvantagesofsuchamediator。Accustomedtoherparents'extravagantdenunciations，andheruncle'smorerepressedbutpracticalcontemptofthem，theunfortunategirlearlydevelopedacynicaldisbeliefinthevirtuesofkinshipintheabstract，andaphilosophicalresignationtoitseffectsuponherpersonally。Believingthatherfatherandunclefairlyrepresentedthefraternalprinciple，shewasquitepreparedfortheearlydefectionanddistrustofhervagabondanddissipatedbrotherStephen，andaccepteditcalmly。Truetoanoddstandardofjustice，whichshehaderectedfromthecrumblingruinsofherowndomesticlife，shewastolerantofeverythingbuthumanperfection。
　　Thisquality，howeverfataltoherhighergrowth，hadgivenherapeculiarcapacityforbusinesswhichendearedhertoheruncle。
　　Familiarwiththestrongpassionsandprejudicesofmen，shehadnoneofthosefemininemeannesses，awholesomedistrustofwhichhadkeptheruncleabachelor。Itwasnotstrange，therefore，thatwhenhediedtwoyearsagoitwasfoundthathehadleftherhisentireproperty，realandpersonal，limitedonlybyasinglecondition。Shewastoundertakethevocationofa"soletrader，"
　　andcarryonthebusinessunderthenameof"J。Forsyth。"Ifshemarried，theestateandpropertywastobehelddistinctfromherhusband's，inalienableunderthe"MarriedWoman'sPropertyAct，"
　　andsubjectduringherlifeonlytoherowncontrolandpersonalresponsibilitiesasatrader。
　　Theintensedisgustanddiscomfitureofherparents，whohadexpectedtomoreactivelyparticipateintheirbrother'sfortune，maybeimagined。ButitwasnotequaltotheirfurywhenJosephine，insteadofprovidingforthemaseparatemaintenanceoutofherabundance，simplyofferedtotransferthemandherbrothertoherownhouseonadomesticbutnotabusinessequality。Therebeingnoalternativebuttheirformerprecariousshiftlesslifeintheir"played-out"claiminthevalley，theywiselyconsented，reservingthesacredrightofdailyprotestandobjurgation。IntheeconomyofBurntRidgeRanchtheyalonetookituponthemselvestorepresenttheshattereddomesticaltaranditsoutragedLaresandPenates。Andsoconscientiouslydidtheyperformtheirtaskasevenoccasionallytoimpedethebusinessvisitortotheranch，andtocausesomeofthemorepracticalneighborsseriouslytodoubttheyounggirl'scommercialwisdom。Butshewasfirm。Whethershethoughtherparentsanecessityofrespectabledomesticity，orwhethersheregardedtheirpresenceinthelightofapenitentialatonementforsomepreviousdisregardofthem，nooneknew。Publicopinioninclinedtothelatter。
　　Theblacklineofridgefadedoutwithherabstraction，andsheturnedfromthewindowandlitthelamponherdesk。Theyellowlightilluminatedherfaceandfigure。Intheirwomanlygracestherewasnotraceofwhatsomepeoplebelievedtobeamasculinecharacter，exceptasingularlyfranklookofcriticalinquiryandpatientattentioninherdarkeyes。Herlongbrownhairwassomewhatrigidlytwistedintoaknotonthetopofherhead，asifmoreforsecuritythanornament。Brownwasalsotheprevailingtintofhereyebrows，thickly-seteyelashes，andeyes，andwasevensuggestedintheslightsallownessofhercomplexion。Butherlipswerewell-cutandfresh-coloredandherhandsandfeetsmallandfinelyformed。Shewouldhavepassedforaprettygirl，hadshenotsuggestedsomethingmore。
　　Shesatdown，andbegantoexamineapileofpapersbeforeherwiththatconcentrationandattentiontodetailwhichwascharacteristicofhereyes，pausingattimeswithprettilyknitbrows，andherpenholderbetweenherlips，inthesemblanceofapoutthatwaspleasantenoughtosee。Suddenlytherattleofhoofsandwheelsstruckherwiththesenseofsomethingforgotten，andsheputdownherworkquicklyandstooduplistening。Thesoundofroughvoicesandherfather'squerulousaccentswasbrokenuponbyacultivatedandmorefamiliarutterance:"Allright；I'llspeaktoheratonce。
　　Waitthere，"andthedooropenedtothewell-knownphysicianofBurntRidge，Dr。Duchesne。
　　"Lookhere，"hesaid，withanabruptnessthatwasonlysavedfrombeingbrusquebyasofterintonationandareassuringsmile，"ImetMiguelhelpinganaccidentintoyourbuggy。Yourorders，eh?"
　　"Oh，yes，"saidJosephine，quietly。"AmanIsawontheroad。"
　　"Well，it'sabadcase，andwantspromptattention。AndasyourhouseisthenearestIcamewithhimhere。"
　　Certainly，"shesaidgravely。"Takehimtothesecondroombeyond——
　　Steve'sroom——it'sready，"sheexplainedtotwoduskyshadowsinthehallbehindthedoctor。
　　"Andlookhere，"saidthedoctor，partlyclosingthedoorbehindhimandregardingherwithcriticaleyes，"youalwayssaidyou'dliketoseesomeofmyqueercases。Well，thisisone——aseriousone，too；infact，it'sjusttouchandgowithhim。There'sapieceofthebonepressingonthebrainnobiggerthanthat，butasmuchasifallBurntRidgewasatopofhim!I'mgoingtoliftit。
　　Iwantsomebodyheretostandby，someonewhocanlendahandwithasponge，eh?——someonewhoisn'tgoingtofaintorscream，orevenshakeahair's-breadth，eh?"
　　Thecolorrosequicklytothegirl'scheek，andhereyeskindled。
　　"I'llcome，"shesaidthoughtfully。"Whoishe?"
　　Thedoctorstaredslightlyattheunessentialquery。"Don'tknow，——
　　oneoftheriverminers，Ireckon。It'sanurgentcase。I'llgoandgeteverythingready。You'dbetter，"headded，withanominousglanceathergrayfrock，"putsomethingoveryourdress。"Thesuggestionmadehergrave，butdidnotalterhercolor。
　　Amomentlatersheenteredtheroom。Itwastheonethathadalwaysbeensetapartforherbrother:theverybedonwhichtheunconsciousmanlayhadbeenarrangedthatmorningwithherownhands。Somethingofthispassedthroughhermindasshesawthatthedoctorhadwheeleditbeneaththestronglightinthecentreoftheroom，strippeditsoutercoveringswithprofessionalthoughtfulness，andrearrangedthemattresses。Butitdidnotseemlikethesameroom。Therewasapungentodorintheairfromsomefreshly-openedphial；analmostfeminineneatnessandluxuryinanopenmoroccocaselikeajewelboxonthetable，shiningwithspotlesssteel。Attheheadofthebedoneofherownservants，thepowerfulmillforeman，wasassistingwiththemingledcuriosityandblaseexperienceofoneaccustomedtosmashedandlacerateddigits。Atfirstshedidnotlookatthecentralunconsciousfigureonthebed，whosesufferingsseemedtohertohavebeenvicariouslytransferredtotheconcerned，eager，anddrawnfacesthatlookeddownuponitsimmunity。Thenshefemininelyrecoiledbeforethebaredwhiteneckandshouldersdisplayedabovethequilt，until，forcingherselftolookuponthefacehalf-concealedbybandagesandtheheadfromwhichthedarktanglesofhairhadbeenruthlesslysheared，shebegantosharethedoctor'sunconcerninhispersonality。WhatmatteredwhoorwhatHEwas?Itwas——acase!
　　Theoperationbegan。Withthesameearnestintelligencethatshehadpreviouslyshown，shequicklyandnoiselesslyobeyedthedoctor'swhisperedorders，andevenhalfanticipatedthem。Shewasconsciousofasingularcuriositythat，farfrombeingmeanorignoble，seemedtolifthernotonlyabovetheordinaryweaknessesofherownsex，butmadehersuperiortothemenaroundher。
　　Almostbeforesheknewit，theoperationwasover，andsheregardedwithequalcuriositytheostentatioussolicitudewithwhichthedoctorseemedtobewipinghisfatefulinstrumentthatboreanoddresemblancetoasilver-handledcentre-bit。Thestertorousbreathingbelowthebandageshadgivenwaytoafainterbutmorenaturalrespiration。Therewasamomentofsuspense。Thedoctor'shandleftthepulseandliftedtheclosedeyelidofthesufferer。
　　Aslightmovementpassedoverthefigure。Thesluggishfacehadcleared；lifeseemedtostrugglebackintoitbeforeeventhedulleyesparticipatedintheglow。Dr。Duchesnewithasuddengesturewavedasidehiscompanions，butnotbeforeJosephinehadbentherheadeagerlyforward。
　　"Heiscomingto，"shesaid。
　　Atthesoundofthatdeepclearvoice——thefirsttobreakthehushoftheroom——thedulleyesleapedup，andtheheadturnedinitsdirection。Thelipsmovedandutteredasinglerapidsentence。
　　Thegirlrecoiled。
　　"You'reallrightnow，"saidthedoctor，cheerfully，intentonlyupontheformbeforehim。
　　Thelipsmovedagain，butthistimefeeblyandvacantly；theeyeswerestaringvaguelyaround。
　　"What'smatter?What'sallabout?"saidtheman，thickly。
　　"You'vehadafall。Thinkamoment。Wheredoyoulive?"
　　Againthelipsmoved，butthistimeonlytoemitaconfused，incoherentmurmur。Dr。Duchesnelookedgrave，butrecoveredhimselfquickly。
　　"Thatwilldo。Leavehimalonenow，"hesaidbrusquelytotheothers。
　　ButJosephinelingered。
　　"Hespokewellenoughjustnow，"shesaideagerly。"Didyouhearwhathesaid?"
　　"Notexactly，"saidthedoctor，abstractedly，gazingattheman。
　　"Hesaid，'You'llhavetokillmefirst，'"saidJosephine，slowly。
　　"Humph；"saidthedoctor，passinghishandbackwardsandforwardsbeforetheman'seyestonoteanychangeinthestaringpupils。
　　"Yes，"continuedJosephine，gravely。"Isuppose，"sheadded，cautiously，"hewasthinkingoftheoperation——ofwhatyouhadjustdonetohim?"
　　"WhatIhaddonetohim?Oh，yes!"
　　CHAPTERII
　　BeforenoonthenextdayitwasknownthroughoutBurntRidgeValleythatDr。Duchesnehadperformedadifficultoperationuponanunknownman，whohadbeenpickedupunconsciousfromafall，andcarriedtoBurntRidgeRanch。Butalthoughtheunfortunateman'slifewassavedbytheoperation，hehadonlymomentarilyrecoveredconsciousness——relapsingintoasemi-idioticstate，whicheffectivelystoppedthediscoveryofanycluetohisfriendsorhisidentity。AsitwasevidentlyanACCIDENT，which，inthatrudecommunity——andeveninsomemorecivilizedones——conveyedavagueimpressionofsomecontributaryincapacityonthepartofthevictim，orsomeProvidentialinterferenceofaretributivecharacter，BurntRidgegaveitselflittletroubleaboutit。ItisunnecessarytosaythatMr。andMrs。ForsythgavethemselvesandJosephinemuchmore。Theyhadatheoryandagrievance。Satisfiedfromthefirstthattheallegedvictimwasadrunkentramp，whosubmittedtohaveaholeboredinhisheadinordertofoisthimselfupontheranch，theywereloudintheirprotests，evenhintingataconspiracybetweenJosephineandthestrangertosupplantherbrotherintheproperty，ashehadalreadyinthesparebedroom。"Didn'tallthatyerhappenTHEVERYNIGHTshepretendedtogoforStephen——eh?"saidMrs。Forsyth。"Tellmethat!Anddidn'tshehaveitallarrangedwiththebuggytobringhimhere，asthatsneakingdoctorletout——eh?Looksmightycurious，don'tit?"shemuttereddarklytotheoldman。Butalthoughthatgentleman，evenfromhisownselfishview，wouldscarcelyhavesubmittedtoasurgicaloperationandlateridiocyasthepriceofinsuringcomfortabledependency，hehadnodoubtotherswerebaseenoughtodoit；andlentawillingeartohiswife'ssuspicions。
　　Josephine'spersonalknowledgeofthestrangerwentlittlefurther。
　　DoctorDuchesnehadconfessedtoherhisprofessionaldisappointmentattheincompleteresultsoftheoperation。Hehadsavedtheman'slife，butasyetnothisreason。Therewasstillhope，however，forthediagnosisrevealednothingthatmightprejudiceafavorableprogress。Itwasamostinterestingcase。Hewouldwatchitcarefully，andassoonasthepatientcouldberemovedwouldtakehimtothecountyhospital，where，underhisowneyes，thepoorfellowwouldhavethebenefitofthelatestscienceandthehighestspecialists。Physically，hewasdoingremarkablywell；indeed，hemusthavebeenafineyoungchap，freefrombloodtaintorviciouscomplication，whosefleshhadhealedlikeaninfant's。ItshouldberecordedthatitwasatthisjuncturethatMrs。ForsythfirstlearntthataSILVERPLATEletintotheartfulstranger'sskullwasanadjunctofthehealingprocess!Convincedthatthisinfamousextravagancewaspartandparceloftheconspiracy，andwasonlythebeginningofotherassimilationsoftheForsyths'metallicsubstance；thattheplatewasprobablypolishedandburnishedwithafulsomeinscriptiontothedoctor'sskill，andwouldpassintothepossessionandadornmentofaperfectstranger，herrageknewnobounds。Heorhisfriendsoughttobemadetopayforitorworkitout!Invainitwasdeclaredthatafewdollarswereallthatwasfoundintheman'spocket，andthatnomemorandagaveanyindicationofhisname，friends，orhistorybeyondthesuggestionthathecamefromadistance。Thiswasclearlyapartoftheconspiracy!EvenJosephine'spracticalgoodsensewasobligedtotakenoteofthissingularabsenceofallrecordregardinghim，andtheapparentobliterationofeverythingthatmightberesponsibleforhisultimatefate。
　　Homeless，friendless，helpless，andevennameless，theunfortunatemanoftwenty-fivewasthuslefttothetendermerciesofthemistressofBurntRidgeRanch，asifhehadbeenanew-bornfoundlinglaidatherdoor。Butthismereclaimofweaknesswasnotall；itwassupplementedbyasingularpersonalappealtoJosephine'snature。Fromthetimethatheturnedhisheadtowardshervoiceonthatfatefulnight，hiseyeshadalwaysfollowedheraroundtheroomwithawondering，yearning，caninehalf-
　　intelligence。Withoutbeingabletoconvinceherselfthatheunderstoodherbetterthanhisregularattendantfurnishedbythedoctor，shecouldnotfailtoseethatheobeyedherimplicitly，andthatwheneveranydifficultyarosebetweenhimandhisnurseshewasalwaysappealedto。HerprideinthisproofofherpracticalsovereigntyWASflattered；andwhenDoctorDuchesnefinallyadmittedthatalthoughthepatientwasnowphysicallyabletoberemovedtothehospital，yethewouldloseinthechangethatverystrongfactorwhichJosephinehadbecomeinhismentalrecovery，theyounggirlasfranklysuggestedthatheshouldstayaslongastherewasanyhopeofrestoringhisreason。DoctorDuchesnewasdelighted。Withallhisenthusiasmforscience，hehadaprofessionaldistrustofsomeofitsdisciples，andperhapswasnotsorrytokeepthismostinterestingcaseinhisownhands。
　　Tohimhersuggestionwasonlyawomanlykindness，temperedwithwomanlycuriosity。Buttheastonishmentandstupefactionofherparentsatthisevidentcorroborationofsuspicionstheyhadasyetonlyhalfbelievedwastingedwithsuperstitiousdread。Hadshefalleninlovewiththishelplessstranger?or，moreawfultocontemplate，washereallynostranger，butasurreptitiousloverthusstrategicallybroughtunderherroof?Foroncetheyrefrainedfromopencriticism。Theverymagnitudeoftheirsuspicionsleftthemdumb。
　　ItwasthusthatthevirginChatelaineofBurntRidgeRanchwaslefttogazeuntrammeleduponherpaleandhandsomeguest，whosesilken，beardedlipsandsad，childlikeeyesmighthavesuggestedamoreExaltedSuffererintheirabsenceofanysuggestionofagrossermaterialmanhood。Buteventhisimaginativeappealdidnotenterintoherfeelings。Shefeltforhergood-looking，helplesspatientaprofoundandhonestpity。Idonotknowwhethershehadeverheardthat"pitywasakintolove。"Shewouldprobablyhaveresentedthatutterlyuntenableandatrociouscommonplace。Therewasnosuggestion，realorillusive，ofanypreviousmasterfulqualityinthemanwhichmighthavemadehispresentdependentconditionpicturesquebycontrast。Hehadcometoherhandicappedbyanunromanticaccidentandapracticalwantofenergyandintellect。Hewouldhavetotouchherinterestanewif，indeed，hewouldeversucceedindispellingtheoldimpression。Hisbeauty，inacommunityofpicturesquelyhandsomemen，hadlittleweightwithher，excepttoaccentthecontrastwiththeirfullermanhood。
　　Herlifehadgivenhernoillusionsinregardtotheothersex。
　　Shehadfoundthem，however，morecongenialandsafercompanionsthanwomen，andmoreaccessibletoherownsenseofjusticeandhonor。Inreturn，theyhadrespectedandadmiredratherthanlovedher，inspiteofherwomanlygraces。Ifshehadattimescontemplatedeventualmarriage，itwasonlyasapossiblepracticalpartnershipinherbusiness；butasshelivedinacountrywherementhoughtitdishonorableandaproofofincompetencytorisebytheirwives'superiorfortune，shehadbeenfreefromthatkindofmercenarypersecution，evenfrommenwhomighthaveworshipedherinhopelessandsilenthonor。
　　Forthisreason，therewasnothinginthesituationthatsuggestedasinglecompromisingspeculationinthemindsoftheneighbors，ordisturbedherowntranquillity。Thereseemedtobenothinginthefutureexceptapossiblerelieftohercuriosity。Somedaytheunfortunateman'sreasonwouldberestored，andhewouldtellhissimplehistory。Perhapshemightexplainwhatwasinhismindwhenheturnedtoherthefirsteveningwiththatsingularsentencewhichhadoftenrecurredstrangelytoher，sheknewnotwhy。Itdidnotstrikeheruntillaterthatitwasbecauseithadbeenthesolitaryindicationofanenergyandcapacitythatseemedunlikehim。Nevertheless，afterthatexplanation，shewouldhavebeenquitewillingtohaveshakenhandswithhimandparted。
　　Andyet——fortherewasanunexpressedremainderinherthought——
　　shewasneverentirelyfreeoruninfluencedinhispresence。Theflickeringvacancyofhissadeyessometimesbecamefixedwitharesoluteimmobilityunderthegentlequestioningwithwhichshehadsoughttodrawouthisfaculties，thatbothpiquedandexasperatedher。Hecouldsay"Yes"and"No，"asshethoughtintelligently，buthecouldnotutteracoherentsentencenorwriteaword，exceptlikeachildinimitationofhiscopy。Shetaughthimtorepeatafterherthenamesoftheinanimateobjectsintheroom，thenthenamesofthedoctor，hisattendant，theservant，and，finally，herownunderherChristianprenomen，withfrontierfamiliarity；butwhenshepointedtohimselfhewaitedforHERtonamehim!Invainshetriedhimwithallthemasculinenamessheknew；hiswasnotoneofthem，orhewouldnotorcouldnotspeakit。Forattimessherejectedtheprofessionaldictumofthedoctorthatthefacultyofmemorywaswhollyparalyzedorheldinabeyance，eventothehalf-automaticrecollectionofhisletters，yetsheinconsistentlybegantoteachhimthealphabetwiththesamemethod，and——inhersublimeunconsciousnessofhismanhood——withthesamedisciplineasifhewereaverychild。Whenhehadrecoveredsufficientlytoleavehisroom，shewouldleadhimtotheporchbeforeherwindow，andmakehimcontentedandhappybyallowinghimtowatchheratworkatherdesk，occasionallyansweringhiswonderingeyeswithaword，orstirringhisfacultieswithaquestion。Igrievetosaythatherparentshadtakenadvantageofthispublicityandhissupposedhelplessconditiontoshowtheirdisgustofhisassumption，totheextremeofmakingfacesathim——anactwhichheresentedwithsuchafuriousglarethattheyretreatedhurriedlytotheirownveranda。Afreshthoughsomewhatinconsistentgrievancewasaddedtotheirpreviousindictmentofhim:"Ifweain'tfounddeadinourbedwithourthroatscutbythatwoman'scrazyhusband"theyhadsettledbythistimethattherehadbeenaclandestinemarriage，"we'llbelucky，"groanedMrs。Forsyth。
　　Meantime，themountainsummerwaxedtoitsfullnessoffireandfruition。Thereweredayswhenthecrowdedforestseemedchokedandimpededwithitsownfoliage，andpungentandstiflingwithitsownrankmaturity；whenthelonghillsideranksofwildoats，thicksetandimpassable，filledtheairwiththeheateddustofgermination。Inthisquickeningirritationoflifeitwouldbestrangeiftheunfortunateman'storpidintellectwasnothelpedinitsawakening，andhewasallowedtorambleatwillovertheranch；
　　butwiththeinstinctofadomesticanimalhealwaysreturnedtothehouse，andsatintheporch，whereJosephineusuallyfoundhimawaitingherwhensheherselfreturnedfromavisittothemill。
　　Comingthenceonedaysheespiedhimonthemountain-sideleaningagainstaprojectingledgeinanattitudesoraptandimmovablethatshefeltcompelledtoapproachhim。Heappearedtobedumblyabsorbedintheprospect，whichmighthaveintoxicatedasanermind。
　　Halfveiledbytheheatthatrosequiveringlyfromthefierycanyonbelow，thedomainofBurntRidgestretchedawaybeforehim，until，liftedinsuccessiveterraceshearsedandplumedwithpines，itwasatlastlostintheghostlysnow-peaks。ButthepracticalJosephineseizedtheopportunitytotryoncemoretoawakentheslumberingmemoryofherpupil。Followinghisgazewithsignsandquestions，shesoughttodrawfromhimsomeindicationoffamiliarrecollectionofcertainpointsofthemapthusunrolledbehindhim。
　　Butinvain。Sheevenpointedoutthefatefulshadowoftheoverhangingledgeontheroadwhereshehadpickedhimup——therewasnoresponseinhisabstractedeyes。Shebitherlips；shewasbecomingirritatedagain。Thenitoccurredtoherthat，insteadofappealingtohishopelessmemory，shehadbettertrusttosomeunreflectiveautomaticinstinctindependentofit，andsheputthequestionalittleforward:"Whenyouleaveus，wherewillyougofromhere?"Hestirredslightly，andturnedtowardsher。Sherepeatedherqueryslowlyandpatiently，withsignsandgesturesrecognizedbetweenthem。Afaintglowofintelligencestruggledintohiseyes:heliftedhisarmslowly，andpointed。
　　"Ah!thosewhitepeaks——theSierras?"sheasked，eagerly。Noreply。"Beyondthem?"
　　"Yes。"
　　"TheStates?"Noreply。"Furtherstill?"
　　Heremainedsopatientlyquietandstillpointingthatsheleanedforward，and，followingwithhereyesthedirectionofhishand，sawthathewaspointingtothesky!
　　Thenagreatquietfelluponthem。Thewholemountain-sideseemedtohertobehushed，asiftoallowhertograspandrealizeforthefirsttimethepathosoftheruinedlifeatherside，whichIT
　　hadknownsolong，butwhichshehadneverfelttillnow。Thetearscametohereyes；inherswiftrevulsionoffeelingshecaughtthethinupliftedhandbetweenherown。Itseemedtoherthathewasabouttoraisethemtohislips，butshewithdrewthemhastily，andmovedaway。Shehadastrangefearthatifhehadkissedthem，itmightseemasifsomedumbanimalhadtouchedthem——
　　or——ITMIGHTNOT。Thenextdayshefeltaconsciousnessofthisinhispresence，andawishthathewaswell-curedandaway。ShedeterminedtoconsultDr。Duchesneonthesubjectwhenhenextcalled。
　　Butthedoctor，secureinthewelfareofhispatient，hadnotvisitedhimlately，andshefoundherselfpresentlyabsorbedinthebusinessoftheranch，whichatthisseasonwasparticularlytrying。TherehadalsobeenaquarrelbetweenDickShipley，hermillforeman，andMiguel，herablestandmosttrustedvaquero，andinherstrictsenseofimpartialjusticeshewasobligedtosideonthemeritsofthecasewithShipleyagainstheroldestretainer。
　　Thistroubledher，assheknewthatwiththeMexicannature，fidelityandloyaltywerenotunmixedwithquickandunreasoningjealousy。Forthisreasonshewassomewhatwatchfulofthetwomenwhenworkwasover，andtherewasachanceoftheirbeingthrowntogether。OnceortwiceshehadremaineduplatetomeetMiguelreturningfromtheposadaatSanRamon，filledwithaguardienteandarecollectionofhiswrongs，andtoseehimsafelybestowedbeforesheherselfretired。Itwasononeofthoseoccasions，however，thatshelearnedthatDickShipley，hearingthatMiguelhaddisparagedhimfreelyattheposada，hadbrokenthedisciplineoftheranch，andabsentedhimselfthesamenightthatMiguel"hadleave，"withaviewoffacinghisantagonistonhisownground。Topreventthis，thefearlessgirlatoncesecretlysetoutalonetoovertakeandbringbackthedelinquent。
　　FortwoorthreehoursthehousewasthuslefttothesoleoccupancyofMr。andMrs。Forsythandtheinvalid——afactonlydimlysuspectedbythelatter，whohadbecomevaguelyconsciousofJosephine'sanxiety，andhadnoticedtheabsenceoflightandmovementinherroom。Forthisreason，therefore，havingrisenagainandmechanicallytakenhisseatintheporchtoawaitherreturn，hewasstartledbyhearingHERvoiceintheshadowofthelowerporch，accompaniedbyahurriedtappingagainstthedooroftheoldcouple。Thehalf-reasoningmanarose，andwouldhavemovedtowardsit，butsuddenlyhestoppedrigidly，withwhiteandpartedlipsandvacantlydistendedeyeballs。