Itcertainlywasveryrough——amereshellofunpaintedboardsthatscarcelyroseabovethelevelofthesurroundinggrain，andafewyardsdistantwasinvisible。Itsslightlyslopingroof，alreadywarpedandshrunkenintolongfissuresthatpermittedglimpsesofthesteel-blueskyabove，wasevidentlyintendedonlyasashelterfromthecloudlesssuninthosetwomonthsofrainlessdaysanddewlessnightswhenitwasinhabited。Throughtheopendoorsandwindowsshecouldseearowof"bunks，"orrudesleepingberthsagainstthewalls，furnishedwithcoarsemattressesandblankets。
　　Astheyounggirlhalted，themanwithaninstinctofdelicacyhurriedforward，enteredtheshanty，anddraggingarudebenchtothedoorway，placeditsothatshecouldsitbeneaththeshadeoftheroof，yetwithherbacktothesedomesticrevelations。Twoorthreemen，whohadbeenapparentlyloungingthere，rosequietly，andunobtrusivelywithdrew。Herguidebroughtheratincupofdeliciouslycoolwater，exchangedafewhurriedwordswithhiscompanions，andthendisappearedwiththem，leavingheralone。
　　Herfirstsenseofrelieffromtheircompanywas，Ifear，strongerthananyotherfeeling。Afterahurriedglancearoundthedesertedapartment，shearose，shookoutherdressandmantle，andthengoingintothedarkestcornersupportedherselfwithonehandagainstthewallwhilewiththeothershedrewoff，onebyone，herslippersfromherslim，striped-stockingedfeet，shookandblewoutthedustthathadpenetratedwithin，andputthemonagain。Then，perceivingatriangularfragmentoflooking-glassnailedagainstthewall，shesettledthestringsofherbonnetbytheaidofitsreflection，pattedthefringeofbrownhaironherforeheadwithherseparatedfivefingersasifplayinganimaginarytuneonherbrow，andcamebackwithmaidenlyabstractiontothedoorway。
　　Everythingwasquiet，andherseclusionseemedunbroken。Asmileplayedforaninstantinthesoftshadowsofhereyesandmouthassherecalledtheabruptwithdrawalofthemen。Thenhermouthstraightenedandherbrowsslightlybent。Itwascertainlyveryunmannerlyinthemtogooffinthatway。"Goodheavens!couldn'ttheyhavestayedaroundwithouttalking?Surelyitdidn'trequirefourmentogoandbringupthatwagon!"Shepickedupherparasolfromthebenchwithanimpatientlittlejerk。Thensheheldoutherunglovedhandintothehotsunshinebeyondthedoorwiththegestureshewouldhaveusedhaditbeenraining，andwithdrewitasquickly——herhandquitescorchedintheburningrays。Nevertheless，afteranotherimpatientpauseshedesperatelyputupherparasolandsteppedfromtheshanty。
　　Presentlyshewasconsciousofafaintsoundofhammeringnotfaraway。Perhapstherewasanothershed，buthidden，likeeverythingelse，inthismonotonous，ridiculousgrain。Somestalks，however，weretroddendownandbrokenaroundtheshanty；shecouldmovemoreeasilyandseewhereshewasgoing。Toherdelight，afewstepsfurtherbroughtherintoacurrentofthetrade-windandacooleratmosphere。Andashortdistancebeyondthem，certainly，wastheshedfromwhichthehammeringproceeded。Sheapproacheditboldly。
　　Itwassimplyaroofupheldbyrudeuprightsandcrossbeams，andopentothebreezethatsweptthroughit。Atoneendwasasmallblacksmith'sforge，somemachinery，andwhatappearedtobepartofasmallsteam-engine。Midwayoftheshedwasaclosetorcupboardfastenedwithalargepadlock。Occupyingitswholelengthontheothersidewasawork-bench，andatthefurtherendstoodtheworkmanshehadheard。
　　Hewasapparentlyonlyayearortwoolderthanherself，andcladinbluejeanoveralls，blackenedandsmearedwithoilandcoal-
　　dust。Evenhisyouthfulface，whichheturnedtowardsher，hadablacksmudgerunningacrossitandalmostobliteratingasmallauburnmoustache。Thelookofsurprisethathegaveher，however，quicklypassed；heremainedpatientlyandinahalf-preoccupiedway，holdinghishammerinhishand，assheadvanced。Thiswasevidentlytheyoungfellowwhocould"doanythingthatcouldbedonewithwoodandiron。"
　　Shewasverysorrytodisturbhim，butcouldhetellherhowlongitwouldbebeforethewagoncouldbebroughtupandmended?Hecouldnotsaythatuntilhehimselfsawwhatwastobedone；ifitwasonlyamatterofthewheelhecouldfixitupinafewmoments；
　　if，ashehadbeentold，itwasacaseoftwistedorbentaxle，itwouldtakelonger，butitwouldbehereverysoon。Ah，then，wouldheletherwaithere，asshewasveryanxioustoknowatonce，anditwasmuchcoolerthanintheshed?Certainly；hewouldgooverandbringherabench。Buthereshebeggedhewouldn'ttroublehimself，shecouldsitanywherecomfortably。
　　Thelowerendofthework-benchwascoveredwithcleanandodorousshavings；shelightlybrushedthemasideand，withayouthfulmovement，swungherselftoaseatuponit，supportingherselfononehandassheleanedtowardshim。Shecouldthusseethathiseyeswereofalight-yellowishbrown，likeclarifiedhoney，withasingularlookofclearconcentrationinthem，which，however，wasthesamewhetherturneduponhiswork，thesurroundinggrain，oruponher。This，andhissublimeunconsciousnessofthesmudgeacrosshisfaceandhisblackenedhands，madeherwonderifthemanwhocoulddoeverythingwithwoodandironwasabovedoinganythingwithwater。Shehadhalfamindtotellhimofit，particularlyasshenoticedalsothathisthroatbelowthelineofsunburndisclosedbyhisopencollarwasquitewhite，andhisgrimyhandswellmade。Shewaswonderingwhetherhewouldbeaffrontedifshesaidinherpolitestway，"Ibegyourpardon，butdoyouknowyouhavequiteaccidentallygotsomethingonyourface，"andofferherhandkerchief，which，ofcourse，hewoulddecline，whenhereyefellonthesteam-engine。
　　"Howodd!Doyouusethatonthefarm?"
　　"No，"——hesmiledhere，thesmudgeaccentingitandsettingoffhiswhiteteethinaChristyMinstrelfashionthatexasperatedher——no，althoughitCOULDbeused，andhadbeen。Butitwashisfirsteffort，madetwoyearsago，whenhewasyoungerandmoreinexperienced。Itwasaratherroughthing，shecouldsee——buthehadtomakeitatoddtimeswithwhatironhecouldpickuporpayfor，andatdifferentforgeswhereheworked。
　　Shebeggedhispardon——where——
　　WHEREHEWORKED。
　　Ah，thenhewasthemachinistorengineerhere?
　　No，heworkedherejustliketheothers，onlyhewasallowedtoputupaforgewhilethegrainwasgreen，andhavehisbenchinconsiderationoftheoddjobshecoulddointhewayofmendingtools，etc。Therewasaheapofmendingandweldingtodo——shehadnoideahowquicklyagriculturalmachinesgotoutoforder!Hehaddonemuchofhisworkonthesteam-engineonmoonlitnights。Yes；
　　shehadnoideahowperfectlyclearandlightitwashereinthevalleyonsuchnights；althoughofcoursetheshadowswereverydark，andwhenhedroppedascreworanutitwasdifficulttofind。Hehadworkedtherebecauseitsavedtimeandbecauseitdidn'tcostanything，andhehadnobodytolookonorinterferewithhim。No，itwasnotlonely；thecoyotesandwildcatssometimescameverynear，butwerealwaysmoresurprisedandfrightenedthanhewas；andonceahorsemanwhohadstrayedoffthedistantroadyondermistookhimforananimalandshotathimtwice。
　　Hetoldallthiswithsuchfreedomfromembarrassmentandwithsuchapparentunconsciousnessoftheblueeyesthatwerefollowinghim，andthelight，gracefulfigure，——whichwassonearhisownthatinsomeofhisgestureshisgrimyhandsalmosttoucheditsdelicategarments，——that，accustomedasshewastoacertainmasculineaberrationinherpresence，shewasgreatlyamusedbyhisnaiveacceptanceofherasanequal。Suddenly，lookingfranklyinherface，hesaid:
　　"I'llshowyouasecret，ifyoucaretoseeit。"
　　Nothingwouldpleasehermore。
　　Heglancedhurriedlyaround，tookakeyfromhispocket，andunlockedthepadlockthatsecuredtheclosetshehadnoticed。
　　Then，reachingwithin，withinfinitecarehebroughtoutasmallmechanicalmodel。
　　"There'saninventionofmyown。Areaperandthreshercombined。
　　I'mgoingtohaveitpatentedandhaveabigonemadefromthismodel。Thiswillwork，asyousee。"
　　Hethenexplainedtoherwithgreatprecisionhowasitmovedoverthefieldthedoubleoperationwasperformedbythesamemotivepower。Thatitwouldbeasavingofacertainamountoflaborandtimewhichshecouldnotremember。Shedidnotunderstandawordofhisexplanations；shesawonlyacleanandprettybutcomplicatedtoythatunderthemanipulationofhisgrimyfingersrattledanumberoffrail-likestavesandworkedanumberofwheelsanddrums，yettherewasnoindicationofherignoranceinhersparklingeyesandsmiling，breathlessattitude。Perhapsshewasinterestedinhisownabsorption；therevelationofhispreoccupationwiththismodelstruckherasifhehadmadeheraconfidanteofsomeboyishpassionforoneofherownsex，andsheregardedhimwiththesamesympathizingsuperiority。
　　"Youwillmakeafortuneoutofit，"shesaidpleasantly。
　　Well，hemightmakeenoughtobeabletogoonwithsomeotherinventionshehadinhismind。Theycostmoneyandtime，nomatterhowcarefulonewas。
　　Thiswasanotherinterestingrevelationtotheyounggirl。Henotonlydidnotseemtocarefortheprofithisdevotionbroughthim，butevenhisonebelovedidealmightbedisplacedbyanother。Solikeaman，afterall!
　　Herreflectionswerebrokenuponbythesoundofvoices。Theyoungmancarefullyreplacedthemodelinitsclosetwithapartingglanceasifhewasclosingashrine，andsaid，"Therecomesthewagon。"Theyounggirlturnedtofacethemenwhoweredraggingitfromtheroad，withthehalf-complacentairofhavingbeenvictoriousovertheirlaterudeabandonment，buttheydidnotseemtonoticeitortobesurprisedathercompanion，whoquicklysteppedforwardandexaminedthebrokenvehiclewithworkmanlikedeliberation。
　　"Ihopeyouwillbeabletodosomethingwithit，"shesaidsweetly，appealingdirectlytohim。"IshouldthankyouSOMUCH。"
　　Hedidnotreply。Presentlyhelookeduptothemanwhohadbroughthertotheshanty，andsaid，"Theaxle'sstrained，butit'ssafeforfiveorsixmilesmoreofthisroad。I'llputthewheeloneasily。"Hepaused，andwithoutglancingather，continued，"Youmightsendheronbythecart。"
　　"Praydon'ttroubleyourselves，"interruptedtheyounggirl，withapinkuprisinginhercheeks；"Ishallbequitesatisfiedwiththebuggyasitstands。"Sendheroninthecart，indeed!Really，theywerearudeset——ALLofthem。"
　　Withouttakingtheslightestnoticeofherremark，themanrepliedgravelytotheyoungmechanic，"Yes，butwe'llbewantingthecartbeforeitcangetbackfromtakingher。"
　　"Her"again。"Iassureyouthebuggywillserveperfectlywell——
　　ifthis——gentleman——willonlybekindenoughtoputonthewheelagain，"shereturnedhotly。
　　Theyoungmechanicatoncesettowork。Theyounggirlwalkedapartsilentlyuntilthewheelwasrestoredtoitsaxle。Buttohersurpriseadifferenthorsewasledforwardtobeharnessed。
　　"Wethoughtyourhorsewasn'tsafeincaseofanotheraccident，"
　　saidthefirstman，withthesamesmilelessconsideration。"Thisonewouldn'tcutupifhewasharnessedtoanearthquakeoraworsedriverthanyou'vegot。"
　　Itoccurredtoherinstantlythatthemoreobviousremedyofsendinganotherdriverhadbeenalreadydiscussedandrejectedbythem。Yet，whenherowndriverappearedamomentafterwards，sheascendedtoherseatwithsomedignityandaslightincreaseofcolor。
　　"Iamverymuchobligedtoyouall，"shesaid，withoutglancingattheyounginventor。
　　"Don'tmentionit，miss。"
　　"Goodafternoon。"
　　"Goodafternoon。"Theyalltookofftheirhatswiththesameformalgravityasthehorsemovedforward，butturnedbacktotheirworkagainbeforeshewasoutofthefield。
　　CHAPTERII
　　TheranchofMajorRandolphlayonarichfaldaoftheCoastRange，andoverlookedthegreatwheatplainsthattheyounggirlhadjustleft。Thehouseofwoodandadobe，buriedtoitsfirststoryinrose-treesandpassionvines，waslargeandcommodious。Yetitcontainedonlythemajor，hiswife，hersonanddaughter，andthefewoccasionalvisitorsfromSanFranciscowhomheentertained，andshetolerated。
　　Forthemajor'shouseholdwasnotentirelyharmonious。WhileayounginfantrysubalternataGulfstation，hehadbeenattractedbythepiquantforeignaccentanddramaticgesturesofaFrenchCreolewidow，and——believingthem，inthefirstflushofhisyouthfulpassionmorethananoffsettotheencumbranceofhertwochildrenwho，withthememoryofvariousmaritalinfidelitieswereallherlatehusbandhadlefther——hadproposed，beenaccepted，andpromptlymarriedtoher。Beforeheobtainedhiscaptaincy，shehadpartlylostheraccent，andthosedramaticgestures，whichhadaccentedthepassionoftheirbriefcourtship，begantointensifydomesticaltercationandtheburstsofidlejealousytowhichshewassubject。Whethershewasrevengingherselfonhersecondhusbandforthefaultsofherfirstisnotknown，butitwascertainthatshebroughtanunhallowedknowledgeoftheweaknesses，cheapcynicism，andvanityofaforeignpredecessor，tositinjudgmentuponthesimple-mindedandchivalrousAmericansoldierwhohadsucceededhim，andwhowas，infact，themostloyalofhusbands。Thenaturalresultofherskepticismwasanespionageandcriticismofthewivesofthemajor'sbrotherofficersthatcompelledafrequentchangeofquarters。Whentothiswasfinallyaddedaracialdivergenceandantipathy，thepublicdisparagementofthecustomsandeducationofherfemalecolleagues，andthesuddeninsistenceofaforeignandFrenchdominanceinherhouseholdbeyondanyordinaryCreolejustification，Randolph，presumablytoavoidlaterinternationalcomplications，resignedwhilehewasasyetamajor。LuckilyhislatestbanishmenttoanextremeWesternoutposthadplacedhiminCaliforniaduringthefloodofaspeculationepoch。HepurchasedavaluableSpanishgranttothreeleaguesoflandforlittleoverathreemonths'pay。
　　Followingthatyearningwhichcompelsretiredship-captainsandroversofalldegreestobuyafarmintheirolddays，themajor，professionallyandsociallyinuredtoborderstrife，soughtsurceaseandArcadianreposeinranching。
　　ItwasherethatMrs。Randolph，laterelictofthelateScipionL'Hommadieu，devotedherselftobringingupherchildrenaftertheextremestofFrenchmethods，andinresurrectinga"de"fromherownfamilytogiveadistinctandaristocraticcharactertotheirname。The"deFontangesl'Hommadieu"were，however，onlyknowntotheirneighbors，aftertheWesternfashion，bytheirstepfather'sname，——whentheywereknownatall——whichwasseldom。Fortheboywasunpleasantlyconceitedasaprecociousworldling，andthegirlasunpleasantlycomplacentinherroleofingenue。ThehouseholdwascompletelydominatedbyMrs。Randolph。ApunctiliousCatholic，sheattendedallthefunctionsoftheadjacentmission，andtheshadowofablacksoutaneattwilightglidingthroughthewildoat-
　　fieldsbehindtheranchhadoftenbeenmistakenforacoyote。Thepeace-lovingmajordidnotobjecttoapietywhich，whileitlefthisownconsciencefree，impartedarespectablereligiousairtohishousehold，andkepthimfromtheequallydistastefulapproachesofthePuritanismofhisneighbors，andwasblissfullyunconsciousthathewasstrengtheningtheantagonisticforeignelementinhisfamilywithanalienchurch。
　　Meantime，astherepairedbuggywasslowlymakingitswaytowardshishouse，MajorRandolphenteredhiswife'sboudoirwithaletterwhichtheSanFranciscoposthadjustbroughthim。Alookofembarrassmentonhisgood-humoredfacestrengthenedthehardlinesofhers；shefeltsomemomentaryweaknessofhernaturalenemy，andpreparedtogivebattle。
　　"I'mafraidhere'ssomethingofamuddle，Josephine，"hebeganwithadeprecatingsmile。"Mallory，whowascomingdownherewithhisdaughter，youknow"——
　　"ThisisthefirstintimationIhavehadthatanythinghasbeensettledupon，"interruptedthelady，withappallingdeliberation。
　　"However，mydear，youknowItoldyoulastweekthathethoughtofbringingherherewhilehewentSouthonbusiness。Youknow，beingawidower，hehasnoonetoleaveherwith。"
　　"AndIsupposeitistheAmericanfashiontointrustone'sdaughterstoanyoldbooncompanions?"
　　"Malloryisanoldfriend，"interruptedthemajor，impatiently。
　　"HeknowsI'mmarried，andalthoughhehasneverseenYOU，heisquitewillingtoleavehisdaughterhere。"
　　"Thankyou!"
　　"Come，youknowwhatImean。Themannaturallybelievesthatmywifewillbeaproperchaperoneforhisdaughter。Butthatisnotthepresentquestion。Heintendedtocallhere；IexpectedtotakeyouovertoSanJosetoseeherandallthat，youknow；butthefactofitis——thatis——itseemsfromthisletterthat——he'sbeencalledawaysoonerthanheexpected，andthat——well——hangit!thegirlisactuallyonherwayherenow。"
　　"Alone?"
　　"Isupposeso。Youknowonethinksnothingofthathere。"
　　"Oranyotherpropriety，forthatmatter。"
　　"Forheaven'ssake，Josephine，don'tberidiculous!Ofcourseit'sstupidhercominginthisway，andMalloryoughttohavebroughther——butshe'scoming，andwemustreceiveher。ByJove!Heresheisnow!"headded，startingupafterahurriedglancethroughthewindow。"Butwhatkindofad——dturn-outisthat，anyhow?"
　　Itcertainlywasanodd-lookingconveyancethathadenteredthegates，andwasnowslowlycomingupthedrivetowardsthehouse。
　　Alargedraughthorseharnessedtoadust-coveredbuggy，whosestrainedfore-axle，bentbythelastmileofheavyroad，hadslantedthetopsofthefore-wheelstowardseachotheratanalarmingangle。Thelight，gracefuldressandelegantparasoloftheyounggirl，whooccupiedhalfofitssingleseat，lookedludicrouslypronouncedbythesideoftheslouchingfigureandgrimydusterofthedriver，whooccupiedtheotherhalf。
　　Mrs。Randolphgaveagrittylaugh。"Ithoughtyousaidshewasalone。Isthatanescortshehaspickedup，Americanfashion，ontheroad?"
　　"That'sherhireddriver，nodoubt。Hangit!shecan'tdriveherebyherself，"retortedthemajor，impatiently，hurryingtothedooranddownthestaircase。Buthewasinstantlyfollowedbyhiswife。
　　Shehadnoideaofpermittingapossibleunderstandingtobeexchangedintheirfirstgreeting。ThelateM。l'Hommadieuhadbeenabletoimpartawholeplanofintrigueinasinglewordandglance。
　　Happily，RoseMallory，alreadyinthehall，inafewwordsdetailedtheaccidentthathadbefallenher，tothehonestsympathyofthemajorandthecoldly-politeconcernofMrs。Randolph，who，indeliberatelychosensentences，managedtoconveytotheyounggirltheconvictionthataccidentsofanykindtoyoungladiesweretoberegardedasonlyashaderemovedfromindiscretions。Rosewasimpressed，andevenflattered，bythefastidiousnessofthisforeign-appearingwoman，andafterthefashionofyouthfulnatures，accordedtohertherespectduetorecognizedauthority。Whentothisauthority，whichwasevident，sheaddedadepreciationofthemajor，IfearthatsomecommoninstinctoffemininetyrannyrespondedinRose'sbreast，andthatontheverythresholdofthehonestsoldier'shomeshetacitlyagreedwiththewifetolookdownuponhim。Mrs。Randolphdepartedtoinformhersonanddaughteroftheirguest'sarrival。Asamatteroffact，however，theyhadalreadyobservedherapproachtothehousethroughtheslitsoftheirdrawnwindow-blinds，andthoseevennarrowerprejudicesandlimitedcomprehensionswhichtheireducationhadfostered。Thegirl，Adele，hadonlygraspedthefactthatRosehadcometotheirhouseinfineclothes，alonewithaman，inabroken-downvehicle，andwasmovedtoeasymirthandrighteouswonder。Theyoungman，Emile，hadagreedwithher，withthementalreservationthattheguestwaspretty，andmusteventuallyfallinlovewithhim。Theyboth，however，welcomedherwithatrainedpolitenessandasuperficialattentionthat，whiletheindifferenceofherowncountrymeninthewheat-fieldwasstillfreshinherrecollection，struckherwithgratefulcontrast；themajor'squietandunobtrusivekindlinessnaturallymadelessimpression，orwasacceptedasamatterofcourse。
　　"Well，"saidthemajor，cheerfullybuttentatively，tohiswifewhentheywerealoneagain，"sheseemsanicegirl，afterall；andagooddealofpluckandcharacter，byJove!topushoninthatbrokenbuggyratherthanlingerorcomeinafarmcart，eh?"
　　"Shewasaloneinthatwheat-field，"saidMrs。Randolph，withgrimdeliberation，"forhalfanhour；sheconfessesitherself——TALKING
　　WITHAYOUNGMAN!"
　　"Yes，buttheothershadgoneforthebuggy。And，inthenameofHeaven，whatwouldyouhaveherdo——hideherselfinthegrain?"
　　saidthemajor，desperately。"Besides，"headded，witharecklessnessheafterwardsregretted，"thatmechanicalchapthey'vegotthereisreallyintelligentandworthtalkingto。"
　　"IhavenodoubtSHEthoughtso，"saidMrs。Randolph，withamirthlesssmile。"Infact，IhaveobservedthattheAmericanfreedomgenerallymeansdoingwhatyouWANTtodo。Indeed，I
　　wondershedidn'tbringhimwithher!OnlyIbeg，major，thatyouwillnotagain，inthepresenceofmydaughter，——andImayevensay，ofmyson，——talklightlyofthesolitarymeetingsofyoungladieswithmechanics，eventhoughtheirfacesweresmutty，andtheirclothescoveredwithoil。"
　　Themajorheremutteredsomethingabouttherebeinglessdangerinayoungladylisteningtotheintelligenceofacoarsely-dressedlaborerthantothecomplimentsofarose-scentedfop，butMrs。
　　Randolphwalkedoutoftheroombeforehefinishedtheevidentplatitude。
　　ThatnightRoseMalloryretiredtoherroominastateofsell-
　　satisfactionthatsheevenfeltwastoacertainextentavirtue。
　　Shewasdelightedwithherreceptionandwithherhostessandfamily。ItwasstrangeherfatherhadnotspokenmoreofMRS。
　　Randolph，whowasclearlythesuperiorofhisoldfriend。Whatfinemannerstheyallhad，sodifferentfromotherpeopleshehadknown!TherewasquiteanOldWorldcivilizationaboutthem；
　　really，itwaslikegoingabroad!Shewouldmakethemostofheropportunityandprofitbyhervisit。ShewouldbeginbyimprovingherFrench；theyspokeitperfectly，andwithsuchapureaccent。
　　Shewouldcorrectcertainerrorsshewasconsciousofinherownmanners，andcopyMrs。Randolphasmuchaspossible。Certainly，therewasagreatdealtobesaidofMrs。Randolph'swayoflookingatthings。Nowshethoughtofitcalmly，thereWAStoomuchinformalityandfreedominAmericanways!Therewasnotenoughrespectduetopositionandcircumstances。Takethosemeninthewheat-field，forexample。Yethereshefounditdifficulttoformulateanindictmentagainstthemfor"freedom。"ShewouldliketogotheresomedaywiththeRandolphsandletthemseewhatcompanymannerswere!Shewasthoroughlyconvincednowthatherfatherhaddonewronginsendingheralone；
　　itcertainlywasmostdisrespectfultothemandcarelessofhimshehadquiteforgottenthatshehadherselfproposedtoherfathertogoaloneratherthanwaitatthehotel，andshemusthavelookedveryridiculousinherfineclothesandthebroken-downbuggy。Whenhertrunkcamebyexpressto-morrowshewouldlookoutsomethingmoresober。ShemustrememberthatshewasinaCatholicandreligioushouseholdnow。Ah，yes!howveryfineitwastoseethatpriestatdinnerinhissoutane，sittingdownlikeoneofthefamily，andmakingthemallseemlikeapictureofsomehistoricalandaristocraticromance!Andthentheywereactually"deFontangesl'Hommadieu。"
　　HowdifferenthewasfromthatshabbyMethodistministerwhousedtocometoseeherfatherinablackcravatwithahideousbow!
　　Reallytherewassomethingtosayforareligionthatcontainedsomuchpicturesquerefinement；andforherpart——butthatwilldo。I
　　begtosaythatIamnotwritingofanyparticularsnoborfemininemonstrosity，butofaverycharmingcreature，whowasquiteabletosayherprayersafterwardslikeagoodgirl，andlayherprettycheekuponherpillowwithoutablush。
　　Sheopenedherwindowandlookedout。Themoon，agreatsilverdome，wasupliftingitselffromabluish-graylevel，whichsheknewwasthedistantplainofwheat。Somewhereinitsmidstappearedadullstar，attimesbrighteningasifblownuponordrawnupwardsinacomet-liketrail。Bysomeoddinstinctshefeltthatitwasthesolitaryforgeoftheyounginventor，andpicturedhimstandingbeforeitwithhisabstractedhazeleyesandafacemorebegrimedinthemoonlightthanever。WhenDIDhewashhimself?PerhapsnotuntilSunday。Howlonelyitmustbeoutthere!Sheslightlyshiveredandturnedfromthewindow。Asshedidso，itseemedtoherthatsomethingknockedagainstherdoorfromwithout。Openingitquickly，shewasalmostcertainthatthesoundofarustlingskirtretreatedalongthepassage。Itwasverylate；perhapsshehaddisturbedthehousebyshuttingherwindow。NodoubtitwasthemotherlyinterestofMrs。Randolphthatimpelledhertocomesoftlyandlookafterher；andforoncehersimplesurmiseswerecorrect。Fornotonlytheinspectingeyesofherhostess，buttheamatoryglancesoftheyouthfulEmile，hadbeenfasteneduponherwindowuntilthelightdisappeared，andeventheHolyMissionChurchofSanJosehadassureditselfofthedearchild'ssafetywithalargeandsuppleearatherkeyhole。
　　ThenextmorningMajorRandolphtookherwithAdeleinalightcarioleovertheranch。Althoughhisdomainwasnearlyaslargeastheadjoiningwheatplain，itwasnot，likethat，monopolizedbyoneenormouscharacteristicyield，butembracedamorediversifiedproduct。Therewereacresandacresofpotatoesinrowsofendlessandvaryingsuccession；thereweremilesofwildoatsandbarley，whichovertoppedthemastheydroveinnarrowlanesofdryanddustymonotony；therewereorchardsofpears，apricots，peaches，andnectarines，andvineyardsofgrapes，socomparativelydwarfedinheightthattheyscarcelyreachedtotheleveloftheireyes，yetladenandbreakingbeneaththeweightoftheirludicrouslydisproportionatefruit。Whatseemedtobeavastgreenplateaucoveredwithtinypatches，thatheadedthenorthernedgeoftheprospect，wasanenormousbedofstrawberryplants。Buteverywhere，crossingthetrack，boundingthefields，orchards，andvineyards，intersectingthepathsofthewholedomain，werenarrowirrigatingductsandchannelsofrunningwater。
　　"Those，"saidthemajor，poetically，"aretheveinsandarteriesoftheranch。Comewithmenow，andI'llshowyouitspulsatingheart。"Descendingfromthewagonintopedestrianproseagain，heledRoseahundredyardsfurthertoashedthatcoveredawonderfulartesianwell。Inthecentreofabasinacolumnofwaterroseregularlywiththeevenflowandvolumeofabrook。"ItisoneofthelargestintheState，"saidthemajor，"andisthelifeofallthatgrowshereduringsixmonthsoftheyear。"
　　Pleasedastheyounggirlwaswiththoseevidencesoftheprosperityandpositionofherhost，shewasstruck，however，withthefactthatthefarm-laborers，wine-growers，nurserymen，andallfieldhandsscatteredonthevastestatewereapparentlyofthesameindependent，unpastoral，andunprofessionalcharacterasthemenofthewheat-field。Therewerenocottagesorfarmbuildingsthatshecouldsee，noranyapparentconnectionbetweenthehouseholdandtheestate；farfromsuggestingtenantryorretainers，themenwhowereworkinginthefieldsglancedatthemastheypassedwiththeindifferenceofstrangers，orrepliedtothemajor'sgreetingsorquestioningswithperfectequalityofmanner，orevenbusinesslikereserveandcaution。Herhostexplainedthattheranchwasworkedbyacompany"onshares；"thatthoselaborerswere，infact，thebulkofthecompany；andthathe，themajor，onlyfurnishedtheland，theseed，andtheimplements。"Thatmanwhowasdrivingthelongroller，andwithwhomyouwereindignantbecausehewouldn'tgetoutofourway，isthepresidentofthecompany。"
　　"Thatneedn'tmakehimsouncivil，"saidRose，poutingly，"forifitcomestothatyou'retheLANDLORD，"sheaddedtriumphantly。
　　"No，"saidthemajor，good-humoredly。"Iamsimplythemandrivingthelighterandmoreeasily-managedteamforpleasure，andhe'sthemandrivingtheheavierandmoredifficultmachineforwork。It'sformetogetoutofhisway；andlookedatinthelightofmybeingTHELANDLORDitisstillworse，foraswe'reworking'onshares'I'minterruptingHISwork，andreducingHISprofitsmerelybecauseIchoosetosacrificemyown。"
　　Ineednotsaythatthoseatrociouslylevelingsentimentswerereceivedbytheyoungladieswiththatfemininescornwhichisonlyqualifiedbymisconception。Rose，who，undertheinfluenceofherhostess，hadavagueimpressionthattheysoundedsomethingliketheFrenchRevolution，andthatAdelemustfeellikethePrincessElizabeth，rushedtoherrelieflikeagoodgirl。"But，major，now，YOU'REagentleman，andifYOUhadbeendrivingthatroller，youknowyouwouldhaveturnedoutforus。"
　　"Idon'tknowaboutthat，"saidthemajor，mischievously；"butifIhad，Ishouldhaveknownthattheotherfellowwhoaccepteditwasn'tagentleman。"
　　ButRose，havingsufficientlyshownherpartisanshipinthediscussion，afterthefemininefashion，didnotcareparticularlyforthelogicalresult。Afteramoment'ssilencesheresumed:
　　"Andthewheatranchbelow——isthatcarriedoninthesameway?"
　　"Yes。Buttheirlandlordisabank，whoadvancesnotonlytheland，butthemoneytoworkit，anddoesn'tridearoundinabuggywithacoupleofcharminglydistractingyoungladies。"
　　"Anddotheyallsharealike?"continuedRose，ignoringthepleasantry，"bigandlittle——thatyounginventorwiththerest?"
　　Shestopped。Shefelttheingenue'susuallycomplacenteyessuddenlyfixeduponherwithanunhallowedprecocity，andasquicklywithdrawn。Withoutknowingwhy，shefeltembarrassed，andchangedthesubject。
　　ThenextdaytheydrovetotheConventofSantaClaraandtheMissionCollegeofSanJose。TheirwelcomeatbothplacesseemedtoRosetobeaminglingofcastegreetingandspiritualzeal，andtheaustereseclusionandreserveofthosecloistersrepeatedthatsuggestionofanOldWorldcivilizationthathadalreadyfascinatedtheyoungWesterngirl。Theymadeotherexcursionsinthevicinity，butdidnotextendittoavisittotheirfewneighbors。
　　WiththeirreservedandexclusiveideasthisfactdidnotstrikeRoseaspeculiar，butonalatershoppingexpeditiontothetownofSanJose，acertainreticenceandaggressivesensitivenessonthepartoftheshopkeepersandtradespeopletowardstheRandolphsproducedanunpleasantimpressiononhermind。Shecouldnothelpnoticing，too，thatafterthefirststareofastonishmentwhichgreetedherappearancewithherhostess，sheherselfwasincludedintheantagonism。Withheryouthfulprepossessionforherfriends，thisdistinctionsheregardedasflatteringandaristocratic，andI
　　fearsheaccenteditstillmorebydiscussingwithMrs。Randolphthemeritsoftheshopkeepers'waresinschoolgirlFrenchbeforethem。
　　Shewasunfortunateenough，however，todothisintheshopofapolyglotGerman。
　　"Oxcoosme，mees，"hesaidgravely，——"butdotladyspeeksEngeleeshsogootmityourselluf，andvenyoudellstoherdotsilkishallfgottoninEnglish，sheonderstandyoumoochbetter，anditdon'tmakenodingstome。"Thelaughwhichwouldhavefollowedfromherowncountrywomendidnot，however，breakuponthetrainedfacesofthe"deFontangesl'Hommadieus，"yetwhileRosewouldhavejoinedinit，albeitalittleruefully，shefeltforthefirsttimemortifiedattheircivilinsincerity。
　　Attheendoftwoweeks，MajorRandolphreceivedaletterfromMr。
　　Mallory。Whenhehadreadit，heturnedtohiswife:"Hethanksyou，"hesaid，"foryourkindnesstohisdaughter，andexplainsthathissuddendeparturewasowingtothenecessityofhistakingadvantageofagreatopportunityforspeculationthathadoffered。"
　　AsMrs。Randolphturnedawaywithaslightshrugoftheshoulders，themajorcontinued:"Butyouhaven'theardall!ThatopportunitywasthesecuringofahalfinterestinacinnabarlodeinSonora，whichhasalreadygoneupahundredthousanddollarsinhishands!
　　ByJove!amancanaffordtodropalittlesocialceremonyonthoseterms——eh，Josephine?"heconcludedwithatriumphantchuckle。
　　"He'saslikelytolosehishundredthousandto-morrow，whilehismannerswillremain，"saidMrs。Randolph。"I'venofaithinthesesuddenCaliforniafortunes!"
　　"You'rewrongasregardsMallory，forhe'sascarefulasheislucky。Hedon'tthrowmoneyawayforappearancesake，orhe'dhavearichhomeforthatdaughter。Hecouldaffordit。"
　　Mrs。Randolphwassilent。"Sheishisonlydaughter，Ibelieve，"
　　shecontinuedpresently。
　　"Yes——hehasnootherkithorkin，"returnedthemajor。
　　"SheseemstobeverymuchimpressedbyEmile，"saidMrs。Randolph。
　　MajorRandolphfacedhiswifequickly。
　　"Inthenameofallthat'sridiculous，mydear，youarenotalreadythinkingof"——hegasped。
　　"IshouldbeverylothtogiveMYsanctiontoanythingofthekind，knowingthedifferenceofherbirth，education，andreligion，