Gentlemen:Ireceivedyourletterto-daybypost，inregardtotheransomyouaskforthereturnofmyson。
Ithinkyouarealittlehighinyourdemands，andIherebymakeyouacounter-proposition，whichIaminclinedtobelieveyouwillaccept。YoubringJohnnyhomeandpaymetwohundredandfiftydollarsincash，andIagreetotakehimoffyourhands。Youhadbettercomeatnight，fortheneighboursbelieveheislost，andIcouldn'tberesponsibleforwhattheywoulddotoanybodytheysawbringinghimback。Veryrespectfully，EBENEZERDORSET。
"GreatpiratesofPenzance!"saysI；"ofalltheimpudent——"
ButIglancedatBill，andhesitated。HehadthemostappealinglookinhiseyesIeversawonthefaceofadumboratalkingbrute。
"Sam，"sayshe，"what'stwohundredandfiftydollars，afterall？We'vegotthemoney。OnemorenightofthiskidwillsendmetoabedinBedlam。Besidesbeingathoroughgentleman，IthinkMr。Dorsetisaspend-
thriftformakingussuchaliberaloffer。Youain'tgoingtoletthechancego，areyou？"
"Tellyouthetruth，Bill，"saysI，"thislittleheewelambhassomewhatgotonmynervestoo。We'lltakehimhome，paytheransomandmakeourget-away。"
Wetookhimhomethatnight。Wegothimtogobytellinghimthathisfatherhadboughtasilver-mountedrifleandapairofmoccasinsforhim，andweweregoingtohuntbearsthenextday。
Itwasjusttwelveo'clockwhenweknockedatEbene-
zer'sfrontdoor。JustatthemomentwhenIshouldhavebeenabstractingthefifteenhundreddollarsfromtheboxunderthetree，accordingtotheoriginalproposition，BillwascountingouttwohundredandfiftydollarsintoDorset'shand。
WhenthekidfoundoutweweregoingtoleavehimathomehestartedupahowllikeacalliopeandfastenedhimselfastightasaleechtoBill'sleg。Hisfatherpeeledhimawaygradually，likeaporousplaster。
"Howlongcanyouholdhim？"asksBill。
"I'mnotasstrongasIusedtobe，"saysoldDorset，"butIthinkIcanpromiseyoutenminutes。"
"Enough，"saysBill。"IntenminutesIshallcrosstheCentral，SouthernandMiddleWesternStates，andbeleggingittrippinglyfortheCanadianborder。"
And，asdarkasitwas，andasfatasBillwas，andasgoodarunnerasIam，hewasagoodmileandahalfoutofSummitbeforeIcouldcatchupwithhim。
THEMARRYMONTHOFMAY
PRITHEE，smitethepoetintheeyewhenhewouldsingtoyoupraisesofthemonthofMay。Itisamonthpresidedoverbythespiritsofmischiefandmadness。
Pixiesandflibbertigibbetshauntthebuddingwoods:
Puckandhistrainofmidgetsarebusyintownandcountry。
InMaynatureholdsupatusachidingfinger，biddingusrememberthatwearenotgods，butoverconceitedmembersofherowngreatfamily。Sheremindsusthatwearebrotherstothechowder-doomedclamandthedonkey；linealscionsofthepansyandthechimpanzee，andbutcousins-germantothecooingdoves，thequackingducksandthehousemaidsandpolicemenintheparks。
InMayCupidshootsblindfolded——millionairesmarrystenographers；wiseprofessorswoowhite-apronedgum-
chewersbehindquick-lunchcounters；schoolma'amsmakebigbadboysremainafterschool；ladswithladderssteallightlyoverlawnswhereJulietwaitsinhertrellissedwindowwithhertelescopepacked；youngcouplesoutforawalkcomehomemarried；oldchapsputonwhitespatsandpromenadeneartheNormalSchool；evenmarriedmen，grownunwontedlytenderandsentimental，whacktheirspousesonthebackandgrowl:"Howgoesit，oldgirl:"
ThisMay，whoisnogoddess，butCirce，masqueradingatthedancegiveninhonourofthefaird閎utante，Sum-
mer，putsthekiboshonusall。
OldMr。Coulsongroanedalittle，andthensatupstraightinhisinvalid'schair。Hehadthegoutverybadinonefoot，ahousenearGramercyPark，halfamilliondollarsandadaughter。Andhehadahouse-
keeper，Mrs。Widdup。Thefactandthenamedeserveasentenceeach。Theyhaveit。
WhenMaypokedMr。Coulsonhebecameelderbrothertotheturtle-dove。Inthewindownearwhichhesatwereboxesofjonquils，ofhyacinths，geraniumsandpansies。Thebreezebroughttheirodourintotheroom。
Immediatelytherewasawell-contestedroundbetweenthebreathoftheflowersandtheableandactiveeffluviumfromgoutliniment。Thelinimentwoneasily；butnotbeforetheflowersgotanuppercuttooldMr。Coulson'snose。Thedeadlyworkoftheimplacable，falseenchant-
ressMaywasdone。
AcrosstheparktotheolfactoriesofMr。Coulsoncameotherunmistakable，characteristic，copyrightedsmellsofspringthatbelongtothe-big-city-above-the-Subway，alone。Thesmellsofhotasphalt，undergroundcaverns，gasoline，patchouli，orangepeel，sewergas，Albanygrabs，Egyptiancigarettes，mortarandtheundriedinkonnews-
papers。Theinblowingairwassweetandmild。Sparrowswrangledhappilyeverywhereoutdoors。NevertrustMay。
Mr。Coulsontwistedtheendsofhiswhitemustache，cursedhisfoot，andpoundedabellonthetablebyhisside。
IncameMrs。Widdup。Shewascomelytotheeye，fair，flustered，fortyandfoxy。
"Higginsisout，sir，"shesaid，withasmilesuggestiveofvibratorymassage。"Hewenttopostaletter。CanIdoanythingforyou，sir？"
"It'stimeformyaconite，"saidoldMr。Coulson。
"Dropitforme。Thebottle'sthere。Threedrops。
Inwater。D——thatis，confoundHiggins!There'snobodyinthishousecaresifIdiehereinthischairforwantofattention。"
Mrs。Widdupsigheddeeply。
"Don'tbesayingthat，sir，"shesaid。"There'sthemthatwouldcaremorethananyoneknows。Thirteendrops，yousaid，sir？"
"Three，"saidoldmanCoulson。
HetookhisdoseandthenMrs。Widdup'shand。Sheblushed。Oh，yes，itcanbedone。Justholdyourbreathandcompressthediaphragm。
"Mrs。Widdup，"saidMr。Coulson，"thespringtime'sfulluponus。"
"Ain'tthatright？"saidMrs。Widdup。"Theair'srealwarm。Andthere'sbock-beersignsoneverycorner。
Andthepark'sallyallerandpinkandbluewithflowers；
andIhavesuchshootingpainsupmylegsandbody。"
"'Inthespring，'"quotedMr。Coulson，curlinghismustache，"'ay——thatis，aman's——fancylightlyturnstothoughtsoflove。'"
"Lawsy，now!"exclaimedMrs。Widdup；"ain'tthatright？Seemslikeit'sintheair。"
"'Inthespring，'"continuedoldMr。Coulson，"'alivelieririsshinesupontheburnisheddove。'"
"Theydobelively，theIrish，"sighedMrs。Widduppensively。
"Mrs。Widdup，"saidMr。Coulson，makingafaceatatwingeofhisgoutyfoot，"thiswouldbealonesomehousewithoutyou。I'man——thatis，I'manelderlyman——butI'mworthacomfortablelotofmoney。Ifhalfamilliondollars'worthofGovernmentbondsandthetrueaffectionofaheartthat，thoughnolongerbeatingwiththefirstardourofyouth，canstillthrobwithgenuine——"
Theloudnoiseofanoverturnedchairneartheporti鑢esoftheadjoiningroominterruptedthevenerableandscarcelysuspectingvictimofMay。
InstalkedMissVanMeekerConstantiaCoulson，bony，durable，tall，high-nosed，frigid，well-bred，thirty-five，in-the-neighbourhood-of-Gramercy-Parkish。Sheputupalorgnette。Mrs。WidduphastilystoopedandarrangedthebandagesonMr。Coulson'sgoutyfoot。
"IthoughtHigginswaswithyou，"saidMissVanMeekerConstantia。
"Higginswentout，"explainedherfather，"andMrs。
Widdupansweredthebell。Thatisbetternow，Mrs。
Widdup，thankyou。No；thereisnothingelseIrequire。"
Thehousekeeperretired，pinkunderthecool，inquiringstareofMissCoulson。
"Thisspringweatherislovely，isn'tit，daughter？"
saidtheoldman，consciouslyconscious。
"That'sjustit，"repliedMissVanMeekerConstantiaCoulson，somewhatobscurely。"WhendoesMrs。Wid-
dupstartonhervacation，papa？"
"Ibelieveshesaidaweekfromto-day，"saidMr。
Coulson。
MissVanMeekerConstantiastoodforaminuteatthewindowgazing，towardthelittlepark，floodedwiththemellowafternoonsunlight。Withtheeyeofabotanistsheviewedtheflowers——mostpotentweaponsofinsid-
iousMay。WiththecoolpulsesofavirginofCologneshewithstoodtheattackoftheetherealmildness。Thearrowsofthepleasantsunshinefellback，frostbitten，fromthecoldpanoplyofherunthrilledbosom。Theodouroftheflowerswakednosoftsentimentsintheunexploredrecessesofherdormantheart。Thechirpofthesparrowsgaveherapain。ShemockedatMay。
ButalthoughMissCoulsonwasproofagainsttheseason，shewaskeenenoughtoestimateitspower。Sheknewthatelderlymenandthick-waistedwomenjumpedaseducatedfleasintheridiculoustrainofMay，themerrymockerofthemonths。Shehadheardoffoolisholdgentlemenmarryingtheirhousekeepersbefore。Whatahumiliatingthing，afterall，wasthisfeelingcalledlove!
Thenextmorningat8o'clock，whentheicemancalled，thecooktoldhimthatMissCoulsonwantedtoseehiminthebasement。
"Well，ain'tItheOlcottandDepew；notmentioningthefirstnameatall？"saidtheiceman，admiringly，ofhimself。
Asaconcessionherolledhissleevesdown，droppedhisicehooksonasyringeandwentback。WhenMissVanMeekerConstantiaCoulsonaddressedhimhetookoffhisbat。
"Thereisarearentrancetothisbasement，"saidMissCoulson，"whichcanbereachedbydrivingintothevacantlotnextdoor，wheretheyareexcavatingforabuilding。Iwantyoutobringinthatwaywithintwohours1，000poundsofice。Youmayhavetobringanothermanortwotohelpyou。IwillshowyouwhereIwantitplaced。Ialsowant1，000poundsadaydeliveredthesamewayforthenextfourdays。Yourcompanymaychargetheiceonourregularbill。Thisisforyourextratrouble。"
MissCoulsontenderedaten-dollarbill。Theicemanbowed，andheldhishatinhistwohandsbehindhim。
"Notifyou'llexcuseme，lady。It'llbeapleasuretofixthingsupforyouanywayyouplease。"
AlasforMay!
AboutnoonMr。Coulsonknockedtwoglassesoffhistable，brokethespringofhisbellandyelledforHigginsatthesametime。
"Bringanaxe，"commandedMr。Coulson，sardoni-
cally，"orsendoutforaquartofprussicacid，orhaveapolicemancomeinandshootme。I'dratherthatthanbefrozentodeath。"
"Itdoesseemtobegettingcool，Sir，"saidHiggins。
"Ihadn'tnoticeditbefore。I'llclosethewindow，Sir。"
"Do，"saidMr。Coulson。"Theycallthisspring，dothey？IfitkeepsuplongI'llgobacktoPalmBeach。
Housefeelslikeamorgue。"
LaterMissCoulsondutifullycameintoinquirehowthegoutwasprogressing。
"'Stantia，"saidtheoldman，"howistheweatherout-
doors？"
"Bright，"answeredMissCoulson，"butchilly。"
"Feelslikethedeadofwintertome，"saidMr。Coulson。
"Aninstance，"saidConstantia，gazingabstractedlyoutthewindow，"of'winterlingeringinthelapofspring，'
thoughthemetaphorisnotinthemostrefinedtaste。"
AlittlelatershewalkeddownbythesideofthelittleparkandonwestwardtoBroadwaytoaccomplishalittleshopping。
AlittlelaterthanthatMrs。Widdupenteredtheinvalid'sroom。
"Didyouring，Sir？"sheasked，dimplinginmanyplaces。"IaskedHigginstogotothedrugstore，andI
thoughtIheardyourbell。"
"Ididnot，"saidMr。Coulson。
"I'mafraid，"saidMrs。Widdup，"Iinterruptedyousir，yesterdaywhenyouwereabouttosaysomething。"
"Howcomesit，Mrs。Widdup，"saidoldmanCoulsonsternly，"thatIfinditsocoldinthishouse？"
"Cold，Sir？"saidthehousekeeper，"why，now，sinceyouspeakofititdoseemcoldinthisroom。But，out-
doorsit'saswarmandfineasJune，sir。Andhowthisweatherdoseemtomakeone'sheartjumpoutofone'sshirtwaist，sir。Andtheivyallleavedoutonthesideofthehouse，andthehand-organsplaying，andthechildrendancingonthesidewalk——'tisagreattimeforspeakingoutwhat'sintheheart。Youweresayingyesterday，sir——"
"Woman!"roaredMr。Coulson；"youareafool。I
payyoutotakecareofthishouse。Iamfreezingtodeathinmyownroom，andyoucomeinanddriveltomeaboutivyandhand-organs。Getmeanovercoatatonce。Seethatalldoorsandwindowsareclosedbelow。
Anold，fat，irresponsible，one-sidedobjectlikeyouprat-
ingaboutspringtimeandflowersinthemiddleofwinter!
WhenHigginscomesback，tellhimtobringmeahotrumpunch。Andnowgetout!"
ButwhoshallshamethebrightfaceofMay？Roguethoughshebeanddisturberofsanemen'speace，nowisevirginscunningnorcoldstorageshallmakeherbowherheadinthebrightgalaxyofmonths。
Oh，yes，thestorywasnotquitefinished。
Anightpassed，andHigginshelpedoldmanCoulsoninthemorningtohischairbythewindow。Thecoldoftheroomwasgone。Heavenlyodoursandfragrantmild-
nessentered。
InhurriedMrs。Widdup，andstoodbyhischair。Mr。
Coulsonreachedhisbonyhandandgraspedherplumpone。
"Mrs。Widdup，"hesaid，"thishousewouldbenohomewithoutyou。Ihavehalfamilliondollars。Ifthatandthetrueaffectionofaheartnolonoerinitsyouthfulprime，butstillnotcold，could——"
"Ifoundoutwhatmadeitcold，"saidMrs。Widdup，leanin'againsthischair。"'Twasice——tonsofit——
inthebasementandinthefurnaceroom，everywhere。I
shutofftheregistersthatitwascomingthroughintoyourroom，Mr。Coulson，poorsoul!Andnowit'sMaytimeagain。"
"Atrueheart，"wentonoldmanCoulson，alittlewanderingly，"thatthespringtimehasbroughttolifeagain，and——butwhatwillmydaughtersay，Mrs。
Widdup？"
"Neverfear，sir，"saidMrs。Widdup，cheerfully。
"MissCoulson，sheranawaywiththeicemanlastnight，sir!"
ATECHNICALERROR
Inevercaredespeciallyforfeuds，believingthemtobeevenmoreoverratedproductsofourcountrythangrapefruit，scrapple，orhoneymoons。Nevertheless，ifImaybeallowed，IwilltellyouofanIndianTerritoryfeudofwhichIwaspress-agent，camp-follower，andinaccessoryduringthefact。
IwasonavisittoSamDurkee'sranch，whereIhadagreattimefallingoffunmanicuredponiesandwavingmybarehandatthelowerjawsofwolvesabouttwomilesaway。Samwasahardenedpersonofabouttwenty-
five，withareputationforgoinghomeinthedarkwithperfectequanimity，thoughoftenwithreluctance。
OverintheCreekNationwasafamilybearingthenameofTatum。IwastoldthattheDurkeesandTatumshadbeenfeudingforyears。Severalofeachfamilyhadbittenthegrass，anditwasexpectedthatmoreNebuchad-
nezzarswouldfollow。Ayoungergenerationofeachfamilywasgrowingup，andthegrasswaskeepingpacewiththem。
ButIgatheredthattheyhadfoughtfairly；thattheyhadnotlainincornfieldsandaimedatthedivisionoftheirenemies'suspendersintheback——partly，perhaps，becausetherewerenocornfields，andnobodyworemorethanonesuspender。Norhadanywomanorchildofeitherhouseeverbeenharmed。Inthosedays——andyouwillfinditsoyet——theirwomenweresafe。
SamDurkeehadagirl。Ifitwereanall-fictionmagazinethatIexpecttosellthisstoryto，Ishouldsay，"Mr。Durkeerejoicedinafianc閑。"HernamewasEllaBaynes。Theyappearedtobedevotedtoeachother，andtohaveperfectconfidenceineachother，asallcouplesdowhoareandhaveoraren'tandhaven't。Shewastolerablypretty，withaheavymassofbrownhairthathelpedheralong。Heintroducedmetoher，whichseemednottolessenherpreferenceforhim；soIreasonedthattheyweresurelysoul-mates。
MissBayneslivedinKingfisher，twentymilesfromtheranch。Samlivedonagallopbetweenthetwoplaces。
OnedaytherecametoKingfisheracourageousyoungman，rathersmall，withsmoothfaceandregularfeatures。
Hemademanyinquiriesaboutthebusinessofthetown，andespeciallyoftheinhabitantscognominally。HesaidhewasfromMuscogee，andhelookedit，withhisyellowshoesandcrochetedfour-in-hand。ImethimoncewhenIrodeinforthemail。HesaidhisnamewasBeverlyTravers，whichseemedratherimprobable。
Therewereactivetimesontheranch，justthen，andSamwastoobusytogototownoften。Asanincom-
petentandgenerallyworthlessguest，itdevolveduponmetorideinforlittlethingssuchaspostcards，barrelsofflour，baking-powder，smoking-tobacco，and——lettersfromElla。
Oneday，whenIwasmessengerforhalfagrossofcigarettepapersandacoupleofwagontires，IsawtheallegedBeverlyTraversinayellow-wheeledbuggywithEllaBaynes，drivingabouttownasostentatiouslyastheblack，waxymudwouldpermit。Iknewthatthisinfor-
mationwouldbringnobalmofGileadtoSam'ssoul，soIrefrainedfromincludingitinthenewsofthecitythatIretailedonmyreturn。Butonthenextafternoonanelongatedex-cowboyofthenameofSimmons，anold-
timepalofSam's，whokeptafeedstoreinKingfisher，rodeouttotheranchandrolledandburnedmanycigar-
ettesbeforehewouldtalk。Whenhedidmakeoration，hiswordswerethese:
"Say，Sam，there'sbeenadescriptionofagalootmiscallin'himselfBevel-edgedTravelsimpairingtheatmosphericairofKingfisherforthepasttwoweeks。
Youknowwhohewas？HewasnototherwisethanBenTatum，fromtheCreekNation，sonofoldGopherTatumthatyourUncleNewtshotlastFebruary。Youknowwhathedonethismorning？HekilledyourbrotherLester——shothimintheco't-houseyard。"
IwonderedifSamhadheard。Hepulledatwigfromamesquitebush，cheweditgravely，andsaid:
"Hedid，didhe？HekilledLester？"
"Thesame，"saidSimmons。"Andhedidmore。
Herunawaywithyourgirl，thesameastosayMissEllaBaynes。Ithoughtyoumightliketoknow，soIrodeouttoimparttheinformation。"
"Iammuchobliged，Jim，"saidSam，takingthechewedtwigfromhismouth。"Yes，I'mgladyourodeOut。Yes，I'mrightglad。"
"Well，I'llberidin'back，Ireckon。ThatboyIleftinthefeedstoredon'tknowhayfromoats。HeshotLesterintheback。"
"Shothimintheback？"
"Yes，whilehewashitchin'hishoss。"
"I'mmuchobliged，Jim。"
"Ikindofthoughtyou'dliketoknowassoonasyoucould。"
"Comeinandhavesomecoffeebeforeyourideback，Jim？"
"Why，no，Ireckonnot；Imustgetbacktothestore。"
"Andyousay——"
"Yes，Sam。Everybodyseen'emdriveawaytogetherinabuckboard，withabigbundle，likeclothes，tiedupinthebackofit。Hewasdrivin'theteamhebroughtoverwithhimfromMuscogee。They'llbehardtoover-
takerightaway。"
"Andwhich——"
"Iwasgoin'ontotellyou。TheyleftontheGuthrieroad；butthere'snotellin'whichforksthey'lltake——
youknowthat。"
"Allright，Jim；muchobliged。"
"You'rewelcome，Sam。"
Simmonsrolledacigaretteandstabbedhisponywithbothheels。Twentyyardsawayhereinedupandcalledback:
"Youdon'twantno——assistance，asyoumightsay？"
"Notany，thanks。"
"Ididn'tthinkyouwould。Well，solong!"
Samtookoutandopenedabone-handledpocket-knifeandscrapedadriedpieceofmudfromhisleftboot。I
thoughtatfirsthewasgoingtoswearavendettaonthebladeofit，orrecite"TheGipsy'sCurse。"ThefewfeudsIhadeverseenorreadaboutusuallyopenedthatway。Thisoneseemedtobepresentedwithanewtreat-
ment。Thusofferedonthestage，itwouldhavebeenhissedoff，andoneofBelasco'sthrillingmelodramasdemandedinstead。
"Iwonder，"saidSam，withaprofoundlythoughtfulexpression，"ifthecookhasanycoldbeansleftover!"
HecalledWash，theNegrocook，andfindingthathehadsome，orderedhimtoheatupthepotandmakesomestrongcoffee。ThenwewentintoSam'sprivateroom，whereheslept，andkepthisarmoury，dogs，andthesad-
dlesofhisfavouritemounts。Hetookthreeorfoursix-
shootersoutofabookcaseandbegantolookthemover，whistling"TheCowboy'sLament"abstractedly。After-
wardheorderedthetwobesthorsesontheranchsaddledandtiedtothehitching-post。
Now，inthefeudbusiness，inallsectionsofthecountry，Ihaveobservedthatinoneparticularthereisadelicatebutstrictetiquettebelonging。Youmustnotmentionthewordorrefertothesubjectinthepresenceofafeudist。
Itwouldbemorereprehensiblethancommentinguponthemoleonthechinofyourrichaunt。Ifound，lateron，thatthereisanotherunwrittenrule，butIthinkthatbelongssolelytotheWest。
Ityetlackedtwohourstosupper-time；butintwentyminutesSamandIwereplungingdeepintothereheatedbeans，hotcoffee，andcoldbeef。
Nothinglikeagoodmealbeforealongride，"saidSam。"Eathearty。"
Ihadasuddensuspicion。
"Whydidyouhavetwohorsessaddled？"Iasked。
"One，two——one，two，"saidSam。"Youcancount，can'tyou？"
Hismathematicscarriedwithitamomentaryqualmandalesson。Thethoughthadnotoccurredtohimthatthethoughtcouldpossiblyoccurtomenottorideathissideonthatredroadtorevengeandjustice。Itwasthehighercalculus。Iwasbookedforthetrail。Ibegantoeatmorebeans。
Inanhourwesetforthatasteadygallopeastward。
OurhorseswereKentucky-bred，strengthenedbythemesquitegrassofthewest。BenTatum'ssteedsmayhavebeenswifter，andhehadagoodlead；butifhehadheardthepunctualthudsofthehoofsofthosetrailersofours，bornintheheartoffeudland，hemighthavefeltthatretributionwascreepinguponthehoof-printsofhisdappernags。
IknewthatBenTatum'scardtoplaywasflight——
flightuntilhecamewithinthesaferterritoryofhisownhenchmenandsupporters。Heknewthatthemanpur-
suinghimwouldfollowthetrailtoanyendwhereitmightlead。
DuringtherideSamtalkedoftheprospectforrain，ofthepriceofbeef，andofthemusicalglasses。Youwouldhavethoughthehadneverhadabrotherorasweetheartoranenemyonearth。Therearesomesub-
jectstoobigevenforthewordsinthe"Unabridged。"
Knowingthisphaseofthefeudcode，butnothavingpractiseditsufficiently，Ioverdidthethingbytellingsomeslightlyfunnyanecdotes。Samlaughedatexactlytherightplace——laughedwithhismouth。WhenIcaughtsightofhismouth，IwishedIhadbeenblessedwithenoughsenseofhumourtohavesuppressedthoseanecdotes。
OurfirstsightofthemwehadinGuthrie。Tiredandhungry，westumbled，unwashed，intoalittleyellow-pinehotelandsatatatable。Intheoppositecornerwesawthefugitives。Theywerebentupontheirmeal，butlookedaroundattimesuneasily。
Thegirlwasdressedinbrown-oneofthesesmooth，half-shiny，silky-lookingaffairswithlacecollarandcuffs，andwhatIbelievetheycallanaccordion-plaitedskirt。
Sheworeathickbrownveildowntohernose，andabroad-brimmedstrawhatwithsomekindoffeathersadorningit。Themanworeplain，darkclothes，andhishairwastrimmedveryshort。Hewassuchamanasyoumightseeanywhere。
Theretheywere——themurdererandthewomanhehadstolen。Therewewere——therightfulavenger，accordingtothecode，andthesupernumerarywhowritesthesewords。
Foronetime，atleast，intheheartofthesupernumerarythererosethekillinginstinct。Foronemomenthejoinedtheforceofcombatants——orally。
"Whatareyouwaitingfor，Sam？"Isaidinawhisper。
"Lethimhaveitnow!"
Samgaveamelancholysigh。
"Youdon'tunderstand；buthedoes，"hesaid。"Heknows。Mr。Tenderfoot，there'saruleouthereamongwhitemenintheNationthatyoucan'tshootamanwhenhe'swithawoman。Ineverknewittobebrokeyet。
Youcan'tdoit。You'vegottogethiminagangofmenorbyhimself。That'swhy。Heknowsit，too。Weallknow。So，that'sMr。BenTatum!Oneofthe'prettymen'!I'llcuthimoutoftheherdbeforetheyleavethehotel，andregulatehisaccount!"
Aftersuppertheflyingpairdisappearedquickly-
AlthoughSamhauntedlobbyandstairwayandhallshalfthenight，insomemysteriouswaythefugitiveseludedhim；andinthemorningtheveiledladyinthebrowndresswiththeaccordion-plaitedskirtandthedapperyoungmanwiththeclose-clippedhair，andthebuckboardwiththeprancingnags，weregone。
Itisamonotonousstory，thatoftheride；soitshallbecurtailed。Onceagainweovertookthemonaroad。Wewereaboutfiftyyardsbehind。Theyturnedinthebuckboardandlookedatus；thendroveonwithoutwhippinguptheirhorses。Theirsafetynolongerlayinspeed。BenTatumknew。Heknewthattheonlyrockofsafetylefttohimwasthecode。Thereisnodoubtthat，hadhebeenalone，thematterwouldhavebeensettledquicklywithSamDurkeeintheusualway；
buthehadsomethingathissidethatkeptstillthetrigger-fingerofboth。Itseemedlikelythathewasnocoward。
So，youmayperceivethatwoman，onoccasions，maypostponeinsteadofprecipitatingconflictbetweenmanandman。Butnotwillinglyorconsciously。Sheisobliviousofcodes。
Fivemilesfarther，wecameuponthefuturegreatWesterncityofChandler。Thehorsesofpursuersandpursuedwerestarvedandweary。Therewasonehotelthatoffereddangertomanandentertainmenttobeast；
sothefourofusmetagaininthediningroomattheringingofabellsoresonantandlargethatithadcrackedthewelkinlongago。ThediningroomwasnotaslargeastheoneatGuthrie。
Justaswewereeatingapplepie——howBenDavisesandtragedyimpingeuponeachother!——InoticedSamlookingwithkeenintentnessatourquarrywheretheywereseatedatatableacrosstheroom。Thegirlstillworethebrowndresswithlacecollarandcuffs，andtheveildrawndowntohernose。Themanbentoverhisplate，withhisclosecroppedheadheldlow。
"There'sacode，"IheardSamsay，eithertomeortohimself，"thatwon'tletyoushootamaninthecompanyofawoman；but，bythunder，thereain'tonetokeepyoufromkillingawomaninthecompanyofaman!"
And，quickerthanmymindcouldfollowhisargument，hewhippedaColt'sautomaticfromunderhisleftarmandpumpedsixbulletsintothebodythatthebrowndresscovered——thebrowndresswiththelacecollarandcuffsandtheaccordion-plaitedskirt。
Theyoungpersoninthedarksacksuit，fromwhoseheadandfromwhoselifeawoman'sgloryhadbeenclipped，laidherheadonherarmsstretcheduponthetable；whilepeoplecamerunningtoraiseBenTatumfromthefloorinhisfemininemasqueradethathadgivenSamtheopportunitytosetaside，technically，theobliga-
tionsofthecode。
SUITEHOMESANDTHEIRROMANCE
FEWyoungcouplesintheBig-City-of-BluffbegantheirmarriedexistencewithgreaterpromiseofhappinessthandidMr。andMrs。ClaudeTurpin。Theyfeltnoespecialanimositytowardeachother；theywerecomfort-
ablyestablishedinahandsomeapartmenthousethathadanameandaccommodationslikethoseofasleeping-
car；theywerelivingasexpensivelyasthecoupleonthenextfloorabovewhohadtwicetheirincome；
andtheirmarriagehadoccurredonawager，aferry-
boatandfirstacquaintance，thussecuringasensationalnewspapernoticewiththeirnamesattachedtopicturesoftheQueenofRoumaniaandM。Santos-
Dumont。
Turpin'sincomewas$200permonth。Onpayday，aftercalculatingtheamountsdueforrent，instalmentsonfurnitureandpiano，gas，andbillsowedtotheflorist，confectioner，milliner，tailor，winemerchantandcabcompany，theTurpinswouldfindthattheystillhad$200
lefttospend。Howtodothisisoneofthesecretsofmetropolitanlife。
ThedomesticlifeoftheTurpinswasabeautifulpicturetosee。Butyoucouldn'tgazeuponitasyoucouldatanoleographof"Don'tWakeGrandma，"or"Brook-
lynbyMoonlight。"
Youhadtoblinkwhenlookedatit；andyouheardafizzingsoundjustlikethemachinewitha"scope"attheendofit。Yes；therewasn'tmuchreposeaboutthepictureoftheTurpins'domesticlife。Itwassomethinglike"SpearingSalmonintheColumbiaRiver，"or"Jap-
aneseArtilleryinAction。"
Everydaywasjustlikeanother；asthedaysareinNewYork。InthemorningTurpinwouldtakebromo-
seltzer，hispocketchangefromundertheclock，hishat，nobreakfastandhisdeparturefortheoffice。AtnoonMrs。Turpinwouldgetoutofbedandhumour，putonakimono，airs，andthewatertoboilforcoffee。
Turpinluncheddowntown。Hecamehomeat6
todressfordinner。Theyalwaysdinedout。Theystrayedfromthechop-housetochop-sueydom，fromterracetotabled'h魌e，fromrathskellertoroadhouse，fromcaf？tocasino，fromMaria'stotheMarthaWash-
ington。Suchisdomesticlifeinthegreatcity。Yourvineisthemistletoe；yourfigtreebearsdates。YourhouseholdgodsareMercuryandJohnHowardPayne。
Fortheweddingmarchyounowhearonly"ComewiththeGypsyBride。"Yourarelydineatthesameplacetwiceinsuccession。Youtireofthefood；and，besides，youwanttogivethemtimeforthequestionofthatsouve-
nirsilversugarbowltoblowover。
TheTurpinswerethereforehappy。Theymademanywarmanddelightfulfriends，someofwhomtheyremem-
beredthenextday。Theirhomelifewasanidealone，accordingtotherulesandregulationsoftheBookofBluff。
TherecameatimewhenitdawneduponTurpinthathiswifewasgettingawaywithtoomuchmoney。
Ifyoubelongtothenear-swellclassintheBigCity，andyourincomeis$200permonth，andyoufindattheendofthemonth，afterlookingoverthebillsforcurrentexpenses，thatyou，yourself，havespent$150，youverynaturallywonderwhathasbecomeoftheother$50。
Soyoususpectyourwife。Andperhapsyougiveherahintthatsomethingneedsexplanation。
"Isay，Vivien，"saidTurpin，oneafternoonwhentheywereenjoyinginraptsilencethepeaceandquietoftheircozyapartment，"you'vebeencreatingahiatusbigenoughforadogtocrawlthroughinthismonth'shon-
orarium。Youhaven'tbeenpayingyourdressmakeranythingonaccount，haveyou？"
Therewasamoment'ssilence。Nosoundscouldbeheardexceptthebreathingofthefoxterrier，andthesubdued，monotonoussizzlingofVivien'sfulvouslocksagainsttheinsensatecurlingirons。ClaudeTurpin，sittinguponapillowthathehadthoughtfullyplacedupontheconvolutionsoftheapartmentsofa，narrowlywatchedtheriante，lovelyfaceofhiswife。
"Claudie，dear，"saidshe，touchingherfingertoherrubytongueandtestingtheunresponsivecurlingirons，"youdomeaninjustice。Mme。Toinettehasnotseenacentofminesincethedayyoupaidyourtailortendollarsonaccount。"
Turpin'ssuspicionswereallayedforthetime。Butonedaysoontherecameananonymouslettertohimthatread:
"Watchyourwife。Sheisblowinginyourmoneysecretly。Iwasasuffererjustasyouare。TheplaceisNo。345BlankStreet。Awordtothewise，etc。
"AMANWHOKNOWS"
Turpintookthislettertothecaptainofpoliceoftheprecinctthathelivedin。
"Myprecinctisascleanasahound'stooth，"saidthecaptain。"Thelid'sshutdownasclosethereasitisovertheeyeofaWilliamsburggirlwhenshe'skissedataparty。Butifyouthinkthere'sanythingqueerattheaddress，I'llgotherewithye。"
Onthenextafternoonat3，TurpinandthecaptaincreptsoftlyupthestairsofNo。345BlankStreet。A
dozenplain-clothesmen，dressedinfullpoliceuniforms，soastoallaysuspicion，waitedinthehallbelow。
Atthetopofthestairswasadoor，whichwasfoundtobelocked。Thecaptaintookakeyfromhispocketandunlockedit。Thetwomenentered。
Theyfoundthemselvesinalargeroom，occupiedbytwentyortwenty-fiveelegantlyclothedladies。Racingchartshungagainstthewalls，atickerclickedinonecorner；withatelephonereceivertohisearamanwascallingoutthevariouspositionsofthehorsesinaveryexcitingrace。Theoccupantsoftheroomlookedupattheintruders；but，asifreassuredbythesightofthecaptain'suniform，theyrevertedtheirattentiontothemanatthetelephone。
"Yousee，"saidthecaptaintoTurpin，"thevalueofananonymousletter!Nohigh-mindedandself-respect-
inggentlemanshouldconsideroneworthyofnotice。
Isyourwifeamongthisassembly，Mr。Turpin？"
"Sheisnot，"saidTurpin。
"Andifshewas，"continuedthecaptain，"wouldshebewithinthereachofthetongueofslander？TheseladiesconstituteaBrowningSociety。Theymeettodiscussthemeaningofthegreatpoet。ThetelephoneisconnectedwithBoston，whencetheparentsocietytransmitsfrequentlyitsinterpretationsofthepoems。Beashamedofyersuspicions，Mr。Turpin。"
"Gosoakyourshield，"saidTurpin。"Vivienknowshowtotakecareofherselfinapool-room。She'snotdroppinganythingontheponies。Theremustbesome-
thingqueergoingonhere。"
"NothingbutBrowning，"saidthecaptain。"Hearthat？"
"Thanatopsisbyanose，"drawledthemanatthetelephone。
"That'snotBrowning；that'sLongfellow，"saidTurpin，whosometimesreadbooks。
"Backtothepasture!"exclaimedthecaptain。"long-
fellowmadethepacing-to-wagonrecordof7。53'waybackin1868。"
"Ibelievethere'ssomethingqueeraboutthisjoint，"
repeatedTurpin。
"Idon'tseeit，"saidthecaptain。
"Iknowitlookslikeapool-room，allright，"persistedTurpin，"butthat'sallablind。Vivienhasbeendroppingalotofcoinsomewhere。Ibelievethere'ssomeunder-
handedworkgoingonhere。"
Anumberofracingsheetsweretackedclosetogether，coveringalargespaceononeofthewalls。Turpin，suspicious，toreseveralofthemdown。Adoor，pre-
viouslyhidden，wasrevealed。Turpinplacedaneartothecrackandlistenedintently。Heheardthesofthumofmanyvoices，lowandguardedlaughter，andasharp，metallicclickingandscrapingasiffromamultitudeoftinybutbusyobjects。
"MyGod!ItisasIfeared!"whisperedTurpintohimself。"Summonyourmenatonce!"hecalledtothecaptain。"Sheisinthere，Iknow。"
Attheblowingofthecaptain'swhistletheuniformedplain-clothesmenrushedupthestairsintothepool-
room。Whentheysawthebettingparaphernaliadistrib-
utedaroundtheyhalted，surprisedandpuzzledtoknowwhytheyhadbeensummoned。
Butthecaptainpointedtothelock-eddoorandbadethembreakitdown。Inafewmomentstheydemolisheditwiththeaxestheycarried。IntotheotherroomsprangClaudeTurpin，withthecaptainathisheels。
ThescenewasonethatlingeredlonginTurpin'smind。Nearlyascoreofwomen——womenexpensivelyandfashionablyclothed，manybeautifulandofrefinedappearance——hadbeenseatedatlittlemarble-toppedtables。Whenthepoliceburstopenthedoortheyshriekedandranhereandtherelikegaylyplumedbirdsthathadbeendisturbedinatropicalgrove。Somebecamehysterical；oneortwofainted；severalkneltatthefeetoftheofficersandbesoughtthemformercyonaccountoftheirfamiliesandsocialposition。
AmanwhohadbeenseatedbehindadeskhadseizedarollofcurrencyaslargeastheankleofaParadiseRoofGardenschorusgirlandjumpedoutofthewindow。
Halfadozenattendantshuddledatoneendoftheroom，breathlessfromfear。
Uponthetablesremainedthedamningandincon-
trovertibleevidencesoftheguiltofthehabitu閑softhatsinisterroom——dishafterdishheapedhighwithicecream，andsurroundedbystacksofemptyones，scrapedtothelastspoonful。
"Ladies，"saidthecaptaintohisweepingcircleofprisoner"I'llnotholdanyofyez。SomeofyezIrecog-
nizeashavingfinehousesandgoodstandinginthecommunity，withhard-workinghusbandsandchilderathome。ButI'llreadyeabitofalecturebeforeyego。
Inthenextroomthere'sa20-to-1shotjustdroppedinunderthewirethreelengthsaheadofthefield。Isthisthewayyewasteyourhusbands'moneyinsteadofhelp-
ingearnit？Homewidyez!Thelid'sontheice-creamfreezerinthisprecinct。"
ClaudeTurpin'swifewasamongthepatronsoftheraidedroom。Heledhertotheirapartmentinstemsilence。Theresheweptsoremorsefullyandbesoughthisforgivenesssopleadinglythatheforgothisjustanger，andsoonhegatheredhispenitentgolden-hairedVivieninhisarmsandforgaveher。
"Darling，"shemurmured，halfsobbingly，asthemoon-
lightdriftedthroughtheopenwindow，glorifyinghersweet，upturnedface，"IknowIdonewrong。Iwillnevertouchicecreamagain。Iforgotyouwerenotamillionaire。Iusedtogothereeveryday。Butto-dayIfeltsomestrange，sadpresentimentofevil，andIwasnotmyself。Iateonlyelevensaucers。"
"Saynomore，"saidClaude，gentlyashefondlycaressedherwavingcurls。
"Andyouaresurethatyoufullyforgiveme？"askedVivien，gazingathimentreatinglywithdewyeyesofheavenlyblue。
"Almostsure，littleone，"answeredClaude，stoopingandlightlytouchinghersnowyforeheadwithhislips。
"I'llletyouknowlateron。I'vegotamonth'ssalarydownonVanillatowinthethree-year-oldsteeplechaseto-morrow；andiftheice-creamhunchistothegoodyouareItagain——see？"
THEWHIRLIGIGOFLIFE
JUSTICE-OF-THE-PEACEBenajaWiddupsatinthedoorofhisofficesmokinghiselder-stempipe。Half-
waytothezeniththeCumberlandrangeroseblue-grayintheafternoonhaze。Aspeckledhenswaggereddownthemainstreetofthe"settlement，"cacklingfoolishly。
Uptheroadcameasoundofcreakingaxles，andthenaslowcloudofdust，andthenabull-cartbearingRansieBilbroandhiswife。ThecartstoppedattheJustice'sdoor，andthetwoclimbeddown。Ransiewasanarrowsixfeetofsallowbrownskinandyellowhair。Theimperturbabilityofthemountainshunguponhimlikeasuitofarmour。Thewomanwascalicoed，angled，snuff-brushed，andwearywithunknowndesires。Throughitallgleamedafaintprotestofcheatedyouthunconsciousofitsloss。
TheJusticeofthePeaceslippedhisfeetintohisshoes，forthesakeofdignity，andmovedtoletthementer。
"We-all，"saidthewoman，inavoicelikethewindblowingthroughpineboughs，"wantsadivo'ce。"ShelookedatRansietoseeifhenotedanyflaworambiguityorevasionorpartialityorself-partisanshipinherstate-
mentoftheirbusiness。
"Adivo'ce，"repeatedRansie，withasolemnDod。
"We-allcan'tgitalongtogethernohow。It'slonesomeenoughfurtoliveinthemount'inswhenamanandawomankeersfuroneanother。Butwhenshe'sa-spittin'
likeawildcatora-sullenin'likeahoot-owlinthecabin，amanain'tgotnocalltolivewithher。"
"Whenhe'sano-'countvarmint，"saidthewoman，"withoutanyespecialwarmth，a-traipsin'alongofscalawagsandmoonshinersanda-layin'onhisbackpizen'ithco'nwhiskey，anda-pesterin'folkswithapacko'hungry，triflin'houn'stofeed!"
"Whenshekeepsa-throwin'skilletlids，"cameRansie'santiphony，"andslingsb'ilin'wateronthebestcoon-dogintheCumberlands，andsetsherselfagin'cookin'aman'svictuals，andkeepshimawakeo'nightsaccusin'himofasightofdoin's!"
"Whenhe'sal'aysa-fightin'therevenues，andgitsahardnameinthemount'insfurameanman，who'sgwinetobeablefurtosleepo'nights？"
TheJusticeofthePeacestirreddeliberatelytohisduties。Heplacedhisonechairandawoodenstoolforhispetitioners。Heopenedhisbookofstatutesonthetableandscannedtheindex。Presentlyhewipedhisspectaclesandshiftedhisinkstand。
"Thelawandthestatutes，"saidhe，"airsilentonthesubjeckofdivo'ceasfurasthejurisdictionofthisco'tairconcerned。But，accordin'toequityandtheCon-
stitutionandthegoldenrule，it'sabadbarg'inthatcan'trunbothways。Ifajusticeofthepeacecanmarryacouple，it'splainthatheisboundtobeabletodivo'ce'em。Thishereofficewillissueadecreeofdivo'ceandabidebythedecisionoftheSupremeCo'ttoholditgood。"
RansieBilbrodrewasmalltobacco-bagfromhistrouserspocket。Outofthisheshookuponthetableafive-dollarnote。"Soldab'arskinandtwofoxesfurthat，"heremarked。"It'sallthemoneywegot。"
"Theregularpriceofadivo'ceinthisco't，"saidtheJustice，"airfivedollars。"Hestuffedthebillintothepocketofhishomespunvestwithadeceptiveairofindiffer-
ence。Withmuchbodilytoilandmentaltravailhewrotethedecreeuponhalfasheetoffoolscap，andthencopieditupontheother。RansieBilbroandhiswifelistenedtohisreadingofthedocumentthatwastogivethemfreedom:
"KnowallmenbythesepresentsthatRansieBilbroandhiswife，ArielaBilbro，thisdaypersonallyappearedbeforemeandpromisesthathereinaftertheywillneitherlove，honour，norobeyeachother，neitherforbetternorworse，beingofsoundmindandbody，andacceptsummonsfordivorceaccordingtothepeaceanddignityoftheState。
Hereinfailnot，sohelpyouGod。BenajaWiddup，justiceofthepeaceinandforthecountyofPiedmont，StateofTennessee。"
TheJusticewasabouttohandoneofthedocumentstoRansie。ThevoiceofArieladelayedthetransfer。
Bothmenlookedather。Theirdullmasculinitywasconfrontedbysomethingsuddenandunexpectedinthewoman。
"Judge，don'tyougivehimthatairpaperyit。'Tain'tallsettled，nohow。Igottohavemyrightsfirst。I
gottohavemyali-money。'Tain'tnokindofawaytodofuramantodivo'cehiswife'thoutherhavin'acentfurtodowith。I'ma-layin'offtobea-goin'uptobrotherEd'suponHogbackMount'in。I'mboundfurtohevapa'rofshoesandsomesnuffandthingsbesides。EfRancekinaffo'dadivo'ce，lethimpaymeali-money。"
RansieBilbrowasstrickentodumbperplexity。Therehadbeennoprevioushintofalimony。Womenwerealwaysbringingupstartlingandunlooked-forissues。
JusticeBenajaWiddupfeltthatthepointdemandedjudicialdecision。Theauthoritieswerealsosilentonthesubjectofalimony。Butthewoman'sfeetwerebare。
ThetrailtoHogbackMountainwassteepandflinty。
"ArielaBilbro，"heasked，inofficialtones，"howmuchdidyou'lowwouldbegoodandsufficientali-moneyinthecasebefo'theco't。"
"I'lowed，"sheanswered，"furtheshoesandall，tosayfivedollars。Thatain'tmuchfurali-money，butIreckonthat'llgitmetoupbrotherEd's。"
"Theamount，"saidtheJustice，"airnotonreasonable。
RansieBilbro，youairorderedbytheco'ttopaytheplain-
tiffthesumoffivedollarsbefo'thedecreeofdivo'ceairissued。"
"Ihain'tnomo'money，"breathedRansie，heavily。
"IdonepaidyouallIhad。"
"Otherwise，"saidtheJustice，lookingseverelyoverhisspectacles，"youairincontemptofco't。"
"Ireckonifyougimmetillto-morrow，"pleadedthehusband，"Imoutbeabletorakeorscrapeitupsomewhars。Ineverlookedfortobea-payin'noali-
money。"
"Thecaseairadjourned，"saidBenajaWiddup，"tillto-morrow，whenyou-allwillpresentyo'selvesandobeytheorderoftheco't。Followin'ofwhichthedecreesofdivo'cewillbedelivered。"Hesatdowninthedoorandbegantoloosenashoestring。
"WemoutaswellgodowntoUncleZiah's，"decidedRansie，"andspendthenight。"Heclimbedintothecartononeside，andArielaclimbedinontheother。
Obeyingtheflapofhisrope，thelittleredbullslowlycamearoundonatack，andthecartcrawledawayinthenimbusarisingfromitswheels。
Justice-of-the-peaceBenajaWiddupsmokedhiselder-
stempipe。Lateintheafternoonhegothisweeklypaper，andreadituntilthetwilightdimmeditslines。Thenhelitthetallowcandleonhistable，andreaduntilthemoonrose，markingthetimeforsupper。Helivedinthedoublelogcabinontheslopenearthegirdledpoplar。
Goinghometosupperhecrossedalittlebranchdarkenedbyalaurelthicket。Thedarkfigureofamansteppedfromthelaurelsandpointedarifleathisbreast。Hishatwaspulleddownlow，andsomethingcoveredmostofhisface。
"Iwantyo'money，"saidthefigure，"'thoutanytalk。
I'mgettin'nervous，andmyfinger'sa-wabblin'onthisheretrigger。"
"I'veonlygotf-f-fivedollars，"saidtheJustice，pro-
ducingitfromhisvestpocket。
"Rollitup，"cametheorder，"andstickitintheendofthisheregun-bar'l。"
Thebillwascrispandnew。Evenfingersthatwereclumsyandtremblingfoundlittledifficultyinmakingaspillofitandinsertingitthiswithlesseaseintothemuzzleoftherifle。
"NowIreckonyoukinbegoin'along，"saidtherobber。
TheJusticelingerednotonhisway。
Thenextdaycamethelittleredbull，drawingthecarttotheofficedoor。JusticeBenajaWidduphadhisshoeson，forhewasexpectingthevisit。InhispresenceRansieBilbrohandedtohiswifeafive-dollarbill。Theofficial'seyesharplyviewedit。Itseemedtocurlupasthoughithadbeenrolledandinsertedintotheendofagun-barrel。
ButtheJusticerefrainedfromcomment。Itistruethatotherbillsmightbeinclinedtocurl。Hehandedeachoneadecreeofdivorce。Eachstoodawkwardlysilent，slowlyfoldingtheguaranteeoffreedom。ThewomancastashyglancefullofconstraintatRansie。
"Ireckonyou'llbegoin'backuptothecabin，"shesaid，along'iththebull-cart。There'sbreadinthetinboxsettin'ontheshelf。Iputthebaconintheb'ilin'-pottokeepthehoundsfromgittin'it。Don'tforgettowindtheclockto-night。"
"Youaira-goin'toyourbrotherEd's？"askedRansie，withfineunconcern。
"Iwas'lowin'togetalonguptharaforenight。I
ain'tsayin'asthey'llpestertheyselvesanytomakemewelcome，butIhain'tnowharelsefurtogo。It'sarightsmartways，andIreckonIbetterbegoin'。I'llbea-sayin'
good-bye，Ranse-thatis，ifyoukeerfurtosayso。"
"Idon'tknowasanybody'sahounddog，"saidRansie，inamartyr'svoice，"furtonotwanttosaygood-bye——
'lessyouairsoanxioustogitawaythatyoudon'twantmetosayit。"
Arielawassilent。Shefoldedthefive-dollarbillandherdecreecarefully，andplacedtheminthebosomofherdress。BenajaWiddupwatchedthemoneydisappearwithmournfuleyesbehindhisspectacles。
Andthenwithhisnextwordsheachievedrankashisthoughtsranwitheitherthegreatcrowdoftheworld'ssympathizersorthelittlecrowdofitsgreatfinanciers。
"Bekindo'lonesomeintheoldcabinto-night，Ranse，"
hesaid。
RansieBilbrostaredoutattheCumberlands，clearbluenowinthesunlight。HedidnotlookatAriela。
"I'lowitmightbelonesome，"hesaid；"butwhenfolksgitsmadandwantsadivo'ce，youcan'tmakefolksstay。"
"There'sotherswantedadivo'ce，"saidAriela，speakingtothewoodenstool。"Besides，nobodydon'twantno-
bodytostay。"
"Nobodyneversaidtheydidn't。"
"Nobodyneversaidtheydid。IreckonIbetterstartonnowtobrotherEd's。"
"Nobodycan'twindthatoldclock。"
"Wantmetogobackalong'ithyouinthecartandwinditfuryou，Ranse？"
Themountaineer'scountenancewasproofagainstemotion。ButhereachedoutabighandandenclosedAriela'sthinbrownone。Hersoulpeepedoutoncethroughherimpassiveface，hallowingit。
"Themhoundsshan'tpesteryounomore，"saidRansie。"IreckonIbeenmeanandlowdown。Youwindthatclock，Ariela。"
"Myhearthit'sinthatcabin，Ranse，"shewhispered，"along'ithyou。Iai'nta-goin'togitmadnomore。Le'sbestartin'，Ranse，so'swekingithomebysundown。"
Justice-of-the-peaceBenajaWiddupinterposedastheystartedforthedoor，forgettinghispresence。
"InthenameoftheStateofTennessee，"hesaid，"I
forbidyou-alltobea-defyin'ofitslawsandstatutes。