DonCaesarliftedhishatwithsweetseriousnesstothelady，withgravecourtesytothegentleman。WhilethelowerhalfofthisCentaurwasapparentlyquiveringwithfury，andstampingthegroundinhisevidentdesiretochargeuponthepair，theupperhalf，withnaturaldignity，lookedfromtheonetotheother，asiftoleavetheprivilegeofanexplanationwiththem。ButMamiewastoowise，andhercompaniontooindifferent，toofferone。AslightshadepassedoverDonCaesar’sface。Tocomplicatethesituationatthatmoment，theexpectedstagecoachcamerattlingby。Withquickfeminineintuition，Mamiecaughtinthefacesofthedriverandtheexpressman，andreflectedinthemischievouseyesofhercompanion，apeculiarinterpretationoftheirmeeting，thatwasnotremovedbythewhisperedassuranceoftheeditorthatthepassengerswereanxiouslylookingback"toseetheshooting。"
　　TheyoungSpaniard，equallyobliviousofhumororcuriosity，remainedimpassive。
　　"YouknowMr。Slinn，ofthe’Record，"saidMamie，"don’tyou？"
　　DonCaesarhadneverbeforemettheSenorEsslinn。HewasundertheimpressionthatitwasaSenorRobinsonthatwasofthe"Record。"
　　"Oh，HEwasshot，"saidSlinn。"I’mtakinghisplace。"
　　"Bueno!Tobeshottoo？Itrustnot。"
　　SlinnlookedquicklyandsharplyintoDonCaesar’sgraveface。Heseemedtobeincapableofanydoublemeaning。However，ashehadnoseriousreasonforawakeningDonCaesar’sjealousy，andverylittledesiretobecomeanembarrassingthirdinthisconversation，andpossiblyaburdentotheyounglady，heproceededtotakehisleaveofher。Fromasuddenfemininerevulsionofsympathy，orfromsomeunintelligibleinstinctofdiplomacy，Mamiesaid，assheextendedherhand，"Ihopeyou’llfindahomeforyourfamilynearhere。Mammawantspatoletouroldhouse。Perhapsitmightsuityou，ifnottoofarfromyourwork。Youmightspeaktomaaboutit。"
　　"Thankyou；Iwill，"respondedtheyoungman，pressingherhandwithunaffectedcordiality。
　　DonCaesarwatchedhimuntilhehaddisappearedbehindthewaysidebuckeyes。
　　"Heisamanoffamily——thisone——yourcountryman？"
　　Itseemedstrangetohertohaveamereacquaintancespokenofas"hercountryman"——notthefirsttimenorthelasttimeinhercareer。Asthereappearednotraceorsignofjealousyinherquestioner’smanner，sheansweredbrieflybutvaguely：
　　"Yes；it’sashockingstory。Hisfatherdisappearedsomeyearsago，andhehasjustfoundhim——ahelplessparalytic——intheSacramentoHospital。He’llhavetosupporthim——andthey’reverypoor。"
　　"So，then，theyarenotindependentofeachotheralways——thesefathersandchildrenofAmericans!"
　　"No，"saidMamie，shortly。Withoutknowingwhy，shefeltinclinedtoresentDonCaesar’smanner。Hisseriousgravity——gentleandhigh—bredasitwas，undoubtedly——wassomewhattryingtoherattimes，andseemedevenmoresoafterSlinn’sirreverenthumor。Shepickedupherparasol，alittleimpatiently，asiftogo。
　　ButDonCaesarhadalreadydismounted，andtiedhishorsetoatreewithastronglariatthathungathissaddle—bow。
　　"Letuswalkthroughthewoodstowardsyourhome。Icanreturnaloneforthehorsewhenyoushalldismissme。"
　　Theyturnedinamongthepinesthat，overcrowdingthehollow，creptpartlyupthesideofthehillofMulrady’sshaft。Adisusedtrail，almosthiddenbythewaxen—huedyerbabuena，ledfromthehighway，andfinallylostitselfintheundergrowth。Itwasalovers’walk；theywerelovers，evidently，andyetthemanwastooself—poisedinhisgravity，theyoungwomantooconsciousandcritical，tosuggestanabsorbingorobliviouspassion。
　　"Ishouldnothavemademyselfsoobtrusiveto—daybeforeyourfriend，"saidDonCaesar，withproudhumility，"butIcouldnotunderstandfromyourmotherwhetheryouwerealoneorwhethermycompanywasdesirable。ItisofthisIhavenowtospeak，Mamie。
　　Latelyyourmotherhasseemedstrangetome；avoidinganyreferencetoouraffection；treatingitlightly，andevenasto—day，Ifancy，puttingobstaclesinthewayofourmeetingalone。ShewasdisappointedatyourreturnfromSacramentowhere，Ihavebeentold，sheintendedyoutoremainuntilyouleftthecountry；andsinceyourreturnIhaveseenyoubuttwice。Imaybewrong。
　　PerhapsIdonotcomprehendtheAmericanmother；Ihave——whoknows？——perhapsoffendedinsomepointofetiquette，omittedsomeceremonythatwasherdue。Butwhenyoutoldme，Mamie，thatitwasnotnecessarytospeaktoHERfirst，thatitwasnottheAmericanfashion——"
　　Mamiestarted，andblushedslightly。
　　"Yes，"shesaidhurriedly，"certainly；butmahasbeenquitequeeroflate，andshemaythink——youknow——thatsince——sincetherehasbeensomuchpropertytodisposeof，sheoughttohavebeenconsulted。"
　　"Thenletusconsultheratonce，dearchild!Andastotheproperty，inHeaven’sname，letherdisposeofitasshewill。
　　SaintsforbidthatanAlvaradoshouldeverinterfere。Andwhatisittous，mylittleone？EnoughthatDonaMametaAlvaradowillneverhavelessstatethantherichestbridethatevercametoLosGatos。"
　　Mamiehadnotforgottenthat，scarcelyamonthago，evenhadshelovedthemanbeforehernomorethanshedidatpresent，shewouldstillhavebeenthrilledwithdelightatthesewords!Evennowshewasmoved——consciousasshehadbecomethatthe"state"ofabrideoftheAlvaradoswasnotallshehadimagined，andthatthebareadobecourtofLosGatoswasopentotheskyandthefreecriticismofSacramentocapitalists!
　　"Yes，dear，"shemurmuredwithahalfchildlikepleasure，thatlitupherfaceandeyessoinnocentlythatitstoppedanyminuteinvestigationintoitsoriginandrealmeaning。"Yes，dear；butweneednothaveafussmadeaboutitatpresent，andperhapsputmaagainstus。Shewouldn’thearofourmarryingnow；andshemightforbidourengagement。"
　　"Butyouaregoingaway。"
　　"IshouldhavetogotoNewYorkorEuropeFIRST，youknow，"sheanswered，naively，"evenifitwereallsettled。Ishouldhavetogetthings!Onecouldn’tbedecenthere。"
　　Withtherecollectionofthepinkcottongown，inwhichshehadfirstpledgedhertrothtohim，beforehiseyes，hesaid，"Butyouarecharmingnow。Youcannotbemoresotome。IfIamsatisfied，littleone，withyouasyouare，letusgotogether，andthenyoucangetdressestopleaseothers。"
　　Shehadnotexpectedthisimportunity。Really，ifitcametothis，shemighthaveengagedherselftosomeonelikeSlinn；heatleastwouldhaveunderstoodher。Hewasmuchcleverer，andcertainlymoreofamanoftheworld。WhenSlinnhadtreatedherlikeachild，itwaswiththehumoroustoleranceofanadmiringsuperior，andnotthedidacticimpulseofaguardian。Shedidnotsaythis，nordidherprettyeyesindicateit，asintheinstanceofherbriefangerwithSlinn。Sheonlysaidgently，——
　　"Ishouldhavethoughtyou，ofallmen，wouldhavebeenparticularaboutyourwifedoingtheproperthing。Butnevermind!Don’tletustalkanymoreaboutit。Perhapsasitseemssuchagreatthingtoyou，andsomuchtrouble，theremaybenonecessityforitatall。"
　　IdonotthinkthattheyoungladydeliberatelyplannedthischarminglyillogicaldeductionfromDonCaesar’sspeech，orthatshecalculateditseffectuponhim；butitwaspartofhernaturetosayit，andprofitbyit。Undertheunjustlashofit，hispridegaveway。
　　"Ah，doyounotseewhyIwishtogowithyou？"hesaid，withsuddenandunexpectedpassion。"Youarebeautiful；youaregood；
　　ithaspleasedHeaventomakeyourichalso；butyouareachildinexperience，andknownotyourownheart。Withyourbeauty，yourgoodness，andyourwealth，youwillattractalltoyou——asyoudohere——becauseyoucannothelpit。Butyouwillbeequallyhelpless，littleone，ifTHEYshouldattractYOU，andyouhadnotietofallbackupon。"
　　Itwasanunfortunatespeech。ThewordswereDonCaesar’s；butthethoughtshehadheardbeforefromhermother，althoughthedeductionhadbeenofaverydifferentkind。Mamiefollowedthespeakerwithbrightbutvisionaryeyes。Theremustbesometruthinallthis。Hermotherhadsaidit；Mr。Slinnhadlaughinglyadmittedit。SheHADabrilliantfuturebeforeher!Wassherightinmakingitimpossiblebyarashandfoolishtie？Hehimselfhadsaidshewasinexperienced。Sheknewit；andyet，whatwashedoingnowbuttakingadvantageofthatinexperience？Ifhereallylovedher，hewouldbewillingtosubmittothetest。Shedidnotaskasimilaronefromhim；andwaswilling，ifshecameoutofitfree，tomarryhimjustthesame。Therewassomethingsonobleinthisthoughtthatshefeltforamomentcarriedawaybyanimpulseofcompassionateunselfishness，andsmiledtenderlyasshelookedupinhisface。
　　"Thenyouconsent，Mamie？"hesaid，eagerly，passinghisarmaroundherwaist。
　　"Notnow，Caesar，"shesaid，gentlydisengagingherself。"Imustthinkitover；wearebothtooyoungtoactuponitrashly；itwouldbeunfairtoyou，whoaresoquietandhaveseensofewgirls——ImeanAmericans——totieyourselftothefirstoneyouhaveknown。WhenIamgoneyouwillgomoreintotheworld。ThereareMr。Slinn’stwosisterscominghere——Ishouldn’twonderiftheywerefarclevererandtalkedfarbetterthanIdo——andthinkhowI
　　shouldfeelifIknewthatonlyawretchedpledgetomekeptyoufromlovingthem!"Shestopped，andcastdownhereyes。
　　Itwasherfirstattemptatcoquetry，for，inherusualcharmingselfishness，shewasperfectlyfrankandopen；anditmightnothavebeenherlast，butshehadgonetoofaratfirst，andwasnotpreparedforarecoilofherownargument。
　　"Ifyouadmitthatitispossible——thatitispossibletoyou!"hesaid，quickly。
　　Shesawhermistake。"Wemaynothavemanyopportunitiestomeetalone，"sheanswered，quietly；"andIamsurewewouldbehappierwhenwemeetnottoaccuseeachotherofimpossibilities。Letusratherseehowwecancommunicatetogether，ifanythingshouldpreventourmeeting。Remember，itwasonlybychancethatyouwereabletoseemenow。Ifmahasbelievedthatsheoughttohavebeenconsulted，ourmeetingtogetherinthissecretwaywillonlymakemattersworse。SheisevennowwonderingwhereIam，andmaybesuspicious。Imustgobackatonce。Atanymomentsomeonemaycomeherelookingforme。"
　　"ButIhavesomuchtosay，"hepleaded。"Ourtimehasbeensoshort。"
　　"Youcanwrite。"
　　"Butwhatwillyourmotherthinkofthat？"hesaid，ingraveastonishment。
　　Shecoloredagainasshereturned，quickly，"Ofcourse，youmustnotwritetothehouse。Youcanleavealettersomewhereforme——
　　say，somewhereabouthere。Stop!"sheadded，withasuddengirlishgayety，"see，here’stheveryplace。Lookthere!"
　　Shepointedtothedecayedtrunkofablastedsycamore，afewfeetfromthetrail。Acavity，breasthigh，halffilledwithskeletonleavesandpine—nuts，showedthatithadformerlybeenasquirrel’shoard，butforsomereasonhadbeendeserted。
　　"Look!it’saregularletter—box，"shecontinued，gayly，risingontip—toetopeepintoitsrecesses。DonCaesarlookedatheradmiringly；itseemedlikeareturntotheirfirstidylliclove—
　　makingintheolddays，whensheusedtostealoutofthecabbagerowsinherbrownlinenapronandsun—bonnettowalkwithhiminthewoods。Herecalledthefacttoherwiththefatalityofaloveralreadyseekingtorestoreinpastrecollectionssomethingthatwaswantinginthepresent。Shereceiveditwiththeimpatienceofyouth，towhomthepresentisallsufficient。
　　"Iwonderhowyoucouldeverhavecaredformeinthathollandapron，"shesaid，lookingdownuponhernewdress。
　　"ShallItellyouwhy？"hesaid，fondly，passinghisarmaroundherwaist，anddrawingherprettyheadnearerhisshoulder。
　　"No——notnow!"shesaid，laughingly，butstrugglingtofreeherself。"There’snottime。Writeit，andputitinthebox。
　　There，"sheadded，hastily，"listen!——what’sthat？"
　　"It’sonlyasquirrel，"hewhisperedreassuringlyinherear。
　　"No；it’ssomebodycoming!Imustgo!Please!Caesar，dear!
　　There，then——"
　　Shemethiskisshalf—way，releasedherselfwithalithemovementofherwristandshoulder，andthenextmomentseemedtoslipintothewoods，andwasgone。
　　DonCaesarlistenedwithasighasthelastrustlingceased，castalookatthedecayedtreeasiftofixitinhismemory，andthenslowlyretracedhisstepstowardshistetheredmustang。
　　Hewasright，however，inhissurmiseofthecauseofthatinterruption。Apairofbrighteyeshadbeenwatchingthemfromtheboughofanadjacenttree。Itwasasquirrel，who，havinghadseriousandpriorintentionsofmakinguseofthecavitytheyhaddiscovered，hadonlywithheldexaminationbyanapparentcourteousdiscretiontowardstheintrudingpair。Nowthattheyweregoneheslippeddownthetreeandrantowardsthedecayedstump。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　Apparentlydissatisfiedwiththeresultofaninvestigation，whichprovedthatthecavitywasunfitasatreasurehoardforadiscreetsquirrel，whateveritsvalueasareceptacleforthelove—tokensofincautioushumanity，thelittleanimalatoncesetabouttoputthingsinorder。Hebeganbywhiskingoutanimmensequantityofdeadleaves，disturbedafamilyoftree—spiders，dissipatedadroveofpatientaphidesbrowsinginthebark，aswellastheirattendantdairymen，theants，andotherwiseruleditwiththehighhandofdispossessionandacontemptuousopinionofthepreviousincumbents。Itmustnotbesupposed，however，thathisproceedingswerealtogetherfreefromcontemporaneouscriticism；avenerablecrowsittingonabranchabovehimdisplayedgreatinterestinhisoccupation，and，hoppingdownafewmomentsafterwards，disposedofsomeworm—eatennuts，afewlarvae，andaninsectortwo，withlanguiddignityandwithoutprejudice。Certainincumbrances，however，stillresistedthesquirrel’sgeneraleviction；amongthemafoldedsquareofpaperwithsharplydefinededges，thatdeclinedinvestigation，and，owingtoanauseoussmelloftobacco，escapednibblingasithadapparentlyescapedinsectravages。This，owingtoitssharpangles，whichpersistedincatchinginthesoftdecayingwoodinhiswhirlwindofhouse—cleaning，heallowedtoremain。Havingthus，inageneralway，preparedforthecomingwinter，theself—satisfiedlittlerodentdismissedthesubjectfromhisactivemind。
　　Hisrageandindignationafewdayslatermaybereadilyconceived，whenhefound，onreturningtohisnew—madehome，anothersquareofpaper，foldedlikethefirst，butmuchfresherandwhiter，lyingwithinthecavity，ontopofsomemosswhichhadevidentlybeenplacedthereforthepurpose。Thishefeltwasreallymorethanhecouldbear，butitwassmaller，andwithafewenergetickicksandwhisksofhistailhemanagedtofinallydislodgeitthroughtheopening，whereitfellignominiouslytotheearth。Theeagereyesoftheever—attendantcrow，however，instantlydetectedit；heflewtotheground，and，turningitover，examineditgravely。Itwascertainlynotedible，butitwasexceedinglyrare，and，asanoldcollectorofcurios，hefelthecouldnotpassitby。Helifteditinhisbeak，and，withadesperatestruggleagainstthesuperincumbentweight，regainedthebranchwithhisprize。Here，byoneofthosedeliciousvagariesofanimalnature，heapparentlyatoncedischargedhismindofthewholeaffair，becameutterlyobliviousofit，allowedittodropwithouttheleastconcern，andeventuallyflewawaywithanabstractedair，asifhehadbeenanotherbirdentirely。Thepapergotintoamanzanitabush，whereitremainedsuspendeduntiltheevening，when，beingdislodgedbyapassingwild—catonitswaytoMulrady’shen—roost，itgavethatdelicatelysensitivemaraudersuchaturnthatshefledintotheadjacentcounty。
　　Butthetroublesofthesquirrelwerenotyetover。Onthefollowingdaytheyoungmanwhohadaccompaniedtheyoungwomanreturnedtothetrunk，andthesquirrelhadbarelytimetomakehisescapebeforetheimpatientvisitorapproachedtheopeningofthecavity，peeredintoit，andevenpassedhishandthroughitsrecesses。Thedelightvisibleuponhisanxiousandseriousfaceatthedisappearanceoftheletter，andtheapparentproofthatithadbeencalledfor，showedhimtohavebeenitsoriginaldepositor，andprobablyawakenedaremorsefulrecollectioninthedarkbosomoftheomnipresentcrow，whoutteredaconscious—strickencroakfromtheboughabovehim。Buttheyoungmanquicklydisappearedagain，andthesquirrelwasoncemoreleftinundisputedpossession。
　　Aweekpassed。Aweary，anxiousintervaltoDonCaesar，whohadneitherseennorheardfromMamiesincetheirlastmeeting。Tooconsciousofhisownself—respecttocallatthehouseaftertheequivocalconductofMrs。Mulrady，andtooproudtohauntthelanesandapproachesinthehopeofmeetingherdaughter，likeanordinarylover，hehidhisgloomythoughtsinthemonasticshadowsofthecourtyardatLosGatos，orfoundreliefinfuriousridingatnightandearlymorningonthehighway。Onceortwicetheup—stagehadbeenovertakenandpassedbyarushingfigureasshadowyasaphantomhorseman，withonlythestar—likepointofacigarettetoindicateitshumanity。Itwasinoneofthesefiercerecreationsthathewasobligedtostopinearlymorningattheblacksmith’sshopatRough—and—Ready，tohavealoosendhorseshoereplaced，andwhilewaitingpickedupanewspaper。DonCaesarseldomreadthepapers，butnoticingthatthiswasthe"Record，"heglancedatitscolumns。Afamiliarnamesuddenlyflashedoutofthedarktypelikeasparkfromtheanvil。Withabrainandheartthatseemedtobebeatinginunisonwiththeblacksmith’ssledge，hereadasfollows：——
　　"Ourdistinguishedfellow—townsman，AlvinMulrady，Esq。，lefttowndaybeforeyesterdaytoattendanimportantmeetingofdirectorsoftheRedDogDitchCompany，inSanFrancisco。SocietywillregrettohearthatMrs。Mulradyandherbeautifulandaccomplisheddaughter，whoareexpectingtodepartforEuropeattheendofthemonth，anticipatedtheeventnearlyafortnight，bytakingthisopportunityofaccompanyingMr。MulradyasfarasSanFrancisco，ontheirwaytotheEast。Mrs。andMissMulradyintendtovisitLondon，Paris，andBerlin，andwillbeabsentthreeyears。ItispossiblethatMr。Mulradymayjointhemlateratoneorotherofthosecapitals。Considerabledisappointmentisfeltthatamoreextendedleave—takingwasnotpossible，andthat，underthecircumstances，noopportunitywasofferedfora’sendoff’suitabletotheconditionofthepartiesandtheesteeminwhichtheyareheldinRough—and—Ready。"
　　Thepaperdroppedfromhishands。Gone!andwithoutaword!No，thatwasimpossible!Theremustbesomemistake；shehadwritten；
　　theletterhadmiscarried；shemusthavesentwordtoLosGatos，andthestupidmessengerhadblundered；shehadprobablyappointedanothermeeting，orexpectedhimtofollowtoSanFrancisco。"Thedaybeforeyesterday!"Itwasthemorning’spaper——shehadbeengonescarcelytwodays——itwasnottoolateyettoreceiveadelayedmessagebypost，bysomeforgetfulhand——by——ah——thetree!
　　Ofcourseitwasinthetree，andhehadnotbeenthereforaweek!
　　Whyhadhenotthoughtofitbefore？Thefaultwashis，nothers。
　　Perhapsshehadgoneaway，believinghimfaithless，oracountryboor。
　　"InthenameoftheDevil，willyoukeepmeheretilleternity!"
　　Theblacksmithstaredathim。DonCaesarsuddenlyrememberedthathewasspeaking，ashewasthinking——inSpanish。
　　"Tendollars，myfriend，ifyouhavedoneinfiveminutes!"
　　Themanlaughed。"That’sgoodenoughAmerican，"hesaid，beginningtoquickenhisefforts。DonCaesaragaintookupthepaper。TherewasanotherparagraphthatrecalledhislastinterviewwithMamie：——
　　"Mr。HarrySlinn，Jr。，theeditorofthispaper，hasjustmovedintothepioneerhouseformerlyoccupiedbyAlvinMulrady，Esq。，whichhasalreadybecomehistoricintheannalsofthecounty。Mr。
　　Slinnbringswithhimhisfather——H。J。Slinn，Esq。，——andhistwosisters。Mr。Slinn，Sen。，whohasbeensufferingformanyyearsfromcompleteparalysis，weunderstandisslowlyimproving；anditisbytheadviceofhisphysiciansthathehaschosentheinvigoratingairofthefoothillsasachangetothedebilitatingheatofSacramento。"
　　Theaffairhadbeenquicklysettled，certainly，reflectedDonCaesar，withaslightchillofjealousy，ashethoughtofMamie’sinterestintheyoungeditor。Butthenextmomenthedismisseditfromhismind；allexceptadullconsciousnessthat，ifshereallylovedhim——DonCaesar——ashelovedher，shecouldnothaveassistedinthrowingintohissocietytheyoungsistersoftheeditor，whosheexpectedmightbesoattractive。
　　Withinthefiveminutesthehorsewasready，andDonCaesarinthesaddleagain。Inlessthanhalfanhourhewasatthewaysideboulder。Herehepicketedhishorse，andtookthenarrowfoot—
　　trailthroughthehollow。Itdidnottakehimlongtoreachtheiroldtrysting—place。Withabeatingheartheapproachedthedecayingtrunkandlookedintothecavity。Therewasnoletterthere!
　　Afewblackenednutsandsomeofthedrymosshehadputtherewerelyingonthegroundatitsroots。Hecouldnotrememberwhethertheyweretherewhenhehadlastvisitedthespot。Hebegantogropeinthecavitywithbothhands。Hisfingersstruckagainstthesharpanglesofaflatpaperpacket：athrillofjoyranthroughthemandstoppedhisbeatingheart；hedrewoutthehiddenobject，andwaschilledwithdisappointment。
　　Itwasanordinary—sizedenvelopeofyellowish—brownpaper，bearing，besidestheusualgovernmentstamp，theofficiallegendofanexpresscompany，andshowingitsageasmuchbythisrecordofanowobsoletecarryingserviceasbythediscolorationoftimeandatmosphere。Itsweight，whichwasheavierthanthatofanyordinaryletterofthesamesizeandthickness，wasevidentlyduetosomelooseenclosures，thatslightlyrustledandcouldbefeltbythefingers，likeminutepiecesofmetalorgrainsofgravel。
　　ItwaswithinDonCaesar’sexperiencethatgoldspecimenswereoftensentinthatmanner。Itwasinastateofsingularpreservation，excepttheaddress，which，beingwritteninpencil，wasscarcelydiscernible，andevenwhendecipheredappearedtobeincoherentandunfinished。Theunknowncorrespondenthadwritten"dearMary，"andthen"Mrs。MarySlinn，"withanunintelligiblescrawlfollowingforthedirection。IfDonCaesar’smindhadnotbeenlatelypreoccupiedwiththenameoftheeditor，hewouldhardlyhaveguessedthesuperscription。
　　Inhiscrueldisappointmentandfullyarousedindignation，heatoncebegantosuspectaconnectionofcircumstanceswhichatanyothermomenthewouldhavethoughtpurelyaccidental，orperhapsnothaveconsideredatall。Thecavityinthetreehadevidentlybeenusedasasecretreceptacleforlettersbefore；didMamieknowitatthetime，andhowdidsheknowit？TheapparentageofthelettermadeitpreposteroustosupposethatitpointedtoanysecretcorrespondenceofherswithyoungMr。Slinn；andtheaddresswasnotinherhandwriting。Wasthereanysecretpreviousintimacybetweenthefamilies？TherewasbutonewayinwhichhecouldconnectthisletterwithMamie’sfaithlessness。Itwasaninfamous，agrotesquelyhorribleidea，athoughtwhichsprangasmuchfromhisinexperienceoftheworldandhishabitualsuspiciousnessofallhumorasanythingelse!ItwasthattheletterwasabrutaljokeofSlinn’s——ajokeperhapsconcoctedbyMamieandhimself——apartinginsultthatshouldatthelastmomentproclaimtheirtreacheryandhisowncredulity。Doubtlessitcontainedadeclarationoftheirshame，andthereasonwhyshehadfledfromhimwithoutawordofexplanation。Andtheenclosure，ofcourse，wassomesignificantanddegradingillustration。ThoseAmericansarefullofthoselowconceits；itwastheirnationalvulgarity。
　　Hehadtheletterinhisangryhand。Hecouldbreakitopenifhewishedandsatisfyhimself；butitwasnotaddressedtoHIM，andtheinstinctofhonor，strongeveninhisrage，wastheinstinctofanadversaryaswell。No；Slinnshouldopentheletterbeforehim。
　　Slinnshouldexplaineverything，andanswerforit。Ifitwasnothing——amereaccident——itwouldleadtosomegeneralexplanation，andperhapsevennewsofMamie。ButhewouldarraignSlinn，andatonce。Heputtheletterinhispocket，quicklyretracedhisstepstohishorse，and，puttingspurstotheanimal，followedthehighroadtothegateofMulrady’spioneercabin。
　　Heremembereditwellenough。Toacultivatedtaste，itwassuperiortothemorepretentious"newhouse。"DuringthefirstyearofMulrady’stenancy，theplainsquarelog—cabinhadreceivedthoseadditionsandattractionswhichonlyatenantcanconceiveandactualexperiencesuggest；andinthiswaythehideousrightangleswerebrokenwithsheds，"lean—to"extensions，untilacertainpicturesquenesswasgiventotheirregularityofoutline，andahome—likesecurityandcompanionshiptothecongregatedbuildings。Ittypifiedtheformerlifeofthegreatcapitalist，asthetallnewhouseillustratedthelonelinessandisolationthatwealthhadgivenhim。Buttherealpointsofvantageweretheyearsofcultivationandhabitationthathadwarmedandenrichedthesoil，andevokedtheclimbingvinesandrosesthatalreadyhiditsunpaintedboards，roundeditshardoutlines，andgaveprojectionandshadowfromthepitilessglareofasummer’slongsun，orbrokethesteadybeatingofthewinterrains。Itwastruethatpeaandbeanpolessurroundeditononeside，andtheonlyaccesstothehousewasthroughthecabbagerowsthatonceweretheprideandsustenanceoftheMulradys。Itwasthisfact，morethananyother，thathadimpelledMrs。Mulradytoabandonitssite；shedidnotliketoreadthehistoryoftheirhumbleoriginreflectedinthefacesoftheirvisitorsastheyentered。
　　DonCaesartiedhishorsetothefence，andhurriedlyapproachedthehouse。Thedoor，however，hospitablyopenedwhenhewasafewpacesfromit，andwhenhereachedthethresholdhefoundhimselfunexpectedlyinthepresenceoftwoprettygirls。TheywereevidentlySlinn’ssisters，whomhehadneitherthoughtofnorincludedinthemeetinghehadprepared。Inspiteofhispreoccupation，hefelthimselfsuddenlyembarrassed，notonlybytheactualdistinctionoftheirbeauty，butbyakindoflikenessthattheyseemedtobeartoMamie。
　　"Wesawyoucoming，"saidtheelder，unaffectedly。"YouareDonCaesarAlvarado。Mybrotherhasspokenofyou。"
　　ThewordsrecalledDonCaesartohimselfandasenseofcourtesy。
　　Hewasnotheretoquarrelwiththesefairstrangersattheirfirstmeeting；hemustseekSlinnelsewhere，andatanothertime。Thefranknessofhisreceptionandtheallusiontotheirbrothermadeitappearimpossiblethattheyshouldbeeitherapartytohisdisappointment，orevenawareofit。Hisexcitementmeltedawaybeforeacertainlazyease，whichtheconsciousnessoftheirbeautyseemedtogivethem。Hewasabletoputafewcourteousinquiries，and，thankstotheparagraphinthe"Record，"tocongratulatethemupontheirfather’simprovement。
　　"Oh，paisagreatdealbetterinhishealth，andhaspickedupeveninthelastfewdays，sothatheisabletowalkroundwithcrutches，"saidtheeldersister。"Theairhereseemstoinvigoratehimwonderfully。"
　　"Andyouknow，Esther，"saidtheyounger，"Ithinkhebeginstotakemorenoticeofthings，especiallywhenheisout—of—doors。Helooksaroundonthescenery，andhiseyebrightens，asifheknewallaboutit；andsometimesheknitshisbrows，andlooksdownso，asifhewastryingtoremember。"
　　"Youknow，Isuppose，"exclaimedEsther，"thatsincehisseizurehismemoryhasbeenablank——thatis，threeorfouryearsofhislifeseemtohavebeendroppedoutofhisrecollection。"
　　"Itmightbeamercysometimes，Senora，"saidDonCaesar，withagravesigh，ashelookedatthedelicatefeaturesbeforehim，whichrecalledthefaceoftheabsentMamie。
　　"That’snotverycomplimentary，"saidtheyoungergirl，laughingly；
　　"forpadidn’trecognizeus，andonlyrememberedusaslittlegirls。"
　　"Vashti!"interruptedEsther，rebukingly；then，turningtoDonCaesar，sheadded，"Mysister，Vashti，meansthatfatherremembersmorewhathappenedbeforehecametoCalifornia，whenwewerequiteyoung，thanhedoesoftheintervalthatelapsed。Dr。Duchesnesaysit’sasingularcase。Hethinksthat，withhispresentprogress，hewillrecovertheperfectuseofhislimbs；thoughhismemorymaynevercomebackagain。"
　　"Unless——Youforgetwhatthedoctortoldusthismorning，"
　　interruptedVashtiagain，briskly。
　　"Iwasgoingtosayit，"saidEsther，alittlecurtly。"UNLESShehasanotherstroke。Thenhewilleitherdieorrecoverhismindentirely。"
　　DonCaesarglancedatthebrightfaces，atrifleheightenedincolorbytheireagerrecitalandtheslightrivalryofnarration，andlookedgrave。Hewasalittleshockedatacertainlackofsympathyandtendernesstowardstheirunhappyparent。Theyseemedtohimnotonlytohavecaughtthatdry，curioustolerationofhelplessnesswhichcharacterizesevenrelationshipinitsattendanceuponchronicsufferingandweakness，buttohaveacquiredanunconscioushabitofturningittoaccount。Inhispresentsensitivecondition，heevenfanciedthattheyflirtedmildlyovertheirparent’sinfirmity。
　　"MybrotherHarryhasgonetoRedDog，"continuedEsther；"he’llberightsorrytohavemissedyou。Mrs。Mulradyspoketohimaboutyou；youseemtohavebeengreatfriends。Is’poseyouknewherdaughter，Mamie；Ihearsheisverypretty。"
　　AlthoughDonCaesarwasnowsatisfiedthattheSlinnsknewnothingofMamie’ssingularbehaviortohim，hefeltembarrassedbythisconversation。"MissMulradyisverypretty，"hesaid，withgravecourtesy；"itisacustomofherrace。Sheleftsuddenly，"headdedwithaffectedcalmness。
　　"Ireckonshedidcalculatetostayherelonger——sohermothersaid；butthewholethingwassettledaweekago。IknowmybrotherwasquitesurprisedtohearfromMr。Mulradythatifweweregoingtodecideaboutthishousewemustdoitatonce；hehadanideahimselfaboutmovingoutofthebigoneintothiswhentheyleft。"
　　"MamieMulradyhadn’tmuchtokeepherhere，considerin’themoneyandthegoodlooksshehas，Ireckon，"saidVashti。"Sheisn’tthesortofgirltothrowherselfawayinthewilderness，whenshecanpickandchooseelsewhere。IonlywondersheevercomebackfromSacramento。TheytalkaboutpapaMulradyhavingBUSINESSatSanFrancisco，andTHAThurryingthemoff!Dependuponit，that’business’wasMamieherself。Herwishisgospeltothem。Ifshe’dwantedtostayandhaveafarewellparty，oldMulrady’sbusinesswouldhavebeennowhere。"
　　"Ain’tyoualittleroughonMamie，"saidEsther，whohadbeenquietlywatchingtheyoungman’sfacewithherlargelanguideyes，"consideringthatwedon’tknowher，andhaven’teventherightoffriendstocriticise？"
　　"Idon’tcallitrough，"returnedVashti，frankly，"forI’ddothesameifIwereinhershoes——andthey’refour—and—a—halves，forHarrytoldmeso。Givemehermoneyandherlooks，andyouwouldn’tcatchmehangingroundthesediggings——goin’tochoirmeetingsSaturdays，churchSundays，andbuggy—ridingonceamonth——
　　forsociety!No——Mamie’sheadwaslevel——youbet!"
　　DonCaesarrosehurriedly。Theywouldpresenthiscomplimentstotheirfather，andhewouldendeavortofindtheirbrotheratRedDog。He，alas!hadneitherfather，mother，norsister，butiftheywouldreceivehisaunt，theDonaInezSepulvida，thenextSunday，whenshecamefrommass，sheshouldbehonoredandhewouldbedelighted。Itrequiredallhisself—possessiontodeliverhimselfofthisformalcourtesybeforehecouldtakehisleave，andonthebackofhismustanggivewaytotherage，disgustandhatredofeverythingconnectedwithMamiethatfilledhisheart。Consciousofhisdisturbance，butnotentirelyappreciatingtheirownshareinit，thetwogirlssomewhatwickedlyprolongedtheinterviewbyfollowinghimintothegarden。
　　"Well，ifyouMUSTleavenow，"saidEsther，atlast，languidly，"itain’tmuchoutofyourwaytogodownthroughthegardenandtakealookatpaasyougo。He’ssomewheredownthere，nearthewoods，andwedon’tliketoleavehimalonetoolong。Youmightpassthetimeofdaywithhim；seeifhe’srightsideup。VashtiandIhavegotaheapofthingstofixhereyet；butifanything’swrongwithhim，youcancallus。So—long。"
　　DonCaesarwasabouttoexcusehimselfhurriedly；butthatsuddenandacuteperceptionofallkindredsorrowwhichbelongstorefinedsuffering，checkedhisspeech。Thelonelinessofthehelplessoldmaninthisatmosphereofactiveandyouthfulselfishnesstouchedhim。Hebowedassent，andturnedasideintooneofthelongperspectivesofbean—poles。Thegirlswatchedhimuntiloutofsight。
　　"Well，"saidVashti，"don’ttellME。Butiftherewasn’tsomethingbetweenhimandthatMamieMulrady，Idon’tknowajiltedmanwhenIseehim。"
　　"Well，youneedn’thavelethimSEEthatyouknewit，sothatanycivilityofourswouldlookasifwewerereadytotakeupwithherleavings，"respondedEsther，astutely，asthegirlsreenteredthehouse。
　　Meantime，theunconsciousobjectoftheircriticismwalkedsadlydowntheoldmarket—garden，whoserudeoutlinesandhomelydetailsheonceclothedwiththepoetryofasensitiveman’sfirstlove。
　　Well，itwasacommoncabbagefieldandpotatopatchafterall。Inhisdisgusthefeltconsciousofeventhelossofthatsenseofpatronageandsuperioritywhichhadinvestedhisaffectionforagirlofmeanercondition。Hisself—respectwashumiliatedwithhislove。Thesoilanddirtofthosewretchedcabbageshadclungtohim，butnottoher。Itwasshewhohadgonehigher；itwashewhowasleftinthevulgarruinsofhismisplacedpassion。
　　Hereachedthebottomofthegardenwithoutobservinganysignofthelonelyinvalid。Helookedupanddownthecabbagerows，andthroughthelongperspectiveofpea—vines，withoutresult。Therewasanewertrailleadingfromagapinthepinestothewoodedhollow，whichundoubtedlyintersectedthelittlepaththatheandMamiehadoncefollowedfromthehighroad。Iftheoldmanhadtakenthistrailhehadpossiblyover—taskedhisstrength，andtherewasthemorereasonwhyheshouldcontinuehissearch，andrenderanyassistanceifrequired。Therewasanotherideathatoccurredtohim，whicheventuallydecidedhimtogoon。Itwasthatboththesetrailsledtothedecayedsycamorestump，andthattheolderSlinnmighthavesomethingtodowiththemysteriousletter。Quickeninghisstepsthroughthefield，heenteredthehollow，andreachedtheintersectingtrailasheexpected。Totherightitlostitselfinthedensewoodsinthedirectionoftheominousstump；totheleftitdescendedinnearlyastraightlinetothehighway，nowplainlyvisible，aswasequallytheboulderonwhichhehadlastdiscoveredMamiesittingwithyoungSlinn。Ifhewerenotmistaken，therewasafiguresittingtherenow；itwassurelyaman。Andbythathalf—bowed，helplessattitude，theobjectofhissearch!
　　Itdidnottakehimlongtodescendthetracktothehighwayandapproachthestranger。Hewasseatedwithhishandsuponhisknees，gazinginavague，absorbedfashionuponthehillside，nowcrownedwiththeengine—houseandchimneythatmarkedthesiteofMulrady’sshaft。Hestartedslightly，andlookedup，asDonCaesarpausedbeforehim。Theyoungmanwassurprisedtoseethattheunfortunatemanwasnotasoldashehadexpected，andthathisexpressionwasoneofquietandbeatifiedcontentment。
　　"Yourdaughterstoldmeyouwerehere，"saidDonCaesar，withgentlerespect。"IamCaesarAlvarado，yournotveryfarneighbor；
　　veryhappytopayhisrespectstoyouashehastothem。"
　　"Mydaughters？"saidtheoldman，vaguely。"Oh，yes!nicelittlegirls。AndmyboyHarry。DidyouseeHarry？Finelittlefellow，Harry。"
　　"Iamgladtohearthatyouarebetter，"saidDonCaesar，hastily，"andthattheairofourcountrydoesyounoharm。Godbenefityou，senor，"headded，withaprofoundlyreverentialgesture，droppingunconsciouslyintothereligioushabitofhisyouth。"Mayheprotectyou，andbringyoubacktohealthandhappiness!"
　　"Happiness？"saidSlinn，amazedly。"Iamhappy——veryhappy!I
　　haveeverythingIwant：goodair，goodfood，goodclothes，prettylittlechildren，kindfriends——"HesmiledbenignantlyatDonCaesar。"Godisverygoodtome!"
　　Indeed，heseemedveryhappy；andhisface，albeitcrownedwithwhitehair，unmarkedbycareandanydisturbingimpression，hadsomuchofsatisfiedyouthinitthatthegravefeaturesofhisquestionermadehimappeartheelder。Nevertheless，DonCaesarnoticedthathiseyes，whenwithdrawnfromhim，soughtthehillsidewiththesamevisionaryabstraction。
　　"Itisafineview，SenorEsslinn，"saidDonCaesar。
　　"Itisabeautifulview，sir，"saidSlinn，turninghishappyeyesuponhimforamoment，onlytorestthemagainonthegreenslopeopposite。
　　"Beyondthathillwhichyouarelookingat——notfar，SenorEsslinn——
　　Ilive。Youshallcomeandseemethere——youandyourfamily。"
　　"You——you——livethere？"stammeredtheinvalid，withatroubledexpression——thefirstandonlychangetothecompletehappinessthathadhithertosuffusedhisface。"You——andyournameis——isMa——"
　　"Alvarado，"saidDonCaesar，gently。CaesarAlvarado。"
　　"YousaidMasters，"saidtheoldman，withsuddenquerulousness。
　　"No，goodfriend。IsaidAlvarado，"returnedDonCaesar，gravely。
　　"Ifyoudidn’tsayMasters，howcouldIsayit？Idon’tknowanyMasters。"
　　DonCaesarwassilent。InanothermomentthehappytranquillityreturnedtoSlinn’sface；andDonCaesarcontinued：——
　　"Itisnotalongwalkoverthehill，thoughitisfarbytheroad。
　　Whenyouarebetteryoushalltryit。Yonderlittletrailleadstothetopofthehill，andthen——"
　　Hestopped，fortheinvalid’sfacehadagainassumeditstroubledexpression。Partlytochangehisthoughts，andpartlyforsomeinexplicableideathathadsuddenlyseizedhim，DonCaesarcontinued：——
　　"Thereisastrangeoldstumpnearthetrail，andinitahole。IntheholeIfoundthisletter。"Hestoppedagain——thistimeinalarm。Slinnhadstaggeredtohisfeetwithashenanddistortedfeatures，andwasglancingattheletterwhichDonCaesarhaddrawnfromhispocket。Themusclesofhisthroatswelledasifhewasswallowing；hislipsmoved，butnosoundissuedfromthem。Atlast，withaconvulsiveeffort，heregainedadisjointedspeech，inavoicescarcelyaudible。
　　"Myletter!myletter!It’smine!Giveitme!It’smyfortune——
　　allmine!Inthetunnel——hill!Mastersstoleit——stolemyfortune!Stoleitall!See，see!"
　　HeseizedtheletterfromDonCaesarwithtremblinghands，andtoreitopenforcibly：afewdullyellowgrainsfellfromitheavily，likeshot，totheground。
　　"See，it’strue!Myletter!Mygold!Mystrike!My——my——myGod!"
　　Atremorpassedoverhisface。Thehandthatheldthelettersuddenlydroppedsheerandheavyasthegoldhadfallen。ThewholesideofhisfaceandbodynearestDonCaesarseemedtodropandsinkintoitselfassuddenly。Atthesamemoment，andwithoutaword，heslippedthroughDonCaesar’soutstretchedhandstotheground。DonCaesarbentquicklyoverhim，butnolongerthantosatisfyhimselfthathelivedandbreathed，althoughhelpless。Hethencaughtupthefallenletter，and，glancingoveritwithflashingeyes，thrustitandthefewspecimensinhispocket。Hethensprangtohisfeet，sotransformedwithenergyandintelligencethatheseemedtohaveaddedthelostvitalityofthemanbeforehimtohisown。Heglancedquicklyupanddownthehighway。Everymomenttohimwaspreciousnow；buthecouldnotleavethestrickenmaninthedustoftheroad；norcouldhecarryhimtothehouse；nor，havingalarmedhisdaughters，couldheabandonhishelplessnesstotheirfeeblearms。Herememberedthathishorsewasstilltiedtothegardenfence。Hewouldfetchit，andcarrytheunfortunatemanacrossthesaddletothegate。Heliftedhimwithdifficultytotheboulder，andranrapidlyuptheroadinthedirectionofhistetheredsteed。Hehadnotproceededfarwhenheheardthenoiseofwheelsbehindhim。Itwastheupstagecomingfuriouslyalong。Hewouldhavecalledtothedriverforassistance，buteventhroughthatfast—sweepingcloudofdustandmotionhecouldseethatthemanwasutterlyobliviousofanythingbutthespeedofhisrushingchariot，andhadevenriseninhisboxtolashtheinfuriatedandfrightenedanimalsforward。
　　Anhourlater，whenthecoachdrewupattheRedDogHotel，thedriverdescendedfromthebox，white，buttaciturn。Whenhehadswallowedaglassofwhiskeyatasinglegulp，heturnedtotheastonishedexpressagent，whohadfollowedhimin。
　　"Oneoftwothings，Jim，hezgottohappen，"hesaid，huskily。
　　"Eitherthatthererockhezgottogetofftheroad，orIhave。
　　I’veseedHIMonitagin!"
　　CHAPTERIV
　　Nofurtherparticularsoftheinvalid’ssecondattackwereknownthanthosefurnishedbyDonCaesar’sbriefstatement，thathehadfoundhimlyinginsensibleontheboulder。ThisseemedperfectlyconsistentwiththetheoryofDr。Duchesne；andastheyoungSpaniardleftLosGatosthenextday，heescapednotonlytheactivereporterofthe"Record，"buttheperusalofagratefulparagraphinthenextday’spaperrecordinghispromptkindnessandcourtesy。Dr。Duchesne’sprognosis，however，seemedatfault；theelderSlinndidnotsuccumbtothissecondstroke，nordidherecoverhisreason。Heapparentlyonlyrelapsedintohisformerphysicalweakness，losingthelittlegroundhehadgainedduringthelastmonth，andexhibitingnochangeinhismentalcondition，unlessthefactthatherememberednothingofhisseizureandthepresenceofDonCaesarcouldbeconsideredasfavorable。Dr。
　　Duchesne’sgravityseemedtogivethatsignificancetothissymptom，andhiscross—questioningofthepatientwascharacterizedbymorethanhisusualcurtness。
　　"Youaresureyoudon’trememberwalkinginthegardenbeforeyouwereill？"hesaid。"Come，thinkagain。Youmustrememberthat。"
　　Theoldman’seyeswanderedrestlesslyaroundtheroom，butheansweredbyanegativeshakeofhishead。"Andyoudon’tremembersittingdownonastonebytheroad？"
　　Theoldmankepthiseyesresolutelyfixedonthebedclothesbeforehim。"No!"hesaid，withacertainsharpdecisionthatwasnewtohim。
　　Thedoctor’seyebrightened。"Allright，oldman；thendon’t。"
　　OnhiswayouthetooktheeldestMissSlinnaside。"He’lldo，"hesaid，grimly："he’sbeginningtolie。"
　　"Why，heonlysaidhedidn’tremember，"respondedEsther。
　　"Thatwasbecausehedidn’twanttoremember，"saidthedoctor，authoritatively。"Thebrainisactingonsomeimpressionthatiseitherpainfulandunpleasant，orsovaguethathecan’tformulateit；heisconsciousofit，andwon’tattemptityet。It’saheapbetterthanhisoldself—satisfiedincoherency。"
　　Afewdayslater，whenthefactofSlinn’sidentificationwiththeparalyticofthreeyearsagobythestage—driverbecamegenerallyknown，thedoctorcameinquitejubilant。
　　"It’sallplainnow，"hesaid，decidedly。"Thatsecondstrokewascausedbythenervousshockofhiscomingsuddenlyupontheveryspotwherehehadthefirstone。Itprovedthathisbrainstillretainedoldimpressions，butasthisfirstactofhismemorywasapainfulone，thestrainwastoogreat。Itwasmightyunlucky；butitwasagoodsign。"
　　"Andyouthink，then——"hesitatedHarrySlinn。
　　"Ithink，"saidDr。Duchesne，"thatthisactivitystillexists，andtheproofofit，asIsaidbefore，isthatheistryingnowtoforgetit，andavoidthinkingofit。Youwillfindthathewillfightshyofanyallusiontoit，andwillbecunningenoughtododgeiteverytime。"
　　Hecertainlydid。Whetherthedoctor’shypothesiswasfairlybasedornot，itwasafactthat，whenhewasfirsttakenouttodrivewithhiswatchfulphysician，heapparentlytooknonoticeoftheboulder——whichstillremainedontheroadside，thankstothelaterpracticalexplanationofthestage—driver’svision——andcurtlyrefusedtotalkaboutit。But，moresignificanttoDuchesne，andperhapsmoreperplexing，wasacertainmoroseabstraction，whichtooktheplaceofhisformervacuityofcontentment，andanintoleranceofhisattendants，whichsupplantedhisoldhabitualtrustfulnesstotheircare，thathadbeenvariedonlybytheoccasionalquerulousnessofaninvalid。Hisdaughterssometimesfoundhimregardingthemwithanattentionlittleshortofsuspicion，andevenhissondetectedahalf—suppressedaversioninhisinterviewswithhim。
　　Referringthisamongthemselvestohisunfortunatemalady，hischildren，perhaps，justifiedthisestrangementbypayingverylittleattentiontoit。Theyweremorepleasantlyoccupied。ThetwogirlssucceededtothepositionheldbyMamieMulradyinthesocietyoftheneighborhood，anddividedtheattentionsofRough—
　　and—Ready。Theyoungeditorofthe"Record"hadreallyachieved，throughhissupposedintimacywiththeMulradys，thegoodfortunehehadjestinglyprophesied。ThedisappearanceofDonCaesarwasregardedasavirtualabandonmentofthefieldtohisrival：andthegeneralopinionwasthathewasengagedtothemillionaire’sdaughteronacertainprobationofworkandinfluenceinhisprospectivefather—in—law’sinterests。Hebecamesuccessfulinoneortwospeculations，themagicoftheluckyMulrady’snamebefriendinghim。Inthesuperstitionoftheminingcommunity，muchofthisluckwasduetohishavingsecuredtheoldcabin。
　　"Tothink，"remarkedoneoftheaugursofRedDog，FrenchPete，apolyglotjester，"thatwhileeveryfoolwenttotakingupclaimswherethegoldhadalreadybeenfoundnoonethoughtofsteppingintotheoldman’soldchouxinthecabbage—garden!"Anydoubt，however，oftheallianceofthefamilieswasdissipatedbytheintimacythatsprangupbetweentheelderSlinnandthemillionaire，afterthelatter’sreturnfromSanFrancisco。
　　Itbeganinastrangekindofpityforthephysicalweaknessoftheman，whichenlistedthesympathiesofMulrady，whosegreatstrengthhadneverbeendeterioratedbytheluxuriesofwealth，andwhowasstillabletosethisworkmenanexampleofhardlabor；itwassustainedbyasingularandsuperstitiousreverenceforhismentalcondition，which，tothepaternalMulrady，seemedtopossessthatspiritualqualitywithwhichpopularignoranceinvestsdementedpeople。
　　"Thenyoumeantosaythatduringthesethreeyearstheveino’
　　yourmind，sotospeak，wasalostlead，andsorterdroppedouto’
　　sightorfollerin’？"queriedMulrady，withinfiniteseriousness。
　　"Yes，"returnedSlinn，withlessimpatiencethanheusuallyshowedtoquestions。
　　"Anddurin’thattime，whenyouwasdriedupandwaitin’forrain，Ireckonyoukinderhadvisions？"
　　AcloudpassedoverSlinn’sface。
　　"Ofcourse，ofcourse!"saidMulrady，alittlefrightenedathistenacityinquestioningtheoracle。"Nat’rally，thiswasprivate，andnottobetalkedabout。Imeant，youhadplentyofroomfor’emwithoutcrowdin’；youkintellmesomedaywhenyou’rebetter，andkinsorterselectwhat’spointsandwhatain’t。"
　　"PerhapsImaysomeday，"saidtheinvalid，gloomily，glancinginthedirectionofhispreoccupieddaughters；"whenwe’realone。"
　　Whenhisphysicalstrengthhadimproved，andhisleftarmandsidehadregainedafeeblebutslowlygatheringvitality，AlvinMulradyonedaysurprisedthefamilybybringingtheconvalescentapileoflettersandaccounts，andspreadingthemonaboardbeforeSlinn’sinvalidchair，withthesuggestionthatheshouldlookover，arrange，anddocketthem。Theideaseemedpreposterous，untilitwasfoundthattheoldmanwasactuallyabletoperformthisservice，andexhibitedadegreeofintellectualactivityandcapacityforthiskindofworkthatwasunsuspected。Dr。Duchesnewasdelighted，anddividedwithadmirationbetweenhispatient’sprogressandthemillionaire’ssagacity。"Andthereareenviouspeople，"saidtheenthusiasticdoctor，"whobelievethatamanlikehim，whocouldconceiveofsuchaplanforoccupyingaweakintellectwithouttaxingitsmemoryorjudgment，ismerelyaluckyfool!Lookhere。Maybeitdidn’trequiremuchbrainstostumbleonagoldmine，anditisagiftofProvidence。But，inmyexperience，Providencedon’tgoroundbuyin’upd——dfools，orinvestin’indeadbeats。"
　　WhenMr。Slinn，finally，withtheaidofcrutches，wasabletohobbleeverydaytotheimposingcounting—houseandtheofficeofMr。Mulrady，whichnowoccupiedthelowerpartofthenewhouse，andcontainedsomeofitsgorgeousfurniture，hewasinstalledatarosewooddeskbehindMr。Mulrady’schair，ashisconfidentialclerkandprivatesecretary。TheastonishmentofRedDogandRough—and—
　　Readyatthissingularinnovationknewnobounds；buttheboldnessandnoveltyoftheideacarriedeverythingbeforeit。JudgeButts，theoracleofRough—and—Ready，delivereditsdecision："He’sgotamanwho’sphysicallyincapableofrunningoffwithhismoney，andhasnomemorytorunoffwithhisideas。Howcouldhedobetter？"
　　Evenhisownson，Harry，cominguponhisfatherthusinstalled，wasforamomentstruckwithacertainfilialrespect，andforadayortwopatronizedhim。
　　InthiscapacitySlinnbecametheconfidantnotonlyofMulrady’sbusinesssecrets，butofhisdomesticaffairs。HeknewthatyoungMulrady，fromafreckle—facedslowcountryboy，haddevelopedintoafreckle—facedfastcityman，withcoarsehabitsofdrinkandgambling。Itwasthroughtheoldman’shandsthatextravagantbillsandshamefulclaimspassedontheirwaytobecashedbyMulrady；itwashethatatlastlaidbeforethefatheronedayhissignatureperfectlyforgedbytheson。
　　"Youreyesarenotezgoodezmine，youknow，Slinn，"saidMulrady，gravely。"It’sallright。IsometimesmakemyY’slikethat。I’dcleanforgottocashthatcheck。Youmustnotthinkyou’vegotthemonopolyofdisremembering，"headded，withafaintlaugh。
　　EquallythroughSlinn’shandspassedtherecordofthelavishexpenditureofMrs。MulradyandthefairMamie，aswellasthechronicleoftheirmovementsandfashionabletriumphs。AsMulradyhadalreadynoticedthatSlinnhadnoconfidencewithhisownfamily，hedidnottrytowithholdfromthemthesedomesticdetails，possiblyasanoffsettothedrearycatalogueofhisson’smisdeeds，butmoreofteninthehopeofgainingfromthetaciturnoldmansomecommentthatmightsatisfyhisinnocentvanityasfatherandhusband，andperhapsdissipatesomedoubtsthatwerehauntinghim。
　　"Twelvehundreddollarslookstobeagoodfiggerforadress，ain’tit？ButMalvinyknows，Ireckon，whatoughttobewornattheTooilleries，andshedon’twantourMamietotakeabackseatbeforethemfurrin’princessesandgran’dukes。It’saslap—upaffair，Ikalkilate。Let’ssee。Idisrememberwhetherit’sanemperororakingthat’srulin’overtharnow。Itmustbesuthin’
　　firstclassandA1，forMalvinyain’tthewomantothrowawaytwelvehundreddollarsonanyofthemsmall—potatodespots!ShesaysMamiespeaksFrenchalreadylikethemFrenchPetes。Idon’tquitemakeoutwhatshemeanshere。ShemetDonCaesarinParis，andshesays，’IthinkMamieisnearlyoffwithDonCaesar，whohasfollowedherhere。Idon’tcareaboutherdroppinghimTOO
　　suddenly；thereasonI’lltellyouhereafter。Ithinkthemanmightbeadangerousenemy。’Now，whatdoyoumakeofthis？I
　　allusthoughtMamierathercottonedtohim，anditwastheoldwomanwhofoughtshy，thinkin’Mamiewoulddobetter。Now，Iamagreeablethatmygalshouldmarryanyoneshelikes，whetherit’sadookorapoorman，aslongashe’sonthesquare。IwasreadytotakeDonCaesar；butnowthingsseemtohaveshiftedround。AstoDonCaesar’sbeingadangerousenemyifMamiewon’thavehim，that’salittletoohighandmightyforme，andIwondertheoldwomandon’tmakehimclimbdown。Whatdoyouthink？"
　　"WhoisDonCaesar？"askedSlinn。
　　"Themanwhatpickedyouupthatday。Imean，"continuedMulrady，seeingthemarksofevidentignoranceontheoldman’sface，——"I
　　meanasortofgrave，genteelchap，suthin’betweenaparsonandacircus—rider。Youmighthaveseenhimroundthehousetalkin’toyourgals。"
　　ButSlinn’sentireforgetfulnessofDonCaesarwasevidentlyunfeigned。Whateversuddenaccessionofmemoryhehadatthetimeofhisattack，theincidentthatcausedithadnopartinhisrecollection。Withtheexceptionoftheserareintervalsofdomesticconfidenceswithhiscrippledprivatesecretary，Mulradygavehimselfuptomoney—getting。Withoutanyespecialfacultyforit——aneasypreyoftentounscrupulousfinanciers——hisunfailingluck，however，carriedhimsafelythrough，untilhisverymistakesseemedtobesimplyinsignificantmeanstoalargesignificantendandapartofhisoriginalplan。Hesankanothershaft，atagreatexpense，withaviewtofollowingtheleadhehadformerlyfound，againsttheopinionsofthebestminingengineers，andstrucktheartesianspringhedidNOTfindatthattime，withavolumeofwaterthatenabledhimnotonlytoworkhisownmine，buttofurnishsuppliestohislessfortunateneighborsatavastprofit。
　　AleagueoftangledforestandcanyonbehindRough—and—Ready，forwhichhehadpaidDonRamon’sheirsanextravagantpriceinthepresumptionthatitwasauriferous，furnishedthemostaccessibletimbertobuildthetown，atpriceswhichamplyremuneratedhim。
　　Thepracticalschemesofexperiencedmen，thewildestvisionsofdaringdreamsdelayedorabortiveforwantofcapital，eventuallyfellintohishands。Mensneeredathismethods，butboughthisshares。Somewhoaffectedtoregardhimsimplyasamanofmoneywerecontenttogetonlyhisnametoanyenterprise。Courtedbyhissuperiors，quotedbyhisequals，andadmiredbyhisinferiors，heborehiselevationequallywithoutostentationordignity。
　　Biddentobanquets，andforcedbyhispositionasdirectororpresidentintotheusualgastronomicfeatsofthatcivilizationandperiod，hepartookofsimplefood，andcontinuedhisoldhabitoftakingacupofcoffeewithmilkandsugaratdinner。Withoutprofessingtemperance，hedranksparinglyinacommunitywherealcoholicstimulationwasacustom。Withneitherrefinementnoranextendedvocabulary，hewasseldomprofane，andneverindelicate。
　　WithnothingofthePuritaninhismannerorconversation，heseemedtobeasstrangetothevicesofcivilizationashewastoitsvirtues。Thatsuchamanshouldofferlittletoandreceivelittlefromthecompanionshipofwomenofanykindwasaforegoneconclusion。Withoutthedignityofsolitude，hewaspatheticallyalone。
　　Meantime，thedayspassed；thefirstsixmonthsofhisopulenceweredrawingtoaclose，andinthatintervalhehadmorethandoubledtheamountofhisdiscoveredfortune。Therainyseasonsetinearly。AlthoughitdissipatedthecloudsofdustunderwhichNatureandArtseemedtobeslowlydisappearing，itbroughtlittlebeautytothelandscapeatfirst，andonlyappearedtolaybarethecrudenessesofcivilization。TheunpaintedwoodenbuildingsofRough—and—Ready，soakedanddrippingwithrain，tookuponthemselvesasleekandshiningugliness，asofsecond—handgarments；theabsenceofcornicesorprojectionstobreakthemonotonyofthelongstraightlinesofdownpourmadethetownappearasifithadbeenrecentlysubmerged，everyvestigeofornamentationsweptaway，andonlythebareoutlinesleft。Mudwaseverywhere；theoutersoilseemedtohaverisenandinvadedthehouseseventotheirmostsecretrecesses，asifoutragedNaturewastryingtorevengeherself。Mudwasbroughtintothesaloonsandbarroomsandexpressoffices，onboots，onclothes，onbaggage，andsometimesappearedmysteriouslyinsplashesofredcoloronthewalls，withoutvisibleconveyance。Thedustofsixmonths，closelypackedincorniceandcarving，yieldedunderthesteadyrainathinyellowpaint，thatdroppedonwayfarersorunexpectedlyoozedoutofceilingsandwallsonthewretchedinhabitantswithin。TheoutskirtsofRough—and—ReadyandthedriedhillsroundLosGatosdidnotappeartofaremuchbetter；thenewvegetationhadnotyetmademuchheadwayagainstthedeadgrassesofthesummer；thepinesinthehollowweptlugubriouslyintoasmallrivuletthathadsprungsuddenlyintolifeneartheoldtrail；everywherewasthesoundofdropping，splashing，gurgling，orrushingwaters。
　　Morehideousthanever，thenewMulradyhouselifteditselfagainsttheleadensky，andstaredwithallitslarge—framed，shutterlesswindowsblanklyontheprospect，untiltheyseemedtothewayfarertobecomemeremirrorssetinthewalls，reflectingonlythewaterylandscape，andunabletogivetheleastindicationoflightorheatwithin。Nevertheless，therewasafireinMulrady’sprivateofficethatDecemberafternoon，ofasmoky，intermittentvariety，thatsufficedmoretorecordthedefectsofhastyarchitecturethantocomfortthemillionaireandhisprivatesecretary，whohadlingeredaftertheearlywithdrawaloftheclerks。ForthenextdaywasChristmas，and，outofdeferencetothenearapproachofthisfestivity，ahalf—holidayhadbeengiventotheemployees。
　　"They’llwant，someofthem，tospendtheirmoneybeforeto—morrow；
　　andotherswouldliketobeabletoriseupcomfortablydrunkChristmasmorning，"thesuperintendenthadsuggested。Mr。Mulradyhadjustsignedanumberofchecksindicatinghislargesstothosedevotedadherentswiththesameunostentatious，undemonstrative，matter—of—factmannerthatdistinguishedhisordinarybusiness。
　　Themenhadreceiveditwithsomethingofthesamemanner。Ahalf—
　　humorous"Thankyou，sir"——asiftoshowthat，withtheirpatron，theytoleratedthisdeferencetoapopularcustom，butwerealittleashamedofgivingwaytoit——expressedtheirgratitudeandtheirindependence。
　　"IreckonthattheoldladyandMamiearehavingahigholdtimeinsomeofthemgildedpallisesinSt。PetersburgorBerlinaboutthistime。ThemdiamondsthatIorderedatTiffanyoughttohavereached’emaboutnow，sothatMamiecouldcutaswellatChristmaswithherwar—paint。Isupposeit’sthestyletogivepresentsinfurrin’countriesezitishere，andIallowedtotheoldladythatwhateversheordersinthatwaysheistodoinCalifornystyle——nodollar—jewelryandgalvanized—watchesbusiness。Ifshewantstomakeapresenttoanyofthemnoblesezhasbeenpurlitetoher，it’sgottobesomethingthatRough—and—Readyain’tashamedof。I
　　showedyouthatpinMamieboughtmeinParis，didn’tI？It’sjustcomeformyChristmaspresent。No!IreckonIputitinthesafe，forthemkindo’thingsdon’tsuitmystyle：buts’poseIortersportitto—morrow。ItwasmightythoughtfulinMamie，anditmustcostalump；it’sgotnoslouchofapearlinit。IwonderwhatMamiegaveforit？"
　　"Youcaneasilytell；thebillishere。Youpaidityesterday，"
　　saidSlinn。Therewasnosatireintheman’svoice，norwastheretheleastperceptionofironyinMulrady’smanner，ashereturnedquietly，——
　　"That’sso；itwassuthin’likeathousandfrancs；butFrenchmoney，whenyoupanitoutasdollarsandcents，don’tmakesomuch，afterall。"Therewasafewmoments’silence，whenhecontinued，inthesametoneofvoice，"Talkin’o’themthings，Slinn，I’vegotsuthin’foryou。"Hestoppedsuddenly。Everwatchfulofanyundueexcitementintheinvalid，hehadnoticedaslightflushofdisturbancepassoverhisface，andcontinuedcarelessly，"Butwe’lltalkitoverto—morrow；adayortwodon’tmakemuchdifferencetoyouandmeinsuchthings，youknow。
　　P’rapsI’lldropinandseeyou。We’llbeshutuphere。"
　　"Thenyou’regoingoutsomewhere？"askedSlinn，mechanically。
　　"No，"saidMulrady，hesitatingly。Ithadsuddenlyoccurredtohimthathehadnowheretogoifhewantedto，andhecontinued，halfinexplanation，"Iain’treckonedmuchonChristmas，myself。
　　Abner’sattheSprings；itwouldn’tpayhimtocomehereforaday——
　　eveniftherewasanybodyherehecaredtosee。IreckonI’llhangroundtheshanty，andlookafterthingsgenerally。Ihaven’tbeenoverthehouseupstairstoputthingstorightssincethefolksleft。ButYOUneedn’tcomehere，youknow。"
　　Hehelpedtheoldmantorise，assistedhiminputtingonhisovercoat，andthanhandedhimthecanewhichhadlatelyreplacedhiscrutches。
　　"Good—by，oldman!Youmusn’ttroubleyourselftosay’MerryChristmas’now，butwaituntilyouseemeagain。Takecareofyourself。"
　　Heslappedhimlightlyontheshoulder，andwentbackintohisprivateoffice。Heworkedforsometimeathisdesk，andthenlaidhispenaside，putawayhispapersmethodically，placingalargeenvelopeonhisprivatesecretary’svacanttable。Hethenopenedtheofficedoorandascendedthestaircase。Hestoppedonthefirstlandingtolistentothesoundofrainontheglassskylight，thatseemedtoechothroughtheemptyhalllikethegloomyrollofadrum。Itwasevidentthatthesearchingwaterhadfoundoutthesecretsinsofthehouse’sconstruction，forthereweregreatfissuresofdiscolorationinthewhiteandgoldpaperinthecornersofthewall。Therewasastrangeodorofthedankforestinthemirroreddrawing—room，asiftherainhadbroughtoutthesapagainfromtheunseasonedtimbers；theblueandwhitesatinfurniturelookedcold，andthemarblemantelsandcentretableshadtakenuponthemselvestheclamminessoftombstones。Mr。Mulrady，whohadalwaysretainedhisoldfarmer—likehabitoftakingoffhiscoatwithhishatonenteringhisownhouse，andappearinginhisshirt—sleeves，toindicatedomesticeaseandsecurity，wasobligedtoreplaceit，onaccountofthechill。Hehadneverfeltathomeinthisroom。ItsstrangenesshadlatelybeenheightenedbyMrs。
　　Mulrady’spurchaseofafamilyportraitofsomeoneshedidn’tknow，butwho，shehadalleged，resembledher"UncleBob，"whichhungonthewallbesidesomepaintingsinmassiveframes。Mr。
　　Mulradycastahurriedglanceattheportraitthat，onthestrengthofahighcoat—collarandhightopcurl——bothrolledwithequalprecisionandsingularsamenessofcolor——hadalwaysglaredatMulradyasifHEwastheintruder；and，passingthroughhiswife’sgorgeousbedroom，enteredthelittledressing—room，wherehestillsleptonthesmallestofcots，withhastilyimprovisedsurroundings，asifhewasabailiffin"possession。"Hedidn’tlingerherelong，but，takingakeyfromadrawer，continuedupthestaircase，totheominousfuneralmarchesofthebeatingrainontheskylight，andpausedonthelandingtoglanceintohisson’sanddaughter’sbedrooms，duplicatesofthebizarreextravagancebelow。Ifhewereseekingsomecharacteristictracesofhisabsentfamily，theycertainlywerenothereinthepaintedandstilldampblazoningoftheirlatersuccesses。Heascendedanotherstaircase，and，passingtothewingofthehouse，pausedbeforeasmalldoor，whichwaslocked。Alreadytheostentatiousdecorationsofwallandpassageswereleftbehind，andtheplainlath—and—plasterpartitionoftheatticlaybeforehim。Heunlockedthedoor，andthrewitopen。
　　CHAPTERV
　　Theapartmentheenteredwasreallyonlyalumber—roomorloftoverthewingofthehouse，whichhadbeenleftbareandunfinished，andwhichrevealedinitsmeagreskeletonofbeamsandjointsthehollowshamofthewholestructure。Butinmoreviolentcontrasttothefreshergloriesoftheotherpartofthehousewereitscontents，whichweretheheterogeneouscollectionofoldfurniture，oldluggage，andcast—offclothing，leftoverfromthepastlifeintheoldcabin。ItwasamuchplainerrecordofthesimplebeginningsofthefamilythanMrs。Mulradycaredtohaveremaininevidence，andforthatreasonithadbeenrelegatedtothehiddenrecessesofthenewhouse，inthehopethatitmightabsorbordigestit。Therewereoldcribs，inwhichtheinfantlimbsofMamieandAbnerhadbeentuckedup；oldlooking—glasses，thathadreflectedtheirshining，soapyfaces，andMamie’sbestchipSundayhat；anoldsewing—machine，thathadbeenwornoutinactiveservice；oldpatchworkquilts；anoldaccordion，towhoselongdrawninspirationsMamiehadsunghymns；oldpictures，books，andoldtoys。Therewereoneortwooldchromos，and，stuckinanoldframe，acoloredprintfromthe"IllustratedLondonNews"ofaChristmasgatheringinanoldEnglishcountryhouse。Hestoppedandpickedupthisprint，whichhehadoftenseenbefore，gazingatitwithanewandsingularinterest。HewonderedifMamiehadseenanythingofthiskindinEngland，andwhycouldn’thehavehadsomethinglikeithere，intheirownfinehouse，withthemselvesandafewfriends？HerememberedapastChristmas，whenhehadboughtMamiethatnowheadlessdollwiththefewcoinsthatwerelefthimafterbuyingtheirfrugalChristmasdinner。Therewasanoldspottedhobby—horsethatanotherChristmashadbroughttoAbner——Abner，whowouldbedrivingafasttrotterto—morrowattheSprings!Howeverythinghadchanged!Howtheyallhadgotupintheworld，andhowfarbeyondthiskindofthing——andyet——yetitwouldhavebeenrathercomfortabletohaveallbeentogetheragainhere。WouldTHEYhavebeenmorecomfortable？No!Yetthenhemighthavehadsomethingtodo，andbeenlesslonelyto—morrow。
　　Whatofthat？HeHADsomethingtodo：tolookafterthisimmensefortune。Whatmorecouldamanwant，orshouldhewant？Itwasrathermeaninhim，abletogivehiswifeandchildreneverythingtheywanted，tobewantinganythingmore。Helaiddowntheprintgently，afterdustingitsglassandframewithhissilkhandkerchief，andslowlylefttheroom。