Shehadliftedhereyesnow，andhadfixedthemwithtenderthoughtfulnessonthemountains。Whatdidsheseeinthescenebeforeher，hewondered：thedeepvalley，brilliantwithearlysunshine；themagnificentsweepofwoodedslopes；PineMountainandthepeak—likeNarrows，wherethroughittheriverhadwornitspatientway；andtheCumberlandRange，lyinglikeacloudagainstthehorizon，andbluerandsofterthantheskyaboveit。Helongedtoknowwhatherthoughtswere；ifinthemtheremightbeahintofwhathehopedtofind。Probablyshecouldnottellthem，shouldheaskher，sounconsciouswassheofhermentallife，whateverthatmightbe。Indeed，sheseemedscarcelytoknowofherownexistence；therewasaboutherasimplicitytowhichhehadfelthimselfriseonlyinthepresenceofthespiritaboutsomelonelymountain—toporintheheartofdeepwoods。Hergazewasnotvacant，notlistless，butthepensivelookofasensitivechild，andClaytonlethimselffancythattherewasinitanunconsciousloveofthebeautybeforeher，andofitsspiritualsuggestivenessaslumberingsense，perhapseasilyawakened。Perhapshemightawakenit。
Thedrowsyhumofthespinning—wheelceasedsuddenly，andhisdreamwasshattered。Hewonderedhowlongtheyhadsattheresayingnothing，andhowlongthesilencemightcontinue。Easter，hebelieved，wouldneveraddresshim。Eventhetemporaryintimacythatthebarterofthegunhadbroughtaboutwasgone。
Thegirlseemedlostinunconsciousness。Themotherhadgonetoherloom，andwashummingsoftlytoherselfasshepassedtheshuttletoandfro。
Claytonturnedforaninstanttowatchher，andtherudebackground，whichhehadforgotten，thrusteveryunwelcomedetailuponhisattention：
theoldcabin，builtofhewnlogs，heldtogetherbywoodenpinandaugur—hole，andshingledwithroughboards；thedark，windowlessroom；
theunplasteredwalls；thebedswithold—fashionedhighposts，mattressesofstraw，andcordsinsteadofslats；thehome—madechairswithstraightbacks，tippedwithcarvedknobs；themantelfilledwithutensilsandoverhungwithbunchesofdryingherbs；aladderwithhalfadozensmooth—wornstepsleadingtotheloft；andawide，deepfireplace—theonlysuggestionofcheerandcomfortinthegloomyinterior。
Anopenporchconnectedthesingleroomwiththekitchen。
Here，too，weresuggestionsofdailyduties。Themother’sfacetoldataleofhardshipandtoil，andtherewastheploughinthefurrow，andthegirl’scallousedhandsfoldedinherlap。WithathrillofcompassionClaytonturnedtoher。Whatapity!whatapity!
Justnowherfacehadthepeaceofachild’s；butwhenaroused，anelectricfireburnedfromhercalmeyesandshowedtheardenttemperamentthatreallylaybeneath。Ifshewerequickandsympathetic—andshemustbe，hewhocouldtellhowrichthedevelopmentpossibleforher？
"Youhain’tseenmuchofthiscountry，Ireckon。Youhain’tbeenhereafore？
Themotherhadbrokenthesilenceatlast。
No，"saidClayton；"butIlikeitverymuch。"
Doye？"sheasked，insurprise。"Why，I’lowedyoufolksfromthesettlemintsthoughthitwasmightyscraggydownhyeh。"
"Ohno。Thesemountainsandwoodsarebeautiful，andIneversawlovelierbeech—trees。Thecoloringoftheirtrunksissoexquisite，andtheshadeissofine，"heconcluded，lamely，noticingablanklookontheoldwoman’sface。Tohisdelightthegirl，halfturnedtowardhim，waslisteningwithpuzzledinterest。
Well，"saidtheoldwoman，"beechesisbeautifultomewhentheyhasmastenoughtofeedthehogs。"
Carriedbacktohistrainofspeculations，Claytonstartedatthisabruptdeliverance。Therewasasuspicionofhumorintheoldwoman’stonethatshowedanappreciationoftheirdifferentstandpoints。ItwaslostonClayton，however，forhisattentionhadbeencaughtbytheword"mast，"which，bysomeaccident，heIhadneverheardbefore。
"Mast，"heasked，"whatisthat？
Thegirllookedtowardhiminamazement，andburstintoalow，suppressedlaugh。Hermotherexplainedtheword，andalllaughedheartily。
Claytonsoonsawthathisconfessionofignorancewasaluckyaccident。ItbroughtEasterandhimselfnearercommonground。
Shefeltthattherewassomething，afterall，thatshecouldteachhim。Shehadbeenoverpoweredbyhispolitenessanddeferenceandhisunusuallanguage，and，notknowingwhattheymeant，wasovercomebyasenseofherinferiority。Theincidentgavehimthekeytohisfutureconduct。Amomentlatershelookedupcovertly，and，meetinghiseyes，laughedagain。Theicewasbroken。Hebegantowonderifshereallyhadnoticedhimsolittleattheirfirstmeetingasnottorecognizehim，orifherindifferenceorreservehadpreventedherfromshowingtherecognition。Hepulledouthisnote—bookandbegansketchingrapidly，consciousthatthegirlwaswatchinghim。Whenbefinished，herose，pickinguptheoldflint—lock。
"Won’tyestayandhevsomedinner？，’askedtheoldwoman。
"No，thankyou。"
Comeag’in，"shesaid，cordially，addingthemountaineer’sfarewell，"Iwishyewell。"
"Thankyou，Iwill。Good—day。"
Ashepassedthegirlhepausedamomentanddroppedthepaperintoherlap。Itwasarudesketchoftheirfirstmeeting，thebullcomingathimlikeatornado。Thecolorcametoherface，andwhenClaytonturnedthecornerofthehouseheheardherlaughing。
"Whatyoulaughin’at，Easter？"askedthemother，stoppingherworkandlookingaround。
Foranswerthegirlroseandwalkedintothehouse，hidingthepaperinherbosom。Theoldwomanwatchedhernarrowly。
Ineverseedyeafeardofamanafore，"shesaidtoherself。"No，nursotickled’boutone，nother。Well，heairasaccommodatin’afellerasIeversee，efheairafurriner。Buthewasafooltoswophisgunferhem。"
V
THEREAFTERClaytonsawthegirlwheneverpossible。Ifshecametothecamp，hewalkedupthemountainwithher。Noidledaypassedthathedidnotvisitthecabin，anditwasnotlongbeforehefoundhimselfstrangelyinterested。Herbeautyandfearlessnesshaddrawnhimatfirst；herindifferenceandstolidityhadpiquedhim；andnowtheshynessthatdisplacedthesewasinconsistentandpuzzling。Thishesethimselfdeliberatelyatworktoremove，andtheconsciouseffortgaveapeculiarpiquancytotheirintercourse。Hehadlearnedthesecretofassociationwiththemountaineers—tobeaslittleunlikethemaspossible—andheputtheknowledgeintopractice。Hediscardedcoatandwaistcoat，woreaslouchedhat，andwentunshavenforweeks。Heavoidedallconventionalities，andwasassimpleinmannerandspeechaspossible。OftenwhentalkingwithEaster，herfacewasblanklyunresponsive，andaquestionwouldsometimesleaveherinconfusedsilence。HefounditnecessarytousethesimplestAnglo—Saxonwords，andhesoonfellintomanyofthequaintexpressionsofthemountaineersandtheirodd，slowwayofspeech。Thiscoursewaseffective，andintimetheshynessworeawayandleftbetweenthemacomradeshipaspleasantasunique。
Sometimestheytooklongwalkstogetheronthemountains。Thiswascontrarytomountainetiquette，buttheywereremoteevenfromtherudeconventionalitiesofthelifebelowthem。Theyevenwenthuntingtogether，andEasterhadthejoyofachildwhenshediscoveredhersuperioritytoClaytoninwoodcraftandintheuseofarifle。Ifhecouldtellherthenamesofplantsandflowerstheyfound，andhowtheywereakin，shecouldshowhimwheretheygrew。Ifhecouldteachheralittlemoreaboutanimalsandtheirhabitsthanshealreadyknew，hehadalwaystofollowherinthesearchforgame。Theirfellowshipwas，inconsequence，nevermorecompletethanwhentheywereroamingthewoods。InthemEasterwasathome，andherardentnaturecametothesurfacelikeapoeticglowfromherbuoyanthealthandbeauty。Thenappearedallthatwaswaywardandelfin—likeinhercharacter，andshewouldbeasplayful，wilful，evanescentasawood—spirit。Sometimes，whentheywereseparated，shewouldleadhimintoaravinebyimitatingasquirrelorawild—turkey，and，ashecreptnoiselesslyalongwithbatedbreathandeyespeeringeagerlythroughthetree—topsortheunderbrush，shewouldsteplikeadryadfrombehindsometreeathisside，witharinginglaughathisdiscomfiture。Again，shemightstartlehimbyrunninglightlyalongthefallentrunkofatreethatlayacrossatorrent，or，inafreakofwilfulness，wouldletherselfdownthebarefaceofsomesteepcliff。Ifhescoldedher，shelaughed。Ifhegrewangry，shewasseriousinstantly，andonceshefelltoweepingandfledhome。
Hefollowedher，butshebarricadedherselfinherroomintheloft，andwouldnotbecoaxeddown。Thenextdayshehadforgottenthatshewasangry。
Hermothershowednosurpriseatanyofhermoods。Easterwasnotlikeother"gals，"shesaid；shehadalwaysbeen"quar，"andshereckonedwould"al’aysbethatway。"SheobjectedinnowisetoClayton’sintimacywithher。Thefurriner，"shetoldRaines，wastheonlymanwhohadeverbeenabletomanageher，andifshewantedEastertodoanything"ag’inherwill，shewenttohimfust"—asimpleremarkthatthrewthemountaineerintodeepthoughtfulness。
Indeed，thissenseofpowerthatClaytonfeltoverthewilful，passionatecreaturethrilledhimwithmorepleasurethanhewouldhavebeenwillingtoadmit；atthesametimeitsuggestedtohimacertainresponsibility。Whynotmakeuseofit，andagooduse？
Thegirlwasperhapsdeplorablyignorant，coulddobutlittlemorethanreadandwrite；butshewassusceptibleofdevelopment，andattimesapparentlyconsciousoftheneedofitanddesirousforit。
Oncehehadcarriedherahandfulofviolets，andthereafteranoldpitcherthatstoodonashelfblossomedeverydaywithwild—flowers。Hehadtransplantedavinefromthewoodsandtaughthertotrainitovertheporch，andthefirsthintoftendernesshefoundinhernaturewasinthecareofthatplant。Hehadtakenherabookfullofpicturesandfashion—plates，andhehadnoticedaquickandingeniousadoptionofsomeofitshintsinherdress。
Oneafternoon，ashelayonhisbedinadarkenedcornerofhisroom，awoman’sshadowpassedacrossthewall，returned，andamomentlaterhesawEaster’sfaceatthewindow。Hehadlainquiet，andwatchedherwhileherwonderingeyesrovedfromoneobjecttoanother，untiltheywerefastenedwithalong，intentlookonapicturethatstooduponatablenearthewindow。Hestirred，andherfacemeltedawayinstantly。AfewdayslaterhewassittingwithEasterandRainesatthecabin。Themotherwasattheotherendoftheporch，talkingtoaneighborwhohadstoppedtorestonhiswayacrossthemountains。
Easteraira—gettin’highnotions，"shewassaying，"’n’sheaira—spendin’hersavin’s，’n’allmineshekingitholdof，tobuyfixin’satthecommissary。Shemusthevwhitecrockery，’n’towels，’n’
newfangledforks，’n’sichlike。"Aconsciousflushcameintothegirl’sface，andsherosehastilyandwentintothehouse。
"Iwasafeard，"continuedthemother，"thatshewouldhevherhaircutshort，’n’bea—flyin’withribbons，’n’spangledoutlikearainbow，likeold’LigeHicks’sgal，efIhadn’theerdthefurrinertellheritwas’beastly。’Tharain’tnofearnow，ferwhatthatfurrinerdon’tlike，Easterdon’tnother。"
Foraninstantthemountaineer’seyeshadflashedonClayton，butwhenthelatter，atrifleembarrassed，lookedup，Rainesapparentlyhadheardnothing。Easterdidnotreappearuntilthemountaineerwasgone。
Therewereothcrhopefulsigns。WheneverClaytonspokeofhisfriends，shealwayslistenedeagerly，andaskedinnumerablequestionsaboutthem。Ifhisattentionwascaughtbyanyqueercustomorphraseofthemountaindialect，shewasquicktoaskinreturnhowhewouldsaythesamething，andwhatthecustomwasinthesettlemints。"Sheevenmadefeebleattemptstomodelherownspeechafterhis。
Inaconsciousglowthatheimaginedwasphilanthropy，Claytonbeganhistaskofelevation。Shewasnotsoignorantashehadsupposed。Apparentlyshehadbeentaughtbysomebody，butwhenaskedbywhom，shehesitatedanswering；andhehadtakenitforgrantedthatwhatsheknewshehadpuzzledoutalone。Hewasastonishedbyherquickness，herdocility，andthepassionateenergywithwhichsheworked。Herinstantobediencetoeverysuggestion，hertrustineverywordheuttered，madehimacutelyandattimesuncomfortablyconsciousofhisresponsibility。Atthesametimetherewasinthetasksomethingofthepleasurethatayoungsculptorfeelswhen，forthefirsttime，theclaybeginstoyieldobediencetohisfingers，andsomethingofthedelightthatmusthavethrilledPygmalionwhenhesawhisstatuetremulouswithconsciouslife。
VI
THEpossibilityofliftingthegirlaboveherownpeople，andofcreatingaspiritofdiscontentthatmightembitterherwholelife，hadoccurredtoClayton；butatsuchmomentsthefigureofRainescameintothephilanthropicpictureformingslowlyinhismind，andhisconsciencewasquieted。Hecouldseethemtogether；thegradualchangethatEasterwouldbringaboutinhim，theinfluenceofthetwoontheirfellows。Themining—campgrewintoatownwithamodestchurchontheoutskirts，andacottagewhereRainesandEasterwereinstalled。Theystoodbetweentheoldcivilizationandthenew，understandingboth，andprotectingthenativestrengthoftheonefromthevicesoftheother，andtrainingitaftermorebreadthandrefinement。ButRainesandEasterdidnotlendthemselvestothepicturesoreadily，andgraduallyitgrewvagueandshadowy，andthefigureofthemountaineerwasblurred。
Claytondidnotbringharmonytothetwo。Atfirsthesawnothingofthemountaineer，andwhentheymetatthecabinRainesremainedonlyashorttime。IfEastercaredforhimatall，shedidnotshowit。Howhewasregardedbythemother，Claytonhadlearnedlongago，when，inanswertooneofhisquestions，shehadsaid，withalookatEaster，that"Raineswasthelikeliestyoungfellerinthemmountains"；that"heknewmorn’nanybodyroundthar"；that"hehadspentayearinthesettlemints，wasmightyreligious，andwouldonedaybeacircuit—rider。Anyhow，"sheconcluded，"hewasamightygoodfriendo’theirn。"
ButasforEaster，shetreatedhimwithunvaryingindifference，thoughClaytonnoticedshewasmorequietandreservedinthemountaineer’spresence；and，whatwasunintelligibletohim，sherefusedtospeakofherstudieswhenRaineswasatthecabin，andwarnedhermotherwithanangryfrownwhenthelatterbegantellingthemountaineerof"whutachangehadcomeoverEaster，andhowshereckonedthegalwasa—gittin’eddicatedenoughfertoteachanybodyinthemountains，shewasa—larnin’somuch。"
Afterthatlittleincident，hemetRainesatthecabinoftener。Themountaineerwasalwaystaciturn，thoughhelistenedcloselywhenanythingwassaid，andevenwhenaddressedbyEaster’smotherhisattention，Claytonnoticed，wasfixedonEasterandhimself。Hefeltthathewasbeingwatched，anditirritatedhim。Hehadtriedtobefriendlywiththemountaineer，buthisadvanceswerereceivedwithareservethatwasalmostsuspicion。Astimewenton，themountaineer’svisitsincreasedinfrequencyandinlength，andatlastonenighthestayedsolongthat，forthefirsttime，Claytonlefthimthere。
Neitherspokeaftertheyoungengineerwasgone。ThemountaineersatlookingcloselyatEaster，whowaslistlesslywatchingthemoonasitroseabovetheCumberlandRangeandbroughtintoviewthewaveringoutlineofPineMountainandtheshadowedvalleybelow。Itwasevidentfromhisfaceandhiseyes，whichglowedwiththesuppressedfireofsomepowerfulemotionwithin，thathehadremainedforapurpose；andwhenheroseandsaid，"IreckonIbetterbea—goin’，Easter，"hisvoicewassounnaturalthatthegirllookedupquickly。
Hitairlate，"shesaid，afteraslightpause。
Hisfaceflushed，buthesethislipsandcaughtthebackofhischair，asthoughtosteadyhimself。
"Ireckon，"hesaid，withslowbitterness，"thathitwould’a’beenearlylongasthefurrinerwashyeh。"
Thegirlwasrousedinstantly，butshesaidnothing，andhecontinued，inadeterminedtone：
"Easter，thar’sagooddealI’vewantedtosaytoyeferalongtime，butIhevkepta—puttin’hitoffuntilI’mafeardmaybehitairtoolate。ButI’ma—goin’tosayhitnow，andIwantyetolisten。"Heclearedhisthroathuskily。"Doyeknow，Easter，whatfolksinthemountainsisa—sayin’？
Thegirl’squickinsighttoldherwhatwascoming，andherfacehardened。
"Haveyeeverknowedme，SherdRaines，tokeerwhatfolksinthemountainssay？Ireckonyemeanashowtheyaira—talkin’aboutmeThat’swhatImean，"saidthemountaineer—"you’n’him。"
"Whutairtheya—sayin’？"sheasked，defiantly。Raineswatchedhernarrowly。
"Theyaira—sayin’ashowheaira—comin’upheremightyoften；ashowEasterHicks，whohevneverkeeredfernoman，airinlovewiththisfurrinerfromthesettlemints。"
Thegirlreddened，inspiteofherassumedindifference。
"They—say，too，ashowheairnotinlovewithher，’n’thatsomebodyoughterwarnEasterthatheairnota—meanin’goodtoher。Youhevbeenseeda—walkin’inthemountainstogether。"
"Whoseedme？"sheasked，withquicksuspicion。Themountaineerhesitated。
Ihev，"hesaid，doggedly。
Thegirl’sanger，whichhadbeenkindlingagainsthergossipingfellows，blazedoutagainstRaines。
You’vebeenwatchin’me，"shesaid，angrily。"Whogiveyetherighttodoit？Whatcallhevyetocomehyarandtellmewhutfolksisasayin’？Isitanyo’yo’business？Iwanttotellye，SherdRaines"—herutterancegrewthick—"thatIkintakekeero’myself；
thatIdon’tkeerwhatfolkssay；’n’Iwantyetokeepawayfromme。
’N’efIseesyea—hangin’round’n’a—spyin’，ye’llbesorryferit。"Hereyesblazed，shehadrisenanddrawnherselfstraight，andherhandswereclinched。
Themountaineerstoodmotionless。"Thar’sanotherwho’sseedye，"hesaid，quietly—"upthar，"pointingtoawoodedmountain，thetopofwhichwaslostinmist。Thegirl’sattitudechangedinstantlyinto—vaguealarm，andhereyesflasheduponRainesasthoughtheywouldseartheirwayintothemeaninghiddeninhisquietface。Graduallyhismotiveseemedtobecomeclear，andsheadvancedasteptowardhim。
"Soyou’vefoundoutwhardadisa—hidin’？"shesaid，hervoicetremulouswithrageandscorn。N’yeairmeanandsorryenoughtosomehyeh’n’tellmeye’llgivehimuptothelawefIdon’tknuckledown’n’dowhatyewantsme？
Shepausedamoment。Washersuspicioncorrect？Whydidhenotspeak？Shedidnotreallybelievewhatshesaid。Coulditbetrue？
Hernostrilsquivered；shetriedtospeakagain，buthervoicewaschokedwithpassion。Withasuddenmovementshesnatchedherriflefromitsplace，andthesteelflashedinthemoonlightandceasedinashininglinestraightatthemountaineer’sbreast。
"Lookhyeh，SherdRaines，"shesaid，inlow，unsteadytones，"I
knowyouairreligious，’n’Iknowashow，wheny’ugiveyerword，you’lldowhatyousay。Now，Iwantyetoholdupyerrighthandandsw’arthatyou’llnevertellalivin’soulthatyouknowwhardadisa—hidin’。"
Rainesdidnotturnhisface，whichwasasemotionlessasstone。
Airyegoin’tosw’ar？"sheasked，withfierceimpatience。Withoutlookingather，hebegantospeak—veryslowly：
"DoyethinkI’mfoolenoughtotrytogainyergood—willbya—tellin’onyerdad？Wewereonthemountains，him’n’me，weseedyou’n’thefurriner。Yerdadthoughthitwasaspy，’n’hewhippeduphisgun’n’would’a’shothimdeadinhistracksefI
hadn’thinderedhim。
DoesthatlooklikeIwantedtohurtthe’furriner？Ihevknowedyerdadwasupinthemountainsallthetime，’n’Ihevbeena—totin’
thingsferhimtoeat。DoesthatlooklikeIwantedtohandhimovertothelaw？"
Thegirlhadlettheriflefall。Movingaway，shestoodleaningonitintheshadow，lookingdown。
"YouwanttoknowwhatcallIhevtowatchye，’n’seethatnoharmcomestoye。Yerdadgivemetheright。Youknowhowhehatesfurriners，’n’whuthewoulddoefhehappenedtorunacrossthisfurrineratterhehasbeendrinkin’。I’ma—meddlin’becauseIhevtoldhimthatIamgoin’totakekeero’ye，’n’Imeantodoit—efyehatesmeferit。I’ma—watchin’ye，Easter，"hecontinued，"’n’Iwantyetoknowit。Iknowedthefurrinerbeguncomm’herecauseyeairnotlikegalsinthesettlemints。Y’uairascur’ustohimasoneo’
thembugsan’sich—likethathe’salwaysa—pickin’upinthewoods。
Ihevn’tsaidnuthin’toyerdad，ferfearo’hisharmin’thefurriner；
butIhevseedthatyelikehim，an’hit’stimenowfermetomeddle。
Efhewasinlovewithye，doyethinkhewouldmarryye？Ihevbeeninthesettle—mints。Folkstharairnotaswecitizensair。Theyairbigoted’n’high—heeled，’n’theylookdownonus。Itellye，too—
’n’hitairferyerowngood—heairinlovewithsomebodyinthesettlemints。Ihevheerdit，’n’Ihevseedhima—lookin’atapicterinhisroomezamandon’tlookathissister。Theysayhit’sher。
"Thar’sonethingmore，Easter，"heconcluded，ashesteppedfromtheporch。"Heisa—goin’away。Iheardhimsayityestiddy。Whatwillyedowhenhe’sgoneefyeletsyerselfgittothinkin’somuchofhimnow？I’vewarnedyenow，Easter，feryerowngood，thoughyemoughtthinkI’ma—workin’fermyself。ButIknowIhevdonewhutIought。I’vewarnedye，’n’yekindowhutyeplease，butI’ma—watchin’ye。"
Thegirlsaidnothing，butstoodrigid，witheyeswideopenandfacetense，asthemountaineer’sstepsdiedaway。Shewasbewilderedbytheconfusedemotionsthatswayedher。Whyhadshenotindignantlydeniedthatshewasinlovewiththe"furriner"？
Raineshadnothinteditasasuspicion。Hehadspokenitoutrightasafact，andhemusthavethoughtthathersilenceconfirmedit。
Hehadsaidthatthe"furriner"carednothingforher，andhaddaredtotellherthatshewasinlovewithhim。Hercheeksbegantobum。
Shewouldcallhimbackandtellhimthatshecarednomoreforthe"furriner"thanshedidforhim。Shestartedfromthesteps，butpaused，straininghereyesthroughthedarkness。Itwastoolate，and，withahelplesslittlecry，shebeganpacingtheporch。Shehadscarcelyheardwhatwassaidafterthemountaineer’sfirstaccusation，socompletelyhadthatenthralledhermind；nowfragmentscamebacktoher。Therewassomethingaboutapicture—ah!sherememberedthatpicture。Passingthroughthecamponeafternoon，shehadglancedinatawindowandhadseenarifleonceherown。Turninginrapidwonderabouttheroom，hereyelighteduponapictureonatablenearthewindow。Shehadfelttherefinedbeautyofthegirl，andithadimpressedherwiththesametimiditythatClaytonhadwhenshefirstknewhim。
Fascinated，shehadlookedtilla—movementintheroommadehershrinkaway。Butthefacehadclunginhermemoryeversince，andnowitcamebeforehervividly。Claytonwasinlovewithher。
Well，whatdidthatmattertoher？
TherewasmorethatRainessaid。"Goin’away。"Rainesmeantthe"furriner，"ofcourse。Howdidheknow？WhyhadClaytonnottoldher？Shedidnotbelieveit。Butwhynot？Hehadoncetoldherthathewouldgoawaysometime；whynotnow？Butwhy—whydidnotClaytontellher？Perhapshewasgoingtoher。Shealmoststretchedoutherhandsinasudden，fiercedesiretoclutchtheroundthroatandsinkhernailsintothesoftfleshthatrosebeforehermind。Shehadforgottenthathehadevertoldherthathemustgoaway，solittlehaditimpressedheratthetime。Shehadneverthoughtofapossiblechangeintheirrelationsorintheirlives。Shetriedtothinkwhatherlifewouldbeafterhewasgone，andshewasfrightened；shecouldnotimagineheroldliferesumed。WhenClaytoncame，itwasasthoughshehadrisenfromsleepinadream，andhadlivedinitthereafterwithoutquestioningitsreality。
Intohishandsshehaddeliveredherlifeandherselfwiththeundoubtingfaithofachild。Shehadneverthoughtoftheirrelationsatall。Nowtheawakeninghadcome。Thedreamwasshattered。Forthefirsttimehereyewasturnedinward，whereafloodoflightbroughtintoterribledistinctnessthetumultthatbegantoragesosuddenlywithin。
Onehopeonlyflashedintoherbrain—perhapsRaineswasmistaken。Buteventhen，ifhewere，Claytonmustgosometime；
hehadtoldherthat。Onthisfacteverythoughtbecamecentred。Itwasnolongerhowhecame，therichnessofthenewlifehehadshownher，thebarrennessoftheold，Raines’saccusation，theshameofit—theshameofbeingpointedoutandlaughedatafterClayton’sdeparture；itwasnolongerhelplesswonderatthefierceemotionsrackingherforthefirsttime：herwholebeingwasabsorbedintherealizationwhichslowlyforceditselfintoherheartandbrain—somedayhemustgoaway；somedayshemustlosehim。
Sheliftedherhandstoherheadinadazed，ineffectualway。Themoonlightgrewfaintbeforehereyes；mountain，sky，andmistwerein—distinguishablyblurred；andthegirlsankdownuponhertremblingknees，downtillshelaycrouchedonthefloorwithhertearlessfaceinherarms。
Themoonrosehighaboveherandsankdownthewest。Theshadowsshortenedandcreptbacktothewoods，nightnoisesgrewfainter，andthemistsfloatedupfromthevalleyandClungaroundthemountain—tops；butshestirredonlywhenaquerulousvoicecamefromwithinthecabin。
"Easter，"itsaid，"efSherdRainesairgone，y’ubettercomeintobed。Y’u’vegotaloto’worktodoto—morrer。"
Thevoicecalledhertothehomelydutiesthathadoncefilledherlifeandmustfillitagain。Itwasasummonstobeginanewalifethatwasdead，andthegirlliftedherhaggardfaceinanswerandrosewearily。
VII
ONthefollowingSundaymorning，whenClaytonwalkeduptothecabin，Easterandhermotherwereseatedintheporch。Hecalledtothemcheerilyasheclimbedoverthefence，butonlythemotheranswered。Easterroseasheapproached，and，withoutspeaking，wentwithindoors。Hethoughtshemustbeill，sothinanddrawnwasherface，buthermothersaid，carelessly：
Oh，hit’sonlyoneo’Easter’sspells。She’sbeensorto’puny’n’
triflin’o’late，butIreckonshe’llbeallrightag’ininadayortwo。"
Asthegirldidnotappearagain，Claytonconcludedthatshewaslyingdown，andwentawaywithoutseeingher。Hermannerhadseemedalittleodd，but，attributingthattoill—ness，hethoughtnothingfurtheraboutit。Tohissurprise，theincidentwasrepeated，andthereafter，tohiswonder，thegirlseemedtoavoidhim。Theirintimacywasbrokensharplyoff。WhenClaytonwasatthecabin，eithershedidnotappearorelsekeptherselfbusiedwithhouseholdduties。Theirstudiesceasedabruptly。Easterhadthrownherbooksintoacorner，hermothersaid，anddidnothingbutmopeallday；andthoughsheinsistedthatitwasonlyoneofthegirl’s"spells，"itwasplainthatsomethingwaswrong。Easter’sfaceremainedthinanddrawn，andacquiredgraduallyahard，dogged，almostsullenlook。ShespoketoClaytonrarely，andthenonlyinmonosyllables。Sheneverlookedhimintheface，andifhisgazerestedintentlyonher，asshesatwitheyesdowncastandhandsfolded，sheseemedtoknowitatonce。Herfacewouldcolorfaintly，herhandsfoldandunfoldnervously，andsometimesshewouldriseandgowithin。Hehadnoopportunityofspeakingwithheralone。Sheseemedtoguardagainstthat，and，indeed，Raines’spresencealmostpreventedit，forthemountaineerwastherealways，andalwaysnowthelasttoleave。Hesatusuallyintheshadowofthevine，andthoughhis—facewasunseen，Claytoncouldfeelhiseyesfixeduponhimwithanintensitythatsometimesmadehimnervous。Themountaineerhadevidentlybeguntomisinterprethisvisitstothecabin。Claytonwasregardedasarival。
Inwhatotherlight，indeed，couldheappeartoRaines？Friendlycallsbetweenyoungpeopleofoppositesexwererareinthemountains。Whenayoungmanvisitedayoungwoman，hisintentionsweresupposedtobeserious。Raineswasplainlyjealous。
ButEaster？Whatwas’thereasonforheroddbehavior？Couldshe，too，havemisconstruedhisintentionsasRaineshad？Itwasimpossible。Butevenifshehad，hismannerhadinnowisechanged。Someoneelsehadarousedhersuspicions，andifanyoneitmusthavebeenRaines。Itwasnotthemother，hefeltsure。
ForsometimeClayton’smotherandsisterhadbeenurginghimtomakeavisithome。Hehadaskedleaveofabsence，butitwasabusytime，andhehaddelayedindefinitely。Inafort—night，however，thestressofworkwouldbeover，andthenhemeanttoleave。Duringthatfortnighthewasstrangelytroubled。Hedidnotleavethecamp，buthismindwasbusiedwiththoughtsofEaster—nothingbutEaster。Timeandagainhehadreviewedtheiracquaintanceminutelyfromthebeginning，buthecouldfindnocauseforthechangeinher。Whenhisworkwasdone，hefoundhimselfclimbingthemountainoncemore。Hemeanttosolvethemysteryifpossible。HewouldtellEasterthathewasgoinghome。
Surelyshewouldbetraysomefeelingthen。
Attheoldfencewhichhehadclimbedsooftenhestopped，aswashiscustom，torestamoment，withhiseyesonthewildbeautybeforehim—thegreatvalley，withmistsfloatingfromitsgloomydepthsintothetremulousmoonlight；farthroughtheradiantspacethestill，darkmassesoftheCumberlandliftedinmajestyagainsttheeast；andintheshadowofthegreatcliffthevagueoutlinesoftheoldcabin，asstillastheawfulsilencearoundit。Alightwasvisible，buthecouldhearnovoices。Still，heknewhewouldfindtheoccupantsseatedintheporch，heldbythatstrangequietwhichnatureimposesonthosewhodwellmuchalonewithher。Hehadnotbeentothecabinforseveralweeks，andwhenhespokeEasterdidnotreturnhisgreeting；Rainesnoddedalmostsurlily，butfromthemothercame，asalways，acordialwelcome。
"I’mmightygladtoseeye，"shesaid；"youhaven’tbeenupferalongtime。"
No，"answeredClayton；"Ihavebeenverybusy—gettingreadytogohome。"HehadwatchedEastercloselyashespoke，butthegirldidnotliftherface，andshebetrayednoemotion，notevensurprise；
nordidRaines。Onlythemothershowedgenuineregret。Thegirl’sapathyfilledhimwithbitterdisappointment。Shehadrelapsedintobarbarismagain。Hewasafooltothinkthatinafewmonthshecouldcounteractinfluencesthathadbeenmouldinghercharacterforacentury。Hispurposehadbeenunselfish。Curiosity，thegirl’sbeauty，hisincreasingpoweroverher，hadstimulatedhim，tobesure，buthehadbeenconscientiousandearnest。Somehowhewasmorethandisappointed；hewashurtdeeply，notonlythatheshouldhavebeensomisunderstood，butforthelackofgratitudeinthegirl。Hewasbewildered。Whatcouldhavehappened？CouldRainesreallyhavepoisonedhermindagainsthim？WouldEastersoeasilybelievewhatmighthavebeensaidagainsthimandnotallowhimahearing？
"I’vebeenexpectingtotakeatriphomeforseveralweeks，"hefoundhimselfsayingamomentlater；"IthinkIshallgoto—morrow。"
Hehardlymeantwhathesaid；amomentarypiquehadforcedthewordsfromhim，but，oncespoken，hedeterminedtoabidebythem。Easterwasstirredfromherlethargyatlast，butClayton’sattentionwasdrawntoRaines’sstartofsurprise，andhedidnotseethegirl’sfaceagitatedforaninstant，norherhandsnervouslytremblinginherlap。
"Ter—morrer!"criedtheoldwoman。"Why，ye’mosttakemybreathaway。Ideclar’，I’mdownrightsorryyou’regoin’，Ihevtuksechashinetoye。Ikindo’thinkI’llmissyemore’nEaster。"
Raines’seyesturnedtothegirl，asdidClay—ton’s。Notasuggestionofcolordisturbedthepallorofthegirl’sface，oncemorecomposed，andshesaidnothing。
You’resojolly’n’lively，"continuedthemother，’n’yeallushevsomuchtosay。YouairnotlikeEaster’n’Sherdhyar，whotalk’boutasmuchastwostumps。IsupposeI’llhevtositup’n’talktothemoonwhenyouairgone。"
Themountaineerroseabruptly，and，thoughhespokequietly，hecouldhardlycontrolhimself。
"Ezmycompanyseemstobeunwelcometoye，"hesaid，"Ikintakeitawayfromye，’n’Iwill。"
Beforetheoldwomancouldrecoverherself，hewasgone。
Well，"sheejaculated，"whutkinbethematterwithSherd？Hehevgotmightycur’ushyaroflate，’n’sohevEaster。Allo’yebeena—settin’uphyarezefyouwasataburyin’。I’ma—goin’tobed。You’n’Easterkinsetuplongasyeplease。Isupposeyouaircomm’
backag’intoseeus，"shesaid，turningtoClayton。
"Idon’tknow，"heanswered。"Imaynot；butIsha’n’tforgetyou。"
"Well，Iwishyegoodluck。"Claytonshookhandswithher，andshewentwithindoors。
Thegirlhadrisen，too，withhermother，andwasstandingintheshadow。
"Good—byEaster，"saidClayton，holdingouthishand。
Assheturnedhecaughtoneglimpseofherfaceinthemoonlight，anditswhitenessstartledhim。Herhandwascoldwhenhetookit，andhervoicewasscarcelyaudibleasshefaintlyrepeatedhiswords。Sheliftedherfaceastheirhandswereunclasped，andherlipsquiveredmutelyasiftryingtospeak，buthehadturnedtogo。
Foramomentshewatchedhisdarkeningfigure，andthenwithstifledbreathalmoststaggeredintothecabin。
Theroadwoundaroundthecliffandbackagain，andasClaytonpickedhiswayalongithewasoppressedbyastrangeuneasiness。
Easter’sface，ashelastsawit，layinhismindlikeakeenreproach。
Couldhehavebeenmistaken？Hadhebeentoohasty？Herecalledtheeventsoftheevening。HebegantoseethatitwassignificantthatRaineshadshownnosurprisewhenhespokeofgoinghome，andyethadseemedalmoststartledbythesuddennessofhisdeparture。Perhapsthemountaineerknewhewasgoing。Itwasknownatthecamp。Ifheknew，thenEastermusthaveknown。
Perhapsshehadfelthurtbecausehehadnotspokentoherearlier。
WhatmightRainesnothavetoldher，andhonestly，too？Perhapshewasunconsciouslyconfirmingallthemountaineermighthavesaid。Heoughttohavespokentoher。Perhapsshecouldnotspeaktohim。Hewheeledsuddenlyinthepathtoreturntothecabin，andstoppedstill。
Somethingwashurryingdownthroughtheundergrowthofthecliffsidewhichtowereddarklybehindhim。Nearerandnearerthebushescrackledasthoughsomehuntedanimalwereflyingforlifethroughthem，andthenthroughthelaurel—hedgeburstthefigureofawoman，whosanktothegroundinthepathbe—forehim。Theflashofyellowhairandawhitefaceinthemoonlighttoldhimwhoitwas。
"Easter，Easter!"heexclaimed，insickeningfear。"MyGod!isthatyou？Why，whatisthematter，child？Whatareyoudoinghere？"
Hestoopedabovethesobbinggirl，andpulledawayherhandsfromherface，tear—stainedandbrokenwithpain。Thelimitofherself—repressionwasreachedatlast；thetensenerves，strainedtoomuch，hadbroken；andthepassion，solongchecked，surgedthroughherlikefire。Ah，God!whathadhedone？Hesawthetruthatlast。Inanimpulseoftendernessheliftedthegirltoherfeetandheldher，sobbinguncontrollably，inhisarms，withherheadagainsthisbreast，andhischeekonherhair，soothingherasthoughshehadbeenachild。
Presentlyshefeltakissonherforehead。Shelookedupwithasuddenfiercejoyinhereyes，andtheirlipsmet。
VIII
CLAYTONshunnedallself—questioningafterthatnight。Stirredtothedepthsbythatembraceonthemountain—side，hegavehimselfwhollyuptotheloveorinfatuation—hedidnotaskwhich—thatenthralledhim。Whateveritwas，itsgrowthhadbeensubtleandswift。Therewasinitthethrillthatmightcomefromtamingsomewildcreaturethathadneverknowncontrol，andthegentlenessthattoanygenerousspiritsuchpowerwouldbring。These，withthemagnetismofthegirl’sbeautyandpersonality，andtheinfluenceofherenvironment，hehadfeltforalongtime；butnowricherchordsweresetvibratinginresponsetohergreatlove，thestruggleshehadagainstitsdisclosure，theappealfortendernessandprotectioninherfinaldefeat。Itwasideal，hetoldhimself，ashesankintothedeliciousdream；theytwoalonewithnature，aboveallhumanlife，withitsrestraints，itshardships，itsevils，itsdistress。Forthemwasthefreedomoftheopenskyliftingitsdomeabovethemountains；
forthemnothinglesskindlythanthesunshiningitsbenediction；
fortheireyesonlythechangingbeautiesofdayandnight；fortheirearsnosoundharsherthanthedrippingofdeworabird—song；forthemyouth，health，beauty，love。Anditwasprimevallove，theloveofthefirstwomanforthefirstman。Sheknewnoconvention，noprudery，nodoubt。Herlifewasimpulse，andherimpulsewaslove。Shewastheteachernow，andhethetaught；andhestoodinwonderwhentheplanthehadtendedfloweredintosuchbeautyinasinglenight。Ah，thehappy，happydaysthatfollowed!Theveilthathadforalongtimebeenunfoldingitselfbetweenhimandhispreviouslifeseemedtohavealmostfallen，andtheywereleftalonetotheirhappiness。Themotherkeptherowncounsel。RaineshaddisappearedasthoughDeathhadclaimedhim。Andthedreamlastedtillasummonshomebrokeintoitasthesuddenflaringupofacandlewillshatterareverieattwilight。
IX
THEsummonswasfromhisfather，andwasemphatic；andClaytondidnotdelay。Thegirlacceptedhisdeparturewithapaleface，butwithaquietsubmissionthattouchedhim。OfRaineshehadseennothingandheardnothingsincethenighthehadleftthecabininanger；butashecamedownthemountainafterbiddingEastergood—by，hewasstartledbythemountaineersteppingfromthebushesintothepath。
Yeaira—goin’home，Ihear，"hesaid，quietly。
"Yes，"answeredClayton；"atmidnight。"
Well，I’llwalkdownwithyeapiece，efyedon’tmind。Hit’snotouto’myway。"
Ashespokehisfacewasturnedsuddenlytothemoonlight。Thelinesinithadsunkdeeper，givingitalmostanagedlook；theeyeswerehollowasfromphysicalsufferingorfromfasting。HeprecededClaytondownthepath，withheadbent，andsayingnothingtilltheyreachedthespurofthemountain。Theninthesamevoice：
"Iwanttotalktoyeawhile，’n’I’dliketohevyestepintermyhouse。Idon’tmeanyenoharm，"headded，quickly，"’n’hitain’tfer。"
Certainly，"saidClayton。
Themountaineerturnedintothewoodsbyanarrowpath，andsoontheoutlinesofamiserablelittlehutwerevisiblethroughthedarkwoods。Rainesthrustthedooropen。Thesingleroomwasdarkexceptforafewdullcoalsinagloomycavernwhichformedthefireplace。
Sitdown，efyekinfindacheer，"saidRaines，"’n’I’llfixupthefire。"
Doyouliveherealone？"askedClayton。Hecouldhearthekeen，smoothsoundofthemountaineer’sknifegoingthroughwood。
"Yes，"heanswered；"ferfiveyear。"
Thecoalsbrightened；tinyflamesshotfromthem；inamomenttheblazecaughtthedryfagots，andshadowsdancedoverthefloor，wall，andceiling，andvanishedasthemountaineerrosefromhisknees。Theroomwasasbareasthecellofamonk。Aroughbedstoodinonecorner；afewutensilshungnearthefireplace，whereinwereremnantsofpotatoesroastingintheashes，andclosetothewoodenshutterwhichservedasawindowwasaboardtable。
Onitlayalargebook—aBible—apen，abottleofink，andapieceofpaperonwhichwereletterstracedwithgreatcareanddifficulty。
Themountaineerdidnotsitdown，butbeganpacingthefloorbehindClayton。Claytonmovedhischair，andRainesseemedunconsciousofhispresenceaswitheyesonthefloorhetraversedthenarrowwidthofthecabin。
Y’uhevn’tseedmeuponthemount’inlately，hevye？"heasked。
"Ireckonyehaven’tmissedmemuch。DoyeknowwhutI’vebeendoin’？"hesaid，withsuddenvehemence，stoppingstillandrestinghiseyes，whichglowedlikeananimal’sfromthedarkenedendofthecabin，onClayton。
"I’vebeentryin’tokeepfromkillin’ye。Oh，don’tmove—don’tfearnow；yeairassafeasefyeweredowninthecamp。Iseedyethatnightonthemount’in，"hecontinued，pacingrapidlybackandforth。"Iwaswaitin’ferye。ImeanttotellyejestwhutI’mgoin’totellyeter—night；’n’whenEastercomea—tearin’throughthebushes，’n’Iseedye—ye—a—standin’together"—thewordsseemedtostopinhisthroat—"IknowedIwastoolate。
"Isottharferaminutelikearock，’n’whenyetwowentbackupthemount’in，beforeIknoweditIwashyerinthehousetharatthefiremouldin’abullettokillyewithasyecomeback。AllatoncetIheerdavoiceplainasmyownisatthisminute：
"’Airyoua—thinkin’’bouttakin’thelifeofafellow—creatur，SherdRaines—youthatairtryin’tobeaservanto’theLord？’"
"ButIkeptona—mouldin’，’n’suddenlyIseedyea—layin’intheroaddead，’n’theheavensopened’n’thefaceo’theLordwasthar，’n’heraisedhishandtosmitemewiththebrando’Cain—’n’lookthar!"
Claytonhadsatspellboundbytheterribleearnestnessoftheman，andasthemountaineerswepthisdarkhairbackwithonehand，heroseinsuddenhorror。Acrossthemountaineer’sforeheadranacrimsonscaryetunhealed。Couldhehaveinflicteduponhimselfthisfearfulpenance？
Oh，itwasonlythemoulds。IseeditallsoplainthatIthrowedupmyhands，fergittin’themoulds，’n’thehotleadstruckmethar；
but，"hecontinued，solemnly，"IknowedtheLordhedtukthatwayo’punishin’meferthesinohavin’murderinmymind，’n’Ifellonmykneesrightthara—prayin’ferfergiveness：’n’sincethatnightI
hevstayedawayfromyetilltheLordgivemepowertostandag’inthetemptationo’harmin’ye。Hehevshowedmeanotherway，’n’
nowIhevcometoyeashehevtol’me。Ihevn’ttol’yethisfernothin’。Y’uinseenowwhutIthinko’Easter，efIwastemptedtotakethelifeo’themanwhotukherfromme，’n’IreckonyewillsayI’vegottherighttoaxyewhutI’ma—goin’to。Ihevknowedthegalsenceshewasababy。Wewaschildrentogether，andtharhain’tnousehidin’thatIneverkeeredastrawferanutherwoman。
Sheusedtobemightywilful’n’contrary，butassoonasyoucomeI
seedatoncetthatachangewascomm’overher。Imistrustedye，’n’Iwarnedherag’in’ye。ButwhenIl’arnedthatyewasa—teachin’
her，anda—doin’whutIhadtriedmybesttodo’n’failed，Iletthingsrunalong，thinkin’thatmebbeever’thingwouldcomeoutright，afterall。Mebbehitairallright，butIcometoyenow，’n’Iaxyeinthenameofthelivin’God，whoisa—watchin’youa—guidin’me，airyegoin’toleavethepo’galtodiesorrowin’ferye，ordoyeaimtocomeback’n’marryher？
Raineshadstoppednowinthecentreofthecabin，andtheshadowsflickeringslowlyoverhimgaveanunearthlyaspecttohistall，gauntfigure，ashestoodwithupliftedarm，paleface，glowingeyes，anddisorderedhair。
"Thegalhasn’tgotnoprotecter—herdad，asyouknow，isa—hidin’
fromjesticeinthemount’ins—andI’ma—standin’inhisplace，’n’Iaxyetodoonlywhutyouknowyeought。"
Therewasnothingthreateninginthemountaineer’sattitude，nordictatorial；andClaytonfelthisrighttosaywhathehad，inspiteofanaturalimpulsetoresentsuchinterference。Besides，theresprangupinhisheartasuddengreatadmirationforthisrough，uncouthfellowwhowascapableofsuchunselfishness；who，truetothetrustofherfatherandhisGod，wasputtingasidethestrongestpassionofhislifeforwhathebelievedwasthehappinessofthewomanwhohadinspiredit。Hesaw，too，thatthesacrificewasmadewithperfectunconsciousnessthatitwasunusualoradmirable。Herosetohisfeet，andthetwomenfacedeachother。
"Ifyouhadtoldmethislongago，"saidClayton，"Ishouldhavegoneaway，butyouseemeddistrustfulandsuspicious。Ididnotexpectthepresentstateofaffairstocomeabout，butsinceithas，I
tellyoufranklythatIhaveneverthoughtofdoinganythingelsethanwhatyouhaveasked。"
Andhetoldthetruth，forhehadalreadyaskedhimselfthatquestion。Whyshouldhenotmarryher？Hemustinallprobabilitystayinthemountainsforyears，andafterthattimehewouldnotbeashamedtotakeherhome，sostrongwashisbeliefinherquicknessandadaptibility。
Rainesseemedscarcelytobelievewhatheheard。Hehadnotexpectedsuchreadyacquiescence。HehadalmostbeguntofearfromClayton’ssilencethathewasgoingtorefuse，andthen—Godknowswhathewouldhavedone。
Instantlyhestretchedouthishand。
"Ihevdoneyegreatwrong，’n’Iaxyerpar—din，"hesaid，huskily。
"IwanttosaythatIbearyenogredge，’n’thetIwishyewell。I
hopeyewon’tthinkhardonme，"hecontinued；"IhehadahardfightwiththedevilaslongasIcanricolect。Ihevturnedbacktime’n’ag’in，buttharhain’tnothin’terkeepmefromgoin’straightaheadnow。"
AsClaytonleftthecabin，themountaineerstoppedhimforamomentonthethreshold。
"Thar’sanotherthingIreckonIoughttotellye，"hesaid；"Easter’sdadairpowerfullysotag’inye。Hethoughtyewasanofficeratfust，’n’hitwashardtogithimouto’theideethetyewasspyin’ferhim；’n’whenheseedyegoin’tothehouse，hegotitinterhisheadthatyemoughtbemeanin’harmtoEaster，whoairtheonlythingalivethethekeersfermuch。Hepromisednottotechye，’n’I
knowedhewouldkeephiswordaslongashewassober。It’llbeallrightnow，Ireckon，"heconcluded，"whenItellhimwhutyeaimstodo，thoughhehevgotaspiteag’inallfurriners。Far’well!I
wishyewell；Iwishyewell。"
AnhourlaterClaytonwasinJellico。Itwasmidnightwhenthetraincamein，andhewentimmediatelytohisberth。Strikingthecurtainaccidentally，helooseditfromitsfastenings，and，doublingthepillows，helaylookingoutontheswiftlypassinglandscape。
Themoonwasfullandbrilliant，andtherewasastrange，keenpleasureinbeingwhirledinsuchcomfortthroughthenight。
Themistsalmosthidthemountains。Theyseemedvery，veryfaraway。
AredstartrembledinthecrestofWolfMountain。
Easter’scabinmustbealmostunderthatStar。Hewonderedifshewereasleep。
Perhapsshewasoutontheporch，lonely，suffering，andthinkingofhim。
Hefeltherkissandhertearsuponhishand。Didhenotloveher？
Couldtherebeanydoubtaboutthat？HisthoughtsturnedtoRaines，andhesawthemountaineerinhislonelycabin，sittingwithhisheadbowedinhishandsinfrontofthedyingfire。Heclosedhiseyes，andanotherpicturerosebeforehim—asceneathome。HehadtakenEastertoNewYork。Howbrilliantthelight!
whatwarmthandluxury!Therestoodhisfather，therehismother。
Whatgraciousdignitytheyhad!Herewashissister—whatbeautyandeleganceandgraceofmanner!ButEaster!Wherevershewasplacedtheotherfiguresneededreadjustment。Therewassomethingirritablyincongruous—Ah!nowhehadit—hismindgrewhazy—hewasasleep。
X
DURINGtheweeksthatfollowed，somemalignantspiritseemedtobetorturinghimwithaslowrealizationofallhehadlost；
tauntinghimwiththepossibilityofregainingitandthecertaintyoflosingitforever。
AshesteppedfromthedockatJerseyCitythefreshseawindhadthrilledhimlikeamemory，andhispulsesleapedinstantlyintosympathywiththetenselifethatvibratedintheair。Heseemednevertohavebeenawaysolong，andneverhadhomeseemedsopleasant。Hissisterhadgrownmorebeautiful；hismother’squiet，noblefacewassmootherandfairerthanithadbeenforyears；anddespitetheabsenceofhisfather，whohadbeenhastilysummonedtoEngland，therewasanairofcheerfulnessinthehousethatwasinmarkedcontrasttoitsgloomwhenClaytonwaslastathome。
Hehadbeenquickenedatonceintoanewappreciationoftheluxuryandrefinementabouthim，andhesoonbegantowonderhowhehadinuredhimselftothediscomfortsandcruditiesofhismountainlife。Oldhabitseasilyresumedswayoverhim。
Attheclubfriendandacquaintanceweresounfeignedlygladtoseehimthathebegantosuspectthathisowninnergloomhaddarkenedtheirfacesafterhisfather’smisfortune。Dayafterdayfoundhiminhisfavoritecornerattheclub，watchingthepassingpageantandlisteningeagerlytotheconversationalfrothofthetown—thegossipofclub，theatre，andsociety。Hisasceticlifeinthemountainsgavetoeverypleasurethetasteofinexperience。Hisearlyyouthseemedrenewed，sokeenandfreshwerehisemotions。Hefelt，too，thathewasrecoveringalostidentity，andstillthenewonethathadgrownaroundhimwouldnotloosenitshold。HehadtoldhisfamilynothingofEaster—why，hecouldscarcelyhavesaid—andthedifficultyoftellingincreasedeachday。
Hissecretbegantoweighheavilyuponhim；andthoughhedeterminedtounburdenhimselfonhisfather’sreturn，hewastroubledwithavaguesenseofdeception。Whenhewenttoreceptionswithhissister，thissenseofadoubleidentitywaskeenlyfeltamidthelights，themusic，theflowers，theflashofeyesandwhitenecksandarms，thelowvoices，thepolite，clear—cututterancesofwelcomeandcompliment。
Severaltimeshehadmetafaceforwhichhehadoncehadaboyishinfatuation。Itsimagehadneverbeensupplantedduringhisstudentcareer，buthehadturnedfromitasfromastarwhenhecamehomeandfoundthathislifewastobebuiltwithhisownhands。Nowthegirlhadgrowntograciouswomanhood，andwhenhesawherhewasthrilledwiththeremembrancethatshehadoncefavoredhimaboveallothers。Onenightadesireassailedhimtolearnuponwhatfootinghethenstood。Hehadyielded，andshegavehimakindlywelcome。Theyhaddriftedtoreminiscence，andClaytonwenthomethatnighttroubledatheartandangrythatheshouldbesoeasilydisturbed；surprisedthatthedayswerepassingsoswiftly，andpainedthattheywerefilledlessandlesswiththoughtsofEaster。Withapangofremorseandfear，hedeterminedtogobacktothemountainsassoonashisfathercamehome。Heknewtheeffectofhabit。Hewouldforgetthesepleasuresfeltsokeenlynow，ashehadonceforgottenthem，andhewouldleavebeforetheirholduponhimwassecure。
Knowingthedangerthatbesethim，Puritanthathewas，hehadavoideditallhecould。Heevenstoppedhisdailyvisitstotheclub，andspentmostofhistimeathomewithhismotherandsister。Onceonly，tohisbitterregret，washeinducedtogoout。
Wagner’stidalwavehadreachedNewYork；itwastheopeningnightoftheseason，andtheoperawasonethathehadlearnedtoloveinGermany。Theverybrilliancyofthescenethrewhimintogloom，soaloofdidhefeelfromitall—thegreattheatreaflamewithlights，thecirclingtiersoffaces，thepitwithitshundredmusicians，theireyesontheleader，whostoodabovethemwithbatonupraisedandGermanfacealreadyaglow。
Inhisstudentdayshehadlovedmusic，buthehadlittlemorethantrifledwithit；now，strangelyenough，hislove，evenhisunderstanding，seemedtohavegrown；andwhentheviolinsthrilledallthevastspaceintolife，hewasshakenwithapassionnewlyborn。Alltheeveninghesatriveted。Arushofmemoriescameuponhim—memoriesofhisstudentlife，withitsdreamsandidealsofcultureandscholarship，whichrosefromhispastagainlikephantoms。Intheelevationofthemomentthetrivialpleasuresthathadbeentemptinghimbecamemeanandunworthy。Withapangofbitterregrethesawhimselfashemighthavebeen，asheyetmightbe。
Afewdayslaterhisfathercamehome，andhisdistressofmindwascomplete。Claytonneedstayinthemountainsbutlittlelonger，hesaid；hewasfastmakinguphislosses，andhehadhopedafterhistriptoEnglandtohaveClaytonatonceinNewYork；butnowhehadbestwaitperhapsanotheryear。Thenhadcomeastrugglethatrackedheartandbrain。Allhehadeverhadwasbeforehimagain。
Coulditbehisdutytoshuthimselffromthislife—hisnaturalheritage—tostiflethehighestdemandsofhisnature？Washeseriouslyinlovewiththatmountaingirl？Hadheindeedeverbeensureofhimself？
If，then，hedidnotloveherbeyondallquestion，wouldhenotwronghimself，wrongher，bymarryingher？Ah，butmighthenotwrongher，wronghimself—evenmore？
Hewasboundtoherbyeverytiethathissensitivehonorrecognizedamongthedutiesofonehumanbeingtoanother。