Hehadsoughther；hehadliftedheraboveherownlife。Ifonehumanbeinghadeverputitshappinessinthehandsofanother，thathadbeendone。Ifhehadnotdeliberatelytaughthertolovehim，hehadnottriedtopreventit。Hecouldnotexcusehimself；
　　thethoughtofgainingheraffectionhadoccurredtohim，andhehadputitaside。Therewasnoexcuse；forwhenshegaveherlove，hehadacceptedit，and，asfarassheknew，hadgivenhisownunreservedly。Ah，thatfatalmomentofweakness，thatnightonthemountam—side!Couldhetellher，couldhetellRaines，thetruth，andasktobereleased？WhatcouldEasterwithherdevotion，andRaineswithhissinglenessofheart，knowofthissubstituteforlovewhichcivilizationhadtaughthim？Or，grantingthattheycouldunderstand，hemightreturnhome；butEaster—whatwasleftforher？
　　Itwasuselesstotrytopersuadehimselfthatherlovewouldfadeaway，perhapsquickly，andleavenoscar；thatRaineswouldintimewinherforhimself，hisfirstideaoftheirunionberealized，and，intheend，allhappenforthebest。Thatmighteasilybepossiblewithadifferentnatureunderdifferentconditions—anaturelesspassionate，incontactwiththeworldandresponsivetovariedinterests；butnotwithEaster—alonewithalovethathadshamedhim，withmountain，earth，andskyunchanged，andthevacantdaysmarkedonlybyadrearyroundofwearisometasks。HerememberedRainesslastwords—"Airyegoin’toleavethepo’galtodiesorrowin’ferye？"Whathappinesswouldbepossibleforhimwiththatlonelymountain—topandthewhite，drawnfaceforeverhauntinghim？
　　Thatverynightalettercame，witharudesuperscription—thefirstfromEaster。Withinitwasapoortintype，fromwhichEaster’seyeslookedshylyathim。Beforehelefthehadtriedinvaintogethertothetentofanitinerantphotographer。Duringhisabsence，shehadevidentlygoneofherownaccord。Thefacewasverybeautiful，andinitwasanexpressionofquestioning，modestpride。
　　"Aren’tyousurprised？"itseemedtosay—"andpleased？Onlytheface，withitsdelicatelines，andthethroatandtheshoulderswerevisible。
　　Shelookedalmostrefined。Andthenote—itwasbadlyspelledandwrittenwithgreatdifficulty，butittouchedhim。Shewaslonely，shesaid，andshewantedhimtocomeback。Lonely—thatcrywasineachline。
　　Hisresponsetothiswasaninstantresolutiontogobackatonce，and，sensitiveandpliantashisnaturewas，therewasnohesitationforhimwhenhisdutywasclearandadecisiononcemade。Withgreatcareandperfectfranknesshehadtracedthehistoryofhisinfatuationinalettertohisfather，tobecommunicatedwhenthelatterchosetohismotherandsister。Nowhewasnearingthemountainsagain。
　　XI
　　THEjourneytothemountainswasmadewithaheavyheart。Inhisabsenceeverythingseemedtohavesufferedachange。Jellicohadneverseemedsosmall，socoarse，sowretchedaswhenhesteppedfromthedustytrainandsawitlyingdwarfedandshapelessintheafternoonsunlight。TheStatelinebisectsthestragglingstreetsofframe—houses。OntheKentuckysideanextraordinaryspasmofmoralityhadquietedintolocaloption。JustacrossthewayinTennesseewasarowofsaloons。Itwas"pay—day"fortheminers，andtheworstelementofallthemineswasdriftingintospendthefollowingSabbathinuncheckedvice。Severalrough，brawnyfellowswerealreadystaggeringfromTennesseeintoKentucky，andaroundonesaloonhungacrowdofslatternlynegroes，menandwomen。Heartsickwithdisgust，Claytonhurriedintothelanethatwoundthroughthevalley。Werethesehovels，heaskedhimselfinwonder，thecabinsheoncethoughtsopoetic，sopicturesque？Howwasitthattheysuggestednowonlyapitiablepovertyoflife？Fromeach，ashepassed，camearough，cordialshoutofgreeting。Whywashejarredsostrangely？Evennaturehadchanged。
　　Themountainsseemedstunted，lessbeautiful。Thelight，streamingthroughthewesterngapwithallthesplendorofamountainsunset，nolongerthrilledhim。Themoistfragranceoftheearthattwilight，thesadpipingsofbirdsbythewayside，thefaint，clearnotesofawood—thrush—hisfavorite—fromtheedgeoftheforest，eventhemid—airsongofameadow—larkabovehishead，wereunheededas，withfacehaggardwiththoughtandtravel，heturneddoggedlyfromtheroadandupthemountaintowardEaster’shome。Thenoveltyandethnologicalzealthathadblindedhimtothedisagreeablephasesofmountainlifeweregone；sowasthepedestalfromwhichhehaddescendedtomakeacloserstudyofthepeople。Forhefeltnowthathehadgoneamongthemwithanunconsciouscondescension；hisinterestseemednowtohavebeenlittlemorethancuriosity—apastimetoescapebroodingoverhisownchangeoffortune。AndwithEaster—ah，howpainfullyclearhismentalvisionhadgrown!Wasitthetragedyofwastingpossibilitiesthathaddrawnhimtoher—tohelpher—orwasithisownmiserableselfishness，afterall？
　　Noonewasvisiblewhenhereachedthecabin。Thecalmofmountainandskyenthralleditascompletelyasthecliffthattoweredbehindit。
　　Thedaystilllingered，andthesunlightrestedlightlyoneachneighboringcrest。
　　Ashesteppedupontheporchtherewasaslightnoisewithinthecabin，and，peeringintothedarkinterior，hecalledEaster’sname。Therewasnoanswer，andhesankwearilyintoachair，histhoughtsrevertinghomeward。
　　Bythistimehismotherandsistermustknowwhyhehadcomebacktothemountains。
　　Hecouldimaginetheirconsternationandgrief。Perhapsthatwasonlythebeginning；
　　hemightbeontheeveofcausingthemendlessunhappiness。Hehadthoughttoinvolvethemaslittleaspossiblebyremaininginthemountains；butthethoughtoflivingtherewasnowintolerableinthenewrelationshewouldsustaintothepeople。Whatshouldhedo？wherego？AshebentfQrwardinperplexity，therewasanoiseagaininthecabin—thistimethestealthytreadoffeet—andbeforehecouldturn，aroughvoicevibratedthreateninglyinhisears：
　　Saywhoyeair，andwhatyerbusinessis，mightyquick，eryehain’tgotaminutetolive。"
　　Claytonlookedup，andtohishorrorsawthemuzzleofariflepointedstraightathishead。Attheotherendofit，andstandinginthedoor，wasashort，stockyfigure，aheadofbushyhair，andapairofsmall，craftyeyes。Thefiercenessandsuddennessofthevoice，inthegreatsilenceabouthim，anditsterribleearnestness，lefthimalmostparalyzed。
　　"Come，whoairye？Sayquick，anddon’tmove，nother"
　　Claytonspokehisnamewithdifficulty。Thebuttoftherifledroppedtothefloor，andwithaharshlaughitsholderadvancedtohimwithhandoutstretched：
　　SoyeairEaster’sfeller，airye？Well，I’myerdad—that’stobe。
　　Shake。"
　　Claytonshuddered。Goodheavens!thiswasEaster’sfather!Morethanonceortwice，hisnamehadneverbeenmentionedatthecabin。
　　Itukyeferaraider，"continuedtheoldmountaineer，notnoticingClayton’srepulsion，"’n’efyehad’a’been，yewouldn’tbenobodynow。IreckonEasterhain’ttoldyemuchaboutme，’n’Ireckonshehevarighttobealeetleashamedofme。Ihadaleetletroubledowntharinthevalley—Is’poseyou’veheerdaboutit—’n’I’vehadtokeepkindo’quiet。Iseedyeonceafore，’n’Icomenearshootin’
　　ye，thinkin’yewasaraider。AmmightygladIdidn’t，ferEasterispowerfulsotonye。SherdthoughtIcouldreskcomm’downtothewed—din’。Theyhevkindo’giveupthes’arch，’n’noneo’theboyswon’ttellonme。We’llhaveanold—timer，Itellye。Yefolksfromthesettle—mintsairmightyhigh—heeled，butoldBillHicksdon’tallusgobar’footed。Hekinsteppurtyhigh，’n’he’sa—goin’
　　todoitatthatweddin’。Hevsomefin？"heasked，suddenlypullingoutaflaskofcolorlessliquid。"Ezyeairtobeoneo’thefambly，Idon’tmindtellin’yethar’stheverymoonshinethatcausedtheleetletroubledowninthevalley。"
　　Forfearofgivingoffence，Claytontookaswallowoftheliquid，whichburnedhimlikefire。Hehadscarcelyrecoveredfromthefirstshock，andhehadlistenedtothemanandwatchedhimwithasortofenthrallingfascination。HewasEaster’sfather。HecouldevenseeafaintsuggestionofEaster’sfaceinthecastofthefeaturesbeforehim，coarseanddegradedastheywere。Hehadthesamenervous，impetuousquickness，and，horrifiedbythelikeness，Claytonwatchedhimsinkbackintoachair，pipeinmouth，andrelapseintoastoliditythatseemedincapableoftheenergyandfireshownscarcelyamomentbefore。Hislifeinthemountainshadmadehimasshaggyassomewildanimal。Hewascoatless，andhistrousersofjeanswereupheldbyasinglehome—madesuspender。
　　Hisbeardwasyetscarcelytouchedwithgray，andhisblack，lustrelesshairfellfromunderaroundhatoffeltwithraggedtdgesanduncertaincolor。Themountaineerdidnotspeakagainuntil，withgreatdeliberationandcare，hehadfilledacobpipe。
　　ThenhebenthissharpeyesuponClaytonsofixedlythatthelatterlethisownfall。
　　"Mebbeyedon’tknowthatI’mag’in’fur—riners，"hesaid，abruptly，"
　　allo’ye；’n’eftheLordhisselfhed’a’tol’methetmygalwouldbea—marryin’one，Iwouldn’t’a’believedhim。ButSherdhevtoldmeyeairallright，’n’efSherdsaysyeair，why，yeair，Ireckon，’n’I
　　hevn’tgotnothin’tosay；thoughIhevgotaheapag’inye—allo’ye。"
　　Hisvoicehadahintofgrowingangerunderthemomentarysenseofhiswrongs，and，notwishingtoincensehimfurther，Claytonsaidnothing。
　　Yeairbackalittlesoonerthanyeexpected，ain’tye？"heasked，presently，withanawkwardeffortatgood—humor。"Ireckonyeairgittin’anxious。Well，wehevbeengittin’readyferye，’n’you’n’
　　Easterkinhitchezsoonezyeplease。SherdRainesairgum’todothemarryin’。HeairthebestfriendIgot。Sherdwasa—courtin’thegal，too，buthehevn’tgotnogredgeag’inye，’n’hehevpromisedtotieye。Sherdairapreachernow。Hehevjustgothislicense。Hedidn’twanttodoit，butItoldhimhehadto。We’llhevthebiggestweddin’everseedinthesemountains，Itellye。Anyo’yo’folksbeonhand？"
　　No，"answeredClayton，soberly，"Ithinknot。"
　　"Well，Ireckonwekinfillupthehouse。"
　　Clayton’sheartsankattheordealofaweddingwithsuchamasterofceremonies。HewasabouttoaskwhereEasterandhermotherwere，when，tohisrelief，hesawthembothinthepathbelow，approachingthehouse。Thegirlwascarryingabucketofwateronherhead。Oncehewouldhavethoughtherpicturesque，butnowitpainedhimtoseeherdoingsuchroughwork。Whenshesawhim，shegaveacryofsurpriseanddelightthatmadeClaytontinglewithremorse。Thenrunningtohimwithglowingface，shestoppedsuddenly，and，withalookdownatherbarefeetandsoiledgown，fledintothecabin。Claytonfollowed，buttheroomwassodarkhecouldseenothing。
　　Easter!"hecalled。Therewasnoanswer，buthewassuddenlyseizedabouttheneckbyapairofunseenarmsandkissedbyunseenlipstwiceinfiercesuccession，andbeforehecouldturnandclaspthegirlshewaslaughingsoftlyinthenextroom，withabarreddoorbetweenthem。Claytonwaitedpatientlyseveralminutes，andthenasked：
　　Easter，aren’tyouready？
　　Notyit—notyet!"ShecorrectedherselfwithsuchvehemencethatClaytonlaughed。Shecameoutpresently，andblushedwhenClaytonlookedheroverfromheadtofootwithastonishment。Shewassimplyandprettilydressedinwhitemuslin；ablueribbonwasaboutherthroat，andherhairwasgatheredinaPsycheknotthataccentedtheclassicismofherprofile。Herappearancewasreallyrefinedandtasteful。Whentheywentoutontheporchhenoticedthatherhandshadlosttheirtannedappearance。Herfeetwereslippered，andsheworeblackstockings。Herememberedthebookoffashion—plateshehadoncesenther；itwasthatthathadquickenedherinstinctofdress。Hesaidnothing，butthehappylightinEaster’sfaceshonebrighterasshenotedhispleasedandpuzzledgaze。
　　Why，yelooklikeanotherman，"saidEaster’smother，whohadbeenlookingClaytonoverwithaquizzicalsmile。"Isthatthewayfolksdressoutinthesettlemints？’N’lookatthatgal。Efshehevdoneanythin’senceyehevbeengonebut____"TherestofthesentencewassmotheredinthepalmofEaster’shand，andshetoobeganscrutinizingClaytonclosely。Themountaineersaidnothing，andafteracuriousglanceatEasterresumedhispipe。
　　Youlooklikeapairofbutterflies，"saidthemotherwhenreleased。"Sherdoughterbemightyproudofhisfirstmarryin’。I
　　s’poseyeknowheairapreachernow？YeoughterheerdhimpreachlastSunday。Itwashisfusttime。Thewayhelightedinterthefurrinerswasacaution。He’lowedhewasa—goin’tofightcyard—playin’anddancin’ezlongezhehedbreath。"
　　Yes；’n’thar’swharSherdairafool。I’mag’infurriners，too，buttharhain’tnoharmindancin，n’thar’sgoin’tobedancin’atthisweddin’
　　efI’malive。"
　　Eastershrankperceptiblywhenherfatherspoke，andlookedfurtivelyatClayton，whowinced，inspiteofhimself，astheroughvoicegratedinhisear。Instantlyherfacegrewunhappy，andcontainedanappealforpardonthathewasquicktounderstandandappreciate。Thereafterheconcealedhisrepulsion，andtreatedtheroughbearsoaffablythatEaster’seyesgrewmoistwithgratitude。
　　Darknesswasgatheringinthevalleybelowwhenherosetogo。
　　Easterhadscarcelyspokentohim，butherfaceandhereyes，fixedalwaysuponhim，wereeloquentwithjoy。Onceasshepassedbehindhimherhandrestedwithatimid，caressingtouchuponhisshoulder，andnow，ashewalkedawayfromtheporch，shecalledhimback。Heturned，andshehadgoneintothehouse。
　　Whatisit，Easter？"heasked，steppingintothedarkroom。Hishandwasgraspedinbothherownandheldtremblingly。
　　Don’tminddad，"shewhispered，softly。Somethingwarmandmoistfelluponhishandassheunloosedit，andshewasgone。
　　Thatnighthewrotehomeinabetterframeofmind。Thecharmofthegirl’spersonalityhadasserteditspoweragain，andhopesthathadalmostbeendestroyedbyhistriphomewererekindledbyhertastefulappearance，herdelicacyoffeeling，andbyherbeauty，whichhehadnotoverrated。HeaskedthathissistermightmeethiminLouisvilleafterthewedding—wheneverthatshouldbe。Theytwocoulddecidethenwhatshouldbedone。Hisownideawastotravel；andsogreatwashisconfidenceinEaster，hebelievedthat，intime，hecouldtakehertoNewYorkwithoutfear。
　　XII
　　ITwasplainthatRaines—toquiettheoldman’suneasiness，perhaps—hadtoldhimofhislastmeetingwithClayton，andthat，duringtheabsenceofthelatter，somearrangementsfortheweddinghadbeenmade，evenbyEaster，whoinhertrustinginnocencehadperhapsneverthoughtofanyotherendtotheirrelations。Inconsequence，therewasanunprecedentedstiramongthemountaineers。Themarriageofacitizenwitha"furriner"
　　wasanunprecedentedevent，andtheoldmountaineer，whobegantotakesomeprideinthealliance，emphasizeditateveryopportunity。
　　AttheminesClayton’sconstantvisitstothemountainwereknowntoeverybody，butlittleattentionhadbeenpaidtothem。
　　Now，however，whentherumoroftheweddingseemedconfirmedbyhisreturnandhissilence，everyonewasalertwithacuriositysofranklyshownthathesoonbecameeagertogetawayfromthemountains。Accordingly，hemadeknownhiswishtoEaster’sparentsthatthemarriageshouldtakeplaceassoonaspossible。
　　Bothreceivedthesuggestionwithsilentassent。Thenhadfollowedmanydifficulties。Onlyasagreatconcessiontotheideasandcustomsof"fur—riners"wouldtheself—willedoldmountaineeragreethattheceremonyshouldtakeplaceatnight，andthatafterthesupperandthedance，thetwoshouldleaveJellicoatdaybreak。
　　Mountainmarriagesweresolemnizedinthedaytime，andweddingjourneyswereunknown。TheoldmandidnotunderstandwhyClaytonshouldwishtoleavethemountains，andthehasteofthelatterseemedtogivehimgreatoffence。WhenClaytonhadventuredtosuggest，instead，thatthemarriageshouldbequiet，andthatheandEastershouldremainonthemountainafewdaysbeforeleaving，hefumedwithanger；
　　andthereafteranysuggestionfromtheyoungengineerwasmetwithasuspicionthatlookedominous。Raineswasawayonhiscircuit，andwouldnotreturnuntiljustbeforethewedding，sothatfromhimClaytoncouldgetnohelp。
　　Verywisely，then，heinterferednomore，butawaitedthedaywithdread。
　　Itwasnearingduskwhenheleftthecamponhiswedding—night。
　　Half—wayupthemountainhestoppedtoleanagainstthekindlybreastofabowlderblockingthepath。ItwasthespotwherehehadseenEasterforthefirsttime。Themountainsweregreenagain，astheywerethen，butthesceneseemedsadlychanged。Thesunwasgone；
　　theevening—starhadswungitswhitelightlikeacenseraboveDevil’sDen；
　　thecloudsweremovingswiftlythroughthedarkeningair，likeafrightenedflockseekingafold；andthenightwasclosingfastovertheclusteroffaintcamp—fires。Thespiritbroodingovermountainandskywasunspeakablysad，andwithasharppainathisheartClaytonturnedfromitandhurriedon。Mountain，sky，andvalleyweresoonlostinthenight。Whenhereachedthecabinraysofbrightlightwereflashingfromchinkandcreviceintothedarkness，andfromthekitchencamethesoundsofbusypreparation。Alreadymanyguestshadarrived。Agroupofmenwhostoodlazilytalkingintheporchbecamesilentasheapproached，but，recognizingnoneofthem，heenteredthecabin。A
　　dozenwomenwereseatedabouttheroom，andinstantlytheireyeswereglueduponhim。AsthekitchendoorswungopenhesawEaster’smotherbendingoverthefireplace，atablealreadyheavilyladen，andseveralwomenbustlingaboutit。Abovehisheadheheardlaughter，ahurriedtrampingoffeet，andoccasionalcriesofsurpriseanddelight。Hepausedatthethreshold，hardlyknowingwhattodo，andwhenheturnedatitterfromonecornershowedthathisembarrassmentwasseen。OntheporchhewasseizedbyEaster’sfather，whodrewhimbackintotheroom。Theoldmountaineer’sfacewasflushed，andhehadbeendrinkingheavily。
　　Oh，hyaryeair!"heexclaimed。"You’rerightonhand，hain’tye？
　　Hyar，Bill，"hecalled，thrustinghisheadoutofthedoor，"you"n’
　　Jim’n’Miltcomeinhyar。"Threeawkwardyoungmountaineersentered。"Thesefellersairgoin’tohelpye。"
　　Theyweretobehisushers。Claytonshookhandswiththemgravely。
　　Oh，weairaboutreadyferye，’n’weaironlywaitin’ferSherdandthefolkstocome，"continuedthemountaineer，jubilantly，winkingsignificantlyatClaytonandhisattendants，whostoodabouthimatthefireplace。Claytonshookhisheadfirmly，buttherestfollowedHicks，whoturnedatthedoorandrepeatedtheinvitationwithafrowningface。Claytonwasleftthefocusoffeminineeyes，whoseunwaveringdirectnesskepthisowngazeonthefloor。Peoplebegantocomeinrapidly，mostofwhomhehadneverseenbefore。
　　Theroomwasfilled，saveforaspaceabouthim。Everyonegavehimalookofcuriositythatmadehimfeellikesomestrangeanimalonexhibition。Oncemorehetriedtoescapetotheporch，andagainhewasmetbyEaster’sfather，whothistimewasaccompaniedbyRaines。
　　Theyoungcircuit—riderwassmoothlyshaven，anddressedindarkclothes，andhiscalmfaceandsimplebutimpressivemannerseemedatoncetoaltertheatmosphereoftheroom。HegraspedClayton’shandwarmly，andwithoutatraceofself—consciousness。
　　Theroomhadgrowninstantlyquiet，andRainesbegantosharethecuriousinterestthatClaytonhadcaused；fortheyoungmountaineer’ssermonhadprovokeddiscussionfarandwide，and，moreover，thepeculiarrelationsofthetwotowardEasterwereknownandrudelyappreciated。Hickswassubduedintoquietrespect，andtriedtoconcealhisincipientintoxication。Theeffortdidnotlastlong。Whenthetwofiddlerscame，heledtheminwithadefiantair，andplacedtheminthecorner，bustlingaboutofficiouslybutwithoutlookingatRaines，whosefacebegantocloud。
　　Well，we’reallhyar，Ireckon!"heexclaimed，inhisterriblevoice。
　　"IsEasterready？"heshoutedupthesteps。
　　Aconfusedchorusansweredhimaffirmatively，andheimmediatelyarrangedClaytoninonecorneroftheroomwithhisseriousattendantsononeside，andRaines，gravetosolemnity，ontheother。Easter’smotherandherassistantscameinfromthekitchen，andthedoorswerefilledwithfaces。Above，thetrampingoffeetbecamemorehurried；below，allstoodwithexpectantfacesturnedtotherudestaircase。Clayton’sheartbegantothrob，andastrangelightbrightenedunderRaines’sheavybrows。
　　"Hurryup，thar!"shoutedHicks，impatiently。
　　Amomentlatertwopairsofroughshoescamedownthesteps，andafterthemtwoslipperedfeetthatfixedeveryeyeintheroom，untilthefigureandfaceabovethemslowlydescendedintothelight。
　　Midwaythegirlpausedwithatimidair。Hadanangelbeenloweredtomortalview，thewaitingpeoplewouldnothavebeenstrickenwithmorewonder。Raines’sfacerelaxedintoalookalmostofawe，andevenHicksfortheinstantwasstunnedintoreverence。Mountaineyeshadneverbeheldsuchlovelinesssoarrayed。Itwassimpleenough—thegarment—allwhite，andofamistytexture，yetitformedamysteriousvisiontothem。Aboutthegirl’sbrowwasawreathofpinkandwhitelaurel。Aveilhadnotbeenused。Itwouldhideherface，shesaid，andshedidnotseewhythatshouldbedone。Foraninstantshestoodpoisedsolightlythatsheseemedtoswaylikeavision，asthecandle—lightsquiveredabouther，withherhandsclaspedinfrontofher，andhereyeswanderingabouttheroomtilltheylighteduponClaytonwithalookoflovethatseemedtomakeherconsciousonlyofhim。Then，withquickeningbreath，lipspartedslightly，cheeksslowlyflushing，andshiningeyesstilluponhim，shemovedslowlyacrosstheroomuntilshestoodathisside。
　　Rainesgatheredhimselftogetherasfromadream，andsteppedbeforethepair。Brokenandhuskyatfirst，hisvoicetrembledinspiteofhimself，butthereaftertherewasnohintofthepowerfulemotionsatplaywithinhim。Onlyashejoinedtheirhands，hiseyesrestedaninstantwithinfinitetendernessonEaster’sface—asthoughthelookwerealastfarewell—andhisvoicedeepenedwithsolemnearnestnesswhenhebadeClaytonprotectandcherishheruntildeath。Therewasastrangemixtureinthoselastwordsoftheofficeandtheman—ofdivineauthorityandpersonalappeal—andClay。tonwasdeeplystirred。Thebenedictionover4theyoungpreacherwasturningaway，whensomeonecalledhuskilyfromtherearofthecabin：
　　"Whyn’tyekissthebride？
　　ItwasEaster’sfather，andthevoice，roughasitwas，broughtasensationofrelieftoall。Theyoungmountaineer’sfeaturescontractedwithswiftpain，andasEasterleanedtowardhim，withsubtledelicacy，hetouched，notherlips，butherforehead，asreverentlyasthoughshehadbeenasaint。
　　Instantlythefiddlesbegan，thefloorwascleared，thebridalpartyhurriedintothekitchen，andthecabinbegantoshakebeneathdancingfeet。Hickswasfulfillinghisword，andinthekitchenhiswifehaddoneherpart。Everythingknowntothemountaineerpalatewaspiledinprofusiononthetable，butClaytonandEasteratenothing。Tohimthewholeeveningwasanightmare，whichthesolemnmomentsofthemarriagehadmadethemorehideous。
　　Hewasrestlessandeagertogetaway。Thedancingwasbecomingmorefurious，andabovethenoiseroseHicks’svoicepromptingthedancers。Theruderonesstillhungaboutthedoors，regardingClaytoncuriously，orwitheagereyesuponthefeast。Easterwasvaguelytroubled，andconflictingwiththeinnocentprideandjoyinhereyeswerethequestioningglancessheturnedtoClayton’sdarkeningface。Atlasttheywerehurriedout，andincamethecrowdlikehungrywolves。
　　PlacingClaytonandEasterinacorneroftheroom，theattendantsthemselvestookpartinthedancing，andsuchdancingClaytonhadneverseen。Doorsandwindowswerefulloffaces，andtheroomwascrowded；fromthekitchencamecoarselaughterandtherattlingofdishes。
　　OccasionallyHickswoulddisappearwithseveralothers，andwouldreturnwithhisfaceredderthanever。
　　Easterbecameuneasy。OncesheleftClayton’ssideandexpostulatedwithherfather，butheshookherfromhisarmroughly。Rainessawthis，andamomentlaterheledtheoldmountaineerfromtheroom。Thereafterthelatterwasquieter，butonlyforalittlewhile。Severaltimesthekitchenwasfilledandemptied，andeverwasthecrowdunsteadier。SoonevenRaines’sinfluencewasofnoavail，andthebottlewaspassedopenlyfromguesttoguest。
　　"Whyn’tyedance？"
　　Claytonfelthisarmgrasped，andHicksstoodswayingbeforehim。
　　"Whyn’tyedance？"herepeated。"Can’tyedance？Mebbeyeairtoogood—likeSherd。Well，Easterkin，Hyar，Mart，come’n’dancewiththegal。Sheairthebestdancerintheseparts。"
　　ClaytonhadhishanduponEasterasthoughtoforbidher。Themountaineersawthemovement，andhisfaceflamed；butbeforehecouldspeak，thegirlpressedClayton’sarm，and，withanappealingglance，rosetoherfeet。
　　That’sright，"saidherfather，approvingly，butwithalookofdrunkenmalignancytowardClayton。"Now，"hecalledout，inaloudvoice，"Iwantthiscoupletohavethefloor，’n’everybodytolookon’n’seewhatisdancin’。Startthefiddles，boys。"
　　Itwasdancing。Theyoungmountaineerwasaslender，activefellow，notwithoutgrace，andEasterseemedhardlytotouchthefloor。Theybeganveryslowlyatfirst，tillEaster，glancingasideatClaytonandseeinghisfacedeepenwithinterest，andurgedbytheremonstranceofhetfather，theremarksoftheonlookers，andtheincreasingabandonofthemusic，gaveherselfuptothedance。Theyoungmountaineerwasnomeanpartner。Forwardandbacktheyglided，theirswiftfeetbeatingeverynoteofthemusic；Fasterrecedingbeforeherpartner，andnowadvancingtowardhim，nowwhirlingawaywithadisdainfultossofherheadandarms，andnowgivinghimherhandandwhirlingtillherwhiteskirtsfloatedfromthefloor。Atlast，withheadbentcoquettishlytowardherpartner，shedancedaroundhim，andwhenitseemedthatshewouldbecaughtbyhisoutstretchedhandssheslippedfromhisclasp，and，withburningcheeks，flashingeyes，andbridalwreathshoweringitspink—fleckedpetalsabouther，flewtoClayton’sside。
　　Mebbeyedon’tlikethat，"criedHicks，turningtoRaines，whohadbeengravelywatchingthescene。
　　Rainessaidnothinginreply，butonlylookedthedrunkenmanintheface。
　　"Youtwo，"hecontinued，indicatingClaytonwithanangryshakeofhishead，"aira—tryin’tospileever’body’sfun。Bothofyeairtoohigh—heeledferusfolks。Y’uhevgotmightygoodnowthatyeairapreacher，"headded，withadrunkensneer，irritatedbeyondendurancebyRaines’ssilenceandhissteadylook。"IwantyetoknowBillHicksaira—runnin’thingshere，’n’Idon’twantnomeddlin’。I’lldrinkrighthereinfronto’ye"—holdingabottledefiantlyabovehishead—"’n’Imeantodance，too，Iwarnyenow，"
　　headded，staggeringtowardthedoor，"Idon’twantnomed—dlin’。"
　　Easterhadburiedherfaceinherhands。Hermotherstoodnearherhusband，helplesslytryingtogethimaway，andfearingtoarousehimmore。Raineswasthemostcomposedmanintheroom，andafewmomentslater，whendancingwasresumed，Claytonheardhisvoiceathisear：
　　"You’dbettergoupstairs’n’waittillit’stimetogo，"hesaid。"Hehevgotrousedag’inye，andag’inmetoo。I’llkeepouto’hiswaysoasnottoaggravatehim，butI’llstayhyarferfearsomethingwillhappen。Mebbehe’llsoberupalittle，butI’mafeardhe’lldrinkmore’never。"
　　Amomentlater，unseenbytherest，thetwomountedthestairwaytothelittleroomwhereEaster’sgirlhoodhadbeenpassed。ToClaytonthepeaceoftheprimitivelittlechamberwasaninfiniterelief。Adimlightshowedarudebedinonecornerandapinetablecloseby，whereonlayafewbooksandapenandanink—bottle。Above，theroofrosetoasharpangle，andthelow，unplasteredwallswerecoveredwithpieturescutfromthebookshehadgivenher。Asinglewindowopenedintothenightoverthevalleyandtothemountainsbeyond。Twosmallcane—bottomchairswerenearthis，andinthesetheysatdown。Intheeastdarkcloudsweremovingswiftlyacrossthefaceofthemoon，checkingitslightanJgivingthedimvalleystartlingdepthandblackness。
　　Rain—dropsstrucktheroofatintervals，ashowerofapple—blossomsrustledagainstthewindowanddriftedon，andbelowthemuffledsoundofmusicandshufflingfeetwasnowandthenpiercedbytheshrillcallsoftheprompter。Therewassomethingominousinthepersistenttreadoffeetandthesteadyflightofthegloomyclouds，andquiveringwithvaguefears，EastersankdownfromherchairtoClayton’sfeet，andburstintotears，asheputhisarmstenderlyabouther。
　　Hasheevertreatedyoubadly？
　　"No，no，"sheanswered；"it’sonlythewhiskey。"
　　Itwasnotaloneofherfather’sbehaviorthatshewasthinking。
　　Memorieswerebusywithinher，andathousandthreadsoffeelingweretighteningherloveofhome，theonlyhomeshehadeverknown。Nowshewasleavingitforastrangeworldofwhichsheknewnothing，andthethoughtpiercedherlikeaphysicalpain。
　　"Areweevercomingbackag’in？"sheasked，withsuddenfear。
　　Yes，dear，"answeredClayton，diviningherthoughts；"wheneveryouwish。"
　　Afterthatshegrewcalmer，andremainedquietsolongthatsheseemedtohavefallenasleeplikeatiredchildrelievedofitsfears。
　　Leaningforward，helookedintothedarkness。Itwasaftermidnight，surely。Thecloudshadbecomelighter，moreluminous，andgraduallythemoonbrokethroughthem，liftingthepallfromthevalley，playingabouttheedgeoftheforest，andquiveringatlastonthewindow。Ashebentbacktolookatthesleepinggirl，themoonlightfellsoftlyuponherface，revealingitspurityofcolor，andtouchingtheloosenedfoldsofherhair，andshiningthroughatear—dropwhichhadescapedfromherclosedlashes。
　　Howlovelythefacewas!Howpure!Howchild—likewithallitshiddenstrength!Howabsoluteherconfidenceinhim!Howgreatherlove!Itwasofherlovethathethought，notofhisown；
　　butwithanewrealizationofherdependenceuponhimforhappiness，hisclasptightenedaboutheralmostunconsciously。Shestirredslightly，and，bendinghisheadlower，Claytonwhisperedinherear：
　　Haveyoubeenasleep，dear？
　　Sheliftedherfaceandlookedtenderlyintohiseyes，shakingherheadslowly，andthen，ashebentoveragain，sheclaspedherarmsabouthisneckandstrainedhisfacetohers。
　　Notuntiltheopeningofthedooratthestair—waystirredthemdidtheynoticethatthemusicanddancingbelowhadceased。Thedoorwasinstantlyclosedagainafteraslightsoundofscuffling，andinthemomentofstillnessthatfollowed，theyheardRainessaycalmly：
　　"No；youcan’tgoupthar。"
　　Abrutaloathansweredhim，andEasterstartedtoherfeetwhensheheardherfather’svoice，terriblewithpassion；butClaytonheldherback，andhurrieddownthestairway。
　　"Efyedon’tcomeawayfromthatdoor，"hecouldhearHickssaying，"’n’stopthismeddlin’，I’llkillyou’stido’thefurriner。"
　　AsClaytonthrustthedooropen，Raineswasstandingafewfeetfromthestairway。Thedrunkenmanwasstrugglinginthegraspofseveralmountaineers，whowerecoaxinganddragginghimacrosstheroom。
　　Aboutthemwereseveralothermenscarcelyabletostand，andbehindtheseacrowdofshrinkingwomen。
　　Gitback!gitback!"saidRaines，inlow，hurriedtones。
　　ButHickshadcaughtsightofClayton。Foramomenthestoodstill，glaringathim。Then，withafuriouseffort，hewrenchedhimselffromthemenwhoheldhim，andthrusthishandintohispocket，backingagainstthewall。ThecrowdfellawayfromhimasaweaponwasdrawnandlevelledwithunsteadyhandatClayton。
　　Rainessprangforward；Claytonfelthisarmclutched，andafiguredartedpasthim。Theflashcame，andwhenRaineswrenchedtheweaponfromthemountaineer’sgraspthelatterwasstandingrigid，withhorror—strickeneyesfixeduponthesmoke，inwhichEaster’swhitefaceshowedlikeanapparition。Asthesmokedriftedaside，thegirlwasseenwithbothhandsatherbreast。Then，whileasilentterrorheldeveryone，sheturned，and，withoutstretchedhands，totteredtowardClayton；andashecaughtherinhisarms，alowmoanbrokefromherlips。
　　Someonehurriedawayforaphysician，butthedeath—watchwasoverbeforehecame。
　　Foralongtimethewoundedgirllayapparentlyunconscious，herfacewhiteandquiet。Onlywhenawood—thrushcalledfromthewoodsclosebywereherlidshalfraised，andasClaytonpushedtheshutteropenaboveherandliftedhergently，sheopenedhereyeswithagratefullookandturnedherfaceeagerlytothecoolair。
　　Thedawnwasbreaking。Theeastwasalreadyaflamewithbarsofrosylight，graduallywidening。Abovethemasinglestarwaspoised，andinthevalleybelowgreatwhitemistswerestirringfromsleep。Foramomentsheseemedtobelistlesslywatchingthewhite，shapelessthings，tremblingaswithlife，andcreepingsilentlyintowoodandupglen；andthenherlashesdroopedwearilytogether。
　　ThedooropenedasClaytonlethersinkuponthebed，breathingasifasleep，andheturned，expectingthephysician。Raines，too，roseeagerly，stoppedsuddenly，andshrankbackwithashudderofrepulsionasthefigureofthewretchedfathercrept，halfcrouching，within。
　　Sherd!
　　Thegirl’stonewasfullofgentlereproach，andsosoftthatitreachedonlyClayton’sears。
　　Sherd!
　　Thistimehisnamewasutteredwithanappealeversogentle。
　　Poredad!Poredad!"shewhispered。HerclasptightenedsuddenlyonClayton’shand，andhereyeswereheldtohis，evenwhilethelightinthemwasgoingout。
　　Aweeklatertwomenleftthecabinatdusk。
　　Half—waydowntheslopetheycametooneoftheunspeakablymournfullittleburying—groundswhereinthemountainpeoplerestaftertheirnarrowlives。Itwasunhedged，uncaredfor，andafewcrumblingboardsforheadstonestoldthelivinggenerationwherethedeadwereatrest。Foramomenttheypausedtolookataspotunderagreatbeechwheretheearthhadbeenlatelydisturbed。
　　"Itairshorelyhardtosee，"saidoneinalow，slowvoice，"whyshewastaken，’n1himleft；whysheshouldhevtogiveherlifeferthelifehetook。ButHeknows，Heknows，"themountaineercontinued，withunfalteringtrust；andthen，afteramoment’sstruggletoreconcilefactwithfaith："TheLordtookwhutHekeeredfermost，’n’shewasready，’n’hewasnt。
　　Theothermadenoreply，andtheykeptoninsilence。Uponaspurofthemountainbeneathwhichthelittlemining—townhadsunktoquietforthenighttheypartedwithahand—clasp。Nottillthenwasthesilencebroken。
　　"Tharseemstobeapenaltyferlovin’too’’muchdownhyar，"saidone；
　　"’n’Ireckon，"headded，slowly，"thatbothofushevgothittopay。"
　　Turning，thespeakerretracedhissteps。Theotherkeptontowardthelightsbelow。