Hadtheyreallycloseduponherinsomepantheisticembracethatmadeherapartofthem？Hadshebeenbaptizedinthatmoonlightasachildofthegreatforest？Itwaseasytobelieveinthemythsofthepoetsofanidylliclifeunderthosetrees，where，freefromconventionalrestrictions，onelovedandwasloved。Ifshe，withherownworldlyexperience，couldthinkofthisnow，whymightnotGeorgeKearneyhavethought？……Shestopped，andfoundherselfblushingeveninthedarkness。Asthethoughtandblushweretheusualsequelofherreflections，itistobefearedthattheymayhavebeenattimestheimpellingcause。
　　Mr。Carr，however，madeupforhisdaughters’wantofsympathywithmetropolitanlife。Totheirastonishment，henotonlyplungedintothefashionablegayetiesandamusementsofthetown，butindressandmannerassumedtheroleofaleaderofsociety。Theinvariableanswertotheirhalf—humorouscommentwasthenecessitiesofthemine，andthepolicyoffrequentingthecompanyofcapitalists，toenlisttheirsupportandconfidence。Therewassomethinginthissounliketheirfather，thatwhatatanyothertimetheywouldhavehailedasarelieftohishabitualabstractionnowhalfalarmedthem。Yethewasnotdissipated——hedidnotdrinknorgamble。
　　Therecertainlydidnotseemanyharminhisfrequentingthesocietyofladies，withagallantrythatappearedtobeforcedandapleasurethattotheircriticaleyeswascertainlyapocryphal。
　　Hedidnotdraghisdaughtersintothemixedsocietyofthatperiod；hedidnotpressuponthemthecompanyofthosehemostfrequented，andwhoseacceptedpositioninthatlittleworldoffashionwasconsideredequaltotheirown。WhenJessiestronglyobjectedtothepronouncedmannersofacertainwidow，whoseactualpresentwealthandpecuniaryinfluencecondonedforamoreuncertainprehistoricpast，Mr。Carrdidnoturgeafurtheracquaintance。"Aslongasyou’renotthinkingofmarryingagain，papa，"Jessiehadsaidfinally，"Idon’tseethenecessityofourknowingher。""ButsupposeIwere，"hadrepliedMr。Carrwithaffectedhumor。"Thenyoucertainlywouldn’tcareforanyonelikeher，"hisdaughterhadrespondedtriumphantly。Mr。Carrsmiled，anddroppedthesubject，butitisprobablethathisdaughters’
　　wantofsympathywithhisacquaintancesdidnotintheleastinterferewithhissocialprestige。Agentlemaninallhisrelationsandunderallcircumstances，evenhiscoldscientificabstractionwasprovocative；richmenenviedhisloftyignoranceofthesmallerdetailsofmoney—making，evenwhiletheymistrustedhisjudgment。Amanstillwellpreserved，andfreefromweakeningvices，hewasadangerousrivaltoyoungerandfasterSanFrancisco，intheeyesofthesex，whoknewhowtovalueareposetheydidnotthemselvespossess。
　　SuddenlyMr。CarrannouncedhisintentionofproceedingtoSacramento，onfurtherbusinessofthemine，leavinghistwodaughtersinthefamilyofawealthyfrienduntilheshouldreturnforthem。HeopposedtheirreadysuggestiontoreturntoDevil’sFordwithanewandunnecessaryinflexibility：heevenmettheircompromisetoaccompanyhimtoSacramentowithequaldecision。
　　"Youwillbeonlyinmyway，"hesaidcurtly。"Enjoyyourselvesherewhileyoucan。"
　　Thuslefttothemselves，theytriedtoaccepthisadvice。Possiblysomeslightreactiontotheirpreviousdisappointmentmayhavealreadysetin；perhapstheyfeltanydistractiontobearelieftotheiranxietyabouttheirfather。Theywentoutmore；theyfrequentedconcertsandparties；theyaccepted，withtheirhostandhisfamily，aninvitationtooneofthoseopulentandbarbaricentertainmentswithwhichanotedSanFranciscomillionairedistractedhisraremomentsofreflectioninhisgorgeouspalaceonthehills。Heretheycouldatleastbeoncemoreinthecountrytheyloved，albeitofamilderandlessheroictype，andalittledegradedbytheoverlappingtinselandscatteredspanglesofthepalace。
　　Itwasathreedays’fete；thestyleandchoiceofamusementslefttotheguests，andanequalandactiveparticipationbynomeansnecessaryorindispensable。Consequently，whenChristieandJessieCarrproposedaridethroughtheadjacentcanyononthesecondmorning，theyhadnodifficultyinfindinghorsesinthewell—
　　furnishedstablesoftheiropulententertainers，norcavaliersamongtheotherguests，whoweretoohappytofindfavorintheeyesofthetwoprettygirlswhoweresupposedtobeabnormallyfastidiousandrefined。Christie’sescortwasagood—naturedyoungbanker，shrewdenoughtoavoiddemonstrativeattentions，andluckyenoughtointerestherduringtheridewithhisclearandhalf—
　　humorousreflectionsonsomeofthebusinessspeculationsoftheday。Ifhisideaswereoccasionallytooclever，andnotalwaysconsistentwithahighsenseofhonor，shewasnonethelessinterestedtoknowtheethicsofthatworldofspeculationintowhichherfatherhadplunged，andthemoreconvinced，withmingledsenseofprideandanxiety，thathisstilldominantgentlemanhoodwouldpreventhiscopingwithitonequalterms。Norcouldshehelpcontrastingtheconversationofthesharp—wittedmanathersidewithwhatshestillrememberedofthevague，touching，boyishenthusiasmofthemillionairesofDevil’sFord。Hadherescortguessedtheresultofthiscontrast，hewouldhardlyhavebeenasgratifiedashewaswiththegraveattentionofherbeautifuleyes。
　　Thefascinationofagraciousdayandtheleafysolitudeofthecanyonledthemtoprolongtheirridebeyondtheproposedlimit，anditbecamenecessarytowardssunsetforthemtoseeksomeshortercuthome。
　　"There’savaqueroinyonderfield，"saidChristie’sescort，whowasridingwithheralittleinadvanceoftheothers，"andthosefellowsknoweverytrailthatahorsecanfollow。I’llrideon，intercepthim，andtrymySpanishonhim。IfImisshim，ashe’sgallopingon，youmighttryyourhandonhimyourself。He’llunderstandyoureyes，MissCarr，inanylanguage。"
　　Ashedashedaway，tocoverhisfirstaudacityofcompliment，Christieliftedtheeyesthusapostrophizedtotheoppositefield。
　　Thevaquero，whowaschasingsomecattle，wasevidentlytoopreoccupiedtoheedtheshoutsofhercompanion，andwheelingroundsuddenlytointerceptoneofthedeviatingfugitives，permittedChristie’sescorttodashpasthimbeforethatgentlemancouldreininhisexcitedsteed。Thisbroughtthevaquerodirectlyinherpath。Perceivingher，hethrewhishorsebackonitshaunches，topreventacollision。Christierodeuptohim，suddenlyutteredacry，andhalted。Forbeforeher，sunburntincheekandthroat，darkerinthefreegrowthofmoustacheandcurlinghair，cladinthecoarse，picturesquefineryofhisclass，undisguisedonlyinhisboyishbeauty，satGeorgeKearney。
　　Theblood，thathadforsakenherastonishedface，rushedasquicklyback。Hiseyes，whichhadsuddenlysparkledwithanelectricalglow，sankbeforehers。Hishanddropped，andhischeekflushedwithadarkembarrassment。
　　"Youhere，Mr。Kearney？Howstrange!——buthowgladIamtomeetyouagain!"
　　Shetriedtosmile；hervoicetrembled，andherlittlehandshookassheextendedittohim。
　　Heraisedhisdarkeyesquickly，andimpulsivelyurgedhishorsetoherside。But，asifsuddenlyawakeningtotherealityofthesituation，heglancedatherhurriedly，downathisbarbaricfinery，andthrewasearchinglooktowardsherescort。
　　InaninstantChristiesawtheinfelicityofherposition，anditsdangers。ThewordsofWhiskeyDick，"Hewouldn’tstandthat，"
　　flashedacrosshermind。Therewasnotimetolose。Thebankerhadalreadygainedcontroloverhishorse，andwasapproachingthem，allunconsciousofthefixedstarewithwhichGeorgewasregardinghim。Christiehastilyseizedthehandwhichhehadallowedtofallathisside，andsaidquickly：——
　　"Willyouridewithmealittleway，Mr。Kearney？"
　　Heturnedthesamesearchinglookuponher。Shemetitclearlyandsteadily；heeventhoughtreproachfully。
　　"Do!"shesaidhurriedly。"Iaskitasafavor。Iwanttospeaktoyou。JessieandIareherealone。Fatherisaway。YOUareoneofouroldestfriends。"
　　Hehesitated。Sheturnedtotheastonishedyoungbanker，whorodeup。
　　"Ihavejustmetanoldfriend。Willyoupleaseridebackasquicklyasyoucan，andtellJessiethatMr。Kearneyishere，andaskhertojoinus？"
　　Shewatchedherdazedescort，stillspeechlessfromthespectacleofthefastidiousMissCarrtete—a—tetewithacommonMexicanvaquero，gallopoffinthedirectionofthecanyon，andthenturnedtoGeorge。
　　"Nowtakemehome，theshortestway，asquickasyoucan。"
　　"Home？"echoedGeorge。
　　"ImeantoMr。Prince’shouse。Quick!beforetheycancomeuptous。"
　　Hemechanicallyputspurstohishorse；shefollowed。Theypresentlystruckintoatrailthatsoondivergedagainintoadisusedloggingtrackthroughthewoods。
　　"ThisistheshortcuttoPrince’s，bytwomiles，"hesaid，astheyenteredthewoods。
　　Astheywerestillgalloping，withoutexchangingaword，Christiebegantoslackenherspeed；Georgedidthesame。Theyweresafefromintrusionatthepresent，eveniftheothershadfoundtheshortcut。Christie，boldandself—reliantamomentago，suddenlyfoundherselfgrowingweakandembarrassed。Whathadshedone？
　　Shecheckedherhorsesuddenly。
　　"Perhapswehadbetterwaitforthem，"shesaidtimidly。
　　Georgehadnotraisedhiseyestohers。
　　"Yousaidyouwantedtohurryhome，"herepliedgently，passinghishandalonghismustang’svelvetyneck，"and——andyouhadsomethingtosaytome。"
　　"Certainly，"sheanswered，withafaintlaugh。"I’msoastonishedatmeetingyouhere。I’mquitebewildered。Youarelivinghere；
　　youhaveforsakenustobuyaranche？"shecontinued，lookingathimattentively。
　　Hisbrowcoloredslightly。
　　"No，I’mlivinghere，butIhaveboughtnoranche。I’monlyahiredmanonsomebodyelse’sranche，tolookafterthecattle。"
　　Hesawherbeautifuleyesfillwithastonishmentand——somethingelse。Hisbrowcleared；hewenton，withhisoldboyishlaugh：
　　"No，MissCarr。Thefactis，I’mdeadbroke。I’velosteverythingsinceIsawyoulast。ButasIknowhowtoride，andI’mnotafraidofwork，Imanagetokeepalong。"
　　"Youhavelostmoneyin——inthemines？"saidChristiesuddenly。
　　"No"——herepliedquickly，evadinghereyes。"Mybrotherhasmyinterest，youknow。I’vebeenfoolishonmyownaccountsolely。
　　YouknowI’mratherinclinedtothatsortofthing。Butaslongasmyfollydon’taffectothers，Icanstandit。"
　　"Butitmayaffectothers——andTHEYmaynotthinkofitasfolly——"
　　Shestoppedshort，confusedbyhisbrighteningcolorandeyes。"I
　　mean——Oh，Mr。Kearney，Iwantyoutobefrankwithme。Iknownothingofbusiness，butIknowtherehasbeentroubleaboutthemineatDevil’sFord。Tellmehonestly，hasmyfatheranythingtodowithit？IfIthoughtthatthroughanyimprudenceofhis，youhadsuffered——ifIbelievedthatyoucouldtraceanymisfortuneofyourstohim——toUS——Ishouldneverforgivemyself"——shestoppedandflashedasinglelookathim——"IshouldneverforgiveYOUforabandoningus。"
　　Thelookofpainwhichhadatfirstshownitselfinhisface，whichneverconcealedanything，passed，andaquicksmilefollowedherfeminineanticlimax。
　　"MissCarr，"hesaid，withboyisheagerness，"ifanymansuggestedtomethatyourfatherwasn’tthebrightestandbestofhiskind——
　　toowiseandcleverforthefoolsabouthimtounderstand——I’d——I’dshoothim。"
　　ConfusedbyhisreadyandgraciousdisclaimerofwhatshehadNOT
　　intendedtosay，therewasnothingleftforherbuttorushuponwhatshereallyintendedtosay，withwhatshefeltwasshamefulprecipitation。
　　"Onewordmore，Mr。Kearney，"shebegan，lookingdown，butfeelingthecolorcometoherfaceasshespoke。"Whenyouspoketomethedayyouleft，youmusthavethoughtmehardandcruel。WhenItellyouthatIthoughtyouwerealludingtoJessieandsomefeelingyouhadforher——"
　　"ForJessie!"echoedGeorge。
　　"Youwillunderstandthat——that——"
　　"Thatwhat？"saidGeorge，drawingnearertoher。
　　"ThatIwasonlyspeakingasshemighthavespokenhadyoutalkedtoherofme，"addedChristiehurriedly，slightlybackingherhorseawayfromhim。
　　Butthiswasnotsoeasy，asGeorgewasthebetterrider，andbyanimperceptiblemovementofhiswristandfoothadgluedhishorsetoherside。"Hewillgonow，"shehadthought，buthedidn’t。
　　"Wemustrideon，"shesuggestedfaintly。
　　"No，"hesaidwithasuddendroppingofhisboyishmannerandaslightliftingofhishead。"Wemustridetogethernofurther，MissCarr。ImustgobacktotheworkIamhiredtodo，andyoumustgoonwithyourparty，whomIhearcoming。Butwhenweparthereyoumustbidmegood—by——notasJessie’ssister——butasChristie——theone——theonlywomanthatIlove，orthatIeverhaveloved。"
　　Heheldouthishand。Withtherecollectionoftheirpreviousparting，shetremblinglyadvancedherown。Hetookit，butdidnotraiseittohislips。Anditwasshewhofoundherselfhalfconfusedlyretaininghishandinhers，untilshedroppeditwithablush。
　　"ThenisthisthereasonyougivefordesertingusasyouhavedesertedDevil’sFord？"shesaidcoldly。
　　Heliftedhiseyestoherwithastrangesmile，andsaid，"Yes，"
　　wheeledhishorse，anddisappearedintheforest。
　　Hehadleftherthusabruptlyoncebefore，kissed，blushing，andindignant。Hewasleavinghernow，unkissed，butwhiteandindignant。Yetshewassoself—possessedwhenthepartyjoinedher，thatthesingularrencontreandherexplanationofthestranger’ssuddendepartureexcitednofurthercomment。OnlyJessiemanagedtowhisperinherear，——
　　"Ihopeyouaresatisfiednowthatitwasn’tmehemeant？"
　　"Notatall，"saidChristiecoldly。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　AfewdaysafterthegirlshadreturnedtoSanFrancisco，theyreceivedaletterfromtheirfather。Hisbusiness，hewrote，woulddetainhiminSacramentosomedayslonger。TherewasnoreasonwhytheyshouldreturntoDevil’sFordintheheatofthesummer；theirhosthadwrittentobeghimtoallowthemamoreextendedvisit，and，iftheywereenjoyingthemselves，hethoughtitwouldbewellnottodisobligeanoldfriend。HehadheardtheyhadapleasantvisittoMr。Prince’splace，andthatacertainyoungbankerhadbeenveryattentivetoChristie。
　　"Doyouknowwhatallthismeans，dear？"askedJessie，whohadbeenwatchinghersisterwithanunusuallygraveface。
　　Christiewhosethoughtshadwanderedfromtheletter，repliedcarelessly，——
　　"Isupposeitmeansthatwearetowaithereuntilfathersendsforus。"
　　"Itmeansagooddealmore。Itmeansthatpapahashadanotherreverse；itmeansthattheassayhasturnedoutbadlyforthemine——
　　thatthefurthertheygofromtheflattheworseitgets——thatallthegoldtheywillprobablyeverseeatDevil’sFordiswhattheyhavealreadyfoundorwillfindontheflat；itmeansthatallDevil’sFordisonlya’pocket，’andnota’lead。’"Shestopped，withunexpectedtearsinhereyes。
　　"Whotoldyouthis？"askedChristiebreathlessly。
　　"Fairfax——Mr。Munroe，"stammeredhersister，"writestomeasifwealreadyknewit——tellsmenottobealarmed，thatitisn’tsobad——
　　andallthat。"
　　"Howlonghasthishappened，Jessie？"saidChristie，takingherhand，withawhitebutcalmface。
　　"Nearlyeversincewe’vebeenhere，Isuppose。Itmustbeso，forhesayspoorpapaisstillhopefulofdoingsomethingyet。"
　　"AndMr。Munroewritestoyou？"saidChristieabstractedly。
　　"Ofcourse，"saidJessiequickly。"Hefeelsinterestedin——us。"
　　"NobodytellsMEanything，"saidChristie。
　　"Didn’t——"
　　"No，"saidChristiebitterly。
　　"WhatonearthDIDyoutalkabout？Butpeopledon’tconfideinyoubecausethey’reafraidofyou。You’reso——"
　　"Sowhat？"
　　"Sogentlypatronizing，andso’I—don’t—suppose—you—can—help—it，—
　　poor—thing，’inyourgeneralstyle，"saidJessie，kissingher。
　　"There!IonlywishIwaslikeyou。Whatdoyousayifwewritetofatherthatwe’llgobacktoDevil’sFord？Mr。Munroethinkswewillbeofservicetherejustnow。Ifthemenaredissatisfied，andthinkwe’respendingmoney——"
　　"I’mafraidMr。Munroeishardlyadisinterestedadviser。Atleast，Idon’tthinkitwouldlookquitedecentforyoutoflybackwithoutyourfather，athissuggestion，"saidChristiecoldly。"Heisnottheonlypartner。Wearespendingnomoney。Besides，wehaveengagedtogotoMr。Prince’sagainnextweek。"
　　"Asyoulike，dear，"saidJessie，turningawaytohideafaintsmile。
　　Nevertheless，whentheyreturnedfromtheirvisittoMr。Prince’s，andoneortwouneventfulrides，Christielookedgrave。ItwasonlyafewdayslaterthatJessieburstuponheronemorning。
　　"Youweresayingthatnobodyevertellsyouanything。Well，here’syourchance。WhiskeyDickisbelow。"
　　"WhiskeyDick？"repeatedChristie。"Whatdoeshewant？"
　　"YOU，love。Whoelse？Youknowhealwaysscornsmeasnotbeinghigh—tonedandelegantenoughforhissocialconfidences。Heaskedforyouonly。"
　　Withanuneasysenseofsomeimpendingrevelation，Christiedescendedtothedrawing—room。Assheopenedthedoor，astrongflavorofthattoiletsoapandeaudeColognewithwhichWhiskeyDickwasinthehabitofgracefullyeffacingthetracesofdissipationmadeknownhispresence。Inspiteofanewsuitofclothes，whosepristinefoldsrefusedtoadaptthemselvesentirelytothecontourofhisfigure，hewassomewhatsubduedbytheunexpectedeleganceofthedrawing—roomofChristie’shost。ButaglanceatChristie’ssadbutgraciousfacequicklyreassuredhim。
　　Takingfromhishatathree—corneredparcel，heunfoldedahandsomesaffronarose，whichhegravelypresentedtoher。Havingthusreestablishedhisposition，hesankelegantlyintoatete—a—teteottoman。FindingthepositioninconvenienttofaceChristie，whohadseatedherselfonachair，hetransferredhimselftotheothersideoftheottoman，andaddressedheroveritsbackasfromapulpit。
　　"Isthisreallyafortunateaccident，Mr。Hall，ordidyoutrytofindus？"saidChristiepleasantly。
　　"Partlypromiskuss，andpartlycoincident，MissChristie，oneupandt’otherdown，"saidDicklightly。"WorkbeingslackatpresentatDevil’sFord，Ireck’nedI’dtakeapaseardownto’Frisco，anddipintothevortexo’fash’nablesocietyandoutagain。"Helightlywavedanewhandkerchieftoillustratehisswallow—likeintrusion。"Thisyerminglin’withthebo—tongisapttobewearisome，ezyouandmeknows，unlesscombinedwithexperienceandjudgment。Sowhenthemboysupthereallowsthatthere’salittletoomuchfash’nablesocietyandSanFranciscocapitalandhigh—
　　falutin’aboutthefuturegoin’onfersquaresurfacemining，I
　　sez，’Lookyere，gentlemen，’sezI，’youdon’tseethepint。Thepintistogetthepop’lareyefixed，sotospeak，onDevil’sFord。
　　Whenafash’nablestarrisesabovethe’Friscohorizon——likeMissCarr——and，sotospeak，dazzlesthegineraleye，peoplewanttoknowwhosheis。Andwhenpeoplesaythat’stheaccomplisheddaughtero’theaccomplishedsuperintendentoftheDevil’sFordclaim——otherwiseknownastheStar—eyedGoddesso’Devil’sFord——
　　everyeyeisfixedonthemine，andCapital，sotospeak，tumblestoher。’Andwhentheysezthattheoldman——excusemyfreedom，butthat’sthewaytheboystalkofyourfather，meaningnoharm——
　　theoldman，insteado’tryingtocorralrichwidders——grassorotherwise——tospendtheirmoneyonthebigworksforthegoldthatain’tthereyet——shouldstayinDevil’sFordandputallhissabeandgeniusintogrindin’outthelittlegoldthatisthere，Iseztothemthatitain’tyourfather’sstyle。’Hisstyle，’sezI，’eztogoinandbuildthemworks。’Whenthey’redoneheturnsroundtoCapital，andsezhe——’Lookyer，’sezhe，’thar’salltheworksyouwant，firstquality——costamillion；thar’sallthewateryouwant，onlimited——costanothermillion；thar’sallthepaygravelyouwantinandoutertheground——callittwomillionsmore。Nowmytime’stoovally’ble；myprofesshun’stoohigh—tonedtoWORK
　　mines。IMAKE’em。Handmeoveracheckfortenmillionsandcallitsquare，andworkitforyourself。’SoCapitalhandsoverthemoneyandwaltzesdowntorunthemine，andyouoriginallocatorswalksroundwithyerhandsinyerpocketsa—topofyoursixmillionprofit，andyoulet’sCapitaltaketheworkandtheresponsibility。"
　　PreposterousasthisseemedfromthelipsofWhiskeyDick，Christiehadahauntingsuspicionthatitwasnotgreatlyunlikethetheoriesexpoundedbythecleveryoungbankerwhohadbeenherescort。Shedidnotinterrupthisflowofreminiscentcriticism；
　　whenhepausedforbreath，shesaid，quietly：
　　"ImetMr。GeorgeKearneytheotherdayinthecountry。"
　　WhiskeyDickstoppedawkwardly，glancedhurriedlyatChristie，andcoughedbehindhishandkerchief。
　　"Mr。Kearney——eh——er——certengly——yes——er——methim，yousay。Washe——er——er——well？"
　　"Inhealth，yes；butotherwisehehaslosteverything，"saidChristie，fixinghereyesontheembarrassedDick。
　　"Yes——er——incourse——incourse——"continuedDick，nervouslyglancingroundtheapartmentasifendeavoringtofindanopeningtosomelessabruptstatementofthefact。
　　"Andactuallyreducedtotakesomemenialemployment，"addedChristie，stillregardingDickwithherclearglance。
　　"That’sit——that’sjustit，"saidDick，beamingashesuddenlyfoundhisdelicateandconfidentialopportunity。"That’sit，MissChristie；that’sjustwhatIwassayin’totheboys。’Ezitthesquarething，’sezI，’jestbecauseGeorgehezhappenedtohypothecateeverydollarhehas，orexpectstohev，toputintothemworks，onlytopleaseMr。Carr，andjustbecausehedon’twanttodistressthatintelligentgentlemanbylettinghimseehe’sdeadbroke——forhimtogoanddemeanhimselfandDevil’sFordbyrushingawayandhiringoutasaMexicanvaqueroonMexicanwages？Look，’
　　sezI，’atthedisgracehebringsuponahigh—toned，fash’nablegirl，atwhosesidehe’swalkedanddanced，andpassedrings，andsentiments，andbokaysinthechangeso’thecotillionandthemizzourka。Andwot，’sezI，’ifsomeday，prancingalonginafash’nablecavalcade，sheallofasuddentscomesacrosshimdrivin’aMexicansteer？’That’swhatIsaidtotheboys。Andsoyoumethim，MissChristie，asusual，"continuedDick，endeavoringundertheappearanceofalargesocialexperiencetoconcealaneageranxietytoknowthedetails——"soyoumethim；and，incourse，youdidn’tletonyerknewhim，sotospeak，nat’rally，orp’rapsyoukinderlikeaskedhimtofixyoursaddle—girth，andgivehimafive—dollarpiece——eh？"
　　Christie，whohadrisenandgonetothewindow，suddenlyturnedaverypalefaceandshiningeyesonDick。
　　"Mr。Hall，"shesaid，withafaintattemptatasmile，"weareoldfriends，andIfeelIcanaskyouafavor。Youoncebeforeactedasourescort——itwasforashortbutahappytime——willyouacceptalargertrust？MyfatherisbusyinSacramentoforthemine：willyou，withoutsayinganythingtoanybody，takeJessieandmebackatoncetoDevil’sFord？"
　　"WillI？MissChristie，"saidDick，chokingbetweenanintensegratificationandadesiretokeepbackitsvulgarexhibition，"I
　　shallbeproud!"
　　"WhenIsaykeepitasecret"——shehesitated——"Idon’tmeanthatI
　　objecttoyourlettingMr。Kearney，ifyouhappentoknowwhereheis，understandthatwearegoingbacktoDevil’sFord。"
　　"Cert’nly——nat’rally，"saidDick，wavinghishandgracefully；
　　"sorterdrophimaline，sayingthatbiznessofasocialanddelicatenature——beingtheescortofMissChristieandJessieCarrtoDevil’sFord——preventsmyhavingthepleasureofcalling。"
　　"Thatwilldoverywell，Mr。Hall，"saidChristie，faintlysmilingthroughhermoisteyelashes。"Thenwillyougoatonceandsecureticketsforto—night’sboat，andbringthemhere？JessieandI
　　willarrangeeverythingelse。"
　　"Cert’nly，"saidDickimpulsively，andpreparingtotakeagracefulleave。
　　"We’llbeimpatientuntilyoureturnwiththetickets，"saidChristiegraciously。
　　Dickshookhandsgravely，gotasfarasthedoor，andpaused。
　　"Youthinkitbettertotaketheticketsnow？"hesaiddubiously。
　　"Byallmeans，"saidChristieimpetuously。"I’vesetmyheartongoingto—night——andunlessyousecureberthsearly——"
　　"Incourse——incourse，"interruptedDicknervously。"But——"
　　"Butwhat？"saidChristieimpatiently。
　　Dickhesitated，shutthedoorcarefully，and，lookingroundtheroom，lightlyshookouthishandkerchief，apparentlyflickedawayanembarrassingsuggestion，andsaid，withalittlelaugh：
　　"It’sridiklous，perfectlyridiklous，MissChristie；butnotbein’
　　inthehabitofcarryin’readymoney，andhavin’omittedtocashadraftonWells，Fargo&Co。——"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidChristierapidly。"HowforgetfulIam!Prayforgiveme，Mr。Hall。Ididn’tthink。I’llrunupandgetitfromourhost；hewillbegladtobeourbanker。"
　　"Onemoment，MissChristie，"saidDicklightly，ashisthumbandfingerrelaxedinhiswaistcoatpocketovertheonlypieceofmoneyintheworldthathadremainedtohimafterhisextravagantpurchaseofChristie’ssaffronarose，"onemoment：inthisyermonetarytransaction，ifyoulike，youareatlibertytouseMY
　　name。"
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　AsChristieandJessieCarrlookedfromthewindowsofthecoach，whosedust—cloggedwheelswereslowlydraggingthem，asifreluctant，nearerthelaststageoftheirjourneytoDevil’sFord，theywereconsciousofachangeinthelandscape，whichtheycouldnotentirelychargeupontheirchangedfeelings。Thefewbaredopenspacesontheupland，thelongstretchofrockyridgenearthesummit，sovividandsovelvetyduringtheirfirstjourney，werenowburntandyellow；eventhebriefopeningsintheforestweresearedasifbyahotironinthescorchingraysofahalfyear’ssun。Thepastoralslopesofthevalleybelowwerecloakedinlustre—leather：therarewatercoursesalongtheroadhadfadedfromthewaitingeyeandear；itseemedasifthelonganddrysummerhadeveninvadedtheclose—setranksofpines，andhadblownasimoombreaththroughthedensestwoods，leavingitscharredredashesoneveryleafandsprayalongthetunnelledshade。Astheyleanedoutofthewindowandinhaledthehalf—deadspicesoftheevergreens，theyseemedtohaveenteredtheatmosphereofsomeexhaustedpassion——ofsomefierceexcitementthatwasevennowslowlyburningitselfout。
　　ItwasareliefatlasttoseethestragglinghousesofDevil’sFordfarbelowcomeoncemoreintoview，astheyroundedtheshoulderofDevil’sSpurandbeganthelongdescent。Butastheyenteredthetownachangemoreominousandstartlingthanthedesiccationofthelandscapeforceditselfuponthem。Thetownwasstillthere，butwhereweretheinhabitants？Fourmonthsagotheyhadleftthestragglingstreetthrongedwithbusycitizens——groupsateverycorner，andachaosofmerchandiseandtradersintheopenplazaorsquarebesidethePresbyterianchurch。Nowallwaschanged。Onlyafewwayfarersliftedtheirheadslazilyasthecoachrattledby，crossingthedesertedsquarelitteredwithemptyboxes，andglidingpastemptycabinsorvacantshopwindows，fromwhichnotonlyfamiliarfaces，buteventhewindowsashesthemselves，weregone。Thegreatunfinishedserpent—likeflume，crossingtheriverongigantictrestles，hadadvancedasfarasthetown，stoopingoveritlikesomeenormousreptilethathadsuckeditslifebloodandwasgorgedwithitsprey。
　　WhiskeyDick，whohadleftthestageonthesummittoavailhimselfofashorterfoottrailtothehouse，thatwouldgivehimhalfanhour’sgracetomakepreparations，metthematthestageofficewithabuggy。Aglanceattheyounggirls，perhaps，convincedhimthatthegracesofelegantworldlyconversationwereoutofplacewiththerevelationhereadontheirfaces。Perhaps，he，too，wasatrifleindisposed。Theshortjourneytothehousewasmadeinprofoundsilence。
　　Thevillahadbeenrepaintedanddecorated，anditlookedfresher，andeven，totheirpreoccupiedminds，appearedmoreattractivethanever。Thoughtfulhandshadtakencareofthevinesandrose—bushesonthetrellises；water——thatpreciouselementinDevil’sFord——hadnotbeensparedinkeepinggreenthroughthelongdroughttheplantswhichthegirlshadsotenderlynurtured。Itwastheoneoasisinwhichthesummerstilllingered；andyetasingularsenseoflosscameoverthegirlsastheyoncemorecrosseditsthreshold。Itseemednolongertheirown。
　　"EfIwasyou，MissChristie，I’dkeepclosetothehouseforadayortwo，until——until——thingsissettled，"saidDick；"there’saheapo’trampsandsichcattletrapsin’round。P’rapsyouwouldn’tfeelsolonesomeifyouwasnearertown——forinstance，’boutwher’
　　youuseterlive。"
　　"Inthedearoldcabin，"saidChristiequickly；"Irememberit；I
　　wishweweretherenow。"
　　"Doyoureally？Doyou？"saidWhiskeyDick，withsuddenlytwinklingeyes。"That’slikeyoutosayit。That’swhatIallussaid，"continuedDick，addressingspacegenerally；"ifthere’sanyoneezknowshowtocomesquaredowntothebottomrockwithoutflinchin’，it’syourhigh—toned，fash’nablegals。ButImustmeanderbacktotown，andlettheboysknowyou’reinpossession，safeandsound。It’srightmeanthatFairfaxandMattinglyhadtogodowntoLagrangeonsomelowbusinessyesterday，butthey’llbebackto—morrow。Solong。"
　　Leftalone，thegirlsbegantorealizetheirstrangeposition。
　　Theyhadconceivednosettledplan。ThenighttheyleftSanFranciscotheyhadwrittenanearnestlettertotheirfather，tellinghimthatonlearningthetruthaboutthereversesofDevil’sFord，theythoughtittheirdutytoreturnandsharethemwithothers，withoutobliginghimtoprefertherequest，andwithaslittleworrytohimaspossible。Hewouldfindthemreadytosharehistrials，andinwhatmustbethesceneoftheirworkhereafter。
　　"Itwillbringfatherback，"saidChristie；"hewon’tleaveusherealone；andthentogetherwemustcometosomeunderstandingwithhim——withTHEM——forsomehowIfeelasifthishousebelongedtousnolonger。"
　　Hersurmisewasnotfarwrong。WhenMr。CarrarrivedhurriedlyfromSacramentothenextevening，hefoundthehousedeserted。Hisdaughtersweregone；therewereindicationsthattheyhadarrived，and，forsomereason，suddenlydeparted。Thevaguefearthathadhauntedhisguiltysoulafterreceivingtheirletter，andduringhisbreathlessjourney，nowseemedtoberealized。Hewasturningfromtheemptyhouse，whosereproachfulsolitudefrightenedhim，whenhewasconfrontedonthethresholdbythefigureofFairfaxMunroe。
　　"Icametothestageofficetomeetyou，"hesaid；"youmusthaveleftthestageatthesummit。"
　　"Idid，"saidCarrangrily。"Iwasanxioustomeetmydaughtersquickly，toknowthereasonoftheirfoolishalarm，andtoknowalsowhohadbeenfrighteningthem。Wherearethey？"
　　"Theyaresafeintheoldcabinbeyond，thathasbeenputupreadytoreceivethemagain，"saidFairfaxquietly。
　　"Butwhatisthemeaningofthis？Whyaretheynothere？"demandedCarr，hidinghisagitationinaburstofquerulousrage。
　　"DoYOUask，Mr。Carr？"saidFairfaxsadly。"Didyouexpectthemtoremainhereuntilthesherifftookpossession？Nooneknowsbetterthanyourselfthatthemoneyadvancedyouonthedeedsofthishomesteadhasneverbeenrepaid。"
　　Carrstaggered，butrecoveredhimselfwithfeebleviolence。
　　"Sinceyouknowsomuchofmyaffairs，howdoyouknowthatthisclaimwilleverbepressedforpayment？Howdoyouknowitisnottheadvanceofa——a——friend？"
　　"BecauseIhaveseenthewomanwhoadvancedit，"saidFairfaxhopelessly。"Shewasheretolookatthepropertybeforeyourdaughterscame。"
　　"Well？"saidCarrnervously。
　　"Well!YouforcemetotellyousomethingIshouldliketoforget。
　　YouforcemetoanticipateadisclosureIexpectedtomaketoyouonlywhenIcametoaskpermissiontowooyourdaughterJessie；andwhenItellyouwhatitis，youwillunderstandthatIhavenorighttocriticiseyourconduct。Iamonlyexplainingmyown。"
　　"Goon，"saidCarrimpatiently。
　　"WhenIfirstcametothiscountry，therewasawomanIlovedpassionately。Shetreatedmeaswomenofherkindonlytreatmenlikeme；sheruinedme，andleftme。Thatwasfouryearsago。I
　　loveyourdaughter，Mr。Carr，butshehasneverhearditfrommylips。IwouldnotwooheruntilIhadtoldyouall。Ihavetriedtodoiterethis，andfailed。PerhapsIshouldnotnow，but——"
　　"Butwhat？"saidCarrfuriously；"speakout!"
　　"Butthis。Look!"saidFairfax，producingfromhispocketthepacketoflettersJessiehadfound；"perhapsyouknowthehandwriting？"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"gaspedCarr。
　　"Thatwoman——mymistress——isthewomanwhoadvancedyoumoney，andwhoclaimsthishouse。"
　　Theinterview，andwhatevercameofit，remainedasecretwiththetwomen。WhenMr。Carracceptedthehospitalityoftheoldcabinagain，itwasunderstoodthathehadsacrificedthenewhouseanditsfurnituretosomeofthemorepressingdebtsofthemine，andtheactwentfartorestorehiswaningpopularity。ButamoregenuinefeelingofreliefwasexperiencedbyDevil’sFordwhenitwasrumoredthatFairfaxMunroehadaskedforthehandofJessieCarr，andthatsomepromisecontingentupontheequitableadjustmentoftheaffairsoftheminehadbeengivenbyMr。Carr。
　　TothesuperstitiousmindofDevil’sFordanditsfewremaininglocators，thisnewpartnershipseemedtopromisethatunityofinterestandstabilityoffortunethatDevil’sFordhadlacked。
　　Butnothingcouldbedoneuntiltherainyseasonhadfairlysetin；
　　untilthelong—looked—forelementthatwastomagicallyseparatethegoldfromthedrossinthosedullmoundsofdustandgravelhadcomeofitsownfreewill，andinitsownappointedchannels，independentofthefeebleauxiliariesthathadhopelesslyriventherocksonthehillside，orhungincompleteandunfinishedinloftyscaffoldingsabovethesettlement。
　　Therainyseasoncameearly。Atfirstingatheredmistsonthehigherpeaksthatwereliftedinthemorningsunonlytoshowafresherfieldofdazzlingwhitebelow；inwhitecloudsthatatfirstseemedtobemeredriftsblownacrossfromthosefreshsnowfields，andobscuringtheclearblueabove；infar—offmurmursinthehollowhillsandgulches；innearertinklingmelodyandbabyprattlingintheleaves。Itcamewithbrightflashesofsunlightbyday，withdeep，monotonousshadowatnight；withtheonsetofheavywinds，theroarofturbulentwoods，thetumultuoustossingofleafyarms，andwithwhatseemedthesilentdissolutionofthewholelandscapeindaysofsteadyanduninterrupteddownfall。Itcameextravagantly，foreverycanyonhadgrownintoatorrent，everygulchawaterspout，everywatercourseariver，andallpouringintotheNorthFork，that，rushingpastthesettlement，seemedtothreatenitwithliftedcrestandflyingmane。Itcamedangerously，foronenighttheriver，leapingthefeeblebarrierofDevil’sFord，sweptawayhousesandbanks，scatteredwithunconsciousironythelaboriouslycollectedheapsofgravelleftforhydraulicmachinery，andspreadoutavastandsilentlakeacrossthesubmergedflat。
　　Inthehurryandconfusionofthatnightthegirlshadthrownopentheircabintotheescapingminers，whohurriedalongtheslopethatwasnowthebankoftheriver。SuddenlyChristiefeltherarmgrasped，andshewashalf—led，half—dragged，intotheinnerroom。
　　Herfatherstoodbeforeher。
　　"WhereisGeorgeKearney？"heaskedtremulously。
　　"GeorgeKearney!"echoedChristie，foramomentbelievingtheexcitementhadturnedherfather’sbrain。"Youknowheisnothere；heisinSanFrancisco。"
　　"Heishere——Itellyou，"saidCarrimpatiently；"hehasbeenhereeversincethehighwater，tryingtosavetheflumeandreservoir。"
　　"George——here!"Christiecouldonlygasp。
　　"Yes!Hepassedhereafewmomentsago，toseeifyouwereallsafe，andhehasgoneontowardstheflume。Butwhatheistryingtodoismadness。Ifyouseehim，implorehimtodonomore。Lethimabandontheaccursedflumetoitsfate。Ithasworkedalreadytoomuchwoeuponusall；whyshoulditcarryhisbraveandyouthfulsouldownwithit？"
　　Thewordswerestillringinginherears，whenhesuddenlypassedaway，withthehurryingcrowd。Scarcelyknowingwhatshedid，sheranout，vaguelyintentonlyononethought，seekingonlytheoneface，latelysodearinrecollectionthatshefeltshewoulddieifsheneversawitagain。Perplexedbyconfusedvoicesinthewoods，shelosttrackofthecrowd，untilthevoicessuddenlywereraisedinoneloudoutcry，followedbythecrashingoftimber，thesplashingofwater，asilence，andthenadull，continuousroar。
　　Sheranvaguelyoninthedirectionofthereservoir，withherfather’sinjunctionstillinhermind，untilaterribleideadisplacedit，andsheturnedatrightanglessuddenly，andrantowardstheslopeleadingdowntothesubmergedflat。Shehadbarelylefttheshelterofthetreesbehindherbeforetheroarofwaterseemedtoriseatherveryfeet。Shestopped，dazed，bewildered，andhorror—stricken，ontheedgeoftheslope。Itwastheslopenolonger，butthebankoftheriveritself!
　　Eveninthegraylightofearlymorning，andwithinexperiencedeyes，shesawalltooclearlynow。Thetrestle—workhadgivenway；
　　thecurvingmileofflume，fallenintothestream，and，crushedanddammedagainsttheoppositeshore，hadabsolutelyturnedthewholeriverthroughthehalf—finishedditchandpartlyexcavatedmineinitsway，afewrodsfurtherontojointheoldfamiliarchannel。
　　Thebankoftheriverwaschanged；theflathadbecomeanisland，betweenwhichandtheslopewhereshestoodtheNorthForkwasrollingitsresistlessyellowtorrent。Asshegazedspellbound，aportionoftheslopebeneathhersuddenlyseemedtosinkandcrumble，andwasswallowedupintherushingstream。Sheheardacryofwarningbehindher，but，rootedtothespotbyafearfulfascination，sheheededitnot。
　　Againtherewasasuddendisruption，andanotherpartoftheslopesanktorisenomore；butthistimeshefeltherselfseizedbythewaistanddraggedback。Itwasherfatherstandingbyherside。
　　Hewasflushedandexcited，gazingatthewaterwithastrangeexultation。
　　"Doyouseeit？Doyouknowwhathashappened？"heaskedquickly。
　　"Theflumehasfallenandturnedtheriver，"saidChristiehurriedly。"But——haveyouseenhim——ishesafe？"
　　"He——who？"heansweredvacantly。
　　"GeorgeKearney!"
　　"Heissafe，"hesaidimpatiently。"But，doyousee，Christie？Doyouknowwhatthismeans？"
　　Hepointedwithhistremuloushandtothestreambeforethem。
　　"Itmeansweareruined，"saidChristiecoldly。
　　"Nothingofthekind!Itmeansthattheriverisdoingtheworkoftheflume。Itissluicingoffthegravel，deepeningtheditch，andalteringtheslopewhichwastheoldbendoftheriver。Itwilldointenminutestheworkthatwouldtakeusayear。Ifwecanstopitintime，orcontrolit，wearesafe；butifwecannot，itwillcarryawaythebedanddepositwiththerest，andweareruinedagain。"
　　Withagestureofimpotentfury，hedashedawayinthedirectionofanequallyexcitedcrowd，thatonapointoftheslopenearertheislandweregesticulatingandshoutingtoasecondgroupofmen，whoontheoppositeshorewereclamberingonoverthechokeddebrisoftheflumethathaddammedanddivertedthecurrent。Itwasevidentthatthesameideahadoccurredtothem，andtheywereriskingtheirlivesintheattempttosetfreetheimpediments。
　　ShockedandindignantasChristiehadbeenatthedegradingabsorptionofmaterialinterestsatsuchamoment，theelementofdangerliftedthelaborsofthesemenintoheroism，andshebegantofeelastrangeexultationasshewatchedthem。Undertheskilfulblowsoftheiraxes，inafewmomentsthevastbodyofdriftbegantodisintegrate，andthentoswingroundandmovetowardstheoldchannel。Acheerwentup，butassuddenlydiedawayagain。Anoverlappingfringeofwreckagehadcaughtonthepointoftheislandandarrestedthewholemass。
　　Themen，whohadgainedtheshorewithdifficulty，lookedbackwithacryofdespair。Butthenextmomentfromamongthemleapedafigure，alert，buoyant，invincible，and，axeinhand，oncemoreessayedthepassage。Springingfromtimbertotimber，heatlastreachedthepointofobstruction。Afewstrokesoftheaxeweresufficienttoclearit；butatthefirststrokeitwasapparentthatthestrikerwasalsolosinghisholdupontheshore，andthathemustinevitablybecarriedawaywiththetossingdebris。Butthisconsiderationdidnotseemtoaffecthim；thelastblowwasstruck，andasthefreedtimbersrolledon，overandover，heboldlyplungedintotheflood。Christiegavealittlecry——herhearthadboundedwithhim；itseemedasifhisplungehadsplashedthewaterinhereyes。Hedidnotcometothesurfaceuntilhehadpassedthepointbelowwhereherfatherstood，andthenstrugglingfeebly，asifstunnedordisabledbyablow。Itseemedtoherthathewastryingtoapproachthesideoftheriverwhereshewas。
　　Wouldhedoit？Couldshehelphim？Shewasalone；hewashiddenfromtheviewofthemenonthepoint，andnosuccorcouldcomefromthem。Therewasafringeofaldernearlyoppositetheircabinthatalmostoverhungthestream。Sherantoit，clutcheditwithafrantichand，and，leaningovertheboilingwater，utteredforthefirsttimehisname：
　　"George!"
　　Asifcalledtothesurfacebythemagicofhervoice，heroseafewyardsfromherinmid—current，andturnedhisfadingeyestowardsthebank。Inanothermomenthewouldhavebeensweptbeyondherreach，butwithasupremeeffortheturnedononeside；
　　thecurrent，strikinghimsideways，threwhimtowardsthebank，andshecaughthimbyhissleeve。Foraninstantitseemedasifshewouldbedraggeddownwithhim。Foronedangerousmomentshedidnotcare，andalmostyieldedtothespell；butastherushofwaterpressedhimagainstthebank，sherecoveredherself，andmanagedtolifthimbeyonditsreach。Andthenshesatdown，half—fainting，withhiswhitefaceanddampcurlsuponherbreast。
　　"George，darling，speaktome!Onlyoneword!Tellme，haveI
　　savedyou？"
　　Hiseyesopened。Afainttwinkleoftheolddayscametothem——aboyishsmileplayeduponhislips。
　　"Foryourself——orJessie？"
　　Shelookedaroundherwithalittlefrightenedair。Theywerealone。Therewasbutonewayofsealingthosemischievouslips，andshefoundit!
　　"That’swhatIallussaid，gentlemen，"lazilyremarkedWhiskeyDick，afewweekslater，leaningbackagainstthebar，withhisglassinhishand。"’George，’sezI，’itain’twhatyouSAYtoafash’nable，high—tonedyounglady；it’swhatyouDOESezmakesorbreaksyou。’Andthat’swhatIsezgin’rallyo’thingsintheFord。Itain’twhatCarrandyouboysallowstodo；it’sthegin’ralaverageo’thingsezISdonethatgivestonetothehull，andhezbroughtthisyernewlucktoyouall!"