"He’llgetit，andnobodyelse，sure。"
"Thankyou；IhopeMrs。Sledgeisgettingroundagain。"
"Pow’fully，MissSally。"
Havingthus，asshehoped，stoppedthearrivaloftheunhappyCorbin，MissSallyreturnedhometoconsiderthebestmeansoffinallydisposingofhim。ShehadinsisteduponhisstoppingatKirbyandholdingnocommunicationwiththeJeffcourtsuntilheheardfromher，andhadstronglypointedoutthehopelessinfelicityofhisplan。ShedarenottellherAuntMiranda，knowingthatshewouldbetoohappytoprecipitateaninterviewthatwouldterminatedisastrouslytoboththeJeffcourtsandCorbin。Shemighthavetotakeherfatherintoherconfidence，——
adreadfulcontingency。
Shewasdressedfortheeveningparty，whichwasprovinciallyearly；indeed，itwasscarcelypastnineo’clockwhenshehadfinishedhertoilet，whentherecamearapatherdoor。ItwasoneofMammyJudy’schildren。
"Deyisagemplum，MissSally。"
"Yes，yes，"saidMissSally，impatiently，thinkingonlyofherescort。"I’llbethereinaminute。Runaway。Hecanwait。"
"AndhesaidIwastoguvyo’disyer，"continuedthelittlenegrowithportentousgravity，presentingacard。
MissSallytookitwithasmile。Itwasaplaincardonwhichwaswrittenwithapencilinahandshehurriedlyrecognized，"JosephCorbin。"
MissSally’ssmilebecamehystericallyrigid，andpushingtheboyasidewithalittlecry，shedartedalongtheverandaandenteredtheparlorfromasidedoorandvestibule。Tohermomentaryreliefshesawthatherfriendshadnotyetarrived：asinglefigure——astranger’s——roseassheentered。
Eveninherconsternationshehadtimetofeeltheaddedshockofdisappointment。Shehadalwayspresentinhermindanidealpictureofthismanwhomshehadneverseenorevenhearddescribed。JosephCorbinhadbeentall，dark，withflowinghairandlongmustache。Hehadflashingfieryeyeswhichwerecapableofbeingsubduedbyasingleglanceofgentleness——herown。Hewastempestuous，quick，andpassionate，butinquarrelwouldbeledbyasmile。HewasacombinationofanItalianbrigandandapokerplayerwhomshehadoncemetonaMississippisteamboat。Hewouldwearabroad-brimmedsofthat，aredshirt，showinghismassivethroatandneck——andhighboots！Alas！themanbeforeherwasofmediumheight，withlightclose-cuthair，hollowcheeksthatseemedtohavebeenlatelyscrapedwitharazor，andlightgraytroubledeyes。Asuitofcheapblack，illfitting，hastilyacquired，andprovincialevenforPineville，painfullysetofftheseimperfections，towhichawhitecravatinahopelesslytiedbowwassuperadded。A
terribleideathatthiscombinationofacountryundertakerandanill-paidcircuitpreacheronprobationwashisbestholidaytributetoher，andnotafuneralofferingtoMr。Jeffcourt，tookpossessionofher。Andwhen，withfemininequickness，shesawhiseyeswanderoverherownfineclothesandfestalfigure，andsinkagainuponthefloorinakindofhopelessdisappointmentequaltoherown，shefeltreadytocry。Butthemoreterriblesoundoflaughterapproachingthehousefromthegardenrecalledher。Herfriendswerecoming。
"ForHeaven’ssake，"shebrokeoutdesperately，"didn’tyougetmynoteatthestationtellingyounottocome？"
Hisfacegrewdarker，andthentookupitslookofhopelessresignation，asifthislastmisfortunewasonlyanacceptedpartofhisgreatertrouble，ashesatdownagain，andtoMissSally’shorror，listlesslyswunghishattoandfrounderhischair。
"No，"hesaid，gloomily，"Ididn’tgotonostation。IwalkedhereallthewayfromShelbyville。Ithoughtitmightseemmorelikethesquarethingtoherformetodo。IsentHIMbyexpressaheadinthebox。It’sbeenatthestageofficeallday。"
Withasickeningconvictionthatshehadbeensittingonhercousin’sbodywhileshewrotethatill-fatedcard，theyounggirlmanagedtogaspoutimpatiently："Butyoumustgo——yes——gonow，atonce！Don’ttalknow，butgo。"
"Ididn’tcomehere，"hesaid，risingwithakindofslowdignity，"tointerferewiththingsIdidn’tkalkilatetosee，"glancingagainatherdress，asthevoicescamenearer，"andthatIain’tintouchwith，——buttoknowifyouthinkI’dbetterbringhim——or"——
Hedidnotfinishthesentence，forthedoorhadopenedsuddenly，andahalf-dozenlaughinggirlsandtheirescortsburstintotheroom。Butamongthem，alittlehaughtyandstillirritatedfromherlastinterview，washercousinJuliaJeffcourt，erectandbeautifulinasombresilk。
"Go，"repeatedMissSally，inanagonizedwhisper。"Youmustnotbeknownhere。"
ButtheattentionofJuliahadbeenarrestedbyhercousin’sagitation，andhereyefellonCorbin，whereitwasfixedwithsomefatalfascinationthatseemedinturntoenthrallandpossesshimalso。ToMissSally’sinfinitedismaytheothersfellbackandallowedthesetwoblackfigurestostandout，thentomovetowardseachotherwiththesameterriblemagnetism。Theyweresonearshecouldnotrepeatherwarningtohimwithouttheothershearingit。
AndallhopediedwhenCorbin，turningdeliberatelytowardsherwithagravegestureinthedirectionofJulia，saidquietly：——
"Interduceme。"
MissSallyhesitated，andthengaspedhastily，"MissJeffcourt。"
"Yerdon’tsayMYname。TellherI’mJosephCorbinof’Frisco，California，whokilledherbrother。"Hestoppedandturnedtowardsher。"Icameheretotryandfixthingsagain——andI’vebroughtHIM。"
Inthewonderingsilencethatensuedtheotherssmiledvacantly，breathlessly，andexpectantly，untilCorbinadvancedandheldouthishand，whenJuliaJeffcourt，drawinghersbacktoherbosomwiththepalmsoutward，utteredaninarticulatecryand——andspatinhisface！
Withthatactshefoundtongue——revilinghim，thehousethatharboredhim，theinsolencethatpresentedhim，theinsultthathadbeenputuponher！"Areyoumen！"sheaddedpassionately，"whostandherewiththemanbeforeyouthatkilledmybrother，andseehimoffermehisfilthyvillainoushand——anddarenotstrikehimdown！"
Andtheydarednot。Violently，blindly，stupidlymovedthoughalltheirinstincts，thoughtheygatheredhystericallyaroundhim，therewassomethinginhisdullself-containmentthatwasunassailableandawful。Forhewipedhisfaceandbreastwithhishandkerchiefwithoutatremor，andturnedtothemwithevenasuggestionofrelief。
"She’sright，gentlemen，"hesaidgravely。"She’sright。Itmighthavebeenotherwise。Imighthaveallowedthatitmightbeotherwise，——butshe’sright。I’maSoth’nmanmyself，gentlemen，andIreckontounderstandwhatshehasdone。Ikilledtheonlymanthathadarighttostandupforher，andshehasnowtostandupforherself。Butifshewants——andyouseesheallowsshewants——topassthatontosomeofyou，orallofyou，I’mwilling。
Asmanyasyoulike，andinwhatwayyoulike——Iwaiveanychyceofweapon——I’mready，gentlemen。Icamehere——withHIM——forthatpurpose。"
Perhapsitmayhavebeenhisfatefulresignation；perhapsitmayhavebeenhisexceedingreadiness，——buttherewasnoresponse。Hesatdownagain，andagainswunghishatslowlyandgloomilytoandfrounderhischair。
"I’vegothiminaboxatthestageoffice，"hewenton，apparentlytothecarpet。"IhadhimdugupthatImightbringhimhere，andmebbeburysomeofthetroubleanddifferencealongwithhisfriends。Itmightbe，"headded，withaslightlygloweringupwardglance，astoanoverruling，butoccasionallymisdirectingProvidence，——"itmightbefromthewaythingsarepilinguponmethatsomeonemighthaverunginanothercorpseinsteado’HIM，butsofarasIcanjudge，allowin’forthespaceoftimeandnat’ralwearandtear——it’sHIM！"
Heroseslowlyandmovedtowardsthedoorinasilencethatwasasmuchtheresultofsomeconvictionthatanyviolentdemonstrationagainsthimwouldbeasgrotesqueandmonstrousasthesituation，asofanythinghehadsaid。EventheflashingindignationofJuliaJeffcourtseemedtobecomesuddenlyasunnaturalandincongruousasherbrother’schiefmournerhimself，andalthoughsheshrankfromhispassingfiguresheutterednoword。ChesterBrooks’syouthfulemotions，followingtheexpressionofMissSally’sface，lostthemselvesinavaguehystericsmile，andtheothergentlemenlookedsheepish。JosephCorbinhaltedatthedoor。
"Whatever，"hesaid，turningtothecompany，"yemakeupyourmindtodoaboutme，Ireckonye’dbetterdoitAFTERthefuneral。I’M
alwaysready。ButHE，whatwithbeinginaboxandchangingclimate，hadbettergoFIRST。"Hepaused，andwithasuggestionofdelicacyinthemomentarydroppingofhiseyelids，added，——"forREASONS。"
Hepassedoutthroughthedoor，ontotheporticoandthenceintothegarden。Itwasnoticedatthetimethatthehalf-dozenhoundslingeringthererushedafterhimwiththeirusualnoisydemonstrations，butthattheyassuddenlystopped，retreatedviolentlytothesecurityofthebasement，andtheregaverelieftotheirfeelingsinasuccessionofprolongedhowls。
CHAPTERIV。
ItmustnotbesupposedthatMissSallydidnotfeelsomecontritionovertheineffectivepartshehadplayedinthislastepisode。ButJosephCorbinhadcommittedtheunpardonablesintoawomanofdestroyingherownillogicalideasofhim，whichwasworsethanifhehadaffrontedthepreconceivedideasofothers，inwhichcaseshemightstilldefendhim。Then，too，shewasnolongerreligious，andhadno"call"toactaspeacemaker。NeverthelesssheresentedJuliaJeffcourt’sinsinuationsbitterly，andthecousinsquarreled——notthefirsttimeintheirintercourse——anditwasreservedforthelattertobreakthenewsofCorbin’sarrivalwiththebodytoMrs。Jeffcourt。
Howthiswasdoneandwhatoccurredatthatinterviewhasnotbeenrecorded。Butitwasknownthenextdaythat，whileMrs。JeffcourtacceptedthebodyatCorbin’shands，——anditispresumedthefuneralexpensesalso，——hewaspositivelyforbiddentoappeareitherattheservicesatthehouseoratthechurch。Therehadbeensomewildtalkamongtheyoungerandmanyofthelowermembersofthecommunity，notablythe"poor"non-slave-holdingwhites，oftarringandfeatheringJosephCorbin，andridinghimonarailoutofthetownonthedayofthefuneral，asapropitiatorysacrificetothemanesofThomasJeffcourt；butitbeingpointedoutbytheundertakerthatitmightinvolvesomeuncertaintyinthesettlementofhisbill，togetherwithsomereasonabledoubtofthethoroughresignationofCorbin，whosepreviousmomentaryaberrationinthatrespecttheywerecelebrating，theprojectwaspostponeduntilAFTERTHEFUNERAL。Andhereanunlooked-forincidentoccurred。
TherewastobeapoliticalmeetingatKirbyonthatday，whencertaindistinguishedSouthernleadershadgatheredfromtheremoterSouthernStates。AttheinstigationofCaptainDowsitwasadjournedatthehourofthefuneraltoenablememberstoattend，anditwasevenrumored，tothegreatdelightofPineville，thatadistinguishedspeakerortwomightcomeoverto"improvetheoccasion"withsomeslightallusiontotheengrossingtopicof"SouthernRights。"ThiscombinedappealtothedomesticandpoliticalemotionsofPinevillewasirresistible。TheSecondBaptistChurchwascrowded。Afterthereligiousservicetherewasapause，andJudgeReed，steppingforwardamidabreathlesssilence，saidthattheywerepeculiarlyhonoredbytheunexpectedpresenceintheirmidst"ofthatfamoussonoftheSouth，ColonelStarbottle，"whohadlatelyreturnedtohisnativesoilfromhisadoptedhomeinCalifornia。Everyeyewasfixedonthedistinguishedstrangerasherose。
Jauntyandgallantasever，femininelysmooth-faced，yetpolishedandhighcoloredasayouthfulmask；pectorallyexpansive，andunfoldingthewhitepetalsofhiswaistcoatthroughtheswollenlapelsofhiscoat，likeaburstingmagnoliabud，ColonelStarbottlebegan。Thepresentassociationswere，hemightsay，singularlyhallowedtohim；notonlywasPineville——aSoutherncentre——therecognizednurseryofSouthernchivalry，Southernbeauty（astatelyinclinationtothepewinwhichMissSallyandJuliaJeffcourtsat），Southernintelligence，andSouthernindependence，butitwasthehomeofthelamenteddeadwhohadbeen，likehimselfandanotherheshouldrefertolater，anadoptedcitizenoftheGoldenState，aseekeroftheGoldenFleece，acompanionofJason。Itwasthehome，fellow-citizensandfriends，ofthesorrowingsisterofthedeceased，ayoungladywhomhe，thespeaker，hadasyetknownonlythroughthechivalrousblazonofhervirtuesandgracesbyherattendantknights（acourteouswavetowardsthegallerywhereJoyceMasterton，ChesterBrooks，CalhounBungstarter，andtheembattledyouthgenerallyofPinevillebecameempurpledandidiotic）；itwasthehomeoftheafflictedwidowedmother，alsopersonallyunknowntohim，butwithwhomhemightsayhehadhad——er——er——professionalcorrespondence。Butitwasnotthisalonethathallowedtheoccasion，itwasasentimentthatshouldspeakintrumpet-liketonesthroughouttheSouthinthisuprisingofanunitedsection。Itwastheforgetfulnessofpettystrife，offamilyfeud，ofpersonalwrongsintheclaimsofparty！
Itmightnotbeknownthathe，thespeaker，wasprofessionallycognizantofoneoftheseregrettable——shouldhesayaccidents？——
arisingfromthechivalrouschallengeandequallychivalrousresponseoftwofierySouthernspirits，towhichtheyprimarilyowetheircomingherethatday。Andheshouldtakeitashisduty，hissolemnduty，inthatsacrededificetoproclaimtotheworldthatinhisknowledgeasaprofessionalman——asamanofhonor，asaSoutherner，asagentleman，thatthe——er——circumstanceswhichthreeyearsagoledtotheearlydemiseofourlamentedfriendandbrother，reflectedonlythehighestcreditequallyonbothoftheparties。Hesaidthisonhisownresponsibility——inoroutofthissacrededifice——andinoroutofthatsacrededificehewaspersonallyresponsible，andpreparedtogivethefullestsatisfactionforit。Hewasalsoawarethatitmightnotbeknown——orunderstood——thatsincethatboyishepisodethesurvivorhadtakentheplaceofthedepartedinthebereavedfamilyandministeredtotheirneedswithcounseland——er——er——pecuniaryaid，andhadfollowedthebodyafootacrossthecontinentthatitmightrestwithitskindreddust。Hewasawarethatanunchristian——hewouldsaybutforthatsacrededifice——aDASTARDLYattempthadbeenmadetoimpugnthesurvivor’smotives——tosuggestanunseemlydiscordbetweenhimandthefamily，buthe，thespeaker，wouldneverforgettheletterbreathingwithChristianforgivenessandrepletewithangelicsimplicitysentbyamemberofthatfamilytohisclient，whichcameunderhisprofessionaleye（heretheprofessionaleyeforamomentlingeredonthehystericfaceofMissSally）；hedidnotenvytheheadorheartofamanwhocouldperusetheselines——ofwhichthemererecollection——er——er——chokedtheutteranceofevenaprofessionalmanlike——er——himself——withoutemotion。"Andwhat，myfriendsandfellow-citizens，"suddenlycontinuedtheColonel，replacinghiswhitehandkerchiefinhiscoat-tail，"wasthereasonwhymyclient，Mr。JosephCorbin——whosedelicacykeepshimfromappearingamongthesemourners——comesheretoburyalldifferences，allanimosities，allpettypassions？BecauseheisasonoftheSouth；becauseasasonoftheSouth，astherepresentative，andadistantconnection，Ibelieve，ofmyoldpoliticalfriend，MajorCorbin，ofNashville，hewisheshereandeverywhere，atthismomentouscrisis，tosinkeverythingintheoneall-pervading，all-absorbing，oneandindivisibleUNITYoftheSouthinitsresistancetotheNorthernUsurper！That，myfriends，isthegreat，thesolemn，theChristianlessonofthismostremarkableoccasioninmyprofessional，political，andsocialexperience。"
Whatevermighthavebeenthecalmeropinion，therewasnodoubtthatthegallantColonelhadchangedtheprevailingillogicalemotionofPinevillebythesubstitutionofanotherequallyillogical，andMissSallywasnotsurprisedwhenherfather，touchedbytheColonel’sallusiontohisdaughter’sepistolarypowers，insisteduponbringingJosephCorbinhomewithhim，andofferinghimthehospitalityoftheDowsmansion。AlthoughthestrangerseemedtoyieldratherfromthefactthattheDowswererelationsoftheJeffcourtsthanfromanypersonalpreference，whenhewasfairlyinstalledinoneoftheappropriatelygloomyguestchambers，MissSallysetaboutthedelayedworkofreconciliation——
theoreticallyacceptedbyherfather，andcynicallytoleratedbyherAuntMiranda。Buthereadifficultyarosewhichshehadnotforeseen。AlthoughCorbinhadevidentlyforgivenherdefectiononthatmemorableevening，hehadnotapparentlygotovertherevelationofhergiddyworldliness，andwasresignedlyapatheticanddistrustfulofherendeavors。Shewasatfirstamused，andthenangry。AndherpatiencewasexhaustedwhenshediscoveredthatheactuallyseemedmoreanxioustoconciliateJuliaJeffcourtthanhermother。
"Butshespatinyourface，"shesaid，indignantly。
"That’sso，"hereplied，gloomily；"butIreckonedyousaidsomethinginoneofyourlettersaboutturningtheothercheekwhenyouweresmitten。Ofcourse，asyoudon’tbelieveitnow，"headdedwithhisupwardglance，"IsupposeTHAT’Sbeenplayedonme，too。"
ButhereMissSally’sspiritlazilyrebelled。
"Lookhere，Mr。JosephJEREMIAHCorbin，"shereturnedwithlanguidimpertinence，"ifinsteadofcavortin’roundonyo’kneestryingtoconciliateanoldwomanwhoneverhadastrokeoflucktillyoukilledherson，andayounggirlwhowon’tbeabovelettingonaforeyouthinkitthatyourconciliatin’hermeansSPARKIN’her；
ifinsteadofthatfoolishnessyou’dturnyourhandtotryingtoconciliatethefolkshereandkeep’emfromgoingintothatfool’sactofbreakinguptheseUnitedStates；ifinsteadofdiggingupsecond-handcorpsesthat’salreadybeenputoutofsightonceyou’dsettoworktotryandpreventthefolksaboutherefromdigginguptheiroldcranksandtheiroldwhims，andtheiroldwomenfancies，you’dbedoingsomethinglikeaChristianandaman！What’syo’
blood-guiltiness——I’dliketoknow——alongsideoftheblood-
guiltinessofthosefoolswhoarejustwildtorushintoit，ledbysuchturkey-cocksasyo’friendColonelStarbottle？Andyou’vebeenfiveyearsinCalifornia——afreeState——andthat’sallyo’’vetotedoutofit——adeadbody！Therenow，don’tsitthereandswingyo’hatunderthatchyar，butrouseoutandcomealongwithmetothepawtyifyoucanshakeafoot，andshowMissPinkneyandthegyrlsyo’fitforsomethingmo’thantoskirmishroundasablackjapannedspittoonforJuliaJeffcourt！"ItisnotrecordedthatCorbinacceptedthischeerfulinvitation，butforafewdaysafterwardshewasmoredarklyobservantof，andrespectfulto，MissSally。Strangeindeedifhehadnotnoticed——althoughalwaysinhisresignedfashion——thedullgreenstagnationofthelifearoundhim，orwhennotacceptingitaspartofhistroublehehadnotchafedatthearrestedyouthandsenilechildishnessofthepeople。
Strangerstillifhehadnotattimesbeenstartledtoheartheoutgrownsuperstitionsandfolliesofhisyouthvoicedagainbygrown-upmen，andperhapsstrangestofallifhehadnotvaguelyaccepteditallasthehereditarycurseofthatbarbarismunderwhichhehimselfhadsurvivedandsuffered。
ThereconciliationbetweenhimselfandMrs。Jeffcourtwassuperficiallyeffected，sofarasadailyvisitbyhimtothehouseindicatedittothecommunity，butitwasalsoknownthatJuliawasinvariablyabsentontheseoccasions。Whathappenedatthoseinterviewsdidnottranspire，butitmaybesurmisedthatMrs。
Jeffcourt，perhapsrecognizingthefactthatCorbinwasreallygivingherallthathehadtogive，orpossiblyhavingsomelurkingfearofColonelStarbottle，wassofarplacatedastoexhibitonlytheaverageingratitudeofherspeciestowardsaregularbenefactor。
Sheconsentedtotheerectionofasmallobeliskoverherson’sgrave，andpermittedCorbintoplantafewfloweringshrubs，whichhedailyvisitedandtookcareof。ItissaidthatononeofthesepilgrimagesheencounteredMissJulia，apparentlyonthesameerrand，whohaughtilyretired。Itwasfurtheralleged，ontheauthorityofoneofMammyJudy’slittleniggers，thatthosetwoblackmourningfigureshadbeenseenatnightfallsittingoppositetoeachotherattheheadandfootofthegrave，and"glowerin’"atoneanother"liketwohants。"Butwhenitwasassertedonthesameauthoritythattheirvoiceshadbeenlateroverheardupliftedinsomevehementdiscussionoverthegraveoftheimpassivedead，greatcuriositywasaroused。BeingpressedbytheeagerMissSallytorepeatsomewordsoranywordshehadheardthemsay，thelittlewitnessgliblyreplied，"MarseLinkum"（Lincoln），and"TheSouf，"
andso，forthetime，shipwreckedhistestimony。Butitwasrecalledsixmonthsafterwards。ItwasthenthatapleasantspringdaybroughtmadnessandenthusiasmtoamajorityofPineville，andbatedbreathandawetoafew，anditwasknownwiththetidingsthattheSouthhadappealedtoarms，thatamongthosewhohadfirstrespondedtothecallwasJosephCorbin，analleged"Unionman，"whohad，however，volunteeredtotakethatplaceinherrankswhichmightHAVEBEENFILLEDBYTHEMANHEHADKILLED。Andthenpeopleforgotallabouthim……
Ayearpassed。Itwasthesameplace；theoldfamiliaroutlinesofhomeandgardenandlandscape。Butseennow，inthechokingbreathlessnessofhaste，inthefitfulchangingflashesoflifeandmotionaroundit，inintervalsofsharpsuspenseordazedbewilderment，itseemedtoberecognizednolonger。Menwhohadknownitalltheirlives，hurryingtothefrontincompactmasses，scurryingtotherearinstragglingline，oropeningtheirrankstoletartillerygallopby，staredatitvaguely，andclatteredorscrambledonagain。Thesmokeofamaskedbatteryinthewoodsstruggledandwrithedtofreeitselffromtheclingingtreetopsbehindit，andsankbackintoagrayencompassingcloud。Thedustthrownupbyacolumnofpassinghorsepouredoverthewallinonelongwave，andwhitenedthegardenwithitsashes。Throughoutthedimemptyhouseonenolongerheardthesoundofcannon，onlyadullintermittentconcussionwasfelt，silentlybringingflakesofplasterfromthewalls，orslidingfragmentsofglassfromtheshatteredwindows。Ashell，liftedfromtheominousdistance，hunguncertainintheairandthendescendedswiftlythroughtheroof；
thewholehousedilatedwithflameforaninstant，smokerolledslowlyfromthewindows，andeventhedesolatechimneysstartedintoahideousmockeryoflife，andthenallwasstillagain。Atsuchawfulintervalsthesunshoneoutbrightly，touchedthegreenofthestillsleepingwoodsandtheredandwhiteofaflowerinthegarden，andsomethinginagrayuniformwrithedoutofthedustoftheroad，staggeredtothewall，anddied。
Amiledownthisroad，growingmoreandmoreobscurewiththoserisingandfallingapparitionsortheshapelessandruggedheapsterribleintheirhelplessinertiabyhedgeandfence，arosethecemeteryhill。Takenandretakenthricethatafternoon，thedeadaboveitfaroutnumberedthedeadbelow；andwhenatlastthetideofbattlesweptarounditsbaseintothedull，reverberatingwoods，anditemergedfromthesmoke，silencedandabandoned，onlyafewstragglersremained。Oneofthem，leaningonhismusket，wasstillgloomilyfacingthewoods。
"JosephCorbin，"saidalow，hurriedvoice。
Hestartedandglancedquicklyatthetombsaroundhim。Perhapsitwasbecausehehadbeenthinkingofthedead，——butthevoicesoundedlikeHIS。YetitwasonlytheSISTER，whohadglided，paleandhaggard，fromthethicket。
"Theyarecomingthroughthewoods，"shesaidquickly。"Run，oryou’llbetaken。Whydoyoulinger？"
"Youknowwhy，"hesaidgloomily。
"Yes，butyouhavedoneyo’duty。Youhavedonehiswork。Thetaskisfinishednow，andyo’free。"
Hedidnotreply，butremainedgazingatthewoods。
"Joseph，"shesaidmoregently，layinghertremblinghandonhisarm，"Joseph，fly——and——takemewithyou。ForIwaswrong，andI
wantyoutoforgiveme。Iknewyourheartwasnotinthis，andI
oughtnottohaveaskedyou。Joseph——listen！IneverwantedtoavengemyselfnorHIMwhenIspatonyourface。IwantedtoavengemyselfonHER。Ihatedher，becauseIthoughtshewantedtoworkuponyouanduseyouforherself。"
"Yourmother，"hesaid，lookingather。
"No，"shesaid，withwidelyopenedeyes，"youknowwhoImean——MissSally。"
Helookedatherwonderinglyforamoment，butquicklybenthisheadagaininthedirectionoftheroad。"Theyarecoming，"hesaid，starting。"YOUmustgo。Thisisnoplaceforyou。Stop！
it’stoolate；youcannotgonowuntiltheyhavepassed。Comehere——crouchdownhere——overthisgrave——so。"
Healmostforcedher——kneelingdown——uponthemoundbelowtheleveloftheshrubs，andthenranquicklyhimselfafewpaceslowerdownthehilltoamoreexposedposition。Sheunderstoodit。Hewishedtoattractattentiontohimself。Hewassuccessful——afewhurriedshotsfollowedfromtheroad，butstruckabovehim。
Heclamberedbackquicklytowhereshewasstillcrouching。
"Theywerethevedettes，"hesaid，"buttheyhavefallenbackonthemainskirmishlineandwillbehereinforceinamoment。Go——
whileyoucan。"Shehadnotmoved。Hetriedtoraiseher——herhatfelloff——-hesawbloodoozingfromwherethevedette’sbulletthathadmissedhimhadpiercedherbrain。
Andyethesawinthatpaledeadfaceonlytheotherfacewhichherememberednowhadbeenturnedlikethistowardshisown。Itwasverystrange。Andthiswastheend，andthiswashisexpiation！
Heraisedhisownfacehumbly，blindly，despairinglytotheinscrutablesky；itlookedbackuponhimfromaboveascoldlyasthedeadfacehadfrombelow。
YetoutofthishestruckafaintideathathevoicedaloudinnearlythesamewordswhichhehadusedtoColonelStarbottleonlythreeyearsago。"Itwaswithhisownpistoltoo，"hesaid，andtookuphismusket。
Hewalkeddeliberatelydownthehill，occasionallytryingthestockofhismusketinthelooseearth，andatlastsuddenlyremainedmotionless，intheattitudeofleaningoverit。Atthesamemomenttherewasadistantshout；twothinparallelstreamsofblueandsteelcameissuingthroughthewoodslikeariver，appearedtojointumultuouslyintheopenbeforethehill，andoutofthetumultamountedofficercalleduponhimtosurrender。
Hedidnotreply。
"Comedownfromthere，JohnnyReb，Iwanttospeaktoyou，"calledayoungcorporal。
Hedidnotmove。
"It’stimetogohome，Johnny。"
Noresponse。
Theofficer，whohadbeenholdingdownhismenwithanunswordedbutmasterfulhand，raiseditsuddenly。Adozenshotsfollowed。
Themenleapedforward，anddashingCorbincontemptuouslyasidestreamedupthehillpasthim。
Buthehadneitherheardnorcared。Fortheyfoundhehadalreadydeliberatelytransfixedhimselfthroughtheheartonhisownbayonet。
THEPOSTMISTRESSOFLAURELRUN。
CHAPTERI。
ThemailstagehadjustpassedLaurelRun，——sorapidlythatthewhirlingcloudofdustdraggedwithitdownthesteepgradefromthesummithungoverthelevellongafterthestagehadvanished，andthen，driftingaway，slowlysiftedaredprecipitateoverthehotplatformoftheLaurelRunpost-office。
Outofthiscloudpresentlyemergedtheneatfigureofthepostmistresswiththemailbagwhichhadbeendexterouslyflungatherfeetfromthetopofthepassingvehicle。Adozenloungerseagerlystretchedouttheirhandstoassisther，butthewarning：
"It’sagintherules，boys，foranybuthertotouchit，"fromabystander，andacoquettishshakeoftheheadfromthepostmistressherself——muchmoreeffectivethananyofficialinterdict——withheldthem。Thebagwasnotheavy，——LaurelRunwastoorecentasettlementtohaveattractedmuchcorrespondence，——andtheyoungwoman，havingpounceduponherpreywithacertainfelineinstinct，draggedit，notwithoutdifficulty，behindthepartitionedinclosureintheoffice，andlockedthedoor。Herprettyface，momentarilyvisiblethroughthewindow，wasslightlyflushedwiththeexertion，andthelooseendsofherfairhair，wetwithperspiration，curledthemselvesoverherforeheadintotantalizinglittlerings。Butthewindowshutterwasquicklyclosed，andthismomentarybutcharmingvisionwithdrawnfromthewaitingpublic。
"Guv’mentoughterhavemoresensethantomakeawomanpickmail-
bagsoutertheroad，"saidJoSimmonssympathetically。"’Tain’tinherday’sworkanyhow；Guv’montoughterhand’emovertoherlikealady；it’srichenoughanduglyenough。"
"’Tain’tGuv’ment；it’sthatstagecompany’sairsandgraces，"
interruptedanewcomer。"Theythinkitmightyfinetogobeltin’
by，makin’everybodytaketheirdust，justbecauseSTOPPIN’ain’tintheircontract。Why，ifthatexpressmanwhochuckeddownthebaghadanyfeelin’sforalady"——buthestoppedhereattheamusedfacesofhisauditors。
"Guessyoudon’tknowmucho’thatexpressman’sfeelin’s，stranger，"saidSimmonsgrimly。"Why，yououghterseehimjustnussin’thatbaglikeababyashecomestearin’downthegrade，andthenriseupandsorterheaveittoMrs。Bakerezifitwasafive-dollarbokay！Hisfeelin’sforher！Why，he’sgivehimselfsodeadawaytoherthatwe’relookingforhimtoforgetwhathe’sdoin’next，andjustcomesailin’downhisselfatherfeet。"
Meanwhile，ontheothersideofthepartition，Mrs。Bakerhadbrushedthereddustfromthepadlockedbag，andremovedwhatseemedtobeasupplementarypackageattachedtoitbyawire。
Openingitshefoundahandsomescent-bottle，evidentlyasuperaddedgiftfromthedevotedexpressman。Thissheputasidewithaslightsmileandthemurmuredword，"Foolishness。"Butwhenshehadunlockedthebag，evenitssacredinteriorwasalsoprofanedbyacovertparcelfromtheadjacentpostmasteratBurntRidge，containingagold"specimen"broochandsomecircustickets。
Itwaslaidasidewiththeother。Thisalsowasvanityand——
presumably——vexationofspirit。
Therewereseventeenlettersinall，ofwhichfivewereforherself——andyettheproportionwassmallthatmorning。Twoofthemweremarked"OfficialBusiness"andwerepromptlyputbywithfemininediscernment；butinanothercompartmentthanthatholdingthepresents。Thentheshutterwasopened，andthetaskofdeliverycommenced。
ItwasaccompaniedwithasocialpeculiaritythathadintimebecomeahabitofLaurelRun。Astheyoungwomandeliveredtheletters，inturn，tothemenwhowerepatientlydrawnupinIndianfile，shemadethatsimpleactamediumofprivilegedbutlimitedconversationonspecialorgeneraltopics，——gayorseriousasthecasemightbe，orthetemperamentofthemansuggested。Thatitwasalmostalwaysofacomplimentarycharacterontheirpartmaybereadilyimagined；butitwasinvariablycharacterizedbyanelementofrefinedrestraint，and，whetherfromsomeimpliedunderstandingorindividualsenseofhonour，itneverpassedtheboundsofconventionalityoracertaindelicacyofrespect。Thedeliverywasconsequentlymoreorlessprotracted，butwheneachmanhadexchangedhisthreeorfourminutes’conversationwiththefairpostmistress，——aconversationattimesimpededbybashfulnessortimidity，onhispartsolely，orrestrictedoftentovaguesmiling，——heresignedlymadewayforthenext。Itwasaformallevee，mitigatedbytheinformalityofrustictact，greatgood-
humor，andinfinitepatience，andwouldhavebeenamusinghaditnotalwaysbeenterriblyinearnestandattimestouching。Foritwaspeculiartotheplaceandtheepoch，andindeedimpliedthewholehistoryofMrs。Baker。
ShewasthewifeofJohnBaker，foremanof"TheLastChance，"nowforayearlyingdeadunderhalfamileofcrushedandbeaten-intunnelatBurntRidge。Therehadbeenasuddenoutcryfromthedepthsathighhotnoontideoneday，andJohnhadrushedfromhiscabin——hisyoung，foolish，flirtingwifeclingingtohim——toanswerthatdespairingcryofhisimprisonedmen。Therewasoneexitthathealoneknewwhichmightbeyetheldopen，amongfallingwallsandtotteringtimbers，longenoughtosetthemfree。Foronemomentonlythestrongmanhesitatedbetweenherentreatingarmsandhisbrothers’despairingcry。Butsherosesuddenlywithapaleface，andsaid，"Go，John；Iwillwaitforyouhere。"Hewent，themenwerefreed——butshehadwaitedforhimeversince！
Yetintheshockofthecalamityandintheafterstrugglesofthatpovertywhichhadcometotheruinedcamp，shehadscarcelychanged。Butthemenhad。Althoughshewastoallappearancesthesamegiddy，prettyBetsyBaker，whohadbeensodisturbingtotheyoungermembers，theyseemedtobenolongerdisturbedbyher。A
certainsubduedaweandrespect，asifthemartyredspiritofJohnBakerstillheldhisarmaroundher，appearedtohavecomeuponthemall。Theyheldtheirbreathasthisprettywoman，whosebriefmourninghadnotseemedtoaffecthercheerfulnessorevenplayfulnessofspirit，passedbeforethem。Butshestoodbyhercabinandthecamp——theonlywomaninasettlementoffortymen——
duringthedarkesthoursoftheirfortune。Helpingthemtowashandcook，andministeringtotheirdomesticneeds，thesanctityofhercabinwas，however，alwayskeptasinviolableasifithadbeenHIStomb。Nooneexactlyknewwhy，foritwasonlyatacitinstinct；butevenoneortwowhohadnotscrupledtopaycourttoBetsyBakerduringJohnBaker’slife，shrankfromevenasuggestionoffamiliaritytowardsthewomanwhohadsaidthatshewould"waitforhimthere。"
Whenbrighterdayscameandthesettlementhadincreasedbyoneortwofamilies，andlaggardcapitalhadbeenhurrieduptorelievethestillbeleagueredandlocked-upwealthofBurntRidge，theneedsofthecommunityandtheclaimsofthewidowofJohnBakerweresowelltoldinpoliticalquartersthatthepost-officeofLaurelRunwascreatedexpresslyforher。Everymanparticipatedinthebuildingoftheprettyyetsubstantialedifice——theonlypublicbuildingofLaurelRun——thatstoodinthedustofthegreathighway，halfamilefromthesettlement。Thereshewasinstalledforcertainhoursoftheday，forshecouldnotbeprevailedupontoabandonJohn’scabin，andhere，withalltheaddedrespectduetoapublicfunctionary，shewassecureinherprivacy。
ButtheblinddevotionofLaurelRuntoJohnBaker’srelictdidnotstophere。InitszealtoassuretheGovernmentauthoritiesofthenecessityforapost-office，andtosecureapermanentcompetencytothepostmistress，therewasmuchembarrassingextravagance。
DuringthefirstweekthesaleofstampsatLaurelRunpost-officewasunprecedentedintheannalsoftheDepartment。Fancypricesweregivenforthefirstissue；thentheywereboughtwildly，recklessly，unprofitably，andonalloccasions。Complimentarycongratulationatthelittlewindowinvariablyendedwith"andadollar’sworthofstamps，Mrs。Baker。"Itwasfelttobesupremelydelicatetobuyonlythehighestpricedstamps，withoutreferencetotheiradequacy；thenmereQUANTITYwassought；thenoutgoingletterswereallover-paidandstampedinoutrageousproportiontotheirweightandevensize。Theimbecilityofthis，anditsprobableeffectonthereputationofLaurelRunattheGeneralPost-office，beingpointedoutbyMrs。Baker，stampswereadoptedaslocalcurrency，andevenfordecorativepurposesonmirrorsandthewallsofcabins。Everybodywroteletters，withtheresult，however，thatthoseSENTwereludicrouslyandsuspiciouslyinexcessofthosereceived。Toobviatethis，selectpartiesmadeforcedjourneystoHickoryHill，thenextpost-office，withlettersandcircularsaddressedtothemselvesatLaurelRun。Howlongtheextravagancewouldhavecontinuedisnotknown，butitwasnotuntilitwasrumoredthat，inconsequenceofthisexcessiveflowofbusiness，theDepartmenthadconcludedthatapostMASTERwouldbebetterfittedfortheplacethatitabated，andacompromisewaseffectedwiththeGeneralOfficebyapermanentsalarytothepostmistress。
SuchwasthehistoryofMrs。Baker，whohadjustfinishedherafternoonlevee，noddedasmiling"good-by"toherlastcustomer，andclosedhershutteragain。Thenshetookupherownletters，but，beforereadingthem，glanced，withaprettyimpatience，atthetwoofficialenvelopesaddressedtoherself，whichshehadshelved。
Theyweregenerallya"lotofnewrules，"ornotifications，or"absurd"questionswhichhadnothingtodowithLaurelRunandonlybotheredherand"madeherheadache，"andshehadusuallyreferredthemtoheradmiringneighboratHickoryHillforexplanation，whohadgenerallyreturnedthemtoherwiththebriefindorsement，"Purpstuff，don’tbother，"or，"Hogwash，letitslide。"Sherememberednowthathehadnotreturnedthelasttwo。Withknittedbrowsandaslightpoutsheputasideherprivatecorrespondenceandtoreopenthefirstone。Itreferredwithofficialcurtnesstoanunansweredcommunicationofthepreviousweek，andwas"compelledtoremindherofrule47。"Againthosehorridrules！
Sheopenedtheother；thefrowndeepenedonherbrow，andbecamefixed。
Itwasasummaryofcertainvaluablemoneylettersthathadmiscarriedontheroute，andofwhichtheyhadgivenherpreviousinformation。Foramomenthercheeksblazed。Howdarethey；whatdidtheymean！Herwaybillsandregisterwerealwaysright；sheknewthenamesofeveryman，woman，andchildinherdistrict；nosuchnamesasthosebornebythemissinglettershadeverexistedatLaurelRun；nosuchaddresseshadeverbeensentfromLaurelRunpost-office。Itwasameaninsinuation！Shewouldsendinherresignationatonce！Shewouldget"theboys"towriteaninsultinglettertoSenatorSlocumb，——Mrs。BakerhadthefeminineideaofGovernmentasapurelypersonalinstitution，——andshewouldfindoutwhoitwasthathadputthemuptothisprying，crawlingimpudence！Itwasprobablythatwall-eyedoldwifeofthepostmasteratHeavyTreeCrossing，whowasjealousofher。"Remindheroftheirpreviousunansweredcommunication，"indeed！Wherewasthatcommunication，anyway？SherememberedshehadsentittoheradmireratHickoryHill。Oddthathehadn’tansweredit。Ofcourse，heknewaboutthismeanness——couldhe，too，havedaredtosuspecther！Thethoughtturnedhercrimsonagain。He，StantonGreen，wasanold"LaurelRunner，"afriendofJohn’s，alittle"triflin’"and"presoomin’，"butstillanoldloyalpioneerofthecamp！"Whyhadn’thespokeup？"
Therewasthesoft，muffledfallofahorse’shoofinthethickdustofthehighway，thejingleofdismountingspurs，andafirmtreadontheplatform。Nodoubtoneoftheboysreturningforafewsupplementalremarksunderthefeeblepretenseofforgottenstamps。Ithadbeendonebefore，andshehadresenteditas"cayotin’round；"butnowshewaseagertopouroutherwrongstothefirstcomer。Shehadherhandimpulsivelyonthedoorofthepartition，whenshestoppedwithanewsenseofherimpaireddignity。Couldsheconfessthistoherworshipers？Butherethedooropenedinherveryface，andastrangerentered。
Hewasamanoffifty，compactlyandstronglybuilt。Asquarely-
cutgoatee，slightlystreakedwithgray，fellstraightfromhisthin-lippedbuthandsomemouth；hiseyesweredark，humorous，yetsearching。ButthedistinctivequalitythatstruckMrsBakerwastheblendingofurbaneasewithfrontierfrankness。Hewasevidentlyamanwhohadseencitiesandknewcountriesaswell。
AndwhilehewasdressedwiththecomfortablesimplicityofaCalifornianmountedtraveler，herinexperiencedbutfeminineeyedetectedthekeynoteofhisrespectabilityinthecarefully-tiedbowofhiscravat。TheSierreanthroatwasapttobeopen，free，andunfettered。
"Good-morning，Mrs。Baker，"hesaid，pleasantly，withhishatalreadyinhishand，"I’mHarryHome，ofSanFrancisco。"Ashespokehiseyesweptapprovinglyovertheneatinclosure，theprimly-tiedpapers，andwell-keptpigeon-holes；thepotofflowersonherdesk；herchina-silkmantle，andkillinglittlechiphatandribbonshangingagainstthewall；thencetoherownpink，flushedface，brightblueeyes，tendriledclinginghair，andthen——fellupontheleathernmailbagstilllyingacrossthetable。Hereitbecamefixedontheunfortunatewireoftheamorousexpressmanthatyetremainedhangingfromthebrasswardsofthelock，andhereachedhishandtowardit。
ButlittleMrs。Bakerwasbeforehim，andhadseizeditinherarms。Shehadbeentoopreoccupiedandbewilderedtoresenthisfirstintrusionbehindthepartition，butthislastfamiliaritywithhersacredofficialproperty——albeitempty——cappedtheclimaxofherwrongs。
"Howdareyoutouchit！"shesaidindignantly。"Howdareyoucomeinhere！Whoareyou，anyway？Gooutside，atonce！"
Thestrangerfellbackwithanamused，deprecatorygesture，andalongsilentlaugh。"I’mafraidyoudon’tknowme，afterall！"hesaidpleasantly。"I’mHarryHome，theDepartmentAgentfromtheSanFranciscooffice。Mynoteofadvice，No。201，withmynameontheenvelope，seemstohavemiscarriedtoo。"
EveninherfrightandastonishmentitflasheduponMrs。Bakerthatshehadsentthatnotice，too，toHickoryHill。Butwithitallthefemininesecretiveinstinctwithinherwasnowthoroughlyaroused，andshekeptsilent。
"Ioughttohaveexplained，"hewentonsmilingly；"butyouarequiteright，Mrs。Baker，"headded，noddingtowardsthebag。"Asfarasyouknew，Ihadnobusinesstogonearit。GladtoseeyouknowhowtodefendUncleSam’spropertysowell。Iwasonlyabitpuzzledtoknow"（pointingtothewire）"ifthatthingwasonthebagwhenitwasdeliveredtoyou？"
Mrs。Bakersawnoreasontoconcealthetruth。Afterall，thisofficialwasamanliketheothers，anditwasjustaswellthatheshouldunderstandherpower。"It’sonlytheexpressman’sfoolishness，"shesaid，withaslightlycoquettishtossofherhead。"Hethinksitsmarttotiesomenonsenseonthatbagwiththewirewhenheflingsitdown。"
Mr。Home，withhiseyesonherprettyface，seemedtothinkitanotinhumanorunpardonablefolly。"Aslongashedoesn’tmeddlewiththeinsideofthebag，Isupposeyoumustputupwithit，"hesaidlaughingly。Adreadfulrecollection，thattheHickoryHillpostmasterhadusedtheinsideofthebagtoconveyHISfoolishness，cameacrossher。Itwouldneverdotoconfessitnow。Herfacemusthaveshownsomeagitation，fortheofficialresumedwithahalf-paternal，half-reassuringair："Butenoughofthis。Now，Mrs。
Baker，tocometomybusinesshere。Briefly，then，itdoesn’tconcernyouintheleast，exceptsofarasitmayrelieveyouandsomeothers，whomtheDepartmentknowsequallywell，fromacertainresponsibility，and，perhaps，anxiety。WeareprettywellposteddownthereinallthatconcernsLaurelRun，andIthink"（withaslightbow）"we’veknownallaboutyouandJohnBaker。Myonlybusinesshereistotakeyourplaceto-nightinreceivingthe"OmnibusWayBag，"thatyouknowarriveshereat9。30，doesn’tit？"
"Yes，sir，"saidMrs。Bakerhurriedly；"butitneverhasanythingforus，except"——（shecaughtherselfupquickly，withastammer，assherememberedthesighingGreen’soccasionalofferings）"exceptanotificationfromHickoryHillpost-office。Itleavesthere，"shewentonwithanaffectationofprecision，athalfpasteightexactly，andit’saboutanhour’srun——sevenmilesbyroad。"
"Exactly，"saidMr。Home。"Well，Iwillreceivethebag，openit，anddispatchitagain。Youcan，ifyouchoose，takeaholiday。"
"But，"saidMrs。Baker，assherememberedthatLaurelRunalwaysmadeapointofattendinghereveningleveeonaccountofthesuperiorleisureitoffered，"therearethepeoplewhocomeforletters，youknow。"
"Ithoughtyousaidtherewerenolettersatthattime，"saidMr。
Homequickly。
"No——but——but"——（withaslighthystericalstammer）"theboyscomeallthesame。"
"Oh！"saidMr。Homedryly。
"And——OLord！"——ButherethespectacleofthepossiblediscomfitureofLaurelRunatmeetingthebeardedfaceofMr。Home，insteadofherownsmoothcheeks，atthewindow，combinedwithhernervousexcitement，overcamehersothat，throwingherlittlefrilledapronoverherhead，shegavewaytoaparoxymofhystericallaughter。
Mr。Homewaitedwithamusedtolerationforittostop，and，whenshehadrecovered，resumed。"Now，Ishouldliketoreferaninstanttomyfirstcommunicationtoyou。Haveyougotithandy？"
Mrs。Baker’sfacefell。"No；IsentitovertoMr。Green，ofHickoryHill，forinformation。"
"What！"
Terrifiedatthesuddenseriousnessoftheman’svoice，shemanagedtogaspout，however，that，afterherusualhabit，shehadnotopenedtheofficialletters，buthadsentthemtohermoreexperiencedcolleagueforadviceandinformation；thatshenevercouldunderstandthemherself，——theymadeherheadache，andinterferedwithherotherduties，——butHEunderstoodthem，andsentherwordwhattodo。Rememberingalsohisusualstyleofindorsement，shegrewredagain。
"Andwhatdidhesay？"
"Nothing；hedidn’treturnthem。"
"Naturally，"saidMr。Home，withapeculiarexpression。Afterafewmoments’silentstrokingofhisbeard，hesuddenlyfacedthefrightenedwoman。
"Youobligeme，Mrs。Baker，tospeakmorefranklytoyouthanIhadintended。Youhave——unwittingly，Ibelieve——giveninformationtoamanwhomtheGovernmentsuspectsofpeculation。Youhave，withoutknowingit，warnedthepostmasteratHickoryHillthatheissuspected；and，asyoumighthavefrustratedourplansfortracingaseriesofembezzlementstotheirpropersource，youwillseethatyoumighthavealsodonegreatwrongtoyourselfashisonlyneighborandthenextresponsibleperson。Inplainwords，wehavetracedthedisappearanceofmoneyletterstoapointwhenitliesbetweenthesetwooffices。Now，IhavenottheleasthesitationintellingyouthatwedonotsuspectLaurelRun，andneverhavesuspectedit。Eventheresultofyourthoughtlessact，althoughitwarnedhim，confirmsoursuspicionofhisguilt。Astothewarning，ithasfailed，orhehasgrownreckless，foranotherletterhasbeenmissedsince。To-night，however，willsettlealldoubtinthematter。WhenIopenthatbaginthisofficeto-night，anddonotfindacertaindecoyletterinit，whichwaslastcheckedatHeavyTreeCrossing，IshallknowthatitremainsinGreen’spossessionatHickoryHill。"
Shewassittingbackinherchair，whiteandbreathless。Heglancedatherkindly，andthentookuphishat。"Come，Mrs。
Baker，don’tletthisworryyou。AsItoldyouatfirst，YOUhavenothingtofear。Evenyourthoughtlessnessandignoranceofruleshavecontributedtoshowyourowninnocence。Nobodywilleverbethewiserforthis；wedonotadvertiseouraffairsintheDepartment。Notasoulbutyourselfknowstherealcauseofmyvisithere。Iwillleaveyouherealoneforawhile，soastodivertanysuspicion。Youwillcome，asusual，thisevening，andbeseenbyyourfriends；Iwillonlybeherewhenthebagarrives，toopenit。Good-by，Mrs。Baker；it’sanastybitofbusiness，butit’sallintheday’swork。I’veseenworse，and，thankGod，you’reoutofit。"
Sheheardhisfootstepsretreatintotheouterofficeanddieoutoftheplatform；thejingleofhisspurs，andthehollowbeatofhishorse’shoofsthatseemedtofindadullechoinherownheart，andshewasalone。
Theroomwasveryhotandveryquiet；shecouldhearthewarpingandcreakingoftheshinglesundertherelaxingofthenearlylevelsunbeams。Theofficeclockstruckseven。Inthebreathlesssilencethatfollowed，awoodpeckertookuphisinterruptedworkontheroof，andseemedtobeatoutmonotonouslyonherearthelastwordsofthestranger：StantonGreen——athief！StantonGreen，oneofthe"boys"Johnhadhelpedoutofthefallingtunnel！StantonGreen，whoseoldmotherintheStatesstillwroteletterstohimatLaurelRun，inafewhourstobeadisgracedandruinedmanforever！Sherememberednow，asathoughtlesswomanremembers，talesofhisextravaganceandfastliving，ofwhichshehadtakennoheed，and，withasenseofshame，ofpresentssenther，thatshenowclearlysawmusthavebeenfarbeyondhismeans。Whatwouldtheboyssay？WhatwouldJohnhavesaid？Ah！whatwouldJohnhaveDONE！
Shestartedsuddenlytoherfeet，whiteandcoldasonthatdaythatshehadpartedfromJohnBakerbeforethetunnel。Sheputonherhatandmantle，andgoingtothatlittleironsafethatstoodinthecorner，unlockeditandtookoutitsentirecontentsofgoldandsilver。Shehadreachedthedoorwhenanotherideaseizedher，andopeningherdeskshecollectedherstampstothelastsheet，andhurriedlyrolledthemupunderhercape。Thenwithaglanceattheclock，andarapidsurveyoftheroadfromtheplatform，sheslippedfromit，andseemedtobeswallowedupinthewaitingwoodsbeyond。