sofa，albeittohimitwasabankinabowerofenchantment。Thenshesaid，withadorablereproachfulness，"Youdon’taskwhatIdidwiththebody。"
　　Mr。EdwardBricestarted。Hewasyoung，andunfamiliarwiththeevasiveexpansivenessofthefemalemindatsuchsuprememoments。
　　"Thebody——oh，yes——certainly。"
　　"Iburieditmyself——itwassuthintooawful！——andthegangwouldhavebeensuretohavefoundit，andtheemptybelt。IburnedTHAT。Sothatnobodyknowsnothin’。"
　　Itwasnotatimeforstrictlygrammaticalnegatives，andIamafraidthatthegirl’scharacteristicallyfamiliarspeech，evenwhenpatheticallycorrectedhereandtherebytheinfluenceoftheconvent，endearedherthemoretohim。Andwhenshesaid，"Andnow，Mr。EdwardBrice，sitoveratthatendofthesofyandlet’stalk，"theytalked。Theytalkedforanhour，moreorlesscontinuously，untiltheyweresurprisedbyadiscreetcoughandtheentranceofMrs。Tarbox。Thentherewasmoretalk，andthediscoverythatMr。Bricewaslongdueattheoffice。
　　"Yemightdropin，nowandthen，wheneveryefeellikeit，andFloisathome，"suggestedMrs。Tarboxatparting。
　　Mr。BriceDIDdropinfrequentlyduringthenextmonth。OnoneoftheseoccasionsMr。Tarboxaccompaniedhimtothedoor。"Andnow——
　　ezeverythingissettledandinorder，Mr。Brice，andefyoushouldbewantin’tosayanythingaboutittoyourbossesattheoffice，yemaymentionMYnameezFloDimwood’ssecondcousin，andsayI’madepositorintheirbank。And，"withgreaterdeliberation，"efanythingatanytimeshouldbethrownupatyeformarryin’anieceo’SnapshotHarry’s，yemightmention，keerlesslike，thatSnapshotHarry，underthenameo’HenryJ。Dimwood，hasheldsharesintheiroldbankforyears！"
　　ATREASUREOFTHEREDWOODS
　　PARTI
　　Mr。JackFlemingstoppedsuddenlybeforealifelessanddecayingredwood-treewithanexpressionofdisgustandimpatience。Itwastheverytreehehadpassedonlyanhourbefore，andhenowknewhehadbeendescribingthatmysteriousandhopelesscirclefamiliarenoughtothoselostinthewoods。
　　Therewasnomistakingthetree，withitsonebrokenbranchwhichdependedatananglelikethearmofasemaphore；nordiditrelievehismindtoreflectthathismishapwaspartlyduetohisownfoolishabstraction。Hewasreturningtocampfromaneighboringminingtown，andwhileindulgingintheusualday-
　　dreamsofayouthfulprospector，haddeviatedfromhispathinattemptingtomakeashortcutthroughtheforest。Hehadlostthesun，hisonlyguide，inthethicklyinterlacedboughsabovehim，whichsuffusedthoughthelongcolumnarvaultonlyavague，melancholytwilight。Hehadevidentlypenetratedsomeunknownseclusion，absolutelyprimevalanduntrodden。Thethicklayersofdecayingbarkandthedesiccateddustofagesdeadenedhisfootfallandinvestedthegloomwithaprofoundsilence。
　　Ashestoodforamomentortwo，irresolute，hisear，bythistimeattunedtothestillness，caughtthefaintbutdistinctlapandtrickleofwater。Hewashotandthirsty，andturnedinstinctivelyinthatdirection。Averyfewpacesbroughthimtoafallentree；
　　atthefootofitsupturnedrootsgurgledthespringwhoseupwellingstreamhadslowlybutpersistentlyloosenedtheirholdonthesoil，andworkedtheirruin。Apoolofcoolandclearwater，formedbythedisruptionofthesoil，overflowed，andafterafewyardssankagaininthesoddenfloor。
　　Ashedrankandbathedhisheadandhandsinthissylvanbasin，henoticedthewhiteglitterofaquartzledgeinitsdepths，andwasconsiderablysurprisedandrelievedtofind，hardby，anactualoutcropofthatrockthroughthethickcarpetofbarkanddust。
　　Thisbetokenedthathewasneartheedgeoftheforestorsomerockyopening。Hefanciedthatthelightgrewclearerbeyond，andthepresenceofafewfrondsoffernsconfirmedhiminthebeliefthathewasapproachingadifferentbeltofvegetation。Presentlyhesawtheverticalbeamsofthesunagainpiercingtheopeninginthedistance。Withthisprospectofspeedydeliverancefromtheforestatlastsecure，hedidnothurryforward，butonthecontrarycoollyretracedhisfootstepstothespringagain。Thefactwasthattheinstinctsandhopesoftheprospectorwerestronglydominantinhim，andhavingnoticedthequartzledgeandthecontiguousoutcrop，hedeterminedtoexaminethemmoreclosely。
　　Hehadstilltimetofindhiswayhome，anditmightnotbesoeasytopenetratethewildernessagain。Unfortunately，hehadneitherpick，pan，norshovelwithhim，butaverycursorydisplacementofthesoilaroundthespringandattheoutcropwithhishandsshowedhimtheusualredsoilanddecomposedquartzwhichconstitutedan"indication。"Yetnoneknewbetterthanhimselfhowdisappointingandillusiveitsresultsoftenwere，andheregrettedthathehadnotapantoenablehimtotestthesoilbywashingitatthespring。Iftherewereonlyaminer’scabinhandy，hecouldeasilyborrowwhathewanted。Itwasjusttheusualluck，——"thethingsamanseeswhenhehasn’thisgunwithhim！"
　　Heturnedimpatientlyawayagaininthedirectionoftheopening。
　　Whenhereachedit，hefoundhimselfonarockyhillsideslopingtowardasmallgreenvalley。Alightsmokecurledaboveaclumpofwillows；itwasfromthechimneyofalowdwelling，butasecondglancetoldhimthatitwasnominer’scabin。Therewasalargerclearingaroundthehouse，andsomerudeattemptatcultivationinaroughlyfencedarea。Nevertheless，hedeterminedtotryhisluckinborrowingapickandpanthere；attheworsthecouldinquirehiswaytothemainroadagain。
　　Ahurriedscrambledownthehillbroughthimtothedwelling，——aramblingadditionofshedstotheusuallogcabin。Buthewassurprisedtofindthatitsexterior，andindeedthepalingsofthefencearoundit，werecoveredwiththestretchedanddryingskinsofanimals。Thepeltsofbear，panther，wolf，andfoxwereintermingledwithsquirrelandwildcatskins，andthedisplayedwingsofeagle，hawk，andkingfisher。Therewasnotrailleadingtoorfromthecabin；itseemedtohavebeenlostinthisopeningoftheencompassingwoodsandleftaloneandsolitary。
　　Thebarkingofacoupleoftetheredhoundsatlastbroughtafiguretothedoorofthenearestlean-toshed。Itseemedtobethatofayounggirl，butitwascladingarmentssoridiculouslylargeanddisproportionatethatitwasdifficulttotellherpreciseage。A
　　calicodresswaspinnedupattheskirt，andtightlygirtatthewaistbyanapron——solongthatonecornerhadtobetuckedinattheapronstringdiagonally，tokeepthewearerfromtreadingonit。Anenormoussunbonnetofyellownankeencompletelyconcealedherheadandface，butallowedtwoknottedandtwistedbrowntailsofhairtoescapeunderitsfrilledcapebehind。Shewasevidentlyengagedinsomeculinarywork，andstillheldalargetinbasinorpanshehadbeencleaningclaspedtoherbreast。
　　Fleming’seyeglancedatitcovetously，ignoringthefigurebehindit。Buthewasdiplomatic。
　　"Ihavelostmywayinthewoods。Canyoutellmeinwhatdirectionthemainroadlies？"
　　Shepointedasmallredhandapparentlyinthedirectionhehadcome。"Straightoverthar——acrossthehill。"
　　Flemingsighed。Hehadbeenmakingacircuitoftheforestinsteadofgoingthroughit——andthisopenspacecontainingthecabinwasonaremoteoutskirt！
　　"Howfarisittotheroad？"heasked。
　　"Jestaspellarteryerisethehill，efyekeep’longsidethewoods。Butit’sarightsmartchancebeyond，efyegothroughit。"
　　Thiswasquiteplaintohim。Inthelocaldialecta"spell"wasunderamile；"arightsmartchance"mightbethreeorfourmilesfarther。Luckilythespringandoutcropwereneartheoutskirts；
　　hewouldpassnearthemagainonhisway。Helookedlonginglyatthepanwhichshestillheldinherhands。"Wouldyoumindlendingmethatpanforalittlewhile？"hesaidhalflaughingly。
　　"Wotfor？"demandedthegirlquickly。Yethertonewasoneofchildishcuriosityratherthansuspicion。Flemingwouldhavelikedtoavoidthequestionandtheconsequentexposureofhisdiscoverywhichadirectanswerimplied。Buthesawitwastoolatenow。
　　"Iwanttowashalittledirt，"hesaidbluntly。
　　Thegirlturnedherdeepsunbonnettowardhim。Somewhereinitsdepthshesawtheflashofwhiteteeth。"Goalongwithye——ye’refunnin’！"shesaid。
　　"Iwanttowashoutsomedirtinthatpan——I’mprospectingforgold，"hesaid；"don’tyouunderstand？"
　　"Areyeaminer？"
　　"Well，yes——asortofone，"hereturned，withalaugh。
　　"Thenye’dbetterbescootin’outo’thismightyquickaforedadcomes。Hedon’tcottontominers，andwon’thave’emaround。
　　That’swhyhelivesouthere。"
　　"Well，Idon’tliveouthere，"respondedtheyoungmanlightly。"I
　　shouldn’tbehereifIhadn’tlostmyway，andinhalfanhourI’llbeoffagain。SoI’mnotlikelytobotherhim。But，"headded，asthegirlstillhesitated，"I’llleaveadepositforthepan，ifyoulike。"
　　"Leaveawhich？"
　　"Themoneythatthepan’sworth，"saidFlemingimpatiently。
　　Thehugesunbonnetstifflyswungaroundlikethewind-sailofashipandstaredatthehorizon。"Idon’twantnomoney。Yekingit，"saidthevoiceinitsdepths。
　　"Lookhere，"hesaiddesperately，"IonlywantedtoprovetoyouthatI’llbringyourpanbacksafe。Nowlook！Ifyoudon’tliketotakemoney，I’llleavethisringwithyouuntilIcomeback。
　　There！"Heslippedasmallspecimenring，madeoutofhisfirstgoldfindings，fromhislittlefinger。
　　Thesunbonnetslowlyswungaroundagainandstaredatthering。
　　Thenthelittleredrighthandreachedforward，tookthering，placeditontheforefingerofthelefthand，withalltheotherfingerswidelyextendedforthesunbonnettoview，andallthewhilethepanwasstillheldagainsthersidebytheotherhand。
　　Flemingnoticedthatthehands，thoughtawnyandnotoverclean，werealmostchildlikeinsize，andthattheforefingerwasmuchtoosmallforthering。Hetriedtofathomthedepthsofthesun-
　　bonnet，butitwasdentedononeside，andhecoulddiscernonlyasinglepaleblueeyeandathinblackarchofeyebrow。
　　"Well，"saidFleming，"isitago？"
　　"Ofcourseye’llbecomin’backforitagain，"saidthegirlslowly。
　　TherewassomuchofhopelessdisappointmentatthatprospectinhervoicethatFleminglaughedoutright。"I’mafraidIshall，forIvaluetheringverymuch，"hesaid。
　　Thegirlhandedhimthepan。"It’sourbreadpan，"shesaid。
　　Itmighthavebeenanything，foritwasbynomeansnew；indeed，itwasbatteredononesideandthebottomseemedtohavebeenbroken；
　　butitwouldserve，andFlemingwasanxioustobeoff。"Thankyou，"hesaidbriefly，andturnedaway。Thehoundbarkedagainashepassed；heheardthegirlsay，"Shutyourhead，Tige！"andsawherturnbackintothekitchen，stillholdingtheringbeforethesunbonnet。
　　Whenhereachedthewoods，heattackedtheoutcrophehadnoticed，anddetachedwithhishandsandtheaidofasharprockenoughoftheloosesoiltofillthepan。Thishetooktothespring，and，loweringthepaninthepool，begantowashoutitscontentswiththecentrifugalmovementoftheexperiencedprospector。Thesaturatedredsoiloverflowedthebrimwiththatliquidoozeknownas"slumgullion，"andturnedthecrystalpooltothecolorofblooduntilthesoilwaswashedaway。Thenthesmallerstoneswerecarefullyremovedandexamined，andthenanotherwashingofthenownearlyemptypanshowedthefineblacksandcoveringthebottom。
　　Thiswasinturnasgentlywashedaway。
　　Alas！thecleanpanshowedonlyoneortwominuteglisteningyellowscales，likepinheads，adheringfromtheirspecificgravitytothebottom；gold，indeed，butmerelyenoughtoindicate"thecolor，"
　　andcommontoordinaryprospectinginhisownlocality。
　　Hetriedanotherpanfulwiththesameresult。Hebecameawarethatthepanwasleaky，andthatinfinitecarealonepreventedthebottomfromfallingoutduringthewashing。Stillitwasanexperiment，andtheresultafailure。
　　Flemingwastoooldaprospectortotakehisdisappointmentseriously。Indeed，itwascharacteristicofthatperformanceandthatperiodthatfailureleftneitherhopelessnessnorlossoffaithbehindit；theprospectorhadsimplymiscalculatedtheexactlocality，andwasequallyasreadytotryhisluckagain。ButFlemingthoughtithightimetoreturntohisownminingworkincamp，andatoncesetofftoreturnthepantoitsgirlishownerandrecoverhisring。
　　Asheapproachedthecabinagain，beheardthesoundofsinging。
　　Itwasevidentlythegirl’svoice，upliftedinwhatseemedtobeafragmentofsomenegrocamp-meetinghymn：——
　　"DarwasapoormanandhisnameitwasLazarum，LordbressdeLamb——gloryhallelugerum！
　　LordbressdeLamb！"
　　Thefirsttwolineshadabriskmovement，accentedapparentlybytheclappingofhandsorthebeatingofatinpan，buttherefrain，"LordbressdeLamb，"wasdrawnoutinalugubriouschantofinfinitetenuity。
　　"Therichmandiedandhewentstraighttohellerum。
　　LordbressdeLamb——gloryhallelugerum！
　　LordbressdeLamb！"
　　Flemingpausedatthecabindoor。Beforehecouldrapthevoiceroseagain：——
　　"Whenyeseeapoo’manbesuretogivehimcrumbsorum，LordbressdeLamb——gloryhallelugerum！
　　LordbressdeLamb！"
　　Attheendofthisinterminablerefrain，drawnoutinayouthfulnasalcontralto，Flemingknocked。Thegirlinstantlyappeared，holdingtheringinherfingers。"Ireckoneditwasyou，"shesaid，withanaffectedbriskness，toconcealherevidentdislikeatpartingwiththetrinket。"Thereitis！"
　　ButFlemingwastooastoundedtospeak。Withtheopeningofthedoorthesunbonnethadfallenbacklikeabuggytop，disclosingforthefirsttimetheheadandshouldersofthewearer。Shewasnotachild，butasmartyoungwomanofseventeenoreighteen，andmuchofhisembarrassmentarosefromtheconsciousnessthathehadnoreasonwhateverforhavingbelievedherotherwise。
　　"IhopeIdidn’tinterruptyoursinging，"hesaidawkwardly。
　　Itwasonlyoneo’mammy’scamp-meetin’songs，"saidthegirl。
　　"Yourmother？Isshein？"heasked，glancingpastthegirlintothekitchen。
　　"’Tain’tmother——she’sdead。Mammy’souroldnurse。She’sgonetoJimtown，andtakenmydudstogetsomenewonesfittedtome。
　　Thesearesomeo’mother’s。"
　　Thisaccountedforherstrangeappearance；butFlemingnoticedthatthegirl’smannerhadnottheslightestconsciousnessoftheirunbecomingness，norofthecharmsoffaceandfiguretheyhadmarred。
　　Shelookedathimcuriously。"Hevyougotreligion？"
　　"Well，no！"saidFleming，laughing；"I’mafraidnot。"
　　"Dadhez——he’sgotitpow’ful。"
　　"Isthatthereasonhedon’tlikeminers？"askedFleming。
　　"’Takenottoyourselfthemammonofunrighteousness，’"saidthegirl，withtheconfidentairofrepeatingalesson。"That’swhattheBooksays。"
　　"ButIreadtheBible，too，"repliedtheyoungman。
　　"Dadsays，’Theletterkilleth’！"saidthegirlsententiously。
　　FleminglookedatthetrophiesnailedonthewallswithavaguewonderifthispeculiarScripturaldestructivenesshadanythingtodowithhisskillasamarksman。Thegirlfollowedhiseye。
　　"Dad’samightyhunteraforetheLord。"
　　"Whatdoeshedowiththeseskins？"
　　"Trades’emoffforgrubandfixin’s。Buthedon’tbelieveintrottin’roundinthemudforgold。"
　　"Don’tyousupposetheseanimalswouldhavepreferreditifhehad？
　　Goldhuntingtakesnothingfromanybody。"
　　Thegirlstaredathim，andthen，tohisgreatsurprise，laughedinsteadofbeingangry。Itwasaveryfascinatinglaughinherimperfectlynourishedpaleface，andherlittleteethrevealedthebluishmilkywhitenessofpipsofyoungIndiancorn。
　　"Wotyerlookin’at？"sheaskedfrankly。
　　"You，"hereplied，withequalfrankness。
　　"It’sthemduds，"shesaid，lookingdownatherdress；"IreckonI
　　ain’tgotthehango’’em"
　　Yettherewasnottheslightesttoneofembarrassmentorevencoquetryinhermanner，aswithbothhandsshetriedtogatherintheloosefoldsaroundherwaist。
　　"Letmehelpyou，"hesaidgravely。
　　Sheliftedupherarmswithchildlikesimplicityandbackedtowardhimashesteppedbehindher，drewinthefolds，andpinnedthemaroundwhatprovedaverysmallwaistindeed。Thenheuntiedtheapron，tookitoff，foldeditinhalf，andretieditscurtailedproportionsaroundthewaist。"Itdoesfeelaheapeasier，"shesaid，withalittleshiverofsatisfaction，assheliftedherroundcheek，andthetailofherblueeyeswiththeirbrownlashes，overhershoulder。Itwasatemptingmoment——butJackfeltthatthewholeraceofgoldhunterswasontrialjustthen，andwasadamant！
　　Perhapshewasagentlefellowatheart，too。
　　"Icouldloopupthatdressalso，ifIhadmorepins，"heremarkedtentatively。Jackhadsistersofhisown。
　　Thepinswereforthcoming。Inthisoperation——akindoffestooning——
　　thegirl’spetticoat，apieceofcommonwashed-outblueflannel，aspaleashereyes，butofthecommonestmaterial，becamevisible，butwithoutfearorreproachtoeither。
　　"There，thatlooksmoretidy，"saidJack，criticallysurveyinghisworkandalittleofthesmallanklesrevealed。Thegirlalsoexamineditcarefullybyitsreflectiononthesurfaceofthesaucepan。"Looksalittlelikeachinygirl，don’tit？"
　　Jackwouldhaveresentedthis，thinkingshemeantaChinese，untilhesawherpointingtoacheapcrockeryornament，representingaDutchshepherdess，ontheshelf。Therewassomeresemblance。
　　"Youbeatmammyouto’sight！"sheexclaimedgleefully。"Itwilljestsetherclearcrazywhensheseesme。"
　　"Thenyouhadbettersayyoudidityourself，"saidFleming。
　　"Why？"askedthegirl，suddenlyopeninghereyesonhimwithrelentlessfrankness。
　　"Yousaidyourfatherdidn’tlikeminers，andhemightn’tlikeyourlendingyourpantome。"
　　"I’mmoreafraido’lyin’thano’dad，"shesaidwithanelevationofmoralsentimentthatwas，however，slightlyweakenedbytheaddition，"Mammy’llsayanythingI’lltellhertosay。"
　　"Well，good-by，"saidFleming，extendinghishand。
　　"Yedidn’ttellmewhatluckyehadwiththepan，"shesaid，delayingtakinghishand。
　　Flemingshruggedhisshoulders。"Oh，myusualluck，——nothing，"hereturned，withasmile。
　　"Yeseemtokeermoreforgettin’yeroldringbackthanforanyluck，"shecontinued。"Ireckonyouain’tmucho’aminer。"
　　"I’mafraidnot。"
　　"Yedidn’tsaywotyernamewas，incasedadwantstoknow。"
　　"Idon’tthinkhewillwantto；butit’sJohnFleming。"
　　Shetookhishand。"Youdidn’ttellmeyours，"hesaid，holdingthelittleredfingers，"incaseIwantedtoknow。"
　　Itpleasedhertoconsidertherejoinderintenselywitty。Sheshowedallherlittleteeth，threwawayhishand，andsaid：——
　　"G’longwithye，Mr。Fleming。It’sTinka"——
　　"Tinker？"
　　"Yes；shortforKatinka，——KatinkaJallinger。"
　　"Good-by，MissJallinger。"
　　"Good-by。Dad’snameisHenryBooneJallinger，ofKentucky，efyewaseveraskin’。"
　　"Thankyou。"
　　Heturnedawayassheswiftlyre-enteredthehouse。Ashewalkedaway，hehalfexpectedtohearhervoiceupliftedagaininthecamp-meetingchant，buthewasdisappointed。Whenhereachedthetopofthehillheturnedandlookedbackatthecabin。
　　Shewasapparentlywaitingforthis，andwavedhimanadieuwiththehumblepanhehadborrowed。Itflashedamomentdazzlinglyasitcaughtthedecliningsun，andthenwentout，evenobliteratingthelittlefigurebehindit。
　　PARTII
　　Mr。JackFlemingwasindeed"notmuchofaminer。"Heandhispartners——bothasyoung，hopeful，andinefficientashimself——hadforthreemonthsworkedaclaiminamountainminingsettlementwhichyieldedthemacertainamountofhealthyexercise，good-
　　humoredgrumbling，andexaltedindependence。Todigforthreeorfourhoursinthemorning，smoketheirpipesunderaredwood-treeforanhouratnoon，takeuptheirlaborsagainuntilsunset，whenthey"washedup"andgatheredsufficientgoldtopayfortheirdailywants，was，withouttheirseekingit，orevenknowingit，therealizationofacharmingsocialisticidealwhichbettermenthanthemselveshadonlydreamedof。Flemingfellbackintothisrefinedbarbarism，givinglittlethoughttohiswoodlandexperience，andnorevelationofittohispartners。Hehadtransactedtheirbusinessattheminingtown。Hisdeviationsenroutewerenothingtothem，andsmallaccounttohimself。
　　Thethirddayafterhisreturnhewaslyingunderaredwoodwhenhispartnerapproachedhim。
　　"Youaren’tuneasyinyourmindaboutanyunpaidbill——sayawashbill——thatyou’reowing？"
　　"Why？"
　　"There’sabigniggerwomanincamplookingforyou；she’sgotafoldedaccountpaperinherhand。Itlooksdeucedlylikeabill。"
　　"Theremustbesomemistake，"suggestedFleming，sittingup。
　　"Shesaysnot，andshe’sgotyournamepatenough！Faulkner"（hisotherpartner）"headedherstraightupthegulch，awayfromcamp，whileIcamedowntowarnyou。Soifyouchoosetoskedaddleintothebrushoutthereandlielowuntilwegetheraway，we’llfixit！"
　　"Nonsense！I’llseeher。"
　　Hispartnerlookedaghastatthistemerity，butFleming，jumpingtohisfeet，atoncesetouttomeethismysteriousvisitor。Thiswasnoeasymatter，astheingeniousFaulknerwaslaboriouslyleadinghischargeupthesteepgulchroad，withgreatpoliteness，butmanyaudiblemisgivingsastowhetherthiswasnot"JackFleming’sdayforgoingtoJamestown。"
　　Hewasfurtherlighteningthejourneybycheeringaccountsoftherecentdepredationsofbearsandpanthersinthatimmediatelocality。WhenovertakenbyFlemingheaffectedastartofjoyfulsurprise，toconcealthelookofwarningwhichFlemingdidnotheed，——havingnoeyesbutforFaulknerscompanion。Shewasaveryfatnegrowoman，pantingwithexertionandsuppressedimpatience。
　　Fleming’sheartwasfilledwithcompunction。
　　"IsyouMarseFleming？"shegasped。
　　"Yes，"saidFleminggently。"WhatcanIdoforyou？"
　　"Well！Yekinpickdisyarinsek，discaterpillier，"shesaid，pointingtoFaulkner，"offmypaf。Yekintelldisyarchipmunkdatwhenhecomestoshowin’memuletracksforb’artracks，he’sbarkin’updewrongtree！Datwhenhetellsmedatheseespanfersa-promenadin’roundindeshortgrassorhidin’behimerocksindeopen，hehain’ttalkin’tononiggerchile，butagrowedwoman！YekintellhimdatMammyCurtislivedindewoodsafo’hewasborn，andhezseenmoreb’arsandmountainlyunsdanhehezhairsinhismustarches。"
　　Theword"Mammy"broughtaflashofrecollectiontoFleming。
　　"Iamverysorry，"hebegan；buttohissurprisethenegrowomanburstintoagood-temperedlaugh。
　　"Allright，honey！S’long’syouisMarseFleminganddemandattookdat’arpanofferTinkadeodderday，Iain’tmindin’yo’
　　frens’bedevilments。I’vegotsomefinfo’you，yar，andalittlebox，"andshehandedhimafoldedpaper。
　　Flemingfelthimselfreddening，heknewnotwhy，atwhichFaulknerdiscreetlybutostentatiouslywithdrew，conveyingtohisotherpartnerpainfulconvictionthatFleminghadborrowedapanfromatravelingtinker，whosenegrowifewasevennowpresentingabillforthesame，anddemandingasettlement。Relievedbyhisdeparture，Fleminghurriedlytoreopenthefoldedpaper。Itwasaletterwrittenuponaleaftornoutofanoldaccountbook，whoseruledlineshadundoubtedlygivenhispartnerstheideathatitwasabill。Fleminghurriedlyreadthefollowing，tracedwithapencilinaschoolgirl’shand：——
　　Mr。J。FLEMING。
　　DearSir，——AfteryouwentawaythatdayItookthatpanyoubroughtbacktomixabatchofbreadandbiscuits。Thenextmorningatbreakfastdadsays："What’sgoneo’themtharbiscuits——myteethisjustbrokewiththem——they’resogritty——they’reabominable！
　　What’sthis？"sayshe，andwiththathechucksovertometwoorthreeflakesofgoldthatwasinthem。Youseewhathadhappened，Mr。Fleming，wasthis！Youhadbetterluckthanyouwasknowingof！Itwasthisway！Someofthegoldyouwashedhadgotslippedintothesidesofthepanwhereitwasbroke，andthestickydoughmusthavebroughtitout，andIkneadedthemupunbeknowing。OfcourseIhadtotellawickedlie，but"Beyeallthingstoallmen，"saystheBook，andIthoughtyououghttoknowyourgoodluck，andIsendmammywiththisandthegoldinalittlebox。Ofcourse，ifdadwasahunterofMammonandnotofGod’sownbeasts，hewouldhavebeenmightykeenaboutfindingwhereitcamefrom，butheallowsitwasinthewaterinournearspring。Sogood-by。
　　Doyoucareforyourringnowasmuchasyoudid？
　　Yoursveryrespectfully，KATINKAJALLINGER。
　　AsMr。Flemingglancedupfromthepaper，mammyputasmallcardboardboxinhishand。Foraninstanthehesitatedtoopenit，notknowinghowfarmammywasintrustedwiththesecret。Tohisgreatreliefshesaidbriskly："Well，dar！nowdatjob’sdonegoneandoftenmyhan’s，Iallowtoquitandjestgetoffdisyercampafo’yekinshakeastick。Sodon’ttellmenuffinIain’tgottertellwhenIgoesback。"
　　Flemingunderstood。"YoucantellherIthankher——and——I’llattendtoit，"hesaidvaguely；"thatis——I"——
　　"Holddar！that’sjustenuff，honey——nomo’！Solongtoyeandyousefolks。"
　　Hewatchedherstridingawaytowardthemainroad，andthenopenedthebox。
　　Itcontainedthreeflakesofplacerorsurfacegold，weighinginallaboutaquarterofanounce。Theycouldeasilyhaveslippedintotheintersticesofthebrokenpanandnothavebeenobservedbyhim。Ifthiswastheresultofthewashingofasinglepan——andhecouldnoweasilyimaginethatotherflakesmighthaveescaped——
　　what——Buthestopped，dazedandbewilderedatthebaresuggestion。
　　Hegazeduponthevanishingfigureof"mammy。"Couldshe——couldKatinka——havetheleastsuspicionofthepossibilitiesofthisdiscovery？OrhadProvidenceputthekeepingofthissecretintothehandsofthosewholeastunderstooditsimportance？Foraninstanthethoughtofrunningafterherwithawordofcaution；butonreflectionhesawthatthismightawakenhersuspicionandprecipitateadiscoverybyanother。
　　Hisonlysafetyforthepresentwassilence，untilhecouldrepeathisexperiment。Andthatmustbedonequickly。
　　Howshouldhegetawaywithouthispartners’knowledgeofhispurpose？Hewastooloyaltothemtowishtokeepthisgoodfortunetohimself，buthewasnotyetsureofhisgoodfortune。
　　Itmightbeonlyalittle"pocket"whichhehadjustemptied；itmightbealargeronewhichanothertrialwouldexhaust。
　　Hehadputupno"notice；"hemightfinditalreadyinpossessionofKatinka’sfather，oranychanceprospectorlikehimself。Ineithercasehewouldbecoveredwithridiculebyhispartnersandthecamp，ormoreseriouslyrebukedforhiscarelessnessandstupidity。No！hecouldnottellthemthetruth；norcouldhelie。
　　Hewouldsayhewascalledawayforadayonprivatebusiness。
　　Luckilyforhim，theactiveimaginationofhispartnerswasevennowhelpinghim。Thetheoryofthe"tinker"andthe"pan"wasindignantlyrejectedbyhisotherpartner。HisblushesandembarrassmentweresuddenlyrememberedbyFaulkner，andbythetimehereachedhiscabin，theyhadsettledthatthenegrowomanhadbroughthimaloveletter！Hewasyoungandgoodlooking；whatwasmorenaturalthanthatheshouldhavesomedistantloveaffair？
　　HisembarrassedstatementthathemustleaveearlythenextmorningonbusinessthathecouldnotatPRESENTdisclosewasconsideredamplyconfirmatory，andreceivedwithmaliciouslysignificantacquiescence。"Only，"saidFaulkner，"atYOURage，sonny，"——hewasninemonthsolderthanFleming，——"IshouldhavegoneTO-NIGHT。"
　　SurelyProvidencewasfavoringhim！
　　Hewasoffearlythenextmorning。Hewassorelytemptedtogofirsttothecabin，buteverymomentwaspreciousuntilhehadtestedtheproofofhisgoodfortune。
　　Itwashighnoonbeforehereachedthefringeofforest。Afewpacesfartherandhefoundthespringandoutcrop。Toaverthispartners’suspicionshehadnotbroughthisownimplements，buthadborrowedapan，spade，andpickfromaneighbor’sclaimbeforesettingout。Thespotwasapparentlyinthesameconditionaswhenheleftit，andwithabeatingheartheatoncesettowork，aneasytaskwithhisnewimplements。Henervouslywatchedthewateroverflowthepanofdirtatitsedgesuntil，emptiedofearthandgravel，theblacksandalonecoveredthebottom。Aslightpremonitionofdisappointmentfollowed；arichindicationwouldhaveshownitselfbeforethis！Afewmoreworkings，andthepanwasquiteemptyexceptforafewpin-pointsof"color，"almostexactlythequantityhefoundbefore。Hewashedanotherpanwiththesameresult。Anothertakenfromadifferentleveloftheoutcropyieldedneithermorenorless！Therewasnomistake：itwasafailure！Hisdiscoveryhadbeenonlyalittle"pocket，"andthefewflakesshehadsenthimwerethefirstandlastofthatdiscovery。
　　Hesatdownwithasenseofrelief；hecouldfacehispartnersagainwithoutdisloyalty；hecouldseethatprettylittlefigureoncemorewithoutthecompunctionofhavingincurredherfather’sprejudicesbylocatingapermanentclaimsonearhiscabin。Infact，hecouldcarryouthispartners’fancytotheletter！
　　Hequicklyheapedhisimplementstogetherandturnedtoleavethewood；buthewasconfrontedbyafigurethatatfirsthescarcelyrecognized。Yet——itwasKatinka！theyounggirlofthecabin，whohadsenthimthegold。Shewasdresseddifferently——perhapsinherordinaryevery-daygarments——abrightspriggedmuslin，achiphatwithblueribbonssetuponacoilofluxuriousbrownhair。Butwhatstruckhimmostwasthatthegirlishanddiminutivecharacterofthefigurehadvanishedwithherill-fittingclothes；thegirlthatstoodbeforehimwasofordinaryheight，andofaprettinessandgraceoffigurethathefeltwouldhaveattractedanywhere。
　　Flemingfelthimselfsuddenlyembarrassed，——afeelingthatwasnotlessenedwhenhenoticedthatherprettylipwascompressedandhereyebrowsalittlestraightenedasshegazedathim。
　　"Yemadeabeelineforthewoods，Isee，"shesaidcoldly。"I
　　allowedyemighthavebeendroppin’intoourhousefirst。"
　　"SoIshould，"saidFlemingquickly，"butIthoughtIoughttofirstmakesureoftheinformationyoutookthetroubletosendme。"Hehesitatedtospeakoftheillluckhehadjustexperienced；
　　hecouldlaughatithimself——butwouldshe？
　　"Andyegotanewpan？"shesaidhalfpoutingly。
　　Hereseemedhisopportunity。"Yes，butI’mafraidithasn’tthemagicofyours。Ihaven’tevengotthecolor。Ibelieveyoubewitchedyouroldpan。"
　　Herfaceflushedalittleandbrightened，andherliprelaxedwithasmile。"Go’longwithyer！Yedon’tmeantosayyehadnoluckto-day？"
　　"None——butinseeingyou。"
　　Hereyessparkled。"Yesee，Isaidall’longyeweren’tmucho’aminer。Yeain’tgotnofaith。Efyehadasmuchasagraino’
　　mustardseed，ye’dremovemountains；it’sintheBook。"
　　"Yes，andthismountainisonthebedrock，andmyfaithisnotstrongenough，"hesaidlaughingly。"Andthen，thatwouldbehavingfaithinMammon，andyoudon’twantmetohaveTHAT。"
　　Shelookedathimcuriously。"Ijestreckonyedon’tcareapicayunewhetheryestrikeanythingornot，"shesaidhalfadmiringly。
　　"TopleaseyouI’lltryagain，ifyou’lllookon。Perhapsyou’llbringmeluckasyoudidbefore。Youshalltakethepan。Iwillfillitandyoushallwashitout。You’llbemyMASCOT。"
　　Shestiffenedalittleatthis，andthensaidpertly，"Wot’sthat？"
　　"Mygoodfairy。"
　　Shesmiledagain，thistimewithanewcolorinherpaleface。
　　"MaybeIam，"shesaid，withsuddengravity。
　　Hequicklyfilledthepanagainwithsoil，broughtittothespring，andfirstwashedoutthegreaterbulkofloosesoil。"Nowcomehereandkneeldownbesideme，"hesaid，"andtakethepananddoasIshowyou。"
　　Shekneltdownobediently。Suddenlysheliftedherlittlehandwithagestureofwarning。"Waitaminit——jestaminit——tillthewaterrunsclearagain。"
　　Thepoolhadbecomeslightlydiscoloredfromthefirstwashing。
　　"Thatmakesnodifference，"hesaidquickly。
　　"Ah！butwait，please！"Shelaidherbrownhanduponhisarm；apleasantwarmthseemedtofollowhertouch。Thenshesaidjoyously，"Lookdownthere。"
　　"Where？"heasked。
　　"There——don’tyeseeit？"
　　"Seewhat？"
　　"Youandme！"
　　Helookedwhereshepointed。Thepoolhadsettled，resumeditsmirror-likecalm，andreflecteddistinctly，notonlytheirtwobendingfaces，buttheirtwofigureskneelingsidebyside。Twotallredwoodsroseoneithersideofthem，likethecolumnsbeforeanaltar。
　　Therewasamomentofsilence。Thedroneofabumble-beenearbyseemedtomakethesilenceswimdrowsilyintheirears；farofftheyheardthefaintbeatofawoodpecker。Thesuggestionoftheirkneelingfiguresinthismagicmirrorwasvague，unreasoning，yetforthemomentnonethelessirresistible。Hisarminstinctivelycreptaroundherlittlewaistashewhispered，——hescarceknewwhathesaid，——"PerhapshereisthetreasureIamseeking。"
　　Thegirllaughed，releasedherself，andsprangup；thepansankingloriouslytothebottomofthepool，whereFleminghadtogropeforit，assistedbyTinka，whorolleduphersleevetoherelbow。
　　Foraminuteortwotheywashedgravely，butwithnobettersuccessthanattendedhisownindividualefforts。Theresultinthebottomofthepanwasthesame。Fleminglaughed。
　　"Yousee，"hesaidgayly，"theMammonofunrighteousnessisnotforme——atleast，sonearyourfather’stabernacle。"
　　"Thatmakesnodifferencenow，"saidthegirlquickly，"fordadisgoin’tomove，anyway，fartherupthemountains。Hesaysit’sgettin’toocrowdedforhimhere——whenthelastsettlertookupasectionthreemilesoff。"
　　"AndareYOUgoingtoo？"askedtheyoungmanearnestly。
　　Tinkanoddedherbrownhead。Flemingheavedagenuinesigh。
　　"Well，I’lltrymyhandherealittlelonger。I’llputupanoticeofclaim；Idon’tsupposeyourfatherwouldobject。Youknowhecouldn’tLEGALLY。"
　　"Ireckonyemightdoitefyewanted——efyewasTHATkeenongettin’gold！"saidTinka，lookingaway。Therewassomethinginthegirl’stonewhichthisbuddingloverresented。Hehadbecomesensitive。
　　"Oh，well，"hesaid，"Iseethatitmightmakeunpleasantnesswithyourfather。Ionlythought，"hewenton，withtenderertentativeness，"thatitwouldbepleasanttoworkherenearyou。"
　　"Ye’dbeonlywastin’yertime，"shesaiddarkly。
　　Flemingrosegravely。"Perhapsyou’reright，"heansweredsadlyandalittlebitterly，"andI’llgoatonce。"
　　Hewalkedtothespring，andgathereduphistools。"Thankyouagainforyourkindness，andgood-by。"
　　Heheldouthishand，whichshetookpassively，andhemovedaway。
　　Buthehadnotgonefarbeforeshecalledhim。Heturnedtofindherstillstandingwherehehadlefther，herlittlehandsclinchedatherside，andherwidelyopenedeyesstaringathim。Suddenlysheranathim，and，catchingthelapelsofhiscoatinbothhands，heldhimrigidlyfast。
　　"No！no！yesha’n’tgo——yemustn’tgo！"shesaid，withhystericalintensity。"Iwanttotellyesomething！Listen！——you——you——Mr。
　　Fleming！I’vebeenawicked，wickedgirl！I’vetoldliestodad——
　　tomammy——toYOU！I’vebornefalsewitness——I’mworsethanSapphira——I’veactedabiglie。Oh，Mr。Fleming，I’vemadeyoucomebackherefornothing！Yedidn’tfindnogoldtheotherday。
　　Therewasn’tany。Itwasallme！I——I——SALTEDTHATPAN！"
　　"Saltedit！"echoedFleming，inamazement。
　　"Yes，’saltedit，’"shefaltered；"that’swhatdadsaystheycallit——whatthosewickedsonsofMammondototheirclaimstosellthem。I——putgoldinthepanmyself；itwasn’ttherebefore。"
　　"Butwhy？"gaspedFleming。
　　Shestopped。Thensuddenlythefountainsinthedeepofherblueeyeswerebrokenup；sheburstintoasob，andburiedherheadinherhands，andherhandsonhisshoulder。"Because——because"——shesobbedagainsthim——"IWANTEDYOUtocomeback！"
　　Hefoldedherinhisarms。Hekissedherlovingly，forgivingly，gratefully，tearfully，smilingly——andpaused；thenhekissedhersympathetically，understandingly，apologetically，explanatorily，inlieuofotherconversation。Then，becomingcoherent，heasked，——
　　"ButWHEREdidyougetthegold？"
　　"Oh，"shesaidbetweenfitfulanddespairingsobs，"somewhere！——I
　　don’tknow——outoftheoldRun——longago——whenIwaslittle！I
　　didn’tneverdaresayanythingtodad——he’dhavebeencrazymadathisowndaughterdiggin’——andInevercarednorthoughtasinglebitaboutituntilIsawyou。"
　　"Andyouhaveneverbeentheresince？"
　　"Never。"
　　"Noranybodyelse？"
　　"No。"
　　Suddenlyshethrewbackherhead；herchiphatfellbackfromherface，rosywithadawninginspiration！"Oh，say，Jack！——youdon’tthinkthat——afterallthistime——theremight"——Shedidnotfinishthesentence，but，graspinghishand，cried，"Come！"
　　Shecaughtupthepan，heseizedtheshovelandpick，andtheyracedlikeboyandgirldownthehill。Whenwithinafewhundredfeetofthehousesheturnedatrightanglesintotheclearing，andsaying，"Don’tbeskeered；dad’saway，"ranboldlyon，stillholdinghishand，alongthelittlevalley。Atitsfartherextremitytheycametothe"Run，"ahalf-driedwatercoursewhoserockysidesweremarkedbytheerosionofwintertorrents。Itwasapparentlyaswildandsecludedastheforestspring。"Nobodyevercamehere，"saidthegirlhurriedly，"afterdadsunkthewellatthehouse。"
　　OneortwopoolsstillremainedintheRunfromthelastseason’sflow，waterenoughtowashoutseveralpansofdirt。