ence。Whentherewasnowhereelsetogo，sheusedtositforhoursinMrs。Smiley’smillineryandnotionstore，lis—
teningtothetalkofthewomenwhocamein，watchingthemwhiletheytriedonhats，blinkingatthemfromhercornerwithhersharp，restlesslittleeyes。Shenevertalkedmuchherself，butsheknewallthegossipofthetownandshehadasharpearforracyanecdotes——"travelingmen’sstories，"theyusedtobecalledinMoonstone。Herclickinglaughsoundedlikeatypewritingmachineinaction，and，forverypointedstories，shehadalittlescreech。
Mrs。ArchiehadbeenMrs。Archieforonlysixyears，andwhenshewasBelleWhiteshewasoneofthe"pretty"
girlsinLansing，Michigan。Shehadthenatrainofsuitors。
ShecouldtrulyremindArchiethat"theboyshungaroundher。"Theydid。Theythoughtherveryspiritedandwerealwayssaying，"Oh，thatBelleWhite，she’sacase！"Sheusedtoplayheavypracticaljokeswhichtheyoungmen
thoughtveryclever。Archiewasconsideredthemostpromisingyoungmanin"theyoungcrowd，"soBelleselectedhim。Shelethimsee，madehimfullyaware，thatshehadselectedhim，andArchiewasthesortofboywhocouldnotwithstandsuchenlightenment。Belle’sfamilyweresorryforhim。Onhisweddingdayhersisterslookedatthebig，handsomeboy——hewastwenty—four——ashewalkeddowntheaislewithhisbride，andthentheylookedateachother。Hisbesottedconfidence，hissober，radiantface，hisgentle，protectingarm，madethemuncomfort—
able。Well，theyweregladthathewasgoingWestatonce，tofulfillhisdoomwheretheywouldnotbeonlookers。Any—
how，theyconsoledthemselves，theyhadgotBelleofftheirhands。
Morethanthat，Belleseemedtohavegotherselfoffherhands。Herreputedprettinessmusthavebeenentirelytheresultofdetermination，ofafiercelittleambition。Onceshehadmarried，fastenedherselfonsomeone，cometoport，——itvanishedliketheornamentalplumagewhichdropsawayfromsomebirdsafterthematingseason。Theoneaggressiveactionofherlifewasover。Shebegantoshrinkinfaceandstature。Ofherharum—scarumspirittherewasnothingleftbutthelittlescreech。Withinafewyearsshelookedassmallandmeanasshewas。
Thor’schariotcreptalong。Theaapproachedthehouseunwillingly。Shedidn’tcareaboutthestrawberries，any—
how。ShehadcomeonlybecauseshedidnotwanttohurtDr。Archie’sfeelings。ShenotonlydislikedMrs。Archie，shewasalittleafraidofher。WhileTheawasgettingtheheavybaby—buggythroughtheirongatesheheardsomeonecall，"Waitaminute！"andMrs。Archiecamerunningaroundthehousefromthebackdoor，herapronoverherhead。Shecametohelpwiththebuggy，becauseshewasafraidthewheelsmightscratchthepaintoffthegate—
posts。Shewasaskinnylittlewomanwithagreatpileoffrizzylighthaironasmallhead。
"Dr。Archietoldmetocomeupandpicksomestraw—
berries，"Theamuttered，wishingshehadstayedathome。
Mrs。Archieledthewaytothebackdoor，squintingandshadinghereyeswithherhand。"Waitaminute，"shesaidagain，whenTheaexplainedwhyshehadcome。
ShewentintoherkitchenandTheasatdownontheporchstep。WhenMrs。Archiereappearedshecarriedinherhandalittlewoodenbutter—baskettrimmedwithfringedtissuepaper，whichshemusthavebroughthomefromsomechurchsupper。"You’llhavetohavesomethingtoputthemin，"shesaid，ignoringtheyawningwillowbasketwhichstoodemptyonThor’sfeet。"Youcanhavethis，andyouneedn’tmindaboutreturningit。Youknowaboutnottramplingthevines，don’tyou？"
Mrs。ArchiewentbackintothehouseandThealeanedoverinthesandandpickedafewstrawberries。Assoonasshewassurethatshewasnotgoingtocry，shetossedthelittlebasketintothebigoneandranThor’sbuggyalongthegravelwalkandoutofthegateasfastasshecouldpushit。Shewasangry，andshewasashamedforDr。Archie。Shecouldnothelpthinkinghowuncomfortablehewouldbeifheeverfoundoutaboutit。Littlethingslikethatweretheonesthatcuthimmost。Sheslunkhomebythebackway，andagainalmostcriedwhenshetoldhermotheraboutit。
Mrs。Kronborgwasfryingdoughnutsforherhusband’ssupper。Shelaughedasshedroppedanewlotintothehotgrease。"It’swonderful，thewaysomepeoplearemade，"
shedeclared。"ButIwouldn’tletthatupsetmeifIwasyou。Thinkwhatitwouldbetolivewithitallthetime。
Youlookintheblackpocketbookinsidemyhandbagandtakeadimeandgodowntownandgetanice—creamsoda。
That’llmakeyoufeelbetter。Thorcanhavealittleoftheice—creamifyoufeedittohimwithaspoon。Helikesit，don’tyou，son？"Shestoopedtowipehischin。Thorwasonlysixmonthsoldandinarticulate，butitwasquitetruethathelikedice—cream。
VI
Seenfromaballoon，MoonstonewouldhavelookedlikeaNoah’sarktownsetoutinthesandandlightlyshadedbygray—greentamarisksandcottonwoods。Afewpeopleweretryingtomakesoftmaplesgrowintheirturfedlawns，butthefashionofplantingincongruoustreesfromtheNorthAtlanticStateshadnotbecomegen—
eralthen，andthefrail，brightlypainteddeserttownwasshadedbythelight—reflecting，wind—lovingtreesofthedesert，whoserootsarealwaysseekingwaterandwhoseleavesarealwaystalkingaboutit，makingthesoundofrain。Thelongporousrootsofthecottonwoodareirre—
pressible。Theybreakintothewellsasratsdointograna—
ries，andthievethewater。
ThelongstreetwhichconnectedMoonstonewiththedepotsettlementtraversedinitscourseaconsiderablestretchofroughopencountry，stakedoutinlotsbutnotbuiltupatall，aweedyhiatusbetweenthetownandtherailroad。Whenyousetoutalongthisstreettogotothestation，younoticedthatthehousesbecamesmallerandfartherapart，untiltheyceasedaltogether，andtheboardsidewalkcontinueditsunevencoursethroughsunflowerpatches，untilyoureachedthesolitary，newbrickCatholicChurch。Thechurchstoodtherebecausethelandwasgiventotheparishbythemanwhoownedtheadjoiningwastelots，inthehopeofmakingthemmoresalable——
"Farrier’sAddition，"thispatchofprairiewascalledintheclerk’soffice。Aneighthofamilebeyondthechurchwasawashout，adeepsand—gully，wheretheboardsidewalkbecameabridgeforperhapsfiftyfeet。JustbeyondthegullywasoldUncleBillyBeemer’sgrove，——twelvetownlotssetoutinfine，well—growncottonwoodtrees，delightful
tolookupon，ortolistento，astheyswayedandrippledinthewind。UncleBillyhadbeenoneofthemostworthlessolddrunkardswhoeversatonastoreboxandtoldfilthystories。Onenightheplayedhide—and—seekwithaswitchengineandgothissoddenbrainsknockedout。Buthisgrove，theonecreditablethinghehadeverdoneinhislife，rustledon。Beyondthisgrovethehousesofthedepotsettlementbegan，andthenakedboardwalk，thathadruninoutofthesunflowers，againbecamealinkbetweenhumandwellings。
Oneafternoon，lateinthesummer，Dr。HowardArchiewasfightinghiswaybacktotownalongthiswalkthroughablindingsandstorm，asilkhandkerchieftiedoverhismouth。Hehadbeentoseeasickwomandowninthedepotsettlement，andhewaswalkingbecausehisponieshadbeenoutforaharddrivethatmorning。
AshepassedtheCatholicChurchhecameuponTheaandThor。Theawassittinginachild’sexpresswagon，herfeetoutbehind，kickingthewagonalongandsteeringbythetongue。Thorwasonherlapandsheheldhimwithonearm。Hehadgrowntobeabigcubofababy，withacon—
stitutionalgrievance，andhehadtobecontinuallyamused。
Theatookhimphilosophically，andtuggedandpulledhimabout，gettingasmuchfunasshecouldunderherencumbrance。Herhairwasblowingaboutherface，andhereyesweresquintingsointentlyattheunevenboardsidewalkinfrontofherthatshedidnotseethedoctoruntilhespoketoher。
"Lookout，Thea。You’llsteerthatyoungsterintotheditch。"
Thewagonstopped。Theareleasedthetongue，wipedherhot，sandyface，andpushedbackherhair。"Oh，no，Iwon’t！Ineverranoffbutonce，andthenhedidn’tgetanythingbutabump。Helikesthisbetterthanababy—
buggy，andsodoI。"
"Areyougoingtokickthatcartallthewayhome？"
"Ofcourse。Wetakelongtrips；whereverthereisaside—
walk。It’snogoodontheroad。"
"Lookstomelikeworkingprettyhardforyourfun。
Areyougoingtobebusyto—night？Wanttomakeacallwithme？SpanishJohnny’scomehomeagain，allusedup。
Hiswifesentmewordthismorning，andIsaidI’dgoovertoseehimto—night。He’sanoldchumofyours，isn’the？"
"Oh，I’mglad。She’sbeencryinghereyesout。Whendidhecome？"
"Lastnight，onNumberSix。Paidhisfare，theytellme。
Toosicktobeatit。There’llcomeatimewhenthatboywon’tgetback，I’mafraid。Comearoundtomyofficeabouteighto’clock，——andyouneedn’tbringthat！"
Thorseemedtounderstandthathehadbeeninsulted，forhescowledandbegantokickthesideofthewagon，shouting，"Go—go，go—go！"Thealeanedforwardandgrabbedthewagontongue。Dr。Archiesteppedinfrontofherandblockedtheway。"Whydon’tyoumakehimwait？
Whatdoyoulethimbossyoulikethatfor？"
"Ifhegetsmadhethrowshimself，andthenIcan’tdoanythingwithhim。Whenhe’smadhe’slotsstrongerthanme，aren’tyou，Thor？"Theaspokewithpride，andtheidolwasappeased。Hegruntedapprovinglyashissisterbegantokickrapidlybehindher，andthewagonrattledoffandsoondisappearedintheflyingcurrentsofsand。
ThateveningDr。Archiewasseatedinhisoffice，hisdeskchairtiltedback，readingbythelightofahotcoal—oillamp。
Allthewindowswereopen，butthenightwasbreathlessafterthesandstorm，andhishairwasmoistwhereithungoverhisforehead。Hewasdeeplyengrossedinhisbookandsometimessmiledthoughtfullyasheread。WhenTheaKronborgenteredquietlyandslippedintoaseat，henodded，finishedhisparagraph，insertedabookmark，androsetoputthebookbackintothecase。Itwasoneoutofthelongrowofuniformvolumesonthetopshelf。
"NearlyeverytimeIcomein，whenyou’realone，you’rereadingoneofthosebooks，"Thearemarkedthoughtfully。
"Theymustbeverynice。"
Thedoctordroppedbackintohisswivelchair，themot—
tledvolumestillinhishand。"Theyaren’texactlybooks，Thea，"hesaidseriously。"They’reacity。"
"Ahistory，youmean？"
"Yes，andno。They’reahistoryofalivecity，notadeadone。AFrenchmanundertooktowriteaboutawholecityfulofpeople，allthekindsheknew。Andhegotthemnearlyallin，Iguess。Yes，it’sveryinteresting。You’llliketoreaditsomeday，whenyou’regrownup。"
Thealeanedforwardandmadeoutthetitleontheback，"ADistinguishedProvincialinParis。"
"Itdoesn’tsoundveryinteresting。"
"Perhapsnot，butitis。"Thedoctorscrutinizedherbroadface，lowenoughtobeinthedirectlightfromunderthegreenlampshade。"Yes，"hewentonwithsomesat—
isfaction，"Ithinkyou’lllikethemsomeday。You’realwayscuriousaboutpeople，andIexpectthismanknewmoreaboutpeoplethananybodythateverlived。"
"Citypeopleorcountrypeople？"
"Both。Peopleareprettymuchthesameeverywhere。"
"Oh，no，they’renot。Thepeoplewhogothroughinthedining—cararen’tlikeus。"
"Whatmakesyouthinktheyaren’t，mygirl？Theirclothes？"
Theashookherhead。"No，it’ssomethingelse。Idon’tknow。"Hereyesshiftedunderthedoctor’ssearchinggazeandsheglancedupattherowofbooks。"HowsoonwillIbeoldenoughtoreadthem？"
"Soonenough，soonenough，littlegirl。"Thedoctorpattedherhandandlookedatherindexfinger。"Thenail’scomingallright，isn’tit？ButIthinkthatmanmakesyoupracticetoomuch。Youhaveitonyourmindallthetime。"Hehadnoticedthatwhenshetalkedtohim
shewasalwaysopeningandshuttingherhands。"Itmakesyounervous。"
"No，hedon’t，"Thearepliedstubbornly，watchingDr。
Archiereturnthebooktoitsniche。
Hetookupablackleathercase，putonhishat，andtheywentdownthedarkstairsintothestreet。Thesummermoonhungfullinthesky。Forthetimebeing，itwasthegreatfactintheworld。Beyondtheedgeofthetowntheplainwassowhitethateveryclumpofsagestoodoutdis—
tinctfromthesand，andtheduneslookedlikeashininglake。ThedoctortookoffhisstrawhatandcarrieditinhishandastheywalkedtowardMexicanTown，acrossthesand。
NorthofPueblo，MexicansettlementswererareinColoradothen。Thisonehadcomeaboutaccidentally。
SpanishJohnnywasthefirstMexicanwhocametoMoon—
stone。Hewasapainteranddecorator，andhadbeenworkinginTrinidad，whenRayKennedytoldhimtherewasa"boom"oninMoonstone，andagoodmanynewbuildingsweregoingup。AyearafterJohnnysettledinMoonstone，hiscousin，FamosSerrenos，cametoworkinthebrickyard；thenSerrenos’cousinscametohelphim。
Duringthestrike，themastermechanicputagangofMexicanstoworkintheroundhouse。TheMexicanshadarrivedsoquietly，withtheirblanketsandmusicalinstru—
ments，thatbeforeMoonstonewasawaketothefact，therewasaMexicanquarter；adozenfamiliesormore。
AsTheaandthedoctorapproachedthe’dobehouses，theyheardaguitar，andarichbarytonevoice——thatofFamosSerrenos——singing"LaGolandrina。"AlltheMexicanhouseshadneatlittleyards，withtamariskhedgesandflowers，andwalksborderedwithshellsorwhite—
washedstones。Johnny’shousewasdark。Hiswife，Mrs。
Tellamantez，wassittingonthedoorstep，combingherlong，blue—blackhair。（MexicanwomenareliketheSpar—
tans；whentheyareintrouble，inlove，understressofany
kind，theycombandcombtheirhair。）Sherosewithoutembarrassmentorapology，combinhand，andgreetedthedoctor。
"Good—evening；willyougoin？"sheaskedinalow，musicalvoice。"Heisinthebackroom。Iwillmakealight。"Shefollowedthemindoors，litacandleandhandedittothedoctor，pointingtowardthebedroom。Thenshewentbackandsatdownonherdoorstep。
Dr。ArchieandTheawentintothebedroom，whichwasdarkandquiet。Therewasabedinthecorner，andamanwaslyingonthecleansheets。Onthetablebesidehimwasaglasspitcher，half—fullofwater。SpanishJohnnylookedyoungerthanhiswife，andwhenhewasinhealthhewasveryhandsome：slender，gold—colored，withwavyblackhair，around，smooththroat，whiteteeth，andburningblackeyes。Hisprofilewasstrongandsevere，likeanIndian’s。Whatwastermedhis"wildness"showeditselfonlyinhisfeverisheyesandinthecolorthatburnedonhistawnycheeks。Thatnighthewasacopperygreen，andhiseyeswerelikeblackholes。Heopenedthemwhenthedoc—
torheldthecandlebeforehisface。
"MITESTA！"hemuttered，"MITESTA，doctor。"LA
FIEBRE！"Seeingthedoctor’scompanionatthefootofthebed，heattemptedasmile。"MUCHACHA！"heexclaimeddeprecat—
ingly。
Dr。Archiestuckathermometerintohismouth。"Now，Thea，youcanrunoutsideandwaitforme。"
TheaslippednoiselesslythroughthedarkhouseandjoinedMrs。Tellamantez。ThesomberMexicanwomandidnotseeminclinedtotalk，buthernodwasfriendly。
Theasatdownonthewarmsand，herbacktothemoon，facingMrs。Tellamantezonherdoorstep，andbegantocountthemoonflowersonthevinethatranoverthehouse。
Mrs。Tellamantezwasalwaysconsideredaveryhomelywoman。Herfacewasofastronglymarkedtypenotsym—
pathetictoAmericans。Suchlong，ovalfaces，withafull
chin，alarge，mobilemouth，ahighnose，arenotuncom—
moninSpain。Mrs。Tellamantezcouldnotwritehername，andcouldreadbutlittle。Herstrongnatureliveduponitself。ShewaschieflyknowninMoonstoneforherforbear—
ancewithherincorrigiblehusband。
NobodyknewexactlywhatwasthematterwithJohnny，andeverybodylikedhim。Hispopularitywouldhavebeenunusualforawhiteman，foraMexicanitwasunprece—
dented。Histalentswerehisundoing。Hehadahigh，uncertaintenorvoice，andheplayedthemandolinwithexceptionalskill。Periodicallyhewentcrazy。Therewasnootherwaytoexplainhisbehavior。Hewasacleverworkman，and，whenheworked，asregularandfaithfulasaburro。Thensomenighthewouldfallinwithacrowdatthesaloonandbegintosing。Hewouldgoonuntilhehadnovoiceleft，untilhewheezedandrasped。Thenhewouldplayhismandolinfuriously，anddrinkuntilhiseyessankbackintohishead。Atlast，whenhewasputoutofthesaloonatclosingtime，andcouldgetnobodytolistentohim，hewouldrunaway——alongtherailroadtrack，straightacrossthedesert。Healwaysmanagedtogetaboardafreightsomewhere。OncebeyondDenver，heplayedhiswaysouthwardfromsaloontosaloonuntilhegotacrosstheborder。Heneverwrotetohiswife；butshewouldsoonbegintogetnewspapersfromLaJunta，Albuquerque，Chihuahua，withmarkedparagraphsan—
nouncingthatJuanTellamantezandhiswonderfulman—
dolincouldbeheardattheJackRabbitGrill，orthePearlofCadizSaloon。Mrs。Tellamantezwaitedandweptandcombedherhair。Whenhewascompletelywrungoutandburnedup，——allbutdestroyed，——herJuanalwayscamebacktohertobetakencareof，——oncewithanuglyknifewoundintheneck，oncewithafingermissingfromhisrighthand，——butheplayedjustaswellwiththreefingersashehadwithfour。
PublicsentimentwaslenienttowardJohnny，butevery—
bodywasdisgustedwithMrs。Tellamantezforputtingupwithhim。Sheoughttodisciplinehim，peoplesaid；sheoughttoleavehim；shehadnoself—respect。Inshort，Mrs。
Tellamantezgotalltheblame。EvenTheathoughtshewasmuchtoohumble。To—night，asshesatwithherbacktothemoon，lookingatthemoonflowersandMrs。Tella—
mantez’ssomberface，shewasthinkingthatthereisnoth—
ingsosadintheworldasthatkindofpatienceandresigna—
tion。ItwasmuchworsethanJohnny’scraziness。SheevenwonderedwhetheritdidnothelptomakeJohnnycrazy。
Peoplehadnorighttobesopassiveandresigned。ShewouldliketorolloverandoverinthesandandscreechatMrs。Tellamantez。Shewasgladwhenthedoctorcameout。
TheMexicanwomanroseandstoodrespectfulandex—
pectant。Thedoctorheldhishatinhishandandlookedkindlyather。
"Sameoldthing，Mrs。Tellamantez。He’snoworsethanhe’sbeenbefore。I’veleftsomemedicine。Don’tgivehimanythingbuttoastwateruntilIseehimagain。You’reagoodnurse；you’llgethimout。"Dr。Archiesmileden—
couragingly。Heglancedaboutthelittlegardenandwrinkledhisbrows。"Ican’tseewhatmakeshimbehaveso。He’skillinghimself，andhe’snotarowdysortoffel—
low。Can’tyoutiehimupsomeway？Can’tyoutellwhenthesefitsarecomingon？"
Mrs。Tellamantezputherhandtoherforehead。"Thesaloon，doctor，theexcitement；thatiswhatmakeshim。
Peoplelistentohim，anditexciteshim。"
Thedoctorshookhishead。"Maybe。He’stoomuchformycalculations。Idon’tseewhathegetsoutofit。"
"Heisalwaysfooled，"——theMexicanwomanspokerapidlyandtremulously，herlongunderlipquivering。
"Heisgoodatheart，buthehasnohead。Hefoolshimself。
Youdonotunderstandinthiscountry，youareprogressive。
Buthehasnojudgment，andheisfooled。"Shestoopedquickly，tookuponeofthewhiteconch—shellsthatbordered
thewalk，and，withanapologeticinclinationofherhead，heldittoDr。Archie’sear。"Listen，doctor。Youhearsomethinginthere？Youhearthesea；andyettheseaisveryfarfromhere。Youhavejudgment，andyouknowthat。Butheisfooled。Tohim，itistheseaitself。A
littlethingisbigtohim。"Shebentandplacedtheshellinthewhiterow，withitsfellows。Theatookitupsoftlyandpressedittoherownear。Thesoundinitstartledher；itwaslikesomethingcallingone。SothatwaswhyJohnnyranaway。Therewassomethingawe—inspiringaboutMrs。Tellamantezandhershell。
TheacaughtDr。Archie’shandandsqueezedithardassheskippedalongbesidehimbacktowardMoonstone。
Shewenthome，andthedoctorwentbacktohislampandhisbook。Heneverlefthisofficeuntilaftermidnight。
Ifhedidnotplaywhistorpoolintheevening，heread。
Ithadbecomeahabitwithhimtolosehimself。
VII
Thea’stwelfthbirthdayhadpassedafewweeksbeforehermemorablecalluponMrs。Tellamantez。
TherewasaworthymaninMoonstonewhowasalreadyplanningtomarryTheaassoonassheshouldbeoldenough。
HisnamewasRayKennedy，hisagewasthirty，andhewasconductoronafreighttrain，hisrunbeingfromMoonstonetoDenver。Raywasabigfellow，withasquare，openAmericanface，arockchin，andfeaturesthatonewouldneverhappentoremember。Hewasanaggressiveidealist，afreethinker，and，likemostrailroadmen，deeplysenti—
mental。ThealikedhimforreasonsthathadtodowiththeadventurouslifehehadledinMexicoandtheSouth—
west，ratherthanforanythingverypersonal。Shelikedhim，too，becausehewastheonlyoneofherfriendswhoevertookhertothesandhills。Thesandhillswereacon—
stanttantalization；shelovedthembetterthananythingnearMoonstone，andyetshecouldsoseldomgettothem。
Thefirstduneswereaccessibleenough；theywereonlyafewmilesbeyondtheKohlers’，andshecouldrunoutthereanydaywhenshecoulddoherpracticinginthemorningandgetThoroffherhandsforanafternoon。Buttherealhills——theTurquoiseHills，theMexicanscalledthem——
weretengoodmilesaway，andonereachedthembyaheavy，sandyroad。Dr。ArchiesometimestookTheaonhislongdrives，butasnobodylivedinthesandhills，heneverhadcallstomakeinthatdirection。RayKennedywasheronlyhopeofgettingthere。
ThissummerTheahadnotbeentothehillsonce，thoughRayhadplannedseveralSundayexpeditions。OnceThorwassick，andoncetheorganistinherfather’schurchwasawayandTheahadtoplaytheorganforthethreeSunday
services。ButonthefirstSundayinSeptember，RaydroveuptotheKronborgs’frontgateatnineo’clockinthemorn—