第10章

Sheheldherbreath——thefootstepscamenearer——werebeforeherdoor——andPASSED！

Thenitwasthatthebloodrushedbacktohercheekwithaflushofindignation。Herroomwasattheendofthepassage；therewasnothingbeyondbutaprivatestaircase，longdisused，exceptbyherself，asashortcutthroughtheoldpatiotothegarden。Nooneelseknewofit，andnooneelsehadtherightofaccesstoit！

Thisinsolenthumanintrusion——asshewassatisfieditwasnow——

overcameherfear，andsheglidedtothedoor。Openingitsoftly，shecouldhearthestealthyfootstepsdescending。Shedartedback，threwashawloverherheadandshoulders，andtakingthesmallDerringerpistolwhichithadalwaysbeenpartofherostentatiousindependencetoplaceatherbed-head，sheasstealthilyfollowedtheintruder。Butthefootstepshaddiedawaybeforeshereachedthepatio，andshesawonlythesmalldeserted，grass-growncourtyard，halfhiddeninshadows，inwhosecentrestoodthefatefulandlongsealed-upwell！Ashuddercameoverheratagainbeingbroughtintocontactwiththecauseofherfrightfulvision，butashereyesbecameaccustomedtothedarkness，shesawsomethingmorerealandappalling！Thewellwasnolongersealed！

Fragmentsofbricksandboardslayaroundit！Oneendofarope，coiledarounditlikeahugesnake，descendeditsfouldepths；andasshegazedwithstaringeyes，theheadandshouldersofamanemergedslowlyfromit！ButitwasNOTtheghostlyapparitionoflastevening，andherterrorchangedtoscornandindignationassherecognizedthefaceofStarbuck！

Theireyesmet；anoathbrokefromhislips。Hemadeamovementtospringfromthewell，butasthegirlstartedback，thepistolheldinherhandwasdischargedaimlesslyintheair，andthereportechoedthroughoutthecourtyard。WithacurseStarbuckdrewback，instantlydisappearedinthewell，andPollyfellfaintingonthesteps。Whenshecameto，herfatherandLarrywereatherside。

Theyhadbeenalarmedatthereport，andhadrushedquicklytothepatio，butnotintimetopreventtheescapeofStarbuckandhisaccomplice。Bythetimeshehadrecoveredherconsciousness，theyhadlearnedthefullextentofthatextraordinaryrevelationwhichshehadsoinnocentlyprecipitated。Sobriente\'swellhadreallyconcealedarichgoldledge，——actuallytunneledandgalleriedbyhimsecretlyinthepast，——anditsonlyotheroutletwasanopeninginthegardenhiddenbyastonewhichturnedonaswivel。ItsexistencehadbeenunknowntoSobriente\'ssuccessor，butwasknowntotheKanakawhohadworkedwithSobriente，whofledwithhisdaughterafterthemurder，butwhonodoubtwasafraidtoreturnandworkthemine。HehadimpartedthesecrettoStarbuck，anotherhalf-breed，sonofaYankeemissionaryandHawaiianwife，whohadevidentlyconceivedthisplanofseekingBuenaVistawithanaccomplice，andsecretlyremovingsuchgoldaswasstillaccessible。Theaccomplice，afterwardsidentifiedbyLarryasthewanderingtramp，failedtodiscoverthesecretentranceFROMthegarden，andStarbuckwasconsequentlyobligedtoattemptitfromthehotel——forwhichpurposehehadintroducedhimselfasaboarder——byopeningthedisusedwellsecretlyatnight。Thesefactswereobtainedfrompapersfoundintheotherwisevaluelesstrunks，weightedwithstonesforballast，whichStarbuckhadbroughttothehoteltotakeawayhisstolentreasurein，butwhichhewasobligedtoleaveinhishurriedflight。TheattemptwouldhavedoubtlesssucceededbutforPolly\'scourageousandtimelyinterference！

AndnowthattheyhadtoldherALL，theyonlywantedtoknowwhathadfirstexcitedHERsuspicions，anddrivenhertoseekthewellastheobjectofStarbuck\'smachinations？THEYhadnoticedhermannerwhensheenteredthehousethatnight，andStarbuck\'sevidentannoyance。Hadshetaxedhimwithhersuspicions，andsodiscoveredaclue？

ItwasaterribletemptationtoPollytoposeasamoreperfectheroine，andonemaynotblameherifshedidnotriseentirelysuperiortoit。Herpreviousbelief，thattheheadoftheaccompliceattheopeningofthegardenwasthatofaGHOST，shenowfeltwascertainlyintheway，aswasalsoherconducttoStarbuck，whomshebelievedtobeequallyfrightened，andwhomsheneveroncesuspected！Soshesaid，withacertainloftysimplicity，thattherewereSOMETHINGSwhichshereallydidnotcaretotalkabout，andLarryandherfatherleftherthatnightwiththefirmconvictionthattherascalStarbuckhadtriedtotempthertoflywithhimandhisriches，andhadbeencrushinglyfoiled。Pollyneverdeniedthis，andonce，inlaterdays，whenadmiringlytaxedwithitbyLarry，sheadmittedwithdove-likesimplicitythatsheMAYhavebeentoofoolishlypolitetoherfather\'sguestforthesakeofherfather\'shotel。

However，allthiswasofsmallaccounttothethrillingnewsofanewdiscoveryandworkingofthe“oldgoldledge“atBuenaVista！

Asthethreekepttheirsecretfromtheworld，thediscoverywasacceptedintheneighborhoodastheresultofcarefulexaminationandprospectingonthepartofColonelSwingerandhispartnerLarryHawkins。AndwhenthelattergentlemanafterwardsboldlyproposedtoPollySwinger，shemischievouslydeclaredthatsheacceptedhimonlythatthesecretmightnotgo“outofthefamily。“

LIBERTYJONES\'SDISCOVERY

ItwasatbestmerelyarockytrailwindingalongashelfoftheeasternslopeoftheSantaCruzrange，yettheonlyroadbetweentheseaandtheinlandvalley。Thehoof-printsofawholecenturyofzigzaggingmuleswereimpressedonthesoil，regularlysoakedbywinterrainsanddriedbysummersunsduringthatperiod；theoccasionalrutsofheavy，rude，woodenwheels——longobsolete——werestillpreservedandvisible。Weather-wornbouldersandledges，lyingintheuncloudedglareofanAugustsky，radiatedaquiveringheatthatwasintolerable，evenwhileabovethemthemastsofgiganticpinesrockedtheirtopsinthecoldsouthwesterntradesfromtheunseenoceanbeyond。Ared，burningdustlayeverywhere，asiftheheatwereslowlyandvisiblyprecipitatingitself。

Thecreakingofwheelsandaxles，themuffledplungeofhoofs，andthecoughofahorseinthedustthusstirredpresentlybroketheprofoundwoodlandsilence。Thenadirtywhitecanvas-coveredemigrantwagonslowlyarosewiththedustalongtheascent。Itwastravel-stainedandworn，andwithitsrawbonedhorsesseemedtohavereachedthelaststageofitsjourneyandfitness。Theonlyoccupants，amanandagirl，appearedtobeequallyjadedandexhausted，withtheaddedquerulousnessofdiscontentintheirsallowandbadlynourishedfaces。Theirvoices，too，werenotunlikethecreakingtheyhadbeenpitchedtoovercome，andtherewasanabsenceofreserveandconsciousnessintheirspeech，whichtoldpatheticallyofanequalabsenceofsociety。

“It\'snousertalkin\'！Itellye，yehain\'tgotnomoresensethanacoyote！I\'msickandtiredofit，doggonedifIain\'t！Yeain\'tnomoreusenorahossfly，——andjestezhinderin\'！Itwasalongo\'

youthatwelostthestockatLaramie，andefye\'dbinatalldecentandtakin\'，we\'dhevhadkempanythathelped，insteadoflaggin\'onyerealone！“

“Whatdidyebringmefor？“retortedthegirlshrilly。“ImighthevstayedwithAuntMarty。Iwasn\'thankerin\'tocome。“

“Bringyefor？“repeatedherfathercontemptuously；“Ireckonedyemightheo\'someaccounthere，wharwimminfolksisskeerce，inthewayo\'helpin\'，——andmebbegettin\'yermarriedtosomelikelyfeller。Mightymuchchanceo\'that，withyeryallerfaceandskinandbones。“

“Yecan\'tblamemefortakin\'arteryou，dad，“shesaid，withashrilllaugh，butnootherresentmentofhisbrutality。

“Yewantsomebodytotakearteryou——withaclub，“heretortedangrily。“Yehear！Wot\'sthatye\'redoin\'now？“

Shehadrisenandwalkedtothetailofthewagon。“Goin\'togetoutandwalk。I\'mtiredo\'bein\'jawedat。“

Shejumpedintotheroad。Theactwasneitherindignantnorvengeful；thefrequencyofsuchsceneshadbluntedtheirsting。

Shewasprobably“tired“ofthequarrel，andendeditrudely。Herfather，however，letflyaParthianarrow。

“Yeneedn\'tthinkI\'mgoin\'towaitforye，ezIhev！Ye\'vegottokeeptetchwiththeteam，orgetleft。Andagoodriddanceofbadrubbidge。“

Inreplythegirldivedintotheunderwoodbesidethetrail，pickedawildberryortwo，strippedawandofyounghazelshehadbrokenoff，andswitchingitatherside，skippedalongontheoutskirtsofthewoodandambledafterthewagon。Seeninthefull，mercilessglareofaCaliforniansky，shejustifiedherfather\'sdescription；thinandbony，herlankframeoutstrippedthebodyofherraggedcalicodress，whichwasonlykeptonhershouldersbystraps，——possiblyherfather\'scast-offbraces。Aboy\'ssoftfelthatcoveredherhead，andshadowedheronlynotablefeature，apairoflargedarkeyes，lookinglargerforthehollowtempleswhichnarrowedtheframeinwhichtheywereset。

Solongasthewagoncrawleduptheascentthegirlknewshecouldeasilykeepupwithit，orevendistancethetiredhorses。Shemadeoneortwoincursionsintothewood，returninglikeananimalfromquestoffood，withsomethinginhermouth，whichshewastentativelychewing，andonceonlywithsomeinediblemandronoberries，pluckedsolelyfortheirbrilliantcoloring。Itwasveryhotandsingularlyclose；thehighercurrentofairhadsubsided，and，lookingup，asingularhazeseemedtohavetakenitsplacebetweenthetreetops。Suddenlysheheardastrange，rumblingsound；anoddgiddinessovertookher，andshewasobligedtoclutchatasaplingtosupportherself；shelaughedvacantly，thoughalittlefrightened，andlookedvaguelytowardsthesummitoftheroad；butthewagonhadalreadydisappeared。Astrangefeelingofnauseathenovercameher；shespatouttheleavesshehadbeenchewing，disgustedly。Butthesensationasquicklypassed，andsheoncemoresoughtthetrailandbeganslowlytofollowthetracksofthewagon。Theairblewfreshly，thetreetopsbeganagaintorockoverherhead，andtheincidentwasforgotten。

Presentlyshepaused；shemusthavemissedthetrail，forthewagontrackshadendedabruptlybeforealargeboulderthatlayacrossthemountaintrail。Shedippedintothewoodsagain；heretherewereotherwagontracksthatconfusedher。Itwaslikeherdogged，stupidfathertomissthetrail；shefeltagleamofmalicioussatisfactionathisdiscomfiture。Soonerorlater，hewouldhavetoretracehisstepsandvirtuallycomebackforher！Shetookupapositionwheretworoughwheelrutsandtracksintersectedeachother，oneofwhichmustbethemissingtrail。Shenoticed，too，thebroaderhoof-printsofcattlewithoutthefollowingwheelruts，andinsteadoftraces，thelongsmoothtrailsmadebythedraggingoflogs，andknewbythesetokensthatshemustbenearthehighwayorsomewoodman\'shutorranch。Shebegantobethirsty，andwasglad，presently，whenherquick，rusticearcaughtthetinklingofwater。Yetitwasnotsoeasytodiscover，andshewasgettingfootsoreandtiredagainbeforeshefoundit，somedistanceaway，inagullycomingfromafissureinadislocatedpieceofoutcrop。

Itwasbeautifullyclear，cold，andsparkling，withaslightlysweetishtaste，yetunlikethebrackish“alkali“oftheplains。Itrefreshedandsoothedhergreatly，somuchthat，recliningagainstatree，butwhereshewouldbequitevisiblefromthetrail，hereyescloseddreamily，andpresentlysheslept。

Whensheawoke，theshaftsofsunlightwerestrikingalmostlevelintohereyes。Shemusthaveslepttwohours。Herfatherhadnotreturned；sheknewthepassageofthewagonwouldhaveawakenedher。Shebegantofeelstrange，butnotyetalarmed；itwasonlytheuncertaintythatmadeheruneasy。Hadherfatherreallygoneonbysomeothertrail？Orhadhereallyhurriedonandlefther，ashesaidhewould？Thethoughtbroughtanoddexcitementtoherratherthananyfear。Asuddensenseoffreedom，asifsomegallingchainhaddroppedfromher，sentasingularthrillthroughherframe。Yetshefeltconfusedwithherindependence，notknowingwhattodowithit，andmomentarilydazzledwiththepossiblegift。

Atthismomentsheheardvoices，andthefiguresoftwomenappearedonthetrail。

Theyweretalkingearnestly，andwalkingasiffamiliarwiththespot，yetgazingaroundthemasifatsomenoveltyoftheaspect。

“Andlookthere，“saidone；“therehasbeensomeseriousdisturbanceofthatoutcrop，“pointinginthedirectionofthespring；“thelowerparthasdistinctlysubsided。“Hespokewithacertainauthority，anddominanceofposition，andwasevidentlythesuperior，ashewastheelderofthetwo，althoughbothwereroughlydressed。

“Yes，itdoeskinderlookasifithadlostitsholt，liketheledgeyonder。“

“AndyouseeIamright；themovementwasfromeasttowest，“

continuedtheelderman。

Thegirlcouldnotcomprehendwhattheysaid，andeventhoughtthemalittlesilly。Butsheadvancedtowardsthem；atwhichtheystoppedshort，staringather。Withfeminineinstinctsheaddressedthemoreimportantone:——

“Yeain\'tpassednowagonnorteamgoin\'on，hevye？“

“Whatsortofwagon？“saidtheman。

“Em\'grantwagon，twoyallerhosses。Oldman——mydad——drivin\'。“

Sheaddedthelatterkinshipasaprotectinginfluenceagainststrangers，inspiteofherpreviousindependence。

Themenglancedateachother。

“Howlongago？“

Thegirlsuddenlyrememberedthatshehadslepttwohours。

“Sensnoon，“shesaidhesitatingly。

“Sincetheearthquake？“

“Wot\'sthat？“

Themancameimpatientlytowardsher。“Howdidyoucomehere？“

“Gotouterthewagontowalk。Ireckondadmissedthetrail，andhezgotoffsomewherewhereIcan\'tfindhim。“

“Whattrailwasheon，——wherewashegoing？“

“SankHozay，*Ireckon。Hewasgoin\'upthegrade——sideo\'thehill；hemusthevturnedoffwherethere\'sabigrockhangin\'

over。“

*SanJose。

“DidyouSEEhimturnoff？“

“No。“

Thesecondman，whowasinhearingdistance，hadturnedaway，andwasostentatiouslyexaminingtheskyandthetreetops；themanwhohadspokentoherjoinedhim，andtheysaidsomethinginalowvoice。Theyturnedagainandcameslowlytowardsher。She，fromsomeobscuresenseofimitation，staredatthetreetopsandtheskyasthesecondmanhaddone。Butthefirstmannowlaidhishandkindlyonhershoulderandsaid，“Sitdown。“

Thentheytoldhertherehadbeenanearthquakesostrongthatithadthrowndownapartofthehillside，includingthewagontrail。

Thatawagonteamanddriver，suchasshehaddescribed，hadbeencarrieddownwithit，crushedtofragments，andburiedunderahundredfeetofrockinthegulchbelow。Apartyhadgonedowntoexamine，butitwouldbeweeksperhapsbeforetheyfoundit，andshemustbepreparedfortheworst。Shelookedatthemvaguelyandwithtearlesseyes。

“Thenyereckondad\'sdead？“

“Wefearit。“

“Thenwot\'sa-goin\'tobecomeo\'me？“shesaidsimply。

Theyglancedagainateachother。“HaveyounofriendsinCalifornia？“saidtheelderman。

“Naryone。“

“Whatwasyourfathergoingtodo？“

“Dunno。IreckonHEdidn\'teither。“

“Youmaystayhereforthepresent，“saidtheeldermanmeditatively。

“Canyoumilk？“

Thegirlnodded。“AndIsupposeyouknowsomethingaboutlookingafterstock？“hecontinued。

Thegirlrememberedthatherfatherthoughtshedidn\'t，butthiswasnotimeforcriticism，andsheagainnodded。

“Comewithme，“saidtheolderman，rising。“Isuppose，“headded，glancingatherraggedfrock，“everythingyouhaveisinthewagon。“

Shenodded，addingwiththesamecoldnaivete，“Itain\'tmuch！“

Theywalkedon，thegirlfollowing；attimesstrayingfurtivelyoneitherside，asifmeditatinganescapeinthewoods，——whichindeedhadonceortwicebeenvaguelyinherthoughts，——butchieflytoavoidfurtherquestioningandnottohearwhatthemensaidtoeachother。Fortheywereevidentlyspeakingofher，andshecouldnothelphearingtheyoungerrepeatherwords，“Wot\'sagoin\'tobecomeo\'me？“withconsiderableamusement，andtheaddition:“She\'lltakecareofherself，youbet！Icallthatremarko\'herstherichestthingout。“

“AndIcallthestateofthingsthatprovokedit——monstrous！“saidtheeldermangrimly。“Youdon\'tknowthelivesofthesepeople。“

Presentlytheycametoanopenclearingintheforest，yetsoincompletethatmanyofthefelledtrees，partlyloppedoftheirboughs，stilllaywheretheyhadfallen。Therewasacabinordwellingofunplaned，unpaintedboards；verysimpleinstructure，yetmadeinaworkmanlikefashion，quiteunliketheusuallogcabinshehadseen。Thismadeherthinkthattheeldermanwasa“towny，“andnotafrontiersmanliketheother。

Astheyapproachedthecabintheeldermanstopped，andturningtoher，said:——

“DoyouknowIndians？“

Thegirlstarted，andthenrecoveringherselfwithaquicklaugh:

“G\'lang！——thereain\'tanyInjinshere！“

“NotthekindYOUmean；theseareverypeaceful。There\'sasquawherewhomyouwill“——hestopped，hesitatedashelookedcriticallyatthegirl，andthencorrectedhimself——“whowillhelpyou。“

Hepushedopenthecabindoorandshowedaninterior，equallysimplebutwelljoinedandfitted，——amarvelofneatnessandfinishtothefrontiergirl\'seye。Therewereshelvesandcupboardsandotherconveniences，yetwithnoostentationofrefinementtofrightenherrusticsensibilities。

Thenhepushedopenanotherdoorleadingintoashedandcalled“Waya。“Astout，undersizedIndianwoman，fittedwithacoarsecottongown，butcleanerandmorepresentablethanthegirl\'sonefrock，appearedinthedoorway。“ThisisWaya，whoattendstothecookingandcleaning，“hesaid；“andbytheway，whatisyourname？“

“LibbyJones。“

Hetookasmallmemorandumbookanda“stub“ofpencilfromhispocket。“ElizabethJones，“hesaid，writingitdown。Thegirlinterposedalongredhand。

“No，“sheinterruptedsharply，“notElizabeth，butLibby，shortforLib\'rty。“

“Liberty？“

“Yes。“

“LibertyJones，then。Well，Waya，thisisMissJones，whowilllookafterthecowsandcalves——andthedairy。“Thenglancingathertorndress，headded:“You\'llfindsomecleanthingsinthere，untilIcansendupsomethingfromSanJose。Wayawillshowyou。“

Withoutfurtherspeechheturnedawaywiththeotherman。Whentheyweresomedistancefromthecabin，theyoungerremarked:——

“Morelikeaboythanagirl，ain\'tshe？“

“Somuchthebetterforherwork，“returnedtheeldergrimly。

“Ireckon！Iwasonlythinkin\'shedidn\'than\'somemucheitherasaboyorgirl，eh，doctor？“hepursued。

“Well！asTHATwon\'tmakemuchdifferencetothecows，calves，orthedairy，itneedn\'ttroubleUS，“returnedthedoctordryly。Buthereasuddenoutburstoflaughterfromthecabinmadethembothturninthatdirection。TheywereintimetoseeLibertyJonesdancingoutofthecabindoorinalargecottonpinafore，evidentlybelongingtothesquaw，whowasfollowingherwithhalf-laughing，half-frightenedexpostulations。Thetwomenstoppedandgazedatthespectacle。

“Don\'tseemtobetakin\'theoldman\'sdeathverypow\'fully，“saidtheyounger，withalaugh。

“Quiteasmuchashedeserved，Idaresay，“saidthedoctorcurtly。

“IftheaccidenthadhappenedtoHER，hewouldhavewhinedandwhimperedtousforthesakeofgettingsomething，buthavebeenasmuchrelieved，youmaybecertain。SHE\'Stooyoungandtoonaturaltobeahypocriteyet。“

SuddenlythelaughterceasedandLibertyJones\'svoicearose，shrillbutmasterful:“Thar，that\'lldo！Quitnow！Youjestgetbacktoyourscrubbin\'——d\'yehear？I\'mbosso\'thisshanty，youbet！“

Thedoctorturnedwithagrimsmiletohiscompanion。“That\'stheonlythingthatbotheredme，andI\'vebeenwaitingfor。She\'ssettledit。She\'lldo。Come。“

Theyturnedawaybrisklythroughthewood。Attheendofhalfanhour\'swalktheyfoundtheteamthathadbroughtthemthereinwaiting，anddrovetowardsSanJose。Itwasnearlytenmilesbeforetheypassedanotherhabitationortraceofclearing。Andbythistimenighthadfallenuponthecabintheyhadleft，anduponthenewlymadeorphanandherIndiancompanion，aloneandcontentedinthattracklesssolitude……

LibertyJoneshadbeenayearatthecabin。Inthattimeshehadlearnedthatheremployer\'snamewasDoctorRuysdael，thathehadalucrativepracticeinSanJose，buthadalso“takenup“aleagueortwoofwildforestlandintheSantaCruzrange，whichhepreservedandheldafterafashionofhisown，whichgavehimthereputationofbeinga“crank“amongtheveryfewneighborshisvastpossessionspermitted，andtheequallyfewfriendshissingulartastesallowedhim。Itwasbelievedthatamanowningsuchanenormousquantityoftimberland，whoshouldrefusetosetupasawmillandabsolutelyforbidthefellingoftrees；whoshoulddeclinetoconnectitwiththehighwaytoSantaCruz，andcloseitagainstimprovementandspeculation，hadgivensufficientevidenceofhisinsanity；butwhentothiswasaddedtherumorthathehimselfwasnotonlydevoidofthehumaninstinctofhuntingthewildanimalswithwhichhisdomainabounded，butthathehelditsosacredtotheiruseastoforbidthefiringofagunwithinhislimits，andthattheserestrictionswerefurtherpreservedand“policed“bythescatteredremnantsofabandofaborigines，——knownas“diggerInjins，“——itwasseriouslyhintedthathiseccentricityhadacquiredapoliticalandmoralsignificance，anddemandedlegislativeinterference。Butthedoctorwasarichman，anecessitytohispatients，agoodmarksman，and，itwasrumored，didnotincludehisfellowmenamongtheanimalshehadadistasteforkilling。

Ofallthis，however，Libertyknewlittleandcaredless。Thesolitudeappealedtohersenseoffreedom；shedidnot“hanker“

afterasocietyshehadneverknown。Attheendofthefirstweek，whenthedoctorcommunicatedtoherbriefly，byletter，theconvincingproofsofthedeathofherfatherandhisentombmentbeneaththesunkencliff，sheacceptedthefactwithoutcommentorapparentemotion。Twomonthslater，whenheronlysurvivingrelative，“AuntMarty，“ofMissouri，acknowledgedthenews——

communicatedbyDoctorRuysdael——withScripturalquotationsandthecheerfulhopethatit“wouldbealessontoher“andshewould“profitinhernewplace，“sheleftheraunt\'sletterunanswered。

Shelookedafterthecowsandcalveswithaninterestthatwasalmostpossessory，patronizedandplayedwiththesquaw，——yetmadeherfeelherinferiority，——andmovedamongthepeacefulaborigineswiththedominationofawhitewomanandasuperior。Shetoleratedthehalf-monthlyvisitsof“JimHoskins，“theyoungcompanionofthedoctor，whoshelearnedwasthedoctor\'sfactorandoverseeroftheproperty，wholivedsevenmilesawayonanagriculturalclearing，andwhosecontrolofheractionswasevidentlylimitedbythedoctor，——forthedoctor\'ssakealone。NorwasMr。Hoskinsinclinedtoexceedthoselimits。Helookeduponherassomethingabnormal，——a“crank“asremarkableinherwayasherpatronwasinhis，neuterofsexandvagueofrace，andhesimplyrestrictedhissupervisiontothebringingandtakingofmessages。Sheremainedsolequeenofthedomain。Ararestragglerfromthemainroad，penetratingthisseclusion，mighthavescarcelydistinguishedherfromWaya，inhercoarsecottongownandslouchedhat，exceptforthefreestridewhichcontrastedwithhercompanion\'swaddle。

Once，infollowinganestrayedcalf，shehadcrossedthehighwayandbeensalutedbyapassingteamsterinthediggerdialect；yetthemistakeleftnostinginhermemory。And，likethedigger，sheshrankfromthatcivilizationwhichhadonlyprovedahardtaskmaster。

Thesoletouchofhumaninterestshehadinhersurroundingswasintherarevisitsofthedoctorandhisbriefbutsincerecommendationofherrudeandrusticwork。Itispossiblethatthestrange，middle-aged，gray-haired，intellectualman，whoseverylanguagewasattimesmysteriousandunintelligibletoher，andwhosesuggestionofpowerawedher，mighthavetouchedsomeuntriedfilialchordinherbeing。Althoughshefeltthat，saveforabsolutefreedom，shewaslittlemoretohimthanshehadbeentoherfather，yethehadnevertoldhershehad“nosense，“thatshewas“ahindrance，“andhehadevenpraisedherperformanceofherduties。Eagerlyasshelookedforhiscoming，inhisactualpresenceshefeltasingularuneasinessofwhichshewasnotentirelyashamed，andifshewasrelievedathisdeparture，itnonethelesslefthertoadelightfulmemoryofhim，awarmsenseofhisapproval，andafierceambitiontobeworthyofit，forwhichshewouldhavesacrificedherselfortheothermiserableretainersabouther，asamatterofcourse。ShehaddrivenWayaandtheothersquawsfaralongthesparsetablelandpastureinsearchofmissingstock；sheherselfhadlainoutallnightontherocksbesideanailingheifer。Yet，whilesatisfiedtoearnhispraisefortheperformanceofherduty，forsomefemininereasonshethoughtmorefrequentlyofacasualremarkhehadmadeonhislastvisit:“Youarestrongerandmorehealthyinthisair，“hehadsaid，lookingcriticallyintoherface。“Wehavegotthatabominablealkalioutofyoursystem，andwholesomefoodwilldotherest。“Shewasnotsureshehadquiteunderstoodhim，butsherememberedthatshehadfeltherfacegrowhotwhenhespoke，——

perhapsbecauseshehadnotunderstoodhim。

Hisnextvisitwasadayortwodelayed，andinheranxietyshehadventuredasfarasthehighwaytoearnestlywatchforhiscoming。

Fromherhiding-placeintheunderwoodshecouldseetheteamandJimHoskinsalreadywaitingforhim。Presentlyshesawhimdriveuptothetrailinacarryallwithapartyofladiesandgentlemen。

Healighted，bade“Good-by“totheparty，andtheteamturnedtoretraceitscourse。Butinthatsinglemomentshehadbeenstruckandbewilderedbywhatseemedtoherthedazzlinglybeautifulapparelofthewomen，andtheirprettiness。Shefeltasuddenconsciousnessofherowncoarse，shapelesscalicogown，herstragglinghair，andherfelthat，andarevulsionoffeelingseizedher。Shecreptlikeawoundedanimaloutoftheunderwood，andthenranswiftlyandalmostfiercelybacktowardsthecabin。

SheransofastthatforatimeshealmostkeptpacewiththedoctorandHoskinsinthewagononthedistanttrail。Thenshedivedintotheunderwoodagain，andmakingashortcutthroughtheforest，cameattheendoftwohourswithinhailingdistanceofthecabin，——footsoreandexhausted，inspiteofthestrangeexcitementthathaddrivenherback。Hereshethoughtsheheardvoices——hisvoiceamongtherest——callingher，butthesamesingularrevulsionoffeelinghurriedhervaguelyonagain，evenwhilesheexperiencedafoolishsavagedelightinnotansweringthesummons。Inthiserraticwanderingshecameuponthespringshehadfoundonherfirstentranceintheforestayearago，anddrankfeverishlyasecondtimeatitstricklingsource。Shecouldseethatsinceherfirstvisitithadwornagreathollowbelowthetreerootsandnowformedashining，placidpool。Asshestoopedtolookatit，shesuddenlyobservedthatitreflectedherwholefigureasinacruelmirror，——herslouchedhatandloosenedhair，hercoarseandshapelessgown，herhollowcheeksanddryyellowskin，——inalltheirhopeless，uncompromisingdetails。Sheutteredaquick，angry，half-reproachfulcry，andturnedagaintofly。ButshehadnotgonefarbeforeshecameuponthehurryingfiguresandanxiousfacesofthedoctorandHoskins。Shestopped，tremblingandirresolute。

“Ah，“saidthedoctor，inatoneoffrankrelief。“Hereyouare！

Iwasgettingworriedaboutyou。Wayasaidyouhadbeengonesincemorning！“Hestoppedandlookedatherattentively。“Isanythingthematter？“

Hisevidentconcernsentawarmglowoverherchillyframe，andyetthestrangesensationremained。“No——no！“shestammered。

DoctorRuysdaelturnedtoHoskins。“GobackandtellWayaI\'vefoundher。“

Libbyfeltthatthedoctoronlywantedtogetridofhiscompanion，andbecameawedagain。

“Hasanybodybeenbotheringyou？“

“No。“

“Havethediggersfrightenedyou？“

“No“——withagestureofcontempt。

“HaveyouandWayaquarreled？“

“Nary“——withafaint，tremuloussmile。

Hestillstaredather，andthendroppedhisblueeyesmusingly。

“Areyoulonelyhere？WouldyourathergotoSanJose？“

Likeaflashthefiguresofthetwosmartlydressedwomenstartedupbeforeheragain，witheverydetailoftheirfreshandwholesomefineryascruellydistinctashadbeenherownshapelessuglinessinthemirrorofthespring。“No！NO！“shebrokeoutvehementlyandpassionately。“Never！“

Hesmiledgently。“Lookhere！I\'llsendyouupsomebooks。Youread——don\'tyou？“Shenoddedquickly。“Somemagazinesandpapers。

OddIneverthoughtofitbefore，“headdedhalfmusingly。“Comealongtothecabin。And，“hestoppedagainandsaiddecisively，“thenexttimeyouwantanything，don\'twaitformetocome，butwrite。“

Afewdaysafterheleftshereceivedapackageofbooks，——anoddcollectionofnovels，magazines，andillustratedjournalsoftheperiod。Shereceivedthemeagerlyasanevidenceofhisconcernforher，butitistobefearedthatheryouthfulnaturefoundlittlesatisfactioninthegratificationoffancy。Manyofthepeopleshereadofwerestrangetoher；manyoftheincidentsrelatedseemedtohermerelies；sometaleswhichtreatedofpeopleinherownsphereshefoundprofoundlyuninteresting。Inoneofthecheapermagazinesshechanceduponafashionplate；sheglancedeagerlythroughalltheothersforalikerevelationuntilshegotadozentogether，whenshepromptlyrelegatedtheremainingliteraturetoacornerandoblivion。Thetextaccompanyingtheplateswasinajargonnotalwaysclear，butherinstinctsuppliedtherest。ShedispatchedbyHoskinsanotetoDoctorRuysdael:

“Pleasesendmesomebritekalikersandthingsforsewing。Youtoldmetoask。“Afewdayslaterbroughttheresponseinagood-

sizedparcel。

Yetthisdidnotkeepherfromhercareofthestocknorherramblesintheforest；shewasquicktoutilizeherrediscoveryofthespringforwateringthecattle；itwasnotsofarafieldasthehalf-driedcreekinthecanyon，andwasaquietsylvanspot。Sheateherfrugalmiddaymealthereanddrankofitswaters，and，secureinherseclusion，bathedthereandmadeherrudetoiletwhenthecowsweredrivenhome。Butshedidnotagainlookintoitsmirroredsurfacewhenitwastranquil！

Andsoamonthpassed。ButwhenDoctorRuysdaelwasagaindueatthecabin，aletterwasbroughtbyHoskins，withthenewsthathewascalledawayonprofessionalbusinessdownthecoast，andcouldnotcomeuntiltwoweekslater。Inthedisappointmentthatovercameher，shedidnotatfirstnoticethatHoskinswasgazingatherwithasingularexpression，whichwasreallyoneofundisguisedadmiration。Neverhavingseenthisbeforeintheeyesofanymanwholookedather，shereferredittosomevague“larking“orjocularity，forwhichshewasinnomood。

“Say，Libby！you\'regettin\'tobearightsmart-lookin\'gal。Seemstoagreewithyeuphere，“saidHoskinswithanawkwardlaugh。

“Darnedefyeain\'tlookin\'awfulpurty！“

“G\'long！“saidLibertyJones，morethaneverconvincedofhisbadinage。

“Fact，“saidHoskinsenergetically。“Why，Docwouldtellyeso，too。Seeefhedon\'t！“

AtthisLibertyJonesfeltherfacegrowhot。“Youjessget！“shesaid，turningawayinasmuchembarrassmentasanger。Yethehoverednearherwithawkwardattentionsthatpleasedwhileitstillangeredher。Heofferedtogowithhertolookupthecows；

sheflatlydeclined，yetwithastrangesatisfactioninhisevidentembarrassment。Thismayhavelentsomeanimationtoherface，forhedrewalongbreathandsaid:——

“Don\'tgopertendin\'yedon\'tknowyerpurty。Say，letmeandyouwalkabitandhaveatalktogether。“ButLibbyhadanotherideainhermindandcurtlydismissedhim。Thensheranswiftlytothespring，forthewords“TheDocwilltellyeso，too“wereringinginherears。Thedoctorwhocamewiththetwobeautifullydressedwomen！HE——wouldtellhershewaspretty！Shehadnotdaredtolookatherselfinthatcrystalmirrorsincethatdreadfuldaytwomonthsago。Shewouldnow。

Itwasaprettyplaceinthecoolshadeofthegianttrees，andthehoof-marksofcattledrinkingfromtherunbeneaththepoolhadnotdisturbedthemarginofthattranquilsylvanbasin。Foramomentshestoodtremulousanduncertain，andthengoinguptotheshiningmirror，droppedonherkneesbeforeitwithherthinredhandsclaspedonherlap。Unconsciouslyshehadtakentheattitudeofprayer；perhapstherewassomethinglikeitinhermind。

Andthenthelightglancedfullonthefigurethatshesawthere！

Itfellonafullovalfaceandthroatguilelessoffleckorstain，smoothasachild\'sandglowingwithhealth；onlargedarkeyes，nolongersunkintheirorbits，butfilledwithaneager，happylight；

onbaredarmsnowshapelyincontourandcushionedwithfirmflesh；

onadazzlingsmile，thelikeofwhichhadneverbeenonthefaceofLibertyJonesbefore！

Sherosetoherfeet，andyetlingeredasifloathtopartfromthisdelightfulvision。Thenafearovercameherthatitwassometrickofthewater，andshespedswiftlybacktothehousetoconsultthelittlemirrorwhichhunginhersleeping-room，butwhichshehadneverglancedatsincethemomentousdayofthespring。Shetookitshylyintothesunshine，andfoundthatitcorroboratedthereflectionofthespring。ThatnightsheworkeduntillateatthecalicoDoctorRuysdaelhadsenther，andwenttobedhappy。ThenextdaybroughtherHoskinsagainwithafeebleexcuseofinquiringifshehadaletterforthedoctor，andshewassurprisedtofindthathewasreinforcedbyastrangerfromHoskins\'sfarm，whowasequallyawkwardandvaguelyadmiring。ButtheappearanceoftheTWOmenproducedasingularphaseinherimpressionsandexperience。ShewasnolongerindignantatHoskins，butshefoundreliefinacceptingthecomplimentsofthestrangerinpreference，andfeltadelightinHoskins\'sdiscomfiture。

Waya，promotedtotheburlesqueofachaperone，grinnedwithinfinitedelightandunderstanding。

Whenatlastthedaycameforthedoctor\'sarrival，hewasdulymetbyHoskins，andasdulyinformedbythatimpressiblesubordinateofthegreatchangeinLiberty\'sappearance。Butthedoctorwasfarfrombeingequallyimpressedwithhisfactor\'sstory，andindeedshowedmuchmoreinterestintheappearanceofthestockwhichtheymetalongtheroad。Oncethedoctorgotoutofthewagontoinspectacow，andparticularlythecoatofaroughdraughthorsethathadbeenturnedoutandputunderLiberty\'scare。“Hisskinislikevelvet，“saidthedoctor。“Thegirlevidentlyunderstandsstock，andknowshowtokeepthemincondition。“

“Ireckonshe\'sbeginningtounderstandherself，too，“saidHoskins。“Golly！waittillyeseeHER。“

ThedoctorDIDseeher，butwithwhatfeelingshedidnotasfranklyexpress。Shewasnotatthecabinwhentheyarrived，butpresentlyappearedfromthedirectionofthespringwhere，forreasonsofherown，shehadevidentlymadehertoilet。DoctorRuysdaelwasastounded；Hoskins\'spraisewasnotexaggerated；andtherewasanaddedcharmthatHoskinswasnotpreparedfor。Shehadputonagownofherownmaking，——thesecrettoilofmanyalongnight，——amateurishlyfashionedfromsomecheapyellowcalicothedoctorhadsenther，yetfittingherwonderfully，andshowingeverycurveofhergracefulfigure。Unaccentedbyacorset，——anarticleshehadneverknown，——eventhelinesofthestiff，unyieldingcalicohadafashionthatwasnymph-likeandsuitedherunfetteredlimbs。DoctorRuysdaelwasprofoundlymoved。Thoughaphilosopher，hewaspractical。Hefoundhimselfsuddenlyconfrontednotonlybyabeautifulgirl，butaproblem！Itwasimpossibletokeeptheexistenceofthiswoodlandnymphfromtheknowledgeofhisdistantneighbors；itwasequallyimpossibleforhimtoassumetheresponsibilityofkeepingagoddesslikethisinherpresentposition。Hehadnoticedherpreviousimprovement，buthadneverdreamedthatpureandwholesomelivingcouldintwomonthsworksuchamiracle。Andhewastoacertaindegreeresponsible，HEhadcreatedher，——abeautifulFrankenstein，whoselustrous，appealingeyeswereevennowmenacinghissecurityandposition。

Perhapsshesawtroubleandperplexityinthefacewhereshehadexpectedadmirationandpleasure，foraslightchillwentoverherashequicklypraisedtheappearanceofthestockandspokeofherownimprovement。Butwhentheywerealone，heturnedtoherabruptly。

“YousaidyouhadnowishtogotoSanJose？“

“No。“Yetshewasconsciousthathergreatestobjectionhadbeenremoved，andshecoloredfaintly。

“Listentome，“hesaiddryly。“Youdeserveabetterpositionthanthis，——abetterhomeandsurroundingsthanyouhavehere。Youareolder，too，——awomanalmost，——andyoumustlookahead。“

Alookofmingledfright，reproach，andappealcameintohereloquentface。“Yerwantin\'tosendmeaway？“shestammered。

“No，“hesaidfrankly。“ItisyouwhoareGROWINGaway。Thisisnolongertheplaceforyou。“

“ButIwanttostay。Idon\'twantergo。Iam——IWAShappyhere。“

“ButI\'mthinkingofgivingupthisplace。Ittakesuptoomuchofmytime。Youmustbeprovided“——

“YOUaregoingaway？“shesaidpassionately。

“Yes。“

“Takemewithyou。I\'llgoanywhere！——toSanJose——whereveryougo。Don\'tturnmeoffasdaddid，forI\'llfolleryouasIneverfolloweddad。I\'llgowithyou——orI\'lldie！“

Therewasneitherfearnorshameinherwords；itwastheoutspokeninstinctoftheanimalhehadbeenrearing；bewasconvincedandappalledbyit。

“IamreturningtoSanJoseatonce，“hesaidgravely。“Youshallgowithme——FORTHEPRESENT！Getyourselfready！“

HetookhertoSanJose，andtemporarilytothehouseofapatient，——

awidowlady，——whilehetried，alone，tograpplewiththeproblemthatnowconfrontedhim。Butthatproblembecamemorecomplicatedattheendofthethirdday，byLibertyJonesfallingsuddenlyandalarminglyill。Thesymptomsweresogravethatthedoctor，inhisanxiety，calledinabrotherphysicianinconsultation。Whentheexaminationwasover，thetwomenwithdrewandstaredateachother。

“Ofcoursethereisnodoubtthatthesymptomsallpointtoslowarsenicalpoisoning，“saidtheconsultingdoctor。

“Yes，“saidRuysdaelquickly，“yetitisutterlyinexplicable，bothastomotiveandopportunity。“

“Humph！“saidtheothergrimly，“youngladiestakearsenicinminutedosestoimprovethecomplexionandpromotetissue，forgettingthattheeffectsarecumulativewhentheystopsuddenly。

Youryoungfriendhas\'swornoff\'tooquickly。“

“Butitisimpossible，“saidDoctorRuysdaelimpatiently。“Sheisamerechild——acountrygirl——ignorantofsuchhabits。“

“Humph！thepeasantsintheTyroltryitonthemselvesafternoticingtheeffectonthecoatsofcattle。“

DoctorRuysdaelstarted。Arecollectionofthesleekdraughthorseflasheduponhim。Heroseandhastilyre-enteredthepatient\'sroom。Inafewmomentshereturned。“DoyouthinkIcouldremoveheratoncetothemountains？“hesaidgravely。

“Yes，withcareandareturntograduateddosesofthesamepoison；

youknowit\'stheonlyremedyjustnow，“answeredtheother。

Bynoonthenextdaythedoctorandhispatienthadreturnedtothecabin，butRuysdaelhimselfcarriedthehelplessLibertyJonestothespringanddepositedhergentlybesideit。“Youmaydrinknow，“hesaidgravely。

Thegirldidsoeagerly，apparentlyimbibingnewstrengthfromthesparklingwater。Thedoctormeanwhilecoollyfilledaphialfromthesamesource，andmadeahastytestofthecontentsbytheaidofsomeotherphialsfromhiscase。Theresultseemedtosatisfyhim。Thenhesaidgravely:

“AndTHISisthespringyouhaddiscovered？“

Thegirlnodded。

“Andyouandthecattlehavedailyusedit？“

Shenoddedagainwonderingly。Thenshecaughthishandappealingly。

“Youwon\'tsendmeaway？“

Hesmiledoddlyasheglancedfromthewatersofthehilltothebrimmingeyes。“No。“

“No-r，“tremulously，“goaway——yourself？“

Thedoctorlookedthistimeonlyintohereyes。Therewasatremendousideainhisown，whichseemedinsomewaytohavesolvedthatdreadfulproblem。

“No！WewillstayhereTOGETHER。“……

SixmonthslatertherewasaparagraphintheSanFranciscopress:

“ThewonderfulArsenicalSpringintheSantaCruzMountain，knownas\'LibertySpring，\'discoveredbyDoctorRuysdael，hasprovedsucharemarkablesuccessthatweunderstandthetemporaryhutsforpatientsaretobeshortlyreplacedbyamagnificentSpaHotelworthyofthespot，andtheeligiblevillasitesithasbroughtintothemarket。Itwillbeasourceofpleasuretoalltoknowthatthebeautifulnymph——aworthysuccessortothefar-famed\'Elise\'oftheGerman\'Brunnen\'——whohasadministeredthewaterstosomanygratefulpatientswillstillbeinattendance，althoughitisrumoredthatsheisshortlytobecomethewifeofthedistinguisheddiscoverer。“

End