SpraggesCanyon 10225461 PDF

CON T EN T S
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H m A
M Sm
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.
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A a m: sn F
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Wm P Sm . cxn Con n 10 S m a rt s Ca n on
Tn Wu 0 A Mu n A “a n
SA u n m u
Wm AND Hu n.
Rmmmm s
'
r
SPRAGG E S CAN YO N
’
CHA PTER I
m a con ooa s
’
m s
AMANT HA S hea r t began to beat fur iou sly as she

’
looked upwa r d Upon the sta rk f ce o f the clifi a a
m was clim bing slowly su rmounting the obsta cles

.
an
which l y between hima d a co do s eyr ie Above

,
’
a n n r ,
with m
.
e aci g beaks a d ta lons swooped the huge

n n n
birds m
,
onstrous t o nly in si e d str en gth but

, no z an ,
shudde ingly e i l i ppea ra nce bl ck aga inst the a ure

r v n a , a z
sky th g ea t vultu res o f Ca lifor nia huge a the condor s

e r s
d m uch mre ra r e The girl followed

, ,
o f the A des n an o
thei r flight with g ay eyes dim med by tea r s f o the im

.
,
r r
pending per il to the clim

,
be ha d clea red her in war d r
vi si o n .
She r ea lized tha t she lo ed Geo ge Spragge as the pos v r
s i
bi li ty o f losing hi mbec me more i sistent Her ow a n . n
po sition upo n a sha r p po int o f rock wa no e too secure s n .
Two hundred feet below su rged the P cific The g ea t a r
com bers seem

.
ed to be r oa ri g like wild beasts hun g y n r
f o r a eluding p ey
n They broke with fu y upo n the
r . r
kelp overed r ocks dva ncing thunderously r etrea ting

c
-
a
with st a nge mea i g d hissings Sam

, ,
r n n a ntha looked
s an .
do wn seeking the e ct spot where Geo rge would fa ll if

—
, xa
the bl ck de ils swooped

a v l
Sp r a gge s C anyon
’
With lia nt efio t she llied her fa iling ene gies

a va r ra r ,
telling herself that neither the devils bo ve nor the deep a
s ea belo w wo uld dest oy thi s stro ng m in whose r an ,
str ngth she e ulted io tously

e x r .
Beholding her at this moment you would h ve sa id , a
tha t she wa bea utiful a true d ughter o f the wilder

s a
ness m o e a da ughter o f the West fit to be the om

,
r c
p nion a d helpmeet of a m
, , ,
a n a whose forbe rs ha d n a
c o sed the pl ins b ving dea th hourly death from

r s a ra
sta tion o drought dea th fromwild beast dea th from

, ,
r va r , s,
India ns cr ueler th n wild beasts a
She was built upo a noble pla a big wom

.
a n wide n n,
of hip a d shoulder full bre sted such a o

n might
,
-
a , ne as
ha ve deligh ted the eyes o f th f ther o f the grea t Fred e a
e ick ever seeki g fine mothe s f o fine m

r , n r r en .
H r fa ce in repo se ha d a bovine pla cidity Her g ay

e r
eyes set a thought too f a r apa rt conveyed the im

.
pres
sion o f a ision wider th n no rm
,
p no mic s if
,
v al a ,
a ra ,
a
hereto fore she ha d p cticed the ra re fac ulty of observa ra
tio ther than the fem

n ra inine instinct which ma nifests
itself in cour ting the observ tion of others Her skin was a .
a clea r ed brown ; her h ir h d been blea ched by wi

r - nd a a
an d su to the tint of d y bunch gra ss

n It wa g thered r -
s a
in loo se m
.
a sses a bo ut h hea d She h d taken o ff a flap er a
pi g linen sunbo nnet so tha t she could see every m

.
n ove
ment o f the climber
,
One o f the huge birds swooped Sam

.
a ntha uttered a .
cry o f wa ning But Ge rge w rea dy He rried a

r o as ca
sho rt thick stick The condor seem ed to m iss the m

. .
a rk
It soa red upwa rd aga in r ejoin ing its mte Upo n out
.
, .
stretched m
.
,
o tionl ess wings the two ultu res co ntinued

,
v
their ci cling flight r .
12
The C ondor s E yri e ’
The climber w ppro ching the y ie which held as a a e r
two young birds grea t msses o f flu ff fromwhich pro

,
, a
tr u d d b i
g ehea d s a d bea k s The bea ks we re w ide op
n n .
’
e .
Geo rge h d rea ched the steep slope just below the nest
a ,
the most difficult p rt o f the a ent pa rtly b ca use the a sc e
s rpentine rock wa smooth an d slippe y but more e

,
e s r ,
s
p e i l
c aly be u se the nest such
ca as it was l y u po n , , a a
jutting sl b in which lay stre ks o f j p

a d hal ed a as e r an c c
on y
He pa used f o r a mom
.
ent loo king down

He could see Samnth s upturned f ce d the ago
.
,
’
a a a , an
n z ied iety in her g ay eye H r voice floa ted to

an x r s . e
Come b ck Geo ge a , r .
He frowned d set his j w ou h afi g reply

m
an a v c s n no
Wom t m were like

.
en he reflected with m
,
, ild , a co n e ,
th t poor thi g l They g t c red when

a n fronted
s o s a con
with big bst le He rem em

,
o bered th t his g nd
ac s a ra
mother br ve womn t o h d told himwhen he w

.
a a a o a as
child sto ies o f th t amzing j urney c oss th pl in

, , ,
a r a a o a r e a s
i a p i ie scho oner She used to dm

n ra r it to the b y th t . a o a
she h d w nted t tu rn b ck but her husb nd the

a a o a , a ,
p ioneer h d g ne o d ade f to her entre

o ties n an on , a a
Come b ck I shouted S mnth in sh iller to e

.
,
“ ”
a a a a a r n
Stop yer noise com mnded Ge rge

.
a o
He beg n t clim
.
,
b aga in upwa rd d outw rd till he

a o , an a ,
hung f bre thless second between

or a ad ky Then sea an s
h drew him
.
e self over the ledge The birds swooped d an
Samnth screa m
.
a ed G orge lifted his c dgel He felt

a e u
odd lust for b ttle H w t d t me sure his stre gth

. .
an a . e. an e o a n
an d his w its g inst these horrible birds On e he h d

a a c a
been tta ked by munt i lion t b y The boa t

.
a c a o a n a a . s
I3
’
wa s prepa r ed to fight d George knew it And he ha d an .
sh outed a t it d ring it to com e o inviting the de dly

, a n, a
spr ing But the grea t cat meeting h is fea rless gla nce
.
, ,
h d refused the ch lle ge

a Th t h d been the finest a n a a
moment i his life the instinctive re liz tion of power

.
n a a
the sens o f m a ster y so dea r to p imal m

, ,
e a r n
This second e pe ience was sweeter because a wom

.
x an r ,
was looking o n.
The birds soa red upwa rd Ge ge g ped one o f the . or ra s
n estlings a d tuff ed it int a b ig whea t sa ck The

n s o
st ench from the nest a ssailed him Swea t broke a ll over

.
hi s bo dy as he tied the sa ck to the end o f a cord a d n
bega n to lower it Fo this rea son he ha d asked Sa r
mntha to a compa ny him

.
a c .
Go t it i he shouted
“ "
.
”
Yes
Cl
.
He slid over the edge o f the rock hanging by his ,
ha nds g op ing f o his foothold una ble to find it Fo

— —
r r r
ete nity o it seem ed to him his ba e t sea rched

.
, ,
an r s r o es
the slippe y surf ce o f the ro k The stench a d the

— —
r a c . n
hea t f or the sun bea t fi er cely upo n the cliff bega n

m
to o e po we r hi
v r
I ma go ner
.
“ ’
he thought but I done it I got the
,
”
,
“
.
bi
r
S mntha aw wh t had h ppen ed

a a s a a .
Higher up h yelled
“ ”
, s e .
He drew up his quivering bleeding feet By hea ven

rl w ight He h d m
.
, ,
th gi
e i calcul ted the dist nce
as r . a s a a .
Hi curling to e found the cr evice A econd l ter he

s s . s a
was sa fe
an d m
.
M an d de ded in ilence to the bea ch be

ai scen s
The C ondor
’
s e
Eyri
“
You ved me he sa id cur tly
sa , .
Oh George
“
,
.
”
Yes you did It wa nip d tuck the closest ca ll I

“
s an
he eve r ha d Lucky you cam

.
, ,
v e eh .
,
You d never ha ve been c a y en ough to t y it alon e

“ ’
r z r
I dunno Mebbe ”
a ntha m a de o e comment
.
S am
.
n .
M a silly to r i k their lives f o r so little

“
en re s .
He st r ed a t h e a r .
Little There ain t nother con dor in ca pti ity any

“ ’
a v
wher es I ll sell this on e f or two hun dr ed a d fifty dol

.
’
n
la rs .
”
Yo u v lue your life a t tha t

“
a
She spoke disd infully ng y with herself an d angry a a r
with h imbec use he ha d unb red her wea k ess

, ,
, a a n .
“
It ll be in the p pers he la ughed They ll be wa tin
’
a ,
”
.
“ ’
n
’
my photograph You see I ”
They ca rried the bird hom e an d m

.
inister ed to it stuf
fi g c rrion int its in s tia ble m
,
n a aw o a
I h te the bea st rem a r ked S a m

.
an tha
“ ”
a , .
l‘
Why
But she would n o t sa y .
The r nch house stood in a narr ow wooded ca nyon

a ,
which sloped southwesterly to the ocea n Fromthe

,
upper w indow you could behold the Pa cific a palpit t a
i g pool of blue fr m
,
n ed by scrub o k d pine A creek a a an .
w ndered down the c nyon d upon e ch b nk w re

a a , an a a e
ber y p tches Which could be irrigated Geo ge mde a

r a r a
m
, .
goo d li i g in a ny wa
v nys He ra i sed ea rly po ta t o e s d . an
IS
Sp r a gge s
’
C anyon
berries p rticul rly st wberries He h d m
a a ny hives
a ra a
Also he peddled cl m which he d g ut o f th s nd d

. .
,
a s, u o e a , an
fish In d ut o f se son he sold venison h ving sca nt

an o a a
rega d f o the ga me l ws Fo the rest he br d c ttle

.
,
r r a . r , e a ,
ho ses a d hogs a d collected wild nimls which he

r n n a a
mple we e a
, ,
took to a dea ler R ttlesn kes f o a a r ex a r
smll
,
ncome
.
,
ao u ce o f is r
other assisted by S m
.
M Spragge his m
rs a nth sec a a, a
m She owned undi

.
, ,
o d cou sin kept h u se for hi

n , o . an
v d d ha lf interest in the r nch Alwa ys there h d bee

i e -
a . a n
a rough plenty d som ething subst ntia l to l y by f o r

an a a
ny day which never came T h nch itself w

,
a r i a . e ra as
just th ree hundred d twenty cres a homeste d d an a a an
preemption cl im; it l y snug mong hills covered with

,
a a a
ch pa r l a wild p t of Uncle Sams dom

a r a , a in hither to ar
’
neglected by the squ tter a
ca nyon w ma rked o th county mp as

.
Th e as n e a
Sp ggs s Ca nyon George s f ther ha d t ken up the

ra
’ ’
a a
hom tea d long before George w bo rn He h d m

.
es a de as a
tiny p r dise recl imed by i

.
it peculia rly hi o w s n, a a a a n
credible l bo r fromthe wildernes Only those who h ve

a s a
cr ted om
.
ea ethi g o ut o f wh t i reg rded by th world

s n a s a e
a nothing ca n form y estimte o f how th t so m

s ething an a a
may be secretly worshiped by its crea tor G orge h d e a
inhe it d fr mh i sire this love o f Sp gg C nyon

.
’
r e o s ra es a
To himit wa just right the sweete t spo t in G d s coun

.
’
s s o
He smiled derisively whe thrusters of the tr ue

, .
t y
r n
Am type w boned fellows fromNew Engl nd or

.
c ia r e n ra -
a
mwhy he didn t up a d join the p

,
K tuc ky a sked h i
’
en , n ro
ce io o f citizens who toil d d moil d in pursuit of

ss n e an e
the nimble dolla r Why didn t he sell out d st r t a .

’
an a
stor e ?
Sp r a g ge s
’
C anyon
II I
Th t pa rticul r f ct mused his obust m
a o ther
a om e a r s
a n iety The de i t cuddle g ndchild e fla m

x ed
s re o ra r n
within her m ple bosom She loved to

.
a yo ung . see
things bo ut her chicken ducklings piglets d ca lves

a , s, , , an .
She ha d borne sever l children but ll e cept Geo ge a , a x r
ha d be n swept wa y within for ty eight hours by di

—
h
—
e a p
-
theria which befor e th an tito in tre tment w s the

, e x a a
g r ea test cour g e of a ll d se
i s e k own to Ca lif o rnia s as s n n .
Their gr es l y upo n th e t p f hill to th nor th o f the

av a o o a e
r a nch hou e encl osed by

-
fen e The m
s o th e h d helped a c . r a
t bui
o ld thi f nce s e
She would visit this tiny em

.
ete y lo e a d it per c r a n , n s
ha p f o s hou sta i g c r an the o cea n wonde ing r, r n a ro ss r
m
,
va g uely whe r e th ey i ght be But h th o ug hts for er
m y ye r ha d dwelt upo n the children who might be

.
an a s
c om ing r the th n upo n those who h d gone And long

a r a a
h h d decided th t S mnth w
.
,
a go s e a just right f o a a a a as
“ ’
r
George fit t be the m
,
other o f doze Sp gges

o a n ra .
Wh t il em she thought
,
“ ’
a a s .
Alw ys she comfo rted herself with the r eflection tha t

a
h er husb nd th l te Lab n Sp gge h d been slow

a , e a a ra , a a
w ooer Wisely o ot h wi ly ! h was t su e which )

r er se s e no r
S mnth mde no fl t to cceler te her mrri ge

.
, ,
’
a a a a e or a a a a .
M Spr gge w ited pa tiently f o wha t she knew to be

rs a a r
S mnth w w iting pa tiently with

.
inevit ble a a a a as a as a
f ce pl cid hers with shy sm

.
,
a as a ile lurking t th
as a a e
orners of ge e us mouth
,
c a n ro .
One d y Mrs Spr gge id to the girl

a . a sa
You lik George first r te ?

“
e a
”
S mnth replied dem

a a u ely a r
18
The C ondor s E yri e ’
—
George i George s
”
Mrs Sp agge w quite sa tisfied She eplied em

.
. r as . r
p h tic
a lly a
Th ere s nother thing S m

“ ’
a thy Geo rge will
a lw y , a n , a a s
be just Geo rge till he dies He ain t one to ch nge

—
’
—
a
There s m your uncle Elihu w s that a way whom

. .
’
en a - -
their o w wi e ca n t recognize a fter a yea r of m

n v s a tter
’
Th t s so Auntie
a
’
Nothing m ore wa sa id The two wom

, .
en understood s .
e ch other Nevertheless fter the ca ptu re o f the young

a a
ar ked a spa rk le in Sa m
.
,
co dor Mrs Spra gge m a ntha s

’
n , .
eyes d a heightened colo r upo n her round h cks T h

an c e e
mother listen ed impertu rbably to the girl s account o f the

.
clim b
m thy i
.
“ ’”
Yo u wa s sca i
rt, Sa an
“
Sca i
rt ? Yes ”
m
.
Squi
r i
shy f eeli
n inside ? ’ ”
The wo t Thema wful birds I suppose Geo rge

rs !
kn ew they dassent a tta ck himb ca use he wasn t scairt

.
” ’
—
e
Mebbe he was scait a tiny m

, .
“
ite r
He wa s ot s a pped Sam a ntha ; th e m

n ,o ther sm
”
iled
n .
A few d ys p ssed The young co do r inclined to

— —
a a . n ,
pi e t fi r st bega a nu ses put it to sit up d take

n a n s r an
nourishm
,
n otice as well a ent Geo rge pronounced it fit

s .
to tr vel to San F a nci sco

a d th ence to O akl nd where
r an a
it wa to be delivered to the f mous dea ler V Horne

, ,
s a an
George w s fully occupied in building c mfortable cag

.
,
a a o e
f o the m
r onster
Upo n the eve of his dep r tu re Mrs Sp gge em
.
erged a ra
fromher kitchen with sh wl tied over her hea d This

.
a a .
hea dgea r suggested to her son houseclea nings o f a e n x
I9
’
h a usti
ve ch r cter Mrs Spr gge beckoned to him he
a a . a as
t red at her fromthe sh dow of th shed w here he w

.
s a a e as
working She stood in the sun splendid mssive fig

.
, a , a
u e r d upon her f a ce la y
an e pression which Geo rge an x
tr ied in v in to interpret She sa id solemnly

,
a .
I ve notion to w lk little w ys with you

“ ’
a a a a
Gee l sa id Georg l ying down his h m mer

.
”
e, a a .
To our cemetery dded Mrs Spr gge ”

a a
They m
. .
,
ount d the hill in silence side by side It was e .
m
,
si g ific
n a nt perh ps th t the other led the w y by
a a a a
uple f inches if she were pu hing on to some d h

, ,
co o , as s e
nite g l Just inside the fence w

oa . ude bench Mrs as a r . .
Spr gge sank upon it with a g sp o f relief George

a a .
w ited till she ha d recovered her full powers o f speech

a
but furtively he took a chew of tob cco feeling u om

,
, , a , nc
f o ta b ly sensible th t som
r ething w bout to h ppe a as a a n .
I w nt children s id Mrs Spr gge

“
a
”
a a
Fo the m oment George fe red th t his mother h d

. .
,
r a a a
g o ne plu m c “
zy W she c nte m”
pl tin g ara
s econd as o a
ma rri ge ?
.
Time you gave m som

“
e Geo gie e , r .
Me ? ”
Time you w m a rried in t it as , a

’
George l ugh ed too g ily a a
Quit th t s id his m
.
,
“
other sh rply This in t the
a
”
a a a
’
m m
.
,
p la ce to l u gh I serious Ma a tt y is seriou s but’

. er on
is m
.
it s g t to be ta ckled by m
,
’
o en as en
No hur y mw s id G orge e sily He c lled h

.
“ ”
r , a , a e a . a er
M w whenever she ddres ed h im

a
”
G orgie a s as e .
”
There s
“
ppoint d time for ev rything my son My
’
an a e e
rms
, .
a strong en ugh to hold children but they re not

ar e o ,
’
so st rong they were l st ye r ”

as a a .
The Co ndor s Eyrie ’
The idee s a st rtler to m

“ ’
a e .
Y u let it so k in There s nothing in the hull wor ld

“ ’
o a
the m — you in t me
.
a tter with y u George ep th t

’ ’
o , , ex c a a r
ried you a in t a f ther It s d ty you ow to yourself

,
’
a .
’
a oo e ,
to m d to Sp gg C nyon If nything h ppe ed t

e, an ra c s
’
a . a a n o
y uo wh a teve
, r would bec om e o f this yere nch ra
Yo u do h ve the queerest notion s

“
a
This notion s bin in m y hea d ’

f o r so me ti me but i
t
ever bloomed d blossom ed o t r spea k till S m thy
,
n an s e a an
tole m bout thembirds w opin down It mde her

, ,
’
e a s o a
a d m sto m
.
e sick to o u a ch s
”
n r .
Psh w I
“
a
”
I dre m ed l night o f Sp agge Canyon with ry a

a as
’
r
’
s na
Spragge in it Tha t s ll m y .
’
a , so n .
”
They descended the hill together .

C HAPTER II
HAZ L E
AMAN THA acc m panied Geo g when he dro e his

'
o r e v
spring w gon t S Lorenzo the county town

a o an .
The d wa s rough d hilly e med with chuck h les

,
roa an , s a -
o ,
an d covered wi th fi white dust o f pe et ting qu litie ne n ra a s .
It me ndered long the co st through hills covered with

a a a
cha p rr l d mnz nit the wildest p r t f the county

,
a a an a a a, a o ,
as yet u settled bec use the soil w o po or d the feed

n a as s an
so c nty He e d there were dotted the b rd d

s a r an oa -
an
b tten hou ses o f Portuguese da irym

.
a en who lived on
d wo rked de pe tely to mke a few doll rs In

,
be n a s an s ra a a
the m
.
iddle o f this wild count y l y a sple did r nch o r a n a ,
o neo f the old Spa nish g a nts ow the property o f r n an
bse tee m illio na ire It stretched fromth foothills to

,
a n . e
the ea le gue fter le gue o f fine g zing l nd e cel

s , a a a ra a , x
l tly w tered
en p incipa lity with eve ything o it
a a r r n ex
ept the prin ce George could just remem

,
c b r the old e
m
.
d ys whe the b i
a g dobe
n ho u se h d been filled fro a ga a r
t to cell r with the huge f m

,
re a ily f the Agu il s D o a o a n
Ju n Aguila h d m
.
a ortg ged hi rolling le gues to the

a a s a
County B nk d spe t the mney in dispensing l vish

a , an n o a a
hospit lity The i t tw nged th guit r d the

a s er on
'
as a e a an
mndolin frommorning till night ; b ll

.
a their bro ca a er os,
th t
er s, a e an d dr nk d sm oked cigar ettes con r ned
a , an , ce
22
Iiaz el
only with the p ssi g hours d th plea sure to be d ined
a n an e ra
fromthem When Don Ju n w buri d in the C tholic a as e a
cem
.
etery f S Lorenzo the gre t r ncho w s sold H is

o an a a a
f mily dis ppe red wiped o ut o f e istence by Anglo

.
,
a a a , x
S on civiliz tion
ax a
Driving p st the a dobe S mntha spoke o f the old o

.
a , a a r
d regretfully It seemed terrible thing to her th t

er . a a
th Ag uila s h d been driven fromsuch

e ea rthly pa
a an ra
dise George nodded sympatheti lly

. ca
They h d to go Never ved ce t did old D on Jua n l

“
a . sa a n
B rbecues d f nd ngoes a ll the timl The dolla rs

,
a an a a e
were bu nt up F ther use to tell m

r e tha t in ea ch guest
. a
ch m ber a t the foot of the bed there used to st nd a

a , , a
t ble loa ded with silver piles o f dolla rs covered with a

a
cloth Th t wa the guest silver never counted by Gum!

,
m
a s
And all th e squ tt rs stole fro em

.
, ,
’ ”
a e .
The ranch pa ys now

“ ”
—
.
0 course it does Properly u

“ ’
o le kage . r n n a .
Would you like to u it Geo rge ?

“
r n
”
Som
,
ething i her tone ch llenged his a ttention h n a , a
no mlly sh r pened by the study o f st nge shy bea sts

r a a ra
Samnth he reflected never a sked silly

,
an d reptiles . a a, ,
Didn t you k ow I w
Run i
tl ked t u it P ’
n a s as o r n
”
W you Never told m tha

as . e
I to ld M w
”
a .
You d
“
it mighty well Ge rge
’
r un o
i m I mquite sa tisfied
.
,
Mebbe It d end by
“ ’
r un n n
’
e
’
with wh t I hev S m thy

. .
”
a , a an .
He l ughed g ily lifting his he d with odd ch r c

a a a an a a
if im m m
,
t iti jerk
er s c p ti nt of the t el of
as civiliz a e ra s a
Ce t inly he w e tr ordin rily handsome ; th

,
tion . r a ,
as x a a e
23
Sp r a gge s Canyon
’
e pitome o f youth a d he lth d tre gth The day was n a an s n .
so hot tha t he wo re nothing cept his f ded blue ove lls ex a ra
a d n blue fl nnel shirt The te mh ad just panted up a

a a . a
s teep cent George drew rein o the top of the g ade

as n r
r em oving his sombrero letting the breeze fromthe oce n

. ,
cool his cheeks S mnth gl nced t his crisp light

,
. a a a a a
brown curls d the keen blue eyes shining out of a d

an re
b ow f ce The colo r rushed into her own cheeks but

r n a .
,
George could t e the blush through thick dust no se a ,
proo f veil He jumped down to see how the young con

.
do w r fa ing in its c ge covered by s cking Beside

as r a a .
t h c ge w
e along gre n bo fill d with live r ttl sn kes
as a e x e a e a
a b ker s dozen o f them which George wa

,
a
’
t king to , s a
Va Ho rne
n .
We ll h ve a sna ck o lunch s id George

“ ’
a
’
a
He hitched his horses to live o k a d fed them

, .
“ ”
a a n .
Then he mde a smll fire Fromthe b ck of the w go n

a a . a a
S amnth pulled o ut a paper p rcel d two willow spits

a a a an .
In the parcel w some me t George cut it up im pa led

as a .
ea ch m
,
orsel upo n the spits a d beg n to roa st the beef , n a ,
whistling to himself When the beef wa roa st d to a s e
tu rn George h nded one spit to S amnth a d took the

.
a a a n
o ther him self They gn wed a t the me t consum ing it a a ,
u nder the circum

.
,
st ces with delic cy a d skill bo n an a n a r
of m
,
uch pr tice E ch h d a h unk o f bre d

ac a a a .
N ice fresh m
.
ea t sa id George
“ ”
.
,
He l y upon his b ck a fter he h a d finished st ing

a a , ar
through th le ves of the live o k into the st inle s blue

e a a a s ,
i nh ling the pung nt fr g nce of ta weed with deep

a e a ra r -
b ea ths f sa tisf ction S mnth t with h b ck

r o a . a a a sa er a
a g inst the t unk w tching the m

a wondering whether
r a an ,
m She frowned as she ma rked

,
he would eve r be h er an .
24
Sp r a ggc
’
s Canyon
Street he kept thinking : on
“
How I d h te to sling ink’
a
for a
Most f the old tim e s g eeted th young m with
o r r e an
co rdi lity They o fl ed drinks th terrible whiskey of

a . er , e
a cow count y ; George ccepted cig rs inste d

r Old M a a a . an
Mung who h d been a friend o f George s f ther w

er , a
’
a as
his periodic bender He lurch d froms loon to

,
“ ”
o n . e a
sa loo n piti ble specta cle of tipsy g Geo rge esc ped
a a a e a
fromhis clutches with difficulty He c uld rem

.
,
ember the o
o ld m when he lived upon his nch a fine sp cime

.
a n ra e n.
Dam he m
,
n these town s uttered

“
.
,
He r ea ched S Fr ncisco at bout four the following an a a
a fternoon an d cro ssed to O k l nd where V Ho rne a a an
kept his nim m

, ,
a ls in big
a ba rn o t f fro the Fir
a st n ar
Presbyte ia n Church Sitting in church moved by the

r .
son o ous vo ice o f the m inister the mem

,
r bers o f the co , n
g ger a tio c o uld h ea rnthe ro a ring f tiger s d be a rs o an ,
bea ts o f Midia n prowling in the da rkness w iting to fi

s a x
their fan gs in the plum

,
p bodies of the s ints V Horne a an
welcom
.
ed the condo an d reg etted th t there were not r r a
more r ttlesn kes He sold the reptile in p irs to drug

a a s a
m
.
g ists who e hibit d the inside the

x stores to w o nde
e ing r
h ildren a d ne vous femles

,
c n r a .
When the business h d been s tisf ctorily done d a a a an
the m
,
oney paid over V Ho rne took George into hi , an s
h ou se where ,sm iling co m ely womn received them

a , a .
You ll st y a d ea t supper Mr Spr gge she s id

“ ’
a n , . a a
co rdi lly a
Do n t m
.
“
ind if I do replied Geo ge blissfully u o
’
, r , nc n
26
Hazel
scious th t invit tions to supper
a as a r ule accepted
a a r e,
with m
,
ore c refully chosen w ds a or
Mrs V Horne took Geo rge s som

.
an bre o d gl nced a t ’
r an a
t w ith a sm ile pucker ing the orners of h mou th

.
i , c er .
Y u loo k fine Mr Sp ra gge

“ ”
o , . .
Her husb nd a nswered a
He s got wa d o f m m
.
“ ’
y o a
y in his inside poc k et ne .
Gee ! Didn t I ea rn it
“ ’
Guess yo u did Ge rge I ll ha ve you d the bird o

’
an
m m
, .
p h o tog r phed to orr

a o w ornin g b r i
g ht-
a d ea rly And n .
we ll s e the pai o f you in Sunda y edition

’
e r a
”
George singu l rly m

.
odest an d b a shful i n the p esen ce

a r
en mved estlessly upon the edge of his

,
o f st a nge wom r , o r
chair M s Va Horne hung up the som

. r . nbrero an d sta ed r
c itica lly a t Geo rge s clothes obviously the by product of

r
’
,
-
a w county
co He wore th e high heeled boots at tha t
.
-
perio d o dea r to the va quero because it was supposed

s ,
! w i thout y eason ) th a
an t the hig h rhee l p r eve n ted the
foot of horsem a n from
a slippi ng through a b ig stirrup .
Above the boo t much tu ned up were a i o f black s, r , a r
p nts very baggy at the knee A bl ck coat vilely cut w s

a . a a
tightly buttoned over a fl n nel shi t Geo rge disda ined a r .
coll s a d ties but he wor e loosely tied r ound his neck

ar n ,
a whi te silk ha ndkerch ief .
Mrs V Ho ne mu rm anured softly r
—
.
Ph otograph ed l i ke tha t ?
“ ”
It bec me p infully pla in to Geo ge th t Mrs V

a a r a . an
Ho me s e pr ession wa s ot one o f high app o va l He

’
x n r .
w iggled even m
r ore uneasily s he sa id in his clear tren , a ,
chan t tones
Anything wrong P
“ ”
’
The wom en o f the we t the dwell r i citi s spe k s , e s n e , ca n a
to the point Mrs V Horne a nswered sh rply. . an a

”
Yes
‘l
.
Her kee gr y eyes spa rkled She perceived possibili

n a
tie i th young m Opposite And she ye rned to

.
s n e an a
spend some of his h rd rned money upon a blue serge

.
a -
ea
suit which sh decided would suit his style !her word )

e
bette th n bl ck or gray Fi d by the sympathy be m

,
r a a rc a
i g fro m o ch rm ing a wom

.
n an
s Geo rge ose mg ifi a , r a n
ce tly to the o cc sion

n a
You go r ight he d M a ma d kindly tell m

.
e what
“ '
a a , a , n
y ou su ggest .
”
Oh ! Really I har dly

“
,
You step r ight up

“
d i If I a in t fit to ppe r in ’
an n. a a
the Sun d y Ch o il in this yere outfit you jest y so

a r n c e sa
If you wa m
.
e M a a mwha t would you do

,
’
s , ,
I d keep th t suit f S Lorenzo Mr Spr gge

“ ’
a or an a
I wa thinking som e of getting me a nother

. .
,
"
s
L t m
.
e choo se it in the city ?

“ ”
e
I d be oblig ted s id George Anything else i

“ ’
a
”
a
‘ ”
d sham
.
,
a i cut rpo o Shoes Colla an d tie New

an . . r .
”
hat
I mt a million ire
.
“
Sa y , a a .
“
You re well fi ed Mr Sp agge ; we kn w that And
’
x r o
m
.
, .
y o u ou ght to a i t be credit to Sp gg
ra C a nyon o a
’
es .
”
Geo rge brightened

If you ll fi m up I ll be tickled to death but ther
.
“ ’ ’
x e
a in t the mking s of a dude in m

, ,
’ ”
a e
.
“
A dude ? H rdly a .
”
V Horne chuckled
an
You lea ve it to th e M a dam he em

.
a rk d
“
r e
Ultim a tely it wa s left to the M a da m Geo r ge becam

, .
e .
28
Hazel
a illing but blushing victimto a woma n s love o f p
w
’
a
pe ar
a And
n ce the event
. is re corded bec a use wh a t h a p ,
pened a fterwa rd w l rgely the consequence o f Mrs as a
Horne s ta ste in men s dress George clipped a d

.
V
’ ’
an .
, n
cle n sh ven a ccur tely a ttired in blue serge with a b

a a a
‘
comi g ti d brown shoes pr esented remrk ble a p

, ,
n c an a a a
m
,
pe su m
a r a n ce, rized by the triu m ph nt l dy aa It a a s
“
.
”
You re It she s id Now you go a d show your

’
,
”
a .
“
, n
self to your best girl .
I h ven t
“
a
’
on e .
What
It s so Neve did own one Busy with other things
“ ’
. r . .
M ind never a tha t way r n

”
The l dy l ughed but her eyes spa rkled m

.
a a ischievously
—
.
,
You d b tt r watch out now

“ ’
e e
”
He w photogr phed in th new kit d solem

.
as nly on
a e , an c
g r
a tul ted by the
a photog ra pher .
Lot 0 sn p to you Mr Sp a gge

“ ’
a r
George tri d in vain to dissem

. .
,
ble his s tisfaction He

e a
stole gl nces a t himself a he w lked pa st the big pl te

.
a s a a
g l as s wind o ws ; he perceived out o f th e corner f his eye o
th t the womn gl nced t himwith mo e than p ss ing

a e a a r a
cu riosity For th first time in his life he in his tu n e r
en com m
.
, ,
sta red t the woma pa rin g the notin g their poi t , , n s
with incr sing interest spe ul ting vaguely in reg rd to

ea c a a
their liv s In hi ingenuous mind he divided wom

,
en into
two cl s es—
e . s
the good d the ba d The pretty C li

a s an a
m
.
fo i a
rn w ho fl i tt d pa st h i
ns ma he w lked down Ke rney e s a a
Stre t puzzl d himin uch a they suggested v riety

e e as s a .
He r mem b red wh t his mother ha d s id in the f mily

,
e e a a a
buri l pl e Y s one d y he would h ve to pick d

a ac e a a an
choose o of these cre tu res At this ve y m

,
oment the
.
,
ne a . r
29
’
Sp ra gge s Can yon
futu re Mrs George Spra gge was som ewheres T he “
.
mere thought bec me e citi g He felt th t the photog

.
a x n a
m m
.
rap he r wa s ight i pro nounc n

i g hi
r to be a o f n an
sna p !
In this e alted m ood he m et M i
x ss H zel Goo d i
ch a r .
III
He ha d retu ned to O kl nd where he w s sta ying a t a
r a a a
sml l h otel not f a r f r omV Home s pl e d o

,
’
a an ac an n
his way hom e fou d him

,
self ne t to Miss Go od ich i a

n x r n
c ble
a At a gla nce the young la dy lea pt to the con
ca r .
clusiau th t he w very very difl eren t fromthe young

a as
’
m o f O kl nd too ters f o the most pa rt o f their ow

,
en a a r n
penny tr um pets wea rers o f s ucy so cks sm

,
, ar ties g a , a
g essively
r e a ge r to a i
r th e knowled g e which they h d too a
rec ntly a cquired a t the universities o f Berkeley d Sta n

e an
ford He curiosity conce ni g such b u: !the old

. r r n ea
f shioned word is still used in O kland ) could be glutted

a a
in five m inutes Indeed she ha d taken a dozen such

icely sh m
.
,
n pooed sc lps before she w twenty

a a as -
one .
George entered into conversation with her She pa . r
do ed the indisc etion bec use he was o utterly un o

u r a s c n
s ious o f giving o fl Also his eyes were of the e t

’
c en se x ac
co lor o f th e wild flower know to bota nists a s nem

.
ophil n a
a d to a ll children o f the We t a s Ba bie s Eyes Geo rge ’

n s .
sa id geni lly : a
Yo u live in O kl nd
“
a a
Yes she replied a dding dem u rely : And you do n t

” ’
, ,
Gee ! How did you com

.
e to gues tha t s
Isn t it writt o you fa ce

’
en n r
He w s cha rm a ed by h e so ft voi ce an d a bove a ll by r , , ,

Hazel
Ba d tha t is it ? H yseed in m
as y h a ir ? a
Hea ven forbid ! T on you cheeks let us say an r , .
R nch ne r the c st per h ps

a a oa a
If you a in t a e guesser Yes I mGeo ge Spra gge

.
,
“ ’ ’
a r r .
, r ,
o f Sp gg era C a nyon ’
s .
Of Sp gg C nyon she repea ted

ra e s
’
a , .
S Lo renzo County Is it O K to ask f o your

an . r
n am
.
e
“
Possibly n t but I ve no objection to telli g you I
o
’
n
a mMiss H zel Go o d i
.
,
a r c
With i pas i a ssura nce Geo rge ontin ued

rn s ve , c
“
Where do you live ? ”
In m h use M l A ve e
“
y o w o on a gn o ia
n n u .
By you lonely r
An un t live with m
a e I take ca re o f her
s . .
“
And who takes c re o f you a
She l ughed a
I t ke ca e o f m
.
“
a yself When George received this
r
i silence she dded dem

.
ur e ly : Do n t I look as if I “ ’
n , a
could
“
N0 he eplied bluntly
, r .
His gl nce r ested upon a slender delica tely fashion ed

a
ma id dressed in quiet gray line B eneath a bla ck pic

,
en n
ture h t glowed singula rly piqua nt face too pale of om

.
a a c
pl ion but illum

,
ex ined by fine hazel eyes e circled by da k n r
d su m
,
la shes an ou ted by da rk b ows r The hea d was

n r .
well set upo n a white slender th roa t The li ps po ssibly .

, ,
were a thought too f ull indica ting a sensuous an d pl a e
ng temper m ent The ch in howeve w fi rm

,
su e lovi
r -
a ly r, as
modeled Perhaps the distin guishi g cha r cteristic o f

. ,
. n a
t hi s eng ging p rson lity l y in

a a le tness of e p r essio
e a a an r x n
which quite justified the question which Geo ge ha d j ust r
3 !
S p r a g ge
’
s C anyon
a nswered Miss Go odrich looked ve y wide wake well
. r a ,
a ble to t ke c re o f herself
a t a y a te in O kla nd
a And ,
a n r a .
yet to her immense su prise she found herself blushing

,
r ,
.
T o cover her fusion she sked nother question

co n a a
Wh t e you doing in O kl d ?
“
a ar a an
”
He told her a bout the condor d its c pture Hazel an a .
Goodrich listened with interest d cu iosity to t le an r a a
so i
arng to giddy height Under her blouse her hea rt s
.
,
was be ti g f ster th n usua l ; tiny thrills cha sed ea ch

a n a a
o th e up d down h r spina l colum

r an n He finished e .
a b uptly :
r
I g t o ff t th ne t block
“
e a e x
Oh she e claimed
.
x .
Did he re d her thoughts ? Did he perceive th t the

a a
ta le o f his climbings h d moved her ? He smiled plea s a
ently he murm
as ured
I d like mighty well to see you ga in
“ ’
a
”
She h sit ted beholding him mong the b n: a for e

.
e a , a ea
s id ignor nt o f their little a rts d cr fts despised by

a a an a
d d spising them
, ,
an e ! H w e t r ordi rily strong he o x a na
looked ! What dm ir ble pres ntment o f p wer in

an a a e o
r epo se !
I mreceiving to night sh m
“
urm ured
—
a -
, e .
Receivi g wh t n a
She e pl in d with el bor tion He s id derisively

x a e a a . a
I w nt to se you not your friends I d like fi st

“
a e .
’
r
r te to show you m m
,
a y cond r I shippin g it to New o

’
York the d y fter to m

.
orr ow Then I sh ll skin o ut

a a -
. a
o f this
”
.
In a hurry t g t b ck t Sp gge s Ca nyon ?

“
o e a o ra
’ ”
He eplied promptly :
r
N ot in quite the hu y I wa
“
rr s.
3 2
Sp ra gge s C anyon
’
Oh ! Loo k !
She clutched Geo rge s a rm rem a rking even in tha t
’
moment o f terror how h rd a d big it was Against the

, ,
, a n .
w ll w s a gla ss tank with a roo f to it Inside the ta n k

a a
were the rattle s which Geo ge ha d brought f omthe

.
r r r
Nice little l t he id o , sa .
Nice Ugh ! "
She hra n k b ck ; the c lo ebbed fromher pretty

s a o r
cheeks
Gee ! You m
.
“
t a fra id snakes in a tan k ?
a o
’ ”
I loathe the e y sight of them v r .

”
She wa lked out o f the shed hudderin g Geo ge de s . r
cided th t it would be foo lish to tel l h tha t h e ha d

a er
ca ught th e eptiles He followed h in isting upo

es r . er , s n
se ing her home As he wa lked beside he he spoke o f

e . r
the co ndor c ndition ’

s o
B i d did fi e o the ra nch Oakla nd s killing him I

.
“ ’
r n n
I t would kill m m
. .
ain t surprised
’
i
g hty qui k e c
H zel ha d e overed h elf po se sio S he m

. .
a r c u er s -
s s n. r
mu ed rch ly : I wonde wha t efiect you wild coun

r a
“
r r
t y would h ve o m
r a n e
M ke sple did womn o f you said Geo ge with

a a n a , r
convictio You r e a bea ut he looked h d into he

n .
“ ’
,
”
ar r
eyes b ut you re high st ung ; your nerves a out o

,
“ ’
-
r re
’
wha ck
She denied this with ome i dignation Geo rge i
.
s n . n
sisted th t he w r ight The fi e i of Sp gge

a as . n a r ra
’
s
C nyo n would blow nervou v pors b ng into th Paci

a fic s a a e .
Hi wom s enfolk wer e trong y u bet l Nothing ever s o
led them!
,
ai
Womnfolk dem
“
e an ded H azel .
34
Hazel
Mothe d Samn r an a
Your sister ?
“ ”
My cousin
“ ”
Is S m th ve y very di ff erent fr mm?

.
a an a r o e
I should y o She s tough mn nita i S

,
’
sa s as a za s a
m thy ! She run the nch Does too when I m

.
,
’
an can ra
W llopi fine young w m l

.
, ,
aw y
’ ”
a . a n o an
H zel felt r ther piqued She wondered whether her

a a
house would im
.
pres this stra nge young m It w s an as a
h nd om e house h ndsom
.
a s ely furni hed M rble tep , a s . a s s
led up t the front porcho
This i m m
.
“
y ho e she s id softly ”
sa
Cert inly he w impre sed d puzzled The mrble

, .
a as s an a
teps seem ed to stound him He b nt down to touch

.
s a e
theme cl im
.
ing
—
x a
I m li r if they a m t solid mrble All yours ?

,
“ ’
a a a
All m
.
“
ine F the w unwisely e tr v ga nt bout a r as x a a a
those steps He u ed t y th t they cost m

.
. ore tha n s o sa a
th whole house
e d l t in which we lived before we an o
cm
a e t O kl nd o a a
”
Cost m
.
“
ore th n hous d l t a a e an o
S o he id Will you com sa e in M r Sp gge ? I ra
should like you to m eet m m m

.
, .
y u n t And you ust let a e
make you ome lemon de

.
"
s a .
It s elega nt esidence
“ ’
an id Geo ge He w tched r sa r a
her sh e unlocked fine m

, .
as a hog ny doo r with tiny a a a
la tch key -
Som ehow he divined th t she de i ed to im a s r
p e him He h d w ggered bout Sp gge Ca nyon

.
’
r ss a s a a ra s
He m
. .
ust be very c reful not to ppe r confounded by a a a
this city O pulence d splendor He decided th t the an a
house w s ot quite up to th ta nd rd of the mrble

.
a n e s a a
steps .
Sp r a g ge s
’
C anyon
In the front pa rlor H zel presen ted himto the goo d a
a unt to o mi ble a d indolent c e tu re to k indis

, a a n a r a as
c ect qu stions If she thought th t this st nger w

r e . a ra as
unlike the bea u she did ot y so Very o n G rge x n sa s o eo
took his lea ve pr omising to c ll o the m

.
,
o rr ow The a n
rd h d becom a ccustom ed to ept ma t f omthe

, .
bi a e a cc e r
h n ds f its ca pto N ow h un ch ed up in its cage it

a o r re
fused no u ishm
.
, ,
en t g l d helpl ly t the blue sky

r ,
a re ess a
Va n Ho e lthough he h d p id ha d o m
rn a e p i f or a a a n s r ce
this ra re specime wa philosophial

,
n, s c
mrked to Geo ge Pity too ;

.
H s a go ne
“ ’ ” “
e he r, re a r
but themb i
.
,
g b rd
i s i s H ll t ra i se
”
o
Geo ge repe t d t he rem k m

.
r a d e to Mi
a ss Goo drih
e ar c .
Did well enough on the ra nch

“
.
”
P o fo un d d ep s i
r o fill d his ho es t h rt a tr ge re s n e n ea s an
em m m
,
o tio f
a bout the bird
h i He
n t t
orh
ot b eing sufi i
is d o w
e t ly self
to
n
d i app o
. i t
lytial to take
nt se
c n
n
—
an a
s
c
n e
ou t th eff e t o f white m
,
in to a cc n ar ble steps upon

e c an
unsophistic ted Arca di n a Van Hor n e pr esc ibed a r a
ba ll Mrs Van Horn e a dm

.
i ite ed i T hen Geor ge

“ ”
. . t n s r .
ra ised in O a kland Ma am
Yo u wa s ,
’
Th t s right a
’ ”
K ow m
.
a ny folk ?
“ ”
n s
Most o f mby sight ’

e .
Ever seen M is H a el Goo dr i ch ?

“ ”
s z
Old m Goo drich s d ughte ? I kn o w he well

an
’
a r r .
Lies o Magnoli Aven ue

m
v n a .
G o rge nodded Va Horn e dded

e h ti lly n a a ca
In a high toned re ide ce a dam

.
“
n sight t
-
oo b i
g f o s n r
Hazel
George s eyes brightened a he murmured : White
’
s
mrble steps by G ml
,
”
a , u
Solid foo lishness s id Va Home I k ew the

“ ”
a n n
He mde onsider ble m

, .
o ld m well an oney cher y g ow a c a r -

r
Then he built th t big house with themmrble

.
ig
n . a a
steps He used to ta lk 0 nothin else He w sn t th ’ ’

a
’
e
ech trim
. .
o ly foo l who invest d h rd e rned c sh in
mins Tha t h ouse n tu lly killed him Now to—

n e a -
a a s
da y a ra ,
themtwo women ha ve b rely enough to live in it

. .
,
”
a .
Miss Goo drich a in t ich ? h a ded Geo rge

“ ’
r
”
az r
Th t s a o d i a y u recko riches m
.
a
’
cc ry so S he n
’
s o n n
d lot an d som
.
,
o w s tha t house
n e town p ope ty sto res an r r
She my ha ve two hund ed

, , ,
a d a slice 0 w ter f r ont

’
n a a r
a n d fifty do ll rs a m
.
on th No t m or
”
a e
Geo g became himself ga in The m

. .
r e a rble step s a
mi ish ed i size a d v lue Afte a ll

.
scann ed to ha e di v n n n a r
ma d ma id we e pressly design ed
.
,
step betweens a n an a re x
“
Bi d r ed he s id pleasan tly
ca n be stuff a
You bet ! Lea ve a ll th a t to m

, .
“ ”
e
Le ving to m
.
“
or o w asked M s Van H o e
a - r r . rn .
I ve a notio to st y over f o a d y o tw eplied

“ ’
n a r a r o,
”
r
Geo ge B ea th the little womn s shrewd gla ce he

r en a
’
n
blushed but she ked no m

.
,o e questi
ons When Geo rge as r .
dep rted she sa id to he husba d

a r n
I wonder how George Spragge cam

“
e to kn ow Ha el z
Go d icho r .
Ask an other dea rie l

“ ”
I will Would she look at him

,
Any wom
.
an would Fin e young feller full 0 horse .

,
’
se s
”
too
n e, .
n t
“ ”
N0 he ai
’
.
,
Sp ra g ge s
’
C anyon
Wh at in thunder d ye m ea n ’
He in t got the s nse to clea r out of his silly old

a
’
e
ra n ch There ll lw ys be hayseed in hi h ir an d the

’
a a s a
sm
.
,
ell of tar weed o his clothes n .

”
George h sense enough to stick to his own job an d

“
as
make good dolla rs t it

,
”
a
Mighty few of them

.
“
.
More n enough f his wa nts

’
or
Not enough f o r hers my

.
, a
An d tha t clo sed the conve s ti on r a .
N e t day Geo rge asce ded the mrble steps bringing

x n a ,
ba d ew n f the ondo s o O kl nd h d killed it H elc r a a a az
beguiled himinto t lki g f Sp agge Ca nyon Som

. .
a e n o r
’
s .
h w h pictured i
o s e r a v st c ttle ra nch George h d as a a . a
no wish to d ceive h r d how could he gues th t hi

e e an s s a s
hom e w big t him the bigge t thing e rth ? The

,
as o , s on a
night before fte th eception n f th be u h da r e r o e o e a x a
linge ed to propo e mr iage He w

, ,
r on up to da te s a r a s an - -
young m M Wilbur P Sho k

.
f Stocker L nd
’
an , r c er , o s a
i g on the Sa cr m
. .
n ento River He ha ppe ed to be a a n
m
.
g ra du te o f
a E as tern u ive sityan d the n in
g g n r an a a
di ecto o f prospe ous busines A lover he w

r r a r s s a as
uc e sful lthough th good aunt emrked

.
,
no t quite so s c s a e r a
th t Wilb u h d neve c u d his m othe a m om

,
a r a ent r a se r
'
s
a n iety Such
x . mu t mke an e em pla y husban d
a so n s a x r .
She dded po intedly

a
Y u v enco u aged him Ha el

“
o
’
e r , z .
”
This w true And if Geo ge h d t ppea ed th

as r a no a r e
m
.
, ,
y o u n g l dy ia
ght h a ve id y to M S to ck e r par tly sa
“
es
”
r. ,
3 8
Hazel
b eca u e she w s getting
s ther tired of saying o She
a ra n
told Wilbu th t h wa nted m ore time d it h d

.
r a s e ,
an a ex
as pe ted he be use he cquie ced tre ting th ff ir

ra r ca a s , a e a a as
a
“
busines prop sition The e were his ctu l words
s
”
o s a a
me you w nt H zel The e o

.
Y u take a ll the ti
“ ’
o a , a . r s n
hu y bout thi thing I thi k I ll go t Po tl nd t

rr a s n
’
o r a o
morrow My agen t up there need w tching Ab enc

.
s a s e
my mke you little he t grow fonder

. .
”
a a r ar .
Of somebody else thought H el

“ ”
, az .
Listening to Geo rge h reflected with ple ure that , s e as
Wilbur w lre dy his w y t Po r tl nd c r ying

as a a on a o a , a r
h erphot gr ph in his bre t pocket She w w re

o a as . as a a
tha t he would t look t it t o often He would take no a o
m m
.
f orgran t ed t ha t ti e d dist nce would ke her he rt an a a a
g ro w fon d e His phot og rph h nd o mely f am ed sto o d ra a s r
upon h writing t ble She ga ed t it with m

.
, ,
er ild d
a . z a a c
r ision t hinki ng : Life will ot be mdly e citing with n a x
An odd c ing f e citement po se d he

,
Wilbu r .
”
r av or x s sse r .
She wonde ed wh t it w l ike to be p sion tely in love

r a as as a
Co m between Geo ge d Wilbur became i

.
pa i r son s r an n
evita b l e .
George being o indisput bly a MAN Wilbu w s s a , r a
vi su li zed a MA CHI NE
a as
These thoughts perco l ted th ough her mind

.
he a r , as s
liste ed to Geo rge t lking bout the b ea king d bitting

n a a r an
o f co lt the la ooig f wild teer the e t ction f

s, ss n o s s, x ra o
honey f omocks a d tr ees d the t m

r r ing l o o f the
n an a a s
d mki
, , ,
wilde nes r ng it ubservient to the w nt d

s, a n a s a s an
need of the pionee

s r .
Th t w s it ! She wooped upon th t uth Geo rge

a a s e r
stoo d o ut mnum
.
e t lly th pioneeo Colossu b

n a as e r, a s e
loved by all Ca li fornian s He w s the gran d on o f . a s a
39
S pra ggs s Canyon ’
rea l pion eer a her o who h d c ossed the pl i s i a

, a r a n n
p r a i r e
i c h oo ne
s r co nqu e o r o f aw ld
i pla es r d wild c an
d r ed m
,
b ea sts an e wilde than either ! The blood o f

n r
m
,
p ionee s ranr too i

n H , el s vein,s H azr a t ’
n l gra nd . e er a
f ther ha d roun ded Ca pe Ho n i

a n th e ea rly fifties It r .
wa unh ppily t r ue tha t h ha d perished with his bo t

s a e o s
on i n a m ining ca m p h vi g been hot in drunken

, a n s a
brawl nevertheless the tinctu re o f hi wild blood co lored

, s
r ed ly the Goo d ich stra in Grandp Good rich ha d be n

r a e
a Wesley n m nister ; his so n r ised m

.
i a i llion s o f cherries a
a n d on e d ughte ! a r
Pr esently H zel found he self sa yi g

a r n
“
I should lo e to see you r hom v e M r Spragge , . .
Why ot ? Mothe would be ever so pleased to

“
n r
ha ve you As f or m e
He paused quite overcom

.
e by h i s feeli ngs Ha el z
m ur m u red dem
.
,
“
ur ely
Wha t would you do to to en ter tain m e? — ”
Geo rg a we ed p omptly :
e ns r r
I d put som
“ ’
e color into your cheeks Look ye her e if .
,
I ca fi things with Mo the would you pa y us a little

n x r,
vi sit
I m
“ — ight .
Geo rge s blue eyes spar kled

’
.
S p r a ggs s C anyon ’
B t he h d
u ho e t fie ti f o Geo ge Sp agge
a an n s a c on r r r ,
believing with V Horne th t the young fellow

, an , a
h d plenty o f ho r
a sen He wa prep r d lso se -
se . s a e , a ,
to hea r G o ge oundly bu i g ity w ye r d city fo lk

r a sn c a s an
Wh enever G rge tumd fromS Fr ncisco the

.
eo re c an a
country m ilk in himseem ed t h ve ured fter cont ct o a so a a
with the ennet o f the met op lis Geo ge would e p nd

r r o r x a
hi m
.
s ighty chest d inh le the dor o f hill d e an a o s an s a,
e cl im
x ing : Old S ck in t this fine ? G e ! I m b ut
a
“
o s, a
’
e
’
a o
petered t sick to m to m ch I m f ci y fo lk
—
ou
y t s a a o
Wh t ils eme h
, , , .
’
a a
Eve ything by ginger Uncl e Zed would reply The

“
r
ll first ; now it s th emti ki

, , .
ra ilroa d pl yed h uto ’ ’

a n -
s n a
mobiles ; t mor er it ll be flyi mchines S ick ? I m

o- r
’
n
’
a
’
h m in such di ty tim
.
as a ed o li g i ’
n es er n
’
on r
Such talk used to w mtheir imple he ts

.
ar s ar
m eme t d disgust G orge e med

.
T U cle Zed
’
o n s a az n an . e s e
to h ve ch nged In the fi t pl ce he w we ring hi

—
a a rs a as a s
blue se ge uit He looked dude ! He m

.
n ew r s ight h ve a a
bee m ist ken f o bl t t d sm mer

.
n a ug young drum r a a an an ,
bur ting with conceit d ig o nce To th st ge d i

s an n ra . e a r v
e
’
first query : Enjoyed y lf up th r with c th
r s
“
er se a s a
i g co
n upon the
s rntha r George eplied g ily : Fir t “
, r a
“
s
ra te
”
.
Mr Byles id nothing for h lf hour while George

sa a an
h m mcd t himself I w nt yo m honey yes I do

.
,
“ ”
u o a u, a
When the ld m
.
,
issi n town l y w ll behind them d

,
o o a e an
the r d to Aguil long d white i front Uncle Zed

oa a an n
g rowled throu g h his b i

g g rizzl d mu t che e s a
I ma
,
Fi ed up y u i ! L dy killin outfit too

“
x , o a r a
’
, , or
’
li ar
”
A l dy helped m to fi up Uncle
.
“
a e x ,
.
4a
M r s S pra gge B ecomes U neasy
.
I knew it ! Messi abo ut with city md m! So ft n

’
a a a
sn p you w I reckon Pi ked lemon she did

a a s, c a .
I h d t ha ve my picture t ken with the bird It s

.
,
“ ’
a o a .
dea d old m , an .
”
I a in t surprised Died 0 g ief fter seciu you in

“ ’ ’
r a
’
N thi g you ll be t llin m

.
these yere duds e i s tha t

’ ’ ’
ex n e
m
.
y e r
a rried to city gi rl a
”
Why not ? dem

.
a nded Geo ge boldly I a in t g ing

“ ” ’
r . o
to ba ch i t for ver an d e er S F n i sco is full 0 ’

e v . an ra c
pretty girls the d isiest crowd a d I ve so ter fi ed it up

, a , n
’
r x
to b ing the da i si est o the lot dow n here See ’

r
a blam
.
Y
“
er ed fool I see tha t pla in enough . .
Geo rge la ughed

Why should t I pick a d choose am
.
“
ong the best in
n
’
n
the la nd I ve picked pea h perfect la dy

.
’
a c , a .
”
Is she like yer M w ?

“
a
”
Geo ge s id h stily
r a a
Not e ctly
“
xa
”
I reckon yer m a w to be a s nea pe r fecti on as a wo m

.
an r
kin be And I give you credit for picki a nother jest

. n
’
like her if sech nother could be found I llowed tha t

, a . a
sech nother couldn t be fou d i a y doggo ed city ’

a n n n n .
Allers I ve m istr usted appea ra nces in womenfolk d

’
an
h rses Pretty is sh ? Whitey f ce a d a pi dli

o .
, e a , n s n n
’
figure ! Peek boo shirtwa ist I ll bet ! Highf luti

-
a -
’
a n
’
mnners d mighty cleve a d slick a a t lke but a

,
a an r n s a r,
dm a n fool round w shtub o a st ve la a a r o

”
George laughed g in but he was impressed an d per a a
It occurred to h imtha t his mther m

,
tu bed
r ight reason o
bly k f i formtion in r eg rd to H zel s domestic

.
’
a as or n a a a
qu lifica tion s Suppose tha t H zel was a dam fool

a . a n
a r ound a sto ve ? Wha t o f it ! She wa s cleve r enough to
43
S pra ggs s C anyon ’
lea rn It wou ld be privilege for his mo th r t tea ch

. a e o
her He b ga n to be gry with hi old friend aying

. e an s , s
“
A girl be pretty g ood a
ca nble to ta ke a an
’
, n
’
a b o lt
d run a house a di to Hoyle l
’ ”
an cco r n
S m s t r ue to tha t b nd
“ ”
a thy i
a n ra .
Sa m thy an
I ller s tho ught tha t S m thy d you h d fi ed

a a an an a x
it up to git mrried som e d y She s just ight Y u

a a
’
r o r
maw ha t a i d her t be yer wife We ve ll know it

. .
’
s r ne o a n
It mke m d tha t yo u ha dn t the gum

. .
e ti
a s ption to kn o w
re
’
it Now yer go in hom e to b e k two ho est hea rts a d ’

r a n n
y u d like m e to sa y tha t yer a sm a r t yo ung m

.
, ,
o
’
a Wal n
Geo ge what I think o f you I ll j est keep to m

.
,
r , y elf ’
s .
Al o I ouldn t ho pe to do the subjee justice Since I

s c
’ ’
com
, .
e dow to d i i two i ste d o f ix I ve lo t the gift

n r v n
’
n a s
’
s
0 langua ge
’
But do t you ask m e to dr ive n o city n
’
ma dam to Sp agge C nyo

.
’ ”
s r s a n .
At Agu ila G orge descended fromthe stage d e an
cha nged into hi old cloth es not f getting th white ilk

s , or e s
h ndkerchief rou d his neck The he bo r wed ddle

a n . n ro a sa
ho e to ride over to the C nyon As he de h pondered

rs a . ro e
i his h
n t wh t M Byle h d s id Before le ving
ea r a r s a a a
he told the old m th t nothing w ettled A y ung

. .
an a as s o
la dy might o m igh t not come

.
,
vi sito t Sp gge
r , as a r o ra
’
s
C ny n Th t w ll Uncle Z d replied t rtly And

a o a as a e a
“
but he h d prom
. . ,
quite en ugh t o is d to ke p his

oo ,
”
a e e
mouth shut Geo rge felt that y gossip bout H el

,
an a az
would be bom
.
na ble
i a .
44
M rs S p r a gge B eco mes Uneasy
.
This news a bout S m tha wa up tti g T h m or e a an s se n e
It hit hima s he
.
so b ec use h a wa s sure o f i t t ut h e s r
wou ld h ve e p ess d it ba g i th eye ! Samntha ha d

, .
,
a x r e n n e a
b en tr in d by h is m
,
e a o ther te be ome his wife And o c .
e e ybo dy knew i
v r t This fully a ounted f or what his cc
mother had id when they stood together by his fa ther s

.
’
sa
gr a ve .
He felt ng y with h b eca use she h d n ot spoken out

a r er a
p l
a inly If .h e ha d He a sw reds this qu estio n e n
hon tly es I f she h d told ll the t uth b e p b bly

. a a r , , ro a ,
wou ld h e stepped into li e T he ho rse sen se o f such

“ ”
av n
ppe led to him

.
a p o po itio
r s n a a .
No w i t w t, l te H el ha d r ise a bove his ho i

as oo a . az n r
zo n,filli g the future with light an d sweet ess Wha t

n n .
a d rling ! As he a pp o ched the hom

a e tea d hi eyes r a s s
be m ea e kee er H e swept the ski nes looking f o r tu key r
bu a rds whose presence might i dia te a ca lf o colt

.
,
zz n e r
ca t i sa n e gu lch T he grimscave ge s were n ot i

,
s n . n r n
He d rew r ein upon the top of the gra de which de

scen ded sh rply into the Ca yon The r a nch ha d doubled
a n
in a lue at the pr ecie m om

.
v ent when it d wn ed upo n s a
himth t H zel liked himth t she might l rn to lo e

a a a ea v
mthat he by guml was ma enough to m

,
hi ake her lo ve n
m The Ca nyon beca me sa cro an t beca use it m

, ,
hi i
g ht b e s c
her hom
.
e .
He flung his r ight leg o e the ho of the sa ddle an d v r rn ,
slid to the g round Th he tightened the cin ch f o a . en , r
steep p th short cut downhill l d t

a the co r al A
a -
e o r
eek of blue smoke rose fromthe kitche chimney In

, , .
r n
the cor l we e the cows Samntha w milking He

.
ra r a as
could see her faded sun bonnet His m

. .
o ther wa coo ki ng . s
45
’
supper something e tr nice for a tir ed tr veler Geo rge

, x a a
sighed whistled d tried to suck comfort fromthe

.
an
f mili r fromch ildhood but w m

, ,
sce ery n so a a king

a no a
st nge a ppe l to a m bout to resum

, ,
ra a e new responsi an a
bi liti The sea f g w s rolling i fromthe ocea n

es . o a n ,
driven by the tr de wind T he l nd breeze which h d a a a
kept the f g at ba y during the d y tim

.
,
o e h d dr pped a -
, a o .
The sun d clining into the s still shone str ngly

, e ea , o , ex
tr cting subtly the odors o f herbs d flowers Up n

a an . o
the hills the ca ttle were g ing quietly The c ick ts az r e
were sh illing i the g ss ; fr mthe smll mrsh ne r

.
r n ra o a a a
the sand dunes a t the mouth o f the C nyon sw lled th a e e
chorus f th frogs singing vesper s And fromth

o e . e
northern he dl nd now hidden by f g boomed the so l

,
a a o
em w a rning note o f a whistling buoy

, ,
u .
Men like George Spr gge e not bles sed or cursed a ar
with too much imgin tion This young fellow to whom a a .

,
pa in d sorrow d poverty were str ngers ha d lw y

an an a , a a s
a ccepted h i environment a being u a lie bly his He

s s n na
h d lived joyously a d sim

.
a ply in the prese t w ndering n n ,

a
a t r re interv ls i to the p st
a He h d never t ken i to
a n a . a a n
a cco unt the feelings d sensibiliti

es o f others lthough it an a
must ot be inferred that he w s lfish o r he rtl ss Hith

,
n as e a e
erto the appea r nce of his mothe d S mnth w a

.
a r an a a a s
n o t likely to e cite a n iety When neighbors a sked the

x x .
usu l question :
a
W l Ge rge h ow s the folks he could reply with

“
a , o ,
’
convicti : on
Fine l
“ ”
Now the b rbed sh ft of Uncle Zed Byles h d tr s

a a a an
fi d his honest h rt He gro n d loud wh he

xe ea a e a en re
fl ected th at S am ma d
.
a nth had been tra ined for h i a , n
46
M r s S pra gge B ecomes Un easy.
that he h d never known it Why in thunder could t

a n
’
women t m did ? Why pl y possum?

.
ac as en a
In this mood h lf resentful ha lf sor owful he de ,

a ,
r ,
scended the st ep slope d pp r o ched the corr l S e an a a a a
manth s w himbut we t o milking Cows must be

.
a a n n
st ipped Geo rge put his horse into the ba rn d came

, .
r .
, an
ba ck to her She tur ed a pink comely che k t r eceive n c o
th e cu tomry kiss
.
,
s S q u i i g i
anw a rdly Geor g e s lute d . rrn n ,
a
hi s cou sin a d sked perfunctorily ho w she far ed

n a Sa
manth ma de the ut a d dried eply
.
,
a c -
n -
r
First te
“
ra .
The bird s d d a id Geo ge ’

ea s r
You go t you m oney for him?

.
,
“ ”
r
Yep
“
Samntha gla nced at he m

.
a ilk pa il a d a ppro ched eu r n a
o the cow Geo rge strolled into the kitchen wher e the
r
f a g nce o f bea ns a d ba con g eeted himpleasa ntly

.
,
r ra n r .
He wondered however whethe be ns a d ba con as a , , r a n
r egu la r diet w uld gree w th

i H a zel G o odrich o And he a .
cou ld o t help co tr sting his stout m

n othe with the n a r
g oo d unt a a ttenu a ted spin ster with sm a ll

n delic
a a te
han ds m o e ccustom
, ,
ed to fancy sewing than plain cook

r a
kissed his moth r d t down Obviously th i

He e an sa s
omnt for full confession but the w ys o

,
wa not the m
.
s e a s
to pea k m
, ,
s ight be so ped He s id c relessly :

,
a . a a
H d a nice trip
“ ”
a
h m u m
.
M Sp gge nodded
rs . u r ed
ra , as s e r
Mighty gl d to get b k I reckon ?

“
a ac ,
”
m
T h bird s de d
“ ’
e a
He pulled o t of his pocket a m uch cr um e d copy o f

.
the San F ran i sco Ch onicle c r .

S pra ggs s Ca nyon ’
pictu re he rem k d h ding it t hi mother

My , ar e ,
an o s .
M rs Spragge wiped her h nds d then put o h spe

. a an n er c
t l s She gl n ed with p ide t the picture

ae e . d the a c r a
“
,
”
an n
re d very deliber tely the shor t e pla natory notice

a , a x .
You ve bin ph to g aphed in new suit 0 cloth es

“ ’
o r a
’
George
Yep M rs V Horne fi ed me up The ph tog a ph
“
an x o r
fromwhich th t wa s d e is bei f md f you —

. . .
’ ”
a on n ra e or
fo S m
.
G t a e tr o a thy m
“
o n y x a ne r a n so n
She looked t himke nly Geo g e was

,
iou o f a e . r con sc s
a blush he a nswe ed h stily as r a
Nope
“ ”
He divined th t his mther w s p rring for o pen

.
a o a s a an
i g They eyed e ch other contem

n pl tively The slightly a a
bovine e p ressio o f the wom

. .
a n was reflected u po
x he n n r
son s fa ce
’
She ki h ve m
.
“
ine n a .
”
“
Why
Oh beca u se
—
“
,
Bec se wh t
“
an a
The child in t g
“
a
’
ot a pi tu re
c of you It would just
ha e mine f am
.
ckle her to death

ti . Ya s, she ki
n v e , r
a ll
’
an .
I tell you I got it f o r you Ain t you got th fi r st

“
.
’
e
ca ll o it n
The defi nce i his to ne w a o t w a t d M s Spragge

a n s n s e . r .
went b ck to her stove in im a p essive sile ce r n
Wh t yo u mea mther
.
“
a n, o
I think replied Mrs S p agge with

“ ”
iction th t r , con v a
m
.
, ,
yo u well k ow wh t I n n a ea .
”
G o ge f ow ed h left the kit he une ily se ible

e r r n as e c n, a s ns
first hom e had become of sudden less sweet a n d that a ,
48
’
It su prised m co tinu d G orge Her f ther

r e, n e e . a
ra ised cherri s a d thi d ughter N 0 s s Miss

e , n s on e a . on .
Go od rich is well fi ed
”
x .
Where did you me t her

“
sk d the moth r e a e e
It w mighty e sy to g t qu int d
.
O c ble
n a a ca r . as a e ac a e
with her N frills you underst d ! Just p rfect l dy

. o , an a e a ,
fi ely educa ted d pr tty p inted w gon ! ”

n an e as a a a
Every word every inflection s nk d p i to the m , i ds ,

a ee n n
o f th ose two listeners S manth s needles click d more a a

’
e
ftly Mrs Sp ragge nodded h mssive he d

.
swi . . er a a .
Pretty but pe ky f ced c nti ued George

“
I a -
a o n
sh owed her m m
, , .
y condo d she a sk d to c l l round r, an e e a a .
I did o She lives with her untie spindling old h

s a a en
n t m
,
uch o n the ca ckle I t lked some bout the r nch

.
o . a a a .
M is s Goodrich wa ki d 0 interested La t r the V s n

’
. e an
Hornes told me how she w fi ed D y before y ter

,
as x a es
d y I told her he ddressed his m

.
a other th t you d be
”
a
“
a
’
mighty w ll ple sed t see her here

, ,
”
e a o
How did you know th t my o seci s the young

.
“ ’
a , s n, u a
l dy is
a str nger to ma e a
W l I llowed th t you d jest n tu r lly cotto to

“
— I did She ne ds bre th 0 fresh i the

’
a , a a a a n
h
’
er a s as e a a a r
wor t ki d Nerves bit out o wh ck ! I m li r if

.
’ ’
s n . a a a a
h didn t n rly ke l o v r t s i
s e
’
g ht 0 m
ea
y r tt l rs I d e e a
’
a e
’
like mighty w ll to h ve h down he e f

.
e sp ll if you a er r or a e ,
t wo f l like it
”
ee
S mnth s id quickly
.
—
a a a a
It s pr tty n m H z l Goodrich
“ ’
a e a e a e
M rb l t ps 1 murmur d Mrs Spr gge

.
”
a e s e e a
She mk fun of m
. .
They cut no i wi th h ce er . a es
’
e .
S h ll b h ppy
e
’
cl md wn h r W l there it is !
e a as a a o e e . a ,
I w uld t bri g no y u g l dy here unless it w ree

’
o n n
g o n a as a
5 0
M r s S pra gge B ecomes Uneasy
.
able to y tw It s up to y u to ay just wh t you

ou o .
’
o s a
think bout it a .
”
If you ve a sked her

“
l
’
—
I h t y t I imto g b ck to O kl nd to f tch
evn
’
e . a o a a a e
her if you f el like t t i i her e en er a n n

’ ”
But y u ll do th t s id S mntha
.
,
“ ’ ”
o a a a a
I ll try Is it O K moth r ?
.
,
“ ’ ”
. . .
, e
Mrs Spr gge hesita t d but only for inst nt Then

. a e , an a .
she s id stiffly : a
We ll do our b est my o We re rough folks livi

“ ’
, s n .
’
, n
’
o a rough r nch
n Our w ys not city w ys I f r
a a are a ea
m Miss G odrich may find Sp gg C nyon bit d ll

. .
’ ”
e o ra e s a a u
Nev r affirmd Geo rge Dull ? Aft r O kl nd ?

.
“ ” “
e e e a a
Not much !
.
,
He burst out l ughing W there m womn or a . as a an , a ,
child in ll the wide world wh could pronounce Sp gge

a o ra
’
s
C nyon dull ?
a
Two d ys l ter George mount d the mrble t ps o f

a a e a s e
the Goodrich residence with b m ing f ce d h art ea a an a e
bursting with hope His mother d S mnth h d an a a a a
— —
he e p r ed it mking thing e sy
.
been re l goo d a as x ess a s a
inste d of h rd e ch f rtile in sugg stion co r ing

a a a e e n ce n
the comfo t of unwelcom gu t It is tru no the

,
r an e es . e, ne
l ss th t there h d b n a und rst nding betw th m

e a a ee n e a een e .
Beneath the eld r womn s bovine pl cidity l y rich

,
’
e a a a a
ve in of common s th pr cious h rit g of th w ive en se, e e e a e e s
an d d ugh ters f th pi n rs
a L ng ft r G org h d
o e o ee . o a e e e a
go ne to sle p t h se tw f i thfulecr tur

,
s t t l ki ge d o a ea e sa a n an
thinking d if th re w l s t lk th n sophi t i t d
an e as es a a s ca e
folk m
, ,
ight h ve re son b ly indul ged i

a the cu t o f a a n, r r en
SI
Sp r a g ge s C anyon
’
thought below ra deep r d stronger M s Spr gge n e an r . a
broke the ice by remrking solemnly

.
I w nt her to come S m thy We m

“
a ust be e t y , a an . x r
n ice but l
”
S mnth nodded with a f int smile about the corner s

,
a a a a
o f her muth M s Spr gge continued :

o . r . a
If she a in t the right kind de rie she ll give herself

“ ’
, a ,
’
a w y i little things It ll be o u business to see th t ’

a n r a
m
.
h does give hers lf w y de d a way befo re h i

”
s e e a a , a , .
S mntha sa id hesit tingly :

a a a
M ybe she is the right kind

“
a .
Not she
—
.
But if she should be

T in t possible Wa l you know wh t I wish
’
a
’
P a
”
Ple se do t m urmured S mntha

.
,
’ ”
a n a a
Like to like is my m
, .
“
otter sa id Mrs Spr gge trench , a
Ne er did hold with c r ossin breeds I mind

.
“
tly
’
an v
m when George mi ed up ou dish f ced Berkshires

. .
e x r -
a
with themPol nd Chin hogs N0 good never come 0 a a .

’
th ta S k l wh t a di a fi e t world this would be if

es a er n
mo thers hed the right to ch ose their sons wives

.
’
o
S mnth sighed She h d e so to know th t Geo rge

.
a a a a r a n a
m
.
p ossessed will nea rly s astron g his other s And a as

’
love for this unknown qua ntity w e uding frome ery

.
as x v
p ore of his s kin T h m w ho co uld sc a le fl

li to p e an c
‘
s ca
ture young condo rs would surely le p fromobsta cle to

.
obsta cle in pursuit f a perfect la dy ! o
Th ere s another th ing s id Mrs Sp gg fter a

“ ’ ”
a . ra e, a
c res f or him
,
lengthy p use we don t k ow “

sh
’
a n as e a .
M ybe this mea ns nothi g more th a bit of spree

,
a n an a
W ild honey my sour her O t I took a notion m

.
a yself . nc
to h ve a so r t 0 bust in the city

’
a .
5 2
M r s S pra gge B ecomes Une asy
.
You
Yes m child Tis wom, an s e,ature to c ve most ’ ’
n ra
for wh t i t e sy to git I w mrried too But Mr

.
’
a a n a . as a , . .
Spr gge humor d m He d sense enough not to l ugh

a e e
’
a
t m e outside but inside he m

.
a ust hev be n plitti hi ,

e s n
’
s
sides Anyw ys he llowed th t I w nted ch nge d a a a a a a an
he s id we d ha ve good time in the city He s id if

.
, ,
’
a a . a
I wanted to w ller in ple sure he d sta nd in We went a a

’
up by stea m
.
,
e There w n t o ilro d I sta rted in r a

’ ’
n ra a
by bein te bl se sick but I wouldn t let o to him

. .
’ ’ ’
rr e a n
th t I w n t e j yi m
,
a yself When we got to the city

a
’ ’
n o n
’
we let our selves rip M Sp gge w m

.
ighty cle e r ra as v r.
He mde me see everything d d everything d a t

. .
a , an o , an
everything Gra cious ! we went to bed founde ed eve y

. r r
night ! At the end 0 four d ys I sa id I h d enough but ’

a e
he wouldn t listen to th t He kep o a d o till m

,
’ ’
y a n n n
hea d wa splitti a d eve y bone in m

.
s y body hin n
’
n r ac
’
Fina lly I got re l md a d I told himI w g in ba ck

.
’
a a n as o
hom
,
e alone .
”
He kicked at th t I reckon
“
a , .
N ot b e I t ll you child Mr Spragge wa s b i ny e ra
o com mon m He l t m thi k th t city life was

.
, , .
n an . e e n a
gi tti a b
n lt o f
’
h m
i He llowed
o th t he d t a sted blood a a
’
thi ti for m ore I d ssent le ve him lone

.
dw
’
an as rs n . a a a , so
I put in nother fou days the w f ul t I ever spent in

—
a r a es
my life Then we come home together an d st yed ther e

,
It s bi m
. .
’
ighty sweet ev r since
n e
”
Ag in S mnth nodded
.
a a a a
she murmured tenta tively th t comin

.
You think
“ ” '
a
he e my work th t w y with Miss Goodrich ?

, ,
”
r a a -
a -
a
I hope it will s id Mrs Spr gge

“ ”
a . a
George of course scended the mrble steps in bliss

.
,
, , a a
53
’
ful uncon ciou snes of these womn s wiles Indeed he

s s e
’
.
e to the pl s t conviction th t his mother w

,
h d com
a ea a n a as
y r i g to em
ea n n b ce Miss Go odrich with p ssion nea rly ra a a
as mst rful his own The spa re roomw b ing

a e as . as e
prep red for his futu re wife chickens were penn d d

a ,
e an
being f tted Roses would be flung before the prettiest

a .
f eet i C lifor i
n a n a
H z l r ceived himca lmly

.
a e e
T h young m e clai med e citedly

.
e . an x x
I ve fi ed things
“ ’
x .
Fi d things Mr Spr gge

xe a
At the r nch M ther would like you to com

.
,
a e to us . o
first r te d she hopes you ll st y long you ’

a , an a a on s as
ca tick it There s s ddle horse for you single

n s .
’
a a -
, a
footer d I ve bought a new h i mttress for th sp re

, an
’
a r a e a
bed Wh t s the mtter with star ting out to m

a
’
or row a -
I see ; y u ve been hom e o

’
.
”
Wherev r else did y u think I d bee ’
I—
e o n
wondered .
”
Her eyes softened sweetly f o the dust o f tr vel lay , r a
u po the blue se ge suit Obviou sly he had gone d

n r .
, an
r etu n d swiftly possible

r e as as .
“
H w f s you
i
o r nch fromthe ra ilro d ?
ar r a a
”
Twenty m iles d m ore an .

”
Oh ! Th nk you a
How s th t ? ’
a
”
You h ve t ken a journey o f nea rly fou hundred

a a r
mil s by train a d driven forty miles to mke prep ra

e n , a a
tions for visitor who ha not prom ised to com

,
a e to s
y o u ?
His f ce fell Ve y ruefully he m
a uttered
. r
54
M r s S pra gge B ecomes Uneasy
.
Th under d M rs ! It in t possible th t you ll let an a a

’
a
’
me down by t coming ? no
”
Sh l ughed softly e a
T ell m ple se why you took it f o r gra nted that I

.
“
e, a
wou ld com
,
e
You sa id you m
“
ight ! Don t y u like m ’
o e
Ye
Cl
es
Didn t we cotto to e ch other t the d p 0 th

“ ’
n a a ro
’
e
fl g ? I ne er did doubt th t y u wou ld com

a v e provided a o
0 course th t I could fi things up with the w m

, ,
’
, a enfolks x o .
We re going to ha ve H
’
I hould y sta r a s sa , a
sp ngled pic ic togethe We re goin fi hi ; we re ’ ’ ’ ’

a n r . a -
s n
a g in ridin into the hills d yo u ll g t the m ell 0 t

’ ’ ’ ’
-
o , an e s ar
weed d s ge d wild lil c int you blood We re

an a an a o r .
’
a go in li in m bo t I ll le r to steer H
’ ’ ’
i
’ ’
-
y asa n y u t . a n o . av n
y u
o ever w nted to d thing ? Ain
a t you fed up wit h o s
’
frills ? C you brea the deep d good in O kl nd ?

an an a a
”
H zel sta red h rd into his e g f ce flushed by he lth

a a a er a , a
a d e th usi
n m Wilbur P Stocker never t lk d like
n as . . a e
this O ce gain tho e enticing little thrill cha ed e ch

. n a s s s a
o th er up a d d w her spin l colum

n n She a wered
o n a . ns
tr uthfully but with dor ble hesita tion

, an a a
I don t k ow th t I h ve ever bre thed deep d

“ ’
n a a a an
go o d .
I ll le rn y u t d it The e
“ ’
a tretch 0 bunch
o o o . r
’
s a s
’
g ra ss in b c k p stu re ni
o ur g h upo n a m ile
a in leng th a , ,
a nice gentle lope We ll g llop togethe up th t with ’
, s . a r a
ut d a w i rein At the top 0 the slope y see the

’ ’
o r n . o u ca n
oce n t t h i everl
a tingly T other side lies the Co st
s re c n
’
as .
’
a
Ran ge a d the pi nes d r dwoods You ll be st ndi ’ ’

n an e a n
with m e between the m

.
,
o unt ins d the And you ll a an sea .

’
55
S p r a g ge s C anyon ’
th i deep d good And I ll b looki g t y

’
b e b r ea
’
n an e n a ou
by G d ! y u ll be just th ee times be utiful

.
a n d,
’
o o r as a as
y o u a r e n o w
voice trem
.
H is bled an d b roke Then sh e whispe edr
I ll com
.
“ ’
e .
”
Sp r a gge s C an yon
’
seem ed to be le ping through sp ce a d f lling into b t

a a n a o
t m l bysses She could he r G rge s voic sp king ’

o ess a . a eo e, ea
quietly to his horses She wond r d v gu ly h w he e e a e o
mn ged to spea k so qui tly for he must be terrified

.
a a e , ,
too
N sty turn com
.
“
a in sa id George You h ng on to
a - a
m
.
e .
She obeyed gripping himdesper tely They re ched a a
the bo ttom f the hill with cr sh which unhooked a

.
,
o a a
tr ce d c a cked the po le of th w gon George l ughed

a an r e a . a
a he jumped down to look at his ge r

s a .
Close c ll he remrk d but you w sn t sc red ?

“
a , a e ,
“
a
’
a
H zel l ughed It w
a a the tip of h tongue to ex . a s on er
Why I w sca red to de th !

, as a
The e pression upo n George s f ce ga ve her p use

x
’
a a .
She re lized that he w st ring t h with u mi

a as a a er an n s
t kable look in his eyes a look th t w uld v nish if she

a ,
a o a
told the tr uth T o her oth r be u she would have con

. e a x
fessed honestly sensible that such a confession fromso

,
pr etty d f gile a girl would rouse symp thy Per

an ra a a .
h ps these more sophistic ted speci mens of mnhoo d

a a a
would have l ughed to scorn y affirmtion o f cour ge

a an a a ,
stigmtizing it swagger And deep down in her he rt

a as . a
w as the conviction tha t this m so di ff erent fromthe an ,
others did ega rd h

, a we k fem
r inine creatur one er a s a , e,
to be protected d lov d but inferior to the m a le in

an e ,
those essentil qu liti s which a msculin She a e are a e .
g l m
i psed a i mmen e oppo rtu
n nity of i mpressin g Geo g e s r ,
an d d re we bl m
a e her for s izing it ? There is sup rb
a e a e
h l tm i bout som
c ar an e Americ n young women the
re r e a a ,
5 8
First Impressions of Sp r a g ge s Canyon ’
inordin te desire to ppea bette

a d cleve e d a r r an r r an
st onger th n they e lly

r a r a ar e .
She l ugh d g in with g nuine mi th

a e a a e r .
“
Y u w not c red ? r pe ted George
o as s a
”
e a .
She s lved h conscie ce with

a ev ive eply er n an as r
“
Why h ould I be ? she sked weetly
s
”
a s
He w e ch nted The subtle compliment t himelf

.
as n a o s
per ol t d to his mrrow He e cla imed enthusi tic lly

.
c a e a . x as a
“
Ge ! Y u e little wonder ! And you h d sense
o are a a
enough t cl w my w ist not my a m Th t puts the

o a a , r . a
lid on ! Well we h ll be i good hape agai in two

, s a n s n
”
j fi
i s
H el w tched him t work a dm

.
az a ring his de te ity

i a , x r
in repa iring without dequ te tools the d mge wrought a a a a
by tha t swift descent He twist d a whipping of cord . e
a bo ut the cr cked pole a d rea dju sted th e br ke

a The ,
n a . n
he turned to his pa ssenge r .
T o mHollowa y went ov r tha t turn with a four h orse

“
-
e
tea m d a loa d o f ba rley

an .
”
“
Wh t h ppened a a
Three horses killed a d the wagon sm ashed to fl i

n n
ders T mjumped He broke his leg i two pl ces

. o . n a .
Ther e s ba rley p outi down there now You look

’
s r n
’
. .
”
H zel looked d shuddered Fo r an insta nt she had a

a an .
vision o f he self i a c sket lined with white sa tin

r n a .
Wilbur P Stocker in a bl with fa ce ge t a d eyes

. s e, ar n ,
n
g t
a es, w a l ying white flowers s up
a o n the c sket Friend s a .
would t be invited to view the rem

no a ins beca use ot “ ”
n
more th n fifty per cent h d been collected !

,
a a
We m ight bo th be dea d she m urm

.
“
u r ed ,
”
.
Spragges a i n t ea sy killed said Geo rge cheerfully

’
,
”
.
S9
’
He looked t H z l now pink with a di ff used sense o f

a a e ,
g r
a titud d sa id once
e, a n m ore :
“
Be ts myou w sn t sc red Never scre m
a e ed ! Never
a
’
a a
t tight an d mde go od ! I m
.
sa id a word ! Just ust sa a
tell Zed Byles about this .
Who is Zed Byles

Uncle Zed used to drive a i ho se st ge He in t sx -
r a a
’
m
.
go t no use for city M d s If he d seen you just o w a a

’
n
sm
.
iling at Dea th he d a llow th t the dri ks wer e on ’

a n
hun .
“
Would he ? H ave you been ta lking t Mr Byles o
a bo ut m
.
—
e?
If you ain t cute l

’
H ve you ?
a
Ge orge w sitti
ng beside her d th horses were
as an e
slowly a scending ea sy gra de an .
“
Yes I hev , .
”
Hazel frowned
Do you t lk bout m e to m
.
“
e
a like th t ?
a n a
”
I t lk about you d think about you a d dre m

a , an ,
n a
a bout you You re the da ii t girl I ev r st uck d I

’
. s es e r , an
don t c re a contin nt l who knows it

’
a e a .
”
H z l s l ugh w s d lightful but she s id gr vely

a e
’
a a e , a a
enough I e pect you ve a rous d e pect tions which

“
x
’
e x a
wo t be s tisfied
n
’
a .
G orge did not r ply At the top o f the ne t hill a

e e x
fine p nor mic view f the Aguil R ncho cited H z l s

.
’
a a o a a ex a e
enthusi sm She pointed t the a nci nt dobe d ked

a . o e a an as
ea gerly
“
Is t h t your house ?
a
”
George l k d slightly sto ished Obviously H z l

oo e a n . a e
ha d no s nse of di t nce e s a .
60
First Impressions of Sp r a g ge s C anyon ’
we v not come more n h lf w y y t Th t s

Why ,
’
e
’
a a e . a
’
a n old Sp ni h gr nt It b l ng d to D Ju n Aguil
a s a e o e on a a
A rich New York r ow s it He sked m to run it

. .
e n . a e .
Twe ty th us nd a cres
n o a
Why didn t you

“ ’
The sh rpn ss of her tone ch llenged his ttention

a e a a .
Perh ps t th t moment he s nsed the business instinct

a a a e ,
ch ra cter istic o f Wester young women

a n
He an swered sl wly : I hev m

.
y o w r nch o
“
n a .
I s it this
“ ”
big ?as as
Gee ! Three hundred an d twe ty a cres That s a ll n .

’
,
d quite enough t
”
an oo
Quite smll anch

.
,
“
a a r
m m
.
Bi g enoug h f m e A s sh e r e a ined conte

or pl ”
a
nued : And I mm
.
ti ly silent he cont i bo s Hit “ ’

ve y o wn s .
miss th t s everyt hing everything

,
’ ”
or a
Strong feeling lent em

.
, ,
pha sis to the words H zel said . a
g e tlyn
I suppose a m
“
an m ust do some dis gr eeable things a
if he wishes to climb high I h ve a fri nd Mr Stocker . a e , .

,
f Stock r s L nding He own s S to cker s La nding but

’ ’
o e a ,
he s mn ging director o f nother big business He is

.
’
a a a .
serving h i own interests which a r e l rge by serving

s , a ,
others ”
She pick d her words daintily a s b ca me mid wh

.
e , e a a o
in her time h d belonged to a Browning Soci ty a d a e n
other a ssoci ti ons more or less identifi d with s lf im

,
a e e -
prov mnt George listened r spectfully w d ring

e e . e , on e
wheth r h t lk would impr ss his womnfolk

e er a high e e as
“
f lutin wonderi g lso with profounder i ter st

a ,
”
n a n e ,
wheth r she w t ying to te ch himthe Ma h w to

, ,
e as r a n, o
manage his own a ff a i s He sa id c isply

,
r . r
’
I in t built th t w y Sp gg Ca nyon li s over

a
’
a a ra e s
’
e
th r b yond th t ridge Fromthe pines you

.
a , e see u
a . ca n o r
house .
”
Unconsciously his voice soft n d the pronoun f ll e e as e
fromhis lips Haz l blush d Did he m it W . e e . ea n ? as
this son f the soil t king too much for gr nted ? O

o a a r
l s gre ble thought did h i mother own h lf i

es a ea -
s a a n
t t in thr e h undr d
er es d tw nty cr s G org point d
?
e e an e a e e e e
with his whip t the di t nt ridge crown d by three a s a , e
pin s Betw een Hazel d th e di t nt pin s l y the

e . an os s a e a
most be utiful portion of the Aguil R ncho r lli g pa

a a a , o n s
tures rich i f d w ll w t r d by cl r cre k upon

n ee , e a e e ea e s,
w hose ba nks syc m or s d cotton tr es spr d th ir a e an -

e ea e
sh de shelt ring f t be v s b th th ir h vy b a ch s
a , e a e e en ea e ea r n e .
She told hers lf th t she would lo to be qu n of this

e a ve ee
lordly r ncho to ent rt in f i nds within the

a , i nt e a r e anc e
ad b t dispense t h t l
o e, ish Sp ish h pit l ity whi h
o a av an os a c
h d b com
a e a gra cious tr dition i this be utif l south rn
e a n a u e
country this l nd of p rp tu l spring She gl ced t

, a e e a . an a
th me t her sid sizi g himup comp ring himwith

an a e,
“
n ,
”
a
the oth rs k enly co cious f his str ngth d b uty

e , e ns o e an ea ,
noting the th w s d sinews of a conqueror Obviou ly

e an . s ,
he l cked the push which di tingui hed Wilbur P

a
“ ”
s s .
Stocker lthough h could kill poor Wilbur with

, a e on e
h nd Th n she heard George s v ice clo e to he

a . e
’
o s r
ea r
“
Are you brea thi g d ep d good ?
Sa y ! n e an
”
W h ? At the word
as s e h inh led the oft w rm s s e a s , a
i f ling it p n tr ti g t h
a r, ee y he rt w ith btl e e a n o er v er a su e
infl u ce d s gg tio O kl d md f
en an w y u es n . a an see e ar a a ,
somthi g of d rk blot up th f h rizon Arc di

e n a a on e ar o . a a
62
First Impressions of Sp r a gge s C anyon ’
w asg reeting h biddin g her welco m e kiss n

i her
er ,
g h k , c ec
with its b guiling z phyrs ! e e
It s p rfe tly lov ly she dm

“ ’
e itted
c e ,
”
a .
W it till you the oce n

a see a .
Sh w it d in blissful silence Geo rge said nothing

e a e .
to disturb her thought Perh ps he divin d some f s . a e o
those thoughts ; perh ps he h d k own how tremendous a a n
the ppe l o f Arc di my b to th tir d dwell r in

a a a a a e e e e
cities The ro d being the pr perty f m illion i e

a o o a a r ,
free fromchuck hol

.
d re son bly s m
,
w as ooth of -
es an a a
surf ce aThe horses worked well into thei coll rs The

. r a .
buckbo rd t veled wiftly H zel closed h eyes her

a ra s a er as
he rt beg n to be t m
.
a ore quickly To wh t w he
a a . a as s
h st ning ?
a e
Look l e cl im
“
ed Geo rge
”
x a
ed his tones th pride of th m o f

.
T iumph inform
r ,
e e an
g re t posse
a sion s s
H zel op ned her eyes t behold th mjestic oce n No

.
a e o e a a
mist obscured its glory

.
f g
o or wind disturbed it no s
pla cid urf ce The im me sity of it seen from h ight

,
s a n a e ,
mde the girl ga sp

.
,
a .
Nothing b tw en u d J p n
“
id Geo ge but
e e s an a a , sa r ,
b lue w ter And it s m li t you

’
i
’
a s n a
She thrill d with his e citem ent ble f the mment

. .
e x , a or o
to sh re d und rst nd it Th re is cu ious v i

a an e a e a r e n
ent in m who l d primitive lives th trong

.
o f senti m en ea , e s er
bec use r r ly ind d do s it crop to rough surf ce

a a e ee e a a .
Tr pp rs miners fi hermen
, ,
a e , s tur t d with s nse s ar e a a e a e
ty w hich such m
,
o f b ea u inc p ble of e pr s ing en a re a a x e s
i word
n Und r str s of some ov rp w ring motio
s
. e e s e o e e n
th y my in h lti g phr
e a ,
tt m pt t co v y wh t th y
a n a se, a e o n e a e
f eel but such ttem

, pts end in stutter d silence Bet
a a an .
63
’
ter so tha the too glib periods of the ccom

n plished o a a r
to r !
In five m
“
inutes sa id Geo rge you ll have your first , ,
“ ’
squint t the C nyon

”
a a .
She k ew then th t the Ca nyon was a bigger thing t

n a o
himtha n the Pacific .
M rs Sp agge em b ced her wh n she descended o

r ra e c v
ered with fine white dust fromthe buckbo rd S m

.
,
a ntha a a
held o t her hand The w m

, .
u en took stock o f e ch other . o a
as they stood f o a inst nt upo n the fron t po r ch while

r n a
George drove his te mto the b rn

,
a a
Come right in s id Mrs Sp a gge geni lly You re

.
“ ” ’
a r a
most petered o ut I reckon Ai t themchuck holes

, . .
’
, . n -
a wful
It w shock en to young womn born bene th

as a , ev a a a
the St rs a d Strip s d r ea dy to a ffirm p ticul rly

a n e an ar a
foreig ers th t a ll Americ ns a e e lted above the

, ,
t
o n a a r xa
odious cl ss distinction s of eff ete kingdoms d em

,
a pires an .
Nev rtheless being young d at the end f a t dious

e , an o e
journey she so to sp k shut both eyes d plunged ea an
m
, , ,
ga ll ntly
a i to dvent u ren the ore e citin g
an bec use a x a
it w o ther th n wh t sh h d d med it t be She

,
as a a e a ee o .
he rd h hostess s ying : This is the p rlor We sh l l

a er a
“
a a
t supper in h re see m we ve om
.
ea p y The e
g uest ,
’
c
’
n .
ch mber i upst irs

a s a
H z l smil d sw tly The three scended a wood n

.
a e e ee a e ,
n rrow st irc se d ent red a roomwhich smlt f intly

.
a a a , an e e a
of pplas e
We k p ur Newtow a Winter Pe rmins i

.
“ ’ ’
e o ns n a a n
64
Sp r a gge s C an yon
’
Yes,I sew a the well r r
pert s id S mnth solem

.
You
’
r r e a n ex nly Hazel ,
”
a a a a .
,
for the second time th t day e lized th t she w p a , r a a as a
pr ec ia te d She gu ssed th a t this l rg e ca p ble

e silent a a
young wom a n could do a lm

.
, ,
ost anything with h r ha nds e
e cept fine needlework

x .
An e pert ? Oh o I could e sily teach you

“
x , n . a .
Never ! Not i yea r 0 Sundays And if I owned n a

’
.
this she held up a nightgown I d put it aw y d look

” “ ’
a an
etimes mebbe I could t wea r it

,
t so m
,
”
at i
’
n
Ha el wa amused
. .
,
z s .
Why not ? I d like to give you tha t n ightie Take

“ ’
.
it an d wea r i t to night -
You e mighty kind but I ca n t a ccept it I would

.
,
“ ’ ’ "
r
m ng I ve got look che p an d com mon

.
,
a ke everyth i
’ ”
a .
Wha t no sense
“
n
It s how I feel
“ ’
.
Slowly the two gir ls looked a t ea ch other trying to ,
peer be e th the sur fa ce H a el beheld wh t she h d e

n a z a a x
m
.
p ect ed to find the co unt y cous n

i a
, th o ug ht ore co m ely r ,
tha n w s quite agreea ble but other wise negligible a a

a , s
r ia l
v S mntha beheld the city girl tra i ed i ll
a a
” “
n n a
rts th t ple se m rm
.
,
th e a a ed ca p a pie f o r conquest
a en , a - -
—
And she h d conquered irresistible cha rm
.
a er ! V li ntly a a
S mantha f ced the inevitable telling hersel f th t the

a a a
victory was a lre dy wo by this d inty sm

,
a iling girl o n a s
wn m
, ,
sure o f hers lf so convinc d in her e , ind th t Miss e o a
H zel Goodrich wa s e ctly right

a xa
“ ”
H zel ccustomd to ha ving h r own way refused to

.
a a e e
ta ke S mntha seriously
, ,
a a
“ —
You must we r it to plea se m e I msu r e we re
a .
’ ’
g oin g to be g oo d friend s .
”
66
First I mpressions of Sp r a g ge s C anyon ’
She held out the g rme t twisting a n , a smll k ot ofa n
b by ribbon into pl ce
a -
a
No sa id Sam
.
a nth with fin lity

”
, a, a .
Alon e in her ow oomSamnth peer ed into a sm n r a ll a a
g l ass which hun g a bove the w shst a nd W h t she sa w a a
failed to pl ase f o she m

.
uttered vag ly
e , r sa e
H ys ed
“
a e
She at dow upon the edge o f the bed folding her

s n
h nds upon her l p Obj ts f mili r fromchildhood

,
a a ec a a
e ercis d a soothing i fluence This sm

.
x e a ll room ba re n .
,
o f lu u ries wa
x the girl s s nctu a y In it p ticula rly
s
’
a r ar
t night sh e b ec m e herself ; she chieved d tachment

.
, ,
a a a e
fromMrs Spragge d her msterful so And very

,
an a n
ra ely the e occu r ed illumi a ting m

.
oments wh n she g t
.
,
r , r r n e o
ou tside her worka d y self At uch times she ould a s c
ee this no m th a lm
.
s a l self wi ost unca nny cle ness ; she

r ar
beca me the derisive judge an d critic the looker ou who -
mrks every move in the game

,
Such mom ent cam e ow when she was about to mke

.
a n , a
he sim r ple prepa ra tions f the even ing me l In the or a .
top dr wer of the bure u l y a new shirtw a ist

a refully a a ca
desig ed to fi d f vor in Geo ge s sight B ne th it wa

n n a r
’
e a s
a n white skirt a d a som ewh t skim

.
a cle py s sh o f chea p
n a a
ribbon At the bottomo f the dra wer were und rthings

. e ,
stout d se vice ble o stout indeed th t th ey could defy

an r a , s a
a hur ica e when pinned upon

r n clothesline The o a r
di y tr de wind so S am
.
na r a a ntha efl ted would work r ec
ha voc with H a zel s flim sy cam

, ,
brics ’
She rose f romthe bed f rowning pulled open the

.
, ,
67
’
drawer d took fromit h r best things ey ing th m

an e , e e
with sup rl tive derision One e mgine the s me

i a . ca n a a
de ision upon the f ce of the Presid nt of a South Ameri

r a e
ca n r epublic when h eturns to his obsolete cruis r the e r e
pride o f a tiny navy a fter a visit to some moder b ttle

,
, n a
ship .
S mntha held up the shirtw ist noti g its cut n d

a a a , n a
the edging of ch ea p la ce upo n the sho rt sleeves

You silly idiot she murmured
.
“ ”
, .
The she w shed her h nds tidied her h ir d went

n a a , a , an
downst irs w lking into the kitchen with h chin cocked

a , a er
at defi nt a ngle Mrs Spr gge gl nced t her

a a . . a a a .
Ai t you going to fi up a y a sked the elder

“
n
’
x n
wom a n.
“ ”
N0
She s pretty Sa m a thy a d nice m —
.
a nne r ed a
’
n n -
n d I
m —
, , ,
ay well s y it I c n t h lp likin h
as a a
’
e
’
er
”
s id S m
.
N r ca I a nth She continued d liber

“ ”
o n a a a e
Th t s wh t she was m —
.
,
a tely : a de for to be liked d

“ ’
a a an
mde much o f And a s cleve with h r needle a with

a . r e s
her to gue
”
n .
Mrs Sp gge nodded but she sa id dolorously

—
ra
When I seen h r I s id to m yself it m

.
,
“
ight hev e , a
been worse .
At suppe H zel sp rkled Geo rge of cou r se told the

r a a .
, ,
tale of th t lose ca ll a c
She mde good he repe ted h lf dozen tim

.
“ ”
a , a a a es .
And this r petition produced its e ff ect H zel perc iv d

e a e e
th t Mrs Spr gge d S mntha were visibly impr s d

.
a . a an a a es e .
She gra sped th f ct th t cour ge is the ki g vi t of e a a a n -

r ue
those who dw ll in the wildernes s Hithe to s ch k wl

e r u no
edge h d come to her at second hand glea ned fromnews

.
a ,
68
First Impression s of Sp r a gge s C anyon ’
pa pers d books Also she h d wit enough to d pen

an a ee
pr s ion by ff ecting to mk light of it She

,
a fine i m
.
e s a a e .
silenced George with uplifted h nd the pretti st ha nd an a , e
ever seen in Sp gge C nyon ra

’
s a
ustn t ay nother word she com ma nded

.
Yo u m
“ ’
s a
f l my he d swelling
, .
Alr dy Iea ca n ee a .
”
Another surprise waited Mrs Sp gge a d S mnth a ra n a a a
H zel p ised the cooki g with discrimin tion d knowl

. .
a ra n a an
edge Wh er eupon Mrs Spr gge r mrked incredulously

. . a e a
Why ch ild you ca n t cook ?

“ ’ ”
Yes I ca she displ yed a dim

, ,
ple I wo the first

n,
”
a n
m
,
p ize at a h fi g dish competition I

,
r c a na ke a ll sorts
-
ca n
You m ust l t m
.
o f delicious things e show you wha t e
I ca do with you r cl ms
.
”
n a
Well I mjiggered sa id Geo rge Ne t thing you ll

.
“ ’ ” ’
, , . x
be t lling us is tha t you ca wash clothes

e n
”
do f ncy la undry work I get up m

.
I“
ca n a y o w n best .
things ”
George chuckled Uncle Zed Byles m

.
ust be told thi s

—
. .
Uncle Zed would h ve to set up th drink ! Uncle a e s ra r e
Zed would ha ve to haul down his flag H azel a sked de

m
.
u r ely :
Re lly d tr uly do you value his opinion ?

“
a an
”
He could handle a i ho r se tea mb tt m

,
’
y a n sx -
e er n an
on the roa d .
I see
“ ”
But she didn t Her vision of George h d become

.
’
a
blurr d Looking t him cr oss a n rrow t ble w like

.
e a a a a as
e m
.
xa ini g i mpressio i t pictur too clos to the eyes

n an n s e e .
But this in bility to see th m cl rly mr ly whett d

a e an ea e e e
her int rest d curio ity And the pur ly phy ic l t

e an s e s a a
tra ction g ew st onger He seemed to be h ndsom

.
r er
r . a ,
69
’
bigger m ore lert in hi w setting The u omf o

a s o n nc r
n sm
.
,
ta ble thought obtruded its lf th a t i uch a s he bulked e a
m
,
so l g e
ar in his o w ho e he w o uld necess ily shrink ar n
nto sm
,
i a lle r p opor ti
ons nywhere else r a .
All i all the fir st e e i g was a succes s

n v n n .
S he slept oundly tired fte slo g j ourney but , a r a n ,
woke e rly bei g disturbed by th e oth er She lipped

a ,
n s . s
o ut of bed put o dre ing gow n d t dow by

, n a ss -
, an sa n
the open window Below h ould h Mrs Spr gge s e c ea r a
mo ing bout th kitchen the pi e bo rd cre king b

.
.
,
v a e n a s a e
ne th her he vy weight ; S mnth w milking ; George

,
a a a a a as
h d ple ty to do in
a n d bo ut th b n And it h d an a e ar . a
been greed th t her bre kf t would not be e ved till

a a a as s r
eight o clo ck ’
.
H el lea ned h he d upo n h h nd d looked

az er a er a an
o ut f the wi dow She could see down the C nyon

o n . d a an
follow the cou se o f the creek till it re hed the sand

r ac
dune which fringed the oce n It babbled joyously

s a as
it esc ped from smll d mjust bove the berry p tch

.
a a a a a a ,
beco ming ile t when it e ched the tail o f the r pid

s n r a a ,
where the e wa a l rge p l Suddenly George p

r s a oo a
m
.
,
p e ared in ju per d over lls b rehe ded with sle ve

an a , a a , e s
rolled high bo ve the elbow H z l w bout to gr et

a a e as a e
m when h remrk d somethi g furtive bout his

.
hi s e a e n a
movements He went tip t tow rd the creek hiding

,
a -
oe a
him
.
,
s lf b hind the re ds d bush

e e Then he dropped e an es .
t the ground
o d b ga n t wri ggle noiselessly through
an e o
mome t she lost sight of h im But

,
the gr s F as or a n
pre tly his curly hea d ppe red He seem

. .
,
sen , ed to be a a .
70
First Impressions of Sp r a gge s Can yon ’
s ta i
r ng int th creek with his eyes clo e to the w ter
o e s a
Then there wa a quick mvem

.
He l y m
,
ao ti
o less n ent s o ,
triumph nt laugh d Georg spr ng to hi feet

.
a a an e a s
Som
.
,
ething glittered i hi ha nd n s .
Wh a t i it
“
ried H a zel
s c
He looked up to behold h ch rm ing face f m

.
ed be er a ra
tween two big pl it of h i a s a r .
A nice f at t out f you br eakfa st

“
r or r .
He held it up still w iggling , r .
H w e e did y u ca tch i
“
o v r t o
B ef or r eplying he killed the fi h by k ockin g its

e s n
he d g in t the heel o f his boot H el winced un

a a a s az ac
u tom
.
,
c s ed to eing things killed Geo rge ppro ched

se a a
Ther w d ps f water upon hi m i e fo rm

. .
e er e ro o s ss v r ea
which sp kled in the u ligh t

ar s n .
I tickled it Sleep well ?

“
.
"
Fi e How did you tickle it

“
n .
He e pla ined the procedu e at me le gth H el

x r so n az
m
.
gr as p ed th e e tia l
e prin i pl
ss ne T he tick le r u st k o w c . n
the ex act habita tio of the t ut who li with n e a d n ro es os n
eyes u p tr m T he h nd must glide into th w te

s ea a e a r
behind the fi h without mking ripple The tip f the

.
s a a s o
finger m
.
ust lip long the belly o f the trout And the»

s s a
t m m
.
i u t b s g a pe d
e fi ly r beh nd
is the gill s r .
G i u ! Could I d it
“
ra c o s o
Geo rge look d doubtful but he r e to the oppo tunity

e os r
o f p ying a mtuti n l complimnt

,
a a a e
I belie e you could do m t nything but tikli

.
“ ’
v os a ,
c n
t out need a lot 0 pr tice I ve been t it since I w

r s
’
ac .
’
a as
five yea rs ld I ll take thi in to mother But I ll come

o
’
s
’
b ck I ve got to pick ome fre h berrie f o y u

. .
’ ”
a s s s r o
H zel emin d t the window b sor bing deliciou ly

. .
a r a e a , a s
7 1
Sp r a gge s Can yon
’
the o dors o f the g rden he ring the hens clucking d a a an
t h sibil nt hiss of milk strea ming fromfull udders The

,
e a .
s kies were cloudless a d the delica tely poised le ves o f , n a
the cottonwoods hung m otionless w iting for the l nd , a a
breeze thei constant love A cock qu il bega n to call

, r r . a
f omthe ch p rr l
—
r a a a .
“
Ka h ka h ka h
- - -
a o
There w a nswering ca ll from gulch behind the

as n a a
house a d th en nother d another And everywhere

n a an
the bees seemed to be hum mi g H zel w a long ow

.
,
n . a sa r
o f hives a t the end o f th ber y p tch P esently her e r a r
beg n to register other d less fam

.
,
ea r a ili r sounds A an a
dist nt o ring with odd interm

.
a r a itten cies of silence ch l

, , a
lenged her ttention She decided th t this o ring w

a . a r a as
c used by the bre king o f big combers upon rocks The

a a
ring died w y m ore m

.
r oa elodiously to the left Ag in

a a a
she le pt to the right conclusion The om

.
a bers lowe . c r
do wn were bre king upon stretches o f wet brown s nd

a , a .
Du ing the intermittencies o f silence h could just

r s e
he r the m
a ournful m ewing o f the gulls ; a d her eyes n
co uld d etect the fl sh o f thei white wings a s they flew a r
over the mrsh a .
She smiled h ppily a .
The ch nge ench nted her This so she told herself

a a ,
the re l Arc di le p y d t n ir so diff erent from

.
,
w as a a a, a s a e -
t e,
the shamcountry a bout O kl nd count y divided by a a ,

a r
b rb wire fences d def ced by gerry built vill s sur

a -
an a -
a
rounded by smug g rdens It w quite delightful to a as
reflect th t she wa twenty miles from r ilro d

.
a s a a a .
G orge ppe red with b sket which b lined with

e a a a a , e
l ves fromthe vine cl m

ea bering ov r the p rch He h a e o . e
g to
an pick st a wberries s lectin g the l
r r g st d ripest , e a e an ,
72
CHAPT ER V
S URF F IS H I N G
AZEL ate b reak fa t lo e upon the f o t po ch s a n r n r
Sam
.
a tha wai ted up n her The cloth w o f

n o . as
coa e tex tu re potle sly white ; the fi e h d not come

rs s s co e a
fr mMoch o J va but it h d bee freshly browned

,
o a r a a n
a n d g o und tha t m
r o rn i ng The t out w cooked t per r as o
The th ick yellow e mthe h ney th crimson

.
f ti
ec o n . cr a , o , e
berrie a d the r l id by her pl te were obl ti ns p

s n ose a a a o a
pe ling ire i tibly to the mind rather th n the sense

,
a r s s a s
.
“
I ou ld h e br eak fasted with yo u id H el
c av
”
, sa az .
“
Oh , no .
”
“
Why o t n
S mnth tood till looking down upon the visitor

a a a s s , .
“
Y u o difi tare h id sho tly Without wa it
er en
”
, s e sa r .
i g for
n reply she left th porch
a e
AmI difi
.
“
t thought H zel er en a .
Unable to nswer the question tisfactorily she t

a sa , a
t ked her t out with ppetite A e e o f w ll bei g

ac r a s ns e -
n
pe ded m
.
r va ind d body restfulnes which she hesi

an , a s
t t d to disturb
a e Her f n y hov red bove these good a c e a
kind pe ple d f th mment butterfly glim

.
,
o an pse suf
or e o a
ficed
Inside the house Geo rge w s moving bout his oom
.
a a r
Presently he cam
.
e out an d she hear d the click o f tum a
74
S urf Fi shin g
i
ng key V guely h wo nde d why he locked the doo r
a s e re
f hi oom When h
.
o s r ppea red ca rr ying tw fishi g e a o n
ng ge she sked him:

.
r od d oth r fishi
s an e a r a
Why do you lock up you r oom? r

”
He l ughed gen ia lly t her curiosity

a a
Nobo dy goes in to m m
.
“
y roo .
”
Nobody
E cept m
x e T he wom en w uld wan t to fi things o x
suit them B id
.
sha pe t o . a
e es
“
Yes
I hev othe eason s With quick cha ge o f to e he
r r . a n n
wen t o : We re a go ing surf fishing Tid s j ust r i ht

“ ’ ’
n g e
-
. .
Will you be re dy in h lf hou ? a a an r

”
“
Why yes ”
I mo fi to g t som —
e ba it mus sels Sa m
.
,
“ ’
e a n thy wi ll
take you down the Ca nyon The rock fromwhich we fish .
is j ust at the m outh o f the creek wher e it j oins the ea s .
He strode ff whistling o
Hazel finish ed her breakfast hoping tha t Sam

.
,
a n tha ,
would come b ck to talk to her It occu r red to her that

a .
the Sp gges were ot ta lkers Instea d they d d things

ra n i
When sh rose fromthe ta ble she could not help pee ing
. .
,
e r
into George s room The one window looked upo the

’
. n
po rch but it w shut Throu h di ty pa nes of gl ssas 1f

r a
Hazel could s e the den o f prim al m

.
,
ean Here e idently v
he kept the wea po s of the cha se d som

.
, ,
e o f its trophies
n an
hung upon the w lls Upon the dusty floor were m

,
a .a ny
bo es The rude fu n ishings included a redwoo d table

x . r ,
a co uple of ch irs a d old f shioned burea u In all

a n an -
a
there m ight ha ve been ha lf dozen books d m

.
,
a ny a an
In a corn r l y a hea p o f stones am

,
o ld newsp pe s a r . e a , s
ples o f di ff er en t or es George h d told h e tha t ther e . a r
75
’
were gold d silver d copper in the fo thills but not

an an o
in sufficie t qu ntities to mke mining worth while He

,
n a a .
h d spoken lso o f
a icher d p it of bitu mi ous rock
a a r e os n
indic ting the presence somewh re o f oil When she h d

,
a e a
sked himif he h d ver thought of d veloping these

.
a a e e
sources f we lth Geo rge replied c relessly : It me ns

o a a
“
a
p tt
u i doll
n rs into
’
the g rounda more n you ki t ke out ,
’
n a .
”
Up n the ough t ble were j rs d bottles d c ges

o r a a an an a
which might hold smll birds o mice a r
A messy pla ce though t Hazel

.
“ ”
, .
H lf a hour l ter S mnth a d she took the pa th

an a a a a n
down the Ca nyon following the curves of the stre mtill , a
they rea ched the m a rsh es where the liv ly creek bec m e , e a
a sluggish slough bordered by t t the reeds beloved , a er ,
by the m a lla rd a d te l The duck flew over th emqua ck

n a .
,
i g loudly
n Snipe rose at th ir feet It w
. p dise e . as a a ra
a n d san ctu y o f wild birds ar .
They re ched the low nd dunes S mnth pick d

a sa . a a a e
up he ca nva rskirt a d w ded th rough the soft white

s n a
sa nd lifti g her feet high

, n t e ch step H zel trod in a a . a
h e t a cks but her sh es filled with

r r , nd She mrveled o sa a
a t the freedo m of S mnth s movements

.
’
a a a .
There s George s id S m th
’
,
”
a a an a .
F omthe top of the dune H zel could see a fine ex

r a
p nse of w t s nd reflecti g the cloudless blue of the

a e a n
skies A brilli nt shifti g sci till ting wh it iba nda , n , n a e r
bordered th is wh re the gre t com bers broke into f m

.
e a oa .
Beyond l y the oce n a a .
G o rge stood up n rock w ving his h nd to the girl

e o a a a s
.
His ov a lls w re rolled up high bove the kn e displ y

er e a e ,
a
i g mgnificent pa ir o f legs His gr a t rm

n a a s w re b re . e a e a
76
S urf Fi shin g
a lso Ha z l thrilled she look d t him Wh t m
e as e a a a an
he w ! Wh t a picture he mde !
. .
as a a
I ll coot home s id S m th
“ ’
s ,
”
a a an a .
She scooted swiftly d sil ntly if she w re gl d

“ ”
an e , as e a
to go H z l w lked tow rd George a e a a
Come o he shouted ; no time to lose

. .
“ ” “
n,
Sh e stood still sta ring t the w ter between th m

.
,
a a e .
T ke ff your sh s d stocki gs Hold up your

“
a o oe an n .
skirts go d d high ! o an
”
H zel obeyed blushing d ngry with herself beca use

a , , an a
she blushed George with a delic cy which surprised .

, a
h er ,tu rn d his bro d b ck upon her In a couple of

e a a .
minutes she stood b side him e
Sh ll I put on my sh es ga in ? she sked My !

.
“ ”
a o a a .
These rocks a e sh rp ! r a
”
Geo ge st red t her smll pink feet Fr mone little

r a a a , o
toe a tiny stre mof bloo d w s trickling

.
a a .
I t s this w y
“ ’
he e pl in d T he tide s coming in a
”
x a e
“ ’
It s o the turn The fish come with it In h lf hour

.
, .
’
n . . a an
it will be bre king over the rocks Th t s wh en the fi h a . a

’
s
ig i
n s rea l good But the s lt w ter will spoil your pretty . a a
shoes ; a d the shellfish will u t your pretty feet to bits

n c .
I mthe worst kind of idiot not to h ve thought 0

’ ’
an a
th t S m thy too She ought to hev r em

a a an embered ”
I could slip o m
.
.
, .
“
y stockin g s n
You d be through emin two two s No I ll fi you

.
’ ’ ’
. x .
t ight do wn
”
Si r
He spre d his c t upon smooth ock Ha el a t

.
a oa a r . z s
down beginning to e joy the dventure although her

, n a ,
feet were sore Geo rge op ned cl sp k ife a d began . e a a n n
t ri
o p a t th e sleeve of his shi r t .
Wha tever e you doing

“
ar
’
“
Ri
pp m
these sleeveso ff
He did so deftly le ving h is rms ba e to the shoulder

.
a a r
The gre t deltoid muscles f scin ted Ha zel ; d the skin

, .
a a a an
a bo ve them wa white d smooth a her own G orge

s as an s . e
knelt down a d took on e of h feet in his h nd She

n er a
wondered whether he would ttempt a com

.
plim t She a en
i mgined wh t Wilbur would y He m

.
a a ight ventu e to sa . r
squ e e o pr etty a foot Geo rge took n o such liberties

e z s . .
He beg n to bind the fl nnel sl eve about her fo t se

a a e o ,
curing it with whipcord His he d w a t her k e . a as ne .
Once he looked up smiling The colo r o f the ea glowed , . s
in his eyes ; th foamwa no whiter than his teeth But

e s .
o bviously he wa s en g o ssed with h i s ta sk a d proud of r , n
his resource .
“
Not a ba d idee eh ? ,
”
No t at ll, said H zel dem ur ely I a sew the

”
a a . c n
sleeves o n ”
agai n
Not m
.
uch
“ ”
.
She unde stood th t they were to be p reserved

r a .
N o w sa id Geo rge I ll t ke everything shore tha t

“ ” “ ’
, ,
a a
we don t wa nt He sei ed his coa t stufi g her shoes a d

’
. z , n n
stocki ngs in to the po kets o f it c
T ke 03 your j acket he com manded

.
“ ”
a , .
H zel obey d
a e .
“
Roll up your slee es a d t e up your kirt with th is v , n i s
bit 0 ord Th en we ll g t to work

’
c .
’
e .
He w ded asho e a d etur ed Ha zel s sunbonnet

a r n r n .
’
hi d a much flushed f ce She w certa in tha t she pre a . as
sen ted an a m a zing d h dly de ent appe anc e but an ar c ar ,
George ex pr essed s tisf ction

—
a a .
Yo u look bully
“
78
S urf Fi shin g
The fishing b g n Geo rge inst ucted H zel h w t e a . r a o o
a st the b it into the surf Sudde ly she felt tug

—
e a . n a
I ve g t
“ ’
I g t one
o one
’
ve o
She w scr ming with e citement

as ea x
Hold up your p le let him u ! Th t good Now

.
“ ’
o , r n a s .
,
wind i slowly n .
”
Fo tun tely this fi t fi h w well hooked an d the

r a , rs s as ,
line held Nevertheles Geo rge w so ter ified of losing

. s as r
it th t he le pt into th surf n rly up t his w ist He

a a e ea o a
merged dripping with glitteri g tw pounder H d he

.
e a n o -
a
propo ed mrri ge then d there H zel would h ve

.
s a a an a a ac
ce pt d h m
i e Mere th nks ee med f tu usly i dequ te a s a o na a
She w nted to kiss him

. .
h e cl im
.
H w he venly ! ed ptur u sly

“
o a s e x a ra o
S oon the fun bec m e even m

, .
o e e citing H zel h d a r x . a a
to l nd her own fish Geo ge being fully occupied with

a r
a m
,
onster t the end of his line The line fouled d

a . s , an
both fi h e c ped Geo rge swore freely :

s s a .
Mi te Spr gge
“
s r a
Go h id Ge rge crim n with onfusion I f

s
”
sa o so c , or
m
, ,
g ot Awful bre k to ! I li r if I could help

a it ! o
’
a a
Thought for the minute y u w S m thy

.
”
o as a an .
H zel s id severely :
a a
Do you swe r like th t before S mnth ?

“
a a a a a
Mother d she i used to it an a r .

”
I h uld nev r g t us d to it
s o e e e .
”
Th t s quite ight When you re round I ll swear

a
’
r
’
a
’
to mys lf ev n if I bust
.
”
e , e .
H b nt do w to dis nt ngle the line H zel he t ’

e e n e a s a s ar
melt d Cert i ly he w the h ndsome t m he h d

.
e a n as a s an s a
ev r n She murmured oftly

.
,
'
e see . s
“
Mr Spr gge . a
Sp r a g ge s
’
C anyon
You might c ll m e Geo rge
—
a .
Well th George Won t you give up swe ring if

, en .
’
a ,
I k you
as
George shook his hea d .
“
I d just love to oblige you but I jest n tur lly could t
’
a a n
’
.
Cuss words mke r nch life sy I couldn t g t through

,
’
a a ea e
m m
.
plow i without
n
’
e S th y swe r s m e’
t our . a an ca n a o a
red cow There s times when she won t let down h ’ ’

er
milk without it
.
”
.
H zel burst o ut l ugh ing

a a .
They ca ught lot of surf fi h ; d H zel enjoyed her

a s an a
self mightily The sun kiss d h ch eks tinting them

. e er e ,
with pin k ; the soft breezes curled the tendrils of ha ir

which esc ped fromthe sunbonn t ; the s lt spr y fr m
a e a a o
the com b rs mde h ey s smrt d th n sp rkle She

e a er e a an e a .
b c me w t to th skin d didn t c r for the joy of

e a e e ,
an
’
a e,
living w into ic ting her the lure of the wild th t

as x a , , a
elusive will the wisp shone upon l nd d

-
o
’
-
The -
, a an sea .
g u lls flyin g bove her he d s em ed

a to be c lling to her a e a
with beguiling invoca tion They swooped clo r d . se an
clos re .
“
W nt to look at you s id George
a ,
a .
T hey re fter our fish H z l r plied

’ ”
a , a e e
The fish l y in a b ig b ket George cov red them

.
a as . e
with w t kelp When the b sk t w ne rly full he s id :

e a e as a a
Tim
.
“
e to quit ”
H zel looked la ndw rd a d uttered a sha rp ex cl m

.
a a a ,
n a
I ca n
’
t eve w de th ough tha t
r a r .
80
Sp r a g ge s
’
C an yon
h r b ches Th y might c mp here if they knew
t he o t e ea . e a ,
w h t I k ow
”
a n .
Y u d n t w nt the c m pers to come

“ ’
o o a a
N t m uch l ”
o
She smil d f intly e a .
D n t you g t tired of seeing the me f c s d y fter

“
o
’
e sa a e a a
”
d ay ?
N pe ! D you think th t I could ever g t tired of
“
o o a e
s eeing your f ce ?
”
a
Once more she became furious with herself beca use she
b lushed .
Mrs Spr gge com pounded a dmi able chowder ; a d an a r n
e of the smller cl ms w re b k d in k lp S mntha

.
s om a a e a e e a a
mde the coff e H zel w tched the women tte tiv ly

.
a e . a a a n e ,
n oting their deftness over c m pfie d bility t a a -

r an an a o
mke simple obj cts s e their e ds She n tic d too

,
a e er v n . o e , ,
t h t Georg e nev r o ff ered to h lp

a He lay upon his b ck
e e . a
o the w rms nd b sking

n a a , a .
You l zy thing ! s id H z l
“
a a a e
Mrs Spr gge s id emph tic lly

.
. a a a a
My George in t g t l zy bone in his body

“
a
’
o a a .
I w only joking M s Spr gge

as r . a .
He dug the cl ms
,
”
a
H zel f cied th t she spoke with me ni g G org

.
a an a a n . e e,
sh und r t
e d would work h rd t hi job th t of i
e s oo , a a s , a un
v er l provid r d his wi f e wh he mrri d mu t

sa e , an , en a e , s
w ork h rd i th k it h
as a t the w h tu bn d ro d e c en , a as -
, an a un
the hou S h pp rtio m t of l b r w i evit bl

se uc a o n en a o as n a e
s T h d m hu ted d his sq w
.
i the w i lder
n n es . e re an n an ua
82
S urf Fi shin g
coo k d the venison Mrs Spr gg b di g ov r the
e . . a e, en n e
cam a fi w i th the s moke curli

r e, g bo t her bro w n f ce n a u a ,
rem inded H zel of sturdy squ w ; d G o ge m k d

a a a an e r s ac e
o f the I d i n chi f in rep se n h e l y w t hi g the

a e o ,
as a a c n
women noble d m ! , a re an
H zel u p k d the br d d bu tter d the cr k rs

a n ac e ea an an ac e .
Th re w nothi g else for h to d Th re w f ur

e as n er o . e er e o
b ins The chowder w l dled i to th e d M s

as . as a n es an r .
Spr gge s id in f v nt to e
a a a er e n
M y the L rd mke us truly th nkf l

“
a o a a u .
I mtruly th kf la idHzl an u
”
sa a e
Then th y t in sil nce And thus e d d memo

.
,
e a e e . n e a
r ble m
a orning .
During th fternoon G orge w busy le vi g H z l

e a e as , a n a e
with th women They took th ir s wi g to the f f

e e e n on r on
porch H z l could he r George movi g b ut hi den

.
. a e a n a o s ,
an d pr sently he c me out c rrying empty gunny s k

e a a an -
ac
an d stick with fo k t the end of it

a a r a .
Wh re
“
you goi g ? k d H zel
e a re n
”
as e a .
Into the ch p rr l he repli d curtly a a a e .
Wh t f a or
He l gh d mking no r ply H z l look d S

au e ,
a e . a e e c r o s, as
h strode w y not ven gl cing b ck

e a Mrs Spr gge
a , e an a . . a
s id slowly
a
He lo t s w ild b s d fi ds out the h u ts of the

“
ca e ee an n a n
d er He s i t r t d G o ge i ll b ts d birds
’
—
e . n e es e 15 e r ,
n a ea s an
and d ev ythi g
, an er n .
H de p d w li g t e th voi e of one t pe ce
er e ,
ra n on s, e c a a
with her world ff ect d H zel curio sly O e more , a e a u . nc
83
’
she wond red whether she would gr ow like these two

e
women whether the wilder ess would ensla ve her a it n s
h d ensl ved themwhether sh would hug

, ,
a a they did
, e as
the ch ins which bo und th emto

, ,
a life so tra nquil so a
m
,
ur
p g ed of c re an d e cite ent a
a d pa n
i She stole a x n
furtive glance a t Samnth who w s hem ming a sheet

.
a a, a
In Oakl nd whenever wom en mt together to sew thei

.
a e r
tongues moved m
, ,
o re swiftly tha n thei r needles These

Ha el decided that Sam
.
t wo worked in sile ce a tha n . z n
w s r the r a tt a cti
a a ve a fter all Her gr a ces such a
r s
They m
, .
,
they were la y bene th the surfa ce a ifested a n
t hem
.
,
selves shyly peeping o ut une pectedly Her voice x
f o inst nce wa s ch a m
, . ,
r a ing with a rresting infle tions r c
H m
,
ovem
.
,
er ents her ra re gestures wer e satisfying Ha el

, z
ha d studied D els te n m
.
,
ethods She ha d t ined h rself

ar a . ra e
to hold a cup o f tea to pick up a book o a flower to sink , r
cha ir or enter a rooma fter a cert in f shion

,
in to a a a
co nsidered by con noisseurs to be e t r em

,
ely elegant S x a
m th s methods in sha rp contra st were absolutely

.
’
an a , ,
n tu
a l distinguished by a directness o f purpose wholly
ra
ir ble b ca use so obviously free f ompo se It struck

,
a dm a e r
Ha zel th t E e in the Ga rden f Eden m ust ha e m

.
a v o ved o v
Sm moved
, ,
as aa nth a .
Th she felt a mischievous desir e to stir up these

en
pl cid crea tures to inject into the slow m

a o i g current
,
v n
o f their bl oo d som e o f the restlessness an d uncer ta inty

which tingled i her n .
Is it lw ys like this ? she a sked softly

“
a a
”
S mnth w ited for the elder wom

.
a a a a n to
a eply M r . rs .
S pr gge chewing the cud f other r eflections loo ked p

a ,
o ,
u
inquiringly :
Like wha t m
“
y de a r ,
84
S urf Fi shin g
it a lways sum
Is me r
Geo rge s m oth er eplied litera lly

’
r
P f
“
o Bung rd who tea ches schoo l in Agu ila
er ess r a , ,
c al i l t
c th t we hev bout three hundr ed an ten d y
a es a a
’
a s
oute the ye r like thi s

”
r a
Ha el h d to e plain what she m

.
z a ea nt Mrs Spr gge x . . a
nodded sta ring intently at her gu est Her voice wh n e
she sp ke h d a cu rious ha rdness a defi ance a lm

.
, ,
o a o t as s
f she held her questi o ner in contem

, , ,
i pt .
It in t lways like this In the dry yea s I seen

“
a
’
a . r
’
ve
the c ttle a d ho ses de d beside the dried up creeks d

a n r a -
an
spr ings ; I ve seen the di h r e throu h county

’
t
—
p e y a g g o u r r ,
an d the children died li ke the cattle a horses d o pped

d n r
in thei t cks Fou f m r ine were t ken They lie on

ra . r o a .
th e top o f the hill j ust beyo nd the cor a l I ve see ’

r n
me shot down There w a ga ng 0 t a in robbers who

, .
’
n . as r
terrori ed the hull sta te The sheriff a d his posse an

z n r
em to ground not three m iles fromthis house T h y was

.
’
e
m
.
wi p e d o ut The a w n t shot w lynched th t ve r y s a

’
as a
The sheriff h d mall in our ba n Judge Lyn h

.
n ight
’
a e r c
held up th sheri ff The b ndits were t ken o t a t m

. .
e i
.d a a u
night take to the bridge over which you passed to

, n
da y Th ere were three grown m en a d a bo y 0 seven

’
. n
teen A d a rope f o e ch They stood in a o w in the

n r a r
moonlight with the noo ses round their necks a d the

. .
a , n
drop into the cr ek below They didn t whine y e .

’
an .
Th y w s up g inst it d they k w it but the three

e a a a an ne
m swore that the boy was i e ce t

, ,
en nn r n
Mrs Sp agge paused Her m a ssive f ce seem

.
. r ed to . a
h ve g own ha rder like her voice Ha zel e cl imed

a r , . x a
eagerly :
They let the boy go !
“
’
N0; he w the 0 the ringl d r th worst 0 the

as so n
’
ea e e
’
m
,
g an g Th
. y pushed h i ff
e the bridge first o .
”
“
Oh !
Th y w righ t to wipe out the hull brood
e as .
Were you th re sk d H z l bre thl ssly G org s e a e a e a e e e

’
moth r h d spok n with convincing simplicity the im

.
e a e , s
p liit
cy of the eye witness -
.
Iw
“
t th r Lynching is men s w k My hus
as n o a .
’
or .
b nd w th r a d ne t d y I w the four bodies

a as a , n x a sa
h ngin fromthe bridge They w s ut down d

a
’
. a c an
brought h re e .
”
Here
“
To this very porch The boy lay jest where you re .

’
a sitt in
-
H z l sh uddered A v gue fe r possessed her M s

a e a a r
Spr gge a d S mnth r mined pl cid

. . .
a n a a a e a a .
H w wful !
“ ”
o a
Wa l it s su m mer the most 0 the time but ot l

,
’ ’
, n a
w ys t lw ys
a ,
no a a .
”
She went on with h sewing er .
G orge c m
e e b ck fromthe ch p rr l in time to do
a a a a a
chores before supp r He pa ssed H zel with a genial e . a
word of g eeting : r
M d out ll right ?
“
a e a
”
Oh y A d you ?
, es . n
”
F ir t a o
Wh t h y g t in th t s ck ?
a a ve ou o a a
He l ugh d d rii lya e e s ve
G ! We re
“
ee mite curious in t we ? ’
a , a
’ ”
86
S ur f Fi shin g
Not t ll a a .
P rdon ! I thought you w

a I ve g t bre d a d as .
’
o a n
butter in this gunny s ck It don t run t mre n th t -

a
’
o o
’
a .
He dis ppe red whi tling into his den sl m ming the
.
a a s a
door behind him Presently he c me t still whi tling

, , ,
.
, a ou ,
s ,
an d went to the b n H zel rose to her feet gl ncing ar . a , a
fu tively bout her Mrs Spr gge w in the kitchen ;

r a a as
S am milki g A blue j y with its he d on

. .
a nth a w as n a a on e
side eyed H zel When h moved towa rd the front

.
,
, a . s e
doo r the bird scre med a d flew w y

, a n a a .
Wha t ugly discord nt note ! r flected H zel

“
an a
”
e a
This refle ti n b c me more cute she crossed the

, .
c o e a a as
threshold f the house T h be uty f the j y s plum

o a ge e a o a
’
h d c ptiv t d her ey s the h rsh screa m ff ended h er

.
a a a e e , a o
ea rs She connected it with the sto y of the lynching

. r .
She could quite pl inly the wooden bridge the whit

see a , e
du es the gr y gr en hill to the left a d the mighty

n a -
e n
oce n to the right Th t m ning she h d thought the

, ,
a . a or , a
scene idyllic ; w the sh dows were lengthening

no , as a
a cross the l nd sc pe she could see four fi gures d a gling

a a , n
bove the b bbling bubbling creek four de d bodie

—
a a , a s
three gr own m d boy l id out upon the floo r o f

,
en a n a a
the porch .
Entering the house H zel gl nced t the kitchen d or ,

a a a o .
It wa shut Sounds of sizzling f t indic ted Mrs

s . a a .
Spragge to be t work with her f vorite tool fryi g a a a n
m
,
p an H z l he it ted The
a e k y of G or ge s sroo a e e
’
re
mi ed in the l k H z l t uch d the h ndl of the

. .
a n oc . a e o e a e
door gr p d it d sil tly t r d it The do r opened

, as e ,
an en u ne . o .
Upon th fl or n r the t bl w e o g n b
, It w sea a e, as a r ee ox . a
not u l ike the W ll F rg b

n whih s d to h l d
e s, a o o x es c a re u e o
g o ld a d other v lu bles
n W G or g e e g g ed in soam e a . as e n a
87
Canyon Sp r a gge s
’
illicit c lling ? She h d

a st rtling vision of himpi tol a a a , s
i h nd
n a d msked holding up som
an e stage o ch
a , c a .
And then suddenly curiosity ss iled sense other a a a
th t f sight H zel smlt pungent o ff ensive odor

, ,
th an a o . a e a , ,
an a crid musty stench not quite unf mili r but th t , a a , on e a
d efied cl ssific tion aShe closed the door d

a up an ran
w room o
.
,
st irs to her
a to esc pe swiftly fromthis
o n s as a
m
,
p e v r sive inde
a crib ble s ell Nones the less s afe i her , a n
oo mshe regretted this premture h ste for sur ly

.
,
r ,
fte a a , e ,
a r
Geo ge s rudenes in ev d i ng her questions she would

’
r s a
h ve been justified i m ng mo e e h ustive e m

,
a aki n in a r x a xa a
tion o f the green bo Why did Geo rge h ve ecrets

fr mthe gi l he liked fromthe girl he lov d! When
o r
x
,
.
— a
e
s
h picked her up crus hing her ga i

e nst hi g ea t che t
, a s r s ,
sh ha d re d love i hi blue eyes ;

e a d she h d felt hi
n s s an a
h ea rt thr bbi g fie cely f o h

o n The rea li tion o f thi
r r er . za s
p a s ion sw th illing And

as o w curri
o sity pro d uced o
. the r n ,
th i ll s lmost
r , a citing as ex .
What was i
n the gr een box ?
’
p th wound up d up to a smll summit whence fine

a an a , a
vi w of the r nch reve l d it lf George stood still

e a a e se .
,
st ri g into the blue

a n sh di g his ey s with a broa d ,
a n e
ha dn .
Wh t
“
you looki g t a sked H z l
a are n a a e .
He r plied grimly :
e
Turk y buzz rds One 0 my colts is c st in gulch

“
e a .
’
a a ,
a c lf is dying Th y k ow Th y re lw ys ’
—
or a . e n . e a a on
h d S y w must find out wh t s wrong hunt o t

an a e a
’
u
the trouble I h te t spoil our r ide but mebbe there s

.
,
’
. a o ,
life to be s ved a
”
H zel replied mi bly

.
a a a
I sh ll love t help My yesight is fi

“
a o . e ne .
She peered down i to the C nyo s md with gulche n a n, ea e s,
wa shed o ut f the hills by terrific ins But G org

o ra . e e
k pt his eyes upon the buzza rds H could s e three of

e . e e
them .
The tr uble s over th r

“
o
’
a
He po inted to a rocky g ge about h lf a mile di

.
or a s
t nt
a .
Will you w it h re ? he a sked

“
a e
”
.
C n t I come with you

a
’
T wil l be rough t
9 ”
li
’
r a ve n
Something in his gl ce rrested her ttention Wa s an a a .
he sizing her up s a f ir w th r comp nion seeki g a a -

ea e a , n
ple sure long the lin s f l st resist nce ?

a a e o ea a
I w nt to g with you
“
a o .
”
Good !
H plu g d i to thick r bru h H z l f ll w d The
e n e n e s a e o o e
tough m z it boughs whipped her che ks ; h ho se

. .
an an a e er r
stumbl d d slid down the steep d c nt ; the h t w

e an es e ea as
tr m d us
e en o .
90
Lo st
How l v ly ! she e cl imd o th y came out o f
e
”
x a e , as e
the b h i t ru s ch ting gl de n o an en an a
A gr t liv k spre d imm s b nches over some

.
ea e oa a en e ra
turf still green A spring gu h d out of the h ill d s e , an
flow d int d over some troughs B l w wa a tiny

.
e o an e o s
mea dow in which c ttle were gr zing White o ks y

.
a a a , s ca
mor s d c tt nwoods stood out g i st th s g gree

.
e an o o a a n e a e
-
n
background of the hills A buck bounded into the ch p . a
a l
rr a .
Fat venison sa id Ge rge

“
, o .
Oh ! I should love to t ste venison a .
Y “
sh ll ou a .
”
He crossed the gl de followed by Ha zel She would a , .
h ve lik d to rest by the spring but she p rceived that

a e , e
George w e ger to push He s id frowningly

as a on . a
The bea st is nea rly de d There a five buzz rds

“
a . re a
n ow .
H teful birds !
“
a
Th t s ll right They sa ve us the job o f b u yi

a
’
a . r n
’
the c rc sses a a .
”
Th y tr v rsed more b rush plung d down other slopes

e a e e
erg d t the bottom f the gorge a ncient

, ,
a d fin lly e m
n a e a o ,
n a
riv r bed a rid now s ve f the prickly pea r c tus

e -
, , a or ac ,
an d str wn with huge b lders A g logi t would h ve

e ou . eo s a
found evid ce f Tit nic struggle between ea rth a d

en o a a n
fire an d w t r a e .
D mn ! s id G orge s v gely
“
a
”
a e a a .
Clo e g i t r k still st nding but pp rently in

s a a ns a oc a a a
the throes of dis oluti n l ned a colt For the m

, ,
s o ea o
me t H l did t r c g ize it such for the niml s

, .
’
n a ze no e o n as a a
hea d w swoll to a mn tr us ize It looked like

,
as en o s o s .
a po ny with the h d of hippopot mus ea a a .

Sp r a gge s
’
C anyon
Wh at a ils it ? asked H zel ”
a .
Sn ke bite Hold my horse !

a .
He slid fromthe sa ddle d approached the colt speak an
soft c ressing voice The poor nima l

,
i g to it in
n a a . a
mde no ttempt to move George p tted its neck

,
a a . a ,
pa ssed his hand a long the quive ing flanks Th en he r .
came ba ck to Ha zel
It s been bitten by a r ttlesn ke I my s ve it but
.
“ ’
a a . a a ,
’
twill be nip a d tu k You g t fl n c e o
She slid i to his m

.
s He hitched both horses d

n ar .
, an
took fromthe ho n f his s ddle l ri t r o a a a a
Sit in the shad 0 that rock he com mnded

.
“ ’ ”
e a
Ha el obeyed th king God she wa not a m

, .
z aan As s n
oved she gl nced tim orously fromright to left

,
she m
.
a ,
e pecting to see ra ttlesn kes coil d d p ised f the

x a e an o or
dea dly stroke Then she a t down d w tched George

. s an a .
He tied up the colt a d threw it e pl ining fter n x a a
wa rds th at a horse is the m

,
ost foolish a d u gr teful of n n a
a ll nim a ls
a rea dy to savage the m who succors it
,
an
seem
,
ingly unable to distinguish between fri nd a d foe e n .
Then he pulled out a b ig knife opened it d tried an
the edge up his thum

, ,
b H zel thought : He is going

on . a
“
t kill the poor cre ture

o She wished to tu rn her eyes
a
fromth t monst ous he d but couldn t G rge e m

.
’
a r a , . eo xa
i d th nose
ne d li
e p se ekin g for the
an puncture Th en , .
he cut d sl shed H z l turned side her eyes know

an a . a e a
i g th t the sight f blood would mke her sick

,
n a o A d a n
well it might ! For the blood w lmo t bl ck d

.
as a s a , an
flowed slowly When it beg n to flow more freely G rge

. a eo
ga ve g runtaof s ti sf tion He s id to H a zel

a ac a
ust mke bee line for hom

.
I m e
“ ”
a a .
Wh tever for a
92
Lo st
“
We ve stu ff handy There s
’
ntidote to the pi o .
’
an a z n
which gr ows in these hills d I ve us d it g in a d ,

an
’
e a a n
ag i an Nine times o ut t the colts a d ca lves re

. o
’
en n
cover You stay here

. .
”
Here ? Among the snakes

“
“
Pshaw ! You won t see a y I mta king a short er ’
n .
’
tra i
Befo re she could put into wo rd the pr otest fo m ing s r
upo her lips he h d leaped on h is horse a d wa o ut

n a n s
o f sight Ha zel w fur ious with him Who was Geo ge

. as . r
Spr gge to is ue h is comma ds to H zel Go od ich ?

a s n a r
How da red he ride a way a d leave her in this serpent n
infested spot ? How d red he ? a
She glanced a bout her shudde ingly ce ta in tha t a , r ,

r
r ttlesn ke lurked behind eve y ston e a d i eve y bush

a a r n n r .
Moreover it w s hor ibly hot The u poured vertica l

a r . s n
rays into gorge sheltered fromeve y br ee e The rocks

a r z .
refr cted the he t Through h r thin shoes she could feel

a a . e
t hemb king h t bene th her feet

a She th o ught o f the
o a .
g l de
a bove a d w
a o ndered whether, shne co uld r ea ch it .
She h d never mounted horse una ided

a a .
Could sh do it ? e
She de ided to try Ge ge m

c ust be ta ught valuable
. or a
lesso n Let himreturn to his precious colt to fi d her

. n
She a pproa ched he ag d steed As she did so he r e . s
looked up d behel d the bu z rds sa iling through the

an z a
blue Horrible sca vengers ! I f anything happened to

.
her in this h teful pla ce She dar ed ot pur sue the

a n
thought .
A sha p st a ng noise m a de her st r t

r , r I t h ppen ed
e a . a
to be a l ocust but sh e told h e se l f i

t was the wa rn in g
, r
93
Sp r a gge s
’
C anyon
sign l of C t l h id m Al o it w quite im
a r o a us po ible or r
‘
. s , as ss
to loc te th w ird sound She stood still tr mbl i g

“
a
”
e e .
, e n .
N v r in h short life h d she f lt so helpl ss A s co d

e e er a e e . e n
locust a nsw d the first d th n third Y ; the er e , an e a . es
or
g g e w liv with reptiles
as aThen th fir t l t rose
e . e s o cu s
o nwhirri g wing a d she w quick witt d ugh t

n , n as -
e en o o
und rst d th t she h d b n frighte d n rly out of

e an a a ee ne ea
her sens s by mise ble in cte a ra se .
S h sm iled cidly George would h ve to p y in full

e a . a a
for these tremors .
She unhitched her ho se led himto rock d m r a an an
m m m
, ,
a g d to
e ount h i a fter sever l tte pts O ce in the a a . n
sa ddle she r g i d s lf pos ssion To h s ti f ction

e a ne e -
se er a s a
the iml se m
, .
an ed to underst nd her wish s The s g

a e a e . a a
iu b
c o s t no doubt w
eas thinking f the gl de bove
, , as o a a
a d the w ter troughs bene th the sh de of the huge il

n a a a ex .
He picked his w y p st boulder who e sh pe she recog a a a s a
i d
n ze H z l p tt d his neck m
. a e urmuri g : a e , n
Good hor e ! You don t w nt t st y h re do you ?

“
s
’
a o a e
”
Th y mov d slowly up the gorge till th y c me to

,
e e e a a
r ou
g h t il strikin g into
ra the brush H zel m d sure th t a a e a
this tr ck l d to the gl de but her hor e med

.
a e a ,
se s e un
wil li g t l ve the gorge H z l with the conceit of

n o ea a e ,
the c ity br d d ms l chose the tr ck T h hor e pro

.
-
e a e ,
a . e s
test d b t submitted H z l lo k d down s ki g for

e ,
u . a e o e , ee n
hoof m k b t the ground w h rd d rocky She

-
ar s, u as a an .
push d ed up quite sure th t she w

o n an followi g the ,
a as n
r ight p th a .
Unh ppi ly she w sn t

a ,
a
’
.
94
The brush gr ew thicker more im p net able Fin lly e r a
the tr k m
, .
,
ere thre d in the wild rnes plunged down

ac , a a e s,
w rd into steep gulch H zel d red not g

a a She . a a o on .
drew r in The hor e stopped obediently a d took a

e s n
mouthful of bunch gr ss
.
-
a
Obviously they m
.
u t r turn to the go rge a d begi s e n n
a g in a But .r etr cing their st ps

, m a ida d be st e , an a en
c unt red two tr cks Once g in rose a di ff er nce of

o e a a a a e
Opinion ; once g in the girl s conceit triumphed over the

.
’
a a
in tinct of the niml Other tr cks d cross t ck s

s a a a an -
ra ,
p ths mde by c ttle a d deer intersected ea ch oth er

.
a a a n ,
By this time H zel w reckless She told he self with

.
a as . r ,
the f tuity f ig orance th t a ll p ths sooner or l ter l d

a o n ,
a a a e
to ro ds of civiliz tion
a a .
At the end of a hour she knew th t she w undone n a as .
Of course George would find her but for the moment

, ,
she w lost in the wildest pa rt f a wild cow county !

as o
She r e lized lso th t she w s ddle wea y intensely

a , a , a as a -
r ,
thirsty a d sufi i g from sun he d che She ap

, n er n a a a .
p ea d t
reo be d relict upon oce neof s g reen c h a par an a ea -
ra l whose o dors grew oppressively pungent .
She shed a few te rs a .
This w just a ft r g e t wild a t ha d bounded a c oss

as e a r a c r
the tr ck She remm

a bered th t George h d spoken of e a a
mount in lions stil l to be found in this r emote co ner

.
a r
o f the t te s a .
T rfully she a ddres ed her h orse

ea , s
“
Y g ourig ht h o me deor I ll le ve it to you ,
a .
’
a .
She l t the r ins lie upon his neck a d encouraged

e e n
hi mto quicken his pace The animal seemed to under

st nd for he bega n to mve m
.
a . o re qu i ckly but with an o ,
95
Sp r a gge s
’
C anyon
e tir e disrega rd for his rider who more th n once w
n a as
a lm ost swept fromthe s ddle

, , ,
Presently they c m
.
e to nother gorge The horse a a .
plunged down it H zel sh ut both eyes She felt that a
she w sliding slipping scr m

. .
as bling into bott mless

, , a a o
pit Instinctively she pulled the ight rein with such

. r
viole ce th t the horse swerved crossed his fo elegs a d

n a , r , n
fell Hazel wa thrown clea r Giddy a d b dly bruised

. s . n a ,
she sta ggered to h r feet to behold her fa ithf ul fri e end

tr otting c mpo sedly out f sight !
o o
She shouted f o George ca lling himby name And r
she hea rd an a nswe ing shout the nym

,
ph E ho m
.
ocking
r c
a n other nym
,
ph Out o f the hills floa ted her w voice

. o n ,
dying away to a a ttenuated whisper She shouted again

n .
an d g in
a a till her
, voice bec m e feeble The e w a a a . r s
lon g silence She t still huddled up cl sping her knees

. sa , , a ,
listening intently Then the silence w broken by n u . as
f am ili r sounds The wilderness spoke to h in its o w

a . er n
lan guage unint lligible to a dweller i citi s

e Stra ge n e n
She mde sure poo r child tha t

.
r ustlings terrified h
—
er . a , ,
be st were prowling bout her wild bea st s a d sn kes !

a s a n a
She d red t m
,
a ove thi king of the g t t which

no ,
n r ea ca
ha d just bo u ded in a d out of sigh t with such terri

n fic n
a ctivity seeing the m, onstrous he d f the colt swift a o , a
cr e ture which h d been un ble to es pe the swifter

a a a ca
st oke of the rattlesn ke

r Wh t ch nce would h h ve a a a s e a
ss ult of mount in lions a d se pents ?

.
ag inst the
a a a a n r
She rose to her feet .
Although b dly bru ised an d a ching sorely in ery

a ev
lim b she found herself able to w lk d ess yed few

,
a , an a a
feeble steps pa using to listen a d then adv ncing f w

, ,
n a a e
y a r d s to list en a ga in At the bott o m o f the g g

o e bubble
. d r
96
’
Sp r a gge s Canyon
n ot been taken up by squa tters G orge his c ttle . e ran a
an d colts ov r le gues d le gu f mre or le s w th

e a an a es o o s or
less bru h s .
It w dinner time wh n h r ched home to discover

as e e ea
th t H zel w still in the hill !

a a as s
Of course he bec me wildly e cited The women a x
ed him S mnth told himth t he could trust

,
c lm
.
a a a a a
H zel s horse In tim

.
a
’
e th t fa ithful beast would c rry
. a a
her home .
If he goes a nywheres s id George he ll t ke her

“
a
’
a
Th t s his home
, ,
to Aguila
’ ”
. a .
He g lloped to the vill ge where he found Uncle Zed

a a
a bout to hitch up his tea m There w

,
only e smll
,
. as on a
live y stable in Aguil a d Ha zel s horse h d come ut

r a, n
’
a o
o f it To George s utter confounding d mise y Uncle ’

an r
Zed inform ed himthat the plug had loped up within th

.
,
hour His bridle w tr ili g o the ground d e as a n n an on
pum mel ha d bee knocked ff a twenty doll r saddle

.
n o -
a .
Where s Miss Goodrih ?

“ '
c
”
How s th t ?
“ ’
a
”
M iss Goodrich Our guest fromO kla nd a .
The city md m
.
a a
Wh ere is she ? shouted Geo rge ”
se rch m replied Uncle Zed

.
You
“
ca n a e,
”
.
I ll s ea rch the hull doggoned ea rth f r her said

“ ’
o ,
George
He collected h lf score of m who were l fi g
.
a a en oa n
a bout Aguil m who k ew th brush hills Georg a, en n e . e
p id for o d i k piece b fore th y took the ro d

a ne r n a e e a
He w beside him lf with constern tion d distres s

.
as se a an
Uncle Zed r mrked

.
e a
This is a j dgm t on you young m

“
e en ,
an .
98
L ost
They ga lloped to the gorge p using ow a d agai , a n n n
to listen Pistols were discha rged but sound t avels

.
, r
n o dist nce in a heavily woo ded a d hilly count y It

a n r
wa s however a com fort to reflect th t H zel might hea

.
, , a a r
the shots a lthough they could ot he r her feeble cries n a
When they r ched the gorge George slid fromthe

, .
ea
sa ddle He beg n to e m
. ine the gr und seeking f o
a xa o , r
wha t hunters c ll sign Anything dislodged stone a

“ ”
a
s hoof mrk might indic te th

.
, ,
a broken twig of g ra s , a -
a , a e
di ectio n in which the girl ha d wa nde ed P ese tly

r r r n
George found wh t he sought a hoo f m

.
a rk a With con -
sum ma te skill a d p tience he too k up the tra il T he

, .
n a
other m form ed them

.
en selves i nto line They a dvanced .
at a s il s pa ce pausing ow d aga i to shout d

na
’
,
n an n an
listen The fea r o f finding Hazel dea d began to gn w at

. a
Ge ge s v it ls Evidently she had been th own He

or
’
a . r .
beheld her d agged t the heel s o f a kicking horse

r a
mangled beyond recognition !

,
Fin lly he hea rd her voice answe ing a pistol shot

a r .
T wo m inutes l ter he wa beside her a s
But during those tw o m inutes H zel had tim

.
e to r ea s a
sum e that s mooth m a sk which i s i deed a helm et o f sa l n
va tion to some wom e n
She adv nced to meet himsm

.
a iling
A st anger would ha e sa id tha t the m

.
r a ha d uf v n s
f e ed bom
r in bly n ot the m
a a id
a Hazel saw that he was
trembli g that his blue eyes were brim ming with tea s
.
,
n r .
,
Hi s f a ce to o t nned to a pp r pale wa lined a d livid

a ea s n .
He could ha rdly spea k he stum

, ,
bled towa rd her with as
rm Ha el a id ca lm
,
o utstretched s a ly : . z s
I knew you d find m

“ ’
e
m
.
With a gestu r e she ind ca te the the

i d o r en sta n d ng
i ,
99
’
s heepishly in the background Geo rge wiped the swe t a
fromhis forehe d a she told himwh t had ha ppened

.
a s a
H er voice fel l m elodiously d sm

.
oo thly up n hi s ca s an o r .
r t to dea th su r ely
“
Yo u wa s a i s c
I k ew you d fin d m
,
’
n e .
Ain t you hurt ?

’ ”
Tha t s nothing
“ ’
Adm
.
i ra tion bega n to fl icker into his eyes He tu rned

t o th e other m a ddressing them
.
e n, proudly :
Boys this i M iss Goo drich
“
s
”
They rem
, .
oved thei r h ts sta ring a t her confo unded by a
h e sm iling compo sur e H zel knew tha t they were

, ,
r a co n
founded She thr illed with tr ium ph sm iling a t each m

.
. an ,
in tur n
Thank you f o com ng she sa id sweetly I amso
.
“
i r
a sha m
.
,
ed to h ve give such t ouble

a
”
n r .
Gee ! ej a cul ted George

“ ”
a .
How is the colt a sked H el az
This was the cr own ing touch the triumph of the civil
.
ized being tra ined fromthe r dle to inspire a we d c a an
a dm
,
ira tion in the un civili ed z
She wa sn t sca it sa id Geo rge lo oki g a t the me

.
“ ’ ”
r , , n n,
who nodded
I kn ew you d fi d m h r epea ted
.
“ ’
n e, s e .
T he m etu ed t the vill ge George lifted H zel

en r rn o a . a
on to his o w horse a d led it home t a foot s p ce He

n n a
’
a
did not y much a d H zel a lso wa well content to

.
sa n a s
r em
,
A th ous nd times he looked up t h

,
a in silent a a er
ngly Ha el belonged to that now d iminishing m

.
a d or i z y ar
m
.
1
’
d e p a d good In her m
e n ind the conviction established
bo m
.
it elf th t fter ll she h d risen superior to a

s a , a a i , a n a
na ble situ tion d justified her upbringing With u

a an n
dim med eyes he thought f the t rs in Geo ge s blue

.
’
s o ea r
o rbs Yes ; he dored her And with p ssion never

. a . a a
t o be e perienced by Wilbur P Stocker

x It w delight . . as
ful to be lov d like th t Bene th George s rd nt gl nce

e a . a
’
a e a s
s h felt a d licious ll per v ding glow

e e perme ting t a -
a , a a sa
i f ti
s ac o ind scrib ble se se f fu lfilmnt H w
n, an e a n o e o
mny girls f her cqu intan e w re cap ble of evoking

.
a o a a c e a
s uch devotion ?
George w it d upon her when she dined l ne upon

a e a o
t h front po rch
e Fromhis clumsiness h guessed th t s e a
ver b f re h d h served me t a d drink to m

.
ne e o a e a n an or
w mn Prob bly he despised such m

o a eni l offices I
a a . n
d b sing hims lf f her a lone Wh t zest

.
fi e he w
n as e a e or a a
mhe e cl imed
.
,
t o provoke ppetite ! Wh en she r a llied h i

a , x a
b yishly
o
Serve you o bended knee I would !

“
n
She hesit ted gl ncing t himdemurely Surely thi

,
a a a s
th m om ent to test him

.
,
w as e .
Th t sounds too sweet for a nything but ll the

“
a a
me you w re not very nice to m y sterd y

, ,
”
sa e e e a
Mercy ! Wha t do you me n ? N ot nice ? To you

.
,
“
a -
I k d you a qu stion d you l ughed I shouldn t

as e e , an a .
’
h ve m ind d your l ughing if you h d nswered it ”

a e a a a
He pp r d genuinely puzzled s he muttered :

.
,
a ea e a
Wh t question ?
“
a
”
I sk d you wh t you h d in th t s ck
a e a a a a .
He st red t h gr v ly ; his j w protruded H zel

a a er a e a a
sm
.
il d t himbut h h rt b g n to be t f ster
e a , er ea e a a a .
You e lly w nt to know ?

“
r a
”
a
102
Of course I do .
His reply disconcerted h With deva st ting abr upt er . a a
ne s he blurt d ut :
s e o
Will y u m ry m
“
o ar e
Oh !
“”
His voice became tender

If you ll pr mise t mrry me I ll t ll you
.
“ ’ ’
Wh y we h rdly know e ch o ther— —

o o a , e .
“
I I a a
She crum bled her bre d tu ning her eyes fromhim

,
a , r ,
blushing d uncomfort bly a w re that the a rts which

an a a
av iled in O kl nd would not serve in Sp gge s C nyon

a a a ra
’
a
G o rge m
.
e isinterp reted these sign ls o f distr es s He said a .
joyously :
I k ow you re the daiie t girl o ea rth Tha t s
“
n
’
s s n
’
en o ugh fer m I in t a goin to toot m

.
e y own ho n but a
’ ’
r
I mpretty solid I mnot high toned but by thunder

.
,
’ ’
-
I msound You ought to know m e m m

.
, , ,
’
.
y pr tty I ju st e .
’
bout loco ! Th t s the size f it P l m azy ! You fill

,
’
a a o u cr
the hull wo ld fer m I ve w nted you ever since the

.
’
r e a
first day we mt I d do nything f ye an ything

.
’
e a or
E c pt gra tify m
.
.
,
“
x e y cu riosity .
”
He winced Her voice w c ld a d yet she ppe red as o n a a
to be m
.
,
oved George squ red his broa d shoulders a
Tha r in t a thing bout me o m

. .
“
a
’
y bu s i ess th t I a r n a
won t sha e with you if you ll promise to m a ry m

’ ’
r e , r .
Ag in she sp ke sh rply with a rising inflection

a o a , .
Th n there i som
“
e ething sec et ? s r
”
Put it th t w y if you like I told you that I e rned

— —
a a a
my living d a good living i mny w ys I don t

.
’
an n a a
tell m m m
.
y business or p rh ps it i ght t be , ine The re e a n

’
.
is such thing competition S ?

a as . ee
”
Hazel f owned Geo ge wa e sp ratingly justified in

r . r s xa e
103
Sp r a gge s
’
C anyon
withholding confid nce till the moment when she h d s e a e
ta b lih d
s e sufficient cl imto it He continu d urge tly
a a e n
m
.
“
Y u y yes
o d I ll tell
sa ye ll y secrets ‘ ’
an
'
a
”
She shook h he d Inst ntly his vo ice became depre

.
,
er a . a
ea ti
ng
“
Mebbe I ve kind 0 r ushed things ’ ’
.
Yes you h ve , a
”
I allow I msor y It s like m to grab t wh t I

.
’ ’
r e a a
w nt It s not e sy to keep m
.
a y h nds
’
o ff ye But y u re a a o
’
built di ff erent I reckon you ve never be wa rm

. .
ed up .
’
en
y et
No .
Don t I stir your feeli gs y ?

’
n an
”
A little she admitted

”
, .
Th t s goo d Tha t s fine Tha t s quite en ough f er

a
’ ’ ’
me fer the moment I mpretty goo d o the wait I am

. .
’
n
M ny a tim e I ve watched h lf the night to get som

. .
,
a e ’
a
th ing I wa n
“
What
“
A fine buck .
”
I
C‘
see .
Wh t else should I wait an d wa tch f or P

a
”
I didn t k ow Perh ps mount in lion ’

n a a a
No use wat hi ut fer them But deer feed by

. .
’
c n o
moonlight a d they come to the me water in places

.
’
,
n sa .
M any f t buck I ve killed th t w y

a
”
a
’
a a .
Didn t you get bo ed wa iting ?

“ ’
r
”
Time slips a long There s things to thin k about ’

.
Wouldn t mind w t hi out to night f o r instance be

.
’ ’
a c n -
,
n tu r lly I d be thi ki of you

ea u se a a
’
n n
’
.
S mnth ppe red not too suddenly But a wk

a a a a a . n a
w rd momnt followed be a use ea ch person h pp ned

,
a e , c a e
1 04
C HA PTER VII
W ICH H EN D S WIT HA S! U LL A
HAT night Hazel went to bed at a ea rly hour n .
Alone a d too e cited to sle p h w able to e

n x e s e as t
consider the ev nts o f the d y d their be ring upon

e a an a
p esent d futu re At such m

r an oments she wa s f irly
. a
honest with herself a honest let us y a s you ng s , sa , a
wom
,
be w ho ha been tr ined to set inordin te

a n ca n s a an a
va lue up n mtters f s conda ry im

o port nce Hith rto
a o e a e
she had turned side with miden delic cy frompriml

.
a a a a
instincts d predil ctions M rri ge for e m

an ple with
e a a xa
a suit ble young m h d be n glim

.
, ,
a p sed t a decent
an dis a e a
ta nce but inv ri bly she h d dwelt with a too sm

a a ug a
com placency upon wha t mrriage would bring to her

,
a ,
r a ther tha n wh t she would ta ke to it aIgnor nt of wha t a
intimte rel tionship me nt she w not ; inno

.
such a n a a a as
cent she might b c ll d in the s nse th t temper mnt

e a e e a , a e
a lly she h d never t ken into ccount emotions which

a a a
yet were slum bering These em

,
a s otions h d b n di . a ee s
tu b d by George
r e She knew tha t they e ist d in some
. x e
o bscure z ne of consciou n sso They h d b gun to sti s e . a e r
fit f lly to t lk in their sleep with in r tic l te m

u , a urmur a u a
i gs
n She d r d not dmit th t she w t d G org l
. a e a a an e e e, a
though it w v ry e citi g to r flect th t he w nted

as e x n e a a
her w nted h r despera tely Such a state of a ff airs was

, a e .
106
Which Ends with a S quall
thrilling beca use thi splendid mle mn ged mehow s a a a so
convey the im
,
to p es ion th t s oone o later he g t

r s a r r o
wh t he w nted T he condo w n tched f omits

, ,
a a . r as s a r
eyrie ; the tag fell t his hot !

s o s
Betwee M rs Sp agg n ther coa rse linen sheets

r
’
es ra
H zel shivered T h condor unhappy fate m

.
a . e ight be ’
s
her s.
Could she live h ppily i Sp gg C nyon ? Imgin a n ra es

’
a a a
tion whirled her to th f m ily cemete y How wful t

—
e a r a o
be bu ied i such a spot ! H w loneso me ! And th

.
r n o e
o nly d o cto with a titl e to a diplo m li

r ved in Sa Lo en o a n r z
miles d mile w y !
,
an s a a
Could she persu de George to l a ve hi Canyon a e s
It w s com afo ting t eflect tha t h w s icher th

r o r s e a r an
this m terfu l m With h m

as oney a d hi s vings
an . er n s a
h could g int o bus i

e one busine s which m ight ss, a s en
g ross d incre
an se his p r tic l raene gies d bilitie s a u a r an a .
He could buy d ell c ttle d ho se She f c u se

an s a an r s. ,
o o r ,
could live in Oakl nd i her w house su ounded by a n o n , rr
m
,
co n geni l pe o p
a l e If Geo rg e succeeded g a t ly she igh t re
'
n due tim e cross the ba y d becom

.
i e a leader o f so ciety , an .
Would Geo ge succeed gre tly ? r a
She nswered the question Alone t an spl nted from

a r a
Canyon George might f il But with the right

.
,
Sp gg
’
ra es a
helpmeet urely he would ot f il How e sy it would

.
,
— —
s n a . a
be d how ple s nt
an to develop George ! All id
a a sa
there w not m
,
as uch to do : Doric peech d ccent t a s an a o
be tr nsm uted by Love lchemy into the golde Attic

—
’
a s a , n
m
O kl nd the nners f the corral d m wh
,
—
o f a a , a o an en o
wield the l i t h ve good mnners to be po lished d

ar a a a an
r efined t the pa ttern set by Wilbur P S tocker

o . .
The key tone o f this a rch spanning the futur e like

s , a
I O7
S p r a gge s C anyon ’
r inbo w would f ll into its appointed pl ce wh n G org

a a a e e e
be me a mm
,
ca ber of the First Presbyteri n Church !

e a
She beh ld George in a frock co t honor bly known

e a , a
upon the P cific Slope a a P ince Albert He w s a

“
r .
”
as
wea ring a silk h t d p tent le ther shoes He w hold

a an a a . as
i g a pl te which the
n a k d f shion of the First r an an a
Presbyteri n Church were piling high with doll s a d

a ar n
g old pieces All th e wo m en would envy her

Behind these imginings w the m him
. .
a self Yes ; as an .
she w t d George
an e
But she h ted Sp gg Ca nyon The memory f wh t

.
’
a ra es . o a
she h d su ff ered when sh found herself lone would

a e a
r em ai a nmp ish ble horr or Ap rt fromthis hateful

i n er a . a
e p rience were the isol tion of the r nch a d the la

x e a a n
me t ble absence o f congeni l people

n a a
Slowly the determina tion to mrry George d to te r

.
a an a
hi mout f his C nyon g thered strength Th t would be

o a a . a
a re l test o f his lo ve
a With in few d ys he would a k . a a s
h aga in to be om
er e his wife He would insist upon a
c n
nswer The sit tion e cted a wom

.
a n s ta ct She ’
a . ua xa .
would be onstr ined to dissemc ble beca use the br uta l

a ,
a dm ission that she loa thed his home would c nfound o
hi m It must be made pl in th t he h d g own too b ig

. a a a r
'
for his enviro mnt th t S p gge s C nyon would ch nge

n e , a ra
’
a a
hi mfroma m into a mouse an .
She thought of Wilbur P Stocker Ge rge if she . . o ,
ma rried him must s r above Wilbur Her cheeks

, oa .
g lowed in the d a rkness a n d her soft litt le body tu ne d r
restlessly fromside to side when she thought of Wilbur

as husba nd It seem ed absurd to reco rd such t ifl but r es,
her m
.
ind dwelt upo n the fact tha t Mr Stocker suff e ed . r
108
Sp r a g ge s
’
C anyon
II
Ar b rea k f st ne t d y she joined the f m
'
a ily tri ngle
x a a a
an d squ red it with a ch rming l ugh She bo re no a a a .
signs of h mis dv nture o ther th n h k o f sun

er a e a c ec s a
kis ed pi k d eyes which spa rkled with e citem

s n an ent x .
The pirit of the West posse sed her Une plored t ct

s s . x ra s
o f ch r cte d tem
a a per m ent lured her o She disliked
r an a n
e rly rising but the desire to mke g od trium

.
a , phed a o
g l i
or ously ver b uised d we
o ry body a r an a
Why ! You a i t up e cl imed Geo ge

.
“ ’
n x a r .
She de ided th t this h bit of sking silly question

c a a a s
must be b oken by mild ch ff r a .
Oh o I m till in bed d dre m

“
, n . ing
’
s an a .
Never h d she looked so wide w ke

a a a
Mr s S pr gge d S mnth s luted h polit ly H zel

.
. a an a a a a er e . a
fl hed a se ching gl nce t their working cl thes d

as ar a a o , an
thought h ppily of the virgin l sprigged m

a uslin which a
a d rned h
o trimp rson A thin bl ck v lvet rib nd
er e . a e a
a ccentu ted the whiteness f her thro t ; she wore

a o a no
me etrici o n ments ; le ther str p encircling h

r ou s r a a a a , er
slender wrist held tiny w tch ; h h i w rr nged

, a a er a r as a a
with a dmi ble sim plicity S mntha ighed when she

ra . a a s
beheld h er .
I mgo ing to e n m b rd id H zel

“ ’
y oa to d a y sa ar -
, a , as
sh tt ck d the mush
e a a e
Not much obs v d George I ll t ke you ili

.
“ “ ’
—
, er e . a sa n
In the fternoon p rh ps a e a .
”
Artfully h t lked to the tw wom s e en who r pli d i

a o e e n
mon syll bles Mrs Sp gg grimf t res beg n t

,
’
o a . . ra es ea u a o
r elax bene th ng p ttle H el pr ised the m

o ften i a a s uh ra . az a s ,
xt o
Which E nds wi th a S quall
and wo d red why it wa quite impossible to buy thick
n e s
yellow cre min O kl nd a a a .
Things do t ste so good here she id

“
a , sa .
G ub s O K obser ved Geo ge

r
’
d ther e s a plenty
. r ,
“
an
’
o f in
”
H e piled up a pl te with b an s a d b co n Ha el a e n a . z
r em onstr ted : a
Gracious ! I ca n t ea t all th t !
“ ’
a
You sta r t ight in d down it ! Noth ing like bea n s

r an
a d b co n t stick to the ibs ”

n a o r
Georgie s id his m
.
o th er
“ ”
, a .
Yes Maw
“
,
Th t ain t the w y to t lk to a youn g lady

“
a
’ ”
a a .
Pshaw ! Ain t she got ribs ? I want to put a bit ’
more flesh on embefo re she goes ba ck to O kla nd ’

a .
”
You mu t e cu se him M s Spragge addr essed her

“
s x ,
”
r .
g uest .
I like pl in food a d plain speech r plied Ha el

“
a n , e z .
For the moment h believed tha t she wa telling the s e s
truth
ed Geo ge trium
.
I k ew it e cla im
“
n ph ntly,
”
x r a .
Hazel ambled o ignor ing Geo ge an d gazing at his n, r
mother .
Sh ll I confess th t I mtired o f city foo d d t lk ?

“
a a
’
an a
You bet yer life

G org s id his mother severely Miss Go od ich is
e e, a , r
d I ll th nk you not to inter upt her

”
ki
’ ’
spea n , an a r .
G org looked r ther stoni hed S mntha wriggled

e e a a s . a a
un s ily She could ccount for the mther s t rtness

ea . a o
’
a .
Gr nting th t George w h d ve heels in l ve with

a a as ea o r o
th is ra di nt cre ture he might po fellow have a t least

a a , , or ,
IIx
’
th e de e cy to keep hi hea rt up his sl ve instea d o f

c n s ee
on it .
“
Please go o Miss Good ich n, r
I s im ply c n t if you c ll m th t I mtired f

.
’ ’
a a e a o
formlity to It is o refreshing to me t people who

.
,
a , o . s e
sa y wh t they think
a
But we don t emrked Mrs Spr gge George ’ ”

r a a
does when he feels like it Sam

. .
,
d I do n t
’
a thy N n an o
wom
. .
a n I eve knew does r .
“
Wh s i t rr upti now asked George with geni l
o
’
n e n
’
a a
de ision
r .
Ha zel continued suav ly w re th t she h d under e , a a a a
r a ted M s Sp a gg intelligence ’
—
r r es
m m
. .
“
Th en I confine y r rks to G orge She
ll
'
e a e
brought ut h i n me with quite dor ble hesita ti n

.
o s a a a o
Sm
.
a a nth g t up a d bustled into the kitchen

a o n .
“
Bully f you sa id George proudly or
”
George persu ded me to come here How did he

.
,
‘
a .
do it ? Beca use he described his hom e d y u Mrs an o
—
.
,
Spr gge o vividly a d convinci gly He th illed me

—
a s n n r
He mde m
.
, .
a
e how sh ll I put it see things a he sees a s
them I know nothing ab ut life lived t first h nd A

. o a a . s
he sa i d I h d never rea lly brea th d deep d good al

a e an
though I h d t ken lessons froma professor

, ,
a a
This sta tem

.
ent ch lleng d Mrs Sp gge tt ntion a e . ra

’
s a e .
“
Lessons in bre thing she r pea ted a
”
e
Y s indeed They were quite e pensive We f o rm

.
,
e , .ed x .
a l rge cla ss
a
There a in t i in O kland ffirmed Geo ge

.
“ ’
a r a a r
Oh yes there is I m o t spe king quite liter lly

, .
“
a n a a
I amthinkin g of the lungs of the m

.
, , .
ind The lungs o f

my min d want fresh ai Geo ge provides tha t I mso
.
’
r . r .
I II
Sp r a gge s
’
C an yon
y o u cr dit for I ll ll w th t I w
e t ov ly pl
. sd ’
a o a as no er ea e
wh G o g to ld m b t you I pii d th t h d
en e r e e a ou . su s c on e a e
’
bi n ca ugh t by p tty f c W l w h t I S
a of y u re a e . a , a
’
ve een o
I lik fi t r t b t it s p to y t p ov to m th t
e rs a e, u
’
u ou o r e e a
you i th right w i f f my G o g M
a r e i
t up l e or e r e o r e,
’
s o
m to t ll you truth f lly wh t I ki b t my w boy

.
e e u a n a ou o n .
H e ssimple is G rg but h st g And th r s

’
eo e, e s
’
r on e e
’
—
wom I do t y y r one of m wh mist ke —
.
,
’ ’ ’
en n sa ou e e o a
w k s s G org is k ”
si p lii
rn ty f c er t w ea ne . e e no ea .
“
Would he pp l to m if he w re M s Spr gge a ea e e , r . a
M b be t e no .
”
Anythi g you tell me bout your son would be

n ca n a
so i t r sting
n e e .
“
First d l st he in t o to ch ge his id es And
an a , a
’
ne an e .
if he d n t suit you j t a h i you won t be a ble to

’ ’
o es s e s
mke him v r
a o e .
A slight p us follow d Th n H z l s id t nt tiv ly

a e e e a e a e a e
—
.
“
Geo ge do t propo e you d t pr p d you
r esn
’
s on
’
o o se, o
t h t h should st nd still ? He w
a e ts to dv nc to d a an a a e, e
ve ol p to
She broke ff for Mrs Spr gge w sh king h ms
,
o . a as a er a
s ive h d ea .
“
My de r it thi w y I h0p h wi ll dv ce but
a ,
’
s s a . e e a an ,
if he d s it wi ll be t his o w g it
oe long his o w a n a , a n
r oa df
’
“
Th k y an ou, s id H z l
a a e .
M r s S p r a gge. r mi g r
o se, co n t b l till she
o un d the a e
s to d b id I I
o es e a z el . I I er fi fne b ok i t a ce r re r e n o a a
s mile S h l id h
. e a er ha n d u p t
on h g i l h ld
e r pr ssr
’
s s ou e , e
in g it so f tly . When sh e s p ko th e t rity h d g o e

e a us e a n
f romh er v ico e
.
1 14
Which E n ds w i th a S quall
If you mk my h ppy I sh ll l ve you d rly
ca n a e so n a a o ea ,
Hzl a e .
”
S h b nt do wn
e d ki
e dh an sse er .
Of c r H l po d d p rh ps with more ff u io
o u se a ze r es n e , e a e s n
th wan y B t it t u k h
a s n ec essa r humor th t . u s r c er a s o us a
Mrs Sp gg h d t c id ed G org s c p ity f

. ra e a no on s er e e
’
a ac or
mki g wi f h ppy P h p she t ok it f gr t d

a n a e a er a s o or an e .
Or mor p b bly h b l g d to
.
,
e lm t ti ct g
ro a ,
s e e on e an a os ex n en
cr ti n w h
a ob l iv th t w mn s h ppi s o eb t be e e a o a
’
a n es ca n es
s cur d by co t t mi itr tio to th l fi h a d e ct

e e n s an n s a n e se s n xa
i g ml Mrs Sp gg n t words co firmd this ’

n a e . . ra es ex n e
hypothesis
G org she r mrk d r mi i c ntly t kes fter
.
“
e e, e a e , e n s e , a a
his p w L b S p gg w br i y d st ong When

a a an ra e as a n an r
I m id himI h d id
. .
”
er r e a ees .
“
Pl e t ll m w h t yo r id s w re
ea s e e a u ea e .
“
I d n ti th t I k w b tt r th himwh t he
’
a o on a ne e e an a
want d ; wh t wo l d be j st right f him I wa ge

e a u e er . s a n
his ttli down h re

se n
’
e .
”
“
Were y u o
T h girl s to e e p sed the liveliest int rest

’
e n x r es e
I wish y co ld h s n this r nch b for we com

.
“
ou u ev ee a e e e
i nto it In th mtims the Pik rs d squ tters were

. e e e an a
pushing on d i to the foothill bec u e the v lleyan on n s, a s a
land w mo tly t k p We pushed i to this S kes

as s a en u . n . a
a live ! it l ok d w f l j t s ge bru h o d ch p rr l
e a u ,
es a s an a a a ,
coyot s d r ttl s W l Mr Sp gge t k k ind 0

e an a er . a , . ra oo no
’
notic f ythi g e o p th e c k
an It si gi to the
n ex c e
’
r ee . r an n n
’
oc ea n ,j t it d t d y He r th t ?
es as he H r oes o -
a .
‘
a a
’
sez .
‘
ea
wh t ? a I Th ’
g 0
sez t h c k .h Wh ‘
t e so n
’
e r ee ,
’
sez e
‘
a
does it t ll t y Al m
.
i e I w d himmighty quick
o o u, ra an s er e
‘
It tells me nothi g L b n He tole me tha a d then n , a a .
’
r n
1 15
’
h t I w a dam
t a n fool He tole m
as e th t I knew jest . a
enough to go i when it r ined instea d o f t yi out n a , s a n

’
an
’
c ollectin r ai n water He tole me wha t w t r could do

’
a e
m
.
i this pa rt 0 Ca li
n f y He tole e
’
wh a t he could do
orn .
with w ter I so t in ou old wagon a d jest n tur lly

a r n a a
sm iled at himbec use I d mde up m m

.
y ind th
a t God ’
a a
int nded himto keep store d ch rge bout th ee prices

,
e an a a r
f o hi
r s go od s I a imed to help h imin the store w an
’
as
mfl m mi the fools th t Hea ven

.
,
lo okin fo wa r d to fl i
’ ’
—
r a n a
might send ou way Th t was m I wa plumfull 0 r a e s

’
ne per ience We come m

. .
sa ss d i an ighty nea r to qua r

x .
reli r ight here i the C nyon Geo rgie ta kes a fte r h i

u
’
n a . s
p a w in the w a y 0 pl n
i speech F in a lly L a ba n
’
se to a z
m: Almiry tha r seems to be jest o e 0 two thi gs f r

.
‘ ’
e n n e
m to do you kin ta ke yer choice o f em I up

,
’ ’
e an ca n
le ve ye to keep store a d flim flamfoo l s o I ki

, .
’
a n a n r n
wale the d mf ullih es out o ye with a club Which

,
’
a n s n s .
i it goi
s n to be ? ’ ’
He never da red to strike you sa id H zel

“
a .
He d hev done it right enough an d in fi e sha pe too

’
n
If ever a silly wom

.
, ,
a n needed a goo d w a lin I did tha t

’
a fter oon My dea r beca use I k ew th t he meant jest

n n a
wh t he said I answered up m ild a s m

.
,
a , i lk , .
Wh tever did you a y ?

“
a s
”
I llowed th t he m
a ust plea se him self And he did
a . .
You kin see what he done Mighty so o I k ew that n n
h d bin right an d m wron g We wo rked together til l

.
’
e e
h died I m
,
mh ppy so he tole m d he mde

.
e a de h i a e, a n a
m h ppy George is yi hi paw s wor

.
,
’ ’
e a . ca r r n on s
Is there a nything more to do here

“
There s a lways plenty to do o ’

y r nch if itas n an a
’
Geo rge a ims to develop more

,
r un a cco di n to Hoyle
’
r .
1 16
’
Th t ft noon she went s ili g with G o g

a a er d a n e r e, an
d uring h b ce Mrs Sp gg joy d co fid n ti l

er a sen . ra e en e a n e a
t lk with S m th w h ich m
a i
g h t h v to
a ih d H zel
an a a e as n s e a
h d h h pp n d to ov h r it
a s e As th tw wome
a e e er ea . e o n
sewed tog ther on the p rch Mrs Spr gge s id

e o . a a
ol mly
,
s e n
S m thy she ga ve h rs lf de d a w y th is mm
“
a an , e e a a o
Did she
Y she did Pr tty thi g h i cl v r too but she
a s, . e n s e s, e e
th i ks m
, ,
kli ld f l I w t h t think th t ’
n e a ca c n o oo an er o a .
All the s m
.
eI t h lp liki th chil d
a ca n
’
e n
’
e .
”
Nor I dmitt d S m th
ca n , a e a an a .
S h s d d sote
’
g i
tt i G o
ea g out r th i
s on n
’
e r e e
”
A ti w h t d y m
.
”
un e, ? a o ou ea n
She h t s the r n h I do t bl me h
“
a e a c . n
’
a er .
H t s Sp gg C yon
a e ra es
’
an
Like pi n zo .
Sh v r told you th t
e ne e a .
0 cour ’
t b t I j t k ow it N w is she g in
se n o , u es n . o , o
’
to w i t?n Is she goin to down m d you a d

ou
’
e an n
”
Geo r ge ?
“
Meb b e , sa id Sa m th
an a . She dd d n rvously a e e
G eo r ge ha s th e w o r se ki
nd of d a o se .
“ ”
sh to den y i
VVc d b e f u lli
’
t .
Th ey sta r e d th o n g ht f n llv at ea ch o th e r S m th
a an a
mwkih md
.
b etr a yed no a s o esty , a tte mpt ed n o f til

u e eva
si on s an d p r e ten s es S h e lo v ed Geo r ge an d th e si
g h t
om md
.
,
of hi mfl mf n a e o r a n o th er w an a e h er s ick P es. r
en tly h m mrs e ur u ed
1 18
Which E nds with a S quall
Is there nythi g we ki do a n n
N t gh i — p
o t w t h d pr
n y I ve m o
ex ce f ith in a c an a .
’
re a
w t h i th
a c p y i n Al’
o I k o wanm y d
ra h n
’
. s , n so n , a n s e
don t I ve notion to gi e h
’
.
’
fre h nd It i t
a v er a e a a n
’
mther
.
f erm to t ll G o ge wh t I t hi k Wh
e e e r a n . en a o
g iv s e bit a f h m i d
so n h m ya find it m igh tyo er n s e a
h d to g it it b k g i M d you mu t lie low S

ar ac a a n . e an s , a
m tby Sh p t di w ith us W ll pr t nd w ith

au e s
’
r e en n
’
. e
’
e e
I mde b d st rt th is mo ning I w short

.
h er a a a a r as
with G o ge I h ll be sw t pi to bo th of mfrom
. .
’
e r . s a ee as c e
w on G l n v be l to th t he hed to
’
no g l b eo r
y e e er a e sa a
You sit tight l ike bum

.
c h o e b tw e
o s h e e n us a n p
’
er .
, a
on a l g d if you f l like it git in som

o ,
an , e good solid ee ,
licks a
S m th nodded But her bo somhe ved

a an a h id . a as s e sa
despo d tly n en
She s wful t kin in her w y

“ ’
a a
’
a s .
S h is th t e a .
If h lov s G orge good

s e tru e e an
’
e
You t ke it f omm th t h lov s H z l Goo d

a r e a s e e a e
r ich mor n George Th t s wh r she ll slip up Th t

e
’
. a
’
a
’
. a
’
s
wh r m y womn do l ip p wh th y come to grip

a an e s u en e s
with t g m I m s ron ti G orge s str gth

en .
’
a co u n n
’
on e
’
en .
”
W ll s id S m th f t r l gthy p use I sh ll
“
e
”
a a an a, a e a en a ,
“
a
do som t ll p yi A ti S em t m th t ll I
,
’ ’
e a ra n , un e . e s o e a s a
ki do
”
n
After th t they t lked of other mtters

.
a a a .
V
Me nwhile G orge d hi b loved were d rifting
a e an s e
a cross mm : b l f bl b v d b n th
a su er sea a a ze o ue a o e an e ea
Out o f it d into it fl shed the whit gulls The m

.
anan a e .
1 19
’
wa s tea ching the mid how to steer d finding her a a , an n
a p t pupil A ge n tle breeze. fro m the West filled the s il a .
George discoursed up n the wonders o f the deep H zel o . a
li stened sta ri g t the h a nd which gr sped th tiller

, n a a e .
It f scin ted her She wondered whether it could be

a a
nger to strike wom Sever l tim

.
ra ised i fie ce n an
r a es a a
when she held th e tiller th t ha nd closed fi mly up n

. ,
, a r o
he s r And at ea ch contact she e pe ienced thril ls It

. x r .
pleased her th t her lover e ercised restr int when he a x a
touched her She felt s fe with him But his eyes a
m
. .
g l owed wh ne er their gl nce s

e et v a .
You like th is he sked

“
a .
It s hea venly
’ ”
We re in luck It a in t alw ys sm oo th a t thi s tim

.
’
e ’
a
More often th n not it s s m

.
0 yea r oother in the l te

’ ’
. a ,
a
f ll d winter Less f og too but the fogs e fine

a an .
, , ar
for the feed Better th n d w Our Canyon holds the a e
fogs d sucks the moisture out o f m

. .
’ ”
an e
Your ta lk lways ram

.
“
bles ba ck to the Ca nyon
a .
T ha t s so Na tu a l enough too It s sweet a in t it

’ ’ ’
r
to h ve a hom
, ,
e to ramble back to
.
, .
Oh yes indeed
“ ”
The sym oved himto flights

.
,
pa thy in her so ft voice m

,
n ever yet a ttem pted He bec me poetica l a
Most folks hev a home 0 sorts but do ll thei r

. .
“ ’
a
thoughts mble back there ? Mine do

,
ra
She murm
.
ured tent tively a
Don t you ev r feel the need o f more th n your

“ ’
e a
r a nch give
can you
By g m! Wh n I look t you I do
“
u e a .
I m nt somthi g el e Don t you w nt more inter

ea e n s
’
a
more friction with other minds ?

.
co ur se with peo pl
'
e,
1 20
Sp r a g ge s
’
Canyon
overly much bout my fi st n me till til l thi mo n a r a , s r
i
ng
Is th t so ? B t you m t a n w r my q ti
a h r u us s e u es on , e
voi e g w i it t ; h v I md mi t k ? Are y u
c re n s s en
“
a e a e a s a e o
a s mll yo r r h ?
s, a s a as u anc
”
l d s s ke I
“ ”
th
’
F or e an a
”
Ar e yo u ?
Pl i ly h w puzzl d a of course she intend d
a n e as e , s, ,
e
mt b S h w t :
hi o e e en on
T ke the t ill r pl se I must giv ll m

.
“
a y a ttentio e , ea . e a n
to yo u f
’
He to k o the t ill r gl
d pw rd t th s il not d e , a n ce u a a e a , e
th e c re
ou sf o th b t
d th n st r d st di ly t the
e oa ,
an e a e ea a
gi l
r D.id h b h ld f th fi t
e t im e th o t r l wo mn or e rs e e e e na a ,
th o i
e g i l Er na f i to l k u pon out
ve , so w r d ly d r
i a r oo a es
m
,
abl d l !
e, a n t ,g a asdocu nt to u d r
so s r a n t d d e a e n e s an an
int p t Sh
er re ti
.n d: e co n ue
Do y k w th e e ti l di ff erence between smll

“
ou no e ss n a a a
m d b ig m ?
an a n a an
”
Ig ; b t t ll m your id
“
uess so u e e ee
b r t ly fromher lips a s
.
T h w d d pp d v y d l i
e or s ro e er e e a e
sh el y b k w t h i g hi
a ac m a c n
A b ig m r h i b i ess wh tever it my be ; a
.
“
an un s s us n , a a
smll m b y it
”
a i an s r un .
H g e
p d h m
ra s i g i te tly er ea n n n s an
th i k th t Sp gg C yon r uns m
.
“
Y
’
ou n a ra es an e.
N t y t I t my
o e . a .
Why ? ”
Hi
s to n e w a s defia n t, a n d sh e wi sh ed it to b A d e so . n ,
f o r th e mm o en t, h e ha d cea sed to b h l r Q i te
e er o ve . u
ob i
v o u sly h e w a s p r epa r ed to th r esh o ut the q uest i
o n she
ha d r
ai
sed .
I ZZ
Your moth r owns a h lf interest doesn t she ? e a ,
’ ”
Of c o u r se
An d she s
’
a msterful womn
a a .
“
You b et
“
Yo u sa i
d th t S mnth could mn ge the ra nch
a a a a a a i
n
your a b sen ce
—
.
“
In a wa y y es
S ppo something h ppened to you would the ra nch

.
u se a ,
go b ck a
M bb e
“
t e no .
W l dn t thi gs g
'
ou much usu l ? H sn t the
’
n o on as a a
’
mo t f th work b en done lre dy by by your father

s o e e a a
a d m
,
n oth r ? C you y a your f th r could tha t

e an sa , s a e ,
Sp ggra C nyo is r lly d truly you s th t y u h ve

e s
’
a n ea an r a o a
md it cre t d it ? Aren t you i a w y r th r like

,
’
a e a e n a a e
m:
,
‘
9’
e
Like y
“
ou ?
”
I m p rticul rly proud of wh t I h ve My

a n ot a a a a
poor m l ike you rs H w a proud

.
f th r w
a e as a an , . e as s
of mrbl st p
o ur y a of S p gg e C nyon e s as ou a re ra e s
’
a
Th y m t mu h to him Th y m n th i g to m
.
e ea n e c . e ea no n .
Wh t h l f t I h v t k good e f H i t te has
a e e a e a en ca r o s es a
b ck d r m m
.
no t g on e y g ma t b t everythin g I
un e ana e en , u
h I w t him t to my lf
ave o e o , no se .
”
I mhot on th tr i l s id G o ge G o
“ ’ ”
e a , a e r . o n .
I h ve mb iti a i d H z l h rply I shoul d

a o n s,
”
sa a e s a
“
d p i my lf ltho gh I m w om if I w s s tis
.
es se se , a u a a an , a a
fi d wi
e th wh t th r h giv n to m aA d you a e aano e as e e n r
m st o g i t llig t m
.
an, a r n f th “ t ,
n e en a n , a so n o e f
es .
”
Sh p d Il e h d t i l d i th w t ; h
a u se . tti er an ra e n e a er er a
tud i di t d p ; h w mili g pl
e n ca e tly Butr e o se s e as s n ea sa n .
her y s were fill d with sp kli g not s of i t rog tion

e e e ar n e n er a .
1 23
’
Geo ge r em a ined silent sta ing keenly
r t her Happily , r .
a
t l fla m
.
he ha d understo od He perceived the vi es in her . a .
Would he light his tor ch t her fires ? a
P esen tly he spoke She perceived tha t he was ter

r .
ribly h diapp d for la ck o f a vocabul ry ; hi wea pons

an e e a s
m
,
po o r fell o w h a d been f o rged i foo thi ll school a o ng n a
the childr en of Piker s He ha d ta ken o lessons from

,
“ ”
. n
pr ofesso rs
Themm
.
ar bl e steps he bega n an d paused

“ ”
,
“ ”
Yes ?
They me nt m
“
uch you say to you f ther But it
a r a
eemto m th t when he put the price o f a house a d

.
, ,
s s e a n
lo t into themhis business w b gin i to u him I as e n n

’
r n .
h te to y it but w sn t he putti
a sa too m uch style
, a
’
n
’
on
Po ibly He wa getting old Hi wo rk w done

“
ss .
”
s . s as
I a in t th owi tones t him but I d espie frills

.
’ ’
r n s a s .
It l o t seem in this country where eve y m

,
a rn s an hs hi s r as
ch nce th t the mkin 0 big m o e n a m

,
a , a oney m an can a
’ ’
, r
’
u e end i
s , n fril ls Sees .
I follow y u perfectly
“
o
If the mker o f the pile don t put o f ills his folks

.
’
a n r ,
d o.The w me slosh a round in fur d di m

o ond d
n s an a s, a n
the boy pl y the a ces d drink whiskey Me d M w

s a r an . an a
h e t lked it over on ide ble Take the rowd as

av a c s ra c
the Aguil r nch The ld m

.
o wn s a i big huga b ck a . o n s a a
Ea st but his folk

, e rotten s ar .
”
Th t i uch ugly word

“
a s s an .
Sor y It fit I can t ling wo rds the way you

r . s .
’
s
124
Sp r a g ge s
’
C anyon
wind f omth l d r hi g dow r l g v ll y d
e an us n n a on a e an
striki g i omi g tid will produce mi i ture t m

,
n an nc n e a n a e
pest
H l look d h d A line of f o ms md to be d
.
az e e a ea . a ee e a
v an c ni g w i f tly B h i d it th sur f ce of th o
s . h d e n e a e cea n a
ch g d f m re to i digo
an e ro a zu n
id G orge We mu t go
.
“
N0 time t h rt s il o s o en a ,
”
sa e . s
a bout I f r m yo ll g t w t
. ea e u
’
e e .
”
H to e fl h i co t
e r d flu g it t her
o
r
s a an n a
Put th t —quick
.
“ ”
a ou .
She ob y d the bo t swung round The squ ll

e e as a a . a
struck the port qu t r The st rbo rd gunw l dipped ar e . a a a e
so sud d ly th t H z l w flu g g i st Georg He
en a a e as n a a n e .
g ripped h w i
th h d looseni
er g the s h t T h e on e an , n ee .
bo t st gg r d d th n r h d on A show r of p y
a a e e an e us e . e s ra
sw pt fr ms t rn to st m B t the squ ll se md t be
e o e e . u a e e o
incre i g i v il ce
as n n o en .
“
Mu t low r the s il s id G orge C you hold the
s e a , a e . an
tiller ? ”
For o inst t H zel hesit ted She w p r lyz d

ne an a a . as a a e
with f r O ce more her will conquered She hea d

ea . n . r
hers l f s yi g
e a n
O f co u e
“ ”
rs .
J m it oa r ! K e p it j m m e d !
ve e a
His fi ce g p emph i ed the com

er mnd George
ras as z a .
g ripp d the eh t b tw his te th H

s eez l could the e een e . a e see
muscl s h k bo s d thro t st ndi g out in k ots

e on c ee -
ne an a a n n .
He cr pt fo w rd The bo t h d begun to pit h tre

e r a . a a c
m d ly H r h d th m t d lowe ed the big

en ous . e ea c e e as an r
sa il .T h b t c r yi g e oth r c nv s th
oa , mll a r n no e a a an a s a
jib r ced on upo a smoother d m

, a o re even k e l n an e .
1 26
G o ge stow d th il d b g n to b le t the w te
e r e e sa an e a a ou a r.
Th h w t b k t th till r
en e en ac o e e
It s O K he i d h f lly S rv d m right ! I
.
“ ’
, sa c eer u . e e e
w kli b out th i g I don t u d d d

’ ’
as ca c n a t n s n er s a n an ne
g l
ec ti w h t I
n do ’
As f you —
a w l l by thund r ! y u . or e , e o
b t the b d D o you know th t we w

ea an . ne r two a as as a as
tw o s c psized ?
’ ”
a
“
Yes ”
I md m
.
“ ’
ned ! I b g yer pa rdon but I jest n tu r lly
a e a a
mite
,
ca n t h lp w
’ ”
i
’
e s ea r n a .
H z l id c lmly :
a e sa a
“
Are we still in d ng r ? She w w ll w re th t a e
”
as e a a a
the d nger w ov r but the oppo tu ity to s r to

a as e ,
r n oa
even giddier height w irresi tible George replied s as s .
h rtily
ea
“
S fe house now T h squ ll is cin pa t There
a as s e a ra
’
s
ky m
. .
w as jest inute o n e r es
”
When you sk d m to t ke the tiller ?

.
“ ”
a e e a
Yep Si gl h d d I could t h k pt her str ight

n e an e n
’
ev e a
If m
.
a d t k n in s il teeth h d t stood the tr ’

n a y e a in a n s a
m d you would be wimmin at thi minute

,
.
’
e an s s .
“
I c n t swim a
’
.
Th n we d be si kin togeth r
“
e
’
n
’
e .
He put out his h nd to t ke the tiller but h did ot a a s e n
move He pl ced his h d ov r her So they t f at

,
. a an e s . sa or
le t mi ute Th G orge s id :
as a n en e a
S ms t m I mdoi m
.
“
ee y level
o b t to c re
e you
’
n
’
es s a
cold Fir tly th t d d b ke t b oldin ; secondly

s a er n e ra no
’
—
.
, ,
g itt in lost i
’
th br h h l
i ls ; thirdly
n this e us .
”
The squ ll w lmo t over ; color cr pt b ck into

a as a s e a
H z l ch eks G o g
a e s
’
mi d h criti lly gripping
e . e r e ex a ne er ca ,
h er so ft li ttl e ha nd which l y p si e bene th hi s a as v a .
13 7
Sp r a gge s Canyon
’
You r e
’
b
fin e, th oroughbred by gum!
,
She met hi
s gl a nce ca l mly,a l th o ugh h er h ea r t
Shall I tell you what I think o f you i ”
He nodded m o vi
,n g closer to her .
“
Yon ar e too big f or Sp agge s Ca n yon
r
’
.
Sp r a gge s
’
Canyon
th e c t i y mdams pluck her a d ptability her ench nting
a
’
, a , a
desire to pl se Uncle Zed grunted not to be shaken

ea
fromhis conviction that Geo rge w

.
,
lovesick idiot as a .
“
I ll be th r he s id t len gth though I in t a comin
’
a ,
”
a a ,
“
a
’ ’
to lo k t her o he spoke he e e tor ted

”
o a y u a r p
o a s x c
fre ly but t p y m m
,
e y respeo c ts to yaour a w an to ea t a ,
’
squ re m e l sech I never git to hom

,
a a e as .
”
“
Right s id George ,
”
a .
Uncle Z d pp r d in deepest sable p nts vest d

e a ea e , a , an
co t o f r usty br
a dcloth worn t fun r ls in the bra ve
oa , a e a
da ys when such fun tions i S Lor nzo County were

c n an e
o f suprem e int rest d ente t i ment e an r a n
George prese t d himto H z l Uncl Z d w

.
n e a e . e e a s ex
l r em e ly po lite In his ti m e h d he o t dri v n f m ous a n e a
me d be utiful womn ? H d he not t lk d upon

.
n an a e a a e
equ a l term s to th m d with them? e an
H el took his thin w inkled h nd s u i g himth t

az , r a , a s r n a
sh w
e h ppy to mke his acqua int nce The old f llow
as a a a . e
n odded grim ly In honor o f the occ sion he w wea ri g

. a as n
hi f lse te th which clicked whenever he sp ke bec use

s a e , o , a
they ha d long ce ed to fit himproperly S mnth d as . a a a an
M s Spragge were greeted with genia lity Uncle Zed

r . .
eye d his h stess with re l a ff ecti o n

o a
A bit more fleshy M rm he remrked critic lly but

.
“ ”
, a , a a ,
y o u c sta
an nd it S m a th y pe rs to
. hev pluam ped upn
’
a
so m e sence I w her l st ”
sa a .
Sa mnth bl ush d Within the yea r she h d disca rd d

a a e . a e
a h bit of wriggli g whenever ttentio

a w
n direct d to a n as e
her s lf She w t d to wriggl now but H zel s eyes ’

e . an e e , a
were o her n Since m ting Hazel tem

. pt tion s il d ee a a sa e
h er to s nd fore s m e fl sh r ducin g prepo r tion d e e -

e a a a v r
1 30
Uncle Zed Is Impressed
ti
sed i
n the S a n Lor ens a Weekly T ri
b une . George said
pleas a ntly :
“
Sa m thy
od a d solid
an
’
s go n .
”
Uncle Zed fished a lett r out of a c p cious pocket e a a .
No mil fer you folks he said This is fer M iss

“
a
”
, .
“
Goodrich
”
.
Hazel gla nced at the e velope but did not open it n ,

.
They went into the pa rlor wher e the t ble ha d been a
decorated by Ha zel In the m

,
iddle w a linen center as
piece el bor tely em

.
a bellished by wha t is all d in Ca li

a e e
l
,
i Spa nish wo r k H azel ha d brought it to Sp agge s

’
for n a r
ft to George s mother Upon d roun d

.
Ca nyon as a gi
’
an a
this d inty bit o f needlework we e m

.
a de h ir fern s n d
ai r n a a
wild white l pin Uncle Zed h d never see the like

u a n
an d jum ped too swiftly to the conclusion tha t the schem

.
,
o f decor ti on w Sm
a a nth s as a a
’
.
George s id gleefully : a
Miss Good r ich done it She wo ked the cen ter

“
. r
piece There s jest nothing she c t do

.
’
an
’
.
”
Set ye dow en joined M s Spra gge

“
n,
”
r . .
It was a hot day d Uncle Zed would ha ve liked to an
remove his coa t He gla n ed lo gingly at peg upon . c n a
the door .
1
T ke o ff yer coa t Mr Byle s id his hostess f ye
“
a , . s, a ,
i
fe l like it
e .
”
I do t feel like it s id Uncle Z d He gla nced

“
n
’ ”
a e
bout him noting something unf mili r Some of the

.
,
—
a a a
m
, .
furnitur d be n oved Thing

h e a Uncle Zed de e s so
—
.
cided h d been slick d up by the city md m Wh t

a e a a . a
se se w th re in litt e i up pa rlor with wild flowers ’

n as e r n a
a nbranches 0 tre s !
’ ’
e
Regler bower l claim ed Geo ge

”
ex r .
Sp r a gge s
’
Canyon
Uncle Z d nodded m o u n fully but hi
e s eyes b ig hten e d r r
S mntha b o ught i the soup tu ee

,
whe n a a Mrs r n - r n . .
S p gge w
ra f mou f h chowde Uncl e Zed t
as a s or er r a
After w llowing a few m

.
ta cked it outhfuls he r s a e
marked with enthusiasm

.
Thi in t the old chowder m

“
s a o e of
’
lamsoup , r a c ,
Ma n I should y
r i, sa .
It s cl mp e e pl ined G o ge
“ ’
a a ur e, x a e r .
I w nt to know W l I ne e t b tter soup n ot

“
a . a , v r a e e ,
even in this house

”
.
Ge rge s id sh rply
'
o a a
T in t bit better th n wh t y u te l s tim

’
a
’
a e you a a o a a
’
w here
as
Uncle Zed replied solemnly

.
Y ; it i bette
“
as I d ko ed yer mw c uld ts r
’
rec n a o n
’
mp ove in h Thi oup m

.
i ki b ut she kin akes

’
r er coo n s s
m gl d th t I li ed to sw lle it
.
,
’ ”
e a a ve v a t
In loud mocking vo ice Geo ge p ocl imed the t uth

.
a r r a r
Mi H zel Goo d ich mde it

.
“ ”
ss a r a .
She didn t ? ’
H looked n iously t Mrs Spr gge who nodded

e a x a a
m m
.
I me er
.
,
“ ’
gl d you l ike it
v Mr Byles sou u r ed a , .
,
”
r
jHazel .
George add d quickly e
She took les ons in f ncy ooki la fa ll

“
s a c n
’
s
’
.
U ncle Zed finished hi s s o up in silence
Lm me send you a nother h lpi suggested Mrs

.
“ ’
e e n .
S pragge
Uncle Zed licked his lips but he replied fi rm
.
ly
I ve hed grea t sufficien cy M a rm
,
“ ’ ”
a
A di h f trout followed the soup Samntha w ited

.
,
s o a a
When the tur key a ppea ed Sam

.
a t ta ble . a ntha s t do wn r , a .
1 32
Sp ra g ge s
’
C anyon
that ar tless m ind With seem ig i rrelevance a H zel n s a
a nice phr se Geo rge s m

.
,
p a used in the selecti o n of o the r a ,

’
r emrked pl cidly :
a a
“
Turkeys is mighty ha rd to r ise o the co st a n a .
George lone of those present understoo d the purpo e

a s
o f th i st tem s ent In the l ngu ge f the corr l M w

a . a a o a a
w as trying to cut o t Hazel Indiscreetly he rushed

“
u .
to the rescue He a ddressed Uncle Zed

Two day g m M iss Go odrich had a mighty
.
“ ’
s a o e an
clo se c ll We w o ut ilin ’
a . as sa
He told the story e citedly quite u a w re that hi x n a s
pra ise w becom

,
i g penance to H zel He touched

as n a a
o t too lightly upon the o ther m ia dventures sum ming

.
n s ,
up riotously :
D ne my level best to sca r e her but gee ! she a in t

o , ,
’
to be sc red No yelpin no keelin over i dea d faint

—
’ ’
a n a
makes g od
.
, ,
n o f u lli h ess s nAller s sh . e o .

”
Unquestionably Uncle Zed was c ptured Perha ps he a .
f elt the co il o f the l ri t bo ut his wrinkled thro t T o a a a a
f r ee himsel f he s id desper tely

.
a a
“
Once I w s u a w y with down the San Lo e y
a r n a r nz
g r ade . He
”
turned to H zel In them d ys I u e t r a .
“
a s e
drive the i horse st ge between Sa li s a d S Lo

s x -
a na n an r
cuzy
”
.
yb
ver dy k ows th
o t M Byles n a , r .
The old fellow lo ked flattered but he continued em

.
o ,
ph tic lly :
a a
“
There s ugly twists on th t gr de I mde up m
’
mind we w goin to be piled p — ! N m t

y a a . a
’ ’
as u sur e ex e sa
a young l dy purty a they mke m W l we spu

, as a
’
e . a ,
n
a round the first turn the two ne r wheels As the on a
sta ge ri ghted itself the young l a dy sez to m s ca m

.
’
, as e, a
1 34
Unc le Z ed I s Impressed
ee
’
mkin be I d ‘
o s —
je t love thi it s fine s
’
Tha t s what ’
she me nt it
,
h S he di
’
d n t kn ow to be
’
s e sez, a n a . en ough
scar e
He paused Ther e w an a wkwa d sile ce br oken

. as r n ,
by George .
“
Mis Goodrich did know
s .
I in t denyi it a id Uncle Zed Air these

a
’
n
’
,
”
s .
cookies f yer w bakin Ma rm

o o n
’
,
They i replied Mrs Sp agge

“
a r,
”
. r .
Then I ll help m y self ’

.
”
Th m ea l cro wned by a strawberry sho tc ke wa s

e , r a
H z l h d tr iumphed: M g ifi tly ha d he
,
o ver a e a a n cen s
em
.
erged fromthe ordea l of Geo rge s pr ise On e ’

a . c
more Mrs Spragge r emrked . a

“
I w s yin tha t turkeys w mighty ha rd to r ise
as a
’
as a
on the coa t
”
s .
This time she preva iled Uncle Zed to k the floo r . o ,
a s she hoped he wo uld He j um ped a t the ch nce o f . a
displ ying a pa ticul r knowledge concerning poultry

a r a .
Hazel listened astounded t the memories of these peo

, a
ple f unim or po rta nt det ils Uncle Zed brought to life a
tu r key s th t ha d died befo r e S a mnth w

.
a born M s a a as . r .
Spragg e skilfully steered the t lk fromturk ys to hogs a e

“
I mind m when we d as nice lot 0 shote jest a
e
’
a
’
s,
hundred of m ’
e
One hundred
“
two inte po l ted Sam a ntha an
’
,
”
r a .
The child s right a d sh wa s only ten a t the

’
,
n e
“
Jest nine Auntie , .
Yer age right I d told ye to quit ru i bo ut in

n .
’
nn n
’
a
a pa ir 0 Geo ge s old pa ts As I was sayin we d a

’
r
’
n .
’ ’
1 35
Canyon Sp r a g ge s
’
h undred two shotes bout ei hty p nd ’

i
’ ’
an g g o s , a vera n u
a pie e H g fever wip d ut the lot

c . o e o .
”
“
We s ved jest three s id G g the runtie t !
a , a eo r e, s
Th t w the dry se son We d locu ts too ’ ”

a as a . s , .
“
Ticks on the horses dded Uncle Zed d la ter ,
”
a , an , ,
by rea on 0 b in out 0 condition ll the colts in thi

s
’
e
’ ’
a s
township c m e d wn with epioiiti It kep m hust

,
’
o o z c. e a
li night
”
d y
’ ’
n an a
You m
.
1
“
ust h ve d i e hund ds o f ho e Mr a r v n re r s s,
Byles Do you remem be ll f them

.
. r a o
H azel put the que tion to the vete a n s r .
“
I dd he replied proudly .
S mnth joined i the ta lk

,
a a a The d i y wa her n . a r s
p itch She discours ed fluently up o n w Ap pa e tly co s r n
th m ilking of Frisi n Holstein th ee tim d y was

. .
e a a r es a a
t he m o st e citing e perience o f her life

x x .
So the t lk fl wed o till it strayed un der G o ge s ’

a o n, e r
g u id a nce into the b ck pastu e a r .
Ha el listened re lizing at last wha t life in Spragge s

z a
’
The m oun t o f wo k ccom

,
Canyon ctu lly w a a plished as a r a
by thi one f m
.
ily st gge ed he An d such wo rk was

s a a r r .
well done bec u e e ch wo rke lo ed the work Hith a s a r v .
er to she h d despised r nch li a fe believing tha t y f irly a -

an a
smll r nch
,
intellig ent pe s n could u r o The few r n a a a .
d ys she h d spent in the Ca nyo n fo tified this onvictio

a a r c n .
O n he co unt these indef tig ble worke s ha d taken

r ac , a a r
t hi ng ea y for a spell The nch h d u it elf

s s
“
ra a r n s
Possibly t other tim

. .
e a d i no other w y could
a no n n a
t hi city mide h ve gle ned such

s a mss f inform
n a a a a o a
ti o n It verwhelmed her bec use it w reve led by

o a as a
pea ker unconsciously W m

.
,
ea ch s ed by go o d foo d ar
f to mke up f o weeks
.
an d d r i n k they poke vo lubly a i s , s a r
1 36
’
Geo rge o bserved with enthusi sm a
M w w s the equ l f
“
a y hired
a ma in themda y s a o an n
Mrs Spr gge sa id m

.
. odestly a
Mr Sp gge llowed I w better th n y Greaser

“
. ra a as a an .
There w n t o ther help to be g t then

a
’
o .
”
While the wom en we e cle ring up the m fell r a en
a sl eep upon the front po rch H zel slipped w y to . a a a
h er roomto e d the l tter which Uncle Zed br ought

r a e
fromAgu il a .
Sto cker s L nding June 29 ’

a , .
DEAR Ha zsr .
“
Just b ck fter a fi e trip up No rth I took in Seattle
a a n
d T com Both citi es epb oming d I ve esta b
.
’
an a a ar o an
lih d conn tion whi h my lea d to b i
.
ec
g business s Of c a
course it m s m ore trips d m
s e
ore t m spent aw y
.
fromyou but if I h dn t sn pped u th se ch nces

, ea n an i e a
’
a e
some other fellow would All i n ll Imfeeling first
,
a a
’
. a ,
ra te but terribly di sa ppointed bec use I a t talk things

,
a c n
’
over with you

Your unt g ve m
.
e your a ddres s d hinted th t she

“
a a an a
w s e pecting you b ck soon
a x It beats m why you a . e
l ft O kl nd o suddenly And wh t ver
e a a s y u find . a e ca n o
to ente t in y u in the wilds
r a f a cow county ?
o o
“
This i s a sh rt letter de r but I h ve to dig deep
nto a pile f a ccum
o , a , a
i ula ted cor espo ndence
o r .
Very sincerely “
P S rocx m
,
W1 “ '
—
. .
PS .I ha lf a notion to fetch you home when you

.
’
ve
ge t ful l up with h y seed a .

”
She could he r Wilbur speaking ; d she could ee a an s
m digging into a pile of business l tter high

hi
“ "
e s as
Mount T mlp is At thi e y m

a oment he m
a ight be a . s v r
1 38
Uncle Zed Is Imp re ssed
u king a so d mint lozenge ! Upon his thin nose wer e
s c a -
a pa ir of —
imless pince nez ; his d rk h ir getti g thin
r a a , n
o the top w sl kly b ushed b ck from high a

n , as ee r a a n r
row forehe d Upon his upp r lip w s smll c r fully

,
a e a a a a e
t im med must che which he stroked complacently when

.
,
r a ,
he w s fe ling first r te
a e
“
a .
Of course poor Wilbur wa ot fi rst r te s n a
H zel ha d lw ys known this comp ring himwith me

.
a a a , a n
whomshe h d met in S Fr ncisco m a e whose orbit an a n
cross d hers very r rely It says something for the girl s

,
’
e a .
cleverness th t she recognized her limit tions a d w s

a a n a
t unduly di myed by them She looked rom

,
no s a a ntic a
c eature attuned to sentiment c p ble perh ps o f a
.
,
r a a a
m
, , ,
g e a
r t p a ssio b u t bene a th n,
a ch a r in g su rfa ce sh w a s e
pr ctic l a d sensible Her future a s the wife o f Wil

a a n .
bur w s too e sily visualized Wilbur it ha been s i d

a a . s a
happ ned to be the m ost eligible o f the m who m

, ,
e ight en
b e r eckoned a po s ibl e suito rs s Unh ppily he wa s a

s . a ,
type There were thousa nd s o f Wilburs upo n the P cific a
S lope a ctively concerned with the developm

.
en t o f C li a
fo i a bees busy in collect ing h o ney to be hi ved f o r the

rn
consu m
,
ption of others H zel kn ew a lso th t she wa s . a , , a
a type There were dozens o f girls in Oakla n d like her

a ll f themdestined to mr y Wi
. .
,
o lburs a r
This knowledge smote he

.
r .
And be u Wilbu d she wer e tr ue to type she

ea se r an
h a d wit enough to a dm
, ,
it that Geo ge a ttra ted her be r c
c use he w s ot a type ot a m
a a n o re o r less fini shed ,
n
product of Western rts a d cra fts ! Rough red cla y

—
a n ,
y es
-
l la y pla stic to
c the h a nd o f a potter ! N ot a
white sm ir ki
,ng pla ster o f Pa r i s m a niki n o off er eve y ,
n r
where !
’
S p ra gge s Canyon
Wilbu w s di ppointed beca use he could ot talk
r a sa n
over hi ff air with a sym

s a p thetic listener N tur lly
s a . a a .
But he w not disposed t ta ke dvice in reg rd to the

as o a a
con duct o f these ff ir He would mind his ow busi a a s n
ess dm
.
n i a bly pile up the doll s slowly d surely

a r , ar an
a d e pect her to m
n x ind her business f ithfully M as a . ar
ri ag with Wilbur wo uld be business rr ngement

e a a a
tisf to y from bu ine s point o f view

,
absolutely sa ac r a s s
M rri ge with Geo rge m

.
a a ight me n b krupt y a an c .
B ei g a d ughter f the We t she w

n a t prej udiced o s as n o
aga i st h i
n mbec use he u ed the di lect f the fo thill
a s a o o s.
So her f ther h d spoken S h never doubt d h

a a bi lity e e er a
h nge him utw rdly to mold himt the pproved

.
to c a o a , o a
O kl nd p ttern She believed lso th t she could

a a a .
, a , a
t r himfromhis beloved r nch She co ld not help

ea a u
sm iling when h r ec lled t m

.
nd M Sp gg t lk at
i s e a o rs . ra es
’
a
dinner The ld l dy h d been clever but not quite

. o a a ,
clever enough She h d wished t show her guest wh t a o a
ra nch life m
.
e nt d she h d succeed d But the e

a an a e r
The never e ding pr ttle bout unimport nt

.
,
s ult -
n a a a
mtters the tedious recit l o f immense e penditure

a , a an x
o f tim e d l bor to secure o little the bounding di

an a s a s
a pp intm
,
o e t the despe ate t uggle gainst disgusting

n s, r s r a
dise ses ! plague f ti ks ! He vens l) the impending

a a o c a
—
,
ca ta tr phe o f a dry se on o de t u tive torrenti l

—
s o as r s r c a
m
,
m
,
ain ll these things in thei fi d

—
r s a r su co n r e as
Geo ge s mother h d intended they should her convi

r
’
a e
tion th t life in Sp gg C nyon w q ite nthi k ble

a ra es
’
a as u u n a
f o Mi s H zel G odrich Unh ppily it fo tifi d l o

r s a o a r e a s ,
her determin tion to lure Ge rge fromhis r nch d

.
, ,
a o a an
to mke f hima glo ified hu b nd d citi en r c g

,
a o r s a an z e o
i b l by the elect s a m te p iece f hioned by an

,
n za e a as r as
1 40
Sp r a gge s
’
Canyon
These pro fessors revolved endlessly in circle sta rs of a
the smll st m a gnitude unknown for the m

,
a e ost pa rt even
in S F nci c Nevertheless she owed something to
,
an ra s o.
Clinton T rr nt He ha d reve led h imself with sh r p

a a a a
definitio a a m to whompa rt f life w grea t r

.
n s an o as e
than the whole She might ha ve owned o e third i a n -

n
ter e t in Ta r nt not m
.
s ore r a , .
Hazel continued h r letter e .
We will t lk ove your ff irs wh n we meet Don t

a r a a e
’
wa ste v lu ble time by c ming dow h r I ca ssure

.
a a o n e e . n a
yo u th t there a no bu siness connections to

are be worked
up in Sp gg C nyon This is life t first h nd mus
ra es
’
a a a a
i gly prim
.
,
n itive a d up to point invigorating You n a

will ee me soon
, , .
s .
Co rdi lly a ,
HAZEL .
She folded the letter a d slipped it i to env lope n n an e .
Then she went down st irs with the intention of sking a a
Uncle Zed to post it Wilbur would be fl ttered t her a a
prompt ess no thing a ppea led to himmo re

.
n , .
Meanwhile Uncle Zed d George h d fini hed their an a s
siesta an d were smoking amic bly Twice Uncle Zed a .
h d nnounced his intention o f going but he h d not

a a a
yet budged fromhis comfort ble ch ir George guessed

,
a a
th t something w incub ting i the old mn s m

.
a ind as a n a
’
He w nted to a pologize f o cert in unc ll d f rem

.
a a rks r a a e or
co ncerning city md m s It would be kind to help him a a .
o t of a tight pl ce
u a .
You d Miss Goo drich cottoned to ea ch other

“
an
eh
Uncle Zed dm itted this c ndidly a a
She s sm
.
“
Yas . a r ter th n I reckoned fer
’
A slick a .
1 42
Uncle Zed Is Imp ressed
t lker
a ,quite the l dy H ndy a round the house too
an
’
a . a , .
Th t soup w to the Qu n s t ste but I re kon th re ’
—
a as ee a c e
ov rly mu h r min it T oo ih Now look

,
w as e c c ea r c
ye here Geo ge I ll w up yo w nt me ter do th t

. . ,
’
r o n as u a a
I wa mistook abo t Miss Goodrich She is credit to

, , , ,
s u . a
O kl nd
a a y oth r do
o r an
gg oned city But I w n t m ei a
’
s
took bout the min propo sition She ll never trot qua
, .
’
a a . s r
i double h rness with you Hev o t uck with her ”

n a . n r .
George l ughed sco rnfully a .
Put it this w y ! A l dy like Miss Good ich a in t

“
a a r
’
likely t hev truck with me

er .
I dunno replied Uncle Zed thoughtfully It gives

“ ”
me cr mps to h r y m shootin 05 his mouth bout

.
, ,
’
a ea an an a
wha t womenfolk will do or won t d T h y ta ke the ’

o e
'
wildest notions Never ca red to drive m e o the

.
. ar s n
wheel I w w tchi her clost t dinner She s sorter

as a n
’
a
’
you s me a poo r S m thy Gosh ! I t s

. .
stuck o
’
n a s a an
tough o S m thy I m ot b lam

.
,
i ye Yer ’ ’
n a an y a n n an
fine up ta di colt cr dit to y d ma d credit

. .
,
s n n , a e er a , n a
to the Sta te I hate to sa y it to yer f ce bec use yer

. a , a
in da nger o f swelled he d but it s a solid fa ct th t I do a ,

’
a
cotton to this y re city md mbecause she cottons to e a a
y o u C ity w ay s h in t blinded h er to wh t is a a m a
’
a n
I a llow yer a m an fromthe g ound up

. .
I ll w also r a o
th t yer considerable f a foo l with m

.
a ighty leetle e o x
m
,
p e i
re o f
n ce wo en Wh t ye kn o w bout ho s e s a a r
o ughter hev le rned yo u s mthing Tea m s mtched to

.
a o e . a
g ether i looks never

n did i m pose on m I ller s e
’
ve a
hunted fer iml g t up d g t thar qu lities siml r

.
’ ’
s ar e an e a a
Th t s wh t mkes a fine m
,
sta yi powers a tch tea m

’ ’
n a a a
my son Th t s the sort 0 teamI like to h ndle o the

.
,
’ ’
. a a n
l ast a longest str etch o r oa d

n
’ ’
’
Sp r a gge s Canyon
Ha el appea red sm
z ling
i v a f ew . She had o erhea r d
wo rds .
“
T lking of horses ? she asked
a
Yes mrm And a m

.
knows ho rses knows hu

a . an a s
man n tur too

,
a , .
“
Will you be kind enough to post this letter in
Agui l ? a
“
Cer t n y
’
.
After he h d gone H zel found herself a lo ne with

a a
George The wrinkles tr ced by Uncle Zed upon a a
sm
.
ooth forehe d h d ot yet vanished Ha el s id

a . a n . z a
so ftly
Uncle Zed does ot quite a pprove o f m

“
e doe s he n ,
Geo rge h ste ed to rea ssure her a n .
He likes y u fine only

“
—
o ,
Only what
Nothing ! Gee ! I ve got to cut a b scess oute r
’
o e of our ca lves !
n
He v nished swiftly a .
Upo n Monday a fternoo Geo ge d r ove Ha el into n r z
Aguil t secure guest for a Fourth o f July ba rbecue

a o s
The hamlet slum

.
ber ed peacefully upon the banks o f a

cr eek m ked o the county m ficant n me
a p by th sig i
—Arroyo Seco He vy wi ter r ins had deepened the

,
ar n e n a
a n a
ch nnel during the memory o f Mrs Spragge A sm

.
a a ll . .
hotel ppo site to the wooden bridge spa nning the creek
o
kept by Irishm
, ,
w as a n who h d cr wl d into Agu ila

an a a e
som e fo rty yea rs before to die of g lloping um p a co n s
tion He had not died In tim

. e he bec me strong . a a
I 44
Sp r a gge s Canyon
’
ti
n g on these ga ve to the h rd working m
of oth e s th e a -
r
g re test
a ple sure th t they knew a a .
In front of Hennessey s hotel h lf dozen cow po nies ’

a a -
were hitch d to ra il whilst their riders m

e a de m aerry at
disml line
,
the ba within T he ponies sto od in

r . a a ,
h unched up with droopi g he d s a d t ils ti

, g htly tucked n a n a
a g inst their thin qu

a ters A si horse wagon stood ar . x -
o pposite G ld h i s store The owner wa busye en e rn er

’
. s
lo ding it up with sa ck s a d ca sed good s provisions f o

a n r
f ll d winter Upo n the b o seat t womn holding

,
a an . x sa a a ,
h r baby to her brea st

e A child might h ve doubted . a
w hether she could belong to the sam e s a H zel Her ex s a .
d ull listless yes mt the gl nce a t the young girl

,
e Fo re a .
a m oment the tw wom en st red interrog tively a t ea ch

o a a
other The the m other not Ha el sm iled de isively

—
. n , z ,
r ,
a s if to s y : young once d pretty Y u

“
Y I w a es as an . o
my grow my d r to lo k like m if you ma ry a

a , ea , o e, r
g arn ger .
”
As they p ssed the w agon H a el whispered : Who

a , z
“
i th t womn ?
”
s a a
Geo rge gl nced a t her indiff er en tly He had seen m

a a ny .
s uch j ded specim a ens

I dunno A squ tte s wife They com e i f rom
.
“ ’
. a r . n
way ba ck t buy g ub
”
-
o r
Is ther e pl ce m
.
“
ore w y ba ck th n this ?
a a
’
a -
a
”
Is there ? I should smile ! Why I know ra nches ,
s eventy m iles ff o the pl ins t oth r side 0 the Co st ’ ’

o n a e a
R nge wh r they don t see a str nge f ce on t in ix

a a
’
a a e s
months Must be kind 0 lon some

,
’ ”
. e .
Very nswered Hazel

“
,
”
a .
That s the d nce ha ll sa id George pointing with

’
a ,
”
,
146
hi
s whip a t a better cla ss of building ne t to Gelde heim x n
er s store
’
.
Oh ! They da nce he e do they ?

“
r ,
”
Geo rge e pl ined not too willingly

x a
We did hev fine tim es Adolf Gelde heime a d old

,
“
n r n
man Hennessey put up that h ll a d it p id good divi

.
a , n a
de ds Two ye rs ago we b d
n big eviva
a l in A guil a e a r .
So m e of us got the wfullest dose 0 eligion The most

.
’
a r .
0 the b ys a d ll the girl s swore ff d ncin fer sp ll

’ ’
o , n a o a a e
an d Adolf go t no dividend s But the fever s dyi out ’ ’

. n .
He drew rein t the live y st ble d helped H zel to

a r a an a
Her appe rance c used m

,
a light . ild sensa tion for she

a a a ,
ca ried bright red sunsha de challenging ttention an d

r a a
criticism
,
On foot they p ssed Hennessey s saloon Geo ge

,
a
’
. r
ca ll d H zel s tten tion to telegr ph po st saying g ily :

’
e a a a a a
See th t po st ! It ved a mn s life on t

,
’
a sa a e .
How
A co wboy bolted out o themswing doors Another ’
.
feller w a fte himw vin big i shooter They w s

as r a
’
a sx -
a
b th plumfull 0 the old mn s whiskey The cowboy

.
’ ’
o a .
dodged behi d th t the post d the other feller put

n a r an
jest i bullets into it They re i the po st still I joshed

sx
’
n
the m fired the i shots be se he f ncied him

. .
a n as sx ea u a
e as shootist but he id to m: By Ging !

,
self som
‘
—
a , sa e
George the son of a gu jest h u k Funny eh n s r n
You don t me n to ay tha t w ll W sn t the m

, ,
“ ’ ’
a an s as a a
pt d m
.
a r ested for ttem urder ? ”

r a e
Why no The boys w s on a bender

“
, . a .
George you wouldn t shoo t t fellow crea ture ? ’

a a -
I would if I hed to m
,
ighty quick ”
Hazel com
.
,
p essed her pretty lips She perceived that

r .
1 47
S p r a gge s Canyon ’
a rgum ent would be wasted Her ile ce howeve f iled s n r, a
to im
.
,
pre s her com p nion He nudged h

s m a er a r
Th t s the school house We e m

. .
“
a
’
ighty pro ud 0 .
’
r
’
th ta .
”
It w pp lling building ! B dly d sign d b dly

as an a a a e e , a
built b dly p i t d with u t por he to keep out the

a a n e o c s
b l zing u h t an o en in um me old as ha ity

, ,
a s n, o as v s r, c c r
in winter .
Cost more fi e thousa nd dolla rs

“
id Geo ge
’
n v sa r
H zel w hrew d ough to inquire h w uch sum

, .
a as s en o s a
wa ised in such tiny vill ge George g inned

s ra a a . r
The Aguil R ncho p id the m

.
“
ost 0 the bill T he
a a a
’
.
o ld m kicked like an stee but th folks in Aguila a r, e
voted solid .
”
I “
underst nd ca n id H zel dryly why he pe ds a sa a , s n
so little tim
,
e m ong such neighb a or s .
They re ll right W it till y ou g t cqu inted with

“ ’
a . a e a a
’
em I h pe we sh ll find M i G ld
. o h im to home a
’
s e en e er
e from
.
She w r ised in Sa Jo é M is Bung rd com

as a n s
’
a
New Engl nd bit pernickety a pe vish she i m

.
’
a , a a n e s, r
r ied the P f l ti h in life o child e Folk ay

er esso r a s , n r n . s s
sh thi ks more of her a t than he doe o f the Pe f es

e n c s s r
so They e kinky pair but high toned

r
’
r a ,
-
At the tore whe e G ld heim w duly p e ented

. .
s , r e en er as r s
to Miss G o d ich they lea rned tha t M G lde h im

o r e , rs e n e r
t h m
.
w as a e d quite rea dy to ente t in isito r T he

o , an r a v s
G ld h imr re idence too d b ck fromthe oa d su

.
“ ”
e en e e s s a r r
smll g d full of ro e Ros bloom

,
r ounded by a ed a ar en s s es
i profusion everywher e A m
.
n ag ificent G ld f pO hi n o o r,
r ying t le t thous nd blo som

.
ca r as w ndered a t will
as a a s a
Ha el was able to e cl im
,
o e the po rch
v r . z x a
I 4S
Spr a gge
’
sl Canyon
a ense o f hum
s or Evidently lso she wa too kind a s
hea rted to hurt George s feelings S m

.
, ,
ilingly e a sive ’
. v ,
sh gl nced a t H zel s ying quietly

e a a , a
Perh ps Miss Go odrich

“
a nswer th t questio can a a n .
Eve ything s id Ha zel

r a
Th nk you mu m ured M s Geld h im

.
a er r r en e
med Geo ge
. .
,
Gee l e clai
”
x r .
Ha zel a d he stayed ha lf hour being constra ined

n an
e br ndied pea ches some ich fruit ca ke

,
to sw llow s om a a , r -
,
an d som e very sweet lem o na de Am ply nourished they .

,
took lea ve of Mr Gelde heimer who promised to ssist s. n ,

a
a t the b rbecue a .
I ve done most of the ta lking she s id depreca tingly

“ ’
, a ,
“
but oh de r ! h n t it been blessed relief
a as
’
a
I ve felt like th at rem

, ,
“ ’ ”
a rk d Geo rge fte good , e ,
“
a r a
spell 0 ha rd sw a m
’ 9 ”
e r
Ha zel a d he strolled into the drug store M s Bun

n . r .
g a rd received them After int oduc n

i g H a zel G eo ge. r , r
r epea ted his form ul a .
“
Miss Go odrich is fromOaklan d .
M Bung rd smiled cidly :

rs . a a
“
I w bo n d educ ted in Ma ss chusetts
as r an a a .
A door g ve access to sitting room fu ished us

a a -
, rn a
te ly Upon the well scrubbed pine floor l y

re . ag a -
a a r -
c r
p et . A redwood bookc a se held m ny pl inly bo und a a
books Above the chimney piece hung framed sp ci -

a e
m o f penmn hip Nea r the window stood round

.
en a s . a
table encrust d with shells A l rge f mily bible fl ked

e . a a an
a bouqu t of w flowers enclos d i

e old f hioned
ax e n an -
as
bell gl ss All the cha irs were of wood not upholstered

-
a .
, .
Pl in muslin curta ins hung stiffly upo n e ch side of the

a a
1 50
Unc le Zed Is Impressed
wi
n dow a , as nn d the bli d w
o n d aw d w to e
clude sun n r x
and flies .
Ha zel w s in New Engl d a an
And she k ew it This thin m

.
ela n holy a uster e

n c
wom
.
,
tmosphe e unquestio a bly

,
an ha d est blished her a a r , n
be use wisely she desired little

ca .
M s Bung rd did not burst into voluble ta lk She

r a
closed her thin lips a d wa ited lmost ggressively f or

. .
n , a a ,
her visitor to sel ct a theme H zel did so e . a .
Is there chu ch here ? she sk d in her pleasan t

“
a r
”
a e ,
voice .
There i not Miss Goodrich Most of my neighbor s

“
s , .
a e P g ns I grieve to y it but it s true ’

r a a sa
Geo rge beg n to lo k uncom

.
.
,
fo rt ble a o a .
It is lways so continued M rs Bung r d when

“
a , . a ,
“
yo u find a cli m te such a thi s a s
Roses d sun hine suggested H zel m

.
a ke a
“ ”
an s , a ,
Hea ven on e rth You me n th t ? a . a a

”
Mrs Bung rd nodd d George sa id e plosively

. a e . x
Must be H ll without m
“ ’
e .
”
M s Bung rd looked u a tf t dly shocked but she

r . a n ec e ,
retorted ta rtly
It m a y be Hell with them Geo rge Spra gge
“
.
,
W l sa id G o rge good naturedly our nch is

a ,
”
e ,
-
,
“
ra
Heaven to m e We want you to com e to b r becue Mis

. a a ,
’
Bung rd Fourth 0 July You an d the Pe f e sor Mr

a .
’
r s . .
m will be long d Uncle Zed

.
a d Mis G ld h i
’
n e en e er a , an
Byles .
”
I th nk you Mr Spr gge We h ve no eng gement ;

a , . a . a a
we sh ll be plea sed to ccept you invit tion

a a r a
”
Goo d ! sa id Geo rge He na m

.
“ ”
ed time a d pla ce an d . n
151
Canyon Sp ra gge s
’
then looked wi tfully t his hat whi h Mrs Bun gar d s a , c
h d hung upon
a p g H zel be g n g in a e . a a a a
Professor Bung rd te ches hool

“
a a sc
Y ; he does hi
es s best with h i chola At tim es s s rs .
he gets discour ged I ta ught chool before the Aguila

a s
built My chol t ught m m

.
school house w as o s a rs a e re
th n I ta ught them
.
”
a .
I wa o o Mis Bu g d chol rs s id Geo rge

“
s ne
’ ’
n ar
’
s s a a
She w led m mny tim

.
,
’
s a e e a a
”
I did m
.
“
y d uty eplied th e chool m a rm ”
r e x s
-
D eserved ll m m
.
,
y li ki ore
a too id G o rg e c n s an
’ ’ ”
sa e
mg nimously We must be gittin a long Mi Good

, ,
“ ’
a na .
, ss
ch
”
ri
M s B unga rd m u m
.
r . u ed li feles ly r r s
Plea se c ll ag in
“
a a
”
Wh t womn l e la im
.
“
a
”
a ed Hazel as they wa lked
a xc ,
towa d th hotel
r e
Geo rge eplied sol m

.
nly
r e
Her po e hea rt was f oze up whe she w young

“
r r n as .
She thinks th t S ta n ent the o es a the u shin e a s r s an

’
s n .
Now we ll hev cockta il ’ ”
—
, a .
A cockta il
“
Mea nin howdy with old m Hennes ey I kep

“ ’
a an s
’
mtill the l t You jest a k himwh t he thi ks 0 this

.
hi
’
as . s a n
p rt 0 Ca lif y
a
’
o rn .
They e tered the hotel by the side door Fromthe

n
the ground floor c m

.
sa loo o n n e upro rious l ughter a a a ,
a d the sound
n f voice ra i ed in song o s s
Som
.
“
e 0 the boys is ’
observed Geo ge r
Themtwo te msters from t the Ra g i mki

.
’
a a cr o s n e a r a n
the m ost 0 th ir ppo toon iti It the l st ch nce f

’
e o r es
’
s a a or
th emby thunde
.
”
,
r .
1 52
Canyon Sp r a gge s
’
o f it ff ect d Geo ge The young m i te pol ted such

a e r an n r a
r emrks
.
,
a these as
“
Gosh ! I feel th t a w y with smcking of a - -
a or , a
Th t s m o with gusty l ughter : Yer

,
thighs a
’
e,
”
r, a
de d right old m
”
a ,
an .
When ev rything tha t could be id h d been epeated

e sa a r
a t le st three tim es H zel murmured softly :

—
a a
“
It e m o be wonder ful pl ce for m
s e t s a a en .
Driving b ck to the nch George spoke with some ir

a ra
rit ti
a o of the Geld heim s Why had Isidore an d
n en er .
R chel been de p tched to S José ? The P f o

a s a an
“
er ess r
”
was on to his job Wh t il d th e She ie ? Wa a a e es en s s
they b tter other folks ? Then he remmbered sud

.
’
e n e
de ly th t H zel his Ha zel ha d spok

n a a slighti gly of
, , en n
the fi thous nd dolla r schoolhou e He s id sh rply

ve -
a -
s a a
Wh t the mtter with our schoolhouse

.
“ ’
a s a
H z l hesit ted D red she spea k out ? The d ifficulty

a e a . a
o f sh ring her point of vi

a ew with George provoked a
cu rious a nt goni m She w a nted Georg m
sex a ore than s e
ever but she w nt d his m

.
, ind a d soul together with his

a e n
splendid body How could she g t t the e ? Wh t

. e a
”
s a
sp ll c uld she c t ? For spell w n ed d Argu

e o as a as e e
ment would be f tuous She writh d i pi it bec u e

.
a e n s r a s
rgument with Cli ton T rr nt d Wilbur

.
,
sh h d tried
e a a n a a an
Stock r And the victory ha d been with th m It would

e . e .
be hopeless to tell George wh t he r lly w nted bec u e a ea a , a s
he would retort with odious d invincibl ob ti cy th a t an e s na
he knew wha t he w nted m uch better than she did Th y a . e
would wander r ound an d ound viciou s circle Fina lly r a .

,
1 54
in spi tion descended upon her Never in ll her life
ra a
mnted with womn s most subtle w

.
h d she e peri
’
a x e a a ea
p o — n elf d epreci
s tion -
Since childh oo d she ha d . a ex
hi bit d e joyous d virgin l ssur nce peculi rly the

a an a a a , a
a ttribute of the Western girl who h never left the as
West N o he ven nointed m on rch is more self con

a -
a a -
ou o f hi divine right to imp se hi ide ls upo n

.
sci s s o s a
other th n the d ughter of the Go lden St te who h

s a a a as
g ardu ted witha honors fro m h loc l high school er a
dr wn her to the life ex cla im

.
Ch rle D n Gibson h
a s a a as a ,
ing Fo e to ll the world

“
r
”
a
I monly girl m urm

.
a ured H zel a ,
”
a .
Geo ge turned sh rply The une pectednes o f the

r a x s
med him He s id e gerly :

.
reply di sa r . a a
Ye the sweetest d cleverest gi l I eve struck

“
r an r r
Spo e I id I w only m only h y eed I in t

.
’ ’
s sa as a an , a a s a
n f informtion You kin te ch m lot

.
abo ve a ki
’
s or a . a e s.
Now sa il i l
, n
H a el felt th t t l st she w s indeed b ea thing deep

z a a a a r
an d good George e po nded in the ight pirit Hi

. r s r s . s
br ee y con fid nce in the girl he loved wa ft d he high

z e e r
above ll clo ds a u .
I j ust h te ta lking t you instead o f with you

“
—
a a
Yo u go he d full steam I ki
.
n sta n d a nyth i
“
a a ng
my
.
”
f ro ou
I m
.
“
y eyes
n s d
i H el y weetl y y u ch l a az ver s
“
o r s oo
h u e t nd for wh t I mst de pi e in
, , ,
o s s a s St te It a o s s our a
’
s
tly p tentiou It emind m f mrble

.
i de
n cen re s r s e o our a
Wh we went int the G ld h im I w

.
’
t p
se s en o e en e er s sa
som
.
e t le an rs
”
B l kt il s ho n I g e mt Mi G ld h im
.
“ ’ ’ ’
ac a r s av e o s e en e er
d m nted p n
. .
T h y we e gilded
e plu h pl q e
r an ou u o a s a u .
I SS
’
Geo rge nodded

Did yo have themgild d
.
“
u e
N ot m uch ! Adolf G lden heim e did th t He told

e r a
me they looked dressy

.
So does the scho olhou se with i ts ridiculous t ower

“
,
an d cupo l The children here would be better 03 in

a .
a bi g a dobe with t h i
ck w a lls a d w ide po r che s n .
”
“
Th t s soa
” ’
H zel went o m or e an d m
.
a o r e a t her ca se
n,
I a dm
.
“
ire the Jews beca use they do try to get the
best I ve ot m ’
et M r B un ga rd b ut I sa w h i
n s ph oto
m
. .
,
g r a ph i the
n pa l o r H e lo ok s rso et hin g lik e hi s w ife
so u r ed stunted specim
.
a thi n, , en full o f fa ds a d pr ej u n
dice I s M s Gelden heimer very fond o f her children

,
She is th t Jest worships em

. .
“ ’ ”
a
Ah ! And at wh tever cost to her she sends them

. .
“
a
awa y beca u se she wan ts th emto ha ve a m

, ,
o e li beral r
ed uc tion tha n Mr Bung r d a n give them

”
a a c
I r eckon that must be so By guml it i so l

. .
“
s
I ca n un der sta n con tinued Ha el i her m ost m

.
elt z n
what it m ut m ea n to a devo ted m

,
n g a ccents other
“
i ,
s
to live in Agui la without children ”
All the same r eplied Geo ge stoutly wha t s good

.
“ ” ’
, r ,
en ough f er A do l f a d her oughter be goo d e o ugh f er n n
the kid s
”
.
I s that your hon est co n i

“
cti
—
on v
I I thi n k so but he wr i led ”

gg
Let m put it difieren tly D o you think tha t the
.
,
“
e
highest love m
.
ea sur es i tsel f in that way

He looked puzzled Boldly Ha el put himto the .
, z
“
You love m
ei
"
r 56
Sp r a g ge s Canyon
’
love It th illed he to think th t she h d done this

r r a a
tr nsm uted cl y into po rcel in Such trium m

.
,
a a ph du a a a
b t d further tri um m m
.
ra e p h i ense po ssibiliti s, es .
“
Yes George ”
His voice trem

.
,
bled as he whispe ed r
I seem
,
“
ed to ou child e Mebbe the boys ll be
—
’
see r r n
a m ite like m but the gils ll ta ke fte y u su e

.
’
e, r a r o r
Boy ! Girl ! s s
H he t g ew cold aga in If he ha d poken f o

er ar r . s o ne
child ! She ha d u ed the plur l onceding to probability

s a c
rl Num
,
on e b y d o e gi
o an bers pp lled her M ny
n . a a a
ldren would d in it lity d joy fromh

.
ch i ra She v a an er .
contra sted her ow physique with th t f M Spr gge n a o rs . a .
Un ble to pea k she held up sil ing finger Geo ge

a s , a en c . r
said h tily as
“
I m ushing things Forgi e m
a r e H el . v , az .
Of ou e c rs .
He t ied t ee the futur e f omher point o f iew

r o s r v
If our schoolhou e a in t good enough fer themlittle

.
“ ’
s
Shee ie it in t good eno gh fer yer childr

n s, a
’
u en .
”
She sm iled f intly a
Ah ! And d you thi k that I co uld epa rate m

.
“
o ysel f n s
fromm y w hild e n ?o n c r
“
Mebbe not .
Ski!fully h followed up h dv nt ge
s e er a a a
And do you thi k tha t I co uld le ve the m

.
,
an I l o ed
“
n a v
as om
,
s e women d o
“
I reckon he d h om eth ig te s y bo ut tha t
’
ev s n r a
’
.
She could tha t he was pro foundly tr ubled an d

see o
mo ed v .
C HAPTER IX
A BRU S H FIRE
PO N the d y before the nationa l holida y the tide

U h ppened to be e ceptionally low George d
a ,
a x . an
H zel e plored outlying reef in the hope of finding

a x an
a b la o n es Und r some wet kelp H z l discovered an

e a e
mense shell which George promised to polish for her

.
,
im .
He set bout this cong ni l t sk with his u su l prompt

a e a a a
ness d energy H zel turning the gr indstone while

an , a
Geo rge held the shell g inst it The process t kes tim
,
a a e . a ,
a d lends itself to desulto r y convers tion

n Wh en rough a
a n d rea dy a ttrition h d rem

.
-
oved the ugly e terior G orge
a x e
fetched a cid a d pumice stone Slowly th shell began

,
n e
to r e ea l the m ost e quisite iridescent tints becom

.
v x ing a
thing of re l bea uty H zel wa cha rmd but she could
,
a a s e
not resist the tem

.
,
pt tion to pply this pretty object l s

a a e
s onto he elf a d her co m

rs panion When he presented
n
the polished specimn she tha nked himdemu ely say

.
e , r ,
should like to do that to you

I
Hold m
.
y no se to the g indstone r
Bring out ll the irid scence in you

a e
Sli k me up you me n
.
c a
She nodded smiling at h im Y s ; he was her abalone

,
She ha d discovered himseen be eath rough en crusted

. .
,
, n a ,
I $9
Sp r a gge s
’
Canyon
surf ce which the pumice of t ct could remove r e ea ling
a , a , v
une pected be uties Much to h delight George

x a . er ,
“
played up
You kin do what you ple se with m
.
e dea r
“
a , .
He g zed t her with unab shed devotion likely to

a a a
s itself in overwhelming speech She sa id hastily :

,
ex pr es
Th t s it It would pl a m
.
‘ ’ ”
a e e se
It plea sed Mis Va Home to buy m

. .
e th t outfit o
’ ’
n a
clothes
”
Clothes don t m a tter m uch to m r eplied Ha zel

.
“ ’
en , ,
b ut the m ind m ust be kept b r ight d poli shed I don t

“ ’
an .
think Mrs Bunga rd did her duty by you George

.
, .
I use t sass he consider ble Pore old hen ! She

“
—
er r a .
couldn t inspire love in her schola rs see

’
Perhaps ot
“
n .
”
That s jest whar you ve the bulge

’ ’
.
B lushing she diverted the talk ,

.
Any plans f o this fternoo n

“
r a
We ki fish fr omthe ro cks if y u feel like it Rock

n , o .
co d a d s m elts Mebbe b ig tussle with conger O r

n a a
the pom p no might be running

. .
”
a
I shall l ove it if I m ot keeping you fromyour

.
“ ’
, n
work ”
Psh w ! It s a fact all the sa m

.
“
a e th t yer the fi st
’
a r
womn s e er did keep m fromm

a a vy w o rk e .
”
It will be heavenly on the ocks

“
r .
”
Y u bet o
She held up wa rning fi ger He wa quick ough a n . s en
to understand her inst ntly a
I ll be good he pr om
.
“ ’
ised A if I git too w rm
,
”
.
“
n
’
a ,
I kin jum p into the ea an d cool s
She laughed j oyously ca ptivat d by his pa ssion f or ,

e
1 60
Sp r a gge s
’
Canyon
Brush fire sa id Geo ge I must g help , r .
“
o .
C Ig t an o, oo
If you like .
”
How e citing ! x
E i ti ? Y
xc bet ! if the t de st rts b low mgood
n
’
ou ra a a -
an h rd the fire my sweep Aguil 03 the e rth

’
a , a a a
Oh 1
“ ”
Every m ll turn o ut I ll hitch up the buggy ’ ’

an . .
He did so without w sting precious se ond As they a a c .
d
r a ce the rough ro d Geo ge t sile t with frown
'
o ver a r sa n
i g brows a d com
, ,
n press d lips The trnde w blowin g e . a as
a d incre sing in strengt h

n As soon they topped the
a . as
divide George pointed his whip a t dist nt pill r o f a a a
sm
,
oke ri si g high into the sky d fl n ked by low

n an a
ba nks of bl cker smoke 1

, ,
a .
They c n t put o ut th t sa id Hazel

“
a
’
a , .
They ll light a b ck fi e ’
a -
r
”
Soon fte w rds they could hea r the r o r o f the flam

.
a r a es a ,
d the cr ckling o f the dry ch p rr l the fire licked

an a a a a as
A long w y in front o f the fire wa a line of

“ “
it up a s
m
.
en .
eo ge hitched the buggy to the r o d fence a d helped

G r a ,
n
H zel to descend
a
It ll be tough fight he mutt ed

.
“ ’
a , er
He took his pl ce in the line rmed with wet gun ny

.
a a a
sa ck d plenty o f mtches H zel looked n

,
an a . a o .
The b ck fi bur t slowly ga inst the westerly bre e

a -
re n a ez .
It t ied of course t burn with the wind ; a d it w s

r o n a
ea ch m
, ,
a n s b u iness to prevent this f b ck fi e out

’
s , or a a -
r
o f control my pro ve m ore disastr ou th n the o iginal

a s a r
eon fl a gr a ti
on .
H zel w quick to percei e the obje t upo n whi h the

a as v c c
1 62
A B ru sh Fire
wo r ker s we re concentr ting their energies Alrea dy a a
p o f bu nt ground l y between thema d the ap

.
lo g st i
n r r a n
p ro a hin g
c tide o f d es truc tion b ut tha t s trip w ne i
ther ,
as
wide enough n o r lo ng enough .
Geo rge worked desper tely lightig tiny fi res a llo w a , n ,
ing ea ch fire to incre se up to a certa in po int ,a d then a n
ex tinguishing it o the e ste n side by be ting o ut the

n a r a
fla m es with his gunny sa ck He da r ted hither a d - n
thither th im
.
persona tion o f a tivity an d energy H ze!

, e c . a
ea li d tha t he took grea ter ch nces tha n the o ther “ ”

r ze a
me r elying upon his supe io r str ength a d agility She

n, r n
won dered if she co uld help T wo three o ther wom

.
en or
wer e ca rr ying wet gun ny sa cks to the m

.
e Ha el join ed -
n z
them She dipped a sack into a bucket f w ter let it

.
. o a ,
so k f o r an i
a n sta n t a d then car r i ed it d ipping to
, n r
Geo rge .
“
Wind s str onger he growled
’
T h e sm oke fromthe origina l fire dr ifted down win d

, .
ma kin g Ha el choke a d filling her eyes with tea rs

,
z n
S pa rks c m e with tha t a c id sm

.
,
a o ke f a lling into th e dr y r ,
g r a ssbe hin d th e fig ht i g line n
Yo u wa tch out f er themspa rks

.
sho uted Geo ge

“
r
Ha el obeyed br ea thless with e citem

.
,
z e t The lu st x n
led her a the enem

.
,
o f ba ttle assai y crept closer a d

, s n
closer Fo rtuna tely the fir w still confined to the

.
, e as
sa ge b r ush a d ch p rra l which bu rned fiercely but

n a a ,
slo wly Such a fire in a bunch gra ss pasture with a

.
-
,
str ong wind behind it would h ve r a ced on w ith over , a
powering speed le ping ll obstacles such roa ds o

, a a as r
rivers
Gr du lly the scene be a me weirdly grotesque In
.
a a c
an d out o f the sm o ke an d fla m es da nced fifty m black

.
en ,
163
Sp ra gge s Canyon
’
fr omhea d to foot The dea dly sp rks the shr pnel m o re

. a , a
to be dre ded than the a dva ncing wa ves o f fir

a fell e,
thickly beyond the st ip of burnt ground To e tingu ish r x
these prom m m
.
ptly every e erg y o f bo dy a d ind c e in to n n a
a cti e pl y
v G rm ents were to rn 06 d flung upon
a a an
sm
.
ou ldering spo ts picked up aga in an d flung down else ,
whe re .
Pa t He nes ey a rri ved with a spring wagon He was

n s
too o ld to fight fire but b e m

.
i ed g llons of we k whiskey , x a a
a n d wa ter which the wom en rried in p ils to the thist ca a r
torm ented demon d n ing among the fl m

,
es s a c a
Ha el s imgination bl zed fiercely a the cha p r l

.
’
z a a as s a ra .
Yes ; this w s an expe ience com mon to ll fo thill folk

a r a o ,
o e o f N ture s scourges the fl il of Fa te threshing hope

’
n a a
d cha ity fromthe he rts o f m

, ,
a d f ith
n a an If those r a en .
sp rks preva iled nothing could s ve Aguil

a a d the little a a n
es which encom p ssed the ham

,
h om let Within a hour a . n ,
wha t would be left by a few cha r ed scr ub o ks an d r -

a
sm
,
ouldering piles o f r ubbish ? The str e uous work o f n
two ge era tions oblitera ted !

n
Ha el remined nea r Geo ge supplying himwith wet

z a r ,
sa cks She noticed tha t he refused the pa nnikin of whia

key a d water which o o f the me te dered him His
.
n ne n n
am a ing energy seemd to ra di te from minciting the

, .
z hi e a
other workers to fresh a ctivity He shouted a t them

,
.
,
an d they re sponded ho rsely a .
“
George she s id you re killing yourself
”
a
“ ’
He l ughed D erisive amu ement seem ed to flash f r om

, , .
a . s
his white teeth a d blue eyes n .
“
We ll win o ut ’
.
They did The memory o f previous victo ries sus

.
ta i d them
ne ; ea ch m h d fought fire a t lea st a sco re o f an a
1 64
Sp r a gge s
’
Canyon
Pe ce fter wa
a a r .
To the outhwest soft ha e hung over the l ndsca pe

s a z a ,
a ll th t w a left to rem ind Hazel o f the fire It oftened

as . s
delightfully the crude h rd outlines f the dunes T he a o
m m
.
rl ist ed to the thunder the co be thi k

.
gi l e n ufl l d o f s n e r
i g f the forces behind them the blind for e ever

,
n o , c s
r ea dy to wreck d destr oy It h ppened tha t she h d

an a a
bee bse t fromOa kl nd at the time o f the g ea t ea th

.
n a n a r r
qu ke But she h d listened to a thous nd st ies o f that

a . a a or
a wful c t strophe a d the ho

a a o rs o f the fire followi ng it
n rr .
George sa id little disa ppo inted beca use the fish were ,
n t biti
o ng Only o e rock cod la y upon the r ocks He
. n -
.
sa id a bruptly :
“
I feel like going i n
Plea se don t ” ’
.
Why not
Y u m o ight be drown ed .
Wh t idee !
“
a an
This fire ha s red me Ha ve you fo rgotten all

“
s ea .
a bo ut it lre dy
—
a a
Why yes It s o ut ’
She m o reply but inwa dly she w s am

. .
,
a de n a ed at r a z
t his c lm cepta nce o f pe i

, , ,
hi s indi ff erence , a ls o a ac r c n
sta tly i m
n pending d occ ion ta kin g pl ce A fte , an on as a . r
a long p use she sa id slowly

—
a
“
If fire swept your C nyon
a P a
Gee ! Th r would t be much left ! a n

’
Are you fully insured ? ”
One in t never fully insured

a
’
.
He v s ! Doesn t it ke p you wake nights

a en
’
e a
He shrugged his shoulders sm

,
iling pleasan tly ,
We mu st take so me cha nces

.
“ ”
.
1 66
A
B t ush Fi m
ly i pite f h p otests he retired behi d
Pr esen t n s o er r n
som
, ,
e ocks undre sed d le pt i to the

r , sShe , an a n sea .
w tched his he d a da rk pe k upo n the w te s d

a a , s c a r , an
th whi
e te ho lder fla shing in d t f the w te He
s u s an ou o a r
sw mf
.
a ut till h ar ul sick ned with terror She

o er so e
th ght to he elf : Oh ! I d love him! If he sa k

.
“
ou rs o n
b efor m eye I h u d m ”
y e s o l go d s a .
A r ock od ngro sed her ttentio He wa a big

c
-
e s a n. s
fellow d she h ndled himclumily eventu lly lo sing

an a s a
m because the line wa ut by sh rp reef She

, ,
hi , s c a a .
stopped fi hing a bsorbed i n tho ught w tching the hea d

s a
o w lm
,
m
, ,
n o st ut
a f ight Hi vi o gor d trenog th ee
s ed s an s s
For the econd tim

.
to c ntua t her w wea kne

ac e e o n
e ss s
she beg n to doubt her power to m old this priml m

.
a an a
a c o rding t
c the Oa kla nd pa ttern
o .
Sh t ied to beho ld her elf as Geo ge wife the ’

e r s r s
mothe f his hild en living th ranch d for the

,
r o c r , on e an
ran ch prey to te or which such women

a Mr s rr s as
Spra gge d S mnth ignored She reckon d up d lib

.
,
an a a a . e e
e t ly the h nces : d ought di ea se fire ! ”

ra e c a r s
St angely hum
, ,
r ili ted un ble to cope with her wn a a

”
o
v ged by her em
,
fe d yet e cited
a rs, a n o tion
x knowi g , ra a s, n
th t life h d be me utely interesting she t till with

a a co ac , sa s ,
her pretty h nds folded upo her l p w iting f o Geo ge

a n a a r r
to om ba k
,
c e c .
IV
He looked tt ctively f esh d young fter hi lo g
a ra r an a s n
swim he told her th t he w

as v nously hung y a a s ra e r
Fish a in t the bite but I m Let go t som

.
,
“ ’ ’
on e , a . s ea
They r eturmd to the nch Geo ge picked ome her ra . r s
I 67
Sp ra g ge s Canyon
’
1ies, an d returned fromthe kitche with plate piled n a
high with newly b ked cookies a d j ug of milk They a ,

n a .
sa t together i the sha de of a cott onwood with the creek

n ,
bubbling a t their feet It wa th t ple s nt hour i . s a a a n
Southern C lifornia when the sh dows begin to ste l

a a a
ac o ss the foothi ll s turning themfromdr b b own into

r , a r
la vender d rose The ca ttle were w ndering into the

an . a
o pen p stures ; the qu il were c lling

a Lo king up Ha a a . o ,
zel cou ld see the sensiti ve lea ves o f the cottonwo d vi o
b ra ti g benea th the evening breeze singing their vesper s

n ,
as the sun declined into the oce n a .
“
Bully a in t it ? sa id George
,
’ ”
.
“
Hea enly v .
“
You r e jest lovin i t H zel a i t ye
’
a n
’
Of co u se I love this Who wouldn t ? It s sim

, ,
r ply .
’ ’
idyllic .
”
“
Wha t s tha t ? ’ ”
She e pl ined not quite so lucidly usua l t ying to

x a as r
l ch rmnecess rily fugitive n d elusive

,
in di te a pa st
ca ora a a a
som ething to be touch d not firm

,
ly gr sped by the dwell e , a
er i ci
n ties George wa s slightly pu zled Every aspect z
m
. .
o f r ura l life delighted hi .
“
I uppo sed y u liked fighting tha t a wful fire
s o
“
Why y s , e .
»
“
And those other ha teful things
What things ? ”
“
The dry yea rs th t horrid plague o f ticks ! Ugh ! , a
H e a nswe ed with he rtless philosophy :

r a
“
A fter dry season the r in is gre t ! I ve gone out
a a a
’
m an y a ti m e d stood in it till I w so ked through

an as a
One walle ! S m e feeli g a bo ut eamp

,
an d through rs a n
fir es I d love to a m m
.
.
’
p o u t with y o u A an gets go o d .
1 68
Sp r a gge s Canyon
’
“
Alw ys re dy a a to tell my secrets when you gi ve me
the d no
He hoped that she would sm ile with the ve y slightest , r
incli tio o f her h d but she looked dow the n rrow

na n ea n a
C yon sitting upright with her lips primly pressed to

,
an , ,
get he r
I m u st do m
.
“
y chore s sa id Geo ge , r .
She t till it w dusk wondering why Geo ge

sa on as r
we t into the hills t night Wh t could be the m

,
n e ning a . a a
o f these e t r ordin ry vigils ?

x a a
As she mounted the st irs she w S mnth ente ing a sa a a a r
her w room H zel follow d S m th i to th t

o n a e a an a n a
smll ust re ch mber d t dow pon the h rd

.
a a e a , an sa n u a ,
n rrow b d S mnth slipp d out of nond script

,
a e a a a e a e
m
.
ga r t which
en she wore
, when mi lki g d hung it n , an
behind the door while H z l ch tt r d b ut the fire , a e a e e a o .
They s id th t G orge fought like tiger

a a e a .
”
He would do th t a
”
Re lly d truly he e med to like it

.
a an s e .
B ess y he did
”
a
—
.
I helped littl a e
S mnth nodded she b g n to w sh her f ce d

.
a a a , as e a a a an
h nds scrubbing th mthoroughly ft r f hio which

a e a e a as n
dismy d H zel She j mp d up protesting :

,
a e a . u e ,
You ll r in your nice skin

“ ’
u .
”
With goo d so p d w t r ? a an a e
”
Cert inly A little co li g cr mto r move the

a . o n ea e
dust
Gr iou ! I hould feel m
“
ac e y
s s ss .
1 70
A Bru sh Fire
“
ve such a nice white skin It s your duty to
You ha .
’
take grea t ca re o f i
”
t
S am
.
an th faced her suddenly The redness o f her

a
cheeks m
.
a y ha ve been ca u sed by the f r iction o f a coa se r
towel .
Why should I t ke car e o f it

“
a
H el r plied disc eetly :

az e r
For its ow ake It m

“
a kes m e m a d wh en we re
n s
’
accused o f m
.
a king o u r selves loo k n i

ce to please the
m en .
”
But don t we
“
,
’
Certa inly I do t ’ ”
n
Sam
.
,
a nth looked lightly in edulou

a he c nti ued s cr s as s o n
he blutions H zel de cribed th fi hi g d Geo ge s

r a a s e s n an r
’
long wimending c relessly :

.
s , a
He ll leep ound fter ll th t won t he

“ ’
s s a a a ,
’
I ecko Geo rge lle does

r n a rs .
”
But he w i the hill l st night as n s a .
I w nt to k ow l
‘
a n
”
Didn t he tell y u ? Wha t

’
take hi mthe e o ca n r
Se ch m replied Sam
“
ar a nth e,
”
a
H el hit her lip ce t i th t S mnth co uld have

.
az ,
r a n a a a a
a wered the questio h d he chosen t do

ns Feeli g n a s o so n
much e spe ted h we t t her w roomsoothing

.
xa ra s e n o o n
her uffl ed feeling by mking

, ,
r reful toilette designed a a ca
po ssibly to provoke envy in S mnth ther th n a d

,
a a a ra a
mi ti in George
ra on
At upper the f mily t lked f the mo rrow ba rbe ue

.
’
s a a o s c
an d the guests bidden to the fe st The fire H zel a so a
emrked w
.
,
r a cc pted incident f th p st W nt
as a e as an o e a a
o f imgi tion prev nt d the S p gg s from

.
,
a na considering e e ra s
wh t m
a ight h ve h ppened h d th e fl m le
a pt the a a a es a na r
1 71
’
Sp r a gge s Canyon
r ow obst cle between theman d the ill ge built o f wood
a v a
d Sa m
.
M s Spragge
r . a nth like Geo rge ha d lo st ia
an a, ,
te t in the fire beca use it w

r es o ut as .
Throughout the me l H el felt th t F te wa tre t a az a a s a
i g her i
n gnobly m o ing her hither d, thitherv i f an , as
h were
s e p wn upo n chessboa rd It w s a pp l ling
a a a a a
to refl ect tha t she could not re d her w m

.
ind which a o n
seemed to cha ge fromhour to hour She envied M

,
n rs.
Spr gge m
.
a onumenta lly inc p ble o f ch nge

, so lid a s a a a , as
a p rt of the C nyon
a the high cli ff s upo n its weste n
a as r
bo und ry She wondered whether she could ever

a
a chieve the pl cid silence of S mnth

.
a listen toler a a a, or
a tly to George when he fell to pr i ing indiscrim

n i tely a s na
such very ordi ry folk the B u g d a d Gelden

na as n ar s n
heimers Beneath the courtesies o f the wome she pe n, r
am
.
cei d ve orphous hostility O tr ined intelligence

an ne a
me sured it elf g inst thre that were unt ained T he

.
a s a a e r
num
.
eric l odds however did not da u t Ha el No did

a n z r
the prospect f fight dism

, , .
a y her o Mind surely would

a
t iumph over muscle A victory would j ustify

.
, ,
money l vished upo her educa tion

.
a n .
Sp r a gge s
’
Canyon
Ca lifo ni n e f the ple sure loving L tins who had
r a , on o a -
a
v nished fter the dea th f Don Juan Aguil

a a o a .
H zel w tched the prep tions for the fe st with de

a a a ra a
lighted interest E rly i the forenoo G orge prep red . a n n e a
th furn ce
e By eleven o clock a n rrow pit w h l f
a .
’
a as a
full o f glowing ember s which furnished j u st the ight r
am ount o f h t without a y sm oke Upon the willow

ea n
spits were imp led morsels o f beef e ch chunk being

.
a a
sepa r ted f rom t fellow by piece o f f at

,
a i s a .
Ge rge wore his rough over lls d a well w shed

o a an -
a
b lue fl el shirt open t the thro t T h l eves roll d

an n a a e s e e
high bove the elbow displayed mssive rms His face

.
,
a a a
m
, .
g lowed red a the e ber s i the pit Hiss blue eye s n
seem ed to h ve absorbed tiny flams fromthe same

.
a e
source .
H z l who h d ta ken sho t course of Gr ek history

a e a a r e
decided that Agam

,
em non mu st h ve looked like Geo ge

,
a r .
Since their visit to the vill ge he h d s id nothing to a a a
H zel which might reve l his thoughts She knew tha t

,
a a
mfood for thought ; a d she perceived

.
sh e h d given hi
a n
tha t he wa chewing the cud f it with a

s sperating o n ex a
deliber tion com amon to me who h ve t ea sy h bit n a no an a
o f speech More he h d spent tw nights o pa t of

.
, a o r r
two nights a w y fromhom e d wh n h sk d him

.
,
, a , an e s e a e
where he h d b n d wh t he h d be n doing he a ee an a a e
merely l ughed d said befo

,
a an as re
Gee ! We i curious
“
a r .
”
Me while love mking w su p nded H zel was

an -
a as s e a
m
.
,
gr a t ful
e for this But e ch ornin g trout w f
. eshly a a as r
ea ught for her bre kf t d ro e was pl c d bes ide a as an a s a e
her pl te If o ly this h nd ome lover would g atify

a . n a s r
her curi ity w ll h pa l te !

os as e as er a
1 74
The Barb ecu e
The vigils let it be dded were spent in v in T h
,
a , a . e
f t buck never c m
a e to the d r lick a ee -
.
The comp ny s em bled in go d se o Mrs G lden

a a s o as n . . e
heim er spoke f the oth r guests when she id to or e sa
Iia zel
I just love to smll the me t when it s ro sting It
“
e a
’
a
m
.
g ives the finest ekind of ppetite a .

”
P t He ess ey brought bo ttles of la ger beer

a nn d cl ret an a ,
ro ugh Zinf ndel the pure juice o f the C lifor i

a g,
r pe a n a a ,
hea dy but ple s nt to d ink These we e pl ced ca r

a a r . r a e
fully i the creek Mrs Bu g rd we ring thre d gloves

n . . n a , a a
a d a dr b colored gow
n a presented bo of butte nut n, a x r
ca ndy Uncle Z d provided cig r Mr d M s e a s an r
Adolf Geld h im shone conspi uou s in new clothes

. . . .
en e er c
r a ther too sm a rt for the occ sion Adolf w a shor t a . as s
an d plum p a his wife H zel who h d ttended a

s . a , a a
Jewish wedding in O kl nd tried to picture Adolf s a a a , a
b idegroo m vested with a white sheet a d we ring a

r , , n a
ta ll silk hat He ca rri d p rcel of d li t

. bo ned e a a e ca essen ,
an chovi es liver s usage d goose b e t M s Sp gge

,
-
a an -
r as . r . ra
d ot quite pprove o f such e tr s but they we e “

di n a x a , r
g r a iously
c cc pted in thea spirit with whiche they wer e
o fie ed r Adolf grea tly im

. pressed by Miss Good ich
,
r ,
p ttled in his tur of city ple sures

ra n a .
My wife he s id confidenti lly wa s a Schwart

“
,
”
a a , z
o f Sa Jose A daughter of I sidore Schwa r t

n
’
z
”
Hazel smiled the n me w famili r

. .
, a as a .
Isidore Schw rtz repe ted Adolf with gusto

“
a ,
”
a , .
“
You ve re d his d in the p pers H s p id a s high
’
a a s a e
’
a
a s three thous nd doll a rs f o a f r ont p ge o f s om

.
a e pe r a s
a l ed i
tion ”
ci
Oh yes sa id Ha el She r em em
.
“
, , bered tha t I sidore z .
I 7S
Sp r a gge s Canyon
’
wa s he d o f the Ga rden City fi mof Schwa rtz Brothers

a r
She could ec ll some of the f mous d

,
Clothiers . r a a a s .
“
Do yo w nt to dress in style ? Ca ll
u a Isidore j u t on s
b ck fr mEu ope He ll ig you out right If y u

,
’
a o r r o
m
. .
don t like his u t prices d he ll d ’ ’

h
’
y a ut ce a s a e , sa so , n c
fine I sido re wants y !

r ou
”
Adolf bec m e even more confidentia l

.
a .
I worked f o Schw rtz Broth rs Isidore wasn t

“
r a e
’
plea sed when R chel d me fi ed it up to get mrried

.
a an x a
mto dea th when we na med o u boy

,
b ut it tickled hi r
a fter h i m We r e just piggi g it t Agu ila but we sha ll

.
’
n a ,
win out ”
I msu r e yo u will
.
sa id Ha zel
“ ’ ”
She fl itted fromhimto t lk to M s Bunga d She

.
,
a r r
sa t together s m
. .
a d the iling frostily As

“
n Pe f esso r r , .
soon s Mr B ung rd ha d been presen ted hi wife said

a . a , s
to H zel : a
You asked m l st Monda y if there was a chu r ch

“
e a
i Agui l
n Are y u church mem a. ber Miss Goodrich ? o a ,
”
H zel said tha t she belonged to the First Presbyteri n

a a
Church o f Oakla nd Mrs B unga rd pu r red . .
I mplea sed to know th t This is your first visit to

“ ’
a
these p ts ? Y s The Sp gg a old timers Geo ge

.
ar e ra es re -
r
pupil o f mine Yes ; we m

. .
w as a entioned th t on M on . a
day I never did g t a r l good hold of George but e ea ,
fine young ma He w nts only one thing

.
he s
’
a n . a
r eligi on ”
H el sa id dem
.
az u rely
Isn t the ranch his religion ?

“ ’ ”
You never spo ke a tru er word Miss Good ich I min r

’
He doesn t d rin k o gam

.
,
te t d in Geo ge
r es e b l e ; he s
r .
’
, n r
’
a goo d s on
’
on till he rivaled in prestige nd w e lth the tremendous a a
Isidore Schw rtz a
murmured
.
You ought t tell Mr Spra gge th t

“
o . a ,
IiazeL
“
I h ve a
obser ved m
.
T he P er f esso r ou nfully r
“
George Spr gge is obstinate a
”
Always was dded the schoolm a m

.
“ ”
, a ex -
r .
The reek o f the ro ting beef beg n to tickle ag ee as a r
a bly the nostrils o f the co mp ny By this time a l rge a a
tablecloth w spr d m
.
uch fter the f shion of mode

as ea , a a rn
picnics Don Ju n Aguila a d his cont mpora ries

. a n e
scorned such a cc ssories forks pl tes t bl cloths d

e as , a , a e , an
napkins Mrs Spr gge d Uncle Zed even now pre

. . a an
ferred to t with their fingers d refu ed somewh t

ea an s a
ta tly boned nchovies a d liver sa us ge S m

,
r a a ntha n -
a . a
went round with a bucket full of Mil ll g r een es r e en os,
peppers stuff ed with minced chicken d then fried in an
b tte Mrs Spr gge uncovered a huge j of ls

a r . a ar sa a,
tha t pung nt Sp nish s uce cunningly compounded of

.
e a a
tom at s onions d red peppers With this d ti

oe , an . a ven
tious id immense qu ntities of b rb ued beef would

a a a ec
be consumed by the veter ns a .
Then G orge ppe r d with two long spits cove ed

e a a e r
with sm oking be f The f st beg n e ea a
H zel told h rs lf th t it w Home ic d id s

. .
a e e a as r an sa a
much to Mr Bung rd who lone o f those present might

,
. a , a
be e pect d to ppr ciate the llusion He looked less

x e a e a .
discouraged a fter tasting the salsa but he a d his wife ,

n
I 7S
The Barbecu e
ate pa ingly m
s indful of chr ic dyspep ia d ca t
r , on s an s
m who e
,
i g dis pproving gl nce

n a t the G ld h i a s a e en e er s, x
hi bit d e lmo t crimin l r cklessn s con uming every

an a s a e es s
thing fl d to them The old Iri hmn of course w

,
o er e . s a , , as
the life f the p rty e ch nging crusted jest with

o a x a s
Uncle Zed d the Sp gg s He fli md th t he w

,
an ra e . a r e a as
re dy to g in b thing fter the b nquet Thi s w too

a o a a a as
much f M rs Bu g rd
.
or n a
A long time fter she r mrked lem

. .
“
nly Three
a
”
e a so
hour t le st fter e ting such me l this

, .
s a a a a a a as .
Pre ently the t lk o red into the c ndor ey ie

s a s a o
’
s r
Once m
.
ore George w c nstr ined to tell the sto ry as o a
punctu t d by remrks fr mS mnth She w we r

,
a e a o a a a . as a
i g her white dress

n d looking her best fired by de ire an , a s
to ekindle sp rks in Geo ge s brea st forlo h pe

r a r
’
, a rn o
tr uly !
“
I d like to see the nest sa id M G ld h im
’
rs e en e er
T itm
,
, .
Th t e sy replied Ge ge
a
’
s a
”
, ore h l f or .
’
a n
’ ’
n a
a m ile w y We ki w lk long the sho e but the clifi

a a n a a r
kind 0 h ng over Ye ll hev to climb some

.
,
’ ’ ”
a s
I mnot m uch the clim s id M s G lde heim

. .
“ ’
on e a r e n r.
I ll clim
.
“ ’
b n nounced H el ”
a az
ked S mnth h rply

.
,
”
Ki y u ? n o as a a a s a .
Her eyes fl shed odd d fi ce H el r e lied tha t

a an e an . az a z
this w ch ll nge
as a a e .
“
I she replied quietly
ca n ,
”
d I h ll , an s a .
“
I ll t ke keer f ye sa id Geo rge
’
a o
iled discreetly cept poo r S mnth

.
,
Eve y b dy sm
r o ex a a a
In due time the b nquet c me to

, .
end It w a a an . as
a g reed th t the n tion l af é te h d been fi tti l

gy cale a a n e
b t d
ra e The P f w c lled upon for few
“
er esso r
”
as a a
r em
.
a rks He twe ked the B itish Lion t il quite ig

. a r
’
s a v
I 79
Sp ra gge s
’
Canyon
o ro usly, mu h to the tif ti
c Hen nessey Mr s
sa s ac on o f Pat
Bun gar d r ecited a piece of he own com
. .
” “
position into r
which she poured em otions den i ed ex pr ession i n wo rk
a da y life Ha zel sang three little songs to which Geo rge

ng him
.
liste ed squee i
n sel f w i
z th ecstasy Her voice was
sm a ll o f m oc e com
.
,
edi pa ss but nicely train ed While

r
Hazel was sin gin g Sam

.
, ,
an tha closed her eyes una ble to
bea r the sight o f Ha el s pr etty face She felt mdly

,
’
z . a
r ebelliou s a d wretched thinking to he rself tha t the ci

n ty
m m
,
g irl s g
’
ra ce s an d a cc o p l i sh en ts h d be en pa i d f o r by a
th sw e t o f o ther fo lks
e a Why did pa rlor tricks im pose
upo n stupid m
.
e ? Even Uncle Zed h d been ca ptu red

n a
He w s bea ting tim

.
a e to the lilt of the song with a si lly , ,
senile sm ile upo n his wrin kl ed co untena nce When Sa

mantha opened her eyes as the la st soft note melted
.
aw y sh
a a w th a t M rs Sp agge ha d fa ll en a sleep
e s A r
tiny ra y o f sunshin e ! Aun tie was n ot to be flim flam med

. .
,
Auntie knew !
About hour later they wan dered acr oss the dun es
an
on to the cl m bea ch M s Spragge did ot ccom

a pa ny r n a
thembut refused perem ptor ily Sa m

. .
a nth a s o fier to sta y

’
,
with he an d clea r up
r
You g a d hev good tim ma nded Then

.
“
o e she com
n a , .
,
r e ding the gi
a rl s thoughts she sa id kindly : Never
’
,
seen you l ook so pu r ty a yo u do thi s a fte r noo n s
Geo rge led the way till they ca me to the rocks It

.
h ppen d to be high tide The big combers rolled in

.
a e .
,
brea king thunderously a s they en countered the r eefs

High bove themhung the eyrie Further advan ce
.
a .
1 80
Sp r a gge s C anyo n
’
If she gits sca red she kin g r b me I ll go fir st you , a .

’
,
trea d wh re I tread Lo ok up not down

e
At this mment Hazel pp led to Sam

.
.
,
o a nth a a ea .
“
It i e sy isn t it
s a
’
I found it o replied Sa m
,
a nth Then some kindly

s
”
a
im
, .
,
pul e surg d within her She guessed th t Hazel s

s e a
’
cour ge w oozi g fromeve y pore ; h divin d i

.
a as n r s e e an n
cre si g nervou ness H stily spe king in h rd voice

a n s . a , a a a ,
bec u e she w deeply moved she s id to H zel

a s as a a
If I w you I d ot go Ta in t quite so e sy om
,
“ ’ ’ ’
as , n . a c
in g dow If you in t certa in sure o f not gittin giddy ’ ’

n . a ,
sta y right here

”
.
H z l h sit ted gl ncing roun d

a e e Unh ppily she
a , a . a ,
caught expr ssion upon Uncle Zed f ce Ob iously

an e
’
s a . v
he w s yi g to himelf : T i t a j ob f r city
as a n s
’
a n
’
e
md ms George e cl imed imp ti ntly

a a .
”
x a a e
S m thy s right If yer a it y so

“ ‘
a an . sc r , sa .
Haz l compressed her lips Wh t a stupid in j unction !

e a
Did he w nt her to a dmit fea r befo re a ll these str ang

.
ers ?
“
I
’
m
sc red sh eplied firmly
n ot a , e r .
George faced the cliff The scent w s r idiculously . a a
ea y t first H zel f lt a shamed of her fea rs a d at

s a . a e n
the s me time iotously gl d bec use George a lone

a r a a
se md to h ve understood h r better th n she under

e e a e a
stood h rself e .
A mi ute l ter awkw rd co ne of jutting rock ha d

n a an a r r
to be negoti ted But this too w quite ea sy George

a .
, , as .
slipped round it a d e tended h nd telling h r whe e ,

n x a a , e r
to pl ce each foo t She laughed g ily Geo rge l ughed

a . a . a
too .
The Barbecu e
Silly old hens down there he whisper d Clu ki ”
e c n
’
them
, .
selv s i t fits b c use duck t k s t w ter

e n o e a a a e o a .
”
I f el quite f with you Geo rge

“
e sa e
”
Th y climbed high r
.
,
e e .
Suddenly the ch r cter of the rock cha nged A a a
st a tum f sh le presented itself

.
r o a George moved hori .
o t lly
z n a te ting h ndhold a d foothold There w
, s a n . as
n o d nger bec use the slope o f the cli ff wa

a , a e sy but s a ,
it bec me cute lower d wn George beg n to mke a

a a o . a a
p th for his comp nion Loo se rocks tum

a bled into n
a . a
un e n void H z l could hea r themcr shing dow a d

s e . a e a n n
down till they r ched the w ter She could he r lso a

ea a . a a
queer sucki g sou d the ob o f the tide as it swirled

n n , s
i n d o ut of
an smll cove a a .
ll right ?
“ ”
Feeli
’
n a
She ought to ha ve nswered : N o Somehow she a .
couldn t a dm it defe t even to h rself a lthough he

’
a e r
sm
, ,
oo th ski n h d tu ned to gooseflesh a r .
“
Quite all right she replied , .
“
Better rock now sa id G orge ,
”
e .
H zel followed himi silence concentr ting her at

a n ,
a
te ti o n upo n Geo rge s feet looking nei ther up n or down’

n , .
Once m o re her fea rs va ni shed a fa int fee li

ng o f nausea ,
wen t with them .
“
Alm ost tha r ! ex cla imed George cheerily
Two m
.
inutes l ter the pin nacle wa re ched Haze!

a s a .
wa ved her ha ndker hief t those below a stonished to find c o ,
how mll they a ppe red

s a Between the pinnacle an d a
fi wa a sm
.
the fa ce f the cli o ooth flat rock H zel felt s . a
quite a ble to e j oy her self T he view across the ocean

n .
was super b .
“
I mever
’
so gla d I ca me , she sa id moving nea rer
, to
You d rling ! he murmured s i i g h h nd

a e z n er a
She didn t repulse him Uncondition l surrender w s

, .
’
. a a
in cribed upon her flushed fa ce He might ha ve kissed

s
mmpubli ha d he ch sen She w nted himto

.
her co ca o a
kiss her She w nted to feel his gre t rms bout her
.
a a a a
body still panting a fter th e long clim

.
, b Th y stood to . e
gether poised o to spea k between e a

s rth
'
d ea a d , an s n
And wh t wa s element l in each cl m

,
sky a ored for ex a a
pr ssion H d he sa id : I w nt you m
.
a dly ; nd I
“
e . a a a
w nt Sp gg s Ca nyo an d by God ! I ll have bo th

a ra e
’
n,
’
would ha ve whispered b ck : T ke m
, ,
e upon your
“
she a a
terms I amyour s I wa n t you a s you w nt me

,
”
ow n . . a .
Inex perience kept Ge ge tongu e tied He wa terr i or -

. s
fied o f r ushi g th i ngs he held h r hand g ripping it

“ ”
n e
but the o nly wo ds tha t cam e fromhis trem

, , ,
r bling lips
were
“
That s the eyrie
’ ”
.
She looked up r etu ning the pressure o f his han d

, r .
It seemed incredible that a y creature ot possessed o f n n
wings could have rea ched spot o ina ccessible a s .
“
Tell it over again ow Don t hurry ! I wan t to n
’
know e ctly how you did it Oh I amgl d I ca m

.
,
xa e .
, a .
”
He obeyed thrilled by her beguiling to es This wa s a n
m
.
,
big O ppo rtun ty

i o b i
g th t a in g enuou
, s youth ig h t a n s
be p rdo ed for seeing or e si g o nly p t o f it

a n , s n n ar .
Like ter see m do it ag in ?

,
“ ”
e a
She ga sped g ipping his han d fiercely r
No no It w ould kill me You were m

.
,
“
a d to r un
te m ad but I m
. .
,
such risks qu i l d d i
d it b ’
, g a yo u ec
,
a use ,
nobo dy else could ”

.
1 84
’
She st ggered ky a d sea were reeling together

a s n
Shut yer eyes com mnded George stemly I ll

, .
“ ” “ ’
,
a .
ca ry ye d wn
”
r o .
He did so It was a wonderful fea t f stre gth an d

. . o n
e dur nce Th roughout tha t fea rful descent H zel kept

n a .
,
a
her eyes tightly shut c nfident th t George s foot would , o a

’
n ot slip None the less she rea lized hea r ing his b ea th
.
, r
so b in his throat wh t a burden she ha d be om e to the

, a c
m who loved her an d she wonder ed how tha t knowl

an
edge fl t d him
,
a ec e .
It s ll r ight he said h rsely

“ ’ ”
a , oa .
She felt so lid rock be ea th her feet The others wer e n .
cheeri g As she o pened her eyes Geo rge s nk in a

n a
crum pled heap t h side Sam a nth a ministered to him

.
a er .
,
bathing his he d with se wat fanning air into his

a a er ,
e h usted lungs H zel looked o r pe ting m iserably

—
x a a n, e a
I m o sorr y I I couldn t help i

.
“ ’ ’ ”
s t
Uncle Zed r em
, .
a rked sa ca stica lly : Mo keyshines ! r n
Within five m nutes Geo rge wa s l ughing ga ily Ha el

i a z
d to him:
.
sai
I wasn t sc red while you were ca r ying m

“ ’
a e r .
I w s r eplied Geo ge Never hev been so sca ir t i

”
a , r .
“
n
all m y life
Mr Bung rd delive ed him self a r
Not nother m
.
“
a in this county could h ve don e it
a n a ,
n o t one !
”
P h w l sa id Geo ge
“
s a r .
It s so sa id S m th
’
, a an a .
Adolf wa ed en thusi stic al so x a
Never knew the Fourth 0 July pass ofi without som

.
“
e ’
kind o f trouble Ther e w tha t un w y buggy year . as r a a
before l st a .
”
1 86
The Barbecu e
“
Oh ! Quit sa id George blushing , .
Adolf ddre sed Hazel :

a s
“
We d a picnic on the top of the hill west o f Aguila
’
Someway tea mgot pa nicky Firec cke s I d re say

.
a ra r a
They bo lted A wom

. .
,
an was in the buggy

. She gr bbed . a
at the lines but they went overboa rd

, George w st nd . as a
i g nea r his s ddle horse

n He w s o it d fter the
a . a n an a
buggy before you could wink H d his rit too He . a a a, .
la ssoed the o ff horse d stopped the whole c boodle an a
within a few ya rds of gu lch a .

”
“
An y f oo ! could hev don e it s id Geo rge , a .
The grea t day ended ta nely H zel s na usea re r . a

’
tu r ned a m ent l fflictio a ther tha n physica l She had

a a n r
never felt o sh med so humili ted Why had she l

.
,
s a a , a . a
lowed Sam a nth to b the George s hea d ? Why had she

a a
’
not torn o ff her ow h t a d f nned air into his lungs ?n a n a
When the p ty broke up George set about the chores ;

ar
Sam a nth went to the corr l Mrs Spragge fter lis

a a . .
, a
tening grimly to the mis dventure etu rned to the a , r
kitchen H zel sought her room

. a .
She l y upo n the bed thinking ha d Pa ssio had

a r . n
g o ne o u t f her s m
o ll body lea vin g it lim p a d listles s , an .
She wondered wh t George thought o f her now She a
mgined himsa ying : Gee ! wh t a weight tha t little

.
“
i a a
g irl is l The
”
d r in g look h a d di
a s ppeoa red fro m his a
eyes beca use she h d f iled to mke good At this

, a a a
”
d r ea y m om ent f supr em e depr essio com

.
r o mon sense n
told her tha t he would go on fa iling to m

s a ke goo d i n
1 87
Sp ra gge s Can yon
’
m t mtt
os a ers con cer n i
ng the pra cti
ca l ru nni ng of the
ra n c h
presen tly her wits bega n to co ntr o l her em
.
B ut
I n cr ying need f o r she wa s sheddi ng t —
—
otions
light once ea r s
.
agai n illum ined the da r kn ess By it sh glim psed the . e
weapo n which had ser ed he so well when d iving back

—
v r r
fromAguila sel f deprecia tion If she m a de fu ll con

-
.
f e si
s on to Geo rge she w o uld r ecei ve plen ry bsolution a a
Let w e kn ess a ppea l to stren gth womnhood to m

.
,
a an a
hood At the sa me time a conscien ce interm

,
. ittently ,
sen sitive wou ld be sa lved She d r ied her eyes ba thed

themin co logne a d wa ter a d sta r ed t h r fa ce in
, .
,
n n a e
the mir o r A som ewha t piteous im

,
r . age presented it se l f .
Then she we t down sta irs Standing upon the front

n .
porch she could he r Geo rge whistling as he f ed his a
hogs She ru shed up to himex citedly

.
“
Oh Ge rge P , o
”
“
Wha t is it
“
Im ust tell you I sha n t sleep good til! I do I was .
’
.
ter r ibly sc red to day an d I was sca r ed when the b rake

a -
,
ve d c red when the squa ll ca ught us a d sca red

g a a
, s a n , n
wo r st of all when I got lost I pr etended I wasn t but .

’
,
I was Ther e .
“
Why not Pufiec ly a terai ’
n .
“
Plea se don t tell the others ’ ”
I mm ighty gla d you told m

.
e b eca use s eyes

“
hi
’
, ,
twinkled I kind 0 suspicioned it a s I w s

“
yi y o
’
u a ca r r n
’
down the cliff It wo r ied m some that you did pretend

,
r e
with m I d as lief cut off my right h nd pr etend

.
’
e . a as
with you Tell the others ? Never .

”
.
“
I ll go back to the house an d let you fin ish your
'
cho res
C HAPTER ! I
wu s t m P . s r oc x
'
m co n es T O sr m ’
cc z s C N Y N A O
HAT ight Sam n a ntha h a d a ba d tim e She found .
herself un ble to sleep a d un ble to lie still

a n a
Love o f George consum

.
ed her She had fought g in st a a
the overm
.
a ste ing passion desper tely but the si ght o f

r a ,
hi mcoll psed on the rocks h d been too much f o her

a a r
The m er e t of m inistering to the st ick n m e

.
ac r e an t
kindled ll those da ting fl m

a es which she h d tried i
r a a n
v in to e tinguish with tea rs d self ab sem

a x en t Each an -
a
night a d m
.
n o ning sh e ha d pra yed

r
O Lo rd God Thy will be done but don t let m

“
y ,
’
George ma r y this pretty doll !

,
”
r
She would repea t this a dozen tim es l ike a de ote tell , v
in g her be d s a
In tinct told her that the pretty doll would b com

.
s ea e
terrible burden to her Geo rge And when sh beheld . e
Hazel i his rms when she w himst ggeri g down

n a sa a n
th t perilous p th where o e f lse step m

,
a a e nt inst ntn a a a
death sh would h ve changed pl c s with the doll even

, e a a e ,
if the de th penalty had been e cted And th n for a

a xa e
few m inutes sh h d been in he ven Stre ms o f d light

.
,
e a a . a e
flowed through her while sh b thed tha t dea r hea d d e a an
fann ed a ir into his lungs When he opened his eyes they .

,
I 9°
S tocke r C omes to Sp r a g ge s C anyon
’
ha d re t d for a i st nt kindly upo her when he

s e n n a n ,
Open d his lips he h d th nked her !

e , a a
W she predestined to go down to her gra ve with

as
this sweet mm ory an d nothing mo re ?

e
Would life be worth living without G o rge ? e
Unlike H zel who w f id of her em

a otions S a s a ra a
mnth w ot a sh med of w nting the husb nd of her

, ,
a a as n a a a
choice but she wa s asham ed of wanting the property

o f a nother w om It seemed perfectly n tur l tha t she
,
an . a a
sho uld love George a d unn tura l th a t h love should

—
a
—
, n er
n ot be retu rned beca use H zel o she decided wa s

, a s
unwo thy r Fromthe first she had thought : She don t

.
“ ’
lo ve hi mas I do why should she h ve him? The i , a

”
n
humnity O f disa st ous mr i ge mde her wild

a a r a r a a
She knew m
.
oreover th t other interests eng ossed , a r
Hazel am
,
bitions which she the country girl could

, , ,
ha rdly underst nd Hazel h d pra ttled to her o f society

a . a ,
o f triu m phs in b llroo m s d a t receptions o f ho

a mge an , a
pa id by other m of e vy a oused in other women en , n r .
She h d spoken a lso quite sincerely of wh t could be

a , , a
a cc mo plished by Am eric n women of their duties d a ,

an
r espo nsibilities citizens o f the gre test republic in the

as a
world She h d even a ttem

. pted to e pl in wh t f mi
a x a a
“
e n
sm m e nt a d the revolt O f womn S mntha had

”
i a ,
n a . a a
listen d polit ly im
e pressed by Ha zel s cleverness a ston
e ,
’
ished t h er flow of word s but unconvinced by her rgu

a a
ments d utterly un ble t perceive her po int o f viw

,
an a o e .
B i u ly however she h d pprehended th t H z l desired

r a a a a e
man y th ings where s she herself d sired only one

, ,
, a e .
She got out f bed d knelt down o an
0 Lo rd Go d ! Thy will be done ! But don t let m

.
“ ’
y
1 91
’
S p ra ggs s Canyon
Geo ge m y Ha l Good ich if it s ll the
r a rr ze r ,
’
a sa me t o
Repea ting this aga in an d aga in she felt e sier in m in d a
Rising f omher knees she sat by the open window a!

.
r , ,
lowing the cool br eeze to pla y upon her feverish body

She noticed tha t the m
.
oo n wa s nea ly a t the full an d

’
r ,
she wonder ed whether Geo ge would kill a f at buck r .
Th is was the thir d night in succession that he ha d wa ited

f o r hours in the hope o f gr a tifyi g Ha el s wi sh to ta ste
’
n z
v eni so n Geo ge m
. ust in deed be pa ssi
r on a te ly in love
when he thus sa cr ificed his sleep

Sam a ntha m
.
utter ed to her elf : s

“
He s jest the sam
’
e dose I hev .
She wen t back to bed

In the ne t roomHa zel a lso was lying a wake She
.
m
.
, ,
ha d hea r d George le ve the house ; she had seen hi a
sta ndi ng outside in the m oon light with a rifle i n hi s
ha nd ; an d so seeing himthe awful suspicio tha t her , n
lover might be a robber o f stage o che ss iled her

,
c a s a a
with increa sed vi r ulen ce It ought to h ve occu r red to . a
her tha t the o ly stage in those pa ts was driven by

n r
Uncle Zed who c ied as a r ule nothing m

, arr uhm or e, , c
v lu ble th n butte r an d eggs

a a a A country gi l would . r
have guessed at o nce tha t George w s a fter deer Hazel a
to do her justice felt a s ha m

.
,
ed o f h r suspicions but they

,
e ,
kept her wide wa ke none the less putting kee er edge

a a n
upo n her d te m
,
ina tion to transpl nt Geo ge She kept

e r a r .
on r pe ting to h self : I h te this r a nch ; I h te those

e a er
“
a a
B ga d
un r d Geld hei e ; I could never spe d m
s an en y rn rs n
life here ; I mutterly unlike M r Sp gge an d Sa

a s ra
mntha
.
”
a
And yet she wa nted Geo rge wan ted himm

.
o e th n , r a
192
’
the water fromone banked up squa re to a nother knock -
tiny w ll a d so forming a ch nnel for the

,
i g do wn
n a a n a
pre ious p rcol ting fluid which the w rmdry soil ab

c e a a
The m
, ,
sorbed g eedily o ning was very hot but Ha el

r . r , z
cou ld sl ke her thi st with i

a pe berrie an d dip burn ing
r r s
ha nds into the coo l water

F ther mde o e m
.
“
a istake said Geo ge
a n , r .
Only one
He d oughter hev built the house lower down the
’
Ca nyon Then we d hev ha d a ple ty 0 wa ter beca use

’ ’
. n ,
the creek flows good an strong pa st the hou se

’
.
Tha t s where you w nt it isn t it ?

“ ’
a
’ ”
George l ughed H el s rema rks co ncerning ll m

,
’
a . at az a
te s connected with the practi

r ca l r unning o f the ra nch
bet ayed r stonishing igno ra nce a d ine perien ce For
an a n x
ex a m ple she h d sked Sam

.
a ntha why the two co w s w er e

a a
milked at regular hour s Why ot slip o t with a pail

,
n u
a d get wh t m
.
n ilk you needed a t an y Old hour ?

a
Geo rge e pla ined x .
The creek here is fi e feet below the level o f the

“
v
round we hev ter i i te See The w te c uld

—
g g a ? r o b e rr . a
ta ken ou t with a motor en gine there s ot enough force ’
—
n
or fa ll fer m a mebbe some da y I ll buy me o e

a ra n
’ ’
n
but a things ir we hev to depe d o our damtwo

,
,
s a , n n ,
hund ed y rds up the C nyon

r a a .
I understa nd perfectly
“
.
”
By gum e cl imed Geo rge It s fun wo kin with

x a
“ ’
r
’
m
.
y o u bec a use you do c tch o n i gh ty quick a
Tell m some mor about ber ry ra ising

,
“
e e -
It s e sy to r ise m Picki a d m
.
a in t so
“ ’ ’ ’
a k t
’
a a e . n n r e rn
ea sy
»
.
He continued leisurely ta lkin g as he worked never , ,
1 94
S tocker C omes to Sp r a gge s Canyon
’
wa sting a m inute n o r o e drop o f wa ter Twice a week n .
during the e rly sp ing a d once a for tnight du ing the

a r n r
sum mer he took light loa d o f berries to Aguila which

a
he so ld to Adolf Gelde heim

,
e Adolf bought hon ey n r .
an d butter a lso eggs a pp les an d po ultry c editing r
Geo ge s a ccoun t with diver s sm

,
a ll sum
, , , ,
r
’
s In his turn .
,
Adolf sold to Geo rge seed bar ley g ocer ies a d d y -

, r n r
g oo d s At the e d o f th e ye a r t h e ac
nc o unts g en e r a lly
bala nced e ch other Ha el rem
.
a a r k ed sh r ewdly : z
M r Gelden heim er m
.
akes a doub le pr o fit
“
George had to adm

. .
it th is .
“
Saves us a hea p of tr ouble he emrked And , r a .
ever yt hin g else i s clea r ga i n dolla r s to be invested ”

, .
—
Ever ythi g else i n cludes ca ttle a d horse s d hogs
“
n n an
Yes e ve yt hi n g la wfu l an d un la wful

“ ”
r .
“
Un la wful ? ”
“
I sell venison a s m utton or goa t I mwell fix ed
’
mon ey to burn but I don t bur it

, .
,
” ’
, n .
“
What do you do with it
“
Buy business prope r ty i n San Lo re y ; I ve a g o o d nz
’
f ew dolla rs on lo an secur ed by m o tga ge Say I m

’
r
ll m
, .
,
telli se t
’ ”
n yo u y cr e s a .
Not all Geo ge

“ ”
, r .
“
Yer ight I d f ergot r
”
.
’
.
She tho ught th t he looked very sly a .
“
Why do you sell ven iso n if it s to do so ? ,
’ ’
George roa red with laughter .
“
We a i pa rticular r .
”
Hazel w slightly r uflied as .
Eviden tly yo u a r en t
“ ” ’
I ma s hon est as m m
.
“ ’
y n eigh b ors o r e so I r ec k o n
than som e o f em
, , ,
’ ”
.
Oh !
He o ntinued cheer fully
c
Poor folks ain t overly honest In ea r ly days squat

“ ’
.
ter s a round Agui l c l pped thei r b ra nd o to mny a c lf

,
a a n a a
an colt belon gia to old D o Ju n Father wa sn t too

’ ’ ’
n a .
ex t y pa ticu la r Everybody done it

”
r r . .
D o you do it sti ll
“
Why o Tha r in t the sam n e chances Barb wie a

’
-
r
put a end to em S y you do look sweet i tha t out

. .
’
n . a , n
fit .
T he outfit h d been speci lly designed by Hazel the

“
a a
r ight equipm
,
ent f o such work she could d c nv s r as o, a a a
ski rt r ther short displ yi g to dv ntage her smll

, a a n a a a
feet a d trim nkles thin fl nnel shirt with a s ilor s

,
’
n a a a a
colla r em
,
bellished by a b nd na handkerchief d a a a an
som
,
brero bought at the Aguila store Hazel ha d rolled up

ng gloves Fa ce a rm
.
her sleeves disca rd i s d h nds an a
were l e dy cle r brown She sm

.
, , ,
a r a iled fl cti ly
a a re e ve
cula r r em
.
,
f o r she wa e pecting this pa rti s a r k an d pre

x ,
pa red to enl rge upon it a
It s nice com pliment to you Geo rge

.
“ ’
a , .
How s that ? ’ ”
—
I w nted to to try to identify m
a ysel f with you an d
y o u r work I feel quite t ho me in the m ”
a
And you look fine Some w y you seemn ea er to

. .
“
a r
m more o f flesh blood woman less o f a city

.
,
’
e, a an ,
r a ised ngel a .
She laughed a lthough her tone wa grave a s she said ,

s , ,
h esit tingly : a
“
Would you like me to feel tha t you were co m ing
n ea rer to m
”
e?
“
Yo u bet I wo uld .
196
Sp r a gge s Canyon
’
I talked m o re gra m ma tically tha n he di d He was proud

Of m
.
”
e .
“
You w girl I e ck
as a
on you r f the pa id co id . r a r ns
c rab le fer y schooli He wan ted ter the value of ’

n er see
Mu t h wa m mup go od when
.
hi good doll rs
s a ed hi . s ev r
he seen they w n t wasted a

’ ”
H el felt slightly im
.
az p tie t Geo ge h wdness at a n r

’
s s re
o n e di myed She lized h im

.
c s d delighted he
a an r rea er
poten ce to g t t himin h ow per on l w y but

.
” “
e a er n s a a ,
she r ae liz d lso with in cr ea in g con iction th t he was

e a , s v , a
wor th getting t
“ ”
a
this ? e cla im
.
ed Geor ge
“ ”
VVh
’
O s x .
A buggy w pproa ching as a
Mu t be ome d m
.
“
s n book gen t c tinued Geo rge
s a a , on
I ll fix himin two tick T h ga ll o the feller s !

.
“ ’ ’
s e .
Regler lee hes Now you w tch m h ndle him We ll

.
'
c a e a
he som
. .
,
v e fun ”
The buggy c m
.
e to a sta nd till t the hitching post

a s a
Opposite the front po ch A m a desce ded d hitched r . n n an
hi h o rse He w
s we ring white linen dust co t nd
. as a a -
a a
a o ft felt h t pulled over hi

s s eyes
a Seeing two per ons s
n th e berry p tch he w a lked towa d th em H

.
i a el uttered r az
h rp e cl mtion
.
a s a x a a .
Wh t i it
—
“
a s
“
It
’
it s friend o f m
s
’
ine You e hea r d m m
a en ti
on
’
v e
m It Mr Wilbu Stocke
.
”
hi
’
. s . r r.
“ ”
Gee 1
III
Wilbu g eeted Hazel with im
r r pres ive po liten ea s ex s ,
pla i
n i
n g fl uen tly h i
s ppea an ce in Sp gg
ra e C n yo n a r
’
s a
on o f com n to m
.
“
Yon put the oti ing i y h ea d C a n
n .
I 98
Stocke r Comes to S p ra ggs s C any on ’
di
dly, I h d fo rgotten that the e wa s such a coun ty as
a r
San Lorenz I ha ve never bee here I made a f ew

o . n .
inquiries d discover ed tha t nobo dy else h d been he e

an a r .
It appea red to be quite virgin ter r ito ry I took the ca rs .
within few hours o f r ea ding your letter Put in the

a .
Fourth tra veling down put in two good d ys in San , a
Lo renzo a d bout the o ld la nding Conditions a r e

, n a .
r esurrecting them selves The l nding u sed to do good . a
busin ss in ea rly days And it will do go od bu siness

e
r ea d the tim
.
aga i n if I All wa ys o f t ra nspo r ta

—
es can
—
.
,
tion ro ds il rivers a d sea will receive due at

a , ra , , n
ten tion .
”
“
That s so ss en ted Geo ge
’
, a r .
Dismyed by M r Stocker s une pected a ppea rance

a .
’
x ,
George had supposed tha t the stranger h d tr veled a a a
long dist ce to see H a zel Obviously he ha d com

an e on .
business Otherwise he would ot have waited two

. n
days
Couldn t retu rn hom
.
“
e without ca lling o you con
’
n ,
tinn ed Wilbur Perhaps you re re dy to go back to “ ’

a
Oaklan d If o he m a d e a fo r m I mat your

.
a l ho w
“ ’
. s , ,
ser i vce a esco t s an r .

”
“
You ll stop a d eat dinn er ? asked George
’
n .
“
I sh ll be delighted
a .
That s good I ll go tell Mo ther

’
.
’
.
“
I ll ttend to the water sa id Ha el
’
a , z .
George nodded ple santly to Wilbur an d wa lked away a ,
tu ning a fter few steps

r a
Sha ll I put yer plug in to the ba r n an d give him8

,
f eed
“
Tha nk you said Wilbur I mstopping at Aguila
, .
“ ’
.
I 99
’
hen he sta red interrog tively at H zel ta king car eful

T a a ,
n ote f the outfit

“ ”
o .
Wh t
“
you doing here he sked cu rtly
a are a .
C n t you see ? Irrig ting be ries

a
’
a r .
”
He perceived th t she res nt d this surprise visit But a e e
h e w s too self tifi d too sure f his ow cl im

.
a -
s upon
sa s e ,
o n a
her , to g a sp the re l situ tionr a a
Com
.
“
ic opera
”
No t a t a ll
Sha ll we sit under th t tr ee Yo u look r ther w rm
.
a ? a a ,
Ha zel
”
.
She followed himto r ude se t under cottonwood a a a ,
biting h r lips with ve a tion In two words he ha d

e x .
tra nspo r ted h d him self to O kla nd She wa quick

er a n a . s
en ough to a pprec ite these two words a .
Co i
c m o p er a !
Oakla nd in de d had spoken delivered its verdict e
sm ilingly amused smilingly cynic l Wilbur ch nged

, , , ,
, a . a
h i tone
s
You look perf ctly ch ming Wh t a ha ndsome f l

.
—
e ar . a e
low C orydon is ! And this pl ce idyllic a
Are y u sneering
“
— —
o
m
He ven forbid ! I a I dmit it i the d rk
a a n a .
Your aunt either would not o r could ot enlighten m n e
I inferred a whim miden s decl a r tion of i dep d

.
’
, a a a n en
en ce
”
.
I congr tul te yo u Wilbur upon your inf renc

“
a a , , e es .
Th nks H lighted cig r tt dju t d hi pi c

m
a e a a e e, a s e s n e
nez, a n d re ov d hi du t co t pp i g pick d sp n e s s -
a , a ea r n s an a
in cool gr y fl n l suit He cro ed his l g l y

a a an e . ss e s, a
b ck la ily r eg rding her d e h led n t ring of

a , z a ,
an x a a ea
’
S p r a gge s C anyon
He pressed th e point quite plea a tly sp king with , s n ,
ea
o ut y irrit
an t in g derisi n a o
Why do y seek det chm

.
“
e t H el ? And why do
ou a n , az
y u
o hunt f o it in such a pl ce
r this ? H w did you a as o
come to know these go d peo ple ? Are they old f iends ? o r
Why is there i of m ystery about this vi it ? ”

an a r s
She nswered himwith cou ge

a ra .
I ll try to t ll y u e en if it hu ts both f u I
“ ’
e o , v r o s .
w nt to be honest with you d honest with myself but

a an
it s t e y I h te to a dm
, ,
’
no as it th t I don t quite know
. a a
’
wh t I do w nt Educ tion ught to te ch th t at

—
a a a o a on e a
le st but it seem
.
s to work the ther y with us

—
a w o a
Am eric n women The Sp gg who

,
not edu
—
a . ra es a re
t d
ca e we underst nd t e word d know wh t they
as h a o a
w nt ; d I envy them Y u know wh t you wa nt

,
a an o a
And th t mke it so difli lt for y to symp thiz

. .
a a s cu ou a e
with m d the dd un est I su ff er from You will

e, a n o r .
g et wh t y u w nt a o a
I wish th t I w sure of th t de r a as a a
He spoke kindly d tem

, .
p tely touching her h nd an era , a
lightly
H zel m
.
aended her l st sentence

a a .
At y r te you will g t pa rt of wh t you w nt the

“
an a , e a a ,
business end Th t counts doesn t it . a ,

’
Of course it count
“
s
”
T m
.
e dously
—
re n
Well yes tremendously But why do you l y uch

, . a s
'
ern p h i th t H
a s s on zel ? And you lo k
a t m so O ddly a o a e
I ve lw ys understood th t you lik d m

, .
’
a a y b in g; kee a e e n
a bout business d nob dy know b tt r th y wh t , an o s e e an ou a
success i bu ine e a ct th concentr tion d o

n s ss x s, e a , an s
fo th r .
”
Stocke r Comes to S p ra ggs s Canyon ’
“
yes I mgl d you r e keen Wilbur It m
Yes, a kes i
’
t a
’
ea sier for m i
.
, .
f e,
“
It r
"
If I don t mrry you You see it s like this I ha te

’
a
’
to sa y it but you ve fo c ed m
.
, .
, y h a nd A n d perh a
’
ps b e r .
, ,
tween us two plain spea king is best

I mquite su re i
, .
“ ’ ”
t is .
If I don t mrr y yo u it won t kn ock you out will it ?

’
a
” ’
Wilbur threw away his cigarette m

,
o ving r stlessly , e ,
frowni g as he t ied to peer deep in to the ha el eyes

n r z
which con fronted himste dily Ther e was a long pause a . .
Fi lly he nswer ed the question hone tly It m

na a ay s .
n ot be quite f ir to dd th t ea rly in life Wilbur had

a a a
g r a sped a c din l p i ciple inhe

ar ited f o mh i fathe r n r r s a r.
He knew th t it p id mu to be honest a d t uthful

,
a a a n r
Fool d kn ves told lie a d attempted to e de their

.
s an a s n va
Obligations He prided himelf justly upon being

. s
“
t ight
s ra
”
It wo uld t kill m he s id coldly Neve ha d he

.
“
no e, a r
f lt less like lover h mde this d mging dmi sion

.
e a as e a a a a s
It annoyed himinte sely tha t H zel hould h ve tu ned

.
n a s a r
the t ble a mforcing hi h nd t the very m

hi s on omnt s a a e
too when he wished to keep hi t um

, , ,
p b ck f c re s r s a or a a
fully medit ted

,
p ! a cou
H el mu mured :
az r
“
I lm ost mrried Clinton T rant
a a ar .
Rea lly
But I w nted m ore th n a o third interest in m
a y a n e-
future hu b nd Poo Cli ton has to devote e thid

s a . r n on - r
203
Spra ggs s Canyon
’
of tten tion to tha t in a lid mother a d siste ; the

hi
s a v n r
other o third is given to science Wha t was left did

ne -
not quite llure m

.
”
a e .
She sa id this ple s tly but in voice cold his a an a as as
She sa w tha t he winced s he retort d with some he

.
,
a e ve
m ence :
Quite Obviously yo were o t mdly i love with
“
u n a n
Ta r a nt r
”
Obviously I m ot mdly in love

.
E ctly And
“
xa as a n a
with you N o a e you mdly in love with m

.
, ,
r r a e
I m It s no p ssing f ncy with me I e

. .
“
Y
’ ’
es, a a a . v
w nted to mrry you f three solid ye rs I ve never

.
’
a a or a
make
.
p id tt ntion to nother girl I swe r th t I

a a e a . a a ca n
you h ppy a .
”
How ? she sked softly

“ ”
a
He p rceived th t he must pl y his t umps now if

.
e a a r ,
he wished to score
not sentim
.
You d I he s id slowly an enta lists

”
a , are .
You re twenty two d I mt y rs Old r E ch of

,
’ ’
-
an en ea e . a
us w nts p rtner Tog th r we ought to a chieve our

a a a . e e
ambitions While I w in T com d Se ttle I did as a a an a
bu i ss with some b ig m And wh re do you think

.
s ne en . e
the business w don ? In th ir offices ? N ot m uch as e e
At their homes ft r dinn r E h m h d th right

.
,
a e e . ac an a e
sort f wife I w n v r bett r ent rt in d I felt in

O as e e e e a e
my bon th t I d struck the right cr wd d th t th y

. .
’
es a o an a e
w t d m Th y d w t m just twi much if you

,
’
an e e . e an e ce a s
w re my wi f e I r pe t tog ther w
e mk thi gs
. e a , e e ca n a e n
hum You w t be b d to t if y u m y m
’
. on o re ea r s o ar r e .
A d n for O k l d w ll I
, as b t md p m y m
a in d an , e ,
’
ve a ou a e u
to t ckle S Fr isco if yo ll t kl it w ith m

a an an c , u
’
ac e e .
”
He t i d to t ke h r h nd p r eiving th t he h d
r e a e a , e c a a
C HAPTER XII
RU CI I ON S
'
LEUR wisely decided ot to pr es H l f o a n s aze r
decisi on n o i ndeed did he find oppor tun ity r, , an
pea ki g t her lone fter th m idda y m

,
of s n o e l d uri nga a e a
which he mde him

,
sel f va tly gr eeable to the Spragges

a s a ,
r ec ognizing in Mrs Sp gge th o se g ea t qu lities whic h ra r a
distingui h the womn f the We t fro mthe womn i

.
s n
a o s a
th West
e M Spragge was of Ca lifo ni p rt f the
rs r a, a a o
ne squ re p g fi m
. .
s ta te cy o f the oil a n d sun sh i

ra s ly a a e r
driven into squ re hole Geo rge too ttr cted him
, ,
a a a a ,
beca use hi he d ppea red to be l vel his mother s

.
, ,
’
s a a as e as .
He upposed tha t H el h d k own th se good worthy

s az a n e
people for ye rs ; they m

,
ight b remotely conne ted with

a e c
her He himself w proud f rel tions f the m

. e as o a o sa
stu rdy type who lived in the Mendocino b ck wood He a s

.
felt ince ely gr teful to the Sp gg s d thei Ca nyon

s r a ra e an r
be a use H zel looked o ench ntingly live d vigo ous

c a s a a an r .
High he lth he efl ected ought to be cont giou as

a , r , as a s
dise se a .
H zel h
a pa rt ppr ci ted Wilbur s deli cy a d
on er a e a
’
ca n
lthough she w uncomfo t bly w re th t he

, ,
tact a as r a a a a
would ot lea ve Aguil until he h d im po ed om

,
n ething a a s s
i the n tu e f
n ultimtum He prom
a r o ised to retu n to
an a r
the nch on the m

.
ra o row Mean while he w ntici r . as a

Ru cti ons
pa ting a business ta lk with Adolf Gelde heim e Twen ty n r.
yea rs before there had be a l ndi g just below G rg s en a n eo e

’
clambea ch Whea t fromthe pl ins behind th Coast a e
Ra nge h d been shipped at a sm

.
a a ll wh rf which was a
frozen o ut by th e ra il oa d tha t m
,
“ ”
ighty octopus T0 r .
d y the da irym
,
a en the squa tte s who ra i sed e rly pot r a a
toes a d vegetables the fr uit m

,
n en an d i n fi e every n
body who h d anything to sell i distant m

, , , ,
a a rket s we e n r
o nster who pinched them merci

,
i the tenta cles o f t he m

n ,
lessly Acco rding to Wilbur the Old lan ding a long the s
coa st m ight be ra i sed fromthe dea d if a new gene tion

.
,
ra
co uld be mde to see how vi

,
a ta l such a r esurr ection was

to their interests .
Geo ge however divined th e tr uth In his slow work

r -
i g shrewd m ind he dism

.
, ,
n issed all Wilbu s ta lk f la nd r

’
o
ngs a po ppycock A slick ta lker fromO kla nd was

,
“ ”
i s . a
a fte r H a zel
Th is fact gnawed at his hea r t m mabjectly

.
a kin g hi
misera ble Of course he leapt to the con clusion tha t

,
Hazel liked Wilbur beea use she had fo gotten to shut r
He had im
,
ofi th e wa te r pressed upo n her the v lue

. a
o f wa te r when the cr eek w running dry Wilbur had as .
swept a ll th ought o f Geo ge a d hi s i n ter ests c l ea n out r n
o f her m ind
It ra cked himto thin k o f his foolish pr om
.
ise ot to n
r ush things to w a it f o a n od from her pretty he d I t r a
mto more po ignant p ngs whe he re lized tha t

, .
ra ck ed hi a n a
Wilbur w a t lker ble to t lk the heart out of gir l

as a a a a
msel f wr etchedly that

, ,
o r the t il fl a dog ! He told h i "

a o
Ha zel w not sa tisfied with him s he was She disliked

as a
his rough spe ch She w nted to mke himover

.
“ ”
e a a
Eve i smll things he w s o ut o f luck Th ree nights

. .
n n a a .
’
S pra ggs s C anyon
i s uccession he h d sa t up for buck which sl ke d i
”
n ts a a a
thirst elsewhere T night he me nt to try g in T he O -

a a a .
on c me to himth t if he g t the buck he

.
O dd convicti a a o
would g t H zel l o The r ttlesn kes too were h rder

e a a s . a a , , a
to c pture a He h d secured seven be uties big fell w

. a a , o s
with mny r ttles but he w nted nother h lf doz n to

a a a a a e
mke the promi ed t le complete

,
a s a .
Whe Wilbur drove w y George took his ck d

n a a sa an
forked stick into the hills le vi g H zel with the women a n a
folk To void wkw rd que tions he sne ked from

,
. a a a s ,
a
the house by the b ck w y but unfortun tely H el a a a az
c ght glimpse f him d once mre curiosity con

, , ,
au a o an o
um
,
s ed h er .
There m ust be something secret connected with Geo ge - r
She tried to p mp S mnth

.
process quite futil eu a a a, a as
as trying to co w ter out f the A iz desert ! Sa ax a O r on a
m th curt : Se rch m! ggr v ted her beyond en

an a s
’ “
a e
”
a a a
dur nce a
Mrs Sp gge h ppened t b busy in th kitchen mk

.
ra a o e e a
i g str wberry j m S mnth

.
,
n a t sewing with H zel a . a a a sa a .
Riv lry indic ted itself i the work unde t ken by each
a a n r a
g irl S m nth stitched a wa y at a tout flannel petti

a a s a
co t The m
.
a ere sight f it in July provoked pe pia

. o rs r
tio H el omewh t ostent tiou ly w thre ding

n . az , s a a s ,
as a
b by rib nd into her fil i t d pr ttiest underclothi g

a -
a rn es an e n
Mo e the very tu re o f S mnth s t sk not to m

.
’
r en na a a a a
dum
, ,
tion Mrs Sp gg br ted c reful provisi n f o

ra
’
e s, a a a o r
the future the th n the pre e t H zel bec m

.
rae i r a s n . a a r
rit b ly sensible th t work on

a r ch w concerned with a a an as
the future ther th n the present It w diffi ult to en

ra a . as c
joy th t pr sent beca use the future e cted such n v r

a e , xa e e
ending con ider tion M Spr gge w sweltering i s a . rs . a as n
208
’
resently they fell into desulto ry talk Hazel could

P
ot resist the tem pta tion to stir up S m
.
a ntha ; she
“ ”
n a
w nted to try o o to spe k ce t in ide s lo sely

a n, s a ,
r a a o
b sted togeth r Such ta lk wa e cellent practice d

a e s x an
much encour ged in soci l circles in O kl nd

.
,
a a a a .
Wh t do y u thi k o f Mr Stocker she asked

“
a o n .
brightly
Ain t he your friend ? murm ured S mnth
.
“ ’
a a a .
Ce t inly ; but th t n dn t prevent our t lking bo ut

r a a ee
’
a a
hi mwith ntire fr nkness I enjoy g od gossip bout

e a a o a
my friends Gossip is sign of intelligent inte est

.
. a an r
in one s fellow crea tures Do n t y u thi k so ?

’
.
’
o n
”
Mebbe
“ ”
I mquit sur e it is Now how did Mr Stocker

.
a e
mpress you ?
.
, .
”
i
Kind 0 thin
“ ’
H zel l ughed Poo r Wilbur was thin com

.
a a p a r ed
. with
th st lw rt George
e a a
Works his tongue overly m suggested Sam

.
uch a nth
“
a
Terrible t lker ! I mind me o f sh te we h d yea r

, .
a a o a
before l st It u t r u about qu ki
a q u li
se er n s ea n
’
an
’
s ea n
’
a ll the tim
.
e even whe th others w t the t ough It

,
n
’
as a r .
never fa ttened y It jest up died an an

’
H zel l ughed g in S mnth a lw ys am

. .
a a u ed her a a . a a a a s .
B ut the l ughter f iled t a ing quite true It occu r ed a o r r
to H zel f o the fir t tim

.
a e th t po or Wilbur w s sig
r s a a
ni fi a tly thin
c n If she m a rr i ed hima d if he up a d
. n
“
n
died wh t then ?”
a
His ta lk is ot thin Sam

,
a nth
“
n a
Ain t it ? I couldn t foller a ll o f it S eem

.
,
“
s to hev
’ ’
m m
.
g oo d business se se A d o lf Ge lden h ei er ll ee t h
n is
’
m
.
a tch this a fte n oon r .
2 10
Ru ctions
“
Di
d yo u li t to wha t Mr Stocke s id about s en . r a
Sp gg s Canyon
ra s
’
S mnth hesita ted

a a a .
“
I dunno I did H zel Wha t kin he know o f u
as , a . o r
ra nch nyw ys
, a a
“
You liter l Of cou se he know nothing f
a r e so a r s o
you nch in the sense you m

.
r ra e n But he know eve y a . s r
thing i nother sense

n a .
”
“
A how ?
s
”
“
He m eets y u f o the fir t time d believe m oe r s an
mpression mmensely lu ble pa rticula rly

, , ,
fir t i
s i s are va a
womn
,
”
to a a
But M Stocke in t womn

.
“ ’
r r a a a
There s omething f the womn in him the e

. .
’
s O a , as r
ought to be quick es o f perception ntuition es

i-
a n s an
se ti lly fem inine Well he me t you ll d he ees

,
n a .
, e s a , an s
th t you
a stoni hingly he lthy d h ppy
are a s a an a .
“
Sees all th t at onet does he a ,
Of course he doe Then he ee a well o rdered lit

—
s . s s -
tle hou e good pl in foo d o the tabl

s , nch run a n e a ra
properly ”
He aw l t 0 w te u m to waste
.
“ ’
s a o a r r n n .
Th t w ntir ely my f ult Wh t w I going to

a as e a . a as
”
say ?
Sea rch m e s id S ma nth stolidly , a a a .
Ha el gr ew nett led The repetition O f this stupid bit

z
With some difficulty

.
o f sl ng put her ide s to fli ght

a a
she reca ptured them

.
“
Oh yes Mr Stocker g asped the lesson tha t
, . . r
Sp agg s C nyon tea ches

’ ”
r e a .
“
I w nt to k ow l a n
”
I t s a sma ll world i i
tself ah o t self suppo rting
“ ’
n , n s -
.
21 I
Sp ra gge s
’
C anyon
Alm
“
ost
It is self suppor ting
“
- .
”
More n tha t ’ ”
You re m issing m m
.
‘ ’
y po int Sa a ntha In i
ts tin y , .
w y thi ra nch i s co m plete ”

a s .
No it in t Y u a k Auntie bout tha t

“
, a
’
. o s
’
.
H zel ska ted swiftly cross this thin ice She knew
a a
wh t Mrs Spragge wa nted to m a ke her home com

.
a .
plete
I m ea spea king ge era lly tha t ther e s t m

.
“
n, uch n
’
no
mo e to be done here
,
r .
Does Mr St k say th t
“
ac er a
S mntha s tone w sh rp ; her pl idity va nished

.
’
a a as a ac .
Y u hea rd wh t he sa id when he cong tul ted M s

“
o . a ra a r
Spragge a d George upon h ving m

.
n a de the m ost the a
m t mind you Of their oppo tunities Wha t did you

,
os r
infer fromth t
.
, ,
I thought he w la yin it o a bit thick

“
as
’
n
Mr Stocker is since ity itself He m

.
. e nt e a ctly r . a x
wh t he s id d h s right With his business s a p d

a a , an e
’
. n an
e perience he saw th t the cr tive work to be done

x a ea
here h s been done a d well done A r eally a ctive

a n en
t p ii g m could not find in you r ea y

.
, ,
er r s n an sufficient n on
scope for his ene gies r .

”
H zel p used She felt plea sed with herself The

a a . .
right word s h d flowed freely She r eg etted th t Wil

a . r a
bur wa b sen t bec use he sh red with her a nice en

s a a a
thu i min pursuit of the elusive phr se

,
s as They h d a a
belong d to the sam

.
e e Br wning society Together they o .
h d wr tl d with the po t s Obscurities ; togethe r they

’
a es e e
h d glo ied in
a en l rg d voc bul ry
r an a e a a
T o her utt er amzem t S m

.
a ntha sa id fiercely a en a
2 12
Sp r a gge s Canyon
’
a loud clea r voice M s Sp gg s hea vy step was hear d . r . ra e

’
in the h llwa y ; the door opened

a d she ppea red an a .
For instant she looked ste dily t e ch girl ; then

an a a a
Samntha spoke
a
“
H el G odr ich m
az ea ns to s ke Geo ge outer th is
o na r .
I t ed her with it an d she owned up I llowed you

ax ,
. a
ought ter know I ve jest told Ha el tha t she s wicked

.
’
z
’
an
’
fullish .
”
“
Hev you id Mrs Spr gge I re kon you f o rsa . a . c
go t bout
’
H el bei our guest az n
’ ”
It s ll rig ht Mrs Spragge murmured Ha el

.
“ ’
a , .
, z .
N i
t O,i t ot if you mea nt it Did you ?
a n
’
, n .
”
“
This r nch is too smll f o G orge
a a r e .
If you could s ke him ut you d do it na o ,

’
Yes .
”
You think ye k ow m y o bett er I do ? n s n

’
n
”
H z l mde o reply M s Spr gge continued de

a e a n . r . a
li
ber a tely
“
I su picioned this som
s e d ys go I surmised you a a .
w a l yin b ck fer a bru sh with Ge rg e but I did n ot

’
s a a o ,
th ink you d t ke us first ’

a on .
H zel s id politely
a a
I d r ther ot discuss the m a tter with S am

antha
“ ’
a n
”
an d yo u
must We ll hev it
.
“
But yo u .
’
o ut n ow .
T wo t o on e
Sa m thy nto the kitchen When I hea r d

an , you go i .
y ou c llin Iatook the p r i

’
p,
E the sto ve Go r ese v n
’
an O .
put it on gen a .
”
S mnth hesit ted but obeyed As she w crossing

a a a a . as
the threshold she tur ed to fir e a P rthia n shot

,
n a .
2 14
Ru etions
Guest or
“
no gu e t H a zel
s G
,oo d r ch
i yer a d o n
i ,
-
’
fan wo rk l
’ ”
s
S am
a ntha van i shed lammin g the door
, s .
III
Sit ye down id Mrs Sp gge She picked up sa ra
the fl nnel pettico t d brushed ome dust fromit

. .
,
a a an s
When H zel s k r ther lim

.
a ply into ch ir Mrs Spr gge

an a a a . a
sea ted her elf d beg n work o the petti

s anco t if a n a , as
n othin g h d h ppened H zel id despe t ly

a a . a sa ra e
Isn t the thing too person l t be discussed ?

“ ’
a o
”
Wha t in t per on l t m a in t worth di i

a
’
s a o e,
’
scu ss n
M rs Sp gge went o ewi g H zel t with her

ra n s n a sa
sm
. .
a ll h nds folded on her l p w i

a ting for her ho te to a a s ss
begin The whole fl i h d sudde ly become i t ler

,
. a a r a n n o
ab ly dist steful d stupid

a She bl med herself bec use
an . a a
she o ught not to ha ve invited e pression of opini n an x o
f omSamntha As M Spr gge seemed to be h

r a rs a a
fl nnel pettico t Ha zel murmured gently :

. .
sorbed i th n e a a
I mso ry very sor y tha t I provoked this o utburst

“ ”
— —
’
—
r , r .
But y u don it o e
”
I know S mnth is ight ; I mfoolish but

.
Y es, . a a a r a ,
n ot wicked
”
.
F llish people i O fte wicked without k w i it

“
a a r n no n
’ ”
By thi time H zel w nted pe ce t y price but

.
s a a a a an
not t h ve it Lightly h d she em

,
she w as o b rk d upon
a . a a e
thi disc ssi he vily indeed w it f ted to end Mrs

s u on , a as a
Sp gge had a sumed judici l i which t nother tim

. .
ra s e a a a r a a
might h ve mu d H zel In moment wisdom like

a a se a a
M i er v would burst fromhe Olympi n he d

.
,
n a, r a a
I w r ed you aid M Spragge olem

.
“
a n nly that ”
s rs s
m m
, .
,
y ou d ’
ne e a k e y Ge
v ror ge o ve to u it yo u idees r s r ,
215
Sp ra ggc s C anyon
’
on le they h ppen ed to be his An she pa used dram

ss a .
a ti lly
ca yer idees H el a in t his
,
“
never will be , az ,
’
, an
’
.
”
Much n ttled Hazel replied e
Time will d termine tha t

,
“ ”
e
M rs Sp gg f ce remin d singu lar ly pl cid

.
’
ra e s a a e a
I k ow wh t yer id s i d I mgo in t give ye

. .
“ ’ ’
n a ee a r , an o
mine .
Pl se !
“
ea
I ve come by m sech a they ir honestly

“ ’ ’
e , s a , .
Do you me n th t a a
Tch ! Tch ! I mea n child th t I ve p id for em

‘
a
’
a
’
th t m m m
, , ,
a y idees in t t k fr o other pe ple anor fro ’

a en o
books I mfif ty five m

,
ore double yer age a with

’
-
’
n , n
’
fifty ti m
. ,
e yer ex perience s .
”
Surely e perience ca n be bo r owed

“
x r
Mighty seldom; never by young girls ! N w look o ,
y e here ! You be l ieve i

n th e git up d git tha r g o spel ‘
an
’
,
d on t ye ?
’
Id
“
o .
W l it works out fi e if ye do git tha r S po e ye

a , n .
’
s
do t
’
n
There m
“
ust be f ilu es o f course a r
Too mny This country s full O f m Y r f iend

, .
’ ’
a . e . e r
M Stocker w
r t lkin t noon t d y bout p es as a
’
a o -
a a r oc
He ims t l d processions don t he

.
si ons
’
a er ea
H s mn ging director of
.
,
“
e
’
fine busin ss
a a a e
I s th t so ? I suspicioned th t som ething a iled him

.
a a
H looks p e f ller ! m ighty ne r fou dered He m

.
e , or aye a n .
b e le din proce sions but he won t p ocess long beca u se

a
’
s ,
’
r ,
he in t built f a st yer
’
a er a .
This w v ry unple s nt Once before H zel had

as e a a . a
b een vouchsa fed a visi on o f he rself a t est i n ca sket r a
2 16
Canyon Sp ra gge s
’
in ho t pant to look fer h ppi e s to home He foun d

s r s, a n s
it till you com

.
e right here in this Ca nyon I ve le rn d ’

a e
m t to hor er money nor trouble One gener lly

, , .
hi no t a
me ns t other I ve le ned himter s ve his doll r agen

, .
’ ’
a . ar a a s
the h rd times which never p ss y m by I ve

a a an an
’
le rned himter t ke hi ple sures in the hills huntin

.
’
a a s a ,
deer qu il t dyi wild things i st d f in the

an
’
a , s u n
’
,
n ea o
s loons b ck 0 stores I ve le rned himH zel that

a an
’
a
’ ’
a a
it s bigger thing ter do smll job right th n big

.
, ,
’
a a a a a
job wrong Air y goin ter unpick my stitches She ou

’
p used g in with dr mtic intensity dding fiercely :

.
a a a a a ,
a
H zel beg n to cry a formo f self indulg nce which

— she w well a w re d id ot difig her Sa
as
a a
as
ma nth fter much weepi g displ yed d swollen lids

a, a
,
a —
n
n
a
-
re
ure
e
, , ,
pa le pu ff y cheeks a d ge e l ir O f disintegr tion

, ,
n a n ra a a .
H z l s te rs t ickled slowly down her pink cheeks to

a e
’
a r
be coll cted by d inty h ndkerchi f Sh look d pit

e a a a e e e
ous d pensive ; her miden s bo somrose d fell ; her

.
’
c an a an
red lips p uted seductively At school d high school

o an
Hazel s te rs ha d dissolved m
.
fli ulti s especia lly

a ny d i
’
a c e ,
wh n they rose between her d the tea chers O f the

e a an
mic ll d sterner
s a e sex
She my h ve hoped th t te rs would flo t her ge tly

.
a a a a a n
o ut of this very tight pl ce into which she h d w ndered a a a
To h dismy Mrs Spr gge took no notice f them

.
er a . a O .
He ey s pp red to be fi ed pon th t h t ful fla nnel

r e a ea x u a a e
pettico t ; her fing rs stitched dilige tly not swiftly

a e n so
S mnth s but even m

,
as a a ore ste dily H zel d abbed at

a
’
a a
her che ks with n eight inch squar e of c m

.
,
e bric Tears
a - a .
2 18
Ru ctions
lo ge welled into her eyes ;
no n r ng y fl m e d ied the an a r a r
f ew tha t sp rkled upon her thick l shes a a
I w nt to do wh t is right she flimd with he

.
“ ”
a a a r e ve
me ce I m ot thinking O f myself t ll
,
“ ”
n . a n a a .
Tha t fine s id Mrs Spr gge d yly

“ ’
s
”
, a . a r
m
.
I c nnot help m
“
ay ide bein g d ifi e t fro y ou s as r en r
an d S mn th s I respect your idea a d I thought ’

a a a s n
m
.
y o u would re s pe ct ine I ve b ee n ta u g ht to re pe c t ’
s
people s idea s I belong to society th t m

.
othe eets
’
r a a
month o Sund y eve ing We elect some

.
once a n a n s. s
topic f gene a l i
o nterest ; d we invite two per on to
r an s s
a ppro ch it f omo ppo site viewpo ints

a We li te to
r . s n
both side I lw ys t ke i the Ch onile a d the E:

s a a a n r c n
am I ve t ied to keep m m
.
i in d
’
p ”
—
nar .
y o en r .
“
T wha t
—
o
To t r ight co nvicti on f cou se

—
o a , o r .
Th t good H w d you know th t it is ight

a
’
s . o o a r
H zel fo nd her elf wriggling

a i di ti
u f wea k s an n ea on o
This cro s ex a m
,
n ess which h despised s e i tion bega . s -

na n
to distre s he She remem s bered tha t Clin ton T nt

r. a rr a
ha d just uch a k na ck f po ing e a spe a ting questi

s on o s x r s .
O n th t ccount she dislik d the B erkel ey crowd

a a d e an
kept loof fromthem M

a d wom en o f the worl d di d . en an
n ot k such question s
as .
She replied f ebly : On e feels th t it is right e a .
You f l th en th t i ight f Geo ge ter quit his

“ ’
t ee a s r er r
h om e beca use you f l th t it too sm m

, ,
a l l fer hi
’
ee a s
Well yes A m l ike Geo ge m m

,
“
a , i
g h
. t b eco e G o v n r
cr uor f the S ta te
”
o .
S kes live ! Politic

“
a a s
Her m ere p onunci tion o f the wor d was eloquent o f

r a
wh t
.
a M S p agge th ugh t o f po l iti
rs . cs r o .
’
“
Why ot ? A busin ess m n an c n t ignore po liti cs a
’
G o ge h tes emlike pizo

.
“ ’ ”
e r a n .
H zel retorted ir itably

a r
“
It s like this Mrs Sp gge I believe sincerely that
’
, . ra
G o ge is living in sm
.
e r a ll ci cle which will grow smller

a r a
Yo u th i k otherwise And there it is We m

.
n ust gree
. . a
to di gree
”
sa .
“
Yer only thinking O f George ? ”
I am ”
Then you lo e him?

.
”
v
H zel grew sca rlet She told herself th t this was

a a
out ge us How da red this womn k such a lea ding

.
ra o . a as
question ?
You ha ve o i ht th t
“
g t o sk n r a a .
Yes I hev too I mhis moth r If y u do love ’

e o
George if m
.
, , .
y b o
, y is the dea re t thing this ea rth to s on
y ou, de r er tha n y
a elf H zel why then I ll d m it
er s y r a
’
a e
right to interfere with his life If you don t love him

, ,
’
. ,
quit foolin with wh t isn t yours ’

a
’
.
H zel drew in her bre th sh rply In the e pressive

a a a . x
la gu ge of the West she w up g in t it A e

n a , as
“
a a s .
”
r
tre t se med ignominious Cornered t l st stung to

a e a a
desper tion she ex cla im

.
,
a ed d fiantly : e
I d love him!
,
“ ”
o
Do s he know it
e
N that s why I resent you a sking such ques

o,
’
r a
tion ”
W ll he sh n t k ow it fr mm l r You
.
“ ’
e a n o e, c ea ca n
take yer o w time to t ll him Sh sigh d he vily d

.
,
”
n e . e e a an
her v ice lost somthing f its domin ting powe

o e It O a r .
“
ai n t certa in th t y u kin persu de himt le ve S p agg

’
a o a o a r e s
’
C nyon but if yo u love hi

a , mtr ue d if you feel that , an
220
Canyon Sp r a gge s
’
—
friends yet I m silly fool d nice sight I ve mde ’
a an a
’
a
yself ; but howlin llers did mke m look ugly

.
,
0 m
’ ’
a a e
an feel ugly I feel worse I lo k

’
.
’
n o .
”
She dis ppe red going down sta irs b ck t he cows

a a , , a o r .
H zel f lt fl t dly or y for her sorrow deepened

a e un a ec e s r a
by the reflectio th t poo r S mnth couldn t fe l wor e

,
’
n a a a a e s
th n she looked She e m

a ined her w f ce h u t xa o n a ex a s
i ly trying to discove wh t eff ect the em

.
ve , otions o f the r a
afternoo h d h d upon her After five not unple san t

n a a a
minutes she decided th t violent motion ff ected her

.
a e a
inw rdly a .
She wrote long letter t the goo d unt telling her

a o a ,
to e pect x ff ection te niece tan y mm ent a Af te a a an o . r
describing th b rbecue in her lightest vein she devoted

e a ,
a few lines to Wilb ur .
Wilbur !she wrote ) ppea red une pectedly this a x
morning P y don t jump to the conclusion th t he

ra
’
a
cam e to see m He is usu l engrossed b y business

.
e .
, as a , ,
a d ta lks of l ndings with

n nybody who is kind enough
a a
to listen to hi m I mr ther n ious bout him He

—
. a a a x a .
i p infully thi
s a n It struck m to d y quite shockingly . e a , ,
that his is t good life Isn t tha t how the insur nce
no a .
’
a
agents put it ?
Auntie m
“
ine I mgetting a wee bit homesick , a
H ving finished her letter H zel selected a boo k

a a
Poems f P ssion by Mrs Ell Wheeler Wilco This

,
o a , a x
d intily bound volume h d be n bought a fter meeting

. .
a a e
Geo ge H zel c rried it to the ope window d sat

r . a a n an
down She gl nced t the w tch she wore upon her a a a
wrist It w chore tim

.
. e Geo rge w overdue t the

as -
. as a
222
Ructions
ba n Her mind dwelt lingeringly upo n chores which
r .
ha d to be done even if the he rt were bre king It a a oc
ight be them
, .
cu red to her tha t this m

r e wo thy of M a r rs .
Wilco Had poets ever done chores ? Would not the

x .
doing f chores kill the po tic gift ? Jo qui Miller for

o e a n
e am
,
x ple living hermit s life h d shown kindred souls a

’
a
h w the doing of chores m

, ,
o ight be brought to the irre

d i bl m
uc inim um Thus musing she reflected tha t George
e
would never e pect her to feed hogs o m

.
ilk c w x r o s .
Geo ge ppea red r a .
He w lo t t sight he c o ed the creek When

as s o as r ss .
he ppea ed g in he p u ed f
a r nsta nt gl ncing
i a a a s or an ,
a
about him so H zel thought ste lthily Then he d

, a ,
a . a
ed swiftly tow rd the hou e

va n c He could not see a s .
H zel lthough he h d gl nced up at her window b

a a a a e
c use she wa itting behind thick m

, ,
a us lin cur ta in He
s s a
m
.
re ched the po rch whe

a he ca lled to hi n s .
Oh Geo ge !
“
, r
”
Yes t soun d o f her vo ice he sta rted pa usi

, a ng i eso ,
rr
Th t a o
y ,u Ha e l ?z
”
“
luck
An y
He a swer ed cheerily n
Might be worse Com

“
e ost the fr esh tra ck o f a . a cr
big bu ck
Obviously he was t ying to lure her attention fromthe
.
sa ck which was not em pty He nodded c relessly a
t m
, .
,
ra ped up the steps d entered his den Hazel dis , an

“
.
ti tly hea rd the click o f

nc key turni g ra spingly i a a n n
Now why i the na m e O f the Sphi should George n nx
lo k himself i to his evil smelli g room?

, , ,
c n -
n
C HAPTER XII I
T HB WAY OF A MAID WI T H A H AN
AMA NTHA did ot ppea at the suppe table n a r r .
Wh n George with mn s indiscreet cur iosity

e a a
’
,
sk d hi mother wh t iled her Mrs Sp gge replied

,
a e s a a , . ra
sho rtly :
S m one to with the wf lle t h e d
“
a thy b d
’
a g n e a
s u s a
a ch e
Go e to bed with a hea dache repea ted Geo ge

n , r .
”
Ya s .
Guess she got overb et Hot spell we ve bin b evi .

’
n
’
,
an
’
fogs Moon ll rise late ter night He loo ked
no .
’
-
.
”
at H el It ll be nice coo l by the creek fter sup

“ ’ ’
az . an a
H el s eyes remined demurely fi ed upon her pl te

az
’
a x a .
Conversa tion languished .
Presently George s id wonder ingly a

“
Ne er knowed Sam
v a thy go to bed with a he dache n a .
Hope she in t sik i fer the di h

”
’ ’
a pt e y c en n r .
He looked iously at his mother remem

an x bering well ,
that drea d visit tion d the awf ul he d che which had

a an a a
preceded his ow ill ess n n .
“
Rubbish ! eplied Mrs Spr gge Then she dded
”
r a . a
Men a lle s e pect womenfolk ter be up an

.
ta rtly :
“ ’
r x
224
Canyon Sp r a gge s
’
f w rd h face fl me with interest Surely they

or a er a a .
,
were not bitten at the me time

,
sa
Yes they w
“
,
a s.
Geo ge tried t interfere t l te

r o oo a
Now M w wh t the use 0 akin up themtorie ?

.
“ ’ ’ ’
, a , a s r s s
H zel won t sleep ter night

a
’ '
-
.
”
Ple se go o Mrs Spr gge

“
a n, a .
It seems the m
.
o ther w w hin the tw ch ild ’ ’

as as , an o ren
wa pla yi
s round They w three n four ye rs ld
’
a as an
’
a o
i d emwell bec use I d giv n m m

,
little girls I m
.
. e n
’
, a
’
e
’
e so
frock s .
”
She sighed h vily ea
Pr sently continued Mrs Sp agge the m

.
o ther
“
e , . r ,
n oticed tha t the b bie h d w ndered o ff but h went

—
a s a a s e
with the wa hin mighty slimher wa hin used t r

,
’ ’
on s s e
be ! I mind m ther w n t g rment o her line tha t a e as

’
a a n
Spr gge d hev worn W l a fte a tim

a
’
e she found the . a , r
little girl They d gone int a old shed They was

s .
’
o n .
bo th de d bitte in h lf doze pl ces The hu ll shed

a , n a a n a .
wa live with r ttlers

s a a
Oh ! g sped H zel H f ce beeam th e col o f

.
“ ”
a a er a e or
milk
.
The mother went c zy fer a tim

.
“
e They b ndoned ra a a
thei cl im We run u c ttle ove it Nobody took

.
r a . o r a r .
it up I d y the shed is still th r di pl ce

’
a br
’
. essa a , an ee n a
f o r ttlers
”
r a .
Her voice died w y H zel oon ecovered her a a . a s r
p et
r ty color but M Sp gg e e hibited tr n
,g e list rs . ra x a s a
lessness The telling o f h r grimsto y eem

. ed to h ve e r s a
a fl t d her Her eye lost their fire She rel psed into
ec e . s . a
s ilence When supper w over she rose we rily d

. as a an
began to cle r aw y refusing H el s Off er to help a a , az

’
.
226
T he Way o f a M aid with a Man
Geo ge bega n t fill his pipe ; H zel w lked to the Open
r o a a
window M Spr gge coughed ne vously rs a r
I ve something ter y Geo rge

. . .
“ ’ ”
a sa , .
G orge stopped filling his pipe He noticed

e Od d . an
qua ver in Mrs Sp gg voice She continued : . ra es

’
.
Mebbe I d oughter hev id it before She was

“ ’
sa .
”
g i
azng s rrowfully t
o her N w with slig ht a so n . o , a
ch nge
a f t ne she sp ke to H zel ch llengi
o o ng her t
, o a , a a
tention inst ntly : George h bin a good t m

“
a e as son o .
We ve hed’
troubl I no e -
no n e
”
A s she spoke Geo ge moved nea rer to her with a r
smile upon his ple sa nt f ce No outsider beholding a a .
tho e two could h ve questioned the bsolute truth o f

s a a
wh t the mother h d ju t id Between theme i ted

a a s sa x s
th t trem
.
a endous bond which i quite independent o f s
blood Ea ch understoo d the other bec use they hap a
pen ed to be like i ch r cter d t m

,
per ment
.
a n a a an e a
Geo rge cl im
.
ed proudly ex a
We couldn t hev tr ouble m

“
e y u M w
’
W hat , an
’
o ,
a .
ai ls ye ? ”
I molder m
“ ’
y son Lemm e fi ih l Th r m i
g ht be n s a
you big trouble if I held m

.
tr ouble twi t m
,
’ ’
x y e an
tongue ter night When you mr y a I w nt ye te

, ,
’
-
a r n a r
mrry yer wife must be mistress in her own house An

.
,
’
a ,
I live I reckon ter be mi tre s i mine We ve

, .
o long
’
s as , s s n .
never ta lked o dividing things but I mre dy to git ’

,
’
a
outer this house wh n you y the word Or if it uit e sa .

, s s
ye bett r I ll stay right here

e , you build lower dow
’
, an
’
n
the C yon wh r ther s fine site We kin divide up

an , a e
’
a .
th l nd
e a stock or t jest it ple ses you You ve
an
’
no as a .
’
plenty 0 mney t fi y lf up in re l good sh pe

, ,
— —
a o o x er se a a .
And the another thing I ha t be t ip i i

’
r s s
’
n
’
ra sn
’
n an
’
227
Sp r a g ge s
’
Canyon
o utO f yer hom e up etti yer wife S m a thy me ll s n
’
a n an
’ ’
m
.
,
git long
a fine I llow th t she the only w o na in a
’
s a
co m
.
the world th t I could live with in pea ce a fo r t an

’
.
Th t s ll
a
’
a .
H zel w th t Geo ge w petrified with t nish

a sa a r as as o
ment d intensely moved She my h ve re lized the

an . a a a
n tu re O f the bo nd between these two per on

a she s s, as
ga zed keenly int her lover t o ubled f ce For

o the m o
’
s r a
ment he ha d forgotten h His eyes devoured his

.
er
mother ; his out tretched h nds were eloquent O f p o

.
s a a r
te t which he w mnifestly u ble to put int word

s as a na o s
M rs Spr gge domin ted himby force O f h bit r ther

.
. a a a a
th n by uperior strengt h of ch r cter

a s a a .
“
S p t e he j cul ted
’
ra e e a a .
She bowed her fine he d a
It in t pos ible m
.
other
—
“ ’
— —
a s
It m
.
,
u t be s so .
”
He a nk into ch ir hiding his f ce in hi h nds

s a a ,
a s a .
H zel tu rned g in to the Open window peering ut into

a a a , o
the night She could he r the creek on it w y t the a s a o
d the chorus f frogs ; she co uld m

.
ocean , an ell the o s
pungent Odors O f s ge d t rweed but she ould see a an a , c
nothing e cept the soft velvety d rkness out ide which

x a s
se med to enc m it encom

,
e pass her even o p ssed the as a
C nyon which she h ted For the mom

a ent the future a .
seemed to be blotted out together with the p st T he a .
p e e t remined d rk d m
r s n y t rio s
a a an s e u
Spr gge we t in to the kitchen le vig the m

.
,
M rs a ann a n
d mi
. ,
an d lo ne a a .
Sp r a gge s Canyon
’
“
D on t ’
sa y a nything n o w, she whispered . I k ow n
how you feel ”
Her voice w sweet very beguiling brim mi g with

.
as n
sym
,
p thy George rose up sh mef ced d sh ing the

,
a .
, a a a
tea rs fromhis eyes with the ba ck o f his h nd

,
a .
“
I couldn t help it ’ ”
Why ! I love you f o r it Any wom

.
a would ! . n
L t s g outside he sa id
e
’
o ,
”
.
She h it ted fraid o f the d rkness but quick to

es a a a ,
understa nd th t ta lk i the pa rlor might be interr upted

,
a n
by Mrs Spragge Supper things m ust be removed or

der m
. .
,
ust be é tablihed re s s
She followed himo to the front porch down the

.
n ,
steps d a f
, an the bench upon which she had at
s ar as s
with Wilbur After ll it w s not so very d rk T he a a a
sta rs were shining with misty lumi nce hea ven s en

.
.
,
na , e
through the h ze O f e th As sh followed her lover a ar e
with wh t he my h ve t ke to i dic te ob di nce a d

.
a a a a n n a e e n
sweet h um ility H zel decided how she would de l with a a
hi mwhere s a wiser d Older womn might h ve co

, a an a a n
si d ed h w a strong p ssi n te n ture would dea l with

er o a o a a
her a d have thus prep red herself ga inst eme gen y

,
n a a r c .
It never occurred to her f o e a m

,
ple that she h d over , r x a
played h r p t She had come too close t Ge rge ; she

,
e ar o o
ha d touched his a m
.
; he h a d felt h r soft bre th upo n r e a
hi s cheek a d its w ar m fragra ce into ic ted hi

, n m n x a .
Lastly her beguiling words I love you for i indi

, ,
“
,
”
ca t d surely th t b rri er s we e broken down

e , , a a r .
Whe they rea ched the bench he turned swiftly took

n
her i his rm a d began to r in kisses upon her h ir

,
n a s n a a ,
her eyes he lips She ha d wonder ed what pa ss i

, r o was . n
like At l st she knew

. a .
230
The Way o f a M ai d wi th a M an
W m u t dmit th t she h d bee kissed befor
e s a a a n e .
T r nt h d kissed her cheek tent tive lute p ok

a ra a a a sa r ov
d T rr nt s st m mering propo l f
, ,
i g H zel wr th
’ ’
n a s a an a a a sa o
mrri ge H lips were irgin

a a er v
mome t H zel remined p ssive ; then whirled

. .
Fo r a n a a a ,
out O f he self h clung t Geo rge

r t y t r etu ning h i
, s e o , no e r s
ki se but giving herself up to th m She w filled

s s, e . as
with ench nting satisf cti n he venly l ssitude

an a a o , a a a , a
rel tion f tired overstr ined ti ues Geo ge lifted

ax a o a ss r
her fromthe gr und ; she clo ed her eye

.
,
o s s
Oh ! you d rling ! he m urm

.
"
ured a
”
.
He t down holdi g her upo his l p pressi g her t

sa n n a n o
m Pre e tly he l id hi he d g inst her bosom d

, ,
hi . s n a s a a a an
then e cl imed joyou ly :

x a s
“
G ! Y de r he t be ts a h rd a s m
ee er ine You a ar a s a .
sweet love ! ”
C rried w y by thi lmo t woo ning with emtion

a a a s, a s s o
H zel kis ed him Geo ge he rd her bre th b in h

,
a s r a a so er
thro t ; he felt her smll soft rm

.
s e circling hi neck
— —
a a a n s
h e b lieved fond fool tha t such a sur ender m

,
e u t be r s
uncondition l a
In a t iumph nt v ice he e l i d
.
r a o x c a rn e .
Now yer b thi deep a go d

“
r ea n
’
n
’
o
”
She mde reply Her lips c me e ge ly t m

.
a no eet . a a r o
hi
s .
II I
Such mome ts would ot b so deliriously obsessing if
n n e
they l sted Gener lly moreover they e int r upted

a . a , ar e r ,
a d the spell is broke

n In this insta nce the sl mming n a
window bove the porch the window of Samnth s

.
of
’
a a a a
bedroom hurled Hazel fromheaven to e rth Se

,
, a .
23 1
’
mntha deed w s sitting t her window whe the

a, i
n , a a n
lovers left the hou se Some o f G orge s imp ssioned . e

’
a
words drifted t her un h ppy e rs She h d listened

o a a a
sh melessly un ble to te r he elf w y Then in e

.
,
a , a a rs a a . , r
v ul i s on ,h h d tried to close the window

s e a She had
me nt to close it noi elessly The w rp d ncient f ram
.
a es . a e ,
a
stuck ; too vi lent eff o t bet yed itself

a o r ra .
“
Th t wa S m thy window s id Geo rge
a s a an
’
s
”
a
She knew fromthe tone o f his voice th t he w s m

.
,
is a a
e b ly con sci ous of S mnth e vesdropping con scious ’

ra a a a s a .
f wha t she m
,
a lso u t be uff eri g

— —
o s s n
it h d come swiftly
.
,
P ssion dep ted

a ar as a .
H zel slipped fromGeorge s l p He mde o efl ort

a
’
a . a n
to det i her She sa t beside him thinking knowing

a n .
, ,
“
th t he w too dist ught to think she could d did

a as ra as an
She sm
.
iled i the d rk ess well ple sed to discover that

n a n a
e son could re ssum e its w y over the em

,
r a a o tion Rea s a s .
son told her th t George w in her power th t he would

a as , a
gra nt n yt hi
a g h ch o sento k s e as .
She put her lip close to his s ea r .
“
S manth loves yo George
a a u,
”
He g ve gro n m
.
a ore rticul te th n y wo ds
a a a a a an r .
“
Th t just settles it s id Hazel firmly
a ,
”
a .
He s id slowly
—
a
“
S ttles wh t
e a
She took his h nd holding it tenderly a , .
“
How I h te to hurt you ! a
”
Hu t m You ? r e
”
I must hurt you Your m other h rt you just ow. u n .
She w quite right d you know it She will lw ys

as an a a
be mist ess in h w house A d you would wish m

.
,
r er o e n n
to be m ist e s in m
.
ine
r s .
23 2
Sp r a gge s Canyon
’
g ent ly ehea rsed r

so purg ed o f O ff en se o delic
, a te ly i , s n
ci si ve She k ew h powers Of spee h ; d th eff ect

n er c an e
o f themupon m O f ction could be me su ed

.
a an a a r
I mim mnsely mbiti for you G rge I have

.
“ ’
e a on s eo
bsurdly m
.
,
on ly o f ult to find in you You

ne a odest . a re a .
Yo u a e quite unconscious o f your o w strengt h Per

r n .
haps th t is wh t ttr cted you to m we k little

a a a a e, a a
gi rl . I h ve a lwa ys longeda f o m who could c r y m e r a an a r
to h ights e
”
The imge w s ill chosen George remem

.
a a bered the -
.
pinn cle d th t p rilous descent

a an a e
Heights mke you dizzy H zel

.
“
a a
Do t remind m o f th t ! All the me wha t you

.
,
’
n e a sa
di d c ptured ma e Well it is t enough to ca ptur e a no
womn After you ve got her y u have to keep he

.
,
’ ”
a o r .
I kin k ep you right e ough my pretty

.
“
e n .
Ag in his seizing of the liter l me ning disco ncerted

,
a a a
her
eep m m
.
“
K y ind d soul I me a n an
W s this a flig ht beyond him? App rently n ot f or

, .
a a ,
he a swered soberly
n
I imter keep every bit o f you

a .
H ow d yo u propose to do th t ?
”
o a
This fl t d h im for he detected de isive i flec

us er e , a r n
tion but he replied stoutly

When you w in my rms jest now didn t they tell
,
“ ’
as a ,
y ou how ti ght I should hold to m y wife ? on

”
“
Th t w physic l Your grip r l ed b use a win
—
a as a e ax eca
dow sl mmd Oh Ge rg we l v ch other i i

.
a e .
, o e, o e ea n n
tha t sort O f w y bec use w r young but wh t will keep

a a e
’
e ,
a
u tog ther wh we re ld ’
s e en O
She hid her f ce his shoulder a d i mmediately

a on , n
234
The Way o f a M aid with a M an
hi
s ar m t led he w ist He whispered so ftly
s o r oun r a
I ki nswe tha t m m
.
n a y weet Why did rI love y O ld , s .
dog tha t died l f ll ? He w n t o u fter qu il ’ ’

as a a n se a a s
or duck s ; he wan t goo d fer n othin cept ter lie round ’ ’ ’

a
in the sun but the mmy o f wh t th t th r old dog e

’
r a a a
u ed t be the tim
,
s er es we jest hed together wh n he w e as
young a p y that keep m m m

,
n
’
y
s r he rt still w r fer h i s a a
And it ll be the s me with u H el I don t thi k I m

.
,
’ ’ ’
a s, az n
ter cha nge H um nim

.
a n bein a ls l nd git ’ ’ ’
on e s, a n a an a s
a holt 0 m
. ,
’ ”
-
e .
His im ple ho nesty baff led her And it i f ir to dd

s . s a a
tha t it ppea led to her enormously She knew th t thi

a a s
m
.
a would ot h nge He would love f ithfully to

n n c a . a
the end A d thi knowledge tickled her v nity b c use

. n s a e a
h told hersel f th t other girls

s e f her cqu in t nce a O a a a
would ot have recogn ized

n wiftly this gre t ttribute so s a a
o f fidelity an d loy lty a .
S he a ssa iled him g i a a n .
I told you th t this nch w too sm

“
a ll for you
a I ra as
me nt it I w nt you to ta ke yo r right pl ce mong

.
a a u a a
the me O f the We t the m who e m

.
n a king hi tory s , en ar s
an d buil di g up thi plendid Sta te ”

n s s .
A i t I helpi ter do tha t

“
n
’
n
’
Of cou se I m ot belittling wh t you ve d e de

r
’
n a
’
on ar
But I hould be m
.
, .
s i er ble if I thought you were going s a
to stop g o w i Bec use yo h ve done much d

—
ng r . a u a an
a n d do m
,
done it well I a sk you to go ore an d on
m
,
”
or e .
“
As how
Fluently but r est inin g her o wn eagerness she out
,
ra
lin ed her plans :the buying O f an interest i some busi

,
ness which his speci l knowledge would e pan d a a x ,
23 5
’
wide intercourse with m

r e like him sel f str o ng o f n ,
body a d stronger sti ll o f pu po se the gr dual em

n an i r a e
pa tio o f m ind sti ll hampered by the fetters O f ia

,
u a an
suflii t educa tion the ste dy cli m

c en bing higher a d ever
, a , n
higher f o who h d shown th t he could w lk with

, o ne a a a
un f ltering co ura ge where others d re d n ot t ea d

a a r
He listened patien tly mking o com men t wh tever

.
,
a n a
till she ha d fini hed He wa not wa re O f course tha t

s . s a ,
mny O f her ph ases d these not the least convincing

,
a r , an
ha d b en bor r owed from

,
e minent publicist who h d an e a
lectured i O kl nd d elsewhere upon Growth In

n a a an
“
.
”
a g ene l wa y heraa ccepted wh a t sh e

, s a id a true ; not s
fo r an inst nt did he suspect th t t hea rt she wa more

a a a s
concerned with her future th n his ; he wa overwhelmed a s
by h cleverness And yet he remined O f the Opinio

er .
, a n,
th t he perso lly would tt i his full growth in

a ,
na ,
a a n
Sp gg ra C nyon d nowhere else

es
’
a an .
oon swam
,
As H zel finished spea ki g the m

a into view n
a b ve the hills to the e st of the ra nch h o use

o Geo rge a -
muttered somthing It will be remembered th t during

.
e . a
the a fternoo he h d crossed the fresh tra il of a buck ;

n a
an d he h d s tisfi d him aself th t the bea st was lyi g in

a e a n
some thick brush not f from sm al l spring He ha d ar a
w lked to the spring finding he ha d e pected m

.
a ore , , as x ,
sign Nobody knew b tter th n George wh t deer wo uld

. e a a
do unde r certa in co ditions Gi n a very h t a fte n . ve o r
noon a st g with the velvet still o his horns would

, a , n ,
seek the thick st ch p rra l d lie down He would

e a a an .
b gin to feed when the m

e oon rose a d would stray nea rer n
an d nearer to hi s ccus tom ed drinking pla ce George Had

a -
intended to reach the spring before the m

.
oo n ose be r ,
2 36
diseng ged herself murmu ing something bout the

a r a
moon d S mnth s window George respected these

,
’
an a a a
lid d ll the time he w thinking : I ve

.
e ons
“ ’
—
r as a s va an a as
m m
,
got y d rlin g d I ll g t that buck !an I t y

’
e a sur e
’
s
night t ou
As H zel lipped fromhis rm

a ss fte a la st kis he a a r s , s
Do n t tell y ur mothe till t mr w

’
o r o -
o ro .
Right .
In silen ce they e tered the house togethe A sm a ll

n r .
lw p wa burning o th la nding George looked into

s n e .
the kitchen a H zel a sc nded the st irs The kitchen

s a e a .
wa d rk ; Mrs Sp gge evidently h d gone to bed

s a . ra , , a .
Geo ge gl nced a t Ha el s slender figure

r a sh tr ipped z
’
as e
lightly up the cr king st irs When she r ea ched the ea a
landing he kissed his h nd She sm

.
iled blew a kiss to a
m d entered her oom

.
,
hi , an r .
She wa sensible a s sh found herself a lone tha t this

s e
memo ble evening had come to a brupt d nu

, ,
ra n a an
sati sfa ctory close When the m oon rose t the ver y a
nst nt tha t she stopped spe king George h d m

.
,
i a ut a , a
te d :
re Gee ! H zel w quite sure th t her words
“ ”
a as a
h d not provoked this f m

a ili r e cl mtion Som ething a a x a a .
else h d ch llenged George s attention

a a
’
.
Wh t ? a
She went to the window n d t down Geo rge was a sa
She could he r himstriking m

.
in his den below a tch a a ,
he himmoving bout He m
.
ar ov d quickly a if h
a e s e
wer e in hurry Within minute he left h i ro ombut

.
,
a a s
H zel sh rp e rs f iled to catch the click of tu m

.
,
’
a s a a a a
i g key
n He went into the kitchen Upon the landing
wa s a smll w i ndow facing ea st H z l s r oomfaced
. .
’
a . a e
238
The Way of a Maid with a M an
west The girl stole to the l ndi g slipping silently
. on a n ,
to the wi do w B tw n the b ck door d the b rn

n . e ee a an a
wa open sp c white in the st g mo light She

s an a e, r on on .
could G o ge crossing this bit of grou d He w

see e r n . as
c rryi g his rifl ; d he w lked with th even stride o f

a n e an a e
a m who h
an definite Object in view Ha el t e
as a z
tu ned to her room

.
r .
CHAPTER XIV
CROT ALU S HORRID US
AZEL wa —
ery intelligent i tre ks She h d
H indeed happy kn ck f doing d saying the
s vs a a n .
,
a a o an
m m
,
re l ri
a ght th ing kn ck l ost perfected
a by u hap c a c ra
tice At the m e tim e it must be dmitted th t her

,
sa a a
perceptive f cultie mnifested themselv s Obviously d

.
a s a e an
unde norml d comm

r onpl ce conditions The true
a an a .
,
perh ps the only test of th highest intelligence i f

a e s a
bnorml d une pected

,
forded wh conditions en a re a a an x .
Upon such Occa sions H zel beh ved foolishly a a .
At this crisis in h life she w bsurdly d u rea er as a an n
so ab ly upset bec u e m
n ystery prese ted itself As a
a s n .
child she h d been fr id f d rk ess ; she could ot

a a a O a n n
sl eep unless night light burned in her bedroom Mo e

a -
r
o ver during those im

.
pre sion ble ye rs between le ving s a a a
d meting George Spragge she h d been ac

,
school an e a
custom ed to g tify every rea son ble n d mny u ea

ra a a a nr
son ble f nci

a d being
a es,orphan with fi ci t
an an su en
money o f h w h w ble to do wh t she w nted

,
er o n, s e as a a a
witho t consulting nybody other th n m

u eek d
a a a an
com pl is nt unt Let it be prem

a a a ised lso th t a a a
womn en e of honor ! d humo ) my be sen i

.
, ,
’
a s s s an r a as s
tive mn s d yet di ff er fr mit very mte ia lly

as a a
’
an o a r .
After seeing Geo rge lly forth fur tively a rmed with sa
Sp ra gge s Canyon
’
tha t she ought to rega rd herself as Geo rge s p om ised ’

r
wife As such George ha d ag eed to sh re his secr ets

. r a
with her
Logica lly the e m
.
ust be sec et r r s
id a way by em
.
,
Unh ppily a otion sh ha d l lowed

ea r r e e a
he l ver to em b ra ce her a r dently returning his em

, ,
r o ,
b a ces without first lea ni g the na tu re o f those sec ets

—
r r n r .
o ld blood d as she sa t a lo e in her roo mher

—
In c an n
blood w cool she felt tha t Geo rge ha d t ken ad

as a
va ntage O f loving girl She a dm

a tted candidly tha t
i .
Geo ge a d she wer e engaged d y t a secret stood

“ ”
r n an e
between themwhich m ight nul lify tha t en ga gem

,
ent an d
m ake m a ri ge im possible
r a
On the m orrow a lso George m

.
ight de la r e ob t ina te l y c s
s inte tion to rem

, ,
hi n a in i Sp agge Ca nyon I f so wha t n r .

,
would she do ?
Reso lving this problem h r hea rt bea t faster ; her e
blood grew w rmaga in Unden ibly she wanted George

,
a a
mor e than eve And suppo i g tha t he r efused to cut

.
r s n
loose fromthis ha teful ran ch she possessed uflicie t

.
,
s n
e to be li e e tha t u lti mtely she wou l d tr i

,
self on fide
-
c nc v a
M ph o ver hi s ob stina cy In sho rt nothing stood be .

,
t wee h d her life s work but a gre n bo which

’
n er an e x
lay dow sta irs i n a n un l ocked r oom

n !
The house was quiet Mrs Sp gge h d fa llen sleep ra a a
Fr om
. .
,
f o r H zel could hea r her he vy br thing

a a ea
S am room cam
.
a ntha s e no such reassu ing sound

’
r
Sam
.
a nth prob bly l y awa ke with

a, a s on edge a n erve
S am
.
, ,
a nth ha d sh rp ea r a d the wooden sta i rs crea ked

a a s, n .
H zel got into bed

a .
It is sig ific nt th t she didn t s y her prayers al

n a a
’
a ,
th ough she brushed her ha i r as car efull y as u sua l Be .
243
Crota lus H orri du s
tween her room n d S mnth s wa thin pa rtitio of
a a a a
’
s a n
wood ca nva sed an d pa inted Ha el closed her eyes in z
the ho pe tha t hea ring m ight becom e more cute

.
,
Ye ; Sam
.
s a ntha wa s a wa ke a n d weeping Sti fled , .
sobs pen et ra ted through the pa r ti tio n
Ha el felt sincerely so rr y f o her At the sam e tim

.
z e r
th he lo fty id l o f wha t a Wom

.
,
wi r ea a n o f the West o ught
to be she could not esca pe the con clusion th a t S m

, a ntha a
lacked pro per pride A dece t gir l with a trained sen se

. n
o f o b liga tion to h r coun tr y an d h erself w ou ld n ot fa ll

e
despe a tely in love with a m

r an un less she had reason
to beli e e tha t such love was r eturn ed

v The corolla r y .
o f this self evi de t proposition str uck her with u pleas

- n n -f
in g fo rce Had ther e been lo ve passages between Geo ge r
an d Sam
.
a n tha She ought to have a sked that questi on
when Sa m an t ha s window slam

’
med Why didn t she ? ’
Sam Ha d Geo ge tam

.
a ntha wa s a decen t gil peredr . r
wi th thi s i ngen uous an d a fiecti onate crea tur e ?
These questions were corr oding They ate insidiously

r cum
.
in to a self respect dependen t upon ci

- stances a n d
soun d a bsur d but in Oakla nd within an ea sy walk o f

, ,
th e First Presbyte ian Chur ch Hazel would have r esisted

r
a ntly the tem

,
va li ptation to sn eak do wn cr ea king stair s

an d e am xine a green box belon gi ng to som ebody else
In this wild Ca nyon a wa y f romAun tie m
.
i e th o wn
, n , r
upo n he own res o u c es she sa l ved a too se si tive con

—
r r ,
n
ence with the reflection tha t the en d a proper under

—
sci
stan ding o f Geo ge j ustified the

r m ea ns .
Sp ra ggc s Canyon
’
Oppo tunity ended the con flict Sam

r a ntha we r ied .
, a
by too much we ping fell a sleep H zel could he r e , . a a
her br thing deep if not good Geo rge f course

ea
“ ” “ ”
o
might retu rn t y moment If she intended to clea r up

.
, ,
a an
thi ridiculous d e sper ting m

.
s ystery she must t

an xa a ac
at o c d l y a side for the first ti

n e an me in her life ma id
a
e ly d lic cy
n d f e a an ea r .
She w t mbling as she slipped t of bed

as re ou
Fo t t ly th m
.
oon wa now shining brightly It

r un a e e s .
would not be n cess ry to light c dle The night w s

e a a an a
very w rm l m
.
o t tifli gly so H z l put o a thin

a a s s n a e n
i g gown Her slipper w re o ment l em

, .
silk dr ess n . s e rna a ,
bellih d by high h ls She d ided to w lk b

s e foot ee ec a are
She opened h bedroomdoor pausing to listen with

. .
er ,
her pr tty h d on o side Mrs Sp gg he vy

e ea ne ra e s
’
a
b r th i g pu red on comfor tably Sam

.
seem
.
ea n a nth
r ingly . a, ,
slept so ndly as u .
H zel d c nd d the sta irs

a es e e
In the sm
.
a ll n a rrow h llw y below she pau sed ga i n a a a .
Fe r l ft her ; cit mnt usu p d its pl ce After all

,
a e ex e e r e a .
,
this w dve ture d she bega n to ta ste its sweets

a s an a n an
—
.
One littl p ek ! e e
Th u ty k y w in the lock H zel turned the

e r s e as . a
h dl of the door It op d ily d silently She

an e . en e ea s an .
e te d T h moo light w so stro g th t ev ry object

n re e n as n a e
in G o ge s den b c me cle rly defi ed H zel cl s d

.
’
e r e a a n . a o e
th door
e
She t d in th c nte f th room looki g bout

.
s oo e e r o e ,
n a
he The window she notic d wa shut which ac

r e s
oppressive w rm
. , , ,
co unt d for a e th Fo severa l hour s

n a . r
’
Canyon Sp ra gge s
th t they were p e fo a ted with mny mll hole
a d r r a s a s, an
this might o m ight ot ha ve aff orded clue H zel s

r n a a
’
concentr t d upon th lid It seem

.
a ttention w as ed t be a e e o
mde in three pa rts but o ly the middle p t h d hinge

.
a n ar a s .
The lid indeed ppea red t be unduly smll It was

,
a o a
f stened by pa dlock which hu g open from steel

.
, ,
a a n a
staple .
H zel lifted the lid

a
The bo w empty
.
x as .
She could not help laughing Wha t ll ! . a se
By thi tim e he h d decided rightly that th b o wa

s s a e x s
in tend d to c er y smll a nimls possibly om

ar e e speci a a s ra r
m f ott r or f o It smelled evilly

,
en o e x
She d cided to bandon futile que t The tm

. .
e os a a s a
m
.
ph ere of the roo w a stifl i g Yes ; Geo rge w a l s n s co
e r re pecie f niml But why mke a

.
l ti g s om
ec n a s s o a a a
mystery of th t ? Once more cu iosity r ged her

.
—
a r a va
—
.
Why did he t ke ifle into the hi l t night ?

l
—
a a r s a
There m ust b the e wa F o m ething sec et e r s s r
She gl nced bout h eve m e ttentiv ly checki g

.
a a er n or a e , n
e ch object To the right of the door w

a o ld p k a s an ac
i g c se four tim
.
n a es the size of the g e n b

, r e ox .
This w George s cunningly con t ucted t nk f o li e

as
’
s r a r v
ra ttlesn kes Whe he fir t beg n t dd t his income

a . n s a o a o
by coll ting these eptiles this t nk u ed t st nd in

ec r a s o a
o e o f the sheds n
n the b rn Twice th r ptile h d ea r a e e s a
esc p d nce through mi adv nture n ther tim

.
a e o e s e a o
th ough mlice Up n the fir t occ sion t a gedy m

, ,
r a . ight o s a a r
have t ken pl ce f o a child pl ying bout the h d had

a a , r a a s e
246
C rotalu s H orridu s
p ed the sliding pa nel at the side o f the ta k When
o en n
a r a ttler wriggl ed out the child sca m

.
pered o ff ter ified r
The sna kes v ished ; the child m

.
,
ana de confession Upon

the seco nd occa sio n om e en em
.
y possibly disgr untled , s , a
Gr easer sa cked f o indolen e ha d kicked in the pa nelr c
which fter the child had ta m

, ,
a per ed with it was kept

pa dlocked Geor ge m
, ,
uch i cen sed decided to keep n
Mr s Sp agge a d S am
.
, ,
the ta nk in hi s den a ntha ra i sed r n
They were accustom

. .
no obj ecti o s n ed to ra ttlers an d

d o f them Also the tank wa so cleverly de
.
,
n o t a f r ai .
, s
sign ed tha t the repti les could n ever esca pe o f their own
vo liti o n.
A wo d about the ta nk
r
des an d the bottomwith sheet

.
It wa s lined o three si n
g la ss T he lid w s do ubl e the ou ter oaf w oo d the in n er
ng such as is u ed i mking m
.
, ,
o f fly proo f wie netti

-
r eat s n a
In the da y tim
,
sa fes . e George woul d lea ve the top lid
Open closing it a t n ight because all s akes a e susc pti

, , n r e
ble to co ld The snakes which he captu ed in the brush r
hills were sh ken out o f the sack into the ta nk from

.
the top B ut when the pr ison ers had to be t ansferred r
fromthe ta n k to the g een traveli g bo m

.
o r e ca ution r n x
was o bser ved The four th side o f the ta nk wa s lin ed

.
with inc sheeting Upon the level o f the floo George

z r
ha d m
.
a de a ti n y d oo which ha d a roused the curi r,
o si ty o f the chi ld S liding this open a couple o f inches

. ,
an d a ro usi ng the s a kes in side by a sha r p tap on the lid

.
n ,
a hea d w ould a ppea r to be deft ly a d gently seied by n z
the woode pincers The wriggling r eptile would then

n .
be d opped in to th g een bo down a sho rt lengt h o f

r e r x
Ha zel s m r ed at the tank sed ng on ly a sn o n g packi

ng
247
Canyon Sp r a ggc s
’
c se d wondering wh t it held Then she pp oached

a an a . a r
it Her b r foot w within few inches of the slid

. a e as a
i g p nel
n The top of the t nk w c vered with gr y
a a as o a
bl nkets such C liforni ns u when they go c m

.
a as p a a se a
i g She did not lift them touch them

,
n . or .
St nding the e wo nde ing v gu ly wh t this huge bo

a r r a e a x
might cont in he felt r ther sh med o f herself U

,
a s a a a n
iness of m
, .
ea s ind bred une siness f body With h r a o . e
h nd she touched the bo pushing it It did not budge

a x
At this moment h aw the liding p nel mnipul ted

, . .
s e s s a , a a
by b ss kn b a ra o .
Why sliding pa nel ? a
The p dlock had be n rem a oved beca use Geo ge ke t

p e r
his roomlocked
H zel s curiosity wa becom
.
a
’
ing tte u ted Sh had s a n a e
just decided th t she m ust w it till the m

.
o rro w
a d l rn a an ea
G rge s s cret fromhis ow lips Her intere t in the

eo
’
e n . s
sliding p nel w s not concerned with this secret She

a a
legitim
.
would h ve de cr ibed it a a te a d intelligent

s as n .
An nobserv nt perso n would neve h ve noticed the

u a r a
sliding p nel a .
T nt tively h pushed the br ss knob with h r foot

e a s e a e ,
e ercising little pressure t wishing to open the pa nel

x no
e dy t return to her w room d yet oddly ensible

, ,
r a o o n an s
ething h ld her in thi evil sm

,
th t soma el ling den e s -

.
The p nel yielded a .
As it slid b ck she he d f int r ustling And then

a ar a a
d glided through the smll opening H zel

.
a fl t h a ea a . a
spr g b ck ga zing t sn ke f scin ted by horror

an a ,
a a a , a a .
A s ond he d ppe red She beheld lidless b leful

ec a a a .
,
a
y s gl ming with op lesce t light

e e ea a n .
Th y were rattle n kes

e s a .
248
Sp r a gge s
’
C anyon
emti kin d The dea dly nau e incre sed ; the
o on o f an y s a a
disgu ting sm
.
ell g ew even st onge

s The room be it
r r r
rem em
.
,
bered w hot a o ven a f ct which ac

, as as s an a
counted f o the cti ity o f the otali no mlly pa

,
r a v cr n es, r a s
sive or leth rgic t such an hou Ha el gl nced t the

a a r . z a a
window Could h Open it d esc pe th t w y N ;

m
. s e an a a a . o
a lre dy t a o f the n kes la y betwee

ri her d it De s a n an
m
.
sp a i
r i gly h en li ed tha t h d
s e r aed not ove z s e ar
M nwhile they had cea ed attli g d silen e bec m

.
ea e s r n an c a
more oppre ive th n noi e Five were gliding hithe

—
ss a s r
—
.
an d thither sea ching o H

, el concluded for h r !
r s az e
If they raised their flat hideous he ds they would see , a
her
Am
.
in ute pa ssed .
Childish age aga in st George possessed her Why

r
ha d he lured her into thi s den o f serpe ts ? Well m

.
ight n
he be a sham ed o f this horr ible traffic in venom ous r ep
tiles !
She thought o f Wilbur a sleep in his bed at Aguila
She thought o f M s Spragge an d Sam
.
,
a ntha slumr bering.
heavily upstairs
Suppo se she scr eam ed What a relief ? What a
balm! B ut the terrible s a kes ow mercifully un ble n n a
to see he w ould hea r tha t scr ea m

,
r, an d a tta ck her before
help could be en dered She beheld herself w ea thed

r . r
with ser pen ts e ch aw ful bea st with its f ngs bu ied in

, a a r
he s o ft white flesh !
r
It was n ot yet eleven o clock Was sh fated to st nd ’

. e a
upon this chair til! Geo rge retu rned home ?

The conviction ga thered stren gth tha t her physica l
power s wer e f iling The hor r ible n u ea beca me m
a ore a s
a cute the diz ines s wa s o ver m

.
, a stering her
z On the lifi . c
250
C rota lus Horridu s
she woul d ha ve r eeled an d fa l len into the byss below a
ha d she bee lon e In a few m n a inut h would eel es s e r
an d f ll from
.
athe ch i r a
With a t em
.
e dous efio t she ral lied h enfeebled

r n r er
en ergies Sn kes lay to r ight a d l ft o f the doo but

a n e r,
rrow p th to sa fety wa cle r for the m om

.
the na a ent s a .
H ad sh known an ythi g wha te e o f the ha bits o f

e n v r
sn kes who with ra r est ex epti

a , , ons ne er ttack m c v a an ,
would h ve desce ded quietly f romthe ch ir d

,
sh e a n a an
wa lked quietly to the doo b ing ca reful t to e cite

as r, e no x
the eptile by y violen t m

r s ovem en t They would ha ve
an .
wr iggled wa y in to co ners
a r .
She w we ring long nightgow d a wr pper with

as a a n an a
what is c lled ta il to it It did not occu r to her t

a a
“ ”
o
lift these clinging g rments so a to leave h r lim

.
a bs s e
free Instinct invited her to jump

.
She m m
.
ig ht h a ve a r ed her elf wi th th f o rk ed ti ck s e s
which lay close to the cha i The pre ent writer rem em
,
r s
piteou c e o f drowning A trong swim me

.
ber s a s as s r
becam e ent ngled i weeds His in tim

.
a a te frie d who
n n
cou ld not swimw ded withi

.
,
a few feet o f th drow ni

a ng n e
man P l ied by misery an d impoten ce he beheld his

,
. a s ,
f iend ink a d a fter wards close to the spot he discovered

r s , n
a long po le l
H el j m
az ped u .
She la nded upon the floo wi th a bang plun ged f or r ,
wa rd tripped o er her n ight ge r d fell A e on d

, v -
a , an . s c
la ter sh felt sha r p pr ick upon one f h ba e feet

e a o er r .
H zel s screama woke Samnth but for the m
a
’
om e t a a, n
she suppo sed tha t she wa s su ff ering fromnightmre a .
She a t up in bed listening The doo f George s den

s r o
’
sl m med And then she hea r d a so ft dull thud Afte

.
—
a . . r
that silence
S mnth as we know h d cr ied her self to sleep By
.
a a a, ,
a .
a n o dd c o in idence she too ha d left c ut h e pr yer s o r a
H zel po ssibly fo got them; Samntha did ot forget

.
, ,
a r a n
them F m a ny d ys m
, ,
orning d evening she h d

or a an a
pe ted her tless fo m ul entrea ting Om

.
, ,
re a niscienc f e
ar r a, e r
v en tly to sa ve her George froma wretched mrri ge a a .
T night she ba ndoned fa ith in prayer bec use she wa s

o -
a a
convinced tha t h r p s sion te invoca tion h d bee ig e a a a n
nored She wa still hild enough to think th t God was

. s c a
a ng y with h ; child enough in her turn to be ang y

r er r
with Go d d to withhold wh t she h d been taught

an a a
m H r hea ven
,
to believe w s n t o f llegi a nce to Hi

a a ac a . e
h d fallen ; she l y cr u shed benea th its u in s

a a r
Her m
.
nd na tu ally dwelt upon this she sat up in

i r as
h er h rd n r r ow bed listening for George s step upon

a a
’
the stairs He h d com

, ,
e into the house with Hazel ; a d

. a n
she knew th t he h d t gone to bed L ter like H zel

a a no a a ,
mmoving bo ut hi den When he

.
,
she h d hea rd h i a a s .
went out through the kitchen she guessed that he w s a
a fte venison for H zel The l st straw ! He could

r a . a
sa crifice fourth night s sleep for h !

a
’
er
H first thought wa tha t George h d shot his f t

er s a a
buck Prob bly he h d p cked home the h n hes

. a a a au c .
He h d done so before Obviously too he wo ld

a u re
m
.
, ,
p l ace his rifle d du p the venison o to th anflo or n e .
25 2
Sp ra gge s Canyon
’
the bite but d n er ves Her pre

of ter ror an d shattere
mgi a tion grasped an other f t She was cer

, .
hen si le i a n ac .
tai n tha t H zel la y se seless i

a n the ha llwa y below An d
n .
so she would go on lyi n g whi le a subtile poison sped

through he ein s Pa i f ro mthe bite would com
r v e n
la ter S he rem em
.
bered the en dless ta lk about th Piker s e

’
Ther e ha d been loose hay in th shed T um

.
child r en . e .
bling into it they h a d distu bed a colony o f ttlers r ra .
Ea ch child ha d been bi tt n in severa l pla ces Death had e
com e swiftly All this was em

.
.bodied i th co oner s n e r
’
e di
v r ct But Ha el case was diff erent G nting that
z
’
s ra
n the ha nd p rom
. .
she had been bitt n once p oba bly i e pt r
t e tm t m igh t e her life Fist aid was s im

, ,
r a en sa v ple A r
liga ture m
. .
ust be tightly boun d abo e the pu ctur e T he v n .
pun ctu e ought to be f eely la nced a d then sucked

r r n .
Thi don e the issue lay with the n ea est doctor and
s r
Sam an tha bega to trem b le n
She ha d j u t passed th ough a hea t b r eaking ex per i

s r r -
en ce whi ch left her wea k an d despai ring She ha d seen

the m n the a r m
.
a he loved i
n s s o f a gir l she h ted ; she a
had he d hi s fir t i
ar mpas io ed wo ds Till that poign
s s n r
nt m om
.
a e t she had hoped again st hope tha t a union

n
between tw per on s likely to br ing m

o ie y to e ch would
s s r a
n eve ta ke pla ce
r She ha d belie ed poo cre tu e that
. v , r a r ,
he gr ea t lo ve f
r George would pr eva il in the en d that
or
h e would co me ba ck to her when this city m a da m

,
re
v ea led her s lf as she e lly was

e r a
Rem em
.
ber tha t she was a child o f the wilderness ,
tr ained by necessity to fight f o h w h nd accus r er o n a
tom
,
ed to d pe ha ps slightly ha r dened by th
an r ever e n
en d in g st uggle o f pri
r miti e e isten ce with none of that v x ,
3 54
C rota lu s H orridu s
sen timen ta l d f o the sanctity o f life which dis
r ega r r
ti guihes the civili ed wom a n o f cities She killed

—
n s z .
cr ea tures bred a d nour ished by h n hickens ducks er c , ,
turkeys ; upo one horrid occa sion she ha d sla i a

n n
pgi . Ge o ge w a s w a ry f om ho m e M s aSp ra gge d r . r . an
she sorely ga inst the gra in a ted as butchers Once

a c
she had shot a horse cruelly m

, , .
,
too, uti la ted by ba rb ,
wi r e
Tem
.
pta tion a ssa iled he as it ha d assa iled Ha el but r, z ,
with f a inten se ir ulen ce The city girl s upbringing

r r v .
’
,
her o ti ula ted intelligence an d cu iosity incited her

ver s rn r
to m eddle with mtter s tha t did ot concern her Sa

,
a n
m
.
a nth a on the other ban d eve since she was old r
eno ugh to a ct h d been com

, ,
pelled to give h a ttention

a er
a d intelligence to the si
n mple tasks which e grossed her n .
She h d o time to mind a ff ai s othe than h own

a n r r er
Temper m
.
enta lly lso she had n o inclin tion Live

a , a , a .
a n d let live i s a la w o f the wi ld Cu iosity in fi e is . r , n ,
too da nge o us an i n sti

r nct to be gra tified
She told herself m
.
i se ably tha t she did no t k ow wha t

, r , n
ha d a ctua lly h ppen ed d own sta i rs a Ha zel of her own .

,
free will ha d chosen to pry into Geo ge s p ivate a i r

’
r
f irs Let he bea r wha tever punishm en t m

,
a r ight b e
mposed !
.
i
She m o ved a couple o f step s towa rd her rooman d ,
then pa used aga in .
She wa s too honest to deceive herself If she wen t .
back to bed she would go with the delibera te intention

o f letting Ha zel pe r i sh ! If H azel were o t bitten i f he n s
ha d esca ped injury a d ha d m erely fain ted fromover

,
ex citement Sam
,
a ntha s reso luti on to l ea ve he a lon e

’
r
would rem n foreve an in dictm nst co m m

,
ai en t aga i r on
3 55
Canyon Sp r a ggc s
’
humnity fierce desire th t wom should die b

a a a a an e
c use nother womn h ted her

,
a a a a .
Thus she f ced the issue a s
ppreci ble time h d been w sted Possibly

.
As yet no a a a a
minute might h ve p sed since S mnth woke

.
ha lf a a as a a a a
Let her die I s id S mnth

.
“ ”
a a a a .
She sp ke in whisper but the sound of h w

o a er o n
mzi g eff ect

,
voice pronounci g se tence produced n n an a a n
For ill m
.
anin ting inst nt she bec me ble to vi w her

u a a a a e
self with det chm ent And then something with in her
a .
answered
No “
.
”
S ch instinct c nnot be identified It i gene lly

u an a s ra
irresistible whether it be termed the still mll voice

.
s a
of conscie ce the iner dic ble h bit of m

,
n or inist tion a a a ra .
S manth could sit up ll night with sick c lf d

a a a a a an
ke p delic te young turkeys in h bedro m

e a er o .
She sped down ta irs s
In the silv r moonlight l y crum

.
e pled hea p of what a a
appea red to be him me ing ilk s r s .

Sp r a g ge s
’
C anyon
of venous nothing could h ve s ved H zel S amnth
, a a a . a a
k ew th t
n a .
The second str uggle ended s swiftly the first S a as a
mnth seized her stout nightgown d tor e fromit a

.
a a an
strip f lin no e .
“
Sit still she com mnded ,
”
a .
Swiftly she wr pped the linen bove the slender a nklea a .
Then she u shed into the kitchen returning with a

r , n
ir o n skewer She b g n to tighten the lig ture till

. e a a
H zel protested
a
Stop yer noise ! s id S mnth

.
“
Ye ll be wo r se a a a a
’
hur t before I mthrough with ye

.
’ ”
.
She d shed g in into the kitchen H zel clo ed her

a a a a s
eyes t pen themupon a fl sh f light S m

.
, o o a nth ha d a o . a a
lit c ndle a d wa t yig the edge o f a k ife upo he

a a n s r n n n r
th m
u b
Don t scre m!
.
“ ’
a
H zel set her teeth remem

a bering wh t Geo ge ha d a r
done to the colt She rea lized th t Samntha w s intent

,
. a a a
upo n s ving h r lifea e
S am
.
a th l nced the wound till the blood flowed

n a a
freely She bent down a d beg n to suck fie cely at

. n a r
the punct ures H zel wa too we k t r esist h rdly ble

. a s a o , a a
to understa nd what w being done as
s id S manth in the s me ha rd voice I ll

.
“ ” “
N ow
’
a a a a
fetch Aunt Almiy Don t you m ove Moving mkes

, ,
’
r . . a
the blood circulate f ster a .

”
She upst irs

ran a
Presently Mrs Spragge a ppe r ed The two wom

.
en a
ed H zel to her rooma d l id her flat upon her

. .
ca rri a n a
bed
Wh George a sked the m
ar s
’
o the r .
2 58
S amantha
I dunno ’
. Somewheres in the hills w tching o , a ut f er
deer .
And
“
did this h ppen ?
ho w a
”
H l t S am
a ze a ntha e pla ined feebly
,
no M s Spr gge , x . r . a
went downst irs d returned with the k y o f the den

a an e
Geo rge m
.
“
ight hev blundered in .
”
M ake a poultice o f the weed a d a n infusion said n
Sa m
, ,
a ntha M s Spr gge no dded . r . a .
I ll r ide f r Mr Bung rd Auntie

“ ’
e a
He a in t much goo d
. .
,
’ ”
.
Mebbe he knows wha t drugs ter use .
Mebbe .
I ll ride Geo ge s pinto

“ ’ ’
—
r
W l don t sp re him
.
’ ”
a a .
H zel listened a d shuddered Then deadly sickn ess

a n
over cam
.
e her .
Within ten m inutes Sa mntha was on her way to a
Agu il t king the shor t bridle pa th a cross the hills f a

a, a -
mili r to her fromchildhood T he hamlet slumbered ;

a .
not light gle med even in Pat Hennessey s sa lo n Sa

a a
’
o
ma ntha drew rein at the drug sto e slid fromthe p nt

.
r , a
i g horse
n d r ng the bell fu iously P esently a hea d
, an a r . r
w s th ust o t o f a window a d a petula nt vo ice was

a r u n
h ea rd :
“
Quit ringing tha t bell ! What do you w nt t this a a
h our
“
The P rf esso r shouted S m ea ntha Case 0 sn a ke , a .
’
bite ”
Mercy ! It s you Sam

.
“
a ntha Who s bitten child
’
, .
’
,
3 59
Sp r a ggc s
’
Can yon
Miss Go od ich Wh e e s the P f esso Mrs Bun
r r
’
er r,
m
.
g a rd . Th r in t a a inute a ter lo s e ’
.
”
“
M B ung rd is in Sa Lor en o He return s to
r a n z
mo rrow
. .
D e r ! D o you know wha t drugs ough ter be used

“
—
a
I do t I don t An d ther e isn t so ul i this vil

n
’ ’
.
’
a n
lage who would know My ! How a wful ! Th t nice . a
yo un g girl ! ”
S am a ntha went ba ck to the pi nto hea ring inar ticu la te

questions fromthe e schoo lmrmbut payi g o atten
,
x -
a n n
tion to them She had to t quickly to mke a big de

,
. ac , a
ii
c s on She could ride to the cou ty to w nea rly eigh n n,
teen m les dist nt o try a t mile cut c o s the br ush

.
i a , r en a r s
hills to Robl r where there wer e sulphu sp ings o f

a r r
some repute a d a docto

,
n r .
“
Where y u g o ing
a re s h i ll ed M r s
o B unga r d r . .
To Robla r
You ll ne er m
.
a ke i t by n i ht
’
v g
I mgoin t r try
.
“ ’ ” ’
e .
She wa lrea dy in the sa ddle Ben ding down she

s a .
,
pa tted the wet neck o f h er h ors e .
“
Yer work i cut f er ye she whispered s
”
The pinto stretched him self into a ga llo p f or a m

, .
ile
ight county roa d lay in f ont of him
,
o f st ra r
thought Sam
.
“
Ki I do it
n antha
She sailed o smoo thly till she ca m

.
n e to the p rtin g a
o f the w ys Lea ving the r oa d she plunged into the

a
bru sh fo llowing a na rrow t ack which led to the sum

.
,
mit o f a divide Only on ce before ha d the girl t veled

,
. ra
thi rough road On tha t cca sion she h d helped George

s . o a
to d ive
r bunch o f c lves to Robla r The difliultie
a a c s
cula r j ob rem n h r m em
.
o f th a t pa rti a in ed g reen i or y e .
Canyon Sp r a gg c s
’
S mnth ga ve sho t f triumph In her m

a a a nd the
i a u o .
g ulch p e en ted te t c
r s e If they le pt th t
a Robl s as . a a , ar
would be r ched ea
cou ged by the m

.
S t ugg li g through the bru h

r n s s r an
she lo st the tr il h lf dozen tim

,
zan it a, es d ofte a a a an as n
found it ag i At last bre thle a n d quive ing with a ss an r
f tigue she gained the second sum mit highe tha the
.
,
a , , r n
first She wa h lf w y to Robl r

. s a a a .
A b d q rter f a hour followed The tr il fte

ua o an a a r
le ving the um mit wound through wild go rge A

.
,
a s , a .
hundred feet below w w terc ur e ro ing t as a a o s a ar or
ent i the i y sea son dry in sum mer Above im

,
r n ra n
pended w ll o f rock S mnth noticed with dismy

, .
a a . a a a a
th t the rough p th h d crumbled away in pl ces ; b ig

a a a a
bo ld r l y upon it d smll he ps o f sh le Obviously

u e s a an a a a
this tr il m
.
,
ust h ve be n b ndoned by the few squ tte

a a e a a a rs
who used it to p ck grub to their cl im s a a .
Why ?
Un ble to answer the question kn owing no othe o d
a r r a
Very soon she had to dism

, ,
h pushed
s e on . o nt d le d u an a
the pinto Mo re th n once the horse pulled b ck no ting a a , s r
d trem
.
an bling displ ced stones c shed int the w ter

, as a ra o a
course below The p th bec m e more n r w n rr w a a a ro so a o
th t retr t m
.
,
a ight be i m
eap ssible o
We won t go ba ck s id S mntha
.
“ ’ ”
, a a a .
Suddenly the tr il widened d the l st h lf of this a an a a
d g ous t verse w com

,
an er p r
ra tively ea sy as a a
All right now s id S mnth

.
“ ”
a a a a.
They were ppro chi g more fertile belt f country

,
a a n a o ,
p r t f big ncho once Sp ni h g nt S mntha

a o a ra a a s ra a a
intended t mke up time g lloping cro th m

.
,
o a ooth a a ss e s
w le s than five m
,
undul ting p stures She w

a a iles
. as n o s
262
S am an tha
f r omRob la a the c w flie but fter cr o ssi g the
r s ro s, a n
impenetr ble
,
ra ncho a b a d bit of count y remined r a a
brush if a tr veler cha nced t w nder fromthe trail

, ,
, a o a .
As h ga lloped o sh wonder ed why the tr il through

s e n e a
the go rge ha d been suff ered to f ll into such a perilous a
co n ditio n Wha t l zy shiftle s foo ls these squa tter s

. a ,
s
were !
Her m ind at this mom ent l nger dwelt upon Ha el no o z
o r Geo ge She h d concentra ted a ll energi s upo n

r . a e
r ching Robla r ; she cou ld thi k o f nothing e cept the

ea n x
t a il which seem
r , ed to grow a ttenua ted she d nced as a va .
S uch it wa it h d been used f o h lf a centur y

as s, a r a .
Wha t iled it ? a
The question was a nswered Right cross it was . a
st etched a b rb wire fe ce
r f i st nd s ! T oo l te
a -
n o s x ra a
Sam a ntha rem embered th t sh h d re d o f thi f n a e a a s e c
i g in the loca l p per

n The whole r ncho h d been a a a
fe ced d cr oss fe ced within the p st i mnths

.
n an -
n a s x o .
More the origin l gr nt had be n sold a d subdivided a a e n
She dism
, .
ounted sta ring ruefully t thi t ible h , a s er r o
sta l c eCould she bre k it down She tried to do so

.
? a ,
l c ra ting her b e h nds on the sh rp b rbs The

a e ar a a a .
staples we e new d iven securely i to w posts T wo

r r n ne
st ong m with the p oper too ls m

, .
r e n ight eff ect p ss ge r a a a
for horse ft r a hour s work Or it could be cut

a a e n
’
with pincers in h lf a minute !

.
,
Sa mnth co m puted dista nces With a g oa n she de

a a r
cided th t she d red not w ste ti me by following the

.
a a a
fence It st retched for miles

. e ch side f her ; it on a o
p ss d ov r pl ces where
a e horse could g where a
e a no o,
ma might h ve to c wl
n a ra
T o a ttem pt to le p it w mdness The g ll nt pinto

.
a as a . a a
263
C an yon
Sp ra gge s
’
would r efuse Ca lifo n ian hor ses leap wide gulches

. r
upo n oc sio n ot wir e fe ces

ca n n
She m m
.
,
ust l ea ve hi
She tied himsecu ely not to the fe ce against which

.
r n
he m m m m
, ,
i
g ht h ve a i ed
a hi self but to the st ou t b r an ch ,
o f a live oa k She too k o fi the saddle an d bla ket n
Then she clim

. .
bed the fence an d beg n to ru a n.
Oddly enough f or the fir st tim e she was a fra id Cali

, .
fo i
rn a g irls
n d o not go a f o ot throu gh the w l
i derne s s o r ,
through p stu res where bulls a e tur ned out The chance
a r
eeting a bull m
.
of m ight be negligible but it wo ried Se r
mantha
,
She followed the old trail losing it an d fin din g it ,
aga in d g in
an She cross d three fen ces tea ring her
a a . e ,
ca nv s skirt to ribbo ns
a Fina lly she str uck the strip o f
.
br ush between h a d Robla r er n
How she crossed it sh never knew Within two m

.
i
en .
utes she h d lost the tr il

a d she never found it Robla
a an r
was within a m
.
ile of her a d she ste red due ea st by the n e
sta s
r . She a across ope spaces tiny gla des a tter ed
r n n , sc
her e a d there ; she fought her way upright thr ough

n
thickets which m ight ha ve da unted a curly coated re -
triever . Sh cr wled whe e she could ot w lk Sha rp

e a r n a .
fli t cut her ba re h nd s ; her f ce w s scr tched by

n s a a a a
tho rns bla ck with di t swollen a d cover ed with wea ls

,
r , n .
Yet she pushed on .
She w s utterly spe t when she rea ched the do ctor s

a n
'
house .
Sp r a g gc
’
s C anyon
And how did y u get here fromAguil o a
t the tr il
”
A cr o s a .
There isn t a tr il ow ’
a n .
C n t we skin outer this ? I ll ta lk

a
’
we driv ’
as e
a long ”
One up you he emrked grimly It s long

.
“ ’
on , r a a
w y round but m m
.
a y uto obile wi ll g,t there in less th a e an
two hours There s no hurry ’ ”
—
. .
N hurry
“
o .
”
S mnth t up sta ring at his gr ve f ce He e

a a a sa , a a . x
pl ined quickly
a
Pr ctically you ve done ne rly ll th t is possible

“
a
’
a a a .
If she lives sh ll ow her life to you Eve ything d

, e
’
e . r e
pends upon how much poi on g t into h sy tem d s o er s , an
the strength of th t poi on wh ich v ri s It s b d a s , a e .

’
a a
tim of y r f sn k bite There s no tr mend s

e ea or a e .
’
e ou
hurry b c u e sh ll be p t h lp when I g t to Sp gg
e a s e
’
as e e ra es
’
th m
,
Ca yon or end ”
n , on e .
He we t o ut n .
Pres ntly his wife c me in bringing some h t soup

e a o
which S mnth obedi ntly sw llowed The doctor s

,
’
a a a e a .
wif snuffing out her ine fussed over h b thi g

e, a o , er , a n
h erf ce d h nds l nding h nother bl u e d

a an a e er a o s an
ski t By the time the ut m

,
r obile w purring t the a o as a
front door S mnth h d re overed her sp h an d her

.
, a a a a c eec
self po sse
-
ion She w snugly wr pped up in w m
ss . as a a ar
clo k with hood to it The doctor tucked her into

a a a
fur lin d buggy obe d then mounted beside h e A

.
-
e -
r an r
thirty m
, .
ile journey over rough ro ds l y in f ont of

-
a a r
them .
When the r w go ing smoothly the d ctor said

—
ca as o
Now post m
“
e.
”
S aman th a
She recited the f ct without interruption a s .
He sked his first question

a
How much time el p ed between your w king up

“
a s a
thinking you he rd scre m d pplyi g the lig

,
a a a , an a n a
ture
I dunno
“
A mi t tw minute
.
nu e b -
o s
Mebbe
“
.
”
Not more th n th t ? a a
”
I c nt y a
’
sa .
It s like this I remember a c e f r ncher bit in

’
as o a a
the thumb by b ig r ttle The m w pulling w od

.
a a r . an as o
o t u f his wood pile He h d

o chopper h ndy d by a a a an
Jove ! he d g it enough t h p 03 his thum

.
, ,
’
rb there d o c a an
then .
Fer the l nd s s ke !
“
a
’
a
The poison nev r g t into his system t ll I h d e o a a a
Iri hmn He w burning brush He

.
a nother c se a an s a as
m
, . .
g to bit in the fi g r but it see s he d nced b ut bus n e a a o a
i g him
,
n self bec use he h d left Irel nd where there were a a a
no s an kes He w tied up some five minutes fte the

. as a r
bite
“
And he died S mnth sked bre thlessly a a a a a .
He rly died Odd thi g f ye r fte w d he

n ea n or a s a r ar
su ff r d frombl od poisoning in M y the mnth i

.
,
e e o -
a , o n
which he w bitten as .
“
We hev bundle o the dried weed a
’
Don t b lieve in th t S y you h ven t told m

.
’ ’
e a a a e on e
thing How did this girl g t bitten in the middle o f the

.
,
. e
night
S mnth squi rm
a ed une sily H el w the Spr ggss
a a a . az as a
’
gu est .
Sp r a g gc s
’
C anyon
Je t—
“
cu riosity
s .
”
Wh t
“
a
“
G o rg Spragge collects a ttlers sells mto a dea ler
e e r ,
’
e .
George ke ps mi t nk Miss Goodrich who ie

’
e n a a .
, s
ti us w sc it o r ttlers so George tole m

’ ’
ii
’
v s n , as e an
a r a
Aunt Almiy to y nothin a bout m Miss Goodrich

,
’ ’
r sa e
did a k me que tio s a d I sur m ise she couldn t mke

.
’
s s n , n a
hea d o tail 0 m n y an sw
r e s Geo rg e bein ’
ut ter n i
g ht r
’
o -
fte deer she jest na turally thought she d do som

.
,
a r , e pros ’
pectin o her ow ’
n n .
”
I s sa id the doctor
“
ee,
”
Sam voluntee ed o more inform

.
a nth a a tion She lay r n .
b ck closing her eyes The do to r thought tha t she was

a , . c
a sleep .
She w telling herself with endle s epetition tha t

as ,
s r ,
if H zel died it would be bec u e fir st id h d ot been

a a s a a n
r endered quickly enough H z l s de th then would ’

a e a
At this mom ent she might be a m

.
, ,
lie t her door

a . ur
de s ! Geo ge i
re s f he knew the truth would so e
r , , r
g rd
a her .
The doctor he rd choking noi e a a s .
Wh t s up
“
a
’
The doctor thought to him self that she was over
ro —
w ught d o wonder ! an n
You h ve cry if you feel like it he s id kindly

“
a a , ,
”
a .
It ll do you lot o f good

’
a
”
App rently she b lieved him For h lf a hour he

.
a e a n
he rd sobbing When the sobs cea sed he emrked

.
a . r a
ge i lly
n a
Sp r a gge s
’
C anyon
Th y crossed the bridge
e .
“
Is th t the bridge where those outl ws were lynched ?
a a
”
”
Yes
Serv d mright eh ?
.
’
e e
Sm
,
antha nsw red dully : I dunno I uster thin k

a a e .
that w y a
Wh t mde you ch nge ?

.
“ ”
a a a
Mebbe they w s drive to cr ime a n
Pshaw ! Weren t they murderer

.
’
s
S mantha shuddered d mde no reply The lights

a an a .
o f the house could be se n There w light in H zel s '

e . as a a
room d in the p rlor As the

an stopped Ge rge a . ca r ,
o
hurrying down th st ps e e .
That you S ma thy

“
,
a n
How s H zel ’
a
She s live ’
a .
”
I ve brought the doctor Geo ge

“ ’
, r .
The doctor h d jumped fromthe she poke a ca r as s .
George recognized hima d g a sped his h nd wringing n r a ,
it fiercely
Th nk God ye ve com
.
“
a e She ll pull through ow ,
’
.
’
n .
W iti fer ye b lie i we w no good m

a n
’
ighty ne , e v n
’
as , ar
finished her We ve fill d her full 0 whiskey .

’
e
’
.
”
Plea se take m to he
“
e r .
”
The two m m ounted the cr aki g st irs S mntha

en e n a . a a
r emi ed below She hea rd Mrs Sp gg deep tones ; ’

a n . . ra es
a d then Georg e steps eturni g She t dow in the ’

n s r n . sa n
shadow tu rni g her f ce f omthe l mplight Ge rge

,
n a r a . o
c me in d shut the d or He stood nea r her st ring

a an o .
, a
a t her ot reco gnizing the skirt

, n d blouse He b ga n an . e
a wkw rdly a
270
S amantha
Ma w to le m wh t you do e e a n , Sa m thy
an . Sucki
n
’
the
wound l ”
Th t s
“
a right ’
a ll .
Ge ! I should jest sa y so ! I got b ck bout h lf

’
e a a
an hour fter y u went ofi Wh r did ye st ike this

a o . a r
Robla r doctor ? ”
At R bl r
“ ”
—
o a .
At Robla r ? Ye i n t bin to Robl r

’
a a
Yes I hev , .
”
But how ? ”
By the o ld tr il ”
a .
He poured questio fter question upo n her which she n a ,
a nswered in m onosyll bles keeping her f ce in the a , a
sh dow
a His e citement told upon her F the fir t x or s
time she beg n to re lize wh t h h d done the t

. .
a a a s e a re
m dou f t f physic l d ment l endur nc She

,
en s ea o a an a a e
.
h d
a g li
a mpse f h rself s he beheld h When she
o e a er .
fini hed he cried t sh rply

s ou a
S m thy st n up a
“
look t me Lem me look ’ ’
—
a an , a , n a .
at you .
”
She obeyed
The light from the l m
.
p fell upon her swollen a
bruised f ce N t only mnz nita but c ctus the wild

a o a a a
prickly pe r with it venomous spines h d disfigured

.
,
a ,
s ,
a
her Ge rge g o ned

. o r a
“
Oh my God , .
”
She spoke qui tly e
I reckon I mthe a w f le t sight

“ ’ ’
—
s .
An you done this thing fer her !

’
Her yes mt his ste dily

e e a
I done it fer y u Geo rge

“
o , .
CHAPTER XVI
WIT B UR AND HAZEL
-
EO RGE ga zed deep into the soul o f S aman tha .
Then abr uptly he tu r ned a

, , n d went o ut o f the
house .
He wa ited on the front po rch f o the doctor to join r
him It wa nea rly five o clock a d presently he could

s
’
n
hea r S mntha m
.
o ving
a about the kitchen prepa ring a
bre kf st He rushed in e itedly e cl im

a a . ing xc , x a
Yo u go to bed Sam
“ ”
a thy , n .
N o ; I don t feel like it

’
You m ust be plumfounder ed

.
Mebbe you ll m
.
ilk m y co ws ?
’
He nodded retre ting slowly lo th to le ve her but

, a , a a ,
sen sible th at the situ tion w beyond his powers o f a as
speech He ha d r etu r ned fromthe hills bout three a
without a y veniso n a rr iving breathle s d m

.
n ,uch per s an
tu b d f o r he h d seen lights in the house

r e a d knew an
th t so m ething m
,
a u t ha ve h ppened H el by thiss a az
time was under the i fluence o f the whiskey which M s

.
,
n r
Spr gge m
.
,
a a de h r swa llow in copio us doses

e In a few
words the m other told her on o f Hazel s m
.
is dventu r e s
’
a .
He had tarnrn ed ut s er o
“
Why in thunder did sh go foolin with m y sn kes e
’
a
T o this questi on M Spr gge replied curtly r s. a
273
Sp r a g ge s
’
C anyon
cola ted George s ma rrow He sm
to oked m a ny pipes
’
d pondered m
.
an a ny things in his he t till the doctor ar
a rrived I ction ea r ly dro ve himcra y

. na n z .
An hour m ust have pa ssed befo r e the doctor am e c
downst irs Geo ge st red a n iously into his fa ce

a . r a x .
How is she he sked

“
a .
The do tor smiled ssuri gly c r ea n
Yo ne dn t worry Close c ll ll the sa m e Fangs

“ ’
u e a a
just mi sed big vein The prom pt tre tm

. .
,
s a ent s ved a a
There s bout enough poison in the systemto make

.
’
her a
her uncomfo rt ble for a few d ys S y th t cousin f

.
a a a a o
yours is a st r spangled trium

.
,
ph She too k the old

a -
.
t ail
r .
”
I k ow
“
n .
It s re ord
“ ’
a c .
Th t s so ”
a
’
.
I wouldn t cross tha t go ge by daylight The path

’
r .
ha crum bl d w y ”
s e a a
George nodded It i rr ita t d himt he r thi s str nge

.
e o a a r
telling h imwh t S m h d a ccom

.
a nth plished He k ew
a a a a n
bett r th n y other m in the county what she ha d

.
e a an an
done ; d wo rds seemed to che pe her stupendous fea t

an a n .
S mntha ppe red preced d by

a a odor o f f ied
a a , e an r
b co a d coff ee
a n n .
How s Miss Goodrich

“ ’
Doing fine ! More sc red th n hu t a a r
Th t s good Will you plea se come in a d hev

.
’ ’
a . n
bre kf st ?
a a
”
With plea sure

“
.
274
Wi lbur and Hazel
The doctor a tt cked the be ns a d bacon with app a a n c
tite While he at he ta lked to Sa mnth who refused

. e a a,
to sit down George went ut to drive the cows into o
the cor a l a d milk them He wa lked jerkily an d his

.
r n .
thoughts were jerky al so jumping fromH zel to Sa a
ma ntha d ba ck ga in He kept on mutte ing to him

,
an a . r
self :
“
It bea ts the ba nd .
M enta lly he wa bruised a d shaken T he first p r s n . a a
ly i g terror tha t Hazel would die his in bility to

”
z n o a
the doctor these em

,
a nything the lo g w a it f o otions '
, n r ,
ha d go ne but this new a d e t rao rdina ry l ssitude re n x a
mined d dominati g it adding enormusly to his

,
a an n , o
sense o f helples sness wa s the co nviction th t H zel m

,
ust , a a
h ate his r nch tha t a fter such a te r ifying e pe ience

a , , r x r ,
she wo uld n ver consent to live o e it While he w n as
wa iti g f the st g in the cool o f the night he ha d m

.
n or a a de
up his m ind H zel a d he would build lower down a n
And he would s tisfy h r am

. .
bitions by developing the

a e
w ter a d po ssibly bo ing for o il She wanted himto

a , n , , r .
“
g et there with bo th feet For her sa k e he w o uld g et .
”
,
“
there But in his own w y in his ow God ppointed

.
”
a ,
n -
a
pl ce Mo re H zel should not be kept prisoner o

a a a n
the r nch She would be a ble to spend her w incom

.
,
a . e o n
a sshe plea sed Pe iodic l trips to O kl nd for r a a a ex ~
am even without him would m

. ,
ple with , or a ke things ,
e sier for the d rling

a a
First a d la st o m
.
a tter wha t begui

n ling pressure n
might be e ercised he wou ld not ab ndo his home

,
—
x , a n .
Never by the Eter na l !

“ ”
No w as he m ilked Samntha s cows he w m ise a bly a

’
as r
s ho pes ha d c r um bled into sand Im

, ,
a wa r e tha t hi potence .
275
’
beg n to consume him; he felt like wild nim

a a l in the a a
tra p f ohunt r ; the teeth f the tr p closed upon his

a e o a
he rt te ri g it cr uelly When he c rried th milk into

a a n a e
the d i y S mntha mt him

.
,
a r a a e
“
You ll hev to fetch the pinto Geo rge
’
, .
She described the spot where she h d left th t g l a a a
l nt iml a d then went b ck to the kitchen The

a an a ,
n a .
docto r decl red hi int ntion o f returning to Robl

a He s e ar.
h ad done ll th t w possible Before he depa rted he

a a as .
r ubbed s lt into Geo rge s l cera ted ti ssues

’
a a .
“
This Mi s Goodrich he id incisively is a city
s ,
”
sa ,
“
g irl ,o Isunder sta nd .

”
“
Yep .
I don t think much o f her’
Ge ge would h ve struck himh d such r em

.
or a k a a a r
bee mde twenty four hours ea rlier Now he said

n a -
meekly
.
“
Why not doc ? ,
”
She s your guest d I hope p yin one a d she s

’
, an , , a a
’
,
n
’
pretty but there s no grit to her o sa nd ! Bit f

,
’
, n o a
fr ud I reckon
a , .
”
“
Th t ll do s id George cu tly
a
’ ”
a r
Why did she m

, .
onkey with your r ttlers a
Geo rge remined silent When the doctor had gone a .
he went into the house a d wa lked upsta irs Mrs n
Spragge he rd h im d ca me o ut o f H el s r oom
. .
’
a an az .
Geo rg whispered ho sely :

e ar
“
H s H zel a sked fer m
a e a
No m son ”
y , .
Sh ll I g in M w ?
a o a
”
W l she s a wful sick to her stom

,
a ch Gi ve her
’
a
tim
, .
e G rgie
, eo .
”
276
Sp ra gge s
’
C anyon
which per sua sio could overcome Fin lly Geo rge
no n . a ,
ha d to retu rn t the entr nce f the go rg a d hi tch hi

o s a o e n
horse to a tree He m i
g ht h a ve fetched
. a wide c o m pa ss
by ta king a nother tra il but h h d swo n to him self to e a r
f ol lo w S amntha s r o d beca use he wished to know

,
’
a a ,
e a ctly wha t she ha d done So he ta ckled the go ge

x r
f ot till he ca m e to the wo rst pl ce more perilous in

.
a o a
much s the pinto scra m

,
bling a fter Sa m
,
as a a nth h d di s a a
lodged wha t w left o f the cr um bling pa th The swea t

as
mbefo e he ea ched the other side As he

.
r o lled ofi hi r r
wiped his fo rehea d he m

.
utte ed
—
r
She done tha t f er me

,
“ ”
The thought obses sed h imtill he re ched the pinto

.
a ,
which neighed a he appro ched Two hours p ssed s a a
circum venting the go rge More time el psed before he

.
. a
r e ched hom
a e bec use he had to skirt Aguil being n u
,
a a,
willing to confront inquisitive vill gers It w nea rly a . as
n on when he reent red the house

o e .
Hi m s other w in the kitchen as .
“
H zel better he sked
a a .
Oh yes Did y u see that buggy Geo rge

, . o ,
Wh at buggy
Th hitched to ou r il Mr Stocker drove over
e one r a . .
n o t long fter you d left ’ ”

a .
M r Stocker
.
-
Yes he s with Hazel ow

The h—
’
,
n .
ll he i s I s id Geo r ge
”
a .
III
Wilbur woke up o th t e entful m orning feeling mo re n a v
th n usu lly satisfied with himself d his future Mr

a a an . .
Adolf G lde heim f o the mom

e ent w s identified with
n er , r , a
278
Wi lbur and Hazel
tha t f utu r e He h d demonstra ted the po ssibility a d
. a n
e pediency o f rebuilding the n ient Aguila wh rf ; d it

x a c a an
a ppe red m
a ore th n likely th t the million ire owner o f
a a a
the big ra ncho would furnish dolla rs f o such enter r an
prise provided lw ys th t Adol f a d Wilbur united to

, a a a n
supply the needful e perience In a wo rd cold busi x .

, a
n ess propo sition such a s the s o u l o f Wilbur lov d

, His e .
tho ught concentr ted upo n thi s sna p N o w a d a ga in

“ ”
s a . n
they flitted to Ha el Countr y air a d fo od h d wo rkedz n a
a m ira cle upo n her com

.
ple ion Wha t a spa rkler ! He x .
pictu r d her sp rkling with the a dv titious a id o f dia

e a en
monds at his dinner table doing the honors charmingly

,
m an d r eceiving a fterwa rd the society

, ,
so lid
“ ”
to en ,
swell s That wa the right way to do bu siness the only

s
w y to m ten trike H zel would be im

.
,
a a ke a
“
mensely
s . a
popul ar Every body liked her

. Certainly her great .
ift w uld h ve been w ted p n C linton T r nt

—
g s o s u a
o r d a a a an
tha t too supe ili u Berkeley crowd Ye Hazel an d

rc o s s
h e would mke things hum!

.
He lay in bed glo ting over a st empyrea n a va
He was rudely aw kened fromthese r osy dre m

.
s by
a a
P trick Hennessey P t h d his ow w y o f brea king

a . a a n a
ba d news A r nch fire f o r in tance destroying le gues

a s a
o f feed seem
.
, ,
ed to p ovoke a essenti lly Hiberni n hi

,
r n a a
l i
ar ty The joke was o the fellow who dropped the
. n
light d cig rette into the bu ch gr ss ! P t w o f

e a n -
a a as,
co urse the life a d so ul

,
f y funer l n o an a .
Wilbu r he rd a sh rp t p at the d or d opened his

a a a o an
eyes to behold Pat s ed f ce a d white h ir He be ’

r a n a .
li e ed tha t P t m
v ust be d r unk And into ica ted he was
a x
with e citem
.
ent x .
“
A ything up ? asked Wilbur
n .
S p r agge s Canyon ’
“
It s be up i a j ifiy The city m
’
yerself a da m at
’
ll n .
Sp gg
ra Ca nyon whe e ye wint yesterday Miss Ha el
es
’
, r , z
Goodrich purty little piece h s had the very di il o f a

, , a v
night ! ”
“
Wha -
a at !
-
Aa i
sy n ow ! Ther e ll be’
no fun eral , gl o y r be to
”
—
60d .
“
No f n r l u e a
Ha ven t I just seen the doctor this m

’
init
Wilbur sh ok himshouti g loudly : o ,
n
“
Wh t ha happened to Miss Goodrich ?
a s
She s been m ix ed up wid the b usiness en d o f a

’
r a ttler
”
.
“
Bitten
T o bits .
He vens ea rth !a on
A g rbled ccount o f the a fiair was pour ed into Wil

a a
bur s c
’
b e dressed hastily
a r s, a s Pat honest a t eur r co n
w a inc p ble o f repe ting a sto ry with o ut em

.
, ,
s a a bellish a
ment Wilbur understood th t H zel h d been atta ked a a a c
by h lf dozen r ttle n kes tha t S m

.
a a a ntha h d sa ved a s a a a
her a fter perform

,
i g prodigies d th t the genera l e n an a x
tem
,
ci e t would culmn in te in a wedding a .
“
Who se wedding he sked quite d ed a , az .
Sure ow ye know tha t ? Didn t the yo ung l dy

n
’
a
com e her e to m I t s him

, ,
a rry Geo r g ? self sho ld av e

’
u
’
sucked the w o und

“
Hitch up th a t buggy I had yeste d y om manded r a , c
Wilb ur .
“
Ah ow ye ll ha ve a bite 0 break fast Niver take
n
’ ’
em pty stomch
, , .
an y ro d o
”
a n an a
Wilbur j m med o his h t without brushi g his hair

.
a n a n ,
ta ke him! De per tely iou to ee more cle rly Wil

”
s a an x s s a ,
bur produced pa ir o f pince nez polished the l esa -

en s
ilk h ndkerchief d pl ced th mupo

,
c refully with
a a s a , an a e n
the white b ny bridge f his thi nose o o n
Tell m ev rything
.
,
“ ”
e e .
I can t Mr Stocke’
, . r .
H w did h g t bitten ?
—
o s e e
I du no I w n t the e You m
n . ust k her a
’
r . as .
C I an her see
Mebbe .
”
Ple se find ut If I
a be f y se vic o a n
c o an r e
S mnth v nished Wilbur felt indig nt What

.
a a a a . na
Why couldn t she nswe sim

.
a iled the girl ? ple ques ’

a r
tions ? Wh t cl d ! And wh t ide wh t idicu

a a o a an a, a a r
lous fi i notion this g ssip f mrri ge betwee

, o en s ve , o o a a a n
his H zel d George Sp gge ! He d umm

a an ed i pa ra r rn
ti tly with hi feet up n the

en g c rpet
s t ki g note o f o ra a a n
imple furnishi gs ppr ising them At forced

,
th e s n a a a
s le the l t m
, .
a ight fetch ten doll rs ! It w sweet of

o a as
H zel to t y in such sh ck And this t lk bout a

a s a a a a a
o mfull Wh t did th t me n ? His

.
r o f r ttle n kes o a s a a a a
br in whirled Th t w
a lie H zel must h ve been
. a as a . a a
bitten i the g rden such it w

n aProb bly h had as as a s e
s lipped out lone trying to esc pe fromthese bo rs

.
,
a a o
The lov ly night m

.
ight h ve tempted her t

,
e mble a o ra
f ther th n w prudent In the g s by the creek

ar a as . ra s
sh h d trodd n up n
e a sn ke e o a a
S mnth ca m e b ck To Wilbur s mzem

.
a a a ent he a
’
a a s
smiling d the sm
.
w as ile w c riously deri ive

, an as u s .
Mis Goodrich will see you p esently

“
s r
His w smile be me com

.
o n pl cent ca a
Th k y u he murmured
.
“ ”
an o , .
282
Wi lbu r an d Hazel
Hev yo u ha d brea kfa st
Brea kfa st ? How could I?
Could y ou —now
A h lf reluct nt s e t stir ed Samnth to al crity
a -
a a s n r a a a .
Wilbur w con cious o f ch nge in her im

as p ssible to
s a a o
define Perh ps she wa sym p thetic perh ps she was

a s a a
ple sed th t H zel could him Presently she brought

.
,
a a a see
m up f t d som
.
hi a c egg e cold biscuit d

o ea , an , an s an
butter As she w pla cing the e upo n the ta ble he s id

. as s a ,
irit bly
r a
“
Th t old fool Henne ey told mth t Mi s Good ich
a , ss , e a s r
wa bitten i this house

”
s n .
“
Th t quite right
a
’
s
”
How e t ordin ry ! D n kes come into houses

.
x ra a o s a
a t night
“
George keep min t nk He sells em They e s
’
e a a .
’
.
’
r
n there h p inted t the locked d or

”
i , s e o a o .
“
And esc ped ? on e a
”
They ll esc ped Ge rge in t caught m yet

a a . o a
’ ’
e .
Would you f ncy ome be ns d b con

—
a s a an a
“
No ; th nk y u A there y s kes loose in
a o re a re an na
thi room
.
s
“
I in t l oked fer y here
a
’
o an
She went b ck t the kitche still miling

.
a o n, s .
When S mnth i H zel s presen ce nnounced the

a a a, n a
’
, a
a dve t o f M
n Stocke a d his wish to see H zel M s
r . r n a r .
Spragge ha d sa id t rtly : a
See him? Of course h ca n t see him

“
s e
’
Till this moment Ha zel ha d been lying fl t o her back

.
a n
283
’
in bed The violent sickness had been stopped by the

.
doctor ; d she h d been able to sw llow d reta in

an a a an
som em ilk d w ter Her foot w s b dly swollen a d

an a a a n
much discolored but the swelling g ea tly to the doctor s

.
’
r
s tisf ction h d not spre d bove the knee Apa t from

, ,
a a , a a a . r
the pa in in her foot which wa ot unbe r bly severe s n a a
H zel was beginning to feel m ore comfort ble Her

, ,
a a
hea d still ched fromthe doses of whiskey but ll fear

.
a a
o f dea th h d pa ssed from

,
her And shortly before the

a
rriv l of Wilbur Mrs Spr gge triumph ntly announced

.
,
a a , . a a
th t the swelling w less pronounced a d less indur

a as n
a ted a eff ect she ttributed entirely to the po ultices ‘
n a
ma de fromthe f mous ntidote in which the doctor

,
a a
foolish m pl ced no f ith He h d sa id however tha t

,
an , a a . a , ,
th poultices would help some lthough he hinted

e ,
”
a
th t lin seed ev n bre d would be equ lly effic ci us

a or e a a a o .
Before he left H zel h d th nked himwith w s mile a a a a an
At mention of Wilbur s na me she r ised her he d from

.
’
a a
the pill w o
I wish to see Mr Stocker she id quite firmly

.
“
. sa .
Sh ll I t ll himto come up ? sked S mnth look

,
”
a e a a a a,
ing t Mrs Spr gge

a . a .
H zel n swered :
a a
In h lf a hour ple se I ll se d wo d when I m

“
a n a
’
n r
’
m
.
,
r e dy to rec ive hi
a e .
Mrs Spr gge shrugged her b roa d shouldersa Sa as
mntha left the room Then her eyes sp rkled a H zel

.
a . a s a ,
in l nguid tone sked for her h nd mirror M s

a a , a a -
. r .
Spr gge who h d never owned such a rticle brought

a a an
it H zel e mined herself ca refully He f ce with

, ,
a xa r a
its delica te fe tures w very pa le lm

.
.
,
ost the color o f

a as a
milk but otherwise she appe red not much the worse
, ,
,
a
284
was a t his worst d h ccepted th t wo st con an s e a a r as
fi mti strong
,
d t ue of Wilbur p ssion for her

’
r a on an r s a .
When she held ut her h nd he fell on his knee by the

o a s
bed kissing it d repe ting fervently

, an a
Th nk God ! Th nk G d
a a o
H zel closed her eye For the first tim

a e Wilbur had s .
g iven her tiny thrill a .
De r Wilbur she sighed

“
a , .
Are you st ong enough t spe k ?

“
r o a
”
I think
“
Im gl d you c
so m e t once ’
so a a a
You k ew th t I would come ?

. .
”
n a
Yes ; I knew Oh Wilbur I h ve been through the .

, , a
d rk v lley
—
”
a a .
Yes yes
“
d I w , f st sleep dre ming f you
an as a a , a o ,
de re t
a s
”
t such m ome ts
.
This w t strictly true b t

as no u a n a
lapse fromthe b olute truth my be dismis ed venial

,
a s a s as
I ve been incredibly silly m urm

.
“ ’
ured H zel ,
”
a .
Don t y word ’
sa a
But I m ust Wilbu I m t strong like you You ve

.
“ ’ ’
r, no
a lw ys w nted m h ven t you ?

. .
’ ”
a a e, a
Alw ys lw ys ever since we first mt

“
a , a a ,
e .
He remined k eeling by the bed kissing h h nd

a n , er a .
She removed it g tly d touched his he d en an a .
I ve been c zy Wilbur It
“ ’
difliult t ex
ra , .
’
s so c o
k )
’
p fin
“
Don t e plain ! ’
x
C you t ke m
an e b ck to O akla nd ?
a a
”
Of course .
”
Oh how I h te this r nch ! How I loathe it a d a a , n
d m
,
an y silly lf se .
”
A te r trickled down her cheek Wilbur lon ged to

a .
286
Wi lbu r an d Hazel
kis it 05 but he wa ot enterpriing i love he
s , s n as s n as
w asin busines However he g r ped oppo rtunity in

s.
, as
his own f shion by s ying with decisio

a a n
The so oner you give m the right t ta ke ca re o f

“
e o
you the bette r .

”
H pretty he d f l l back upo n the pillows ; her body

er a e
seem ed t be sliding ff them

o o
um
.
“
R i e m little she m
a s ured
e a
”
r
He put hi rm bo ut her She noticed tha t he ha d

.
,
s a s a .
ha rdly trength enough t lift h properly d h

s o er an s e
fleeting inst nt o f other rm The olo

,
thought f or a a a s c r
cam
.
e into both their cheek s .
“
Im ust tell y how silly I ve bee wha t sla ve toou
’
n, a
mere ppe r nce Wilbur I we to y u olemnly

a a a s s ar o s
th t I never s w y u you re lly e till you cam

. ,
a a ei o as a ar n
just w no
”
Wilbur like ll ucce sful m f busine s ha d i

.
a s s en o s n
oments The priml m h d lmost ptured

,
spired m
,
a an a a ca
H zel His eye spa rkled with trium ph for mind h d

.
a s a
nce more chieved not ble victory over mere m

. ,
o a u le a a sc .
He swooped unerringly upo n nother f ct Conqueror a a . s
co uld ff o rd t be genero us
a o
H zel he id solemnly I am re l so rr y for

.
“ ”
a sa a
G o rge Spr gge ; he h m m m

.
,
e y e atire y pa thy You i as n s
m
.
a gi dneyourself t be in love with hi o .

”
Wilbur how clever you e ! It w your cleve ness

“
ar as r
which fir t ttr cted m I feel de th t I ca tell y u

,
s a a e.
,
a r, a n o
e erything
v
”
She told himne rly everything a story punctu ted

.
a a
with soft sigh m

,
o iste ed by te rs with eloquent i

s, nter n a ,
mitte ci o f silence Wilbur was ench nted by h

n es a er
f nkne s by h sel f condem

.
ra s ,
n a ti
on He e lized tha t
er - . r a
287
’
such m istakes if m a de before m ar iage a ot li

kely
, r , re n
to occu r a fte w rd Ha zel ha d been fool ish but sh h d

r a .
, e a
pa id in full f o h r folly S he finished o high note : r e n a
Of course you can never forgive m

.
“ ”
e , .
The kiss o f fo rgiveness was just audible o the lan d n
i
ng .
VI
M rs Spragge hea d it With r eg et m
. ust it be r . r
co rded th t she he rd a lso the t lk which preceded the

a a , , a
sa lute Deliberately she pl yed the eavesdropper ! a
Then she so ught S mntha

.
a a
she r em
.
It s a rked bruptly
“ ’
a
Samnth sta red t her quite un ble to interpret the

.
a a a , a
a stounding e pression upo n A unt Al ia f ce ’

x rn r s a .
0K she r epea ted

“
They e fi ed it up t git m
. .
a rried
v I suspicioned
x er
I listened at the door S m thy a d I peeked

.
it a an n
Her a m
.
, ,
through th keyhole e s qu its She pried ’ ’

e n .
into m
.
y Geo rge s p iva te fi a is d I pried into hers ’

r a r an
They re huggin ea ch other in sort 0 lukew rmdon t

.
’ ’ ’ ’
a a
muss my h ir fa shion George put mo re snap into it

,
- -
a .
la night
’
s
Aunt Alm
.
iy ! You kn ow wha t ha ppened l night ?

“ '
r as
I seen munder the tree ’

e .
”
So did I
”
.
Yo u po re child !
Wh t will Geo ge sa y
“
a r
M s Spragge fro wned

r
I llow th t s wo yi m
. .
e co nsider bl e Geo rge is

“ ’ ’
a a rr n a
capable f mos a nything He s cr zy fer Ha el It s

.
’ ’ ’
o a z
up to me to fix Geo rge o les

. .
, n s
S p r a gge s C anyon
’
Fer the land s sake ! e claim

’
ed Mrs Spragge
”
x . .
“
I
n ever thought 0 tha t
’ ”
.
“
Ain t it up to her ?
’
Sure
“
I d hate to be Hazel tel lin him sa id
’ ’
,
slowly I d sooner fool with a big ra ttler

.
“ ’
Geo ger .
HAPTER XVII
C
D I SID CAT I ON
RS S PRAGGE e pla ined Wilbur viit when x

’
s s
Ge rge retur ed hom

.
e Her obje t w t p e
o n c as o r
vent the tw m meeting ; d she efle ted with g im

.
o en an r c r
hum o r th t Mr Stocker might be feeling eve m

a ore . n
nervous th n herself She sa id to Geo ge in sober

a r
mtter f f ct tones
.
, ,
a -
o a
Mr Stocker jest hed ter ll round I m pe tin

“
. ca a .
’
ex c
’
the h lf of Aguil thi fter oon

a a s a n
”
But why did H zel ee him lone ?

.
“
a s a
Why George you never thought I d go age the ,

’
n
do did ye ? He sez t m: L t her h

,
‘
c, h ow way o e e ev er n
i ml l things
’
—
n s a
Mr Stocker is smll id Ge rge very mll but

.
“
a sa o s a
the idee of H zel se i h im lone i her oo min bed

. , , ,
’
a c u a n r , ,
”
too .
Propped up i bed d wea the pur tiest d e sin

“
n an r rn r s
j cket I a imed ter let the child hev her ow way She s
,
’
a n
llers hed it Mebbe she wa nted to send a m

. .
a . ess ge by a
Mr Stocker to her Auntie

. .
”
Th t s so s id George
“
a
’ ”
a
I won t k himto st y to dinner N w m

, .
’
as y son a o
I d be ea sie i m m m
.
, ,
’
y ind if you ca ug
rht the sn ke
n s a
”
n t sca red o them

.
”
You ai
' ’
?
Canyon Sp r a ggc s
’
Hazel i dea Put emba ck into the t nk There s

s, r
’
a
’
kind 0 sense in killin m Mebbe they ll help buy

. .
’ ’ ’ ’
no e .
a n other d e i j cket
’ ”
r ss n a
I in t goin ter kill m s id Geo ge

.
“ ’ ’ ’
a e a r
He w nt into his room C ot li were the m

.
,
e ove . r a n es on
wriggling bout d quite re dy to show fight if m

,
a ,
an a , o
lested Ge rge opened the window which looked on the

o
po rch He h d c ught two snakes d dropped theminto

.
. a a an
the t nk when he hea rd Wilbur descend the st irs A

a a
minute l ter he could he r his mother t king po lite lea ve

.
a a a
o f H zel vi ito r
a d sking hi
’
smperfunctorily to call
s an a
“
n Wilbu p om
,
aga i .
”
ised t do o He p ssed out f r r o s . a o
the front door hi w y t the buggy d, w Geo ge

on s a o , an sa r
at the wi ndow .
s id George a
Go o d m
.
o rning M Spragge V y upsetting ff air , r . . er a
thi s
“
Ve y eplied Geo rge Like to step i Mr Stocker
r , r . n, .
,
an d h ve howdy ? ”
a a
Wilbur hesitated
I m a t hi the
.
“ ’
ttlers said Geo ge in hi m’
ost
mm
c c n ra r s
M ebbe it would in ter est you om

, ,
r tu b ab l vo ice e “
i r e s
m t it
.
”
to see e a .
“
I will not disturb you r eplied Wilbur hastily I ll ’
or ow m
,
call a ga in to m
.
orning to inquire
-
”
r .
Good s id George ,
”
a .
He went on c tching the sn ke till he ha d secu ed a a s r
them ll By this tim

a .e dinner w re dy but he h d as a a re
mess ge fromH zel Mrs Sp agge told him

,
i ed
ce v no a a . . r
th t she w resting dding

a as , a
“
I d s y h needs it fte Mr Stocke s talk Won
es a s e a r . r
’
.
29 2
Canyon Sp r a gge s
’
Obviously it m ight be infer ed th t M Bung rd r a rs . a
could sp re H zel Thi festered Geo rge respected

a a . s .
public Opinion lthough he never kow towed to it In a -
Aguil the schoolmrmdirected d voiced public

.
,
a ex -
a an
Opinion She m ight be deemed ha rd d e a cting but

. an x ,
none qu stioned her incerity d hone ty George

e s an s re
membered Mrs Bu g d usterely compressed lips

.
’
n ar s a
when H zel f iled to mke good upon the lifi

.
“ ”
a a a c .
Worse followed !
With g y l ugh M G ld h im put into word
a a a rs e en e er s
the thought g wing m

.
ercilessly t George s vit lna a

’
a s .
My ! How she will h te this pl ce !

“
a a
”
H w do y k ow th t growled Ge ge
o ou n a or
Bec use I m womn d city r ised When I first

.
’
a a a an a
ca m
, .
e here Mr Spr gge I w sc red to death f the a as a o
ttler h d bit m
.
, ,
coyotes d the horned to d If an a s a ra a e
I d h ve left Mr Geld h im there d then

.
’ ”
a . en e er an .
You would Observed Mrs Bunga rd f good d ” “

or an
It in t likely th t S mnth would have been

, . ,
ll
’
a . a a a a a
a ound
r
Presently the l dies drove ff t king with theme ough

.
a O , a n
a uthentic go s ip to keep thei tongues w gging for

s r a a
week Ge rge hurried upst irs At S mn th d or he

o a a a a s
’
o
p used listening Then he t pped oftly S mntha

. .
’
a , . a s . a a s
smooth voice w ple nt to he r as a sa a .
Wh t is it
“
—
a
It s me Geo rge S y S m thy h w i you m

’
a kin . a , a an , o a r
’
“
I mlyin here jest ter ple e A nt Almiy M ind y
’ ’
as u r . ou
st rip th t red cow a

”
system hev
.
Yo u in t g t pizon i to
“ ’
a o an y n yer , ye
Wh t pizon a
D i sl oc ation
Ra ttlesnake pio z n. You a n t go t a so r e place i
n
yer mouth
O‘ ”
No .
Any ba d teeth
”
N ot a on e .
I reckon it s a ll righ t but M Bunga d sca red m

’
e , rs r .
Yo u jest st y in bed fer a week 0 S und ys if you feel

a
’
a ,
like it Would yo f ncy a nything fer yer supper ? A

. u a
trout or a broiler
Mercy ! I d be sham
,
“
ed te li a bed and ea t ther e !
’
a r e -
GO m ilk m cow ”
y s
He linge ed f o e mo e m om
.
en t
r or n r
m thy
.
“
Sa y, Sa an
Well
“
Yer the goods

“
.
He tu r ed aw y gl ncing at Ha zel s door a d cough

n a , a
’
, n
i g t a tt ra ct a ttention hoping tha t the doo r would open

n o
a d th a t his m other would summ on himin If H zel

,
—
n a
l A dull r esen tm
.
could see th t Stocker a ent began

to bu n wi r thin him He pictured Ha el propped up in . z ,
bed sweet but piteous figure He w longing to ki ss

a as
a d com fo t her He wa nted to feel on ce m

, .
n r o re her
.
kisses
Why didn t she sen d f o him? Wa she a fra id of
.
’
r s
hi m
III
M rs Sp gge he rd his hea vy tep upo n th t irs
. ra a s e s a .
She gl nced derisively t her patient The pretty dre s

a a s
i g j cket h d b en rem
.
n a oved Hazel w re ting quietly

a e . as s ,
but t sleep After Wilbur dep rture she w ble

no a .
’
s a as a
to ta ke little olid food Her foot w till e ceedingly

a s . as s x
29 5
Sp r a ggc s C an yon
’
pain ful an d swollen but un question bly she was men d ,

a
i g ra pidly
n .
George wants to see yo u sa id Mrs Spragge , . .
He ll be so ng y
’
a r
”
Bec use you peeked into his room

.
a
”
Y es .
needn t to worry bout tha t de r Bette see

You
’
a a r
mf minute a git it over Then mebbe ye ll be

, .
hi
’ ’
er a , n .
, ,
able ter sleep

”
Perh ps I d do wel l to see him

.
“ ’
a
I think so It s tough o him

.
—
. n .
Please pull up the blind And a d tell Geo rge how n
very wea k I am
.
M s Spr gge f ound Geo rge nea r the cor ra l an d

r a
becko ed to him
.
n .
She in t worse ?
“
a
’
She s doin fine You go up f er a hor t spell

’ ’
s
Does she wa nt m
. .
e to go up ?
”
She sent m e fer ye She s mighty nea r petered out ’
She thinks yer m

.
,
George Go slow with h . a d wi th er .
her ”
Mad ? I amm
.
a d jest cra zy fer her

“ ”
Should sh wa r him? She decided ot to do so

, .
e n n .
H zel she felt assured would provoke no sc ne Se

a , , e .
h d been right It wa up to H zel to fi “ ” ”

n a th
r n a a s a x
Geo ge She would t ke h ow tim

.
r e bout it pursue a er n a
cy of m
.
,
a po li a sterly in ctivity S fe in Oakla d with a a n
the m an o f her delibe ra te ch o ice she w ould a ccom

.
plish ,
the fin l fi ing a
“
x .
I ll be in the kitche sa id Mrs Spragge

“ ’
n, . .
G o rge h rried into the house

e u .
Mea nwhile H zel h d hear tened herself up by the

,
a a
296
Sp r a gge s
’
C anyon
her kisses still w mupon his lip wha t likelihood could ar s,
the e be f his on idering her wihes fter co l fl

r o c s s a o re ec
tion ?
She w ot propped up by pillow when he e tered
as n s n
the oom She l y supine with sheet tucked bene th

m
r a a a
her dim ed chin One smll h nd w e po d t

.
,
. a a as x se o
view
She w nted Geo rge to be shocked d m
.
a oved by her an
a ppe r nce He w
a a The fternoon sun stre m
. ed as . a a
through the open window No tinge of color tinted h . er
white cheeks ; bene th her eyes we e pu ple sta ins ; her a r r
lips might h ve been the lips f child who h d just died

a o a a
in its sleep
G orge ppr o ched tip t He h rd her m um
.
e a ura on -
oe ea r
Don t ki m George ! Don t e cite m! I fe l so

.
" ’ ’
ss e, x e e
w k!ea
”
He took her h nd d pres ed it gently an s
—
a
you forgive m? I c n t forgive m y lf I am

.
,
“
C
’
an e a se .
fr id of you Y u must b furious ”
—
so a a . o e .
“
With y ? ou
”
He fetched ch ir d t down be ide her She a a an sa s .
cl s d her yes
o e e .
“
Ple se pull down the blind
a
He did so It did not occur to himth t it h d bee

.
a a n
r ied for definite purpose T h blind w mde f

.
a s a e as a o
stout green c nv s Som ehow Geo rge bec me ff ected

.
a a a a
by the twilight She my h ve counted upon this He

.
a a
r lized th t he w groping his w y to womn s

. .
’
ea a as a a a
he rt through b ff ling mist H zel s voice lifele

a a a a
’
so ss,
so str ngely cold chilled him She went on :

.
,
Why did y not tell m bout the sn kes ?

.
,
“
ou e a a
A keene eye th n his m ight h ve detected em

r i a a a s
298
D i sl ocation
to ne petulance He answer ed her a t som
of e len gth ,
clum
.
sily lluding to her ho rr or of the reptiles i Va

a n n
Ho rne s ba rn When he finished she a sked a nother

’
.
questio n
Why did you go out l st night with a r ifle

“
a
To get ve iso for you n n .
Oh
Eve ry thing be a m e crysta l clea r It is f ir to a dd
c a
tha t she felt sh m

.
ed o f her self but this increa sed

a a
r a ther th n di m inished her r esentm

,
a ent at b ing kept in e
the d rk a
You m m
.
“
i
g ht h a ve to l d e .
I reckoned on urp isi you Veniso a in t quite in s r n

’
. n
’
sea son but I didn t ca re

, bout that ’
a .
”
“
I see ”
Th ere w a long pa use Geo rge r emined tongu

.
as . a e
ti ed un ble to follow Ha el s thoughts Then she s id

, a z
'
. a
I thought you m i
g ht be d o ing so m ething w o n g r
som ething aga inst the law something which might sta nd
,
betwee you a d m You took m e by storm

,
last night
—
n e n
d I wa nt d to mke sur e
.
,
”
a d
n an e a .
He couldn t understa nd ’
.
Wh t did you th in k I wa s a fter Ha el ?

“
a z
It wa so silly o f m
,
”
e s .
Wha t did you thin k I wa s a fter

He spoke ine o rably
— —
x
Yo u told m
.
I did t k ow e tha t the squa tters i

“ ’ ’
n n .n
the hills were not quite honest ”
—
se
You t ught ebbe tha t I as like em n ot quite

m
.
“ ’
h o w , ,
h o nest
”
.
She answered wea kly

Sp r a gge s
’
Canyon
I did t know n
’
But he did His m

.
ind worked lowly f slower than

. s , ar
hi tro g h nd
s s n Ironic lly he id :
a s a sa
Y u thought m ba d m
.
,
“
o ebbe th t I w , , a as a an .
I was illy s .
”
Yes ; you was

S he would not look t himbut h felt tha t he was
.
a s e
loo king t her re ding her condem

,
a ning her Hi ilence a s s
becam
, , .
e rucia ting And yet h d she re lly under

ex c a a
tood himshe would h ve known th t his he r t brim med

.
,
s , a a a
ove with t nderness th t the ppea l o f we kne s t

r e , a a a s o
t ength w irresistible th t the

s r as thi g which p a on e n re
ven ted himfromtaking her mll body int hi m

,
s s a o s ar
w asthe entre ty not to e cite h a x er .
She po ke first : s
S mn th s v d m
“
a a y life T hadoctor ys so a e e sa
solid f ct S m thy mde good

. .
It
’
s a a a an a
The f m ili r phr se smote her sensibilities H zel

. .
a a a . a
thought : He me ns th t I h ve not mde good Wil

“
a a a a
bur w inc p ble f uttering remrk so t ctle She

.
as a a o a a a ss .
slipped her h nd be e th the sheet signific nt h rin k

a n a a a s
i g fro mhis touch which he f iled to inte pret

,
n a r
S mnth h tes m George

.
—
a a a a e, .
She tole you th t ! a

”
Of course not I gu essed I don t bl me her I .

’
a .
think her perfectly wonderful She s ved m bec use

.
. a e, a
sh e loved you ”
How could he deny it ? The k nowledge mde him

.
c rlet Hot within d without

s a an
S m thy d hev done her best nyhow

. .
“ ’
a an a
Oh y ; but th is mkes it m uch more wonde ful

.
es a so r
She might h ve let m die

.
,
”
a e .
300
Sp r a gge s
’
Canyon
thing Do you suppo se Sa m a thy d t ke your lea vin s n
’
a
’
Geo rge I mtoo tir d too we k to rgue with you

.
“
a e a a
It h been a dre mthis pa st fortnight but I m wa ke

, , .
as a a a
Yo u my be right I mpoisoned ag inst Sp gge

.
,
—
a . a a ra s
Ca nyon a d your nch i youn ra s .

”
He ben t fo rw rd till his fa ce w clo e to her s

a as s
Is tha t your rea son ? he dem

.
a nded ge tly
“ ”
n .
She tem porized .
Rea son e ough surely ?

“
n ,
The only o
“
ne
N -
n no
-
Is there nother m
.
a ba ck 0 this ?
a n
’
Ha zel m a de no reply She had never given George .
c edit for perspic city believing with urb co ceit

r a an n
tha t r nchers were dull o f wit a d com

, , ,
a prehension They n
indeed mzingly sh ewd in reg rd to nything

.
a e
r , , a a r a a
which ff ects their own interests i difi t ther tha n

a n er en ra
stupid only a bout outside mtters

,
—
a
Tell me ! Is it Stocker
.
She d red not nswer Ca we bl m e her for hiding

—
a a n a
behind a womn s gre test bulw rk physic l i firmity

.
’
a a a a n .
She shuddered closed her eyes d l y perfectly sti ll

, , an a .
George rose to his feet

You h ve nswered m he m
.
“
a uttered
a e,
She he rd the door close behi d him

.
—
a n
He h d gone quietly out o f the ooma d out o f her

.
a r n
life !
A sigh o f relief fluttered fr omher lips .
D i sl ocation
In the kitchen he found his mother busy as usua l with

the simple ta sks which ha d brought happiness an d pea ce .
Insta ntly sh kn ew tha t a uptur e ha d taken pla e She

e r c
confronted fur ious m with ca lm com

.
a a
p a s sio a te n , n
eyes
She s no use f me m
.
“ ’
other er .
The words burst fromhis lips with devasta ting vio

,
lence Swiftly he continued

.
You left he a lo ne with tha t dud e tha t sli ck talker

“
r , .
I did
“
.
”
Wou ld he cu se he She was prepa red f o an ythingr r r
He fa ce h rde ed into a g imm

.
r ask ; the liken ess b e

a n r
tween thembecam e e trao rdin ry x a .
You
“
g la d ? are
”
I am ”
He m
.
oved a step nea r er igid with rage an d indign a , r
tion
nk I ma goin ter take this lyin down ?
.
D you th i
“ ’ ’ '
O
Do you think I m goin ter let an y wom a n foo l m

’
a e?
’
Is th t wh a t you thi k
a n
Psh w ! Go down o yer knees m

“
a y son an tha n k n
’
God beca u e a nother m

, ,
ha t ken a l oa d OE ye She ll
'
a s n s a
be a hea vy burden to himas she w s to you when you

.
, a
toted her down the cliff Yer strong Geo rge but yer .
, ,
n ot strong en o ugh to ca r y H zel Good ri ch Gl d ? Yes r a a
I amgl d I mso gl d tha t I feel like ta kin themra t

.
,
’ ’
a a
nto the chapa a l a d givin emtheir fr ee

.
tle s ba ck i
’ ’
r rr n
do m
D rastic tr eatm
.
ent th is ! T OO d rastic perhaps , .
You don t kn ow all he sai d sullen ly ht

“ “
ni
’
La s
’
, .
g
0
3 3
’
h l y in m m her ip qui k m eet m

—
s e y a ; l w a c t ar in e s s s o
She w m ine then l m

.
i e An ow hi I
’ ”
as l a n . n s
W l th t ought ter tu n ye stomch Git ut an

,
“ ’
a , a r r a . o ,
be ick ! Throw it up ! Git id o f it f r e e a ever

s r e v r n
’ ”
He nswered as g im
.
a ly a she : r s
I ll fi himfirst
“ ’
x .
How
You kin le ve tha t ter m a e
Ki I ? Not m uch It mke m e feel m m

.
n i ht
g y ean . a s
to hev to tell my son wh t ter do I e koned himbig a . r c
enough ter git long without p ppi f om wom a an ro n

’
r a .
”
Th t ll d
“
a
’
o .
No ; ye ll je t hev t hea r m ut Y u st n thar

’
s o e o . o a
’
with yer fi ts clenched m ost re dy to trike yer own

s ,
’
a s
mother Ye look big s b rn but ter m ye ve

. a a a , e
’
dwindled into a b by gen Y you hev I msorry a a . es,

’
fer ye George be a use it s the first tim

.
, e ye ve bin
, c
’ ’
b dly hu t but I thought y u wa s m enough ter take

a r , o an
the liki ye de erve c

”
n
’
s .
Th t be ts ll! D e ve! Thunder !

“
a a a ser
I mean it You tole H el Stole h f mthe . s az . er ro
pl ce wh r h belong b ught her here gen wh t j udg

a a s e s, ro a a
ment she my hev You thought in yer c nceit a a .

, o n
’
f ullih th t a pi dli pl nt like tha t d thrive in our

s ness. a s n n
’
a
’
bru h hill But h kn ow better th you m

s s
.
y so s e
n s an , .
If she mrried you tried t r li e here he d die wilt

a an
’
e v s
’
,
a w y She s bi m
a . ighty n r de th ence h kis ed
’
n ea a s s e s
you I wa clost ter death when I bore you G orge

. s , e ,
it open ed m eye I tell ye

’
a n y s, .
She p used noting the fi t o f he wo d Geo ge s

a e ec r r s. r
’
f ce r emined sullen an d im
,
a a p ssive but he perceived a , s
0
3 4
’
Presently s h grip wea kened he r i ed hi hea d

, a er , a s s
a d kissed her
n It bec me his turn to comfo rt d on
. a an c
so le He h d ot done so since his father s dea th

. a n
’
.
She ha d conquer ed .
C A H PTER XVII I
a mj n u sr n s rs r
'
CTOBER comes tip toe to Sp gg C nyon a - -

ra es
’
a ,
bringing with it gr c s d benedictions inste d a e an a
of equi o ti l g les The trong tr de wind ce s s to

n c a a s a a e
blow ; the fogs so frequent in summ

.
er rest upo the

, , n
oce n r th r th n the l nd The p stures

a a e ag r y d a a ar e a an
brown duri g the d y but in the e rly mor ing d l te

.
n a , a n an a
evening th y sh ine d shimmr with ll the ti ts of

e an e a n
the Op l gi i g promai e of th bl zing colors which the

v n s e a
r ins duly bri g forth It is holid y time for r nch rs

,
a n . a a e
who not d irymn The crops h v be h rvested ;

ar e a e . a e en a
the ground is too h rd to plow ; the ber y se on i a r as s
over ; th c ttle h ve been sold

e a a .
George loved the f ll of the ye r bec use he could a a , a
Spend long hours in the hills shooting qu il o on the a r
rocks below the condor s eyrie fishing for cod d p m

,
’
an o
p no hidden in the t ll t l w iting for the mll rd

,
a , or a a es a a a
and c nv s b k duck a a -
ac s
He h d p ssed through August d S pt m

.
a a ber lone an e e a
with hi mother for S mnth w w y visiting

s a a a as a a , a
mter l uncle in S Clemente She wished to g d

,
a na an . o , an
Mrs Sp gge w t wise to protest ltho gh the work

ra as oo a u
She my h ve h ped th t
. ,
of the house fell upon her a a o a
George would h ve mi sed S mnth but he did t

.
a s a a a, no
0
3 7
S p r a gge s Canyon ’
sa y so Indeed he s id little going bo ut his work in

.
, a ,
a
silence r rely seen in Aguil giving undivid d e ergies

, a a, e n
to building d n for the irrig ti g of the land below

a ar a n
th bridge
e
H z l mrried Wilbu r a t the end o f September The

.
a e a .
v nt w pa g phed in the S L
e e as T i
rab with ra an or enz o r une,
an editori l comment reminding re d rs of th p per

a , a e e a
th t Miss Goodrich h d been bitten by r tt lesn ke i

a a a a a n
S p gg
ra Ca nyon George rea d th t p r g ph fter
es
’
. a a a ra a
supper one evening d l ter smoking hi pipe while , an a , s
Mrs Sp gge sewed he s id bruptly :

ra a a
When is S m ing home ?

.
,
a thy com
“ ”
a n
D yo u w nt her to com
o e home Geo rge ? a ,
”
Why not he a sked with slight irrit tion a
Clem
.
M ebbe she s ha ppier S ente ’

rn an .
Does she write th t to you M w ? a , a

”
No ”
This is her home

.
Mrs Spr gge went on sewing George refilled his

a
pipe st ring t his mother who w looking older d

. .
,
a a , as an
gra yer
If she don t com e hom
.
“
e he s id curtly I reckon I
’
a
must eng ge hired girl

, ,
”
a a
N hired help fer m sa id his m

.
“
O e other
Then S m thy must com
.
,
e ba ck You w r ite her

a an . .
”
I hev .
Wh t she y a sa
She a i t nswered my letter n

’
a .
You g fetch her o .

”
She ll come ba ck when she s good a r ea dy

’ ’
n
’
.
The house seems lonesome without her .
M Spr gge looked up sh rply

rs . a a .
308
Sp r a gge s
’
C anyon
frown fo rm ed itself between his blue eyes ; he wa s un
able to meet her pl cid gl nce Obviously he did ot a a . n
know quite wh t he did mea n In her slow dr wling a a
s she s id with em
.
to ne ph sis : a a
It s like this m
“ ’
y s ; S m th y m y hev found in on a an a
Clemente wha t we c n t give young

,
S an h lthy a
’
a an
’
ea
womn ”
—
a .
F d wh t
“
o un a
A mte a
”
G org s f ce became insc ut ble a h r own She

.
’
e e a as r a s e .
continued
S m thy in t a fool Her hea d is level She i t

“ ’ ’
a an a . . a n
g to y hi
anghf lutin ide s I reckon she knows t
a h t God ’
e . a
Am
’
i h
g yt me nt her to be the m other 0 stron
a g h ppy ’
a
children And y m is m lookin into her

,
’
. an an , a s a an ,
he rt d k ow th t it w so She t her mind on you

a
’
n a as so
my son wormwood when

.
it must hev b i g ll
,
’ ’
fer her W l—
, an n a an
she found out th t ye d no th t s a

’
u se . a a
'
b ck t lk B fore she l ft Sp gg C nyon I tole her

a a e e ra e s
’
a
wh t I f lt bout it I sez tr ight : S m thy George

.
‘
a e a . s a a an
n t the o ly cl mon yer be ch

,
’
ai n a a .
You s id th t
“
a a
I did I ve seen a sight 0 wom

. en ti out thei
’ ’
ea n
’
r
he rts g wi old
a ugly
ro cross bec use they w s
n
’
an
’
an
’
, a a
fool e ough ter b li th r w only one m in the

,
’
s n ev e a as an
hull wide wo ld fer them I d be m i b l if S m thy

’ ’
r sa e a an
tho ght th t w y Y it s more n likely th t the child

.
’ ’
u a -
a -
a a s, a
st ys on in S Cl mente bec use Mr Right is tha r

.
a an e a .
,
an Mr Wrong is h re
’
e .
”
Mebbe s id George quietly: All the s me Mother

.
”
,
a a , ,
you g see St y over d y or two I ll ba ch it

o . a a a .
’
.
”
lf G org
“ ”
G y o er se , e e.
3 1 0
Rea dj u strn en t
No .
He went out of the room Mrs Spr gge llowed her . . a a
self to smile But soon the smile f ded d n iou

—
. a an an a x s
e pr ssion repl ced it G orge how could she doubt

x e a . e
it w nted to e p rim
-
a ent He wa not sure of himself x e . s .
Such e periment might be di trous for S mnth

an x sa s a a a,
c uelly unf ir to her

r a .
Neverthele fter nother week h d drifted by he ss a a a s
went to S Clemente an
Sm
.
anth areturned with her a .
There h d been no misunderstandings between them

a .
Bluntly Mrs Spr gge told the precise truth

,
. a .
I w nt ye child I miss ye sorely Yer m

“
a y wn
,o . .
d ughter
a you know it I d give my right h nd ter
, an
’
.
’
a
be ble ter y ho st th t George w nt d you He

a sa ,
ne , a a e .
my I dunno H t ken thi g h rd He s th t kind

a . . e s
’
a n s a .
’
a ,
an mdi ff erent I ve notion th t the

d I wouldn t hev h i
’
.
’
a a
boy d on t rightly know his own m ind but he misses you

’
round the house m —

,
a o st much I do W l ther ’
as as . a
’
it is ”
I ll come home s id S m
.
“ ’
a nth softly , a a a .
Her blooming a ppe r nce stonished a d di tressed a a a n s
G orge She h d fin d down She w we ring m

e . ore a
“
e .
”
as a
becoming clothes She h d al most urb n i She a an a a r .
slid into her ccustomed pl ce so e sily so smilingly

.
a a a , ,
th t George w s constr ined to mke invidious compa i

a a a a r
son s between her m e t l condition d his o w n a an n
T0 her so M s Spragge rem

.
a rked c su lly
n r . a a
3 xx
Sp r a g ge s
’
Ca nyon
Sa m thy folk h ted
an let her go I hope she
’
s s a to .
won t find it dull a fter that gay little town

’
Pshaw e cla im
.
“
ed Geo ge x r
The old life beg n aga in with the welcom

.
e ra ins a
G orge plowed d ha rowed an d cultivated f romda wn

.
e an r
till sunset Sam a ntha wen t back to her co ws

. d pigs an
a d po ultry
n
Winter cam
.
e ha dly ecogni ble in this la nd f per , r r za o
p
e tua l sp ing where the live r k a d the ch p rr l e -
oa n a a a r
min eter a lly green The nights t the days grew

,
a n no
cold In the open fireplace of the p rlo logs sm

.
, ,
. ouldered a r
till Geo ge piled o the fi cones A fte suppe they

r n r . r r
would sit f cing the he th t lking ove the i cident o f

a ar a r n s
the d y pla n ing f the m Such ta lk h d seem

,
a , o rrow n ed or . a
to H zel confoundingly dull It w never dull t the

a as o
S p gg s It str yed hither a d thither seldomlea ving

.
ra e a n
the r nch ; it h lted perpetua lly even s a creek m

. ,
a a ay , a
vanish to re ppe r bubbling j oyously fa rther down its

a a , ,
a ppointed ch nnel But obse er shrewder tha n H zel

a . an rv a
would h ve remrked th t the t lk however desulto y

a a a a , r ,
in dic ted purpo se a d desig ; it betra yed

a rtlessly the n n a
ai mo f ea ch spe ker the desi e d determi a tion to a r an n
profit by p st mist kes t re p the h rvest which sp ings

,
a a o a a r
f omeve recurring blunders q ickly recog ized a such

,
r r -
u n s
to try with i c edible p tience new m

,
ethods likely per

h ps to fa il in their turn d— above a ll—
, n r a ,
a the overpower an
eans to e ds o f m
,
i g necessity of da pting m
n a king b icks
a n , r
without stra w o f developing ll the resources o f a tiny a
world without seeking id fromo utside

,
a .
This is the vita l principle o f the West o r o f y new , an
country The civilization built upo n such laborious en

.
dea o sta nds upon solid rock

v r In fi e the ta lk which . n ,
3 1 2
Sp r a g ge s Ca nyon
’
tr eacher ous The pe ks of the Co st R nge fl ected him a a a a
i the sam e unform

.
n u l ted f shion Bey nd them he a a o as
k ew gro ned d trav iled a m

.
,
n , a ighty nation He e
an a r
membe ed some of H zel s phr ses which she h d used

.
’
r a a a
with telling efi t the g t up a d get the e gosp l ec

“
e n r e
Fu ti ely he gl nced t S m
.
,
r v a nth wondering at her

a a a a,
pl cidity w tching the g ntle ise a d f ll f her bosom

a a e r n a o
mrking her strong c p ble h nds the rich color

, ,
a , a a a , on
her h ks the so ft brooding eye Then he s id

c ec , , s . a
a b uptly :
r
Hazel w nted m
“
e to lea ve the ra nch
a
S mnth w st rtled ; sha rply she drew in her brea th

.
a a a as a
Yes ; I kn w
“
o
”
She s id it w t smll fer m H r notion was

.
a as oo a e e
th t m like me b ig
.
a a an strong ought ter cut an

’
a
wider sw th Wh t do you think bout th t S m thy

, ,
a . a a a , a an
He did not look t her ; he w a g zing t the house a s a a
below t the reek of smoke curling fromthe kitchen

a
chimey
,
She did ot nswer f o t lea st h lf m

.
n inute se
a r a a a ,
l ti g her words
ec n t of limited voc bul y Geo ge ou a a ar . r ,
she refl ted h d neve demnded her opinio n upon

ec a r a
mtters o f import nce It filled her with pride tha t he

,
a a .
should do so .
Ve y slowly she spoke

r
My j dgm t in t wuth m
“
e uch Geo rge en a
’
I ll tell ye this S m thy ; put it away fer keeps

.
,
“ ’
, a an .
Yer j edgm t counts conside ble with me It lw ys

—
en ra . a a
m
did count ; but it counts ore to d y th n ever You a a
m m
.
sa y t whou t s i yer ind An a ta ke ’
ye o w ti
n e ; .
’
r n
ye ne dn t to hur y
e
’
r
”
My j dgm t G orge is agen H el s She w sted

.
“ ’
e en , e , az . a
1
3 4
Readj u stmen t
goo d tim e thin kin o ut wh t you d ought te do a

yo u
’
a
’
r , n
’
d i je t wh t she d ought ter hev bin th i ki

’ ’ ’
w as o n s n a n
I ve not ch nged m
.
Th t s how I figured it t then

a
’
y ou , an
’ ’
a
mind y T my mind yer utti wider sw th here

an . o c n
’
a a
in the C nyon th n ye could anywheres el An if you

a a se
’
we t w y it seems t m th t ye might l ve the best

.
n a a o e a ea
p rt 0 y lf behind
a
’
er se .
”
Thunder ! Th t s h w I f el Say would you h te to

“
a
’
o e .
, a
le ve the C nyon ?
a a
”
She hesit ted blushi g

—
a n
I I got m ighty homesick in S Clemente

, .
“
an .
He seized her h nd g ipping it a r
I w nt you to st y in the C nyon S m thy with m

.
,
—
“
a e a a , a an , .
I I w nt you t be m wife ”
a y o
She vert d her f ce He s w th t she w s moved

.
a e a . a a a
a n d distressed Her voic qu vered oddly : e a
Lem me st nd up George l
.
“ ”
a ,
He relea sed her ising when she did They n r co
f onted ea ch other A sick ning doubt s iled him

.
,
r e a sa .
m He e cl imd p ssion tely

.
H d she cea sed t l ve hi

a ? o o x a e a a
I a in t lost ye hev I ? H zel s d d ter m S

“ ’
a
’
ea e, a
m
,
a thy but yer live a I w nt you to live yer life ’

n a n a
with m a t help m
, ,
e live mine here wh r we both

’
e, n o , a
belong ”
She murmured ga spingly

.
W it Yo tole m t I w the g ods

“
a . u e on c as o .
By thunde you i r, a r .
”
I in t I m wicked girl I come mighty nea r let

a
’
.
’
a .
tin Hazel die

’ ”
He w s utterly c nfounded remem

.
a bering wha t H zel o , a
ha d s id d rem
a embe ing lso hi reply
, an r a s .
I don t believe it
“ ’
.
Sp r a ggc s C anyon
’
It s true I didn t go to her when I hea rd her

’ ’
scream I stood w t hi her when she l y ll f a he p

.
’
a c n a a O a
in the h llway I h te ter tell it but I m

.
a ust Ther w a as
bla ck m urder in m
.
, .
y hea rt .
Her tone ca rried c nviction Geo rge th ust out his o . r
chin sta ing keenly into h eyes The he s id sha rply

, r er n a
I me nt t kill th t Stocker
.
“
a er a .
Oh Geo rge ; I w , it to dea th y u would a s sca r o
W you Did y u love m

.
e the less fer tha t ?

"
as o
I dunno a I did s
”
If I had killed him a if I d got o ff would you

.
’ ’
n
hev tu ned fromm

, ,
”
e? r
I dunno a I would
“ ’
s
You i the goods ! I feel mean

.
smll beside ye ’
—
a r an a .
You s ved H zel a by God ! ye ve s ved me I w nt

a a n
’ ’
a a
m
, ,
m
.
you now h rder I ever w nted her aI d fer ye ’

n a
’
a
S m thy Ther in t bit O m

.
,
a an y body
. o s o ul th t i t a
’
a
’
r a a n
’
yours An I w nt a ll o f you
.
’
a .
”
It in t pity
“
a
’
Pity He seized her h nd an d th rust it ga in st his

“
a a
hea t which w s th obbing fu io usly She looked up

r a r r
into his e ger eyes a d smiled

.
,
a n .
“
NO she s id softly It in t pity
,
”
a .
“
a
’
.
They g zed at e ch othe hungrily Geo ge laughed

a a r . r ,
an d his l ugh w s go od to he r a a a
One m ore If to night I took m

.
“
y g un a r obbed a -
n
’
ld you chuck m
.
, , ,
st ge wou
a , e
George y
“
er
I mde d serious I wa nt te know If I stole c ttl e

,
“ ’
a r a
horses would you chuck me ? No flim fl m mi ! You

. .
’ ’
an ,
a n
a nswer
If you w nted m
“
e I should w nt yo u a , a .
3 1 6
Sp r a g gc s C anyon
’
M rs Sp gg h nds l y idle up n h mple l p

. ra es
’
a a o er a a .
Although she t upright still stro g h lthy wo mn

sa a n ea a
with mny ye r of life he d h ttitude i di ted b

, , ,
a a s a a er a n ca su
missio
,
t qui te in keeping with

n , no ctive domi nt an a na
person lity a
She w com
.
puting g ins d lo e Such i t p

as a an ss s n r o s ec
tion is e with m d wom

.
ra r en wh work h rd f en an o a or
other M Spr gge h d lw y worked h rd t king

s . rs . a a a a s a , a
pride in her work bec use it w s d e thoroughly But a a on .
the time w t h d when she would h ve to do l

as a an a ess
an d think m or Joint were stiff ening ; fi ge were

e . s n rs
losi g their de te ity ; a long da y w shing ti ed her ’

n x r s a r
g rievously .
Soo n she m ust becom e looke o n a r -

.
Wh t would the e be t look t ?

a r o a
So rowfully she w ende voring t resign hers lf to

r , as a o e
the b ndonmnt of hope to her in bility to imp se h

a a e , a o er
will upon other George d S mnth were de chil s . an a a a ar
d e ; she w fortun te indeed in such posse sion ;

r n as a , , a s
b ut they would remin brother d sister a an .
Her com mo sense volted ga in t the enfo c d celi

n i re a s r e -
b cy f m d w mn o fitt d t come tog ther

a o a an an o a s e o e .
Wh t il d th m? How o ften h h d asked th t ques

a a e e s e a a
tion !
Sp ing s ddened her F m
r ili r ight a d ound s e
a a a s s n s x
womn who had ne er perhap re lized how

.
a sper teda a a v , s, a
sensitive she w to them A clucking h as bustli gly . en , n
p cl imi g th l ying f first gg p k d t her

ro a n e a o a e , ee e a
ner es T h b ds the ose bu he the colors the

v e u on r s s, on
hills the m ic of the tu mid creek becam

.
,
us e insi tent over , s ,
pow i g
er n .
3 1 8
Readj u stment
She ga ed cross the oce n
z a a
Within h lf m i le f her gre t steam

.
a e wa speed
a o a a r s
ig outh
n s The sm oke poured bla ck fromth f un e
t beca m
.
n els ; then i e g ay ; fin lly it dis olved into the r a s
blue
Spr gge sighed H bl ck hum
.
M rs. a or would di . er a s s
so lve a l o She w s foolish to sit idly here with folded

s . a
h nds sp cu lating upon the future She could go o

a e . n
wo rking till she dropped

eyes followed the ste me till it beca m
.
H er e f int a r a a
blur upon the f hor izon Thinking o f the m a d ar en n
wom
.
en o bo rd the het rogeneous c owd tr veling to

n a ,
e r a
str nge l nds d new a ctivitie her m

a a ind focused itsel f
an s,
upon Sp gg Ca nyon She rejoiced bec use he w

ra es
’
. a s as
no t in the ste m e A fter ll th t had been her im

a r. mense a , a
g o o d fortune She h d help d to ma k e a ho m e ; in th a t a e
ho m e she would die when her time ca m

.
e Th t at le t . a , as ,
seem ed cert in Geo ge would dig he g ve d she

—
a . r r ra , an
would lie down be ide her hu ba nd d childre an d s s an n
re ts
ng el e the issue beyond a m

.
Everythi other s co ntrol

’
s , s ,
lay with G d o .
She r ose stiffly ot turning h he d lo king a t the n er a , o
la gest O f the five green mounds Church g ing is t

,
r .
-
o no
a synonymf o religion with tho se who dw ll in the

r e
wilderness M Bung rd inc rely believed M s

. r s. a s e r .
Spragge to be a p gan bec use the r re occ ions a a on a as
inister o f the gospel ca m

,
when m e to Aguil the

s a
S p gg remined i their Ca nyon And y t i the p o

ra es a n e n r
religi us womn if religion

.
,
foundest sen e h w s s e as a o a ,
p rt f omdogm a m
, ,
a a r ay be defined as the r ecog iti on o f

, n
1
3 9
Sp r a gge s
’
Ca nyon
a divin e fo ce permea ting life an d e a cting fromlife
r x
loyalty an d reverence .
She k elt down p ying f o str ength to bea r her bur

n , ra r
den s pa tiently
When she got up fromher knees she beheld the lovers
.
silen tly awa iting her .

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CON T EN T S

Sun Fxsn xuc

AMANT HA S hea r t began to beat fur iou sly as she

looked upwa r d Upon the sta rk f ce o f the cliﬁ a a

m was clim bing slowly su rmounting the obsta cles

which l y between hima d a co do s eyr ie Above

e aci g beaks a d ta lons swooped the huge

onstrous t o nly in si e d str en gth but

shudde ingly e i l i ppea ra nce bl ck aga inst the a ure

sky th g ea t vultu res o f Ca lifor nia huge a the condor s

d m uch mre ra r e The girl followed

thei r ﬂight with g ay eyes dim med by tea r s f o the im

pending per il to the clim

be ha d clea red her in war d r

She r ea lized tha t she lo ed Geo ge Spragge as the pos v r

po sition upo n a sha r p po int o f rock wa no e too secure s n .

Two hundred feet below su rged the P ciﬁc The g ea t a r

com bers seem

ed to be r oa ri g like wild beasts hun g y n r

kelp overed r ocks dva ncing thunderously r etrea ting

with st a nge mea i g d hissings Sam

do wn seeking the e ct spot where Geo rge would fa ll if

the bl ck de ils swooped

With lia nt eﬁo t she llied her fa iling ene gies

telling herself that neither the devils bo ve nor the deep a

s ea belo w wo uld dest oy thi s stro ng m in whose r an ,

str ngth she e ulted io tously

Beholding her at this moment you would h ve sa id , a

tha t she wa bea utiful a true d ughter o f the wilder

ness m o e a da ughter o f the West ﬁt to be the om

c o sed the pl ins b ving dea th hourly death from

sta tion o drought dea th fromwild beast dea th from

India ns cr ueler th n wild beasts a

She was built upo a noble pla a big wom

of hip a d shoulder full bre sted such a o

ha ve deligh ted the eyes o f th f ther o f the grea t Fred e a

e ick ever seeki g ﬁne mothe s f o ﬁne m

H r fa ce in repo se ha d a bovine pla cidity Her g ay

eyes set a thought too f a r apa rt conveyed the im

hereto fore she ha d p cticed the ra re fac ulty of observa ra

tio ther than the fem

a clea r ed brown ; her h ir h d been blea ched by wi

an d su to the tint of d y bunch gra ss

a sses a bo ut h hea d She h d taken o ff a ﬂap er a

pi g linen sunbo nnet so tha t she could see every m

One o f the huge birds swooped Sam

cry o f wa ning But Ge rge w rea dy He rried a

sho rt thick stick The condor seem ed to m iss the m

o tionl ess wings the two ultu res co ntinued

their ci cling ﬂight r .

The climber w ppro ching the y ie which held as a a e r

two young birds grea t msses o f ﬂu ff fromwhich pro

the most difﬁcult p rt o f the a ent pa rtly b ca use the a sc e

s rpentine rock wa smooth an d slippe y but more e

jutting sl b in which lay stre ks o f j p

ent loo king down

n z ied iety in her g ay eye H r voice ﬂoa ted to

He frowned d set his j w ou h aﬁ g reply

Wom t m were like

th t poor thi g l They g t c red when

with big bst le He rem em

mother br ve womn t o h d told himwhen he w

child sto ies o f th t amzing j urney c oss th pl in