``MuchfasterthanIexpected，’’saidtheHarvester。

``Youaresurprisingallofus，memostofany。Ruth，youalmostmakemehopethatyouregardthisashome。

Honey，youarethinkingalittleofmethesedays？’’

Thehandthathadfallenfromhishairlayonhisshoulder。Nowitslidaroundhisneck，andgrippedhimwithallitsstrength。

``Heapsandheaps！’’shesaid。``AllIgetachanceto，forbeingbotheredandfussedover，andeverlastinglyreadmushystuffthat’sintendedforsomeoneelse。

Pleasetakemetotheverandanow；Iwanttotellyousomething。’’

Hisheadswam，buttheHarvestersethisfeetfirmly，arose，andcarriedhisDreamGirlbacktooutdoorlife。

Whenhereachedthechair，shebeggedhimtogoafewstepsfarthertothebenchonthelakeshore。

``Iamafraid，’’saidtheman。

``It’ssowarm。Therecan’tbeanydifferenceintheair。Justaminute。’’

TheHarvesterpushedopenthescreen，wenttothebench，andseatinghimself，drewthecovercloselyaroundher。

``Don’tspeakawordforalongtime，’’hesaid。``Justrest。IfItireyoutoomuchandspoileverything，I

willbedesperate。’’

Heclaspedhertohim，laidhischeekagainstherhair，andhislipsonherforehead。Heheldherhandandkisseditoverandover，andagainhewatchedandcouldfindnoresentment。Thecool，pungentbreezesweptfromthelake，andthevoicesofwildlifechatteredattheirfeet。Sometimesthewaterfolkssplashed，whileabigblackandgoldbutterflymistooktheGirl’sdarkhairforaperchingplaceandsettledonit，slowlyopeningitswonderfulwings。

``Liequietly，Girl，’’whisperedtheHarvester。``Youarewearingalivingjewel，anornamentaboveprice，onyourhair。Maybeyoucanseeitwhenitgoes。There！’’

``OhIdid！’’shecried。``HowIloveithere！BeforelongmayIlieinthedining-roomwindowawhilesoI

canseethewater。Ilikethehill，butIlovethelakemore。’’

``Nowifyoujustwouldloveme，’’saidtheHarvester，``youwouldhaveallMedicineWoodsinyourheart。’’

``Don’thurrymeso！’’saidtheGirl。``Yougavemeayear；andit’sonlyafewweeks，andI’venotbeenmyself，andI’mnotnow。Imustn’tmakeanymistake，andallIknowforsureisthatIwantyoumost，andIcanrestbestwithyou，andImissyoueveryminuteyouaregone。Ithinkthatshouldsatisfyyou。’’

``Thatwouldbeenoughforanyreasonableman，’’

saidtheHarvesterangrily。``Forgiveme，Ruth，Ihavebeencruel。Iforgothowfrailandweakyouare。ItishavingHarmonherethatmakesmeunnatural。Italmostdrivesmetofrenzytoknowthathemaytakeyoufromme。’’

``Thensendhimaway！’’

``SENDHIMAWAY？’’

``Yes，sendhimaway！Iamtiredtodeathofhispoetry，andseeinghimspoonaround。Sendbothofthemawayquickly！’’

TheHarvestergulped，blinked，andsurreptitiouslyfeltforherpulse。

``Oh，I’venotdevelopedfeveragain，’’shesaid。``I’mallright。Butitmustbeafearfulexpensetohavebothofthemherebytheweek，andI’msotiredofthem，Grannysaysshecantakecareofmejustaswell，andthegirlwhohelpshercancook。Noonebutyoushallliftme，ifIdon’tgetmynoseOutuntilIcanwalkaloneBothofthemareperfectlyuseless，andI’dmuchratheryou’dsendthemaway。’’

``There，there！Ofcourse！’’saidtheHarvestersoothingly。``I’lldoitassoonasIpossiblydare。Youdon’tunderstand，honey。Youareyetdelicatebeyondmeasure，internally。Thefeverburnedsolong。Everymorselyoueatismeasuredandcookedinsterilizedvessels，andI’dbescaredofmylifetohavethegirlundertakeit。’’

``Whysheisdoingitstraightalongnow！SheandGranny！Mollyisn’toutofDoctorHarmon’ssightlongenoughtocookanything。Grannysaysthereis`alotofbuncombeaboutwhattheydo，andsheisgoingtotellthemsorighttotheirteethsomeofthesedays，iftheybadgerhermuchmore，’andIwishshewould，andyou，too。’’

TheHarvestergatheredtheGirltohiminonecrushingbearhug。

``FortheloveofHeaven，Ruth，youdrivemecrazy！

Answermejustonequestion。Whenyoutoldmethatyou`adoredandworshipped’DoctorHarmon，didyoumeanit，orwasthatthedeliriumoffever？’’

``Idon’tknowWHATItoldyou！IfIsaidI`adored’

him，itwasthetruth。Idid！Ido！Ialwayswill！

SodoIadoretheAlmighty，butthat’snosignIwanthimtoreadpoetrytome，andbearoundallthetimewhenIamwildforaminutewithyou。IcanworshipDoctorHarmoninChicagoorOnabashaquiteaswell。

Firehim！Ifyoudon’t，Iwill！’’

``GoodLord！’’criedtheHarvester，helplessuntiltheGirlhadtoclingtohimtopreventrollingfromhisnervelessarms。``Ruth，Ruth，willyoufeelmypulse？’’

``No，Iwon’t！Butyouaregoingtodropme。Takemestraightbacktomybeautifulnewbed，andsendthemaway。’’

``Aminute！Givemeaminute！’’gaspedtheHarvester。``Icouldn’tliftababyjustnow。Ruth，dear，I

thoughtyouLOVEDtheman。’’

``Whatmadeyouthinkso？’’

``Youdid！’’

``Ididn’teither！IneversaidIlovedhim。IsaidIwasunderobligationstohim；buttheyareaswellrepaidastheyevercanbe。IsaidIadoredhim，andI

tellyouIdo！Givehimwhatweowehim，bothofus，inmoney，andsendthemaway。Ifyou’dseenasmuchofthemasIhave，you’dbetiredofthem，too。Please，please，David！’’

``Yes，’’saidtheHarvester，arisinginasuddentideofeffulgentjoy。``Yes，Girl，justasquicklyasIcanwithdecency。I——I’llsendthemonthelake，andI’lltakecareofyou。’’

``Youwon’treadpoetrytome？’’

``Iwillnot。’’

``Youwon’tmoonatme？’’

``No！’’

``Thenhurry！Buthavethemtakeyourboat。Iamgoingtohavethefirstrideinmine。’’

``Indeedyouare，andsoon，too！’’saidtheHarvester，marchingupthehillasifhewereleadinghoststobattle。

HelaidtheGirlonthebedandcoveredher，andcalledGrannyMorelandtositbesideherafewminutes。Hewentintothegoldgardenandproposedthatthedoctorandthenursegorowinguntilsuppertime，andtheywentwithalacrity。WhentheystartedhereturnedtotheGirland，sittingbesideher，hetoldGrannytotakeanap。Thenhebegantotalksoftlyallaboutwildmusic，andhowitwasmade，andwhatthedifferentodourssweepingdownthehillwere，andwhentheredleaveswouldcome，andthenutsrattledown，andthefrostfairiesenamelthewindows，andsoonshewassoundasleep。

Grannycameback，andtheHarvesterwalkedaroundthelakeshoretobealoneawhileandthinkquietly，forhewasalmosttoodazedandbewilderedforfullrealization。

Ashesoftlyfollowedthefootpathheheardvoices，andlookingdown，hesawtheboatlyingintheshadeandbeneathabigtreeonthebanksatthedoctorandthenurse。Hisarmwasaroundher，andherheadwasonhisshoulder；andshesaidverydistinctly，``Howlongwillitbeuntilwecangowithoutoffendinghim？’’

CHAPTERXIX

AVERTICALSPINE

BymiddleSeptemberthelasttraceofillnesshadbeenremovedfromthepremises，anditwasrapidlydisappearingfromthefaceandformoftheGirl。Shewasshowingabeautifulroundness，therewaslovelycolouronhercheeksandlips，andinherdarkeyessparkledatouchofmischief。Rigidlyshefollowedtheruleslaiddownfordietandexercise，andasstrengthflowedthroughherbody，andnotraceofpaintormentedher，shebeganrevellinginnewanddelightfulsensations。Shelovedtopullherboatasshewilled，driveoverthewoodroad，studythebooks，cookthenewdishes，rearrangefurniture，andgowiththeHarvestereverywhere。

Butthatwasgreatlythemanagementoftheman。

HewassoafraidthatsomethingmighthappentoundoallthewondersaccomplishedintheGirl，andagainwhitenherfacewithpain，thathescarcelyallowedheroutofhissight。Heremainedinthecabin，helpingwhensheworked，andthendrovewithherandabigblankettothewoods，arrangedherchairandtable，foundsomeattractivesubject，andwhilethewindravelledherhairandflushedhercheeks，herfingersdrewdesigns。Atnoontheywenttothecabintolunch，andtheGirltookanap，whiletheHarvesterspreadhismorning’sreapingontheshelvestodry。Theyreturnedtothewoodsuntilfiveo’clock；thenhomeagainandtheGirldressedandpreparedsupper，whiletheHarvesterspreadhisstoresandfedthestock。Thenheputonwhiteclothingfortheevening。TheGirlrestedwhilehewashedthedishes，andtheyexploredthelakeinthelittlemotorboat，ordrovetothecityforsupplies，ortoseetheirfriends。

``Areyouevenwithyourusualworkatthistimeoftheyear？’’sheaskedastheysatatbreakfast。

``Iam，’’saidtheHarvester。``Theonlythingsthathavebeencrowdedoutarethecandlesticks。Theywillhavetoremainontheshelfuntiltheherbsandrootsareallin，andthelongwintereveningscome。ThenI’llusethelunapatternandfinishyoursfirstofall。’’

``Whatareyougoingtodoto-day？’’

``Startonaregularfallcampaign。Someofitforthesakeofhavingit，andsomebecausethereisgoodmoneyinit。Willyoucome？’’

``Indeedyes。MayIhelp，orshallItakemydrawingalong？’’

``Bringyourdrawing。Nextfallyoumayhelp，butasyetyouaretooclosesufferingformetoseeyoudoanythingthatmightbeevenaslightrisk。Ican’tendureit。’’

``Baby！’’shejeered。

``Christenmeanythingyouplease，’’laughedtheHarvester。``I’mshortonnamesanyway。’’

HewenttoharnessBetsy，andtheGirlwashedthedishes，straightenedtherooms，andcollectedherdrawingmaterial。Thenshewalkedupthehill，wearingashirtandshortskirtofkhaki，stoutshoes，andastrawhatthatshadedherface。Sheclimbedintothewagon，laidthedrawingboxontheseat，andcaughtthelinesastheHarvesterflungthemtoher。Hewentswingingahead，Belshazzartoheel，theGirldrivingafter。Thewhitepigeonscircledabove，andeverydayAjaxallowedhiscuriositytoovercomehistemper，andfollowedalittlefarther。

``Whoa，Betsy！’’TheGirltuggedatthelines；butBetsytookthebitbetweenherteeth，andploddedaftertheHarvester。Shepulledwithallhermight，butherstrengthwasnotnearlysufficienttostopthestubbornanimal。

``Whoa，David！’’criedtheGirl。

``Whatisit？’’theHarvesterturned。

``Won’tyoupleasewaituntilIcantakeoffmyhat？

Ilovetoridebareheadedthroughthewoods，andBetsywon’tstopuntilyoudo，nomatterhowhardIpull。’’

``Betsy，you’renolady！’’saidtheHarvester。``Whydon’tyoustopwhenyou’retold？’’

``Ishan’twasteanymorestrengthonher，’’saidtheGirl。``HereafterIshallsay，`Gee，David，’`Haw，David，’

`Whoa，David，’andthenshewilldoexactlyasyou。’’

TheHarvesterstoppedhalfwayupthehill，andbesidealarge，shadedbedspreadtherug，andsetupthelittletableandchairfortheGirl。

``Wantaplanttodraw？’’heasked。``Thisisveryimportanttous。Ithasastringofnamesaslongasaprincess，butIcallitgoldenseal，becausetherootsareyellow。Thechemistsaskforhydrastis。Thatsoundsformidable，butit’sacousinofbuttercups。ThewoodsofOhioandIndianaproducethefinestthatevergrew，butitissonearlyextinctnowthatthetradecanbesuppliedbycultivationonly。IsuspectI’mresponsibleforitsdisappearancearoundhere。Iusedtogetadollarfiftyapound，andmostofmyclothesandbookswhenaboyIowetoit。NowIgettwoformyfinestgrade；

thataccountsforthesizeofthesebeds。’’

``It’spretty！’’saidtheGirl，studyingaplantaveragingafootinheight。Onaslender，round，purplishstemaroseonebig，roughleaf，heavilyveined，andhavingfromfivetoninelobes。Oppositewasasimilarleaf，butverysmall，andaheadofscarletberriesresemblingabigraspberryinshape。TheHarvestershooktheblackwoodssoilfromtheyellowroots，andhelduptheplant。

``Youwon’tenjoytheodour，’’hesaid。

``WellIliketheleaves。IknowIcanusethemsomeway。Theyaresounusual。Whatwonderfulcolourintheroots！’’

``OneofitsnamesisIndianpaint，’’explainedtheHarvester。``Probablyitfurnishedthesquawsofthesewoodswithcolouringmatter。Nowlet’sseewhatwecangetoutofit。YoudrawtheplantandI’lldigtheroots。’’

ForatimetheGirlbentoverherworkandtheHarvesterwasbusy。Belshazzarrangedthewoodschasingchipmunks。Thebirdscameaskingquestions。Whenthedrawingwascompleted，othersubjectswerefoundateveryturn，andtheGirltalkedalmostconstantly，herfacealivewithinterest。TheMay-applebedslayclose，andshedrewfromthem。Shelearnedtheusesandpricesoftheplant，andalsomadedrawingsofcohosh，moonseedandbloodroot。Thatwassowonderfulinitsrootcolour，theHarvesterfilledthelittlecupwithwaterandshebegantopaint。Intenselyabsorbedshebentabovethebig，notched，silveryleavesandtheblood-redroots，testingandtryingtomatchthemexactly。EveryfewminutestheHarvesterleanedoverhershouldertoseehowshewasprogressingandtooffersuggestions。Whenshefinishedshepickedupatrailingvineofmoonseed。

``Youhavethisontheporch，’’shesaid。``Ithinkitislovely。Thereisnoendtothebeautifulcombinationsofleaves，andthesearesuchprettylittlegrape-likeclusters；butifyoutouchthemtheslightestyousoilthewonderfulsurface。’’

``Andthatmakesthefairiesverysad，’’saidtheHarvester。``Theylovethatvinebestofany，becausetheypaintitsfruitwiththemostcare。`Bloom’thescientistscallit。Youseeitoncultivatedplums，grapes，andapples，butneverinanysuchperfectionasonmoonseedandblackhawsinthewoods。Youshouldbeabletodesignanumberofprettythingsfromthecohoshleavesandberries，too。Youscarcelycangetastartthisfall，butearlyinthespringyoucanbegin，andfollowtheseason。Ifyourworkcomesoutwellthiswinter，I’llsendsomeofittothebigpublishinghouses，andyoucanmakebookandmagazinecoversanddecorations，ifyouwouldlike。’’

```IfIwouldlike！’Howmodest！YouknowperfectlywellthatifIcouldmakeadesignthatwouldbeaccepted，andusedonabookormagazine，Iwouldalmostfly。OhdoyousupposeIcould？’’

``Idon’t`suppose’anythingaboutit，Iknow，’’saidtheHarvester。``Itisnotpossiblethatthepubliccanbeanymoretiredofwildroses，golden-rod，andswallowsthanthepoorarteditorswhoacceptthembecausetheycan’thelpthemselves。Danglesomethingfreshandnewundertheirnosesandseethemsnap。ThenexttimeIgotoOnabashaI’llgetyousomepopularmagazines，andyoucancomparewhatisbeingusedwithwhatyouseehere，andjudgeforyourselfhowgladtheywouldbeforachange。Andpotteries，artsandcraftsshops，andwallpaperfactories，they’dbecrazyforthedesignsIcouldfurnishthem。Asformoney，there’smoreinitthantheherbs，ifIonlycoulddraw。’’

``Icandothat，’’saidtheGirl。``Trailthevineandgivemeanideahowtoscaleit。I’lljustmakestudiesnow，andthiswinterI’llconventionalizethemandworkthemintopatterns。Won’tthatbefun？’’

``That’smorethanfun，Ruth，’’saidtheHarvestersolemnly。``Thatiscreation。ThattouchestheprovincesoftheAlmighty。ThatistakingHisunknownwondersandmakingthemintopleasureandbenefitforthousands，nottomentionfillingyourfacewithawedivine，andlightingyoureyeswithinterestandambition。

Thatislife，Ruth。Youarebeginningtoliverightnow。’’

``Isee，’’saidtheGirl。``Iunderstand！Iam！’’

``Yougetyoursubjectsnow。WhentheharvestisoverI’llshowyouwhatIhaveinmyhead，andbeforeChristmasthefunwillbegin。’’

``Whatnext？’’

``Sketchasarsaparillaplantandthisyamvine。Itgrowsonyourverandatoo——therattlebox，youremember。Theleavesandseedingarrangementsarewonderful。Youcandoanynumberofthingswiththem，andallwillbenew。’’

Hecalledherattentiontoandbroughthersamplesofgingerleaves，Indianhemp，queen-of-the-meadow，cone-flower，burdock，baneberry，andIndianturnip，asheharvestedtheminturn。WhentheycametothelargebedsoforangepleurisyroottheGirlcriedoutwithpleasure。

``Wewilltakeitsprosaicfeaturesfirst，’’saidtheHarvester。``Itisgoodmedicineandworthhandling。

Forgetthat！TheBirdWomancallsitbutterflyflower。

That’sbetter。Nowtrytoanalyzeasinglebloomofthisgaudymass，andyouwillseewhythere’spoetrycoming。’’

HekneltbesidetheGirl，separatingthebloomsandpointingouttheirmarvellouscolourandconstruction。

Sheleanedagainsthisshoulder，andwatchedwithbreathlessinterest。Ashisbareheadbroughtitsmopofdampwind-rumpledhairclose，sheranherfingersthroughit，andwithherhandkerchiefwipedhisforehead。

``SometimesIalmostwishyou’dgetsick，’’shesaidirrelevantly。

``Inthenameofcommonsense，why？’’demandedtheHarvester。

``Ohitmustbebornintheheartofawomantowanttomothersomething，’’answeredtheGirl。``IfeelsometimesasifIwouldliketotakecareofyou，asifyouwerealittlefellow。David，Iknowwhyyourmotherfoughttomakeyouthemanshedesired。Youmusthavebeencharmingwhensmall。Icanshutmyeyesandjustseetheboyyouwere，andIshouldhavelovedyouasshedid。’’

``HowaboutthemanIam？’’inquiredtheHarvesterpromptly。``Anyleaningstowardhimyet，Ruth？’’

``It’sgettingworserandworsereverydayandhour，’’

saidtheGirl。``Idon’tunderstanditatall。Iwouldn’ttrytolivewithoutyou。Idon’twantyoutoleavemysight。EverythingyoudoisthewayIwouldhaveit。

Nothingyoueversayshocksoroffendsme。I’dlovetorenderyouanypersonalservice。Iwanttotakeyouinmyarmsandhugyoutighthalfadozentimesadayasarewardforthekindandlovelythingsyoudoforme。’’

AdullredflameduptheneckandoverthefaceoftheHarvester。Onearmliftedtothechairback，theotherdroppedacrossthetablesothattheGirlwasalmostencircled。

``Fortheloveofmercy，Ruth，whyhaven’tIhadahintofthisbefore？’’hecried。

``Yousaidyou’dhateme。Yousaidyou’ddropmeintothedeepestpartofthelakeifIdeceivedyou；andifIhavetotellthetruth，why，thatisallofit。Ithinkitisnonsenseaboutsomewonderfulfeelingthatisgoingtotakepossessionofyourheartwhenyouloveanyone。

IloveyousomuchI’dgladlysuffertosaveyoupainorsorrow。Buttherearenothrills；it’sjuststeady，sober，commonsensethatIshouldloveyou，andIdo。Whycan’tyoubesatisfiedwithwhatIcangive，David？’’

``Becauseit’shusksandashes，’’saidtheHarvestergrimly。``Youdrivemetodesperation，Ruth。Iamalmostwildforyourlove，butwhatyouoffermeisplain，straightaffection，nothingmore。Thereisn’tatraceofthefeelingthatshouldexistbetweenmanandwifeinit。

Somemenmightbesatisfiedtobeyourhusband，andberegardedasafatherorbrother。Iamnot。Theredbirddidn’twantasister，Ruth，hewasaskingforamate。

SoamI。That’sasplainasIknowhowtoputit。

Thereissomewaytoawakenyouintoaliving，lovingwoman，and，pleaseGod，I’llfindityet，butI’mslowaboutit；there’snoquestionofthat。Neveryoumind！

Don’tworry！SomeofthesedaysIhavefaithtobelieveitwillsweepyouasatidesweepstheshore，andthenI

hopeGodwillbegoodenoughtoletmebewhereyouwilllandinmyarms。’’

TheGirlsatlookingathimbetweennarrowedlids。

Suddenlyshetookhisheadbetweenherhands，drewhisfacetohersanddeliberatelykissedhim。Thenshedrewawayandsearchedhiseyes。

``There！’’shechallenged。``Whatisthematterwiththat？’’

TheHarvester’scolourslowlyfadedtoasicklywhite。

``Ruth，youtrymealmostbeyondhumanendurance，’’

hesaid。```What’sthematterwiththat？’’’Hearose，steppedback，foldedhisarms，andstaredather。```What’sthematterwiththat？’’’herepeated。``NeverwasIsosorelytemptedinallmylifeasIamnowtolietoyou，andsaythereisnothing，andtakeyouinmyarmsandtrytoawakenyoutowhatImeanbylove。ButsupposeIdo——andfail！Thencomestheagonyofslowenduranceforme，andthepossibilitythatanydayyoumaymeetthemanwhocanarouseinyouthefeelingsI

cannot。Thatwouldmeanmyoathbroken，andmyheartaswell；whilesoonyouwoulddislikemebeyondtolerance，even。Idarenotriskit！Thematteris，thatwasthelovingcaressofaten-year-oldgirltoabigbrothersheadmired。That’sall！Notmuch，butamightybigdefectwhenitisofferedastrongmanasfuelonwhichtofeedconsumingpassion。’’

``Consumingpassion，’’repeatedtheGirl。``Davidyouneverlie，andyouneverexaggerate。Doyouhonestlymeanthatthereissomething——oh，thereis！

Icanseeit！Youarereallysuffering，andifIcometoyou，andtrymybesttocomfortyou，you’llonlycallitbabyaffectionthatyoudon’twant。David，whatamIgoingtodo？’’

``Youaregoingtothecabin，’’saidtheHarvester，``andcookusabigsupper。Iamdreadfullyhungry。I’llbealongpresently。Don’tworry，Ruth，youareallright！Thatkisswaslovely。Tellmethatyouarenotangrywithme。’’

Hereyeswerewetasshesmiledathim。

``Ifthereisabiggerbrutethanamananywhereonthefootstool，Ishouldliketomeetit，’’saidtheHarvester，``andseewhatitappearslike。Goalong，honey；I’llbethereassoonasIload。’’

Hedrovetothedry-house，washedandspreadhisreapingonthebigtrays，fedthestock，dressedinthewhiteclothingandenteredthekitchen。ThattheGirlhadbeencryingwasobvious，butheoverlookedit，helpedwiththework，andthentheytookaboatride。

Whentheyreturnedheproposedthatsheshouldselectherfavouritelikenessofhermother，andthenexttimehewenttothecityhewouldtakeitwithhis，andordertheenlargementshehadplanned。Tosavecarryingalightedlampintotheclosethebroughtherlittletrunktotheliving-room，wheresheopeneditandhuntedthepictures。Therewereseveral，andallofthemwereofayoung，elegantlydressedwomanofgreatbeauty。TheHarvesterstudiedthemlong。

``Whowasshe，Ruth？’’heaskedatlast。

``Idon’tknow，andIhavenodesiretolearn。’’

``CanyouexplainhowthegirlhererepresentedcametomarryabrotherofHenryJameson？’’

``Yes。Iwaspasttwelvewhenmyfathercamethelasttime，andIrememberhimdistinctly。IfUncleHenrywereproperlyclothed，heisnotabadmaninappearance，unlessheisveryangry。Hecanuseproperlanguage，ifhechooses。Myfatherwasthebestinhim，refinedandintensified。Hewasmuchtaller，verygoodlooking，andhedressedandspokewell。TheywerebornandgrewtomanhoodintheEast，andcameouthereatthesametime。WhereUncleHenryisatricksterandatraderinstock，myfatherwentastephigher，andtrickedandtradedinmen——andwomen！Mothertoldmethismuchonce。Hesawhersomewhereandadmiredher。Helearnedwhoshewas，wenttoherfather’slawofficeandpretendedhewasrepresentingsomegreatbusinessintheWest，untilhewaswelcomedasapromisingclient。Hehungaroundandwhenshecameinonedayherfatherwasforcedtointroducethem。

Theremainderisthesameworld-oldstory——agoodlooking，glib-tonguedman，plyingeveryartknowntoanexpert，onaninnocentgirl。’’

``Ishedead，Ruth？’’

``Wethoughtso。Wehopedso。’’

``Yourmotherdidnotfeelthatherpeoplemightbesufferingforherasshewasforthem？’’

``Notaftersheappealedtothemtwiceandreceivednoreply。’’

``Perhapstheytriedtofindher。Maybeshehasafatherormotherwhoislongingforwordfromhernow。

Areyouverysureyouarerightinnotwantingtoknow？’’

``ShenevergavemeahintfromwhichIcouldtellwhoorwheretheywere。Insogentleawomanasmymotherthatonlycouldmeanshedidnotwantthemtoknowofher。NeitherdoI。ThisisthephotographIprefer；pleaseuseit。’’

``I’llputbackthetrunkinthemorning，whenIcanseebetter，’’saidtheHarvester。

TheGirlclosedit，andsoonwenttobed。Buttherewasnosleepfortheman。Hewentintothenight，andforhourshepacedthedrivewayinrackingthought。

ThenhesatonthestepandlookedatBelshazzarbeforehim。

``Life’sgrowingeasiereveryminute，Bel，’’saidtheHarvester。``Here’smyDreamGirl，lovelyasthemostgoldeninstantofthatwonderfuldream，offeringme——

offeringme，Bel——inmypresentpass，thelipsandtheloveofmylittlesisterwhoneverwasborn。AndI’vehurtRuth’sfeelings，andsenthertobedwithaheartache，tryingtomakeherseethatitwon’tdo。Itwon’t，Bel！IfIcan’thavegenuinelove，Idon’twantanything。

ItoldhersoasplainlyasIcouldfindwords，andsethercrying，andmadeherunhappytoendawonderfulday。

Butinsomewayshehasgottolearnthatpropinquity，tolerance，approval，affection，even——isnotlove。I

can’ttaketherisk，afteralltheseyearsofwaitingfortherealthing。IfIdid，andlovenevercame，Iwouldend——well，IknowhowIwouldend——andthatwouldspoilherlife。Isimplyhavegottobraceup，Bel，andkeepontrying。Shethinksitisnonsenseaboutthrills，andsomewonderfulfeelingthattakespossessionofyou。Lord，Bel！Thereisn’tmuchnonsenseaboutthethingthatragesinmybrain，heart，soul，andbody。Itstrikesmeasthegravestrealitythateverovertookaman。

``Sheisgrowingwonderfullyattachedtome。`Couldn’tlivewithoutme，’Bel，thatiswhatshesaid。MaybeitwouldbeaschemetobringGrannyheretostaywithher，andtakeafewmonthsinsomecitythiswinteronthosechemicalpointsthattroubleme。Thereisanoldsayingabout`absencemakingtheheartgrowfonder。’

Maybeseparationisthethingtoworkthetrick。I’vetriedabouteverythingelseIknow。

``ButI’mintoomuchofahurry！Whatafoolamanis！Afewweeksago，Bel，IsaidtomyselfthatifHarmonwereawayandhadnopartinherlifeI’dbethehappiestmanalive。Happiestmanalive！Bel，takealookatmenow！Happy！Well，whyshouldn’tIbehappy？Sheishere。Sheisgrowinginstrengthandbeautyeveryhour。Shecaresmoreformedaybyday。

FromanoutsideviewpointitseemsasifIhadalmostallamancouldaskinreason。Butwhenwasastrongmaninthegripofloveeverreasonable？IthinktheAlmightytookaprettygraveresponsibilitywhenHemademenasHedid。IfIhadbeenHe，andunderstoodtheforcesIwashandling，Iwouldhavebeentoobigacowardtodoit。Thereisnothingforme，Bel，buttomoveondoingmylevelbest；andifshedoesn’tawakensoon，Iwilltrytheabsenttreatment。Assureasyouarethemostfaithfuldogamaneverowned，Bel，I’lltrytheabsenttreatment。’’

TheHarvesteraroseandenteredthecabin，steppingsoftly，foritwasdarkintheGirl’sroom，andhecouldnothearasoundthere。Heturnedupthelightsintheliving-room。Ashedidsothefirstthinghesawwasthelittletrunk。Helookedatitintently，thenpickedupabook。Everypageheturnedheglancedagainatthetrunk。Atlasthelaiddownthebookandsatstaring，hisbrainworkingrapidly。Heendedbycarryingthetrunktohisroom。Hedarkenedtheliving-room，lightedhisown，drewtherainscreens，andpiecebypiececarefullyexaminedthecontents。Therewerethepictures，butthenameofthephotographerhadbeenremoved。Therewasnotawordthatwouldhelpinidentification。Heemptiedittothebottom，andashepickedupthelastpiecehisfingersstruckinapeculiarwaythatdidnotgivetheimpressionoftouchingasolidsurface。Hefeltoveritcarefully，andwhenheexaminedwithacandleheplainlycouldseewheretheclothlininghadbeencutandlifted。

Foralongtimehekneltstaringatit，thenhedeliberatelyinsertedhisknifebladeandraisedit。Theclothhadbeengluedtoaheavysheetofpasteboardtheexactsizeofthetrunkbottom。Beneathitlayhalfadozenyellowletters，andfacedowntwotissue-wrappedphotographs。TheHarvesterexaminedthemfirst。Theywereofamancloseforty，havingastrong，aggressiveface，onwhichprideanddominantwillpowerwereprominentlyindicated。Theotherwasareproductionofadaintyanddelicatewoman，withexquisitelytenderandgentlefeatures。LongtheHarvesterstudiedthem。

Thenamesofthephotographerandthecityweremissing。

Therewasnothingexceptthefaces。HecoulddetecttracesofthemaninthepoiseoftheGirlandthecarriageofherhead，andsuggestionsofthewomanintherefinedsweetnessofherexpression。Eachpicturerepresentedwealthindressandtasteinpose。Finallyhelaidthemtogetheronthetable，pickeduponeoftheletters，andreadit。Thenhereadallofthem。

Beforehefinished，tearswererunningdownhischeeks，andhisresolutionwasformed。Theseweretheappealsofanadoringmother，crazedwithfearforthesafetyofanonlychild，whounfortunatelyhadfallenundertheinfluenceofamanthemotherdreadedandfeared，becauseofherknowledgeoflifeandmenofhischaracter。Theywereonelong，impassionedpleaforthedaughternottotrustastranger，nottobelievethatvowsofpassioncouldbetruewhenallelseinlifewasfalse，nottotrustheruntriedjudgmentofmenandtheworldagainsttheexperienceofherparents。Butwhetherthetearsthatstainedthosesheetshadfallenfromtheeyesofthesufferingmotherorthestarvedanddeserteddaughter，therewasnowayfortheHarvestertoknow。Onethingwasclear:Itwasnotpossibleforhimtorestuntilheknewifthatwomanyetlivedandboresuchsuffering。Buteverytraceofaddresshadbeentornaway，andtherewasnothingtoindicatewhereorinwhatcircumstancestheselettershadbeenwritten。

AlongtimetheHarvestersatindeepthought。Thenhereturnedalltheletterssaveone。Thiswiththepictureshemadeintoapacketthathelockedinhisdesk。Thetrunkhereplacedandthenwenttobed。

EarlythenextmorninghedrovetoOnabashaandpostedtheparcel。Theaddressitborewasthatofthelargestdetectiveagencyinthecountry。Thenheboughtaninterestingbook，aboxoffruit，andhurriedbacktotheGirl。Hefoundherontheveranda，Belshazzarstretchedclosewithoneeyeshutandtheotheronhischarge，whosecheekswereflushedwithlovelycolourasshebentoverherdrawingmaterial。TheHarvesterwenttoherwitharush，andslippinghisfingersunderherchin，tiltedbackherheadagainsthim。

``Gotakissforme，honey？’’heinquired。

``Nosir，’’answeredtheGirlemphatically。``Igaveyouaperfectlylovelyoneyesterday，andyousaiditwasnotright。Iamgoingtotryjustoncemore，andifyousayagainthatitwon’tdo，I’mgoingbacktoChicagoortomydearUncleHenry，Ihaven’tdecidedwhich。’’

Herlipsweresmiling，buthereyeswerefulloftears。

``Whythankyou，Ruth！Ithinkthatiswonderful，’’

saidtheHarvester。``I’llriskthenextone。Inthemeantime，excusemeifIgiveyouademonstrationoftherealthing，justtofurnishyouanideaofhowitshouldbe。’’

TheHarvesterdeliveredthesample，andwentstridingtothemarsh。ThedazedGirlsatstaringatherwork，tryingtorealizewhathadhappened；forthatwasthefirsttimetheHarvesterhadkissedheronthelips，anditwasthematerialexpressionastrongmangivesthewomanheloveswhenhisheartissurgingathightide。

TheGirlsatmotionless，gazingatherstudy。

InthemarshsheknewtheHarvesterwasreapingqueen-of-the-meadow，andaroundthehighborders，elecampaneandburdock。Shecouldhearhisvoiceinsnatchesofsongorcheerywhistle；notesthatshedivinedwereintendedtokeepherfromworrying。Intermingledwiththemcamethedog’sbarkofdefianceashediggedforanescapingchipmunk，hisnoteofpleadingwhenhewantedarootcutwiththemattock，hiscryofdiscoverywhenhethoughthehadfoundsomethingtheHarvesterwouldlike，orhisyelpofwarningwhenhescenteddanger。TheGirllookeddownthedrivetothelakeandacrossatthehedge。Everywhereshesawglowingcolour，withintermittentblueskyandgreenleaves，allofitacompletepicture，fromwhichnothingcouldbespared。Sheturnedslowlyandlookedtowardthemarsh，tryingtohearthewordsofthesongabovetherippleofSingingWater，andtoseetheformoftheman。Slowlysheliftedherhandkerchiefandpresseditagainstherlips，asshewhisperedinanawedvoice，``MygraciousHeaven，isTHATthekindofakissheisexpectingmetogiveHIM？Why，Icouldn’t——nottosavemylife。’’

Sheplacedherbrushesinwater，setthecolourboxonthepaper，andwenttothekitchentopreparethenoonlunch。Assheworkedthesoftcolourdeepenedinhercheeks，anewlightglowedinhereyes，andshehummedoverthetunethatfloatedacrossthemarsh。

ShewasverybusywhentheHarvestercame，buthespokecasuallyofhismorning’swork，ateheartily，andorderedhertotakeanapwhilehewashedrootsandfilledthetrays，andthentheywenttothewoodstogetherfortheafternoon。

Intheeveningtheycamehometothecabinandfinishedtheday’swork。Asthenightwaschilly，theHarvesterheapedsomebarkintheliving-roomfireplace，andlayontherugbeforeit，whiletheGirlsatinaneasychairandwatchedhimashetalked。Hewastellingheraboutsomewonderfulcombinationshewasgoingtocompoundfordifferentailmentsandhelaughinglyaskedherifshewantedtobeamillionaire’swifeandliveinapalace。

``OfcourseIcouldifIwantedto！’’shesuggested。

``Youcould！’’criedtheHarvester。``Allthatisnecessaryistocombineafewproperdrugsinonegreatremedyandfloatit。Thatiseasy！Thepeoplewilldotheremainder。’’

``Youtalkasifyoubelievethat，’’marvelledtheGirl。

``Wantitproven？’’challengedtheHarvester。

``No！’’shecriedinswiftalarm。``Whatdowewantwithmorethanwehave？Whatistherenecessarytohappinessthatisnotoursnow？Maybeitistruethatthe`loveofmoneyistherootofallevil。’Don’tyouevergetalotjusttofindout。YousaidthenightIcameherethatyoudidn’twantmorethanyouhadandnowIdon’t。Iwon’thaveit！Itmightbringrestlessnessanddiscontent。I’veseenitmakeotherpeopleunhappyandseparatethem。Idon’twantmoney，Iwantwork。Youmakeyourremediesandofferthemtosufferinghumanityforjustalivingprofit，andI’llkeephouseanddrawdesigns。Iamperfectlyhappy，free，andunspeakablycontent。Ineverdreamedthatitwaspossibleformetobesoglad，andsofilledwiththejoyoflife。ThereisonlyonethingonearthIwant。

IfIonlycould——’’

``Couldwhat，Ruth？’’

``Couldgetthatkissright——’’

TheHarvesterlaughed。

``Forgetit，Itellyou！’’hecommanded。``Justsolongasyouworryandfret，solongI’vegottowait。Ifyouquitthinkingaboutit，all`unbeknownst’toyourselfyou’llawakesomemorningwithitonyourlips。I

canseetracesofitgrowingstrongereveryday。Verysoonnowit’sgoingtomaterialize，andthengetoutofmyway，forI’llbeawhirling，irresponsiblelunatic，withthewildjoyofit。OhI’vegotfaithinthatkissofyours，Ruth！It’sontheway。Thefateshavebookedit。Thereisn’tareasononearthwhyIshouldbeservedsoscurvyatrickastomissit，andIneverwillbelievethatIshall——’’

``David，’’interruptedtheGirl，``goontalkinganddon’tmoveamuscle，justreachoverpresentlyandfixthefireorsomething，andthenturnnaturallyandlookatthewindowbesideyourdoor。’’

``Shallmissit，’’saidtheHarvestersteadily。

``Thatwouldbetoounmerciful。Whatdoyousee，Ruth？’’

``Aface。IfIamnotgreatlymistaken，itismyUncleHenryandheappearslikeaperfectfiend。OhDavid，Iamafraid！’’

``Bequietanddon’tlook，’’saidtheHarvester。

Heturnedandtossedapieceofbarkonthefire。

Thenhereachedforthepoker，pusheditdownandstirredthecoals。Hearoseasheworked。

``Riseslowlyandquietlyandgotoyourroom。StaythereuntilIcallyou。’’

WiththeGirloutoftheway，theHarvesterpotteredoverthefire，andwhentheflameleapedheliftedastickofwood，hesitatedasifitweretoosmall，andlayingitdown，startedtobringalargerone。Inthedining-

roomhecaughtasmallstickfromthewoodbox，softlysteppedfromthedoor，andranaroundthehouse。ButheawakenedBelshazzaronthekitchenfloor，andthedogbarkedandranafterhim。BythetimetheHarvesterreachedthecornerofhisroomthemanleapeduponahorseandwentracingdownthedrive。TheHarvesterflungthestickofwood，butmissedthemanandhitthehorse。ThedogsprangpasttheHarvesterandvanished。Therewasthesoundandflashofarevolver，andtherattleofthebridgeasthehorsecrossedit。Thedogcamebackunharmed。TheHarvesterrantothetelephone，calledtheOnabashapolice，andaskedthemtosendamountedmantomeettheintruderbeforehecouldreachacrossroad；buttheyweretooslowandmissedhim。However，theGirlwascertainshehadrecognizedheruncle，andwasextremelynervous；buttheHarvesteronlylaughedandtoldheritwasatripmadeoutofcuriosity。Herunclewantedtoseeifhecouldlearnifshewerewellandhappy，andhefinallyconvincedherthatthiswasthecase，althoughhewasnotverysanguinehimself。

ForthenextthreedaystheHarvesterworkedinthewoodsandhekepttheGirlwithhimeveryminute。

Bytheendofthattimehereallyhadpersuadedhimselfthatitwasmerelycuriosity。Sothroughthecoolingfalldaystheyworkedtogether。Theywereveryhappy。

BeforeherwonderingeyestheHarvesterhungqueerbranches，burs，nuts，berries，andtrailingvineswithcuriousseedpods。Thereweremassesofbrilliantflowers，mostofthemstrangetotheGirl，manytothegreataverageofhumanity。Whileshesatbendingoverthem，besidehertheHarvesterdelvedintheblackearthofthewoods，ortheclayandsandoftheopenhillside，orthemuckofthelakeshore，andliftedlargebagfulsofrootsthathelaterdrenchedonthefloatingraftonthelake，andwhentheyhaddrainedhedriedthem。

Someofthemhedidnotwet，butscrapedandwipedcleananddry。Oftenaftershewassleeping，andlongbeforesheawokeinthemorning，hewasatworkcarry-

ingheapedtraysfromtheevaporatortothestore-

room，andtyingtheroots，leaves，bark，andseedsintopackages。

WhilehegatheredtrilliumrootstheGirlmadedrawingsoftheplantandlearneditscommercialvalue。

Shedrewlady’sslipperandSolomon’sseal，andlearnedtheirusesandprices；andcarefullytracedwildgingerleaveswhilenibblingthearomaticroot。Itwasdifficulttokeepfromprotestingwhentheworkcarriedthemaroundthelakeshoreandtothepokeberrybeds，forthecolourofthesesheloved。Itrequiredcarefulexplanationastothevalueoftherootsandseedsasbloodpurifier，andtheargumentthatinafewmoredaysthefrostwouldlevelthebed，toinducehertoconsenttoitsharvesting。Butwhenthecasewasproperlypresented，sheputasideherdrawingandstainedherslenderfingersgatheringtheseeds，andlovedthework。

Thesunwasgoldenonthelake，thebirdsoftheuplandwereclusteringoverreedsandrushes，forthesakeofplentifulseedandconvenientwater。Manyofthemsangfitfully，thenotesofalmostallofthemweremelodious，andthedaywasalong，happydream。Therewasbutlittlelefttogatheruntilginsengtime。ForthattheHarvesterhadengagedseveralboystohelphim，forthetaskofdiggingtheroots，washinganddryingthem，buryingpartoftheseedsandpreparingtheremainderformarketseemedendlessforonemantoattempt。AfterafulldaytheHarvesterlaybeforethefire，andhisheadwassoclosetheGirl’skneethatherfingerswereinreachofhishair。Everytimehemendedthefirehemovedalittle，untilhecouldfeelthetouchofhergarmentsagainsthim。Thenhebegantoplanforthewinter；howtheywouldstorefoodforthelong，colddays，howmuchfuelwouldberequired，whentheywouldgotothecityfortheirwinterclothing，whattheywouldread，andhowtheywouldworktogetheratthedrawings。

``Iamalmosttooanxioustowaitlongertogetbacktomycarving，’’hesaid。``Whoeverwouldhavethoughtthisspringthatfallwouldcomeandfindthebirdstalkingofgoing，thecaterpillarsspinningwinterquarters，theanimalsholingup，megettingreadyforthecold，andyourcandlesticksnotfinished。Winteriswhenyoureallyneedthem。Thenthereissolidcheerinnumbersofcandlesandaroaringwoodfire。Thefurnaceisgoingtobeagoodthingtokeepthefloorsandthebathroomwarm，butanopenfireofdry，cracklingwoodistheonlyrationalsourceofheatinahome。Youmustwatchforthefairydancesonthebackwall，Ruth，andlearntotracegoblinfacesinthecoals。Sometimesthereisapanoramaoftemplesandtrees，andyouwillfindexquisitecolourinthesmoke。Drymaplemakesalovelylavender，softandfineasafloatingveil，anddampelmmakesablue，andhickoryredandyellow。Ialmostcantellwhichwoodisburningafterthebarkisgone，bythesmokeandflamecolour。Whenthelittleredfirefairiescomeoutanddanceonthebackwallitisfuntofigurewhattheyarecelebrating。Bytheway，Ruth，Ihavebeenalambfordays。Ihopeyouhaveobserved！

ButIwouldsleepalittlesounderto-nightifyouonlycouldgivemeahintwhetherthatkissiscomingonatall。’’

Hetippedbackhisheadtoseeherface，anditwasgloriousintheredfirelight；thebigeyesneverappearedsodeepanddark。Thetiltedheadstruckherhand，andherfingersranthroughhishair。

``Yousaidtoforgetit，’’sheremindedhim，``andthenitwouldcomesooner。’’

``Whichsametranslatedmeansthatitisnothereyet。

Well，Ididn’texpectit，soIamnotdisappointed；butbegorry，IdowishitwouldmaterializebyChristmas。

IthinkIwillworkforthat。Wouldn’titmakeadayworthwhile，though？Bytheway，whatdoyouwantforChristmas，Ruth？’’

``Adoll，’’sheanswered。

TheHarvesterlaughed。Hetippedhisheadagaintoseeherfaceandsuddenlygrewquiet，foritwasveryserious。

``Iamquiteinearnest，’’shesaid。``Ithinkthebigdollsinthestoresarebeautiful，andIneverownedonlyateenylittleone。AllmylifeI’vewantedabigdollasbadlyasIeverlongedforanythingthatwasnotabsolutelynecessarytokeepmealive。Infact，adollisessentialtoahappychildhood。Themotherinstinctissoingrainedinagirlthatifshedoesn’thavedollstolove，evenasababy，sheisdeprivedofapartofhernaturalrights。It’sapitifulthingtohavebeenthelittlegirlinthepicturewhostandsoutsidethewindowandgazeswithlongingsoulatthedollsheisanxioustoownandcan’teverhave。Harvester，Iwasalwaysthatlittlegirl。Iamquiteinearnest。Iwantabig，beautifuldollmorethananythingelse。’’

AsshetalkedtheGirl’sfingerswereidlythreadingtheHarvester’shair。Hisheadlightlytouchedherknee，andsheshiftedherpositiontoaffordhimacomfortablerestingplace。Withathrillofdelightthatshookhim，themanlaidhisheadinherlapandlookedintothefire，hisfaceglowingasahappyboy’s。

``Youshallhavetheloveliestdollthatmoneycanbuy，Ruth，’’hepromised。``Whatelsedoyouwant？’’

``Aroastedgoose，plumpudding，andallthosehorridindigestiblethingsthatChristmasstoriesalwaystellabout；andpopcornballs，andcandy，andeverythingI’vealwayswantedandneverhad，andalongbeautifuldaywithyou。That’sall！’’

``Ruth，I’msohappyIalmostwishIcouldgotoHeavenrightnowbeforeanythingoccurstospoilthis，’’

saidtheHarvester。

Thewheelsofacarrattledacrossthebridge。Hewhirledtohisknees，andputhisarmsaroundtheGirl。

``Ruth，’’hesaidhuskily。``I’llwagerathousanddollarsIknowwhatiscoming。Hugmetight，quick！

andgivemethebestkissyoucan——anyoldkindofaone，soyoutouchmylipswithyoursbeforeI’vegottoopenthatdoorandletintrouble。’’

TheGirlthrewherarmsaroundhisneckandwiththeimprintofherlipswarmonhistheHarvestercrossedtheroom，andhisheartdroppedfromtheheightswithathud。Hesteppedout，closingthedoorbehindhim，andcrossingtheveranda，passeddownthewalk。HerecognizedthecarasbelongingtoagarageinOnabasha，andinitsattwomen，oneofwhomspoke。

``AreyouDavidLangston？’’

``Yes，’’saidtheHarvester。

``DidyousendacoupleofphotographstoaNewYorkdetectiveagencyafewdaysagowithinquiriesconcerningsomepartiesyouwantedlocated？’’

``Idid，’’saidtheHarvester。``ButIwasnotexpectinganysuchimmediatereturns。’’

``Yourquestionstouchedonacasethatlonghasbeeninthehandsoftheagency，andtheytelegraphedtheparties。Thefollowingdaythepeoplehadaletter，givingthemtheinformationtheyrequired，fromanothersource。’’

``ThatiswhereUncleHenryshowedhisfineSpencerianhand，’’commentedtheHarvester。``ItalwayswillbeagreatsatisfactionthatIgotmyfistinfirst。’’

``IsMissJamesonhere？’’

``No，’’saidtheHarvester。``Mywifeisathome。HersurnamewasRuthJameson，butwehavebeenmarriedsinceJune。DidyouwishtospeakwithMrs。Langston？’’

``Icameforthatpurpose。MynameisKennedy。

Iamthelawpartnerandtheclosestfriendoftheyounglady’sgrandfather。Newsofherlocationhasprostratedhergrandmothersothathecouldnotleaveher，andI

wassenttobringtheyoungwoman。’’

``Oh！’’saidtheHarvester。``Wellyouwillhavetointerviewheraboutthat。Onewordfirst。ShedoesnotknowthatIsentthosepicturesandmadethatinquiry。Oneotherword。Sheisjustrecoveringfromacaseoffever，inducedbywrongconditionsoflifebeforeImether。Sheisnotsostrongassheappears。

Understandyouarenottobeabrupt。Goverygently！

Herfeelingsandhealthmustbeguardedwithextremecare。’’

TheHarvesteropenedthedoor，andasshesawthestranger，theGirl’seyeswidened，andshearoseandstoodwaiting。

``Ruth，’’saidtheHarvester，``thisisamanwhohasbeenmakingquiteasearchforyou，andatlasthehasyoulocated。’’

TheHarvesterwenttotheGirl’sside，andputareinforcingarmaroundher。

``Perhapshebringsyousomenewsthatwillmakelifemostinterestingandverylovelyforyou。WillyoushakehandswithMr。Kennedy？’’

TheGirlsuddenlystraightenedtounusualheight。

``Iwillhearwhyhehasbeenmaking`quiteasearchforme，’andonwhoseauthorityhehasme`located，’

first，’’shesaid。

AdiabolicalgrincrossedthefaceoftheHarvester，andhetookheart。

``Thenpleasebeseated，Mr。Kennedy，’’hesaid，``andwewilltalkoverthematter。AsIunderstand，youarearepresentativeofmywife’speople。’’

TheGirlstaredattheHarvester。

``Takeyourchair，Ruth，andmeetthisasamatterofcourse，’’headvisedcasually。``Youalwayshaveknownthatsomedayitmustcome。Youcouldn’tlookinthefaceofthosephotographsofyourmotherinheryouthandnotrealizethatsomewhereheartswereachingandbreaking，andbrainswerebusyinasearchforher。’’

TheGirlstoodrigid。

``Iwantitdistinctlyunderstood，’’shesaid，``thatI

havenouseonearthformymother’speople。Theycometoolate。Iabsolutelyrefusetoseeortoholdanycommunicationwiththem。’’

``Butyounglady，thatisveryarbitrary！’’criedMr。

Kennedy。``Youdon’tunderstand！Theyareacoupleofoldpeople，andtheyareslowlydyingofbrokenhearts！’’

``Notsobadlybrokenortheywouldn’tdieslowly，’’

commentedtheGirlgrimly。``Theheartthatwasreallybrokenwasmymother’s。Thetortureofastarved，overworkedbodyandhopelessbrainwashers。Therewasnothingslowaboutherdeath，forshewentoutwithonlyhalfalifespent，andmuchofthatinacuteagony，becauseoftheirnegligence。David，youoftenhavesaidthatthisismyhome。Ichoosetotakeyouatyourword。Willyoukindlytellthismanthatheisnotwelcomeinthishouse，andIwishhimtoleaveitatonce？’’

TheHarvestersteppedback，andhisfacegrewverywhite。

``Ican’t，Ruth，’’hesaidgently。

``Whynot？’’

``BecauseIbroughthimhere。’’

``Youbroughthimhere！You！David，areyoucrazy？You！’’

``Itisthroughmethathecame。’’

TheGirlcaughtthemantelforsupport。

``ThenIstandaloneagain，’’shesaid。``Harvester，Ihadthoughtyouwereonmyside。’’

``Iamatyourfeet，’’saidthemaninabrokenvoice。

``Ruthdear，willyouletmeexplain？’’

``Thereisonlyoneexplanation，andwithwhatyouhavedoneformefreshinmymind，Ican’tputitintowords。’’

``Ruth，hearme！’’

``Imust！Youforceme！Butbeforeyouspeakunderstandthis:Notnow，orthroughalleternity，doIforgivetheinexcusableneglectthatdrovemymothertowhatIwitnessedandwashelplesstoavert。’’

``Mydear！Mydear！’’saidtheHarvester，``Ihadhopedthewoodshaddoneamoreperfectworkinyourheart。Yourmotherislyinginstatenow，Girl，safefromfurthersufferingofanykind；andifIreadaright，hertiredfaceandshrivelledframewereeloquentofforgiveness。Ruthdear，ifshesolovedthemthatherheartwasbrokenandshediedforthem，thinkwhattheyaresuffering！Havesomemercyonthem。’’

``Getthisveryclear，David，’’saidtheGirl。``Shediedofhungerforfood。Herheartwasnotsobrokenthatshecouldn’thavelivedalifetime，andgotmuchcomfortoutofit，ifherbodyhadnotlackedsustenance。

OhIwassohappyaminuteago。David，whydidyoudothisthing？’’

TheHarvesterpickeduptheGirl，placedherinachair，andkneltbesideherwithhisarmsaroundher。

``BecauseofthePAININTHEWORLD，Ruth，’’hesaidsimply。``Yourmotherissleepingsweetlyinthelongsleepthatknowsneitherangernorresentment；andsoIwasforcedtothinkofagentle-faced，littleoldmotherwhoseheartisdailyonelongache，whoseeyesaredimwithtears，andaproud，brokenoldmanwhospendshistimetryingtocomforther，whenhislifeisasdesolateashers。’’

``Howdoyouknowsowonderfullymuchabouttheirachesandbrokenhearts？’’

``BecauseIhaveseentheirfaceswhentheywerehappy，Ruth，andsoIknowwhatsufferingwoulddotothem。

Therewerepicturesofthemandlettersinthebottomofthatoldtrunk。Isearchedittheothernightandfoundthem；andbywhatlifehasdonetoyourmotherandtoyou，Icanjudgewhatitisnowbringingthem。

Nevercanyoubetrulyhappy，Ruth，untilyouhaveforgiventhem，anddonewhatyoucantocomforttheremainderoftheirlives。Ididitbecauseofthepainintheworld，mygirl。’’

``Whataboutmypain？’’

``Theonlywayonearthtocureitisthroughforgiveness。That，andthatonly，willeaseitallaway，andleaveyouhappyandfreeforlifeandlove。Solongasyouletthisrancoureatinyourheart，Ruth，youarenot，andnevercanbe，normal。Youmustforgivethem，dear，hearwhattheyhavetosay，andgivethemthecomfortofseeingwhattheycandiscoverofherinyou。

Thenyourheartwillbeatrestatlast，yoursoulfree，youcantakeyourrightfulplaceinlife，andtheloveyoucravewillawakeninyourheart。Ruth，dearyouaretheacmeofgentlenessandjustice。Bejustandgentlenow！Givethemtheirchance！Myheartaches，andalwayswillacheforthepainyouhaveknown，butnursingandbroodingoveritwillnotcureit。Itisgoingtotakeaheroicoperationtocutitout，andI

chosetobethesurgeon。YouhavesaidthatIoncesavedyourbodyfrompainRuth，trustmenowtofreeyoursoul。’’

``Whatdoyouwant？’’

``Iwantyoutospeakkindlytothisman，whothroughmyacthascomehere，andallowhimtotellyouwhyhecame。ThenIwantyoutodothekindandwomanlythingyourdutysuggeststhatyoushould。’’

``David，Idontunderstandyou！’’

``Thatisnodifference，’’saidtheHarvester。``Thepointis，doyouTRUSTme？’’

TheGirlhesitated。``OfcourseIdo，’’shesaidatlast。

``Thenhearwhatyourgrandfather’sfriendhascometosayforhim，andforgetyourselfindoingtoothersasyouwouldhavethem——really，Ruth，thatisallofreligionoroflifeworthwhile。Goon，Mr。Kennedy。’’

TheHarvesterdrewupachair，seatedhimselfbesidetheGirl，andtakingoneofherhands，hehelditcloselyandwaited。

``Iwassentherebymylawpartnerandmyclosestfriend，Mr。AlexanderHerron，ofPhiladelphia，’’saidthestranger。``BothheandMrs。Herronwerebitterlyopposedtoyourmother’smarriage，becausetheyknewlifeandhumannature，andthereneverisbutoneendtomensuchasshemarried。’’

``Youmayomitthat，’’saidtheGirlcoldly。``Simplystatewhyyouarehere。’’

``InresponsetoaninquiryfromyourhusbandconcerningtheoriginalsofsomephotographshesenttoadetectiveagencyinNewYork。Theyhavehadthecaseforyears，andrecognizingthepicturesasaclue，theytelegraphedMr。Herron。TheprospectofnewsafteryearsoffruitlesssearchingsoprostratedMrs。

Herronthathedarednotleaveher，andhesentme。’’

``Kindlytellmethis，’’saidtheGirl。``Whereweremymother’sfatherandmotherforthefouryearsimmediatelyfollowinghermarriage？’’

``TheywenttoEuropetoavoidthehumiliationofmeetingtheirfriends。There，inItaly，Mrs。Herrondevelopedafever，anditwasseveralyearsbeforeshecouldbebroughthome。Sheretiredfromsociety，andhasbeenconfinedtoherroomeversince。Whentheycouldreturn，asearchwasinstitutedatoncefortheirdaughter，buttheyneverhavebeenabletofindatrace。

Theyhavehuntedthrougheveryeasterncitytheythoughtmightcontainher。’’

``AndoverlookedalittleinsignificantplacelikeChicago，ofcourse。’’

``Imyselfconductedapersonalsearchthere，andvisitedthehomeofeveryJamesoninthedirectoryorwhohadmailattheofficeorofwhomIcouldgetaclueofanysort。’’

``Idon’tsupposetwowomeninalittlegarretroomwouldbeinthedirectory，andthereneverwasanymail。’’

``Didyourmothereverappealtoherparents？’’

``Shedid，’’saidtheGirl。``Sheadmittedthatshehadbeenwrong，askedtheirforgiveness，andbeggedtogohome。Thatwasinthesecondyearofhermarriage，andshewasinCleveland。AfterwardshewenttoChicago，fromthereshewroteagain。’’

``HerfatherandmotherwereinItalyfightingforthemother’slife，twoyearsafterthat。Itisveryeasytobecomelostinalargecity。Criminalsdoiteverydayandareneverfound，evenwiththebestdetectivesontheirtrail。Iamverysorryaboutthis。Myfriendswillbebroken-hearted。Atanytimetheywouldhavebeenmorethandelightedtohavehadtheirdaughterreturn。Aletteronthedayfollowingthemessagefromtheagencybroughtnewsthatshewasdead，andnowtheironlyhopeforanysmallhappinessatthecloseofyearsofsufferinglieswithyou。Iwassenttopleadwithyoutoreturnwithmeatonceandmakethemavisit。Ofcourse，theirhomeisyours。Youaretheironlyheir，andtheywouldbeveryhappyifyouwerefree，andwouldremainpermanentlywiththem。’’

``HowdotheyknowIwillnotbelikethefathertheysodetested？’’

``Theyhadsufficientcausetodislikehim。Theyhaveeveryreasontoloveandwelcomeyou。Theyareconsumedwithanxiety。Willyoucome？’’

``No。Thisisformetodecide。Idonotcareforthemortheirproperty。Alwaystheyhavefailedmewhenmydistresswasunspeakable。NowthereisonlyonethingIaskoflife，morethanmyhusbandhasgivenme，andifthatlayinhispowerIwouldhaveit。YoumaygobackandtellthemthatIamperfectlyhappy。

IhaveeverythingIneed。TheycangivemenothingIwant，noteventheirlove。Perhaps，sometime，Iwillgotoseethemforafewdays，ifDavidwillgowithme。’’

``Youngwoman，doyourealizethatyouareissuingadeathsentence？’’askedthelawyergently。

``Itisajustone。’’

``Idonotbelieveyourhusbandagreeswithyou。

IknowIdonot。Mrs。Herronisatinyoldlady，withafeeblesparkofvitalityleft；andwithallherstrengthsheisclingingtolife，andpleadingwithittogiveherwordofheronlychildbeforeshegoesoutunsatisfied。

Sheknowsthatherdaughterisgone，andnowherhopesarefastenedonyou。Ifforonlyafewdays，youcertainlymustgowithme。’’

``Iwillnot！’’

ThelawyerturnedtotheHarvester。

``Shewillbereadytostartwithyouto-morrowmorning，onthefirsttrainnorth，’’saidtheHarvester。``Wewillmeetyouatthestationateight。’’

``I——IamafraidIforgottotellmydrivertowait。’’

``YoumeanyourinstructionswerenottolettheGirloutofyoursight，’’saidtheHarvester。``Verywell！

Wehavecomfortablerooms。Iwillshowyoutoone。

Pleasecomethisway。’’

TheHarvesterledtheguesttothelakeroomandarrangedforthenight。Thenhewenttothetelephoneandsentamessagetoanaddresshehadbeenfurnished，askingforanimmediatereply。ItwenttoPhiladelphiaandcontainedadescriptionofthelawyer，andaskedifhehadbeensentbyMr。Herrontoescorthisgrand-

daughtertohishome。WhentheHarvesterreturnedtotheliving-roomtheGirl，whiteanddefiant，waitedbeforethefire。Hekneltbesideherandputhisarmsaroundher，butsherepulsedhim；sohesatontherugandlookedather。

``Nowonderyoufeltsureyouknewwhatthatwas！’’

shecriedbitterly。

``Ruth，ifyouwillallowmetoliftthebottomofthatoldtrunk，andifyouwillreadanyoneofthehalfdozenlettersIread，youwillforgiveme，andbeginmakingpreparationstogo。’’

``It’sawonderyoudon’tholdthembeforemeandforcemetoreadthem，’’shesaid。

``Don’tsayanythingyouwillbesorryforafteryouaregone，dear。’’

``I’mnotgoing！’’

``Ohyesyouare！’’

``Why？’’

``Becauseitisrightthatyoushould，andrightisinexorable。Also，becauseIverymuchwishyouto；

youwilldoitforme。’’

``Whydoyouwantmetogo？’’

``Ihavethreestrongreasons:First，asItoldyou，itistheonlythingthatwillcleanseyourheartofbitternessandleaveitfreeforthetenantingofagreatandholylove。Next，Ithinktheyhonestlymadeeveryefforttofindyourmother，andarenowgrowingoldindespairyoucanlighten，andyouoweittothemandyourselftodoit。Lastly，formysake。I’vetriedeverythingIknow，Ruth，andIcan’tmakeyouloveme，orbringyoutoarealizingsenseofitifyoudo。SobeforeIsawthatchestIhadplannedtoharvestmybigcrop，andtrywithallmyheartwhileIdidit，andiflovehadn’tcomethen，Imeanttogetsomeonetostaywithyou，andIwasgoingawaytogiveyouafreeperspectiveforatime。ImeanttopleadthatIneededafewweekswithafamouschemistIknowtopreparemebetterformywork。Myrealmotivewastoleaveyou，andletyouseeifabsencecoulddoanythingformeinyourheart。You’vebeenverynearlythecreatureofmyhandsformonths，mygirl；whateveranyoneelsemaydo，you’reboundtomissmemightily，andIfiguredthatwithmeaway，perhapsyoucouldsolvetheproblemaloneIseemtofailinhelpingyouwith。Thisisonlyaslightchangeofplans。Youaregoinginmystead。

Iwillharvesttheginsengandcureit，andthen，ifyouarenotathome，andthelonelinessgrowsunbearable，Iwilltakethechemistrycourse，untilyoudecidewhenyouwillcome，ifever。’’

```Ifever？’’’

``Yes，’’saidtheHarvester。``Iamgrowingaccustomedtofacingbigpropositions——Iwillnotdodgethis。ThefacesofthethreeofyourpeopleIhaveseenproverefinement。Theirclothingindicateswealth。Theselong，lonelyyearsmeanthattheywillshoweryouwitheveryoutpouringofloving，hungryhearts。Theywillkeepyouiftheycan，mydear。Idonotblamethem。

ThelifeIproposeforyouisoneofwork，mostlyforothers，andthereward，ingreatpart，consistsofthejoyinthesoulofthecreatorofthingsthathelpintheworld。

Irealizethatyouwillfindwealth，luxury，andlavishlove。IknowthatImayloseyouforever，andifitisrightandbestforyou，IhopeIwill。IknowexactlywhatIamrisking，butIyetsay，go。’’

``Idon’tseehowyoucan，andlovemeasyouproveyoudo。’’

``Thatisalittlestreakoftheinevitablenessofnaturethattheforesthasgroundintomysoul。I’drathercutoffmyrighthandthantakeyourswithit，inthepartingthatwillcomeinthemorning；butyouaregoing，andIamsendingyou。SolongasIamshapedlikeahumanbeing，itisinmetodignifythepossessionofaverticalspinebyactingasnearlylikeamanasI

knowhow。Iinsistthatyouaremywife，becauseitcrucifiesmetothinkotherwise。Itellyouto-night，Ruth，youarenotandneverhavebeen。Youarefreeasair。Youmarriedmewithoutanyloveformeinyourheart，andyoupretendednone。Itwasallmydoing。IfIfindthatIwaswrong，Iwillfreeyouwithoutathoughtofresultstome。Iamasecondaryproposition。

Ithoughtthenthatyouwerealoneandhelpless，andbeforetheAlmighty，IdidthebestIcould。ButI

knownowthatyouareentitledtotheloveofrelatives，wealth，andhighsocialposition，nodoubt。IfIallowedthepassioninmyhearttotriumphoverthereasonofmybrain，andworkedonyourfeelingsandtiedyoutothewoods，withoutknowingbutthatyoumightgreatlypreferthatotherlifeyoudonotknow，buttowhichyouareentitled，IwouldgooutandsinkmyselfinLoonLake。’’

``David，Iloveyou。Idonotwanttogo。Please，pleaseletmeremainwithyou。’’

``Notifyoucouldsaythatrealizingwhatitmeans，andgivemethekissrightnowIwouldstakemysoultowin！Notbyanybribeyoucanthinkoforanyallurementyoucanoffer。Itisrightthatyougotothosesufferingoldpeople。Itisrightyouknowwhatyouarerefusingforme，beforeyourenounceit。Itisrightyoutakethepositiontowhichyouareentitled，untilyouunderstandthoroughlywhetherthissuitsyoubetter。Whenyouknowthatlifeaswellasthis，thepeopleyouwillmeetasintimatelyasme，thenyoucandecideforalltime，andIcanlookyouinthefacewithhonest，unwaveringeye；andifbyanychanceyourheartisinthewoods，andyouprefermeandthecabintowhattheyhavetooffer——toalleternityyourplacehereisvacant，Ruth。Myloveiswaitingforyou；

andifyoucomeunderthoseconditions，Inevercanhaveanyregret。Aclearconscienceisworthrestrainingpassionafewmonthstogain，andbesides，Ialwayshavegotthefacttofacethatwhenyousay`Ilove，’andwhenIsay`Ilove，’itmeanstwoentirelydifferentthings。

Whenyourealizethattheloveofmanforwoman，andwomanforman，isathingthatfloodstheheart，brain，soul，andbodywithawonderfulandall-pervadingecstasy，andifIhappentobethemanwhomakesyourealizeit，thencometellme，andwewillshowGodandHisholyangelswhatearthmeansbytheHeaveninspiredword，`radiance。’’’

``David，thereneverwillbeanyothermanlikeyou。’’

``Theexigenciesoflifemustdevelopmanyafinerandbetter。’’

``Youstillrefuseme？YouyetbelieveIdonotloveyou？’’

``NotwiththeloveIask，mygirl。ButifIdidnotbelieveitwasgerminatinginyourheart，andthatitwouldcomepouringovermeinatorrentsomegladday，I

doubtifIcouldallowyoutogo，Ruth！Iamlikeanyothermaninselfishnessandinthepassionsofthebody。’’

``Selfishness！Youhaven’tanideawhatitmeans，’’

saidtheGirl。``Andwhatyoucalllove——thereI

haven’t。ButIknowhowtoappreciateyou，andyoumaybepositivelysurethatitwillbeonlyafewdaysuntilIwillcomebacktoyou。’’

``ButIdon’twantyouuntilyoucanbringtheloveIcrave。Iamsendingyoutoremainuntilthattime，Ruth。’’

``Butitmaybemonths，Man！’’

``Thenstaymonths。’’

``Butitmaybe——’’

``Itmaybenever！Thenremainforever。Thatwillbeproofpositivethatyourhappinessdoesnotlieinmyhands。’’

``WhyshouldInotconsideryouasyoudome？’’

``BecauseIloveyou，andyoudonotloveme。’’

``Youarecrueltoyourselfandtome。Youtalkaboutthepainintheworld。Whataboutthepaininmyheartrightnow？AndifIknowyouintheleast，onedegreemorewouldmakeyoucryaloudformercy。OhDavid，areweofnoconsiderationatall？’’

ThemusclesoftheHarvester’sfacetwistedaninstant。

``Thisiswherewelopoffthesmallbranchestogrowperfectfruitlater。Thisiswherewedoevilthatgoodmayresult。Thisiswherewesufferto-nightinorderwemayappreciatefullythejoyoflove’sdawning。IfI

amcausingyoupain，forgiveme，dearheart。Iwouldgivemylifetopreventit，butIampowerless。Itisright！Wecannotavoiddoingit，ifweeverwouldbehappy。’’

HepickeduptheGirl，andheldhercrushedinhisarmsalongtime。Thenhesetherinsideherdoorandsaid，``LayoutwhatyouwanttotakeandIwillhelpyoupack，sothatyoucangetsomesleep。Wemustbereadyearlyinthemorning。’’

Whentheclothingtobewornwasselected，thenewtrunkpacked，andallarrangementsmade，theGirlsatinhisarmsbeforethefireashehadheldherwhenshewasill，andthenhesenthertobedandwenttothelakeshoretofightitoutalone。OnlyGodandthestarsandthefaithfulBelshazzarsawtheagonyofastrongmaninhisextremity。

Neardawnheheardthetinkleofthebellandwenttoreceivehismessageandorderacarformorning。

Thenhereturnedtothemercifuldarknessofnight，andpacedthedrivewayuntillightcamepeepingoverthetreetops。HepreparedbreakfastandanhourlaterputtheGirlonthetrain，andstoodwatchingituntilthelastriftofsmokecurledabovethespiresofthecity。

CHAPTERXX

THEMANINTHEBACKGROUND

ThentheHarvesterreturnedtoMedicineWoodstofighthisbattlealone。Atfirstthepainseemedunendurable，butworkalwayshadbeenhispanacea，itwashissalvationnow。Hewentthroughthecabin，foldingbeddingandstoringitinclosets，rollingrugssprinkledwithpowderedalum，packingcushions，andtakingwindowseatsfromthelight。

``Oursleepingroomandthekitchenwillserveforus，Bel，’’hesaid。``Wewillputalltheseotherthingsawaycarefully，sotheywillbeasgoodasnewwhentheGirlcomeshome。’’

Theeveningoftheseconddayhewascalledtothetelephone。

``Thereisatelegramforyou，’’saidavoice。``A

messagefromPhiladelphia。Itreads:`Arrivedsafely。

Thankyouformakingmecome。Dearoldpeople。Willwritesoon。Withlove，Ruth。’

``Haveyougotit？’’

``No，’’liedtheHarvester，grinningrapturously。``Repeatitagainslowly，andgivemetimeaftereachsentencetowriteit。Now！Goon！’’

Hecarriedthemessagetothebackstepsandsatreadingitagainandagain。

``IsupposedI’dhavetowaitatleastfourdays，’’hesaidtoAjaxasthebirdcircledbeforehim。``ThisisfromtheGirl，oldman，andsheisnotforgettingustobeginwith，anyway。Sheisthereallsafe，sheseesthattheyneedher，theyarelovableoldpeople，sheisgoingtowriteusallaboutitsoon，andshelovesusallsheknowshowtoloveanyone。Thatshouldbeenoughtokeepussaneandsensibleuntilherlettercomes。Thereisnousetoborrowtrouble，sowewillsayeverythingintheworldisrightwithus，andbeashappyaswecanonthatuntilwefindsomethingwecannotavoidworryingover。Inthemeantime，wewillhavefaithtobelievethatwehavesufferedourshare，andtheendwillbehappyforallofus。IammightygladtheGirlhasahome，andtherightkindofpeopletocareforher。Now，whenshecomesbacktome，Ineedn’tfeelthatshewasforced，whethershewantedtoornot，becauseshehadnowheretogo。Thiswillletmeoutwithacleanconscience，andthatistheonlythingonearththatallowsamantoliveinpeacewithhimself。NowI’llgofinisheverythingelse，andthenI’llbegintheginsengharvest。’’

SotheHarvesterhitchedBetsyandwithBelshazzarathisfeethedrovethroughthewoodstothesarsaparillabeds。Henoticedthebeautifullobedleaves，atwhichtherabbitshadbeennibbling，andtheheadsoflustrouspurple-blackberriesashebegandiggingtherootsthathesoldforstimulants。

``Imighthaveneededadoseofyounowmyself，’’

theHarvesteraddressedaheapofuprootedplants，``iftheelectricwireshadn’tbroughtmeabetter。Greatinventionthat！Neverbeforerealizeditfully！I

thoughtto-daywouldbeblackasnight，butthatmessagechangesthecomplexionofaffairsmightily。SoI’lldigyouforpeoplewhoreallyareinneedofsomethingtobracethemup。’’

Afterthesarsaparillawasonthetrays，heattackedthebedsofIndianhemp，withitslonggracefulpods，andtookhisusualsupply。Thenheworkeddiligentlyonthewarmhillsideoverthedandelion。Whenthesewerefinishedhebroughthalfadozenyoungmenfromthecityanddrilledthemonhandlingginseng。Hewaswarm，dirty，andtiredwhenhecamefromthebedstheeveningofthefourthday。Hefinishedhisworkatthebarn，preparedandatehissupper，slippedintocleanclothing，andwalkedtothecountryroadwhereitcrossedthelane。Thereheopenedhismailbox。TheletterheexpectedwiththePhiladelphiapostmarkwasinside。Hecarriedittothebridge，andsittinginherfavouriteplace，withthelakebreezethreadinghishair，openedhisfirstletterfromtheGirl。

``MydearFriend，Lover，Husband，’’itbegan。

TheHarvesterturnedthesheetsfacedownacrosshisknee，laidhishandonthem，andstaredmeditativelyatthelake。```Friend，’’’hecommented。``Well，that’sallright！Iamherfriend，aswellasIknowhowtobe。

`Lover。’Icomeinthere，fullforce。Ididmylevelbestonthatscore，thoughIcan’tboastmyselfahowlingsuccess；amancan’tdomorethanheknows，andifI

hadbeenfamiliarwithallthewilesofexpert，professionallove-makers，theywouldn’thaveavailedmeintheGirl’scondition。Ihadamightypeculiarcasetohandleinher，andnotaparticleoftraining。Butifshesays`Lover，’Imusthavemadesomekindofashowingonthejob。`Husband。’’’Aslowflushcreptupthebrawnyneckandtingedthebronzedface。``That’sagoodword，’’saidtheHarvester，``anditmustmeanawonderfulthing——tosomemen。`Whobideshistime。’Well，I’m`biding，’andifmytimeevercomestobemyDreamGirl’shusband，I’llwagerallI’mworthononething。I’llstudythejobfromeverypointofthecompass，andI’llseewhatshowingIcanmakeonbeingthekindofahusbandthatawomanclingstoandlovesateighty。’’

TakingadeepbreaththeHarvesterliftedtheletter，andlayingonehandonBelshazzar’shead，heproceeded——``ImightaswelladmitinthebeginningthatIcriedmostofthewayhere。SomeofitwasbecauseIwasnervousanddreadedthepeopleIwouldmeet，andmoreonaccountofwhatIfelttowardthem，butmostofitwasbecauseIdidnotwanttoleaveyou。Ihavebeenspoileddreadfully！Youhavetaughtmesotodependonyou——andforonceIfeelthatIreallycanclaimtohavebeenanaptpupil——thatitwaslikehavingthehearttornoutofmetocome。Iwantyoutoknowthis，becauseitwillteachyouthatIhavealittlebitofappreciationofhowgoodyouaretome，andtoalltheworldaswell。IamgladthatIalmostcriedmyselfsickoverleavingyou。IwishnowIjusthadstoodupinthecar，androaredlikeaburnedbaby。

``ButallthetearsIshedinfearofgrandfatherandgrandmotherwerewasted。Theyareacoupleofdearoldpeople，anditwouldhavebeenacrimetoallowthemtosuffermorethantheymustofnecessity。Itallseemssodifferentwhentheytalk；andwhenIseethehome，luxuries，andfriendsmymotherhad，itappearsutterlyincomprehensiblethatshedaredleavethemforastranger。Probablythereasonshedidwasbecauseshewasgrandfather’sdaughter。Heisgentleandtendersomeofthetime，butwhenanythingirritateshim，andsomethingdoeseveryfewminutes，hebreaksloose，andsuchanotherexplosionyouneverheard。

Itdoesnotmeanathing，anditseemstolowerhistensionenoughtokeephimfromburstingwithpalpitationoftheheartorsomething，butitisastrainforothers。Atfirstitfrightenedmedreadfully。Grandmotherissotinyandfrail，sowhiteinherbigbed，andwhenheistheveryworst，andsheonlysmilesathim，whyIknowhedoesnotmeanitatall。But，David，Ihopeyouneverwillgetanideathatthiswouldbeapleasantwayforyoutoact，becauseitwouldnot，andIneverwouldhavethecouragetoofferyoutheloveIhavecometofindifyouslammedacaneandyelled，`demnation，’atme。Grandmothersaysshedoesnotmindatall，butIwonderifshedidnotacquirethehabitoflyinginbedbecauseitiseasiertoendureinaprostrateposition。