IfMissSallywasreally——a——a——distractingelementtocontiguousman，itwascertainlysomethingtobeconsideredinamatterofbusinessofwhichshewouldtakeamanagerialpart。ItwastruethatChampneyhadsaidshewas\"notthatsortofgirl，\"butthiswasthetestimonyofonewhowasclearlyunderherinfluence。HeenteredthehousethroughtheopenFrenchwindow。Theparlorwasdeserted。Hewalkedthroughthefronthallandporch;noonewasthere。Helingeredafewmoments，aslightchagrinbeginningtominglewithhisuneasiness。Shemighthavebeenonthelookoutforhim。SheorSophymusthaveseenhimreturning。HewouldringforSophy，andleavehisthanksandregretsforhermistress。Helookedforabell，touchedit，butonbeingconfrontedwithSophy，changedhismindandaskedtoSEEMissDows。IntheintervalbetweenherdepartureandtheappearanceofMissSallyheresolvedtodotheverythingwhichhehaddismissedfromhisthoughtsbutanhourbeforeasill—timedanddoubtful。Hehadthephotographandletterinhispocket;hewouldmakethemhisexcuseforpersonallytakingleaveofher。
Sheenteredwithherfaireyebrowsliftedinaprettysurprise。
\"Ideclaretogoodness，Ithoughtyo’’driddenovertotheredbarnandgonehomefromthere。IgotthroughmyworkonthevinesearlierthanIthought。OneofJudgeGarret’snephewsdroppedinintimetohelpmewiththelastrow。Yo’needn’thavetroubledyo’selftosendupformeformerecompanymanners，butSophysaysyo’lookedsortof’anxiousandparticular’whenyo’askedforme——
soIsupposeyo’wanttoseemeforsomething。\"
MentallyobjurgatingSophy，andwithanunpleasantimpressioninhismindoftheunknownneighborwhohadbeenhelpingMissSallyinhisplace，heneverthelesstriedtocollecthimselfgallantly。
\"Idon’tknowwhatmyexpressionconveyedtoSophy，\"hesaidwithasmile，\"butItrustthatwhatIhavetotellyoumaybeinterestingenoughtomakeyouforgetmysecondintrusion。\"Hepaused，andstillsmilingcontinued：\"Formorethanthreeyears，MissDows，youhavemoreorlessoccupiedmythoughts;andalthoughwehaveactuallymetto—dayonlyforthefirsttime，Ihaveduringthattimecarriedyourimagewithmeconstantly。Eventhismeeting，whichwasonlytheresultofanaccident，Ihadbeenseekingforthreeyears。Ifindyouhereunderyourownpeacefulvineandfig—
tree，andyetthreeyearsagoyoucametomeoutofthethunder—
cloudofbattle。\"
\"Mygoodgracious！\"saidMissSally。
Shehadbeenclaspingherkneewithherlinkedfingers，butseparatedthemandleanedbackwardonthesofawithaffectedconsternation，butanexpressionofgrowingamusementinherbrighteyes。Courtlandsawthemistakeofhistone，butitwastoolatetochangeitnow。Hehandedherthelocketandtheletter，andbriefly，andperhapsalittlemoreseriously，recountedtheincidentthathadputhiminpossessionofthem。Butheentirelysuppressedthemoredramaticandghastlydetails，andhisownsuperstitionandstrangeprepossessiontowardsher。
MissSallytookthearticleswithoutatremor，ortheleastdeepeningorpalingofthedelicate，faintsuffusionofhercheek。
Whenshehadglancedovertheletter，whichappearedtobebrief，shesaid，withsmiling，half—pityingtranquillity：——
\"Yes！——itWASthatpoorChetBrooks，sure！IheardthathewaskilledatSnakeRiver。Itwasjustlikehimtorushinandgetkilledthefirstpop！Andallfornothing，too，——purefoolishness！\"
Shocked，yetrelieved，butuneasyunderbothsensations，Courtlandwentonblindly：
\"Buthewasnottheonlyone，MissDows。Therewasanothermanpickedupwhoalsohadyourpicture。\"
\"Yes——JoyceMasterton。Theysentittome。Butyoudidn’tkillHIM，too？\"
\"Idon’tknowthatIpersonallykilledeither，\"hesaidalittlecoldly。Hepaused，andcontinuedwithagravitywhichhecouldnothelpfeelingveryinconsistentandevenludicrous：\"Theywerebravemen，MissDows。\"
\"Tohavewornmypicture？\"saidMissSallybrightly。
\"TohaveTHOUGHTtheyhadsomuchtolivefor，andyettohavewillinglylaiddowntheirlivesforwhattheybelievedwasright。\"
\"Yo’didn’tgohuntin’meforthreeyearstotellME，aSo’th’ngirl，thatSo’th’nmenknowhowtofight，didyo’，co’nnle？\"
returnedtheyounglady，withtheslightestliftingofherheadanddroopingofherblue—veinedlidsinadivinehauteur。\"Theywerealwaysreadyenoughforthat，evenamongthemselves。Itwasmucheasierforthesepooahboystofightathingoutthanthinkitout，orworkitout。Yo’folksintheNo’thlearnedtodoallthree;
that’swhereyougotthegriponus。Yo’looksurprised，co’nnle。\"
\"Ididn’texpectyouwouldlookatit——quitein——in——thatway，\"
saidCourtlandawkwardly。
\"IamsorryIdisappointedyo’afteryo’’dtakensuchaheapo’
trouble，\"returnedtheyoungladywithapuzzlingassumptionofhumilityassheroseandsmoothedoutherskirts，\"butIcouldn’tknowexactlywhatyo’mightbeexpectingafterthreeyears;ifI
HAD，Imighthaveputonmo’ning。\"Shestoppedandadjustedastrayingtendrilofherhairwiththesharpcornerofthedeadman’sletter。\"ButIthankyo’，allthesame，co’nnle。Itwasrealgoodinyo’tothinkoftotingthesethingsoverhere。\"Andsheheldoutherhandfrankly。
Courtlandtookitwiththesickeningconsciousnessthatforthelastfiveminuteshehadbeenanunconscionableass。Hecouldnotprolongtheinterviewaftershehadsosignificantlyrisen。Ifhehadonlytakenhisleaveandkepttheletterandlocketforalatervisit，perhapswhentheywereolderfriends！Itwastoolatenow。
Hebentoverherhandforamoment，againthankedherforhercourtesy，andwithdrew。Amomentlatersheheardtherecedingbeatofhishorse’shoofsontheroad。
Sheopenedthedrawerofabrass—handledcabinet，andafteramoment’scriticalsurveyofherpictureinthedeadman’slocket，tosseditandtheletterintotherecessesofthedrawer。Thenshestopped，removedherlittleslipperfromherfoot，lookedatTHAT，too，thoughtfully，andcalled\"Sophy！\"
\"MissSally？\"saidthegirl，reappearingatthedoor。
\"Areyousureyoudidnotmovethatladder？\"
\"I’claretogoodness，MissSally，Inevertechedit！\"
MissSallydirectedacriticalglanceatherhandmaiden’sred—
coifedhead。\"No，\"shesaidtoherselfsoftly，\"itfeltnicerthanwool，anyway！\"
CHAPTERIII。
Inspiteoftheawkwardterminationofhisvisit，——orperhapsBECAUSEofit，——Courtlandcalledagainattheplantationwithintheweek。ButthistimehewasaccompaniedbyDrummond，andwasreceivedbyMissMirandaDows，atall，aquiline—nosedspinsteroffifty，whoseold—timepolitenesshadbecomeslightlyaffected，andwhoseoldbeliefshadgivenwaytoahalf—cynicalacceptanceofnewfacts。Mr。Drummond，delightedwiththefarmanditsmanagement，wasnolessfascinatedbyMissSally，whileCourtlandwasnowdiscreetenoughtodividehisattentionsbetweenherandheraunt，withtheresultthathewasfarfromparticipatinginChampney’sconvictionofMissMiranda’sunimportance。Tothefreedmenshestillrepresentedtheoldimplacabletask—mistress，anditwasevidentthattheysuperstitiouslybelievedthatshestillretainedavaguepowerofoverridingtheFourteenthAmendmentatherpleasure，andwasonlytoberestrainedbythemediationofthegood—humoredandsensibleMissSally。Courtlandwasquicktoseethevalueofthisinfluenceinthetransitionstateofthefreedmen，andpointeditouttohisprincipal。Drummond’spreviousdoubtsandskepticism，alreadyweakenedbyMissSally’sfascinations，vanishedentirelyatthisprospectofbeneficiallyutilizingtheselingeringevilsofslavery。Hewasconvinced，hewasevenenthusiastic。Theforeigninvestorswerementobeboughtout;theestateimprovedandenlargedbythecompany，andthefairownersretainedinthemanagementandcontrol。Likemostprejudicedmen，Drummond’sconversionwassuddenandextreme，and，beingapracticalman，wasatonceactedupon。Atasecondandthirdinterviewthepreliminarieswerearranged，andinthreeweeksfromCourtland’sfirstvisit，theDows’plantationandpartofMajorReed’sweremergedinthe\"DrummondSyndicate，\"andplacedbeyondfinancialuncertainty。CourtlandremainedtorepresentthecompanyassuperintendentatRedlands，andwiththetransferoftheEnglishinvestmentsChampneyretired，ashehadsuggested，toasmallerventureofhisown，onaplantationafewmilesdistantwhichthecompanyhadbeenunabletosecure。
DuringthisintervalCourtlandhadfrequentinterviewswithMissSally，andeasyandunrestrainedaccesstoherpresence。Hehadneveragainerredonthesideofromanceoremotion;hehadneveragainreferredtotheinfelixletterandphotograph;and，withoutbeingobligedtoconfinehimselfstrictlytobusinessaffairs，hehadmaintainedaneven，quiet，neighborlyintercoursewithher。
Muchofthiswastheresultofhisownself—controlandsoldierlytraining，andgavelittleindicationofthedeeperfeelingthathewasconsciouslaybeneathit。Attimeshecaughttheyounggirl’seyesfixeduponhimwithamischievouscuriosity。Astrangethrillwentthroughhim;therearefewsituationssosubtleanddangerousastheaccidentalconfidencesandunderstandingsoftwoyoungpeopleofoppositesex，eventhoughthequestionofanysentimentalinclinationbestillinabeyance。CourtlandknewthatMissSallyrememberedthetooseriousattitudehehadtakentowardsherpast。
Shemightlaughatit，andevenresentit，butsheKNEWit，rememberedit，knewthatHEdid，andthispreciousknowledgewasconfinedtothemselves。Itwasintheirmindswhentherewasapauseintheirmorepracticalandconventionalconversation，andwasevenrevealedintheexcessivecarewhichMissSallylatertooktoavertattherightmomenthermischievouslysmilingeyes。Onceshewentfarther。Courtlandhadjustfinishedexplainingtoheraplanforsubstitutingsmallfarmbuildingsfortheusualhalf—
cultivatedgarden—patchesdeartothenegrofield—hand，andhadlaiddownthedrawingsonthetableintheoffice，whentheyounglady，leaningagainstitwithherhandsbehindher，fixedherbrightgrayeyesonhisseriousface。
\"Ivowandprotest，co’nnle，\"shesaid，droppingintooneofthequaintsurvivalsofanold—timephraseologypeculiartoherpeople，\"Ineverallowedyo’couldjustgiveyo’selfuptobusiness，soulandbody，asyo’do，whenIfirstmetyo’thatday。\"
\"Why，whatdidyouthinkme？\"heaskedquickly。
MissSally，whohadaSouthernaptitudeforgesture，tookonelittlehandfrombehindher，twirleditaboveherheadwithaprettyairofdisposingofsomeairynothinginapresumablymasculinefashion，andsaid，\"Oh，THAT。\"
\"IamafraidIdidnotimpressyouthenasaverypracticalman，\"
hesaid，withafaintcolor。
\"Ithoughtyouroostedratherhigh，co’nnle，topickupmanywormsinthemo’ning。But，\"sheaddedwithadazzlingsmile，\"Ireckonfromwhatyo’saidaboutthephotograph，yo’thoughtIwasn’texactlywhatyo’believedIoughttobe，either。\"
Hewouldhavelikedtotellherthenandtherethathewouldhavebeencontentifthosebright，beautifuleyeshadneverkindledwithanythingbutloveorwomanlyaspiration;thatthatsoft，lazy，caressingvoicehadneverbeenliftedbeyondthefiresideordomesticcircle;thatthesunny，tendriledhairandpinkearshadneverinclinedtoanythingbutwhisperedadmiration;andthatthegraceful，lithe，erectfigure，soindependentandself—contained，hadbeensatisfiedtoleanonlyuponhisarmforsupport。Hewasconsciousthatthishadbeeninhismindwhenhefirstsawher;hewasequallyconsciousthatshewasmorebewilderinglyfascinatingtohiminherpresentinaccessibleintelligenceandpracticality。
\"Iconfess，\"hesaid，lookingintohereyeswithavaguesmile，\"I
didnotexpectyouwouldbesoforgetfulofsomeonewhohadevidentlycaredforyou。\"
\"MeaningMr。ChetBrooks，orMr。JoyceMasterton，orboth。That’slikemostyo’men，co’nnle。Yo’reckonbecauseagirlpleasesyo’
sheoughttobegratefulallherlife——andyo’rs，too！Yo’thinkdifferentnow！Butyo’needn’tactuptoitquitesomuch。\"Shemadealittledeprecatinggesturewithherdisengagedhandasiftowardoffanyretaliatinggallantry。\"Iain’tspeakingformyself，co’nnle。Yo’andmearegoodenoughfriends。Butthegirlsroundherethinkyo’’reatrifletoomuchtakenupwithriceandniggers。Andlookingatiteveninyo’rlight，co’nnle，itain’tBUSINESS。Yo’wanttokeepstraightwithMajorReed，soitwouldbejustaswelltosquarethemajor’swomanfolks。TavyandGussieReedain’texactlypoisonous，co’nnle，andyo’mightseeoneortheotherhomefromchurchnextSunday。TheSundayafterthat，justtoshowyo’ain’tparticular，andthatyo’goinforbeingaregularbeau，yo’mightwalkhomewithME。Don’tbefrightened——I’vegotabettergownthanthis。It’sanewone，justcomehomefromLouisville，andI’llwearitfortheoccasion。\"
Hedidnotdaretosaythatthequaintfrockshewasthenwearing——
aplain\"checked\"householdginghamusedforchildren’spinafores，withitsribbonsofthesamepattern，gatheredinbowsatthesmartapronpockets——hadbecomeapartofherbeauty，forhewasalreadyhopelesslyconsciousthatshewaslovelyinanything，andhemightbeimpelledtosayso。Hethankedhergravelyandearnestly，butwithoutgallantryoreffusion，andhadthesatisfactionofseeingthemischiefinhereyesincreaseinproportiontohisseriousness，andheardhersaywithaffectedconcern：\"Bearup，co’nnle！Don’tletitworryyo’tillthetimecomes，\"andtookhisleave。
OnthefollowingSundayhewaspresentattheRedlandsEpiscopalChurch，andaftertheservicestoodwithoutwardcomposurebutsomeinwardchafingamongthegallantyouthwho，afterthelocalfashion，hadrangedthemselvesoutsidethedoorsofthebuilding。
HewassomewhatsurprisedtofindMr。Champney，evidentlyasmuchoutofplaceashimself，butlessself—contained，waitinginthecrowdofexpectantcavaliers。AlthoughconvincedthattheyoungEnglishmanhadcomeonlytoseeMissSally，hewasgladtosharehisawkwardisolationwithanotherstranger，andgreetedhimpleasantly。TheDows’pew，beingnearertotheentrancethantheReeds’，gaveupitsoccupantsfirst。ColonelCourtlandliftedhishattoMissMirandaandhernieceatthesamemomentthatChampneymovedforwardandrangedhimselfbesidethem。MissSally，catchingCourtland’seye，showedthewhitesofherowninabackwardglanceofmischievoussignificancetoindicatethefollowingReeds。Whentheyapproached，Courtlandjoinedthem，andfindinghimselfbesideMissOctaviaenteredintoconversation。Apparentlythesuppressedpassionandsardonicmelancholyofthatdark—eyedyoungladyspurredhimtoalighter，gayerhumoreveninproportionasMissSally’sgood—naturedlevityandsunnypracticalityalwaysmadehimserious。Theypresentlyfelltotherearwithothercouples，andweresoonquitealone。
Alittlehaughty，buttallanderectinherwell—preservedblackgrenadinedress，whichgavehertheappearanceofayouthfulbutimplacablewidow，MissReeddeclaredshehadnotseentheco’nnlefor\"acoon’sage，\"andcertainlyhadnotexpectedtohavethehonorofhiscompanyaslongastherewereniggerstobeelevatedorpaintedtolooklikewhitemen。ShehopedthatheandpawandSallyDowswerehappy！Theyhadn’tyetgotsofarastoputupaniggerpreacherintheplaceofMr。Symes，theirrector，butsheunderstoodthattherewassometalkofrunningHannibalJohnson——
MissDows’coachman——forcountyjudgenextyear！No！shehadnotheardthattheco’nnleHIMSELFhadthoughtofrunningfortheoffice！Hemightlaughatherasmuchasheliked——heseemedtobeinbetterspiritsthanwhenshefirstsawhim——onlyshewouldliketoknowifitwas\"No’th’nstyle\"tolaughcominghomefromchurch？
OfcourseifitWASshewouldhavetoadoptitwiththeFourteenthAmendment。But，justnow，shenoticedthefolkswerestaringatthem，andMissSallyDowshadturnedroundtolook。Nevertheless，MissOctavia’ssallowcheeknearestthecolonel——thesunnyside——
hadtakenafaintbrunette’sflush，andthecornersofherproudmouthwereslightlylifted。
\"But，candidly，MissReed，don’tyouthinkthatyouwouldprefertohaveoldHannibal，whomyouknow，ascountyjudge，thanastrangerandaNorthernmanlikeME？\"
MissReed’sdarkeyesglancedsidewaysatthehandsomefaceandelegantfigurebesideher。Somethinglikeasaucysmilestruggledtoherthinlips。
\"Theremightn’tbemuchtochoose，Co’nnle。\"
\"Iadmitit。Weshouldbothacknowledgeourmistress，andbelikewaxinherhands。\"
\"Yo’oughttomakethatpootyspeechtoSallyDows，she’sgenerallymistressaroundhere。But，\"sheadded，suddenlyfixinghereyesonhim，\"howdoesithappenthatyo’ain’twalkingwithherinsteadofthatEnglishman？Yo’knowthatit’sasplainasdaythathetookthatlandovertherejusttobenearher，whenhewasnolongeragent。\"
ButCourtlandwasalwaysmasterofhimselfandquiteateaseregardingMissSallywhennotinthatlady’spresence。\"Youforget，\"hesaidsmilingly，\"thatI’mstillastrangerandknewlittleofthelocalgossip;andifIdidknowit，Iamafraidwedidn’tbargaintobuyupwiththeLANDMr。Champney’spersonalinterestintheLANDLADY。\"
\"Yo’’dhavehadyourhandsfull，forIreckonshe’spootyheavilymortgagedinthatfashion，already，\"returnedMissReedwithmerebadinagethanspitefulnessinthesuggestion。\"AndMr。ChampneywasrunpootyclosebyaFrenchcousinofherswhenhewashere。
Yo’haven’tgotanyFrenchbookstolendme，co’nnle——haveyo’？
PawsaysyoureadaheapofFrench，andIfinditmightyhardtokeepupMYpracticesinceIlefttheConventatSt。Louis，forpawdon’tknewwhatsortofbookstoorder，andIreckonhemakesawfulmistakessometimes。\"
Theconversationhereturninguponpoliteliterature，itappearedthatMissOctavia’sFrenchreading，throughashy，proudinnocenceandanimperfectknowledgeofthewickedsubtletiesofthelanguage，wassomewhatbroadandunconventionalforayounglady。
Courtlandpromisedtosendhersomebooks，andevenventuredtosuggestsomeAmericanandEnglishnovelsnotintensely\"No’th’n\"
nor\"metaphysical\"——accordingtotheacceptedSouthernbeliefs。A
newrespectandpityinginterestinthissullen，solitarygirl，crampedbytradition，andbruisedratherthanenlightenedbysadexperiences，cameoverhim。Hefoundhimselftalkingquiteconfidentiallytotheliftedhead，archedeyebrows，andaquilinenosebesidehim，andeventhinkingwhatahandsomehigh—bredBROTHERshemighthavebeentosomeone。Whentheyhadreachedthehouse，incompliancewiththefamiliarcustom，hesatdownononeofthelowerstepsoftheveranda，whileshe，shakingoutherskirt，tookaseatasteportwoabovehim。Thisenabledhim，afterthelanguidlocalfashion，toleanonhiselbowandgazeupintotheeyesoftheyounglady，whileshewithequallanguorlookeddownuponhim。ButinthepresentinstanceMissReedleanedforwardsuddenly，anddartingasharpquickglanceintohisveryconsciousnesssaid：——
\"Andyo’meantosay，co’nnle，there’snothingbetweenyo’andSallyDows？\"
Courtlandneitherflushed，trembled，grewconfused，norprevaricated。
\"Wearegoodfriends，Ithink，\"herepliedquietly，withoutevasionorhesitation。
MissReedlookedathimthoughtfully，\"Ireckonthatisso——andnomore。Andthat’swhyyo’’vebeensoluckyineverything，\"shesaidslowly。
\"Idon’tthinkIquiteunderstand，\"returnedCourtland，smiling。
\"Isthisaparadox——oraconsolation？\"
\"It’stheTRUTH，\"saidMissReedgravely。\"ThosewhotrytobeanythingmoretoSallyDowslosetheirluck。\"
\"Thatis——arerejectedbyher。Isshereallysorelentless？\"
continuedCourtlandgayly。
\"Imeanthattheylosetheirluckineverything。Somethingissuretohappen。AndSHEcan’thelpiteither。\"
\"IsthisaSibyllinewarning，MissReed？\"
\"No。It’sniggersuperstition。ItcamefromMammyJudy，Sally’soldnurse。It’spartoftheirregularHoo—doo。ShebewitchedMissSallywhenshewasababy，sothateverybodyisboundtoHERaslongastheycareforher，andsheisn’tboundtoTHEMinanyway。
Alltheirluckgoestoherassoonasthespellisonthem，\"sheaddeddarkly。
\"IthinkIknowtherest，\"returnedCourtlandwithstillgreatersolemnity。\"Yougatherthebudsofthewitch—hazelinAprilwhenthemoonisfull。Youthenpluckthreehairsfromtheyounglady’srighteyebrowwhensheisn’tlooking\"——
\"Yo’canlaugh，co’nnle，foryo’’relucky——becauseyo’’refree。\"
\"I’mnotsosureofthat，\"hesaidgallantly，\"forIoughttoberidingatthismomentovertotheInfirmarytovisitmySundaysick。Ifbeingmadetopleasantlyforgetone’stimeanddutyisasignofwitchcraftIamafraidMammyJudy’senchantmentswerenotconfinedtoonlyoneSouthernyounglady。\"
Thesoundofquickfootstepsonthegravelpathcausedthembothtolookup。Asurlylookingyoungfellow，ostentatiouslybootedandspurred，andcarryingaheavyrawhideriding—whipinhisswinginghand，wasapproachingthem。Deliberately，yetwithuneasyself—
consciousness，ignoringthepresenceofCourtland，henoddedabruptlytoMissReed，ascendedthesteps，brushedpastthembothwithoutpausing，andenteredthehouse。
\"Isthatyo’rmanners，Mr。Tom？\"calledtheyoungladyafterhim，aslightflushrisingtohersallowcheek。TheyoungmanmutteredsomethingfromthehallwhichCourtlanddidnotcatch。\"It’sCousinTomHigbee，\"sheexplainedhalfdisdainfully。\"He’shadsomeuglinesswithhishorse，Ireckon;butpawoughttoteachhimhowtobehave。And——Idon’tthinkhelikesNo’th’nmen，\"sheaddedgravely。
Courtland，whohadkepthistemperwithhisfullunderstandingoftheintruder’smeaning，smiledashetookMissReed’shandinparting。\"That’squiteenoughexplanation，andIdon’tknowwhyitshouldn’tbeevenanapology。\"
YettheincidentleftlittleimpressiononhimashestrolledbacktoRedlands。Itwasnotthefirsttimehehadtastedthedregsofformersectionalhatredinincivilityanddiscourtesy，butasitseldomcamefromhisoldpersonalantagonists——thesoldiers——andwasconfinedtothecallowyouth，previousnon—combatantsandpoliticians，hecouldaffordtooverlookit。HedidnotseeMissSallyduringthefollowingweek。
CHAPTERIV。
OnthenextSundayhewasearlyatchurch。Buthehadperhapsaccentedtheoccasionbydrivingthereinalightbuggybehindafastthoroughbred，possiblyselectedmoretothetasteofasmartcavalryofficerthananagriculturalsuperintendent。Hewasalreadyinasidepew，hiseyesdreamilyfixedontheprayer—bookledgebeforehim，whentherewasarustleatthechurchdoor，andathrillofcuriosityandadmirationpassedovertheexpectantcongregation。ItwastheentranceoftheDowsparty，MissSallywelltothefore。Shewasinhernewclothes，thelatestfashioninLouisville，thelatestbuttwoinParisandNewYork。
Itwasovertwentyyearsago。Ishallnotimperiltheeffectofthatlovelyvisionbyrecallingtotheeyeofto—dayafashionofyesterday。Enough，thatitenabledhertosethersweetfaceandvaporygoldenhairinahorseshoeframeofdelicateflowers，andtoliftherovalchinoutofabewilderingmistoftulle。Nordidacertainlightpolonaiseconcealtheoutlinesofhercharmingfigure。Eventhosewhowereconstrainedtowhispertoeachotherthat\"MissSally\"must\"benowgoingontwenty—five，\"didsobecauseshestillcarriedtheslendergracesofseventeen。Theorganswelledasiftowelcomeher;asshetookherseatarayofsunlight，thatwouldhavebeencruelandsearchingtoanyothercomplexion，driftedacrossthefaintpinkofhercheeks，andnestlinginhernebuloushairbecameitselftransfigured。Afewstained—glassVirtuesonthewindowsdidnotcomeoutofthiseffulgenceastriumphantly，anditwassmallwonderthatthedevotionaleyesoftheworshiperswanderedfromthemtothefaceofSallyDows。
Whentheservicewasover，asthecongregationfiledslowlyintotheaisle，Courtlandslippedmutelybehindher。Asshereachedtheporchhesaidinanundertone：
\"Ibroughtmyhorseandbuggy。Ithoughtyoumightpossiblyallowmetodrive\"——Buthewasstoppedbyadistressfulknittingofhergoldenbrows。\"No，\"shesaidquickly，butfirmly，\"youmustnot——
itwon’tdo。\"AsCourtlandhesitatedinmomentaryperplexity，shesmiledsweetly：\"We’llwalkroundbythecemetery，ifyoulike;itwilltakeaboutaslongasadrive。\"Courtlandvanished，gavehurriedinstructionsandadollartoaloungingnegro，andrejoinedMissSallyasthedelightedandproudfreedmandroveoutofthegate。MissSallyheavedaslightsighasthegallantequipagepassed。\"Itwasamightypootyturnout，co’nnle，andI’dhavejustadmiredtogo，butitwouldhavebeenratherhardontheotherfolks。There’stheReedsandMaxwellsandRobertsonsthataretoopooahtokeepbloodhorses，andtooproudtoridebehindanythingelse。Itwouldn’tbetherightthingforustogowhirlingby，scatteringourdustoverthem。\"Therewassomethingsosubtlypleasantinthisimpliedpartnershipofresponsibility，thatCourtlandforgottheabruptrefusalandthoughtonlyofthetactthatpromptedit。Nevertheless，hereaspellseemedtofalluponhisusuallyreadyspeech。Nowthattheyweretogetherforthefirsttimeinadistinctlysocialfashion，hefoundhimselfvacantly，meaninglesslysilent，contenttowalkbesidethischarming，summerypresence，brushedbyitsdelicatedraperies，andinhalingitsfreshness。Presentlyitspoke。
\"ItwouldtakemorethanathousandfeetoflumbertopatchupthecowshedsbeyondtheMoseleypasture，andanentirelynewbuildingwithanimproveddairywouldrequireonlyabouttwothousandmore。
Alltheoldmaterialwouldcomeingoodforfencing，andcouldbeusedwiththenewpostandrails。Don’tyo’thinkitwouldbebettertohaveanout—and—outnewbuilding？\"
\"Yes，certainly，\"returnedCourtlandalittleconfusedly。Hehadnotcalculateduponthispracticalconversation，andwasthemoredisconcertedastheywerepassingsomeoftheothercouples，whohadpurposelylingeredtooverhearthem。
\"And，\"continuedtheyounggirlbrightly，\"thefreightquestionisgettingtobeaprettyseriousone。AuntMirandaholdssomesharesintheBriggsvillebranchline，andthinkssomethingcouldbedonewiththedirectorsforanewtariffofchargesifsheputapressureonthem;Tylersaysthattherewassometalkoftheirreducingitonesixteenthpercent。beforewemovethisyear’scrop。\"
Courtlandglancedquicklyathiscompanion’sface。Itwasgrave，buttherewasthefaintestwrinklingofthecorneroftheeyelidnearesthim。\"Hadwenotbetterleavetheseseriousquestionsuntilto—morrow？\"hesaid，smiling。
MissSallyopenedhereyesdemurely。\"Why，yo’seemedSOquiet，I
reckonedyo’mustbefullofbusinessthismorning;butifyo’
prefercompanytalk，we’llchangethesubject。Theysaythatyo’
andMissReeddidn’thavemuchtroubletofindonelastSunday。
Shedon’tusuallytalkmuch，butshekeepsupapowerofthinking。
Ishouldreckon，\"sheadded，suddenlyeyinghimcritically，\"thatyo’andshemighthaveaheapo’thingstosaytoeachother。
She’sagooddealinyo’fashion，co’nnle，shedon’tforget，but\"——
moreslowly——\"Idon’tknowthatTHAT’SaltogetherthebestthingforYO’！\"
Courtlandliftedhiseyeswithaffectedconsternation。\"Ifthisisinthelightofanothermysteriouswarning，MissDows，Iwarnyouthatmyintellectisalreadytotteringwiththem。LastSundayMissReedthrilledmeforanhourwithsuperstitionandCassandra—likeprophecy。Don’tthingseverhappenaccidentallyhere，andwithoutwarning？\"
\"Imean，\"returnedtheyoungladywithherusualpracticaldirectness，\"thatTaveReedremembersagoodmanyhorridthingsaboutthewahthatsheoughttoforget，butdon’t。But，\"shecontinued，lookingathimcuriously，\"sheallowsshewasmightycutupbyhercousin’smannertoyo’。\"
\"IamafraidthatMissReedwasmoreannoyedthanIwas，\"saidCourtland。\"Ishouldbeverysorryifsheattachedanyimportancetoit，\"headdedearnestly。
\"AndYO’don’t？\"continuedMissSally。
\"No。WhyshouldI？\"Shenoticed，however，thathehadslightlydrawnhimselfupalittlemoreerect，andshesmiledashecontinued，\"IdaresayIshouldfeelashedoesifIwereinhisplace。\"
\"ButYO’wouldn’tdoanythingunderhanded，\"shesaidquietly。Asheglancedatherquicklysheaddeddryly：\"Don’ttrusttoomuchtopeoplealwaysactinginyo’fashion，co’nnle。Anddon’tthinktoomuchnortoolittleofwhatyo’hearhere。Yo’’rejustthekindofmantomakeagoodmanysillyenemies，andasmanyfoolishfriends。AndIdon’tknowwhichwillgiveyo’themosttrouble。
Onlydon’tyo’underrateEITHER，orholdyo’headsohigh，yo’
don’tseewhat’scrawlin’aroundyo’。That’swhy，inacopperheadswamp，ahorseisbittenoftenerthanahog。\"
Shesmiled，yetwithknittedbrowsandsuchaprettyaffectationofconcernforhercompanionthathesuddenlytookheart。
\"IwishIhadONEfriendIcouldcallmyown，\"hesaidboldly，lookingstraightintohereyes。\"I’dcarelittleforotherfriends，andfearnoenemies。\"
\"Yo’’reright，co’nnle，\"shesaid，ostentatiouslyslantingherparasolinamarveloussimulationofhidingapurelyimaginativeblushonacheekthatwasperfectlyinfantineinitsunchangedpink;\"companytalkismuchpootierthanwhatwe’vebeensaying。
And——meaningme——forIreckonyo’wouldn’tsaythatofanyothergirlbuttheoneyo’’rewalkingwith——what’sthematterwithme？\"
Hecouldnothelpsmiling，thoughhehesitated。\"Nothing！butothershavebeendisappointed。\"
\"AndthatbothersYO’？\"
\"ImeanIhaveasyethadnorighttoputyourfeelingstoanytest，while\"——
\"PoorChethad，yo’weregoingtosay！Well，hereweareatthecemetery！Ireckonedyo’wereboundtogetbacktothedeadagainbeforewe’dgonefar，andthat’swhyIthoughtwemighttakethecemeteryonourway。Itmayputmeinamoreproperframeofmindtopleaseyo’。\"
Asheraisedhiseyeshecouldnotrepressaslightstart。Hehadnotnoticedbeforethattheyhadpassedthroughasmallgatewayondivergingfromtheroad，andwasquiteunpreparedtofindhimselfontheedgeofagentleslopeleadingtoabeautifulvalley，andbeforehimalongvistaoftombs，whitehead—stonesandlowcrosses，edgedbydroopingcypressandtrailingfeatheryvines。
Somevineshadfallenandbeencaughtinlongloopsfromboughtobough，likefuneralgarlands，andhereandtherethetopsofisolatedpalmettosliftedaclusterofhearse—likeplumes。Yetinspiteofthisdominanceofsombrebutgracefulshadow，thedroopingdelicacyofdark—tasseledfoliageandleafyfringes，andthewavingmourningveilsofgray，translucentmoss，agloriousvivifyingSouthernsunsmiledandglitteredeverywhereasthroughtears。Thebalmofbay，southernwood，pine，andsyringabreathedthroughthelongalleys;thestimulatingscentofrosesmovedwitheveryzephyr，andthecloserodorsofjessamine，honeysuckle，andorangeflowershungheavilyinthehollows。ItseemedtoCourtlandlikethemourningofbeautifulandyouthfulwidowhood，seductiveeveninitsdissemblingtrappings，provocativeinthecontrastofitsownstillstrongvirility。Everywherethegrassgrewthickandluxuriant;thequickearthwasteemingwiththegerminationofthedeadbelow。
Theymovedslowlyalongsidebyside，speakingonlyofthebeautyofthespotandthegloryofthatsummerday，whichseemedtohavecompleteditsperfectionhere。Perhapsfromtheheat，theoverpoweringperfume，orsomeunsuspectedsentiment，theyoungladybecamepresentlyassilentandpreoccupiedashercompanion。Shebegantolingerandloiterbehind，hoveringlikeabutterflyoversomefloweringshruborclusteredsheafoflilies，until，encounteredsuddenlyinherfloatingdraperies，shemighthavebeentakenforasomewhatearlyandfartoobecomingghost。Itseemedtohim，also，thatherbrighteyeswereslightlyshadowedbyagentlethoughtfulness。Hemovedclosetohersidewithanirresistibleimpulseoftenderness，butsheturnedsuddenly，andsaying，\"Come！\"movedataquickerpacedownanarrowsidepath。
Courtlandfollowed。Hehadnotgonefarbeforehenoticedthatthegravesseemedtofallintoregularlines，theemblemsbecamecheaperandmorecommon;woodenheadandfootstonesofonemonotonouspatterntooktheplaceofcarvedfreestoneormarble，andheknewthattheyhadreachedthatpartofthecemeteryreservedforthosewhohadfalleninthewar。Thelonglinesdrawnwithmilitaryprecisionstretchedthroughthelittlevalley，andagainuptheoppositehillinanoddsemblanceofhollowsquares，ranks，andcolumns。AvaguerecollectionofthefatefulslopeofSnakeRivercameoverhim。ItwasintensifiedasMissSally，whowasstillprecedinghim，suddenlystoppedbeforeanisolatedmoundbearingabrokenmarbleshaftandapedestalwiththeinscription，\"ChesterBrooks。\"Afewwitheredgarlandsandimmortelleswerelyingatitsbase，butencirclingthebrokenshaftwasaperfectlyfresh，unfadedwreath。
\"Younevertoldmehewasburiedhere！\"saidCourtlandquickly，halfshockedattheunexpectedrevelation。\"WashefromthisState？\"
\"No，buthisregimentwas，\"saidMissSally，eyingthewreathcritically。
\"Andthiswreath，isitfromyou？\"continuedCourtlandgently。
\"Yes，Ithoughtyo’’dliketoseesomethingfreshandpooty，insteadofthosestaleones。\"
\"Andweretheyalsofromyou？\"heaskedevenmoregently。
\"Dearno！Theywereleftoverfromlastanniversarydaybysomeoftheveterans。That’stheonlyoneIputthere——thatis——IgotMr。
Champneytoleaveithereonhiswaytohishouse。Helivesjustyonder，yo’know。\"
Itwasimpossibletoresistthisinvinciblenaivete。CourtlandbithislipasthevisionarosebeforehimofthisstillmorenaifEnglishadmirerbringinghither，atMissSally’sbidding，thetributewhichshewishedtoplaceonthegraveofanoldlovertopleaseaTHIRDman。Meantime，shehadputhertwolittlehandsbehindherbackinthesimulatedattitudeof\"agoodgirl，\"andwassayinghalfsmilingly，andheeventhoughthalfwistfully：——
\"Areyo’satisfied？\"
\"Perfectly。\"
\"Thenlet’sgoaway。It’smightyhothere。\"
Theyturnedaway，anddescendingtheslopeagainre—enteredthethickershadeofthemainavenue。HeretheyseemedtohaveleftthesterneraspectofDeath。Theywalkedslowly;theairwasheavywiththehotincenseofflowers;theroadsinkingalittleleftagrassybankononeside。HereMissSallyhaltedandlistlesslyseatedherself，motioningCourtlandtodothesame。Heobeyedeagerly。Theincidentofthewreathhadtroubledhim，albeitwithcontendingsensations。ShehadgivenittopleaseHIM;whyshouldHEquestionthemanner，ortormenthimselfwithanyretrospectivethought？Hewouldhavegivenworldstohavebeenabletoacceptitlightlyorgallantly，——withanyothergirlhecould;butheknewhewastremblingonthevergeofapassionatedeclaration;themagnitudeofthestakewastoogreattobeimperiledbyalevityofwhichshewasmoreamistressthanhimself，andheknewthathissentimenthadfailedtoimpressher。Hispridekepthimfromappealingtoherstrangelypracticalnature，althoughhehadrecognizedandacceptedit，andhadevenbeguntobelieveitanessentialpartofthestrongfascinationshehadoverhim。Butbeingneitheracowardnoraweak，hesitatingidealist，whenhedeliberatelytookhisseatbesideherheasdeliberatelymadeuphismindtoaccepthisfate，whateveritmightbe，thenandthere。
Perhapstherewassomethingofthisinhisface。\"Ithoughtyo’
werelookingalittlewhite，co’nnle，\"shesaidquietly，\"andI
reckonedwemightsitdownaspell，andthentakeitslowlyhome。
Yo’ain’taccustomedtotheSo’th’nsun，andtheairinthehollowWASswampy。\"Ashemadeaslightgestureofdenial，shewentonwithaprettysisterlysuperiority：\"That’sthewayofyo’No’th’nmen。Yo’thinkyo’candoeverythingjustasifyo’wererearedtoit，andyo’nevermakeallowancefordifferentclimates，differentblood，anddifferentcustoms。That’swhereyo’slipup。\"
Buthewasalreadyleaningtowardsherwithhisdarkearnesteyesfixeduponherinawayshecouldnolongermistake。\"Attheriskofslippingupagain，MissDows，\"hesaidgently，droppingintoherdialectwithutterlyunconsciousflattery，\"IamgoingtoaskyoutoteachmeeverythingYOUwish，tobeallthatYOUdemand——whichwouldbefarbetter。Youhavesaidweweregoodfriends;Iwantyoutoletmehopetobemore。IwantyoutooverlookmydeficienciesandthedifferencesofmyraceandletmemeetyouontheonlylevelwhereIcanclaimtobetheequalofyourownpeople——thatoflovingyou。Givemeonlythesamechanceyougavetheotherpoorfellowwhosleepsyonder——thesamechanceyougavetheluckiermanwhocarriedthewreathforyoutoputuponhisgrave。\"
Shehadlistenedwithdelicatelyknittedbrows，thefaintesttouchofcolor，andahalf—laughing，half—superiordisapprobation。Whenhehadfinished，sheutteredaplaintivelittlesigh。\"Yo’
oughtn’ttohavesaidthat，co’nnle，butyo’andmearetoogoodfriendstoletevenTHATstandbetweenus。Andtoproveittoyo’
I’mgoingtoforgetitrightaway——andsoareyo’。\"
\"ButIcannot，\"hesaidquickly;\"ifIcouldIshouldbeunworthyofevenyourfriendship。Ifyoumustrejectit，donotmakemefeeltheshameofthinkingyoubelievemecapableofwantontrifling。Iknowthatthisavowalisabrupttoyou，butitisnottome。Youhaveknownmeonlyforthreemonths，butthesethreemonthshavebeentometherealizationofthreeyears’dreaming！\"
Assheremainedlookingathimwithbright，curiouseyes，butstillshakingherfairheaddistressedly，hemovednearerandcaughtherhandinthelittlepalelilacthreadglovethatwas，nevertheless，toowideforhersmallfingers，andsaidappealingly：\"ButwhyshouldYOUforgetit？Whymustitbeaforbiddentopic？Whatisthebarrier？Areyounolongerfree？Speak，MissDows——givemesomehope。MissDows！——Sally！\"
Shehaddrawnherselfaway，distressed，protesting，herfairheadturnedaside，untilwithaslighttwistandnarrowingofherhandshesucceededinslippingitfromtheglovewhichsheleftaprisonerinhiseagerclasp。\"There！Yo’cankeeptheglove，co’nnle，\"shesaid，breathingquickly。\"Sitdown！Thisisnottheplacenortheweatherforhuskingfrolics！Well！——yo’wanttoknowWHYyo’mustn’tspeaktomeinthatway。Bestill，andI’lltellyo’。\"
Shesmootheddownthefoldsofherfrock，sittingsidewaysonthebank，onelittlefoottouchingtheroad。\"Yo’mustn’tspeakthatwaytome，\"shewentonslowly，\"becauseit’sasmuchasyo’
company’swo’th，asmuchasOURproperty’swo’th，asmuchmaybeasyo’life’swo’th！Don’tliftyo’comb，co’nnle;ifyoudon’tcareforTHAT，othersmay。Sitstill，Itellyo’！Well，yo’comeherefromtheNo’thtorunthispropertyformoney——that’ssquareandfairbusiness;THATanyfoolherecanunderstand——it’sNo’th’nstyle;itdon’tinterferewiththesefools’familyaffairs;itdon’tbringintotheirbloodanyNo’th’ntaint;itdon’tdividetheirclannishness;itdon’tseparatefatherandson，sisterandbrother;andevenifyo’gotafootholdhereandsettleddown，theyknowtheycanalwaysoutvoteyo’fivetoone！Butletthesesamefoolsknowthatyo’’recourtin’aSo’th’ngirlknowntobe’Union’
duringthewah，thatgirlwhohaslaughedattheirfoolishness;letthemevenTHINKthathewantsthatgirltomixupthefamilyandtheraceandthepropertyforhim，andthereain’tayoungoroldfoolthatbelievesinSo’th’nisolationasthepriceofSo’th’nsalvationthatwouldn’triseagainstyo’！Thereisn’tonethatwouldn’tmakeshipwreckofyo’rsyndicateandyo’rcapitalandtheprosperityofRedlandsforthenextfouryearstocome，andthinktheyweredoingright！Theybegantosuspectyo’fromthefirst！
Theysuspectedyo’whenyo’neverwentanywhere，butstuckclosetothefahmandme。That’swhyIwantedyo’toshowyourselfamongthegirls;theywouldn’thavemindedyo’flirtingwiththemwiththechanceofyo’breakingyo’heartoverTaveReedorLympyMorris！They’refoolsenoughtobelievethatasnuborajiltfromaSo’th’ngirlwouldpaythembackforalostbattleoraruinedplantation！\"
ForthefirsttimeMissSallysawCourtland’scalmbloodflytohischeekandkindleinhiseye。\"YousurelydonotexpectMEtotoleratethisblindandinsolentinterference！\"hesaid，risingtohisfeet。
Sheliftedherunglovedhandindeprecation。\"Sitstill，co’nnle。
Yo’’vebeenasoldier，andyo’knowwhatdutyis。Well！what’syo’dutytoyo’company？\"
\"Itneitherincludesmyprivateaffairsnorregulatesthebeatingofmyheart。Iwillresign。\"
\"AndleavemeandAuntMirandaandtheplantation？\"
\"No！Thecompanywillfindanothersuperintendenttolookafteryouraunt’saffairsandcarryoutourplans。Andyou，Sally——youwillletmefindyouahomeandfortuneNorth？Thereisworkformethere;thereisroomforyouamongmypeople。\"
Sheshookherheadslowlywithasweetbutsuperiorsmile。\"No，co’nnle！Ididn’tbelieveinthewah，buttheleastIcoulddowastostandbymyfolksandsharethepunishmentthatIknewwascomingfromit。Idespisethisfoolishnessasmuchasyo’，butI
can’trunawayfromit。Come，co’nnle，Iwon’taskyo’toforgetthis;mo’，I’llevenbelieveyo’MEANTit，butyo’’llpromisemeyo’won’tspeakofitagainaslongasyo’arewiththecompanyandAuntMirandaandme！Theremustn’tbemore——theremustn’tevenSEEMtobemore——betweenus。\"
\"ButthenImayhope？\"hesaid，eagerlygraspingherhand。
\"Ipromisenothing，foryo’mustnotevenhaveTHATexcuseforspeakingofthisagain，eitherfromanythingIdoormayseemtodo。\"Shestopped，releasedherhand，ashereyesweresuddenlyfixedonthedistance。Thenshesaidwithaslightsmile，butwithouttheleastembarrassmentorimpatience：\"There’sMr。
Champneycomingherenow。Ireckonhe’slookingtoseeifthatwreathissafe。\"
Courtlandlookedupquickly。HecouldseethestrawhatoftheyoungEnglishmanjustabovethemyrtlebushesinapathintersectingtheavenue。Afaintshadowcrossedhisface。\"Letmeknowonethingmore，\"hesaidhurriedly。\"IknowIhavenorighttoaskthequestion，buthas——has——hasMr。Champneyanythingtodowithyourdecision？\"
Shesmiledbrightly。\"Yo’askedjustnowifyo’couldhavethesamechanceheandChetBrookshad。Well，poorChetisdead，andMr。Champney——well！——waitandsee。\"Sheliftedhervoiceandcalled，\"Mr。Champney！\"Theyoungfellowcamebrisklytowardsthem;hisfacebetrayedaslightsurprise，butnodiscomfiture，asherecognizedhercompanion。
\"Oh，Mr。Champney，\"saidMissSallyplaintively，\"I’velostmyglovesomewherenearpooahBrooks’stombinthehollow。Won’tyougoandfetchit，andcomebackheretotakemehome？Theco’nnlehasgottogoandseehissickniggersinthehospital。\"Champneyliftedhishat，noddedgeniallytoCourtland，anddisappearedbelowthecypressesontheslope。\"Yo’mustn’tbemad，\"shesaid，turninginexplanationtohercompanion，\"butwehavebeenheretoolongalready，andit’sbetterthatIshouldbeseencominghomewithhimthanyo’。\"
\"Thenthissectionalinterferencedoesnottouchhim？\"saidCourtlandbitterly。
\"No。He’sanEnglishman;hisfatherwasaknownfriendoftheConfederacy，andboughttheircottonbonds。\"
Shestopped，gazingintoCourtland’sfacewithaprettyvagueimpatienceandaslightpoutingofherlip。
\"Co’nnle！\"
\"MissSally。\"
\"Yo’sayyo’hadknownmeforthreeyearsbeforeyo’sawme。Well，wemetoncebeforeweeverspoketoeachother！\"
Courtlandlookedinherlaughingeyeswithadmiringwonder。
\"When？\"heasked。
\"Thefirstdayyo’came！Yo’movedtheladderwhenIwasonthecornice，andIwalkedalleveryo’head。And，likeagentleman，yo’neversaidawordaboutit。IreckonIstoodonyo’headforfiveminutes。\"
\"Notaslongasthat，\"saidCourtlandlaughing，\"ifIrememberrightly。\"
\"Yes，\"saidMissSallywithdancingeyes。\"I，aSo’th’ngirl，actuallysetmyfootontheheadofaNo’th’nscumofaco’nnle！
My！\"
\"Letthatsatisfyyourfriendsthen。\"
