cial
mind, that his misfortune was the result of the defective moral quality
of his being a stranger, and was, in a vague sort of a way, a warning to
others, and a lesson to him. "Did you hear how that San Francisco feller
was took down the other night?" was the average tone of introductory
remark. Indeed, there was a general suggestion that Ridgeway's presence
was one that no self-respecting, high-minded highwayman, honorably
conservative of the best interests of Tuolumne County, could for a
moment tolerate.

Except for the few words spoken on that eventful morning, Ridgeway was
reticent of the past. When Jenny strove to gather some details of
the affray that might offer a clew to his unknown assailant, a subtle
twinkle in his brown eyes was the only response. When Mr. McClosky
attempted the same process, the young gentleman threw abusive epithets,
and, eventually slippers, teaspoons, and other lighter articles within
the reach of an invalid, at the head of his questioner. "I think he's
coming round, Jinny," said Mr. McClosky: "he laid for me this morning
with a candlestick."

It was about this time that Miss Jenny, having sworn her father to
secrecy regarding the manner in which Ridgeway had been carried into the
house, conceived the idea of addressing the young man as "Mr. Dent,"
and of apologizing for intruding whenever she entered the room in the
discharge of her household duties. It was about this time that she
became more rigidly conscientious to those duties, and less general in
her attentions. It was at this time that the quality of the invalid's
diet improved, and that she consulted him less frequently about it. It
was about this time that she began to see more company, that the house
was greatly frequented by her former admirers, with whom she rode,
walked, and danced. It was at about this time also, and when Ridgeway
was able to be brought out on the veranda in a chair, that, with great
archness of manner, she introduced to him Miss Lucy Ashe, the sister of
her betrothed, a flashing brunette, and terrible heart-breaker of Four
Forks. And, in the midst of this gayety, she concluded that she would
spend a week with the Robinsons, to whom she owed a visit. She
enjoyed herself greatly there, so much, indeed, that she became quite
hollow-eyed, the result, as she explained to her father, of a too
frequent indulgence in festivity. "You see, father, I won't have many
chances after John and I are married: you know