a soldier and have such mathematically square pieces of
bread, such well-boiled meat on a tin plate, such an exactly measured
mug of clear coffee? Who would not wear the light-blue trousers with
their sharp fold of newness making a straight line to the very boot? Who
would not have such well-parted, shining hair? So thought the
mountain-boys, and rode homeward pondering.

The officers in command, on principle disgusted for several seasons with
still-hunting, which they deemed police-duty, were now ready to catch at
any straw to avenge the death of Allison. The mountaineers and the
detectives might fire at each other as long as they enjoyed the pastime;
but let them not dare to aim at an army-officer--let them not dare! They
were astir at once, and called to Royce to wait for them; but he was
already gone.

Stephen had a start of not quite forty minutes; but, unconscious of
pursuit, he walked slowly, not caring to return before nightfall. His
natural gait was slow; his narrow chest did not take in breath widely,
as some chests do, and, slight as his figure was, he labored if hurried.
His step was short and rather careful, his ankles and feet being
delicate and small. There was no produced development of muscle on him
anywhere; he had always known that he could not afford anything of that
kind, and had let himself alone. As he now walked on, he dreamed.
Adelaide's words rang in his ear; he could not forget them. "A woman
reads a woman," he said to himself. "Adelaide thinks that I can win
her." Then he let his thoughts go: "At last my life will have an object;
this sweet young girl will love me, and love me for myself alone; she is
incapable of any other feeling." He was very human, after all; he longed
so to be loved! His wealth and his insignificance had been two
millstones around his neck all his life; he had believed nobody. Under
every feeling that had ever come to him lurked always, deepest of all,
suspicion. Now, late in life, in this far-off wilderness, he had found
some one in whom he believed.

He pleased himself with the thought of the jewels he would give her; he
journeyed with her in fancy through the whole of the Old World. The
moisture came to his eyes as he imagined how she would pray morning and
night just the same, and that he would be there to see her; he said to
himself that he would never laugh at her, but would bring his
unbelieving heart and lay it in her hand: if she could mold it, well and
good,