beyond the hill。 Then he looked up at the firmament; and as he did
so a star shot across the twinkling field。 Presently another; and
then another。 The phenomenon suggested to Mr。 Hamlin a fresh
augury。 If in another fifteen minutes another star should fall
He sat there; watch in hand; for twice that time; but the
phenomenon was not repeated。
The clock struck two; and Brown still slept。 Mr。 Hamlin approached
the table and took from his pocket a letter; which he read by the
flickering candlelight。 It contained only a single line; written
in pencil; in a woman's hand:
〃Be at the corral; with the buggy; at three。〃
The sleeper moved uneasily; and then awoke。 〃Are you there Jack?〃
〃Yes。〃
〃Don't go yet。 I dreamed just now; Jackdreamed of old times。 I
thought that Sue and me was being married agin; and that the
parson; Jack; waswho do you think?you!〃
The gambler laughed; and seated himself on the bedthe paper still
in his hand。
〃It's a good sign; ain't it?〃 queried Brown。
〃I reckon。 Say; old man; hadn't you better get up?〃
The 〃old man;〃 thus affectionately appealed to; rose; with the
assistance of Hamlin's outstretched hand。
〃Smoke?〃
Brown mechanically took the proffered cigar。
〃Light?〃
Jack had twisted the letter into a spiral; lit it; and held it for
his companion。 He continued to hold it until it was consumed; and
dropped the fragmenta fiery starfrom the open window。 He
watched it as it fell; and then returned to his friend。
〃Old man;〃 he said; placing his hands upon Brown's shoulders; 〃in
ten minutes I'll be on the road; and gone like that spark。 We
won't see each other agin; but; before I go; take a fool's advice:
sell out all you've got; take your wife with you; and quit the
country。 It ain't no place for you; nor her。 Tell her she must
go; make her go; if she won't。 Don't whine because you can't be a
saint; and she ain't an angel。 Be a manand treat her like a
woman。 Don't be a damn fool。 Good…by。〃
He tore himself from Brown's grasp; and leaped down the stairs like
a deer。 At the stable door he collared the half…sleeping hostler
and backed him against the wall。 〃Saddle my horse in two minutes;
or I'll〃 The ellipsis was frightfully suggestive。
〃The missis said you was to have the buggy;〃 stammered the man。
〃Damn the buggy!〃
The horse was saddled as fast as the nervous hands of the astounded
hostler could manipulate buckle and strap。
〃Is anything up; Mr。 Hamlin?〃 said the man; who; like all his
class; admired the elan of his fiery patron; and was really
concerned in his welfare。
〃Stand aside!〃
The man fell back。 With an oath; a bound; and clatter; Jack was
into the road。 In another moment; to the man's half…awakened eyes;
he was but a moving cloud of dust in the distance; toward which a
star just loosed from its brethren was trailing a stream of fire。
But early that morning the dwellers by the Wingdam turnpike; miles
away; heard a voice; pure as a skylark抯; singing afield。 They who
were asleep turned over on their rude couches to dream of youth and
love and olden days。 Hard…faced men and anxious gold…seekers;
already at work; ceased their labors and leaned upon their picks;
to listen to a romantic vagabond ambling away against the rosy
sunrise。