University of California Berkeley 
 
 rattft 
 
A NATURAL 
 
 A STORY 
 
 OF 
 
 PHOENIX, ARIZONA. 
 
 BY 
 
 JANIE CHASE MICHAELS. 
 
 Cbarlcs 1b. lass Company 
 1895. 
 
Qpyrighted, 1895 
 
 by 
 JANIE C. MICHAELS. 
 
QUOTATIONS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " In to-day already walks to-morrow." 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 ' ' Those about her, 
 From her shall learn the perfect ways of honor." 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 " O, for a beaker full of the warm South ! " 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 "And though he trip and fall, 
 He shall not blind his soul with clay." 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 ' ' The secret of success is constancy to purpose. ' ' 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 "And, after all, what is a lie? 'Tis but the 
 truth in masquerade." 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 ' ' Truth is the highest thing that man may 
 keep." 
 
A NATURAL SEQUENCE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 "//? to day already walks to morrow. 1 ' 
 
 THE annual rainfall usually occurs in 
 December. But in this month of the 
 year 189 anxious watchers searched the 
 sky in vain for the white, fleecy specks 
 that always herald the coming of the 
 storm-clouds. On the ranges the cattle 
 were dying for lack of food and water; 
 while thick coats of dingy gray covered 
 the green of cultivated tracts. All the 
 Salt River Valley lay athirst beneath the 
 scorching rays of a semi-tropical sun. 
 
10 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 It was not until the following Febru- 
 ary that the storm elements triumphantly 
 trailed their black skirts across the 
 encircling mountains. As if by magic, 
 the foot-hills became covered with a 
 juicy grass; the desert no longer held 
 up haggard and imploring hands of 
 scanty vegetation; and the fruit groves 
 and orchards became "huge seas of 
 verdure." 
 
 Within the city, forming the com- 
 mercial centre of this hot plateau, the 
 floating particles of dust had found their 
 proper level. Each atom seemed a mag- 
 net. Collectively, they were a good 
 illustration of the ancient proverb, " In 
 union there is strength." Whatever 
 came in contact with their cohesive, 
 adhesive surfaces was drawn with an 
 almost irresistible force towards mother- 
 earth. On the morning of the tenth day 
 
In to day already walks to morrow. 1 1 
 
 of rainfall, there were not many pedes- 
 trians abroad. Only necessity took one 
 out of doors where over-shoes were almost 
 sure to part company with their proper! 
 companions and attach themselves to the 
 black adobe. 
 
 Elsa Walton stood at the front window 
 of a house on Washington street and 
 gazed frowningly upon the gloomy land- 
 scape. The dwelling, modern in style 
 and constructed of brick, stood upon a 
 raised lawn, across which a graveled 
 path led from the front door to the 
 side-walk. The water ran off this beaten 
 way into irrigating canals dug on each 
 side of it. There was nothing here to 
 justify the two little lines gradually 
 deepening between the girl's eyebrows. 
 
 Beyond the fence enclosing this house, 
 there lay a watery sheet of no mean 
 dimensions. The land here sloped from 
 
12 .1 Natural Sequence. 
 
 the north; and the " ditch" between 
 side-walk and road-level had overflowed 
 its banks. How to get around this 
 * miniature pond was a vexatious problem. 
 It was this perplexity that had clouded 
 the usually pleasant face of Miss Walton. 
 She was a teacher in the "Number One" 
 school building; and, in spite of the 
 storm and bad condition of the roads, 
 must go to her post of duty. In fair 
 weather, it was not more than a ten 
 minutes' walk to the school-house; but 
 now not less than half an hour would be 
 required to reach it. 
 
 After watching for a few minutes the 
 circling wavelets made by the pelting 
 rain-drops, she turned away, saying: 
 "Well! as I must test the depth of the 
 water, I may as well be getting ready to 
 sally forth. How I do dislike, though, 
 
In to day already walks to morrow, \\\ 
 
 to exchange this coziness and comfort for 
 the ontside wet and gloom." 
 
 The apartment in which she stood 
 revealed a girl's innate love for pretty 
 and bright surroundings. The chairs 
 were placed as if for delightful tete-a-tetes', 
 an upright piano stood near the east 
 window ; a small tea-table, with its adorn- 
 ments of china and a silver tea urn, was 
 a silent witness to social chats; while 
 numerous pieces of bric-a-brac and dainty 
 scarfs, gracefully draped, gave a final 
 touch of color and refinement to the room. 
 Small wonder that its occupant wished to 
 remain within doors ; but there could be 
 no choice in the matter. So with a half 
 sigh she crossed the room and entered 
 another, separated from the first by a 
 curtained arch. During the day-time 
 this adjoining apartment presented every 
 appearance of a well-regulated back 
 
14 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 parlor. All that could be seen from the 
 front room was a conventional centre 
 table and a huge bookcase. The latter 
 stood against the white, unpapered wall, 
 its broad front boasting curtains of some 
 thin, flowered material. At night these 
 were pushed aside; and springs were 
 revealed more dear to civilized humanity 
 than even those from which flow the 
 streams of knowledge. The fairy god- 
 mother of modern invention went further, 
 and transformed sundry chairs and tables 
 into the additional belongings of "my 
 lady's chamber." 
 
 Miss Walton occupied these two rooms 
 in common with her friend, Martha Cog- 
 geshall, a Massachusetts girl, who was 
 now a teacher in the "Number Two" 
 building at the other side of the city, 
 and who had set out for the scene of 
 
In to day already walks to morrow. 15 
 
 her labors at an early hour on this 
 unpropitious morning. 
 
 Advancing reluctantly to a small 
 table covered with feminine belongings, 
 Elsa abstracted several pins from a 
 cushion, with which she proceeded to 
 shorten the blue serge skirt hanging in 
 graceful folds to the floor. 
 
 This gown showed to advantage her 
 rounded and symmetrical figure. It also 
 suited well her blonde complexion. 
 
 "I shall wet my feet, I know;" she 
 murmured dolefully, while making the 
 circuit of the skirt. "There won't be 
 half a dozen children out on such a day 
 as this; and it is all nonsense for me 
 to go down there. However, as I am 
 subject, and not ruler, I may as well save 
 my breath for the tug of war. Where's 
 my umbrella?" 
 
16 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 Shaking into place the shortened skirt, 
 she glanced around in search of the 
 needed article. Its tip was just visible 
 below a curtain shutting off a right 
 angled space on the opposite side of the 
 room. Crossing over, she picked up the 
 umbrella and laid it on a table; then 
 removed her waterproof from its peg. 
 While donning this indispensable wrap, 
 she mused wickedly: "I just wish that 
 I had some of those hideous garments 
 advocated by certain leaders of reform. 
 I'd put them on this morning. They 
 would be much more suitable than petti- 
 coats for a tramp through this heavy 
 
 rain." 
 
 But when once outside the door, a 
 glorious sense of the youth and health 
 that made possible for her a walk in this 
 inclement weather chased away all rebell- 
 ious feelings. The freshness of the damp 
 
In to day already walks to morrow. 17 
 
 air gave her new life. "I don't believe I 
 want this umbrella ;" she said, medi- 
 tatively, with one hand still on the door- 
 knob. u The rain cannot injure either 
 mackintosh or sailor hat; and as for 
 myself, I am neither sugar nor salt." 
 Opening the door, she placed the umbrella 
 inside. 
 
 Her spirits rising with the buoyancy 
 of girlhood, Elsa ran down the steps. 
 The rain-drops on her face were refresh- 
 ing. She bent her neck backward to 
 catch more of their coolness, only lower- 
 ing her head when the gate was reached. 
 It closd after her with a click. The 
 water covering the side-walk proved 
 shallow, and the crossing, a short distanc 
 down the street, was safely reached. 
 Here, the swelling pool was of greater 
 depth; but by slowly and cautiously 
 choosing her way, the opposite side of the 
 
18 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 street was gained with over-shoes still 
 above high-water mark. 
 
 At this point the soft earth proved a 
 snare indeed. With the first step into its 
 treacherous depth an over-shoe was left 
 behind. This had been carefully read- 
 justed when she heard behind her the 
 plash and thud of a horse's hoofs. The 
 girl's face brightened. It might be 
 some one coming whom she knew, and 
 who would help her out of this awkward 
 plight. The horse had slackened his 
 pace, was abreast of her now, and she 
 could see who was his driver. Delight- 
 ful ! it was Mr. Butler going to his ranch ; 
 and she had met him once or twice at 
 social -gatherings. 
 
 Miss Walton gave a bow of recognition. 
 The man acknowledged the salutation by 
 lifting his hat; and then drove along. 
 
In to day already walks to morrow. 19 
 
 The girl arched her eyebrows in 
 astonishment. u To say the least, you are 
 thoughtless," she ejaculated, looking 
 after the retreating figure with an angry 
 sparkle in her blue eyes. But there was 
 no time to waste in idle exclamations. 
 
 With the next step forward, both over- 
 shoes sank from sight .in the black ooze. 
 Dainty Elsa looked down in dismay at 
 her wet and muddy gaiters, recovered the 
 over-shoes, and, with these in one hand, 
 made ready for a reckless plunge through 
 the mud. But even now her headway 
 was slow; for at each step, a small kid 
 boot came up freighted with the sticky 
 adobe. 
 
 Again wheels were heard near her; 
 but this time she scorned to look up. 
 The carriage was evidently coming 
 toward "town." Just behind her, it 
 wheeled; and almost before she became 
 
20 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 aware of its close proximity, a masculine 
 voice said: "I will take you to school. '> 
 
 Miss Walton turned her head. Could 
 it be possible that here was the very man 
 who had so thoughtlessly driven past her. 
 Would she ride now? No, indeed! The 
 mischief was done. Both shoes were 
 wet and muddy. And a little forethought 
 on his part would have prevented this. 
 
 Seeing her hesitation, the man said : 
 " I was so busy thinking when I passed 
 you, that I neglected to ask you to ride. 
 As soon as I came to my senses, I drove 
 back." 
 
 He was now on the ground, one hand 
 extended to assist her into the buggy. 
 
 The awkward apology and masculine 
 assurance that she would ride only served 
 to increase the ire of outraged youth and 
 beauty. She was not the girl to stand 
 meekly by the roadside, in a pouring 
 
In to day already walks to morrow. -\ 
 
 rain, and wait for a man to complete his 
 reveries before offering his needed ser- 
 vices." 
 
 "I prefer to walk," she answered, with 
 marked emphasis on the second word. 
 
 There are men and men. At this curt 
 sentence, delivered with an air of hauteur, 
 the greater number would have gone 
 away at once; others would have repeated 
 their offer of aid, and, after a second re- 
 fusal, would have departed; while a still 
 smaller number would have pressed their 
 services upon her, and finanally would 
 have left her, disgusted at her obstinacy. 
 
 Donald Butler was unlike any of these. 
 The imperative mood was his usual form 
 of expression, revealing the strong will 
 power that commands obedience. He had 
 no idea of going away and leaving a girl 
 stuck in the mud, simply because, for 
 
22 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 some foolish reason, she had refused his 
 assistance. 
 
 "I will take you to school," he repeated. 
 
 Unlucky construction. 
 
 Elsa looked longingly at the school 
 building looming up ahead, and again 
 said frigidly : " I prefer to walk." 
 
 " Yes," he assented pleasantly, " but 
 this morning you are foolish to think of 
 it. You should have taken a street car." 
 
 She would not tell him that, owing to 
 a bad accident, the cars were off this 
 morning, and she had no one to send for 
 a public conveyance. It mattered not to 
 her how foolish he might think her. 
 
 Still holding the muddy over-shoes in 
 one hand, while her damp skirts were 
 tightly clinched in the other, she attempt- 
 ed to go forward. But with the effort 
 what a wave of humiliation swept over 
 her ! Each foot seemed weighted with 
 
In to day already walks to morrow. 'l'-\ 
 
 pounds of lead. And there, in front of 
 her, stood that insolent man. 
 
 He was tightening a strap at his horse's 
 head. Elsa stole a look at him. She 
 already knew that he was tall and well 
 formed. His profile was good, very good; 
 but his hands were large and covered 
 with detestable freckles ; and when he 
 turned and accosted her again, she 
 mentally concluded that the face was not 
 a frank one. It could not be read at a 
 glance. 
 
 U A woman has always the privilege of 
 changing her mind," he remarked. u You 
 had better do so now." 
 
 No reply. 
 
 Butler fell to studying Miss Walton. 
 He coolly wondered how much of her 
 fresh coloring was natural, and what pro- 
 portion was due to the rain. After a crit- 
 ical survey, he decided that her beauty 
 
24 A Natural Scquc?ice. 
 
 was of a rare order, not his style though. 
 He liked a brunette, and this girl was a 
 blonde. Her present mood was also at 
 variance with the sweet, infantile dispo- 
 sition usually accredited to girls of that 
 type. 
 
 His horse becoming restive, he turned 
 and laid a restraining hand on the bridle. 
 
 Metaphorically speaking, Miss Walton 
 ground her teeth with rage. Why didn't 
 the man get into his buggy and drive 
 away? Oh, for that umbrella ! With it 
 she could at least hide her face from his 
 insolent gaze. Thanks, however, to a 
 strong constitution, she could stand here 
 as long as he. But who would have 
 thought of such an exasperating scene as 
 this taking place? And it wouldn't have 
 happened anywhere but in a little frontier 
 city. The men here were so rude and 
 uncultured ! 
 
In to day already walks to morrow. '2^ 
 
 O Elsa ! and only two days before you 
 had remarked to Martha that the gentle- 
 men you had met in Phoenix were deserv- 
 ing of that epithet in a high sense. 
 
 " It must be nearly time for the ring- 
 ing of the ten minutes' bell, " she thought. 
 As proof of this there came resounding 
 upon the air its first peal. It increased 
 the annoyance which she had been culti- 
 vating to genuine anxiety. She, the per- 
 sonification of punctuality, to be late to 
 school ! She wished she hadn't been so 
 foolish in the first place. But now ! 
 
 More imperatively sounded that warn- 
 ing bell. 
 
 A way of escape from her dilemma was 
 suggested to her mind; it gained tangible 
 form. It was possible to accept a seat in 
 his carriage, and yet save her maidenly 
 dignity. 
 
26 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 Very condescending was the tone in 
 which she addressed him: " Mr. Butler, 
 owing to yonr importunings, you have 
 delayed me, until I very much fear 
 that I cannot reach my destination by 
 the hour of nine. Tardiness is a short- 
 coming that I do not excuse in my pupils, 
 therefore I must not appear late before 
 them. I should have preferred walking, 
 but now I shall feel greatly obliged if 
 you will drive me to the school-building." 
 
 " It's a pity that you hadn't thought of 
 this before;" was the laconic reply that 
 set every nerve in Elsa tingling with 
 anger. She drew herself up in haughty 
 silence. 
 
 When set down before the school-build- 
 ing, she conveyed her thanks rather curt- 
 ly, and then hurried within to the dress- 
 ing room. Before the ringing of the last 
 bell, there was hardly time to remove 
 
Shall learn the perfect ways of honor. 27 
 
 waterproof, change wet shoes for noiseless 
 slippers, and otherwise make herself com- 
 fortable for the morning. 
 
 All through that session the query : 
 " What manner of man is he?" would 
 force itself into her mind with the teach- 
 ing of numbers and reading. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 "Those about her, 
 From her shall learn the perfect ways of honor." 
 
 WITH the advent of mid-summer came 
 intense heat. Not the gentlest zephyr 
 was astir. So still the calm that the very 
 air seemed to be holding its breath in 
 admiration of the varied crops and ripen- 
 ing fruits fast reaching perfection in this 
 sun-kissed land. 
 
28 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 To northern-bred Elsa the days were 
 often oppressive. One evening, after the 
 going down of the sun, she came out on 
 the veranda, hoping that it might be 
 cooler here than indoors. Within the 
 house, too, her thoughts reverted more 
 frequently to Martha who, in company 
 with other of Miss Walton's friends, was 
 out of the city. Thinking upon these 
 absent ones brought up pictures of 
 shady forests, flashing streams, and 
 winds, moisture laden. Elsa imagined 
 the delight of being with them in some 
 sylvan retreat or by the " cool sea- 
 
 waves." 
 
 The thought had in it no element of 
 discontent. Her critical and creative 
 powers weighed circumstances and always 
 found happiness in immediate environ- 
 ments. The air of Phoenix might be dry 
 and warm, but it was laden with spicy 
 
Shall learn the perfect ways of honor. 29 
 
 odors of figs, grapes, peaches and other 
 delicious fruits, while every table and 
 bracket within doors held vases and bowls 
 of fragrant roses. Furthermore, " the 
 august three" had met the preceding 
 night and decreed that she and Martha 
 should be two of the few public school- 
 teachers retained for the coming year. 
 After standing for thirteen full weeks on 
 the rickety fence of uncertainty, it was 
 as good as a breeze from the sea-shore to 
 be allowed to get down. Taking all 
 things into consideration there was much 
 to be thankful for. 
 
 In this comfortable frame of mind, she 
 strolled down the path, and across the 
 road and the vacant lot beyond, to the 
 home of her friend, Mrs. Anson. 
 
 Before the house stretched a broad lawn 
 divided by a wide gravel walk. Over this 
 had been built an arbor, now covered with 
 
30 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 luxuriant grape-vines from which hung 
 the ripened fruit. Her observant eyes 
 singling out an especially fine bunch of 
 the purple globes, Elsa possessed herself 
 of it and another that seemed equally as 
 good. 
 
 With these in her hand, she came to 
 the open door. The electric light at the 
 entrance of the porch was ablaze, illu- 
 minating, however, only the adjacent por- 
 tion of the long central hall that served 
 as a family sitting room. Beyond was 
 shadow. 
 
 Elsa paused on the threshold. All 
 within was quiet. The electric fan on 
 the table at the rear of the room was in 
 motion ; the breezes that it made stirred 
 the pink roses at her belt, and blew astray 
 the soft, damp locks on her fore-head. 
 The currents of air were so refreshing 
 that she remained standing motionless. 
 
Shall learn the perfect ways of honor. 31 
 
 The graceful pose of the youthful fig- 
 ure, the happy expression of the flushed 
 face, and statuesque turn of the shapely 
 head made her a pleasing picture. At 
 least so thought the gentleman who, un- 
 seen, watched her from the lounging 
 chair placed where the shadows were 
 deepest. 
 
 After a short space of time, Elsa 
 knocked at the door. No one appearing 
 in answer to her rap, she turned to go 
 away. Donald Butler strode out into the 
 light. Elsa heard the step and faced 
 around. 
 
 "Why don't you scream?" was his 
 abrupt greeting. 
 
 "What for?" the girl asked wonder- 
 ingly. 
 
 u At sight of me." 
 
 Elsa gave an amused laugh. " I 
 didn't know that the appearance of an 
 
32 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 ordinary man struck terror to a maiden's 
 heart," she returned gaily. 
 
 The words u an ordinary man" were 
 ambiguous, and the expression made 
 Donald feel uncomfortable. 
 
 u But coming out of the shadows when 
 you thought the room was vacant," he 
 continued. 
 
 The man was in a mood for companion- 
 ship, and had no idea of letting a pretty 
 girl go, so long as he could hold her in 
 conversation, especially one in whom his 
 interest had been already aroused. Miss 
 Walton had been in his thoughts many 
 times since the adventure of that rainy 
 day. 
 
 Elsa laughed again. "If your great 
 grandfather had as suddenly appeared 
 before my great grandmother she would, 
 undoubtedly, have been much alarmed. 
 We girls of today are braver, because we 
 
Shall learn the perfect ways of honor. 33 
 
 are wiser; we know that a dark place 
 is quite likely to hold a man," she con- 
 cluded archly. 
 
 Hardly were the words spoken when 
 she felt sorry for their utterance. 
 
 Butler gladly took them up. "And 
 the woman he sees within the light is 
 the magnet that draws him from the 
 darkness. It is a cause for congratu- 
 lation, that you understand so well the 
 mission of your sex." 
 
 "What you say is not true," cried this 
 would-be opponent. "A man worthy of 
 the name is prompted by his own self- 
 respect to 'seek the light/ ' 
 
 "But in nine cases out of ten, it is a 
 woman's influence that draws him within 
 that charmed circle," went on Butler. 
 Here was not only a chance to air his 
 pet theory, but to hear what this bright- 
 
34 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 looking girl might have to say on the 
 subject. 
 
 Elsa moved away. "As your aunt, 
 Mrs. Anson, is not at home, I think I 
 must take my leave," was what she said. 
 
 The hat-rack was at the left of Butler. 
 He reached out his hand and took down 
 his sombrero. 
 
 " I have been intending to call on you, 
 Miss Walton. I will walk home with you 
 now," was the announcement made as 
 they stepped out into the early, slumb- 
 rous night. 
 
 Elsa felt that the intention was of that 
 moment's growth, and, for this reason, 
 said nothing. 
 
 "Wouldn't you like to know that a 
 man, for your sake, would always stand 
 in the light; or, to do away with figura- 
 tive language, always do what is right? " 
 he persisted softly, when they were seated 
 
Shall learn the perfect ways of honor. 35 
 
 on the vine-wreathed piazza of Elsa's 
 temporary home. 
 
 " I should have only contempt for the 
 man who did right solely because / 
 wished it," she answered; and there was 
 a scorn and impatience in the voice that 
 grated harshly on Butler's sensitive ear. 
 
 " For your sake" were the magic words 
 that in the bright future were to make 
 Donald Butler give up all his petty vices, 
 for instance, smoking. In the meantime, 
 well! in the meantime, he was no worse 
 nor better than other men. Just an 
 average man. This thought has been 
 very comforting to many a son of Adam. 
 
 As Elsa made no further remark, 
 Butler observed, " Your remarks are quite 
 Emersonian. They are self-illumina- 
 
 tive." 
 
 " Why ! are you a student of Emerson?" 
 
36 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 Elsa exclaimed in surprise, quite ignor- 
 ing the irony conveyed. 
 
 " I studied his works a little while in 
 college," returned Butler. Elsa thought 
 that she detected the bitterness of disap- 
 pointment in his voice. 
 
 It called to mind what his cousin, 
 Myrldina Blake, had told her one evening 
 some-time before; how Butler had been 
 obliged to leave college because his 
 father had failed in business, and soon 
 there-after had sickened and died. Like 
 many another ambitious youth, Butler 
 might have worked his way through his 
 remaining course ; but there was another 
 to be provided for. He declared that only 
 in families where the men were sick, lazy, 
 selfish, or lacking in mental ability, were 
 the girls allowed to fight their own way 
 in the world. His one sister should not 
 go out as a bread winner ; and so he had 
 
Shall learn the perfect ways of honor. 37 
 
 supported the two until she had married 
 five years before. Then, with his few 
 hundred dollars, Butler had come West 
 and invested in ranch property that had 
 since handsomely repaid him. 
 
 His chivalrous notion was wholly at 
 variance with the advanced(?) ideas of 
 the present day. Elsa knew this, and 
 yet she honored the man for holding it. 
 In theory it sounded very well to talk of 
 a woman broadening her sphere by stand- 
 ing shoulder to shoulder with the sterner 
 sex in life's battle; but Elsa, after care- 
 ful observation, had failed to discover a 
 single instance in which a woman had 
 been actuated in taking this position by 
 other motives than those of dire neces- 
 sity ; and in 110 case had this free contact 
 with the world added one grace to woman- 
 liness. 
 
38 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 Thus thinking, Elsa, herself, may 
 have been a trifle old-fashioned ; but it is 
 said that the world is moving in a circle ; 
 and there are others, more enlightened 
 than these two persons, who hold to the 
 same opinion. 
 
 From these considerations, Elsa's heart 
 grew strangely soft and she felt ready to 
 forgive this man much. 
 
 He had become taciturn, and she ex- 
 erted all her powers to entertain him ; tell- 
 ing bright anecdotes, talking of the topics 
 of the day, and relating bits of local 
 gossip ; all with a brilliancy and sparkle of 
 word and manner that held enthralled 
 the man sitting opposite. 
 
 "By the way, I received a call from 
 Mr. Lord the other evening," she sud- 
 denly announced. 
 
 " He is a noble fellow, cordial and un- 
 selfish," cried Butler with enthusiasm. 
 
Shall Learn the perfect ways of honor. 39 
 
 " I have proof of that," responded Elsa. 
 "One day last winter Miss Coggeshall and 
 myself went into the bank where he is 
 employed, 'to soak a school warrant.' v 
 
 " To soak a school warrant ! " exclaimed 
 her caller. 
 
 " Yes, to soak a school warrant," re- 
 peated the girl, a charming gaiety in her 
 voice and manner. u The expression 
 may be slangy, but it is so commonly 
 used here that one doesn't think of that." 
 
 " I wasn't thinking of its correctness 
 but wondering what you could mean 
 by it." 
 
 " As if you didn't know !" Elsa cried 
 incredulously. 
 
 " I do not," he said with sincerity. 
 
 " Well then, Mr. Innocent, I will ex- 
 plain. At the end of each month, the 
 school teachers are given what are termed 
 ' warrants.' During the months of Sep- 
 
40 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 tember, October, and November, there is 
 but very little money in the treasury. 
 Consequently, for the last two years, the 
 teachers have been unable to obtain their 
 wages until the latter part of December ; 
 so, if one has no money and has needed 
 it badly, she has taken a warrant to a 
 bank, given it to the cashier as security, 
 and received for it something less than 
 its face value. For this favor, she pays 
 the bank one and a half cents a month, 
 interest when she receives her school 
 money." 
 
 " That is outrageous," he cried as she 
 concluded. 
 
 " If you gentlemen think it outrageous, 
 then pay your taxes earlier instead of 
 loaning the money at usurious rates of 
 interest. It is this that obliges us 
 teachers to go penniless or l soak our 
 warrants. ' " Elsa had arisen as she 
 
Shall learn, the perfect ways of honor. 41 
 
 spoke and stood facing him with an air 
 of girlish triumph. 
 
 The man's eyes kindled with a mysti- 
 cal fire, but the voice was quiet and com- 
 posed that asked : " What did Mr. Lord 
 have to do with your particular warrants?" 
 
 With a twinkle in her eye, Elsa estab- 
 lished herself again in her chair and 
 answered : " We told Mr. Lord that we 
 wished to borrow money on our warrants. 
 He took them : and as he passed us the 
 amount asked for, he whispered, ' For 
 goodness' sake, young ladies, don't ever 
 tell any one that I was mean enough to 
 ask you one and a half cents interest per 
 month.' " 
 
 "You see," she added in explanation, 
 "he had been here from the East only a 
 few months and was not used to a west- 
 erner's way of doing business; or, I 
 might say, until his arrival in this valley, 
 
42 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 he did not know what many easterners 
 and westerners do with their superfluous 
 cash. We girls had a good laugh when 
 we got outside, but we shall always 
 remember his kindness." 
 
 "When you need money again don't 
 go to a bank for it, but come to me," he 
 said in a whirl of feeling. 
 
 " Perhaps," coolly answered Elsa. 
 
 "I don't want a 'perhaps,' I want a 
 promise," he insisted. 
 
 " If you have money to loan, I would as 
 soon borrow of you as any one," was the 
 reply given with much dignity. 
 
 His face fell. "You know that I did 
 not mean it in that way," was the indig- 
 nant exclamation. 
 
 "Mr. Butler, I could not use your 
 money unless I did pay you interest." 
 
 "Then you are not willing that I 
 should be your friend." 
 
Shall learn the perfect ways of honor. 43 
 
 Elsa laughed softly, but with evident 
 amusement. "O, Mr. Butler! I thought 
 that you were a man of the world, and 
 here you are talking like a school-boy. 
 The moment I become your debtor, that 
 moment rises a barrier between us. And 
 as yet we are not even friends only 
 acquaintances." 
 
 Butler shifted uneasily his position. 
 Having been courted and admired all 
 his life, he did not like being held aloof 
 in this practical, sensible way. 
 
 Through the open window, he caught 
 sight of the low tea-table with its glitter- 
 ing array; and thinking, as most men 
 do, that a pretty woman is never so 
 charming as when brewing tea, he had 
 a curiosity to see Elsa thus engaged. 
 
 The grapes that she had brought from 
 Mrs. Anson's lay in a large leaf on the 
 settee near him. 
 
44 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 " Miss Walton," he exclaimed sud- 
 denly, " I could eat some of those grapes, 
 if you would make me a cup of tea." 
 
 " Tea" this warm evening! " said Blsa 
 with wide-open eyes. 
 
 "Yes," gaily returned Butler. 
 
 "It is too warm to sit within doors. 
 Will you help me to move the table out 
 here ? " she asked, rising slowly from 
 her chair. She expected that he would 
 recall the expressed wish. He did not; 
 and she passed into the parlor. Butler 
 followed. 
 
 The table was brought to a convenient 
 place near Elsa's chair, the alcohol lamp 
 lighted, and before long the man held in 
 his hand a cup of fragrant tea. 
 
 Elsa sat wholly within the light that 
 came from the illuminated interior, while 
 his chair was partly in the shadow. 
 From this position, he could scrutinize 
 
Shall learn the perfect ways of honor. 45 
 
 closely every detail of her dress, every 
 movement of her plump hands, and every 
 expression of her winsome face. 
 
 Unconscious of it all, Elsa poured and 
 passed him the refreshing beverage, met 
 his wit with apt repartee, and otherwise 
 played the perfect part of a well-bred 
 hostess. 
 
 The time passed rapidly, too rapidly, 
 her caller thought. As he said " good 
 evening," he lingered a moment with one 
 foot on the lower step. Elsa stood on 
 the veranda, looking down upon him. 
 He opened his lips as if to speak, then 
 turned abruptly, and in .a moment she 
 heard the gate close behind him. 
 
46 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 "O, for a beaker full of the warm South!" 
 
 Where sunshine revels nearly all the 
 year, there must be much of merry- 
 making. One autumnal day a long- 
 talked-of picnic excursion was made to 
 "The Hole in the Rock." The eight 
 girls composing the party were up 
 betimes, and had met at the Tempe 
 road by seven o'clock. All were well 
 mounted and good riders. Four abreast, 
 they kept a st.eady, even lope ; passing 
 the happy homes of ranchers set within 
 green fields of alfalfa; pausing awhile at 
 the Arizona Fall to admire the flashing, 
 foaming volume of water that plunges 
 down with rush and roar; looking with 
 beauty loving eyes upon the " Orange 
 
O.for a beaker full of the warm South! 47 
 
 Orchard" turned by the sun's rays into 
 gardens of golden glow ; and then canter- 
 ing across the dreary desert with its tall 
 cacti standing like grim sentinels. Pres- 
 ently, they ascended a little rise, bristling 
 with mesquite and sage-brush, and the 
 shadow of u The Rock" was reached. 
 
 After caring for the ponies and horses, 
 some sought the broad, high arch that 
 nature has hewn out of this stupendous 
 crag; while the more adventuresome 
 scaled the perpendicular rocks at the 
 left; and from the dizzy summit, enjoyed 
 a bird's-eye view of the country. When 
 tired of this pastime, they descended to 
 join the group that was making the cave- 
 like opening at the south echo and 
 re-echo with snatches of song and light 
 or serious conversation, as best suited 
 their varying moods. 
 
 It was here that Mrs. Anson found 
 
48 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 them. That they might come horse- 
 back, she had kindly consented to bring 
 the luncheons in her roomy carriage. 
 Shouts of welcome greeted her arrival; 
 for this tall, graceful woman, whose gray 
 eyes were luminous with good will and 
 happiness, was a universal favorite. 
 Many hands and merry hearts made 
 quick work of unpacking the inviting 
 collation. It was spread on a white cloth 
 under the purple awning of the over- 
 hanging crag. 
 
 At the conclusion of their feast, some 
 one suggested toasts, and Elsa Walton 
 was made mistress of ceremonies. To 
 blue-eyed Bell was given "The Homes of 
 Phoenix." The girl arose somewhat 
 reluctantly ; but quickness of thought 
 soon dispelled all embarrassment, and 
 only a moment intervened before she 
 responded : 
 
O,for a beaker full of the warm South! 49 
 
 "At first it seemed surprising that my 
 name should be called to answer to this 
 toast; but on second thought I am sure 
 it is eminently fitting. I came here only 
 a few short months ago ; and yet, I can 
 truly say, that never for a moment have 
 I felt as a stranger in a strange land. 
 The doors of your hospitable homes are 
 ever open to the sojourners who find 
 their way here in search of health or 
 pleasure. As one of them, I thank you 
 for the many kindnesses shown these 
 visitors. 
 
 Your home makers also deserve great- 
 est praise for causing to disappear our 
 ancient relative the family skeleton. 
 The house of adobe or wood has no 
 narrow recess wherein can hide this 
 unsightly form. Clothing can safely 
 hang behind graceful drapery ; but the 
 family skeleton craves more seclusion. 
 
50 A Natural Seqiience. 
 
 Forced to live in light and air, he 
 becomes clothed in flesh and blood ; or, 
 moping behind silken curtains, he weak- 
 ens and crumbles into dust. Let us 
 drink to the hope that the Southern 
 Pacific railroad company may always, as 
 now, charge such high rates for bringing 
 lumber into Phoenix, that its inhabitants 
 can never afford closets." 
 
 A burst of applause followed this 
 speech. 
 
 "I had no idea that the railroad was 
 such a blessing in disguise," commented 
 one. 
 
 " It is a bigger one than you think," 
 quickly added another. " It keeps our 
 merchants from failure. Their prices 
 are exorbitant ; but each George Wash- 
 ington of them declares that this is due 
 to the high freight charges. Were this 
 not so, these generous creatures would 
 
(9, for a beaker full of the warm South! 51 
 
 sell their goods so low that before long 
 they would have ( to shut up shop.' The 
 Southern Pacific acts as a sort of balance 
 wheel, thus preventing such an awful 
 catastrophe." 
 
 Elsa now announced " The Coming 
 Sanitarium," to which Mrs. Anson replied 
 in chosen and well fitting words. 
 
 Following this, was given u The Sons 
 of Phoenix." 
 
 " I beg your pardon, Miss Toastmis- 
 tress," quickly interposed mischievous 
 Edith, " but wouldn't it be more fun to 
 fill a cup to u The Bachelors of Phoenix?" 
 
 " It would do equally as well," replied 
 Elsa, whose merry smile answered the 
 sparkle in Edith's dancing eye. "Who 
 shall respond to that toast?" 
 
 " Myrldina," promptly returned Edith. 
 
 "Catch me replying to that" was Myrl- 
 dina's inelegant retort. "I hate them 
 
52 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 too badly. If I had my way, they should 
 every one be put on a reservation." 
 
 "And why? " inquired slender, attract- 
 ive Esther Fairfax, whose dark, limpid 
 eyes had made more than one man 
 willing to risk the shoals and quicksands 
 of married life. 
 
 Saucy, piquant Myrldina flashed her 
 blue eyes around the bright group, 
 tossed back her golden head with a little 
 proud gesture, and sagely remarked, " I 
 could tell a great deal if I chose. " 
 
 "Myrldina! Myrldina!" reprovingly 
 sounded her aunt's voice. 
 
 But this spoiled girl whose father 
 and mother were away on an ocean 
 voyage, leaving their daughter in Mrs. 
 Anson's care was in a mutinous frame 
 of mind and had no idea of heeding the 
 warning. 
 
 Clasping her hands about her knees, 
 
O, for a beaker full of the warm South! 53 
 
 she spoke in a peculiarly low, vibrating 
 voice, which was, perhaps, her greatest 
 charm : " I think it is something you all 
 ought to know. To begin at the begin- 
 ning, some time last June I was alone at 
 Aunt Margarette Anson's. Cousin Don- 
 ald came in with Mr. Ewing and Mr. 
 Lord. They didn't have any better man- 
 ners than to smoke in my presence, and 
 soon the room was so filled with the 
 horrid fumes that they couldn't see me; 
 at least I think they couldn't, because 
 they began talking about girls and get- 
 ting married, the same as if I wasn't 
 there." 
 
 " Perhaps they thought you were too 
 young to heed what they might say," 
 suggested some one. 
 
 " Well ! " exclaimed Myrldina, " if I'm 
 too young to be of any consequence, I'm 
 not too young to talk." Then returning 
 
54 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 to her subject: "You would have thought 
 from what they said, that all the girls of 
 the whole United States were sitting in a 
 row and meekly waiting for those two 
 older men to take their pick Mr. Lord 
 didn't, have much to say. Mr. Bwing 
 said that he would be glad to marry if 
 he were sure of getting a girl who was 
 a good cook." 
 
 " Nothing wrong in that, Myrldina," 
 pleasantly interposed Mrs. Anson. "You 
 know it is a demonstrated truth that 
 a man's heart is reached through his 
 stomach." 
 
 "More's the disgrace to them," growled 
 her niece. 
 
 Again she resumed the thread of her 
 discourse : " Donald remarked that he 
 wanted to marry a girl with a low voice 
 and one who could preside gracefully 
 over the table. 
 
(9, for a beaker full of the warm Soutli! .V> 
 
 He said that if he must sit opposite 
 her, three times a day, for perhaps thirty 
 years, he wanted to be sure she under- 
 stood her business. And then, worst of 
 all, they agreed to call on the young 
 ladies of their acquaintance, get each 
 one of them to serve refreshments, and 
 then take a vote as to which one was 
 prettiest and who made the best cup of 
 tea. 
 
 Now if they do call, don't you give 
 them a single thing eatable or drinka- 
 ble," was the admonition of this adviser 
 who had recently celebrated her sixteenth 
 birthday. 
 
 There were ominous gleams in the 
 eyes of some of her listeners, while the 
 faces of others showed that they were 
 inclined to treat the whole thing as a 
 huge joke. 
 
 As soon as Myrldina had done speak- 
 
56 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 ing, Elsa, to prevent any discussion on 
 what had been said, turned to Clara Gray 
 and requested that she reply to the toast 
 suggested by Miss Edith. 
 
 Clara divined Elsa's intent and arose 
 at once : 
 
 "That the city is infested with bach- 
 elors cannot be denied ; but we need not 
 give one thought as to what shall be 
 done with them. Like the Indians, they 
 might be put on reservations ; but they 
 are hardly worth the expense that would 
 have to be incurred. Cupid is sure to 
 invade the Salt River Valley, and before 
 his shower of arrows, these singular 
 creatures must make way for a higher 
 order of beings. We will not drink to 
 the bachelors of Phoenix, but to the hus- 
 bands following their exodus." 
 
 Much * laughter followed this unex- 
 pected response. 
 
O, for a beaker full of the warm South! 57 
 
 " Will Martha answer to ' The Daugh- 
 ters of Phoenix?'" graciously asked their 
 toastmistress. 
 
 " In justice to the bachelors, this toast 
 should be to the old maids," said Grace 
 Huyson. 
 
 " I agree with you," answered Elsa. 
 
 Martha raised her glass and answered: 
 
 "The subject given me is one of which 
 we know nothing. The old maids of 
 Phoenix are but a myth ; for, if such had 
 ever existed, this highly oxygenated air 
 would have restored to them the bloom 
 of sweet sixteen. Phoenix can never 
 have old maids only jewels shining 
 with such brilliancy that they need not 
 the setting of matrimony to enhance their 
 lustre. But if fate decrees for them these 
 bands, may they be of gold and not of 
 brass." 
 
 " Eighteen carats fine," added one gay 
 
58 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 voice as their glasses were set on the 
 cloth. 
 
 "Oh, no ! " exclaimed another, "that's 
 too fine for wearing use ; fourteen carats 
 fine will do nicely." 
 
 To Esther Fairfax was given the con- 
 cluding toast of " Love." 
 
 Could it be that she was wholly uncon- 
 scious of the knowledge that this divine 
 god was even then drawing near ? 
 
 Mrs. Hamilton Mrs. Anson's sister 
 had also been invited to accompany these 
 girls on their excursion. A previous 
 engagement had prevented. At the noon 
 hour she remarked this to her husband, 
 and then added that it would be pleasant 
 to go out and spend the evening with 
 them. 
 
 "Why don't you go, then?" mentioned 
 her husband. 
 
(), for a beaker full of the warm South! 59 
 
 "I don't like to go alone," replied Mrs. 
 Hamilton. 
 
 " If you will go horse-back, I think 
 that Lord will go with you ; said Mr. 
 Hamilton. "I can let you know in about 
 thirty minutes." 
 
 Thus saying, he put on his sombrero 
 and returned to the bank, where he found 
 his assistant cashier busily engaged in 
 writing. Hamilton went directly to the 
 cashier's desk and began counting the 
 gold coin there. In a few minutes he 
 stepped to the telephone and asked for 
 connection with No. 13. (This happened 
 many times daily, for No. 13 connected 
 with his own private residence.) Lord 
 paid no attention to the one-sided conver- 
 sation, until his employer said in a voice 
 that might have burst the transmitter : 
 "At what hour do you wish Lord to 
 
60 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 escort you, horse-back, to ' The Hole in 
 the Rock?' " 
 
 At this, Lord threw down his pen in 
 consternation, and exclaimed : " Great 
 guns ! what are you up to now ?" 
 
 " I was merely inquiring at what time 
 my wife wished you to escort her to the 
 picnic," replied Hamilton, with an air of 
 injured innocence. 
 
 "Great guns !" again exclaimed Lord, 
 "I can't ride a horse. I never tried to 
 but once, and then the ugly beast threw 
 me into the air and I landed in the irri- 
 gating canal. Tell her tell her " and 
 this young man, fresh from an Eastern 
 college, stalked rapidly around the room 
 in a vain endeavor to frame a sentence 
 refusing the request of Mrs. Hamilton, 
 and yet one that should in no way wound 
 the feelings of the lady who had been 
 very kind to him. 
 
(9, for a beaker full of the warm South! 01 
 
 "Great guns ! great guns !" he repeated. 
 "A pretty escort I shall make, when I 
 can't even stay on one of the four-legged 
 brutes/' 
 
 " Halloo ! what is all this about, and 
 why that wild look in your eyes?" said 
 Donald Butler, who had come in just in 
 time to hear Lord's last remark. 
 
 "Our mutual friend is going to' escort 
 Mrs. Hamilton to 'The Hole in the 
 Rock ; ' he is wondering where he can 
 find a steed worthy of his horsemanship," 
 was Mr. Hamilton's explanation. 
 
 Butler took in the situation at once. 
 He had just come from his Aunt Louise 
 Hamilton's, and there had heard of the 
 picnic. His small, deep-set eyes twinkled 
 as he said : " It is a shame to waste so 
 much sweetness on the desert air, and I 
 propose that Ewing and I make an addi- 
 
62 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 tional escort for Aunt Louise to that 
 enchanted ground." 
 
 He found Ewing in his office. This 
 man pleaded business, but Donald car- 
 ried the day. 
 
 In spite of Lord's belief that it was 
 flying in the face of Providence to ride 
 horse-back, when carriages were availa- 
 ble, the four climbed the rise just as one 
 original girl had propounded a puzzling 
 riddle. 
 
 Mrs. Anson felt a little uneasiness on 
 seeing who were among the late arrivals ; 
 but she soon found there was no cause 
 for fear. If these young ladies had felt 
 disposed to treat Mr. Ewing and Mr. 
 Btitler with other than cordiality, their 
 good breeding would have over-ruled the 
 impulse to resent a fancied insult. 
 
 " How nice that you changed your 
 mind and decided to join us even at this 
 
O.for a beaker full of the warm South! 63 
 
 hour," said Esther Fairfax, extend- 
 i i. i hand to Mrs. Hamilton. 
 
 "And are not the rest of us welcome? " 
 cried Ewing, looking steadily into the 
 dark orbs that had proved maelstroms to 
 numerous masculine hearts. 
 
 " Indeed, you are all most welcome," 
 replied Esther, quickly turning aside 
 from his earnest gaze. 
 
 The remnants of the luncheon packed 
 away, they separated into groups of three 
 and four ; some going in search of suita- 
 ble cacti with which to make napkin 
 rings, and others again seeking the semi- 
 circular opening where a cooling breeze 
 is always circulating. 
 
 Elsa wandered away by herself. After 
 a little she sat down in a niche of the 
 rocky wall, and looked away to the 
 mountains glowing with their ever-chang- 
 ing hues caught from the luminous air. 
 
64 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 But now she saw no beauty in 
 Her thoughts were upon that July even- 
 ing, and the idle talk repeated to-day by 
 Myrldina. The girl was vexed with 
 herself for her polite treatment of Mr. 
 Butler at that time. "And yet," she 
 mused, " I could do no differently. He 
 was my guest, and so I was bound by 
 all the laws of hospitality to make the 
 hour pleasant for him." 
 
 There were approaching footsteps. 
 Elsa heard the sound and turned her 
 head to see the object of her meditations 
 drawing near. 
 
 Donald Butler had come to " The Hole 
 in the Rock " for the express purpose of 
 seeing and talking with Elsa Walton. 
 He had never repeated the call of that 
 mid-summer evening. Elsa was without 
 money and without influence. The 
 future Mrs. Butler must have both. But 
 
O, for a beaker full of the warm South! 65 
 
 this peerless girl ought to marry, and 
 there were men in the city who, in place 
 of logical bumps, possessed those old- 
 fashioned organs called hearts. He 
 would not stand in their way ; but there 
 could come no harm from paying her 
 court so long as the public did not 
 become cognizant of the fact. This pic- 
 nic provided a way of meeting her 
 apparently without premeditation. 
 
 Coming near, Butler removed his broad 
 hat and leaned carelessly against the 
 gray stone. He felt at a loss for words. 
 
 It was Elsa who broke the quiet. " I 
 wonder why that mountain yonder is 
 called Superstition? " she asked, pointing 
 with one white finger toward the highest 
 peak, whose crest was transfigured with 
 a rosy radiance caught from the broad 
 streams of light. 
 
 " Beyond that mountain is the home of 
 
66 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 the Apaches," replied Butler. " Owing 
 to some rite of their religion, they dare 
 not cross that mountain and descend into 
 this valley ; and for this reason, the Salt 
 River Valley has never been invaded by 
 that warlike tribe." 
 
 This bit of conversation was followed 
 by an awkward pause. 
 
 Butler threw himself down on the 
 ground where he could furtively watch, 
 her face. It looked perplexed and 
 troubled. There was also a coldness 
 about the girl that illy accorded with the 
 womanly side of her character revealed 
 at their last meeting. 
 
 "I go into California to-morrow," he 
 broke out. u I shall be gone three or 
 four months." 
 
 '"Shall you? " politely responded Elsa. 
 
 Her indifference nettled him. He 
 resolved to make a bold move. "I will 
 
(9, for a beaker full of the warm South! 67 
 
 write to you. You will answer my letter?" 
 
 " I never write to any of my gentleman 
 acquaintances," replied Miss Walton, 
 rising to her feet. 
 
 Butler was stung to the quick. There 
 came over him a strong desire to break 
 down the barrier of chilly reserve between 
 himself and this girl. " Why will you 
 persist in calling me a mere acquaint- 
 ance? I would like to be your friend," 
 he pleaded. 
 
 The careless remarks repeated by 
 Myrldina were still uppermost in Elsa's 
 mind; she felt half ashamed that these 
 should influence her, yet she made no 
 effort to conquer the weakness. 
 
 This was evident in her reply. "A 
 girl who goes alone into a strange city 
 should use caution. How do I know that 
 you are worthy of a girl's friendship? " 
 
 The desirable parti and lineal descend- 
 
68 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 ant of a departed president caught his 
 breath. The audacity of the girl ! 
 Springing to her side, he rejoined haugh- 
 tily : " My appearance and my standing 
 in the community are, I think, sufficient 
 proof of my worth. " 
 
 " Those go to make up a reputation," 
 she assented. " But what chance have 
 I had to learn anything of your char- 
 acter?" 
 
 " You have had the same opportunities 
 to study me that I have had to know 
 you," he said as crossly as a sense of his 
 manhood would allow. 
 
 " But I have not yet asked for your 
 friendship," she replied more gently. 
 
 True, she had not. 
 
 Without another word, Donald helped 
 her over the rough ground to where a 
 trio of girls were shooting arrows at a 
 mark. Here he left her. 
 
(9, for a beaker full of the warm South! 69 
 
 About sunset, the excursionists started 
 homeward. 
 
 Mr. Bwing joined Miss Fairfax. He 
 pointed out a bit of rugged scenery ; 
 then, dismounting, plucked a small flower 
 and eulogized upon its beauty. 
 
 The voices of the party became lost in 
 the distance. This had been his plan. 
 
 Alone with Esther what joy ! 
 
 Again he mounted, and their horses 
 paced slowly side by side. A restraining 
 hand grasped Esther's bridle rein. 
 
 " Do you know why I came out here 
 this evening? " asked Levi Ewing, gazing 
 earnestly into her face. 
 
 " Why ! you came because the others 
 did," stammered Esther. 
 
 u I came because I learned that you 
 were here," replied her cavalier. "I love 
 you. Cannot you care for me? " 
 
 For an instant her heart leapt with 
 
70 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 happiness, then sank. Trust her future 
 to a man who could speak lightly of 
 women? No ! 
 
 She turned her eyes away to the crim- 
 son glow of the western sky. 
 
 The impatient lover could wait no 
 longer. " Cannot you be my wife? " he 
 urged. 
 
 "I do not love you," was said so low 
 that only a lover could have caught the 
 words. 
 
 " But do you care for anyone else? " he 
 demanded. 
 
 To utter a denial would be making too 
 great a concession, so Esther remained 
 silent. 
 
 Levi Ewing let fall her horse's rein. 
 Over his face fell a shadow of pain, but 
 no word escaped him. 
 
 Esther started her horse into a lope, 
 Ewing did likewise, and in a few minutes 
 
He shall not blind his soul with clay. 71 
 
 they came up with the body of the party. 
 So idle words, lightly repeated, sepa- 
 rated these two hearts cherishing in 
 reality a mutual affection. 
 
 "O idle words! 
 Your flight is ever on 
 In heaven darkening the sun. 
 By weary journeyings without delay, 
 Ye wend your dreary way 
 Unto the judgment day. 
 
 Ill-omened birds!" 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 ''''And though he trip and fall, 
 He shall not blind his soul with clay" 
 
 IT was not until January that Donald 
 Butler returned from his trip. The even- 
 ing following his arrival, he stretched 
 himself upon a couch in his aunt Marga- 
 rette's sitting-room and prepared to enjoy 
 himself in a domestic way. Myrldina 
 
72 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 was curled up in a big chair before the 
 cheery wood fire. The third figure in 
 this pleasing picture was their aunt, Mrs. 
 Bowman, who had lately arrived from the 
 East. Her head was bent low over a 
 handsome bureau scarf into which she 
 was putting the last stitches. 
 
 After a time, assuming an upright 
 posture, she glanced severely at the 
 full-length figure of her nephew, and 
 exclaimed: "Donald Butler, I should like 
 to know if you are never going to marry ! 
 Here am I sitting up nights and ruining 
 my eyes that your rooms at the ranch 
 may be presentable ; you should have a 
 wife to attend to these things." 
 
 "Aunt Henrietta Josephine, if you 
 really think I need such an incumbrance, 
 why don't you pick out one for me? " 
 asked her nephew with an air of great 
 humility. 
 
He shall not blind his soul with clay. 73 
 
 " You would not marry her if I did," 
 responded that lady with energy. 
 
 Donald chuckled. " I'm too deep for 
 any of you women folks," he said gaily. 
 
 u IVe known the depth of some people 
 to take them straight down to the infer- 
 nal regions," rejoined his aunt so quickly 
 and earnestly that Donald winced. 
 
 His Aunt Henrietta Josephine's sharp 
 remarks always made him uncomforta- 
 ble, to-night, doubly so. 
 
 " O, well ! I mean to marry when I 
 find a girl just suited to my mind," he 
 said in a mollifying tone. 
 
 With blue eyes looking dreamily into 
 the crackling fire, Myrldina began sing- 
 ing : 
 
 "Bachelors! bachelors! 
 We find them everywhere, 
 On the ranches, in the town, 
 Looking here and looking- there, 
 For a dainty maiden, fair. 
 
74 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 Each would have a pretty wife, 
 
 Whom he'd love as his own life, 
 
 But to choose aright takes time, 
 
 Later, marriage bells shall chime. 
 
 It is best to wait awhile, 
 
 Weigh each word, each suuny smile, 
 
 Presto, change ! the bird has flown, 
 
 And he has to live alone, 
 
 For a younger, brighter man 
 
 Improves his chances while he can. 
 And this is why the bachelors of P. 
 Companions are to 'The Old Maids of Lee/ " 
 
 Donald sat erect. " Myrldina Blake," 
 he said with a frown, " that propensity 
 of yours for making doggerel is getting 
 to be a regular nuisance, and, for a girl 
 of your age, it is exceedingly unbecom- 
 ing." Thus having freed his mind, 
 Donald settled back again to his former 
 position. 
 
 Myrldina neither moved nor replied. 
 Pitching her voice in a still higher key, 
 she continued : 
 
 "And they're like them, you can see, 
 For they're cross as cross can be." 
 
He shall not blind his soul with clay. 75 
 
 Whether her efforts at composition 
 were productions of the moment, or made 
 up in the seclusion of her chamber and 
 then brought out as occasion demanded, 
 no one knew ; but they were always 
 forthcoming, and Donald was most often 
 the victim. 
 
 Their aunt laughing heartily, Donald 
 reddened to his temples, and drawing a 
 piece of money from his pocket, held it 
 towards Myrldina, saying : " Here, I'll 
 give you two bits for committing these 
 lines to memory : 
 
 ' Swans sing before they die ; 'twere no bad thing 
 Did certain persons die before they sing.' " 
 
 " Thanks for your offer,"' unpertur- 
 bedly returned the saucy girl, " but I 
 prefer to make my own selections." 
 
 Mrs. Bowman glanced at the clock on 
 the mantel. "It is Hearing time for 
 Margarette's invited guests to put in'an 
 
76 A Natural Sequence, 
 
 appearance," she said, " and I think that 
 this war of words had better cease." 
 
 Hardly had she done speaking, when 
 the door-bell rang. 
 
 Myrldina assumed a more lady-like 
 attitude, Mrs. Bowman -laid aside her 
 work, and Donald advanced to the door. 
 It was thrown open, and the four persons 
 standing without were invited to enter. 
 The quartette consisted of Major and 
 Mrs. Leadbetter, young Mr. Lord and 
 Elsa Walton. 
 
 Donald had wondered if Miss Walton 
 would come. He knew that in all prob- 
 ability she was aware of his return ; and 
 
 i 
 
 also that he would be quite likely to 
 make one of this informal dinner party, 
 given in honor of Mr. Lord, who was 
 about to depart for Dakota. 
 
 The thought of staying away, or of 
 avoiding Butler, had not occurred to 
 
He shall not blind his soul with clay. 77 
 
 Elsa ; she frankly held out her hand to 
 him, and was as ready with smile and 
 word as if they had parted the best of 
 friends. 
 
 To Butler this indifference was a hun- 
 dred times more humiliating than any 
 amount of stinging sarcasm or freezing 
 silence could have been. He had full 
 knowledge of the personal magnetism 
 and worldly success that made him a 
 power, and gloried in them. For his life, 
 he could not see what prevented him 
 from making an impression on this 
 girl. 
 
 Mrs. Anson came in presently, and 
 received her guests with her usual 
 cordiality. 
 
 Later, there were more arrivals. Mr. 
 Parkhurst, and Miss Coggeshall with 
 Mr. and Mrs Hamilton. 
 
 After the dinner, this merry company 
 
78 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 encircled the sitting-room fire for social 
 converse. 
 
 Butler was at his best. He was seated 
 on a conch near Martha's chair, and 
 describing, in his own peculiar, racy 
 style, pleasing* little incidents of his trip. 
 
 " Well, Colonel ! " cried their gentle- 
 manly host to Mr. Parkhurst, who lived 
 in the country, " are the roads dusty 
 now? " 
 
 "They are fine," replied the gentleman 
 addressed. 
 
 "Colonel," repeated young Lord, throw- 
 ing back his fine head with a laugh, " I 
 wish that some one would inform me as 
 to the source of these masculine titles. 
 Nearly every man one meets in the 
 Southwest has one or more of these 
 prefixes." 
 
 "Easiest thing in the world to explain," 
 cried Donald, his face alight with ready 
 
He shall not blind his soul with clay. 79 
 
 fun. " This country, as you know, has 
 rich mines, fertile valleys, and awe- 
 inspiring scenery. Well ! after all these 
 had been placed within its borders, there 
 yet remained a large area devoid of mat- 
 ter. In a fit of reckless extravagance, 
 Nature made good the vacuity with titles 
 of every known kind and degree ; and to 
 every man, who enters this enchanted 
 land, she presents one of these marks of 
 esteem and declares that he shall wear 
 it willy-nilly." 
 
 " But where is mine? " asked Lord. 
 
 "Oh ! you lack that mark distinguish- 
 ing the man from the boy a mustache," 
 answered his informer. 
 
 u But what about feminine titles?" 
 piped Myrldina. 
 
 Oh ! " wickedly returned her cousin, 
 " Mother Nature knew that the title of 
 * Mrs.' pleases women best." 
 
80 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 Mrs. Bowman's majestic figure rose to 
 its full height. She had no idea of leav- 
 ing her nephew triumphant in the field of 
 wit. "And as Nature's favorite child, man, 
 begged for the privilege of conferring 
 this honorary degree upon the gentler 
 sex, she kindly left it in his hands. Let 
 us hope, young man, that you under- 
 stand the great responsibility you have 
 assumed, and that, before long, you will 
 have sense enough to place that title 
 where it belongs. You deserve to be 
 fined for withholding it so long from its 
 proper owner." This last was said with 
 a mock severity that sent her hearers 
 into convulsions of laughter. 
 
 " Never mind if the men have held a 
 corner on that title for so long a time," 
 merrily subjoined Mrs. Hamilton. "I 
 should not be surprised if this inventive 
 age broke the combine." 
 
He shall not blind his soul with clay. 81 
 
 " If anything of the kind is attempted, 
 there will be war to the knife," returned 
 Donald, who involuntarily looked over to 
 Elsa. 
 
 Before his keen glance, her eyes 
 became veiled by their silken lashes. It 
 filled Butler with a strange, sweet sense 
 of exultation ; for, insignificant as had 
 been the act, it gave proof to the man 
 that she had been forced to acknowledge 
 the strength of his individuality. That 
 this was only for a brief space of time 
 did not lessen his triumph. 
 
 There was another beside Donald who 
 had seen the girl's eyelids droop. Mrs. 
 Leadbetter raised her eye-glass and 
 glared suspiciously upon Elsa. 
 
 Never had she looked fairer, a picture 
 of blooming youth arrayed in white 
 dotted silk cut away at the throat in a 
 modest square and outlined with a soft, 
 
82 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 rich lace. Her immense sleeves of latest 
 fashion came only to the elbow, and were 
 finished with frills of the same fine lace. 
 
 Mrs. Leadbetter's eye-glasses dropped 
 into her lap. Judging from the expres- 
 sion of her face, the vision of loveliness 
 she had been contemplating was any- 
 thing but pleasing. 
 
 Donald again concentrated his gaze 
 upon the girl. His look was returned 
 frankly and calmly. 
 
 With a half-sigh of defeat, he turned 
 away and assiduously devoted his atten- 
 tions to Mrs. Leadbetter. That lady's 
 good humor was soon restored. 
 
 The little clock upon the mantel 
 chimed out the hour of ten. At its sound 
 the company rose and donned outside 
 wraps, for all were to accompany Lord to 
 the railroad station. 
 
 Under cheerful word and banter, the 
 
He shall not blind his soul with clay. 83 
 
 men concealed their regret at parting 
 with a general favorite, while the women 
 cautioned him against the sudden changes 
 of weather which he would meet in his 
 journey. 
 
 When they had reached the depot, and 
 it was nearing time for the train to leave, 
 with eyes full of tears, impulsive Myrl- 
 dina held up her pretty face ; and what 
 could Lord do but imprint a kiss on the 
 willing lips? 
 
 And as history is valueless, if not cor- 
 rectly recorded, it must be confessed that 
 each feminine mouth was raised as its 
 owner gave her hand in parting. And 
 the gallant youth accepted graciously 
 this tribute of their friendship. 
 
 Oh, the courage of Young America ! 
 What people can conquer a nation whose 
 young men possess such nerve as this? 
 
 When Mrs. Alison's guests returned 
 
84 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 to her home, Elsa did not enter the 
 house. The brilliancy of the stars and 
 the freshness of the air appealed so 
 strongly to her that she sought the 
 hammock swinging in a corner of the 
 veranda. Into this she sank, and gave 
 herself up to a moment of quiet enjoy- 
 ment before joining the group within. 
 
 Suddenly a window was raised at her 
 left ; and, from the rustling of the gar- 
 ments, she knew that a woman had sat 
 down in the low window-seat ; then there 
 came a firm, masculine tread that halted 
 near by. 
 
 u Here I am, Mrs. Leadbetter, at your 
 disposal," said a voice that Elsa instantly 
 recognized as belonging to Donald But- 
 ler. " What do you wish of me? " 
 
 "Only to give you a little advice," was 
 answered in Mrs. Leadbetter' s well-known 
 tones. " Come now ! confess. I saw you 
 
He shall not blind his soul with clay. 85 
 
 looking at Elsa Walton to-night in a way 
 that told your experienced friend that 
 you were on the verge of falling in love." 
 
 " And what of it? " was asked somewhat 
 coldly ; for Donald Butler discussed his 
 affairs with no one. He would not even 
 take the trouble to tell this interested one 
 how entirely wrong were her surmises. 
 
 u You must not get angry," said Mrs. 
 Leadbetter in a voice meant to be con- 
 ciliating. "I only wanted to warn you 
 in time of her extravagance. Have you 
 noticed the expensive dress she has on 
 this evening? " 
 
 "I noticed only that it is becoming to 
 the wearer," replied the man who, while 
 he might speak slightingly of women in 
 the abstract, never encouraged the slan- 
 dering of one in the concrete. 
 
 At this instant, a shape flitted by the 
 window. 
 
86 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 Mrs. Leadbetter's position was such 
 that she did not see it; but Donald, 
 standing with folded arms before her, 
 caught sight of the white dress and 
 golden hair. 
 
 Like a thunder-bolt from the clear sky 
 had come the woman's accusation to the 
 girl's ears. In her surprise, she had sat 
 quiet never dreaming of eaves-dropping. 
 Aroused to a sense of her false position, 
 she had hastily sought the room where 
 a hum of voices told of more gayety. 
 
 It was not long before the guests went 
 to their respective homes. Lord's depart- 
 ure had cast a damper over their spirits 
 which could not at once be laid aside. 
 
 After the retiring of the family, Donald 
 lighted his cigar, drew an easy chair 
 before the glowing embers, and, from its 
 depth, gave himself up to uninterrupted 
 thought. Reluctantly, he admitted to 
 
He shall not blind his soul with clay. 87 
 
 himself that his thoughts were under- 
 going a change. Miss Walton's illumin- 
 ative remarks, as he had been pleased 
 to style her conversation of that July 
 evening had given rise to a train of 
 thought to which the incidents of to-night 
 had added more material. 
 
 The embers were fast dying out. Two- 
 thirds of his cigar had been consumed ; 
 with a quick motion the remainder was 
 sent flying into the grate. Then two 
 long strides took him to the oak table 
 whereon was standing a box of Havanas 
 his latest purchase; this, with its con- 
 tents, followed the solitary weed. 
 
 As the pungent odor ascended into the 
 air, Donald exclaimed aloud and half- 
 deprecatingly, "My self-respect alone 
 advises that. It isn't for the sake of 
 any girl ideal or in the flesh." Then 
 he added, dropping his head shame- 
 
88 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 facedly, "Donald Butler, it is strange 
 that you should live to this age before 
 finding out that mind has height and 
 breadth as well as depth." 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 " The secret of success is constancy to purpose." 
 
 An April day ! vaulted sky so softly 
 blue that no misty wreaths of fleecy love- 
 liness were needed to enhance its beauty; 
 purple mountains crowned with resplend- 
 ent jewels by the lavish sun-god ; on- 
 stretching fields of glossy alfalfa, in the 
 midst of which waded, knee-deep, herds of 
 sweet-breathed kine and steeds of noble 
 pedigree ; and, in the foreground, gold- 
 flecked waters flowing through broad 
 canals with rippling music. 
 
The secret of success is constancy to purpose. 89 
 
 Ordinarily, Elsa's soul would have 
 been filled with the enchanting picture 
 spread before her; but this matchless 
 morning she sat by her window with that 
 far-away look which tells of a mind too 
 much preoccupied to take note of out- 
 ward things, however attractive. 
 
 Martha had just left her, after bring- 
 ing the ill-tidings that Mrs. Leadbetter's 
 four children were sick with scarlet 
 fever. It was this news that had shad- 
 owed the bright, young face, given a 
 firmer expression to the delicately curved 
 mouth, and made fainter the pink of the 
 rounded cheeks. 
 
 Her thoughts ran somewhat in this 
 wise : "It was not only ill-bred of Mrs. 
 Leadbetter to pronounce me extravagant 
 but it was downright cruel. More than 
 that, it was a deliberate falsehood. That 
 gown, with its expensive lace, was given 
 
90 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 me by my god-mother when I graduated 
 from Normal College. Mrs. Leadbetter 
 knew this, for I had told her ; and again, 
 she had always professed a great friend- 
 ship for me, and I had believed in her. 
 As for Donald Butler, she has sung his 
 praises to me in season and out of season. 
 If she, herself, is so fond of him, it seems 
 a pity that she couldn't know how tan- 
 gled is the web of our acquaintance. 
 Love ! forsooth," and here her lip curled 
 scornfully, " I know of none whose 
 acquaintance is less likely to end in mar- 
 riage. Yet how gallantly he defended 
 me, or rather, struck aside her arrow of 
 malice ! And not once has he referred to 
 that little adventure in the rain when I 
 was so silly ; with all his faults, he can 
 be generous. 
 
 u But rambling on in this manner isn't 
 coming to the point. Shall I, or shall I 
 
The secret of success is constancy to purpose. 91 
 
 not, go to Mrs. Leadbetter and offer my 
 services as nurse? As she doesn't know 
 that I over-heard her remark, I think 
 that she will accept me. 
 
 "There are three practical, common- 
 sense reasons why I should do this thing. 
 In the first place, it will give me a chance 
 to put in practice what I learned in the 
 hospital when I used to go there so much 
 with dear Mamma; she often told me 
 that sometime my knowledge of nursing 
 might benefit some one." 
 
 The tears were now coursing down 
 Elsa's cheeks; for thinking thus had 
 brought vividly to her mind the fact of 
 her orphanage. Her father had been 
 captain of the " Isabel Rumball," and his 
 wife had perished with him when that ill- 
 fated vessel went down in the gale of 
 188 that wrecked so many noble ships 
 sailing from the Atlantic Coast. This 
 
92 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 had happened during Elsa's junior year 
 in college. Since then, her real home 
 had been with a relative in Philadelphia. 
 Wiping away the tears, she turned her 
 eyes again to the distant scene and con- 
 tinued her matter-of-fact soliloquy : " This 
 year there have been only seven months 
 of school. At seventy dollars per month, 
 there is a sum total of four hundred and 
 ninety dollars; deducting board and 
 laundry hire, at thirty-two dollars per 
 month, there is left to my credit the sum 
 of two hundred and sixty-six dollars. 
 There are five months of vacation, and 
 my expenses cannot possibly be reduced 
 below twenty-five dollars per month let 
 me figure never so closely. One hundred 
 and forty-one dollars left; with such a 
 margin for clothing, books, and inciden- 
 tals, it is not at all strange that Mrs. 
 Leadbetter should set me down as being 
 
The secret of success is constancy to purpose. 93 
 
 extravagant." And the girl smiled ironi- 
 cally. "I need the money that she would 
 pay her nurse." 
 
 The next thought softened the severity 
 of her expression and brought a new, 
 eager light to her eyes: "And those 
 dear, little children ! I do love every one 
 of them. I feel sure that I can relieve 
 their sufferings, and it may be that I 
 may even help to save their lives." 
 
 " But," said Reason to her, " you have 
 never had this disease, and it is very con- 
 tagious." Here her cheek paled, but fear 
 did not change the resolve forming in 
 Elsa's mind. " I am young and healthy, 
 and I hardly think there can be danger 
 for myself ; yet if it should come, I could 
 die in no nobler service." Without fur- 
 ther hesitation, Miss Walton went to 
 offer herself to Mrs. Leadbetter as nurse 
 
94 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 during the children's illness. She was 
 received with open arms. 
 
 Of course her action became noised 
 abroad among their circle of friends. 
 
 The information was imparted to Don- 
 ald Butler on a Sunday when he had 
 come up from the ranch. He was reclin- 
 ing in the hammock where Elsa had over- 
 heard Mrs. Leadbetter's uncompliment- 
 ary remark regarding herself. The rest- 
 ful stillness of the Sabbath had brought 
 a strange, sweet calm to the man's mind. 
 With dreamy eyes, he lay watching the 
 half-formed, graceful patterns of vine and 
 leaf with which the slanting evening sun 
 was chequering the veranda floor. Myrl- 
 dina came rushing through the open 
 door, danced along the polished boards 
 and flounced down in a garden chair 
 before him. 
 
The secret of success is constancy to purpose. 95 
 
 Then she abruptly exclaimed : " Don- 
 ald MacDonald Butler! it is of no use for 
 you to lie there and revolve in your 
 mind : 
 
 Which shall I marry? which, oh, which? 
 Elsa is pretty, Lue is rich ; 
 They both love ine, they both make bread, 
 Which, oh, which one, shall I wed? 
 
 Lue has already promised her heart, 
 hand, and purse to young James Simp- 
 son; while the fair Elsa has turned 
 sister of mercy, and gone down to help 
 Mrs. Leadbetter nurse her four children 
 through the scarlet fever. I think it is 
 a wicked shame ; and, ten chances to 
 one Elsa, herself, will have the awful 
 disease, and be left dumb, deaf, or minus 
 other of her senses." Here she paused 
 simply for want of breath to go on. 
 
 Donald responded with heightened 
 color, "I excuse that propensity of yours 
 for making doggerel. I feel sure that 
 
96 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 you cannot help it. It is due to some 
 spell laid upon you by the mermaids of 
 the Southern Atlantic. A girl born on 
 the sea and given the outlandish name 
 of the ship on which her eyes first saw 
 day-light is bound to be foolish some- 
 times." 
 
 It was now Myrldina's turn to redden, 
 for this allusion to her name was always 
 displeasing. Donald knew it, hence his 
 shot. 
 
 But there was only good humor 
 expressed in his cousin's retort: "You 
 are wrong, my dear Donald. My dog- 
 gerel, as you are pleased to name my 
 poetic effusions, doesn't show foolishness 
 but wisdom. It is an indication of 
 second sight; and, as it enables me to 
 get an inner view of the character of the 
 Great Mogul of the Universe, I value it 
 highly." 
 
The secret of success is constancy to purpose. 97 
 
 There were times when Donald felt a 
 strong inclination to take hold of the 
 saucy girl and shake her. This was one 
 of them. There was trnth enough in 
 her rhyming hit deeply to wound his 
 self-love. Wishing, however, for more 
 information, he concealed his displeasure 
 beneath his habitual dignified manner. 
 It was well to proceed cautiously ; for, if 
 Myrldina discovered that he was ques- 
 tioning her with any intent, she would 
 become as close-mouthed as the prover- 
 bial oyster. 
 
 u What do you care if Miss Walton 
 has gone to help nurse Mrs. Leadbetter's 
 children? " he asked with a show of 
 indifference. "And even if she should 
 sicken and die, what would that be to 
 you? " 
 
 " Brute and monster ! " exclaimed the 
 now irate girl, rising and stamping her 
 
98 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 foot. " Isn't she the loveliest girl in the 
 world, and didn't her father sail from 
 the same port as my papa? " 
 
 "Don't fly into such a passion," quietly 
 returned the man putting forth one hand 
 and grasping the white wrist nearest him. 
 Myrldina tried to wrest it away, but in 
 vain. 
 
 " Sit down," he commanded, and she 
 meekly complied. 
 
 Donald saw his opportunity and deter- 
 mined to follow it up. "What makes you 
 so fond of this Miss Walton?" he asked. 
 
 "I was first attracted to her because 
 her papa was a sea-captain the same as 
 mine is. Afterwards, I loved her for her- 
 self. She has been very kind to me." 
 This was uttered in tones meek enough 
 to suit the most domineering of men, 
 and Donald was not one of these. 
 
The secret of success is constancy to purpose. 99 
 
 "She seems to me an ordinary girl," 
 was his comment when Myrldina had 
 done speaking. 
 
 Having very quickly recovered her 
 spirits, Myrldina rose from the chair, 
 moved back a pace, and quickly retorted : 
 u Of course, to you and all your class, 
 she is ordinary. If you superannuated 
 bachelors had the eyes that Sam Weller 
 said he didrit have, you couldn't tell the 
 difference between a wax figure and a 
 woman. For why? Your vision is 
 obscured by your own self-conceit." 
 
 While she had been so pertly speaking, 
 Myrldina had been backing away from 
 him ; and with the last word, she was 
 away down the walk and hastening in 
 the direction of Grove Street. 
 
 Donald had half a mind to call her 
 back, but desisted. The mere knowledge 
 that Miss Walton had gone to Mrs. 
 
100 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 Leadbetter's aid was sufficient food for 
 thought. 
 
 " What had induced her to do such a 
 thing? It couldn't be friendship alone 
 that had prompted her? At least he 
 didn't think it possible. After all, it 
 might be that she regarded him with 
 such indifference that it mattered not 
 how she might be maligned to him. Yet 
 the fact remained that Mrs. Leadbetter 
 had proved herself a Judas and Miss 
 Walton knew it. The girl must be an 
 angel. Yet as she had her own living to 
 earn, it was not wise for her to expose 
 herself to such danger. Was there not 
 some one who had authority to send her 
 away? Perhaps if the Leadbetter family 
 physician had full knowledge of the cir- 
 cumstances, he would forbid her stay- 
 ing longer." These were some of the 
 thoughts that ran through Donald's 
 
The secret of success is constancy to purpose. 101 
 
 mind with lightning-like rapidity, the 
 while he reclined in the hammock, out- 
 wardly calm, but with an inward ebulli- 
 tion that threatened to engulf prudence. 
 After a time he bestirred himself, 
 sauntered down the walk, passed through 
 the gate, and wended his way to a certain 
 house on Pepper-tree Street. He found 
 the learned man of medicine in his office. 
 The latter failed to elicit anything very 
 satisfactory from this man who appeared 
 in the role of a patient. After a hasty 
 examination he was still further puzzled. 
 " Pulse normal, tongue clean, skin moist, 
 appetite good, digestion perfect. What 
 on earth could ail the man that none of 
 these should be deranged? " mentally 
 commented the baffled physician. He 
 scratched his head in despair. "Sleep 
 well nights? " he jerked out. 
 
102 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 "Not very," boldly returned the other, 
 with no qualms of conscience at thus 
 stretching the truth. 
 
 "I see," joyously assented the M. D., 
 "nervousness." And he straightway 
 proceeded to weigh out some powders ; 
 one of these he dissolved in a small 
 quantity of water and brought it to 
 Mr. Butler. 
 
 Donald obediently swallowed the 
 draught, settled back in his chair, and 
 seemed in no hurry to pay his fee or go. 
 
 If the physician felt any surprise at 
 these proceedings, he showed none; but 
 patiently awaited the next move of his 
 caller. 
 
 "Much sickness in the city now?" 
 Donald asked. 
 
 " Not much," was the cautious reply. 
 
 "Any fever?" 
 
The secret of success is constancy to purpose. 103 
 
 "No, only two or three isolated cases 
 of scarlet fever." 
 
 "I hear that Major Leadbetter's chil- 
 dren have it." 
 
 "Yes," reluctantly admitted the phy- 
 sician. 
 
 a Whom have they for a nurse?" 
 
 The professional man broke through 
 his customary reserve and exclaimed : 
 "A Miss Walton. And she is fine, 
 reliable in every way ! " 
 
 "Ah, yes! I have met her once or 
 twice," was said indifferently. " But isn't 
 there danger of her taking the fever?" 
 
 " There is always a certain amount of 
 danger," replied the other with dignity ; 
 "but with a certain amount of caution 
 
 " But this girl is young," interrupted 
 Butler, " and it cannot be that she fully 
 understands the great risk she is running 
 in helping to nurse those children." 
 
104 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 The doctor was now gazing at him in 
 mild-eyed astonishment. "I should say 
 that she was twenty-two or three," he 
 slowly replied; u and she certainly has 
 the use of all her mental faculties." 
 
 Clearly there was nothing to be gained 
 by this beating about the bush ; and to 
 Butler there was no other way of pro- 
 cedure. Half disgusted at himself for 
 coming, and wholly angry at the obtuse 
 physician, Butler paid his fee and took 
 his departure. 
 
 Half-mechanically, he turned his steps 
 to the street where stood Major Lead- 
 better's house. It was set well in from 
 the highway, a hedge of handsome palms 
 partially hiding from the passers-by the 
 well kept grounds. Butler walked boldly 
 in. Being a frequent caller here, he 
 knew the rooms where the sick children 
 ]ay. To the adjacent portion of the 
 
77ie secret of success is constancy to purpose. 105 
 
 grounds he took his way, and slipped in 
 among the over-hanging boughs of a 
 knot of apricot trees. He did not analyze 
 his motives in doing this thing. His 
 thoughts becoming clearer, he determined 
 on a plan of action. The newly risen 
 moon was now sifting golden showers 
 through the leaves. After the sick ones 
 had been made comfortable for the night, 
 it was quite probable that Miss Walton 
 would come into the garden for quiet and 
 fresh air. He would see her and try to 
 dissuade her from the arduous and dan- 
 gerous task she had voluntarily under- 
 taken. 
 
 His surmises regarding her appearance 
 were correct. Ere long she came quietly 
 through a window-door and began pacing 
 up and down the long veranda. 
 
 She was singing very softly a hymn. 
 Butler could not distinguish the words ; 
 
100 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 but the measured cadence told him that 
 it was something sacred. Kither for fear 
 of disturbing the childish sufferers or 
 because the beauty of the night wooed 
 her to the walks, she came in her light 
 dress down the steps. Guiltily Butler 
 moved farther back into the shadowing 
 cluster of trees. 
 
 She was singing now in a fuller, clearer 
 voice; and in the hush of the evening 
 these words came plainly to the ear of 
 the listening man: 
 
 u ; Lead thou my feet ! I do not ask to see 
 
 The distant scene ; one step enough for me.' '' 
 
 Instinctively, he raised his hat from 
 his brow and stood with bowed head. 
 Another line of the hymn, full of devout 
 meaning, floated to him upon the sweet 
 contralto voice : 
 
 " 'Pride ruled my will; remember not past years.'" 
 
 The singer gave the words no unusual 
 
The secret of success is constancy to purpose. 107 
 
 expression; but the man's heart was so 
 attuned that it seemed to him as if she 
 stood a saint at the throne of grace inter- 
 ceding for his soul. 
 
 "'Pride ruled my will:'" Butler felt 
 the sentence a true confession of all that 
 had filled his brain and heart and soul 
 during his manhood. 
 
 u ' Remember not past years : ' ' this 
 time the words were wrung from the 
 depths of a strong man's heart. 
 
 He would not try to turn the girl from 
 her purpose ; he felt that not only would 
 his arguments be in vain, but sacrilege 
 against the higher nature unconsciously 
 revealed to him this evening. 
 
 He remained concealed until Elsa had 
 returned to the house. 
 
 On his homeward way a sudden strong 
 resolve took possession of him ; but past 
 events loomed up in the way of its accom- 
 
108 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 plishment. The agony of doubt brought 
 a cold sweat to his forehead. Then, with 
 the courage born of high resolution, 
 recalling the words: "One step enough 
 for ine," he said firmly to himself, "I 
 know that step. Let it suffice at 
 present." 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 , after all, what is a lie? ' Tis but the truth in 
 masquerade." 
 
 In council sat the knight, the knave, the fool, 
 An' argered long an' late about the school. 
 
 In this land of Italian softness, each 
 delightful day so quickly follows another 
 that one must stop and think before 
 naming the solar month if he would do 
 so correctly. July alone pauses with a 
 solemnity that gives no chance for erring. 
 
And, after all, what is a lie? 109 
 
 On one of the warmest of these warm 
 evenings, the newly elected school board 
 of Phoenix held its first meeting. 
 
 Mr. Morgan, the chairman, had returned 
 to his office soon after dinner for the 
 purpose of completing some unfinished 
 business. This done, he took out his 
 watch and found that it lacked but 
 twenty minutes of half past seven the 
 hour of appointment. Sitting down in 
 front of a desk, he opened a drawer and 
 took out a bundle of letters. These he 
 assorted in two heaps. The one at his 
 right consisted of only fourteen ; having 
 counted those at the left, he gave a pro- 
 longed whistle. 
 
 " Whew ! " he ejaculated, " eighty-four 
 applications for fourteen positions." 
 Thrusting his hands into his pockets, 
 he stretched his long legs under the 
 table and surveyed, with a dismayed 
 
110 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 face, the innocent squares before him. 
 "And I'm to help elect the corps of 
 teachers for the ensuing year. What 
 are my qualifications? I'm sure that I 
 don't know ; but my friends must, for 
 they said that my serving on the school 
 board would be of inestimable benefit to 
 the city. But it appears that this is true 
 only so far as I follow the advice of Tom, 
 Dick, or Harry, whose sisters, aunts, or 
 cousins are, according to their disinter- 
 ested judgment, the only ones capable of 
 properly instructing our specimens of 
 Young America. Thanks to my wife, I 
 do know a little something about Froebel 
 and the new education. This knowledge 
 may be of some use to me and it may 
 not. At any rate, I'm in for it now ! " 
 
 Steps were heard slowly ascending the 
 stairs, and in a few minutes there entered 
 a feeble-looking man of about fifty years 
 
And, after all, what is a lief 111 
 
 of age. Dropping into the chair that 
 Mr. Morgan handed him, the new-comer 
 said in a hollow voice, " Goin' np stairs 
 winds me winds me." 
 
 This man was slender, bowed, and nar- 
 row-shouldered ; and notwithstanding the 
 excessive heat of the day, he wore a long 
 monse-colored coat buttoned to his chin. 
 
 After a moment's pause, he said a little 
 hoarsely, "This is importint bisnis that 
 we have to do to-night have to do 
 to-night. Have you seen the Lord about, 
 it seen the Lord about it? " 
 
 " Well, no ! " answered the other some- 
 what brusquely, " I have been inter- 
 viewed by so many myself, that I have 
 had no time or chance to ask any one's 
 opinion." 
 
 "Trainin' the young is importint bis- 
 nis, mister, and we want to make a good 
 chice a good chice. We want those who 
 
112 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 are on the Lord's side on the Lord's 
 side." 
 
 There now appeared a brisk, energetic 
 man of medium size. He would have 
 been called good-looking had it not been 
 for the deep scar over his left eye, which 
 he had carried for many years. It was 
 not an honorable blemish, but one gotten 
 in a drunken broil in pioneer days. His 
 small, steel-colored eyes were deep-set 
 and roved restlessly about. 
 
 "Ah, good evening, Deacon! How is 
 your cough?" he inquired of the stooping 
 figure. 
 
 "About the same, Jedge, thank yer 
 thank yer," feebly replied the Deacon. 
 
 " It is evident, Morgan, that you are 
 ready for business," the Judge then said, 
 going to the table, carelessly picking up 
 an envelope and hastily scanning its 
 contents. 
 
And, after all, what is a lie? 113 
 
 "Yes," was the reply, "and, as the 
 Deacon says, this is important business, 
 and the sooner we get to work the better." 
 
 "I reckon I'm ready," observed the 
 Judge, throwing down the letter and 
 seating himself in an office chair that 
 stood on the opposite side of the table 
 and in front of Mr. Morgan. 
 
 "I think," said that gentleman, "we 
 should consider first the applications of 
 those who have been teaching here for 
 the past year." 
 
 " I reckon that I agree with you," 
 pleasantly assented the Judge. 
 
 " Then we will take up the application 
 of the city superintendent first. He 
 wishes to be re-elected. What is your 
 mind, gentlemen?" 
 
 " He's a leetle slow a leetle slow," 
 said the hollow voice. 
 
 " I reckon I know of a better man," 
 
114 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 remarked the Judge. u Mrs. Severns 
 says that Mr. Pooldar is twice as good as 
 the present one." 
 
 "I also have a name to propose for that 
 position, gentlemen," said Mr. Morgan. 
 "It is that of Mr. Storman of Dunboro' 
 University. He has travelled abroad, 
 has received the degree of A. M., and is 
 at present principal of a Normal School 
 in Ohio. Owing to the ill health of his 
 wife, he wishes to come here to live ; and, 
 for this reason alone, wishes a position in 
 our schools. He is highly spoken of by 
 leading educators." 
 
 "What are his politics?" asked the 
 Judge. 
 
 " I know nothing of his politics and 
 don't care what they may be," impatiently 
 replied Mr. Morgan. " The best man for 
 the place is what I want." 
 
 The evening was very warm ; and the 
 
And, after all, what is a lie f 115 
 
 chairman of the school-board wished that 
 he were well out of this business. But 
 he thought of his three children; and, 
 realizing that the instruction and influ- 
 ence under which they would be placed 
 for the coming year rested in a measure 
 with him, he straightened back in his 
 chair and began again : "Gentlemen, who 
 is to be superintendent of our schools for 
 the coming year? I wish to see the sal- 
 ary raised and a more broadly educated 
 man than Mr. Andrews filling the chair." 
 
 "The city is payin' too much now 
 too much now," croaked the economical 
 Deacon. 
 
 " I reckon that I'm in favor of increas- 
 ing the salary," said the Judge, " and I 
 will vote to do so if Mr. Pooldar is elected ; 
 otherwise, I will not." 
 
 " But," interposed Mr. Morgan, " his 
 qualifications are no better that those of 
 
116 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 the present incumbent. So, why make 
 the change?" 
 
 " Well ! Mrs. Severns said that she 
 thought this man would be twice as good 
 as Mr. Andrews ; and as he is not satisfy- 
 ing everybody, I thought it a good idea 
 to make a change of some kind." 
 
 "That is an erroneous idea," said Mr. 
 Morgan. u lf you cannot better things, 
 let well enough alone." 
 
 " I shan't vote for the pay to be riz 
 the pay to be riz," doggedly whispered 
 the Deacon. 
 
 "I put the question again," said the 
 chairman. u Who shall be the city 
 superintendent for the coming school- 
 year?" 
 
 " I reckon I cast my vote for Mr. Pool- 
 dar, and also for an increase of salary," 
 said the Judge. 
 
 "I vote for Mr. Storman of Dunboro' 
 
And, after all, what is a lie? 117 
 
 University, and an increase of salary," 
 announced the chairman. 
 
 "I votes for neither for neither," 
 spoke the hollow voice. " I votes for 
 Mr. Andrews, and no raise in pay no 
 raise in pay." 
 
 That Mr. Pooldar would be no improve- 
 ment over the present officer, Mr. Morgan 
 well knew; and, as the man he wished to 
 see elected met with no favor whatever, 
 he seconded the Deacon's vote. Under 
 the circumstances, this seemed . best ; 
 although he frowned deeply as he saw 
 the Judge record the name of Mr. 
 Andrews. 
 
 The chairman took up another appli- 
 cation. It was that of an upper grade 
 teacher. " Miss Rosson wishes her posi- 
 tion another year," he said. "As she has 
 done good work, I move that we retain 
 her." 
 
118 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 At this point the Deacon picked up 
 her letter of application which the chair- 
 man had just laid on the table. 
 
 " I votes agin her agin her," he said 
 excitedly. 
 
 u And why? " coolly asked Mr. Morgan. 
 
 "Jest look at that look at that," he 
 cried, at the same time pointing with a 
 bony fore-finger to the page before him. 
 
 The chairman looked searchingly 
 adown the lines ; but, seeing nothing to 
 cause this outbreak, he said, " Well ! 
 what is it? " 
 
 u T-h-e-r-e t-h-e-r-e," spelled aloud the 
 Deacon. "A girl who makes a blunder 
 like that, hadn't ought to have a school 
 hadn't ought to have a school." 
 
 " That word is spelled correctly," 
 answered Mr. Morgan, opening his eyes 
 in astonishment. 
 
 "It ain't it ain't," contradicted the 
 
< hid, after all, what is a lie > 119 
 
 Deacon. "T-h-a-i-r t-h-a-i-r, is the way 
 to spell it. Ain't that so? " he inquired 
 of the Judge. 
 
 The Judge smiled. That Miss Rosson 
 was one of the best of teachers, he knew. 
 But she was no favorite of his ; for had 
 not his wife called on her and she never 
 returned the call? Besides, her mascu- 
 line relatives differed from him in poli- 
 tics. Nothing to be gained by voting 
 for her. A man received no pay for this 
 work and he must turn it to some 
 account. If daughters of men of his own 
 party were given the position, he could 
 count on certain votes at the next elec- 
 tion ; and he hoped to run for mayor. 
 These were his inward thoughts, but 
 aloud he said : " I reckon the spelling is 
 all right, but there are other things to 
 be considered. I reckon that it would 
 
120 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 be better to put Miss Stafford in her 
 place." 
 
 u Why, Judge ! " exclaimed Mr. Mor- 
 gan, u she does not possess the qualifica- 
 tians of the girl you would evict." 
 
 "That may be," assented the Judge, 
 u but I reckon that she knows enough to 
 teach the pupils of that grade ; and if she 
 don't, why ! lower the grade ; and as her 
 father lives here and pays his taxes here, 
 I reckon that she ought to have the 
 school, even if she is not as well educated 
 as the other." 
 
 The chairman picked out a letter from 
 the pile at his left, and proceeded to read 
 it aloud : 
 
 GENTLEMEN : 
 
 I desire a position in your city schools. I 
 am a graduate of Alhambra College, and of the 
 Lakeside Normal in Michigan. For the past 
 three years, I have been an assistant teacher in 
 Hartford Academy, Illinois. For testimonials, 
 
. hid, after all, what is a lie ! 121 
 
 I refer you to G. S. Lane, principal of that 
 institution, and to Prof. Dash of Arizona Terri- 
 torial University. An early answer is desired. 
 Yours truly, 
 
 MARIA SNOW. 
 
 When he had finished reading the 
 letter, Mr. Morgan said, " I should like 
 to see that young lady put in Miss Ros- 
 son's place if you feel that the latter 
 must be evicted." The words were 
 spoken deferentially, for Mr. Morgan's 
 sole object was to work for the good of 
 the city schools. Then he went on, 
 u Miss Stafford has had no experience. 
 The professor, to whom Miss Snow refers 
 us, is a man of liberal education and 
 sound judgment, and a testimonial from 
 him in her favor should count for a 
 great deal." 
 
 The Deacon gave him a combative 
 look. 
 
 "Them perfessers are men who don't 
 
122 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 think on nothin' but ketchin' bugs and 
 mixin' messes in glass dishes mixin' 
 messes in glass dishes. I've been down 
 to see their school, and so I knows I 
 knows." 
 
 Here Mr. Morgan's ire got the better 
 of his judgment. Springing to his feet, 
 he brought his clenched fist down on the 
 table and roared, " Confound it! I'd like 
 to know how in the name of common 
 sense a party ever happened to put 
 such as you on the school board. This 
 comes of mixing up politics with school 
 affairs." 
 
 The Deacon uneasily moved his chair; 
 the Judge coolly smiled; while Mr. 
 Morgan, instantly ashamed of his hasty 
 temper, mopped his perspiring brow and 
 sat down again. All the heat of the day 
 seemed concentrated in that one room. 
 
 Now was the time for the Judge to 
 
And, after all, what is a lie ? 123 
 
 make a move. " I reckon that I cast my 
 vote for Miss Stafford, " he said. 
 
 The Deacon moved his chair further 
 away from Mr. Morgan before he found 
 courage to say, " I votes for Miss Stafford. 
 I do I do." 
 
 So the name of Miss Stafford was 
 recorded below that of Mr. Andrews. 
 
 Several applications followed this; the 
 writers being re-elected or evicted with 
 equal want of just discrimination. 
 
 Then came to hand the letters from 
 the primary teachers ; among which, by 
 the way, were those of Esther Fairfax 
 and Martha Coggeshall. 
 
 The epistles being duly read, the 
 chairman inquired what should be done 
 with them. 
 
 u I reckon that I don't think much of 
 the goings on of these Kindergarden 
 teachers," said the Judge, bringing his 
 
124 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 crossed leg to the floor and sitting around 
 squarely in his chair. " Mrs. Severns 
 says how as the first year they teach the 
 children to draw a cat, the second year to 
 rub it out, and the third year to spell 
 ' cat.' I reckon that she knows. I reckon 
 that it will be a mighty sight better to 
 let those three kindergarden teachers go, 
 and hire girls who will work." 
 
 " I'm agreed with yer agreed with 
 yer," whispered the Deacon. " My chil- 
 derns bring papers home from school, all 
 doubled up all doubled up. Little bits 
 of squares, three-cornered ones, and 
 round ones and round ones. And Mrs. 
 Severns says how as they play in mud 
 there play in mud there. Roll it round 
 and round in their hands, and make what 
 they call ( spheres ' what they call 
 ' sp'eres.' ' And warming to his subject, 
 the Deacon put his two hands together, 
 
And, after all, what is a lie? 125 
 
 and rubbed one upon the other with a 
 slow circular motion, to demonstrate the 
 making of " sp'eres." 
 
 Froebel, the new education, law of 
 unity, and a dozen other things pertain- 
 ing to Kindergarten work, became a con- 
 fusion of ideas in the chairman's head ; 
 but not one principle could he advance to 
 defend these progressive teachers. He 
 could only say: "I know these teachers 
 are hard-working and capable. Their 
 instruction is of the best, and you must 
 see that it is wise to retain them." The 
 Judge and Deacon did not see this ; so 
 these instructors were evicted in a body. 
 
 Miss Walton's application came next. 
 
 " She's a mighty pretty girl and a 
 right smart one," commented the Judge 
 when her letter had been read. 
 
 "Mrs. Severns says how she is too 
 flightin' - - too flightin'," criticised the 
 
126 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 Deacon. " She seed her ridin' two differ- 
 ent times with two different men two 
 different men." 
 
 Mr. Morgan's lip curled scornfully, but 
 he said quietly, " Her qualifications are 
 of the best, and I move that we retain 
 her." 
 
 " Well," slowly and somewhat reluc- 
 tantly observed the Judge, " she's a right 
 bright girl, but holds her head too high 
 for this new country. We'd better try 
 somebody else." 
 
 The now thoroughly tired Deacon nod- 
 ded his head in the affirmative and feebly 
 whispered, "Too nightin' too nightin'." 
 
 Mr. Morgan was helpless. 
 
 It was late, very late, when the last 
 teacher had been elected. After the 
 Judge and the Deacon had gone, Mr. 
 Morgan returned the letters to their 
 drawer, locked it and put the key in his 
 
And, after all, what is a lie? 127 
 
 pocket. Then rising, he wiped the per- 
 spiration from his face, and set his chair 
 in its customary place. This done, he 
 put on his sombrero, passed through the 
 door, and as he made it secure for the 
 night, he muttered: "I hope that the 
 meeting of this evening is not a fair 
 sample of what usually takes place. 
 But teachers certainly lack progression, 
 when year after year goes by and they 
 do nothing towards limiting the power of 
 school boards ; who, if they possess the 
 requisite educational qualifications, too 
 often lack a practical knowledge of meth- 
 ods. Pedagogical associations must have 
 the life of Egyptian mummies." 
 
128 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 " Truth is the highest thing- that man may keep" 
 
 DONALD BUTLER'S ranch lay six miles 
 southeast of the city. Half of it was 
 given up to the cultivation of raisin 
 grapes ; while the remaining portion was 
 sub-divided, the several divisions bearing 
 thrifty trees of apricot, peach, fig, olive, 
 and orange. Every part of this fruit 
 farm gave evidence of the owner's method- 
 ical mind. Even the irrigating canals 
 and ditches were so cleanly cut that 
 Dame Rumor slyly whispered they were 
 sand-papered by Butler's own hands. 
 This report, however, cannot be vouched 
 for, as the good woman mentioned has 
 passed her three score years and ten, and 
 so her memory is not always reliable. 
 
Truth is the highest thing that man may keep. 129 
 
 The ranch house was a two-roomed 
 adobe, encircled with the veranda so 
 indispensable to a southern home of even 
 the most modest pretensions. The same 
 order and neatness shown outside was 
 revealed within ; but for the consolation 
 of those masculine celibates whose rooms 
 are chaos, let it be known that, about once 
 in so often, the house-wife of a neighbor- 
 ing ranch was hired to sweep, dust and 
 arrange these apartments. Butler flat- 
 tered himself that the matter was kept a 
 profound secret. In so level and open 
 a country, though, secrets can not well 
 hide, and this one was not the exception 
 that proves the rule. 
 
 During the summer months, he was 
 seldom absent for any length of time; as 
 it was then that the picking and curing 
 of figs and grapes demanded his personal 
 supervision. 
 
130 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 One evening, the work of the day con- 
 cluded, he seated himself in the front 
 room with the design of reading the 
 latest fruit journal; but the page before 
 him proved not of sufficient interest to 
 hold his attention; every now and then 
 his glance would wander through the 
 open casement at his right and across the 
 trailing green of vines stretching as far 
 as his eye could reach. To-night he 
 viewed the scene with a double satisfac- 
 tion, not only because it represented the 
 results of his labors and savings; but 
 because this day he had shipped the 
 largest consignment of fruit that had yet 
 left this ranch. It was but natural that 
 he should think upon his success with a 
 certain amount of pride. 
 
 From contemplation of his profits, his 
 mind wandered into the future; and he 
 saw, in place of the humble adobe, a 
 
Trill /i /.v the highest thiug that man may keep. 131 
 
 stately edifice with broad avenues leading 
 thereto. He even decided from which 
 point of the compass should come the 
 carnage drive. 
 
 His eyes following down a narrow path, 
 lie was surprised to see in the distance a 
 moving cloud of dust that fore-told a 
 coming horseman. Butler watched the 
 drawing-near with interest ; for, at this 
 season, visitors rarely ventured through 
 the drifts of dust that lay between the 
 city and the ranches. 
 
 When, at length, he discerned a female 
 figure sitting the horse, his amazement 
 was increased ; before long, the lope of 
 the steed brought him to a halt before 
 the office. Butler sprang from his chair, 
 and reached the door just as Myrldina 
 slipped to the ground. 
 
 "What has brought you here in this 
 plight?" he exclaimed bluntly to the 
 
132 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 girl, while she was deftly fastening her 
 horse by the bridle rein to one of the 
 posts that served to support the veranda. 
 
 " Is any one at home sick or hurt? " 
 he asked anxiously. 
 
 And truly it did seem as if nothing 
 short of a severe illness, or a serious 
 accident, could have caused Myrldina to 
 ride through the dust and heat of this 
 July day. The horse was covered thick 
 with foam and dust ; while his rider was 
 completely enveloped in the multitudi- 
 nous particles that filled the air almost 
 to suffocation. 
 
 To her cousin's question, Myrldina 
 shook her head in the negative. 
 
 "Then," Donald dryly suggested with 
 a movement of the head toward his sleep- 
 ing-room, " I think that you had better 
 go inside, wash your face and hands 
 
7^ruth is the highest thing that man may keep. 133 
 
 and afterwards we will discuss whatever 
 has brought you here." 
 
 She was now unfastening the cinch- 
 strap. Her cousin came to her aid, say- 
 ing, u I'll remove the saddle ; go inside." 
 
 With a quick motion, not ungraceful, 
 Myrldina gave her sateen skirt a shake 
 that sent the unstable overdress flying 
 on every side. Obedient to Donald's 
 wish, she then passed into the inner 
 room ; emerging in a short space of time 
 with hair newly smoothed, and face 
 freshly bathed. 
 
 " Well? " he began encouragingly, 
 placing her a chair before his own. 
 
 f he girl needed no second invitation. 
 "O Donald ! " she broke out, " the new 
 school board met last night and evicted 
 many of the teachers Miss Walton 
 among the number. She with others 
 has staid here ever since April expect- 
 
134 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 ing reappointment. Their eviction is 
 just too mean for anything! Can't 
 something be done about it? " 
 
 u And is that what brought you here?" 
 he asked, almost scornfully. 
 
 Myrldina began to cry. " I I feel 
 that I had something to do with their 
 eviction ; and I thought that perhaps you 
 could do something towards making the 
 school board put them back in again 
 especially Miss Walton." 
 
 " How could you possibly have any- 
 thing to do with their eviction?" Donald 
 asked in tones of wonderment. 
 
 Myrldina wiped her eyes, pocketed her 
 handkerchief, and promptly proceeded to 
 impart the desired information : " You 
 see it happened in this way. Mrs. Sev- 
 erns, the meddlesome old thing 
 
 "And who might Mrs. Severns be? " 
 interrupted her cousin. 
 
J^ruth is the highest thing that man may keep. 135 
 
 " Why ! that woman who lives not 
 many blocks from Aunt Margarette's, in 
 that house having six immense umbrella 
 trees in the front yard. Now and then 
 she teaches a term of private school ; and 
 as she has a little knowledge of the three 
 Rs, she meddles in the affairs of the 
 public schools every chance she can get." 
 
 Thinking this sufficient explanation, 
 Myrldina continued: "I was going by 
 there one day just as Mrs. Severns was 
 coming out of a side door with a bowl of 
 something hot in her hand. It being a 
 warm day, and she a little lame, I offered 
 to carry the dish for her. She thanked 
 me and said that it would oblige her 
 greatly if I would take the bowl to Dea- 
 con Smart. I did so ; and as I go right 
 by her home when I am out for a consti- 
 tutional, I have carried the deacon many 
 a bowl of hot soup during the past few 
 
136 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 weeks. Mrs. Severns was always at the 
 gate ready to waylay me ; and I didn't 
 mind it in the least, for I thought that I 
 was doing a good deed. But it must 
 have been her hot messes that influenced 
 the deacon to vote as she wished. He 
 told Mr. Wight that he didn't vote for 
 the re-election of these teachers simply 
 because Mrs. Severns asked him not to. 
 And to think that I should be the instru- 
 ment to effect her plans ! I never, never 
 would have carried those dishes, if I had 
 had the slightest idea that I had so many 
 girls in in the soup." And again Myrl- 
 dina's face was hid in her handkerchief. 
 
 Having a keen sense of the ludicrous, 
 this recital was too much for Donald. 
 Lying back in his chair, he gave vent 
 to peal after peal of laughter, which only 
 ceased when Myrldina hastily rose, eyes 
 flashing, and indignantly exclaimed : " I 
 
Truth is the highest thing that man may keep. 137 
 
 didn't ride down here to be laughed at! 
 I came for your help ! " 
 
 Donald sobered instantly. u Why, my 
 dear child ! " he said soothingly, " I can 
 do nothing. I fail to see how anybody 
 can do anything about it. The school 
 board have not only decided whom they 
 will retain, but they have, in all proba- 
 bility, published their decision in the 
 city papers. Isn't it so? " 
 
 u Yes," sobbed Myrldina. 
 
 "They are supposed to represent the 
 city," he explained, "and their decision 
 must be accepted without question. Your 
 friend, Miss Walton, will have to look 
 elsewhere for a position," he added, after 
 a minute's pause in which it seemed to 
 him that his heart dropped in his breast 
 like lead. 
 
 "But the injustice of it all!" cried 
 Myrldina. " If they were all intelligent 
 
138 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 men it wouldn't seem so bad. But the 
 Deacon is an old fool, and the Judge 
 would sell his soul for two bits." And 
 then she questioned, as had Mr. Morgan 
 the previous evening, "Why are such 
 men permitted to serve on school 
 boards?" 
 
 To this Donald made no reply. He 
 was standing with arms folded, lips 
 tightly compressed, and eyes looking 
 steadily before him. 
 
 Finally, he said almost sternly: "Now, 
 Myrldina ! you are wasting you strength 
 in shedding these useless tears. You 
 must learn to look at things in a more 
 philosophic light. I fear that I can do 
 nothing towards keeping your friend in 
 the city; but" and there came a long 
 pause, followed by the completion of the 
 sentence slowly and resolutely "I will 
 do what I can." 
 
Truth /s the highest thing that man may keep. 139 
 
 However she might tease him, Myrl- 
 dina's faith in Donald was unbounded. 
 It now revealed itself in ecstatic words : 
 "O, you dear Donald! I know that you 
 can make it all right. You always do." 
 
 Donald did not feel so sure of success, 
 but he did not lessen the girl's ardor by 
 saying so. 
 
 "What are you going to do?" she 
 questioned cheerily. 
 
 "A diplomat doesn't tell his plans to 
 any one," promptly returned Donald. 
 
 In no way disconcerted by his answer, 
 the girl continued, "Well, when are you 
 going to do it?" 
 
 Her cousin laughed. "You are a 
 veritable woman, Myrldina. There is 
 no crushing of your curiosity ; but if it 
 will please your ladyship to know, I'm 
 going back with you. Before long the 
 moon will be up." 
 
140 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 The hot lustrous night was odorous 
 with sweet perfume of tree and plant, 
 when Donald and Myrldina rode back to 
 the city. With the instincts of an artist, 
 the girl drank in the beauties of the land- 
 scape, softened by the light to an incon- 
 ceivable beauty. 
 
 The man was silent, too; but for far 
 different reasons. Not for a single 
 instant, since that evening in the Lead- 
 better garden, had he lost sight of the 
 singleness of purpose that had triumphed 
 over his baser nature. It came to him 
 this night with a new meaning. He felt 
 that he was nearing the crisis of his life. 
 Let that hour bring him weal or woe, he 
 would never swerve from this duty he 
 owed himself. 
 
 A half hour later, he stood before a 
 mirror in one of his Aunt Margarette's 
 rooms making a careful toilet. This 
 
Truth is the highest thing that man may keep. 141 
 
 done, he paced twice the length of the 
 floor before essaying courage to pass out. 
 What flood tides must sweep over his 
 soul before he would again enter this 
 room ! 
 
 Without meeting any one, he reached 
 Mrs. Durgin's house. He gave a sigh 
 of relief when he caught sight of Miss 
 Walton sitting in the golden glow of 
 light that flooded the veranda. She was 
 reading the evening paper, and Butler 
 saw that she was alone. 
 
 She greeted him with a few common- 
 place words and motioned him to a chair 
 near her. Butler was surprised to find 
 her so tranquil. He had pictured her 
 with brow dejected and spirits drooping; 
 but instead, she looked as fresh as the 
 crimson bud fastened in her hair. 
 
 He had decided that he would not 
 feign ignorance of her eviction by the 
 
142 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 school board ; neither would he ignore 
 the fact. 
 
 After a moment's chat on the weather, 
 he asked, " Do you leave the city soon? " 
 
 " I intend going day after to-morrow," 
 was the reply. 
 
 " The circumstances are inauspicious 
 that hasten your departure." 
 
 " It was not wholly unexpected," she 
 answered carelessly. " You know that 
 in the West public school teachers dine 
 with their grips by their chairs." By 
 the way, this remark which her caller 
 thought very bright, was not original 
 with Miss Elsa. It was a quotation from 
 a leading New York educational journal. 
 
 " You do not seem to feel badly at 
 going," he continued. " I presume, 
 though, that this is partly accounted for 
 by the knowledge that all women of 
 to-day are more or less cosmopolitan.". 
 
Truth is tlie highest thing that man may keep. 143 
 
 " Who says so? " asked Elsa with sim- 
 ple directness. 
 
 " Why ! we hear it at the club, read it 
 in the papers, and have it hurled at us 
 from the pulpit," answered Donald, pro- 
 vokingly twirling his mustache with the 
 air of one who feels that he can prove all 
 he asserts. 
 
 The color on her cheeks had deepened 
 a little, and the light of her eyes betrayed 
 more eagerness ; beyond this there was 
 nothing to indicate that the remark had 
 aroused in her any spirit of opposition. 
 Donald, however, noted the slight change 
 and resolved that he would harass her 
 further. Her cool self-possession and 
 indifference held him at a disadvantage. 
 
 "Cosmopolitism doesn't add to a wom- 
 an's attractiveness," he said. " Women 
 make a mistake in seeking so many 
 
144 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 avenues of employment ; they are losing 
 their chief charm in so doing." 
 
 ' Why do they seek these employ- 
 ments? " she inquired with some hauteur. 
 
 "An eminent divine" (Donald gave his 
 name) "has said it is because a woman 
 likes to prove that she is as good an 
 
 oarsman as a man." 
 
 " I have never known a woman to seek 
 out a prominent place for any purpose 
 but as a means of self-support," quietly 
 remarked Elsa, but with eyes flashing. 
 
 " But she could earn her living in a 
 less conspicuous way," suggested Don- 
 ald. " There is no need of making such 
 a tumult about it." 
 
 " It seems to me that the club, the 
 press, and the pulpit are responsible for 
 this tumult you mention. The women 
 are busy about their work ; and these 
 three powers controlled almost wholly 
 
Truth is the highest thing that man may keep. 145 
 
 by men create the tumult." Insurrec- 
 tion was now visible in every lineament 
 of the flushed face. 
 
 "But they are losing their womanli- 
 ness," argued Donald. 
 
 " I think your premise is wrong," 
 soberly returned Elsa. " If a woman is 
 forced by circumstances to earn her 
 bread, it seems to me that it is no more 
 womanly to content herself with crumbs 
 than it is to secure a slice, or perhaps a 
 loaf for herself. For my own part, I 
 intend getting just all I can in an honest 
 way." 
 
 "Your remark carries conviction with 
 it," observed the man. "I own a ranch 
 and I should hate to be ousted from it ; 
 but if you should get after it, I feel, in 
 the innermost recesses of my soul, that I 
 should have to turn it over into your 
 hands. I may as well yield it up now, 
 
146 A \atitral Sequence. 
 
 gracefully, and without further parley." 
 Elsa stood up and looked at him in 
 round-eyed wonder. 
 
 Butler felt that now was the time to 
 drop his bantering tone and speak more 
 earnestly. " I came here this evening 
 for a purpose," he said. "One year ago 
 this month, some words carelessly spoken 
 by yourself, deeply impressed me ; so 
 deeply, that they changed the whole 
 tenor of my mind regarding certain 
 things. Until then, I had been wholly 
 absorbed in making a success of life 
 from a worldly point of view. When it 
 occurred to me as it sometimes did 
 that my sordid nature could not reach 
 out in charity towards my fellow-men, 
 nor rise to meet the 'Source of all Truth, 7 
 I would silence conscience with the 
 thought that in the dim future there 
 should come, into my heart and home, 
 
Truth is the highest thing that DKUI may keep. 147 
 
 a white-souled woman whose influence 
 should make of me a better man. Your 
 casual remark showed me that her love 
 could not be based on respect ; therefore 
 it must always remain cold." 
 
 From this he went on to speak of Mrs. 
 Leadbetter's perfidy, Elsa's forgiveness, 
 and the scene in the garden to which he 
 had been a witness. 
 
 " My regard for you has kept on 
 increasing," continued the mellow, allur- 
 ing voice, "until you are the one woman 
 in the world for me. I love you deeply 
 truly. If you go away, you take my 
 happiness with you," and the strong 
 man's voice almost broke ; " but even 
 you, dearly beloved, cannot take away 
 the desire to make of my life all that 
 God intended I should make of it." 
 
 As he ceased speaking, Elsa stepped 
 back and cried, "Indeed! I am not half 
 
148 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 as good as you would make me out. I 
 went to Mrs. Leadbetter's because I 
 needed the money ; believe me, that was 
 my principal motive." And into the eyes 
 of the surprised and over-wrought girl 
 rushed the quick tears. 
 
 " I do not think you faultless," he 
 replied gently. 'That being the case, I 
 should not want you for myself ; you 
 would make me appear in too bad a light. 
 But I need you ; I want you ! " The 
 words were spoken with an intensity and 
 force that revealed the depth to which 
 this man's strong nature had been 
 stirred. 
 
 No one could have listened unmoved 
 to the passionate appeal ; much less the 
 girl to whom it was addressed. But cau- 
 tiousness was innate in Elsa's character. 
 Not only her own happiness, but that of 
 another was involved ; and while in her 
 
Truth is the highest thing that man may keep. 149 
 
 heart she knew there existed not the love 
 this man would claim, was it justice to 
 him, or to herself, to answer, without a 
 careful analysis of her own feelings, this 
 all-important question he had asked of 
 her? 
 
 With a sweet dignity Elsa moved away 
 from the man who had drawn near in his 
 fervor, and said: "Mr. Butler, this even- 
 ing you have paid me the highest com- 
 pliment a man can pay a woman. It has 
 come most unexpectedly. I should not 
 answer you lightly, I cannot. You 
 must give me time in which to know 
 myself." 
 
 With this decision Donald was forced 
 to be content. 
 
 He had not long to wait. 
 
 The next evening Elsa slipped this 
 note into the Post Office : 
 
150 A Natural Sequence. 
 
 " Somewhere, in my early girlhood, I 
 read these words : * To love means to 
 think of, to care for, to hope for, and to 
 pray for.' I have always felt, rather 
 than said, that such love as this would I 
 give the man to whom I intrusted my 
 future happiness. At present I have not 
 this affection for you ; but my regard 
 can easily ripen into such love. And 
 why? Yours is a nature that would put 
 forth every effort of heart, and brain, and 
 hand, to shield, to solace, and to provide 
 for the woman you love ; asking only in 
 return a heart's measure of love, the 
 daily striving to grow 'onward and 
 upward,' and the fulfillment of those 
 womanly duties which alone can make 
 the true home. I feel that you will come 
 to me soon. ELSA WALTON." 
 
 Donald Butler read this message care- 
 
Truth is the highest thing that man may keep. 151 
 
 fully once, twice. The trusting, confi- 
 dent words stirred him as nothing else 
 could have done. His heart filled to 
 overflowing with the divine passion that, 
 in its purity, humility, and intensity, was 
 Christlike. 
 
 "With God's help, I'll not be found 
 wanting," he said ; chest heaving and 
 breath coming in short, quick gasps, with 
 the strength of his emotions. 
 
 It was a goodly place in which to reg- 
 ister such a vow. The setting sun was 
 shimmering its light upon the purple 
 mountains that encircle so lovingly the 
 Salt River Valley. The roar of the Ari- 
 zona Fall came faintly from the west- 
 ward. All around him was the emerald 
 green of vines and trees. Overhead the 
 cloudless blue of the sky, suggestive of 
 future bliss. For pure hearts and per- 
 fect love can always make an Eden. 
 
 THE END. 
 
A15" 
 
 A/37 
 
 Hi 5