summit when he was stopped by an accident, and
delayed so long that he was obliged to go on to Sacramento without
making his examination.

"That was only his excuse--mere flap-doodle!" interrupted the
pessimistic Jerrold. "He was foolin' you; he'd heard of suthin better!
The idea of calling that affair an 'accident,' or one that would stop
any man who meant business!"

Bray had become uneasily conscious. "What was the accident?" he asked.

"A d----d fool woman's accident," broke in the misogynist Parkhurst,
"and it's true! That's what makes it so cussed mean. For there's allus
a woman at the bottom of such things--bet your life! Think of 'em comin'
here. Thar ought to be a law agin it."

"But what was it?" persisted Bray, becoming more apprehensive.

"Why, what does that blasted fool of a capitalist do but bring with him
his daughter and auntie to 'see the wonderful scenery with popa
dear!' as if it was a cheap Sunday-school panorama! And what do these
chuckle-headed women do but get off the coach and go to wanderin'
about, and playin' 'here we go round the mulberry bush' until one of 'em
tumbles down a ravine. And then there's a great to do! and 'dear popa'
was up and down the road yellin' 'Me cheyld! me cheyld!' And then there
was camphor and sal volatile and eau de cologne to be got, and the coach
goes off, and 'popa dear' gets left, and then has to hurry off in a
buggy to catch it. So WE get left too, just because that God-forsaken
fool, Neworth, brings his women here."

Under this recital poor Bray sat as completely crushed as when the fair
daughter of Neworth had descended upon his shoulders at the spring. He
saw it all! HIS was the fault. It was HIS delay and dalliance with her
that had checked Neworth's visit; worse than that, it was his subsequent
audacity and her defense of him that would probably prevent any renewal
of the negotiations. He had shipwrecked his partners' prospects in his
absurd vanity and pride! He did not dare to raise his eyes to their
dejected faces. He would have confessed everything to them, but the
same feeling of delicacy for her which had determined him to keep her
adventures to himself now forever sealed his lips. How might they not
misconstrue his conduct--and HERS! Perhaps something of this was visible
in his face.

"Come, old man," said the cheerful misogynist, with perfect innocence,
"don't take it so hard. Some time in a man's life a woman's sure to get
the drop on him, as