But--the earth being as it is to-day, a compromise, and love being
dependent upon property, and chastity upon chattels, and the stars of
the Universe upon farthing dips--though aching to rise and follow the
gray gown, to snatch its wearer afar and away into a sweet wild forest
all their own, Dan Anderson must sit silent, and plan material ways to
bring the gray gown back again to his eyes according to the mandates of
our society. Because the gray gown was made in the States, he must
forget the lesson of Curly and the Littlest Girl. Because the wearer
of the gown lived in the States, he must pull down in ruins the temple
of Heart's Desire. Such is the sweet logic of these days of modern
progress, that independence, friendship, faith, all must yield if need
be; even though, and after all, man but demands that himself and the
woman whom he has sought out from all the world may one day be savage
and sweet, ancient and primitive, even as have been all others who have
loved indeed, in city or in forest, from the beginning of the world.

"As Mr. Ellsworth has told me," went on Porter Barkley, "you are an
able man, Mr. Anderson,--far too able to be buried down here in a
mountain mining town."

"Thank you," said Dan Anderson, sweetly; "that's very nice of you."

"Now, I don't know what induced you to hide yourself out here--" went
on Barkley, affably.

"No," replied Dan Anderson, "you don't. As for myself personally, it's
no one's damned business. I may say in a general way, however, that
the prevailing high prices of sealskins and breakfast food in the
Eastern States have had a great deal to do with our Western
civilization. The edge of the West is mostly inhabited by fools and
philosophers, all mostly broke."

"I think I follow you," assented Barkley; "but I'd rather classify you
as a philosopher."

"Perhaps. At least I am not fool enough to talk about my own affairs.
You say you are here to talk business. It is your belief that I
understand some of the chemical constituents of the population of
Heart's Desire. Now, in what way can we be useful to each other?"

Ellsworth broke in, "It's as Barkley says; I've been watching you, Mr.
Anderson, and I've had an interest in you for quite a while."

"Indeed?"

"Yes, I have. I want to see you win out. Now, if you won't go to the
mountain, the mountain will have to come to you. If you won't go back
and live in the States, we will have to bring the States to yo