When his work was done, he found
himself climbing the mountain once more. He meant to solve the
mystery if possible. He would tell Easter that he was going home.
Surely she would betray some feeling then.
At the old fence which he had climbed so often he stopped, as was
his custom, to rest a moment, with his eyes on the wild beauty
before him-the great valley, with mists floating from its gloomy
depths into the tremulous moonlight; far through the radiant space
the still, dark masses of the Cumberland lifted in majesty against
the east; and in the shadow of the great cliff the vague outlines of
the old cabin, as still as the awful silence around it. A light was
visible, but he could hear no voices. Still, he knew he would find
the occupants seated in the porch, held by that strange quiet which
nature imposes on those who dwell much alone with her. He had
not been to the cabin for several weeks, and when he spoke Easter
did not return his greeting; Raines nodded almost surlily, but from
the mother came, as always, a cordial welcome.
"I'm mighty glad to see ye," she said; "you haven't been up fer a
long time."
No," answered Clayton; "I have been very busy-getting ready to go
home." He had watched Easter closely as he spoke, but the girl did
not lift her face, and she betrayed no emotion, not even surprise;
nor did Raines.
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