THE
WORKS OF BRET HARTE.
Riverside Edition.
_COLLECTED AND REVISED BY THE AUTHOR._
GABRIEL CONROY
BY
BRET HARTE
[Illustration]
BOSTON
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY
NEW YORK: 11 EAST SEVENTEENTH STREET
The Riverside Press, Cambridge
1882
Copyright, 1875,
BY AMERICAN PUBLISHING COMPANY.
Copyright, 1882,
BY HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN & CO.
_All rights reserved_
CONTENTS.
BOOK I.--ON THE THRESHOLD.
CHAP. PAGE
I. WITHOUT 1 II. WITHIN 9 III. GABRIEL 21 IV. NATURE SHOWS THEM THE WAY 26 V. OUT OF THE WOODS--INTO THE SHADOW 30 VI. FOOTPRINTS 36 VII. IN WHICH THE FOOTPRINTS BEGIN TO FADE 40 VIII. THE FOOTPRINTS GROW FAINTER 43 IX. IN WHICH THE FOOTPRINTS ARE LOST FOR EVER 47
BOOK II.--AFTER FIVE YEARS.
I. ONE HORSE GULCH 54 II. MADAME DEVARGES 65 III. MRS. MARKLE 74 IV. IN WHICH THE ARTFUL GABRIEL IS DISCOVERED 87 V. SIMPLICITY _versus_ SAGACITY 95
BOOK III.--THE LEAD.
I. AN OLD PIONEER OF '49 108 II. A CLOUD OF WITNESSES 118 III. THE CHARMING MRS. SEPULVIDA 125 IV. FATHER FELIPE 132 V. IN WHICH THE DONNA MARIA MAKES AN IMPRESSION 140 VI. THE LADY OF GRIEF 151 VII. A LEAF OUT OF THE PAST 165 VIII. THE BULLS OF THE BLESSED TRINITY 171
BOOK IV.--DRIFTING.
I. MR. AND MRS. CONROY AT HOME 178 II. IN WHICH THE TREASURE IS FOUND--AND LOST 191 III. MR. DUMPHY MEETS AN OLD FRIEND 205 IV. MR. JACK HAMLIN TAKES A HOLIDAY 212 V. VICTOR MAKES A DISCOVERY 222 VI. AN EXPERT 231
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: Gabriel Conroy by Bert Harte
- 2: JOHN DOE alias GABRIEL CONROY
- 3: And camped up in this ca n on
- 4: When he reached the tree at the entrance of the ca n on
- 5: Rather than any individual speaker
- 6: They stopped all except Dumphy
- 7: And jess squashy with gravy and injins
- 8: Dear Grace he kissed her hand again
- 9: We are below the limit of perpetual snow
- 10: Ashley turned away with an impatient gesture
- 11: But with a motion of his hand Devarges restrained her
- 12: Dumphy was still aghast with the importance of his discovery
- 13: Philip Ashley and Grace Conroy
- 14: Dumphy and her effigy were installed in Gracie's place
- 15: Olly choked her sobs at a sign from Gabriel
- 16: That might have been invisible to Gabriel
- 17: Carrying Philip and Grace with it
- 18: Philip looked at her inquiringly
- 19: Philip really believed himself a high souled
- 20: And Philip Philip had not kissed her good night
- 21: The white flanks of the mountain were more hollow
- 22: He advanced from the rest and met Dumphy half way
- 23: As his eyes followed the retreating Dumphy
- 24: The young surgeon bent over her attentively
- 25: This is Lieutenant Poinsett of the Fifth Infantry
- 26: Whereat the fastidious Philip frowned
- 27: Who was taking his noonday siesta in a low
- 28: The Commander said Bueno also
- 29: The name of Philip Ashley is here
- 30: But it was impossible to identify but two
- 31: One Horse Gulch survived not only its godfather
- 32: The justice of this was admitted even by Briggs
- 33: Olly laughed from behind the screen
- 34: Olly began to be uncomfortable
- 35: Olly retreated behind the canvas screen
- 36: Ramirez showed all his teeth in quick assent
- 37: Ramirez followed the porter upstairs
- 38: Comes to me here Gabriel Conroy
- 39: Devarges had evidently wished preserved
- 40: And inform Dumphy of your discovery
- 41: Hamlin instantly stopped his warbling
- 42: Markle on my way to the Gulch this morning
- 43: Joe Markle always used to say to me
- 44: Here Mistress Markle broke a plate
- 45: Her mind's kinder onsettled o' late
- 46: That Olly faced upon him again suspiciously
- 47: Here's Olly and me up there on the hill
- 48: Markle thinks it's a good idee
- 49: Sich a man orter be spotted wharever found
- 50: Ez believes that that yer Olly
- 51: The chimisal began to yield to their weight
- 52: Kin ye hang on a minnit longer
- 53: Markle that same old disgustin' Susan Markle
- 54: Lawyer Maxwell was for a moment staggered
- 55: They lived in a sorter paliss in the woods
- 56: That Gabriel could say no more
- 57: Markle and jest settled the whole thing
- 58: Gabe for he did everythin' thet she said
- 59: Dumphy kept always replenished
- 60: Shaking the letter towards Dumphy
- 61: Ramirez was in the street again he looked at his watch
- 62: Ramirez smiled a ghastly smile
- 63: Or the indulgence of an insatiable desire for revenge
- 64: Ramirez knocked again more sharply and decidedly
- 65: Who had extorted from Pico a grant you comprehend a grant
- 66: There is excellent aguardiente too
- 67: And that was the widow of Don Jos 'e Sepulvida
- 68: To peep furtively at the Donna Maria entering chapel
- 69: But keep your grip on the riata
- 70: Donna Maria assented in surprise
- 71: In obtaining a glimpse of the mysterious Donna Dolores
- 72: Father Felipe became at once interested
- 73: Arthur smiled a superior smile
- 74: A little more brusquely than was his habit with the Padre
- 75: In which the donna maria makes an impression
- 76: Then let us begin with Donna Dolores
- 77: But Donna Dolores is a singular girl
- 78: Devarges any heirs to contest the grant
- 79: Sepulvida found him on her return
- 80: Donna Dolores has sent for you
- 81: Sepulvida first repeated the name of Gabriel Conroy
- 82: At the same instant the reclining figure
- 83: It is possible that the Donna read this in his eyes
- 84: A woman who assumes the character and name of Grace Conroy
- 85: Has already struck hands with the impostor
- 86: My advice is to press the claim
- 87: Donna Dolores Arthur began
- 88: Sepulvida when Manuela entered
- 89: Don Arturo was conscious that his cheek was flushing
- 90: In the report of the Expedicion you will find the name
- 91: That they no longer were purposeless
- 92: The Rancho of the Blessed Trinity was gone
- 93: All this brought a horror with it so keen
- 94: Were two beliefs that One Horse Gulch never doubted
- 95: That Madame Devarges blushed slightly
- 96: Markle raised her eyes quickly
- 97: Markle overlooked the implied slur
- 98: Conroy approached her lord and master
- 99: Conroy was very pale and dangerously quiet as Mr
- 100: Conroy than his previous conduct
- 101: Olly cast a penetrating look at her brother
- 102: Conroy were apparently firm friends
- 103: Conroy did not go to San Francisco on business
- 104: The next claim is Gabriel Conroy's
- 105: Apart from his astonishment at meeting Peter Dumphy
- 106: Dumphy could see plainly from Mrs
- 107: Said Dumphy half contemptuously
- 108: Dumphy glanced at it impatiently
- 109: Dumphy was at last obliged to look up
- 110: Dumphy partly regained his audacity
- 111: Dumphy looked at his accomplice keenly
- 112: Dumphy affected to take no notice of the sarcasm
- 113: Jack Hamlin found himself dreadfully bored and ennuy 'e
- 114: Hamlin listened more attentively
- 115: Hamlin as suddenly became breathless
- 116: Hamlin lounged into the old Mission church
- 117: Hamlin did not stop for explanatory speech
- 118: My name is not Johnny Car 'a mba
- 119: With a vague patriotism superinduced by aguardiente
- 120: She taught the child of the widower Don Jos 'e Sepulvida
- 121: As she went out she partook of agua bendita
- 122: Whitened by cosmetics to conceal his high complexion
- 123: But was staring with grim intensity at Donna Dolores
- 124: You're all right the swindle is with Madame Devarges
- 125: Donna Dolores put me on the stand
- 126: Sepulvida ran to the deep embrasured window and peeped out
- 127: Which was all Dumphy had paid him for the use of his name
- 128: Made One Horse Gulch respectable
- 129: Conroy recognised this fancied recognition of her tastes
- 130: Olly was perfectly aware of his intention
- 131: Said the shamelessly direct Olly
- 132: Exactly that is but yer's the anser
- 133: 'Ye ain't to jedge this yer fammerly by me
- 134: Markle was of course fully aware that Mrs
- 135: Markle with Sal's own colouring
- 136: Which Miss Sarah Clark generally referred to as Eyetalian
- 137: Ef thar ever waz a man ez had an angelic smile
- 138: Partiklaly ef she looks sorter shy and bashful
- 139: Dumphy came directly to business
- 140: Dumphy had taken advantage of these reports
- 141: Sepulvida and Miss Rosey Ringround
- 142: Dumphy laughed his short laugh
- 143: It issint wuth no 1 Thousin dols pur shar
- 144: Sepulvida took it with a hysterical little laugh
- 145: Dumphy has news of a domestic character
- 146: Dumphy evidently was in spirits
- 147: Dumphy owned there was a marine view
- 148: Dumphy shook his head somewhat impatiently
- 149: Colonel Starbottle drew his chair beside Dumphy
- 150: The hot weather had not been confined to San Francisco
- 151: Picking up her terrible parasol
- 152: Devarges the betrayer of your husband
- 153: Devarges ever exhibited as noble trust
- 154: Interrupted the alarmed Devarges
- 155: The shock she had felt on first meeting Devarges was past
- 156: I reckon ez you'll hear it from the same vyce ez I did
- 157: I allow ez she kin settle thet herself
- 158: Ramirez had no ear for Gabriel now
- 159: Ramirez gasped a few words of hasty excuse
- 160: Arthur Poinsett an ex soldier
- 161: Ramirez glanced again quickly around
- 162: You muchee go to hellee no foolee me
- 163: When Donna Dolores after the departure of Mrs
- 164: Dumphy to represent Californian hospitality
- 165: Raynor against gambling as the one seductive
- 166: Is a type of our mining population
- 167: It was a meeting of the gods Jack Hamlin and Yuba Bill
- 168: Maxwell waited for Gabriel to speak
- 169: Said that you had set yourself up as Gabriel Conroy
- 170: And we hez it mighty lively thar fur an hour
- 171: Bein' in fear o' my life from seving men
- 172: And called Maxwell to the door
- 173: He went on surlily packing his master's valise
- 174: Dumphy takes poinsett into his confidence
- 175: Dumphy hesitated a moment and bit his lip
- 176: He paused and looked at Dumphy
- 177: Dumphy thought at once of Ramirez
- 178: Dumphy went back to his desk again
- 179: Dumphy felt he could have regulated
- 180: Hamlin had only cursorily glanced at it
- 181: Brother Gab's waitin' fer ye at Wingdam
- 182: A threat so appalling that Olly
- 183: Sorter dark complected sometimes
- 184: Hamlin instantly suggested a duet
- 185: And had begun the long ascent of the Wingdam turnpike
- 186: He must follow them to Wingdam
- 187: Lifted the shawl from the fresh cheek of the sleeping Olly
- 188: Dumphy smiled grimly to himself
- 189: Dumphy leaned back in his chair
- 190: Dumphy was not inclined to superstition
- 191: Dumphy unconsciously reached out his hand
- 192: Dumphy signed the document and handed it to him
- 193: Dumphy instantly rang his bell
- 194: Conroy in secret converse with Victor before the murder
- 195: Markle not only believed herself
- 196: Was as follows Sal was no slouch of a witness
- 197: But ef you do feel obligated to take keer o' me
- 198: But if they think of the skylight
- 199: Gabriel crawled back to Hamlin
- 200: Gabriel had nursed many sick men
- 201: I reckon we'll hev to stick yer ontil dark
- 202: Hamlin was instantly up in arms
- 203: Hamlin rolled over on his back
- 204: Hamlin with frightful deliberation you DID
- 205: Gabriel returned to the opening
- 206: Olly was first to find her speech
- 207: And all them questions waz about July
- 208: Hamlin required his constant attention
- 209: To the far off rattle of wheels on the Wingdam turnpike
- 210: It was Joe Hall the sheriff of Calaveras
- 211: Poinsett had received a more urgent message
- 212: The conduct of Dolores towards himself
- 213: Arthur Poinsett read the fate of the Rancho
- 214: Caressing touch of Padre Felipe on his shoulder
- 215: Helpless retainers of Salvatierra
- 216: Unshrinking glance of Padre Felipe
- 217: Dumphy and Mis ter Arthur Poin sett
- 218: Another who believed in the interposition of the granite
- 219: Dumphy emitted his characteristic bark
- 220: Dumphy had been precisely such a fool
- 221: Dumphy took it impatiently and read aloud
- 222: Dumphy leaned back in his chair in helpless irritability
- 223: Colonel Starbottle took the cheque
- 224: Dumphy and Poinsett involuntarily started
- 225: Nor was there any opposition when Gabriel
- 226: Markle with freezing politeness You do me proud
- 227: The man's a poor critter enyway
- 228: And the door opened to Gabriel
- 229: To see a man o' the name o' Poinsett
- 230: That Gracey never hez let on to me
- 231: Thus admonished by the practical minded Olly
- 232: She say Maxwellee talkee too much
- 233: Followed by Colonel Starbottle
- 234: Colonel Starbottle did not wish to be misunderstood
- 235: To deceive the trustful Ramirez
- 236: Conroy who was not mentioned in the indictment
- 237: Colonel Starbottle pricked up his ears
- 238: Objection sustained by Judge Boompointer
- 239: Met him the night of the 15th on the road from Wingdam
- 240: Have you a brother by the name of Gabriel Conroy
- 241: Conroy from the hillside near the road
- 242: With a hurried glance at Grace Conroy
- 243: My wife July is she clar too
- 244: Grace Conroy paused and raised her dark eyes to his
- 245: Colonel Starbottle did not verbally reply
- 246: Then the faintness and vertigo returned
- 247: Thet waz while you waz flighty
- 248: Or Poinsett or whatever he calls hisself now
- 249: Duchesne bent over his patient
- 250: Hamlin at the Rancho of the Blessed Trinity
- 251: Duchesne returned he ignored all this little byplay
- 252: Dow knowst fo' twenty years Pete
- 253: I hev a dooty to per form to Gracey
- 254: Devarges said We are going
- 255: With the name of Dolores Salvatierra
- 256: Edited by CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER
- 257: Memorial and Biographical Sketches
- 258: The Family Library of British Poetry
- 259: Memoirs of Frederica Sophia Wilhelmina
- 260: Portrait and 300 illustrations
- 261: Poetic Interpretation of Nature
- 262: Excursions in Field and Forest
- 263: Spelling humor and humour retained
