Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           The“MarbleFaun,”Raphael’s“Madonnas”and“IlTrovatore”wereherbeauidealsofliteratureandart.ShedreamedofItaly,Rome,Naples,andtheworld’sgreat“art-centres.”TherewasnodoubtthatheraffairwithMagnushadbeenalove-match,butAnniePaynewouldhavelovedanymanwhowouldhavetakenheroutofthedroning,heart-breakingroutineoftheclassandmusicroom.Shehadfollowedhisfortunesunquestioningly.FirstatSacramento,duringtheturmoilofhispoliticalcareer,lateronatPlacervilleinElDoradoCounty,afterDerrickhadinterestedhimselfintheCorpusChristigroupofmines,andfinallyatLosMuertos,where,aftersellingouthisfourthinterestinCorpusChristi,hehadturnedrancherandhad“comein”onthenewtractsofwheatlandjustthrownopenbytherailroad.Shehadlivedherenowfornearlytenyears.Butneverforonemomentsincethetimeherglancefirstlostitselfintheunbrokenimmensityoftherancheshadsheknownamoment’scontent.Continuallytherecameintoherpretty,wide-openeyes—theeyesofayoungdoe—alookofuneasiness,ofdistrust,andaversion.LosMuertosfrightenedher.