_Joseph Hergesheimer_




CONTENTS


I THE FURNACE

II THE FORGE

III THE METAL




I THE FURNACE




I


A twilight like blue dust sifted into the shallow fold of the thickly
wooded hills. It was early October, but a crisping frost had already
stamped the maple trees with gold, the Spanish oaks were hung with
patches of wine red, the sumach was brilliant in the darkening
underbrush. A pattern of wild geese, flying low and unconcerned above