little thing looked sort of nice, and her manners were pretty, so I
took her. I thought I would ask you how you felt about it this
morning, but there ain't any reason to, perhaps, for she ain't going
to stay here very long, anyway. She says she's going to buy the old
Bolton place and have it fixed up and settle down there as soon as
she can. She told me after you had gone out. She's gone now to look
at it. Mr. Whittle was going to meet her there. Queer, ain't it?"

"It does look extraordinary, rather," agreed Elliot, "but Miss Orr
may be older than she looks."

"Oh, she ain't old, but she's of age. She told me that, and I guess
she's got plenty of money."

"Well," said Elliot, "that is rather a fine old place. She may be
connected with the Bolton family."

"That's exactly what I think, and if she was she wouldn't mention it,
of course. I think she's getting the house in some sort of a business
way. Andrew Bolton may have died in prison by this time, and she may
be an heir. I think she is going to be married and have the house
fixed up to live in."

"That sounds very probable."

"Yes, it does; but what gets me is her buying that fair. I own I felt
a little scared, and wondered if she had all her buttons, but when
she told me about the house I knew of course she could use the things
for furnishing, all except the cake and candy, and I suppose if she's
got a lot of money she thought she'd like to buy to help. I feel glad