half the
property and pays cash. The remainder can be easily sold. No one seems
disposed to demand an extravagant price. You will hear from me before
long, and I will return the papers."

After they had settled that and left the lady, Lorimer said--

"Now let us interview this Doctor Langdon."

He was a somewhat feeble, white haired old man but received them very
graciously and was much interested in the story. Turning to his book
he refreshed his memory. Yes, there was the birth of the child. The
mother he put down as rather delicate. A note some time after
substantiated the accident and death of the father. He was very
willing to give an affidavit. "You've been a tremendous help to me,
Al," said Mr. Lorimer, "estates that have to be settled this way are
an enormous bother, and thanks are poor pay," laughing.

"I believe I shall demand something more. The child will need a
guardian. She has several warm friends here, I'm not willing to lose
sight of her. So I shall ask that office."

"Well--why not? Some one must act until she is of age. Yes, I'll
remember. I'm glad you spoke of it. I'll be up again. Indeed I'm quite
curious to see how she takes her fortune."

So the friends parted. Dr. Richards made several calls, stopped for
some lunch, found a number of patients awaiting him and a message that
had come from Miss Armitage, who wished to see him at once. She had
had quite an eventful morning as well. Some vague presentiment had
haunted her about Marilla and after disposing of a few business calls
she hurried around to Arch street.

Mrs. Borden answered the door.

"Oh, Miss Armitage! We're so full of trouble! Aunt Hetty has just died
and Marilla--oh, I don't know what will become of the child!"

"She is not ill?" in a tone of anxiety.

"Well, come in and sit down and let me tell you. They thought the
first part of the night the poor old lady was dropping off quietly.
Then toward morning she seemed to rally, and kept calling for Marilla.
John had been up there most of the time and he said bring the child
up. We didn't suppose she was really conscious. So Marilla went up. It
was daylight, and just as soon as she went to the bedside the poor old
lady held out both hands, and Mrs. Holmes said she really smiled, and
then a horrible thing happened, like a fit, and her mouth all curled
up and her eyes rolled up to the whites and Marilla screamed and
fainted and the old lady was dead in a minute, and then the chil