sterday, and
says he is enjoying an attack of indigestion to-day. I had Swiss in here
to keep me company, but he wouldn't stay and Mandy had to let him out."

"He came up to Mrs. Hawkins's," said Quincy, as he took his accustomed
seat opposite Alice. "He walked down with me, but when he saw me safe on
the front doorstep he disappeared around the corner."

"I didn't tell him to go after you," said Alice, laughing; "but I am
very glad that you have come. I have a very important matter to consult
you about. You know you are my business man now."

"I'm always at your service," replied Quincy. "I think I know what you
wish to see me about."

"And what do you think it is?" asked Alice, shaking her head negatively.

"Well," said Quincy, "I saw Squire Rundlett the day before the weddings
and he thought that you might possibly want some money. He had a
thousand dollars in cash belonging to you, and I brought you half of it.
If you will kindly sign this receipt," he continued, as he took a small
parcel from his pocket, "you will relieve me of further responsibility
for its safe keeping."

He moved the little writing table close to her chair, and dipping the
pen in the ink he handed it to her, and indicated with his finger the
place where she should sign. She wrote as well as ever, though she could
see nothing that she penned.

"There are eight fifty-dollar bills, eight tens and four fives," he
said, as he passed her the money.

"Which are the fifties?" she asked, as she handled the money nervously
with her fingers.

"Here they are," said Quincy, and he separated them from the rest of the
bills and placed them in her hands.

"Oh! thank you," said she. She counted out four of the bills and passed
them to Quincy. "That settles my money debt to you, does it not?" she
inquired; "but nothing can pay the debt of gratitude that I owe you for
your many acts of kindness to me, Mr. Sawyer."

"I am fully repaid by that very kind speech of yours," replied Quincy.
"But what was the important matter you wished to see me about? I don't
think it was the money."

"It was not," said Alice. "I have little use for money just at present.
I never had so much before at once in all my life. I shall have to learn
to be an heiress."

"It's a lesson that is very easily learned," replied Quincy.

"What I wish to speak about," continued Alice, musingly, "is Mrs.
Putnam's house. I could never live in it. I could never go into that
room again;