ch was on the tip of her
tongue was naturally, "Why, yes, I live there." But she did not make
that answer, although she has often wondered, since, why. What she said
was: "Yes, I know South Harniss."

"Do you, indeed?" went on Green. "Well, I don't, but I have known some
people who live there for ever so long. My father knew them before me.
They were customers of his and they have been buying of our firm for
years. Two old chaps who keep what I believe they would call a 'general
store.' Fine old fellows, both of them! Different as can be, and
characters, but pure gold inside. I have had some bad news concerning
them. They're in trouble and I'm mighty sorry."

Mary was bored no longer. She leaned forward and asked breathlessly:

"What are their names, Mr. Green?"

"Eh? Oh, the firm name is Hamilton and Company. That is simple and sane
enough, but the names of the partners were cribbed from the book of
Leviticus, I should imagine--Zoeth and Shadrach! Ho, ho! Think of it!
Think of wishing a name like Shadrach upon a helpless infant. The S. P.
C. A. or C. C. or something ought to be told of it. Ho, ho!"

He laughed aloud. Mary did not laugh.

"They--you said they were in trouble," she said slowly. "What sort of
trouble?"

"Eh? Oh, the usual kind. The kind of goblin, young lady, which is likely
to get us business men if we don't watch out--financial trouble. The
firm of Hamilton and Company has not kept abreast of the times, that's
all. For years they did a good business and then some new competitors
with up-to-date ideas came to town and--puff!--good-by to the old
fogies. They are in a bad way, I'm afraid, and will have to go under,
unless--eh? But there! you aren't particularly interested, I dare say.
It was your mention of Cape Cod which set me going."

"Oh, but I am interested; I am, really. They must go under, you say?
Fail, do you mean?"

"Yes, that is what I mean. I am very sorry. Our firm would go on
selling them goods almost indefinitely for, as I have said, they are old
customers and in a way old friends. But they are absolutely honest and
they will not buy what they cannot pay for. We have some pitiful letters
from them--not whining, you know, but straightforward and frank. They
don't ask favors, but tell us just where they stand and leave it to us
to refuse credit if we see fit. It is just one of the little tragedies
of life, Miss Lathrop, but I'm mighty sorry for those two old friends of
my father's a