the house all
untouched, with my own furniture in it, an' me goin' out there twicet a
year for spring an' fall cleanin,' an' even leavin' the kitchen-bedroom
bed made up, case I get the hypo an' feel like bein' by myself a spell."

"I know, I know, Susanna. I've heard of Eunice's generosity to you, and
of your whimsical retention of an empty house. You ought to let it to
some decent tenant and get some benefit of it. Upon second thoughts, I
would advise you to sell it. Now that this treasure has been found you
might realize well on it. I--Why, I don't know but I might be induced to
take it off your hands myself, just to do a friendly deed to an old
schoolmate."

Squire Pettijohn had managed to stem the tide of her garrulity long
enough to interpose this speech of his own, and to act upon an idea
which had just occurred to him. The value of the old Maitland forest
would leap to fabulous height if the rumor that gold had been discovered
there proved true. But he did not intend to offer much for the "deserted
cabin," convenient though it might be to the possible mine, upon the
strength of a mere rumor, and even though the chance existed of the same
vein of wealth extending even so far. He would first get confirmation of
the story from Miss Maitland's own lips and would then act with his eyes
open.

He was not succeeding very well in his errand of "neighborly kindness,"
for Susanna still held the door so nearly closed that he could not force
an entrance, even though he kept his foot firmly in the aperture. The
woman still regarded him with a pitying amusement; yet gradually
curiosity got the better of her common sense, which told her that he was
the victim of some hoax, and she inquired:

"Who told you such a yarn, Squire?"

"Please admit me. I am not accustomed to being kept on people's
thresholds when I take time out of my busy life to call upon them; and
no one person in especial told me. The talk is in everybody's mouth, and
the whole village has gone wild over the matter."

"But it must have had some sort o' beginnin'. Wild goose gabble like
that don't spring full-fledged out the ground, I know. Who--started the
ridic'lous business?" persisted the housekeeper, almost unconsciously
opening the door somewhat wider.

Squire Pettijohn improved this opportunity and made his way into the
hall before she remembered that she had not intended to admit him. In
any case, she instantly reflected he shouldn't see her mistre