She couldn't help wondering why her Wesley was speaking so earnestly
to the Judge, yet in such a provokingly low tone of voice.
"I had become so accustomed to thinking of her as Lydia Orr," she
finished hastily.
"Well, I don't b'lieve in givin' out a name 'at ain't yourn," said
Lois Daggett, sharply. "She'd ought t' 'a' told right out who she
was, an' what she come t' Brookville _for_."
Judge Fulsom and the minister had moved still further away. Fanny,
with some alarm, felt herself alone.
"I don't think Miss Orr meant to be deceitful," she said nervously.
"Well, o' course, if she's a-goin' t' be in th' family, it's natural
you sh'd think so," said Lois Daggett, sniffing loudly.
Fanny did not answer.
"I sh'd _hope_ she an' Jim was engaged," proclaimed Miss Daggett. "If
they ain't, they'd ought t' be."
"Why should you say that, Miss Lois?" asked Fanny hurriedly. "They
are very good friends."
Miss Daggett bent forward, lowering her voice.
"The's one thing I'd like t' know f'r certain," she said: "Did Jim
Dodge find that body?"
Fanny stared at her inquisitor resentfully.
"There were a good many persons searching," she said coldly.
Miss Daggett wagged her head in an irritated fashion.
"Of course I know _that_," she snapped. "What I want t' know is
whether Jim Dodge--"
"I never asked my brother," interrupted Fanny. "It all happened so
long ago, why not--"
"Not s' terrible long," disagreed Miss Daggett. "It was th' first o'
November.
Pages:
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268