Henrietta looked at him acutely. “He didn't say why he was going? Carter did n't?” she asked. “He might have, and then again he might n't have,” said the Judge. “No use pumpin' me, Henrietta. Us law folks can't be pumped.” He waited and then asked: “Heard from that Freeman Todder boarder of Miss Susan's lately?” Henrietta studied the old man's face. “You won't tell me anything?” she asked. “Not a mite,” said the Judge. “Ain't no use askin' it,” and he chuckled. Henrietta put her hand to her cheek, so hot was the cheek that it was like flame to her hand. She turned from the Judge and saw Johnnie Al-berson coming up the hill, as jaunty and unconcerned as if the day was not broiling hot. “Oh!” wailed Henrietta, and she sped down and across the street and intercepted the obnoxious druggist. He received her with a smile. “Hot day,” he said genially. Henrietta brushed this aside. “Did you send Carter Bruce West? To attend to my divorce? Did you dare interfere to that extent in my affairs? Did you?” she demanded. “Bruce? Carter Bruce?” said Johnnie. “Why, yes, come to think of it, I did send him West on some sort of a divorce business. You see, I thought such things went better when personally conducted--” “I don't care what you think! Did you dare to pay my bill to Miss Susan? Did you dare do that?” “Oh! was that your bill I paid?” asked Johnnie. “I did pay some board bill. I do remember that now.” “I won't have it!” declared Henrietta. “It's monstrous! It's outrageous. I never heard of such unwarranted--” “Neither did I,” said Johnnie. “I'd be ashamed of myself--if I was ashamed.” And then, seriously, “But why shouldn't I? Two months from now it would be all right--when we are married. What are two months? Sixty days!” “I've told you I'm not going to marry you. That I meant; and, more than ever, I mean it now. You have insulted me beyond measure.” “Yes; awfully,” said Johnnie. “And that isn't all. I've cancelled what your Freeman took from me. I'm a cave man. I'm dubbing you with a modern club. I'm getting you in my villainous toils.” “It is not a thing to be jocular about,” said Henrietta. “I will not have it!” “All right,” said Johnnie cheerfully. “What are you going to do not to have it? Look, Henrietta; why be so obstinate? Don't you like me?” “I will not have it!” she could only repeat. “That's not what bothers me,” said Johnnie. “What I want to know is whether you will have me?” “I will not have you!” said Henrietta. “I'll never marry any man! Least of all you--after this.” “You'll just take Lem and go off and be a grandmother to him,” said Johnnie. “That's nice. Well--it's almost too hot to eat, isn't it?” What could be done with such a man? There was nothing Henrietta could do. She had no money to repay what he had paid Miss Susan, and she did not know where Freeman had gone. Nevada might mean Reno, but old Judge Bruce was no fool, and Nevada might not even mean