"Oh, they say the old folks are in league with spirits and that they know how to find treasures, and lost money, and so on." "I should not think they could have found much, to judge from his appearance," said Calista. Cassius laughed. "Well, you can't always tell from the outside who has money and who hasn't, but I believe it is true that they do spend a good deal of time seeking for the money that folks say the pirates buried along the creek here in the time of the old French war. Old Mrs. Tyerson began talking to me about it one day, but says I,— "'You go along with your pirates and their money. Suppose'n you did find it, 'twould be bloody gold, and never bring you nothing but ill luck,' says I. 'Don't covet an evil covetousness to your house, Sister Tyerson,' says I. 'Let Old Zeke and his spells alone. I don't want his money. I've got enough to eat and drink and wear, and something to give to my Master besides, and when you've got that, it ain't money, nor the want of money, that makes folks well off or bad off,' says I." "But money is a good thing," said Calista, struck with the old man's remarks. "It is a good thing when it comes with the blessing of God, and in the right way, Missy," said Cassius, solemnly. "So is everything else. But when it comes any other way, it is nothing but a curse and a judgment. Well, here we are within sight of the house, so I'll bid you good-night." "Good-night, and thank you, Cassius. I shall come and see you again some time when I have the horse." Calista hastened homeward, and entering at the back door, ran up stairs to her room without meeting any one. She hid away her basket of ginger-nuts in a safe place, brushed her hair, and went down stairs. "Now for it!" said she as she put her hand on the lock of the parlor door. "I wonder what kind of mood she is in?" Miss Priscilla and Miss Druett had apparently just taken their seats at the tea-table. Miss Priscilla was a small, delicate woman, with a trim, upright figure, reddish-brown hair, hardly touched with gray, and greenish hazel eyes. She was dressed neatly, though with the utmost plainness, and would have been pretty but for her eager, suspicious expression, and the nervous restlessness of her eyes, which seemed not to be still for a moment. As Aunt Chloe said, Priscilla looked as if she saw ghosts, or was afraid she should see them. Her greeting to Calista was characteristic. "Well, what has brought you home now? I didn't expect to see you till after supper. You would have had plenty of time to walk home afterwards." "She is late enough as it is," observed Miss Druett, not unkindly. "Get yourself a plate, Calista; Chloe has not provided one for you." Calista did not answer either observation. She brought herself a plate and knife, accepted the cup of tea Miss Druett handed her, and helped herself to a slice of bread and some butter. A small dish of fried fish stood at Miss Priscilla's plate, and there was nothing else on the table.