"Bruce, do you think judge Price will ever be able to accomplish
all he hopes to?" Betty asked when they had left the town
behind. She drew in her horse as she spoke, and they went
forward at a walk under the splendid arch of the forest and over
a carpet of vivid leaves.
"I reckon he will, Betty," responded Carrington. Unfavorable as
had been his original estimate of the judge's character, events
had greatly modified it.
"He really seems quite sure, doesn't he?" said Betty.
"There's not a doubt in his mind," agreed Carrington.
He was still at Belle Plain, living in what had been Ware's
office, while the Cavendishes were domiciled at the big house.
He had arranged with the judge to crop a part of that hopeful
gentleman's land the very next season; the fact that a lawsuit
intervened between the judge and possession seemed a trifling
matter, for Carrington had become infected with the judge's point
of view, which did not admit of the possibility of failure; but
he had not yet told Betty of his plans. Time enough for that
when he left Belle Plain.
His silence concerning the future had caused Betty much thought.
She wondered if he still intended going south into the Purchase;
she was not sure but it was the dignified thing for him to do.
She was thinking of this now as they went forward over the
rustling leaves, and at length she turned in the saddle and faced
him.
"I am going to miss Hannibal dreadfully--yes, and the judge, and
Mr.
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