She looked quite motherly as she sat with her folded hands in her ample lap and a shrewd look in her face.

Dorian gained courage to say: "I believe you know something about the girl I am seeking.

Tell me." "You haven't told me the name of the girl you are looking for." "Her name is Carlia Duke." "That isn't what she called herself." "Oh, then you do know." "This girl was Carlia Davis." "Yes--is she here!" "No." "Do you know where she is ?" "No, I don't." Dorian's hopes fell.

"But tell me what you know about her--you know something." "It was the latter part of August when she came to us.

She had walked from town, an' she said she was wanting a place to work.