The Squire went on: "Mrs. Putnam's old will, made some six years ago,
gave all the property to Miss Pettengill, but provided that its
provisions should be kept secret for ninety days. In that will I was
named as sole executor."
"Why did she change it?" asked Alice earnestly.
"I don't know," replied the Squire. "About three weeks ago she sent for
me and cut out the ninety-day restriction and named our young friend
here as co-executor with myself."
Alice remained silent, while a look of astonishment crept into Quincy's
face.
"I do not quite comprehend her reason for making this change," remarked
Quincy.
"Mrs. Putnam was a very far-seeing lady," said the Squire, with a laugh,
looking first at Alice and then at Quincy.
A slight flush mounted to Alice's cheeks, and Quincy said coolly, "I do
not perceive the application of your remark."
"Easy enough," said the Squire, seeing that he had put his foot in it,
and that it was necessary to explain his false step in some way; "easy
enough. I have had sole charge of her property for six years, and she
wished some cool-headed business man to go over my accounts and see if I
had been honest in my dealings with her.
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