The reason had nothing to do with the stolen bonds, but was concerned entirely with Polly Mathers's behavior.

She barely noticed Rad's existence, so occupied was she with the ecstatic young sheriff.
What the trouble was, I did not know, but I suspected that it was the whispered conjectures in regard to the ha'nt.
I remember one evening in particular that she snubbed him in the face of the entire neighborhood.

We had arrived at a party a trifle late to find Polly as usual the center of a laughing group of young men, all clamoring for dances.

They widened their circle to admit Rad in a way which tacitly acknowledged his prior claim.

He inquired with his most deferential bow what dances she had saved for him.