The Wrangell sentinel., 1916-12-14
Solving a
 Problem,
When a Great Light Came Into
 His Brain.
By R. B. SHELTON

Caverly looked up from the litter of papers on the library table and regarded thoughtfully the pretty, anxious face of the girl who sat close to the fire.
 'Fd no idea your father was so heavily involved in this matter" i" said he. "There is precious little left for you. If he had lived no doubt he would have made an i'm mense fortune out of this thing. As it is-well, about thirty-fve hundred is all l can make out of the estate, figure it up as best l can"
 The girl said nothing. The past few days that Caverly had been fig uring, figuring, always figuring, had prepared her for the worst.
 "You can't live on what's left, Catherine" he said slowly, the while he looked frowningly at the ceiling. "You simply can't. 1 real ly think the only way out of this the only feasible way He paused, while hls frown deep ened.
 "What is the way you suggest, Jim?" the girl asked very quietly.
 "Well, you see," sad he, T have money enough. Fact is, Catherine, I've got more than I know what to do with. You must let me take care of you. We'd better be married, you and l. That will give me the right" !"
 The girl flushed. She looked at the homely, honest face now bent again above the papers on the table.
 ''Oh, Jlm," she said breathlessly, 1fhow can you? l know how you mean 1t" she hurried on as look of pained surprise crossed his face. 4'1ou are good, as you've always been-too good and too thoughtful. But married?" She laughed a bit hysterically. "Oh, dear, mol"
 T wish you would," said he rather heavily. GAS I say, I have money in plenty, and this estate of your father's"-
 Jim, hush" said the girl. '1t is impossible. Please please don't say anything more about it. I'll take care of myself somehow. There's a little money, you say. We'll and good. I Ishan have to SUD- port myself I shall simply have to learn to. There's my music. I cer- tainly should be able to do some- thing with that. Pm sure 1 can make a good bit giving lessons"
 Caverly looked doubtful. "Of course if it's quite impossible"-
 "It is," she declared.
 "Well, then,' said he, still dubi- ously, "you might try the music lessons. But if they fail the offer 1 just made still holds good.''
 He arose and picked up his hat and gloves. AS the door closed be- hind him the girl stood at the win dow watching rather wlstfully the broad shoulders and the erect head as their owner made his way toward the avenue.
 Something like a rueful smile curved the corners of her mouth. If Jim's offer had only come under different circumstances and in diff ferent way, she was thinking, it would have simpaified matters amaz- ingly.
 But Jim was such a whole souled, honest, slow minded chap. he never could do thing tactfully nor hide the real import of his meaning.
 Caverly, on his part, stalked down the little street, wondering how on earth he had ever the courage to make his offer and feeling decided ly like a man who had taken an un- fair advantage.
 ''Me?" he said scornfully to him. self and half aloud. Catherine marry me? 1 don't blame her. 1 I swear don't! My face would stop a clock two blocks away, and I'm just about as lnuch suited to her as an elephant is to humming bird. Lord knows, though, ] can't bear the thought of her working for her living"
 Nevertheless the music lessons began. But somehow they were not a great success. Catherine struggled on bravely. but pupils were few and far between, and at the end of the first year there had been an amaz- ing shrinkage of the slender legacy that had come to her at her fathers sudden death.
 Another six months, and so little was left that Catherine was genu- inely alarmed. It was then that Caverly heard the news one day that Catherine was to marry Fred orick Brewster her fathers part-