Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-07-18
CHAPTER ".
A Little Business Tai.


IF the captain heard Stephens fer
vent ejaculation he paid no atten
ton to it. Dropping his niece's
hand, he extended his own toward bis
nephew.
"And this Is Stephen" he said
"Well, Steve, you and me have neve,
met afore, I blieve. But that's oul
misfortune, not our fault, hey? How
are you-pretty smart"
The boys face was flaming. He mum
was all right enough and turned away
without accepting the protfered hand
Captain Elisha glanced quickly at him
then at his sister.
well, Caroline" he said pleasantly
II s'pose you've been e1pectin' me-
Mr.. Graves told you I was comm,
didn't heT"
Miss Warren also was flushed with
embarrassment and mortified surprise
NO" she stammered. HE has been
ILL.,"
"sho, you don't say! So you didn't
know I was comm ut all"
mo. We've have not beard from
you since he returned"
that's too bad. hope shan't put
you out any, droppin' in on you this
way. You mustn't treat me as COM
p'ny, you know. If faint convenient,
II your spare room amt ready so soon
after movin', or anything Of that kind,
I can go to a hotel somewhere for a
day or so. Hadn't better, don't you
thinkY'
Caroline hesitated. II only they
might have been spared this public
humiliation! If the Dunns had not
been there! 1t was bad enough to have
this dreadful country uncle come at
all, but to have him come now, before
they were prepared, before any e1pla-
nations had been made! What should
she dot
Her brother, fidgeting at her elbow.
not daring to look at Malcolm Dunn,
who he knew was thoroughly enjoying
the scene. could stand it no longer.
"Caro," b snapped, what are you
waiting fort Don't you know that the
rooms are not ready? OF course they're
not! We're sorry and all that, but
Graves didn't tell us, and we aren't
prepared. Certainly he'll have to go to
the hotel for-for the present"
He ventured to raise his eyes and
glare Indignantly at the captain. Find
ing the latter looking intently at him
he dropped them again and damned his
clinched fists into his pockets.
Captain Elisha pulled thoughfully at
his beard.
"Humphv he grunted. "Humph I
Then l cal'late maybe He took q
step toward the door, stopped, turned
back and said with calm decision: Il
guess I'd better stay. You won't mind
me, Caroline-you and Stephen. You
mustn't. As I said, amt compny.
I'm one Of the family, your pas BROTH
er, and I've come some considerable
ways to see you two young folks and
talk with you. I've come because your
"a asked me to- I'm used to roughin'
1t, been to sea a good many wages,
and il feather bed amt handy can
get my forty winks on the floor. So
that's settled, ed you mustn't have me
on your conscience. That's sense, amt
it, Mrs. DUNN?
Mrs. Corcoran Dunn did not deign
reply. Caroline answered for her.
"very WELL" she said coldly. Step
ping to the desk she rang a bell. The
butler appeared in the doorway.
Edwards" said Miss Warren, "this
gentleman" indicating the captain, "is
to be our guest for the present. You
may show him to his room-the blue
room, think. If it is not ready see
that it is made So"
ayes, Miss Caroline" replied Ed
wards. Retiring to the hall, he return
ed with the suit case.
Twill you wish to 60 to your room
at once, sir" he asked.
"Why, guess might as well, COM
modore," answered Captain Elisha,
smiling. Little soap and water won't
do no harm. Fact is, feels If twas
4 prescription to be recommended. You
needn't tote that valise, though" he
added. "'Tain't heavy, and I've lugged
it so fur already sence got of the car
that feel kind Of lonesome without it."
The butler, not knowing exactly how
to answer, grinned sheepishly. Captain
Elisha turned to Mrs. Dunn and her
ron.
"'Well, good afternoon, ma'am," he
,aid. Tim real glad to have made Your
acquaintance. Yours, too, sir" with a
nod toward Malcolm. "Your mother
told me what friend Of the young
folks you was and, as I'm sort of actin
pilot for 'em just now, in way Of
speakin', any friend Of theirs ought to
be 4 friend Of NINE Hope to see you
often, Mr.. Dunn"
j The young man addressed smiled,
with amusement not at all concealed,
and languidly admitted that he was
"charmed."
When the captain finally departed.
preceded by Edwards and the suit
case, Stephen Warren threw himself
violently into chair by the window.
Young Dunn laughed aloud His moth.
or 1asned an iuiisnaH: glance C: k!!.:r
and then hurried to Caroline.
you poor dear" she exclaimed, put
ting an arm about the girls shoulder.
"DOn't mind US, please don't. Nal
colin and understand-that is, We
know how you feel and
"Oh, but you don't know, Mrs.
Dunn" cried Caroline. almost in tears
4 -l.A