Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-09-14

! entation until dinner time. the IN
evitable Dunns had taken Upon them
selves the duty of caring for the girl
and her brother during the major part
of the day. The yellow car appeared
at the door at 10 o'clock and bore the
two away. Caroline assured her guard
ian, however, that they would return
In season for the evening meal.
The captain spent lonely but busy
hours until dinner time came. He
had lone some scheming on his W
hook and, after a long argument with
the cook, REINFORCED by a small sun in
cash, had prevailed upon that naughty
domestic to fashion a birthday cake OF
imposing exterior and indigestible
makeup. experimenting the icing of
this masterpiece occupied some time.
He then worried Edwards into a re-
spectful but stubborn fury by suggest
ing novelties in the way of table ar
rangement. Another bestowal of small
change quelled the disturbance. Then
came by messenger a dozen American
Beauty roses, with Mr.. Parsons card
attached. These the captain decided
should be placed in the center Of the
been previously provided, there was
more argument. The cook took the
buffers side in the debate, and the pair
yielded only when Captain Elisha again
dived into his pocket.
but l warn you, all hands," he OBJ
served, that this is the last time. Ny
right fists got a cramp in it this min
ute, and you couldn't open 1t again
with a cold chisel."
At last, however, everything was as
1t should be, and he sat down In the
library to await the coming Of the
young people. The gold chain In its
handsome leather case, the latter in
closed in the jewelers. box, was care
fully laid beside Caroline's place at the
table. The dinner was ready, the cake,
candles and all-the captain had In
sisted Upon twenty candles-was ready
also. There was nothing to do but
wait-and he waited.
Six-thirty was the usual dinner hour
It passed. Seven o'clock struck, then
s, and still Captain Elisha sat alone In
the library. The COOK sent word that
the dinner was ruined. Edwards re-
spectfully asked "What shall I do, sir?'
twice, the second time being sent flying
with an order to $50 for'ard and keep
your matches closed" The nautical
phraseology was lost upon the butler,
but the tone and of delivery
were quite understandable.
Several times the captain rose from
his chair to telephone the Dunn house
and ask the reason for delay. Each
time he decided not to do so. No doubt
there were good reasons. Caroline and
her brother had been detained. Per-
haps the automobile had broken down
the things were always breaking
down just at the most i~nconvenient
times, perhaps Well, at any
rate, he would not phone just yet. He
would wait a little longer.
At last the bell rang. Captain Elisha
sprang up, smiling, his Impotence and
worry forgotten, and, pushing the but
Ter aside, hurried to open the door him.
self. He did so, and faced not his niece
and nephew, but Pearson.
Good evening, captain" hailed the
young man cheerily. Didn't expect
me, did you? l dropped In for a mo
ment to shake hands with you and to
offer congratulations to Miss Warren"
Then, noticing the expression on his
friends face. he added: Whats the
matter? Anything wrong? Am l In
trudingT"
mo, mol Course not. You're as vel
come as another egg in a poor mans
henhouse. Come right in and take of
your things. I'm glad to see you. Only
well, the fact is I thought twas
Caroline comm home. She and Stevte
was to be here over two hours ago, and
I can't imagine what's keepin' EN-"
He insisted upon his visitors remain
ing, although the latter, when he un
derstood the situation, was reluctant to
do so.
But a good many minutes passed,
and still they did not come. Pearson,
aware Of his companions growing
anxiety, chatted Of the novel, OF the
people at the boarding house, of any
thing and everything he could think OF
likely to divert attention from the one
important topic. The answers he re-
ceived were more and more brief and
absent. At last, when Edwards again
appeared, appealingly mute. at the en-
trance to the dining room Captain
Elisha, with a sigh which was almost
a groan, surrendered.
81 guess" he said reluctantly
guess, Jim, there amt any use waitin'
any longer. Sometimes kept 'em, and
they don't be here for dinner. You and
I'll set down and eat-though 1 amt
got the appetite l callated to have"
CHAPTER XII.
"CaroIine, ! Want You."
- nCnNT Hol I{onA bona, hnRAra