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

lot older IMAM you are. I've mIxcu
with all sorts of folks. I'm past the
stage where | can be fooled-by false
hair or soft soap. You can't pour
sweet oil over a herrin' and make me
believe it's a sardine. l know the
Pearson stock. I've sailed over a heap
of salt water with one of the family.
And I've kept mr. eyes open since I've
run acrost this particular member
And 1 knew your father, too. Caroline
Warren. And I say to you now that,
KNOWN Jim Pearson and Bile War
ren-yes, and KNOWN the rights and
wrongs of that trolley business quite
as well as Malcolm Dunn or anybody
else-I say to you that, although Bile
was my brother, III bet my life that.
Jim had all the right OF his side.
THERE That's the truth, and no hook
underneath it. And some day you'll
realize it too"
He had spoken with great vehemence.
Now he took a handkerchief from his
pocket and wiped his forehead. When
he again looked at his niece he found
her staring intently at him, and her
ayes blazed.
"Have you quite fnished-nowr' she
demanded. Steve, be quiet"
why yes; I guess SO, pretty nigh.
I s'pose there amt much use to say
more. If l was to tell you that I've
tried to do for you and Steve in this
same as In everything else since l took
this job-as If you were my own chill
dren you wouldn't believe it. If I
was to tell you, Caroline, that I'd come
to think an awful lot of you you
wouldn't believe that either. I did hope
hat since our other misunderstanding
was cleared up and you found l want
what you thought 1 was you'd come to
me and ask questions afore passin'
judgment, but perhaps
And now she interrupted, bursting
out at him In a blast Of scorn which
took his breath away.
"Oh, stop, stopr' she cried. Don't
say any more. You have insulted IA
TIERS memory and defended the man
who slandered him. Isn't that enough?
Why must you go on to prove yourself
a greater hypocrite? We learned, my
brother and 1, today more than the
truth concerning your friend. We
learned that you have lied-yes, lied
and
STEADY, Caroline! Be careful. I
wouldn't say what 1 might be sorry for.
later"
Sorry, Captain Warren. You spoke
of my m%isjudging you. I thought l
had, and l was sorry. Today learned
that your attitude in that affair vas a
lie like the rest. You did not pay for
Mr.. Moriarty's accident. Mr.. Dunn's
money paid those bills. And you al
lowed the family-and me-to thank
you for your generosity. Oh, I'm
ashamed to be near your
There, therel Caroline, be still. r.
Il shall not be still. l have been
still altogether too long. You are our
guardian. We can't help that, 1 sup
pose. Father asked you to be that for
some reason, but did he ask you to
live here, where you are not wanted,
to shame us before our friends, ladies
and gentlemen so far aboTe-J0-h
every way, and to try to poison u
minds against them and sheer at them
when they are kind to us and even try
to be kind to your No. he did not.
Oh, I'm sick of it all-your deceit and
your hypocritical speeches and your
pretended love for us! Love! oh, If
l could say something that would
make you understand how thoroughly
we despise you and how your presence,
ever since you forced 1t upon Steve
and me, has d%isgraced usl If 1 only
could II
She had been near to tears ever since
Mrs. Corcoran Dunn, in the kindness
of her heart, told her the truth" that
afternoon. But pride and indignation
had prevented her giving way. Now,
however, she broke down.
"Oh, oh, Steve!.' she cried and, turn
ing to her brother, sobbed Historically
on his shoulder. "Oh, Steve, what shall
we doT"
Stephen put his arm about her waist.
Its all right. sis" he said sOothingly.
Don't cry before him l guess" with
a glance at his uncle, you've said
enough to make Y e him understand
at last"
Captain Elisha looked gravely at the
pair. Il guess you have" he said
slowly. II guess you have, Caroline.
Anyhow, 1 can't think offhand of any
thing you've left out. 1 could explain
some things, but what's the use? And"
with a sigh, you may be right in a
way. Perhaps 1 shouldn't have come
here to live. If you'd only told me
plain afore just how you felt I'd
maybe Td-but there! I didn't know
4 didn't know. You see. thought
" However, 1 guess that part Of
your troubles is over. But" be added
firmly, wherever 1 am or wherever l
go you most understand that I'm your
guardian, just the same. | considered
a long spell afore l took the place, and