Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-10-05
CHAPTER XIV.
what Can IL Mean2"

1.-TWO more hours passed before the
lawyers and their client rose
from their seats about the long
table. Even then the consultation was
not at an end. Sylvester and the cap
tain lunched together at the Central
club and sat In the smoking room I'M
til after 4, talking earnestly. When
they parted the attorney was grave
and troubled.
"Al right, Captain Warren" he said;
"In do it. And you may be right. I
certainly hope you are. But 1 must
confess I don't look forward to my
task with pleasure. 1 think I've got
the toughest end"
It'll be rough-there's ne doubt about
that-rough for all hands, I guess. And
I hope you understand, Mr.. Sylvester,
that there amt many men I'd trust to
Go what ! ask you to-. l appreciate
your dom it more'n l can tell you. Be
as-as gentle as you can, won't your
81 will. You car depend uston that"
81 do. And l sha'n't forget it. Good
by till the next time"
They shook hands. Captain Elisha
returned to the boarding house, where
he found a letter awaiting him. 1t was
from Caroline, telling him of her en-
gagement to Malcolm Dunn. She wrote
that, while not recognizing his right to
interfere In any way, she felt that per-
haps he should know of her action. He
did not go down to supper and when
Pearson came to inquire the reason ex-
cused himself, pleading a late luncheon
and no appetite. He guessed he would
turn In early, SO he said. 1t was a poor
guess.
Next morning he went uptown. Ed
wards, opening the door of the War
ren apartment, was surprised to find
who had rung the bell
"Mornin', Commodore hailed the
captain, as casually as If he were mere
ly returning from a stroll. SIS Miss
Caroline aboard ship?"
"Why-why. ! don't know, sir. I'll
see."
That's all right. She's aboard or you
wouldn't have to see. You and me
sailed together quite a spell, so l know
your little habits. I'll wait in the IL
brary, commodore. Tell her there's no
particular hurry"
His niece was expecting him.. She
had anticipated his visit and was pre-
pared for it. From the emotion caused
by his departure after the eventful
birthday. she had entirely recovered
or thought she had. Stephens ridicule
- Mo- H1.ao,aa D1Dvr- annnrotI11o
lions on radiance from the "encnm'
brance' shamed her and stilled the re-
proaches of her conscience. Mrs
Dunn, as always, played the diplomat
and mingled just the proper quantity
of comprehending sympathy with the
congratulations.
81 understand exactly how you feel.
my DEAR she said. You have a ten
der heart, and 1t pains you to hurt any
ones feeling, no matter how much
they deserve to be hurt. You feel that
you may have been too harsh with that
guardian of yours. You remember
what you said to him and forget how
hypocritically he behaved toward you
/ can't forgive him that. | may forget
how he misrepresented Malcolm and
me to you-that l may even pardon In
time-but to deceive his W broth
er's children and introduce into their
society a creature who had slandered
and maligned their father-that l never
shall forget or forgive. ~And-yeHll
excuse my frankness, dear-you should
never forget or forgive it either. You
were a brave girl, and If you are not
proud of yourself l am proud of you
So when her uncle was announced
Caroline was ready. She entered the
library and acknowledged his greeting
with a distant low. He regarded her
kindly, but his manner was grave.