The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-08-03
| Cap'n Warren's Wards
By Joseph c. Lincoln
0agrEaby nApua@ Ca) sf
(copyrighs BY D. Appleton q Coz

Carollne TO know, and Sne ana MAI
colin knew I knew 1t. Her tellin
Caroline of it, her story of it, when
wasn't there to contradict, was as
smart a piece Of maneuverin' as ever
was. 1t took the wind out of my sails,
because, though I'm just as right as
ever was, Caroline wouldn't listen to
me nor believe me now"
"She1l learn by experience"
II don't mind so much Caroline's
bein' down on me-" resumed the cap
tain. She'll know better some day,
hope, and If she don't-well, I'm only
side issue In her life, anyhow, hove
In by accident, like the section Of dog
collar in the sassage. But do hope
her learnin' by experience won't come
too late to save her from what she'll
be awful sorry for by and by"
ut must" declared the lawyer, with
decision. "You must see to it, Cap
tain Warren. You are her guardian.
She is absolutely under your charge.
She can do nothing Of Importance I'M
less you consent
"Yup; that's SO, for one more year,
just one, remember. Then she'll be
of age, and can't say 'Boov And her
share of Bites money'n be hers too.
And don't you believe that that fact
has slipped Sister Dunn's memory. I
amt on deck to head her off now. If
she puts Malcolm up to gettin' Caroline
to give her word and Caroline gives
it-well, know my niece. She's hon
orable, and she'll stick to her promise
If it runs her on the rocks. And her
majesty Dunn knows that too. There
fore, the cat bein' away she cal'lates
now's the time to make sure Of the
cheese"
"But the cat can come back. The
song says it did, you know"
"Um-hml And got another kick,
shouldn't wonder! However, my
claws'n stay sharp for a year or there
abouts, and If it comes to shindy
theren be some tall scratchin' afore /
climb tree. Keep weather eye on
what goes on, won't you?"
II will. Iou can depend on me-"
II do. And, say, for goodness sakes,
put me out of my misery regardin' that
rock or lighthouse on Bije's chart
soon's ever you settle which it ISL
Certainly! And, remember, don't
worry. 1t may be a lighthouse or
nothing at all. At all events, I'll re-
port very soon."
But in spite of his promise Sylvester
did not report during the following
week or the next Meanwhile his
client tried his best to keep the new
mystery from troubling his thoughts
and succeeded only partially. The cap
tain's days and evenings were quiet
and monotonous. He borrowed book
or two from Mrs. Hepton's meager
library read, walked good deal, gen.
orally along the water front, and wrote
daily letters to Miss Baker. He and
Pearson were together for at least a
portion Of each day. The author, fight
Ing down his detection and discourage
ment, set himself resolutely to work
once more on the novel, and his nau-
teal adviser was called in for frequent
The story, however,
but slowly. There was
lacking. Each knew what
that something was, but neither
named it.
One evening Pearson entered the
'oom tenanted by his friend to find
he latter seated beside the table, his
shoes partially unlaced and a pair Of
Dig slippers ready for putting on.
Captain" said the visitor, "you look
10 comfortable hate to disturb you"
Captain Elisha, red faced and pant
ng. desisted from the unlacing and
Strengthened in his chair.
"Whew~ he pulled. Jim, your re-
marks prove that your experience Of
he world amt as big as it ought to
De. When you get to my age and