The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1918-06-27
CHAPTER XVI.
The masking of the Dunns.

TAROLINE sat by the library win
~ dow, her chin in her hand, dreari-
ly watching the sleet as 1t beat
against the panes and the tops Of the
park trees lashing in the wind.
Stephen uttered an exclamation.
Some ones at the door," he explain
ed. Its Sylvester. OF course. I'll let
him In"
1t was not the lawyer, but messen-
to the library with the missive In his
hand.
"He couldn't get here, Caro-" he said
excitedly. wants US to come right
down to his office. Come! Rush! 1t
may be important"
The cab made good time, and they
soon reached the Pine street offices.
Hope he doesn't keep us waiting
long" Steve fumed. II thought, Of
course, he was ready or he wouldn't
have sent for u.s."
"Ready?" His sister looked at him
questioningly. Ready for whatT she
repeated, with sudden suspicion. "Steve,
do you know what Mr.. Sylvester wishes
to see us about"
"See here, Caro-" he said, maybe I
do know something, or l can guess.
Now, whatever happens, you've got to
be a sensible girl. Somebody In the
family must use common sense, and
when 1t comes to holding q person to
a promise then-confound it, Sis, we
can't starve. can WEI"
What do you mean" She rose and
advanced toward him. "What do you
mean by a promise? What have you
been doing2"
II haven't done anything" he grum-
bled-"that is, I've done what any rea-
sonable fellow would do. I'm not the
only one who thinks. Look here. we've
got a guardian, haven't wei"
"A guardian! A guardian! Stephen
Warren, have you been to himl Have
you-was that where you were last
night? why did you go to him1 What
did you say2"
II said-I said-never mind what ]
said. He agrees with me, 1 can tell
you that. You'll thank your stars 1 did
go before very long. Ssh, here's
Sylvester
The door of the room opened. The
person who entered, however, was not
the lawyer, but the very man of whom
they had been speaking, Captain Elisha
himself. He closed the door behind him
Hello, Stevie," he said. with a nod
to the boy. Then, turning to his niece
he stepped forward and held out his
hand. Caroline" he began, ~ dom
doubt you're surprised to see me here
but / Why, what's the matter2''
The faces Of the pair led him to ash
the question. Stephens face was red
and he looked embarrassed and guilty
Caroline's was white, and she glanced
from her brother to her guardian and
back again with flashing eyes.
Captain Warren, my brother hal
hinted-he has said What does ht
mean by holding some one to a prom
? Use? Answer me truthfully."
Il shouldn't answer you any Other
way, Caroline. Steve seems to be wor
ried about the young man you're en-
gagged to. He seems to cal'late thai
MT. Dunn may want TO slip out OF thai
engagement"
His niece looked at him. Then sh,
turned to her brother. "You went Il
him and oh. how could your
Stephen would not meet her gaze
"Well," he muttered rebelliously, "why
wouldn't 1? You know yourself tina
; Nal hasn't been near you since 1t hap
pened. If he wasn't after-if he wal
J straight, he would have coma, wouldn'
hep
"Stop" She cut him short imperious
ly. Don't make me hate you. Ant
; you" turning to her uncle, did you
listen and believe such things7 Oh,
know what you think Of my triendsI
heard it from your own lips. And
know why you think 1t. Because the.
know what you are. because they ex
! posed you and