Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-05-24
CHAPTER XVl.-continued.

necessary to-
Excuse me"-her uncle's tone wa
sharper and more stern-"I think It g
Go on, Sylvester
The lawyer looked far from comfort
able, but he spoke at once and to tn,
)oipt.
- should have told you ana your sol
Just this, Mrs. Dunn" he said. II init
mated 1t before, and Miss Warren haC
already written you the essential facts
A new aud unexpected development
the nature Of which | nm not ut liberty
10 disclose now or later, makes Abijah
Warren's estate absolutely bankrupt
not only that, but many thousand dol,
lars in debt. His heirs are left pcnni.
less
II was blunt, beyond doubt. Even
Captain Elisha WINGED ut the word
"pehniless" Caroline, swaying, put II
hand on the table to steady herself.
THANK you, Mr., Sylvester" said the
captain quietly. "Ill see you again In
a few moments"
The lawyer bowed and left the room
evidently glad to escape. Captain ELI.
sla turned to Mrs. Dunn.
And now. ma'am," he observed.
that part Of the business is over. MY
niece il a poor girl. She needs some
body to support her and look out for
her. She's got that somebody. were
oil thankful to say, She's engaged to
MIR. Malcolm here. ! understand from
Steve that Mnlcolm's been mighty INK
ious to have the wcddin' day hurried
along | can't say as | blame him.
And | think the sooner they're married
the better, Now, how soon can we
make 1t, Mrs. DUNN"
Caroline enzed at her guardian in
horrilied amazement. Why she cried
"~lou-you- What do you mean by
such
Don't Ne an idiot, Caro-" cut In her
brother. II told YOU to be sensible.
Captain Warren's dead right"
steve, You stay out Of this" There
WAS no misunderstanding the captains
tone. "Whcn ! want your opinion I'll
ask for it. And, Caroline. | want you
to stay out too This is my trick at
the wheel. Mrs. Dunn, what d'you
say? Never mind the young folks. You
ana me know that marriage is bust
ness, same as everything else. How
soon eau we have the wcddin'Y'
Mrs, Dunn had apparently nothing to
say-to him. She addressed her next
remark TO Caroline.
MY dear" she said, in great agita.
ton. this is really too dreadful. This
-er-guardian of yours appears to
think he is IN some barharous couAtry
-savaecS about. Come, Malcolm, take
her away"
No" Captain elisha stepped in front
of the door, "She amt goin and I'd I
rather you wouldn't go yet. Let's set
Tie this up now. Wen, Mr.. Dunn"
turning to The groom to be, you're
one of the Interested partlos-what do
you say
Malcolm ground his heel into the rue.
u don't consider It your business" he
declared. you're butting in whore
NO, NJ, | amt. It's my business, and
business is just what it is. There's a
business contract between you and my
niece. We want to know how soon II
can he carried out. that's all"
The young man looked desperately Mt
Che door, hut the captains broad shoul.
dcrs blocked the way toward it. lie
ho,itated, scowlcd, and then. with a
shIug of his shoulders, surrendered.
"Ilow can | marry" he demanded
sulleniy, "Confound it! My salary
isn't large enough to pay my W way
dccrutlr,"
Malcolm" cried his mother warn
inGly,
well, mater, what the devils the
use Of all ibis? You know by Joyc.
you ought toy"
Hold on, young fellGr! | don't un.
dcrstand. Your wages amt large
enough, you say? What do You mean?
You was goin' to he married. wasn't
youf Caroline, dou't YOU say a word.
You say-you-addreSSlng Malcolm
That You cent support Il wife on your
wages, You could Scrape along, couldn't
YOU Hey? Couldn't your"
MalColm's answer was another scorn.
full SIgUg. You belong on Cane Cod"
h Snccred. Mater. let's get out of
This"
wait! Put it plain now. Do | un-
1o">tand that YOU c~allate to break the
engagement because my niece has lost
ier money? Is that it,"
This is ridiculous" Mrs. Dunn pro.
'laimcd. Every sane person knows,
housh barbariUns MAY not"-with a
enormous glare at the captain that
u engagements of the kind in which
ny o has shared II certain amount of
-er-hnancial-er-that Is, the bride Ia
opposed to have some money. 1t is
expected. OF course it is. Love In a
is-well. a bit pasSe. My son ,
nd pity your niece from the bottom ,
I our hearts. but-there! Under the
rcumstances the whole affair be- I