The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-08-31
CHAPTER XVI.
Tho unmaskinp Of the Dunns.

@AROLINE sat by the library win
I dow, her chin In her hand, drcari
ly watching the sleet as it beat
against the panes and the tops Of the
park trees flashing In the wind.
Stephen uttered an exclamation
"Some ones at the door," he explain
ed. ats Sylvester. Of course. I'll lei
him In"
1t was not the lawyer, but a messen
ger boy with note. Stephen returned
to the library with the missive In his
hand.
"Hs couldn't get here, Caro-" he said
excitedly. wants us to come right
down to his Office. Comet Rush. II
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 what r. she
repeated, with sudden suspicion. "Steye
do you know what Mr.. Sylvester wishes
to see us about?"
Her brother colored and seemed o bill
disconnected.
"See here, Caro-" he said, "maybe ]
do know something, or ] can guess
Now, whatever happens, you've got tc
be a sensible girl. Somebody In the
family must use common sense. and
when 1t comes to holding person to
a promise then--confound y, So Nwe
can't starve. can WEI"
"What do you meant" She aese sd
advanced toward him. "Whs.G do aaI
mean by a PROMISE Whist. hsH W.
been doingf"
II haven't done anything" tle grun'
bled-'that is, I've done what my Taa'
sonable fellow would DO. Ia aOt tne
only one who thinks. Look here, we've
got a guardian, haven't wei"
"a guardian! A guardianl Stephen
Warren, have you been to him? Have
you-was that where you were last
night? Why did you 60 to him? What
did you say"
II said--I said-never mind what
said. He agrees with me, i can tel
you that. You'll thank your stars I did
go before very long. I-s-sh, here's
| Sylvesterw
The door Of the room opened. The
person who entered, however, was moi
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 noe
to the boy. Then, turning to his niece
he stepped forward and held out bill
hand. Caroline" he began, Il dom
doubt you're surprised to see me here
but T. Why, what's the matterY'
The faces of the pair led him to asl
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 ant
back again with flashing eyes.
captain Warren, my brother hai
hinted-he has said What does h,
mean by hulding some one to prom
Use? Answer me truthfully."
II shouldn't answer you any othel
way, Caroline. Steve seems to be wor
ried about the young man you're en-
gagged to. He seems to cal1ate tina
MIR. Dunn may want to slip out of tina
engagement"
His niece looked at him. Then SIN
turned to her brother. "You went Z,
him and Oh. how could your :
| Stephen would not meet her gaze
"Well," he muttered rebelliously, "wb,
wouldn't I? You know yourself tina
Nal hasn't been near you since It hap
pened. If he wasn't after--if be wa
straight, he would have come, wouldn'
hef"
stop" She cut him short imperious
~. Don't make me hate you. An,
you" turning to her uncle, "did 20,
listen and believe such things? Oh,
know what you think Of my friendsl
heard tt from your own lips. And
Know why you think 1t. Because the,
know what you are, because they ex
posed you and"--
There. therel Caroline. you nee1n'
go on. I've heard your opinion Of m.
character afore. Never mind me TO
the minute. And. IL you'll remember
l amt said that doubted your younl
man. You told me that you though
the world and all Of him and that b
did Of you. That's enough-or ough
to lie. But your brother says yol
wrote him two days ago and ne aim
been near you.
II misdirected the letter. He didn'
receive it."
"Um-hm. ] see. That would explain.
"Of course It would. That must b.
! the reason. Do you suppose If he wer,