The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1918-05-30


started, and her cheeks also grew GRIM
son. Then, recovering, she looked him
full In the face and deliberately and
disdainfully turned her back.
"Come, Steve" she said again, and
walked from the room.
Her brother hesitated, glared at Pear
son and then stalked haughtily after
her.
Captain Elishas bewilderment was
supreme. He stared open mouthed aft
er his nephew and niece and then
turned slowly to his friend.
"What on earth, JimT he STAN
mered.. whats 1t mean?"
Pearson shrugged his shoulders. 81
think l know what 1t MEANS" he said.
II presume that Miss Warren and her
brother have learned of my trouble
with their father"
"Hey2 No, you don't think that's it?"
II think there's no doubt of it,
But how2"
II don't know how. What do know
Is that should not have come here.
felt 1t and, If you will remember, l
said so. was fool. Good night, cap
tain"
Hot and furiously angry at his own
indecision which had placed him in this
humiliating situation, he was striding
toward the hall. Captain Elisha seized
his arm.
"Stay where you are, Jimv' he COM
handed. "If the troubles what you
think 1t is I'm more to blame than any
body else, and you shan't leave this
house till I've done my best to square
you"
"Thank you, but l don't wish to be
squared I've done nothing to be
ashamed of, and have borne as many
insults as l can stand. I'm going"
mo, you amt Not yet. l want you
to stay"
| At that moment Stephens voice
reached them from the adjoining room
II tell you / shall, Caro-" 1t pro-
claimed fiercely. "Do you suppose I'm
going to permit that fellow to come
here again-or to go until he is made to
understand what we think of him and
why2 No, by CAD! I'm the man of
this family, and I'll tell him a few
things"
Parsons jaw set grimly.
"You may let go Of my wrist, Cap
tain Warren" he said. "I'll stay"
Possibly Stephens intense desire to
prove his manliness made him self
conscious. At any rate, he never ap
peared more ridiculously boyish than
when, an instant later, he marched into
the library and confronted his uncle
and Pearson.
IL want to say he began ma
jestically. II want to say
He paused, choking, and brandished
his fist.
~ want to say he began again.
"All right, Stevie," interrupted the
captain dryly, then I'd say 1t If wal
you. guess it's time you did"
81 want TOTO tell that fellow there,
with a vicious stab Of his forefnger II
the direction of Pearson, shat l con
slider him an-an ingrate-and scoun
drel-and a miserable
"SteadyW Captain Elisha's Interrupt
ton was sharp this time. STEADY now
Leave out the pet names. What Is 1
you've got to tell?"
"I-my sister and have found on
what a scoundrel he is, that's what
We have learned of the lies he wrot
about father. We know that he wa
! responsible for all that cowardly, lynn
; stuff In the Planet-all that about tn
trolley combine. And we don't inten,
> that he shall sneak into this hous
again. If he was the least part of
man he would never have come"
"Mr. Warrep"- began Pearson, steI
r ping forward. The captain interrupted
Hold on, Jim !" he said. "Just mir
ute now. You've learned somethin
: you say, steVie. The Dunns told yor
: s'pose"
"Never mind who told meW
Q II don't-much. But l guess we
better have a clear understandin', all {
a us. Caroline, will you come In her
n pleasef"
E. He stepped toward the door. ST
l. phen sprang in front Of him.
n "My sister doesn't intend to cheape
herself by entering that mans pre-
a ence," he declared hotly. "Pll de-
= with him myself"
e "AlI right. But guess she'd bettt
E be here Just the same. Caroline,
want YOU"