Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-07-19


gone"
"Gone? Who"
Captain Warren. He's gone"
Gone? Gone where? Caro-, you don't
mean he's-dead?"
mo; he's gone-gone and left u.s."
Her brothers expression changed to
incredulous joy.
"What?" he shouted. you mean he's
quit, cleared out, left here for good?'
eyes"
"Hurrah Excuse me while I gloat
Hurrah! We got it through his skull
at last Is it possible? But-but hold
on! Perhaps it's too good to be true
Are you sure? How do you know"
HE says so. See
She handed him the letter. It was
addressed to "My Dear Caroline" and
in 1t Captain Elisha stated his inten
tons succinctly. After the plain speak
ing Of the previous evening he should
not, Of course, burden them with his
society any longer. He was leaving
that morning, and as soon as he 40
Gated permanent moorings somewhere
else' would notify his niece and neph
ew of his whereabouts:
For, as I told you. although shall moi
impose my company on you. I am your
guardian same as ever. / will see thai
your allowance comes to you regular, in
Guiding enough for all household bills ant
pay for the hired help, and so on. If yor
need any extras at any time let me know
and II they seem to me right and proper
l will send money for them. You will
stay where you are Caroline, and Stevi'
must go back to college right away. Tel
him l say so, and If he does not I shall
begin reducing his allowance according a:
l wrote him. He will understand what
mean. And, Caroline, l want you ant
Stevie to feel that l am your anchor t.
windward. and when you get in a tigh
place, If you ever do, you can depend OF
me. Last nights talk has no bearing OF
that whatever. Goodby, then, until m!
next. ELISHA WARREN.
Stephen read this screed to the end
then crumpled 1t in his fist and threw
it angrily on the floor.
1.-The nerver' he exclaimed. 81,
seems to think I'm sailor on one O
his ships, to be ordered around as h
sees fit. I'll go back to college whel
I'm good and ready, not before"
Caroline shook her head. "Oh, no!
she said. You must 60 today. He
right, Steve; it's the thing for you t
do. He and | were agreed as to that
And you wouldn't stay and make 1
harder for me, would you, dear?"
He growled a reluctant assent.
suppose l shall have to CO." he SAT-
sullenly. "My allowance Is too beastl
small to have him cutting it, and tn
old shark would do that very thing
He'd take delight in doing it, confoun
him, Well, he knows what we thin
of him. That's some comfort"
She did not answer. He looked a
her curiously.
"Why, hang it all, Caro-" he exclaim
ed in disgust, what ais you? Bless
ed II l shan't begin to believe your
sorry he's gone. You act as If 20
were
mo, I'm not. OF course I'm mo-
I'm-Im glad. He couldn't stay, @
course. But I'm afraid-I can't hel
feeling that you and were too hars
last night. We said things-dreadfr
things
"Be hanged! We didn't say hal
enough. Oh, don't be a fool, Caro-!
was just beginning to be proud Of you
grit. And now you want to take it a.
back. Answer me, now, Are you sorr
he's gone"
mo. No, I'm not, really. But /
feel somehow as if-as IL everythin
was on my shoulders. You're goin
away and he's gone and-what is il
Edwards?"
The butler entered with a small pal
eel in his hand.
Il beg your pardon, Miss Caroline,
he said. Il should have given you thi
last evening. 1t was by your place a
the table. l think Captain Warren pu
it there, miss"
He bowed and retired. The girl 81
turning the little white box In he
hands.
"He left 1t for me-" she said. "wha
can it be?
Her brother snatched It impa tiently,
why don't you open it and find out