The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1918-07-26
CHAPTER xvll-continued.

10
"Humph! She does, hey? I want
20 know! Look here, Jim! Have you
and She
He got no further, for Pearson broke
away and. with a hurried Good
night" strobe up the platform to meet
the city bound train. Captain Elisha
entered the house by the back door, q
remnant of South Denboro habit, and
saw his niece a shadowy figure, seated
by the window. He crossed to her
side
"Weli, Caroline" he said cheerfully.
I'm home again. Dearie, just met
Jim Pearson. He tells me he's decided
not to go on this cape cruise or ours.
He said you agreed with him twas
best he shouldn't go. Do you mlnd
tellin' me why? Have you and ne ha0
a fallin' Out?"
Still she was silent. He signed.
WELL" he observed, II see you have.
and / don't blame you for not wantln
70 talk about it. I'm awful sorry. "a
begun to hope that However, wea
change the subject"
Uncle" she said, 'you know al.
ways want to talk to you. Mr.. Pear
son and have not quarreled. but
rhink-I think it best that should not
see him again. 1t would only make 1t
harder for him, and it's Of no use.
Captain Elisha sighed again. Il
guess [ understand, Caroline. pre-
sumo likely / do. He-he asked some
thin of you, and you couldn't say yes
to him. That was it, l suppose.
Needn't tell me unless you really want
70, you understand" he added hastily.
''But do. l ought to tell you. IN
Gle Elisha, MIR. Pearson asked me to De
mis- wife"
The captain gave no evidence OF sur
prise.
YES" he replied gravely; Il judged
that was 1t. And you told him you
couldn't, suppose. Well, dearie, that's
a question nobody ought to answer but
the one. You didn't care for him
enough, suppose. Caroline, you don't
care for anybody else, do 5yela3 You
font still care for that oths teller
chat
Uncle" she sprang up, hurt and In
dignant, chow can your she cried.
How could you. ask that? What must
you think of me?
please, Caroline" he protested;
please don't beg your pardon
was a fool. | knew better. Don't go.
Tell me the real reason. Now tell me.
Was it that you couldn't care for Jim
enOugh"
Ill like 6Ar. Pearson very much.
respect and admire him"
But you don't love him. see:
Well" sadly, there's another one OF
ny dreams gone to smash. However,
ron did lust right, dearie. Feelin' that
way, you couldn't marry him. of
,,Ourse."
THAT was not the reason" she said
in low tone.
"Hey? He bent toward her. "What!'
ne cried. "That want the reason.
you say? You do care for himT
She was silent.
do your he repeated gently. And
y4t you sent him away. WhyY
She faltered, tried to speak and then
turned away. He put his arm about
Der and stroked her hair.
Don't you cry, dearie," he begged.
II won't bother you any more. You
ran tell me some other time-n you
want to. Or you needn't tell me at
all. It's all right; only don't cry.
Il mustn't be so silly" she said. Il
had made up my mind to tell you
everything and shall. My not caring
for Mr.. Pearson was not my reason for
refusing him. He would marry me,
poor as am. And perhaps l-pernaps
{ should say yes If things were differ
ant | know should say yes and be
very. very happy. But can't and
wOn'tI | won't! l suppose you think
have been perfectly satisfied to let
you take care of me and OF my broth
ar and give us a home and all that we
needed and more. but have not been
contented with that, nor has Steve.
3e and have made our plans, and we |
.bau carry them out. He will leave |
solIege In two years and go to work in |
earnest. Before that time / shall be
-eady to teach. / have been studying |
with Just that idea in view. l haven't
-oId you before, uncle, but one Of the
domestic science teachers at the uni
yersity Is a girl used TO know slight
IL. She is going to be married next
year. and If all goes well / may be
appointed to her position when she
caves. Steve and | have planned 1t
all Els salary at first viii be small.
and 70 will mine. Mt together we can
arr enough to live somehow, and
alter % when he earns more perhaps
ge nay be able TO repay a little OF all
nat you have given u.s. We shall try.
Ill gnufuf unon AZ %