The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1918-06-21
~ JOSEPH C. LINCOLN
tcopyrigA. By o. Appleton q co.,

and pressed the spring. The cover
flew up.
"Whew!" he whistled. ''It's a pres
cnt. And rather a decent one, too, by
CAD! Look Carow
He handed her the open case. She
looked at the chain spread carefully on
the white satin lining. Inside the COW
er was fitted card. She turned 1t
over and read: ITO my niece. Caro-
line. With wishes for many happy re-
turns and much love, from her Uncle
Elisha Warren"
She sat gazing at the card. Stephen
bent down, read the inscription ana
then looked up into her face.
"What? he cried. II believe-you're
not crying! Well. I'll be hanged! Sis,
you are fool"
The weather that morning was nne
and clear. James Pearson, standing Dy
the window of his rooms at the board
ing house, looking out at the snow COW
cred roofs sparkling In the sun, was
miserable. When he retired the night
before 1t was with a solemn oath TO
forget Caroline Warren altogether; TO
put her and her father and the young
cad, her brother, utterly from his mind'
never to be thought of again.
Why--why had he been so weak as
to yield to Captain Elisha's advice!
Why had he not acted like sensible,
self respecting man, done what ne
knew was right and persisted in MS
refusal to visit the Warrens? WhyT
Because he was an idiot, Of course-a
hopeless idiot, who had got exactly
what he deserved! Which bit OF phil
losophy did not help make his refiec-
lions less bitter.
After breakfast he went to his room,
seated himself at his desk and took the
manuscript of his novel from the
drawer.
He was still sitting there, twirling
an idle pencil between his fingers,
when he heard steps outside his door.
Some one KNOCKED.
"WEeli, what ID it?" he asked. 4
His landlady answered.
"Mr. Pearson" she said, may ! see
youT'
He threw down the pencil and. ris-
ing, walked to the door and opened It
Mrs. Hepton was waiting in the hall.
She seemed excited.
'Mr. Pearson" she said, will you
step downstairs with me for a mo-
ment? 1 have a surprise for you."
"a surprise? What sort Of q sur
prise?"
"Oh, pleasant one-at least I think
it is going to be a pleasant one for all
OF us. But I'm not going to tell you
what it is. You must come down and
see for yourself"
On the second floor Mrs. Hepton
stopped and pointed.
"It's in there" she said, pointing.
There" was the room formerly oc-
cupied by Mr.. SakS, the long haired
artist. Since his departure it had been
vacant. Mrs. Hepton took Pearson by
the arm and, leading him to the door.
threw the latter open.
here ne Is. sue Sa1U.
''Hello, Jim! |" hailed Captain Elisha
Warren cheerfully. "Ship ahoyl Glad
to see you"
He was standing in the middle OF the
room, his hat on the table and his
hands in his pockets.
Pearson was surprised was no
doubt of that-not so much at the sight
Of his friend-he had expected to see
or hear from the captain before the
day was over-as at seeing him in that
room. He could not understand what
he was doing there.
Captain Elisha noted his bewildered
expression and ehuekled.
Come aboard, Jimr' he commanded.
"Come In and inspect. I'll see you
later, Mrs. Hepton," he added, "and
give you my final word. 1 want to
hold Offices council with Mr.. Pearson
here fust."
Pearson began to get clew to the
situation.
Captain Warren" he demanded,
have you-do you mean to say you've
taken this room to live int"
mo. amt said all that yet want
ed to talk with you q little afore said
IT. But that was my idea II you and
agreed on sartin matters"
you've come here to Ivei You've
left your-your niece's houser
sYa-as, I've left-that is, left the
wav the IrIshman left the stable where
they kept the mule. He said there was
all outdoors In front Of him and only
two feet behind. That's about the way
twas with me"