Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-03-19
CHAPTER XIV.
SWhat Can Il Meant"

SSS1Aeess e~~~s -
CHAPTER XIV.
"What Can Il Meant"
1.-TWO more hours passed before the
lawyers and their client rose
from their seats about the long
table. Even then the consultation was
not at an end. Sylvester and the cap
tain lunched together at the Central
club and sat in the smoking room un-
til after 4, talking earnestly. When
they parted the attorney was grave
and troubled.
"All right, Captain Warren" he said;
"I'n do it. And you may be right. I
certainly hope you are. But I must
confess l don't look forward to my
task with pleasure. I think I've got
the toughest end"
It'll be rough-there's no doubt about
that--rough for all hands, guess. And
l hope you understand, Mr.. Sylvester,
that there amt many men I'd trust to
do what l ask you to. I appreciate
your doin' it more'n I can tell you. Be
as-as gentle as you can, won't your
81 will. You can depend upon that"
81 do. And sha'n't forget it. Good
by till the next time"
They shook hands. Captain Elisha
returned to the boarding house, where
he found q letter awaiting him. 1t was
from Caroline, telling him Of her en-
gagement to Malcolm Dunn. She wrote
that, while not recognizing his right to
interfere in any way, she felt that per-
haps he should know of her action. he
did not go down to supper and when
Pearson came to inquire the reason e1-
cused himself, pleading late luncheon
and no appetite. He guessed he would
turn in early, so he said. 1t was poor
guess.
Next morning he went uptown. Ed
wards, opening the door Of the War
rem apartment, was surprised to find
who had rung the bell.
"Mornin', Commodore" hailed the
captain, as casually as If he were mere
" returning from a stroll. "Is Miss
Caroline aboard ship?"
"Why-why, I don't know, sir. I'll
see."
That's all right. She's aboard or you
wouldn't have to see. You and me
sailed together quite spell. SO I know
your little habits. I'll wait In the L.
brary, commodore. Tell her there's no
particular hurry"
His niece was expecting him. She
had anticipated his visit and was pre-
pared for 1t. From the emotion caused
by his departure after the eventful
birthday she had entirely recovered
or thought she had. Stephens ridicule
and Mrs. Corcoran Dunn's congratula-
tions on riddance from the "encum-
brance" shamed her and stilled the re-
proaches of her conscience. Mrs.
Dunn, as always, played the diplomat
and mingled just the proper quantity
of comprehending sympathy with the
congratulations.
81 understand exactly how you feel,
nv DEAR" she said. you have a ten
der heart, and it pains you to hurt any
ones feeling, no matter how much
they deserve to be hurt. You feel that
YOU may have been too harsh with that
guardian Of yours. You remember
what you said to him and forget how
hypocritically he behaved toward you.
I can't forgive him that. may forget
how he misrepresented Malcolm and
me to you-that may even pardon IN
time-but to deceive his own broth
er's children and introduce into their
society q creature who had slandered
and maligned their father-that I never
shall forget or forgive. And-you'n
excuse my frankness, dear-you should
never forget or forgive it either. You
were a brave girl, and If you are not
proud of yourself I am proud OF you"
So when her uncle was announced
Caroline was ready. She entered the
library and acknowledged his greeting
with a distant bow: He regarded her
kindly, but his manner was grave.
"Well, Caroline" he began. II got
your letter"
"Yes, I presumed you did"
"Um-hm. I got it. It didn't sur
prise me what you wrote, because I'd
seen the news in the papers, but I was
hopin' you'd tell me yourself, and I'm
real glad you did. I'm much obliged to
you"
"I-I gave you my reasons for writ
ing" she said. Although / do not
consider that / am in any sense duty
bound to refer matters other than finan.
cial to you; and, although my feelings
toward you have not changed-st
you are my guardian snd-and"-
II understand. So you're really en-
gagged to Mr.. DunnT
EYES,"
"And you're cal-latin' to marry himT
zone might almost take that Tor
granted" impatiently.
almost, yes. Not always, but gem
orally, I will give In. You're goin 10
marry Malcolm Dunn. WhyT
"Why, because I choose, I suppose"
"Um-hm! Are you sure Of that|
cam I sure?" Indignantly. "Wnat
do you meanT
81 mean are you sure that It's Dc
cause you choose, or because he does
or maybe because his mother doesT
She turned angrily away. IT you
| came here to insult me- she began.
He interrupted her.
mo, nor he protested gently. In
sultin' You Is the last thing I want to
do. But, as your father did put you
In my charge, want you to bear with
me while we talk this over together.
| Remember, Caroline, amt bothered
you a great deal lately. I shouldn''
now II 1 hadn't thought twas neces'
sary. So please don't get mad. but an
swer me this: Do you care FOR tnia
man you've promised to marry
| Enough to live with him all your nfe
and see him every day and be to MIN
what q true wife ought to BET See
him, not with his company manners
ON or In his automobile. but at tne
breakfast table and when he comes
home tired and cross maybes Wher
you've got 10 b forbearin' and for
givin' and
"He b one Of my oldest and bee'
RY-~n nnv&