Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-01-22
CHAPTER IL.
The Will of Abijah.

CHAPTER u.
The Will of Abijah.
"THIS is your room, Mr.. Graves
said Miss Abigail Baker, plac
ing the lighted lamp on the
bureau. "And here's a pair Of socks
and some slippers. They belong t.
Elisha-Cap'n Warren, that is-buthe's
got more. Cold water and towels ant
soap are In the washstand over yon
der, but I guess you've had enough
cold water for one night. There's
plenty hot in the bathroom at the enc
of the hall. You needn't hurry. Sup
per's waited an hour and half as it's
'Twon't hurt it to wait spell longer
She went away, closing the door aft
er her. The bewildered, wet and shiv
ering New Yorker stared about the
room, which, to his surprise, was warn
and cozy. Radiators and bathroom
These were modern luxuries he would
have taken for granted had Elisha
Warren been the sort Of man he eX
pected to find-the country magnate
the leading citizen, fitting brother tt
the late A. Rodgers Warren Of Fiftf
avenue and Wall street.
But the Captain Warren who haG
driven him to South Denboro in the
rain was not that kind of man at all.
His manner and his language were as
far removed from those Of the late A.
Rodgers as the latter's brOwn-stone
residence was from this big, rambling
house, with its deep stairs and narrow
halls, it's antiquated pictures and hid
eous, old fashioned wall paper; as far
removed as Miss Baker, whom the cap
tain had hurriedly introduced as my
second cousin keepin' house for me"
was from the dignified butler at the
mansion on Fifth avenue. Certainly
this particular Warren was not fitted
to be elder brother to the New York
broker who had been Sylvester, Kuhn
& Graves client
It could not be; it could not. There
must be some mistake. In country
towns there were likely to be several OF
the same name. There must be another
Elisha Warren.
Meanwhile Miss Abigail had descend.
ed the stairs to the sitting room. Be
fore driftwood fire in big brick fire
place sat Captain Warren in his shir1
sleeves, a pair of mammoth carpet slip
pers on his feet and the said feel
stretched luxuriously out toward the
blaze.
"Abbie," observed the captain, "this Il
solid comfort. Every time go away
from home 1 get into trouble, don't L
Last trip I took to Boston I lost $50
and
"Lost itw interrupted Miss Baker
tartly. "If lendin' Tim Foster amt CIV
in it away, then I miss my guess"
"Well," with another chuckle, "Tin
don't feel that way. He swore right w
and down that he wouldn't take cent
as a gift. I offered to make him 9
present of $40, but he looked 80 shocked
that I apologized afore he could say
no."
"Yes, and then lent him that thirty
Shocked! The only thing that would
shock that good-for-nothin' is bein' sci
to work. When you get back copper
of that money I'll believe the mfllen
NUNS struck, that's ALL"
Hum! Well, I'll help you believe II
that is, If I have time afore I droI
dead Of heart disease. What started
to say was that every time I go ava!
from home I get into trouble. Up tt
Boston twas Tim and his loan To
night It's about as healthy a sou'westel
as I've ever been out in. Dan fetched
In the team, has he"
Eyes; it's in the stable. he says th'
buggy dash is pretty well scratched NJ
and that it's wonder you and tha
Graves man want killed. Who is he
anyhow
Land knows; I don't"
"You don't knowl Then what's h'
doin' here?"
"Changin' his duds, I guess. That
what I'd do III looked as much like
drowned rat as he did,"
Elisha Warren, II you amt tn
most provokin' thing! Don't be so un
likely. You know what mean
What's he come here to this hous
for"
"Don't know, Abbie. I didn't know
he was comm here till just as we 90
down yonder by Emery's corner.
asked him who he was lookin' for; b.
said Elisha Warren and then th'
tree. caved In on us. Oh, come righ
in, Mr.. Graves. I hope you're drie
now"
Captain Warren sprang from tn
chair to greet his visitor, who wa
standing in the doorway.
eyes, come right in, Mr.. Graves" b
urged cordially. "Set down by tn
fire and make yourself comftable. Ab
bell have somethin' for Us to eat In {
jiffy. Pull up a chair"
The lawyer came forward hesitat
ingly.
"Thank you, captain" he said. "Bu
before accept more Of your hospitall
ty I feel I should be sure there is n
mistake. I have come on importan
business. and
"Hold on!" The captain held up
big hand. Don't you say anothe
word. There's just one business tina
interests me this minute, and that
supper. Set right down here, MI
Graves. I'll try to keep you supplies
with solid cargo, and Abbie'll tend t
the moistenin'. Hope that teapot 1
full up. Abbie. Hot tea tastes goo
after you've swallowed as much col
| rain as Mr.. Graves and have.
Father, we thank thee for these mel
| cies Get before %. Amenl
How's your appetite when It comes t
clam pie, Mr.. Gravesr
Mr.. Graves' appetite was good, an
tho clam pie was good. So, too, wer
| the hot biscuits and the tea and home
made preserves and cake.
At last, when all the biscuits but on
were gone and the cake plate locke
like the desert Of Sahara, the capital
pushed back his chair, rose and led th
way into the next room. Miss Bake
| remained to clear the table.
'Set down by the IRE, Mr.. Graves,
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