The Jasper news., 1918-07-18


amt ever meant to keep it. It's all
yours. just didn't give 1t to you
right of Observation-Disclosures Oh, Syl.
vester, tell her l never meant to keep
It! Tell herl"
The lawyer shook his head. II did
tell her." he said, with another shrug,
land she tells me she won't accept it."
"WhatT The captains eyes were
starting from his head. "What2 Won't
take it? Why, it's hers-hers and
Steve's! 1t always has been! Do you
cal'late I'd rob my own brothers chill
dren? Don't talk so foolish! i won't
hear such talk!'
Caroline was close to tears, but she
was firm.
Captain Elisha looked at her deter.
mined face, then at the lawyers. But
he found no help there. His chin
thrust forward. He nodded slowly.
"All right! All right" he said grim
ly. sylvester, is your shop goln' to
be open tomorrerf"
"Guess not, captain" was the puz-
zled reply. "It's Thanksgiving. Why?"
But Graves II be to home, won't he?
|
II presume you could"
"All right, then. Caroline Warren,
you listen to me- I'll give you till 2
o'clock to make up your mind to take
the money that belongs to you. II you
don't l swear to the Lord Almighty
I'll take the fust train, 60 straight to
New York, hunt up Graves, make him
go down to the office and get that note
your father made out turnin' all his
property over to that Akrae company.
I'll get that note, and I'll burn 1t up.
Then-then you'll have to take the
money, because It'll be yours. Every
bit Of evidence that'n hold in law Is
gone"
He turned, strobe to the door and
out of the room A moment later they
heard a scream from Miss Baker in
the kitchen: Elisha Warren, what ails
YOU? Are you crazy?" There was no
answer, but the back door closed with
a tremendous bang.
Half an hour after his dramatic exit
Captain Elisha was pacing up and
down the floor of the barn. 1t was an
old refuge of his, place where he was
accustomed to go when matters requir
ing deliberation and thought oppressed
him. AS he turned In his stride he
saw a shadow move across the sill Of
the big. open door. He caught his
breath And stopped.
Caroline entered the barn. She came
straight to him and put her hands upon
the lapels of his coat. Her eyes were
wet and shining.
"Caroline?" he faltered eagerly.
"You good mani" she breathed soft
ly. ooh, you good man"
Caroline" His voice shook, but
there was hope in 1t. Caroline, you're
goin to take the money!
Yes, Uncle Elisha. Mr.. Sylvester
has shown me that must. He says
you will do something desperate II re-
fuse"
II sartin would And you'll take 1t
reallyT"
Eyes, Uncle Elisha"
"Glory be! And and Caroline, you
won't hold 1t against me, my maxim
you think you was poor and maxim
you live in that little place and get
along ON just so much, and all that7
Can you forgive me for dom thatf"
"Forgive you? Can I ever thank
you enough2 know can't, but can
try all my life to prove what
"S-s-h-h! Ssh! There!' with a
great sigh, almost q sob, of relief, ~
guess this'll be real Thanksgivin'
after all"
But few minutes later another
thought came to him.
Caroline" he asked, II wonder II,
now that things are as they are, you
couldn't do somethn' else-somethin'
that would please me an awful LOTT"
What is it, uncle?"
"It's somethin' perhaps I amt got
any right to ask. The other day you
: told me you cared for Jim Pearson
! but that you sent him away cause
you thought you had to earn a Twin
: for you and Steve. Now you know
that you amt got to do that And you
| said you told him IL you ever changed
your mind you'd send for him. DOM
E you s'pose you could send for him now
right off'-so he could get here FOL
this big Thanksgivin' of ours2 Dom
you think you could, Caroline?"
j, Send for him-now?" she asked In (
t low tone.
+ Yes; now-right ofr-in time for to
g morrow"
HE could not get here" she wills
pered.
Yes, he could. II you send him I
' telegram with one word in it-'Come'-
: and sign It Caroline he'll be here OF