Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-05-17

go on. I've heard your opinion of my
character afore. Never mind me for
the minute. And. II you'll remember.
amt said that I doubted four young
man. You told me that you thought
the world and all of him and that he
dlu OF you. That's enough-or ought
to be. But your brother says you
wrote him two days ago and he amt
been near you"
i instructed the letter. He didn't
receive It."
"Um'hm. see. That would explain"
IN course 1t would. That must be
the reason. Do you suppose II he were
as poor as-as am that l would de-
set him? You know l woul1.'t. I
should be glad-yes, almost happy-be-
cause then l could show him-could"-
Her voice failed her. She put her
handkerchief to her eyes for an instant
ana then snatched 1t away and faced
them, her head erect.
mo. no." he said gently: ~ nevst
supposed you'd act but in one way.
Caroline. knew you. II Malcolm's
wnat led ought to be, l said. he'll be
glad OF the chance to prove how
much he cares for you. But Steve m
peared to have some misgivin's, and 80
1t seemed to ME that his doubts ought
TO De settled. And rising as there
came q tap at the door, II callate
they're goin' to be-"
de walked briskly over and opened
the door. Sylvester was standing with.
out, and with him were Mrs. Corcoran
Dunn and Malcolm.
They were past the sill before Can
tain Elisha's greeting caused them to
turn and see the three already there.
Mrs. Dunn, who was In the lead. stop.
ped shcrt In her majestic though creak.
Ing march Of entrance, and her ford
face turned a brighter crimson. Her
son, strolling languidly at her heels,
started violently and dropped his hat.
Mrs. Dunn had come to the offices Of
Sylvester, Kuhn & Graves at the senior
partners request to be told, as she SUD-
posed, the full and final details of the
financial disaster threatening the War.
rem family. II those details should
prove the disaster as overwhelming an
1t appeared, then-well. then, certain
disagreeable duties must be performed.
But to meet the girl to whom her son
was engaged and her brother and her
guardian thus Unexpectedly and unpre.
pared was enough to shake the compo.
sure and nerve Of ever such a veteran
campaigner as Mrs. NJ. Corcoran Dunn.
But OF the three to whom the meet
ing was an absolute surprise-Caroline.
Malcolm and herself-she was charac.
teristically the first to regain outward
serenity.
my dear child." she cried. "My
dear girl! I'm so glad to see you! I've
thought of you SO much! And l pity
you so. Poor Malcolm has-Malcolm,"
sharply, come here! Don't you see
Caroline"
Malcolm was cropping %nervously for
his hat. He picked 1t up and obeyed
his mothers summons, though with no
great eagerness.
How dye do, Gardiner" he STAN
mered co1fusedly. "I-I-it's a deuce
Of q surprise to see you down here.
The mater and l didn't expect-that Is.
we scarcely hoped to meet any one but
Sylvester. He sent for us, you know"
He extended his hand. She did not
take II.
did you get my letter." she asked
quickly.
~"Yes-er-yes, l got 1t, Caroline. l.
by Jove, you know
Captain Elisha stepped forward.
Excuse me for interruptin', ma'am,"
he said. addressing the ruffled matron,
but Mr.. Sylvester told me you and
your son had al appointment with him
for this afternoon. Now, there was
something that we-or l, anyhow
wanted to talk with you about. so I
thought you might as well make one
job of it, Sylvester's a pretty busy
man, and I know he has other things
to attend to, SO why not let him 90
ahead and tell you what you come to
hear, and then We can take up the
other part by ourselves. Amt that a
good dear
1--WE did have an appointment with
Mr.. Sylvester" Mrs. Dunn admitted
reluctantly. "but the business was not
important. And" haughtily. II do not
care to discuss 1t here"
The captain opened his eyes. "HeyT'
he exclaimed. Not important? Twas
about the real size Of your fathers es-
tate, Caroline" turning to the girl. II
thought Mrs. Dunn and Mr.. Malcolm
must think twas important, for I IN.
derstand they've been telephonln' and
askin' for appointments for the last
two days. AS to discussin' it here" he
went on with bland innocence, "why.
were all family folks, same as / said,
and there amt any secrets between w
on that subject. Heave ahead, Mr..
Sylvester"
TO BE CONTINUED