The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-08-17

"Oh, Steve" she exclaimed, hes
gone"
"Gone? Who?"
Captain Warren. He's gone"
Gone? Gone where? Caro-, you don't
mean he's-dead?"
"No; he's gope--gone and left u.s."
Her brothers expression changed to
incredulous joy.
"What?" he shouted. "You mean he's
quit, cleared out, left here for good?"
yes"
"Hurrah! Excuse me while gloat |!
Hurrah! We got it through his skull
at last Is it possible? But-but hold
on! Perhaps it's too good to be true.
Are you sure? How do you know?"
HE says so. See.'
She handed him the letter. It was
addressed to "My Dear Caroline" and
in it Captain Elisha stated his inten-
tons succinctly. After the plain speak
ing of the previous evening he should
not, of course, burden them with his
society any longer. He was leaving
that morning, and as soon as he 80
Gated permanent moorings somewhere
else" would notify his niece and neph-
ew Of his whereabouts:
For, as told you, although / shall not
impose my company on you, I am your
guardian same as ever. / will see that
your allowance comes to you regular, in
plndinp for oil ho,,paboI5 I1a M
pay for the hired help, and so on. II you
need any extras at any time let me know,
and II they seem to me right and proper
I will send money for them. You will
stay where you are, Caroline, and Stevie
must go back to college right away. Tell
him say so, and IL he does not shall
begin reducing his allowance according as
I wrote him. He will understand what
mean. And, Caroline, want you and
SteYie to feel that I am your anchor to
wlndward, and when you get in a tight
me. Last nights talk has no bearing on
that whatever. Goodby, then, until my
next ELISHA WARREN.
Stephen read this screed to the end,
then crumpled it in his fist and threw
1t angrily on the floor.
1.-THE nerver' he exclaimed. "He
seems to think I'm a sailor on one Of
his ships, to be ordered around as he
sees fit. I'll go back to college when
I'm good and ready, not before"
Caroline shook her head. ooh, nor
she said. "You must go today. He's
right, Steve; it's the thing for you to
do Ho opd ruora o0roo5 no 70 tbo+
And you wouldn't stay and make it
harder for me, would you, dearT"
He growled a reluctant assent. II
suppose I shall have to CO." he said
sullenly. "My allowance is too beastly
small to have him cutting it, and the
old shark would do that very thing.
He'd take delight in doing 1t, confound
him! Well, he knows what we think
Of him. That's some comfort"
She did not answer. He looked at
her curiously.
"Why, hang it all, Caro-" he exclaim-
ed in disgust, what ais you? Bless
ed II l shan't begin to believe you're
sorry he's gone. You act as If you
were"
"No, I'm not. OF course I'm rot.
I'm-I'm glad. He couldn't stay, of
course. But I'm afraid-I can't help
feeling that you and were too harsh
last night. We said things-dreadfu
things
"Be hanged! We didn't say half
enough. Oh, don't be a fool, Caro-! /
was just beginning to be proud of your
grit. And now you want to take 1t all
back. Answer me, now, Are you CORY
he's goneT
mo. No, I'm not, really. But II
feel somehow as if-as IL everything
was on my shoulders. You're going
away and he's gone and--what is it,
Edwards?"
The butler entered with small par
Gel in his hand.
Il beg your pardon, Miss Caroline"
he said. II should have given you this
last evening. 1t was by your place at
the table. think Captain Warren put
it there, miss"
He bowed and retired. The girl sat
turning the little white box in her
hands.
HE left it for me-" she ssid. "What
can 1t beY
Her brother snatched 1t impatiently.
why don't Sou open It and and out?"