The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1918-05-02

turn. HE ana 1 mace encD oFhBfe
acquaintance yesterday, and he asked
me to call"
"You-you called to see him7r re-
peated Stephen. "Why, what In the
world
~ took the liberty Of askin' him, Car
oline," observed Captain Elisha quiet
~, ignoring the last speaker. II didn't
know you knew him, and used to
sail along with his uncle, 30 he seemed
almost like own folks"
"Oh" Caroline's manner changed.
81 presume 1t was q business call"
she said slowly. II beg pardon for In.
terrupting. We had not seen you since
fathers death, Mr.. Pearson, and I as
sumed that you had called upon my
brother and me. Excuse me. Mrs.
Dunn, we will 60 into the drawing
room"
She led the way toward the apart
ment. Captain Elisha was about to
speak. Pearson, however, explained
for him.
miss Warren" he said, '1f by d
business call you mean one in the in
terest of the Planet, assure you that
you are mistaken. / am no longer con-
nected with any paper. met Cap
tain Warren under rather unusual cir
cumstances. We discovered that we
had mutual friends and mutual inter-
ests. He asked me to call on him. and
l did SO. / did not know until Eve
minutes ago that he was your uncle
or that you and your brother lived
here. beg you won't leave the room
on my account. l was about to 90
when you came. Good evening""
He bowed and stepped toward the
hall. Captain Elisha laid hand on
his arm and detained him.
Just minute" he said. Caroline,
I want you and Steve to know that
what Mr.. Pearson says is exactly true.
I aln't the kind to talk to the newspa-
pers about the private affairs Of my re-
latiOns. and IL I'm any judge of char
acter Mr.. Pearson, KNOWN you as 1t
seems he does, wouldn't be the kind to
listen. That's all Now. Jim, If you
must co."
"Mr. Pearson" she said impulsively.
"again l ask your pardon. / should
have known. l am very sorry l spoke
as did. viii you forgive met"
Pearson colored. His embarrasS-
ment was more evident than before.
'gThere is no occasion for apology,
Miss Warren" he said. 81 don't won
der you thought had come In my for
mer capacity as reporter"
ayes, you do. You must have won
dered. / am very glad you called to
see my-guardian, and hope you will
continue to do 30. Father used to
speak so highly Of you, and I'm sure
he valued your friendship. Stephen
and wish to consider his friends
ours"
Parsons reply was brief. :
"Thank you, Miss Warren" he said.
"You are very kind. Good evening"
"Jim," he said, II was beginnin' to
doubt my judgment of things and
folks. Now feel better. That niece
of mine has got the right stun in her.
After that invitation you will come and
see us once In awhile. That makes 1t
easier. heyT'
Pearson shook his head. "I'm not
sure, captain" he observed slowly,
that it doesn't make 1t harder. shall
look for you at the boarding house
very soon. Don't disappoint me.
Good night"
The captains last remark that even
Ing was made to Edwards, whom he
met just outside the door of his bed
room.
Commodore" he said, "a barn full
Of rats is nuisance, amt itf'
"Why-why, yes. sir! should think
1t might be. SIR"
"Yup! Well, know a worse one.
It's house full of mysteries. BY, by,
son. Pleasant Dreams"
He sat up until late, meditating pro.
foundry. Then, taking from Its en-.
velope the letter yet unsealed, which
he had written to Miss Abigail Baker.
he added this postscript:
ELEVEN o'clock. / have decided
Abbie. to accept the guardianship and
the rest of 1t for spell anyhow
Shall notify the lawyers In the morn.
Ing. Necessity Is one thing. and pleas
ure is another. I doubt II find the
job pleasant, but guess 1t is neces
sary. Anyhow, 1t looks that way to
me-"
Announcement Of Captain Elisha'i
decision followed quickly. Sylvester
Kuhn & Graves received the tele
phone message stating 1t, and the
senior partner was unqualifiedly de