Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-08-09
CHAPTER XVI.
The Unmaskina Of the Dunns.

TAROLINE sat by the library win
dow, her chin in her hand, dreari-
ly watching the sleet as it beat
against the panes and the tops Of the
park trees lashing in the wind.
Stephen uttered an exclamation.
"Some ones at the door," he explain
ed. Its Sylvester. Of course. I'll let
him In"
1t was not the lawyer, but messen-
ger boy with note. Stephen returned
to the library with the missive in his
hand.
HE couldn't get here, Caro-" he said
excitedly. wants us to come right
down to his Office. Come! Rush! 1t
may be important"
The cab made good time, and they
soon reached the Pine street Offices.
"Hope he doesn't keep us waiting
long," Steve fumed. II thought, of
course, he was ready or he wouldn't
have sent for us"
Ready" His sister looked at him
questioningly. Ready for WHAT" she
repeated, with sudden suspicion. "Steve,
do you know what Mr.. Sylvester wishes
to see us about"
Her brother colored and seemed bit
disconnected.
"See here Caro-" he said, maybe I
do know something, or l can guess.
Now, whatever happens, you've got to
be a sensible girl. Somebody in the
family must use common sense, and
when it comes to holding a person to
a promise then-confound it, Sis, we
can't starve. can WEEP
what do you mean?" She rose and
advanced toward him. "What do you
mean by promise? What have you
been doing"
Il haven't done anything" he grum-
bled-"that is, I've done what any rea-
sonable fellow would do. I'm not the
only one who thinks. Look here, we've
got guardian, haven't weT
"a guardian! A guardian! Stephen
Warren, have you been to him? Have
you-was that where you were last
night? Why did you go to him? What
did you say?"
II said-I said-never mind what I
said. He agrees with me, can tell
you that. You'll thank your stars I did
go before very long. Ssh, here's
Sylvesterw
The door of the room opened. The
person who entered, however, was not
the lawyer, but the very man of whom
they had been speaking, Captain Elisha
himself. He closed the door behind him.
Hello, Stevie," he said, with nod
to the boy. Then, turning to his niece,
he stepped forward and held out his
hand. Caroline" he began, II don't
doubt you're surprised to see me here,
but + Why, what's the matter?"
The faces of the pair led him to ask
the question. Stephens face was red,
and he looked embarrassed and guilty.
Caroline's was white, and she glanced
from her brother to her guardian and
back again with flashing eyes,
Captain Warren, my brother has
hinted-he has said What does he
mean by holding some one to prom
Use? Answer me truthfully."
Il shouldn't answer you any other
way, Caroline. Steve seems to be wor-
ried about the young man you're en-
gagged to. He seems to cal'late that
Mr.. Dunn may want to slip out of that
engagement"
His niece looked at him. Then she
turned to her brother. "You went to
him and Oh. how could your
Stephen would not meet her gaze.
WELL" he muttered rebelliously, "why
wouldn't 1? You know yourself that
Nal hasn't been near you since 1t hap
pened. If he wasn't after-if he was
straight, he would have come, wouldn't
he?"
"Stop! She cut him short imperious-
ly. Don't make me hate you. And
you," turning to her uncle, did you
listen and believe such things? Oh,
know what you think of my friends!
heard 1t from your own lips. And I
know why you think it. Because they
know what you are, because they ex-
posed you and
There, there! Caroline, you needn't
go on. I've heard your opinion of my
character afore. Never mind me for
the minute. And, If you'll remember,
1 amt said that I doubted your young
man. You told me that you thought
the world and all Of him and that he
did 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"
Il misdirected the letter. He didn't
receive it."
"Um-hm. see. That would explain. :"
"Of course 1t would. That must be