Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-06-07

you AT once and destroying the note
in your presence. He would have done
II. hut we persuaded him TO wait and
think it over for a day or two. He did
think and then decided TO wait a little
longer for your sake
For my sake? For miner She
passed her hand In a bcwildered way
across her forehead. MIR, Sylvester
/ don't seem to understand even
now. r.
For your sake. Caroline. I;cmcm-
Der, at that time you were engaged
to Malcolm Dunn"
Her intent gaze wayered. She drew
n long breath. II see" she said slow
ly. "Oh-I see"
yes. Captain Warren Is OF the
best Judges OF character | ever met.
| The Dunns did not deceive him for one
moment. lie was certain Malcolm in
tended marrying you because Of your
money. For that matter, so was !. He
knew you must see the proof with your
own eyes. And he showed 1t to you"
"Eut then" she begged distractedly,
"why couldn't he tell me after that? |
L am so stupid, suppose-but, Mr.,
Sylvester, all this ls-is'-
"IIc might have told you then, but
he did not think IL best. Caroline, your
uncle has always believed In you. Even
when you sent him from your home he
did not blame you. He said you were
deceived -tlat was all. But, too, he
has always declared that you had been,
as he expressed it, brought up wrong.
Your money had, in a way, warped
your estimate of people and things.
And there was Steve. You know, Caro-
line, that money ana what it brought
we're spelling Steve, IL has never been
so much Of "A man as during the past
year, when he thought himself poor.
But your uncle has planned for him as
well rs for you, and when he believes
the time has come he
Please" she interrupted falterlngly-
please don't say any more. Let me
think, Mr.. Sylvester. You say that
Uncle Elisha intends giving us all that
father took from him-all of it,"
Yes, all. He considers himself mere
ly your guardian still and will accept
only his expenses from the estate"
at is wonderful she repeated bro
kenly, Even though we cannot take
it, it is wonderful"
what? Cannot take IT."
"Of course not! DO you suppose that
either my brother or | would take the
fortune that our father stole-yes, stole
from him, after he has been living al
most in poverty all these years and we
in luXury-on his money? OF course
We shall not take it,
But. Caroline, | imagine you will
have to take it. | understand your
feelings, but | think he will compel
you To take it,
Il shall nOt.' She sprang to her
feet. "Of course | shall not! Never.
Never
whats that you're never goin' to
take, Caroline-measles or another trip
down in these parts? | hope faint the
last. cause I've been cal'latin' you'd
like it well enough to come again"
Caroline turned. So did Sylvester.
Captain Elisha was standing in the
doorway, his hand on the knob. He
was smiling broadly, but as he looked
at the two by the fire he ceased to
smile.
whats all thisY" he asked Sus-
piciously. Caroline, what-SylveSter,
what have you been tcllin' herr"
Neither answered at once. The cap
tain looked from one to the other.
"SylvcStcr" Caroline had never seen
her uncle thoroughly angry before,
Sylvester he cried, have %you-have
you daSt to tell her what you shouldn't?
Didn't YOU promise me? If you told
that girl Ill-Iu"-
His niece stepped forward. flush,
Uncle Elisha" she said. "He didn't
tell me until | knew already. | guess.
ed it, Then | asked for the whole
truth, and he told me-"
"Thc whole truth? Caroline,"
lie wrung his hands.
Yes. uncle, the whole truth. | know
you now. | thought | knew you be
fore. but | d%idn't-not half. do now"
"Oh, Caroline He stepped toward
her and then stopped, frantic and de-
Spairing. Caroline. Caroline he
cried again. Can you ever forgive
me? You know-you must know |
amt ever meant to keep it. It's all
yours. | just didn't give it to you
right off becauSe-becauSc- Oh, Syl-
veSter, tell her | never meant TO keep
it, Tell her.
The lawyer shook his head. IL did
tell her" he said, with another shrug.
and she tells me she won't accept IT,"
What The captains eyes were
starting from his head. What? Won't
take it? Why, it's hers-hers and
Steye's. II always has been, DO you
c%allate Ia rob my own brothers chill.
drcn: Don't talk so foolish. | won't
hear such TALK
Caroline was close to tears, but she
was firm
Captain Elisha looked ut her deter
mined face, theu at the lawyers. But
he found no help there. His chin
thrust forward, lie nodded slowly,
An right. All right,' he said grim.