The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1918-07-19
CHAPTER xVi.--continued.

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Caroline. crimson with modification,
protested Indignantly. .g a,l
''Mr. Sylvester" she said, 1T Is not
necessary to-
Excuse me"-her uncle's tone was
sharper and more stern-"I think 1t Is.
Go on, Sylvester" f
The lawyer looked far from comfort
able, but he spoke at once and to the
point. n
81 should have told you and your son
Just this, Mrs. Dunn" he said. II init
mated it before, and Miss Warren had
already written you the essential facts.
A new and unexpected development.
the nature of which am not at liberty
to disclose now or later. makes Abijah
Warren's estate absolutely bankrupt
not only that, but many thousand dol
lars in debt His heirs are lef; PENN.
iess''
1t was blunt beyond doubt. Even
Captain Elisha WINGED at the word
"penniless. Caroline. swaying, put a
hand on the table to steady herself.
THANK you, Mr.. Sylvester" said the
captain quietly. "I'll see you again III
few moments"
The lawyer bowed and left the room.
evidently glad to escape. Captain Ell
sha turned to Mrs. Dunn.
"And now, ma'am," he observed,
shat part of the business is over. My
niece is poor girl She needs some
body to support her and look out for
her. She's got that somebody, we're
all thankful to say. Shes engaged to
Mr.. Malcolm here. understand from
Steve that Malcolm's been mighty anx-
lous to have the weddin' day hurried
along. | can't say as l blame him.
And think the sooner they're married
the better. Now, how soon can we
make it, Mrs. DunnT' IL,
Caroline gazed at her guardian In
mortified amazement. "Why" she cried.
.'You-you- What do you mean by
SUCH
"Don't be an idiot. Caro-" cut in her
brother. II told you to be sensible.
Captain Warren's dead right"
"Steve, you stay out of this" There
was no misunderstanding the captains
tone. "When l want your opinion I'll
ask for 1t. And. Caroline, | want you
to stay out too. This is my trick at
the wheel. Mrs. Dunn, what dyou
say? Never mind the young folks. You
and me know that marriage is bust
ness. same as everything else. How
soon can we have the weddin'F
Mrs. Dunn had apparently nothing to
say-tO him. She addressed her next
remark to Caroline. 90
"My DEAR" she said, In great agita-
ton. "this Is really too dreadful. This
--er-guardian of yours appears to
think he Is in some barbarous country
-sayages about. Come, Malcolm, take
her away"
mo" Captain Elisha stepped in front
of the door. "She amt gOin' and I'd
rather you wouldn't go yet. Let's set
tie this up now. Well, Mr.. Dunn"
turning to the groom to be, you're
one of the interested parties-what do
you say7"
Malcolm ground his heel into the rug.
81 dont consider 1t your business" he
declared. "You're ,butting In where
mo, no. amt. It's my business, and
business Is Just what 1t is. There's n
business contract between yQuRnd my
niece. We want - know how soon 1t
can be carried out, that's all.
The young man lo6'1ed desperately at
the door, but the captains broad shout
ders blocked tie way toward 1t. He
hesitated, scowled, and then, with
shrug of his shoulders. surrendered.
sHow can I marryT'5 he demanded
sullenIy. "COnfound til My salary
isn't large enough to pay my own way
decently."
"MalcoImI" cried his mother warn
tngly.
@WeH, mater. what the devils the
use of all thIs7 You know By Jove,
You ought tot"
"Hold on. young fellerI 1 don't I'M
derstand. Your wages aln't large
enoush, you say7 What do you mean7
You was goIn' to be married. wasn't
your Caroline. don't you say a word.
You say-you"-addressing Malcolm
"that you cant support a wife on your
wages. You could scrape along. couldn't
you' Heyi Couldn't youT"
MalcoIm's answer was another scOrn-
full shrug. you being on Cape Cod"
he sneered. "Mater. let's get out of
this"
WALT Pit It plain now. Do un-
derstand thai T0u caIIate to break the