The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1918-06-21

T cared to hear"-Captstn Elisha's
smile disappeared for an inatant-"last
evenin'. The dose was sorf or bitter.
but 1t had the necessary effect. At
any rate, didn't banker for another
one. remembered what your land
| ladv told me when was here afore.
about this stateroom bein vacated. and
7 come down to look at 1t. 1t suits me
well enough. Seems like q decent
moorin's for an old salt water derelict
like me. The price is reasonable, and
guess likely Ill take it. ] guess ]
will"
"Why do you guessa BY George, ]
hope you will!
"Do you? I'm much Obliged.
didn't know but after last night. after
the scrape got you into, you might
feel-well, sort of as If you'd seen
enough of me-"
The young man smiled bitterly 1T
wasn't your fault" he said. 1T was
mine entirely. I'm quite old enough
to decide matters for myself, and !
should have decided as my reason and
not my inclinations told me. You
weren't to blame"
eyes, was. If you're old enough
I'm too old. i cal'late. But did think
however, there's no use goin' over
that. l don't want you to think that
I've hove overheard that Responsible
ty' I was so easy and fresh about tax
in on my shoulders. It's there yet,
and I'll see you squared with Caroline
afOre this v'yage Is over If / i've"
His friend frowned.
'.You needn't mind" he said. II pre-
fer that you drop the whole miserable
business"
"Well, maybe. But, Jim, you've tax
en- hold of these electric batteries that
doctors have sometimes? It's awful
easy to grab the handles of one OF
those contraptions, but when you want
to drop 'em you can't. They don't
drop easy. I took hold Of the handles
Of Bije's affairs, and though it might be
pleasanter to drop 'em ] cantor I
wort
'Then you're leaving your nephew
and niece doesn't mean that you've
given up the guardianship"
Captain Elisha's jaw set squarely.
II don't remember sayin' that 1t did"
he answered, with decision. Then, his
good nature returning, he added: "Well,
Jim, there's just one thing more. Have
/ disgraced you a good deal bein
around with you and chummin' In with
you the way / have? That is, do you
think I've disgraced your Are you
ashamed Of me?"
81? Ashamed of you? You're jok-
ingT
"No, I'm serious. Understand now,
I'm not apologizin'. My ways are my
ways. and think they're Just as good
as the next feller's, whether he's from
South Denboro orwell, Broad street
I'VE got habit of thinkin' for myself
and actin for myself, and when take
Off my hat it's to bigger man than
/ am and not to a more stylish hat
But since I've lived here in New York
I've learned that, with whole lot OF
folks, hats themselves count more than
what's underneath 'em. / haven't
changed mine, and amt goin' to-
Now, with that plain and understood
do you want me to live here in the
same house with you? l amt fishin'
for compliments want an honest
answer"
He got it. Pearson looked him square.
ly In the eye.
81 do" he said. II like you, and l
don't care a blank about your hat Is
that plain?
Captain Elisha's reply was delivered
over the balusters in the hall.
"Hi! he called. "Hi, Mrs. Hepton."
The landlady had been anxiously
waiting. She ran from the dining
room to the foot of the stairs.
"YesT she cried what is it7"
"It's a bargain" said the captain
'Tm ready to engage passage"