Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-03-05
CHAPTER XII.
A Surprise For Pearson.

who slept soundly that night. Con
| scious of having done his duty in the
affair with Pearson and his guardian
and somewhat fatigued by the dis
agreeable task of soothing his hyster
!cal sister, he was slumbering peace
| fully at 8 the next morning when
awakened by a series Of raps on his
bedroom door.
"Ah! What? Well, what Is itr' he
demanded, testify opening his eyes
Edwards, is that you? What the devil
do you mean by making such row%
The voice which answered was moi
the buffers, but Caroline's.
"Steve! Oh, Steve" she cried. "Dt
get up and come out! Come. quick
Something has happened"
Happened? What is itf'
II can't tell you here. Please dress
and come to me as quick as you can"
Stephen found his sister standing BY
the library window, letter In hel
hand. She looked troubled and anx
ious.
"Oh, Steve" she exclaimed, 4he'l
| gone"
"Gone? Who?"
Captain Warren. He's gone"
"Gone? Gone where? Caro-, you dom
mean he's-dead?"
"No; he's gone-gone and left u.s."
Her brothers expression changed Il
incredulous Joy.
"What?" he shouted. "You mean he!
quit, cleared out. left here for good?'
| "Yes."
@Hurrah! Excuse me while I gloat
Hurrah! We got it through his skull
at last Is it possible? But-but hole
onl Perhaps it's too good to be true
Are you sure? How do you known
"He says so. See.'
She handed him the letter. It was
addressed to ''My Dear Caroline" and
in it Captain Elisha stated his inten
tlOns succinctly. Alter the plain speak
ing of the previous evening he should
not, of course, burden them with his
society any longer. He was leaving
that morning, and as soon as he 10
Gated permanent moorings somewhere
else" would notify his niece and neph
ew Of his whereabouts:
For as I told you. although shall not
Impose my company on you, am your
| guardian same as ever. I will see tna'
| your allowance comes to you regular, IN.
| cluding enough for all household bills and
| pay for the hired help, and 30 on. II you
need any extras at any time let me know
| and IL they seem to me right and proper
will send money for them. You VIII
stay where you are, Caroline, and Stevie
must 20 back to college right away. Tel
! him I say so, and II he does not snal
| begin reducing his allowance according at
[ wrote him. He will understand what
mean. And, Caroline. I want you ano
stevie to feel that I am your anchor tc
wlpdward, and when you get In tigh,
place. IL you ever do, you can depend on
me. Last nights talk has no bearing or
that whatever. Goodby. then. until my
next. ELISHA "AA>'
stephen read this screed to the END
then crumpled It in his fist and thre"
1t angrily on the floor.
ssThe nervew he exclaimed. HE
seems to think I'm sailor on one OF
his ships, to be ordered around as he
sees flt I'll 60 back to college wher
I'm good and ready, not before"
Caroline shook her head. "Oh, no!
she said. "You must go today. Hes
right, Steve; It's the thing for you te
do. he and were agreed as to that
And you wouldn't stay and make II
harder for me, would you, dearP
He growled a reluctant assent. y
suppose I shall have to go" he said
sullenly. "My allowance is too beastlJ
small to have him cutting it, and the
old shark would do that very thing
He'd take delight in doing 1t, confount
him! Well, he knows what we thini
Of him. That's some comfort"
She did not answer. He looked al
her curiously.
"Why, hang it all, Caro-" he e1claim
ed In disgust, "what ails your Bless
ed II / shan't begin to believe you're
sorry he's gone. You act as If yos
were
mo, I'm not. OF course I'm not
Pm-I'm glad. He couldn't stay, o.
course. But I'm afraid-I can't llell
feeling that you and were too harsl
last night. We said things-dreadfu
things
"Be hanged! We didn't say hal
enough. Oh, don't be fool, Caro-!
was just beginning to be proud OF you
grit. And now you want to take 1t al
back. Answer me, now, Are you SORT!
he's goner
mo. No, I'm not, really. But L.
feel somehow as if-as If everything
was on my shoulders. You're goip;
away and he's gone and--what Is II
Edwardsw
i The butler entered with small par
eel in his hand.
81 beg your pardon, Miss Caroline,
he said. II should have given you thi
last evening. 1t was by your place q
the table. I think Captain Warren pu
1t there, miss"
He bowed and retired. The girl 90
turning the little white box In he
hands.
.He left it for me-" she said. "Wha
can it beT
Her brother snatched 1t impatiently.
"Why don't You open It and find out?
.. he demanded. Perhaps it's his latch
, key. Herei I'll do 1t myself"
, he cut the cord and removed the co,
/ er Of the little box. Inside was th
! jewelers. leather case. he took 1t on
and pressed the spring. The cove
! few up
"Whewl" he whistled. TITS pre-
|. emit, And rather q decent one, too. b
!. gadi Look Carow
II He handed her the open case 81
81 looked at the chain spread carefully Q
the white satin lining. Inside the COZ
ar was fitted card. She turned
!, over and read: ITO my niece, Car,
! line. With wishes for many happy n
!. turns and much love- from her Uncl
. Elisha Warren"
& She sat gazing at the card. Stephe
: bent down, read the inscription an
+ then looked up into her lace.
: 'whsti" ha czied Il believe -yon.l