Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-02-26


Hot and furiously angry at his own
indecision which had placed him in this
humiliating situation, he was striding
toward the hall Captain Elisha seized
his arm.
"Stay where you are, Jimr' he COM
manded. "If the troubles what you
think It Is I'm more to blame than any
body else, and you shan't leave this
house till I've done my best to square
you"
"Thank you, but I don't wish to be
squared I've done nothing to be
ashamed of, and have borne as many
insults as can stand. I'm going"
"No, you amt. Not yet ! want yeu
to stay"
At that moment Stephens voice
reached them from the adjoining room.
II tell you I shall, Caro-" it pro-
claimed fiercely, "Do you suppose I'm
going to permit that fellow to come
here again-or to 60 until he is made to
understand what we think Of him and
why? No, by CAD! I'm the man Of
this family, and I'll tell him few
things"
Pearson's jaw set grimly.
"You may let 60 Of my wrist, Cap
tain Warren" he said. "I'll stay"
Possibly Stephens intense desire to
prove his manliness made him self
conscious. At any rate, he never ap-
..S ,.,oro ,;dioulouOYy hovfch than
when, an instant later, he marched into
the library and confronted his uncle
and Pearson.
Ill want to say he began ma
jestically. II want to say
He paused, choking, and brandished
his fist.
Il want to say he began again.
"An right, Stevie," interrupted the
captain dryly, "then I'd say it If I was
you. guess it's time you did,"
II want toto tell that fellow there"
with a vicious stab Of his forefnger In
the direction of Pearson, 'that con-
slider him an-an ingrate-and Scoun-
drel-and miserable
"Steadyp Captain Elisha's interrup-
ton was sharp this time. STEADY now!
Leave out the pet names. What Is 1t
you've got to tellf
"I-my sister and I have found out
what a scoundrel he is, that's what!
We have learned Of the lies he wrote
about father. We know that he was
responsible for all that cowardly, lying
stuff in the Planet-all that about the
trolley combine. And we don't intend
that he shall sneak into this house
again. If he was the least part OF
man he would never have come"
"Mr. Warren began Pearson, STEP
ping forward. The captain interrupted.
"Hold on, Jim |" he said. "Just min
ute now. You've learned somethin',
you say, Stevie. The Dunns told you,
I s'pose."
'Neyer mind who told mew
"I don't-much. But I guess we'd
better have clear understandin', all Of
us. Caroline, will you come in here,
please?"
He stepped toward the door. Ste
phen sprang in front Of him.
"My sister doesn't intend to cheaper
herself by entering that mans pres
ence," he declared hotly. "Tll deal
with him myself"
"All right. But I guess she'd better
be here just the same. Caroline, I
want you"
"She shan't come"
Eyes; she shall. Gardiner
The boy would have detained him,
but he pushed him firmly aside and
walked toward the door. Before he
reached 1t, however, his niece appeared.
"Well," she said coldly, "what Is It
you want Of met"
II want you to hear Mr.. Pearson's
side Of this business-and mine before
you do anything you'll be sorry for"
II think I've heard quite enough OF
Mr.. Pearson already. Nothing he can
say or do will make me more sorry
than I am or humiliate me more than
the fact that I have treated him as q
friend"
The Icy contempt In her tone was
cutting. Pearson's face was white,
but he spoke clearly and with deliber'
alton.
"Miss Warren" he said, II must in
sist that you listen for another mo-
ment. I owe you an apology for
"Apology" broke in Stephen, with a
scornful laugh. "Apologyl Well, by
CAD, Just hear that, Carow
The girls lip curled. II do not wish
to hear your apology" she said.
"But I wish you to hear 1t not for
my attitude in the trolley matter nor
for what published in the Planet nor
for my part In the disagreement with
your father. I wrote the truth and
nothing more. I considered 1t right
then-I told your father so-and I
have not changed my mind. I should
act exactly the same under similar cir
cumstances."
"You blackguardp shouted Stephen.
Pearson ignored him utterly.
" do owe you an apology" he contin-
ued, '.for coming here as have done
knowing that you were ignorant Of the
affair. I believe now that you are mis-
informed as to the facts, but that Is
immaterial. You should have been told
of my trouble with Mr.. Warren. I
should have insisted upon it. That I
did not do so is my fault, and I apollo
gize, but for that only. Good evening"
He shook himself free from the cap
tain's grasp, bowed to the trio and left
the room. An instant later the outer
door closed behind him.
Caroline turned to her brother.
"Come, Steve" she said.
"Stay right where you are" Captain
Elisha did not request now, he COM
manded. "Stevie, stand still. Caroline,
I want to talk to you"
The girl hesitated. She had never
been spoken to In that tone before.
Her pride had been already deeply
wounded by what she had learned that
afternoon; she was 6ercely resentful,
angry and rebellious. She was sure
she never hated any one as she did this
man who ordered her to stay and listen
to him. But-she, stayed.
Caroline" said Captain Elisha, aft
er a moment Of silence, II presume
likely-of course I don't know for sar-