Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
Captain Elisha pulled thoughtfully at

Captain Elisha pulled thoughtfully at
his beard.
"Humphw he grunted. "Humph
Then | c~al'late maybe He took a
| step toward the door, stopped, turned
back and said with calm decision II
guess I'd better stay. You won't mind
me, Carollne-you and Stephen. You
mustn't. As l said, / amt cOmp'ny,
I'm one of the family, your pas broth
or, and I've come some considerb
ways to see you two young folks and
talk with you. I've come because your
pa asked me to-. I'm used to ronghin'
il, been to sea a good many wages,
and IL a feather bed amt handy | can
get my forty winks on the floor. So
that's settled, and you mustn't have me
on your conscience. That's sense, amt
1t, Mrs. DUMP"
Mrs. Corcoran Dunn did not deign a
reply. Caroline answered for her.
Every we'll" she said coldly. Step
ping to the desk she rang a bell. The
butler appeared In the doorway.
Edwards" said Miss Warren, "this
gentleman" Indicating the captain, SIS
to be our guest for the present, You
may show him to his rOom-the blue
room, / think. If it Is not ready see
that it Is made So"
Eyes, Miss Caroline" replied Ed
,rnr11 Dntlrlnu IN tho hill hn rnflrn-
ed with the suit case.
avn you wish to go to your room
at once, sir?" he asked.
"Why | guess might as well, com
modorc," answered Captain Elisha,
smiling. Little soap and water won't
do no harm. Fact is, | feels If twas
n prescription to be recommended. You
needn't tote that %valisc, though" he
added. "'Tain't heavy, and I've lugged
1t 50 fur already scnce | got off the cur
that | feel kind of lonesome without it,"
The butler, not knowing exactly how
10 answer, grinned sheepishly. Captain
Elisha turned to Mrs. Dunn and her
son.
"Well, good afternoon, ma'am," he
said. "Tm real glad to have made your
acquaintance. Yours, too, sir" with a
nod toward Malcolm. "Your mother
told me what a friend Of the young
folks you was and, as I'm sort Of actin
pilot for 'em just now, In u way OF
spcakin', any friend Of theirs ought to
be u friend OF mine. Hope to e you
often, Mr.. Dunn"
The young IA addressed smiled.
with amusement not at all concealed,
and languidly admitted that he was
charmed"
When the captain finally departed,
preceded by Edwards and the suit
case, Stephen Warren threw himself
violently into a chair by the window.
Young Dunn laughed aloud. His moth
er flashed an indignant glance at him
and then hurried to Caroline.
"You poor dear" she exclaimed, put
ting an arm about the girls shoulder.
Don't mind us, please don't. Nal
colin and l mderstand-that is, We
know how you feel and
ooh, but you don't know, Mrs.
Dunn cried Caroline, almost in tears
You don't understand. It's so much
worse than you think. IL Oh, why
did father do 1t? How could he be SC
inconsidcrate?"
"rherc, thcrc!" purrcd the friend OF
the family. "You mustn't, you know
You really mustn't. Who Is this man
This uncle? Where does he come from
Why does he force himself upon you
in this way? | didn't know your poor
father had n brother"
Neither did We" growled Stephen
sayagely. Malcolm laughed again.
What does it all mean, dear?'
begged Mrs. Dunn. you are in trou
BILE, I'm sure. Don't you think We