Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-03-19

hlm7 Have your"
you-was that where you were last
night? Why did you 60 to him? What
did you sayT
II said-I said-never mind what !
said. He agrees with me, I can tell
you that. You'll thank your stars I did
60 before very long. I-s-sh. here's
Sylvester
The door Of the room opened. The
person who entered, however, was not
the lawyer, but the very man Of whom
they had been speaking, Captain Elisha
himself. He closed the door behind him.
"Hello, Stevie," he said, with q nod
to the boy. Then, turning to his niece,
he stepped forward and held out his
hand. Caroline" he began, II don't
doubt you're surprised to see me here,
but l. Why, what's the matterT
The faces Of the pair led him to ask
the question. Stephens face was red,
and he looked embarrassed and guilty.
Caroline's was white, and she glanced
from her brother to her guardian and
back again with flashing eyes.
Captain Warren, my brother has
hinted-he has said What does he
mean by hUlding some one to a prom
ise? Answer me truthfully."
81 shouldn't answer you any other
way, Caroline. Steve seems to be wor-
ried about the young man you're en-
gagged to. He seems to cal'late that
Mr.. Dunn may want to slip out Of that
engagement"
His niece looked at him. Then she
turned to her brother. "You went to
him and oh. how could your
Stephen would not meet her gaze.
"Well," he muttered rebelliously, "why
wouldn't I? You know yourself that
Nal hasn't been near you since It hap
pened. II he wasn't after-if he was
straight, he would have come, wouldn't
hep
"Stopr' She cut him short imperious-
ly. Don't make me hate you. And
you" turning to her uncle, "did you
listen and believe such things? Oh, I
know what you think of my friends! I
heard it from your own lips. And I
know why you think 1t. Because they
know what you are, because they ex-
posed you and"-
"There, therel Caroline, you needn't
90 on. I've heard your opinion OF my
character afore. Never mind me for
the minute. And, If you'll remember,
amt said that I doubted Jour young
man. You told me that you thought
the world and all of him and that he
did of you. That's enough-or ought
to be. But your brother says you
wrote him two days ago and he amt
been near you"
II misdlrected the letter. he didn't
receive It."
"Um.hm. see. That would explain. "
"Of course 1t would. That must be
the reason. Do You suppose II he were
as poor as-as I am that I would de
sert himl You know I wouldn't
should be glad-yes, almost happy-be
cause then I could show him-could"-
Her voice failed her. She put bel
handkerchief to her eyes for an instant
and then snGtched It away and faced
them, her head erect. The pride in hel
face was reflected in Captain Elisha'i
IN ho rooa rfIod her
mo, no." he said gently; II never
supposed you'd act but In one way
Caroline. knew you. II Malcolm'l
what he'd ought to be. said, he'll bt
glad Of the chance to prove how
much he cares for you. But Steve ap
peared to have some misgivin's, and *
It seemed to me that. his doubts ough'
to be settled. And" rising - there
came a tap at the door, u carlats
they're goin' to be-"
He walked briskly over and openet
the door. Sylvester was standing with
out, and with him were Mrs. Corcora1
Dunn snQ Malcolm