The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1918-06-07
Cap'n Warren's Wards
By Joseph c. Lincoln
gttyD

Copyright by D. Appleton q Coz

her learnin' by experience won't come
too late to save her from what shell
be awful sorry for by and by"
"It must" declared the lawyer, with
decision. You must see to 1t, Cap
tain Warren. You are her guardian
She is absolutely under your charge
She can do nothing of importance un
less you consent
"Yup; that's so, for one more year
just one, remember. Then she'll be
of age. and l can't say 'BooI And hel
share of Bijc's money'H be hers too
And don't you believe that that fact
has slipped Sister Dunn's memory.
amt on deck to head her off now. II
she puts Malcolm up to gettin' Caroline
to give her word and Caroline gives
it-well, l know my niece. She's hon
orable, and she'll stick to her promise
if it runs her on the rocks. And heI
majesty Dunn knows that too. There
fore, the cat bein' away, she carlates
noW's the time to make sure of the
cheese"
But the cat can come back. The
song says it did, you know
"Um-hm! And got another kick,
shouldn't wonder! However, my
claws'n stay sharp for year or there,
abouts, and if it comes to a shindy
therell be some tall scratchin' afore
climb q tree. Keep a weather eye on
what goes on, won't you?
ON
81 do. And, say, for goodness sakes
put me out of my misery regardin' that
rock or lighthouse on Bije's chart
soon's ever you settle which it ISL
Certainly! And, remember, don't
worry. 1t may be a lighthouse OF
port very soon.'
But in spite Of his promise Sylvester
did not report during the following
week or the next. Meanwhile his
client tried his best to keep the new
mystery from troubling his thoughts
and succeeded only partially. The cap
tain's days and evenings were quiet
and monotonouS. He borrowed a book
or two from Mrs. Hepton's meager
library, read, walked good deal, gen
orally along the water front, and wrote
daily letters to Miss Baker. He and
portion of each day. The author. fight
ing down his detection and discourage
ment, set himself resoluteiy to work
once more on the novel, and his nau
tical adviser was called in for frequent
consultation. The story. however
progressed but slowly. There was
something lacking. Each knew what
that something was, but neither
,named it.
One evening Pearson entered the
room tenanted by his friend to find
the latter seated beside the table, his
shoes partially unlaced and a pair OF
big slippers ready for putting on.
Captain" said the visitor, you look
so comfortable l hate to disturb you"
Captain Elisha, red faced and pant
ing. desisted from the unlacing and
Strengthened in his chair.
"Whewr' he puffed. Jim, your re-
marks prove that your experience OF
the world amt as big as it ought tc
be- When you get to my age and
waist measure you'll realize that stoop
in over and comfort don't go together
l hope to be comfortable pretty soon
but 1 shan't be till them boots are off
Set down. The agony'u be over in 8
minute"
Pearson declined to sit. Not yet,
he said. "And you let those shoes
alone until you hear what I've got tc
say. A newspaper friend of mine has
sent me two tickets for the opera to
night 1 want you to go with me-"
Captain Elisha was surprised.
ITO the opera?" he repeated. "Why
that's "a sort of singin' theater, ain't
it?"
Yes. You're fond of music; you
told me so. And Aida is beautiful
Come on. 1t will do US both good"
Hum! Well, don't know"
81 do. Get ready"
The captain looked at his callers
evening clothes.
'Nvhat do you mean by gettin
ready?" he asked. you've got or
your regimentals, open front and all
MY uniform is the huntin' case kind
| fits in better with church sociables and