Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-01-29

my way where I amt wanted. But
it seemed to take 80 long to make the
admiral here understand that I was
goin' to wait until Caroline came back
that I thought I'd save time and
breath by provin' it to him. I didn't
know there was any company. Ex-
cuse me, ma'am. I won't bother you.
III just come to anchor out here in
the entry. Don't mind me-"
"Why," Mrs. Dunn exclaimed in an
alarmed whisper-"why, I never heard
of such brazen impertinence in my life.
He must be insane. He Is lunadc,
isn't he, Edwards"
The butler shook his head. Ill
don't know, ma'am," he stammered.
'T believe he is." Mrs. Dunn's pres
ence Of mind was returning and with
it her courage. Her forid cheeks
| famed q more vivid red, and her eyes
snapped. "But, whether he is or not,
he shan't bulldoze me-"
She strobe majestically to the door.
The visitor was seated in the hall,
| calmly reading newspaper. Hat and
suit case were on the floor beside him.
"What do you mean by this?" de-
manded the lady. "Who are you? II
you have any business here state 1t at
once"
The man glanced at her over his
spectacles, rose and stood looking down
at her. His expression was pleasant,
and he was remarkably cool.
Eyes, ma'am," he said gravely. "I1l
be glad to tell you who am If you'd
like to have me. haven't made any
mistake, have I? understood your
steward-the feller with the brass but
tons-to say that Abijah Warren's
children lived here. That's so. amt it :?
| II not, then am mistaken"
Mrs. Dunn regarded him with indig-
nation. "You are" she said coldly.
1.-THE family of the late Mr.. Rodgers
Warren lives here. presume the
slight resemblance In names misled
you. Edwards, show the gentleman
out"
"Just one moment more, ma'am. It
was Rodgers Warren's children was
lookin' for. A. Rodgers Warren he
called himself, didn't he7 Yes. Well,
the A stood for Abijah; that was his
Christian name. And he left two chill
dren, Caroline and Stephen? Good!
thought for a jiffy I'd blundered in
where had no business, but it's all
right you see, ma'am, I'm their un-
Gle from South Denboro, Mass. My
name Is Elisha Warren"
Mrs. Dunn gasped. Edwards, peer.
Ing over her shoulder, breathed heav.
lily.
"You are-their unclef" repeated the
lady.
Eyes, ma'am. I'm Bites brother.
Oh, don't worry; it's all right. And
don't fret yourself about me either.
I'll set right down out here and read
my paper and wait till Caroline or
Stephen get home. They're expectn'
me. Mr.. Graves, the lawyer, told 'em
I was comm"
He calmly seated himself and ad-
justed his spectacles. Mrs. Dunn step
ped back into the library and walked
| to the window. She beckoned with
an agitated finger to the butler, who
joined her.
Edwards" she whispered, did you
hear what he said7 Is it true%
"I don't know. ma'am."
did Mr.. Warren have brother?"
II didn't know that he had, ma'am."
"Do you-do you think it likely that
he would have a brother hke-hke
thatT
~ don't know, ma'am."
"Was Miss Caroline expecting himr
'T don't know, ma'am. She
"Oh, you don't know anythingl
You're impossible. Go awayp'
Eyes, ma'am," said Edwards thank.
fully, and went.
Mrs. Corcoran Dunn stood for some
minutes by the window, thinking, or
trying to think, way to the truth OF
this astounding development Finally
she creakingly crossed the room and
spoke.
"Mr. Warren" she said, II feel
guilty in keeping you out there. Won't
you come In to the library"
"why. thank you, ma'am, I'm all
right. Don't trouble about me. Go
right on with your readin' or sewin'
or knittin' or whatever you was doin'
and
$50 you are the late Mr.. Warren's
brotherT asked the lady, making her
first lead in the game.
eyes, ma'am. His older brother.
Bile was ten years younger'n I am,
Mrs.-er-
dunn. / am an old friend Of the
family"
THAT'S good. I'm glad to hear
they've got friends. When you're IN
sickness or trouble or sorrer, friend
ship counts for considerable. How are
the young folks Caroline and Stephen
-pretty smart, hey"
"smartf Why, they are intelligent,
naturally. r.
'No, no. I mean are they pretty
well"
every well, indeed, considering the
shock Of their recent bereavement"
Eyes, yes. OF course. And they've
moved, too. Novin's an awful job.
They say three movin's are as bad as
fire, but I caIlate I'd rather burn
up a set Of carpets than pull 'em up,
specially II they was insured. Tain't
half so much strain on your religion.
remember the last time we took up
our carpets at home, Abbie-she's my
second cousin, keepin' house for me-
said II gettin' down on my knees has
that effect on me she'd never ask me
to 60 to prayer meetin' again. Ho,
kog'
He chuckled. Mrs. Dunn elevated
her nose and looked out Of the win.
dow. Then she led another small
trump.
"You say that Miss Caroline and her
brother expect you," she said. You
surprise me. Are you sureT
"Oh, yes, ma'am; I'm sure. When
Mr.. Graves came down to see me, last
week twas, told him to say I'd be
| up pretty soon to look the ground over.