The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-06-22
Captain Elisha pulled thoughtfully at

Captain Elisha pulled thoughtfully al
his beard.
"Humph!" he grunted. "Humph
Then I cal'late maybe He took q
step toward the door, stopped, turned
back and said with calm decision: II
guess I'd better stay. You won't mind
me, Caroline-you and Stephen. You
mustn't. AS I said, ] amt comply.
I'm one of the family, your pas broth.
er, and I've come some considerable
ways to see you two young folks and
talk with you. I've come because your
Do asked me to. I'm used to roughin'
it, been to sea a good many wages,
and IL 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. DUNN"
Mrs. Corcoran Dunn did not deign q
reply. Caroline answered for her.
every WE'LL" she said coldly. Step
ping to the desk she rang 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 1t is made So"
"Yes, Miss Caroline" replied Ed
wards. Retiring to the hall, he return
ed with the suit case.
twill you wish to go to your room
at once, sir?" he asked.
"Why, guess I might as well, COM
modore," answered Captain Elisha,
smiling. Little soap and water won't
do no harm. Fact is, feels if twas
a prescription to be recommended. You
needn't tote that valise, though" he
added. "'Tain't heavy, and I've lugged
it so fur already sence got off The car
that / feel kind Of lonesome without it. /"
The butler, not knowing exactly how
to answer, grinned sheepishly. Captain
Elisha turned to Mrs. Dunn and her
son.
"Well, good afternoon, ma'am," he
said. "Im real glad to have made your
acquaintance. Yours, too, sir" with
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 way OF
speakin', any friend of theirs ought to
be @ frieaa of mine. Hope to see you
often, Mr.. Dunn"
The young man 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
err flashed an indignant glance at him
and then hurried to Caroline.
"You poor dearP' she exclaimed, put
ting an arm about the girls shoulder.
Don't mind US, please don't. Nal.
colin and l understand-that is, we
know how you feel and''-
"Oh, 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 it? How could he be SC
inconsiderateP
"There, there!" purred 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 brother"
Neither did we," growled Stephen
savagely. 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