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

They were past the sin before Cap.
tain Elisha's greeting caused them to
turn and see the three already there.
Mrs. Dunn, who was In the lead, STOP
ped short In her majestic though creak.
ing march Of entrance, and her forid
face turned a brighter crimson. Her
son, strolling laRguidly at her heels,
started violently and dropped his hat.
Mrs. Dunn had come to the Offices of
Sylvester, Kuhn & Graves at the senior
partners request to be told, as she sup
posed, the full and final details Of the
financial disaster threatening the War
rem family. II those details should
prove the disaster as overwhelming as
1t appeared, then-well, then, certain
disagreeable duties must be performed.
But to meet the girl to whom her son
was engaged and her brother and her
guardian thus Unexpectedly and unpre-
pared was enough to shake the compo-
sure and nerve Of even such a veteran
campaigner as Mrs. NJ. Corcorm Dunn.
But Of the three to whom the meet
ing was an absolute surprise Caroline,
Malcolm and herself-she was charac-
teristically the first to regain outward
serenity.
my dear childw she cried. my
dear girl! I'm so glad to see you! I've
thought Of you so much! And I pity
you 80. Poor Malcolm has-Malcolm," !"
sharply, "come here! Don't you see
Gardiner
Malcolm was cropping nervously for
his hat. He picked it up and obeyed
his mothers summons, though with no
great eagerness.
"How dye do, Gardiner" he STAN
mered confusedly. "I-I-it's a deuce
Of a surprise to see you down here.
The mater and didn't expect-that is,
we scarcely hoped to meet any one but
Sylvester. He sent for us, you know"
He extended his hand. She did not
take It.
did you get my letter% she asked
quickly.
"Yes-er-yes, I got 1t, Caroline. l.
by Jove, you know
Captain Elisha stepped forward.
excuse me for interruptin', ma am"
he said, addressing the ruff1ed matron,
but Mr.. Sylvester told me you and
your son had an appointment with him
for this afternoon. Now, there was
something that we-or /, anyhow
wanted to talk with you about, so I
thought you might as well make one
Job Of it. Sylvester's a pretty busy
man. and I know he has other things
to attend to, so why not let him go
ahead and tell you what you come to
hear, and then we can take up the
other part by ourselves. Amt that q
good ideaT'
"I-we did have an appointment with
Mr.. Sylvester" Mrs. Dunn admitted
reluctantly, "but the business was not
important. And" haughtily. II do not
care to discuss it here"
The captain opened his eyes. "Hey%
he exclaimed. mot important? Twas
about the real size Of your fathers es-
tate, Caroline" turning to the girl. II
thought Mrs. Dunn and Mr.. Malcolm
must think twas important, for l un-
derstand they've been telephonin' and
askin' for appointments for the last
two days. AS to discussin' 1t here" he
went on with bland innocence, why,
we're all family folks, same as I said,
and there amt any secrets between US
on that subject. Heave ahead, Mr..
Sylvester"
Caroline, crimson with modification,
protested Indignantly.
"Mr. Sylvester" she said, 1T is not
necessary to-
Excuse me"-her uncle's tone was
sharper and more stern-'T think 1t Is.
Go on, Sylvester"
The lawyer looked far from comfort
able, but he spoke at once and to the
point.
II should have told you and your son
just this, Mrs. Dunn" he said. Il ind.
mated it before, and Miss Warren had
already written you the essential facts.
A new and unexpected development,
the nature Of which am not at liberty
to disclose now or later, makes Abijah
Warren's estate absolutely bankrupt
not only that, but many thousand dol.
lars In debt. his heirs are left PENN.
less"
It was blunt, beyond doubt. Even
Captain Elisha WINGED at the word
"penniless." Caroline, swaying, put q
hand on the table to steady herself.
"Thank you. Mr.. Sylvester" said the
captain quietly. I'll see you again In
a few moments"
The lawyer bowed and left the room,
evidently glad to escape. Captain ELL
sha turned to Mrs. Dunn.
"And now, ma'am," he observed,
chat part Of the business Is over. My
niece is a poor girl. She needs some
body to support her and look out for
her. She's got that somebody, were
all thankful to say. She's engagea TO