The Raymer enterprise., 1918-12-19

"0h, Steve" she exclaimed, hes
gone!"
Gone? Who?"
Captain Warren. He's gone"
Gomez Gone where? Caro-, you don't
mean he's-deadt"
NO; he's gohe-gone and left us"
Her brothers expression changed TO
incredulous Joy.
"What?" he shouted. you mean he's
quit, cleared out, left here for good?'
"Yes."
"Hurrah! Excuse me while | gloat
Hurrahl ! We got II through his skull
at last Is 1t possible? But-but hold
on! Perhaps It's too good to be true.
Are you sure? How do you know
"He says so. See
She handed him the letter. II was
addressed to "My Dear Caroline and
In 1t Captain Elisha stated his inten-
tons succinctly. After the plain speak
ing Of the previous evening he should
not, OF course. burden them with his
society any longer. He was leaving
that morning. and as soon as he 40.
Gated permanent moorings somewhere
else would notify his niece and neph.
ew Of his whereabouts:
For. as | told you. although shall not
impose my company on you. I am your
guardian same as ever. will see that
your allowance comes TO you regular, In
cluding enough for all household bills and
pay for the hired help. and so on. II you
need any extras at any time let me know,
and II they seem to me right and proper
| will send money for them. You will
stay where you are. Caroline. and Steyie
must go back 10 college right away. Tell
him l say so. and II he does not l shall
begin reducing his allowance according as
| wrote him. lie will understand what
mean. And, Caroline, | want you and
steyie to feel that | am your anchor to
wlndward. and when you get in a tight
place, II you ever do, you can depend on
me Last nights talk has no bearing on
that whatever. Goodhy. then. until my
next ELISHA WARREN.
Stephen read this screed to the end.
then crumpled It in his fist and threw
It angrily on the floor.
The nerve," he exclaimed He
seems to think I'm a sailor on one Of
his ships, to be ordered around as he
sees tit. III go back to college when
I'm good and ready, not before"
Caroline shook her head. "Oh, no.
she said You must go today. He's
right, Steve; It's the thing for you to
do He and l were agreed as to that.
And you wouldn't stay and make 1t
harder for me, would you. dearT'
He growled reluctant assent. Il
suppose | shall have to 60" he said
sullenly. my allowance is too beastly
small to have him cutting 1t. and the
old shark would do that very thing.
He'd take delight in doing 1t, eonfound
him. Well, he knows what we think
Of him. That's some comfort"
She did not answer. He looked At
her curiously.
why, hang 1t oil. Caro-" he exclaiu.
ed In disgust. what ails your Bless.
ed X shan't begin to believe you're
sorry he's gone. You act as II you
were.
mo. I'm not. OF course I'm not
rm-I'm glad. He couldn't stay. of
course. But I'm afraid-I can't help
feeling that you and | were too harsh
last night. We said things-dreadful
things
BE hanged! We didn't say half
enough. Oh, don't be fool. Caro-! 1
was just beginning to be proud Of your
grit. And now you want to take II all
back. Answer me, now, Are you sorry
he's gonef'
'No. No, I'm not, really. But IL
feel somehow as if--as II everything
was on my shoulders You're going
away and he's gone and-what l. 1t,
EdwardsT'
Tie butler entered with a small par.
eel In his hand.
Il beg your pardon, Miss Caroline
he said. Il should have given you this
last evening. 1t was by your place at
he table. I think Captain Warren put
It there, miss"
He bowed and retired. The girl sat
turning the little white boz In her
hands.
"He left 1t for me-" she said. what
can 1t beT
Her brother snatched It impatiently.
why don't you open 1t and find out7"