The Raymer enterprise., 1918-12-19

ing house, looking out Mt the snow COW
cred roofs sparkling In the sun, was
miserable. When he retired the night
before 1t was with q solemn oath to
forget Caroline Warren altogether; to
put her and her father and the young
cad. her brother. utterly from his mind,
never to be thought Of again.
Why-why had he been 10 weak as
to yield to Captain Elisha's advice?
Why had he not acted ike a sensible,
self respecting man, done what he
knew was right and persisted In his
refusal TO visit the Warrens? Whyi
Because he was an idiot, Of course-a
hopeless idiot, who had got exactly
what he deserved. Which bit Of phi.
losophy did not help make his refiec-
tons less bitter.
After breakfast he went to his room,
seated himself at his desk and took the
manuscript Of his novel from the
drawer
He was still sitting there, twirling
an idle pencil between his fingers,
when he heard steps outside his door.
Some one knocked.
well. what is it1' he asked.
His landlady answered.
"Mr. Pearson she said, may l see
your
He threw down the pencil and, ris-
Ing, walked to the door and opened It.
Mrs. Hepton was waiting in the hall.
She seemed excited.
Mr.. Pearson" she said, will you
step downstairs with me for q mo-
ment? / have a surprise for you.
"A surprise? What sort of q sur
prise?"
oh, a pleasant one-at least think
1t Is going to be a pleasant one for all
OF us. But I'm not going to tell you
what 1t is. You must come down and
see for yourself"
On the second floor Mrs. Hepton
stopped and pointed.
It's In there she said. pointing.
There" was the room formerly oc-
cupied by Mr.. Saks, the long haired
artist. Since his departure 1t had been
vacant Mrs. Hepton took Pearson by
the arm and, leading him to the door,
threw the latter open.
Here he is." she said.
Hello. JIM" hailed Captain Elisha
Warren cheerfully. "Ship ahoyi Glad
to see you"
He was standing In the middle Of the
room, his hat on the table and bis
hands in his pockets.
Pearson was surprised was no
doubt OF that-not so much at the sighr
OF his friend-he had expected to see
or hear from the captain before the
day was oyer-as at seeing him In that
room. He could not understand what
he was doing there.
Captain Elisha noted his bewildered
expression and chuckled.
Come aboard. Jimw he commanded.
Come In and inspect. I'll see you
later, Mrs. Hepton," he added, "and
give you my final word, want to
hold Offices council with Mr.. Pearson
here fust."
Pearson began to get 4 clew to the
situation.
Captain Warren" he demanded,
have you-do you mean to say you've
taken this room to live in?"
mo. amt said all that yet. want.
ed to talk with you little afore said
1t. But that was my idea If you and
agreed on sartin matters"
You've come here to live! You've
left your-your niece's houseT'
"Ya-as, I've left-that is, | left the
way the Irishman left the stable where
they kept the mule. He said there was
all outdoors In front of him and only
two feet behind. That's about the way
twas with me-"
Have your nephew and nieces-
"Um-hm! They hintcd that my room
was better than my company, and,
take 1t by and large. I guess they was
right, for the present anyhow. l set
up till 3 O'Clock thinkin' 1t over, and
then I decided to get out afore break.
fast this mornin'. I didn't walt for
any goodbys. They'd been said, or Ill
| cared to hear"-Captain Elishas
smile disappeared for an instant-alast
evenin'. The dose was sort OF bitter,
but 1t had the necessary effect. At
any rate. l didn't banker for another
one. / remembered what your land.
lady told me when l was here afore,
about this stateroom bein' vacated, and
l come down to look at It It suits me