The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-07-27

Oh, steve, sne exclaimed, ne
gonew
"Gone? Who"
Captain Warren. He's gone"
Gone? Gone where? Caro-, you don't
mean he's-dead?" . d..
mo; he's gone--gone and left u.s."
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 I gloat
Hurrah We got it through his skull
at last Is it possible? But-but hold
onl Perhaps it's too good to be true.
Are you sure? How do you known
''He says so. See.'
She handed him the letter. It was
addressed to "My Dear Caroline" and
in it 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 90
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
| II, L. 4. L H.GN
pay for the hired help, and so on. If you
need any extras at any time let me know
and If they seem to me right and proper
l will send money for them. You will
stay where you are, Caroline, and Stevie
must go back to college right away. Tel
him I say so, and If he does not I shall
begin reducing his allowance according as
/ wrote him. He will understand what
mean. And, Caroline, ! want you ant
Stevie to feel that am your anchor Il
windward, and when you get in tight
place, II you ever do, you can depend or
me. Last nights talk has no bearing or
that whatever Goodby, then, until my
next. ELISHA WARREN.
Stephen read this screed to the end
then crumpled 1t in his fist and threw
it angrily on the floor.
1.-THE nerve!' he exclaimed. "Ht
seems to think I'm sailor on one Of
his ships, to be ordered around as ht
sees fit. III go back to college wher
I'm good and ready, not before"
Caroline shook her head. ooh, NOT
she said. "You must go today. He''
right, Steve; it's the thing for you tt
do. He and l were agreed as to that
And you wouldn't stay and make i
harder for me, would you, dear?'
He growled a reluctant assent q.
suppose l shall have to co." he sale
sullenly. "My allowance is too BEAST.
small to have him cutting it, and thu
old shark would do that very thing
He'd take delight In doing it, confount
him. Well, he knows what we thinl
of him. That's some comfort"
She did not answer. He looked q
her curiously.
"Why, hang it all, Caro-" he exclaim
ed in disgust, what ais you? Bless
ed if l shan't begin to believe your,
sorry he's gone. You act as If yor
WERE
"No, I'm not OF course I'm rot
I'm-I'm glad. He couldn't stay, O
course. But I'm afraid--I can't bell
feeling that you and l were too harsl
last night. We said things-dreadfu
things
"Be hanged! We didn't say hal
enough. Oh, don't be a fool, Carol
was just beginning to be proud of you
grit. And now you want to take it al
back. Answer me, now, Are you rorry
he's gomez"
mo. No, I'm not, really. But T.
! feel somehow as if-as If everythin,
was on my shoulders. You're goin,
away and he's gone and-what is 1t
EdwardsW
The butler entered with a small par
Gel in his hand.
II beg your pardon, Miss Caroline
he said. Il should have given you thi
last evening. 1t was by your place a
the table. / think Captain Warren pu
it there, miss"
He bowed and retired. The girl sa
turning the little white box in he
| hands.
"He left it for me-" she ssid. "Wha
can it beT
Her brother snatched 1t ipapatiently.
l @Why don't you open 1t and find out =