The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-08-24
CHAPTER XVI.
The Unmaskinq of tho Dunns.

lTAROLINE sat by the library win.
~ dow, her chin in her hand, dreari.
ly watching the sleet as 1t beat
against the panes and the tops OF the
park trees flashing In the wind.
Stephen uttered an exclamation
"Some ones at the door," he explain.
ed. "It's Sylvester. Of course. III lei
him In"
It was not the lawyer, but a messen.
ger boy with a note. Stephen returned
to the library with the missive in bis
hand.
HE couldn't get here, Caro-" ne said
excitedly. wants us to come right
down to his Office. Come! Rushi II
may be important"
The cab made good time, and they
soon reached the Pine street offices.
Hope he doesn't keep US waiting
long," Steve fumed. II thought, OF
course, he was ready or he wouldn't
have sent for u.s."
"Ready?" His sister looked at him
Questioningly. Ready for whatT she
repeated, with sudden suspicion. "Steve,
do you know what Mr.. Sylvester wishes
to see us about?'
Her brother colored and seemed bit
disconnected.
"See here, Caro-" he said, maybe I
do know something, or I can guest
Now, whatever happens, you've got tp
be sensible girl. Somebody in th#
family must use common sense, and
when 1t comes to holding a person IA
a promise then-confound II, Sis, wa
can't starve. can weT'
"What do you meanr She rose and
advanced toward him. "What do yo&
mean by Gromise2 What hs.-aagpS
been DOING" III
II haven't done anything" he grun&
bled-"that is. I've done what any red
sonable fellow would do. I'm not th&
only one who thinks. Look here, we've
got guardian, haven't wet" 4
"A guardianl A guardian! stephen
Warren. have you been to him? Have
you--was that where you were Lash
night7 Why did you go to him2 What
did you say" "a
II said said--never mind what !
said. He agrees with me, / can tell
you that. You'll thank your stars did
go before very long. I-s-sh. here's
Sylvester
The door of the room opened. The
person who entered, however, was not
the lawyer, but the very man Of whom
they had been speaking, Captain Elisha
himself. He closed the door behind him.
"Hello, Stevie," he said, with nod
to the boy. Then, turning to his niece,
he stepped forward and held out his
hand. Caroline" he began, II don't
doubt you're surprised to see mo here,
but + Why, what's the matterw
The faces Of the pair led him to ask
the question. Stephens face was red,
and he looked embarrassed and guilty.
Caroline's was white, and she glanced
from her brother to her guardian and
back again with flashing eyes.
captain Warren, my brother has
hinted-he has said What does he
mean by holding some one to prom
ise7 Answer me truthfully."
| II shouldn't answer you any other
way. Caroline. Steve seems to be wor-
ried about the young man you're en-
gagged to. He seems to cal'late that
MIR. Dunn may want to slip out of that
engagement"
His niece looked at him. Then she
turned to her brother. "You went to
him and Oh. how could your
Stephen would not meet her gaze.
"Well." he muttered rebelliously, "why
wouldn't III You know yourself that
NAL hasn't been near You since 1t hap
pened. If he wasn't after--if he was
straight he would have come, wouldn't
her
"Stopr She cut him short imperioug-
~. Don't make me hate you. And
yOu." turning to her uncle, did you
listen and believe such things2 oh, /
know what you think Of my friendsl I
heard It from your own lips. And
know why you think 1t. Because they
| AA~NVs' "Ant JVu &AtCS pCCdubc CuGY EA.
posed you and
"There, there! Caroline, You needn't
go on. I've heard your opinion Of my
character afore. Never mind ME for
the minute. And, If you'll remember,
/ amt said that ! doubted your young
man. You told me that ycu thought
the world and all If him and that he
did Of you. That's enough--or ought
to lie. But your brother says you
wrote him two days ago and he amt
been near you" VI
Il misdirected the letter. He didn't
receive It."
"Um-hm. see. That would explain y,
"Of course it wouId. That must be
the reason. Do you suppose If he were