The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1918-07-04
CHAPTER xVl.-Continued.

caroline, crimson with mortlhcat1on,
protested Indignantly.
MIR. Sylvester" she said, ut is not
necessary to-
Excuse me"-her uncles tone was
sharper and more stern-"I think 1t is.
Go on, Sylvester"
The lawyer looked far from comfort
able, but he spoke at once and to the
point
81 should have told you and your son
just this, Mrs. Dunn" he said. II init
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 lief: PENN.
less"
1t was blunt, beyond doubt. Even
Captain Elisha WINGED at the word
"penniless." Caroline, swaying, put
hand on the table to steady herself.
THANK you, Mr.. Sylvester" said the
captain quietly. "I'll see you again in
few moments"
The lawyer bowed and left the room,
evidently glad to escape. Captain Eli
sha turned to Mrs. Dunn.
And now, ma'am," he observed,
that part of the business is over. My
niece is poor girl. She needs some
body to support her and look out for
her. She's got that somebody, we're
all thankful to say. She's engaged to
Mr. Malcolm here. l understand from
Steve that Malcolms been mighty anX-
ious to have the weddin' day hurried
along. l can't say as l blame him.
And think the sooner they're married
the better. Now, how soon can we
make it, Mrs. DUNN"
Caroline gazed at her guardian in
Mortified amaZement. why" she cried.
"You-you- What do you mean by
SUCH
Don't be an idiot, Caro-" cut in her
brother. IL told you to be sensible.
Captain Warren's dead right"
Steve, you stay out of this" There
was no misunderstanding the captains
tone. 'When l want your opinion I'll
ask for it. And, Caroline, | want you
to stay out too. This is my trick at
the wheel. Mrs. Dunn, what dyou
say? Never mind the young folks. You
md me know that marriage is bust
ness, same as everything else. How
soon can we have the weddin'T'
Mrs Dunn had apparently nothing to
say-to him. She addressed her next
remark to Caroline.
MY DEAR" she said, in great agita-
ton, this is really too dreadful. This
-er-guardian of yours appears to
think he is in some barbarous country
-savages about. Come, Malcolm, take
her away"
NO" Captain Elisha stepped In front
of the door. "She amt goln' and I'd
rather you wouldn't go yet. Let's set
tie this up now. Well, Mr.. Dunn"
turning to the groom to be, you're
one of the interested parties-what do
you say?"
Malcolm ground his heel into the rug.
81 don't consider 1t your business" he
declared. "You're butting in where
mo, no, amt. It's my business, and
business is just what 1t is. There's a
business contract between you and my
niece. We want to know how soon II
can be carried out, that's all"
The young man looked desperately at
the door, but the captains broad shoul.
ders blocked the way toward it. He
hesitated, scowled, and then, with a
shrug of his shoulders, surrendered.
How can I marry2" he demanded
sullenly. "Confound it My salary
isn't large enough to pay my own way
decently."
"Malcolm!" cried his mother warn.
ingly.
well, mater, what the devils the
use of all this? You know BY Jove
you ought to!"
Hold on, young Teller! l don't un
derstand. Your wages amt large
enough, you say? What do you mean
You was goin' to be married, WASH
you? Caroline, don't you say word
You say-you"-addressing Malcolm
shat you can't support wife on you
wages. You could scrape along, couldn'
you? Hey? Couldn't your"
Malcolm's answer was another scorn
full shrug. you belong on Cape Cod, ;
he sneered. mater, let's get out OF
this"
"Wait! Put 1t plain new. Do un
derstand that you cal'late to break thu