Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-02-26

is too much trouble, and second, that it
amt necessary. You can come home once
In awhile to see your sister, but you
mustn't do It till I cay the word. II you
DO shall take tho car fare out Of your al
lowance, likewise board while you are here
and stop that allowance for q month as q
sort Of fine for mutiny, 30 you better
think It over SPELL And Il I was you
wouldn't write Caroline that 7 was coming
or thinking Of coming till had my mind
made up. She believes you are working
hard ct your lessons shouldn't disap-
point her, especially as II wouldn't be any
use. Your affectionate uncle,
ELISHA WARREN.
The result Of all this was that Ste.
phen, whose finances were already in
q precarious condition, did think It
over and decided not to take the risk.
Also. conscious that his sister sided
with their guardian to the extent Of
believing the university the best place
for him at present, he tore up the long
letter Of grievance which he had writ
ten her and In that which took its
place mentioned merely that he was
grinding like blazes," and the only
satisfaction he got from it was his re-
moval from the society Of the "old
tyrant from Cape Cod"
He accepted the tyrant's invitation
to return for the week end and his sis
ter's birthday with no hesitation what.
ever, and his letter Of acceptance was
80 polite as to be almost humble.
He arrived on an early train Satur-
day morning. Caroline met him at the
station, and the Dunns, car conveyed
him to the latter's residence, where
they were to spend the day. The Dunns
and Caroline had been together almost
constantly since one evening when
Malcolm and his mother interrupted
the reading of the novel. The former,
while processing to be harassed by
business cares, sacrificed them to the
extent Of devoting at least a part Of
each twenty-four hours to the young
lady's society. She was rarely allowed
to be alone with her uncle, circum.
stance which troubled her much less
than It did him. He missed the even.
ings which he had enjoyed so much,
and the next consultation over the ad.
ventures Of Pearson's "Uncle Jim" and
his "Mary" seemed fat and uninterest.
ing without criticism and advice.
The author himself noticed the dif.
ference.
"Rotr' he exclaimed, throwing the
manuscript aside In disgust. "It's rot
isn't It'll II can't turn out better stufl
than that I'd better quit. And thought
It was pretty decent, too, until to.
night"
Captain Elisha shook his head. III
don't seem quite so shipshape some.
how" he admitted, "but I guess likely
it's cause my heads full Of other
things just now. I'm puzzled most to
death to know what to get for Caro-.
lines birthday. I want to get her
somethin' shell like, and she's got
pretty nigh everything under the sun
Say, Jim, you've been workin' too hard
yourself. Why don't you take tomor.
row of and cruise around the stores
helpin' me pick out a present Come
ahead-dor'
They spent the next afternoon In
that "cruise," visiting department
stores, jewellers and art shops innumer
able. Captain Elisha was hard to
please, and his comments characteris.
tic. he finally selected neck chain
set with tiny emeralds.
Captain Elisha planned to surprise
his niece with the gift at breakfast on
the morning Of her birthday, but, after
reflection, decided to postpone the pres
entation until dinner time. The In
evitable Dunns had taken upon them
selves the duty Of caring for the girl
and her brother during the major part
Of the day. The yellow car appeared
at the door at 10 o'clock and bore the
two away. Caroline assured her guard.
ian, however, that they would return
In season for the evening meal.
The captain spent lonely but busy
hours until dinner time came. BE
had done some scheming on his own
hook and, after a long argument with
the cook, re-enforced by a small sum In
cash, had prevailed upon that naughty
domestic to fashion birthday cake Of
imposing exterior and indigestible
makeup. Superintending the icing Of
this masterpiece occupied some time.
He then worried Edwards into re-
spectful but stubborn fury by suggest
ing novelties In the way Of table ar.
rangement. Another bestowal Of small
change Quelled the disturbance. Then
came by messenger dozen American
Beauty Roses. with Mr.. Pearson's card
attached. These the captain decided
should be placed in the center Of the
festive board. AS a centerpiece had
been previously provided, there was
more argument. The cook took the
buffers side In the debate, and the pair
yielded only when Captain Elisha agair
dived into his pocket.
| "But warn you, all hands," he Cd
served, "that this is the last time. MY
right fists got q cramp in 1t this min
ute, and you couldn't open 1t agair
with cold chisel."
At last, however, everything was az
It should be, and he sat down IN tne
library to await the coming OF the
young people. The gold chain In its
handsome leather case, the latter In
closed in the jewelers. box, was care
fully laid beside Carohne's place at tne
table. The dinner was ready, the CAKE
candles and all-the captain had IN
sisted upon twenty candles-was ready
also. There was nothing to DO pu'
wait-and he waited.
Six-thirty was the usual dinner hour
It passed. Seven o'clock struck, theT
8, and still Captain Elisha sat alone y
the library. The cook sent word thai
the dinner was ruined. Edwards re
spectfully asked @What shall ! DO, sirT
ttwice. the second time being sent dyini
With an order to "Go forard and keeI
your hatches closed" |" The nautica
| phraseoloU was lost upon the butler
but the tone and manner o6 deliver,
were quite understandable
| Several times the captain rose mon
his chair TO telephone the Dunn nous'
I ara edk - ssasqn for delay Nacl
i ltiIn ~ Nm "A l1Gn