Gilpin observer., 1919-01-09
CHAPTER xvI.-contInued.

protested Indignantly. "
"Mr. Sylvester" she said, ''it Is not
necessary to-
Excuse me"-her uncle's tone was
sharper and more stern-"I think it is.
Go on, Sylvester"
The lawyer looked far from comfort
able, but he spoke at once and to the
point.
II should have told you and your son
just this, Mrs. Dunn" he said. II init
mated 1t 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 left penni-
less"
1t was blunt, beyond doubt. Even
Captain Elisha WINGED at the word
'penniless." Caroline, swaying, put a
hand on the table to steady herself.
'"Thank you, Mr.. Sylvester" said the
captain quietly. "Ill see you again in
a 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 a 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. / understand from
Steve that Malcolm's been mighty anx-
ious to have the weddin' day hurried
along. 1 can't say as 1 blame him.
And think the sooner they're married
the better. Now, how soon can we
make it. Mrs. DunnT
Caroline gazed at her guardian In
"You-yOu- What do you mean by
SUCH
Don't be an idiot, Caro-" cut in her
brother. ~ told you to be sensible.
Captain Warren's dead right"
'Steve, you stay out Of this" These
was no misunderstanding the captains
tone. "When I want your opinion I'll
ask for it. And. Caroline, 1 want you
to stay out too This Is my trick at
the Wheel Mrs. Dunn. what d'you
say7 Never mind the young folks. You
and me know that marriage is busi-
ness, same as everything else. How
soon can we have the weddin'?"
Mrs. Dunn had apparently nothing to
say-to him. She addressed her next
remark to Caroline.
my DEAR" she said, in great agita-
tion, 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 goin' 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 sayr
Malcolm ground his heel into the rug.
Il 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 It
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 q
shrug Of his shoulders. surrendered.
"How can I marryT he demanded
sullenly. "Confound It'll My salary
isn't large enough to pay my own way
decently."
"Malcolmi" cried his mother warn
ingly.
"Well, mater, what the devils the
use Of all this7 You know By Jove,
you ought tor
"Hold on, young fellerl 1 don't un-
derstand. Your wages amt large
enough. you say? What do you mean :?
You was goin' to be married, wasn't
you? Caroline, don't you say a word
You say-you"-addressing Malcolm
shat you can't support wife on your
wages. You could scrape along, couldn't
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 now. Do un-
derstnnd that you callate to break the
engagement because my niece has lost
her money? Is that IT."
This is ridiculous" Mrs. Dunn pro-
claimed. Every sane person knows,
though barbarians may not"-wIth a
venomous glare at the captain "that
In engagements Of the kind In which
my son has shared certain amount Of
-er-financial-er-that =, the bride IL
supposed to have soIn~ money. Il II
expected. or course II is! Love in q
cottage is-well, bit passe. My son
and pity your niece ftom the bottom
OF our hearts, but-thsre! Under the
circumstances the whole affair be-