The Raymer enterprise., 1919-01-16
CHAPTER xVi.-contlnued.

Caroline, crimson with modification,
protested Indignantly.
"Mr. Sylvester" she said, 1T is not
necessary to-
Excuse me"-her uncle's tone was
sharper and moro sten-"I think 1t Is.
Go on, Sylvester"
The lawyer looked far from comfort.
able, but be 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 Abljah
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 q
hand on the table to steady herself.
Thank you, Mr.. Sylvester" said the
captain quietly. an 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. l understand from
Steve that Malcolm's been mighty anx.
ious to have the weddln' day hurried
along. / can't say as | blame him
And think the sooner they're married
the better. Now. how soon can we
make II, 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 hel
brother. II told yon 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 II
ask for 1t. And, Caroline, want yol
to stay out too This is my trick al
the wheel. Mrs. Dunn, what d'yol
say7 Never mind the young folks. Yor
and me know that marriage Is bust
ness. same as everything else. How
soon can we have the weddin'f'
Mrs. Dunn had apparently nothing x
say-to him. She addressed her nexI
remark to Caroline.
MY dear" she said. in great agita
tio1. "this is really too dreadful, Thi,
-er-guardian Of yours appears t.
think he Is In some barbarous country
--avages about. Come. Malcolm, tax,
her away"
NO. Captain Elisha stepped In from
OF the door. "She amt goln' and II
rather you wouldn't 60 yet. Let's set
tie this up now. Well, Mr. Dunn,
turning to the groom to be, your,
one of the interested parties-what d,
you say7"
Malcolm ground his heel into the rug
II don't consider 1t your business" h
declared. you're butting In where
"No. no, amt. It's my business, ant
business Is Just what 1t is. There's |
business contract between you and m,
niece. We want to know how soon 1
can be carried out, that's ALL"
The young man looked desperately a
the door, but the captains broad shoul
ders blocked the way toward 1t, II,
hesitated, scowled, and then, with I
shrug Of his shoulders, surrendered.
How can / marryT he demanded
sullenly. "Confound It! My salar,
isn't large enough to pay my own wa,
decently."
"Malcolml" cried his mother warn
ingly.
well. mater, what the devils thu
use OF all this7 You know By Jove
you ought tor
Hold on. young fellerl l don't un
derstand. Your wages amt large
enough, you say7 What do you mean
You was goin' to be married. wasn'l
your Caroline, don't you say a word
You say-you'-addressing Malcolm
that you can't support wife on your
wages. You could scrape along. couldn't
your Hey? Couldn't you2"
Malcolm's answer was another scorn.
full shrug. "You belong on Cape Cod,
he sneered. Mater, let's get out OF
this"
"Waiti Put It plain now. Do un.
derstand that you cal'late to break the
engagement because my niece has lost
her money! Is that itT
'Thls is ridiculous" Mrs. Dunn pro.
claimed. Every sane person knows,
though barbarlans may not"-wlth a
genomous glare at the captain ''that
Ia engagements Of the kind 10 which
my son has shared certain amount Of
-er-fnancial-er-that \. the bride ID
to have some money. It b
expected. OF course 4 II! Love in
cottage is-wsll, 4 bit passe. Ny son
md pity your niece fsom the bottom
4 our hearts, but-thsrel Under the
kcsmstasess ths WHOLE a6Air b.