The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-04-12

"No accident has happened, if that is
what you mean," she said.
"But-why, yes, that was what l
meant. You was so awful late, and
you know you said you'd be home for
dinner, so"-
Il changed my mind. Come, Steve
She turned to leave the room. Pear.
son at that moment entered it. Ste.
phen saw him first.
"What?" he cried. "Well, Of all the
nervel Look, Carol"
"Jim-Mr. Pearson I mean-ran in q
few minutes ago." explained Captain
Elisha, bewildered and stammering
He thought, of course, we'd had din
ner-and--and-he just wanted to wish
you many happy returns, Caroline"
Pearson had extended his hand, and a
Good evening" was on his lips. Ste.
phen's strange behavior and language
caused him to halt. He flushed, awk-
ward, surprised, indignant.
Caroline turned and saw him. She
started, and her cheeks also grew Grim
son. Then, recovering she looked him
full in the face and deliberately and
disdainfully turned her back.
"Come, Steve" she said again, and
walked from the room.
Her brother hesitated, glared at Pear
son and then stalked haughtily after
her.
Captain Elisha's bewiIderment was
supreme. He stared open mouthed aft
er his nephew and niece and then
turned slowly to his friend.
"What on earth, JIM" he STAN
mered. "What's it mean"
Pearson shrugged his shoulders. ~
think know what it MEANS" he said.
Il presume that Miss Warren and her
brother have learned of my trouble
with their father"
"Hey? No, you don't think that's itT'
II think there's no doubt of it."
"But how?"
Il don't know how. What I do know
is that should not have come here. I
felt it and, if you will remember,
said so. was fool. Good night, cap
tain"
Hot and furiously angry at his own
indecision which had placed him in this
humiliating situation, he was striding
toward the hall Captain Elisha seized
his arm.
"Stay where you are, Jimv' he COM
manded. "If the troubles what you
think it is I'm more to blame than any
body else, and you shan't leave this
house till I've done my best to square
YOU
'Thank you, but I don't wish to be
squared I've done nothing to be
ashamed of, and I have borne as many
insults as can stand. I'm going"
mo, you amt. Not yet. I want you
to stay"
At that moment Stephens voice
reached them from the adjoining room.
Il tell you shall, Caro-" it pro-
claimed fiercely. do you suppose I'm
going to permit that fellow to come
here again--or to go until he is made to
understand what we think Of him and
why? No, by gadl I'm the man of
this family, and I'll tell him a few
things"
Parsons jaw set grimly.
"You may let 60 Of my wrist, Cap
tain Warren" he said. "I'll stay"
Possibly Stephens intense desire to
prove his manliness made him self
conscious. At any rate, he never ap-
peared more ridlculously boyish than
when, an instant later, he marched into
the library and confronted his uncle
and Pearson.
I'll want to say he began ma
jestically. II want to say
lie paused, choking, and brandished
his fist.
III want to say"-- he began again.
"All right, stevie," interrupted the
captain dryly, then I'd say it If I was
you. / guess it's time you did"
Il want toto tell that fellow there"
with a vicious stab of his forefnger in
the direction Of Pearson. that con-