The Raymer enterprise., 1919-01-30

MN even yet ne was Tor gong 70
you 1t once and destroying the note
In your presence. He would have done
It. but we persuaded him to wait and
think 1t over for day or two He did
think and then decided to wait 4 little
longer for your sake"
"For my sakel For miner" She
passed her hand In 4 bewildered way
across her forehead. "Mr. Sylvester.
/ don't seem to understand even
now. r.
"For your sake. Caroline. Remem-
Der. at that time you were engaged
to Malcolm Dunn"
Her intent gaze wavered. She drew
q long breath. II see." she said slow
ly. "Oh-I see"
"Yes. Captain Warren Il one of the
best judges OF character I ever met.
The Dunns did not deceive him for one
moment. He was certain Malcolm In.
tended marrying you because Of your
money. For that matter. so was |. He
knew you must see the proof with your
own eyes. And he showed II to you
But then." she begged distractedly,
why couldn't be tell me after thatl I
L am so stupid. I suppose-bnt, Mr..
Sylvester. all this is-is"-
He might have told you then, but
he did not think It best. Caroline, your
uncle has always believed In you. Even
when you sent him from your home he
did not blame you He said you were
decelved-that was all. But, too. he
has always declared that you had been
as he expressed 1t, brought up wrong.
Your money had, In a way, warped
your estimate Of people and things
And there was Steve. You know, Caro-
line. that money and what 1t brought
we're spelling Steve. II has never been
30 much Of a man as during the past
year, when he thought himself poor.
But your uncle has planned for him as
well as for you, and when he believes
the time has come he
Please" she interrupted falteringly-
please don't say any more. Let me
think, Mr.. Sylvester. You say that
Uncle Elisha intends giving us all that
father took from him-all of it?'
Yes, all He considers himself mere
ly your guardian still and will accept
only his expenses from the estate
"It Is wonderful" she repeated bro
kenly. Even though we cannot take
1t, 1t is wonderful"
"Whatl Cannot take it,
"of course not. DO you suppose that
either my brother or would take the
fortune that our father stole-yes, stole
from him, after he has been living al.
most In poverty all these years and we
In luxury--on his money? or course
We shall not take itr'
But. Caroline. imagine you will
have to take It. understand your
feelings, but | think he will compel
you to take It."
II shall not!' She sprang to her
feet. "Of course shall not! Never.
Never"
whats that you're never goin' to
take. Caroline-measleH or another trip
down in these parts? hope 'taint the
last, cause I've been cal'latin' you'd
like 1t well enough to come again"
Caroline turned. So did Sylvester.
Captain Elisha was standing In the
doorway. his hand on the knob. BE
was smiling broadly. but as he looked
at the two by the fire he ceased to
smile.
whats all thls?" he asked sus.
piciously. "CaroliIe, what-Sylvester,
what have you been tellin' herr
Neither answered at once. The cap.
tain looked from one to the other.
"Sylvester Caroline had never seen
her uncle thoroughly angry before.
Sylvester" he cried. have you-have
you dast to tell her what you shouldn'tl 7
Didn't you promise me? II you told
that girl Fll-I'll"-
His niece stepped forward. Hush.
Uncle Elisha" she said "He didn't
tell me until | knew already. guess.
ed 1t. Then asked for the whole
truth. and he told me-"
The whole truth? Carolinem
He wrung his hands. ...
Yes. uncle, the whole truth. know
you now. ! thought knew you be-
fore. but l didnt-not half. do now" "
"0h. Caroline!" He stepped toward
her and then stopped, frantic and de.
spairing. Caroline! Caroline" he
cried again. Can you ever forgive
me! You know--you must know |
ain't ever meant to keep 1t. It's all
yours. just didn't give 1t to you
right OF because-because- Oh, Syl-
vestcr. tell her never meant to keep
II! Tell herr
The lawyer shook his head. II did
tell her." he said, with another shrug.
"and she tells me she won't accept it,
WHAT" The captains eyes were
starting from bis head. What? Won't
take 1t? Why, it's hers-hers and
Steve's! II always has been. Do you
cal'late I'd rob my own brothers chill.
dren? Don't talk 20 foolish. l won't
hear such talkr'
Caroline was close to tears, but she
was firm.
Captain Elisha looked at her deter
mined face. then at the lawyers. But
he found no help there. His chin
thrust forward he nodded slowly.
IAN right! All rightr' be said grim.