The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-05-17

"No accident has happened, if that is
what you mean," she said.
"But-why, yes, that was what ]
meant. You was so awful late, and
you know you said you'd be home fol-
dinner, so"-
II 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
nerve! Look, Carop
"Jim-Mr. Pearson 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 bewilderment 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. whats it meanY
Pearson shrugged his shoulders. st
think l 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 do know
is that 1 should not have come here. l
felt it and, if you will remember, I
said SO. I 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, JimT' he COM
handed. "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. / want you
10 stay"
At that moment Stephens voice
reached them from the adjoining room
Il tell you / shall, Carop it pro-
,laimed 1ercely. "Do you suppose I'm
going to permit that fellow to come
lere again-or to go until he is made to
what we think of him and
Vhyl No, by gadi I'm the man of
his family, end III tell him a few
hings."
Pearson's jaw set grimly.
"You may let go Of my wrist, Cap
ain Warren" he said. "I'lI stay"
Possibly Stephens intense desire to
rove his manliness made him self
onscious. At any rate, he never ap-
cared more ridiculously boyish than
Vhen, an instant later, he marched into
he library and confronted his uncle
nd Pearson.
I'll want TO say he began ma
esticaIIy. Il want to say
He paused, choking, and brandished |
In fist.
II want TO say be began again.
@A1i right, steyie," Interrupted the |
aptain dryly, then I'd say It IL ! was
on. l guess It's time you did,"
II want toto tell tHHt fellow there"
'itiI a vicious stab Of bis forefnger in
" direction Of Pearson, that / con-