Cap'n Warren's Wards......................................................................................................................................1

Joseph C. Lincoln....................................................................................................................................1

CHAPTER I .............................................................................................................................................1

CHAPTER II ............................................................................................................................................7

CHAPTER III........................................................................................................................................16

CHAPTER IV........................................................................................................................................27

CHAPTER V.........................................................................................................................................36

CHAPTER VI........................................................................................................................................46

CHAPTER VII .......................................................................................................................................56

CHAPTER VIII.....................................................................................................................................65

CHAPTER IX........................................................................................................................................74

CHAPTER X.........................................................................................................................................81

CHAPTER XI........................................................................................................................................92

CHAPTER XII .......................................................................................................................................99

CHAPTER XIII...................................................................................................................................105

CHAPTER XIV...................................................................................................................................115

CHAPTER XV....................................................................................................................................123

CHAPTER XVI...................................................................................................................................128

CHAPTER XVII ..................................................................................................................................134

CHAPTER XVIII .................................................................................................................................143

CHAPTER XIX...................................................................................................................................153

CHAPTER XX....................................................................................................................................165

CHAPTER XXI...................................................................................................................................173

CHAPTER XXII ..................................................................................................................................186

"Ostable!" screamed the brakeman, opening the car door and yelling his loudest, so as to be heard above the

The brakeman's cap was soaked through, his hair was plastered down on his forehead, and, in the yellow light

from the car lamps, his wet nose glistened as if varnished. Over his shoulders the shiny ropes of rain whipped

and lashed across the space between the cars. The windows streamed as each succeeding gust flung its

The passengers in the carthere were but four of themdid not seem greatly interested in the brakeman's

announcement. The red faced person in the seat nearest the rear slept soundly, as he had done for the last

hour and a half. He had boarded the train at Brockton, and, after requesting the conductor not to "lemme me

git by Bayport, Bill," at first favored his fellow travelers with a song and then sank into slumber.

The two elderly men sitting together on the righthand side of the car droned on in their apparently endless

Jeremiad concerning the low price of cranberries, the scarcity of scallops on the flats, the reasons why the

fish weirs were a failure nowadays, and similar cheerful topics. And in his seat on the left, Mr. Atwood

Graves, junior partner in the New York firm of Sylvester, Kuhn and Graves, lawyers, stirred uneasily on the

lumpy plush cushion, looked at his watch, then at the timetable in his hand, noted that the train was now

seventytwo minutes late, and for at least the fifteenth time mentally cursed the railway company, the whole

of Cape Cod from Sandwich to Provincetown, and the fates which had brought him there.

The train slowed down, in a jerky, hiccoughy sort of way, and crept on till the car in which Mr. Graves was

seated was abreast the lighted windows of a small station, where it stopped. Peering through the

waterstreaked pane at the end of his seat, the lawyer saw dim silhouettes of uncertain outline moving about.

They moved with provoking slowness. He felt that it would be joy unspeakable to rush out there and thump

them into animation. The fact that the stately Atwood Graves even thought of such an undignified proceeding

Then, behind the door which the brakeman, after announcing the station, had closed again, sounded a big

laugh. The heartiness of it grated on Mr. Graves's nerves. What idiot could laugh on such a night as this

The laugh was repeated. Then the door was flung briskly open, and a man entered the car. He was a big man,

broadshouldered, inclined to stoutness, wearing a cloth cap with a visor, and a heavy ulster, the collar of

which was turned up. Through the gap between the open ends of the collar bristled a short, grayish beard. The

face above the beard and below the visor was sunburned, with little wrinkles about the eyes and curving lines

from the nostrils to the corners of the mouth. The upper lip was shaved, and the eyebrows were heavy and

The newcomer paused in the doorway for an instant, evidently to add the finishing touch to a conversation

"Well, I tell you, Ezra," he called, over his shoulder, "if it's too deep to wade, maybe I can swim. Fat floats,

He closed the door and, smiling broadly, swung down the aisle. The pair of calamity prophets broke off their

"Hello, Cap'n!" cried one. "What's the south shore doin' over here in this flood?"

"What's the matter, Cap'n?" demanded the other. "Broke loose from your moorin's, have you? Did you ever

The man in the ulster shook hands with each of his questioners, removing a pair of wet, heavy leather gloves

"Don't know's I ever did, Dan," he answered. "Couldn't see much of this one but its colorand that's black. I

come over this mornin' to attend to some business at the courthousedeeds to some cranberry bog property

I just boughtand Judge Baxter made me go home with him to dinner. Stayed at his house all the afternoon,

and then his man, Ezra Hallett, undertook to drive me up here to the depot. Talk about blind pilotin'! Whew!

The Judge's horse was a new one, not used to the roads, Ezra's nearsighted, and I couldn't use my glasses

'count of the rain. Let alone that, 'twas darker'n the forehold of Noah's ark. Ho, ho! Sometimes we was in the

ruts and sometimes we was in the bushes. I told Ez we'd ought to have fetched along a dipsy lead, then maybe

we could get our bearin's by soundin's. 'Couldn't see 'em if we did get 'em,' says he. 'No,' says I, 'but we could

taste 'em. Man that's driven through as much Ostable mud as you have ought to know the taste of every road

"Yup. If we'd been crippled as WELL as blind we could have done that." He seated himself just in front of

the pair and glanced across the aisle at Mr. Graves, to find the latter looking intently at him.

"Yes," replied the lawyer briefly. He did not encourage conversation with casual acquaintances. The latest

arrival had caught his attention because there was something familiar about him. It seemed to Graves that he

must have seen him before; and yet that was very improbable. This was the attorney's first visit to Cape Cod,

and he had already vowed devoutly that it should be his last. He turned a chilling shoulder to the trio opposite

and again consulted the timetable. Denboro was the next station; thenthank the Lord South Denboro,

Conversation across the aisle was brisk, and its subjects were many and varied. Mr. Graves became aware,

more or less against his will, that the person called "Cap'n" was, if not a leader in politics and local affairs,

still one whose opinions counted. Some of those opinions, as given, were pointed and dryly descriptive; as,

for instance, when a certain townmeeting candidate was compared to a sculpin"with a big head that sort

of impresses you, till you get close enough to realize it HAS to be big to make room for so much mouth."

Graves, who was fond of salt water fishing, knew what a sculpin was, and appreciated the comparison.

The conductor entered the car and stopped to collect a ticket from his new passenger. It was evident that he,

"It isfor tonight's train," was the prompt response, "but if it keeps on at the rate it's travelin' now, it'll be a

The conductor laughed. "Guess you're right," he said. "This is about as wet a storm as I've run through since

I've been on the road. If we get to Provincetown without a washout we'll be lucky . . . Well, we've made

The brakeman swung open the door to shout, "Denboro! Denboro!" the conductor picked up his lantern and

hurried away, the locomotive whistled hoarsely, and the train hiccoughed alongside another little station. Mr.

Graves, peering through his window, imagined that here the silhouettes on the platform moved more briskly.

They seemed almost excited. He inferred that Denboro was a bigger and more wideawake village than

But he was mistaken. The reason for the excitement was made plain by the conductor a moment afterwards.

That official entered the car, removed his uniform cap, and rubbed a wet forehead with a wetter hand.

"Well, gentlemen," he said, "I've been expecting it, and here it is. Mark me down as a good prophet, will you?

There's a washout a mile further on, and a telegraph pole across the track. It's blowing great guns and raining

pitchforks. It'll be out of the question for us to go forward before daylight, if then. Darn a railroad man's job

Five minutes later Mr. Graves descended the steps of the car, his traveling bag in one hand and an umbrella in

the other. As soon as both feet were securely planted on the platform, he put down the bag to wrestle with the

umbrella and the hurricane, which was apparently blowing from four directions at once. Feeling his hat

leaving his head, he became aware that the umbrella had turned inside out. He threw the wreck violently

"It's all right," said a calm voice behind him. "I've got your satchel, neighbor. Better beat for harbor, hadn't

The bewildered New Yorker felt his arm seized in a firm grip, and he was rushed across the platform, through

a deluge of winddriven water, and into a small, hot, closesmelling waiting room. When he pushed his hat

clear of his eyes he saw that his rescuer was the big man who boarded the train at Ostable. He was holding

"Dirty weather, hey?" he observed, pleasantly. "Sorry your umbrella had to go by the board. I see you was

carryin' too much canvas and tried to run alongside in time to give you a tow; but you was dismasted just as I

He extended the traveling bag at arm's length. Mr. Graves accepted his property and murmured thanks, not

too cordially. His dignity and temper had gone overboard with the umbrella, and he had not yet recovered

"Well," went on his companion, "here we are! And I, for one, wanted to be somewheres else. Caleb," turning

to the station master, who came in at that moment, "any way of my gettin' home tonight?"

"'Fraid not, Cap'n," was the answer. "I don't know of any. Guess you'll have to put up at the hotel and wait till

"That's right," agreed the passenger called "Dan," who was standing near. "That's what Jerry and I are goin' to

"Yes, but you and Jerry are bound for Orham. I'm booked for South Denboro, and that's only seven miles off.

I'd SWIM the whole seven rather than put up at Sim Titcomb's hotel. I've been there afore, thank you! Look

"Well, I don't know. S'pose you might ring up Pete Shattuck and ask him. He's pretty particular about his

"All right. I'll ring him up. Pete ought to get over some of his particularness to oblige me. I've helped HIM

He was on his way to the ticket office, where the telephone hung on the wall. But Mr. Graves stepped

"Excuse me, sir," said the lawyer. "Did I understand you to say you were going to South Denboro?"

"You were going to drive over? May I go with you? I'm very anxious to get to South Denboro tonight. I have

some very important business there, and I want to complete it and get away tomorrow. I must be back in

The captain looked his questioner over. There was a doubtful look on his face, and he smiled quizzically.

"I don't know, Mr. Graves. This ain't goin' to be a pleasure cruise exactly. You might get pretty wet."

"I don't care. I can get dry again when I get there. Of course I shall share the expense of the livery. I shall be

"Oh, if you feel that way about it, why, come ahead and welcome. I was only warnin' you, that's all.

However, with me aboard for ballast, I guess we won't blow away. Wait a jiffy till I get after Pete."

He entered the ticket office and raised a big hand to the little crank of the telephone bell.

Graves, wondering vaguely what sort of telephone system was in use on Cape Cod, heard his prospective

pilot ring the instrument for a full two seconds, repeating the ring four times altogether. This he followed

with two sharp tinkles. Then came a series of shouted "Hellos!" and, at last, fragments of onehalf of a

"That you, Shattuck? Know who this is, don't you? Yes, that's right . . . Say, how many folks listen every time

a bell rings on this line? I've heard no less'n eight receivers come down so far . . . Two of 'em went up then,

did you hear 'em? . . . Sartin . . . I want to hire a team to go over home with . . . TonightSartin . . . I don't

care . . . Yes, you will, too . . . YES, you WILL . . . Send my man back with it tomorrow . . . I don't care

And so on for at least five minutes. Then the captain hung up the receiver and came back to the waiting room.

"Bargain's made, Mr. Graves," he announced. "Pete'll have some sort of a turnout alongside soon's he can

get it harnessed. If you've got any extra storm duds in that satchel of yours, I'd advise you to put 'em on.

Just how rough it was likely to be, Graves realized when he emerged from the station to board the Shattuck

"I wouldn't do this for anybody but you, Cap'n," he vouchsafed, in what might be called a reproachful shout.

"Wouldn't do what?" replied the captain, looking first at the ancient horse and then at the battered buggy.

"Humph! I should think night would be the only time you would let him out. . . . There! there! never mind.

Get aboard, Mr. Graves. Put your satchel on the floor between your feet. Here, let me h'ist that boot for you."

The "boot" was a rubber curtain buttoned across the front of the buggy, extending from the dashboard to just

below the level of the driver's eyes. The lawyer clambered in behind it, the captain followed, the end of the

reins was passed through a slit in the boot, Mr. Shuttuck, after inquiring if they were "all taut," gave the

command, "Giddap!" and horse and buggy moved around the corner of the station, out into darkness.

Of the next hour Graves's memories are keen but monotonous, a strong smell of stable, arising from the

laprobe which had evidently been recently used as a horse blanket; the sound of hoofs, in an interminable

"jog, jogsplash, splash," never hurrying; a series of exasperated howls from the captain, who was doing his

best to make them hurry; the thunderous roar of rain on the buggy top and the shrieking gale which rocked

the vehicle on its springs and sent showers of fine spray driving in at every crack and crevice between the

The view ahead, over the boot, was blackness, bordered by spidery trees and branches whipping in the wind.

Occasionally they passed houses sitting well back from the road, a lighted window gleaming cozily. And

Graves noticed this and, at length, when his nervousness had reached the breaking point, screamed a question

in his companion's ear. They had attempted no conversation during the ride, the lawyer, whose contemptuous

opinion of the locality and all its inhabitants was now a conviction, feeling that the result would not be worth

"Hey? No, just about the same. It's dead sou'west and we're getting out of the woods, that's all. Up on those

bare hills we catch the full force of it right off the Sound. Be there pretty soon now, if this Old Hundred of a

horse would quit walkin' in his sleep and really move. Them lights ahead are South Denboro."

The lights were clustered at the foot of a long and rather steep hill. Down the declivity bounced and rocked

the buggy. The horse's hoofs sounded hollow on the planks of a bridge. The road narrowed and became a

village street, bordered and arched by tall trees which groaned and threshed in the hurricane. The rain, as it

The captain bent down. "Say, Mister," he shouted, "where was it you wanted to stop? Who is it you're lookin'

"I sayHeavens to Betsy! how that wind does screech!I say where'bouts shall I land you. This is South

He was interrupted. There was a sharp crack overhead, followed by a tremendous rattle and crash. Then down

upon the buggy descended what, to Graves, appeared to be an avalanche of scratching, tearing twigs and

branches. They ripped away the boot and laprobe and jammed him back against the seat, their sharp points

He heard the clatter of hoofs and shouts of "Whoa!" and "Stand still!" He tried to rise, but the tangle of twigs

before him seemed impenetrable, so he gave it up and remained where he was. Then, after an interval, came a

"Yes, it's me. Stand still, you foolhead! Quit your hoppin' up and down!" These commands were evidently

"Tree limb carried away. Lucky for us we got the brush end, 'stead of the butt. Scooch down and see if you

Mr. Graves obediently "scooched." After a struggle he managed to slide under the tangle of branches and, at

length, stood on his feet in the road beside the buggy. The great limb had fallen across the street, its heavy

end near the walk. As the captain had said, it was fortunate for the travelers that the "brush" only had struck

Graves found his companion standing at the horse's head, holding the frightened animal by the bridle. The

"Oh, a person named Elisha Warren. He lives in this forsaken hole somewhere, I believe. If I had known what

"Humph! Well, Mr. Graves, if the butt of that limb had fetched us, instead of t'other end, I don't know but you

MIGHT have seen him there. I'm Elisha Warren, and that's my house over yonder where the lights are."

"This is your room, Mr. Graves," said Miss Abigail Baker, placing the lighted lamp on the bureau. "And

here's a pair of socks and some slippers. They belong to ElishaCap'n Warren, that isbut he's got more.

Cold water and towels and soap are on the washstand over yonder; but I guess you've had enough COLD

water for one night. There's plenty hot in the bathroom at the end of the hall. After you change your wet

things, just leave 'em spread out on the floor. I'll come fetch 'em by and by and hang 'em to dry in the kitchen.

Come right downstairs when you're ready. Anything else you want? No? All right then. You needn't hurry.

Supper's waited an hour 'n' a half as 'tis. 'Twon't hurt it to wait a spell longer."

She went away, closing the door after her. The bewildered, wet and shivering New Yorker stared about the

room, which, to his surprise, was warm and cozy. The warmth was furnished, so he presently discovered, by

a steam radiator in the corner. Radiators and a bathroom! These were modern luxuries he would have taken

for granted, had Elisha Warren been the sort of man he expected to find, the country magnate, the leading

citizen, fitting brother to the late A. Rodgers Warren, of Fifth Avenue and Wall Street.

But the Captain Warren who had driven him to South Denboro in the rain was not that kind of man at all. His

manner and his language were as far removed from those of the late A. Rodgers as the latter's brown stone

residence was from this big rambling house, with its deep stairs and narrow halls, its antiquated pictures and

hideous, oldfashioned wall paper; as far removed as Miss Baker, whom the captain had hurriedly introduced

as "my second cousin keepin' house for me," was from the dignified butler at the mansion on Fifth Avenue.

Patchwork comforters and feather beds were not, in the lawyer's scheme of things, fit associates for radiators

and uptodate bathrooms. And certainly this particular Warren was not fitted to be elder brother to the New

It could not be, it COULD not. There must be some mistake. In country towns there were likely to be several

of the same name. There must be another Elisha Warren. Comforted by this thought, Mr. Graves opened his

valise, extracted therefrom other and drier articles of wearing apparel, and proceeded to change his clothes.

Meanwhile, Miss Abigail had descended the stairs to the sitting room. Before a driftwood fire in a big brick

fireplace sat Captain Warren in his shirtsleeves, a pair of mammoth carpet slippers on his feet, and the said

"Abbie," observed the captain, "this is solid comfort. Every time I go away from home I get into trouble,

"I didn't GIVE it away. I lent it. Abbie, you ought to know the difference between a gift and a loan."

"I dowhen there is any difference. But if lendin' Tim Foster ain't givin' it away, then I miss my guess."

"Well," with another chuckle, "Tim don't feel that way. He swore right up and down that he wouldn't take a

centas a gift. I offered to make him a present of ten dollars, but he looked so shocked that I apologized

"Yes, and then LENT him that thirty. Shocked! The only thing that would shock that goodfornothin' is

bein' set to work. What possessed you to be such a softhead, _I_ don't know. When you get back a copper of

"Hum! Well, I'll help you believe itthat is, if I have time afore I drop dead of heart disease. Abbie, you'd

make a good lawyer; you can get up an argument out of a perfect agreement. I said the thirty dollars was lost,

to begin with. But I knew Tim Foster's mother when she used to think that boy of hers was the eighth wonder

of the world. And I promised her I'd do what I could for him long's I lived . . . But it seems to me we've

drifted some off the course, ain't we? What I started to say was that every time I go away from home I get

into trouble. Up to Boston 'twas Tim and his 'loan.' Tonight it's about as healthy a sou'wester as I've ever

"Yes. It's in the stable. He says the buggy dash is pretty well scratched up, and that it's a wonder you and that

"Changin' his duds, I guess. That's what I'd do if I looked as much like a drowned rat as he did."

"'Lisha Warren! if you ain't the most PROVOKIN' thing! Don't be so unlikely. You know what I mean.

"Don't know, Abbie. I didn't know he WAS comin' here till just as we got down yonder by Emery's corner. I

asked him who he was lookin' for, he said 'Elisha Warren,' and then the tree caved in on us."

"Sign somethin' HAD happened, I should think," he answered. "What's GOIN' to happen is that Pete

Shuttuck'll get his buggy painted freefornothin', at my expense. How's supper gettin' along? Is it ready?"

"Ready? It's been ready for so long that it'll have to be got ready all over again if . . . Oh! Come right in, Mr.

Captain Warren sprang from the chair to greet his visitor, who was standing in the doorway.

"Yes, come right in, Mr. Graves," he urged, cordially. "Set down by the fire and make yourself comf'table.

The lawyer came forward hesitatingly. The doubts which had troubled him ever since he entered the house

"Thank you, Captain," he said. "But before I accept more of your hospitality I feel I should be sure there is no

"Hold on!" The captain held up a big hand. "Don't you say another word," he commanded. "There's just one

business that interests me this minute, and that's supper. There's no mistake about THAT, anyhow. Did you

say 'Come ahead,' Abbie? or was you just going to? Good! Right into the dinin' room, Mr. Graves."

The dining room was long and low. The woodwork was white, the floor green painted boards, with braided

rag mats scattered over them. There were oldfashioned pictures on the walls, pictures which brought

shudders to the artistic soul of Atwood Graves. A broad bay window filled one side of the apartment, and in

this window, on shelves and in wire baskets, were Miss Baker's cherished and carefully tended plants. As for

"Set right down here, Mr. Graves," ordered the captain. "I'll try to keep you supplied with solid cargo, and

Abbie'll 'tend to the moistenin'. Hope that teapot is full up, Abbie. Hot tea tastes good after you've swallered

as much cold rain as Mr. Graves and I have . . . Fatherwethanktheeforthesemerciessetbeforeus

Mr. Graves's appetite was good, and the clam pie was good. So, too, were the hot biscuits and the tea and

homemade preserves and cake. Conversation during the meal was, for the most part, a monologue by the

captain. He gave Miss Baker a detailed and exaggerated account of his adventures in Ostable, on board the

train, and during the drive home. The housekeeper listened, fidgeting in her chair.

"'Lisha Warren," she interrupted, "how you do talk! Rainin' so hard you had to hold the reins taut to keep the

"Fact," asserted Captain Warren, with a wink at his guest. "And that wa'n't the worst of it. 'Twas so dark I had

to keep feelin' the buggy with my foot to be sure I was in it. Ain't that so, Mr. Graves? . . . Here! Abbie won't

like to have you set lookin' at that empty plate. She's always afraid folks'll notice the gilt's wearin' off. Pass it

"Yes, and have some more tea," urged Miss Abbie. You mustn't pay attention to what he says, Mr. Graves,"

she went on. "Some day he'll tell the truth by accident, and then I'll know it's time to send for the doctor."

Several times the lawyer attempted to mention the business which had brought him to the Cape, and the

probability of his having made a mistake. But neither host nor housekeeper would listen.

"When you've been in South Denboro as long as I have," declared the former, "you'll understand that the time

to talk business is when you can't think of anything else. Wait till we get into the settin' room. Abbie, those

six or eight biscuits I've ate are gettin' lonesome. I'll take another for sociability, thank you."

But, at last, when all the biscuits but one were gone, and the cake plate looked like the Desert of Sahara, the

captain pushed back his chair, rose, and led the way into the next room. Miss Baker remained to clear the

"Set down by the fire, Mr. Graves," urged the captain. "Nothin' like burnin' wood to look hot and comf'table,

is there? It don't always make you feel that waythat's why I put in hot water heat but for looks and

"Here, try that. It's a cigar the Judge gave me over to Ostable. He smokes that kind reg'lar, but if you don't

like it, throw it away. He ain't here to see you do it, so you won't be fined for contempt of court. I'll stick to a

pipe, if you don't mind. Now we're shipshape and all taut, I cal'late. Let's see, you wanted to talk business, I

"Yes, I did. But before I begin I should like to be sure you are the Elisha Warren I came from New York to

"Umhm. There's Warrens aplenty all through this section of the Cape. Our family blew ashore here a

hundred and fifty years ago, or such matter. My dad's name was Elisha; so was my grandfather's. Both sea

"P'raps. He's keeper of the town poorhouse. I can tell you better if you give me an idea what your business

"I am an attorney. And now let me ask another question, please. Have youhad you a brother in business in

"Hey?" The captain turned and looked his guest squarely in the eye. His brows drew together.

"'A. Rodgers'? No. His name is Abijah Warren, andWait! His middle name is Rodgers, though. Did 'Bije

"Not for eighteen years. He and I didn't agree as well as we might. Maybe 'twas my fault, maybe 'twas his. I

have my own ideas on that. If you're lookin' for 'Bije Warren's brother, Mr. Graves, I guess you've come to

the right place. But WHAT he sent you to me for, or what he wantsfor he wants somethin', or he wouldn't

"Because he's 'Bije Warren, and I was brought up with him. When we was young ones together, he went to

school and I went to work. He got the frostin' on the cake, and I got the burnt part next to the pan. He went to

college, and I went to sea. He . . . However, you mustn't think I find fault with him for that. I sp'iled him as

much as anybody, I guess. 'Twas later on that we . . . Well, never mind that, either. What is it he wants of me,

"I don't know. Captain, I'm surprised that you haven't heard. It seems that I am the bearer of bad news. Your

"He died ten days ago very suddenly. In a way it was a great shock to us all, yet we have known that his heart

"So 'Bije is dead, hey?" Captain Elisha's face was very grave, and he spoke slowly. "Dead! Well, well, well!"

He paused and looked into the fire. Graves saw again that vague resemblance he had caught on the train, but

had forgotten. He knew now why he noticed it. Unlike as the two brothers were, unlike in almost every way,

the trace of family likeness was there. This sunburned, retired captain WAS the New York financier's elder

brother. And this certainty made Mr. Graves's errand more difficult, and the cause of it more inexplicable.

"Well, well!" he sighed. "So 'Bije has gone. I s'pose you think it's odd, maybe," he went on, "that I ain't more

struck down by the news. In a way, I am, and, in a way, I'm mighty sorry, too. But, to speak truth, he and I

have been so apart, and have had nothin' to do with each other for so long thatthat, well, I've come to feel

as if I didn't have a brother. And I know he felt that way. Yes, and WANTED to feel soI know that."

"I wouldn't say that, if I were you," observed the lawyer, gently. "I think you're mistaken there."

"I ain't mistaken. Why, look here, Mr. Graves! There was a time when I'd have got down on my knees and

crawled from here to New York to help 'Bije Warren. I lent him money to start in business. Later on him and

I went into partnership together on aa fool South American speculation that didn't pan out for nothin'. I

didn't care for that. I took my chance same as he did, we formed a stock company all amongst ourselves, and

I've got my share of the stock somewhere yet. It may come in handy if I ever want to paper the barn. But

'twa'n't business deals of that kind that parted us, 'twas another matter. Somethin' that he did to other folks

who'd trusted us and . . . Humph! this don't interest you, of course . . . Well, 'Bije was well off, I know. His

wife died way back in the nineties. She was one of them fashionable women, and a hayseed saltherrin' of a

bachelor brotherinlaw stuck down here in the sandheaps didn't interest her muchexcept as somethin' to

forget, I s'pose. I used to see her name in the Boston papers occasionally, givin' parties at Newport and one

thing a'nother. I never envied 'em that kind of life. I'm as well fixed as I want to be. Got some money put by

for a rainy spell, comf'table house and land, best town on earth to live in and work for; I'm satisfied and

always have been. I wouldn't change for nothin'. But I'm nine year older than 'Bije wasand yet I'm left

"Your brother had two children by his marriage," said Graves, after a moment of silence.

"Hey? Two children? Why, yes, I remember he did. Boy and girl, wa'n't they? I never saw em. They've

"Yes, the eldest, Caroline, is nearly twenty. The boy, Stephen, is a year younger. It is concerning those

Captain Elisha turned in his chair. "Hey?" he queried. "The children? You've come to me about 'Bije's

Graves nodded. "Yes," he answered, solemnly. "That is what I meant by saying your brother had not

forgotten you or wished to forget you. In spite of the estrangement, it is evident that his confidence in your

judgment and integrity was supreme. His children were his idols, Captain Warren, and he has left them in

"WHAT?" he shouted. "Left his children toto ME! Mr. Graves, you'reyou're out of your heador I

He was interrupted by Miss Baker, who appeared at the door of the dining room. "Did you want me, 'Lisha?"

"Hey? No, I don't want you, Abbie. . . . Holler! I shouldn't wonder! If all I did was holler, I'm surprised at

myself. No, no! Run along out and shut the door. Yes, shut it. . . . Now, Mr. Graves, say that over again and

"I say that your brother has left his two children in your care until the youngest shall become of

"Wait, wait! let me think. Left his children to me! . . . to ME. Mr. Graves, had 'Bije lost all his money?"

"No. He was not the millionaire that many thought him. Miss Warren and her brother will be obliged to

economize somewhat in their manner of living. But, with care AND economy, their income should be quite

"Roughly speaking, a mere estimate, about twenty to twentyfive thousand yearly."

Captain Elisha had stooped to pick up the pipe he had dropped. His fingers touched it, but they did not close.

"Mr. Graves," he began; "Mr. Graves, are you cra. No, I asked you that before. Butbut twenty

"In the neighborhood of five hundred thousand, I believe. Of course, we had no authority to investigate

"Sshh! Let me soak this into my brains a little at a time. 'Bije leaves his children five hundred thousand, half

a million, andand they've got to ECONOMIZE! And I'm . . . Would you mind readin' me that will?"

The attorney drew a long envelope from his pocket, extracted therefrom a folded document, donned a pair of

The will was short and very concise. "'I, Abijah Rodgers Warren, being of sound mind'"

Graves nodded, rather impatiently, and continued. "'Of sound mind, memory and understanding, do make,

publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, in manner following, that is to say:

"'First:I direct my executor hereinafter named to pay my just debts and funeral expenses as soon as maybe

"Yes, yes. Grocer and butcher and baker and suchlike. Well, I guess they won't have to put in a keeper. Heave

"'Second:I give, devise and bequeath all my estate, both real and personal, to my brother, Elisha Warren, if

The captain gasped. "To me?" he cried, in utter amazement. "He leaves it to ME? 'Bije leavessay, Mr.

"Just a minute, Captain Warren, if you please. If you'll be patient and not interrupt, I'll try to make the whole

"Well, if you can do THAT, you'll have King Solomon and all his wisdom beat a mile, that's all I've got to

"'To my brother, Elisha Warren, if he survive me, IN TRUST, nevertheless, for the following purpose, to

"'To invest the same and to use the income thereof for the education and maintenance of my two children,

"Edgecombe? Named for some of his wife's folks, I presume likely. Excuse me for puttin' my oar in again.

"'Until the elder, Caroline Edgecombe Warren, shall have reached her twentyfirst birthday, when onehalf

of the principal of said estate, together with onehalf of the accumulated interest, shall be given to her, and

the trust continued for the education and maintenance of my son, Stephen Cole Warren, until he shall have

reached his twentyfirst birthday, when I direct that the remainder be given to him.

"'Third:I appoint as testamentary guardian of my said children my said brother, Elisha Warren.

"'Fourth:I appoint as sole executor of this, my last will and testament, my said brother, Elisha Warren.

"'Fifth:Imposing implicit trust and confidence in Elisha Warren, my brother, I direct that he be not required

to give bond for the performance of any of the affairs or trusts to which he has been herein appointed.'

"The remainder," concluded Graves, refolding the will, "is purely formal. It is dated May 15th, three years

ago. Your brother, Captain Warren, evidently realized, although no one else seems to have done so, the

precarious state of his health, and prepared, as every careful person should, for the great emergency."

The attorney removed his eyeglasses and rubbed them with his handkerchief. Captain Elisha sat silent, staring

"Of course, Captain," he went on, "my errand is now plain. I come to acquaint you with your brother's last

wishes and to ascertain whether or not you are willing to accept the trust and responsibility he has laid upon

you. As you doubtless know, the state provides a legal rate of reimbursement for such services as yours

"Certainly. You have the right to renounce the various appointments, in which case another executor, trustee,

and guardian will be appointed. I realize, and I'm sure that your brother's children will realize, your hesitance

"Yes, I guess we'll all realize it; you needn't worry about that. Look here, do the children know I'm elected?"

Graves bit his lip. Remembering the comments of Miss Caroline and her brother when they learned of their

"Well," he replied, slowly, "of course, one could scarcely expect them to rejoice. They have never seen you.

"Yees. That part don't surprise me. But the rest of it does. By the miracles of the prophets! the rest of it

does! That 'Bije 'Bijeshould leave his children and their money to ME to take care of is passin' human

belief, as our old minister used to say . . . Humph! I s'pose likely, Mr. Graves, you'd like to have me say

Graves nodded. "It would be well to do so," he said. "The settlement of the estate must be taken in hand as

"I'm afraid that must be answered by yourself alone, Captain Warren," he said. "Of course, the acceptance of

the trust will necessarily involve much trouble and inconvenience, especially to one of yourersettled

anderconservativeI judge merely from what you have saidyour conservative habits. The estate is

large, the investments are, doubtless, many and varied, and the labor of looking into and investigating them

"Umhm. . . . Well, I judge that that kind of skill and knowledge could be hired, if a feller felt like payin' fair

"Oh, yes, yes. Any good lawyer could attend to that, under the supervision of the executor, certainly. But

"I mean that you would probably be required to spend much, or all, of the next two or three years in New

"Would, hey? I didn't know but bein' as a guardian has entire charge of the children and their money and

allI understand that's what he does havehe could direct the children fetched down to where HE lived, if

"No," the lawyer's hesitancy and annoyance was plainly evident. "Noo. Of course, that MIGHT be done.

"You think that wouldn't cause no more rejoicin' than some other things have? Yes, yes; I cal'late I

understand, Mr. Graves. Well, I guess you'll have to give me tonight to chew over this. I guess you will. It's

come on me so sudden, 'Bije's death and all, that I want to be by myself and think. I don't want to seem

unsociable or lackin' in hospitality. The whole house is yours. Help yourself to it. But when I'm caught in a

clove hitch, I just have to set down and think myself out of it. I HAVE to. I was built and launched that way, I

"Certainly, Captain Warren. You're quite right in wishing to deliberate on so important a matter. And, if you

will excuse me in return, I believe I will go to my room. I've had a rather wearing day."

"And a damp evenin'. Yes, I'll excuse and sympathize with you, too. I'll see you to your room, and I'll hope

you'll have consider'ble more sleep than I'm likely to get. Abbie! . . . Abbie! . . . Fetch Mr. Graves's lamp,

It was after two the next morning before Captain Elisha rose from his chair by the fire and entered his bed

chamber. Yet, when Atwood Graves came down to breakfast, he found his host in the sitting room awaiting

"Afore we tackle Abbie's pancakes and fishballs, Mr. Graves," said the captain, "let's get the rest of that will

business off our minds. Then we can have the pancakes to take the taste out of our mouths, as you might say.

And let me ask you one more question. ThisererCaroline and Stephen, they're used to livin' pretty

"Yes. Their home was on Fifth Avenue, and the family moved in the best circles."

"Hum! I should imagine life on twentyodd thousand a year must be pretty much all circles, one everlastin'

'turn your partners.' Well, Mr. Graves, my circles down here are consider'ble smaller, but they suit me. I'm

worth twentyodd thousand myself, not in a year, but in a lifetime. I'm selectman and director in the bank and

trustee of the church. When I holler 'Boo,' the South Denboro folkssome of them, anyhowset up and

take notice. I can lead the grand march down in this neighborhood once in a while, and I cal'late I'm prettier

leadin' it than I would be doin' a solitaire jig for two years on the outside edge of New York's best circles.

And I'm mighty sure I'm more welcome. Now my eyesight's strong enough to see through a twofoot hole

after the plug's out, and I can see that you and 'Bije's children won't shed tears if I say no to that will. No

This was plain speaking. Mr. Graves colored, though he didn't mean to, and for once could not answer

"So," continued the captain, "I'll ease your and their minds by sayin' that, the way I feel now, I probably

sha'n't accept the trust. I PROBABLY sha'n't. But I won't say sure I won't, because well, because 'Bije was

my brother; he was that, no matter what our diff'rences may have been. And I knowI KNOW that there

must be some reason bigger than 'implicit trust' and the other May baskets for his appointin' me in his will.

"I don't know what I intendin the end. But for a beginnin', I cal'late to run down to New York some time

"It's a box of a place, though, isn't it," declared Mr. Stephen Warren, contemptuously glancing about the

library of the apartment. "A box, by George! I think it's a blooming shame that we have to put up with it,

Mr. Warren sprawled in the most comfortable chair in the room, was looking out through the window, across

the windswept width of Central Park West, over the knolls and valleys of the Park itself, now bare of foliage

and sprinkled with patches of snow. There was a discontented look on his face, and his hands were jammed

His sister, Caroline, sat opposite to him, also looking out at the December landscape. She, too, was

"Why don't you say something," snapped Stephen, after a moment of silence. "ISN'T it a box of a place? Now

"Yes," replied the young lady, without looking at her brother. "Yes, Steve, I suppose it is. But you must

remember that we must make the best of it. I always wondered how people could live in apartments. Now I

"Well, I maintain that we don't have to. We aren't paupers, even though father wasn't so well fixed as

everyone thought. With management and care, we could have stayed in the old house, I believe, and kept up

"Oh, yes, I know. You swallowed every word Graves said, Caro, as if he was the whole book of Proverbs. By

Mr. Warren, being in the Sophomore class at Yale, was of the age when one is constitutionally "from

Missouri." Probably King Solomon, at sixty, had doubts concerning the scope and depth of his wisdom; at

"I tell you," continued Stephen, "there's no sense in it, Sis. You and I know plenty of people whose incomes

are no larger than ours. Do they 'economize,' as Graves is continually preaching? They do not, publicly at

least. They may save a bit, here and there, but they do it where it doesn't show and nobody knows. Take the

Blaisdells, for instance. When the Sodality Bank went up, and old Blaisdell died, everybody said the family

was down and out. They must have lost millions. But did THEY move into 'apartments' and put up a placard,

'Home of the DeadBrokes. Walk in and Sympathize?' I guess they didn't! They went into mourning, of

course, and that let them out of entertaining and all that, but they stayed where they were and kept up the

"What of it? They don't really know, they only suspect. And I met Jim Blaisdell yesterday and he shook my

hand, after I had held it in front of his eyes where he couldn't help seeing it, and had the nerve to tell me he

"Neither did I. Neither do most people. But Jim is just as much in the swim as he ever was, and he's got his

governor's place on the board of directors at the bank, now that it's reorganized, and an office down town, and

he's hand and glove with Von Blarcom and all the rest. They think he's a promising, plucky young man.

They'll help his bluff through. And are his mother and sister dropped by the people in their set? I haven't

"Well, Mrs. Corcoran Dunn told me that everyone was talking about the Blaisdells and wondering how long

they could keep it up. And the newspapers have been printing all sorts of things, and hinting that young Mr.

Blaisdell's appointment as director, after his father wrecked the bank, was a scandal. At least, we haven't

"Who cares for the newspapers? They're all run by demagogues hunting sensations. What makes me feel the

worst about all this is that Stock Exchange seat of father's. If I were only of age, so that I could go down there

on the floor, I tell you it wouldn't be long before you and I were back where we belong, Sis. But, no, I'm a

He snorted, in manly indignation. Caroline, her pretty face troubled, rose and walked slowly across the room.

It was a large room, in spite of the fact that it was one of a suite in an apartment hotel, and furnished richly.

A. Rodgers Warren spent his money with taste, and spent it freely while he lived. The furniture, the paintings,

"Oh, dear!" sighed the girl. "I do hope Mr. Graves will be well enough to call today. He expected to. Except

"Our dear Uncle Elisha," put in Stephen, with sarcasm. "Uncle ''Lish!' Heavens! what a name!"

"I don't want to think of it. Neither did the governor; that's why he dropped it, I suppose. Just what did Graves

"His partner, Mr. Kuhn, telephoned. He said that Mr. Graves had a bad cold, having been wet through in a

dreadful storm down there in the country. The doctor forbade his leaving the house for a day or two, but he

would call on Tuesdaytodayif he was sufficiently recovered. And Mr. Kuhn said that everything was

satisfactory. This Captain Warrena ship captain, I suppose he iswould, in all probability, refuse to

"Refuse? I should think so. I'm just as certain father was insane when he made that will as I am that I'm alive.

"Well, all right, I won't. But, Caro, he MUST have been insane. If he wasn't, do you suppose he would have

put us and the estate in the care of a DownEast jay? It's inconceivable! It's ridiculous! Think of it. Suppose

this uncle of ours had accepted. Suppose he had come to town here and any of our friends had met him. 'This

is our guardian, Captain Warren, of Punkin Centre.' 'Please to meet ye,' says Uncle 'Lish. 'How's taters?'

Horrors! Say, Caro, you haven't told anyone, Malcolm or his mother, or anyone, have you?"

"Well, don't. They needn't know it, now or at any other time. Graves will probably get himself appointed, and

he's respectable if he is an old fogy. We'll worry along till I'm twentyone, and thenwell, then I'll handle

Evidently there was no question in his mind as to his ability to handle this or any business, no matter how

"It's deadly dull," he complained. "You don't need me, do you, Caro? I believe I'll go out for a while. That is,

His sister hesitated before replying. When she spoke, there was disappointment in her tone.

"Why, Steve," she said, "I did hope you might be here when Mr. Graves came. He will wish to speak of

important matters, and it seems to me that both of us should hear what he has to say."

Young Warren, who had started for the door, stopped and kicked impatiently at the corners of the rug.

"Oh, WELL!" he observed, "if you want me of course I'll stay. But why doesn't old Graves come, if he is

coming. Maybe he's under the weather yet," he added, hopefully. "Perhaps he isn't coming at all today. I

"Gad! there he is now," he exclaimed. "Now I suppose I'll have to stay. We'll hear about dear Uncle 'Lish,

But the staid butler, when he entered the library, did not announce the lawyer's name.

"Mrs. Corcoran Dunn and Mr. Malcolm," he said. "Will you see them, Miss Caroline?"

"Certainly, Edwards," she said. "Show themOh, Mrs. Dunn, I'm so glad to see you! It was EVER so good

Mrs. M. Corcoran Dunn was tall and, in South Denboro, would have been called "fleshy," in spite of her own

and the dressmaker's efforts to conceal the fact. She was elaborately gowned and furred, and something about

her creaked when she walked. She rushed into the room, at the butler's heels, and, greeting Caroline with

"My dear child," she cried, "how could I stay away? We have spoken of you and Stephen SO often this

morning. We know how lonely you must be, and Malcolm and I decided we MUST run in on you after lunch.

Mr. Malcolm Corcoran Dunn, her son, was a blond young man, with a rather indolent manner.

The quartette shook hands. Mrs. Dunn sank creakingly into a chair and gazed about the room. Malcolm

"My dear," said Mrs. Dunn, addressing Caroline, "how are you getting on? How are your nerves? Is all the

"That's a mercy. I should certainly have been here yesterday to help you in superintending and arranging and

so on, but I was suffering from one of my 'hearts,' and you know what THEY are."

Everyone who knew Mrs. Corcoran Dunn was acquainted with her "hearts." The attacks came, so she was

accustomed to explain, from an impaired valve, and "some day"she usually completed the sentence with

"I say, Mother," he explained, wearily, "I do wish you wouldn't speak of your vital organs in the plural.

Anyone would imagine you were a sort of freak, like the twoheaded boy at the circus. It's positively

"Don't, Malcolm, dear," she pleaded. "You sound so unfeeling. One not acquainted with your real kindness of

"Oh, drop it," interrupted Malcolm. "Let's omit the heart interest. This isn't a clinic. I say, Steve, how do you

Stephen turned red. His sister colored and bit her lip. Mrs. Dunn hastened to the rescue.

"Horrors!" she exclaimed. "Malcolm, you really are insufferable. Flat! Caroline, dear, you mustn't mind him.

"Beg your pardon, Steve," he said. "Yours, too, Caroline. I was only joking. There's a little beast of a

bookkeeper down at the office who is forever talking of his 'nice flat in the Bronx.' It's a standing guy, you

know. So far as I can see, these are pretty snug quarters. And attractively arranged, too. Your taste, Caroline,

"I thought so," continued Malcolm. "No one but you would have known exactly the right spot for everything.

"Not now, Malcolm," she put in. "Caroline is tired out, I'm sure. A little fresh air will do her good. I was

going to suggest that you and she and Stephen go for a short ride. Yes, really you must, my dear," she added,

turning to the girl beside her. "Our car is at the door, it's not at all a bad afternoon, and the outing will be just

"Thank you, Mrs. Dunn," said Caroline, gratefully. "I should like to. Indeed, I should. But we have been

"Oh, come on, Sis!" interrupted Stephen. "I'm dying to get out of this jail. Let old Graves wait, if he comes.

We won't be long; and, besides, it's not certain that he is coming today. Come on!"

"I'm afraid I ought not, Steve. Mr. Graves may come, andand it seems too bad to trouble our friends"

"It's not trouble, it's pleasure," urged Mrs. Dunn. "Malcolm will be delighted. It was his idea. Wasn't it?"

"Oh, yes! certainly," replied the young gentleman. "Hope you'll come, Caroline. And you, of course, Steve.

The blessed machine's been off its feed for a week or more, but Peter says he thinks it's all right again. We'll

give it a tryout on the Drive. Hope we have better luck than my last," with a laugh. "They nabbed us for

speeding, and I had to promise to be a good boy or to be fined. Said we were hitting it at fifty an hour. We

"But he won't be reckless when you're with him, Caroline," put in his mother. "You will go? That's so nice!

As for Mr. Graves, I'll explain if he comes. Oh, no! I'M not going! I shall remain here in this comfortable

chair and rest until you return. It's exactly what my physician orders, and for once I'm going to obey him. My

She waved her hand and raised her eyes. Miss Warren expostulated, but to no purpose. Mrs. Corcoran Dunn

would NOT go, but the others must. So, at last, they did. When Caroline and her brother had gone for their

"Now mind," she whispered, "see if you can find out anything during the ride. Something more explicit about

the size of their estate and who the guardian is to be. There are all sorts of stories, you know, and we MUST

learn the truth very soon. Don't appear curious, but merely friendly. You understand?"

The two departed, leaving their lady visitor ensconced in the comfortable chair. She remained in it for

perhaps five minutes. Then she rose and sauntered about the room. She drifted into the drawingroom,

returning a moment later and sauntering casually toward the open desk by the fireplace. There were papers

and letters scattered about this desk, and these she turned over, glancing toward the door to be sure no one

was coming. The letters were, for the most part, messages of sympathy from friends of the Warren family.

Edwards, the butler, entered the library and replenished the fire. Mrs. Dunn languidly accosted him.

"It is fortunate that Miss Warren and her brother have the aid of such aan old servant of the family."

"I presume, however, a guardian has been appointed? With an estate such as the late Mr. Warren MUST have

She paused. Edwards, having arranged the logs to his liking, brushed the dust from his hands.

"I don't know, ma'am, I'm sure," he said. "Neither Miss Caroline nor Mr. Stephen have spoken with me

"I think that was the doorbell," she remarked, a trifle sharply. "If it should be Mr. Graves, the attorney, you

The lady visitor heard voices in the passage. She listened, but could hear nothing understandable. Evidently

"It's aa gentleman to see Miss Caroline," he said. "He won't give his name, ma'am, but says she's expecting

"Yes, ma'am. I told him she was out, but he said he was intending to stay a while anyway, and would wait. I

"That's odd." Mrs. Dunn was slightly interested. "A tradesman, perhaps; or an agent of the landlord."

The butler's face twitched for an instant with a troubled smile. Then it resumed its customary respectful calm.

"You're right, Commodore," said a man s voice; "I'm from the country. You guessed it."

Edwards jumped, startled out of his respectable wits. Mrs. Dunn rose indignantly from her chair.

"I beg your pardon, ma'am," said the intruder, appearing in the doorway. "You mustn't think I'm forcin' my

way where I ain't wanted. But it seemed to take so long to make the Admiral here understand that I was goin'

to wait until Caroline came back that I thought I'd save time and breath by provin' it to him. I didn't know

there was any company. Excuse me, ma'am, I won't bother you. I'll just come to anchor out here in the entry.

He bowed politely, picked up the large suitcase, plainly brannew, which he had momentarily placed on the

rug at his feet, and, with it in one hand and a big soft felt hat in the other, stepped back into the hall out of

sight. The astonished Mrs. Dunn and the paralyzed Edwards heard a chair crack as if a heavy weight had

"Why!" she exclaimed, in an alarmed whisper. "Why! I never heard of such brazen impertinence in my life.

"I believe he is." Mrs. Dunn's presence of mind was returning, and with it her courage. Her florid cheeks

flamed a more vivid red, and her eyes snapped. "But whether he is or not, he sha'n't bulldoze me."

She strode majestically to the door. The visitor was seated in the hall, calmly reading a newspaper. Hat and

"What do you mean by this?" demanded the lady. "Who are you? If you have any business here, state it at

The man glanced at her, over his spectacles, rose and stood looking down at her. His expression was pleasant,

"Yes, ma'am," he said, gravely. "I'll be glad to tell you who I am, if you'd like to have me. I'd have done it

before, but I thought there weren't any use troublin' you with my affairs. But, just a minute" he

hesitated"I haven't made any mistake, have I? I understood your stewardthe feller with the brass

buttons, to say that Abijah Warren's children lived here. That's so, ain't it? If not, then I AM mistaken."

Mrs. Dunn regarded him with indignation. "You are," she said coldly. "The family of the late Mr. Rodgers

Warren lives here. I presume the slight resemblance in names misled you. Edwards, show the gentleman out."

"Just one moment more, ma'am. It was Rodgers Warren's children I was lookin' for. A. Rodgers Warren he

called himself, didn't he? Yes. Well, the A stood for Abijah; that was his Christian name. And he left two

children, Caroline and Stephen? Good! I thought for a jiffy I'd blundered in where I had no business, but it's

all right. You see, ma'am, I'm their uncle from South Denboro, Massachusetts. My name is Elisha Warren."

"Yes, ma'am. I'm 'Bije's brother. Oh, don't worry. It's all right. And don't fret yourself about me, either. I'll set

right down out here and read my paper and wait till Caroline or Stephen get home. They're expectin' me. Mr.

He calmly seated himself and adjusted his spectacles. Mrs. Dunn stared at him, then at Edwards. After an

instant's indecision, she stepped back into the library and walked to the window. She beckoned, with an

"Yes, ma'am," said Edwards thankfully; and went. Mrs. Corcoran Dunn stood for some minutes by the

window, thinking, or trying to think a way to the truth in this astounding development. Of course the man

MIGHT be a lunatic who had gained his information concerning the Warren family from the papers; but he

did not look like a lunatic. On the other hand, he certainly did not look as one would have expected a brother

of Rodgers Warren's to look. Oddest of all, if he was such a brother, why had neither Caroline or Stephen

mentioned his existence? According to his story, Graves, the Warren lawyer, had warned the children of his

coming. Caroline had been very reticent concerning her father's will, the amount of his estate, and the like.

And Mrs. Dunn had repeatedly, though discreetly, endeavored to find out these important details. Neither

hints nor questions had resulted satisfactorily. Was it possible that this was the reason, this country uncle? If

sowell, if so, here was a Heavensent opportunity for a little genteel and perfectly safe detective work.

"Mr. Warren," she said, "I feel guilty in keeping you out there. Won't you come into the library?"

"Why, thank you, ma'am, I'm all right. Don't you trouble about me. Go right on with your readin' or sewing or

"I was not reading," replied Mrs. Dunn, with a slight shudder. "Come in, please. I wish you to."

Captain Elisha folded his paper and put it in his pocket. Entering the library, he stood quietly waiting.

"Thank you," said the captain. He sank into an armchair and looked curiously about him.

"So you are the late Mr. Warren's brother?" asked the lady, making her first lead in the game.

"That's good. I'm glad to hear they've got friends. When you're in sickness or trouble or sorrer, friendship

counts for consider'ble. How are the young folksCaroline and Stephenpretty smart, hey?"

"Yes, yes. Of course. And they've moved, too. Movin's an awful job. They say three movin's are as bad as a

fire, but I cal'late I'd rather burn up a set of carpets than PULL 'em up, 'specially if they was insured. 'Tain't

half so much strain on your religion. I remember the last time we took up our carpets at home, Abbieshe's

my second cousin, keepin' house for mesaid if gettin' down on my knees has that effect on me she'd never

He chuckled. Mrs. Dunn elevated her nose and looked out of the window. Then she led another small trump.

"You say that Miss Caroline and her brother expect you," she said. "You surprise me. Are you sure?"

"Oh, yes, ma'am. I'm sure. When Mr. Graves came down to see me, last week 'twas, I told him to say I'd be

up pretty soon to look the ground over. This is a pretty fine place the young folks have got here," he added,

"Yes," assented the lady, condescendingly. "For an apartment it is really quite livable."

"Livable!" Captain Elisha's astonishment got the better of his politeness for the moment. "Um! Yes, I should

say a body MIGHT manage to worry along in it. Was the place where they used to live any finer than this?"

"Oh, nothin', nothin'! Talkin' to myself is a habit I've got. Abbiemy second cousin; I guess I told you about

hersays it's a sure sign that a person's rich or out of his head, one or t'other. I ain't rich, so" He chuckled

"Yes, ma'am. At South Denboro. And he certainly did have a rough passage. Ho! ho! Probably you heard

"Yes. He came to see you in connection with your brother's estate some legacy, perhaps?"

She did not look at the captain when she asked this question. Therefore, she did not notice the glance which

he gave her. When he answered, it was in the same deliberate, provokingly deliberate, manner.

"Umhm. Somethin' of that kind, Mrs. Dunn. I can't help thinkin'," he went on, "how nice it is that Caroline

and Steve have such a good friend as you to help 'em. Your husband and 'Bije was chums, I s'pose?

Mrs. Dunn changed the subject. Her husband, Mr. Corcoran Dunn once Mike Dunn, contractor and

Tammany politicianwas buried in Calvary Cemetery. She mourned him, after a fashion, but she preferred

"So? He must be a comfort to you. I s'pose likely he's a friend of my nephew and niece, too."

"That's good. Young folks ought to have young friends. You live in this neighborhood, ma'am?"

The lady did not answer. She gazed haughtily at the trees in the Park. Captain Elisha rubbed a smile from his

There came the sound of laughter from the passage outside. The hall door opened. A moment later, Caroline,

The girl's cheeks were rosy from the cold wind. Her hair, beneath the fur auto cap, had blown in brown,

"Oh, Mrs. Dunn!" she cried. "I'm so glad I accepted your Malcolm'sinvitation. We had a glorious ride!

She stopped short. Captain Warren had risen from his chair and was facing her. Mrs. Dunn also rose.

"Caroline," she said, nervously, "this"pausing on the word "gentleman is here to see you. He says he

The captain interrupted her. Stepping forward he seized his niece's hands in his. "Well, well!" he exclaimed

admiringly. "'Bije's girl, that I ain't seen since you was a little mite of a baby! Caroline, I'm your Uncle

If the captain heard Stephen's fervent ejaculation, he paid no attention to it. Dropping his niece's hand, he

"And this is Stephen?" he said. "Well, Steve, you and me have never met afore, I b'lieve. But that's our

The boy's face was flaming. He mumbled something to the effect that he was all right enough, and turned

away without accepting the proffered hand. Captain Elisha glanced quickly at him, then at his sister.

"Well, Caroline," he said, pleasantly, "I s'pose you've been expectin' me. Mr. Graves told you I was comin',

"Sho! you don't say! Mrs. Dunnyour friend heresaid he was laid up with a cold, but I didn't realize 'twas

"That's too bad. I hope I sha'n't put you out any, droppin' in on you this way. You mustn't treat me as

comp'ny, you know. If 'tain't convenient, if your spare room ain't ready so soon after movin', or anything of

that kind, I can go to a hotel somewheres for a day or so. Hadn't I better, don't you think?"

Caroline hesitated. If only they might have been spared this public humiliation. If the Dunns had not been

there. It was bad enough to have this dreadful country uncle come at all; but to have him come now, before

Her brother, fidgeting at her elbow, not daring to look at Malcolm Dunn, who, he knew, was thoroughly

"Caro," he snapped, "what are you waiting for? Don't you KNOW that the rooms are not ready? Of course

they're not! We're sorry, and all that, but Graves didn't tell us and we weren't prepared. Certainly he'll have to

He ventured to raise his eyes and glare indignantly at the captain. Finding the latter looking intently at him,

"Humph!" he grunted. "Humph! then I cal'late maybe" He took a step toward the door, stopped, turned

back, and said, with calm decision, "I guess I'd better stay. You won't mind me, Caroline you and Stephen.

You MUSTN'T. As I said, I ain't comp'ny. I'm one of the family, your pa's brother, and I've come some

consider'ble ways to see you two young folks and talk with you. I've come because your pa asked me to. I'm

used to roughin' it, been to sea a good many v'yages, and if a feather bed ain't handy I can get my forty winks

on the floor. So that's settled, and you mustn't have me on your conscience. That's sense, ain't it, Mrs. Dunn?"

"Very well," she said, coldly. Stepping to the desk she rang a bell. The butler appeared in the doorway.

"Edwards," said Miss Warren, "this gentleman," indicating the captain, "is to be our guest, for the present.

You may show him to his roomthe blue room, I think. If it is not ready, see that it is made so."

"Yes, Miss Caroline," replied Edwards. Retiring to the hall, he returned with the suitcase.

"Why, I guess I might as well, Commodore," answered Captain Elisha, smiling. "Little soap and water won't

do no harm. Fact is, I feel's if 'twas a prescription to be recommended. You needn't tote that valise, though,"

he added. "'Tain't heavy, and I've lugged it so fur already sence I got off the car that I feel kind of lonesome

The butler, not knowing exactly how to answer, grinned sheepishly. Captain Elisha turned to Mrs. Dunn and

"Well, good afternoon, ma'am," he said. "I'm real glad to have made your acquaintance. Yours, too, sir," with

a nod toward Malcolm. "Your mother told me what a friend of the young folks you was, and, as I'm sort of

actin' pilot for 'em just now, in a way of speakin', any friend of theirs ought to be a friend of mine. Hope to

The young man addressed smiled, with amusement not at all concealed, and languidly admitted that he was

"Your first visit to the city?" he inquired, in a tone which caused Stephen to writhe inwardly.

"Noo. No, not exactly. I used to come here pretty frequent, back in my seagoin' days, when my ship was in

port. I sailed for Osgood and Colton, down on South Street, for a spell. They were my owners. You don't

"No. The privilege has been denied me. You find some changes in New York, don't youerCaptain? You

"Oh, no offense intended. My sea terms are rather mixed. The captain will excuse me."

"Sartin! Cap'n's what they all call me, mostly. Your son ain't ever been to sea, except as passenger, I cal'late,

"Of course, of course. Well, 'tain't a life I'd want a boy of mine to take up, nowadays. But it did have some

advantages. I don't know anything better than a v'yage afore the mast to learn a young feller what's healthy

for him to unlearn. Good day, ma'am. Good day, Mr. Dunn. I mustn't keep the Commodore waitin' here with

that valise. I'll be out pretty soon, Caroline; just as soon as I've got the upper layer of railroad dust off my face

and hands. You'll be surprised to see how lightcomplected I really am when that's over. All right! Heave

He departed, preceded by Edwards and the suitcase. Stephen Warren threw himself violently into a chair by

the window. Young Dunn laughed aloud. His mother flashed an indignant glance at him, and then hurried to

"You poor dear!" she exclaimed, putting an arm about the girl's shoulder. "Don't mind us, please don't!

"Oh, but you DON'T know, Mrs. Dunn," cried Caroline, almost in tears. "You don't understand! It's so much

worse than you think. IIOh, why did father do it? How could he be so inconsiderate?"

"There! there!" purred the friend of the family. "You mustn't, you know. You really mustn't. Who is this

man? This uncle? Where does he come from? Why does he force himself upon you in this way? I didn't know

"What does it all mean, dear?" begged Mrs. Dunn. "You are in trouble, I'm sure. Don't you think

weMalcolm and Imight be able to help you? We should so love to do it. If you feel that you CAN

She paused expectantly, patting the girl's shoulder. But Caroline had heard young Dunn's laugh, and was

"It's nothing," she said. "He has come to see us on a matter of business, I believe. I am nervous andfoolish,

I suppose. Mr. Graves will see us soon, and then everything will be arranged. Thank you for calling, Mrs.

It was a very plain hint, but Mrs. Dunn did not choose to understand it as such.

"You're sure you hadn't better tell me the whole story, dear?" she urged. "I am old enough, almost, to be your

mother, and perhaps my advice might . . . No? Very well. You know best butYou understand that it is

"Of course, I understand," said the girl hastily. "Thank you very much. Perhaps, by and by, I can tell you

everything. But we must see Mr. Graves first. Ioh, DON'T ask me more now, Mrs. Dunn."

The widow of so astute a politician as Mike Dunn had been in his day could have scarcely failed to profit by

his teachings. Moreover, she possessed talent of her own. With a final pat and a kiss, she prepared for

"Goodby, then," she said, "or rather, au revoir. We shall look in tomorrow. Come, Malcolm."

Malcolm, about to utter a languid sarcasm, caught his mother's look, and remained silent. Another meaning

"All right, Steve, old man," he said. "Goodby and good luck. Caroline, awfully glad we had the spin this

afternoon. We must have more. Just what you and Steve need. At your service any time. If there is anything I

The pair were shown out by Edwards. On the way home in the car Mrs. Corcoran Dunn lectured her son

"Have you no common sense?" she demanded. "Couldn't you see that the girl would have told me everything

"By Jove!" he exclaimed, "it was enough to make a wooden Indian laugh. The old jay with the barnacles

His mother snorted disgust. "If you had brains," she declared, "you would have understood what he meant by

saying that the sea was the place to learn what to unlearn. He was hitting at you. Was it necessary to insult

"Insult him? HIM? Ha, ha! Why, Mater, what's the matter with you? Do you imagine that a hayseed like that

would recognize an insult without an introduction? And, besides, what difference does it make? You don't

"Yesfor the present. He is Rodgers Warren's brother. That lawyer, Graves, traveled miles to see him. What

does that mean? That, in some important way, he is connected with the estate and those two children. If the

estate is worth anything, and we have reason to believe it is, you and I must know it. If it isn't, it is even more

important that we should know, before we waste more time. If Caroline is an heiress, if she inherits even a

"But to think of that old DownEaster being related to the Warren family!" he mused. "It seems impossible."

"Nothing is impossible," observed his mother. Then, with a shudder, "You never met your father's relatives. I

When Captain Elisha emerged from his room, after a wash and a change of linen, he found the library

untenanted. He strolled about, his hands behind him, inspecting the pictures with critical interest. Caroline,

"Why, hello!" he cried, with hearty enthusiasm. "All rigged up for inspection, ain't you?"

"Oh, that's just sailor's lingo. Means you've got your Sunday uniform on, that's all. My! my! how nice you

"There! there! of course you are. Tut! tut! How could I forget it. You see, I've been so many years feelin' as if

"I'm a blunderin' old fool, my dear," he said. "I beg your pardon. Do try to forgive me, won't you? And,

perhapsperhaps I can make up your loss to you, just a little mite. I'd like to. I'll try to, if"

He laid a hand on her shoulder. She avoided him and, moving away, seated herself in a chair at the opposite

side of the desk. The avoidance was so obvious as to be almost brutal. Captain Elisha looked very grave for

"I was lookin' at your oil paintin's," he said. "They're pretty fine, ain't they? Any of them your work,

"MY work?" The girl's astonishment was so great that she turned to stare at her questioner. "MY work?" she

"I didn't know but you might. That one over there, with the trees and folks dancin'sort of picnic scene, I

"Sho! Well, I like it fustrate myself. Did 'Bijedid your father know this Mr. Corot well?"

"Well, he bought the picture of him, and so I s'pose likely he knew him. There was a young feller come to

South Denboro three or four year ago and offered to paint a picture of our place for fifteen dollars.

Abbiethat's Abbie Baker, she's one of our folks, you know, your third cousin, Caroline; keepin' house for

me, she is Abbie wanted me to have him do the job, but I wa'n't very particular about it, so it never come

to nothin'. He done two or three places, though, and I swan 'twas nice work! He painted Sam Cahoon's old

ramshackle house and barn, and you'd hardly know it, 'twas so fixed up and fine, in the picture. White paint

and green grass and everything just like real. He left out the places where the pickets was off the fence and

the blinds hangin' on one hinge. I told Abbie, I says, 'Abbie, that painter's made Sam's place look almost

respectable, and if that ain't a miracle, I don't know what is. I would think Sam would blush every time he

sees that picture.' Ho, ho! Abbie seemed to cal'late that Sam Cahoon's blushin' would be the biggest miracle

He chuckled at the reminiscence and rubbed his knee. His niece made no reply. Captain Elisha glanced at the

"I presume likely," he said, "that that picture cost consider'ble more than fifteen, hey?"

The captain looked at her, opened his mouth to speak, shut it again, and, rising, walked across the room.

Adjusting his glasses, he inspected the Corot in silence for a few minutes. Then he drew a long breath.

"Well!" he sighed. "WELL." Then, after an interval, "Was this the only one he ever painted?"

"The only one? The only picture Corot painted? Of course not! There are many more."

"Did, hey? Humph! I ought to know enough by this time not to believe all I hear, but I kind of had an idea

that picture paintin' was starvation work. I've read about artists committin' suicide, and livin' in attics, and

such. Whew! About two such bargain sale jobs as this, and I'd guarantee not to starveand to live as nigh

the ground as a secondfloor bedroom anyhow. How about this next one? This feller in a dorycoddin', I

"No. That is by a wellknown American artist. It is a good piece of work, but not like the other. It is worth

"So? Well, even for that I'd undertake to buy consider'ble many dories, and hire fellers to fish from 'em, too.

Humph! I guess I'm out of soundin's. When I thought fifteen dollars was a high price for paintin' a view of a

house I was slightly mistaken. Next time I'll offer the paintin' feller the house and ask him what he considers

a fair boot, besides. Sam Cahoon's a better speculator than I thought he was. Hello, Commodore! what's

Edwards appeared to announce that dinner was served. Caroline rose and led the way to the dining room.

Captain Elisha followed, looking curiously about him as he did so. Stephen, who had been sulkily dressing in

The captain surveyed the dining room with interest. Like the others of the suite, it was sumptuously and

tastefully furnished. He took the chair indicated by the solemn Edwards, and the meal began.

The butler's sense of humor was not acute, but it was with considerable difficulty that he restrained his smiles

during the next half hour. A more appreciative observer would have noticed and enjoyed the subtler points.

Stephen's glare of disgust at his uncle when the latter tucked his napkin in the opening of his waistcoat;

Caroline's embarrassment when the captain complimented the soup, declaring that it was almost as good as

one of Abbie's chowders; the visitor's obvious uneasiness at being waited upon attentively, and the like.

These Edwards missed, but he could not help appreciating Captain Elisha's conversation.

Caroline said little during dinner. Her brother glowered at his plate and was silent. But the captain talked and

"Maybe you think I didn't have a time findin' your new lodgin's," he said. "I come over on the cars, somethin'

I don't usually do when there's anything afloat to carry me. But I had an errand or two to do in Boston, so I

stopped over night at the hotel there and got the nine o'clock train. I landed here in New York all shipshape

"How did you get our address?" asked his niece. "Mr. Graves couldn't have given it to you, for we only

"Ho! ho!" chuckled Captain Elisha, rolling in his chair, like a ship in a cross sea. "Ho! ho! You remind me of

Abbie, Caroline. That's what she said. 'I never heard of such a crazy cruise,' she says. ' Startin' off to visit

folks when you haven't the least idea where they live!' 'Oh, yes, I have,' I says, 'I know where they live; they

live in New York.' Well, you ought to have seen her face. Abbie's a good womannone betterbut she

generally don't notice a joke until she trips over it. I get consider'ble fun out of Abbie, take her by the large.

'New York!' she says. 'Did anybody ever hear the beat of that? Do you cal'late New York's like South

Denboro, where everybody knows everybody else? What are you plannin' to do? run up the fust man, woman

or child you meet and ask 'em to tell you where 'Bijah Warren lives? Or are you goin' to trot from Dan to

Beersheby, trustin' to meet your nephew and niece on the way? I never in my born days!'

"Well," went on the captain, "I told her that the last suggestion weren't such a bad one, but there was one little

objection to it. Considerin' that I hadn't ever laid eyes on Steve and that I hadn't seen you since you was a

baby, the chances was against my recognizin' you if we did meet. Ho, ho, ho! Finally I hinted that I might

look in the directory, and she got more reconciled to my startin'. Honest, I do believe she'd have insisted on

"So I did look in the directory and got the number on Fifth Avenue where you used to be. I asked a policeman

the nighest way to get there, and he said take a bus. Last time I was in New York I rode in one of those Fifth

Avenue omnibuses, and I never got such a jouncin' in my life. The pavement then was round cobble stones,

like some of the roads in Nantucket. I remember I tried to ask a feller that set next to me somethin' or other,

and I swan to man I couldn't get nothin' out of my mouth but rattles. 'Metropolitan Museum,' sounded like

puttin' in a ton of coal. I thought I was comin' apart, or my works was out of order, or somethin', but when the

feller tried to answer he rattled just as bad, so I realized 'twas the reg'lar disease and felt some better. I never

shall forget a fleshy womansomethin' like that Mrs. Dunn friend of yours, Carolinethat set opposite me.

It give me the crawls to look at her, her chins shook around so. Ho! ho! she had no less'n three of 'em, and

they all shook different ways. Ho! ho! ho! If I'd been in the habit of wearin' false hair or teeth or anything that

wa'n't growed to or buttoned on me I'd never have risked a trip in one of those omnibuses.

"So when the police officer prescribed one for me this v'yage, I was some dubious. I'm older'n I was ten year

ago, and I wa'n't sure that I'd hold together. I cal'lated walkin' was better for my health. So I found Fifth

Avenue and started to walk. And the farther I walked the heavier that blessed satchel of mine got. It weighed

maybe ten or twelve pounds at the corner of 42nd Street, but when I got as far as the open square where the

gilt woman is hurryin' to keep from bein' run over by Gen'ral Sherman on horsebackthat statue, you

knowI wouldn't have let that blessed bag go for less'n two ton, if I was sellin' it by weight. So I leaned up

against an electric light pole to rest and sort of get my bearin's. Then I noticed what I'd ought to have seen

afore, that the street wa'n't paved with cobbles, as it used to be, but was smooth as a stretch of state road

down home. So I figgered that a bus was a safe risk, after all. I waited ten minutes or more for one to come,

and finally I asked a woman who was in tow of an astrakhantrimmed dog at the end of a chain, if the

omnibuses had stopped runnin'. When I fust see the dog leadin' her I thought she was blind, but I guess she

was deef and dumb instead. Anyhow, all she said was 'Ugh!' not very enthusiastic, at that, and went along.

Ho! ho! So then I asked a man, and he pointed to a bus right in front of me. You see, I was lookin' for the

"I blushed, I guess, just to show that there was some red underneath the green, and climbed aboard the

omnibus. I rode along for a spell, admirin' as much of the scenery as I could see between the women's hats,

then I told the skipper of the thing that I wanted to make port at 82nd Street. He said 'Ugh,' apparently

suff'rin' from the same complaint the dog woman had, and we went on and on. At last I got kind of anxious

"Well, any answer I'd be likely to make to that would have meant more argument, and the bus was sailin'

right along at the time, so I piled out and did some more walkin', the other way. At last I reached your old

"Beg your pardon. I keep forgettin' that you're almost grown up. Well, as I was sayin', I got to the house

where you used to live, and 'twas shut tight. Nobody there. Ho! ho! I felt a good deal like old Beriah Doane

must have on his last 'vacation.' You see, Beriah is one of our South Denboro notorieties; he's famous in his

way. He works and loafs by spells until cranberry pickin' time in the fall; then he picks steady and earns thirty

or forty dollars all at once. Soon's he's paid off, he starts for Boston on a 'vacation,' an alcoholic one. Well,

last fall his married sister was visitin' him, and she, bein' strong for good Templarism, was determined he

shouldn't vacate in his regular way. So she telegraphed her husband's brother in Brockton to meet Beriah

there, go with him to Boston, and see that he behaved himself and stayed sober. Beriah heard of it, and when

his train gets as far as Tremont what does he do but get off quiet and change cars for New Bedford. He hadn't

been there for nine years, but he had pleasant memories of his last visit. And when he does get to New

Bedford, chucklin' over the way he's befooled his sister and her folks, I'm blessed if he didn't find that the

town had gone nolicense, and every saloon was shut up! Ho! ho! ho! Well, I felt about the way he did, I

guess, when I stood on the steps of your Fifth Avenue house and realized you'd gone away. I wouldn't have

He leaned back in his chair and laughed aloud. Caroline smiled faintly. Stephen threw down his napkin and

Catching a warning glance from his sister, he did not finish his sentence, but stood sulkily beside his chair.

Captain Elisha looked at him, then at the girl, and stopped laughing. He folded his napkin with care, and rose.

"That's about all of it," he said, shortly. "I asked around at two or three of the neighbors' houses, and the last

"I'm 'fraid I've talked too much," he said, gravely. "I didn't realize how I was runnin' on. Thought I was home,

I guess, with the fellers of my own age down at the postoffice, instead of bein' an old countryman, tirin' out

you two young city folks with my yarns. I beg your pardon. Now you mustn't mind me. I see you're expectin'

company or goin' callin' somewheres, so I'll just go to my bedroom and write Abbie a line. She'll be kind of

anxious to know if I got here safe and sound and found you. Don't worry about me, I'll be comf'table and

He turned to go. Caroline looked at him in surprise. "We are not expecting callers," she said. "And certainly

"Why," he said, with a glance at Stephen, "I see that you're all dressed up, and so I thought, naturally"

"Well," he observed, slowly. "Iguess I've made another mistake. Hum! Good night."

"Captain Warren," she said, "I thought possibly you might wish to talk business with my brother and me.

Wewe understand that you have come on business connected with father's will. It seems to me that the

"Get it over the better, hey? Well, maybe you're right. It's an odd business for an old salt like me to be mixed

up in, that's a fact. If it hadn't been so odd, if I hadn't thought there must be some reason, some partic'lar

reason, Iwell, I guess I'd have stayed to home where I belong. You mustn't think," he added, seriously,

"that I don't realize I'm as out of place amongst you and your rich friends as a live fish in a barrel of sawdust.

That's all right; you needn't trouble to say no. But you must understand that, realizin' it, I'm not exactly

imposin' myself on you for pleasure orwell, from choice. I'm so built that I can't shirk when my conscience

tells me I shouldn't, that's all. I'm kind of tired tonight, and I guess you are. Tomorrow mornin', if it's

agreeable to all hands, we will have a little business talk. I'll have to see Lawyer Graves pretty soon, and have

a gen'ral look at your pa's affairs. Then, if everything is all right and I feel my duty's done, I'll probably go

back to the Cape and leave you to him, or somebody else able to look out for you. Until then I'm afraid," with

a smile which had a trace of bitterness in it; "I'm afraid you'll have to do the best you can with me. I'll try to

"Steve," she said, "I'm afraid you were a little rude. I'm afraid you hurt his feelings."

The boy stared at her in wonder. "Hurt his feelings!" he exclaimed. "HIS feelings! Well, by Jove! Caro,

you're a wonder! Did you expect me to throw my arms around his neck? If he had had any feelings at all, if

he was the slightest part of a gentleman, do you suppose he would come here and disgrace us as he is doing?

"No, he didn't. He asked himheaven knows whyto look out for our money affairs. That's bad enough;

but he didn't ask him to LIVE with us. He sha'n't! by gad, he sha'n't! YOU may be as sweet to him as you

like, but I'll make it my business to give him the cold shoulder every chance I get. I'll freeze him out, that's

what I'll dofreeze him out. Why, Caro! be sensible. Think what his staying here means. Can we take him

about with us? Can our friends meet HIM asas our uncle? He's got to be made to go. Hasn't he now? Hasn't

The girl was silent for a moment. Then she covered her face with her hands. "Oh, yes!" she sobbed. "Oh, yes,

The Warren breakfast hour was nine o'clock. At a quarter to nine Caroline, entering the library, found

"Good morning," she said. Then, looking about the room, asked, "Hashas HE been here?"

Her brother shook his head. "You mean Uncle 'Lish?" he asked, cheerfully. "No, he hasn't. At least, I haven't

seen him and I haven't made any inquiries. I shall manage to survive if he never appears. Let sleeping

He laughed at his own joke and turned the page of the paper. The butler entered.

"I wonder" he began. Then, with a broad grin, "A sudden thought strikes me, Sis. He has undoubtedly

"Perfectly simple. Absolutely reasonable. Just what might have been expected. 'He has gone, but we shall

miss him.' Come on, Caro; I'm hungry. Let the old hayseed sleep. You and I can have a meal in peace.

"Edwards," said Caroline, "you may knock at Captain Warren's door and tell him breakfast is served."

"Yes," commanded Stephen, "and tell him not to hurry on our account. Come, Caro, come! You're not pining

He marched angrily out of the room. His sister hesitated, her wish to follow complicated by a feeling of duty

"No, Miss Caroline. I knocked, and he didn't answer, so I looked in and he wasn't there. His bed's been slept

"No, miss. I've been up and about since half past seven, and I can't understand where he could have got to."

The door of the hall opened and shut. Edwards darted from the library. A moment afterwards Captain Elisha

"Good mornin', Caroline," he hailed, in his big voice. "Surprised to see me, are you? Ho! ho! So was the

Commodore. He couldn't understand how I got in without ringin'. Well, you see, I'm used to turnin' out pretty

early, and when it got to be most seven o'clock, I couldn't lay to bed any longer, so I got up, dressed, and

went for a walk. I fixed the door latch so's I could come in quiet. You haven't waited breakfast for me, I

"Ready now," the captain looked at his watch. "Yes, I should think so. It's way into the forenoon. You HAVE

"No, we have not waited. Our breakfast hour is nine. Pardon me for neglecting to tell you that last evening."

"Yes, indeed. When I'm home, Abbie and I usually eat about seven, so I get sort of sharpset if I wait after

that. I cal'lated you city folks was late sleepers, and I wouldn't want to make any trouble, so I found a little

eating house down below here a ways and had a cup of coffee and some bread and butter and mush. Then I

went cruisin' round in Central Park a spell. This IS Central Park over across here, ain't it?"

"I thought 'twas. I'd been through part of it afore, but 'twas years ago, and it's such a big place and the paths

run so criss cross I got sort of mixed up, and it took me longer to get out than it did to get in. I had the

gen'ral points of the compass, and I guess I could have made a pretty average straight run for home, but every

time I wanted to cut across lots there was a policeman lookin' at me, so I had to stick to the channel. That's

what made me so late. Now do go and eat your breakfast. I won't feel easy till I see you start."

Caroline departed, and the captain, after a visit to his own room, where he left his coat and hat, returned to the

After breakfast came the "business talk." It was a brief one. Captain Elisha soon discovered that his brother's

children knew very little concerning their father's affairs. They had always plenty of money, had been

indulged in practically every wish, and had never had to think or plan for themselves. As to the size of the

estate, they knew nothing more than Mr. Graves had told them, which was that, instead of the several

millions which rumor had credited A. Rodgers Warren with possessing, five hundred thousand dollars would

probably be the extent of their inheritance, and that, therefore, they must live economically. As a first step in

"Yes, yes," mused the captain, "I see. Mr. Graves didn't know about your movin', then? You did it on your

"No reason in the world. A good sensible thing to do, I should say. Didn't anybody advise you where to go?"

"Why should we need advice?" Again it was Stephen who replied. "We aren't kids. We're old enough to

"Yes. Sartin. That's right. But I didn't know but p'raps some of your friends might have helped along. This

Mrs. Dunn now, she kind of hinted to me that she'dwell, done what she could to make you comf'table."

"She has," avowed Caroline, warmly. "Mrs. Dunn and Malcolm have proved their friendship in a thousand

"No. There's some things you can't ever pay, I know that. Mrs. Dunn found this nice place for you, did she?"

"So? That was lucky, wa'n't it? Advertised in the newspaper, was it; or was there a 'To Let' placard up in the

"No, certainly not. Mrs. Dunn knew that we had decided to move, and she has a cousin who is interested in

Her tone was sharp. Stephen, who resented his uncle's questions as impertinent intrusions upon the family

"Isn't it as good as those inwhat do you call itSouth Denboro?" he asked, maliciously.

"Pretty nigh as good," he said. "I didn't notice any better on the way to the depot as I drove up. And I doubt if

there's many new ones built since I left. It's a mighty fine lot of rooms, I think. What's the rent? You'll excuse

The captain looked at her, whistled, broke off the whistle in the middle, and did a little mental arithmetic.

"Twentytwo hundred a year!" he repeated. "That's one hundred and eighty odd a month. Say, that cousin of

Mrs. Dunn's must want to get his investment back. You mean for just these ten rooms?"

"Sure! Naturally, of course," sneered the boy. "Did you think the twentytwo hundred was the rent of the

"The rent," interrupted Caroline, with dignity, "was twentyfour hundred, but, thanks to Mrs. Dunn, who

"We being in reduced circumstances," observed her brother in supreme disgust. "Pity the poor orphans! By

"That was real nice of Mrs. Dunn," declared Captain Elisha, heartily. "She's pretty welloff herself, I

"No. Well, down our way," with a chuckle, "we don't have to inquire. Ask anybody you meet what his next

door neighbor's wuth, and he'll tell you within a hundred, and how he got it, and how much he owes, and how

he gets along with his wife. Ho! ho! Speakin' of wives, is this Mr. Dunn married?"

He looked at his niece as he asked the question. There was no reason why Caroline should blush; she knew it,

"I don't know. In New York we are not as well posted, or as curious, concerning our friends' private affairs as

"I guess that's so. I imagine New Yorkers are too busy gettin' it themselves to bother whether their neighbors

have got it or not. Well," he went on, rising, "I guess I've kept you young folks from your work oror play,

or whatever you was going to do, long enough for this once. I think I'll go out for a spell. I've got an errand or

"Oh, yes, yes! I keep forgettin' that supper's dinner. Well, I presume likely I'll be back for luncheon. If I ain't,

don't wait for me. I'll be home afore supperthere I go again!afore dinner, anyhow. Goodby."

Five minutes later he was at the street corner, inquiring of a policeman "the handiest way to get to Pine

Street." Following the directions given, he boarded a train at the nearest subway station, emerged at Wall

Street, inquired once more, located the street he was looking for, and, consulting a card which he took from a

big stained leather pocketbook, walked on, peering at the numbers of the buildings he passed.

The offices of Sylvester, Kuhn, and Graves, were on the sixteenth floor of a new and gorgeously appointed

skyscraper. When Captain Elisha entered the firm's reception room, he was accosted by a wideawake and

"Hold on a jiffy, Sonny," he panted. "Just give me a minute to sort of get myself together, as you might say. I

rode up in one of those express elevators of yours, and I kind of feel as if my boots had got tangled up with

my necktie. When that elevator feller cast off from the cellar, I begun to shut up like a spyglass. Whew! Say,

"Naw, he ain't. And Mr. Kuhn's busy. Won't one of the clerks do? What do you want to see the firm about?"

"Well, Son, I had reasons of my own. However, I guess I won't disturb Mr. Kuhn, if he's busy's you say.

Here! you tell him, or Mr. Sylvester when he comes, that Cap'n Warren, Cap'n Elisha Warren of South

Denborobetter write it downcalled and will be back about half past twelve or thereabouts. Got it, have

you? Hum! is that Elisha? You don't tell me! I've been spellin' it for sixty years, more or less, and never

realized it had such possibilities. Lend me your pencil. There! you give Mr. Sylvester that and tell him I'll see

Captain Elisha strolled down Pine Street, looking about him with interest. It had been years since he visited

this locality, and the changes were many. Soon, however, he began to recognize familiar landmarks. He was

approaching the water front, and there were fewer new buildings. When he reached South Street he was

The docks were crowded. The river was alive with small craft of all kinds. Steamers and schooners were

plenty, but the captain missed the old squareriggers, the clipper ships and barks, such as he had sailed in as

At length, however, he saw four masts towering above the roof of a freight house. They were not schooner

rigged, those masts. The yards were set square across, and along them were furled royals and upper topsails.

Here, at last, was a craft worth looking at. Captain Elisha crossed the street, hurried past the covered freight

house, and saw a magnificent great ship lying beside a broad open wharf. Down the wharf he walked,

The wharf was practically deserted. An ancient watchman was dozing in a sort of sentry box, but he did not

wake. There was a pile of foreignlooking crates and boxes at the further end of the pier, evidently the last bit

of cargo waiting to be carted away. The captain inspected the pile, recognized the goods as Chinese and

Japanese, then read the name on the big ship's stern. She was the Empress of the Ocean, and her home port

Captain Elisha, as a freeborn Yankee skipper, had an inherited and cherished contempt for British

"limejuicers," but he could not help admiring this one. To begin with, her size and tonnage were enormous.

Also, she was fourmasted, instead of the usual three, and her hull and lower spars were of steel instead of

wood. A steel sailing vessel was something of a novelty to the captain, and he was seized with a desire to go

The ladder from ship to wharf was down, of course, and getting on board was an easy matter. When he

reached the deck and looked about him, the great size of the ship was still more apparent. The bulwarks were

as high as a short man's head. She was decked over aft, and, as the captain said afterwards, "her cabins had

nigh as many stories as a house." From the roof of the "first story," level with the bulwarks, extended a series

of bridges, which could be hoisted or lowered, and by means of which her officers could walk from stern to

bow without descending to the deck. There was a goodsized engine house forward, beyond the galley and

forecastle. Evidently the work of hoisting anchors and canvas was done by steam.

The captain strolled about, looking her over. The number of improvements since his seagoing days was

astonishing. He was standing by the wheel, near the companion way, wishing that he might inspect the

officers' quarters, but not liking to do so without an invitation, when two men emerged from the cabin.

One of the pair was evidently the Japanese steward of the ship. The other was a tall, cleancut young fellow,

whose general appearance and lack of sunburn showed quite plainly that he was not a seafaring man by

profession. The steward caught sight of Captain Elisha, and, walking over, accosted him.

"No, Doctor," replied the captain, cheerfully. "I don't want to see him. I've got no business aboard. It's been

some time since I trod the quarterdeck of a squarerigger, and I couldn't resist the temptation of tryin' how

the planks felt under my feet. This is consider'ble of a clipper you've got here," he added.

"Shouldn't wonder. How d'ye do, sir," to the young man, who was standing near. "Hope you won't think I'm

crowdin' in where I don't belong. I was just tellin' the doctor here that it had been some time since I trod a

"Guess not. Seems kind of nat'ral. I never handled such a whale of a craft as this, though. Didn't have many of

"No," with a shake of the head. "No such luck. I'm a land lubber, just scouting round, that's all. She's a bully

"Looks so. Tell you better after I've seen what she could do in a fullsail breeze. All hands ashore, Doctor?"

"Crew paid off and spendin' their money, I s'pose. Well, if it ain't against orders, I'd kind of like to look

"Certainly you may," he said. "I'm a friend of one of the consignees, and I'd be glad to show you the ship, if

Captain Elisha, delighted with the opportunity, expressed his thanks, and the tour of inspection began. The

steward remained on deck, but the captain and his new acquaintance strolled through the officers' quarters

"Jerushy!" exclaimed the former, as he viewed the main cabin. "Say, you could pretty nigh have a dance here,

couldn't you? A small one. This reminds me of the cabin aboard the Sea Gull, first vessel I went mate ofit's

so diff'rent. Aboard her we had to walk sittin' down. There wa'n't room in the cabin for more'n one to stand up

at a time. But she could sail, just the sameand carry it, too. I've seen her off the Horn with studdin' sails set,

when craft twice her length and tonnage had everything furled above the tops'l yard. Hi hum! you mustn't

mind an old salt runnin' on this way. I've been out of the pickle tub a good while, but I cal'late the brine ain't

"I understand," he said, laughing. "I've never been at sea, on a long voyage, in my life, but I can understand

just how you feel. It's in my blood, I guess. I come of a salt water line. My people were from Belfast, Maine,

"Belfast, hey? They turned out some A No.1 sailors in Belfast. I sailed under a Cap'n Pearson from there

"WHAT?" Captain Elisha was hugely delighted. "Mr. Pearson, shake hands. I want to tell you that your

Uncle Jim was a seaman of the kind you dream about, but seldom meet. I was his second mate three v'yages.

"Glad to meet you, Captain Warren," he said. "And I'm glad you knew Uncle Jim. As a youngster, he was my

"I bet you! He'd seen things wuth yarnin' about. So you ain't a sailor, hey? Livin' in New York?"

The young man nodded. "Yes," he said. Then, with a dry smile, "If you call occupying a hall bedroom and

eating at a thirdrate boardinghouse table living. However, it's my own fault. I've been a newspaper man

since I left college. But I threw up my job six months ago. Since then I've been freelancing."

"Have, hey?" The captain was too polite to ask further questions, but he had not the slightest idea what

"I've had a feeling," he said, "that I might write magazine articles and storiesyes, possibly a novel or two.

It's a serious disease, but the only way to find out whether it's chronic or not is to experiment. That's what I'm

doing now. The thing I'm at work on may turn out to be a sea story. So I spend some time around the wharves

"Now don't you get discouraged," he said. "I used to have an idea that novel writin' and picture paintin' was

poverty jobs for men with healthy appetites, but I've changed my mind. I don't know's you'll believe it, but

I've just found out, for a fact, that some painters get twentytwo thousand dollars for one picture. For ONE,

mind you. And a little mite of a thing, too, that couldn't have cost scarcely anything to paint. Maybe novels

His companion laughed heartily. "I'm afraid not, Captain," he said. "Few, at any rate. I should be satisfied

"Wellwell, I don't know. I ain't exactly livin', and I ain't exactly boardin', butSay! ain't that the doctor

It was the steward, and there was an anxious ring in his voice. Pearson excused himself and hurried out of the

cabin. Captain Elisha lingered for a final look about. Then he followed leisurely, becoming aware, as he

Entrances to the Empress of the Ocean's cabins were on the main deck, and also on the raised halfdeck at

the stern, near the wheel, the binnacle and the officers' cornedbeef tubs, swinging in their frames. From this

upper deck two flights of steps led down to the main deck below. At the top of one of these flights stood

young Pearson, cool and alert. Behind him half crouched the Japanese steward, evidently very much

frightened. At the foot of the steps were grouped three rough looking men, foreigners and sailors without

doubt, and partially intoxicated. The three men were an ugly lot, and they were all yelling and jabbering

together in a foreign lingo. As the captain emerged from the passage to the open deck, he heard Pearson reply

"Drunken sailors," he explained. "Part of the crew here. They've been uptown, got full, and come back to

square a grudge they seem to have against the steward. I'm telling them they'd better give up and go ashore, if

The three fellows by the ladder's foot were consulting together. On the wharf were half a dozen loungers,

"If I can hold them off for a few minutes," went on Pearson, "we'll be all right. The wharf watchman has gone

One of the sailors had drawn a knife. The other two reached for their belts behind, evidently intending to

The trio formed for a rush. The steward, with a shrill scream, fled to the cabin. Pearson did not move; he even

smiled. The next moment he was pushed to one side, and Captain Elisha stood at the top of the steps.

The three sailors, astonished at this unexpected addition to their enemies forces, hesitated. Pearson laid his

"Dangerous? Them? I've seen their kind afore. Here, you!" turning to the three below. "What do you mean by

this? Put down that knife, you lubber! Do you want to be put in irons? Over the side with you, you swabs!

He began descending the ladder. Whether the sailors were merely too surprised to resist, or because they

recognized the authority of the deep sea in Captain Elisha's voice and face is a question. At any rate, as he

"Mutiny on board a ship of mine?" roared the captain. "What do you mean by it? Why, I'll have you tied up

and put on bread and water. Over the side with you! Mutiny on board of ME! Lively! Tumble up there!"

With every order came a stride forward and a correspondingly backward movement on the part of the three.

The performance would have been ridiculous if Pearson had not feared that it might become tragic. He was

descending the steps to his new acquaintance's aid, when there rose a chorus of shouts from the wharf.

That was the finishing touch. The next moment the three "mutineers" were over the side and running as fast

Captain Elisha seemed to be coming out of a dream. He stood still, drew his hand across his forehead, and

"Well!" he stammered. "Well, I snum! IIMr. Pearson, I wonder what on earth you must think of me. I

declare the sight of that gang set me back about twenty years. Theythey must have thought I was the new

skipper! Did you hear me tell 'em they couldn't mutiny aboard of me? Ho! ho! Well, I am an old idiot!"

Pearson stuck his fist into the palm of his other hand. "I've got it!" he cried. "I knew your name was familiar.

Why, you're the mate that handled the mutinous crew aboard Uncle Jim's bark, the Pacer, off Mauritius, in the

typhoon, when he was hurt and in the cabin. I've heard him tell it a dozen times. Well, this IS a lucky day for

Captain Elisha was evidently pleased. "So he told you that, did he?" he began. "That WAS a time and a half,

He was interrupted. Over the rail appeared a blue helmet, and an instant later a big and very pompous police

officer leaped to the deck. He was followed by the wharf watchman, who looked frightened.

"Where's the other one of them?" demanded the policeman. "Oh, it's you, is it? Well, you're too old to be

gettin' drunk and fightin'. Come along now, peaceable, and let's have no words about it."

"I'm under arrest?" repeated Captain Elisha. "UnderMy soul and body! Why, I ain't done anything."

"Yes, I know. Nobody's done nothin'. Come on, or shall IHello, Mr. Pearson, sir! How d'you do?"

"Slattery," he said, "you've made a mistake. Let me tell you about it." He drew the officer aside and

whispered in his ear. After a rather lengthy conversation, the guardian of the peace turned to the watchman.

"You did. You said this gentleman," indicating the nervous and apprehensive Captain Elisha, "was fightin'

and murderin'. I ask your pardon, sir. 'Twas this bloke's foolishness. G'wan ashore! You make me sick. Good

He departed, driving his new victim before him and tonguelashing him all the way. The captain drew a long

"Say, Mr. Pearson," he declared, "a minute or so ago you said this was a lucky day for you. I cal'late it's a

luckier one for me. If it hadn't been for you I'd been took up. Yes, sir, took up and carted off to the lockup.

Whew! that would have looked well in the papers, wouldn't it? And my niece and nephew . . . Jerushy! I'm

Pearson laughed. "Oh," he replied, "a newspaper training and acquaintance has its advantages. Slattery knows

"You needn't. I wouldn't have missed meeting you and seeing you handle those fellows for a good deal. And

"Quarter to one!" he cried. "And I said I'd be back at that lawyer's office at halfpast twelve. No, no, Mr.

Pearson, I can't go to lunch with you, but I do wish you'd come and see me some time. My address forfor a

spell, anyhowis Central Park West," giving the number, "and the name is Warren, same as mine. Will you

"Will I?" he exclaimed. "Indeed I will. I warn you, Captain Warren, that I shall probably keep you busy

"Nothin' I like better, though I'm afraid my yarns'll be pretty dull alongside of your Uncle Jim's."

The boy, Captain Elisha's acquaintance of the morning, was out, regaling himself with crullers and milk at a

pushcart on Broad Street, when the captain returned to the officers of Sylvester, Kuhn and Graves. The clerk

"Captain Warren," he said, "Mr. Sylvester was sorry to miss you. He waited until half past twelve and left

word for us to telephone if you came. Our Mr. Graves is still ill, and the matter of your brother's estate must

The captain seated himself on the leathercovered bench, and the clerk entered the inner office. He returned,

"Mr. Sylvester is at the Central Club. He wished me to ask if you could conveniently join him there."

Captain Elisha pondered. "Why, yes," he replied, slowly, "I s'pose I could. I don't know why I couldn't.

"On Fifth Avenue, near Fiftysecond Street. I'll send one of our boys with you if you like."

"No, no! I can pilot myself, I guess. I ain't so old I can't ask my way. Though" with a reminiscent

chuckle"if the folks I ask are all sufferin' from that 'Ugh' disease, I sha'n't make much headway."

"Oh, nothin'. I was just thinkin' out loud, that's all. Mr. Sylvester wants to see me right off, does he?"

"Umhm. Well, you can tell him I've left the dock, bound in his direction. Say, that young chap that was here

"Oh, I was just wonderin'. I had a notion he might be in trainin' for a judgeship, he was so high and mighty.

Ho! ho! He's got talent, that boy has. Nobody but a born genius could have made as many mistakes in one

name as he did when he undertook to spell Elisha. Well, sir, I'm much obliged to you. Good day."

The Central Club is a ponderous institution occupying a becomingly gorgeous building on the Avenue. The

captain found his way to its door without much trouble. A brassbuttoned attendant answered his ring and

superciliously inquired his business. Captain Elisha, not being greatly in awe of either buttons or brief

authority, calmly hailed the attendant as "Gen'ral" and informed him that he was there to see Mr. Sylvester, if

The attendant brusquely ushered the visitor into a leather upholstered reception room and left him. The

captain amused himself by looking at the prints and framed letters and autographs on the walls. Then a round,

"Yes, sir," was the reply. "That's my name. This is Mr. Sylvester, ain't it? Glad to know you, sir."

"Thanks. Sorry to have made you travel way up here, Captain. I waited until twelvethirty, but as you didn't

"No, no. Not a mite. Might just as well be here as anywhere. Don't think another thing about it."

"No, come to think of it, I ain't. I've been kind of busy this forenoon, and a little thing like dinnerluncheon,

I meanslipped my mind. Though 'tain't often I have those slips, I'm free to say. Ho! ho! Abbieshe's my

second cousin, my housekeepersays I'm an unsartin critter, but there's two things about me she can always

count on, one's that my clothes have always got a button loose somewheres, and t'other's my appetite."

"Well," observed the lawyer, "I'm not sure that I couldn't qualify on both of those counts. At any rate I'm sure

of my appetite. I had a lunch engagement with an acquaintance of mine, but he hasn't appeared, so you must

"Well, now, I'd like to fustrate, and it's real kind of you, Mr. Sylvester; but I don't know's I'd better. Your

"Not a bit of it. And I said 'acquaintance,' not 'friend.' Of course you will! You must. We can talk business

"All right. And I'm ever so much obliged to you. Is there an eatin' house near here?"

He led the way, and Captain Elisha followed. The Central Club has a large, exclusive, and wealthy

membership, and its quarters correspond. The captain gazed about him at the marble floors and pillars, the

paintings and busts, with interest. After checking his hat and coat, as they entered the elevator he asked a

"We occupy the entire building. It is our own, and a comparatively new one. We built it three years ago."

"Nothin'. I was wonderin' what fool thing I'd ask next. I'm more used to lodge rooms than I am to clubs, I

guess. I'd like to take home a picture of this place to Theophilus Kenney. Theoph's been raisin' hob because

the Odd Fellows built on to their buildin'. He said one room was enough for any society. 'Twould be, if we

was all his kind of society. Theoph's so small he could keep house in a closet. He's always hollerin' in meetin'

about his soul. I asked the minister if it didn't seem ridic'lous for Kenney to make such a big noise over such a

The dining room was a large and ornate apartment. Captain Elisha, when he first entered it, seemed about to

ask another question, but choked it off and remained silent. Sylvester chose a table in a retired corner, and

"You do the orderin'," he replied dryly; "I'll just set and be thankful, like the hen that found the china

The lawyer, who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his companion, gave his orders, and the waiter brought

first a bit of caviar on toast. If Sylvester expected this delicacy to produce astonished comments, he was

"Well, well!" exclaimed Captain Elisha. "I declare, you take me back a long ways, Mr. Sylvester. Caviar!

Well, well! Why, I haven't ate this since I used to go to Cronstadt. At the American consul's house there we

had it often enough. Has a kind of homey taste even yet. That consul was a good feller. He and I were great

"I met him a long spell after that, when I was down in Mexico," he went on. "He'd made money and was

down on a vacation. My ship was at Acapulco, and he and I used to go gunnin' together, after wild geese and

such. Ho! ho! I remember there was a big, pompous critter of an Englishman there. Mind you, I'm not talkin'

against the English. Some of the best men I ever met were English, and I've stood back to back with a British

mate on a Genoa wharf when half of Italy was hoppin' around makin' proclamations that they was goin' to

swallow us alive. And, somehow or 'nother, they didn't. Took with prophetic indigestion, maybe.

"However, this Englishman at Acapulco was diff'rent. He was so swelled with importance that his back

hollered in like Cape Cod Bay on the map. His front bent out to correspond, though, so I cal'late he averaged

up all right. Well, he heard about what a goodthat I was pretty lucky when it come to shootin' wild geese,

and I'm blessed if he didn't send me orders to get him one for a dinner he was goin' to give. Didn't

askORDERED me to do it, you understand. And him nothin' but a consignee, with no more control over

me than the average female Sundayschool teacher has over a class of boys. Not so much, because she's

supposed to have official authority, and he wa'n't. AND he didn't invite me to the dinner.

"Well, the next time my friend, the exconsul, and I went out gunnin', I told him of the Englishman's 'orders.'

He was mad. 'What are you goin' to do about it?' he asks. 'Don't know yet,' says I, 'we'll see.' By and by we

come in sight of one of them longlegged cranes, big birds you know, standin' fishin' at the edge of some

reeds. I up with my gun and shot it. The consul chap looked at me as if I was crazy. 'What in the world did

you kill that fishbasket on stilts for?' he says. 'Son,' says I, 'your eyesight is bad. That's a BritishAmerican

goose. Chop off about three feet of neck and a couple of fathom of hind legs and pick and clean what's left,

and I shouldn't wonder if 'twould make a good dinner for a mutual friend of oursgood ENOUGH, anyhow.'

Well, sir! that exconsul set plump down in the mud and laughed and laughed. Ho, ho! Oh, dear me!"

"Oh, yes, I sent it. And, after a good while and in a roundabout way, I heard that the whole dinner party

vowed 'twas the best wild goose they ever ate. So I ain't sure just who the joke was on. However, I'm satisfied

with my end. Well, there! I guess you must think I'm pretty talky on short acquaintance, Mr. Sylvester. You'll

His host was shaking all over. "Go ahead, Captain," he cried. "Got any more as good as that?"

"Don't get me started on Mexico," he observed. "I'm liable to yarn all the rest of the afternoon. Let's see, we

"Why, yes, we should. Now, Captain Warren, just how much do you know about your late brother's affairs?"

"Except what Mr. Graves told me, nothin' of importance. And, afore we go any further, let me ask a question.

Do YOU know why 'Bije made me his executor and guardian and all the rest of it?"

"I do not. Graves drew his will, and so, of course, we knew of your existence and your appointment. Your

brother forbade our mentioning it, but we did not know, until after his death, that his own children were

"It does to me; SO strange that I can't see two lengths ahead. I cal'late Mr. Graves told you how I felt about

"That's puttin' it mild enough. And did he tell you that 'Bije and I hadn't seen each other, or even written, in

"Umhm. Well, when you consider THAT, can you wonder I was set all aback? And the more I think of it,

the foggier it gets. Why, Mr. Sylvester, it's one of them situations that are impossible, that you can prove fifty

ways CAN'T happen. And yet, it hasit sartinly has. Now tell me: Are you, or your firm, well acquainted

"Not well, no. The late Mr. Warren was a closemouthed man, rather secretive, in fact."

"Humph! that bein' one of the p'ints where he was different from his nighest relation, hey?"

"Caroline and Steve? Yes, I've questioned 'em more than they think I have, maybe. And they knowwell,

leavin' out about the price of oil paintin's and the way to dress and that it's more or less of a disgrace to

economize on twenty thousand a year, their worldly knowledge ain't too extensive."

"I guess so. Just now ain't the fairest time to judge 'em. You see they're sufferin' from the joyful shock of their

He paused and rubbed his chin. His lips were smiling, but his eyes were not. Sylvester noted their expression,

"Noo. No, I wouldn't want to say that. They're young andand, well, I ain't the kind they've been used to.

Caroline's a nice girl. She is, sure. All she needs is to grow a little older and have the right kind of advice

"How about the boy?" Mr. Sylvester had met young Warren, and his eyes twinkled as he spoke.

"Steve? Well," there was an answering twinkle in Captain Elisha's eye; "well, Steve needs to grow, too;

though I wouldn't presume to tell him so. When a feller's undertakin' to give advice to one of the seven wise

"Ha! ha!" he crowed. "That's good! Then, from your questioning of the children, you've learned?"

"Not such an awful lot. I think I've learned thathum! that a good guardian might be a handy thing to have

"Otherwise there might be too many disinterested volunteer substitutes for the job. Maybe I'm wrong, but I

"Not yet. I haven't made up my mind to anything yet. Now, Mr. Sylvester, while we're waitin' for what comes

nextyou've ordered enough grub to victual a ships'pose you just run over what your firm knows about

"Not at all. That's what I'm here for. You have a right to know. But I warn you my information isn't worth

He went on, briefly and with the conciseness of the legal mind, to tell of A. Rodgers Warren, his business and

"Yup. Well, it reminds me of a picture I saw once in one of the comic papers. An old feller from the

backwoods somewheresgood deal like me, he was, and just about as greenwas pictured standin' along

with his city nephew in the gallery of the Exchange. And the nephew says, 'Uncle,' says he, 'do you realize

that a seat down there's wuth seventyfive thousand dollars?' 'Gosh!' says the old man, 'no wonder most of

'em are standin' up.' Ho! ho! Is that seat of 'Bije's part of the five hundred thousand you figger he's left?"

"Yes, in a way it is. To be truthful, Captain Warren, we're not sure as to the amount of your brother's tangible

assets. Graves made a hurried examination of the stocks, bonds, and memoranda, and estimated the total,

The lawyer went on. The dead broker's office had been on Broad Street. A small office, with but two clerks.

One of the clerks was retained, and the office, having been leased for a year by its former tenant, was still

open pending the settlement of the estate. A. Rodgers Warren personally was a man who looked older than he

"The Wall Street ones. I guess I can find out something about the society ones. Anyhow, I can try. These

Sylvester hesitated. "Whywhynot particularly so," he admitted. "Nothing crooked about them, of

course. You see, a stockbroker's life is a nerveracking, rather exciting one, and"

"And 'Bije and his chums were excited, too, hey? All right, you needn't go any further. He was a good

"Yes. Frankly, Captain Warren, so far as I know, your brother's personal habits were good. There was

"I'm mighty glad to hear it. Mighty glad. Is there anything else you can tell me?"

"No. Our next move, provided you decide to accept the trust, the executorship, and the rest, is to get

togetheryou and Graves, if he is well enough; you and I if he is notand begin a careful examination of

the stocks, bonds, assets, and debts of the estate. This must be done first of all."

"Yes, yes. Hum!" Captain Elisha put down his coffee spoon and seemed to be thinking. He shook his head.

"You appear to be puzzled about something," observed the lawyer, who was watching him intently.

"Everything. And, if you'll excuse my sayin' so, Mr. Sylvester, I guess it puzzles you, too."

He returned his host's look. The latter pushed back his chair, preparatory to rising.

"It is all so perfectly simple, on the face of it, Captain Warren," he said. "Your brother realized that he must

die, that his children and their money must be taken care of; you were his nearest relative; his trust in your

honesty and judgment caused him to overlook the estrangement between you. That's the case, isn't it?"

"Yes. That's the case, on the face of it, as you say. But you've forgot to mention one item."

"'Bije himself. You knew him pretty well, I can see that. So did I. And I guess that's why we're both puzzled."

"Come downstairs," he said. "We can enjoy our cigars more comfortably there, and go on with our talk. That

"No, I ain't in any special hurry. So I get up to Caroline's in season for supperer, dinner, I meanI don't

The big lounging room of the club, on the first floor, Fifth Avenue side, was almost empty when they entered

it. The lawyer drew two big chairs near the open fire, rang the bell, and ordered cigars. After the cigars were

lighted and the fragrant clouds of tobacco smoke were rising, he reopened the conversation. And now, in an

It was pretty thorough pumping, managed with the skill of an experienced crossexaminer. Captain Elisha,

without realizing that he was doing so, told of his boyhood, his life at sea, his home at South Denboro, his

position in the village, his work as selectman, as member of the school committee, and as director in the

bank. The tone of the questioner expressed nothinghe was too well trained for thatbut every item of

The tall mahoganycased clock struck three, then four. The lawyer finished his cigar and lit another. He

"No, thank you," observed the captain. "I've been yarnin' away so fast that my breath's been too busy to keep

this one goin'. There's consider'ble left yet. This is a better smoke than I'm used to gettin' at the store down

home. I tell Ryderhe's our storekeeper and postmasterthat he must buy his cigars on the reel and cut 'em

off with the scissors. When the gang of us all got a goin' mail times, it smells like a ropewalk burnin'

down. Ho! ho! It does, for a fact. Yet I kind of enjoy one of his fivecenters, after all. You can get used to

most anything. Maybe it's the home flavor or the society. P'raps they'd taste better still if they was made of

seaweed. I'll trouble you for a match, Mr. Sylvester. Two of 'em, if you don't mind."

He whittled one match to a point with his pocket knife, impaled the cigar stump upon it, and relit with the

Meanwhile the room had been filling up. Around each of the big windows overlooking the Avenue were

gathered groups of men, young and old, smoking, chatting, and gazing idly out. Captain Elisha regarded them

"Who? That crowd?" The lawyer laughed. "Oh, they're doing their regular stunt. You'll find most of them

"Not that I know of. Some of them are brokers, who come up after the Exchange closes. Others are business

men, active or retired. Some don't have any businessexcept what they're doing now."

"I want to know! Humph! They remind me of the gang in the billiard room back home. The

billiardroomersthe chronic ones don't have any business, either, except to keep the dust from collectin'

on the chairs. That and talkin' about hard times. These chaps don't seem to be sufferin' from hard times,

"I see. They let the old man do the worryin'. That's philosophy, anyhow. What are they so interested in

"Is that so? Well, well! Say, Mr. Sylvester, the longer I stay in New York the more I see that the main

difference between it and South Denboro is size. The billiardroom gang acts just the same way when the

"That young chap by the mizzen window looks sort of familiar to me. The one that stood up to shake a

dayday to whoever was passin'. Hum! He's made a hit, ain't he? I expect some unprotected female's heart

"Who? Which one? Oh, that's young Corcoran Dunn. He is a lady killer, in his own estimation. How d'ye

The young man turning grinning from the window, caught a glimpse of the lawyer as the latter rose to

"Hello, Sylvester," he hailed, carelessly. "That was a peach. You should have seen her. What? Why, it's the

"Yes. I had the pleasure of assisting in the welcoming salute when our seafarin' friend come aboard. How was

"Thanks. Overwhelmed, I'm sure." Then, with a look of languid amusement at the pair, "What is thisa

"Humph! Well, take my advice and don't. Yachts are all right, to have a good time on, but they cost like the

devil to keep up. An auto is bad enough. By the way, Sylvester, did you hear about my running over the

"Running over?" repeated the captain, aghast. "You didn't run over nobody, I hope."

"Well, I came devilish near it. Ha! ha! You see, the old tarrier was crossing Saint Nicholas Avenue, with a

big market basket full of provisionsthe family dinner, I suppose. By Jove, the household appetites must be

good ones. It was slippery as the mischief, I was running the car, and I tried to go between the fellow and the

curb. It would have been a decent bit of steering if I'd made it. Butha! ha!by Jove, you know, I didn't. I

skidded. The man himself managed to hop out of the way, but his foot slipped, and down he went. Most

ridiculous thing you ever saw. And the street! 'Pon my word it was paved with eatables."

Sylvester, plainly annoyed, did not reply. But Captain Elisha's concern was evident.

"The last I saw of him he was sitting in the mud, looking at the upset. I didn't linger. Peters took the wheel,

and we beat it. Lucky the cop didn't spot the license number. Might have cost me fifty. They've had me up for

"We were discussing a business matter," answered the lawyer, with significant emphasis.

"Business? Why, sure! I forgot that you were Graves's partner. Settling the family affairs, hey? Well, I won't

butt in. Ta, ta! See you later, Captain. You must go for a spin in that car of mine. I'll call for you some day.

He moved off, feeling that his invitation would have met with his mother's approval. She had announced that

"Whew!" he whistled. "Well, when I go for a 'spin,' as he calls it, with HIM, I cal'late my head'll be spinnin'

"Yes. He was at the rooms when I fust landed. Or his mother was there then. He came a little later with

"Um. He's a sociable young feller, ain't he? Don't stand on any ceremony, hey? Caro and Steve think a lot of

"Yes. Graves has told me the Dunns were very intimate with the Warrens. In fact, just before your brother's

death, I remember hearing a rumor that the two families might be even closer connected."

"There was such a rumor. Probably nothing in it. There is no engagement, I am very sure."

"Yes, yes, I see. Well, Mr. Sylvester, I must be trottin' on. I'll think the whole business over for another day

"I certainly am. And I'm very glad indeed to have made your acquaintance, Captain Warren. Good afternoon.

Captain Elisha left the Central Club in a surprised frame of mind. What surprised him was that a man of such

thorough city training and habits as the senior partner of the law firm should express pleasure at the idea of

his accepting the charge of A. Rodgers Warren's heirs and estate. Mr. Graves had shown no such feeling.

If he had heard Sylvester's report to Kuhn, at the office next day, he might have been even more surprised and

"He's a brick, Kuhn," declared the senior partner. "A countryman, of course, but a keen, able, honest man,

and, I think, a mighty good judge of character. If I was as sure of his ability to judge investments and

financial affairs, I should be certain the Warren children couldn't be in better hands. And no doubt we can

help him when it comes to that. He'll probably handle the girl and boy in his own way, and his outside

greenness may jar them a little. But it'll do them good to be jarred at their age. He's all right, and I hope he

"Graves suffers from the absolute lack of a sense of humor. His path through life is about three feet wide and

bordered with rock ribbed conventionality. If a man has a joke in his system, Graves doesn't understand it

and is suspicious. I tell, you, Kuhn, there's more honest common sense and ability in the right hand of this

During the next day Caroline Warren and her brother saw little of their uncle. Not that they complained of

this or sought his society. The policy of avoidance and what Stephen called "freezing out" had begun, and the

young people kept to themselves as much as possible. At breakfast Caroline was coldly polite, and her

brother cold, although his politeness was not overdone. However, Captain Elisha did not seem to notice. He

was preoccupied, said but little, and spent the forenoon in writing a second letter to Miss Abigail. In it he told

of his experience on board the Empress of the Ocean and of the luncheon at the Central Club. But he said

nothing concerning his nephew and niece further than the statement that he was still getting acquainted, and

"I suppose you wonder what I've decided about taking the guardianship," he added, just at the close. "Well,

Abbie, I'm about in the position of Luther Sylvester when he fell off the dock at Orham. The tide was out, and

he went into the soft mud, all under. When the folks who saw him tumble got to the edge and looked over,

they saw a round, black thing sticking out of the mire, and, judging 'twas Lute's head, they asked him how he

felt. 'I don't know yet,' sputters Lute, 'whether I'm drowned or smothered, but I'm somewheres betwixt and

between.' That's me, Abbie, on that guardian business. I'm still betwixt and between. But before this day's

over I'll be drowned or smothered, and I'll let you know which next time I write."

After lunch he took a stroll in the Park and passed up and down the paths, thinking, thinking. Returning, he

found that Caroline and Stephen had gone for an auto ride with the Dunns and would not be home for dinner.

That evening, as he sat smoking in the library, the butler appeared to announce a caller.

"Eh? Someone to see ME? Guess you've made a mistake, haven't you, Commodore? I don't know anybody

who'd be likely to come visitin' me here in New York. Why, yes! Well, I declare! Tell him to walk right in.

The caller was young Pearson, the captain's acquaintance of the previous forenoon. They shook hands

"Perhaps you didn't think I should accept that invitation of yours, Captain Warren," observed Pearson. "I told

you I meant it when I said yes. And calling within thirtysix hours is pretty good proof, isn't it?"

"Suits me fustrate. I'm mighty glad you came. Set right down. Lonesome at the boardin' house, was it?"

Pearson made a grimace. "Lonesome!" he repeated. "Ugh! Let's talk of something else. Were you in time for

"Why, yes; I was and I wasn't. Say, won't you have a cigar? That's right. And I s'pose, bein' as this is New

York, I'd ought to ask you to take somethin' to lay the dust, hey? I ain't made any inquiries myself, but I

shouldn't wonder if the Commodorethe feller that let you incould find somethin' in the spare room

The young man laughed. "If you mean a drink," he said, "I don't care for it, thank you."

"But you can get along without it, hey? So can I; generally do, fur's that goes. But I'M from South Denboro. I

"Oh, there are many people, even here in New York, who are not convinced that alcohol is a food."

"You don't tell me! Well, I'm livin' and learnin' every day. Judgin' from stories and the yarns in the Boston

newspapers, folks up our way have the idea that this town is a sort of annex to the bad place. All right, then

we won't trouble the Commodore. I notice you're lookin' over my quarters. What do you think of 'em?"

Pearson had, in spite of himself, been glancing about the room. Its luxury and the evident signs of taste and

"Why, why, yes, it does, somewhat. I didn't realize you were such an aristocrat, Captain Warren. If I had, I

"Dress? Oh, you mean you'd have put on your Sunday clothes. Well, I'm glad you didn't. You see, _I_ haven't

got on my regimentals, and if you'd been on dress parade I might have felt bashful. Ho, ho! I don't wonder

"I thought so. You wouldn't call livin' in 'em economizin' to any consider'ble extent, would you?"

"No," with a laugh; "no, _I_ shouldn't, but my ideas of economy arewell, different. They have to be. Are

"No," he chuckled, "_I_ ain't, but my nephew and niece are. These are their rooms."

"No, I don't know's you'd call it visitin'. I don't know what you would call it. I'm here, that's about all you can

He paused and remained silent. His friend was silent, also, not knowing exactly what remark to make.

"Oh, slowly. I'm not at all sure it will ever be finished. I get discouraged sometimes."

"No use in doin' that. What sort of a yarn is it goin' to be? Give me a gen'ral idea of the course you're tryin' to

"It isn't. But there's mighty little worth telling. When I began I thought I had a good scheme, but it seems

"Most things do while their bein' done, if you really care about doin' 'em well. Heave ahead! You said 'twas a

sea yarn, and I'm a sort of specialist when it comes to salt water. Maybe I might prescribe just the right tonic,

Pearson began to outline the plot of his novel, speaking slowly at first, but becoming more interested as he

continued. Captain Elisha listened meditatively, puffing solemnly at his cigar, and interrupting but seldom.

"I think that's a pretty good idea," he observed, at length. "Yes, sir, that sounds promisin', to me. This cap'n of

yours now, he's a good feller. Don't get him too good, though; that wouldn't be natural. And don't get him too

bad, neither. I know it's the fashion, judgin' by the sea yarns I've read lately, to have a Yankee skipper sort of

a cross between a prize fighter and a murderer. Fust day out of port he begins by pickin' out the most sickly

fo'mast hand aboard, mashes him up, and then takes the next invalid. I got a book about that kind of a skipper

out of our library down home a spell ago, and the librarian said 'twas awful popular. A strong story, she said,

and true to life. Well, 'twas strongyou could pretty nigh smell itbut as for bein' true to life, I had my

doubts. I've been to sea, command of a vessel, for a good many years, and sometimes I'd go weeks, whole

weeks, without jumpin' up and down on a single sailor. Fact! Got my exercise other ways, I presume likely.

"I tell you," he went on, "the main trouble with that tale of yours, as I see it, is that you're talkin' about things

you ain't ever seen. Now there's plenty you have seen, I wouldn't wonder. Let's see, you was born in Belfast,

"But your Uncle Jim wa'n't lost. You remember him well; you said so. Tell me something you remember."

Before the young man was aware of it, he was telling of his Uncle Jim, of the latter's return from voyages, of

his own home life, of his mother, and of the village where he spent his boyhood. Then, led on by the captain's

questioning, he continued with his years at college, his experiences as reporter and city editor. Without being

conscious that he was doing so, he gave his host a pretty full sketch of himself, his story, and his ambitions.

"Mr. Pearson," said Captain Elisha, earnestly, "don't you worry about that yarn of yours. If you'll take the

advice of an old feller who knows absolutely nothin' about such things, keep on rememberin' about your

Uncle Jim. He was a man, every inch of him, and a seaman, too. Put lots of him into this hero of yours, and

you won't go fur wrong. And when it comes to handlin' a ship, why well, if you WANT to come to me, I'll

"You WILL?" he cried. "Splendid! It's mighty good of you. May I spring some of my stuff on you as I write

"Sartin you may. Any time, I'll be tickled to death. I'll be tickled to have you call, too; that is, if callin' on an

"Thank you," said Captain Elisha. "I'm much obliged. Come often, do. Iwell, the fact is, I'm likely to get

"Now, I want to ask you somethin'. You newspaper fellers are supposed to know about all there is to know of

"Humph! That's a pretty good answer. Knowledge is power, they say, butbut I cal'late knowledge of the

"I think you're right, Captain. It's none of my business, but were you planning to tackle Wall Street?"

Captain Elisha glanced, under his brows, at his new friend, and his eyes twinkled.

"Didn't know but I might," he replied, solemnly. "Ain't got any ertips, any sure things you want to put

"I have not. My experience of Wall Street 'sure things' leads me to believe that they're surebut only for the

"Hum! I know a chap down home that made money in stocks. He made it so easy that, as the boys say, 'twas

Pearson was embarrassed and troubled. If this bighearted, simple minded countryman had come to New

York to buck the stock market, it was time to sound a warning. But had he, on such short acquaintance, the

right to warn? The captain was shrewd in his own way. Might not the warning seem presumptuous?

"Sothisthis friend of yours was a successful speculator, was he?" he asked. "He was lucky."

"Think so? Well, maybe. His name was Elkanah Chase, and his dad was old man 'Rastus Chase, who made

consider'ble in cranberries and one thing or 'nother. The old man brought Elkanah up to be what he called a

gentleman. Ho! ho! Hi hum! I ain't sure what 'Rastus's idea of a gentleman was, but if he cal'lated to have his

son a tramp in gotomeetin' clothes, he got his wish. When the old man died, he willed the boy fifteen

thousand dollars. Well, fifteen thousand dollars is a fortune to some folksif they ain't economizin' in New

Yorkbut to Elkanah 'twas just about enough to make him realize his poverty. So, to make it bigger, he got

one of them 'tips' from a college friend down here in Wall Street, and put the heft of ten thousand into it.

"He was extremely fortunate," he said. "I give you my word, Captain Warren, that the majority of first

speculators don't turn out that way. I hope he was wise enough to keep his profits."

"Jim" he began. "Excuse me, I should have said Mr. Pearson, but I've got sort of in the habit of callin' folks

by their first names. Livin' where you know everybody so well gets you into those habits."

"Do you? Well, I will. Now, Jim, referrin' to what I was goin' to say, you, bein' a newspaper man, ought to

know everything, but it's pretty plain you don't know Elkanah Chase. Keep his profits! Why, when a feller is

all but convinced that he knows it all, one little bit of evidence like that speculation settles it for him

conclusive. Elkanah, realizin' that Wall Street was his apple pie, opened his mouth to swaller it at one gulp.

"It was. He had to take a job over at the overalls factory in Ostable. As a fifteen thousand dollar gentleman,

he was pretty average of a mess, but they tell me he makes middlin' good overalls. Elkanah convinced me

He chuckled. Pearson, relieved, laughed in sympathy. "Has he paid back the money he borrowed?" he

"Noo! I guess the creditors'll have to take it out in overalls. However, it's a satisfaction to some of 'em to

"Oh, ho! You are one of the creditors! Captain Warren, I'm surprised. I sized you up as a shrewder judge of

Captain Elisha colored. "I judged that one correct," he answered. "If I hadn't thought 'twould have turned out

that way I never would have plunged. You see, old man Chase was a friend of mine, and However," he

added, hastily changing the subject, "we've strayed some off the course. When I mentioned the Stock

Exchange I did it because my brother was a member of it, and I cal'late you might have known him."

Pearson was astonished. "Your brother was a member of the Exchange?" he repeated.

"Umhm. Never would have guessed it, would you? I s'pose you cal'late all the stock I knew about was on

the hoof. Well, I have been acquainted with other breeds in my time. My brother's name was Abijah

The effect of this announcement was instantaneous and electric. The young man sat back in his chair.

"Umhm. Seems to stagger you some. Contrast between us as big as all that comes to?"

"Butbut, Captain WarrenYour brotherTell me, is Miss Caroline Warren your niece?"

Pearson rose to his feet. "IsThey used to live on the Avenue," he said. "But you said you were visiting.

"Late! It's only the shank of the evenin'. Jim, I ain't so blind that I can't see through an open window. It ain't

the lateness that makes you want to leave so sudden. Is there some trouble between you and Caroline?

"No," replied Pearson. "No. I assure you there is nothing of that kind. II met Miss Warren. In fact, at one

time we were well acquainted. I have the very highest opinion of her. But I think it is best to"

"Just a minute now. No trouble with Steve? He's a boy and at an age when he's pretty well satisfied with

"No. Steve and I were quite friendly. I'm sorry to cut my visit short, but it is late and I MUST go."

"I hope I may. I give you my word, Captain, that I appreciate your invitation, and I do want to know you

"Same here. I don't often take sudden fancies, Jim, but I knew your uncle, and I'd bet consider'ble on any

member of his family. And I WAS kind of interested in that novel of yours. You haven't said you'd come

"I should like to come, immensely," he said, with an earnestness unmistakable; "butbut, to be honest,

Captain Warren, there is a reason, one which I may tell you sometime, but can't nowneither Miss Warren

nor her brother have any part in itwhich makes me reluctant to visit you here. Won't you come and see me

"Thank you, you'll be welcome. Of course it is ONLY a boarding house, and not a very good one. My own

"Yup. Maybe that's why I expect to feel at home in it. Good night, Jim. Thank you for callin'. Shall I ring for

From the hall came the clang of the elevator door and the sound of voices. Before the captain or his friend

could move, Caroline, Stephen, Mrs. Corcoran Dunn, and Malcolm entered. Caroline was the first to reach

"It's only a friend of mine, Caroline," explained her uncle, quickly. "Just callin' on me, he was."

The girl looked at him for an instant. Then her expression changed, and, with a smile, she extended her hand.

"Why, Mr. Pearson!" she exclaimed. "I'm very glad to see you. You must excuse me for not recognizing you

"Sure!" he said. "Glad to see you again, Pearson. Haven't met you for an age. How are you?"

"It HAS been some time since we met," he said. "This is an unexpected pleasure. Ah, Mr. Dunn, good

"It is Mr. Pearson, the financial writer of the Planet, Malcolm," said Caroline. "You used to know him, I

"Don't remember, I'm sure. Yes, I do. Met you at the University Club, didn't I?"

"And let me present you to Mrs. Corcoran Dunn," went on the girl. "Mr. Pearson used to know father well."

Mrs. Dunn inspected the visitor through her lorgnette, and condescended to admit that she was "delighted."

"I'm very glad you called," continued Caroline. "We were just in time, weren't we? Do sit down. And if you

"I'm afraid I can't wait, Miss Warren. I dropped in to see your uncle, at his invitation, and, as a matter of fact,

"Your uncle, Captain Warren here," explained Pearson, surprised in his turn. "He and I made each other's

"I took the liberty of askin' him, Caroline," observed Captain Elisha quietly, and ignoring the last speaker. "I

didn't know you knew him, and I used to sail along with HIS uncle, so he seemed almost like own folks."

"Oh!" Caroline's manner changed. "I presume it was a business call," she said slowly. "I beg pardon for

interrupting. We had not seen you since father's death, Mr. Pearson, and I assumed that you had called upon

She led the way toward the apartment. Captain Elisha was about to speak. Pearson, however, explained for

"Miss Warren," he said, "if by a business call you mean one in the interest of the Planet, I assure you that you

are mistaken. I am no longer connected with any paper. I met Captain Warren, under rather unusual

circumstances. We discovered that we had mutual friends and mutual interests. He asked me to call on him,

and I did so. I did not know, until five minutes ago, that he was your uncle or that you and your brother lived

here. I beg you won't leave the room on my account. I was about to go when you came. Good evening."

He bowed and stepped toward the hall. Captain Elisha laid a hand on his arm and detained him.

"Just a minute," he said. "Caroline, I want you and Steve to know that what Mr. Pearson says is exactly true. I

ain't the kind to talk to the newspapers about the private affairs of my relations, and, if I'm any judge of

character, Mr. Pearson, knowin' you as it seems he does, wouldn't be the kind to listen. That's all. Now, Jim,

He and his guest were at the door. Caroline and Mrs. Dunn were at the opposite side of the room. Suddenly

the girl halted, turned, and, moving across to where her uncle and the young man were standing, once more

"Mr. Pearson," she said, impulsively, "again I ask your pardon. I should have known. I am very sorry I spoke

"There is no occasion for apology, Miss Warren," he said. "I don't wonder you thought I had come in my

"Yes, you do. You MUST have wondered. I am very glad you called to see mymy guardian, and I hope

you will continue to do so. Father used to speak so highly of you, and I'm sure he valued your friendship.

Stephen and I wish to consider his friends ours. Please believe that you are welcome here at any time."

In the hall, as they waited for the elevator, Captain Elisha, happier than at any time since his arrival in New

"Jim," he said, "I was beginnin' to doubt my judgment of things and folks. Now I feel better. That niece of

mine has got the right stuff in her. After THAT invitation, you will come and see us once in a while. That

Pearson shook his head. "I'm not sure, Captain," he observed, slowly, "that it doesn't make it harder. I shall

The captain's last remark that evening was made to Edwards, whom he met just outside the door of his

"Yup. Well, I know a worse one. It's a house full of mysteries. By, by, Son. Pleasant dreams."

He sat up until late, meditating profoundly. Then, taking from its envelope the letter yet unsealed, which he

"Eleven o'clock. I have decided, Abbie, to accept the guardianship and the rest of it, for a spell, anyhow. Shall

notify the lawyers in the morning. Necessity is one thing, and pleasure is another. I doubt if I find the job

Announcement of Captain Elisha's decision followed quickly. Sylvester, Kuhn, and Graves received the

telephone message stating it, and the senior partner was unqualifiedly delighted. Kuhn accepted his

associate's opinion with some reservation. "It is an odd piece of business, the whole of it," he declared. "I

shall be curious to see how it works out." As for Mr. Graves, when the information was conveyed to him by

messenger, he expressed disgust and dismay. "Ridiculous!" he said. "Doctor, I simply must be up and about

within the next few days. It is necessary that a sane, conservative man be at the office. Far be it from me to

say a word against Sylvester, as a lawyer, but he is subject to impressions. I imagine this Cape Codder made

him laugh, and, therefore, in his opinion, is all right. I'm glad I'm not a joker."

The captain said that he would be down later on to talk things over. Meanwhile, if the "papers and such"

could be gotten together, it would "sort of help along." Sylvester explained that there were certain legal and

formal ceremonies pertaining to the acceptance of the trust to be gone through with, and these must have

precedence. "All right," answered the captain. "Let's have 'em all out at once and get the ache and agony over.

When Mrs. Corcoran Dunn made her daily visit to the Warren apartment that afternoon, she found Caroline

alone and almost in tears. Captain Elisha had broken the news at the table during luncheon, after which he

went downtown. Stephen, having raved, protested, and made himself generally disagreeable and his sister

correspondingly miserable, had departed for the club. It was a time for confidences, and the wily Mrs. Dunn

realized that fact. She soothed, comforted, and within half an hour, had learned the whole story. Caroline told

her all, the strange will, the disclosure concerning the country uncle, and the inexplicable clauses begging the

latter to accept the executorship, the trust, and the charge of her brother and herself. Incidentally she

mentioned that a possible five hundred thousand was the extreme limit of the family's pecuniary resources.

"Now you know everything," sobbed Caroline. "Oh, Mrs. Dunn, YOU won't desert us, will you?"

The widow's reply was a triumph, of its kind. In it were expressed sorrow, indignation, pity, and unswerving

loyalty. Desert them? Desert the young people, toward whom she had come to feel almost like a mother?

"You may depend on Malcolm and me, my dear," she declared. "We are not fairweather friends. And, after

"Worse! Oh, Mrs. Dunn, how could they be? Think of it! Stephen and I are dependent upon him for

everything. We must ask him for every penny. And whatever he says to do we MUST do. We're obliged to.

Just think! if he decides to take us back with him toSouth Denboro, or whatever dreadful place he comes

"But he won't, my dear. He won't. It will take some time to settle your father's affairs, and the business will

"I know. I suppose that's true. But that doesn't make it any easier. If he stops here he will stay with us. And

what shall we do? We can't introduce him to our friends, or, at least, to any except our best, our

"Why, I'm not sure. He is ratherwellercountryfied, but I believe he has a good heart. He is not rude or

"No. Noo. He's not that, at all. In fact, he means to be kind in his way. But it's such a different way from

ours. He is not used to society; he wouldn't understand that certain things and ways were absolutely essential.

I suppose it isn't his fault exactly, but that doesn't help. And how can we tell him?"

"I don't know that you can tell him, but you might hint. Diplomacy, my dear, is one of the necessary elements

of life. Whatever else you do remember to be diplomatic. My poor husband used to have a pet proverbhe

was interested in politics, my dear, and some of his sayings were a trifle grotesque but very much to the point.

He used to say that one could get rid of more flies with molasses than with a club. And I think he was right.

Now let me consider. Let's look the situation right in the face. Of course your guardian, as a companion, as an

"Yes. But he IS your guardian. Therefore, we can't get rid of him withwell, with a club. He must be

endured and made as endurable as possible. And it certainly will not do to offend him."

"Steve says we must do what he calls freezing him outmake him feel that we do not want him here."

"Hum! Well, Stephen is a nice boyMalcolm adores himbut he isn't a diplomat. If we shouldwhat is

"Well, we'll call him the encumbrance on the estate; that's legal, I believe, and expresses it nicely. If we

should freeze out the encumbrance, we MIGHT freeze him to his village, and he MIGHT insist on your going

with him, which wouldn't do at ALL, my dear. For one thing, Malcolm would probably insist on going, also,

and I, for one, don't yearn for rural simplicity. Ha! ha! Oh, you mustn't mind me. I'm only a doting mamma,

dearie, and I have my air castles like everyone else. So, freezing out won't do. No, you and Steve must be

"No one expects you to. If anyone begs it should be he. Condescend to just a little. Make him feel his place.

Correct him when he goes too far wrong, and ignore him when he gets assertive. As for getting rid of him at

"To you? Oh, Mrs. Dunn, we couldn't think of dragging you into it. It is bad enough that we should be

"My dear child, I THINK my position in society is sufficiently established to warrant a risk or two. If _I_ am

seen in company withwith the encumbrance, people will merely say, 'Oh, it's another of her eccentricities!'

that's all. Now, don't worry, and don't fret all that pretty color from your cheeks. Always remember this: it is

but for a year or a trifle over. Then you will be of age and can send your encumbrance to the rightabout in a

Caroline, under the spell of this convincing eloquence, began to cheer up. She even smiled.

"Well," she said, "I will try to be diplomatic. I really will. But StephenI'm not sure what dreadful thing HE

"He will return to college soon. I will take upon myself the convincing of the encumbrance to that effect. And

while he is at home, Malcolm will take charge of him. He will be delighted to do it."

"Mrs. Dunn, how can we ever thank you sufficiently? What should we do without you and Malcolm?"

"I HOPE, my dear, that you will never have to do without me; not for many years, at any rate. Of course,

There was another that evening between Mrs. Dunn and her son, which was not devoid of interest. Malcolm

listened to the information which his mother gave him, and commented upon it in characteristic fashion.

"Humph!" he observed, "two hundred and fifty thousand, instead of the two million you figured on, Mater!

"No," replied his parent, sharply, "it isn't so much, but it isn't so little, either."

"Yes, one can. In fact, I know of two who are managing with a good deal less. Don't be any more of a fool

than you can help, Malcolm. The sum itself isn't small, and, besides, the Warrens are a family of standing. To

be connected with them is worth a good deal. There are infinite possibilities in it. Oh, if only I might live to

see the day when tradespeople meant something other than nuisances to be dodged, I THINK I could die

"She's a bright girl and an attractive one. Just now she is in a mood to turn to us, to you. But, for Heaven's

sake, be careful! She is delicate and sensitive and requires managing. She likes you. If only you weren't such

"Much obliged, Mater. You're free with your compliments this evening. What's the trouble? Another 'heart'?

"No. My heart I can trust, up to certain limits. But I'm afraid of your head, just as I always was of your

father's. And here's one more bit of advice: Be careful how you treat that country uncle."

"He may be the trump that will lose us the trick. Treat him civilly; yes, even cordially, if you can. And

"Well," he said, "it's going to be a confounded bore, but, at the very longest, it'll last but a year. Then Caro

"All right, Mater. You can bet on me. The old hayseed and I will be bosom pals. Wait and see."

The formalities at the lawyers' took some time. Captain Elisha was absent from the apartment the better part

of the following two days. The evenings, however, he spent with his niece and nephew, and, if at all sensitive

to sudden changes of the temperature, he must have noticed that the atmosphere of the library was less frigid.

Caroline was not communicative, did not make conversation, nor was she in the least familiar; but she

answered his questions, did not leave the room when he entered, and seemed inclined to accept his society

with resignation, if not with enthusiasm. Even Stephen was less sarcastic and bitter. At times, when his new

guardian did or said something which offended his highly cultivated sense of the proprieties, he seemed

inclined to burst out with a sneer; but a quick "ahem!" or a warning glance from his sister caused him to

remain silent and vent his indignation by kicking a footstool or barking a violent order at the unresisting

Edwards. Caroline and her brother had had a heart to heart talk, and, as a result, the allwise young

"Though, by gad, Caro," he declared, "it's only for you I do it! If I had my way the old buttin should

On Thursday, after luncheon, as Captain Elisha sat in his own room, reading a book he had taken from the

"Come ahead in!" ordered the captain. Caroline entered. Her uncle rose and put down the book.

"Oh!" he exclaimed, "is it you? Excuse me. I thought 'twas the CommodoreEdwards, I mean. If I'd known

you was comin' callin', Caroline, I shouldn't have been quite so bossy. Guess I'd have opened the door for

"Thank you," answered his niece. "I came to see you onI suppose you might call it business. At any rate, it

"Oh," he said, "on business, was it? I hopedI didn't know but you'd come just out of sociability. However,

I'm mighty glad to see you, Caroline, no matter what it's for. That's a real becomin' dress you've got on," he

added, inspecting her admiringly. "I declare, you look prettier every time I see you. You favor your pa

consider'ble; I can see it more and more. 'Bije had about all the good looks there was in our family," with a

The girl seated herself in a rocker, and looked at him for a moment without speaking. She seemed to have

"Captain Warren," she began, "II came to ask a favor. I am obliged to ask it, because you are our" she

almost choked over the hated word"our guardian, and I can no longer act on my own responsibility. I wish

"I see" he said. "Well, Caroline, I don't believe you'll find me very closefisted. I think I told you and Steve

that you was to do just as you'd been in the habit of doin'. Of course I AM your guardian now, and I shall be

held responsible for whatever expense comes to the estate. It is quite a responsibility, and I so understand it.

As I said to you when I told you I'd decided to take the job on trial, WHILE I have it it'll be my pride to see

that you or your brother don't lose anything. I intend, if the Almighty spares me so long and I keep on with

the trust, to turn over, when my term's out, at least as much to you and Steve as your father left. That's all.

Excuse me for mentioning it again. Now, how much do you want? Is your reg'lar allowance too small?

Remember, I don't know much about such things here in New York, and you must be frank and aboveboard

"I have no complaints. My allowance is sufficient. It is the same that father used to give me, and it is all I

"No. It isis a matter ofwell, of charity. It may amount to several hundred dollars."

"Yes. Her father was seriously injured the other day and cannot work. His hip is broken, and the doctor's bill

will be large. They are very poor, and I thought perhaps" She hesitated, faltered, and then said haughtily:

"Sho! sho! Sartin! Course he did. I like it, too. I'm glad you came to me just as you did, Caroline. How much

"I don't know, exactly. I thought I might ask our own doctor to attend to the case, and might send them some

Caroline's eyes snapped. "Indeed it was!" she said, indignantly. "It was a wet morning, after a rain, and the

pavement was slippery. Mr. Moriarty, Annie's father, was not working that daythey were making some

repairs at the factory where he is employed, I believe and he had gone out to do the family marketing. He

was crossing the street when an automobile, recklessly driven, so everyone says, drove directly down on him.

He tried to jump out of the way and succeededotherwise he might have been killed; but he fell and broke

"Dear! dear! you don't tell me! Poor old chap! The auto feller did he help? Seems to me he ought to be the

"Help! Indeed he didn't! He and the man with him merely laughed, as if it was a good joke, put on speed, and

"Why, the mean swab! Did this Mr. Moriarty or the folks around get the license number of the auto?"

"Yes." Caroline rose and turned to go. "Thank you, Captain Warren," she said. "I will tell Doctor Henry to

The captain did not answer immediately. With his chin in his hand he was gazing at the floor.

"ErWait just a minute, Caroline," he said. "I guess maybe, if you don't mind, I'd like to think this over a

little afore you go too far. You have your doctor go right ahead and see to the old man, and you order the

things to eat and whatever's necessary. But afore you give Annie or her father any money, I'd kind of like to

"Oh!" she said, slowly and icily, "I see. Please don't trouble yourself. I should have known. However, my

allowance is my own, and I presume I am permitted to do what I please with that."

"Caroline, don't be hasty. I ain't sayin' no about the money. Far from it. I only"

"I understandthoroughly. Don't trouble to 'figure,' as you call it. Oh! WHY did I humiliate myself? I should

But the girl had gone, closing the door after her. Captain Elisha shook his head, heaved a deep sigh, and then,

sinking back into his chair, relapsed into meditation. Soon afterward he put on his hat and coat and went out.

Half an hour later he entered the office of a firm of commission brokers on lower Broad Street, and inquired

if a gentleman by the name of Mr. Malcolm Dunn was connected with that establishment. On being answered

"Well," said Captain Elisha, "I'd like to speak to him a minute or so. Just tell him my name's Warren, if you

The clerk objected to being addressed as "young feller," and showed his disapproval by the haughty and

indifferent manner in which he departed on the errand. However, he did so depart, and returned followed by

Malcolm himself. The latter, who had been misled by the name into supposing his caller to be Stephen

"Good afternoon," said Captain Elisha, rising and extending his hand: "How are you today, sir? Pretty

The young man answered briefly that he was all right. He added he was glad to see his visitor, a statement

"Well, what's up?" he inquired, condescendingly. "Nothing wrong with Caro or Steve, I hope."

"Well, a little of both, maybe. It's always a pleasure to see you, of course; and I have got a little mite of

Malcolm smiled, in his languid fashion. If he suspected sarcasm in the first part of the captain's reply, it did

"Business," he repeated. "Well, that's what I'm here for. Thinking of cornering theerpotato market, were

"Noo. Cranberries would be more in my line, and I cal'late you fellers don't deal in that kind of sass. I had a

private matter I wanted to talk over with you, Mr. Dunn; that is, if you ain't too busy."

Malcolm looked at him with an amused curiosity. As he had expressed it in the conversation with his mother,

this old fellow certainly was a "card." He seated himself on the arm of the oak settle from which the captain

had risen and, lazily swinging a polished shoe, admitted that he was always busy but never too busy to oblige.

"II don't know as I made it quite clear," he said, "that it was sort of private; somethin' just between us, you

Malcolm hesitated. Sliding from the settle, and impatiently commanding the clerk to open the gate in the

railing, he led his caller through the main office and into a small room beyond. On the glass pane of the door

was lettered, "Mr. DunnPrivate." A rolltop desk in the corner and three chairs were the furniture.

Malcolm, after closing the door, sprawled in the swing chair before the desk, threw one leg over a drawer,

which he pulled out for that purpose, and motioned his companion to occupy one of the other chairs.

Captain Elisha took the offered chair and dropped his hat on the floor beside it. Then he inspected the room

and its furnishings with interest. Dunn drew out a pocket case, extracted a cigarette, lit it, and waited for him

"Well," observed the young man, after a moment, what's the trouble, Admiral? Better get it off your chest,

The captain answered the last question. "Yes," he said, "this is nice and private. Got a stateroom all to

yourself; name on the door, and everything complete. You must be one of the officers of the craft."

"Umhm. I sort of expected to find your name on the door outside, but there 'twas, 'Smith, Haynes Co.' I

"_I_ 'presume likely,'" with mocking impatience. "What about that private matter?"

Captain Elisha did not appear to hear him. His eyes were fixed on several photographs stuck in the rail of Mr.

"No." Dunn took the photos from the rack and threw them into a pigeon hole. "Look here," he said, pointedly,

He paused. Captain Elisha did not take the hint. His mind was evidently still busy with the vanished

"I guess not. I thought they was fancy; looked so to me. Well, about that private matter. Mr. Dunn, I come to

"An automobile!" The young man was so astonished that he actually removed his feet from the desk. Then he

burst into a laugh. "An automobile?" he repeated. "Captain, has the influence of the metropolis made you a

"Buy one?" It was Captain Elisha's turn to show irritation. "Buy one of them things? Me? I wouldn't buy one

of 'em, or run one of 'em, for somethin', _I_ tell you! No, I don't want to buy one."

"Not if I see you fust, thank you. No, Mr. Dunn, 'tain't that. But one of the hired help up to our

placeCaroline's place, I meanis in trouble on account of one of the dratted machines. They're poor folks,

of course, and they need money to help 'em through the doctorin' and nursin' and while the old man's out of

work. Caroline was for givin' it to 'em right off, she's a good hearted girl; but I saidthat is, I kind of

"So you came to me to ask them?" Malcolm smiled contentedly. Evidently the cares and complications of

guardianship were already proving too intricate for the unsophisticated countryman. He wished advice, and

had come to him for it, possibly at Caroline's suggestion. Affairs were shaping themselves well. Here was an

"So you wanted to ask questions, did you, Captain?" he repeated. "Well, fire away. Anything I can do to help

He offered the cigarette case. The captain eyed it dubiously and shook his head.

"No," he said; "no, thank you, I commenced smokin' at the butt end, I guess. Begun with a pipe, and them

things would seem sort of kindergarten, I'm afraid. No offense meant, you understand. It's all accordin' to

what you've been used to. Well, about the questions. Here's the first one: Don't it seem to you that the right

one to pay for the doctorin' and nursin' and such of Mr. Moriartythat's Annie's paought to be the feller

"Umhm. So I thought. And if he was a rightminded chap, he'd be glad to help the poor critter, providin' he

Malcolm nodded sagely, opened his mouth to speak, and then closed it again. A sudden recollection came to

him, an alarming recollection. He turned in his chair and looked at his visitor. Captain Elisha met his gaze

"Where did this accident happen?" asked Mr. Dunn, his condescending smile absent.

"At the corner of Saint Nicholas Avenue and One Hundred and Twenty Eighth Street. It happened last

Malcolm did not answer. His pale face grew paler, and then flushed a brilliant red. The captain seemed to feel

"Naturally," he went on, "when I heard about it, I remembered what you told Mr. Sylvester and me at the club

that afternoon. I understand how 'twas, of course. You never thought you'd done any real harm and just went

on, thinkin' 'twas a good joke, much as anything. If you'd known you'd really hurt the poor old man, you'd

"Caroline? No, no! She don't know 'twas your automobile at all. I never said a word to her, 'tain't likely. But

afore she spent any of her money, I thought you'd ought to know, because I was sure you wouldn't let her.

That's the way I'd feel, and I felt 'twas no more'n honest to give you the chance. I come on my own hook; she

Malcolm drummed on the desk with nervous fingers. The flush remained on his face, his cigarette had gone

out, and he threw the stump savagely into the wastepaper basket. Captain Elisha remained silent. At length

"Well," he growled, pettishly, "how much will it take to square things with the gang? How much damages do

"Damages? Oh, there won't be any claim for damages, I guess. That is, no lawsuit, or anything of that kind.

The Moriartys don't know you did it, and there's no reason why they should. I thought maybe I'd see to 'em

and do whatever was necessary; then you could settle with me, and the whole business would be just between

us two. Outside the doctor's bills and food and nursin' and such, all the extry will be just the old man's wages

"All right! I'm in it, I can see that; and it's up to me to get out as easy as I can. I don't want any newspaper

"That's fustrate," he said, with emphasis. "I felt sure you'd see it just as I did. There's one thing I would like

to say," he added: "that is, that you mustn't think I was stingy about helpin' 'em myself. But it wa'n't really my

affair; and when Caroline spoke of spendin' her money and Steve's, I didn't feel I'd ought to let her. You see, I

don't know as you know it yet, Mr. Dunn, but my brother 'Bije left me in charge of his whole estate, and, now

that I've decided to take the responsibility, I've got a sort of pride in not wastin' any of his children's

He opened the office door. Malcolm, frowning heavily, suddenly asked a final question.

"I guess you didn't catch what I said, Mr. Dunn," he observed, mildly. "I told you this whole business would

Captain Elisha was very far from considering himself a Solomon. As he would have said he had lived long

enough with himself to know what a lot he didn't know. Nevertheless, deep down in his inner consciousness,

he cherished a belief in his judgment of human nature. This judgment was not of the snap variety; he took his

time in forming it. People and their habits, their opinions and characters, were to him interesting problems.

He liked to study them and to reach conclusions founded upon reason, observation, and common sense.

Having reached such a conclusion, it disturbed him when the subjects of the problem suddenly upset the

whole process of reasoning and apparently proved him wrong by behavior exactly contrary to that which he

He had been pretty well satisfied with the result of his visit to young Dunn at the latter's office. Malcolm had

surrendered, perhaps not gracefully or unconditionally, but he had surrendered, and the

conditionsecrecywas one which the captain himself had suggested. Captain Elisha's mental attitude

toward the son of the late Tammany leader had been a sort of goodnatured but alert tolerance. He judged the

young man to be a product of rearing and environment. He had known spoiled youths at the Cape and, in

their surroundings, they behaved much as Malcolm did in his. The same disrespect to their elders, the same

cocksureness, and the same careless indifference concerning the effect which their actions might have upon

other peoplethese were natural and nothing but years and the hard knocks of experience could bring about

a change. Elkanah Chase, country swell and pampered heir to the cranberry grower's few thousands, and

Malcolm Dunn, idol of his set at the Metropolitan Club, were not so very different, except in externals. The

similarity confirmed his opinion that New York was merely South Denboro many thousand times magnified.

He knew how young Chase had behaved after an interview not unlike that just described. In Elkanah's case

several broken windows and property destroyed on a revel the night before the Fourth had caused the trouble.

In Malcolm's it was an automobile. Both had listened to reason and had knuckled under rather than face

possible lawsuits and certain publicity. Chase, however, had sulkily refused to speak to him for a month, and

regained affability merely because he wished to borrow money. According to the captain's deduction, Dunn

should have acted in similar fashion. But he didn't; that was the odd part of it.

For Malcolm, when he next called, in company with his mother, at the Warren apartment, was not in the least

sulky. Neither was he over effusive, which would have argued fear and a desire to conciliate. Possibly there

was a bit more respect in his greeting of the new guardian and a trifle less condescension, but not much. He

still hailed Captain Elisha as "Admiral," and was as mockingly careless as ever in his remarks concerning the

latter's newness in the big city. In fact, he was so little changed that the captain was perplexed. A chap who

could take a licking when he deserved it, and not hold malice, must have good in him, unless, of course, he

was hiding the malice for a purpose. And if that purpose was the wish to appear friendly, then the manner of

hiding it proved Malcolm Dunn to possess more brains than Captain Elisha had given him credit for.

One thing seemed sure, the Dunns were not openly hostile. And Caroline was. Since the interview in the

library, when the girl had, as she considered it, humiliated herself by asking her guardian for money to help

the Moriartys, she had scarcely spoken to him. Stephen, taking his cue from his sister, was morose and silent,

also. Captain Elisha found it hard to forgive his dead brother for bringing all this trouble upon him.

His lawyers, so Sylvester informed him, were setting about getting Rodgers Warren's tangible assets together.

The task was likely to be a long one. The late broker's affairs were in a muddled state, the books were

anything but clear, some of the investments were foreign, and, at the very earliest, months must elapse before

the executor and trustee could know, for certain, just how large a property he was in charge of.

He found some solace and forgetfulness of the unpleasant life he was leading in helping the stricken Moriarty

family. Annie, the maid at the apartment, he swore to secrecy. She must not tell Miss Caroline of his visits to

her parents' home. Doctor Henry, also, though he could not understand why, promised silence. Caroline

herself had engaged his services in the case, and he was faithful. But the patient was more seriously hurt than

"Goin' to be a pretty expensive job, ain't it, Doctor?" asked the captain of the physician.

"All right. If expense is necessary, don't be afraid of it. You do just what you'd ought to, and send the bill to

"But Miss Warren insisted upon my sending it to her. She said it was a private matter, and one with which

"I know. Caroline intends to use her own allowance, I s'pose. Well, let her think she will, if 'twill please her.

But when it comes to the settlement, call on me. Give her any reason you want to; say aerwealthy friend

of the family come to life all at once and couldn't sleep nights unless he paid the costs."

"But there isn't any such friend, is there, Captain Warren? Other than yourself, I mean?"

Captain Elisha grinned in appreciation of a private joke. "There is somebody else," he admitted, "who'll pay a

share, anyhow. I don't know's he's what you call a bosom friend, and, as for his sleepin' nightswell, I never

heard he couldn't do that, after he went to bed. But, anyhow, you saw wood, or bones, or whatever you have

to do, and leave the rest to me. And don't tell Caroline or anybody else a word."

The Moriartys lived in a fourroom flat on the East Side, uptown, and his visits there gave the captain a

glimpse of another sort of New York life, as different from that of Central Park West as could well be

imagined. The old man, Patrick, his wife, Margaret, the unmarried son, Dennis, who worked in the gas house,

and five other children of various ages were hived somehow in those four small rooms and Captain Elisha

"For the land sakes, ma'am," he asked of the nurse, "how do they do it? Where do they put 'em nights?

Thatthat closet in there's the pantry and woodshed and kitchen and dinin' room; and that one's the settin'

room and parlor; and them two drygoods boxes with doors to 'em are bedrooms. There's eight livin' critters

to stow away when it's time to turn in, and one whole bed's took up by the patient. WHERE do they put the

The nurse laughed. "Goodness knows!" she said. "He should have been taken to the hospital. In fact, the

doctor and I at first insisted upon his removal there. He would have been much better off. But neither he nor

his wife would hear of it. She said he would die sure without his home comforts."

"Humph! I should think more likely he'd die with 'em, or under 'em. I watch that fleshy wife of his with fear

and tremblin'. Every time she goes nigh the bed I expect her to trip over a young one and fall. And if she fell

on that poor racko'bones," with a wave of the hand toward the invalid, "'twould be the final smash like a

At that moment the "brick chimney" herself entered the rooms and the nurse accosted her.

"Captain Warren here," she said, "was asking where you all found sleeping quarters."

Mrs. Moriarty smiled broadly. "Sure, 'tis aisy," she explained. "When the ould man is laid up we're all happy

to be a bit uncomfortable. Not that we are, neither. You see, sor, me and Nora and Rosy sleep in the other

bed; and Dinnie has a bit of a shakedown in the parlor; and Honora is in the kitchen; and"

"There! there!" Captain Elisha interrupted hastily, "don't tell me any more. I'd rather GUESS that the baby

bunks in the cookstove oven than know it for sartin. How did the grapes I sent you go?" turning to the sick

"Aw, sor! they were foine. God bless you, sor! Mary be kind to you, sor! Sure the angels'll watch over you

Captain Elisha bolted for the parlor, the sufferer firing a gatling fusillade of blessings after him. Mrs.

Moriarty continued the bombardment, as she escorted him to the door of the flat.

"There! there!" protested the captain. "Just belay! cut it short, there's a good woman! I'll admit I'm a saint and

would wear a halo instead of a hat if 'twa'n't so unfashionable. Good day. If you need anything you ain't got,

"Aw, sor," she went on, "it's all right for you to make fun. I'm the jokin' kind, sor, meself. Whin the flats

where we used to be got afire and Pat had to lug me down the fire escape in his arms, they tell me I was

laughin' fit to kill; that is, when I wasn't screechin' for fear he'd drop me. And him, poor soul, never seein' the

joke, but puffin' and groanin' that his back was in two pieces. Ha, ha! Oh, dear! And him in two pieces now

for sure and all! Aw, sor, it's all right for you to laugh it off, but what would we do without you? You and

"Indade she does. Sure, she's the perfect little lady! Hardly a day passesor a week, anyhowthat she

Mrs. Moriarty held up both hands in righteous protestation. SHE tell? Might the tongue of her wither between

her teeth before it let slip a word, and so on. Captain Elisha waved her to silence.

"All right! all right!" he exclaimed. "So long! Take good care of your husband, and, andfor Heaven's sake,

Mrs. Moriarty's tongue did not wither; at all events, it was lively enough when he next met her. The captain's

secret was not divulged, and he continued his visits to the flat, taking care, however, to ascertain his niece's

whereabouts beforehand. It was not altogether a desire to avoid making his charitable deeds public which

influenced him. He had a habit of not letting his right hand know what his left was about in such cases, and

he detested a Pharisaical philanthropist. But there was another reason why Caroline must not learn of his

interest in the Moriartys. If she did learn it, she would believe him to be helping them on his own

responsibility; or, if not, that he was using money belonging to the estate. Of course he would, and honestly

must, deny the latter charge, and, therefore, the first would, to her mind, be proven. He intended that Malcolm

Dunn should pay the larger share of the bills, as was right and proper. But he could not tell Caroline that,

because she must not know of the young man's responsibility for the accident. He could not give Malcolm the

credit, and he felt that he ought not to take it himself. It was a delicate situation.

He was lonely, and the days seemed long. Reading the paper, walking in the park, occasionally dropping in at

the lawyers' offices, or visiting the shops and other places of interest about town made up the monotonous

routine. He breakfasted early, waited upon by Edwards, got lunch at the restaurant nearest to wherever he

happened to be at noon, and returned to the apartment for dinner. His niece and nephew dined with him, but

when he attempted conversation they answered in monosyllables or not at all. Every evening he wrote a letter

to Abbie, and the mail each morning brought him one from her. The Dunns came frequently and seemed

Pearson he had not seen since the latter's call. This was a disappointment, for he fancied the young fellow and

believed he should like him even better on closer acquaintance. He would have returned the visit, but

somehow or other the card with the boardinghouse street and number had been lost or mislaid, and the long

list of "James Pearsons" in the directory discouraged him. He speculated much concerning the mystery at

which the wouldbe novelist hinted as preventing his accepting Caroline's invitation. Evidently Pearson had

once known Rodgers Warren well, and had been esteemed and respected by the latter. Caroline, too, had

known him, and was frankly pleased to meet him again. Whatever the trouble might be, she, evidently, was

ignorant of it. The captain wondered and pondered, but reached no satisfactory conclusion. It seemed the

irony of fate that the one congenial personSylvester exceptedwhom he had met during his stay in the big

With Sylvester he held many familiar and enjoyable chats. The goodnatured, democratic senior member of

the law firm liked to have Captain Elisha drop in for advice or to spin yarns. Graves, who was well again,

regarded the new guardian with respect of a kind, but with distinct disapproval. The captain was, in his

opinion, altogether too flippant and jolly. There was nothing humorous in the situation, as Graves saw it, and

to laugh when one's brother's estate is in a tangle, indicated unfitness, if nothing worse. Kuhn was a sharp,

It was after a long interview with Sylvester that Captain Elisha decided to send Stephen back to college.

When he broke the news there was rebellion, brief but lively. Stephen had no desire to continue his studies;

he wished to become a stock broker at once, and, as soon as he was of age, take his father's seat on the

"Stevie," said Captain Elisha, "one of these days, when you get to be as old as I am or before, you'll realize

"Me? Why, none, more's the pity. What learnin' there was in our family your dad had. Maybe that's why he

was what he was, so fur as money and position and society and so on went, and I'm what _I_ am."

"Oh, rubbish! What difference does it make to Malcolm Dunnnow his going through college?"

Stephen grinned. Malcolm had told him some particulars concerning his university career and its termination.

Stephen was furiously angry. His father's indulgence and his sister's tolerance had, in most cases, made his

will law in the household. To be ordered about in this way by an ignorant interloper, as he considered his

"No, we've seen. You run along now and pack your trunk. And take my advice and study hard. You'll be

behindhand in your work, so Mr. Sylvester tells me, but you're smart, and you can catch up. Make us proud

His nephew glanced at him. Captain Elisha was smiling kindly, but there was no sign of change of purpose in

"Oh," he snarled, "if it wasn't for the disgrace! If things weren't as they are, I'd"

"Sssh! I know; but they are. Maybe I wish they wa'n't 'most as much as you do, but they are. I don't

blame you for feelin' mad now; but I'm right and I know it. And some day you'll know it, and thank me."

"No, you'll be older, that's all. Now pack your trunkor get the Commodore to pack it for you."

News from the Moriarty sick room continued favorable for a time. Then, with alarming suddenness, a change

came. The broken hip was mending slowly, but poor Pat's age was against him, and the shock and long illness

were too much for his system to fight. Dr. Henry shook his head dubiously when the captain asked questions.

And, one morning at breakfast, Edwards informed him that the old man was dead. Annie had been summoned

Captain Elisha, though not greatly surprised, was shocked and grieved. It seemed such a needless tragedy,

almost like murder, although there was no malice in it. And the thought of the fatherless children and the

poverty of the stricken family made him shudder. Death at any time, amid any surroundings, is terrible; when

The captain dreaded visiting the flat, but because he felt it to be a duty he went immediately. And the misery

and wailing and dismay he found there were worse than his anticipations. He did his best to comfort and

cheer. Mrs. Moriarty alternately called upon the saints to bless him and begged to know what she would do

now that they were all sure to starve. Luckily, the family priest, a kind hearted, quiet man who faced similar

scenes almost every day of his life, was there, and Captain Elisha had a long talk with him. With Dennis, the

oldest son, and Annie, the maid at the Warrens', he also consulted. Money for their immediate needs, he told

them, he would provide. And the funeral expenses must not worry them. Afterwardwell, plans for the

future could be discussed at another time. But upon Dennis and Annie he tried to impress a sense of their

"It's up to you, Boy," he said to the former. "Annie's job's sure, I guess, as long as she wants it, and she can

give her mother somethin' every month. But you're the man of the house now, and you've got to steer the ship

and keep it afloat. That means work, and hard work, lots of it, too. You can do it, if you've got the grit. If I

can find a better place and more pay for you, I will, but you mustn't depend on that. It's up to you, I tell you,

and you've got to show what's in you. If you get stuck and need advice, come to me."

He handed the priest a sum of money to cover immediate contingencies, and departed. His letter to Abbie that

afternoon was so blue that the housekeeper felt sure he was "coming down" with some disease or other. He

had been riding in that awful subway, where the airso the papers saidwas not fit to breathe, and just as

like as not he'd caught consumption. His greatuncle on his mother's side died of it, so it run in the family."

But before evening his blueness had disappeared. He had just returned to his room, after stepping into the hall

to drop his letter in the mail chute, when his niece knocked at the door. He was surprised to see her, for she

had not spoken to him, except in brief reply to questions, since their misunderstanding in that very room. He

looked at her wonderingly, not knowing what to say or what to expect; but she spoke first.

"Captain Warren," she began, hurriedly, "the last time I came to youthe last time I came here, I came to

She was evidently embarrassed and confused. Her guardian was embarrassed, also, but he tried to be

"Yes, Caroline," he said, gravely, "I know what you mean. Won't youwon't you sit down?"

To his surprise, she accepted the invitation, taking the same chair she had taken on the occasion of their

former interview. But there was a look in her eyes he had never seen there before; at least, not when she was

She went on, speaking hastily, as though determined to head off any questioning on his part.

"Captain Warren," she began once more, "the time I came to you in this room you were, so I thought,

unreasonable and unkind. I asked you for money to help a poor family in trouble, and you refused to give it to

She held up her hand. "Please let me go on," she begged. "I thought you refused, and I couldn't understand

why. I was hurt and angry. I knew that father never would have refused me under such circumstances, and

you were his brother. But since then, only today, I have learned that I was wrong. I have learned"

She paused. The captain was silent. He was beginning to hope, to believe once more in his judgment of

character; and yet, with his hope and growing joy, there was a trifle of anxiety.

"I have learned," went on his niece, "that I was mistaken. I can't understand yet why you wished to wait

before saying yes, but I do know that it must have been neither because you were unkind nor ungenerous. I

Captain Elisha started. "What did they tell you?" he asked, quickly. "Who told you?"

"Annie and her mother. They told me what you had done and were doing for them. How kind you had been

all through the illness and today. Oh, I know you made them promise not to tell me; and you made the

doctor and nurse promise, too. But I knew SOMEONE had helped, and Annie dropped a hint. Then I

The captain, who had been looking at the floor, and frowning a bit, suddenly glanced up to find his niece's

"Will you forgive me?" she asked, rising from her chair, and coming impulsively toward him. "I'm sorry I

misjudged you and treated you so. You must be a very good man. Please forgive me."

He took her hand, which was swallowed up in his big one. His eyes were moist, also.

"Lord love you, dearie," he said, "there's nothin' to forgive. I realized that I must have seemed like a mean,

stingy old scamp. Yet I didn't mean to be. I only wanted to look into this thing just a little. Just as a matter of

business, you know. And I . . . Caroline, did that doctor tell you anything more?"

"Any more?" she repeated in bewilderment. "He told me that you were the kindest man he had ever seen."

"Yes, yes. Well, maybe his eyesight's poor. What I mean is did he tell you anything about anybody else bein'

"Oh, nothin', nothin'. I joked with him a spell ago about a wealthy relation of the Moriarty tribe turnin up.

'Twas only a joke, of course. And yet, Caroline, II think I'd ought to say He hesitated. What could he

"Why, nothin', I guess. I'm glad you understand matters a little better and I don't intend for the estate nor you

to pay these Moriarty bills. Just get 'em off your mind. Forget 'em. I'll see that everything's attended to. And,

later on, if you and me can, by puttin' our heads together, help those folks to earnin' a better livin', why, we

The girl smiled up at him. "I think," she said, "that you must be one who likes to hide his light under a

"I guess likely a twoquart measure'd be plenty big enough to hide mine. There! there! We won't have any

more misunderstandin's, will we? I'm a pretty green vegetable and about as out of place here as a lobster in a

balloon, but, as I said to you and Steve once before, if you'll just remember I AM green and sort of rough, and

maybe make allowances accordin', this cruise of ours may not be so unpleasant. Now you run along and get

ready for dinner, or the Commodore'll petrify from standin' so long behind your chair."

She laughed, as she turned to go. "I should hate to have him do that," she said. "He would make a depressing

She left Captain Elisha in a curious state of mind. Against his will he had been forced to accept thanks and

credit which, he believed, did not rightfully belong to him. It was the only thing to do, and yet it seemed

almost like disloyalty to Malcolm Dunn. This troubled him, but the trouble was, just then, a mere pinhead of

"Captain Warren," asked Caroline, as they were seated at the breakfast table next morning, "what are your

Captain Elisha put down his coffee cup and pulled his beard reflectively. Contrary to his usual desire since he

came to the apartment to live, he was in no hurry to finish the meal. This breakfast and the dinner of the

previous evening had been really pleasant. He had enjoyed them. His niece had not called him uncle again, it

is true, and perhaps that was too much to be expected as yet, but she was cheerful and even familiar. They

talked as they ate, and he had not been made to feel that he was the death's head at the feast. The change was

marked and very welcome. The bright winter sunshine streaming through the window indicated that the

"Well," he replied, with a smile, "I don't know, Caroline, as I've made any definite plans. Let's see, today's

Sunday, ain't it? Last letter I got from Abbie she sailed into me because, as she said, I seemed to have been

'most everywheres except to meetin'. She figgers New York's a heathen place, anyhow, and she cal'lates I'm

gettin' to be a backslider like the rest. I didn't know but I might go to church."

Caroline nodded. "I wondered if you wouldn't like to go," she said. "I am going, and I thought perhaps you

Her uncle had again raised his cup to his lips. Now he set it down with a suddenness which caused the

statuesque Edwards to bend forward in anticipation of a smash. The captain started to speak, thought better of

"I know," she faltered, "that I haven't asked you before, but but" then, with the impulsiveness which

was one of her characteristics, and to her guardian her great charm, she looked him full in the face and added,

"but I hoped you would understand thatthat _I_ understood a little better. I should like to have your

"Thank you, Caroline," he answered. "I appreciate your askin' me, I sartinly do. And I'd rather go with you

than anybody else on earth. But I was cal'latin' to hunt up some little roundthe corner chapel, or Bethel,

where I'd feel a little bit at home. I guess likely your church is a pretty big one, ain't it?"

"We attend Saint Denis. It IS a large church, but we have always been connected with it. Stephen and I were

"No, no! I hadn't anywhere in particular to go. I'm a Congregationalist to home, but Abbie says I've spread

my creed so wide that it ain't more'n an inch deep anywhere, and she shouldn't think 'twould keep me afloat. I

tell her I'd rather navigate a broad and shallow channel, where everybody stands by to keep his neighbor off

the shoals, than I would a narrow and crooked one with selfrighteousness off both beams and perdition

"You see," he added, reflectively, "the way I look at it, it's a pretty uncertain cruise at the best. Course there's

all sorts of charts, and every fleet is sartin it's got the only right one. But I don't know. We're afloatthat

much we are sure ofbut the port we left and the harbor we're bound for, they're always out of sight in the

fog astern and ahead. I know lots of folks who claim to see the harbor, and see it plain; but they don't exactly

agree as to what they see. As for me, I've come to the conclusion that we must steer as straight a course as we

can, and when we meet a craft in distress, why, do our best to help her. The rest of it I guess we must leave to

the Owner, to the One that launched us. I . . . Good land!" he exclaimed, coming out of his meditation with a

start, "I'm preachin' a sermon ahead of time. And the Commodore's goin' to sleep over it, I do believe."

The butler, who had been staring vacantly out of the window during the captain's soliloquy, straightened at

the sound of his nickname, and asked hastily, "Yes, sir? What will you have, sir?" Captain Elisha laughed in

"Then it's settled, isn't it? The service begins at a quarter to eleven. We will leave here at halfpast ten."

The captain shaved with extra care that morning, donned spotless linen, including a "standup"

collarwhich he detestedbrushed his frockcoat and his hair with great particularity, and gave Edwards

his shoes to clean. He would have shined them himself, as he always did at home, but on a former occasion

when he asked for the "blackin' kit," the butler's shocked and pained expression led to questions and

He was ready by a quarter after ten, but when his niece knocked at his door she bore a message which

"Mrs. Dunn called," she said, "to ask me to go to church with her. I told her I had invited you to accompany

Her guardian hesitated. "I guess," he answered, slowly, "it ain't so much a question of my mindin' her as she

"I want to know! Now, Caroline, don't you think I'd be sort of in the way? Don't you believe she'd manage to

live down her disappointment if I didn't tag on? You mustn't feel that you've got to be bothered with me

"If I had considered it a bother I should not have invited you. If you don't wish Mrs. Dunn's company, then

"Oh, land sakes! I wouldn't have you do that for the world! All right, I'll be out in a jiffy."

He gave his hair a final brush, straightened his tie, turned around once more before the mirror, and walked

fearfully forth to meet the visitor. For him, the anticipated pleasure of the forenoon had been replaced by

But Mrs. Corcoran Dunn, as she rose creakingly to greet him, was extremely gracious. She was gowned and

furred and hatted in a manner which caused the captain to make hasty mental estimate as to cost, but she

extended a plump hand, buttoned in a very tight glove, and murmured her gratification.

"I'm so glad you are to accompany us, Captain Warren," she gushed. "It is a charming winter morning, isn't

Captain Elisha touched the plump glove with his own big finger tips, and admitted that the morning was

"fustrate." He was relieved from the embarrassment of further conversation just then by Caroline's

"I'm afraid we're a trifle early, my dear," said Mrs. Dunn, "but we can stroll about a bit before we go in."

He stopped, suddenly, realizing that he had spoken aloud. His niece divined his thought and laughed merrily.

"Oh!" ejaculated her uncle, and did not speak again until they were at the door of the church. Then Caroline

"Nothin' much," he answered, gazing at the fashionably garbed throng pouring under the carved stone arch of

the entrance; "I was just reorganizin' my ideas, that's all. I've always sort of thought a plug hat looked

He marched behind his niece and Mrs. Dunn up the center aisle to the Warren pew. He wrote his housekeeper

afterwards that he estimated that aisle to be "upwards of two mile long. And my Sunday shoes had a separate

Once seated, however, and no longer so conspicuous, his common sense and Yankee independence came to

his rescue. He had been in much bigger churches than this one, while abroad during his seagoing years. He

knew that his clothes were not fashionably cut, and that, to the people about him, he must appear odd and,

perhaps, even ridiculous. But he remembered how odd certain city people appeared while summering at

South Denboro. Recollections of pointed comments made by boatmen who had taken these summer

sojourners on fishing excursions came to his mind. Well, he had one advantage over such people, at any rate,

So, saved from humiliation by his sense of humor, he looked about him with interest. When the procession of

choir boys came up the aisle, and Mrs. Dunn explained in a condescending whisper what they were, his

answer surprised her a trifle. "Yes," whispered the captain in reply, "I know. I've seen the choir in Saint

Only once did he appear greatly astonished. That was when the offering was taken and a certain dignified

magnate, whose fame as a king of finance is worldwide, officiated as one of the collectors.

"Heavens and earth!" murmured Captain Elisha, staring wideeyed at the unmistakable features so often

pictured and cartooned in the daily papers; "CarolineCaroline, am I seein' things or is that is that"

"My soul!" still gazing after the Emperor of Wall Street; "HIM passin' the plate! Well," with a grim smile,

"whoever picked him out for the job has got judgment. If HE can't make a body shell out, nobody can."

He listened to the sermon, the text of which was from the Beatitudes, with outward solemnity, but with a

twinkle in his eye. After the benediction, when Caroline asked how he enjoyed it, the cause of the twinkle

"Fine!" he declared, with enthusiasm. "He's a smart preacher, ain't he! And he knew his congregation. You

might not guess they was meek perhaps, but they certainly did look as if they'd inherited the earth."

He drew a breath of relief as the trio emerged into the open air. He had enjoyed the novel experience, in a

way, but now he felt rather like one let out of jail. The quiet luncheon at home with Caroline was a pleasant

But Mrs. Corcoran Dunn smashed his anticipation at a blow. She insisted that he and his niece lunch with her.

"You really must, you know," she declared. "It will be delightful. Just a little family party."

Captain Elisha looked distressed. "Thank you, ma'am," he stammered; "it's awful kind of you, but I wouldn't

feel right to go puttin' you to all that trouble. Just as much obliged, but II've got a letter to write, you see."

"Very well," she said, "but Caroline MUST come with me. I told Malcolm I should bring her."

But Caroline also declined. Having misjudged her guardian in the matter of the Moriarty family, she was in a

repentant mood, and had marked that day on her calendar as one of selfsacrifice.

"Then the captain will come, of course," declared Mrs. Dunn, with decision. "I'm sure he will not be so

So, because he did not wish to appear selfish, Captain Elisha admitted that his letter might be written later in

the afternoon, accepted the invitation, and braced his spirit for further martyrdom.

It was not as bad as he expected. The Dunns occupied a small, brownstone house on Fifth Avenue,

somewhat oldfashioned, but eminently respectable. The paintings and bronzes were as numerous as those in

the Warren apartment, and if the taste shown in their selection was not that of Rodgers Warren, the

connoisseur, they made quite as much show, and the effect upon Captain Elisha was the same. The various

mortgages on the property were not visible, and the tradesmen's bills were securely locked in Mrs. Dunn's

The luncheon itself was elaborate, and there was a butler whose majestic dignity and importance made even

Malcolm was at home when they arrived, irreproachably dressed and languidly noneffusive, as usual.

Captain Elisha, as he often said, did not "set much store" by clothes; but there was something about this

young man which always made him conscious that his own trousers were a little too short, or his boots too

heavy, or something. "I wouldn't WEAR a necktie like his," he wrote Abbie, after his first meeting with

Caroline, in the course of conversation during the luncheon, mentioned the Moriartys and their sorrow. The

captain tried to head her off and to change the subject, but with little success. He was uncomfortable and kept

glancing under his brows at Malcolm, with whom, under the circumstances, he could not help sympathizing

to an extent. But his sympathy was wasted. The young man did not appear in the slightest degree nervous.

The memory of his recent interview with Captain Elisha did not embarrass him, outwardly at least, half as

much as it did the captain. He declared that old Pat's death was beastly hard luck, but accidents were bound to

happen. It was a shame, and all that. "If there's anything the mater and I can do, Caroline, call on us, of

"Yes, do, Caroline," concurred his mother. "However, one must be philosophic in such cases. It is a mercy

that people in their station do not feel grief and loss as we do. Providence, in its wisdom, has limited their

susceptibilities as it has their intelligence. Don't you agree with me, Captain Warren?"

"Sartin!" was the prompt reply. "It's always a comfort to me, when I go fishin', to know that the fish ain't got

so much brains as I have. The hook hurts, I presume likely, but they ain't got the sense to realize what a mean

trick's been played on 'em. The one that's caught's dead, and them that are left are too busy hustlin' for the

Caroline seemed to be the only one who appreciated the sarcasm in this observation. She frowned slightly.

"Say, Admiral," he commented, "when it comes to philosophy you go some yourself, don't you?"

"Umhm. I can be as philosophical about other folk's troubles as anybody I ever see." Then, with an

involuntary chuckle of admiration at the young gentleman's coolness, he added, "That is, anybody I ever see

Malcolm opened his mouth to reply, but closed it again. The captain, noticing his change of purpose and

following the direction of his look, saw Mrs. Dunn shake her head in sharp disapproval. He ate the remainder

"And now," said Mrs. Dunn, rising and leading the way to the drawingroom, "we must all go for a motor

ride. Everyone rides on Sunday afternoon," she explained, turning to her male guest.

The distressed look returned to Captain Elisha's face. His niece saw it, understood, and came to his rescue.

"I think Captain Warren prefers to be excused," she said, smiling. "He has a prejudice against automobiles."

"No!" drawled Malcolm, the irrepressible. "Not really? Admiral, I'm surprised! In these days, you know!"

"It ain't so much the automobiles," snapped Captain Elisha, irritation getting the better of his discretion, "as

"That are careless enough to get in the way of them," finished the captain, with surprising presence of mind.

"I have it!" exclaimed Mrs. Dunn. "The young people shall go, and the others remain at home. Malcolm shall

take you for a spin, Caroline, and Captain Warren and I will stay here and wait until you return. We'll have a

family chat, Captain, won't we? Because," with a gay laugh, "in a way we ARE like one family, you see."

And, somewhat to Miss Warren's surprise, her uncle agreed to this proposition. He did not answer

"Why, yes," he said, "that's a good idea. That's fustrate. You young folks go, and Mrs. Dunn and I'll wait

here till you come back. That's the way of the worldyoung folks on the go, and the old folks at home by

The lady addressed did not relish being numbered with "old folks," but she smiled sweetly, and said she

supposed it was. Malcolm telephoned to the garage and to Edwards at the Warren apartment, ordering the

butler to deliver his mistress's auto cap and cloak to the chauffeur, who would call for them. A few minutes

"Now enjoy yourself, dear," she whispered. "Have a nice ride and don't worry about me. If heif our

encumbrance bores me too much I shallwell, I shall plead a headache and leave him to his own devices.

Caroline shook her head. "No," she answered, "he is a good man. I understand him better than I did

The yellow car roared as the chauffeur cranked it, then moved off up the crowded avenue. Mrs. Dunn

watched it until it was out of sight. Her brows were drawn together, and she seemed puzzled and just a bit

disconcerted. However, when she returned to the drawingroom, her gracious smile had returned, and her

Captain Elisha had been standing by the window. She begged him to be seated. He thanked her, but looked

"Suppose we go into the library," she said. "It is much less formal. And there is a firefor us OLD folks,"

The library was more homelike. Not as many books as at the Warrens', but a great deal of gilt in the bindings

and much carving on the cases. The fire was cheery, and the pair sat down before it in big easy chairs. Mrs.

Captain Elisha cleared his throat. Mrs. Dunn leaned forward expectantly. The captain coughed and sank back

Another period of silence. Mrs. Dunn's foot tapped the rug impatiently. She wished him to begin the

conversation, and he would not. At length, in desperation, she began it herself.

"No, of course not. It does so depend upon what one is accustomed to. Now I fancy I should be perfectly

"Yes'm. I judged that was what you meant. Still, folks can be lonesome in New York."

"Perhaps. But really I don't see how. With all the whirl and the crowds and the glorious excitement. The

"Yes. If you belong to the machinery, I s'pose it's all right. But if you've been leanin' over the rail, lookin' on,

and get pushed in unexpected, maybe you don't care so much about bein' nigh the center."

"But, as I understand it, Captain WarrenI may be misinformed, for, of course, I haven't been unduly

curious concerning your family affairsas _I_ understand it, you were not obliged to remain among

theamong the wheels, as you call them. You could have gotten out quite easily, couldn't you?"

"I presume likely I could. But, you see, ma'am, I had a feelin' that I'd ought to stay."

Mrs. Dunn laughed lightly. "Ah me!" she exclaimed; "you felt it your duty, I suppose. Oh, you New England

She shook her head in playful mockery. Then she added, "But, at all events, it cannot be so very

disagreeablenow. I have no doubt it waswell, not comfortable for you at first. Steve and Caroline were

quite impossiblereally quite furious. Your sudden appearance in the capacity of guardian was too much for

them. They were sure you must be a perfect ogre, Captain. I had to use all my eloquence to convince them

they would not be devoured alive. But nowwhat a change! Why, already Caroline accepts you aswell,

almost like an old friend, like myself. In the last few days this change in her attitude is quite marked. What

This appeal, delivered with eloquence and most engaging play of brow and eye, should have been irresistible.

Unfortunately the captain did not appear to have heard it. Leaning forward, his hands clasped between his

knees, he was gazing into the fire. And when he spoke, it was as if he were thinking aloud.

"I s'pose 'tis a sort of disease, this duty business," he mused. "And most diseases ain't cheerful visitations.

Still a feller ought not to growl about it in public. I always did hate for a man to be goin' about forever

Mrs. Dunn's lips snapped shut. She pressed them together impatiently. Evidently her questions, and their

diplomatic prelude, had been unheard and wasted. However, she did not intend to be sidetracked or

"One should not prate of one's duty, of course," she agreed. "Not that you dofar from it. But, as I was

"Thank you, ma'am. I hope I don't groan too loud. Do you know, I believe climate has a bearin' on duty, same

as it has on rheumatics. I s'pose you city folks"and there was almost contempt in the words"are sort of

"Um! So? Well, I s'pose you do feel you must dress just so, and live just so, and do just such and such things.

Mrs. Dunn was finding it difficult to keep her temper. To be catechised in this contemptuously lofty manner

by one to whom she considered herself so immensely superior, was too much. She forgot the careful plan of

campaign which she had intended to follow in this interview, and now interrupted in her turn. And Captain

"We do have our social duties, our duties to society," snapped the widow, hotly. "They are necessary ones.

Having been bornor risen toa certain circle, we recognize the responsibilities attached to it. We ARE

careful with whom we associate; we have to be. As for dress, we dress as others of our friends do."

"If we canyes. I presume" with crushing irony"dress in South Denboro counts but little."

"You wouldn't say that if you ever went to sewin' circle," with a chuckle. "Still, compared to the folks at your

meetin'house this morning, our congregation would look like a flock of blackbirds alongside of a cage full

of Birds of Paradise. But most of usthe women folks especialdress as well as we can."

"As well as you can!" triumphantly. "There! you see? And you live as well as you can, don't you?"

"Nonsense! We are obliged to be," with a slight shudder at the vulgarism, "STYLISH. If we should lapse, if

we should become shabby and behind the fashion or live in that way, people would wonder and believe it was

"Well, s'pose they did, you'd know better yourselves. Can't you be independent?"

"No. Not unless you are very, very rich; then it might be considered an eccentricity. Independence is a costly

"Then we must pretend we can. Oh, you DON'T understand! So MUCH depends upon a proper appearance.

"Humph!" with the same irritating smile, "I should think that might mean some plannin'. And plans, the best

of 'em, are likely to go wrong. You talk about the children in yourin what you call your 'circle.' How can

you plan what they'll do? You might when they was little, perhaps; but when they grow up it's different."

"It is not. It CAN'T be! And, if they have been properly reared and understand their responsibilities, they plan

"Land sakes! You meanwhy, s'pose they take a notion to get married? I'm an old bach, of course, but the

average young girl or feller is subject to that sort of ailment, 'cordin' to the records. S'pose one of your circle's

daughters gets to keepin' company with a chap who's outside the ring? A promisin', nice boy enough, but

"Certainly! That sort of marriage is never a happy one, unless, of course, the girl is wealthy enough not to

care. And even then it is not advisable. All their customs and habits of thought are different. No!

Emphatically, no! And the girl, if she is sensible and well reared, as I have said, will understand it is

"My soul and body! Then you mean to tell me that she MUST look out for some chap in her crowd? If she

ain't got but just enough to keep inside the circlethis grand whirlamagig you're tellin' me aboutif she's

pretendin' up to the limit of her income or over, then it's her duty, and her ma and pa's duty, to set her cap for

a man who's nigher the center pole in the tent and go right after him? Do you tell me that? That's a note, I

Mrs. Dunn's foot beat a lively tattoo on the rug. "I don't know what you mean by a 'note,'" she commented,

with majestic indignation. "I have not lived in South Denboro, and perhaps my understanding of English is

defective. But marriages among cultivated people, SOCIETY people, intelligent, ambitious people are, or

"How about this thing we read so much about in novels?Love, I believe they call it."

"Love! Love is well enough, but it does not, of itself, pay for proper clothes, or a proper establishment, or

seats at the opera, or any of the practical, necessary things of modern life. You can't keep up a presentable

appearance on LOVE! If I had a daughter who lacked the brains to understand what I had taught her, that is,

her duty as a member of good society, and talked of making a love match, I would . . . But there! You can't

She rose and shook the wrinkles from her gown. Captain Elisha straightened in his chair. "Why, yes, ma'am,"

And suddenly Mrs. Dunn also understood. Her face, which had grown almost too red for one attached to a

member of polite society, grew redder still. She turned away and walked to the window.

"What nonsense we've been talking!" she said, after a moment's silence. "I don't see what led us into this silly

discussion. Malcolm and your niece must be having a delightful ride. I almost wish I had gone with them."

"Automobiles are great things for hustlin' around in," he observed. "Pity they're such dangerous playthings.

Yet I s'pose they're one of the necessities of uptodate folks, same as you said, Mrs. Dunn."

"Surely," she asked coldly, "you don't condemn automobiles, Captain Warren? What would youreturn to

"His death was due to an accident. And accidents," she turned and looked directly at him, "when they involve

"And when arrangements for such payment is made, HONORABLE people at least, in the circle of which

you and I have been speaking consider the matter settled and do not refer to it again, either among

"Yes, ma'am." He nodded again. She did know; Malcolm, evidently, had told her. "Yes, ma'am. That's the

way any decent person would feeland actif such a thing happenedeven if they hailed from South

He pushed back his chair and stood up. She continued to look him over, much as if she were taking a mental

"I hope," she said, lightly, but with deliberation, "our little argument anderslight disagreement

"Enemies! Land sakes, no! I respect anybody's havin' opinions and not bein' afraid to give 'em. And I think I

can understand some of how you feel. Maybe if I was anchored here on Fifth Avenue, same as you are,

instead of bein' blown in by an unexpected no'theaster, I'd be feelin' the same way. It's all accordin', as I've

She laughed again. "I'm so glad!" she said. "Malcolm declares he'd be quite afraid of meas an enemy. He

seems to think I possess some mysterious and quite diabolical talent for making my unfriends

uncomfortable, and declares he would compromise rather than fight me at any time. Of course it's

ridiculousjust one of his jokesand I'm really harmless and very much afraid. That's why I want you and

But that evening, immediately after his return to the apartment, whenCaroline having gone to her own

room to remove her wrapshe and the butler were alone, he characteristically unburdened his mind.

"Mr. Warren, sir," said Edwards, "a young gentleman left a note here for you this afternoon. The elevator

The captain's answer had nothing whatever to do with the note. He had been thinking of other things.

"I do. The answer's Mother. Sonny don't count, though he may think he does. But Mother's the whole team

and the dog under the wagon. And, Commodore, we've got to trot some if we want to keep ahead of that

He went to his room, leaving the bewildered butler to retire to the kitchen, where he informed the cook that

The note on the dining room table proved, to the captain's delight, to be from James Pearson. It was brief and

"Why don't you come and see me?" wrote the young man. "I've been expecting you, and you promised to

come. Have you forgotten my address? If so, here it is. I expect to be in all day tomorrow."

The consequence of this was that eleven o'clock the next day found Captain Elisha pulling the bell at a brick

house in a long brick block on a West Side street. The block had evidently been, in its time, the homes of

welltodo people, but now it was rather dingy and gone to seed. Across the street the first floors were, for

the most part, small shops, and in the windows above them doctors' signs alternated with those of modistes,

The captain had come a roundabout way, stopping in at the Moriarty flat, where he found Mrs. Moriarty in a

curious state of woe and tearful pride. "Oh, what will I do, sir?" she moaned. "When I think he's gone, it

seems as if I'd die, too. But, thanks to you and Miss WarrenMary make it up to her!my Pat'll have the

finest funeral since the Guinny saloon man was buried. Ah, if he could have lived to see it, he'd have died

The pull at the boardinghouse bell was answered by a rather slatternly maid, who informed the visitor that

she guessed Mr. Pearson was in; he 'most always was around lunch time. So Captain Elisha waited in a

typical boardinghouse parlor, before a grate with no fire in it and surrounded by walnut and plush furniture,

"Say, you're a brick, Captain Warren!" he declared, as they shook hands. "I hoped you'd come today. Why

"Oh, was that it? Then I'm glad I reminded you. Rather a cheeky thing to do, but I've been a reporter, and

nerve is necessary in that profession. I began to be afraid living among the bluebloods had had its effect,

"Didn't I? Well, perhaps I didn't. Come up to my room. I think we can just about squeeze in, if you don't mind

Pearson's room was on the third flight, at the front of the house. Through the window one saw the upper half

of the buildings opposite, and above them a stretch of sky. The bed was a small brass and iron affair, but the

rest of the furniture was of good quality, the chairs were easy and comfortable, and the walls were thickly

"I put those up to cover the wall paper," explained the host. "I don't offer them as an art collection, but as a

screen. Sit down. Put your coat on the bed. Shall I close the window? I usually keep the upper half open to let

out the pipe smoke. Otherwise I might not be able to navigate without fog signals."

His visitor chuckled, followed directions with his coat and hat, and sat down. Pearson took the chair by the

"You mean you hear. Those pipes make noise enough to wake the dead. At first I thought I couldn't sleep

because of the racket they made. Now I doubt if I could without it. Would you consider a cigar, Captain?"

"Hum! I don't usually stop to consider. But I tell you, Jimjust now you said something about a pipe. I've

got mine aboard, but I ain't dared to smoke it since I left South Denboro. If you wouldn't mind"

"Not a bit. Tobacco in this jar on the desk. I keep a temporary supply in my jacket pocket. Matches? Here you

"Humph! Snug is a good word. Much like living in an omnibus, but it answers the purpose. I furnished it

myself, except for the bed. The original bureau had pictures of cauliflowers painted on each drawer front.

Mrs. Heptonmy landladywas convinced that they were roses. I told her she might be right, but, at all

events, looking at them made me hungry. Perhaps she noticed the effect on my appetite and was willing for

The "handbill" was a fairsized poster announcing the production at the "Eureka Opera House" of the

"Thrilling ComedyDrama, The Golden Gods." Pearson looked at it, made a face, and shook his head.

"That," he said, "is my combined crusher and comforter. It is the announcement of the first, and next to the

last, performance of a play I wrote in my calf days. The 'Eureka Opera Houses isor was, if the 'gods'

weren't too much for itlocated at Daybury, Illinois. I keep that bill to prevent my conceit getting away with

me. Also, when I get discouraged over my novel, it reminds me that, however bad the yarn may turn out to

This led to the captain's asking about the novel and how it was progressing. His companion admitted having

made some progress, more in the line of revision than anything else. He had remodeled his hero somewhat, in

accordance with his new friend's suggestions during their interview at the Warren apartment, and had

introduced other characters, portrait sketches from memory of persons whom he had known in his boyhood

days in the Maine town. He read a few chapters aloud, and Captain Elisha waxed almost enthusiastic over

Then followed a long discussion over a point of seamanship, the handling of a bark in a gale. It developed

that the young author's knowledge of saltwater strategy was extensive and correct in the main, though

somewhat theoretical. That of his critic was based upon practice and hard experience. He cited this skipper

and that as examples, and carried them through no'theasters off Hatteras and typhoons in the Indian Ocean.

The room, in spite of the open window, grew thick with pipe smoke, and the argument was punctuated by

thumps on the desk and chair arms, and illustrated by diagrams drawn by the captain's forefinger on the side

of the dresser. The effects of oil on breaking rollers, the use of a "seaanchor" over the side to "hold her to

it," whether or not a man was justified in abandoning his ship under certain given circumstances, these were

debated pro and con. Always Pearson's "Uncle Jim" was held up as the final authority, the paragon of sea

captains, by the visitor, and, while his host pretended to agree, with modest reservations, in this estimate of

his relative, he was more and more certain that his hero was bound to become a youthful edition of Elisha

Warren himselfand he thanked the fates which had brought this fine, able, oldschool mariner to his door.

At length, Captain Elisha, having worked "Uncle Jim" into a safe harbor after a hundred mile cruise under

jury jig, with all hands watch and watch at the pumps, leaned forward in triumph to refill his pipe. Having

done so, his eyes remained fixed upon a photograph standing, partially hidden by a leather collar box, upon

"Well, I swan!" he exclaimed. "Either what my head's been the fullest of lately has struck to my eyesight, or

Pearson colored and seemed embarrassed. "Yes," he answered, "that is Miss Warren."

"Humph! Good likeness, too! But what kind of rig has she got on? I've seen her wear a good many

dressesseems to have a different one for every day, pretty nighbut I never saw her in anything like that.

Looks sort of outlandish; like one of them foreign girls at Genevaor Leghorn, say."

"Yes. That is an Italian peasant costume. Miss Warren wore it at a fancy dress ball a year ago."

"Want to know! Italian peasant, hey! Fifth Avenue peasant with diamonds in her hair. Becomin' to her, ain't

"Yup. She looks pretty ENOUGH! But she don't need diamonds nor handorgan clothes to make her pretty."

Then, looking up from the photograph, he asked, "Give you this picture, did she?"

His friend's embarrassment increased. "No," he answered shortly. Then, after an instant's hesitation. "That

ball was given by the Astorbilts and was one of the most swagger affairs of the season. The Planetthe

paper with which I was connectedissues a Sunday supplement of halftone reproductions of photographs.

"I see. Astonishin' how folks do like to get their faces into print. I used to know an old womanAunt

Hepsibah Tucker, her name wasshe's dead now. The pride of Aunt Hepsy's heart was that she took

nineteen bottles of 'Balm of Burdock Tea' and the tea folks printed her picture as a testimonial that she lived

"Some of them do. But that of your niece was obtained by our society reporter from the photographer who

took it. Bribery and corruption, of course. Miss Warren would have been at least surprised to see it in our

supplement. I fancied she might not care for so much publicity and suppressed it."

"Umhm. Well, I guess you did right. I'll thank you for her. By the way, I told Caroline where I was cal'latin'

Pearson seemed pleased, but he made no comment. Captain Elisha blew a smoke ring from his pipe.

"And say, Jim," he added, embarrassed in his turn, "I hope you won't think I'm interferin' in your affairs, but

are you still set against comin' up to where I live? I know you said you had a reason, but are you sure it's a

He waited for an answer but none came. Pearson was gazing out of the window. The captain looked at his

His host swung around in his chair. "Sit down, Captain," he said. "I've been doing a lot of thinking since I

saw you, and I'm not sure about that reason. I believe I'll ask your advice. It is a delicate matter, and it

involves your brother. You may see it as he did, and, if so, our friendship ends, I suppose. But I'm going to

"Mr. Rodgers Warren and I," he went on, "were well acquainted during the latter part of my newspaper work.

I was financial man on the Planet, and some articles I wrote took your brother's fancy. At all events, he wrote

me concerning them in highly complimentary terms and asked me to call and see him at his office. I did so

andwell, we became very friendly, so much so that he invited me to his house. I dined there several times,

was invited to call often, andI enjoyed it. You see, I had few friends in the city, outside my journalistic

acquaintances, and I suppose I was flattered by Mr. Warren's kindness and the fancy he seemed to have taken

to me. And I liked Miss Warrenno one could help thatand I believed she liked me."

"She does like you," interrupted his companion, with surprise. "Caroline's a good girl."

"Yes, she is. However, she isn't in this story, except as a side issue. At this time my ambitions were for a

newspaper career, and I thought I was succeeding. And her father's marked interest and the things he said to

me promised more than an ordinary success. He was a well known man on the street, and influential. So my

"Well, then," he continued, "came the upset. I judged from what you said at our previous conversation,

Captain, that you were well enough acquainted with Wall Street to know that queer operations take place

Captain Elisha considered. "Why, yes," he said, slowly, "seem's if I did. One of those consolidations with

'holdin' companies' and franchises and extensions and water by the hogshead. Wa'n't that it? I remember now;

the Boston papers had considerable about it, and I presume likely the New York ones had more. One of those

all accordin'tolaw swindles that sprout same as toadstools in a dark place, but die out if the light's turned

on too sudden. This one didn't come to nothin' but a bad smell, if I remember right."

"You do. And I suppose I'm responsible for the smell. I got wind of the thing, investigated, found out

something of what was going on, and printed a preliminary story in the Planet. It caused a sensation."

He paused once more. Captain Elisha, for the sake of saying something, observed, "I shouldn't wonder."

"It certainly did. And the morning on which it appeared, Mr. Rodgers Warren 'phoned me. He wished to see

me at once. I went down to his office. Captain, I dislike to tell you this. Mr. Warren was your brother."

"I know he was. And I'm his executor. Both those reasons make me 'specially anxious to have you tell me the

"Well, I found him very polite and cordial, at first. He said that a ridiculous and sensational story concerning

the Trolley Combine had appeared in the Planet, and he would like to have me contradict it and suppress

further falsehoods of the kind. I told him I couldn't do that, because the story was true. I had written it myself.

He was angry, and I could see that he was holding himself in by main strength. I went on to explain that it

was the duty of an honest paper, as I saw it, to expose such trespass upon the people's rights. He asked me if I

knew who was behind the scheme. I said I knew some of the backers. They were pretty big men, too. Then he

"I was knocked off my feet by that, you can imagine. And, to be frank, Captain, if I had known it at first I'm

not sure that I, personally, would have taken the matter up. Yet I might; I can't tell. But now that I had done it

and discovered what I had, I couldn't give it up. I must go on and learn more. And I knew enough already to

be certain that the more I learned the more I should write and have published. It was one of those things

which had to be made publicif a fellow had a conscience about him and a pride in the decency of his

"All this was going through my head as I sat there in his private office. And he took my surprise and

hesitation as symptoms of wavering and went at me, hard. Of course I knew, he said, that the operation was

absolutely within the law. I did, but that didn't make it more honest or moral or just. He went on to say that in

large financial deals of this nature petty scruples must be lost sight of. Good of the business, rights of

stockholders, all that sort of stuff; he rang the changes. All the papers cared for was sensation; to imperil the

fortune of widows and orphans whose savings were invested in the South Shore Stock, for the sake of

sensation, was a crime. He should have known better than to say that to me; it is such an ancient, wornout

"I know. I've been to political meetin's. The widows and orphans are always hangin' on the success of the

Republican partyor the Democratic, whichever way you vote. The amount of tears shed over their

investments by fellers you wouldn't trust with a brass five cent piece, is somethin' amazin'. Go on; I didn't

"Then he switched to a more personal appeal. He said he had taken a fancy to me; had liked me from the very

beginning. He recognized my unusual genius at first sight and had gone as far as to make plans bearing

directly on my future. He was associated with men of wealth and business sagacity. Large deals, of which the

Trolley Combine was but one, were on foot. He and his friends needed a representative on the pressa

publicity agent, so to speak. Some of the greatest corporations employed men of that kind, and the salaries

paid were large and the opportunities afforded greater still. Well, that's true enough. I know writers who are

doing just that thing and getting rich at it. I suppose they've squared their consciences somehow and are

willing to write lies and misleading articles for what there is in it. I can't, that's all; I'm not built that way, and

"It ended in an open break. He reminded me of the favors he had done me. He had treated me almost like a

son, had introduced me to his family, entertaining me at his table. Where was my gratitude? That was another

bad break on his part, for it made me mad. I told him I had not asked to be adopted or fed by him; if I had

supposed his kindness had an ulterior motive, I would have seen him at the devil before I accepted a favor.

My career as a financial visitor was ended. Get out of his office! I got. But the Trolley Combine did not go

through. The Planet and the other papers kept up the fight andand the widows and orphans are bankrupt, I

Captain Elisha's pipe had gone out long since. He absently rubbed the warm bowl between his palms.

"He was. Very deep indeed, I found out afterwards. And, I declare, I almost pitied him at the time. He acted

as if his whole fortune was staked on the gamble. His hands shook, and the perspiration stood on his forehead

as he talked. I felt as if I had been the means of ruining him. But of course, I hadn't. He lived for some time

"Yes. He left what I'd call a heap of money. My nephew and niece don't seem to think so, but I do."

"So you see, Captain, why I stopped calling on the Warrens, and why I did not accept Miss Warren's

"I see . . . I see . . . And yet I don't know. 'Bije may have took to you for business reasons, but the children

didn't. They liked you for yourself. Caroline as much as said so. And their father never told 'em a word about

the row, neither. Of course you couldn't have called when he was alive, but he's gone, and I'm well, I'm

"I ain't sure that she should. I guess there's consider'ble in her pa's life she ain't acquainted with. And she's as

straight and honest and upright as a schooner's fo'mast. You did nothin' to be 'shamed of. It's the other way

'round, 'cordin' to my notion. But leave her out of it now. I've sacrificed some few things to take the job I've

got at present, but I can't afford to sacrifice my friends. I count on you as a friend, and I want you to come

"All rightthink. But the invitation standsMY invitation. And, if you want to shift responsibility, shift it

on to me. Some day, if it'll make you feel better, I'll tell Caroline and Stevie the whole story. But I want them

to know you and the worldand mea little better first. 'Cordin' to my notion, they need education just

along that line. They've got teachers in other branches, but . . . There! I've GOT to be goin'. There's the dinner

The string of Japanese gongs, hung in the lower hall, sounded sonorously. Captain Elisha reached for his coat

"No, you don't!" he declared. "You're going to stay and have lunch with mehere. If you say no, I shall

His guest protested, but the protests were overruled, and he and his host went down to the dining room. The

captain whispered as they entered, "Land sakes, Jim, this takes me back home. It's pretty nigh a twin to the

All boardinghouse dining rooms bear a family likeness, so the comment was not far wrong. A long table,

rows of chairs on each side, ancient and honorable pictures on the walls, the landlady presiding majestically

over the teapot, the boarders' napkins in ringsall the familiar landmarks were present.

Most of the male "regulars" were in business about the city and therefore lunched elsewhere, but the females

were in evidence. Pearson introduced his guest. The captain met Mrs. Hepton, the landlady, plump,

grayhaired, and graciously hospitable. She did not look at all like a business woman, but appearances are

not always to be trusted; Mrs. Hepton had learned not to trust them also delinquent boarders, too far. He

met Miss Sherborne, whose coiffure did not match in spots, but whose voice, so he learned afterward, had

been "cultivated abroad." Miss Sherborne gave music lessons. Mrs. Van Winkle Ruggles also claimed his

attention and held it, principally because of the faded richness of her apparel. Mrs. Ruggles was a widow,

suffering from financial reverses; the contrast between her present mode of living and the grandeur of the past

There were half a dozen others, including an artist whose aversion to barbers was proclaimed by the luxuriant

length of his locks, a quiet old gentleman who kept the secondhand book store two doors below; his wife, a

Mr. Dickens was bald, an affliction which he tried to conceal by brushing the hair at the sides of his head

across the desert at the top. He shaved his cheeks and wore a beard and mustache. Mrs. Dickens addressed

him as "C.," and handed him the sauce bottle, the bread, or whatever she imagined he desired, as if she were

She sat next to Captain Elisha and imparted information concerning her lord and master in whispers, during

"My husband will be pleased to meet you, Captain Warren," she murmured. "Any friend of Mr. Pearson is

certain to be an acquisition. Mr. Pearson and my husband are congenial spirits; they are members of the same

"Yes. What is it, 'C.' dear? Oh, the butter! Margaret" to the waitress"Mr. Dickens wishes another

butterball. Yes, Captain Warren, Mr. Dickens is an author. Haven't you noticed theer resemblance? It

Captain Elisha looked puzzled. "Why," he said, "I hadn't noticed it 'special. Jim'sMr. Pearson'seyes and

"Oh, no! not the resemblance to Mr. Pearson. I didn't mean THAT. The resemblance to his more famous

The captain shook his head. "II'm afraid I'm thickheaded, ma'am," he admitted. "I'm out of soundin's."

"But the nose, and his beard, and his manner. Don't they remind you of the English Dickens?"

"Ooh!" Captain Elisha inspected the great man with interest. He had a vague memory of a portrait in a

"Of course you see! Everyone does. Mr. Dickens often saysit is one of his favorite jokesthat while other

men must choose a profession, his was chosen for him by fate. How, with such a name, could he do anything

"I don't know, ma'am. But names are risky pilots, ain't they? I've run against a consider'ble number of

Solomons, but there wa'n't one of 'em that carried more'n a deckload of wisdom. They christened me Elisha,

but I can't even prophesy the weather with sartinty enough to bet. However, I daresay in your husband's case

The lady had turned away, and he was afraid he might have offended her. The fear was groundless; she was

"Noo. Mr. Dickens's Christian name is Cornelius; but don't mention it before him, he is very sensitive on

The Dickenses "tickled" the captain exceedingly, and, after the meal was over, he spoke of them to Pearson.

"Say," he said, "you're in notorious company, ain't you, Jim? What has Cornelius Charles turned out so far, in

Pearson laughed. "I believe he is employed by a subscription house," he replied. "Doing hack work on an

"Kind of. But that old bookshop man and his wife seem nice folks. And, as for freaks, the average boardin'

house, city or country, seems to draw 'em like flies. I guess most anybody would get queer if they boarded all

"Perhaps so. Or, if they weren't queer, they wouldn't board permanently from choice. There are two or three

good fellows who dine and breakfast here. The food isn't bad, considering the price."

"No, it ain't. Tasted more like home than any meal I've had for a good while. I'm afraid I never was cut out

Mrs. Hepton approached them as they stood in the hall. She wished to know if Mr. Pearson's friend was

thinking of finding lodgings. Because Mr. Saksthe artist's namewas giving up the second floor back in a

fortnight, and it was a very pleasant room. "We should be delighted to add you to our little circle, Captain

Pearson told her that his companion was already lodged, and she said goodby and left them. The captain

"Everything in New York seems to be circles," he declared. "Well, Jim, you come up and circulate with me,

"You willafter you've thought it out to a finish. And come soon. I'm gettin' interested in that second edition

of your Uncle Jim, and I want to keep along with him as fast as you write. Goodby. Much obliged for the

Pearson called. He appeared at the apartment a week after the luncheon at the boarding house and was

welcomed by the Captain Elisha, who, hearing his voice, strode into the hall, sent the shocked Edwards to the

rightabout in a hurry, seized his friend's hand, and ushered him into the library. Pearson said nothing

concerning his change of mind, the course of reasoning which led him to make the visit, and the captain

asked no questions. He took it for granted that the young fellow's common sense had turned the trick, and, the

They spent a pleasant afternoon together. Caroline was out, and they had the library to themselves. The

newest chapters of the novel were read and discussed, and the salty flavor of the talk was as pronounced as

When Caroline returned her uncle told her of his visitor. She seemed unfeignedly pleased, but regretted that

she had not been there. "He was such a friend of father's," she said, "that seeing him here would be almost

like the old days. And so many of those whom we thought were his friends and ours have left us."

This was true. Rodgers Warren and his children had had many acquaintances, had been active in church and

charitable work, and their former home was a center of entertainment and gayety while he lived. But his

death and the rumors of shrinkage in the family fortune, the giving up of the Fifth Avenue residence, the

period of mourning which forbade social functions, all these helped to bring about forgetfulness on the part of

the many; and Caroline's supersensitiveness and her firm resolve not to force her society where it might be

unwelcome had been the causes of misunderstanding in others, whose liking and sympathy were genuine. "I

don't see what has come over Caroline Warren," declared a former girl friend, "she isn't a bit as she used to

be. Well, I've done my part. If she doesn't wish to return my call, she needn't. _I_ sha'n't annoy her again. But

Stephen had never been very popular, and his absence at college still further reduced the number of young

people who might be inclined to call. Their not calling confirmed Caroline's belief that she and her brother

were deliberately shunned because of their change in circumstances, and she grew more sensitive and proudly

resentful in consequence. Naturally she turned for comfort to those who remained faithful, the Dunns in

particular. They were loyal to her. Therefore, with the intensity of her nature, she became doubly loyal to

them. The rector of St. Denis dropped in frequently, and others occasionally, but she was lonely. She craved

Pearson's coming, then, was psychologically apt. When he made his next call upon Captain Elisha, to find the

latter out but his niece at home, she welcomed him cordially and insisted upon his waiting until her guardian

returned. The conversation was, at first, embarrassing for the exreporter; she spoke of her father, and

Pearsonthe memory of his last interview with the latter fresh in his mind, and painfully aware that she

knew nothing of itfelt guilty and like a hypocrite. But soon the subject changed, and when the captain

entered the library he found the pair laughing and chatting like old acquaintances, as, of course, they were.

Captain Elisha, paying no attention to his friend's shakes of the head, invited his niece to be present at the

reading of the latest addition to what he called "mine and Jim's recordbreakin' sea yarn."

"It's really mine, you understand, Caroline," he observed, with a wink. "I'm silent partner in the firmif you

can call the one that does all the talkin' silentand Jim don't do nothin' but make it up and write it and get

the profits. Course, you mustn't mention this to him, 'cause he thinks he's the author, and 'twould hurt his

"He's quite right," declared Pearson, emphatically. "If the thing is ever finished and published he will deserve

all the credit. His advice had already remade it. This uncle of yours, Miss Warren," he added, turning to her,

"is like the admiral Kipling wrote about he has 'lived more stories' than ever I could invent."

The captain, fearful that his niece might take the statement seriously, hastened to protest.

"He's just foolin', Caroline," he said. "All I've done is set and talk and talk and talk. I've used up more of his

time and the surroundin' air than you'd believe was possible. When I get next to salt water, even in print, it's

time to muzzle me, same as a dog in July. The yarn is Jim's altogether, and it's mighty interestin' to me

"I'm sure it will be to me, also," declared the young lady. "Captain Warren has told me all about it, Mr.

"There!" Captain Elisha slapped his knee. "There, Jim!" he exclaimed, "you hear that? Now you've GOT to

So, because he could not well refuse, the author reluctantly began to read. And, as usual, his nautical friend to

interrupt and comment. Caroline listened, her eyes twinkling. When the reading and the arguments were at an

end, she declared it was all splendid; "Just like being at sea one's self," she said. "I positively refuse to permit

another installment to be submitted unless I am on deck. That's the proper phrase, isn't it, Captain?"

"Aye, aye, ma'am! Jim, we've shipped a new second mate, and she's goin' to be wuth her salt. You hear ME!"

She proved to be worth all of that, at least in Pearson's opinion. His calls and the readings and discussions

became more and more frequent. Each of the trio enjoyed them greatly, Caroline quite as much as the others.

Here was something new and fresh, something to furnish a real interest. The story advanced rapidly, the

character of the nautical hero shaped itself better and better, and the heroine, also, heretofore a somewhat

shadowy and vague young woman, began to live and breathe. She changed surprisingly, not only in mental

"Say, Jim!" he interrupted, one afternoon, "what was that you just read about Mary? Her hat blowin' off to

"Not exactly, Captain," he replied, smiling. "I said her hat had blown away, and her brown curls tossed in the

wind. What's wrong with that? Hats do blow away in a sou'wester; I've seen them."

"Perhaps he thinks she should have been more careful in pinning it on," suggested the feminine member of

Captain Elisha shook his head. "No," he observed calmly, "but why was she wearin' that kind of hair? She's

"Switch?" repeated "Mary's" creator, with some indignation. "What are you talking about? When I first

described her, I said that her hair was luxuriant and one of her chief beauties."

"If I remember right she's a postmaster's daughter. But why is she wearin' brown hair, if it ain't neither false

Caroline burst into another laugh. Pearson blushed to his forehead. "Well, by George!" he admitted, "you're

"You sartin did! I ain't got any objections to either color, only it ought to stay put, hadn't it? In a town of the

size she's livin' in, a girl with changeable hair is likely to be kind of conspicuous. I tell you! maybe it

The writer made a note on the margin of his manuscript and declared that his heroine's tresses and eyes

should be made to correspond at all stages. They did, but they remained brown. Captain Elisha chuckled

inwardly, but offered no further comments. Caroline, whose own hair and eyes were brown, did not refer to

She and the young man became better acquainted at each succeeding "literary clinic," as the latter called

them. When Rodgers Warren first introduced him at their former home he had impressed her favorably,

largely because of her desire to like anyone whom her father fancied. She worshiped the dead broker, and his

memory to her was sacred. She would have forgiven and did forgive any wrong he might have done her, even

his brother's appointment as guardian, though that she could not understand. Unlike Stephen, who fiercely

resented the whole affair and said bitter things concerning his parent, she believed he had done what he

considered right. Her feeling against Captain Elisha had been based upon the latter's acceptance of that

appointment when he should have realized his unfitness. And his living with them and disgracing them in the

eyes of their friends by his uncouth, country ways, made her blind to his good qualities. The Moriarty matter

touched her conscience, and she saw more clearly. But she was very far from considering him an equal, or

other than what Mrs. Corcoran Dunn termed him, an "encumbrance," even yet. She forced herself to be kind

and tolerant and gave him more of her society, though the churchgoing experience was not repeated, nor did

If Pearson's introductions had been wholly as a friend of her guardian, her feeling toward him might have

been tinged with the same condescension or aversion, even. But, hallowed as he was by association with her

father, she welcomed him for the latter's sake. And, as she became interested in the novel and found that her

suggestions concerning it were considered valuable, she looked forward to his visits and was disappointed if,

for any reason, they were deferred. Without being aware of it, she began to like the young author, not alone

because he wrote entertainingly and flattered her by listening respectfully to her criticisms, or because her

"I told you, Jim!" he said. "She's just as glad to see you as I am. Now don't you see how foolish it was to stay

away 'cause you and 'Bije had a spat? Think of all the good times we'd have missed! And we needed a female

His friend nodded. "She has been a great help, certainly," he answered. "But I can't help feeling guilty every

time I come here. It is too much like obtaining her friendship under false pretenses. She should know the

"She shall know it, when I think it's time for her to. But I want her to know you first. Then she'll be able to

judge without so much prejudice. I told you I'd take the responsibility. You leave the ship in my charge for a

In spite of this confident assertion, the captain also felt a trifle guilty. He realized that selfishness was

involved in his keeping Pearson's secret from his niece. He was thoroughly enjoying himself with these two,

One evening, while a "clinic" was in progress and the three were deep in consultation, Edwards entered to

announce Mrs. Corcoran Dunn and Mr. Malcolm. The butler's giving the lady precedence in his announcing

showed that he, too, realized who was ranking officer in that family, even though the captain's "conundrum"

The lady took in the group by the table at a glance: Pearson, with the manuscript in his hands; Captain Elisha

leaning back in his chair, frowning at the interruption; Caroline rising to welcome the guests, and coloring

slightly as she did so. All these details Mrs. Dunn noted, made an entry in her mental memorandumbook,

If she discerned unpleasant possibilities in the situation, she did not allow them to disturb her outward

serenity. She kissed Caroline and called her "dear child" as fondly as usual, shook hands graciously with

"And how is the novel coming on? Do tell me!" she begged. "I'm sure we interrupted a reading. It's too bad of

us, really! But Malcolm insisted upon coming. He has been very busy of latesome dreadful 'corner' or

other on the exchangeand has neglected his friendsor thinks he has. I told him I had explained it all to

you, Caroline, but he WOULD come tonight. It is the first call he has made in weeks; so you SEE! But there!

Call or not, it spoiled the evening for at least two of the company. Pearson left early. Captain Elisha excused

himself soon after and went to his room, leaving the Dunns to chat with Caroline for an hour or more.

Malcolm joked and was languid and cynical. His mother asked a few carefully guarded questions.

"Quite a clever person, this young author friend of yours seems to be, Caroline," she observed. "Almost

"He isn't a friend of mine, exactly," replied the girl. "He and Captain Warren are friendly, and father used to

know and like him, as I have told you. The novel is great fun, though! The people in it are coming to seem

"I daresay! I was a great reader myself once, before my healthmy heart, you knowbegan to trouble me.

The doctors now forbid my reading anything the least bit exciting. Has thiserMr. Pearson means?"

"I know very little of him, personally, but I think not. He used to be connected with the Planet, and wrote

"Live in an attic, does he?" inquired Malcolm. "That's what all authors do, isn't it? Put up in attics and sleep

on pallets whatever they areand eat crusts, don't they? Jolly lifeif you like it! I prefer bucking wheat

"How ridiculous you are, Malcolm!" exclaimed his mother. "Mr. Pearson isn't that kind of an author, I'm

"Oh! Really? And how is this wonderful novel of his progressing? When does he expect to favor us with it?"

"I don't know. But it is progressing very well at present. He has written three chapters since last Wednesday.

Malcolm did not seem to find the topic interesting, for he smothered a yawn. His mother changed the subject.

"You must make it a point to see her every day," she declared. "No matter what happens, you must do it."

"Oh, Lord!" groaned her son, "I can't. There's the deuce and all on 'Change just now, and the billiard

tournament's begun at the Club. My days and nights are full up. Once a week is all she should expect, I

"Oh, rubbish! You're always seeing bugaboos. Uncle Hayseed is pacified, isn't he? I've paid the Moriarty

"Humph! Uncle Hayseed, as you call him, is anything but a fool. But he isn't the particular trouble at present.

He and I understand each other, I believe, and he will be reasonable. But there is this Pearson. I don't like

Malcolm laughed in huge scorn. "Pearson!" he sneered. "Why, he's nothing but a pennyaliner, without the

penny. Surely you're not afraid Caroline will take a fancy to him. She isn't an idiot."

"She's a young girl, and more romantic than I wish she was. At her age girls do silly things, sometimes. He

called on Wednesdayyou heard her say soand was there again tonight. I don't like it, I tell you."

"It is more than that. She knew him long before she knew her uncle existed. Her father introduced himher

"Witness his brilliant selection of an executor. Oh, Mater, you weary me! I used to know this Pearson when

"Why, nothing, I guess. It seemed as if I remember Warren and Pearson in some sort of mixup. Some . . .

"If you remember anything that occurred between Rodgers Warren and this man, anything to this Pearson's

"I don't know. But it seemed as if I remembered Warren's . . . or a friend of his telling me . . . saying

something . . . but it couldn't be of importance, because Caroline doesn't know it."

"I'm not so sure that it may not be important. And, if you recall, on that day when we first met him at

Caroline's, she seemed hurt because he had not visited them since her father died. Perhaps there WAS a

"All right, Mater, just as you say. Really you ought to join a Don't Worry Club."

"One member in the family is quite sufficient. And I expect you to devote yourself to Caroline from now on.

That girl is lonely, and when you get the combination of a lonely romantic young girl and a goodlooking

and interesting young fellow, even though he is as poor as a church mouse, ANYTHING may happen. Add to

that the influence of an unpractical but sharp old Yankee relative and guardianthen the situation is

An important event was about to take place. At least, it seemed important to Captain Elisha, although the

person most intimately concerned appeared to have forgotten it entirely. He ventured to remind her of it.

His niece looked at him in surprise. "Yes," she answered, "it is. How did you know?"

"Why, I remembered, that's all. Graves, the lawyer man, told me how old you and Stevie were, fust time I

met him. And his partner, Mr. Sylvester, gave me the date one day when he was goin' over your pa's will.

It was late in the afternoon, and she had been out since ten o'clock shopping with Mrs. Dunn, lunching down

town with the latter and Malcolm, and motoring for an hour or two. The weather for the season was mild and

sunny, and the crisp air had brightened her cheeks, her eyes sparkled, her fur coat and cap were very

becoming, and Captain Elisha inspected her admiringly before making another remark.

"My! My!" he exclaimed, after an instant's pause. "Twenty years old! Think of it! 'Bije's girl's a young

woman now, ain't she? I cal'late he was proud of you, too. He ought to have been. I presume likely HE didn't

He rose to help her with the heavy coat. As he lifted it from her shoulders, he bent forward and caught a

"There! there!" he said, hastily. "Don't feel bad, dearie. I didn't mean to hurt your feelin's. Excuse me; I was

She did not answer at once, but turned away to remove her cap. Then she answered, without looking at him.

It was an unfortunate remark, inasmuch as it drew, in her mind, a comparison between her handsome,

dignified father and his rude, uncultured brother. The contrast was ever present in her thoughts, and she did

"I was thinkin'," continued the captain, conscious of having made a mistake, "that maybe we might celebrate

"Please don't. I remember other birthdays too well." They had been great occasions, those birthdays of hers,

ever since she was a little girl. On the eighteenth she made her debut in society, and the gown she wore on

that memorable evening was laid away upstairs, a cherished memento, to be kept as long as she lived. Each

year Rodgers Warren took infinite pains to please and surprise his idolized daughter. She could not bear to

Her guardian pulled his beard. "Well," he observed ruefully, "then my weak head's put my foot in it again, as

the feller said. If I ain't careful I'll be like poor cracked Philander Baker, who lives with his sister over at

Denboro Centre. The doctor told Philander he was threatened with softenin' of the brain, and the sister

thanked him for the compliment. You see, Caroline, I wrote on my own hook and asked Stevie to come home

He smiled as he answered. As a matter of fact, the correspondence between Stephen and himself had been

lengthy and voluminous on the part of the former, and brief and businesslike on his own. The boy, on his

return to college, had found "conditions" awaiting him, and the amount of hard work involved in their

clearance was not at all to his taste. He wrote his guardian before the first week was over, asserting that the

whole business was foolishness and a waste of time. He should come home at once, he said, and he notified

the captain that such was his intention. Captain Elisha replied with promptness and decision. If he came home

he would be sent back, that was all. "I realize you've got a job ahead of you, Son," wrote the captain, "but you

can do it, if you will. Fact is, I guess you've got to. So sail in and show us what you're made of."

Stephen's answer was a five page declaration of independence. He refused to be bullied by any living man.

He had made arrangements to come to New York on the following Monday, and he was coming. As to being

sent back, he wished his uncle to understand that it was one thing to order and another to enforce obedience.

"I can't stop you from coming, Steve, except by going to New Haven and holding you by main strength. That

I don't propose to do, for two reasons: first, that it is too much trouble, and second that it ain't necessary. You

can come home once in a while to see your sister, but you mustn't do it till I say the word. If you do, I shall

take the carfare out of your allowance, likewise board while you are here, and stop that allowance for a month

as a sort of fine for mutiny. So you better think it over a spell. And, if I was you, I wouldn't write Caroline

that I was coming, or thinking of coming, till I had my mind made up. She believes you are working hard at

The result of all this was that Stephen, whose finances were already in a precarious condition, did think it

over and decided not to take the risk. Also, conscious that his sister sided with their guardian to the extent of

believing the university the best place for him at present, he tore up the long letter of grievance which he had

written her, and, in that which took its place, mentioned merely that he was "grinding like blazes," and the

only satisfaction he got from it was his removal from the society of the "old tyrant from Cape Cod."

He accepted the tyrant's invitation to return for the weekend and his sister's birthday with no hesitation

He arrived on an early train Saturday morning. Caroline met him at the station, and the Dunns' car conveyed

them to the latter's residence, where they were to spend the day. The Dunns and Caroline had been together

almost constantly since the evening when Malcolm and his mother interrupted the reading of the novel. The

former, while professing to be harassed by business cares, sacrificed them to the extent of devoting at least a

part of each twentyfour hours to the young lady's society. She was rarely allowed to be alone with her uncle,

a circumstance which troubled her much less than it did him. He missed the evenings which he had enjoyed

so much, and the next consultation over the adventures of Pearson's "Uncle Jim" and his "Mary" seemed flat

"Rot!" he exclaimed, throwing the manuscript aside in disgust. "It's rot, isn't it! If I can't turn out better stuff

than that, I'd better quit. And I thought it was pretty decent, too, until tonight."

Captain Elisha shook his head. "It don't seem quite so shipshape, somehow," he admitted, "but I guess likely

it's 'cause my head's full of other things just now. I'm puzzled 'most to death to know what to get for

Caroline's birthday. I want to get her somethin' she'll like, and she's got pretty nigh everything under the sun.

Say, Jim, you've been workin' too hard, yourself. Why don't you take tomorrow off and cruise around the

They spent the next afternoon in that "cruise," visiting department stores, jewelers, and art shops

innumerable. Captain Elisha was hard to please, and his comments characteristic.

"I guess you're right, Jim," he said, "there's no use lookin' at pictures. Let alone that the walls are so covered

with 'em now a fly can't scarcely light without steppin' on some kind of scenery let alone that, my

judgment on pictures ain't any good. I cal'late that's considered pretty fine, ain't it?" pointing to a painting in

"Yes," replied the dealer, much amused. "That is a good specimen of the modern impressionist school."

"Humph! Cookin' school, I shouldn't wonder. I'd call it a portrait of a plate of scrambled eggs, if 'twa'n't for

that green thing that's either a cow or a church in the offin'. Out of soundin's again, I am! But I knew she liked

The sixth shop of this variety which they visited happened to be one of the largest and most fashionable in the

city. Here the captain's fancy was taken by a gold chain for the neck, set with tiny emeralds.

"Yes," replied his companion, with emphasis, "it is. And I think you'll find it is expensive, also."

"Whew! Jerushy!" he exclaimed. "And it wouldn't much more than go around my wrist, at that. All the same

"Sartin! They're for fleshy folks, I s'pose. Mrs. Thoph Kenney down home, she'd have to splice three of 'em

together to make the round trip. Thoph's always scared he won't get his money's wuth in a trade, but he

couldn't kick when he got her. To give the minister a dollar and walk off with two hundred and eighty pounds

of wife is showin' some business sagacity, hey? To do him justice, I will say that HE seems to be satisfied;

she's the one that does the complainin'. I guess this is the most expensive counter in the store, ain't it,

The clerk laughed. "No, indeed," he said. "These are all moderate priced goods. I wonder," turning to

Pearson, "if your friend wouldn't like to see some of our choice pieces. It is a quiet day here, and I shall be

He led the way to a set of show cases near the door on the Fifth Avenue side. There before Captain Elisha's

dazzled eyes were displayed diamond necklaces and aigrettes, tiaras and brooches, the figures on their price

tags running high into the thousands. Pearson and the goodnatured clerk enjoyed themselves hugely.

"Jim," said the captain after a little of this, "is there a police officer lookin' this way?"

Pearson laughed. "I guess not," he answered. "Why? The temptation isn't getting too much for your honesty,

"No," with a sigh, "but I'm carryin' a forty dollar watch and wearin' a ring that cost fifteen. I thought they was

some punkins till I begun to look at this stuff. Now they make me feel so mean and povertystruck that I

expect to be took up for a tramp any minute. Mister," to the clerk, "you run right along and wrap up that chain

"Think she'll like it, do you, Jim?" he asked, when they were once more out of doors with the purchase in his

"Yes. Well, you see," apologetically, "I wanted to give her somethin' pretty good. 'Bije always did, and I

didn't want to fall too fur behind. But," with a chuckle, "you needn't mention the price to anybody. If

Abbiemy second cousin keepin' house for me, she isif Abbie heard of it she'd be for puttin' me in an

asylum. Abbie's got a hair breastpin and a tortoise shell comb, but she only wears 'em to the

Congregationalist meetin'house, where she's reasonably sure there ain't likely to be any sneakthieves. She

went to a Unitarian sociable once, but she carried 'em in a bag inside her dress."

Captain Elisha planned to surprise his niece with the gift at breakfast on the morning of her birthday, but,

after reflection, decided to postpone the presentation until dinner time. The inevitable Dunns had taken upon

themselves the duty of caring for the girl and her brother during the major part of the day. The yellow car

appeared at the door at ten o'clock and bore the two away. Caroline assured her guardian, however, that they

The captain spent lonely but busy hours until dinner time came. He had done some scheming on his own

hook and, after a long argument with the cook, reenforced by a small sum in cash, had prevailed upon that

haughty domestic to fashion a birthday cake of imposing exterior and indigestible makeup. Superintending

the icing of this masterpiece occupied some time. He then worried Edwards into a respectful but stubborn

fury by suggesting novelties in the way of table arrangement. Another bestowal of small change quelled the

disturbance. Then came, by messenger, a dozen American Beauty roses with Mr. Pearson's card attached.

These the captain decided should be placed in the center of the festive board. As a center piece had been

previously provided, there was more argument. The cook took the butler's side in the debate, and the pair

"But I warn you, all hands," he observed, "that this is the last time. My right fist's got a cramp in it this

At last, however, everything was as it should be, and he sat down in the library to await the coming of the

young people. The gold chain in its handsome leather case, the latter enclosed in the jeweler's box, was

carefully laid beside Caroline's place at the table. The dinner was ready, the cake, candles and allthe

captain had insisted upon twenty candleswas ready, also. There was nothing to do but waitand he

Sixthirty was the usual dinner hour. It passed. Seven o'clock struck, then eight, and still Captain Elisha sat

alone in the library. The cook sent word that the dinner was ruined. Edwards respectfully asked, "What shall I

do, sir?" twice, the second time being sent flying with an order to "Go for'ard and keep your hatches closed!"

The nautical phraseology was lost upon the butler, but the tone and manner of delivery were quite

Several times the captain rose from his chair to telephone the Dunn house and ask the reason for delay. Each

time he decided not to do so. No doubt there were good reasons; Caroline and her brother had been detained;

perhaps the automobile had broken downthe things were always breaking down just at the most

inconvenient times; perhaps . . . Well, at any rate, he would not 'phone just yet; he would wait a little longer.

At last the bell rang. Captain Elisha sprang up, smiling, his impatience and worry forgotten, and, pushing the

butler aside, hurried to open the door himself. He did so and faced, not his niece and nephew, but Pearson.

"Good evening, Captain," hailed the young man, cheerily. "Didn't expect me, did you? I dropped in for a

moment to shake hands with you and to offer congratulations to Miss Warren." Then, noticing the expression

on his friend's face, he added, "What's the matter? Anything wrong? Am I intruding?"

"No, no! Course not. You're as welcome as another egg in a poor man's henhouse. Come right in and take

off your things. I'm glad to see you. Onlywell, the fact is I thought 'twas Caroline comin' home. She and

Stevie was to be here over two hours ago, and I can't imagine what's keepin, 'em."

He insisted upon his visitor's remaining, although the latter, when he understood the situation, was reluctant

"Caroline'll be real glad to see you, Jim, I know," the captain said. "And I want you to stay for my sake.

Between pacifyin' the Commodore and frettin' over what couldn't possibly happen, I was half dead of the

fidgets. Stay and cheer me up, there's a good feller. I'd just about reached the stage where I had the girl and

boy stove to flinders under that pesky auto. I'd even begun to figger on notifyin' the undertaker. Tell me I'm

But a good many minutes passed, and still they did not come. Pearson, aware of his companion's growing

anxiety, chatted of the novel, of the people at the boarding house, of anything and everything he could think

of likely to divert attention from the one important topic. The answers he received were more and more brief

and absent. At last, when Edwards again appeared, appealingly mute, at the entrance to the dining room,

"I guess," he said, reluctantly, "I guess, Jim, there ain't any use waitin' any longer. Somethin's kept 'em, and

they won't be here for dinner. You and I'll set down and eatthough I ain't got the appetite I cal'lated to

Pearson had dined hours before, but he followed his friend, resolved to please the latter by going through the

They sat down together. Captain Elisha, with a rueful smile, pointed to the floral centerpiece.

"There's your posies, Jim," he observed. "Look pretty, don't they. She ain't seen 'em yet, but she'll like 'em

when she does. And that over there, is her present from me. Stevie gave her a box of gloves, and I expect,

from what Mrs. Dunn hinted, that she and that son of hers gave her somethin' fine. She'll show us when she

gets here. What's this, Commodore? Oysters, hey? Well, they ought to taste like home. They're 'Cape Cods'; I

"We won't touch the birthday cake, Jim," he added, a little later. "She's got to cut that herself."

The soup was only lukewarm, but neither of them commented on the fact. The captain had scarcely tasted of

"Hey?" he exclaimed. "Listen! What's that? By the everlastin', it IS. Here they are, at LAST!"

He sprang up with such enthusiasm that his chair tipped backwards against the butler's devoted shins.

"What are you waitin' for?" he demanded, whirling on Edwards, who was righting the chair with one hand

and rubbing his knee with the other. "Don't you hear 'em at the door? Let 'em in!"

He reached the library first, his friend following more leisurely. Caroline and Stephen had just entered.

"Well!" he cried, in his quarterdeck voice, his face beaming with relief and delight, "you ARE here, ain't

The question was addressed to Stephen, who stood nearest to him. The boy did not deign to reply. With a

The girl looked coldly at him. A new broochMrs. Corcoran Dunn's birthday giftsparkled at her throat.

"Butwhy, yes, that was what I meant. You was so awful late, and you know you said you'd be home for

She turned to leave the room. Pearson, at that moment, entered it. Stephen saw him first.

"JimMr. Pearson, I meanran in a few minutes ago," explained Captain Elisha, bewildered and

stammering. "He thought of course we'd had dinner andandhe just wanted to wish you many happy

Pearson had extended his hand and a "Good evening" was on his lips. Stephen's strange behavior and

Caroline turned and saw him. She started, and her cheeks also grew crimson. Then, recovering, she looked

Captain Elisha's bewilderment was supreme. He stared, open mouthed, after his nephew and niece, and then

Pearson shrugged his shoulders. "I think I know what it means," he said. "I presume that Miss Warren and her

"I don't know how. What I do know is that I should not have come here. I felt it and, if you will remember, I

Hot and furiously angry at his own indecision which had placed him in this humiliating situation, he was

"Stay where you are, Jim!" he commanded. "If the trouble's what you think it is, I'm more to blame than

anybody else, and you sha'n'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

"I tell you I shall, Caro!" it proclaimed, fiercely. "Do you suppose I'm going to permit that fellow to come

here againor to go until he is made to understand what we think of him and why? No, by gad! I'm the man

Possibly Stephen's intense desire to prove his manliness made him selfconscious. At any rate, he never

appeared more ridiculously boyish than when, an instant later, he marched into the library and confronted his

"All right, Stevie," interrupted the captain, dryly, "then I'd say it if I was you. I guess it's time you did."

"I want toto tell that fellow THERE," with a vicious stab of his forefinger in the direction of Pearson, "that

"Steady!" Captain Elisha's interruption was sharp this time. "Steady now! Leave out the pet names. What is it

"Imy sister and I have found out what a scoundrel he is, that's what! We've learned of the lies he wrote

about father. We know that he was responsible for all that cowardly, lying stuff in the Planetall that about

the Trolley Combine. And we don't intend that he shall sneak into this house again. If he was the least part of

"Hold on, Jim!" he said. "Just a minute now. You've learned somethin', you say, Stevie. The Dunns told you,

"I don'tmuch. But I guess we'd better have a clear understandin', all of us. Caroline, will you come in here,

"My sister doesn't intend to cheapen herself by entering that man's presence," he declared, hotly. "I'll deal

"All right. But I guess she'd better be here, just the same. Caroline, I want you."

The boy would have detained him, but he pushed him firmly aside and walked toward the door. Before he

"I want you to hear Mr. Pearson's side of this businessand mine before you do anything you'll be sorry

"I think I've heard quite enough of Mr. Pearson already. Nothing he can say or do will make me more sorry

than I am, or humiliate me more than the fact that I have treated him as a friend."

The icy contempt in her tone was cutting. Pearson's face was white, but he spoke clearly and with

"Miss Warren," he said, "I must insist that you listen for another moment. I owe you an apology for"

"Apology!" broke in Stephen, with a scornful laugh. "Apology! Well, by gad! Just hear that, Caro!"

"But I wish you to hear it. Not for my attitude in the Trolley matter, nor for what I published in the Planet.

Nor for my part in the disagreement with your father. I wrote the truth and nothing more. I considered it right

thenI told your father soand I have not changed my mind. I should act exactly the same under similar

"I do owe you an apology," he continued, "for coming here, as I have done, knowing that you were ignorant

of the affair. I believe now that you are misinformed as to the facts, but that is immaterial. You should have

been told of my trouble with Mr. Warren. I should have insisted upon it. That I did not do so is my fault and I

He shook himself free from the captain's grasp, bowed to the trio, and left the room. An instant later the outer

"Stay right where you are!" Captain Elisha did not request now, he commanded. "Stevie, stand still. Caroline,

The girl hesitated. She had never been spoken to in that tone before. Her pride had been already deeply

wounded by what she had learned that afternoon; she was fiercely resentful, angry, and rebellious. She was

sure she never hated anyone as she did this man who ordered her to stay and listen to him. Butshe stayed.

"Caroline," said Captain Elisha, after a moment of silence, "I presume likelyof course I don't know for

sartin, but I presume likely it's Mrs. Dunn and that son of hers who've told you what you think you know."

"It doesn't concern you who told us!" blustered Stephen, pushing forward. He might have been a fly buzzing

"Well," she answered, "and if they did? Wasn't it necessary we should know it? Oh!" with a shudder of

disgust, "I wish I could make you understand how ashamed I feelhow WICKED and ashamed I feel that

I_I_ should have disgraced father's memory by . . . Oh, but there! I can't! Yes; Mrs. Dunn and Malcolm did

"Amen!" quietly. "I'll say amen to that, Caroline, any time. Only I want you to be sure those you call friends

are real ones and that the truths they tell ain't like the bait on a fishhook, put on FOR bait and just thick

"Do you mean to insinuate" screamed the irrepressible nephew, wild at being so completely ignored. His

"But that ain't neither here nor there now," he went on. "Caroline, Mr. Pearson just told you that his coming

to this house without tellin' you fust of his quarrel with 'Bije was his fault. That ain't so. The fault was mine

altogether. He told me the whole story; told me that he hadn't called since it happened, on that very account.

And I took the whole responsibility and ASKED him to come. I did! Do you know why?"

If he expected an answer none was given. Caroline's lids drooped disdainfully. "Steve," she said, "let us go."

"Stop! You'll stay here until I finish. I want to say that I didn't tell you about the Trolley fuss because I

wanted you to learn some things for yourself. I wanted you to know Mr. Pearson to find out what sort of

man he was afore you judged him. Then, when you had known him long enough to understand he wasn't a

liar and a blackguard, and all that Steve has called him, I was goin' to tell you the whole truth, not a part of it.

And, after that, I was goin' to let you decide for yourself what to do. I'm a lot older than you are; I've mixed

with all sorts of folks; I'm past the stage where I can be fooled byby false hair or soft soap. You can't pour

sweet oil over a herrin' and make me believe it's a sardine. I know the Pearson stock. I've sailed over a heap

of salt water with one of the family. And I've kept my eyes open since I've run acrost this particular member.

And I knew your father, too, Caroline Warren. And I say to you now that, knowin' Jim Pearson and 'Bije

Warrenyes, and knowin' the rights and wrongs of that Trolley business quite as well as Malcolm Dunn or

anybody elseI say to you that, although 'Bije was my brother, I'd bet my life that Jim had all the right on

his side. There! that's the truth, and no hook underneath it. And some day you'll realize it, too."

He had spoken with great vehemence. Now he took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his forehead.

When he again looked at his niece, he found her staring intently at him; and her eyes blazed.

"Why, yes, I guess so, pretty nigh. I s'pose there ain't much use to say more. If I was to tell you that I've tried

to do for you and Steve in thissame as in everything else since I took this jobas if you were my own

children, you wouldn't believe it. If I was to tell you, Caroline, that I'd come to think an awful lot of you, you

wouldn't believe that, either. I did hope that since our other misunderstandin' was cleared up, and you found I

wa'n't what you thought I was, you'd come to me and ask questions afore passin' judgment; but perhaps"

And now she interrupted, bursting out at him in a blast of scorn which took his breath away.

"Oh, stop! stop!" she cried. "Don't say any more. You have insulted father's memory, and defended the man

who slandered him. Isn't that enough? Why must you go on to prove yourself a greater hypocrite? We

learned, my brother and I, today more than the truth concerning your FRIEND. We learned that you have

"Sorry! Captain Warren, you spoke of my misjudging you. I thought I had, and I was sorry. Today I learned

that your attitude in that affair was a lie like the rest. YOU did not pay for Mr. Moriarty's accident. Mr.

Dunn's money paid those bills. And you allowed the familyand meto thank YOU for your generosity.

"I shall not be still. I have been still altogether too long. You are our guardian. We can't help that, I suppose.

Father asked you to be that, for some reason; but did he ask you to LIVE here where you are not wanted? To

shame us before our friends, ladies and gentlemen so far above you in every way? And to try to poison our

minds against them and sneer at them when they are kind to us and even try to be kind to you? No, he did

not! Oh, I'm sick of it all! your deceit and your hypocritical speeches and your pretended love for us. LOVE!

Oh, if I could say something that would make you understand how thoroughly we despise you, and how your

presence, ever since you forced it upon Steve and me, has disgraced us! If I only could! II"

She had been near to tears ever since Mrs. Corcoran Dunn, in the kindness of her heart, told her the "truth"

that afternoon. But pride and indignation had prevented her giving way. Now, however, she broke down.

"Ohoh, Steve!" she cried, and, turning to her brother, sobbed hysterically on his shoulder. "Oh, Steve, what

Stephen put his arm about her waist. "It's all right, Sis," he said soothingly. "Don't cry before HIM! I guess,"

with a glance at his uncle, "you've said enough to make even him understandat last."

Captain Elisha looked gravely at the pair. "I guess you have," he said slowly. "I guess you have, Caroline.

Anyhow, I can't think offhand of anything you've left out. I could explain some things, but what's the use?

And," with a sigh, "you may be right in a way. Perhaps I shouldn't have come here to live. If you'd only told

me plain afore just how you felt, I'dmaybe I'dbut there! I didn't knowI didn't know. You see, I

thought . . . However, I guess that part of your troubles is over. But," he added, firmly, "wherever I am, or

wherever I go, you must understand that I'm your guardian, just the same. I considered a long spell afore I

took the place, and I never abandoned a ship yet, once I took command of her. And I'll stick to this one! Yes,

sir! I'll stick to it in spite of the devilor the Dunns, either. Till you and your brother are of age I'm goin' to

look out for you and your interests and your money; and nothin' nor nobody shall stop me. As for forcin' my

company on you, though, that well, that's different. I cal'late you won't have to worry any more. Good night."

Stephen, the "man of the family," was the only member of the household, servants excepted, who slept

soundly that night. Conscious of having done his duty in the affair with Pearson and his guardian, and

somewhat fatigued by the disagreeable task of soothing his hysterical sister, he was slumbering peacefully at

"Ah! What? Well, what is it?" he demanded, testily opening his eyes. "Edwards, is that you? What the devil

"What's the matter?" inquired the young man, sitting up in bed. "Is the house afire?"

Stephen, wondering and somewhat alarmed, dressed with unusual promptitude and obeyed. He found his

sister standing by the library window, a letter in her hand. She looked troubled and anxious.

"Hurrah! Excuse me while I gloat! Hurrah! We got it through his skull at last! Is it possible? Butbut hold

She handed him the letter. It was addressed to "My dear Caroline" and in it Captain Elisha stated his

intentions succinctly. After the plain speaking of the previous evening he should not, of course, burden them

with his society any longer. He was leaving that morning, and, as soon as he "located permanent moorings

"For," he added, "as I told you, although I shall not impose my company on you, I am your guardian same as

ever. I will see that your allowance comes to you regular, including enough for all household bills and pay for

the hired help and so on. If you need any extras at any time let me know and, if they seem to me right and

proper, I will send money for them. You will stay where you are, Caroline, and Stevie must go back to

college right away. Tell him I say so, and if he does not I shall begin reducing his allowance according as I

wrote him. He will understand what I mean. I guess that is all until I send you my address and any other

sailing orders that seem necessary to me then. And, Caroline, I want you and Stevie to feel that I am your

anchor to windward, and when you get in a tight place, if you ever do, you can depend on me. Last night's

Stephen read this screed to the end, then crumpled it in his fist and threw it angrily on the floor.

"The nerve!" he exclaimed. "He seems to think I'm a sailor on one of his ships, to be ordered around as he

Caroline shook her head. "Oh, no!" she said. "You must go today. He's right, Steve; it's the thing for you to

do. He and I were agreed as to that. And you wouldn't stay and make it harder for me, would you, dear?"

He growled a reluctant assent. "I suppose I shall have to go," he said, sullenly. "My allowance is too beastly

small to have him cutting it; and the old shark would do that very thing; he'd take delight in doing it,

"Why, hang it all, Caro!" he exclaimed in disgust; "what ails you? Blessed if I sha'n't begin to believe you're

"No, I'm not. Of course I'm not. I'mI'm glad. He couldn't stay, of course. But I'm afraidI can't help

feeling that you and I were too harsh last night. We said thingsdreadful things"

"Be hanged! We didn't say half enough. Oh, don't be a fool, Caro! I was just beginning to be proud of your

grit. And now you want to take it all back. Honestly, girls are the limit! You don't know your own minds for

"No. No, I'm not, really. But II feel somehow as ifas if everything was on my shoulders. You're going

"I beg your pardon, Miss Caroline," he said. "I should have given you this last evening. It was by your place

"Yes, Miss Caroline. It is marked with your name. And breakfast is served, when you and Mr. Stephen are

"Why don't you open it and find out?" he demanded. "Perhaps it's his latch key. Here! I'll do it myself."

He cut the cord and removed the cover of the little box. Inside was the jeweler's leather case. He took it out

"Whew!" he whistled. "It's a present. And rather a decent one, too, by gad! Look, Caro!"

He handed her the open case. She looked at the chain, spread carefully on the white satin lining. Inside the

cover was fitted a card. She turned it over and read: "To my niece, Caroline. With wishes for many happy

She sat gazing at the card. Stephen bent down, read the inscription, and then looked up into her face.

"WHAT?" he cried. "I believeYou're not CRYING! Well, I'll be hanged! Sis, you ARE a fool!"

The weather that morning was fine and clear. James Pearson, standing by the window of his rooms at the

boarding house, looking out at the snowcovered roofs sparkling in the sun, was miserable. When he retired

the night before it was with a solemn oath to forget Caroline Warren altogether; to put her and her father and

the young cad, her brother, utterly from his mind, never to be thought of again. As a preliminary step in this

direction, he began, the moment his head touched the pillow, to review, for the fiftieth time, the humiliating

scene in the library, to think of things he should have said, andworse than allto recall, word for word,

the things she had said to him. In this cheerful occupation he passed hours before falling asleep. And, when

WhyWhy had he been so weak as to yield to Captain Elisha's advice? Why had he not acted like a

sensible, selfrespecting man, done what he knew was right, and persisted in his refusal to visit the Warrens?

Why? Because he was an idiot, of coursea hopeless idiot, who had got exactly what he deserved! Which

He went down to breakfast when the bell rang, but his appetite was missing, and he replied only in

monosyllables to the remarks addressed to him by his fellow boarders. Mrs. Hepton, the landlady, noticed the

"You not ill, Mr. Pearson, I hope?" she queried. "I do hope you haven't got cold, sleeping with your windows

wide open, as you say you do. Fresh air is a good thing, in moderation, but one should be careful. Don't you

Mr. Carson was a thin little man, a bachelor, who occupied the smallest room on the third story. He was a

clerk in a department store, and his board was generally in arrears. Therefore, when Mrs. Hepton expressed

an opinion he made it a point to agree with her. In this instance, however, he merely grunted.

"I say fresh air in one's sleeping room is a good thing in moderation. Don't you think so, Mr. Carson?"

Mr. Carson rolled up his napkin and inserted it in the ring. His board, as it happened, was paid in full to date.

Also, although he had not yet declared his intention, he intended changing lodgings at the end of the week.

"Humph!" he sniffed, with sarcasm, "it may be. I couldn't get none in MY room if I wanted it, so I can't say

He departed hurriedly. Mrs. Hepton looked disconcerted. Mrs. Van Winkle Ruggles smiled meaningly across

Mr. Ludlow, the bookseller, quietly observed that he hoped Mr. Pearson had not gotten cold. Colds were

prevalent at this time of the year. "'These are the days when the Genius of the weather sits in mournful

meditation on the threshold,' as Mr. Dickens tells us," he added. "I presume he sits on the sills of open

"When did you write that, 'C.' dear?" she asked, turning to her husband. "I remember it perfectly, of course,

The illustrious one's mouth being occupied with a section of scorching hot waffle, he was spared the

"Pardon me," said Mr. Ludlow. "I was not quoting our Mr. Dickens this time, but his famous namesake."

"Maria," he snapped, "don't be so foolish. Ludlow quotes fromer 'Bleak House.' I have written some

The bookseller, who was under the impression that he had quoted from the "Christmas Carol," merely smiled

"My father, the Senator," began Mrs. Van Winkle Ruggles, "was troubled with colds during his political

career. I remember his saying that the Senate Chamber at the Capitol was extremely draughty. Possibly Mr.

Pearson's ailment does come from sleeping in a draught. Not that father was accustomed to SLEEP during the

She laughed gayly. Pearson, who seemed to think it time to say something, declared that, so far as he knew,

"Well," said Mrs. Hepton, with conviction, "something ails you, I know. We can all see it; can't we?" turning

to the rest of the company. "Why, you've scarcely spoken since you sat down at the table. And you've eaten

next to nothing. Perhaps there is some trouble, something on your mind which is worrying you. Oh, I HOPE

"No doubt it is the preoccupation of genius," remarked Mrs. Dickens. "I'm sure it must be that. When 'C.' is

engaged with some particularly trying literary problem he frequently loses all his appetite and does not speak

"C.," who was painfully conscious that he might have made a miscue in the matter of the quotation, answered

Miss Sherborne clasped her hands. "_I_ know!" she exclaimed in mock rapture; "Mr. Pearson is in love!"

This suggestion was received with applause and hilarity. Pearson pushed back his chair and rose.

"I'm much obliged for this outburst of sympathy," he observed, dryly. "But, as I say, I'm perfectly well, and

Back in his room he seated himself at his desk, took the manuscript of his novel from the drawer, and sat

moodily staring at it. He was in no mood for work. The very sight of the typewritten page disgusted him. As

he now felt, the months spent on the story were time wasted. It was ridiculous for him to attempt such a

thing; or to believe that he could carry it through successfully; or to dream that he would ever be anything

better than a literary hack, a cheap edition of "C." Dickens, minus the latter's colossal self satisfaction.

He was still sitting there, twirling an idle pencil between his fingers, when he heard steps outside his door.

He threw down the pencil and, rising, walked to the door and opened it. Mrs. Hepton was waiting in the hall.

"Mr. Pearson," she said, "will you step downstairs with me for a moment? I have a surprise for you."

"Oh, a pleasant one. At least I think it is going to be pleasant for all of us. But I'm not going to tell you what it

She led the way downstairs, the young man following her, wondering what the surprise might be, and fairly

He supposed, of course, that he must descend to the parlor to reach the solution of the mystery, but he was

"There" was the room formerly occupied by Mr. Saks, the longhaired artist. Since his departure it had been

By way of answer she took him by the arm, and, leading him to the door, threw the latter open.

"Hello, Jim!" hailed Captain Elisha Warren, cheerfully. "Ship ahoy! Glad to see you."

He was standing in the middle of the room, his hat on the table and his hands in his pockets.

Pearson was surprised; there was no doubt of thatnot so much at the sight of his friendhe had expected

to see or hear from the captain before the day was overas at seeing him in that room. He could not

"Come aboard, Jim!" he commanded. "Come in and inspect. I'll see you later, Mrs. Hepton," he added, "and

give you my final word. I want to hold officer's council with Mr. Pearson here fust."

"Very well," she said, "but I do hope for all our sakes that word will be YES, Mr. WarrenExcuse me, it is

"It used to be, yes, ma'am. And at home it is yet. 'Round here I've learned to be like a barroom pollparrot,

ready to answer to most everything. There!" as the door closed after her; "now we can be more private. Set

Pearson sat down mechanically. "I'm well enougheverything considered," he replied, slowly. "But

"You will in a minute. What do you think of thisersaloon cabin?" with a comprehensive sweep of his

The room was of fair size, furnished in a nondescript, boarding house fashion, and with two windows

overlooking the little back yard of the house and those of the other adjoining it. Each yard contained an

assortment of ash cans, and there was an astonishing number of clothes lines, each fluttering a variety of

"Pretty snug, ain't it?" continued the captain. "Not exactly up to that I've been luxuriatin' in lately, but more

fittin' to my build and class than that was, I shouldn't wonder. No Corot paintin's nor five thousand dollar

tintypes of dory codders; but I can manage to worry along without them, if I try hard. Neat but not gaudy, I

call itas the architect feller said about his plans for the addition to the county jail at Ostable. Hey? Ho!

"Captain Warren," he demanded, "have youDo you mean to say you've taken this room to LIVE in?"

"No, I ain't said all that yet. I wanted to talk with you a little afore I said it. But that was my idea, if you and I

"Yaas, I've left. That is, I left the way the Irishman left the stable where they kept the mule. He said there

was all out doors in front of him and only two feet behind. That's about the way 'twas with me."

"Umhm. They hinted that my room was better than my company, and, take it by and large, I guess they was

right for the present, anyhow. I set up till three o'clock thinkin' it over, and then I decided to get out afore

breakfast this mornin'. I didn't wait for any goodbys. They'd been said, or all I cared to hearCaptain

Elisha's smile disappeared for an instant"last evenin'. The dose was sort of bitter, but it had the necessary

effect. At any rate, I didn't hanker for another one. I remembered what your landlady told me when I was here

afore, about this stateroom bein' vacated, and I come down to look at it. It suits me well enough; seems like a

decent moorin's for an old salt water derelict like me; the price is reasonable, and I guess likely I'll take it. I

"Do you? I'm much obliged. I didn't know but after last night, after the scrape I got you into, you might

The young man smiled bitterly. "It wasn't your fault," he said. "It was mine entirely. I'm quite old enough to

decide matters for myself, and I should have decided as my reason, and not my inclinations, told me. You

"Yes, I was. If you're old enough, I'm TOO old, I cal'late. But I did thinkHowever, there's no use goin' over

"Thanks. Well, there's one objection out of the way, then, only I don't want you to think that I've hove

overboard that 'responsibility' I was so easy and fresh about takin' on my shoulders. It's there yet; and I'll see

"You needn't mind," he said. "I prefer that you drop the whole miserable business."

"Well, maybe, butJim, you've taken hold of these electric batteries that doctors have sometimes? It's awful

easy to grab the handles of one of those contraptions, but when you want to drop 'em you can't. They don't

drop easy. I took hold of the handles of 'Bije's affairs, and, though it might be pleasanter to drop 'em, I

"Then you're leaving your nephew and niece doesn't mean that you've given up the guardianship?"

"I don't remember sayin' that it did," he answered, with decision. Then, his goodnature returning, he added,

"And now, Jim, I'd like your opinion of these new quarters that I may take. What do you think of 'em? Come

Pearson joined him at the window. The captain waved toward the clotheslines and grinned.

"Looks as if there was some kind of jubilee, don't it," he observed. "Every craft in sight has strung the

"Captain, I think the room will do. It isn't palatial, but one can live in worse quarters, as I know from

"Yup. Well, Jim, there's just one thing more. Have I disgraced you a good deal, bein' around with you and

chummin' in with you the way I have? That is, do you THINK I've disgraced you? Are you ashamed of me?"

"No, I'm serious. Understand now, I'm not apologizin'. My ways are my ways, and I think they're just as good

as the next feller's, whether he's from South Denboro orwell, Broad Street. I've got a habit of thinkin' for

myself and actin' for myself, and when I take off my hat it's to a bigger MAN than I am and not to a more

stylish hat. But, since I've lived here in New York, I've learned that, with a whole lot of folks, hats themselves

count more than what's underneath 'em. I haven't changed mine, and I ain't goin' to. Now, with that plain and

understood, do you want me to live here,in the same house with you? I ain't fishin' for compliments. I want an

"I do," he said. "I like you, and I don't care a damn about your hat. Is that plain?"

The landlady had been anxiously waiting. She ran from the dining room to the foot of the stairs.

Thus Captain Elisha entered another of New York's "circles," that which centered at Mrs. Hepton's boarding

house. Within a week he was as much a part of it as if he had lived there for years. At lunch, on the day of his

arrival, he made his appearance at the table in company with Pearson, and when the landlady exultantly

announced that he was to be "one of our little party" thereafter, he received and replied to the welcoming

"How could I help it?" he asked. "Human nature's liable to temptation, they tell us. The flavor of that

luncheon we had last time I was here has been hangin' 'round the edges of my mouth and tantalizin' my

"We had a souffle that noon, if I remember correctly, Captain," observed the flattered Mrs. Hepton.

"Did you? Well, I declare! I'd have sworn 'twas a bileddinner hash. Knew 'twas better than any I ever ate

afore, but I'd have bet 'twas hash, just the same. Tut! tut! tut! Now, honest, Mrs. Hepton, ain't

thiserwhateveryoucallit a close relationa sort of hash with its city clothes on, hey?"

The landlady admitted that a souffle was something not unlike a hash. Captain Elisha nodded.

"I thought so," he declared. "I was sartin sure I couldn't be mistaken. What is it used to be in the song book?

'You can smash you can' Well, I don't remember. Somethin' about your bein' able to smash the vase if

"'You may break, you may shatter The vase if you will, But the scent of the roses Will cling to it still,'

"That's it. Much obliged. You can warm up and rechristen the hash if you will; but the corned beef and

"Yes. That's what _I_ said'More!' Said it twice, I believe. Glad you agree with me. The hymn says that

Miss Sherborne and Mrs. Van Winkle Ruggles were at first inclined to snub the new boarder, considering

him a country boor whose presence in their select society was almost an insult. The captain did not seem to

"Laura, my dear," said Mrs. Ruggles, addressing the teacher of vocal culture, "don't you feel quite rural

"It is if one cares for such things. I am afraid _I_ don't appreciate them. They may be well enough in their

"Yes, ma'am," he said politely, joining in the conversation; "that's what the boy said about the cooky crumbs

"So? Well, it's a mercy we don't think alike; even Heaven would be crowded if we didhey? You didn't

The young lady would have liked to answer with an uncompromising negative. Truth and the fact that some

"I was born in aa small town," she answered coldly. "But I came to the city as soon as I possibly could."

"Umhm. Well, I came when I couldn't possibly stay away. We can agree on one thingwe're all here. Yes,

and on anotherthat that cake is fustrate. I'll take a second piece, if you've no objection, Mrs. Hepton."

When they were alone once more, in the captain's room, Pearson vented his indignation.

"Why didn't you give them as good as they sent?" he demanded. "Couldn't you see they were doing their best

"Oh, I don't know. What's the use? They've got troubles of their own. One of 'em's a usedtobe, and the

Pearson laughed. "I don't get the whole of that, Captain," he said. "Mrs. Van is the usedtobe, I suppose.

"Married," was the prompt reply. "Old maiditis is creepin' on her fast. You want to be careful, Jim; a certain

"All right! I will, when you and she are together and you give me the signal. But I tell you honest, I'd hate to

do it. Judgin' by the way she smiles and looks up under her eyewinkers at you, you're in danger of

The snubbing and sneering came to an abrupt end. Pearson, in conversation with Mrs. Ruggles, casually

imparted the information that Captain Elisha was the brother of A. Rodgers Warren, late society leader and

wealthy broker. Also, that he had entire charge of the latter's estate. Thereafter Mrs. Ruggles treated the

captain as one whose rank was equal to her own, and, consequently, higher than anyone's else in the

boardinghouse. She made it a point to publicly ask his advice concerning "securities" and "investments,"

and favored him with many reminiscences of her distinguished father, the Senator. Miss Sherborne, as usual,

followed her lead. Captain Elisha, when Pearson joked him on the altered behavior of the two ladies, merely

"You may thank me for that, Captain," said the young man. "When I told Mrs. Ruggles who and what you

were she almost broke down and sobbed. The fact that she had risked offending one so closely connected

with the real thing on Fifth Avenue and Wall Street was too dreadful. But she's yours devotedly now. There's

"Yup. I suppose so. Well, I ain't so sot up with pride over wearin' that crown. It used to belong to 'Bije, and I

never did care much for secondhand things. Rather have a new sou'wester of my own, any day in the week.

"Mrs. Ruggles knows what the crown is made ofgold, nicely padded with bonds and preferred stock."

"Humph! Sometimes I wonder if the paddin's waterproof. As for the goldwell, you can make consider'ble

shine with brass when you're dealin' with nighsighted folks . . . and children."

To this indirect reference to Miss Warren and her brother Pearson made no reply. The pair conversed freely

on other subjects, but each avoided this one. The novel, too, was laid on the shelf for the present. Its author

had not yet mustered sufficient courage to return to it. Captain Elisha once or twice suggested a session with

"Cap'n Jim," but, finding his suggestions received with more or less indifference, did not press them. His

mind was busy with other things. A hint dropped by Sylvester, the lawyer, was one of these. It suggested

alarming possibilities, and his skepticism concerning the intrinsic worth of his inherited "crown" was

He paid frequent visits to the offices of Sylvester, Kuhn, and Graves in Pine Street. Upon the senior partner,

whom he esteemed and trusted not only as a business adviser but a friend, he depended for information

Caroline sent him regular statements of her weekly expenditures, also bills for his approval, but she had

written him but once, and then only a brief note. The note brought by a messenger, accompanied a package

containing the chain which he and Pearson selected with such deliberation and care at the Fifth Avenue

jeweler's. Under the existing circumstances, the girl wrote, she felt that she did not wish to accept presents

from him and therefore returned this one. He was alone when the note and package came and sat by the

window of his room, looking out at the dismal prospect of back yards and clotheslines, turning the leather

case over and over in his hands. Perhaps this was the most miserable afternoon he had spent since his arrival

in the city. He tried to comfort himself by the exercise of his usual philosophy, but it was cold comfort. He

had no right to expect gratitude, so he told himself, and the girl undoubtedly felt that she was justified in her

treatment of him; but it is hard to be misunderstood and misjudged, even by one whose youth is, perhaps, an

excuse. He forgave Caroline, but he could not forgive those who were responsible for her action.

After Pearson had departed, on the morning when the conversation dealing with Mrs. Van Winkle Ruggles

and her change of attitude took place, Captain Elisha put on his hat and coat and started for his lawyer's

"No, thank you," replied the captain. "I just run down to ask if there was anything new in the offin'. Last time

I see you, you hinted you and your mates had sighted somethin' or other through the fog, and it might turn out

Sylvester shook his head. "No," he said, slowly; "it is still foggy. We're busy investigating, but we're not

"Humph! Well, what's the thing look like? You must be a little nigher to it by now."

The lawyer tapped his desk with a pencil. "I don't know what it looks like," he answered. "That is to say, I

don'tI can't believe it is what it appears, at this distance, to be. If it is, it is the most"

He paused. Captain Elisha waited for him to go on and, when he did not do so, asked another question.

"Whywhywell, I can't say even that yet. But there! as I told you, I'm not going to permit it to worry me.

And you mustn't worry, either. That's why I don't give you any further particulars. There may be nothing in it,

His visitor smiled. "Say, Mr. Sylvester," he said, "you're like the youngones used to be when I was a boy.

There'd be a gang of 'em waitin' by the schoolhouse steps and when the particular victim hove in sight they'd

hail him with, 'Ah, ha! YOU'RE goin' to get it!' 'Wait till teacher sees you!' and so on. Course the victim

would want to know what it meant. All the satisfaction he got from them was, 'That's all right! You'll find

out! You just wait!' And the poor feller put in the time afore the bell rung goin' over all the things he

shouldn't have done and had, and wonderin' which it was this time. You hinted to me a week ago that there

was a surprisin' possibility loomin' up in 'Bije's financial affairs. And ever since then I've been puzzlin' my

brains tryin' to guess what could happen. Ain't discovered any more of those Cut Short bonds, have you?"

The bonds to which he referred were those of a defunct Short Line railroad. A large number of these bonds

had been discovered among A. Rodgers Warren's effects; part of his "tangled assets," the captain had termed

"Abbie, my housekeeper, has been writin' me," he went on, "about havin' the sewin' room papered. She wants

my advice concernin' the style of paper; says it ought to be pretty and out of the common, but not too

expensive. I judge what she wants is somethin' that looks like money but ain't really wuth more than ten cents

a mile. I've been thinkin' I'd send her a bale or so of those bonds; they'd fill the bill in those respects, wouldn't

Sylvester laughed. "They certainly would, Captain," he replied. "No, we haven't unearthed any more of that

sort. And, as for this mystery of ours, I'll give you the answerif it's worth giving at all, in a very short time.

"Well, I'll try. But I guess it sticks out on my face, like a four days' toothache. But I WON'T worry about that.

You know best whether to tell me now or not, andwell, I'm carryin' about all the worry my tonnage'll

"You mustn't take your nephew's and niece's treatment too much to heart," he said.

"Oh, I don't. That is, I pretend I don't. And I do try not to. But I keep thinkin', thinkin', and wonderin' if

'twould have been better if I hadn't gone there to live at all. Hi hum! a man of my age hadn't ought to mind

what a twentyyearold girl says, or does; 'specially when her kind, advisin' friends have shown her how

she's been deceived and hypocritted. By the way, speakin' of hypocrites, I suppose there's just as much

"Yes. A little more, if anything, I'm afraid. Your niece and Mrs. Dunn and her precious son are together now

"So do I, but I must confess I'm fearful. Malcolm himself isn't so wise, but his mother is"

"A whole Book of Proverbs, hey? I know. She's an able old frigate. I did think I had her guns spiked, but she

turned 'em on me unexpected. I thought I had her and her boy in a clove hitch. I knew somethin' that I was

sartin sure they wouldn't want Caroline to know, and she and Malcolm knew I knew it. Her tellin' Caroline of

it, HER story of it, when I wasn't there to contradict, was as smart a piece of maneuverin' as ever was. It took

the wind out of my sails, because, though I'm just as right as I ever was, Caroline wouldn't listen to me, nor

"Yup. But learnin' by experience is a good deal like shippin' green afore the mast; it'll make an able seaman

of you, if it don't kill you fust. When I was a boy there was a man in our town name of Nickerson Cummin's.

He was mate of a ship and smart as a red pepper poultice on a skinned heel. He was a great churchgoer when

he was ashore and always preachin' brotherly love and kindness and pattin' us little shavers on the head, and

so on. Most of the grown folks thought he was a sort of saint, and I thought he was more than that. I'd have

worshiped him, I cal'late, if my Methodist trainin' would have allowed me to worship anybody who wa'n't

named in Scriptur'. If there'd been an apostle or a prophet christened Nickerson I'd have fell on my knees to

this Cummin's man, sure. So, when I went to sea as a cabin boy, a towheaded snubnosed little chap of

fourteen, I was as happy as a clam at highwater 'cause I was goin' in the ship he was mate of."

He paused. There was a frown on his face, and his lower jaw was thrust forward grimly.

"Hey? Oh, excuse me. When I get to thinkin' of that v'yage I simmer inside, like a teakettle on a hot stove.

The second day outseasick and homesick and so miserable I wished I could die all at once instead of by

lingerin' spasmsI dropped a dish on the cabin floor and broke it. Cummin's was alone with me, eatin' his

dinner; and he jumped out of his chair when I stooped to pick up the pieces and kicked me under the table.

When I crawled out, he kicked me again and kept it up. When his foot got tired he used his fist. 'There!' says

"It did. I never broke anything else aboard that ship. Cummin's was a bully and a sneak to everybody but the

old man, and a toady to him. He never struck me or anybody else when the skipper was around, but there was

nothin' too mean for him to do when he thought he had a safe chance. And he took pains to let me know that

if I ever told a soul at home he'd kill me. I'd learned by experience, not only about the price of crockery, but

other things, things that a youngster ought not to learnhow to hate a man so that you can wait years to get

even with him, for one. I'm sorry I learned that, and," dryly, "so was Cummin's, later. But I did learn, once

and for all, not to take folks on trust, nor to size 'em up by their outside, or the noise they make in

prayermeetin', nor the way they can spread soft soap when they think it's necessary. I'd learned that, and I'd

"It was a hard lesson for me," he added, reflectively; "but I managed to come out of it without lettin' it bitter

my whole life. I don't mind so much Caroline's bein' down on me. She'll know better some day, I hope; and if

she don'twell, I'm only a side issue in her life, anyhow, hove in by accident, like the section of dog collar

in the sassage. But I do hope her learnin' by experience won't come too late to save her from . . . what she'll

"It must," declared the lawyer, with decision. "You must see to it, Captain Warren. You are her guardian. She

is absolutely under your charge. She can do nothing of importance unless you consent."

"Yup. That's sofor one more year; just one, remember! Then she'll be of age, and I can't say 'Boo!' And her

share of 'Bije's money'll be hers, too. And don't you believe that that fact has slipped Sister Dunn's memory. I

ain't on deck to head her off now; if she puts Malcolm up to gettin' Caroline to give her word, and Caroline

gives itwell, I know my niece. She's honorable, and she'll stick to her promise if it runs her on the rocks.

And Her Majesty Dunn knows that, too. Therefore, the cat bein' away, she cal'lates now's the time to make

"Umhm. And got another kick, I shouldn't wonder. However, my claws'll stay sharp for a year or

thereabouts, and, if it comes to a shindy, there'll be some tall scratchin' afore I climb a tree. Keep a weather

"I do. And say! for goodness' sakes put me out of my misery regardin' that rock or lighthouse on 'Bije's chart,

"Certainly! And, remember, don't worry. It may be a lighthouse, or nothing at all. At all events, I'll report

But, in spite of his promise, Sylvester did not report during the following week or the next. Meanwhile, his

client tried his best to keep the new mystery from troubling his thoughts, and succeeded only partially. The

captain's days and evenings were quiet and monotonous. He borrowed a book or two from Mrs. Hepton's

meager library, read, walked a good deal, generally along the water front, and wrote daily letters to Miss

Baker. He and Pearson were together for at least a portion of each day. The author, fighting down his

dejection and discouragement, set himself resolutely to work once more on the novel, and his nautical adviser

was called in for frequent consultation. The story, however, progressed but slowly. There was something

One evening Pearson entered the room tenanted by his friend to find the latter seated beside the table, his

Captain Elisha, redfaced and panting, desisted from the unlacing and straightened in his chair.

"Whew!" he puffed. "Jim, your remarks prove that your experience of the world ain't as big as it ought to be.

When you get to my age and waist measure you'll realize that stoopin' over and comfort don't go together. I

hope to be comfortable pretty soon; but I sha'n't be till them boots are off. Set down. The agony'll be over in a

Pearson declined to sit. "Not yet," he said. "And you let those shoes alone, until you hear what I've got to say.

A newspaper friend of mine has sent me two tickets for the opera tonight. I want you to go with me."

"Yes, you're fond of music; you told me so. And Aida is beautiful. Come on! it will do us both good."

"What do you mean by gettin' ready?" he asked. "You've got on your regimentals, open front and all. My

uniform is the huntin' case kind; fits in better with church sociables and South Denboro no'theasters. If I wore

one of those vests like yours Abbie'd make me put on a red flannel lungprotector to keep from catchin'

pneumonia. And she'd think 'twas sinful waste besides, runnin' the risk of sp'ilin' a clean biled shirt so quick.

"I don't care. You know how I feel; we had a little talk about hats a spell ago, you remember. If you're willin'

to take me 'just as I am, without a plea,' as the hymntune says, why, I cal'late I'll say yes and go. Set down

He retired to the curtain alcove, and Pearson heard him rustling about, evidently making a hurried change of

"Jim," he said, "I ain't been to the theater but once since I landed in New York. Then I went to see a play

named 'The Heart of a Sailor.' Ha! ha! that was a great show! Ever take it in, did you?"

"Well, you'd ought to. It's a wonder of it's kind. I learned more things about lifesavin' and 'longshore life

from that drayma than you'd believe was possible. You'd have got some p'ints for your Cap'n Jim yarn from

that play; you sartin would! Yes, indeed! Way I happened to go to it was on account of seein' a poster on a

fence over nigh where that Moriarty tribe lived. The poster pictured a bark ashore, on her beam ends, in a sea

like those off the Horn. On the beach was a whole parcel of lifesavers firin' off rockets and blue lights.

Keepin' the Fourth of July, I judged they was, for I couldn't see any other reason. The bark wa'n't more'n a

hundred foot from 'em, and if all hands on board didn't know they was in trouble by that time, then they

deserved to drown. Anyhow, they wa'n't likely to appreciate the celebration. Ho! ho! Well, when I run afoul

of that poster I felt I hadn't ought to let anything like that get away; so I hunted up the theaterit wa'n't but a

"WAS it? Hi hum! I wish you'd been there. More 'special I wished some of the folks from home had been

there, for the whole business was supposed to happen on the Cape, and they'd have realized how ignorant we

are about the place we live in. The hero was a strappin' sixfooter, sort of a combination fisherman and

parson, seemed so. He wore ileskins in fair weather and went around preachin' or defyin' folks that provoked

him and makin' love to the daughter of a longhaired old relic that called himself an inventor. . . . Oh,

"Dropped my collar button, as usual. Collar buttons are one of the Old Harry's pet traps. I'll bet their

responsible for 'most as many lapses from grace as tangled fishlines. Where . . . Ow! . . . All right; I found it

A series of grunts and shortbreathed exclamations followed, indicating that the sufferer was struggling with

"That's what HE said he was, though he never furnished any proof. His daughter helped him with his

inventions, but if she'd cut his hair once in a while 'twould have been a better way of puttin' in the time,

'cordin' to my notion. And there was a rich squire, who made his money by speculatin' in wickedness, and a

mortgage, andI don't know what all. And those Cape Cod folks! and the houses they lived in! and the way

"Don't know. It happened 'cause it had to be in the play, I cal'late. The mortgage, or an 'invention' or

somethin', was on board the bark and just naturally took a short cut for home, way I figgered it out. But, Jim,

you ought to have seen that hero! He peeled off his ileskinslickerhe'd kept it on all through the sunshine,

but now, when 'twas rainin' and rainin' and wreckin' and thunderin', he shed itand jumped in and saved all

hands and the ship's cat. 'Twas great business! No wonder the lifesavers set off fireworks! And thunder!

Why, say, it never stopped thunderin' in that storm except when somebody had to make a heroic speech; then

it let up and give 'em a chance. Most considerate thunder ever I heard. And the lightnin'! and the way the dust

flew from the breakers! I was glad I went. . . . There!" appearing fully dressed from behind the curtains. "I'm

ready if you are. Did I talk your head off? I ask your pardon; but that 'Heart of a Sailor' touched mine, I guess.

I know I was afraid I'd laugh until it stopped beatin'. And all around the people were cryin'. It was enough

The pair walked over to Broadway, boarded a street car, and alighted before the Metropolitan Opera House.

Pearson's seats were good ones, well down in the orchestra. Captain Elisha turned and surveyed the great

"Whew!" he muttered. "This is considerable of a show in itself, Jim. They could put our town hall inside here

and the folks on the roof wouldn't be so high as those in that main skys'l gallery up aloft there. Can they see

"Oh, yes. The accepted idea is that they are the real music lovers. THEY come for the opera itself. Some of

"Nothing much. I was thinking 'twas better Abbie wa'n't along on this cruise. She'd probably want to put an

'im' in front of that 'proper.' I envy those women, Jim; THEY didn't have to stop to hunt up collar buttons, did

He was silent during the first act of the opera. When the curtain fell his companion asked how he liked it.

"Good singin'," he replied; "best I ever heard. Do you understand what they say?"

"No. But I'm familiar with the story of Aida, of course. It's a favorite of mine. And the words don't really

"I suppose not. It's the way they say it. I had an Irishman workin' round my barn once, and Tim Bailey drove

down from Bayport to see me. I was out and Tim and the Irishman run afoul of each other. Tim stuttered so

that he made a noise when he talked like one of these gasoline bicycles goin' by. He watched Mike sweepin'

out the horse stall and he says, 'You're a puppup . . . I say you're a pup.' He didn't get any further 'cause

Mike went for him with the broom. Turned out later that he was tryin' to compliment that Irishman by sayin'

he was a particular sort of feller. These folks on the stage might be sayin' most anythin', and I wouldn't know

it. But I sha'n't knock 'em down, for I like the way it's said. When the Almighty give us music he more than

Pearson bought a copy of the libretto, and the captain followed the performance of the next two acts with

"Say, Jim," he whispered, with a broad grin, "it's a good thing this opera idea ain't carried into real life. If you

had to sing every word you said 'twould be sort of distressin', 'specially if you was in a hurry. A fustrate solo

when you was orderin' the crew to shorten sail would be a high old brimstone anthem, I'll bet you. And think

of the dinner table at our boardin' house! Mrs. Van and C. Dickens both goin' at once, and Marm Hepton

Between the third and the fourth acts the pair went out into the foyer, where, ascending to the next floor, they

made the round of the long curve behind the boxes, Pearson pointing out to his friend the names of the box

"There!" he observed, as, the half circle completed, they turned and strolled back again, "isn't that an

"Godfreys mighty!" was the solemn reply; "I was just thinkin' I felt as if I'd been readin' one of those

The foyer had its usual animated crowd, and among them Pearson recognized a critic of his acquaintance. He

offered to introduce the captain, but the latter declined the honor, saying that he cal'lated he wouldn't shove

his bows in this time. "You heave ahead and see your friend, Jim," he added. "I'll come to anchor by this

pillar and watch the fleet go by. I'll have to write Abbie about all this; she'll want to know how the female

Left alone, he leaned against the pillar and watched the people pass and repass just behind him. Two young

"Yes," replied the other, "I have. That is, if you mean the news concerning Mal Dunn. The mater learned it

this afternoon and sprung it at dinner. No one was greatly surprised. Formal announcement made, and all that

"His mother is, you mean. She managed the campaign. The old lady is some strategist, and I'd back her to

win under ordinary circumstances. But I understand these were not ordinary; wise owl of a guardian to be

"From what I hear the Dunns haven't won so much after all. There was a big shrinkage when papa died, so

they say. Instead of three or four millions it panned out to be a good deal less than one. I don't know much

"Humph! I imagine whatever the panout it will be welcome. The Dunns are dangerously close to the ragged

edge; everybody has been on to that for some time. And it takes a few ducats to keep Mal going. He's no

"Well, on the whole, I'm rather sorry forthe other party. Mal is a good enough fellow, and he certainly is a

They moved on, and Captain Elisha heard no more. But what he had heard was quite sufficient. He sat

through the remainder of the opera in silence and answered all his friend's questions and remarks curtly and

As they stepped into the trolley Pearson bought an evening paper, not the Planet, but a dignified sheet which

shunned sensationalism and devoted much space to the doings of the safe, sane, and ultra respectable

element. Perceiving that his companion, for some reason, did not care to talk, he read as the car moved

downtown. Suddenly Captain Elisha was awakened from his reverie by hearing his friend utter an

exclamation. Looking up, the captain saw that he was leaning back in the seat, the paper lying unheeded in

Pearson started, glanced quickly at his friend, hesitated, and looked down again.

He rose, picked up the paper with a hand that shook a little, and led the way to the door of the car. Captain

Elisha followed, and they strode up the deserted side street. Pearson walked so rapidly that his companion

was hard pushed to keep pace with him. When they stood together in the dimly lit hall of the boarding house,

"Well, Jim," he asked in a low tone, "what is it? You may as well tell me. Maybe I can guess, anyhow."

The young man reached up and turned the gas full on. In spite of the cold from which they had just come, his

face was white. He folded the paper in his hand, and with his forefinger pointed to its uppermost page.

Captain Elisha took the paper, drew his spectacle case from his pocket, adjusted his glasses and read. The

item was among those under the head of "Personal and Social." It was what he expected. "The engagement is

today announced of Miss Caroline Warren, daughter of the late A. Rodgers Warren, the wellknown broker,

to Mr. Malcolm Corcoran Dunn, of Fifth Avenue. Miss Warren, it will be remembered, was one of the most

"I've been afraid of it for some time. Tonight, when you left me alone there in the quarterdeck of that opera

house, I happened to hear two young chaps talkin' about it. So you might say I knew Yes."

"There! there! Jim. I realize it all, I cal'late. It's my business to realize it."

"Hold on!" commanded the captain. "Hold on, Jim! Don't you go off ha'f cocked. When I said 'twas my

business to realize this thing, I meant just that and nothin' more. I wa'n't hintin', and you ought to know it.

The young man paused. "Yes," he answered, after an instant's struggle with his feelings; "yes, I do. I beg your

"All right. And here's somethin' else; I just told you I wasn't sartin I could stop the marriage. That's the truth.

But I don't recollect sayin' I'd actually hauled down the colors, not yet. Good night."

"Good night, Captain. I shouldn't have misunderstood you, of course. But, as you know, I respected and

"Sort of knocked you on your beam ends, I understand. Well, Jim," with a sigh, "I ain't exactly on an even

They separated, Pearson going to his room. As Captain Elisha was passing through the hall on the second

floor, he heard someone calling him by name. Turning, he saw his landlady's head, bristling with curl papers,

"Well, I've got a message for you. A Mr. Sylvester has 'phoned you twice this evening. He wishes to see you

Nine o'clock is an early hour for a New York lawyer of prominence to be at his place of business. Yet, when

Captain Elisha asked the office boy of Sylvester, Kuhn and Graves if the senior partner was in, he received an

"Yes, sir," said Tim, respectfully. His manner toward the captain had changed surprisingly since the latter's

first call. "Yes, sir; Mr. Sylvester's in. He expects you. I'll tell him you're here. Sit down and wait, please."

Captain Elisha sat down, but he did not have to wait long. The boy returned at once and ushered him into the

"You got my message, then," he said. "I spent hours last evening chasing you by 'phone. And I was prepared

"So? That's why you're on deck so early? Didn't sleep here, did you? Well, I cal'late I know what you want to

"The newspapers? Great heavens! it isn't in the newspapers, is it? It can't be!"

"Course it is," he said. "But I heard it afore I saw it. Perhaps you think I take it pretty easy. Maybe I act as if I

did. But you expected it, and so did I, so we ain't exactly surprised. And," seriously, "I realize that it's no joke

as well as you do. But we've got a year to fight in, and now we must plan the campaign. I did cal'late to see

Caroline this mornin'. Then, if I heard from her own lips that 'twas actually so, I didn't know's I wouldn't drop

in and give Sister CorcoranQueenVictoriaDunn a few plain facts about it not bein' a healthy investment

to hurry matters. You're wantin' to see me headed me off, and I come here instead."

"See here, Captain Warren," he demanded, "what do you imagine I asked you to come here for?"

"Why, to talk about that miserable engagement, sartin. Poor girl! I've been awake ha'f the night thinkin' of the

Sylvester shook his head. "I see," he said, slowly. "You would think it that, naturally. No, Captain, it isn't the

"More serious thanMORE serious! Why, what on earth? Hey? Mr. Sylvester, has that rocklighthouse

"I want to know! And I'd almost forgot it, not hearin' from you. It's a rock, too, I judge, by the looks of your

The captain pulled his beard. "Well," he said, wearily, after a moment, "I guess likely I can bear it. I've had to

bear some things in my time. Anyhow, I'll try. Heave ahead and get it over with. I'm ready."

Instead of answering, Sylvester pushed an electric button on his desk. The office boy answered the ring.

"Tell them Captain Warren is here, and ask them to join us in the inner room. Remind Mr. Graves to bring the

papers. And, Tim, remember that none of us is to be disturbed. Do you understand?"

"Say!" he exclaimed, "this MUST be serious, if it takes the skipper and both mates to handle it."

He led the way into the room opening from the rear of his own. It was a large apartment with a long table in

the center. Mr. Kuhn, brisk and businesslike, was already there. He shook hands with his client. As he did

so, Graves, dignified and precise as ever, entered, carrying a small portfolio filled with papers.

"Mornin', Mr. Graves," said the captain; "glad to see you, even under such distressin' circumstances, as the

undertaker said to the sick man. Feelin' all right again, I hope. No more colds or nothin' like that?"

"That's hearty. If you and me don't do any more buggy ridin' in Cape Cod typhoons, we'll last a spell yet,

hey? What you got there, the death warrant?" referring to the portfolio and its contents.

Mr. Graves evidently did not consider this flippancy worth a reply, for he made none.

The four took chairs at the table. Graves untied and opened the portfolio. Captain Elisha looked at his solemn

"You'll excuse me," he observed, "but I feel as if I was goin' to be tried for piracy on the high seas. Has the

court any objection to tobacco smoke? I'm puttin' the emphasis strong on the 'tobacco,'" he added, "because

this is a cigar you give me yourself, Mr. Sylvester, last time I was down here."

"No, indeed," replied the senior partner. "Smoke, if you wish. No one here has any objection, unless it may

"Oh, Mr. Graves ain't. He and I fired up together that night we fust met. Hot smoke tasted grateful after all

the cold water we'd had poured onto us in that storm. Graves is all right. He's a sportin' character, like myself.

But the invitation was declined. The "sporting character" might deign to relax amid proper and fitting

surroundings, but not in the sacred precincts of his office. So the captain smoked alone.

"Well," he observed, after a few preliminary puffs, "go on! Don't keep me in suspenders, as the feller said.

Sylvester took a card from his pocket and referred to a penciled memorandum on its back.

"Captain Warren," he began, slowly, "as you know, and as directed by you, my partners here and I have been

engaged for months in carefully going over your brother's effects, estimating values, tabulating and sorting

his various properties and securities, separating the good from the worthlessand there was, as we saw at a

"Umhm," interrupted the captain, "Cut Short bonds and the like of that. I know. Excuse me. Go on."

"Yes. Precisely. And there were many just as valueless. But we have been gradually getting those out of the

way and listing and appraising the remainder. It was a tangle. Your brother's business methods, especially of

late years, were decidedly unsystematic and slipshod. It may have been the condition of his health which

prevented his attending to them as he should. Or," he hesitated slightly, "it may have been that he was

secretly in great trouble and mental distress. At all events, the task has been a hard one for us. But, largely

owing to Graves and his patient work, our report was practically ready a month ago."

"Yes," he said; "you told me 'twas. What does the whole thing tot up to? What's the final figger, Mr. Graves?"

"I have them here," he said. "The list of securities, et cetera, is rather long, but"

"Never mind them now, Graves," interrupted Kuhn. "The amount, roughly speaking, is close to over our

The captain drew a breath of relief. "Well," he exclaimed, "that's all right then, ain't it? That's no poorhouse

"Humph! Well, I cal'late _I_ could make it go to the end of the route; and then have enough left for a return

ticket. Say!" with another look at the solemn faces of the three, "what IS the row? If the estate is wuth ha'f a

"That is what we are here this morning to discuss, Captain. A month ago, as I said, we considered our report

practically ready. Then we suddenly happened on the trail of something which, upon investigation, upset all

our calculations. If true, it threatened, not to mention its effect upon the estate, to prove so distressing and

painful to us, Rodgers Warren's friends and legal advisers, that we decided not to alarm you, his brother, by

disclosing our suspicions until we were sure there was no mistake. I did drop you a hint, you will

"Yes. Captain Warren, I think perhaps I ought to warn you that what my partners and I are about to say will

shock and hurt you. I, personally, knew your brother well and respected him as an honorable business man. A

lawyer learns not to put too much trust in human nature, but, I confess, thisthis"

He was evidently greatly disturbed. Captain Elisha, regarding him intently, nodded.

"I judge it's sort of hard for you to go on, Mr. Sylvester," he said. "I'll help you all I can. You and Mr. Kuhn

and Mr. Graves here have found out somethin' that ain't exactly straight in 'Bije's doin's? Am I right?"

"Humph!" The captain frowned. His cigar had gone out, and he idly twisted the stump between his fingers.

"Well," he said, with a sigh, "our family, gen'rally speakin', has always held its head pretty high. Dad was

poor, but he prided himself on bein' straight as a plumb line. And, as for mother, she . . . " Then, looking up

"Umhm. Poor Caroline! she put her father on a sort of altar and bowed down afore him, as you might say.

Any sort of disgrace to his name would about kill her. As for me," with another sigh, "I ain't so much

surprised as you might think. I know that sounds tough to say about your own brother, but I've been afraid all

along. You see, 'Bije always steered pretty close to the edge of the channel. He had ideas about honesty and

fair dealin' in business that didn't jibe with mine. We split on just that, as I told you, Mr. Graves, when you

and I fust met. He got some South Denboro folks to invest money along with him; sort of savin's account,

they figgered it; but I found out he was usin' it to speculate with. So that's why we had our row. I took pains

to see that the money was paid back, but he and I never spoke afterwards. Fur as my own money was

concerned, I hadn't any kick, but . . . However, I'm talkin' too much. Go on, Mr. Sylvester, I'm ready to hear

"Thank you, Captain. You make it easier for me. It seems that your brother's first step toward wealth and

success was taken about nineteen years ago. Then, somehow or other, probably through a combination of

luck and shrewdness, he obtained a grant, a concession from the Brazilian Government, the long term lease of

a goodsized tract of land on the upper Amazon. It was very valuable because of its rubber trees."

Sylvester repeated his statement. "He got the concession by paying twenty thousand dollars to the

government of Brazil," he continued. "To raise the twenty thousand he formed a stock company of two

hundred and fifty shares at one hundred dollars each. One hundred of these shares were in his own name.

Fifty were in the name of one 'Thomas A. Craven,' a clerk at that time in his office. Craven was only a

"I can guess. Sort of a wooden image that moved when 'Bije pulled the strings. Like one of these straw

directors that clutter up the insurance companies, 'cordin' to the papers. Yes, yes; I understand well enough.

"That's it. The fifty shares were in Craven's name, but they were transferred in blank and in Mr. Warren's

safe. Together with his own hundred, they gave him control and a voting majority. That much we know by

"Worth anything! Captain Warren, I give you my word that it was worth more than all the rest of the

Captain Elisha did not answer. He was regarding the lawyer with a dazed expression. He breathed heavily.

"What's the matter?" demanded the watchful Kuhn, his gaze fixed upon his client's face. "Do you know

The captain interrupted him. "Go on!" he commanded. "But tell me this fust: What was the name of this

"I see. . . . Yes, yes. . . . Akry, hey! . . . Well, what about it? Tell me the rest."

"For the first year or two this company did nothing. Then, in March, of the third year, the property was

released by Mr. Warren to persons in Para, who were to develop and operate. The terms of his new lease were

very advantageous. Royalties were to be paid on a sliding scale, and, from the very first, they were large. The

"Yes. In fact, for twelve years the company's royalties averaged $50,000 yearly."

"Wheew!" Captain Elisha whistled. "Fifty thousand a year!" he repeated slowly. "'Bije! 'Bije!"

"Yes. And three years ago the Akrae Company sold its lease, sold out completely to the Para people, for

"Godfreys mighty! Well," after a moment, "that's what I'd call a middlin' fair profit on a twenty thousand

"Captain," Sylvester leaned forward now; "Captain," he repeated, "it is that sale and the dividends which are

troubling us. I told you that the Akrae Company was organized with two hundred and fifty shares of stock.

Your brother held one hundred in his own name and fifty transferred to him by his dummy, Craven. What I

did not tell you was that there were another hundred shares, held by someone, someone who paid ten

thousand dollars for themwe know thatand was, therefore, entitled to twofifths of every dollar earned

by the company during its existence, and twofifths of the amount received for the sale of the lease. So far as

The effect of this amazing announcement upon the uniniated member of the council was not as great as the

Graves broke in impatiently: "I think, Captain Warren," he declared, "that you probably do not realize what

this means. Besides proving your brother dishonest, it means that this stockholder, whoever he may have

"No, we do not. The name upon the stub of the transfer book has been scratched out."

Captain Elisha looked the speaker in the face, then slowly turned his look upon the other two faces.

"Yes, yes," said the captain. "You don't know, but we're all entitled to guess, hey? . . . Humph!"

"Hold on a minute! I don't know much about corporations, of coursethat's more in your line than 'tis in

minebut I want to ask one question. You say this whatd'yecallitthis Akrae thingamajigwas sold

out, hull, canvas and riggin', to a crowd in Brazil? It's gone out of business then? It's dead?"

"Wait! Ain't it customary, when a sale like this is made, to turn over all the stock, certificates and all?

Sometimes you get stock in the new company in exchange; I know that. But to complete the trade, wouldn't

this extry hundred shares be turned in? Or some sharp questionin' done if 'twa'n't?"

He addressed the query to Sylvester. The latter seemed more troubled than before.

"That," he said with some hesitation, "is one of the delicate points in this talk of ours, Captain Warren. A

certificate for the missing hundred shares WAS turned in. It was dated at the time of the original issue, made

out in the name of one Edward Bradley, and transferred on the back by him to your brother. That is, it was

"I mean that this certificate iswell, let us say, rather queer. To begin with, no one knows who this Bradley

is, or was. His name appears nowhere except on that certificate, unless, of course, it did appear on the stub

where the scratching has been done; we doubt that, for reasons. Nobody ever heard of the man; and his

transfer to your brother was made, and the certificate signed by him, only three years ago, when the Akrae

Company sold out. It will take too long to go into details; but thanks to the kindness of the Para concern,

which has offices in this citywe have been able to examine this Bradley certificate. Experts have examined

"They tell us thatthat, in their opinion, the certificate was never issued at the time when, by this date, it

presumes to have been. It was made out no longer ago than five years, probably less. The signature of

Bradley on the back isiswell, I hate to say it, Captain Warren, but the handwriting on that signature

Captain Elisha was silent for some moments. The others did not speak, but waited. Even Graves, between

"Well," he said slowly, "we ain't children. We might as well call things by their right names. 'Bije forged that

"You will. You don't grasp the full meaning of this affair even yet. If the Bradley certificate is a forgery, a

fraud from beginning to end, then the presumption is that there was never any such person as Bradley. But

SOMEONE paid ten thousand dollars for one hundred Akrae shares when the company was formed. THAT

certificate has never been turned in. Some person or persons, somewhere, hold one hundred shares of Akrae

Rubber Company stock. Think, now! Suppose that someone turns up and demands all that he has been

"Well . . . I am thinkin' of it. I got the scent of what you was drivin' at five minutes ago. And I don't see that

we need to be afraid. He could have put 'Bije in jail; but 'Bije is already servin' a longer sentence than he

could give him. So that disgrace ain't bearin' down on us. And, if I understand about such things, his claim is

against the Akrae Company, and that's deaddead as the man that started it. Maybe he could put in a keeper,

or a receiver, or some such critter, but there's nothin' left to keep or receive. Ain't I right?"

"You are. Or you would be, but for one thing, the really inexplicable thing in this whole miserable affair.

Your brother, Captain Warren, was dishonest. He took money that didn't belong to him, and he forged that

certificate. But he must have intended to make restitution. He must have been consciencestricken and more

to be pitied, perhaps, than condemned. No doubt, when he first began to withhold the dividends and use the

money which was not his, he intended merely to borrow. He was always optimistic and always plunging in

desperate and sometimes rather shady speculations which, he was sure, would turn out favorably. If they

hadif, for instance, the South Shore Trolley Combine had been put throughYou knew of that, did you?"

"Well, it was not put through, so his hopes there were frustrated. And that was but one of his schemes.

However, when the sale of the Company was consummated, he did an extraordinary thing. He made out and

signed his personal note, payable to the Akrae Company, for every cent he had misappropriated. And we

found that note in his safe after his death. That was what first aroused our suspicions. NOW, Captain Warren,

Captain Elisha did not understand, that was evident. His look of wondering amazement traveled from one

"A NOTE!" he repeated. "'Bije put his NOTE in the safe? A note promisin' to pay all he'd stole! And left it

there where it could be found? Why, that's pretty nigh unbelievable, Mr. Sylvester! He might just as well

The junior partner produced a slip of paper from the portfolio and regarded it frowningly.

"Of all the pieces of sheer lunacy," he observed, "that ever came under my observation, this is the worst. Here

"I don't want to see itnot yet," he protested. "I want to think. I want to get at the reason if I can. Why did he

"That is what we've been tryin' to findthe reason, remarked Kuhn, "and we can only guess. Sylvester has

told you the guess. Rodgers Warren intended, or hoped, to make restitution before he died."

"Yes. Knowin' 'Bije, I can see that. He was weak, that was his main trouble. He didn't mean to be crooked,

but his knees wa'n't strong enough to keep him straight when it come to a hard push. But he made his note

payable to a Company that was already sold out, so it ain't good for nothin'. Now, why"

"He doesn't understand at all," he exclaimed, impatiently. "Captain Warren, listen! That note is made payable

to the Akrae Company. Against that company some unknown stockholder has an apparent claim for

twofifths of all dividends ever paid and two fifths of the seven hundred and fifty thousand received for the

sale. With accrued interest, that claim amounts to over five hundred thousand dollars."

"That note binds Rodgers Warren's estate to pay that claim. His own personal estate! And that estate is not

worth over four hundred and sixty thousand dollars! If this stockholder should appear and press his claim,

your brother's children would be, not only penniless, but thirty thousand dollars in debt! There! I think that is

He leaned back, grimly satisfied with the effect of his statement. Captain Elisha stared straight before him,

unseeingly, the color fading from his cheeks. Then he put both elbows on the table and covered his face with

"You see, Captain," said Sylvester, gently, "how very serious the situation is. Graves has put it bluntly, but

what he says is literally true. If your brother had deliberately planned to hand his children over to the mercy

Slowly the captain raised his head. His expression was a strange one; agitated and shocked, but with a curious

"I mean everything, all that's been puzzlin' me and troublin' my head since the very beginnin'. All of it! NOW

"Captain," he said, "I believe you know who the owner of that one hundred shares is. Do you?"

The questions were blurted out together. The captain looked at the three excited faces. He hesitated and then,

taking the stub of a pencil from his pocket, drew toward him a memorandum pad lying on the table and wrote

a line upon the uppermost sheet. Tearing off the page, he tossed it to Sylvester.

Two more hours passed before the lawyers and their client rose from their seats about the long table. Even

then the consultation was not at an end. Sylvester and the Captain lunched together at the Central Club and

sat in the smoking room until after four, talking earnestly. When they parted, the attorney was grave and

"All right, Captain Warren," he said; "I'll do it. And you may be right. I certainly hope you are. But I must

confess I don't look forward to my task with pleasure. I think I've got the roughest end."

"It'll be rough, there's no doubt about that. Rough for all hands, I guess. And I hope you understand, Mr.

Sylvester, that there ain't many men I'd trust to do what I ask you to. I appreciate your doin' it more'n I can

They shook hands. Captain Elisha returned to the boarding house, where he found a letter awaiting him. It

was from Caroline, telling him of her engagement to Malcolm Dunn. She wrote that, while not recognizing

his right to interfere in any way, she felt that perhaps he should know of her action. He did not go down to

supper, and, when Pearson came to inquire the reason, excused himself, pleading a late luncheon and no

Next morning he went uptown. Edwards, opening the door of the Warren apartment, was surprised to find

"Mornin', Commodore!" hailed the captain, as casually as if he were merely returning from a stroll. "Is Miss

"That's all right. She's aboard or you wouldn't have to see. You and me sailed together quite a spell, so I know

your little habits. I'll wait in the library, Commodore. Tell her there's no particular hurry."

His niece was expecting him. She had anticipated his visit and was prepared for it. From the emotion caused

by his departure after the eventful birthday, she had entirely recovered, or thought she had. The surprise and

shock of his leaving and the consequent sense of loneliness and responsibility overcame her at the time, but

Stephen's ridicule and Mrs. Corcoran Dunn's congratulations on riddance from the "encumbrance" shamed

her and stilled the reproaches of her conscience. Mrs. Dunn, as always, played the diplomat and mingled just

"I understand exactly how you feel, my dear," she said. "You have a tender heart, and it pains you to hurt

anyone's feelings, no matter how much they deserve to be hurt. Every time I dismiss an incompetent or

dishonest servant I feel that I have done wrong; sometimes I cry, actually shed tears, you know, and yet my

reason tells me I am right. You feel that you may have been too harsh with that guardian of yours. You

remember what you said to him and forget how hypocritically he behaved toward you. I can't forgive him

that. I may forget how he misrepresented Malcolm and me to youthat I may even pardon, in timebut to

deceive his own brother's children and introduce into their society a creature who had slandered and maligned

their fatherTHAT I never shall forget or forgive. Andyou'll excuse my frankness, dearyou should

never forget or forgive it, either. You have nothing with which to reproach yourself. You were a brave girl,

So, when her uncle was announced, Caroline was ready. She entered the library and acknowledged his

"Umhm. I got it. It didn't surprise me, what you wrote, because I'd seen the news in the papers; but I was

hopin' you'd tell me yourself, and I'm real glad you did. I'm much obliged to you."

"II gave you my reasons for writing," she said. "Although I do not consider that I am, in any sense, duty

bound to refer matters, other than financial, to you; and, although my feelings toward you have not

"Almostyes. Not always, but generally, I will give in. You're goin' to marry Malcolm Dunn. Why?"

"Yes. Be as patient with me as you can, Caroline. I ain't askin' these things without what seems to me a good

"I mean are you sure that it's because you choose, or because HE does, or maybe, because his mother does?"

She turned angrily away. "If you came here to insult me" she began. He interrupted her.

"No, no," he protested gently. "Insultin' you is the last thing I want to do. But, as your father did put you in

my charge, I want you to bear with me while we talk this over together. Remember, Caroline, I ain't bothered

you a great deal lately. I shouldn't now if I hadn't thought 'twas necessary. So please don't get mad, but

This was a plain question. It should have been answered without the slightest hesitation. Moreover, the girl

"I mean," continued Captain Elisha, "do you care for him ENOUGH?" Enough to live with him all your life,

and see him every day, and be to him what a true wife ought to be? See him, not with his company manners

on or in his automobile, but at the breakfast table, and when he comes home tired and cross, maybe. When

"He is one of my oldest and best friends" she interrupted. Her uncle went on without waiting for her to end

"I know," he said. "One of the oldest, that's sure. But friendship, 'cordin' to my notion, is somethin' so small

in comparison that it hardly counts in the manifest. Married folks ought to be friends, sartin sure; but they

ought to be a whole lot more'n that. I'm an old bach, you say, and ain't had no experience. That's true; but I've

been young, and there was a time when _I_ made plans . . . However, she died, and it never come to nothin'.

But I KNOW what it means to be engaged, the right kind of engagement. It means that you don't count

yourself at all, not a bit. You're ready, each of you, to give up all you've gotyour wishes, comfort, money

and what it'll buy, and your life, if it should come to that, for that other one. Do you care for Malcolm Dunn

She stamped her foot. "Yes! yes! YES!" she cried. "Oh, DO say what you came to say, and end it!"

"Why, I guess likely I've said it," he observed. "When two people care for each other like that, they OUGHT

to be married, and the sooner the better. I knew that you'd been lonesome and troubled, maybe; and some of

the friends you used to have had kind of dropped awaybusy with other affairs, which is natural

enoughand, you needin' sympathy and companionship, I was sort of worried for fear all this had influenced

you more'n it ought to, and you'd been led into sayin' yes without realizin' what it meant. But you tell me that

ain't so; you do realize. So all I can say is that I'm awful glad for you. God bless you, my dear! I hope you'll

"Of course you didof course. Well, then, Caroline, I guess that's all. I won't trouble you any longer.

"There is just one thing more," he said solemnly. "I don't know's I ought to speak, butI want toand I'm

He was so earnest, and the look he gave her was so strange, that she began to be alarmed.

"Whywhy, just this, Caroline. This is a tough old world we live in. Things don't always go on in it as we

think they'd ought to. Trouble comes to everybody, and when it all looks right sometimes it turns out to be all

wrong. Ifif there should come a time like that to you and Steve, I want you to remember that you've got me

to turn to. No matter what you think of me, what folks have made you think of me, just remember that I'm

waitin' and ready to help you all I can. Any time I'm readyand glad. Just remember that, won't you,

He hurried away. She stood gazing after him, astonished, a little frightened, and not a little disturbed and

touched. His emotion was so evident; his attitude toward her engagement was so different from that which

she had anticipated; and there was something in his manner which she could not understand. He had acted as

if he pitied her. Why? It could not be because she was to marry Malcolm Dunn. If it were that, she resented

his pity, of course. But it could not be that, because he had given her his blessing. What was it? Was there

something else; something that she did not know and he did? Why was he so kind and forbearing and patient?

All her old doubts and questionings returned. She had resolutely kept them from her thoughts, but they had

been there, in the background, always. When, after the long siege, she had at last yielded and said yes to

Malcolm, she felt that that question, at least, was settled. She would marry him. He was one whom she had

known all her life, the son of the dearest friend she had; he and his mother had been faithful at the time when

she needed friends. As her husband, he would protect her and give her the affection and companionship she

craved. He might appear careless and indifferent at times, but that was merely his manner. Had not Mrs.

Dunn told her over and over again what a good son he was, and what a kind heart he had, and how he

worshiped her? Oh, she ought to be a very happy girl! Of course she was happy. But why had her uncle

looked at her as he did? And what did he mean by hinting that when things looked right they sometimes were

She heard the clang of the elevator door. Then the bell rang furiously. She heard Edwards hasten to answer it.

He burst into the room, still wearing his coat and hat, and carrying a traveling bag in his hand.

"All right? Why shouldn't I be all right? What do you mean? And why are you here?"

"Why, because I got the telegram, of course! You expected me to come, didn't you?"

"Why, theGood Lord, Caro! what are you talking about? Didn't you know they telegraphed me to come

home at once? I've pretty nearly broke my neck, and the taxicab man's, getting here from the station. I

"They telegraphed you to come here? Who . . . Edwards, you may take Mr. Warren's things to his room."

"Just a moment, Steve. Give Edwards your coat and hat. Yes, and your bag. That will be all, Edwards. We

"Now, Steve," she said, "sit down and tell me what you mean. Who telegraphed you?"

"Why, old Sylvester, father's lawyer. I've got the message here somewhere. No, never mind! I've lost it, I

guess. He wired me to come home as early as possible this morning. Said it was very important. And you

Captain Elisha scarcely left his room, except for meals, during the remainder of that day and for two days

thereafter. He was unusually silent at table and avoided conversation even with Pearson, who was depressed

and gloomy and made no attempt to force his society upon his friend. Once, passing the door of the latter's

room, he heard the captain pacing back and forth as if he were walking the quarterdeck of one of his old

ships. As Pearson stood listening the footsteps ceased; silence, then a deep sigh, and they began again. The

young man sighed in sympathy and wearily climbed to his den. The prospect of chimneys and roofs across

Several times Captain Elisha descended to the closet where the telephone was fastened to the wall and held

long conversations with someone. Mrs. Hepton, who knew that her newest boarder was anxious and

disturbed, and was very curious to learn the reason, made it a point to be busy near that closet while these

conversations took place; but, as the captain was always careful to close the door, she was disappointed. Once

the mysterious Mr. Sylvester called up and asked for "Captain Warren," and the landlady hastened with the

"It is the same person who was so very anxious to get you the other night," she continued, making desperate

efforts not to be left behind in the descent. "I declare he quite frightened me! And you'll excuse me,

Captain Warren, but I take such a real friendly interest in my boardersyou have seemed to me

"Well, I tell you, ma'am," was the unsatisfactory answer, given just before the closet door closed; "we'll do

the way the poor relation did when he got word his uncle had willed him one of his suits of clotheswe'll

"He was alone, for a wonder. He had heard the news, too. Apparently had just learned it."

"He didn't say. He was very much agitated. Wouldn't say anything except to ask if it was true. I think we can

"He went up like a skyrocket. Said he had a right to know, under the circumstances. I admitted it, but said I

"Umhm. Well, Mr. Sylvester, suppose you do see him and his boss. See 'em and tell 'em some of the truth.

Don't tell too much though; not who was to blame nor how, but just that it looks pretty bad so fur as the

estate's concerned. Then say you want to see 'em again and will arrange another interview. Don't set any time

"Until you hear from methat's the important part. And, if you can, convenient, I'd have the fust interview

"Captain, what have you got up your sleeve? Why don't you come down here and talk it over?"

"'Cause I'm stickin' close aboard and waitin' developments. Maybe there won't be any, but I'm goin' to wait a

spell and see. There ain't much up my sleeve just now but gooseflesh; there's plenty of that. So long."

"Captain," she said, when he answered her knock, "there's a young gentleman to see you. I think he must be a

"Yes. I showed him into the parlor. There will be no one there but you and he, and I thought it would be more

"Umhm. I see. Well, I guess you'd better send him up. This is comfortable enough, and there won't be

The landlady, who considered herself snubbed, flounced away. Captain Elisha stepped to the head of the

Stephen came. His uncle ushered him into the room, closed the door, and turned the key.

"Stevie," he said, kindly, "I'm glad to see you. Take off your things and set down."

The boy accepted the invitation only to the extent of throwing his hat on the table. He did not sit or remove

his overcoat. He was pale, his eyes were swollen and red, his hair was disarranged, and in all respects he

looked unlike his usual blase and immaculate self. His forehead was wet, showing that he had hurried on his

Stephen struck his closed fist into the palm of his other hand. He wore one glove. What had become of the

"Yes, I know that, too. Now, Stevie, be a good boy and set down and keep cool. Yes, I want you to."

"Now, just calm yourself," urged the captain. "There ain't a mite of use workin' yourself up this way. I know

the whole business, and I can't tell youI can't begin to tell you how sorry I feel for you. Yet you mustn't

"Mustn't give up!" Stephen was on his feet again. "Why, what are you talking about? I thought you said you

knew! Do you think that losing every cent you've got in the world is a JOKE? Do you think thatSee here,

do you know who this shareholder is; this fellow who's going to rob us of all we own? Who is he?"

"He said that there was such a man and that he had the estate cinched. He told us about that note and all the

rest. But he wouldn't tell the man's name. Said he had been forbidden to mention it. Do you know him? What

sort of fellow is he? Don't you think he could be reasoned with? Hasn't he got any decencyor pityor"

He choked, and the tears rushed to his eyes. He wiped them angrily away with the back of his glove.

"It's a crime!" he cried. "Can't he be held off somehow? Who IS he? I want to know his name."

Captain Elisha sadly shook his head. "I'm afraid he can't, Stevie," he said. "He's got a legal right to all 'Bije

left, and more, too. It may be he won't be too hard; perhaps he'll . . . but there," hastily. "I mustn't say that.

We've got to face the situation as 'tis. And I can't tell you his name because he don't want it mentioned unless

it's absolutely necessary. And we don't, either. We don't wantany of usto have this get into the papers.

"Disgrace! Good heavens! Isn't there disgrace enough already? Isn't it enough to know father was a crook as

well as an idiot? I've always thought he was insane ever since that crazy will of his came to light; but to steal!

and then to leave a paper proving it, so that we've got to lose everything! His children! It's"

"Now hold on, boy! Your dad didn't mean to take what didn't belong to himfor good, that is; the note

"Then why didn't he keep it? If you're going to steal, steal like a man, I say!"

"Steve, Steve! steady now!" The captain's tone was sterner. "Don't speak that way. You'll be sorry for it later.

"Oh, shut up! You make me sick. You talk just as Caro does. I'll never forgive him, no matter how much she

His overwrought nerves gave way, and, throwing himself into the chair, he broke down completely and,

forgetting the manhood of which he was so fond of boasting, cried like a baby. Captain Elisha turned away,

"It's hard," he said slowly. "It's awfully hard for you, my boy. I hate to see you suffer this way." Then, in a

"You wonder?" he demanded, hysterically; "you wonder what? What are you going to do about it? It's up to

"Yes, you are! But no one would guess it. When we didn't want you, you wouldn't leave us for a minute.

Now, when we need you, when there isn't a soul for us to turn to, you stay away. You haven't been near us.

It's up to you, I say! and what are you going to do about it? What are you going to DO?"

"Sshh!" he said. "Don't raise your voice like that, son! I can hear you without that, and we don't want

anybody else to hear. What am I goin' to do? Stevie, I don't know exactly. I ain't made up my mind yet."

"Yes, I guess likely 'tis. As for my not comin' to see you, you know the reason for that. I'd have come quick

enough, but I wa'n't sure I'd be welcome. And I told your sister only 'tother day that by the way, Steve,

"She's a fool!" The boy sprang up again and shook his fist. "She's the one I've come here to speak about. If

we don't stop her she'll ruin us altogether. Sheshe's a damned fool, I tell you!"

"There! there!" the captain's tone was sharp and emphatic. "That's enough of that," he said. "I don't want to

"I mean what I say. She IS a fool. Do you know what she's done? She's written Mal Dunn all about it! I'd

have stopped her, but I didn't know until it was too late. She's told him the whole thing."

"Well, perhaps she didn't tell him father was a thief, but she did tell that the estate was gonethat we were

"Hum!" Captain Elisha seemed more gratified than displeased. "Hum! . . . Well, I kind of expected she

"What OF it? Why, everything! Can't you see? Mal's our only chance. If she marries him she'll be looked out

for and so will I. She needn't have told him until they were married. The wedding could have been hurried

"Hold on, Steve! Belay! What difference does her tellin' him make? Maybe she hasn't mentioned it to you,

but I had a talk with your sister the other mornin'. She thinks the world of Malcolm, and he does of her. She

told me so herself. Of COURSE she'd go to him in her trouble. And he'll be proudyes, and glad to know

that he can help her. As for the weddin', I don't see that this'll have any effect except to hurry it up a little

Steve looked at him suspiciously, but there was no trace of sarcasm in the captain's face or voice. The boy

"What's the 'ugh' for? See here, you ain't hintin' that young Dunn was cal'latin' to marry Caroline just for her

money, are you? Of course you ain't! Why, you and he are the thickest sort of chums. You wouldn't chum

Stephen's scowl deepened. He thrust his hands into his pocket, and shifted his feet uneasily.

"You don't understand," he said. "People don't do things here as they do where you come from."

"I understand that, all right," with dry emphasis. "I've been here long enough to understand that. But maybe I

"Wellwell, thenI mean this: I don't know that Mal was after Caro's money, butbut he had a right to

expect SOME. If he didn't, why, then her not telling him until after they were married wouldn't have made

any difference. Andand if her tellin' him beforehand SHOULD make a difference and he wanted to break

"WELL? If she doesn't marry him, who's going to take care of her? What's going to become of ME? We

He was shouting again. The captain was calm. "Oh," he said, "I guess it won't reach to the starvation point.

I'm a pretty tough old critter, 'cordin' to your estimate, but I shouldn't let my brother's children starve. If the

wust comes to the wust, there's always a home and plenty to eat for you both at South Denboro."

This offer did not appear to comfort the young gentleman greatly. His disgust was evident.

"Yup. But we'll let South Denboro alone for now and stick to New York. What is it you expect me to do?

"I expect you to make her stick to her engagement," he cried. "And make her make him stick. She can, can't

she? It's been announced, hasn't it? Everybody knows of it! She's got the rightthe legal right to hold him,

His uncle regarded him with a quizzical smile. "Why, yees," he answered, "I cal'late she has, maybe.

Course, there's no danger of his wantin' to do such a thing, but if he should I presume likely we could make it

uncomfortable for him, anyhow. What are you hankerin' for, Stevea breachofpromise suit? I've always

understood those sort of cases were kind of unpleasantfor everybody but the newspapers."

The boy was in deadly earnest. "Pleasant!" he repeated. "Is any of this business pleasant? You make her act

like a sensible girl! You're her guardian, and you make her! And, after that, if he tries to hedge, you tell him a

Captain Elisha turned on his heel and began pacing up and down the room. His nephew watched him eagerly.

"Well," he demanded, after a moment, "what are we going to do? Are we going to make him make good?"

The captain paused. "Steve," he answered, deliberately, "I ain't sure as we are. And, as I've said, if he's got a

spark of decency, it won't be necessary for us to try. If it should beif it should be"

"Then we can try, that's all. Maybe you run a course a little different from me, Stevie; you navigate 'cordin' to

your ideas, and I do by mine. But in some ways we ain't so fur apart. Son," with a grim nod, "you rest easy on

Caroline sat by the library window, her chin in her hand, drearily watching the sleet as it beat against the

panes, and the tops of the Park trees lashing in the wind. Below, in the street, the trolleys passed in their

neverending procession, the limousines and cabs whizzed forlornly by, and the few pedestrians pushed

dripping umbrellas against the gale. A wet, depressing afternoon, as hopeless as her thoughts, and growing

Stephen, standing by the fire, kicked the logs together and sent a shower of sparks flying.

"Oh, say something, Caro, do!" he snapped testily. "Don't sit there glowering; you give me the horrors."

"I don't know. But say something, for heaven's sake! Talk about the weather, if you can't think of anything

"I didn't say it was; but it's a subject. I hope to goodness it doesn't prevent Sylvester's keeping his

"Of course you hadn't. You don't notice anything. It doesn't help matters to pull a long face and go moping

around wiping your eyes. You've got to use philosophy in times like this. It's just as hard for me as it is for

She might have reminded him that his philosophy was a very recent acquisition. When the news of their

poverty first came he was the one who raved and sobbed and refused to contemplate anything less direful

than slow starvation or quick suicide. She had soothed and comforted then. Since the previous evening, when

he had gone out, in spite of her protestations, and left her alone, his manner had changed. He was still

nervous and irritable, but no longer threatened selfdestruction, and seemed, for some unexplained reason,

more hopeful and less desperate. Sylvester had 'phoned, saying that he would call at the apartment at two, and

since Stephen had received the message he had been in a state of suppressed excitement, scarcely keeping

"You suppose? Don't you know? Oh, do quit thinking about Mal Dunn and pay attention to me."

"You are thinking of Mal, of course," he declared. "What's the use? You know what _I_ think: you were a

"Don't you know he didn't get the letter? I was so nervous and overwrought that I misdirected it."

"Pooh! Has he ever stayed away from you so long before? Or his precious mother, either? Why doesn't she

come to see you? She scarcely missed a day before this happened. Nonsense! I guess he got it all right."

"Steve, stop! stop! Don't dare speak like that. Do you realize what you are insinuating? You don't believe it!

You know you don't! Shame on you! I'm ashamed of my brother! No! not another word of that kind, or I shall

"Oh, well," he muttered, sullenly, "maybe you're right. I don't say you're not. Perhaps he didn't get the letter.

You sent it to his office, and he may have been called out of town. But his mother"

"Perhaps. But if you're so sure about them, why not let it go at that? What's the use of fretting?"

As a matter of fact, she had been thinking of her uncle, Elisha Warren. As the time dragged by, she thought of

him more and more not as the uncouth countryman whose unwelcome presence had been forced into her

life; nor as the hypocrite whose insult to her father's memory she never could forgive or whose

doubledealing had been, as she thought, revealed; but as the man who, with the choke in his voice and the

tears in his eyes, bade her remember that, whenever she needed help, he was ready and glad to give it.

She did not doubt Malcolm's loyalty. Her brother's hints and insinuations found no echo in her thoughts. In

the note which she had written her fiancee she told of the loss of their fortune, though not of her father's

shame. That she could not tell; nor did she ask Malcolm to come to herher pride would not permit that. She

wrote simply of her great trouble and trusted the rest to him. That he had not come was dueso she kept

repeating to herself solely to the fact that he had not received her letter. She knew that was itshe knew

So, in her loneliness and misery, her guardian's words returned again and again to her memory: "Sometimes

when things look all right they turn out to be all wrong. If ever there comes a time like that to you and Steve,

remember you've got me to turn to." The time had come when she must turn to someone.

She would never go to him; she vowed it. She would not accept his help if he came to her. But, if he was

sincere, if he meant what he said, why did he not come again to proffer it? Because he was not sincere, of

course. That had been proven long before. She despised him. But his face, as she last saw it, refused to be

banished from her mind. It looked so strong, and yet gentle and loving, like the face of a protector, one to be

trusted through good times and bad. Oh, this wicked, wicked world, and the shams and sorrows in it!

Stephen uttered an exclamation. Looking up, she saw him hurrying toward the hall.

"Someone's at the door," he explained. "It's Sylvester, of course. I'll let him in."

It was not the lawyer but a messenger boy with a note. Stephen returned to the library with the missive in his

"He couldn't get here, Caro," he said, excitedly. "Wants us to come right down to his office. Hurry up! Get

The cab, an electric vehicle, made good time, and they soon reached the Pine Street offices, where they were

"Step into the other room," said Mr. Sylvester, "and wait there, please. I'll join you shortly."

The room was the large one where the momentous conference between Captain Elisha and the three lawyers

had so recently taken place. Caroline seated herself in one of the chairs. Stephen walked the floor.

"Hope he doesn't keep us waiting long," he fumed. "I thought of course he was ready or he wouldn't have sent

"Ready?" his sister looked at him, questioningly. "Ready for what?" she repeated, with sudden suspicion.

Her brother colored and seemed a bit disconcerted. "How should I know?" he muttered.

"Is it something new about the estate or that man who owns it? You do know something! I can see it in your

The boy hesitated; then whirled and faced her. "See here, Caro," he said, "maybe I do know somethingor I

can guess. Now, whatever happens, you've got to be a sensible girl. Certain things have to be dealt with in a

practical way, and we're practical people. Sentimentand prideand all that sort of stuff, are well enough,

but business is business and an engagement is an engagement. Now it's right up to you and"

"That's all right. I know what I'm talking about. Somebody in the family must use common sense, and when it

comes to holding a person to a promise, thenConfound it, Sis, we can't starve, can we?"

"What do you mean?" She rose and advanced toward him. "What do you mean by a promise? What have you

His confusion increased. He avoided her eyes and moved sullenly toward the other side of the table.

"I haven't done anything," he grumbled, "that is, I've done what any reasonable fellow would do. I'm not the

"A guardian! a GUARDIAN! Stephen Warren, have you been to him? Have youWas THAT where you

"I saidI saidNever mind what I said. He agrees with me, I can tell you that. You'll thank your stars I did

The door of the room opened. The person who entered, however, was not the lawyer, but the very man of

whom they had been speaking, Captain Elisha himself. He closed the door behind him.

"Hello, Stevie," he said, with a nod to the boy. Then, turning to his niece, he stepped forward and held out his

hand. "Caroline," he began, "I don't doubt you're some surprised to see me here; but I . . . Why, what's the

The faces of the pair led him to ask the question. Stephen's was red and he looked embarrassed and guilty.

Caroline's was white, and she glanced from her brother to her guardian and back again, with flashing eyes.

"What's the matter?" repeated the captain. "Steve," sharply, "have you been making a fool of yourself again?

"Nothing," was the sulky answer; "nothing of consequence. Caro is well, I happened to mention that I

called on you last night and and she doesn't seem to like it, that's all. As I told her, somebody in the family

had to use common sense, and you were our guardian and naturally, under the circumstances . . . Why, I'll

leave it to anyone!" with a burst of righteous indignation. "You ARE our guardian."

He proclaimed it as if he expected a denial. Captain Elisha frowned. "Humph!" he grunted. "That ain't exactly

news, is it, Steve? Seems to me we've taken up that p'int afore; though, as I remember, you didn't used to be

sot on all hands knowin' it," with dry sarcasm. "I don't need even your common sense to remind me of it just

at this minute. Caroline, your brother did come to see me last night. I was glad he did."

She ignored him. "Steve," she demanded, still facing the young man, "was this, too, a part of your plan? Did

"No, I didn't. Sylvester was to come to see us. You know that; he telephoned. I didn't know"

The captain interrupted. "There, there, son!" he exclaimed, "let me say a word. No, Caroline, Stevie didn't

know I was to meet you here. But I thought it was necessary that I should. Set down, please. I know you must

"Partly? What else? Captain Warren, my brother has hintedhe has saidWhat does he mean by holding

"I shouldn't answer you any other way, Caroline. Steve seems to be worried aboutnow you mustn't mind

my speakin' plain, Caroline; the time's come when I've got toSteve seems to be worried about the young

man you're engaged to. He seems to cal'late that Mr. Dunn may want to slip out of that engagement."

His niece looked at him. Then she turned to her brother. "You went to HIM and . . . Oh, how COULD you!"

Stephen would not meet her gaze. "Well," he muttered rebelliously, "why wouldn't I? You know yourself that

Mal hasn't been near you since it happened. If he wasn't afterif he was straight, he would have come,

wouldn't he? Mind, I don't say he isn'tperhaps he doesn't know. But, at any rate, something must be done.

"Stop!" she cut him short, imperiously. "Don't make me hate you. And you," turning to her uncle, "did YOU

listen and believe such things? Did you encourage him to believe them? Oh, I know what you think of my

friends! I heard it from your own lips. And I know why you think it. Because they know what you are;

"There, there! Caroline, you needn't go on. I've heard your opinion of my character afore. Never mind me for

the minute. And, if you'll remember, _I_ ain't said that I doubted your young man. You told me that you

thought the world and all of him and that he did of you. That's enoughor ought to be. But your brother says

"It is. What right have you to doubt it? Oh, how can you think such things? Can you suppose the man I am to

marry is so despicableso MEAN as toas toI'm ashamed to say it. Why do you presume that money

has any part in our engagement? Such trouble as mine only makes it more binding. Do you suppose if HE

were poor asas I am, that I would desert HIM? You know I wouldn't. I should be gladyes, almost happy,

Her voice failed her. She put her handkerchief to her eyes for an instant and then snatched it away and faced

them, her head erect. The pride in her face was reflected in Captain Elisha's as he regarded her.

"No, no," he said gently, "I never supposed you'd act but in one way, Caroline. I knew YOU. And, as Steve'll

tell you, I said to him almost the same words you've been sayin'. If Malcolm's what he'd ought to be, I said,

he'll be glad of the chance to prove how much he cares for your sister. But Steve appeared to have some

He paused, turned toward the door, and seemed to be listening. Caroline flashed an indignant glance at her

"And so," continued the captain, with a slight change in his tone, "it seemed to me that his doubts ought to be

settled. And," rising, as there came a tap at the door, "I cal'late they're goin' to be."

"Fetch 'em right in here. Steve, stand over nigher that corner. This way, Caroline, if you please."

He took his niece by the arm and led her to the side of the room not visible from the doorway. She was too

"Some friends of yours," was the quiet reply. "Nothin' to be frightened about. Steve, stay where you are."

The boy was greatly excited. "Is it they?" he demanded. "Is it? By gad! Now, Sis, be a sensible girl. If he

"Steve, be quiet," ordered the captain. . . . "Ah, Mrs. Dunn, good afternoon, ma'am. Mr. Dunn, good

For the pair who, followed by Sylvester, now entered the room were Mrs. Corcoran Dunn and Malcolm.

They were past the sill before Captain Elisha's greeting caused them to turn and see the three already there.

Mrs. Dunn, who was in the lead, stopped short in her majestic though creaking march of entrance, and her

florid face turned a brighter crimson. Her son, strolling languidly at her heels, started violently and dropped

his hat. The lawyer, bringing up in the rear, closed the door and remained standing near it. Caroline uttered an

exclamation of surprise. Her brother drew himself haughtily erect. Captain Elisha remained unperturbed and

"Good afternoon, ma'am," he repeated. "It's been some time since you and I run across each other. I hope

Mrs. Dunn had faced some unpleasant situations in her life and had proved equal to them. Usually, however,

she had been prepared beforehand. For this she had not been preparedas yet. She had come to the offices

of Sylvester, Kuhn, and Graves, at the senior partner's request, to be told, as she supposed, the full and final

details of the financial disaster threatening the Warren family. If those details should prove the disaster as

overwhelming as it appeared, thenwell, then, certain disagreeable duties must be performed. But to meet

the girl to whom her son was engaged, and whom she and he had carefully avoided meeting until the lawyers

should acquaint them with the whole truthto meet this girl, and her brother, and her guardian, thus

unexpectedly and unprepared, was enough to shake the composure and nerve of even such a veteran

But of the three to whom the meeting was an absolute surprise, Caroline, Malcolm and herselfshe was

characteristically the first to regain outward serenity. For a moment she stood nonplused and speechless, but

only for a moment. Then she hastened, with outstretched arms, to Caroline and clasped her in affectionate

"My dear child!" she cried; "my dear girl! I'm SO glad to see you! I've thought of you so much! And I pity

you so. Poor Malcolm has Malcolm," sharply, "come here! Don't you see Caroline?"

Malcolm was groping nervously for his hat. He picked it up and obeyed his mother's summons, though with

"How d'ye do, Caroline," he stammered, confusedly. "IIIt's a deuce of a surprise to see you down here.

The mater and I didn't expectthat is, we scarcely hoped to meet anyone but Sylvester. He sent for us, you

"Yes, dear, he got it," she said. "The poor fellow was almost crazy. I began to fear for his sanity; I did,

indeed. I did not dare trust him out of my sight. Oh, if you could but know how we feel for you and pity

Pity was not what Caroline wanted just then. The word jarred upon her. She avoided the lady's embrace and

He hesitated, stammered, and looked thoroughly uncomfortable. His mother regarded him wrathfully.

"Well," she snapped, "why don't you go on? Caroline, dear, you really must excuse him. The dear boy is quite

"Excuse me for interruptin', ma'am," he said, addressing the ruffled matron; "but I know you're sort of

surprised to see us all here and maybe I'd better explain. Mr. Sylvester told me you and your son had an

appointment with him for this afternoon. Now there was something weor I, anyhowwanted to talk with

you about, so I thought we might as well make one job of it. Sylvester's a pretty busy man, and I know he has

other things to attend to; so why not let him go ahead and tell you what you come to hear, and then we can

take up the other part by ourselves. He's told me what you wanted to see him about, and it's somethin' we're

all interested in, bein' as we're one familyor goin' to be pretty soon. So suppose he just tells you now. Ain't

Mrs. Dunn looked at the speaker, and then at the lawyer, and seemed to have caught some of her son's

"Iwe did have an appointment with Mr. Sylvester," she admitted, reluctantly; "but the business was not

The captain opened his eyes. "Hey?" he exclaimed. "Not important? You surprise me, ma'am. I judged 'twas

mighty important. 'Twas about the real size of your father's estate, Caroline," turning to the girl. "I thought

Mrs. Dunn and Mr. Malcolm must think 'twas important, for I understand they've been telephonin' and askin'

for appointments for the last two days. Why, yes! and they come way down here in all this storm on purpose

It was so, and Mrs. Dunn could not well deny it. Therefore, she took refuge in a contemptuous silence. The

"As to discussin' it here," he went on with bland innocence, "why, we're all family folks, same as I said, and

there ain't any secrets between us on THAT subject. So suppose we all listen while Mr. Sylvester tells just

what he'd have told you and Mr. Malcolm. It's pretty hard to hear; but bad news is soon told. Heave ahead,

"Surely, Caroline," she said testily, "you don't wish your private affairs treated in this public manner. Come,

"Excuse me;" her uncle's tone was sharper and more stern; "I think it is. Go on, Sylvester."

"I should have told you and your son just this, Mrs. Dunn," he said. "I intimated it before, and Miss Warren

had already written you the essential facts. A new and unexpected development, the nature of which I am not

at liberty to disclose now or later, makes Abijah Warren's estate absolutely bankrupt. Not only that, but many

thousand dollars in debt. His heirs are left penniless. That is the plain truth, I'm very sorry to say. There is no

hope of anything better. You'll forgive me, Miss Warren, I hope, for putting it so bluntly; but I thought it best

It was blunt, beyond doubt. Even Captain Elisha winced at the word "penniless." Stephen muttered under his

breath and turned his back. Caroline, swaying, put a hand on the table to steady herself. The Dunns looked at

"Thank you, Mr. Sylvester," said the captain, quietly. "I'll see you again in a few moments."

The lawyer bowed and left the room, evidently glad to escape. Captain Elisha turned to Mrs. Dunn.

"And now, ma'am," he observed, "that part of the business is over. The next part's even more in the family, so

I thought we didn't need legal advice. You see just how matters stand. My niece is a poor girl. She needs

somebody 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. And, as you're his ma, Mrs. Dunn, and I'm Caroline's guardian, us old folks'll

take our affairs in hand; they needn't listen, if they don't want to. I understand from Steve that Malcolm's been

mighty anxious to have the weddin' day hurried along. I can't say as I blame him. And _I_ think the sooner

This unexpected and matteroffact query was variously received. Mrs. Dunn frowned and flushed. Malcolm

frowned, also. Steve nodded emphatic approval. As for Caroline, she gazed at her guardian in horrified

"Don't be an idiot, Caro!" cut in her brother. "I told you to be sensible. Captain Warren's dead right."

"Stevie, you stay out of this." There was no misunderstanding the captain's tone. "When I want your opinion

I'll ask for it. And, Caroline, I want you to stay out, too. This is my trick at the wheel. Mrs. Dunn, what d'you

say? Never mind the young folks. You and me know that marriage is business, same as everything else. How

Mrs. Dunn had, apparently, nothing to sayto him. She addressed her next remark to Caroline.

"My dear," she said, in great agitation, "this is really too dreadful. Thiserguardian of yours appears to

think he is in some barbarous countryordering the savages about. Come! Malcolm, take her away."

"No," Captain Elisha stepped in front of the door. "She ain't goin'; and I'd rather you wouldn't go yet. Let's

settle this up now. I ain't askin' anything unreasonable. Caroline's under my charge, and I've got to plan for

her. Your boy's just crazy to marry her; he's been beggin' for her to name the day. Let's name it. It needn't be

tomorrow. I cal'late you'll want to get out invitations and such. It needn't be next week. But just say about

Much or little, neither Mrs. Dunn nor her son appeared ready to answer. Malcolm fidgeted with his hat and

gloves; his mother fanned herself with her handkerchief. Caroline, frantic with humiliation and shame, would

"Well, Mr. Dunn," turning to the groomtobe; "you're one of the interested partieswhat do you say?"

Malcolm ground his heel into the rug. "I don't consider it your business," he declared. "You're butting in

"No, no, I ain't. It's my business, and business is just WHAT it is. Your ma knows that. She and I had a real

confidential up and down talk on love and marriage, and she's the one that proved to me that marryin' in high

society, like yours and the kind Caroline's been circulatin' in, was business and mighty little else. 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 captain's broad shoulders blocked the way towards it.

"How can I marry?" he demanded sullenly. "Confound it! my salary isn't large enough to pay my own way,

"Well, Mater, what the devil's the use of all this? You know . . . By Jove! you OUGHT to!"

"Hold on, young feller! I don't understand. Your wages ain't large enough, you say? What do you mean? You

Mrs. Dunn plunged to the rescue, a forlorn hope, but desperate, and fighting to the end.

"An outrage!" she blurted. "Malcolm, I forbid you to continue this disgusting conversation. Caroline, my

poor child, I don't blame you for this, but I call on you to stop it at once. My dear, I"

"Excuse me, ma'am," he said, "but I'll be obliged if you'll wait a minute. Caroline, don't you say a word. You

sayyou" addressing Malcolm, "that you can't support a wife on your wages. You surprise me some,

considerin' the swath you've been cuttin' on 'embut never mind that. Maybe they won't keep automobiles

and erother things I've heard you was interested in, but if you cut them out and economize a little, same

as young married folks I've known have been glad to do, you could scrape along, couldn't you? Hey?

Malcolm's answer was another scornful shrug. "You belong on Cape Cod," he sneered. "Mater, let's get out of

"Wait! Put it plain now. Do I understand that you cal'late to break the engagement because my niece has lost

Mrs. Dunn realized that the inevitable was upon them. After all, it might as well be faced now as later.

"This is ridiculous," she proclaimed. "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 shared, a certain

amount oferfinancialerthat is, the bride is supposed to have some money. It is expected. Of course

it is! Love in a cottage iswella bit passe. My son and I pity your niece from the bottom of our hearts,

butthere! under the circumstances the whole affair becomes impossible. Caroline, my dear, I'm dreadfully

sorry, dreadfully! I love you like my own child. And poor Malcolm will be heartbrokenbutyou SEE."

She extended her hand in a gesture of utter helplessness. Stephen, who had been fuming and repressing his

"Steve," he ordered, "I'm runnin' this ship." He gave a quick glance at his niece, and then added, speaking

rapidly and addressing the head of the Dunn family, "I see, ma'am. Yes, yes, I see. Well, you've forgot one

thing, I guess. Caroline's lived in high society, too. And I've been in it a spell, myself. And Steve's a boy, but

he's got a business head. If there's nothin' in marriage but business, then an engagement is what I just called

it, a business contract, and it can't be broke without the consent of both sides. You wanted Caroline's money;

maybe she wants yours now. If she does, and there's such a thing as law, why, perhaps she can get it."

"Yup; perhaps she can. She may be a business woman, too, you know. If money and style and social

position's what counts and she wants to force you to keep your promise, why, I'm her guardian and she can

"Stop!" she cried wildly. "Oh, stop! Do you thinkdo you suppose I would marry him now? NOW, after I've

seen what he is? Oh," with a shudder of disgust, "when I think what I might have done, I . . . Thank God that

"Let me go!" she cried. "Let me get away from him; from this room! I never want to see him or think of him

again. Please! PLEASE let me go! Oh, take me home! Captain Warren, PLEASE let me go home!"

Her uncle was at her side in a moment. "Yes, yes, dearie," he said, "I'll take you home. Don't give way now!

"Of courseSteve," he agreed. "Steve, take your sister home. Mr. Sylvester's got a carriage waitin', and he'll

go with you, I don't doubt. Do as I tell you, boyand behave yourself. Don't wait; go!"

He held the door open until the hysterical girl and her brother had departed. Then he turned to the Dunns.

"Well, ma'am," he said, dryly. "I don't know's there's anything more to be said. All the questions seem to be

settled. Our acquaintance wa'n't so awful long, but it was interestin'. Knowin' you has been, as the feller said,

He stepped away from the door. Malcolm and his mother remained standing, for an instant, where they were

The young man looked as if he would enjoy choking someone, the captain preferably, but said nothing. Then

Mrs. Dunn bethought herself of a way to make their exit less awkward and embarrassing.

"My heart!" she said, gasping, and with a clutch at her breast. "My poor heart! II fear I'm going to have

With an expression of intense but patient suffering, and leaning heavily upon her son's arm, she moved past

That evening the captain stood in the lower hall of the apartment house at Central Park West, undecided what

to do next. He wished more than anything else in the world to go to his niece. He would have gone to her

beforehad been dying to go, to soothe, to comfort, to tell her of his lovebut he was afraid. His

conscience troubled him. Perhaps he had been too brutal. Perhaps he shouldn't have acted as he did. Maybe

forcing the Dunn fleet to show its colors could have been done more diplomatically. He had wanted her to see

those colors for herself, to actually see them. But he might have overdone it. He remembered how she shrank

from him and turned to her brother. She might hate him more than ever now. If so, then the whole scheme

He was worried about Steve, too. That young man would, naturally, be furious with his sister for what he

would consider her romantic foolishness. He had been warned to behave himself; but would he? Captain

Elisha paced up and down the marble floor before the elevator cage and wondered whether his visiting the

The elevator descended, the door of the cage opened, and Stephen himself darted out. His face was red, he

was scowling fiercely, and he strode toward the street without looking in his guardian's direction.

"You don't, hey? Well, you can cruise a long ways on a v'yage like that. What do you mean?"

"Aw, let me alone! I'm going to the club, I guess, or somewhere. Anyhow, I won't stay with her. I told her so.

Silly little idiot! By gad, she understands what I think of her conduct. I'll never speak to her again. I told her

"Upstairsand crying, I suppose. She doesn't do anything else. It's all she's good for. Selfish, romantic"

He got no further, for Captain Elisha sent him reeling with a push and ran to the elevator.

The door of the apartment was not latched. Stephen, in his rage and hurry, had neglected such trifles. The

captain opened it quietly and walked in. He entered the library. Caroline was lying on the couch, her head

buried in the pillows. She did not hear him cross the room. He leaned over and touched her shoulder. She

started, looked, and sat up, gazing at him as though not certain whether he was a dream or reality.

And he looked at her, at her pretty face, now so white and careworn, at her eyes, at the tearstains on her

"Caroline, dearie," he faltered, "forgive me for comin' here, won't you? I had to come. I couldn't leave you

alone; I couldn't rest, thinkin' of you alone in your trouble. I know you must feel harder than ever towards me

for this afternoon's doin's, but I meant it for the best. I HAD to show youdon't you see? Can you forgive

me? Won't you try to forgive the old feller that loves you more'n all the world? Won't you try?"

"Yes. Try to, dearie. Oh, if you would only believe I meant it for your good, and nothin' else! If you could

only just trust me and come to me and let me help you. I want you, my girl, I want you!"

She leaned forward. "Do you really mean it?" she cried. "How can you? after all I've done? after the way I've

treated you? and the things I've said? You must HATE me! Everyone does. I hate myself! You can't forgive

His answer was to hold out his arms. Another moment and she was in them, clinging to his wet coat, sobbing,

holding him fast, and begging him not to leave her, to take her away, that she would work, that she would not

be a burden to himonly take her with him and try to forgive her, for he was real and honest and the only

And Captain Elisha, soothing her, stroking her hair, and murmuring words of love and tenderness, realized

that his labor and sacrifice had not been in vain, that here was his recompense; she would never

It was April; and May was close at hand. The weather was all that late April weather should be, and so often

is not. Trees, bushes, and vines were in bud; the green of the new grass was showing everywhere above the

dead brown of the old; a pair of bluebirds were inspecting the hollow of the old apple tree, with an eye

toward spring housekeeping; the sun was warm and bright, and the water of the Sound sparkled in the

distance. Caroline, sitting by the livingroom window, was waiting for her uncle to return from the city.

In the kitchen Annie Moriarty was preparing dinner. Annie was now cook as well as chambermaid, for, of

all the Warren servants, she was the only one remaining. Edwards, the "Commodore," had been dismissed,

had departed, not without reluctance but philosophically, to seek other employment. "Yes, miss," observed

Edwards, when notified that his services were no longer required; "I understand. I've been expecting it. I was

in a family before that met with financial difficulties, and I know the signs. All I can say is that I hope you

and Mr. Stephen will get on all right, miss. If there's anything I can do to help you, by way of friendship,

please let me know. I'd be glad, for old times' sake. And the cook wanted me to tell you that, being as she's

got another job in sight and was paid up to date, she wouldn't wait for notice, but was leaving immediate.

The second maid went also. But Annie, Irish and grateful, refused to go. Her mother came to back her in the

"Indeed she'll not leave you, Miss Carolineyou nor Captain Warren neither. Lord love him! Sure, d'ye

think we'll ever forget what you and him done for me and my Pat and the childer? You've got to have

somebody, ain't you? And Annie's cookin' ain't so bad that it'll kill yez; and I'll learn her more. Never mind

what the wages is, they're big enough. She'll stay! If she didn't, I'd break her back."

So, when the apartment was given up, and Captain Elisha and his wards moved to the little house in

Westchester County, Annie came with them. And her cooking, though not by any means equal to that at

Delmonico's, had not killed them yet. Mrs. Moriarty came once a week to do the laundry work. Caroline

The house itself had been procured through the kind interest of Sylvester. Keeping the apartment was, under

the circumstances, out of the question, and Caroline hated it and was only too anxious to give it up. She had

no suggestions to make. She would go anywhere, anywhere that her guardian deemed best; but might they not

please go at once? She expected that he would suggest South Denboro, and she would have gone there

without a complaint. To get away from the place where she had been so miserable was her sole wish. And

trusting and believing in her uncle as she now did, realizing that he had been right always and had worked for

her interest throughout, and having been shown the falseness and insincerity of the others whom she had once

trusted implicitly, she clung to him with an appeal almost piteous. Her pride was, for the time, broken. She

was humble and grateful. She surrendered to him unconditionally, and hoped only for his forgiveness and

The captain did not suggest South Denboro. He did, however, tell Sylvester that he believed a little place out

"Poor Caroline's switched clear around," he said to the lawyer, "and you can't blame her much. She cal'lates

New York's nothin' but a sham from stern to stern, manned by liars and swindlers and hypocrites and

officered by thieves. 'Tain't no use to tell her 'tain't, though she might pretend to believe it, if _I_ told her, for

just now the poor girl thinks I'm Solomon and Saint Peter rolled into one. The way she agrees to whatever I

say and the way she looks at me and sort of holds on to me, as if I was her only anchor in a gale, I declare it

makes me feel meaner than poorhouse teaand that's made of blackberry leaves steeped in memories of

better things, so I've heard say. AM I a low down scamp, playin' a dirty mean trick on a couple of orphans?

"You know what I think, Captain Warren," replied the lawyer. "You're handling the whole matter better than

any other man could handle it. No one else would have thought of it, to begin with; and the results so far

"Yup. Maybe. I wish you was around to say that to me when I wake up nights and get to thinkin'. However,

as I said, Caroline believes New York is like a sailors' dance hall, a place for decent folks to steer clear of.

And when the feller you've been engaged to is shown up as a sneak and your own dad as a crookwell, you

can't blame a green hand for holdin' prejudice against the town that raised 'em. She'll get over it; but just now

I cal'late some little flat, or, better still, a little home out where the back yards ain't made of concrete, would

be a firstclass port for us to make for. Don't know of such a place at a reasonable rent, do you?"

"I might find one. And you may be right; your niece might like it better, though it will be somewhat of a

change. But how about your nephew? He has no objection to the metropolis, I should judge. What will he

"Nothin', I guessunless he says it to himself. Steve's goin' back to New Haven with things on his mind. He

and I had a mornin' service, and I was the parson. He listened, because when you ain't got a cent except what

the society allows you, it ain't good orthodoxy to dodge the charity sermon. Steve'll behave, and what he don't

like he'll lump. If he starts to open his mouth his ear'll ache, I cal'late. I talked turkey to that young man.

When Caroline first saw the little house, with its shingled sides, the dead vines over the porch, and the dry

stalks of last year's flowers in the yard, her heart sank. With the wind blowing and the bare branches of the

old apple tree scraping the roof and whining dolefully, it looked bleak and forsaken. It was so different, so

unhomelike, and so, to her eyes, small and povertystricken. She made believe that she liked it, exclaimed

over the viewwhich, on the particular day, was desolate enoughand declared the Dutch front door was

"oldfashioned and dear." But Captain Elisha, watching her closely, knew that she was only waiting to be

alone to give way to wretchedness and tears. He understood, had expected that she would feel thus, but he

was disappointed, nevertheless. However, after the front door was passed and they were inside the house,

Caroline looked about her in delighted amazement. The living room was small, but bright and warm and

cheery. On its walls, hiding the rather vivid paper, were hung some of the best of Rodgers Warren's

picturesthe Corot, the codfisher, and others. The furniture and rugs were those which had been in the

library of the apartment, those she had been familiar with all her life. The books, many of them, were there,

also. And the dining room, except for size, looked like home. So did the bedrooms; and, in the kitchen, Annie

"But how could you?" asked Caroline. "How could you keep all these things, Uncle Elisha? I thought, of

course, they must all be sold. I cried when they took them away that day when we were leaving to go to the

hotel. I was sure I should never see them again. And here they all are! How could you do it?"

The captain's grin was as wide as Annie's. "Oh," he explained, "I couldn't let 'em all go. Never intended to.

That five thousand dollar codder up there seemed like own folks, pretty nigh. I'd have kept HIM, if we had to

live in one room and a trunk. And we ain't got to thatyet. I tell you, dearie, I thought they'd make you feel

"But the creditors?" she asked. "That man whothey belong to him, don't they? I supposed of course they

Captain Elisha winked. "There's times," he answered, "when I believe in cheatin' my creditors. This is one of

'em. Never you mind that feller you mentioned. He's got enough, confound him! He didn't have the face to

ask for any more. Sylvester looked out for that. Five hundred thousand, droppin' in, as you might say,

unexpected, ought to soften anybody's heart; and I judge even that feller's got some bowels of mercy."

He changed the subject hastily, but Caroline asked no more questions. She never alluded to the lost estate,

never expressed any regrets, nor asked to know who it was that had seized her all. The captain had expected

her to ask, had been ready with the same answer he had given Stephen, but when he hinted she herself had

forbade his continuing. "Don't tell me about it," she begged. "I don't want to know any more. Father did

wrong, butbut I know he did not mean to. He was a good, kind father to me, and I loved him. This man

whose money he took had a right to it, and now it is his. He doesn't wish us to know who he is, so Steve says,

and I'm glad. I don't want to know, because if I did I might hate him. And," with a shudder, "I am trying so

Her makebelieve liking for the little home became more and more real as spring drew near. She began to

take an interest in it, in the flower garden, in the beds beside the porch, where the peonies and daffodils were

beginning to show green heads above the loam, and in the household affairs. And she had plans of her own,

not connected with these. She broached them to her uncle, and they surprised and delighted him, although he

"You mustn't think," she said, "that, because I have been willing to live on your money since mine went, that

I mean to continue doing it. I don't. I've been thinking a great deal, and I realize that I must earn my own way

just as soon as I can. I'm not fitted for anything now; but I can be and I shall. I've thought perhaps I might

"Why, yes," he admitted, "they do, that's a fact. About four hundred thousand of 'em do, and four hundred

thousand more try to and then try to make business men think that they have. I heard Sylvester sputterin'

about a couple in his office t'other day; said they was no good and not worth the seven dollars a week he paid

"Yes. Course some make three times that and more; but they're the experienced ones, the good ones. And

there's heaps that don't. What makes you so sot on earnin' a livin', Caroline? Ain't you satisfied with the kind

She regarded him reproachfully. "Please don't say that," she protested. "You always treat your kindness as a

"There! there!" quickly. "Don't let's talk foolish. I see what you mean, dearie. It ain't the livin' but because I'm

givin' it to you that troubles you. I know. Well, _I_ ain't complainin' but I understand your feelin's and respect

'em. However, I shouldn't study typewritin', if I was you. There's too much competition in it to be

comfortable, as the fat man said about runnin' races. I've got a suggestion, if you want to listen to it."

"Why, just this. I've been about everythin' aboard ship, but I've never been a steward. Now I'll say this much

for Annie, she tried hard. She tumbled into general housekeepin' the way Asa Foster said he fell into the

cucumber framewith a jolt and a jingle; and she's doin' her best accordin' to her lights. But sometimes her

lights need ile or trimmin' or somethin'. I've had the feelin' that we need a good housekeeper here. If Annie's

intelligence was as broad and liberal as her shoes, we wouldn't; as 'tis, we do. I'll hire you, Caroline, for that

"No, I ain't. Course I realize you ain't had much experience in runnin' a house, and I hope you understand I

don't want to hire you as a cook. But I've had a scheme in the back of my head for a fortni't or more.

Somethin' Sylvester said about a young lady cousin of his made me think of it. Seems over here at the female

collegeyou know where I meanthey're teachin' a new course that they've christened Domestic Science.

Nigh's I can find out it is about what our great gran'marms larned at home; that, with upto date trimmin's.

All about runnin' a house, it is; how to superintend servants, and what kind of things to have to eat, and how

they ought to be cooked, and takin' care of childrenHumph! we don't need that, do we?and, well,

everything that a home woman, rich or poor, ought to know. At least, she ought to 'cordin' to my

oldfashioned notions. Sylvester's cousin goes there, and likes it; and I judge she ain't figgerin' to be

anybody's hired help, either. My idea was about this: If you'd like to take this course, Caroline, you could do

it afternoons. Mornin's and the days you had off, you could apply your science here at home, on Annie. Truly

it would save me hirin' somebody else, andwell, maybe you'd enjoy it, you can't tell."

"I know of the Domestic Science course," she said. "Several of my friendsmy former friends, were

studying it. But I'm afraid, Uncle, that I don't see where earning my living has any part in it. It seems to me

"No more'n I'd spend for a competent housekeeper. Honest, Caroline, I'd like to do it. You think it over a

She did, visiting the University and making inquiries. What she was told there decided her. She took up the

course and enjoyed it. It occupied her mind and prevented her brooding over the past. She might have made

many friends among the other students, but she was careful to treat them only as acquaintances. Her recent

experience with "friends" was too fresh in her mind. She studied hard and applied her knowledge at home.

She and Annie made some odd and funny mistakes at first, but they were not made twice, and Captain Elisha

noticed a great improvement in the housekeeping. Also, Caroline's spirits improved, though more slowly.

Most evenings they spent together in the living room. She read aloud to her uncle, who smoked his cigar and

listened, commenting on the doings of the story folk with characteristic originality and aptitude. Each night,

after the reading was over, he wrote his customary note to Abbie Baker at South Denboro. He made one

flying trip to that village: "Just to prove to 'em that I'm still alive," as he explained it. "Some of those folks

down there at the postoffice must have pretty nigh forgot to gossip about me by this time. They've had me

eloped and married and a millionaire and a pauper long ago, I don't doubt. And now they've probably forgot

me altogether. I'll just run down and stir 'em up. Good subjects for yarns are scurce at that postoffice, and

On his return he told his niece that he found everything much as usual. "Thoph Kenney's raised a beard 'cause

shavin's so expensive; and the ComeOuter minister called the place the other denominations are bound for

'Hades,' and his congregation are thinkin' of firin' him for turnin' FreeThinker. That's about all the

sensations," he said. "I couldn't get around town much on account of Abbie. She kept me in bed most of the

time, while she sewed on buttons and mended. Said she never saw a body's clothes in such a state in HER

A few of the neighbors called occasionally. And there were other callers. Captain Elisha's unexpected

departure from Mrs. Hepton's boarding house had caused a sensation and much regret to that select

establishment. The landlady, aided and abetted by Mrs. Van Winkle Ruggles, would have given a farewell tea

in his honor, but he declined. "Don't you do it," he said. "I like my tea pretty strong, and farewells are watery

"That's it. Everybody knows what goodby means. We'll say the other thingas well as we canand

They were curious to know his reason for leaving. He explained that his niece was sort of lonesome and

needed country air; he was going to live with her, for the present. Consequently Mrs. Ruggles, on the trail of

aristocracy, was the first to call. Hers was a stately and ceremonious visit. They were glad when it was over.

Lawton, the bookseller and his wife, came and were persuaded to remain and dine. Caroline liked them at

sight. The most impressive call, however, was that of Mr. and Mrs. "C." Dickens. The great man made it a

point to dress in the style of bygone years, and his conversation was a treat. His literary labors were fatiguing

and confining, he admitted, and the "little breath of rural ozone" which this trip to Westchester County gave

him, was like a tonicyes, as one might say, a tonic prescribed and administered by Dame Nature herself.

"Yes," put in his wife, "we used to live at Bayonne, New Jersey. We had such a pretty house there, that is,

"Maria," her husband waved his hand, "why trouble our friends with unnecessary details."

"But it WAS a pretty house, 'C.,' dear," with a pathetic little sigh. "I've missed it a great deal since, Miss

Warren. 'C.' had a joke about ithe's such a joker! He used to call it 'Gad's Hill, Junior.'"

"Named after some of David B.'s folks?" asked Captain Elisha innocently. The answer, delivered by Mr.

Caroline laughed, actually laughed aloud, when the visit was over. Her uncle was immensely pleased.

"Hooray!" he cried. "I'll invite 'em up to stay a week. That's the fust time I've heard you laugh for I don't

The captain chuckled. "Yes," he said, "and they don't know it. I cal'late a person's skull has got room for just

about so much in it and no more. Cornelius Charles's head is so jammed with self satisfaction that his sense

One boarder at Mrs. Hepton's did not call, nor did Captain Elisha allude to him. Caroline noticed the latter

fact and understood the reason. Also, when the captain went to the city, as he frequently did, and remained

longer than usual, she noticed that his explanations of the way in which he spent his time were sometimes

vague and hurried. She understood and was troubled. Yet she thought a great deal on the subject before she

On the April afternoon when Caroline sat at the window of the living room awaiting her uncle's return she

was thinking of that subject. But, at last, her mind was made up. It was a hard thing to do; it was humiliating,

in a way; it mightthough she sincerely hoped notbe misconstrued as to motive; but it was right. Captain

Elisha had been so unselfish, so glad to give up every personal inclination in order to please her, that she

would no longer permit her pride to stand in the way of his gratification, even in little things. At least, she

He came on a later than his usual train, and at dinner, when she asked where he had been, replied, "Oh, to see

Sylvester, ander around." She asked him no more, but, when they were together in the living room, she

"Uncle Elisha, I know where you've been this afternoon. You've been to see Mr. Pearson."

"Hey?" He started, leaned back and regarded her with astonishment and some alarm.

"Whywhy, yes, Caroline, I haveto tell you the truth. I don't see how you knew, but," nervously, "I hope

you don't feel bad 'cause I did. I go to see him pretty often. You see, I think a good deal of hima whole lot

of him. _I_ think he's a fine young feller. Course I know you don't, and so I never mention him to you. But I

She shook her head. "No," she said. "I would have no right to ask that, even if I wished to. And I do not wish

it. Uncle Elisha, if you were alone here, he would come to see you; I know he would. Invite him to come,

"No," hastily; "to see you. This is your home. I have no right to keep your friends from visiting it. I know you

would sacrifice everything for me, even them; but I will not be so selfish as to allow it. Ask him here, please.

He pulled his beard. "Caroline," he answered slowly, "I'm much obliged to you. I understand why you're doin'

this, and I thank you. But it ain't likely that I'll say yes, is it? And do you suppose Jim would come if I did ask

him? He knows you believe he's awell, all that's bad. You told him so, and you sent him away. I will give

in that I'd like to have him here. He's one of the few men friends I've made since I landed in New York. But,

under the circumstancesyou feelin' as you doI couldn't ask him, and he wouldn't come if I did."

"Uncle, I want you to tell me the truth about Mr. Pearson and fatherjust why they quarreled and the real

truth of the whole affair. Don't spare my feelings; tell me what you believe is the true story. I know you think

"II don't know's I'd better, dearie," he answered. "I think I do know the truth, but you might think I was

hard on 'Bijeon your father. I ain't. And I sympathize with the way he felt, too. But Jim did right, as I see

it. He acted just as I'd want a son of mine to do. And . . . Well, I cal'late we'd better not rake up old times, had

"I know I have. That is the reason why I ask you to tell it. Oh," with a flash of scorn, "I was told many stories,

and I want to forget them. And," sadly, "I can bear whatever you may tell me, even about father. Since I

"Worse! No, not! This ain't very bad. I will tell you, dearie. This is just what happened."

He told her the exact truth concerning the Trolley Combine, his brother's part in it, and Pearson's. She

"I see," she said when he had finished. "I think I see. Mr. Pearson felt that, as a newspaper man, an honest

one, he must go on. He knew that the thing was wrong and that innocent people might lose money in it. It

was his duty to expose it, and he did it, even though it meant the loss of influence and of father's friendship. I

"That was about it, Caroline. I think the hardest part for him was when 'Bije called him ungrateful. 'Bije had

"Yes. Father was kind; I know that better than anyone else. But Mr. Pearson was right. Yes, he was right, and

"So I size it up. And I do sympathize with your father, too. This wa'n't such an awful lot worse than a good

many stock deals. And poor 'Bije was perfectly desp'rate, I guess. If it had gone through he'd have been able

to square accounts with the Rubber Company; and just think what that would have meant to him. Poor feller!

poor feller!" He sighed. She reached for his hand and stroked it gently with her own.

After another interval she said: "How I insulted and wronged him! How he must despise me!"

"Who? Jim? No, no! he don't do any such thing. He knows you didn't understand, and who was responsible.

"But it is my misunderstanding and my insulting treatment of him which have kept you two aparthere, at

"Don't let that worry you, Caroline. I see him every once in a while, up to the city."

"It does worry me; and it will, until it is made right. And," in a lower tone, but with decision, "it shall be."

She rose and, bending over, kissed him on the forehead. "Good night, Uncle," she said.

Captain Elisha was disappointed. "What!" he exclaimed. "Goin' aloft so soon? We ain't had our readin' yet.

"Not tonight, dear. I'm going to my room. Please excuse me this time." She turned to go and then, turning

"You're sure," she said, hesitatingly; "you're quite sure he will not come hereto youif you tell him I

"Well, Caroline, I don't know. You see, I was responsible for his comin' before. He had some scruples against

it then, but I talked him down. He's sort of proud, Jim is, and he mightmight not want toto"

"Mr. Pearson. I wrote him, telling him I had learned the true story of his disagreement with father and that he

was right and I was wrong. I apologized for my behavior toward him. Now, I think, perhaps, if you ask him,

The captain looked at her. He realized the sacrifice of her pride which writing that letter must have meant,

and that she had done it for him. He was touched and almost sorry she had done it. He took both her hands in

"Dearie," he said, "you shouldn't have done that. I didn't expect you to. I know you did it just for my sake. I

won't say I ain't glad; I am, in one way. But 'twa'n't necessary, and 'twas too much, too hard for you

"Don't say that," she begged. "Too much! I never can do enough. Compared to what you have done for me

itit . . . Oh, please let me do what little I can. But, Uncle Elisha, promise me one thing; promise that you

will not ask me to meet him, if he should come. That I couldn't do, even for you."

Promises of that kind are easier to make than to keep. The captain promised promptly enough, but the Fates

were against him. He made it his business to go to town the very next day and called upon his friend. He

found the young man in a curiously excited and optimistic frame of mind, radically different from that of the

past few months. The manuscript of the novel was before him on the desk, also plenty of blank paper. His

fountainpen was in his hand, although apparently, he had written nothing that morning. But he was going

tooh, yes, he was going to! He was feeling just in the mood. He had read his manuscript, and it was not so

bad; by George, some of the stuff was pretty good! And the end was not so far off. Five or six chapters more

and the thing would be finished. He would have to secure a publisher, of course, but two had already

Captain Elisha drew his own conclusions. He judged that his niece's letter had reached its destination. He did

not mention it, however, nor did Pearson. But when the captain hinted at the latter's running out to the house

"That's fine, Jim," declared the visitor. "Come any time. I want you to see what a nice little place I've got out

there. Don't stand on ceremony, comeernext week, say." Then, mindful of his promise, he added, "You

and I'll have it all to ourselves. I've been cal'latin' to hire a sailboat for the summer; got my eye on a capable

little sloop belongin' to a feller on the Sound shore. If all goes well I'll close the deal in a few days. I'll meet

you at the depot and we'll have a sail and get dinner at a hotel or somewheres, and then we'll come up to the

house and take a whack at Cap'n Jim's doin's in the new chapters. Just you and I together in the settin' room;

Pearson did not seem so enthusiastic over this programme, although he admitted that it sounded tiptop.

"How is Miss Warren?" he asked, mentioning the name with a nonchalance remarkable, considering that he

"Yes, she's fustrate, thank you. Very well, everything considered. She keeps to herself a good deal. Don't

Pearson admitted that, and the remainder of the call was largely a monologue by Captain Elisha.

"Well, then, Jim," said the latter, when he rose to go, "you come up Monday or Tuesday of next week. Will

"Don't think, do it. Let me know what train you're comin' on, and I'll meet you at the depot."

This last remark was what upset calculations. Pearson came on Monday, having written the day before. He

did not mail the note himself, but trusted it to Mrs. Hepton, who was going out to attend evening service. She

forgot it until the next day. So it happened that when he alighted from the train at the suburban station the

captain was not there to meet him. He waited a while, and then, inquiring the way of the station agent, walked

up to the house by himself. As he turned in at the front walk, Caroline came out of the door. They met, face to

It was a most embarrassing situation, particularly for Caroline; yet, with feminine resourcefulness, she

dissembled her embarrassment to some extent and acknowledged his stammered, "Good afternoon, Miss

Warren," with a cool, almost cold, "How do you do, Mr. Pearson?" which chilled his pleasure at seeing her

and made him wish devoutly that he had not been such a fool as to come. However, there he was, and he

hastily explained his presence by telling her of the captain's invitation for that day, how he had expected to

No, Captain Elisha was not in. He had gone to see the sailboat man. Not hearing from his friend, he

Pearson was rather thankful than otherwise. The captain's absence afforded him an opportunity to escape

"Oh, never mind," he said. "It is not important. I can run out another day. Just tell him I called, Miss Warren,

please; that I wrote yesterday, but my letter must have gone astray. Good afternoon."

He was turning to go, but she stopped him. She had fully made up her mind that, when he came, she would

not meet himremembering how she had treated him on the evening of her birthday, she would be ashamed

to look him in the face. Besides, she could not meet him after writing that letter; it would be too brazen; he

would think all sorts of things. When he visited her uncle she would remain in her room, or go to the city

But now she had met him. And he had come in response to her uncle's invitation, given because she herself

had pleaded that it should be. To let him go away would be rude and ridiculous; and how could she explain to

"You mustn't go, Mr. Pearson," she said. "You must come in and wait; Captain Warren will be back soon, I'm

"But you must wait. I insist. Uncle Elisha will be dreadfully disappointed if you don't. There isn't a train for

Pearson was reluctant, but he could think of no reasonable excuse. So he entered the house, removed his

overcoat and hat, and seated himself in the living room to await the captain's return. Caroline excused herself,

saying that she had an errand at the shop in the village. She made that errand as long as she could, but when

The conversation was forced, for a time. Each felt the embarrassment, and Pearson was still resentful of the

manner in which she had greeted him on his arrival. But, as he looked at her, the resentment vanished, and

the other feeling, that which he had determined to forget, returned. Captain Elisha had told him how brave

she had been through it all, and, contrasting the little house with the former home, remembering the loss of

friends and fortune, to say nothing of the unmasking of those whom she believed were her nearest and

dearest, he wondered and admired more than ever. He understood how very hard it must have been for her to

write that letter to him, a letter in which she justified his course at the cost of her own father's honor. He

"Miss Warren," he said, "please excuse my speaking of this, but I must; I must thank you for writing me as

you did. It was not necessary, it was too much to expect, too hard a thing for you to do. It makes me feel

"Please don't!" she interrupted. "Don't speak in that way. It was right. It was what I should have done long

"But it was not necessary; I understood. I knew you had heard another version of the story and that you felt I

had been ungrateful and mean, to say the least, in my conduct toward your father. I knew that; I have never

"I did it for my uncle's sake," she broke in, quickly. "You are his closest friend."

"I know, but I appreciate it, nevertheless. II wish you would consider me your friend as well as his. I do,

"Thank you. I need friends, I know. I have few now, which is not strange," rather bitterly.

He protested earnestly. "I did not mean it in that way," he said. "It is an honor and a great privilege to be one

"Thank you, Mr. Pearson . . . Now tell me about your novel. I remember it all so well. And I am very much

They were deep in the discussion of the novel when Captain Elisha walked into the living room. He was

surprised, stating his feelings at their mildest, to find them together, but he did not express his astonishment.

Instead, he hailed Pearson delightedly, demanded to know if they had dared tackle Cap'n Jim without the

"head doctor's" being on the scene; and insisted upon the author's admitting him to the "clinic" forthwith.

Pearson did not take the next train, nor the next. Instead, he stayed for dinner and well into the evening, and

when he did go it was after a prompt acceptance of the captain's invitation to "come again in a mighty little

Caroline, when she and her uncle were alone after their visitor's departure, made no protest against the

invitation having been given. She did not speak of Pearson at all. Captain Elisha also talked of other things,

principally about the sailboat, the summer lease of which he had arranged that afternoon. He declared the

sloop to be an "able craft of her tonnage" and that they would have some good times aboard her or he missed

his guess. In his own room, when ready for bed, he favored his reflection in the glass with a broad smile and a

satisfied wink, from which proceeding it may be surmised that the day had not been a bad one, according to

Pearson came again a week later, and thereafter frequently. The sessions with Cap'n Jim and his associates

were once more regular happenings to be looked forward to and enjoyed by the three. As the weather grew

warmer, the sloopCaptain Elisha had the name she formerly bore painted out and Caroline

substitutedproved to be as great a source of pleasure as her new skipper had prophesied. He and his

nieceand occasionally Pearsonsailed and picnicked on the Sound, and Caroline's pallor disappeared

under the influence of breeze and sunshine. Her health improved, and her spirits, also. She seemed, at times,

almost happy, and her uncle seldom saw her, as after the removal to the suburb he so frequently used, with

tears in her eyes and the sadness of bitter memories in her expression and manner. Her work at the University

grew steadily more difficult, but she enjoyed it thoroughly and declared that she would not give it up for

In June two very important events took place. The novel was finished, and Stephen, his Sophomore year at an

end, came home from college. He had been invited by some classmates to spend a part of his vacation with

them on the Maine coast, and his guardian had consented to his doing so; but the boy himself had something

else to propose. On an evening soon after his return, when, his sister having retired, he was alone with the

"Say," he said, "I've been thinking a good deal while I've been away this last time."

"Yes. I've been thinkingabout a good many things. I'm flat broke; down and out, so far as money is

"Nothing. I wasn't asking, really; I was just stating the case. Now, the way I look at it, this college course of

mine isn't worth while. You're putting up for it, and I ought to be much obliged; I am, of course."

"I know; but what's the use of it? I've got to go to work when it's over. And the kind of work I want to do

doesn't need university training. I'm just wasting time; that's what I'm doing."

"I want to be down on the Street, as the governor was. If this Rubber Company business hadn't knocked us

out, I intended, as soon as I was of age, to take that seat of his and start in for myself. Well, that chance has

gone, but I mean to get in some way, though I have to start at the foot of the ladder. Now why can't I leave

"No, I never have; but I'll like it all right. I know I shall. It's what I've wanted to do ever since I was old

enough to think of such things. Just let me start in now, right away, and I'll show you. I'll make good; you see

"Stevie," he said, doubtfully, "I rather like to hear you talk that way; I own up it pleases me. But, as to your

givin' up college that's different. Let me think it over for a day or two; that is, if you can put off the Maine

"Hang the Maine trip! You let me get into business, the business I want to get into, and I won't ask for a

"All right then. I'll think, and do some questionin' around, and report soon's I've decided what's best."

He laid the stump of his cigar in the ash receiver and rose from his chair. But his nephew had not finished.

"There was something else I intended to say," he announced, but with less eagerness.

"Whywhy, just this." He fidgeted with his watch chain, colored and was evidently uneasy. "I guess" he

"Oh, you know why. I've been thinking since I went back to New Haven. I've had a chance to think. Some of

the fellows in the set I used to be thick with up there have learned that I'm broke, and theythey aren't as

friendly as they were. Not all of them, of course, but some. And I wouldn't chase after them; not much! If

they wanted to drop me they could. You bet I didn't try to hang on! I was pretty sore for a while and kept to

myself andwell, I did a lot of thinking. I guess Caro is right; you've been mighty decent to her and me."

"I guess you have," continued Stephen, soberly. "When you first came, you know, Caroline and I couldn't

"Well, we didn't like it. And Mal Dunn and his mother were always sympathizing and insinuating, and we

believed they were our best friends, and all that. So we didn't try to understand you oror even make it

livable for you. Then, after the news came that the money had gone, I acted like a kid, I guess. That business

of making Mal stick to the engagement was pretty silly. I was nearly desperate, you see, andandyou

"No. All you wanted was to show them up. Well, you did it, and I'm glad you did. But Caro and I have talked

it over since I've been home, and we agree that you've been a great deal better to us than we deserve. You

didn't HAVE to take care of us at all, any more, after the money went. By gad! considering how we treated

you, I don't see why you did. _I_ wouldn't. But you didand you are. You've given us a home, and you're

"Just a minute. IIwell, if you let me, I'd like to thank you andand ask your pardon."

"Granted, my boy. And never mind the thanks, either. Just keep on thinkin' and actin' as you have tonight,

and I'll be satisfied. I want to see my nephew makin' a man of himselfa real man; and, Steve, you talk more

like a man tonight than I've ever heard you. Stick to it, and you'll do yet. As for goin' to work, you let me

The next morning he called on Sylvester, who in turn took him to a friend of his, a brokeremploying a

goodsized staff of clerks. The three had a consultation, followed, the day after, by another. That evening the

captain made a definite proposal to Stephen. It was, briefly, that, while not consenting to the latter's leaving

college, he did consider that a trial of the work in a broker's office might be a good thing. Therefore, if the

young man wished, he could enter the employ of Sylvester's friend and remain during July and August.

"You'll leave about the first of September, Steve," he said, "and that'll give you time for the two weeks

vacation that you ought to have. Then you can go back to Yale and pitch in till the next summer, when the

same job'll be ready for you. After you're through college for good, if what you've learned about brokerin'

ain't cured you of your likin' for itif you still want to go ahead with it for your life job, thenwell, then

Stephen had a good deal to say, principally in the line of objection to continuing his studies. Finding these

"All right," said the captain; "then you can go to work next Monday. But you'll HAVE to work, and be just

the same as any other beginner, no better and no worse. There'll be no favoritism, and, if you're really wuth

The novel, the wonderful tale which Captain Elisha was certain would make its author famous, was finished

that very day in June when Stephen came back from New Haven. The question of title remained, and the

"clinic," now reenforced by Stevewhose dislike for Pearson had apparently vanished with others of his

former likes and dislikesconsidered that at several sessions. At last "The Man at the Wheel" was selected,

as indicating something of the hero's profession and implying, perhaps, a hint of his character. Then came the

fateful task of securing a publisher. And the first to whom it was submittedone of the two firms which had

already expressed a desire to read the manuscriptaccepted it, at what, for a first novel, were very fair terms.

During the summer there was proof to be read and illustrations to be criticized. Captain Elisha did not wholly

"Jerushy!" he exclaimed, "look at that mainmast! Look at the rake of it! More like a yacht than a deepwater

bark, she is enough sight. And the fust mate's got a uniform cap on, like a purser on a steamboat. Make that

artist feller take that cap off him, Jim. He's got to. I wish he could have seen some of my mates. They wa'n't

Cunarder dudes, but they could make a crew hop 'round like a sandflea in a clam bake."

"What kind of a house is that? Did you ever see a house like that DownEast? I'll leave it to anybody if it

don't look like a sugar man's plantation I used to know down Mobile way. All that feller standin' by the door

needs is to have his face blacked; then he'd start singin' 'S'wanee River.' This ain't 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' Bah!"

The advance copy, the first one, was ready early in September, and the author, of course, brought it

immediately to his friends. They found the dedication especially interesting: "To C. W. and E. W., consulting

specialists at the literary clinics, with grateful acknowledgments." Probably Captain Elisha was never prouder

And the story, when at last it appeared for sale, was almost from the beginning a success. The reviewers

praised it, the reading publicthat final court of appeal which makes or unmakes novels took kindly to it,

and discussed and recommended it; and, most important of all, perhaps, it sold and continued to sell. There

was something in it, its humanity, its simplicity, its clearly marked characters, which made a hit. Pearson no

longer needed to seek publishers; they sought him. His short stories were bid for by the magazines, and his

prices climbed and climbed. He found himself suddenly planted in the middle of the highway to prosperity,

In September Stephen gave up his work at the broker's office, spent the weeks with his friends in Maine, and

then returned to Yale. He gave up the position on the Street with reluctance. He was sure he liked it now, he

declared. It was what he was fitted for, and he meant, more than ever, to take it up permanently as soon as he

was free. And his employer told Captain Elisha that the youngster was bright, clever, and apt. "A little

conceited, needs taking down occasionally, but that is the only trouble. He has been spoiled, I should

"Yup," replied the captain, with emphasis; "your imagination's a good one. It don't need cultivatin' any."

The novel being out of the way, and its successor not yet far enough advanced in plot or general plan for

much discussion, the "literary clinics" were no longer as frequent. But Pearson's visits to the Warren house

were not discontinued. All summer long he had been coming out, once, and usually twice, a week. Captain

Elisha had told him not to stand on formality, to come any time, and he did. On most of these occasions he

found the captain at home; but, if only Caroline was there, he seemed quite contented. She did not remark on

the frequency of his visits. In fact, she mentioned him less and less in conversation with her uncle. But, as the

autumn came and moved towards its prime she seemed, to the captain's noticing eye, a trifle more grave, a

little more desirous of being by herself. Sometimes he found her sitting by the open firepleasant in the cool

October eveningsand gazing very soberly at the blaze. She had been in good spirits, more merry and

lighthearted than he had ever seen her, during the latter part of the summer; now her old sadness seemed to

be returning. It would have troubled him, this change in her mood, if he had not believed he knew the cause.

He was planning a glorious Thanksgiving. At least, it would be glorious to him, for he intended spending the

day, and several days, at his own home in South Denboro. Abbie Baker had made him promise to do it, and

he had agreed. He would not leave Caroline, of course; she was going with him. Steve would be there, though

he would not come until Thanksgiving Day itself. Sylvester, also, would be of the party; he seemed delighted

"I'm curious to see the place where they raise fellows like you," the lawyer said. "It must be worth looking

"Graves don't think so," chuckled the captain. "I invited him, and he said, 'No, thank you' so quick that the

words was all telescoped together. And he shivered, too, when he said it; just as if he felt that sou'west gale

whistlin' between his bones even now. I told him I'd pretty nigh guarantee that no more trees would fall on

Pearson was asked and had accepted. His going was so far a settled thing that he had commissioned Captain

Elisha to purchase a stateroom for him on the Fall River boat; for of course the captain would not consider

their traveling the entire distance by train. At an interview in the young man's room in the boarding house,

only three days before the date set for the start, he had been almost as enthusiastic as the Cape Codder

himself. The pair had planned several side excursions, time and weather permitting, among them a trip across

the Sound to Setuckit Point, with the possibility of some late seafowl shooting and a long tramp to one of

the life saving stations, where Pearson hoped to pick up material for his new book. He was all anticipation

and enthusiasm when the captain left him, and said he would run out to the house the following day, to make

That day Sylvester 'phoned, asking Captain Elisha to come to his office on a matter of business. When,

having done so, the captain, returning, alighted at his home station, he was surprised to see Pearson standing

"Why, hello, Jim!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here? Just come, have you?"

"Goin'? What for? Been up to the house, of course? Caroline told you where I'd gone and that I was cal'latin'

"Well, then, course you ain't goin'! You're goin' to stay to dinner. I've got some things to tell you about that

lifesavin' station cruise. I've been thinkin' that I know the cap'n and most of the crew on the lightship off

back of the Point. How'd you like to go aboard of her? You could get some yarns from those fellers that

"I have no doubt I should. But I'm afraid I can't go. The fact is, Captain, I've decided not to spend

"Hey?" Captain Elisha could scarcely believe he had heard correctly. "You can't goto South Denboro?"

"But, Jim! Why, I can't have it so! I'm dreadful disappointed. I've counted on your goin'. So has Abbie. She's

read your book, and she says she's crazy to see the feller that wrote it. She's told the minister and a whole lot

more, and they're all comin' in to look at you. 'Tain't often we have a celebrated character in our town. You've

"Thank you, Captain. I appreciate the invitation and your kindness, but," with decision, "I can't accept."

"But why not? What's the matter with you all of a sudden? Come here! let me look at you."

He took the young man by the arm and led him, almost by main strength, close to the lighted window of the

station. It was late, and the afternoon was gloomy. Here, by the lamplight streaming through the window, he

"Humph!" he grunted, after a moment's scrutiny. "You've made up your mind; I can see that. Have you told

Pearson smiled, but there was little mirth in the smile. "I think she agrees with me that it is best," he

He got no further, for Pearson broke away, and, with a hurried "Good night," strode up the platform to meet

the citybound train. Captain Elisha watched it go and then walked slowly homeward, his hands in his

He entered the house by the back door, a remnant of South Denboro habit, and found Annie in the kitchen.

"She's in the living room, sir, I think. Mr. Pearson has been here and just gone."

"Umhm. So I heard. Say, Annie, you needn't hurry dinner; I ain't ready for it yet awhile."

He hung his coat and hat in the back hall and quietly entered the living room. The lamp was not lighted, and

the room was dark, but he saw his niece, a shadowy figure, seated by the window. He crossed to her side.

"Humph! your eyes must be better than mine then. I can't see anything in here. It's darker than a nigger's

He struck a match as he said it. By its light he saw her face. The match burned down to his finger tips and

"I don't know but the dark is just as good and more economical," he observed. "No use of encouragin' the

graspin' ile trust unless it's necessary. Let's you and me sit here in the dark and talk. No objection to talkin' to

"That's good. Well, Caroline, I'm goin' to talk plain again. You can order me to close my hatch any time you

feel like it; that's skipper's privilege, and you're boss of this craft, you know. Dearie, I just met Jim Pearson.

He tells me he's decided not to go on this Cape cruise of ours. He said you agreed with him 'twas best he

"Course, I know I ain't got any real right to ask," he went on; "but I think more of you and Jim than I do of

anybody else, and so maybe you'll excuse me. Have you and he had a fallin' out?"

Still she was silent. He sighed. "Well," he observed, "I see you have, and I don't blame you for not wantin' to

talk about it. I'm awful sorry. I'd begun to hope that . . . However, we'll change the subject. Or we won't talk

"Uncle," she said, "you know I always want to talk to you. And, as for the right to ask, you have the right to

ask anything of me at any time. And I should have told you, of my own accord, by and by. Mr. Pearson and I

have not quarreled; but I thinkI think it best that I should not see him again."

"Not for a long, long time, at least. It would only make it harder for him; and it's of no use."

Captain Elisha sighed again. "I guess I understand, Caroline. I presume likely I do. Hehe asked somethin'

of youand you couldn't say yes to him. That was it, I suppose. Needn't tell me unless you really want to,

"But I do. I ought to tell you. I should have told you before, and perhaps, if I had, he would not have . . .

"Yes," he replied, gravely, "I judged that was it. And you told him you couldn't, I suppose. Well, dearie, that's

a question nobody ought to answer but the one. She's the only one that knows what that answer should be,

and, when other folks interfere and try to influence, it generally means trouble. I'm kind of disappointed; I'll

own up to that. I think Jim is a fine, honest, able young man, and he'd make a good husband, I'm sure. And,

so far as his business, or profession, or whatever you call it, goes, he's doin' pretty well and sartin to do better.

"There! there, my girl! I know 'twa'n't that, of course. I was only thinkin' out loud, that's alltryin' to find

reasons. You didn't care for him enough, I suppose. Caroline, you don't care for anybody else, do you? You

"Uncle!" she sprang up, hurt and indignant. "How can you?" she cried. "How could you ask that? What must

"Please, Caroline," he protested; "please don't. I beg your pardon. I was a fool! I knew better. Don't go. Tell

me the real reason. Sit down again and let's talk this out. Do sit down! that's it. Now tell me; was it that you

"But you don't love him. I see. Well," sadly, "there's another one of my dreams gone to smash. However, you

"Hey?" he bent toward her. "What?" he cried. "That wa'n't the reason, you say? You do care for him?"

She faltered, tried to speak, and then turned away. He put his arm about her and stroked her hair.

"Don't you cry, dearie," he begged. "I won't bother you any more. You can tell me some other timeif you

want to. Or you needn't tell me at all. It's all right; only don't cry. 'Cause if you do," with sudden

determination, "I shall cry, too; and, bein' as I ain't used to the exercise, I may raise such a row that Annie'll

This unexpected announcement had the desired effect; Caroline laughed hysterically and freed herself from

"I mustn't be so silly," she said. "I had made up my mind to tell you everything, and I shall. My not caring for

Mr. Pearson was not my reason for refusing him. The reasons were twoyou and Steve."

"Everything. He would marry me, poor as I am; and perhaps I perhaps I should say yes if things were

different. Oh, there is no use my deceiving you, or trying to deceive myself! I know I should say yes, and be

"Uncle Elisha, I suppose you think I have been perfectly satisfied to let you take care of me and of my

brother, and give us a home and all that we needed and more. No doubt you thought me selfish enough to be

contented with that and go on as I amas we are living on your bounty. You had reason to think so. But I

have not been contented with that, nor has Steve. He and I have made our plans, and we shall carry them out.

He will leave college in two years and go to work in earnest. Before that time I shall be ready to teach. I have

"Good land! Why, no, you ain't! You've been studyin' to help me and Annie run this house."

"That was only part of itthe smallest part. I haven't told you before, Uncle, but one of the Domestic

Science teachers at the University is a girl I used to know slightly. She is going to be married next year, and,

if all goes well, I may be appointed to her position when she leaves. I have a conditional promise already. If I

am, why, then, you see, I shall really be earning my own living; you will not have to give up your own home

"Here! here!" Captain Elisha put in, desperately; "don't talk so ridiculous, Caroline. I ain't givin' up anything.

I never was more happy than I've been right here with you this summer. I'm satisfied."

"I know, but I am not. And neither is Steve. He and I have planned it all. His salary at first will be small, and

so will mine. But together we can earn enough to live somehow and, later on, when he earns more, perhaps

we may be able to repay a little of all that you have given us. We shall try. _I_ shall insist upon it."

"Caroline Warren, is THAT the reason you sent Jim away? Did you tell him that? Did you tell him you

"No, of course I did not," indignantly. "I told himI said I must not think of marriage; it was impossible.

"I don't know any such thing. If you want to make me happy, Caroline, you couldn't find a better way than to

"But I am not thinking of happiness. It is my dutyto you and to my own selfrespect. And not only that,

but to Steve. Someone must provide a home for him. Neither he nor I will permit you to do it a day longer

"But you won't have to leave him. Steve's future's all fixed. I've provided for Steve."

"What I say." The captain was very much excited and, for once, completely off his guard. "I've had plans for

Steve all along. He's doin' fustrate in that broker's office, learnin' the trade. Next summer he'll have another

whack at it and learn more. When he's out of college I'm goin' to turn over your dad's seat on the Stock

Exchange to him. Not give it to him, you knownot right offbut let him try; and then, if he makes a good

fist at it, he'll have it permanent. Steve's got the best chance in the world. He couldn't ask much better, seems

He paused, almost out of breath. He had been speaking rapidly so as to prevent interruption. Caroline's

astonishment was too great for words, just then. Her uncle anxiously awaited her reply.

"You see, don't you?" he asked. "You understand. Steve's goin' to have the chance to make a good livin' at the

very thing he declares he's set on doin'. I ain't told him, and I don't want you to, but it's what I've planned for

"Wait! wait, Uncle, please! The Stock Exchange seat? Father's seat? I don't see . . . I don't understand."

"Yes, yes!" eagerly; "your pa's seat. I've meant it for Steve. There's been chances enough to sell it, but I

"Be right there, Annie. Now you see that you ain't got to worry about Steve, don't you, Caroline?"

His niece did not answer. By the light from the doorway he saw that she was gazing at him with a strange

expression. She looked as if she was about to ask another question. He waited, but she did not ask it.

"Well," he said, rising, "we won't talk any more just now. Annie's soup's gettin' cold, and she'll be in our wool

if we don't have dinner. Afterwards we can have another session. Come, Caroline."

She also rose, but hesitated. "Uncle Elisha," she said, "will you excuse me if I don't talk any more tonight?

And, if you don't mind, I won't dine with you. I'm not hungry andand my head aches. I'll go to my room, I

"Yes, yes," he said, hastily, "of course. I'm afraid I've talked too much as 'tis. You go up and lie down, and

Annie can fetch you some toast and tea or somethin' by and by. But do just answer me this, Caroline, if you

can: When you told Jim marryin' was out of the question for you, did he take that as final? Was he contented

"Yes, he said he would wait, always. But I told him he must not. And I told him he must go and not see me

"I know, dearie, I know. But didn't you say anything more? Didn't you give him ANY hope?"

"I said," she hesitated, and added in a whisper, "I said if I should ever need him oror change my mind, I

would send for him. I shouldn't have said it. It was weak and wicked of me, but I said it. Please let me go

She kissed him and hurried away. He ate his lonely dinner absent mindedly and with little appetite. After it

was finished he sat in the living room, the lamp still unlighted, smoking and thinking.

And in her chamber Caroline, too, sat thinkingnot altogether of the man she loved and who loved her. She

thought of him, of course; but there was something else, an idea, a suspicion, which over and over again she

The Stock Exchange seat had been a part of her father's estate, a part of her own and Steve's inheritance.

Sylvester had told her so, distinctly. And such a seat was valuable; she remembered her brother reading in the

paper that one had recently sold for ninety thousand dollars. How could Captain Warren have retained such a

costly part of the forfeited estate in his possession? For it was in his possession; he was going to give it to her

brother when the latter left college. But how could he have obtained it? Not by purchase; for, as she knew, he

was not worth half of ninety thousand dollars. Surely the creditor, the man who had, as was his right, seized

all Rodgers Warren's effects, would not have left that and taken the rest. Not unless he was a curiously

philanthropic and eccentric person. Who was he? Who was this mysterious man her father had defrauded?

She had never wished to know before; now she did. And the more she pondered, the more plausible her

suspicion became. It was almost incredible, it seemed preposterous; but, as she went back, in memory, over

the events since her father's death and the disclosure of his astonishing will, little bits of evidence, little

happenings and details came to light, trifles in themselves, but all fitting in together, like pieces of an

November weather on Cape Cod is what Captain Elisha described as "considerable chancey." "The feller that

can guess it two days ahead of time," he declared, "is wastin' his talents; he could make a livin' prophesyin'

most anything, even the market price of cranberries." When Caroline, Sylvester, and the captain reached

South Denboro after what seemed, to the two unused to the leisurely winter schedule of the railroad, an

interminable journey from Fall River, the girl thought she had never seen a more gloomy sky or a more

forbidding scene. Gray clouds, gray sea, brown bare fields; the village of white or grayshingled houses set,

for the most part, along the winding main street; the elms and silverleaf poplars waving bare branches in the

cutting wind; a picture of the fag end of loneliness and desolation, so it looked to her. She remembered Mr.

Graves's opinion of the place, as jokingly reported by Sylvester, and she sympathized with the dignified

But she kept her feelings hidden on her uncle's account. The captain was probably the happiest individual in

the state of Massachusetts that morning. He hailed the train's approach to Sandwich as the entrance to Ostable

County, the promised land, and, from that station on, excitedly pointed out familiar landmarks and bits of

"That's Ostable courthouse," he cried, pointing. "And seesee that redroofed house right over there, just

past that white church? That's where Judge Baxter lives; a mighty good friend of mine, the Judge is. I stopped

A little further on he added, "'Twas about here that I spoke to Graves fust. I noticed him sittin' right across the

aisle from me, with a face on him sour as a sasser of green tamarind preserves, and I thought I'd be sociable.

'Tough night,' I says. 'Umph,' says he. 'Twa'n't a remark cal'lated to encourage conversation, so I didn't try

againnot till his umbrella turned inside out on the Denboro platform. Ho! ho! I wish you'd have seen his

At Denboro he pointed out Pete Shattuck's livery stable, where the horse and buggy came from which had

"See!" he cried. "See that feller holdin' up the corner of the depot with his back! the one that's so broad in the

beam he has to draw in his breath afore he can button his coat. That's Pete. You'd think he was too sleepy to

care whether 'twas today or next week, wouldn't you? Well, if you was a summer boarder and wanted to hire

a team, you'd find Pete was awake and got up early. If a tencent piece fell off the shelf in the middle of the

night he'd hear it, though I've known him to sleep while the minister's barn burned down. The parson had

been preachin' against horsetradin'; maybe that sermon was responsible for some of the morphine

Sylvester was enjoying himself hugely. Captain Elisha's exuberant comments were great fun for him. "This is

what I came for," he confided to Caroline. "I don't care if it rains or snows. I could sit and listen to your uncle

for a year and never tire. He's a wonder. And I'm crazy to see that housekeeper of his. If she lives up to her

Dan, the captain's hired man, met them with the carriage at the station, and Miss Baker met them at the door

of the Warren home. The exterior of the big, oldfashioned, rambling house was inviting and homelike, in

spite of the gloomy weather, and Caroline cheered up a bit when they turned in at the gate. Five minutes of

Miss Abigail's society, and all gloom disappeared. One could not be gloomy where Miss Abbie was. Her

smile of welcome was so broad that, as her employer said, "it took in all outdoor and some of Punkhorn

Neck," a place which, he hastened to add, "was forgot durin' creation and has sort of happened of itself

Abbie conducted Caroline to her roomoldfashioned, like the rest of the house, but cozy, warm, and

cheeryand, after helping in the removal of her wraps, seized her by both hands and took a long look at her

"You'll excuse my bein' so familiar on short acquaintance, dearie," she said, "but I've heard so much about

you that I feel's if I knew you like own folks. And you are own folks, ain't you? Course you are! Everyone of

'Lisha's letters have had four pages of you to one of anything else. I begun to think New York was nothin' but

you and a whole lot of tenstory houses. He thinks so much of you that I'd be jealous, if I had that kind of

disposition and the time to spare. So I must have a good look at you . . . I declare! you're almost prettier than

The rest of that day and evening were busy times. Captain Elisha showed his visitors about the place, the

barn, the cows, the pigpenthe pig himself had gone to fulfill the unhappy destiny of pigs, but they would

meet him by sections later on, so the captain assured them. The house and buildings were spotless in paint

and whitewash; the yard was raked clean of every dead leaf and twig; the whole establishment was so neat

"Umhm," observed her uncle, with a gratified nod; that's Abbie. She hates dirt worse than she does laziness,

and that ain't sayin' a little. I tell her she'd sandsoap the weather vane if she could climb up to it; as 'tis, she

stays below and superintends Dan while he does it. If godliness wants to stay next to cleanliness when she's

around it has to keep on the jump. I always buy shirts two degrees heavier'n I need, 'cause I know she'll have

'em scrubbed thin in a fortni't. When it comes to REAL Domestic Science, Caroline, Abbie ain't in the back

Miss Baker had planned that her young guest should sit in state, with folded hands, in the parlor. She seemed

to consider that the proper conduct for a former member of New York's best society. She was shocked when

"Course I sha'n't let you," she said. "The ideaand you company! Got more help than I know what to do

with, as 'tis. 'Lisha was determined that I should hire a girl to wash dishes and things while you was here.

Nothin' would do but that. So I got Annabel Haven's daughter, Etta G. There's fourteen in that family, and the

land knows 'twas an act of charity takin' one appetite out of the house. Pay her fifty cents a day, I do, and

she's out in the kitchen makin' believe wash windows. They don't need washin', but she was lookin' out of 'em

most of the time, so I thought she might as well combine business with pleasure."

But Caroline refused to sit in the parlor and be "company." She insisted upon helping. Miss Baker protested

and declared there was nothing on earth to be done; but her guest insisted that, if there was not, she herself

must sit. As Abbie would have as soon thought of attending church without wearing her jet earrings as she

would of sitting down before dinner, she gave in, after a while, and permitted Caroline to help in arranging

"Why, you do fustrate!" she exclaimed, in surprise. "You know where everything ought to go, just as if

you'd been settin' table all your life. And you ain't, because 'Lisha wrote you used to keep hired help, two or

"Studyin' it! Why, yes, now I remember 'Lisha wrote you'd been studyin' some kind of science at college.

"That was part of it." She explained the course briefly. Abigail listened in amazement.

"And they teach thatat school?" she demanded. "And take money for it? And call it SCIENCE? My land! I

guess I was brought up in a scientific household, then. I was the only girl in the family, and mother died when

After dinner she consented to sit for a time, though not until she had donned her Sunday best, earrings and all.

Captain Elisha and Sylvester sat with them, and the big fireplace in the sitting room blazed and roared as it

had not since its owner left for his long sojourn in the city. In the evening callers came, the Congregational

minister and his wife, and some of the neighbors. The latter were pleasant country people, another retired sea

captain among them, and they all seemed to have great respect and liking for Captain Elisha and to be very

glad to welcome him home. The two captains spun salt water yarns, and the lawyer again decided that he was

getting just what he had come for. They left a little after nine, and Caroline said good night and went to her

But she did not fall asleep at once. Her mind was still busy with the suspicion which her uncle's words

concerning his future plans for Steve had aroused. She had thought of little else since she heard them. The

captain did not mention the subject again; possibly, on reflection, he decided that he had already said too

much. And she asked no more questions. She determined not to question himyet. She must think first, and

then ask someone elseSylvester. He knew the truth and, if taken by surprise, might be driven into

confession, if there should be anything to confess. She was waiting for an opportunity to be alone with him,

The captain would have spoken further with her concerning James Pearson. He was eager to do that. But her

mind was made up; she had sent her lover away, and it was best for both. She must forget him, if she could.

So, when her uncle would have spoken on that subject, she begged him not to; and he, respecting her feelings

But to forget, she found, was an impossibility. In the excitement of the journey and the arrival amid new

surroundings, she had managed to keep up a show of good spirits, but now alone once more, with the wind

singing mournfully about the gables and rattling the windows, she was sad and so lonely. She thought what

her life had once promised to be and what it had become. She did not regret the old life, that life she had

known before her father died; she had been happy in it while he lived, but miserable after his death. As for

happiness, she had been happy that summer, happy with her uncle and withhim. And with him now, even

though they would be poor, as she was used to reckoning poverty, she knew she could be very happy. She

wondered what he was doing then; if he was thinking of her. She ought to hope that he was not, because it

was useless; but she wished that he might be, nevertheless. Then she told herself that all this was wicked; she

had made up her mind; she must be true to the task she had set, duty to her brother and uncle.

Her uncle! why had her uncle done all this for her? And why had her father made him their guardian? These

were old questions, but now she asked them with a new significance. If that strange suspicion of hers was true

it would explain so much; it would explain almost everything. But it could not be true; if it was, why had he

not told her when the discovery of her father's dishonesty and of the note forfeiting the estate was made?

Why had he not told her then? That was what troubled her most. It did not seem like him to do such a

thingnot like his character at all. Therefore, it could not be true. Yet she must know. She resolved to

question Sylvester the next day, if possible. And, so resolving, she at last fell asleep.

Her opportunity came the following morning, the day before Thanksgiving. After breakfast Captain Elisha

went downtown to call on some acquaintances. He invited Caroline and the lawyer to accompany him, but

they refused, the latter because he judged his, a stranger's, presence during the calls would be something of a

hindrance to good fellowship and the discussion of town affairs which the captain was counting on, and

After the captain had gone, Sylvester sat down before the fire in the sitting room to read the Boston

Transcript. As he sat there, Caroline entered and closed the door behind her. Miss Abigail was in the kitchen,

The girl took the chair next that occupied by the lawyer. He put down his paper and turned to her.

"Well," he asked, "how does this Cape Cod air effect your appetite, Caroline? I'm ashamed of mine. I'm

rather glad tomorrow is Thanksgiving; on that day, I believe, it is permissible, even commendable, to eat

She smiled, but her answer was in the form of another question, and quite irrelevant.

"Mr. Sylvester," she said, "I wish you would tell me something about the value of a seat on the Stock

He hesitated, wondering why she should be interested in that subject. Captain Elisha had not told him a word

of the interview following Pearson's last visit. He wondered, and then surmised a reasonStephen, of

course. Steve's ambition was to be a broker, and his sister was, doubtless, with sisterly solicitude and

"Yes. I think the last sale was at a figure between ninety and one hundred thousand dollars."

The lawyer smiled no more. He turned in his chair and gazed quickly and keenly at the young lady beside

"I asked you how it happened that my uncle now has father's Stock Exchange seat in his possession."

"Yes. And I think you know he has, Mr. Sylvester. I know it, because he told me so himself. Didn't you know

This was a line shot from directly in front and a hard one to dodge. A lie was the only guard, and he was not

"II cannot answer these questions," he declared. "They involve professional secrets and"

"I don't see that this is a secret. My uncle has already told me. What I could not understand was how he

obtained the seat from the man to whom it was given as a part of father's debt. Do you know how he obtained

"Erwellerprobably an arrangement was made. I cannot go into details, becausewell, for obvious

"One moment more," she said, "and one more question. Mr. Sylvester, who IS this mysterious personthis

stockholder whom father defrauded, this person who wishes his name kept a secret, but who does such queer

"Caroline, I tell you I cannot answer these questions. He does wish to remain unknown, as I told you and

your brother when we first learned of him and his claim. If I were to tell you I should break my faith with

"Mr. Sylvester, perhaps you don't need to tell me. Perhaps I can guess. Isn't he my"

Sylvester was half way to the door, but she was in his path and looking him directly in the face. He hesitated.

"I thought so," she said. "You needn't answer, Mr. Sylvester; your face is answer enough. He is."

She turned away, and, walking slowly to the chair from which she had arisen, sank into it.

"He is," she repeated. "I knew it. I wonder that I didn't know it from the very first. How could I have been so

The lawyer, nervous, chagrined, and greatly troubled, remained standing by the door. He did not know

whether to go or stay. He took his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his forehead.

"It explains everything," she said. "He was father's brother; and father, in some way, took and used his

money. But father knew what sort of man he was, and so he asked him to be our guardian. Father thought he

would be kind to us, I suppose. And he has been kind he has. But why did he keep it a secret? Why did he .

. . I don't understand that. Of course the money was his; all we had was his, by right. But to say nothing . . .

Sylvester interrupted quickly. "Caroline! Caroline!" he said, "don't make any mistake. Don't misjudge your

uncle again. He is a good man; one of the best men I ever knew. Yes, and one of the wisest. Don't say or

She turned toward him once more, the distressed, puzzled look still on her face. "But I don't understand," she

cried. "He . . . Oh, Mr. Sylvester, please, now that I do knownow that you have told me so muchwon't

The lawyer shook his head, regarding her with an expression of annoyance and reluctant admiration.

"Now that I'VE told you!" he repeated. "I don't remember that I've told you anything."

"But you have. Not in words, perhaps, but you have told me. I know. Please go on and tell me all. If you

don't," with determination, "I shall make Uncle Elisha tell me as soon as he comes. I shall!"

Sylvester sighed. "Well, by George!" he repeated, feelingly. "I'll tell you one thing, young woman, you're

wasting your talents. You should be a member of the bar. Anyone who can lead a battle scarred veteran of

crossexamination like myself into a trap and then spring it on him, as you have done, is gifted by

"I ought not to say another word on the subject," he declared, emphatically. "What Captain Warren will say to

me when he finds this out is unpleasant to consider. But . . . But yet, I don't know. It may be better for you to

learn the real truth than to know a part and guess wrongly at the rest. I . . . What is it you want me to tell

"Everything. I want you to sit down here by me and tell me the whole story, from the beginning. Please."

He hesitated a moment longer and, then, his mind made up, returned to his chair, crossed his legs and began.

"Caroline, about twenty years ago, or such matter, your father was a comparatively poor manpoor, I mean,

compared to what he afterward became. But he was a clever man, an able business man, one who saw

opportunities and grasped them. At that time he obtained a grant in South America for"

"I know," she interrupted; "the Akrae Rubber Company was formed. You told Steve and me all about that.

"Wait. I did not tell you all about it. I said that another man invested ten thousand dollars with your father to

form that company. That man, so we now know, was your uncle, Captain Elisha Warren."

"It was. The captain was older than your father, had lived carefully, and had saved some money. Also, at that

time, he idolized his brother and believed in his shrewdness and capability. He invested this ten thousand on

Rodgers Warren's word that the investment was likely to be a good one. That, and to help the latter in

business. For a few years the company did nothing; during that time your father and uncle

disagreedconcerning another matter, quite unconnected with this oneand they did not see each other

again while Rodgers lived. In that long period the Akrae Company made millions. But Elisha supposed it to

be bankrupt and worthless; becausewell, to be frank, because his brother wrote him to that effect."

He paused, fearful of the effect which this announcement might have upon the girl. But she had guessed this

part of her father's dishonor and was prepared for it. She made no comment, and he continued.

"Now we come to the will. Your father, Caroline, was not a bad man at heart. I knew him well, and I believe

that may be said truthfully. He realized what he had done, how he had defrauded the brother who had been so

kind to him, and he meant, he kept promising himself, to some day repay the money he had taken. To insure

that, he put that note with the other papers of the Company. If he did repay, it could be destroyed. If he did

not, if he should die, it would be there to provewhat it did prove. But always in his mind was the thought

of you and Steve, the children he loved. He had quarreled with his brother it is true; he had cheated him, but

restitution for that cheat he had provided. But what would become of you, leftin case he died without

making restitutionpenniless? He knew his brother, as I said; knew his character, respected his honesty, and

believed in his conscientiousness and his big heart. So he made his will, and in it, as you know, he appointed

Elisha your guardian. He threw his children and their future upon the mercy and generosity of the brother he

"No. Graves had, with his usual care and patience, pieced together the evidence and investigated until we

were sure that a stockholder in the Akrae Company existed and that all of your father's estate belonged to

him. Who that stockholder was we did not know until that day of the meeting at our office. Then Captain

"Not until then. He supposed his Akrae stock worthless, and had practically forgotten it. When we told him of

"Say? Caroline, he was the most distressed and consciencestricken man in the city. One would have thought

he was the wrongdoer and not the wronged. He would have gone straight to you and asked your pardon, if we

"But, Mr. Sylvester, now we are coming to the part I cannot understand. Of course the estate belonged to him,

I know that. It is his. But why didn't he tell Steve and me the truth then, at once? Why did he let us believe,

and employ you to lead us to believe, that it was not he but someone else? Did he think we would blame him?

"Caroline! Caroline! don't you understand yet? Do you imagine for one moment that your uncle intends

"Caroline, I'm afraid you don't know him, even yet. He was for going to you at once and destroying the note

in your presence. He would have done it, but we persuaded him to wait and think it over for a day or two. He

"For my sake? For mine?" she passed her hand in a bewildered way across her forehead. "Mr. Sylvester, I

"For your sake, Caroline. Remember, at that time you were engaged to Malcolm Dunn."

Her intent gaze wavered. She drew a long breath. "I see," she said, slowly. "Oh . . . I see."

"Yes. Captain Warren is one of the best judges of character I ever met. The Dunns did not deceive him for

one moment. He was certain Malcolm intended marrying you because of your money; for that matter, so was

I. But his was the plan entirely which showed them to you as they were. He knew you were too honest and

straightforward to believe such things of the man to whom you were engaged if they were told you; you must

"But then," she begged, distractedly, "why couldn't he tell me after that? II am so stupid, I supposebut,

"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 deceived, that was all. But,

too, he has always declared that you had been, as he expressed it, 'brought up wrong.' Your money had, in a

way, warped your estimate of people and things. He believed that, if you were given the opportunity, you

would learn that wealth does not, of itself, mean happiness. So he decided not to tell you, not to give you

back your share of your father's money he refuses to consider it hisuntil another year, until you were of

age, at least. And there was Steve. You know, Caroline, that money and what it brought was spoiling Steve.

He has never been so much a man as during the past year, when he thought himself poor. But your uncle has

"Please," she interrupted, falteringly; "please don't say any more. Let me think. Oh, please 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 merely your guardian still and will accept only his expenses from the estate."

"It is wonderful!" she repeated, brokenly. "Even though we cannot take it, it is wonderful."

"Of course not! Do you suppose that either my brother or I will take the fortune that our father stoleyes,

STOLE from him? After he has been living almost in poverty all these years and we in luxuryon HIS

"But, Caroline, I imagine you will have to take it. I understand your feelings, but I think he will compel you

"What's that you're never goin' to take, Caroline? Measles? or another trip down in these parts? I hope 'tain't

Caroline turned. So did Sylvester. Captain Elisha was standing in the doorway, his hand on the knob. He was

"What's all this?" he asked, suspiciously. "Caroline, what Sylvester, what have you been tellin' her?"

"What's up?" he repeated. "Humph! well, I should say the jig was up. The murder's out. The cat is no longer

"Sylvester!" Caroline had never seen her uncle thoroughly angry before; "Sylvester," he cried, "have

youHave you dast to tell her what you shouldn't? Didn't you promise me? If you told that girl, I'llI'll"

His niece stepped forward. "Hush, Uncle Elisha," she said. "He didn't tell me until I knew already. I guessed

"Yes, Uncle, the whole truth. I know you now. I thought I knew you before; but I didn'tnot half. I do now."

"Oh, Caroline!" he stepped toward her and then stopped, frantic and despairing. "Caroline! Caroline!" he

cried again, "can you ever forgive me? You knowyou must know I ain't ever meant to keep it. It's all

yours. I just didn't give it to you right off because . . . because . . . Oh, Sylvester, tell her I never meant to

The lawyer shook his head. "I did tell her," he said, with another shrug, "and she tells me she won't accept it."

"What?" the captain's eyes were starting from his head. "What? Won't take it? Why, it's hershers and

Steve's! It always has been! Do you cal'late I'd rob my own brother's children? DON'T talk so foolish! I won't

"It isn't ours," she said. "It is yours. Our father kept it from you all these years. Do you suppose we will keep

Captain Elisha looked at her determined face; then at the lawyer's but he found no help there. His chin

"All right! all right!" he said, grimly. "Sylvester, is your shop goin' to be open tomorrer?"

"All right, then! Caroline Warren, you listen to me: I'll give you till two o'clock to make up your mind to take

the money that belongs to you. If you don't, I swear to the Lord A'mighty I'll take the fust train, go straight to

New York, hunt up Graves, make him go down to the office and get that note your father made out turnin' all

his property over to that Akrae Company. I'll get that note and I'll burn it up. ThenTHEN you'll have to

take the money, because it'll be yours. Every bit of evidence that'll hold in law is gone, and nobody but you

and Steve'll have the shadow of a claim. I'll do it, so sure as I live! There! now you can make up your mind."

He turned, strode to the door and out of the room. A moment later they heard a scream from Miss Baker in

the kitchen: "'Lisha Warren, what ails you? Are you crazy?" There was no answer, but the back door closed

Half an hour after his dramatic exit Captain Elisha was pacing up and down the floor of the barn. It was an

old refuge of his, a place where he was accustomed to go when matters requiring deliberation and thought

oppressed him. He was alone. Dan had taken the horse to the blacksmith's to be shod.

The captain strode across the floor, turned and strode back again. Every few moments he looked at his watch.

It was a long way to two o'clock, but each additional moment was another weight piled upon his soul. As he

turned in his stride he saw a shadow move across the sill of the big, open door. He caught his breath and

Caroline entered the barn. She came straight to him and put her hands upon the lapels of his coat. Her eyes

"Caroline!" his voice shook, but there was hope in it. "Caroline, you're goin' to take the money?"

"Yes, Uncle Elisha. Mr. Sylvester has shown me that I must. He says you will do something desperate if I

"Glory be! Andand, Caroline, you won't hold it against me, my makin' you think you was poor, and makin'

you live in that little place, and get along on just so much, and all that? Can you forgive me for doin' that?"

"Forgive you? Can I ever thank you enough? I know I can't; but I can try all my life to prove what"

"Sshh! ssh! . . . There!" with a great sigh, almost a sob, of relief, "I guess this'll be a real Thanksgivin',

But, a few minutes later, another thought came to him. "Caroline," he asked, "I wonder if, now that things are

as they are, you couldn't do somethin' elsesomethin' that would please me an awful lot?"

"It's somethin' perhaps I ain't got any right to ask. You mustn't say yes if you don't want to. The other day you

told me you cared for Jim Pearson, but that you sent him away 'cause you thought you had to earn a livin' for

you and Steve. Now you know that you ain't got to do that. And you said you told him if you ever changed

your mind you'd send for him. Don't you s'pose you could send for him nowright offso he could get here

He looked down into her face, and she looked down at the barn floor. But he saw the color creep up over her

"Yes, he could. If you send him a telegram with one word in it: 'Come'and sign it 'Caroline'he'll be here

on tomorrow mornin's train, or I'll eat my hat and one of Abbie's bonnets hove in. Think you could,

"Hooray! Butbut," anxiously, "hold on, Caroline. Tell me truly now. You ain't doin' this just to please me?

You mustn't do that, not for the world and all. You mustn't send for him on my account. Only just for one

He waited for his answer. Then she looked up, blushing still, but with a smile trembling on her lips.

The clouds blew away that night, and Thanksgiving day dawned clear and cold. The gray sea was now blue;

the white paint of the houses and fences glistened in the sun; the groves of pitchpine were brilliant green

blotches spread like rugs here and there on the brown hills. South Denboro had thrown off its gloomy raiment

The captain and Sylvester were leaning on the fence by the gate, looking up the road and waiting for Dan and

the "twoseater" to heave in sight around the bend. The hired man had harnessed early and driven to the

station at least thirty minutes before train time. Captain Elisha was responsible for the early start. Steve was

coming on that train; possibly someone else was coming. The captain did not mean they should find no

The whistle had sounded ten minutes before. It was time for Dan to appear at the bend.

"I hope to thunder Jim got that telegram," observed the captain for the twentieth time, at least, since

"No, no sensible one; but I've scared up no less than a couple of hundred of the other kind. If he shouldn't

"You wouldn't feel any disappointment yourself, of course," said the lawyer, with sarcasm.

"Who? Me? Oh, I'd be sorer'n a scalded wharf rat in a barrel of pepper. But I don't count. There's the real one

He motioned with his head toward the window of Caroline's room. Sylvester nodded. "Yes," he said, "I

suppose so. Captain, I'm somewhat surprised that you should be willing to trust that niece of yours to another

They turned in time to catch a glimpse of the girl as she parted the curtains and looked out on the road. She

saw them looking at her, smiled, blushed, and disappeared. Both men smoked in silence for a moment. Then

"Yup. Well, for a pair of old single hulks our age, strikes me we're gettin' pretty sentimental. You say you

wonder I'd trust Caroline to another man; I wouldn't to the average one. But Jim Pearson's all right. You'll say

"I'll trust your judgment, any time. So you won't tell Steve yet awhile that he's not broke?"

"No. And Caroline won't tell him, either. Steve's doin' fustrate as he is. He's in the pickle tub and 'twill do

him good to season a spell longer. But I think he's goin' to be all right by and by. Say, Sylvester, this New

"Decidedly good. It was the making of your niece and nephew. Caroline realizes it now; and so will Steve

"Hope so. It didn't do ME any harm," with a chuckle. "I wouldn't have missed that little beat up the bay with

Marm Dunn for a good deal. For a spell there we was bows abreast, and 'twas hard to tell who'd turn the mark

"No. Why, yes, I did hear that they were in a tighter box than ever, financially. The smash will come pretty

"I'm sorry. The old lady'll go down with colors nailed to the mast, I'll bet; and she'll leave a lot of suds where

she sank. Do you know, I never blamed her so much. She was built that way. She's consider'ble like old Mrs.

Patience Blodgett, who used to live up here to the Neck; like heronly there never was two people more

different. Pashy was the craziest blueribboner you ever saw. Her one idea in life was gettin' folks to sign the

pledge. She married Tim Blodgett, who was the wust soak in the countyhe'd have figgered out, if you

analyzed him, about like a bottle of patent medicine, seventytwo per cent alcohol. Well, Pashy married him

to reform him, and she made her brags that she'd get him to sign the pledge. And she did, but only by puttin'

The lawyer laughed heartily. "So you think Mrs. Corcoran Dunn resembles her, do you," he observed.

"In one wayyes. Both of 'em sacrifice everything else to one idea. Pashy's was gettin' that pledge signed,

and never mind ways and means. Mrs. Dunn's is money and positionnever mind how they come. See what

Sylvester laughed again. "I guess so," he said. "Captain Warren, I never saw you in better spirits. Do you

know what I think? I think that, for a chap who has just given away half of a goodsized fortune and intends

The captain laughed, too. "I am, ain't I," he said. "Well, I can say truthful what I never expected to say in my

lifethat ONCE I was wuth ha'f a million dollars. As for the rest of it, I'm like that millionairethat . . . Hi!

They peered eagerly over the fence. The Warren "twoseater" had rounded the bend in the road. Dan was

"Steve!" cried the captain, excitedly. "There's Steve! Andand yes, there's somebody on the back seat.

"Wait," he cried. "I don't want to lose the rest of that sentence. You said you were like some millionaire.

"Don't bother me," cried Captain Elisha. "Who? Why, I was goin' to say I was like that millionaire chap who

passes out a library every time he wakes up and happens to think of it. You know who I mean. . . . Ahoy

"That's the feller. I've come to feel about the way he says he doesthat 'twould be a crime for me to die