Cap'n Warren's Wards

were seated at the breakfast table next m

ng 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

tter 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

n't like to go," she said. "I am going, a

the statuesque Edwards to bend forward in anticipation of a smash. The captain started to speak,

of her characteristics, and to her guardian her great charm, she looked him full in the face and added, "but I

sha drew a

you than anybody else on earth. But I was cal'latin' to hunt up some little round-the-corner chapel, o

lways been connected with it. Stephen and I were christened

n 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 s

d 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 craf

oquy, straightened at the sound of his nickname, and asked hastily, "Yes, sir? What wi

aid, "will yo

e-if you won't be too

rvice begins at a quarter to eleven.

nd 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

hen his niece knocked at his door she bore

o church with her. I told her I had invited you

owly, "it ain't so much a question of my mindin' h

he should b

believe she'd manage to live down her disappointment if I didn't tag on? You mustn't

t have invited you. If you don't wish Mrs. D

e you do that for the world! Al

before the mirror, and walked fearfully forth to meet the visitor. For him, th

d and furred and hatted in a manner which caused the captain to make hasty mental estimate as to c

Captain Warren," she gushed. "It is

the morning was "fust-rate." He was relieved from the embarrassment of further conver

asked, brightly. "Then

dear," said Mrs. Dunn, "but we can

e library clock. The tim

involuntarily. "Why, I

he had spoken aloud. His niece divi

now," she said, "but n

again until they were at the door of the churc

d stone arch of the entrance; "I was just reorganizin' my ideas, that's all. I've always sor

e wrote his housekeeper afterwards that he estimated that aisle to be "upwards of

hes 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 poin

ir boys came up the aisle, and Mrs. Dunn explained in a condescending whisper what they were, his answer surpri

ering was taken and a certain dignified magnate, whose fame as a

he unmistakable features so often pictured and cartooned in the dail

red his niece. "He is on

' the plate! Well," with a grim smile, "whoever picked him out for th

utward solemnity, but with a twinkle in his eye. After the benediction, when

e! And he knew his congregation. You might not guess they was meek pe

yed the novel experience, in a way, but now he felt rather like one let out o

nticipation at a blow. She insisted

e declared. "It will be delight

awful kind of you, but I wouldn't feel right to go puttin' you to all that

ore his ref

roline must come with me. I to

Caroline can

e matter of the Moriarty family, she was in a repentant mood, a

she said, "I shall n

s. Dunn, with decision. "I'm sure he will not be so

itted that his letter might be written later in the afternoon, ac

s 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

s a butler whose majestic dignity and importanc

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 heav

, 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, ou

ercy that people in their station do not feel grief and loss as we do. Providence, in its wisdom, has

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

arcasm in this observation. She frowned slightly. Mrs. C

"when it comes to philosophy y

r see." Then, with an involuntary chuckle of admiration at the young gentleman

of purpose and following the direction of his look, saw Mrs. Dunn shake her head in sha

rawing-room, "we must all go for a motor ride. Everyone rides

ain Elisha's face. His niece saw it,

e excused," she said, smiling. "He h

ssible. "Not really? Admiral, I'm

tain Elisha, irritation getting the better of h

all righ

them," finished the captain, with surprising pr

take you for a spin, Caroline, and Captain Warren and I will stay here and wait until you return. We'll hav

agreed to this proposition. He did not answer imm

and Mrs. Dunn and I'll wait here till you come back. That's the way of the wor

. Malcolm telephoned to the garage and to Edwards at the Warren apartment, ordering the butler to deliver his mistress'

ispered a reassuring wor

me. If he-if our encumbrance bores me too much I shall-well, I shall plead a head

"he is a good man. I understand him better

Well, good-by,

t was out of sight. Her brows were drawn together, and she seemed puzzled and just a bit disconcerted. However, when

ed him to be seated. He thanked her, but looked dubiousl

is much less formal. And there is a fire-for u

f gilt in the bindings and much carving on the cases. The fire was cheery, and the pair

Dunn leaned forward expectantly. The cap

e lady. "You wer

I didn't sa

mpatiently. She wished him to begin the conversation, and he

ew York rather differ

Denboro? Y

ike the c

don't kno

u do that of the c

, I ain't had

what one is accustomed to. Now I fancy I sh

tain Elisha's mou

be surprised,

ely lonel

at you meant. Still, folks c

and the crowds and the glorious excitement. The feeling

f you've been leanin' over the rail, lookin' on, and get pushed in u

y there? Why

he wheels, gettin' out

uly curious concerning your family affairs-as I understand it, you were not obliged to remain amo

t, you see, ma'am, I had a fe

e exclaimed; "you felt it your duty, I

ly 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

tible. Unfortunately the captain did not appear to have heard it. Leaning forward, his hands clasped b

l visitations. Still a feller ought not to growl about it in public. I always did hate for a man

vidently her questions, and their diplomatic prelude, had been unheard

e," she agreed. "Not that you do-far from it.

n duty, same as it has on rheumatics. I s'pose you city folks"-and there was almost contempt in

interruption, and th

ted. "We city dwellers

fact? I wan

," tartly. "I have my d

ess just so, and live just so, and do just such

else are t

nsidered herself so immensely superior, was too much. She forgot the careful plan of campaign which she had intended to follow in

es. Having been born-or risen to-a certain circle, we recognize the responsibilities attached to it. We

ttle better, if

th crushing irony-"dress in So

ks at your meetin'-house this morning, our congregation would look like a flock of blackbirds alongsid

ly. "There! you see? And you liv

, we don't set as much

we should lapse, if we should become shabby and behind the fashion or live in that wa

u'd know better yourselves

t might be considered an eccentricity. Independ

u can't afford

much depends upon a proper appearance. Everything depends

of 'em, are likely to go wrong. You talk about the children in your-in what you call your 'circle.' How ca

e been properly reared and understand the

s 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 w

care. And even then it is not advisable. All their customs and habits of thought are different. No! Emphatica

ircle-this grand whirlamagig you're tellin' me about-if she's pretendin' up to the limit of her income or over, then it's her duty, and her ma and p

ion. "I have not lived in South Denboro, and perhaps my understanding of English is defective. But marriages among cultivated peo

d so much about in novels?-L

l, 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 h

sha straightened in his chair. "Why, yes, ma'am," he drawl

wn almost too red for one attached to a member of polite societ

"I don't see what led us into this silly discussion. Malcolm and your ni

ly. Captain Elisha stil

"Pity they're such dangerous playthings. Yet I s'pose they're one

condemn automobiles, Captain Warren?

was thinkin' of tha

," she turned and looked directly at him, "when

nodded. "Y

, in the circle of which you and I have been speaking-consider the matter

told her. "Yes, ma'am. That's the way any decent person would feel-an

to look him over, much as if she were taking a ment

our little argument and-er-slight disagreement concer

stand some of how you feel. Maybe if I was anchored here on Fifth Avenue, same as you are, instead of bein' blown in by

and quite diabolical talent for making my un-friends uncomfortable, and declares he would compromise rather than fight me at any time. Of course

nodded emphatically. "T

hen-Caroline having gone to her own room to remove her wraps-he an

ft a note here for you this afternoon. The elevator ma

whatever to do with the note. He

e said, "I've

dy, sir? I didn't k

he answer to the con

I-I don't know

ut Mother's the whole team and the dog under the wagon. And, Commodore, we've

etire to the kitchen, where he informed the cook that t

think he's a trotting