a practical way, and we're practical people. Sentiment--and
pride--and 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--"

"Steve, what are you talking about?"

"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, then--Confound 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 been doing?"

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 only one who thinks.... Look
here! We've got a guardian, haven't we?"

"A guardian! a _guardian_! Stephen Warren, have you been to him? Have
you--Was _that_ where you were last night?"

"Well, I--"

"Answer me!"

"What if I have? Whom else am I to go to? Isn't he--"

"But why did you go to him? What did you say?"

"I said--I said--Never mind what I said. He agrees with me, I can tell
you that. You'll thank your stars I did go, before very long. I....
S-sh! Here's Sylvester."

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 matter?"

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? What is it?"

"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 expec