ted 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 you bring me here to meet--him?"

"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 be worn out, poor girl."

"I don't wish to sit. I want to know what my brother called to see you
about."

"Well, there was some matters he wanted to talk over."

"What were they? Concerning the estate?"

"Partly that."

"Partly? What else? Captain Warren, my brother has hinted--he has
said--What does he mean by holding someone to a promise? Answer me
truthfully."

"I shouldn't answer you any other way, Caroline. Steve seems to be
worried about--now you mustn't mind my speakin' plain, Caroline; the
time's come when I've got to--Steve 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 after--if he was straight, he would have come,
wouldn't he? Mind, I don't say he isn't--perhaps he doesn't know. But,
at any rate, something must be done. We had to face possibilities, and
you wouldn't listen to me. I tried--"

"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; because they exposed you and--"

"There, there! Caroline, you needn't go on. I've heard your opinion
of my charact