e slowly read the contents.

"Ain't breaking in on an experience meeting, be I?" he asked.

"Oh! Uncle Josiah! Tell Father it isn't true!" entreated the girl.

"I'd say 'twas purty likely, according to all the signs." He chuckled.

"Please don't laugh. I can't stand it. Tell Father about----"

"There now, Beth, you and the parson set sail for a little cruise down
the beach. I've something private to say to your dad."

"What you have to say to me, sir, will be said in the presence of my
daughter," replied the Elder, making a pathetic attempt at stiffness.

"You're mistook on that p'int, Jim. I'm skipper aboard here, and them's
orders."

The Elder's hands shook uncontrollably as he gripped the head of his
walking-stick.

"You're all wasting good time," observed the seaman. "You'd best heave
to, and obey orders. Mutiny won't be allowed."

"I intend to remain right here till this mystery concerning me is
cleared up," declared the minister.

"Mystery about you?" exclaimed the Captain. "Why, Mack, there ain't
nothing like that about you. You're as clear as an open sky. What I've
got to say is just 'twixt Jim and me. You couldn't get in on it to save
your soul. Now, you and Beth clear out."

"Josiah Pott, I recognize no right that permits you to intrude into my
family affairs. If what you have to say is concerning the mortgage you
had better speak at once. There is nothing about that which is
confidential."

"That's according to the way you look at it. I'd a heap sight rather say
it in private, Jim. It may prove embarrassing----"

"Then, good night. Come, Beth."

"There ain't no use of you going off mad, Jim. I only wanted a word with
you about something that does consarn us both a mite. You ain't got no
objection to that, have you?"

The show of apparent humility on the part of the Captain made it
possible for the Elder to remain, providing the conference should be
made brief.

"You ain't no more anxious to get it over than I be. We'll step right in
here in Mack's cabin, if you don't mind."

The Elder balked. "I prefer witnesses," he said. "Otherwise, you may
come to my home to-morrow evening. I did not seek this unpleasant
interview, and since I leave it to my lawyers to carry on my business
affairs, I do not intend to hound my debtors personally."

"You ain't been hounding me personally, Jim, but there's some things
that you can't leave even to crooked lawyers. You'd best handle this
personally. If t