r 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? Who invited him? Did we? I guess
not!"

"But he is father's brother, and father asked him to come."

"No, he didn't. He asked him--heaven knows why--to 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 do--freeze him out.
Why, Caro! be sensible. Think what his staying here means. Can we take
him about with us? Can our friends meet _him_ as--as our uncle? He's got
to be made to go. Hasn't he now? Hasn't he?"

The girl was silent for a moment. Then she covered her face with her
hands. "Oh, yes!" she sobbed. "Oh, yes, he must! he _Must_! _Why_ did
father do it?"

CHAPTER V

The Warren breakfast hour was nine o'clock. At a quarter to nine
Caroline, entering the library, found Stephen seated by the fire reading
the morning paper.

"Good morning," she said. Then, looking about the room, asked, "Has--has
_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 relatives lie, that's my motto."

He laughed at his own joke and turned the page of the paper. The butler
entered.

"Breakfast is served, Miss Caroline," he announced.

"Has Captain Warren come from his room?" asked the young lady.

"No, Miss Caroline. That is, I haven't seen him."

Stephen tossed the paper on the floor and rose.

"I wonder--" he began. Then, with a broad grin, "A sudden thought
strikes me, Sis. He has undoubtedly blown out the gas."

"Steve! How can you!"

"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.
Heavens! you don't care for another experience like last night's, do
you?"

"Edwards," said Caroline, "you may knock at Captain Warren's door and
tell him breakfast is served