iters who are doing just that thing and getting rich at it. I suppose
they've squared their consciences somehow and are willing to write lies
and misleading articles for what there is in it. I can't, that's all;
I'm not built that way, and I told him so.

"It ended in an open break. He reminded me of the favors he had done me.
He had treated me almost like a son, had introduced me to his family,
entertaining me at his table. Where was my gratitude? That was another
bad break on his part, for it made me mad. I told him I had not asked to
be adopted or fed by him; if I had supposed his kindness had an ulterior
motive, I would have seen him at the devil before I accepted a favor. My
career as a financial visitor was ended. Get out of his office! I got.
But the Trolley Combine did not go through. The _Planet_ and the other
papers kept up the fight and--and the widows and orphans are bankrupt, I
presume."

Captain Elisha's pipe had gone out long since. He absently rubbed the
warm bowl between his palms.

"Humph!" he muttered. "So 'Bije was deep in that business, was he?"

"He was. Very deep indeed, I found out afterwards. And, I declare, I
almost pitied him at the time. He acted as if his whole fortune was
staked on the gamble. His hands shook, and the perspiration stood on his
forehead as he talked. I felt as if I had been the means of ruining
him. But of course, I hadn't. He lived for some time after that, and, I
understand, died a rich man."

"Yes. He left what I'd call a heap of money. My nephew and niece don't
seem to think so, but I do."

"So you see, Captain, why I stopped calling on the Warrens, and why I
did not accept Miss Warren's invitation."

"I see.... I see.... And yet I don't know. 'Bije may have took to you
for business reasons, but the children didn't. They liked you for
yourself. Caroline as much as said so. And their father never told 'em a
word about the row, neither. Of course you couldn't have called when he
was alive, but he's gone, and I'm--well, I'm sort of temporary skipper
there now. And _I_ want you to come."

"But if Miss Warren did know? She should know, I think."

"I ain't sure that she should. I guess there's consider'ble in her pa's
life she ain't acquainted with. And she's as straight and honest and
upright as a schooner's fo'mast. You did nothin' to be 'shamed of. It's
the other way 'round, 'cordin' to my notion. But leave her out of
it now. I've sacrificed some few things to tak