ies. She was one of them fashionable women, and a hayseed
salt-herrin' of a bachelor brother-in-law stuck down here in the
sandheaps didn't interest her much--except as somethin' to forget, I
s'pose. I used to see her name in the Boston papers occasionally, givin'
parties at Newport and one thing a'nother. I never envied 'em that kind
of life. I'm as well fixed as I want to be. Got some money put by for
a rainy spell, comf'table house and land, best town on earth to live in
and work for; I'm satisfied and always have been. I wouldn't change for
nothin'. But I'm nine year older than 'Bije was--and yet I'm left alive.
Hum!"

"Your brother had two children by his marriage," said Graves, after a
moment of silence.

"Hey? Two children? Why, yes, I remember he did. Boy and girl, wa'n't
they? I never saw em. They've growed up by this time, of course."

"Yes, the eldest, Caroline, is nearly twenty. The boy, Stephen, is a
year younger. It is concerning those children, Captain Warren, that I
have come to you."

Captain Elisha turned in his chair. "Hey?" he queried. "The children?
You've come to me about 'Bije's children?"

Graves nodded. "Yes," he answered, solemnly. "That is what I meant by
saying your brother had not forgotten you or wished to forget you. In
spite of the estrangement, it is evident that his confidence in your
judgment and integrity was supreme. His children were his idols, Captain
Warren, and he has left them in your charge."

The captain's pipe fell to the hearth.

"_What_?" he shouted. "Left his children to--to _me_! Mr. Graves,
you're--you're out of your head--or I am!"

"No, I'm perfectly sane. I have a copy of the will here, and--"

He was interrupted by Miss Baker, who appeared at the door of the dining
room. "Did you want me, 'Lisha?" she asked.

Her employer stared at her in a dazed, uncomprehending way.

"Want you?" he repeated. "Want you?"

"Yes; I heard you holler, and I thought p'raps you was callin' me."

"Hey? No, I don't want you, Abbie.... Holler! I shouldn't wonder! If
all I did was holler, I'm surprised at myself. No, no! Run along out and
shut the door. Yes, shut it.... Now, Mr. Graves, say that over again and
say it slow."

"I say that your brother has left his two children in your care until
the youngest shall become of age--twenty-one. I have a copy of his will
here, and--"

"Wait, wait! let me think. Left his children to me!... to _me_. Mr.
Graves, had 'Bije lost all hi