"I should have given you
this last evening. It was by your place at the table. I think Captain
Warren put it there, miss."
Caroline took the parcel and looked at it wonderingly.
"For me?" she repeated.
"Yes, Miss Caroline. It is marked with your name. And breakfast is
served, when you and Mr. Stephen are ready."
He bowed and retired. The girl sat turning the little white box in her
hands.
"HE left it for me," she said. "What can it be?"
Her brother snatched it impatiently.
"Why don't you open it and find out?" he demanded. "Perhaps it's his
latch key. Here! I'll do it myself."
He cut the cord and removed the cover of the little box. Inside was the
jeweler's leather case. He took it out and pressed the spring. The cover
flew up.
"Whew!" he whistled. "It's a present. And rather a decent one, too, by
gad! Look, Caro!"
He handed her the open case. She looked at the chain, spread carefully
on the white satin lining. Inside the cover was fitted a card. She
turned it over and read: "To my niece, Caroline. With wishes for many
happy returns, and much love, from her Uncle Elisha Warren."
She sat gazing at the card. Stephen bent down, read the inscription, and
then looked up into her face.
"WHAT?" he cried. "I believe--You're not CRYING! Well, I'll be hanged!
Sis, you ARE a fool!"
The weather that morning was fine and clear.
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