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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/5629.txt b/5629.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bb08ad3 --- /dev/null +++ b/5629.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6466 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dorothy Dale, by Margaret Penrose + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Dorothy Dale + +Author: Margaret Penrose + +Posting Date: September 1, 2012 [EBook #5629] +Release Date: May, 2004 +First Posted: July 25, 2002 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOROTHY DALE *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + + + + +DOROTHY DALE A GIRL OF TO-DAY + +BY MARGARET PENROSE AUTHOR OF "DOROTHY DALE AT GLENWOOD SCHOOL," ETC + +ILLUSTRATED + + +THE DOROTHY DALE SERIES BY MARGARET PENROSE + +DOROTHY DALE: A GIRL OF TO-DAY DOROTHY DALE AT GLENWOOD SCHOOL (Other +volumes in preparation) + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER I. DOROTHY II. DOROTHY AT THE OFFICE III. A STRANGE +ADVENTURE IV. A CLEW V. MILES BURLOCK VI. AT THE SWING VII. +WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ORCHARD VIII. SQUIRE SANDERS AT SCHOOL IX. THE +AFTERMATH X. APPLE BLOSSOM MAGIC XI. A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER XII. +AN UNPROVOKED ATTACK XIII. A QUEER PICNIC XIV. THE SECRET XV. +DOROTHY IN POLITICS XVI. THE GIRLS HAVE IT XVII. A GIRL'S WEAPON +XVIII. DOROTHY IN DANGER XIX. A SURPRISE TRIP XX. AN EVENTFUL +JOURNEY XXI. AT AUNT WINNIE'S XXII. THE PRICE OF TAVIA'S TRESSES +XXIII. IN SOCIAL ELEMENTS XXIV. THE PAINTED FACE XXV. AN EMERGENCY +CASE XXVI. DOROTHY'S COURAGE XXVII. THE LITTLE CAPTAIN--CONCLUSION + + + + +CHAPTER I + +DOROTHY + + +The day of days had come at last: Dorothy would be the Daughter of the +Regiment. + +"Lucky you don't have to curl your hair, Doro, for the fog is like +rain, and that's the worst kind for made curls," said Tavia. + +"Oh, I do hope it is not going to rain!" + +"No, it surely won't. But come, don't let's be late." + +"There's heaps of time, Tavia. Oh, just see Briggs' new flag! Isn't it +glorious?" cried Dorothy Dale. + +"Not half as glorious as your old Betsy Ross. I'd be too proud to march +if I had a real, truly Betsy. I think, anyway, it's prettier with the +star of stars than with the regular daisy field of them," and Tavia +tied her scarf just once more, that being the fourth time she had +smoothed it out and knotted it over. + +"I think red, white and blue look lovely over a white dress," commented +Dorothy. "Your scarf is perfect." + +"But you are like a live Columbia," insisted Tavia. "No one could look +as pretty as you," and her companion fairly beamed with admiration. + +"Come now, gather up the stuffs. Button your cloak all the way down, +for we don't want folks to see how we're dressed," and Dorothy made +sure that her own water-proof covered her skirts to the very edge. + +It was Decoration Day, and the girls were to take part in the Veterans' +procession. + +Dorothy was the only daughter of Major Frank Dale, one of the prominent +veterans of Dalton, a small town in New York state. Dorothy was in her +fourteenth year, but since her mother was dead, and she was the eldest +of the small family (the other members being Joe, age ten, and Roger +just seven), she seemed older, and was really very sensible for her +years. + +The major always called her his Little Captain, and she showed such a +practical interest in his business, that of running the only newspaper +in Dalton, The Bugle, that few, if any boys could have made better +partners in the work. + +At housekeeping Dorothy was relieved of the real drudgery by Mrs. +Martin, who had been with the major's children since the day when baby +Roger was taken from his mother's side; and while the housekeeper was +the soul of love for the motherless ones, it was Dorothy who felt +responsible for the real management of the home, for Aunt Libby, as the +children called Mrs. Martin, was fast growing old, and faster growing +queer, in spite of a really good-natured disposition. + +"It seems to me, Dorothy," the old lady would say, "Libby can't suit +you any more. And Joe, too--he's mighty fussy about his victuals. Only +my baby Roger loves the old woman!" and she would press the younger boy +to her breast with a world of love in the caress. + +Not far from Dorothy lived Octavia Travers, or Tavia as all the girls +in Dalton called her, She had the reputation of being wild; that is she +cared little for school, and less for study, but she loved her brother +Johnnie and she loved Dorothy. She also had some love left for the +woods; but like many another child of nature, she was misunderstood, +and she was considered an idler by every one but her own father and +Dorothy. + +"Tavia is a rough diamond," Dorothy would tell the major, "and you need +not be afraid of Aunt Libby's dreadful ideas about her. She's as good +as gold. Lots of girls, who turn up their noses at her, might learn +charity from the Tiger Lily, as they call her, just because she has a +few freckles around her eyes. I think they make her eyes prettier, they +are so brown--her eyes you know. And Daddy, no other girl in Dalton +loves soldiers, dead or alive, as truly as Tavia does." + +This last argument never failed to convince Major Dale, for a patriotic +girl could no more go astray than could a star fall from the flag, he +declared; so the Little Captain might go with Tavia if she desired. + +So it was that Dorothy and Tavia were companions on Decoration Day. For +weeks they had been getting ready--Tavia picking out the patches of +daisies that would surely be in bloom in time, and Dorothy making +certain that Mrs. Travers would not disappoint Tavia with her white +things, as well as keeping track of Aunt Libby, who had Dorothy's own +costume in hand. The dress was too short and had to be let down a whole +inch, and of course, it could not be done up until after the +alterations were finished. + +There was always a big time in Dalton on Memorial Day, but this year it +was to be made more memorable than ever before. The Grand Army of the +Republic men were to come in from Rochester, the firemen were to turn +out, and the school children were to have a place in the ranks, with +Dorothy Dale as their leader. Besides this, the Dalton Drum and Fife +Corps would make their first public appearance on this occasion, and a +real review was to be given the procession, in the little square +opposite the school, not very far from the cemetery where the soldiers' +graves would be decorated. + +No wonder, then, that Dorothy and Tavia were anxious about their +appearance. Every school girl was expected to wear white, of course, +and the bunting stripes of red, white and blue were bought in +Rochester, by the school teacher, Miss Ellis, and sold to the children +at actual cost--ten cents for each scarf. + +One thing was certain, no other girls would have such flowers as +Dorothy and Tavia had. Such syringias and such daisies! And the ferns +that Tavia had growing back of the well for weeks! + +Tavia had taken charge of the flowers for Dorothy, had made the big +bouquet and had covered it with wet paper so it would keep fresh. The +Little Captain had made certain that her companion would not be +disappointed about her white dress, and although Tavia had to stay from +school to wash it the day before, Dorothy went over to help her with +the ironing, for Mrs. Travers managed somehow, to have an excuse for +her failure in getting her daughter ready--she was that kind of +helpless, shiftless person, who rarely had things ready for her +children, especially in the matter of Tavia's clothes. + +"Your dress looks real pretty," declared Dorothy, as the girls hurried +along to the school. + +"Thanks to you for ironing it," responded Tavia, with gratitude in her +voice. + +"I only helped, you did the skirt." + +"That was plain, but the waist and sleeves--I never could have even +smoothed them, to say nothing of making them look this way," and she +straightened up to show the beauty of the garment. + +At the school everything was in commotion. Some girls wanted their +scarfs tied, others wanted to carry flags, some insisted they could not +go out without hats, while Miss Ellis, always strict, seemed more stern +than ever. + +"Those who were here yesterday afternoon raise their hands," she +commanded. Every girl but Tavia raised her hand. + +"Those who were not here to rehearsal," went on the teacher, "cannot be +in the ranks. You know I told you all to be here, or not to expect to +go blundering along the roads, disgracing the school. Now, Miss Tavia +Travers, please step back." + +All the commotion ceased. Tavia the patriotic girl--she who had been +searching for flowers in all sorts of dangerous and lonely places--not +to march? + +"Teacher," spoke up Dorothy, her cheeks aflame and her voice quivering. +"It was not Tavia's fault. She--" + +"Silence, Dorothy, or you will also lose your place." + +"But teacher--" insisted the girl, with commendable courage, "I know +Tavia--" + +"Leave the ranks!" called Miss Ellis and Dorothy stepped down--and +slipped into a seat alongside her weeping friend. "Sarah Ford, you may +lead." + +This announcement caused no less surprise than did the punishment of +Dorothy. To think that Sarah Ford, a stranger in Dalton, whose father +was not even a firemen, let alone a soldier, should take first place! + +It must be admitted that not every girl cared when Tavia left the +ranks, for she was not a general favorite: but Dorothy! Major Dale's +daughter! and he the head marshal! + +With a conceited toss of her head Sarah Ford stepped to the front. + +"She's mean," was whispered around. "Perhaps teacher knows only the +meanest girl would ever take Doro's place." + +Meanwhile two very miserable girls were crying their eyes sore in the +back seat. + +"Oh, Doro!" sobbed Tavia, "to think you lost it on my account." + +"It was not on your account," wailed Dorothy, "but on account of an +unreasonable teacher." + +"Hush! She'll hear you." + +"Hope she does," went on the crying girl. "I would just like her to +know what I think of her. I don't care if I never come in this old +school again." + +"I never will," whispered Tavia. + +The ranks were formed now, and the girls marched out. An unpardonable +expression covered the face of Sarah Ford as she passed the tearful +ones. + +"There," hissed Tavia, sticking out her tongue at the unpopular leader. +"Sneak!" she hissed again, and made the most unmistakable face of +contempt and defiance at the haughty Sarah. + +Many looked sadly at Dorothy and with pity at Tavia. Certainly these +two girls deserved to march. Dorothy had done so much to help, in fact +some of the girls knew she had helped the major with all the letter +writing, inviting the Rochester men, and sending instructions to the +firemen. And to think that now, at the last moment, she should be +debarred! + +And Tavia too, had been so happy at the prospect of the parade. Poor +Tavia! Everybody knew she had a hard time of it, anyway, only for +Dorothy, who always helped her out. + +"Now, young ladies," said Miss Ellis, as the last girl passed out, "you +may fall in at the end." + +"I don't care to," Dorothy spoke up, wiping her eyes. + +"But I say you must!" + +"Do," whispered Tavia, "we can see them anyway." + +This was enough for Dorothy. Both girls stood up, straightened out +their crushed dresses, patted their red eyes with their handkerchiefs, +and fell in at the end of the line. + +"I don't care a bit," said Dorothy smiling. "I would just as soon be +with you any way. And besides, we will be right next to the Veterans." + +"Oh, good," answered her companion, "I would rather be there than up +front. Only, of course, you should lead." + +The Dalton Drum and Fife Corps was playing loudly. There seemed +something very solemn about the lively tune in honor of the "Boys" who +had answered their last roll call. Tavia's eyes were swimming, and not +a freckle was to be seen beneath the deep red color that framed them. + +Dorothy could not talk. It was so sad--that soldiers had to die just +like other persons. She prayed her "Daddy" would not be called for +years and years. + +At the corner of the street the school children were joined by the main +column. The veterans fell in--back of Dorothy and Tavia! + +Major Dale was grand marshal, and of course came first. He looked +surprised at seeing his daughter--his Little Captain, last in line with +the children. + +Then he glanced at Tavia. It was certainly something for which she was +responsible he was sure, for Dorothy had told him she had remained away +from school and missed the last rehearsal. "Halt," called the major, +and his men stood still. + +At a signal the entire ranks waited. Miss Ellis stepped up to the +marshal smiling. She had evidently forgotten his daughter had lost her +place. + +"I need two girls to carry the end flags," he began. "These old men +have all they can do to travel. The flags are not heavy--here, the two +last girls will do nicely!" + +Dorothy and Tavia stepped to the sides and gracefully took the flags +from the hands of the aged soldiers. + +The only girls who could carry real army flags! And walk on either side +of the marshal leading the Veterans! + +"If I only could stick my tongue out just once more at Sarah," +whispered Tavia, as she crossed back of the marshal to her place. + +"We have both got Betsy Ross flags now," said Dorothy, and in all that +procession there were no prettier figures than those of Dorothy and +Tavia, as they marched alongside the veterans, with the real army flags +waving above their heads, stepping with feet and hearts in perfect +accord to the music of the Dalton Drum and Fife Corps' "Star Spangled +Banner." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +DOROTHY AT THE OFFICE + + +Could the sunshine of yesterday be forgotten in the clouds of to-day? + +Major Dale was ill. Overfatigue from the long march, the doctor said, +had brought on serious complications. + +Early that morning after Memorial Day, Aunt Libby called Dorothy to go +to her father. The faithful housekeeper had been about all night, for +the major had had a high fever, but now, with daylight, came a lowering +of temperature, and he wanted Dorothy. + +"Now, don't take on when you see him," Aunt Libby told the frightened +girl. "Just make light of it and pet him like." + +Poor Dorothy! To think her own "Daddy" was really sick--and so many +veterans already dead! But she must not have gloomy thoughts, she must +be brave and strong as he had always taught her to be. + +"Why, Daddy," she whispered, in a strained voice, kissing his hot +cheek, "the honors of yesterday were too much for you." + +"Guess so, Little Captain, but I'll be on hand at mess time," and he +made an effort to look like a well man. "But I tell you, daughter, +there's something on my mind; the Bugle should come out to-morrow." + +"And so it will. I'll go directly down to the office and tell Ralph." + +"Yes, Ralph Willoby is a good boy--the best I have ever had in the +Bugle office. And that's why I sent for you so early. I want you to go +down to the office and help Ralph." + +"Oh, I'll just love to!" and Dorothy was really pleased at the prospect +of working on the paper, in spite of the unfortunate circumstance---her +father's illness--that gave her the chance. + +"Not so fast now. You must pay strict attention--" + +"But you are not to talk: you have had a fever, from fatigue, you know, +and it might come back. Just let me go to the office and I will promise +to return for instructions at the very first trouble Ralph meets." + +Dorothy was already on her feet. She knew the very worst thing the +major could do in his present condition would be to talk business. + +"Now I'm off," she said, with a kiss and an assuring smile, "you will +be proud of to-morrow's Bugle. 'All about Memorial Day!' 'Get the Bugle +if you want the news!'" she added, in true newsboy style. Then Aunt +Libby came in to wait on the major. + +But Dorothy's heart was not as light as her smile had been. Her father +looked very ill, and the bread and butter of the Dale household +depended upon the getting out of the Bugle. + +Her brothers, Joe and Roger, had been sent to school early to be out of +the way, but to-morrow they might both stay home, thought the sister, +for they could help sell papers. + +"Father never would let the boys do it," she reflected, "but he is sick +now, and we must do the very best we can. If he were ill a long time we +would have to get along." + +Only waiting to snatch up a sandwich left from her brothers' +lunch,--for she knew the noon hour would be a busy time at the Bugle +office,--Dorothy hurried out and over to Tavia's. + +"I can't go to school to-day," she called in at the half opened door. +"Father is sick, and I must attend to some business for him." + +"Bad?" queried Tavia, for she noticed the change in her friend's manner. + +"Perhaps not so very. But you know he is seldom sick, and now he has a +fever." + +"Fever?" echoed Mrs. Travers. "Tavia, close that door this very minute! +We cannot afford to catch fevers." + +Dorothy felt as if some one had slapped her face. To think of her +father giving any one sickness! + +"Nonsense, ma," spoke up Tavia. "The major is only ill from walking in +the hot sun. Come in, Doro dear, and tell us if we can help you." + +"Aunt Libby is alone with him, and when the doctor comes she may need +something. If your ma would not be afraid to let Johnnie run over about +noon, I would pay him for any errand," spoke Dorothy. + +"Oh, certainly, dear," the woman replied, now venturing to poke her +uncombed head out of doors, thinking, evidently that the mere mention +of money was the most powerful antiseptic known. "Of course Johnnie +will be too pleased. I'll send him any time you say." + +Secretly glad that her mother had so promptly overcome her fear of the +fever, but also ashamed that her motive should be so flagrant, Tavia +slipped on her things and joined her companion. + +"I wouldn't keep you another minute," she began, "for I know just how +anxious you are. But I'm going along to help. I can go on errands at +least, and keep you company." + +"Oh, Tavia, dear, perhaps you had better go to school. On account of +the trouble yesterday, teacher will think we are both defying her." + +"Then let her send the Lady Sarah to find out," retorted Tavia. "I +would show her if I had freckles on my tongue." + +"Please don't talk so, Tavia, it is wrong--" + +"Wrong? My father says there are some men in this world too mean to +bother the law about. He says he knows one he would like to thresh only +he is sure the sneak would not hit him back, but would have him +arrested. Physical punishment is the kind for such, father declares. +And that's just the way I feel about Lady Sarah. I would not tell +teacher on her, for that would give her a chance to 'crawl,' as Johnnie +calls being mean. So sticking my tongue out at her is the nearest I can +come to physical punishment." + +This doctrine did not in any way coincide with the upright views of +Dorothy, but she knew argument would be useless. Besides, her head and +heart were too full of other things to bother about school girl +troubles. + +"Are you going to print the whole paper?" Tavia asked, with amusing +ignorance of the ways of the Great American Press. + +"Why, no, dear, I could not print it. Ralph must do that." + +"Oh, I know. Just put things in it." + +"I may have to write some," Dorothy replied, with an important air. +"The parade story was not written. Father intended to do that." + +"Oh, goody!" went on the irrepressible Tavia. "Say that the meanest +girl in school, Miss Sarah Ford, was chosen, at the last moment, to +lead the girls, owing to the sudden illness of Miss Dorothy Dale, the +most popular girl in school, who took a headache from the sun, but +later recovered in time to carry a Betsy Ross flag, along with her dear +friend, Miss Octavia Travers, the flags being presented to the girls by +Major Dale. There now, how's that?" and Tavia fairly beamed at the very +idea of having her "story" printed. + +"I declare, Tavia, you can string words together, as father would say. +But we cannot say anything against any one. That would bring on +lawsuits, you know." + +"Oh yes, I know. It's just as pa says: some folks are too mean for +anything but a good thrashing--and that's Sarah. But I'll do anything I +can to help you, and I hope I won't get the Bugle into any lawsuits." + +Dorothy thanked her, and remarked that it was not likely. + +By this time they had reached the newspaper office. Up two flights of +stairs, over the post-office and drug store, the girls found the +much-perplexed Ralph Willoby waiting anxiously for his employer. + +Ralph was that kind of a young man whom people trust at once. He was +known all over Dalton as a most zealous worker in the "Liquor Crusade," +that was being very actively carried on in the town. He had a firm +face, and deep, clear eyes. The major used to say his eyes could talk +faster than his tongue--and he knew how to converse well, too. + +He had his sleeves rolled up, and was bending over a pile of "copy" +when the girls entered the office. He brushed his sleeves down and rose +to hear their message. + +"Father is ill," began Dorothy weakly, for inside the office its +difficulties seemed to crush her. + +"And we're going to get the paper out," blurted Tavia, trying to grasp +the wonders of a real newspaper office in a single sweeping glance. + +"Can't he come down?" and the young man's voice betrayed his anxiety. + +"I'm afraid not," went on Dorothy. "He said we were to do the best we +could. I was to help--" + +"And I guess I'm to sell the papers. Hurry up and print some. Is this +the printing press?" Tavia rattled on. + +"But the parade," demurred Ralph, "it is not even written. I can manage +the press well enough, but our reporter Mr. Thomas, has not come in +this morning. I suppose yesterday was too much for him." + +"I think I could write up the parade," ventured Dorothy. "I have often +helped father read proof, you know." + +"Perhaps you can," assented Ralph. "Here is a pencil and some copy +paper. You had better try at once, as I will have to go to press +earlier than usual to allow for 'snags,'" and he smiled to apologize +for the newspaper slang. + +Dorothy sat down at her father's desk. Somehow, she felt a confidence +in her efforts when seated there, where he had worked so faithfully, +and successfully, too, for the Bugle sounded always the note of truth +and sincerity. She started at once to write up the parade. She should +be careful, of course, not to mention the major's name, or her own (her +father never did) and she hoped she could at least make a good +composition or essay on Memorial Day. + +Dorothy worked earnestly, for she meant to have that issue of the paper +up to the mark, if her labors could bring it there. + +Ralph had rolled up his sleeves again, and was busy with the press. +Tavia was "nosing around," as she expressed it. The door opened +suddenly and little Johnnie Travers rushed in. + +"The major sent me--to tell you--" and he had to get a new breath in +somehow--"to tell you that old Mrs. Douglass is--is dead!" he finally +managed to say. "He wants you to be sure to--to--put her in the paper." + +"Nothing but live stuff in this paper, Johnnie dear," spoke up Tavia. +"Mrs. Douglass was bad enough alive--but dead! We really haven't +space," and, in spite of the real seriousness of the matter, for Mrs. +Douglass was an important woman in Dalton, or had been up to that +morning, Ralph and Dorothy were compelled to laugh at the wit of their +friend. + +"She was a big woman," said Ralph, adding to the mix-up in language, +"and the Bugle is small. But being 'big' we cannot afford to slight her +memory. There is so little time--" + +"I can write that," said Tavia, shaking her head with a meaning. "And I +know all about Mrs. Douglass and her high fence. Also the flowers +behind the boxwood. Here, Doro, give me some of that paper--" + +"Oh, you would have to see some of the family," interrupted Ralph. +"Find out how she died, when she will be buried; if she said anything +interesting--about charities, you know--" + +"For mine!" sang out Tavia, adjusting her hat. + +"Yes, your first assignment," ventured Ralph. "Dorothy must finish the +parade, and I must attend to the typesetting, so if you could, +really,--" + +"Of course I can. Haven't I spent more time in the graveyard than at +school? And don't I know what they say about dead persons? + + "'Here lies Mrs. Doug,-- + She had a mug, + And none in Dalt could match it, + When she took sick, + She died that quick, + The Bugle couldn't catch it.' + +"How's that?" went on the girl. "Shows it was our busy day and we +hadn't time to catch the dead news, not Mrs. Doug's face, you know." + +"Oh, Tavia, what slang!" cried Dorothy, and added: "you had better not +go, you will surely say or do something--" + +"I certainly shall both say and do something. Johnnie look out for your +nose there. That machine is going and your nose is not insured. Yes, +Doro, this issue of the Bugle will blow a blast both loud and shrill in +memory of Mrs. Doug. You know she loved blowing, never missed a windy +day to collect the rent." + +It was useless to argue. Tavia was bent on doing the "obit." as Ralph +called the obituary assignment. She went out with Johnnie at her heels. + +"She's the jolly kind," commented Ralph, as the door closed on the +brother and sister. + +"Yes, and so few understand her," Dorothy replied. "To me she is just +the dearest girl in Dalton, but others think differently of her." + +"I've known boys like that," assented the young man. "They seem to live +in a shell, and only poke their real selves out to certain persons, +those who love them." + +"I feel more like writing now," said Dorothy, brightening up, "Johnnie +told me father is better--he was taking some nourishment, the child +said, and when the doctor left Johnnie did not have to go to the drug +store. That means, of course, that there is nothing new setting in. I +think Aunt Libby should have kept Joe and Roger from school, but she +thought the house would be quieter for father with them away. Aunt +Libby is very nervous lately." + +"I do hope the major will be well soon," answered Ralph. "He seemed so +strong, but I suppose when sickness takes hold of something worth while +the result is equally of consequence." + +For some time the girl and young man worked without further +conversation. Dorothy bent earnestly over her story, while Ralph was +busy with the type, setting up the last item of news that would go in +the week's issue of the Bugle. + +Suddenly something like a scream aroused them. + +"What was that?" asked Dorothy, but without waiting to answer Ralph +hurried to the door. At that moment Tavia staggered into the office. +Her hat was off and her face was very white. + +"Oh, what is it, Tavia dear?" Dorothy cried. "What has happened?" + +"I'm so--so frightened," gasped the girl. "Lock the door--that--that +man--he may come in! He is in the hall." + +Ralph was out in the hall instantly. The girls, clasped in each other's +arms, could hear him running down the stairs. + +"Oh, he is so rough and strong--he may hurt Ralph," whispered Tavia, +too frightened to trust her own voice. + +It seemed a long time to the girls, but Ralph was back in the room with +them in a very few minutes. + +"There was no one in the hall," he said, "and I looked up and down the +street. No one--no stranger seemed to be in sight." + +"Well, I was just coming up the stairs, and I couldn't see from the +sun, when some one grabbed me," Tavia explained. + +"Oh, Tavia!" interrupted Dorothy. + +"Yes, indeed, a great big horrid man, with a hat over his eyes, and oh, +he was dreadful!" and poor Tavia began to tremble again. + +Ralph had his coat on now. That man should not get away! + +"But you can't leave us," begged the girls. "He might break the door +in." + +"Then come down stairs and we will lock up. I must telephone to Squire +Sanders." + +"He isn't home," Tavia declared. "I saw him drive out as I went up +William Street." + +But Ralph insisted on giving the alarm. + +"What did he say to you?" he asked. + +"Why, he must have thought I was Dorothy. I saw him first just as I +turned out of the Douglass' place, and he followed me all the way. At +the lane--where it was really lonely--he called to me and I stopped. He +said 'Where are you going?' I told him to the Bugle office. I didn't +think anything of it. I am never afraid. Then he got nearer to me--" + +"Why didn't you run?" asked Dorothy. + +"Why, I never thought of such a thing. I thought maybe he was coming +here with some news. Even when he started up the dark stairs after me I +wasn't afraid. But when he grabbed me--" + +"Oh!" screamed Dorothy. + +"Yes, and he said: 'See here, Miss Dale, if you put one line in print +about that old woman being dead--I'll blow the place up.'" + +"He must be a crank," said Ralph. "Such people always drift into +newspaper offices." + +"Oh, no, I am sure he meant it, for he grabbed my notes. He saw me +reading them in the lane," Tavia paused an instant. "And really, poor +Mrs. Douglass was a good woman. The servant girl told me how she had +worked for that Miles Burlock,--she had some special interest in +him,--and you know how he drinks." + +Unfortunately every one in Dalton knew only too well how Miles Burlock +drank. Ralph had often helped him home, and then tried to get the man +to talk of reformation, but it seemed like a hopeless case. + +"Why should that strange man want the paper to keep quiet about Mrs. +Douglass?" asked Dorothy. + +"Something about Burlock, perhaps," Ralph answered, thoughtfully. "This +man may be in with the drinking class, and perhaps if Burlock read +anything or heard it, somehow he might go to the Douglass house, and +they say Death is a great teacher. I know Mrs. Douglass often +befriended Burlock." + +"Then let him blow the office up!" cried Dorothy, with sudden courage. +"Father never listened to threats! Tavia, can you remember some of the +important facts? Quiet yourself and think it over." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A STRANGE ADVENTURE + + +Joe Dale was a credit to the family. Although only a boy in his tenth +year, he possessed as much manliness as many another well in the teens. +He was tall, and of the dark type, while Dorothy was not quite so tall, +and had fair hair; so that, in spite of the difference of their ages, +Joe was often considered Dorothy's big brother. Roger was just a pretty +baby, so plump and with such golden curls! Dorothy had pleaded not to +have them cut until his next birthday, but the boys, of course, thought +seven years very old for long hair. + +"Only for a few months more," the sister had coaxed, and, so the curls +were kept. Dorothy always arranged them herself, telling fairy stories +to conceal the time consumed in making the ringlets. + +Both boys were to sell papers to-day, for the Bugle was out, and +Dorothy had told her brothers of the necessity for extra efforts to +help with money matters. + +"You may go with one of the regular boys," Ralph Willoby instructed +them. "He can tell you where you would be likely to get customers. Go +into all the stores, of course, and look out for the mill hands, at +noon time." + +"I'll sell Bugles to-day," declared Joe, with that splendid manliness +and real earnestness that makes a boy so attractive, especially to his +sister. + +"It takes a boy," Dorothy said proudly, as her brothers left the +office, each with his bundle of papers, for, of course, Roger had to +have a strap full the same as did Joe. Ralph was glancing over the +paper. Evidently he was pleased with its appearance, for his face +showed satisfaction. + +"Is it all right?" Dorothy asked, secretly glad the "getting out" was +finished, and that she would not have to write another parade story +that day. + +"First-rate," answered the young man, "and I think your father will be +pleased. You had better go home and take him a copy, he may be anxious +to see one." + +"I'll go now," she told Ralph, "and I'll be back about noon, when the +boys come in from their routes." + +Dorothy passed out, and closed the door after her. Ralph went to the +far end of the office, to finish folding the papers. Scarcely had he +taken one sheet in his hand than he heard something in the hall. + +A scream! And in Dorothy's voice! + +Darting past the big press, and making his way to the hall door quickly +in spite of the things that barred his path, Ralph pulled open the +portal. + +The girls were in a heap on the steps! Dorothy and Tavia. + +The young man bent down anxiously. The pair seemed unusually still. + +"Fainted!" he murmured, trying to lift Dorothy's head. + +"Is he--go--gone?" whispered Tavia. "We are not hurt. We only made +believe!" + +"Oh!" sighed Dorothy. "I feel as if I were dying! I--I can't breathe!" + +"Try to get on your feet," commanded Ralph. "The air will revive you!" + +"There!" gasped Tavia. "There's his hat. I grabbed it when he put the +handkerchief, with some stuff on it, to my nose," and the girl held up +a gray slouch hat, the kind western men usually wear. + +"That may help us," said Ralph. "But first you must both come down to +the drug store. That stuff he used may sicken you. It has a queer +smell." + +Once on their feet the girls seemed all right, in fact as Tavia said, +they had only "made believe" to prevent any further violence. + +It seemed incredible that two girls should be way-laid in broad +daylight, in the hall of the most public building in Dalton, but the +fact was certainly plain--there was the dirty white handkerchief +reeking with some drug, and besides, there was the hat that Tavia had +taken from the man's head. + +Ralph took the girls into the prescription room of the drug store, to +see if they needed any attention, and there to the astonished drug +clerk, as well as to the equally astonished proprietor, Tavia tried to +relate what had happened. + +"It was the same man who grabbed my papers the other day," she said. "I +saw him first as I came along William street. Joe and Roger had just +gone in Beck's with their papers, and as I saw the man watching them I +was afraid he might kidnap Roger. I was just thinking who would be best +to call, when he caught me watching him, and then, like a flash, he +sprang into that saloon at the corner. I thought he was frightened lest +he would be caught, and I hurried down here to warn Dorothy. Well, no +sooner had I put my foot inside the hall than he darted at me--" + +"Where did he come from?" asked the drug store proprietor. + +"Probably through the alley that leads from the saloon to the end of +our building," explained Ralph. "He could easily dash into the hall +from there." + +"He was after papers," declared Tavia, "for just as he grabbed me he +saw Dorothy. I was going to scream when he put that queer-smelling +stuff to my nose." + +"I screamed when I saw Tavia," ventured the frightened Dorothy, "but he +had me almost before I could open--my--mouth. Tavia squeezed my hand +and I knew she meant for me to be quiet." + +"And if you had not closed your eyes he might have given you another +dose," added Tavia, who somehow, seemed to know more than any one else +about the wicked ways of the mysterious stranger. + +"But how did he manage to get away so promptly?" asked one of the men, +trying to get on the track for capture. + +"Through that same alley into the saloon," Ralph said. "I will go at +once, and have the place searched." + +"As soon as he got the papers Dorothy had he went off," finished Tavia, +"just as he did when he got my notes." + +Leaving the girls to quiet themselves in the drug store, all the men, +except the head clerk, started out to give the alarm. + +This time a thorough search should be made, and even a reward offered +by the town for the capture of the coward who went about trying to +frighten helpless girls. There was certainly some hidden motive in his +actions, as he had, each time, made an attack on some one connected +with the Bugle's business, and the men quickly concluded his intentions +had to do with an attempt to stop the Liquor Crusade. + +Miles Burlock also figured in the case they decided, although how this +stranger was mixed up in matters relating to Burlock, and what +connection Mrs. Douglass' death could have with such affairs, was not +plain. + +The druggist warned Dorothy and Tavia not to tell their experience to +any one, not even to the folks at home, for, he argued the stranger +might get to hear they were after him, and so escape. + +Dorothy readily agreed to keep silent, in fact it would not do for any +one in her home to know of her experience, as the major was too ill to +be worried, but Tavia did not see why her father should not be +acquainted with the affair, as he always knew what to do. And why +should other men be allowed to search for the man who had threatened +her, when it was plainly her own father's special privilege? + +"Well, if you feel that way about it," agreed the druggist, "tell your +father to come down here to-night and perhaps he will be put on the +committee." + +This was quite satisfactory to Tavia, and after making sure that no +more strangers lurked about, the girls made their way home. + +"I never was afraid in daylight before," remarked Dorothy, whose face +was still pale from the fright. "Let us hurry. There are the boys. Be +sure not to say anything to them about the scare." + +"Hurrah!" shouted Joe swinging his empty strap. "All sold out." + +"Me too," said little Roger, who had his strap buckled so tightly about +his fat waist, that he had hard work to breathe under the pressure. + +"Hip--hip--" answered Tavia, continuing: + + "Blow Bugle, blow, + Blow Bugle blow, + We're very proud + You blew so loud + To let the people know." + +"Price five cents! Order now! That's the way city people put things in +the papers about their goods," declared Tavia. "I think when I leave +school I'll look for work in a newspaper office." + +"Ralph said you did splendidly," said Dorothy, "I'm sure I never could +have gotten along without you. But we are home now and--" + +"No paper for the major," finished Tavia. + +"There's a boy. I'll get one," said Joe, running off at full speed to +overtake the newsboy, who had just turned the corner. + +"Aunt Libby may be cross," whispered Dorothy, "for she has been all +alone, and this being Saturday she would expect help." + +"Mother won't say anything to me," Tavia decided, "for--well, I have +something to tell her that will make her forget all about the work." + +"Not about the--you know--" cautioned her companion. + +"My, no," answered the other. "It's just about Mrs. Douglass' funeral. +You know ma always goes to funerals, and I have found out that people +may go to the house and see her. That will interest ma." + +Joe was back with the paper, and was proud to have such an active +interest in the Bugle. It seemed something to say it was his own +father's paper, and then to have people remark what a bright sheet it +was, and how it was never afraid to tell the truth. + +"Let me give it to father?" he asked Dorothy. + +"No, let me?" pleaded little Roger, "cause I ain't hardly seen him a +bit lately." + +"But you must not tell that we sold papers," directed Joe. "Father is +not to know yet, you know." + +"Oh, I won't tell," Roger promised. + +"But you might forget," argued Dorothy. + +"Nope," declared the little fellow, "I'll just let this strap keep +squeezing me, then I couldn't forget." + +"And have father ask where you got it," said Joe laughing. + +"Then I'll tie a string round my finger," persisted the younger brother. + +"I'll tell you," Dorothy concluded, "You just run in, give father a +good hug, put the paper on his lap and run out again without saying a +word. Then he will think you are playing newsboy." + +This plan was finally decided upon, although Roger did think he would +like to stay for "just a little while" to hear "Daddy" say "something +about something." + +They found the major anxiously expecting them. He feared something had +happened--the press might break down, or the paper supply give out, +Many things might occur when the man who ran the business was not there +to keep ends straight. To say that the major was pleased was not half +telling it--he was delighted. To think that they could get out a paper +like that! And that his Little Captain should write up the parade. It +really was well described. + +Perhaps what astonished him most was Tavia's part in the issue. He +laughed when Dorothy told how jolly Tavia was. Of course, there was no +mention of the encounter with the strange man. + +But that night Dorothy could not sleep. The excitement perhaps, or was +it fear? + +Oh, if that horrid man had never come to Dalton! + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A CLEW + + +As the druggist had anticipated, a citizens' committee was formed to +run down the assailant of Dorothy and Tavia. The hat bore the mark of a +Rochester house, so that was something of a clew. A hatless man ought +to be easy enough to identify, but of course, he had managed to get a +head covering somewhere; stole it, perhaps, from an open hallway. + +But, after an exhaustive search, and much questioning of persons who +might have seen the man, no news of importance was turned in at the +committee meeting. + +Mr. Travers had what he considered a tangible clew. Miles Burlock had +told him that a man from Rochester had been hounding him for weeks, and +that he pretended to know something of Burlock's business. + +"Burlock, it seems," Mr. Travers said at the meeting, "was, in some +way, connected with the Douglass family. There is money in the affair, +however it may concern Burlock and Mrs. Douglass, and this stranger is +after the cash." + +"But what in the world has these children to do with that?" asked the +chairman. + +Ralph Willoby stood up. + +"It seems, Mr. Chairman," he said, "that the first time the man gave us +trouble was when we sent to learn something about Mrs. Douglass' death. +He secured the notes to prevent us from publishing anything about the +lady. Then he threatened to blow up the Bugle office if we did print an +obituary. This did not intimidate us, and when the paper was out he +waited for the little boys, sons of Major Dale, to harm them possibly. +It was then that one of the girls saw and recognized him, and he, being +sure of this, made off. A few minutes later he intercepted both girls +on the stairs, tried to frighten them with some drug, took the papers +from Miss Dorothy Dale, and again made his escape." + +This was by far the most intelligent account of the affair yet given, +and after its recital many of the men thought they could see a solution +of the mystery. + +"But how do you associate all this with Miles Burlock?" Ralph was +questioned by the chairman: "I know Mrs. Douglass had a special +interest in that man," went on Ralph. "I have known her to give him +money to buy respectable clothes with, and,--well there is no need to +make public our brother's misfortunes. At any rate, it seems plain to +me that this stranger was trying to keep the news of Mrs. Douglass' +death away from Burlock." + +"Has any one seen Burlock lately?" was next asked. + +No one had; in fact his absence had been noticed by many present. He +was not a common drunkard, and that was probably why such an interest +was manifested in his possible entire reformation. + +This was all of importance that occurred at the meeting, and the +committee adjourned with instructions to continue their work. + +It was a beautiful spring evening. The air was soft with blossoms, and +a perfumed dew made all of Dalton like a rose garden. + +Major Dale was improving rapidly, in fact he had recovered so quickly +that this evening he insisted upon sitting out of doors for a few +minutes. The doctor had discontinued calling, and said the attack was +more of overfatigue from the march on Memorial Day than anything else. +Both Dorothy and Tavia had been absent from school the past week but +this was Sunday evening, and they would both go back to-morrow. + +Dorothy went over to talk about it with her friend. + +"Well, it will be something to have another chance at Lady Sarah," said +Tavia, when Dorothy had finished telling her to be sure and have her +father write an excuse to hand to Miss Ellis. "I don't mind school so +much when there is something else to think of in between. And the girls +will be tickled too, for they all love a good fight." + +"Now, Tavia, you must stop that kind of talk if you are going to be a +friend of mine," counseled Dorothy. "I cannot be considered your friend +if you will not be--ladylike--" + +"Like Lady Sarah," Tavia finished, laughing. "Well, all right, Doro +dear," and she gave her chum a bear-like hug, "I'll be as good as +pie,--lemon meringue at that,--so don't worry any more." + +"Have you heard anything about the man?" Dorothy asked cautiously, for +it was almost dark, and the girls were walking back to the Dale +homestead. + +"Not a word," answered Tavia, "except that father thinks he has gone +out of Dalton altogether." + +"And I have not seen Miles Burlock all week," commented Dorothy, "You +know I had been trying to get him to reform." + +"Everybody seems to be trying to do that." + +"Well, Ralph told me he had seen Burlock crying like a baby one day +because a little girl asked him for a penny. And Ralph thinks perhaps +there was some little girl in Miles' story,--a daughter maybe--and he +suggested that I try my influence with Miles." + +"Did he cry like a baby over you?" teased Tavia, with poor appreciation +of her friend's efforts to help along the Liquor Crusade. + +"Now please, Tavia, don't be absurd. There is something wonderfully +winning about Mr. Burlock." + +"Of course there is. Wicked people are always winners." + +"I won't tell you one thing more!" + +"Now Doro! Doro! You know I love to hear you talk that way. And if it +were not so dark I could see your eyes show how deep they are, just +like the Jacks-in-the-Pulpit I gathered in the woods yesterday. You are +nothing like a wild flower, more like a beautiful pink and white +hyacinth, that grows in the Douglass garden; but sometimes, when you +pretend to be angry, you make me think of the wood flowers. They have +such a way of blooming best when some other growing thing tries to stop +them. Jacks-in-the-Pulpit grow right up through stones, and bloom in +tangles of poison ivy." + +"I am sure I have no right to compare myself with flowers," answered +the other pleasantly, for she always admired her friend's poetic ideas, +although other people might laugh at them. + +"Shows she is thoughtful, anyway," Dorothy would tell herself, "and +that is what Ralph meant when he said she could not make serious +mistakes when she followed the advice of her kind heart." + +The Dale house could be seen through the trees now. Voices were heard +outside; perhaps the boys playing some games. + +"I'll leave you here," said Tavia, "you are not afraid of bugaboos are +you?" + +"Not a bit," answered Dorothy, laughing. "Be sure to be on time at +school to-morrow. No use adding coals to the fire." + +"It depends on whether you intend to wash, bake, or iron. Now I am +going to do all three at school to-morrow, so I may as well keep up a +good, warm fire;" and giving her chum a hearty hug Tavia started off. + +Dorothy stopped as she neared the piazza. + +Surely that was a strange voice. A man was talking very earnestly to +her father. + +It was Miles Burlock! + + + + +CHAPTER V + +MILES BURLOCK + + +What could that man want of her father? + +And what was so mysterious about their conversation that reached her +ears in spite of her attempting to enter the house without intruding +upon her father's company? + +Her name was being spoken, and why would Aunt Libby not open that door? + +"There she is now," said Major Dale, as Dorothy gave one more knock. +"Daughter, come this way. We are waiting for you." + +How hard her heart beat! And how foolish she was to be nervous! + +"This gentleman," began Major Dale, "wants you to hear a story. It may +be sad for ears so young, but perhaps the knowledge that you have +helped Mr. Burlock to settle one point in this story may make it more +interesting to you." + +The faint moonlight, that now streamed from the spring sky, made a +silvery glow upon the faces of the two men, and even in the shadows, +that of Miles Burlock showed features firm and what might be called +handsome. Dorothy had often seen him before, but he had never looked +that way. His face was clearer now he was changed. + +"Child," he said, extending his hand to her, "You need not fear Miles +Burlock now. He is a man--no longer a slave to rum--but a wake at last." + +"I am so glad!" Dorothy stammered. + +"Yes, that day you took my hand, although it was not fit for yours, and +the way you asked me to join in the League work came like a miracle of +grace. Perhaps it is--because--because you are so like the child I +lost." + +He bowed his head, and for a moment, was silent, then he looked at +Dorothy again. + +"As you are the one chosen to help this man find himself--for he has +been morally lost for years,--I feel it may be that you, too, may help +me find my own child," Miles Burlock went on. "At any rate it is best +that you should hear the story, for when men like us have passed away +the children may be here to remember what others will be glad to forget +about me--to forget that I tried to undo the wrong I had done to those +lost to me now." + +Major Dale opened the door to the sitting room, and there the man +continued his story. + +"As a boy I was cared for by an over-indulgent aunt, and I have often +thought that the fact of having lost my own mother might, in some way, +make an excuse to heaven for me, for the boy or girl who never knows a +mother has suffered more than mortal can count,--in ways more numerous +than mortal can see, and a motherless babe is the saddest story in all +human history. Well, money had been left for me, and this too, I +believe, was an inherited wrong, for too early in life had I begun to +feel independent. Later that indifference to discipline grew to +recklessness, and then the final evil came in the shape of bad company." + +Major Dale stopped the speaker for a moment and Dorothy was glad to +move a little nearer her father. Somehow, this strange story was unlike +anything she had ever heard, and while it fascinated her, it also +frightened her, for she had not before known anyone who had lived such +a wild life. + +"And here is where your daughter, Major Dale, has come so strangely +into my life," went on Mr. Burlock. "The good people of this town have +been working hard to save such men as I have been--but no longer will I +rank myself with such. That young man, Ralph Willoby, had pleaded with +me in a way few could have resisted, but the trouble was, I was in the +hands of a man who had been my evil genius for years, and no matter how +firm was my resolve to get away from temptation, this tyrant would +manage to put the poison into my hands. Of course I thought him a +friend,--that was what he had always pretended to be,--but through the +strange interference of this little girl,"--laying his hand on +Dorothy,--"I have seen the light; the scales have fallen from my eyes." + +The awful face of the villainous man, who had so frightened Dorothy on +the stairs of the Bugle office, seemed to flash into that room. Could +he be that evil genius? + +"Yes, Major Dale," he went on, "you must have heard by this time that a +man waylaid your daughter, grabbed the papers from her hands and tried +to frighten her so that there would be no outcry until he had made his +escape. Well, that man was no other than he who put liquor to my lips +when I was a boy; who took me from my home when I was a husband, and +made me sign papers that would leave my young wife helpless in all the +affairs that she should rightfully control. Not satisfied with this +record of villainy, he, at last, separated me from my wife and +daughter, and though I have searched for years for them, it has all +been in vain." + +The man stopped. Tears were streaming down his pallid face and the +sorrow of a lifetime seemed about to break the bonds of human +endurance. Major Dale put his hand on the other's shoulder. + +"Cheer up, brother," he said, "There may yet be time. Life is with you +still." + +"Ah, but have I not searched all this week? And did not that man +promise to take me to them?" + +Dorothy had shrunk back when Mr. Burlock said the man who had put +terror in her own life was the same person who had destroyed his +happiness. Then it was as Ralph said,--Miles Burlock did figure in the +mysterious case. + +The evening was melting into night. Major Dale was still feeble from +his illness and his daughter, quick to see the look of pain on his +loved face, determined to stop the story for the time being. + +"You must lie down, father," she said, putting her arm about him, "You +know the doctor said to be very careful." + +With a promptness that bespoke good breeding the visitor arose. + +"Pray pardon me," he said politely. "I have been very selfish. I will +not disturb you longer. I will come again to-morrow." + +"We will be very glad, indeed, to help you, if we can," the major +replied, rather faintly, for Dorothy had not spoken a moment too soon +for his comfort. + +"The real matter with which I would ask you to help me is the putting +aside, now, of the money which is in my name, and which should be +secured against enemies of my poor wife and daughter," said Miles +Burlock. "I will never again trust anything to the uncertain time when +they may be found, for I believe now they are being kept away from me +by this same scoundrel, Andrew Anderson. It may be well for you to know +his name." + +"And where is he?" asked the major, his voice showing the feeling he +could not hide, a determination to deal severely with the man who had +threatened Dorothy. + +"That is something I would not dare to tell even if I knew. My only +hope of getting these affairs settled so that I may sometime make +amends to my dear ones, is by keeping away from Anderson. It might not +detain you too long to say that last week my friend, my counselor, and +benefactress Marian Douglass, passed away. For years she held safely +for me the principal of the money I had been wasting. Now that she is +gone, and he knows it, I must at once make it secure in some other way. +To-morrow, if you will allow me, I will come again and bring witnesses. +No other man in Dalton would be so worthy of the trust. Thousands of +dollars have almost made themselves in ways planned and carried out by +Marian Douglass, who held this money both for me and from me, but now a +part of this must be used to find my wife and my daughter Nellie, and +then to run down their persecutors, for I have been a tool, simply, in +the hands of those who took what I had and who have been trying for +years to get the rest. If nothing happens to me to-night I will come +to-morrow morning, after that we may tell the town who it was who tried +to spoil the fair name of Dalton." + +He pressed Dorothy's hand to his lips as he left. She felt a tear fall +upon it; and she knew that all her prayers and all her efforts to save +this man from his evil ways had not been in vain, and with the +happiness that comes always in the knowledge of good accomplished, a +new resolve came into her heart--she would some day find Nellie Burlock. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +AT THE SWING + + +The strange story of the reformed man filled Dorothy's brain with +exciting thoughts that night, and it was almost morning when she +finally fell asleep. Even then she dreamed of all;--the fortune her +father was to have in trust, the wicked man who had been trying to get +it, and the poor wife and child who were hidden away somewhere, perhaps +now starving. In her dreams she became Nellie, and she tried, oh, so +hard, to find her own father, the dear major. The worry of it even in +sleep gave Dorothy a severe headache, and when she awoke she found her +nerves still throbbing and her brow hot and feverish. + +"Oh, I'll be so glad to go to school to-day," she thought. "I am tired +of all this worry, and it will be good to be back with the girls again." + +"Doro, let me in! Let me in!" little Roger was calling at her door, and +before she had a chance to finish dressing, her little brother had his +soft white arms about her neck. + +"Now, don't you look. You can't see until I've given you a quart of +kisses, then you have to promise not to cry." + +"Cry? What for?" she asked. + +"Cross your heart, first," he insisted. + +Then she saw that his curls were gone. + +"Oh, darling!" she exclaimed, "who did it?" + +"Jake, the barber. And daddy said so. He said you should not bother +with tangles any more. Now don't you dare cry. You promised." + +The girl took the little boy in her arms. Why did they do it just that +day, when her head ached, and she had so many worries? Those beautiful +curls! How she had loved them! + +"Now Doro, you are going to cry, 'cause your eyes look like polly-wogs. +And you must be glad that I'm a man, like Joe, now," and the boy sprang +from her arms, and stood up like a "major" before her. + +Then he was a "man," and her baby no longer. It was not the curls so +much, but taking her baby from her, that hurt so. + +The loving mother-spirit, that had made Dorothy Dale the girl she was, +seemed to grow stronger now with every tear that clouded her eyes. Yes, +he bad been her baby, and she had loved him with a wonderful love--sent +into her heart, she always thought, by the mother in heaven who watched +over them both. + +"You have been a very good boy," she managed to say, "and Joe is a very +good boy, so, if you can be like him, perhaps I will not be so lonely +without the other Roger." + +It was an hour later that Dorothy met Tavia in the lane and hurried to +school with her. Of course she could not tell her friend what it was +that made her so quiet, and it really was hard to keep a secret like +that of the mysterious man from Tavia. + +Perhaps she could tell her in the afternoon, by that time Mr. Burlock +would likely have all his affairs attended to and then he said he would +tell the town who the man was for whom the people had been looking. + +As Dorothy and Tavia came into the schoolyard they saw Sarah Ford on +the swing, that hung from a heavy square frame. + +Down went Tavia's books on the grass. + +"First for a run under!" she called, and instantly a line of girls +formed, while Tavia led, of course, with such a "run under" that Sarah +tried to jump to save herself from another like it. + +"Hold fast!" shouted the next girl, who already had her arms up to the +swing board. Then one after another they jumped to reach the board, and +send it higher and higher until the girl on the swing threatened to +turn over the frame. + +"Oh, please stop!" she cried, "there goes the bell!" + +One more "good push" sent her up into the air, and the girls were all +gone--school was in. + +For one moment Sarah held on and then jumped--into the remains of the +janitor's rubbish fire! + +Sarah Ford picked herself up. Her white dress was covered with soot and +dirt. The classes were called by this time, and she could not go into +the cloak room. + +"Oh, that horrid mean thing, Tavia Travers!" she thought. "I will not +give the girls a chance to laugh at me," and, darting out of the gate, +she ran down the lane--away from school. + +At the end of the lane the girl turned into an orchard and sank down +under an apple tree. + +Had she really run away from school? She could not turn back now, and +what would her father say? He was so severe about school, he never +would take any excuse. + +The black soot had almost all blown off her dress. If she had not been +so proud always, about her looks, perhaps she would not have noticed it +much. + +"Oh, what will I do to that girl!" she thought. "It was all her fault, +and I'll lose my place too." + +The sense of bitterness that filled Sarah Ford's heart was an entirely +different sentiment from that which animated Tavia Travers when she +made up, the "running under" game. The one was the sense of revenge, +bitter and cunning; the other was a matter of school girl's fun, pure +and simple. + +Sitting there on the grass that revengeful spirit took the form of a +resolve in Sarah's heart--to "pay back" Tavia Travers. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ORCHARD + + +Within the schoolroom more than one girl was wondering what had +happened to Sarah Ford. Dorothy was worried. Hers was a nature that +took all things seriously, while Tavia insisted on looking on "the easy +side" as she termed Hope. She was hoping with all her heart now, that +Sarah Ford would soon enter the room, but the morning wore on and no +Sarah appeared. + +At last recess came. Such whispering among the girls--so many theories +advanced to account for Sarah's disappearance. + +"Playin' hookey," was all Tavia said, in the way she had of making +light of things. + +"Perhaps she was hurt," whispered Dorothy to Alice MacAllister, a girl +who had always been a close friend. + +"I don't think so," said Alice, "Even had she fallen there was nothing +she could strike on, and I have often jumped when I could not go one +bit higher." + +"She may have fallen on the rubbish heap," suggested one of the older +girls. + +At last school was dismissed. + +"I'll wager we find her down the lane taking Widow Drew's apple +blossoms," remarked Tavia, as she and Dorothy started for home. "She +may be going to another party and want a change of decorations,--she +wore honey-suckle last time." + +"Hush!" Dorothy interrupted, "I thought I heard--" + +"Some one moan? So did I," declared Tavia. + +They listened a moment. + +"There it is again," said Dorothy. "Oh, I'm sure that's Sarah!" + +"It was down in the orchard," went on Tavia. + +"Help! oh, help me!" came a voice, and this time there was no mistaking +the cry; a girl was calling. + +Springing over the fence, with Dorothy following her, Tavia ran through +the deep grass to the spot from which the sounds came. + +Under the apple tree, suffering and helpless, they found Sarah Ford. + +"Oh, what has happened!" wailed Dorothy, bending over her. + +"You have killed me!" gasped Sarah. + +"Is it your ankle?" Tavia asked, trying to find out what could be done +to get Sarah home. + +"Yes, and you did it!" declared the suffering girl. "You gave me that +last push. Oh,--oh. Get a doctor--or I will surely die!" and she buried +her head deeper in the grass, writhing in agony. + +"Can't you move, Sarah dear?" Dorothy pleaded, "If you only could, +perhaps we could make a hand chair and carry you." + +"Oh, it would kill me. My leg is surely broken. I can feel the bone. +Oh, dear! Oh dear me! What shall I do? What shall I do?" and the +unfortunate girl burst into hysterical weeping-- + +"I'll run and get a wagon--or a carriage--or something," Tavia said +nervously, for she was very much frightened at Sarah's condition. + +"They never could drive in this rough place," Dorothy sighed. "Listen! +There is Joe. Call him. He will help us." + +In a moment Joe Dale was beside his sister. + +"Why, a man must carry her, of course," he declared promptly, "I just +met Ralph Willoby--" + +A shrill whistle from Joe, followed by his calling loudly the young +man's name, soon brought Ralph to the scene. + +"Oh, I am so glad it is you!" said Dorothy. "You will know just what to +do, and we--don't want--a crowd." + +By this time Sarah showed signs of fainting; her breath came in gasps +and her face was very white. + +"Run over to the spring Joe, and fetch a cup of water," Ralph +commanded. "Now, Miss Ford, you must put your head down flat on the +grass--this way. There, that's it. Now try to straighten out so that +you can breathe better." + +But every move that the suffering girl tried to make caused her such +pain that Dorothy fell upon her knees and tried to fan a breath into +her white face, to prevent her, if possible, from becoming unconscious. + +"Here's Joe, with the water," exclaimed Tavia, running to meet the boy, +and hurrying back with the cool liquid. + +Ralph pressed the drink to Sarah's lips, while Dorothy waited to bathe +the pale face with what water might remain in the cup. + +"Oh!" sighed Sarah. "I feel--better. I thought I was going to die." + +"You were faint," Ralph exclaimed. "Do you think you can sit up now?" + +Not waiting for a reply, the young man slipped his hand under the +girl's shoulders, and the next minute he had her in his arms. + +It was a sad little procession that followed him. Dorothy almost in +tears; Tavia with eyes already overflowing, while Joe kept very close +to Ralph, ready to offer any assistance in carrying Sarah to her home. + +But Ralph was well able to manage his burden, for the girl was not +heavy, and she helped herself some by keeping her arms clasped about +his neck. Fortunately the Ford home was not far away. + +"There's Mr. Ford," whispered Joe to Tavia, as they reached the gate, +and at that moment the man on the porch raised his head from his paper, +and saw them coming. + +Mr. Ford seemed dazed--he did not stir for a moment but sat there +staring wildly at the group now coming up the path. + +"Sarah has hurt her ankle," Joe hurried to say, and as his voice roused +the man from his frightened attitude, he sprang up and reached to take +his daughter from the young man's arms. + +"I had better put her on a couch," objected Ralph, "Her ankle seems +quite painful." + +"What has happened?" asked the father opening the door of the sitting +room and making ready the couch under the window. + +"The girls did it," gasped Sarah, "that girl there, Tavia Travers!" + +"You!" exclaimed the man, making a threatening move towards the accused +girl. + +"It was an accident," interposed Dorothy, "we do not know how it +happened; we found her under a tree in the orchard." + +"They do know," persisted the injured girl "They sent me up so +high!--oh, get a doctor, quick!" + +Ralph had now placed Sarah on the couch, and "while Mr. Ford hurried to +call his wife, Ralph and Joe hastened off for Dr. Gray, leaving the +three girls together. + +"Tell us about it," Dorothy pleaded, not wanting to leave Sarah until +she had obtained some idea of how the accident had occurred. + +"I'll tell Squire Sanders," answered the girl on the couch, "and then +you will be arrested, every one of you who--who tried to kill me!" + +"Come!" whispered Tavia to Dorothy as Mrs. Ford appeared. "It only +makes matters worse for us to be here." + +Then as the mother fell weeping by the couch Tavia and Dorothy left the +room. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +SQUIRE SANDERS AT SCHOOL + + +Dorothy had always been able to influence Tavia, and to show her that +to do right would be best in the end, although the doing of it might, +at the time, seem very hard, and very unreasonable; but all her efforts +now to induce her friend to go with her to school that afternoon and +make the necessary explanation to Miss Ellis, were without avail--Tavia +absolutely refused to go. + +"No matter what comes of it," Dorothy told herself, as she walked sadly +along the path, through the lane back to the schoolyard alone, "I'll +stand by Tavia. She meant no harm, and was no more to blame than any +one else. But I do wish, she had come this afternoon. It looks as if +she were afraid or guilty, to run away from it all." + +[Illustration: "WELL, THIS MATTER MUST BE FULLY INVESTIGATED," DECLARED +THE SQUIRE] + +The fact that Miles Burlock had not appeared at the Dale home that +morning, according to promise was of little interest to Dorothy now. +Something might have happened to him. Of course, he certainly seemed +determined to settle the business at once, but Dorothy's head and heart +were too full of her school friends' troubles to give much thought to +the Burlock matter. Major Dale had appeared concerned about it however, +and had questioned Dorothy as to whether any one had mentioned to her, +at school or on her way there, the fact that the strange man, likely +Andrew Anderson, had been seen again in Dalton. + +"Be very careful to go around by the road," her father had cautioned +her on leaving, "and come directly home from school as I will be +anxious," he said, when he kissed her good-bye. + +But Dorothy reached school safely, and was soon surrounded by a crowd +of curious, and not too thoughtful girls, whose incessant questions +added much to her nervous condition. Sharp pains shot through her head, +for the excitement of the day had caused the ache of early morning to +become a bad attack of neuralgia. + +"Please do not bother me so," she pleaded, as the girls plied question +after question. + +They had heard, of course, of the accident, but how it had happened, +and what had become of Tavia, whether she run away or been +arrested--these and many similar queries kept the excited scholars +buzzing about Dorothy like bees about a hive. + +"I do not know how it happened," she insisted, "I wish I did. We found +her under the tree, and helped her home. That is all I know about it." + +The class took its place. Miss Ellis began to speak but was surprised +at that moment to see old Squire Sanders enter the room. + +"Oh, oh, he's after Tavia!" whispered May Egner to Dorothy. "I'm glad +she is not here." + +"Take your seats, young ladies," Miss Ellis directed the class, and +then the squire assuming his business attitude, that of holding his +black-thorn cane well out in front of his left foot, which member in +turn was in advance of its mate, and planting the cane down firmly +twice, he began: + +"I've come here to investigate a complaint" and he rapped his stick +noisily on the floor. "Where's the girl who threw Sarah Ford from the +swing, and broke her ankle?" + +"Why," stammered Miss Ellis, "I have not heard of any such occurrence. +Does any young lady here know anything of it?" + +Dorothy was on her feet instantly. Her flushed face betrayed the +emotion she tried bravely to hide, but when she spoke her voice rang +with truth and confidence. + +"Sarah Ford was not thrown from the swing," she began. "We found her +suffering under the tree in the orchard. When the bell rang this +morning she was on the swing, and I was the last girl to enter the +hall. I saw her on the swing then." + +A pin, dropped, might have been heard in the room. It was so like a +trial to have Dorothy there "giving testimony." + +"Well, that ain't the story I have," drawled the squire. "Where's that +wild harum-scarum Tavia Travers? She's the one that's blamed." + +"Tavia Travers!" called the astonished Miss Ellis, but of course there +came no answer. + +"Absent!" answered a girl from the back row. + +"Can you tell us where she is?" Miss Ellis asked Dorothy. + +"At home I believe," answered Dorothy simply. + +"Well, this matter must be fully investigated," declared the squire, +"thoroughly and fully investigated. Girls or boys who cut up tricks +must be punished. Dalton will not stand any nonsense when it comes to +life and limb," and again the cane thumped the floor. "I propose, as +squire of the borough, to run this thing down to the very end. School +girls now-a-days put on too many airs--copyin' after college rowdies +with their pranks!" + +While the teacher and squire were talking in the hall the pupils took +advantage of the opportunity to express their opinions of the case, and +what were meant to be whispered remarks soon reached a pitch of voice +that called for remonstrance from the squire; and he rapped his cane +vigorously on the door. This had the effect of restoring order, and +also of bringing punishment upon the entire class for the remainder of +the afternoon. + +"To think," began Miss Ellis severely, on returning to the room, "that +I should be so disgraced. Not enough to have one or two girls accused +of--of a crime--but that the rest should so misbehave before an officer +of Dalton! I shall be obliged to send to the president of the Board; +something I have never before had to do. But this matter must be +thoroughly investigated. I am very sorry, Miss Dale, that you should be +implicated, sorry for your father's sake. But it all comes of +associating with girls who--who will not be governed by those in proper +authority," and the teacher adjusted her glasses, satisfied that she +at least held a position as head of Dalton School with dignity and +"authority" that such an office required. + +Poor Dorothy! Her aching head was now bowed on the desk before her, and +her sobs were so pitiful, even the most thoughtless girl in the room +was silent and sad to see her weeping so. + +Alice MacAllister sat upright at her desk. Her strong face assumed a +daring expression--that of defiance. Alice was counted a good-natured +girl. Something of a romp, perhaps, for her companions often called her +"Mack" and she showed a preference for the boyish nickname. + +But to see Dorothy weeping so, accused unjustly! + +Alice raised her hand for permission to speak. Miss Ellis signed for +her to go on. + +Again that sense of suppressed excitement was felt in the class room. +Something else was going to happen. + +"Miss Ellis," began Alice in a firm voice, "Dorothy Dale is not to +blame--" + +"That is not for you to decide." + +"But we were all there, and know as much about it as she does." + +"At least she knows enough to keep her place. Sit down at once," and +the teacher looked very much annoyed. + +"Not until you have heard me," and Alice raised her voice a little. + +"Go on! Go on!" murmured the girls about her. "Make her listen." + +"Sarah Ford was never hurt in the school yard," declared Alice. "My +brother saw her running down the lane just as the bell rang, and she +could not stir when Dorothy and Tavia found her." + +"Be silent this moment!" called Miss Ellis, rapping her ruler on the +desk. "Your brother's story is of no account in this matter." + +Dorothy raised her head. The room was in a commotion. Miss Ellis seemed +too surprised at the girl's audacity to try to restore order. Perhaps +no one was more surprised than Alice herself, for when she spoke first +she had no idea of going so far,--it was that remark reflecting upon +her brother's veracity that angered her. + +Then the sobbing of Dorothy--Alice could not stand it to see her crying +that way; better brave dismissal than sit by and listen to that. + +With one glance towards Alice--a glance full of gratitude and love. +Dorothy arose and asked to be excused. + +"I must go home--" she stammered "I have such a sick headache." + +"Very well," replied the teacher. "You may go." + +"May I also be excused?" asked Alice, not boldly but with politeness +restored to her voice. + +"By no means," declared Miss Ellis. "I will not brook such insolence." + +"I thought I might help Dorothy home," Alice explained, taking her seat +again. + +Meanwhile Dorothy was looking for her hat in the cloak room. It was a +small stuffy place, and the day was unusually sultry, so that Dorothy +felt dizzy there, trying to find her hat--and trying to find--Oh! what +was the matter? She could not see! Oh, if some one would only come! + +Then, with her hands before her, she stumbled and fell,--and all became +a terrible blank. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE AFTERMATH + + +What a day that had been at the Dalton School for girls! Sarah Ford was +at home suffering from a badly sprained ankle; Dorothy Dale had been +taken home ill from over-excitement, and Tavia Travers, for whom Squire +Sanders had been searching, was not to be found anywhere. + +The interference of Squire Sanders worried Miss Ellis. A man, +especially an official, knows absolutely nothing about girls and their +ways, and he is sure to antagonize them in any attempt to force them to +betray one another's confidences. + +But while the teacher, alone in the school, was reflecting upon the +tasks she should soon undertake to perform; Dorothy lay in her little +room, hot and feverish, with Aunt Libby beside her, bathing the +throbbing head tenderly with cold water and vinegar. + +"You've been doin' too much," muttered the old nurse, "a-runnin' +newspapers, helpin' drunkards, teachin' housework to that Tavia, though +'twas a charity to show the child how to iron her own frocks. But you +see deary, it was too much for you, you as has always had Aunt Libby at +your elbow," and the old linen napkin, the softest of those ever ready +for headaches, was dipped again into the blue bowl of cool water and +strong vinegar, then pressed lightly to the feverish brow. "Try to +sleep a bit now," went on the nurse, as Dorothy looked gratefully into +the wrinkled face. "All you want is rest, just a good, quiet rest." + +Dorothy closed her eyes. They burned so she pulled the napkin from her +forehead down over the hot lids. That eased the pain, and perhaps she +could sleep, she thought. + +Watching her patient closely for a moment, Aunt Libby moved noiselessly +to the window, pulled down the shade, pushed the chair against it so +the breeze might not disturb it, left the room. + +As she turned in the narrow hallway her gingham skirt brushed the +crouching form of Joe, who had been waiting at his sister's door, but +the aged lady did not know it. + +Joe and Roger had been forbidden admission to their sister's room. She +was to be left entirely alone, in absolute quiet; even Major Dale, who +was assured the attack was not more than a sick headache, did not +presume to disturb his daughter, but Joe had been waiting there in the +hallway. He had an important message to deliver to his sister, one that +"would not keep." + +The boy had removed his shoes and now he stole noiselessly into the +room. + +"Dorothy! Dorothy!" he whispered. "Are you asleep?" + +Dorothy pushed the napkin from her eyes, and raised her arm to invite +her brother's kiss. + +"Poor, dear Doro!" he murmured, pressing his cheek to her hot brow. "I +am sorry for you--every one is," and he kissed her again. "But I have +to hurry. Aunt Libby may come back." + +He was looking for something in his blouse. + +"I had a note from Tavia," he said. "She has gone away--" + +"Gone away!" gasped the sick girl. + +"Oh, only for a little while. Where is that note!" + +The boy unbuttoned his waist, he even shook it out straight from the +string, but no note was to be found in its folds. + +"I could not have lost it!" he said, now quite alarmed that the note +should have gotten out of his possession. + +"What was it about?" asked Dorothy. + +"Why--about--about why she went away," stammered the boy, helplessly. + +"Don't you know what was in it?" + +"No, it was sealed, and no one but you was to open it. Where could I +have dropped it? I had it--let me see." + +The fear that he had dropped the missive where it might be picked up by +those not in sympathy with Tavia, and her troubles, now troubled Joe +sorely. He had promised the girl, most particularly, that he would +deliver the note to his sister that night, and he waited at Dorothy's +door, risking the displeasure of Aunt Libby in keeping that promise. +But now the very worst thing had happened--the note was lost! + +"Never mind," whispered Dorothy, "perhaps you will find it in your +jacket. I am sure she only said good-bye; there could not have been +anything so very important in it." + +"But if any of the others should get it," he sighed. "They could find +out where she went, and she most particularly wanted to hide for a few +days." + +"Hide!" + +"Yes, she told me she was sure Sarah would wake up in a few days and +make a 'clean breast of it.' Tavia declared she had done nothing wrong +herself, and that she was not afraid of anybody, but, she said, there +was going to be trouble, and she never ran into trouble when she could +run the other way." + +"Well, dear," said the sister, "you had better go to bed now. I am so +tired and I feel a little like sleeping. If you find the note, bring it +to me in the morning; if you do not find it, there is no need to worry. +Tavia will be back to see me as soon as she hears I am sick," and, +giving the boy a good night kiss, Dorothy closed her eyes, while Joe +crept out of the room as noiselessly as he had entered it. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +APPLE BLOSSOM MAGIC + + +Two long, dreary days had passed. Dorothy was well again, but, acting +upon the advice of Miss Ellis, she remained away from school, to grow +strong and take a little rest in the fresh air; to be out of doors as +much as possible, the teacher said. + +Alice had been to see Dorothy, and had assured her that "every thing +was all right," even the misconduct of Alice in "talking back" had been +forgiven, the girl herself declared. + +But there was no explanation offered as to the accident to Sarah Ford. +That was still a mystery to the school girls. Neither had Tavia +returned to Dalton. She was visiting her aunt in Rochester Mrs. Travers +announced. + +Major Dale was at his office again, and the boys were not yet home from +school, although the dismissal hour had passed. + +There was a rush through the vines at the side of the porch--the next +moment Tavia had Dorothy in her arms. + +"You poor dear!" she exclaimed between her kisses. "To think that you +have been sick all alone--without me!" + +Dorothy leaned back in her chair--happy. + +Tavia was not so much larger or older than she, but just at that moment +she came like one all powerful; Tavia had such a way of being and doing. + +"And all on my account," went on Tavia. "I declare you have gotten +thin," and she spanned the bare wrist of Dorothy lovingly. "You never +wrote, of course, as I asked you to." + +The lost note! Perhaps other important matters had been overlooked in +its disappearance. + +"Is Sarah able to play leap-frog yet?" went on Tavia facetiously. "I +hear Squire Sanders has been inquiring for me--just me, Tavia Travers. +Ahem! Also my goodness me! Sakes alive! If I had only known the worthy +squire wished to hold converse with this--me, you know, I certainly +should have postponed my vacation. Who knows what I have missed?" + +Dorothy's face showed how pleased she was; it was so good to hear Tavia +rattle on that way. As Ralph Willoby had said, her heart was right, and +so she made few mistakes where love could be counted on as her guide. + +Tavia was stroking Dorothy's head affectionately. The two girls sat on +the rustic bench, Dorothy with her head resting upon the other's +shoulder. + +"I made a discovery in Rochester," said Tavia, when she had exhausted +every possible point, covering the sickness of her friend, the fainting +in school and all that preceded and followed that occurrence. "Yes, I +found out that a woman there, who did washing for my aunt, is named +Burlock, and that she has been deserted by her husband--" + +"Has she a daughter?" interrupted Dorothy. + +"I don't know about that. Aunt Mary said she was such a strange woman, +all the time moving, and no one ever could find out just where her +rooms were. The way one had to do, to get her to do washing, was to +apply to the Charity Bureau." + +"But the Bureau must have her address," said Dorothy much interested in +the story. + +"Well, Aunt Mary said they could not keep track of her either. They +know she is a good honest woman, who seems always to be in some +trouble--looking for her husband, of course. I made up my mind that the +man she is looking for is your friend Miles. Have you seen him lately?" + +"No," replied Dorothy, thoughtfully. + +"And I've got more news," went on Tavia, "Miss Ellis has planned a +picnic for Monday. She is going to take our class to Glen Haven Falls. +Do get strong and come, if you don't go I will not." + +"Oh, I am sure I will be all right by that time," answered Dorothy, "in +fact I am well now. I am only staying out of school because Miss Ellis +thought it best. I wonder, Tavia, how we could ever think her unfair. +She is the nicest woman--why, when she called she brought me jelly, and +one of her splendid roses that she prizes so much. I felt almost guilty +to have spoken of her, as I did, about the procession on Memorial Day." + +"Well, she has not brought me jelly or roses yet," replied Tavia, "and +I hardly think she would, even had I the good fortune to be sick in +bed. Yes, I mean it! I would like to see what would happen if I took +sick. But no danger. Aunt Mary said she would rather feed two men than +give me what I call enough. It is not really enough, you know, but I +call it that," and she stretched out on the bench to show how +"deliciously lazy" common health makes a girl. + +"You certainly do your appetite justice," said Dorothy laughing. "Aunt +Libby says it's one thing to eat, and another thing to make your eating +'tell.' Now, you make your food--" + +"'Tell.' Certainly I do, and make it 'tell' out loud too. I weigh--how +much do you think?" + +"About ninety?" + +"One hundred and five," declared the girl. "I wish you could go away +for a week. I am sure you would pick up and get the peaches back in +your cheeks." + +"We will go away in vacation time," replied Dorothy. "This month will +not be long going around." + +"Now I must run back home. I have not had a chance to tell mother a bit +of news. You know it was the luckiest thing, ma wanted me to go to +Rochester, and when the fuss came all I had to do was clear out. Ma had +been waiting for me to get a new dress and she was so tickled when I +said I would go in my old one. You see, Dorothy, Aunt Mary gives us +lots of things, and no one had been out this spring. Nannie, that's my +cousin, is just a little larger than I am, and oh, you should see the +scrumbunctious dress I am going to wear to the picnic! It is +perfectly--glorious!" and Tavia wheeled around on her toe, threatening +her boasted one hundred and five pounds avoirdupois with disaster. + +With a promise to be back again in the evening Tavia left Dorothy and +hurried across the fields to her home. + +"Things seem to be straightening out," thought Dorothy. "Every thing is +all right at school, Tavia is back, now if Sarah would only tell--I +have a good mind to run over to see her." + +It was a warm afternoon and Dorothy had no need to bother with wraps. +Aunt Libby was at the side porch so that in passing Dorothy called to +her she would be back in a short time, then she crossed through the +orchard, going under the very tree in the shade of which Sarah had been +found suffering. Dorothy stopped and looked up into the branches. They +were very low, some of them, so low that in fruit time girls could pick +the apples without climbing for them. + +The blossoms were almost gone. Small sprays lay faded on the grass +where careless hands had scattered them. + +Somehow, it seemed to Dorothy that the tree knew all about the +accident; if trees could only talk, she thought. Then, picking up a +spray of the freshest blossoms, she hurried on. + +To Dorothy's surprise Mrs. Ford was very cordial in her welcome. +Dorothy had feared the mother of the injured girl might not be so +pleased to see her. + +"Walk right in," said Mrs. Ford, opening the door. "I am sure it will +do Sarah good to talk with you. She is so lonesome and talks in her +sleep about the girls," and she led the way to her daughter's room. + +The girl was now sitting up; her injured foot rested on a cushioned +chair, while her face still showed signs of suffering. + +"Sarah, dear," began Dorothy with an affectionate embrace, "I am so +glad to see you up." + +"Are you?" asked the other mechanically. + +"Yes, indeed," ignoring her cold manner, "we have been so worried about +you." + +"We? Who?" and Sarah toyed nervously with the coverlet that was thrown +over her knees. + +"Why all of us; the girls at school. We hope you will soon be able to +come back." + +"I will never go back. I have had all I want of Dalton School," and +Sarah tossed her head defiantly. + +"Here is a spray of apple blossoms. I brought them from the orchard. +They are so sweet," said Dorothy, "I thought they might make you think +you were out of doors, when you shut your eyes and smell of them." + +She offered the spray to Sarah, but the girl made no sign of accepting +it. Dorothy was disappointed. She did not mind the sick girl being +fretful, but she had not expected her to be rude. + +A rather awkward silence followed. Dorothy had determined if possible, +to reach the heart of this queer girl, but her best efforts seemed +unsuccessful. + +"Well, I had better go," said Dorothy at length, still holding the +blossoms in her hand, and standing beside Sarah's chair. + +She turned to leave. + +"Good-bye," she said. "I hope you will be better soon." + +But Sarah caught her dress. "Oh, Dorothy, do not leave me," she wailed. +"I am so miserable, so unhappy! Throw the apple blossoms out of the +window and come back to me. I need someone! Oh, I feel as if I shall +die, all alone here!" + +Sobs choked her words, and she seemed struggling for breath. + +"Shall I call your mother?" Dorothy asked anxiously. + +"No! no!" cried the sick girl. "I only want you. Dorothy Dale help +me--you must help me or I shall die," and again Sarah broke into +hysterical sobbing. + +"What is it, Sarah dear?" pleaded Dorothy. "Tell me how I can help +you," and she bent down closer to the weeping girl. + +"Oh, I do not know. I have--Oh, Dorothy have you ever tried to injure +another?" + +"Why, no, dear, and I am sure you have not, either." + +"Oh, but I have indeed! I can not bear the pain any longer. I must tell +someone--you. You will know how to help me." + +A very sad face looked up into Dorothy's. The brown eyes that had +always been thought so proud and haughty were now "begging" for help, +for pity, and for counsel. + +"Tell me about it," said Dorothy, taking a trembling white hand in her +own, which was scarcely more steady. + +"Did--they--arrest Tavia?" asked Sarah, the words seeming to choke her +in their utterance. + +"Why, no. Of course they did not," Dorothy replied. "I just left Tavia +a half hour ago, and she was as light hearted and happy as ever I have +seen her. That little trouble at school did not last long." + +"Oh, I am so glad!" exclaimed Sarah. "The thought of it has +just--haunted me!" + +"About the accident?" asked Dorothy, trying to help Sarah unburden her +mind. + +"Yes. I really did not mean to do so wrong. But when I found you were +all gone, and I tried to jump--" + +"Yes, of course it was very wrong of Tavia to send you up so high just +as the bell was going to ring," and Dorothy pressed the other's hand +encouragingly. + +"Then when I saw my white dress, all black from the ashes, I ran away!" + +"Now do not excite yourself, dear," cautioned Dorothy, for she saw how +Sarah's face had flushed, and did not like to hear her raise her voice +so. + +"No, it will not hurt me. The pain of it has been killing me ever +since, but now it will go--with my confession!" + +"Hush!" whispered Dorothy, "your mother is in the hall." + +"Poor mother!" answered Sarah. "She has tried every way to help me, but +I could not tell her. It seemed so terrible!" + +"But how did you hurt your ankle?" asked Dorothy bluntly. + +"I fell out--of--the--tree! I did not mean to do it. I was up there +hiding from those who passed in the lane, and all at once the awful +thought came to me that I could slip and blame it on Tavia. But I did +not mean to do it that way. Oh, Dorothy, how dreadfully I have been +punished!" and the sick girl fell to weeping again. + +"Never mind dear. We all do wrong sometimes--" + +"No, Dorothy Dale, you never do. I have been jealous of your love for +Tavia. I have loved you from the first moment I saw you--that day +helping a poor drunken man to his feet. I said then I would make you +love me, but see how I have failed. You will hate me now." + +"No, Sarah dear. You are better and nobler this minute than any other +girl in Dalton, for no other likely, has had to make the heroic effort +to do right that you have been obliged to go through with. You know the +joy there is over one lost lamb when it is returned to the fold?" + +Sarah leaned back, and looked up full into Dorothy's face. + +"I knew you would know just what to say to me;" she whispered. "Dorothy +Dale you are--an--angel," and the big, brown eyes sent out such a look +of love, admiration and, at last--happiness. + +"It all seemed worse to you, thinking of it here, alone, with no one to +say a word to you," continued Dorothy, consolingly. "And then of +course, your father was angry. That only showed how fond he is of you." + +"Yes. It seems every thing helps one to do wrong. I really never +accused Tavia of doing it, only that time when we came in, and then I +was so sick and frightened, I had no idea, then, that father would take +it all in earnest. But he rushed right off, and when I heard Squire +Sanders had been at the school--oh, Dorothy how can I tell you how I +felt!" + +"But it is all over now," spoke Dorothy soothingly, "and I will take +care that every girl in school knows the greatest part of the trouble +came from a mistake." + +"But I can never go back to that school again--" + +"Why, of course you can. I have to make an explanation myself when I go +back. You know how hasty Alice is; well she got herself in trouble on +my account, and I feel I must say something about it. I was too sick +then to know just what to say. So, now that Tavia is back, she will +have to give an excuse. Then I can say how the whole trouble was more +of a mistake, than anything else, and how we were all really somewhat +to blame; perhaps one as much as another." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER + + +The setting right of Sarah's wrong--a task which Dorothy had so +willingly volunteered to perform,--was by no means so simple a matter +as she had attempted to make it. School girls are apt to be fond of +excitement, and this bit of trouble brought with it so many interesting +experiences--the visit of a real squire, the "insurrection" of Alice; +Dorothy falling ill in the cloak room, and that particularly novel +occurrence: the disappearance of Tavia Travers. Surely all these +features would seem to mark a red letter week on the calendar of +"interesting events" at Dalton School. But that was not to be the end +of it. + +Dorothy intended to make such an explanation to the class, that the +entire affair would be cleared up without too much blame resting on +Sarah. + +A conference with Tavia, held directly after her pathetic interview +with Sarah, resulted in the former declaring she would shoulder any +blame that could be made to fit her. "For a girl with a sprained ankle, +and a bad case of delicate conscience, has troubles enough without +inviting more," Tavia told Dorothy. "Besides," she said further, "it +really was my fault, for I had determined to get even with her that +day, and when I sent her upon the swing I really did not care whether +she 'busted' through the clouds or not; I simply sent her flying. + +"So, Doro," she concluded "you say whatever you please, and I will +'stand' for it. Only be sure not to let Miss Ellis know you are going +to make a speech, for she has 'cut out' all speeches--except her own." + +"Tavia, Tavia!" exclaimed Dorothy indignantly, "where ever did you hear +such common slang!" + +"I picked it up with the 'goods' at Aunt Mary's," replied Tavia +laughing, for she really only made use of the expressions to "horrify" +Dorothy. "Now," she continued, "be all ready for the picnic. We are +only to have a half session, and then go to the Falls." + +That evening, after tea, Dorothy found a much-longed-for chance to +"visit" her father--talk with him in his own little study, upstairs and +away from all disturbances. Since her indisposition the major had not +bothered his daughter with any cares of the house or with the children, +neither had he talked with her about the Burlock affair; but now, she +had something to tell him--Tavia had heard of a woman living in +Rochester, of that name--Burlock. What if it were the right party? The +one so long sought for by Miles Burlock! And would the major let +Dorothy go with Tavia to Rochester, and look for them--the poor mother +and little Nellie! + +Dorothy found her father in his study waiting for her. How well he +looked now, she thought, for the old hale and hearty look, that which +so often characterizes the veteran soldier, had returned to his face, +making it handsomer than ever because of a lighter shade having settled +on his head--he was getting gray the daughter was quick to notice. + +"You look better, Little Captain," he said in greeting her. + +"I was just thinking the same thing of you," replied Dorothy, laughing. + +"That was a case of great minds running in similar trenches," said the +father. + +"Now, we are going to have a good, long chat," began Dorothy, leaning +against the arm of the major's chair so that her head touched his +shoulder. "First, I want to tell you some news Tavia has heard of a +woman in Rochester named Burlock!" + +"Burlock!" repeated the major, and he looked pained somehow; distressed +at the mere mention of the name. + +"I thought perhaps--it might be the party you--that is, the woman +wanted in the Burlock matter," faltered Dorothy. + +"I am afraid, daughter," said the major very solemnly, "you have been +bothering your young head about affairs much too grave for you to +handle. I have always regretted sending you to the Bugle office that +morning, so many complications seemed to follow that experiment. Not +but what you got out a splendid paper--better than this week's issue +for that matter," the major hurried to say, for he noticed a look of +disappointment come over Dorothy's face, "but because I seemed to +thrust you out into the world, unprotected, and even in danger." + +Major Dale pressed his lips to his daughter's brow. Indeed she had +always been his little helper, his one dear, only daughter. Her +willingness and ambition to help might have misled him, sometimes he +might have forgotten she was only fourteen years old, but now, seated +there beside him, fussing with his "curls," as she insisted his rather +long locks were, she was little Doro again, the baby that had so often +climbed on his knee, in that very room, begging for one more story when +mother announced "bed time." + +The mother was gone now--and Dorothy was sitting there. + +"Ah, well!" sighed the major, trying to hide his thoughts, "we must +talk of something pleasant." + +"But the Burlock affair," ventured Dorothy. "I thought it would be +splendid to think of finding them. I have not seen Mr. Burlock in some +time. What do you suppose has become of him?" + +Major Dale took Dorothy's hand into his own. + +"Daughter," he said, "Miles Burlock has passed away." + +"Dead!" gasped Dorothy. + +"Yes, dead. But he was happy, glad to go, although he left his task +unfinished--he had not found his wife and child." + +"What happened to him?" Dorothy asked, bewildered at the suddenness of +her father's words. + +"He died from exhaustion as much as from any thing else. That man +Anderson had sent him word to go to Buffalo for 'news.' Believing the +message meant good news, that of locating the wife and child, Burlock +went, but not before he had legally made me guardian of the lost +daughter, and put in my charge the estate that had lately come directly +into his hands through the death of Mrs. Douglass. So the poor man +managed to settle his affairs before he was called away. He came back +to Dalton, sick and discouraged, and determined to put that man Andrew +Anderson in jail. But--well it was not to be. Ralph was with him all +day and all night. We did all we could to make it easier for him, and +Dorothy dear, he closed his eyes--blessing you!" + +Dorothy was crying. She tried hard to be brave, but somehow the tears +would come--and she had to cry! + +"There, there, daughter," said the major consolingly. "I did not want +to tell you just yet, but perhaps it is as well now as at any other +time. I knew you would be grieved." + +"Of course--I am sorry--" sighed Dorothy, "but wasn't it splendid that +he had reformed!" + +"Yes, and I must confess I was proud to hear a dying man bless your +name. He declared that you, a mere child, had saved him from a death of +shame. I never knew Dorothy, until Ralph told me there at his bedside, +that you had worked so hard to help in the crusade work, even speaking +to men like Burlock, when they might not have known how to answer you." + +"Oh indeed, father," she hurried to say, "I am sure Mr. Burlock was not +intoxicated half the time others thought he was. He seemed so sad +always and would sit on a bench, just thinking of his child perhaps, +when people called him 'drunk'!" and the girl's eyes flashed +indignantly at the thought. + +"Well, well, daughter; you were right in showing charity. Yes, charity +is the love of God and our neighbor, and it was that love that led you +to take the hand of that sick and discouraged man. Ralph told me how +you brought him into the Bugle office that afternoon, and how that was +the beginning of a new life to Burlock for he never tasted strong drink +after that day." + +"It was because I was like his own daughter or he thought I was, that +he listened to me," said Dorothy, not wanting to claim all the praise +her father so prudently gave. + +"At any rate you have the joy of knowing, daughter, that you helped a +fellow creature find the right path. That joy will never leave you." + +For a few moments the two sat there in silence. Dorothy had been +favored with many opportunities of "distinguishing herself" as Tavia +would say, but this last--the real joy of helping a man save +himself--this as the major said, would never leave her. + +"And all this trouble about the Ford girl?" inquired the major +presently, "has that been settled?" + +"Oh, yes, indeed it has," answered Dorothy, scarcely knowing what +explanation to make. "Sarah is very hasty, and of course you know how +Tavia loves to tease." + +"But it seems this was no nonsense. Mr. Ford declared he would make Mr. +Travers pay the girl's doctor bill." + +"Did he really? I had not heard that. But Tavia was not to blame. Sarah +has admitted it was all a misunderstanding." + +"Evidently she has not told her father that," the major replied, "for +only this morning he assured me he would give the doctor's bill into +the hands of a collector." + +"Oh, that would be too bad! Tavia's folks are so poor. I must see +Sarah." + +"Do you have to straighten that matter out also? Well, Little Captain, +I am afraid you have a busy time of it. When one is willing to help +others it is perfectly surprising how much they can find to do." + +"But you see, daddy, someone has to do it," + +"Exactly. I have no objections to you mixing up in school girl affairs; +in fact I think that line of work quite as important as book learning. +It is the best kind of education, for it fits one for their place in +life: but I think, daughter, it might be best for you to give up +helping in the crusade. I would rather not have you risk--perhaps +insults in that work." + +"Of course, if you wish it father," answered Dorothy in a disappointed +tone, "but if I could just help out in what Ralph had planned for the +girls--a sort of auxiliary work--I would like it. The meetings would be +held in the afternoon, and we would have little benefit affairs, to +help defray the expenses of the League." + +"Oh, that sort of thing," agreed the major, "that would be all right +and strictly in a girl's line. Everybody should show sympathy with the +movement, for it means more to Dalton than we can estimate. Children, +particularly, will be benefited, so that there can be no objection to +them helping in their own way." + +Dorothy felt greatly relieved now that her father had spoken on this +subject, for she had feared he would ask her to give up, entirely, the +temperance work she had become so interested in. The most prominent +women in Dalton were identified with the movement, and with such +leaders surely no girl need be afraid to follow. Besides, as Major Dale +said, children would be those most benefited, therefore children should +do what they could to help the work along. + +"I am so glad you do not object to the Auxiliary, father," she said, as +he arose to bid her good night. "Of course I shall never meet another +Miles Burlock, and therefore I shall not have to make a personal appeal +to any one again," and she looked sadly into her father's face. "Do you +think we will ever find little Nellie?" + +"Yes, daughter, I feel certain we will soon hear something of the heirs +of Miles Burlock. But there now," and he kissed her again, "run along +to bed. Your brothers are snoring by this time." + +"Good night, daddy dear," she said, pressing his cheek lovingly to her +own, "I never forget that I am the daughter of a soldier, and that +thought, more than anything else--earthly, takes care of me--guides me +aright, and makes me proud of being Dorothy Dale!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +AN UNPROVOKED ATTACK + + +The beautiful month of June was jotting down her days with sweetest +floral mottoes--each in its turn paying tribute to the Queen of Months. +Roses had come, daisies were weaving the fields into a cloth of white +and gold, the side roads of Dalton were framed with clouds of snowy +dogwood, and that "rarest of days" the perfect day in June had come. +And this was to be the picnic day for the girls of Dalton school. + +Tavia was over to Dorothy's house very early. She wanted to borrow a +lunch box, and, incidentally, to hear Dorothy's opinion of the +"glorious dress" from Rochester. + +"Isn't it sweet?" she began pirouetting on the board walk, at the side +door of the Dale house, while waiting for Joe to find an empty cracker +box for her lunch. + +"It is pretty," agreed Dorothy, examining the dress critically. "Those +pink ribbons are so becoming to you." + +"Cousin Nannie had it made for a party, so it ought to do for a +picnic," Tavia said. "How do you feel to-day Doro? I have been thinking +you look--sort of 'peaked' as Aunt Libby would say. Have you been +worrying about the explanation business? Because if you feel sensitive +about it, just leave it to me. I am not the least bit bashful, you +know." + +"I feel well enough," Dorothy assured her, "and I haven't been +worrying--about that any way," and Dorothy smiled to convince her +friend that nothing serious was disturbing her peace of mind. + +"Well, we assemble at nine you know; check our dinner pails. Thanks +Joe, that will do nicely, and if I have any left I will leave it in the +box when I return it. After a bluff at study, and an exchange of +compliments, for my dress particularly (no one else will have anything +like this) we will expect to hear something from you, Doro. Really, +this business of making speeches in school is quite an accomplishment. +Had I known that Alice was going to 'spout' the way she did that day I +left for my vacation--ahem! you noticed Joe, how I said that? Well, I +should have postponed the trip had I any idea there would be such +stunts going on in lady-like society. But Doro, how is Sarah? Did you +see her yesterday?" + +"Yes, I saw her just for a moment," and Dorothy looked the other way to +hide the serious thoughts that the meeting with Sarah recalled. + +"And she has forgiven me for that push into the clouds? Now she is not +so bad after all. I feel as if I should bring her some flowers or +something; as a peace offering, you know." + +"Well, I would not go over just to-day," said Dorothy, "for the doctor +is to take the splints off her ankle--" + +"Splints? Was it as bad as that? The poor girl, no wonder she--fibbed. +I would too, if I had to stand for splints." + +"Why don't you say 'stand splints,' and not use that horrid slang," +corrected Dorothy. + +"But she didn't stand them, she stood for them, with the other foot. +You see, Doro, sometimes the much despised slang is--the real thing," +and with a tantalizing swish of her skirts, and a most frivolous toss +of her head Tavia called "Ta-ta!" and dashed across the fields with the +lunch box under her arm. + +"She's the kind of girl!" commented Joe, who had been busy making a bow +and arrow for Roger. "If her brother Jack had a little of her spunk he +would not be where he is." + +"Why?" asked Dorothy, "doesn't Johnnie get along well at school?" + +"At school?" echoed Joe, "he is never there to get along at all. I +think it is clothes that keeps him home. I was going to ask Aunt Libby +if any of mine might be spared--" + +"Why, of course, you have some that are too small. I will see about +them myself. It is too bad those children have no one to manage for +them." + +"What's the matter with their mother?" + +"I don't know--that is--of course they have their mother, but she does +not seem to know how to manage." + +"And we have you and you do seem to know," responded the boy, trying +the bow to make sure it would not shoot backwards. "Well, sis, you're a +brick and Tavia, well, she is brick-dust, at any rate, but Jack--well +he is Jack, and that is all there is to it. I'm going to ask father to +let him carry Bugles next week. What little he could earn would do +something for him." + +"Mr. Travers is such a nice man," went on Dorothy, "I think Tavia is +exactly like him." + +"And Jack is like his mother. But we musn't back-bite," seeing the look +of reproach on Dorothy's face. "I hope you have a jolly good time at +the picnic." + +One hour later the girls of Dalton school were crowded around Dorothy, +asking all kinds of well-meant questions concerning her health. Tavia, +too, came in for her share of the queries, although hers did not relate +to health, but to other interesting little confidences, least of which +was, by no means, the new dress. + +But the fact that her own cousin Nannie gave it to her put Tavia at +ease and questions that might otherwise seem impertinent were +considered compliments--showing what a "stir" the dress created. + +Dorothy looked a trifle pale, and the light blue muslin gown she wore +brought out a mere gleam of the pink flush that usually shown in her +cheeks. Her blonde curls--the delight of all her friends, fell in a +mass about her shoulders, so that even Tavia in the famous pink and +white dress did not outdo Dorothy in pretty looks. + +Alice wore a buff linen that suited her "golf style" admirably. She had +the air of the well-trained college girl, the result, perhaps, of +annual trips to the seashore, where she was allowed to indulge in +boating, swimming, and other "manly sports" as she termed the exercise. + +Belle Miller, otherwise known as "Tinkle," was as "dear and dainty" as +ever, in a creamy white swiss, and May Egner wore lavender, although +fully conscious of the disastrous effects of picnic sun on that +perishable shade. It was a "last year's" gown, so May decided she might +better get a few more turns out of it and this, she thought, would be +one of the rare occasions, when a lavender might be worn, "with +impunity." + +All the girls wore appropriate costumes, and, when the classes +assembled, the room presented a veritable holiday look. Study seemed +the last thing to be thought of amid such gaiety. + +Even Miss Ellis wore a white collar and cuffs, a relief from her usual +somber black, and as she touched the bell she smiled pleasantly to her +pupils, plainly bidding them a happy holiday. + +"Young ladies," she began, "we will take a brief review of last +Friday's work. It is so near closing time we must not waste an entire +day." + +Dorothy felt the time had arrived for her to speak. + +How she dreaded to mar that happy school hour with such unpleasant +reminders of past troubles! + +But she had promised Sarah; moreover it was due the entire class that +the occurrence should be disposed of honorably. + +Tavia was waiting anxiously. Alice also fidgeted at her books. Finally +Dorothy raised her hand. The motion was not seen at once by Miss Ellis, +but it is safe to say no other person in the room missed it. + +A stir of excitement caused the teacher to look up and she bowed to +Dorothy. + +"I am sorry, Miss Ellis," began Dorothy with hesitation, "to refer to +anything unpleasant today, but I have promised Sarah Ford to make an +explanation for her--she of course could not come herself." + +"What is it Dorothy?" asked the teacher, although she no doubt guessed +what the girl wished to say. + +"I just want to state that Sarah did not intend to blame anyone for her +accident--she had only cried that it was our fault when she was +suffering so, and did not mean that those about her should have taken +it up as they did. She wished me to apologize for her, and to say that +the whole thing was an accident, the reports as well as the injury." + +"Thank you," said Miss Ellis as Dorothy sat down. "I am very glad +indeed that the unpleasant happening has been disposed of." + +Alice was on her feet next. + +"I also want to apologize, Miss Ellis," she broke out in her "boyish +tones," adding: "I should not have spoken as I did, when you asked me +to be silent. I was rude to do so." + +"A fault atoned for is a lesson learned," commented the teacher, as +Alice took her seat. + +It seemed to the girls the entire session would be given up to +apologies and "love feasts," but when Tavia arose there was a decided +murmur through the room. + +"Fluffy!" whispered the girl in the very last seat referring to Tavia's +fancy dress. + +"Full bloom!" said another, meaning that the pink and white dress put +the "Tiger Lily," as they called Tavia, in full bloom. + +But these remarks had no effect on Tavia. + +"I believe," she began bravely, "that I was the real cause of the +trouble. I did swing Sarah too high, I was angry about Memorial Day, +and blamed her for taking Dorothy's place. I am very sorry." + +At that moment a man appeared at the door. It was Squire Sanders! + +In he tramped, his cane beating a formidable march in advance of his +steps, and his green-black hat kept on his head making a poor show of +his manners in a girls' schoolroom. + +"I just come in to settle up that little matter of the Ford girl," he +drawled. "I see you've got that wild harum-scarum Travers' girl back +again." + +"The matter has been settled." Miss Ellis interrupted. + +"Has, eh? Well, I've not been notified to that effect and I continue my +services until I am officially notified to quit," he announced, +bringing his cane down in a "full stop." + +How odious his presence was in the room at that moment. Tavia's face +crimsoned when he referred to her as a "harum-scarum" and only a +warning look from Dorothy kept her from replying to his insult. + +"I think, Squire Sanders," said Miss Ellis, "that Mr. and Mrs. Ford are +satisfied the affair was an accident. It was a +misunderstanding--blaming the pupils." + +"Accident or no accident, that's no account to me. I'm on this case, +and I intend to see it through." + +"Mean old thing!" said one girl, somewhat above a whisper, "he just +wants the fine. Let's chase him!" + +It was quite evident more than one girl felt like "chasing" the +obnoxious squire, but he held his ground and continued to punctuate his +impolite remarks with that noisy cane. + +"I want to see Octavia Travers at my office," he announced, "and I want +her to come right along with me now!" + +"Squire Sanders!" cried Miss Ellis, shocked and alarmed. "I cannot and +will not permit you to take a pupil from this room!" + +"Oh, you won't eh?" the squire looked more unpleasantly than ever. +"Well, I'd like to see you stop me! Perhaps you would like to give up +your job here? There's more after it, and some knows more about the +ways of keeping wild girls down than Rachel Ellis does, too. I would +advise you not to interfere with an officer. Come along, Miss Travers." + +"She will not!" called out Alice. "My father is a town committeeman and +I know something about the laws of Dalton. Show us your warrant!" + +This was a surprise to Squire Sanders. He never expected his authority +would be questioned--and by a mere schoolgirl. + +"Warrant, eh?" he sneered. "Maybe you would like to come along +yourself, since you are so smart!" + +A wild thought flashed through the mind of Alice. What if he should +take both her and Tavia to his office! + +It would be a case of false arrest, and cost the squire his place in +Dalton! + +"Get ready!" he called again to Tavia, who now seemed to regard the +whole thing as a joke, and was smiling broadly. + +"Don't move a step!" called Alice, while Miss Ellis looked on +helplessly. + +"Now, that settles it," cried out the squire, red with anger. "I'll +take you, too. Come right along here!" + +Alice shot a meaning look at Miss Ellis and stepped out. + +"Come, Tavia," she said, "the more the merrier. Girls we will be back +in time for the picnic," and, taking the "cue" from Alice, Tavia also +stepped out, and with her, marched off behind the squire. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +A QUEER PICNIC + + +And that was to be picnic day! + +A queer holiday, indeed, with two girls taken from the +classroom--arrested! + +Yes, that was what it amounted to, in spite of the jolly way Tavia and +Alice trooped off, making "faces" and doing fancy "steps" back of the +squire. + +Miss Ellis sat at her desk dazed, and stunned. She could not realize it +all--a squire coming into her room--threatening her with dismissal, and +taking two girls off to the common police court for a "hearing." + +She was not a woman given to showing her feelings, but this seemed more +than she could bear; tears came into her eyes, fell upon her books and +then she bowed her head--she had to cry! Dorothy was at her side +instantly. + +"Dear Miss Ellis," she murmured, "don't take it so seriously. It will +be all right. I'm sure those two girls are well able to take care of +themselves, and I suspect Alice went more for mischief than for +anything. Perhaps I had better run down to father's office, and tell +him about it; he will know exactly what to do." + +The girls all looked on with sad faces. They had never before seen Miss +Ellis cry in school. But she raised her head now, and seemed better +able to control her feelings. + +"I think, Dorothy," she said, "it may be better to wait awhile. +Something may happen to--save the girls from really going to his +office. We will try to study, and perhaps we may have our picnic yet." + +But it was a difficult matter to apply minds to books that morning; too +much had happened to be turned readily aside for mere school work. Such +whispering had never been permitted before, although the girls did try +to be kind to Miss Ellis, she looked so sad and worried. + +Meanwhile the two girls, Tavia and Alice, had been having their own +experiences. + +Upon reaching the street they stepped up along side the squire, so that +persons in passing thought they were merely walking along to keep the +aged man company. + +But Ralph Willoby was not so easily misled. + +He was just leaving the Bugle office as they came along, and he +instantly detected a "story." + +"Come on," said Alice, "you can be our counsel. We are under arrest." + +"No need," objected the squire, "I am well able to attend to this case." + +"But your office is public," answered Ralph, "and I guess I'll go along +and see what happens." + +"But I say I don't want any interference," and the squire raised his +voice. "You newspaper scamps always get things wrong anyway." + +"Probably because you do not give us a chance to get them right," +retorted Ralph. "This time we will try to stick to facts." + +"Well, when I'm ready to give them out you can have them, but not +before," insisted the angry squire. + +"But I'm going along, just the same," declared Ralph, as Tavia stepped +back to walk with him, so that the squire was obliged to go on with +Alice, who really seemed to be enjoying the experience. + +The office of the justice of the peace was a dingy, dirty little place. +It had served Dalton for the small needs of a public office for some +years, Squire Sanders, of course, collecting a good income for its +yearly rental. + +An old bench was stretched in front of the desk. + +The girls sank down on this, making queer "faces" and comical gestures. + +"My first offense!" sighed Alice, with mock sadness. + +"Same here!" said Tavia in similar tone. + +"Since you wish it," said Ralph to Alice, "I can act as counsel. You +know I really am studying law, and there is nothing like taking cases +for experience." + +"Now, no skylarking here," called out the squire, "I want to hear all +about that case, let me see--the case of--I've got it somewhere," and +he turned the soiled pages of the "records" over rather roughly, +considering they were supposed to belong to the town of Dalton. + +Tavia was biting her lips. She felt every moment the laugh would get +the better of her and get out on its own accord, but she tried bravely +to suppress it. + +Ralph was whispering to Alice. Evidently he was pleased with the +information she imparted, for he, too, smiled broadly as the squire +called: + +"Octavia Travers, step up to the bar!" + +"What for?" asked Tavia saucily. + +"To swear--take your oath--make your affidavit," called the squire +sharply. + +"What's the charge?" interrupted Ralph. + +"'Sault an' batt'ry," snapped the squire. + +"Who signed the warrant?" questioned Ralph further. + +"See here young feller!" and the squire rapped his cane vigorously upon +the desk, "if you don't let me go on with this case I'll kick you out." + +"Oh, no, you won't. I have as much right here as you have, and I intend +to see that you do not, in any way, insult the young ladies!" + +"You young scamp!" yelled the squire, making a dash for Ralph and +bringing his cane down squarely on the young man's head, at which Alice +and Tavia screamed. + +A moment later the men were scuffling on the floor. + +"I'll teach you!" the squire kept yelling. + +"Let me go!" shouted Ralph. + +"Oh, we must get help!" screamed Alice. "Tavia, run quick, to the +office next door. That man is crazy. He will kill Ralph," and, while +Tavia ran to one side of the place, Alice hurried to the other, so that +all possible help would be called at once. + +In a short time the little place was crowded. Some came to aid, and +others came to see what was wrong. Alice and Tavia stood by with very +white faces. Alice had pulled the squire away from Ralph and the aged +man finally had been subdued, that is two men had succeeded in keeping +him away from Ralph, but not until the young man had been considerably +injured. The squire was still sputtering and those who tried to quiet +him had a hard task of it. Every time they would let go his arms he +would throw them up with new energy, trying to get at Ralph again, +until at last it was found necessary to go to the constables' desk; get +out the only pair of handcuffs in Dalton, and put them on the wrists of +the obstreperous official. + +This, of course, was great fun for the boys who had gathered about, and +who had more than one grudge against Squire Sanders. Many a time he had +chased them off the coasting hill, he had often spoiled a good day's +swimming, and as for apples--a boy never knew when he was safe to +"borrow" one from any orchard in Dalton. + +But the tables were turned now--and the boys were glad of it. A taste +of his own medicine would do the aged man good, they declared. + +Not being able to do more than shout and kick, Squire Sanders soon +"gave out" and fell back sullenly in a chair near a window. Ralph's +head was bleeding. + +"Oh, we must get Ralph to the drug store," insisted Alice. "Perhaps Dr. +Gray will be there. He is hurt, I am sure," and she was almost in +tears, for indeed Ralph looked very much injured--his lip was cut, and +girls cannot well stand the sight of blood. + +Ralph felt quite well able to walk, he declared, and assured the girls, +laughingly, that their case and his would now likely "come up" together +in the next term of court. + +But just as Alice, Tavia, Ralph, and a few sympathizing friends were +ready to leave the office Franklin MacAllister, president of the +Selectmen of Dalton, and father of Alice, stepped into the place. He +had heard of the disturbance, and having power to act in any such +emergency, he hurried to the scene. + +"Well," he exclaimed, seeing his daughter there, "what in the world are +you doing here?" + +"Oh, I made all the trouble," replied Alice, "that is, Tavia and I made +it. We were arrested--" + +"Arrested!" repeated the father, incredulously. + +"Yes, indeed we were. And Mr. Willoby only stepped in to help us when +he got in trouble." + +Mr. MacAllister talked earnestly to Ralph. Plainly both men were of the +same opinion--either Squire Sanders was crazy or he was too old and +incompetent to hold office. + +"What are we going to do with him, Mr. President?" asked one of the men +who had the unpleasant duty of standing by and keeping guard over the +squire. + +"Bind him over to keep the peace," replied the president. "Squire +Sanders," he called, and thereat every one held his or her breath, +"this is a sad predicament to find an officer in. In fact the +occurrence is a disgrace to the town of Dalton." + +The squire shifted uneasily in the chair. He had not spoken coherently +since the struggle with Ralph, and was still in an ugly mood. At the +same time he understood who now addressed him; the president of the +board; the man who had authority to bring matters about so as to +deprive him of the office he had held for years. + +"Stand up!" called the president, and the squire shuffled awkwardly to +his feet. + +"What have you to say in this matter? We have a quorum of the board +here present and we may as well dispose of this case. There is also +another count pending against you. How did you come to let that man +Anderson slip out of Dalton so easily--help him out in fact? Was his +money better than that of the people of this town, who for years have +been paying you for duties that you have never honestly performed?" + +At the mention of Anderson, Squire Sanders' face turned from red to a +deadly ashen. + +"Look out," cautioned Ralph aside to the president, "he is old you +know, and might drop at any moment." + +"Not a bit of it," went on Mr. MacAllister. "He is too tough for that. +Speak up, Sanders. This is your last chance." + +But the man never moved his lips. Sullen and beaten he sat there while +Mr. MacAllister, recounted some of his misdeeds. + +"You have disgraced your office," he declared, "but the most outrageous +of your offenses was that of bringing into this office two innocent +schoolgirls--doctoring up a charge against them, trying to force them +to acknowledge they had taken part in an affair that they had +absolutely nothing to do with--and all this you did for the paltry fee +that goes with each case on your books. Now, Sanders, I have spoken to +the members of the board here present and the verdict in your case +is--that you leave Dalton inside of ten days. The penalty for contempt +in the matter will be a public trial, and, no doubt, imprisonment." + +It was a difficult matter to restrain the boys present. They wanted to +cheer--to shout, but were not allowed to do so. Ralph had quite +recovered himself now, and so insisted on going alone to the drugstore +to have his slight wounds dressed if necessary. Two of the selectmen +looked after Sanders, releasing him of the handcuffs, and advising him +"to make himself scarce" around Dalton, until the feeling against him +had quieted down some. All the defiance had left him now; he scarcely +raised his head as he crept out the back way to his rooms next door. + +Upon hearing the school story in full Mr. MacAllister decided to take +his daughter and Tavia back to the school room himself, and set every +thing right with Miss Ellis and her pupils. + +"You have had a rough time of it lately," he commented as he and the +two girls made their way to the school. + +"But Alice is a--a brick!" declared Tavia, in appreciation of her +friend's assistance. "She helped us splendidly." + +"Glad to hear it," answered the father, "Alice is our tom-boy, but she +is true-blue, eh, Bob?" he said patting his daughter affectionately. +"You knew what I meant about the man Anderson, did you not, Tavia?" he +went on. "That was your 'special friend' I believe." + +"Oh, I have met him," replied Tavia laughing, "but I think now the +reason the old squire wanted to get me into this trouble was because he +thought it might affect Dorothy Dale, as she is my special friend. +Somehow the Burlock-Anderson affair seemed to be aimed at the Dales." + +"Oh, yes, no doubt of it," answered Mr. MacAllister, "but we think we +are on the track of settling the matter now." + +Tavia felt she could scarcely wait to tell all this to Dorothy, for she +had been wondering what had become of the Anderson affair. Alice looked +proudly up at her father as they neared the school. + +"They may think you have come to take someone else away," she said +laughing. "This has been a queer picnic day." + +"Don't worry about that," he answered. "You must have an extra good +time to make up for your troubles and disappointment, I will see what I +can do for you." + +Alice cast a meaning glance at Tavia. If her father undertook to give +Dalton school a treat it would surely be something worth while, Alice +was sure, and so, with that bright prospect uppermost in her mind, she +led her father into the school room. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE SECRET + + +It took but a short time for Mr. MacAllister to explain everything +satisfactorily to Miss Ellis and her pupils. He was a gentleman any +daughter might well be proud of, and, indeed, Alice showed a pardonable +pride as he stood there smiling and assuring the teacher that, as +president of the Selectmen of Dalton, he would promise a holiday to the +class that would make up in every way for the disappointment of the +morning. + +When the visitor had departed, Miss Ellis announced she would carry out +the intended program as far as a half session was concerned, but, as it +was too late to go on the picnic then the pupils might go home and +enjoy themselves as they wished. + +Tavia and Alice were now regarded as heroines. To think they had really +been in the court, and that they had been witnesses to--"a fight," as +Tavia declared Squire Sanders' attack on Ralph was "nothing more nor +less than a common roll around fight." + +Finally the picnic lunches were disposed of, and Tavia took Dorothy's +arm as they walked homeward--she had much to tell Dorothy and knew that +no girl would interrupt such apparent confidence as "arm in arm" +indicated. + +"And what do you think Mr. MacAllister said?" began Tavia. "That old +Squire Sanders let that horrible man get out of Dalton--the man who +frightened us so!" + +"Did he?" replied Dorothy, absently. + +"And you knew, of course, about poor Miles Burlock--he died when you +were sick, so I did not tell you anything about it." + +"Yes, father told me." + +"What are you thinking of, Doro? You are not listening to me at all." + +"I have so much to think of," answered Dorothy, smiling. "I can hardly +keep my thoughts in line." + +"But you should have seen Alice--Oh, she just pulled the old squire by +the collar. She didn't wait for a man to come. And look at my dress! +Isn't it a sight? I might have known there would be an earthquake or a +fight when I attempted to wear anything like this." + +"It is too bad, but that is a straight tear. You can easily mend it." + +"But Ralph's eye; that will not darn so neatly. I hope that hateful old +squire never shows his ugly 'phiz-mahogony' in Dalton again." + +"Do you think Ralph is much hurt?" Dorothy inquired anxiously. "Wasn't +it disgraceful?" + +"Perfectly rambunctious!" declared Tavia, "although it might have been +jolly good fun if Ralph had another fellow in his place--one not quite +so careful of the squire's feelings and features. But you should have +seen the squire with the handcuffs on! Oh! it was better than the play +I saw in Rochester," and Tavia relieved her pent-up jollity by tossing +into the air the borrowed lunch box and making "passes" at it, with +queer pranks in imitation of the jugglers she had seen at Rochester. + +"Tavia," asked Dorothy, very seriously, "do you think you could keep a +secret?" + +"Keep a secret? Dorothy darling, Dare-me!" + +"Now, no joking, Tavia," insisted Dorothy, "this is a matter of +importance." + +"Oh, I just love importance. That was what mostly happened to me and +Alice to-day in the squire's office--importance!" + +"Well, if you really can't be serious-- + +"Oh, but, Doro dear, just try me. I shall weep if you say so, +only--pardon, mamselle, but do not, if you please, make that weep too +long, a few sniffs only, for I have not with me in this fleshling +costume ze 'kerchief," and she made a most ridiculous little French +"squat," further evidence of the Rochester play. + +"I am afraid Tavia, that trip to your Aunt Mary's has affected your +head; they say nothing can do so more effectively than certain kinds of +plays." + +"Well, the one I saw was the certain kind. Why, last night mother +nearly had nervous prostration because I was practicing up in my room. +I was trying to do a fall--and I did it all right." + +"How foolish you are, Tavia," said Dorothy slightly frowning, "I would +not think of such nonsense if I were you." + +"Yes, it was awfully foolish, for it knocked the ceiling down in the +kitchen, just dusting Johnnie's pompadour. The escape, however, made +mother happy, so that the ceiling did not count." + +Dorothy "gave in." She had to laugh and did laugh so heartily she was +obliged to sit down on the grass to enjoy the "tragedy" as Tavia +described the stage fall and the "ceiling drop." + +"But the secret?" demanded Tavia, making sure her skirt would not be +stained, before taking her place on the grass beside Dorothy. + +"Yes, I do want to tell you," answered Dorothy, "Now listen. You know +Squire Sanders was particularly anxious that you should stand all the +blame for Sarah's accident." + +"Particularly anxious? He was dead set on it. Polite language doesn't +fit the case." + +"Tavia, you really are too slangy. It may be all right just for fun, in +talking to girls, but some day you will be sorry. It will become a +habit." + +"Like Jake Schmid taking the pledge. I saw him yesterday very close +to--a saloon!" + +"Poor Jake!" said Dorothy with a sigh. "But he does seem to try--" + +"To take the pledge? Indeed he does and I admire his perseverance. +That's just the way I try to avoid slang." + +"I am afraid, Tavia, we will not accomplish much in the way of +confidences, if you persist in being--ridiculous," and Dorothy made as +if to continue on her way home. + +"Sit right down there, Dorothy Dale," insisted Tavia, pulling her +friend's skirt, and bringing Dorothy down beside her rather suddenly. +"I will have to play the villain and demand that 'secret'!" + +"Well, it is simply this: I think I see the motive Squire Sanders had +in trying to disgrace you." + +"Let me see it quick!" snapped Tavia. + +"Didn't your father run against him last year for the office of Town +Squire?" + +"Certainly," said Tavia, briefly. + +"And the only reason he did not get the office was because the squire +was so old the men thought it best not to disturb him just then." + +"Right, again," answered Tavia. + +"Election time is now almost here. Your father would be up for the +office again. Don't you see by bringing trouble to you and your folks +your father would become unpopular?" + +"And get left!" + +"Yes; be defeated." + +"But he will not!" and Tavia's brown eyes danced significantly. "The +squire is down and out. And worse yet he has to run for his money. Now +my own dear dad will have a chance. Oh, Doro, I love politics better +than eating. I hope some day soon, while Tavia Travers is still in +circulation, the women will vote in Dalton same as they do in +Rochester--they don't just exactly vote in Rochester, but a lot of them +talk about it." + +"Now you must not mention my suspicions," cautioned Dorothy, "for I +must speak to father first. It does not seem fair that the Fords should +be blamed for making statements about you that, perhaps, the squire put +into their heads." + +"Dorothy Dale, you would make a first class lawyer, and when you want a +job at it I will engage you to defend my case. But I do not see how I +am to keep all that momsey. It would be so good to have father back at +a desk again. They say he really was a first class justice out in +Millville. And he just hates his work now--so little wages; mom cannot +seem to make them go around--me and Johnnie; Johnnie mostly gets the +knot at the end." + +"It certainly would be splendid to have him get the position. And I am +sure father will do all he can for him: but I would not mention it to +your mother, just yet." + +"All right Doro, I have given you my promise, but you have made me so +happy!" and Tavia hugged Dorothy so enthusiastically that the latter +was obliged to beg off. + +"And I tell you what," went on Tavia, "when Pop gets Squire Sander's +place I--this--me--you know" and she made another wonderful, sweeping +all-around bow, "I will be 'city clerk.' I will keep the books and +Dorothy Hill-and-Dale, if ever your name gets on the books it shall be +promptly eliminated, elucidated, expurgated--there now! Don't you think +I should be in the grad. class? I was looking up words with 'ate' +in--my favorite pastime,--and I came across that bunch." + +"I do really think, Tavia, that you would do better at school if you +only tried. We cannot always have studies that we are especially +interested in. It is like the scales in piano practice, they give us +the mechanical work for pretty dances and other brilliant pieces." + +"Well, we have no piano, so I do not have to worry about that. I +suppose you will play at the closing exercises?" + +"Miss Ellis has asked me to. But Tavia, we really must be going. I have +promised to go over to Sarah's this afternoon." + +"May I go with you? I just would like to feel that we had talked it all +off, you know. I do not want to think Sarah has any hard feelings." + +"Certainly; come, I am sure Sarah will be glad to see you, and her +mother is very pleasant. Be careful not to tell too much about to-day's +affairs, It might worry Sarah." + +"If I forget myself you just squint, and I'll be as mum as a mummy." + +So Dorothy and Tavia started off homeward, arm in arm. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +DOROTHY IN POLITICS + + +The news of Squire Sanders' downfall spread rapidly throughout Dalton. +To the men interested in public affairs it was no surprise, for they +had known, of course, of his shortcomings; but there were those in the +town who looked upon the "disgraceful scene" in the office that morning +as something too serious for ordinary treatment--it should be brought +to the attention of the sheriff, they declared. + +Among those of that opinion was Mr. Ford, father of Sarah. He was one +of the men who felt they had been wronged, personally, by the squire, +and in reference to this matter Mr. Ford called upon Major Dale. + +It was late that same afternoon, when Dorothy and Tavia were visiting +Sarah, that Mr. Ford arrived at the office of Major Dale. + +"I have been a fool," he told the major, "to listen to such arguments +as that man made against mere children. Of course my daughter was +injured and that angered me; but it was the foolish talk of that old +man which made me think I should have revenge--revenge upon a girl no +more guilty than a babe in its cradle." + +Mr. Ford spoke with much bitterness. Men do not like to make such +mistakes, but those of high character are always ready to do what they +can to right such wrongs. + +"But there was no real harm done?" interrupted the major. + +"No harm done! To take two innocent girls into that office and accuse +them of--I don't know what! Why, Major, it was simply outrageous," and +Mr. Ford paced the floor impatiently. + +"It was a lucky thing that my young man, Ralph Willoby, happened along, +although it seemed unlucky enough for him. But I believe he is not +injured beyond a cut lip and bruised eye. The old squire seemed to have +entirely lost control of himself. This comes from keeping incompetent +men in office--just through sentiment." + +"Exactly. They can do more harm than one would imagine. Think how he +talked me into the idea that this poor Travers family should pay my +daughter's doctor bill! And I told him to go ahead and collect it!" + +Each time that this thought came to Mr. Ford it seemed to him more +repugnant. First, that he should have blamed Tavia without +investigating the matter himself; next that he should have allowed a +man like Squire Sanders to "humbug" him. + +"Well," said the major, "we now have it in our power to put the right +man in the office of Justice of the Peace. You know John Travers was up +for it last year." + +"I do, but--he is not of our party." + +"Yet you admit he is the right man?" + +"I know of no one better fitted for the office." + +"Then make it the man this time, and leave the party aside. Franklin +MacAllister was in this afternoon. He says the appointment must be made +at once, but that your faction in the council will oppose Travers. Your +vote can decide the matter." + +Mr. Ford was silent for a moment. Men think it almost a sacred +obligation to "stick to their party," especially when that party puts +the member in office with the understanding that their interests shall +be looked after. + +"It may cost me my place on the board--" said Mr. Ford thoughtfully, +"but that will not affect my family, or my pocket-book--" + +"Still you have been a good member," interrupted the major, "and we +cannot afford to lose you, either." + +"But you said Mac. stated my vote would carry it one way or other?" + +"Yes, he has canvassed it." + +"Then Travers shall be the man!" and Mr. Ford brought one hand down on +the other in a most determined, and defiant manner. + +"Strange," said Major Dale, "but the children have settled this for us. +My little girl Dorothy had the whole thing planned out, and talked me +over to her way. She is very fond of the Travers girl, you know." + +The office door opened and Mr. MacAllister entered. + +"Hullo!" he said cheerily. "Been lobbying, Major?" + +"Seems so." + +"Well, Travers has my vote," Mr. Ford hurried to say. + +"What, going back on your party?" said Mr. MacAllister, laughing. + +"Either that or go back on my own daughter," commented Mr. Ford. "It +seems this is the girls' election." + +The major could hardly disguise his pride--Dorothy had certainly "been +busy" lately, and every undertaking of hers had met with success. A +girl, after all, may be something more than a pretty doll, he thought. +But the whole thing is to get them to exert their influence in the +right direction. See how Dorothy had helped in the liquor crusade. And +without "soiling her finger tips," thought the major, proudly. + +And while this caucus was being held in the major's office, Dorothy was +conducting another sort of meeting at the Ford home. + +Tavia and Sarah had "made up" most affectionately. Sickness, sometimes +is a powerful teacher, and afforded, in Sarah's case, time to think +reasonably which was plainly what she needed. + +"I always thought the girls disliked me," she told Tavia, "that, of +course, made me dislike most of them. But I did love Dorothy," she +hastened to declare, "and I was jealous of her love for you." + +"I don't blame you a bit," answered Tavia, in her direct way. "If she +should turn 'round and fall in love with you--why then no telling what +might happen." + +Sarah was now able to walk around with the aid of a cane, and this +afternoon she sat out on the porch entertaining her friends. + +"I do hope," said Dorothy, "that you will be able to go on the picnic +with us, Sarah. Perhaps that, too, will be all the better for being +postponed." + +"Only my lunch," sighed Tavia, melodramatically. "I shall never be able +to put up another such!" and she smacked her lips in remembrance of the +good things the borrowed lunch box had contained. + +"Perhaps, then, I will be able to invite you to take some of mine," +said Sarah politely. "Mother just loves to do up dainty lunches." + +"Accepted with pleasure," replied Tavia, imitating society manners. +"Make it enough for yourself, plenty for me, and a little to spare. +Then we will be sure to come out all right." + +Mrs. Ford came out to ask the visitors to remain to tea, but they +politely declined. She was especially kind in talking to Tavia, and +invited her to come again with Dorothy. + +"They say," remarked Dorothy to Tavia, as the girls hurried along the +lane, "'that love scarce is love that does not know the sweetness of +forgiving,' and it does seem that way, don't you think so?" + +"Oh, that was what ailed us all, was it? Not our fault at all, but the +fault of some old mildewed poet, that wanted to make good his verses. +The 'sweetness of forgiving,' eh? Well, it is better than scrapping, +I'll admit, but I wish poets would make up something handier. We went +through quite something to find the sweetness." + +"Hurry," whispered Dorothy, "I thought I heard something move in the +bushes!" + +"So did I," admitted Tavia, quickening her pace. + +"It is always so lonely in the lane at night, we should have gone +around." + +"Let's run," suggested Tavia. "One row a day is enough for me." + +The bushes stirred suspiciously now, and both girls were alarmed. They +were midway in the lane, and could not gain the road, except by running +on to the end of the lonely path. Each side was lined with a thick +underbrush, and--there was no mistaking it now--someone was stealing +along beside them! + +Taking hold of hands the girls ran. As they did the figure of a man +darted out in the path after them. Not a word was spoken--all their +strength was put into speed--to get to the end of the lane before that +man should overtake them! + +They knew the footing well, although the path was rough with tree +stumps and rocks thrown there from the fields at the side. + +Suddenly there was an exclamation. Turning quickly Tavia saw the man's +form rolling in the deep grass. + +"He has fallen over the big stump," she said, "and has rolled into the +thick briars. Hurry now, we will get out all right." And, with renewed +courage, the girls ran on, reaching the end of the lane in full view of +houses, before the "tramp" could possibly overtake them. + +"That was the same fellow," declared Tavia. "What in the world does he +follow us for?" + +"It's all the Burlock business," Dorothy answered. "But hurry, we must +give the alarm this time. Perhaps they will be able to catch him." + +Out of breath, and very much frightened, the girls reached the center +of the village, going directly there instead of turning into a side +street to go home. + +"Perhaps father is in his office," remarked Dorothy. + +"There's Ralph," said Tavia, as that young man emerged from a doorway. + +Quicker than it takes to tell it a searching party was formed. The +three men who had been talking politics were still in the major's +office, and when told of the girl's fright they promptly started out +for the lane picking up more help at every turn. + +"We will get him if we have to burn down the woods," declared the +major, deeply incensed at his daughter's peril. + +"And not a gun in the crowd," remarked Mr. MacAllister. "This is where +we need our constable." + +They had reached the lane now, and it was quite dark. Numbers of men, +who had been taking a quiet evening smoke at their own doors joined in +the "rounding up" as Mr. Ford called it. + +"No Squire Sanders to help him out this time," some one remarked. + +Then the men scattered--completely surrounding the place where the +tramp had been last seen. + +"The only way he could get away from us would be in a balloon," said +Mr. MacAllister. + +"Or an airship," spoke up someone else. + +With heavy clubs and every available weapon to beat down the brush they +started out through the lane on the man hunt. + +Surely twenty good men should be able to find the one "tramp" now. + +But would they? + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE GIRLS HAVE IT + + +It was an entirely new experience for Dalton men--searching for a +miscreant that spring evening in the lane. But evening wore into +nightfall and no trace of the "tramp" had been discovered. + +From either end of the lane the men came together at last, and admitted +they had been again outwitted by the "slick rascal." + +Mr. MacAllister, in dismissing the party, urged them to be at the town +meeting that night to vote for a constable, and never had the need of +such an official been so plainly demonstrated. + +"We must go about to-night," he said, "and notify business persons to +be on the lookout for a fellow of this description. Of course, if we +had a regular constable we might save ourselves that trouble." + +To the old politicians of Dalton, those who always voted promptly, but +put off paying taxes until the very last notice had been served upon +them, the appointment of John Travers to succeed Squire Sanders, came +as a surprise. Poor men are not always popular, and the other +candidate, Baldwin Blake, was the sort of fellow it was pleasant to +meet--around election times. But John Travers got the office without a +dissenting vote in the council--a matter quite as surprising to Mr. +Travers as to any man present. Mr. MacAllister whispered aside to Major +Dale, when the result of the ballot was made known: + +"Travers does not know what a strong pull our young politicians have. +This is the girls' campaign." + +But when a few hours later, the new squire told his own girl of the +good fortune, Tavia declared Dorothy had managed it all. + +It was a fact, however regrettable, that Mrs. Travers was not at home +to hear the good news. She had gone to see a sick friend that +afternoon, and had sent word later that she would remain away all night. + +But Mrs. Travers was probably not as blamable in her home-making +delinquencies as it might appear. She simply did not know how to make a +home. She belonged to that unfortunately large class of women, who have +received a so-called "education" from books, but who have never been +trained in either discipline or character, which might give the +forbearance necessary in meeting the actual trials of life, or in the +management of the great American dollar, which might make up, in a +measure, for lack of discipline, when that dollar, like the proverbial +charity, must cover a multitude of wants. Mrs. Travers had attended a +school where embroidery was the chief number in the curriculum, and +mathematics (after decimal fractions) made elective. Hence it was that +the burden of responsibility came so early to Tavia, who was scarcely +better able to undertake it than the mother. + +The unfortunate result of this total lack of management might have +discouraged a man less optimistic than John Travers, but he always +"made allowances," just as he did to-night when the indifferent wife +was not there to share in the family's happy hour. + +"Maybe I can help you with the books," suggested Tavia, when the +possible details of the new position were being discussed. + +"Oh, I will have plenty of time to attend to them, daughter," her +father replied. "The books I want you to attend to are those at +school--I want you to make up for lost time. Dalton people will expect +more from us now that they are giving us a chance." + +"Dorothy says I do better than I imagine," replied Tavia. "I did not +expect to pass--I had been home so much--but if only I could get a +'conditional,' and leave when Dorothy does!" + +Ambition had come to Tavia--at last. + +Her father wished her to get through school, and she determined, if +such a thing was possible she would do it. + +"I could study very hard," she told herself, when thinking the matter +over very seriously, that night, in her own little cheerless room. +"Dorothy has all her work done, and I am sure she will help me." + +And what a surprise it would be to every one if she really did get +"conditioned" in the studies she failed in, and should actually +graduate in the general work. + +What a wonderful thing it was to have something definite to work for! +Dorothy and Alice had always felt that way, but until to-night Tavia +had never known the real joy of doing good work, with the actual reward +in sight. Home life had been dreary indeed, school had been little +better, the only bright spot in the misplaced life had been put in by +Dorothy Dale. And what a power for good had been the quiet, unobtrusive +influence! + +"I owe every single thing to Dorothy," Tavia declared to her own heart +that eventful night, "and I hope some day I will be able to show her I +am not ungrateful." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A GIRL'S WEAPON + + +Tavia's plans took shape next morning--there was nothing visionary +about them. She did surprise her father with a neat breakfast table, +and Johnnie surprised himself with a clean linen suit. + +"Nothing succeeds like success," said the father, pleased and happy +that, at last something had "happened" to brighten the make-shift home. + +"And when mother comes," Tavia announced, "she will find that I have +discovered how to keep house, for I have already provided for dinner. +Now Johnnie, be careful that you do me credit--go right straight to +school when it's time, and don't, as you value your place in--in--my +heart, miss a single lesson!" + +"Good!" said the father, actually taking a tiny rosebud from the clean +milk bottle, in the center of the table, and putting it in his +buttonhole. + +"Would it be silly for a boy to wear a flower?" faltered Johnnie, "Joe +Dale often does." + +"Indeed every boy in school will know to-day that pop is the 'head +constable' so why shouldn't you decorate?" and the sister put in the +fresh linen waist a bud that exactly matched the one chosen by the +squire. + +Mr. Travers recalled that this was the first morning he could remember +when his two children sat at table with him. They were always busy or +sleeping--any place but where they should be at breakfast time. + +"Now, I must see Dorothy before school," said Tavia, leaving the table. +"Johnnie, just eat all your toast while I clear up. Then you can bring +in fresh water, and some wood to have ready for noon, in case mother +should not get home in time to do everything." + +Mr. Travers was also in a hurry to get down to the Green, he had made +an appointment to talk with Major Dale and he did not delay after +breakfast. A new world had been discovered by him--the land of +prosperity; ambition for his children, and perhaps even contentment for +the incompetent little woman who had suffered too, and who now might +find a way and heart to do what seemed not worth while before. + +But Dorothy had "anticipated" Tavia's visit and was at the door before +the latter had entirely cleared away the table. + +"Why!" exclaimed Dorothy, when her eyes rested on the flowers, "you are +celebrating!" + +"Good reason why!" responded Tavia proudly, "my dad's a squire!" + +"I am so glad," murmured Dorothy, giving Tavia a kiss. "Now you will be +somebody, won't you?" + +"I am already--somebody else. You won't know me; better ask for an +introduction," and she walked haughtily to the sink with the last of +the dishes. + +"Delighted, I'm sure!" simpered Dorothy, imitating the society voice. + +"Pray be seated," went on the new Tavia, "I'll be disengaged directly." + +Tavia's happiness was so entirely self-evident there was no need for +her to make formal expression of it to Dorothy, yet, as she had +promised herself to be "just like other girls" Tavia felt the +obligation to say something polite. + +"I know, Dorothy," she began, "we owe everything to you. But it has +really made a new world for us, and now, you will see how we appreciate +it. I am going to get through school, if I can, and perhaps, when we +get better off, I may go on with you at school and grow up--like you." + +"Tavia dear," said Dorothy earnestly, "I am sure you will always be my +friend, whether you have a fancy education or not. We have learned more +than can be taught from books--we have learned to help each other, and +to understand each other." + +"Yes, I cannot imagine anything ever coming into our lives that would +keep us apart--even distance does not separate minds and hearts." + +Tavia had finished her work now, and surprised Dorothy by neatly +washing out the dish towels. + +Dorothy was ready to go now for it was getting close to the hour for +school. + +"I must tell you something in confidence," said she, "father thinks he +has a clew to the little Burlock girl's whereabouts." + +"Yes, and I thought the same thing when what do you suppose?--Aunt Mary +writes me that the woman--Mrs. Burlock--is dead!" + +"Dead!" exclaimed Dorothy. + +"Yes, and the society cannot now find her girl--she did have a +daughter." + +"But surely, in a place like Rochester, they should be able to trace a +little girl," Dorothy insisted. + +"They should be, but they were not. Aunt Mary wrote that the charitable +society had buried the woman, and when a young lady from the +organization went back to the rooms with the little girl she allowed +her to escape. That is, the young lady went out to buy something and +when she came back the girl was gone." + +"Did she run away?" + +"Haven't the least idea. But say, Doro, we will be late, sure pop, and +me putting on airs this morning. Quarter of nine. Now let's see if we +can beat last night's record. I'll set the pace," and so saying the +girls started off on a run, for it was most desirable that they reach +the school a few minutes, at least, before the bell rang. + +Dorothy insisted Tavia should go straight to Miss Ellis and tell her +how she was so anxious to keep up with her class. + +"You might change your mind," Dorothy remarked laughing, "and Tavia, +there is nothing like outside help for keeping troublesome resolutions." + +"Guess you're right," said Tavia with a sigh. "I may as well clinch it." + +"No slang now," interrupted Dorothy. "Graduates never use slang." + +"Then I've changed my mind already," pouted Tavia, "I must have slang +or die--'Liberty of speech or death!'" she exclaimed with a dramatic +gesture. + +"Come on," pleaded Dorothy, who was really anxious that Tavia should +speak to Miss Ellis before the classes assembled. + +To her surprise Tavia learned from her teacher that she had not so very +much to make up, and could, no doubt, do it if she tried. + +"You have been doing very well lately," said Miss Ellis, "and during +the days you were away we had scarcely any new lessons--nothing but +review. You were always fair in mathematics when you put your mind to +your work. Now let us see if you cannot surprise everyone by getting +all through--not conditioned in anything." + +Such encouragement was all Tavia needed. She went to work with a will +that day, and every time Dorothy glanced over at her (for Dorothy was +as anxious for her success as if it were entirely her own affair) she +would see Tavia "poring" over her book as if her very life depended +upon her accomplishing just so much work and she was bound she would do +it. + +How quickly the morning passed! It was so different to be busy in +school, Tavia thought, so much better than having the hours drag along. +At recess Alice hugged her in congratulation. + +"I knew he would get it," she said, referring, of course, to the new +position of Mr. Travers, "and father says we girls elected him. I see +you are already doing credit to the confidence with which Dalton people +have intrusted your family." + +"I am sure father will give satisfaction," Tavia answered, ignoring the +intended compliment for herself. "He had a splendid record in +Millville." + +"And the picnic," said Alice. "Have you heard it is really coming off +this time? Next Monday." + +"Then Sarah will be able to come," remarked Tavia, "I am just glad we +waited for her." + +All the girls agreed it would be especially nice to have a genuine +reunion, as this would be the last holiday until vacation, and that, of +course, would mean a scattering of classmates. + +"It will be a star picnic," declared Alice, as the girls returned to +the school room. + +"If nothing else happens," said Dorothy with apprehension for which she +could not account. + +"Why did you say that?" asked Tavia. + +"I don't know. But somehow I feel as if something will happen," and +Dorothy had sufficient reason afterward to remember the premonition. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +DOROTHY IN DANGER + + +Picnic day came at last, and with it there drew up to the gate of +Dalton School two four-horse wagons, the regular "straw-ride" variety. + +Mr. Ford had provided the conveyances, and when all the girls had been +seated on the big side benches with parasols, lunch boxes and "happy +smiling faces," the ride itself constituted a thoroughly enjoyable +outing. + +Sarah was there, between Dorothy and Tavia, and upon her arrival at the +school (the wagon had stopped for her as it came up) she received a +hearty welcome--an ovation, Tavia called it. + +Her face was pale, and her manner nervous, but she whispered aside to +Dorothy that she was so happy, and that she could never have been happy +with the girls after the trouble if Dorothy had not "straightened every +thing out for her." + +Miss Ellis, too, seemed very much pleased at the prospect of a happy +day--"after all," she thought, "her girls were well worth working for." +It was a beautiful day in June and the ride to the woods was perfumed +with that rare and wonderful incense--vapory sweetness of flowers +warmed by the soft sunshine of early summer. + +Blossoms brushed the faces of our friends as the picnic wagons rumbled +on and many a wreath of "laurel" was pressed to the brow of fair +graduates as the maple leaves in the hands of willing weavers, were +made into crowns for the "grads." + +A secret was plainly lurking in the eyes of Alice MacAllister. Dorothy +had remarked that girls, alone, would probably be lost in the great, +dark picnic place, for the pine trees grew so close there, the grounds +were often called "Twilight Grove"; but Alice only smiled broadly and +replied: + +"You just wait--the woods may be enchanted." + +"Splendid idea," declared Tavia, "I do need so much a little Brownie or +a goblin to help me with my housework. Fancy going home with a dear +little Jackanapes to carry my 'dinner pail'!" and at this suggestion +every one seemed to enjoy the grotesque idea that Tavia had outlined. + +The grove was finally reached, and the happy picnic party lost no time +in leaving the wagons, and making for the "best spots." + +But no sooner had they entered the great tall gateway than they were +set upon by a tribe of very lively goblins, for, from behind tree and +bush there darted upon the unsuspecting girls a rollicking, frolicking +band of boys--the boys' school having come to the grove to surprise the +girls, and help them enjoy the breaking up picnic. + +"I told you we might find the woods enchanted," said Alice who, of +course had learned of the secret, as it was Mr. MacAllister who +provided the wagons for the boys as well as for the girls. + +Such running about and such shouting! Some lads had hidden in the pines +and now as the girls ran through the grove, the "goblins" dropped down +upon their unsuspecting heads. + +Tavia and Alice helped make things livelier by gathering up parasols +and lunch boxes that had been left in the wagons for safety. These they +gave to the boys, who lost no time in forming a brigade, parasols in +the air and boxes under arms, to the distress and dismay of the unlucky +owners. + +But there was still another surprise in store for the school children. +When everything was fairly settled down for a day in the woods, a two +seated carriage drove in, and in this were President of the Town +Council, Franklin MacAllister; the Treasurer of Dalton, Major Dale, +Squire Travers and Ralph Willoby. + +Wild cheers went up from the woods as the party entered the grove; +first for the president, then for the major and a "hip-hip" and series +of hurrahs for the new squire. + +Certainly it was jolly to have such a crowd in the shady woods. The +officials told Miss Ellis they came to get acquainted with the pupils +of the Dalton schools. Also, they said, it was quite necessary to look +after so important a gathering officially, as there was the lake, and +other dangers, to which over enthusiastic youths might be more or less +exposed. + +Major Dale and Mr. MacAllister only remained long enough to see that +everything was satisfactorily started, and then left, charging Ralph +Willoby and Squire Travers to act as special officers. That this was a +wise precaution was plainly demonstrated before the day ended. + +Toward noon the merry-makers scattered throughout the spacious grounds, +looking for particularly pleasant spots to eat lunch. This was by no +means a difficult matter, for there were rustic benches built around +wonderful trees, besides little caves lined with soft pine needles and +covered with brown mounds of them. + +The diversity of natural beauties made this grove famous, for many +miles around, and never before, perhaps, was every nook and corner so +thoroughly explored. + +Ralph and the squire roamed around, seeing to it that boys in boats +kept a safe distance from the falls coming from the gates and old water +wheel. + +From this falls the roaring of the water could be heard for a +considerable distance, and so noisy were the rapids a person might +shout at another but a few feet away without being able to make his +voice heard. + +But the falls had a strange charm for Dorothy, and after lunch she +wandered there all alone, just to see, to think and to be quiet. Other +attractions had now claimed the attention of her companions, and she +sat there, enjoying the falls alone. + +She could scarcely hear a voice through the woods, so loudly did the +falls splash and splatter. + +Who, in her place, could have heard a man stealing up to that very +spot? Who could know a scoundrel was there, at that moment ready to +seize Dorothy? + +A rough hand clutched her slender arm! + +That man--Anderson--was glaring into her eyes! Dorothy screamed shrilly. + +"Hush!" commanded the man, "or I'll throw you over the falls!" and his +hand was upon Dorothy's throat, preventing further outcry. + +"Tell me," he growled, "did Miles Burlock leave his money with your +father?" + +Poor Dorothy felt as if the world had gone, and all the woes of death +were upon her! + +Looking about him hastily the man loosed his hold on her throat for an +answer, but instead another shrill scream rent the air. + +"You little fool!" he muttered, "do you want me to throw you over?" + +But at that moment an answer came--Ralph Willoby bounded through the +grove and had Dorothy in his arms before she could realize he was +there! Then with a look of baffled rage the man disappeared. + +"Ralph!" whispered Dorothy. + +"You are all right now," the young man assured her, putting his arm +firmly around the trembling girl, "if you feel faint I can carry you. +Do not try to walk." + +The noise of the falls was gone now--the sky was all black. + +"Oh," gasped Dorothy, "I can't hear, or see, I am--" + +It was welcome oblivion, however painful that clutch at her heart. + +She could not remember--was it Ralph, or the squire? + +She had been thinking how brave Ralph was--But now she could not think, +it was all dark night! + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A SURPRISE TRIP + + +When Ralph Willoby carried his senseless burden to the platform, where, +so short a time before, the girl had been as merry as any of her +playmates, Squire Travers determined upon one thing--to form a +searching party of all the boys to scour the woods from tree to stump +and if possible run down the villain who had attacked Dorothy. + +The fainting girl was soon revived by the careful ministrations of Miss +Ellis, assisted by pupils following her directions; and, before the +half-conscious girl realized what had happened to her, the boys were +running through the woods, led by the squire and Ralph, bent on finding +Anderson. + +But such reflections were of little use now that the harm was done. +Dorothy was very weak indeed. She felt as if those sinuous fingers were +still about her throat, and she could see those terrible eyes peering +into hers in spite of all her efforts to forget her awful experience. + +Some boys had already been sent off to the nearest place where it would +be possible to get a conveyance to take her home, and they now returned +with a covered carriage. + +Into this Miss Ellis and Dorothy were assisted, while the remainder of +the girls were soon ready to leave the grounds in the large picnic +wagons. + +The boys "to a man" remained in the woods, helping diligently in, what +now seemed to be, a useless search. + +Over the narrow plank, just above the dam, the man no doubt had escaped +to the other side, where the old ruins of a mill, with a big water +wheel, made a safe hiding place for the fellow. + +Squire Travers was much annoyed and worried over the occurrence. To +think such a thing could happen with him right there, in the woods, +seemed incredible. + +But Ralph assured him a similar thing had happened in the public +streets of Dalton, and the same man had gotten away. Why should it be +strange then that he would be able to make his escape in a dense woods? + +"But he must be caught," insisted the squire, "if we have to canvass +the entire town and surrounding places to get him." + +Some boys suggested that they disguise themselves as girls +impersonating Dorothy and Tavia, and then wait to be "caught" while +help remained close at hand. But it was decided such a ruse would +hardly work that day, as the man would know well enough the girls would +not again leave themselves liable to attack. + +It was a very discouraged band of boys, with Squire Travers and Ralph +Willoby as their leaders, that wended their way back to Dalton Center +that evening. The picnic, of course, had been spoiled, but that did not +amount to anything--it was the attack on Dorothy, and the escape of her +assailant that concerned the searching party. + +The squire and Ralph upon reaching town went directly to the office of +President MacAllister, and the result of the meeting held there marked +an epoch in the history of the township of Dalton. The new squire had +outlined a plan that every suspicious character found in the place +should be apprehended at once, and no sooner had this edict gone forth +than the suspected ones very quietly took their departure. While it was +generally believed the trouble had to do with a personal affair, there +seemed danger of course to all, while such persons as this "tramp" were +at liberty. + +But confidence was at once established by the ruling of the squire, +which put an end to the reign of terror, and Dalton became once more a +pleasant place to live in. + +The details of government had little interest now for Dorothy Dale, as +she tossed feverishly about on her bed that night dreaming of the awful +man. Dr. Gray had recommended that some one remain with her, on account +of her nervous condition, and Tavia insisted on being allowed to sit up +with her friend. + +A cot was arranged in Dorothy's room for Tavia, but she was too anxious +about the sick one to sleep. What if Dorothy should die? What a lonely +world this would be for Tavia without her. + +Several times during the night Aunt Libby came in and tried to induce +Tavia to take another room, and allow her to stay with Dorothy, but the +volunteer nurse would not leave her post. + +"Do go, Tavia," said Dorothy, who had just opened her eyes, and heard +Aunt Libby's argument, "I'm all right now; only nervous." + +"But I've promised myself a whole night with you, and I'm not going to +be chased away, just at the witching hour," Tavia insisted. + +But tired nature produced an argument incontrovertible, and when Tavia +stretched out on the comfortable cot, and tried to chat as lively to +Dorothy as if it had been mid-day on the side porch, she began to feel +drowsy, then she noticed Dorothy did not answer promptly, and so she +made her words "long and draggy" as mothers do when babies show signs +of "giving in." Presently there was a hush--both nurse and patient were +sound asleep. + +When Dr. Gray called the next morning he advised a complete change for +Dorothy. She was physically well enough, he said, but the shock to her +nervous system might result in complete prostration, unless her mind +was speedily disabused of the unpleasant memory. + +Major Dale knew this advice was wise, and he concluded to send Dorothy +to visit his sister, Mrs. Winthrop White, of North Birchland. + +"Pleasant company," said the doctor to Major Dale as he left, "is all +the girl wants. I wouldn't wonder but that little friend of hers--the +lively one,--would help her, if it could be made convenient for her to +go along." + +Convenient? That uncertainty had nothing to do with circumstances +important to his daughter's health, Major Dale decided. If Tavia's +company would be beneficial to Dorothy's health Tavia should go to +North Birchland with Dorothy. + +The question of school did not signify, either, the major reasoned, for +if Tavia could not afford to lose the remaining weeks in the term he +would see that they were made up for, amply. + +Arrangements were quickly made, letters dispatched back and forth, and +before the girls had time to think it over themselves, they were told +to be ready for the morning train. + +"Oh, isn't it perfectly grand!" exclaimed the excited Tavia, "but do +you think, Doro, I will be able to behave myself, to eat properly and +all that?" + +"Why, Tavia," answered Dorothy, "you will find real aristocratic people +are as simple as we are in manners; it is only those who try to be +'somebody,' and who do not know how, that make such a fuss over +everything. Aunt Winnie is a lovely lady--we call her Winnie from +Winthrop, because her own name is Ruth and we have another Aunt Ruth +out West." + +"Lucky thing I had my 'new' dress, and all the other things Aunt Mary +sent by express last week. And father's new suit case his men presented +him with when he left the factory--wasn't that providential?" asked +Tavia. + +Dorothy admitted it was fortunate, and so, as this was the very evening +before their departure, the girls arranged such matters as required +consultation and then hurried off to attend to so many little things +necessary for travelers. + +Aunt Libby could not hide a tear when Dorothy put her arms about the +wrinkled neck, but when Major Dale helped his daughter to step upon the +train platform he was smiling; glad to have her go it seemed. Joe told +Johnnie afterwards that was the way soldiers always act when they face +trouble. + +Mrs. Travers was really glad to have Tavia go, and she did not deny it. +It was such a chance for her, she told Aunt Libby, as they went home +from the depot, and Tavia, she declared, was a girl who always made the +most of her chances. + +As the train flew along, or Dalton flew away, as it seemed from the car +windows, both girls indulged in a very creditable sentiment--a streak +of homesickness. + +"It will be fun, of course," remarked Tavia, "but it's creepy to leave +them all." + +Passengers about them soon attracted their attention sufficiently to +make the journey interesting. Tavia had such a way of seeing things to +make Dorothy laugh, that little of interest escaped her. + +Old ladies with black silk bags were her especial prey, and these she +never failed to analyze--according to her own special method. + +Women with babies also afforded no end of amusement to Tavia, and when +she found a regular nursery cooking outfit in the "end room" of the car +she could scarcely be restrained. + +"I could make you the nicest clam bouillon," she told Dorothy, "and +besides cooking, that little alcohol lamp is just the thing for hair +crimping. I will crimp mine if I can find anything to make a hot poker +of in this train." + +"You really must not touch anything," Dorothy insisted, alarmed lest +Tavia should do something reckless. + +"Touch anything? Why my dear girl I have tested the entire outfit, and +I am going to get one just like it for my hasty breakfasts." + +The woman to whom the "entire outfit" belonged was now almost asleep +beside her baby, on the end sofa, and Tavia assuring Dorothy she would +stay there indefinitely, sallied forth to further investigate the +mysteries of a nursery cooking outfit, en route. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +EVENTFUL JOURNEY + + +As Tavia reached the end sofa, upon which a pretty golden-haired baby +lay curled beside a sleepy mother, she made a motion to attract the +child's attention. The little one saw it at once, promptly slipped down +and stole away from the sofa without in the least disturbing the woman. + +The tot followed Tavia to the little end room--Dorothy saw her going, +and though feeling very drowsy herself (which really was the reason +Tavia left her alone) Dorothy kept her eyes opened long enough to see +that the mother was sound asleep, and had not missed her baby. + +"I am sure Tavia will take good care of her," thought Dorothy, as she +settled down for a rest, "she is so fond of children, and it will be a +change for the child--traveling must be very tiresome to such little +ones." + +The train rumbled on. Dorothy thought of home, of the good father and +two dear brothers she had left there. Then she wondered what would +happen at North Birchland. It was such a lovely summer place, and her +relatives there were sure to do all they could to make the stay +pleasant. + +In the White family there were besides Mrs. Winthrop White, her two +sons, Edward and Nathaniel, aged sixteen and fourteen years. Professor +White, their father, had died suddenly some years before, while on an +expedition out in quest of scientific data, but the White family +possessed almost unlimited means, so that Major Dale's sister, while +lonely enough in life without her husband, had the pleasant duty of +bringing up two talented and good looking boys in a way that befitted +the positions they would occupy as their father's sons--the White +family being among the most aristocratic in New York state. + +Dorothy had not seen her cousins in three years, the boys' time, +between vacations, being spent at school, and the intervals of late +being occupied with trips abroad. As she traveled on now, and became +more and more sleepy Dorothy wondered if Nat were as full of mischief +as he used to be when he visited Dalton, and if Ned still spent his +spare time chasing butterflies to add new specimen to his collection. + +But even these interesting reflections are not to be compared with such +sedative influence as the rumbling of a train with a summer breeze +coming In the window, and the girl, weary enough from her fright at the +falls and its consequent shock to her nervous system soon forgot to +think--she was asleep. + +Meanwhile Tavia was occupied with the pretty baby in the end +compartment. The child was about three years old, and remarkably +communicative for her age. The little alcohol lamp, she told Tavia, was +used to heat her milk, also to curl her hair, for mamma never took her +to the hotel without curls, she said. + +To bear out this statement, Lily, that was the little stranger's name, +produced from a satchel under the wash basin a tiny pair of curling +irons. + +It seemed like fate to Tavia,--there was the very thing she had been +wishing for--curling tongs. + +"Let's try it," she suggested, as Lily prattled on about the wonderful +"real" curls that the iron could make. + +A careful investigation revealed to Tavia the secrets of the alcohol +lamp. Everything was there--even to matches. + +Being sure the lamp was placed firmly upon the marble slab, Tavia +struck a match and lighted the wick. + +"There," she said with evident satisfaction, "that part was easy +enough." + +"You put the iron right in there," directed Lily, and Tavia promptly +followed the advice. + +"Sit on my lap while it heats," Tavia told the child, not thinking it +safe to allow her to move about in the small place with a strange kind +of stove burning. + +The child jumped up eager to hear a story. The wood-kind, full of bears +with remarkable appetites, pleased her most, Tavia discovered, and it +was in such a mental delight that the child passed a very happy little +"minute." + +"It must be hot--" said Tavia. + +She turned and at that very moment a strange flash shot up to the +ceiling! + +An explosion! Then such a blinding flame! + +With the child still in her arms Tavia made a dash for the door. +Frantically she pulled at it but it would not open! The child screamed +piteously. + +"Help! Help!" shouted Tavia, clutching at the knob with one hand, while +she clung to the child with the other. + +Instantly Dorothy was on her feet and down at that little door. + +"Open it!" she screamed, for the smell of smoke had reached her on the +outside. + +Without waiting for an answer, or for those at hand to act, Dorothy +jumped to a seat and grasped the bell rope. + +At that moment the door gave in to Tavia's pulling, and she fell +headlong out into the aisle with the baby in her arms. + +The train stopped, and brakemen were now running through the cars in +search of the trouble. Passengers had broken the tool boxes and were +fighting the spreading flames with hand grenades and portable +extinguishers. Fainting women called for attention--among these being +Lily's mother. + +Tavia was now lifted to a seat, and Dorothy had called into her ears +that the baby was safe--she was not even scratched! + +But Tavia was not so fortunate, for an ugly red mark showed where the +tongue of fire scorched her, and her hair-- + +One side was entirely burned off! + +Dorothy's heart sank as she noticed the loss, but it was nothing, of +course, compared to what might have happened to the baby. + +The excitement in the rear of the car had, by this time subsided +somewhat, showing that the flames were extinguished. Lily, safe and +uninjured, sat in her mother's lap--no danger of her getting away again +evidently. + +Among the passengers was a doctor who offered his services to Tavia. +The burns were slight, he declared but there was danger of shock, and +the loss of her beautiful hair was to be regretted. + +Tavia tried to laugh to assure Dorothy she was all right, and then she +insisted upon talking about the accident. + +"The lamp did not explode," she declared. "The fire came from the other +end of the room." + +The trainmen listened anxiously to this report. They were obliged to +make a most careful investigation, and Tavia was very willing to help +them. Professional looking men crowded around--one who introduced +himself to the doctor as a well known lawyer of Rochester called +Dorothy aside and offered to look out for the interests of the injured +girl. + +"Whatever you think best," Dorothy said, "I have never had any +experience with law. But if you think we should take account of it at +all I should be most grateful for your help." + +Then Tavia was taken into a private compartment, and there, with +Dorothy encouraging her, and the lawyer and doctor listening, she told +the story of the accident. + +"I had lighted the alcohol lamp," she declared, "but I am positive that +did not explode. The flash came from behind us--the other end of the +room. Then the door would not open--oh how dreadful that was!" + +For a moment Tavia covered her eyes, then she resumed: + +"I heard Dorothy's voice and that seemed to keep me from falling in the +smoke. At last the door opened and that's all I know." + +"Now, you just rest here," the doctor advised, "while Mr. French and I +do some outside investigating." + +Then it was that the important clew was discovered, for at the very +door of the little room, where the fire had raged, was found a piece of +glass with a label! + +Gasoline! + +"She was right," declared the lawyer, taking possession of the +tell-tale piece of bottle, the railroad men would have been so glad to +have seen first, "this tells the story. A bottle of gasoline exploded." + +Looking carefully over the damaged room the lawyer made some entries in +his note book and, with the doctor, approached Lily's mother. The woman +positively refused to make known her name, and even the railroad men +had not succeeded in learning who she was. + +"That my baby is safe," she declared, "is all I ask. People saw the +girl coax her off, but even this I am entirely willing to overlook, and +I will positively make no claims against the company." + +The doctor saw the child was not in the least injured, and also was +convinced there was no danger of shock to the little nervous system, as +the tot looked upon the whole occurrence as "good fun," so the +professional men withdrew their offer to serve either the woman or her +child. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +AT AUNT WINNIE'S + + +Dorothy had fastened Tavia's hair up under her hat, so that the one +long and uninjured side covered the burnt ends and hid the damage. She +looked like a pretty boy, Dorothy told her, and the red line about her +neck was not noticeable at all, for around the scar Dorothy had pinned +her own white silk handkerchief. Except for a few tell-tale spots of +"scorch" marking the back of her new dress, from her appearance Tavia +might never have been suspected of being the heroine of a railroad +accident. + +"Oh, there is Aunt Winnie!" exclaimed Dorothy as the train stopped, and +she looked out of the window near the door. + +A depot wagon was drawn up to the platform, and in it sat a stylishly +dressed woman. + +If Tavia had felt "alarmed at the style" as she afterward told Dorothy, +the moment Mrs. White grasped her hand in welcoming her to Birchland +all nervousness left her, for Mrs. White had an unmistakable way of +greeting her guests--she really was glad to see them. Dorothy climbed +up beside her aunt, while Tavia took the spare seat at front, and it +seemed to her the world had suddenly fallen from its level, everything +was beneath her. She had risen physically, mentally and socially from +her former self--the first ride on a box seat was an inspiration to the +country girl, and Tavia felt its influence keenly. + +Dorothy chatted pleasantly to her aunt, occasionally referring to +something to Tavia to give her a chance to join in the conversation and +Tavia noticed that Dorothy had already cheered up wonderfully. + +"I suppose this is the sort of company Doro belongs in," Tavia thought. +"There is something so different about society people." + +Mrs. White certainly was different. She knew exactly how to interest +the girls, and she also knew how to make them feel at home. She had +asked all sorts of polite questions about Dalton folks, and showed the +keenest interest in the new appointment of Squire Travers. Tavia +insisted that Dorothy had elected him, and this item of news Mrs. White +begged Tavia would repeat to the "boys" as she declared they would be +"just delighted to hear how their girl cousin managed Dalton politics." + +The boys were at camp, Mrs. White told the girls, and an early visit to +their quarters was among the treats promised. + +From the station to the "Cedars" was but a short ride, and when the +carriage turned into the cedar shaded driveway Tavia felt another +"spasm" of alarm--it was such an imposing looking place. + +"This is where you may play games," said Mrs. White, pointing out the +broad campus behind the trees. "The boys have no end of sport hiding in +the cedars, and I am sure you girls will find them jolly. There are +some very pleasant neighbors at the next cottage--one young girl among +them." + +"This is splendid," Tavia said. "We can invent new games here. I think +'tree-toad' would be a novelty." + +Presently the luggage was taken in by the man, while the girls followed +Mrs. White up the broad staircase to their rooms. + +"Now, my dears," said their hostess, as she opened the doors to two +connecting rooms, "here is where you will 'pitch your tents' as the +boys would say. I hope you will be comfortable, but should you need +anything Dorothy knows the plan of this house--just ask for anything +you want. I'll leave you now. We will lunch as soon as you feel +refreshed." + +"But, auntie," called Dorothy, as Mrs. White passed into the hall, +"won't you come here a moment? I have a very interesting thing to tell +you," and as Mrs. White stepped back to the door again, Dorothy +snatched the hat from Tavia's head. + +Instantly the "installment" hair fell to the waist on one side, and +clung to Tavia's neck at the other. + +"Why!" exclaimed the aunt. "What on earth has happened to the child's +locks?" + +"Hair tonic model," laughed Dorothy, "sit down, auntie, and I will tell +you." + +Mrs. White took the uninjured mass of golden brown tresses into her +hands. + +"Some one stole them, of course," she ventured. + +"One more guess!" smiled Dorothy. + +At this the scar on Tavia's neck was discovered. + +"Not in a fire?" exclaimed the aunt. + +"Exactly," declared Dorothy, and then she told of the railroad accident. + +"Why, you poor dear!" sighed Mrs. White to Tavia, "you must be quite +ill from the shock. Get into bed immediately, and I will see how we can +doctor you up," and before Tavia had a chance to protest against the +"treatment" she found herself in bed, shoes and dress off, and wrapped +in a comfortable robe Dorothy had brought in her bag. + +"Now," teased Dorothy, "you wanted to know how it feels to be sick. How +do you like it?" + +"Best ever," replied the girl in the pillows. "Make it incurable +please." + +"Here," announced their hostess, appearing at the door with a steaming +bowl that smelled good. "Just drink this bouillon. I believe that more +lives might be saved by the hot bouillon process than by the reported +efficacy of hot whisky. One stays hot, the other turns into chills. +Just drink this dear, and I will banish Dorothy. I know how she can +talk when one should sleep--she roomed with me one summer," and at this +Dorothy was whisked out of the room by her aunt, and Tavia left to +commune with the pleasant aroma of hot bouillon with chopped parsley +flavoring. + +"Riches are not to be despised," she commented, when the paneled door +closed her away from friends for the moment. "I wonder Major Dale does +not let Dorothy stay with her aunt; she would know exactly how to train +her in society ways, and Dorothy is plainly cut out to be a leader +where ever she goes. I suppose," reflected the girl, "some day Mrs. +White will introduce her into her social world and then--" + +A step in the hall aroused her from her rather tangled reverie, and +presently Dorothy stood before her with an immense bunch of "Jack" +roses. + +"Oh!" exclaimed Tavia, in unfeigned admiration, "have you been to +heaven stealing flowers?" + +"No, an angel tossed them down," replied Dorothy, "and her card said +they were for you." Whereat she held out to Tavia the "angelic" bouquet. + +"Oh Dorothy Darling Dale! I never saw such flowers! I have always +thought the wild kinds prettier than those that grew so proud-like but +there is just as much difference between a Jack-in-the-pulpit and a +real Jack rose as there is between you and me!" + +"Well Jack, I like you just as well as if you grew in a hot +house--better, because you have taught me the value of life's +storms--you have grown outside and know the music of the winds," and +with the flowers she gave her friend all the hug she dared risk in the +presence of the "railroad line" on Tavia's neck. + +"But you have the sweetness of the greenhouse," insisted Tavia, "and +that blows off with the music of the winds." + +"Well, we will not quarrel over our virtues," said Dorothy, "the thing +to discuss at present is what are you going to do with the railroad +money?" + +"What money?" inquired Tavia, showing surprise. + +"Your damages, of course. How much do you calculate your other braid +was worth?" + +"Not worth talking about." + +"But if you were offered a fair price for it you would not refuse?" +persisted Dorothy. + +"No, I'd take most anything from a cream soda to a twenty-five cent +piece." + +"Well, my dear, now compose yourself. Get a good hold on the chair near +you, or better still sit down, since you insist on getting out of bed. +I have a very lively piece of news for you--the sensational kind." + +"Let her go," called Tavia grasping the chair with both hands. + +"It is this. Aunt Winnie says you will undoubtedly received damages for +the accident. She says Mr. French is a noted lawyer and he will +possibly arrange it so that all you will have to do is to put your name +to the signing-off paper. The fact that you lighted the lamp, auntie +says, will not do away with the fact that a careless employee left that +explosive there." + +"Do you know, Dorothy," said Tavia in her most serious tone, "the only +thing that has consoled me for asking that baby in there is, that she +told me she was going in for a drink of water, and had she done so she +would, or at least might, have tasted the poison stuff. She was the +most meddlesome child and might have killed herself." + +"Certainly her mother would have allowed her to roam about as she +pleased," said Dorothy, "for people told me after the accident that +little Lily had been in almost every seat in the car, while her mother +curled herself up on that sofa. It is a strange thing to me that most +women travelers are more careful of their dogs than of their babies. +Did you notice that blonde with the soft leather bag? Well, she had a +poodle in that bag, it is against the rules, you know, to keep animals +in the passenger cars, but that lady had her bag open on the seat, and +every time a brakeman came through she would pull the string and close +the bag. Then once in a while she would let the dog run around a bit. +But indeed she did not let it get away like Lily's mother let her go." + +"And do you really think the railroad people will pay me damages?" + +"I am almost sure of it. Aunt Winnie is a very clever business woman, +and if they come while we are here it will be all the better for you. +Just think! Suppose they should offer five hundred dollars!" + +"I am too poor to be able to think of five hundred dollars all at once. +I will have to try it on the installment plan. But wouldn't it be jolly +if I did get a good sum," and Tavia's eyes took on a far-away +look--perhaps all the way to Dalton and happiness. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE PRICE OF TAVIA'S TRESSES + + +A week had passed at North Birchland, with Dorothy and Tavia enjoying +every succeeding hour better than the last, when the expected lawyers +arrived to interview the victim of the railroad fire. + +Fortunately Mrs. White was at home, and more fortunately still was the +arrival of Mr. French with the strange lawyer. + +Tavia was flushed and nervous when Dorothy helped her to dress for the +interview. + +"Now don't you mind it a bit," said Dorothy. "Just keep thinking that +you might have been very seriously injured, and that the railroad +people should be more careful for the sake of others. Then you will +forget all about the lawyers and their statements." + +Mrs. White was talking to the men in the reception room. Certainly the +shock had been severe, she said, and only the fact that Miss Travers +was unusually lively in temperament had saved her from more serious +results. + +Dorothy entered the room with Tavia. + +"These are the young ladies," said Mr. French, introducing them. "This +one was shut in the room with the fire." + +Tavia felt her face flush, and her nerves throb painfully. It was so +embarassing to be the object of such scrutiny. + +Then began a fire of questions, Mr. French in every instance indicating +how Tavia should answer. The railroad lawyer, Mr. Banks, trying of +course, to trip Tavia into admitting that the lamp exploded first, and +the bottle blew up after. But Tavia was positive in declaring that the +blaze came from the far corner of the room, whereas the stove was +directly at her side. This was also indicated by a map which Mr. French +produced, and upon which Tavia marked the various spots where the bench +stood, where the marble slab with the stove was situated, and where the +bottle appeared to come from--a far corner of the slab. + +"Will you let down your hair, please," said Mr. French, and Dorothy +promptly drew the pins from Tavia's tresses, allowing the unscorched +braid to fall below her waist, while the burnt ends were charred almost +to her neck, the red scar showing how close to her head the flames had +really crept. + +"That is a loss, of course," said Mr. French, taking the long waves in +his hand, "but it shows the great danger her life was in. Also, Mr. +Banks, notice this scar. That was dressed on the train by Dr. Brown, of +Fairview." + +Both lawyers examined the scar. Tavia felt as if she would run from the +room, the very moment they took their hands off her, but Dorothy smiled +encouragingly, and Mrs. White rang for a maid to fetch a glass of +water. This had the effect of distracting Tavia, who now stood there +being cross-examined like an expert witness. + +Finally Mr. French said: + +"That will do, thank you." + +Tavia had barely tasted the water, and as she crossed the room to reach +her chair, she felt dizzy. The next moment she was in Mrs. White's +arms, unconscious. + +"I saw she was pale," exclaimed the lady, while the gentlemen opened +the windows and Dorothy ran for some restoratives. "But I did not think +she would go off like that." + +It did not take long, however, to revive the fainting girl, and when +she had been helped to her room the lawyers held a conference with Mrs. +White and then left the Cedars. + +"Wasn't that dreadfully stupid!" sighed Tavia, as she lay stretched out +on the soft, white bed. + +"Not at all, my dear," replied Mrs. White, who at that moment appeared +at the door. "You could not have done better had you been coached, for +it shows how the shock has unnerved you. And you may as well know that +the company has offered to settle for five hundred dollars." + +"Five hundred dollars!" echoed Tavia. + +"Yes, my dear. For my part I should count a braid of hair such as you +lost worth twice that sum, but even at that price I could not obtain +it. No one ever values a fine head of hair until it is gone--like the +dry well, you know. But you are young enough to grow another braid, and +that is the beauty of it. Mr. French said your father gave him full +power to act, and so he will accept the company's offer. And the fine +thing about it is he does not want a commission--only his expenses, +which are nominal." + +"Isn't that perfectly splendid!" exclaimed Dorothy, throwing her arms +about Tavia. + +"Some people are born lucky, and others have luck thrust upon them," +said Tavia pleasantly. "In this case it was as usual. I did the +mischief and Dorothy did the rest. That lawyer would never have noticed +me if Dorothy hadn't shown her pluck--why, she had my flaming hair +wrapped up in a brakeman's coat before he had decided whether to throw +it out of the window or over the ice cooler. He seemed to be worried +about the ice, for it was directly in the path of the fire." + +"Nonsense," said Dorothy, blushing. "He very politely pulled off his +coat when I asked him to, and of course, he did not know just what to +do with it." + +"Lucky thing it was a railroad coat," went on Tavia, "or we might have +had to pay damages." + +"Lucky thing Dorothy had such presence of mind, at any rate," remarked +Mrs. White, "for another touch of that flame and your face, Tavia, +might have had a different bill against the railroad company. However, +as it ends like a love story, we will live happily ever after," and she +gave Tavia such an affectionate kiss, that the girl felt a strange +nearness to her new-found friend as if she had been suddenly adopted, +socially at least, into Dorothy's family. + +"And now, my dears," went on their hostess, "I expect the boys out from +camp this afternoon, so you must rest up, and look your prettiest." + +Tavia sat up and looked about her. + +"Did you ever hear that story about why a widower was like a baby?" she +asked Dorothy. "Well, I feel just like him. They say he cried for the +first six months, then sat up and looked around and it was hard to pull +him through the second summer. Now I am looking around, but when I get +my five hundred I am afraid I will hardly last through the second +summer." + +"I know you will like the boys," remarked Dorothy. + +"But who will cut my poor old hair?" sang Tavia to the meerschaum pipe +tune. + +"We will have to put it up in the folded fire escape fashion," said +Dorothy, "until we can drive out to a barber's. It is too late this +afternoon." + +"Whatever will momsey say?" thought Tavia aloud. + +"That you would have made a very good-looking boy," replied Dorothy. "I +am sure I never saw a girl to whom short hair was so becoming." + +"It must look well with a five hundred-dollar note for a background. I +tell you, Doro, money covers a multitude of crimes. I wonder if little +Lily of the fire room has cooled off yet." + +"But you haven't seen the new clothes auntie had brought us--yes us, +for she has not forgotten you. You are well able to pay bills now, you +know," and Dorothy gave a mischievous little tug at Tavia's elbow. "But +wait, wait till you see what you are to wear this very evening. The box +has just come up, and I will open it." + +Whereupon Dorothy pulled in from the hall door a great purple box +labeled "robes." Tavia was on her knees beside it before Dorothy had a +chance to untie the strings. What girl does not like to see brand, new, +pretty dresses come out of their original box? + +Layers of tissue paper were first unwrapped, then a glow of brilliant +red shown through the last covering. + +"Whew!" exclaimed Tavia, "a rainbow gown, I'll bet. Then she gave her +usual text, as Dorothy called her spontaneous rhymes: + + "Breathes there a girl with soul so dead, + Who never to herself has said, + I love to wear a dress bright red!" + +"And I love red better than butter, and I love butter better than ice +cream--so there! Dorothy Dale, that dress on top I claim." + +The "bright red" was in full view now, and it was really a beautiful +gown. Not extravagantly so, but as Dorothy said "exquisitely so." + +The material was of dimity, over muslin, and tiny rows of "val." lace +formed a yoke and edgings. A broad sash of flowered ribbon--all in +shades of red, with bows of the same in narrow width finished the +shoulders. + +"Yes, it is for you," said Dorothy, "Auntie said red would suit you." + +"I have always loved it, but folks said my hair was red." + +"Indeed it never was. And don't you know how great dressmakers insist +upon sandy haired girls wearing red? The real red in material contrasts +with hair red, so as to make the brown red browner. There now, is a new +puzzle. When is brown red?" + +"When a sassy boy calls it red," promptly answered Tavia, remembering +how she always feared the "red-head" epithet. + +"Isn't it sweet?" exclaimed Dorothy, holding the new gown up for +inspection. + +"Oh, a perfect love!" declared Tavia. "I thought my Rochester +creation--doesn't that sound well--simply 'gloriotious,' but this is +beatific!" + +"Like a sunset," suggested Dorothy. "But I must get acquainted with +mine." + +Another layer of paper and a pale blue robe was extracted. + +"Oh, I know," cried Tavia, clapping her hands like a delighted child, +"It's morning and evening. I'm sunrise and you are evening. Or I'm +sunset and you are evening." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Dorothy, too enraptured to say more. + +"And with your yellow head you will look like an angel." + +"Now, see here, Miss Sunset and Sunrise, I don't mind being cloudy or +even starry, nor yet heavenly, but don't you dare go one latitude or +longitude further. I am mortally afraid Aunt Winnie has elected to wear +amethyst this very evening, and when the combination gets together I +expect something will happen--something like Mt. Pelee, you know." + +"We might call it our elementary evening," went on Tavia, "and then +look out for storms. You said the boys were coming?" + +"Coming!" and Dorothy sprang to the door. "They are here now. Listen to +that shout? That's Ned. Oh, I must run down. Come along," and before +Tavia had a chance to "collect her manners" she was bowing after +Dorothy's profuse introduction. + +"I've heard of Miss Travers," said Edward pleasantly, while Nat was +"weighing" Dorothy with one hand, and attempting to shake the other in +Tavia's direction. + +"You must call her Tavia," insisted Dorothy, getting away from Ned, "or +if you prefer you may call her Octavia--she has a birthday within the +octave of Christmas." + +"Should have been called Yule, for yule-tide," said Nat. "Not too late +yet, is it Tavia?" + +Mrs. White was smiling at the good times "her children" had already +made for themselves. She now insisted upon calling Dorothy daughter and +she was so kind to Tavia that she made no distinction but said +"daughters" in addressing both. + +"Just see, boys," said their mother, unpinning Tavia's now famous half +head of hair, "that is all there is left." + +"Never!" exclaimed Nat, handling the braid gingerly. "How much did you +settle for?" + +"That would be telling," said Mrs. White, "but what I want you boys to +do is to drive the girls down to your barber's. You said it was a very +nice place." + +"Tip-top," interrupted Ned. "Bay rum or old rum or anything else from +oyster cocktail to Castile soap." + +"But have you seen ladies go there?" asked the mother. + +"Took 'em there myself," insisted the younger boy. "Don't you remember +the day Daisy Bliss got burrs in her hair? Of course I did not put them +there--" + +"Oh, no!" drawled Ned. + +"Well, she always was a dub at ducking," went on the other, "but I put +up for the hair cut all the same." + +"Now do listen, boys," and the mother spoke firmly. "Tavia must have +her hair trimmed. I tried to get a hair-dresser to come out here, but +we could not have it done until after the railroad man appraised it. So +now the hair-dresser could not get here until after Sunday. That is why +I am having recourse to a barber." + +"Couldn't do better, mother," spoke up Ned, who had been trying to get +a word in with Dorothy "on the other side." + +"Then run along, girls, get your things. Don't dress up; it is country +all the way, and the dinner folks are not out yet. It will be +pleasanter to fix up after the operation," said Mrs. White. + +"But I say, momsey," called Nat after her as she went upstairs, "you +wouldn't suggest a 'Riley,' would you?" + +"Nathaniel White, if you dare get that girl's hair cut in any but the +most lady-like fashion I'll--disinherit you!" + +"Shadows of the poorhouse! Don't! I'll make the fellow trim it with a +butter knife. Come along, children. I'll show you the newest in +chaperonage at Mike's!" + +Both girls appeared on the veranda to which the depot cart had been +drawn up. Dorothy looked like a pond lily, Tavia had told her, in her +light green dress with her yellow hair falling over it. Tavia too was +attractive, she had on a brown dress with gold in it that reflected the +glint of her hair, and, as Ned handed Nat the reins he whispered: "A +stunner and a hummer." + +"It's real jolly to have a girl around," Nat remarked to Tavia, who had +the front seat beside him, "and mother is so fond of girls--I have +always worn my hair long to please her." + +"Quite a protection in summer, isn't it?" asked Tavia, noticing how the +sunburn stopped where the hair began, and that otherwise the young man +was much tanned. + +"Yes, some. But a fellow can't expect to be a peachblow at Camp Hard +Tack." + +"It must be a great sport to camp," ventured Tavia. + +"The greatest ever! I would like to go out on a ranch but mother says +'no, little boy, you must stay home,' so home I stay." + +Dorothy and Ned were evidently enjoying themselves as well as those at +front, for, it seemed to Tavia that Dorothy's laugh had not rung out so +jolly in many weeks--so much had happened lately to dampen mirthful +spirits. + +"Just fancy," said Tavia turning back to Ned, "I was sent along to keep +Dorothy lively, she was actually threatened with nervous prostration, +and think, how lively I did keep her? Came nearing firing a train." + +"Oh, anything for a change," politely answered Ned. "One cannot tell +just what sort of tonic is best, I am sure she looks first rate." + +"Bully," added Nat, "but don't worry that you've laid aside nursing, +Yule, I have not been well myself. Ahem! Just finish off on me!" + +"There comes our barber shop," called Ned, as a striped pole appeared +in view. "Now for the artistic clip-the-clip. Mike is a genius, +blushing unseen here. But I mean to set him up some day. Tried to get +him out to camp but he shied when we told him there were no 'cops.' +Mike loves 'cops,' when the fellows get busy with his tonsorial +apparatus." + +"Don't faint this time," Dorothy cautioned Tavia with a merry smile, +thinking that those two boys would likely dip her in the brook at the +side of the shop should she attempt anything like that. + +"Indeed I know where and when to faint," responded Tavia. "Mr. French +has a way about him--" + +"But you never tried me," said Nat, making a funny move as if to catch +an armful of thin air. "I am an authority on faints. Every girl at +school says I'm a perfect dear, for catching falls at commencement +time. They all keel over then." + +They were in front of the barber shop now. Mike opened the door with +such a bow Tavia could scarcely repress a smile. + +Ned made the arrangements, and Tavia mounted the high chair, allowed +Mike, the Italian, to tuck the apron around her neck, then all she +could see was a very queer looking girl in the glass in front of her. + +"Just trim it evenly," said Dorothy, walking up to the chair, and +feeling it was hardly safe to trust the boys with the order. + +Carefully the barber let down the heavy coil. + +"What!" he exclaimed, seeing it was only "half a head." "Fire, you been +in explosion?" + +"Sure!" answered Ned, mechanically. + +Then Mike went through a series of groans, grunts and jabs at the air. + +"So shame," he wailed. "The hair is so fine--like gold, brown gold." + +With many a sigh and groan the barber plied his shears, stopping +constantly to give vent to his feelings with a shrug of his broad +shoulders and deep gutteral mutterings. + +"Oh, quit gargling your throat, Mike, and get through with the job. The +young lady is alive, you see, and expects to get back to the Cedars in +time for breakfast," said Ned. + +"I am sure that will do," said Dorothy at last, whereat Tavia gladly +got out of the stuffy chair. + +"Great!" both boys exclaimed in admiration as they saw how "smart" +Tavia looked. + +"It is becoming," said Dorothy. + +"Handy," commented Tavia. + +Presently the party was driving off again, Tavia indulging in the +laughs she dared not take part in with the scissors at her ear, while +Dorothy "scolded" the boys for making such sport of a poor foreigner. + +"Poor indeed!" Ned echoed. "I wish we had some of his cash on hand. I +mean the ready stuff. I have yet to make the acquaintance of a poor +barber; especially the imported kind." + +It was a jolly ride home--and the evening that followed was one full of +pleasure. + +[Illustration with caption: 'I AM SURE THAT WILL DO,' SAID DOROTHY AT +LAST] + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +IN SOCIAL ELEMENTS + + +Dorothy wore her "heavenly" blue dress, while Tavia "blazed out" in her +sunset costume. As Dorothy had predicted Mrs. White was radiant in her +beautiful amethyst chiffon, so that the elementary evening "panned out" +exactly as scheduled. + +Mrs. White was a handsome woman. As Ruth Dale, youngest sister of Major +Dale, she had been a belle, and now as Mrs. Winthrop White she was +acknowledged a social leader and a favorite. + +Her hair had the same brightness that made Dorothy's so attractive, +except that years had tarnished that of Mrs. White, while her niece had +seen only sunshine in life to polish the golden warp that beauty loves +to spin. There were many features in both that marked relationship, and +it was always declared that Dorothy was a Dale both in character and +features. + +The broad veranda at the Cedars was lighted with a flood of summer +moonbeams, and there was seated on the lounging chairs a gay party of +young persons and a few "grown ups." + +Tavia and Dorothy, Ned and Nat, besides Rosabel Glen, the young girl +who lived in the pretty cottage next the Cedars, were there, and with +Mrs. White were Mrs. Theodore Glen and a visitor from Toledo, a Miss +Battin. + +In meeting Rosabel Glen the girls from Dalton were both conscious of +making the acquaintance of a society girl, one who though still in her +teens, knew exactly what to say to be polite, and precisely what to do +to show off to the very best possible advantage. She had called at the +Cedars in the afternoon and remained just fifteen minutes, which time +Mrs. White informed the girls after her departure was the social limit +for a first call. + +"But we were talking of something that could not possibly be finished +in that time," Dorothy had complained. + +"All the better chance for Rosabel to show off her manners," said Mrs. +White with a laugh, for she had never agreed that young girls should +enter society on stilts. + +But the evening was different, informal and almost jolly. (The "almost" +belonged to Miss Rosabel while the "jolly" was looked after by Ned and +Nat, Dorothy and Tavia feeling like an appreciative audience.) All +sorts of topics were introduced by the unhappy boys, who never had a +good time when the Glens were present, but all resulted in the same +failure to make a general conversation of firmer consistency than +monosyllables. + +"But you must come out to camp," said Nat in desperation. "We have the +jolliest quarters, on a high knoll, just off the lake front and not too +far from the hotel--a hotel is not bad to have around when a good blow +takes the roof off your head at midnight." + +"Oh, my!" exclaimed Rosabel, "you do not mean to say that your tents +blow away in the night?" + +"Not a bit particular as to time--night or day," went on the young man, +"so long as they get away. Last time Ned clung to the ropes and the +campers missed something for it was awfully dark." + +"And you really were carried up by the force of the wind?" gasped the +polite girl. + +"And let down by it," admitted Ned, "I have a souvenir yet," rubbing +his left arm. + +"And girls camp!" gasped the one from the other cottage. + +"Heaps of them. They're the best neighbors we've got. There's Camp Deb +(all debutants you know), and I tell you their social guardians know +how to fix them up for the season. They make a fellow think of the way +fowls are treated before holiday time?" + +"Oh," almost shrieked Rosabel, "Please don't!" + +"But you ought to look into the treatment. I tell you those girls are +beauts. They get fun, exercise, fresh air and have the last good time +they ever expect to have in this world. Poor dears, they must all be +engaged next season, you know." + +Dorothy and Tavia were enjoying this, Rosabel had seemed to forget +their presence, she at once became so absorbed in the society talk. + +"I would like to visit camp," she ventured. + +"Come along then," said Nat good naturedly, "Our girls are coming out +to-morrow." + +Tavia gave a significant sigh. Who could have any fun "with that +door-bell floral piece tagging on," she thought. + +Mrs. Glen was appealed to and it was finally arranged that she, Mrs. +White, and the younger set should go on the following afternoon to +visit Camp Hard Tack. + +When the nine o'clock bell rang the visitors promptly rose to go, nor +were they detained by any overwhelming entreaties to prolong their stay. + +"Of all the sticks," began Ned, when they were at a safe distance. + +"Hush, Neddie, Rosabel is being properly brought up," interrupted Mrs. +White with more smiles than frowns. + +"Properly! Save the mark! And if I had been a girl would you have done +that to me? I did hope that Dorothy might be made comfortable here for +some time, but if that is contagious I'll take her home myself. A case +like that must be fatal," and Ned shook his head seriously. + +"And her cheeks?" asked Nat, "what do you call that?" + +"The very best," replied Tavia, "I know that kind is two dollars an +ounce. I saw it in Rochester." + +"Then we'll fix her out at camp," decided Nat. "We will put up some +kind of a game that calls for a face wash and a forfeit. If Rosy +objects I'll get the boys to wash it for her." + +"Oh, that would be rude," insisted Dorothy. + +"Not for campers," insisted the unquenchable Nat, "It might be for +ministers, but not for campers." + +It was not late enough to leave the porch, so the talk drifted to +Dalton matters. + +"Now Dot," began Ned, "I'd like to hear more of the 'chaser' business. +I am sure we have all heard the wrong story of it, and even at that I +must admit it is not so slow--rather interesting. Give us the right +version." + +"Let Tavia tell it," Dorothy begged off. + +"Well, who did the fellow turn out to be?" asked Ned. + +"He hasn't turned out yet," replied Tavia. "The last we heard of him he +tried to throw Dorothy over the falls--" + +"Scamp," interrupted Ned. "Pity there's no fellows in Dalton big enough +to lick a fellow like that." + +"Oh, there are plenty of them," declared Dorothy, at once up in arms +for the Dalton boys. "But he is such a coward he never appears except +when he is sure we are alone." + +"The entire boys' school hunted for him that day in the woods," added +Tavia, "but he got away." + +"What on earth is he after?" went on Ned. + +"The Burlock money," promptly replied Dorothy. "At first we did not +know that, but there is no doubt of it now. When he grabbed me he +hissed into my ear, 'Did Miles Burlock leave his money with your +father?' Oh!" exclaimed Dorothy, "I can't bear to think of it yet." + +"Excuse me, coz," spoke up Ned, "perhaps I should not have made you +think of it." + +"Indeed, I scarcely ever get it out of my mind. It just haunts me." + +"That's why she left school," Tavia reminded them, "And I left to keep +her company," she finished with a merry laugh at the idea, and its +evident consequences. + +"A blessing all around," said Nat. "What would we have done if neither +of you left and we got left--for this good time. I hope mom will kidnap +Dorothy." + +"Indeed you cannot have her," declared Tavia. "I should pine away and +die at Dalton without her." + +"Then stay at Birchland," suggested Ned. "Plenty of room." + +"But what does the fellow want with the Burlock money?" asked Nat, +getting back to the interesting affair that still remained so much of a +mystery. + +"It's a long story," began Dorothy, "and it has not all been told yet. +Burlock was, in some way, in Anderson's power. I was with father when +poor Mr. Burlock told us about it. He declared it was all the result of +too much liberty in youth and bad company?" + +"Be warned, Nat, my boy," interrupted Ned, jokingly. "I must have the +mater cut you down. 'And he rambled till the mater cut him down,'" +hummed the brother, paraphrasing the butcher song. + +"Spare the allowance and cut anything else down you like," answered +Nat. "But please do not interrupt again." + +"Then it seems," went on Dorothy, "Mr. Burlock had a lot of money left +him. From that time on this Anderson followed Mr. Burlock and even +succeeded in separating him from his family." + +"But how did Burlock hold on to the cash all that time?" asked Ned. + +"Oh, that was kept for him. He only had the interest of it. But lately +a Mrs. Douglass, of Dalton, died; she had charge of the money because +Mr. Burlock was not considered capable of taking care of it himself." + +"And now," said Ned, "the major has it, and Anderson is trying to get +it away by means of information he hopes to get from the major's +daughter? Easy as a, b, c. But to whom is the money left?" + +"To an unknown or unfound daughter," said Dorothy. "Her name is Nellie +or Helen Burlock, and it was in hopes of locating her, upon a false +clew which Anderson sent, that poor Mr. Burlock met his death." + +"But Dorothy had him all fixed for heaven," said Tavia. "Yes, if ever a +man died, hoping to be forgiven, it was Miles Burlock. Those who were +with him said so, and it was all Dorothy's doings. I must admit I did +joke her about it," Tavia said earnestly, "but she had done so many +things girls never do, and she was not strong enough to keep it up, so +we all had to try to discourage it. But you will have to come to Dalton +to hear her praises sung. She is a regular home missionary--the kind +they tell about in meetings, but who are too busy to come and talk +about themselves." + +"I am sure Dorothy is an angel," said Nat, putting his arm +affectionately around his cousin. "I only hope she will save some of +her goodness for me--I do need a mission." + +"Indeed," answered Dorothy, "joking aside, you boys are very good and +so attentive to your mother. She told me so herself." + +"Oh," gasped Nat, "when did she say that? Is it too late to make a +strike now? I am horribly short--shore dinner this week you know." + +"And there's Nellie," resumed Ned, determined to get at the bottom of +the Burlock story. "Now she's to have money. What do you say, Nat, if +we get on the case? Nellie might make it all right, you know." + +"Great scheme, boy," said Nat, "you do the finding and I will act as +your attorney." + +"Isn't there any clue?" asked Ned. + +"Yes, father is working on one, and I am so anxious to hear the +result," said Dorothy. "Of course he will not write about it. I expect +there will be lots of news when we get back to Dalton." + +Tavia had been silent for some time. The boys had failed to "wake up +her jokes," as they expressed it. + +"Look here," said Ned tipping her chair back in a perilous way. "You +can't claim to be sleepy for your eyes are just like stars. Nor need +you pretend to be weeping inwardly for the coil of taffy we all forgot +to bring back from Mikes' (if anything happens to that hair I'll have +his license revoked), so now own up, what are you moping about?" + +Dorothy was at Tavia's side instantly. + +"You are tired, dear," she said. "Perhaps you are weak from shock. +Let's go in." + +"Indeed I'm all right--" stammered Tavia, but a hot tear fell on +Dorothy's hand, and told a different story. + +"Homesick!" whispered Ned as he kissed Dorothy good night. "She'll be +all right to-morrow." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE PAINTED FACE + + +Human life seems so like that depicted in the elements about us; a +patch of blue here, and a streak of blackness stealing up there to +cover it. A glint of gold there and a flurry of smoke almost upon it. +So with life: brightness is so closely followed by shadows that gloom +and glow become inseparable. Perhaps the contrasts save us from the +blinding glare of extremes; it may be well to have even our joys +tempered with moderation. + +It had been such a happy day--Tavia felt she had never before known how +to enjoy life. There had been many happy times of course, in Dalton, +and Dorothy had often surprised her with entirely unexpected little +treats; but somehow this was different, there was so much to be enjoyed +at once. + +Ah, Tavia! that is why reaction comes so suddenly. You left Nature +behind you in Dalton--human wild flowers have a hard time of it when +first thrust upon the pavements of social concrete. + +Dorothy was with Tavia in the pretty bedroom. The moonlight made its +way in at the curtained windows, and the two girls were clinging to +each other there on the cushioned seat, trying to "think it out," +Dorothy said. + +"I had such a lovely time," sobbed Tavia, "and every one had been so +good to me. But I could not help it Doro dear. When that Rosabel came I +saw the difference--I saw I never could be your friend when we grew up. +And then I got to thinking about home--Dorothy, I must go. I must talk +about that money with dear mother and father and even little +Johnnie--he did seem to need me so much! And I have been so selfish--to +leave them all." + +"Now, Tavia, you make me feel badly. It is I who am selfish to take you +away, but I am sure your mother particularly wanted you to come, and +your father was so pleased. I tell you, dear it is all that money. You +just feel you cannot wait to talk all about it, and I don't blame you +at all. You shall go home just as soon as you want to." + +"But you must stay," said Tavia, brightening up at the thought of going +home. "I came to be company for you, but you do not need me." + +Was there just a sign of jealousy in her words? Dorothy instantly +detected a change--Tavia drew herself up so like other girls, but so +unlike Tavia. + +"Not need you! Why, Tavia, who in all this world could take your +place," and her arms were wound around the neck of the weeping girl, +while the fondest sister-kiss was pressed to the tear-stained cheek. + +"My, what a goose I am!" suddenly exclaimed Tavia, springing up. "I +never was homesick or had the real blues in all my life, and I do not +propose to do the baby act now. So there," and she gave a hearty hug to +Dorothy. "I'm done with blubbering, and I'm more ashamed of myself than +I was the day I ran away after the row with Sarah. Now, I'll beat you +to bed, and to sleep, too, for that matter. We will have to do some +tall snoring to catch up with the rosy Rosabel--her cheeks will make +ours look like putty." + +It was late, and Dorothy was glad to feel that Tavia had conquered her +homesickness, for that is what Dorothy insisted the attack was. It was, +however, the first--but the pain it left in Tavia's heart did not heal +at once, nor did it leave the spot unscarred. + +Mrs. White had prudently left the girls to themselves, but now, by some +strange intuition she felt the "storm" was over, and sent a maid to ask +Dorothy if some crackers or an ice would not taste good. In replying +the girls discovered they were not the only ones up late, and presently +the entire party had assembled in the beautiful chintz dining room, and +the ices were being served between good-natured "jollyings." + +"That hair cut went to your head," Ned told Tavia, "but wait until I go +down for the tresses, I'll scare Mike stiff--make him believe we +thought he had 'cribbed' them." + +Tavia was entirely herself now, and had word for word with the jolly +boys. + +Mrs. White studied her closely, but of course, unobserved. She was a +fine girl, no doubt of it, and a pleasant companion for Dorothy. Her +humor was as pure as the bubbles in the brook, and just as unfailing. +And what a pretty girl she was! Those hazel eyes and that bronze head. +No wonder even the foreign barber had noted that it was "scarce." + +"A veritable wildflower," concluded the hostess, just as others had +said; Major Dale for instance. + +Dorothy was of an entirely different type. Her beauty was the sort that +grows more and more attractive, as character develops, not depending +upon mere facial outline. + +"Now, children, off to bed with you," said Mrs. White, touching the +bell to tell the maid the late lunch was over, "and to-morrow you know +we go to camp. You will not have a headache, Tavia?" + +"I have never had one in my life," answered Tavia, in that polite tone +she always used in speaking to the hostess. "Perhaps my head does not +know enough to ache." + +"Blissful ignorance then," replied Mrs. White, "see to it that you +never become so worldly-wise as to learn how. A head that does not ache +is a joy forever." + +Hasty good nights were exchanged, and this time there was no "waking +night-mare" for Tavia. She wanted to sleep--young hearts may ache once +in a while, but they have a comfortable habit of deferring to tired +nature at least once in twenty-four hours. + +So the Cedars rustled to their hearts' content, and the pines whispered +derisively at their attempt to make themselves heard in the world of +music makers--poor little stunted cedars! So small beside the giant +pines, so useless in a tree's great province--to give shade; but that +file of trees, scarcely taller than a hedge, had for years and years +made the division between one land and another, so they stood for that +at least. As Nat had explained to Tavia "they knew where to draw the +line." + +The morning that followed was one of those beautiful streaks of +Nature's capriciousness when she allows spring to turn back and give +orders to summer. It was late in June, yet the air was soft and balmy, +and the sunshine behaved so nicely that Tavia, looking out of her +window actually found dew on the honeysuckle, and saw there was no need +to close blinds at even ten o'clock--which was late for dew certainly, +and late for a girl like Tavia Travers to get her first romp out of +doors. + +Dorothy looked in mischievously. + +"We didn't call you," she said smiling, "because you were so anxious +about your cheeks, you know. Let me see. I do declare, Tavia Travers, +is that a blush? Or did you dream you were Rosabel? Now don't try to +tell me that's perfectly natural. It isn't--it's simply divine," and +she gave her friend a reassuring kiss. + +"When we get to talking such nonsense," said Tavia with as much +severity as she could summon on short notice, "I think we should do +something for it--get busy at something you know. It is plainly the +result of downright idleness." + +"Dr. Gray's prescription, you know. But now for camp. The boys have +gone on ahead, and Aunt Winnie is going to stop at the hotel for lunch, +She said she thought we would enjoy it." + +"Oh, I will, I am sure," answered Tavia, promptly. "That's what worries +me, I am getting to enjoy everything. What in the world will I do when +I get back to Dalton?" + +"Write letters to Nat, I suppose. Now don't get any deeper shade of +red, dear. The one that you woke up with is so becoming." + +"How much time have we?" asked Tavia, bestowing more care on the +brushing of her short hair now than she had ever thought of giving the +mass that the barber still had in his keeping. + +"Perhaps an hour, but we want to get out on the lawn, for a game of +ball before we start. I am just dying to play real ball! I do miss Joe +and Roger so!" + +"I am sure they miss you, too, Doro. I have been wondering how you have +managed to keep away from them." + +"Well, I have to you know. Besides I get a letter every day. Joe said +yesterday that your folks had taken the Baldwin house." + +"Father said in his letter he expected to. But do you know, Doro, I +would never advise a poor girl to go out of her own territory, I think +I shall be unhappy now--at home." + +"Nonsense. You will enjoy the simple life more thoroughly than ever. +That is only a scruple, you are afraid you shouldn't enjoy anything but +Dalton. You know perfectly well you would rather dig +Jacks-in-the-pulpit out by our back wall, than snatch those +honeysuckles at your window." + +"Perhaps," said Tavia vaguely. "But I guess you are right, Doro. You +always are. I am just afraid to think of anything but what we've got." + +"Not even the five hundred?" + +"Oh, that is what upsets me. I shall expect it to make us millionaires." + +"And so it will in happiness. I can't blame you one bit for wanting to +get home to talk it over." + +"Oh, that was yesterday. To-day I want to go to camp." + +Dorothy looked at her uneasily. She remembered it was told her once +that sudden changes were always unwholesome to young people. + +"It must be that," she told herself, "Tavia has had too many sudden +changes lately. And she always was so sentimental. I believe, after +all, it is best for girls to keep busy at practical things. Tavia has +never been trained." + +"Now," said Tavia, who had been fixing before the pretty dressing +table, "I'm ready. But I have a plan--to help Nat out with Rosabel's +complexion test." + +"Oh, he was only joking," exclaimed Dorothy. "He wouldn't be so rude." + +"It's no harm, I'm sure; I've done it lots of times. Come out and I'll +show you." + +Out on the lawn Tavia ran about like the girl she used to be. She was +looking for something. Down behind the hedge of Cedars then out on the +open fields patches of clover and daisies were tangled--they grew +outside the Cedars; beyond the line. + +"Here it is!" she called to Dorothy. "Such a lovely bunch." + +Then running back she brought to Dorothy a long stem of mullen leaves. + +"What are they for?" asked Dorothy, for she knew the common plant well +enough. + +"To paint our cheeks with, and it doesn't come off! Won't Rosabel be +surprised." + +"But I wouldn't think of putting those sticky leaves to my face," +objected Dorothy. + +"Why, they're not poison," said Tavia, beginning to unfold the velvet +leaves that look so soft and are really so very "scratchy." + +"Don't!" begged Dorothy. "It is just as bad as paint, and paint is +positively vulgar. I am sure you were mistaken about Rosabel. No +respectable girl would be so foolish." + +But Tavia was rubbing the leaves to her pink cheeks with absolute +disregard of everything but "rubbing." That seemed to be the one thing +necessary in the operation. + +Presently a deep red stained her cheeks. She felt the sting but wanted +to make sure it was all rubbed on. + +"Does it burn?" asked Dorothy in surprise that Tavia should really +carry out her threat to make her cheeks redder than Rosabel's. + +"A little," admitted Tavia. "Don't you want to try it?" + +"Not for worlds," answered Dorothy. "Since you say it will not wash off +how are you going to explain it?" + +"Sunburn," promptly answered the other, with a subtlety surprising to +Dorothy. + +"You really must not help the boys play any joke on Miss Glen," said +Dorothy. "You know they are Aunt Winnie's neighbors, and we are her +guests." + +"Oh, all right, if you feel that way about it," said Tavia a little +stiffly, "perhaps, Dorothy, I had better have a headache and not go out +to camp--I don't mean to be pouty," she hurried on, "but really, +Dorothy, I have never been able to withstand that sort of temptation +and I might embarrass you. I wouldn't do it for anything, Doro." + +Dorothy Dale was perplexed. First Tavia had said sunburn instead of +mullen leaves, and now she was willing to substitute headache for +rudeness. Wasn't she learning a trifle too fast? Aunt Winnie never +advocated that sort of thing--the rich may be just as honest as the +poor, and more so, for they have opportunities of discerning the great +difference between a gentle and polite way of saving persons' feelings +and the rude unpardonable way of seeking refuge behind little quibbles +at the expense of truth. + +"We were only joking, of course," said Dorothy finally, jumping up from +her seat on the old tree stump, "But it is different where some one +else is concerned. Everybody is not willing to take a joke you know." + +"I've noticed that lately," replied Tavia, pressing both hands to her +cheeks to stop, if possible, the burning of the mullen leaves. "But you +know I once promised to show you how I looked painted. Now I've kept my +promise." + +The flaming red of her cheeks seemed to make her eyes blaze as well, +and it could not be denied she looked wonderfully pretty--or would look +so at longer range, through opera glasses, perhaps. But in calm +daylight there was something strange about her face. The short bronze +hair, the dancing hazel eyes,-- + +"Tavia," exclaimed Dorothy, dismay in her voice, "I am so sorry--you +look like--an actress." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +AN EMERGENCY CASE + + +"There's a special messenger," exclaimed Dorothy, with a little +flutter. "I hope there's nothing the matter--" + +The boy with the bag strapped over his shoulder had dismounted from his +muddy bicycle, and was now at the door of the Cedar mansion. + +Tavia slipped through the hedge after Dorothy. It seemed the message +must be from Dalton, somehow, and she too, like Dorothy, felt a trifle +agitated. + +The maid had answered the ring, and now the boy was wandering along the +path, content that his time-mark allowed a few moments for such +recreation. + +Mrs. White appeared on the piazza presently. Dorothy and Tavia were +within its portals, waiting to be summoned. + +"My dear," began the hostess, "I have just received a message from +Major Dale. He wants you to come home--at once. He is called to +Rochester on important business, and as he says Mrs. Martin is not +well, so he cannot leave without having his little housekeeper in +charge of things--Dorothy, you are a real Dale, able at your age to +keep house." + +"Aunt Libby sick," was Dorothy's first thought and exclamation. + +"The Rochester case," declared Tavia. "That means the Burlock mystery +is going to be cleared up." + +"The major did not, of course, hint at the nature of his business, but +I am really so sorry to lose you just now. And the boys at camp--they +will be painfully disappointed," said Mrs. White. + +"We have had a perfectly splendid time," declared Dorothy, "and I am +sure we can hardly thank you for your--attention. You have so many +calls upon your time and you did all that shopping for us." + +"My dear," and the aunt tilted Dorothy's chin to kiss it, "that was a +real dissipation. To shop for my own girls. Why, it made me feel like a +youngster, myself. And besides, I had orders from Dalton." + +"Even so," insisted Dorothy, showing some surprise at the word +"orders." "It took a lot of time and it was such a warm day. But you +did a great deal more than that for us, Aunt Winnie, you must remember +how much I can do, too, and give me a chance some day, when you want a +rest." + +"Bless the baby's heart! Hear her talk!" and the woman in the soft gray +robe threw her arms about Dorothy. "All the same, when my heart gets +unconquerably lonely for my daughter, I shall command her to come to +me." + +Tavia was "standing afar off." Her burning cheeks grew more scarlet +every moment, and were plainly a matter of great embarrassment to her. +She did want to offer her thanks with those of Dorothy, but somehow, +her words were scorched when they reached her lips, and they "stuck +there." + +"My dear," exclaimed Mrs. White, presently noticing Tavia's confusion. +"Have you been in poison ivy? Your cheeks show a poison!" + +"Only mullen leaves," answered Tavia promptly, relieved to have made +the confession without further parleying. + +"Mullen leaves," in a surprised voice, then adding quickly, "Oh, of +course, we all used to do that. You were painting to go out to camp," +said Mrs. White. + +"Tavia was going to help play a joke on Rosabel," interrupted Dorothy, +anxious to make the matter as light as possible, and help Tavia with +her honesty. + +"Why, that would be too bad," said Mrs. White, "Poor Rosabel has +trouble with her skin. It is always flaming red, and it seems almost +impossible to cool down the sudden flashes. It is caused by a nervous +condition." + +Tavia dropped her eyes. What if Dorothy had not spoken against the +joke, and if they had really gone to camp? + +"Your train leaves shortly after lunch," continued Mrs. White, "so you +had better be getting ready. I am sorry the boys are not here to see +you off, but I will drive you over myself and see that you are safely +en route for Dalton. I almost wish I were going myself. It seems an age +since I have seen the dear major." + +"Oh, do come!" exclaimed Dorothy joyously, "Wouldn't it be splendid." + +"If I only could, my dear, but I cannot this time. I will surprise you +some day. Then I will see whether you or Tavia is the better +housekeeper." + +"Please do not surprise me," begged Tavia, "although I should be so +very glad to see you--give me notice, so that you may be able to get +in. Whenever I take to sweeping and bar up the doors with furniture my +Sunday school teacher calls." + +"I always was considered a good player at hopscotch," joked Mrs. White, +"so you need not worry about that, Tavia, dear." + +The dress suit cases were to be packed. They had been full enough +coming, but it was soon found impossible to get all the new things in +them for the journey back. Tavia discovered this first, and called it +in to Dorothy's room. + +"I can't get my things in either," answered Dorothy back, through the +summer draperies that divided the apartments. "We will have to send a +box." + +This seemed a real luxury to the girls--to come home with an express +box. + +Mrs. White had given Dorothy a fine bracelet as a good-bye present, and +to Tavia a small gold heart and dainty gold chain. + +Tavia could not speak she was so surprised and pleased at first. +Dorothy had a locket and chain, but Tavia had hardly ever expected to +own such a costly trinket. The maid had brought the gifts up. Mrs. +White was busy dressing. + +"I'll have to hug her," declared Tavia, kissing the heart set with a +garnet. + +"Just do," agreed Dorothy, "she would be so pleased." + +Down the stairs flew Tavia. Lightly she touched the mahogany paneled +door at Mrs. White's boudoir. + +"Come," answered the pleasant voice. + +"I came to thank you," faltered Tavia, glancing with misgivings at the +handsome bared arms and throat before the gilt framed mirror. + +"For your heart?" and Mrs. White smiled so kindly. + +"Yes," said Tavia simply, and the next moment she had both arms around +that beautiful neck. + +The woman held the girl to her breast for a moment. Tavia's heart was +beating wildly. + +"My dear," said Mrs. White, "I do hope you have enjoyed yourself," and +she kissed her again. "But you must promise me not to paint with mullen +leaves any more. Sometimes such jokes lead to habits--one looks pale +you know when the blaze dies away." + +Tavia felt as if her blaze never would die away. Why had she been so +foolish? She would have given anything now to rub those horrid, prickly +leaves off forever. + +"I never will paint--" she stammered. + +"I hope you will not, dear, you should be grateful for such coloring as +you have. But let me warn you in all kindness. It is usually pretty +girls who make such mistakes--they want to be more and more attractive +and so spoil it all. Think right, and of pleasant things, and the glory +of happiness will be all the cosmetic you will ever need," and again +she pressed her own white cheek to the burning face of the girl she +still held in her arms. + +Later, when Tavia was thinking it all over, she pondered seriously upon +those words. No one had ever spoken to her just that way before--at +home it was taken for granted she knew so much more than those around +her, that such counsel as she needed was withheld. Alas, how many girls +lose valuable advice by appearing to be over-smart for their years! And +then the awakening is always doubly sad. So it was with this mistake of +Tavia's, trivial enough, yet for her--it appeared like a crime to have +put those mullen leaves to her cheeks; to be thought vain; to have Mrs. +White warn her about other girls! + +It seemed a very short time indeed, from the arrival of the special +message at the Cedars until the train was speeding back toward Dalton. +And the journey had lost all its novelty, for Dorothy and Tavia were so +intent upon the possible happenings when they should reach home, that +the wait, even on a flying train, seemed tiresome. + +"Do you suppose," ventured Tavia, as she laid her book down, after a +number of unsuccessful efforts to become interested in the story, "they +have captured that Anderson?" + +"I am sure I cannot guess," answered Dorothy, "but I feel certain it is +about that affair that we are called home in such a hurry. I wish I +could soon keep the promise I made to poor Mr. Burlock. I said I would +some day find his daughter Nellie, and it does seem the detectives have +been a long time in finding any tangible clew. Father hired two of the +best he could get to trace the child--that was her mother who died, the +one you told me of, you know. I did not talk about it because father +thought it was best to say nothing that might possibly give Anderson a +hint that they were on his track." + +"And have they tracked him?" asked Tavia. + +"Yes, they know he left Mr. Burlock in Rochester. He cashed a check +there that Mr. Burlock gave him for what the poor man thought would be +a possible clew to little Nellie's whereabouts, and to think that the +disappointment killed the disheartened father!" + +"Well, I only hope they have him now," said Tavia, "I would like to +have another chance at his--hat." + +Then the conversation drifted back to North Birchland. Both girls +looked much benefited by their visit, and even Tavia's short hair and +unnatural red cheeks did not detract from the noticeable improvement. +Dorothy's face had rounded some too, and the Lake air had given a +ruddiness to her naturally delicate tinting, that was most becoming to +her as a summer girl. + +"I never saw such nice boys," remarked Tavia, "I think, after all, it +takes money to polish people." + +"Not at all," insisted Dorothy. "It is not money but good breeding. +There are plenty of poor persons who are just as polished as you call +it. Father often told us about a family he visited when he was abroad. +They were so poor in clothes--pathetically shabby, and yet they went in +the very best society. Father used to make us laugh by his funny +descriptions of the ladies at dinners. At the same affairs would be +Thomas Carlyle, and just think, these poor people--he was a parson, +lived on the very ground that was once part of the garden of Sir Thomas +Moore. Father saw the famous mulberry trees there, that so much has +been written about. I hope I may be able to go there some time--we have +relatives in England." + +"I would not care to travel," said Tavia impatiently. "This seems a +long enough trip for me." + +"Only two more stops," said Dorothy as the train rattled past the +stations. "Oh, I shall be so glad to see them all." + +"And lonesome for the Cedars after you have seen them all," Tavia +hinted. "That's the worst of it, home is always with us--" + +"Get your hat box down," Dorothy interrupted. "We are slackening up +now." + +"Dalton! Dalton!" called the brakeman at the door, and the next minute +the girls were being kissed heartily by Joe, Roger and Johnnie, "the +committee on arrival," as Tavia said. The lads were fully qualified to +carry off the honors in the way of boxes and small bundles. + +"How is Aunt Libby?" asked Dorothy as soon as she could say anything +relevant. + +"Better," said Joe, "but father does not feel well--you are not to +worry--" seeing how her face clouded, "he is only tired out. He has +been working at the office and writing so many letters--" + +"That I should have written. Poor dear father! I hope he is not going +to have another spell," and Dorothy sighed. + +"No, the doctor said he would be all right if he would only stay quiet, +but he is about as quiet as my squirrel in its new cage," said Joe. + +"Home again," called Dorothy, waving her hand to the major who now +appeared on the piazza. "Here we are, bag and baggage," and then it +seemed all the "pain of separation" was made up for in that loving +embrace--the major had the Little Captain in his arms again. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +DOROTHY'S COURAGE + + +"Dorothy," said the major, when all the news from Aunt Winnie's had +been told and retold to Joe and Roger, "I want you to come to my study +after tea. I have something to say to you." + +The major was seated in his favorite chair at the open window. Dorothy +thought he looked handsomer every day, as his hair became whiter, and +now as she came to him for the business talk, she wondered who in all +the world could have so loving and so noble a father. + +"I had expected to go to Rochester in the morning," he began, as +Dorothy dropped to the stool at his feet, "but that dear old meddling +doctor says no. I feel well enough--" + +"But you are not, daddy dear," interrupted Dorothy. "You have been +working too hard, I should not have left you." + +"Tut, tut, child, it is you who have been working too hard. I did not +realize it until I picked up the loose ends. But we must not play pot +and kettle. We must talk business." + +Major Dale went across the room and opened his desk. The letter he +wanted was at his hand and he glanced at it hurriedly. + +"Yes, it is to-morrow morning," he said. "I was to appear in court to +identify Anderson." + +"They have him then?" Dorothy could not refrain from asking. + +"Yes, your man--Squire Travers--refunded him up, so you see he has +returned your compliment, he has captured your enemy." + +"But how could you identify Anderson? You have never seen him." + +"Yes, I had that pleasure once. I saw him with Burlock and I could +identify him. Travers did some fine work on the case, walked right over +the detectives, and he deserves credit. He will get it too, in the way +of a second term as squire, for he has completely broken up the +factions--it seems like one party now." + +"I am so glad," said Dorothy. "They did have such a hard time of it." + +"Yes, but about to-morrow. Do you think Ralph could identify Anderson? +Ralph is out of town and I have wired him to be back to-night." + +"I don't think he ever saw the man," Dorothy answered thoughtfully. +"But I saw him very distinctly. Wouldn't I do?" + +"You? Why, child, could you go into a big police court and say: 'There, +that's the man;' without fainting from fright?" + +"Indeed, I could," declared the girl. "I could do more than that to +find Nellie Burlock." + +"If I really thought so--" + +"But you must know it," said Dorothy, quick to take advantage of the +major's hesitation. "If you just give me instructions I will carry them +out to the letter. And oh! if we can only give that money to its +rightful owner at last." + +"Yes, if we only could, I think I would feel like a new man. It has +weighed heavily upon me, particularly since that rascal attacked you at +the falls." + +"I have it!" and Dorothy's eyes flashed in unison with her brain. +"Telegraph to Mr. Travers to meet us, and let Tavia and me go. Tavia +has an aunt in Rochester, you know, and she will take care of us when +we have finished with the other business. Indeed, I can hardly wait." + +"I cannot seem to think that you should go," objected the major. "It is +a big city, and suppose Travers should fail to meet you?" + +"Then I'll meet him," promptly answered Dorothy. "Just give me all the +directions and I will find any police station in Rochester. Besides, +I'll have Tavia, and she has been there--through the city--often." + +"Well, it does seem the only way, for if we fail to identify Anderson +he may be released, and I fancy he would never walk into our hands +again." + +"Now, not another thought, but how we are to go?" and Dorothy drew her +chair up to his desk. "Tell me all about it now, so I can have it all +settled in my mind to-night. Then to-morrow, all we will have to do is +depart. My! we are becoming famous travelers!" + +Very late that night Major Dale still sat at his desk. It was a serious +matter for him to allow his only daughter to go into a strange city and +then to a police court to identify a criminal. But how else could he +carry out his sacred obligation to Burlock? How else could he fulfill +his duty to the lost child? + +And Dorothy too, was troubled that night. Would she really have courage +to undertake the trip to a big city and then--? + +But she, too, had made a promise, and she, too, felt the voice of the +dead father and the voice or the neglected child crying for justice. + +Dorothy Dale did not hesitate--she would go. + +Next morning Tavia bounced around like a toy balloon. To think of going +to Rochester, and into a police court--what could be more delightfully +sensational? And perhaps they would have their names in the papers, +their pictures, she ventured to suggest. "The two girls from Dalton!" +"A striking scene in the police court!" These and other "striking +things" she outlined to serious Dorothy, who now in the early morning +sat so close to the car window, and seemed to hear nothing of the +foolish prattle, as the train rattled on. + +"Don't be a funeral, Doro," objected Tavia. "It's the best fun I ever +dreamed of. Wait till they call on me to testify! Ahem! Won't I make a +stir!" + +"But we are not going to testify at all--" + +"Same thing. We are to go before a lot of handsome officers, and they +will be so careful of our feelings, of course. I hope I blush! It's +always so nice to blush in print!" + +Whether her nonsense was all frivolity, or somewhat calculated to +distract the over serious Dorothy, would have taken an expert in human +nature to decide, and there were many other things about Tavia quite as +bewildering; but Dorothy was patient, she knew Tavia would not +disappoint her when the test came. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE LITTLE CAPTAIN--CONCLUSION + + +"Wasn't it mean," grumbled Tavia, "I thought it would be so dramatic." + +"Dramatic enough for me," answered Dorothy. "I felt a chill steal all +over me when I put my hand on that man's arm, and said, 'This is he!' +Ugh, I have the rub of his sleeve still on my palm," and Dorothy tried +to efface the memory of it on her small white hand by rubbing it +briskly on her linen skirt. + +"Well, I am disappointed," pouted Tavia, "and I don't want any more +mock trials." + +"We must hurry, your father will soon be here. And how anxious I am to +go to that place. What if the man has deceived the police as he did +poor Mr. Burlock?" + +"No danger. He is caught in his own trap now, and his only hope is from +good behavior--they make it lighter for him as he makes it easier to +clear up the case. I heard pop talking to the folks last night about +it." + +This was the day after the identification of Andrew Anderson by Dorothy +in the Police Court. The man had disguised his appearance by taking off +his beard, but there were other marks, and the girl could not be shaken +in her positive identification. + +The man had denied his guilt at first, but finally broke down when +confronted with the evidence against him and admitted he had the +Burlock child in hiding, but she was now in charge of some woman. +Dorothy was to go for her to-day. + +Mr. Travers, though having many important affairs to attend to, was on +time, and he agreed to take Dorothy and Tavia with him to find Nellie. + +"Keep close to me," he told the girls, making their way through dirty +and uncertain streets. "This is a rough part of town." + +House after house he stopped at, leaving the girls in each instance +waiting anxiously to be told to follow. But the places were so much +alike in their squalor the search was becoming more and more tiresome. + +"Maybe he gave the wrong address," ventured Tavia, discouraged and +dissatisfied with the many mistakes. + +"No, but these people change homes so often," explained her father. +"Here, this looks--wait a minute!" + +Down the steps of a dark basement Squire Travers hurried. The girls +looked after him--that place was not dirty, merely poor and bare. + +Presently he called to them: + +"Come in, girls," and Dorothy felt she could hardly move--she was so +anxious and expectant. + +A woman, with a kind face, greeted them sadly, but with that +unmistakable air of one whom poverty cannot drag down from self-respect. + +"Yes, I have a child with me," she answered nervously, "but I cannot +allow you to see her." + +Then Squire Travers produced his credentials. + +"You need not fear us," he told her kindly. "We have the best of news +for little Nellie Burlock, and we are only too anxious to make her +acquainted with it." + +"But we have been disappointed so often," objected the woman, "and that +man Anderson--" + +"You need not think of him now," said Squire Travers. "We have just +left him in the hands of the sheriff. This little girl," placing his +hand on Dorothy, "has brought it all about. She showed the child's +father how to die happily--made it possible for him to see the hope +beyond, and then she and her good father have worked untiringly to find +the child. Cannot we see her now?" + +[Illustration: Instantly Dorothy had her arms around the little girl] + +The woman took Dorothy's hands, and looked straight into her eyes. +Then, without a word, she turned and opened a narrow door, that seemed +to run under a stairway. + +"Nellie!" she called softly. + +Dorothy's heart felt as if a life was dependent upon those few moments. +What if it should not be the right one? + +A child--pale and wan, but with an inexpressibly sweet face--stood +before them. She clung to the woman like a frightened little bird. + +"They have good news for us, Nellie," said the woman. "This child is +Nellie Burlock, only child of Miles Burlock." + +Instantly Dorothy had her arms around the little girl. + +"To think we have really found you," she tried to say, but the words +choked for very joy in her throat. + +"Have you any papers?" asked Squire Travers of the woman. + +"Yes," she answered, "and more than papers. I took that child from her +dying mother's arms, and no threats nor promises of that villain +Anderson have taken her from me. She is all I have now--my own darling +has been spared the hardships we have to suffer." + +"But we will not take her from you," said Squire Travers. "I know +something of your affairs. Your husband is a printer out of work? His +name is Mooney?" + +"Yes," answered the woman sadly. + +"Then how long will it take you to get ready to leave for Dalton? +Yourself, Nellie and Mr. Mooney?" + +"Leave?" gasped the woman, "we have until to-morrow morning to get out +of this place--" + +"Very well," replied the squire, "then you can come with us promptly, +for Major Dale will not rest until we get back. Here, you two Dalton +girls, don't smother that child. Save a kiss or two for those at home. +They will want to know Nellie, too," and Dorothy looked from the little +stranger's face to smile at the jolly squire. + +When the next afternoon train from the west pulled into Dalton there +alighted from it a party that attracted the attention of all who +chanced to be about the depot. The little blue-eyed girl, Nellie +Burlock, was very pale, but "wonderfully pretty" Tavia declared. Mrs. +Mooney had also that frightened, tired look, but her husband seemed to +have left all Rochester behind him. He was a first-class printer and +was to work on Major Dale's paper, and was not that a bright prospect +for an ambitious man? + +Dorothy brought Nellie in alone to the major, He raised his head to +kiss his daughter, then he kissed the fatherless one--a new light came +into his eyes. + +"Dorothy," he murmured. "My own Little Captain! You have led us all to +victory! God bless you!" + +Of course there were a hundred and one explanations to make, and many +stories to tell besides. Nellie Burlock told of her life with Mrs. +Mooney, and of how she and the woman had been threatened more than once +by Andrew Anderson. To Mr. Mooney the affair was nothing but a mystery +and he had not bothered his head much about it. + +"The authorities will take care of Anderson," said the major, and told +the truth, for the rascal was sent to prison for a term of years. Then +Major Dale was regularly appointed as little Nellie's guardian, +although the girl continued to reside with Mrs. Mooney. But she often +came to see Dorothy, and to see Tavia, too. + +"It has all turned out for the best," said Dorothy, one day, to Tavia. + +"I wonder if anything so wonderful will ever happen to us again," +remarked her friend. + +"I doubt it," answered Dorothy; yet she was mistaken; something +wonderful did happen, although of an entirely different nature. What it +was we shall discover in another story about her, to be called, +"Dorothy Dale at Glenwood School." + +Schooldays at Dalton were rapidly drawing to a close now. Both Dorothy +and Tavia applied themselves diligently, and, wonder of wonders, both +passed! + +"I can't believe it!" cried Tavia, and she began to dance around the +room. "Isn't it sublime!" And then she caught Dorothy and made her +dance too. + +"It certainly is grand," answered Dorothy. "Oh, I am so happy!" and +then she kissed her girl friend; and here let us say good-bye. + +The End + + + + +THE DOROTHY DALE SERIES By MARGARET PENROSE + +Author of "The Motor Girls Series" 12 mo. Illustrated. Price per +volume, 80 cents, postpaid. + +Dorothy Dale is the daughter of an old Civil War veteran who is running +a weekly newspaper in a small Eastern town. Her sunny disposition, her +fun-loving ways and her trials and triumphs make clean, interesting and +fascinating reading. The Dorothy Dale Series is one of the most popular +series of books for girls ever published. + + DOROTHY DALE: A GIRL OF TO-DAY + DOROTHY DALE AT GLENWOOD SCHOOL + DOROTHY DALE'S GREAT SECRET + DOROTHY DALE AND HER CHUMS + DOROTHY DALE'S QUEER HOLIDAYS + DOROTHY DALE'S CAMPING DAYS + DOROTHY DALE'S SCHOOL RIVALS + DOROTHY DALE IN THE CITY + DOROTHY DALE'S PROMISE + DOROTHY DALE IN THE WEST + DOROTHY DALE'S STRANGE DISCOVERY + DOROTHY DALE'S ENGAGEMENT + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dorothy Dale, by Margaret Penrose + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOROTHY DALE *** + +***** This file should be named 5629.txt or 5629.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/6/2/5629/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Dorothy Dale + +Author: Margaret Penrose + +Release Date: May, 2004 [EBook #5629] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on July 25, 2002] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, DOROTHY DALE *** + + + + +Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team. + + + +DOROTHY DALE +A GIRL OF TO-DAY + +BY MARGARET PENROSE +AUTHOR OF "DOROTHY DALE AT GLENWOOD SCHOOL," ETC + +ILLUSTRATED + + +THE DOROTHY DALE SERIES +BY MARGARET PENROSE + +DOROTHY DALE: A GIRL OF TO-DAY +DOROTHY DALE AT GLENWOOD SCHOOL +(Other volumes in preparation) + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER +I. DOROTHY +II. DOROTHY AT THE OFFICE +III. A STRANGE ADVENTURE +IV. A CLEW +V. MILES BURLOCK +VI. AT THE SWING +VII. WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ORCHARD +VIII. SQUIRE SANDERS AT SCHOOL +IX. THE AFTERMATH +X. APPLE BLOSSOM MAGIC +XI. A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER +XII. AN UNPROVOKED ATTACK +XIII. A QUEER PICNIC +XIV. THE SECRET +XV. DOROTHY IN POLITICS +XVI. THE GIRLS HAVE IT +XVII. A GIRL'S WEAPON +XVIII. DOROTHY IN DANGER +XIX. A SURPRISE TRIP +XX. AN EVENTFUL JOURNEY +XXI. AT AUNT WINNIE'S +XXII. THE PRICE OF TAVIA'S TRESSES +XXIII. IN SOCIAL ELEMENTS +XXIV. THE PAINTED FACE +XXV. AN EMERGENCY CASE +XXVI. DOROTHY'S COURAGE +XXVII. THE LITTLE CAPTAIN--CONCLUSION + + + + +CHAPTER I + +DOROTHY + + +The day of days had come at last: Dorothy would be the Daughter of the +Regiment. + +"Lucky you don't have to curl your hair, Doro, for the fog is like rain, +and that's the worst kind for made curls," said Tavia. + +"Oh, I do hope it is not going to rain!" + +"No, it surely won't. But come, don't let's be late." + +"There's heaps of time, Tavia. Oh, just see Briggs' new flag! Isn't it +glorious?" cried Dorothy Dale. + +"Not half as glorious as your old Betsy Ross. I'd be too proud to march +if I had a real, truly Betsy. I think, anyway, it's prettier with the +star of stars than with the regular daisy field of them," and Tavia tied +her scarf just once more, that being the fourth time she had smoothed it +out and knotted it over. + +"I think red, white and blue look lovely over a white dress," commented +Dorothy. "Your scarf is perfect." + +"But you are like a live Columbia," insisted Tavia. "No one could look +as pretty as you," and her companion fairly beamed with admiration. + +"Come now, gather up the stuffs. Button your cloak all the way down, for +we don't want folks to see how we're dressed," and Dorothy made sure +that her own water-proof covered her skirts to the very edge. + +It was Decoration Day, and the girls were to take part in the Veterans' +procession. + +Dorothy was the only daughter of Major Frank Dale, one of the prominent +veterans of Dalton, a small town in New York state. Dorothy was in her +fourteenth year, but since her mother was dead, and she was the eldest +of the small family (the other members being Joe, age ten, and Roger +just seven), she seemed older, and was really very sensible for her +years, + +The major always called her his Little Captain, and she showed such a +practical interest in his business, that of running the only newspaper +in Dalton, The Bugle, that few, if any boys could have made better +partners in the work. + +At housekeeping Dorothy was relieved of the real drudgery by Mrs. +Martin, who had been with the major's children since the day when baby +Roger was taken from his mother's side; and while the housekeeper was +the soul of love for the motherless ones, it was Dorothy who felt +responsible for the real management of the home, for Aunt Libby, as the +children called Mrs. Martin, was fast growing old, and faster growing +queer, in spite of a really good-natured disposition. + +"It seems to me, Dorothy," the old lady would say, "Libby can't suit you +any more. And Joe, too--he's mighty fussy about his victuals. Only my +baby Roger loves the old woman!" and she would press the younger boy to +her breast with a world of love in the caress. + +Not far from Dorothy lived Octavia Travers, or Tavia as all the girls in +Dalton called her, She had the reputation of being wild; that is she +cared little for school, and less for study, but she loved her brother +Johnnie and she loved Dorothy. She also had some love left for the +woods; but like many another child of nature, she was misunderstood, and +she was considered an idler by every one but her own father and Dorothy. + +"Tavia is a rough diamond," Dorothy would tell the major, "and you need +not be afraid of Aunt Libby's dreadful ideas about her. She's as good as +gold. Lots of girls, who turn up their noses at her, might learn charity +from the Tiger Lily, as they call her, just because she has a few +freckles around her eyes. I think they make her eyes prettier, they are +so brown--her eyes you know. And Daddy, no other girl in Dalton loves +soldiers, dead or alive, as truly as Tavia does." + +This last argument never failed to convince Major Dale, for a patriotic +girl could no more go astray than could a star fall from the flag, he +declared; so the Little Captain might go with Tavia if she desired. + +So it was that Dorothy and Tavia were companions on Decoration Day. For +weeks they had been getting ready--Tavia picking out the patches of +daisies that would surely be in bloom in time, and Dorothy making +certain that Mrs. Travers would not disappoint Tavia with her white +things, as well as keeping track of Aunt Libby, who had Dorothy's own +costume in hand. The dress was too short and had to be let down a whole +inch, and of course, it could not be done up until after the alterations +were finished. + +There was always a big time in Dalton on Memorial Day, but this year it +was to be made more memorable than ever before. The Grand Army of the +Republic men were to come in from Rochester, the firemen were to turn +out, and the school children were to have a place in the ranks, with +Dorothy Dale as their leader. Besides this, the Dalton Drum and Fife +Corps would make their first public appearance on this occasion, and a +real review was to be given the procession, in the little square +opposite the school, not very far from the cemetery where the soldiers' +graves would be decorated. + +No wonder, then, that Dorothy and Tavia were anxious about their +appearance. Every school girl was expected to wear white, of course, and +the bunting stripes of red, white and blue were bought in Rochester, by +the school teacher, Miss Ellis, and sold to the children at actual cost- +-ten cents for each scarf. + +One thing was certain, no other girls would have such flowers as Dorothy +and Tavia had. Such syringias and such daisies! And the ferns that Tavia +had growing back of the well for weeks! + +Tavia had taken charge of the flowers for Dorothy, had made the big +bouquet and had covered it with wet paper so it would keep fresh. The +Little Captain had made certain that her companion would not be +disappointed about her white dress, and although Tavia had to stay from +school to wash it the day before, Dorothy went over to help her with the +ironing, for Mrs. Travers managed somehow, to have an excuse for her +failure in getting her daughter ready--she was that kind of helpless, +shiftless person, who rarely had things ready for her children, +especially in the matter of Tavia's clothes. + +"Your dress looks real pretty," declared Dorothy, as the girls hurried +along to the school. + +"Thanks to you for ironing it," responded Tavia, with gratitude in her +voice. + +"I only helped, you did the skirt." + +"That was plain, but the waist and sleeves--I never could have even +smoothed them, to say nothing of making them look this way," and she +straightened up to show the beauty of the garment. + +At the school everything was in commotion. Some girls wanted their +scarfs tied, others wanted to carry flags, some insisted they could not +go out without hats, while Miss Ellis, always strict, seemed more stern +than ever. + +"Those who were here yesterday afternoon raise their hands," she +commanded. Every girl but Tavia raised her hand. + +"Those who were not here to rehearsal," went on the teacher, "cannot be +in the ranks. You know I told you all to be here, or not to expect to go +blundering along the roads, disgracing the school. Now, Miss Tavia +Travers, please step back." + +All the commotion ceased. Tavia the patriotic girl--she who had been +searching for flowers in all sorts of dangerous and lonely places--not +to march? + +"Teacher," spoke up Dorothy, her cheeks aflame and her voice quivering. +"It was not Tavia's fault. She--" + +"Silence, Dorothy, or you will also lose your place." + +"But teacher--" insisted the girl, with commendable courage, "I know +Tavia--" + +"Leave the ranks!" called Miss Ellis and Dorothy stepped down--and +slipped into a seat alongside her weeping friend. "Sarah Ford, you may +lead." + +This announcement caused no less surprise than did the punishment of +Dorothy. To think that Sarah Ford, a stranger in Dalton, whose father +was not even a firemen, let alone a soldier, should take first place! + +It must be admitted that not every girl cared when Tavia left the ranks, +for she was not a general favorite: but Dorothy! Major Dale's daughter! +and he the head marshal! + +With a conceited toss of her head Sarah Ford stepped to the front. + +"She's mean," was whispered around. "Perhaps teacher knows only the +meanest girl would ever take Doro's place." + +Meanwhile two very miserable girls were crying their eyes sore in the +back seat. + +"Oh, Doro!" sobbed Tavia, "to think you lost it on my account." + +"It was not on your account," wailed Dorothy, "but on account of an +unreasonable teacher." + +"Hush! She'll hear you." + +"Hope she does," went on the crying girl. "I would just like her to know +what I think of her. I don't care if I never come in this old school +again." + +"I never will," whispered Tavia. + +The ranks were formed now, and the girls marched out. An unpardonable +expression covered the face of Sarah Ford as she passed the tearful +ones. + +"There," hissed Tavia, sticking out her tongue at the unpopular leader. +"Sneak!" she hissed again, and made the most unmistakable face of +contempt and defiance at the haughty Sarah. + +Many looked sadly at Dorothy and with pity at Tavia. Certainly these two +girls deserved to march. Dorothy had done so much to help, in fact some +of the girls knew she had helped the major with all the letter writing, +inviting the Rochester men, and sending instructions to the firemen. And +to think that now, at the last moment, she should be debarred! + +And Tavia too, had been so happy at the prospect of the parade. Poor +Tavia! Everybody knew she had a hard time of it, anyway, only for +Dorothy, who always helped her out. + +"Now, young ladies," said Miss Ellis, as the last girl passed out, "you +may fall in at the end." + +"I don't care to," Dorothy spoke up, wiping her eyes. + +"But I say you must!" + +"Do," whispered Tavia, "we can see them anyway." + +This was enough for Dorothy. Both girls stood up, straightened out their +crushed dresses, patted their red eyes with their handkerchiefs, and +fell in at the end of the line. + +"I don't care a bit," said Dorothy smiling. "I would just as soon be +with you any way. And besides, we will be right next to the Veterans." + +"Oh, good," answered her companion, "I would rather be there than up +front. Only, of course, you should lead." + +The Dalton Drum and Fife Corps was playing loudly. There seemed +something very solemn about the lively tune in honor of the "Boys" who +had answered their last roll call. Tavia's eyes were swimming, and not +a freckle was to be seen beneath the deep red color that framed them. + +Dorothy could not talk. It was so sad--that soldiers had to die just +like other persons. She prayed her "Daddy" would not be called for years +and years. + +At the corner of the street the school children were joined by the main +column. The veterans fell in--back of Dorothy and Tavia! + +Major Dale was grand marshal, and of course came first. He looked +surprised at seeing his daughter--his Little Captain, last in line with +the children. + +Then he glanced at Tavia. It was certainly something for which she was +responsible he was sure, for Dorothy had told him she had remained away +from school and missed the last rehearsal. "Halt," called the major, and +his men stood still. + +At a signal the entire ranks waited. Miss Ellis stepped up to the +marshal smiling. She had evidently forgotten his daughter had lost her +place. + +"I need two girls to carry the end flags," he began. "These old men have +all they can do to travel. The flags are not heavy--here, the two last +girls will do nicely!" + +Dorothy and Tavia stepped to the sides and gracefully took the flags +from the hands of the aged soldiers. + +The only girls who could carry real army flags! And walk on either side +of the marshal leading the Veterans! + +"If I only could stick my tongue out just once more at Sarah," whispered +Tavia, as she crossed back of the marshal to her place. + +"We have both got Betsy Ross flags now," said Dorothy, and in all that +procession there were no prettier figures than those of Dorothy and +Tavia, as they marched alongside the veterans, with the real army flags +waving above their heads, stepping with feet and hearts in perfect +accord to the music of the Dalton Drum and Fife Corps' "Star Spangled +Banner." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +DOROTHY AT THE OFFICE + + +Could the sunshine of yesterday be forgotten in the clouds of to-day? + +Major Dale was ill. Overfatigue from the long march, the doctor said, +had brought on serious complications. + +Early that morning after Memorial Day, Aunt Libby called Dorothy to go +to her father. The faithful housekeeper had been about all night, for +the major had had a high fever, but now, with daylight, came a lowering +of temperature, and he wanted Dorothy. + +"Now, don't take on when you see him," Aunt Libby told the frightened +girl. "Just make light of it and pet him like." + +Poor Dorothy! To think her own "Daddy" was really sick--and so many +veterans already dead! But she must not have gloomy thoughts, she must +be brave and strong as he had always taught her to be. + +"Why, Daddy," she whispered, in a strained voice, kissing his hot cheek, +"the honors of yesterday were too much for you." + +"Guess so, Little Captain, but I'll be on hand at mess time," and he +made an effort to look like a well man. "But I tell you, daughter, +there's something on my mind; the Bugle should come out to-morrow." + +"And so it will. I'll go directly down to the office and tell Ralph." + +"Yes, Ralph Willoby is a good boy--the best I have ever had in the Bugle +office. And that's why I sent for you so early. I want you to go down to +the office and help Ralph." + +"Oh, I'll just love to!" and Dorothy was really pleased at the prospect +of working on the paper, in spite of the unfortunate circumstance---her +father's illness--that gave her the chance. + +"Not so fast now. You must pay strict attention--" + +"But you are not to talk: you have had a fever, from fatigue, you know, +and it might come back. Just let me go to the office and I will promise +to return for instructions at the very first trouble Ralph meets." + +Dorothy was already on her feet. She knew the very worst thing the major +could do in his present condition would be to talk business. + +"Now I'm off," she said, with a kiss and an assuring smile, "you will be +proud of to-morrow's Bugle. 'All about Memorial Day!' 'Get the Bugle if +you want the news!'" she added, in true newsboy style. Then Aunt Libby +came in to wait on the major. + +But Dorothy's heart was not as light as her smile had been. Her father +looked very ill, and the bread and butter of the Dale household depended +upon the getting out of the Bugle. + +Her brothers, Joe and Roger, had been sent to school early to be out of +the way, but to-morrow they might both stay home, thought the sister, +for they could help sell papers. + +"Father never would let the boys do it," she reflected, "but he is sick +now, and we must do the very best we can. If he were ill a long time we +would have to get along." + +Only waiting to snatch up a sandwich left from her brothers' lunch,--for +she knew the noon hour would be a busy time at the Bugle office,-- +Dorothy hurried out and over to Tavia's. + +"I can't go to school to-day," she called in at the half opened door. +"Father is sick, and I must attend to some business for him." + +"Bad?" queried Tavia, for she noticed the change in her friend's manner. + +"Perhaps not so very. But you know he is seldom sick, and now he has a +fever." + +"Fever?" echoed Mrs. Travers. "Tavia, close that door this very minute! +We cannot afford to catch fevers." + +Dorothy felt as if some one had slapped her face. To think of her father +giving any one sickness! + +"Nonsense, ma," spoke up Tavia. "The major is only ill from walking in +the hot sun. Come in, Doro dear, and tell us if we can help you." + +"Aunt Libby is alone with him, and when the doctor comes she may need +something. If your ma would not be afraid to let Johnnie run over about +noon, I would pay him for any errand," spoke Dorothy. + +"Oh, certainly, dear," the woman replied, now venturing to poke her +uncombed head out of doors, thinking, evidently that the mere mention of +money was the most powerful antiseptic known. "Of course Johnnie will be +too pleased. I'll send him any time you say." + +Secretly glad that her mother had so promptly overcome her fear of the +fever, but also ashamed that her motive should be so flagrant, Tavia +slipped on her things and joined her companion. + +"I wouldn't keep you another minute," she began, "for I know just how +anxious you are. But I'm going along to help. I can go on errands at +least, and keep you company." + +"Oh, Tavia, dear, perhaps you had better go to school. On account of the +trouble yesterday, teacher will think we are both defying her." + +"Then let her send the Lady Sarah to find out," retorted Tavia. "I would +show her if I had freckles on my tongue." + +"Please don't talk so, Tavia, it is wrong--" + +"Wrong? My father says there are some men in this world too mean to +bother the law about. He says he knows one he would like to thresh only +he is sure the sneak would not hit him back, but would have him +arrested. Physical punishment is the kind for such, father declares. And +that's just the way I feel about Lady Sarah. I would not tell teacher on +her, for that would give her a chance to 'crawl,' as Johnnie calls being +mean. So sticking my tongue out at her is the nearest I can come to +physical punishment." + +This doctrine did not in any way coincide with the upright views of +Dorothy, but she knew argument would be useless. Besides, her head and +heart were too full of other things to bother about school girl +troubles. + +"Are you going to print the whole paper?" Tavia asked, with amusing +ignorance of the ways of the Great American Press. + +"Why, no, dear, I could not print it. Ralph must do that." + +"Oh, I know. Just put things in it." + +"I may have to write some," Dorothy replied, with an important air. "The +parade story was not written. Father intended to do that." + +"Oh, goody!" went on the irrepressible Tavia. "Say that the meanest girl +in school, Miss Sarah Ford, was chosen, at the last moment, to lead the +girls, owing to the sudden illness of Miss Dorothy Dale, the most +popular girl in school, who took a headache from the sun, but later +recovered in time to carry a Betsy Ross flag, along with her dear +friend, Miss Octavia Travers, the flags being presented to the girls by +Major Dale. There now, how's that?" and Tavia fairly beamed at the very +idea of having her "story" printed. + +"I declare, Tavia, you can string words together, as father would say. +But we cannot say anything against any one. That would bring on +lawsuits, you know." + +"Oh yes, I know. It's just as pa says: some folks are too mean for +anything but a good thrashing--and that's Sarah. But I'll do anything I +can to help you, and I hope I won't get the Bugle into any lawsuits." + +Dorothy thanked her, and remarked that it was not likely. + +By this time they had reached the newspaper office. Up two flights of +stairs, over the post-office and drug store, the girls found the much- +perplexed Ralph Willoby waiting anxiously for his employer. + +Ralph was that kind of a young man whom people trust at once. He was +known all over Dalton as a most zealous worker in the "Liquor Crusade," +that was being very actively carried on in the town. He had a firm face, +and deep, clear eyes. The major used to say his eyes could talk faster +than his tongue--and he knew how to converse well, too. + +He had his sleeves rolled up, and was bending over a pile of "copy" when +the girls entered the office. He brushed his sleeves down and rose to +hear their message. + +"Father is ill," began Dorothy weakly, for inside the office its +difficulties seemed to crush her. + +"And we're going to get the paper out," blurted Tavia, trying to grasp +the wonders of a real newspaper office in a single sweeping glance. + +"Can't he come down?" and the young man's voice betrayed his anxiety. + +"I'm afraid not," went on Dorothy. "He said we were to do the best we +could. I was to help--" + +"And I guess I'm to sell the papers. Hurry up and print some. Is this +the printing press?" Tavia rattled on. + +"But the parade," demurred Ralph, "it is not even written. I can manage +the press well enough, but our reporter Mr. Thomas, has not come in this +morning. I suppose yesterday was too much for him." + +"I think I could write up the parade," ventured Dorothy. "I have often +helped father read proof, you know." + +"Perhaps you can," assented Ralph. "Here is a pencil and some copy +paper. You had better try at once, as I will have to go to press earlier +than usual to allow for 'snags,'" and he smiled to apologize for the +newspaper slang. + +Dorothy sat down at her father's desk. Somehow, she felt a confidence in +her efforts when seated there, where he had worked so faithfully, and +successfully, too, for the Bugle sounded always the note of truth and +sincerity. She started at once to write up the parade. She should be +careful, of course, not to mention the major's name, or her own (her +father never did) and she hoped she could at least make a good +composition or essay on Memorial Day. + +Dorothy worked earnestly, for she meant to have that issue of the paper +up to the mark, if her labors could bring it there. + +Ralph had rolled up his sleeves again, and was busy with the press. +Tavia was "nosing around," as she expressed it. The door opened suddenly +and little Johnnie Travers rushed in. + +"The major sent me--to tell you--" and he had to get a new breath in +somehow--" to tell you that old Mrs. Douglass is--is dead!" he finally +managed to say. "He wants you to be sure to--to--put her in the paper." + +"Nothing but live stuff in this paper, Johnnie dear," spoke up Tavia. +"Mrs. Douglass was bad enough alive--but dead! We really haven't space," +and, in spite of the real seriousness of the matter, for Mrs. Douglass +was an important woman in Dalton, or had been up to that morning, Ralph +and Dorothy were compelled to laugh at the wit of their friend. + +"She was a big woman," said Ralph, adding to the mix-up in language, +"and the Bugle is small. But being 'big' we cannot afford to slight her +memory. There is so little time--" + +"I can write that," said Tavia, shaking her head with a meaning. "And I +know all about Mrs. Douglass and her high fence. Also the flowers behind +the boxwood. Here, Doro, give me some of that paper--" + +"Oh, you would have to see some of the family," interrupted Ralph. "Find +out how she died, when she will be buried; if she said anything +interesting--about charities, you know--" + +"For mine!" sang out Tavia, adjusting her hat. + +"Yes, your first assignment," ventured Ralph. "Dorothy must finish the +parade, and I must attend to the typesetting, so if you could, +really,--" + +"Of course I can. Haven't I spent more time in the graveyard than at +school? And don't I know what they say about dead persons? + + "'Here lies Mrs. Doug,-- + She had a mug, + And none in Dalt could match it, + When she took sick, + She died that quick, + The Bugle couldn't catch it.' + +"How's that?" went on the girl. "Shows it was our busy day and we hadn't +time to catch the dead news, not Mrs. Doug's face, you know." + +"Oh, Tavia, what slang!" cried Dorothy, and added: "you had better not +go, you will surely say or do something--" + +"I certainly shall both say and do something. Johnnie look out for your +nose there. That machine is going and your nose is not insured. Yes, +Doro, this issue of the Bugle will blow a blast both loud and shrill in +memory of Mrs. Doug. You know she loved blowing, never missed a windy +day to collect the rent." + +It was useless to argue. Tavia was bent on doing the "obit." as Ralph +called the obituary assignment. She went out with Johnnie at her heels. + +"She's the jolly kind," commented Ralph, as the door closed on the +brother and sister. + +"Yes, and so few understand her," Dorothy replied. "To me she is just +the dearest girl in Dalton, but others think differently of her." + +"I've known boys like that," assented the young man. "They seem to live +in a shell, and only poke their real selves out to certain persons, +those who love them." + +"I feel more like writing now," said Dorothy, brightening up, "Johnnie +told me father is better--he was taking some nourishment, the child +said, and when the doctor left Johnnie did not have to go to the drug +store. That means, of course, that there is nothing new setting in. I +think Aunt Libby should have kept Joe and Roger from school, but she +thought the house would be quieter for father with them away. Aunt Libby +is very nervous lately." + +"I do hope the major will be well soon," answered Ralph. "He seemed so +strong, but I suppose when sickness takes hold of something worth while +the result is equally of consequence." + +For some time the girl and young man worked without further +conversation. Dorothy bent earnestly over her story, while Ralph was +busy with the type, setting up the last item of news that would go in +the week's issue of the Bugle. + +Suddenly something like a scream aroused them. + +"What was that?" asked Dorothy, but without waiting to answer Ralph +hurried to the door. At that moment Tavia staggered into the office. Her +hat was off and her face was very white. + +"Oh, what is it, Tavia dear?" Dorothy cried. "What has happened?" + +"I'm so--so frightened," gasped the girl. "Lock the door--that--that +man--he may come in! He is in the hall." + +Ralph was out in the hall instantly. The girls, clasped in each other's +arms, could hear him running down the stairs. + +"Oh, he is so rough and strong--he may hurt Ralph," whispered Tavia, too +frightened to trust her own voice. + +It seemed a long time to the girls, but Ralph was back in the room with +them in a very few minutes. + +"There was no one in the hall," he said, "and I looked up and down the +street. No one--no stranger seemed to be in sight." + +"Well, I was just coming up the stairs, and I couldn't see from the sun, +when some one grabbed me," Tavia explained. + +"Oh, Tavia!" interrupted Dorothy. + +"Yes, indeed, a great big horrid man, with a hat over his eyes, and oh, +he was dreadful!" and poor Tavia began to tremble again. + +Ralph had his coat on now. That man should not get away! + +"But you can't leave us," begged the girls. "He might break the door +in." + +"Then come down stairs and we will lock up. I must telephone to Squire +Sanders." + +"He isn't home," Tavia declared. "I saw him drive out as I went up +William Street." + +But Ralph insisted on giving the alarm. + +"What did he say to you?" he asked. + +"Why, he must have thought I was Dorothy. I saw him first just as I +turned out of the Douglass' place, and he followed me all the way. At +the lane--where it was really lonely--he called to me and I stopped. He +said 'Where are you going?' I told him to the Bugle office. I didn't +think anything of it. I am never afraid. Then he got nearer to me--" + +"Why didn't you run?" asked Dorothy. + +"Why, I never thought of such a thing. I thought maybe he was coming +here with some news. Even when he started up the dark stairs after me I +wasn't afraid. But when he grabbed me--" + +"Oh!" screamed Dorothy. + +"Yes, and he said: 'See here, Miss Dale, if you put one line in print +about that old woman being dead--I'll blow the place up.'" + +"He must be a crank," said Ralph. "Such people always drift into +newspaper offices." + +"Oh, no, I am sure he meant it, for he grabbed my notes. He saw me +reading them in the lane," Tavia paused an instant. "And really, poor +Mrs. Douglass was a good woman. The servant girl told me how she had +worked for that Miles Burlock,--she had some special interest in him,-- +and you know how he drinks." + +Unfortunately every one in Dalton knew only too well how Miles Burlock +drank. Ralph had often helped him home, and then tried to get the man to +talk of reformation, but it seemed like a hopeless case. + +"Why should that strange man want the paper to keep quiet about Mrs. +Douglass?" asked Dorothy. + +"Something about Burlock, perhaps," Ralph answered, thoughtfully. "This +man may be in with the drinking class, and perhaps if Burlock read +anything or heard it, somehow he might go to the Douglass house, and +they say Death is a great teacher. I know Mrs. Douglass often befriended +Burlock." + +"Then let him blow the office up!" cried Dorothy, with sudden courage. +"Father never listened to threats! Tavia, can you remember some of the +important facts? Quiet yourself and think it over." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A STRANGE ADVENTURE + + +Joe Dale was a credit to the family. Although only a boy in his tenth +year, he possessed as much manliness as many another well in the teens. +He was tall, and of the dark type, while Dorothy was not quite so tall, +and had fair hair; so that, in spite of the difference of their ages, +Joe was often considered Dorothy's big brother. Roger was just a pretty +baby, so plump and with such golden curls! Dorothy had pleaded not to +have them cut until his next birthday, but the boys, of course, thought +seven years very old for long hair. + +"Only for a few months more," the sister had coaxed, and, so the curls +were kept. Dorothy always arranged them herself, telling fairy stories +to conceal the time consumed in making the ringlets. + +Both boys were to sell papers to-day, for the Bugle was out, and Dorothy +had told her brothers of the necessity for extra efforts to help with +money matters. + +"You may go with one of the regular boys," Ralph Willoby instructed +them. "He can tell you where you would be likely to get customers. Go +into all the stores, of course, and look out for the mill hands, at noon +time." + +"I'll sell Bugles to-day," declared Joe, with that splendid manliness +and real earnestness that makes a boy so attractive, especially to his +sister. + +"It takes a boy," Dorothy said proudly, as her brothers left the office, +each with his bundle of papers, for, of course, Roger had to have a +strap full the same as did Joe. Ralph was glancing over the paper. +Evidently he was pleased with its appearance, for his face showed +satisfaction. + +"Is it all right?" Dorothy asked, secretly glad the "getting out" was +finished, and that she would not have to write another parade story that +day. + +"First-rate," answered the young man, "and I think your father will be +pleased. You had better go home and take him a copy, he may be anxious +to see one." + +"I'll go now," she told Ralph, "and I'll be back about noon, when the +boys come in from their routes." + +Dorothy passed out, and closed the door after her. Ralph went to the far +end of the office, to finish folding the papers. Scarcely had he taken +one sheet in his hand than he heard something in the hall. + +A scream! And in Dorothy's voice! + +Darting past the big press, and making his way to the hall door quickly +in spite of the things that barred his path, Ralph pulled open the +portal. + +The girls were in a heap on the steps! Dorothy and Tavia. + +The young man bent down anxiously. The pair seemed unusually still. + +"Fainted!" he murmured, trying to lift Dorothy's head. + +"Is he--go--gone?" whispered Tavia. "We are not hurt. We only made +believe!" + +"Oh!" sighed Dorothy. "I feel as if I were dying! I--I can't breathe!" + +"Try to get on your feet," commanded Ralph. "The air will revive you!" + +"There!" gasped Tavia. "There's his hat. I grabbed it when he put the +handkerchief, with some stuff on it, to my nose," and the girl held up a +gray slouch hat, the kind western men usually wear. + +"That may help us," said Ralph. "But first you must both come down to +the drug store. That stuff he used may sicken you. It has a queer +smell." + +Once on their feet the girls seemed all right, in fact as Tavia said, +they had only "made believe" to prevent any further violence. + +It seemed incredible that two girls should be way-laid in broad +daylight, in the hall of the most public building in Dalton, but the +fact was certainly plain--there was the dirty white handkerchief reeking +with some drug, and besides, there was the hat that Tavia had taken from +the man's head. + +Ralph took the girls into the prescription room of the drug store, to +see if they needed any attention, and there to the astonished drug +clerk, as well as to the equally astonished proprietor, Tavia tried to +relate what had happened. + +"It was the same man who grabbed my papers the other day," she said. "I +saw him first as I came along William street. Joe and Roger had just +gone in Beck's with their papers, and as I saw the man watching them I +was afraid he might kidnap Roger. I was just thinking who would be best +to call, when he caught me watching him, and then, like a flash, he +sprang into that saloon at the corner. I thought he was frightened lest +he would be caught, and I hurried down here to warn Dorothy. Well, no +sooner had I put my foot inside the hall than he darted at me--" + +"Where did he come from?" asked the drug store proprietor. + +"Probably through the alley that leads from the saloon to the end of our +building," explained Ralph. "He could easily dash into the hall from +there." + +"He was after papers," declared Tavia, "for just as he grabbed me he saw +Dorothy. I was going to scream when he put that queer-smelling stuff to +my nose." + +"I screamed when I saw Tavia," ventured the frightened Dorothy, "but he +had me almost before I could open--my--mouth. Tavia squeezed my hand and +I knew she meant for me to be quiet." + +"And if you had not closed your eyes he might have given you another +dose," added Tavia, who somehow, seemed to know more than any one else +about the wicked ways of the mysterious stranger. + +"But how did he manage to get away so promptly?" asked one of the men, +trying to get on the track for capture. + +"Through that same alley into the saloon," Ralph said. "I will go at +once, and have the place searched." + +"As soon as he got the papers Dorothy had he went off," finished Tavia, +"just as he did when he got my notes." + +Leaving the girls to quiet themselves in the drug store, all the men, +except the head clerk, started out to give the alarm. + +This time a thorough search should be made, and even a reward offered by +the town for the capture of the coward who went about trying to frighten +helpless girls. There was certainly some hidden motive in his actions, +as he had, each time, made an attack on some one connected with the +Bugle's business, and the men quickly concluded his intentions had to do +with an attempt to stop the Liquor Crusade. + +Miles Burlock also figured in the case they decided, although how this +stranger was mixed up in matters relating to Burlock, and what +connection Mrs. Douglass' death could have with such affairs, was not +plain. + +The druggist warned Dorothy and Tavia not to tell their experience to +any one, not even to the folks at home, for, he argued the stranger +might get to hear they were after him, and so escape. + +Dorothy readily agreed to keep silent, in fact it would not do for any +one in her home to know of her experience, as the major was too ill to +be worried, but Tavia did not see why her father should not be +acquainted with the affair, as he always knew what to do. And why should +other men be allowed to search for the man who had threatened her, when +it was plainly her own father's special privilege? + +"Well, if you feel that way about it," agreed the druggist, "tell your +father to come down here to-night and perhaps he will be put on the +committee." + +This was quite satisfactory to Tavia, and after making sure that no more +strangers lurked about, the girls made their way home. + +"I never was afraid in daylight before," remarked Dorothy, whose face +was still pale from the fright. "Let us hurry. There are the boys. Be +sure not to say anything to them about the scare." + +"Hurrah!" shouted Joe swinging his empty strap. "All sold out." + +"Me too," said little Roger, who had his strap buckled so tightly about +his fat waist, that he had hard work to breathe under the pressure. + +"Hip--hip--" answered Tavia, continuing: + + "Blow Bugle, blow, + Blow Bugle blow, + We're very proud + You blew so loud + To let the people know." + +"Price five cents! Order now! That's the way city people put things in +the papers about their goods," declared Tavia. "I think when I leave +school I'll look for work in a newspaper office." + +"Ralph said you did splendidly," said Dorothy, "I'm sure I never could +have gotten along without you. But we are home now and--" + +"No paper for the major," finished Tavia. + +"There's a boy. I'll get one," said Joe, running off at full speed to +overtake the newsboy, who had just turned the corner. + +"Aunt Libby may be cross," whispered Dorothy, "for she has been all +alone, and this being Saturday she would expect help." + +"Mother won't say anything to me," Tavia decided, "for--well, I have +something to tell her that will make her forget all about the work." + +"Not about the--you know--" cautioned her companion." + +"My, no," answered the other. "It's just about Mrs. Douglass' funeral. +You know ma always goes to funerals, and I have found out that people +may go to the house and see her. That will interest ma." + +Joe was back with the paper, and was proud to have such an active +interest in the Bugle. It seemed something to say it was his own +father's paper, and then to have people remark what a bright sheet it +was, and how it was never afraid to tell the truth. + +"Let me give it to father?" he asked Dorothy. + +"No, let me?" pleaded little Roger, "cause I ain't hardly seen him a bit +lately." + +"But you must not tell that we sold papers," directed Joe. "Father is +not to know yet, you know." + +"Oh, I won't tell," Roger promised. + +"But you might forget," argued Dorothy. + +"Nope," declared the little fellow, "I'll just let this strap keep +squeezing me, then I couldn't forget." + +"And have father ask where you got it," said Joe laughing. + +"Then I'll tie a string round my finger," persisted the younger brother. + +"I'll tell you," Dorothy concluded, "You just run in, give father a good +hug, put the paper on his lap and run out again without saying a word. +Then he will think you are playing newsboy." + +This plan was finally decided upon, although Roger did think he would +like to stay for "just a little while" to hear "Daddy" say "something +about something." + +They found the major anxiously expecting them. He feared something had +happened--the press might break down, or the paper supply give out, Many +things might occur when the man who ran the business was not there to +keep ends straight. To say that the major was pleased was not half +telling it--he was delighted. To think that they could get out a paper +like that! And that his Little Captain should write up the parade. It +really was well described. + +Perhaps what astonished him most was Tavia's part in the issue. He +laughed when Dorothy told how jolly Tavia was. Of course, there was no +mention of the encounter with the strange man. + +But that night Dorothy could not sleep. The excitement perhaps, or was +it fear? + +Oh, if that horrid man had never come to Dalton! + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A CLEW + + +As the druggist had anticipated, a citizens' committee was formed to run +down the assailant of Dorothy and Tavia. The hat bore the mark of a +Rochester house, so that was something of a clew. A hatless man ought to +be easy enough to identify, but of course, he had managed to get a head +covering somewhere; stole it, perhaps, from an open hallway. + +But, after an exhaustive search, and much questioning of persons who +might have seen the man, no news of importance was turned in at the +committee meeting. + +Mr. Travers had what he considered a tangible clew. Miles Burlock had +told him that a man from Rochester had been hounding him for weeks, and +that he pretended to know something of Burlock's business. + +"Burlock, it seems," Mr. Travers said at the meeting, "was, in some way, +connected with the Douglass family. There is money in the affair, +however it may concern Burlock and Mrs. Douglass, and this stranger is +after the cash." + +"But what in the world has these children to do with that?" asked the +chairman. + +Ralph Willoby stood up. + +"It seems, Mr. Chairman," he said, "that the first time the man gave us +trouble was when we sent to learn something about Mrs. Douglass' death. +He secured the notes to prevent us from publishing anything about the +lady. Then he threatened to blow up the Bugle office if we did print an +obituary. This did not intimidate us, and when the paper was out he +waited for the little boys, sons of Major Dale, to harm them possibly. +It was then that one of the girls saw and recognized him, and he, being +sure of this, made off. A few minutes later he intercepted both girls on +the stairs, tried to frighten them with some drug, took the papers from +Miss Dorothy Dale, and again made his escape." + +This was by far the most intelligent account of the affair yet given, +and after its recital many of the men thought they could see a solution +of the mystery. + +"But how do you associate all this with Miles Burlock?" Ralph was +questioned by the chairman: "I know Mrs. Douglass had a special interest +in that man," went on Ralph. "I have known her to give him money to buy +respectable clothes with, and,--well there is no need to make public our +brother's misfortunes. At any rate, it seems plain to me that this +stranger was trying to keep the news of Mrs. Douglass' death away from +Burlock." + +"Has any one seen Burlock lately?" was next asked. + +No one had; in fact his absence had been noticed by many present. He was +not a common drunkard, and that was probably why such an interest was +manifested in his possible entire reformation. + +This was all of importance that occurred at the meeting, and the +committee adjourned with instructions to continue their work. + +It was a beautiful spring evening. The air was soft with blossoms, and a +perfumed dew made all of Dalton like a rose garden. + +Major Dale was improving rapidly, in fact he had recovered so quickly +that this evening he insisted upon sitting out of doors for a few +minutes. The doctor had discontinued calling, and said the attack was +more of overfatigue from the march on Memorial Day than anything else. +Both Dorothy and Tavia had been absent from school the past week but +this was Sunday evening, and they would both go back to-morrow. + +Dorothy went over to talk about it with her friend. + +"Well, it will be something to have another chance at Lady Sarah," said +Tavia, when Dorothy had finished telling her to be sure and have her +father write an excuse to hand to Miss Ellis. "I don't mind school so +much when there is something else to think of in between. And the girls +will be tickled too, for they all love a good fight." + +"Now, Tavia, you must stop that kind of talk if you are going to be a +friend of mine," counseled Dorothy. "I cannot be considered your friend +if you will not be--ladylike--" + +"Like Lady Sarah," Tavia finished, laughing. "Well, all right, Doro +dear," and she gave her chum a bear-like hug, "I'll be as good as pie,-- +lemon meringue at that,--so don't worry any more." + +"Have you heard anything about the man?" Dorothy asked cautiously, for +it was almost dark, and the girls were walking back to the Dale +homestead. + +"Not a word," answered Tavia, "except that father thinks he has gone out +of Dalton altogether." + +"And I have not seen Miles Burlock all week," commented Dorothy, "You +know I had been trying to get him to reform." + +"Everybody seems to be trying to do that." + +"Well, Ralph told me he had seen Burlock crying like a baby one day +because a little girl asked him for a penny. And Ralph thinks perhaps +there was some little girl in Miles' story,--a daughter maybe--and he +suggested that I try my influence with Miles." + +"Did he cry like a baby over you?" teased Tavia, with poor appreciation +of her friend's efforts to help along the Liquor Crusade. + +"Now please, Tavia, don't be absurd. There is something wonderfully +winning about Mr. Burlock." + +"Of course there is. Wicked people are always winners." + +"I won't tell you one thing more!" + +"Now Doro! Doro! You know I love to hear you talk that way. And if it +were not so dark I could see your eyes show how deep they are, just like +the Jacks-in-the-Pulpit I gathered in the woods yesterday. You are +nothing like a wild flower, more like a beautiful pink and white +hyacinth, that grows in the Douglass garden; but sometimes, when you +pretend to be angry, you make me think of the wood flowers. They have +such a way of blooming best when some other growing thing tries to stop +them. Jacks-in-the-Pulpit grow right up through stones, and bloom in +tangles of poison ivy." + +"I am sure I have no right to compare myself with flowers," answered the +other pleasantly, for she always admired her friend's poetic ideas, +although other people might laugh at them. + +"Shows she is thoughtful, anyway," Dorothy would tell herself, "and that +is what Ralph meant when he said she could not make serious mistakes +when she followed the advice of her kind heart." + +The Dale house could be seen through the trees now. Voices were heard +outside; perhaps the boys playing some games. + +"I'll leave you here," said Tavia, "you are not afraid of bugaboos are +you?" + +"Not a bit," answered Dorothy, laughing. "Be sure to be on time at +school to-morrow. No use adding coals to the fire." + +"It depends on whether you intend to wash, bake, or iron. Now I am going +to do all three at school to-morrow, so I may as well keep up a good, +warm fire;" and giving her chum a hearty hug Tavia started off. + +Dorothy stopped as she neared the piazza. + +Surely that was a strange voice. A man was talking very earnestly to her +father. + +It was Miles Burlock! + + + + +CHAPTER V + +MILES BURLOCK + + +What could that man want of her father? + +And what was so mysterious about their conversation that reached her +ears in spite of her attempting to enter the house without intruding +upon her father's company? + +Her name was being spoken, and why would Aunt Libby not open that door? + +"There she is now," said Major Dale, as Dorothy gave one more knock. +"Daughter, come this way. We are waiting for you." + +How hard her heart beat! And how foolish she was to be nervous! + +"This gentleman," began Major Dale, "wants you to hear a story. It may +be sad for ears so young, but perhaps the knowledge that you have helped +Mr. Burlock to settle one point in this story may make it more +interesting to you." + +The faint moonlight, that now streamed from the spring sky, made a +silvery glow upon the faces of the two men, and even in the shadows, +that of Miles Burlock showed features firm and what might be called +handsome. Dorothy had often seen him before, but he had never looked +that way. His face was clearer now he was changed. + +"Child," he said, extending his hand to her, "You need not fear Miles +Burlock now. He is a man--no longer a slave to rum--but a wake at last." + +"I am so glad!" Dorothy stammered. + +"Yes, that day you took my hand, although it was not fit for yours, and +the way you asked me to join in the League work came like a miracle of +grace. Perhaps it is--because--because you are so like the child I +lost." + +He bowed his head, and for a moment, was silent, then he looked at +Dorothy again. + +"As you are the one chosen to help this man find himself--for he has +been morally lost for years,--I feel it may be that you, too, may help +me find my own child," Miles Burlock went on. "At any rate it is best +that you should hear the story, for when men like us have passed away +the children may be here to remember what others will be glad to forget +about me--to forget that I tried to undo the wrong I had done to those +lost to me now." + +Major Dale opened the door to the sitting room, and there the man +continued his story. + +"As a boy I was cared for by an over-indulgent aunt, and I have often +thought that the fact of having lost my own mother might, in some way, +make an excuse to heaven for me, for the boy or girl who never knows a +mother has suffered more than mortal can count,--in ways more numerous +than mortal can see, and a motherless babe is the saddest story in all +human history. Well, money had been left for me, and this too, I +believe, was an inherited wrong, for too early in life had I begun to +feel independent. Later that indifference to discipline grew to +recklessness, and then the final evil came in the shape of bad company." + +Major Dale stopped the speaker for a moment and Dorothy was glad to move +a little nearer her father. Somehow, this strange story was unlike +anything she had ever heard, and while it fascinated her, it also +frightened her, for she had not before known anyone who had lived such a +wild life. + +"And here is where your daughter, Major Dale, has come so strangely into +my life," went on Mr. Burlock. "The good people of this town have been +working hard to save such men as I have been--but no longer will I rank +myself with such. That young man, Ralph Willoby, had pleaded with me in +a way few could have resisted, but the trouble was, I was in the hands +of a man who had been my evil genius for years, and no matter how firm +was my resolve to get away from temptation, this tyrant would manage to +put the poison into my hands. Of course I thought him a friend,--that +was what he had always pretended to be,--but through the strange +interference of this little girl,"--laying his hand on Dorothy,--"I +have seen the light; the scales have fallen from my eyes." + +The awful face of the villainous man, who had so frightened Dorothy on +the stairs of the Bugle office, seemed to flash into that room. Could he +be that evil genius? + +"Yes, Major Dale," he went on, "you must have heard by this time that a +man waylaid your daughter, grabbed the papers from her hands and tried +to frighten her so that there would be no outcry until he had made his +escape. Well, that man was no other than he who put liquor to my lips +when I was a boy; who took me from my home when I was a husband, and +made me sign papers that would leave my young wife helpless in all the +affairs that she should rightfully control. Not satisfied with this +record of villainy, he, at last, separated me from my wife and daughter, +and though I have searched for years for them, it has all been in vain." + +The man stopped. Tears were streaming down his pallid face and the +sorrow of a lifetime seemed about to break the bonds of human endurance. +Major Dale put his hand on the other's shoulder. + +"Cheer up, brother," he said, "There may yet be time. Life is with you +still." + +"Ah, but have I not searched all this week? And did not that man promise +to take me to them?" + +Dorothy had shrunk back when Mr. Burlock said the man who had put terror +in her own life was the same person who had destroyed his happiness. +Then it was as Ralph said,--Miles Burlock did figure in the mysterious +case. + +The evening was melting into night. Major Dale was still feeble from his +illness and his daughter, quick to see the look of pain on his loved +face, determined to stop the story for the time being. + +"You must lie down, father," she said, putting her arm about him, "You +know the doctor said to be very careful." + +With a promptness that bespoke good breeding the visitor arose. + +"Pray pardon me," he said politely. "I have been very selfish. I will +not disturb you longer. I will come again to-morrow." + +"We will be very glad, indeed, to help you, if we can," the major +replied, rather faintly, for Dorothy had not spoken a moment too soon +for his comfort. + +"The real matter with which I would ask you to help me is the putting +aside, now, of the money which is in my name, and which should be +secured against enemies of my poor wife and daughter," said Miles +Burlock. "I will never again trust anything to the uncertain time when +they may be found, for I believe now they are being kept away from me by +this same scoundrel, Andrew Anderson. It may be well for you to know his +name." + +"And where is he?" asked the major, his voice showing the feeling he +could not hide, a determination to deal severely with the man who had +threatened Dorothy. + +"That is something I would not dare to tell even if I knew. My only hope +of getting these affairs settled so that I may sometime make amends to +my dear ones, is by keeping away from Anderson. It might not detain you +too long to say that last week my friend, my counselor, and benefactress +Marian Douglass, passed away. For years she held safely for me the +principal of the money I had been wasting. Now that she is gone, and he +knows it, I must at once make it secure in some other way. To-morrow, if +you will allow me, I will come again and bring witnesses. No other man +in Dalton would be so worthy of the trust. Thousands of dollars have +almost made themselves in ways planned and carried out by Marian +Douglass, who held this money both for me and from me, but now a part of +this must be used to find my wife and my daughter Nellie, and then to +run down their persecutors, for I have been a tool, simply, in the hands +of those who took what I had and who have been trying for years to get +the rest. If nothing happens to me to-night I will come to-morrow +morning, after that we may tell the town who it was who tried to spoil +the fair name of Dalton." + +He pressed Dorothy's hand to his lips as he left. She felt a tear fall +upon it; and she knew that all her prayers and all her efforts to save +this man from his evil ways had not been in vain, and with the happiness +that comes always in the knowledge of good accomplished, a new resolve +came into her heart--she would some day find Nellie Burlock. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +AT THE SWING + + +The strange story of the reformed man filled Dorothy's brain with +exciting thoughts that night, and it was almost morning when she finally +fell asleep. Even then she dreamed of all;--the fortune her father was +to have in trust, the wicked man who had been trying to get it, and the +poor wife and child who were hidden away somewhere, perhaps now +starving. In her dreams she became Nellie, and she tried, oh, so hard, +to find her own father, the dear major. The worry of it even in sleep +gave Dorothy a severe headache, and when she awoke she found her nerves +still throbbing and her brow hot and feverish. + +"Oh, I'll be so glad to go to school to-day," she thought. "I am tired +of all this worry, and it will be good to be back with the girls again." + +"Doro, let me in! Let me in!" little Roger was calling at her door, and +before she had a chance to finish dressing, her little brother had his +soft white arms about her neck. + +"Now, don't you look. You can't see until I've given you a quart of +kisses, then you have to promise not to cry." + +"Cry? What for?" she asked. + +"Cross your heart, first," he insisted. + +Then she saw that his curls were gone. + +"Oh, darling!" she exclaimed, "who did it?" + +"Jake, the barber. And daddy said so. He said you should not bother with +tangles any more. Now don't you dare cry. You promised." + +The girl took the little boy in her arms. Why did they do it just that +day, when her head ached, and she had so many worries? Those beautiful +curls! How she had loved them! + +"Now Doro, you are going to cry, 'cause your eyes look like polly-wogs. +And you must be glad that I'm a man, like Joe, now," and the boy sprang +from her arms, and stood up like a "major" before her. + +Then he was a "man," and her baby no longer. It was not the curls so +much, but taking her baby from her, that hurt so. + +The loving mother-spirit, that had made Dorothy Dale the girl she was, +seemed to grow stronger now with every tear that clouded her eyes. Yes, +he bad been her baby, and she had loved him with a wonderful love--sent +into her heart, she always thought, by the mother in heaven who watched +over them both. + +"You have been a very good boy," she managed to say, "and Joe is a very +good boy, so, if you can be like him, perhaps I will not be so lonely +without the other Roger." + +It was an hour later that Dorothy met Tavia in the lane and hurried to +school with her. Of course she could not tell her friend what it was +that made her so quiet, and it really was hard to keep a secret like +that of the mysterious man from Tavia. + +Perhaps she could tell her in the afternoon, by that time Mr. Burlock +would likely have all his affairs attended to and then he said he would +tell the town who the man was for whom the people had been looking. + +As Dorothy and Tavia came into the schoolyard they saw Sarah Ford on the +swing, that hung from a heavy square frame. + +Down went Tavia's books on the grass. + +"First for a run under!" she called, and instantly a line of girls +formed, while Tavia led, of course, with such a "run under" that Sarah +tried to jump to save herself from another like it. + +"Hold fast!" shouted the next girl, who already had her arms up to the +swing board. Then one after another they jumped to reach the board, and +send it higher and higher until the girl on the swing threatened to turn +over the frame. + +"Oh, please stop!" she cried, "there goes the bell!" + +One more "good push" sent her up into the air, and the girls were all +gone--school was in. + +For one moment Sarah held on and then jumped--into the remains of the +janitor's rubbish fire! + +Sarah Ford picked herself up. Her white dress was covered with soot and +dirt. The classes were called by this time, and she could not go into +the cloak room. + +"Oh, that horrid mean thing, Tavia Travers!" she thought. "I will not +give the girls a chance to laugh at me," and, darting out of the gate, +she ran down the lane--away from school. + +At the end of the lane the girl turned into an orchard and sank down +under an apple tree. + +Had she really run away from school? She could not turn back now, and +what would her father say? He was so severe about school, he never would +take any excuse. + +The black soot had almost all blown off her dress. If she had not been +so proud always, about her looks, perhaps she would not have noticed it +much. + +"Oh, what will I do to that girl!" she thought. "It was all her fault, +and I'll lose my place too." + +The sense of bitterness that filled Sarah Ford's heart was an entirely +different sentiment from that which animated Tavia Travers when she made +up, the "running under" game. The one was the sense of revenge, bitter +and cunning; the other was a matter of school girl's fun, pure and +simple. + +Sitting there on the grass that revengeful spirit took the form of a +resolve in Sarah's heart--to "pay back" Tavia Travers. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ORCHARD + + +Within the schoolroom more than one girl was wondering what had happened +to Sarah Ford. Dorothy was worried. Hers was a nature that took all +things seriously, while Tavia insisted on looking on "the easy side" as +she termed Hope. She was hoping with all her heart now, that Sarah Ford +would soon enter the room, but the morning wore on and no Sarah +appeared. + +At last recess came. Such whispering among the girls--so many theories +advanced to account for Sarah's disappearance. + +"Playin' hookey," was all Tavia said, in the way she had of making light +of things. + +"Perhaps she was hurt," whispered Dorothy to Alice MacAllister, a girl +who had always been a close friend. + +"I don't think so," said Alice, "Even had she fallen there was nothing +she could strike on, and I have often jumped when I could not go one bit +higher." + +"She may have fallen on the rubbish heap," suggested one of the older +girls. + +At last school was dismissed. + +"I'll wager we find her down the lane taking Widow Drew's apple +blossoms," remarked Tavia, as she and Dorothy started for home. "She may +be going to another party and want a change of decorations,--she wore +honey-suckle last time." + +"Hush!" Dorothy interrupted, "I thought I heard--" + +"Some one moan? So did I," declared Tavia. + +They listened a moment. + +"There it is again," said Dorothy. "Oh, I'm sure that's Sarah!" + +"It was down in the orchard," went on Tavia. + +"Help! oh, help me!" came a voice, and this time there was no mistaking +the cry; a girl was calling. + +Springing over the fence, with Dorothy following her, Tavia ran through +the deep grass to the spot from which the sounds came. + +Under the apple tree, suffering and helpless, they found Sarah Ford. + +"Oh, what has happened!" wailed Dorothy, bending over her. + +"You have killed me!" gasped Sarah. + +"Is it your ankle?" Tavia asked, trying to find out what could be done +to get Sarah home. + +"Yes, and you did it!" declared the suffering girl. "You gave me that +last push. Oh,--oh. Get a doctor--or I will surely die!" and she buried +her head deeper in the grass, writhing in agony. + +"Can't you move, Sarah dear?" Dorothy pleaded, "If you only could, +perhaps we could make a hand chair and carry you." + +"Oh, it would kill me. My leg is surely broken. I can feel the bone. Oh, +dear! Oh dear me! What shall I do? What shall I do?" and the unfortunate +girl burst into hysterical weeping-- + +"I'll run and get a wagon--or a carriage--or something," Tavia said +nervously, for she was very much frightened at Sarah's condition. + +"They never could drive in this rough place," Dorothy sighed. "Listen! +There is Joe. Call him. He will help us." + +In a moment Joe Dale was beside his sister. + +"Why, a man must carry her, of course," he declared promptly, "I just +met Ralph Willoby--" + +A shrill whistle from Joe, followed by his calling loudly the young +man's name, soon brought Ralph to the scene. + +"Oh, I am so glad it is you!" said Dorothy. "You will know just what to +do, and we--don't want--a crowd." + +By this time Sarah showed signs of fainting; her breath came in gasps +and her face was very white. + +"Run over to the spring Joe, and fetch a cup of water," Ralph commanded. +"Now, Miss Ford, you must put your head down flat on the grass--this +way. There, that's it. Now try to straighten out so that you can breathe +better." + +But every move that the suffering girl tried to make caused her such +pain that Dorothy fell upon her knees and tried to fan a breath into her +white face, to prevent her, if possible, from becoming unconscious. + +"Here's Joe, with the water," exclaimed Tavia, running to meet the boy, +and hurrying back with the cool liquid. + +Ralph pressed the drink to Sarah's lips, while Dorothy waited to bathe +the pale face with what water might remain in the cup. + +"Oh!" sighed Sarah. "I feel--better. I thought I was going to die." + +"You were faint," Ralph exclaimed. "Do you think you can sit up now?" + +Not waiting for a reply, the young man slipped his hand under the girl's +shoulders, and the next minute he had her in his arms. + +It was a sad little procession that followed him. Dorothy almost in +tears; Tavia with eyes already overflowing, while Joe kept very close to +Ralph, ready to offer any assistance in carrying Sarah to her home. + +But Ralph was well able to manage his burden, for the girl was not +heavy, and she helped herself some by keeping her arms clasped about his +neck. Fortunately the Ford home was not far away. + +"There's Mr. Ford," whispered Joe to Tavia, as they reached the gate, +and at that moment the man on the porch raised his head from his paper, +and saw them coming. + +Mr. Ford seemed dazed--he did not stir for a moment but sat there +staring wildly at the group now coming up the path. + +"Sarah has hurt her ankle," Joe hurried to say, and as his voice roused +the man from his frightened attitude, he sprang up and reached to take +his daughter from the young man's arms. + +"I had better put her on a couch," objected Ralph, "Her ankle seems +quite painful." + +"What has happened?" asked the father opening the door of the sitting +room and making ready the couch under the window. + +"The girls did it," gasped Sarah, "that girl there, Tavia Travers!" + +"You!" exclaimed the man, making a threatening move towards the accused +girl. + +"It was an accident," interposed Dorothy, "we do not know how it +happened; we found her under a tree in the orchard." + +"They do know," persisted the injured girl "They sent me up so high!-- +oh, get a doctor, quick!" + +Ralph had now placed Sarah on the couch, and "while Mr. Ford hurried to +call his wife, Ralph and Joe hastened off for Dr. Gray, leaving the +three girls together. + +"Tell us about it," Dorothy pleaded, not wanting to leave Sarah until +she had obtained some idea of how the accident had occurred. + +"I'll tell Squire Sanders," answered the girl on the couch, "and then +you will be arrested, every one of you who--who tried to kill me!" + +"Come!" whispered Tavia to Dorothy as Mrs. Ford appeared. "It only makes +matters worse for us to be here." + +Then as the mother fell weeping by the couch Tavia and Dorothy left the +room. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +SQUIRE SANDERS AT SCHOOL + + +Dorothy had always been able to influence Tavia, and to show her that to +do right would be best in the end, although the doing of it might, at +the time, seem very hard, and very unreasonable; but all her efforts now +to induce her friend to go with her to school that afternoon and make +the necessary explanation to Miss Ellis, were without avail--Tavia +absolutely refused to go. + +"No matter what comes of it," Dorothy told herself, as she walked sadly +along the path, through the lane back to the schoolyard alone, "I'll +stand by Tavia. She meant no harm, and was no more to blame than any one +else. But I do wish, she had come this afternoon. It looks as if she +were afraid or guilty, to run away from it all." + +[Illustration: "WELL, THIS MATTER MUST BE FULLY INVESTIGATED," DECLARED +THE SQUIRE] + +The fact that Miles Burlock had not appeared at the Dale home that +morning, according to promise was of little interest to Dorothy now. +Something might have happened to him. Of course, he certainly seemed +determined to settle the business at once, but Dorothy's head and heart +were too full of her school friends' troubles to give much thought to +the Burlock matter. Major Dale had appeared concerned about it however, +and had questioned Dorothy as to whether any one had mentioned to her, +at school or on her way there, the fact that the strange man, likely +Andrew Anderson, had been seen again in Dalton. + +"Be very careful to go around by the road," her father had cautioned her +on leaving, "and come directly home from school as I will be anxious," +he said, when he kissed her good-bye. + +But Dorothy reached school safely, and was soon surrounded by a crowd of +curious, and not too thoughtful girls, whose incessant questions added +much to her nervous condition. Sharp pains shot through her head, for +the excitement of the day had caused the ache of early morning to become +a bad attack of neuralgia. + +"Please do not bother me so," she pleaded, as the girls plied question +after question. + +They had heard, of course, of the accident, but how it had happened, and +what had become of Tavia, whether she run away or been arrested--these +and many similar queries kept the excited scholars buzzing about Dorothy +like bees about a hive. + +"I do not know how it happened," she insisted, "I wish I did. We found +her under the tree, and helped her home. That is all I know about it." + +The class took its place. Miss Ellis began to speak but was surprised at +that moment to see old Squire Sanders enter the room. + +"Oh, oh, he's after Tavia!" whispered May Egner to Dorothy. "I'm glad +she is not here." + +"Take your seats, young ladies," Miss Ellis directed the class, and then +the squire assuming his business attitude, that of holding his black- +thorn cane well out in front of his left foot, which member in turn was +in advance of its mate, and planting the cane down firmly twice, he +began: + +"I've come here to investigate a complaint" and he rapped his stick +noisily on the floor. "Where's the girl who threw Sarah Ford from the +swing, and broke her ankle?" + +"Why," stammered Miss Ellis, "I have not heard of any such occurrence. +Does any young lady here know anything of it?" + +Dorothy was on her feet instantly. Her flushed face betrayed the emotion +she tried bravely to hide, but when she spoke her voice rang with truth +and confidence. + +"Sarah Ford was not thrown from the swing," she began. "We found her +suffering under the tree in the orchard. When the bell rang this morning +she was on the swing, and I was the last girl to enter the hall. I saw +her on the swing then." + +A pin, dropped, might have been heard in the room. It was so like a +trial to have Dorothy there "giving testimony." + +"Well, that ain't the story I have," drawled the squire. "Where's that +wild harum-scarum Tavia Travers? She's the one that's blamed." + +"Tavia Travers!" called the astonished Miss Ellis, but of course there +came no answer. + +"Absent!" answered a girl from the back row. + +"Can you tell us where she is?" Miss Ellis asked Dorothy. + +"At home I believe," answered Dorothy simply. + +"Well, this matter must be fully investigated," declared the squire, +"thoroughly and fully investigated. Girls or boys who cut up tricks must +be punished. Dalton will not stand any nonsense when it comes to life +and limb," and again the cane thumped the floor. "I propose, as squire +of the borough, to run this thing down to the very end. School girls +now-a-days put on too many airs--copyin' after college rowdies with +their pranks!" + +While the teacher and squire were talking in the hall the pupils took +advantage of the opportunity to express their opinions of the case, and +what were meant to be whispered remarks soon reached a pitch of voice +that called for remonstrance from the squire; and he rapped his cane +vigorously on the door. This had the effect of restoring order, and also +of bringing punishment upon the entire class for the remainder of the +afternoon. + +"To think," began Miss Ellis severely, on returning to the room, "that I +should be so disgraced. Not enough to have one or two girls accused of-- +of a crime--but that the rest should so misbehave before an officer of +Dalton! I shall be obliged to send to the president of the Board; +something I have never before had to do. But this matter must be +thoroughly investigated. I am very sorry, Miss Dale, that you should be +implicated, sorry for your father's sake. But it all comes of +associating with girls who--who will not be governed by those in proper +authority," and the teacher adjusted her glasses, satisfied that she at +least held a position as head of Dalton School with dignity and +"authority" that such an office required. + +Poor Dorothy! Her aching head was now bowed on the desk before her, and +her sobs were so pitiful, even the most thoughtless girl in the room was +silent and sad to see her weeping so. + +Alice MacAllister sat upright at her desk. Her strong face assumed a +daring expression--that of defiance. Alice was counted a good-natured +girl. Something of a romp, perhaps, for her companions often called her +"Mack" and she showed a preference for the boyish nickname. + +But to see Dorothy weeping so, accused unjustly! + +Alice raised her hand for permission to speak. Miss Ellis signed for her +to go on. + +Again that sense of suppressed excitement was felt in the class room. +Something else was going to happen. + +"Miss Ellis," began Alice in a firm voice, "Dorothy Dale is not to +blame--" + +"That is not for you to decide." + +"But we were all there, and know as much about it as she does." + +"At least she knows enough to keep her place. Sit down at once," and the +teacher looked very much annoyed. + +"Not until you have heard me," and Alice raised her voice a little. + +"Go on! Go on!" murmured the girls about her. "Make her listen." + +"Sarah Ford was never hurt in the school yard," declared Alice. "My +brother saw her running down the lane just as the bell rang, and she +could not stir when Dorothy and Tavia found her." + +"Be silent this moment!" called Miss Ellis, rapping her ruler on the +desk. "Your brother's story is of no account in this matter." + +Dorothy raised her head. The room was in a commotion. Miss Ellis seemed +too surprised at the girl's audacity to try to restore order. Perhaps no +one was more surprised than Alice herself, for when she spoke first she +had no idea of going so far,--it was that remark reflecting upon her +brother's veracity that angered her. + +Then the sobbing of Dorothy--Alice could not stand it to see her crying +that way; better brave dismissal than sit by and listen to that. + +With one glance towards Alice--a glance full of gratitude and love. +Dorothy arose and asked to be excused. + +"I must go home--" she stammered "I have such a sick headache." + +"Very well," replied the teacher. "You may go." + +"May I also be excused?" asked Alice, not boldly but with politeness +restored to her voice. + +"By no means," declared Miss Ellis. "I will not brook such insolence." + +"I thought I might help Dorothy home," Alice explained, taking her seat +again. + +Meanwhile Dorothy was looking for her hat in the cloak room. It was a +small stuffy place, and the day was unusually sultry, so that Dorothy +felt dizzy there, trying to find her hat--and trying to find--Oh! what +was the matter? She could not see! Oh, if some one would only come! + +Then, with her hands before her, she stumbled and fell,--and all became +a terrible blank. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE AFTERMATH + + +What a day that had been at the Dalton School for girls! Sarah Ford was +at home suffering from a badly sprained ankle; Dorothy Dale had been +taken home ill from over-excitement, and Tavia Travers, for whom Squire +Sanders had been searching, was not to be found anywhere. + +The interference of Squire Sanders worried Miss Ellis. A man, especially +an official, knows absolutely nothing about girls and their ways, and he +is sure to antagonize them in any attempt to force them to betray one +another's confidences. + +But while the teacher, alone in the school, was reflecting upon the +tasks she should soon undertake to perform; Dorothy lay in her little +room, hot and feverish, with Aunt Libby beside her, bathing the +throbbing head tenderly with cold water and vinegar. + +"You've been doin' too much," muttered the old nurse, "a-runnin' +newspapers, helpin' drunkards, teachin' housework to that Tavia, though +'twas a charity to show the child how to iron her own frocks. But you +see deary, it was too much for you, you as has always had Aunt Libby at +your elbow," and the old linen napkin, the softest of those ever ready +for headaches, was dipped again into the blue bowl of cool water and +strong vinegar, then pressed lightly to the feverish brow. "Try to sleep +a bit now," went on the nurse, as Dorothy looked gratefully into the +wrinkled face. "All you want is rest, just a good, quiet rest." + +Dorothy closed her eyes. They burned so she pulled the napkin from her +forehead down over the hot lids. That eased the pain, and perhaps she +could sleep, she thought. + +Watching her patient closely for a moment, Aunt Libby moved noiselessly +to the window, pulled down the shade, pushed the chair against it so the +breeze might not disturb it, left the room. + +As she turned in the narrow hallway her gingham skirt brushed the +crouching form of Joe, who had been waiting at his sister's door, but +the aged lady did not know it. + +Joe and Roger had been forbidden admission to their sister's room. She +was to be left entirely alone, in absolute quiet; even Major Dale, who +was assured the attack was not more than a sick headache, did not +presume to disturb his daughter, but Joe had been waiting there in the +hallway. He had an important message to deliver to his sister, one that +"would not keep." + +The boy had removed his shoes and now he stole noiselessly into the +room. + +"Dorothy! Dorothy!" he whispered. "Are you asleep?" + +Dorothy pushed the napkin from her eyes, and raised her arm to invite +her brother's kiss. + +"Poor, dear Doro!" he murmured, pressing his cheek to her hot brow. "I +am sorry for you--every one is," and he kissed her again. "But I have +to hurry. Aunt Libby may come back." + +He was looking for something in his blouse. + +"I had a note from Tavia," he said. "She has gone away--" + +"Gone away!" gasped the sick girl. + +"Oh, only for a little while. Where is that note!" + +The boy unbuttoned his waist, he even shook it out straight from the +string, but no note was to be found in its folds. + +"I could not have lost it!" he said, now quite alarmed that the note +should have gotten out of his possession. + +"What was it about?" asked Dorothy. + +"Why--about--about why she went away," stammered the boy, helplessly. + +"Don't you know what was in it?" + +"No, it was sealed, and no one but you was to open it. Where could I +have dropped it? I had it--let me see." + +The fear that he had dropped the missive where it might be picked up by +those not in sympathy with Tavia, and her troubles, now troubled Joe +sorely. He had promised the girl, most particularly, that he would +deliver the note to his sister that night, and he waited at Dorothy's +door, risking the displeasure of Aunt Libby in keeping that promise. But +now the very worst thing had happened--the note was lost! + +"Never mind," whispered Dorothy, "perhaps you will find it in your +jacket. I am sure she only said good-bye; there could not have been +anything so very important in it." + +"But if any of the others should get it," he sighed. "They could find +out where she went, and she most particularly wanted to hide for a few +days." + +"Hide!" + +"Yes, she told me she was sure Sarah would wake up in a few days and +make a 'clean breast of it.' Tavia declared she had done nothing wrong +herself, and that she was not afraid of anybody, but, she said, there +was going to be trouble, and she never ran into trouble when she could +run the other way." + +"Well, dear," said the sister, "you had better go to bed now. I am so +tired and I feel a little like sleeping. If you find the note, bring it +to me in the morning; if you do not find it, there is no need to worry. +Tavia will be back to see me as soon as she hears I am sick," and, +giving the boy a good night kiss, Dorothy closed her eyes, while Joe +crept out of the room as noiselessly as he had entered it. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +APPLE BLOSSOM MAGIC + + +Two long, dreary days had passed. Dorothy was well again, but, acting +upon the advice of Miss Ellis, she remained away from school, to grow +strong and take a little rest in the fresh air; to be out of doors as +much as possible, the teacher said. + +Alice had been to see Dorothy, and had assured her that "every thing was +all right," even the misconduct of Alice in "talking back" had been +forgiven, the girl herself declared. + +But there was no explanation offered as to the accident to Sarah Ford. +That was still a mystery to the school girls. Neither had Tavia returned +to Dalton. She was visiting her aunt in Rochester Mrs. Travers +announced. + +Major Dale was at his office again, and the boys were not yet home from +school, although the dismissal hour had passed. + +There was a rush through the vines at the side of the porch--the next +moment Tavia had Dorothy in her arms. + +"You poor dear!" she exclaimed between her kisses. "To think that you +have been sick all alone--without me!" + +Dorothy leaned back in her chair--happy. + +Tavia was not so much larger or older than she, but just at that moment +she came like one all powerful; Tavia had such a way of being and doing. + +"And all on my account," went on Tavia. "I declare you have gotten +thin," and she spanned the bare wrist of Dorothy lovingly. "You never +wrote, of course, as I asked you to." + +The lost note! Perhaps other important matters had been overlooked in +its disappearance. + +"Is Sarah able to play leap-frog yet?" went on Tavia facetiously. "I +hear Squire Sanders has been inquiring for me--just me, Tavia Travers. +Ahem! Also my goodness me! Sakes alive! If I had only known the worthy +squire wished to hold converse with this--me, you know, I certainly +should have postponed my vacation. Who knows what I have missed?" + +Dorothy's face showed how pleased she was; it was so good to hear Tavia +rattle on that way. As Ralph Willoby had said, her heart was right, and +so she made few mistakes where love could be counted on as her guide. + +Tavia was stroking Dorothy's head affectionately. The two girls sat on +the rustic bench, Dorothy with her head resting upon the other's +shoulder. + +"I made a discovery in Rochester," said Tavia, when she had exhausted +every possible point, covering the sickness of her friend, the fainting +in school and all that preceded and followed that occurrence. "Yes, I +found out that a woman there, who did washing for my aunt, is named +Burlock, and that she has been deserted by her husband--" + +"Has she a daughter?" interrupted Dorothy. + +"I don't know about that. Aunt Mary said she was such a strange woman, +all the time moving, and no one ever could find out just where her rooms +were. The way one had to do, to get her to do washing, was to apply to +the Charity Bureau." + +"But the Bureau must have her address," said Dorothy much interested in +the story. + +"Well, Aunt Mary said they could not keep track of her either. They know +she is a good honest woman, who seems always to be in some trouble-- +looking for her husband, of course. I made up my mind that the man she +is looking for is your friend Miles. Have you seen him lately?" + +"No," replied Dorothy, thoughtfully. + +"And I've got more news," went on Tavia, "Miss Ellis has planned a +picnic for Monday. She is going to take our class to Glen Haven Falls. +Do get strong and come, if you don't go I will not." + +"Oh, I am sure I will be all right by that time," answered Dorothy, "in +fact I am well now. I am only staying out of school because Miss Ellis +thought it best. I wonder, Tavia, how we could ever think her unfair. +She is the nicest woman--why, when she called she brought me jelly, and +one of her splendid roses that she prizes so much. I felt almost guilty +to have spoken of her, as I did, about the procession on Memorial Day." + +"Well, she has not brought me jelly or roses yet," replied Tavia, "and I +hardly think she would, even had I the good fortune to be sick in bed. +Yes, I mean it! I would like to see what would happen if I took sick. +But no danger. Aunt Mary said she would rather feed two men than give me +what I call enough. It is not really enough, you know, but I call it +that," and she stretched out on the bench to show how "deliciously lazy" +common health makes a girl. + +"You certainly do your appetite justice," said Dorothy laughing. "Aunt +Libby says it's one thing to eat, and another thing to make your eating +'tell.' Now, you make your food--" + +"'Tell.' Certainly I do, and make it 'tell' out loud too. I weigh--how +much do you think?" + +"About ninety?" + +"One hundred and five," declared the girl. "I wish you could go away for +a week. I am sure you would pick up and get the peaches back in your +cheeks." + +"We will go away in vacation time," replied Dorothy. "This month will +not be long going around." + +"Now I must run back home. I have not had a chance to tell mother a bit +of news. You know it was the luckiest thing, ma wanted me to go to +Rochester, and when the fuss came all I had to do was clear out. Ma had +been waiting for me to get a new dress and she was so tickled when I +said I would go in my old one. You see, Dorothy, Aunt Mary gives us lots +of things, and no one had been out this spring. Nannie, that's my +cousin, is just a little larger than I am, and oh, you should see the +scrumbunctious dress I am going to wear to the picnic! It is perfectly-- +glorious!" and Tavia wheeled around on her toe, threatening her boasted +one hundred and five pounds avoirdupois with disaster. + +With a promise to be back again in the evening Tavia left Dorothy and +hurried across the fields to her home. + +"Things seem to be straightening out," thought Dorothy. "Every thing is +all right at school, Tavia is back, now if Sarah would only tell--I have +a good mind to run over to see her." + +It was a warm afternoon and Dorothy had no need to bother with wraps. +Aunt Libby was at the side porch so that in passing Dorothy called to +her she would be back in a short time, then she crossed through the +orchard, going under the very tree in the shade of which Sarah had been +found suffering. Dorothy stopped and looked up into the branches. They +were very low, some of them, so low that in fruit time girls could pick +the apples without climbing for them. + +The blossoms were almost gone. Small sprays lay faded on the grass where +careless hands had scattered them. + +Somehow, it seemed to Dorothy that the tree knew all about the accident; +if trees could only talk, she thought. Then, picking up a spray of the +freshest blossoms, she hurried on. + +To Dorothy's surprise Mrs. Ford was very cordial in her welcome. Dorothy +had feared the mother of the injured girl might not be so pleased to see +her. + +"Walk right in," said Mrs. Ford, opening the door. "I am sure it will do +Sarah good to talk with you. She is so lonesome and talks in her sleep +about the girls," and she led the way to her daughter's room. + +The girl was now sitting up; her injured foot rested on a cushioned +chair, while her face still showed signs of suffering. + +"Sarah, dear," began Dorothy with an affectionate embrace, "I am so glad +to see you up." + +"Are you?" asked the other mechanically. + +"Yes, indeed," ignoring her cold manner, "we have been so worried about +you." + +"We? Who?" and Sarah toyed nervously with the coverlet that was thrown +over her knees. + +"Why all of us; the girls at school. We hope you will soon be able to +come back." + +"I will never go back. I have had all I want of Dalton School," and +Sarah tossed her head defiantly. + +"Here is a spray of apple blossoms. I brought them from the orchard. +They are so sweet," said Dorothy, "I thought they might make you think +you were out of doors, when you shut your eyes and smell of them." + +She offered the spray to Sarah, but the girl made no sign of accepting +it. Dorothy was disappointed. She did not mind the sick girl being +fretful, but she had not expected her to be rude. + +A rather awkward silence followed. Dorothy had determined if possible, +to reach the heart of this queer girl, but her best efforts seemed +unsuccessful. + +"Well, I had better go," said Dorothy at length, still holding the +blossoms in her hand, and standing beside Sarah's chair. + +She turned to leave. + +"Good-bye," she said. "I hope you will be better soon." + +But Sarah caught her dress. "Oh, Dorothy, do not leave me," she wailed. +"I am so miserable, so unhappy! Throw the apple blossoms out of the +window and come back to me. I need someone! Oh, I feel as if I shall +die, all alone here!" + +Sobs choked her words, and she seemed struggling for breath. + +"Shall I call your mother?" Dorothy asked anxiously. + +"No! no!" cried the sick girl. "I only want you. Dorothy Dale help me-- +you must help me or I shall die," and again Sarah broke into hysterical +sobbing. + +"What is it, Sarah dear?" pleaded Dorothy. "Tell me how I can help you," +and she bent down closer to the weeping girl. + +"Oh, I do not know. I have--Oh, Dorothy have you ever tried to injure +another?" + +"Why, no, dear, and I am sure you have not, either." + +"Oh, but I have indeed! I can not bear the pain any longer. I must tell +someone--you. You will know how to help me." + +A very sad face looked up into Dorothy's. The brown eyes that had always +been thought so proud and haughty were now "begging" for help, for pity, +and for counsel. + +"Tell me about it," said Dorothy, taking a trembling white hand in her +own, which was scarcely more steady. + +"Did--they--arrest Tavia?" asked Sarah, the words seeming to choke her +in their utterance. + +"Why, no. Of course they did not," Dorothy replied. "I just left Tavia a +half hour ago, and she was as light hearted and happy as ever I have +seen her. That little trouble at school did not last long." + +"Oh, I am so glad!" exclaimed Sarah. "The thought of it has just-- +haunted me!" + +"About the accident?" asked Dorothy, trying to help Sarah unburden her +mind. + +"Yes. I really did not mean to do so wrong. But when I found you were +all gone, and I tried to jump--" + +"Yes, of course it was very wrong of Tavia to send you up so high just +as the bell was going to ring," and Dorothy pressed the other's hand +encouragingly. + +"Then when I saw my white dress, all black from the ashes, I ran away!" + +"Now do not excite yourself, dear," cautioned Dorothy, for she saw how +Sarah's face had flushed, and did not like to hear her raise her voice +so. + +"No, it will not hurt me. The pain of it has been killing me ever since, +but now it will go--with my confession!" + +"Hush!" whispered Dorothy, "your mother is in the hall." + +"Poor mother!" answered Sarah. "She has tried every way to help me, but +I could not tell her. It seemed so terrible!" + +"But how did you hurt your ankle?" asked Dorothy bluntly. + +"I fell out--of--the--tree! I did not mean to do it. I was up there +hiding from those who passed in the lane, and all at once the awful +thought came to me that I could slip and blame it on Tavia. But I did +not mean to do it that way. Oh, Dorothy, how dreadfully I have been +punished!" and the sick girl fell to weeping again. + +"Never mind dear. We all do wrong sometimes--" + +"No, Dorothy Dale, you never do. I have been jealous of your love for +Tavia. I have loved you from the first moment I saw you--that day +helping a poor drunken man to his feet. I said then I would make you +love me, but see how I have failed. You will hate me now." + +"No, Sarah dear. You are better and nobler this minute than any other +girl in Dalton, for no other likely, has had to make the heroic effort +to do right that you have been obliged to go through with. You know the +joy there is over one lost lamb when it is returned to the fold?" + +Sarah leaned back, and looked up full into Dorothy's face. + +"I knew you would know just what to say to me;" she whispered. "Dorothy +Dale you are--an--angel," and the big, brown eyes sent out such a look +of love, admiration and, at last--happiness. + +"It all seemed worse to you, thinking of it here, alone, with no one to +say a word to you," continued Dorothy, consolingly. "And then of course, +your father was angry. That only showed how fond he is of you." + +"Yes. It seems every thing helps one to do wrong. I really never accused +Tavia of doing it, only that time when we came in, and then I was so +sick and frightened, I had no idea, then, that father would take it all +in earnest. But he rushed right off, and when I heard Squire Sanders had +been at the school--oh, Dorothy how can I tell you how I felt!" + +"But it is all over now," spoke Dorothy soothingly, "and I will take +care that every girl in school knows the greatest part of the trouble +came from a mistake." + +"But I can never go back to that school again--" + +"Why, of course you can. I have to make an explanation myself when I go +back. You know how hasty Alice is; well she got herself in trouble on my +account, and I feel I must say something about it. I was too sick then +to know just what to say. So, now that Tavia is back, she will have to +give an excuse. Then I can say how the whole trouble was more of a +mistake, than anything else, and how we were all really somewhat to +blame; perhaps one as much as another." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER + + +The setting right of Sarah's wrong--a task which Dorothy had so +willingly volunteered to perform,--was by no means so simple a matter as +she had attempted to make it. School girls are apt to be fond of +excitement, and this bit of trouble brought with it so many interesting +experiences--the visit of a real squire, the "insurrection" of Alice; +Dorothy falling ill in the cloak room, and that particularly novel +occurrence: the disappearance of Tavia Travers. Surely all these +features would seem to mark a red letter week on the calendar of +"interesting events" at Dalton School. But that was not to be the +end of it. + +Dorothy intended to make such an explanation to the class, that the +entire affair would be cleared up without too much blame resting on +Sarah. + +A conference with Tavia, held directly after her pathetic interview with +Sarah, resulted in the former declaring she would shoulder any blame +that could be made to fit her. "For a girl with a sprained ankle, and a +bad case of delicate conscience, has troubles enough without inviting +more," Tavia told Dorothy. "Besides," she said further, "it really was +my fault, for I had determined to get even with her that day, and when I +sent her upon the swing I really did not care whether she 'busted' +through the clouds or not; I simply sent her flying. + +"So, Doro," she concluded "you say whatever you please, and I will +'stand' for it. Only be sure not to let Miss Ellis know you are going to +make a speech, for she has 'cut out' all speeches--except her own." + +"Tavia, Tavia!" exclaimed Dorothy indignantly, "where ever did you hear +such common slang!" + +"I picked it up with the 'goods' at Aunt Mary's," replied Tavia +laughing, for she really only made use of the expressions to "horrify" +Dorothy. "Now," she continued, "be all ready for the picnic. We are only +to have a half session, and then go to the Falls." + +That evening, after tea, Dorothy found a much-longed-for chance to +"visit" her father--talk with him in his own little study, upstairs and +away from all disturbances. Since her indisposition the major had not +bothered his daughter with any cares of the house or with the children, +neither had he talked with her about the Burlock affair; but now, she +had something to tell him--Tavia had heard of a woman living in +Rochester, of that name--Burlock. What if it were the right party? The +one so long sought for by Miles Burlock! And would the major let Dorothy +go with Tavia to Rochester, and look for them--the poor mother and +little Nellie! + +Dorothy found her father in his study waiting for her. How well he +looked now, she thought, for the old hale and hearty look, that which so +often characterizes the veteran soldier, had returned to his face, +making it handsomer than ever because of a lighter shade having settled +on his head--he was getting gray the daughter was quick to notice. + +"You look better, Little Captain," he said in greeting her. + +"I was just thinking the same thing of you," replied Dorothy, laughing. + +"That was a case of great minds running in similar trenches," said the +father. + +"Now, we are going to have a good, long chat," began Dorothy, leaning +against the arm of the major's chair so that her head touched his +shoulder. "First, I want to tell you some news Tavia has heard of a +woman in Rochester named Burlock!" + +"Burlock!" repeated the major, and he looked pained somehow; distressed +at the mere mention of the name. + +"I thought perhaps--it might be the party you--that is, the woman wanted +in the Burlock matter," faltered Dorothy. + +"I am afraid, daughter," said the major very solemnly, "you have been +bothering your young head about affairs much too grave for you to +handle. I have always regretted sending you to the Bugle office that +morning, so many complications seemed to follow that experiment. Not but +what you got out a splendid paper--better than this week's issue for +that matter," the major hurried to say, for he noticed a look of +disappointment come over Dorothy's face, "but because I seemed to thrust +you out into the world, unprotected, and even in danger." + +Major Dale pressed his lips to his daughter's brow. Indeed she had +always been his little helper, his one dear, only daughter. Her +willingness and ambition to help might have misled him, sometimes he +might have forgotten she was only fourteen years old, but now, seated +there beside him, fussing with his "curls," as she insisted his rather +long locks were, she was little Doro again, the baby that had so often +climbed on his knee, in that very room, begging for one more story when +mother announced "bed time." + +The mother was gone now--and Dorothy was sitting there. + +"Ah, well!" sighed the major, trying to hide his thoughts, "we must talk +of something pleasant." + +"But the Burlock affair," ventured Dorothy. "I thought it would be +splendid to think of finding them. I have not seen Mr. Burlock in some +time. What do you suppose has become of him?" + +Major Dale took Dorothy's hand into his own. + +"Daughter," he said, "Miles Burlock has passed away." + +"Dead!" gasped Dorothy. + +"Yes, dead. But he was happy, glad to go, although he left his task +unfinished--he had not found his wife and child." + +"What happened to him?" Dorothy asked, bewildered at the suddenness of +her father's words. + +"He died from exhaustion as much as from any thing else. That man +Anderson had sent him word to go to Buffalo for 'news.' Believing the +message meant good news, that of locating the wife and child, Burlock +went, but not before he had legally made me guardian of the lost +daughter, and put in my charge the estate that had lately come directly +into his hands through the death of Mrs. Douglass. So the poor man +managed to settle his affairs before he was called away. He came back to +Dalton, sick and discouraged, and determined to put that man Andrew +Anderson in jail. But--well it was not to be. Ralph was with him all day +and all night. We did all we could to make it easier for him, and +Dorothy dear, he closed his eyes--blessing you!" + +Dorothy was crying. She tried hard to be brave, but somehow the tears +would come--and she had to cry! + +"There, there, daughter," said the major consolingly. "I did not want to +tell you just yet, but perhaps it is as well now as at any other time. I +knew you would be grieved." + +"Of course--I am sorry--" sighed Dorothy, "but wasn't it splendid that +he had reformed!" + +"Yes, and I must confess I was proud to hear a dying man bless your +name. He declared that you, a mere child, had saved him from a death of +shame. I never knew Dorothy, until Ralph told me there at his bedside, +that you had worked so hard to help in the crusade work, even speaking +to men like Burlock, when they might not have known how to answer you." + +"Oh indeed, father," she hurried to say, "I am sure Mr. Burlock was not +intoxicated half the time others thought he was. He seemed so sad always +and would sit on a bench, just thinking of his child perhaps, when +people called him 'drunk'!" and the girl's eyes flashed indignantly at +the thought. + +"Well, well, daughter; you were right in showing charity. Yes, charity +is the love of God and our neighbor, and it was that love that led you +to take the hand of that sick and discouraged man. Ralph told me how you +brought him into the Bugle office that afternoon, and how that was the +beginning of a new life to Burlock for he never tasted strong drink +after that day." + +"It was because I was like his own daughter or he thought I was, that he +listened to me," said Dorothy, not wanting to claim all the praise her +father so prudently gave. + +"At any rate you have the joy of knowing, daughter, that you helped a +fellow creature find the right path. That joy will never leave you." + +For a few moments the two sat there in silence. Dorothy had been favored +with many opportunities of "distinguishing herself" as Tavia would say, +but this last--the real joy of helping a man save himself--this as the +major said, would never leave her. + +"And all this trouble about the Ford girl?" inquired the major +presently, "has that been settled?" + +"Oh, yes, indeed it has," answered Dorothy, scarcely knowing what +explanation to make. "Sarah is very hasty, and of course you know how +Tavia loves to tease." + +"But it seems this was no nonsense. Mr. Ford declared he would make Mr. +Travers pay the girl's doctor bill." + +"Did he really? I had not heard that. But Tavia was not to blame. Sarah +has admitted it was all a misunderstanding." + +"Evidently she has not told her father that," the major replied, "for +only this morning he assured me he would give the doctor's bill into the +hands of a collector." + +"Oh, that would be too bad! Tavia's folks are so poor. I must see +Sarah." + +"Do you have to straighten that matter out also? Well, Little Captain, I +am afraid you have a busy time of it. When one is willing to help others +it is perfectly surprising how much they can find to do." + +"But you see, daddy, someone has to do it," + +"Exactly. I have no objections to you mixing up in school girl affairs; +in fact I think that line of work quite as important as book learning. +It is the best kind of education, for it fits one for their place in +life: but I think, daughter, it might be best for you to give up helping +in the crusade. I would rather not have you risk--perhaps insults in +that work." + +"Of course, if you wish it father," answered Dorothy in a disappointed +tone, "but if I could just help out in what Ralph had planned for the +girls--a sort of auxiliary work--I would like it. The meetings would be +held in the afternoon, and we would have little benefit affairs, to help +defray the expenses of the League." + +"Oh, that sort of thing," agreed the major, "that would be all right and +strictly in a girl's line. Everybody should show sympathy with the +movement, for it means more to Dalton than we can estimate. Children, +particularly, will be benefited, so that there can be no objection to +them helping in their own way." + +Dorothy felt greatly relieved now that her father had spoken on this +subject, for she had feared he would ask her to give up, entirely, the +temperance work she had become so interested in. The most prominent +women in Dalton were identified with the movement, and with such leaders +surely no girl need be afraid to follow. Besides, as Major Dale said, +children would be those most benefited, therefore children should do +what they could to help the work along. + +"I am so glad you do not object to the Auxiliary, father," she said, as +he arose to bid her good night. "Of course I shall never meet another +Miles Burlock, and therefore I shall not have to make a personal appeal +to any one again," and she looked sadly into her father's face. "Do you +think we will ever find little Nellie?" + +"Yes, daughter, I feel certain we will soon hear something of the heirs +of Miles Burlock. But there now," and he kissed her again, "run along to +bed. Your brothers are snoring by this time." + +"Good night, daddy dear," she said, pressing his cheek lovingly to her +own, "I never forget that I am the daughter of a soldier, and that +thought, more than anything else--earthly, takes care of me--guides me +aright, and makes me proud of being Dorothy Dale!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +AN UNPROVOKED ATTACK + + +The beautiful month of June was jotting down her days with sweetest +floral mottoes--each in its turn paying tribute to the Queen of Months. +Roses had come, daisies were weaving the fields into a cloth of white +and gold, the side roads of Dalton were framed with clouds of snowy +dogwood, and that "rarest of days" the perfect day in June had come. And +this was to be the picnic day for the girls of Dalton school. + +Tavia was over to Dorothy's house very early. She wanted to borrow a +lunch box, and, incidentally, to hear Dorothy's opinion of the "glorious +dress" from Rochester. + +"Isn't it sweet?" she began pirouetting on the board walk, at the side +door of the Dale house, while waiting for Joe to find an empty cracker +box for her lunch. + +"It is pretty," agreed Dorothy, examining the dress critically. "Those +pink ribbons are so becoming to you." + +"Cousin Nannie had it made for a party, so it ought to do for a picnic," +Tavia said. "How do you feel to-day Doro? I have been thinking you look- +-sort of 'peaked' as Aunt Libby would say. Have you been worrying about +the explanation business? Because if you feel sensitive about it, just +leave it to me. I am not the least bit bashful, you know." + +"I feel well enough," Dorothy assured her, "and I haven't been worrying- +-about that any way," and Dorothy smiled to convince her friend that +nothing serious was disturbing her peace of mind. + +"Well, we assemble at nine you know; check our dinner pails. Thanks Joe, +that will do nicely, and if I have any left I will leave it in the box +when I return it. After a bluff at study, and an exchange of +compliments, for my dress particularly (no one else will have anything +like this) we will expect to hear something from you, Doro. Really, this +business of making speeches in school is quite an accomplishment. Had I +known that Alice was going to 'spout' the way she did that day I left +for my vacation--ahem! you noticed Joe, how I said that? Well, I should +have postponed the trip had I any idea there would be such stunts going +on in lady-like society. But Doro, how is Sarah? Did you see her +yesterday?" + +"Yes, I saw her just for a moment," and Dorothy looked the other way to +hide the serious thoughts that the meeting with Sarah recalled. + +"And she has forgiven me for that push into the clouds? Now she is not +so bad after all. I feel as if I should bring her some flowers or +something; as a peace offering, you know." + +"Well, I would not go over just to-day," said Dorothy, "for the doctor +is to take the splints off her ankle--" + +"Splints? Was it as bad as that? The poor girl, no wonder she--fibbed. I +would too, if I had to stand for splints." + +"Why don't you say 'stand splints,' and not use that horrid slang," +corrected Dorothy. + +"But she didn't stand them, she stood for them, with the other foot. You +see, Doro, sometimes the much despised slang is--the real thing," and +with a tantalizing swish of her skirts, and a most frivolous toss of her +head Tavia called "Ta-ta!" and dashed across the fields with the lunch +box under her arm. + +"She's the kind of girl!" commented Joe, who had been busy making a bow +and arrow for Roger. "If her brother Jack had a little of her spunk he +would not be where he is." + +"Why?" asked Dorothy, "doesn't Johnnie get along well at school?" + +"At school?" echoed Joe, "he is never there to get along at all. I think +it is clothes that keeps him home. I was going to ask Aunt Libby if any +of mine might be spared--" + +"Why, of course, you have some that are too small. I will see about them +myself. It is too bad those children have no one to manage for them." + +"What's the matter with their mother?" + +"I don't know--that is--of course they have their mother, but she does +not seem to know how to manage." + +"And we have you and you do seem to know," responded the boy, trying the +bow to make sure it would not shoot backwards. "Well, sis, you're a +brick and Tavia, well, she is brick-dust, at any rate, but Jack--well he +is Jack, and that is all there is to it. I'm going to ask father to let +him carry Bugles next week. What little he could earn would do something +for him." + +"Mr. Travers is such a nice man," went on Dorothy, "I think Tavia is +exactly like him." + +"And Jack is like his mother. But we musn't back-bite," seeing the look +of reproach on Dorothy's face. "I hope you have a jolly good time at the +picnic." + +One hour later the girls of Dalton school were crowded around Dorothy, +asking all kinds of well-meant questions concerning her health. Tavia, +too, came in for her share of the queries, although hers did not relate +to health, but to other interesting little confidences, least of which +was, by no means, the new dress. + +But the fact that her own cousin Nannie gave it to her put Tavia at ease +and questions that might otherwise seem impertinent were considered +compliments--showing what a "stir" the dress created. + +Dorothy looked a trifle pale, and the light blue muslin gown she wore +brought out a mere gleam of the pink flush that usually shown in her +cheeks. Her blonde curls--the delight of all her friends, fell in a mass +about her shoulders, so that even Tavia in the famous pink and white +dress did not outdo Dorothy in pretty looks. + +Alice wore a buff linen that suited her "golf style" admirably. She had +the air of the well-trained college girl, the result, perhaps, of +annual trips to the seashore, where she was allowed to indulge in +boating, swimming, and other "manly sports" as she termed the exercise. + +Belle Miller, otherwise known as "Tinkle," was as "dear and dainty" as +ever, in a creamy white swiss, and May Egner wore lavender, although +fully conscious of the disastrous effects of picnic sun on that +perishable shade. It was a "last year's" gown, so May decided she might +better get a few more turns out of it and this, she thought, would be +one of the rare occasions, when a lavender might be worn, "with +impunity." + +All the girls wore appropriate costumes, and, when the classes +assembled, the room presented a veritable holiday look. Study seemed the +last thing to be thought of amid such gaiety. + +Even Miss Ellis wore a white collar and cuffs, a relief from her usual +somber black, and as she touched the bell she smiled pleasantly to her +pupils, plainly bidding them a happy holiday. + +"Young ladies," she began, "we will take a brief review of last Friday's +work. It is so near closing time we must not waste an entire day." + +Dorothy felt the time had arrived for her to speak. + +How she dreaded to mar that happy school hour with such unpleasant +reminders of past troubles! + +But she had promised Sarah; moreover it was due the entire class that +the occurrence should be disposed of honorably. + +Tavia was waiting anxiously. Alice also fidgeted at her books. Finally +Dorothy raised her hand. The motion was not seen at once by Miss Ellis, +but it is safe to say no other person in the room missed it. + +A stir of excitement caused the teacher to look up and she bowed to +Dorothy. + +"I am sorry, Miss Ellis," began Dorothy with hesitation, "to refer to +anything unpleasant today, but I have promised Sarah Ford to make an +explanation for her--she of course could not come herself." + +"What is it Dorothy?" asked the teacher, although she no doubt guessed +what the girl wished to say. + +"I just want to state that Sarah did not intend to blame anyone for her +accident--she had only cried that it was our fault when she was +suffering so, and did not mean that those about her should have taken it +up as they did. She wished me to apologize for her, and to say that the +whole thing was an accident, the reports as well as the injury." + +"Thank you," said Miss Ellis as Dorothy sat down. "I am very glad indeed +that the unpleasant happening has been disposed of." + +Alice was on her feet next. + +"I also want to apologize, Miss Ellis," she broke out in her "boyish +tones," adding: "I should not have spoken as I did, when you asked me to +be silent. I was rude to do so." + +"A fault atoned for is a lesson learned," commented the teacher, as +Alice took her seat. + +It seemed to the girls the entire session would be given up to apologies +and "love feasts," but when Tavia arose there was a decided murmur +through the room. + +"Fluffy!" whispered the girl in the very last seat referring to Tavia's +fancy dress. + +"Full bloom!" said another, meaning that the pink and white dress put +the "Tiger Lily," as they called Tavia, in full bloom. + +But these remarks had no effect on Tavia. + +"I believe," she began bravely, "that I was the real cause of the +trouble. I did swing Sarah too high, I was angry about Memorial Day, and +blamed her for taking Dorothy's place. I am very sorry." + +At that moment a man appeared at the door. It was Squire Sanders! + +In he tramped, his cane beating a formidable march in advance of his +steps, and his green-black hat kept on his head making a poor show of +his manners in a girls' schoolroom. + +"I just come in to settle up that little matter of the Ford girl," he +drawled. "I see you've got that wild harum-scarum Travers' girl back +again." + +"The matter has been settled." Miss Ellis interrupted. + +"Has, eh? Well, I've not been notified to that effect and I continue my +services until I am officially notified to quit," he announced, bringing +his cane down in a "full stop." + +How odious his presence was in the room at that moment. Tavia's face +crimsoned when he referred to her as a "harum-scarum" and only a +warning look from Dorothy kept her from replying to his insult. + +"I think, Squire Sanders," said Miss Ellis, "that Mr. and Mrs. Ford are +satisfied the affair was an accident. It was a misunderstanding-- +blaming the pupils." + +"Accident or no accident, that's no account to me. I'm on this case, and +I intend to see it through." + +"Mean old thing!" said one girl, somewhat above a whisper, "he just +wants the fine. Let's chase him!" + +It was quite evident more than one girl felt like "chasing" the +obnoxious squire, but he held his ground and continued to punctuate his +impolite remarks with that noisy cane. + +"I want to see Octavia Travers at my office," he announced, "and I want +her to come right along with me now!" + +"Squire Sanders!" cried Miss Ellis, shocked and alarmed. "I cannot and +will not permit you to take a pupil from this room!" + +"Oh, you won't eh?" the squire looked more unpleasantly than ever. +"Well, I'd like to see you stop me! Perhaps you would like to give up +your job here? There's more after it, and some knows more about the ways +of keeping wild girls down than Rachel Ellis does, too. I would advise +you not to interfere with an officer. Come along, Miss Travers." + +"She will not!" called out Alice. "My father is a town committeeman and +I know something about the laws of Dalton. Show us your warrant!" + +This was a surprise to Squire Sanders. He never expected his authority +would be questioned--and by a mere schoolgirl. + +"Warrant, eh?" he sneered. "Maybe you would like to come along yourself, +since you are so smart!" + +A wild thought flashed through the mind of Alice. What if he should take +both her and Tavia to his office! + +It would be a case of false arrest, and cost the squire his place in +Dalton! + +"Get ready!" he called again to Tavia, who now seemed to regard the +whole thing as a joke, and was smiling broadly. + +"Don't move a step!" called Alice, while Miss Ellis looked on +helplessly. + +"Now, that settles it," cried out the squire, red with anger. "I'll take +you, too. Come right along here!" + +Alice shot a meaning look at Miss Ellis and stepped out. + +"Come, Tavia," she said, "the more the merrier. Girls we will be back in +time for the picnic," and, taking the "cue" from Alice, Tavia also +stepped out, and with her, marched off behind the squire. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +A QUEER PICNIC + + +And that was to be picnic day! + +A queer holiday, indeed, with two girls taken from the classroom-- +arrested! + +Yes, that was what it amounted to, in spite of the jolly way Tavia and +Alice trooped off, making "faces" and doing fancy "steps" back of the +squire. + +Miss Ellis sat at her desk dazed, and stunned. She could not realize it +all--a squire coming into her room--threatening her with dismissal, and +taking two girls off to the common police court for a "hearing." + +She was not a woman given to showing her feelings, but this seemed more +than she could bear; tears came into her eyes, fell upon her books and +then she bowed her head--she had to cry! Dorothy was at her side +instantly. + +"Dear Miss Ellis," she murmured, "don't take it so seriously. It will be +all right. I'm sure those two girls are well able to take care of +themselves, and I suspect Alice went more for mischief than for +anything. Perhaps I had better run down to father's office, and tell him +about it; he will know exactly what to do." + +The girls all looked on with sad faces. They had never before seen Miss +Ellis cry in school. But she raised her head now, and seemed better able +to control her feelings. + +"I think, Dorothy," she said, "it may be better to wait awhile. +Something may happen to--save the girls from really going to his +office. We will try to study, and perhaps we may have our picnic yet." + +But it was a difficult matter to apply minds to books that morning; too +much had happened to be turned readily aside for mere school work. Such +whispering had never been permitted before, although the girls did try +to be kind to Miss Ellis, she looked so sad and worried. + +Meanwhile the two girls, Tavia and Alice, had been having their own +experiences. + +Upon reaching the street they stepped up along side the squire, so that +persons in passing thought they were merely walking along to keep the +aged man company. + +But Ralph Willoby was not so easily misled. + +He was just leaving the Bugle office as they came along, and he +instantly detected a "story." + +"Come on," said Alice, "you can be our counsel. We are under arrest." + +"No need," objected the squire, "I am well able to attend to this case." + +"But your office is public," answered Ralph, "and I guess I'll go along +and see what happens." + +"But I say I don't want any interference," and the squire raised his +voice. "You newspaper scamps always get things wrong anyway." + +"Probably because you do not give us a chance to get them right," +retorted Ralph. "This time we will try to stick to facts." + +"Well, when I'm ready to give them out you can have them, but not +before," insisted the angry squire. + +"But I'm going along, just the same," declared Ralph, as Tavia stepped +back to walk with him, so that the squire was obliged to go on with +Alice, who really seemed to be enjoying the experience. + +The office of the justice of the peace was a dingy, dirty little place. +It had served Dalton for the small needs of a public office for some +years, Squire Sanders, of course, collecting a good income for its +yearly rental. + +An old bench was stretched in front of the desk. + +The girls sank down on this, making queer "faces" and comical gestures. + +"My first offense!" sighed Alice, with mock sadness. + +"Same here!" said Tavia in similar tone. + +"Since you wish it," said Ralph to Alice, "I can act as counsel. You +know I really am studying law, and there is nothing like taking cases +for experience." + +"Now, no skylarking here," called out the squire, "I want to hear all +about that case, let me see--the case of--I've got it somewhere," and he +turned the soiled pages of the "records" over rather roughly, +considering they were supposed to belong to the town of Dalton. + +Tavia was biting her lips. She felt every moment the laugh would get the +better of her and get out on its own accord, but she tried bravely to +suppress it. + +Ralph was whispering to Alice. Evidently he was pleased with the +information she imparted, for he, too, smiled broadly as the squire +called: + +"Octavia Travers, step up to the bar!" + +"What for?" asked Tavia saucily. + +"To swear--take your oath--make your affidavit," called the squire +sharply. + +"What's the charge?" interrupted Ralph. + +"'Sault an' batt'ry," snapped the squire. + +"Who signed the warrant?" questioned Ralph further. + +"See here young feller!" and the squire rapped his cane vigorously upon +the desk, "if you don't let me go on with this case I'll kick you out." + +"Oh, no, you won't. I have as much right here as you have, and I intend +to see that you do not, in any way, insult the young ladies!" + +"You young scamp!" yelled the squire, making a dash for Ralph and +bringing his cane down squarely on the young man's head, at which Alice +and Tavia screamed. + +A moment later the men were scuffling on the floor. + +"I'll teach you!" the squire kept yelling. + +"Let me go!" shouted Ralph. + +"Oh, we must get help!" screamed Alice. "Tavia, run quick, to the office +next door. That man is crazy. He will kill Ralph," and, while Tavia ran +to one side of the place, Alice hurried to the other, so that all +possible help would be called at once. + +In a short time the little place was crowded. Some came to aid, and +others came to see what was wrong. Alice and Tavia stood by with very +white faces. Alice had pulled the squire away from Ralph and the aged +man finally had been subdued, that is two men had succeeded in keeping +him away from Ralph, but not until the young man had been considerably +injured. The squire was still sputtering and those who tried to quiet +him had a hard task of it. Every time they would let go his arms he +would throw them up with new energy, trying to get at Ralph again, until +at last it was found necessary to go to the constables' desk; get out +the only pair of handcuffs in Dalton, and put them on the wrists of the +obstreperous official. + +This, of course, was great fun for the boys who had gathered about, and +who had more than one grudge against Squire Sanders. Many a time he had +chased them off the coasting hill, he had often spoiled a good day's +swimming, and as for apples--a boy never knew when he was safe to +"borrow" one from any orchard in Dalton. + +But the tables were turned now--and the boys were glad of it. A taste of +his own medicine would do the aged man good, they declared. + +Not being able to do more than shout and kick, Squire Sanders soon "gave +out" and fell back sullenly in a chair near a window. Ralph's head was +bleeding. + +"Oh, we must get Ralph to the drug store," insisted Alice. "Perhaps Dr. +Gray will be there. He is hurt, I am sure," and she was almost in tears, +for indeed Ralph looked very much injured--his lip was cut, and girls +cannot well stand the sight of blood. + +Ralph felt quite well able to walk, he declared, and assured the girls, +laughingly, that their case and his would now likely "come up" together +in the next term of court. + +But just as Alice, Tavia, Ralph, and a few sympathizing friends were +ready to leave the office Franklin MacAllister, president of the +Selectmen of Dalton, and father of Alice, stepped into the place. He had +heard of the disturbance, and having power to act in any such emergency, +he hurried to the scene. + +"Well," he exclaimed, seeing his daughter there, "what in the world are +you doing here?" + +"Oh, I made all the trouble," replied Alice, "that is, Tavia and I made +it. We were arrested--" + +"Arrested!" repeated the father, incredulously. + +"Yes, indeed we were. And Mr. Willoby only stepped in to help us when he +got in trouble." + +Mr. MacAllister talked earnestly to Ralph. Plainly both men were of the +same opinion--either Squire Sanders was crazy or he was too old and +incompetent to hold office. + +"What are we going to do with him, Mr. President?" asked one of the men +who had the unpleasant duty of standing by and keeping guard over the +squire. + +"Bind him over to keep the peace," replied the president. "Squire +Sanders," he called, and thereat every one held his or her breath, "this +is a sad predicament to find an officer in. In fact the occurrence is a +disgrace to the town of Dalton." + +The squire shifted uneasily in the chair. He had not spoken coherently +since the struggle with Ralph, and was still in an ugly mood. At the +same time he understood who now addressed him; the president of the +board; the man who had authority to bring matters about so as to deprive +him of the office he had held for years. + +"Stand up!" called the president, and the squire shuffled awkwardly to +his feet. + +"What have you to say in this matter? We have a quorum of the board here +present and we may as well dispose of this case. There is also another +count pending against you. How did you come to let that man Anderson +slip out of Dalton so easily--help him out in fact? Was his money better +than that of the people of this town, who for years have been paying you +for duties that you have never honestly performed?" + +At the mention of Anderson, Squire Sanders' face turned from red to a +deadly ashen. + +"Look out," cautioned Ralph aside to the president, "he is old you know, +and might drop at any moment." + +"Not a bit of it," went on Mr. MacAllister. "He is too tough for that. +Speak up, Sanders. This is your last chance." + +But the man never moved his lips. Sullen and beaten he sat there while +Mr. MacAllister, recounted some of his misdeeds. + +"You have disgraced your office," he declared, "but the most outrageous +of your offenses was that of bringing into this office two innocent +schoolgirls--doctoring up a charge against them, trying to force them +to acknowledge they had taken part in an affair that they had absolutely +nothing to do with--and all this you did for the paltry fee that goes +with each case on your books. Now, Sanders, I have spoken to the members +of the board here present and the verdict in your case is--that you +leave Dalton inside of ten days. The penalty for contempt in the matter +will be a public trial, and, no doubt, imprisonment." + +It was a difficult matter to restrain the boys present. They wanted to +cheer--to shout, but were not allowed to do so. Ralph had quite +recovered himself now, and so insisted on going alone to the drugstore +to have his slight wounds dressed if necessary. Two of the selectmen +looked after Sanders, releasing him of the handcuffs, and advising him +"to make himself scarce" around Dalton, until the feeling against him +had quieted down some. All the defiance had left him now; he scarcely +raised his head as he crept out the back way to his rooms next door. + +Upon hearing the school story in full Mr. MacAllister decided to take +his daughter and Tavia back to the school room himself, and set every +thing right with Miss Ellis and her pupils. + +"You have had a rough time of it lately," he commented as he and the two +girls made their way to the school. + +"But Alice is a--a brick!" declared Tavia, in appreciation of her +friend's assistance. "She helped us splendidly." + +"Glad to hear it," answered the father, "Alice is our tom-boy, but she +is true-blue, eh, Bob?" he said patting his daughter affectionately. +"You knew what I meant about the man Anderson, did you not, Tavia?" he +went on. "That was your 'special friend' I believe." + +"Oh, I have met him," replied Tavia laughing, "but I think now the +reason the old squire wanted to get me into this trouble was because he +thought it might affect Dorothy Dale, as she is my special friend. +Somehow the Burlock-Anderson affair seemed to be aimed at the Dales." + +"Oh, yes, no doubt of it," answered Mr. MacAllister, "but we think we +are on the track of settling the matter now." + +Tavia felt she could scarcely wait to tell all this to Dorothy, for she +had been wondering what had become of the Anderson affair. Alice looked +proudly up at her father as they neared the school. + +"They may think you have come to take someone else away," she said +laughing. "This has been a queer picnic day." + +"Don't worry about that," he answered. "You must have an extra good time +to make up for your troubles and disappointment, I will see what I can +do for you." + +Alice cast a meaning glance at Tavia. If her father undertook to give +Dalton school a treat it would surely be something worth while, Alice +was sure, and so, with that bright prospect uppermost in her mind, she +led her father into the school room. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE SECRET + + +It took but a short time for Mr. MacAllister to explain everything +satisfactorily to Miss Ellis and her pupils. He was a gentleman any +daughter might well be proud of, and, indeed, Alice showed a pardonable +pride as he stood there smiling and assuring the teacher that, as +president of the Selectmen of Dalton, he would promise a holiday to the +class that would make up in every way for the disappointment of the +morning. + +When the visitor had departed, Miss Ellis announced she would carry out +the intended program as far as a half session was concerned, but, as it +was too late to go on the picnic then the pupils might go home and enjoy +themselves as they wished. + +Tavia and Alice were now regarded as heroines. To think they had really +been in the court, and that they had been witnesses to--"a fight," as +Tavia declared Squire Sanders' attack on Ralph was "nothing more nor +less than a common roll around fight." + +Finally the picnic lunches were disposed of, and Tavia took Dorothy's +arm as they walked homeward--she had much to tell Dorothy and knew that +no girl would interrupt such apparent confidence as "arm in arm" +indicated. + +"And what do you think Mr. MacAllister said?" began Tavia. "That old +Squire Sanders let that horrible man get out of Dalton--the man who +frightened us so!" + +"Did he?" replied Dorothy, absently. + +"And you knew, of course, about poor Miles Burlock--he died when you +were sick, so I did not tell you anything about it." + +"Yes, father told me." + +"What are you thinking of, Doro? You are not listening to me at all." + +"I have so much to think of," answered Dorothy, smiling. "I can hardly +keep my thoughts in line." + +"But you should have seen Alice--Oh, she just pulled the old squire by +the collar. She didn't wait for a man to come. And look at my dress! +Isn't it a sight? I might have known there would be an earthquake or a +fight when I attempted to wear anything like this." + +"It is too bad, but that is a straight tear. You can easily mend it." + +"But Ralph's eye; that will not darn so neatly. I hope that hateful old +squire never shows his ugly 'phiz-mahogony' in Dalton again." + +"Do you think Ralph is much hurt?" Dorothy inquired anxiously. "Wasn't +it disgraceful?" + +"Perfectly rambunctious!" declared Tavia, "although it might have been +jolly good fun if Ralph had another fellow in his place--one not quite +so careful of the squire's feelings and features. But you should have +seen the squire with the handcuffs on! Oh! it was better than the play I +saw in Rochester," and Tavia relieved her pent-up jollity by tossing +into the air the borrowed lunch box and making "passes" at it, with +queer pranks in imitation of the jugglers she had seen at Rochester. + +"Tavia," asked Dorothy, very seriously, "do you think you could keep a +secret?" + +"Keep a secret? Dorothy darling, Dare-me!" + +"Now, no joking, Tavia," insisted Dorothy, "this is a matter of +importance." + +"Oh, I just love importance. That was what mostly happened to me and +Alice to-day in the squire's office--importance!" + +"Well, if you really can't be serious-- + +"Oh, but, Doro dear, just try me. I shall weep if you say so, only-- +pardon, mamselle, but do not, if you please, make that weep too long, a +few sniffs only, for I have not with me in this fleshling costume ze +'kerchief," and she made a most ridiculous little French "squat," +further evidence of the Rochester play. + +"I am afraid Tavia, that trip to your Aunt Mary's has affected your +head; they say nothing can do so more effectively than certain kinds of +plays." + +"Well, the one I saw was the certain kind. Why, last night mother nearly +had nervous prostration because I was practicing up in my room. I was +trying to do a fall--and I did it all right." + +"How foolish you are, Tavia," said Dorothy slightly frowning, "I would +not think of such nonsense if I were you." + +"Yes, it was awfully foolish, for it knocked the ceiling down in the +kitchen, just dusting Johnnie's pompadour. The escape, however, made +mother happy, so that the ceiling did not count." + +Dorothy "gave in." She had to laugh and did laugh so heartily she was +obliged to sit down on the grass to enjoy the "tragedy" as Tavia +described the stage fall and the "ceiling drop." + +"But the secret?" demanded Tavia, making sure her skirt would not be +stained, before taking her place on the grass beside Dorothy. + +"Yes, I do want to tell you," answered Dorothy, "Now listen. You know +Squire Sanders was particularly anxious that you should stand all the +blame for Sarah's accident." + +"Particularly anxious? He was dead set on it. Polite language doesn't +fit the case." + +"Tavia, you really are too slangy. It may be all right just for fun, in +talking to girls, but some day you will be sorry. It will become a +habit." + +"Like Jake Schmid taking the pledge. I saw him yesterday very close to-- +a saloon!" + +"Poor Jake!" said Dorothy with a sigh. "But he does seem to try--" + +"To take the pledge? Indeed he does and I admire his perseverance. +That's just the way I try to avoid slang." + +"I am afraid, Tavia, we will not accomplish much in the way of +confidences, if you persist in being--ridiculous," and Dorothy made as +if to continue on her way home. + +"Sit right down there, Dorothy Dale," insisted Tavia, pulling her +friend's skirt, and bringing Dorothy down beside her rather suddenly. "I +will have to play the villain and demand that 'secret'!" + +"Well, it is simply this: I think I see the motive Squire Sanders had in +trying to disgrace you." + +"Let me see it quick!" snapped Tavia. + +"Didn't your father run against him last year for the office of Town +Squire?" + +"Certainly," said Tavia, briefly. + +"And the only reason he did not get the office was because the squire +was so old the men thought it best not to disturb him just then." + +"Right, again," answered Tavia. + +"Election time is now almost here. Your father would be up for the +office again. Don't you see by bringing trouble to you and your folks +your father would become unpopular?" + +"And get left!" + +"Yes; be defeated." + +"But he will not!" and Tavia's brown eyes danced significantly. "The +squire is down and out. And worse yet he has to run for his money. Now +my own dear dad will have a chance. Oh, Doro, I love politics better +than eating. I hope some day soon, while Tavia Travers is still in +circulation, the women will vote in Dalton same as they do in Rochester- +-they don't just exactly vote in Rochester, but a lot of them talk about +it." + +"Now you must not mention my suspicions," cautioned Dorothy, "for I must +speak to father first. It does not seem fair that the Fords should be +blamed for making statements about you that, perhaps, the squire put +into their heads." + +"Dorothy Dale, you would make a first class lawyer, and when you want a +job at it I will engage you to defend my case. But I do not see how I am +to keep all that momsey. It would be so good to have father back at a +desk again. They say he really was a first class justice out in +Millville. And he just hates his work now--so little wages; mom cannot +seem to make them go around--me and Johnnie; Johnnie mostly gets the +knot at the end." + +"It certainly would be splendid to have him get the position. And I am +sure father will do all he can for him: but I would not mention it to +your mother, just yet." + +"All right Doro, I have given you my promise, but you have made me so +happy!" and Tavia hugged Dorothy so enthusiastically that the latter was +obliged to beg off. + +"And I tell you what," went on Tavia, "when Pop gets Squire Sander's +place I--this--me--you know" and she made another wonderful, sweeping +all-around bow, "I will be 'city clerk.' I will keep the books and +Dorothy Hill-and-Dale, if ever your name gets on the books it shall be +promptly eliminated, elucidated, expurgated--there now! Don't you +think I should be in the grad. class? I was looking up words with +'ate' in--my favorite pastime,--and I came across that bunch." + +"I do really think, Tavia, that you would do better at school if you +only tried. We cannot always have studies that we are especially +interested in. It is like the scales in piano practice, they give us the +mechanical work for pretty dances and other brilliant pieces." + +"Well, we have no piano, so I do not have to worry about that. I suppose +you will play at the closing exercises?" + +"Miss Ellis has asked me to. But Tavia, we really must be going. I have +promised to go over to Sarah's this afternoon." + +"May I go with you? I just would like to feel that we had talked it all +off, you know. I do not want to think Sarah has any hard feelings." + +"Certainly; come, I am sure Sarah will be glad to see you, and her +mother is very pleasant. Be careful not to tell too much about to-day's +affairs, It might worry Sarah." + +"If I forget myself you just squint, and I'll be as mum as a mummy." + +So Dorothy and Tavia started off homeward, arm in arm. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +DOROTHY IN POLITICS + + +The news of Squire Sanders' downfall spread rapidly throughout Dalton. +To the men interested in public affairs it was no surprise, for they had +known, of course, of his shortcomings; but there were those in the town +who looked upon the "disgraceful scene" in the office that morning as +something too serious for ordinary treatment--it should be brought to +the attention of the sheriff, they declared. + +Among those of that opinion was Mr. Ford, father of Sarah. He was one of +the men who felt they had been wronged, personally, by the squire, and +in reference to this matter Mr. Ford called upon Major Dale. + +It was late that same afternoon, when Dorothy and Tavia were visiting +Sarah, that Mr. Ford arrived at the office of Major Dale. + +"I have been a fool," he told the major, "to listen to such arguments as +that man made against mere children. Of course my daughter was injured +and that angered me; but it was the foolish talk of that old man which +made me think I should have revenge--revenge upon a girl no more guilty +than a babe in its cradle." + +Mr. Ford spoke with much bitterness. Men do not like to make such +mistakes, but those of high character are always ready to do what they +can to right such wrongs. + +"But there was no real harm done?" interrupted the major. + +"No harm done! To take two innocent girls into that office and accuse +them of--I don't know what! Why, Major, it was simply outrageous," and +Mr. Ford paced the floor impatiently. + +"It was a lucky thing that my young man, Ralph Willoby, happened along, +although it seemed unlucky enough for him. But I believe he is not +injured beyond a cut lip and bruised eye. The old squire seemed to have +entirely lost control of himself. This comes from keeping incompetent +men in office--just through sentiment." + +"Exactly. They can do more harm than one would imagine. Think how he +talked me into the idea that this poor Travers family should pay my +daughter's doctor bill! And I told him to go ahead and collect it!" + +Each time that this thought came to Mr. Ford it seemed to him more +repugnant. First, that he should have blamed Tavia without investigating +the matter himself; next that he should have allowed a man like Squire +Sanders to "humbug" him. + +"Well," said the major, "we now have it in our power to put the right +man in the office of Justice of the Peace. You know John Travers was up +for it last year." + +"I do, but--he is not of our party." + +"Yet you admit he is the right man?" + +"I know of no one better fitted for the office." + +"Then make it the man this time, and leave the party aside. Franklin +MacAllister was in this afternoon. He says the appointment must be made +at once, but that your faction in the council will oppose Travers. Your +vote can decide the matter." + +Mr. Ford was silent for a moment. Men think it almost a sacred +obligation to "stick to their party," especially when that party puts +the member in office with the understanding that their interests shall +be looked after. + +"It may cost me my place on the board--" said Mr. Ford thoughtfully, +"but that will not affect my family, or my pocket-book--" + +"Still you have been a good member," interrupted the major, "and we +cannot afford to lose you, either." + +"But you said Mac. stated my vote would carry it one way or other?" + +"Yes, he has canvassed it." + +"Then Travers shall be the man!" and Mr. Ford brought one hand down on +the other in a most determined, and defiant manner. + +"Strange," said Major Dale, "but the children have settled this for us. +My little girl Dorothy had the whole thing planned out, and talked me +over to her way. She is very fond of the Travers girl, you know." + +The office door opened and Mr. MacAllister entered. + +"Hullo!" he said cheerily. "Been lobbying, Major?" + +"Seems so." + +"Well, Travers has my vote," Mr. Ford hurried to say. + +"What, going back on your party?" said Mr. MacAllister, laughing. + +"Either that or go back on my own daughter," commented Mr. Ford. "It +seems this is the girls' election." + +The major could hardly disguise his pride--Dorothy had certainly "been +busy" lately, and every undertaking of hers had met with success. A +girl, after all, may be something more than a pretty doll, he thought. +But the whole thing is to get them to exert their influence in the right +direction. See how Dorothy had helped in the liquor crusade. And without +"soiling her finger tips," thought the major, proudly. + +And while this caucus was being held in the major's office, Dorothy was +conducting another sort of meeting at the Ford home. + +Tavia and Sarah had "made up" most affectionately. Sickness, sometimes +is a powerful teacher, and afforded, in Sarah's case, time to think +reasonably which was plainly what she needed. + +"I always thought the girls disliked me," she told Tavia, "that, of +course, made me dislike most of them. But I did love Dorothy," she +hastened to declare, "and I was jealous of her love for you." + +"I don't blame you a bit," answered Tavia, in her direct way. "If she +should turn 'round and fall in love with you--why then no telling what +might happen." + +Sarah was now able to walk around with the aid of a cane, and this +afternoon she sat out on the porch entertaining her friends. + +"I do hope," said Dorothy, "that you will be able to go on the picnic +with us, Sarah. Perhaps that, too, will be all the better for being +postponed." + +"Only my lunch," sighed Tavia, melodramatically. "I shall never be able +to put up another such!" and she smacked her lips in remembrance of the +good things the borrowed lunch box had contained. + +"Perhaps, then, I will be able to invite you to take some of mine," said +Sarah politely. "Mother just loves to do up dainty lunches." + +"Accepted with pleasure," replied Tavia, imitating society manners. +"Make it enough for yourself, plenty for me, and a little to spare. Then +we will be sure to come out all right." + +Mrs. Ford came out to ask the visitors to remain to tea, but they +politely declined. She was especially kind in talking to Tavia, and +invited her to come again with Dorothy. + +"They say," remarked Dorothy to Tavia, as the girls hurried along the +lane, "'that love scarce is love that does not know the sweetness of +forgiving,' and it does seem that way, don't you think so?" + +"Oh, that was what ailed us all, was it? Not our fault at all, but the +fault of some old mildewed poet, that wanted to make good his verses. +The 'sweetness of forgiving,' eh? Well, it is better than scrapping, +I'll admit, but I wish poets would make up something handier. We went +through quite something to find the sweetness." + +"Hurry," whispered Dorothy, "I thought I heard something move in the +bushes!" + +"So did I," admitted Tavia, quickening her pace. + +"It is always so lonely in the lane at night, we should have gone +around." + +"Let's run," suggested Tavia. "One row a day is enough for me." + +The bushes stirred suspiciously now, and both girls were alarmed. They +were midway in the lane, and could not gain the road, except by running +on to the end of the lonely path. Each side was lined with a thick +underbrush, and--there was no mistaking it now--someone was stealing +along beside them! + +Taking hold of hands the girls ran. As they did the figure of a man +darted out in the path after them. Not a word was spoken--all their +strength was put into speed--to get to the end of the lane before that +man should overtake them! + +They knew the footing well, although the path was rough with tree stumps +and rocks thrown there from the fields at the side. + +Suddenly there was an exclamation. Turning quickly Tavia saw the man's +form rolling in the deep grass. + +"He has fallen over the big stump," she said, "and has rolled into the +thick briars. Hurry now, we will get out all right." And, with renewed +courage, the girls ran on, reaching the end of the lane in full view of +houses, before the "tramp" could possibly overtake them. + +"That was the same fellow," declared Tavia. "What in the world does he +follow us for?" + +"It's all the Burlock business," Dorothy answered. "But hurry, we must +give the alarm this time. Perhaps they will be able to catch him." + +Out of breath, and very much frightened, the girls reached the center of +the village, going directly there instead of turning into a side street +to go home. + +"Perhaps father is in his office," remarked Dorothy. + +"There's Ralph," said Tavia, as that young man emerged from a doorway. + +Quicker than it takes to tell it a searching party was formed. The three +men who had been talking politics were still in the major's office, and +when told of the girl's fright they promptly started out for the lane +picking up more help at every turn. + +"We will get him if we have to burn down the woods," declared the major, +deeply incensed at his daughter's peril. + +"And not a gun in the crowd," remarked Mr. MacAllister. "This is where +we need our constable." + +They had reached the lane now, and it was quite dark. Numbers of men, +who had been taking a quiet evening smoke at their own doors joined in +the "rounding up" as Mr. Ford called it. + +"No Squire Sanders to help him out this time," some one remarked. + +Then the men scattered--completely surrounding the place where the tramp +had been last seen. + +"The only way he could get away from us would be in a balloon," said Mr. +MacAllister. + +"Or an airship," spoke up someone else. + +With heavy clubs and every available weapon to beat down the brush they +started out through the lane on the man hunt. + +Surely twenty good men should be able to find the one "tramp" now. + +But would they? + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE GIRLS HAVE IT + + +It was an entirely new experience for Dalton men--searching for a +miscreant that spring evening in the lane. But evening wore into +nightfall and no trace of the "tramp" had been discovered. + +From either end of the lane the men came together at last, and admitted +they had been again outwitted by the "slick rascal." + +Mr. MacAllister, in dismissing the party, urged them to be at the town +meeting that night to vote for a constable, and never had the need of +such an official been so plainly demonstrated. + +"We must go about to-night," he said, "and notify business persons to be +on the lookout for a fellow of this description. Of course, if we had a +regular constable we might save ourselves that trouble." + +To the old politicians of Dalton, those who always voted promptly, but +put off paying taxes until the very last notice had been served upon +them, the appointment of John Travers to succeed Squire Sanders, came as +a surprise. Poor men are not always popular, and the other candidate, +Baldwin Blake, was the sort of fellow it was pleasant to meet--around +election times. But John Travers got the office without a dissenting +vote in the council--a matter quite as surprising to Mr. Travers as to +any man present. Mr. MacAllister whispered aside to Major Dale, when the +result of the ballot was made known: + +"Travers does not know what a strong pull our young politicians have. +This is the girls' campaign." + +But when a few hours later, the new squire told his own girl of the good +fortune, Tavia declared Dorothy had managed it all. + +It was a fact, however regrettable, that Mrs. Travers was not at home to +hear the good news. She had gone to see a sick friend that afternoon, +and had sent word later that she would remain away all night. + +But Mrs. Travers was probably not as blamable in her home-making +delinquencies as it might appear. She simply did not know how to make a +home. She belonged to that unfortunately large class of women, who have +received a so-called "education" from books, but who have never been +trained in either discipline or character, which might give the +forbearance necessary in meeting the actual trials of life, or in the +management of the great American dollar, which might make up, in a +measure, for lack of discipline, when that dollar, like the proverbial +charity, must cover a multitude of wants. Mrs. Travers had attended a +school where embroidery was the chief number in the curriculum, and +mathematics (after decimal fractions) made elective. Hence it was that +the burden of responsibility came so early to Tavia, who was scarcely +better able to undertake it than the mother. + +The unfortunate result of this total lack of management might have +discouraged a man less optimistic than John Travers, but he always "made +allowances," just as he did to-night when the indifferent wife was not +there to share in the family's happy hour. + +"Maybe I can help you with the books," suggested Tavia, when the +possible details of the new position were being discussed. + +"Oh, I will have plenty of time to attend to them, daughter," her father +replied. "The books I want you to attend to are those at school--I want +you to make up for lost time. Dalton people will expect more from us now +that they are giving us a chance." + +"Dorothy says I do better than I imagine," replied Tavia. "I did not +expect to pass--I had been home so much--but if only I could get a +'conditional,' and leave when Dorothy does!" + +Ambition had come to Tavia--at last. + +Her father wished her to get through school, and she determined, if such +a thing was possible she would do it. + +"I could study very hard," she told herself, when thinking the matter +over very seriously, that night, in her own little cheerless room. +"Dorothy has all her work done, and I am sure she will help me." + +And what a surprise it would be to every one if she really did get +"conditioned" in the studies she failed in, and should actually graduate +in the general work. + +What a wonderful thing it was to have something definite to work for! +Dorothy and Alice had always felt that way, but until to-night Tavia had +never known the real joy of doing good work, with the actual reward in +sight. Home life had been dreary indeed, school had been little better, +the only bright spot in the misplaced life had been put in by Dorothy +Dale. And what a power for good had been the quiet, unobtrusive +influence! + +"I owe every single thing to Dorothy," Tavia declared to her own heart +that eventful night, "and I hope some day I will be able to show her I +am not ungrateful." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A GIRL'S WEAPON + + +Tavia's plans took shape next morning--there was nothing visionary about +them. She did surprise her father with a neat breakfast table, and +Johnnie surprised himself with a clean linen suit. + +"Nothing succeeds like success," said the father, pleased and happy +that, at last something had "happened" to brighten the make-shift home. + +"And when mother comes," Tavia announced, "she will find that I have +discovered how to keep house, for I have already provided for dinner. +Now Johnnie, be careful that you do me credit--go right straight to +school when it's time, and don't, as you value your place in--in--my +heart, miss a single lesson!" + +"Good!" said the father, actually taking a tiny rosebud from the clean +milk bottle, in the center of the table, and putting it in his +buttonhole. + +"Would it be silly for a boy to wear a flower?" faltered Johnnie, "Joe +Dale often does." + +"Indeed every boy in school will know to-day that pop is the 'head +constable' so why shouldn't you decorate?" and the sister put in the +fresh linen waist a bud that exactly matched the one chosen by the +squire. + +Mr. Travers recalled that this was the first morning he could remember +when his two children sat at table with him. They were always busy or +sleeping--any place but where they should be at breakfast time. + +"Now, I must see Dorothy before school," said Tavia, leaving the table. +"Johnnie, just eat all your toast while I clear up. Then you can bring +in fresh water, and some wood to have ready for noon, in case mother +should not get home in time to do everything." + +Mr. Travers was also in a hurry to get down to the Green, he had made an +appointment to talk with Major Dale and he did not delay after +breakfast. A new world had been discovered by him--the land of +prosperity; ambition for his children, and perhaps even contentment for +the incompetent little woman who had suffered too, and who now might +find a way and heart to do what seemed not worth while before. + +But Dorothy had "anticipated" Tavia's visit and was at the door before +the latter had entirely cleared away the table. + +"Why!" exclaimed Dorothy, when her eyes rested on the flowers, "you are +celebrating!" + +"Good reason why!" responded Tavia proudly, "my dad's a squire!" + +"I am so glad," murmured Dorothy, giving Tavia a kiss. "Now you will be +somebody, won't you?" + +"I am already--somebody else. You won't know me; better ask for an +introduction," and she walked haughtily to the sink with the last of the +dishes. + +"Delighted, I'm sure!" simpered Dorothy, imitating the society voice. + +"Pray be seated," went on the new Tavia, "I'll be disengaged directly." + +Tavia's happiness was so entirely self-evident there was no need for her +to make formal expression of it to Dorothy, yet, as she had promised +herself to be "just like other girls" Tavia felt the obligation to say +something polite. + +"I know, Dorothy," she began, "we owe everything to you. But it has +really made a new world for us, and now, you will see how we appreciate +it. I am going to get through school, if I can, and perhaps, when we get +better off, I may go on with you at school and grow up--like you." + +"Tavia dear," said Dorothy earnestly, "I am sure you will always be my +friend, whether you have a fancy education or not. We have learned more +than can be taught from books--we have learned to help each other, and +to understand each other." + +"Yes, I cannot imagine anything ever coming into our lives that would +keep us apart--even distance does not separate minds and hearts." + +Tavia had finished her work now, and surprised Dorothy by neatly washing +out the dish towels. + +Dorothy was ready to go now for it was getting close to the hour for +school. + +"I must tell you something in confidence," said she, "father thinks he +has a clew to the little Burlock girl's whereabouts." + +"Yes, and I thought the same thing when what do you suppose?--Aunt Mary +writes me that the woman--Mrs. Burlock--is dead!" + +"Dead!" exclaimed Dorothy. + +"Yes, and the society cannot now find her girl--she did have a +daughter." + +"But surely, in a place like Rochester, they should be able to trace a +little girl," Dorothy insisted. + +"They should be, but they were not. Aunt Mary wrote that the charitable +society had buried the woman, and when a young lady from the +organization went back to the rooms with the little girl she allowed her +to escape. That is, the young lady went out to buy something and when +she came back the girl was gone." + +"Did she run away?" + +"Haven't the least idea. But say, Doro, we will be late, sure pop, and +me putting on airs this morning. Quarter of nine. Now let's see if we +can beat last night's record. I'll set the pace," and so saying the +girls started off on a run, for it was most desirable that they reach +the school a few minutes, at least, before the bell rang. + +Dorothy insisted Tavia should go straight to Miss Ellis and tell her how +she was so anxious to keep up with her class. + +"You might change your mind," Dorothy remarked laughing, "and Tavia, +there is nothing like outside help for keeping troublesome resolutions." + +"Guess you're right," said Tavia with a sigh. "I may as well clinch it." + +"No slang now," interrupted Dorothy. "Graduates never use slang." + +"Then I've changed my mind already," pouted Tavia, "I must have slang or +die--'Liberty of speech or death!'" she exclaimed with a dramatic +gesture. + +"Come on," pleaded Dorothy, who was really anxious that Tavia should +speak to Miss Ellis before the classes assembled. + +To her surprise Tavia learned from her teacher that she had not so very +much to make up, and could, no doubt, do it if she tried. + +"You have been doing very well lately," said Miss Ellis, "and during the +days you were away we had scarcely any new lessons--nothing but review. +You were always fair in mathematics when you put your mind to your work. +Now let us see if you cannot surprise everyone by getting all through-- +not conditioned in anything." + +Such encouragement was all Tavia needed. She went to work with a will +that day, and every time Dorothy glanced over at her (for Dorothy was as +anxious for her success as if it were entirely her own affair) she would +see Tavia "poring" over her book as if her very life depended upon her +accomplishing just so much work and she was bound she would do it. + +How quickly the morning passed! It was so different to be busy in +school, Tavia thought, so much better than having the hours drag along. +At recess Alice hugged her in congratulation. + +"I knew he would get it," she said, referring, of course, to the new +position of Mr. Travers, "and father says we girls elected him. I see +you are already doing credit to the confidence with which Dalton people +have intrusted your family." + +"I am sure father will give satisfaction," Tavia answered, ignoring the +intended compliment for herself. "He had a splendid record in +Millville." + +"And the picnic," said Alice. "Have you heard it is really coming off +this time? Next Monday." + +"Then Sarah will be able to come," remarked Tavia, "I am just glad we +waited for her." + +All the girls agreed it would be especially nice to have a genuine +reunion, as this would be the last holiday until vacation, and that, of +course, would mean a scattering of classmates. + +"It will be a star picnic," declared Alice, as the girls returned to the +school room. + +"If nothing else happens," said Dorothy with apprehension for which she +could not account. + +"Why did you say that?" asked Tavia. + +"I don't know. But somehow I feel as if something will happen," and +Dorothy had sufficient reason afterward to remember the premonition. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +DOROTHY IN DANGER + + +Picnic day came at last, and with it there drew up to the gate of Dalton +School two four-horse wagons, the regular "straw-ride" variety. + +Mr. Ford had provided the conveyances, and when all the girls had been +seated on the big side benches with parasols, lunch boxes and "happy +smiling faces," the ride itself constituted a thoroughly enjoyable +outing. + +Sarah was there, between Dorothy and Tavia, and upon her arrival at the +school (the wagon had stopped for her as it came up) she received a +hearty welcome--an ovation, Tavia called it. + +Her face was pale, and her manner nervous, but she whispered aside to +Dorothy that she was so happy, and that she could never have been happy +with the girls after the trouble if Dorothy had not "straightened every +thing out for her." + +Miss Ellis, too, seemed very much pleased at the prospect of a happy +day--"after all," she thought, "her girls were well worth working for." +It was a beautiful day in June and the ride to the woods was perfumed +with that rare and wonderful incense--vapory sweetness of flowers warmed +by the soft sunshine of early summer. + +Blossoms brushed the faces of our friends as the picnic wagons rumbled +on and many a wreath of "laurel" was pressed to the brow of fair +graduates as the maple leaves in the hands of willing weavers, were made +into crowns for the "grads." + +A secret was plainly lurking in the eyes of Alice MacAllister. Dorothy +had remarked that girls, alone, would probably be lost in the great, +dark picnic place, for the pine trees grew so close there, the grounds +were often called "Twilight Grove"; but Alice only smiled broadly and +replied: + +"You just wait--the woods may be enchanted." + +"Splendid idea," declared Tavia, "I do need so much a little Brownie or +a goblin to help me with my housework. Fancy going home with a dear +little Jackanapes to carry my 'dinner pail'!" and at this suggestion +every one seemed to enjoy the grotesque idea that Tavia had outlined. + +The grove was finally reached, and the happy picnic party lost no time +in leaving the wagons, and making for the "best spots." + +But no sooner had they entered the great tall gateway than they were set +upon by a tribe of very lively goblins, for, from behind tree and bush +there darted upon the unsuspecting girls a rollicking, frolicking band +of boys--the boys' school having come to the grove to surprise the +girls, and help them enjoy the breaking up picnic. + +"I told you we might find the woods enchanted," said Alice who, of +course had learned of the secret, as it was Mr. MacAllister who provided +the wagons for the boys as well as for the girls. + +Such running about and such shouting! Some lads had hidden in the pines +and now as the girls ran through the grove, the "goblins" dropped down +upon their unsuspecting heads. + +Tavia and Alice helped make things livelier by gathering up parasols and +lunch boxes that had been left in the wagons for safety. These they gave +to the boys, who lost no time in forming a brigade, parasols in the air +and boxes under arms, to the distress and dismay of the unlucky owners. + +But there was still another surprise in store for the school children. +When everything was fairly settled down for a day in the woods, a two +seated carriage drove in, and in this were President of the Town +Council, Franklin MacAllister; the Treasurer of Dalton, Major Dale, +Squire Travers and Ralph Willoby. + +Wild cheers went up from the woods as the party entered the grove; first +for the president, then for the major and a "hip-hip" and series of +hurrahs for the new squire. + +Certainly it was jolly to have such a crowd in the shady woods. The +officials told Miss Ellis they came to get acquainted with the pupils of +the Dalton schools. Also, they said, it was quite necessary to look +after so important a gathering officially, as there was the lake, and +other dangers, to which over enthusiastic youths might be more or less +exposed. + +Major Dale and Mr. MacAllister only remained long enough to see that +everything was satisfactorily started, and then left, charging Ralph +Willoby and Squire Travers to act as special officers. That this was a +wise precaution was plainly demonstrated before the day ended. + +Toward noon the merry-makers scattered throughout the spacious grounds, +looking for particularly pleasant spots to eat lunch. This was by no +means a difficult matter, for there were rustic benches built around +wonderful trees, besides little caves lined with soft pine needles and +covered with brown mounds of them. + +The diversity of natural beauties made this grove famous, for many miles +around, and never before, perhaps, was every nook and corner so +thoroughly explored. + +Ralph and the squire roamed around, seeing to it that boys in boats kept +a safe distance from the falls coming from the gates and old water +wheel. + +From this falls the roaring of the water could be heard for a +considerable distance, and so noisy were the rapids a person might shout +at another but a few feet away without being able to make his voice +heard. + +But the falls had a strange charm for Dorothy, and after lunch she +wandered there all alone, just to see, to think and to be quiet. Other +attractions had now claimed the attention of her companions, and she sat +there, enjoying the falls alone. + +She could scarcely hear a voice through the woods, so loudly did the +falls splash and splatter. + +Who, in her place, could have heard a man stealing up to that very spot? +Who could know a scoundrel was there, at that moment ready to seize +Dorothy? + +A rough hand clutched her slender arm! + +That man--Anderson--was glaring into her eyes! Dorothy screamed shrilly. + +"Hush!" commanded the man, "or I'll throw you over the falls!" and his +hand was upon Dorothy's throat, preventing further outcry. + +"Tell me," he growled, "did Miles Burlock leave his money with your +father?" + +Poor Dorothy felt as if the world had gone, and all the woes of death +were upon her! + +Looking about him hastily the man loosed his hold on her throat for an +answer, but instead another shrill scream rent the air. + +"You little fool!" he muttered, "do you want me to throw you over?" + +But at that moment an answer came--Ralph Willoby bounded through the +grove and had Dorothy in his arms before she could realize he was there! +Then with a look of baffled rage the man disappeared. + +"Ralph!" whispered Dorothy. + +"You are all right now," the young man assured her, putting his arm +firmly around the trembling girl, "if you feel faint I can carry you. Do +not try to walk." + +The noise of the falls was gone now--the sky was all black. + +"Oh," gasped Dorothy, "I can't hear, or see, I am--" + +It was welcome oblivion, however painful that clutch at her heart. + +She could not remember--was it Ralph, or the squire? + +She had been thinking how brave Ralph was--But now she could not think, +it was all dark night! + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A SURPRISE TRIP + + +When Ralph Willoby carried his senseless burden to the platform, where, +so short a time before, the girl had been as merry as any of her +playmates, Squire Travers determined upon one thing--to form a +searching party of all the boys to scour the woods from tree to stump +and if possible run down the villain who had attacked Dorothy. + +The fainting girl was soon revived by the careful ministrations of Miss +Ellis, assisted by pupils following her directions; and, before the +half-conscious girl realized what had happened to her, the boys were +running through the woods, led by the squire and Ralph, bent on finding +Anderson. + +But such reflections were of little use now that the harm was done. +Dorothy was very weak indeed. She felt as if those sinuous fingers were +still about her throat, and she could see those terrible eyes peering +into hers in spite of all her efforts to forget her awful experience. + +Some boys had already been sent off to the nearest place where it would +be possible to get a conveyance to take her home, and they now returned +with a covered carriage. + +Into this Miss Ellis and Dorothy were assisted, while the remainder of +the girls were soon ready to leave the grounds in the large picnic +wagons. + +The boys "to a man" remained in the woods, helping diligently in, what +now seemed to be, a useless search. + +Over the narrow plank, just above the dam, the man no doubt had escaped +to the other side, where the old ruins of a mill, with a big water +wheel, made a safe hiding place for the fellow. + +Squire Travers was much annoyed and worried over the occurrence. To +think such a thing could happen with him right there, in the woods, +seemed incredible. + +But Ralph assured him a similar thing had happened in the public streets +of Dalton, and the same man had gotten away. Why should it be strange +then that he would be able to make his escape in a dense woods? + +"But he must be caught," insisted the squire, "if we have to canvass the +entire town and surrounding places to get him." + +Some boys suggested that they disguise themselves as girls impersonating +Dorothy and Tavia, and then wait to be "caught" while help remained +close at hand. But it was decided such a ruse would hardly work that +day, as the man would know well enough the girls would not again leave +themselves liable to attack. + +It was a very discouraged band of boys, with Squire Travers and Ralph +Willoby as their leaders, that wended their way back to Dalton Center +that evening. The picnic, of course, had been spoiled, but that did not +amount to anything--it was the attack on Dorothy, and the escape of her +assailant that concerned the searching party. + +The squire and Ralph upon reaching town went directly to the office of +President MacAllister, and the result of the meeting held there marked +an epoch in the history of the township of Dalton. The new squire had +outlined a plan that every suspicious character found in the place +should be apprehended at once, and no sooner had this edict gone forth +than the suspected ones very quietly took their departure. While it was +generally believed the trouble had to do with a personal affair, there +seemed danger of course to all, while such persons as this "tramp" were +at liberty. + +But confidence was at once established by the ruling of the squire, +which put an end to the reign of terror, and Dalton became once more a +pleasant place to live in. + +The details of government had little interest now for Dorothy Dale, as +she tossed feverishly about on her bed that night dreaming of the awful +man. Dr. Gray had recommended that some one remain with her, on account +of her nervous condition, and Tavia insisted on being allowed to sit up +with her friend. + +A cot was arranged in Dorothy's room for Tavia, but she was too anxious +about the sick one to sleep. What if Dorothy should die? What a lonely +world this would be for Tavia without her. + +Several times during the night Aunt Libby came in and tried to induce +Tavia to take another room, and allow her to stay with Dorothy, but the +volunteer nurse would not leave her post. + +"Do go, Tavia," said Dorothy, who had just opened her eyes, and heard +Aunt Libby's argument, "I'm all right now; only nervous." + +"But I've promised myself a whole night with you, and I'm not going to +be chased away, just at the witching hour," Tavia insisted. + +But tired nature produced an argument incontrovertible, and when Tavia +stretched out on the comfortable cot, and tried to chat as lively to +Dorothy as if it had been mid-day on the side porch, she began to feel +drowsy, then she noticed Dorothy did not answer promptly, and so she +made her words "long and draggy" as mothers do when babies show signs of +"giving in." Presently there was a hush--both nurse and patient were +sound asleep. + +When Dr. Gray called the next morning he advised a complete change for +Dorothy. She was physically well enough, he said, but the shock to her +nervous system might result in complete prostration, unless her mind was +speedily disabused of the unpleasant memory. + +Major Dale knew this advice was wise, and he concluded to send Dorothy +to visit his sister, Mrs. Winthrop White, of North Birchland. + +"Pleasant company," said the doctor to Major Dale as he left, "is all +the girl wants. I wouldn't wonder but that little friend of hers--the +lively one,--would help her, if it could be made convenient for her to +go along." + +Convenient? That uncertainty had nothing to do with circumstances +important to his daughter's health, Major Dale decided. If Tavia's +company would be beneficial to Dorothy's health Tavia should go to North +Birchland with Dorothy. + +The question of school did not signify, either, the major reasoned, for +if Tavia could not afford to lose the remaining weeks in the term he +would see that they were made up for, amply. + +Arrangements were quickly made, letters dispatched back and forth, and +before the girls had time to think it over themselves, they were told to +be ready for the morning train. + +"Oh, isn't it perfectly grand!" exclaimed the excited Tavia, "but do you +think, Doro, I will be able to behave myself, to eat properly and all +that?" + +"Why, Tavia," answered Dorothy, "you will find real aristocratic people +are as simple as we are in manners; it is only those who try to be +'somebody,' and who do not know how, that make such a fuss over +everything. Aunt Winnie is a lovely lady--we call her Winnie from +Winthrop, because her own name is Ruth and we have another Aunt Ruth out +West." + +"Lucky thing I had my 'new' dress, and all the other things Aunt Mary +sent by express last week. And father's new suit case his men presented +him with when he left the factory--wasn't that providential?" asked +Tavia. + +Dorothy admitted it was fortunate, and so, as this was the very evening +before their departure, the girls arranged such matters as required +consultation and then hurried off to attend to so many little things +necessary for travelers. + +Aunt Libby could not hide a tear when Dorothy put her arms about the +wrinkled neck, but when Major Dale helped his daughter to step upon the +train platform he was smiling; glad to have her go it seemed. Joe told +Johnnie afterwards that was the way soldiers always act when they face +trouble. + +Mrs. Travers was really glad to have Tavia go, and she did not deny it. +It was such a chance for her, she told Aunt Libby, as they went home +from the depot, and Tavia, she declared, was a girl who always made the +most of her chances. + +As the train flew along, or Dalton flew away, as it seemed from the car +windows, both girls indulged in a very creditable sentiment--a streak of +homesickness. + +"It will be fun, of course," remarked Tavia, "but it's creepy to leave +them all." + +Passengers about them soon attracted their attention sufficiently to +make the journey interesting. Tavia had such a way of seeing things to +make Dorothy laugh, that little of interest escaped her. + +Old ladies with black silk bags were her especial prey, and these she +never failed to analyze--according to her own special method. + +Women with babies also afforded no end of amusement to Tavia, and when +she found a regular nursery cooking outfit in the "end room" of the car +she could scarcely be restrained. + +"I could make you the nicest clam bouillon," she told Dorothy, "and +besides cooking, that little alcohol lamp is just the thing for hair +crimping. I will crimp mine if I can find anything to make a hot poker +of in this train." + +"You really must not touch anything," Dorothy insisted, alarmed lest +Tavia should do something reckless. + +"Touch anything? Why my dear girl I have tested the entire outfit, and I +am going to get one just like it for my hasty breakfasts." + +The woman to whom the "entire outfit" belonged was now almost asleep +beside her baby, on the end sofa, and Tavia assuring Dorothy she would +stay there indefinitely, sallied forth to further investigate the +mysteries of a nursery cooking outfit, en route. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +EVENTFUL JOURNEY + + +As Tavia reached the end sofa, upon which a pretty golden-haired baby +lay curled beside a sleepy mother, she made a motion to attract the +child's attention. The little one saw it at once, promptly slipped down +and stole away from the sofa without in the least disturbing the woman. + +The tot followed Tavia to the little end room--Dorothy saw her going, +and though feeling very drowsy herself (which really was the reason +Tavia left her alone) Dorothy kept her eyes opened long enough to see +that the mother was sound asleep, and had not missed her baby. + +"I am sure Tavia will take good care of her," thought Dorothy, as she +settled down for a rest, "she is so fond of children, and it will be a +change for the child--traveling must be very tiresome to such little +ones." + +The train rumbled on. Dorothy thought of home, of the good father and +two dear brothers she had left there. Then she wondered what would +happen at North Birchland. It was such a lovely summer place, and her +relatives there were sure to do all they could to make the stay +pleasant. + +In the White family there were besides Mrs. Winthrop White, her two +sons, Edward and Nathaniel, aged sixteen and fourteen years. Professor +White, their father, had died suddenly some years before, while on an +expedition out in quest of scientific data, but the White family +possessed almost unlimited means, so that Major Dale's sister, while +lonely enough in life without her husband, had the pleasant duty of +bringing up two talented and good looking boys in a way that befitted +the positions they would occupy as their father's sons--the White family +being among the most aristocratic in New York state. + +Dorothy had not seen her cousins in three years, the boys' time, between +vacations, being spent at school, and the intervals of late being +occupied with trips abroad. As she traveled on now, and became more and +more sleepy Dorothy wondered if Nat were as full of mischief as he used +to be when he visited Dalton, and if Ned still spent his spare time +chasing butterflies to add new specimen to his collection. + +But even these interesting reflections are not to be compared with such +sedative influence as the rumbling of a train with a summer breeze +coming In the window, and the girl, weary enough from her fright at the +falls and its consequent shock to her nervous system soon forgot to +think--she was asleep. + +Meanwhile Tavia was occupied with the pretty baby in the end +compartment. The child was about three years old, and remarkably +communicative for her age. The little alcohol lamp, she told Tavia, was +used to heat her milk, also to curl her hair, for mamma never took her +to the hotel without curls, she said. + +To bear out this statement, Lily, that was the little stranger's name, +produced from a satchel under the wash basin a tiny pair of curling +irons. + +It seemed like fate to Tavia,--there was the very thing she had been +wishing for--curling tongs. + +"Let's try it," she suggested, as Lily prattled on about the wonderful +"real" curls that the iron could make. + +A careful investigation revealed to Tavia the secrets of the alcohol +lamp. Everything was there--even to matches. + +Being sure the lamp was placed firmly upon the marble slab, Tavia struck +a match and lighted the wick. + +"There," she said with evident satisfaction, "that part was easy +enough." + +"You put the iron right in there," directed Lily, and Tavia promptly +followed the advice. + +"Sit on my lap while it heats," Tavia told the child, not thinking it +safe to allow her to move about in the small place with a strange kind +of stove burning. + +The child jumped up eager to hear a story. The wood-kind, full of bears +with remarkable appetites, pleased her most, Tavia discovered, and it +was in such a mental delight that the child passed a very happy little +"minute." + +"It must be hot--" said Tavia. + +She turned and at that very moment a strange flash shot up to the +ceiling! + +An explosion! Then such a blinding flame! + +With the child still in her arms Tavia made a dash for the door. +Frantically she pulled at it but it would not open! The child screamed +piteously. + +"Help! Help!" shouted Tavia, clutching at the knob with one hand, while +she clung to the child with the other. + +Instantly Dorothy was on her feet and down at that little door. + +"Open it!" she screamed, for the smell of smoke had reached her on the +outside. + +Without waiting for an answer, or for those at hand to act, Dorothy +jumped to a seat and grasped the bell rope. + +At that moment the door gave in to Tavia's pulling, and she fell +headlong out into the aisle with the baby in her arms. + +The train stopped, and brakemen were now running through the cars in +search of the trouble. Passengers had broken the tool boxes and were +fighting the spreading flames with hand grenades and portable +extinguishers. Fainting women called for attention--among these being +Lily's mother. + +Tavia was now lifted to a seat, and Dorothy had called into her ears +that the baby was safe--she was not even scratched! + +But Tavia was not so fortunate, for an ugly red mark showed where the +tongue of fire scorched her, and her hair-- + +One side was entirely burned off! + +Dorothy's heart sank as she noticed the loss, but it was nothing, of +course, compared to what might have happened to the baby. + +The excitement in the rear of the car had, by this time subsided +somewhat, showing that the flames were extinguished. Lily, safe and +uninjured, sat in her mother's lap--no danger of her getting away again +evidently. + +Among the passengers was a doctor who offered his services to Tavia. The +burns were slight, he declared but there was danger of shock, and the +loss of her beautiful hair was to be regretted. + +Tavia tried to laugh to assure Dorothy she was all right, and then she +insisted upon talking about the accident. + +"The lamp did not explode," she declared. "The fire came from the other +end of the room." + +The trainmen listened anxiously to this report. They were obliged to +make a most careful investigation, and Tavia was very willing to help +them. Professional looking men crowded around--one who introduced +himself to the doctor as a well known lawyer of Rochester called Dorothy +aside and offered to look out for the interests of the injured girl. + +"Whatever you think best," Dorothy said, "I have never had any +experience with law. But if you think we should take account of it at +all I should be most grateful for your help." + +Then Tavia was taken into a private compartment, and there, with Dorothy +encouraging her, and the lawyer and doctor listening, she told the story +of the accident. + +"I had lighted the alcohol lamp," she declared, "but I am positive that +did not explode. The flash came from behind us--the other end of the +room. Then the door would not open--oh how dreadful that was!" + +For a moment Tavia covered her eyes, then she resumed: + +"I heard Dorothy's voice and that seemed to keep me from falling in the +smoke. At last the door opened and that's all I know." + +"Now, you just rest here," the doctor advised, "while Mr. French and I +do some outside investigating." + +Then it was that the important clew was discovered, for at the very door +of the little room, where the fire had raged, was found a piece of glass +with a label! + +Gasoline! + +"She was right," declared the lawyer, taking possession of the tell-tale +piece of bottle, the railroad men would have been so glad to have seen +first, "this tells the story. A bottle of gasoline exploded." + +Looking carefully over the damaged room the lawyer made some entries in +his note book and, with the doctor, approached Lily's mother. The woman +positively refused to make known her name, and even the railroad men had +not succeeded in learning who she was. + +"That my baby is safe," she declared, "is all I ask. People saw the girl +coax her off, but even this I am entirely willing to overlook, and I +will positively make no claims against the company." + +The doctor saw the child was not in the least injured, and also was +convinced there was no danger of shock to the little nervous system, as +the tot looked upon the whole occurrence as "good fun," so the +professional men withdrew their offer to serve either the woman or her +child. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +AT AUNT WINNIE'S + + +Dorothy had fastened Tavia's hair up under her hat, so that the one long +and uninjured side covered the burnt ends and hid the damage. She looked +like a pretty boy, Dorothy told her, and the red line about her neck was +not noticeable at all, for around the scar Dorothy had pinned her own +white silk handkerchief. Except for a few tell-tale spots of "scorch" +marking the back of her new dress, from her appearance Tavia might never +have been suspected of being the heroine of a railroad accident. + +"Oh, there is Aunt Winnie!" exclaimed Dorothy as the train stopped, and +she looked out of the window near the door. + +A depot wagon was drawn up to the platform, and in it sat a stylishly +dressed woman. + +If Tavia had felt "alarmed at the style" as she afterward told Dorothy, +the moment Mrs. White grasped her hand in welcoming her to Birchland all +nervousness left her, for Mrs. White had an unmistakable way of greeting +her guests--she really was glad to see them. Dorothy climbed up beside +her aunt, while Tavia took the spare seat at front, and it seemed to her +the world had suddenly fallen from its level, everything was beneath +her. She had risen physically, mentally and socially from her former +self--the first ride on a box seat was an inspiration to the country +girl, and Tavia felt its influence keenly. + +Dorothy chatted pleasantly to her aunt, occasionally referring to +something to Tavia to give her a chance to join in the conversation and +Tavia noticed that Dorothy had already cheered up wonderfully. + +"I suppose this is the sort of company Doro belongs in," Tavia thought. +"There is something so different about society people." + +Mrs. White certainly was different. She knew exactly how to interest the +girls, and she also knew how to make them feel at home. She had asked +all sorts of polite questions about Dalton folks, and showed the keenest +interest in the new appointment of Squire Travers. Tavia insisted that +Dorothy had elected him, and this item of news Mrs. White begged Tavia +would repeat to the "boys" as she declared they would be "just delighted +to hear how their girl cousin managed Dalton politics." + +The boys were at camp, Mrs. White told the girls, and an early visit to +their quarters was among the treats promised. + +From the station to the "Cedars" was but a short ride, and when the +carriage turned into the cedar shaded driveway Tavia felt another +"spasm" of alarm--it was such an imposing looking place. + +"This is where you may play games," said Mrs. White, pointing out the +broad campus behind the trees. "The boys have no end of sport hiding in +the cedars, and I am sure you girls will find them jolly. There are some +very pleasant neighbors at the next cottage--one young girl among them." + +"This is splendid," Tavia said. "We can invent new games here. I think +'tree-toad' would be a novelty." + +Presently the luggage was taken in by the man, while the girls followed +Mrs. White up the broad staircase to their rooms. + +"Now, my dears," said their hostess, as she opened the doors to two +connecting rooms, "here is where you will 'pitch your tents' as the boys +would say. I hope you will be comfortable, but should you need anything +Dorothy knows the plan of this house--just ask for anything you want. +I'll leave you now. We will lunch as soon as you feel refreshed." + +"But, auntie," called Dorothy, as Mrs. White passed into the hall," +won't you come here a moment? I have a very interesting thing to tell +you," and as Mrs. White stepped back to the door again, Dorothy snatched +the hat from Tavia's head. + +Instantly the "installment" hair fell to the waist on one side, and +clung to Tavia's neck at the other. + +"Why!" exclaimed the aunt. "What on earth has happened to the child's +locks?" + +"Hair tonic model," laughed Dorothy, "sit down, auntie, and I will tell +you." + +Mrs. White took the uninjured mass of golden brown tresses into her +hands. + +"Some one stole them, of course," she ventured. + +"One more guess!" smiled Dorothy. + +At this the scar on Tavia's neck was discovered. + +"Not in a fire?" exclaimed the aunt. + +"Exactly," declared Dorothy, and then she told of the railroad accident. + +"Why, you poor dear!" sighed Mrs. White to Tavia, "you must be quite ill +from the shock. Get into bed immediately, and I will see how we can +doctor you up," and before Tavia had a chance to protest against the +"treatment" she found herself in bed, shoes and dress off, and wrapped +in a comfortable robe Dorothy had brought in her bag. + +"Now," teased Dorothy, "you wanted to know how it feels to be sick. How +do you like it?" + +"Best ever," replied the girl in the pillows. "Make it incurable +please." + +"Here," announced their hostess, appearing at the door with a steaming +bowl that smelled good. "Just drink this bouillon. I believe that more +lives might be saved by the hot bouillon process than by the reported +efficacy of hot whisky. One stays hot, the other turns into chills. Just +drink this dear, and I will banish Dorothy. I know how she can talk when +one should sleep--she roomed with me one summer," and at this Dorothy +was whisked out of the room by her aunt, and Tavia left to commune with +the pleasant aroma of hot bouillon with chopped parsley flavoring. + +"Riches are not to be despised," she commented, when the paneled door +closed her away from friends for the moment. "I wonder Major Dale does +not let Dorothy stay with her aunt; she would know exactly how to train +her in society ways, and Dorothy is plainly cut out to be a leader where +ever she goes. I suppose," reflected the girl, "some day Mrs. White will +introduce her into her social world and then--" + +A step in the hall aroused her from her rather tangled reverie, and +presently Dorothy stood before her with an immense bunch of "Jack" +roses. + +"Oh!" exclaimed Tavia, in unfeigned admiration, "have you been to heaven +stealing flowers?" + +"No, an angel tossed them down," replied Dorothy, "and her card said +they were for you." Whereat she held out to Tavia the "angelic" bouquet. + +"Oh Dorothy Darling Dale! I never saw such flowers! I have always +thought the wild kinds prettier than those that grew so proud-like but +there is just as much difference between a Jack-in-the-pulpit and a real +Jack rose as there is between you and me!" + +"Well Jack, I like you just as well as if you grew in a hot house-- +better, because you have taught me the value of life's storms--you have +grown outside and know the music of the winds," and with the flowers she +gave her friend all the hug she dared risk in the presence of the +"railroad line" on Tavia's neck. + +"But you have the sweetness of the greenhouse," insisted Tavia, "and +that blows off with the music of the winds." + +"Well, we will not quarrel over our virtues," said Dorothy, "the thing +to discuss at present is what are you going to do with the railroad +money?" + +"What money?" inquired Tavia, showing surprise. + +"Your damages, of course. How much do you calculate your other braid was +worth?" + +"Not worth talking about." + +"But if you were offered a fair price for it you would not refuse?" +persisted Dorothy. + +"No, I'd take most anything from a cream soda to a twenty-five cent +piece." + +"Well, my dear, now compose yourself. Get a good hold on the chair near +you, or better still sit down, since you insist on getting out of bed. I +have a very lively piece of news for you--the sensational kind." + +"Let her go," called Tavia grasping the chair with both hands. + +"It is this. Aunt Winnie says you will undoubtedly received damages for +the accident. She says Mr. French is a noted lawyer and he will possibly +arrange it so that all you will have to do is to put your name to the +signing-off paper. The fact that you lighted the lamp, auntie says, will +not do away with the fact that a careless employee left that explosive +there." + +"Do you know, Dorothy," said Tavia in her most serious tone, "the only +thing that has consoled me for asking that baby in there is, that she +told me she was going in for a drink of water, and had she done so she +would, or at least might, have tasted the poison stuff. She was the most +meddlesome child and might have killed herself." + +"Certainly her mother would have allowed her to roam about as she +pleased," said Dorothy, "for people told me after the accident that +little Lily had been in almost every seat in the car, while her mother +curled herself up on that sofa. It is a strange thing to me that most +women travelers are more careful of their dogs than of their babies. Did +you notice that blonde with the soft leather bag? Well, she had a poodle +in that bag, it is against the rules, you know, to keep animals in the +passenger cars, but that lady had her bag open on the seat, and every +time a brakeman came through she would pull the string and close the +bag. Then once in a while she would let the dog run around a bit. But +indeed she did not let it get away like Lily's mother let her go." + +"And do you really think the railroad people will pay me damages?" + +"I am almost sure of it. Aunt Winnie is a very clever business woman, +and if they come while we are here it will be all the better for you. +Just think! Suppose they should offer five hundred dollars!" + +"I am too poor to be able to think of five hundred dollars all at once. +I will have to try it on the installment plan. But wouldn't it be jolly +if I did get a good sum," and Tavia's eyes took on a far-away look-- +perhaps all the way to Dalton and happiness. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE PRICE OF TAVIA'S TRESSES + + +A week had passed at North Birchland, with Dorothy and Tavia enjoying +every succeeding hour better than the last, when the expected lawyers +arrived to interview the victim of the railroad fire. + +Fortunately Mrs. White was at home, and more fortunately still was the +arrival of Mr. French with the strange lawyer. + +Tavia was flushed and nervous when Dorothy helped her to dress for the +interview. + +"Now don't you mind it a bit," said Dorothy. "Just keep thinking that +you might have been very seriously injured, and that the railroad people +should be more careful for the sake of others. Then you will forget all +about the lawyers and their statements." + +Mrs. White was talking to the men in the reception room. Certainly the +shock had been severe, she said, and only the fact that Miss Travers was +unusually lively in temperament had saved her from more serious results. + +Dorothy entered the room with Tavia. + +"These are the young ladies," said Mr. French, introducing them. "This +one was shut in the room with the fire." + +Tavia felt her face flush, and her nerves throb painfully. It was so +embarassing to be the object of such scrutiny. + +Then began a fire of questions, Mr. French in every instance indicating +how Tavia should answer. The railroad lawyer, Mr. Banks, trying of +course, to trip Tavia into admitting that the lamp exploded first, and +the bottle blew up after. But Tavia was positive in declaring that the +blaze came from the far corner of the room, whereas the stove was +directly at her side. This was also indicated by a map which Mr. French +produced, and upon which Tavia marked the various spots where the bench +stood, where the marble slab with the stove was situated, and where the +bottle appeared to come from--a far corner of the slab. + +"Will you let down your hair, please," said Mr. French, and Dorothy +promptly drew the pins from Tavia's tresses, allowing the unscorched +braid to fall below her waist, while the burnt ends were charred almost +to her neck, the red scar showing how close to her head the flames had +really crept. + +"That is a loss, of course," said Mr. French, taking the long waves in +his hand, "but it shows the great danger her life was in. Also, Mr. +Banks, notice this scar. That was dressed on the train by Dr. Brown, of +Fairview." + +Both lawyers examined the scar. Tavia felt as if she would run from the +room, the very moment they took their hands off her, but Dorothy smiled +encouragingly, and Mrs. White rang for a maid to fetch a glass of water. +This had the effect of distracting Tavia, who now stood there being +cross-examined like an expert witness. + +Finally Mr. French said: + +"That will do, thank you." + +Tavia had barely tasted the water, and as she crossed the room to reach +her chair, she felt dizzy. The next moment she was in Mrs. White's arms, +unconscious. + +"I saw she was pale," exclaimed the lady, while the gentlemen opened the +windows and Dorothy ran for some restoratives. "But I did not think she +would go off like that." + +It did not take long, however, to revive the fainting girl, and when she +had been helped to her room the lawyers held a conference with Mrs. +White and then left the Cedars. + +"Wasn't that dreadfully stupid!" sighed Tavia, as she lay stretched out +on the soft, white bed. + +"Not at all, my dear," replied Mrs. White, who at that moment appeared +at the door. "You could not have done better had you been coached, for +it shows how the shock has unnerved you. And you may as well know that +the company has offered to settle for five hundred dollars." + +"Five hundred dollars!" echoed Tavia. + +"Yes, my dear. For my part I should count a braid of hair such as you +lost worth twice that sum, but even at that price I could not obtain it. +No one ever values a fine head of hair until it is gone--like the dry +well, you know. But you are young enough to grow another braid, and that +is the beauty of it. Mr. French said your father gave him full power to +act, and so he will accept the company's offer. And the fine thing about +it is he does not want a commission--only his expenses, which are +nominal." + +"Isn't that perfectly splendid!" exclaimed Dorothy, throwing her arms +about Tavia. + +"Some people are born lucky, and others have luck thrust upon them," +said Tavia pleasantly. "In this case it was as usual. I did the mischief +and Dorothy did the rest. That lawyer would never have noticed me if +Dorothy hadn't shown her pluck--why, she had my flaming hair wrapped up +in a brakeman's coat before he had decided whether to throw it out of +the window or over the ice cooler. He seemed to be worried about the +ice, for it was directly in the path of the fire." + +"Nonsense," said Dorothy, blushing. "He very politely pulled off his +coat when I asked him to, and of course, he did not know just what to do +with it." + +"Lucky thing it was a railroad coat," went on Tavia, "or we might have +had to pay damages." + +"Lucky thing Dorothy had such presence of mind, at any rate," remarked +Mrs. White, "for another touch of that flame and your face, Tavia, might +have had a different bill against the railroad company. However, as it +ends like a love story, we will live happily ever after," and she gave +Tavia such an affectionate kiss, that the girl felt a strange nearness +to her new-found friend as if she had been suddenly adopted, socially at +least, into Dorothy's family. + +"And now, my dears," went on their hostess, "I expect the boys out from +camp this afternoon, so you must rest up, and look your prettiest." + +Tavia sat up and looked about her. + +"Did you ever hear that story about why a widower was like a baby?" she +asked Dorothy. "Well, I feel just like him. They say he cried for the +first six months, then sat up and looked around and it was hard to pull +him through the second summer. Now I am looking around, but when I get +my five hundred I am afraid I will hardly last through the second +summer." + +"I know you will like the boys," remarked Dorothy. + +"But who will cut my poor old hair?" sang Tavia to the meerschaum pipe +tune. + +"We will have to put it up in the folded fire escape fashion," said +Dorothy, "until we can drive out to a barber's. It is too late this +afternoon." + +"Whatever will momsey say?" thought Tavia aloud. + +"That you would have made a very good-looking boy," replied Dorothy. "I +am sure I never saw a girl to whom short hair was so becoming." + +"It must look well with a five hundred-dollar note for a background. I +tell you, Doro, money covers a multitude of crimes. I wonder if little +Lily of the fire room has cooled off yet." + +"But you haven't seen the new clothes auntie had brought us--yes us, for +she has not forgotten you. You are well able to pay bills now, you +know," and Dorothy gave a mischievous little tug at Tavia's elbow. "But +wait, wait till you see what you are to wear this very evening. The box +has just come up, and I will open it." + +Whereupon Dorothy pulled in from the hall door a great purple box +labeled "robes." Tavia was on her knees beside it before Dorothy had a +chance to untie the strings. What girl does not like to see brand, new, +pretty dresses come out of their original box? + +Layers of tissue paper were first unwrapped, then a glow of brilliant +red shown through the last covering. + +"Whew!" exclaimed Tavia, "a rainbow gown, I'll bet. Then she gave her +usual text, as Dorothy called her spontaneous rhymes: + + "Breathes there a girl with soul so dead, + Who never to herself has said, + I love to wear a dress bright red!" + +"And I love red better than butter, and I love butter better than ice +cream--so there! Dorothy Dale, that dress on top I claim." + +The "bright red" was in full view now, and it was really a beautiful +gown. Not extravagantly so, but as Dorothy said "exquisitely so." + +The material was of dimity, over muslin, and tiny rows of "val." lace +formed a yoke and edgings. A broad sash of flowered ribbon--all in +shades of red, with bows of the same in narrow width finished the +shoulders. + +"Yes, it is for you," said Dorothy, "Auntie said red would suit you." + +"I have always loved it, but folks said my hair was red." + +"Indeed it never was. And don't you know how great dressmakers insist +upon sandy haired girls wearing red? The real red in material contrasts +with hair red, so as to make the brown red browner. There now, is a new +puzzle. When is brown red?" + +"When a sassy boy calls it red," promptly answered Tavia, remembering +how she always feared the "red-head" epithet. + +"Isn't it sweet?" exclaimed Dorothy, holding the new gown up for +inspection. + +"Oh, a perfect love!" declared Tavia. "I thought my Rochester creation-- +doesn't that sound well--simply 'gloriotious,' but this is beatific!" + +"Like a sunset," suggested Dorothy. "But I must get acquainted with +mine." + +Another layer of paper and a pale blue robe was extracted. + +"Oh, I know," cried Tavia, clapping her hands like a delighted child, +"It's morning and evening. I'm sunrise and you are evening. Or I'm +sunset and you are evening." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Dorothy, too enraptured to say more. + +"And with your yellow head you will look like an angel." + +"Now, see here, Miss Sunset and Sunrise, I don't mind being cloudy or +even starry, nor yet heavenly, but don't you dare go one latitude or +longitude further. I am mortally afraid Aunt Winnie has elected to wear +amethyst this very evening, and when the combination gets together I +expect something will happen--something like Mt. Pelee, you know." + +"We might call it our elementary evening," went on Tavia, "and then look +out for storms. You said the boys were coming?" + +"Coming!" and Dorothy sprang to the door. "They are here now. Listen to +that shout? That's Ned. Oh, I must run down. Come along," and before +Tavia had a chance to "collect her manners" she was bowing after +Dorothy's profuse introduction. + +"I've heard of Miss Travers," said Edward pleasantly, while Nat was +"weighing" Dorothy with one hand, and attempting to shake the other in +Tavia's direction. + +"You must call her Tavia," insisted Dorothy, getting away from Ned, "or +if you prefer you may call her Octavia--she has a birthday within the +octave of Christmas." + +"Should have been called Yule, for yule-tide," said Nat. "Not too late +yet, is it Tavia?" + +Mrs. White was smiling at the good times "her children" had already made +for themselves. She now insisted upon calling Dorothy daughter and she +was so kind to Tavia that she made no distinction but said "daughters" +in addressing both. + +"Just see, boys," said their mother, unpinning Tavia's now famous half +head of hair, "that is all there is left." + +"Never!" exclaimed Nat, handling the braid gingerly. "How much did you +settle for?" + +"That would be telling," said Mrs. White, "but what I want you boys to +do is to drive the girls down to your barber's. You said it was a very +nice place." + +"Tip-top," interrupted Ned. "Bay rum or old rum or anything else from +oyster cocktail to Castile soap." + +"But have you seen ladies go there?" asked the mother. + +"Took 'em there myself," insisted the younger boy. "Don't you remember +the day Daisy Bliss got burrs in her hair? Of course I did not put them +there--" + +"Oh, no!" drawled Ned. + +"Well, she always was a dub at ducking," went on the other, "but I put +up for the hair cut all the same." + +"Now do listen, boys," and the mother spoke firmly. "Tavia must have her +hair trimmed. I tried to get a hair-dresser to come out here, but we +could not have it done until after the railroad man appraised it. So now +the hair-dresser could not get here until after Sunday. That is why I am +having recourse to a barber." + +"Couldn't do better, mother," spoke up Ned, who had been trying to get a +word in with Dorothy "on the other side." + +"Then run along, girls, get your things. Don't dress up; it is country +all the way, and the dinner folks are not out yet. It will be pleasanter +to fix up after the operation," said Mrs. White. + +"But I say, momsey," called Nat after her as she went upstairs, "you +wouldn't suggest a 'Riley,' would you?" + +"Nathaniel White, if you dare get that girl's hair cut in any but the +most lady-like fashion I'll--disinherit you!" + +"Shadows of the poorhouse! Don't! I'll make the fellow trim it with a +butter knife. Come along, children. I'll show you the newest in +chaperonage at Mike's!" + +Both girls appeared on the veranda to which the depot cart had been +drawn up. Dorothy looked like a pond lily, Tavia had told her, in her +light green dress with her yellow hair falling over it. Tavia too was +attractive, she had on a brown dress with gold in it that reflected the +glint of her hair, and, as Ned handed Nat the reins he whispered: "A +stunner and a hummer." + +"It's real jolly to have a girl around," Nat remarked to Tavia, who had +the front seat beside him, "and mother is so fond of girls--I have +always worn my hair long to please her." + +"Quite a protection in summer, isn't it?" asked Tavia, noticing how the +sunburn stopped where the hair began, and that otherwise the young man +was much tanned. + +"Yes, some. But a fellow can't expect to be a peachblow at Camp Hard +Tack." + +"It must be a great sport to camp," ventured Tavia. + +"The greatest ever! I would like to go out on a ranch but mother says +'no, little boy, you must stay home,' so home I stay." + +Dorothy and Ned were evidently enjoying themselves as well as those at +front, for, it seemed to Tavia that Dorothy's laugh had not rung out so +jolly in many weeks--so much had happened lately to dampen mirthful +spirits. + +"Just fancy," said Tavia turning back to Ned, "I was sent along to keep +Dorothy lively, she was actually threatened with nervous prostration, +and think, how lively I did keep her? Came nearing firing a train." + +"Oh, anything for a change," politely answered Ned. "One cannot tell +just what sort of tonic is best, I am sure she looks first rate." + +"Bully," added Nat, "but don't worry that you've laid aside nursing, +Yule, I have not been well myself. Ahem! Just finish off on me!" + +"There comes our barber shop," called Ned, as a striped pole appeared in +view. "Now for the artistic clip-the-clip. Mike is a genius, blushing +unseen here. But I mean to set him up some day. Tried to get him out to +camp but he shied when we told him there were no 'cops.' Mike loves +'cops,' when the fellows get busy with his tonsorial apparatus." + +"Don't faint this time," Dorothy cautioned Tavia with a merry smile, +thinking that those two boys would likely dip her in the brook at the +side of the shop should she attempt anything like that. + +"Indeed I know where and when to faint," responded Tavia. "Mr. French +has a way about him--" + +"But you never tried me," said Nat, making a funny move as if to catch +an armful of thin air. "I am an authority on faints. Every girl at +school says I'm a perfect dear, for catching falls at commencement time. +They all keel over then." + +They were in front of the barber shop now. Mike opened the door with +such a bow Tavia could scarcely repress a smile. + +Ned made the arrangements, and Tavia mounted the high chair, allowed +Mike, the Italian, to tuck the apron around her neck, then all she could +see was a very queer looking girl in the glass in front of her. + +"Just trim it evenly," said Dorothy, walking up to the chair, and +feeling it was hardly safe to trust the boys with the order. + +Carefully the barber let down the heavy coil. + +"What!" he exclaimed, seeing it was only "half a head." "Fire, you been +in explosion?" + +"Sure!" answered Ned, mechanically. + +Then Mike went through a series of groans, grunts and jabs at the air. + +"So shame," he wailed. "The hair is so fine--like gold, brown gold." + +With many a sigh and groan the barber plied his shears, stopping +constantly to give vent to his feelings with a shrug of his broad +shoulders and deep gutteral mutterings. + +"Oh, quit gargling your throat, Mike, and get through with the job. The +young lady is alive, you see, and expects to get back to the Cedars in +time for breakfast," said Ned. + +"I am sure that will do," said Dorothy at last, whereat Tavia gladly got +out of the stuffy chair. + +"Great!" both boys exclaimed in admiration as they saw how "smart" Tavia +looked. + +"It is becoming," said Dorothy. + +"Handy," commented Tavia. + +Presently the party was driving off again, Tavia indulging in the laughs +she dared not take part in with the scissors at her ear, while Dorothy +"scolded" the boys for making such sport of a poor foreigner. + +"Poor indeed!" Ned echoed. "I wish we had some of his cash on hand. I +mean the ready stuff. I have yet to make the acquaintance of a poor +barber; especially the imported kind." + +It was a jolly ride home--and the evening that followed was one full of +pleasure. + +[Illustration with caption: 'I AM SURE THAT WILL DO,' SAID DOROTHY AT +LAST] + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +IN SOCIAL ELEMENTS + + +Dorothy wore her "heavenly" blue dress, while Tavia "blazed out" in her +sunset costume. As Dorothy had predicted Mrs. White was radiant in her +beautiful amethyst chiffon, so that the elementary evening "panned out" +exactly as scheduled, + +Mrs. White was a handsome woman. As Ruth Dale, youngest sister of Major +Dale, she had been a belle, and now as Mrs. Winthrop White she was +acknowledged a social leader and a favorite. + +Her hair had the same brightness that made Dorothy's so attractive, +except that years had tarnished that of Mrs. White, while her niece had +seen only sunshine in life to polish the golden warp that beauty loves +to spin. There were many features in both that marked relationship, and +it was always declared that Dorothy was a Dale both in character and +features. + +The broad veranda at the Cedars was lighted with a flood of summer +moonbeams, and there was seated on the lounging chairs a gay party of +young persons and a few "grown ups." + +Tavia and Dorothy, Ned and Nat, besides Rosabel Glen, the young girl who +lived in the pretty cottage next the Cedars, were there, and with Mrs. +White were Mrs. Theodore Glen and a visitor from Toledo, a Miss Battin. + +In meeting Rosabel Glen the girls from Dalton were both conscious of +making the acquaintance of a society girl, one who though still in her +teens, knew exactly what to say to be polite, and precisely what to do +to show off to the very best possible advantage. She had called at the +Cedars in the afternoon and remained just fifteen minutes, which time +Mrs. White informed the girls after her departure was the social limit +for a first call. + +"But we were talking of something that could not possibly be finished in +that time," Dorothy had complained. + +"All the better chance for Rosabel to show off her manners," said Mrs. +White with a laugh, for she had never agreed that young girls should +enter society on stilts. + +But the evening was different, informal and almost jolly. (The "almost" +belonged to Miss Rosabel while the "jolly" was looked after by Ned and +Nat, Dorothy and Tavia feeling like an appreciative audience.) All sorts +of topics were introduced by the unhappy boys, who never had a good time +when the Glens were present, but all resulted in the same failure to +make a general conversation of firmer consistency than monosyllables. + +"But you must come out to camp," said Nat in desperation. "We have the +jolliest quarters, on a high knoll, just off the lake front and not too +far from the hotel--a hotel is not bad to have around when a good blow +takes the roof off your head at midnight." + +"Oh, my!" exclaimed Rosabel, "you do not mean to say that your tents +blow away in the night?" + +"Not a bit particular as to time--night or day," went on the young man, +"so long as they get away. Last time Ned clung to the ropes and the +campers missed something for it was awfully dark." + +"And you really were carried up by the force of the wind?" gasped the +polite girl. + +"And let down by it," admitted Ned, "I have a souvenir yet," rubbing his +left arm. + +"And girls camp!" gasped the one from the other cottage. + +"Heaps of them. They're the best neighbors we've got. There's Camp Deb +(all debutants you know), and I tell you their social guardians know how +to fix them up for the season. They make a fellow think of the way fowls +are treated before holiday time?" + +"Oh," almost shrieked Rosabel, "Please don't!" + +"But you ought to look into the treatment. I tell you those girls are +beauts. They get fun, exercise, fresh air and have the last good time +they ever expect to have in this world. Poor dears, they must all be +engaged next season, you know." + +Dorothy and Tavia were enjoying this, Rosabel had seemed to forget their +presence, she at once became so absorbed in the society talk. + +"I would like to visit camp," she ventured. + +"Come along then," said Nat good naturedly, "Our girls are coming out +to-morrow." + +Tavia gave a significant sigh. Who could have any fun "with that door- +bell floral piece tagging on," she thought. + +Mrs. Glen was appealed to and it was finally arranged that she, Mrs. +White, and the younger set should go on the following afternoon to visit +Camp Hard Tack. + +When the nine o'clock bell rang the visitors promptly rose to go, nor +were they detained by any overwhelming entreaties to prolong their stay. + +"Of all the sticks," began Ned, when they were at a safe distance. + +"Hush, Neddie, Rosabel is being properly brought up," interrupted Mrs. +White with more smiles than frowns. + +"Properly! Save the mark! And if I had been a girl would you have done +that to me? I did hope that Dorothy might be made comfortable here for +some time, but if that is contagious I'll take her home myself. A case +like that must be fatal," and Ned shook his head seriously. + +"And her cheeks?" asked Nat, "what do you call that?" + +"The very best," replied Tavia, "I know that kind is two dollars an +ounce. I saw it in Rochester." + +"Then we'll fix her out at camp," decided Nat. "We will put up some kind +of a game that calls for a face wash and a forfeit. If Rosy objects I'll +get the boys to wash it for her." + +"Oh, that would be rude," insisted Dorothy. + +"Not for campers," insisted the unquenchable Nat, "It might be for +ministers, but not for campers." + +It was not late enough to leave the porch, so the talk drifted to Dalton +matters. + +"Now Dot," began Ned, "I'd like to hear more of the 'chaser' business. I +am sure we have all heard the wrong story of it, and even at that I must +admit it is not so slow--rather interesting. Give us the right version." + +"Let Tavia tell it," Dorothy begged off. + +"Well, who did the fellow turn out to be?" asked Ned. + +"He hasn't turned out yet," replied Tavia. "The last we heard of him he +tried to throw Dorothy over the falls--" + +"Scamp," interrupted Ned. "Pity there's no fellows in Dalton big enough +to lick a fellow like that." + +"Oh, there are plenty of them," declared Dorothy, at once up in arms for +the Dalton boys. "But he is such a coward he never appears except when +he is sure we are alone." + +"The entire boys' school hunted for him that day in the woods," added +Tavia, "but he got away." + +"What on earth is he after?" went on Ned. + +"The Burlock money," promptly replied Dorothy. "At first we did not know +that, but there is no doubt of it now. When he grabbed me he hissed into +my ear, 'Did Miles Burlock leave his money with your father?' Oh!" +exclaimed Dorothy, "I can't bear to think of it yet." + +"Excuse me, coz," spoke up Ned, "perhaps I should not have made you +think of it." + +"Indeed, I scarcely ever get it out of my mind. It just haunts me." + +"That's why she left school," Tavia reminded them, "And I left to keep +her company," she finished with a merry laugh at the idea, and its +evident consequences. + +"A blessing all around," said Nat. "What would we have done if neither +of you left and we got left--for this good time. I hope mom will kidnap +Dorothy." + +"Indeed you cannot have her," declared Tavia. "I should pine away and +die at Dalton without her." + +"Then stay at Birchland," suggested Ned. "Plenty of room." + +"But what does the fellow want with the Burlock money?" asked Nat, +getting back to the interesting affair that still remained so much of a +mystery. + +"It's a long story," began Dorothy, "and it has not all been told yet. +Burlock was, in some way, in Anderson's power. I was with father when +poor Mr. Burlock told us about it. He declared it was all the result of +too much liberty in youth and bad company?" + +"Be warned, Nat, my boy," interrupted Ned, jokingly. "I must have the +mater cut you down. 'And he rambled till the mater cut him down,'" +hummed the brother, paraphrasing the butcher song. + +"Spare the allowance and cut anything else down you like," answered Nat. +"But please do not interrupt again." + +"Then it seems," went on Dorothy, "Mr. Burlock had a lot of money left +him. From that time on this Anderson followed Mr. Burlock and even +succeeded in separating him from his family." + +"But how did Burlock hold on to the cash all that time?" asked Ned. + +"Oh, that was kept for him. He only had the interest of it. But lately a +Mrs. Douglass, of Dalton, died; she had charge of the money because Mr. +Burlock was not considered capable of taking care of it himself." + +"And now," said Ned, "the major has it, and Anderson is trying to get it +away by means of information he hopes to get from the major's daughter? +Easy as a, b, c. But to whom is the money left?" + +"To an unknown or unfound daughter," said Dorothy. "Her name is Nellie +or Helen Burlock, and it was in hopes of locating her, upon a false clew +which Anderson sent, that poor Mr. Burlock met his death." + +"But Dorothy had him all fixed for heaven," said Tavia. "Yes, if ever a +man died, hoping to be forgiven, it was Miles Burlock. Those who were +with him said so, and it was all Dorothy's doings. I must admit I did +joke her about it," Tavia said earnestly, "but she had done so many +things girls never do, and she was not strong enough to keep it up, so +we all had to try to discourage it. But you will have to come to Dalton +to hear her praises sung. She is a regular home missionary--the kind +they tell about in meetings, but who are too busy to come and talk about +themselves." + +"I am sure Dorothy is an angel," said Nat, putting his arm +affectionately around his cousin. "I only hope she will save some of her +goodness for me--I do need a mission." + +"Indeed," answered Dorothy, "joking aside, you boys are very good and so +attentive to your mother. She told me so herself." + +"Oh," gasped Nat, "when did she say that? Is it too late to make a +strike now? I am horribly short--shore dinner this week you know." + +"And there's Nellie," resumed Ned, determined to get at the bottom of +the Burlock story. "Now she's to have money. What do you say, Nat, if we +get on the case? Nellie might make it all right, you know." + +"Great scheme, boy," said Nat, "you do the finding and I will act as +your attorney." + +"Isn't there any clue?" asked Ned. + +"Yes, father is working on one, and I am so anxious to hear the result," +said Dorothy. "Of course he will not write about it. I expect there will +be lots of news when we get back to Dalton." + +Tavia had been silent for some time. The boys had failed to "wake up her +jokes," as they expressed it. + +"Look here," said Ned tipping her chair back in a perilous way. "You +can't claim to be sleepy for your eyes are just like stars. Nor need you +pretend to be weeping inwardly for the coil of taffy we all forgot to +bring back from Mikes' (if anything happens to that hair I'll have his +license revoked), so now own up, what are you moping about?" + +Dorothy was at Tavia's side instantly. + +"You are tired, dear," she said. "Perhaps you are weak from shock. Let's +go in." + +"Indeed I'm all right--" stammered Tavia, but a hot tear fell on +Dorothy's hand, and told a different story. + +"Homesick!" whispered Ned as he kissed Dorothy good night. "She'll be +all right to-morrow." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE PAINTED FACE + + +Human life seems so like that depicted in the elements about us; a patch +of blue here, and a streak of blackness stealing up there to cover it. A +glint of gold there and a flurry of smoke almost upon it. So with life: +brightness is so closely followed by shadows that gloom and glow become +inseparable. Perhaps the contrasts save us from the blinding glare of +extremes; it may be well to have even our joys tempered with moderation. + +It had been such a happy day--Tavia felt she had never before known how +to enjoy life. There had been many happy times of course, in Dalton, and +Dorothy had often surprised her with entirely unexpected little treats; +but somehow this was different, there was so much to be enjoyed at once. + +Ah, Tavia! that is why reaction comes so suddenly. You left Nature +behind you in Dalton--human wild flowers have a hard time of it when +first thrust upon the pavements of social concrete. + +Dorothy was with Tavia in the pretty bedroom. The moonlight made its way +in at the curtained windows, and the two girls were clinging to each +other there on the cushioned seat, trying to "think it out," Dorothy +said. + +"I had such a lovely time," sobbed Tavia, "and every one had been so +good to me. But I could not help it Doro dear. When that Rosabel came I +saw the difference--I saw I never could be your friend when we grew up. +And then I got to thinking about home--Dorothy, I must go. I must talk +about that money with dear mother and father and even little Johnnie--he +did seem to need me so much! And I have been so selfish--to leave them +all." + +"Now, Tavia, you make me feel badly. It is I who am selfish to take you +away, but I am sure your mother particularly wanted you to come, and +your father was so pleased. I tell you, dear it is all that money. You +just feel you cannot wait to talk all about it, and I don't blame you at +all. You shall go home just as soon as you want to." + +"But you must stay," said Tavia, brightening up at the thought of going +home. "I came to be company for you, but you do not need me." + +Was there just a sign of jealousy in her words? Dorothy instantly +detected a change--Tavia drew herself up so like other girls, but so +unlike Tavia. + +"Not need you! Why, Tavia, who in all this world could take your place," +and her arms were wound around the neck of the weeping girl, while the +fondest sister-kiss was pressed to the tear-stained cheek. + +"My, what a goose I am!" suddenly exclaimed Tavia, springing up. "I +never was homesick or had the real blues in all my life, and I do not +propose to do the baby act now. So there," and she gave a hearty hug to +Dorothy. "I'm done with blubbering, and I'm more ashamed of myself than +I was the day I ran away after the row with Sarah. Now, I'll beat you to +bed, and to sleep, too, for that matter. We will have to do some tall +snoring to catch up with the rosy Rosabel--her cheeks will make ours +look like putty." + +It was late, and Dorothy was glad to feel that Tavia had conquered her +homesickness, for that is what Dorothy insisted the attack was. It was, +however, the first--but the pain it left in Tavia's heart did not heal +at once, nor did it leave the spot unscarred. + +Mrs. White had prudently left the girls to themselves, but now, by some +strange intuition she felt the "storm" was over, and sent a maid to ask +Dorothy if some crackers or an ice would not taste good. In replying the +girls discovered they were not the only ones up late, and presently the +entire party had assembled in the beautiful chintz dining room, and the +ices were being served between good-natured "jollyings." + +"That hair cut went to your head," Ned told Tavia, "but wait until I go +down for the tresses, I'll scare Mike stiff--make him believe we thought +he had 'cribbed' them." + +Tavia was entirely herself now, and had word for word with the jolly +boys. + +Mrs. White studied her closely, but of course, unobserved. She was a +fine girl, no doubt of it, and a pleasant companion for Dorothy. Her +humor was as pure as the bubbles in the brook, and just as unfailing. +And what a pretty girl she was! Those hazel eyes and that bronze head. +No wonder even the foreign barber had noted that it was "scarce." + +"A veritable wildflower," concluded the hostess, just as others had +said; Major Dale for instance. + +Dorothy was of an entirely different type. Her beauty was the sort that +grows more and more attractive, as character develops, not depending +upon mere facial outline. + +"Now, children, off to bed with you," said Mrs. White, touching the bell +to tell the maid the late lunch was over, "and to-morrow you know we go +to camp. You will not have a headache, Tavia?" + +"I have never had one in my life," answered Tavia, in that polite tone +she always used in speaking to the hostess. "Perhaps my head does not +know enough to ache." + +"Blissful ignorance then," replied Mrs. White, "see to it that you never +become so worldly-wise as to learn how. A head that does not ache is a +joy forever." + +Hasty good nights were exchanged, and this time there was no "waking +night-mare" for Tavia. She wanted to sleep--young hearts may ache once +in a while, but they have a comfortable habit of deferring to tired +nature at least once in twenty-four hours. + +So the Cedars rustled to their hearts' content, and the pines whispered +derisively at their attempt to make themselves heard in the world of +music makers--poor little stunted cedars! So small beside the giant +pines, so useless in a tree's great province--to give shade; but that +file of trees, scarcely taller than a hedge, had for years and years +made the division between one land and another, so they stood for that +at least. As Nat had explained to Tavia "they knew where to draw the +line." + +The morning that followed was one of those beautiful streaks of Nature's +capriciousness when she allows spring to turn back and give orders to +summer. It was late in June, yet the air was soft and balmy, and the +sunshine behaved so nicely that Tavia, looking out of her window +actually found dew on the honeysuckle, and saw there was no need to +close blinds at even ten o'clock--which was late for dew certainly, and +late for a girl like Tavia Travers to get her first romp out of doors. + +Dorothy looked in mischievously. + +"We didn't call you," she said smiling, "because you were so anxious +about your cheeks, you know. Let me see. I do declare, Tavia Travers, is +that a blush? Or did you dream you were Rosabel? Now don't try to tell +me that's perfectly natural. It isn't--it's simply divine," and she gave +her friend a reassuring kiss. + +"When we get to talking such nonsense," said Tavia with as much severity +as she could summon on short notice, "I think we should do something for +it--get busy at something you know. It is plainly the result of +downright idleness." + +"Dr. Gray's prescription, you know. But now for camp. The boys have gone +on ahead, and Aunt Winnie is going to stop at the hotel for lunch, She +said she thought we would enjoy it." + +"Oh, I will, I am sure," answered Tavia, promptly. "That's what worries +me, I am getting to enjoy everything. What in the world will I do when I +get back to Dalton?" + +"Write letters to Nat, I suppose. Now don't get any deeper shade of red, +dear. The one that you woke up with is so becoming." + +"How much time have we?" asked Tavia, bestowing more care on the +brushing of her short hair now than she had ever thought of giving the +mass that the barber still had in his keeping. + +"Perhaps an hour, but we want to get out on the lawn, for a game of ball +before we start. I am just dying to play real ball! I do miss Joe and +Roger so!" + +"I am sure they miss you, too, Doro. I have been wondering how you have +managed to keep away from them." + +"Well, I have to you know. Besides I get a letter every day. Joe said +yesterday that your folks had taken the Baldwin house." + +"Father said in his letter he expected to. But do you know, Doro, I +would never advise a poor girl to go out of her own territory, I think I +shall be unhappy now--at home." + +"Nonsense. You will enjoy the simple life more thoroughly than ever. +That is only a scruple, you are afraid you shouldn't enjoy anything but +Dalton. You know perfectly well you would rather dig Jacks-in-the-pulpit +out by our back wall, than snatch those honeysuckles at your window." + +"Perhaps," said Tavia vaguely. "But I guess you are right, Doro. You +always are. I am just afraid to think of anything but what we've got." + +"Not even the five hundred?" + +"Oh, that is what upsets me. I shall expect it to make us millionaires." + +"And so it will in happiness. I can't blame you one bit for wanting to +get home to talk it over." + +"Oh, that was yesterday. To-day I want to go to camp." + +Dorothy looked at her uneasily. She remembered it was told her once that +sudden changes were always unwholesome to young people. + +"It must be that," she told herself, "Tavia has had too many sudden +changes lately. And she always was so sentimental. I believe, after all, +it is best for girls to keep busy at practical things. Tavia has never +been trained." + +"Now," said Tavia, who had been fixing before the pretty dressing table, +"I'm ready. But I have a plan--to help Nat out with Rosabel's complexion +test." + +"Oh, he was only joking," exclaimed Dorothy. "He wouldn't be so rude." + +"It's no harm, I'm sure; I've done it lots of times. Come out and I'll +show you." + +Out on the lawn Tavia ran about like the girl she used to be. She was +looking for something. Down behind the hedge of Cedars then out on the +open fields patches of clover and daisies were tangled--they grew +outside the Cedars; beyond the line. + +"Here it is!" she called to Dorothy. "Such a lovely bunch." + +Then running back she brought to Dorothy a long stem of mullen leaves. + +"What are they for?" asked Dorothy, for she knew the common plant well +enough. + +"To paint our cheeks with, and it doesn't come off! Won't Rosabel be +surprised." + +"But I wouldn't think of putting those sticky leaves to my face," +objected Dorothy. + +"Why, they're not poison," said Tavia, beginning to unfold the velvet +leaves that look so soft and are really so very "scratchy." + +"Don't!" begged Dorothy. "It is just as bad as paint, and paint is +positively vulgar. I am sure you were mistaken about Rosabel. No +respectable girl would be so foolish." + +But Tavia was rubbing the leaves to her pink cheeks with absolute +disregard of everything but "rubbing." That seemed to be the one thing +necessary in the operation. + +Presently a deep red stained her cheeks. She felt the sting but wanted +to make sure it was all rubbed on. + +"Does it burn?" asked Dorothy in surprise that Tavia should really carry +out her threat to make her cheeks redder than Rosabel's. + +"A little," admitted Tavia. "Don't you want to try it?" + +"Not for worlds," answered Dorothy. "Since you say it will not wash off +how are you going to explain it?" + +"Sunburn," promptly answered the other, with a subtlety surprising to +Dorothy. + +"You really must not help the boys play any joke on Miss Glen," said +Dorothy. "You know they are Aunt Winnie's neighbors, and we are her +guests." + +"Oh, all right, if you feel that way about it," said Tavia a little +stiffly, "perhaps, Dorothy, I had better have a headache and not go out +to camp--I don't mean to be pouty," she hurried on, "but really, +Dorothy, I have never been able to withstand that sort of temptation and +I might embarrass you. I wouldn't do it for anything, Doro." + +Dorothy Dale was perplexed. First Tavia had said sunburn instead of +mullen leaves, and now she was willing to substitute headache for +rudeness. Wasn't she learning a trifle too fast? Aunt Winnie never +advocated that sort of thing--the rich may be just as honest as the +poor, and more so, for they have opportunities of discerning the great +difference between a gentle and polite way of saving persons' feelings +and the rude unpardonable way of seeking refuge behind little quibbles +at the expense of truth. + +"We were only joking, of course," said Dorothy finally, jumping up from +her seat on the old tree stump, "But it is different where some one else +is concerned. Everybody is not willing to take a joke you know." + +"I've noticed that lately," replied Tavia, pressing both hands to her +cheeks to stop, if possible, the burning of the mullen leaves. "But you +know I once promised to show you how I looked painted. Now I've kept my +promise." + +The flaming red of her cheeks seemed to make her eyes blaze as well, and +it could not be denied she looked wonderfully pretty--or would look so +at longer range, through opera glasses, perhaps. But in calm daylight +there was something strange about her face. The short bronze hair, the +dancing hazel eyes,--" + +"Tavia," exclaimed Dorothy, dismay in her voice, "I am so sorry--you +look like--an actress." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +AN EMERGENCY CASE + + +"There's a special messenger," exclaimed Dorothy, with a little flutter. +"I hope there's nothing the matter--" + +The boy with the bag strapped over his shoulder had dismounted from his +muddy bicycle, and was now at the door of the Cedar mansion. + +Tavia slipped through the hedge after Dorothy. It seemed the message +must be from Dalton, somehow, and she too, like Dorothy, felt a trifle +agitated. + +The maid had answered the ring, and now the boy was wandering along the +path, content that his time-mark allowed a few moments for such +recreation. + +Mrs. White appeared on the piazza presently. Dorothy and Tavia were +within its portals, waiting to be summoned. + +"My dear," began the hostess, "I have just received a message from Major +Dale. He wants you to come home--at once. He is called to Rochester on +important business, and as he says Mrs. Martin is not well, so he cannot +leave without having his little housekeeper in charge of things-- +Dorothy, you are a real Dale, able at your age to keep house." + +"Aunt Libby sick," was Dorothy's first thought and exclamation. + +"The Rochester case," declared Tavia. "That means the Burlock mystery is +going to be cleared up." + +"The major did not, of course, hint at the nature of his business, but I +am really so sorry to lose you just now. And the boys at camp--they will +be painfully disappointed," said Mrs. White. + +"We have had a perfectly splendid time," declared Dorothy, "and I am +sure we can hardly thank you for your--attention. You have so many calls +upon your time and you did all that shopping for us." + +"My dear," and the aunt tilted Dorothy's chin to kiss it, "that was a +real dissipation. To shop for my own girls. Why, it made me feel like a +youngster, myself. And besides, I had orders from Dalton." + +"Even so," insisted Dorothy, showing some surprise at the word "orders." +"It took a lot of time and it was such a warm day. But you did a great +deal more than that for us, Aunt Winnie, you must remember how much I +can do, too, and give me a chance some day, when you want a rest." + +"Bless the baby's heart! Hear her talk!" and the woman in the soft gray +robe threw her arms about Dorothy. "All the same, when my heart gets +unconquerably lonely for my daughter, I shall command her to come to +me." + +Tavia was "standing afar off." Her burning cheeks grew more scarlet +every moment, and were plainly a matter of great embarrassment to her. +She did want to offer her thanks with those of Dorothy, but somehow, her +words were scorched when they reached her lips, and they "stuck there." + +"My dear," exclaimed Mrs. White, presently noticing Tavia's confusion. +"Have you been in poison ivy? Your cheeks show a poison!" + +"Only mullen leaves," answered Tavia promptly, relieved to have made the +confession without further parleying. + +"Mullen leaves," in a surprised voice, then adding quickly, "Oh, of +course, we all used to do that. You were painting to go out to camp," +said Mrs. White. + +"Tavia was going to help play a joke on Rosabel," interrupted Dorothy, +anxious to make the matter as light as possible, and help Tavia with her +honesty. + +"Why, that would be too bad," said Mrs. White, "Poor Rosabel has trouble +with her skin. It is always flaming red, and it seems almost impossible +to cool down the sudden flashes. It is caused by a nervous condition." + +Tavia dropped her eyes. What if Dorothy had not spoken against the joke, +and if they had really gone to camp? + +"Your train leaves shortly after lunch," continued Mrs. White, "so you +had better be getting ready. I am sorry the boys are not here to see you +off, but I will drive you over myself and see that you are safely en +route for Dalton. I almost wish I were going myself. It seems an age +since I have seen the dear major." + +"Oh, do come!" exclaimed Dorothy joyously, "Wouldn't it be splendid." + +"If I only could, my dear, but I cannot this time. I will surprise you +some day. Then I will see whether you or Tavia is the better +housekeeper." + +"Please do not surprise me," begged Tavia, "although I should be so very +glad to see you--give me notice, so that you may be able to get in. +Whenever I take to sweeping and bar up the doors with furniture my +Sunday school teacher calls." + +"I always was considered a good player at hopscotch," joked Mrs. White, +"so you need not worry about that, Tavia, dear." + +The dress suit cases were to be packed. They had been full enough +coming, but it was soon found impossible to get all the new things in +them for the journey back. Tavia discovered this first, and called it in +to Dorothy's room. + +"I can't get my things in either," answered Dorothy back, through the +summer draperies that divided the apartments. "We will have to send a +box." + +This seemed a real luxury to the girls--to come home with an express +box. + +Mrs. White had given Dorothy a fine bracelet as a good-bye present, and +to Tavia a small gold heart and dainty gold chain. + +Tavia could not speak she was so surprised and pleased at first. Dorothy +had a locket and chain, but Tavia had hardly ever expected to own such a +costly trinket. The maid had brought the gifts up. Mrs. White was busy +dressing. + +"I'll have to hug her," declared Tavia, kissing the heart set with a +garnet. + +"Just do," agreed Dorothy, "she would be so pleased." + +Down the stairs flew Tavia. Lightly she touched the mahogany paneled +door at Mrs. White's boudoir. + +"Come," answered the pleasant voice. + +"I came to thank you," faltered Tavia, glancing with misgivings at the +handsome bared arms and throat before the gilt framed mirror. + +"For your heart?" and Mrs. White smiled so kindly. + +"Yes," said Tavia simply, and the next moment she had both arms around +that beautiful neck. + +The woman held the girl to her breast for a moment. Tavia's heart was +beating wildly. + +"My dear," said Mrs. White, "I do hope you have enjoyed yourself," and +she kissed her again. "But you must promise me not to paint with mullen +leaves any more. Sometimes such jokes lead to habits--one looks pale you +know when the blaze dies away." + +Tavia felt as if her blaze never would die away. Why had she been so +foolish? She would have given anything now to rub those horrid, prickly +leaves off forever. + +"I never will paint--" she stammered. + +"I hope you will not, dear, you should be grateful for such coloring as +you have. But let me warn you in all kindness. It is usually pretty +girls who make such mistakes--they want to be more and more attractive +and so spoil it all. Think right, and of pleasant things, and the glory +of happiness will be all the cosmetic you will ever need," and again she +pressed her own white cheek to the burning face of the girl she still +held in her arms. + +Later, when Tavia was thinking it all over, she pondered seriously upon +those words. No one had ever spoken to her just that way before--at home +it was taken for granted she knew so much more than those around her, +that such counsel as she needed was withheld. Alas, how many girls lose +valuable advice by appearing to be over-smart for their years! And then +the awakening is always doubly sad. So it was with this mistake of +Tavia's, trivial enough, yet for her--it appeared like a crime to have +put those mullen leaves to her cheeks; to be thought vain; to have Mrs. +White warn her about other girls! + +It seemed a very short time indeed, from the arrival of the special +message at the Cedars until the train was speeding back toward Dalton. +And the journey had lost all its novelty, for Dorothy and Tavia were so +intent upon the possible happenings when they should reach home, that +the wait, even on a flying train, seemed tiresome. + +"Do you suppose," ventured Tavia, as she laid her book down, after a +number of unsuccessful efforts to become interested in the story, "they +have captured that Anderson?" + +"I am sure I cannot guess," answered Dorothy, "but I feel certain it is +about that affair that we are called home in such a hurry. I wish I +could soon keep the promise I made to poor Mr. Burlock. I said I would +some day find his daughter Nellie, and it does seem the detectives have +been a long time in finding any tangible clew. Father hired two of the +best he could get to trace the child--that was her mother who died, the +one you told me of, you know. I did not talk about it because father +thought it was best to say nothing that might possibly give Anderson a +hint that they were on his track." + +"And have they tracked him?" asked Tavia. + +"Yes, they know he left Mr. Burlock in Rochester. He cashed a check +there that Mr. Burlock gave him for what the poor man thought would be a +possible clew to little Nellie's whereabouts, and to think that the +disappointment killed the disheartened father!" + +"Well, I only hope they have him now," said Tavia, "I would like to have +another chance at his--hat." + +Then the conversation drifted back to North Birchland. Both girls looked +much benefited by their visit, and even Tavia's short hair and unnatural +red cheeks did not detract from the noticeable improvement. Dorothy's +face had rounded some too, and the Lake air had given a ruddiness to her +naturally delicate tinting, that was most becoming to her as a summer +girl. + +"I never saw such nice boys," remarked Tavia, "I think, after all, it +takes money to polish people." + +"Not at all," insisted Dorothy. "It is not money but good breeding. +There are plenty of poor persons who are just as polished as you call +it. Father often told us about a family he visited when he was abroad. +They were so poor in clothes--pathetically shabby, and yet they went in +the very best society. Father used to make us laugh by his funny +descriptions of the ladies at dinners. At the same affairs would be +Thomas Carlyle, and just think, these poor people--he was a parson, +lived on the very ground that was once part of the garden of Sir Thomas +Moore. Father saw the famous mulberry trees there, that so much has been +written about. I hope I may be able to go there some time--we have +relatives in England." + +"I would not care to travel," said Tavia impatiently. "This seems a long +enough trip for me." + +"Only two more stops," said Dorothy as the train rattled past the +stations. "Oh, I shall be so glad to see them all." + +"And lonesome for the Cedars after you have seen them all," Tavia +hinted. "That's the worst of it, home is always with us--" + +"Get your hat box down," Dorothy interrupted. "We are slackening up +now." + +"Dalton! Dalton!" called the brakeman at the door, and the next minute +the girls were being kissed heartily by Joe, Roger and Johnnie, "the +committee on arrival," as Tavia said. The lads were fully qualified to +carry off the honors in the way of boxes and small bundles. + +"How is Aunt Libby?" asked Dorothy as soon as she could say anything +relevant. + +"Better," said Joe, "but father does not feel well--you are not to +worry--" seeing how her face clouded, "he is only tired out. He has been +working at the office and writing so many letters--" + +"That I should have written. Poor dear father! I hope he is not going to +have another spell," and Dorothy sighed. + +"No, the doctor said he would be all right if he would only stay quiet, +but he is about as quiet as my squirrel in its new cage," said Joe. + +"Home again," called Dorothy, waving her hand to the major who now +appeared on the piazza. "Here we are, bag and baggage," and then it +seemed all the "pain of separation" was made up for in that loving +embrace--the major had the Little Captain in his arms again. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +DOROTHY'S COURAGE + + +"Dorothy," said the major, when all the news from Aunt Winnie's had been +told and retold to Joe and Roger, "I want you to come to my study after +tea. I have something to say to you." + +The major was seated in his favorite chair at the open window. Dorothy +thought he looked handsomer every day, as his hair became whiter, and +now as she came to him for the business talk, she wondered who in all +the world could have so loving and so noble a father. + +"I had expected to go to Rochester in the morning," he began, as Dorothy +dropped to the stool at his feet, "but that dear old meddling doctor +says no. I feel well enough--" + +"But you are not, daddy dear," interrupted Dorothy. "You have been +working too hard, I should not have left you." + +"Tut, tut, child, it is you who have been working too hard. I did not +realize it until I picked up the loose ends. But we must not play pot +and kettle. We must talk business." + +Major Dale went across the room and opened his desk. The letter he +wanted was at his hand and he glanced at it hurriedly. + +"Yes, it is to-morrow morning," he said. "I was to appear in court to +identify Anderson." + +"They have him then?" Dorothy could not refrain from asking. + +"Yes, your man--Squire Travers--refunded him up, so you see he has +returned your compliment, he has captured your enemy." + +"But how could you identify Anderson? You have never seen him." + +"Yes, I had that pleasure once. I saw him with Burlock and I could +identify him. Travers did some fine work on the case, walked right over +the detectives, and he deserves credit. He will get it too, in the way +of a second term as squire, for he has completely broken up the +factions--it seems like one party now." + +"I am so glad," said Dorothy. "They did have such a hard time of it." + +"Yes, but about to-morrow. Do you think Ralph could identify Anderson? +Ralph is out of town and I have wired him to be back to-night." + +"I don't think he ever saw the man," Dorothy answered thoughtfully. "But +I saw him very distinctly. Wouldn't I do?" + +"You? Why, child, could you go into a big police court and say: 'There, +that's the man;' without fainting from fright?" + +"Indeed, I could," declared the girl. "I could do more than that to find +Nellie Burlock." + +"If I really thought so--" + +"But you must know it," said Dorothy, quick to take advantage of the +major's hesitation. "If you just give me instructions I will carry them +out to the letter. And oh! if we can only give that money to its +rightful owner at last." + +"Yes, if we only could, I think I would feel like a new man. It has +weighed heavily upon me, particularly since that rascal attacked you at +the falls." + +"I have it!" and Dorothy's eyes flashed in unison with her brain. +"Telegraph to Mr. Travers to meet us, and let Tavia and me go. Tavia has +an aunt in Rochester, you know, and she will take care of us when we +have finished with the other business. Indeed, I can hardly wait." + +"I cannot seem to think that you should go," objected the major. "It is +a big city, and suppose Travers should fail to meet you?" + +"Then I'll meet him," promptly answered Dorothy. "Just give me all the +directions and I will find any police station in Rochester. Besides, +I'll have Tavia, and she has been there--through the city--often." + +"Well, it does seem the only way, for if we fail to identify Anderson he +may be released, and I fancy he would never walk into our hands again." + +"Now, not another thought, but how we are to go?" and Dorothy drew her +chair up to his desk. "Tell me all about it now, so I can have it all +settled in my mind to-night. Then to-morrow, all we will have to do is +depart. My! we are becoming famous travelers!" + +Very late that night Major Dale still sat at his desk. It was a serious +matter for him to allow his only daughter to go into a strange city and +then to a police court to identify a criminal. But how else could he +carry out his sacred obligation to Burlock? How else could he fulfill +his duty to the lost child? + +And Dorothy too, was troubled that night. Would she really have courage +to undertake the trip to a big city and then--? + +But she, too, had made a promise, and she, too, felt the voice of the +dead father and the voice or the neglected child crying for justice. + +Dorothy Dale did not hesitate--she would go. + +Next morning Tavia bounced around like a toy balloon. To think of going +to Rochester, and into a police court--what could be more delightfully +sensational? And perhaps they would have their names in the papers, +their pictures, she ventured to suggest. "The two girls from Dalton!" "A +striking scene in the police court!" These and other "striking things" +she outlined to serious Dorothy, who now in the early morning sat so +close to the car window, and seemed to hear nothing of the foolish +prattle, as the train rattled on. + +"Don't be a funeral, Doro," objected Tavia. "It's the best fun I ever +dreamed of. Wait till they call on me to testify! Ahem! Won't I make a +stir!" + +"But we are not going to testify at all--" + +"Same thing. We are to go before a lot of handsome officers, and they +will be so careful of our feelings, of course. I hope I blush! It's +always so nice to blush in print!" + +Whether her nonsense was all frivolity, or somewhat calculated to +distract the over serious Dorothy, would have taken an expert in human +nature to decide, and there were many other things about Tavia quite as +bewildering; but Dorothy was patient, she knew Tavia would not +disappoint her when the test came. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE LITTLE CAPTAIN--CONCLUSION + + +"Wasn't it mean," grumbled Tavia, "I thought it would be so dramatic." + +"Dramatic enough for me," answered Dorothy. "I felt a chill steal all +over me when I put my hand on that man's arm, and said, 'This is he!' +Ugh, I have the rub of his sleeve still on my palm," and Dorothy tried +to efface the memory of it on her small white hand by rubbing it briskly +on her linen skirt. + +"Well, I am disappointed," pouted Tavia, "and I don't want any more mock +trials." + +"We must hurry, your father will soon be here. And how anxious I am to +go to that place. What if the man has deceived the police as he did poor +Mr. Burlock?" + +"No danger. He is caught in his own trap now, and his only hope is from +good behavior--they make it lighter for him as he makes it easier to +clear up the case. I heard pop talking to the folks last night about +it." + +This was the day after the identification of Andrew Anderson by Dorothy +in the Police Court. The man had disguised his appearance by taking off +his beard, but there were other marks, and the girl could not be shaken +in her positive identification. + +The man had denied his guilt at first, but finally broke down when +confronted with the evidence against him and admitted he had the Burlock +child in hiding, but she was now in charge of some woman. Dorothy was to +go for her to-day. + +Mr. Travers, though having many important affairs to attend to, was on +time, and he agreed to take Dorothy and Tavia with him to find Nellie. + +"Keep close to me," he told the girls, making their way through dirty +and uncertain streets. "This is a rough part of town." + +House after house he stopped at, leaving the girls in each instance +waiting anxiously to be told to follow. But the places were so much +alike in their squalor the search was becoming more and more tiresome. + +"Maybe he gave the wrong address," ventured Tavia, discouraged and +dissatisfied with the many mistakes. + +"No, but these people change homes so often," explained her father. +"Here, this looks--wait a minute!" + +Down the steps of a dark basement Squire Travers hurried. The girls +looked after him--that place was not dirty, merely poor and bare. + +Presently he called to them: + +"Come in, girls," and Dorothy felt she could hardly move--she was so +anxious and expectant. + +A woman, with a kind face, greeted them sadly, but with that +unmistakable air of one whom poverty cannot drag down from self-respect. + +"Yes, I have a child with me," she answered nervously, "but I cannot +allow you to see her." + +Then Squire Travers produced his credentials. + +"You need not fear us," he told her kindly. "We have the best of news +for little Nellie Burlock, and we are only too anxious to make her +acquainted with it." + +"But we have been disappointed so often," objected the woman, "and that +man Anderson--" + +"You need not think of him now," said Squire Travers. "We have just left +him in the hands of the sheriff. This little girl," placing his hand on +Dorothy, "has brought it all about. She showed the child's father how to +die happily--made it possible for him to see the hope beyond, and then +she and her good father have worked untiringly to find the child. Cannot +we see her now?" + +[Illustration: Instantly Dorothy had her arms around the little girl] + +The woman took Dorothy's hands, and looked straight into her eyes. Then, +without a word, she turned and opened a narrow door, that seemed to run +under a stairway. + +"Nellie!" she called softly. + +Dorothy's heart felt as if a life was dependent upon those few moments. +What if it should not be the right one? + +A child--pale and wan, but with an inexpressibly sweet face--stood +before them. She clung to the woman like a frightened little bird. + +"They have good news for us, Nellie," said the woman. "This child is +Nellie Burlock, only child of Miles Burlock." + +Instantly Dorothy had her arms around the little girl. + +"To think we have really found you," she tried to say, but the words +choked for very joy in her throat. + +"Have you any papers?" asked Squire Travers of the woman. + +"Yes," she answered, "and more than papers. I took that child from her +dying mother's arms, and no threats nor promises of that villain +Anderson have taken her from me. She is all I have now--my own darling +has been spared the hardships we have to suffer." + +"But we will not take her from you," said Squire Travers. "I know +something of your affairs. Your husband is a printer out of work? His +name is Mooney?" + +"Yes," answered the woman sadly. + +"Then how long will it take you to get ready to leave for Dalton? +Yourself, Nellie and Mr. Mooney?" + +"Leave?" gasped the woman, "we have until to-morrow morning to get out +of this place--" + +"Very well," replied the squire, "then you can come with us promptly, +for Major Dale will not rest until we get back. Here, you two Dalton +girls, don't smother that child. Save a kiss or two for those at home. +They will want to know Nellie, too," and Dorothy looked from the little +stranger's face to smile at the jolly squire. + +When the next afternoon train from the west pulled into Dalton there +alighted from it a party that attracted the attention of all who chanced +to be about the depot. The little blue-eyed girl, Nellie Burlock, was +very pale, but "wonderfully pretty" Tavia declared. Mrs. Mooney had +also that frightened, tired look, but her husband seemed to have left +all Rochester behind him. He was a first-class printer and was to work +on Major Dale's paper, and was not that a bright prospect for an +ambitious man? + +Dorothy brought Nellie in alone to the major, He raised his head to kiss +his daughter, then he kissed the fatherless one--a new light came into +his eyes. + +"Dorothy," he murmured. "My own Little Captain! You have led us all to +victory! God bless you!" + +Of course there were a hundred and one explanations to make, and many +stories to tell besides. Nellie Burlock told of her life with Mrs. +Mooney, and of how she and the woman had been threatened more than once +by Andrew Anderson. To Mr. Mooney the affair was nothing but a mystery +and he had not bothered his head much about it. + +"The authorities will take care of Anderson," said the major, and told +the truth, for the rascal was sent to prison for a term of years. Then +Major Dale was regularly appointed as little Nellie's guardian, although +the girl continued to reside with Mrs. Mooney. But she often came to see +Dorothy, and to see Tavia, too. + +"It has all turned out for the best," said Dorothy, one day, to Tavia. + +"I wonder if anything so wonderful will ever happen to us again," +remarked her friend. + +"I doubt it," answered Dorothy; yet she was mistaken; something +wonderful did happen, although of an entirely different nature. What it +was we shall discover in another story about her, to be called, "Dorothy +Dale at Glenwood School." + +Schooldays at Dalton were rapidly drawing to a close now. Both Dorothy +and Tavia applied themselves diligently, and, wonder of wonders, both +passed! + +"I can't believe it!" cried Tavia, and she began to dance around the +room. "Isn't it sublime!" And then she caught Dorothy and made her dance +too. + +"It certainly is grand," answered Dorothy. "Oh, I am so happy!" and then +she kissed her girl friend; and here let us say good-bye. + +The End + + + + +THE DOROTHY DALE SERIES +By MARGARET PENROSE + +Author of "The Motor Girls Series" +12 mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 80 cents, postpaid. + +Dorothy Dale is the daughter of an old Civil War veteran who is running +a weekly newspaper in a small Eastern town. Her sunny disposition, her +fun-loving ways and her trials and triumphs make clean, interesting and +fascinating reading. The Dorothy Dale Series is one of the most popular +series of books for girls ever published. + +DOROTHY DALE: A GIRL OF TO-DAY +DOROTHY DALE AT GLENWOOD SCHOOL +DOROTHY DALE'S GREAT SECRET +DOROTHY DALE AND HER CHUMS +DOROTHY DALE'S QUEER HOLIDAYS +DOROTHY DALE'S CAMPING DAYS +DOROTHY DALE'S SCHOOL RIVALS +DOROTHY DALE IN THE CITY +DOROTHY DALE'S PROMISE +DOROTHY DALE IN THE WEST +DOROTHY DALE'S STRANGE DISCOVERY +DOROTHY DALE'S ENGAGEMENT + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, DOROTHY DALE *** + +This file should be named drthy10.txt or drthy10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, drthy11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, drthy10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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