Dorothy Dale: A Girl of To-Day
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CHAPTER XI
A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
The setting right of Sarah's wrong--a task which Dorothy had sowillingly volunteered to perform,--was by no means so simple a matteras she had attempted to make it. School girls are apt to be fond ofexcitement, and this bit of trouble brought with it so many interestingexperiences--the visit of a real squire, the "insurrection" of Alice;Dorothy falling ill in the cloak room, and that particularly noveloccurrence: the disappearance of Tavia Travers. Surely all thesefeatures would seem to mark a red letter week on the calendar of"interesting events" at Dalton School. But that was not to be the endof it.
Dorothy intended to make such an explanation to the class, that theentire affair would be cleared up without too much blame resting onSarah.
A conference with Tavia, held directly after her pathetic interviewwith Sarah, resulted in the former declaring she would shoulder anyblame that could be made to fit her. "For a girl with a sprained ankle,and a bad case of delicate conscience, has troubles enough withoutinviting more," Tavia told Dorothy. "Besides," she said further, "itreally was my fault, for I had determined to get even with her thatday, and when I sent her upon the swing I really did not care whethershe '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 goingto make a speech, for she has 'cut out' all speeches--except her own."
"Tavia, Tavia!" exclaimed Dorothy indignantly, "where ever did you hearsuch common slang!"
"I picked it up with the 'goods' at Aunt Mary's," replied Tavialaughing, for she really only made use of the expressions to "horrify"Dorothy. "Now," she continued, "be all ready for the picnic. We areonly 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 andaway from all disturbances. Since her indisposition the major had notbothered his daughter with any cares of the house or with the children,neither had he talked with her about the Burlock affair; but now, shehad something to tell him--Tavia had heard of a woman living inRochester, of that name--Burlock. What if it were the right party? Theone so long sought for by Miles Burlock! And would the major letDorothy go with Tavia to Rochester, and look for them--the poor motherand little Nellie!
Dorothy found her father in his study waiting for her. How well helooked now, she thought, for the old hale and hearty look, that whichso often characterizes the veteran soldier, had returned to his face,making it handsomer than ever because of a lighter shade having settledon 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 thefather.
"Now, we are going to have a good, long chat," began Dorothy, leaningagainst the arm of the major's chair so that her head touched hisshoulder. "First, I want to tell you some news Tavia has heard of awoman in Rochester named Burlock!"
"Burlock!" repeated the major, and he looked pained somehow; distressedat the mere mention of the name.
"I thought perhaps--it might be the party you--that is, the womanwanted in the Burlock matter," faltered Dorothy.
"I am afraid, daughter," said the major very solemnly, "you have beenbothering your young head about affairs much too grave for you tohandle. I have always regretted sending you to the Bugle office thatmorning, so many complications seemed to follow that experiment. Notbut what you got out a splendid paper--better than this week's issuefor that matter," the major hurried to say, for he noticed a look ofdisappointment come over Dorothy's face, "but because I seemed tothrust you out into the world, unprotected, and even in danger."
Major Dale pressed his lips to his daughter's brow. Indeed she hadalways been his little helper, his one dear, only daughter. Herwillingness and ambition to help might have misled him, sometimes hemight have forgotten she was only fourteen years old, but now, seatedthere beside him, fussing with his "curls," as she insisted his ratherlong locks were, she was little Doro again, the baby that had so oftenclimbed on his knee, in that very room, begging for one more story whenmother announced "bed time."
The mother was gone now--and Dorothy was sitting there.
"Ah, well!" sighed the major, trying to hide his thoughts, "we musttalk of something pleasant."
"But the Burlock affair," ventured Dorothy. "I thought it would besplendid to think of finding them. I have not seen Mr. Burlock in sometime. 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 taskunfinished--he had not found his wife and child."
"What happened to him?" Dorothy asked, bewildered at the suddenness ofher father's words.
"He died from exhaustion as much as from any thing else. That manAnderson had sent him word to go to Buffalo for 'news.' Believing themessage meant good news, that of locating the wife and child, Burlockwent, but not before he had legally made me guardian of the lostdaughter, and put in my charge the estate that had lately come directlyinto his hands through the death of Mrs. Douglass. So the poor manmanaged to settle his affairs before he was called away. He came backto Dalton, sick and discouraged, and determined to put that man AndrewAnderson in jail. But--well it was not to be. Ralph was with him allday and all night. We did all we could to make it easier for him, andDorothy dear, he closed his eyes--blessing you!"
Dorothy was crying. She tried hard to be brave, but somehow the tearswould come--and she had to cry!
"There, there, daughter," said the major consolingly. "I did not wantto tell you just yet, but perhaps it is as well now as at any othertime. I knew you would be grieved."
"Of course--I am sorry--" sighed Dorothy, "but wasn't it splendid thathe had reformed!"
"Yes, and I must confess I was proud to hear a dying man bless yourname. He declared that you, a mere child, had saved him from a death ofshame. 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 speakingto 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 notintoxicated half the time others thought he was. He seemed so sadalways and would sit on a bench, just thinking of his child perhaps,when people called him 'drunk'!" and the girl's eyes flashedindignantly at the thought.
"Well, well, daughter; you were right in showing charity. Yes, charityis the love of God and our neighbor, and it was that love that led youto take the hand of that sick and discouraged man. Ralph told me howyou brought him into the Bugle office that afternoon, and how that wasthe beginning of a new life to Burlock for he never tasted strong drinkafter that day."
"It was because I was like his own daughter or he thought I was, thathe listened to me," said Dorothy, not wanting to claim all the praiseher father so prudently gave.
"At any rate you have the joy of knowing, daughter, that you helped afellow creature find the right path. That joy will never leave you."
For a few moments the two sat there in silence. Dorothy had beenfavored with many opportunities of "distinguishing herself" as Taviawould say, but this last--the real joy of helping a man savehimself--this as the major said, would never leave her.
"And all this trouble about the Ford girl?" inquired the majorpresently, "has that been settled?"
"Oh, yes, indeed it has," answered Dorothy, scarcely knowing whatexplanation to make. "Sarah is very hasty, and of course you know howTavia 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. Sarahhas admitted it was all a misunderstanding."
"Evidently she has not told her father that," the major replied, "foronly this morning he assured me he would give the doctor's bill intothe hands of a collector."
"Oh, that would be too bad! Tavia's folks are so poor. I must seeSarah."
"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 helpothers 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 inlife: but I think, daughter, it might be best for you to give uphelping in the crusade. I would rather not have you risk--perhapsinsults in that work."
"Of course, if you wish it father," answered Dorothy in a disappointedtone, "but if I could just help out in what Ralph had planned for thegirls--a sort of auxiliary work--I would like it. The meetings would beheld in the afternoon, and we would have little benefit affairs, tohelp defray the expenses of the League."
"Oh, that sort of thing," agreed the major, "that would be all rightand strictly in a girl's line. Everybody should show sympathy with themovement, for it means more to Dalton than we can estimate. Children,particularly, will be benefited, so that there can be no objection tothem helping in their own way."
Dorothy felt greatly relieved now that her father had spoken on thissubject, for she had feared he would ask her to give up, entirely, thetemperance work she had become so interested in. The most prominentwomen in Dalton were identified with the movement, and with suchleaders surely no girl need be afraid to follow. Besides, as Major Dalesaid, children would be those most benefited, therefore children shoulddo what they could to help the work along.
"I am so glad you do not object to the Auxiliary, father," she said, ashe arose to bid her good night. "Of course I shall never meet anotherMiles Burlock, and therefore I shall not have to make a personal appealto any one again," and she looked sadly into her father's face. "Do youthink we will ever find little Nellie?"
"Yes, daughter, I feel certain we will soon hear something of the heirsof Miles Burlock. But there now," and he kissed her again, "run alongto bed. Your brothers are snoring by this time."
"Good night, daddy dear," she said, pressing his cheek lovingly to herown, "I never forget that I am the daughter of a soldier, and thatthought, more than anything else--earthly, takes care of me--guides mearight, and makes me proud of being Dorothy Dale!"