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.”