"You know he"s never in vigorous health," said Curtis, evasively.
"But is he as well as usual?"
"He is about the same as ever. One thing would do more for him than anything else."
"What"s that?"
"Your agreement to marry me," and he fixed his eyes upon her face eagerly.
Florence shook her head.
"I should be glad to help my uncle," she said, "but I cannot agree to marry you."
"Why not?" he demanded, roughly.
"Because I do not love you, and never shall," she responded, firmly.
"In other words, you refuse to do the only thing that will restore our uncle to health and happiness?"
"It is too much to ask." Then, fixing her eyes upon him keenly: "Why should uncle insist upon this marriage? Is it not because you have influenced him in the matter?"
"No," answered Curtis, falsely. "He has some secret reason, which he will not disclose to me, for desiring it."
Florence had learned to distrust the words of her wily cousin.
"May I not see him?" she asked. "Perhaps he will tell me."
"No; I cannot permit it."
"You cannot permit it? Are you, then, our uncle"s guardian?"
"No, and yes. I do not seek to control him, but I wish to save him from serious agitation. Should he see you, and find that you are still rebellious, the shock might kill him."
"I have reason to doubt your words," said Florence, coldly. "I think you are resolved to keep us apart."
"Listen, and I will tell you a secret; Uncle John has heart disease, so the doctor a.s.sures me. Any unwonted agitation might kill him instantly. I am sure you would not like to expose him to such a risk."
He spoke with apparent sincerity, but Florence did not feel certain that his words were truthful.
"Very well," she said. "Then I will give up seeing him."
"It is best, unless you are ready to accede to his wishes--and mine."
She did not answer, but walked away slowly.
"It would never do to have them meet!" muttered Curtis. "The old gentleman would ask her to come back on any terms, and then all my scheming would be upset. That was a happy invention of mine, about heart disease," he continued, with a low laugh. "Though she only half believed it, she will not dare to run the risk of giving him a shock."
It was about this time that the quiet tenor of Dodger"s life was interrupted by a startling event.
He still continued to visit the piers, and one afternoon about six o"clock, he stood on the pier awaiting the arrival of the day boat from Albany, with a small supply of evening papers under his arm.
He had sold all but half a dozen when the boat touched the pier. He stood watching the various pa.s.sengers as they left the boat and turned their steps in different directions, when some one touched him on the shoulder.
Looking up, he saw standing at his side a man of slender figure, with gray hair and whiskers.
"Boy," he said, "I am a stranger in the city. Can I ask your a.s.sistance?"
"Yes, sir; certainly," answered Dodger, briskly.
"Do you know where the nearest station of the elevated road is?"
"Yes, sir?"
"I want to go uptown, but I know very little about the city. Will you accompany me as guide? I will pay you well."
"All right, sir," answered Dodger.
It was just the job he was seeking.
"We will have to walk a few blocks, unless you want to take a carriage."
"It isn"t necessary. I am strong, in spite of my gray hair."
And indeed he appeared to be.
Dodger noticed that he walked with the elastic step of a young man, while his face certainly showed no trace of wrinkles.
"I live in the West," said the stranger, as they walked along. "I have not been here for ten years."
"Then you have never ridden on the elevated road?" said Dodger.
"N-no," answered the stranger, with curious hesitation.
Yet when they reached the station he went up the staircase and purchased his ticket with the air of a man who was thoroughly accustomed to doing it.
"I suppose you don"t want me any longer," said Dodger, preparing to resign the valise he was carrying, and which, by the way, was remarkably light considering the size.
"Yes, I shall need you," said the other hurriedly. "There may be some distance to walk after we get uptown."
"All right, sir."
Dodger was glad that further service was required, for this would of course increase the compensation which he would feel ent.i.tled to ask.
They entered one of the cars, and sat down side by side.
The old gentleman drew a paper from his pocket, and began to read, while Dodger, left to his own devices, sat quiet and looked about him.
He was rather surprised that the old gentleman, who, according to his own representation, was riding upon the elevated road for the first time, seemed to feel no curiosity on the subject, but conducted himself in all respects like an experienced traveler.