"Curtis is smart," he said, as he handed it back. "He couldn"t have thought of a better plan for getting rid of the boy. It will take several months for him to reach "Frisco, and after that he can"t get back, for he won"t have any money."
"Dodger says he will try to save money enough to pay his way back."
"It will take him a good while."
"It doesn"t take long to come back by cars, does it?"
"No; but it costs a great deal of money. Why, it may take Dodger a year to earn enough to pay his way back on the railroad."
"A year!" exclaimed Florence, in genuine dismay--"a year, in addition to the time it takes to go out there! Where will we all be at the end of that time?"
"Not in jail, I hope," answered Bolton, jocularly. "I am afraid your uncle will no longer be in the land of the living."
A shadow came over Florence"s face.
"Poor Uncle John!" she said, sadly. "It is terrible to think he may die thinking hardly of me."
"Leavin" his whole fortune to Curtis," continued Tim.
"That is the least thing that troubles me," said Florence.
"A woman"s a queer thing," said Tim, shrugging his shoulders. "Here"s a fortune of maybe half a million, and half of it rightfully yours, and you don"t give it a thought."
"Not compared with the loss of my uncle"s affections."
"Money is a great deal more practical than affection."
"Perhaps so, from your standpoint, Mr. Bolton," said Florence, with dignity.
"No offense, miss. When you"ve lived as long as I, you"ll look at things different. Well, I"m glad to hear from the lad. If Curtis had done him any harm, I"d have got even with him if it sent me to jail."
A quiet, determined look replaced Tim Bolton"s usual expression of easy good humor. He could not have said anything that would have ingratiated him more with Florence.
"Thank you, Mr. Bolton," she said, earnestly. "I shall always count upon your help. I believe you are a true friend of Dodger----"
"And of yours, too, miss----"
"I believe it," she said, with a smile that quite captivated Tim.
"If it would be any satisfaction to you, Miss Florence," he continued, "I"ll give Curtis Waring a lickin". He deserves it for persecutin" you and gettin" you turned out of your uncle"s house."
"Thank you, Mr. Bolton; it wouldn"t be any satisfaction to me to see Curtis injured in any way."
"You"re too good a Christian, you are, Miss Florence."
"I wish I deserved your praise, but I can hardly lay claim to it. Now, Mr. Bolton, tell me what can I do to help Dodger?"
"I don"t see that you can do anything now, as it will be most three months before he reaches "Frisco. You might write to him toward the time he gets there."
"I will."
"Direct to the post office. I think he"ll have sense enough to ask for letters."
"I wish I could send him some money. I am afraid he will land penniless."
"If he lands in good health you can trust him for makin" a livin". A New York boy, brought up as he was, isn"t goin" to starve where there are papers to sell and errands to run. Why, he"ll light on his feet in "Frisco, take my word for it."
Florence felt a good deal encouraged by Tim"s words of a.s.surance, and she went home with her heart perceptibly lightened.
But she was soon to have trials of her own, which for the time being would make her forgetful of Dodger.
Chapter XXIX.
Mrs. Leighton"s Party.
"Miss Linden," said Mrs. Leighton, one day in the fourth month of Dodger"s absence, "Carrie has perhaps told you that I give a party next Thursday evening."
"She told me," answered the governess.
"I expected Prof. Bouvier to furnish dancing music--in fact, I had engaged him--but I have just received a note stating that he is unwell, and I am left unprovided. It is very inconsiderate on his part," added the lady, in a tone of annoyance.
Florence did not reply. She took rather a different view of the professor"s letter, and did not care to offend Mrs. Leighton.
"Under the circ.u.mstances," continued the lady, "it has occurred to me that, as you are really quite a nice performer, you might fill his place. I shall be willing to allow you a dollar for the evening. What do you say?"
Florence felt embarra.s.sed. She shrank from appearing in society in her present separation from her family, yet could think of no good excuse.
Noticing her hesitation, Mrs. Leighton added, patronizingly:
"On second thought, I will pay you a dollar and a half"--Prof. Bouvier was to have charged ten dollars--"and you will be kind enough to come in your best attire. You seem to be well provided with dresses."
"Yes, madam, there will be no difficulty on that score."
"Nor on any other, I hope. As governess in my family, I think I have a right to command your services."
"I will come," said Florence, meekly. She felt that it would not do to refuse after this.
As she entered the handsomely decorated rooms on the night of the party, she looked around her nervously, fearing to see some one whom she had known in earlier days. She noticed one only--Percy de Brabazon, whose face lighted up when he saw her, for he had been expecting to see her.
She managed to convey a caution by a quiet movement, as it would not be wise for Mrs. Leighton to know of their previous acquaintance. But Percy was determined to get an opportunity to speak to her.
"Who is that young lady, Aunt Mary?" he asked. "The one standing near the piano."
"That is Carrie"s governess," answered Mrs. Leighton, carelessly.
"She seems quite a ladylike person."