Chapter VI.A Tempest.
The charge was so strange and unexpected that Florence wasoverwhelmed. She could only murmur:
"Oh, uncle!"
Her young companion was indignant. Already he felt that Florence hadconsented to accept him as a friend, and he was resolved to stand byher.
"I say, old man," he bristled up, "don't you go to insult her! She'san angel!"
"No doubt you think so," rejoined Mr. Linden, in a tone of sarcasm."Upon my word, miss, I congratulate you on your elevated taste. Sothis is your reason for not being willing to marry your CousinCurtis?"
"Indeed, uncle, you are mistaken. I never met this boy till to-night."
"Don't try to deceive me. Young man, did you open my secretary?"
"Yes, sir."
"And robbed it into the bargain," continued Linden, going to thesecretary, and examining it. He did not, however, miss the will, butonly the roll of bills. "Give me back the money you have taken fromme, you young rascal!"
"I took nothing, sir."
"It's a lie! The money is gone, and no one else could have taken it."
"I don't allow no one to call me a liar. Just take that back, old man,or I----"
"Indeed, uncle, he took nothing, for he had only just opened thesecretary when I woke up and spoke to him."
"You stand by him, of course, shameless girl! I blush to think thatyou are my niece. I am glad to think that my eyes are opened before itis too late."
The old merchant rang the bell violently, and aroused the house.Dodger made no attempt to escape, but stood beside Florence in theattitude of a protector. But a short time elapsed before Curtis Waringand the servants entered the room, and gazed with wonder at the_tableau_ presented by the excited old man and the two young people.
"My friends," said John Linden, in a tone of excitement, "I call youto witness that this girl, whom I blush to acknowledge as my niece,has proved herself unworthy of my kindness. In your presence I cut heroff, and bid her never again darken my door."
"But what has she done, uncle?" asked Curtis. He was prepared for thepresence of Dodger, whom he rightly concluded to be the agent of TimBolton, but he could not understand why Florence should be in thelibrary at this late hour. Nor was he able to understand the evidentlyfriendly relations between her and the young visitor.
"What has she done?" repeated John Linden. "She has introduced thatyoung ruffian into the house to rob me. Look at that secretary! He hasforced it open, and stolen a large sum of money."
"It is not true, sir," said Dodger, calmly, "about taking the money, Imean. I haven't taken a cent."
"Then why did you open the secretary?"
"I did mean to take money, but she stopped me."
"Oh, she stopped you?" repeated Linden, with withering sarcasm. "Then,perhaps, you will tell me where the money is gone?"
"He hasn't discovered about the will," thought Curtis, congratulatinghimself; "if the boy has it, I must manage to give him a chance toescape."
"You can search me if you want to," continued Dodger, proudly. "Youwon't find no money on me."
"Do you think I am a fool, you young burglar?" exclaimed John Linden,angrily.
"Uncle, let me speak to the boy," said Curtis, soothingly. "I think hewill tell me."
"As you like, Curtis; but I am convinced that he is a thief."
Curtis Waring beckoned Dodger into an adjoining room.
"Now, my boy," he said, smoothly, "give me what you took from thesecretary, and I will see that you are not arrested."
"But, sir, I didn't take nothing--it's just as I told the old duffer.The girl waked up just as I'd got the secretary open, and I didn'thave a chance."
"But the money is gone," said Curtis, in an incredulous tone.
"I don't know nothing about that."
"Come, you'd better examine your pockets. In the hurry of the momentyou may have taken it without knowing it."
"No, I couldn't."
"Didn't you take a paper of any kind?" asked Curtis, eagerly."Sometimes papers are of more value than money."
"No, I didn't take no paper, though Tim told me to."
Curtis quietly ignored the allusion to Tim, for it did not suit hispurpose to get Tim into trouble. His unscrupulous agent knew too muchthat would compromise his principal.
"Are you willing that I should examine you?"
"Yes, I am. Go ahead."
Curtis thrust his hand into the pockets of the boy, who, boy as hewas, was as tall as himself, but was not repaid by the discovery ofanything. He was very much perplexed.
"Didn't you throw the articles on the floor?" he demanded,suspiciously.
"No, I didn't."
"You didn't give them to the young lady?"
"No; if I had she'd have said so."
"Humph! this is strange. What is your name?"
"Dodger."
"That's a queer name; have you no other?"
"Not as I know of."
"With whom do you live?"
"With my father. Leastways, he says he's my father."
There was a growing suspicion in the mind of Curtis Waring. He scannedthe boy's features with attention. Could this ill-dressed boy--astreet boy in appearance--be his long-lost and deeply wronged cousin?
"Who is it that says he is your father?" he demanded, abruptly.
"Do you want to get him into trouble?"
"No, I don't want to get him into trouble, or you either. Better tellme all, and I will be your friend."
"You're a better sort than I thought at first," said Dodger. "The manI live with is called Tim Bolton."
"I though so," quickly ejaculated Curtis. He had scarcely got out thewords before he was sensible that he had made a mistake.
"What! do you know Tim?" inquired Dodger, in surprise.
"I mean," replied Curtis, lamely, "that I have heard of this manBolton. He keeps a saloon on the Bowery, doesn't he?"
"Yes."
"I thought you would be living with some such man. Did he come to thehouse with you tonight?"
"Yes."
"Where is he?"
"He stayed outside."
"Perhaps he is there now."
"Don't you go to having him arrested," said Dodger, suspiciously.
"I will keep my promise. Are you sure you didn't pass out the paperand the money to him? Think now."
"No, I didn't. I didn't have a chance. When I came into the roomyonder I saw the gal asleep, and I thought she wouldn't hear me, butwhen I got the desk open she spoke to me, and asked me what I wasdoin'."
"And you took nothing?"
"No."
"It seems very strange. I cannot understand it. Yet my uncle says themoney is gone. Did anyone else enter the room while you were talkingwith Miss Linden?"
"I didn't see any one."
"What were you talking about?"
"She said the old man wanted her to marry you, and she didn't wantto."
"She told you that?" exclaimed Curtis, in displeasure.
"Yes, she did. She said she'd rather marry the dude that was hereearly this evenin'."
"Mr. de Brabazon!"
"Yes, that's the name."
"Upon my word, she was very confidential. You are a queer person forher to select as a confidant."
"Maybe so, sir; but she knows I'm her friend."
"You like the young lady, then? Perhaps you would like to marry heryourself?"
"As if she'd take any notice of a poor boy like me. I told her if heruncle sent her away, I'd take care of her and be a brother to her."
"How would Mr. Tim Bolton--that's his name, isn't it?--like that?"
"I wouldn't take her to where he lives."
"I think, myself, it would hardly be a suitable home for a young ladybrought up on Madison Avenue. There is certainly no accounting fortastes. Miss Florence----"
"That's her name, is it?"
"Yes; didn't she tell you?"
"No; but it's a nice name."
"She declines my hand, and acce
pts your protection. It will certainlybe a proud distinction to become Mrs. Dodger."
"Don't laugh at her!" said Dodger, suspiciously.
"I don't propose to. But I think we may as well return to thelibrary."
"Well," said Mr. Linden, as his nephew returned with Dodger.
"I have examined the boy, and found nothing on his person," saidCurtis; "I confess I am puzzled. He appears to have a high admirationfor Florence----"
"As I supposed."
"She has even confided to him her dislike for me, and he has offeredher his protection."
"Is this so, miss?" demanded Mr. Linden, sternly.
"Yes, uncle," faltered Florence.
"Then you can join the young person you have selected whenever youplease. For your sake I will not have him arrested for attemptedburglary. He is welcome to what he has taken, since he is likely tomarry into the family. You may stay here to-night, and he can call foryou in the morning."
John Linden closed the secretary, and left the room, leaving Florencesobbing. The servants, too, retired, and Curtis was left alone withher.
"Florence," he said, "accept my hand, and I will reconcile my uncle toyou. Say but the word, and----"
"I can never speak it, Curtis! I will take my uncle at his word.Dodger, call for me to-morrow at eight, and I will accept yourfriendly services in finding me a new home."
"I'll be on hand, miss. Good-night!"
"Be it so, obstinate girl!" said Curtis, angrily. "The time will comewhen you will bitterly repent your mad decision."
Adrift in New York: Tom and Florence Braving the World Page 6
