Outpost eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 314 pages of information about Outpost.

Outpost eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 314 pages of information about Outpost.

“No, Dora:  I must lay aside the dream of four sweet years, and take up my lonely life without disguise or embellishment.  I cannot dispute your decision.  I will not by one word or look urge you to change it; for I too deeply respect the truthfulness of your character to dream that it is capable of change.  I do not say that I forgive you, for you have done nothing calling for forgiveness; and yet, if your tender heart should suffer, in thinking of my suffering, remember always that what you have to-day said has increased my respect and esteem for you fourfold:  and, if it has also added to the bitterness of my disappointment, I will not have you reproach yourself; for I would rather reverence you as the wife of another than to claim you as my own, and know you untrue to yourself.  And now, dear, the subject is closed utterly and forever.”

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Treasure-trove.

It was a balmy September evening, some weeks after Mr. Brown’s return to Ohio, when Karl, or, as he was now generally styled, Dr. Windsor, standing beside his horse, in the quiet Main Street of Greenfield, saw Dr. Gershom riding lazily into town, accompanied by a sturdy, good-looking lad, also on horseback, whom Karl failed to recognize.

“A new student, maybe,” thought he, and, taking his foot out of the stirrup, waited to see.

“Hollo, Windsor, hold on a minute!” shouted Dr. Gershom as they approached.  “Here’s a young gentleman asking for you.”

Karl bowed, and began hastily to review his half-forgotten army acquaintances; failing, however, to identify any of them with the young man now bowing to him, and taking a letter from his pocket-book.

“Mr. Brown favored me with this letter of introduction to you, sir,” said he, holding it out.

Karl glanced hastily at the few lines, and remembered an allusion the chaplain had made to a particularly promising student of his, whom he thought of sending to travel a little in the West.  So he frankly smiled, extended his hand, and said,—­

“Ah, yes!  I have heard Mr. Brown speak of you, Mr. Ginniss; and I am very happy to welcome you to our prairie life.  I am just setting out for home; and, if you please, we will ride along directly.”

“Better come in, boys, and have a glass of bitters to keep the night-air off your stomachs.  Got some of the real stuff right here in the office,” said the old doctor; but, both young men declining the proffered hospitality, he withdrew, grumbling,—­

“You never’ll make it work, Windsor, I tell you now!  Such a dog’s life as a country doctor’s isn’t to be kept up without fuel.”

Karl laughed, and, turning to his new acquaintance, said,—­

“So they told me in the army; but I got through without.  I never tasted spirit but once, and then I didn’t like it.”

“I never have at all,” said Ginniss simply.  “I gave my mother a promise, when I was twelve years old, that I never would; and I never have.”

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Project Gutenberg
Outpost from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.