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.

“Is virtue its own reward, Miss Dora?” asked he abruptly, when almost half the distance between the two hotels was passed.

Dora looked at him a little puzzled; and then, as she read the half-sympathizing, half-mocking expression of his face, answered,—­

“You mean I am not happy in bringing Sunshine back to her mother; don’t you?”

“Exactly; and you told me once that no one ought to be rewarded for doing what is right, because it is reward enough to know that we are doing right.”

“And so it is.  I don’t want any reward,” said Dora rather hastily.

“No:  but, if young Ginniss had not discovered the identity of the child, my cousin would not have been unhappier than she has been for two years; and you-would you not be at this moment better content with life?”

Dora’s clear eyes looked straight into his as she wonderingly asked,—­

“Do you want me to say I am sorry Mrs. Legrange has found her child?”

“If it is true, yes; and I know you will,” replied Mr. Burroughs quietly.

“And so I would,” said Dora, in the same tone; “but it is not true.  I am glad, not happy, but very glad, that Sunshine has come to her mother at last,—­her heaven, as she calls it.  I do not deny that my own heart is very sore, and that I cannot yet think of her not being my child any more, without”—­

She turned away her head, and Mr. Burroughs looked at her yet more attentively than he had been looking.

“But, if you could, you would not go back, and arrange it that Teddy should not come to your house?  Word and honor now, Dora.”

“Word and honor, Mr. Burroughs, I surely would not.  Can you doubt me?”

“No, Dora, I do not; but, in your place, I should doubt myself.”

Dora looked at him with a frank smile.

“I would trust you in this place, or any other,” said she simply.

“Would you, would you really, Dora?” asked Tom Burroughs eagerly, while a slight color flashed into his handsome face.  “Why would you?”

“Because I feel sure you could never do any thing mean or ungenerous, or feel any way but nobly”—­

She paused suddenly, and a tide of crimson suffused her face and neck.  Mr. Burroughs, with the heroism of perfect breeding, turned away his eyes, and suppressed the enthusiastic answer that had risen to his lips.  He would not add to her confusion by accepting as extraordinary the impulsive expression of her feelings.  So he simply said, after a moment of silence,—­

“Thank you, Dora.  I hope you may never have occasion to regret your noble confidence.”

Dora did not answer, but hastened her steps, until she walked close behind Mrs. Legrange; nor did her companion speak again, although, could Dora have read his thoughts, she might have found in them matter of more interest than any words he had ever spoken to her.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

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Outpost from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.