222

XIV THE STORM 237

XV DOROTHY'S TRIUMPH 251

DOROTHY'S TRIUMPH

CHAPTER I

ON THE TRAIN

"Maryland, my Maryland!" dreamily hummed Dorothy Calvert.

"Not only _your_ Maryland, but _mine_," was the resolute response of
the boy beside her.

Dorothy turned on him in surprise.

"Why, Jim Barlow, I thought nothing could shake your allegiance to
old New York state; you've told me so yourself dozens of times,
and--"

"I know, Dorothy; I've thought so myself, but since my visit to old
Bellvieu, and our trip on the houseboat, I've--I've sort o' changed
my mind."

"You don't mean that you're coming to live with Aunt Betty and I
again, Jim? Oh, you just can't mean that! Why, we'd be so delighted!"

"No, I don't mean just that," responded Jim, rather glumly--"in fact,
I don't know just what I mean myself, except I feel like I must be
always near you and Mrs. Calvert."

"Say Aunt Betty, Jim."

"Well, Aunt Betty."

"You know she is an aunt to you, in the matter of affection, if not
by blood."

"I do know that, and I appreciate all she did for me before she got
well enough acquainted with you to believe she wanted you to live
with her forever."

"Say, Jim, dear, often when I ponder over my life it seems like some
brilliant dream. Just think of being left a squalling baby for Mrs.
Calvert, my great-aunt, to take care of, then sent to Mother Martha
and Father John, because Aunt Betty felt that she should be free from
the care of raising a troublesome child. Then, after I've grown into
a sizable girl, in perfect ignorance as to my real parentage, Aunt
Betty meets and likes me, and is anxious to get me back again. Then
Judge Breckenridge and others take a hand in the matter of hunting up
my real name and pedigree, with the result that Aunt Betty finally
owns up to my being her kith and kin, and receives me with open arms
at Deerhurst. Since then, I, Dorothy Elisabeth Somerset-Calvert, F.
F. V., etc., etc., changed from near-poverty to at least a
comfortable living, with all my heart could desire and more, have had
one continuous good time. Yes, Jim, it is too strange and too good to
be true."

"But it is true," protested the boy--"true as gospel, Dorothy. You
are one of the finest little ladies in the land and no one will ever
dispute it."

"Oh, I wasn't fishing for compliments."

"Well, you got 'em