"
"But the Burlock affair," ventured Dorothy. "I thought it would be
splendid to think of finding them. I have not seen Mr. Burlock in some
time. What do you suppose has become of him?"
Major Dale took Dorothy's hand into his own.
"Daughter," he said, "Miles Burlock has passed away."
"Dead!" gasped Dorothy.
"Yes, dead. But he was happy, glad to go, although he left his task
unfinished--he had not found his wife and child."
"What happened to him?" Dorothy asked, bewildered at the suddenness of
her father's words.
"He died from exhaustion as much as from any thing else. That man
Anderson had sent him word to go to Buffalo for 'news.' Believing the
message meant good news, that of locating the wife and child, Burlock
went, but not before he had legally made me guardian of the lost
daughter, and put in my charge the estate that had lately come directly
into his hands through the death of Mrs. Douglass. So the poor man
managed to settle his affairs before he was called away. He came back to
Dalton, sick and discouraged, and determined to put that man Andrew
Anderson in jail. But--well it was not to be. Ralph was with him all day
and all night. We did all we could to make it easier for him, and
Dorothy dear, he closed his eyes--blessing you!"
Dorothy was crying.
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