A Little Florida Lady Part 37

"It's terrible that our lovely home is gone," cried Beth.

"In evil there is good. You are safe, my darling," her mother murmured.

The fathers felt no less keenly the escape of their beloved children, but expressed themselves less emotionally. Marian could get hardly any one to notice her, but finally managed to say so as to be heard:

"I don't think they ought to be standing around with bare feet, and blankets wrapped around them."

"You must all come home with us," cried Mrs. Gordon. "I will not accept a refusal. We have a great abundance of room."

Already the fire was beginning to die down, and Mr. Davenport saw that no good could be accomplished by remaining longer.

"January, I want you to watch to see that no damage is done by sparks,"

he said.

"Sparks won't have no sort of chance wid me aroun', ma.s.sa."

Room was made in the carriage for the two children, and the horses were started in the direction of the Gordon homestead. For a few moments, in the excitement of telling about the fire, Beth forgot all about Duke. They were almost at the Gordons' door when she thought of him.

She looked hastily back, half hoping he might be following, and to her joy saw him directly behind the carriage. Beth pleaded to be allowed to take her beloved dog up to Julia's room with them. Julia added her entreaties, and the children were permitted to do as they wished in the matter.

Once the children were in bed, they talked awhile of their fortunate deliverance. Duke came in for a big share of praise. Then Julia fell asleep, but Beth felt very wide awake. Presently, even Duke on the floor near their bed also slept. Beth knew that he was sleeping because he moaned as if he were haunted by a nightmare of the fire.

"Poor, poor fellow, he feels almost as bad as I," thought Beth. For a long time she lay awake wondering what her father would do now that their home with all its contents was burned.

"Just s'posing--just s'posing----" With these words Beth fell into a troubled sleep.

About ten minutes afterwards, she began crying in her sleep, which wakened Julia.

"Why, Beth dear, what's the matter?" and Julia twined her arm lovingly around her friend.

Beth wakened with a start. She sat up in bed. "Where am I, Julia? In Florida?"

"Of course, dear. What made you----"

"Oh, I'm so glad I'm here. I went to sleep s'posing----"

"Supposing what, Beth?"

"Oh, I don't like to tell for fear it may come true. I dreamed that it did come true and it made me very miserable."

"You're just nervous over the terrible fire. All the bad that can happen has already happened to you."

"I don't know about that," murmured Beth, but could not be persuaded to tell Julia more about her dream. Julia therefore sank back into slumberland, and forgot all about her friend's dream, but not so Beth.

The fear of what she dreamed haunted her, waking and sleeping.

The next morning, Beth had quite a time dressing. Most of Julia's clothes proved a very tight fit.

"I'll have to pretend I'm a young lady. Then I shall not mind if it is tight," Beth said as she struggled into Julia's blue dress.

"It's a little short, but then short dresses are the style now,"

commented Julia in an effort to be polite.

Immediately after breakfast, the Davenports and the Gordons started over to view the fire. For some reason known only to herself, Beth did not care to go. She even refused to be moved by Julia's entreaties, and insisted that Julia go without her.

Duke remained to keep Beth company. When the two were alone, Beth put her arms around the faithful dog. He looked up into her eyes and whined.

"I believe you know," cried Beth. "Are you afraid of it, too?"

Again Duke whined.

"You do know, Duke." There were tears in Beth's eyes. "If it happens, they'll take you from me. Don't you remember what Mr. Brown said?"

Duke looked as if he understood.

"They shan't take you from me. I'll go in town and see Mr. Brown. You shall go with me, Duke."

He wagged his tail as if pleased, at the promise. Beth ran for a hat, and then, with Duke, started down the road towards town.

The day was extremely sultry, and the warmth in combination with the excitement of the night before soon caused Beth to tire, but she would not give up her undertaking.

"You'd do as much to stay with me, wouldn't you, Duke?" she asked, to encourage herself.

Duke barked. Perhaps it was because he did not mind the heat and was anxious for a frolic. Beth envied his spirits. To her the way seemed very long and dusty, but on and on she trudged. She did not know exactly where Mr. Brown lived, but thought by asking she could easily find out, and so it proved.

It was a very tired, warm, and dusty little girl who finally turned in at the Browns'.

A great, overgrown puppy rushed at Beth and Duke as they opened the gate. At first, Beth could hardly believe her own eyes. It scarcely seemed possible that it was the same puppy she had given Mr. Brown such a short time before. The little fellow had outgrown all his brothers and sisters, and could no longer be rightly termed little. Duke was unaffectedly glad to see his son. Away they ran together.

"Duke, Duke, come back."

Beth's call did not bring him, but Mr. Brown came around the corner of the house.

"Why, missy," his face lighted up in greeting. Beth wondered how she ever thought him ugly-looking. "You saw my puppy, didn't you? I tell you he's a fine fellow. Duke never compared with him."

"Do you really like the puppy the best?" cried Beth, eagerly rus.h.i.+ng up to him in her excitement.

"Not a doubt of it." He smiled at her evident delight. "Gift----"

"Is that what you call him?"

"Yes. The name is to remind me of your kindness. I----"

"Was I really kind?" she interrupted wistfully. She did not wait for an answer. "Then perhaps you'd be willing to do me a very, very great favor."

"What is it you want? But you'd better sit down first. You look tired."

"I am a little tired. It was pretty hot walking."

"You don't mean you walked here?--and on such a hot day?"