evident consequences.

"A blessing all around," said Nat. "What would we have done if neither
of you left and we got left--for this good time. I hope mom will kidnap
Dorothy."

"Indeed you cannot have her," declared Tavia. "I should pine away and
die at Dalton without her."

"Then stay at Birchland," suggested Ned. "Plenty of room."

"But what does the fellow want with the Burlock money?" asked Nat,
getting back to the interesting affair that still remained so much of a
mystery.

"It's a long story," began Dorothy, "and it has not all been told yet.
Burlock was, in some way, in Anderson's power. I was with father when
poor Mr. Burlock told us about it. He declared it was all the result of
too much liberty in youth and bad company?"

"Be warned, Nat, my boy," interrupted Ned, jokingly. "I must have the
mater cut you down. 'And he rambled till the mater cut him down,'"
hummed the brother, paraphrasing the butcher song.

"Spare the allowance and cut anything else down you like," answered Nat.
"But please do not interrupt again."

"Then it seems," went on Dorothy, "Mr. Burlock had a lot of money left
him. From that time on this Anderson followed Mr. Burlock and even
succeeded in separating him from his family."