She checked the impulse,
however, and parted from him with a kindly smile that suggested
sympathy rather than reproach.
Stanton called Mr. Mayhew aside and the two gentleman spoke very
frankly together.
"Ida seems even more concerned about you than herself," said Stanton
in conclusion, "and it would kill her, as she now feels, if you
should give way to your old weakness again. She fears that she
won't be able to sustain and cheer you as she intended, but I told
her that we would both stand by her and see her through her trouble."
"I understand you, Ik," said Mr. Mayhew, quietly. "From my heart
I thank you for your kindness to Ida. But you don't understand
me. I had a deeper thirst than that for brandy, and when my child
gave me her love, my real thirst was quenched, and the other is
gone."
"That's noble; we'll pull through yet!" Stanton resumed, heartily.
"Ida and I got our supper at a village inn--at least, we went through
the motions--for I was bound no one should have a chance to stare
at her to-night."
"No matter," said her father, decisively. "I have had prepared as
nice a supper as Mr. Burleigh could furnish, and I shall take it
to her room.
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