I've been to the landing and depot, and no
one has seen him. Unless Van can give a better account of himself
than I expect, he and I will have a tremendous falling out."
"No, Cousin Ik, you will leave him to himself, for anything like
what you threaten would wound two hearts already sad enough."
"Well, curse it all! I must do something or other, or I'll explode,
I can't sit by and twirl my thumbs while two such women as you
and Miss Burton are in trouble. When a man breaks a girl's heart
I feel like breaking his head."
"Merciful heaven! See--quick--Miss Burton--she's beckoning to
you."
Stanton sprang from the piazza at a bound, and was almost instantly
at Jennie Burton's side, who sank into a seat near, and gasped:
"Do as I bid--no words--a carriage, and a stout man with yourself--take
brandy. Haste, or Mr. Van Berg will die."
"O God! don't say that," Ida sobbed, kneeling at her feet with a
low shuddering cry.
Jennie stooped over and kissed her and said: "Courage, Miss Mayhew,
all will yet be well. Be your brave self, and you can help me save
him. Tell Mr. Burleigh to come here. Have a physician sent for."
Ida almost dragged the bewildered host from his office.
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