She has made you a prince among men. You are my
elder brother, Ik, from this time forth, and I won't put on any more
airs with you. As I said, your remarks in regard to your cousin
came a little late. You see, my ring is gone, and you know I have
often laughingly told you that my mother gave it to me on conditions
that made it very safe property. I have parted with it, however,
and very honestly too; but you will see it again, soon."
"Van," said Stanton, with a slight quaver in his voice, and a very
sickly attempt at his old humor, "I have forfeited my wager that
followed your prediction, which I thought so absurd at the time;
but I'll forgive you everything, and bestow my blessing on you and
Ida, if you will paint me a portrait of Miss Burton."
"The best I can possibly make, Ik, and she shall look as she did
when she called you a true, noble-hearted gentleman."
Van Berg now found no difficulty in bringing about a friendship
between Ida and Jennie Burton, and the two maidens spent the greater
part of Sabbath afternoon together. Ida hid nothing in her full
confidence, not even the crime that had been in her thoughts, and
which might have destroyed the life that now was growing so rich
and beautiful.
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