"Mr.Van Berg has told me some things in your favor that you have omitted.I cannot flatter myself now that my love is stronger than yours,but you are stronger,you are braver.What is the secret of your strength?Your religion seems to do you more good than mine does me.""Well,Jennie,"said Ida musingly,there seems to me this difference.
"You have a God,I have a Saviour;you have a faith,I have a tender and helpful Friend.Jesus Christ has said to those who love and trust him:'Let not your hearts be troubled.'He said these words to men who were to suffer all things,and did so,Mr.Eltinge told me.It's just the same as if he said,You don't know,I do;leave everything to me,and it shall all be for the best in the end.See how all my trouble this summer has just prepared for this happiness,and I believe,Jennie,that your eternity of happiness will be made all the richer for every sad day of your unselfish life.The souls of such men as Harrold Fleetwood are God's richest treasures,and he whose name is Love surely kindled such love as yours and his.The God that the Bible reveals to me will not permit it to be lost,"and with Jennie's head on her bosom she sang low and sweetly:
No hope,'tis said,though buried deep,But angels o'er it vigils keep;No love in sepulchre shall stay,For Christ our Friend has rolled away The heavy stone of death.
"Oh,sing me those words again,"sobbed Jennie:"sing them again and again,till they fill my heart with hope."Ida did so.
"O Ida!God's good angel to me as well as to Harold Van Berg,"said Jennie,smiling through her tears."I bless you for those hopeful words.They will repeat themselves in my heart till all is clear and our souls that God mated are joined again.My Harrold was not one who said 'Lord,Lord'very often,but I know that he tried to 'do the will of his Father which is in heaven.'I am going to your Friend,Ida,for if ever a poor mortal needed more than mortal help and cheer,I do.I shall just give up everything into his hands,and wait patiently.""The life he will give you again,Jennie,will be infinitely richer than the one you have lost."Early in the following week Miss Burton returned to her college duties.Before parting she said to Ida:"I do not think I shall ever give way again to my old,bitter,heart-breaking grief."Almost every one in the house wanted to shake hands with her in farewell.Poor Mr.Burleigh tried to disguise his feelings by putting crepe on his hat and tying black shawl of his wife's around his arm;but he blew his nose so often that he finally said he was "taking cold on the piazza,"and so made a hasty retreat.
Ida and Van Berg accompanied Jennie to the depot,but Stanton was not to be found till they reached the station,when he quietly stepped forward and handed Jennie her checks.She was trying to say something that she meant should show her appreciation,when the train thundered up,and he handed her into a palace car,in which she found he had secured her a seat,and before she had time to say a word her tickets were in her hands and he was gone.
When,after several hours'riding,she approached a station at which she must change cars and recheck her trunks,a friendly voice said to her:
"Miss Burton,if you will give me your checks I will attend to this little matter for you.""Mr.Stanton!"she exclaimed."What does this mean?""It means that since I am on the same train with you,I can do no less than offer so slight a service."She looked at him very doubtfully,as she said:"I don't know what to think of this journey of yours.Let me now pay you for my ticket.""Mr.Van Berg handed me the money you gave him for that purpose.
It's all right.Your checks please;there is but little time."His manner was so quiet and assured,that she handed them to him hesitatingly,and a moment later stepped out on the platform.
