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her to it。 Then he lifted his hat； and was about to depart； when
she said： 〃Since you are on the same train； perhaps you will venture
to take this seat near me。 I never was curious about a gentleman's
business before； but it strikes me as a rather odd coincidence that
you are going to Boston to…day。〃
〃A great many people go to Boston；〃 he replied。
〃It's for my sake you are taking this long journey； Mr。 Stanton；〃
she said； regretfully。
〃Yes；〃 he replied； in the same quiet； undemonstrative manner that
he had maintained towards her for some weeks past； 〃this journey
is for your sake； and for your sake I shall take a very different
journey through life from the one I had marked out for myself。 I
know your sad story； Miss Burton。 I expect nothing from you； I
hope for nothing； and I shall never ask anything； except a little
confidence on your part； so that I can render you an occasional
service。 Never for a moment imagine that I am cherishing hopes
that I know well you cannot reward。〃
〃Mr。 Stanton； this is beyond my comprehension！〃
〃There seems to me nothing strange or unnatural in it；〃 he said。
〃You found me a pleasure…loving animal； and through your influence
I think I am becoming somewhat different。 You have taught me that
there is a higher and better world than that of sense。 How good
a work I can do in life I will let the years prove as they pass。
But I do not think my feelings will ever change towards you； save
as time deepens and strengthens them。 Van thinks all the world of
you； as well he may； but his life will be very happy and full of
many interest。 I shall think of you alone； and the work I do for
your sake until I can add another motive。 Of course I believe in a
heavensuch lives as your make one necessary； and I mean to find
a way of getting there。 In the meantime； you are my motive； but my
regard for you shall be so very unobtrusive that I trust you will
not resent it； and the thought of my unseen care and watchfulness
may in time come to be a pleasant one。〃
There was nothing in his tone or manner to indicate that to their
fellow…travelers that he was not speaking on the most ordinary
topic； and he looked her full in the face with his clear dark eyes；
in which she saw only truth and faithfulness。
She was very； very deeply touched； and she could not keep the tears
out of her eyes as she leaned towards him and said in tones that
no others could hear：
〃I am no longer the friendless orphan I was when I came to the Lake
House。 In Mr。 Van Berg I have found a friend whom I can trust； in
you； Ik Stanton； a brother that I can love。〃
If the reader's patience has not failed him up to this long…deferred
moment； it shall now be rewarded by a few brief； concluding words。
Mrs。 Mayhew felt considerably aggrieved that she had had so little
part in Ida's engagement with the wealthy and aristocratic Mr。
Van Berg； and in later years she complained that they were very
unfashionable； and spent an unreasonable amount of time in looking
after all kinds of charitable institutions。 Mr。 Mayhew drank ever
deeper at the full fountain of his child's love； and is serenely
passing on to an honorable old age。 Mr。 Eltinge is now beyond age
and weakness； but Ida often murmurs with tears in her eyes as she
looks at his portrait； 〃He is just speaking to me as he did when
my heart was breaking。〃 Stanton's city friends say that he has
greatly changed and might stand very high as a lawyer and politician
if he were not so quixotic and prone to take cases in which there
was no money； but he receives letters from New England which seem
to compensate him for lack of large fees。 Van Berg has not yet
regretted that he entrusted 〃faulty Ida Mayhew〃 with his happiness；
and he is more anxious than ever to lure her to his studio。 For
a long time he had to take the truth of her faith on trust but at
last he stood by her side at God's altar and confessed that Name
which has been the lowliest and grandest of earth。
Ida is still very human； but with all her faults； her husband often
whispers in her ear： 〃Not Ida； but Ideal。〃 She is continually
giving up her life for Christ's sake； and as often finds it coming
back to her in some richer； sweeter form； and by her simple； joyous
faith has led many to the Friend she found in the quaint old garden；
and who says of all who come； 〃I will give unto them eternal life。〃
Jennie Burton is still waiting； but at the end of each day of
faithful work she sings the song of hope that Ida taught her：
No hope； 'tis said； though buried deep；
But angels o'er it vigils keep；
No love in sepulchre shall stay；
For Christ MY Friend will roll away
The heavy stone of death。
THE END