Harry had not heard from home since he left it. Abe had had a letter from Rutledge which gave him the news of Bim's elopement The letter had said:
"I was over to Beardstown the day Kelso and McNeil got off the steamer. I brought them home with me. Kelso was bigger than his trouble. Said that the ways of youth were a part of the great plan. 'Thorns! Thorns!' he said. 'They are the teachers of wisdom and who am I that I should think myself or my daughter too good for the like since it is written that Jesus Christ did not complain of them.'"
"Have you heard from home?" Abe asked as they paddled on.
"You're not expecting to meet Bim Kelso?"
"That's the best part of getting home for me," said Harry, turning with a smile.
"Let her drift for a minute," said Abe. "I've got a letter from James Rutledge that I want to read to you. There's a big lesson in it for both of us--something to remember as long as we live."
Abe read the letter. Harry sat motionless. Slowly his head bent forward until his chin touched his breast.
Abe said with a tender note in his voice as he folded the letter:
"This man is well along in life. He hasn't youth to help him as you have. See how he takes it and she's the only child he has. There are millions of pretty girls in the world for you to choose from."
"I know it but there's only one Bim Kelso in the world," Harry answered mournfully. "She was the one I loved."
"Yes, but you'll find another. It looks serious but it isn't--you're so young. Hold up your head and keep going. You'll be happy again soon."
"Maybe, but I don't see how," said the boy.
"There are lots of things you can't see from where you are at this present moment. There are a good many miles ahead o' you I reckon and one thing you'll see plainly, by and by, that it's all for the best. I've suffered a lot myself but I can see now it has been a help to me. There isn't an hour of it I'd be willing to give up."
They paddled along in silence for a time.
"It was my fault," said Harry presently. "I never could say the half I wanted to when she was with me. My tongue is too slow. She gave me a chance and I wasn't man enough to take it. That's all I've got to say on that subject."
He seemed to find it hard to keep his word for in a moment he added: