"And it's a good time in a way for us to be going, for Jack's father will be here and take away the bitterness of the parting. He will be following us soon to England."
"Betty, are you afraid, afraid to trust yourself to me all that long distance from home? It's a tremendous trust you give me."
Betty turned her face, glorified by love, to his.
"Afraid! with you, Tom!" and Tom was satisfied.
CHAPTER XIII
TWO VENTURES OF HOPE
It was the evening before Jack's confirmation and Tom's and Betty's wedding day. Up and down the paddock paced Tom and Jack, arm in arm, and Tom's heart was almost as full of the boy who gripped his arm as of the fair woman whom he would call wife on the morrow.
"It will be a great day for us both, Jack," he said, giving expression to his thought.
"Yes, Uncle Tom."
"Your whole life may depend upon your decision."