“Because I wouldn’t accept what I haven’t earned,” replied the boy stoutly.
The western man regarded him with an amused smile.
All the same, he began to look upon the lad with a new and increased respect.
“Well,” he said in an altered tone, “we’ll defer the discussion of such a thing to another time. As a matter of fact, my life, which you have presented to me, I may say, is worth more than two millions. In fact, it is quite beyond any financial value. Will you permit me to bestow on you in return for it a lifelong friendship?”
There was no doubting the feeling which actuated those words.
“I shall be only too glad to accept that,” replied Vance, his strong, young face lighting up with pleasure.
“It’s a bargain,” said Bradhurst, extending his hand. “Shake on it.”
Vance grasped his big brown hand, and with that handclasp the glittering goddess of fortune hovered for an instant over the boy’s head and touched him with the point of one of her golden wings.
“I hope I haven’t talked you to death, Thornton,” said the man from the golden West, rising and slapping the lad familiarly on the back; “but as it is lunch hour, I think we may as well go down to the dining-room and have a bite.”
“I second the motion,” laughed Vance, getting on his feet.