ully deserted us, and we can get
something to eat, and go home at our leisure. As I have always told
you, the only way to travel independently is in a touring-car."

At the New Haven House they bought three waiters, body and soul, and,
in spite of the fact that in the very next room the team was breaking
training, obtained an excellent but chaotic dinner; and by eight they
were on their way back to the big city.

The night was grandly beautiful. The waters of the Sound flashed in
the light of a cold, clear moon, which showed them, like pictures in
silver print, the sleeping villages through which they passed, the
ancient elms, the low-roofed cottages, the town hall facing the common.
The post road was again empty, and the car moved as steadily as a watch.

"Just because it knows we don't care now when we get there," said
Brother Sam, "you couldn't make it break down with an axe."

From the rear, where he sat with Fred, he announced he was going to
sleep, and asked that he be not awakened until the car had crossed the
State line between Connecticut and New York. Winthrop doubted if he
knew the State line of New York.

"It is where the advertisements for Besse Baker's twenty-seven stores
cease," said Sam drowsily, "and the billposters of Ethel Barrymore
begin."

In the front of the car the two young people spoke only at intervals,
but Winthrop had never been so widely alert, so keenly happy, never
before so conscious of her presence.

And it seemed as they glided through the mysterious moonlit world of
silent villages, shadowy woods, and wind-swept bays and inlets, from
which, as the car rattled over the planks of the bridges, the wild duck
rose in noisy circles, they alone were awake and living.

The silence had lasted so long that it was as eloquent as words. The
young man turned his eyes timorously, and sought those of the girl.
What he felt was so strong in him that it seemed incredible she should
be ignorant of it. His eyes searched the gray veil. In his voice
there was both challenge and pleading.

"'Shall be together,'" he quoted, "'breathe and ride. So, one day more
am I deified; who knows but the world may end to-night?'"

The moonlight showed the girl's eyes shining through the veil, and
regarding him steadily.

"If you don't stop this car quick," she said, "the world WILL end for
all of us."

He shot a look ahead, and so suddenly threw on the brake that Sam and
the chauffeur tumbled awake