" Dick said. "The money end of it
worries me as much as anything."

"I wouldn't let that worry me."

"She won't take any of mine, you know."

"I know she won't. See here, Dick, I wouldn't worry about Nancy's
finances. She'll come out all right about money."

"What makes you think so?"

"I know so. We've got lots of things in the world to worry about,
things that are scheduled to go wrong unless we're mighty delicate in
the way we handle 'em. Let's worry about _them_, and leave Nancy's
financial problems to take care of themselves."

"Which means," Dick said, "that you are sure that she's all right. I'm
not in her confidence in this matter--"

"Well, I am," Billy said, "I'm her legal adviser, and with all due
respect to your taste in girls, it's a very difficult position to
occupy. What with the things she won't listen to and the things she
won't learn, and the things she actually knows more about than I
do--"

The indulgent smile of the true lover lit Dick's face, as if Billy had
waxed profoundly eulogistic. Unconsciously, Billy's own tenderness
took fire at the flame.

"Why don't we run away with 'em?" he said, breathing heavily.

Dick stopped in a convenient doorway to light his third cigarette, end
on.

"It's the answer to you and Caroline," he said.

"Why not to you and Nancy?"

"It may be," Dick said, "I dunno. I've reached an _impasse_. Still
there is a great deal in your proposition."

They turned in at the portico that extended out over the big oak doors
of their club. An attendant in white turned the knob for them, with
the grin of enthusiastic welcome that was the usual tribute to these
two good-looking, well set up young men from those who served them.

"I'll think it over," Dick added, as he gave up his hat and stick,
"and let you know what decision I come to."

In another five minutes they were deep in a game of Kelly-pool from
which Dick emerged triumphantly richer by the sum of a dollar and
ninety cents, and Billy the poorer by the loss of a quarter.

* * * * *

There is a town in Connecticut, within a reasonable motoring distance
from New York that has been called the Gretna Green of America. Here
well-informed young couples are able to expedite the business of
matrimony with a phenomenal neatness and despatch. Licenses can be
procured by special dispensation, and the nuptial knot tied as
solemnly and solidly as if a premeditated train of