--little girl? You'll marry me right away?
When--tonight?"

"Hardly!"

"Tomorrow, then?"

She drew the glove from her hand and held the slender fingers up before
him.

"You can get the ring----"

"Gee! I do have to get a ring, don't I?"

"Yes----"

"Why didn't you tell me? You know I never got married before."

"I should hope not!"

He seized her hand and kissed it, drew her into his arms, held her
crushed and breathless and released her with a quick, impulsive
movement.

"You'll help me get it?" he asked eagerly.

"If you like."

"A big white sparkler?"

"No--no----"

"No?"

"A plain little gold band."

"Let me get you a big diamond!"

"No--a plain gold band."

"It's all settled then?"

"We're engaged. You're my fiance."

"But for God's sake, Kiddo--how long do I have to be a fiance?"

A ripple of laughter rang through the trees.

"Don't you think we've done pretty well for seven days?"

"I could have settled it in seven minutes after we met," he answered
complainingly. "You won't tell me the day yet?"

"Not yet----"

"All right, we'll just have to take blessings as they come, then."

Through the beautiful afternoon they sat side by side with close-pressed
hands and planned the future which love had given. A modest flat far up
among the trees on the cliffs overlooking the Hudson, they decided on.

"We'll begin with that," he cried enthusiastically, "but we won't stay
there long. I've got big plans. I'm going to make a million. The white
house down by the sea for me, a yacht out in the front yard and a
half-dozen thundering autos in the garage. If this deal I'm on now goes
through, I'll make my pile in a year----"

They rose as the shadows lengthened.

"I must go home and feed my pets," she sighed.

"All right," he responded heartily. "I'll get the car and be there in a
jiffy. We'll take a spin out to a road-house for dinner."

She lifted her eyes tenderly.

"You can come right up to my room--now that we're engaged."

He swept her into his arms again, and held her in unresisting happiness.

It was dark when he swung the gray car against the curb and sprang out.
He didn't blow his horn for her to come down. The privilege she had
granted was too sweet and wonderful. He wouldn't miss it for the world.

The stairs were dark. Ella was late this afternoon getting back to her
work. His light footstep scarcely made a sound. He found each step with
quick, instinctive touch. The bu