red. You are doing such lots of work. And you mustn't break
down--now!" With another happy, loving little laugh she gave up and
nestled against his shoulder, while he kissed her cheek and brow and
lips.

"Felix!" she exclaimed, "I'm standing out bravely against that trip to
Europe father is so determined I shall take with mother this summer.
I won't go and leave you. He hasn't said so much about it lately,
because he's not well and mother is anxious about him. I've almost
persuaded her that she ought not to leave him."

She paused a moment, her face rosy with his caresses. Her eyes sought
his and her voice sank to a whisper. "Felix, dear heart, if we could
only go there alone together! Can't we tell them and then just go away
by ourselves?"

"I don't think we'd better tell them yet. Your father seems to have
become opposed to us, for some reason, and I'm trying to win him over.
We must wait a little."

"It's only because he can't bear to think of my marrying any one. He
doesn't want to give me up----"

"I don't blame him for that!"

"But he'll have to some time, and--oh, Felix! I wish we could tell
him, and mother, soon! It makes me feel so underhanded, and it mars my
happiness, just a little, darling. Don't you think it would be better
to face the music and have it over with?"

The sound of Dr. Annister's voice dismissing a patient came to their
ears and she sprang out of his embrace. "No, no! don't whisper a word
of it," he hastily adjured her. "We must wait a little while longer.
Remember what I say." There was a touch of impatience, almost of
roughness, in his tone as he spoke the last words that made her turn
wondering eyes upon him for an instant. But her father was opening
the door into his consulting room and now came forward with an
outstretched hand. She put her arm through her lover's and walked
with him into the office.

"This naughty boy has been working too hard, father," she said gaily,
"and he has that tired feeling. I think you'd better prescribe a six
months' rest and a trip around the world!"

She was smiling persuasively at her father and did not see the look of
irritation that leaped into Brand's eyes as he turned them suddenly
upon her. Then he laughingly shook his head, saying:

"It would be a bigger dose than I could swallow, I'm afraid. I have
too many contracts on my hands now to be able to take any such French
leave as that."

"Anyway, father," she insisted as she moved toward t