ace of Rufus Dingwell relaxed for the first time into
a broad grin. "There are further particulars, sir, stated in the
newspaper," he said slily.

"Damn the newspaper!" Amelius answered.

Rufus bowed, serenely courteous, with the air of a man who accepted a
British oath as an unwilling compliment paid by the old country to the
American press. "The newspaper report states, sir, that she kissed you."

"It's a lie!" Amelius shouted.

"Perhaps it's an error of the press," Rufus persisted. "Perhaps, _you_
kissed _her?"_

"Never mind what I did," said Amelius savagely.

Mr. Hethcote felt it necessary to interfere. He addressed Rufus in his
most magnificent manner. "In England, Mr. Dingwell, a gentleman is not
in the habit of disclosing these--er--these--er, er--"

"These kissings in a wood?" suggested Rufus. "In my country, sir, we
do not regard kissing, in or out of a wood, in the light of a shameful
proceeding. Quite the contrary, I do assure you."

Amelius recovered his temper. The discussion was becoming too ridiculous
to be endured by the unfortunate person who was the object of it.

"Don't let us make mountains out of molehills," he said. "I did kiss
her--there! A woman pressing the prettiest little purse you ever saw
into your hand, and wishing you many happy returns of the day with the
tears in her eyes; I should like to know what else was to be done but
to kiss her. Ah, yes, smooth out your newspaper report, and have another
look at it! She _did_ rest her head on my shoulder, poor soul, and she
_did_ say, 'Oh, Amelius, I thought my heart was turned to stone; feel
how you have made it beat!' When I remembered what she had told me in
the boat, I declare to God I almost burst out crying myself--it was so
innocent and so pitiful."

Rufus held out his hand with true American cordiality. "I do assure
you, sir, I meant no harm," he said. "The right grit is in you, and no
mistake--and there goes the newspaper!" He rolled up the slip, and flung
it overboard.

Mr. Hethcote nodded his entire approval of this proceeding. Amelius went
on with his story.

"I'm near the end now," he said. "If I had known it would have taken so
long to tell--never mind! We got out of the wood at last, Mr. Rufus;
and left it without a suspicion that we had been watched. I was prudent
enough (when it was too late, you will say) to suggest to her that we
had better be careful for the future. Instead of taking it seriously,
she laughed. '