he, Skippy, who had
never loved before. Of course she was not pledged. That he comprehended.
She was yet to be won. The years between them were nothing. Josephine
Beauharnais was older than Napoleon. By the time they returned to the
school, he had opened his heart impulsively and spread before the
astonished ideal of his affections the treasures of his inventive
imagination. Miss Lafontaine had been sympathetic. She had understood at
once. She had rather lightly passed over the Bedelle Improved Bathtub.
The subject, of course, was a delicate one; but the idea of
mosquito-proof stockings had captured her imagination. With her faith
acquired he could wait for years the coming opportunity.

"Why, Jack, I never heard of such an imagination," she said, converting
an explosive laugh into a sneeze in the nick of time.

"Oh, that's just a beginning," he said confidently. "I've got bigger
things than that stored away."

"Why, you'll be richer than Rockefeller!"

"That's only a small part of it," he said carelessly. What of course he
had wished her to know, and he flattered himself that he had done it
with great delicacy, was that he was a prize worth waiting for.

"You didn't tell Mr. Sidell about Cora, did you?" said Mimi
irrelevantly, as they arrived at the school and she began anxiously to
scan the passing groups.

"You bet I didn't, good Lord, no, Mimi."

"I was sure I could trust you," said Miss Lafontaine,--who of course had
hoped for quite a different issue.

"Gee! this has been one day," he said, half smothered with emotion.

"Has it really?" said the young lady, giving his arm a little squeeze.

"I shall never, never forget."

"Jack, that's what they all say."

Her skepticism pained him. He wanted to do something, something heroic
to show her the manly quality of his devotion.

"I don't suppose there's any chance of your getting permission to come
back with us for dinner," said Clara Bedelle to Turkey.

"About as much chance as my passing a Bible exam," said Turkey
cheerfully.

A great idea smote down on Skippy,--he would accomplish the impossible!

"Swear to keep a secret, Mimi?" he said in a whisper.

"I swear."

"I shall call on you at exactly nine thirty to-night."

"Good gracious, but we're ages away."

"What difference does that make? There is something I've just got to say
to you."

"But if they catch you!"

"They won't."

"But, Jack, how will you get there?"

"I'll come on the run