slid an arm through Anthony's, and they started back....

Anthony's brain was whirling. He did not know what to think. What was
worse, he did not know what to do. Did she think he had called back
Time? That he had asked her to marry him? Had he? Were his words
tantamount to that? Was he prepared to marry her--this wonderful,
glorious creature stepping so joyously beside him--this peerless queen,
who had wronged him, yet in his eyes could do no wrong? As once
before, that touch upon his arm sent the blood singing through his
veins. His pulses leaped and danced. An old strange joy came
welling.... It was as if a fountain within him had begun to play--an
old forgotten fountain, long dry--and the sun was turning its delicate
spray to a flourish of sprinkled silver. Against his better judgment
he turned and looked at her. My lady felt his gaze, and turned to meet
it with a swift smile. All the beauty of youth, all the tenderness of
love, all the shyness of maidenhood hung in that glowing countenance.
As once before, twin stars had come to light the gentle gravity of
those dark blue eyes. The mouth he had kissed in anger was a red
flower....

The memory of that kiss came back to him with a rush. He had forgotten
it, somehow. He was forgiven, of course. Still, it was only right to
speak of it--she had confessed her trespasses so very handsomely.

Standing still, he took hold of her hand.

"Valerie, I quite forgot. The kiss I gave you that day was the kiss of
a bully. I've never----"

A small cool hand covered his lips.

"Hush, lad. You mustn't say it. I know you were angry, or you'd never
have done it. But that was my fault. You know it was. And"--she
hesitated, and a blush came stealing to paint the wild rose red--"it's
the only kiss you've ever given me, and--since then--I've been very
glad of it."

For a moment Anthony stood trembling. Then he put his arm about
Valerie and held her close. There was the whisper of a tremulous sigh
in his ears, the warm fragrance of quick-coming breath beat upon his
nostrils, the radiance of love-lit beauty flooded his eyes. Slowly he
bent his head....

A wandering breeze swept out of the distance, brushed past the leafless
woods, set the curtain of silence swaying, and--was gone.

Anthony started violently and threw up his head, listening....

Imagination lent him her ears.

The faintest silvery ripple, the liquid echo of a cool clear call went
float