st part of our summers here, and we
have had worlds of fun on the river and beside it--and in it."

"I'm glad I'm a business man in Eastman. I can imagine what this river
is like in summer. It's wonderful to-night, isn't it? Let's skate on
down to the mouth and out to sea. What do you say?"

"A beautiful plan. We have a good start; we must make time or it will be
moonset before we come to the sea."

"This is a glorious stroke; let's hit it up a little, swing a little
farther--and make for the mouth of the river. No talking till we come in
sight. We're off!"

It was ten miles to the mouth of the river, as they both understood, so
this was nonsense of the most obvious sort. But the imagination took
hold of them and they swung away on over the smooth, shining floor with
the long vigorous strokes which are so exhilarating to the accomplished
skater. In silence they flew, only the warm, clasped hands making a link
between them, their faces turned straight toward the great golden disk
in the eastern heavens. Richard was feeling that he could go on
indefinitely, and was exulting in his companion's untiring progress,
when he felt her slowing pull upon his hands.

"Tired?" he asked, looking down at her.

"Not much, but we've all the way back to go--and we ought not to be away
so long."

"Oughtn't we? I'd like to be away forever--with you!"

She looked straight up at him. His eyes were like black coals in the dim
light. His hands would have tightened on hers, but she drew them away.

"Oh, no, you wouldn't, Mr. Richard Kendrick," said she, as quietly as
one can whose breath comes with some difficulty after long-sustained
exertion. "By the time we reached--even the mouth of the river, you'd be
tired of my company."

"Should I? I think not. I've thought of nothing but you since the day I
saw you first."

"Really? That's--how long? Was it November when you came to help Uncle
Calvin? This is February. And you've never spent so much as a whole hour
alone with me. You see, you don't even know me. What a foolish thing to
say to a girl you barely know!"

"Foolish, is it?" He felt his heart racing now. What other girl he knew
would have answered him like that? "Then you shall hear something that
backs it up. I've loved you since that day I saw you first. What will
you do with that?"

She was silent for a moment. Then she turned, striking out toward home.
He was instantly after her, reached for her hands, and took her along