wife."

With a pretty impulse she took one of his hands and raised it to her
lips.

People were passing almost constantly. They were forced to separate, to
pass a group of children, playing noisily on the pavement.

"I know I should have spoken to your uncle, first," he said, "but I knew
he would say no, unless--unless you asked him, too."

"Ah! but I am so glad you told me to-day," said Phyllis. "I am so glad,
so glad! Of all the days in the year I should have chosen to-day. You
don't know why, do you? Because to-day is the fourteenth of
February,--Saint Valentine's Day."

In a rush of words she told him of her mother's name, and of her mother,
and of her valentines.

"You haven't told me you love me yet," said John.

"Can't you hear my heart singing it?" asked Phyllis.

"But I want to hear you say the words," he urged.

"I love you, John," said Phyllis softly.

"And you will promise to marry me--some day?" he asked.

"Yes--some day," she repeated shyly.

"And you are not afraid of the future?"

"Not a bit," said Phyllis. She smiled up at him. "You must take me home,
now, and we will tell Uncle Peter."

They rode home on the top of a motor-bus. He tucked her hand into his
greatcoat pocket, and held it there. Their mood was exalted. The streets
were glorified; the gloomy buildings had become wonderful castles; their
fellow-passengers were surrounded with the mystery of romance.

It grew colder rapidly; at the terminus they clambered down stiffly.
Twilight had fallen when they reached the great gates of the park. John
stopped and laid a detaining hand on Phyllis's arm. They kissed for the
first time. Moment of ecstasy!

It is doubtful if they would ever have got past the park gates except
for the warning whistle of a hurrying messenger boy, on a bicycle.

"My eye! What a smack!" he yelled, as he shot past. John glared, but
Phyllis laughed happily.

He would have lingered as they walked down the long street to the
house; but Phyllis had no doubt of the outcome; Sir Peter's frown was
without terrors for her, but to John--how formidable. His footsteps
lagged as they climbed the wide steps to the door.

"Sir Peter was called out of town by a telegram," said Burbage, in the
hall. "He said he would be home by a late train. Thompson's to meet the
twelve-thirty."

John clutched at this reprieve.

"I have a class at Saint Ruth's at seven," he said. "I must hurry away,
Miss Oglebay." Burbage was helpin