e of kids."

She turned and looked up at him. Slowly, she said:

"But if I hadn't succeeded, and if things--things weren't just as they
seem--would it make any difference to you, John?"

He took her in his arms and kissed her, drawing her onto the sofa
beside him.

"Not the least in the world. Now, don't get blue. I should not have
surprised you this way. It's taken you off your feet."

Looking at his watch, he jumped up, and, going behind the sofa, he got
his overcoat. "But we've not any time to lose. How soon can you get
ready?"

Laura knelt on the sofa, leaning over the back.

"You mean to go at once?" she asked.

"Nothing else."

"Take all my things?"

"All your duds," he smiled. "Can't you get ready?"

"Why, my dear, I can get ready most any time."

He came over and stood by her chair, looking down at her
affectionately. With a smile, he said:

"Well, are you ready?"

She looked up quickly, a faint flush on her pale face.

"For what, dear?"

"You know what I said in the telegram?"

"Yes."

Her head dropped forward on his shoulder. In a low tone, she murmured:

"Yes."

"Well, I meant it," he said tenderly.

"I know," she whispered.

He took a seat on the other side of the table facing her.

"I've got to get back, Laura, just as soon as ever I can. There's a lot
of work to be done out in Nevada, and I stole away to come to New York.
I want to take you back. Can you go?"

"Yes--when?"

"This afternoon. We'll take the eighteen-hour train to Chicago, late
this afternoon, and connect at Chicago with the Overland, and I'll soon
have you in a home." He hesitated a moment; then he said: "And here's
another secret."

"What, dear?"

"I've got that home all bought and furnished, and while you wouldn't
call it a Fifth Avenue residence, still it has got something on any
other one in town."

Looking into the bedroom, he asked: "Is that your maid?"

"Yes--Annie."

"Well, you and she can pack everything you want to take; the rest can
follow later." Putting his coat on, he went on: "I planned it all out.
There's a couple of boys downtown, one's Glenn Warner--you know him--he
introduced me to you that night--the other is a newspaper man. I
telephoned them when I got in, and they're waiting for me. I'll just
get down there as soon as I can. I won't be gone long."

"How long?" she demanded.

"I don't know just how long, but we'll make that train. I'll get the
license. We'll be married, and