hat moist hand as if to lead her
to a seat. Only a few steps up a mossy bank offered its temptation, and
with quick gallantry he drew his coat off and spread it for her to sit
upon.

"It's nice and cool here," she said, "but we must not stay long. Blanch
will be waiting."

In a way it was an unwise speech, for it recalled his sister's warning
to talk fast and not be afraid. As is usual with most lovers, he had
thought many times of what he would say, and how he would say it; but
now that the critical moment had come, his well-chosen words vanished.
He had remained standing, and for a moment looked at Alice as she sat
with hat-hidden face, and then his heart-burst came.

"Miss Page," he said in a low voice, "you must know what I want to say
and--and I've come all the way from Maine to say it, and can you--is
there any hope for me in your feelings? Is there just a little?"

He paused, but no answer came, only her head sank a trifle lower and now
even the tip of her chin was invisible beneath the hat. It may be the
movement emboldened him, for in an instant he was beside her on the
ground and had one hand a prisoner.

"Tell me, Alice," he pleaded, "is there any chance for me? Say just one
word--only one! Say 'yes'!"

The prisoned hand was at his lips now, and then she raised her face and
oh, divine sight! those blue eyes were filled with tears!

One instant flash of heaven only, and then a change came. Almost had she
yielded, but not quite, for now she arose quickly and turning away said
half petulantly, "Oh, please don't speak of that now and spoil our
visit. Let us go back to the mill."

But still he held the little hand, and as she tried to draw it away he
said pitifully: "Do you mean it, Alice? Is it no? Oh, don't let me go
away without one word of hope!"

Then she raised her one free arm, and resting it against a nearby tree
pressed her face upon it and almost whispered, "Oh, don't ask me now! I
can't say 'yes' and I can't say 'no'!"

"I shall believe that your heart says 'yes,'" he responded quickly,
slipping one arm around her waist, "and until you do say 'no' I shall
keep on loving you just the same."

But he had not won her yet, for she drew herself away, and turning a
piteous face toward him exclaimed, "Don't, please, say another word now,
or I shall hate myself as long as I live if you do!"

For one moment he stood dumfounded, and then it all dawned upon him.
"Forgive me, sweet Alice," he said sof