're a magician!"

There could be no doubt about the practical use to which the shop was
being put. Its one small window opened on a fire escape in the narrow
court in the rear. A skylight in the middle opened with a hinge on the
roof and flooded the space with perfect light. An iron ladder swung from
the skylight and was hooked up against the ceiling by a hasp fastened
to a staple over a work-bench. On one side of the room was a tiny
blacksmith's forge, an anvil, hammers and a complete set of tools for
working in rough iron. A small gasoline engine supplied the power which
turned his lathe and worked the drills, saw and plane. On the other
side of the room was arranged a fairly complete chemical laboratory with
several retorts, and an oxyhydrogen blow-pipe capable of developing the
powerful heat used in the melting and brazing of metals. Beneath the
benches were piled automobile supplies of every kind.

"You know how to use all these machines, Jim?" she asked in wonder.

"Sure, and then some!" he answered with a wave of his slender hand.

"You're a wizard----"

"Now the den?" he said briskly.

She followed him through the hall and into the large front corner room
overlooking Avenue B and Eighteenth Street. The morning sun flooded the
front and the afternoon sun poured into the side windows. The furniture
was solid mahogany--a bed, bureau, chiffonier, couch and three chairs.
The windows were fitted with wood-paneled shutters, shades and heavy
draperies. A thick, soft carpet of faded red covered the floor.

"It's a nice room, Jim, but I'd like to dust it for you," she said with
a smile.

"Sure. I'm for giving you the right to dust it every morning, Kiddo,
beginning now. Let's find a preacher tonight!"

She blushed and moved a step toward the door.

"Just a little while. You know it's been only ten days since we met----"

"But we've lived some in that time, haven't we?"

"An eternity, I think," she said reverently.

"I want to marry right now, girlie!" he pleaded desperately. "If that
spider gets you in her den again, I just feel like it's good night for
me."

"Nonsense. You can't believe me such a silly child. I'm a woman. I love
you. Do you think the foolish prejudice of a friend could destroy my
love for the man whom I have chosen for my mate?"

"No, but I want it fixed and then it's fixed--and they can say what
they please. Marry me tonight! You've got the ring. You're going to in a
little while, anyh