Prudence Says So Part 38

"I--I." She looked up at him desperately. "I--well, I made you say it, didn't I?"

"Did you want me to say it, dearest? Have you been waiting, too? How long have you--"

"Oh, a long time; since that night among the rose bushes at the parsonage."

"Since then?"

"Yes; that was why it didn't break my pledge when you kissed me. Because I--was waiting then."

"Do you love me?"

"Oh, P'fessor, don't make me say it right out in plain English--not to-night. I'm pretty nearly going to cry now, and--" she twinkled a little then, like herself, "you know what crying does to my complexion."

But he did not smile. "Don't cry," he said. "We want to be happy to-night. You will tell me to-morrow. To-night--"

"To-night," she said sweetly, turning in his arms so that her face was toward him again, "to-night--" She lifted her arms, and put them softly about his neck, the laces falling back and showing her pink dimpled elbows. "To-night, my dearest,--" She lifted her lips to him, smiling.

THE END