Alan's heart bounded and then it sank. Miller was smiling at him knowingly. “Go ahead,” he said, pushing him gently towards the sled. “It's all right.” Hardly knowing if he were acting wisely, Alan took the reins and sat down by Dolly. Adele stepped up behind to say good-bye to Dolly, and they kissed each other. It was barely audible, and yet it reached the ears of the restive horses and they bounded away like the wind. “A peculiar way to start horses,” Alan laughed. “A pleasant way,” she said. “Your sister is a dear, dear girl.” Then he told her his fears in regard to what her father would think of his driving with her. “He's out of town to-day,” she answered, with a frank upward glance, “and mother wouldn't care.” “Then I'm going to enjoy it fully,” he said. “I've been dying to see you, Dolly.” “And do you suppose I haven't wanted to see you? When Mr. Miller proposed this just now it fairly took my breath away. I was afraid you might happen not to be around the hotel. Oh, there is so much I want to say--and so little time.” “When I'm with you I can' t talk,” he said. “It seems, in some way, to take up time like the ticking of a clock. I simply want to close my eyes, and--be with you, Dolly--_YOU_.” “I know, but we must be practical, and think of the future. Mr. Miller tells me there is a chance for your big scheme to succeed. Oh, if it only would!” “Yes, a pretty good chance,” he told her; “but even then your father--” “He'd not hold out against you then,” said Dolly, just for an impulsive moment clasping his arm as they shot through a snow-drift and turned a corner of the street leading into the country. “Then it must succeed,” he said, looking at her tenderly. “It _must_, Dolly.” “I shall pray for it--that and nothing else.” Feeling the slack reins on their backs, the horses slowed up till they were plodding along lazily. Suddenly the sled began to drag on the clay road where the wind had bared it of snow, and the horses stopped of their own accord, looking back at their increased burden inquiringly. Alan made no effort to start them on again. It was a sequestered spot, well hidden from the rest of the road by an old hedge of Osage orange bushes. “We must not stop, _dear_,” Dolly said, laying her hand again on his arm. “You know driving is--is different from this. As long as we are moving in any direction, I have no scruples, but to stop here in the road--no, it won't do.” “I was just wondering if we can start them,” he said, a mischievous look in his laughing eye. “Start them?” She extended her hand for the reins, but he held them out of her reach. “Why, what do you mean?” “Why, you saw the way they were started at the hotel,” he answered, in quite a serious tone. “Ray has trained them-that way. They won't budge an inch unless--” “Oh, you silly boy!” Dolly was flushing charmingly. “It's true,” he said. “I'm sorry if you object, for it's absolutely the only available way.” She raised her full, trusting eyes to his.