"How will you manage so grave a matter as an elopement?" inquired the nurse, soberly. "I'll think it out--oh, now that you are going to be our housekeeper, and all that, you can help us easily, and no one will ever know it," concluded the patient, his face lighting up as if inspired. Parkins knew how to smile, and to appear the soul of honor. The nurse, Mrs. Duke by name, as given to him by Dr. Benton when he introduced her, at once approved him. "I might be helpful, and would be willing to aid, but I wouldn't want to be left here to be blamed for it," said she soberly. "Why, that's easy to avoid," said Parkins. "During your daily exercise, manage to meet her, and get acquainted. But don't tell her of our plans, because she is a nervous little soul and might see difficulties in the way. Naturally she'd want her father along, but that would spoil the elopement," said the patient, with a sly wink. "I see that clearly, but what about me? I----" "I was just going to tell you what to do. First, get acquainted with her, and on a certain day I'll have a car waiting at a certain place near by. As you walk along with her you could suggest a pretty place you'd like to have her see. When she arrives there the car will be waiting, and you and my sweetheart will jump in, and away you'll go. Meanwhile, as the car passes this place I will be where I can jump in and become manager of the affair." "I'm so afraid of anything like that!" exclaimed Mrs. Duke. "We might be arrested." "Oh, pshaw! Nothing of the kind. She's of age--she loves me--and we are going to be married! The only thing I'm afraid of is that the old bachelor who owns the place where she is now might want to marry her, and she is so sweet and obliging, her father might coax her into marriage with this man Villard," explained Parkins. "Villard! Is that his place?" asked the nurse, sharply as she again looked out upon the beautiful home. "Yes, it's worth a couple of millions, including the land and beach property," replied the patient. "Why, he was the man over here last night, was he not?" "That was Drury Villard. You saw how friendly he was with me, and how concerned he was about my condition, and everything." "Yes, indeed, a fine looking man--but too old for that sweet little girl," said the nurse, shaking her head in deprecation of even the thought of such a match. "He may be a nice man, and all that, and seems kindly, but an old man's love is no love at all, so I'm going to help the girl to escape such a fate," she concluded, shaking her head as she meant it. "And if you do, I'll give you one thousand dollars in cash!" whispered Parkins, as the nurse looked into his eyes. They held true, disclosing not the least appearance of deceit. Whereupon Mrs. Duke nodded her head affirmatively. "I'll do it," she said, "and if you don't mind, I am going out for a little fresh air"--all of which was accompanied by a knowing smile--the smile of a skillful accomplice.