"Callie, you sweet little goose, I've been dead in love with you for six months, and have asked myself a thousand times, 'Will she have me if I ask her?' and now I ask you--will you be my wife?" "Yes, Fred." "Do you love me?" he asked her impulsively. "Yes, yes. Oh, Fred, I am so happy now that I know you love me! I was so afraid you did not." Fred caught her in his arms and kissed her, saying: "Let's drive to the mayor's office at once, and---." "No, that won't do. We both have mothers who love us. They will be glad to know that we love each other. Let's wait a little while and have a quiet wedding at my mother's home." "How long do you want me to wait?" "Will a month be too long?" "Hang it, yes. Make it two weeks and it's a go." "Well, say two weeks, then." He kissed her again. "Hello! Spooning!" cried Bob, coming in at that moment. "Yes," replied Fred. "We got it bad," and he kissed her again. "Yum-yum!" said Bob. "Wish my girl was here," and he wiped his mouth and laughed. "Say, pard," said Fred, "we are going to hitch in two weeks." "Great Scott! Why such haste?" "Old age is coming on and we want all there is in life for us, eh, Callie?" "You are doing all the talking, Fred," Callie replied. Bob and Fred laughed, and Callie joined in finally. She was a very happy girl. "How about my position at Barron's, Fred?" she asked. "Give it up, of course. Do you know a poor girl who wants the place?" "I do," said Bob. "Who is she?" "A friend of Gertie's. She's a good one, too." "Well, let's see her before Callie steps down and out." "I'll tell Gertie about it to-night." "Yes." "Oh, I must see Gertie myself. Let me tell her all about it," said Callie. Bob was with Gertie in her home that evening when Callie and Fred called. The two girls were soon planning for a double wedding, and ere they parted it was arranged that both should marry on the same evening. The young inventor of the gas-saving machine was now a frequent caller at the Halsey residence, for Adah was a beautiful girl, who was fast developing into a splendid woman. She was the magnet that drew him to the house. As he was studious, industrious, and withal a genius, Fred was glad to see an attachment growing up between them. Callie resigned her place as stenographer and typewriter for Banker Barron, and succeeded in getting Gertie's friend employed in her place. She and Gertie then proceeded to make preparations to marry the young bankers and speculators. In the meantime Fred was busy in the Stock Exchange, trying to find out what Broker Bryant was doing. He kept his eyes wide open all the time to see if he was working on any particular stock. But the burly broker seemed to have nothing at all to do. Fred noticed that he and old Bowles no longer spoke as they passed by.