She shook her head and bit her lips as the tears slowly dimmed her eyes. “It takes my breath,” she murmured. “I can't realize what it all means. It seems too wonderful to be true.” “And you won't turn me down because I don't know who my father and mother was?” “No--my heart goes out to you in a great pity for your lonely, wretched boyhood.” “I couldn't help that--now could I?” “Of course not. It's wonderful that you've made your way alone and won the fight of life.” He gripped her hands and held her at arms' length, devouring her with his deep, slumbering eyes. “Gee, but you're a brick, little girl! I thought you were an angel when I first saw you. Now I know it. Just watch me work for you! I'll show you a thing or two. You'll marry me right away, won't you?” He bent close, his breath on her lips. Her eyes drooped under his passionate gaze, and the tears slowly stole down her cheeks. Her hour of life had struck! So suddenly, so utterly unexpectedly, it rang a thunderbolt from the clear sky. “You will, won't you?” he pleaded. She smiled at him through her tears and slowly said: “I can't say yes today.” “Why--why?” “You've swept me off my feet--I--I can't think.” “I don't want you to think--I want you to marry me right now.” “I must have a little time.” His face fell in despair. “Say, little girl, don't turn me down--you'll kill me.” “I'm not turning you down,” she protested tenderly. “I only want time to see that I'm not crazy. I have to pinch myself to see if I'm awake. It all seems a dream”--she paused and lifted her radiant face to his--“a beautiful dream--the most wonderful my soul has ever seen. I must be sure it's real!” He drew her into his arms, and her body again relaxed in surrender as his lips touched hers. “Isn't that the real thing?” he laughed. She lay very still, her eyes closed, her face a scarlet flame. She was frightened at the swift realization of its overwhelming reality. The touch of his hand thrilled to the last fiber and nerve of her body. Her own trembling fingers clung to him with desperate longing tenderness. She roused herself with an effort and drew away. “That's enough now. I must have a little common-sense. Let's go----” He clung to her hand. “You'll let me come to see you, tomorrow night?” “Yes----” “And the next night--and every night this week--what's the difference? There's nobody to say no, is there?” “No one.” “You'll let me?” “Tomorrow sure. Maybe you won't want to come the next night.” “Maybe I won't! Just wait and see!” He seized both hands again and held her at arms' length. “Don't go yet--just let me look at you a minute more! The only girl I ever had in my life--and she's the prettiest thing God ever made on this earth. Ain't I the lucky boy?” “We must go now,” she cried, blushing again under his burning eyes. He dropped her hands suddenly and saluted military fashion. “All right, teacher! I'm the little boy that does exactly what he's told.”