“Beat it then--beat it--or I can't help it!” She turned quickly and they passed through the catalogue room and lightly down the stairs. He held her soft, round arm with a grip that sent the blood tingling to the roots of her brown hair. “You understand now?” she whispered. “You bet! We walk the same way up the Avenue, through the Park to the little house on the laurel hill. And you're goin' to be sweet to me today, my Kiddo--I just feel it. I----” “Don't be too sure, sir!” she interrupted, solemnly. He laughed aloud. “You can't fool me now--and I'm crazy as a June bug! You know I like to walk--if I can be with you!” At the Park entrance she stopped again and smiled roguishly. “We'll find a seat in one of the summer houses along the Fifty-ninth Street side.” “All right,” he responded. “No--we'll go on where we started!” With a laugh, she slipped her hand through his arm. “You were a little scared of me last Saturday about this time, weren't you?” “Just a little----” “It hurt me, too, but I didn't let you know.” “I'm sorry.” “It's all right now--it's all right. Gee I but we've traveled some in a week, haven't we?” “I've known you more than a week,” she protested gayly. “Sure--I've known you since I was born.” They walked through the stately rows of elms on the Mall in joyous silence. Crowds of children and nurses, lovers and loungers, filled the seats and thronged the broad promenade. Scarcely a word was spoken until they reached the rustic house nestling among the trees on the hill. “Just a week by the calendar,” she murmured. “And I've lived a lifetime.” “It's all right then--little girl? You'll marry me right away? When--tonight?” “Hardly!” “Tomorrow, then?” She drew the glove from her hand and held the slender fingers up before him. “You can get the ring----” “Gee! I do have to get a ring, don't I?” “Yes----” “Why didn't you tell me? You know I never got married before.” “I should hope not!” He seized her hand and kissed it, drew her into his arms, held her crushed and breathless and released her with a quick, impulsive movement. “You'll help me get it?” he asked eagerly. “If you like.” “A big white sparkler?” “No--no----” “No?” “A plain little gold band.” “Let me get you a big diamond!” “No--a plain gold band.” “It's all settled then?” “We're engaged. You're my fiance.” “But for God's sake, Kiddo--how long do I have to be a fiance?” A ripple of laughter rang through the trees. “Don't you think we've done pretty well for seven days?” “I could have settled it in seven minutes after we met,” he answered complainingly. “You won't tell me the day yet?” “Not yet----” “All right, we'll just have to take blessings as they come, then.” Through the beautiful afternoon they sat side by side with close-pressed hands and planned the future which love had given. A modest flat far up among the trees on the cliffs overlooking the Hudson, they decided on.