“No, the young galoot never mentioned her name. I thought he would. But I must have scared him.” “You didn’t quarrel over anything?” “No! But I found out he had a mind of his own.” “So have you, sir.” CHAPTER XIII--THE FIRST KISS WHY didn’t you ask him yesterday?” cried Sallie, as she entered the parlour the next morning. “Darling, I was scared out of my wits. We got crossways on some questions we were discussing, and he snorted at me once, and every time I tried to screw up my courage to speak, a lump got in my throat and I gave it up. I thought I’d wait a day or two until he should be in a better humour.” “He’s gone away to-day,” she said with disappointment. “I’m glad of it, I ’ll write him a letter.” “If you had asked him yesterday it would have been all right. He told me so when he left this morning, with a very tender tremor in his voice.” “But it will be all right, sweetheart, when I write.” “I wanted my ring,” she whispered. “You shall have it,” he said, as he seized her hand and led her to a seat. “Have you got it with you?” she asked with excitement. “Let me see it quick.” He drew the little box from his pocket, withdrew the ring, concealing it in his hand, slipped it on her finger and kissed it. She threw her hand up into the light to see it. “Oh! it is glorious! It’s the big green diamond Hiddenite I saw at the Exposition! It is the most beautiful stone I ever saw, and the only one of its kind in size and colour in the world. Professor Hidden told me so. I tried to get Papa to buy it for me. But he laughed at me, and said it was childish extravagance. Charlie dear, how could you get it?” “That’s a little secret. But there are to be no secrets between us any more. I had a little hoard saved from my mother’s estate for the greatest need of my life. I confess my extravagance.” “You are a matchless lover. I’m the proudest and happiest girl that breathes.” “Nothing is too good for you, I wish I could make a greater sacrifice.” “Wait, till I show it to Mama,” and she flew to her mother’s room. She returned immediately, looking at the ring and kissing it. “Couldn’t show it to her, she had company,” she said. “Allan is talking to her.” “Let’s get out of the house, dear. I hate that man like a rattlesnake.” “Don’t be silly, I never cared a snap for him.” “I know you didn’t, but there is a poison about him that taints the air for me. Get your horse and let’s go to our place at the old mill.” They soon reached the spot, and with a laugh she sprang upon the rock and took her seat against the tree. “Now, dear, humour this whim of mine. I’ve grown superstitious since you’ve made me happy. I have a presentiment of evil because that man was in the house. I am going to take the ring off and put it on your hand again out here where only the eyes of our birds will see, and the river we love will hear.” “That will be nicer. I somehow feel that my life is built on this dear old rock,” she answered soberly.