“Take your time—I don’t want you to get a relapse. I’ve heard all about that adventure of yours. I’ll tell you what I think about it when I see you.” “I didn’t do anything. It was Jack Welsh and Reddy Magraw.” “I’ve heard about them, too. And what’s this story about a young damsel leading the rescuers?” “That was Welsh’s daughter.” “I want to meet her when I get back to Wadsworth.” “All right; I’ll introduce you,” and Allan chuckled. “What is it, Allan?” asked Mamie. “I know you’re saying something about me by the way you’re laughing.” But Allan silenced her with a wave of the hand. “You know what you ought to do,” added Mr. Schofield. “What?” “Marry her.” “I’ll think about it,” answered Allan, chuckling again. “Keep me posted about Bassett.” “I will.” “Good-bye.” “Good-bye,” clicked Allan, and pushed the instrument away. “I see I’ll have to learn telegraphy,” said Mamie. “I can’t have you talking about me to people right before me and me not understanding a word of it! What was he saying?” “He said he wanted to meet the heroine.” “Yes; and what else?” “He said it was up to me to marry her.” “And what did you tell him?” “I told him she was willing, but I hadn’t made up my mind.” “Yes,” said Mamie, reflectively, looking sternly at his laughing face, “I’ll certainly have to learn telegraphy.” “There’s only three words you need know,” said Allan. “Here they are,” and, finger on key, he clicked off slowly, .. — .. ...-. .. .. . . ..- “And what do they mean?” “‘I love you,’” he answered. “I think I like them better spoken,” said Mamie; “and I suppose I’ll have to forgive you.” * * * * * Joy is a great restorer, and the next twenty-four hours worked a big improvement in Allan’s condition. The wound on his head was healing nicely, and he had almost recovered from the weakness which the loss of blood had occasioned. A broken collar-bone is at no time a very dangerous injury, and in the case of this young and vigorous fellow it had already begun to knit, though, of course, his shoulder would stay in splints for a fortnight yet. From the general shock which he had suffered, his strong young body rallied quickly, and on the afternoon of the day following the conversation just recorded, the doctor announced that he might leave his bed and sit up a while. “And to-morrow, doctor,” Allan added, “I’m going down to the office.” “We’ll see,” said the doctor, laughing. “I don’t say you sha’n’t go; but I hope it won’t be necessary. I’d like to keep you quiet here for a day or two yet—you’ll gain by it in the end.” It was in his chair that Stanley found him when he came to make his report.