had rushed impulsively into a most awkward position struck him. Into
his healthy mind no sex question thrust itself. She was his friend,
and as such, her claim upon him was overwhelming and unarguable.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked. "Have you thought of
anything?"

"Of course I have. In the morning, early, before they find out that
I've bolted, you must drive me to New York and take me to Alice
Palgrave. She'll put me up, and I can telegraph to Mother for money
to buy clothes with. Does it occur to you, Marty, that you're the
cause of all this? If I hadn't turned and found you that afternoon,
I should still be eating my soul away and having my young life
crushed. As it is, you've forced my hand. So you're going to take me
to the magic city, and if you want to see how a country cousin makes
up for lost time and sets things humming, watch me!"

So they talked and talked, sitting in that room which was made the
very sanctum of romance by young blood and moonlight. Eleven o'clock
slipped by, and twelve and one; and while the earth slept, watched
by a million glistening eyes, and nature moved imperceptibly one
step nearer to maturity, this boy and girl made plans for the
discovery of a world out of which so many similar explorers have
crept with wounds and bitterness.

They were wonderful and memorable hours, not ever to be lived again.
They were the hours that all youth enjoys and delights in once--
when, like gold-diggers arrived in sight of El Dorado, they halt and
peer at the chimera that lies at their feet--