"We ought to go up and help Lloyd," Peter decreed. "Which way did
he go?"

"I don't know, darling!" Alix answered, leaning back, crossing her
ankles, and yawning. "But they'll be back before you could get
there. They've been gone five minutes!"

Only five minutes, but they were enough to take Cherry and her
lover out of sight of the house, enough to have him put his arm
about her, and to have her raise her lips confidently, and yet
shyly, again to his. They kissed each other deeply, again and
again. The girl was a little confused and even a little uneasy as
he continued the tight grip on his arm about her, and her upward
look found his eyes close to her own.

Their talk was incoherent. Cherry was still playing, coquetting
and smiling, her words few, and Martin, having her so near, could
only repeat the endearing phrases that attempted to express to her
his love and fervour.

"You darling! Do you know how I love you? You darling--you little
exquisite beauty! Do you love me--do you love me?" Martin
murmured, and Cherry answered breathlessly:

"You know I do--but you know I do!"

Presently he selected the sapling redwood, and brought it down
with two blows of his axe. The girl seated herself beside him,
helped him strip the trunk, their hands constantly touching, the