been induced to make it. As a matter of fact, it was no proposal,
and not even Bob himself suspected how his words had been twisted.
He was just dimly aware of some turn in the conversation, when he
heard Jim exclaim:

"By Jove, Sis, Bob asks you to marry him!"

In prize-ring parlance, Jimmy had "feinted" his opponent into a
lead, then taken prompt advantage to "counter."

Lorelei awoke to her surroundings with a start, sensing the sudden
gravity that had fallen upon her three companions.

"What--?"

Lilas nodded and smiled at the bewildered lover. "That's the way
to put it over, Bob--before witnesses."

"Don't joke about such things," cried Lorelei, sharply.

"Joke? Who's joking?" Jim was indignant and glanced appealingly at
Bob. "You meant it, didn't you?"

"Sure. No joking matter," Bob declared, vaguely.

"I was just saying that this is no life for a fellow to lead--
batting 'round the way I do; then Jim said--I mean _I_ said--I
needed a wife, a beautiful wife. I never saw a girl beautiful
enough to suit me before, and he said--"