The Monticellonian., 1919-05-09
CHAPTER XIX.

her time. The elevator that took their bodies down took her spirits up. She noted that he had not brought his big car with his chauffeur. He slowed her into powerful roadster built for two. But she had no inclination to protest. The car caught them away and they sped through Central park with lyrical. with dithyrambie, sweep.
 '.The trees -how wonderful they are :" she cried.
 They had been wonderful for weeks. but she had thought them dismal.
 .They're nothing to what they are in Westchester," said Duane Were going to have look at them and dine up there somewhere
 Are we?" was all she said.
 And he said, We are"
 After they left the park and re- entered the hard streets she found the courage to remind him: But you said you had something important to tell me. What was it?"
 Miss Kip, you've played the very devil with me. I thought I was im- fune to the lover germ, but-well, 1 told you the truth about going abroad to shake off the-the fever-the Daphnitis that attacked me. But l couldn't get you out of my mind for long, or out of my heart at all. I'm a sick man, Miss Kip, lovesiek man."
 MT. Duane, you mustn't-I can't all low you-really
 "0h, yes, you cant. he said, and sent the car ahead with a plunge. You're going to listen to me for once. You can't help yourself I'm not going to hurt you. l just want you to help me little. l went up in the Berk- shires and tried to get my sanity back, but l couldn't! I couldn't even play golf-or cards-or drink. People drive me crazy. l can't get interested in anything or anybody but you.'
 'Mr. Duane, please You oughtn't to- l beg you. I have no right"
 "Oh. l know you're engaged to Clay Wimburn. He's a nice kid. Pm not one-twothree with him. I'm not try irs to cut him out-I couldn't if would. 1 like him. I'd like to help him. and your brother. too. I don't mean to be impertinent. either; but well. the main thing is, want to beg you to let me see you once in while.
 Il want to take you out riding and dining and dancing and-you can take Wimburn along if you've got to. but want you to save my life somehow. And, by the Lord Harry think it will save yours. You don't look well, my dear-Miss Kip. It breaks my heart to see it. No, l don't believe you're getting as much fun out of life as you ought to- There isn't much fun in the world any more, but what little's left is very precious, and I want you to get all that's going. Won't you let me help you go after it? Won't your
 They swung up to height that com handed a vast reach of the Hudson. Between it's banks it semed to be river of wine. The western sky was like forest of autumn leaves with tie last sad red pitifully beautiful, since 1t must turn so soon 10 rust.
 In spirit of haste the fieetly spin ming wheels murmured, Why not, why not. why not. why-notwhynotwhynot?"
 Before the sunset had quite relin- quished the sky the moon was over the horizon-the harvest moon, huge and close and of meditative mein. It paled and dwindled as it climbed. but it's power seemed to grow.
 IL left Daphne more alone with Duane, little afraid of him and of the gloaming They emerged above the chain of Croton lakes and ran across the big dam and wound along . the shore, crossing iron bridge after iron bridge, till they came to little roadside inn whose lights had vel low warmth
 Were stopping here for dinner, if you don't mind" said Duane.
 Daphne was a trifle i'll at ease, but she was hungry, too, and the adventure was exhilarating. There were not many people at the tables, and they were of an adventurous cast as well.
 When Duane had given his order he asked Daphne if she would join the rest of the diners who had left their chairs to foX-trot She shook her head and he did not urge her.
 But by the time their dinner was served and eaten the nagging. inter- minable music had played away near ly all her scruples.
 When Duane looked 1t her with an appealing smile. she smiled back, nod ded and rose. He leaped to his feet and took her i'll his arms.
 Somehow. it was not mere dancing now He had told her that he loved her. There was in his embrace an eagerness that was full of difference but full of delight as well. After all she was alone with him in company that seemed not to be very respectable and was growing less so every hour.
 Her feet and all her limbs and every muscle of her reveled in the gambol but her heart and mind and conscience were troubling her till she stopped short at last and said
 I'm sorry, but I-Td rather not dance any more-here.
 Duane paused in moments chagrin Then he sighed: All right"
 They retreated to their table, and he looked at her sadly. and she sadly at him. Then he seemed to like her even better than before, and he said, with very tender smile: