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"But I don't want it now, either. I won't have it. Didn't I tell

you I wouldn't? Besides," she added, with a little leap of

laughter in her voice, "why should you ask pardon for kissing the

girl you were meant to--to----"

He finished it for her.

"To marry, Peggy. I didn't know it then, but I knew it before you

said good-by with your whip."

"And I didn't know it till next morning," she said.

"Did you know it then, when you were so mean to me?"

"That was why I was so mean to you. I had to punish myself and

you because I--liked you so well."

She buried her face shyly in his coat to cover this confession.

It seemed easy for both of them to laugh over nothing in the

exuberance of their common happiness. His joy pealed now

delightedly.

"I can't believe it--that four days ago you wasn't on the earth

for me. Seems like you always belonged; seems like I always

enjoyed your sassy ways."