“And I—I ran into your ‘hay maker.’”

“Something like that,” Johnny agreed, sitting down beside her. “I hope you feel better.”

She did not answer, but sat staring at the sawdust. They remained in just that position until Johnny’s watch had ticked off a hundred and twenty seconds. He knew it was a hundred and twenty for he counted them all.

“I suppose,” he said, when he could endure the silence no longer, “that that’s the end of it?”

“I suppose so,” she agreed.

Again they were silent. There seemed nothing more to say.

“And I thought we would have some grand times together,” said Johnny, at last. “I might have known though—”

“Oh! But aren’t we?” There was a puzzled look on her face.

“Why! You—you said that was the end of it!”

“I suppose so for today. I’m really too shaky to box any more to-day. But how about to-morrow?”

With a wild shout of joy, Johnny leaped to his feet.

“Then—then—,” he stammered. “Why, you’re a brick!”

He extended his hand and helped her to her feet.

“Why? What’s so wonderful?” she smiled at him. “I ran into you and got bumped. I don’t hold that against you. Why should I? Would another boy hate you for it?”

“No. He might not, but a girl—”

“Fiddle! Girls are just like boys, if you let them be. Shall I see you to-morrow?”

“You sure will!”

For a moment Johnny hesitated before taking her hand for a farewell; the question of the diamond ring had flashed through his mind. Was this the time to ask? He hesitated; then gave it up. A moment before he had felt that he had lost her. He would risk nothing more this day.

“Good-bye and good luck,” he murmured, as she turned to go her way.

CHAPTER XI THE BLACK BEAST

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