The circumstances might seem a little daring and improper.
But the reader knows that it is all right, because the
hero and heroine always call one another Miss Middleton
and Mr. Smith.

   Not till right at the end, when they are just getting
back again to the confines of civilization, do they depart
from this.

   Here is the scene that happens… The hero and heroine
are on the platform of the way-side depot where they are
to part… Kate to return to the luxurious home of her
aunt, Mrs. van der Kyper of New York, and the Air-and-Grass
Man to start for the pampas of Patagonia to hunt the
hoopoo. The Air-and-Grass Man is about to say goodbye.
Then… "'Kate,' I said, as I held the noble girl's gloved
hand in mine a moment. She looked me in the face with
the full, frank, fearless gaze of a sister.

   "'Yes?' she answered.

   "'Kate,' I repeated, 'do you know what I was thinking of
when I held the line while you were half way down the
cliff?'

   "'No,' she murmured, while a flush suffused her cheek.

   "'I was thinking, Kate,' I said, 'that if the rope broke

   I should be very sorry.'

   "'Edward!' she exclaimed.

   "I clasped her in my arms.

   "'Shall I make a confession,' said Kate, looking up
timidly, half an hour later, as I tenderly unclasped the
noble girl from my encircling arms, …'I was thinking
the same thing too.'"

 Prev. P 16/55 next