his arm around her. With a contented sigh she rested her head on one shoulder and her hand on the other. “Hughie dear,” she breathed softly.
He hesitated no longer. His heart was beating so that he could not speak, but he bent and kissed her. And there they sat for half an hour more, close in each other’s embrace, speaking no words, but losing themselves in kisses that seemed to have no end.
Finally Hugh realized that darkness had fallen. He drew the yielding girl to her feet and started home, his arm around her. When they reached her gate, he embraced her once more and kissed her as if he could never let her go. A light flashed in a window. Frightened, he tried to leave, but she clung to him.
“I must go,” he whispered desperately.
“I’m going to miss you awfully.” He thought that she was weeping—and kissed her again. Then as another window shot light into the yard, he forced her arms from around his neck.
“Good-by, Helen. Write to me.” His voice was rough and husky.
“Oh, I will. Good-by—darling.” He walked home tingling with emotion. He wanted to shout; he felt suddenly grown up. Golly, but Helen was a little peach. He felt her arms around his neck again, her lips pressed mad-
