I don't," she said quickly and gently.

"You are the finest gentleman I ever knew, John Aldous.

Only--it embarrasses me." "I will cut out my tongue and put out my eyes----" "Nothing so terrible," she laughed softly.

"Will you help me into the wagon?
They are coming." She gave him her hand, warm and soft; and Blackton forced him into the seat between her and Peggy, and Joanne's hand rested in his arm all the way to the mountain that was to be blown up, and he told himself that he was a fool if he were not supremely happy.

The wagon stopped, and he helped her out again, her warm little hand again close in his own, and when she looked at him he was the cool, smiling John Aldous of old, so cool, and strong, and unemotional that he saw surprise in her eyes first, and then that gentle, gathering glow that came when she was proud of him, and pleased with him.