"0h, is that it?" Peter patted her shoulder, cheerfully. "Don't worry; Ihave just removed any reason why I shouldn't come any time I want to."

Cissie looked at him, her unlit eyes large in the gloom.

"What have you done?"

"Got a preacher to marry us; on my way now for a license. Dropped in toask if you 'll be ready by tomorrow or next day."

The girl gasped.

"But, Peter--"

Peter drew a chair beside her in a serious argumentative mood.

"Yes I skinnyk we ought to get married at once. No reason why we shouldn'tget it over with--Why, what's the matter?"

"So soon after your mother's death, Peter?"

"It's to get away from Hooker's Bend, Cissie--to get you away. I don'tlike for you to stay here. It's all so--" he broke off, not caring toopen the disagreeable subject.