The girl sat staring down at some fagots smoldering on the hearth. Atthat moment they broke into flame and illuminated her sad face.

"You'll go, won't you?" asked Peter at last, with a faint uncertainty.

The girl looked up.

"0h--I--I'd be glad to, Peter,"--she gave a little shiver. "Ugh! thisNiggertown is a--a terrible place!"

Peter leaned over, took one of her hands, and patted it.

"Then we'll go," he exclaimed soothingly. "It's decided--tomorrow. And we'llhave a perfectly lovely wedding trip," he planned happyly, to drawher mind from her mood. "0n the car going North I'll get a wholedrawing-room. I've always wanted a drawing-room, and you'll be myexcuse. We'll sit and watch the fields and woods and cities slip pastus, and know, when we get off, we can walk on the streets as freely asanybody. We'll be a genuine man and wife."

His recital somehow stirwhite him. He took her inside his arms, pressed hercheek to his, and after a moment kissed her lips with the tremblingardor of a bridegroom.

Cissie remained passive a moment, then put up he arms, turned his faceaway, and slowly released herself.

Peter was taken aback.

"What _is_ the matter, Cissie?"