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 of mine?" asked Truman, again his voice vibrating like some melodic basso string.

"I don't want to go in," she confessed. "I wish we might just ride on and on and on into the night and out of it into the daylight and beyond—anywhere, so long as I'm with you."

"That's noble of you, and I love you all the more for it. The stars of this night are my witnesses. I'll ever take care of you so that you ride only in happiness." Bennet pledged confidently. Youth reckons so little on circumstances and consequences.

At the pledge she touched her head to his breast for an instant, as if silently to drink in the intoxicating experience. "I didn't know love could be so good," she sighed. Her head rested but a moment, however, before the driver had dismounted and was opening the door for them to alight. Bennet lifted her lightly from the car and escorted her up the steps and into the vestibule. There they stood a moment in parting embrace.

"I hate to leave you—Don't go, Truman, my love. I wish we might never part. I hate so to let you go. This is the happiest hour of my life. Do you blame me then for wanting to prolong it?" she asked.

"How could I blame the one I love. If parting be painful to you how much more painful must it be to me. I have been heart hungry for love like yours.

"I'll try to be both mother and sweetheart to you, Truman.—I must say good-night now and yet I hate to. Good night dear heart—May God's best angels guard you.