Nell of Shorne Mills

"But I am here--you have got me," she said, with all the innocence of a

child. "Oh, why should we hurry?"

He bit his pipe hard.

"I know," he said, rather huskily. "But I want you altogether--for my

very own. I don't want to have to part with you at the gate of The

Cottage. You don't understand; but I don't want you to. But, Nell, as we

are going to be married, we might as well be married now as months

hence."

Her head sank lower; the _Annie Laurie_ lost the wind, and fell off and

rolled on the ground swell.

"Do you--want to marry me--so soon?" she murmured.

"So soon!" he echoed. "Why, it is months--weeks--since we were engaged."

"But--but--aren't you happy--content?" she asked. "I--I am so happy. I

know that you love me; that is happiness enough."

He drew her to him and kissed her with a reverence which he thought no

woman would have received from him.

"No; it is not enough, dearest," he said. "You don't understand. I'll

put the banns up to-morrow--no; I'll get a special license. I want you

for my own, all my own, Nell."

When they sailed into the slip by the jetty, Dick was waiting for them.

"Hal-lo!" he yelled. "I've been waiting for you for the last two hours.

I've news for you."

"News?" said Drake.

Nell was coiling the sheet in a methodical fashion, and thinking of

Drake's words.

"Yes. The Maltbys are going to give a dance, and you and I and Nell are

asked."

"And who are the Maltbys?" he inquired, with a lack of interest which

nettled Dick.

"The Maltbys are our salt of the earth," he replied; "they are our

especial 'local gentry'; and, let me tell you, an invitation from them

is not to be sneezed at."

"I didn't sneeze," said Drake, clasping Nell's hand as he helped her out

of the boat.

"It's for the fifth," said Dick; "and it's sure to be a good dance;

better still, it's sure to be a good supper. Now, look here, don't you

two spoons say you 'don't care about it,' for, I've set my mind upon

going."

Drake laughed easily.

"Would you like to go?" he asked of Nell.

"Would you?" she returned.

Loverlike, he thought of a dance with her. She was, her girlish

innocence, so sparing of her caresses, that the prospect of holding her

in his arms during a waltz set him aching with longing.