"Do you believe it?" asked Carly, her big, brown eyes solemn and serious.
"Yes, I do," said Shelby. "It's highly probable, anyway. Go on, Peter, tell us something else."
Whether Shelby "believed" or not, he was deeply interested, and his breath came faster as he saw the revealing letters spell various messages.
Both performers watched the four hands as the board moved under them. And, the most intense scrutiny could discover no voluntary movement or assistance to the uncanny instrument.
Many messages were of slight importance, and then came a sudden, "I say, Shelby, why don't you marry Carly?"
The girl gasped, then smiled, but Shelby looked up, dumbfounded.
"Oh, Carly," he said, "if you only would!"
"Hush!" she reproved him. "I'll put the board away if you do such things! You know you pushed it that time!"
"I didn't, Carly, truly—word of honor, I didn't! I'd no idea what was coming! Oh, Carly, darling, I love you, and—dear, whether Peter sent that message or not—won't you—can't you——"
They had risen, casting aside the board, and Shelby took her hands in his. "Dearest," he said, "I wanted to tell you, but I was waiting—for—for Peter's sake. Now—he wants it! So, dear heart—my little girl—won't you——"