“If I ever do get to be a wonderful man, it’s going to be on your account, Jessie,” he returned in a low voice. “You have been my inspiration. Don’t forget that;” and he drew her closer than before.
“Oh, Dave!”
“It’s true, Jessie. And I only hope that I’ll make good––and that too before I am very much older. Then I think you already know what I am going to do?”
“What?” she whispered, and dropped her eyes.
“I am going to ask your folks for your hand in marriage,” he continued firmly, reading his answer in her face.
Word had come in from Roger that he too was getting ready to go to Texas, and that both of the youths were to work together, as had been anticipated. As the senator’s son was in Washington, it was arranged that Dave was to join him in the Capitol City, and then the two were to journey to Texas.
Ben had heard about Dave’s proposed departure 186 for the South, and he came over several times to see his former Oak Hall chum before the latter left home.
“Any news regarding the miniatures?” questioned Dave, during the last of these visits.
“Not much,” answered the real estate dealer’s son. “The police thought they had one or two clues, but they have all turned out to be false. They arrested one fellow in Pittsburgh, thinking he was Tim Crapsey, but he turned out to be somebody else.”
“Then they haven’t any word at all about Ward Porton?”