“I think you will have to get out at the next crossroads,” she said with more dignity. “I have to go home now.”
“Why, Leslie Cloud! You don’t any such thing!” broke in Myrtle. “You told me you could be out till quarter of six. It’s only half-past four! I thought you were a good sport.”
“I’ve changed my mind,” said Leslie coldly, bringing the car to a standstill. “I’m going back right now. Do you and your friend want to get out here, Mr. Hicks?”
Fred Hicks lolled back in the car, and leered at Leslie.
“Why, no, I can’t say I’m particularly anxious to get out, but I think I’d like to change around a little. If you’ll just step over here, I’ll run the car for you, my dear. I don’t think Myrtle is ready to go back yet. How ’bout it, Myrt?” He turned and deliberately winked at Myrtle, who leaned over with a light laugh, and patted Leslie on the shoulder.
“There, there, Leslie, don’t get up in the air,” she soothed, “I’ll explain all about it if you’ll just turn around and go up that road back there. It won’t take you much longer, and we’ll be back in plenty of 248 time. The fact is, I had a little plan in the back of my head when I came out this afternoon; and I want you to help me out. Now be a good girl and let Fred run the car a little while. He won’t do it any harm, and your brother will never know a thing about it.”
Leslie’s eyes were flashing, and her head was held haughtily; but she kept her hands firmly on the wheel.
“Your friends will have to get out, Myrtle,” she said coldly. “I can’t help you out in any scheme I don’t understand. You’ll have to go to some one else for that kind of help.”
Myrtle pouted.
“I must say I don’t think you’re very nice, Leslie Cloud, speaking in that way before my friends; but of course you don’t understand; I’ll have to tell you. Bart Laws and I are engaged, and we’re going to a town down in the next State to get married. Bart has the license and the minister, and it’s all arranged nicely. His aunt will be there for a chaperon. If you behave yourself and do as we tell you, the whole thing will go off quietly and no one will know the difference. You and I will go back home before dark, and everything will be lovely. You see, dear, I’ve been engaged all this time; only I couldn’t tell you, because my guardians don’t approve of my getting married until I’m through college. You didn’t understand why I had so much to do with Rich Price, but he was just a go-between for Bart and me. Now, do you understand why I wanted you to go this afternoon?”