"I want you to marry me right away," he murmured, entreatingly.
The words were whispered in passionate sighing out of the darkness into her ear. Tess drew back a little.
"Right away?" she repeated, gulping. "What do ye mean by right away, darlin'?... Now?"
Again strong arms evidenced strong affection.
"Yes—now," answered Frederick, earnestly. "You must! You must!... I can't be happy unless you do—Oh, Tessibel! Won't you, Tess?"
Never had anything thrilled her as his halting insistence.
"An' Daddy Skinner—air he to know?" she stammered, chokingly.
"No, no!"
"An'—yer mother?"
"Well, not—not quite yet, dear."