“I’m warned now,” he said, “but don’t you ever try running away from me!”
“Oh, I don’t know!” she cried. “I dare you to catch me!” She vaulted the fence into a corn field and alertly dodged him as he pursued her over the stubble and among the shocks. She was fleet of foot and easily outdistanced him. She ended the long chase by hiding behind a shock and then as he blundered about seeking her, she sprang out and flung her arms about him.
“It’s time to go to the house,” he said, glancing at the lowering sun. “Tommy threatened to have tea. We’ll take another way back; it’s longer!”
“Isn’t it too bad that things must end? I wish today could last forever!”
“Let’s think of it only as the beginning! Today I refuse to think of anything disagreeable. I only ask to be sure you belong to me.”
“Oh, dear and splendid one, you don’t question it!” A smile played about her lips and her dark eyes were afire. “I love you!” she whispered. “I love you! I love you!”
The path they were following paralleled the highway at this point and as they clung to each other a man passed in the road, walking rapidly toward town. He could hardly have failed to see their embrace.
It was John Moore, taking alone the tramp he had asked Grace to share with him. He paused and stared, lifted his hat and hurried on.