She was playing with fire, this thoughtless girl, for Earle Winans' heart knew how to love with burning passion.
His voice trembled with emotion as he said eagerly:
"Would you like to have the ring, Miss Conway?"
"I, Mr. Winans? Why, certainly not. I was only teasing Aura; she seemed to prize it so highly and declared she would throw it in the river before I should have it," asserted Ladybird, gayly.
"I will get the ring for you any minute you say you'll wear it, Ladybird. You know what I mean—as my betrothed," murmured her handsome young lover eagerly.
Ladybird blushed rosy red, then smiled brightly and whispered back:
"I'll give you my answer to-morrow."
And all his pleading would not induce her to shorten his probation.
"To-morrow—you must wait till to-morrow," she repeated, but her drooping eyes and rosy blushes made him almost certain what her answer would be.