A thought went like lightning through Millie's brain.
"Are you waiting here for him?"
They did not answer.
"What makes you think he will come this way?"
"He went up there," said Arnie.
"Up there? Up that hill? He's not there now; I've just come from there."
"Hist!" said Otis.
They all heard a footstep, clear in the night stillness, swinging down the hill at a steady run.
"If it is he, Amurrica, now is your time to make it up," urged Millie, and her heart began to beat faster, and sweet, wild thoughts surged up within her at the thought that she was hearkening her lover's approaching feet.
"I'll make it up, no fear!" was the muttered reply, as Otis, who was standing behind her, gripped her firmly by both elbows, pinioning her in his strong hold, and backing into the deepest shadow on the farther side of the bridge, under the trees. "Hold her!" he gasped to Arnie; "hold tight, we've only a minute!"