"Not a word to Mr. Rutledge! Let him discover his mistakes unaided. Promise me. Promise," she demanded.
Lola promised.
"Cross your heart and hope you may die," Elise added.
Lola laughingly went through these binding formalities.
"Now the goblins will get you if you ever tell him and besides that I would know it at once. If you do I'll send him packing for good and all."
Lola protested that she would leave Mr. Rutledge entirely to his own devices,—and she kept her promise.
Lola had insisted on retiring early for a good night's rest, but it was long after midnight before she and her school-day chum grew sleepy over their confidences. Along at the last Elise pressed her face down in the pillow beside Lola's cheek and whispered:
"Honey, if it wasn't very dark and our last night together I couldn't tell you; but do you know if Mr. Rutledge were to ask me to marry him to-morrow I would have to tell him there was no answer."
Lola lay still till she caught the meaning of this confession. Then she softly kissed Elise good-night.
"Let your heart decide, dearest," she said.