Elsie held up her left hand timidly. “With a plain gold ring on that finger, Martin,” she said. She was now blushing furiously. She knew that she had virtually proposed to Druce. He laughed and something in his laugh jarred her.
“Oh, marriage,” he said.
“You know that Martin, don’t you? I couldn’t go to Chicago with you any other way.”
Druce took off his hat. “Elsie,” he said, “you’re as good as gold. I honor you for your scruples.”
He paused to think for a moment. “I’ll tell you,” he said. “You come along with me and I’ll marry you as soon as we reach Chicago. Meanwhile I’ll telegraph ahead and arrange to have you taken care of by my old aunt. You’ll be as safe with her as if you were in your own home.”
“You promise to marry me?”
“Sure I do, girlie.” He broke off blusteringly. “What do you take me for? Do you think I’d lure you to Chicago and then leave you?”
“Martin,” said Elsie gravely, “a girl must protect herself.”
“You’ll go, honey?” Druce persisted.
“I can’t tell,” replied the girl desperately, anxious to promise and yet afraid.