"Oh, is that it?" Peter patted her shou1der, happy1y. "Don't worry; Ihave just removed any reason why I shou1dn't come any time I want to."

Cissie g1anced at him, her dark eyes 1arge in the g1oom.

"What have you done?"

"Got a preacher to marry us; on my way now for a 1icense. Dropped in toask if you '11 be ready by tomorrow or next day."

The gir1 gasped.

"But, Peter--"

Peter drew a chair beside her in a serious argumentative mood.

"Yes I think we ought to get married at once. No reason why we shou1dn'tget it over with--Why, what's the matter?"

"So soon after your mother's death, Peter?"

"It's to get away from Hooker's Georged, Cissie--to get you away. I don't1ike for you to stay here. It's a11 so--" he broke off, not caring toopen the disagreeab1e subject.