Part 62 (1/2)
”Fact. Doctor Swift told me. 'G.o.d bless pa, and ma, and Mister Jim Hess, and Miss Burnaby.' That's the formula. Swift predicts that the next batch of christenings will include a 'Yim Hess' Swanson and a 'Clyde Burnaby' Brule. Such is fame! Think you can stand the dizzy popularity?”
”Lovely!” cried Clyde. ”I'll order silver mugs to-morrow, and start a savings account for each baby.”
”Go slow!” he laughed. ”You'll have 'em all named after you at that rate.”
”I'll get the mugs and a spoon, anyway. I never was so flattered before. I've just begun to _live_ since I came out here. Why, Casey, my life was absolutely empty. You can't imagine how lonely and bored I was.”
”What a shame! We'll see that it doesn't occur again. Which opens an interesting question: When are you going to marry me?”
”Why--I hadn't thought. I suppose we should think of it.”
”Well, it's usual, under the circ.u.mstances.”
”Next June? I think I should like to be a June bride.”
”See here, young lady,” said Casey severely, ”what sort of a gold brick is this? Are you aware that we are in the f.a.g end of July?”
”It's really not a long engagement. A year soon pa.s.ses.”
”And the years soon pa.s.s. I'm not going to be defrauded of a year's happiness. I'll stand for any time in September, but not a day later.”
”September! But, my dearest boy, that's only a few weeks.”
”That's why I said September.”
She laughed happily. ”Very well, September. But I'll have a thousand things to do. I'll have to go back with Uncle Jim.”
”What's the use? Stay here. Kitty Wade will stay, too. I'll coax her.”
”But I've all sorts of things to buy?”
”Order 'em by mail.”
”My trousseau _by mail_!” she exclaimed, in horror. ”It would be sacrilege.”
”Oh, well, suit yourself,” said Casey, with a sigh of resignation.
”Thank the Lord it only happens once.”
She laughed. ”And then there's our honeymoon to plan. Where shall we spend it?”
”It's up to you. Wherever you say.”
”You've never been to Europe?”
”No. But I'd rather do my honeymooning where I can ask for what I want with some chance of getting it.”