Part 5 (2/2)

”I think I'll drive you back home now,” the Beggar Man said, suddenly.

”Your mother will be wondering where you are.” He spoke to the driver, and the taxi turned about.

The Beggar Man was sitting opposite to Faith now. He kept looking at her in a queer, nervous sort of way. Suddenly he said in his abrupt manner:

”Do you mind if--if I kiss you?”

She raised her brown eyes.

”If you kiss--me!” She echoed the words with fluttering incredulity.

”Oh, no, of course not--if you really want to.”

”Thank you.” He leaned across and kissed her cheek awkwardly.

There was a little silence, then he said, angrily: ”Of course, some people would call me an absolute blackguard!”

She looked at him in amazement.

”Why, what do you mean?”

He explained disjointedly.

”You're such a child--and I'm nearly twenty years older than you are.

You don't realize what you're doing--marrying me. I may make your life miserable.” She smiled serenely.

”You couldn't! How could you? I'm going to be ever so happy.” She drew a long breath of rapture. ”It's just like a novelette,” she said again fervently. The Beggar Man frowned. He let the window down with a run; the rain had almost stopped.

”I think we're quite near your home,” he said.

”Perhaps you would rather walk the rest of the way? Or shall I come in and see your mother?”

Faith started up. ”Oh, no--I'll walk; I'd much rather.”

The taxi stopped and the man got out.

”Well--good-bye. Till to-morrow,” he said.

She looked up eagerly.

”Oh, shall I see you again to-morrow?”

”I'll meet you outside Heeler's in the evening.”

She looked like a delighted child.

”That will be three days running that I've seen you,” she said.

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