"We never take money that we do not earn stop we sent the man up in your country to reform him stop we accept the liability as our own and are sending check today for a thousand. For all favors we thank you--signed Updyke."
At last came the evening when, without the least "fuss and feathers," Mary Johnson leaned back in Henry Updyke's big car and drank in the ozone of Westchester county. She looked a dream in her light summer furs and stylish coat that concealed her pretty party gown. Twenty miles whizzed by with little in the way of conversation when suddenly the car made a quick turn, and stopped in the shadows of a great boulder. Behind them lay Riverdale, and the black forests of Spuyten Duyvel loomed ahead, just across the East River, five hundred feet below. The moon was now doing its best to light up the mighty Hudson. Nothing like this grandeur had Mary Johnson's eyes beheld. A thrill of ecstasy crept into her heart. A new world was opening before her, and all within the limits of little old Manhattan, where all kinds of worlds exist--pay as you enter and take your choice.
"I never dreamed of such splendor!" sighed Mary, her heart filled with emotion, which was just like most women, who cry when they are glad.
"Well, little girl, while you go on dreaming I'm going to say something to you," said Updyke, gruffly.
"I'm always glad to hear your voice, dear," replied the girl still awed by the scene.
"I love you!" exclaimed Updyke, in as harsh a tone as a frightened man of his size could muster.
"Say it again," said Mary, snuggling closer.
"I meant it the first time, and I never repeat," he fumed uneasily.
"Oh, do--just to please me," she whispered.
"All right here goes," and with that Updyke took her bodily into his arms and held her there until the moon lady looked down and laughed at them. And when all was said, and the gardens of their two hearts had been merged into one, Updyke suddenly recollected the seats he had engaged on the Swathmere roof.
"I am hungry, Mary. Shall we jog along back?" he asked meekly, as if taking orders for the first time in his life.
"I could stay here forever," said she, putting her lips up to be kissed.
"Let's get married to-night," suggested Updyke, his eyes aflame.