Elated I turned to my companion and suggested a ride on the lake. She was agreeable, but cautioned me that she must be home before nine-thirty, or her father would come after her. A hasty glance at my watch told me that it was then almost nine-thirty, but unscrupulously, I told her there was plenty of time. We hurried accross the park grounds to the lake, and under

a string of lights hanging above a floating platform to which were anchored several dozen row boats I made the necessary monetary arrangements for the use of one of them.

The boatman winked knowingly at me as I helped my little friend to seat herself. Seizing the oars, I quickly had the small craft skimming over the water. The moon was in first quarter, softly illuminating the scene and a circle of electric lights around the lake twinkled brightly and were reflected back from the velvet surface of the water, I saw with inward satisfaction that there were no other boats out and unless some couple was already at the island we would have it to ourselves. I circled it once and found that, as I had hoped, it was unoccupied.

"Shall we rest a little while on the sand?" I insinuated softly.

"If you want to!" she answered, with a sly smile.

A bit of maneuvering and I quickly had the prow of the boat close against the sandy shore. I jumped out, pulled the small craft up on the beach, and assisted my companion out.

We sat down on the sand. I knew from what she had said about being home early, that we had no time to loose. Placing an arm around her I drew her down so that her head was resting on my lap. I bent over her and as I covered

her mouth with mine I slipped a hand under the edge of her dress, and up between her legs. And a moment later one of my fingers was in-sided the temple.

The road had apparently been traveled already.

"You'e had it before, haven't you, cutie?" I murmured.